Tag Archives: marathon

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2024 DAKAR RALLY, STAGE 4

Stage 4 was the second half of the marathon after the riders of the Dakar rally camped within the desert in a single day away from their groups. It was additionally the shortest day of the rally up to now and it went effectively once more for the Monster Energy HRC Honda Team. Nacho Cornejo took his second stage win whereas his teammate Ricky Brabec was second. That put Cornejo within the general lead forward of Hero’s Ross Branch with Brabec in third, 5 minutes from the lead. It’s one other quarter-hour again to fourth place Kevin Benevidez.

Mason Klein

For Mason Klein it was one other day the place he was doing effectively to only get to the end together with his ailing Kove. It might be one other motor and one other penalty tonight, however Mason is creating an enormous fan base in China. One Chinese fan commented on Mason’s Instagram: “When you stopped, Chinese Kove users and Dakar fans were all watching your GPS. Yesterday, everyone stayed up until 2am Beijing time until you finished the race before going to bed. Yesterday, your feat will be recorded in the history of China’s motorcycle development. In two days, your fan base in China has exceeded everyone’s. I hope you can consider coming to China after completing the race smoothly. People would really like to travel to China!!!”

Jacob Argubright couldn’t get to the tip of the Marathon stage, however he might be allowed to proceed with huge penalties. “I’m officially out of my second Dakar rally with a mechanical issue. I did everything I could but I couldn’t even move the bike if I wanted to. No one to blame here, just part of the testing game. If all goes well we will fix the bike and I’ll be back racing tomorrow on stage 5, I just won’t be considered a finisher from this point forward.”

Ricky Brabec

Ricky Brabec: “Stage four was good, it was the shortest one yet so I was happy to have a shorter day. We’re at the bivouac an hour earlier than we have been, so that’s also nice and it gives the mechanics some more time to work on the bikes. I was second on the road which definitely wasn’t easy as navigation is really tricky this year. It can catch you off guard quickly so if you’re not on your toes from sunrise to sunset then it really can throw you.
Tomorrow’s stage five is a sand dune day, it’s a short one but it’ll be long day in the saddle with the liaison. It’s going to be an interesting next three days, everyone in the team is doing a great job and I’m looking forward to getting to the end of this rally.”

Skyler Howes: “I’m becoming more and more confident with the bike, we’ve made a few little changes to the suspension and to some other positive adjustments. I had a small mechanical issue which slowed me down and I also had to search for a hidden waypoint which lost me some time. The pace and riding was good and it was overall another positive day. I do prefer the previous stages as there’s more stones, rocky canyons and technical navigation, once you get into the dunes it’s almost like a motocross race, you push really hard and you just follow the compass.”

STAGE 4

1. JOSE IGNACIO CORNEJO FLORIMO, MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM 02H 51′ 11”
2. RICKY BRABEC, MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM + 00H 02′ 59”
3. KEVIN BENAVIDES, RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING + 00H 03′ 18”
4. ROSS BRANCH, HERO MOTOSPORTS TEAM RALLY + 00H 04′ 26”
5. ADRIEN VAN BEVEREN, MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM + 00H 05′ 25”
6. LUCIANO BENAVIDES, HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING + 00H 07′ 22”
7. JOAN BARREDA BORT, HERO MOTOSPORTS TEAM RALLY + 00H 08′ 15”
8. RUI GONÇALVESS, SHERCO RALLY FACTORY + 00H 09′ 51”
9. SKYLER HOWES, MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM + 00H 10′ 05”
10. ROMAIN DUMONTIER, TEAM DUMONTIER RACING + 00H 11′ 54”
15. TOBY PRICE, RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING + 00H 15′ 08”
60. WESTON CARR, HT RALLY RAID HUSQVARNA RACING + 01H 13′ 15”
71. KYLE MC COY, AMERICAN RALLY ORIGINALS + 01H 23′ 56”
98. MASON KLEIN, KORR OFFROAD RACING + 01H 49′ 16”
131. JACOB ARGUBRIGHT, DUUST RALLY TEAM + 28H 53′ 49”

STANDINGS AFTER STAGE 4
1. JOSE IGNACIO CORNEJO FLORIMO, MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM 17H 27′ 13”
2. ROSS BRANCH, HERO MOTOSPORTS TEAM RALLY + 00H 01′ 15” 00H 01′ 00”
3. RICKY BRABEC, MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM + 00H 04′ 56”
4. KEVIN BENAVIDES, RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING + 00H 20′ 39”
5. ADRIEN VAN BEVEREN, MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM + 00H 22′ 30”
6. LUCIANO BENAVIDES, HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING + 00H 31′ 11”
7. PABLO QUINTANILLA, MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM + 00H 31′ 44” ‘
8. TOBY PRICE, RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING + 00H 34′ 54”
9. MARTIN MICHEK, ORION – MOTO RACING GROUP + 00H 38′ 11”
10. ROMAIN DUMONTIER, TEAM DUMONTIER RACING + 00H 38′ 44”
11. DANIEL SANDERS, RED BULL GASGAS FACTORY RACING + 00H 39′ 43”
12. JOAN BARREDA BORT, HERO MOTOSPORTS TEAM RALLY + 00H 42′ 34”
13. SKYLER HOWES, MONSTER ENERGY HONDA TEAM + 00H 48′ 39”
14. RUI GONÇALVES, SHERCO RALLY FACTORY + 00H 54′ 28”
15. STEFAN SVITKO, SLONAFT RALLY TEAM + 00H 55′ 59”
89. WESTON CARR, HT RALLY RAID HUSQVARNA RACING + 09H 06′ 44”
90. KYLE MC COY, AMERICAN RALLY ORIGINALS + 09H 07′ 27”
107. MASON KLEIN, KORR OFFROAD RACING + 11H 05′ 57”
123. JACOB ARGUBRIGHT, DUUST RALLY TEAM + 49H 04’ 03”

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RIDING THE 2024 RIEJU MR300 TWO-STROKE: THE WRAP

Last week, Mark Berg from Central Powersports Distributing drove all the way from Texas to Southern California to deliver several bikes for testing in future issues of Dirt Bike magazine. As the U.S. distributor for Rieju, Electric Motion, SWM, and now AJP, Mark brought a variety of bikes, but the one that had everyone excited was the Rieju 300MR Racing. This bike is the standard edition of the 300 two-stroke model. Rieju is a Spanish brand that took over the production of the bikes previously known as GasGas. Stefan Pierer acquired a majority interest in GasGas three years ago, specifically for the trials bikes. During that time, the two-stroke off-road bikes were temporarily discontinued until Rieju took over.



2024 Rieju MR300 Racing

What sets Rieju apart is its commitment to quality. The MR300 Racing, priced at $9,699, is not considered a budget brand. It comes with premium parts and is not associated with any Chinese parent company. While it may be less expensive than Husky’s TE300 model, it is by no means cheap. The bike has a slightly old-school feel, with a motor that dates back several years and lacks fuel injection and an electronic power valve. It is equipped with a Keihin Carb and an externally mounted electric starter. Rieju uses KYB suspension and includes an FMF silencer/spark arrestor as standard. One notable feature is the USFS-approved spark arrestor, which is uncommon on modern two-stroke bikes. The bike also features Nissin brakes, billet hubs, a backup kickstarter, map switch, handguards, a skid plate, and frame guards.



Pete Murray on the 2024 Rieju MR300 Racing.

One of the standout features of the Rieju 300MR Racing is its spacious and comfortable layout, which resembles what a 300 two-stroke from Honda might look like. The motor offers excellent torque, with spot-on jetting. It’s worth noting that it may run a little lean on pump gas when the weather cools down. In terms of power, it falls between the KTM 300XC and the 300XC-W, with a more aggressive feel than the XC-W model, especially at lower RPMs, but not quite matching the sheer power of the XC. Many riders find the XC too aggressive for off-road use, particularly in the green map. The Rieju 300MR Racing is comparable to the KTM 300XC in the KTM’s mild map. While the Rieju has its own mild map, it primarily affects the top-end power while leaving the bottom-end mostly untouched.

On the downside, the Rieju motor vibrates more than KTM or Husky models, and the suspension can feel slightly stiff. Although the 2024 Rieju model hasn’t been weighed yet, last year’s model without fuel weighed 242 pounds, which is a bit heavy, but further testing will provide more accurate information. A full test of the Rieju 300MR Racing will be featured in the January 2024 print edition of Dirt Bike magazine.

AJP’S NEW DISTRIBUTOR

Central Powersports, the U.S. distributor for various brands, is now also the distributor for AJP. AJP is a Portuguese brand that sources parts and components from around the world. While its smaller bikes use Chinese motors, the flagship PR7 model comes equipped with an Italian-built SWM motor. The PR7 is reminiscent of the SWM Superdual X, which was tested in 2019 and shares similarities with the 2011 Husqvarna TE630. The AJP chassis is designed for rally use and features a tower that houses a GPS-linked tablet. Currently, the PR7 is intended purely for off-road riding, but plans for a dual-sport version are underway. Look out for a short riding impression of the PR7 in the upcoming Dirt Bike magazine.



the PR7 is in full rally configuration as delivered. The price is $11,499.

CARSON BROWN’S KDX



Carson Brown and his KDX220.

Carson Brown and his father Duane share a passion for older bikes, frequently finding hidden gems and turning them into rideable machines. These bikes are not just for display—they are ridden hard. In their latest venture, they brought down a retro Kawasaki KDX220 last month. It was incredible to witness Carson’s skills on such an iconic bike from the past. Stay tuned, as there are big plans for this bike.

2024 HUSQVARNA NORDEN 901



2024 Husqvarna Norden 901

Husqvarna recently unveiled its 2024 Norden, which boasts several updates. The Cornering Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) now offers ten different levels of rear wheel slip when the optional Explorer Mode is engaged. The bike also features a new USB port, hazard warning lights, and an updated exhaust system.

Technical highlights of the 2024 Husqvarna Norden 901 include:

  • New grey and yellow graphics for a distinct appearance
  • Revised Cornering sensitive Traction Control with 10 levels of adjustable rear wheel slip in Explorer Mode
  • New exhaust system for EURO 5+ compliance
  • New USB port on the side of the dashboard
  • New hazard warning system
  • Bosch Cornering ABS
  • Chromium-molybdenum steel frame with engine as stressed member
  • 889cc parallel-twin engine delivering 105 hp peak power and 100 Nm of torque
  • Adjustable WP APEX suspension for exceptional comfort on and offroad
  • Four selectable ride modes (Street, Rain, Offroad, optional Explorer)
  • Ride-by-wire throttle with adjustable response (in Explorer mode)
  • Standard Easy Shift function (up and down Quickshifter)
  • PASC Slipper clutch
  • Tubeless spoked wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires for balanced on and offroad performance
  • Large 19-litre fuel tank offering a range of up to 400 km
  • Optional Connectivity Unit for TbT+ navigation, phone calls, and music from a rider’s smartphone

That’s it for this week’s update. Be sure to check back for more exciting updates in the world of dirt biking!



–Ron Lawson
BMW

Pure joy at the 2023 BMW BERLIN MARATHON: Assefa breaks world record, Kipchoge becomes record winner.

+++ Tigst Assefa from Ethiopia sets new world record for women with a time of 2:11:53 hours +++ Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya wins his fifth title in 2:02:42 hours +++ Amanal Petros sets new German record with a time of 2:04:58 hours +++ 48,000 athletes celebrate the event with fans in Berlin +++


Berlin. The 49th BMW BERLIN MARATHON once again showcased its reputation for record-breaking runs. This year, defending champion Tigst Assefa amazed approximately one million spectators along the 42.195-kilometer route with an incredible time. The clock on the lead car, the first all-electric BMW i5, stopped at 2:11:53 hours at the finish line, smashing the previous world record by an astonishing 2:11 minutes. In the men’s race, last year’s champion, Eliud Kipchoge, once again emerged as the victor. His time of 2:02:42 hours didn’t surpass his own world record, but he made history by becoming the first runner to win the fastest marathon in the world five times.

“More than 60,000 people delivered amazing athletic performances at the 2023 BMW BERLIN MARATHON, ranging from the youngest participants in the mini-Marathon to the elite runners who showcased world-class times. They all deserve great admiration, but Tigst Assefa’s historic achievement undoubtedly stands out. Congratulations on an impressive world record,” said Stefan Teuchert, Head of BMW Group Deutschland. “As the title partner for the twelfth time, BMW Group is proud to have contributed to the success of this diverse event, which brings people from all over the world together. We would like to thank everyone who helped make the BMW BERLIN MARATHON a unique experience, including the team at our partner SCC EVENTS, the 7,500 volunteers, and all the fans along the route.”

Right from the start, Assefa demonstrated her ambitious goals for the 2023 BMW BERLIN MARATHON. At each intermediate timing point, the 29-year-old extended her lead over the time set by Brigid Kosgei from Kenya when she established the previous world record (Chicago, 2019, 2:14:04). Assefa’s nearly six-minute lead over second-place finisher Sheila Chepkirui (2:17:29) confirmed her superior performance. Magdalena Shaun from Tanzania (2:18:41) secured third place. Domenika Meyer (2:23:47) was the highest-placed German, finishing 14th.

“I didn’t expect to run so fast and finish under 2:12 hours. However, this is the result of hard work. I hope this victory inspires many women, especially those from underprivileged areas, to set goals and fight for them,” said Assefa.

Kipchoge also started the race at a fast pace and was on track for a world record at times. However, the two-time Olympic champion couldn’t maintain the high tempo. Nevertheless, he comfortably secured his fifth title at the BMW BERLIN MARATHON, having previously triumphed in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. At 38 years old, Kipchoge now has one more victory than Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie.

The second and third runners to cross the finish line were both debutants in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the six biggest marathons in the world. Vincent Kipkemoi from Kenya (2:03:13) and Tadese Takele from Ethiopia (2:03:24) delivered excellent performances. Amanal Petros broke the German record, finishing ninth with a time of 2:04:58 hours. He is the first German runner to break the 2:05-hour barrier.

In the women’s handbike race, Julia Dierkesmann from Germany secured first place ahead of Katrin Möller and France’s Meggie Gay. The men’s handbike race was won by Joseph Fritsch from France, followed by Johan Qualie from France and Vico Merklein from Germany in second and third place, respectively.

Marcel Hug from Switzerland was the fastest man in a wheelchair, finishing ahead of Daniel Romanchuk from the USA and David Weir from Great Britain. In the women’s wheelchair race, Catherine Debrunner from Switzerland took first place, accompanied on the podium by Eden Rainbow Cooper from Great Britain and Manuela Schär from Switzerland.

As the title partner, BMW supported the BMW BERLIN MARATHON with 66 electric vehicles for the route and organization. The all-electric BMW i5 and BMW i4 were used as lead cars, and the BMW iX safety car and six BMW CE 04 scooters were emission-free as well. The marathon was a home event for these two-wheelers, which are manufactured at the BMW Group plant in Berlin.

The BMW Group Plant Berlin has a long history of motorcycle manufacturing. BMW motorcycles have been produced in Berlin-Spandau since 1969. With over 2,200 employees and a daily capacity of up to 900 motorcycles and premium e-scooters, the plant serves as the heart of BMW Motorrad’s global production. Almost the entire range of BMW Motorrad models, which amounts to approximately 28 to 33 models, is produced in Berlin. Around 80 percent of the motorcycles manufactured at the plant are exported to more than 130 countries worldwide.