Monthly Archives: April 2021

FIM News

INFORMATION – FIM ENDURANCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP – REVISED 2021 CALENDAR, 12 APRIL

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Please find enclosed the Press Release / FIM Endurance World Championship Revised 2021 FIM EWC calendar, 12 April.

There are two changes to the calendar of the 2021 FIM Endurance World Championship.

Initially scheduled for mid-April, the 44th edition of the 24 Heures Motos will now take place on 12 and 13 June on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans. The 8 Hours of Oschersleben cannot be held on 23 May in Germany. A later date is being sought.

Because of the current burden on hospitals, in early April the 24 Heures Motos organizer Automobile Club de l’Ouest, the International Motorcycling Federation FIM and Eurosport Events, the promoter of the FIM Endurance World Championship, announced the postponement of the 24 Heures Motos, the opening race of the 2021 season.

The 24 Heures Motos 2021 has been rescheduled and will now take place on 12 and 13 June on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans. The race will be held behind closed doors, as in 2020, because of the public health situation.

As a result of stricter health restrictions in Germany, the 8 Hours of Oschersleben cannot be held as scheduled on 23 May. The organizer, the FIM and Eurosport Events are already looking at possible later dates in the summer so as to maintain the race on the 2021 calendar.

With the revision of the calendar, the 24 Heures Motos is once again the opening race of the 2021 FIM EWC season.

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, organiser of the 24 Heures Motos
“Since the beginning of the crisis, our main objective has been to hold our races whenever possible. It is vital for the contestants and their partners and for the continuity of the championship that the race take place, even behind closed doors. We will once again do our utmost to ensure that this edition, which is set to be another very exciting race, gets maximum publicity.”

François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events
“The new date for the 24 Heures Motos is essential for the FIM Endurance World Championship and for all the competing teams. Eurosport Events will go all out to make sure that the broadcast of this race behind closed doors is a thrilling experience for French fans as well as viewers around the world. We are also making every effort in Germany to find a later date for the 8 Hours of Oschersleben.”

Jorge Viegas, President of the FIM
“I would like to warmly thank the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, the promoter Eurosport Events and all the stakeholders involved for their continuous efforts to reorganise the dates of two major events in the FIM EWC. We really hope that it will be possible to postpone the 8 Hours of Oschersleben for as short a period as the health situation allows. We can’t wait for the season to start on 12-13 June at the Bugatti Circuit. This good news restores positive energy in these complicated times. The many registered teams will have another chance to fight soon for what promises to be an unforgettable edition of the 24 Hours Motos.”

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FMN News South Africa

PURDON DOMINATES WITH ANOTHER DOUBLE VICTORY

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Purdon Storms to Victory in Gqeberha

Red Bull KTM dominated the second round of the National Motocross Championship that took place in Gqeberha this weekend. Claiming his second consecutive double victory of the season, star rider Tristan Purdon snatched the win in both the MX1 and MX2 Class respectively.

The highly anticipated event was hosted by Rover, a track infamous for its unforgiving sand and deep ruts. Fully aware of the physical challenge in store, Purdon mentioned paying extra attention to his fitness levels in the weeks leading up to the race.

He commented: “It was such an awesome feeling to win both classes again. The track got super rough and demanding on the body, but that’s what I’d expected. I felt like the fitness training I’d been doing leading up to this made a really big difference. Our mechanic, Kevin, also setup my KTM 250 SX-F and KTM 450 SX-F perfectly – they couldn’t have felt better.”

With a strong determination to hold onto the red plates throughout the season, Purdon executed a perfect 1-1 in MX1 to take the victory overall. After finishing in a close second in the first moto of MX2, Purdon described feeling particularly fired up to win the second moto. He explained; “When I came that close to winning the first moto, I was even more determined to get out there and win the second moto. I was a little stressed for MX2 – it’s stacked with talent and I usually perform better in MX1. I’m really proud of the results and happy to have extended my points lead in both classes.”

Red Bull KTM teammate Cameron Durow added to the celebrations at the orange camp. As the fastest qualifier, the youngster managed to get up front for a large portion of the first heat in MX2. Durow described making a few small mistakes that cost him the lead, but he managed to finish the moto in a solid third place.

The rider made the decision to switch back to his practise suspension for the second heat and set off with a blistering place to take the holeshot. After a bar-to-bar battle up front with Purdon and Camden Mc Lellan, Durow finished both third in the heat and ultimately third overall.

“This race taught me a lot about the kind of suspension setup I need to perform at my best and gave me good experience racing upfront with Tristan and Camden. I learnt a lot from this weekend and have a good idea of the things I need to work on going forward, but I’m also really happy with the end result,” said Durow.

The event proved to be a challenging one for Red Bull KTM’s Jonathan Mlimi. The High School Class hero had an unfortunate crash that kept him from earning any points in the first moto. With a track record of making epic comebacks, however, Mlimi drew on his past experiences to enter the second moto swinging. Undaunted by the challenging start to the day, the rider tapped into new gears as he raced to the secure victory and a top ten finish overall.

A cherry on the top of what was a highly successful day of racing for the team was yet another podium finish from rising Pro Mini star Trey Cox. Despite a slow start in the first moto, Cox remained consistent and finished 3-2 to take third overall. The rider has now secured the points lead in the 85cc Class. He commented, “What I’m happy about most is that for the first time I managed to get the red plate! I’m going to hold onto it for as long as I can.”

Published by: Louwrens Mahoney

FIM News

MOTUL GOES OFF ROAD ENDURO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FIM ISDE

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The FIM is delighted to announce that Motul has become one the main partners of the FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE). The agreement with the French lubricant company is for an initial two year period and also sees them hold Lubricant and Maintenance exclusivity at the event. The newly signed deal, with what remains the oldest event in the FIM calendar, will see Motul fully launch into the Enduro off-road segment, complementing its existing involvements in the Dakar amongst other all-terrain events and its partnership with the off-road bike manufacturer Sherco.

Only a year ago Motul signed a global partnership deal with the fast-growing, exciting and championship-winning bike manufacturer, Sherco, which also encompasses its racing activities. Motul and Sherco will offer a wide range of support services during the ISDE to around twenty privateer bikers from around the world plus, of course, support for the official factory team riders in their respective national teams.

The 2021 edition of the FIM ISDE will take place in the Apennine region of Northern Italy between Lombardy and Piedmont from 30th August to 4th September. The crème de la crème of enduro riders will travel over punishing off-road surfaces through the Italian countryside before ending with The Final Motocross on the Tazio Nuvolari Circuit, south of Milan. The total length of the course, including special tests, will be approximately one thousand kilometres and the riders will do one lap each day, some of which will be time checked.

Motul will be playing a leading role in this iconic event, and both competitors and fans will enjoy a major activation programme onsite as well as following all the action and excitement digitally through Motul’s social media platforms. The highly recognisable Motul Racing Lab truck will be on site offering oil analysis and free advice to riders, just as it does on the Dakar. Customers and Motul Ambassadors will be also present from different parts of the world.

Enduro racing is hard in every sense! There are long stages, often over sun-baked, rock-hard terrain or in dusty valleys, and temperatures can soar. Keeping both bike and rider moving smoothly is therefore a key component on the route to success. Bikes will benefit from Motul’s race-proven 300V Factory Line Off Road and 300V2 products, plus the specific 800 2T engine oil which is tailored for off-road use. Motul RBF 700 Factory Line Racing Brake Fluid is an ultra-high performance fluid perfect for this environment, and Motocool and the full range of MC Care products will be the ideal products for every competitor.

Anton Malyshev, Motul Head of Business – Powersports said: “This is a really exciting development for us, and it will offer us the perfect opportunity to validate and promote the quality and performance of our extensive range of off-road products in front of the whole enduro community. We have formed an excellent relationship with the FIM over the years, largely through our partnerships in other motorcycle championships, but to partner with such an historic and globally famous event is very special. We can’t wait for it all to kick off at the end of August and to be working closely alongside our partner Sherco on this!”


Fabio Muner, FIM Marketing & Communications Director said: “The International Six Days of Enduro is the oldest World Championship event that the FIM has in its calendar and the arrival of a premium brand such as Motul is confirmation that the 6 Days is not only an iconic event and a proving ground for men and machines, but that it is also a unique platform for B2C marketing activations thanks to the huge participation of the riders and the fans at every edition. Having Motul as the main partner of the ISDE reinforces their position in the off-road racing market and also strengthens our fruitful marketing and technical cooperation in the enduro segment too.”

ABOUT MOTUL
Motul is a world-class French company specialised in the formulation, production and distribution of high-tech engine lubricants (two-wheelers, cars and other vehicles) as well as lubricants for industry via its MotulTech activity.


Unanimously recognised for more than 165 years for the quality of its products, innovation capacity and involvement in the field of competition, Motul is also recognised as the specialist in synthetic lubricants. As early as 1971, Motul was the first lubricant manufacturer to pioneer the formulation of a 100% synthetic lubricant for automotive engines, the 300V lubricant, making use of Esters technology and issued from the aeronautical industry.


Throughout the years, Motul has gained experience as an official supplier to many racing teams and manufacturers and contributes with them to further technological development in motorsports. Using the racetracks and motorsport events around the world as a living laboratory, the consumer products on the shelves today have all benefitted directly in terms of performance, reliability and efficiency.


Motul is supporting teams in international competitions such as: 24 Hours of Le Mans (cars and motorcycles), FIA World Endurance Championship, Super GT, Drift, Pikes Peak, Japanese Super Formula, GT World Challenge Europe, MotoGP, World Superbikes, MXGP, FIM Endurance World Championship, Supercross, IOM TT, Rallycross, Dakar Rally, F1 Boats, Goodwood Revival, Le Mans Classic and scores of others.
Visit www.motul.com.

FMN News South Africa

SA MOTOCROSS – NO STOPPING PURDON IN PE

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What South African National Motocross Round 2 Report
Where Rover, Gqebehra, EP
When Saturday 3 April 2021
Community South Africa National

Local Cathcart EP hero in charge after second round

Eastern Province home hero Tristan Purdon and his Red Bull KTM stamped authority on the second round of the Cannabis Energy Drink & TRP Distributors South African National Motocross Championship at the Rover Raceway in Port Elizabeth Saturday. The Cathcart rider extended his championship advantage in both the MX1 and MX2 championships in a great, if again a little controversial day’s racing at Gqebehra.

Purdon was untouchable in open class MX1, where he raced to a double victory over David Goosen’s Rockstar Energy Drink Husqvarna, and Anthony Raynard’s Tinswalo Yamaha each time. The impressive Royce Griffin was fourth after a couple of fifth places on the day on his Husqvarna to emerge on top of a mid-pack dice with Seth van den Abeele’s similar machine, Yamaha rider Jesse Wright and Cross Country star Bradley Cox on a KTM.

Purdon had something to think about in 250cc MX2 when Camden McLellan popped home from his international duties to stir up the pot. Camden took the first heat before Purdon struck back to take heat 2. Purdon’s Red Bull KTM teammate Cameron Durow took a couple of thirds in the motos to wind up on the podium ahead of David Goosen’s Rockstar Husqvarna, Anthony Raynard’s Tinswalo Yamaha and Keegan Hickson-Mahony’s Yamaha.

Over 30s man Grant Frerichs’ Yamaha held over 40s man Ian Topliss’ similar machine off for MX3 honours as the two extended their advantages in those age groups. Dwayne Kleynhans’ KTM and Ryan Frerichs on a Yamaha took the Senior seconds and thirds while Jaco Smit on a KTM and Bruce Viljoen’s Honda shared the second and third places in Masters.

Kayla Raaff and her Kawasaki and KTM lass Leah Heygate once again shared out the Ladies Motocross wins to leave Port Elizabeth tied on championship points ahead of Husqvarna mounted de Lima sisters Jadene and Cheyenne.

The drama was in the junior classes, starting in 125cc High School, where a third and a second were enough for Stav Orland’s KTM to take the win for the day from Barend du Toit, who rode in second and fourth and Miguel de Waal sixth and a third. That after race 1 winner Ethan Hoffman’s Yamaha retired from race 2 and race 1 winner Jonathan Mlimi’s KTM was excluded from race 1 on a yellow flag transgression. Husqvarna duo Luke Grundy and Kyle Townsend fought it out for fourth and fifth with Blake Young’s KTM sixth overall.

A second in race 2 versus KTM rider Emmanuel Bako’s first race third was enough in 85cc Pro Mini win for Jordan van Wyk’s Husqvarna to take the day as each won the other Pro Mini motos. Trey Cox’s KTM was third with a third and a second ahead of Alon Orland’s KTM and Husqvarna duo Ryan Adler and Liam Botha Pro Mini. KTM kid Andrea Mynhardt took an 85cc Junior double from second in race 1 Tyler Petersen’s Husqvarna, double third-placed Matthew Correia’s KTM, second race second kid Andrew Venter and Ashton Martin’s KTMs.

The 65cc Junior action was once again controversial as a number of riders including top three Jack Pullen, Blake Frost and Aiden Henley were excluded from race 1. That allowed Nicol Smit’s Husqvarna to take the day’s win from Jake van Schoor, Alex Cooper’s Husqvarna and Evan Frost on a KTM. It was the second race in a row where certain of those riders were penalised for the same sins! Pullen’s Husqvarna bounced back to take the second race from Frost’s KTM and van Schoor, who took the day from Smit, Cooper, Frost and Husqvarna kids Sven Larsen and Christopher Brindley.

Aiden Retief’s KTM and Trenton Kretzmann on a Husqvarna each won a baby 50cc MX race and also took a third each to see them share maximum points on the day, just a point clear of double second on the day, Brody Bircher’s KTM. Casper van Zyl wound up fourth on a KTM ahead of Rayden Woolls’ Gas Gas and Husqvarna lightie Lou Rademeyer.

The third round of the championship follows at Phakisa in Welkom in the Free State on Saturday 22 May. The 2021 South African National Motocross Championship is proudly presented by Motorsport South Africa in partnership with Cannabis Energy Drink, TRP Distributors, Prepsol, Bridgestone, Thor, Gaerne, FMF, Pro Taper, 100%, Fly Racing, Ogio, Bandit Graffix and the Race Shop.

Issued on behalf of SA Motocross

Photography by: Ruben Louw

FMN News South Africa

RED BULL KTM READY FOR INFAMOUS ROVER

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Image from the 2021 MX National | Round 1 | Captured by Sage Lee Voges for http://www.zcmc.co.za


National Motocross Championship – Round 2

The next stop on the National Motocross Championship takes riders to the only sandy track of the season – Gqeberha’s notorious Rover. With its thick sand and deep ruts, Rover has a strong reputation as the most physically demanding track the country has to offer.

For Red Bull KTM, the main focus heading into this event has been preparation. Despite a double-dose of confidence after his MX1 and MX2 victory in the opening round, star rider Tristan Purdon has wasted no time getting ready for the challenge in store.

“Racing at Rover is completely different to racing on hard-pack. Everything from the way you pass other riders during the race to your bike set-up changes. As the day progresses the track becomes extremely taxing on your body – it’s really just survival of the fittest out there,” said Purdon.

Fully aware of the fitness required to perform at an event like this, he added: “I’ve trained really hard for this race, especially off the bike with Louwrens Mahoney. With my goal to maintain my points lead in both classes and hold onto the red plates throughout the year, I had to make sure that I was physically prepared for this one.”

Red Bull KTM teammates Cameron Durow and Trey Cox have spent the past few weeks training at KwaZulu-Natal’s Hammarsdale – one of the only other sand tracks South Africa has to offer. Like Purdon, Durow also realizes the importance of fitness in this event and mentions placing extra focus on time spent in the gym.

In an effort to do everything he can to set himself up for MX2 victory, he also explains his bike set-up: “Besides getting my fitness ready, I’ve made sure that my KTM 250 SF-X is set-up for the sand as well. I mostly did some small adjustments to my front suspension and will put a fresh Pirelli sand tyre on before the race – that’s pretty much all I need to do to get my orange machine ready to race,” said Durow.

Having come painfully close to snatching 85cc victory in the opening round, new recruit Cox has a very specific goal as he prepares for round two: “I won the first heat in the opening round but had a crash in the second moto that really set me back. My goal this time is to be more consistent and try put the two motos together. It’s hard to predict what could happen at Rover though – you never know when the sand monster could bite you!” joked Cox.

Rounding out the orange squad is Jonathan Mlimi who has his sights set one thing only – snapping up the win in both heats to secure as many points as possible. The rider admits to feeling slightly disappointed by the results of the first round despite securing a spot on the podium. With a laser focus on victory, Mlimi will certainly be a force to be reckoned with this weekend.

Published by: Louwrens Mahoney