Highly Anticipated 2013 Monster Energy Supercross Championship Kicks off This Saturday Night

Courtesy of Supercross Media

AURORA, Ill.(December 31, 2012) – The 2013 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, kicks off this Saturday at Angel Stadium and for the first time in 40 years of racing, 10 riders with 450SX Class Main Event wins will take part in this epic season led by two-time defending champion Ryan Villopoto.

Media Day is Thursday, January 3 from Noon – 2:00 p.m., inside the Diamond Club of Angel Stadium, featuring Villopoto, James Stewart, Chad Reed and Ryan Dungey. Riders will be available for interviews and photographs before they ride the track for the media.

The 2012 Monster Energy Supercross Championship season unfolded like a war of attrition. Throughout the 17-race season, the sport’s top five riders were forced to miss races, or in some cases the remainder of their season, with injuries. Before the gate dropped on the opening race the season, the sport possessed the deepest field in its history and subsequently lived up to the hype through the first four weekends.

Only once before had four different riders won the first four races of a season, so the stage appeared to be set for a different rider to win on any given night. When Villopoto, 2004 & 2008 450SX Class Champion Reed, 2010 450SX Champion Dungey and 2007 & 2009 450SX Champion Stewart all grabbed victories to start the season, they became only the second group of riders ever to accomplish this feat in 39 years of competition. In 2013, the plot will undoubtedly thicken as this elite group will be joined by two highly touted rookies, Justin Barcia and Dean Wilson.
           
A major blow to the 2012 championship occurred to Honda’s Trey Canard, a title contender who was already battling a slow start to the season. Canard fell victim to a massive crash at Dodger Stadium, resulting in three fractured vertebrae and a spinal cord injury that kept him off the bike for seven months.

At the return stop inside Angel Stadium, Villopoto made a stand and became the first rider to win two races in the season, moving into the points lead for the second time in 2012. He never looked back, winning two more consecutive races.

“This year (2012), I worked harder than I ever have,” said Villopoto. “However, backing up what you have already done definitely brings added pressure to win.”
           
Part of Reed’s racing philosophy is consistency. He holds the record for all-time podium finishes — 119 in 148 starts — and is one of just two riders to win at least one 450SX Class race in nine seasons. In 85 percent of 148 450SX Class starts, he’s finished in the top five a record 129 times. But last year, for only the second time in his career, Reed was forced to withdraw from the championship hunt due to injury. While stalking Villopoto for the lead near the halfway mark at Cowboys Stadium, Reed went down hard. In a violent crash that lasted just seconds, Reed’s injury report read: fractured T-6, two ribs, tibia, fibula, torn ACL, LCL, and meniscus.

“I’ve seen a lot in my life career. I’ve been a big sponge and taken it all in — the good, the bad, the ugly,” said Reed. “l have lived life to the fullest, and I believe that helps me stay motivated and committed to what I love to do on the weekends. I’ve been very lucky to have always been in the fight for podiums, wins and the title. I’m hoping ’13 will be no different! I learned a lot in 2012, and I’m ready to put that to good use.”
           
Stewart’s implausible speed would again become his worst enemy. He crashed in seven of 11 races, but still won two Main Events. Through the first 10 races, he averaged a fifth-place finish, but after the 44th win of his career, he joined the injured reserve list, only to come back for one more race, where he finished 20th following a crash. Considered the fastest man on the planet, Stewart either wins or crashes 91 percent of the time. To crack the code, Stewart needs to slow down to win championships. His lifetime winning percentage in races where he did not crash is 84.62 percent. When he won his first of two championships in 2007, his winning percentage in races where he did not crash was 100 percent.

“It’s going take speed, but it’s probably going to be about consistency more than anything,” Stewart said about the strategy to win this year’s title. “There are a lot of fast guys out there, and all of them want to win. None of us will have the luxury of a bad weekend this year.”
           
At one point in Stewart’s career he was squarely focused on breaking Jeremy McGrath’s all-time record of 72 wins. He told ESPN the Magazine, “The record will fall. I am going to make sure of it.”
           
Now that he’s more than halfway to the seemingly unbreakable mark, Stewart is not as sure about becoming the all-time winningest supercross racer.
           
“I would love to,” said Stewart about snapping the record. “But it’s going take some work. I still have a little ways to go, so we’ll see how it plays out over time.”
           
Heading into St. Louis, Dungey crashed during a practice session at his training facility, breaking his collarbone. To maintain his position in the title fight, he raced in St. Louis and finished second — but that made the fracture worse. As a result, Dungey was forced to have the injury surgically repaired, missing the next five races. He closed out the season with two consecutive wins and finished third in the championship during his first season on the Red Bull KTM team, delivering the Austrian team its first 450SX Class wins and best season finish ever.
           
As fate would have it, two races after clinching his second consecutive Monster Energy Supercross Championship, Ryan Villopoto crashed in the Main Event of his home race in Seattle and tore his ACL, sidelining him for the remainder of the year. The season closed out with Andrew Short capturing the first victory of his seven-year 450SX Class career, followed by Dungey sweeping the final two races of the season.
           
Graduating from the 250SX Class is standout Justin Barcia. Barcia finished second overall as a rookie in 2010 and moved on to win back-to-back Eastern Regional Championships in 2011 and 2012. En route to a dominant 2012 season, Barcia won six of nine races and closed the season out with a 45-point lead over the second-place finisher with a 1.6 finishing average.
           
After establishing himself as one of the brightest rising stars of the sport over the last three seasons, Barcia is ready to compete in the 450SX Class. His arrival will add to what is already the deepest field of riders in Monster Energy Supercross history.
           
If history repeats itself, Barcia will have his work cut out for him in 2013. Only twice in the sport’s history has a rookie claimed the 450SX Class Championship, with Jeremy McGrath in 1993, and most recently Ryan Dungey in 2010.
           
Barcia puts less stock in history than he does his skill set, saying he’s a legitimate title contender. “That’s the plan; that’s what I was hired for,” said Barcia. “It’s like 250cc (250SX Class) racing with more experienced riders.”
           
In this sport, anything can happen and Stewart put it best in saying, “What if the top four became the top, five, six, seven, eight ….”
           
Only time will tell as the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross season prepares to challenge the fastest riders on the planet with 17 weekends of the greatest spectacle on dirt.

SPEED will broadcast the race live from Angel Stadium on Saturday, January 5 at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Tickets are available at the Angel Stadium Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000, www.supercrossonline.com, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.  Practice and qualifying begin at 12:30 p.m. and the main event starts at 7:00 p.m. Club Seats are $85 Adult/Child.  Gold Circle tickets are $60 Adult/Child; Price Level 3 $45, Price Level 4 $35 Adult/Child; SuperValue $20 Adult/Child. Fans can also get into the Pits for FREE from 12:30-6 p.m. Race Day when they recycle a MONSTER Energy Can at the stadium’s Pit Entrance (valid only with event ticket).

2012 450SX Class Results: Anaheim Race 1

1. Ryan Villopoto, Seattle, Wash., Kawasaki
2. Chad Reed, Dade City, Fla., Honda
3. Ryan Dungey, Belle Plaine, Minn., KTM
4. Justin Brayton, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
5. Jake Weimer, Wildomar, Idaho., Kawasaki
6. James Stewart, Haines City, Fla., Yamaha
7. Andrew Short, Smithville, Texas, Honda
8. Kevin Windham, Centreville, Miss., Honda
9. Mike Alessi, Hilliard, Calif., Suzuki
10. Josh Hansen, Elbert, Colo., Kawasaki

2012 Western Regional 250SX Class Results: Anaheim Race 1

1. Cole Seely, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
2. Tyla Rattray, Wildomar, Calif., Kawasaki
3. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Honda
4. Marvin Musquin, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
5. Ryan Sipes, Ekron, Ky., Yamaha
6. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki
7. Jason Anderson, Edgewood, N.M., Suzuki
8. Wil Hahn, Decatur, Texas, Honda
9. Zach Osborne, Chesterfield, S.C., Yamaha
10. Travis Baker, Temecula, Calif., Honda

Past Winners in Anaheim

450SX Class

February 4, 2012                                   Ryan Villopoto
January 7, 2012                                     Ryan Villopoto
February 5, 2011:                                  James Stewart
January 8, 2011:                                   Ryan Villopoto
February 13, 2010:                                Ryan Villopoto
January 23, 2010:                                 Ryan Dungey
January 9, 2010:                                   James Stewart
February 7, 2009:                                  James Stewart
January 17, 2009:                                 James Stewart
January 3, 2009:                                   Josh Grant
February 2, 2008:                                  Chad Reed
January 19, 2008:                                 Chad Reed
January 5, 2008:                                   Chad Reed
February 3, 2007:                                  James Stewart
January 20, 2007:                                 James Stewart
January 6, 2007:                                   James Stewart
February 4, 2006:                                  Ricky Carmichael
January 21, 2006:                                 Ricky Carmichael
January 7, 2006:                                   James Stewart
February 5, 2005:                                  Ricky Carmichael
January 22, 2005:                                 Ricky Carmichael
January 8, 2005:                                   Kevin Windham
January 31, 2004:                                 Kevin Windham
January 17, 2004:                                 Chad Reed
January 3, 2004:                                   Chad Reed
February 1, 2003:                                  Ricky Carmichael
January 18, 2003:                                 Ricky Carmichael
January 4, 2003:                                   Chad Reed
February 2, 2002:                                  Ricky Carmichael
January 19, 2002:                                 Mike LaRocco
January 5, 2002:                                   David Vuillemin
February 3, 2001:                                  Ricky Carmichael
January 20, 2001:                                 Jeremy McGrath
January 6, 2001:                                   Jeremy McGrath
January 15, 2000:                                 Jeremy McGrath
January 8, 2000:                                   Jeremy McGrath
February 6, 1999:                                  Ezra Lusk
January 9, 1999:                                   Ezra Lusk
January 27, 1996:                                 Jeremy McGrath
January 28, 1995:                                 Jeremy McGrath
January 29, 1994:                                 Jeremy McGrath
January 23, 1993:                                 Jeremy McGrath
January 25, 1992:                                 Damon Bradshaw
January 26, 1991:                                 Jeff Stanton
January 27, 1990:                                 Damon Bradshaw
January 28, 1989:                                 Rick Johnson
January 31, 1987:                                 Jeff Ward
January 18, 1986:                                 David Bailey
February 2, 1985:                                  Broc Glover
January 28, 1984:                                 Johnny O’Mara
January 29, 1983:                                 David Bailey
January 30, 1982:                                 Donnie Hansen
January 31, 1981:                                 Kent Howerton
November 17, 1979                               Kent Howerton
November 11, 1978:                              Gaylon Mosier
November 12, 1977:                              Bob Hannah
December 4, 1976:                                Marty Smith

250SX Class

February 4, 2012:                                  Eli Tomac
January 7, 2012:                                   Cole Seely
February 5, 2011:                                  Joshua Hansen
January 8, 2011:                                   Joshua Hansen
February 13, 2010:                                Trey Canard
January 23, 2010:                                 Jake Weimer
January 9, 2010:                                   Jake Weimer
February 7, 2009:                                  Jake Weimer
January 17, 2009:                                 Ryan Dungey
January 3, 2009:                                   Jake Weimer
February 2, 2008:                                  Jason Lawrence
January 19, 2008:                                 Ryan Dungey
January 5, 2008:                                   Ryan Dungey
February 3, 2007:                                  Ryan Villopoto
January 20, 2007:                                 Ryan Villopoto
January 6, 2007:                                   Ryan Villopoto
February 4, 2006:                                  Grant Langston
January 21, 2006:                                 Grant Langston
January 7, 2006:                                   Andrew Short
February 5, 2005:                                  Ivan Tedesco
January 22, 2005:                                 Ivan Tedesco
January 8, 2005:                                   Nathan Ramsey
January 31, 2004:                                 Ivan Tedesco
January 17, 2004:                                 Ivan Tedesco
January 3, 2004:                                   Ivan Tedesco
February 1, 2003:                                  James Stewart
January 18, 2003:                                 James Stewart
January 4, 2003:                                   Travis Preston
February 2, 2002:                                  Brock Sellards
January 19, 2002:                                 David Pingree
January 5, 2002:                                   Travis Preston
February 3, 2001:                                  Ernesto Fonseca
January 20, 2001:                                 Ernesto Fonseca
January 6, 2001:                                   Ernesto Fonseca
January 15, 2000:                                 Tallon Vohland
January 8, 2000:                                   David Pingree
February 6, 1999:                                  Nathan Ramsey
January 9, 1999:                                   Casey Johnson
January 27, 1996:                                 Kevin Windham
January 28, 1995:                                 Damon Huffman
January 29, 1994:                                 Damon Huffman
January 9, 1993:                                   Damon Huffman
January 25, 1992:                                 Jeremy McGrath
January 26, 1991:                                 Jeremy McGrath
January 27, 1990:                                 Michael Craig
January 28, 1989:                                 Jeff Matiasevich
January 31, 1987:                                 Jeff Matiasevich
January 18, 1986:                                 Tyson Vohland
February 2, 1985:                                  Mike Healy

For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com, the official website of Monster Energy Supercross. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305. To follow Monster Energy Supercross on Facebook and Twitter, log on to http://www.facebook.com/supercrosslive and http://twitter.com/supercrosslive.

About Feld Motor Sports®
Feld Motor Sports®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross, Monster Energy Cup, Nuclear Cowboyz®, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment.  For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.

KTM Racing News – Dakar Rally Preview

Courtesy of KTM

KTM – poised to challenge for

twelfth consecutive Dakar rally title


The Dakar Rally, a highlight of the annual motorsports calendar has been safe in the hands of KTM since 2001 when Italian rider Fabrizio Meoni won on the Austrian brand’s LC4 660R machine. Now, ahead of the 2013 event in South America it will be up to last year’s winner and KTM factory rider Cyril Despres of France to challenge for his fifth Dakar prize and KTM’s twelfth consecutive title riding the KTM 450 Rally bike.

Together Despres and his KTM teammate Marc Coma of Spain have dominated

Despres going for an unprecedented fifth title

the rally since 2005, winning the title in alternate years. But just before Christmas came the disappointing news that Coma has had to withdraw from the 2013 edition because he has not fully recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in the Rally of Morocco. It was a blow to the KTM Factory Team but team manager Alex Doringer underlined that because the Dakar is one of the world’s toughest offroad competitions it was the correct decision. Even though Coma was working with physiotherapists and his doctors right up to the last minute, he still has some lack of movement in his shoulder and misses the high level of fitness needed for such a grueling event.

While Despres is in good form and is again the outstanding rider in the field, the challenge of winning the twelfth title for KTM will not be easy as rival teams go all out to break the KTM deadlock on the bike category.  

Jakub Przygonski of Poland for Factory B Team

In 2012, Despres and Coma were only minutes apart in actual riding times after 15 days and more than 8,000 km of the world’s most challenging terrain. While it will now be up to Despres to again challenge for the title, American Kurt Caselli has been named to ride Coma’s 450 Rally bike in 2013.

KTM had registered a reserve rider with the organizers in case one of the

Caselli riding for injured Marc Coma

 factory team was unable to compete and Caselli has welcomed the opportunity to step in. Winner of multiple AMA offroad titles and the current US Hare and Hounds Champion, Caselli says it was always a career goal to compete in the Dakar. “To be able to race the greatest offroad race in the world aboard the best bike in the world is truly a blessing,” he said. “This is not only a milestone in my career but also in my life.” Meanwhile team manager Doringer underlined that Caselli would be riding in his first Dakar for experience and adventure and there would be no pressure on him to achieve a top position.
 

Factory support rider Ruben Faria

Despres is quick to point out that it is the race itself that is his biggest rival. “I am always cautious,” he says. “I always say that my biggest rival on the Dakar isn’t the other competitors but the desert itself. That is the thing on the Dakar that no one can master!” The French rider, considered at the peak of his career goes into the 2013 edition after victories in 2012 in the Desafio Littoral and the Morocco Rally.

Also riding in KTM colors once again and on the KTM 450 Rally factory bike will be the two regular support riders or “water carriers”, Ruben Faria of Portugal and Juan Pedrero of Spain. This year KTM is also fielding a Factory “B” Team made up of South African duo Darryl Curtis and Riaan van Niekerk, who are joined by Poland’s rising star rally personality Jakub ‘Kuba’ Przygonski.

Factory support rider Joan Pedrero


The rally was moved to South America when the 2008 edition was canceled after terrorist threats in North Africa emerged the night before competitors were to set out from Portugal. Now for the first time the South American Dakar will take a north-south perspective over the 14 stages, starting in Lima, Peru and traveling south to finish in Santiago, Chile, taking in four stages in Argentina on the way. Riders set out on January 5 and finish on January 19 with one rest day scheduled on January 13. They will first tackle the coastal desert of southern Peru and according to organizers will be under constant pressure for the eight stages up until the rest day. Stage nine will be the longest of 2013, some 852 km.

South African duo Riaan Van Niekerk and Darryl Curtis for Factory B Team


While KTM will be challenging for its twelfth title, the company continues to support the many amateur riders who enter the race, many who wish to satisfy a lifelong desire for this big adventure. KTM supports some 40 riders with its comprehensive Customer Service Package as they attempt to complete what is one of their biggest physical and mental challenges.  Recently Despres offered tips for rally first timers (http://win.gs/UyECgK), where he advised them to know their machines and understand the physical and mental demands of this epic event.

The famous Road Book for navigating more than 8000 km

The Dakar Rally in South America has proved to be a big success in the countries it visits. The 2013 edition is set to deliver the thrills and excitement to riders and fans that will continue to cement it as one of the highlights of the motorsports calendar. KTM goes into the race with the hope of claiming its twelfth title but regardless of the outcome, the Austrian brand will continue to use the Dakar Rally to showcase both its premium rally bike and the skill of the KTM factory riders. 


The KTM 450 Rally bike

The KTM Dakar story so far:

• 2001: Fabrizio Meoni, Italy
• 2002: Meoni
• 2003: Richard Sainct, France
• 2004: Nani Roma, Spain
• 2005: Cyril Despres
• 2006: Marc Coma
• 2007: Despres
• 2008: Rally cancelled
• 2009: Coma
• 2010: Despres
• 2011: Coma
• 2012: Despres
• 2013: ???

Limited Edition Dakar 2013 Tee Available from KTM dealers

Dakar 2013: The first half stages
Jan. 5 – Stage 1: Lima (Peru) – Pisco – total distance 263 km: 250 km liaison and 13 km special (shortest stage in the 2013 edition)
Jan 6 – Stage 2: Pisco – Pisco (loop) total distance 327 km: 85 km liaison; 242 km special
Jan 7 – Stage 3: Pisco – Nazca – total distance 343 km: 100 km liaison; 243 km special
Jan 8 – Stage 4: Nazca – Arequipa – total distance 718 km: 429 km liaison; 289 special
Jan 9 – Stage 5: Arequipa – Arica – total distance 411 km: 275 km liaison; 136 km special
Jan 10– Stage 6: Arica – Calama – Total distance 767 km: 313 km liaison; 454 km special
Jan 11 – Stage 7: Calama  – Salta (rally enters Argentina) – total distance 806 km: 586 km liaison; 220 km special
Jan 12 – Stage 8: Salta – Tucuman – total distance 738 km: 247 liaison; 491 km special

Limited Edition Dakar 2013 Cap available from KTM dealers

 
Jan 13: REST DAY in Tucuman, Argentina

Dakar 2013: The second half stages
Jan 14 – Stage 9: Tucuman – Cordoba – total distance 852 km: 259 km liaison; 593 km special (longest stage of the 2013 edition)
Jan 15 – Stage 10: Cordoba – La Rioja – total distance 636 km: 279 km liaison; 357 km special
Jan 16 – Stage 11: La Rioja – Fiambala – total distance 483 km: 262 km liaison; 221 km special
Jan 17 – Stage 12: Fiambala – Copiaco (rally enters Chile) – total distance 715 km: 396 km liaison; 319 km special
Jan 18 – Stage 13: Copiaco – La Serena – total distance 735 km: 294 km liaison; 441 km special
Jan 19 – Stage 14: La Serena – Santiago– total distance 630 km: 502 liaison; 128 km special.
Jan 20 –Closing ceremony Santiago

Dakar 2013 – the numbers
Dates for start and finish of the 2011 Dakar Rally: January 5-20
Total route: 8432 km (5,239.4 miles)
Total timed specials: 4146 km (2,576 miles)
Longest distance in a single day: 852 km (Stage 9)
Shortest distance in a single day: 250 km (Stage 1)
Highest point of altitude: 4800 m
Average rainfall in the Atacama Desert (Chile): 0 mm
Number of competitors (bikes): 196
Number of KTM starters: 66
Engine capacity of KTM Rally machine: 450 cc
Number of KTM Dakar victories: 11
Number of Dakar victories for KTM’s Marc Coma: 3
Number of Dakar victories for KTM’s Cyril Despres: 4

Monster Energy Supercross VIP Tickets To Be Given Away By Rocky Mountain ATV/MC in New Contest

Courtesy of Rocky Mountain ATV/MC

Rocky Mountain ATV/MC launches Ultimate Supercross Experience Giveaway

Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, renowned leader in providing off-road enthusiasts with the largest selection of off-road gear at the lowest prices, today announced the launch of their Ultimate Supercross Experience Contest which will award each winner up to five tickets to the Monster Energy Supercross event of their choice.   As an avid supporter of Monster Energy Supercross and premier supplier of riding gear to all types of riders, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC is thrilled to give Monster Energy Supercross fans the opportunity to win VIP passes to one of the AMA Supercross races scheduled in 2013.     

The lucky winners will receive VIP tickets to the event, pit passes and free lunch and drinks at the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Race Rig.  Additionally, each winner and whomever they choose to join them, will meet the riders from the new Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Supercross Team, Landen Powell and Bracken Hall.

CEO and Founder of Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, Dan Thomas is looking forward to presenting the lucky winners with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  He says, “Rocky Mountain is proud to bring more exposure to the world of Supercross and to give back to the fans that love and support the sport as well as the off-road industry, in general.” 

Rocky Mountain ATV/MC has continually supported Supercross events while increasing their on-track presence throughout the years.  In 2013 they will take their visibility to a whole new level by sponsoring the new Rocky Mountain ATV/MC Supercross Team, advertising on the jumbotron at select events and giving Supercross fans across the nation the chance to receive VIP treatment at one of the 2013 Supercross events.

About Rocky Mountain ATV/MC®
For over 28 years, Rocky Mountain ATV/MC has been the trusted source for off-road enthusiasts who demand high quality riding gear, low prices and unmatched customer service.  Rocky Mountain doesn’t just satisfy their customer’s expectations, they exceed them with values you won’t find anywhere else like their frequent buyer program, fit guarantee apparel exchange, free 3-day shipping and price match guarantee. Rocky Mountain ATV/MC was established in 1985 by Dan Thomas, CEO and Founder in a small, one room warehouse in Utah.  Dan’s passion for the sport of off-roading and commitment to provide the highest quality products at the best prices has made Rocky Mountain the leading supplier of off-road gear.  For more information, visit http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com.  For media inquiries, contact Everett Hoffman at 1-800-336-5437 or everetth@rockymountainatv.com.

Preview of the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross Season Preview Show on CBS

Courtesy of Supercross Media

Check out some clips from the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross Season Preview Show on CBS this Saturday at December 22, 2012 at 3:00PM ET.

 

Coma out for Dakar 2013

Courtesy of KTM

KTM announces Coma unable to

ride in Dakar 2013

“Marc is one of our key riders and together with his teammate Cyril Despres has giving KTM the last seven Dakar titles. While we are disappointed that he is unable to ride, the health and welfare of our factory riders is the most important consideration. If he is not 100 percent fit, it is better for him to sit out the 2013 rally,” said KTM factory team manager Alex Doringer. Coma, winner of three Dakar titles and the reigning World Cross Country World Championship is, together with his teammate Despres, recognized as one of the world’s finest exponents of rally sport.

 

Blow for Marc Coma after a positive year’s racing

 A deeply disappointed Coma spoke after the press conference saying: “We worked really hard with the doctors and the physiotherapists right up until the last minute but we have to be realistic. One of the muscles in my shoulder is still giving me problems and there is a lack of movement. This is the logical consequence and we must be honest and clear about the situation.”

Coma, who will now concentrate his efforts on regaining complete fitness ahead of the rest of the 2013 season and looking forward to the Dakar 2014 said he was sad for the team but underlined that the Dakar is a ‘winning project’ for KTM so there was no alternative than to make this announcement. Team manager Alex Doringer said he hoped Marc would be at the start in Lima to wish the team well and see them launch their attack.


Doringer underlined that in view of the high profile that the Dakar Rally has for KTM, that the company had always taken the precaution of having a reserve rider registered with the Dakar organizers, ASO. He said they had now given the green light for the accredited reserve rider to step in and ride Coma’s KTM 450 Rally bike.

Caselli steps in to ride Coma’s 450 Rally bike

“We always took the precaution to have a reserve rider properly registered in case of such circumstances and it will be KTM USA’s Kurt Caselli who will step in to ride Coma’s bike. We want him to ride the Dakar without any pressure, embrace the adventure and learn from the experience,” Doringer said.

Caselli is at the forefront of the US offroad scene and is the current AMA National Hare and Hound Champion. He is a multiple national title winner in premium US offroad events, has been a stalwart in the US International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) Championship and was a member of the KTM team that recently finished second in the 2012 edition of the legendary Baja 1000. Caselli’s start number is yet to be confirmed.

Kurt Caselli: “It has always been a goal in my career to compete in the Dakar. There would be no way possible for me to achieve this without the ongoing support of KTM. To be able to race the greatest off road race in the world aboard the best bike in the world is truly a blessing. This is not only a milestone in my career but also in my life.”

Caselli a dominant KTM force in US offroad racing

Ticket Sales for 2013 open NOW

Courtesy of Youthstream Media

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUNCHAL (Portugal), 20 December 2012 – Youthstream is very pleased to announce that the ticket sales for some selected 2013 MXGP’s open tomorrow, Friday 21 December, and purchase can be done through the official website http://www.motocrossmx1.com/ticketing.aspx. Sales will include the MXGP Festival in Matterley Basin and the Monster Energy FIM MXoN in Teutschenthal, plus VIP Packs for the whole season.After a successful first year, Platinium Group S.A.M, Youthstream’s Official Ticketing Partner, will support the 2013 organizers on their ticket sales, and thanks to their wide range of possibilities, customers will be able to purchase any ticket choosing the option that suits them the most.Do not miss this opportunity, purchase your ticket herenow and benefit from numerous advantages, discounts on top!LINKS
Youthstream
FIM
Platinium Group

 

Brought to you by Youthstream. Watch the 2012 FIM MX1/MX2/MX3 and Women’s World Championships, the 2012 FIM SuperMoto World Championship and the 2012 FIM Snowcross World Championship races LIVE and delayed on mx-life.tv – http://www.mx-life.tv

2013 Monster Energy Supercross Championship Boasts Largest Television Package in the Sport’s History

Courtesy of Supercross Media

AURORA, Ill. (December 19, 2012) – Feld Motor Sports^® announced today that the 2013 Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, will enjoy the largest television package in the sport’s history. Nearly 100 hours of Monster Energy Supercross will air domestically across SPEED, CBS and FUEL TV. In addition, over 150 countries around the globe will broadcast Monster Energy Supercross, including a groundbreaking live programming schedule in Australia, the Middle East, and Africa on ESPN International.

A Monster Energy Supercross milestone, SPEED will air live coverage from a record 11 races, including the first and third stops from Angel Stadium (Anaheim, Calif.) Chase Field (Phoenix), Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego), Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, Texas), the Georgia Dome (Atlanta), Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis), Rogers Centre (Toronto), Reliant Stadium (Houston), Rice-Eccles Stadium (Salt Lake City) and Sam Boyd Stadium (Las Vegas). SPEED will also air a one-hour Monster Energy Supercross preview show before the gate drops on the season opener from Anaheim (January 5) and a 30 minute preview show from the season finale in Las Vegas (May 4).

Monster Energy Supercross will receive nine hours of next-day coverage on CBS, comprised of five 450SX Class races, including the second stop from Angel Stadium (Anaheim, Calif.), O.Co Coliseum (Oakland, Calif.), Edward Jones Dome (St. Louis), the Metrodome (Minneapolis), and CenturyLink Field (Seattle), as well as four one-hour season specials.  The season specials include a preview show, a midseason show, a year-end show and a special one-hour show on two-time defending Monster Energy Supercross Champion Ryan Villopoto.

Rounding out the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross domestic television package is the re-airing of every SPEED broadcast on FUEL TV.

“We are on the brink of one of the sport’s most anticipated seasons ever, and it’s only fitting to showcase it domestically on SPEED, CBS and FUEL TV,” said Ken Hudgens, COO, Feld Motor Sports. “This television package brings consistent coverage to the loyal fans of Monster Energy Supercross. That, along with the most robust international television package ever, will make the 2013 Monster Energy Supercross season the most watched season ever.”

2013 Monster Energy Supercross TV Schedule (Original Airings)

Air Date	Venue	City	Network	Time
12/22/2012	Supercross Preview Show		CBS	3:00 p.m. ET
1/5/2013	Angel Stadium	Anaheim, Calif.	SPEED (Live)	9:30 p.m. ET
1/12/2013	Chase Field	Phoenix	SPEED (Live)	9:30 p.m. ET
1/20/2013	Angel Stadium Angel Stadium (250SX Class)	Anaheim, Calif. Anaheim, Calif.	CBS SPEED	Noon 1:00 p.m. ET
1/27/2013	O.Co Coliseum O.Co Coliseum (250SX Class)	Oakland, Calif. Oakland, Calif.	CBS SPEED	Noon 1:00 p.m. ET
2/2/2013	Angel Stadium	Anaheim, Calif.	SPEED (Live)	10:30 p.m. ET
2/9/2013	Qualcomm Stadium	San Diego	SPEED (Live)	10:30 p.m. ET
2/10/2013	Ryan Villopoto: A Champion		CBS	Noon
2/16/2013	Cowboys Stadium	Arlington, Texas	SPEED (Live)	9:30 p.m. ET
2/23/2013	Georgia Dome	Atlanta	SPEED (Live)	7:30 p.m. ET
2/24/2013	Supercross Mid-Season Show		CBS	Noon
3/3/2013	Edward Jones Dome Edward Jones Dome (250SX Class)	St. Louis St. Louis	CBS SPEED	Noon 1:00 p.m. ET
TBD	Daytona Int’l Speedway	Daytona, Fla.	SPEED (Live)	7:30 p.m. ET
3/16/2013	Lucas Oil Stadium	Indianapolis	SPEED (Live)	7:30 p.m. ET
3/23/2013	Rogers Centre	Toronto, ON.	SPEED (Live)	8:00 p.m. ET
4/6/2013	Reliant Stadium	Houston	SPEED (Live)	9:30 p.m. ET
4/14/2013	Metrodome Metrodome (250SX Class)	Minneapolis Minneapolis	CBS SPEED	Noon 1:00 p.m. ET
4/21/2013	CenturyLink Field CenturyLink Field (250SX Class)	Seattle Seattle	CBS SPEED	Noon 1:00 p.m. ET
4/27/2013	Rice-Eccles Stadium	Salt Lake City	SPEED (Live)	9:30 p.m. ET
5/4/2013	Sam Boyd Stadium	Las Vegas	SPEED (Live)	10:00 p.m. ET
5/5/2013	Supercross Season Review		CBS	Noon

Television schedule is subject to change

For more information on the Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, please log on to www.SupercrossOnline.com, the official website of Monster Energy Supercross. For all media requests, please contact Denny Hartwig dhartwig@feldinc.com or 630-566-6305. To follow Monster Energy Supercross on Facebook and Twitter, log on to http://www.facebook.com/supercrosslive and http://twitter.com/supercrosslive.

About Feld Motor Sports^®
Feld Motor Sports^®, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam^®, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross, Monster Energy Cup, Nuclear Cowboyz^®, and IHRA^® Nitro Jam^®.  Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world’s largET producer of live family entertainment.  For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com .

 

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