The promoter of the FIM MXGP World Championship has extended its partnership with Dunlop. Infront Moto Racing has signed the tyre brand up to a new three-year partnership agreement to be an official tyre supplier of the series.
As part of its commitment to being a ‘one-stop shop’ for motorcycle and scooter tyre retailers in the UK, Cambrian Tyres partners with all major brands in the two-wheel marketplace and supplies customers from its warehouse stock of more than 100,000 tyres. The wholesaler is also sole UK distributor of the Bridgestone motocross and Continental two-wheel ranges (see separate articles) as well as for the Anlas brand and, from the second half of 2019, Kenda. This last name is back in the local two-wheel market after a decade’s absence, and demand has started off on the right foot.
Bridgestone’s position within the motocross tyre segment has been strengthened by its selection by Britain’s most decorated rider of all time, who labelled the range as “amazing”. In what Bridgestone describes as a “huge breakthrough”, the brand will be fitted to all bikes at Dave Thorpe’s Honda Off-Road Centre as well as to each bike at his Honda Adventure Centre.
At its Motocross of Nations (MXoN) press conference, Dunlop revealed the latest Geomax range addition, the MX53. This will be part of the brand’s portfolio for the 2020 MXGP and Supercross seasons. The tyre sits between the ‘super-hard’ terrain MX71 and the highly versatile MX33 in Dunlop’s wide Geomax portfolio.
Already a major success in the United States with several factory level partnerships, Kenda Tyres is the latest tyre brand to enter the UK market. It’s wasted no time in partnering with some promising British talent – the P.F.K. Ling group, who, with 12 riders in its stable for 2019, operates one of the largest motocross and enduro teams in East Anglia.
Its pre-launch testing is now complete, and the new, streel-legal Metzeler MC360 motocross tyre is now available. The range is offered in a choice of two compound specifications, Mid-Soft and Mid-Hard. Two front wheel and seven rear wheel sizes are available.
A new Metzeler tyre for motocross and other off-road riders is coming to market this spring. Complete technical specifications and size availability for the MC 360 range will be released upon the range’s introduction, however Metzeler shares that the tyre will be homologated for road use and produced in two specifications, mid-soft and mid-hard.
Nine talented young motocross riders have been praised for their natural biking ability by Bridgestone, which is backing their quests for silverware with a season’s supply of tyres. This year the tyre maker is expanding its portfolio of sponsored stars with three further riders: Nadiya Jones, Ray Rowson and, making a return, Jack Timms join Morgan Evans, Rob Yates, James Hanscomb, Harry Linton, Josh Waterman and Charlie Chater. All will compete on Bridgestone Battlecross products.
Bridgestone has launched the new Battlecross X10 motocross tyre for sand terrain. The tyre features a new tread design and increased block deformation, promising riders stronger traction, better self-cleaning and higher sideslip control in all types of sandy conditions. The tyre was developed and tested by top riders on the MX competition circuit.
Pirelli celebrated victory in both principal categories in the Spanish round of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship, continuing its streak since the start of the season. The Cerro Negro circuit in Talavera de la Reina hosted the grand prix of Spain at the halfway mark, the ninth round out of eighteen. The Spanish track is characterized by hard-packed soil and a tight layout that makes it tricky for overtaking.
After finishing 2015’s FIM Motocross World Championship season with riders in second, third and fourth in the Championship, Dunlop has increased its efforts to supply championship challengers in 2016. The MXGP season opens in Qatar at the Losail track on 27 February with 19 events taking place around the world, culminating in a finale in the USA in September.
Following an “extensive three-year testing and development programme with riders of all levels,” Michelin has launched the new StarCross 5 range of motocross tyres. The tyre maker reports that its research and development teams and Michelin Motorsort pooled their respective expertise and worked together to design the new tyre; the result is a product that “breaks new ground for the Michelin group in the world of motocross.”
The penultimate event in the FIM Motocross World Championship, the MXGP of Leon in Mexico, saw Dunlop riders Shaun Simpson (KTM) and Evgeny Bobryshev (Honda) finish in second and third places. Gautier Paulin was in line for a top finish but a crash in the second race saw him drop to sixth overall.
With form, fitness and all manner of other factors to consider, sponsoring an emerging sports star is never an easy task. Yet Bridgestone is positive its decision to back four blossoming motocross stars is paying off. Rob Yates (17) and Jack Timms (20) are currently first and second in the Bridgestone-sponsored British Schoolboy Motorcycle Association (BSMA) Clubman’s Series. The tyre manufacturer says their outstanding performances are currently turning heads as the season reaches its halfway stage, vindicating the decision to single them out in a strong field.
