When in Misano. Little morning spin and a coffee at @valeyellow46 cafe in Tavullia.
Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook
Monthly Archives: June 2021
1 more sleep! #Misano
20,000 fans to attend the Aragon Grand Prix
MotoGP™ fans will again once again be present at MotorLand in September
On Wednesday, June 9th, the Safety Board convened at MotorLand Aragon and approved the entrance of the public at the next international events. The decision was taken after an exhaustive protocol was developed which took into account the circuit characteristics and environment which could guarantee the safety and health off all attendees.
A sneak preview
In the next few weeks, the Aragon MotorLand circuit will have 6,400 fans permitted into the WTCR World Touring Car Championship that will be held together with the Pure ETCR International Electric Touring Car Championship, from July 9th to 11th.
20,000 tickets will go on sale for MotoGP™
MotoGP™ will return to MotorLand on the weekend of September 10-12 for the Aragon Grand Prix, an event that will include the expected sale of 20,000 tickets. During the first week of August the situation regarding the pandemic will be reassessed and based on the results, the parameters will be reviewed.
The security applied to each sporting event will be different and adapted to the current health situation.
Every practice session, qualifying battle and race, exclusive interviews, historic races and so much more fantastic content: this is VideoPass!
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Thank you, Henry Barczynski!
All of that and more was possible at MotoGP™, and earlier than many, thanks to a partnership established with an entrepreneur called Henry Barczynski, founder of Gigawave. This visionary Radio Frequency engineer, inventor of the smallest antenna transmitting video and audio in the late 80’s, made magic at MotoGP™, bringing our OnBoard pictures up to the very top level of quality. We went from two to four cameras per bike and from Standard Definition to full High Definition in 2009 before anybody else in the world of sport, among many other successful collaborations, thanks to Henry’s involvement.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Rennie rides and reviews the new Yamaha YZF-R7
2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 Review
Motorcycle Test by Rennie Scaysbrook
Let’s get one thing out of the way first: the new Yamaha YZF-R7 has absolutely nothing to do with the Yamaha YZF-R7. The Yamaha YZF-R7 OW02, I mean.
The original R7 (which in my mind should be the only R7) ran for a couple of years at the turn of the century and was so damn sexy and exclusive it is at the very top of bikes I’d like to own despite the fact it won nothing other than a few WorldSBK races. Yet the only thing this 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 has in common with the OW02 is the name on the seat and the fact it’s made by the same company.
As a student of motorcycle history, I was rather pissed Yamaha called the ’22 R7 the name they did. I felt it was like Ferrari creating a Mazda MX-5 and calling it an F40. But history counts for little these days—it’s not going to bring in the dollars the board so dearly craves—and Yamaha told us the naming of the R7 came after several of the dreaded ‘focus group’ groups said naming a Yamaha sportsbike anything other than a YZF-R-something would be just too damn confusing. Poor souls.
So now we have the 188kg ready-to-ride Yamaha YZF-R7, which comes hot on the heels of the production death of the bike that would smoke it in every conceivable performance test aside from a sub-2000 rpm torque run-to-the-pub in the YZF-R6. Confused? Yeah, me too. Bloody focus groups.
It’s called R7 because this is essentially an MT-07 in sporty garb. The Scaysbrooks are massive fans of the MT range, so much so that my mum, Sue, even bought one and has ridden more miles on it than I’ve done on press bikes in the past 12 months.
Under your crown jewels on the R7 sits the same 689 cc parallel twin-cylinder four-stroke CP2 motor mated to a six-speed gearbox and thankfully no adjustable engine maps. Yamaha doesn’t quote horsepower or torque but a rough guess of around 70 hp and 65 Nm would be close to what you can expect from the little twin.
This is probably the most unintimidating motor currently on sale in full sportsbike attire—it picks up revs sedately and smoothly with very few vibrations, offering plenty of torque that continues until 8000-8500 rpm, at which point it tapers off significantly before hitting the 9500 rpm redline.
Yamaha absolutely smashed it when they bought out the CP2 motor back in 2014. It’s a bit like a modern version of the RD350, a motor that can have nuts ridden off it or cruised to the shops just as easily and always come back for more. In many ways, the CP2 makes for the perfect sportbike riding tutoring tool, an engine that any rider of any skill level can get on and enjoy without getting scared or bored by it.
Our tes-tbike came fitted with the optional quick-shifter for clutchless up-shifts but you still need to go old school and match the revs on the down-shift. It was here some of the more budget aspects of the R7 shone through, as getting a smooth downshift when pushing hard on the track wasn’t always a given. You need to be very deliberate with your shifts when the revs are high, making sure the next cog has been selected before dumping the lever and relying on the slipper clutch (which the MT-07 missed out on) to keep everything from locking up and sending you sideways under brakes.
You’re graced with ADVICS four-piston monobloc front brakes matched to unswitchable ABS on the R7. Although braking power is reasonable enough, the ABS would kick in at a faster rate than I would have hoped when testing at the tight and twisty Atlanta Motorsports Park, and I’m still unsure if the pad material is quite right for pushing hard on the track.
The brakes do the job of hauling you up from speed, but we have to be picky here, ladies and gentlemen, if I were taking this to the track the brakes would be the first thing I’d upgrade.
The R7 looks suspiciously like the R6 but that’s where the similarities and my comparisons with it will end. In fact, the R7 has more in common with an R3 than anything else. The top of the fairing where you tuck in behind is narrower than the R3, making it the most svelte machine in the Yamaha sportsbike line-up. I’ve got to give the styling department a golf clap—they did a fantastic job of making the R7 look like a racebike straight out of the crate with the LED lights hidden inside and either side of the intake. It makes the R7 look far racier than it really is, which is a nice little boon for the stylists.
The bodywork wraps itself around the same MT-07 steel frame with a few mods like a 5 mm shorter wheelbase, 10 mm less ground clearance, 0.7° steeper steering geometry at 23.7° and 2 mm less trail. The swingarm is the same unit as on the MT, but the rear wheel sits a little further back thanks to a one-tooth smaller rear sprocket that makes the gearing a little taller for racetrack/sporty speeds. Coupled this with a different rear suspension linkage on the R7 and you’ve got a much better set-up ready for the track.
The suspension comes from KYB in the 41 mm fully-adjustable fork and a rear shock that’s pre-load and rebound damping adjustable. Again, it’s mid-level in terms of spec and handles the job of hustling around a racetrack admirably enough, but push the R7 really hard and you’ll start to get a bit of flex from the frame which transfers through the front end. Many of the guys who run modified MT-07’s in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup series have issues with the frame not being stiff enough for hard racetrack use, which is something understandable given the fact the frame comes straight off what is essentially a commuter bike that wasn’t designed to go racing in the first place.
Be that as it may, the R7 is an incredibly nimble motorcycle. That slender CP2 motor and the fact the internals weigh bugger all and thus don’t have a lot of reciprocating mass means the R7 changes direction on a dime. With a relatively rangy wheelbase of 1395 mm, stability is never in doubt—the motor doesn’t really have the power to stress the chassis anyway, and you can wind the gas in super hard without the fear of the chassis kicking sideways and spitting you off.
Helping matters here was our testbike was fitted with the brilliant Bridgestone Battlax Racing R11 tyres, which is the Japanese company’s ultra-stcky production race tyre. The R7 will not come with that rubber at the dealer, but never fear because you will get the more appropriate S22, a tyre I tested in Spain and was pretty blown away by the overall grip and longevity. On a side note, at the 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R launch at Portimao the S22’s were standard fitment on that bike, too, and the test-bikes did some 15 sessions in a row without a single front or rear change with a bunch of hack-handed journo’s riding—that was more impressive than when we rode them at the launch…
The R7’s arrival has really highlighted the need for Yamaha to build a bridge between it and the R1, as the performance gap is just too great. Me thinks a 120-ish horsepower YZF-R9 based off the MT-09 would be a rather tasty plate indeed, although I have no idea whether Yamaha is thinking the same thing.
I’ll admit it’s hard not to compare the 2022 R7 to the original R7 or even the R6, because it’s human nature to compare. It gives us a ranking and helps us feel in control, but to categorise the new R7 as anything other than a new direction for Yamaha’s sportsbikes would be unfair.
The R7 has its charms, has its drawbacks, but I’m pleased to see it come to production. It deserves to be here, and will hopefully serve as a platform to bring new riders back into the sportsbike fold, as Trev suggested in his piece on the R7. If they do that, in time Yamaha may have created a bigger legend than even the old OW-02 was.
The new R7 is schedule to arrive in Australia this December and will be priced at $13,999 ride away for the LAMS variant while the full power version, as tested here, will retail for $14,999 ride away.
2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 Specifications
| 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 Specifications | |
| Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC inline twin-cylinder; 4-valves per cylinder |
| Displacement | LA: 655cc / HO: 689cc |
| Bore x stroke | LA: 78.0 mm x 68.6 mm / HO: 80.0 mm x 68.6 mm |
| Compression ratio | 11.5 : 1 |
| Fuel delivery | Fuel Injection |
| Starter system | Electric |
| Transmission system | Constant mesh six-speed w/ A&S clutch |
| Final Transmission | Chain |
| Frame | High tensile steel Deltabox |
| Front suspension | KYB 41 mm USD forks, preload, rebound and compression adjustable; 130mm travel |
| Rear suspension | Linked monoshock, preload and rebound adjustable; 130mm travel |
| Front brake | Dual 298 mm rotors, radial four-piston calipers, Brembo radial master-cylinder |
| Rear brake | Single 245 mm rotor, Nissin caliper |
| Wheels | 10-spoke cast alloy wheels |
| Tyres | Bridgestone BATTLAX S22, 120/70-17, 180/55-17 |
| Overall length | 2070 mm |
| Overall width | 705 mm |
| Overall height | 1160 mm |
| Caster Angle | 23.7-degrees |
| Trail | 90 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1395 |
| Seat height | 835 mm |
| Min ground clearance | 135 mm |
| Wet weight | 188 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity | 12.8 L |
| Colour | Team Yamaha Blue, Performance Black |
| Warranty | 24 months |
| Lights & Dash | LED lighting, LCD dash |
| Price – YZF-R7 HO | $14,999 Ride-away |
| Price – YZF-R7 LA | $13,999 Ride-away (LAMS) |
2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 Images
Photography by Drew Ruiz
Source: MCNews.com.au
Aprilia RS 660 Factory Works Trofeo ‘Trophy’
Aprilia RS 660 Factory Racer
Aprilia will be offering a special Trofeo or ‘Trophy’ edition of the RS 660, following the success of the single-make series in Italy, making available a track/race version developed by the Aprilia Racing Department, and joining the Factory Works programme.
Alas, this RS 660 is not available from your local Aprilia dealer, as Aprilia sell them direct, in the same way that the RSV4 race programme is managed. Thus if you want to get your paws on one, then you will need to deal directly with the Aprilia Race Department in Noale.
Stripped back for racing, the RS 660 Trofeo removes the ignition switch assembly and ABS system, saving weight and helping simplify the machine. The braking system is also modified running independent lines, while the ABS control unit is retained and connected to the electronic system which is integrated.
The ECU is a reprogrammed Race version which offers maximum performance exclusively for track use, and is calibrated for the SC Project racing exhaust included with the bike.
The TFT display has also been reprogrammed and features an integrated buttoon block on the left hand switchblock.
Suspension has been beefed up with “Misano by Andreani” internal cartridges, and offers compression, rebound and preload adjustability.
At the rear on the other hand, an Öhlins AP948 shock absorber is fitted, offering the same level of adjustability as the forks.
Tyres are a set of Pirelli Supercorsa V3 SC1 rubber.
The RS 660 Trofeo’s ride height is also lower due to the racing upper steering yoke fitted and adjustable semi-handlebars, with footpegs likewise adjustable.
Fibreglass fairings are by Cruciata Racing and are also part of the package, while retaining the RS 660’s styling and the Zanasi Group have painted them.
Aprilia are also boasting that they’ve tuned the bike to produce 105 horsepower, with the dry weight brought down to 153 kg. In comparison the dry weight on the RS 660 is quoted as 169 kg with 100 hp.
Part of that weight reduction is the removal of the secondary air system and thermostat, with aluminium guards also installed on the clutch and alternator covers, and a Spring air filter fitted.
Pricing in Europe, excluding VAT is quoted at €14,700.00, which thrown into the currency exchange calculator equals about $23k in Australian dollars, although obviously that’s excluding VAT (GST here) and any other associated costs that might be added should the Aprilia RS 660 Trofeo come to Australia.
Source: MCNews.com.au
Kenny Lucas enjoys retirement parade after 70 years of racing
Sunday the 23rd of May 2021 saw the retirement of a true racing living legend
Kenny (Luke) Lucas OAM decided to hang up his racing boots and trusty Tiger Angel’s calling the end of an extremely long and memorable racing career that spanned seven decades.
Sadly, his 90-year-old body decided that enough was enough and amongst other problems, couldn’t get his feet remotely close to the foot pegs of any of his sizable racing bike collection. As one of his faithful following quite aptly put it ‘when the novelty wears off it’s just plain painful.’
Luke was honoured with being the lead rider in the Historic Winton 4×2 Lunchtime Parade astride his old 1948 Triumph road-outfit with a handful of his honoured friends and family. They completed their assigned parade laps to the waves, cheers and applause from the adoring local crowd for a truly miraculous man accompanied by a handful of his machines.
Luke has been an attraction of his own at racetracks all over Australia, New Zealand, North America and the United Kingdom heralded by his cheeky and sometimes inadvertent, old school irreverent banter leaving nobody safe from a light-hearted verbal spray.
Literally thousands of the young and the not so young, the famous and the infamous were all rewarded with a sit on whatever machines Luke had on hand at the time and they were always complemented with a jovial and, of late, fragmented life story.
His expansive and expensive collection of two and three wheeled racing machines are a tribute to a man that was and still is, totally dedicated to his sport. He has been awarded life memberships from many of the clubs that matter together with being honoured with races that carry his name Australia wide – old Luke won’t be forgotten easily.
The legacy given to our sport from his 70 years of racing is nothing less than monumental – one example being that he was The Man that did all the earth works to construct the original Broadford Road Racing track.
Luke’s generosity often saw him supplying quality two and three wheeled rides for the famous including the late, great racing legends of Sir John Surtees and Barry Sheene and more recently, catering to the new wave of local ground-breaking lionesses in Chrissie Clancy-Ingpen and Stacey Heaney and lions including Cam Donald, Peter Guest and Garth Francis.
Old Luke will still participate riding a few of his historic road outfits and his 1914 JAP Invincible at demonstration events such as the Broadford Bonanza and the International Festival of Speed so if you spot him make sure that you come up and loudly say g’day, thank you and tune in to this living legend’s encyclopaedic memories of yesterday’s racing.
Source: MCNews.com.au
WorldSBK hits Misano this weekend
2021 FIM Superbike World Championship
Round Three – Misano
WorldSBK returns to the hallowed ground that is Misano this weekend for the third round of the 2021 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.
Along with circuits such as Phillip Island, Assen and Donington this is one of the ‘classic’ WorldSBK venues with the championship having visited the Italian track very consistently over the decades. The first time WorldSBK raced at Misano was in 1991 with Doug Polen winning both races from pole on his Ducati en route to the first of his two World titles. Troy Bayliss and Colin Edwards also had some of their titanic battles at the Italian venue.
The late Marco Simoncelli was from the nearby town of Cattolica and the local region has produced a number of the sport’s top names, including Valentino Rossi, Andrea Dovizioso and Marco Melandri.
The 2021 Championship fight is only just beginning with 36-points between the top three, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) leading Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK). Misano was the scene of their first final lap showdown for victory back in Race 2 in 2019, so will we see more of the same again?
The Northern Irishman is a maestro of Misano, it’s the scene of his first win; Jonathan Rea’s relentless records tend to be evident at most of the circuits which are a staple feature on the calendar, but Misano has an air of magic around it. Countless victories and a strong circuit for the ZX-10RR, Rea could well be on to create more Misano memories and extend his Championship advantage.
Jonathan Rea
“I am excited to go to Misano especially after we missed the race there last year. It is a track that I really enjoy riding at; both for the circuit itself and the Italian hospitality. The area is incredible and I always enjoy spending time there with my family, by the beach and the sea. The food, the fans, it has got absolutely everything, especially this weekend as we got some fans back trackside which is going to make it even more special. The first few races have been good. We have been able to change the characteristics of our Ninja ZX-10RR at Estoril and it really improved the size of the ‘window’ and we will continue to try these ideas. We are right into the thick of the summer months now and I think all the work we have been doing last season and during the off-season, focusing on the hot temperatures and being easy on the tyre, is really coming into its own. Misano is a quite flat track and with it being resurfaced a few years ago it gave me a strange feeling when we tested there last year. But, we were still able to be fast. I’m looking forward to the challenge this weekend and seeing all our great fans back trackside again.”
On the other side of the KRT garage is team-mate Alex Lowes, who suffered a difficult Estoril Round, blighted by bad luck. He’s got a good record at Misano, but it’ll be his first experience of the track on the Kawasaki in racing terms.
Alex Lowes
“With not having a normal calendar last year I have not raced for Kawasaki at all the tracks coming up this year but I know Misano really well and I know that Kawasakis have gone well there in the past. I am actually excited to challenge myself by racing at Misano on the green machine. We have a good set-up on the bike, which we have arrived at in the winter tests. It has worked at quite a lot of tracks so I am quite confident that it will also work at Misano. I am looking forward to getting back into action. It is going to be important to work hard and well on Friday. I know the track was resurfaced last year so we need to check tyre life and which tyres we like, especially on the front because that can be critical at Misano. It is just great to be going back to Italy. Misano is always a fantastic round and one we missed last year so I am really looking forward to going back and getting stuck in this weekend.”
It was the setting for one of his first attacks on WorldSBK victory and he gave it everything, although you get the feeling in 2021 that Toprak Razgatlıoğlu is going to live no stone unturned in his quest for a first win of 2021. Razgatlioglu’s podium from Race 2 in 2019 may seem a distant memory, but the last time WorldSBK raced at Misano, it was the headlining duel with Rea that stole the show and got the fans on their feet. After three podiums at Estoril and nothing but top six finishes so far this year, Toprak wants to taste victory.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu
“For me it will be the first time racing with the Yamaha R1 WorldSBK at Misano and I am looking forward to it. In the past I had some good battles with Jonathan for the win and I like this track, but we will see where we stand on Saturday afternoon. We are quite strong this year so far and we also had two days testing at Misano in the winter, which felt really good with the new bike. It is not easy to say now where we can be, the race is the important part so we will see on Saturday. The goal is always for the podium and to fight for the win, and I think the R1 will be a good race bike at this track.”
Local hero Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK) heads for his first home event in the WorldSBK paddock after a best race finish of fifth in Race 2 at Estoril and is top Italian in the standings – could he be a strong outside bet of a good result?
Andrea Locatelli
“It’s very nice for me to return on track at Misano in Italy – it’s the home race for me and it’s always nice because we can also have some fun during the weekend. It’s important to have some balance! I am feeling good because we had a really good Race 2 at Estoril, I understand more about the bike and the setup that helped me to make another step. I am sure that with this we can do very well at Misano because we have been improving every race. Also Superpole qualifying will be important and I want to improve and to understand the best way to get maximum performance on the Q tyre. Of course the aim is to try to be in the front group and try for a good result because our way now is to improve every race and I know the Misano track very well. We will see, but we’re ready.”
Heading home and eager to strike back after bitter disappointment in Estoril’s Race 2, the factory Ducati team of Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and team-mate Michael Ruben Rinaldi will aim to utilise all of their pre-season testing at Misano to make it count come race action. Redding, who crashed out in the heat of the battle with title rival with seven laps to go at Estoril in Race 2, has never raced a WorldSBK bike at Misano, so it will be a voyage of discovery this weekend; team-mate Rinaldi has WorldSBK experience and the warmth of the home fans cheering him on. After a mixed Estoril, will it be a Misano masterclass?
Scott Redding
“The mistake in Race-2 in Estoril was a serious one. But there is still time to recover. It’s clear that we can’t make any more mistakes, in fact, it will be necessary to be perfect in order to recover the disadvantage. I’m curious to see what will happen in Misano because I’ve never ridden on this circuit with temperatures as high as the ones we will find. It’s an important event, the home race for the team and for Ducati and for this reason I’m determined and sure I can do well”.
Michael Rinaldi
“We arrive in Misano with high morale: despite the incident in Race-2, the Estoril weekend was a very positive one, with a constantly growing feeling. It’s clear that this is a very special weekend for me. I’m really happy that the circuit will be open to a good number of fans and it will be great to feel their warmth after so many months of races without a public. I like the circuit very much, the sensations were positive during the pre-season tests. There are the basis to obtain important results“.
Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) has been in the thick of the action so far this year and inside the top six on occasion. Continuing his adaptation to the bike from his Yamaha of previous years, he has so far had the racing edge over his team-mate Tom Sykes. Sykes himself returns to Misano, a happy territory for BMW, after he gave them their first podium in 2019 when they returned as a factory effort to the Championship. Both van der Mark and Sykes have good records in the Adriatic, something that they’ll hope to strengthen in the coming races.
Michael van der Mark
“Misano is one of my favourite tracks. I really missed going there last year. I love the circuit, I love the layout and I am looking forward to it. It’s a completely different track again compared to Aragón and Estoril but I think it will suit the BMW very well and especially the way the bike is working now. After some good results at Aragón and Estoril a very different track and I think we can do really well there. Regarding goals for the weekend, I think it is still difficult to say where we expect to be but I think we should be close to the top five. We had some good results, the gap is still a little bit too big but I think the way the Misano track is we can do really well.”
Tom Sykes
“I am obviously looking very much forward to the Misano round of the WorldSBK calendar. It’s a circuit I really enjoy. It will certainly be tight in terms of lap times as it is quite small and twisty so we’re really looking to be competitive. We’ve had some strong results there in the past with the BMW S 1000 RR so hopefully with the updated M RR we can improve on those. That’s certainly my target and it would be fantastic. We’ve had a podium success there so if we could do something similar this weekend it’s what we need. Overall, it’s a fantastic location and I am looking forward to getting out there.”
It’s another new experience for Team HRC and the Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR-R SP, with it being the first time that the bike and the factory team have visited Misano. After a disastrous start to his weekend at Estoril with three crashes on Friday, Alvaro Bautista managed to rekindle good feelings with the bike throughout the races as he came through from 18th on the grid for a hat-trick of top ten finishes. He took his first premier-class MotoGP podium at Misano in a final lap showdown back in 2012 and was a race winner in WorldSBK for Ducati in 2019.
Alvaro Bautista
“The last race weekend left us with mixed feelings, a tough Friday followed by improved performance and confidence throughout the weekend, despite the extra challenge of having our qualifying time cancelled on Saturday. Still, we feel we left some of our potential untapped there and are looking forward to improving this weekend. We approach Misano with a strong mentality and will work to find the feeling that we had at Aragón. Our main target is to have a bike that is well balanced to suit all conditions and every track. I’m so happy to return to Misano after missing it last season. It’s a track that I really enjoy, and it’s definitely very different to both Aragón and Estoril so we will try to find a good set-up with the electronics, the chassis and everything in order to get closer to the front. One thing that makes me really happy is that we will finally have some fans back in the grandstands. A limited number, sure, but it’s a first step and one we have been looking forward during this long closed-door period”.
For Leon Haslam (Team HRC), he’ll hope for a return to being a firm fixture inside the top ten after a relatively unassuming first two rounds.
Leon Haslam
“Misano is always a special race. I’ve heard we are going to have some fans watching and that will be fantastic because the atmosphere is always great in Italy. In the past, we always used to spend some days at the beach with Frankie Chili and everyone there, so I have some very good memories of the place. I really like the track of course and was on the podium last time we raced there in 2019. I’m now looking forward to riding the Fireblade there and working to try and find the good feeling we had this winter”.
Always thriving off the support of the Ducatisti and the Italian passion, Chaz Davies (Team GoEleven) returns to Misano aboard the Ducati Panigale V4 R, with the aim of building on his first podium of 2021 from last time out at Misano. He’s locked in combat however, with Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) taking it to him as they fight it out to be top Independent. Although Gerloff’s looked like he’s had a stronger pace, mistakes have cost him dearly. They’re also not just battling for top Independent but for the title overall, with Gerloff in particular showing a sparkling pace in the opening two rounds. One rider who is in some sort of form is Eugene Laverty (RC Squadra Corse), who really showed good potential at Estoril. Having never taken the BMW to Misano, it’ll be a new experience and a new learning curve this weekend in Italy.
Eugene Laverty
“I’m heading to Misano feeling very optimistic. I set modest goals for myself last time out due to the fact that Estoril was the toughest track on the calendar for us last year. However, I far exceeded my expectations so my confidence is high going to a track that I really enjoy. The new BMW M 1000 RR has made a huge step forward this year and I’m very thankful for the hard work done by everybody at BMW Motorrad Motorsport during the winter months. I have gelled very well with my new team RC Squadra Corse and we’re ready to begin moving up the order. The first two rounds were like pre-season testing for us. I feel that our season begins properly at round three at Misano.”
Leading the rest of the battles for the Independents and mainly the rookies, Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) aims high and wants to shine at home, whilst off the back of two top ten finishes, Tito Rabat (Barni Racing Team) also hopes to continue to figure it out in WorldSBK at a circuit he knows well.
Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) put in a stunning Gaerne Estoril Round and will hope to emulate this at Misano, a circuit he has a good record at with podiums in WorldSSP.
Kohta Nozane (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) has tested at Misano and has been quietly impressive in the opening two rounds, whilst behind him are the likes of Jonas Folger (Bonovo MGM Racing), Isaac Viñales (ORELAC Racing VerdNatura) and Christophe Ponsson (Alstare Yamaha).
In 2015 Misano was completely resurfaced with a specific asphalt formulation aimed at counteracting the effects of salt and humidity. The rather abrasive asphalt and the high temperatures typical of that area can compromise the precision of the trajectories (holding a line) making it a fairly demanding track for the tyres, especially in the long right-hand corners which require a high mechanical and thermal stress for tyres when the bike is on the tyre’s shoulder. Pirelli have brought two new tyres to Misano. A development SCX rear in A0557 specification and the front development SC1 in A0508 specification.
WorldSBK Championship Points
| Pos | Rider | Points |
| 1 | Jonathan Rea | 110 |
| 2 | Toprak Razgatlioglu | 75 |
| 3 | Scott Redding | 74 |
| 4 | Alex Lowes | 62 |
| 5 | Chaz Davies | 48 |
| 6 | Garrett Gerloff | 42 |
| 7 | Michael Van Der Mark | 40 |
| 8 | Tom Sykes | 36 |
| 9 | Andrea Locatelli | 30 |
| 10 | Michael Ruben Rinaldi | 25 |
| 11 | Alvaro Bautista | 25 |
| 12 | Leon Haslam | 16 |
| 13 | Axel Bassani | 16 |
| 14 | Tito Rabat | 13 |
| 15 | Lucas Mahias | 11 |
| 16 | Kohta Nozane | 11 |
| 17 | Eugene Laverty | 9 |
| 18 | Jonas Folger | 8 |
| 19 | Isaac Vinales | 6 |
| 20 | Christophe Ponsson | 1 |
WorldSSP
There is an intense battle developing at the top of the standings between Steven Odendaal (Evan Bros. Yamaha WorldSSP Team) and Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha), the only two riders to have won in the four races ran so far in 2021, with just six points separating the pair despite Odendaal taking three wins to Aegerter’s one. A retirement for Odendaal last time out in Estoril coupled with Aegerter’s emotional victory meant the Swiss rider was able to close in at the top of the standings.
Both Odendaal and Aegerter have experience of the Italian circuit from their respective Moto2 days, with Odendaal taking a best result of 17th in 2018 while Aegerter has a best result of fifth, in 2013, but three other top-ten finishes between 2010 and 2014. It will be both their first races at the circuit on WorldSSP machinery, with Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) hoping he can take advantage of their inexperience on their Yamaha YZF-R6 machines at Misano to close the gap; the French rider claimed two victories in 2014 and 2015, when WorldSSP ran to one race per weekend, and a double victory for Cluzel in 2021 would mean he becomes the most successful rider at Misano in terms of wins in WorldSSP, going ahead of five-time Champion Kenan Sofuoglu.
There are two other winners of a WorldSSP race at Misano on the 2021 grid with Randy Krummenacher (EAB Racing Team) the winner last time the Championship visited Misano in 2019 and then-teammate Federico Caricasulo (GMT94 Yamaha) who won in 2018. Both have had ups-and-downs to their return to the Championship and will be hoping a previous happy hunting ground will mean they can step back on the podium.
Philipp Oettl (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) currently sits third in the Championship after a double podium at the Circuito Estoril but has experience of Misano from Moto3 where he took a best of fourth in 2017 although he still chasing his first WorldSSP victory. He sits just ahead of Luca Bernardi (CM Racing) with the Sammarinese rider getting to enjoy a home round on the world stage; the town of Misano Adriatico is around an hour away from San Marino. Bernardi has been one of the surprises of 2021 so far, including a podium last time out, while he also experienced this circuit in the Italian championship last year, picking up a race win here.
Just behind Bernardi in the Championship standings is Estonian rider Hannes Soomer (Kallio Racing), who has raced at Misano in WorldSSP before with a best result of seventh, Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha ParkinGo Team) who has stood on the podium at the Italian venue in WorldSSP300 on two occasions, with a best result of second, and heads into the third round of the season on the back of his best-ever WorldSSP result at Estoril, and Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) with the Italian still searching for his first WorldSSP victory and looking to bounce back after crashing out from the lead at Estoril. De Rosa has stood on the podium at Misano, in 2018, and will be hoping he can repeat that feat and claim his first victory at the Italian venue.
In the WorldSSP Challenge, Leonardo Taccini (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), Kevin Manfredi (Altogo Racing Team), Luigi Montella (Chiodo Moto Racing) will all have their home race with Maria Herrera (Biblion Iberica Yamaha Motoxracing), Shogo Kawasaki (G.A.P. MOTOZOO Racing by Puccetti) and Stephane Frossard (Moto Team Jura Vitesse) all racing.
There will be two wildcard riders taking to the circuit during the Made In Italy Emilia-Romagna Round with Massimo Roccoli (Promodriver Organization) taking to the field for the first time since 2019 and Roberto Mercandelli (Team Rosso e Nero) on the grid for the first time since 2018; Roccoli already having made 110 starts in WorldSSP.
Five One Event riders will also join the Championship at Misano with Armando Pontone (Bike e Motor Racing Team) and team-mate Matteo Patacca, Filippo Fuligni (D34G Racing), Davide Stirpe (Extreme Racing Service) and Luca Ottaviani (RM Racing) on the grid, bringing the total number of competitors to 35. All but two of the seven additional riders will ride on Yamaha machinery, with Stirpe on the MV Agusta F3 675 and Ottaviani competing on a Kawasaki ZX-6R.
WorldSSP Standings
| Pos | Rider | Points |
| 1 | Steven Odendaal | 75 |
| 2 | Dominique Aegerter | 69 |
| 3 | Philipp Oettl | 52 |
| 4 | Luca Bernardi | 42 |
| 5 | Hannes Soomer | 41 |
| 6 | Manuel Gonzalez | 40 |
| 7 | Raffaele De Rosa | 37 |
| 8 | Jules Cluzel | 36 |
| 9 | Christoffer Bergman | 29 |
| 10 | Randy Krummenacher | 26 |
| 11 | Federico Caricasulo | 24 |
| 12 | Marc Alcoba | 18 |
| 13 | Can Alexander Oncu | 17 |
| 14 | Niki Tuuli | 13 |
| 15 | Vertti Takala | 11 |
| 16 | Kevin Manfredi | 9 |
| 17 | Galang Hendra Pratama | 7 |
| 18 | Maria Herrera | 7 |
| 19 | Stephane Frossard | 3 |
| 20 | Michel Fabrizio | 2 |
| 21 | Davide Pizzoli | 1 |
| 22 | Pawel Szkopek | 1 |
WorldSSP300
Tom Booth-Amos (Fusport – RT Motorsports by SKM Kawasaki) comes into the second event of 2021 with a four-point lead at the top of the Championship but faces his first event on WorldSSP300 machinery at Misano although the British rider has taken part in the Italian championship at Misano, claiming two victories. He will be hoping to use his recent experience and success to maintain his Championship lead.
Spanish rider Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) has made a strong start since moving to his new team with 41 points out of a possible 50 so far in 2021. Huertas gives up some experience at Misano compared to his rivals but will be hoping his quick adaptation to the MTM Kawasaki outfit will keep him in good stead for the weekend.
Unai Orradre (Yamaha MS Racing) is another rider who has not raced at Misano in WorldSSP300, with the 17-year-old not yet having raced in an Italian championship. Orradre will be looking to continue his strong start to the season after he challenged for victory at MotorLand Aragon as he builds a title challenge.
MTM Kawasaki have two riders in the top six with Japanese star Yuta Okaya on 29 points, four behind Orradre, after he was able to challenge for victory at MotorLand Aragon. Okaya raced at Misano when WorldSSP300 last visited the Italian circuit and came home in 19th place. Will his experience on WorldSSP300 machinery at the Italian venue pay dividends for the Pirelli Made in Italy Emilia-Romagna Round?
Samuel di Sora (Leader Team Flembbo) currently is fifth in the Championship with 19 points, level with Ton Kawakami (AD78 Team Brasil by MS Racing). Frenchman di Sora has claimed a points finish at Misano in WorldSSP300 before, in 2019 when he finished 13th, while Aragon polesitter Kawakami finished outside the points in the same race when he finished 16th. Kawakami has proven his one-lap pace on a few occasions throughout his WorldSSP300 career, and di Sora has shown he can claim podium finishes, so both will be hoping they can use these to their advantage as WorldSSP300 returns to Misano.
2018 Champion Ana Carrasco (Kawasaki Provec WorldSSP300) will continue her comeback from seventh in the Championship at a venue she won at last time out in 2019 and will be looking to close the gap at the top of the Championship by repeating that success. Carrasco sits two points clear of reigning Champion Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) but, unlike Carrasco, this is a circuit that Buis is yet to secure a top-ten finish at, having finished 15th in 2019.
There will be one wildcard rider for the 2021 event with Chilean Isis Joylin Dellanira Carreño Avila (Gp3 By Pa.Sa.Ma) joining the grid for Misano. Alejandro Carrion (Kawasaki GP Project) was declared unfit at MotorLand Aragon and will need to undergo a medical check before his participation is confirmed, while Alfonso Coppola (Team Trasimeno) was declared unfit following a crash in the Italian championship; the Italian missed the Aragon Round following that crash.
WorldSSP300 Standings
| Pos | Rider | Points |
| 1 | Tom Booth-Amos | 45 |
| 2 | Adrian Huertas | 41 |
| 3 | Unai Orradre | 33 |
| 4 | Yuta Okaya | 29 |
| 5 | Samuel Di Sora | 19 |
| 6 | Ton Kawakami | 19 |
| 7 | Ana Carrasco | 16 |
| 8 | Jeffrey Buis | 14 |
| 9 | Hugo De Cancellis | 13 |
| 10 | Bruno Ieraci | 13 |
| 11 | Koen Meuffels | 8 |
| 12 | Harry Khouri | 7 |
| 13 | Meikon Kawakami | 6 |
| 14 | Dorren Loureiro | 6 |
| 15 | Marc Garcia | 4 |
| 16 | Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez | 3 |
| 17 | Alex Millan Gomez | 2 |
| 18 | Inigo Iglesias | 2 |
2021 WSBK – Estoril Round 2 Schedule
| Time | Class | Session |
| 1745 | WorldSSP300 | FP1 |
| 1830 | WorldSBK | FP1 |
| 1925 | WorldSSP | FP1 |
| 2215 | WorldSSP300 | FP2 |
| 2300 | WorldSBK | FP2 |
| 0000(Sat) | WorldSSP | FP2 |
| Time | Class | Session |
| 1700 | WorldSBK | FP3 |
| 1745 | WorldSSP300 | Superpole |
| 1825 | WorldSSP | Superpole |
| 1910 | WorldSBK | Superpole |
| 2045 | WorldSSP300 | Race 1 |
| 2200 | WorldSBK | Race 1 |
| 2315 | WorldSSP | Race |
| Time | Class | Session |
| 1700 | WorldSBK | WUP |
| 1725 | WorldSSP | WUP |
| 1750 | WorldSSP300 | WUP |
| 1900 | WorldSBK | Superpole Race |
| 2030 | WorldSSP | Race 2 |
| 2200 | WorldSBK | Race 2 |
| 2315 | WorldSSP300 | Race 2 |
2021 WorldSBK Calendar
| Date | Track | SBK | SS600 | SS300 |
| 11-13 Jun | Misano (Italy) | X | X | X |
| 2-4 Jul | Donington Park (UK) | X | ||
| 23-25 Jul | Assen (Netherlands) | X | X | X |
| 06-08 Aug | Autodrom Most (Czech) | X | X | X |
| 20-22 Aug | Navarra (Spain) | X | X | |
| 3-5 Sep | Magny-Cours (France) | X | X | X |
| 17-19 Sep | Catalunya (Spain) | X | X | X |
| 24-26 Sep | Jerez (Spain) | X | X | X |
| 1-3 Oct | Portimao (Portugal) | X | X | X |
| 15-17 Oct | San Juan Villicum (Argentina) | X | X | |
| 12-14 Nov | Mandalika*** (Indonesia) | X | X |
*** = Subject to homologation
Source: MCNews.com.au
Maxxis next-gen off-road Maxxcross MX-SI & MX-IH arrive
Maxxis Maxxcross MX-SI & MX-IH tyres
The Maxxis Maxxcross MX-ST (Soft) and Maxxcross MX-SM (Sand/Mud) tyres are now joined by the all-new Maxxcross MX-SI (Soft/Int) and MX-IH (Int/Hard) range to further bolster Maxxis’ next-generation off-road line-up. Featuring next-generation tyre technology developed with Australian MX1 champion Todd Waters for Aussie conditions!
Maxxis Maxxcross MX-SI tyres
The all-new Maxxcross MX-SI is the go-to tyre for riders searching for a durable, lightweight race tyre that delivers excellent traction in Australia’s soft – intermediate terrains. You’ll be equally impressed by the MX-SI’s performance and longevity in looseover-hard conditions and prepared race track conditions alike!
- NEW tread pattern and race-proven rubber compound delivers excellent traction in softintermediate riding conditions.
- NEW rubber compound delivers increased performance and durability in intermediate conditions.
- NEW anti-flex bridges on side knobs offer solid straight-line stability and enhanced grip for aggressive cornering.
- NEW lightweight pliable carcass design improves ride comfort, impact absorption and rider feel.
| Part # | Tyre Size | Load / Speed | Radial / Bias | RRP |
| Fronts | ||||
| T16-17-70100 | 70/100-17 | 40M TT | Bias | $54.95 |
| T16-21-80100 | 80/100-21 | 51M TT | Bias | $94.95 |
| Rears | ||||
| T16-14-90100 | 90/100-14 | 49M TT | Bias | $65.95 |
| T16-18-110100 | 110/100-18 | 64M TT | Bias | $115.95 |
| T16-19-11090 | 110/90-19 | 62M TT | Bias | $119.95 |
| T16-19-12080 | 120/80-19 | 63M TT | Bias | Arriving 2021 |
Maxxis Maxxcross MX-IH tyres
The all-new Maxxcross MX-IH offers Motocross and Enduro rider’s increased cornering control and rider feel in Australia’s intermediate – hard conditions. The lightweight carcass construction and strong sidewall virtually eliminates any edgy tyre roll sensation. You’ll be impressed by the traction and durability the MX-IH provides when the dirt turns slick and blue groove.
- NEW tread and compound designed specifically for intermediate – hard conditions.
- NEW rubber compound delivers increased performance and durability in hard conditions.
- NEW Lightweight carcass construction and a strong sidewall virtually eliminates tyre roll sensation through corners.
- The pentagon knob design and half-shoulder knobs with stagger grooves increase cornering control and rider feel in intermediate – hard conditions
| Part # | Tyre Size | Load / Speed | Radial / Bias | RRP |
| Fronts | ||||
| T20-19-70100 | 70/100-19 | 40M TT | Bias | $69.95 |
| T20-21-80100 | 80/100-21 | 51M TT | Bias | $94.95 |
| Rears | ||||
| T20-16-90100 | 90/100-16 | 51M TT | Bias | $84.95 |
| T20-18-110100 | 110/100-18 | 64M TT | Bias | Arriving 2021 |
| T20-19-11090 | 110/90-19 | 62M TT | Bias | $119.95 |
| T20-19-12090 | 120/80-19 | 66M TT | Bias | Arriving 2021 |
Next-generation Maxxis motocross tyres are available nation-wide. Ask for Maxxis tyres at your local dealer! Or visit the website at www.maxxismoto.com.au
Source: MCNews.com.au
Aussie invited to road safety summit
Australian Motorcycle Council chairman Shaun Lennard hopes to address how roads can be made safer for riders at an international motorcycle safety workshop.
The online event is being hosted by the transport arm of the OECD, the International Transport Forum, in conjunction with the Swedish Transport Administration.
The invitation-only event of 150 participants was originally due to be hosted in Stockholm, in June 2020, but was postponed due to COVID-19 and later redesigned into a series of online workshops.
Shaun has been invited to participate in the sessions on road infrastructure, road management and speed management on 17 June 2021.
“The idea of making roads safer for motorcycles is not new,” he says.
“There are some great ideas we have either been talking about, or have seen in practice, for more than 10 years. But things continue to be largely ad hoc.
“One good example is the Austroads Guide Infrastructure Improvements to Reduce Motorcycle Casualties. This was prepared and released in 2016.
“The AMC was closely involved with the development of the guide, and it contains best-practice information. But five years later, it’s still not a default reference point for most Australian road authorities. It should be. I aim to speak about this at the workshop.”
The workshop also builds on the ITF’s similar event in Lillehammer, Norway, in 2008.
However, Shaun says follow-up and a commitment to actions from the Lillehammer workshop has been lacking and he hopes this will be addressed this year.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com