Cycle News

Legendary Motocross Tuner Passes L egendary motocross tuner and engineer Eric Crippa recently passed away. Crippa grew up rac- ing motorcycles but was perhaps more passionate about working on them and making them perform better than he was racing them. His reputation as a skilled tuner eventually led him to Team Husqvarna in 1973, where he and Hall of Fame racer Kent Howerton won their first motocross championship together in 1976. Crippa eventually brought his mechanical wizardry to Honda, where he got to work with several legendary racers, such as Bob Han - nah, Rick Johnson, Johnny O'Mara and David Bailey. After saying good - bye to the racing circuit, Crippa—often referred to by his friends as "The Mad Scientist"—continued work - ing for Honda, helping with product development and working with the moto me - dia. Crippa was well-liked by everyone who was lucky WIND IN THE P34 Not only was Eric Crippa a tuner of the stars, but he also made sure Honda test bikes were always perfectly dialed in. Fores in for Escalante at Barber C urrent MotoAmerica Supers- port Champion Xavi Fores will make his long-awaited MotoAmer- ica Superbike debut this weekend, May 18-19, subbing for the injured Richie Escalante at Vision Wheel M4 Ecstar Suzuki. The Spaniard, Fores, was left without a ride in MotoAmerica for 2024 after splitting with the War - horse HSBK Ducati team follow- ing a record-breaking Supersport campaign in which he won more races in a season than anyone in the class's history (nine). Fores also rode for the Attack Perfor- mance Yamaha squad at the Day- tona 200 this year, his race lasting all of two laps before a technical problem forced his retirement for the second year in a row. "I am excited for this oppor - tunity. It's a shame Richie was injured but I am glad to help," said Fores. "The situation I am in, I have wanted the right opportunity in MotoAmerica Superbike but before this, it hadn't come yet. Richie and I are friends, and he is always telling me the bike is capable of the podium. I know it is a good team supported by Suzuki, we have the opportunity to earn good results. Having a great year racing in America last season and learning the paddock and tracks will help, too." Fores will continue to ride for the M4 team until Escalante is declared fit from his crash in race one at Road Atlanta in which he collided with Ducati's Loris Baz just after the finish line flag, the Mexican suffering a left wrist fracture, left ankle fracture, and compression fractures of his L1, L2, and L4 vertebrae. CN enough to meet him (and eat his sandwiches, which were also legendary). CN Xavi Fores will be back on the MotoAmerica grid as he makes his Superbike debut with the M4 team this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park.

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