The Women’s Motocross Association released the 2005 AMA/WMA National Motocross Championship schedule today. The Championship will commence at Glen Helen Raceway’s Pro National warm-up race “The Prequel”, and will conclude at the Steel City Raceway National with the traditional final moto on Sunday prior to the AMA Pro Motocross Championship races. Highlights include WMA pro racing at four of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship events.

2005 AMA/WMA National Motocross Championship:
Rd 1 May 14-15 Glen Helen Raceway, San Bernardino, CA
Rd 2 May 21-22 Hangtown Classic, Sacramento, CA
Rd 3 July 23-24 Thunder Valley Motocross Park, Lakewood, CO
Rd 4 July 30-31 Washougal Motocross Park, Washougal, WA
Rd 5 Sept. 3-4 Steel City Raceway, Delmont, PA

In 2004 WMA Nationals were featured regularly in the GKA shows that air on Fuel TV. The WMA also had several segments on Two Wheel Tuesday which airs on the Speed Channel, and racing highlights from the Hangtown Classic were included in the 125cc AMA Motocross coverage for Espn2.

In addition, the WMA will have three WMA Cup Warm-Up races (May-August), promote two inaugural women’s classes at the Areanacross Finals at the US Open in Las Vegas (October), and host the 3rd Annual Z1R Helmets WMA Cup at the Cycle Ranch MX Park, Floresville, Texas in November.

For more information visit www.womensmxassociation.com

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (March 28, 2005) — Yamaha‚Äôs Chad Reed heads into the upcoming Dallas Supercross hoping to become the first rider in series history to win the Texas Stadium event three straight times. The race, held in Irving, Texas, on April 2, is round 12 of the 16-race THQ AMA Supercross Series.

Reed is on a two-race winning streak coming into this Saturday’s race and he hopes to keep his momentum going. In 2003 Reed went on a six-race romp and pushed Ricky Carmichael all the way to the final race in the series championship chase. Reed is coming off what he described as one of the strangest victories of his career two weeks ago in Orlando.

“To win and barely break a sweat was weird,” said Reed who rode to his third win of the year in Orlando. “I got a bit fortunate with the mistakes made by the other riders. Every point counts in trying to catch Ricky. I believe I still have a shot at the title. We still have a lot of racing to do and anything can happen.”

Reed took the victory in Orlando after Kawasaki’s James Stewart and Suzuki’s Ricky Carmichael both crashed while leading. The win moved Reed past the legendary Jeff Ward to fifth on the all-time AMA Supercross wins list with 21-career victories.

Carmichael still holds a 29-point lead in the series with five rounds remaining, but he’s not happy with losing two straight.

“My crash in Orlando was a crazy mistake that I just can not do,” said the three-time AMA Supercross champ. “I’ve been frustrated the last couple of races, but I just have to come back and keep it on two wheels. It seems that Chad comes on strong in the second half of the season and I’ve got to step up and stop his momentum. People tell me I can win the championship by settling for second, but I don’t want to just lay down. It’s a bad habit to get into. I’m here to win and I know I can do it.”

Carmichael will attempt to give Suzuki a first at Texas Stadium. He could become the only Suzuki rider to ever earn victory in the Dallas Supercross, which began in 1975.

The race is a rematch of sorts between Carmichael and Reed. The two had perhaps the best AMA Supercross race of the 2003 season at Texas Stadium. The riders swapped for the lead close to a dozen times during the 20-lap final. Reed finally opened up a small gap in the latter stages of the race.

Stepping into the mix is Kawasaki’s young gun James Stewart. Stewart comes to Texas Stadium with the confidence that he can run, and even better the pace of Reed and Carmichael. He beat Carmichael in a qualifying race in Orlando and built a good lead in the final before crashing.

“Overall, I’m happy coming out of Orlando healthy,” said Stewart who returned to the circuit since breaking his arm in January. “I’m just trying to get some racing under my belt. I’m going into Dallas with confidence. My arm feels 100 percent. Hopefully in Dallas, Chad, Ricky and I can battle together the entire race.”

The AMA 125 East Supercross race enters the second-to-last round in Texas Stadium. In one of the most hotly contested championships in the history of the series Monster Energy Drink/Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Grant Langston is tied with Red Bull KTM’s Josh Hansen atop the standings. Makita Suzuki’s Davi Millsaps won the last round in Orlando and moved to within seven points of the leading duo.

“The championship is going down to the final race,” said Hansen, son of 1982 AMA Supercross champ Donnie Hansen. “With just two races to go everything is on the line and it should make for really good racing.”

Langston agrees and adds that there’s very little room for strategy now. “It’s gotten to the point that it’s very simple. You have to win.”

Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, all participating Yamaha dealers, at the Texas Stadium Box Office, or charge by phone at 214-373-8000 or 972-647-5700. Texas Stadium also features a special Family Section. When ordering tickets through Ticketmaster, request Family Section for an alcohol-free family atmosphere.

The Dallas Supercross will air nationally on ESPN2 on Sunday, April 3 starting at 12:30 p.m. EST.

Last year’s Enduro Teams KTM Farioli and KTM Racing are now united into one. The new multinational KTM Factory Enduro Team consists of the experienced aces Petteri Silvan, Samuli Aro and Ivan Cervantes, as well as Alessandro Botturi and David Knight and the newcomersAlessandro Belometti and Marko Tarkkala. World champion JuhaSalminen left the team, he moved to the US and races successfully in the Cross Country Championship (GNCC) series.

Team managers will be Fabio Farioli and Kari Tiainen, two hard-boiled Enduro and rally pros, who have won about a dozen WorldChamptionship titles.The targets for this season are set already: Go for titles at theChampionship!

The Bosses speaking: Fabio Farioli and Kari Tiainen

It was a surprise to many that Ivan Cervantes went from E3 to E1, what was the reasoning and how is he getting on?

Fabio Farioli: KTM has a new winning bike, Ivan likes it very much and his riding style is perfect for a small 4-stroke 250 EXC-F. This year there will be the best conditions to lead the Championship. But don’t forget Alessandro Belometti with the 125 EXC …

What is the effect of Juha Salminen’s move to the USA on the KTM Enduro Racing Team?

Kari Tiainen: After 7 years working together it’s a bit strange to prepair for the season without Juha, but the team is fully motivated as ever. With
Marko Tarkkala we got a young talented rider who for sure wants to prove that he deserves his place in the number one team.

David Knight was the top privateer rider in 2004 with a great 2nd place in E3, do you expect that he will have advantages on the full factory team in
2005?

Fabio Farioli: Knight is the man, he will get all the advantages of a fully supported factory rider and he has good relations with all the team members. The strongest man for the best results!

How do you think that the 250 EXC-F will work compared to the 125 EXC 2-strokes that your riders raced in E2 last season?

Kari Tiainen: I‘m very confident about the E1 class, a new great bike pushes the riders motivation to a higher level.

GNCC-style events are becoming more and more popular, are the KTM Enduro factory riders also contesting these types of events?

Fabio Farioli: All our riders are involved in these competitions, this year they are already leading the Italian (Belometti and Botturi), Spanish
(Cervantes) and British (Knight) GNCC Championships. These events are also attractive for amateur riders like me …

How is Samuli Aro adapting to riding the smaller capacity bike after winning the world title in E3?

Kari Tiainen: Samuli simply is a great talent and it‘s the same with the bike he rides. Our 450 EXC is very competitive like we saw last season and
it‚Äòs so close to his old 525 … I don‚Äòt see any trouble with Samuli‚Äôs change to the 450 EXC.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (March 17, 2005) — AMA Pro Racing and Clear Channel Motorsports have announced that Friday practice for this weekend‚Äôs round of the THQ AMA Supercross Series in Orlando has been cancelled due to inclement weather.
Steady rains have prevented crews from being able to load-in the dirt at the Citrus Bowl resulting in a delay in track construction.

While Saturday’s schedule, including practice and qualifying heats, is expected to run as planned, severe weather could impact the event schedule further. Additional information will be issued if necessary.

Kenneth Gundersen continues steady recovery plans but may miss Zolder and
Marc de Reuver has undergone surgery. Team photos now available.

Photographs, including portraits, action and team shots are now available of
the MX1, MX2 and MX3 KTM factory teams. The high resolution images can be
downloaded for media use and are found at: www.ktmimages.com

Kenneth Gundersen is well ahead of schedule in his recovery from a cartilage
operation however it is unlikely that the factory MX1 rider will make the
gate for the first Grand Prix of the season at Zolder on April 2nd-3rd.
The Norwegian is currently at home but will visit a specialist in Sweden
next Tuesday for a check-up on his knee; a full two weeks earlier than was
originally planned. The 23 year old has been training hard and starting to
ride cautiously over the last fortnight. If the initial examination is
satisfactory then Gundersen will continue to work for another two weeks
before returning to Sweden where he will remain for several days undergoing
more comprehensive tests on the strength and durability of the knee. Once
through this phase the super-fit rider should then have a green light to get
up to full GP speed.
“We are happy for Kenneth because everything seems to be progressing nicely
and he is feeling more confident,” stated Team Manager Toby Gustafson. “His
leg muscles have returned to normal and he can fit his knee braces properly
again. We hope that the next few weeks will continue in the same way. I am
doubtful if he will be able to ride at Zolder but a return with the first
three GPs is a certainty.”

Marc de Reuver has had surgery on the three ligaments broken in his right
knee. The operation was performed last Wednesday and the 21 year old now
embarks on the slow, lengthy road of recovery and rehab. The Dutchman is now
certain to miss the majority of the 2005 FIM World Championships but is
optimistically eying a return to action for round sixteen, his home GP at
Lierop in September.

“Everything went OK last Wednesday,” he commented. “When I had the MRI scan
the injury was worse then they had originally expected. The three ligaments
were broken and I needed a total reconstruction. I am wearing a brace now
and have to walk with crutches; it swells up easily. I have to be really
careful in the first few weeks not to make any more damage. There is limited
movement with the knee and I know that I will have lots of rehabilitation
work, like cycling, ahead. It is going to be at least four months before I
can go near a bike so it will be six months before I can think about GPs. I
plan on being at Zolder to watch on the Saturday. I am already excited about
making a comeback at Lierop and I want to be really strong.”

Kenneth Gundersen continues steady recovery plans but may miss Zolder and
Marc de Reuver has undergone surgery. Team photos now available.

Photographs, including portraits, action and team shots are now available of
the MX1, MX2 and MX3 KTM factory teams. The high resolution images can be
downloaded for media use and are found at: www.ktmimages.com

Kenneth Gundersen is well ahead of schedule in his recovery from a cartilage
operation however it is unlikely that the factory MX1 rider will make the
gate for the first Grand Prix of the season at Zolder on April 2nd-3rd.
The Norwegian is currently at home but will visit a specialist in Sweden
next Tuesday for a check-up on his knee; a full two weeks earlier than was
originally planned. The 23 year old has been training hard and starting to
ride cautiously over the last fortnight. If the initial examination is
satisfactory then Gundersen will continue to work for another two weeks
before returning to Sweden where he will remain for several days undergoing
more comprehensive tests on the strength and durability of the knee. Once
through this phase the super-fit rider should then have a green light to get
up to full GP speed.
“We are happy for Kenneth because everything seems to be progressing nicely
and he is feeling more confident,” stated Team Manager Toby Gustafson. “His
leg muscles have returned to normal and he can fit his knee braces properly
again. We hope that the next few weeks will continue in the same way. I am
doubtful if he will be able to ride at Zolder but a return with the first
three GPs is a certainty.”

Marc de Reuver has had surgery on the three ligaments broken in his right
knee. The operation was performed last Wednesday and the 21 year old now
embarks on the slow, lengthy road of recovery and rehab. The Dutchman is now
certain to miss the majority of the 2005 FIM World Championships but is
optimistically eying a return to action for round sixteen, his home GP at
Lierop in September.

“Everything went OK last Wednesday,” he commented. “When I had the MRI scan
the injury was worse then they had originally expected. The three ligaments
were broken and I needed a total reconstruction. I am wearing a brace now
and have to walk with crutches; it swells up easily. I have to be really
careful in the first few weeks not to make any more damage. There is limited
movement with the knee and I know that I will have lots of rehabilitation
work, like cycling, ahead. It is going to be at least four months before I
can go near a bike so it will be six months before I can think about GPs. I
plan on being at Zolder to watch on the Saturday. I am already excited about
making a comeback at Lierop and I want to be really strong.”

In early 2005, Moto XXX co-founder Erik Sandin developed a plan to start the team’s first mini cycle racing effort. Along with some fellow racers and close friends, he started talking to potential sponsors and outlining what would become the most organized mini racing effort to date. Still in its infancy, the team has already had startling success both on the track and in securing sponsorship. In the Podium Productions Aftermath Series, an 8-round championship that paralleled the first west coast Supercross rounds, team riders captured two titles. Upcoming events include this year’s Mini Moto SX in Las Vegas along with many others. Officially dubbed Moto XXX/A-Ride MX, the team is proud to announce its inception and introduce the riders.

Team Riders:

Oscar Valdez (Pro):
1st overall: 2005 Aftermath Series, 110cc Pro Unlimited class

Jayson Abbott (Pro):
Former Loretta Lynn’s AMA Amateur National Champion
Former GNC, GFI and CMC motocross champion
2004 Mini Moto Magazine Test Rider/Tech
Current Cycle News Test Rider
1st overall: Oakley MX Holiday Jam
12th overall: 2004 Mini Moto SX, Midsize Pro class
5th overall: 2005 Phoenix Mini Supermoto, Open Pro class

Mike Spasbo (Am):
1st overall: 2005 Aftermath Series, 50cc Unlimited class
1st overall: Holiday Series, 50cc Unlimited class
1st overall: Arco Arena National Super Mini Motard

Robert Barr (Am):
2nd place: Early finish in 2005 Aftermath Series, 110cc Open class
2nd place: Early finish in 2005 Aftermath Series, 110cc Mod class
Returning from injury to race local events and 2005 Mini Moto SX in Las Vegas

Erik Sandin (Am): Team Manager/Rider
3rd overall: 2005 Suzuki Celebrity Crossover Challenge at San Francisco Supercross
5th overall: 2005 Phoenix Mini Supermoto
Many local podium finishes

Moto XXX/A-Ride is supported by: TCS, Two Brothers, N-style, Marzocchi, Utopia Optics, Billetwear, Oneal, Tag Metals, Dunlop, Spaz Out Ink, Wheelspin, Podium
Productions.

After having nary a healthy rider for the ’04 Daytona Supercross, Team Honda/Moto XXX was happy to enter the toughest race of the 2005 series with a pair of healthy racers. Kyle Lewis was still doing some recovering from a huge crash in Indianapolis, but was looking forward to the grueling, outdoor style track in Daytona. After a departure from the 125 East series top ten in St. Louis, Justin Buckelew was looking forward to getting back where he belongs in the super speedway’s infield.

Up against a laundry list of factory riders, Buckelew took to the rough Daytona track aboard his trusty CRF250R. After qualifying safely from his heat race, he had a decent gate pick and was eager to test himself for 15 laps. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the start he was looking for and came out of the first turn in 16th place. “Bucky” rode with confidence, though, and methodically worked his way up in the standings. He took the checkered flag in 10th place. The come-from-behind effort served to boos his confidence, as well as his ranking in the series, which is now 11th.

Kyle Lewis has had one of those seasons that could easily have him looking forward to the outdoor Nationals already. A series of crashes, mistakes and plain bad luck has challenged the privateer icon since the very first gate dropped, but in true journeyman fashion, he approached Daytona with the same work ethic and confidence that he does every race. Once again, he found trouble on the track in qualifiers, but got himself in nonetheless. In the main event, his hard work was rewarded with a season-best finish of 12th. Naturally, “Lucky” was pleased with the progress and plans on using the result as a springboard to even better ones in the remaining rounds.

As for the team itself, the West Coast Customs-decorated big rig and all of the mechanics decided to stay in Florida for the week leading up to the Orlando race. They’ve been able to do all the maintenance, engine work and bike prep on the road that they’d normally do back at the race shop. Team Manager, Allan Brown says that if they get it all done early enough, he might let the crew visit Mickey and Goofy before this weekend’s race.

THQ AMA Supercross Series returns to Citrus Bowl

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (March 15, 2005) — The THQ AMA Supercross Series returns to Orlando‚Äôs Citrus Bowl on Saturday, March 19, for round 11 of the 16-race series. It marks the first AMA Supercross race in the stadium since 1997. Highlighting the return to Orlando is the return to competition of local hero James ‚ÄúBubba‚Äù Stewart from nearby Haines City, Fla.

Stewart, the all-time winningest rider in AMA 125 Supercross history, crashed at the second round of the series in Phoenix in January and broke his arm. The Kawasaki ace has been preparing for several weeks and racing fans across the country are abuzz about seeing the 19-year-old racing phenom back in action.

The final six rounds of the series promise to be attention grabbing. In addition to Stewart’s return Yamaha’s Chad Reed earned a well-deserved victory at Daytona International Speedway last weekend over series leader and four-time Daytona Supercross winner Ricky Carmichael. Reed led from start to finish and Carmichael crashed chasing him.

In spite of the crash Carmichael remounted his Makita Suzuki and finished second to preserve a 32-point lead in the series standings. Carmichael said his loss at Daytona meant the hard working rider would train even harder to maintain his series lead and to earn his fourth AMA Supercross title.
“It’s not easy to win these days with so many competitive riders in the series,” said Carmichael, who won the AMA 125 East Supercross race in Orlando eight years ago as a rookie. “I’ll go back and step up my program and concentrate on being the best rider I can be in order to win this championship.”

Indiana’s Mike LaRocco is the only past winner of the Orlando Supercross slated to start Saturday. The rider known to race fans as “The Rock” won Orlando in 1992 and 1993 and is still going strong in the series at 34. He’s coming off a third-place finish last weekend in Daytona Beach and is in a heated battle with Amsoil Chaparral Honda teammate Kevin Windham for third in the series standings.

The AMA 125 East Series went completely topsy-turvy last weekend in Daytona. Three of the top series riders, Grant Langston, Davi Millsaps and Matt Walker, suffered crashes and lost ground in the series chase. The big winner at Daytona was Red Bull KTM rider Josh Hansen. Hansen, son of 1982 AMA Supercross champ Donnie Hansen, earned the win and the series lead. Langston, of Team Monster/Pro Circuit Kawasaki is still solidly in the series, just two-points behind Hansen.

Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, all participating Yamaha dealers, at the TD Waterhouse Centre Box Office, or charge by phone at 407-839-3900. The Citrus Bowl also features a special Family Section. When ordering tickets through Ticketmaster, request Family Section for an alcohol-free family atmosphere.

Both the 125 East and main AMA Supercross final from Orlando will be nationally televised on Sunday, March 27 on ESPN2 starting at Noon EST.

KTM factory rider Isidre Esteve has won the Patagonia rally this weekend. Esteve lead home fellow KTM riders Marc Coma and Carlo De Gavardo.

After day five of the first round of the Rally Worldcup 2005, the new course of the Por las Pampas/Patagonia-Atacama rally ended uccessfully in San Pedro de Atacama/Chile.

The overall victory took spanish KTM factory supported rider Isidre Esteve, beating team mate Marc Coma after 17h43min timed special tests by only 3 seconds.

Local hero from Chile, Acerbis gear rider Carlo de Gavardo, took 3rd position on the podium. He finished only seven minutes behind the winner
despite he was racing with a KTM 450 cc rally engine, competing with the over 700 cc bikes of his team mates.

The very technical and difficult track, which took the riders from Bariloche, south Patagonia up to the Atacama desert, the most arid zone of the world, was timed on 1.486 hard special test kilometres.

Spanish Nani Roma finished 4th with his Mitsubishi in the car category. Prominent race support: Franco Acerbis, big supporter of cross country rallies and friend of the de Gavardo family, followed the rally himself together with Carlo’s father in the Acerbis assistance car, to support the most successful South American offroad pilot.

Overall Classification:
1) Isidre Esteve (KTM) - 17h43min55
2) Marc Coma (KTM) - a 3 segundos
3) Carlo De Gavardo (KTM) - a 7min12
4) Francisco Lopez (Honda) - a 1h48min14
5) Jacek Czachor (KTM) - a 2h14min04

(Source: www.mxlarge.com)