News 21 Sep 2011

Moto Insider #37

MotoOnline.com.au has the latest dirt on the world of motocross, supercross and off-road every Wednesday.

MotoOnline.com.au has the latest dirt on the world of motocross, supercross and off-road every Wednesday.

World Motocross

Team Australia’s performance at the 65th edition of the Motocross of Nations will go down in history as one of the milestones in Aussie motocross, as Chad Reed, Brett Metcalfe and Matt Moss landed our first ever podium in the iconic event.

Reedy stunned onlookers with a convincing moto one win after holeshotting, which eventually wound up to be the key result in Australia’s podium run at St. Jean d’Angely.

It wasn’t all about Reed however, because both Metty and Mossy did what was asked of them, putting in consistent efforts while on track, although Matt’s moto two DNS due to a mechanical was disappointing and completely out of his control.

You could tell afterwards that it was an emotional podium for the guys in green and gold, especially since this year’s event marked Reedy’s 11th year of trying at the same circuit he made his debut at over a decade earlier.

Reed actually won a moto at the 2001 MXoN, exactly 10 years ago, which shows you just how hard victories are to come by at the event. At that stage Chad was in his rookie season of international racing, riding for Kawasaki in World Motocross.

Chad Reed's opening moto win boosted Australia to our first ever MXoN podium in France last weekend.

Chad Reed's opening moto win boosted Australia to our first ever MXoN podium in France last weekend.

Team USA ultimately edged out France in what was an intriguing match, and both teams stumbled across their problems during the weekend. In the end though it was Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey and Blake Baggett who took out the American’s seventh straight win.

Of the individuals, you would have to say that Ken Roczen’s ride was inspiring and another standout for him at the MXoN, while Gautier Paulin’s win in moto two was huge for the Frenchman. Villopoto and Dungey’s 1-2 when it mattered most was also a great result in the final moto.

Overall it was yet another historic event with a huge following worldwide, one that we’ll remember for a long, long time to come. Congratulations to the entire Australian squad including team manager Gary Benn on a well deserved rostrum finish!

While on the subject of World Motocross just quickly, reports doing the rounds at the Motocross of Nations last weekend have linked Dean Ferris to ex-Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen’s Ice 1 Racing Kawasaki team for 2012.

It’s certain that Ferris will be heading to Europe full time next year and the shoe fits since he’ll be able to remain with Kawasaki, however it’s not been said whether he’ll ride MX1 or MX2 next year. Raikkonen launched his team this year.

Australian Supercross

Now that the MXoN is done and dusted, all eyes of the moto world will essentially turn to Australia, where the Monster Energy Super X series will take centre stage around this time next month.

The Marmont brothers, Jay and Ryan, have got their track completed and are pounding out the practice laps as we speak, which you’ll be able to see right here on MotoOnline next week as our man Guy Streeter from Out of Bounds Film Company is filming with them today.

Team Australia’s MXoN MX2 rider Matt Moss will be back any day now and will be in Super X mode, looking to make the title that he believes is rightfully his official this year.

Moss will start riding and training with twin brother Jake, who in turn has began riding for the CDR Rockstar Energy Drink Yamaha team at the Moss Institute complex in New South Wales. I can’t wait to see what these boys turn up with come round one in Melbourne, because I have a feeling they’ll both be super fast.

I wrote in the iMoto Community Forum while I was in the U.S. that Tye Simmonds will be back for Super X with JDR Motorex KTM, however that does depend on whether or not he lands a ride in the AMA for next year. If he doesn’t get a ride over there before the month’s out then expect the familiar number 42 on the gates at round one.

One person who we are all waiting to see if he’ll ride is current Pro Open champion Josh Hansen. Kawasaki wants him here, we believe he wants to be here, but it depends on a few key things whether or not he’ll actually race the whole series. We’re hearing he’ll do at least two rounds, but that certainly isn’t official.

Is Josh Hansen coming for Monster Energy Super X 2011? The series is just one month away!

Is Josh Hansen coming for Monster Energy Super X 2011? The series is just one month away!

Another rider we’re hearing could do a round or two is Ivan Tedesco, so that would be a great thing for the sport if he does make the trip over. With Hansen, Tedesco and Chris Blose all linked to Hart and Huntington, there’s a good chance at least two of those guys will make an appearance.

As it stands, the factory Monster Energy Kawasaki team is short one 450 rider from what we know, Suzuki and Honda are yet to lock in Lites riders officially, and the series is right around the corner. We can only wait and see what happens, but the reality is they better hurry up!

American Supercross

Will Australia’s Chad Reed be at the Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas next month? He has been announced and confirmed by Feld Motorsports to be in attendance, but some signals he’s sending out via Twitter point to him being uncertain at this point.

Wife Ellie and son Tate travelled back to Australia directly after Pala while the TwoTwo headed to France for MXoN, but since then it’s become obvious that he’s eager for a true off-season at home with his family in Newcastle. I say he’ll be at the Cup, but after that we expect him to on the DL until A1.

What bike will Chad be on at Anaheim? Some say he’s staying red, others say he’s returning to yellow. What’s the truth? As soon as we know we’ll report it in Breaking News! On either brand, with the experience gained in 2011, he should be able to fight for the title once again.

That’s it for another week, thanks for stopping by and remember to search MotoOnline on Facebook and Twitter for all the behind the scenes action as it happens.

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