TOWNLEY TO MX1

Posted By: OS
Source: Synergy Sport


Date: 19 October 2010

Ben Townley returns to the GPs with Kawasaki Team CLS

Ben Townley, one of the fastest motocross riders in the world, will return to the MX1 World Championship next year with Kawasaki Team CLS.

After five seasons racing in the USA, the former World MX2 and US Lites Champion has signed a one year contract with Pro Circuit and Kawasaki Team CLS to compete in the 2011 World series.


The 25 year old from Taupo in New Zealand put two injury-wrecked seasons behind him this summer as he won motos at both the US Grand Prix in Glen Helen and the Motocross of Nations in Lakewood to confirm that he is one of the fastest MX1 riders on the planet.Many leading GP teams have been in contact with Ben during the few last months but, aided by theirassociation with Monster Energy Drinks and Pro Circuit owner Mitch Payton, Kawasaki Team CLS was his eventual choice for a return to the world stage; Ben has a long, well-established relationship with both American firms, having enjoyed two highly-successful seasons in the Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki squad when he initially moved to the USA in 2006.

Having arrived in Europe as an unknown at the age of 16 in 2001, Ben won his first Grand Prix in Sweden the following season and two years later became MX2 World Champion, claiming nine of the sixteen GP wins during the 2004 season. Moving to the MX1 class in 2005, he won four GPs and was the “rookie” of the year with third in the final standings. He attained another dream when he claimed the AMA SX Lites championship on the East Coast in 2007, but injuries wrecked the following two seasons. He overcame several unfortunate setbacks during 2010 to finish fourth in the US outdoor series, and his successes at the US GP and the Motocross of Nations proved that he had the speed to run with the regular GP riders.

By signing for Team CLS Ben will not only renew his successful relationship with Kawasaki, MonsterEnergy and Pro Circuit but also with CLS technical supervisor Harry Nolte, the Dutch technician withwhom he has also enjoyed success and fond memories in the past.

Ben Townley: “I’m really excited about the new deal I have with Kawasaki Team CLS. I have had a great relationship with Kawasaki over the years and rode for them as an amateur in New Zealand so I am excited to be back on Green and to renew that relationship again. Kawasaki Team CLS has a lot of experience with the likes of Harry Nolte and obviously the involvement with Mitch and Pro Circuit is a big part of it as well and was the key in making my decision. With Monster Energy being the title sponsor of the FIM MX World Championship it is also a huge incentive to do well and put Kawasaki and Monster up front. I always had the feeling that I had some unfinished business to take care of in the MX1 world championship and I am now looking forward to coming back to fight for the world title. I also have to say a big thanks to Troy Lee and his team for helping me get my career back on track. They helped me when I was at rock bottom and I will always be grateful to them.”
Jean Jacques Luisetti, Kawasaki Team CLS owner: “When Mitch Payton informed me about this possible move from Ben, we were all excited at the prospect of working with such a talented rider. I want to thank Pro Circuit and Monster Energy who put all their efforts to help us sign Ben, and we’ll do our best to help him to reach his goal. We represent Kawasaki officially in the MX2 World Championship, and without the involvement of our main partners we wouldn’t have been able to sign a top MX1 rider also. It’s a huge step for us to have a former World and US Champion in our team alongside Tommy Searle and Max Anstie; for sure Ben will be fighting for the World title aboard his Pro Circuit Kawasaki."

Harry Nolte, Kawasaki Team CLS technical supervisor: “I’m very excited that Ben is coming back to the GPs, and will join Kawasaki Team CLS; my thanks to Jean Jacques and Gael, who put a lot of effort to make this deal happen. For the CLS team, this is another step forward and I’m looking forwards to work with Ben again; together with Tommy and Max, we have a very strong team for 2011 !”

Image: Shayne Rice

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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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HONDA PRO RACING - MX1

Honda Racing MX1 Race Summary – St Jean d’Angely, France

Following heavy overnight thunderstorms the MX1 riders woke up to a track that had changed drastically from the day before. However, the rain had stopped and it wasn’t long before it began to dry out, although by the time it did the ruts had become deep, adding further technicality to the hillside track. The cloudy conditions were a big change from the blazing hot sunshine and 30 degree temperatures of Saturday and it seemed that riders welcomed the cooler operating conditions.


Davide Guarneri had qualified best of the Honda riders, lining up in an impressive 5th spot. His LS Honda team-mate Tanel Leok finished 11th in the qualifying heat and was hoping for a better start on race day. Both CAS Honda riders, Gareth Swanepoel and Evgeny Bobryshev, had also qualified outside the top 10 and had the same ambition. Unfortunately Honda Racing MX Martin were left spectating, as MX1 rider Jimmy Albertson did not travel to France due to an injury sustained at his home GP in Glen Helen, USA just a week before.

In the first moto, Antonio Cairoli grabbed the holeshot on his KTM and began to move away from the field. Guarneri slipped his Honda CRF450R into second and began pursuit. Leok had got the good start he was hoping for and moved into the leading pack in a strong 5th spot.

CAS Honda riders Gareth Swanepoel and Evgeny Bobryshev had gated well and in the early stages and all 4 Honda’s were running in the top ten. At half-distance Guarneri and Leok had settled into 5th and 6th place respectively and were sticking in consistently close lap times as they battled between themselves. Suzuki man Steve Ramon and Cairoli were battling for the lead, swapping places in a fascinating dice.
As the sun began to break through, Leok turned the heat up on his Italian team mate before a small mistake put pay to his challenge. He eventually had to settle for 6th place, just one spot behind his team mate Guarneri in 5th. CAS riders Evgeny Bobryshev and Gareth Swanepoel had both failed to make in-roads into the top 10 and finished in 11th and 13th respectively. The race was won by Cairoli with Ramon keeping him honest all the way to the line.


In the 2nd moto, Guarneri got the holeshot and moved away from the field in the early parts of lap one. Yamaha’s David Philippaerts soon began to apply the pressure as the riders got into their stride. A scruffy second lap saw the Italian drop to 3rd behind Philippaerts and Suzuki’s Clement Desalle. Both CAS riders had poor starts and were running outside the top 10 as the race developed. At half distance, Bobryshev was forced to retire when a wire broke off the ignition coil, a rare and unfortunate event that left the Russian stranded at the bottom of one of the steep climbs.

Towards the later part of the race Guarneri was involved in a fearsome tussle with Ken de Dycker, at one point putting a fantastic overtake on him while in mid air, but his challenge faded and he was forced to settle for 8th, one place ahead of his team mate Leok. The remaining CAS Honda rider, Gareth Swanepoel, also suffered technical difficulties and came over the line in 13th place.

The result saw 3 Honda riders in the overall top 10 classification and a best result of the season for Guarneri in 6th overall. The Italian is certainly starting to come good and looks like mounting further challenges to the podium throughout the second half of the season.

Davide Guarneri, LS Motors Honda
In the end not bad, I took more points today then at any time in the rest of the season but I am not happy about the second moto as I made many mistakes and chose the wrong lines in the early part of the race and did not find my rhythm. The first moto went well but it is not really my favourite kind of track. I prefer it when it is not so rutted. I do not have the agility because of my size, I work better when it is slippery. I am happy but I want more.

Tanel Leok, LS Motors Honda
It was ok but can be better. I was hampered by illness as I have tonsillitis and I began to get quite tired towards the end of the second moto. My starts were good. I like the track, it is my kind of track, quite physical and demanding. It was just a shame that I was not on top form.

Evegeny Bobryshev, CAS Honda
It wasn’t so good. I had a big crash on Saturday. I had good speed but made a mistake and I went down. Sunday there was a lot of rain and the first race was difficult, lots of ruts and slippy ruts that made it hard going. I was stiff on the bike and not relaxed and therefore did not have good speed. In the second race I was much better. I started to find good lines and was much faster. The bike had a problem when a stone took out the cables and the bike just stopped. It wasn’t such a good day but I am hoping to find more luck next time out.

Roger Harvey, Honda Off-road Manager
It’s been a hard track, very difficult conditions. Leok and Guarneri were riding excellently but could have probably gone better in the second moto. Guarneri is struggling a little bit with fitness but you can see the confidence growing and his smooth style is a pleasure to watch. Leok did well to battle against illness all weekend and I am sure he will be back stronger in Germany. The CAS guys had an unfortunate weekend with technical difficulties and Bobryshev has hit a bit of a difficult patch with crashes which is expected in his first season in MX1. The Martin boys were sad not be involved in MX1 but we just have to wait until Jimmy comes back which should be next time out in Teutschental.

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HONDA PRO RACING - MX1

Honda Racing MX1 Race Summary – St Jean d’Angely, France

Following heavy overnight thunderstorms the MX1 riders woke up to a track that had changed drastically from the day before. However, the rain had stopped and it wasn’t long before it began to dry out, although by the time it did the ruts had become deep, adding further technicality to the hillside track. The cloudy conditions were a big change from the blazing hot sunshine and 30 degree temperatures of Saturday and it seemed that riders welcomed the cooler operating conditions.


Davide Guarneri had qualified best of the Honda riders, lining up in an impressive 5th spot. His LS Honda team-mate Tanel Leok finished 11th in the qualifying heat and was hoping for a better start on race day. Both CAS Honda riders, Gareth Swanepoel and Evgeny Bobryshev, had also qualified outside the top 10 and had the same ambition. Unfortunately Honda Racing MX Martin were left spectating, as MX1 rider Jimmy Albertson did not travel to France due to an injury sustained at his home GP in Glen Helen, USA just a week before.

In the first moto, Antonio Cairoli grabbed the holeshot on his KTM and began to move away from the field. Guarneri slipped his Honda CRF450R into second and began pursuit. Leok had got the good start he was hoping for and moved into the leading pack in a strong 5th spot.

CAS Honda riders Gareth Swanepoel and Evgeny Bobryshev had gated well and in the early stages and all 4 Honda’s were running in the top ten. At half-distance Guarneri and Leok had settled into 5th and 6th place respectively and were sticking in consistently close lap times as they battled between themselves. Suzuki man Steve Ramon and Cairoli were battling for the lead, swapping places in a fascinating dice.
As the sun began to break through, Leok turned the heat up on his Italian team mate before a small mistake put pay to his challenge. He eventually had to settle for 6th place, just one spot behind his team mate Guarneri in 5th. CAS riders Evgeny Bobryshev and Gareth Swanepoel had both failed to make in-roads into the top 10 and finished in 11th and 13th respectively. The race was won by Cairoli with Ramon keeping him honest all the way to the line.


In the 2nd moto, Guarneri got the holeshot and moved away from the field in the early parts of lap one. Yamaha’s David Philippaerts soon began to apply the pressure as the riders got into their stride. A scruffy second lap saw the Italian drop to 3rd behind Philippaerts and Suzuki’s Clement Desalle. Both CAS riders had poor starts and were running outside the top 10 as the race developed. At half distance, Bobryshev was forced to retire when a wire broke off the ignition coil, a rare and unfortunate event that left the Russian stranded at the bottom of one of the steep climbs.

Towards the later part of the race Guarneri was involved in a fearsome tussle with Ken de Dycker, at one point putting a fantastic overtake on him while in mid air, but his challenge faded and he was forced to settle for 8th, one place ahead of his team mate Leok. The remaining CAS Honda rider, Gareth Swanepoel, also suffered technical difficulties and came over the line in 13th place.

The result saw 3 Honda riders in the overall top 10 classification and a best result of the season for Guarneri in 6th overall. The Italian is certainly starting to come good and looks like mounting further challenges to the podium throughout the second half of the season.

Davide Guarneri, LS Motors Honda
In the end not bad, I took more points today then at any time in the rest of the season but I am not happy about the second moto as I made many mistakes and chose the wrong lines in the early part of the race and did not find my rhythm. The first moto went well but it is not really my favourite kind of track. I prefer it when it is not so rutted. I do not have the agility because of my size, I work better when it is slippery. I am happy but I want more.

Tanel Leok, LS Motors Honda
It was ok but can be better. I was hampered by illness as I have tonsillitis and I began to get quite tired towards the end of the second moto. My starts were good. I like the track, it is my kind of track, quite physical and demanding. It was just a shame that I was not on top form.

Evegeny Bobryshev, CAS Honda
It wasn’t so good. I had a big crash on Saturday. I had good speed but made a mistake and I went down. Sunday there was a lot of rain and the first race was difficult, lots of ruts and slippy ruts that made it hard going. I was stiff on the bike and not relaxed and therefore did not have good speed. In the second race I was much better. I started to find good lines and was much faster. The bike had a problem when a stone took out the cables and the bike just stopped. It wasn’t such a good day but I am hoping to find more luck next time out.

Roger Harvey, Honda Off-road Manager
It’s been a hard track, very difficult conditions. Leok and Guarneri were riding excellently but could have probably gone better in the second moto. Guarneri is struggling a little bit with fitness but you can see the confidence growing and his smooth style is a pleasure to watch. Leok did well to battle against illness all weekend and I am sure he will be back stronger in Germany. The CAS guys had an unfortunate weekend with technical difficulties and Bobryshev has hit a bit of a difficult patch with crashes which is expected in his first season in MX1. The Martin boys were sad not be involved in MX1 but we just have to wait until Jimmy comes back which should be next time out in Teutschental.

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