This video is a couple days old, but definitely one worth watching. Our former Editor At Extra Large, Steve Matthes, Rob Swaitek, and the crew at PulpMX.com are at it again with this hilarious Jason Thomas video.
Article source: http://motocross.transworld.net/1000128054/videos/jt-money-small-man-big-heart/
TransWorld Motocross paid KTM Red Bull teammates Ken Roczen and Marvin Musquin a visit this morning at the KTM Supercross track.
Ken Roczen will race the Supercross class aboard a KTM 350SX-F in Seattle. “For me, it is just for fun,” he said. “I did some races on it last year, but today is my first day on the 350 on a Supercross track, this year.”
Marvin Musquin, meanwhile, is anxious to get back to racing the Western Regional Supercross Lites Championship, which resumes in Seattle. “This is my first day of Supercross since Toronto,” said the former MX2 World Champion, who raced the 350SX-F for several rounds. “I am excited to be back on my 250!”
Do you follow @twmxdotcom on Instagram and Twitter? @kenroczen94 does!
Article source: http://motocross.transworld.net/1000127964/photos/ken-roczen-and-marvin-musquin-prepping-for-seattle/
Justin Shantie from JDR/J-Star KTM shows us how to properly install a holeshot device on Matt Moss’s KTM 250SX-F.
Article source: http://motocross.transworld.net/1000127967/news/how-to-install-a-holeshot-device/
Justin Bogle came into the 2012 East Coast Lites Supercross season as the year’s “Must Watch Rookie.” With guidance and support from the legendary GEICO Powersports Honda team, and an impressive showing in the final outdoor rounds of the 2011 season, the Oklahoman was primed and ready to play the dark horse to the championship chase. Though he has been the victim to circumstance and his own youthful intensity, Bogle remains positive on how this year has played out and looks for a fresh start this summer.
Now that you have one Supercross round left and then the outdoors, how do you feel your rookie year as gone?
Rookie year of Supercross has definitely been up and down. It started out pretty good with a podium in my second race, got a couple heat wins, but so far, it has been a bunch of scattered finishes everywhere and a lot of hitting the ground. It has been a learning experience, which is what everyone told me it was going to be. But I am looking forward to the outdoors, because I am not a rookie outdoors, so hopefully that will go a little better.
You’ve turned the fastest lap times in practice, won heat races, and been at the front in a few main events. Did you expect it to come that easily? Even on your rough weeks, you have the some of the fastest lap times.
At first, it was kind of surprising because I did not know where I would be sitting at. I worked hard this offseason, had been ready for a while, and was just waiting for Supercross to get started. I felt like I was ready because I did a lot of testing, because Supercross is a learning curve in itself and learning how to ride it. I expected to be up towards the front and doing well. The first few weekends went really well and like I said, I have been battling with falling on my face. I am trying to get over that still (Laughs).
There are some riders who always have something going wrong during the course of the career, with injuries or crashes. After your Toronto incident, Dallas, St. Louis, and other times this year, how frustrating is that? Because it seems that your amateur career was never like that and now you are taking it in your rookie year.
Yeah, it has definitely been frustrating and I let it get to me a couple of times. I am new to it, so I can’t say that it has or hasn’t been that way for me, but this year it has been that way. There has been something every single weekend. I will be doing good, I’ll qualify well in practice, get a heat win, and then something happens in the first turn in the main. Something like that that will halt the progress. But I get back at it during the week and keep working hard, and hopefully it will turn around soon.
With all the lows, do the podiums or times when you are the fastest guy make it all worthwhile?
It definitely makes it better. At Houston, I had a really good heat win, but had a really good crash in practice. I wasn’t feeling so hot and in practice, I was 12th or 13th, and came out with a good start and won my heat. That was a big weight off my shoulders to get that out of the way. I was looking forward to the main, but I had that little misfortune in the first corner and had to come from the back again. Little things like that make it sweeter when it goes well.
Does it set the mood in the trailer when you out time Barcia?
(Laughs) Nah, its cool. It doesn’t make it different or weird, there is no animosity there. It is cool for me, because he is the number one and is usually up there and there are lots of fast guys. It is a pretty big deal, but I have said before, it makes no difference because I would rather qualify 15th and do well in the main because nothing else matters. But it still is cool.
When you and Pelligrini made contact in Toronto, what was going through your mind? Did it happen too quickly to prepare for the fall?
It happened quickly, but in my head I was thinking, “If I jump far enough and close enough to the Tuff Blox, it’ll all be good.” I lucked out there and my face made it to Tuff Blox, so I didn’t take too hard of a hit. It happened quickly and it wasn’t fun (Laughs). It was one where you were in there air knowing it wasn’t going to feel good. I just tried to do a can-can out of it.
It didn’t seem to be too hard of contact, because if you watch on the replay it was like the rear wheels tapped and stopped. Did you come away from that only bruised and battered?
Yeah, it didn’t take much. It was just little stuff. But we race dirt bikes, so there is little stuff like that every weekend.
How is having Mike LaRocco as a team manager? He has been a giant part of the sport and was around long before you and I were.
It is awesome because I feel like he is a lot more involved in things now. He is helping me with a lot of different things and we are making sure I have all my stuff together and that I have everything I need. When I was back home and I had a bike problem, I would have to wait to get it fixed, where out here I can get it done and go about my business so I can do what I need to do.
Has he cracked the whip at all?
(Laughs) He does. He is a lot scarier before you get to know him than he really is. He doesn’t like any horsing around, but he is not all business. He just wants you to do your stuff,
Are you ready for his “boot camp” after Red Bud this year?
I am prepared for boot camp! Last year was good but it was brutal. But for me, I lucked out because I didn’t have to race Millville that next weekend and took a breather to get ready for Ponca and Loretta’s. I had fun. It was hard, but I had fun.
As an amateur, you set you year around a few scattered races like Ponca, Loretta’s, the Mini O’s, and a few Nationals, but now you are racing nearly every weekend. How different is the stress level between the two?
It is a lot different. If you have a bad race in the amateurs, you have three months to get over it and everyone forgets by then. The thing with this, with the pros, you are racing every weekend and have to recover quicker. Last year, I was timing towards Unadilla and I wasn’t timing for any amateur races in particular. I was training like I was racing professionally already. The every weekend grind was a lot to get used to, but I like in more. There is not so much waiting around and dealing with all of it.
You have been in California since November, right?
Yeah, I have. I went home after Dallas and came back out after Houston. I was home for five or six weeks, but for the most part have been out here.
Are you here alone or have some of your family members come out?
No family here, but I am staying with my mechanic and my buddy from back home, Derek, who was my practice bike guy.
Does it get hard to be apart? You are still a young kid and now you are here in an environment that is much different from the Midwest.
It is a big adjustment, and coming from Oklahoma it has a much different pace. Times like Easter and not going to church with the family make it difficult, but I am having fun. It’s all good.
What are your expectations for the Nationals?
I feel like I can be up towards the front, getting top fives and podiums. I feel like I enjoy the outdoors more, obviously because I have raced it my whole life and am more accustomed to it. I have been working hard here, training and testing, so I feel like I can get away from my little black cloud from Supercross. Maybe a change will be good for me. I hope it goes a lot better than Supercross, bec
Article source: http://motocross.transworld.net/1000127934/features/catching-up-with-justin-bogle/
The legendary motorcycle industry icon Terry Pratt, age 67, died in peace surrounded by family at his home in Westminster, California on Sunday evening, April 15, 2012. The cause of death was complications from pancreatic and liver cancer.
Born in 1945 in Red Mountain, California, Terry lived and graduated from high school in Boron. Coinciding with his service in the Army in Europe (1966-68) and Army Reserves (1968-72), Terry worked at as a European MX correspondent covering the World Championship Motocross Grand Prix series for a number of publications, including Cycle News. In the late 70s, he worked for Hester Communications on their Bicycle Dealer Showcase trade magazine. Terry returned to Cycle News as an advertising manager starting in 1979, providing a vital role generating revenue and developing relationships for America’s Weekly Motorcycle Newspaper for over 32 years.
He recently worked for Topping Events, helping with PR and sponsorship sales for their popular vintage motorcycle swap meets. In his semi-retirement, Terry was an active member with the Riders’ Club of the American Legion Post #555 in Midway City, California, organizing poker runs and socializing with his veteran military buddies. Terry was an active member of the National Rifle Association, American Motorcyclist Association, and AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association). During his motorcycle racing heyday, Terry was a winning +40 / +50 competitor in the CMC Trans-Cal and Golden State Series, and the CVRG (which eventually evolved into AHRMA in 1986 where he sat on the committee that formulated the original rules for vintage motocross). Terry went on to win many Regional and National Championship titles in the vintage bike classes on historic brands such as CZ and BSA’s. Terry also enjoyed trail and dual sport riding on his vintage bikes (primarily his restored Triumph models), and rode the historic Barstow-to-Vegas Dual Sport event many times taking the “oldest bike” award. His last race, and one of his proudest moments, was racing his personally restored modified BSA at the return of the Catalina Grand Prix in 2010.
One of Terry’s most lasting and prominent legacies will certainly be the book he co-authored with Volney Howard III, called “Grand Prix Motocross”, a high-quality coffee table publication documenting the seminal 1972 MXGP World Championship season with Terry’s sharp illustrative photography and insightful historical descriptions, which captured the momentous changes happening at that time in motorcycle sports.
Survivors include his mother Barbara, younger sister Shelley Keller-Gage, niece Brianna Gage, and nephew Sagen Gage living in Boron; niece Jennifer Keller living in Albuquerque, NM; and niece Julie Keller living in Lancaster. Terry was preceded in death by his father John H. Pratt, and brother William John Pratt. Information and details on visitation hours, memorial services, burial ceremony, and memorial contributions will be released soon.
Article source: http://motocross.transworld.net/1000127920/news/terry-pratt-obituary/
The guys over at Leatt Brace caught up with Ryan Sipes to talk about his Supercross practice crash, and how he is healing up.
Article source: http://motocross.transworld.net/1000127839/news/ryan-sipes-back-in-action/
Following the racing action in New Orleans, we roamed the pits to find as many riders as possible.
Due to video constraints, there are multiple videos on different pages. So be sure to click through them all.
CATEGORIZED: Catching Up With…, News, Videos
TAGS: andrew short, bobby kiniry, Darryn Durham, jake weimer, Justin Barcia, Monster energy, motocross, mx, New Orleans, Nick Wey, Nico Izzi, ryan villopoto, supercross, SX, Weston Peick, wil hahn
Article source: http://motocross.transworld.net/1000127789/news/how-was-your-weekend-new-orleans-sx-2012/
After four days of racing, the action has concluded at the 2012 World Mini Grand Prix. The majority of the championships were decided on Saturday with final motos and runoffs beginning at 8AM. A storm front moved through Mesquite late Friday night and early Saturday morning, and added much needed moisture to the hardpacked track. Low clouds covered the snowcapped mountains and made it seem as if more rain was inevitable, but no extra precipitation occurred while the event took place.
The day began with Dillan Epstein and Jeremy Martin’s battle for the 250 A Mod class championship. Martin overcame a week of early issues and claimed second moto wins in both the 450 and 250 class over Epstein, but his sixth place finish in the first moto was not enough to claim the overalls. Martin and Epstein had dueled throughout the week, including accidental contact between the two that ended with Martin on the ground. Epstein would earn both the 250 and 450 Mod titles on Saturday, his second and third championships of the event.
Matt Bisceglia continued his domination of the Intermediate class and clinched the 450 Mod, 250 Stock and Mod, and 250 Four Stroke Non Pro championships. Bisceglia found a new challenger in Brady Kiesel, as the KTM rider kept Biceglia at bay in both the 250 Stock and 250 Four Stroke classes for a number of laps. Kiesel’s strong finish to the week was enough to move him higher in the overall standings and he finished in the top five in each of his five class.
Red Bull KTM racer Dakota Alix’s overcame a dramatic week, one that kept the Intermediate class favorite from battling with Bisceglia for wins, to earn both the 125 Two Stroke and 125-250 Schoolboy championships. Alix’s riding style allowed him to charge to the front of the pack after lackluster starts, but pulled off the track after numerous issues in the 250 Four Stroke Non Pro second moto.
Tyler Enticknap flew under the radar for the majority of the week but his results, including his Collegeboy win, should help make the Californian a well known name in amateur circles. Enticknap finished in the top five in each of his four classes, which included the ultra competitive B class.
Article source: http://motocross.transworld.net/1000127773/features/world-mini-grand-prix-2012-day-four/
By Brendan Lutes
Photos by Chris Kinman
After a weekend off, the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series picked back up for round 14 in New Orleans. Coming into the race, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Ryan Villopoto had already wrapped up the title in Houston, however, that didn’t stop him from dominating the night’s action. The win for RV was his ninth of the season and icing on the cake for the Washington native.
In the Lites class, Geico Powersports/Honda’s Justin Barcia just had to finish fourth or better to wrap up his second consecutive East Coast Lites Championship. And as it turned out, the defending champion did just that to take home the title with one round left to run in Las Vegas. The win for the evening, however, went to Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Darryn Durham who led the main event from the first lap to the last. The win for Durham was his first ever and the first 2012 win for the usually dominant Pro Circuit team out east.
LITES HEAT 1
Geico Powersports/Honda’s Justin Barcia dominated the first race of the night, as he took the holeshot and quickly opened up a sizeable lead over the field. Behind him, Eleven10 Mods/Honda’s Phil Nicoletti and JDR/KTM’s Malcolm Stewart began battling for second. Halfway through the race, though, Stewart made his way around Nicoletti to take over second. From there, the running order up front remained the same. Barcia went on to take the win followed by Stewart and Nicoletti,
Results:
1. Justin Barcia (Hon)
2. Malcolm Stewart (KTM)
3. Phil Nicoletti (Hon)
4. Tyler Bowers (Kaw)
5. Justin Bogle (Hon)
6. Austin Politelli (Hon)
7. Kyle Peters (Yam)
8. Shawn Rife (Hon)
9. Sean Lipanovich (KTM)
LITES HEAT 2
The start of the second heat race saw Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen take the holeshot followed by Rockstar Suzuki’s Blake Wharton and Monster/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki’s Blake Baggett. As the race continued, the top three riders began to separate themselves from the rest of the field with Roczen simply checking out, as the German rider put together flawless laps. When the checkered flag flew, Roczen took the win followed by Wharton in second and Baggett in third.
Results:
1. Ken Roczen (KTM)
2. Blake Wharton (Suz)
3. Blake Baggett (Kaw)
4. Darryn Durham (Kaw)
5. Kyle Cunningham (Yam)
6. Matt Lemoine (Kaw)
7. Jake Canada (Hon)
8. Z. Freeberg (Hon)
9. A.J. Catanzaro (KTM)
LCQ:
Eleven10mods.com/Honda’s Alex Martin rocketed off the gate to take the holeshot. Behind him MotoConcept’s Tommy Weeck held down second with KTM-mounted Sewell in third. As the laps continued to click by, the top-three tightened up and on the last lap, Sewell did all he could to make it around Weeck. The two made a little contact, but Weeck was ultimately able to hold on to the final transfer position.
Results:
1. Alex Martin (Hon)
2. Tommy Weeck (Hon)
SUPERCROSS LITES MAIN EVENT
When the pack raced through the first turn it was Martin with the holeshot followed by Barcia, Stewart, and Durham. Before the first lap was over, though, Durham had moved into second behind Martin and on the second lap took over the lead position. Behind them, Stewart passed Barcia to move into third and soon after that moved past Martin to take over second. After that, Durham began to open up a comfortable lead while Stewart held down second and Barcia third.
Things got interesting at the halfway mark when Stewart went down very hard in the whoops, handing second over to Barcia. A few laps later, Roczen, Bogle, and Baggett had all worked their way up and began battling for second position with Barcia. Soon after, all three riders has worked their way around Barcia, dropping the Honda rider back to fifth. Then with roughly five laps remaining, Durham made a mistake, allowing Baggett to close up on him. Durham was, however, able to open his lead back up. On the last lap, Baggett managed to close back up on the rear wheel of Durham and even made an attempt to pass, but Durham was able to hold him off to take the win. Behind him, Baggett finished second, Bogle third, Barcia fourth, and Roczen fifth. Barcia’s fourth place finish, though, was good enough for him to wrap up the title with one round of the series left to run in Las Vegas.
Article source: http://motocross.transworld.net/1000127770/features/race-report-new-orleans-sx-2012/
For those that follow amateur racing closely, Matt Bisceglia is easily known as one of the sport’s brightest future stars. The young Texan is coming of an injury riddled year, but with the support of Amsoil Factory Connection Honda, he looks to make the previous season a distant memory.
Matt Bisceglia
Age: 16
From: Weatherford, Texas
Classes: 250 Stock/Mod Intermediate, 450 Stock/Mod Intermediate, 250 Four Stroke Non-Pro, 450 Four Stroke Non-Pro
This is one of the first races of your year, and even your competitors tout you as the favorite. Do you come into this race with a target on your back and do you take the pressure well?
I take the pressure well. Obviously, with the team I am on, Amsoil Factory Connection Honda, which is the amateur part of GEICO Honda, there is going to be a target on my back. I am expected to win and I think I am the guy to beat, but there a lot of fast riders out there that can prove me wrong. I just have to stay smart.
How much preparation have you done for this week? After the races in Texas and Alabama, do you feel ready coming in to this?
Yeah, I felt ready coming into all of them. I did well at Oak Hill and did alright in Alabama, got out of there safe but it was not necessarily what I wanted to do. I put in some hard weeks of training and went to California a week early to ride some Cali tracks, and just had fun. I rode with some pros like Bogle and some of my other friends, and I had fun that week. California tracks are a lot closer to this than Texas tracks are because they are more hard packed.
How is it to train with the GEICO riders, to be under their wing and have them developing you?
It is great. We all work out of the same race shop that just has a different team name. The amateurs are Factory Connection rather than GEICO, but it is a great deal and I am super pumped to be a part of it. I have good mentors and good mechanics, so it is all around a good deal.
You were one of the first in your class to triple-triple the rhythm section, and one of the few to do it this week. What separates you from a pro class rider? Because you have the speed to run in the class.
I have been hurt the last couple of years and that is the main reason I stayed in the B class. Then I signed this deal with Honda and they wanted me to stay B, because Zach Bell is their A rider. That is how it rolled, pretty much. A year ago I was sitting on the couch with a pretty badly broken leg and that put a damper on my going A after Loretta’s last year. I stayed B, so hopefully I will go A after Loretta’s, because that is our plan.
What are your goals for the week?
I just want to stay safe. I don’t mean to complain, but I absolutely hate NMA races. I am so glad this is probably the last one I will ever come to. I want to get out of this sketchy, wind infested hole as soon and safely as I can. I want to have fun regardless of the conditions on my dirt bike.
Article source: http://motocross.transworld.net/1000127752/features/catching-up-with-matt-bisceglia/
