Phillip Island is hosting the opening round of the 2024 WorldSBK championship this weekend, with two test days first, then all of the action kicking off from Thursday. It includes round one of the ASBK Championship as well, so should be a great weekend…
Click here to read the full official program for the Phillip Island WorldSBK…
The weather forecast is looking 50/50 but finger’s crossed it holds out and fans are treated to another stunning weekend of racing at Island. Tickets are available at the gate or here
Ticket prices are for GA – $145 ($180 gate) for a three day pass, $40 ($55 gate) Friday, $90 ($110 gate) Saturday or $99 ($125 gate) on Sunday but click here to check all of the pricing on the official website. There is no listing for Thursday ticketing on either official or Aussie website. Camping tickets start at $245. For those after a little bit of luxury, Bar SBK tickets are available for $310 and VIP are sold out.
With Round One of the 2024 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) kicking off too, there will be plenty of excitement, and the Aussie supers are only a second or so off the pace of the world supers, so the action is always red hot.
Support categories of Australian SuperSport 300 and Australian SuperSport (600) will be awesome too! And don’t forget to cheer on Remy Gardner #87 in WorldSBK and Oli Bayliss #32 in WorldSSP…
Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) was able to fight his way up to sixth place behind Oettl and Bassani while double WorldSSP Champion Dominique Aegerter.
Razgatlioglu looked to make a move around the outside of Lowes heading into Turn 4 on Lap 17. Lowes lost the front of his ZX-10RR machine heading into Miller Corner, the right-hand hairpin, which collected Razgatlioglu.
Behind the two Ducati riders, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) claimed his first podium of the season with third place.
Six-time Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) took seventh spot after he lost time and positions on the opening lap after he was forced wide by Dominique Aegerter.
The Spaniard claimed his second win of the round with a superb ride in the Superpole Race, while Jonathan Rea finished in seventh place.
Tissot Superpole Podium at Phillip Island, Round One 2023… Bautista on top already!
Race Two Podium at Phillip Island, Round One 2023… Bautista scores the hat-trick for Ducati!
The weekend was also Bautista’s eighth win at ‘The Island’, making him the most successful rider at the circuit. In terms of his career, it was his 61st WorldSBK podium and Ducati’s 395th win in WorldSBK.
Bautista’s hat-trick means he became the first rider to take a second hat-trick at one circuit following his 2019 triple while he also became the first rider to take five WorldSBK hat-tricks.
It also warrants mention that Gardner impressively recorded the fastest lap time on both days of the post-season test at Jerez, which will certainly give him some crucial confidence heading into next year.
An incredible move at Turn 3 allowed Bautista to claim victory using the #1 plate after a wet first race of the year in Australia started the season in style.
Bautista started from second place but got the holeshot at the start of the race before being passed by Rea, who took his 378th WorldSBK start in Race 1 and moved ahead of Troy Corser.
Behind the leading duo, it was a bit of a lonely race for polesitter Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) as he finished in third place but six seconds down on Bautista.
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing) was another who gained places throughout the race as he took seventh place.
The title race is all done and dusted for Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), meaning he can relax for Australia and Phillip Island this weekend.
This weekend, the WorldSBK racing gets underway on the scenic Phillip Island circuit…
The cancellation is required due to a newly occurring national motorsport calendar shake-up affecting the Tasmanian round, including the announcement of WorldSBK returning to Phillip Island in November.
Our Deputy Editor, Zane Dobie, has moved on to further his media career in a different direction. Dobie graduated from the University of Wollongong with his Batchelor’s Degree in Journalism in 2020, and immediately started working for BikeReview.com.au and Pitboard.com.au
Previous experience freelancing for exhaustnotes.com.au and AMCN, where his Dad, Chris Dobie, was editor, saw Zane able to quickly apply his skills to the role. Handy with a camera and with video production skills, readers were soon enjoying Zane’s fresh approach to motorcycle reviews. It runs in the family, as not only is Chris Dobie a skilled bike editor, Zane’s Mum Mary is a gun photographer.
We will miss Zane’s unique and highly informative contributions and hard working, reliable nature, along with his passion for all things two wheels. We wish Zane, a fantastic all-round rider and skilled writer, all the best in his future. Zane has been a youthful and refreshing representative for the new generation of riders and readers in our industry.
The 2024 Australian Off-Road Championships (AORC) will again see a massive Yamaha presence, with Yamaha Motor Australia continuing its long and successful naming rights of the championship as well as supporting a host of riders and teams for the 2024 season. Press Release: Yamaha Aus.
The 2024 Australian Off-Road Championships (AORC) will again see a massive Yamaha presence, with Yamaha Motor Australia continuing its long and successful naming rights of the championship.
For over 20 years, Yamaha Australia has been a major player in the Australian Off Road Championship and that will continue for 2024 as again the bLU cRU have taken up the naming rights of the long standing championship. Another 12 rounds over six weekends are scheduled and taking in some of the best riding terrain in the country with the nations’ best off-road pilots.
ShopYamaha Off-Road Spearing Yamaha’s presence at the AORC will be the ShopYamaha off Road Team of Kyron Bacon and Wil Dennett. The two young guns of Australian enduro racing will be out to make their presence felt with Bacon contesting the E1 division (250cc) while Dennett steps up to handle the E2 duties (450cc).
Tasmanian based sensation, Kyron Bacon is fit, fast and motivated to get his AORC number 1 plate back.
Tasmanian based sensation, Kyron Bacon is fit, fast and motivated to get his AORC number 1 plate back after an injury interrupted 2023 season. Bacon took the E1 and outright honours in 2022, but a broken leg mid-way through the 2023 season halted any chance of retaining the crown, but to his credit, he still managed to charge his way back to a podium position by seasons end and finish the year on a strong note.
“Last year had some challenges but it also had a lot of positive things I can take from it and I’m fired up and ready to get racing in 2024,” Bacon begins. “I’m well and truly over my injury and riding well and have already spent a few days with the team testing and preparing for the new season.”
Bacon is under no illusion of what lays ahead of him with the return of Daniel Milner to Australian racing and the improvement in riders like Jonte Reynders and Wil Dennett, but Bacon is ready to get to work.
“I missed a couple of rounds last year and even though Josh Green has retired, the depth of this years’ championship looks even better. Having Daniel back will be great for the championship and his profile can only add to the AORC and I look forward to racing not just him, but all the other riders in this years’ championship and doing my best to keep the number one plate on Yamaha for another year,” Bacon said.
Alongside Bacon will be Wil Dennett who steps into the E2 division after the retirement of long-time racer, Josh Green. But make no mistake, Dennett earned his way onto the premier team with some sensational performances in the Under 19 class in 2023, that included plenty of Outright podiums and top five results.
Alongside Bacon will be Wil Dennett who steps into the E2 division after the retirement of long-time racer, Josh Green.
Racing with bLU cRU support in 2023, Dennett was comfortably the most improved rider in last years’ championship and the steep learning curve looks set to stay with his progression to the ShopYamaha team and under the guidance of AJ Roberts.
“I have been a Yamaha rider for a long time and it’s awesome that I have been able to work my way up through the ranks with their support and make it to the premier team,” Dennett says with enthusiasm. “Last year was awesome for me, and it was topped off when AJ called at the end of the season and offered me a ride. I’m not sure who was more stoked, me or my dad.
“I have to keep working hard and I have big shoes to fill with Josh retiring but I’m looking forward to it. The extra support from the team gives me more time to ride and train, my bikes will be better prepared, and I have worked hard over the off season to improve my riding and fitness, so I will be ready for the opening rounds.”
Jess Gardiner and her team are back for another season and looking to keep the momentum going from a successful 2024 season that saw her and Danielle McDonald win their respective championships
Yamaha Ballard’s Off-Road Racing Jess Gardiner and her team are back for another season and looking to keep the momentum going from a successful 2024 season that saw her and Danielle McDonald win their respective championships as well as finish on the podium in the worlds team championships (ISDE) in Argentina.
Continuing with a three-rider outfit that will now see McDonald join Gardiner in the senior women’s class after dominates the junior girls while Jeremy Carpentier will fly the flag in the E1 class on the WR450F.
Gardiner has been a mentor for McDonald over the past few seasons, but this year, they go head-to-head over 12 rounds.
Gardiner will be gunning for eighth AORC championship, but it is highly likely, her main opposition will be parked right beside her in the JGR tent. Gardiner has been a mentor for McDonald over the past few seasons, but this year, they go head-to-head over 12 rounds. Will it be the gritty determination of the veteran in Gardiner that climbs the mountain again, or the young, fast and stylish McDonald that brings the gardiner train to a halt?
For Carpentier, the all new WR450F has been like a breath of fresh air and he has gelled with the bike the moment he threw a leg over it. The light, agile and exciting new model that was built for Australian conditions has Carpentier charged up for the new season and ready to create some damage in the E2 class.
For Carpentier, the all new WR450F has been like a breath of fresh air and he has gelled with the bike instantly.
Yamaha bLU cRU Support A new layer of support was introduced by Yamaha for the 2023 and the success was instant. The three-rider team of Cooper Sheidow, Wil Dennett and Jett Yarnold finished the year with two AORC championships and a third place in an outstanding debut. The support given to Wil Dennett enabled him to move up to the ShopYamaha team while Sheidow and Yarnold return for another season with Yamaha bLU cRU Support.
Sheidow is the current E1 champion after a consistent and impressive start to his time on Yamaha. He was in the heat of the battle right from the opening round, filled in for the inured Bacon with the ShopYamaha team and when the pressure was on at the final round, Sheidow kept his composure and secured the championship for himself and Yamaha.
Yarnold stepped out of juniors and made in an immediate impact, taking third in the EJ (under 19 championship), and finishing on the podium at most rounds.
The South Australian rider established himself on the national scene in 2023 and with a season under his belt on Yamaha as well as the continued support of the ShopYamaha team, expect Sheidow to continue his upward trend in the 2024 season.
Yarnold stepped out of juniors and made in an immediate impact, taking third in the EJ (under 19 championship), and finishing on the podium at most rounds. Yarnold adapted well to the team surroundings and will enter this year’s championships as one of the favourites in the development category.
GYTR Yamaha Junior Racing Yamaha Junior Racing made the move into off road racing in 2023 with the two-rider line up of Marcus Nowland and Harley Hutton. Both return for 2024 with YJR support and will continue to fly the flag at AORC events.
Yamaha Junior Racing made the move into off road racing in 2023 with the two-rider line up of Nowland and Hutton.
Hutton won multiple rounds in 2023 and showed he is the real deal when it comes to off road despite his young age. He will again contest the J2 (85cc) class for 2024 and will be out to get the number one plate on his YZ85.
For Nowland, he had an up and down year but gained valuable experience in his first year on the bigger capacity bikes. Now settled and comfortable on the 250cc machine, Nowland will be aiming for the top as he embarks on the new season.
The 2024 AORC gets under way in March and will run 12 rounds ending in September.
Yamaha Motor Australia continue to be a huge supporter of Australian circuit racing and have again not only backed a number of riders and teams, but also thrown significant support into this year’s championship. Halliday and Jones will return to ride the ASBK Yamaha YZF-R1 machines… Release: Yamaha.
The Yamaha Racing Team pairing of Cru Halliday and Mike Jones will return to the team for the new season and headline Yamaha Racing’s ASBK program for 2024.
The bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup is back with a grid full of adrenaline filled thrill-seekers ready to do battle it out over six rounds this year and begin their journey in road racing. The category has been a huge winner for both Yamaha and the ASBK championship as it has introduced hundreds of riders into circuit racing and been a successful breeding ground for many riders. The first batch of riders are now entering Australian Supersport classes and others contesting international championship events.
The R3 Cup returns and with three rounds to be contested in this year’s series branded as the ShopYamaha R3 Cup. ShopYamaha is Yamaha’s online market place and can be found via the Yamaha Motor Australia website – ; https://shop.yamaha-motor.com.au/
Starting in Australia nearly a decade ago, the R3 Cup is now a worldwide racing program that sees all riders compete on Yamaha R3 machines and provides them with the opportunity to develop their skills and compete internationally with two Australian riders invited to the R3 Cup Supefinale in Portugal last year. Yamaha also offer the only manufacturer track side support at the ASBK rounds via our YRD program. Need technical advice or a part to get you through the weekend, then head over to see Stewart and Janice Winton at the YRD truck and they will be too happy to help you out.
And, just because you race a Yamaha at the ASBK rounds, Yamaha offer a lucrative bonus program for each round and the championship that has seen Yamaha dish out over $100,000 per season in recent years. Put yourself on the podium and your next stop is the bank. Add to that sponsorship of the ASBK Championship, a race replica, five bike display at each round and the presence of the Yamaha Racing Team and you have the biggest backers of racing in Australia.
The boys are back for 2024! Despite not winning the 2023 Superbike Championship, the duo of Cru Halliday and Mike Jones put a YRT R1M on the podium at every round last season.
Yamaha Racing Team The boys are back for 2024! Despite not winning the 2023 Superbike Championship, the duo of Cru Halliday and Mike Jones put a YRT R1M on the podium at every round last season. The final results saw Halliday in third and Jones in fifth but on track shows they were both far more competitive than the results show.
Halliday keeps his long-term relationship going for 2024 and showed there is plenty of fight and motivation in the New South Welshmen with his strong finish to the year. Halliday started the year well, with podiums in the six of the first seven races and then finished the year with a second place at Phillip Island, highlighted with a race win, and a second-place finish at the final round at The Bend.
Halliday has finished on the championship podium a handful of times over his career, but the championship number 1 still eludes him and that’s the driving force behind his 2024 campaign.
“YRT is my racing home and I’m looking forward to another year of racing with the team,” Halliday begins. “The last couple of years, both Mike and myself at been very competitive at every track and it’s a credit to the guys on the team for the hard work they do and the bikes they build. My motivation is as high as ever and its time I rewarded my family and the team with a championship win so I’m all out to get that done in 2024,”
Mike Jones will bring back his familiar number 46 for the 2024 season as he fights to regain the number 1 plate again. The three-time ASBK champ had a luckless season in 2023 and despite producing some of the closest and most exciting racing ASBK has seen, Jones couldn’t recapture the magic that saw him win the 2022 crown.
Mike Jones will bring back his familiar number 46 for the 2024 season as he fights to regain the number 1 plate again.
But there were lessons learnt and improvements made at every circuit on the schedule, so Jones comes into the 2024 season confident that he can produce the kind of riding that has seen him climb the mountain three times before.
“I took a few weeks off after the final round last year and had the chance to reflect on what I did well and what I can improve on this season and I believe that I’m still not at my peak as a rider. Last year I set a number of personal best times at the majority of the tracks and I think myself, the team and the bike can go even faster in 2024. I know the guys haven’t stopped back in the workshop as they prepare for the season and we have a number of riding days and tests scheduled prior to round one to ensure we are in a good place when the championship starts,” Jones comments.
The opening round of the ASBK Championship is ran in conjunction with the first round of the WorldSBK on Feb 23 -25.
The opening round of the ASBK Championship is ran in conjunction with the first round of the FIM Superbike World Championships (WSBK) on February 23 -25.
Editor’s Note: If you are reading this article on any website other than BikeReview.com.au, please report it to BikeReview via our contact page, as it has been stolen or re-published without authority.
The BCperformance Racing Team and 16-year old Hayden Nelson gear up for an exhilarating 2024 season, introducing a fresh face and embracing new challenges as they proudly unveil the newly homologated Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R (636) in the competitive Australian Supersport Championship. Release: Kawasaki.
The BCperformance Racing Team and 16-year old Hayden Nelson gear up for an exhilarating 2024 season, introducing a fresh face and embracing new challenges as they proudly unveil the newly homologated Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R.
Having showcased remarkable potential during his debut year in the Supersport, Hayden made headlines with an impressive pole position at Morgan Park in the 2023 season. Despite being his first year in the championship, Hayden secured an admirable 8th place overall. Now, with BCperformance making a bold return to the Supersport category after a hiatus since 2018, the anticipation for the upcoming season is palpable.
Hayden Nelson expresses equal enthusiasm for this new chapter, eagerly embracing the challenges that come with riding the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636. The young rider is poised to make waves in the Australian Supersport Championship, and BCperformance Racing Team is confident that Hayden’s skill and determination will contribute to a thrilling and successful season.
“I’m really excited to join BCperformance for 2024. Although the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636 has not been raced in ASBK before. Its Australian debut at the Sydney Summer Night Series has shown it to be a competitive bike. I can’t wait to ride the bike and continue the development process with the team. I will be working hard to get up to speed with the bike and tyres as quickly as I can and pushing to be ready to achieve strong results from round 1.”
Paris Hardwick will race the Ninja ZX-10RR for his 12th season with BCperformance.
Using Kawasaki machinery for a 12th year, BCperformance will be throwing all their weight behind Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR mounted Paris Hardwick, who rejoins the team for a 2nd term after finishing his debut season as the Superbike Rookie of the Year and is also eager to get back to business…
“2024 will be my second year with BC Performance, I’m feeling really settled in the team and really appreciate Kelvin and the team helping me learn my way around the superbike. I’m looking forward to my second year in ASBK and really want to make the move up to be in the mix of the top ten.”
Team Manager Kelvin Reilly is looking forward to getting things underway… “It’s going to be a busy and challenging year with 2 riders in 2 different classes and I am keen to get started, we are excited to have Hayden onboard and looking forward to seeing what we can do with the new ZX-6R 636. Paris has been working really hard in the off-season and with his rookie season behind him, I feel he will start to show his speed. Thanks to Kawasaki Motors Australia, Landscapesupplies.com.au, Australian United Timbers, Maximair, and New Holland for their continued support”
Rohan Tungate is the Australian speedway champion for a second time following a gripping conclusion to this year’s series in Gillman (SA). After finishing second overall in the fifth and final round, Tungate was able to overturn a 5pt deficit to win the Championship by 3pts over Max Fricke! Release: MA.
Rohan Tungate is the Australian speedway champion for a second time following a gripping conclusion to the series.
As a dual Australian champion, Tungate, from Kurri Kurri (NSW), now joins a revered group of riders who have won the Duke of Edinburgh trophy on multiple occasions, including Fricke, Chris Holder, Leigh Adams, Jason Crump, Craig Boyce and Bill Sanders.
Despite a disappointing final round, Fricke’s exceptional body of work, particularly in rounds 2-4 – including top-scoring results in Wodonga and Mildura – saw him still finish second in the championship, 6pts ahead of Jack Holder and Jaimon Lidsey.
The championship top three: Jack Holder, Rohan Tungate and Max Fricke.
To bookmark what has been an exceptional championship, Holder then won a run-off against Lidsey to officially finish third overall, with the leading quartet now locked in for the 2024 Speedway GP qualifiers which culminate in the Czech Republic on October 4. The top three riders in that event earn spots in the 2025 Speedway GP series.
“My main goal throughout the championship was to be consistent and try to make as many finals as possible to keep the pressure on,” said Tungate. “I’m proud I was able to do that, but it wasn’t easy in the face of such strong opposition. There were a couple of hiccups along the way, but I remained hungry and determined throughout and I’m delighted to win my second Aussie title. And to wrap it up at Gillman, one of the best speedway tracks in the country, was really satisfying. Thanks to all the riders who competed, and I especially want to acknowledge Max (Fricke) who put on a great show and is always exceptionally hard to beat.”
Brady Kurtz prevailed in the Gillman final, finishing first in the final round of the series…
The Australian Championship was turned on its head early on at Gillman after Fricke only scored 2pts in his opening three rides – an exclusion and two third places – while Tungate was peerless with four wins in succession. Fricke wasn’t done yet, though. A magnificent rearguard action him win his final two races to sneak into the semi-finals – but that was where his gritty fightback ended as he finished last in the opening semi-final behind Tungate, Jack Holder and Chris Holder.
The weight was then lifted from Tungate’s shoulders, as he only had to finish the final to guarantee championship success – and that he did, finishing second behind Brady Kurtz and in front of Lidsey and Jack Holder.
In a massive show of ongoing support for Australia’s premier motocross series, motorcycle accessory giant AMX Superstores has recommitted to the ProMX Championship until the end of 2025. The 2024 season is already looking to be a spectacular one with some of the biggest names in Australia competing. Press Release: ProMX.
In a massive show of ongoing support for Australia’s premier motocross series, motorcycle accessory giant AMX Superstores has recommitted to the ProMX Championship until the end of 2025.
AMX Superstores will not only remain as a ‘presented by’ partner for ProMX over the next two seasons, but the retailer will also continue to sponsor the cut-throat MX1 Superpole session – the frenetic battle for final gate positions between Australia’s best riders. The 2024 Penrite ProMX Championship presented by AMX Superstores will begin in Wonthaggi (Vic) on Sunday, March 17.
AMX Superstores, which currently has 31 stores across Vic, NSW, Qld, SA and the ACT, as well as a massive online presence, holds a special place in the ProMX family as a foundation industry partner when the newly branded championship first began in 2021. Furthermore, AMX Superstores was a major player in the motocross scene for well over a decade before ProMX was inaugurated.
AMX Superstores – which began with a store in Melbourne in 2008 – has continued on a massive growth curve.
Over the last few years, AMX Superstores – which began with a store in suburban Melbourne in 2008 – has continued on a massive growth curve, with plans to service even more parts of Australia with leading brands across the motocross, off-road, adventure and road segments.
AMX Superstores Business Manager, Rob Farrimond, is delighted to be continuing its support of ProMX.
AMX Superstores will not only remain as a ‘presented by’ partner for ProMX over the next two seasons, but the retailer will also continue to sponsor the cut-throat MX1 Superpole session!
“Being a foundation sponsor, it’s fantastic for AMX Superstores to have the opportunity to extend our future investment and partnership with ProMX,” he said. “The last three years have shown that motocross racing in Australia is on the way up, and we love being amongst it to make the series bigger and better for all fans.”
2024 Penrite ProMX Championship presented by AMX Superstores calendar:
Rd1: March 17, Wonthaggi, Vic
Rd2: April 7, Horsham, Vic
Rd3: May 5, Gillman, SA
Rd4: May 26, Maitland, NSW
Rd5: June 23, Murray Bridge, SA
Rd6: July 21, Toowoomba, Qld
Rd7: August 11, MX Farm Queensland, Gympie, Qld
Rd8: August 17-18, Queensland Moto Park, Coulson, Qld
Jerez will play host to the finale of the inaugural 2024 FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship, with an adjustment to the initially stated dates. The Prometeon Spanish Round is now scheduled to unfold on 18th-20th October at the famed Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto! Release: FIM.
Jerez will play host to the finale of the inaugural 2024 FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship.
Responding to the dynamic demands of the local events calendar and the request of the township of Jerez de la Frontera, the FIM and Dorna WorldSBK have agreed to delay this year’s curtain closing event by one week.
In a bold step towards inclusivity and diversity in motorsport, the FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship (WorldWCR) debuts in 2024, reflecting a broader vision and commitment to fostering the growth of women in circuit racing.
2024 Women’s World Circuit Racing World Championship Calendar
The WorldWCR is a groundbreaking initiative designed to maximise the opportunities and potential of young female riders, providing them with a global platform to showcase their skills, as emerging international talent will have the chance to compete under the same conditions as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, with six rounds running alongside WorldSBK events.
A new trans-Tasman sporting frontier kicks off this weekend when the inaugural FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup is held in Woodville, New Zealand. To be held alongside the NZ Motocross Grand Prix, six-rider teams from Australia and New Zealand are now on location at the iconic venue.
Six-rider teams from Australia and New Zealand are now on location at the iconic venue.
Team Australia will be led by six-time Australian champion Charli Cannon (pictured) in her debut for Honda, and she will be joined by fellow ProMX stars Emma Milesevic (Honda), Madison Brown (Honda), Taylor Thompson, (Yamaha), Tayla McCutcheon (Kawasaki) and Madi Healey (GasGas).
After some last-minute reshuffling, Team New Zealand will be represented by Karaitiana Horne, Taylar Rampton, Breanna Rodgers, Hannah Powell, Letitia Alabaster and Melissa Patterson, with four-time FIM women’s motocross world champion Courtney Duncan also on hand to provide wise counsel.
The FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup will be held over three motos of 12 minutes plus one lap, which will be incorporated into the Woodville senior women’s races. The team which has the lowest score will be declared the winner.
The FIM Oceania Women’s Motocross Cup will be held over three motos of 12 minutes plus one lap, which will be incorporated into the Woodville senior women’s races. The team which has the lowest score will be declared the winner. Tickets can be purchased at the gate for the 62nd Woodville New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix, with racing on both Saturday and Sunday (January 27-28).
Our homegrown talent has been battling it out on track and making us proud! Check out our monthly column that follows all things Aussies racing Internationally on and off-road, from MotoGP to AMA Motocross. See what our future and current champions are up to… Words: Ed Stratmann
The D34G Racing squad have confirmed they’ll be retaining the services of Oli Bayliss for this year, as he’ll be looking for a much better 2024 following an injury-interrupted 2023, which saw him struggle to produce his best.
Oli Bayliss – World Supersport
The D34G Racing squad have confirmed they’ll be retaining the services of Oli Bayliss for this year, as he’ll be looking for a much better 2024 following an injury-interrupted 2023, which saw him struggle to produce his best due to spending so much time on the sidelines.
The D34G Racing squad have confirmed they’ll be retaining the services of Oli Bayliss for this year, as he’ll be looking for a much better 2024 following an injury-interrupted 2023…
Eager to put in a strong off-season of training to hit the ground running at his season opening home round at the iconic Phillip Island circuit, he’ll be hoping to get the ball rolling in a positive direction from the off, as Bayliss is keen to repay the faith shown in him by his team.
Oli Bayliss will surely be hoping to get the ball rolling in a positive direction from the off at his home race of Phillip Island, as he is keen to repay the faith shown in him by his team.
“I’m very excited to be racing for Team D34G Racing again. I feel like last year I didn’t get to show my speed due to some injuries and unlucky moments. I really enjoyed being with these guys and I’m happy to be going around the clock one more time to show how fast we can be. A big thank you to all of my sponsors, supporters and the whole D34G Racing for giving me this opportunity,” he declared.
Team owner Davide Giugliano is equally looking forward to seeing what the hotshot can achieve. “Obviously I’m really excited to dive into this new season and I can’t wait to get to the track. I’m really happy with this year’s rider line-up. We will continue with Oli and for him it’ll be another season of growth and we’ll try to maximise the work done this year, which for him was a bit of an unlucky one due to injuries. In any case I’m happy with him and he surely has mine and the team’s full trust,”
Having impressed in the World Supersport Challenge series last term on his way to winning races and being crowned vice-champion, talented Australian Tom Edwards has secured a ride with the D34G Racing team for 2024.
Tom Edwards – World Supersport
Having impressed in the World Supersport Challenge series last term on his way to winning races and being crowned vice-champion, talented Australian Tom Edwards has secured a ride with the D34G Racing team for 2024, where he’ll be teammates with countryman Oli Bayliss.
Chomping at the bit to get stuck in and stamp his mark again in the Challenge category that competes in the European World Supersport rounds, it’ll be fascinating seeing if he can adapt quickly to the Ducati after being on a Yamaha.
Chomping at the bit to get stuck in and stamp his mark again in the Challenge category that competes in the European World Supersport rounds, it’ll be fascinating seeing if he can adapt quickly to the Ducati after being on a Yamaha.
“I’m very excited to be joining the D34G racing team next season and to be staying in the WorldSBK paddocks. I made a lot of progress towards the end of last season, and I’m looking forward to keeping that momentum going. I’m confident that the team and I will work well together and be competitive,” he said.
“It’ll be great to be under the leadership of team owner Davide Giugliano with all his experience. Can’t wait to get on the V2 and test it out in the new year, I think it’ll really suit my riding style. I’d like to thank Davide, the D34G team, my sponsors and my supporters for the opportunity.”
Jett Lawrence – AMA Supercross
Jett Lawrence began his first 450 AMA Supercross race in fine style by claiming a memorable victory to become the first-ever rookie in history to win on their premier class debut. Launching out of the gate masterfully to bank the holeshot, this saw him ideally placed to avoid the early chaos to ride his own race. And that he did, on his way to leading every lap against an absolutely stacked field at Anaheim.
Making a real statement with his seven-second win under the bright lights, there was no denying the gifted 20-year-old, who emphatically carried his exceptional form from last year into the season opener.
Making a real statement with his seven-second win under the bright lights, there was no denying the gifted 20-year-old, who emphatically carried his exceptional form from last year into the season opener.
Jett Lawrence began his first 450 AMA Supercross race in fine style by claiming a memorable victory to become the first-ever rookie in history to win on their premier class debut…
“It’s an unreal thing to grasp, winning my first 450 Supercross. With how many years the sport has been around, you’d think someone has done it before, so I’m definitely grateful and happy to do it for Honda; it’s an awesome feeling getting into the history books for them. The season’s off to a great start, and hopefully we can keep doing the same throughout the season,” explained a delighted Jett.
Sitting third in the standings and well and truly in the title hunt, he’ll be hoping to get back on the box. Photo: HRC.
Heading into the second round in San Francisco, and this bout certainly didn’t go to plan here because of the savage muddy conditions throwing a real spanner in the works for everyone. Forced to negotiate the rain and the sloppy and unpredictable conditions, Jett struggled to find his groove. To his credit, though, he fought through some missteps to claim ninth in the shortened main.
Next stop on the calendar was San Diego, which posed a great opportunity for him to rebound, in a round where the weather played its part too inside Snapdragon Stadium, with the rain making things challenging once more. Although it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as San Francisco, it still made the racing treacherous.
Starting the weekend with a nasty crash on press day, this left him with a jammed thumb. But, to his credit, the phenom battled the pain and a rough start to ride to a solid fourth. Engaging in a robust duel with Jason Anderson, the pair’s altercation after the race stole the headlines, with them clearly annoyed at one another in the heat of the moment. Jett has since apologised for his role in the disagreement. Sitting third in the standings and well and truly in the title hunt, he’ll be hoping to get back on the box when the series heads back to Anaheim.
Hunter Lawrence – AMA Supercross
Hunter Lawrence’s step up to the 450 class certainly wasn’t what he envisaged, as the Honda star failed to make the main event in Anaheim on his class debut. Enduring a night to forget that was littered with bad luck and adversity, the determined Aussie was justifiably disappointed afterwards.
“That obviously wasn’t how we planned for my 450 debut to play out, but there’s only one way to go from here, and it’s one I’m very familiar with: put my head down and get back to work,” he asserted.
With two consecutive top 10 finishes in the books as he adjusts to the 450 step, expect him to keep steadily improving.
Responding positively in the muddy quagmire in San Francisco, there was much to admire about how he rallied to secure a credible 10th. Ready for more at round three in San Diego his day at the office started off on the right foot, for he grabbed seventh in qualifying before the rain arrived.
Managing the hazardous track wisely to progress from his heat and into the main, it was terrific to see him claim a confidence-boosting seventh in the main. “We had a good learning curve. Unfortunately, our result didn’t really reflect the riding in the main event – I feel like we rode very well. A lot of positives and an improvement on last weekend, so we just have to keep on building. Our time is coming,” he told the HRC website.
Aaron Tanti – AMA Supercross
Making the full-time step to race 450 AMA Supercross for 2024, the former Aussie champion and WSX heavy hitter disappointingly suffered an injury after a nasty practice crash in the lead up to Anaheim 1. Forced to delay the start of his crusade, this latest setback came at a terrible time, for he’d only just returned to training following breaking some ribs at the WSX round in Abu Dhabi.
Making the full-time step to race 450 AMA Supercross for 2024, the former Aussie champion and WSX heavy hitter disappointingly suffered an injury after a nasty practice crash in the lead up to Anaheim 1.
“Well not the post I want to be doing leading into A1. Not long ago I had a practice crash and I thought everything was okay, but when I rode a few times after and I had some issues and unfortunately found out yesterday that I need to get them fixed. Devastated to say the least, but I’ll be back when I can to continue the series. Thank you to everyone supporting me and the whole PRMX team,” he stated.
Toby Price – Dakar Rally
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing star produced an accomplished showing in his 10th Dakar Rally to claim fifth in the brutal event. Riding with intelligence and consistency as he navigated the 12 stage slog smartly, his best finish was second in the final leg.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing star produced an accomplished showing in his 10th Dakar Rally to claim fifth.
When speaking after the completion of the gruelling Dakar Rally, Price cut a reasonably content figure, saying: “For us, it’s definitely been a really tough event this year. Thankfully, it’s always a good result when you can get to the finish line in one piece at the Dakar, and here we are, happy and healthy.”
“Looking back over the week, we were never far off the pace, just made a few too many mistakes out there and as you know that can cost some serious time at Dakar. The whole Red Bull KTM team have been incredible over the two weeks and have worked so hard. It’s a shame we’ve not been able to reward them with a podium. Big credit to the top guys as well, they got it done this year, so congratulations to them.”
Daniel Sanders – Dakar Rally
Although his preparation for the iconic Dakar Rally was far from ideal courtesy of him suffering a broken femur back in May, the popular pilot put in a valiant effort to finish a very respectable eighth.
Although his preparation for the iconic Dakar Rally was far from ideal courtesy of him suffering a broken femur back in May, the popular pilot put in a valiant effort to finish a very respectable eighth.
Considering he underwent his final surgery in November, and this makes his achievement all the more impressive. Bagging many top five results and displaying just what a class act he is on the big stage, there was plenty to admire about his character-filled performance.
Bagging many top five results and displaying just what a class act he is on the big stage, there was plenty to admire about his character-filled performance…
“Coming in I didn’t have much preparation at all. I broke my femur really badly eight months ago and I only had December on the bike to prepare, so all I could really do was spend as much time on the bike as possible. But we were able to get the bike good and here we are at the finish line,” he shared.
Considering he underwent his final surgery in November, and this makes his achievement all the more impressive.
“My last surgery was only three months ago, and the bone still isn’t fully healed. I didn’t expect to be here back in November so I’m really happy to finish another Dakar. It’s certainly been a challenge this year and I’ve missed a lot of racing during the last two years, so my goal now is to stay healthy, then return bigger and better next year. I’ll be doing everything I can to make that happen.”
