| Monster Energy MX Nationals |

Monster Energy MX Nationals make Murray Bridge return on Sunday

Media — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:31:42 +0000

Loch, VIC – The Monster Energy MX Nationals will converge on Murray Bridge’s fifth round of the 2012 Australian Motocross Championship in South Australia on Sunday, 20 May.

Over 20 world class international riders have competed throughout all three national championship classes – MX1, MX2 and MXD – so far in the 2012 season, making for a truly international series on Australian soil.

It’s been an all-international whitewash at the top of the podium in the premier MX1 class following four of 10 rounds, with the Murray Bridge round serving as mid-round of the season before the series takes a six-week break from competition.

New Zealand’s former world number two Josh Coppins has set the pace so far for CDR Yamaha to lead the title, winning at both Coonabarabran and Wanneroo, which was contested last weekend. With experience on his side and in his final year of professional racing, last year’s MXN runner-up has been inch-perfect to date.

“The team’s working really well and we’re gelling together,” Coppins said. “I’m trying to help Lawson [Bopping] and Craig [Dack] has also got a lot of experience.

“I was thinking about it after the weekend and I think all the success that the team has had is not just luck, it comes down to preparation and work from the whole team. The proof is in the results.”

Coppins leads the series over dual British champion Brad Anderson, who won round three at Wonthaggi for Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing. Anderson’s teammate Ben Townley, another Kiwi, won the season opener at Conondale before injury forced him out of the proceedings.

Last year’s leading contenders at Murray Bridge, Billy Mackenzie and Dean Ferris, will be missing from the action next weekend. After winning last year, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Mackenzie is out injured, while Ferris has gone on to compete in the Motocross World Championship.

Replacing Ferris at Kawasaki is four-time defending series champion Jay Marmont, who sits a lowly seventh in the standings to date, but did break through for a moto win aboard the KX450F in WA. Marmont was fourth in South Australia 12 months ago.

The Motul MX2 category has also been a relentless affair to date, with Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing revelation Luke Styke leading the series at this stage of the season after winning at both Coonabarabran and Wanneroo. He currently heads Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale and teammate Kirk Gibbs, with all three claiming round victories so far in 2012.

South Australian local Gibbs will be eager to get his season back on track after winning the round at Murray Bridge last year, and he’s well aware that it’s vital he peg back teammate Styke in the standings as the series reaches its halfway point.

“This year I seem to struggle to string three races together to make a good round,” Gibbs explained. “With Luke being so consistent, no rider can afford to drop motos. But we head to my home state [this] week and its time I got it together and put in three good races at the level I’m capable of.”

The Pirelli MX Development class will resume after the nation’s top Under 19s racers sat out the WA stop on the calendar. The class is so far led by round one winner Dylan Long for Choice Motorsports KTM, from fellow teenage tearaways Sam Martin and Dylan Leary.

The Murray Bridge round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals will take place in South Australia on Sunday, 20 May. Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for further information on the Monster Energy MX Nationals series.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship

Murray Bridge Rd5 Event Information:
Adults $30
Children (aged 5-15 years) $15
Family (two adults and two children aged 5-15 years) $70
Gates Open 7.00am
Practice Starts 8.30am

Series Calendar:
Rd1 – 1 April – Conondale, QLD  
Rd2 – 14-15 April – Coonabarabran, NSW 
Rd3 – 28-29 April – Wonthaggi, VIC 
Rd4 – 12-13 May – Wanneroo, WA 
Rd5 – 20 May – Murray Bridge, SA 
Rd6 – 1 July – Hervey Bay, QLD 
Rd7 – 15 July – Barrabool, VIC 
Rd8 – 29 July – Appin, NSW 
Rd9 – 19 August – Moree, NSW 
Rd10 – 25-26 August – Coolum, QLD

MX1 Championship Standings (after 4 of 10 rounds):
1. Josh Coppins 253
2. Brad Anderson 211
3. Todd Waters 208
4. Lawson Bopping 203
5. Cody Cooper 183
6. Tye Simmonds 178
7. Jay Marmont 177
8. Jake Moss 157
9. Daniel McCoy 125
10. Daniel Reardon 107

MX2 Championship Standings (after 4 of 10 rounds):
1. Luke Styke 260
2. Ford Dale 221
3. Kirk Gibbs 199
4. Cheyne Boyd 198
5. Josh Cachia 195
6. Kade Mosig 194
7. Adam Monea 190
8. Justin McDonald 143
9. Lewis Woods 134
10. Errol Willis 131

MXD Championship Standings (after 3 of 9 rounds):
1. Dylan Long 168
2. Sam Martin 157
3. Dylan leary 157
4. Kayne Lamont 155
5. Kale Makeham 152
6. Joel Milesevic 131
7. Jay Wilson 128
8. Mitch Norris 123
9. Mitch Budd 90
10. Dylan Wills 87

CDR Yamaha Dominate in the West

updates — Tue, 15 May 2012 05:39:21 +0000

In what many regard as the toughest and most challenging rounds of the MX National circuit, the CDR Yamaha duo of Josh Coppins and Lawson Bopping overcame their rivals, the energy sapping sand and the bike swallowing whoops to claim an emphatic 1-2 finish at round four of the Monster Energy MX Nationals at Wanneroo in WA.The deep sand of WA always proves to be a vital round of the championship and it’s a place where only the strong survive as the gruelling sand circuit becomes a minefield of chest deep sand whoops that cover the entire track. The lap-times slow up to 15 seconds a lap throughout the day as the soft surface cuts up and it provides the ultimate challenge to the riders, teams and machines.

CDR Yamaha more than met that challenge.

Josh Coppins was on song all weekend, posting fast laps in the free practice and carrying that form into qualifying where he took pole position. He immediately stamped his footprint on the round with a win in moto one and, a hard fought second in moto two but it was a gut busting ride in moto three that flawed his competition and set Coppins ahead of the pack.

In 30 minutes of racing, Coppins took control of the race and ground his opponents into the sand. He maintained his intensity all the way to the finish and lapped up to an amazing eighth place to win the final moto and claim the round overall with 1-2-1 positions. He also extended his lead out to a healthy 42 points.

“It was a hard day on a tough track and physically very taxing, but that it what we train for and what can separate the riders,” Coppins explains. “When you cross the finish-line in the final moto totally spent, but at the same time achieving your goals, that is what racing motocross is all about.”

“Today was a rewarding day not just for me but the team with Lawson also on the podium. Everyone put in and we got the result we worked for and deserved.”

A second place overall at Wanneroo makes it two podiums in a row for Lawson Bopping. Growing in confidence and stature at each and every race, Bopping is proving to be the brightest young star in the premier MX 1 class showing he has the heart and determination to climb his way to the top.

Bopping posted 2-3 finishes in the opening two, back to back, motos and was well placed in the points entering the final 30 minute moto. Bopping battled all the way to the finish in a workman like performance to finish sixth in the moto and make it a CDR 1-2 round finish in the process.

Bopping now moves to fourth in the championship just eight points away from second place.

“I’m feeling ok but I just couldn’t ride any faster!” Bopping said moments after the race. “The last race was brutal as the track was so rough and whooped out but I just kept at it and no way was I going to stop fighting.”

“Like last week, I’m pumped with another podium and a second place finish here is awesome. The CDR Yamaha team has been fantastic and have really challenged me to lift my game and so far things have worked out well since I have joined the team.”

“As my riding has stepped up and my speed is better, I need to match my fitness to the improvement in my speed to keep getting closer to Josh and the championship leaders.”

Just as exhausted as the riders was Team Manager, Craig Dack, who despite being on the sidelines, rode every bump of every lap with his riders and couldn’t be prouder of the effort his entire team have put in.

“I have been coming to WA for 30 years now and it is a great place to race. The track, the spectators and the atmosphere are all unbelievable and it forces the cream to ride to the top.”

“This is a huge highlight for me at CDR to have our riders’ finish 1-2 in the toughest event of the season. It was a fantastic day and an awesome performance but as I spoke with them after the race, it’s not even half way through the championship and we can’t afford to take our eyes off the prize. We must remain focused and continue to work hard,” Dack comments.

There is only a one week turn around before the CDR Yamaha team face the start gates again next weekend in Murray Bridge, South Australia. Again it will be time to roll up the sleeves and get to work on what also traditionally is a tough track for competitors.

To follow the CDR Yamaha team on Facebook; www.facebook.com/cdrrockstaryamaha

MX1 Overall Results:
1. Josh Coppins – 72 (CDR Yamaha)
2. Lawson Bopping – 57 (CDR Yamaha)
3.Todd Waters – 56 (Suzuki)
4. Brad Anderson – 50 (Honda)
5. Cody Cooper – 46 (Suzuki)
6. Tye Simmonds – 45 (Honda)
7. Daniel McCoy - 42 (Suzuki)
8. Jay Marmont -38 (Kawasaki)
9. Mike Phillips – 33 (Honda)
10. Gordon Crockard – 32 (Yamaha)

MX1 Championship Standings (after 4 of 10 rounds):
1. Josh Coppins 253 (CDR Yamaha)
2. Brad Anderson 211
3. Todd Waters 208
4. Lawson Bopping 203 (CDR Yamaha)
5. Cody Cooper 183
6. Tye Simmonds 178
7. Jay Marmont 177
8. Jake Moss 157
9. Daniel McCoy 125
10. Daniel Reardon 107

Waters claims third podium of 2012 for Motul Pirelli Suzuki at Wanneroo

updates — Tue, 15 May 2012 05:29:27 +0000

Waters claims third podium of 2012 for Motul Pirelli Suzuki at Wanneroo

Motul Pirelli Suzuki rising star Todd Waters clinched his third podium in four attempts at the Wanneroo round of the MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship, on Sunday, 13 May, in Western Australia.

The talented 21-year-old finished a fine third overall in the unforgiving sand of WA, scoring 4-4-3 results in the trio of gruelling motos. Again showing impressive speed and consistency, Waters has proven that he and the RM-Z450 are one of the most competitive combinations in the sport.

“I’m not going to say it was an easy day, because it was probably the toughest one I’ve had to date,” Waters explained. “I had bad starts all day and was trying to come through the pack, so the front guys were just running away from me. The last moto went really good, I came from 19^th and managed to get up into third. I was really happy with how that went.

“I’m starting to mature that little bit. A couple of times I’ve sort of stepped it back, I don’t need to be on my head, because that would just send me backwards. I took my time and I managed to get up there with two fourths and a third for third overall. My goal is to get on that box every weekend and that’s what we’re starting to do.”

Teammate Cody Cooper raced to a solid fifth place despite again suffering from his starts throughout the round, taking home ninth in moto one, fifth in moto two and fourth in moto three after progressively improving aboard the RM-Z450.

Cooper now sits fifth in the championship as it approaches the halfway mark, and he’s anticipating a strong result when the series continues this weekend at Murray Bridge in South Australia.

“I felt good fitness-wise, but my strength let me down a bit at the end of the day,” Cooper explained. “It definitely got rough, so gnarly and not event Southwick gets that rough – the sand was just so deep. In the first two motos people were going everywhere, I was getting roosted and it’s hard to pull tear-offs in those conditions.

“Everybody had the same problem, but in the final moto I managed to come through the field better after another bad start. I passed a lot of guys quickly early on in the moto and that helped, so we’ll keep working in that direction and hopefully it comes together for us.

“I’m always trying to go for a win and would definitely like to get on that podium this weekend in South Australia, so I’ll practice my starts this week and really work hard on them. Murray Bridge is a track I like and that loamy dirt suits me, so it should be good. Once I have my starts sorted then that should help out a lot.”

Motul Pirelli Suzuki Pro Lites contender Scott Columb was eighth overall in WA, riding the RM-Z250 to ninth in moto one and 11^th in moto two, before he capitalised on the duration of the final 30-minute moto to claim fifth. Columb now sits 11^th in the standings in what is his first full season of contesting Australian Motocross.

The MX Nationals series will next head to round five of the 2012 season at Murray Bridge in South Australia, marking the halfway point of the 10-round schedule.

Round Four, 2012 MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship

Pro Open Overall Results:

1. Josh Coppins 72

2. Lawson Bopping 57

3.Todd Waters (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) 56

4. Brad Anderson 50

5. Cody Cooper (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) 46

6. Tye Simmonds 45

7. Daniel McCoy (Hart & Huntington Suzuki) 42

8. Jay Marmont 38

9. Mike Phillips 33

10. Gordon Crockard 32

Pro Lites Overall Results:

1. Luke Styke 68

2. Cheyne Boyd 62

3. Adam Monea (Team 07 Motorsports Suzuki) 55

4. Kade Mosig 54

5. Josh Cachia 46

6. Lewis Woods (Hart & Huntington Suzuki) 44

7. Ford Dale 42

8. Scott Columb (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) 38

9. Luke Arbon 38

10. Kirk Gibbs 37

Pro Open Championship Standings (after 4 of 10 rounds):

1. Josh Coppins 253

2. Brad Anderson 211

3. Todd Waters (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) 208

4. Lawson Bopping 203

5. Cody Cooper (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) 183

6. Tye Simmonds 178

7. Jay Marmont 177

8. Jake Moss 157

9. Daniel McCoy (Hart & Huntington Suzuki) 125

10. Daniel Reardon 107

Pro Lites Championship Standings (after 4 of 10 rounds):

1. Luke Styke 260

2. Ford Dale 221

3. Kirk Gibbs 199

4. Cheyne Boyd 198

5. Josh Cachia 195

6. Kade Mosig 194

7. Adam Monea (Team 07 Motorsports Suzuki) 190

8. Justin McDonald 143

9. Lewis Woods (Hart & Huntington Suzuki) 134

10. Errol Willis (Raceline Pirelli Suzuki) 131

11. Scott Columb (Motul Pirelli Suzuki) 123

MotoOnline.com.au MX Nationals Rd4 Wanneroo Moto Show

Media — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:16:47 +0000

Check out MotoOnline.com.au’s official Monster Energy MX Nationals Moto Show from the deep sands of Wanneroo in Western Australia, hosted by series compare Kam Williams. The track was brutal, sand relentless and riders at the top of their game, but it was CDR Yamaha’s Josh Coppins and Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing’s Luke Styke who extended their buffers as series leaders overall.

Coppins and Styke win for Yamaha at Wanneroo Monster Energy MX Nationals

Media — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:09:58 +0000

CDR Yamaha enjoyed a glorious return to Western Australia on Sunday, 13 May, for the fourth round of the Monster Energy MX Nationals at the sand-filled Wanneroo Motocross Park.

MX1 series leader Josh Coppins picked up his second win of the season in an impressive performance, winning motos one and three to extend his championship lead to 42 points despite riding through the pain of a pinched nerve in his neck.

“The last round didn’t go to well for us, so it’s nice to bounce back and I really want to thank CDR Yamaha for all their hard work,” the New Zealander said. “We’ve been working really hard, they’ve been looking after me and I can’t say thanks to the team enough. It’s pretty tough out there, so I just want to try get rid of my injury, loosen up and try ride a bit better as the season goes on.”

Despite the relentless sand whoops of Wanneroo that formed throughout the round, Australia’s leading contenders pushed at 100 percent during all three of the pro motos in the series’ first visit to WA since 2009.

Backing Coppins up to make it a Yamaha 1-2 was teammate Lawson Bopping, who picked up his second podium of 2012 after a consistent effort. Bopping claimed second in moto one, third in moto two and sixth in the final outing.

Continuing his spectacular run of results since joining Motul Pirelli Suzuki was Todd Waters, finishing third overall in what was his third podium in four rounds. Waters was fourth in motos one and two, before a third in the final moto sealed the podium.

Completing the top five was Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Brad Anderson and Waters’ teammate Cody Cooper. Top privateer finisher was Simmonds Racing Honda rider Tye Simmonds in sixth.

The hard-luck story of the round was defending four-time champion Jay Marmont, who broke through for his first win of the season for the Monster Energy squad in moto two. His day ended early in moto three though, forced out late in the moto as his pre-season knee injury continues to take its toll.

Motul MX2 championship leader Luke Styke picked up his second overall of the season for Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing, winning motos one and two before finishing fourth in the gruelling final moto.

“After putting in hard this weekend, I just want to thank the Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing team and the club for a great event,” Styke said. “It was a good weekend and it feels good that all the hard work is paying off for all of us, but it’s early in the season and we need to keep trying the best we can.”

Styke won ahead of DPH Motorsport Honda’s Cheyne Boyd, who enjoyed a consistent round for his first podium of the season. After setting pole on Saturday, Boyd raced to second in moto one and third in the final two motos of the round.

Zero Seven Motorsports Suzuki rider Adam Monea was third overall, winning the final moto in a dominant performance. The Victorian was yet again back to his best in WA, edging out fellow Victorian Kade Mosig for the final position on the podium by just a single point.

Motorex/KTM’s Josh Cachia completed the top five despite battling through the day with an expected bout of appendicitis, heading another Victorian in Lewis Woods. Woods enjoyed his best round of the season by far for the Hart and Huntington/InsureMyRide team.

Title contenders Ford Dale (Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing) and Kirk Gibbs (Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing) had a day to forget, with Dale taking seventh after a troublesome day, while Gibbs will have to settle for 13th after a flat tyre in moto one forced him out of the points.

Styke now enjoys a handy 39-point lead in the series ahead of Dale, while Gibbs remains third as we approach the halfway point.

The Australian Motocross Championship will now head straight to Murray Bridge in South Australia for round five of the Monster Energy Mx Nationals this weekend on 20 May. Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for further information on the Monster Energy MX Nationals series.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Round Four – Wanneroo, WA

MX1 Overall Results:
1. Josh Coppins 72
2. Lawson Bopping 57
3.Todd Waters 56
4. Brad Anderson 50
5. Cody Cooper 46
6. Tye Simmonds 45
7. Daniel McCoy 42
8. Jay Marmont 38
9. Mike Phillips 33
10. Gordon Crockard 32

MX2 Overall Results:
1. Luke Styke 68
2. Cheyne Boyd 62
3. Adam Monea 55
4. Kade Mosig 54
5. Josh Cachia 46
6. Lewis Woods 44
7. Ford Dale 42
8. Scott Columb 38
9. Luke Arbon 38
10. Kirk Gibbs 37

MX1 Championship Standings (after 4 of 10 rounds):
1. Josh Coppins 253
2. Brad Anderson 211
3. Todd Waters 208
4. Lawson Bopping 203
5. Cody Cooper 183
6. Tye Simmonds 178
7. Jay Marmont 177
8. Jake Moss 157
9. Daniel McCoy 125
10. Daniel Reardon 107

MX2 Championship Standings (after 4 of 10 rounds):
1. Luke Styke 260
2. Ford Dale 221
3. Kirk Gibbs 199
4. Cheyne Boyd 198
5. Josh Cachia 195
6. Kade Mosig 194
7. Adam Monea 190
8. Justin McDonald 143
9. Lewis Woods 134
10. Errol Willis 131

MotoOnline.com.au MX Nationals Rd4 Wanneroo Pre-Moto Show

Media — Sun, 13 May 2012 00:03:03 +0000

MotoOnline.com.au’s Alex Gobert discusses the Monster Energy MX Nationals round at Wanneroo with series commentator Kam Williams and industry insider Mick Sinclair pre-race on Saturday afternoon.

Monster Energy MX Nationals to make anticipated return to WA

Media — Wed, 09 May 2012 09:36:35 +0000

Loch, VIC – Australia’s premier motocross contenders will make a long-anticipated return to Western Australia for the first time since 2009 this weekend on 12-13 May when the Monster Energy MX Nationals reaches round four at Wanneroo.

The Australian Motocross Championship will enter the toughest sand track on the calendar that will prove a real test of man and machine, giving WA dirt bike fans an opportunity to witness some of Australia and the world’s best riders put to the ultimate test.

Following three of 10 rounds to be contested nationwide in 2012, it is CDR Yamaha’s former world number two Josh Coppins who will lead the field into Wanneroo. In his final season of professional racing, the 34-year-old Kiwi has a 20-point lead in the series and is excited to race on the soft sands of WA.

After a successful long-standing career in the world championship based near the iconic Lommel sand circuit in Belgium, Coppins is a clear favourite for the win at Wanneroo, but knows that the shorter 15-minute back-to-back motos to commence the round will be tough ones. The third and final moto will span the more traditional length of 30 minutes.

“Honestly, I’m not sure what to expect because sand racing is all about trying to find a rhythm, which is hard to do in the shorter motos,” Coppins explained. “I’ve got to try and improve my short races after some problems at Wonthaggi, but I feel confident about the sand and that’s the most important thing.

“I rode last week in the sand testing with the CDR Yamaha team in Victoria and felt really good, so after living in Belgium for much of my career I don’t have an issue adapting to it, it’s just a matter of making it work considering the short motos.”

Behind Coppins in the series so far is Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing series rookie Brad Anderson, the two-time British champion having sampled the Wanneroo venue in 2010. Anderson also won the prestigious Manjimup 15,000 during that visit to Australia.

Anderson claimed his first win of the season at Wonthaggi’s third round in Victoria late last month, now moving within striking distance of Coppins despite not finishing a race at Conondale’s opening round.

Third at this stage is Aussie rising star Todd Waters, the 21-year-old Motul Pirelli Suzuki rider from Cairns scoring two podiums to date this season to prove he’ll be a title threat all season long. Waters is 29 points behind Coppins and top Aussie in the series so far.

Two more Australian young guns sit fourth and fifth in the standings with Jake Moss (Campbell Mining Services/Maxima/Troy Lee Designs Honda) next best, following by Coppins’ CDR Yamaha teammate Lawson Bopping, who was third overall in round three.

Defending four-time champion Jay Marmont is sixth in the championship in his first season with Monster Energy Kawasaki, but is another to excel in the sand of WA after winning the Manjimup 15,000 three times in his career, including last year.

The local assault in the premier MX1 proceedings will come from series regulars Dean Porter (Full Force Racing) and Louis Calvin (Berry Sweet Strawberries/Lucas Oil/Yamaha). Both are proven sand performers and will relish the opportunity to race ahead of a home crowd in the west.

In the Motul MX2 category featuring the nation’s leading 250cc contenders, Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing’s Luke Styke will lead the field into Western Australia. Fit and relentlessly fast in 2012, Styke will be charging hard to maintain his red plate toward the mid-point of the season.

“My plan is to be fast and consistent at every round and so far things are on track after the first three rounds,” commented Styke, who has reinvented his career after the official factory Yamaha MX2 program offered him a guest appearance last season that has continued into 2012.

Styke heads Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing’s Ford Dale in the points by 13, with the latter coming off a breakthrough win at round three when he scored the victory. The Styke/Dale battle is only just heating up, with Serco Yamaha Metal Mulisha Racing’s round one winner Kirk Gibbs right there to challenge them all the way.

Round four will also include the Rookie Lites class for 13-U16 100-150cc two-stroke and 250cc four-stroke models, as well as the second round of the ATV Cup for the country’s top quad contenders. The majority of those support races will take place on Saturday during the weekend.

The series will continue at Wanneroo in Western Australia on 12-13 May, marking round four of 10 for the 2012 season. Visit www.mxnationals.com.au for further information on the Monster Energy MX Nationals series.

2012 Monster Energy MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship
Wanneroo Rd4 Event Information:
Adults: $30 one day or $50 for the weekend
Children (aged 5-15 years): $15 one day or $20 for the weekend
Family (two adults and two children aged 5-15 years): $70 one day or $100 for the weekend

James Stewart to SUZUKI

updates — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:08:17 +0000

Press Release

Yoshimura Suzuki Racing is proud to announce the signing of famed Supercross and Motocross Champion, James Stewart, to a multi-year contract effective immediately. Stewart will compete in both AMA Pro Motocross and Supercross aboard the Yoshimura Suzuki RM-Z450 beginning with the first round of the 2012 AMA Pro Motocross Championship in Sacramento, CA on May 19th,2012.

Stewart, often called the “fastest man on the planet”, comes to Yoshimura Suzuki with a long list of accomplishments. The 26-year old, native Floridian has amassed 6 AMA Championships, including two AMA Supercross titles and a perfect season, AMA Pro Motocross Championship. He also has a FIM World Supercross Championship as well as two Motocross des Nations titles to his credit.

“I’m really looking forward to joining the team,” said Stewart. ”It’s been a pleasure to get to test with these guys and meet the team. I’m very excited – I love the bike – Ever since I rode it from day one I knew it was a great opportunity for me to come out and showcase my talent. With Mike Webb as the team manager and Don (Sakakura), the President of Yoshimura Racing – It’s been great what they’ve been doing – The whole team is phenomenal. We’re all excited to get the ball rolling and see what we can do over the next few years. I just want to thank everyone at Yoshimura and American Suzuki for giving me this opportunity.”

“James is a great addition to our team,” said President of Yoshimura Racing, Don Sakakura. “He is an amazing rider and gifted athlete and we feel very fortunate to have him join Yoshimura Suzuki. We will do everything possible to help ensure his and the team’s success. Our company has been built on racing and winning championships and we intend to keep that tradition alive with James and his incredible skill on a motorcycle.”

Team Manager, Mike Webb, as well as long-time Team Suzuki mechanic, Lee McCollum, and the rest of the Yoshimura Suzuki squad, will support Stewart in his run for the 2012 AMA Motocross Championship and beyond.

“We’re extremely pleased with the announcement of James joining the Yoshimura Suzuki team,” added Team Manager, Mike Webb. ”We all look forward to working with James and a rider of his caliber. We feel very confident we can provide him with the equipment that he needs to ride to his capability. We’re working hard right now, though we don’t have a lot of time, but we’re very focused on getting ready for Hangtown and we’re definitely looking forward to the opener.”

Stewart will join Yoshimura Suzuki Racing teammate, Brett Metcalfe, at the first round of the 2102 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Hangtown in Sacramento, CA on Saturday, May 19th.

KTM WE LOVE MX

updates — Mon, 07 May 2012 08:05:49 +0000

Media Release

KTM Australia launches social media channels

7/5/2012

KTM motorcycles, the leader in sport motorcycle technology is getting social with the launch of the KTM Australia Facebook fan page and YouTube channel.

Orange bleeders can get their daily fix through these social channels including up to date race results, new product news, technical and maintenance tips plus training and nutritional tips. Fans can also join in the conversation and post their own comments, photos and videos.

To kick of the relationship KTM Australia would like to show how much they love motocross and their fans by giving away ten double passes to each of the remaining rounds of the MX Nationals, Australian Motocross Championship.

To enter the draw all you need to do is head to the KTM Australia Facebook fan page, hit the like button and fill out the KTM We Heart MX competition entry form. Winners will be notified by email and their double pass sent through the mail.

You can find KTM Australia on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KTMAustralia or on YouTube at www.youtube.com/KTMAustralia.

For more information on the 2012 KTM model range or to locate your nearest authorised dealer, visit www.ktm.com.au.

MotoOnline.com.au MX Nationals Rd3 Wonthaggi Moto Show

Media — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:00:32 +0000

Watch on as Carlton Dry Honda Thor Racing teammates Brad Anderson and Ford Dale take out the MX1 and MX2 class wins, while Kayne Lamont gets his first victory in the MXD class at round three of the Monster Energy MX Nationals in Wonthaggi. MotoOnline.com.au is the Official Digital Media Partner of the 2012 series.