KTM Enduro Factory Team rider David Knight has signed off from the ’11 British Sprint Enduro Championship with yet another double Elite class victory, this time dominating proceedings at the fifth and sixth rounds of the series staged at the Rogers Hill Raceway facility in Dorset. Knowing that the event would be his last for some time due to having to undergo hip surgery Knight ensured it was a memorable final outing by winning all of the event’s special tests.

David Knight

Ending round five with a three-minute winning advantage Knight never looked like doing anything but win as he hustled his factory KTM around the dry and dusty course. 16 seconds ahead at the end of the first test Knight extending his lead test-on-test throughout the day to place ahead of Tom Sagar and Si Wakely.

A reversed course did little to slow Knight who finished 17 seconds ahead of his nearest rival at the end of the first test at round six. Going on to claim test win after test win David ended the day close to two minutes ahead of Sagar with Daryl Bolter a further nine seconds behind.

David Knight: ‘Everything went really well. I don’t get to ride hard-pack conditions very often, not in the UK anyway, so it was completely different to what I’ve been riding recently. I had a new bike for this event, a little different to what I’ve been riding, and it worked perfectly right from the off. I felt really comfortable on the bike, not pushing too hard, and was pulling good time on the other riders all weekend. I didn’t have any falls or problems all weekend. The test got faster and faster all weekend. As it turned out the test got really good, especially once a line cleared. It was the same on day two – once the line started to appear it was good and you could push hard. It’s great to see Manx riders doing well in all the classes. Eight 10-minute test on day one and seven on day two has been tough but it’s been a great work out. I’m having the first of my hip operations next Saturday, which means an end to my season for a good few months. Obviously, I’d much rather be racing but I have to get it done. It’s going to be a bit frustrating but it’ll also give me a little time to recharge my batteries. I know my bike’s working really well now so when I’m back I know I have a bike I can win on, and I’ll be in better shape too.’

Results – British Sprint Enduro Championship Round 5, Elite class
1. David Knight (KTM Enduro Factory Team) 1.19:41.46; 2. Tom Sagar (KTM) 1.22:57.69; 3. Si Wakely (Husaberg) 1.23:32.17; 4. Jordan Rose (Husqvarna) 1.24:26.16; 5. Daryl Bolter (KTM) 1.24:26.83; 6. Paul Edmondson (KTM) 1.24:37.16; 7. Jamie Lewis (KTM) 1.26:14.86; 8. Gavin Houson (Husaberg) 1.26:49.52; 9. Mark Roberts (Kawasaki) 1.26:54.97; 10. Ollie Moyce (Kawasaki) 1.27:10.56…

Results – British Sprint Enduro Championship Round 6, Elite class
1. David Knight (KTM Enduro Factory Team) 1.10:49.10; 2. Tom Sagar (KTM) 1.13:35.55; 3. Daryl Bolter (KTM) 1.13:44.92; 4. Paul Edmondson (KTM) 1.14:42;56; 5. Simon Wakely (Husaberg) 1.14:51.10; 6. Aaron Poolman (KTM) 1.15:27.97; 7. Ollie Moyce (Kawasaki) 1.16:21.38; 8. Mark Roberts (Kawasaki) 1.16:33.68; 9. Gavin Houson (Husaberg) 1.17:01.08; 10. Lee Edmondson (KTM) 1.17:03.93…

The result, following on from a 1-2 in the MX2 class GP was proof of the depth of talent in the Orange factory team and underlined the qualities of the KTM 350 SX-F machine, ridden this year by both Cairoli and Nagl.
 
The performance was even more spectacular for Cairoli who was riding injured after hurting his knee in the first GP at Sevlievo, Bulgaria, and while he was clearly in pain and discomfort as he climbed onto the highest step of the GP podium, he never let it deter him from another triumphant ride.
 
The two riders split the results of the day’s ride – Tony won the first moto and Max took second place. Then Nagl of Germany, also buoyed by the support of his new Belgian based fan club, whose members flocked over the border to support him, put in a great ride to take the second moto with his Italian team colleague finishing second.  While Cairoli won the MX1 title in 2010 on the newly released 350 SX-F machine, this is Nagl’s first year on the new bike. In 2010 he rode the KTM 450 SX-F. The result moves Nagl up to second place in the championship standings, just five points behind the leader Steven Frossard with Cairoli in overall fourth with a 13-point gap to the leader.
 
It was the fifth time that Tony had won at Valkenswaard and the third in a row in MX1. He paid tribute to the enthusiasm of the Dutch fans and the way they support him. “I am happy that this is the third time I have won in mX1 here but I did struggle a bit today. Normally this track is a lot of fun to ride but today I tried to be more careful with my injured knee and I tried not to put it on the ground so much. Today we could also close the gap in the championship points and I hope it’s not too long before we get the red plate back again,” Cairoli said.
 
Max Nagl said it had been a good weekend for him, including a great qualifying when he took the pole position but he had not been so confident in the first moto. “Then in the second heat I changed my strategy. I was leading after about 15 minutes so I was able to find my rhythm and find some nice lines on the track. That makes it easier,” he said.
 
Team boss Stefan Everts expressed satisfaction with the performance of the two MX1 riders saying it had been a tough and physically hard GP. “I was mostly impressed with the comeback of Antonio. We knew he had a knee injury but he did better than we expected. He came back to win in the first moto after not having a very good start. Also in the first Moto Max was third and showing a good speed. Then it was the opposite in the second race when Max put in a nice performance and fought really hard to be in front,” he said.  
 
In other related news, it was also announced at Valkenswaard that Cairoli has signed to stay with the Red Bull Teka KTM Factory Racing Team for another two years.
 
The MXGP at Valkenswaard attracted a huge crowd of followers on the Easter holiday weekend and the KTM riders clearly enjoyed chalking up yet another Orange victory on the traditional sandy track.
  
MX1 Round 2
1, Tony Cairoli, Italy, KTM 25-22—47 points
2, Max Nagl, Germany, KTM 20-25–45
3, David Philippaerts, Italy, Yamaha, 18-20—38
4, Steven Frossard, France, Yamaha, 22-16–38
5, Rui Goncalves, Portugal, Honda, 15-18—33
 
Standings after two rounds
1, Steven Frossard, France, 85 points
2, Max Nagl, Germany, KTM 80
3, Clement Desalle, France, 78
4, Tony Cairoli, Italy, KTM, 72
5, David Philippaerts, Italy, 63
   

Tony Cairoli overcomes kneww injury for a great GP win

A fast and confident Max Nagl in the sands of Valkenswaard

KTM CEO Stefan Pierer on hand in Valkenswaard to celebrate with MX1 team

]]> http://smsracing.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/ktm%e2%80%99s-mx1-factory-riders-double-deliver-in-the-sands-of-valkenswaard/feed/ 0 smsracing1 http://smsracing.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/fmfktm-team-sweeps-podium-at-west-point-national-enduro/ http://smsracing.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/fmfktm-team-sweeps-podium-at-west-point-national-enduro/#comments Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:15:38 +0000 smsracing1 http://smsracing.wordpress.com/?p=86 ]]>

The FMF/KTM Team swept the podium at the fourth round of the AMA National Enduro Series held in West Point, TN when all three team members put together impressive performances to take all three steps of the podium.

Three-time National Enduro Champion, Russell Bobbitt, took the win at the Rad Dad National Enduro after placing within the top two in all special tests. His teammate and the reigning National Enduro Champion, Charlie Mullins, placed 2nd overall after winning two special tests but coming up short in the final test. The third member of the team, Cory Buttrick, put together a nice ride to finish 3rd overall despite a bad spell of food poisoning that struck him at the tail end of the day.

The course had seen a large amount of rainfall prior to the race which had left the course muddy and greasy in many sections. “It was very slick today,” commented Bobbitt. “I only encountered one problem throughout the day and that was on the second test when a lapper swerved in front of me and we collided in a mud section. I got up pretty quickly and was able to finish that test with the 2nd fastest time.”

Bobbitt finished 2nd in the first four tests missing the win in three of those tests by a mere second. He won the fifth test section and really turned heads with his win in the final section. He dominated the final test by 40 seconds over the next closest rider to cruise to an easy win. “I knew I was having a good ride in the last test because I was able to catch a lot of the riders on the line in front of me but I didn’t expect to win that test by that big of a gap. It was just a nice tight section and I flowed real well. I didn’t hit any trees and just rode real smooth throughout the section.”

Bobbitt’s win at the fourth round increases his points lead to 13 points over his teammate Mullins. The next race for the FMF/KTM National Enduro riders will be held in Bismark, AR on May 22, 2011.

Overall Results
1. Russell Bobbitt – KTM
2. Charlie Mullins – KTM
3. Cory Buttrick – KTM
4. Nick Fahringer
5. Mike Lafferty
6. Andrew Delong – KTM
7. Shane Hufford – KTM
8. Brad Bakken – KTM

Overall Point Standings
1. Russell Bobbitt – 108
2. Charlie Mullins – 95
3. Cory Buttrick – 81
4. Nick Fahringer – 75
5. Brad Bakken – 68

Podium

Russell Bobbitt

]]> http://smsracing.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/fmfktm-team-sweeps-podium-at-west-point-national-enduro/feed/ 0 smsracing1 http://smsracing.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/fmfktm%e2%80%99s-kurt-caselli-wins-jericho-hare-hound/ http://smsracing.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/fmfktm%e2%80%99s-kurt-caselli-wins-jericho-hare-hound/#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:16:44 +0000 smsracing1 http://smsracing.wordpress.com/?p=83 ]]>

Factory FMF/KTM Team rider Kurt Caselli won his fourth Hare & Hound of the season at the fifth round of the series held in Jericho, UT.

The weather was not kind to the riders this week as temperatures were below 30 degrees and it snowed the entire length of the race. “I knew it would be cold, but I didn’t think it would snow on us during the race,” commented Caselli. In order to keep warm, Caselli took hand-warmers and put them in his boots and inside his jacket.
 
Caselli got off to a great start, taking the early lead on his electric start KTM 450 XC-F. Caselli lead all 49 miles of the first loop. “The course was up in the middle of these mountains so there were quite a few boulders and with the constant snow fall it was very slippery all day long,” remarked Caselli. “I rode a slower pace than normal to ensure I didn’t crash on the boulders. I was lucky all day and never had any trouble.”
 
Caselli led the second loop from start to finish as well, finishing a few minutes ahead of his next closest competitor. Caselli’s win in Jericho, marked his fourth in a row this season. Heading to the sixth round he sits 13 points ahead in the title chase.
 
Next Event: Lucerne Valley, CA – April 23, 2011  
 
Overall Results
1)     Kurt Caselli – KTM
2)     David Pearson
3)     Destry Abbott
4)     TJ Hannifen
5)     Jacob Argubright  

Factory FMF/KTM Team rider Kurt Caselli won his fourth Hare & Hound

Caselli got off to a great start

]]> http://smsracing.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/fmfktm%e2%80%99s-kurt-caselli-wins-jericho-hare-hound/feed/ 0 smsracing1 http://smsracing.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/marvin-musquin-returns/ http://smsracing.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/marvin-musquin-returns/#comments Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:51:04 +0000 smsracing1 http://smsracing.wordpress.com/?p=80 ]]> Red Bull/KTM Factory Team rider Marvin Musquin returned to action last Friday when he brought out his KTM 250 SX-F practice bike to Pala Raceway for the first time since injuring his knee at the Bercy Supercross race last November.

“It felt so good to get back on the bike,” commented Musquin who took the past four months off to heal his torn ACL and meniscus following his surgery to repair the torn ligament. “There is no better feeling than riding for me, so I was eager to get back.”

Marvin Musquin Returns

The 2-time MX2 World Champion, moved to the United States late last year in order to prepare for his first season racing U.S. Supercross. In November, he made the decision to return to Europe for one of his favorite events, the Bercy Supercross. While competing he caught his foot in a rut and injured his knee. “I was really disappointed that I did not get to race Supercross this year, but I love the outdoor series and am looking forward to riding the U.S. circuit.”

Since his initial ride on the bike last Friday, Musquin has ridden a few more times and says he is getting more comfortable with each practice session. “My hands were definitely the sorest after my first ride on the bike and I still feel a little weak in my legs. It is going to take a lot of hard work to get ready for my first race but I have a great support system with the Red Bull/KTM team and my personal trainer to help get me up to speed.”

Musquin intends to make his racing return at the U.S. GP at Glen Helen where he easily won both motos last year. Immediately following that race, Musquin will head to Rancho Cordova, California for the opening round of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship Series where he will compete in the 250 class for the Red Bull/KTM Factory Team.

For the latest info on Marvin Musquin please visit his website www.marvin-musquin.com or follow him on twitter @marvinmusquin25.

Rain the night prior had made the course quite muddy as the riders lined the start of the Steele Creek GNCC. Both Mullins and Buttrick got off to a good start coming around the first corner in 2nd and 3rd position respectively. Two spots back was the third member of the team, Kailub Russell. Three-time National Enduro Champion, Russell Bobbitt, garnered a mid-pack start and began his charge toward the top ten.

Early leader, Josh Strang, led the first lap before being passed by Mullins quickly after the first lap mark. Mullins led the next four laps of the race with Strang close behind. Mullins pit quickly on the fourth lap and maintained his lead. On the fifth lap he was passed briefly by Strang. Later that lap, Strang pit for the first time and Mullins was able to get back by. Strang popped out right behind Mullins after the pit and the two riders began a major battle for the remaining two laps. “We were side by side throughout the majority of the race but those final two laps were so close. Anytime one of us made a mistake the other was right there to capitalize on it,” remarked Mullins.

With only a few corners to go, Mullins still had a bike length lead on Strang. As they came around the second to last corner, Mullins had the hot line. Unfortunately, in the final corner Mullins washed the front end just feet from the finish line. Strang rode around Mullins to take the win while Mullins quickly recovered to finish 2nd.

“Charlie definitely had a great ride today and I know he was disappointed in his finish. It is these days that make you stronger for the next race and help you learn how to handle the pressure,” stated Factory FMF/KTM Team Manager Antti Kallonen.

Finishing about a two minutes behind Mullins was his teammate Buttrick who had a strong ride to finish 3rd overall. Kailub Russell, who was as far back as 8th at the beginning of the race, moved his KTM through the pack as the race progressed to finish approximately 20 seconds behind Buttrick. Bobbitt and Nathan Kanney also put their KTM’s into the top ten finishing 8th and 9th overall.

KTM riders also had success in the XC2 class where KTM support rider Brad Bakken finished 2nd while KTM privateer Andrew Delong finished 3rd. Podium regular, Steward Baylor had a mechanical problem and finished 5th.

In the Women’s Pro class, reigning Champion, Maria Forsberg, took her second win of the season. This time the RPM/KTM rider won her race with a five minute lead over the next closest competitor.

Both Red Bull/KTM riders had excellent heat races with both KTM 350 SX-F machines taking the holeshot in their heats. The #800 machine of Mike Alessi was up first in heat number one. He nailed the holeshot and took the early lead. He continued to lead for the first half of the race before he was passed on lap five. “I began to get arm pump on the fifth lap and fell off the pace a little bit,” remarked Alessi. “I was still happy to run up front for the time that I did and to finish 5th overall in the heat.”

Andrew Short followed Alessi’s start strategy and grabbed the holeshot in his heat. He led James Stewart briefly on the first lap before dropping to 2nd position. Short and Reed battled on the next two laps before Reed made the pass and Short settled into 3rd. Once in 3rd, Short hung tight to the spot and finished in that position to take a nice qualifying spot into the main event.

In the main event, Alessi duplicated his heat race start and pulled the holeshot around the first corner. Short was a few spots back in 6th position. On the first lap, Alessi and Davi Millsaps came together and allowed Short to pass into 4th. Short remained in 4th through the first half of the race before Kevin Windham made a pass on the tenth lap. Short was able to ride a consistent race through the remaining laps to finish 5th overall marking his sixth top five finish this season. Meanwhile, Alessi spent the majority of the race in 8th position before closing in on Austin Stroupe with a few laps remaining. With one lap to go, Alessi was all over Stroupe. On the final corner he cut underneath Stroupe and made the pass just in time to cross the finish. That pass moved Alessi up to 7th for the night marking his season best finish.

Team stalwart Johnny Aubert won the overall competition on both days indicating that he is in top form and happy with his new bike, the KTM 350 EXC. Also performing well was Cristobal Guerrero of Spain who this season joins Aubert in the E2 class.

Johnny Aubert in winning form in Sardinia

While the wet and slippery conditions were just right for the Frenchman Aubert, the young Guerrero drew particular praise from team boss Fabio Farioli. “It was a surprise and is very pleasing to see how well Cristobal rode this weekend in these difficult conditions. Coming from Spain he is used to riding on hard, dry and rocky surfaces.”

Another good performer from the factory team was Thomas Oldrati who was third overall on Saturday and won the 250 competition in Sunday. The conditions were good for the young Italian from Bergamo and it was a good weekend for track practice ahead of the world championship season when Oldrati will be joined in the E1 class by Eero Remes of Finland. Remes did not race in Italy this weekend. Young Italian Jonathan Manze of the Farioli Team also won the junior races on both days.

Unseasonal wet weather made riding conditions challenging on both days, delivering what Farioli described as “a real Enduro”. It was wet and slippery over the rocky terrain on Saturday and overnight rain added another dimension on Sunday when the course was bogged down with mud. Riders tackled only three laps on Sunday instead of the four on Saturday and organizers also made a concession to the difficult conditions and removed one of the hardest tests for the second day of competition.

“Conditions on Sunday were much more difficult than Saturday but this weekend our riders put in some solid results and we were very happy with the performance of the bikes,” Farioli said.

David Knight, the current E3 World Champion is training in Spain and the USA and did not compete in Sardinia this weekend. The Enduro Factory riders will have another opportunity to get some track practice next weekend for one race on Sunday in Turin, Italy

Now in the countdown to the start of the official calendar of events team boss Fabio Farioli reports that the pre-season preparation has been excellent and he is looking forward to a positive racing season in 2011.

David Knight looking awesome!

“We are very positive about the 2011 Enduro bikes and our riders can hardly wait to get out on the track and tackle the competition,” he said.

Following on from a successful 2010 season Farioli believes the team has entered a new era with the new generation bikes and the current lineup of riders. After completing intensive pre-season training, including a joint session in Spain at Stefan Everts’ special facility together with the MX riders of the Red Bull Teka KTM Factory Racing Team, the Enduro riders are looking forward to getting some competition practice under their wheels before the official start of the World Championship GP season on April 1-2, 2011.

The factory lineup shows great promise for the 2011 season and will have the first chance to test themselves on the track and against rivals during the Italian National Championships next weekend in two races on the island of Sardinia (March 12-13) and a further race in Turin, Italy on the following weekend. The only rider who will not compete in these events will be David Knight who has been training in Spain and in the USA.

Fabio Farioli: “2010 was good to us. We won one of the top titles and we had all the riders on the podium. Now this year, like every year, we start with the aim of winning all the titles. I am very hopeful about our prospects and this includes our two young riders, Thomas Oldrati and Cristobal Guerrero who both have the potential to be on the podium.”

Eero Remes of Finland and Italian Thomas Oldrati are contesting the E1 class on the 250 EXC, Johnny Aubert of France and Cristobal Guerrero of Spain will ride in the E2 class on the revolutionary new 350 EXC-F bike while David Knight will contest the E3 class on the KTM 500 cc 4-stroke. He will be joined in this class for the first three events in Spain, Portugal and France by KTM’s extreme Endurist Taddy Blazusiak of Poland who will ride the 300cc 2-stroke machine.

Taddy Blazusiak, the style master!

The team also has a lineup of riders skilled on many surfaces and terrains. David Knight excels on very rough and difficult terrain, Johnny Aubert is a great specialist on grass and slippery surfaces, Eero Remes likes sandy surfaces and is incredibly fast in the MX tests. Cristobal Guerrero shines on extremely hard surfaces like those in his native Spain and Thomas Oldrati is most at home in the typical extreme tests that are characteristic of the terrain around his hometown of Bergamo in the very heartland of Enduro in Italy. And as followers of the sport already know, Taddy Blazusiak is fearless on virtually any terrain.

Both riders and team manager are also enthusiastic about the new generation of bikes. “We’ve made a real step into the future,” Farioli said. “I can say that we have already reached the next level!”

Farioli also said that the 2011 WEC World Championship calendar offered a great range of terrain. The season starts on the Iberian Peninsula with rounds in Spain and Portugal then heads south to Italy, turkey and Greece. The calendar continues for two new events in Romania and Andorra before heading for the finale in France.

Rain leading up to the race created a muddy race course for the riders as they headed to the first practice session. Short shined in the first practice turning the 4th fastest time in his session. At the end of the second session Short remained in the top ten fastest times qualifying 9th overall while Alessi qualified 17th.

Both Red Bull/KTM riders earned a gate spot in the second heat. Alessi got a great jump off the start rounding the first corner in 2nd position while Short wasn’t as fortunate and came around in 7th. Alessi made a few mistakes on the first lap and dropped to 5th. He then began to battle with his teammate for that position as Short fought his way forward. When the checkered flag flew, Short crossed the line in 5th while Alessi qualified 7th.

KTM fans everywhere were on their feet at the start of the Supercross main event as both Short and Alessi came around the first corner in 2nd and 3rd respectively. It was Reed and Short who competed for the holeshot while Alessi cut inside at the end to put two KTM’s into the top three. A few laps into the race Short was sitting 3rd while Alessi had dropped to 6th. Short worked hard to maintain his pace out front while trying to hold off both James Stewart and reigning Champion Ryan Dungey. Unfortunately, both were able to move around Short and by the fifth lap he was 5th with his teammate directly behind him.

The Red Bull/KTM riders did not separate too far away from each other after that. Short and Alessi ran 5th and 6th for the majority of the race. Around the thirteenth lap Alessi began to get heavy pressure from Davi Millsaps. Alessi fought hard to protect his lines and try to keep Millsaps at bay for a good six laps. With three laps to go Millsaps was able to move around Alessi and took over 6th place. Alessi then found himself in a battle with Ryan Villopoto and Brett Metcalfe who had both been trailing Millsaps earlier in the race. Alessi, Villopoto and Metcalfe battled the entire last lap. With three corners to go, Alessi made a mistake in a corner and allowed Villopoto to get by. As he tried to protect his line in the next corner he made another mistake and lost his rhythm losing the next spot to Metcalfe. When Alessi crossed the finish he was 9th overall, marking his best finish so far this season.

“I am bummed that I wasn’t able to hang on to my 6th place position which I maintained through most of the race, but I feel really good about my performance today. This is the first race where I kept my pace through all twenty laps and by doing so I was able to better my best finish. I’m pumped to finish inside the top ten with Short for another weekend,” remarked Alessi after the race.

Short went on to finish the night in 6th overall after a last lap battle with Millsaps. “I don’t consider myself a decent mud rider so I was a little worried about this race. This track was also pretty tricky and there were a few sections that I struggled with tonight. Overall, I am glad to be in the top ten but I really would have liked to finish in the top five,” stated Short.

Both riders will now head to Atlanta for the next round of the AMA Supercross Series next Saturday night.