As part of the deal with Gas Gas, KTM also secures a controlling stake in the Torrot electric motorcycles and bicycles business as part of the deal struck ith Black Toro Capital, the owners of both Gas Gas and Torrot.
This move further expands the KTM portfolio (Husqvarna, WP etc), which will in future, presumably due to its now much broader stake in even more brands, will be renamed to Pierer Mobility AG.
The hate for KTM amongst the populace of Varese was visceral after the Austrian brand closed down the Husqvarna factory in Italy when they took control of the brand from BMW and moved production back to the Mattighofen grounds of KTM HQ.
In this instance though it seems as though KTM have agreed to keep the Spanish Gas Gas plant in Girona for at least the next three years. Gas Gas was originally formed from the ashes of Bultaco when that brand went tits-up in the mid 1980s. Gas Gas merged with Ossa in 2014.
How this new Spnish-Austrian cross-pollenation will also benefit KTM’s partners at Bajaj Auto is as yet unclear. The Indian company currently holds a 47.99 per cent stake in KTM AG.
Add to this the tie-ups KTM already has in place with CF Moto where the Chinese company produces some parts for KTM, and will produce their own CF Moto machines utilising KTM engines, and you start to get an inkling into just how much the whole KTM AG / Pierer picture has going on.
Rea seals fifth-straight WorldSBK crown in Magny-Cours race two
Section: Competition
Mahias wins first WorldSSP race of season as Gonzalez claims WorldSSP300 title.
Image: Supplied.
The Pirelli French Round will go down in the history books of the Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), as Kawasaki Racing Team’s Jonathan Rea clinched a fifth-consecutive title at Magny-Cours.
It began with Turkey’s first-ever winner in Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) and finished with Rea winning race two to become the championship’s first ever five-time champion following early misfortune for nearest rival Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).
Starting from pole position for the first time in WorldSBK, Razgatlioglu couldn’t make the same lightning start which saw him leap up the order in the two previous races. Rea edged up the inside into turn one to grab the lead but he wouldn’t stay ahead for long, as Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) used the slipstream to hit the front at the Adelaide hairpin.
The moment which ultimately proved decisive in the 2019 series came on lap two as Razgatlioglu lost the rear of his Kawasaki on the exit of turn 13. As the Turkish rider fought to control the slide, Bautista was powerless to avoid the race one winner and both riders were eliminated on the spot. With the words ‘Bautista out’ displayed on his pit-board next time around, Rea now knew that a race victory would see him make history.
Van der Mark was keen to ensure that Rea didn’t have an unchallenged run to a fifth WorldSBK crown, keeping the Ulsterman at bay until the Imola chicane on lap six. The Dutchman didn’t trail for long with the Yamaha proving a formidable motorcycle down the back straight towards turn five, an advantage van der Mark utilised to power past on lap eight.
As the race ticked over half distance, Rea mounted another attack on the leader with Van der Mark going defensive into Adelaide. The championship leader was wise to this tactic though and drew alongside into the following Nurburgring chicane, making the move stick on lap 13. With Van der Mark no longer close enough to make use of the slipstream next time around, Rea had the margin he needed to ease clear.
Despite a valiant effort from Van der Mark, the advantage grew to over one-second, allowing Rea to close out the final laps and claim his 12th victory of 2019. This one was the sweetest of all though as he completed one of the great WorldSBK comebacks. From 61 points behind, Rea now holds an unassailable 129-point advantage and a place in the history books as the first ever five-time WorldSBK champion.
Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) completed the team’s first double-podium of the season with a close third, consolidating third in the championship standings, while Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who was heavily delayed in the early collision between his teammate Bautista and Razgatlioglu, recovered to finish fourth, overtaking home favourite Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha) on lap 14. Despite a late challenge from the Frenchman, he was forced to settle for fifth, completing a positive weekend at his home round as the Top Independent Rider in race two.
Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) closed out the final European round of his WorldSBK career with a strong charge from 15th on the grid to sixth, winning a close three-way fight on the last lap. The Italian finished just a tenth of a second clear of Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) with Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) right behind the pair in eighth. Leon Camier (Moriwaki Althea Honda Team) was ninth, finishing clear of Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing).
Unpredictability reigned in a dramatic WorldSSP race at the Pirelli French Round as championship favourites Randy Krummenacher and Federico Caricasulo (Bardahl Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) both crashed out to leave the championship open.
This allowed Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) to claim his first win of the season after a thrilling last lap scrap with Isaac Vinales (Kallio Racing), with Ayrton Badovini (Team Pedercini Racing) third. It was Kawasaki’s first WorldSSP victory since Kenan Sofuoglu at Portimao in 2017, ending Yamaha’s 24-race winning streak in the class.
The championship now moves on to Argentina at the Circuito San Juan Villicum with Krummenacher retaining his ten-point lead over team-mate Federico Caricasulo, while Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) still holds an outside chance of the crown after scoring sixth on Sunday.
The Pirelli French Round saw a special moment in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship as Ana Carrasco (Kawasaki Provec WorldSSP300) claimed her second victory of the season, while also handing over her crown to Manuel Gonzalez (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team) who clinched the 2019 title with second place ahead of Scott Deroue (Kawasaki Motoport).
Netherlands clinches first MXoN victory at rain-soaked Assen
Section: Competition
Luckless Australian team finishes 15th overall following promising Sunday.
Image: Supplied.
The Netherlands has won the 2019 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in treacherous conditions as Assen, Sunday dominated by the home team led by Glenn Coldenhoff, Jeffrey Herlings and Calvin Vlaanderen.
It was a disappointing race-day for Team Australia in finishing 15th, despite all three riders – Dean Ferris (MXGP), Kyle Webster (MX2) and Regan Duffy (Open) – displaying convincing pace across the trio of rain-affected motos.
Moto one (MXGP and MX2) was topped by reigning MXGP world champion Tim Gajser, fending off a fast-finishing Herlings across the line, with current MX2 champion Jorge Prado third in his first 450 appearance. Australians Ferris and Webster were 15th and 23rd, the latter dropping down the order after being caught in the mud mid-race.
The second moto (MX2 and Open) saw Coldenhoff charge to victory over Pauls Jonass and Shaun Simpson, while Duffy put in a major effort to take 11th and Webster finished 14th to conclude his first-career MXoN.
Finally, moto three (MXGP and Open) was the decider with Netherlands in the box-seat to wrap up the Nations, which is exactly what they did as Coldenhoff stormed to the win and Herlings managed fourth after going down on multiple occasions. Duffy and Ferris both encountered bike problems, ending Australia’s hopes of a top five.
It was the Netherlands team that reigned supreme in the sand as expected, joined on the podium by a resurgent Belgian effort featuring Jeremy Van Horebeek, Jago Geerts and Kevin Strijbos, while the British team of enduro regular Nathan Watson, Adam Sterry and Simpson completed the rostrum.
The MXGP class was won by Gajser ahead of Herlings and Jeremy Seewer with Ferris ranked 13th, MX2 saw Thomas Kjer Olsen win from Vlaanderen and Alvin Östlund as Webster was credited seventh, while it was Coldenhoff perfect in Open over Jonass and Simpson plus Duffy sealed 10th.
Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea ensured the 2019 Pirelli French Round will go down in the history books, after Sunday began with Turkey’s first ever winner Razgatlioglu claiming victory in the Superpole Race and culminating with Jonathan Rea winning Race 2 to become the championship’s first ever five-time champion following early misfortune for nearest rival Alvaro Bautista.
Toprak Razgatlioglu – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
In World Supersport Lucas Mahias took the win, with favourites Randy Krummenacher and Federico Caricasulo both crashing out, with 10-points separating the two crashers at the head of the standings.
Ana Carrasco claimed victory in the World Supersport 300 class, while Manuel González extended his championship lead to claim the 2019 title, becoming the youngest rider to ever do so.
Manuel González – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Superpole Race
22-year-old Toprak Razgatlioglu made it two out of two at the Pirelli French Round, clinching a stunning Tissot Superpole Race victoryafter another battle withJonathan Rea, who as a result created the mathematical possibility of securing a fifth WorldSBK crown in race two.
Toprak Razgatlioglu – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
As the lights went out, Michael van der Marklaunched into an early lead, slipping up the inside of Jonathan Rea into the first corner. Leon Haslam maintained third withTom Sykes climbing two places to fourth. Chaz Davies and Toprak Razgatlioglu were both big movers, improving up to eighth and tenth respectively.
The Razgatlioglu roll continued on the second lap, gaining three places in an incredible move on the brakes into the Adelaide hairpin, overhauling Chaz Davies, Alex Lowes and Michael Ruben Rinaldi. In the meantime, Jonathan Rea had managed to wrestle control away from Michael van der Mark, easing up the inside at the Imola chicane.
Eleven places had been gained in the first two laps, and two more would follow for Razgatlioglu on lap three, as the remarkable prowess of the Turkish rider on the brakes took him past Tom Sykes at the Adelaide hairpin, before Leon Haslam relinquished third three corners later. When Michael van der Mark was overtaken at Adelaide shortly before half distance, the stage was set for a repeat of yesterday’s last lap battle for the lead in race one.
On lap seven, the comeback was complete with the Turkish Puccetti Racing rider storming up the inside of Rea into his favourite overtaking spot, the Adelaide hairpin. The world champion stayed in touch with Razgatlioglu, and even threatened a counter attack on the final lap, but the Ulsterman couldn’t quite get his Kawasaki stopped into turn five, opening the door for Toprak to ease past on the exit and claim his second victory in a row.
Leon Haslam – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
The fight for the final front row spot in race two went down to the last lap as well with Chaz Davies, who had earlier made light work of Leon Haslam and Tom Sykes, chasing down the Yamaha of Michael van der Mark.
The Dutchman held on for third in the end, with Davies ensuring he will head the second row of the grid this afternoon in fourth. Alvaro Bautista produced a strong recovery to finish fifth, setting similar lap times to the leaders at various points of the race, but the Spaniard must avoid any mistakes in race two to keep Jonathan Rea waiting for the title. Alex Lowes was sixth, and will complete row two on the grid for race two.
Chaz Davies – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Loris Baz returned the favour after losing out to Tom Sykes in the latter stages of race one. The Frenchman delighted the home crowd by snatching seventh on the last lap with Leon Haslam falling back to ninth by the chequered flag, the last of the points scorers.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi rode a strong race to tenth as all 20 starters completed the Tissot Superpole Race at Magny Cours. By virtue of his strong performance in Saturday’s Tissot Superpole session, Rinaldi will head the fourth row for race two later this afternoon.
Toprak Razgatlioglu topped the Superpole Race podium from Rea and Van Der Mark – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Race 2
Starting from pole position for the first time in WorldSBK, Toprak Razgatlioglu couldn’t make the same lightning start which saw him leap up the order in the two previous races. Rea edged up the inside into Turn 1 to grab the lead but he wouldn’t stay ahead for long, as Michael van der Mark used the slipstream to hit the front at the Adelaide hairpin.
Jonathan Rea – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
The moment which ultimately proved decisive came on Lap 2 as Razgatlioglu lost the rear of his Kawasaki on the exit of Turn 13. As the Turkish rider fought to control the slide, Alvaro Bautista was powerless to avoid the Race 1 winner and both riders were eliminated on the spot. With the words ‘BAUTISTA OUT’ displayed on his pit-board next time around, Rea now knew that a race victory would see him make history.
Alvaro Bautista had his hopes dashed after being caught up in Razgatlioglu’s crash – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Michael van der Mark was keen to ensure that Rea didn’t have an unchallenged run to a fifth WorldSBK crown, keeping the Ulsterman at bay until the Imola chicane on Lap 6. The Dutchman didn’t trail for long with the Yamaha proving a formidable motorcycle down the back straight towards Turn 5, an advantage van der Mark utilised to power past on Lap 8.
As the race ticked over half distance, Rea mounted another attack on the leader with van der Mark going defensive into Adelaide. The championship leader was wise to this tactic though and drew alongside into the following Nurburgring chicane, making the move stick on Lap 13. With van der Mark no longer close enough to make use of the slipstream next time around, Rea had the margin he needed to ease clear.
Alex Lowes – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Despite a valiant effort from van der Mark, the advantage grew to over one-second, allowing Rea to close out the final laps and claim his 12th victory of 2019. This one was the sweetest of all though as he completed one of the great WorldSBK comebacks. From 61 points behind, Rea now holds an unassailable 129-point advantage and a place in the history books as the first ever five-time WorldSBK champion.
Alex Lowes completed the team’s first double-podium of the season with a close third, consolidating third in the championship standings, while Chaz Davies, who was heavily delayed in the early collision between his team-mate Alvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu, recovered to finish fourth, overtaking home favourite Loris Baz on Lap 14. Despite a late challenge from the Frenchman, he was forced to settle for fifth, completing a positive weekend at his home round as the Top Independent Rider in Race 2.
Marco Melandri – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Marco Melandri closed out the final European round of his WorldSBK career with a strong charge from 15th on the grid to sixth, winning a close three-way fight on the last lap. The Italian finished just a tenth of a second clear of Leon Haslam with Tom Sykes right behind the pair in eighth.
Leon Camier capped off an impressive comeback to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship with ninth place, finishing a second clear of Jordi Torres. Elsewhere, there were points for French wildcard Sylvain Barrier in 13th but disappointment for Sandro Cortese who was forced to retire midway through the race while running in the top ten.
Jonathan Rea topped the Race 2 podium from van der Mark and Lowes – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Jonathan Rea – P1
“I can quite believe it. It has been an incredible year so far, and a year I have never given up, I’ve kept believing in myself, believing in my bike, believing in my crew and believing in my effort. After the fourth race, it was so tough to keep turning up when you know that he is going to be so difficult to win, but in the mid-season, we turn things around. I don’t have so many words right now, because I did not expect this today. I had no idea what was going to happen. If I would win today, what was the point situation, but I knew when I got the sign that Bautista was out that I could mathematically have the chance. And I did it! Thanks to all my team, all my family and all the people who have been working with me, Kawasaki, the sponsors, all the people that made this possible. It’s a huge team effort, and I couldn’t be here without them.”
Jonathan Rea – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Michael van der Mark – P2
“I tried everything today! We improved the bike a bit in some area but toward the end, we lost quite a lot from Johnny but I really enjoyed this race and we had a nice battle! Of course, I saw that Alvaro was out so I knew Rea wasn’t going to do any crazy thing. I tried to stay with him, I passed him a few times but in the end he was a bit stronger. I want to thank my team because we got another podium.”
Michael van der Mark – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Alex Lowes – P3
“I have got a little bit of good luck at the start of the race with the accident that happened in front of me. But after that, I felt strong on the bike and I was able to ride in 1’37 and catch Jonathan and Michael. Unfortunately, I pushed a lot in the middle and when I got there my front tyre was worn out a lot, so I couldn’t fight with van der Mark in the end but I am pleased with the podium and it set us out nicely for the final two fly-aways of the year.”
Alex Lowes – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Chaz Davies – P4
“In both races today I finished in fourth place, which in itself is not a bad result, but I feel I could have got a lot more. In race 2 I almost got caught up in the incident between Toprak and Álvaro so took avoiding action by going off the track. Unfortunately, I came off the grass at four seconds back and finished the race with the same gap that I was unable to make up. It was so frustrating not to get the chance to fight for the win, because the pace was there.”
Chaz Davies – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Loris Baz – P5
“Every race we close the gap to the race winner, and the same was true this afternoon. I’m much happier than I was yesterday, because yesterday I was not so happy with the bike and how I rode the last laps, but today was much better. This morning was also strong, but we had a technical issue after five laps and I just had to ride the bike to the end, although I still managed to beat Leon and Tom. This afternoon I lost again time at the beginning with Michael Rinaldi and Leon, but once past them I was as quick as the top guys over the remaining 15 or so laps. I’m happy; we didn’t quite make the podium, but we need to remember where we’ve come from and that we’re now up there and fighting with the factory bikes. We’re doing our job and I’m sure we’ll be up there challenging for the podium really soon.”
Loris Baz – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Álvaro Bautista – DNF
“Fortunately physically I’m OK after the crash, I’m just a bit disappointed because I think in race 2 I was able to fight for the win. For sure the weekend was tough, it was a new track that I’d never seen before and there was very little time to ride in dry conditions. Yesterday in the first race I managed to improve the feeling with the track and made up a lot of positions, while today in race 2 I made a good start and felt really good with the bike up at the front. Unfortunately, I was involved in Razgatlioglu’s crash at Turn 13 and his mistake caused my retirement. It’s a pity to finish in this way but it’s all part of racing. Congratulations to Jonathan Rea because he had a great season. During the championship Jonathan has always been able to get the best out of every situation, and for sure we didn’t lose the title because of this race.”
Yamaha Motor Europe have announced that they will part company with Alex Lowes after the final round of the 2019 FIM Superbike World Championship season in Qatar, with the rider not offered the same role into 2020.
Alex Lowes
Lowes has been part of Yamaha’s WorldSBK program since the Japanese manufacturer returned to the premier production racing series in 2016. In a partnership that has spanned four seasons, Lowes and Yamaha have completed 106 races, in which Lowes finished on the podium on 15 occasions.
The highlight of Lowes’ time with Yamaha undoubtedly came in 2018 at Brno in the Czech Republic, when the Briton got the better of his teammate in a closely-contested Race 2 to take his first WorldSBK race win.
Alex Lowes – Brno 2018
But the successful partnership between Yamaha and Lowes extended further than just the WorldSBK paddock. The 29-year-old was also a key member of the Yamaha Factory Racing Team that took three consecutive victories at the prestigious 8 Hours of Suzuka, only missing out on an unprecedented fourth win this year by the narrowest of margins.
Yamaha Motor Europe thanked Alex Lowes for his significant contribution to their racing achievements and wished him every success for the future, with the President of Yamaha Motor Europe Eric de Seynes thanking Lowes.
Alex Lowes
Eric de Seynes – President, Yamaha Motor Europe
“I would like to start by saying thank you to Alex, not just for the success we have enjoyed together in WorldSBK and at Suzuka, but also for his commitment to Yamaha and our Superbike project, which he has been an integral part of from the beginning. It was a difficult decision not to continue with Alex in the same role for the 2020 season but it was also our sincere hope that he would remain within the Yamaha family. We knew there was a risk and, unfortunately, that risk has turned out to be real and Alex will not be on a Yamaha next season. Working with Alex these past four years has been a real pleasure for me and on behalf of both Yamaha and myself I wish Alex every success for the future.”
Jonathan Rea has made history claiming his fifth WorldSBK Championship win over the weekend at Magny-Cours, not only as the first rider to do so, but also making this his fifth straight Championship title in a row. Rea took the win after finishing second in the Tissot-Superpole race and then winning Race Two, with the title in reach after Bautista was forced to retire.
Jonathan Rea – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
It was a tough early season for Jonathan Rea with Alvaro Bautista looking unstoppable, however Rea showed why he already had four WSBK titles to his name as the season progressed, and became the World Championship for a record fifth time in the best way possible – with a race win.
Jonathan Rea – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Jonathan Rea
“I am just super-happy. It has been the biggest challenge to date and we have just chipped away. The beginning of the season was really tough, to be beaten the way we were. But to mentally accept the challenge and keep working as a team – also away from the track – we kept strong. I have worked and kept working. We all go to each weekend looking for the opportunity and we have had lots of opportunities this year, and won a lot of races. It is beyond my wildest dreams to win the title here because after four rounds I would have bitten your hand off if you told me I was going to be champion.
Jonathan Rea – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
“With yesterday’s race being quite chaotic I was nervous going into today because I did not understand the points situation. The target all weekend was to try and – realistically – win it in Argentina, so we could go to Qatar with less pressure. But we got another opportunity today and I felt a little bit better with the bike compared to yesterday. With the temperature going up the pace was not so fast I was able to manage the bike, and I could see my opportunity with Michael. He was struggling in some areas where we were strong. And we were weaker in some areas where he was strong. So I was putting that all together, learning that for a few laps and then putting my head down and getting the job done. Massive thanks to Kawasaki, the team, my sponsors, my family, all my friends and everybody in my corner. I am the guy taking the plaudits but it is such a big team effort and I am fortunate to be in this position.”
Jonathan Rea on the podium with van der Mark and Lowes – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
The eventual timing of Jonathan’s latest title success was somewhat unexpected, despite his strong podiums showings in the first two Magny Cours races. Rea had a genuine opportunity to take the crown after his only title rival Alvaro Bautista collided with Razgatlioglu and had to retire. Jonathan’s race two victory was his 12th win of the season.
Jonathan Rea’s team celebrates in the pits – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Rea had aimed to win all the French WorldSBK races before the final contest of the weekend and he finally took his 83rd career victory by 0.862 seconds from Michael van der Mark. Jonathan’s latest title win comes with two rounds to spare, with 2019 seeing the rider claim 28-podiums including 12 wins, out of the 31 races so far, alongside six Superpoles.
Jonathan Rea – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours
Rea’s championship points total is now 544 with Alvaro Bautista a distant second on 415, with the next round a flyaway event, and will be held at the El Villicum circuit in Argentina, between the 11th and 13th of October.
They claim the global market is flooded with replicas of their classic scooters from China, India and Thailand.
The Chinese seem immune to international trade laws that bind other countries and their latest blatant ripoff is an electric Honda Goldwing.
We all know the Chinese make cheap copies of well-known brands and many of us probably have a Gucci belt made of plastic in a sweatshop in China.
However, they have also made a lot of copies of bigger and more expensive products such as cars.
Some of the cars these manufacturers have copied include the Range Rover Evoque, Smart ForTwo, Hummer, Porsche Cayman, Audi A6, Jeep Cherokee, BMW X1, Rolls-Royce Phantom and MINI Cooper.
Land Wind knockoff of the land Rover Evoque
Some car manufacturers tried to stop them copying their cars, but failed in an obstructive and partisan legal system, so they formed alliances with Chinese companies to make their products for the local market.
Like the car makers, Honda has formed an allegiance with one of the knockoff companies in China to make their bikes for the local market.
I am just super-happy. It has been the biggest challenge to date and we have just chipped away. The beginning of the season was really tough, to be beaten the way we were. But to mentally accept the challenge and keep working as a team – also away from the track – we kept strong. I have worked and kept working. We all go to each weekend looking for the opportunity and we have had lots of opportunities this year, and won a lot of races. It is beyond my wildest dreams to win the title here because after four rounds I would have bitten your hand off if you told me I was going to be champion. With yesterday’s race being quite chaotic I was nervous going into today because I did not understand the points situation. The target all weekend was to try and – realistically – win it in Argentina, so we could go to Qatar with less pressure. But we got another opportunity today and I felt a little bit better with the bike compared to yesterday. With the temperature going up the pace was not so fast I was able to manage the bike, and I could see my opportunity with Michael. He was struggling in some areas where we were strong. And we were weaker in some areas where he was strong. So I was putting that all together, learning that for a few laps and then putting my head down and getting the job done. Massive thanks to Kawasaki, the team, my sponsors, my family, all my friends and everybody in my corner. I am the guy taking the plaudits but it is such a big team effort and I am fortunate to be in this position.”
Jonathan Rea took an all-time record fifth WorldSBK Riders’ Championship win today after finishing second in the Tissot-Superpole ra Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook
In the second FIM Moto3™ JWCh race of the day, Carlos Tatay left his rivals without options, once again taking the lead from the beginning and moving clear with Jeremy Alcoba and Ryusei Yamanaka, followed by a large group. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) stood out from the chasing group with Xavier Artigas in attendance, but was unable to narrow the gap with the front three riders. With three laps left, the poleman, who was on harder rear tyres than his opponents, upped the pace and once again crossed the finish line alone. Ryusei Yamanaka edged Jeremy Alcoba to take second place in a photo finish. Alcoba, however, left the Circuito de Jerez Ángel Nieto in a stronger position at the head of the championship – 37 points ahead of Carlos Tatay, who moves into second place, with Xavier Artigas third, 40 points behind the leader. Carlos Tatay took the Repsol free fuel cheque.
This is your chance to get a custom-tailored race suit, jacket, or pants from Dainese.Dainese
Dainese has announced its 2019 North American Custom Works Tour dates and stops, giving riders across the country a chance to place orders for made-to-measure race suits, jackets, or pants.
Custom Works brings a process that’s generally reserved for the pros to everyday riders, pairing them with a master tailor who takes 24 measurements for men (25 for women) and then sends those numbers to Dainese headquarters so the piece can be produced.
Made-to-measure gear from one of the top brands in the industry.Dainese
The first step is to visit the online Custom Works 3D Configurator (customworks.dainese.com). There, riders will be able to sort through the various garments and try out a myriad of personalization options before previewing the look of the finished piece. When the gear looks good, riders will save the work and book an appointment at a participating retail store, where the consultation with the master tailor will take place.
“Custom Works is really a unique program and opportunity for motorcyclists to own meticulously crafted Dainese apparel that is 100 percent their own, in terms of look and fit,” said Roberto Sadowsky, executive vice president, Dainese-AGV North America. “We’re also proud to be expanding the selection of items available through Custom Works with new suit offerings for both women and men, and new D-air jackets.”
Riders will be able to choose from a wide variety of garments in different colors.Dainese
Dainese Custom Works 2019 North American Tour Dates and Locations:
Riders can also select from a broad range of sliders, plates, and other accessories.Dainese
