Le Mans winner Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) ended second quickest, just 0.041 of a second adrift of Marini, proving the Spaniard looks likely to continue his French form in Italy this weekend. Class rookie Fabio Di Giannantonio impressed in third place, making him the first of the MB Conveyors Speed Up machines.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
“We decided we will wait until after Barcelona, we aren’t in a hurry but we understand it’s important for the riders to know. So, after seven races we will have all the information we need to assess the races and take the best possible decision for the future…In principal, it’s between the two of them.”
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
“We decided we will wait until after Barcelona, we aren’t in a hurry but we understand it’s important for the riders to know. So, after seven races we will have all the information we need to assess the races and take the best possible decision for the future…In principal, it’s between the two of them.”
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
It was glorious Tuscany weather for the premier class as they went out for FP1 at Mugello and it was the Honda of Marquez who set the pace throughout, eventually beating Petrucci by over a tenth as the factory Ducati man jumped to second on his final flying lap. It was a strong opening session for Ducati test rider Pirro who, while sporting a new rear wheel cover, managed to finish third fastest.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Sunny skies were the order of Friday morning for the lightweight class as they got down to work at Mugello, with track conditions always a bit dirty in the opening stages of the session. The times slowly crept down as the riders reacquainted themselves with this stunning circuit and it was an Italian who emerged fastest in FP1, with Rodrigo and McPhee the only riders within 0.4 of Antonelli.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
News 31 May 2019
Valentino Rossi replica helmet available for pre-order.
Link International is offering the Valentino Rossi replica AGV Pista GP R Soleluna helmet to the Australian market, which is now available for pre-order.
Valentino Rossi and Aldo Drudi have created a fresh new look for the 2018 AGV Pista GP R Soleluna, inspired by the design of 1970s models. The new graphics feature linear shapes and large colour blocks. The design of the new helmet is deliberately clean and simple, emphasising the sun and moon graphics.
Image: Supplied.
The paint scheme has been updated with a matte finish, also featured on the new spoiler. Carbon remains visible on the chin guard and was used to create the entire shell, making the Pista GP R the safest and most innovative helmet ever produced.
The Pista GP R is the ultimate racing helmet, with an included hydration system, MotoGP developed metal air vents and wind tunnel tested ‘biplano’ spoiler that has multiple wings to maximise aerodynamic performance and add stability at high speed.
The 100-percent carbon fibre shell’s shape is designed to minimise interference with the racing suit, while the interior has an adaptable fit and no stitching in sensitive areas.
Image: Supplied.
AGV Pista GP R Soleluna helmet key features:
– Shell in 100 percent carbon fibre engineered in four sizes with five-density EPS structure.
– Shell shape is designed to maximise aerodynamic performance.
– IVS (Integrated Ventilation System) ventilation with five large front vents and two rear extractors.
– New MotoGP developed air vents.
– New wind tunnel tested ‘biplano’ spoiler.
– MotoGP developed interiors engineered for maximum performance on the track.
– The inside of the helmet is designed to offer the highest riding comfort without any stitches in sensitive areas.
– MotoGP developed hydration system included in helmet.
– New class Optic 1 visor with 100 percent Max Vision Pinlock.
– Patented Visor Lock System (VSL).
Priced at RRP $1999, more information can be found by visiting www.agvhelmets.com.au.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
Australian MX2 champion’s Pro Motocross campaign continues.
Image: Supplied.
Queenslander Wilson Todd has indicated his guest ride with TLD Red Bull KTM has been extended for this weekend’s third round of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship at Thunder Valley.
The Australian MX2 champion initially scored the ride after making an impressive debut at Hangtown aboard a borrowed bike from Troy Lee’s son, Max Lee, ultimately being called up by the factory-backed squad to fill in for injured team regular Mitchell Falk at Fox Raceway.
His campaign last weekend was marred by a frightening first turn crash in moto one, forcing him to return to the mechanics area while battered and bruised to repair his 250 SX-F, rejoining the circuit to earn a P29 result. He rebounded with a spirited showing in race two, securing 14th for 19th overall.
When contacted today, Todd confirmed he’ll be on the gate with the TLD Red Bull KTM team this weekend, with the possibility of racing High Point’s fourth round the following weekend should he perform well on Saturday.
Todd, who currently leads the MX2 category in the Pirelli MX Nationals, intended to race just the first two rounds of the series as a privateer before returning home.
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
Using a premium fuel with a higher octane than specified by the motorcycle manufacturer will not improve engine power or economy, RACQ technical officer Steve Spalding advises.
He says the energy content of fuel is the same no matter what octane rating it has.
“We see a lot of claims made about using premium fuels over standard and often motorists/riders believe they get a benefit from their use,” he says.
“The reality is by using a fuel with a higher octane than specified, there is only an economic or performance benefit if the engine management system can utilise the higher octane. Some will and others won’t.”
The anecdotal evidence of riders saying they get more power and higher range from a higher octane than their bike needs may simply be justifying to themselves the extra expense of PULP, Steve suggests.
However, there are other advantages to using a PULP fuel over ULP.
“Some premium fuels such as Caltex and BP advertise they have additional cleaning additive packages that can offset the need to periodically buy fuel cleaners,” Steve says.
However, riders would have to work out if it is cheaper to pay the extra price for PULP over ULP rather than buying the occasional cleaner additive.
It may have been an economically wise decision about a decade ago, but the price differential between ULP and PUP has crept up and is now about 12-14c a litre.
“Fuel makers have worked out that people will buy it, not often on an evidence-based reason,” Steve says.
Steve says fuel companies and retailers make the most profit from the sale price of PULP.
Steve also points out that while ULP also has cleaning additives, it just doesn’t have the additional cleaners in some of the higher octane fuels.
However, it is certainly more convenient to have the cleaner additives in the fuel than having to periodically buy and add the fluid separately.
Steve also says PULP has lower levels of sulphur.
“While these are beneficial in reducing the build-up of engine internal deposits, they won’t make the bike travel further for each litre of fuel purchased,” he says.
“The best advice is to use the fuel specified for the bike.”
Most modern motorcycles recommend a minimum of 95 or 98 RON.
If you fill up with a lower octane rating you run the risk of harmful engine detonation and pinging, Steve warns.
Also the higher sulphur content in RULP can damage catalytic converters and prevent them from working properly.
Some motorcycles have knock sensors that sense detonation or pinging and alter the ignition timing to effetely down-tune the engine.
Knock sensors are a preservation measure in case you are stuck at a remote service station that doesn’t have premium fuel.
Lastly, with E10 being common in services stations, ensure your bike is compatible with it before using, older carburettor models shouldn’t use an ethanol-based fuel.
Click here for more advice on using ethanol fuel in motorcycles.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Image: Supplied.
Multi-time world champion Valentino Rossi admits Mugello’s 1.1km straight will be Yamaha’s weak point this weekend as the MotoGP World Championship heads to the Italian venue.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP contender is anticipating a heightened atmoshphere as he races in front of a home Italian crown, and he’s hoping to capitalise on the YZR-M1’s strengths in alternative areas of the circuit.
“I’m glad it’s time for Mugello, it‘s a special weekend and a special race for all the Italian riders,” Rossi explained. “It has a fantastic atmosphere, but it’s also a bit tricky to manage with all the fans, but it‘s really great. This is one of the most beautiful race tracks of the year.
“It‘s a track I really like, but it will be hard because everybody is very fast. Mugello does have less acceleration from a low speed, so I think we could be faster than in Le Mans, but it is also true that there is a very long straight.
“Surely this will be our weak point, but if we work well, we can defend ourselves. We need to try our best to be competitive and give the maximum.”
Rossi hold down fourth in the championship rankings, three points shy of third’s Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar).
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
Pramac Racing ace to don special Lamborghini livery this weekend.
Image: Supplied.
Australian Jack Miller is hoping to turn his fortunes around at Mugello this weekend for round six of the MotoGP World Championship, declaring it’s a venue he’s always been fast at.
Miller’s 2018 campaign at the circuit was cut short just two laps into the encounter, where a mistake saw him crash out of the race, ending a streak of top 10 results.
The Pramac Racing ace will don a special livery on his Ducati Desmosedici GP19, as Lamborghini joins the outfit as a title sponsor for the weekend’s round.
“In Le Mans, it was nice to be there from the start more or less,” Miller explained at pre-race press conference. “It’s is a track that normally suits my style I get along with it really well. But coming after Jerez it was necessary, because I really struggled there so it was decent to get some points on the board.
“And like the boys said, it’s nice to come here. It’s a really important weekend for Ducati, we were fast here last year but a small mistake on the second lap put me out of it. It’s a track I’ve not had the best luck at in the past but it’s a track I’ve always been fast at so I’m looking forward to this year.
“We’ve got a really decent package under us this year in terms of the bike and the set-up we’ve got, our plans throughout the weekend have been working really will and like I said I learned so much last weekend in the race. It was nice to be battling with Marc even if it was just for a lap and a half. It was nice to be there and we’ll try to make it longer next time.”
Following the first five rounds, Miller currently sits sixth in the championship standings.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
