IN
THE
WIND
P38
BAKER, MARQUEZ OUT
OF SUPERPRESTIGIO
B
rad Baker and Marc Marquez
will not line up for the start of
the end-of-season Superpresti-
gio dirt track invitational in Barce-
lona, Spain, December 16.
Baker will not participate after
undergoing surgery to have a
hydrocele removed, the result of
a training accident Baker suf-
fered over five years ago. Baker
is expected to be out for 6-10
weeks, ensuring he won't be fit
for the start of Superprestigio on
December 16.
Marquez, meanwhile, has
decided not to participate for the
first time since the Superpresti-
gio was revived in 2014, cit-
ing the need for some rest
and relaxation following a
demanding MotoGP season that
saw him claim his fourth premier
class title.
The Superprestigio will how-
ever boast a strong lineup of
international stars from a variety
of disciplines, including former
Moto2 and current Moto America
Champion, Toni Elias, Johann
Zarco, six-time Supermoto S1GP
Champion Thomas Chareyre,
2017 World Supersport Cham-
pion Lucas Mahias, Endurance
World Champions Gregg Black
and Vincent Phillipe, as well as
Americans JD Beach and Briar
Bauman, with current GNC num-
ber one Jared Mees expected
to be confirmed as a starter this
week. CN
EDWARDS TO LEAD TEAM USA
AT ISLAND CLASSIC
C
olin Edwards is to lead a revitalized Team USA lineup at the upcoming Island Classic at Phillip
Island, January 26-28, with the U.S. also fielding former AMA Champion Jake Zemke and former
two-time Endurance World Champion Jason Pridmore.
Team USA has long been the poor relation in the In-
ternational Challenge—the premier event on the Island
Classic program—against the more established teams
of current champions Team UK and Team Australia,
who regularly field some of their country's fastest rac-
ers on extremely high spec Suzuki Katanas, Harris-
framed Yamaha FJ1100s and Suzuki XR69 replicas.
Team UK will be headed by long-time Island Clas-
sic proponent Jeremy McWilliams, Glen Richards,
Peter Hickman, Michael Rutter, Dan Linfoot and Lee
Johnston, while Australia will run former WorldSBK
Champion Troy Corser, David Johnson, Steve Martin,
Shawn Giles, Alex Phillis, Cameron Donald and Beau
Beaton. CN
A hectic season has got the
better of Marc Marquez who
will not ride the end-of-year
Superprestigio.
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY
GOLD
&
GOOSE
The Island
Classic will be
Edwards' first
road race since
retiring from
MotoGP in 2014.
