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/1487488
IN THE WIND P46 Valentino Rossi's team moving back to Yamaha? It's something FIM President Jorge Viegas believes will happen in 2024. Hicks Heads Up Claremore Arenacross M ichael Hicks and Izaih Clark continued their stellar sea- son with wins at the General Tire Arenacross series in Claremore, Oklahoma, December 2-3. The 450cc Pro division saw Michael Hicks take his Ti-Lube Honda CRF to the top step of the box on both nights of racing. Hicks went 1-1, while Izaih Clark went 2-2. A 4-3 gave Matthew Curler third overall. On Saturday night, Hicks again took the overall. However, this time, he was joined on the podium by two-stroke-mounted Mike Alessi and KTM's Cheyenne Harmon. Hicks has now won all but one round and further stretches his points lead to 36 over Harmon in second. In the 250cc class, Clark claimed the overall on night one ahead of Hicks and Harmon. Saturday's round six went Hicks' way. He swept the night in both 250cc and 450cc classes. Alessi backed up his 450cc results with another second in the 250cc class, just ahead of Matthew Curler. Hicks leads the 250cc Championship by 19 points over Harmon. CN Round 5 (Friday) 450 Pro 1. Michael Hicks (Hon) 2. Izaih Clark (Hon) 3. Cheyenne Harmon (KTM) 250 Pro 1. Izaih Clark (Hon) 2. Michael Hicks (Hon) 3. Cheyenne Harmon (KTM) Round 6 (Saturday) 450 Pro 1. Michael Hicks (Hon) 2. Mike Alessi (Yam) 3. Cheyenne Harmon (KTM) 250 Pro 1. Michael Hicks (Hon) 2. Mike Alessi (Yam) 3. Matthew Curler (Hus) VR46 To Switch To Yamaha? V alentino Rossi's Mooney VR46 racing team could be in for a shocking switch to Yamaha machinery for the 2024 season. FIM President Jorge Viegas, who was speaking at the FIM Awards banquet in Rimini last week, dropped the news of Rossi's team switching to the band that Rossi won four of his seven premier class titles with after what would be two seasons campaigning Ducati machinery. Next season will see no Suzuki team and only two Yamahas on the grid, represented by the factory team. Rossi's move back to Yamaha would at least bolster the Japanese contingent by two bikes, and importantly, remove two bikes from Ducati's currently eight-strong lineup on the grid. "I don't see this situation as being particularly good," said Viegas about Suzuki withdrawing and Yamaha being down to two bikes, when interviewed by Rai TV. "But I think it will only be for 2023. In 2024, Valentino Rossi's team will switch from Ducati to Yamaha. "For now, it's an idea and noth- ing is confirmed, but I'm sharing some news. There will be six Ducatis and four Yamahas." CN Michael Hicks won three out of the four main events at the Claremore Arenacross doubleheader.