GasGas invited the press to a coming-out party for its new 2021 GasGas Factory Racing Teams—motocross/supercross, GNCC (Grand National Cross Country), and observed trials. Held at RD Field near the GasGas (and KTM headquarters in the United States), seven riders hit the supercross, endurocross, and trials practice course for photos.Justin Barcia (#51) and Michael MosimanBefore riding, GasGas representatives, including GasGas North America Off-Road Race Team Manager Geoff Aaron and Costal GasGas Factory Racing Team Manager Barry Hawk, discussed the racing and the focus of the brand. Recently acquired by the KTM Group, GasGas is being marketed as a “fun” brand. With KTM as the “serious” racers and the historic Husqvarna marque appealing to an older demographic, GasGas adds youthfulness to its promotional arsenal. GasGas was formed in 1985, while KTM dates back to 1953, and Husqvarna was started in 1689 (with the first motorcycles produced in 1903).
The GasGas EX off-road motorcycles and MC motocross/supercross models are based on KTM equivalent motorcycles. The trials bikes are still made in Spain and basically unchanged from those built by GasGas when owned by the Torrot Group. The GasGas Factory Racing Team riders were all aboard 2021 models.Justin Barcia is the star of the show, as a multi-time Supercross and motocross race winner, and a two-time Monster Energy Supercross 250SX East champion. He’s the sole 450 rider for the Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GasGas Factory Racing Team. It is Troy Lee Designs’ first foray into the 450SX and 450MX divisions, and TLD’s first year with GasGas after previously running KTMs. Barcia will be racing the 2021 GasGas MC 450F.Tyler Keefe (left) and Justin Barcia (450SX/450MX)Michael Mosiman and Pierce Brown will be campaigning the 2021 GasGas MC 250F in the 250 classes. Mosiman is moving to GasGas from the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. As both Husqvarnas and GasGas motorcrossers are based on a KTM platform, Mosiman should make the change seamlessly. Pierce Brown, who is injured and did not ride at the press event, rode for Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/KTM last year, so he will have an even smoother transition to GasGas. Longtime TLD race manager Tyler Keefe also makes the move to GasGas.250SX/250MX: Pierce Brown (left) and Michael MosimanThe Coastal GasGas Factory Racing team will focus on GNCC success, while also competing in the National Enduro Championship and other prestigious off-road races in the United States. Ricky Russell will be aboard the 2021 GasGas EX 450F, and Johnny Girroir will campaign the EX 250F. Russell rode for the Coastal Racing Husqvarna last year, while Girroir rode a privateer KTM in 2020 and has an XC2 win under his belt. Eight-time GNCC champion Barry Hawk returns as a Coastal Racing Team Manager.GNCC: Ricky Russell (left) and Johnny GirroirThe GasGas Factory Racing team for the 2021 MotoTrials USA National Championship Series (the 2020 season was canceled) consists of Daniel Blanc-Gonnet in the Pro class and Madeleine Hoover in the Pro Women’s division. Blanc-Gonnet has been riding GasGas trials bikes since 2017 and finished the 2018 season in P2. Hoover has won the last three Women’s Pro National Championships. However, Hoover was unable to ride at the event due to injury. Ten-time US Trials Champion Geoff Aaron also carries the title of GasGas Trials Racing Team Manager. The riders will be aboard flagship GasGax TXT GP models.Trials: Daniel Blanc-Gonnet (left) and Madeleine Hoover.GasGas emphasized that trials bikes are great cross-training motorcycles for riders of all disciplines, as well as fitting into the “fun” ethos that GasGas is promoting.Photography by Don Williams
Hello everyone and welcome once again to Ultimate Motorcycling’s weekly Podcast—Motos and Friends.
My name is Arthur Coldwells.
This week’s Podcast is brought to you by Yamaha motorcycles. Discover how the YZF-R7 provides the perfect balance of rider comfort and true supersport performance by checking it out at YamahaMotorsports.com, or see it for yourself at your local dealer.
This week’s episode features Senior Editor Nic de Sena’s impressions of the beautiful new Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST that is loosely based around the original FXRT Sport Glide from the 1980s. Hailing from The Golden State, these cult-status performance machines became known as West Coast style, with sportier suspension, increased horsepower, and niceties including creature comforts such as a tidy fairing and sporty luggage.
In past episodes you might have heard us mention my best friend, Daniel Schoenewald, and in the second segment I chat with him about some of the really special machines in his 170 or so—and growing—motorcycle collection. He’s always said to me that he doesn’t consider himself the owner, merely the curator of the motorcycles for the next generation.
Yet Daniel is not just a collector, but I can attest a really skilled rider. His bikes are not trailer queens, they’re ridden, and they’re ridden pretty hard. Actually, we have had many, many memorable rides on pretty much all of the machines in the collection at one time or another.
From all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!
