Australia’s long-standing association with the Trial des Nations (TdN) will continue in 2023 with full-strength men’s and women’s teams to compete in the annual showpiece, which will be held in France from September 8-10.
Australia’s long-standing association with the Trial des Nations (TdN) will continue in 2023 with full-strength men’s and women’s teams to compete in the annual showpiece.
Australia will take an unchanged line-up into the 18-country International Trophy men’s division, with reigning Aussie champion Kyle Middleton (TRRS) to be joined by Connor Hogan (TRRS) and South Australian Chris Bayles (GasGas) – the trio now seasoned TdN campaigners. In the women’s division, Lillie Yiatrou (Vertigo) returns for her second TdN appearance and the first since 2019, where she will join forces with incumbent Kaitlyn Cummins (TRRS) who first made her Aussie debut in 2015.
Middleton, Hogan and Bayles already share a special TdN bond after winning the 2017 International Trophy – which was Australia’s first victory in the category after six previous podium finishes. And it’s that unity and an acute understanding of each other’s strengths that Newcastle-based Middelton believes helps to galvanise the Aussie team.
“Over the past five TdNs we’ve learnt so much together,” said Middleton, the multiple Aussie champion. “There are lots of intricacies and considerations in how we prepare and compete. For example, I’m usually the first rider out as managing time is one of my strengths, followed by Chris who is the glue that holds the team together, and then Connor who is an excellent rider under pressure. I just love everything about the TdN – it’s an event I always look forward to with immense pride as it has a higher purpose: representing your country and riding alongside great mates who are normally your opposition.”
Kyle Middleton is no stranger to the FIM Trial des Nations, with this year marking his 13th TdN…
The TdN will be held in a ski resort in Auron, about 90km from Nice, and Middleton expects the terrain to be quite hard, sharp and slippery.
“It will be quite technical, but the key to getting the job done at the TdN is damage limitation on sections that may not be quite in your absolute comfort zone, and then maximising opportunities in other sections. It’s always a great challenge, as it should be in such an iconic event.”
At the TdN, the best two scores in each section count towards the team total – so a pressure-cooker for the Aussie women in particular with only two participants and minimal ‘wriggle’ room. Australia’s main opposition in the International Trophy will come from defending champion the Czech Republic, as well as Germany, Austria, Sweden and the United States. A total of 18 teams will compete in the International Trophy, where Australia finished fifth in 2022.
Australia will take an unchanged line-up into the 18-country International Trophy men’s division.
In the Women’s, Australia is grouped with all the powerhouse trials nations, including Spain, Italy and Great Britain.
The Aussie men will collect their TdN machinery in Europe early next week before heading to a training camp in Andorra and then onto the final round of the FIM Trial World Championship (for both men and women) in France from September 1-3. At the shakedown, Middleton, Hogan and Bayles will compete in the Trial2 class – while for Yiatrou and Cummins it’s the culmination of a 2023 European campaign in the Trial2 Women class. Hogan has also been dabbling in international competition in 2023, including a solid rookie result in the famed Scottish Six Day Trial and Trial2 appearances.
Yiatrou is sixth in the Trial2 Women standings after riding both the Andorran and Italian rounds, while Cummins is 13th overall after her only outing in Italy.
The Australian team will also include three minders – Jarad Boniface, Jono Chellas and Michael Zutelija – who are all skilled trials practitioners and will be available to offer wise ‘in-section’ and general counsel.
Sunshine is scheduled this weekend for Rounds 7 and 8 of the 2023 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXstore (AORC). Nestled in rolling green plains in Keyneton, South Australia, this weekend’s racing features Cross Country on Saturday, followed by Sprints on Sunday.
Sunshine is scheduled this weekend for Rounds 7 and 8 of the 2023 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship presented by MXstore (AORC).
Set for high speeds and even higher heart rates, AORC will feature more than 250 riders set to tear up picturesque green fields. Featuring dusty tracks, we’re expecting low visibility and hot competition all weekend long. Before go-time this morning, here’s everything you need to know about Keyneton.
This weekend AORC are welcoming more than 250 riders into Keyneton for Cross Country and Sprints. Your favourites are ready to go, including the return of Yamaha’s Kyron Bacon, GASGAS’s Korey McMahon, Beta’s Fraser Higlett and Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team’s Jess Gardiner.
This weekend we’re welcoming more than 250 riders into Keyneton for Cross Country and Sprints.
The Women’s Development Program session was hosted by Jess Gardiner and Emelie Karlsson. Female competitors received an insight into different aspects of Cross County and Sprints, from nutrition, mindset, as well as track conditions and racing styles. Juniors joined Josh Green at the Yamaha truck for another YORTT session. This is a hassle-free opportunity available at every weekend of the 2023 season where you can learn from a world-class athlete, on all Off-Road tech and tips.
Keyneton is famously home to Henschke Wines and the gateway to the Barossa Valley. A beautiful township with massive gum trees and sweeping landscapes, this stunning location is 82 kilometres from Adelaide. Founded in 1842, Keyneton is part of the Mid Murray region. To found out more about this area.
Yamaha Racing has retained the prestigious ProMX MX1 (450cc) and WMX (Women’s) Championships after the final round of the series was completed at the Coolum Pines Circuit, on the Sunshine Coast.
Dean Ferris claimed his fourth ProMX championship with a polished performance at the final round where he finished second for the day but that was more than enough to secure the championship and makes it three in a row for Yamaha after Luke Clout and Aaron Tanti were winners in 2021 and 2022 respective.
Charli Cannon took her second WMX championship after a final round domination on her home track at Coolum. It was also the first time she had stood on the podium since turning 18 so she was finally allowed to spray some champaign in celebration of another number 1 plate.
Ferris and his YZ450F had been the inform combination all year and entering the final round at Coolum, he enjoyed a 15 point buffer over second place but given the hostilities that Coolum often throws up, this was a long way from over and two, thirty minute motos in the black sand is always easier said that done.
And his weekend didn’t start off great. He crashed heavily in the Saturday qualifying session that left his bike a little twisted and himself a little rattled. With some shoulder and neck soreness, he got some running repairs over night as did the bike and things were back on track for Sunday morning and he locked down fourth spot in Superpole.
Dean Ferris claimed his fourth ProMX championship with a polished performance at the final round where he finished second for the day but that was more than enough to secure the championship.
The maths for Sunday was simply. Keep Jed Beaton in sight and the championship was his. Beaton had barely set a foot wrong all year and had proven to be ultra consistent and he also showed good pace in qualifying.
Both motos were also carbon copies of each other. Ferris was conservative on the opening laps, doing what ever he could do stay out of the usual chaos 40 hyped up motocross riders create. Once the field settled down, so did Ferris and each time he climbed his way from fourth into second and held it there to the end. It was a very mature performance from a rider who continues to grow on and off the track. He did exactly what he needed to do and executed with perfect.
“2023 has been a massive year of change for me and I’m so happy that I came back to racing and found my love of it again,” said Ferris.
“2023 has been a massive year of change for me and I’m so happy that I came back to racing and found my love of it again,” Ferris begins. “It was only a small crew of people, but everyone was dedicated and determined to do well and gave me what I needed to get the job done.
“This time last year I was burnt out and done but now I think I’m more invigorated than ever and the thrill of winning never gets old. It’s been five years since I won a championship and there were times when it seemed so far away, but I hung in there, kept fighting and made the changes I needed to and I’m so proud to have win it in 2023 against a high-quality field of riders and over such a challenging year as far as tracks and conditions go. A big thank you to Yamaha for stepping up and making this happen. I came to them late with this idea of what I wanted to do, and they were able to put a platform in place that worked for me and the YZ450F just feels so natural to me,” Ferris ends.
Charli Cannon took her second WMX championship after a final round domination on her home track at Coolum.
Charli Cannon was tied on points with her nearest rival as the women lined up for their final round at Coolum. While Cannon had been the dominate rider in the series, a fall in moto 2 at QMP that saw her unable to finish the race, tightened the points back up and it was all on the line, winner take all at the final round in the WMX division.
And we should never have doubted her. Cannon rounded the first turn inside the top four each team, passed into the lead within the opening laps and then continued to stretch out her lead all the way until the checkered flag. She won both races by approximately 30 seconds to stamp her authority in WMX and make it back-to-back championships.
“Thank you Yamaha and the entire Yamalube Yamaha Team. Its great the support they have given me, and I think it’s been a big part in why there are more girls being supported in motocross.” said Cannon.
“I was pretty nervous coming into the final round. I had to reset from last weekend at QMP and just trying and focus on riding well this weekend because there was no room for error in the points after that DNF. I also had to learn from last week and not make that same mistake again. I tried to rush a pass when I shouldn’t have, and I went down and damaged the bike so there was a lot going on in my head before the races started.”
“But thankfully when the gates dropped, I was just able to race. I was able to get to the lead quickly without taking any risks and the track was super tough, especially in that second race so I was so focused on my lines and what was happening on the track, I didn’t really think about the championship. But I was pretty relieved when I came onto the final straight knowing that I had it won. Thank you Yamaha and the entire Yamalube Yamaha Team. Its great the support they have given me, and I think it’s been a big part in why there are more girls being supported in motocross. Also, to ProMX for giving us a platform to race. There are now more than 20 riders at each round and hopefully that continues to grow, and the women enjoy the experience of racing at these events,” Cannon signs off.
Lorenzo Savadori will continue in his role as Aprilia Racing test rider in 2024. The Italian rider will carry on with his development work on the RS-GP both following the test programme and taking advantage of the three races allowed by the regulations.
The Italian rider will continue his development work on the RS-GP both following the test programme and taking advantage of the three races allowed by the regulations.
A relationship, the one between Aprilia and Lorenzo Savadori, which began in 2015 with victory in the FIM Superstock 1000 riding the RSV4 and then continued in World Superbike. Since 2019 Lorenzo has been an integral part of the MotoGP project, contributing to the steady growth of the RS-GP which has now become a stable protagonist among the prototypes. Testing and wild-card races, during which Savadori and the Aprilia Racing Test Team have often brought innovative solutions to the track, play a fundamental role in modern MotoGP, which is increasingly competitive and demanding.
Lorenzo Savadori: “Aprilia Racing is now a second family for me: we have been together since 2015 and I am very happy to continue this wonderful collaboration. The work I’m doing together with all the guys in the Test Team makes me happy and it’s a source of pride for me to contribute to taking Aprilias to the top of MotoGP, as happened at Silverstone, where there were three RS-GP bikes fighting for the win. Today’s MotoGP is hyper-competitive and you have to try to go further in the development of every little detail and that is also why the job of the Test Rider has become more and more crucial. I am grateful to Aprilia for the trust they put in me for such a delicate role, although clearly every rider’s dream is still to return to full-time racing, to be able to show their potential”.
Ducati Australia have announced another adrenaline-charged experience for Ducatisti, with the return of its Ducati Track Days program, powered by Australian Superbike team, DesmoSport Ducati. The track days offer Ducati riders from all walks of life the chance to experience their Ducati as it was intended.
Offering a full day of track time, the Ducati Track Days are among the most popular events in the Ducatisti calendar.
Ducati Australia Managing Director, Sergi Canovas, was excited to welcome Ducatisti from around the country back to the track.
“Racing and motorsport is embedded in the Ducati DNA, and whether our clients and fans are using their Ducatis at the track or purely on the road, the heart of a champion, proven with countless podiums, is beating within each one of our motorcycles. Partnering with DesmoSport Ducati to offer our 2023 Track Day program means that Ducatisti can experience the true performance of their own bikes, while learning from some of Australian motorcycling racing’s household names,” said Canovas
Formed in 2016 by the 2001/2006/2008 World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss and former Australian Superbike racer, Ben Henry, DesmoSport Ducati currently competes in the Australian Superbike Championship.
Formed in 2016 by the 2001/2006/2008 World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss and former Australian Superbike racer, Ben Henry, DesmoSport Ducati currently competes in the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) against Australia’s, and some of the world’s, best Superbike racers; with rider Broc Pearson in the saddle for the team.
Designed to offer guests a selection of riding options, spots on the Ducati Track Days can be purchased for either one day, or both days at a cost of $450 or $800 respectively. Guests can also purchase optional additional riding tips, or an optional suspension set-up, from the DesmoSport Ducati team, for $200 each.
Experience Details:
Ducati Track Experience Powered By DesmoSport Ducati October 5th and 6th at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Victoria
SMSP have recently opened a new Motorsport Innovation Precinct to boost Australian technology development across motorcycle and car racing. Situated next to the track, the new precinct will help the future of racing in this country. We headed out to the launch of phase one for a sneak peek.
SMSP have opened a new Motorsport Innovation Precinct to boost Australian technology development.
The launch event provided an opportunity for the Australian press to explore the first phase of the building along with hearing from Minster for Sport Steve Kamper, Minister for Music and the Night – time Economy and Jobs and Tourism, John Graham, ARDC President Natalie Turmine and ARDC CEO Glenn Mathews.
Minster for Sport Steve Kamper, Minister for Music and the Night – time Economy and Jobs and Tourism, John Graham, ARDC President Natalie Turmine and ARDC CEO Glenn Mathews.
All four signed the Innovation F4 car.
All four signed the Innovation F4 car.
Motorsport Innovation Precinct.
The first phase of the Innovation Precinct see’s two Australian innovators move into the building. AGI and Forcite. AGI, who are renowned for their roll-cages, have set up shop with more than a dozen Formula Four machines. The aim is to provide an opportunity to find the next Australian F1 driver and putting emphasis on using the Innovation Precinct as an international base to find the next female talent and provide them with the highest level of coaching and training.
AGI, who are renowned for their roll-cages, have set up shop with more than a dozen Formula Four machines.
“Our aim is to establish the number one elite race academy in Australasia at Australia’s number one race circuit. The on – track location is a real drawcard for the sport’s rising stars as we nurture Australia’s next F1 driver. The shared passion and support from the ARDC is the fuel injector to make this vision become a reality,” said Adam Gotch, principal of AGI Sport.
AGI Sport.
AGI Sport.
AGI Sport.
AGI Sport.
AGI’s neighbour is Forcite, the Australian smart-helmet manufacturer have been developing their next generation of lid with MotoSchool. Entering a next phase in their development, they offer out their smart-helmets for punters at the MotoSchool to test out their lids, give their an incite to their riding and be able to see a first person view of what their trainers are doing differently.
Forcite will be heading down the path of creating a race-only lid, this will be including MotoGP technology like live-flag update through lighting in the helmet and live broadcasting of a first-person view. Having their HQ next to a track such as SMSP allows for access to a world-class facility to further develop their product and make racing better.
Forcite Helmets.
Forcite Helmets.
“Forcite has motorsports in its DNA, so being in a precinct on track is an exciting opportunity for our company. Forcite Engineers will now be able to collaborate with the industry’s best and test our technology on a world – class track day and night. I have no doubt this will help us speed up innovation.“ Said Alfred Boyadgis, Forcite co-founder.
“Forcite has motorsports in its DNA, so being in a smart precinct on track is an exciting opportunity for our company.” Said Alfred Boyadgis, Forcite co-founder (on the left).
Speaking with Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC) Spokesperson, Kurt McGuiness, we got some insight into what the precinct means for motorcycle racing.
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
“Effectively what it means is that we have a dedicated racetrack laboratory for research and development of motorsport technology. This tech will then find its way into road going cars and motorcycles. The benefit for brands here is that they can use the motorsport park to test and develop new technology and put them on the track that same day.” said McGuiness.
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
Many mentions were made to the fact that this is the answer to Silverstone circuit in the UK. The ARDC and NSW Government have spent $10 million on the trackside precinct and this is only phase one. More buildings will be constructed over the next few years, hopefully bringing more brands and innovation to Australian circuits.
SMSP Innovation Precinct Gallery
All four signed the Innovation F4 car.
All four signed the Innovation F4 car.
Minster for Sport Steve Kamper, Minister for Music and the Night – time Economy and Jobs and Tourism, John Graham, ARDC President Natalie Turmine and ARDC CEO Glenn Mathews.
SMSP have opened a new Motorsport Innovation Precinct to boost Australian technology development.
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
AGI Sport.
AGI Sport.
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
“Forcite has motorsports in its DNA, so being in a smart precinct on track is an exciting opportunity for our company.” Said Alfred Boyadgis, Forcite co-founder (on the left).
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
SMSP Innovation Precinct.
AGI Sport.
AGI, who are renowned for their roll-cages, have set up shop with more than a dozen Formula Four machines.
Motorcycling Australia and the ISDE Management Team has confirmed its decision to exclusively field a Women’s Trophy Team at the upcoming International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) 2023 in San Juan, Argentina from 6th – 11th November.
Motorcycling Australia and the ISDE Management Team has confirmed its decision to exclusively field a Women’s Trophy Team at the upcoming International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) 2023.
The (ISDE) is a prestigious and renowned event that epitomizes the essence of off-road motorcycle racing. With a history dating back over a century, ISDE gathers the world’s most skilled and daring riders from various corners of the globe. Held annually, this gruelling competition challenges participants through demanding terrain, pushing the limits of endurance, precision, and adaptability.
Team Australia will be represented by the vastly experienced, multiple time Australian Off-Road Champion, 7-time Australian 4 Day Enduro Champion and 6-time ISDE Women’s Trophy Team winner, Jessica Gardiner. Alongside Jess will be 6-time ISDE Women’s Trophy Winner, 3-time GNCC Champion and 6-time Sprint Enduro Champion Tayla Jones and multiple Junior Girls Australian Off-Road Champion and 4-time Hattah Race Champion Danielle McDonald.
Team Australia will be represented by the vastly experienced, multiple time Australian Off-Road Champion, 7-time Australian 4 Day Enduro Champion and 6-time ISDE Women’s Trophy Team winner, Jessica Gardiner.
The significantly increased financial burdens encompassing travel, accommodation, and logistics to and from South America have posed an insurmountable challenge in sending representatives across all classes. Moreover, the limited access to crucial resources, including specialized and competitive equipment, spare parts, and technical support, has left MA and the ISDE Management Team to carefully reconsider the scale of this year’s Australian representation.
In addition, several regular Australia factory-contracted riders were unavailable to commit to the event, due to existing commitments. All efforts will be made to field a full Australian Team in 2024 when the ISDE heads back to Spain.
When Ducati tuning guru Bob Brown approached Kevin Magee in 1982, neither of the larger than life personalities had any idea what their meeting would lead to. The tuning skills of Brown coupled with the talent of Magee was to become an unbeatable force.
When Victorian Ducati tuning guru Bob Brown approached Kevin Magee in late 1982, neither of the larger than life personalities had any idea what their meeting would lead to.
The bike was a Ducati Pantah that started life as a wreck. Bob had rebuilt it and, as Magee points out, “Had turned it into a superbike and ‘Bob Browned’ it.” Magee took to the bike like it was built for him.
“I’d heard a lot about this young kid,” says Bob Brown, “People said he crashed a lot. But I watched him and kept an eye on him when he raced the RDs. I needed a rider as my rider at the time, Jeff Thyme, was getting married on race weekend. I decided to give Kevin a chance. It was the right decision”!
Magoo was really starting to make a name for himself in National racing… Getting invites to ride internationally.
Kevin tested the bike and was immediately on the pace. In his first meeting on the Ducati, Magee won both Thunderbike races from Peter Muir. It was an astonishing result.
“I remember his face at the trophy presentation,” recalls Bob, “I think at the time Fat Head, as I called him, was an apprentice and he earned about $29 per week. You should have seen his face when he was handed a cheque for $700 with his trophy! He handed it to me, and I passed it back and said ‘No mate, that is your winnings’. He just couldn’t wipe the smile off his dial. He spent all of his money racing and he was always broke. I’ll never forget the time he drove his old ute into the Kookaburra Petrol Station at Melton and asked the attendant to put one-litre of gas in his car so he could get to my workshop. He really was a character!”
The 1983 season was a huge success for the duo. Kevin won the Victorian Thunderbike Series and NSW Formula European Championship, a series that he won all but one race, because he snapped a drive chain off the start!
The 1983 season was a huge success for the duo. Kevin won the Victorian Thunderbike Series and the NSW Formula European Championship, a series that he won all but one race, and that was because he snapped a drive chain off the start!
“I remember his face at the trophy presentation, [Kevin] was an apprentice and he earned about $29 per week. You should have seen his face when he was handed a cheque for $700″ said Bob.
“We also raced in the Eastern States rounds of the Australian Superbike Championships, “adds Kevin, “Plus the Mallala round, where I set a new outright lap record. I won the Tom Phillis Memorial meeting at Winton also. It was a good deal for me. Bob paid for tyres, entry fees and tent site fees because we stayed in a tent. I got to keep the prize money!”
Magee left school and started an apprenticeship as a mechanic at Irwin Motors, a Yamaha dealer and farmers supermarket. He started racing every weekend…
The essential element of 1983 was racing against the factory teams on the 680 Pantah. They were on 1000cc and 1100cc superbikes and Magee was really giving them some curry. That year he scored a third in one race against the factory boys and finished the championship fifth against the likes of Rob Phillis, Wally Campbell and Andrew Johnston.
“It was a good learning year for me,” says Magee, “Because I was finding out that I was pretty fast and getting faster against guys who I thought would hose me… We also did the Swann Series at the end of the year and I did well in that. Bob was a dedicated Seventh Day Adventist, so we wouldn’t practice on Saturday. We didn’t do anything and Bob wouldn’t even open his shop. We would do Friday practice and if there was anything that needed checking we would do it in the warm up on Sunday morning. It didn’t worry me at all though. I was being looked after very well and I had a great bike to ride”…
1984 saw Magee race the Bob Brown Pantah again, with the same race meetings scheduled as 1983, plus the plan to travel to NZ for the end of year races. But the season didn’t kick off too well…
1984 saw Magee race the Bob Brown Pantah again, with the same race meetings scheduled as 1983, plus the plan to travel to NZ for the end of year races. But the season didn’t kick off too well…
“All I wanted to do that year was race against the likes of Wally, AJ and Phillis. Early in the year I raced the TTF2 Ducati for the first time. It was like a real GP bike. I raced two classes in the 1 Hour at Calder; Up to 500cc and 500 – 1000cc. I was chasing down AJ, who was riding the factory Honda V4 860 and had a big lead over third place. There had been a sidecar blow up in the race before on the back straight, leaving oil everywhere. Five laps in I tipped it into the right-hander through the cement dust. The front tyre hit the curb and I went down, catching my right pinkie between the ‘bar and the road. Now it’s permanently bent and I almost lost it. That crash put me out for six weeks”.
“We also did the Swann Series at the end of the year and I did well in that. Bob was a dedicated Seventh Day Adventist, so we wouldn’t practice on Saturday.” said Magee
The next race was at Mallala. Bob Brown was on his way to Horsham to pick Magee up for the trip to SA. Meanwhile, Kevin was mucking around with a mate on a three-wheeler up in the back paddock of his family property. They were two-up, and Magee over stepped the mark and highsided.
Kevin continues the story, “I looked down and thought, ‘Oops.’ My foot was looking at me. I’d broken my leg. I was out for another six weeks. Bob wasn’t happy”!
“Here I was driving into Horsham,” says Bob, “When someone flags me down to tell me that Fat Head was in hospital with a broken leg. I could have strangled him”!
When fit, Kevin did all of the same races as 1983, plus raced in NZ at Gracefield International (the only time Bob let Kevin ride on a Saturday) and the Wanganui Street Races, where Magee finished second behind Dave Hiscock, the then World TTF1 Champion, who was riding his Macintosh Suzuki 1100…
Kevin Magee.
Kevin Magee.
“1983 was tough but a good year. We were really giving all the superbikes a tough time as I was learning more about riding and how to control a bike when going so fast,” says Magee, “But by the end of the year I was really getting keen to get on the same machinery as the factory boys as I knew I could run with them”…
1985 was Magee’s third year without Saturday practice but he didn’t mind, as Bob was very good to him. It was a huge year in Kevin’s career… In the Australian Superbike Championships, Magee was really starting to get under the factory team’s skin. At Winton, he broke the lap record in the morning warm up – by half a second!
Magoo (number 9) was a force to be reckoned with in the LC race series…
“The factory team bosses rarely talked to each other,” recalls Bob, “As it was very competitive back then. But that morning, all of the team managers were seen huddled together, talking to ACU officials and trying to get rid of us”!
Magoo continues, “We’d show up in a Falcon XD panel van with a trailer. They’d be in big trucks with all the gear. And we’d make them look silly”.
“We’d show up in a Falcon XD panel van with a trailer. They’d be in big trucks with all the gear. And we’d make them look silly”. said Magee.
Magee’s results were getting him some recognition, and offers started to come in to ride other bikes. Bob was fine with it, as he could see that Kevin had a lot of talent and could go a long way. But they still had plenty to accomplish that year…
Yamaha announced the RZ National Invitation Series, plus all States had their own RZ Series. Bob bought a bike for Kevin to ride in the State Series, while the RZ National Invitation Series bikes were supplied; You simply turned up, dug the key out of a hat and raced your lucky bike. The winner of the series was to go on and race in the finals in Holland.
“Kevin Magee was just an ordinary teenager who loved motorbikes. A dreamer from a small town. But there was a bit more spark in his eye than the average kid.”
Magee and Bob went 50/50 in earnings and debt. They won both the Victorian State RZ Series and the RZ National Invitation Series that year. Magoo was over the moon. He now had a chance to prove himself overseas at the final… But it didn’t happen…
“In May, Yamaha invited me to race in the Nippon Denso 500 with Michael Dowson,” says Magee, “We won it. And that led to more offers. In June Trevor Flood invited me to ride his Yamaha FZ750 road bike in the Calder round of the Aussieland Superbike Series. I finished third behind Wally and Phillis. That race confirmed to me that I could run with the best of them”.
In July Magee went to Japan for the first time, to compete in the Suzuka 8 hour with Rob Phillis on a Moriwaki CBX750. It was one week before the final round of the RZ National Invitation Series. In the second session Magee highsided on some oil and broke his scaphoid. He didn’t go to a doctor, but knew something was broken… Amazingly, Magee finished the race and he and Phillis crossed the line in ninth position!
Magee travelled home to compete at Oran Park, finishing third and winning the title. The Surfer’s Paradise Three Hour was coming up, so Magee went to the doc and got his wrist put in a splint. In a gut-wrenching decision, he handed his trip to Holland for the world final to the RZ National Invitation Series runner up in the series… Opting to heal up for the Three Hour, which he competed in. He also went on to finish third overall in a wet Castrol Six Hour, and second in the 750 class.
Late in the year Magee competed in the Swann Series on Trevor Flood’s awesome TZ750, finishing in the top 10 of the championship and having an impressive race at Surfer’s with then GP star, South African Dave Peterson. Sadly it was around this time that Kevin and Bob went their separate ways. Kevin’s career had moved forward but he was very grateful for what Bob had done and vice versa…
“Bob was the main reason why I was getting all these offers,” says Magee, “Without him and those Dukes I wouldn’t have been noticed”…
“Nobody was ever going to stop the kid from Horsham in Western Victoria. Not once Kevin Magee had the clippers on…”
Bob agrees, “Those were probably the most enjoyable years of my life really. Fat Head was a great talent and I was happy for him to move forward. The old Pantah didn’t die. In fact it ended up even more of a weapon, and in the end Alan Cathcart bought it to race overseas. It’s in a museum in Europe somewhere now”…
By now Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki were ringing Magee and looking for his services for 1986. But, he decided to stick with Yamaha as he was getting to know Dowson. Kevin was now a factory rider. The Marlboro Yamaha Dealer Team was born… 1986 was huge. Magee went on to win the Castrol 6 Hour, the Arai 500, the Lakeside Hub 300 and finish second in the Swann International on a YZR500.
1986 was huge. Magee went on to win the Castrol 6 Hour, the Arai 500, the Lakeside Hub 300 and finish second in the Swann International Series with Yamaha.
Mid way through the season, Magee crashed at the Winton round of the superbike titles, breaking his collarbone. The Suzuka 8 Hour was just around the corner, so Kevin had his collarbone screwed and plated. He went over to Japan and qualified a domestic FZ750 in fourth place behind Kenny Roberts Snr, Wayne Gardner and Christian Sarron. He finished second with Mike Dowson behind Gardner after crashing and losing a lap!
Later that year, Magee travelled back to Japan and finished runner up behind Sarron in the Sugo TBC Big Road Race… On return to Australia the pair won the Castrol 6 Hour, despite being penalised a lap for a push start during a pit stop.
Castrol 6 Hour.
The Swann Series result really got people talking. Rob McElnea only just won the series by a few points from Magee. Oran Park was a standout. Magee put the YZR on pole and won the second race. People still talk about that one…
Next we look at 1987 and beyond, where Magee’s International career started to rapidly take shape…
Kevin Magee GP Career Stats
500 GRAND PRIX
1st x 1- 1988 SPA
3rd x 2 –1987 POR. 1988 POR
4th x 6 – 1988 NL. 1989 AUS, USA, YUG, NL. 1990 JAP
5th x 9 – 1988 NAT, WGER, YUG, GB. 1989 JAP, AUT, FRA, SWE. 1991 MAL
6th x 5 – 1988 AUT, SWE, BRA. 1989 GB, BRA
7th x 4 – 1988 JAP. 1989 WGER, BEL, CZE
9th x 2 –1988 FRA. 1993 JAP
10th x 1 – 1987 NL
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
1987 15th/11pts (Yamaha)
1988 5th/138pts (Yamaha)
1989 5th/138.5pts (Yamaha)
1990 21st/13pts (Suzuki)
1991 19th/19pts (Suzuki/Yamaha)
1993 25th/7pts (Yamaha)
OTHER MAJOR RESULTS
1981 Millage RD250LC State Champion (Vic)
1982 Millage RD350LC State Champion (Vic)
1983 Victorian Thunderbike Champion
1983 NSW Formula European Champion
1985 2nd NZ superbike race, Bob Brown Ducati
1985 9th Suzuka 8 Hour with Rob Phillis
1985 RZ Master Series State and National winner
1985 TZ750 top ten Swann Series
1985 1st place Nippon Denso 500, Winton
1985 3rd Castrol 6 Hour
1986 2nd Suzuka 8 Hour (on domestic Yamaha Superbike with Mike Dowson)
Castrol 6 Hour.
1986 1st Castrol 6 Hour
1986 1st Arai 500
1986 1st Lakeside Hub 300
1986 2nd TTF1, Sugo, Japan
1986 2nd Swann Series on YZR500
1987 All Japan TTF1 Champion, won every race
1987 1st Suzuka 8 Hour with Martin Wimmer
1987 1st Castrol 6 Hour
1987 1st Swann Series
The 1983 season was a huge success for the duo. Kevin won the Victorian Thunderbike Series and NSW Formula European Championship, a series that he won all but one race, because he snapped a drive chain off the start!
1988 1st Suzuka 8 Hour with Wayne Rainey
1988 1st TBC Big Race, Sugo, Japan
1989 1st TBC Big Race, Sugo, Japan
1991 2nd Suzuka 8 Hour
1991 2nd / 5th World Superbike, Sugo, Japan
1991 1st / 2nd World Superbike, Phillip Island
1992 2nd All Japan 500 Championship
1992 2nd Suzuka 8 Hour
Kevin Magee is the only rider ever to have finished on top of the podium in the four premier class World Championships – World 500cc Grand Prix
World TT Formula One
World Superbikes
World Endurance
With World TT Formula One now redundant, this milestone can never be broken.
A gallant Team Australia has finished fourth in the 2023 Speedway World Cup (SWC) final in Poland, with the July 29 decider won by the host nation ahead of Great Britain and Denmark.
A gallant Team Australia has finished fourth in the 2023 Speedway World Cup (SWC) final in Poland.
Despite winning two of the last five heats, the Aussie quintet of Jason Doyle, Max Fricke, Jack Holder, Jaimon Lidsey and Chris Holder just fell short of dislodging Denmark from the final spot on the podium. The Aussies finished on 27pts, two behind Denmark, while Poland’s ninth win in the SWC format came with a 33pt haul. Great Britain completed proceedings on 31pts as the powerhouses of world speedway battled it out for SWC supremacy for the first time since 2017.
After keeping its powder dry in the first block of heats, Australia came out swinging in the middle stages of the SWC final, with Jack Holder doing most of the heavy lifting after stirring victories in heats 10 and 11 – the second as a tactical substitute for Lidsey.
The Aussies finished on 27pts, two behind Denmark, while Poland’s ninth win in the SWC format came with a 33pt haul.
Doyle’s second place in heat 12 was also invaluable as the Aussies moved into third, 4pts behind Poland –which had just moved into the overall lead for the first time over the fast-starting Great Britain. But there was more high drama to come.
Doyle won again in heat 14, but the next outing was a hammer blow for Australia – which had booked the final spot in the SWC final after powering through the race-off the day before – when Jack Holder high-sided after contact with Dane Rasmus Jensen. A battered Jack was unable to make the restart, and was replaced by his older brother, Chris, who finished third.
The CBS Bins-sponsored Australia rallied at the death knell, but victories for Doyle (heat 17) and Fricke (heat 20) weren’t enough to dislodge Denmark from third place.
Meanwhile, Poland and Great Britain were back on even terms after 16 heats, setting up a crackerjack final stanza. But a more consistent run home for Poland – 4-1-2-2 results against 2-3-3-3 for Great Britain – saw them take a grip on the trophy.
Poland is now five wins ahead of Denmark (four) on the SWC honour board, followed by Sweden (three) and Australia (two) – those victories coming in 2001 and 2002.
2023 SWC results
Poland 33pts (Bartosz Zmarzlik 11, Patryk Dudek 6, Maciej Janowski 7, Dominik Kubera 9, Janusz Kolodziej 0)
Great Britain 31pts (TomBrennan 0, Robert Lambert 12, Tai Woffinden 7, Adam Ellis 3, Dan Bewley 9)
Triumph has signed a new contract to continue as Exclusive Engine Supplier for Moto2 for another five seasons, from 2025-2029. This will see Triumph reach the milestone of powering the Moto2 teams for a decade, enabling riders and teams to thrive and develop using its record-breaking 765 triple engine.
The marque will remain the Exclusive Engine Supplier for Moto2 for another five seasons and develop a full new race gearbox to debut in 2025.
To build on the success so far and to further improve the performance and capability of the engine, Triumph will also develop a full new race gearbox, which will make its debut in the 2025 season. Some improvements are already underway, with the engineering team testing parts after use in this year’s Moto2 rounds in order to make improvements in gear selection for the 2024 season.
Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer, Triumph Motorcycles:“Moto2 continues to be an excellent platform to showcase the performance and capability of our 765 triple engines, driving demand for our new Street Triple 765 range. Over the last five years, we’ve used the race engine programme to drive enhancements to the 765 engine, and gain insights and learnings that we’ve used to further develop and evolve our Street Triple 765 range. Our reputation for bulletproof durability, reliability and class-leading performance has grown, which in turn, drives our global sales.
To build on the success so far and to further improve the performance and capability of the engine, Triumph will also develop a full new race gearbox, which will make its debut in the 2025 season.
“Just as the Moto2 teams make every lap count, our engineers have used every opportunity to enhance every dimension of the engine performance, from speed, power and torque, to revs, cylinder pressure and compression ratio. This has enabled us to deliver improvements on track each season, achieving shorter race times, faster top speeds and lap times, more winners and closer racing. The new race gearbox will make a big difference to the results that riders can achieve on track in Moto2, and in advance of this, our engineering team is already testing and developing improvements in gear selection, testing parts after use in this year’s Moto2 rounds.”
Carlos Ezpeleta, Chief Sporting Officer, Dorna Sports:“Our first five years working with Triumph are proving to be a real success, with great racing, riders achieving new Moto2 records across the board and impressive reliability from the off. We wanted this collaboration to help to define that step between Moto3 and the MotoGP class, and I think Triumph have achieved just that. We’re really happy with the way the partnership is evolving as well, with more innovation and development still to come, and we’re looking forward to five more exciting years together.”
Some improvements are already underway, with the engineering team testing parts after use in this year’s Moto2 rounds in order to make improvements in gear selection for the 2024 season.
As competition for the Triumph Triple Trophy heats up, the winner’s bike, an exclusive Street Triple 765 RS, was also unveiled at Silverstone on the Day of Champions in a special press conference announcing the new contract. Steve Sargent, Chief Product Officer of Triumph Motorcycles, was joined by Carlos Ezpeleta, Chief Sporting Officer of Dorna Sports, as well as Moto2 riders Jake Dixon (Tensite GASGAS Aspar Team) and Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp).
The Triumph Triply Trophy is designed to recognise impressive performances throughout the field and the 2023 competition has been fiercely fought so far. Pedro Acosta’s (Red Bull KTM Ajo) incredible lap times see him at the top of the leaderboard with 26 points, closely followed by rookie Dennis Foggia (Italtrans Racing Team) in 2nd place with 21 points, thanks to his excellent race progression. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) share 3rd place on 17 points. This year’s winner will follow in the footsteps of Moto2 greats Jeremy Alcoba, Raul Fernandez and Marco Bezzecchi. Follow the competition at Triumph.
