Defending champion Jared Mees will enter AMA Pro Flat Track Season Finale in Las Vegas with seven point lead over Bryan Smith

Courtesy of AMA PRO Racing

Defending champion Jared Mees will enter AMA Pro Flat Track Season Finale in Las Vegas with seven point lead over Bryan Smith in premier Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines class

Photo Credit: AMA Pro Racing/Anthony Watt

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 30, 2015) – The 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines championship will be decided in Las Vegas, on a purpose-built short track inside the dome of the Orleans Arena on Friday night, Nov. 20. Defending champion Jared Mees has put together another monster year and he’ll enter the season’s final round with a seven point advantage over Bryan Smith and a 20 point edge over Kenny Coolbeth Jr. in the standings. The rivalry between Mees and Smith this season has been nothing short of fascinating, and the two will duke it out one final time on a track that neither have competed on before, and under a modified format specifically tuned for the purpose-built short track, which measures in at just under a tenth of a mile. Mees will ride the No. 1 Montgomeryville Cycle Center Honda CRF450R in Las Vegas and Smith will pilot the No. 42 Crosley Radio Honda CRF450R in a last-ditch attempt to steal his first-career Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines championship with one round to go. Mees and Smith’s rivalry is evidenced by the fact that both have finished within one position of each other four times this season, including three occasions where they finished one-two at both Springfield Miles and the Du Quoin Mile, with Smith winning all three races over Mees. Though Smith has recorded five wins to Mees’ one this season, Mees is the one who will be licking his chops come Nov. 20, as he has proven to be far more superior in Short Track races than Smith throughout the course of their prolific careers. Mees finished second and 11th to begin the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track season on Daytona’s Short Track, while Smith finished 16th and failed to make the second main event of the doubleheader that weekend. In the only other non-traditional Half-Mile or Mile event this season, Mees came up short in an attempt to break Henry Wiles’ streak of 10 consecutive Peoria TT victories and had to settle with second. As for Smith, much like at Daytona, he was never able to gain any kind of momentum on his Honda and as a result, finished 11th at Peoria. There is little doubt that on paper, Mees appears to be the clear-cut favorite to claim his third Harley-Davidson GNC1 presented by Vance & Hines championship in four years. He’s in his prime and racing for everything on a short track with a seven-point lead against a competitor (Smith) whose Achilles heel has been these types of races. Not so fast. Though he hasn’t had the same kind of success that Mees has had on short tracks, Smith is still a GNC1 racer and a very skilled one at that, and seven points is not insurmountable by any means. This will be the first time that anyone in the field has competed at the Orleans Arena, and with the newly-implemented event format specifically tuned for the evening, anything can happen. The magic number for Smith is eight, as he will need to earn eight or more points than Mees in Las Vegas in order to earn the championship. There have been two instances this season where Smith has gained eight or more points than Mees in a single race. The most recent occurrence happened at the Charlotte Half-Mile on Aug. 29, when Smith earned the victory, Dash for Cash win, and Lap Leader and was awarded 25 points while Mees suffered a mechanical and finished 17th, earning just two points. If anything close to what occurred in Charlotte were to transpire in Las Vegas on Nov. 20, then Smith would be crowned champion. There are multiple scenarios that could determine the fate of the two championship hopefuls at the season finale. If Smith wins at Las Vegas, and Mees finishes third or worse, then Smith would earn the championship over Mees, assuming neither competitor receives a Dash for Cash point or Lap Leader point. Furthermore, if Smith finishes second at Las Vegas, he would need Mees to finish seventh or worse, an unlikely scenario, in order to claim the No. 1 plate. If Mees finishes second or better, he will claim the championship regardless of Smith’s finishing position. If both Mees and Smith were to end the season with the same amount of points, then Smith would earn the tiebreaker, which is based off of wins recorded in 2015, and win the championship. The bottom line is that it’s likely a ‘win or bust’ situation for Smith in Las Vegas, and considering the fact that he’s won more races than any other rider on the circuit this season, he’s probably up to the challenge. Regardless of the outcome next round, Smith and Mees, along with the rest of the AMA Pro Flat Track competitors, have put on a remarkable show all season long, and the highly-anticipated Season Finale in Las Vegas will culminate the 2015 season perfectly. For tickets and information on the AMA Pro Flat Track Season Finale, please visit http://www.orleansarena.com/event-calendar/ama-pro-flat-track. The AMA Pro Flat Track Season Finale is part of a big doubleheader weekend, which will also feature the inaugural Superprestigio of the Americas on Saturday night Nov. 21, an event bringing together the leading AMA Pro Flat Track racers to compete against top domestic and international riders from other disciplines of motorcycle racing. For additional event details visit http://www.superprestigio.com/.

About AMA Pro Flat Track:

AMA Pro 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 AMA Pro Flat Track, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft/, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or live stream the on-track action on FansChoice.tv.

 

About AMA Pro Racing:

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

Bobby Martinez Fires Off On Everything

Courtesy of SURFLINE

England versus Australia as MCE British Superbike title scrum hits Silverstone

Courtesy of MCE British Superbike Championship

This weekend (2/3/4 October) England and Australia will clash in a head-to-head battle for supremacy and at Silverstone the home heroes will be determined to quash Josh Brookes’ aspirations of extending his lead in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship. Brookes started the Showdown with an impressive double win last time out at Assen for the Milwaukee Yamaha team to lead the championship standings by 28 points, but the home defenders are lining up to tackle their Australian rival and bring down his advantage ahead of the Brands Hatch season finale. Defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne needs to respond with a resurgent performance this weekend as he continues his ‘strive for five’ titles after losing ground in the standings at Assen. The PBM Kawasaki rider is confident of a strong retaliation at Silverstone following a positive test earlier in the week and has strong form at the circuit – finishing in the top two positions in each of the previous six races. James Ellison is also ready to stake his claim to the championship title as he tries to overhaul the leading pair this weekend. A double podium finish at the opening round of the Showdown at Assen boosted his chances and puts the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider within striking distance of the top. Michael Laverty and Tommy Bridewell are hoping they can charge through the field for the Tyco BMW team; the fast and flat out nature of the Northamptonshire circuit could prove to be the ideal match for the BMW and both riders are out to score big points this weekend. Dan Linfoot had a disastrous time at Assen and paid the penalty by scoring just two points but the Honda Racing rider is determined to turn his fortunes around this weekend, however outside of the top six in the standings the Showdown spoilers are menacingly lining up to attack. Richard Cooper on the Buildbase BMW currently holds seventh position in the standings but after a podium finish at Assen, rookie Luke Mossey is just eight points adrift and ready to pull off a repeat performance for Quattro Plant Kawasaki this weekend. Fellow rookie Danny Buchan will line up in the title-defending PBM Kawasaki team this weekend in place of Stuart Easton, who continues his recovery from injury, and he could be the wing man that Byrne needs on Sunday. Championship standings ahead of Silverstone: 1: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 603 2: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) 575 3: James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 562 4: Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) 523 5: Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW) 515 6: Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) 509 For more information visit http://www.britishsuperbike.com Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) Championship leader: 603 points “I have a lot of confidence in the bike and the team and I hope that we can take the momentum we had at Assen into this weekend at Silverstone and keep it going. I am not being cocky about it because for instance at Oulton Park we thought we would be in a better place on the second time around and look what happened there. “I think everyone is going to be trying hard this weekend for sure, but you can only have willingness and then the rest is down to what happens during the weekend on the track. I know I have gone to Silverstone before with a determination and need but I didn’t have all the ingredients to achieve the result. “I think Tommy [Bridewell] has always gone well at Silverstone and the BMWs seemed to be going well at Assen so you could draw some similarities there; Tommy will be ready to put the world to right. Then Shakey, you have to expect to be as strong as ever there so I just need to be on my guard. James Ellison will be there too so I think on a championship level I need to be mindful of where my competition is, but on a personal level I only have desire to win.” Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) Second in the standings: 575 “We started off Assen being the first of the Showdown rounds and as a team PBM Kawasaki expected to be strong at the faster tracks, like Assen. However in reality we realised that the fast, flowing corners are where we are struggling at the moment and that is something as a team we are working hard together to resolve. “We have had a test before Silverstone so we can arrive at the next round in a better shape because nothing short of five wins is enough for me and the team. I am more than up for it and there should be no reason we can’t fight for them. I am doing everything I can and so are the team to make it happen. “I know how easy it is to see a lead disappear in the Showdown; I am not saying that will necessarily happen, but it is easy for things to turn around so quickly at this point of the season. I have no doubt that we can beat him [Josh] again and you can guarantee I will be doing everything to make that happen.” James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) Third in the standings: 562 “Assen was good for us and it wasn’t a surprise for us to be on the podium but to be honest we wanted two wins so two second places was a bit of a disappointment in that respect. We haven’t given up on the championship and we won’t be until it is decided – we will go down kicking and screaming! “Confidence is a big thing and Josh is on the crest of a wave right now but we have big confidence too ahead of Silverstone and that has been gathering since we have returned from injury. I can’t wait to get going at Silverstone as I feel like we are getting stronger every day, it’s not perfect but it’s getting better. “We were lacking a bit of power at Assen which I think was where we lost out to Josh a bit, but as a team we have a bit of a plan for that because we need to put a stop to him winning in race one.  We need to be taking points back off him for the championship and that’s when we will see how he deals with pressure. For sure Shakey will be stepping it up again after Assen and we need to be finishing in front of him too. “Silverstone always produces some great dogfights and there is nothing I love more than a great battle so hopefully it’s like that! Hopefully we will have some more of the other guys too because if they get between some of us, hopefully between myself and Josh or Shakey, that will be great for our championship position.” Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) Fourth in the standings: 523 “I am really content ahead of this weekend as I have been chasing a feeling with the bike all year and at Assen we found what we were looking for, so I am feeling really quite satisfied and ready for this weekend. I think we also haven’t found the full potential either; at Assen the conditions were changeable and that means we still have plenty of scope to make further improvements. We can arrive this weekend and hopefully be right on the money and we want more podiums from this weekend that’s for sure. “I think going into this weekend the top step has to be my goal because it is definitely on the horizon. The BMW has to be one of the fastest bikes out there and so we can’t wait for the Hangar Straight this weekend! I feel that this track will be one where we can beat the Yamahas and the Kawasakis because of the top end speed. I think Josh [Brookes] is on a roll at the moment and is the rider to beat but he will have to put up a fight this weekend. “From a team point of view I know Tyco BMW are ready to fight for the podium with both myself and Tommy [Bridewell], we know Shakey will want to get one over on Josh too. Then you have to thrown into the equation Christian Iddon, Luke Mossey and Dan Linfoot who will want a better weekend after Assen. That’s going to be one big freight train on Sunday!” Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW) Fifth in the standings: 515 “I think looking back on Assen straight afterwards I was perhaps more negative than I should have been. When I look at it again now we had the brand new swingarm and the conditions were so changeable from dry to wet and then we went back to what we knew on Saturday. Although it was like riding a different bike I don’t feel like we had a true assessment. Ideally we would have had more time in the same conditions. “I think at Silverstone we will revert back to the new swingarm and give it another go. It’s so difficult to win and we had a tough one at Assen, but you need those weekends sometimes as they make you work even harder. It is difficult when we don’t have the magic answer but we know we want more at Silverstone. “I am not approaching these weekends looking at the championship, you could say we want top fives or podiums, but if I can’t be at least top three or can see a win then where we finish is actually irrelevant to me. A podium makes you feel like you have achieved something in a race and I know that sometimes I should take a step back, but I can’t. I want to be fighting and know that I have given everything I have to be fighting for the win. “I have no interest in fighting for just top five or even the podium, I want to be winning. If there is a chance of the wins at Silverstone then I will risk everything to make it happen.” Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) Sixth in the standings: 509 “Obviously the first task for me is to put Assen to bed; it wasn’t nice watching that race back on TV that’s for sure, but we had a good debrief with the team at the workshop last week and we can go to Silverstone now with a fresh approach. “Silverstone is a similar style track to Assen and we need to put two strong weekends together now there and at Brands Hatch. We know Silverstone was a strong track for Alex [Lowes] in 2013 and we know we can build on that next weekend. “At the last few rounds we have been having a ‘Friday feeling’ and we haven’t been able to start the weekend as strongly as we would like and so I feel like we need to change our approach a little bit. Assen has definitely made me more determined to come back stronger at Silverstone; that is the only way we can bounce back. “We are not that far away from Tommy and Michael in the standings and so they are the realistic target for me and my aim has to be to try and overhaul them in the championship to do the best job I can for Honda Racing.”

Morais, Pires, Ribeiro Advance on Home Turf at Allianz Billabong Pro Cascais

Courtesy of WSL – World Surf League

Caption: Morais surfed smart and solid on the opening day of competition in Cascais. Image: WSL / Masurel Location:    Praia de Guincho – Cascais / Portugal Holding Period: September 28 – October 4, 2015 Call: Next Call 7:30AM – Thursday / Possible Double-Banks Conditions: 2-3Ft on Day 3 PRAIA DE CARCAVELOS, Cascais – Portugal (Wednesday, September 30, 2015) – The Allianz Billabong Pro Cascais launched in clean two-to-three foot surf at the pristine Praia do Guincho, back-up location of the event, and completed the 28 heats using double banks to capitalize on the swell on offer on Day 3 of the waiting period. Exciting matchups revealed the form surfers of the moment who dropped huge scores in the peaky lefts and rights of Guincho.   Kolohe Andino (USA), 21, opened his Cascais campaign with an impressive performance in the first round to belt a 17.67 heat total, including a 9.67 for a beautiful lefthander on the northern bank. The current World No.29, now sits in fourth position on the QS ranks following his excellent 5th place in Azores and will look to post another solid result to defend his position towards requalification for the 2016 Championship Tour.   “I felt like I was pretty lucky, I was actually in second priority so I didn’t have complete priority over the heat,” Andino explained. “It was tricky, I had my mind set on one spot out there and the tide dropped really quickly and suddenly it was closing out the back on that left bank I thought I was going to be on. I was a little confused on where to sit but luckily I got a couple of good scores and made it through.”   Andino kept his momentum going into the second round of competition on a much higher tide and adapted his approach to put a 9 point ride on his scoreboard in the opening minutes of the exchange.   Dusty Payne (HAW), 26, came out on top of a Hawaii vs. Japan battle, advancing alongside compatriot Granger Larsen, in the opening round. Payne managed to score big in the small surf and collected the day’s third highest single ride, a 9.17 for his backside powersurfing on the opposite southern bank.   “I wasn’t getting it done on the smaller ones, and I knew I needed to wait for something that would actually push me and I got the right wave,” Payne stated. “It offered two good sections and I was pretty happy I didn’t expect to get two turns on that wave. I’ve got a good small-wave board that works great in these tough conditions.”   Kanoa Igarashi (USA), 17, the youngest surfer in this event and current No.6 on the QS, eyeing a potential qualification for the Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour, surfed the best wave of the entire day for a near-perfect 9.87 and his spot into the second round when the event resumes. A complete package, Igarashi started with a couple of solid hacks and carving maneuvers on the outside before boosting a little reverse in the shorebreak section of the wave.   “I only caught three waves, I just made sure I got the waves that I needed,” Igarashi commented. “I had third priority and a three-wave set came so I got the third wave and it was a crazy one. I wanted to surf it solid and not do anything crazy and stupid, it came together nicely with the 9.87. I feel like I still have a lot of work to do, I’m only 17. If I qualify, I didn’t really expect it. It wasn’t my goal at the beginning of the year, now it is for sure.”   Local hero and reigning Junior World Champion Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 20, made his way into the third round of competition and pleased the crowds with his signature power surfing in the clean peaks of Guincho.   “It’s definitely good to be competing in front of everyone here, my family and friends,” Ribeiro said. “This is where I surf every single day and today was a hard day to compete out there. My plan was to catch the first wave and try to stay busy in the inside and it went my way. I have some good memories of competing in Portugal and especially the World Juniors last year but this is a totally different event so I’ll just try to stay focused and do my best to put on a show here and have fun.”   Soli Bailey (AUS) 20, author of a solid heat win early this morning, managed to advance alongside World No.21 Miguel Pupo (BRA) in the second round and will look to continue his excellent campaign at Guincho when the event recommences.   “It’s good to get a win and a couple of heats out of the way,” Bailey admitted. “It’s hard to find the perfect little spot out there, and when there’s a little corner you can have three or four guys contesting for the spot. It’s so tide-dependant out there, I’ll just go home and reassess when I have to surf again.”   Event wildcard Tomas Fernandes (PRT), 19, posted a convincing win in round 1, eliminating the defending event champion Jadson Andre (BRA) in the process. Unfortunately Fernandes couldn’t keep the ball rolling and in a slow heat of the second round and was forced down to fourth and a 37th place result.   “Conditions were difficult and I was lucky enough to get two good waves this morning,” Fernandes said. “I’m from Ericeira but I used to train here every single day, so even though I don’t know the wave perfectly I was still feeling very comfortable out there.”   Surfers and event officials will reconvene on Thursday at 7:30AM to reassess conditions for a potential restart of the round of 48.   First in the water when the event resumes will be Dusty Payne (HAW), Steven Pierson (PYF), Jesse Mendes (BRA) and Aritz Aranburu (ESP).   The WSL Men’s QS10,000 Allianz Billabong Pro Cascais is scheduled from September 28 – October 4, 2015 in Cascais, Portugal. For all results, photos, video highlights, press releases and LIVE webcast, log on to worldsurfleague.com.   The Allianz Billabong Pro Cascais is supported by the Câmara Municipal de Cascais (Cascais City Council), Billabong, Allianz, Turismo de Portugal (Portuguese Waves Series), EDP, Moche, Jogos Santa, Casa, CTT (Portuguese Post Office), Brisa, Hertz, Buondi and Hotel Viva Marinha among others.   REMAINING ALLIANZ BILLABONG PRO CASCAIS ROUND OF 48 MATCHUPS: Heat 5: Dusty Payne (HAW), Steven Pierson (PYF), Jesse Mendes (BRA), Aritz Aranburu (ESP) Heat 6: Patrick Gudauskas (USA), Stu Kennedy (AUS), Hizunome Bettero (BRA), Granger Larsen (HAW) Heat 7: Willian Cardoso (BRA), Charly Martin (GLP), Conner Coffin (USA), Mitchel Coleborn (AUS) Heat 8: Luel Felipe (BRA), Jack Freestone (AUS), Ryan Callinan (AUS), Italo Ferreira (BRA) Heat 9: Noe Mar McGonagle (CRI), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Maxime Huscenot (FRA), Adam Melling (AUS) Heat 10: Michael Wright (AUS), Marco Fernandez (BRA), Deivid Silva (BRA), Sebastian Zietz (HAW) Heat 11: Michael February (ZAF), Connor O’Leary (AUS), Thomas Woods (AUS), Nomme Mignot (FRA) Heat 12: Wigolly Dantas (BRA), Kanoa Igarashi (USA), Tiago Pires (PRT), Evan Geiselman (USA)   ALLIANZ BILLABONG PRO CASCAIS ROUND OF 48 RESULTS: Heat 1: Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 11.66, Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 10.87, Davey Cathels (AUS) 10.33, Tomas Fernandes (PRT) 5.43 Heat 2: Michael Rodriguez (BRA) 16.86, Kolohe Andino (USA) 16.07, Nathan Yeomans (USA) 12.00, Tom Whitaker (AUS) 11.30 Heat 3: Frederico Morais (PRT) 13.73, David Do Carmo (BRA) 13.50, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 11.50, Robson Santos (BRA) 8.96 Heat 4: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.60, Soli Bailey (AUS) 11.83, Joan Duru (FRA) 7.37, Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 5.73   ALLIANZ BILLABONG PRO CASCAIS ROUND OF 96 RESULTS: Heat 1: Tomas Fernandes (PRT) 14.40, Tom Whitaker (AUS) 13.33, Jadson Andre (BRA) 10.90, Santiago Muniz (ARG) 10.60 Heat 2: Davey Cathels (AUS) 13.40, Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 11.77, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 11.26, Mateia Hiquily (PYF) 8.66 Heat 3: Nathan Yeomans (USA) 14.00, Vasco Ribeiro (PRT) 13.27, Vincent Duvignac (FRA) 11.76, Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 11.73 Heat 4: Kolohe Andino (USA) 17.67, Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 10.00, Timothee Bisso (GLP) 8.70, Mitch Crews (AUS) 7.80 Heat 5: Frederico Morais (PRT) 12.53, Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 12.30, Kiron Jabour (HAW) 12.20, Keanu Asing (HAW) 10.04 Heat 6: David Do Carmo (BRA) 10.83, Joan Duru (FRA) 10.47, Tanner Hendrickson (HAW) 9.23, Jose Ferreira (PRT) 6.83 Heat 7: Soli Bailey (AUS) 15.36, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 13.86, Carlos Munoz (CRI) 10.04, Michael Dunphy (USA) 8.36 Heat 8: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 14.17, Robson Santos (BRA) 7.06, Beyrick De Vries (ZAF) 6.56, Cooper Chapman (AUS) 6.30 Heat 9: Dusty Payne (HAW) 15.84, Granger Larsen (HAW) 14.94, Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) 12.00, Hiroto Arai (JPN) 10.00 Heat 10: Steven Pierson (PYF) 11.93, Hizunome Bettero (BRA) 11.93, Brett Simpson (USA) 10.26, Brent Dorrington (AUS) 10.00 Heat 11: Stu Kennedy (AUS) 12.16, Jesse Mendes (BRA) 11.70, Mason Ho (HAW) 9.97, Marlon Lipke (PRT) 9.83 Heat 12: Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 14.00, Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 10.40, Jeremy Flores (FRA) 8.87, Miguel Blanco (PRT) 7.80 Heat 13: Willian Cardoso (BRA) 16.73, Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.70, Pedro Henrique (PRT) 12.57, Jack Robinson (AUS) 5.80 Heat 14: Charly Martin (GLP) 11.27, Ryan Callinan (AUS) 10.50, Lucas Silveira (BRA) 7.53, Nic Von Rupp (PRT) 7.53 Heat 15: Jack Freestone (AUS) 12.43, Conner Coffin (USA) 12.26, Jean Da Silva (BRA) 10.66, Tim Reyes (USA) 6.60 Heat 16: Luel Felipe (BRA) 15.16, Mitchel Coleborn (AUS) 10.43, Ricardo Christie (NZL) 10.10, Gony Zubizarreta (ESP) 7.93 Heat 17: Noe Mar McGonagle (CRI) 16.44, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 15.23, Dale Staples (ZAF) 11.90, Adrien Toyon (FRA) 9.20 Heat 18: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 15.23, Deivid Silva (BRA) 12.43, Tomas Hermes (BRA) 12.30, Thiago Camarao (BRA) 11.30 Heat 19: Marco Fernandez (BRA) 14.23, Maxime Huscenot (FRA) 13.16, Miguel Tudela (PER) 11.47, Billy Stairmand (NZL) 10.53 Heat 20: Michael Wright (AUS) 14.67, Adam Melling (AUS) 14.50, Bino Lopes (BRA) 9.83, Wade Carmichael (AUS) 9.80 Heat 21: Michael February (ZAF) 15.40, Evan Geiselman (USA) 14.44, Jonathan Gonzalez (CNY) 13.73, Glenn Hall (IRL) 8.06 Heat 22: Connor O’Leary (AUS) 13.90, Tiago Pires (PRT) 12.30, Joshua Moniz (HAW) 12.10, Alejo Muniz (BRA) 11.20 Heat 23: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 17.20, Thomas Woods (AUS) 15.20, Dion Atkinson (AUS) 10.53, Medi Veminardi (REU) 6.34 Heat 24: Wigolly Dantas (BRA) 12.76, Nomme Mignot (FRA) 12.43, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 10.37, Yadin Nicol (AUS) 10.00

About the World Surf League
The World Surf League (WSL) organizes the annual tour of professional surf competitions and broadcasts each event live at WorldSurfLeague.com where you can experience the athleticism, drama and adventure of competitive surfing — anywhere and anytime it’s on. The WSL sanctions and operates the following tours: the Junior Tour, Longboard Tour, the Qualifying Series (QS), the Big Wave Tour and the crown jewel of the sport, the WSL Championship Tour (CT) which determines the sport’s undisputed world champions. The organization is headquartered in Santa Monica, California with Commercial Offices in New York. The offices are supported by regional centers in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Hawaii, North America and South America.

Red Bull KTM Ajo 2016 Team

Courtesy of KTM

30/09 2015 Red Bull KTM Ajo to compete with Binder and Bendsneyder in 2016 The Red Bull KTM Ajo Team has confirmed it will start with a two-rider team in the MotoGP Moto3 World Championship in 2016. South African Brad Binder stays with the team for another season while the new recruit is the 2015 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, Dutch teenager Bo Bendsneyder. The team will continue to compete on the KTM RC 250 GP Moto3 racing machine. KTM Motorsport Director Pit Beirer said with Red Bull KTM Ajo’s two chosen riders for the 2016 season he expected the team to maintain its position at the forefront of Moto3 competition Pit Beirer: “It is clear that Brad Binder has this season grown under the capable hands of team manager Aki Ajo, who is one of the most respected figures in the paddock. Both he and Bo also have much to gain through the excellent Red Bull KTM Ajo team structure, and we will be doing whatever is necessary to ensure they have the quality racing bikes in the KTM RC 250 GP to get the job done.” Aki Ajo said he was looking forward to competing with the two-rider structure in 2016 and at the same time extended his thanks to partners, including Red Bull and KTM, for their continued support of the team. Aki Ajo: “I am very happy to continue working with Brad Binder for the second consecutive year, as this has been a good year with him. I am especially proud of the progress and the significant improvements that he has been making race after race. It’s really important to continue working together to keep growing next year. I think we are a strong partnership that can compete for the title next year. “It’s also very nice to have Bo [Bendsneyder] on our team. He is a talented rider who comes from the Red Bull Rookies Cup, as many of our riders in the past have done. We are excited to have another rookie join the World Championship with us, and I’m sure that with him we will take many steps forward and learn a lot together.” Binder, who has come into his own in the second half of the 2015 season is currently in seventh place on the points table with four races and 100 points still on the table. He has been twice on the podium in this, his fourth season in the Moto3 category. Bendsneyder has just completed an outstanding season in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, winning eight races and wrapping up the title in the eleventh of thirteenth rounds. Together with his one race win in 2014, Bendsneyder graduates from the Rookies Cup with a total of nine wins. Brad Binder: “I am very happy to stay with Red Bull KTM Ajo next year and continue to progress together. It is very important to be in the same team and, after the podium and fights for victories, to finish the job next year by fighting for the title.” He said he had made a breakthrough in 2015 by focusing on improving his riding. “I’m looking forward to the remaining races this year, and starting next season stronger than ever.” Bo Bendsneyder said advancing to the Red Bull KTM Ajo team was “a dream come true”. “My career in the World Championship will begin next year. It’s an honor to be part of the team that have already been World Champions three times and always have very fast riders competing for them.” Miguel Oliveira, who has been at the forefront of Moto3 racing for Red Bull KTM Ajo in 2015, is moving up the Moto2 in 2016. www.motogp.com

Red Bull MotoGP Rookies cup champion Bo Bendsneyder and Team Manager Aki Ajo Brad Binder, seen here on the Moto3 podium in Brno to stay with the team in 2016.

Mountain bike legend Richie Schley And Elena Martinello Umbria’s New Ride MTB Trail Along A Railway

Courtesy of EPIC TV

Mountain Bike legend Richie Schley And Elena Martinello Ride Umbria’s New MTB Trail Along A Railway And Through Tunnels, Spoleto Norcia | Umbria MTB

The New Norcia Spoleto mountain bike track is a beautiful new trail built along the old railway line, through tunnels and over viaducts in the mountains with incredible views of the region. EpicTV went to Umbria in Italy to try it out with MTB legend Richie Schley, Elena Martinello and help from the local guides. Along the way they try the local cuisine, take in the stunning panoramas and see what the region has to offer. Warning – watching this film will make you want to travel to Umbria as it’s such a charming & beautiful region! Find out more at www.umbriatourism.it
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California wildfires force cancellation of Ramspur Winery Calistoga Half-Mile presented by Triumph

Courtesy of AMA PRO Racing

Previously postponed AMA Pro Flat Track event could not be rescheduled despite best efforts

Photo Credit: AMA Pro Racing/Dave Hoenig

CALISTOGA, Calif. (September 29, 2015) – The Ramspur Winery Calistoga Half-Mile presented by Triumph, originally scheduled as Round 13 of the 2015 AMA Pro Flat Track schedule, has officially been canceled. Officials had previously announced that the event had been postponed, as Calistoga Speedway was being used as an evacuation center for those displaced by the wildfires in California. However, despite the best efforts of all involved, it was not possible to identify a suitable rescheduling date at the facility. “First off, our hearts and thoughts are with the people that have had their lives irreparably changed,” said Terry Otton, on behalf of the event promotion team. “Despite all of our efforts and everything we were willing to do, we just couldn’t get it done. We’re sorry for our fans, and we’re really looking forward to 2016 and planning our future events.” “This has been a very trying time for people in the Northern Napa Valley region and we continue to send our thoughts and prayers their way,” said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. “While we regret that we are unable to bring the sport to the community in 2015, we look forward to returning to Northern California in future seasons to put on great racing for our many fans in the area.” Fans who purchased pre-sale tickets for the 2015 Ramspur Winery Calistoga Half-Mile presented by Triumph will be offered a complete refund. For more information, please visit http://www.flattrackcalistoga.com/ or call 888-718-4253. The 2015 season will conclude on November 20 with the AMA Pro Flat Track Finals at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The AMA Pro Flat Track season finale is part of a big doubleheader weekend, which will also feature the inaugural Superprestigio of the Americas on Saturday night Nov. 21, an event bringing together the leading AMA Pro Flat Track racers to compete against top domestic and international riders from other disciplines of motorcycle racing. For tickets and information, please visit http://www.superprestigio.com.

About AMA Pro Flat Track:

AMA Pro 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 AMA Pro Flat Track, please visit www.amaproracing.com/ft/, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or live stream the on-track action on FansChoice.tv.

 

About AMA Pro Racing:

AMA Pro Racing is the premier professional motorcycle racing organization in North America, operating a full schedule of events and championships for a variety of motorcycle disciplines. Learn more about AMA Pro Racing at www.amaproracing.com.

Highlights MXoN

Courtesy of Youthstream Media

The Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations is all over for yet another year. This year the event set the standard for the motocross of nations, it exposed the amount of passion and dedication that all of the fans, riders, organizers and promoters withhold. If you missed it, never fear, you can sign-up to www.mxgp-tv.com and watch it OnDemand. Here are the highlights of what happened: