Team HRC riders played their part in an epic day of racing at the 2023 Motocross of Nations, held at the amazing Ernee circuit in France. Jett and Hunter Lawrence helped Australia to their best ever Nations finish with a second overall, with Jett winning the third moto, while Tim Gajser provided the best scores as Slovenia also posted their first ever top 10 result with ninth overall. Elsewhere Ruben Fernadez gave everything he had to try and get Team Spain on the podium, but wasn’t quite able to make it happen after two gutsy rides.

In race one, Gajser gave up his gate-pick to help the Slovenian MX2 rider, which meant he was outside the top 20 as he rounded the first bend. In an impressive first lap, he was able to get up to 10^th but the leaders were well clear by the time he settled into a good rhythm. Eventually, he brought it home in seventh, which wasn’t what he was looking for individually, but it was still a good score for Slovenia.

With the MXGP and MX2 riders being up first, this put the Lawrence brothers on the gate for Australia and although Jett had a good jump, a crash on the third corner dropped him to the back of the pack by the time he had remounted. Against the 450s, Hunter’s Honda CRF250R did well to battle inside the top 15 but on the large hills of Ernee, he had to fight for every inch and did well to get 10^th overall. From dead last, Jett quickly set about the task at hand, moving through the field with purpose. After lap one he was 23^rd, by the halfway point he was up to 12^th and in the final laps he really went on a charge to move all the way up to sixth by the time he crossed with the chequered flag. It was a great performance and together with Hunter’s result, it gave Australia a strong start as they went after the Chamberlain Trophy.

The second moto saw the Open riders line up for the first time alongside the MX2 class, with Spain’s Fernandez ripping a great start on his Honda CRF450R to get into the lead by the third corner. Riding excellently, the HRC rider kept his lead until the midway point of the race, where unfortunately a small off-track detour cost him eight positions. He kept fighting though, and managed to crossed the line in seventh position, keeping Spain in the hunt for the podium. Ahead of him, Hunter had once again overcome his CC disadvantage to put himself in the top five, in another impressive Nations ride, giving him second in the MX2 class and almost guaranteeing a second Aussie MXON podium in a row.

It was an all-450cc affair for race three as the MXGP class joined the Open riders to decide who would win the Chamberlain Trophy, meaning that Gajser, Fernandez and Jett would all be on the line. And it was the Australian who was best out of the gate, rounding the first lap in second place, with Fernandez in fifth and Gajser just behind in sixth. After a few laps Jett swept into the lead, checking out and adding a Motocross of Nations moto victory to his already impressive 2023 resumé. Behind him, Gajser moved into fifth, which was another solid result and enough to move Slovenia into the best overall finish ever. Unfortunately, Fernandez was unable to keep his form throughout the moto, with a couple of quick crashes forcing him into pitlane and ultimately dropping him out of a good points-scoring position.

With Jett’s victory, Australia cemented their second overall, an improvement on last year’s third place but still not quite enough to hold aloft the Chamberlain Trophy. Fernandez’s seventh in moto two helped Spain to seventh overall, while Gajser’s Slovenia were delighted with their ninth, in what was a strong performance from all of Team HRC and a fitting finale to what has been an exceptional year for the manufacturer.

Securing his fourth consecutive EnduroGP class victory, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Josep Garcia clinched the top spot on day two of the GP of Portugal. The impressive form displayed by the KTM 250 EXC-F rider over the final two rounds of the season has earned him the runner-up position in the FIM EnduroGP World Championship final standings.

Newly crowned Enduro1 World Champion Garcia delivered on his promise, giving his all in the final day of competition in Portugal. Topping seven tests from 12, Josep showed his class on the dry, dusty Portuguese terrain to ultimately take the win by over 18 seconds.After his victory on day one, Garcia lay third in the overall EnduroGP standings, four points back from the second-placed rider. By earning the maximum 20 points today, Josep secured his sixth day-win of the year and moved himself up to second overall in the championship standings to finish his 2023 season on a high.It has been a challenging year for Josep. A crash on day two of round four in Sweden resulted in him posting a DNF.

With round five coming just weeks later the 26-year-old was far from 100 percent fit but battled through to finish both days. Taking the long summer break to recuperate and build his strength, Garcia came back fighting, and subsequently won the final four days of racing.The results reflect both Josep’s dedication to his sport and the unwavering support of the entire Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team.Josep Garcia now looks ahead to the 2023 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), where he hopes to claim his third consecutive individual victory at the iconic event. The 2023 ISDE will be held in Argentina from November 6-11.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing are pleased to announce a contract extension with Toby Price that will see the Australian compete in the 2024 Dakar Rally. It will be Price’s 10th Dakar and his ninth riding for the factory team.

A two-time winner of the Dakar Rally, Toby Price has raced on KTM machinery for over 15 years. Enjoying huge success at home in Australia where he secured no less than five Australian Off-Road Championship titles, Toby then made his presence known on the world stage, representing his country at the 2014 ISDE where he topped the E3 category.

2016 saw Price dominate the Dakar Rally on his KTM 450 RALLY, winning five of the 14 stages and ultimately claiming victory by close to 40 minutes. In 2019, he took his second win at the world’s toughest cross-country rally, despite completing the event with a broken wrist.

Currently lying second overall in the 2023 FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, where he trails the leader by just nine points, Toby will give his all at the final round of the series – the Rallye du Maroc – before switching his focus to the 2024 Dakar Rally, which will be held in Saudi Arabia from January 5-19.

Toby Price: “I’m definitely excited to have signed to race another Dakar with the Red Bull KTM team. I’ve been racing for KTM for 15 years now and for the factory since 2015, so it feels great to be able to race the biggest, toughest rally for them once again. It’s been a long journey with the KTM brand and one that I think it’s fair to say has brought both sides heaps of success along the way. With this contract extension signed now, I’m really looking forward to focusing on the Dakar early next year and hopefully keeping KTM up front.”

Andreas Hölzl – KTM AG Rally Team Manager: “Obviously, it’s great to have Toby confirmed to ride with the team at the 2024 Dakar Rally. I’ve known Toby for many years now and it’s safe to say his passion and commitment to the KTM brand is outstanding. The Dakar is unpredictable and incredibly tough, but as we’ve seen time and time again, Toby’s strength and willpower enables him to fight through and always deliver his best. This is going to be my first Dakar as Rally Team Manager and I’m so pleased that Toby will be part of the team. We’ll give it everything that’s for certain – we’re looking forward to January.”

The past weekend marked the penultimate and final round of the Traditional National Enduro Championship and Heinrich Aust had his body and bike firing on all cylinders!After an unfortunate crash in round 2 of the championship, the young Husqvarna rider was left playing catch up in his pursuit of the E1 National championship title. Aust started in P10 on Saturday morning and fought through the hot and dry conditions to lead the pack across the line after 5 brutal laps of racing giving him first place overall for the day as well as class honours on board his FE250. 

“Saturday was a demanding day on my body with the heat and relentless rocks at the Heidelberg event but I was really happy to get the job done and go into the final round with a fighting chance at the championship”, commented Aust after Saturdays round 3.

Travis Teasdale had been nursing a nagging shoulder injury which caused a DNF at round 2 and came into the final round of racing on the back foot. Teasdale also started towards the middle of the starting order and had to make moves on the first lap in order to get into a comfortable position to be able to race forward. The lack of riding of the past few weeks took its toll on his hands toward the end of day 1 but a 3rd place in the E2 class was nothing to shy away from. “My hands were completely destroyed after Saturday, there was no rest on the route and it was relentless out there in the hot conditions. I wasn’t sure how I was going to recover overnight but I did everything I could” Teasdale said after the penultimate round. 

Day 2 brought the final of the championship and everything to play for with 4 riders having the opportunity to win the overall championship. Heinrich Aust started out front and showed a clean pair of heels the whole day taking top step in the E1 class, crowning him the 2023 National E1 Enduro Champion. A series of events unfolded during the day, Aust causing chaos amongst the pits and service crew but when all was said and done, Aust had done enough to be crowned the Overall champion by the narrowest of margins. An ecstatic Aust commented, “I’ve been hunting for this championship for a few years and it’s a big relief to have it now and I can look ahead to the rest of my career and what’s to come” 

Travis Teasdale knew he had his back up against the wall but was determined to prove his worth and came out swinging making up tremendous time during the course of lap 1 and 2 but disaster struck right at the beginning of lap 3 with a broken chain which resulted in a massive loss in time and left Teasdale fighting from behind once again. In the end Teasdale brought his TE300 across the line in second place in the E1 class giving him a solid 3rd overall for the year. Teasdale commented, "It was a tough two days for me and I struggled with my hands but I pushed through I had such a good time out on my bike and on the track. Stoked with my result even though there were a couple of bumps in the road, we can just work on getting better from here" 

Team manager, Grant Frerichs showed visual excitement saying, “Heinrich really deserved everything he has accomplished this year…He is a hard worker and never gives up and it showed this year when he fought through all his injuries at round 2 which ultimately kept his championship alive and we are really lucky to have an athlete like him on our brand.”

After winning both races in style at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, Spain’s Gonzalo Sanchez been declared the 2023 R3 SuperFinale winner.

22 riders from seven different countries gave their all over the course of two fantastic races at Portimão circuit as they fought it out for the chance to win the ‘crown’ and a supported ride in next year’s Yamaha R3 bLUcRU European Championship.

In Race 1 it was 15-year-old Sanchez who took command, pulling out a very impressive lead of over six seconds on the chasing pack. Behind him a large group of riders were in contention for the final two podium spots and a superb last lap from fellow Spaniard Natalia Rivera saw her take second place. Italy’s Christian Pucci completed the Race 1 podium.

With his confidence levels high following such a dominant victory, Sanchez seemed odds on favourite to take a second win when Race 2 rolled around, and while the youngster was in fact able to make it two from two it was a much more closely contested competition. Unfortunately Race 1 podium sitter Rivera was ruled out in a crash on Lap 4, a real pity considering her excellent performance throughout the weekend. Meanwhile, new names were ready to rise up the ranks, and a hard-charging Cameron Swain was determinedly carving his way through the field. The Australian took the final spot on the podium, while an equally impressive Mario Salles (Brazil) managed to better the fourth place he achieved in Race 1 when he charged through to a great second. Italian star Pucci suffered a crash in the closing stages of the race which brought out the red flag and halted the race prematurely - he thankfully avoided serious injury, although he was taken to hospital.

The Top 3 in the final standings of the R3 SuperFinale were Sanchez, Salles and Swain. Sanchez will now be given a fully supported ride in next year’s R3 bLUcRU European Championship series, which runs alongside selected rounds of the FIM Superbike World Championship. A second competitor will also be offered support from Yamaha for 2024, and this rider will be announced in due course following a meeting of the Yamaha Racing Committee.

In a daring race - flag to flag - and then definitively interrupted after 12 laps due to adverse weather conditions, the rider of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team comes close to the podium.

Motegi (Japan), October 1st 2023 - Marco Bezzecchi closes the Japanese GP with another important placing in the Top5, thus confirming the third place in the overall standings with 265 points (P2 among the Teams with 400 points). 

Starting from the fourth place on the grid under the sudden pouring rain on the Ducati Desmosedici GP del Mooney VR46 Racing Team, Marco loses ground at the start and is forced to recover from the P11. Immediately in the garage at the end of the first lap to change the bike, he managed to climb up the rankings to the third step of the podium, a position he lost just a few turns from the red flag.

A wet and wild race in Motegi was cut short due to the extreme conditions and fading light, Marc Marquez taking his 140th career podium and returning the Repsol Honda Team to the rostrum. Mir picked up more points in 12th.

Overnight rain saw the MotoGP field discover a damp track for Warm Up as they arrived at Mobility Resort Motegi for race day. As the grid formed up for the 24-lap Japanese Grand Prix, the predicted rain began to fall and the MotoGP field shot forward on tender hooks with everyone starting on slicks. It would not last long as the majority of the field pulled into the pits at the end of the first lap. Marc Marquez showed his undeniable skill in the changing conditions as he immediately put himself into contention with the leading group.

Opting for a cautious approach as the rain began to intensify, Marquez let those ahead judge the conditions as he settled into a comfortable rhythm. With the conditions settled on completely wet, the eight-time World Champion began his attack and quickly made his way into the top five. Passing Bezzecchi on lap 11 to move into third, the #93 kept up an intense pace as he worked to eat into the lead of Bagnaia and Martin.

Conditions would worsen at this point and the red flag was displayed, ending the race. A restart was attempted but the combination of standing water and the waning light meant the result was declared and full points awarded.

Marc Marquez once again climbed onto the podium with third place, his first podium since taking second place at the Australian Grand Prix in 2021. This podium, the 140th of his career and his 101st in the premier class, moves Marc Marquez to fifth overall in terms of podium finishes across all classes. It is the 455th podium for the Repsol Honda Team in the premier class.

Joan Mir was likewise able to show his raw speed in the wet, running nose to tail with his Repsol Honda Team teammate during the middle stages of the eventually truncated race. His progress would be halted as visibility dropped and the #36 lost contact with the leaders. Down in 12th when the red flag came out, Mir was hopeful of a restart in order to recover the ground lost earlier. Although in agreement with the decision to not restart on safety grounds, Mir was left to lament a lost opportunity for another top-ten finish.

After two intense back-to-back races, the Repsol Honda Team will now enjoy a week off before heading to Mandalika for the Indonesian GP.

In a thrilling season of intense high-speed action and fierce competition, WP Suspension riders Jorge Prado, Andrea Adamo and Courtney Duncan have emerged as the 2023 Motocross World Champions on MXGP, MX2 and WMXGP respectively, solidifying their places in the history of the sport. Their remarkable achievements have left motocross enthusiasts and fans worldwide in awe.

Prado’s Stellar Performance:

With already 2 MX2 World titles on his name, the twenty-two years old Jorge Prado has made history once again, riding his GASGAS MC 450F and team rider of the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing, after a season dominated by his determination and no mistakes, he claimed his first MXGP World Champion title.

Adamo’s Triumph:

Andrea Adamo, with his KTM 250 SX-F from the KTM Red Bull Factory Racing Team, showcased exceptional skills and determination throughout the 2023 MX2 World Championship season, securing his first-ever World Champion title.

Duncan’s Dominance:

In a display of unwavering determination and unmatched talent, New Zealand’smotocross sensation, Courtney Duncan, has triumphed once again, clinching her thirdMotocross World Title.

From exhilarating starts to heart-pounding finishes, Duncan with her Kawasaki KX250Ffrom Dixon Racing fitted with the XACT PRO COMPONENTS from WP, consistently showcased her prowess on the track. Each race was a testament to her relentless pursuit of excellence, further solidifying her status as one of the sport’s brightest stars.

WP Suspension’s Impact:

WP Suspension’s expertise and support in optimizing the riders’ bikes for varying terrains and conditions contributed significantly to their victories. The suspension setup fine-tuned by WP Suspension engineers proved to be a game-changer, enabling Jorge Prado, Andrea Adamo and Courtney Ducan to navigate challenging tracks with precision and confidence.

These accomplishments in the 2023 Motocross World Championship have left an indelible mark on the sport, showcasing their extraordinary talent and dedication. With WP Suspension as their trusted partner, these champions have set a new standard for excellence in motocross, and fans eagerly anticipate their future endeavours on the track.

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Jeremy Seewer collected his seventh piece of podium silverware at the 19th and final round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Matterley Basin, Great Britain. The Swiss rider, who secured the MXGP Championship bronze medal a week ago, enjoyed the last round of 2023, going 2-4 for second overall. At the same time, Glenn Coldenhoff ended his 2023 season fourth overall in both the Grand Prix and Championship Classification. Thanks to the efforts of the entire Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team, Seewer, Coldenhoff, and Maxime Renaux, as well as Gebben van Venrooy Yamaha’s Calvin Vlaanderen, Yamaha successfully defended the coveted MXGP Manufacturers World Title. 

Going into the British Grand Prix, Coldenhoff and the team spent countless hours analyzing, testing and fine-tuning the Dutchman’s YZ450FM to help him maximize his launch off the line. And, in Race One in Matterley, their efforts materialized as ‘The Hoff’ powered to an incredible holeshot ahead of Jorge Prado, Tim Gajser and Seewer. 

With a clear track ahead, Coldenhoff was exceptional. The Dutchman maintained a blistering pace while withstanding intense pressure from Gajser and Seewer. After 30-minutes at the front of the field, Coldenhoff made a few minor mistakes, allowing Gajser to pass for the lead, with Seewer following suit on the penultimate lap.

Seewer’s incredible speed, persistence, and strategic decision-making saw him push past his teammate for second position. Despite falling short of the win at the flag, he put up an astonishing fight to finish second, while Coldenhoff held off the reigning world champion, Prado, for a secure third.

When the gates fell for Race Two, Coldenhoff again powered his YZ450FM to another holeshot and led the opening three laps ahead of Gajser and Seewer. However, he was shuffled back to fifth place while experiencing some back pain from the heavy landings off the big jumps.

Seewer treated the fans to a spectacular race as he launched massive jumps on his way to second place. He enjoyed a thrilling battle with Romain Febvre. However, a crucial mistake resulted in a fourth-place finish.

Maxime Renaux withdrew from the MXGP of Great Britain after a heavy fall in Qualifying. The Frenchman was cleared of injury but decided to shift his focus to recovering well in preparation for the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations in two weeks, which will take place in Ernee, France, on October 7-8.

The positive progress in India continued as Marc Marquez sent the crowd into a frenzy on his way to third in the Sprint Race while Joan Mir took positives from his strong start at the Buddh International Circuit.

Afternoon rain saw delays hit the Indian Grand Prix, the MotoGP riders getting an extra ‘Wet Session’ to try the new circuit in the changeable conditions. A handful of further delays meant that the Sprint Race would start with every rider on slick tyres as the Indian sun began to set overhead.

As drama unfolded at the front and the back of the field, Marc Marquez and Joan Mir stayed clear at the front and immediately found themselves in podium contention. Swapping positions across the opening laps, the pair kept Bagnaia in second in their sights. Pushing harder with each lap, Marquez soon found himself comfortably in third until Brad Binder appeared in the dying stages of the race. Setting a 1’45.257 on the last lap of the race, the #93’s quickest lap, showed the intensity with which Marquez rode to clinch third. The result sees him return to the podium for the first time since the opening race of the year in Portugal.

Joan Mir’s strong form in India continued as a perfectly timed lap in Q2 saw the double World Champion earn his best qualifying result of the year with fifth. Starting one spot ahead of his Repsol Honda Team teammate, Mir launched well and tussled with Marquez early on. A mistake after a few laps saw the #36 drop down to ninth. As he attempted to rally, Mir suffered a harmless fall at Turn 3 – ending his race. Although unable to take the flag, Mir and his side of the Repsol Honda Team garage are buoyed by the start of the race and will be looking to replicate it on Sunday.

Temperatures are predicted to be similarly intense on Sunday, but everyone is hoping the rain will stay away so the local fans can experience the unrestricted thrill of a MotoGP Grand Prix. Lights are scheduled to go out at 15:30 Local Time on Sunday, September 24.