Pablo Nieto – Team Manager: “We will continue to put the same passion and commitment, for achieving ambitious results. Behind us, we have a Team composed of great professionals, who live as a family. In Moto2, Luca will back to the track at 100% of after he has undergone surgery to the shoulder. He is clever, a hard worker who has shown his real value in 2018. He can make a season as a protagonist and, as a Team, we will try not to let him feel the pressure, supporting him with all our commitment. Alongside him, Nicolo will debut in Moto2 with a bike that can best adapt to his physical characteristics. He has a great talent and I’m sure he will be able to show his potential. In Moto3, there are two very young 2001 ready to impress us. After a year of experience, Dennis has taken the rhythm of the strongest guys, while Celestino has taken the first steps in the Championship. There is a lot of work waiting for them, but we trust that they can be immediately close to the fastest riders.”
So, who of the rookies will be quickest around the Sepang International Circuit? This question will be answered on the 6th, 7th and 8th of February, and you can keep up to date with all the action with reports, reactions, interviews, highlights and After the Flag episodes after each day on motogp.com.
Marquez: “It was my first time back on a bike. Riders in general need to have a calm conscience and during the flight to Malaysia, which is around 14 hours, I will know that at least I have ridden a bike again. We’ve done a few laps that have helped me to see where it hurts a little more, and that way I can work with the physio in this week that we have left before the test. It went a bit like I expected. I lack strength on the brakes, especially on left-hand corners, when I have to use my shoulder for support, and that is where we have to continue pushing to improve. Now we will be patient in Malaysia, to reach March at full strength.”
And you can watch the unveiling live on motogp.com. A change of title sponsor for the factory Yamaha team means we’ll see a new look M1, but make sure you set your alarm clocks as it’s an early one. The presentation will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia, and will begin at 03:45 GMT. Viñales, Rossi and Yamaha bosses will be there to discuss their new machine and what their aims are for the forthcoming season.
Unlike the previous three presentations, Suzuki’s presentation isn’t live. However, you will be able to watch the virtual presentation on www.suzuki-motogp.com, on their YouTube channel and right here on motogp.com at 10:00 GMT. This will include interviews with riders Alex Rins and Joan Mir, plus pictures of videos of their bikes.
The seventh edition of the BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy which will hit New Zealand in early 2020. The participating nations now face a busy time, hosting their qualifiers and selecting their teams for this exciting and unique global adventure competition. 18 international teams, plus, as in the 2016 and 2018 editions, an international female contingent will be selected during the next months.
Confirmed teams for 2020
Australia
China
Female Team(s)
France
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Malaysia/Philippines
Mexico
Middle East
Nordic (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland)
North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt)
Russia
South Africa
South Korea
Thailand
UK
USA
BMW International GS Trophy Mongolia 2018
BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy 2020 Oceania
After the long days on the vast Mongolian Steppe of the 2018 Central Asia edition, New Zealand is going to provide a very different riding environment and experience for the qualifying GS riders.
Ralf Rodepeter, Head of Marketing and Product Management BMW Motorrad
“After Tunisia, Southern Africa, Patagonia, Canada, Thailand and most recently Mongolia, BMW Motorrad were again looking for a location that offers perfect ‘GS terrain’. Lots of legal off-road kilometres are required, with demanding route profiles, passing through fascinating landscapes and with plenty of exotic flair. New Zealand is a perfect fit on those terms. The variety of astounding landscapes from sea to volcanoes to high-altitude mountains, combined with the most beautiful vegetation and the rich Maori culture provide the perfect setting for what we think will be one of the most exciting Int. GS Trophies ever held.”
2018 BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy Central Asia – Winners South Africa
About New Zealand
New Zealand is located 1500 km east of Australia, in the Southern Ocean. There are two main islands, North and South, plus a multitude of smaller islands around the coastline. The combined landmass is approximately 270,000 sq km, which is slightly larger than say the UK, yet the population is just 4.9 million compared to the UK’s 66 million.
Taking into account New Zealand’s significant urban populations in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch this makes for a very sparsely populated countryside and many regions of New Zealand can be termed wilderness.
Geologically, New Zealand is positioned over the Pacific and Indo-Australian tectonic plates so this leads to the presence of many (active) volcanoes, geothermal regions plus an alpine mountain range that reaches higher than 3700 metres. Seismic activity occurs periodically.
Positioned so remotely, much of New Zealand’s flora and fauna have evolved in isolation over millennia so are unique to this country. This includes the Kiwi bird, NZ’s national icon, which quietly forages under the dense canopy of the island’s native forests – which in turn are thousands of years old (with Kauri, Rimu and Totara trees which in days past were valued for boat and house building but today, like the Kiwi, are protected species).
The variation in the landscape is startling and the riders can expect to experience everything from forests to deserts to mountains probably all on the same day. Visiting in the antipodean summertime temperatures should be similar to that of central Europe in August.
New Zealand is also rich in culture and that of the indigenous Maori people – with strong principles of community and stunning arts and crafts – is particularly unique and valued.
2018 BMW International GS Trophy Central Asia – Day 1
International GS Trophy
The New Zealand 2020 event is the seventh edition of the International GS Trophy, the previous editions took place in Central Asia (Mongolia) in 2018, South East Asia (Thailand) in 2016, North America (Canada) in 2014, South America (Chile, Argentina) in 2012, South Africa (SA, Swaziland, North Africa (Tunisia) in 2008. This edition will see 19 teams – maybe even 20 – competing, meaning 54-57 riders, from around the world.
The event is not a race but a team competition, pitching the GS-riding international contingent against each other in a series of challenges – and not all involve riding. With the competitors camped nightly in a bivouac, the event also fosters a sense of brotherhood, sisterhood and camaraderie. Equally the GS Trophy is a celebration of culture and nature, the riders learning about and understanding the peoples and the terrains of the regions they encounter. So the successful team will be respectful of the environment, skillful and sympathetic with their machinery and understanding of team-mates.
Stephanie Bouisson, France, Amy Harburg, Australia and Morag Campbell, South Africa, formed the first ever female team in Thailand in 2016.
Enhanced package and 2018 experience a boost for ASBK champion.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Words: Supplied
Reigning Australian Superbike champion Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing) is out for redemption in the opening round of the 2019 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 22-24 February.
Returning as a WorldSBK wildcard for the second year in succession to the Yamaha Finance round, the soon-to-be 32-year-old says the difficulties he and his team had in 2018 serve as motivation to really get amongst it in the star-studded field.
“The original plan was to do a WorldSBK wildcard in my second year with Deon [Coote], but we got a bit excited and jumped straight in the deep end last year,” said Herfoss, who was raised in Goulburn but now lives at Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast. “As a result, we were underdone but on the flipside we learnt a lot of things which we can bring to the table in 2019.”
“The whole team have put in a lot of effort to build a bike that’s capable of running a lot further up the field. We know we are going to be competitive with a more complete package and a wealth of knowledge that we gained last year.
“If I can get the bike fully up to speed I want to be in that 8-12 group pace – and who knows what can happen after that once tyre life and all those variables come into play.”
Herfoss is particularly looking forward to the new WorldSBK ‘triple treat’ formula, which will make its debut at Phillip Island with a 10-lap sprint race at midday on Sunday, sandwiched between the traditional pair of 22-lappers at 3pm on Saturday and Sunday.
“The sprint race is a similar distance to the ASBK races, so it’s something that I’m used to,” said Herfoss. “It’s a great concept and is certainly going to make for a hot pace – it’s going to be interesting to see how it all pans out.”
The opening round of the 2019 ASBK title will also be held alongside the WorldSBK round, but Herfoss is unfazed by the double duties. He said: “I enjoy racing the world championship and ASBK class at Phillip Island, and I deal well with the physical and mental pressures. It really helps me get into a groove.”
In total, 13 races will be held at Phillip Island across Saturday and Sunday, with supersport and production 300 the other two national classes supporting the world championship categories: WorldSBK and WorldSSP. Goulburn teenager Tom Toparis is the Aussie wildcard in WorldSSP – and just like Herfoss is backing up from 2018. Toparis was 15th in last year’s WorldSSP race on a Kawasaki, but will be riding a Yamaha in 2019.
Celebratory golden collection to be showcased around the country.
Image: Supplied.
Honda Australia and its motorcycle division are celebrating 50 years since the Japanese manufacturer established itself locally in the country with a series of gold motorcycles, cars and power equipment, including the CRF450L and CRF50F.
Although Honda products had been imported and distributed around Australia by a variety of private companies since the 1950s, the brand’s official local presence began when Honda Motor Company in Japan sent Hidehiko Shiomi to Melbourne to set-up a unified, national representation for Honda in Australia.
“Honda Australia was a Honda subsidiary set up primarily to sell cars, but it has since grown with the global Honda brand to deliver a wide range of products and services that help make people’s lives more enjoyable,” said Honda Australia managing director and CEO Hiroyuki Shimizu.
“We thought about how we could celebrate our birthday and our unique diversity in a bold and fun way. I mean, who has ever seen a golden mower or generator before?
“To Honda, performance means more than speed – each product is designed to perform at a level that exceeds the expectations of the customer. We’re looking forward to showcasing these amazing golden products around the country throughout 2019, so stay tuned for more information on that front.”
The celebratory golden collection of products will be used throughout the year to inspire, thank and connect with Honda Australia customers.
Celebratory golden collection to be showcased around the country.
Image: Supplied.
Honda Australia and its motorcycle division are celebrating 50 years since the Japanese manufacturer established itself locally in the country with a series of gold motorcycles, cars and power equipment, including the CBR1000RR Fireblade.
Although Honda products had been imported and distributed around Australia by a variety of private companies since the 1950s, the brand’s official local presence began when Honda Motor Company in Japan sent Hidehiko Shiomi to Melbourne to set-up a unified, national representation for Honda in Australia.
“Honda Australia was a Honda subsidiary set up primarily to sell cars, but it has since grown with the global Honda brand to deliver a wide range of products and services that help make people’s lives more enjoyable,” said Honda Australia managing director and CEO Hiroyuki Shimizu.
“We thought about how we could celebrate our birthday and our unique diversity in a bold and fun way. I mean, who has ever seen a golden mower or generator before?
“To Honda, performance means more than speed – each product is designed to perform at a level that exceeds the expectations of the customer. We’re looking forward to showcasing these amazing golden products around the country throughout 2019, so stay tuned for more information on that front.”
The celebratory golden collection of products will be used throughout the year to inspire, thank and connect with Honda Australia customers.
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