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/220782
VOL. 50 ISSUE 48 DECEMBER 3, 2013 a certain heritage, and it's worked out quite nicely. I don't think that everybody wants to have an orange bike, and we have market shares in some places that are too good, but there are also a lot of people who don't want to buy a Japanese bike, they want to have an alternative, and Husqvarna has a long heritage of the brand, much more than KTM, and a history. That's very important." Given the Moto3 category's focus on youth (riders cannot be older than 28), a future range of Husqvarna-branded streetbikes targeted at younger buyers and built in India by KTM's partner Bajaj Auto, using the same engine and even chassis platform as the KTM Duke in 125/200/390 configurations, can't be discounted as the logical conclusion to this strategy. "After our strong commitment to off-road competition, entering the Moto3 World Championship is a new milestone in the history of Husqvarna," says Pit Beirer, head of Husqvarna Motorsport. "With the full support of Mr. Pierer and the Husqvarna Motorcycles Board of Directors, we are extremely excited about this new project. We will bring the best people and all the necessary energies together to give the project the success it deserves. Both riders are hugely talented young racers, and we are looking forward to the start of Husqvarna's new journey into Grand Prix road racing." It's a journey that has been interrupted since the unexpected success of Swedish rider Bo Granath in finishing a remarkable fifth in the 1972 500cc World Championship on the unique two-stroke twin specially developed for him by the Husqvarna factory. Husqvarna stopped racing the bike in GPs at the end of the 1975 season to focus on off-road competition – but even before that, there had been another chapter of tarmac GP involvement in the 1930s, with the 350/500cc 50-degree V-twin Grand Prix road racers which Irish TT legend Stanley Woods and his British teammate Ernie Nott raced during the 1930s with some success, alongside their Swedish teammates. Now Danny Kent will be upholding that tradition in 2014 – and with a Scandinavian teammate at his side, just like in the old days. Alan Cathcart P21 Briefly... Surgery For Marquez MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez had surgery on Monday, December 2 to correct his nasal bridge in order to improve his breathing through the nose. The operation was necessary due to a deviated septum that produced a respiratory obstruction preventing him breathing properly, according to his team. The surgery took place at the Universitari Quirón Dexeus. Marquez will rest for a week before resuming his training. Money Raised For Stanton The motorcycle community came together recently at Sonoma Raceway for injured road racer David Stanton with the event raising some $75,000. Hosted by 3J's Motorcycle Track Days, the money will go to Stanton, a Bay Area resident and long-time AFM rider who was paralyzed after a racing crash in June. In all, more than 400 people participated in the track day, attended the evening reception or stopped by to give Stanton their best wishes. Some of motorcycle racing's top stars were also on hand to show their support, including AMA Pro Racing riders Josh Hayes, Melissa Paris, Jake Zemke, Joey Pascarella and Steve Rapp. "I am just absolutely blown away," said Stanton, who was able to visit the track with his family during the event. "To see this many people here and to experience their support and generosity is just mind blowing. There is no way to say 'thank you' enough." To make a donation to Stanton, visit www.stanton53support. com/blog/donate/ AMA Goes Two Day In an effort to save teams, manufacturers' and promoters' money, AMA Pro Racing announced today that it will introduce a new two-day racing format for its road racing series at selected rounds in 2014. New Jersey Motorsports Park has already signed up for the new format for its round on September 13-14. No details on the actual race-weekend schedule has been released yet. The AMA is seeking a meeting with the head of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to find out whether the agency is trying to reduce motorcycle ridership by pursuing a federal mandatory motorcycle helmet law. The meeting request, made continued on page 25