Beaton sixth at mid-week Mantova MXGP | Evans eighth

2020 MXGP

Round 10 – MXGP of Città di Mantova


The MXGP of Città di Mantova has concluded with a series of epic races that kept everyone on the edge of our seats as the MXGP, MX2, EMX250 and WMX classes fought it out.

Romain Febvre celebrated an epic MXGP victory, as the Frenchman took his first race win in over a year and a first overall victory of the season so far, ahead of Jorde Prado and Tim Gajser, with Gajser retaining the red plate. Australian Mitch Evans was eighth overall, collecting 29 championship points.

Romain Febvre
Romain Febvre

The standings now see Gajser leading Cairoli by a narrow five-points, with Jeremy Seewer third a further 13-points behind on 334. Mitch Evans sits just outside the top 10 in 11th on 197-points.

Mitch Evans

“A better day today which started off with a 10th in qualifying. I didn’t feel the greatest but I knew it was more down to the starts, than the laptimes and in race one I got out of the blocks well. Unfortunately, it was very hard to pass and everyone was just following the leader the whole race and I came away with sixth, which was okay. In the second race I got caught up in the first two turns and lost a couple of positions and played ‘follow the leader’ once again. I stayed in seventh until the chequered flag which made it a much better day than last Sunday and I’ll hope to keep improving for the third round here this Sunday.”

Mitch Evans
Mitch Evans

Meanwhile in MX2 Thomas Kjer Olsen put on an incredible performance to go after a back-to-back Grand Prix win ahead of Tom Vialle and Roan Van De Moosdijk, with Jed Beaton settling for sixth overall, going 6-6 across the two races. Bailey Malkiewicz also put in a strong performance going 19-7 to collect 16 championship points.

Tom Vialle leads the standings by 46-points on 431, to Jago Geerts and Maxime Renaux (329). Jed Beaton is fourth on 316-points, with Malkiewicz moving up to 18th. Nathan Crawford currently retains 15th but did not finish race 1, or compete in race 2.

Jed Beaton

“For sure it wasn’t the day I wanted after winning the second moto last weekend, but I’ll take 6-6 on a bad day. I crashed in both motos which wasn’t really ideal and made a few mistakes in the second race. No complaints, my bike’s great, it just wasn’t my day today, so we’ll look forward to Sunday and hope to get back on the box.”

Jed Beaton
Jed Beaton

The mid-week special round concluded its first day, with the fourth round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship. Coming into the second WMX event in Mantova, defending world champion Courtney Duncan of DRT Kawasaki Racing was more keen than ever on claiming back some vital championship points to put herself in a better fighting position for the final round in Pietramurata for the round of Trentino.

Duncan did just that with a fantastic overall victory, which now puts her four points down on the championship leader Nancy Van De Ven.

Courtney Duncan

“It was nice to get the second race win and it was nice to bring the points back. I think overall, I was just so proud of how I was able to re-group and turn things around from Saturday after a pretty nasty crash. Yeah looking forward to the next round so I can continue to fight.”

Courtney Duncan
Courtney Duncan

The sixth round of the EMX250 Championship also concluded in Mantova and saw Mattia Guadagnini make the perfect comeback to take the overall win on home soil.


MXGP Race 1

In race one, Jorge Prado continued to show that he is the king of starts as he grabbed yet another FOX Holeshot. He was closely followed by teammate Antonio Cairoli, Jeremy Seewer and Romain Febvre.

MXGP returns to Mantova
Jorge Prado

Seewer though wasted no time as he quickly moved past Cairoli to move into second and then focused on Prado for the lead. Team HRC’s Mitch Evans had a good start and was sitting fifth ahead of his teammate and the current championship leader Tim Gajser.

Meanwhile Seewer looked to pick up the pace, setting the fastest lap time of the race as he chased down Prado. Though he needed to be careful as Febvre was also on a mission for the race win, which meant that the Swiss could not afford to make a mistake or relax.

Jorge Prado
Jorge Prado

The battle then heated up as the top three riders were all separated by a mere 1.6 seconds with still 19 minutes plus 2 laps to go. And Cairoli then looked to be stepping things up as he started to close in on Febvre, Seewer and Prado. Meanwhile further down the field Glenn Coldenhoff squeezed past Clement Desalle, to move into seventh.

With 11 minutes on the clock, the gap between Prado and Seewer was 2.016 seconds as Gajser started to close in on Cairoli for fourth. The fight for the win then intensified as Prado was getting caught by Seewer who was less than a second behind him.

Mitch Evans
Mitch Evans

With just a few laps to go, there was no change in the top five, as Prado was able to keep control under pressure to take the opening MXGP race win, while Seewer finished second and Febvre third. Aussie Mitch Evans finished in sixth.

MXGP Race 2

The second MXGP race saw Febvre perfectly time the start as he entered the first corner in the lead taking the FOX Holeshot. Febvre then led Gajser, Gautier Paulin, Seewer, Coldenhoff and Calvin Vlaanderen.

MXGP Start
MXGP Start

Gajser then put his focus on Febvre as the two were all over each other, while Seewer charged for Prado who was in 4th just ahead of him. Though he may have pushed too hard, as the Yamaha rider made a mistake which saw him crash out of fifth and things only got worse, as the Swiss had another big moment which saw him drop further down the order, outside the top 10.

Vlaanderen then went out of ninth, loosing several positions and dropping down to 15th.

With 10 minutes left, Febvre continued to control the race with Gajser still second and Paulin third. Paulin then passed Gajser, who immediately responded, but a lap later the Team HRC rider slipped the front and crashed out, allowing Paulin to inherit his position. He was however able to re-join just ahead of Cairoli.

Tim Gajser
Tim Gajser

As Paulin, Gajser and Cairoli battled it out, Coldenhoff was also looking to join in, on the mix as he edged closer to the top 4. While further down the field, Seewer was sitting in 11th as he looked to make up some positions in order to salvage some points.

Towards the end of the race, Febvre led by 6.978 seconds with Paulin holding on to second and Gajser third. Seewer then passed Dylan Walsh for 10th.

With just a couple of laps to go Gajser put in a last effort to pass Paulin, though Paulin was able to hold on to the position, while Febvre took his first race win of 2020!

Mitch Evans
Mitch Evans

With that second race win, Romain Febvre secured his spot on the top step of the podium, while Jorge Prado finished second and Tim Gajser third. Mitch Evans had another strong race in the top ten, finishing seventh.


Romain Febvre

“First win of the year, especially with the new team, it’s been awesome. In the first race I had a good start, I was fourth and passed Tony on the first lap but I couldn’t take the rhythm. I made two mistakes, had a gap after 20 minutes and I closed that gap, but it wasn’t good enough to make that pass. In the second race I took a big holeshot and of course that makes life easier because you can choose your lines and ride smooth. Seewer was pushing for the first 20 minutes I think, and then I think he made a mistake, so I had a comfortable gap on Gautier and after I was just by myself. I tried to stay calm to finish the race and win the GP.”

Romain Febvre
Romain Febvre
Jorge Prado

“First race was perfect. Second race I had a good jump out of the gate, I thought I made everything right and in the first corner I was almost with Romain but then some riders came on the inside and into the second corner I think I was around ninth, then I was able to make some passes in the next two corners. I was in a good position with 15 minutes to go, for the overall; then I stalled my bike and had to fight back. I was pushing very hard and still felt like I could make a good race because I was charging all the way to the finish.”

Tim Gajser

“It wasn’t a bad day as I was still able to finish on the podium but still, I wasn’t completely happy with my riding today. I didn’t have the best start in race one and in the first lap I made a couple of passes but then I was just following Antonio and it was difficult to make any passes. We were all riding the same speed and I ended up fifth. In the second moto I got a better start, in second place behind Romain and I was pushing hard trying to pass him. I had a couple of spots where I was faster but I couldn’t make a pass and then I made a mistake which dropped me to third. I tried to regain second place but ran out of tear-offs when I was pushing for the pass with a couple of laps left and instead had to settle for third, ending up third overall. Still, I have the red plate and that is important after every round.”

Tim Gajser
Tim Gajser

MXGP Results

Source: MCNews.com.au

The Progressive International Motorcycle Shows Announces IMS Outdoors

The Progressive International Motorcycle Shows have announced IMS Outdoors, a reimagined outdoor venue format. This is a first for IMS, which has traditionally relied on convention centers to host their events. However, IMS representatives have stated that IMS Outdoors will create a festival-like atmosphere, including more interactive activities for attendees. Dates and locations will be announced in December 2020.

Progressive International Motorcycle Shows Announces IMS Outdoors

From Press Release:

The Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® (IMS), the industry leader for connecting Powersports’ top brands with enthusiasts and buyers, today announces progressive IMS Outdoors, the only program available for manufacturers and brands to reach both new and existing riders in exciting, interactive, central locations. Backed by IMS’ title sponsor of ten years Progressive Insurance, Progressive IMS Outdoors represents the revamp of the tour’s nearly 40-year stint that will not only transition IMS from the traditional convention center setup to a new open outdoor experience but will also create a festival-like atmosphere that promotes enthusiasts of all ages and levels to come together to better engage with products, each other, and the industry. While continuing its presence as the nation’s largest consumer motorcycle tour, Progressive IMS Outdoors will support the growth of the Powersports community by offering a unique experience the industry has yet to see.

Progressive International Motorcycle Shows Announces IMS Outdoors

Commencing during the summer of 2021, Progressive IMS Outdoors will stop in a number of cities across the U.S. bringing Powersports enthusiasts multiple days of entertainment, learning, and interactive activities. In addition to showcasing the latest street bikes, dirt bikes, cruisers, scooters, and ATVs as well as the latest gear and aftermarket accessories, the new outdoor format will feature market adjacent products from micro-mobility to electric bicycles, overland and RV products, and more, thus welcoming potential and qualified riders into the industry. Attendees can also expect the remodeled tour to be more interactive than ever with an array of on-road and off-road demo opportunities for all ages and riding abilities, including the continuation of the successful Discover the Ride program. The reimagined tour, which has been five years in the making, comes at a perfect time as 2020 has seen off-road product sales soar.

Progressive International Motorcycle Shows Announces IMS Outdoors

“At IMS, we have always placed an emphasis on evolving our shows to better support the community and enthusiasts,” says Tracy Harris, SVP, IMS. “Progressive IMS Outdoors will be the greatest evolution in the brand’s 38-year history. Taking IMS Outdoors not only changes our venues but opens up an array of opportunities for our team to deliver a truly first-of-a-kind experience for the community as the only event in the nation taking the proactive step to actively serve both the new rider and core audience.”

Progressive International Motorcycle Shows Announces IMS Outdoors

Progressive IMS Outdoors is made possible with the support of IMS’ title sponsor, Progressive. “As the #1 motorcycle insurer in the U.S. and IMS title sponsor since 2010, we look forward to working alongside IMS to deliver an innovative, new type of event to the industry,” says Eric Doubler, Recreational Vehicle Business Leader at Progressive. “With this fresh and reimagined approach, IMS Outdoors is an exciting opportunity to transform the tour and grow the powersports community.”

Dates and locations for Progressive IMS Outdoors will be announced in December. As Progressive IMS Outdoors is an evolution of IMS’ traditional tour, the shows traditionally held in various cities from November through February will not take place this year. To stay connected with the world of motorcycling, powersports, and all things two-wheeled conveyance, check out ContinueTheRide.com, IMS’ platform that hosts a slate of digital content all designed to reach and support the industry.

For more information, please visit: www.outdoors.motorcycleshows.com

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Video: The Panigale V2 vs R1 Shootout We All Have Been Waiting For

Brothers From Other Mothers?

When you’re in the market to drop $15,000+ on a liter bike there is pretty much a viable option from every major manufacturer. Liter bikes can be difficult to re-sell, and sometimes depreciate quite a bit due to the lack of buyers so making sure you take the time to research and compare is very important as this is typically the kind of investment you are going to want to hold onto for some time.

I felt like I outgrew my FJ09 within the first year of ownership and have been scouting for the perfect upgrade ever since. It’s been 2 years of searching and sitting on bikes at dealerships and I’m happy to say that I’m finally getting close to purchasing a bigger bike. Seeing as how $15,000 is an entire year worth of rent for me, there is quite a wall of anxiety behind the whole event and I’m sure many of you can relate.

R1 music tuner

If you’re split between the Ducati Panigale V2 and the Yamaha R1, this is the perfect video for you! Yammie Noob can be quite the polarizing figure as he has totaled more bikes than you can count due to irresponsible riding, but out of all the moto-YouTubers he still provides the first videos I click in my subscription feed when sitting down to watch some new content.

Yammie’s channel has really matured as of late, and the new content he is putting out is A+. The boys go into great detail regarding both bikes, and all the information is communicated in a clear and easily relatable fashion. Both bikes are tested, compared, and judged against one another and I’m sure there is some new information for everyone.

I was under the impression the Panigale was going to be far more uncomfortable than the R1, but obviously, I was wrong when Yammie began speaking so highly of the ergonomics of the bike.

Currently, ‘Papa Yam’ is holding an event for you to win this same Panigale when you join the community on his website.

women's motorcycle conference online

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

BACK TO MY ROOTS – NORTHERN IRELAND

Going back to my roots and understanding the legacy of road racing that came before me in Northern Ireland! Make sure you subscribe and leave me a comment


I travelled back to my roots, to understand the true road racing heritage and why it is so important in North Ireland.
Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook

Honda British Talent Cup ready to take on Donington

Bourne, though, will likely feel confident looking at this own record. One blip dented his total, but he’s got two wins and another podium, and he’ll want that lead back after holding it for a while. The competition will be fierce from those in the top group though: Charlie Farrer (Victoria House Academy/Mortimer Racing) is only eight points back and he’s been a winner and a consistent presence at the front, and Harvey Claridge (City Lifting / SP125 Racing) will be a man on a mission. After a penalty not taken in time last time out leading to a ride through, he finished the most recent race in P16 – outside the points. And that’s the only time he’s not scored so far this year. Now 21 down on O’Shea, the number 16 will want to fight back quickly and has the added incentive of not having won. Yet… 

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Progressive International Motorcycle Shows Announces Progressive IMS Outdoors

The Progressive International Motorcycle Shows has taken the lemons of COVID-19 and made lemonade with the Progressive IMS Outdoors series of events. The outdoor format allows for more demo rides of more categories of powersports activities to be held. We’re looking forward to the final schedule of locations which will be released later in the year.

Begin Press Release:


The Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® (IMS) Announces a Reimagined Format for the Annual Tour with IMS Outdoors

The nation’s largest consumer motorcycle tour will return summer 2021 and be the most immersive powersports experience yet

SANTA MONICA, Calif., September 30, 2020–The Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® (IMS), the industry leader for connecting powersports’ top brands with enthusiasts and buyers, today announces Progressive IMS Outdoors, the only program available for manufacturers and brands to reach both new and existing riders in exciting, interactive, central locations. Backed by IMS’ title sponsor of ten years Progressive Insurance, Progressive IMS Outdoors represents the revamp of the tour’s nearly 40-year stint that will not only transition IMS from the traditional convention center setup to a new open outdoor experience but will also create a festival-like atmosphere that promotes enthusiasts of all ages and levels to come together to better engage with products, each other, and the industry. While continuing its presence as the nation’s largest consumer motorcycle tour, Progressive IMS Outdoors will support the growth of the powersports community by offering a unique experience the industry has yet to see.

Commencing during the summer of 2021, Progressive IMS Outdoors will stop in a number of cities across the U.S. bringing powersports enthusiasts multiple days of entertainment, learning, and interactive activities. In addition to showcasing the latest street bikes, dirt bikes, cruisers, scooters, and ATVs as well as the latest gear and aftermarket accessories, the new outdoor format will feature market adjacent products from micro-mobility to electric bicycles, overland and RV products, and more, thus welcoming potential and qualified riders into the industry. Attendees can also expect the remodeled tour to be more interactive than ever with an array of on-road and off-road demo opportunities for all ages and riding abilities, including the continuation of the successful Discover the Ride program. The reimagined tour, which has been five years in the making, comes at a perfect time as 2020 has seen off-road product sales soar.

“At IMS, we have always placed an emphasis on evolving our shows to better support the community and enthusiasts,” says Tracy Harris, SVP, IMS. “Progressive IMS Outdoors will be the greatest evolution in the brand’s 38-year history. Taking IMS Outdoors not only changes our venues but opens up an array of opportunities for our team to deliver a truly first-of-a-kind experience for the community as the only event in the nation taking the proactive step to actively serve both the new rider and core audience.”

Progressive IMS Outdoors is made possible with the support of IMS’ title sponsor, Progressive. “As the #1 motorcycle insurer in the U.S. and IMS title sponsor since 2010, we look forward to working alongside IMS to deliver an innovative, new type of event to the industry,” says Eric Doubler, Recreational Vehicle Business Leader at Progressive. “With this fresh and reimagined approach, IMS Outdoors is an exciting opportunity to transform the tour and grow the powersports community.”

Dates and locations for Progressive IMS Outdoors will be announced in December. As Progressive IMS Outdoors is an evolution of IMS’ traditional tour, the shows traditionally held in various cities from November through February will not take place this year. To stay connected with the world of motorcycling, powersports, and all things two-wheeled conveyance, check out ContinueTheRide.com, IMS’ platform that hosts a slate of digital content all designed to reach and support the industry.

For more information, please visit: www.outdoors.motorcycleshows.com.

Connect with IMS (#RidersUnite) and Continue The Ride (#ContinueTheRide):






The post Progressive International Motorcycle Shows Announces Progressive IMS Outdoors appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Ultimate Super Naked Group Track Test Comparo

Motorcycle comparison by Adam Child ‘Chad’
Images by Fabio Grasso

Nearly 1000 horsepower and $200,000 worth of unfaired machinery at our disposal
Super naked group test – Which machine will come out on top?

To help us find a winner we recruited Pirelli, who not only provided us with control tyres for the road and track, but also the use of their stunning Pergusa race track in Sicily. Pergusa is a former World Superbike track, very fast with long straights and is nearly five-kilometres in length. But we’re not just focusing on laps times, we’ll cover around 350-kilometres on the stunning roads around Mount Etna. Furthermore we will weigh and dyno each bike. Two days on track, one day on the road, plus dyno and detailed track analysis – this really is the ultimate super-naked group test.

Pirelli put their support behind the comparison

The super-naked market is booming with an onslaught of new models for 2020. We’ve selected the ultimates, the most desirable, the fastest and most powerful, where money is no object: the MV Brutale 1000RR, Ducati Streetfighter V4S, Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory, KTM Super Duke 1290R, and Kawasaki ZH2.


1st position: Ducati Streetfighter V4S

Claimed Power/Torque – 208 hp / 123 Nm
Measured Power/Torque – 175.9 hp / 110 Nm
Tested Weight (Empty Tank) – 178 kg
MLP – $33,900 Ride Away

Our GPS data clearly shows the Ducati’s dominance on track. The Bologna bullet was nearly a second quicker than its closest rival, the Tuono; 2.5-seconds faster than the KTM Super Duke, and it kicks sand in the face of the road biased Kawasaki by a massive 8-seconds. After previously sampling the Ducati on track I knew it was fast, but I didn’t think it would be that far ahead.

Ducati Streetfighter V4S

Looking at acceleration it was again another easy victory for the Ducati with only the supercharged Kawasaki getting close. And finally, its lean angle (53.3 degrees) was huge, another gold star for the Duke with only the KTM getting close.

On the dyno the Ducati and MV both recorded 175 hp, but the Ducati backs it up with far more torque than the MV, as you’d expect with a larger capacity V4.

Ducati Streetfighter V4S – Moto GP inspired Desmosedici Stradale 90 V4, 1103cc

We weighed every bike on Pirelli’s scales and the Ducati came out the lightest (178 kg) 11 kg less than the KTM and a whopping 52 kg lighter than the Kawasaki.

Super Naked comparison

On track you feel that power difference, it is so fast. When the KTM and Aprilia run out of puff the Ducati just keeps revving for another 2000 rpm and more. It is almost like comparing a Superbike to a standard model.

The brakes are also extraordinarily strong. The Ducati was the best on the stoppers, you can hold the lever up to the apex thanks to brilliant ABS. Electronics on the way out of the corners are equally inspiring and, despite that excessive power, you can trust the electronics and the grip generated by the Pirelli slick to generate immense drive.

Ducati Streetfighter V4S braking power and electronics are phenomenal

If I had to find a fault, however, the Ducati is the trickiest bike to ride fast purely because it’s just so physical. You’re sat high in the wind bracing yourself against a 250 km/h wind blast. After five laps I was beat, whereas on the KTM I could have kept going all afternoon. The quick-shifter is also very sensitive and I did miss the odd gear on occasion.

Ducati Streetfighter V4S

Each bike is good at one or two characteristics: handling is the KTM’s forté, power and drive the Kawasaki’s, fuelling and ride quality belong to the Aprilia, racy stance and revs the MV’s. But equally they all have flaws like poor ABS or too much weight. On track the Ducati scored highly across the board, and had few faults aside from the pure physical challenge of riding a superbike with no bodywork.


2nd position: Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory

Claimed Power/Torque – 175 hp / 121 Nm
Measured Power/Torque – 157 hp / 111 Nm
Tested Weight (Empty Tank) – 186kg
MLP – $27,990 +ORC – $29,890 Ride Away

I mistakenly thought the Aprilia would be outclassed. It was updated in 2019, with new semi-active suspension from Öhlins, but it is essentially the 2015 bike. On the dyno the Aprilia recorded a true 157 hp, which isn’t terrible, but well down on the competition. I thought it would struggle, especially at the track – but I was very mistaken.

Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory

The fuelling is superb, the best of the bunch, which allows you to dial in the power with accuracy. The clutchless gear changes are also perfect, again the best of the group. The sound, the way the V4 revs, lovely – like a fine wine the Tuono has matured into an exceptional super naked.

When you push for a lap time, the Aprilia is hard to criticise. The braking is consistent, and you wouldn’t know it has ABS. Even when braking devilishly late the Brembo stoppers show no sign of fading.

1077cc V-Four

Corner speed is exciting, ground clearance isn’t an issue and the wide, relaxed riding position allows you to throw the bike around with ease. The chassis is superb, the feedback forensic, and only the KTM Super Duke has more accurate steering. I didn’t think the Aprilia would be this good, but it was far easier than the MV and Ducati V4s to ride at speed.

In race mode the Öhlins semi-active suspension is on the gentle side. There is a little understeer during heavy braking or when you’re rolling into a fast corner with a closed throttle, which could be because the front is a little soft or the rear is a fraction high and overextending.

Aprilia uses the largest disc size of the group, 330 mm discs grabbed by Brembo M50 radial monobloc calipers.

Where the Aprilia lacked was in outright power, which sounds crazy on a bike with 157 hp at the back wheel. The Aprilia was the second slowest from 60-180 km/h, but to take second spot on track in this highly contested category is impressive for bike with the least power – and validates just how good that chassis is.


3rd position: MV Brutale 1000RR

Claimed Power/Torque – 205 hp / 116.5 Nm
Measured Power/Torque – 175.4 hp / 105.4 Nm
Tested Weight (Empty Tank) – 186 kg
MLP – 52,190- Ride Away

All the qualifications were there for the MV to take victory, big power and the Brutale is based on the F4 superbike, and historically MV have always been track focused, but it was just pipped into third position by the Aprilia.

MV Brutale 1000RR

The MV has more tested power than the Aprilia and shares the same tested weight (186 kg), and it has a higher top speed than the Aprilia, leans over further and takes less time accelerating between 60-180kph, so why did it get beaten?

Sadly, it was down to the brakes. On the track the ABS is too intrusive and the cycling of the brakes is too slow. This, mixed with unpredictability, didn’t give any assurance when we were really pushing for a lap time. Sometimes the intervention was distractingly noticeable, which made me run way too deep into the turn, on other occasions, it wasn’t too bad, though not on par with the others, including the heavy Kawasaki. Yes, at regular track day speeds the braking was fine, but with slicks fitted and the lap time to chase, they were the worst of the bunch. With improved ABS, the MV would have lapped quicker than the Aprilia, and much closer to the Ducati.

MV Brutale 1000RR

The best compliment I can bestow is that the MV feels like a race bike with the bodywork removed. The steering is pin-sharp, the dropped down bars giving a racy feel and allowing a proper tuck on the straight, with your arse up against the rear seat… it’s the best of the bunch at high speeds. And ABS aside, the other electronic rider aids perform quite well and the traction control does not hold you back.

MV Brutale 1000RR

MV have squeezed every last horsepower from the 998 cc inline-four with new and lighter internals like titanium rods and, boy, now it loves to scream. Below 8000 rpm there’s not a lot going on but above that, wow, it just keeps revving and pushing you forward. Even in top gear the power didn’t seem to tail off, it just kept accelerating.


4th position: KTM Super Duke 1290 R

Claimed Power/Torque – 177 hp / 140 Nm
Measured Power/Torque – 163 hp / 131.6 Nm
Tested Weight (Empty Tank) – 189 kg
MLP – $26,195 +ORC – $28,095 Ride Away

Like the Kawasaki the KTM has manually adjustable suspension, not semi-active like the Italians. But this isn’t a negative; far from it. The suggested track settings for the KTM are printed under the seat, and it takes a few rewarding minutes to dial in the recommended settings which make a huge difference, and are well worth doing.

KTM Super Duke 1290 R

At Pergusa, the KTM was the easiest bike to ride, unlike the Ducati which while very fast was bloody hard work. The KTM power delivery is just so smooth, you don’t have to be all that accurate with the throttle; just dial in that massive mid-range torque and start accelerating early. It’s a doddle to ride at speed.

I adored the KTM on track. Its steering, turn-in and accuracy were almost certainly the best of the bunch, inch perfect apex after apex. You can trail the powerful brakes into the turn (cornering ABS isn’t intrusive), mid-corner there is loads of feel and grip which boosts confidence. The KTM recorded the second highest lean angle, an impressive 52.5 degrees.

1301 cc of KTM V-Twin drives beautifully off the turns

Out of the turn, you can get on the power early – the rider aids set to minimum are not intrusive – while the throttle connection is sweet. With the 1290R I was always on the power the earliest; it would get a real jump on the initial drive when the bike is still cranked over.

Lap times, it does appear a little sub-standard, only beating the heavy Kawasaki, and 1.5 seconds slower than the third-placed MV. The handing was brilliant but the KTM was let down by its comparatively slow-revving motor, especially in the taller gears of 5th and 6th. It was the slowest from 60-180 km/h, and the second slowest down the straight, 10 km/h slower than the MV.


5th position: Kawasaki ZH2

Claimed Power/Torque – 197 hp / 137 Nm
Measured Power/Torque – 160.1 hp / 115.7 Nm
Tested Weight (Empty Tank) – 230 kg
MLP – $23,000 +ORC

You could perhaps say that the Kawasaki shouldn’t have been included, but it is a supercharged super-naked that Kawasaki chose to initially launch on a racetrack. To be honest, we just wanted to see how fast it really was. However, as the lap-times show, the Kawasaki was outshone by much racier competition.

Kawasaki ZH2

As soon as you leave pit-lane you’re mindful you’re on a road bike, not a naked bike derived from a race bike. At track day pace, it’s easy to manage for such a big powerful bike and the supercharger’s ‘chirp’ is lovely. Grunt is impressive, too, it really drives hard out of the second gear chicanes. With the Pirelli slicks finding endless grip I could get on the power reasonably early and drive hard down the next straight.

The data confirms this: 5.33 seconds from 60-180 km/h, the second quickest bike across this measure on test. Top speed was down despite the supercharged power, but not bad considering the bike’s weight (230 kg measured) and un-aerodynamic bulk. 245 km/h is still quick.

Supercharged 998cc four-cylinder donk made a measured 160 horsepower at 10,405 rpm compared to its claimed peak opf 197 horsepower.

You can’t trim the rider aids as much as the competition, but still they’re more than adequate on track so few complaints there. You only discover issues on the Kawasaki when you start to push for a lap time. Ground clearance soon becomes a boundary (as you can see by the lean angle data), and is the worst of the bunch. Then the rear shock starts to give up the fight. We added pre-load to increase the ground clearance and aid the shock, but it still wasn’t up for the challenge.

Kawasaki ZH2

The braking was solid considering the bike’s weight, with no fading and no alarming interference from the ABS, but the Kawasaki’s excessive bulk was again evident during fast direction changes. This probably wouldn’t be much of an issue at normal track day speeds, but it was when pushing for a lap time on Pirelli slicks. Lose some weight of the Kawasaki, fit a quality aftermarket rear shock, and it wouldn’t be a half bad track tool.

Super naked group test

Source: MCNews.com.au

Who will win the inaugural NTC? Czechia decides!

Jonas Kocourek (JRT of Automotodrom Brno) has also been coming on strong recently, and he’s another who, like Gurecky, races on home turf at Brno. That only adds incentive, so he’ll be one to watch. And what about the consistent performers who’ve not quite made it into that frontrunning group yet? Jakob Rosenthaler (RTR – Racing Team Rosenthaler) has been impressively metronomic in the inaugural Cup, taking top six finishes more often than not. Can he take a step forward? He’s also equal on points with Noel Willemsen (NW Racing) so that will be an interesting fight, and the likes of Kas Beekmans (KNMV), Dustin Schneider (PrüstelGP Junior Team), Tibor Varga (Forty Racing), Damian Boessenkool (KNMV) and Niklas Kitzbichler (Racing Team Kitzbichler) could have something to say in that fight too… 

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Ducati confirm 2021 MotoGP seats

Petrucci and Dovizioso out
Bagnaia joins Miller in Factory squad
Zarco and Martin on Pramac Ducati

​​​​​​Ducati Corse has announced the name of the four Ducati’s official riders for the 2021 MotoGP World Championship.

Francesco Bagnaia will join forces with the official team alongside the already confirmed Jack Miller.

Francesco Bagnaia

I’d chosen to be a Ducati rider even before becoming a Moto2 World Champion in 2018, and they had chosen me even before I had known that one day I would become one. It was our bet because until that moment I had always been a fast rider, but I had nothing concrete under my belt: Ducati decided to believe in it even before everyone else. We didn’t know how it was going to go, but to this day, if I had to go back, I’d do it all over again. My MotoGP debut was not easy, but at Ducati, they never questioned me: they gave me all the support and confidence that a rookie needs and they let me do experience in 2019. I listened to them, I trusted them, together we learned to know each other and understand each other, and now we form a great team. They taught me a method of work that allowed us to take away some nice satisfactions and I think that’s just the beginning. Today I am the happiest person in the world, for me, it is a dream come true: being an official Ducati rider has always been my ambition, and I succeeded together with all of those who had always believed in me even when things did not go well. A special thank goes to Claudio Domenicali, Gigi Dall’Igna, Paolo Ciabatti and Davide Tardozzi for the trust, to the Pramac Racing Team that welcomed me as a family and to the VR46 Riders Academy that has always supported me all these years“.

Johann Zarco and Jorge Martín will defend the colours of the Pramac Racing Team for next season.

Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, Moto2 World Champion in 2018, made his MotoGP debut last year with the Ducati Desmosedici GP bike of the Pramac Racing Team and has shown this year ever-increasing competitiveness, fighting for the podium in several GPs. In 2021, the 23-year-old rider hailing from Piedmont will join his current teammate Jack Miller in the Ducati Team, who is in his seventh season in the premier class.

Jack Miller, 25 years old, Australian rider from Townsville, made his debut in the World Championship in 2011 in the 125-cc class. After fighting for the Moto3 World Title in 2014, he stepped up straight to MotoGP in 2015 competing in 93 races in the category and for the last three seasons with the Pramac Racing Team.

The two new riders of the Pramac Racing Team have three World Titles overall together. Johann Zarco, a 30-year-old French rider, won the Moto2 World Title in 2015 and 2016 and this year he is competing in MotoGP with the Ducati bike of Team Esponsorama, with whom he took pole position and a third place in the race in Brno. With him, in the Borgo Panigale factory-supported team there will be a rookie in the category, Spaniard Jorge Martín, 22 years old, 2018 Moto3 World Champion in his current second season in Moto2.

All four official riders will ride the latest version of the Desmosedici GP bikes with same technical specifications.

Claudio Domenicali – CEO of Ducati Motor Holding

Racing is an evolving advanced technology incubator that is a fundamental part of our company. It is essential to continue to invest in research and development and not to be afraid to innovate and renew to be successful.

“That’s why I am thrilled with the inclusion of young and talented riders who make us look to the future with optimism and a constant desire to improve.

“Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia have shown this year that they can take advantage of the potential of our Desmosedici GP bike and have earned this opportunity. Their transition to the official team from the Pramac Racing Team, where they both grew up, is proof of the efficient collaboration that binds us to the team of Paolo Campinoti, which I would like to thank.

“I am sure that next year his team will be able to make the most of the talent of the two new riders Johann Zarco and Jorge Martín.

“Now, however, we are focused on the current season, because we want to get the best possible results with our two riders: Andrea, who in these eight years with us has been runner up in the World Championship for three consecutive years, won 14 GPs, thus becoming the most successful Ducati rider after Stoner, and is still in the fight for the world title this year and Danilo. Danilo, who is working hard to get back to fighting for the podium. Together with them, we will do everything to conclude our beautiful adventure together in the best possible way”.


Paolo Campinoti – Team Principal of Pramac Racing

We are happy to have reached an agreement with Johann and Jorge. We want to continue an important project that is giving us great satisfaction. The sporting qualities and the winning mentality of the two riders are extremely well known: expectations are therefore high. We know Johann well, and we have a very positive feeling with him: the same will be with Jorge“.

Source: MCNews.com.au