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STU BAYLOR WINS OLD GRAY GNCC! VIDEO & RESULTS

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Steward Baylor broke by way of to win his first GNCC XC1 victory of  2024 on the inaugural Dunlop Motorcycle Tires Old Gray. The 2024 Progressive Grand National Cross Country (GNCC Racing) Series offered by Specialized, an AMA National Championship,  made its first journey to Monterey, Tennessee for an intense race that noticed KTM’s profitable streak damaged and Baylor’s new Red Bear Kawasaki staff come out on prime.

When the inexperienced flag waved Phoenix Racing Honda’s Michael Witkowski discovered himself getting a fast leap off the road and incomes the $250 Steel City Medical Center Holeshot Award, nevertheless it wouldn’t take lengthy for the hometown favourite Coastal GASGAS Factory Racing’s Jordan Ashburn to transition into the lead as they entered the woods.

The $250 Steel City Medical Center holeshot award went to Michael Witkowski (Phoenix Racing Honda) to begin the day. Photo: Ken Hill

Meanwhile, the freight prepare of racers behind Ashburn continued to push ahead in the direction of him to battle for that primary spot. FMF KTM Factory Racing’s Johnny Girroir and AmPro Yamaha’s Ricky Russell would come by way of in second and third on the opening lap, however nobody may rule out Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki’s Steward Baylor as he was simply 1.1 seconds behind Russell coming by way of timing and scoring on lap one.

Ashburn continued to carry the lead as they checked by way of timing and scoring on the second lap, however a hard-charging Baylor had made his approach round Russell and had his sights set on passing Girroir and taking that primary spot from Ashburn.

Steward Baylor (Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki) clinched his first GNCC win of the 2024 season at The Dunlop Motorcycle Tires Old Gray occasion. Photo: Ken Hill

As the pack of racers got here by way of to finish three laps of racing, Baylor had taken over the lead, however Ashburn didn’t appear to be happening with no struggle as he had numerous hometown help being from nearly 20 minutes away from the observe location. Girroir would now sit again in third as Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Craig Delong began to creep up nearer to the front-runners.

As the race wore on, Baylor would proceed to cleared the path, however a final lap mishap would put Ashburn proper on his again wheel as the 2 got here by way of professional row after which into the woods simply earlier than the end line. Baylor would proceed to push all the way in which to the checkered flag, incomes his first win of the 2024 with only a 1.8 second lead over Ashburn who got here by way of to earn second in entrance his household, pals and numerous hometown followers.

Girroir would push himself virtually to take max as he got here by way of to spherical out the highest three and stay within the factors lead after 5 rounds of racing. Delong could be unable to grow to be an actual menace to the highest three this spherical as he fought again to complete fourth on the day. After incomes the holeshot award, Witkowski would drop again to sixth fir the primary half of the race, however he would be capable of make it as much as fifth to finish his day trip.

Jordan Ashburn (Coastal GASGAS Factory Racing) had a fantastic battle all day, and would end second total in his house state of Tennessee. Photo: Ken Hill

Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green’s Grant Baylor had his work reduce out of him as he got here by way of tenth on the opening lap. Baylor would proceed to push ahead and finally made his approach as much as sixth in XC1 Open Pro and eighth total on the day.

Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Trevor Bollinger had begin to his day and got here by way of working inside the highest 5 after the primary lap. Bollinger would proceed to attempt to stay constant on his day, ending seventh in XC1 and tenth total. Active Air/Max Motorsports/FXR/Husqvarna’s Evan Smith remained eighth within the XC1 class all through the day, whereas JS7 Sherco Racing’s Josh Strang and Morgantown Powersports/Tely Energy’s Layne Michael rounded out the highest 10 finishers within the XC1 class.

Unfortunately for another racers they’d solely be capable of full half the laps as Coastal GASGAS Factory Racing’s Ryder Lafferty was out after 3 laps, in addition to Mitchell Frantz and AmPro Yamaha’s Ricky Russell who suffered a crash that took him out with a tweaked shoulder. For Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green’s Lyndon Snodgrass he was sadly out earlier than finishing one lap on account of a mechanical problem.

Grant Davis (FMF KTM Factory Racing Landers) made his approach into the XC2 250 Pro factors lead after incomes the category win at spherical 5. Photo: Ken Hill

The XC2 250 Pro class could be an thrilling one to look at as Great Britain’s Jack Edmondson returned to racing and grabbed himself the $250 Steel City Medical Center’s Holeshot Award to begin his return. However, it might not take lengthy for Team Enduro Engineering’s Josh Toth and FMF KTM Factory Racing Lander’s Grant Davis to start the lengthy three-hour battle back-and-forth for the lead. Toth and Davis would proceed to swap the lead a number of occasions all through the day, however because the checkered flag got here out it was Davis making his approach out of the woods first to earn his second class win of the season, transferring him into the XC2 class factors lead. Toth would maintain on to complete second within the class.

A bit of farther again noticed some thrilling battles in addition to AmPro Yamaha’s Liam Draper made a final lap go on Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki’s Thad Duvall to take during the last podium spot within the XC2 class. Duvall would end fourth within the class, whereas Phoenix Racing Honda’s Cody Barnes made his approach as much as fifth within the class after coming round in eleventh on the opening lap.

Dakoda Devore (Devore Racing/KTM/FXR/SRS Suspension) battled again to earn the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class win. Photo: Ken Hill

As the FMF XC3 125 Pro-Am class took off it was Kibuk Cycle/Steel City Medical Center/Josh Lojak’s House of Speed’s Sawyer Carratura incomes himself the Lojak Cycle Sales Holeshot Award and main the way in which into the woods. Carratura would maintain the lead for the primary three laps of the race, however quickly after that Devore Racing/KTM/FXR/SRS Suspension’s Dakoda Devore would start to use the strain and make a go for the lead.

Devore and Carratura would battle for the following lap, however Devore would be capable of start to put a niche between them on the final two laps of the race. Devore would earn the FMF XC3 class win whereas Carratura held on for second within the class. Liqui Moly Factory Beta Racing’s Jhak Walker would have a constant race as he remained within the third place place during the race.

Earning The Old Gray prime newbie honors was 250 A competitor, Jason Tino as he got here by way of to complete ninth total on the day, whereas additionally incomes his second class win of the season. Nick DeFeo could be second up on the highest newbie podium as he got here by way of to complete twelfth total and second within the 250 A category. Joseph Cunningham rounded out the highest newbie podium with an 18th total ending place and third within the 250 A category.

Rachael Archer (Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki) earned her second WXC class win of the season in Tennessee. Photo: Ken Hill

As the morning race took off it was Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Korie Steede getting the leap off the road and incomes herself the $100 Kanati Performance Tires WXC Holeshot Award. It wouldn’t take the primary machine of Rocky Mountain Red Bear Kawasaki’s Rachael Archer to make her well beyond Steede as she was on a mission to get to the entrance of the race this weekend.

Archer would transfer into the lead on the opening lap and never look again. She continued to achieve momentum and push herself all through the two-hour race. Archer got here by way of to earn her second WXC class win of the season, and first total morning race win of the season. Enduro Engineering/GASGAS/FXR Moto’s Shelby Turner would proceed to battle behind Archer with Rockstar Energy Factory Husqvarna Racing’s Korie Steede all through the length of the race. Turner would be capable of maintain off Steede as she got here by way of to earn second total and within the WXC class. Steede would maintain on to spherical out the highest three total finishers within the morning race and within the WXC class.

Brody Amos fought again and earned the Youth Bike Overall Win. Photo: Ken Hill

As the youth bike race obtained underway it was Brody Amos main on the opening lap as they got here by way of timing and scoring. Amos would quickly really feel the strain from Caleb Wood and the 2 would battle for the lead, swapping positions over the last couple of laps. As the checkered flag flew, Amos would be capable of maintain off Wood and earn his first Youth total and YXC1 Super Mini Sr. win of the season. Wood got here by way of to earn second total and within the YXC1 class, whereas Doc Smith remained on the entrance of the pack during the youth racing as he got here by way of third total and within the YXC1 class.

In the YXC2 Super Mini Jr. class it was Travis Lentz main the way in which from begin to end in Tennessee. Lentz stays undefeated within the YXC2 class this season as he earned his fifth-straight win this previous weekend. Colby Goodman would work his approach as much as second within the class after beginning his day again within the fourth place place on lap one. Hayden Dupuis rounded out the YXC2 prime three as he ran on the entrance of the pack for almost all of the day.

Taking house the win within the 85 Big Wheel (11-15) class was Colton McQuarrie, Ace Tokar would earn the 85 (12-13) class win, Deegan Caplinger obtained the win within the 85 (11) class whereas Ryder White took the 85 (7-10) class win at spherical 5. Hunter Jones would come by way of in first within the 65 (10-11) class, Tripp Lewis earned himself the 65 (9) class win, and Daxton Mullins would convey house the 65 (7-8) class win. Jayden Shea took house the Girls Super Mini (12-16) class win in Tennessee whereas Sahara Robinson stays undefeated within the Girls 85 (7-13) class. Vaida Lavergne earned herself the Girls 65 (7-11) win and Brysun Scott would earn the Trail Rider (7-15) class win within the youth bike race.

Tripp Lewis earned his third total Micro Bike win on Saturday morning. Photo: Ken Hill

In the Micro Bike race on Saturday morning, it was Tripp Lewis coming by way of to take his third total win this season and his third win within the MXC1 class. Davey Fairfield would battle again to complete second total and, in his class, whereas rounding out the general Micro Bike podium was Ben McDougald, as he got here by way of to earn third within the class as effectively.

In the MXC2 class it might be Maura Tsakanikas crossing the end line first within the class, incomes her top quality win of the season in Tennessee. Kane Morrison would come by way of to complete second within the MXC2 class whereas Cade Propst would come by way of to earn third within the MXC2 class at spherical 5.

Peyton Austin would take house the 50 Sr. 1 (7) class win, whereas Carson Zink earned the 50 Sr. 2 (6) class win. Paxton Allen would battle again to earn the 50 Jr. 1 (6-7) class, Kolt Morrison took house the 50 Jr. 2 (4-5) class, Ryker Stuter would come by way of first within the Micro-E (4-7) class, Carson Propst earned his fifth straight win within the Micro Shaft Drive (4-6) class whereas Jamison Dodson took the Trail Rider (7-9) class win.

The AMSOIL Moto Hero was awarded to Jimmy Wathen of Clinton, Tennessee, who raced within the Masters B (50+) class. Jimmy served as a Sergeant First Class within the seventh enlisted rank within the United States Army. In 2008, Sergeant Wathen obtained a Bronze Star for overseeing a police platoon in Iraq. During his deployment to Amarah, Iraq, Sergeant Wathen was injured by enemy gunfire on December 30, 2008. Wathen obtained two gunshot wounds throughout that point. This weekend Wathen obtained a $250 AMSOIL Shopping Spree, a $500 Kanati Performance Tires present certificates in addition to a commemorative American flag courtesy of Columbia Flag and Sign Co together with a $200 present certificates for his or her on-line retailer.

XC1 Pro Event Results: Monterey, Tennessee 

Steward Baylor (KAW)
Jordan Ashburn (GAS)
Jonathan Girroir (KTM)
Craig Delong (HQV)
Michael Witkowski (HON)
Grant Baylor (KAW)
Trevor Bollinger (HQV)
Evan Smith (HQV)
Josh Strang (SHR)
Layne Michael (YAM)

Overall National Championship Standings:

Jonathan Girroir (131)
Steward Baylor (112)
Jordan Ashburn (91)
Grant Davis (79)
Grant Baylor (62)
Angus Riordan (61)
Josh Toth (50)
Craig Delong (49)
Dante Oliveira (49)
Michael Witkowski (46)

XC2 250 Pro Event Results:

Grant Davis (KTM)
Josh Toth (HON)
Liam Draper (YAM)
Thad Duvall (KAW)
Cody Barnes (HON)
Ruy Barbosa (HON)
Angus Riordan (KAW)
Brody Johnson (BET)
Tyler Palmer (HQV)
Jason Lipscomb (BET)

XC2 250 Pro Series Standings:

Grant Davis (131)
Angus Riordan (117)
Josh Toth (93)
Liam Draper (91)
Jesse Ansley (67)
Ruy Barbosa (67)
Cody Barnes (66)
Thad Duvall (65)
Tyler Palmer (59)
Brody Johnson (55)

News

Here’s What We Think About MotoGP’s Merger With F1

Last week, information broke that Formula One proprietor Liberty Media was reportedly deep into acquisition talks to carry MotoGP rights-holder Dorna into the fold. Now, only a few days later, Liberty Media has introduced that it has acquired an 86% stake for $4.5 billion, giving controlling curiosity within the sequence.

According to Liberty Media’s Greg Maffei, the group’s President and CEO, “We are thrilled to expand our portfolio of leading live sports and entertainment assets with the acquisition of MotoGP. MotoGP is a global league with a loyal, enthusiastic fan base, captivating racing and a highly cash flow generative financial profile.”

He added, “Carmelo and his management team have built a great sporting spectacle that we can expand to a wider global audience. The business has significant upside, and we intend to grow the sport for MotoGP fans, teams, commercial partners and our shareholders.”

MotoGP’s present administration will retain 14%. 

Although MotoGP is each the highest degree of worldwide motorbike racing and undoubtedly the shiniest gem in Dorna’s crown, it is also value noting that the deal will see Liberty Media take management of all of these different motorbike racing sequence, too, together with; MotoGP, World Superbike (WSBK), FIM Enel MotoE World Championship, FINetwork FIM JuniorGP, Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup, R&G British Talent Cup, Northern Talent Cup, FIM MiniGP World Series, and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. 

So let’s get into who Liberty Media is and what this may maintain for the way forward for motorbike racing all over the world. 

Who Or What Is Liberty Media?

For these unfamiliar, Liberty Media owns quite a lot of different media, communications, and leisure pursuits moreover Formula One. A fast session of its present asset checklist, which is correct as of January 31, 2024, consists of the next holdings:

Holding How Much Does LM Own?
Formula One 100%
F1 Arcade (full-motion racing simulators) 21 p.c
LV Diamond Property LLC (owns the roughly 40 acres in Las Vegas the place the F1 Las Vegas GP paddock sits) 100%
Meyer Shank Racing (American racing group presently competing within the NTT IndyCar sequence and the WeatherTech SportsAutomotive Championship) 30 p.c
QuintEvents, LLC (sports activities and leisure ticket and hospitality package deal supplier) 100%
Associated Partners, L.P. (investments) 33 p.c
Drone Racing League, Inc 3 p.c
Green Energy Investments numerous
Griffin Gaming Fund (gaming-focused VC fund) 3 p.c
Inrix, Inc (transportation analytics software program agency) 4 p.c
Kroenke Arena Company, LLC (owns Denver, Colorado’s Ball Arena and likewise “includes a 7 percent profits interest based on the value of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche professional sports teams.”) 7 p.c
Liberty Technology Venture Capital, LLC (funding fund centered on Israeli know-how firms) 80 p.c
Live Nation Entertainment Inc. (self-reported because the “largest live entertainment company in the world, consisting of three segments: concerts, sponsorship, and advertising and ticketing.”) 30 p.c
Overtime Sports, Inc (sports activities media firm) 5 p.c
Tastemade, Inc (meals, journey, and way of life digital media firm) 6 p.c
SiriusXM Holdings Inc (satellite tv for pc radio firm offering subscription providers) 83 p.c

Liberty Global is presently chaired by billionaire John Malone, who as not too long ago as November 2023 spoke to the Hollywood Reporter in regards to the rising risk of huge tech firms accruing media pursuits (assume Amazon buying the rights to Thursday Night Football, for instance). 

Malone went on to opine that Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav was doing “a great job”, and THR famous at the moment that Malone can also be a shareholder in Warner Bros. Discovery.

As you could recall, Warner Bros. Discovery merged with HBO Max again in 2022, ultimately occurring to type the Max streaming service which additionally recently obtained exclusive live streaming rights for the MotoGP world championship in the US in 2024. It’s how I watch MotoGP, and it is how numerous different US-based followers will probably be having fun with the present season, as properly.

What About The European Commission’s Strong Antitrust Tendencies?

Both F1 and MotoGP have been right here earlier than. Back in 2006, personal fairness agency CVC Capital Partners briefly owned each top-level motorsport sequence. However, EU competitors regulators at the moment took a dim view of the matter and compelled the agency to promote MotoGP. Later, CVC could be the agency to promote F1 on to Liberty Media within the first place in 2017, in a deal value $8 billion on the time (which might be over $10 billion in 2024 cash).

That was 2006, although. This is 2024, and it is not clear how the scenario, regulators, or different environmental elements may need modified between then and now. Although it is not sports-related, we will say that it is clear EU regulators aren’t afraid to go after mega firms that it believes do not adjust to its present antitrust guidelines.

For additional proof, simply take a look at the continuing European Commission investigations into Apple, Meta, and Google.

Taking All Currently Known Factors Into Consideration, What Does RideApart Think?

Get a bunch of like-minded followers collectively in a single place, regardless of the circumstance, and they are going to have ideas starting from issues like “imagine a world where MotoGP is a support series for F1; doubleheaders, even” (Jonathon Klein) to “no one would be able to afford tickets” (Janaki Jitchotvisut) and “I think the fans would hate it” (Robbie Bacon). 

Executive Editor Jonathon Klein additionally had these ideas, “I’m conflicted. I’m a big Formula 1 fan and the way that Liberty Media, in conjunction with Netflix, has reinvigorated the sport has been nothing short of wild to witness. If the company can do that with MotoGP, I’m here for it. But at the same time, I’ve essentially been priced out of seeing most races as Liberty Media has imposed higher and higher ticket prices.”

He added, “I’m also concerned that the level of grift and corruption we’ve seen in recent years within Formula 1 in relation to championship winners and losers, where the sport goes to race, among other aspects within the paddock could spread to MotoGP. The influx of cash to a sport can go either way, but the current leadership of Liberty Media doesn’t seem to care, rather embraces, the grift that was always present in F1. I’d hate to see that come to MotoGP in the same way it came to F1. But I’d like to be optimistic and see greater things for a sport I love and more people to enjoy it.”

Now that the deal is completed, how do you count on it to have an effect on you as a racing fan of any of the sequence concerned? Let us know within the feedback!

News

2024 KTM 890 SMT Is Officially On Its Way To North America

Back in April 2023, KTM thrilled many riders and also probably broke a few hearts when it announced the 890 SMT. It looked impressive, but at the time, the intention was for a European release, not a North American one.

International motorcycle manufacturers sometimes have phased international rollouts, so just because a bike isn’t released in your market right now doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

Now that it’s late November 2023, KTM has announced that the 890 SMT is officially headed to North America. The bike has a primarily black and gray color scheme on the bodywork with pops of KTM orange on the wheels and accents.


2024 KTM 890 SMT - Parked

15 Photos

Engine

The 2024 KTM 890 SMT is powered by the same 889cc LC8c parallel twin engine that powers the 890 Adventure R. It makes a claimed 105 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 73.7 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm. Amenities like an up and down quickshifter and cruise control are available as options.

KTM’s goal in bringing back the SMT was to bridge the gap between the 790 Duke and the 890 Adventure R. In short, it’s a KTM crossover, supermoto-style.

Chassis

2024 KTM 890 SMT - Studio - Front Right Low Angle Closeup

The frame is CroMo steel, and the suspension is a fully adjustable WP Apex setup with 43mm upside-down open cartridge front fork and a WP Apex rear shock. Riders get full adjustability at both ends, with 180mm (about seven inches) of travel. 

The 2024 KTM 890 SMT rides on a pair of bright KTM orange 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin PowerGP rubber. Braking is handled by four-piston front brake calipers and 330mm discs on the front and a two-piston caliper and a 260mm disc on the rear.

The handlebars offer a full 30mm (1.18 inches) of range spread across six different positions of adjustability. The fuel tank and single-piece supermoto seat position the rider more deeply into the bike. LED lighting is present all around from the factory.

Electronics and Rider Aids

2024 KTM 890 SMT - Studio - Cockpit View

In the cockpit, the 890 SMT features a five-inch TFT dash that KTM says is both scratch and glare resistant. The bike comes with three standard ride modes: Rain, Street, and Sport, with an option to unlock a Track mode.

Cornering motorcycle traction control (CMTC), cornering ABS, and supermoto ABS come standard, as does Bluetooth smartphone connectivity via the KTMConnect app.

Pricing and Availability

KTM North America has not yet revealed pricing information on the 2024 890 SMT in our market. However, the good news is that it should be available in KTM North America dealers beginning in December 2023, so you should be able to see it in person and ask lots of questions of your local dealer soon.