Mat Rebeaud is back on the bike, and training hard to be back to his former strength. A little over a week ago he completed construction of his own foam pit, and so far it seems to be helping Mat alot to get the feel of the bike again.

"First day on the bike, first jump on the foam pit, my arm doing good. So happy!!!" Mat explained after his first jump, and since then he tells us he’s been doing great, jumping in the new foam pit a bunch and his under-flips are back better than ever! 

"Every few days I notice a lot of improvement."

This is great news for Mat, who had originally hoped to be back for round 2 of X-Fighters, but after his recovery took longer then hoped, was forced to sit out the event.

With a bit of luck we will see Mat at round 3 of X-Fighters being held in Russia on the 26th of June. Good luck buddy.

Check out a full photo gallery of Mat training in the new foam pit HERE

• By Allan H

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On May 2nd, Australian motocross farewelled a racing legend. Andrew McFarlane tragically passed in Broadford, at round 3 of the Australian MX Nats, leaving behind his loving wife Natalie, beautiful daughter Tayla, mother, father and brother.

Racing was canceled, as Andrew's friends, team mates and fellow competitors tried to understand how and why such a devastating thing could happen to such an amazing man.

Andrew's JDR Motorex KTM teammate Tye Simmonds raised his hand on that day, to ride with Andrew's #7 for the remainder of the season. To keep Andrew's spirit and passion alive on the track.

Round 4 of the Australian MX Nats came to Toowoomba this past weekend, and we saw Tye take the track, to do everything he could to put that #7 at the front of the pack, as Andrew would have done.

Follow Tye throughout the day, and try to get understanding of what all of these brave athletes face every time they put a helmet on.

Please take the time to donate to the Andrew McFarlane Trust Fund. All financial contributions no matter how small will be appreciated, as together the motorcycle community help build a foundation for Natalie and Tayla without their hero, husband and father Andrew McFarlane.

The trust fund details are as follows:
Bank: National Australia
Name: PKF Trust Account
BSB: 082 055
Account number: 61 637 2235
Swift code: NATAAU3302

VIDEO DETAILS
Courtesy: Unit Clothing www.unitriders.com
Producer: Allan Hardy
Music: 'The List' by 'The After Party' www.myspace.com/theafterpartyaus

• By Allan H

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Unit athletes Claire Buchar and Chris Kovarik competed at round 1 of the Downhill World Cup in Maribor, Slovenia. The track was complete mud, and racing was gnarly.

Chris crashed in his final and slid through the tape and off course. He is OK though, and looking ahead to the next race.

Claire had a bit more success and ended the weekend with a very strong 7th! Below is her full blog taken from canadiandhgirls.com, where you can also go to find more updates and photos.

 

After a 2 day drive from the rainy UK we arrived in rainy Maribor. Slovenia. I knew right then that it was going to be a gnarly weekend.

The track is littered with roots. The infamous rock garden was the most slippery it has ever been and the ruts and holes were getting deep by the end of Friday practice. There was mud covering everything and it continued to rain.

Saturday qualifying went well, I just took it easy, hit most of my lines and made it down without coming off. I qualified 8th and I knew I had more in the tank for the final.

Come Sunday, though, winds were high and the gondola shut down for morning practice. We had to shuttle to the top and were given one practice run each because the track was absolutely trashed from qualifying the day before. I had the worst run of the weekend with a mechanical problem combined with still feeling half asleep!

I was determined to ride my best in the final. But it was choose your own adventure out there! It ended up being a bit of a horrendous run actually. It was so slippery and rough, it was hard to stay on line. My bike was pounds heavier coated with mud. I made so many mistakes but I knew that others would too so I just kept on fighting till I crossed the line. I came across in 2nd with 7 girls to go. Tracy and Celine couldn’t beat my time that day, obviously having their own adventures on course. I was stoked to finish 7th, just 2 seconds off the podium. My commitment and determination helped knock 8 seconds off my qualifier in way worse conditions with so many mistakes! Racing is crazy…..I am so addicted.

Props to Rachel after everything she went through with her broken finger and her mega crash in qualifying. In a league of her own, well done.

And congrats to one of my favorite riders and teammate, Matt Simmonds, who finished a solid 14th in the mens(in the same second as 8th place). I think that is his best World Cup result so far! More to come….

Chris had a crash and went through the tape, he is disappointed but ok and looking ahead to the next round. Don’t underestimate him, there is lots of season left yet!!!!

On a track that all the top guys were saying was one of the hardest, I am happy with my result.

Thanks to all of my sponsors for your support. Special thanks to Jeff Steber at Intense, my M9 Proto feels amazing! :)

Now back to the UK for a few weeks till round 2 at Fort Bill. Let the adventures continue!

• By Allan H

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