Steve Dixon interview – MXoN

Steve Dixon

Anyone who doesn’t respect Steve Dixon for the effort he puts into the sports must either have an agenda, or is just crazy. The former MXoN mechanic, current MXGP team owner, promoter of British GP’s and MXoN event, and not to mention a really good guy, has his hands full at the moment, as the biggest race (possibly) ever run will return home to the birth place of motocross.

The 2006 Motocross of Nations was probably the biggest crowd at a motocross event in decades, and there is talk that 2017 is going to be even bigger.

With the selection of all the leading teams for this year’s event, we stand to also see some of the closest racing the event has seen, and don’t be surprised if five teams go into the third and final moto with a chance of victory.

We caught up with Dixon and asked him how everything is going with organizing this massive show.

MXLarge: Obviously a week or so ago the British team among others were announced for the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations and it seems to just get more and more mouth-watering by the minute. There seem to be like six teams could win this thing. How excited are you as a fan, but also as the promoter?

Dixon: I mean, I am excited for the event. I don’t think there have ever been so many teams capable of winning. I don’t believe Team USA have a weak team, I believe they have stronger team than they actually imagine. People underestimate the statue of Thomas in the Grand Prix, with start grid and how the series works. There have been weak links in American teams from recent years, but I believe Zach, on the 250 pushing for some wins and Cole, he is the top 450 guy who can come. Dean Wilson gets on the podium and Musquin who gets on the podium and both those guys can’t race for Team USA. Take those guys out and you have one of the strongest guys in the class.

MXLarge: What about Team Great Britain. I was speaking to Mark Chamberlain, and if you line up the Team GB guys up against France, the difference is not a lot, and Team France are the favourites. What is your opinion?

Dixon: I see the team was announced and some people are saying it’s fantastic and some have comments it should be Brad Anderson, or Conrad Mewse or Ben Watson and that Tommy got picked because of the organizer. I had no part to play in it. It’s nice for Tommy to be involved, but I have a lot of work to do there anyway.

MXLarge: I think on past performances you can’t leave Tommy out?

Dixon: Exactly. Even on the 450 last year in Italy, he was a strong performer. Had Tommy had something to go for last year, because something happened to Sean, and UK were out of it. Tommy didn’t get involved with the battle with Holland, France and America. And he stepped aside. We know he rises for the occasion and he proved in Switzerland and Sweden he has the pace. He has six weeks to get fit.

MXLarge: For the European fans, Team USA will be the most popular picked in a long time. I don’t mean as far as wanting to watch a Carmichael or an Emig ride, but as far as the European fans having a connection with Zach, and Thomas, and Cole seems like a really nice guy too. I seriously think people will be screaming and yelling if Zach or Thomas lead a race.

Dixon: Zach has a huge following in the UK, he is adored by so many fans over here. You don’t have to think we won’t beat Jeffrey, or Tony or Gajser. Tonus and Seewer proved in Switzerland anything is possible.

MXlarge: So many good riders in this year, at the moment a few injuries, but a lot of fast guys picked for their country. That should bring in even more fans?

Dixon: I mean, I see Holland with a good shot, France, Great Britain, USA, Belgium, Australia, so many teams, it’s going to be really great for the fans that do come.

MXlarge: What about Tomac not wanting to come. Do you get that?

Dixon: Tomac didn’t go last year and it’s no loss to the event, it was still fantastic last year. I think what is disappointing, it’s his pride not to do it, and we can’t lose that. This isn’t about money, it’s about riding for your country, like the Olympics.

MXlarge: You think putting money into it, it would take away the pride thing?

Dixon: 100%. If you look at guys like Paul Malin in 1994 and Dean Ferris in 2013, it resurrected their careers and that is just two guys. Malin had a terrible career in 1994 on the 250 and I wanted him on the 125 and he went 1-1 and that kick started his career. Dean rode for us on the 450 and had a mega ride in 2013 MXoN and KTM signed him. For the riders, it’s a huge stage. They shouldn’t underestimate that.

MXlarge: Speaking to Mark (Chamberlain), he mentioned he is trying to get some British world champions involved, the 1994 des Nations winning team, and also the guys who didn’t get picked to ride for Great Britain. Making a special area at the race so the fans can get involved. Is that going to be organized from your side also?

Dixon: It should be possible. Kurt, Rob and Paul are around, and as Ricky Johnson said in your interview on MXlarge, those guys still want to be involved and they should be involved. We have Graeme Noyce that lives 10 minutes from the track. For the older fans, it’s nice to see these former greats.

MXlarge: I think it is important to grasp that, and speaking to Mark he is really into the whole bonding thing and getting the country behind the boys. He was really passionate about it, and England can be a country of knockers. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone was positive and could help drive this team home to victory?

Dixon: Without doubt. The crowd can have a big part in helping the team to success, give them energy and confidence. It’s a massive event for Team Great Britain, and we have the riders to win it.

MXlarge: Any other news about the event?

Dixon: The track is longer, more loops and areas that brings it closer to the crowd. We have a drop down start, sort of like the Charlotte Grand Prix last year, so that allows the fans to see the start from everywhere. The good thing is, nobody will have ridden or raced this track. We have also brought the crowd down into the infield. Down below the trees, like they were in 2006. We need to get everyone in. We can hold 110,000 and I don’t think we will fill the whole area.

Red Bull Romaniacs Prologue

Alfredo Gómez got the 14th edition of Red Bull Romaniacs officially up and running with victory in the Sibiu prologue. Bringing his Erzberg winning form to Romania, KTM rider Alfredo Gómez made short work of the city prologue, despite the damp and slippery conditions, to lead the field of Gold class riders home. Taking place just over a month after the Erzbergrodeo, there's no let up for the world's best Hard Enduro riders in 2017 as they arrive in Sibiu, Romania for the daunting Red Bull Romaniacs. The scenery around the Carpathian Mountains may be beautiful to look at, but the competitors won't have much time for sightseeing as they contend with four days of punishing off-road riding after tackling the famous Prologue race on the streets of Sibiu.

KTM Confirms Indiana MX

KTM Confirms – Jeffrey Herlings to Race Ironman National

By Dan Lamb
August 23, 2017

Riders

Jeffrey Herlings
Marvin Musquin

MURRIETA, Calif. – The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team has confirmed today that multi-time FIM MX2 World Champion Jeffrey Herlings will compete in the final round of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship this Saturday, Aug. 26 in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Herlings, who currently holds 2nd overall in the premier MXGP Championship, made the last-minute decision to race the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION on U.S. soil before heading to his regularly scheduled stop at the MXGP of the USA in Jacksonville, Florida one week later.

Herlings: “Since I was already coming to the U.S. to prepare for the hot and humid conditions that we’re going to face in Florida, I thought it would be a fun opportunity to race against the best riders in America while I am already here. I’m looking forward to a fun weekend with the team.”

Musquin, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s sole rider based under the U.S. tent, currently sits 3rd overall in the 450 Class championship standings as the season comes to a close. After battling a mid-season knee injury, Musquin came on strong in the latter half of the season to carry a six-moto win-streak into the penultimate round of racing. Musquin continues to strive for an additional 50 points this Saturday in Indiana.

New Zealand Hare Scramble - 2017 Tarawera 100

The 40th annual Tarawera 100 miles cross country took place as it always does, near the township of Te Teko, New Zealand. A whopping 250 riders showed up to try their hands at New Zealand's biggest off road event and they were treated to blue skies and perfect track conditions which made for some great racing.

Muddobbers National Enduro Highlights

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thad DuVall continued his recent domination of the Kenda AMA National Enduro Series by claiming his fourth-straight win at this weekend’s Muddobber’s National Enduro – round six of the series in Matthews, Indiana.

Herlings to Ride AMA Indiana National?

Jeffrey Herlings in USA

Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings flies to America tomorrow, as we mentioned in our exclusive interview with the Dutchman a week or so ago. Last night the MX2 world champion mentioned on his social media pages that he has a surprise for the motocross public. Could it be he is racing the last round of the AMA Nationals in Indiana?

“What’s up guys? Today was a bit unfortunate, we wanted to go three overall wins in a row but it didn’t quite happen. Obviously, I have some interesting news most likely, it’s not 100% sure yet but if it will happen many motocross fans will happy”.

We have tried calling “The Bullet”, with no luck, and hopefully we will have more news later.

Ray Archer image

Zach's Ready for MXoN

Zach Osborne interview – Champ

Supercross and motocross are not the kind of sports that produce a lot of comeback stories, especially not at the level of Rockstar / Husqvarna’s Zach Osborne who has comeback from complete obscurity in the US to becoming a double champion in 2017. Zach turned pro way back in 2006. By 2008, he was considered an amateur superstar bust, and no top tier teams in America thought he had the potential needed for a decent development contract. Instead of letting other people define his worth, Zach bet on himself and took the best job he could find, boarding a plane to Europe to contest the MX2 World Championship.

Zach rose to the occasion in Europe, winning a GP MX2 overall in Turkey, scoring many MX2 podiums and adding the title British National MX Champion to his resume. Even with that, the Abingdon, Virginia native still had aspirations for success at home, so he returned to American SX in 2012 with his British-based Bike-It Cosworth / Yamaha team to race four SX races. Four main events and two podium finishes later, he was getting calls from the teams that had shunned him four years prior. When it was all said and done, Zach returned to the US full time on the factory GEICO / Honda team in 2013 and his second US career was officially underway.

Flashes of brilliance followed up with a myriad of injuries was the theme of Zach’s first few years back in the US. After a two-year injury-riddled stint with GEICO / Honda, Zach joined the Rockstar / Husqvarna team in 2015 and things really started to come together. He grabbed his first national win in 2016 and, during the offseason, added the last missing piece: trainer Aldon Baker and the riders at the Baker’s Factory in Clermont, Florida.

After spending a full offseason with Aldon training him and Ryan Dungey, Jason Anderson and Marvin Musquin pushing him, Zach showed up for the 2017 Monster Energy SX season with the full package. In 2017, Zach won his first ever 250SX main event, his first ever Regional 250SX Championship, and last weekend at Budds Creek, he capped off a dream year with the 2017 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross 250MX Championship. It has been an incredible journey to witness and cover, and after the champagne was sprayed, MotoXAddicts’ Chase Yocom caught up with a very excited Zach to talk about it.

Zach, 8-1 on the day and you got the job done with the Championship. What’s going through your mind right now. You won the Eastern Regional 250SX Supercross Championship and now the 250 AMA Motocross Championship. What a year.

It’s unreal. Like I said in the press conference, there were some personal challenges this season and things to overcome, but all in all, it’s been an incredible year and something that I’ve very much enjoyed. It’s a year that I’ll remember forever. It’s a dream season if there ever was such a thing.

Coming into Budds Creek, you have a history with it. It went from you getting the name “Snack Pack” here when you faded from 1st to 18th early in your career to you getting your first win here last year then clinching your first ever MX championship here today. Can we finally close the door on that whole ordeal? (laughs)

I hope so. It’s been a long time coming to come here and win a title and, last year, my first overall victory. It’s an amazing feeling and something that won’t kick in for a couple of days.

You didn’t make it easy on yourself, especially in that first moto with the crash in the first turn. What happened there?

That was tough. I had that gate picked out for a couple of weeks now if I could get it through qualifying. It was something that I felt really good about, but I got in a little melee there in the corner and was down with a couple of guys. That was that.

It was like, if you got the jump there, you were going to be good, but if you didn’t, you were potentially getting pinched.

I think in years past, they’ve maybe been one more gate to the right—where we line up—and it was just a little too far in there. I just got stuck inside and that was that.

In the second moto—I’m not sure if you knew it while you were racing—there was some smoke coming off your bike. It looked like it was your clutch.

I had no clue. Definitely sometimes when I’m not riding great and fluid, I smoke the clutch a little bit. It’s something we’ve dealt with a little bit this year. I didn’t know it, so I wasn’t really worried about it.

Next weekend, we head to Ironman and you’re staying on the 250. I heard you mention in the press conference that you were going to potentially race the 450 there if you had the title clinched and were racing the 450 at MXoN, so Ironman next weekend and then MXoN. You’re not doing the USGP, correct?

No, no USGP because I would have to race the 450 there [you have to be 23 or under to race MX], and I’m just not quite prepared. Next weekend at Indiana, I’ll hopefully ride with the #1 plate and maybe with my Team USA gear or something like that. That would be really cool. I’m looking forward to it, and I’ll try to get another win.

MXoN coming up. There was obviously the whole fiasco with some 450 guys turning down the invitation, but you’re a guy that’s super excited about this. What are your expectations for the race?

High! I think realistically we have a chance to win. I think if all the cards fall right, we can win. There have been plenty of teams… We are not a B team by any means. I’m a national champion and I feel like my chances are good against any 250 rider in the world. Not being cocky, but more or less just saying. I feel like we can go there and do some damage.

Yeah, I don’t think people realize that. Thomas Covington is over there right now—you have a ton of experience over there—and Cole Seely is the only one that really doesn’t have any GP experience. Having you two there to give him pointers will definitely help.

I believe Cole is going to be just fine. I think it was a good choice, and he’s a solid guy. He travels well. He went to Japan last year. I think his game will be on top form. For all three of us, it’s a dream, not a task, so we’re going to give it our best nonetheless.

Thanks for the time, Zach, and congratulations on the title. Good luck next weekend. Hopefully we’ll talk to you then, but if not, good luck at des Nations.

No problem. Thank you.

Haaker & Webb taking it to a new level in endurocross

2017 Endurocross Round 1: Las Vegas (Cody Webb VS Colton Haaker)

Honda Wins Vegas-Reno

Honda's Barreda and Brabec clinch Vegas-Reno victory

Photo credit: Kato

Honda Racing's Joan Barreda and Ricky Brabec have taken the top honours with a one-two victory in the 21st edition of one of the United States’ most prestigious races - the Vegas to Reno.

After triumphing in the 2017 Baja Aragon in July, Joan Barreda once again turned on the winning style, this time at the V2R held this weekend in the Nevada desert. Alongside fellow Honda Team member Ricky Brabec (USA), the Honda CRF450 RALLYs dominated throughout the longest off-road race in the United States.

Barreda and Brabec were outstanding in the 539-miles race (864 kilometres). Setting a blistering pace from the very start in Las Vegas, the duo were soon in the lead and it was pedal-to-the-metal all the way to the finish-line in Reno, where the pair arrived with a lengthy advantage over rivals. All this despite a spill for Ricky Brabec just after the race’s halfway point. The team had been supported throughout by Johnny Campbell with assistance from JCR-Honda.

Both riders came through the tough test with flying colours, as they once again add their names to the honours list. Joan Barreda was victorious last year while Brabec won the 2014 edition. The Spanish rider finished with a total time of 8:56′.

Photo credit: Kato

"We are very pleased with this win at the Vegas to Reno," told Barreda. "It's my second race of the season where we clinched the victory; so that’s mission accomplished. I wish to thank Johnny Campbell and the whole team for all the support, not just here in the race, but for all the facilities we have had all year round, in the testing and for the quality navigation-filled stages.

"I'm already focusing on the next race, the Ruta 40, a very different race with a lot of navigation. So far we have prioritized sprint races, to build speed, and now we are starting with the navigation, which might be a bit trickier in the beginning, but that’s what we’ve planned and we hope that everything works out well."

Photo credit: Kato

Results

1. Brabec, Barreda - Honda, 08:56’22.892
2. Argubright, Shirey - Husqvarna, 09:12’13.810
3. Cooper, Pearson - Honda, 09:43’11.649
4. Spaise, Damon - Yamaha, 09:51’35.332
5. Stevens, Schlapia - Husqvarna, 09:56’22.633
6. Brittner, Tichenor - KTM, 10:00’05.521

AMA Motocross Horizon Award

Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award Goes To Justin Cooper

© 2017, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. From a press release issued by American Motorcyclist Association (AMA):

Justin Cooper receiving the Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award. Photo courtesy of American Motorcyclist Association (AMA).

35 AMA National Championships awarded at AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship

Nicky Hayden Horizon Award and Racers of the Year announced

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Thirty-five AMA National Championships were awarded, and four racers were recognized for their impressive performances, when racing concluded at the 2017 Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship that took place July 31 - Aug. 5 at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

Thirty riders took home the 35 AMA National No. 1 plates, with five of those riders securing two AMA National Championships apiece.

"It is with great pride and confidence that I say the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship was a huge success," AMA Motocross Manager Kip Bigelow said. "We would like to congratulate the 30 newly crowned AMA National Champions, as well as all of the talented racers who showcased their skills in the country's most prestigious amateur motocross event."

Justin Cooper of Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., was honored with the Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award after claiming the AMA National Championship for both classes he competed in -- Open Pro Sport and 250 A -- aboard his Rock River bLU cRU Yamaha.

The Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award recognizes the rider best prepared for the professional ranks, based on their attitude, enthusiasm and past performances as an amateur. The award recently was renamed in honor of 2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden, who passed away in May and was the inaugural winner of the AMA Horizon Award in 1997.

Based on his two AMA National Championships in the Junior (25+) and Senior (40+) classes, Mike Brown, Bluff City, Tenn., was named AMA Vet/Senior Racer of the Year. Brown swept both classes on his Rockstar Husqvarna, taking first in all six motos he competed in.

Fox Racing's Ty Masterpool of Paradise, Texas, was the recipient of the AMA Youth Racer of the Year, winning AMA National Championships in the Supermini 1 (12-15) and Supermini 2 (13-16) classes aboard his TM.

AMA Amateur Racer of the Year was Garrett Marchbanks of Coalville, Utah, who won two AMA National Championships aboard his Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Green machine. Marchbanks took all three moto wins in the Schoolboy 2 (12-17) class and finished with a second and two firsts for the overall in the 250 B class.

"The success of this event would not be possible without the support and partnership we share with MX Sports," AMA Racing Director Kevin Crowther said. "Each year, the MX Sports team does an exceptional job of organizing the event and making it an outstanding experience for AMA members."

Crowther also thanked all of the AMA staff and volunteers who played a critical part in the overall success of the event.

Open Pro Sport - Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.

125 C - Jeffrey Chambers, Punta Gorda, Fla.

250 A - Justin Cooper, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.

250 B - Garrett Marchbanks, Coalville, Utah

250 B Limited - Derek Drake, Sand Luis Obispo, Calif.

250 C - Stockton Stinebaugh, Caddo Mills, Texas

250 C Limited - Stockton Stinebaugh, Caddo Mills, Texas

250 C Jr. (12-17) Limited - Rene Rodriguez, Layton, Utah

450 B - Brock Papi, Groveland, Fla.

450 B Limited - Ezra Hastings, Aurora, Ind.

450 C - Wesley Allen, Fairfax, S.C.

College (18-24) - Tanner Basso, Alpine, Calif.

Junior (25+) - Mike Brown, Bluff City, Tenn.

Vet (30+) - Taylor Painter, Cleburne, Texas

Senior (40+) - Mike Brown, Bluff City, Tenn.

Senior (45+) - Jay Wagner, Warsaw, Ind.

Masters (50+) - John Grewe, Rockford, Mich.

51cc (4-6) Special LTD - Roxyn Rinehart, Anniston, Ala.