Italy defends Vintage Veterans Trophy Teams title
Successfully defending their Vintage Veterans Trophy Team title, Team Italy’s Enrico Tortoli, Giorgio Grasso, and Tulio Pellegrinelli have proven their place as the top team at the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy (EVT), winning the 2023 edition of the event in the Catalonian Pyrenees ahead of France and Germany.
With the final motocross races bringing the 2023 FIM EVT to a close, this year’s event was a huge success with close to 250 riders coming together to celebrate vintage enduro motorcycles from the early 1970s through to the early 1990s.
As in previous editions, with the demanding second and third days complete, the fourth and final day saw all competitors participate in the closing motocross races. Knowing that any significant mistake might see France move into the lead, Italy’s golden trio did exactly what they needed to do to stay ahead and clinch the Vintage Veterans Trophy Team title.
Tulio Pellegrinelli – Team Italy Trophy Team
“It’s great to be champions again. This year we really had to work hard for our result. Yes, in 2022 things came quite easily for us, but this year we really had to be at our best. Team France made some smart choices regards classes, which was helping them be at the front. We really needed to do everything well during the four days. Both Giorgio and Enrico have ridden well, and again today they did everything well. It’s incredible for us. We have to say a big, big thanks to all of the Italian riders here, and of course all of our mechanics and supporters. It’s been a great edition of the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy.”
Behind Italy, France secured the runner-up result, pushing Germany, who placed as runners-up last year, down into third. With little to separate Italy and France, Germany eventually placed some distance behind France. Team USA claimed fourth to finish as the first non-European squad. Portugal, Canada, host nation Spain, Switzerland, Austria, and England rounded out the top ten.
In the FIM Vintage Silver Vase Team competition, it was all-Kramer riding trio of Peter Zink, Jurgen Althaus, and Ole Fleischer of Germany Team 1 who topped the final class results. Italian team Pantera 2 finished as runners-up with France Enduro V placing third.
The FIM Vintage Women’s Club Team award was won by Equip Femeni FC with Rosa Romero finishing as the fastest women competitor ahead of her teammates Mireia Badia and Judit Sola.
In the Vintage Club Team competition LMO AICS Racing topped the bill ahead of R. Solution France, with Germany Club 1 placing third. In the individual class Italy’s Andrea Belotti put his Honda at the top of the results.
Just as Team Italy repeated their win from twelve months ago in the Vintage Veterans Trophy Team, American Fred Hoess completed the event as the outright fastest competitor to take top honours in the FIM Vintage Individual award.
Fred Hoess
“It’s been an amazing event, with some of the best riding I’ve done for a long time.” Commented Fred at the finish of the fourth and final day. “It’s also been pretty tough. Vintage bikes are built tough but there’s a fine line when it comes to making things too difficult.”
Italy to host 2024 FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy (EVT)
With the 2023 EVT just having wrapped up, it’s been announced that next year’s FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy will take place from September 4-7, at Camerino in Italy.
Giovanni Copioli – FMI President
“We are proud to host once again the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy, which was born from a proposal of the Italian Motorcycle Federation. Half a century after the Six Days of Camerino, the same area will host this much awaited event. Year after year the EVT has grown significantly and has always seen Italy as a reference. Now, we only must wait until September 2024 to experience the Enduro Vintage Trophy emotions.”
Jorge Viegas – FIM President
“Italy has a long and rich history connected with Enduro and has hosted several memorable editions of the FIM International Six Days of Enduro over the years, including that held in Camerino back in 1974. It will be an incredible and historic moment for the same venue to hold the next edition of the FIM Enduro Vintage Trophy, fifty years later. Italy has played a strong role in the EVT, so it is fitting that this passionate nation will be able to welcome this event to their country.”
24MX GetzenRodeo to be broadcast on Red Bull TV
The eagerly awaited final of the FIM Hard Enduro World Championship is fast approaching, and we’re thrilled to announce that the 24MX Getzenrodeo, will be broadcast live by Red Bull TV on iridehardenduro.com.
Fans from all corners of the world will have the opportunity to tune in on November 4, immersing themselves in the heart-pounding excitement of the final race in the thrilling 2023 season.
The live broadcast will commence with an engaging Pre-Show starting at 1:30 pm CET, promising to provide valuable insights and behind-the-scenes details about this epic event.
As the clock strikes 2 pm CET, the main event, the “24MX GetzenChamp” race, will begin, and it will be broadcast in both English and German.
Tony Cairoli and KTM part ways
A long, fruitful collaboration comes to an end this year as KTM and Tony Cairoli will separate to pursue new professional goals for 2024. The Sicilian joined Red Bull KTM Factory Racing late in 2009 and made an immediate impact in his first season in 2010; winning the MX1 (now ‘MXGP’) title with the KTM 350 SX-F and then added a further four crowns consecutively.
He then claimed the 2017 championship with the KTM 450 SX-F and has been a popular ambassador for the squad, the company and the sport for twelve years and to his Grand Prix retirement at the end of 2021.
Tony transitioned into a Team Manager role for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2023 and has now decided to take his post-racing career in a different direction.
2023 Yamaha Racing Ironman GNCC Report
The Progressive Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Specialized (GNCC Racing) capped off its season with a record setting number of racers throughout the course of the weekend. The Yamaha Racing Ironman GNCC saw 2,834 racers signup to take part in the annual event held at Ironman Raceway in Crawfordsville, Indiana.
As the final green flag waved for the 2023 season it was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Craig DeLong jumping off the line first to grab the $250 All Balls Racing XC1 Holeshot Award.
However, DeLong knew what he needed to do throughout the race to secure the number one plate, and on a fast-paced terrain he was not going to push himself over the limit. DeLong would finish eighth overall at the conclusion of the three-hour race, which would be enough to secure his first-ever XC1 Open Pro GNCC National Championship.
Craig DeLong
“It still hasn’t sunk in that’s for sure. Just a great year, crazy year, I mean how many winners we had this year and to be able to stand up here with the number one plate, it’s awesome.”
The season finale race at Ironman saw an abundance of battles happening throughout the duration as Magna1 Motorsports/Husqvarna’s Jordan Ashburn held the lead for four laps. The Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green’s Josh Strang was pushing himself though as he started out in third. Strang would continue to push, making the pass for the lead and continuing to hold that position until the checkered flag came out.
Josh Strang
“What a day! Lots of emotions, a super fun race with the entire XC1 class! 25 career wins is something I never dreamed of when I started in 2007 but here we are! It was kind of a fast track and hard to pass. But I was able to make some passes and then the last two laps were just all out. It’s fun, I enjoyed it, and it was definitely fast paced but I felt comfortable, and it was good.”
Rocky Mountain/Tely Energy/KTM Racing’s Steward Baylor came into the season finale needing some help if he wanted to earn that National Championship. As the race got underway, Baylor was on a mission to get to the front of the pack and do what he needed to do. Baylor continued to push for the duration of the three-hour race, never giving up. Baylor ultimately crossed the finish line second overall, and he would earn second overall on the season.
Steadily making his way through the pack was FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Jonathan Girroir as he came around eighth on the opening lap. Girroir would continue to make the necessary passes to get towards the front, and by lap four he would be running in the third place position. As the race continued on, Girroir would chase down the leaders and a race to the finish would ensue. Girroir would come away with third overall on the day.
Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green’s Grant Baylor would put in the work throughout the race as he started back in tenth on the opening lap. Baylor would steadily move through the pack each lap and came through fourth overall on the day as the checkered flag flew. AmPro Yamaha’s Ricky Russell would finish fifth overall at the season finale after having a consistent race in Indiana.
After moving into second early in the race, FMF/KTM Factory Racing’s Ben Kelley would struggle to hold the pace of the leaders after a halfway pit stop. Kelley would come through to finish sixth overall on the day. Ashburn would come through seventh overall after running in the lead position for the first half of the race.
Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green’s Lyndon Snodgrass and Enduro Engineering/Seven/GASGAS’ Josh Toth would round out the top 10 finishers in the XC1 Open Pro class. Snodgrass would earn 12th overall, while Toth came through 14th overall on the day.
XC1 Pro Event Results
- Josh Strang (KAW)
- Steward Baylor (KTM)
- Jonathan Girroir (KTM)
- Grant Baylor (KAW)
- Ricky Russell (YAM)
- Ben Kelley (KTM)
- Jordan Ashburn (HQV)
- Craig DeLong (HQV)
- Lyndon Snodgrass (KAW)
- Josh Toth (GAS)
*Overall National Championship Standings
- Craig Delong (233)
- Steward Baylor (210)
- Ben Kelley (200)
- Jordan Ashburn (187)
- Ricky Russell (159)
- Grant Baylor (155)
- Josh Strang (140)
- Jonathan Girroir (124)
- Angus Riordan (123)
- Liam Draper (120)
XC2 250 Pro
The XC2 250 Pro class would see a heated battle for the championship as well, with FMF RPM KTM Racing’s Angus Riordan and AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper.
After Liqui Moly Factory Beta Racing’s Jonathan Johnson grabbed the $250 Steel City Men’s Clinic XC2 Holeshot Award, Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cody Barnes would lead the way on the opening lap. It wouldn’t take long for Riordan to make his way into the lead with Draper right on his back wheel.
Riordan would continue to hold the lead for the duration of the race, but Draper would not falter either. As they emerged from the woods and headed towards the finish line, Riordan would get the race win, but Draper would come through in second and clinch the 2023 250 Pro Sport GNCC National Championship.
Trail Jesters KTM Racing’s Grant Davis would put in a great ride as he came through to round out the top three finishers in the XC2 class and 11th overall on the day.
Mason Semmens
“Ha, not really how I wanted it to end. Got in the lead early, then ended the day with a DNF. Equal fifth in the XC2 championship and 15th overall for the year! Let’s see what 2024 brings. Massive thank you to everyone who has given me the opportunity to race the last two-years, appreciate you all!”
XC2 250 Pro Event Results
- Angus Riordan (KTM)
- Liam Draper (YAM)
- Grant Davis (KAW)
- Cody Barnes (HON)
- Brody Johnson (HQV)
- Jesse Ansley (KTM)
- Toby Cleveland (HQV)
- Jonathan Johnson (BET)
- Tyler Palmer (HQV)
- Max Erlandsson (HON)
XC2 250 Pro Series Standings
- Liam Draper (260)
- Angus Riordan (251)
- Cody Barnes (227)
- Ruy Barbosa (191)
- Michael Witkowski (172)
- Mason Semmens (172)
- Jonathan Johnson (163)
- Ryder Lafferty (155)
- Grant Davis (140)
- Jesse Ansley (124)
FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am
Hall’s Cycles/Enduro Engineering/Moose Racing’s Jhak Walker earned the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class win after leading for the entire six laps of the race. Drew Callaway and Matthew Sims rounded out the top three finishers in the XC3 class at the season finale in Indiana.
Taking home the Top Amateur honors at the Yamaha Racing Ironman GNCC was Kawasaki Team Green’s Joseph Cunningham of the 250 A class as he came through 16th overall on the day. Another Kawasaki Team Green racer, Nicholas DeFeo, would come through second on the Top Amateur podium with a second in the 250 A class as well. Rounding out the Top Amateur podium in third was Yamaha’s Michael Delosa, who also finished third in the 250 A class.
The 10 am morning race AmPro Yamaha’s Rachael Archer earning the WXC class win to end her 2023 season. Trail Jesters KTM Racing’s Korie Steede and Bonecutter GASGAS/Scott/Fly Racing’s Prestin Raines would round out the Ironman WXC podium after both having consistent races.
The 8 am morning race saw the Warrior, and majority of C classification classes run. Ethan Harwell of the 250 C (18-24) class earned the overall win, while TJ Brown finished second overall and first in the 4-Stroke C Lites class. Haden Jones would round out the top three overall finishers from that race and earn the win in the Open C College (16-24) class.
In the Youth Bike race, which was held on Saturday afternoon at 4 pm to accommodate Sunday’s Amateur Races, it would be Ryan Amancio coming through to earn the overall race win and the YXC1 Super Mini Sr. class win.
It would be Brody Amos and Caleb Wood battling back to round out the top three overall finishers and YXC1 class finishers of the day. Caleb Wood would come through to clinch the Youth Overall GNCC National Championship, as he would win is from racing the YXC2 Super Mini Jr. class throughout the season before moving up to YXC1 just two rounds ago.
Doc Smith would take home the YXC2 class win with Travis Lentz and Kade Heilman rounding out the top three in the class. Colton McQuarrie earned the 85 Big Wheel (11-15) class, while Ryder Reick earned the 85 (12-13) class win. Hayden Dupuis would come through to take the 85 (7-11) class win, followed by Beau Garetson earning the 65 (10-11) class win, Trason Landrum would win the 65 (9) class and Tripp Lewis won the 65 (7-8) class win.
In the Girls Super Mini (12-16) class it was Zoey Kimble earning the class win, and Cassie Fairfield coming through to take the Girls 85 (7-13) class win. Aubrey Tsakanikas would earn her second win in the Girls 65 (7-11) class, and Traven Brummett earned the Trail Rider (7-15) class win.
Sunday’s AMSOIL Moto Hero was awarded to Charles Stout from Lexington, Kentucky. His grandson and wife nominated him for the award. Taylor works for Rocky Mountain ATV/MC as an activation specialist. Charles was in the United States Navy from 1961 until 1966.
He was with the Attack Squadron VA85 until 1965 and made several short deployments. He was deployed for 11 months to the Mediterranean Sea where he was stationed on the USS Foresstal. When he returned home he was extended to four months due to the Vietnamese conflict, and was transferred to be put in charge of a top secret vault. Charles was honorably discharged on March 8, 1966.
Josep Garcia sets sights on ISDE win in Argentina
The FIM International Six Days of Enduro (ISDE) stands as the longest running off road motorcycle competition, soon to enter its 97th edition in San Juan, Argentina, the event has been running for close to 110 years, attracting nations and riders from all over the world. Incredibly, Spain have never won the FIM World Trophy category. Hoping to change all that in Argentina, Josep Garcia (KTM) leads his team to the 6DAYS with only victory on their minds.
Josep Garcia – “For Spain to win the 6DAYS would be a dream come true. We’ve been trying for so long as a nation to do it. When I’ve been on the World Trophy team, we’ve finished in second and third, but not yet on the top step of the podium.”
Regarded as one of the fastest Enduro riders in the world, Garcia will arrive at this year’s 6DAYS as the newly crowned FIM Enduro1 World Champion, having won the final four days of the FIM EnduroGP World Championship outright. Without a doubt, he is on top form and would love to take the overall individual win for the third time.
Josep Garcia – ““For sure this year in Argentina the goal is to aim for the overall individual win again. I’ve been able to do that for the last two years and to make it three-in-a-row would be incredible. I feel like I’m reaching my peak at just the right time. With four victories in a row in EnduroGP, it’s given me a huge boost of confidence. My fitness is good and I’m healthy too. That’s so important leading into a big, long race like this.”
Much-loved for his all-out, aggressive, and action-packed riding style, Josep’s excited to see the special tests in San Juan. Competing on a 250F motorcycle, he does not feel disadvantaged over his rivals.
Josep Garcia – ““I think the conditions should suit me. It will be a mixture of everything. Hard pack with stones, but soft fesh-fesh and sandy tests too. I’ve shown in EnduroGP that the 250F can be competitive and can win in all conditions including sand, so I will do my best to bring that energy to the 6DAYS.”
Returning to the topic of the World Trophy, it’s the sense of team spirit, racing for your nation, that makes the 6DAYS so loved by many. And with Spain yet to win, could history be made in 2023?
Josep Garcia – ““To see Great Britain do it last year is motivating. I feel like with the team we have going to Argentina that it’s possible for us to win too. If we all stay healthy and one hundred per cent focused on fighting for victory from the first special test, then we can be contenders. Of course, winning would be historic,I think for an Enduro loving nation like Spain it would mean so much. For the public and the fans to see us on the top step of the podium would be everything. I want to be a part of that. It would be incredible and for sure we will give it our all.”
2024 CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team revealed
In a major coup for the acclaimed CDR Yamaha outfit, the 2023 ProMX champion and now four time winner, Dean Ferris, will return to the fold and be racing right alongside former MX2 world number five and 2023 ProMX runner up, Jed Beaton, to form one of the most powerful team combinations in Australian motocross.
Now based in Queensland, Ferris is contracted to contest the 2024 ProMX Championship in an MX only deal.
Dean Ferris
“The return to Yamaha has been a great career move for me and now to be back at CDR Yamaha, the team I have had the most success at, just inspires me to work even harder. Despite going in other directions in recent times, Craig Dack and I have always remained in contact and friends, so it was always a matter of time before we got back together and worked on winning more championships. We have managed to put together a deal that works for both of us and I’m super exciting to be back and looking forward to working on championship number five. I will take a quick break after a long season of racing but will get back to work pretty quickly as I love riding the YZ450F.”
For Beaton, racing for the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team is a childhood dream come true. Beaton, before spending several seasons contesting the World Motocross Championships in Europe, was a Yamaha prodigy that worked his way through Yamaha Junior Racing, Yamalube Yamaha Racing and Serco Yamaha with success at every point. We will see him race in both the ProMX and Australian Supercross Championships.
Jed Beaton
“My goal when I returned to Australia last year was to win championships and I feel I have everything I need to make that happen in 2024. With the technical support of the CDR Yamaha team as well as the YZ450F, I have the tools required to ride my best and win the ProMX Championship. Coming into 2024, I will be much better placed now that I’m back in the swing of racing in Australia, have a better knowledge of my rivals and experience with the tracks and formats. I am also looking forward to doing supercross again. It’s been a while for me, but I’m sure with some track time, I can get up to speed and do a good job for the CDR Yamaha team. It’s going to be a big season and my goal is to win. I understand the competition is strong in Australia at the moment, but I’m prepared to do the work and get the only motocross championship in Australia, I haven’t won yet.”
Team owner, Craig Dack, couldn’t be happier with the teams’ 2024 line up and preparations are well under way for their 2024 championship aspirations.
Craig Dack
“To secure both Jed and Dean for the 2024 season is great result for Yamaha and CDR,” Dack beams. “Both riders are ultra professional and leave no stone unturned in their preparation and that mantra fits perfectly with what we do at CDR. Myself and the rest of the team look forward to working with Jed and Dean and feel both riders have the best racing ahead of them. Dean shows no signs of slowing down and his determination is infectious as he continues to grow and develop as a racer and a person. For Jed, it’s so refreshing to see the excitement in his face when we signed the deal. Its easy to forget he has raced for some of the biggest budgeted teams in the world championships, but he was over moon to race for CDR and I’m sure together we can achieve career best results for him. Thank you to our major partners in Yamaha, Monster, and FOX for stepping up and working with us to secure the two best riders from the 2023 season. We are in for a great year and determined to add another championship to the CDR mantlepiece.”
Jo Shimoda joins Team Honda HRC
Team Honda HRC announced today that Jo Shimoda will race a CRF250R for Honda’s factory squad during the 2024 and ’25 seasons. The Japanese native will race alongside teammates Jett Lawrence, Hunter Lawrence and Chance Hymas.
Born and raised in Suzuka, Japan, Shimoda began riding dirt bikes when he was 4 years old. After earning early success as an amateur racer in his home country, he sought out stiffer competition internationally. He competed in Europe (even racing against Jett Lawrence on occasion) and in the U.S., earning the 2016 Supermini 2 AMA Amateur National Championship at Loretta Lynn Ranch, at age 14.
He signed with the Honda-supported Factory Connection team’s amateur program in 2017, then turned pro near the end of the 2019 season. In 2020 (Shimoda’s first full year as a professional), he finished third in the AMA 250SX East Region final standings, earning the AMA Supercross Rookie of the Year Award.
With the Factory Connection team closing before the following season, Shimoda signed with Pro Circuit Kawasaki. In 2021 he became the first Japanese rider to win an AMA 250SX main event, finishing second in the East Region final standings.
Last year saw him become the first Japanese rider to score an AMA Pro Motocross overall win, earning second in the 250 final standings. He was third in the same series earlier this year, also taking second in the inaugural SuperMotocross 250 class. So far in his career, Shimoda has collected three 250 overall wins in AMA Pro Motocross, one 250 Regional win in AMA Supercross and one 250 win in SuperMotocross.
Jo Shimoda
“I’m super-stoked to join Honda’s factory team. I feel like I’ve progressed a lot since I was with Factory Connection, and I hope that I can take the next step in my career, to win an AMA championship. I’m friends with the Lawrence brothers since we were teammates at Factory Connection, and they’ve shown that the bikes are capable of winning at the highest level. We’ve already started testing for 2024, and I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Shimoda is the first Japanese rider to sign a factory contract with American Honda, although Honda has fielded top Japanese racers in MotoGP, World Trials and even Formula 1.
Guadagnini to Husqvarna Factory Racing in MXGP
Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing welcomes Mattia Guadagnini to the team, ahead of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship. Guadagnini enters Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing at 21-years-old with a lot of experience.
In three professional terms he has held the red plate in the MX2 division, won Grands Prix in the same class and leaped onto the MXGP podium! The trajectory that ‘101’ is on is obvious – Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing will work quite closely with him to unlock another level of performance.
This latest signing completes the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing squad’s line-up, as Mattia Guadagnini will be the sole representative in the MXGP class. Kay de Wolf and Lucas Coenen will charge towards the MX2 title aboard FC 250 machinery.
Mattia Guadagnini
“I am really excited about making a step forward in my career with Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing – the commitment from everyone on the team has given me a massive boost. I am just as eager to make the move to Belgium; I feel that is necessary to battle for consistent podiums in the MXGP class.”
Webster & Todd on Factory Honda Australia CRF450R for 2024
Yarrive Konsky, team director of Factory Honda Australia, has revealed that Kyle Webster and Wilson Todd will pilot the CRF450R for Honda. The consensus is that both athletes are capable of fighting for the motocross championship, especially when armed with Honda’s proven championship winning CRF450R.
Yarrive Konsky
“Kyle and Wilson have won 450 Australian Motocross Championship rounds and both of them have won 250 titles. They know how to win, and we believe that they are capable of contending for a 450 crown. We want to thank Jed Beaton for his hard work and dedication this season – he gave Honda race wins and second overall in the championship,” said Konsky, who continued to explain his reason for bringing Wilson up to the MX1 class.
“It was time for Wilson to step up and race the 450 outdoors; he has dominated on the CRF250R, and we feel that he will be a serious threat for the 450 title in his rookie season, especially as he has already proven he can win on the bigger capacity motorcycle. With regards to Kyle, he is more than capable of winning. He has proved it time and time again. We will work together on consistency and a greater frequency of racing throughout next year so that we are better prepared going into each round.”
Wilson Todd
“I know that I can win with this bike and team; I will just need to work differently to be better prepared. I am happy to be with Honda for the next two years. We have not decided which class I will race in supercross next year, but I will be ready for the 450 motocross series come March.”
Kyle Webster
“We had some things out of our control happen this year in motocross and some things happened that were in our control. Each contributed to our disappointing overall. There were also many positives. We won two rounds out of seven and nearly won a third. We know we can win. The team and I have plans to be better prepared going into next year, and I know that we will not leave any stones unturned. Honda is home for me, and we will come out stronger next year from the lessons that we have learnt from this season’s championship.”
