Under sunny Andalusian skies, Bezzecchi and Canet both beat Remy Gardner’s (Onexox TKKR SAG Team) new lap record time set on Day 1, the Australian finishing P13 on the second day of action. Fourth on Thursday was the experienced Tom Lüthi (Liqui Moly Intact GP) as both the Swiss and Jorge Navarro (Speed Up Racing) dipped below the 1:41 barrier. Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) ended the day sixth fastest to finish 0.666 off Bezzecchi’s benchmark, but it wasn’t the day his teammate Jake Dixon would have been looking for. The British rider suffered a crash at Turn 2 in the second session which damaged his right-hand ring finger, the Moto2™ sophomore will now miss Day 3 as he flies back to the UK for further medical checks.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “Dorna guarantees the Valencian community that, during these five years, there will be three Grands Prix at the track as a minimum. As Valencia is the first in coming to this agreement, it will be on the calendar in the first year that rotation begins, which is 2022.
In terms of new parts being tested, the SIC58 Squadra Corse and Rivacold Snipers Team’s were trying new swingarms. And it was SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Tatsuki Suzuki who claimed P4 on the Day 2 timesheets, 0.316 off Rodrigo. Masia completed a top five. Day 1 pacesetter Sergio Garcia (Estrella Galicia 0,0) was sixth on Thursday as he and seventh fastest Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – the leading KTM rider – finished under half a second from P1. Celestino Vietti (SKY Racing Team VR46), Darryn Binder (CIP Green Power) and Filip Salač (Rivacold Snipers Team) all ended 0.5 off top spot.
After consulting with the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Disease Control, the Sports Authority of Thailand has officially communicated, on behalf of the Royal Thai government, that there is no major risk, with the country having infected patients under care and strict preventive measures in place – resulting in the highest rate of fully recovered patients worldwide.
Live Timing will be available across all three days, with the action getting underway between 13:00-20:00 local time (GMT+3) on Saturday 22nd, Sunday 23rd and Monday 24th February. At the end of each day, Matt Birt, Steve Day and Simon Crafar will be LIVE at 19:30 LT to give you 90 minutes of reaction, and during those 90 minutes you’ll be able to hear from some of the rider’s and their views on the day’s ongoings.
Milestone and Dorna Sports S.L. are proud to announce that MotoGP™20, the latest chapter in the beloved MotoGP™ franchise, will be released on April 23rd on PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Windows PC®/STEAM, Google Stadia and Nintendo Switch™. For the first time in its history, the game will be released a few weeks after the official MotoGP™ Championship kick off; a big effort from the development team, to allow players to fully enjoy the current season racing together with their legends. With MotoGP™20, players can participate in the 2020 season, racing against MotoGP™ champions, or they can get into the boots of a young rider, climbing ladders from the Red Bull MotoGP™ Rookies Cup to reach the top class.
Touratech Zega Evo panniers installed on a Honda Africa Twin.
Looking at a set of “panniers” (from the French panier, or basket), or hard locking saddlebags, most of us probably wouldn’t think of them as a “system,” like a suspension or electrical system. But with its Zega Evo Panniers, Touratech has indeed elevated a pair of motorcycle side cases to that level. Available for a number of BMW GS, KTM ADV and Honda Africa Twin models, I chose them for my AT because they sit a few inches lower and farther back than some others, yet still have plenty of ground clearance. But the quality and comprehensive features of the Zega Evos pleasantly surprised me once they arrived.
The primary Evo advantage is a slick but secure quick-release latching system, which allows you to pop them on and off the stainless steel mounting racks with a single locking lever outside, rather than having to unscrew and fiddle with a pair of knobs inside the bags. So the Evos can be installed or released quickly and easily whether they’re closed or open, and have fold-flat ergonomic handles on top that make them easy to carry.
Constructed of sturdy aluminum with no welded seams, the base of each Evo is secured with stainless-steel rivets and a silicone gasket, and the raised lid has a tongue-and-groove aluminum edge with an integrated, waterproof silicone seal that is recessed out of harm’s way. Both bags passed the hose test with nary a drop of water entering. A waterproof vent prevents vacuum from forming when changing elevation so they always open easily.
The Zega Evos feature dual hinging latches, a detachable nylon strap that holds the lids open, lashing loops on all four corners and integrated mounting pins for Touratech accessories like water or fuel bottle holders.
I went with the 31- and 38-liter pair of Evos (10 and 10¾ pounds, respectively) for the Africa Twin; the smaller one mounts on the exhaust side for a mostly symmetrical fit. Together they provide plenty of storage for a long solo ride, and the overall width is 40 inches – about 4 inches wider than the AT’s handlebar. There is still plenty of room for a passenger’s feet on the pegs, too. Touratech also offers a 38-/45-liter pair of Evos that it says end up 42 inches wide; the 45-liter bag can hold a full-face helmet.
The Zega Evo System comes with stainless tubular-steel mounts that are offset for the exhaust. They took me about two hours to install because the rear turn-signal extensions on 2018 and later Africa Twins have to be removed, an easy but time-consuming job, and the AT’s middle rack supports were a challenge to fit. Once they’re on, though, the sturdy, well-made racks provide solid support for the Evos or soft saddlebags.
Other nice Evo Pannier features include dual hinging latches, so you can remove the lids entirely or open them at either end – a detachable nylon strap holds the lids open. Lashing loops on all four corners of the lids – inside and out – let you utilize the inner lid space and secure additional gear on top. Integrated steel mounting pins are preinstalled in back for attaching Touratech accessories like water or fuel bottle holders.
After installing the Evos I loaded them up for a two-night trip to Lake Arrowhead, and gave them and the Africa Twin a good thrashing on some of the rocky, rutted forest roads in the San Bernardino Mountains. They held fast, kept the dirt and water out and popped right off at the hotel. At $1,799 for the complete Evo system you’ll pay about $450 more than Touratech’s Zega Pros for quick-release convenience.
For more information, call (800) 491-2926 or visit touratech-usa.com.
There are other all-time greats that have enjoyed a substantial amount of success with just one manufacturer too. Wayne Rainey and Kenny Roberts competed in seven and eight seasons respectively with Yamaha, picking up three titles each. Kevin Schwantz was with Suzuki for 10 years, claiming one title between 1986-1995, with Wayne Gardner competing in 10 seasons with Honda, picking up the 1978 500cc title. Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) and the late, great Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) are two athletes outside of motorcycle racing who have reached the pinnacle of their sport with just one team.
Honda Racing Corporation have announced that six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez has signed a four-year extension of his contract and will continue to race with the factory team until at least December 2024.
Yoshishige Nomura – HRC President
“We are happy to announce that, after the end of the current season, Marc will stay in the Honda family for four more years. We started talking a few months ago, as both parties wanted to stay together and continue winning. Marc started his career in the premier class in 2013 and with him we have won six of the last seven MotoGP titles. As a unique champion, he deserves a unique deal. I am very confident in this partnership and I wish everyone involved continued success.”
Marc Marquez
So far, Marc Marquez has claimed 56 victories, 95 podiums and 62 pole positions with his RC213V in the premier class. These results have established him as the most dominant Honda rider in the premier class.
Marc Marquez
“I am very proud to announce my renewal with Honda Racing Corporation for the next four years. Honda gave me the opportunity to arrive in the MotoGP class with a factory bike in 2013. Since the first year we have achieved success together and I am very happy to continue being part of the Honda family. HRC gives me the confidence to extend this partnership to obtain our common goal and continue our story of success.”
Yoshishige Nomura (HRC President): “We are happy to announce that, after the end of the current season, Marc will stay in the Honda family for four more years. We started talking a few months ago, as both parties wanted to stay together and continue winning. Marc started his career in the premier class in 2013 and with him we have won six of the last seven MotoGP titles. As a unique champion, he deserves a unique deal. I am very confident in this partnership and I wish everyone involved continued success.”
