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Dakar Rally: KTM’s Kevin Benavides Wins Final Stage And Overall (Updated)

David Swarts
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Dakar Rally: KTM’s Kevin Benavides Wins Final Stage And Overall (Updated)

KEVIN BENAVIDES AND KTM WIN THE 2023 DAKAR RALLY

Dakar Rally 2023 – Stage 14

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Kevin Benavides has won the 2023 Dakar Rally! At the end of what has been a hugely successful race for the team, Benavides led home a KTM one-two with Toby Price securing second place, just 44 seconds behind his teammate. The result marks KTM’s 19th victory at the iconic rally-raid event.

Taking the win on the 13th and penultimate stage yesterday, Kevin Benavides closed down the gap to provisional rally leader Toby Price to just 12 seconds. And with the start order reversed for the final day of racing from Al Hofuf to Dammam, the two KTM 450 RALLY racers would set off right from the back – Benavides leaving three minutes ahead of his teammate.

Although the final timed special had been regarded as a relatively simple sprint to the finish, the 136 kilometers of gravel tracks, sand, and dry lake beds threw up a considerable challenge to all riders. However, it was Benavides who piled on the speed and mastered the terrain to take his second consecutive stage win of the event, and more importantly, the overall rally victory.

Kevin’s journey through the 14-stage race has been one of outstanding consistency. Even though the Argentinian didn’t pick up one single second in bonus time for opening any stages, he finished inside the top 10 every day for the whole two weeks of racing. It was this skillful and calculated approach to the event that earned him his second career Dakar Rally victory.

The result makes it two Dakar titles for Benavides – 2021 and 2023 – and marks KTM’s 19th win at the Dakar.

Kevin Benavides: “It’s been an amazing day! I just focused on every kilometer from the first to the last. I didn’t think about the position or the result I just gave my 100 percent over the whole stage and tried to enjoy the day. The special was really fast and tricky, and so muddy – thankfully I didn’t make any big mistakes, but it would have been easy to have an issue out there today. I have worked so hard for this. This year’s rally has been one of the closest ever and there wasn’t a single day where you could afford to ease off. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my team, and all my family and friends. It’s going to take a little while to sink in, I can’t describe this feeling right now.”

Leading the standings going into the 14th and final stage of the race by just 12 seconds, Toby Price was the last rider to enter the special. Aiming to chase down Benavides who had set off three minutes ahead of him, Toby got his head down and gave his all right from the start. A couple of issues early in the stage cost the Aussie the valuable seconds he needed to stay in front, and despite clawing back close to one minute on the latter half of the special, it wasn’t quite enough to overhaul the flying Benavides.

Toby has produced an incredible performance over the course of the two-week race. Securing no fewer than 10 top-five stage results, and a win on the event’s opening prologue, the two-time Dakar champion was undoubtedly the man to beat throughout the rally. Missing out by less than one minute after more than 44 hours of racing is of course frustrating, but knowing he gave his absolute all every single day, Toby is happy with how he rode and with the hard-fought runner-up result he’s secured at the world’s toughest rally-raid.

Toby Price: “So, so close. Yeah, a great job from Kevin, he did really well today. I knew it was going to be tight, and of course I pushed right from the start all through the stage. I just missed three waypoints by virtually meters, and it dropped me back. Obviously, the goal is to win, and it’s frustrating to miss out by such a narrow margin. But I’m fit, healthy, and I’m going home with a trophy, so that’s the most important thing. I’m ready for another one next year.”

After a heavy crash on stage two where he injured his wrist, Matthias Walkner demonstrated his grit and drive by continuing with the rally. As his condition improved, the Austrian was able to deliver stronger and stronger stage results as the race went on. At the close of stage 12, Matthias had moved back up to a highly commendable ninth overall. Unfortunately, disaster struck on the penultimate stage 13 of the event where a heavy crash off the top of a dune left Walkner with considerable back pain. Thankfully, after being airlifted to hospital for further checks, the 2018 Dakar winner was found to not have broken any bones or suffered any serious injury. We wish Matthias all the best for a speedy recovery.

Norbert Stadlbauer – Rally Team Manager: “It’s been an incredible Dakar – one of the toughest in history and definitely the closest! It’s been such a close battle inside the Red Bull KTM team with Toby and Kevin separated by just 12 seconds going into the final day today. Thankfully, the performances of both riders gave KTM a one-two in the race, with Kevin earning his second win and the 19th for KTM. Of course, you can’t have two winners, but Toby claiming second place is still an incredible achievement and down to the hard work he has put in over the two weeks. The team have also done an amazing job, not just at the event, but also over the whole of the past year building up to this race. Now it’s time to celebrate before we look ahead to the next race in the season.”

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “Beside the riders, I’m maybe the happiest man on the planet right now. It’s amazing after this long journey and this tough race, to have only 12 seconds separating the two guys coming into this final day. And then for them to push so hard over the stage and reach the finish line safely and in first and second is incredible. After around 5,000 kilometers and over 40 hours of racing, to have them so close is unheard of, and the whole team did an amazing job to get them here in this position. What it came down to was basically a motocross race for 130 kilometers. Both riders did an amazing job, and even though you can only have one winner, I’m hugely proud of them both, as the pressure was really on today. KTM now have 19 wins at the toughest offroad race in the world, but we won’t stop there. We’re already looking forward to this season and then the 2024 Dakar next year.”

Provisional Results – 2023 Dakar Rally, Stage 14

1. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 1:15:17

2. Daniel Sanders (AUS), GASGAS, 1:15:52 +0:35

3. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 1:16:12 +0:55

4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL), Honda, 1:18:32 +3:15

5. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 1:19:02 +3:45

 

Provisional Standings – 2023 Dakar Rally (after 14 of 14 stages)

1. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 44:27:20

2. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 44:28:03 +0:43

3. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 44:32:24 +5:04

4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 44:46:22 +19:02

5. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 44:47:50 +20:30

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Husqvarna Factory Racing:

SKYLER HOWES CLAIMS 2023 DAKAR RALLY PODIUM

HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING FR 450 RALLY RIDER PLACES THIRD AT WORLD’S TOUGHEST RALLY-RAID

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Skyler Howes has battled through 14 stages of intense racing to finish the 2023 Dakar Rally in an excellent third place. In what has been a career-best ride for the American, Skyler led the race for a total of six stages and stayed in the hunt for victory right through to the very final timed special.

Coming into today’s 14th and final stage, Howes trailed the leader by just one minute and 31 seconds – an incredibly narrow margin after well over 43 hours of racing. As the third-to-last competitor to set off into the special, Skyler had a comfortable advantage over the fourth-placed rider and knew, with the two front runners fighting it out behind him, a smooth, calculated ride to the finish was all that was needed to secure his podium result.

Completing the final stage as fifth fastest, Howes was overjoyed with his overall result of third place on what is his fifth Dakar Rally appearance. In just a few years, the 30-year-old has gone from promising privateer to top-three Dakar racer. His podium at this year’s event added to his excellent 2022 season results bode well for Howes as he now looks ahead to the rest of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship season.

With three stage wins at this year’s event – the most of any rider at this year’s race – Luciano Benavides enjoyed a highly positive, and highly rewarding time at the Dakar. By combining his skill in opening specials with precise navigation and the ability to ride largely error-free throughout the 14-day event, the Argentine was rewarded with sixth overall to equal his career-best result from 2020.

Skyler Howes: “I am so happy! It’s been an incredible race with highs and lows, and it’s come right down to the wire on this final day. I knew the guys behind me would be pushing so hard today, and to go into this final day less than two minutes behind after well over 40 hours of racing is incredible. I arrived at the finish safely, and it feels like a dream come true and such an honour to share it with two legends like Toby (Price) and Kevin (Benavides). Everyone knows what you have to go through to get to this point, and after all that hard work, it makes this moment feel so sweet. Of course I want to come back and see what the other two steps of the podium feel like. But to now be one of five Americans to reach the podium at Dakar, it feels amazing.”

Luciano Benavides: “I’m really, really happy to reach the finish line. It’s been a crazy, tough, and incredibly rewarding Dakar and I’m just over the moon to be here safely after what has to be one of the best races of my life. Thanks to my team for all their hard work, and it’s because of them we finished the race really strongly. I came into this year’s rally without a Dakar stage win, and now I have three. It’s really given me motivation for the future and I’m looking forward to the season ahead even more now.”

Norbert Stadlbauer – Rally Team Manager: “It’s been an incredible Dakar Rally for Husqvarna Factory Racing, especially as the event will go down in history as one of the toughest and certainly one of the closest in history. Skyler has done an amazing job, mastering the rough terrain of the first week to lead the race for several days. He has worked so hard to get to this point and his podium finish is well deserved. Luciano, too, has ridden an exceptional race, not only topping three stages, but also showing incredible skill when opening the specials. Overall, it’s been an amazing team effort by everyone involved here at the 2023 Dakar Rally.”

2023 Dakar Rally – Stage 14 Provisional Classification

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 1:15:17

2. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 1:15:52

3. Toby Price (KTM) 1:16:12

4. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 1:18:32

5. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 1:19:02

6. Sebastian Buhler (Hero) 1:19:31

7. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 1:21:04

 

2023 Dakar – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 14]

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 44:27:20

2. Toby Price (KTM) 44:28:03

3. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 44:32:24

4. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 44:46:22

5. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 44:47:50

6. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 44:50:02

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:

DANIEL SANDERS AND RED BULL GASGAS FACTORY RACING COMPLETE 2023 DAKAR RALLY IN SEVENTH OVERALL

AUSSIE RACER FINISHES AS RUNNER-UP ON FINAL STAGE OF THE EVENT TO SECURE HARD-FOUGHT RESULT

And that’s a wrap from the 2023 Dakar Rally! Signing off on what has been a truly wild two weeks of racing with a close runner-up finish on the 14th and final stage, Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders has brought his RX 450F home safely to secure a gritty seventh place overall result. Not a bad performance at all, especially when you consider that Sanders underwent no less than six operations in the last year following his crash at the 2022 Dakar, as well as getting pretty damn sick halfway through this year’s event. Nice work, Daniel, that was a super-solid effort!

Seventh overall for Daniel Sanders at the 2023 Dakar Rally

Red Bull GASGAS racer completes his second Dakar

Daniel’s RX 450F doesn’t miss a beat through almost 45 hours of racing

Daniel Sanders: “It was going to be difficult today to make up any time but I did what I could and just missed out on the stage win, but overall, I’m super happy. It’s been a long road to get here. After crashing here last year I’ve had six operations, which really limited my preparation, so it’s been great to bounce back and be competitive. It’s been an unreal experience and hopefully next year I can come in stronger and fitter and be more ready to go. The team has been amazing as always and I’m super happy to be here at the finish line in one piece.”

So, GASGAS didn’t win this time around, but it’s been awesome to be back out in the desert and to kick off 2023 with some epic racing. Despite his sickness during the first week and riding with a decent size thorn in his arm for most of the rally, Sanders really did dig deep to complete the Dakar for the second time. Nice work, Chucky!

And that’s all from Dakar 2023 and what a way to start the year! From the highs of Sanders winning a stage and leading the race for a couple days during week one, to Sam Sunderland’s super-frustrating early departure, it’s been a real rollercoaster.

As the dust, and mud, settles in the Saudi desert, it won’t actually be too long until Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing return to action. Up next, in late February, is the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, round two of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship.

Norbert Stadlbauer – GASGAS Rally Team Manager: “The 2023 Dakar Rally is now over, and it’s been a really crazy race for the team. It was so frustrating and disappointing to lose Sam, who was the reigning Dakar champion, on day one. Daniel performed very well despite missing most of last season through injury, and in week one he led for a couple of days and won a stage. Unfortunately, a brief illness while leading really effected his race but he kept on pushing to the end and finished seventh which is a great result considering all of the circumstances. I’m really proud of the whole team and we now look forward to the 2023 season.”

Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2023, stage 14

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 1:15:17

2. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 1:15:52

3. Toby Price (KTM) 1:16:12

 

Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 14)

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 44:27:20

2. Toby Price (KTM) 44:28:03

3. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 44:32:24

7. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 44:50:17

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Team:

THREE RIDERS IN THE TOP 10 POSITIONS

Today it was time to say goodbye to the 2023 edition of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, after the 14th stage held between Al-Hofuf and Dammam. This completed the 8.549 kilometers of the round one from the World Rally Raid Championship, with the most mythical and certainly hard motorsports off-road competition of all times. This way it also completed the trip from coast to coast, connecting the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.

Monster Energy Honda Team finished the race with three of its four riders, since American and Dakar winner Ricky Brabec had to abandon the race at stage three. The pace was quite high in this last stage, with a short special section 136 kilometers long. This is the year of the rain and mud in a quite unusual Dakar Rally so today this was no exception. With the riders starting in reverse order, spectators could pay tribute to all Dakar heroes. Pablo Quintanilla was the fastest one among the team, with third position on this last stage (03:15 minutes gap) – a result that put him in fourth position overall. Adrien Van Beveren was eight (04:51 minutes gap) and finished this Dakar in 5th position. Finally, José Ignacio Cornejo faced some difficulties after being trapped in the mud and ended in the 34th place. Despite this adversity, the Chilean was able to secure his 8th place overall.

The W2RC championship will return at the end of February keeping the action in the Middle East region. Monster Energy Honda Team is already working on the next stop that will travel to the United Arab Emirates, with the  Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, from 25th February to the third of March.

Ruben Faria

General Manager

“Another Dakar Rally is over and Monster Energy Honda Team was certainly a very relevant squad along the way. We lost Ricky Brabec in a very early phase and kept on track with the other three riders – Pablo Quintanilla, Adrien Van Beveren and José Ignacio Cortejo. I know they did their best every day and in every stage. The final outcome is not what we came here for but this is the Dakar, so let’s continue to work hard as a united team and face the rest of the season with the same winning spirit. ”

Pablo Quintanilla  7

“I am quite happy to be able to finish this Dakar Rally 2023 in Saudi Arabia. Of course this was not the result we were searching for but the feeling is good. I know that I gave one hundred percent every day so I just want to say I am thankful for all the support from the team and this doesn’t go only to the Dakar – it is a year long job. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t – it’s part of the race. ”

Adrien Van Beveren  42

“It’s good to be at the finish, I have to be happy even if this is not a dream result. To finish the Dakar Rally is always a victory and now I remember other times where I could finish due to crashes when I was at the hospital looking at the other on TV. We had a really strong race, I have to remember that. I can’t point out one big mistake I made, the race was a sprint almost everyday. ”

José Ignacio Cornejo  11

“So here we are at the finish line this year, I am happy to reach the end of this Dakar Rally. This one was for sure one of the hardest ones I have ever raced. The result was not what I expected, but I know I did my best at every stage. Now I want to thank the team, family and my fans for all the support. ”

Isle Of Man TT: Entries Now Open

David Swarts
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Isle Of Man TT: Entries Now Open

ENTRIES NOW OPEN FOR TT 2023

The 102nd edition of the Isle of Man TT Races draws closer today, as entries for TT 2023 are now officially open. Returning with a revised ten-race schedule from 29th May, TT 2023 gets underway on the Spring Bank Holiday Monday with both an untimed Free Practice session in the morning followed by a timed first Qualifying session taking place in the afternoon.

Tuesday 30th May, Wednesday 31st May, and Thursday 1st June feature the traditional evening qualifying sessions ahead of the fifth and final qualifying taking place on the afternoon of Friday 2nd June.

The revised race programme then kicks into gear, with the incredibly popular middle weekend now boasting three races instead of just two, opening with the first Monster Energy Supersport and 3wheeling.media Sidecar TT Races on Saturday 3rd June and the RST Superbike TT on Sunday 4th.

Monday provides the first rest day before heading into four mid-week races: The first RL360 Superstock Race and Supertwin Race on Tuesday 6th June, and the second Supersport and Sidecar Races on Wednesday 7th June.

Thursday marks a second rest day ahead of a revitalised final weekend. The Island’s popular bank holiday on Friday 9th June will see packed crowds for the second Superstock and Supertwin Races, before a day of festivities and the headline Milwaukee Senior TT draws the 2023 Isle of Man TT Races to a close on Saturday 10th June.

A RIDER’S EYE VIEW

With more race days and more races to look forward to – including two races for each class for the first time – the fastest man in TT history, Peter Hickman, is enthusiastic about the new format:

“It’s great that we’ll get the opportunity to race twice in each class. There’s also a real incentive there now for teams and competitors to put together more race-winning packages with the Superstock and Supertwin classes now offering a much better return for similar investment and commitment.”

“At the same time, I know that a little mistake or a minor mechanical issue can ruin a race – and all you can think about is having to wait another twelve months before you get to try again. With two races per class, you not only get another bite at the cherry, but you can learn a lot from the first race, which you can take forward to the second. Those races at the end of race week, in particular, I would expect to be hugely competitive and hard-fought.”

BATTLE FOR VICTORY

Having won 15 of the previous 18 TT Races between them, all eyes will be on Peter Hickman and Michael Dunlop in 2023, with Michael closing in on the record number of victories held by his legendary uncle Joey, and Peter hurtling up the list of all-time winners.

Only Dean Harrison and Lee Johnston have been able to put a stop to their dominance in recent years, but the competition is getting ever closer across all the classes. Conor Cummins, Davey Todd and Jamie Coward were amongst a number of competitors who delivered eye-catching performances in 2022 and as the entries roll in, we can look forward to another hotly-contested edition of the greatest motor-sporting event in the world.

Registration For 23rd Annual Riding Into History Show Is Now Open

David Swarts
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Registration For 23rd Annual Riding Into History Show Is Now Open

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR 2023 RIDING INTO HISTORY 

Registration for the 23rd Annual Riding Into History is now open. This year’s Riding into History takes place on April 15, 2023 at the World Golf Village in St Augustine, FL.

Visit us at  ridingintohistory.org to register your vintage motorcycle for the Concours d’Elegance and purchase your tickets for the Grand Marshal Ride and Banquet.

The featured marque for this year’s show is GET YOUR HEART RACING-COMPETITION MOTORCYCLES.

Our Grand Marshal is none other than AMA Hall of Famer, Mary McGee, Pioneer Woman in Women Racing.

About Riding into History

Riding Into History is the premier all motorcycle Concours d’Elegance in the United States.  Riding Into History is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Its primary charity is K9s for Warriors which provides service dogs for disabled veterans. Riding Into History has donated over $600,000 to local charities since its founding in 1999.

Dakar Rally: Kevin Benavides Wins Stage 13, Price Retains Overall Lead

David Swarts
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Dakar Rally: Kevin Benavides Wins Stage 13, Price Retains Overall Lead

KEVIN BENAVIDES WINS DAKAR RALLY STAGE 13

Dakar Rally 2023 – Stage 13

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price and Kevin Benavides lie first and second overall in the provisional standings at the 2023 Dakar Rally. After over 43 hours of racing, the two KTM 450 RALLY riders are separated by just 12 seconds! Unfortunately, Matthias Walkner crashed out of stage 13 today and was airlifted to hospital suffering from pain in his lower back.

Although stage 13 was a long one for the riders, coming in at a total of 675 kilometers, the distance raced against the clock was relatively short at 154 kilometers. The special was again made up predominantly of the rolling dunes of the Empty Quarter, and although navigation wasn’t too challenging, reading the terrain and maintaining a good pace was hugely important in order to secure a good result.

Kevin Benavides endured a tough stint in the desert today. Setting off fifth, the 2021 Dakar winner knew the penultimate stage of the event would offer the best chance to make up ground on teammate, rival, and overall rally leader Toby Price. However, at around 55 kilometers into the special, Kevin reached Matthias Walkner who had crashed. Staying with his fellow Red Bull KTM racer until the medical team arrived cost Benavides around 23 minutes. After rejoining the race Kevin pushed hard for the finish, making up good time in the process. After having the lost minutes returned to him, Benavides topped the stage by a tight 27 seconds – enough to provisionally move him up into second in the overall standings.

Kevin Benavides: “It’s always a difficult day when you see someone has had a crash, and it’s worse when it’s your teammate. I stayed with Matthias until help arrived and although he was in some pain, he then told me to carry on. I pushed hard for the rest of the stage, but it’s tricky to focus after seeing something like that. To win the stage is amazing, and to be second overall and so close to Toby is even more of a surprise. With one day left all I can do is try my best and the results will be decided at the finish line.”

Delivering an excellent ride to fifth place on stage 13, despite a small crash and a navigational error, Toby Price retained his lead in the overall standings. But with Benavides now moving into second, a mere 12 seconds behind, the race to the finish line in Dammam on Sunday’s final stage will be intense. As per the Dakar Rally rules, riders will set off in reverse order to the general standings, meaning Kevin will be second-to-last away, followed by Toby.

Toby Price: “It’s been a hectic day out there today. I caught the guys in front at about kilometer 90 and thought to myself, if I want to win this race, I have to be out front and capture that bonus a little bit. I had a small crash where I was focused on the top of one dune, lost the front, and fell over. Then around kilometer 130 we just went slightly too far right and lost a little time getting back on course. I really pushed hard all day, with the goal to still be in the lead going into the final day. I managed to do that, so I’m pleased, but it’s still incredibly tight at the top. Tomorrow really is going to be a race to the finish line, but I’ll give it all I have and see where we end up.”

Showing fantastic speed on the dunes of the Empty Quarter over the last few days, Matthias Walkner came into stage 13 eager to impress once again. Unfortunately, a crash at the kilometer 55 mark brought an end to his stage and his rally. The Austrian suffered trauma to his lower back and has been airlifted to hospital in Dammam for further checks.

Sunday’s stage 14 – the final of this year’s event – will see riders leave the bivouac in Al Hofuf and head north to Dammam. The timed special will be a relatively short sprint up the coast to the finish line, where the 2023 Dakar Rally Champion will be crowned.

Provisional Results – 2023 Dakar Rally, Stage 13

1. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 2:21:47

2. Michael Docherty (ZAF), Husqvarna, 2:22:14 +0:27

3. Luciano Benavides (ARG), Husqvarna, 2:22:44 +0:57

4. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 2:23:52 +2:05

5. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 2:24:15 +2:28

 

Provisional Standings – 2023 Dakar Rally (after 13 of 14 stages)

1. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 43:11:51

2. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 43:12:03 +0:12

3. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 43:13:22 +1:31

4. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 43:27:42 +15:51

5. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 43:27:50 +15:59

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Husqvarna Factory Racing:

THIRD PLACE ON DAKAR STAGE 13 FOR LUCIANO BENAVIDES

HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING’S SKYLER HOWES COMPLETES PENULTIMATE STAGE IN SEVENTH AND LIES THIRD OVERALL WITH ONE STAGE LEFT TO RACE

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Luciano Benavides has delivered another stunning performance at the 2023 Dakar Rally, placing third fastest on the 675-kilometre stage 13. Teammate Skyler Howes steered his FR 450 Rally to seventh place and now lies third overall in the provisional overall standings, less than two minutes behind the leader.

It was another tough day in the desert for all riders as they completed the 13th stage of this epic 45th running of the Dakar Rally. As the event left the dunes of the Empty Quarter and headed to Al Hofuf, competitors raced 154 kilometres against the clock, which were followed by a long liaison to reach the bivouac.

Luciano Benavides, pushing hard right from the start of the special, was immediately in contention to take his fourth stage win at this year’s Dakar. Initially fastest across the finish line, a one-minute penalty dropped the number 77 to second, which was then corrected to third place after Luciano’s brother Kevin was rewarded time lost for assisting a fallen rider.

Although slightly disappointed not to have taken another stage win, Luciano was more than happy with the way he has ridden the featureless Empty Quarter region and is now looking to finish his race on a high with another strong ride on tomorrow’s final stage 14.

Still well in the hunt for overall victory at this year’s Dakar, Skyler Howes was the sixth rider through the gate this morning and maintained a strong pace to the finish, despite a couple of errors along the way. The American has dropped down to third overall in the provisional overall standings, but he trails the leader by just one minute and 31 seconds and will have one final opportunity to make up time on his rivals on the rally’s 14th stage tomorrow.

Luciano Benavides: “The stage was good – around 150 kilometres of dunes. I had a small crash near the beginning, possibly from pushing a little too hard. But after that, I found my rhythm and was able to push again. Midway through the stage I saw Matthias (Walkner) on the ground with the helicopter. Obviously, I hope everything is ok with him and wish him a speedy recovery. After that, I carried on to the finish and think I did a good job. It wasn’t quite enough to win the stage, but I’m happy with how I rode.”

Skyler Howes: “Well, I definitely gave my all today – I pushed right from the start as hard as I could. When I saw that Walkner had crashed, it affected my focus a little bit. There were some really big dunes today, I had big jumps off the top of them myself, too. That was a bit of a deciding factor, I really wanted to push and try and get the win, but I want to make sure that I can complete the race as well. I missed one waypoint later on, and that meant circling around to pick it up, so I lost a little bit of time there. I’m still in the fight for the win, and I have to be super happy with how this race as gone up to this point. I can never look back and say I didn’t try my best. I’m looking forward to tomorrow, it’s going to be a short but fast stage with little scope to make up time I think, so the goal is to get my Husqvarna to the finish line in one piece and hopefully in a good position.”

2023 Dakar Rally – Stage 13 Provisional Classification

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 2:21:47

2. Michael Docherty (Husqvarna) 2:22:14

3. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 2:22:44

4. Adrian Van Beveren (Honda) 2:23:52

5. Toby Price (KTM) 2:24:15

6. Romain Dumontier (Husqvarna) 2:24:19

…

7. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 2:25:18

 

2023 Dakar – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 13]

1. Toby Price (KTM) 43:11:51

2. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 43:12:03

3. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 43:13:22

4. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 43:27:42

5. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 43:27:50

6. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 43:30:20

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:

SANDERS SAFELY THROUGH PENULTIMATE STAGE OF THE 2023 DAKAR RALLY

RED BULL GASGAS FACTORY RACING STAR LIES SEVENTH OVERALL WITH JUST ONE DAY REMAINING

That’s the penultimate stage at the Dakar Rally done and dusted. After posting the 11th fastest time, Daniel Sanders now lies in a comfortable seventh overall. As the second rider to enter stage 13, Sanders quickly formed a trio with two other leading riders and together they ripped through the rolling sand dunes of the Empty Quarter for one last time. In the process, Daniel increased his advantage over eighth place from just over three minutes to almost six, ahead of tomorrow’s final – a fairly simple looking special. Bring it home, Chucky.

Sanders completes penultimate stage at the Dakar

Red Bull GASGAS star enjoys another challenging special

Just 281 kilometers separate Chucky from the finish line

Daniel Sanders: “It was a pretty tricky but enjoyable day up front today. The dunes were really soft which made it hard to maintain a fast pace while trying to navigate, and between the waypoints there were some big gaps, which added to the difficulty. But I pushed on the best I could to not lose too much time and I think I did a pretty good job. There were definitely a few close calls out there but that’s all part of the fun of riding through the dunes!”

Stage 13 and the penultimate day of racing at the Dakar saw Sanders once again help to open the special following his strong runner-up finish yesterday. Setting off into the 154-kilometer special stage with no lines to follow, Chucky demonstrated some impressive navigation skills to bring his awesome RX 450F home just under five minutes adrift of the stage winner. And now, after covering just over 7,600 kilometers so far in this year’s event, just 417 kilometers separate Daniel from the finish line in Dammam.

Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2023, stage 13

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 2:21:47

2. Michael Docherty (Husqvarna) 2:22:14

3. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 2:22:44

11. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 2:26:46

 

Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 13)

1. Toby Price (KTM) 43:11:51

2. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 43:12:03

3. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 43:13:22

7. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 43:34:25

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Team:

ONLY ONE MORE STAGE TO GO AT THE DAKAR RALLY

Today the penultimate stage of this year’s Dakar Rally was a goodbye to the vast landscapes of the Empty Quarter side of Saudi Arabia.  Leaving Shaybah, the riders had a short liaison of nine kilometers and then started the 153 km long special section. The route of this 13th stage was composed mainly with dunes (84 percent) so this was one last chance to enjoy this unique scenario and fight to move up in the top standings.

Monster Energy Honda Team surpassed this physical and mechanical extreme endurance test and reached Al-Hofuf bivouac safely on their Honda’s CRF 450 Rally. After yesterday’s stage win,  José Ignacio Cornejo was the first to leave and had the mission to open the track. The Chilean finished with the best 14th time (12th in GP), with a gap of 07:42 minutes for the leader – a performance that allowed him to keep his 8th position in the overall standings. Pablo Quintanilla was 8th (6th in GP) with a gap of 03:33 minutes to the leader – he also kept his position in the overall standings (5th place). Adrien Van Beveren was all stage fighting for the top standings and finished in fourth position, also keeping his fourth place in the overall standings.

The last stage of this year’s Dakar Rally will complete the trip around the red sea, leading the caravan to the shores of the Arabian Gulf in Dammam. There will be a liaison of 270 kilometers from Al-Hofuf and a  special section 136 km long – an unusually fast beach section before reaching the final podium ceremony that celebrates all finishers of this great adventure. Tomorrow there will be a reverse start, meaning the slowest will open and the top contenders close the stage.

Ruben Faria

General Manager

“This year’s Dakar Rally is for sure one of the most competitive ever. The differences in the top standings are really tight after around 43 hours of racing . We are not in the position we wanted but our riders have been fighting stage after stage, giving all they can and having the full support of the team. That’s the spirit and this is Dakar, let’s continue to give our best. ”

Adrien Van Beveren  42

“I pushed a lot at the beginning and then I jumped really high in a dune and that was like a joker. It was kind of scary. I was trying to go fast but safe at the same time but that was not easy, due to the many drops in the dunes. Overall we are in the same position. I think this is my best Dakar, with a very solid performance. There is still one more day to go so let’s fight until the end. ”

Pablo Quintanilla  7

“This was a quite fun stage to ride, with many dunes. I was riding with a good rhythm from the beginning and overall it was a good stage. One more day to go and I know I gave everything in each stage, so that is the way I plan to keep until the last kilometer .”

José Ignacio Cornejo  11

“I knew this was going to be a difficult day, because I had to open the stage. We lost some time like normal, I did the best I could so it was not so bad. I was feeling good and I am glad all my teammates could also return safely to the bivouac. Now let’s continue and give all we can in the last stage ”

Canadian Superbike: New Pro Twins Class Added For 2023

David Swarts
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Canadian Superbike: New Pro Twins Class Added For 2023

Pro Twins Class joins Bridgestone CSBK Nationals for 2023

Toronto, ON – Starting in 2023, the Canadian National Superbike Championship Series, Bridgestone CSBK, will add a new category for twin cylinder motorcycles.  The new racing division, called Pro Twins, is described as a development category, with the intention of eventually offering middleweight Twins competition for Professional and Amateur level competitors in Canada.

The initial version, Pro Twins, will be run in conjunction with Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike middleweight category races during the five event 2023 CSBK National campaign.  A similar “SuperTwins” program was recently announced for the 2023 Australian Superbike Championship Series.

CSBK’s stated goal for Pro Twins is to launch with the aim of developing a cost-effective mid-level racing platform. Twins will eventually serve as a steppingstone between the Lightweight classes, launched in 2018, and the well-established larger divisions, the Sport Bike (middleweight) and Superbike (open class) categories.

In 2023, The Pro Twins category will run in conjunction with Pro Sport Bike but start separately with their own “waved” start for the Pro Twins racers, based on their performance in Qualifying.  Scoring will be separate for the two classes, and Pro twins will have its own victory lap, podium, and points standings.

As with other divisions in Bridgestone CSBK, Pro Twin’s rules enforcement will centre on the Dynojet Dyno, as operated at National race events by Brooklin Cycle Racing.  The maximum permissible horsepower will be 90 as registered immediately post session or post race on the rear wheel spinning Dynojet Dyno.

Four manufacturers have agreed to participate in the inaugural season of Pro Twins, and other possible machinery will be considered for competition during the inaugural 2023 Twins season as the class is refined and developed.

The “index” bike for the category is Aprilia’s vertical twin RS 660, and the Italian brand’s offering will be heavily restricted to near stock form, give or take some basic electronic tuning.

Yamaha’s R7 is another vertical twin design, and the “R model” and it’s 689cc family relatives including the MT-07 and XSR700, have competed successfully against the Aprilia in several National Championships.  As with the Aprilia, the Yamaha will not be permitted much in the way of chassis mods, but engine allowances (head mods and cams) will be permitted.

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 is a popular existing design, with success in various racing applications, and latitude for chassis and engine improvements will be greater for this established offering.

Suzuki will initially compete with the legendary SV 650 v-twin, again with significant build options available, and Suzuki Canada aim to the have the brand new 776cc vertical twin GSX-8s on track by the end of the inaugural Pro Twins CSBK tour.

On track, machines in Pro Twins will utilize white numbers on black backgrounds, allowing these machines to be differentiated from the Pro Sport Bike categories black number on white backgrounds.

Pro Twins category competitors will be eligible to participate in the upcoming Bridgestone sponsored two-day CSBK Test at JenningsGP in North Florida, March 14 and 15.  The 2023 Bridgestone CSBK National Series opens on Victoria Day weekend at Shannonville Motorsport Park, May 19-21.

American Flat Track: VP Racing Fuels Renews As Official Fuel Supplier

David Swarts
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0
American Flat Track: VP Racing Fuels Renews As Official Fuel Supplier

VP Racing Fuels, Inc. Named Official Fuel Supplier and Performance Coolant of Progressive AFT for Fourth Consecutive Year
 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Progressive American Flat Track announced today that VP Racing Fuels, Inc. will serve as both the series’ Official Fuel Supplier and Official Performance Coolant for a fourth consecutive season in 2023.

The World Leader in Fuel Technology®, VP Racing Fuels was founded in 1975 and has fueled champions in virtually every form of motorsport since. During its near half-century reign VP Racing Fuels has powered more race winners than any other brand, dominating both two- and four-wheeled motorsport across a wide array of series and disciplines all across the globe.

“VP Racing Fuels is looking forward to continuing our association with Progressive American Flat Track as official and spec fuel as well as official coolant,” said Bruce Hendel, Senior Vice President Global Sales for VP Racing Fuels. “Progressive American Flat Track gives us the opportunity to not only showcase our fuel, but also our unique Stay Frosty Coolants that will help the racers run cooler and make more power!”

Along with delivering race-proven power, VP has also developed high-performance coolants, such as STAY FROSTY Race-Ready Coolant, which was specifically formulated to reduce cylinder head temperature, improve ignition timing, and boost overall performance in even the most strenuous conditions. Each Progressive AFT competitor will receive a half-gallon of STAY FROSTY at no charge during the upcoming season.

“VP has been a key partner to the series since coming onboard as the spec fuel provider and official coolant in 2020,” said Gene Crouch, COO of AMA Pro Racing. “The performance, consistency and reliability of VP’s race fuel and performance products are second to none, allowing our riders to put on a spectacular show for the fans every weekend.”

Additionally, a new initiative starting in 2023 will allow fans to purchase a variety of products from VP Racing Fuels in the AFT Marketplace at all events.

For more information, visit VP Racing Fuels, Inc at. www.vpracingfuels.com.

The 18-round 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season will launch in monumental fashion with the return of the DAYTONA Short Track I & II at Daytona International Speedway on March 9-10. To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack.

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

How to Watch:

FOX Sports and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round at http://www.FansChoice.tv.

About Progressive American Flat Track

Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.

Australian Superbike: mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Continuing As Title Sponsor

David Swarts
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Australian Superbike: mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Continuing As Title Sponsor

mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance returns as naming rights sponsors of the 2023 ASBK Championship

The mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) presented by Motul is proud to announce that championship naming rights sponsor mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance has signed on again in 2023.

Insurance specialists mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance offers a range of products for both road and off-road motorcycling enthusiasts, and they understand how important your motorcycle is to every owner and because of this mi-bike offers cover for riders and their motorcycle with features and benefits most other motorcycle insurers just don’t provide.

“We are motorcycle specialists, it’s all in the name, and we understand how important your motorcycle is to you and because of this mi-bike offer cover for you and your motorcycle with features and benefits most other motorcycle insurers just don’t provide.”
“We are incredibly pleased to deepen our partnership with Motorcycling Australia and continue as the naming rights sponsor for the ASBK Championship 2023 season”, said mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance General Manager Mark Bradley.

“With this sponsorship renewal, we’re showing the great trust and respect we’ve built over the years as well as our shared commitment to supporting motorcycle sports and promoting our brand values through the Australian Superbike Championship racing series.”

Motorcycling Australia (MA) CEO Peter Doyle: “As ASBK goes from strength to strength, it’s terrific to welcome back mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance as the naming rights sponsor. They share our confidence in the championship and have been an integral part in making the Championship what it is today.

“In 2023, we are looking forward to a big season of entertaining and close racing across all classes and the support of our sponsors is key to making this happen. I want to thank mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance for their continuing support on behalf of not only Motorcycling Australia but all fans and stakeholders.”

To learn more about mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance and the fantastic range of insurance products on offer, see: https://www.mi-bike.com.au/

AHRMA: 2023 eMotoRacing Varsity Challenge Scheduled At Gingerman

David Swarts
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AHRMA: 2023 eMotoRacing Varsity Challenge Scheduled At Gingerman

AHRMA Event to Feature eMotoRacing Varsity Challenge

(Knoxville, TN) – Cutting-edge electric motorcycles heat up the 2023 American Historic Racing Motorycycle Association (AHRMA) road racing season.

The 10th Annual eMotoRacing Varsity Challenge electric motorcycle road race will be part of rounds 13 and 14 of the 2023 AHRMA Bridgestone Tires Roadrace Series July 28 – 30 at Gingerman Raceway, in South Haven, MI.

Collegiate teams from the US and Canada will race their student-built prototype electric motorcycles in AHRMA’s Formula Lightning Series.

During 2022, the University of Michigan SPARK Atlas team took second and third place in the AHRMA Formula Lightning Series competition with David McPherson piloting the prototype at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

During 2023, University of Michigan will have competition from Quebec’s University of Sherbrooke, Rochester Institute of Technology, Cornell University, and other university teams. Racing against these collegiate teams will be private teams from across the US.

The university-based prototypes are built from the ground up as race bikes and represent the latest in electric motorcycle racing technology.

The AHRMA Formula Lightning series is the premier zero-emissions motorcycle road racing series in the US. Bikes may be powered by any means of propulsion that does not emit exhaust, such as electricity, magnetism, gravity, flywheels, springs, etc. We’re looking forward to seeing what all the teams bring this year.

In addition to the Varsity Challenge, all teams are welcome to participate in any of the races within the 2023 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadrace Series. The series schedule is located here – www.ahrma.org/schedules-results

About eMotoRacing:

eMotoRacing is a zero-emissions motorcycle racing series that demonstrates advanced and compact e-superbike technology and excitement. With a full schedule implemented at racetracks across the country, eMotoRacing’s strategic partnership with AHRMA provides the best of current, past, and future history. More information at https://www.facebook.com/eMotoRacing

About AHRMA:

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage along with a wide range of modern motorcycles.  With about 3,300 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.

Dakar Rally: Honda’s Cornejo Wins Stage 12, KTM’s Price Takes Overall Lead

David Swarts
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0
Dakar Rally: Honda’s Cornejo Wins Stage 12, KTM’s Price Takes Overall Lead

TOBY PRICE REGAINS DAKAR RALLY LEAD WITH THIRD-PLACE RESULT ON STAGE 12

Dakar Rally 2023 – Stage 12

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has retaken the lead of the 2023 Dakar Rally following a strong ride to third place on stage 12 – the second leg of the event’s Empty Quarter marathon stage. Kevin Benavides placed fifth to successfully retain his third-place position in the overall rally standings, less than three minutes behind Price. Completing today’s special just seconds ahead of Benavides, Matthias Walkner carved his way through to fourth place on his KTM 450 RALLY.

Completing the second leg of the marathon stage without issue, Toby Price covered the 185-kilometer timed special on stage 12 in just under two hours. More importantly, Toby not only made up time on his closest rivals in the race for victory, but he also regained the overall rally lead and will have two other riders to chase down on tomorrow’s penultimate stage 13.

Racing at the front of the field remains incredibly close with Toby leading the general rankings by a narrow margin of just under 30 seconds. The two-time Dakar champion will draw on all his experience and skill to ensure good, solid finishes over the final two stages of the race as he has his sights set firmly on securing his third title at the world’s toughest rally-raid.

Toby Price: “The marathon stage has gone well. I have to admit, I didn’t sleep that well yesterday, but I gave it my all out there on the dunes. I wasn’t sure of the result when I came in to the finish today, but it looks like I’m back on top, leading the race. It’s a really close race right now and even the smallest problem could cost you the win. My plan is to keep on pushing over the next two days and try and have some fun.”

Securing a solid fifth-place finish on stage 12, Kevin Benavides closed the gap slightly on the provisional rally lead and remains in third place overall, two minutes and 40 seconds down. The Argentine racer will also have the advantage of another four riders starting ahead of him on tomorrow’s special where he will aim to make up as much time as possible before then attacking the final stage of the race on Sunday.

Kevin Benavides: “The marathon stage went really well for me. Both halves were made up mostly of dunes, so they were a real challenge, but good fun to ride, too. Today I started a little further back, so I tried to keep a good flow through the dunes to make up some time without making any big mistakes. I think I did a good job, and I have got a good start position for tomorrow, which I think will be a really decisive stage in the race.”

Enjoying his time in the Empty Quarter dunes, Matthias Walkner found the terrain very much to his liking. And, feeling comfortable on his KTM 450 RALLY, was able to push hard through the stage to finish in an excellent fourth place. Currently in ninth position overall, although the fight for the podium might now be out of reach for the Austrian, Matthias will continue to fight for solid stage results, giving his all as usual on what is his ninth Dakar appearance.

Matthias Walkner: “It was a super-nice stage today. Honestly, the dunes here in the Empty Quarter are really, really nice. It was quite intense, not so long, but with all the soft sand you have to push a lot and it’s still very physical. As we ride more here it becomes easier to judge and read the terrain. Nacho (Cornejo) caught me today and it was such good fun riding through the dunes together. With only two days of the rally left now, my goal is to simply have fun, do my best, and reach the finish line safely. I plan to enjoy it!”

Stage 13, the penultimate of the rally, will see riders cover a total distance of 675 kilometers as they travel from Shaybah to Al Hofuf. A short timed special of 154 kilometers through the dunes will test competitors’ physical and mental endurance once again.

Provisional Results – 2023 Dakar Rally, Stage 12

1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (CHI), Honda, 1:57:27

2. Daniel Sanders (AUS), GASGAS, 1:58:16 +0:49

3. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 1:59:25 +1:58

4. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 1:59:32 +2:05

5. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 1:59:49 +2:22

 

Provisional Standings – 2023 Dakar Rally (after 12 of 14 stages)

1. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 40:47:36

2. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 40:48:04 +0:28

3. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 40:50:16 +2:40

4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 41:02:30 +14:54

5. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 41:03:50 +16:14

Other KTM

9. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 41:32:00 +44:24

10. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 41:42:34 +54:58

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Husqvarna Factory Racing:

STRONG STAGE 12 FOR HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDERS AT 2023 DAKAR RALLY

SKYLER HOWES BRINGS HIS FR 450 RALLY HOME IN AN EXCELLENT SIXTH POSITION WITH LUCIANO BENAVIDES OPENING THE SPECIAL TO PLACE 12TH

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Skyler Howes and Luciano Benavides have safely completed the two-day marathon stage at the 2023 Dakar Rally. On stage 12 today, Skyler Howes finished as sixth quickest and now lies second in the overall standings – just 28 seconds off the lead after close to 41 hours of racing. Luciano Benavides opened the special today, a result of his stage win on day 11 – the Argentinian placed 12th and lies sixth overall going into the final two days of the race.

Despite the pressure of being well in the fight for victory at the 2023 Dakar Rally, Skyler Howes has delivered another cool, calculated ride in Saudi Arabia to complete stage 12 in sixth position and minimise his deficit to the provisional rally leader. His stand-out ride at this year’s event continues as the likeable American now lies in a strong second overall, and with his two closest rivals starting ahead of him on tomorrow’s stage 13, Skyler is perfectly placed to attack.

Also enjoying his time racing through the dunes of the Empty Quarter, Luciano Benavides did another stellar job opening the special today, following his win on stage 11. Benavides stayed focused throughout the 185 kilometres raced against the clock, to complete the stage as 12th fastest, a mere four minutes and 20 seconds down. An incredible performance by the number 77 who is on-course to equal or better his best ever Dakar result.

Skyler Howes: “A good stage for me today. The Empty Quarter really does live up to its name – just an endless sea of dunes. It’s really exciting to go into the last couple of days with the race so close. Both halves of the marathon stage went well – I think I was able to ride both days at a good, consistent pace. I was able to preserve myself and the bike without any issues, which is super important. So now I’m looking ahead at the last two stages of the race. Neither of them are very long, so with things so tight on the leaderboard, I really think this battle is going to run right up to the finish line.”

Luciano Benavides: “Yesterday was an amazing stage for me. My third stage win at the Dakar and I really had a lot of fun racing through the desert, jumping off all the dunes. Obviously today I had to open the stage, but I’m really happy as I think I did a good job and didn’t lose much time at all in the overall. The stage was very similar to yesterday, I just had to take extra care not to make any navigation mistakes and I had to focus on reading the terrain well, too. I’ll get a bit of rest now before tomorrow, where I’ve got another strong start position, so another push, and I hope to finish the day in a strong position.”

2023 Dakar Rally – Stage 12 Provisional Classification

1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) 1:57:27

2. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 1:58:16

3. Toby Price (KTM) 1:59:25

4. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 1:59:32

5. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 1:59:49

6. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 2:00:21

…

12. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 2:01:47

 

2023 Dakar – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 12]

1. Toby Price (KTM) 40:47:36

2. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 40:48:04

3. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 40:50:16

4. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 41:02:30

5. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 41:03:50

6. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 41:07:36

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:

RED BULL GASGAS FACTORY RACING’S DANIEL SANDERS DELIVERS INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE ON DAKAR RALLY STAGE 12

AUSSIE RALLY ACE DELIVERS MASTERCLASS IN NAVIGATION TO SECURE BACK-TO-BACK RUNNER-UP FINISHES AND COMPLETE THE MARATHON STAGE ON A HIGH

Delivering what just might be his best performance of the entire Dakar Rally on today’s stage 12, Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders combined pinpoint navigation with his blistering pace to post the second fastest time. Clocking in just 49 seconds from victory, it was an incredible performance considering that Chucky opened almost all of the special, which left wheel tracks in the dunes for his chasing rivals to follow. Impressive stuff indeed and a clear indication of just what the Aussie’s capable of out there in the desert. Nice work, Daniel!

Back-to-back runner-up stage finishes for Chucky

Sanders easily the star performer throughout the marathon stage

Only two days and 290 kilometers of racing against the clock to go!

Daniel Sanders: “Yeah, today was pretty good actually. It was a fun stage and early on I caught up with Luciano Benavides. I had a decent pace going so I kept that up and opened the stage all day. I’m happy to reach the finish line today with it being the second leg of the marathon stage and I’m looking forward to the final two days.”

Second away into leg two of the marathon stage, it should have been a tall order for Sanders to secure another top-three result as it’s quite common for leading riders to lose time to their competition. However, the RX 450F racer left that theory somewhere out there in the Empty Quarter on stage 12!

Moving past Luciano Benavides early on in the 185-kilometer special, our man from down under never let off the gas to safely reach the finish and narrowly miss out on another stage win. Heading into tomorrow’s penultimate stage 13, we’re excited to see what Daniel can do from the front again as the times at the top of the overall classification are starting to get tight!

Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2023, stage 12

1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) 1:57:27

2. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 1:58:16

3. Toby Price (KTM) 1:59:25

 

Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 12)

1. Toby Price (KTM) 40:47:36

2. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 40:48:04

3. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 40:50:16

7. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 41:07:39

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Team:

STAGE WIN FOR NACHO CORNEJO

José Ignacio Cornejo was the man of the day during the second part of the marathon stage at the Empty Quarter. This was the second stage victory for Monster Energy Honda Team during this Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. On the arrival at Shaybah bivouac, the Chilean was 49 seconds faster than Daniel Sanders and had  1:48 minutes to Toby Price.

Stage number 12 was 185 km long and a quite fast route, in a mix between dunes and quick sand tracks. Pablo Quintanilla arrived in seventh position with a gap of 03:06 minutes, while Adrien Van Beveren was ninth with a gap of 03:16 minutes to Nacho. Quintanilla kept his fourth position in the overall standings (14:45 minutes to the leader), Van Beveren maintained his fifth position (16:14 minutes to the leader) and Nacho was still eighth (23:14 minutes to the leader).

Now it’s time to work hard on the Honda’s CRF 450 Rally, since they were lacking assistance for the past two days due to the rules of the marathon stage.

With only two more days to go, tomorrow it’s time for the 13th stage. There will be a very long liaison of 520 kilometers in the connection between Shaybah and Al-Hofuf. The special section will be 153 km long and this departure from the Empty Quarter will certainly be decisive. It will be the last chance to surf on its chain of dunes and also to fight for the top standings. It will be a short but quite intense ride where physical and mechanical endurance can play an important role.

Ruben Faria

General Manager

“The marathon stage is over and we have overcome with great determination the hard terrain at the Empty Quarter. All our riders got back safe and our Honda’s CRF 450 Rally also came back in great conditions and will now be revised for the penultimate stage. Days will get shorter in terms of racing as we reach the end of this Dakar Rally and tomorrow is another decisive day for us. We are fighting to climb in the top standings and that was clear today. Nacho had a great performance and we are happy with another stage win. The team is united and strong so let’s see how it goes in these last two days. ”

José Ignacio Cornejo  11

“Well today I had a good stage, quite solid. Felt quite good on my Honda CRF 450 Rally and tried to push as much as I could. I had a lot of fun in the dunes. I have won a stage and that feels good, especially for my confidence. This did not influence the overall results due to the short distances between all contenders, so I kept my eighth place. I will keep fighting in the last two days because this is Dakar and anything can happen. ”

Pablo Quintanilla  7

“First of all I would like to say that we have done the marathon stage without any problems in our Honda CRF 450 Rally. It was quite hard to cross the Empty Quarter and we all succeeded. The terrain was super hard for the machines and for us. Happy to finish one more day. The race is not over yet so let’s keep the focus.”

Adrien Van Beveren  42

“Today I started behind but did not have that much dunes to race. The stage was shorter and I went as fast as I could go. Dakar is never finished until you cross the line so let’s see what we can do. I will do my best until the last meter, that is for sure!”

Suzuki Sets Pricing On 2023 GSX-8S And V-STROM 800DE

David Swarts
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Suzuki Sets Pricing On 2023 GSX-8S And V-STROM 800DE

2023 Suzuki V-STROM 800DE Line and GSX-8S Pricing Announced

BREA, CA – With the new year upon us, the all-new Suzuki V-STROM 800DE and GSX-8S are already making strong first impressions for 2023.

All-new from the ground up, both models are equipped with advanced features at an affordable price point. Including the new 776cc parallel-twin powerplant, TFT display, Bi-directional Quick Shifter, and modern inverted suspension, the GSX-8S and V-STROM 800DE are positioned to capitalize on the growing interest in the mid-size motorcycle market.

Expected arrival for the V-STROM 800DE and DE Adventure is set for May, while the GSX-8S will hit dealers shortly after in June.

The advanced, new 776cc parallel-twin engine with 270-degree crankshaft configuration provides exciting power delivery while producing a unique and exciting exhaust note, and helps to define a compact, purposeful new addition to Suzuki’s iconic line of products.

With riders’ eager anticipation of this exciting new naked sportbike, the 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S is priced at $8,849.

 

Suzuki's all-new 2023 GSX-8S. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.
Suzuki’s all-new 2023 GSX-8S. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S

MSRP: $8,849

Click here for more details

 

The all-new 2023 V-STROM 800DE will be priced at $11,349 while the V-STROM 800DE Adventure comes in at $12,999 and includes quick-release black 37L aluminum side cases, plus a rugged accessory bar and aluminum skid pan for true off-road touring capability. For an adventure seeker who already plans on adding these welcomed accessories, the V-STROM 800DE Adventure provides a strong, accessorized platform up front. Both models offer incredible adventure touring performance and value.

 

Suzuki's all-new 2023 V-STROM 800DE adventure bike. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.
Suzuki’s all-new 2023 V-STROM 800DE adventure bike. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.

2023 Suzuki V-STROM 800DE

MSRP: $11,349

Click here for more details

 

A 2023-model Suzuki V-STROM 800DE Adventure. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor America, LLC.
A 2023-model Suzuki V-STROM 800DE Adventure. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.

 

2023 Suzuki V-STROM 800DE Adventure

MSRP: $12,999

Click here for more details

Each 2023 V-STROM 800DE and GSX-8S models are ready to enhance your favorite ride whether its off-road or on: exploring mountain curves or urban haunts. From the off-road capable V-STROM 800DE/Adventure bikes to the on-road naked GSX-8S, Suzuki riders have a lot to look forward to in 2023.

Dakar Rally: KTM’s Kevin Benavides Wins Final Stage And Overall (Updated)

Kevin Benavides and his crew celebrate winning the 2023 Dakar Rally. Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
Kevin Benavides and his crew celebrate winning the 2023 Dakar Rally. Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.

KEVIN BENAVIDES AND KTM WIN THE 2023 DAKAR RALLY

Dakar Rally 2023 – Stage 14

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Kevin Benavides has won the 2023 Dakar Rally! At the end of what has been a hugely successful race for the team, Benavides led home a KTM one-two with Toby Price securing second place, just 44 seconds behind his teammate. The result marks KTM’s 19th victory at the iconic rally-raid event.

Taking the win on the 13th and penultimate stage yesterday, Kevin Benavides closed down the gap to provisional rally leader Toby Price to just 12 seconds. And with the start order reversed for the final day of racing from Al Hofuf to Dammam, the two KTM 450 RALLY racers would set off right from the back – Benavides leaving three minutes ahead of his teammate.

Although the final timed special had been regarded as a relatively simple sprint to the finish, the 136 kilometers of gravel tracks, sand, and dry lake beds threw up a considerable challenge to all riders. However, it was Benavides who piled on the speed and mastered the terrain to take his second consecutive stage win of the event, and more importantly, the overall rally victory.

Kevin’s journey through the 14-stage race has been one of outstanding consistency. Even though the Argentinian didn’t pick up one single second in bonus time for opening any stages, he finished inside the top 10 every day for the whole two weeks of racing. It was this skillful and calculated approach to the event that earned him his second career Dakar Rally victory.

The result makes it two Dakar titles for Benavides – 2021 and 2023 – and marks KTM’s 19th win at the Dakar.

Kevin Benavides: “It’s been an amazing day! I just focused on every kilometer from the first to the last. I didn’t think about the position or the result I just gave my 100 percent over the whole stage and tried to enjoy the day. The special was really fast and tricky, and so muddy – thankfully I didn’t make any big mistakes, but it would have been easy to have an issue out there today. I have worked so hard for this. This year’s rally has been one of the closest ever and there wasn’t a single day where you could afford to ease off. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my team, and all my family and friends. It’s going to take a little while to sink in, I can’t describe this feeling right now.”

Leading the standings going into the 14th and final stage of the race by just 12 seconds, Toby Price was the last rider to enter the special. Aiming to chase down Benavides who had set off three minutes ahead of him, Toby got his head down and gave his all right from the start. A couple of issues early in the stage cost the Aussie the valuable seconds he needed to stay in front, and despite clawing back close to one minute on the latter half of the special, it wasn’t quite enough to overhaul the flying Benavides.

Toby has produced an incredible performance over the course of the two-week race. Securing no fewer than 10 top-five stage results, and a win on the event’s opening prologue, the two-time Dakar champion was undoubtedly the man to beat throughout the rally. Missing out by less than one minute after more than 44 hours of racing is of course frustrating, but knowing he gave his absolute all every single day, Toby is happy with how he rode and with the hard-fought runner-up result he’s secured at the world’s toughest rally-raid.

Toby Price: “So, so close. Yeah, a great job from Kevin, he did really well today. I knew it was going to be tight, and of course I pushed right from the start all through the stage. I just missed three waypoints by virtually meters, and it dropped me back. Obviously, the goal is to win, and it’s frustrating to miss out by such a narrow margin. But I’m fit, healthy, and I’m going home with a trophy, so that’s the most important thing. I’m ready for another one next year.”

After a heavy crash on stage two where he injured his wrist, Matthias Walkner demonstrated his grit and drive by continuing with the rally. As his condition improved, the Austrian was able to deliver stronger and stronger stage results as the race went on. At the close of stage 12, Matthias had moved back up to a highly commendable ninth overall. Unfortunately, disaster struck on the penultimate stage 13 of the event where a heavy crash off the top of a dune left Walkner with considerable back pain. Thankfully, after being airlifted to hospital for further checks, the 2018 Dakar winner was found to not have broken any bones or suffered any serious injury. We wish Matthias all the best for a speedy recovery.

Norbert Stadlbauer – Rally Team Manager: “It’s been an incredible Dakar – one of the toughest in history and definitely the closest! It’s been such a close battle inside the Red Bull KTM team with Toby and Kevin separated by just 12 seconds going into the final day today. Thankfully, the performances of both riders gave KTM a one-two in the race, with Kevin earning his second win and the 19th for KTM. Of course, you can’t have two winners, but Toby claiming second place is still an incredible achievement and down to the hard work he has put in over the two weeks. The team have also done an amazing job, not just at the event, but also over the whole of the past year building up to this race. Now it’s time to celebrate before we look ahead to the next race in the season.”

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director: “Beside the riders, I’m maybe the happiest man on the planet right now. It’s amazing after this long journey and this tough race, to have only 12 seconds separating the two guys coming into this final day. And then for them to push so hard over the stage and reach the finish line safely and in first and second is incredible. After around 5,000 kilometers and over 40 hours of racing, to have them so close is unheard of, and the whole team did an amazing job to get them here in this position. What it came down to was basically a motocross race for 130 kilometers. Both riders did an amazing job, and even though you can only have one winner, I’m hugely proud of them both, as the pressure was really on today. KTM now have 19 wins at the toughest offroad race in the world, but we won’t stop there. We’re already looking forward to this season and then the 2024 Dakar next year.”

Provisional Results – 2023 Dakar Rally, Stage 14

1. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 1:15:17

2. Daniel Sanders (AUS), GASGAS, 1:15:52 +0:35

3. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 1:16:12 +0:55

4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHL), Honda, 1:18:32 +3:15

5. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 1:19:02 +3:45

 

Provisional Standings – 2023 Dakar Rally (after 14 of 14 stages)

1. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 44:27:20

2. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 44:28:03 +0:43

3. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 44:32:24 +5:04

4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 44:46:22 +19:02

5. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 44:47:50 +20:30

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Husqvarna Factory Racing:

SKYLER HOWES CLAIMS 2023 DAKAR RALLY PODIUM

HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING FR 450 RALLY RIDER PLACES THIRD AT WORLD’S TOUGHEST RALLY-RAID

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Skyler Howes has battled through 14 stages of intense racing to finish the 2023 Dakar Rally in an excellent third place. In what has been a career-best ride for the American, Skyler led the race for a total of six stages and stayed in the hunt for victory right through to the very final timed special.

Coming into today’s 14th and final stage, Howes trailed the leader by just one minute and 31 seconds – an incredibly narrow margin after well over 43 hours of racing. As the third-to-last competitor to set off into the special, Skyler had a comfortable advantage over the fourth-placed rider and knew, with the two front runners fighting it out behind him, a smooth, calculated ride to the finish was all that was needed to secure his podium result.

Completing the final stage as fifth fastest, Howes was overjoyed with his overall result of third place on what is his fifth Dakar Rally appearance. In just a few years, the 30-year-old has gone from promising privateer to top-three Dakar racer. His podium at this year’s event added to his excellent 2022 season results bode well for Howes as he now looks ahead to the rest of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship season.

With three stage wins at this year’s event – the most of any rider at this year’s race – Luciano Benavides enjoyed a highly positive, and highly rewarding time at the Dakar. By combining his skill in opening specials with precise navigation and the ability to ride largely error-free throughout the 14-day event, the Argentine was rewarded with sixth overall to equal his career-best result from 2020.

Skyler Howes: “I am so happy! It’s been an incredible race with highs and lows, and it’s come right down to the wire on this final day. I knew the guys behind me would be pushing so hard today, and to go into this final day less than two minutes behind after well over 40 hours of racing is incredible. I arrived at the finish safely, and it feels like a dream come true and such an honour to share it with two legends like Toby (Price) and Kevin (Benavides). Everyone knows what you have to go through to get to this point, and after all that hard work, it makes this moment feel so sweet. Of course I want to come back and see what the other two steps of the podium feel like. But to now be one of five Americans to reach the podium at Dakar, it feels amazing.”

Luciano Benavides: “I’m really, really happy to reach the finish line. It’s been a crazy, tough, and incredibly rewarding Dakar and I’m just over the moon to be here safely after what has to be one of the best races of my life. Thanks to my team for all their hard work, and it’s because of them we finished the race really strongly. I came into this year’s rally without a Dakar stage win, and now I have three. It’s really given me motivation for the future and I’m looking forward to the season ahead even more now.”

Norbert Stadlbauer – Rally Team Manager: “It’s been an incredible Dakar Rally for Husqvarna Factory Racing, especially as the event will go down in history as one of the toughest and certainly one of the closest in history. Skyler has done an amazing job, mastering the rough terrain of the first week to lead the race for several days. He has worked so hard to get to this point and his podium finish is well deserved. Luciano, too, has ridden an exceptional race, not only topping three stages, but also showing incredible skill when opening the specials. Overall, it’s been an amazing team effort by everyone involved here at the 2023 Dakar Rally.”

2023 Dakar Rally – Stage 14 Provisional Classification

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 1:15:17

2. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 1:15:52

3. Toby Price (KTM) 1:16:12

4. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 1:18:32

5. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 1:19:02

6. Sebastian Buhler (Hero) 1:19:31

7. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 1:21:04

 

2023 Dakar – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 14]

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 44:27:20

2. Toby Price (KTM) 44:28:03

3. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 44:32:24

4. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 44:46:22

5. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 44:47:50

6. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 44:50:02

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:

DANIEL SANDERS AND RED BULL GASGAS FACTORY RACING COMPLETE 2023 DAKAR RALLY IN SEVENTH OVERALL

AUSSIE RACER FINISHES AS RUNNER-UP ON FINAL STAGE OF THE EVENT TO SECURE HARD-FOUGHT RESULT

And that’s a wrap from the 2023 Dakar Rally! Signing off on what has been a truly wild two weeks of racing with a close runner-up finish on the 14th and final stage, Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders has brought his RX 450F home safely to secure a gritty seventh place overall result. Not a bad performance at all, especially when you consider that Sanders underwent no less than six operations in the last year following his crash at the 2022 Dakar, as well as getting pretty damn sick halfway through this year’s event. Nice work, Daniel, that was a super-solid effort!

Seventh overall for Daniel Sanders at the 2023 Dakar Rally

Red Bull GASGAS racer completes his second Dakar

Daniel’s RX 450F doesn’t miss a beat through almost 45 hours of racing

Daniel Sanders: “It was going to be difficult today to make up any time but I did what I could and just missed out on the stage win, but overall, I’m super happy. It’s been a long road to get here. After crashing here last year I’ve had six operations, which really limited my preparation, so it’s been great to bounce back and be competitive. It’s been an unreal experience and hopefully next year I can come in stronger and fitter and be more ready to go. The team has been amazing as always and I’m super happy to be here at the finish line in one piece.”

So, GASGAS didn’t win this time around, but it’s been awesome to be back out in the desert and to kick off 2023 with some epic racing. Despite his sickness during the first week and riding with a decent size thorn in his arm for most of the rally, Sanders really did dig deep to complete the Dakar for the second time. Nice work, Chucky!

And that’s all from Dakar 2023 and what a way to start the year! From the highs of Sanders winning a stage and leading the race for a couple days during week one, to Sam Sunderland’s super-frustrating early departure, it’s been a real rollercoaster.

As the dust, and mud, settles in the Saudi desert, it won’t actually be too long until Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing return to action. Up next, in late February, is the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, round two of the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship.

Norbert Stadlbauer – GASGAS Rally Team Manager: “The 2023 Dakar Rally is now over, and it’s been a really crazy race for the team. It was so frustrating and disappointing to lose Sam, who was the reigning Dakar champion, on day one. Daniel performed very well despite missing most of last season through injury, and in week one he led for a couple of days and won a stage. Unfortunately, a brief illness while leading really effected his race but he kept on pushing to the end and finished seventh which is a great result considering all of the circumstances. I’m really proud of the whole team and we now look forward to the 2023 season.”

Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2023, stage 14

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 1:15:17

2. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 1:15:52

3. Toby Price (KTM) 1:16:12

 

Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 14)

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 44:27:20

2. Toby Price (KTM) 44:28:03

3. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 44:32:24

7. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 44:50:17

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Team:

THREE RIDERS IN THE TOP 10 POSITIONS

Today it was time to say goodbye to the 2023 edition of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, after the 14th stage held between Al-Hofuf and Dammam. This completed the 8.549 kilometers of the round one from the World Rally Raid Championship, with the most mythical and certainly hard motorsports off-road competition of all times. This way it also completed the trip from coast to coast, connecting the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.

Monster Energy Honda Team finished the race with three of its four riders, since American and Dakar winner Ricky Brabec had to abandon the race at stage three. The pace was quite high in this last stage, with a short special section 136 kilometers long. This is the year of the rain and mud in a quite unusual Dakar Rally so today this was no exception. With the riders starting in reverse order, spectators could pay tribute to all Dakar heroes. Pablo Quintanilla was the fastest one among the team, with third position on this last stage (03:15 minutes gap) – a result that put him in fourth position overall. Adrien Van Beveren was eight (04:51 minutes gap) and finished this Dakar in 5th position. Finally, José Ignacio Cornejo faced some difficulties after being trapped in the mud and ended in the 34th place. Despite this adversity, the Chilean was able to secure his 8th place overall.

The W2RC championship will return at the end of February keeping the action in the Middle East region. Monster Energy Honda Team is already working on the next stop that will travel to the United Arab Emirates, with the  Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, from 25th February to the third of March.

Ruben Faria

General Manager

“Another Dakar Rally is over and Monster Energy Honda Team was certainly a very relevant squad along the way. We lost Ricky Brabec in a very early phase and kept on track with the other three riders – Pablo Quintanilla, Adrien Van Beveren and José Ignacio Cortejo. I know they did their best every day and in every stage. The final outcome is not what we came here for but this is the Dakar, so let’s continue to work hard as a united team and face the rest of the season with the same winning spirit. ”

Pablo Quintanilla  7

“I am quite happy to be able to finish this Dakar Rally 2023 in Saudi Arabia. Of course this was not the result we were searching for but the feeling is good. I know that I gave one hundred percent every day so I just want to say I am thankful for all the support from the team and this doesn’t go only to the Dakar – it is a year long job. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t – it’s part of the race. ”

Adrien Van Beveren  42

“It’s good to be at the finish, I have to be happy even if this is not a dream result. To finish the Dakar Rally is always a victory and now I remember other times where I could finish due to crashes when I was at the hospital looking at the other on TV. We had a really strong race, I have to remember that. I can’t point out one big mistake I made, the race was a sprint almost everyday. ”

José Ignacio Cornejo  11

“So here we are at the finish line this year, I am happy to reach the end of this Dakar Rally. This one was for sure one of the hardest ones I have ever raced. The result was not what I expected, but I know I did my best at every stage. Now I want to thank the team, family and my fans for all the support. ”

Isle Of Man TT: Entries Now Open

Peter Hickman (10). Photo courtesy Isle of Man TT Press Office.
Peter Hickman (10) in action during the 2022 Isle of Man TT. Photo courtesy Isle of Man TT Press Office.

ENTRIES NOW OPEN FOR TT 2023

The 102nd edition of the Isle of Man TT Races draws closer today, as entries for TT 2023 are now officially open. Returning with a revised ten-race schedule from 29th May, TT 2023 gets underway on the Spring Bank Holiday Monday with both an untimed Free Practice session in the morning followed by a timed first Qualifying session taking place in the afternoon.

Tuesday 30th May, Wednesday 31st May, and Thursday 1st June feature the traditional evening qualifying sessions ahead of the fifth and final qualifying taking place on the afternoon of Friday 2nd June.

The revised race programme then kicks into gear, with the incredibly popular middle weekend now boasting three races instead of just two, opening with the first Monster Energy Supersport and 3wheeling.media Sidecar TT Races on Saturday 3rd June and the RST Superbike TT on Sunday 4th.

Monday provides the first rest day before heading into four mid-week races: The first RL360 Superstock Race and Supertwin Race on Tuesday 6th June, and the second Supersport and Sidecar Races on Wednesday 7th June.

Thursday marks a second rest day ahead of a revitalised final weekend. The Island’s popular bank holiday on Friday 9th June will see packed crowds for the second Superstock and Supertwin Races, before a day of festivities and the headline Milwaukee Senior TT draws the 2023 Isle of Man TT Races to a close on Saturday 10th June.

A RIDER’S EYE VIEW

With more race days and more races to look forward to – including two races for each class for the first time – the fastest man in TT history, Peter Hickman, is enthusiastic about the new format:

“It’s great that we’ll get the opportunity to race twice in each class. There’s also a real incentive there now for teams and competitors to put together more race-winning packages with the Superstock and Supertwin classes now offering a much better return for similar investment and commitment.”

“At the same time, I know that a little mistake or a minor mechanical issue can ruin a race – and all you can think about is having to wait another twelve months before you get to try again. With two races per class, you not only get another bite at the cherry, but you can learn a lot from the first race, which you can take forward to the second. Those races at the end of race week, in particular, I would expect to be hugely competitive and hard-fought.”

BATTLE FOR VICTORY

Having won 15 of the previous 18 TT Races between them, all eyes will be on Peter Hickman and Michael Dunlop in 2023, with Michael closing in on the record number of victories held by his legendary uncle Joey, and Peter hurtling up the list of all-time winners.

Only Dean Harrison and Lee Johnston have been able to put a stop to their dominance in recent years, but the competition is getting ever closer across all the classes. Conor Cummins, Davey Todd and Jamie Coward were amongst a number of competitors who delivered eye-catching performances in 2022 and as the entries roll in, we can look forward to another hotly-contested edition of the greatest motor-sporting event in the world.

Registration For 23rd Annual Riding Into History Show Is Now Open

A vintage Kawasaki road racer that was featured at the 2022 Riding Into History event. Photo by Dohms Creative Photography, courtesy Riding Into History.
A vintage Kawasaki road racer that was featured at the 2022 Riding Into History event. Photo by Dohms Creative Photography, courtesy Riding Into History.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR 2023 RIDING INTO HISTORY 

Registration for the 23rd Annual Riding Into History is now open. This year’s Riding into History takes place on April 15, 2023 at the World Golf Village in St Augustine, FL.

Visit us at  ridingintohistory.org to register your vintage motorcycle for the Concours d’Elegance and purchase your tickets for the Grand Marshal Ride and Banquet.

The featured marque for this year’s show is GET YOUR HEART RACING-COMPETITION MOTORCYCLES.

Our Grand Marshal is none other than AMA Hall of Famer, Mary McGee, Pioneer Woman in Women Racing.

About Riding into History

Riding Into History is the premier all motorcycle Concours d’Elegance in the United States.  Riding Into History is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Its primary charity is K9s for Warriors which provides service dogs for disabled veterans. Riding Into History has donated over $600,000 to local charities since its founding in 1999.

Dakar Rally: Kevin Benavides Wins Stage 13, Price Retains Overall Lead

Kevin Benavides (47). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
Kevin Benavides (47). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.

KEVIN BENAVIDES WINS DAKAR RALLY STAGE 13

Dakar Rally 2023 – Stage 13

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price and Kevin Benavides lie first and second overall in the provisional standings at the 2023 Dakar Rally. After over 43 hours of racing, the two KTM 450 RALLY riders are separated by just 12 seconds! Unfortunately, Matthias Walkner crashed out of stage 13 today and was airlifted to hospital suffering from pain in his lower back.

Although stage 13 was a long one for the riders, coming in at a total of 675 kilometers, the distance raced against the clock was relatively short at 154 kilometers. The special was again made up predominantly of the rolling dunes of the Empty Quarter, and although navigation wasn’t too challenging, reading the terrain and maintaining a good pace was hugely important in order to secure a good result.

Kevin Benavides endured a tough stint in the desert today. Setting off fifth, the 2021 Dakar winner knew the penultimate stage of the event would offer the best chance to make up ground on teammate, rival, and overall rally leader Toby Price. However, at around 55 kilometers into the special, Kevin reached Matthias Walkner who had crashed. Staying with his fellow Red Bull KTM racer until the medical team arrived cost Benavides around 23 minutes. After rejoining the race Kevin pushed hard for the finish, making up good time in the process. After having the lost minutes returned to him, Benavides topped the stage by a tight 27 seconds – enough to provisionally move him up into second in the overall standings.

Kevin Benavides: “It’s always a difficult day when you see someone has had a crash, and it’s worse when it’s your teammate. I stayed with Matthias until help arrived and although he was in some pain, he then told me to carry on. I pushed hard for the rest of the stage, but it’s tricky to focus after seeing something like that. To win the stage is amazing, and to be second overall and so close to Toby is even more of a surprise. With one day left all I can do is try my best and the results will be decided at the finish line.”

Delivering an excellent ride to fifth place on stage 13, despite a small crash and a navigational error, Toby Price retained his lead in the overall standings. But with Benavides now moving into second, a mere 12 seconds behind, the race to the finish line in Dammam on Sunday’s final stage will be intense. As per the Dakar Rally rules, riders will set off in reverse order to the general standings, meaning Kevin will be second-to-last away, followed by Toby.

Toby Price: “It’s been a hectic day out there today. I caught the guys in front at about kilometer 90 and thought to myself, if I want to win this race, I have to be out front and capture that bonus a little bit. I had a small crash where I was focused on the top of one dune, lost the front, and fell over. Then around kilometer 130 we just went slightly too far right and lost a little time getting back on course. I really pushed hard all day, with the goal to still be in the lead going into the final day. I managed to do that, so I’m pleased, but it’s still incredibly tight at the top. Tomorrow really is going to be a race to the finish line, but I’ll give it all I have and see where we end up.”

Showing fantastic speed on the dunes of the Empty Quarter over the last few days, Matthias Walkner came into stage 13 eager to impress once again. Unfortunately, a crash at the kilometer 55 mark brought an end to his stage and his rally. The Austrian suffered trauma to his lower back and has been airlifted to hospital in Dammam for further checks.

Sunday’s stage 14 – the final of this year’s event – will see riders leave the bivouac in Al Hofuf and head north to Dammam. The timed special will be a relatively short sprint up the coast to the finish line, where the 2023 Dakar Rally Champion will be crowned.

Provisional Results – 2023 Dakar Rally, Stage 13

1. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 2:21:47

2. Michael Docherty (ZAF), Husqvarna, 2:22:14 +0:27

3. Luciano Benavides (ARG), Husqvarna, 2:22:44 +0:57

4. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 2:23:52 +2:05

5. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 2:24:15 +2:28

 

Provisional Standings – 2023 Dakar Rally (after 13 of 14 stages)

1. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 43:11:51

2. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 43:12:03 +0:12

3. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 43:13:22 +1:31

4. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 43:27:42 +15:51

5. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 43:27:50 +15:59

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Husqvarna Factory Racing:

THIRD PLACE ON DAKAR STAGE 13 FOR LUCIANO BENAVIDES

HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING’S SKYLER HOWES COMPLETES PENULTIMATE STAGE IN SEVENTH AND LIES THIRD OVERALL WITH ONE STAGE LEFT TO RACE

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Luciano Benavides has delivered another stunning performance at the 2023 Dakar Rally, placing third fastest on the 675-kilometre stage 13. Teammate Skyler Howes steered his FR 450 Rally to seventh place and now lies third overall in the provisional overall standings, less than two minutes behind the leader.

It was another tough day in the desert for all riders as they completed the 13th stage of this epic 45th running of the Dakar Rally. As the event left the dunes of the Empty Quarter and headed to Al Hofuf, competitors raced 154 kilometres against the clock, which were followed by a long liaison to reach the bivouac.

Luciano Benavides, pushing hard right from the start of the special, was immediately in contention to take his fourth stage win at this year’s Dakar. Initially fastest across the finish line, a one-minute penalty dropped the number 77 to second, which was then corrected to third place after Luciano’s brother Kevin was rewarded time lost for assisting a fallen rider.

Although slightly disappointed not to have taken another stage win, Luciano was more than happy with the way he has ridden the featureless Empty Quarter region and is now looking to finish his race on a high with another strong ride on tomorrow’s final stage 14.

Still well in the hunt for overall victory at this year’s Dakar, Skyler Howes was the sixth rider through the gate this morning and maintained a strong pace to the finish, despite a couple of errors along the way. The American has dropped down to third overall in the provisional overall standings, but he trails the leader by just one minute and 31 seconds and will have one final opportunity to make up time on his rivals on the rally’s 14th stage tomorrow.

Luciano Benavides: “The stage was good – around 150 kilometres of dunes. I had a small crash near the beginning, possibly from pushing a little too hard. But after that, I found my rhythm and was able to push again. Midway through the stage I saw Matthias (Walkner) on the ground with the helicopter. Obviously, I hope everything is ok with him and wish him a speedy recovery. After that, I carried on to the finish and think I did a good job. It wasn’t quite enough to win the stage, but I’m happy with how I rode.”

Skyler Howes: “Well, I definitely gave my all today – I pushed right from the start as hard as I could. When I saw that Walkner had crashed, it affected my focus a little bit. There were some really big dunes today, I had big jumps off the top of them myself, too. That was a bit of a deciding factor, I really wanted to push and try and get the win, but I want to make sure that I can complete the race as well. I missed one waypoint later on, and that meant circling around to pick it up, so I lost a little bit of time there. I’m still in the fight for the win, and I have to be super happy with how this race as gone up to this point. I can never look back and say I didn’t try my best. I’m looking forward to tomorrow, it’s going to be a short but fast stage with little scope to make up time I think, so the goal is to get my Husqvarna to the finish line in one piece and hopefully in a good position.”

2023 Dakar Rally – Stage 13 Provisional Classification

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 2:21:47

2. Michael Docherty (Husqvarna) 2:22:14

3. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 2:22:44

4. Adrian Van Beveren (Honda) 2:23:52

5. Toby Price (KTM) 2:24:15

6. Romain Dumontier (Husqvarna) 2:24:19

…

7. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 2:25:18

 

2023 Dakar – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 13]

1. Toby Price (KTM) 43:11:51

2. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 43:12:03

3. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 43:13:22

4. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 43:27:42

5. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 43:27:50

6. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 43:30:20

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:

SANDERS SAFELY THROUGH PENULTIMATE STAGE OF THE 2023 DAKAR RALLY

RED BULL GASGAS FACTORY RACING STAR LIES SEVENTH OVERALL WITH JUST ONE DAY REMAINING

That’s the penultimate stage at the Dakar Rally done and dusted. After posting the 11th fastest time, Daniel Sanders now lies in a comfortable seventh overall. As the second rider to enter stage 13, Sanders quickly formed a trio with two other leading riders and together they ripped through the rolling sand dunes of the Empty Quarter for one last time. In the process, Daniel increased his advantage over eighth place from just over three minutes to almost six, ahead of tomorrow’s final – a fairly simple looking special. Bring it home, Chucky.

Sanders completes penultimate stage at the Dakar

Red Bull GASGAS star enjoys another challenging special

Just 281 kilometers separate Chucky from the finish line

Daniel Sanders: “It was a pretty tricky but enjoyable day up front today. The dunes were really soft which made it hard to maintain a fast pace while trying to navigate, and between the waypoints there were some big gaps, which added to the difficulty. But I pushed on the best I could to not lose too much time and I think I did a pretty good job. There were definitely a few close calls out there but that’s all part of the fun of riding through the dunes!”

Stage 13 and the penultimate day of racing at the Dakar saw Sanders once again help to open the special following his strong runner-up finish yesterday. Setting off into the 154-kilometer special stage with no lines to follow, Chucky demonstrated some impressive navigation skills to bring his awesome RX 450F home just under five minutes adrift of the stage winner. And now, after covering just over 7,600 kilometers so far in this year’s event, just 417 kilometers separate Daniel from the finish line in Dammam.

Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2023, stage 13

1. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 2:21:47

2. Michael Docherty (Husqvarna) 2:22:14

3. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 2:22:44

11. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 2:26:46

 

Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 13)

1. Toby Price (KTM) 43:11:51

2. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 43:12:03

3. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 43:13:22

7. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 43:34:25

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Team:

ONLY ONE MORE STAGE TO GO AT THE DAKAR RALLY

Today the penultimate stage of this year’s Dakar Rally was a goodbye to the vast landscapes of the Empty Quarter side of Saudi Arabia.  Leaving Shaybah, the riders had a short liaison of nine kilometers and then started the 153 km long special section. The route of this 13th stage was composed mainly with dunes (84 percent) so this was one last chance to enjoy this unique scenario and fight to move up in the top standings.

Monster Energy Honda Team surpassed this physical and mechanical extreme endurance test and reached Al-Hofuf bivouac safely on their Honda’s CRF 450 Rally. After yesterday’s stage win,  José Ignacio Cornejo was the first to leave and had the mission to open the track. The Chilean finished with the best 14th time (12th in GP), with a gap of 07:42 minutes for the leader – a performance that allowed him to keep his 8th position in the overall standings. Pablo Quintanilla was 8th (6th in GP) with a gap of 03:33 minutes to the leader – he also kept his position in the overall standings (5th place). Adrien Van Beveren was all stage fighting for the top standings and finished in fourth position, also keeping his fourth place in the overall standings.

The last stage of this year’s Dakar Rally will complete the trip around the red sea, leading the caravan to the shores of the Arabian Gulf in Dammam. There will be a liaison of 270 kilometers from Al-Hofuf and a  special section 136 km long – an unusually fast beach section before reaching the final podium ceremony that celebrates all finishers of this great adventure. Tomorrow there will be a reverse start, meaning the slowest will open and the top contenders close the stage.

Ruben Faria

General Manager

“This year’s Dakar Rally is for sure one of the most competitive ever. The differences in the top standings are really tight after around 43 hours of racing . We are not in the position we wanted but our riders have been fighting stage after stage, giving all they can and having the full support of the team. That’s the spirit and this is Dakar, let’s continue to give our best. ”

Adrien Van Beveren  42

“I pushed a lot at the beginning and then I jumped really high in a dune and that was like a joker. It was kind of scary. I was trying to go fast but safe at the same time but that was not easy, due to the many drops in the dunes. Overall we are in the same position. I think this is my best Dakar, with a very solid performance. There is still one more day to go so let’s fight until the end. ”

Pablo Quintanilla  7

“This was a quite fun stage to ride, with many dunes. I was riding with a good rhythm from the beginning and overall it was a good stage. One more day to go and I know I gave everything in each stage, so that is the way I plan to keep until the last kilometer .”

José Ignacio Cornejo  11

“I knew this was going to be a difficult day, because I had to open the stage. We lost some time like normal, I did the best I could so it was not so bad. I was feeling good and I am glad all my teammates could also return safely to the bivouac. Now let’s continue and give all we can in the last stage ”

Canadian Superbike: New Pro Twins Class Added For 2023

Action from a MotoAmerica Twins Cup race at Road America in 2022. Photo by Sara Chappell Photos, courtesy CSBK.
Action from a MotoAmerica Twins Cup race at Road America in 2022. Photo by Sara Chappell Photos, courtesy Aprilia.

Pro Twins Class joins Bridgestone CSBK Nationals for 2023

Toronto, ON – Starting in 2023, the Canadian National Superbike Championship Series, Bridgestone CSBK, will add a new category for twin cylinder motorcycles.  The new racing division, called Pro Twins, is described as a development category, with the intention of eventually offering middleweight Twins competition for Professional and Amateur level competitors in Canada.

The initial version, Pro Twins, will be run in conjunction with Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike middleweight category races during the five event 2023 CSBK National campaign.  A similar “SuperTwins” program was recently announced for the 2023 Australian Superbike Championship Series.

CSBK’s stated goal for Pro Twins is to launch with the aim of developing a cost-effective mid-level racing platform. Twins will eventually serve as a steppingstone between the Lightweight classes, launched in 2018, and the well-established larger divisions, the Sport Bike (middleweight) and Superbike (open class) categories.

In 2023, The Pro Twins category will run in conjunction with Pro Sport Bike but start separately with their own “waved” start for the Pro Twins racers, based on their performance in Qualifying.  Scoring will be separate for the two classes, and Pro twins will have its own victory lap, podium, and points standings.

As with other divisions in Bridgestone CSBK, Pro Twin’s rules enforcement will centre on the Dynojet Dyno, as operated at National race events by Brooklin Cycle Racing.  The maximum permissible horsepower will be 90 as registered immediately post session or post race on the rear wheel spinning Dynojet Dyno.

Four manufacturers have agreed to participate in the inaugural season of Pro Twins, and other possible machinery will be considered for competition during the inaugural 2023 Twins season as the class is refined and developed.

The “index” bike for the category is Aprilia’s vertical twin RS 660, and the Italian brand’s offering will be heavily restricted to near stock form, give or take some basic electronic tuning.

Yamaha’s R7 is another vertical twin design, and the “R model” and it’s 689cc family relatives including the MT-07 and XSR700, have competed successfully against the Aprilia in several National Championships.  As with the Aprilia, the Yamaha will not be permitted much in the way of chassis mods, but engine allowances (head mods and cams) will be permitted.

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 is a popular existing design, with success in various racing applications, and latitude for chassis and engine improvements will be greater for this established offering.

Suzuki will initially compete with the legendary SV 650 v-twin, again with significant build options available, and Suzuki Canada aim to the have the brand new 776cc vertical twin GSX-8s on track by the end of the inaugural Pro Twins CSBK tour.

On track, machines in Pro Twins will utilize white numbers on black backgrounds, allowing these machines to be differentiated from the Pro Sport Bike categories black number on white backgrounds.

Pro Twins category competitors will be eligible to participate in the upcoming Bridgestone sponsored two-day CSBK Test at JenningsGP in North Florida, March 14 and 15.  The 2023 Bridgestone CSBK National Series opens on Victoria Day weekend at Shannonville Motorsport Park, May 19-21.

American Flat Track: VP Racing Fuels Renews As Official Fuel Supplier

VP Racing Fuels' production facility near San Antonio, Texas. Photo by David Swarts.
VP Racing Fuels' production facility near San Antonio, Texas. Photo by David Swarts.

VP Racing Fuels, Inc. Named Official Fuel Supplier and Performance Coolant of Progressive AFT for Fourth Consecutive Year
 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Progressive American Flat Track announced today that VP Racing Fuels, Inc. will serve as both the series’ Official Fuel Supplier and Official Performance Coolant for a fourth consecutive season in 2023.

The World Leader in Fuel Technology®, VP Racing Fuels was founded in 1975 and has fueled champions in virtually every form of motorsport since. During its near half-century reign VP Racing Fuels has powered more race winners than any other brand, dominating both two- and four-wheeled motorsport across a wide array of series and disciplines all across the globe.

“VP Racing Fuels is looking forward to continuing our association with Progressive American Flat Track as official and spec fuel as well as official coolant,” said Bruce Hendel, Senior Vice President Global Sales for VP Racing Fuels. “Progressive American Flat Track gives us the opportunity to not only showcase our fuel, but also our unique Stay Frosty Coolants that will help the racers run cooler and make more power!”

Along with delivering race-proven power, VP has also developed high-performance coolants, such as STAY FROSTY Race-Ready Coolant, which was specifically formulated to reduce cylinder head temperature, improve ignition timing, and boost overall performance in even the most strenuous conditions. Each Progressive AFT competitor will receive a half-gallon of STAY FROSTY at no charge during the upcoming season.

“VP has been a key partner to the series since coming onboard as the spec fuel provider and official coolant in 2020,” said Gene Crouch, COO of AMA Pro Racing. “The performance, consistency and reliability of VP’s race fuel and performance products are second to none, allowing our riders to put on a spectacular show for the fans every weekend.”

Additionally, a new initiative starting in 2023 will allow fans to purchase a variety of products from VP Racing Fuels in the AFT Marketplace at all events.

For more information, visit VP Racing Fuels, Inc at. www.vpracingfuels.com.

The 18-round 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season will launch in monumental fashion with the return of the DAYTONA Short Track I & II at Daytona International Speedway on March 9-10. To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack.

For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

How to Watch:

FOX Sports and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2022 season, all races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round at http://www.FansChoice.tv.

About Progressive American Flat Track

Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.

Australian Superbike: mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Continuing As Title Sponsor

mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance is continuing as the title sponsor of the Australian Superbike Championship in 2023. Photo courtesy ASBK.
mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance is continuing as the title sponsor of the Australian Superbike Championship in 2023. Photo courtesy ASBK.

mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance returns as naming rights sponsors of the 2023 ASBK Championship

The mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) presented by Motul is proud to announce that championship naming rights sponsor mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance has signed on again in 2023.

Insurance specialists mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance offers a range of products for both road and off-road motorcycling enthusiasts, and they understand how important your motorcycle is to every owner and because of this mi-bike offers cover for riders and their motorcycle with features and benefits most other motorcycle insurers just don’t provide.

“We are motorcycle specialists, it’s all in the name, and we understand how important your motorcycle is to you and because of this mi-bike offer cover for you and your motorcycle with features and benefits most other motorcycle insurers just don’t provide.”
“We are incredibly pleased to deepen our partnership with Motorcycling Australia and continue as the naming rights sponsor for the ASBK Championship 2023 season”, said mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance General Manager Mark Bradley.

“With this sponsorship renewal, we’re showing the great trust and respect we’ve built over the years as well as our shared commitment to supporting motorcycle sports and promoting our brand values through the Australian Superbike Championship racing series.”

Motorcycling Australia (MA) CEO Peter Doyle: “As ASBK goes from strength to strength, it’s terrific to welcome back mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance as the naming rights sponsor. They share our confidence in the championship and have been an integral part in making the Championship what it is today.

“In 2023, we are looking forward to a big season of entertaining and close racing across all classes and the support of our sponsors is key to making this happen. I want to thank mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance for their continuing support on behalf of not only Motorcycling Australia but all fans and stakeholders.”

To learn more about mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance and the fantastic range of insurance products on offer, see: https://www.mi-bike.com.au/

AHRMA: 2023 eMotoRacing Varsity Challenge Scheduled At Gingerman

David McPherson (594) on the University of Michigan SPARK Atlas Team's electric prototype in 2022. Photo courtesy AHRMA.
David McPherson (594) on the University of Michigan SPARK Atlas Team's electric prototype in 2022. Photo courtesy AHRMA.

AHRMA Event to Feature eMotoRacing Varsity Challenge

(Knoxville, TN) – Cutting-edge electric motorcycles heat up the 2023 American Historic Racing Motorycycle Association (AHRMA) road racing season.

The 10th Annual eMotoRacing Varsity Challenge electric motorcycle road race will be part of rounds 13 and 14 of the 2023 AHRMA Bridgestone Tires Roadrace Series July 28 – 30 at Gingerman Raceway, in South Haven, MI.

Collegiate teams from the US and Canada will race their student-built prototype electric motorcycles in AHRMA’s Formula Lightning Series.

During 2022, the University of Michigan SPARK Atlas team took second and third place in the AHRMA Formula Lightning Series competition with David McPherson piloting the prototype at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

During 2023, University of Michigan will have competition from Quebec’s University of Sherbrooke, Rochester Institute of Technology, Cornell University, and other university teams. Racing against these collegiate teams will be private teams from across the US.

The university-based prototypes are built from the ground up as race bikes and represent the latest in electric motorcycle racing technology.

The AHRMA Formula Lightning series is the premier zero-emissions motorcycle road racing series in the US. Bikes may be powered by any means of propulsion that does not emit exhaust, such as electricity, magnetism, gravity, flywheels, springs, etc. We’re looking forward to seeing what all the teams bring this year.

In addition to the Varsity Challenge, all teams are welcome to participate in any of the races within the 2023 Bridgestone Tires AHRMA Roadrace Series. The series schedule is located here – www.ahrma.org/schedules-results

About eMotoRacing:

eMotoRacing is a zero-emissions motorcycle racing series that demonstrates advanced and compact e-superbike technology and excitement. With a full schedule implemented at racetracks across the country, eMotoRacing’s strategic partnership with AHRMA provides the best of current, past, and future history. More information at https://www.facebook.com/eMotoRacing

About AHRMA:

The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on fantastic classic and true vintage along with a wide range of modern motorcycles.  With about 3,300 members, AHRMA is the largest vintage racing group in North America and one of the biggest in the world. The association has grown steadily over the years, reflecting the increasing interest in classic bikes.

Dakar Rally: Honda’s Cornejo Wins Stage 12, KTM’s Price Takes Overall Lead

Toby Price (8). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
Toby Price (8). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.

TOBY PRICE REGAINS DAKAR RALLY LEAD WITH THIRD-PLACE RESULT ON STAGE 12

Dakar Rally 2023 – Stage 12

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Toby Price has retaken the lead of the 2023 Dakar Rally following a strong ride to third place on stage 12 – the second leg of the event’s Empty Quarter marathon stage. Kevin Benavides placed fifth to successfully retain his third-place position in the overall rally standings, less than three minutes behind Price. Completing today’s special just seconds ahead of Benavides, Matthias Walkner carved his way through to fourth place on his KTM 450 RALLY.

Completing the second leg of the marathon stage without issue, Toby Price covered the 185-kilometer timed special on stage 12 in just under two hours. More importantly, Toby not only made up time on his closest rivals in the race for victory, but he also regained the overall rally lead and will have two other riders to chase down on tomorrow’s penultimate stage 13.

Racing at the front of the field remains incredibly close with Toby leading the general rankings by a narrow margin of just under 30 seconds. The two-time Dakar champion will draw on all his experience and skill to ensure good, solid finishes over the final two stages of the race as he has his sights set firmly on securing his third title at the world’s toughest rally-raid.

Toby Price: “The marathon stage has gone well. I have to admit, I didn’t sleep that well yesterday, but I gave it my all out there on the dunes. I wasn’t sure of the result when I came in to the finish today, but it looks like I’m back on top, leading the race. It’s a really close race right now and even the smallest problem could cost you the win. My plan is to keep on pushing over the next two days and try and have some fun.”

Securing a solid fifth-place finish on stage 12, Kevin Benavides closed the gap slightly on the provisional rally lead and remains in third place overall, two minutes and 40 seconds down. The Argentine racer will also have the advantage of another four riders starting ahead of him on tomorrow’s special where he will aim to make up as much time as possible before then attacking the final stage of the race on Sunday.

Kevin Benavides: “The marathon stage went really well for me. Both halves were made up mostly of dunes, so they were a real challenge, but good fun to ride, too. Today I started a little further back, so I tried to keep a good flow through the dunes to make up some time without making any big mistakes. I think I did a good job, and I have got a good start position for tomorrow, which I think will be a really decisive stage in the race.”

Enjoying his time in the Empty Quarter dunes, Matthias Walkner found the terrain very much to his liking. And, feeling comfortable on his KTM 450 RALLY, was able to push hard through the stage to finish in an excellent fourth place. Currently in ninth position overall, although the fight for the podium might now be out of reach for the Austrian, Matthias will continue to fight for solid stage results, giving his all as usual on what is his ninth Dakar appearance.

Matthias Walkner: “It was a super-nice stage today. Honestly, the dunes here in the Empty Quarter are really, really nice. It was quite intense, not so long, but with all the soft sand you have to push a lot and it’s still very physical. As we ride more here it becomes easier to judge and read the terrain. Nacho (Cornejo) caught me today and it was such good fun riding through the dunes together. With only two days of the rally left now, my goal is to simply have fun, do my best, and reach the finish line safely. I plan to enjoy it!”

Stage 13, the penultimate of the rally, will see riders cover a total distance of 675 kilometers as they travel from Shaybah to Al Hofuf. A short timed special of 154 kilometers through the dunes will test competitors’ physical and mental endurance once again.

Provisional Results – 2023 Dakar Rally, Stage 12

1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (CHI), Honda, 1:57:27

2. Daniel Sanders (AUS), GASGAS, 1:58:16 +0:49

3. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 1:59:25 +1:58

4. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 1:59:32 +2:05

5. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 1:59:49 +2:22

 

Provisional Standings – 2023 Dakar Rally (after 12 of 14 stages)

1. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 40:47:36

2. Skyler Howes (USA), Husqvarna, 40:48:04 +0:28

3. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 40:50:16 +2:40

4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 41:02:30 +14:54

5. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Honda, 41:03:50 +16:14

Other KTM

9. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 41:32:00 +44:24

10. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 41:42:34 +54:58

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Husqvarna Factory Racing:

STRONG STAGE 12 FOR HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDERS AT 2023 DAKAR RALLY

SKYLER HOWES BRINGS HIS FR 450 RALLY HOME IN AN EXCELLENT SIXTH POSITION WITH LUCIANO BENAVIDES OPENING THE SPECIAL TO PLACE 12TH

Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Skyler Howes and Luciano Benavides have safely completed the two-day marathon stage at the 2023 Dakar Rally. On stage 12 today, Skyler Howes finished as sixth quickest and now lies second in the overall standings – just 28 seconds off the lead after close to 41 hours of racing. Luciano Benavides opened the special today, a result of his stage win on day 11 – the Argentinian placed 12th and lies sixth overall going into the final two days of the race.

Despite the pressure of being well in the fight for victory at the 2023 Dakar Rally, Skyler Howes has delivered another cool, calculated ride in Saudi Arabia to complete stage 12 in sixth position and minimise his deficit to the provisional rally leader. His stand-out ride at this year’s event continues as the likeable American now lies in a strong second overall, and with his two closest rivals starting ahead of him on tomorrow’s stage 13, Skyler is perfectly placed to attack.

Also enjoying his time racing through the dunes of the Empty Quarter, Luciano Benavides did another stellar job opening the special today, following his win on stage 11. Benavides stayed focused throughout the 185 kilometres raced against the clock, to complete the stage as 12th fastest, a mere four minutes and 20 seconds down. An incredible performance by the number 77 who is on-course to equal or better his best ever Dakar result.

Skyler Howes: “A good stage for me today. The Empty Quarter really does live up to its name – just an endless sea of dunes. It’s really exciting to go into the last couple of days with the race so close. Both halves of the marathon stage went well – I think I was able to ride both days at a good, consistent pace. I was able to preserve myself and the bike without any issues, which is super important. So now I’m looking ahead at the last two stages of the race. Neither of them are very long, so with things so tight on the leaderboard, I really think this battle is going to run right up to the finish line.”

Luciano Benavides: “Yesterday was an amazing stage for me. My third stage win at the Dakar and I really had a lot of fun racing through the desert, jumping off all the dunes. Obviously today I had to open the stage, but I’m really happy as I think I did a good job and didn’t lose much time at all in the overall. The stage was very similar to yesterday, I just had to take extra care not to make any navigation mistakes and I had to focus on reading the terrain well, too. I’ll get a bit of rest now before tomorrow, where I’ve got another strong start position, so another push, and I hope to finish the day in a strong position.”

2023 Dakar Rally – Stage 12 Provisional Classification

1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) 1:57:27

2. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 1:58:16

3. Toby Price (KTM) 1:59:25

4. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 1:59:32

5. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 1:59:49

6. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 2:00:21

…

12. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 2:01:47

 

2023 Dakar – Provisional Overall Classification [After Stage 12]

1. Toby Price (KTM) 40:47:36

2. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 40:48:04

3. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 40:50:16

4. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 41:02:30

5. Adrien Van Beveren (Honda) 41:03:50

6. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 41:07:36

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:

RED BULL GASGAS FACTORY RACING’S DANIEL SANDERS DELIVERS INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE ON DAKAR RALLY STAGE 12

AUSSIE RALLY ACE DELIVERS MASTERCLASS IN NAVIGATION TO SECURE BACK-TO-BACK RUNNER-UP FINISHES AND COMPLETE THE MARATHON STAGE ON A HIGH

Delivering what just might be his best performance of the entire Dakar Rally on today’s stage 12, Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Daniel Sanders combined pinpoint navigation with his blistering pace to post the second fastest time. Clocking in just 49 seconds from victory, it was an incredible performance considering that Chucky opened almost all of the special, which left wheel tracks in the dunes for his chasing rivals to follow. Impressive stuff indeed and a clear indication of just what the Aussie’s capable of out there in the desert. Nice work, Daniel!

Back-to-back runner-up stage finishes for Chucky

Sanders easily the star performer throughout the marathon stage

Only two days and 290 kilometers of racing against the clock to go!

Daniel Sanders: “Yeah, today was pretty good actually. It was a fun stage and early on I caught up with Luciano Benavides. I had a decent pace going so I kept that up and opened the stage all day. I’m happy to reach the finish line today with it being the second leg of the marathon stage and I’m looking forward to the final two days.”

Second away into leg two of the marathon stage, it should have been a tall order for Sanders to secure another top-three result as it’s quite common for leading riders to lose time to their competition. However, the RX 450F racer left that theory somewhere out there in the Empty Quarter on stage 12!

Moving past Luciano Benavides early on in the 185-kilometer special, our man from down under never let off the gas to safely reach the finish and narrowly miss out on another stage win. Heading into tomorrow’s penultimate stage 13, we’re excited to see what Daniel can do from the front again as the times at the top of the overall classification are starting to get tight!

Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2023, stage 12

1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) 1:57:27

2. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 1:58:16

3. Toby Price (KTM) 1:59:25

 

Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 12)

1. Toby Price (KTM) 40:47:36

2. Skyler Howes (Husqvarna) 40:48:04

3. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 40:50:16

7. Daniel Sanders (GASGAS) 41:07:39

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Team:

STAGE WIN FOR NACHO CORNEJO

José Ignacio Cornejo was the man of the day during the second part of the marathon stage at the Empty Quarter. This was the second stage victory for Monster Energy Honda Team during this Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. On the arrival at Shaybah bivouac, the Chilean was 49 seconds faster than Daniel Sanders and had  1:48 minutes to Toby Price.

Stage number 12 was 185 km long and a quite fast route, in a mix between dunes and quick sand tracks. Pablo Quintanilla arrived in seventh position with a gap of 03:06 minutes, while Adrien Van Beveren was ninth with a gap of 03:16 minutes to Nacho. Quintanilla kept his fourth position in the overall standings (14:45 minutes to the leader), Van Beveren maintained his fifth position (16:14 minutes to the leader) and Nacho was still eighth (23:14 minutes to the leader).

Now it’s time to work hard on the Honda’s CRF 450 Rally, since they were lacking assistance for the past two days due to the rules of the marathon stage.

With only two more days to go, tomorrow it’s time for the 13th stage. There will be a very long liaison of 520 kilometers in the connection between Shaybah and Al-Hofuf. The special section will be 153 km long and this departure from the Empty Quarter will certainly be decisive. It will be the last chance to surf on its chain of dunes and also to fight for the top standings. It will be a short but quite intense ride where physical and mechanical endurance can play an important role.

Ruben Faria

General Manager

“The marathon stage is over and we have overcome with great determination the hard terrain at the Empty Quarter. All our riders got back safe and our Honda’s CRF 450 Rally also came back in great conditions and will now be revised for the penultimate stage. Days will get shorter in terms of racing as we reach the end of this Dakar Rally and tomorrow is another decisive day for us. We are fighting to climb in the top standings and that was clear today. Nacho had a great performance and we are happy with another stage win. The team is united and strong so let’s see how it goes in these last two days. ”

José Ignacio Cornejo  11

“Well today I had a good stage, quite solid. Felt quite good on my Honda CRF 450 Rally and tried to push as much as I could. I had a lot of fun in the dunes. I have won a stage and that feels good, especially for my confidence. This did not influence the overall results due to the short distances between all contenders, so I kept my eighth place. I will keep fighting in the last two days because this is Dakar and anything can happen. ”

Pablo Quintanilla  7

“First of all I would like to say that we have done the marathon stage without any problems in our Honda CRF 450 Rally. It was quite hard to cross the Empty Quarter and we all succeeded. The terrain was super hard for the machines and for us. Happy to finish one more day. The race is not over yet so let’s keep the focus.”

Adrien Van Beveren  42

“Today I started behind but did not have that much dunes to race. The stage was shorter and I went as fast as I could go. Dakar is never finished until you cross the line so let’s see what we can do. I will do my best until the last meter, that is for sure!”

Suzuki Sets Pricing On 2023 GSX-8S And V-STROM 800DE

A 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S at speed. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.
A 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S at speed. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.

2023 Suzuki V-STROM 800DE Line and GSX-8S Pricing Announced

BREA, CA – With the new year upon us, the all-new Suzuki V-STROM 800DE and GSX-8S are already making strong first impressions for 2023.

All-new from the ground up, both models are equipped with advanced features at an affordable price point. Including the new 776cc parallel-twin powerplant, TFT display, Bi-directional Quick Shifter, and modern inverted suspension, the GSX-8S and V-STROM 800DE are positioned to capitalize on the growing interest in the mid-size motorcycle market.

Expected arrival for the V-STROM 800DE and DE Adventure is set for May, while the GSX-8S will hit dealers shortly after in June.

The advanced, new 776cc parallel-twin engine with 270-degree crankshaft configuration provides exciting power delivery while producing a unique and exciting exhaust note, and helps to define a compact, purposeful new addition to Suzuki’s iconic line of products.

With riders’ eager anticipation of this exciting new naked sportbike, the 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S is priced at $8,849.

 

Suzuki's all-new 2023 GSX-8S. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.
Suzuki’s all-new 2023 GSX-8S. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S

MSRP: $8,849

Click here for more details

 

The all-new 2023 V-STROM 800DE will be priced at $11,349 while the V-STROM 800DE Adventure comes in at $12,999 and includes quick-release black 37L aluminum side cases, plus a rugged accessory bar and aluminum skid pan for true off-road touring capability. For an adventure seeker who already plans on adding these welcomed accessories, the V-STROM 800DE Adventure provides a strong, accessorized platform up front. Both models offer incredible adventure touring performance and value.

 

Suzuki's all-new 2023 V-STROM 800DE adventure bike. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.
Suzuki’s all-new 2023 V-STROM 800DE adventure bike. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.

2023 Suzuki V-STROM 800DE

MSRP: $11,349

Click here for more details

 

A 2023-model Suzuki V-STROM 800DE Adventure. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor America, LLC.
A 2023-model Suzuki V-STROM 800DE Adventure. Photo courtesy Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.

 

2023 Suzuki V-STROM 800DE Adventure

MSRP: $12,999

Click here for more details

Each 2023 V-STROM 800DE and GSX-8S models are ready to enhance your favorite ride whether its off-road or on: exploring mountain curves or urban haunts. From the off-road capable V-STROM 800DE/Adventure bikes to the on-road naked GSX-8S, Suzuki riders have a lot to look forward to in 2023.

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