Hunter Ford has signed a multi-year contract with Nutec – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki that will see him contest the IDM Supersport 300 Championship alongside a selection of WorldSSP300 wildcards in 2020, before transferring to the world championship full-time in 2021.
Ford, a two-time Yamaha R3 Cup champion, joins the team as its latest Australian recruit, the squad most recently hosting Tom Bramich amongst its line-up in 2019.
“I’m really stoked and looking forward to riding in the IDM on the Nutec – RT Motorsports SKM – Kawasaki Ninja 400,” said Ford. “I’m going to enjoy learning new tracks as well as making the most of this opportunity with Rob and team.”
Team manager Rob Vennegoor commented: “I’m very happy to race next two years with Hunter Ford. He is fast, talented and has a lot of motivation to do it well in Europe.
“In 2020 the focus will be on the IDM Supersport 300 Championship, but we have bigger plans with him as the World Supersport 300 championship is the goal for 2021. I really hope that Hunter will become the next successful Australian rider in our team and looking forward to the 2020 season.”
Yamaha Motor Australia will expand its off-road efforts for the 2020 season, introducing a two-rider Yamaha bLU cRU Off-Road Racing squad that will come under the existing Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing team.
Luke Styke and Josh Green will continue to head-up the Active8 squad in 2020, while Michael Driscoll will graduate to the E2 category with Yamaha bLU cRU Off-Road Racing, joined by EJ contender Blake Hollis.
Two-time defending AORC E1 champion Styke continues his climb up the off-road ladder since his transition from motocross, recently assisting Team Australia to runner-up honours at the FIM International Six-Days Enduro (ISDE) recently in Portugal.
“I’m more motivated than ever coming into the 2020 season,” said Styke. “I made a few changes to my lifestyle by returning back down to Nowra and feel it’s a better environment for my riding and also closer to family to make life easier.
“There is so much riding area around here, and a more off-road based riding program is the only way I can improve my skills and close the gap on [Daniel] Sanders and [Daniel] Milner. Both of those guys are world-class and are a fair bit ahead of the rest of us, but my goal is to bridge that gap in 2020 and be in contention for outright wins as well as class victories.
“Its also good to be back with the same team again for next season. We all have a great working relationship, and everyone works hard to achieve the best results possible. Both the team and Yamaha have been good to me throughout my racing career and I like the fact we have been able to continue our working relationship and get stronger with each passing season.”
Josh Green is back for his ninth season with Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing after finishing second the E2 category of the AORC, and has consistently been a top five outright contender.
“The older I have got, the more I have started to enjoy the things that used to frustrate me when I was younger,” Green explained. “Like most teenagers, I didn’t care a lot for testing and developing the bike and just wanted to ride it and not focus on training.
“Now, I like being able to improve the bike and I find the off-bike training rewarding and get a lot from it and that’s what has kept my motivation strong over the years as I find new ways to enjoy different aspects of what we do.
“And nine years with the one team is pretty cool. I like the loyalty from both sides and the fact we are able to keep the relationship going over such a long period of time. Nine years travelling with AJ could break a lesser man, but you have to take the good with the bad in this job,” Green laughs.
Team manager AJ Roberts commented: “It’s been a big undertaking to get the support to run four riders at a high level but I can’t thank everyone who is behind the team in 2020. All of them have been long term and loyal to our team and they have stepped up to ensure we have a massive presence and profile at the AORC and A4DE in 2020.
“I look forward to guiding the riders through the next season and are already working hard to ensure 2020 is a great season for us and our sponsors.”
Both the Yamaha bLU cRU Off-Road Racing and Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing teams will utilise the same staff and sponsors, and will contest the Australian Off-Road Championship, Australian Four-Day Enduro and Hattah Desert Race.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt opened the 2020 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship in Poland by claiming victory, edging out home favourite Taddy Blazusiak (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
Positioning himself at the sharp end of the field early in race one, Bolt went back and forth multiple times with Blazusiak for the lead, eventually breaking clear with four laps to go, claiming the opening victory of the night.
Blocked in traffic due to the start positions being reversed for race two, he managed to work his way up to second by lap six of 11. Drawing level with race leader Blazusiak he attempted an overtake but got hung up on the slippery rocks and had to settle for an eventual second behind the Polish ace and
He wasted little time in hitting the front by taking control of the race lead from Blazusiak on lap two. In what would become the fastest race of the night, Bolt put in a masterclass of riding to lap up to third position on his way to a 21-second margin of victory.
Bolt secured the overall victory ahead of Blazusiak and teammate Alfredo Gomez (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing), who recorded a trio of third place finishes across the night.
It’s been confirmed Mike Jones will defend his Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) with DesmoSport Ducati after officially re-signing with the squad for 2020.
After clinching a thrilling second premier class title at Sydney Motorsport Park last month, both Jones and DesmoSport Ducati indicated they would continue their partnership for another season, however the two-time champion has now formally inked a contract extension for next year aboard the Panigale V4 R.
“I love riding the Ducati for Ben [Henry] and Troy [Bayliss], and we have a really strong team,” Jones explained. “All of us agreed that it made sense for me to stay here, to ride the V4 R, and defend our title. And by doing that, [it] will only support my long-term goals of racing in the world championship.
“I’ve been out and ridden the V4 R that Troy’s been developing with Ben, and I’m pretty excited to race it, to be honest. It’s not quite like anything I’ve ridden before, with the rpm, power delivery and of course, the wings.”
Team co-owner and three-time Superbike world champion Troy Bayliss added: “I’m really happy to come to an agreement with Mike for 2020. I know he has aspirations to race in the world championship, and to be honest, I think he’s capable of great results if the right package is around him.
“So to retain him just goes to show how strong our championship here is becoming, and how good the DesmoSport Ducati team as a package has become. I’m really proud of what DesmoSport has achieved in such a short time, with a tight-knit crew, and I can’t wait to see Mike at full throttle on the V4 R.”
Multi-time Australian champion Dan Reardon is set to make a return to the Arenacross Tour across the United Kingdom in 2020 with the Fro Systems outfit aboard a Yamaha YZ450F.
Reardon has just come off a strong campaign in the 2019 Australian Supercross Championship with CDR Yamaha Monster Energy, where he finished third in the series rankings.
The popular contender raced the Arenacross Tour in 2018, claiming victory at the season-finale for fifth in the championship.
“The Arenacross series is some of the tightest most aggressive racing I have ever competed in,” Reardon explained. “Last year it took me a few rounds to wrap my head around it but I know exactly how to prepare going into my second AX Tour! The UK fans are great and passionate about their riders but love good battles.
I’m looking forward to riding for Mark at FRO Systems, I was very aware of the team back in 2018 and although I didn’t know them personally then, I could see that they run a strong program and one that I would fit well to. Mark seems to be very knowledgeable and passionate about the sport.”
The Arenacross Tour will host six nights of racing across three weekends, with the season-opener scheduled for 17-18 January at SSE Arena in Belfast.
Johann Zarco will pilot a Ducati Desmosedici GP19 in the 2020 MotoGP World Championship as he officially joins Reale Avintia Racing.
The Frenchman is understood to have signed directly with the Italian manufacturer, which will see increased backing and technical assistance brought to the independent squad.
The one-year deal comes as a lifeline for Zarco, who quit his two-year contract with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing not even one season in this year before scoring a fill-in ride at LCR Honda for the final three rounds.
“I am very pleased to officially announce my signature with Ducati for 2020 season in MotoGP category racing in the Reale Avintia Racing team,” Zarco commented. “My left ankle is recovering well, I can enjoy now my winter time having rest with family and training again very soon.”
Team owner Raul Romero added: “I am really happy and excited with the arrival of a great rider like Johann Zarco to our team from the hand of Ducati. This further strengthens the growth of the team after extending the contract with the manufacturer of Borgo Panigale, making a leap of quality in terms of material by becoming a satellite team.
“All this package will allow to reflect in the circuits the effort of the structure in the last years. We hope to see Johann and Tito assiduously in the top 10 and become a reference team soon. Finally, we would like to thank all our sponsors for their efforts in recent years, without them this would not have been possible.”
Zarco will join Tito Rabat next season, fulfilling the position vacated by Karel Abraham.
Penrite Honda Racing has confirmed MX Nationals MX2 runner-up Kyle Webster will transfer to the factory squad for 2020 after four seasons at CRF Honda Racing.
The 23-year-old experienced a breakout 2019 campaign with CRF Honda Racing – the team going on hiatus next year – as he claimed three overall victories on his way to second in the MX Nationals, while he later represented Team Australia at the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations.
“Firstly I want to thank Mark Luksich, he has been the sole reason I was able to continue my racing,” Webster explained. “He believed in me and I am grateful for his support.
“This year was great – winning three rounds was a highlight, especially coming back from a broken back in 2017. The Honda 250 is a serious weapon and I am looking forward to racing with the factory Honda team.
“I know how strong the team is in supercross and they have won in motocross as well. I have already tested with the team and am confident we can be competitive.”
Team owner Yarrive Konsky added: “Kyle has proven he can win, he rode well at the Des Nations this year, and Mark Luksich has done a tremendous job. We will work closely with Kyle to be a fierce contender for a championship.”
The Penrite Honda Racing squad will also contest the 2020 New Zealand MX Nationals in preparation for its domestic assault.
Razali and Stigefelt reflect on awesome season for the Malaysian squad
It has been an incredible rookie year for the Petronas Sepang Racing Team in the 2019 MotoGP World Championship. In a superlative season, Fabio Quartararo took six podium finishes and seven pole positions en route to securing Rookie of the Year and Top Independent Rider, whilst strong results from Franco Morbidelli further helped the squad to finish fourth in the overall teams’ standings as well as secure the Independent Team title.
Alongside that, the 2019 Moto3 season was also successful, with John McPhee taking the team’s debut Grand Prix victory and finishing the year fifth in the championship race.
Looking back on the amazing year, even as preparation gets underway for the team’s sophomore MotoGP season in 2020, Team Principal Razlan Razali and Team Director Johan Stigefelt air their thoughts on the epic 2019 season.
Petronas SRT Yamaha Team Principal Razlan Razali and Team Director Johan Stigefelt
If someone told you in Valencia last year that the team would achieve the great results it did in 2019, what would you say to them? How satisfied are you with this season?
Razlan – “I’d never have believed them if someone had told me the great results we’d achieve in our first year. We didn’t expect it, and we went into the season relying on Franco to deliver for us based on the target that we set for him at the beginning of the year. The aim for him was to be top six in the championship, and for Fabio it was to be Rookie of the Year. We didn’t expect at all to do what we did as a team and to have the riders perform so well, especially Fabio. We’re extremely satisfied with the year, because it’s been a wonderful fairytale season.”
Fabio Quartararo secured the Rookies Cup at Motegi
After one year with all three categories working together, how do you rate the 2019 season and what was your highlight?
Johan: “The highlight of the season for me was to roll out the three teams together in Qatar after a hard season in 2018 to establish the team. Working so hard to get everything ready meant it was a proud moment in Losail at the first race; one of the milestones for the whole project. Of course, the season itself was amazing in MotoGP, achieving way beyond our wildest expectations. In a way, the entire year was one big highlight for us thanks to what we achieved.”
2019 Petronas Yamaha Sepang MotoGP Team was officially presented for the first time in January at the team launch
Why do you think the team has been able to surprise the MotoGP paddock and the wider motorsport community?
Razlan: “We made such a strong entry into the paddock with the MotoGP team, not only with the performance of our riders. We came into the first race in Europe with our trackside presence making a big impact and with people immediately commenting on how friendly the team were, and how welcoming. We presented ourselves very well in 2019, not only in MotoGP but in Moto2 and Moto3 as well. We don’t look like a first-year rookie – it looked like we’ve been there for a long time. Of course, we have with Moto3, but MotoGP is a very different ballgame and we were able to bring a breath of fresh air to the paddock.”
Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo
What’s the key to having all three teams together and as a single group?
Johan: “The thing for me, working as Team Director across all three categories, was how important it was to keep everyone together as one team. Listening and talking to everyone in the team is key, and I try to be a friend as well as a boss to everyone and to listen to them. At the end of the day, it’s a hard job with a lot of time spent away from our families, and we have to ensure that we have a nice environment out of the garage and that everyone is well looked after.”
Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli celebrated topping qualifying at Jerez, however Quartararo’s weekend was ruined by mechanical issues in the race
What are your favourite moments of 2019?
Razlan: “There are two moments that I’ve reflected on a lot. Number one was John’s win at the French Grand Prix, with the team able to get our first taste of victory. After that, it was the first podium of Fabio in Catalunya, which was also an amazing moment. Of course, we had seven pole positions all season, but to get on the podium for the first time in our rookie season was just fantastic.”
Razlan Razali and Fabio Quartararo
Johan: “I have two favourite moments of the year, starting with John’s first win for the team. It was a big relief for us because we’ve worked for five years in Moto3 and I pushed this year to have a top rider in the class. Signing John, I knew that he would be a good rider, and it only took five races to have pole position and a win. The second big moment was Fabio’s pole and Franco’s second place on the grid in Jerez. We went there with a brand-new hospitality, new trailers and a whole new set-up in Europe. We made a big impact before we even went out on track, and the pole was quite surreal.”
Fabio Quartararo at Jerez – Image by AJRN
It’s the first year working with Yamaha in MotoGP. How is the relationship with them?
Razlan: “It was a steep learning curve, but we have had a tremendous amount of support from Yamaha both commercially and technically. Yamaha are very happy with what we’ve done and we’re very happy with the support they’ve given us. It feels like we’re not just a client but also a partner, and we’re contributing together and developing the bikes for 2020.”
Franco Morbidelli
After one year working with the three categories, how different or similar is working with each team?
Johan: “The basics of running a team are the same in all categories, but in MotoGP there is more pressure from the media, sponsors and fans. I was a little surprised and shocked to see how much attention there was on us, but that’s a consequence of the success we enjoyed and having a huge name like Petronas partnered with us. Everyone in motorsport know who they are and I’m so proud to carry their name.”
Fabio Quartararo was scintillating during pre-season testing
How important has this season been for the Malaysian Grand Prix and Malaysian motorsport and what’s the next step?
Razlan: “For the Malaysian Grand Prix, having the team was fantastic. The crowd came in droves to support not only the event but our team, and working together with Petronas has been very effective both for us and for Malaysia. Getting over 100,000 people on Sunday was amazing, and to see so many of them wearing team merchandise makes me very proud. Although the results weren’t what we were hoping for, to start from pole and finish inside the top five was great. Maybe we can do better next year in the race, but in general we’ve given the young kids in Malaysia something to aspire to. They can now see that the dream of being a MotoGP rider can be reality if you work hard.”
Franco Morbidelli
Next season the team will keep four of the current riders and welcome two new riders in Moto2. The team will also have two A-spec bikes from Yamaha in MotoGP. What can we expect to see in 2020?
Johan: “Starting 2019 like we did, the pressure will be on now for 2020. This season was the honeymoon, but now we need to live up to our results and our image. We need to keep the team happy and smiling as we do it as well. There will be a bigger challenge, but we’re ready to meet it. We’ve set the bar high, but the target will be to raise it even higher. Everyone in the team is competitive and wants to do better – no one is happy until we’re performing at our expectations. 2019 was a tough year in Moto2 and it’s nice to have an experienced rider like Xavi Vierge and someone who is fresh and hungry in Jake Dixon. Jake can surprise and Xavi just needs fine-tuned to be at the top. In Moto3, we’ve set the bar high with John and we know what we need to work on to be at the front every weekend. With Pawi coming back to Moto3, it will also be a challenge – but he know the class and the bike and he had success there in the past. I am looking forward to seeing him and John working together throughout the year.”
BMW Motorrad has been toying with the idea of an electric motorcycle for some time and has now revealed the working E-Power Roadster prototype at a small media event.
For now it’s called the E-Power Roadster and it is the first time an electric BMW motorcycle has been ridden by journalists.
However, it’s still a long way from production. Thank god! At the moment it looks hideous and heavy!
This hefty 289kg prototype seems to have been built just to show journalists that they can make an electric motorcycle.
The Bavarian company has been making their electric C-Evolution scooter for some years now, but this is their first working electric motorcycle prototype.
This E-Power Roadster is made up of existing BMW models with the front end from an S 1000 R and the rear from a R 1200 RS.
Bulky prototype
The small media event follows the recent release of a patent drawing that has little resemblance to the bulky prototype.
Patent drawing
BMW as also unveiled several electric concepts over the past few years:the boxer-style Vision DC Roadster unveiled in June 2019, the Concept Link electric scooter and the electric S 1000 RR concept called the eRR.
Vision DC Roadster
Concept Link
BMW eRR electric sports bike
E-Power Roadster
The E-Power Roadster is powered by a 13kW battery and a 101kW/199Nm electric motor from a 7 Series car.
Despite its 289kg of bulk, BMW claims the bike will dart to 100km/h in 2.9 seconds which is 0.1 seconds faster than Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire.
They also claim it can be fast charged at 5km of range every minute which means 20 minutes for a 100km charge.
Despite its bulk, maximum range seems to be only about 160km and we’re not sure wether that is on the highway or in the city.
BMW hasn’t provided a lot of technical detail, but it compares with Harley’s 152km (highway) and 235km (city range).
However, neither is anywhere near Energica’s claimed 400km.
BMW Motorrad boss Christoph Lischka says they will only produce the bike if they can get close to 300km of range.
In 2018, BMW Motorrad managing director Stephan Schaller said electric motorcycles were “not in their immediate future”.
In 2017, BMW Group Australia boss Marc Werner said Australia was not ready yet for electric motorcycles and scooters.
He said we needed tax incentives, import subsidies and/or charging infrastructure to catch up with the rest of the world on low-emissions vehicles.
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