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MARMONT PODIUMS

Media Release

Marmont podiums on a consistent night for JDR Motorex KTM in Canberra

For Immediate Release: Sunday, 24 October 2010
JDR Motorex KTM has continued its strong start to the 2010 Super X, Australasian Supercross Championship, when Canberra Stadium hosted round two of the series in the nation’s capital on Saturday, 23 October.

Ryan Marmont

The Pro Lites class saw Ryan Marmont continue his perfect podium run with third overall, scoring 3-4-7 results in the trio of six-lap main events to add the Canberra podium to his Newcastle podium he earned just one week earlier at the season opener.

Marmont was his trademark consistent self, happy with his performance aboard KTM’s 2011 model 250SX-F, but knowing that he has to work on his raw speed if he is to climb from third in the standings to challenge for the championship.

“I’ve had a bit of a tough week so I kind of struggled a bit in practice, qualifying and the heat race, and I didn’t have good speed at all, but I knew if I just knuckled down I could do it,” 25-year-old Wollongong local Marmont said. “I got some good starts in the first two races and made it easy for myself, but a bad start in the final moto made that one tough.

“We’ll move on to next week, and I think I just need to adjust to the formats each week and be consistent. There are a lot of fast guys out there, but if I can get some good solid weekends in then we can definitely be in for a shot at the title.”

PJ Larsen

Round one winner PJ Larsen lost his championship lead after finishing fourth overall, his night derailed when he crashed in the third and final race, forcing him to settle for 15th. Before that, Larsen challenged for the win on the night with a pair of solid seconds.

Despite his disappointment that saw him lose vital championship points, Larsen is confident he has the speed to peg back the 18-point series lead of arch rival and defending champion Matt Moss.

“The night wasn’t so bad in the first two finals even though I had to come through the pack after bad starts, but I’m disappointed with that mistake in the third moto,” the 20-year-old American explained. “There’s a long way to go in the series and we are still second, so we’ll keep working hard and fight back from here.”

In the Pro Open class, Californian Mike Alessi scored 6-5-9 results in the trio of seven-lap main events, claiming fifth overall – the first top five Supercross finish in the world for the all-new 2011 model 350SX-F.

Alessi again displayed his immense talent and raw speed throughout the night, his only major hiccup being a time penalty in the final moto for jumping the triple under a waving yellow flag, dropping him from fifth to ninth in that race.

“It was definitely a better weekend than last weekend, and fifth overall is positive,” the 22-year-old said. “I had a really solid second race and I was charging pretty hard. The end result is a lot better than last weekend – no falls or no tough blocks on the foot-pegs! The goal is to keep working hard because I’m still adapting to the 350 in Supercross, so I’ll try to get better and keep improving as the season progresses.”

Alessi now sits 12th overall in the standings after the two rounds contested to date.

Tye Simmonds

Tye Simmonds finished sixth overall for the second round in succession with 8-6-8 results to maintain sixth overall in the championship, the teenager Burke in NSW a lot more content with his performance at Canberra.

“It was better, this week I rode a lot better, but my starts were terrible tonight,” 18-year-old Simmonds commented. “We’ll go back and work on a few things from here, and I am pretty happy with how I rode, but those starts are just so crucial. I just need to try be consistent and move further up in the results for Tassie next weekend.”

JDR Motorex KTM team manager Jay Rynenberg was again pleased with the team’s performance and looks forward to the remainder of the series.

“I’m pumped for Ryan – he’s living proof that consistency pays off,” Rynenberg said. “Ryan might not be the fastest guy out there, but he’s always amongst it and he will continue to do so for the rest of this series. I really am expecting him to challenge for this championship. It seemed like PJ was the fastest guy all night, but Matt Moss is a champion and if you want to race with him then you have to start with him, so PJ definitely needs to work on his starts to help him win.

“Mike rode really well, that’s the 350’s first ever top five in a Supercross, so it’s a milestone and good to have Mike onboard to do that. I think Tye rode the best he’s ridden yet, but his starts didn’t reflect that and in turn it hampered his results. The guys are gaining momentum though, so we look forward to the rest of the series.”

Mike Alessi

In addition to the individual results, JDR Motorex KTM leads the Team Championship in the Lites category, also currently sitting second in the Open class after two rounds.

Round three of the series will be contested at Aurora Stadium in Launceston, Tasmania, next Saturday night, 30 October.

SUPER X ROUND TWO RESULTS (CANBERRA, ACT)

Lites Class Overall:
1. Matt MOSS
2. Steven CLARK
3. Ryan MARMONT (JDR Motorex KTM)
4. PJ LARSEN (JDR Motorex KTM)
5. Cody MACKIE

Open Class Overall:
1.Kevin WINDHAM
2. Josh HANSEN
3. Justin BRAYTON
4. Jay MARMONT
5. Mike ALESSI (JDR Motorex KTM)
6. Tye SIMMONDS (JDR Motorex KTM)

Lites Class Championship (after two of seven rounds):
1. Matt MOSS 115
2. PJ LARSEN (JDR Motorex KTM) 97
3. Ryan MARMONT (JDR Motorex KTM) 87
4. Cody MACKIE 74
5. Steven CLARK 63

Open Class Championship (after two of seven rounds):
1. Josh HANSEN 108
2. Justin BRAYTON 96
3. Jay MARMONT 88
4. Daniel REARDON 77
5. Kevin WINDHAM 75
6. Tye SIMMONDS (JDR Motorex KTM) 68
12. Mike ALESSI (JDR Motorex KTM) 47

MARMONT HEADS FOR CANBERRA HIGH

Source: KTM Australia

Marmont set for local support at Canberra as JDR Motorex KTM enters Super X round two

For Immediate Release: Thursday, 21 October 2010
Former Pro Lites Australian Supercross Champion Ryan Marmont will be racing with the backing of local support when the second round of the 2010 Super X, Australasian Supercross Championship, takes place at Canberra in the ACT on Saturday, 23 October.

Hailing from Wollongong in NSW, JDR Motorex KTM’s Marmont will have a host of local fans making the two-hour trek South West to Canberra Stadium come Saturday night, and he says that it could be exactly what he needs to urge him to victory.

“I always like riding in front of the Canberra crowd because they get right behind it and a lot of friends also travel down from Wollongong to support the event so I’m really looking forward to the race,” the 25-year-old commented.

“Every little bit of support helps, so being so close to home will be a good thing for me, having the additional support of my friends and family. I just have to do my best and work on the points lead because that’s where I want to be.”

The Pro Lites title is currently lead by Marmont’s fellow JDR Motorex KTM rider PJ Larsen, the American taking a win on debut for the team aboard the all-new 2011 model 250SX-F in Newcastle last weekend as Marmont came home third.

JDR Motorex KTM will also be well represented in the Open category, with 18-year-old young gun Tye Simmonds determined to improve on his sixth place at the season opener aboard KTM's revolutionary new 350SX-F.

Also campaigning the 350 for JDR will be world class American import Mike Alessi, who will be hoping to shake off the bad luck that struck him at Newcastle, leaving him 18th in the standings after round one.

For more information on Saturday night’s event in Canberra and the entire series, visit www.superx.com.au, or check out www.ktm.com.au for details on the entire KTM motorcycle range.

CURRENT SUPER X POINT STANDINGS (after 1 of 7 rounds)
Open Class:
1. Chad REED - 50
2. Josh HANSEN - 42
3. Justin BRAYTON - 38
4. Daniel REARDON - 38
5. Jay MARMONT - 34
6. Tye SIMMONDS (JDR Motorex KTM) - 27
7. Todd WATERS - 27
8. Daniel McCOY - 27
9. Jake MOSS - 27
10. Craig ANDERSON - 21
18. Mike ALESSI (JDR Motorex KTM) - 4

Lites Class:
1. PJ LARSEN (JDR Motorex KTM) - 47
2. Matt MOSS - 40
3. Ryan MARMONT (JDR Motorex KTM) - 35
4. Kade MOSIG - 34
5. Lawson BOPPING - 34
6. Cody MACKIE - 31
7. Harley QUINLAN - 31
8. Luke GEORGE - 27
9. Luke STYKE - 23
10. Kirk GIBBS - 22

ARE YOU A KTM SUPER FAN?

KTM Australia has launched a new promotion surrounding Super X 2010 dubbed the KTM Super Fan.

Fans of KTM motorcycles will have a shot at winning one of 140 prize packs throughout the 2010 Super X season.

The prize packs include 4 gold passes to the Super X round you nominate when entering plus 4 KTM Super Fan packs including a tee shirt, bang bang sticks, posters and stickers. The winners of each round will also be seated together to join forces and cheer on the KTM Racing Team.

To enter the KTM Super Fan promotion log on to www.ktm.com.au and follow the link to the competition page. Fill in your details, nominate which round of competition you are entering and upload an image showing why you are the KTM Super Fan. All images will be published on the KTM Australia website but only the top 20 most creative images of each of the 7 rounds will be the winners.

So get cracking and get creative, pose in front of your KTM, take some action shots, dye your hair, paint your face, anything to show you bleed orange. Only the most colourful and creative images will be selected in the top 20 of each round.

Winners will be notified by phone and published on the KTM Australia website.

For full information, terms and conditions on the KTM Super Fan promotion log on to www.ktm.com.au or visit your local authorised KTM dealer.

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

SHOULDER INJURY PUTS HERLINGS OUT

Source: Motocross Planet - Images: Archer. R/KTM Press
Jeffrey Herlings, who burst onto the MX2 GP season in 2010 as the rising star of the Red Bull KTM Factory Team and has proved himself as a top rider in the most elite company, is out for the rest of the season to heal an injured shoulder.
Jeffrey, just 15 years old, crashed heavily on his shoulder in the second moto in Loket, Czech Republic last weekend after a blistering performance in the first moto that saw him finish third and move into third in the championship standings behind factory teammate Marvin Musquin and rival Ken Roczen.

Everts confirms Herlings withdrawal from the last three GPs
Red Bull KTM team boss Stefan Everts told KTM Racing News that after a second medical opinion that established the shoulder injury was more serious that a simple dislocation, it had been decided that Jeffrey would not race in the remaining three GPs of the 2010 season. "The damage to the shoulder was worse that we thought and there is still some bleeding. He will need surgery and it is better that he concentrates on healing the injury and recovering to be completely fit for the beginning of 2011. Jeffrey is still very young and he has nothing more to prove about his performance on the bike. He has won two GPs and has proven that he is up with the best and the fastest on the world championship tracks. The injury is unfortunate but that's racing, and like all champions he will come back to the track stronger than ever," Everts said.

Time to heal, says Jeffrey
Speaking by telephone from his home in the Netherlands Jeffrey also said he considered that withdrawing from the last three GPs was the right decision. "Now I have to take at least six week's rest before I can have the surgery on my shoulder," he said, "The muscles are still very swollen and the swelling has to go down before the operation. After that I will need 2-3 months of recovery time but that means I will be fit and ready to race at the beginning of the 2011 season. I have had a lot of good races this year and I have shown that I can race with all the good guys and get good results. I know there will be a lot expected of me going into next season so now I'll have time to recover and to get really fit again in time for the first races."

Herlings delivers a stellar first season
Jeffrey has had a stellar first season with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team. He had the pleasure of winning his first career GP at home in the Netherlands and followed it up with a second win in Latvia. He was three times second on the overall podium (Portugal, Sweden and Belgium) and was third in Lombardy, Italy. He won four individual motos, was placed second in four races and was third six times to underline that despite his entry into senior world championship level racing at such a young age, he is a professional that can deliver on all kinds of terrain.

The entire Orange family join in wishing Jeffrey a speedy and complete recovery and look forward to him being "Ready to Race" for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team at the beginning of the 2011 season.

2010 RED BULL ROMANIACS – BIRCH WINS!

Perhaps one of the most triumphant stories of 2010, Kiwi Off-Road hero and KTM Red Bull athlete Chris Birch has claimed the first Red Bull Romaniacs title of his career. In 2009 he finished second to the hard charging German born BMW rider Andreas Lettenbichler, but what a year 2010 has turned out to be for Birch outclassing all the elements with a never-say-die attitude.

Going into Off-Road Day 4 with just over a 27min lead from the competition Brit rider Graham Jarvis and 34mins ahead of German Lettenbichler, Birch couldn’t afford the slightest mistake. It became a battle of wits and pure endurance as Birch not only rode a near faultless final 126km stage he also did so an incredible 6mins faster than 2nd place finished Graham Jarvis who became the first finisher of Off-Road Day 4 doing it from the back of pack.

With a nation of clammy palmed fans following his every live GPS plot online it was clear from an external perspective that Birch had Red Bull Romaniacs 2010 in the bag. However for Birch it was a very different story. "I'm extremely happy today, because regarding all my technical problems from yesterday, I didn't even think that I would finish the race" says an all smiling Chris Birch who among other competitors battled through the slipperiest conditions of the event both mentally and physically exhausted.

The hard charging 2nd placed Brit Graham Jarvis, like Birch, battled through Red Bull Romaniacs 2010 showing at times some of the most magical riding finesse witnessed in the 2010 event that was plagued with mechanical problems. Jarvis’ 2nd place overall is a true testament to his gritty attitude and the former 2008 winner will be back for more next year.

German Lettenbichler took home the final spot on the podium when he crossed the finish line in unison with Paul Bolton and Jade Gutzeit in front of a huge crowd. Despite not repeating his victory from last year, the exhausted, battered and bruised BMW rider is more than satisfied with his performance. “This year’s race was probably harder than all previous Romaniacs due to the rain. The very first Off-Road day made me exceed my limits, so I'm actually very happy to have reached another podium here.”

Unofficial results for the 2010 Red Bull Romaniacs are:
1 BIRCH Chris (NZL, KTM) 28:17:31 hours
2 JARVIS Graham (UK, Sherco) 28:46:12
3 LETTENBICHLER Andreas (BMW) 29:18:29
4 BOLTON Paul (UK, KTM) 29:52:12
5 GUTZEIT Jade (RSA, KTM) 30:21:32
6 SEYDOUX Lionel (CH, KTM) 33:21:58
7 FORSTER Gerhard (GER,BMW) 35:47:18
8 CURTIS Darryl (RSA, KTM) 40:06:41
9 GYENES Emanuel (ROM, KTM) 42:10:59
10 BRANDAUER Erich (Husaberg) 42:36:54

Chris Birch now has his eyes set on the 2010 ISDE in Mexico Noemeber 1st – 6th and then onto defending his Roof of Africa crown November 25th – 27th.

And if you’re wondering about national news coverage, both One News and TV3 News will be covering Birch’s latest victory from 6pm tonight – do not miss it!

For now check out this cool video from Off-Road Day 4 and One News’ midday national news update (Coverage from Red Bull Romaniacs starts in chapter 2)

Video Recap Off-Road Day 4

One News Midday Update

http://tvnz.co.nz/one-news/midday-update-video-1031716

Photos Courtesy of Red Bull Photofiles

RED BULL ROMANIACS 2010 DAY 3 + VIDEO

An early start amidst fog and rain the weather conditions were looking very omniscient of Off-Road Day 1 two days ago. Thankfully the weather was starting to clear and with sun blazing through the clouds around mid morning the drama began to unfold.

With most competitors successfully reaching the days only service point just before midday they all learn that the infamously hard and heavy ‘no-help-zone’ labelled the “Long Walk” had been scratched from the days racing because of the mornings atrocious conditions. Once Andreas Lettenbichler had come and gone from Service Point it wasn’t for another 15mins that Chris Birch, Jade Gutzeit and Joakim Lunggren made it to Service Point. Lunggren was the only competitor out of the top contention to not leave Service Point suffering from a violent stomach bug and subsequently made the decision to withdraw from the days racing.

Having pushed hard for 10km out of Service Point Birch encountered some serious engine electrical problems and was left hanging like a fly in the Carpathian Mountains. Armed with his mobile phone, mandatory for racing competitors, he calmly called up service (only as Birch could in a situation like that) and instructed them to load up Darryl Curtis with much needed parts.

Curtis shot off in search of Birch but it took several back tracks and agonizing minutes to locate Birch to off-load the goods. Knowing full well Lettenbichler was flying up ahead and Birch’s 50min lead buffer was fast diminishing, Birch worked quickly to get his KTM300EXC up and running armed with little more than a few spanners and screwdrivers. Over an hour and half later Andreas Lettenbichler and Bolton miraculously turn up back at Service Point after spending over an hour looking for the next check point. Bolton also had some front brake problems.

Hard charging Brit Graham Jarvis, after yesterdays shocking engine problems, was making up excellent time on the front runners until he too got caught out by the tricky to navigate check point after the Service Point and subsequently also surprised the Lettenbichler and Bolton when he fronted up to Service Point as they were leaving.

A touch on 2.30pm and Lettenbichler crosses the finish for Off-Road Day 3. Bolton trundles in a mere 4sec behind Lettenbichler, with a much destroyed looking South African Gutzeit finishing shortly after Bolton. However, it was Jarvis on top punching his Sherco home first, 25mins ahead of the competition.
At roughly 2.53pm Birch crosses the finish line. As Birch rolls under the Red Bull finishing platform he is quoted as saying “Man, I have nearly changed every part of my bike today! I have been riding for KTM for 6 years now, and I NEVER EVER had one single problem with electrics!”

Birch is estimated to have lost 27mins of his lead to Lettenbichler in the overall standings, which reduces Birch’s buffer as he heads into Off-Road Day 4 by under 30mins.

After having ridden for nearly 10 hours through the Carpathian wilderness, Darryl Curtis arrives at the finish line at 4:08pm. "I slipped sideways from the track and buried myself in a deep and really steep ditch. It took me nearly 25mins and all my energy to get myself back on track, only to discover that there were some more cruelties waiting for me."

Disturbingly late in the afternoon at 4pm only 55 riders have reached the finish and it is noted that heavy rain has set in making it increasingly harder for the remaining competitors still stuck out in the wilderness to make it the final kilometres home. Around 4.30pm only 8 riders from the Pro-Class have made it to the finish line they are Jarvis, Lettenbichler, Bolton, Gutzeit, Birch, Forster, Van Niekerk and Darryl Curtis.

Off-Road Day 4, the final day of the Red Bull Romaniacs 2010 is set to get underway around 3pm out time this afternoon. Birch has a rough 30min lead in the overall standings but there are some notoriously hard sections still left to come. Lets keep our fingers crossed that Birch can stay upright and claim the Red Bull Romaniacs crown!

Check out this cool video from Off-Road Day 3

Images courtesy of Red Bull Romaniacs

RED BULL ROMANIACS 2010 DAY 2 + VIDEO

The weather certainly cleared up for Off-Road Day 2 of the 2010 Red Bull Romaniacs but that didn’t mean the course was any less challenging.

After leaving Sibiu in 2nd place early this morning on Romanian time, KTM Factory Red Bull Rider Chris Birch seems to have possibly encountered some problems out in the Carpathian Mountains as he looks to have slipped back into fourth overall.

After a crash fest filled Off-Road Day 1, battered and bruised factory BMW rider Andreas Lettenbichler has relished in the ‘easier’ conditions finishing Off-Road Day 2 in the early afternoon some 35mins ahead of 2nd place rider Swedish Joakim Ljunggren and taking the overall win for the day. Barely two minutes later South African KTM rider Jade Gutzeit comes in 3rd whilst Kiwi hero Birch holds 4th position, both a staggering 50 minutes behind Lettenbichler.

Graham Jarvis’ Sherco doesn’t seem to be holding up against the harsh Romanian conditions with yet another mechanical set-back, this time a failing fuel pump, causing him to lose precious time against the leaders. Jarvis was the first to start Off-Road Day 2 but now it is unknown where the British Enduro star stands.

It must also be mentioned that most of the Pro class riders have serious time penalties against their names due to the extremely technical nature of yesterdays racing and toerrential weather playing havoc with race lines forcing many to take a completely different route to have any chance of making it through some of the challenge sections. It remains a total lottery to who is actually leading the standings for the 2010 Red Bull Romaniacs overall title.

With two more days of intense Off-Road racing ahead of them in the intensely challenging Carpathian Mountains the 2010 Red Bull Romaniacs is far from over! Check out this cool video recap from Off-Road Day 1.

Images courtesy of Red Bull Romaniacs 2010

EDIT: Taddy Blazusiack is out of the 2010 Red Bull Romaniacs! After injuring his shoulder during the prologue, Taddy unfortunately clipped another tree during Off-Road Day 1 of racing and can no longer compete.

RED BULL ROMANIACS 2010 + VIDEO

The infamously difficult Red Bull Romaniacs 2010 is underway and New Zealand's Red Bull KTM rider Chris Birch is standing atop the unofficial leader board.

Winning the Red Bull Romaniacs Prologue by a country mile and taking pole position for the start of Day 2, the first day in the Carpathian Mountains, Birch simply outclassed international riders like Taddy Blazusiak (KTM), Graham Jarvis (Sherco) and Andreas Lettenbichler (BMW).

Taking clues from the Red Bull Romaniacs website, it seems that after and early lead in the morning, Chris Birch was passed around lunch time by Graham Jarvis. Jarvis' Sherco then suffered an electrical problem during lunch which allowed Birch an opportunity to claim back the lead. Birch's lead was short lived however when Jarvis passed Birch back during a tricky uphill section.

With Birch winning Prologue racing, it seems Jarvis may be in the lead after the first day in the mountains having finished 40 minutess ahead of Birch at the end of Off-Road Day 1. It is not known at this time how Lettenbichler and Blazusiak have finished Off-Road Day 1 in the Carpathian Mountains. There is a rumour that Blazusiak injured his troublesome shoulder during the Prologue and was unsure whether it would hold up for him to continue racing.

Off-Road Day 2 starts in Sibiu just before 7am, around 3pm our time. To follow the riders via live tracking during racing navigate to RedBullRomaniacs and follow the links found on the homepage.

GO HARD CHRIS BIRCH!

KTM PRESENTS BRAND NEW INNOVATIONS AT THE EICMA 2009

11/11/2009 Milan, Italy.

KTM is presenting a range of innovative new motorcycles at EICMA 2009, recognized as the world's biggest annual motorcycle trade fair. On show will be a radical new 350cc Motocross prototype, the new Duke 690R and future models in the 125cc segment.

KTM 350 SX-F FACTORY RACING
By presenting a 350cc pre-series racing bike, KTM again illustrates the typical determination of the Austrian company to go its own way. With the confirmation in Milan of the key data of the 350cc, including injection and linkage, the tradition-rich offroad specialist is forging "a new path" in Motocross.

While the company's 250 SX-F and 450 SX-F models have been so successful and oriented to suit the specific displacement of the sport's regulations, now KTM is the first manufacturer in the world to present a 350cc displacement bike for the sport of Motocross.

The completely new bike, which will be "ready to race" from 2010 carries the distinct development signature of MX legend Stefan Everts right down to the finest detail. With this project, the KTM MX team boss deploys meticulousness and all his unique ambition to catapult it to a new MX level. A concrete date for series production of this already very mature prototype has not yet been decided.

"KTM 125"
The developers at KTM don't have to learn about being consistent - it is a part of their natural daily creative process. Together with the company's enthusiastic customers, the Duke, Super Duke, RC8R and Adventure are all proof of this philosophy. Now this same dynamic is also evident in a smaller displacement bike segment with the introduction of a range of 125 cc products that have been one hundred percent developed at the company headquarters in Mattighofen, Austria.

The four-valve cylinder head, water cooling, fuel injection, two overhead cam shafts and 15 hp all demonstrate the desire for the highest level of technological development. The latticed tubular steel frame is the guarantee of perfect riding fun. As always, the very succinct KTM appearance comes from the extremely creative Kiska design team.

High quality suppliers like WP Suspension and Brembo are the guarantee of premium quality components throughout. Coming with individual design possibilities, these completely newly constructed motorcycles are a breath of fresh air for the segment.

Duke 690R
For KTM, the range of single cylinder LC4s represent tradition, legend and future and well as performance, rideability and the smooth, quiet, harmonious running of the engine.

When KTM introduced this motor concept in 2007, it elevated single cylinder enjoyment to a level that to date has not been surpassed. With the presentation of the Duke 690 in 2008 KTM caused another sensation among the worldwide community of Duke fans. But KTM wouldn't be KTM when the ambitious developer wasn't set on constant improvement and innovation. Now 70 full-blooded hp packed into a vehicle weight of just 148 kg lend the Duke 690 R unrivalled panache. Highest quality components and the unique optics are also typical KTM. As well as the highly potent motor, the 690R also features the orange frame specially reserved for the R models. Carbon mudguards, an extremely sophisticated fork and the new orange rear damper spring are among the outstanding features of the Duke R. Other improvements include an extended maintenance interval and ensure that this very hot street bike will continue to have no serious rivals.

All round and in very best form
As well as the very latest models, KTM also exhibits other models at EICMA that make the line-up of sports motorcycles for the model year 2010 broader and more attractive than ever. These also include the rare RC8R Akrapovic Race Replica; homage to KTM's impressive first season in Superbike, while the company is also exhibiting the successful twin Red Bull Replica for the first time. Meanwhile, in honour of the amazing success of the KTM MX factory riders Max Nagl and Marvin Musquin, the motor sports company is also displaying genuine replicas of the MX1 and MX2 racing machines - naturally with orange coloured frames.

All current model updates and new optics are being presented in Milan along with the comprehensive range of KTM PowerWear and PowerParts products. With qualitatively better clothing ranges and performance-oriented spare parts and extras, the brand illustrates the Austrian lifestyle in best "Ready to Race" style.

Source: KTM