Suzuki Motorcycles Australia has revealed the 2020 Katana will arrive in dealerships across Australia on 8 August, one month ahead of what was initially anticipated.

The new Katana is set to forge a new street legend expressing, the upmost attention to detail with countless hours of testing and uncompromising quality control.

With high demand and limited supply available, Suzuki Motorcycles Australia introduced a premium buying experience for customers, by taking pre-orders exclusively online.

The 8 August will mark the official launch date for Australian customers, and as an added bonus and gesture of Suzuki’s appreciation for customer commitment and patience, all customers who pre-order their new Katana online from the first shipment will also receive a bonus exclusive Katana themed Arai QV-Pro helmet, valued at $995 with their bike delivery.

With limited units available from the first shipment, interested customers are encouraged to place their order now via www.store.suzukimotorcycles.com.au/katana.

Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Alvaro Bautista has changed his tone ahead of Laguna Seca’s ninth round of the 2019 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK), the recently demoted points leader certain the American circuit won’t play into this favour this weekend.

The Spaniard, who once held a 60-point lead following a dominant start to the series, has seen his former advantage diminish at recent rounds with an array of crashes, allowing four-time defending champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) to overcome him in the championship standings.

“Unfortunately because of my crashes we are now in second place in the standings, which might be interesting for the championship but not so much for me,” said Bautista.

“If I look at the layout of Laguna Seca, for sure I can say that it’s not one of the best tracks for us, because when we have bumps, and uphill and downhill sections, we could struggle, but like I have been saying all year I have no expectations. I prefer to go there, see what happens, start to work hard with my team and get the maximum from the weekend.”

Bautista holds down second in the standings, 24 points behind newly-appointed leader Rea.

South African Brad Binder will graduate to the premier MotoGP class in 2020 after signing a deal with Red Bull KTM Tech3, joining former teammate Miguel Oliveira for next year’s world championship.

The 23-year-old 2016 Moto3 world champion will steer the KTM RC16 next year after three seasons, three victories and eight podiums to date in the Moto2 category.

Binder made his grand prix debut in 2011 as a Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup race winner and grabbed his first silverware in 2014. He claimed the 2016 world title in just his second term with Red Bull KTM Ajo, becoming South Africa’s first world champion in 36 years and just the third from his country before graduating immediately to Moto2 with the same team.

“It is incredible to have this opportunity,” said Binder. “I want to say a huge thank you to KTM, Red Bull KTM Tech3, my manager and my family for helping me get to the premier class and to be able to give it a try.

“It is an amazing feeling right now and a dream come true. When you are growing up then this is what you aim for – to be in the MotoGP class with the best riders in the world with the best bikes – so it is a crazy feeling right now.”

KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer added: “To be able to sign Brad Binder for our MotoGP project is an exciting moment because he has been with us for five years already and is one of our world champions. We have a strong story and connection and we’re really happy that it continues.

“It is clear we all have a big challenge in front of us and we also feel responsible for him to be able to maintain this good path we have together. We also like the fact that Brad has this distinctive riding style that allows him to push a bike and project to the maximum.

“We feel that he ‘fits’ to us, and we cannot wait to see how he handles and attacks a MotoGP bike. I’m sure he can add some extra and special things because he has done that with every motorcycle he has raced so far and it will be a highlight not only for us but for all MotoGP fans.”

Binder will join Red Bull KTM Tech3 for what will be the team’s second season in orange and the early stages of a young project for both the squad and the brand. His signing indicates Hafizh Syahrin will depart the squad at the conclusion of the year.

Earning pole position and dominating race one, Mike Jones was primed to take out his first overall victory of the season at Morgan Park’s fourth round of the 2019 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), although a costly mistake at the beginning of race two saw the former champion charge from outside the top 10 and into a podium position.

The DesmoSport Ducati rider led the field throughout the opening moments of the final encounter before making a rare error that forced him off the circuit and demoting him to the rear of the field.

In an inspiring ride, Jones sliced his way through the field in the 16-lap outing, crossing the line in P3 for second overall – just one point shy of victor Wayne Maxwell (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia).

“I’m just really disappointed to make that mistake so early on in the race,” Jones stated. “It was such a small mistake, but it cost me dearly.

“I just gave it 110 percent and rode my way back to third position – I’m obviously very happy with that, but it’s obviously disappointing because I know what could’ve been if I didn’t make that small mistake at the beginning. Anyway, it what it is – overall, it was a really good weekend for us [with] good championship points.”

Despite missing out on victory, Jones obtained the points lead in Queensland, where he now holds a one-point advantage over Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team).

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Johann Zarco surprisingly withdrew from the Dutch grand prix last weekend just 10 laps into the encounter, the Frenchman ultimately succumbing to severe arm-pump.

Zarco anticipated the Assen circuit to be demanding on his forearms, and despite his best efforts to manage it, he experienced a loss of feeling with the bike, prompting him to pull in for his own safety.

“It is a hard track for all the riders I think and I got this problem, which I was able to control the last two years and this year not,” Zarco explained. “The good thing was the first 10 laps and to be able to catch the others with pace and be able to overtake as a racer.

“We are working a lot and changing the bike a lot to give me this feeling or possibilities to improve. After 10 laps I did a few mistakes. I had the feeling I was not holding the bike any more and before something bad happened I had to stop.”

In what has been a challenging year, Zarco is positioned 17th in the championship rankings with 16 points to his name as the MotoGP series heads to the Sachsenring in Germany.