MotoGP testing gets underway at Finland’s KymiRing

MotoGP 2019

KymiRing Test – Finland


MotoGP has landed in Finland to test out the new KymiRing circuit across two days, with riders heading out on track for the first time, alongside press conferences on the riders and officials first thoughts.

The opening day was unfortunately wet and there was an immediate change to the program, with the timetable for the MotoGP runners changed to later in the day to try and avoid some of the worst of the rain. That meant it was the local heroes up first to try out the track, instead of at the end of the day.

MotoGP KymiRing Test Day Kymring Riders Conf
MotoGP riders at a pre-test conference – KymiRing MotoGP Test 2019

That trend of home heroes first continued once the green light was on for the premier class test, with Mika Kallio out first on the KTM RC16 – with the latest chassis – to greet the fans who had flocked to the circuit to witness premier class motorcycle action in Finland for the first time since 1982. All six test riders eventually got a taste of the circuit though, despite conditions being far from ideal with rain falling throughout the day.

Mika Kallio

“I think for everyone if you can race at home it’s something special absolutely, and I was the first guy out with the MotoGP machine today so that’s cool to be the first to make those laps. I agree with what the guys have said, some parts of the track are quite slow, at the moment and especially in these conditions and new tarmac, with water…it was quite slippery all the time and there we couldn’t quite get the right feeling. But hopefully tomorrow it’ll be dry and we’ll get more impression how the racetrack is.”

Aprilia’s Bradley Smith was the next out on track and the British rider was fastest at lunchtime with the first sub-two-minute lap.

Bradley Smith

“This is a different track, very different to anything we’ve seen before, quite tight and twisty and a little bit slow in places, but we also have places like Silverstone where it’s flat out everywhere – sometimes it’s good to have a complete different end of the spectrum. Also we have three different categories! It’s not just for MotoGP and I think those smaller bikes will really fit this race track. Let’s see tomorrow. There are a lot of off camber corners here which makes it difficult for the riders, it’s a technical challenge.”

MotoGP KymiRing Test Day Bradley Smith
Bradley Smith – KymiRing MotoGP Test 2019

Ducati’s Michele Pirro and Honda’s Stefan Bradl were up next, with Bradl continuing development work on the carbon-reinforced chassis but also making some unwanted history by becoming the first rider to crash at the KymiRing as he went down at the final corner, rider OK.

Stefan Bradl

“Unfortunately we weren’t lucky with the weather, which was the biggest problem today. So I hope tomorrow it’s dry and we can get more impressions of this race track. It’s a very interesting track, it’s good to get some laps in the wet and so far so good! I’m looking forward to tomorrow because there will be better conditions and I think that will be better for everyone – spectators and us as riders, we’ll have more fun and enjoy this atmosphere here.”

MotoGP KymiRing Test Day Bradl
Stefan Bradl – KymiRing MotoGP Test 2019

The German was also spotted as having a ‘salad box’ fitted to both bikes in his garage, which was last seen at the Sepang Official Test at the start of 2019.

Michele Pirro

“It’s a really nice track, it’s been difficult to understand in wet conditions! I hope conditions are better tomorrow and dry, that’s important. But I think the first part, it’s fast and really nice, the second part is slow but interesting and I like it. I hope tomorrow we can do some laps in the dry, but it’s a great track for MotoGP.”

MotoGP KymiRing Test Day Pirro
Michele Pirro – KymiRing MotoGP Test 2019

Suzuki’s Sylvain Guintoli and Yamaha’s Jonas Folger were the last to try out the KymiRing later in the day, getting a taster before more action is expected tomorrow – as well as better conditions. Track time will be 11:00 to 18:00 local time, with young Finnish riders on track the hour before.

Sylvain Guintoli

“The first part is good, Turn 1 to Turn 3, I like that bit a lot, you go down then up into the braking before the straight. I love it here in Finland, I’ve never been before and it’s been nice to visit the place. I like countryside so I’m happy here!”


Officials talk KymiRing

MotoGP KymiRing Test Day L R Carlos Ezpeleta Tapio Nevala Jorge Viegas Kari O Sohlberg Timo Pohjola Aki Ajo
L-R: Carlos Ezpeleta (Dorna Sports); Tapio Nevala (Finnish Motorcycle Federation); Jorge Viegas (FIM); Kari O. Sohlberg (Board of KymiRing);Timo Pohjola (KymiRing Circuit Director); Aki Ajo (Ajo Motorsport).
Jorge Viegas, President of the FIM

“Finland is a country with a lot of tradition in motorsport. It’s on the way, I have been in this position, managing works on a circuit in my country 20 years ago, so I know what it feels like to have journalists coming, Dorna and the FIM coming…I know how it feels! But everything is going well, and I think it’s a privilege to be here for the first time.”

Tapio Nevala, President of the Finnish Motorcycle Federation

“It’s a big dream to have MotoGP bikes in Finland, my heart has been pounding. It’s very important for us, for Finnish motorsport. A MotoGP race is important for our sport and for Nordic motorsport, as well as it being important for this whole area.”

Timo Pohjola, KymiRing Circuit Director

“We continue the work on infrastructure, we don’t have green on the circuit at the moment so we’ll raise the standard of the facility. A lot of work needs to be done, we have one year to do everything but the most important thing is that for safety reasons, especially, that we can have the test here. Because after that we know exactly where we will have everything like the curbs. So that’s important for us but also for the teams, that’s the meaning of testing. But overall I’m very happy, it’s been a long journey and I know many of you will recognise these words from a driver once: ‘Leave me alone, I know what I’m doing!’”

Aki Ajo, Ajo Motorsport

“We’ve been dreaming for years about this, to have this kind of track and to have the chance to have a MotoGP race in Finland. It was a special feeling for me this morning that I woke up in my own bed before a MotoGP test, which doesn’t happen very often! But seriously, it’s really important to have first track action here, now is the time to see what they need to do to finalise everything here so we can have a great race.”

Carlos Ezpeleta, Senior Sporting Director at Dorna Sports

“I visited for the first time with Franco Uncini a few years ago and honestly, it’s a great place and I have to congratulate everyone for the work they’ve done because it’s very impressive that we have bikes on track today. I know these past months have been hard for them and I must congratulate them because the job they’ve done is of a high standard. We’re very happy to have Finland back on the calendar, it’s one of the countries with a lot of history in motorsport as has been said, and we know that the requirements for a MotoGP track are very high, both on track and off, and the plan is to accommodate all of them so we’re very happy.”

Source: MCNews.com.au

Norshire Mini is smallest tyre inflator

Many adventure riders and tourers carry a tyre inflator in case of a flat, but they can be heavy and bulky.

The Norshire Mini tyre inflator is no bigger than a torch and is claimed to be the world’s smallest, making it ideal to carry on your bike.

The aluminium cylinder measures only 208mm in length and 40mm in diameter and features a powerful cooling fan.

The Hong Kong company has launched two successful Indiegogo crowd-funding campaigns, raising almost $400,000.

They offer discounts to supporters, but be aware that your pledge money may not be refunded if it doesn’t go into production.

Inflator for your bikeNorshire Mini is smallest tyre inflator

The inflator comes in several versions, but the one suitable for motorcycles is the Power Version with a Presta valve.

The Power version has 12 bar (174psi) of pressure and will pump 10 litres of air per minute.

They say it will pump up a motorcycle tyre in about five to eight minutes which is the limit of a battery charge.

It takes about 40-90 minutes to recharge the lithium iron phosphate battery.

You can charge it with a cigarette lighter or a 5V/2A adapter used to charge your phone.

They claim battery life of 3000 cycles of charging/discharging, compared with 500 for the Li-ion battery used in phones.Norshire Mini is smallest tyre inflator

You can also power the Norshire Mini inflator directly off a cigarette lighter output, but be aware this will also drain you bike’s battery.

Norshire Mini shows pressure in bar, psi, kpa and mpa and they say it is accurate to 0.2bar.

The built-in microcomputer measures the tyre pressure and automatically stops when it hits the preset pressure.

The stand-by power consumption is less than 1mA, so they claim it can sit idle for a year after a full charge without being over discharged.

Norshire Mini has four touch buttons for power, start/pause and +/- buttons to set the pressure.

It is powered by a high intensity ferromagnet 380 motor with 30,000 revs, 56W and 18kg of torque.Norshire Mini is smallest tyre inflator

They also claim the tight seal makes it quieter than most other portable inflators.

Their lithium iron phosphate battery works from -20℃, is less prone to spontaneous ignition and explosion than other types of battery and has a life of use up to seven years. It contains no heavy metals, rare metals or toxins.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Replacing poor quality motorbike levers

Contributor Todd Parkes replaces the levers on his Honda CBR500R

Standard levers supplied with most motorcycles are ugly, generic, mass-produced, chrome, longish and cheap. Many are not adjustable, so people with big or small hands never feel quite comfortable and most just feel cheap to handle.

And they will break even if you just drop your bike off its sidestand. Even if the lever just bends it will probably snap if you try to straighten it.

Whether your taste is sports bikes and you want to feel racy and have a look not dissimilar to Marquez’s bike, or if you are on a laidback cruiser and want a bit more of a custom or stylish look, those levers have got to gain some attention.

While my bike is only entry level, I do enjoy it and want to personalise it.

The more I looked at those levers, the more I thought they looked all wrong.

The Gold Coast hinterland has a heap of attractions for riders including winding roads, a Red Rattler with an Iron and Resin finish, writes local rider and MBW contributor Todd Parkes.
Todd and his Honda

Searching for levers

So I googled “levers” and found the cheapest were just $25 and they went right up to $400-plus.

My local stores on the Gold Coast didn’t have much in stock would only order them in. Most did not want me to look at anything under $300.

I’m all for supporting the locals but they have to be helpful and stock the parts affordably. 

Back to the net and I came across Aussie company Rad Guard who also make great radiator protector guards.Levers

They carry more than just radiator guards and their stock included sets of Evo1 brake and clutch lever sets for many popular models.

Their prices were very competitive with them sitting on a special at the moment for $189 (normally $230) plus postage.

I’d dealt with Radguard before for various bikes I had and their willingness to help and go beyond impressed me great.

I bought the extendable and foldable set for my CBR500 and they arrived via courier in three days at less than $1 dearer than standard mail.

I was impressed by the packaging, a labelled boxed set with bubble wrap and foam balls as well as a future purchase discount, a brand sticker and a gift stubby holder.Levers

Fitting the levers

I watched a couple of YouTube clips on how to change the levers and thought it wouldn’t be too difficult.

It is a good idea to have a can of silicon lube at hand to squirt down the clutch cable as it often gets neglected, also to lightly lube the pivot points of the levers and mechanisms.

Be careful with the tools so as they don’t slip and mark those new levers which look beautifully coated.

The brake lever went on smoothly, no dramas.Levers

The clutch one was a lot trickier.

Make sure to loosen off the lever adjustment to provide some “play”. It was really like replacing a brake cable on the old Malvern Star in a sense when hooking and unhooking the cable.

Have the manual nearby or the most relevant website to specify the freeplay you need. Check at both ends and don’t forget the locknut.Levers

You will need to fiddle around with the freeplay to get it right, so don’t rely on a straight swap without adjustment. 

Take it for a test ride and you might find they need another adjustment tweak to et them just right.

You can adjust the length of the levers through quite a range. The six-stop wheel adjusts the reach of the lever to suit your hand size.

My first ride with the new levers provided a noticeable improvement in feel over the original levers. The only negative was that the brake lever had some up/down freeplay in its mounting. 

Personalising your bike is fun and this is one of the simplest and low-cost mods you can make to the look and feel of your bike.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

MotoGP Returns to Finland

For the first time since 1982, premier-class motorcycles returned to Finland, testing on the brand new KymiRing in preparation for next year’s Finnish MotoGP. Located 85 miles north of Helsinki, the all-new 2.85-mile circuit lays nine rights and nine lefts over undulating terrain with 20 meters of up and down. The 2020 MotoGP schedule has yet to be finalized, but the Finnish MotoGP will be on it. It’s kind of a big deal.


MotoGP Press Release:

“It’s a dream come true” – MotoGP™ authorities on KymiRing

Representatives of Dorna Sports, FIM, Finnish Motorcycle Federation, the KymiRing and KTM offer their first thoughts on the Finnish circuit

Earlier this afternoon a Press Conference was held at the KymiRing with FIM President Jorge Viegas, Timo Pohjola (KymiRing Circuit Director), Tapio Nevala (President of the Finnish Motorcycle Federation), Aki Ajo from KTM and Carlos Ezpeleta of Dorna Sports all present.

All six sung the praises of the Finnish circuit just hours after the first MotoGP™ track action took place with, fittingly, Finland’s very own Mika Kallio becoming the first MotoGP™ rider to lap the KymiRing aboard his KTM RC16.

FIM President, Jorge Viegas, began the Press Conference by admitting what a privilege it was to be present for MotoGP™’s first visit: “Finland is one of the countries with the most tradition in motorsport. I have been in this position, I have been managing circuits in my country 20 years ago, so I know what it’s like to have the pressure of Dorna and the FIM all coming. I thank you all for the privilege of being here for the first time.”

Next, President of the Finnish Motorcycle Federation, Tapio Nevala, described how it felt to finally have track action at the KymiRing and in Finland: “It’s a dream come true. It’s really a big dream to have MotoGP bikes in Finland. It’s very important for us and for Finnish motorsport and for MotoGP, of course.”

Timo Pohjola, KymiRing Circuit Director, outlined the hard work that had been put in to make sure the test went as planned over the recent months: “We will continue the work that we have done. A lot of work is to be done. We have one year to do everything but the most important thing for safety reasons is to have the test here as after that we know exactly where we will have the curbs and so on. So, this is very important but also for the teams. Overall, I’m very happy. It has been a long journey.”

Carlos Ezpeleta, Dorna Sports Sporting Director, couldn’t pinpoint the exact date of the 2020 Finnish Grand Prix, but praised the work of the circuit and the Finnish Federation for today being a huge success: “We’re working with the FIM to publish the calendar, it’s always up to the FIM to release it first. I think in the following weeks we’ll have a date but right now it’s too early to say. It’ll be in the summer for sure as there’s no other option. It’s too early to say exactly though.

“I visited for the first time with Franco Uncini maybe three years ago now and honestly, it’s a great place. I have to congratulate Timo and the Finnish Federation for the work they have done because it’s truly impressive that we have bikes on track today. The past few months have been hard work, but I must congratulate them because the job they have done is of a high standard.

“We’re very happy to have Finland back on the Grand Prix calendar because it’s one of the countries with the most tradition in motorsport. The standards for a MotoGP track now are very high, both on and off track, with run-off areas and paddock and so on and the plan is to accommodate all of them.”

And finally, an emotional Aki Ajo explained his delight to wake up at his own home this morning ahead of a MotoGP™ test: “I have been dreaming for years about this, to have this kind of track and a MotoGP race in Finland. It was a special feeling for me this morning to wake up in my home bed before a MotoGP test isn’t something I’ve done before. It’s really important to have the first action here and now is the time to see what they need to do to finalise everything here and then have great races in the future.”

Once track action comes to a close later today, all six MotoGP™ test riders present at the KymiRing will be a part of a second Press Conference. Stay tuned to motogp.com as we bring you the thoughts of the riders on a historic day in Finland.

 

KymiRing 

 

The post MotoGP Returns to Finland appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

History made at the KymiRing MotoGP™ Test

Fittingly, the first rider out on track and the man to make history as the first MotoGP™ rider to lap the KymiRing was local hero Mika Kallio, aboard his KTM RC16 that was fitted with the very latest KTM chassis. All six test riders eventually got a taste of the circuit, despite conditions being far from ideal with rain falling throughout the day.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Aerostich Darien Jacket | Gear Review

Aerostich Darien jacket
The author models his Aerostich Darien jacket.

Being a pretty boring fellow, I’m the kind of dude that likes consistency – with constant improvements. Andy Goldfine began his Aerostich company back in 1983, with the Darien coming along in 1992, and the current 3/4-length jacket is a fine piece of engineering. The name comes from the tropical Darien Gap in Panama, which indicates a relatively lightweight jacket, and my size 48 (or 2XL), with full shoulder, elbow and standard back armor, comes in at an ounce over five pounds.

It’s a single-layer coat, meaning no inside lining, no zip-in liner. I generally ride with layers down to about 50 degrees, or a heated liner when it is seriously cold. Which doesn’t happen often where I live in California. I think we had three freeze nights last winter, easy to tell because the cats’ waterbowl on the porch gets a thin layer of ice.

The Darien is made of American-made 500-denier Cordura, using that semi-miraculous Gore-Tex fluoropolymer membrane. No, I have no idea what a fluoropolymer membrane is, just what it does. Billy Gore patented this back in 1969, and it allows the Cordura to be relatively waterproof, windproof and breathable. Breathable? It’s a one-way affair, keeping out rain, but allowing sweat to exit. I rode in a number of wintery showers and stayed dry…except once on a windy, rainy day for a dribble down my neck as I had forgotten to put on a neckerchief. But if you are in for a day-long rain, I would recommend having a serious rainsuit along, as in the past I have found that even the Cordura Gore-Tex can get a tad soggy.

Aerostich TF3 armor.
Aerostich TF3 armor.

This 500-denier material is pretty tough stuff, and should a rider unfortunately fall, can take a good deal of abrasion. Aerostich uses its own TF (Tempered Foam) armor, with impact-absorbing hard shell, not the European approved CE variety. The Darien comes standard with TF3 armor, but Aerostich also offers optional, no-cost hot-weather TF6 and the cold-weather TF2; you can read more about the various armor options in their catalog or online.

Lots of big pockets, and Aerostich has mastered the art of making two pockets out of one. The outside zippered breast pockets hold a heckuva lot, as do the unzipped reverse pockets on their undersides. Which passengers in need of hand warmth or just hanging on can also use. Over the left breast is a smaller pocket with a hook-and-loop closure and a D-ring of sorts that you can attach your keys to…delightfully old-fashioned in this age of electronic fobs. Two more large zippered pockets are down in the lower third of the jacket. Only thing missing would be a poacher’s pocket (as they used to be called) at the lower back, where a poacher could hide a rabbit. Or a rider’s warm liner. Inside is a top-closing phone pocket on the left, a side-closing map pocket on the right.

Aerostich Darien jacket

Fit is good, with cinching straps at the waist, and an elastic cord at the bottom. Each arm has two cinching straps, and the cuffs have zippers and cinching straps. Armpit and back vents are very useful when Mr. Sun shines bright. Big YKK zipper runs up the front, protected from the rain by a hook-and-loop secured flap. The folding collar has a pleasant liner, and can be used tall in the cool weather, or snapped back to half-height in the warm. Small magnets at both ends of the collar make sure nothing flaps. Nighttime visibility is good, with the use of 3M Scotchlite reflective material.

All told, the Darien is a darn good jacket, especially with summer coming on. My jacket is tan, and four other colors are available. Price is about $600, which isn’t cheap, but you get a lot of jacket for the money. 

For more information, visit aerostich.com or ride up to Duluth, Minnesota.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

“It’s a dream come true” – MotoGP™ authorities on KymiRing

FIM President, Jorge Viegas, began the Press Conference by admitting what a privilege it was to be present for MotoGP™’s first visit: “Finland is one of the countries with the most tradition in motorsport. I have been in this position, I have been managing circuits in my country 20 years ago, so I know what it’s like to have the pressure of Dorna and the FIM all coming. I thank you all for the privilege of being here for the first time.”

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

MotoGP readies to take on the British GP at Silverstone

2019 MotoGP
Round 12 – Silverstone


Few will forget the disaster last year that saw the British Grand Prix cancelled at the last minute (Link), when it was found that the then recently refurbished circuit surface had no real provisions to drain water. Large puddles had formed at different points of the track on Saturday. In turn 7, better known as Stowe, the accumulation of water was enormous and several riders, Tito Rabat being one of them, crashed. When Tito got up to reach the safety of the trackside barriers, he was hit by Franco Morbidelli’s bike with full force which left Rabat with a number of fractures. 

MotoGP Silverstone Cancelled Marquez AXS
Silverstone MotoGP 2018

Rain had continued to fall on Sunday and after morning warm-up a decision was reached that conditions were not safe to race, the new track surface judged too dangerous in the rain. Racing was therefore cancelled and Silverstone management was left very red faced. 

Since that debacle Silverstone has gone another resurfacing program at what is one of the fastest tracks on the MotoGP calendar. Due to the 2019 surface not being tested at by MotoGP and Michelin there is an extended range of rubber available to riders this weekend. Michelin named a range of four front and four rear slick tyres during the pre-season allocation, which is allowed within the rules of MotoGP if a circuit has not been tested on. This range will see soft, medium and two versions of hard compound for both the front and rear Michelin Power Slicks. The front medium and hard compounds will be symmetric, whilst the front soft and all the rears will be asymmetric with a harder right-hand-side to manage the 10 corners that travel in that direction and although there are 8 lefts making the design of the circuit almost symmetric, there is more stress put on the right side of the tyre so the harder rubber is needed to give optimum performance.

As was demonstrated last season, wet weather can be expected at any time during a British summer, so the range of wets could be called into operation at any moment during the weekend. The allocation will feature symmetric soft and medium front tyres, with asymmetric soft and medium rears with the harder right-hand-side like their slick counterparts.

MotoGP Silverstone Cancelled
Michelin will have a larger than normal selection of tyres available for this weekend

Piero Taramasso – Michelin 

“It was a huge disappointment for all involved with what happened last year at Silverstone, but the circuit has done a good job and had it totally resurfaced, but this means we are heading there with no knowledge of how the surface will actually perform. The range of tyres that we have selected is based on data supplied to us from the company that laid the asphalt, so we have some information of what types of stones and other materials have been used to make up the surface. It is always a challenge to go somewhere we haven’t tested at; this is why we had it placed in the rules that we could take four tyres to give the riders every opportunity to find the best compound for them and their bike. We are confident with our allocation and are looking forward to see how the new surface behaves, we have initial good reports, but want to experience it for ourselves, and of course we are certainly hoping for good weather, but we are going to England so who knows what will happen!”


Silverstone MotoGP Form Guide

In 2013 it was Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol Honda Team) who took on now-teammate Marc Marquez in one of the all-time great showdowns at Silverstone. The year after, Marquez returned the favour.

MotoGP 2013 - Silverstone - Image by AJRN - Jorge Lorenzo
MotoGP 2013 – Silverstone – Image by AJRN – Jorge Lorenzo

2015 saw Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) emerge from a rain-soaked race day to take to the top step, before Maverick Viñales, now at Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, took the spoils for Suzuki the following year.

MotoGP 2015- Silverstone - Valentino Rossi
MotoGP 2015- Silverstone – Valentino Rossi

Then it was Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) painting Silverstone red in 2017, and that makes it five riders and four factories who have made British turf their own in the last five races there. They’ve also all done it in style, because Silverstone usually stages a classic. Can 2019 deliver the same?

MotoGP 2017 – Round 12 – Silverstone - MotoGP Race Results DOVIZIOSO Andrea 4 ITA 25 Ducati Team Ducati 40'45.496 VINALES Maverick 25 SPA 20 Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 0.114 ROSSI Valentino 46 ITA 16 Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 0.749
MotoGP 2017 – Round 12 – Silverstone – MotoGP Race Results
1. DOVIZIOSO Andrea 4 ITA 25 Ducati Team Ducati 40’45.496
2. VINALES Maverick 25 SPA 20 Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 0.114
3. ROSSI Valentino 46 ITA 16 Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 0.749

After the disappointment of 2019 Silverstone is back open for business with high expectations and new asphalt, and Friday’s feedback will be an interesting listen. But one thing that’s never changed is the stunning layout, with 18 corners pushing man and machine to the maximum around a high-speed ribbon of tarmac that snakes it way around the former airfield. Vast and fast is apt.

So who will rule Britannia in 2019? Almost all the likely contenders really have been a winner in the UK. The most recent victor, Andrea Dovizioso, also arrives on top of the world after his stunning Austrian GP triumph. He’ll be one to watch, as is usually the case. But then so will Marquez, who has sometimes had a rockier road on race day at Silverstone but whose pace in qualifying has seen him take four premier class poles at the venue. Could we get another duel? Will the reigning Champion strike back?

MotoGP Silverstone Fri Marc Marquez
Marc Marquez – Silverstone 2018

Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales, meanwhile, will be aiming to make sure it’s a much bigger fight at the front. Rossi’s speed at Silverstone seems to grow year on year and Viñales’ record at the track is impressive. He won his first race there so there are some good memories, and he was also the man closest to Dovizioso last time we raced in the UK. And then there’s Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT)…

The French rookie will know the venue has often been a good one for his bike, but does that even make that much difference? The number 20 equalled Yamaha’s best result at the Red Bull Ring, where it should have been a much harder task than he made it look, and everywhere he goes, he goes fast. He’s back at the top of the Independent Team rider standings as well, and could be a key contender.

MotoGP Rnd RedBullRing Race Start Quartararo Vinales Rins
Red Bull Ring MotoGP

And what of Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar)? His bike is a winner at Silverstone, before he was the man on it or even in the class, and it was a landmark day back in 2016 for the Hamamatsu factory. Rins himself is now back on form after ironing out two uncharacteristic mistakes before the summer break, and he’s unlikely to settle for anything that’s not an assault on the win at the very least. He’s a man with a bigger box to tick than many now he’s taken his first win this season, and is a big candidate to be the sixth different winner at Silverstone since 2013.

The man just ahead of him, Ducati Team’s Danilo Petrucci, could be another although he’s looking for more of a bounce back after a tough Austria, as is Jack Miller (Pramac Racing), the man now behind Quartararo in the aforementioned Independent Team rider standings.

MotoGP Rnd Austria QP Miller
Jack Miller

And lurking just behind him is Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol). It’s been a tougher year at times for the Brit, but on home turf he’ll give it everything to be back in the fight at the front he’s so often been part of. And he’s had pole at Silverstone before, so the speed is there and he’ll want to convert it into big points and a podium in front of the home crowd. He’s done it before.

The man for whom a return is the real key phrase, however, is Jorge Lorenzo. After a long period of recovery from his injuries sustained in Assen, the five-time World Champion is expected back on track at Silverstone and it’s a good venue for it. Lorenzo has three wins there, including that stunner in 2013, and good memories aplenty.

MotoGP 2012 - Silverstone - Image by AJRN - Jorge Lorenzo
MotoGP 2012 – Silverstone – Image by AJRN – Jorge Lorenzo

Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) is also back in action at Suzuki after his Brno testing crash, so he’ll want to get stuck in to making up some ground to those ahead of him: the likes of Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT), Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu). There’s a lot at stake in the tight fight for the top ten.

After he scored his best ever premier class result to date in Austria just a few days ago, Red Bull KTM Tech3’s Oliveira can’t wait to arrive at the British GP to begin where he left off with his progress. At the same time, Syahrin will arrive fit again following his crash at the Red Bull Ring, where he sustained a head concussion and a graze on his right elbow. With just a few days of rest, the Malaysian was back training aboard a bike last week and is keen to perform well in Great Britain.

MotoGP Rnd RedBullRing Race Nakagami Oliveira
Takaaki Nakagami and Miguel Oliveira in action at the Red Bull Ring

Hervé Poncharal -Red Bull KTM Tech3 Team Manager

“The next Grand Prix on the calendar for the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team is round 12 in Silverstone. For sure, everybody is hoping to have a better weekend than the one, we experienced last year. I believe that the tarmac has been resurfaced and following what we heard, they did a fantastic job and hopefully, we can have a great race on decent tarmac at this amazing very fast and super interesting circuit, which always delivers great racing. Outside of that, the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team moves to the UK with very positive feelings as Miguel did by far his best Grand Prix weekend so far and we enjoyed the evolution parts a lot, that we received the Monday after the Czech GP. Apart from his best result, he also did the sixth fastest lap, which is very positive and fast, although I’m not sure, that he is going to do that everywhere. At the moment, there’s a very confident feeling inside the Tech3 team. For sure, Miguel is more than keen to start Friday in the same frame of mind like he finished that Austrian race. On the other side, I’m very glad and relieved that Hafizh came out of hospital on Monday morning. I know, that he is already training, pushing to recover and let’s hope that the bad luck, he had since we are back from the summer break, is going to disappear, because I’m pretty sure that he and his KTM RC16 can be fast and get a decent result in Silverstone. Hopefully we can be at the same level as in Austria in terms of results, but for sure, this round will be quieter in terms of political decisions. We all know now, that Tech3 will be in the MotoGP and the Moto3 class next season, so with all this news out, I believe that we can work with less pressure at the British Grand Prix and a big smile on our faces, knowing that the future is going to be bright.”


Silverstone MotoGP Schedule

Sunday’s schedule will have a different running order and timetable to usual, with the main event preceding Moto2 this weekend and getting underway at 1300 local with equates to 2200 for those of us on Australia’s eastern seaboard. 


MotoGP Championship Points Standings 

Pos Rider Bike Nation Points
1 Marc Marquez Honda SPA 230
2 Andrea Dovizioso Ducati ITA 172
3 Danilo Petrucci Ducati ITA 136
4 Alex Rins Suzuki SPA 124
5 Valentino Rossi Yamaha ITA 103
6 Maverick Viñales Yamaha SPA 102
7 Fabio Quartararo Yamaha FRA 92
8 Jack Miller Ducati AUS 86
9 Cal Crutchlow Honda GBR 78
10 Takaaki Nakagami Honda JPN 62
11 Pol Espargaro KTM SPA 61
12 Franco Morbidelli Yamaha ITA 58
13 Joan Mir Suzuki SPA 39
14 Aleix Espargaro Aprilia SPA 33
15 Miguel Oliveira KTM POR 26
16 Francesco Bagnaia Ducati ITA 24
17 Johann Zarco KTM FRA 22
18 Andrea Iannone Aprilia ITA 21
19 Jorge Lorenzo Honda SPA 19
20 Stefan Bradl Honda GER 16
21 Tito Rabat Ducati SPA 14
22 Michele Pirro Ducati ITA 9
23 Karel Abraham Ducati CZE 4
24 Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki FRA 3
25 Hafizh Syahrin KTM MAL 3
26 Bradley Smith Aprilia GBR 0

Source: MCNews.com.au

Everyone’s a winner: vast and fast, Silverstone awaits

The man for whom a return is the real key phrase, however, is Jorge Lorenzo. After a long period of recovery from his injuries sustained in Assen, the five-time World Champion is expected back on track at Silverstone and it’s a good venue for it. Lorenzo has three wins there, including that stunner in 2013, and good memories are aplenty. Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) is also back in action at Suzuki after his Brno testing crash, so he’ll want to get stuck in to making up some ground to those ahead of him: the likes of Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT), Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu). There’s a lot at stake in the tight fight for the top ten.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here