Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128362
X-Training With X-Bikes The trickest bikes in the pits may not be the ones being raced by Ricky Carmichael or Chad Reed. These unique-looking spinner bikes have been popping up outside the team big rigs on the AMA THQ Supercross circuit, and they are being used by everyone from Carmichael to Monster EngerylPro Circuit Kawasaki's Sean Hamblin to warm up prior to heading out onto the track for a race or practice session. While warming up with a spinner bike is nothing new, these units, known as X-Bikes, come highly recommended by Aldon Baker, the personal trainer to Carmichael and Honda's American MotoGP, star Nicky Hayden. "For indoor training, they are unreal," Baker said. "They have definitely made improvements for spinner bikes indoors. For one thing, they are not a fixed-wheel bike, so they bring a lot more outdoor riding simulation indoors. They are more like a normal bike. The handlebars move side to as your legs. They're the top of the range." Baker said that Carmichael uses the X-Bike as a training tool when outdoor training is not possible. "Ultimately, they are not a huge amount of our training," Baker said. "We do use them for indoor workouts, but everything else is actually done outdoors on road bikes." And for that, Carmichael uses an equally trick, custom Specialized Tarmac S-Works road bicycle. "Those are really amazing," Baker says. "Specialized made bikes in one-off custom colors for Ricky, Nicky and Chad [Reed]. Ricky's is in yellow, and Chad's is in blue. What makes them so good is that they've made the rear stays actually move with the road, so they're comfortable and light, but also rigid and powerful." Light and powerful, just like Carmichael himself. For side, so you can get a good workout using your arms as well on the Internet. I more information on the X-Bike, check out www.trixter.net treaded tires are required. The only modification Three More for Lange at Baltimore Arenacross AHRMA Adds Thruxton Cup Challenge allowed to the engine is multi-angle or radius valve jobs, but the exhaust system and jetting may be changed. Team Richmond Racing/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Darcy Lange keeps According to the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association, now there's even more of an incentive to get details about the series can be found by clicking the Thruxton Cup Challenge link at www.ahrma.org. racking up the wins in the National Arenacross series. In Baltimore, Maryland, January 14-15, at the First Mariner Center, defending champion Lange won three out of the four main events. The only rider that had anything for Lange was his teammate jeff Northrop, who won the 12Scc main event on Saturday night. It was a race where Lange didn't even make it into the top five. The three wins gives Lange an even heftier points lead over second-placed Northrop and third-placed Branden Jessemen going into the tail end of the season. On Friday night, Lange was untouchable, winning won both classes with relative ease. Finishing second in the 12Scc main was Lange's teammate Evan Laughridge, while third went to Teddy Meier. Team Shogun Yamaha's Josh Demuth won the Dash For Cash race. For his efforts Demuth took home the largest purse in Dash For Cash history - $2000. As for the 250cc main, Northrop finished second, behind Lange, followed by Honda rider Brad Hagseth. Saturday didn't go as well as Friday for Lange, but he still squeaked out a win in the 2S0cc main, where he was followed across involved in AHRMA:s new Triumph Thruxton Cup Challenge - a $4500 points fund posted by Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. and AHRMA. The Thruxton Cup Challenge is a spec class featuring the new Triumph Thruxton 900 and running at all AH RMA Progressive Suspension Historic Cup Series road races during 2005, beginning with the Bike Week warmup race on March 3 at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, South Carolina, followed by the March 7-8 AHRMA Classics Days at Daytona International Speedway. A complete list of technical requirements and other Information on Triumph motorcycles is available at VV'WW.triumphmotorcycles.com. AHRMA reports quite a bit of interest in the new series, with inquiries fielded from a number of individuals, race teams and motorcycle shops preparing entries. Included in that is an effort by Triumph that will see celebrity riders and journalists competing on a pair of "factory" machines. The series points fund comes in addition to an $800 rebate paid directly by Triumph to AHRMAlicensed racers who purchase a Thruxton for use in the 19-round national series. AHRMA also has released the technical requirements for machines participating in the Thruxton Cup Challenge. To keep the series competitive and the finish line by Northrop and Team Shogun Yamaha's Chad affordable, as well as to preserve the Johnson, respectively. unique The I25cc main event was won by Northrop, with josh Demuth second and Demuth's teammate Johnson in third, once again. Michael James OPENED Photographer extraordinaire Fran Kuhn's home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the following address: www.frankuhn.com. SIGNED: The Team Suzuki Flat Track team of Kevin Varnes and Jake johnson to a contract with Sidi to wear the company's Discovery boots in dirt track events and the 5idi Vertigo cafe-racer look of the Thruxton 900, few modifications will be allowed. Fenders, bodywork and wheels must remain standard, and APPOINTED: Keith Jacobsen as race director for the Coolskunk KyDs Racing Team for the 2005 season, effective immediately. jacobsen will be responsible for equipment, rider and race logistics. in road racing events. MOVED: Ready Racing Inc. to 5360-A Eastgate Mall, San Diego, CA 92121; 858/452-2900 (phone), 858/452-5329 (fax); www.readyracing.com. HIRED: Tom Conner as the dealer service representative for the Northwest for KTM North America, effective immediately. Conners will serve the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska. SIGNED: Road racer Ben Attard to a contract with Shoei Helmets for the 2005 racing season. "I've used 5hoei hel· mets in the past, and I'm really happy to be back in the best helmets in the world," Attard said in a Shoei release. "It's been a while since I've tried one on, and I can't believe how OPENED: Silent Sport North America, a division of Area P, light 5hoe;'s X-I I is. Knowing I'm protected by the best cer- in Anaheim, California. For more information, contact Kerry tainly makes me more comfortable when I'm pushing it out on the track." or Jenny Bryant at 714/630-2386. 12 JANUARY 26, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: At East Bay Motorsports in Hayward, California, on January 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. Team Yamaha's Chad Reed, David Vuillemin, and Tim Ferry; factory-supported rider Heath Voss; and Yamaha of Troy riders Brett Metcalfe and Danny Smith are scheduled to appear. For more information, call 510/889-7900. BORN: A baby girl, Skylar Reese Bentley, to former 125cc 5upercross Champion Derrick 5hae Bentley and his wife, Kimberly, on Sunday, January 16, in Riverdale, Georgia. CORRECTION: In last week's issue, we mistakenly referred to Nathan Ramsey's four-stroke KTM as a 5X250F. The machine's official designation is 2505XF.