Archive for May, 2010
Glen Helen Raceway in Southern California played host the FIM World Championship USGP this Memorial Day weekend. The race was full of action and exciting racing. Last week’s AMA winner Mike Alessi was in the field that featured top riders from around the world.
Mike Alessi and fellow KTM 350 rider Antonio Cairoli battled for the top spot. Two KTM riders at the top of the podium shows the top of the line engineering present in the 350. A third rider wearing KTM sponsored motocross apparel on a 350 was only able to score an 11th place showing.
The weekend saw only Mike Alessi and Ben Townley represent the AMA in a race that was filled by primarily European riders.
Rally Car Racing and Freestyle Motocross have many things in common. The World Record for a distance jump has
been broken on New Years Day for both vehicles in Red Bull Sponsored events. Travis Pastrana broke the Rally Car Record in 2010, Robbie Maddison broke the World Record in 2008 on a dirt bike. Travis Pastrana has won championships in both Rally and Motocross. Feature events of the X Games include Rally and Motocross events.
The personality type that competes in Rally is very similar to Freestyle Motocross. You have to be at least half crazy to try to jump any wheeled vehicle more than 200 feet. If you disagree on the commonalities, well I know one has a roof one doesn’t. One has 4 wheels the other has 2. One requires motocross boots and the other fire retardant shoes. But… both sports are unpredictable, both sports require skills and bravery that few have. That’s why fans go crazy over these action sports athletes.
From the first time you give your child a kids motocross jersey, you as a parent day dream about that Moment. The Moment in which your child becomes the best rider he could be. That moment can be a number of different events from the first major championship to the time when your child gets a sponsored ride.
At that point you know all the effort put forward was worth it. You gave your child the opportunity to live a successful life. Before the Moment comes, you may feel like the hours you spend fixing bikes, buying parts, and talking race strategy are wasted. Just like any real vision in life, when you feel like you can’t make the sacrifice anymore, and you hold on just a little bit longer. Your reward is just around the bend.
If you have a competitive, young rider in your home there is a bike that you may want in your garage. Cobra motorcycles has developed a line up of top of the line kid’s bikes. With engine sizes of 50, 65, and 70 there is a bike for every young rider.
Kids motocross gear is essential for a young rider’s safety. The Cobra motorcyle is essential for a young rider’s success. Next time you are at a motocross, take a look at the winning bike in the 50cc class. Chances are its a Cobra.
The world’s best motocross riders will converge on California’s Glen Helen Raceway this weekend to welcome the FIM motocross riders. The USGP of motocross is a 15 round motocross series that holds events all across Europe, North America, and South America. The FIM sanctioned motocross series claims to have the best riders in the world. All the best bikes and best dirt bike gear will be in Southern California this weekend.
Mike Alessi and his KTM 350SX will compete in the 450 class this weekend along with his other KTM Red Bull teammates. There maybe other American riders on hand as June 28th is an off weekend for the AMA Motocross series. Glen Helen Raceway will have the most talented motocross riders in the world in one event.
The people at Red Bull have played a big part in the success in many action sports athletes over the last ten years. Without Red Bull there would be less action sports athletes that could focus on what they’re great at. Not every company is willing to pay large sums of money to put their logo on a motocross helmet, or a snowboard and help create a culture of extreme sports.
I would like to personally thank Red Bull for supporting race teams and recognizing talented young athletes all over the world. Including Red Bull F1, Red Bull NASCAR teams, Red Bull Stunt Helicopter, and Honda Red Bull Racing. Thanks for bringing athletes like Travis Pastrana, Scott Speed, and Robbie Maddison to the top of their sport. Red Bull is not just a sponsor, its a lifestyle by design.
BMX bike riding and motocross have common threads. First off, the versatility of the 2 bikes are obvious. Riding a BMX on dirt or pavement is possible with only minor adjustments. Dirt bikes are similar and can be used for motocross or supermoto. Next, the race courses are similar. Motocross races consist of more laps around a dirt track than a BMX race. However, the obstacles are nearly the same. Some dirt bike gear is used by BMX riders for added safety.
Finally the big air. BMX bikes and their riders can do big air tricks that would not be possible on other bicycles. Same goes for motocross bikes. Big air is only possible on a dirt bike. Can a BMX racer easily transfer to motocross?
It is clear that there is a new player after this weekend’s Hangtown Motocross. The KTM 350SX and Mike Alessi rode to victory in the second moto this weekend. The new bike has been in development for a while. The 350 is fuel injected and push button start. Honda and Yamaha will need to take note of this KTM.
The KTM also has a trick linkage suspension that is different from other motocross bikes. KTM has been building unique bikes for years. Bikes like the KTM 550 2 stroke from years ago were out of the box for their time. This bike is no different. 2010 maybe a good time to have the KTM logo across the front of your motocross jersey. Mike Alessi’s win maybe the first of many for the Australian manufacturer this summer.
This weekend The Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship began. It was Chad Reed back in top form who took top honors for the weekend and the points lead. Chad won the first moto and finished third in the second moto. Mike Alessi won the second moto starting the season with second place points.
The Hangtown Outdoor motocross near Sacramento was the opener to the summer season. Motocross fans will have much to talk about this season with the likes of Chad Reed and Ryan Dungey on the track. The excitement may urge you to dust off the old motocross helmet and take a ride of your own.
For many racers, Saturday morning is the start of the longest day of the week. Getting up early, and staying up late. Some racers have to travel great distance to do what they love. All the hours on the road become worth it when the winner’s trophy rides in the passenger seat on the way home.
Packing for a race day includes bringing enough food, shade, motocross gear, spare parts, and the family. At the end of the day win or lose, it is the experience of a race day and the people that represent it that keeps us coming back.