Image: Supplied.

Jorge Lorenzo believes he still gained valuable data at the recent Misano test for this weekend’s grand prix at the Italian venue, despite only completing 21 laps.

Lorenzo, who returned from back injuries at the British grand prix, only went out on track during the opening day of testing last month, however he’s confident he’s in stronger form for the 13th round.

“Each day I am feeling stronger and able to train harder than the previous day and the time between races has helped,” said Lorenzo. “I am looking forward to getting back on the bike and seeing how I feel physically on the RC213V.

“Despite not completing the full test, we were able to find some good information to be able to start the weekend well. In the past Misano has been a good circuit for me so I am hopeful that this weekend we can continue to close the gap.”

With three wins, four premier class pole positions and the outright circuit record, Lorenzo’s past form shows great potential for the upcoming San Marino round.

Image: Supplied.

Andrea Dovizioso says he’s in shape for this weekend’s 13th round of the 2019 MotoGP World Championship at Misano after his frightening crash with Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) in the British grand prix.

The Ducati Team rider was deemed to have suffered a concussion, however returned to the bike in the week following at the Misano test, where he completed minimal laps.

The Italian ace is confident he’s back to full-strength for this weekend’s encounter, as he endeavours to make a return to the podium in front of a home crowd.

“After the incident in England, I’m lucky to be able to take part in the San Marino GP without any physical problems, because my Silverstone crash was a really big one and the consequences could have been much worse,” Dovizioso explained.

“During the two days of testing I was still not 100 percent fit, but now I’m fine, I feel in shape and am really anxious to race at this circuit, which for me is special, close to my home and where I’m sure that the support of the fans will be fantastic.

“The aim is to repeat the results of the last two seasons when we got onto the podium and we were competitive all through the weekend.”

Dovizioso is ranked second in the championship standings, where he sits 78 points behind leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda).

A total of 18 Australian riders have been shortlisted for the 2020 Asia Talent Cup selection event, while 10 contenders of the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) – a Road to MotoGP program – have made the cut.

The Oceania Junior Cup, in its inaugural season, was initially awarded five guaranteed places in the selection event, however that’s now been extended to 10 positions of the 120 capacity.

The 10 Oceania Junior Cup riders who will make the trip to Sepang include points leader Carter Thompson and current number two Angus Grenfell, as well as Tom Drane, Max Gibbons, Glenn Nelson, Reece Oughtred, Lucas Quinn, Cormac Buchanan, Hunter Diplock, and Patrick Bognar.

“It’s a credit to the OJC kids that they have performed strongly in their first year to impress Dorna to extend its initial offer,” said Motorcycling Australia’s operation manager Martin Port. “The whole aim for the OJC series is to provide a clear pathway of progression and to help develop the riders in preparation for these opportunities.

“These opportunities are a result of a great deal of hard work by the OJC team, and the support of our partners and the industry who are investing in the sport’s future.”

The remaining Australians shortlisted include Tristan Adamson, Senna Agius, Thomas Brown, Declan Carberry, Harry Khouri, Lara Marais, Jai Russo, Ryan Smith and Liam Waters.

At the selection event, each applicant must demonstrate their skills and riding ability around Sepang Karting Circuit outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The selection committee will then meet again to analyse all the data and determine the final riders chosen to participate in the 2020 Asia Talent Cup, as well as a list of reserve riders.

Image: Russell Colvin.

DesmoSport Ducati’s Mike Jones was happy to leave Winton’s fifth round of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) with a strengthened points lead, despite missing out on a season-first overall win due to half points being paid for a shortened race two.

The former champion’s 2-1 scorecard would typically be enough to secure top overall honours, however after two stoppages and worsening weather conditions, race two was declared just four laps in, with Jones credited as the winner.

His total points tally, including one point for pole position, saw him wind up on 33.5 points as opposed to eventual winner Wayne Maxwell (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia), who scored 35 with full points paying for his race one triumph.

“I’m ecstatic with the weekend, to come away with the result we did is really strong for the championship,” Jones explained to CycleOnline.com.au. “Also, to take into consideration, the conditions have been really sketchy, and the condition of the track has been really difficult – we saw that with a lot of riders crashing once it got a bit damp.

“To come away with the result is very good and I’m very happy. I’m just excited now because we go to two tracks I’m very familiar with, and I feel like I’m very strong at those circuits.

“I go out there and do the best I can – I’ve said it before, I really want to win races and be the best guy on the day, but at the end of the day, the championship is the end goal – we’re doing a really good job and the team and I work really well together. The extend the championship lead, it’s ultimate.”

The number 46 leads Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team) by 11.5 points heading into Phillip Island penultimate round on 4-6 October.

Image: Supplied.

Australian Jason O’Halloran has cemented his future in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB) by signing a contract extension with McAms Yamaha for the 2020 season.

O’Halloran displayed incredible form at the beginning of the year, however much of his 2019 campaign has been hindered by a shoulder injury, which currently sees him ranked 10th in the championship standings.

The number 22 will once again be joined by Tarran Mackenzie, with the duo set to pilot the all-new 2020 Yamaha YZF-R1 in the new season.

“I’m really happy to stay with the team again for next year,” said O’Halloran. “This season hasn’t panned out how I wanted it to given we’ve had two separate injuries, one at the start of the year and now the shoulder. It’s been frustrating as it’s the first year where I feel the potential of the bike and myself hasn’t been maximised.

“From a positive point of view that means there’s more to come, especially as I’m really enjoying riding the Yamaha and even though I’m struggling with my shoulder, the results are still encouraging. I’ve a lot of time for Steve and the team so I’m glad to be staying on and with a new R1 on the way hopefully there’s another step for us to take in 2020.

“The focus for me now is to get fit and healthy for 2020 and then we can learn from our mistakes, put them into practice and have a stronger year with the new bike.”

The next stop of the current BSB season is scheduled for 20-22 September at Assen in the Netherlands.

Image: Supplied.

The BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team has extended its contract with Tom Sykes that will see him through the 2020 season in the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).

Sykes, who recorded 13-7-9 scorecard at Portimao’s 10th round on the weekend, has earned three podiums in his first season aboard the new BMW S 1000 RR, while next year’s he’s set to be joined by Eugene Laverty.

“I’m very excited and proud to be continuing into the 2020 season with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team,” said Sykes. “After such a successful year so far with the all-new BMW S 1000 RR, which is still very early in its development gives me great motivation moving forward.

“I really enjoy the development part and we are certainly moving in a strong way. Of course, with the support from the whole of the team and the prestigious BMW brand my expectations for the 2020 season will certainly move higher and back to where I feel most natural.”

Team principal Shaun Muir added: “As expected we have taken the option in Tom’s contract and extended it for a further year, this is good for our continuity and for the development for the BMW S 1000 RR. We hope that we can we progress further up the grid and fight for regular podium finishes in 2020.”

Sykes currently sits eighth in the championship standings as three rounds remain in the current season.