French motorcycle helmet company Roof is releasing a new helmet, the RO200 Carbon, which is expected to be the lightest full-face helmet in the world.
At just 1090g, it beats the previous lightest helmet, the Nolan-made X-Lite X-803 Ultra Carbon at 1249g.
The 1090g weight is for their small shell size to fit XS to M sized heads, while their ML to XXL helmets weigh 1150g which is still lighter than the X-Lite.
Roof helmets have been around since 1993 and have ECE22.05 certification, so they are legal here.
They are imported to Australia through Cassons, now owned by Motorcycle Holdings which also owns TeamMoto dealerships.
There is no word yet from Cassons about price and arrival.
In Europe they start at €699 (about $A1130), depending on colour and graphics.
Features include UV and anti-scratch visor with Pinlock anti-fog insert, removable and adjustable lining, intercom compatible, glasses channels, six air intakes and two extractors, and a double-D ring chin strap clasp.
Despite its light weight, Roof says the helmet is suitable for race-standard protection with “advanced technologies and innovative solutions” including “Evolutive EPS protection with five densities”.
They claim the face aperture provides 210° of horizontal vision and 100° vertical.
Brookes in ideal position as BSB Showdown launches
Section: Competition
Australian holds three-point advantage heading into Assen.
Image: Supplied.
Australian Josh Brookes says leading the Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB) is ideal as the Showdown commences this weekend Assen’s 10th round in the Netherlands.
The top six riders in the championship standings only become the title fighters for the final three rounds, with each rider beginning the Showdown with 500 points, plus additional points for each podium position they’ve obtained in the first nine rounds.
Brookes’ seven race wins and five podiums place him atop the standings, where he currently lead Be Wiser Ducati teammate and WorldSBK-bound Scott Redding by three points.
“Going into the Showdown leading the standings is ideal – it is only a small few points but it is still nice to have it,” Brookes explained. “The last few tracks that are in the Showdown have been good for me in the past, so I am hoping that happens again.
“I like Assen, not just because of race results I have had there, but because it is a great track and I am ready to put on a challenge for the championship in these last races.”
Just three rounds remain in the BSB series, where regular points will be paid in the final races to determine the champion.
Given that the updated 2020 R1 has just been announced (link), Wayne thought it might be an opportune time to have a quick look at the current model before its relegated to the second hand only category. Take it away Wayne…
It only occurred to me as I picked up the keys that I’d never actually had the chance to throw a leg over an R1 before. I have covered well over 100,000 kilometres on my fireblades, both on road and track, and have spent time on all of the other Japanese manufacturers wares, along with most of the European options. But before Trev sorted this YZF-R1 for me I had never before had the chance to wring the neck of an R1.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1
Not that I hadn’t wanted to mind you. The cross-plane crank engine had me at ‘hello’, and gets me all wobbly knee’d and excited in the nether regions. Truth is that I’ve been lusting after one since the first ’09 incarnation for the exhaust note alone, but as my own circumstances had moved me away from full bore sports bike ownership, I’d resisted the temptation to ride one… Probably a good thing for my wallet as it turns out.
Initial impressions were, as expected – it’s quite compact, the riding position is suitably extreme, the suspension is stiffer than a Pfizer intern on date night and… holy cat snot this thing sure has some poke. It used to be a nonsense marketing phrase but modern sports bike really are race bikes with lights these days.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1
As soon as I got it home I couldn’t help but start raving about the engine. My wife and kids heard about it. My mates heard about it. The coffee guy heard about it. My mates heard about it some more. It’s other-worldly. Smooth and impeccably fueled even off idle, the throttle feel is just superb. It’s low rev big-bang-burble, transforms into a gutteral mid-range growl with a healthy dose of angry air-box thrown in and then a top end howl. It’s a banshee.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1
And it absolutely hammers. Jesus does it lay down some hump. From second gear on, as the electronics start to loosen the reins a little, its after-burner city. 200 big, energetic thoroughbreds. Big horses. And you feel every one of them. It’s mad. It’s ridiculous. It’s unnecessary. It’s addictive and I’m more than a bit smitten. Sounds proper horn too, even though the bike I rode was running the standard muffler it was epic! With a slip-on they frighten the four horsemen.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1
‘That’ engine, combined with a near perfect quick shifting six-speed box completes the driveline, it’s a performance masterpiece. Clutchless upshifts are a doddle, but are slicker from the mid-range up and I still used the clutch on down shifts, as sometimes the lever felt a bit reluctant to drop down a cog. It is worth noting that the bike only had a bit over a thousand kilometres on it when I got it, so I’d imagine it would loosen up a little more with time. Either way it wasn’t an issue.
When on the charge the electronics are flattering (too many acronyms to list but rest assured there’s a shit ton of tech). Even on my first cold, dampish run down to Lorne I was quickly feeling confident and finding a rhythm, such is the seamless nature of the traction and slide control systems. They don’t get in the way at all. You can just roll on the gas confident in the knowledge that you have a safety net smarter than you… And smart they are.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1
It comes with four engine modes, A-D. ‘A’ being the most powerful, stepping down to ‘D’ being the wet map. There’s little difference between A and B modes on the road until the top end ,where the B map feels a little (but not much) softer. I ended up using the B mode in the wet, it’s a pussy cat down low when you want it to be. Each map adjusts power, traction and slide control settings but unfortunately these aren’t able to be changed on the move, however you can tweak individual settings for power, traction and slide control. Which is a bit odd. Handy though, because the C map doesn’t have the Lift Control System (Yammies anti wheelie tech).. So you could give everything full welly without the fun police stopping the front coming up. Not that I would of course. Just sayin. For research purposes.
When activated, it’s very reluctant to lift the front in the first three cogs. It won’t come up unless seriously provoked, at which time its then gently brought back down to Earth. While it might be a bit of a buzz kill when you want to have a play, it is brutally effective when you’re in the twisties. The front is positively glued to the deck. No doubt helped by the aforementioned weight forward riding position. There is something to be said for having the front hover a few centimetres above the deck under full acceleration, the front dipping to kiss the tarmac as you as you snick through the lower gears. During those moments, and quite a few others to be fair, I felt like a riding god.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1
While we’re banging on about electronics – the TFT dash is a bit on the small side for my liking, but it’s nice enough on the main. Couple of minor gripes from me, no distance to empty meter and some fairly pointless info being displayed in spots. I get that Yamaha wanted to show off some tech and added a brake activation force meter, a g force meter as well as an indicator for the quickshifter to tell you if you’re accelerating or braking.. but I’m not convinced that you’d want to be looking at the dash when getting really hard on the gas or the picks. And I definitely don’t need to be shown if I’m accelerating or decelerating.. Seems like some distraction waiting to happen.
Suspension on both ends is of course, firm. Really firm. Race bike firm. As is the seat. Sure the ride is stiff, but surprisingly it’s not actually overly harsh on big impacts as the suspension is well spec’d and damped, and has plenty of adjustment to fine tune things. It’s manageable on everyday roads and doable for a regular commute, but becomes an effort for me with my fairly extreme loop. The straight stretch from Geelong to Melbourne is not fun on something like this. But you endure it for the weekend’s play time.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1
It is a trade off. The aggressive weight forward geometry comes at a price comfort wise at regular speeds and anything below two-thirds attack. It comes into its own and starts making sense as speeds and intent rise. And the faster and harder you go the better it feels. Mid corner it is mega – super planted and giving you the ability to run centimetre perfect, precise lines. And it’s impeccably light and easy to flick left to right and change direction. Phenomenal for a full litre bike.
Brakes are a match for the rest of the bike. Super strong with plenty of bite and feel – they neither feel wanting or overpowered. And you can’t feel the linked system working – it just does its thing. I didn’t even know they were linked until I re-read the specs. Noice.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1
Sports bikes are a pretty extreme thing these days. They’re now at the point where they’re so focussed on outright performance, that they are arguably a little compromised as a road bike. It wasn’t always that way mind you. Up until about 15 years ago, sports bikes were still reasonably adaptable as all-rounders. But they’re getting seriously focussed now. I’d probably put my Osteo’s kids through Uni if I commuted on one full time. But it might nearly be worth it. I did the Deans Marsh – Lorne return run three-times in a row on it and it was Nirvana, I haven’t felt that connected to a sports bike for a while.. even if it was only 10 degrees and I wasn’t even remotely getting near the bikes limits.
Time to wrap it up.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1
Is it a brilliant sports bike? Unquestionably. Utterly ridiculous levels of performance and a soundtrack to die for – even more so with a pipe. That engine is off the charts good. Suspension, handling and brakes are epic. Feels way more nimble than litre bikes of a generation ago. There’s no weak link really.
Is it a brilliant road bike? Well yes, and no. Like most of the current crop of focussed sports bikes it makes some serious comfort concessions for such high levels of performance. Performance that realistically is now well out of reach of most riders on the road. I’d need and love to have a few days at a dry track to fully appreciate its capabilities. Ultimately the assessment of whether those concessions are acceptable is your call to make, depending on your situation and requirements. If my commute was shorter I reckon I’d be making some phone calls to a Yamaha dealer, as those moments on a bike like this, up your favourite stretch of road, are something to truly behold.
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1 in summary
Why I like it:
That engine is just astonishing, the sound is ridiculous
Terrific handling when getting up it. Feels like a lighter bike
There is no single weak point – it’s an all round package
2019 Yamaha YZF-R1
I’d like it more if:
Ride modes were switchable on the fly
I’d need a slip on for more sounds of the apocalypse
Can you make a version that’s a bit less extreme in terms of ride position..? Or build an MT10 Tracer version pls? I need some cross plane crank action in my life!
Vinales ‘extra optimistic’ ahead of Aragon grand prix
Section: Competition
Monster Energy Yamaha favouring Spanish circuit this weekend.
Image: Supplied.
Maverick Vinales has expressed he’s feeling ‘extra optimistic’ ahead of the Aragon grand prix after landing on the podium last weekend at Misano.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rider topped Friday practice and qualified on pole at the Italian round before earning third, boosting his confidence as he takes on a favoured Aragon circuit in Spain this weekend.
“After the Misano podium I‘m feeling extra optimistic about coming here in Aragon,” Vinales revealed. “Like every Spanish round, this GP is very special to me because the fans and atmosphere are great, and I really like this track. We have been doing good work in the previous rounds, so I expect to be fast here too.
“We will try to stay focused on our goal, we want to keep improving during every race weekend. We‘ve seen our potential get better and better since starting the second half of the season, so I think that we can do a good job.”
The Spaniard is currently ranked fifth in the point standings as six rounds remain in the MotoGP World Championship.
After the raucous Valentino Rossi mad seaside of the Riviera di Rimini, MotoGP now heads for the unique backdrop of MotorLand Aragon.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) arrives on home turf with an aptly numbered 93-point lead. The last three races though have shown that the reigning Champion doesn’t always get his own way…
Aragon is known as a stringent test on tyres
Marquez has won four times in the premier class at Aragon, including the last three in a row. If he does it again this weekend there is a slight chance Marquez can set himself up to possibly seal the title when MotoGP visits Thailand early next month.
Marc Marquez
“After a fantastic win in Misano I am excited to race again, especially in Aragon where I really feel like I am at home as it is so close to Cervera. It’s where the most people from my hometown come to watch and always the fans help to give me something extra. We have a good lead in the championship but it doesn’t change how we approach the weekend, we keep pushing and trying to achieve our maximum. Let’s see what happens in Aragon!”
Quartararo and Marquez pushed each other to the limits and beyond them at Misano
Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) seems a good bet as someone who will be aiming to derail Marquez’ assault on Aragon, and coming from two podiums in a row he’s on good form, although he’s never won at MotorLand in the premier class.
Maverick Vinales
“After the Misano podium I‘m feeling extra optimistic about coming here in Aragon. Like every Spanish round, this GP is very special to me because the fans and atmosphere are great, and I really like this track. We have been doing good work in the previous rounds, so I expect to be fast here too. We will try to stay focused on our goal, we want to keep improving during every race weekend. We‘ve seen our potential get better and better since starting the second half of the season, so I think that we can do a good job.”
Maverick Viñales currently leads the Yamaha effort but it’s tight between the top three Yamahas
Team-mate Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) will also be aiming for the podium, with the top three in the championship just over 20-points away. The Italian legend has been encouraged by the recent slew of new parts that Yamaha has produced, and the competitiveness of all the Yamaha riders that was demonstrated last weekend in Italy.
Valentino Rossi
“After the race in Misano we have travelled to Aragon for a back-to-back race. We‘ve seen at the San Marino GP what we need to work on, so that‘s what we will be focusing on during this weekend – though Aragon is a difficult track for us, historically. We always struggled here, but this time we arrive after some good races. For sure we will have to work hard this GP, but we hope to be more competitive than we have been in the past.”
Valentino Rossi is five-points behind Vinales and no doubt be aiming to be leading Yamaha
Plenty of eyes will once again be on Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT), the rookie had a stunning race in Misano, taking the reigning Champion to the wire and putting up a fight on the last lap. In the end it was another podium and not a maiden win, but it’s the closest the fast Frenchman has come to the top step so far – and in some serious style. Can he do it again this weekend? If he does it, Rookie of the Year will start to look less like a probability and more like a formality.
Fabio Quartararo
“Fighting with Marc at Misano means that I’m going to Aragon with a lot of confidence. It showed how good a job we did there, and only five days after getting off the bike in a really good condition I get to ride again. The long straights aren’t too much of a problem for us, because we showed at the Red Bull Ring and at Misano that as long as you make a good start and five strong laps at the beginning you can be in the fight. The first target will be to be on the front row again, because we need to ensure a good start, and then we’ll try and do our best as always.”
Man of the moment Quartararo will be looking to challenge MM’s dominance at MotorLand Aragon
Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), meanwhile, is looking for a comeback. The number 42 hails from mere kilometers away from MotorLand to make it a true home venue for the Suzuki rider. After defeating Marquez with his stunning move at Silverstone, Rins faltered at Misano and crashed out – so motivation will be higher than ever. He also slipped to fourth in the standings with the mistake on the Riviera di Rimini, so Aragon is a chance to get back into that top three and stake his claim on another podium at least.
Alex Rins nudging Marquez to the finish at Silverstone
The man who moved above Rins at Misano was Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) who, despite a tougher few rounds of late, has kept raking in the points to put himself back behind teammate Andrea Dovizioso in the standings.
Danilo Petrucci
“I really like the Alcañiz circuit, even though for a variety of reasons I have never scored any good results here. I hope the time has come to change all that and overturn the trend of the last few races. At Silverstone and Misano I was quicker in the race than during practice, so from now on I have to constantly improve during the weekend to start up at the front on the Sunday. The team is doing a great job, but we must make a further step forward to tackle the final part of the season in a positive way and defend third place in the standings, which at this moment is my main target.”
Danilo Petrucci currently sits third with a two-point lead over Rins
Misano was also tougher weekend than many expected for the Borgo Panigale factory though, so can they bounce back at MotorLand? Traditionally a tougher track for Ducati than some, a good few eyes will be on the two Italians in red and Dovizioso will be aiming to repeat his impressive performance from last year.
Andrea Dovizioso
“Motorland is one of the most unusual tracks in the calendar. In the past I had never really scored any good results, but last year we were very competitive and we finished second, so we arrive at the race weekend with this memory and this mentality. Obviously, as we could see at Misano, each race is a world unto itself and everything can change from one year to another, but we will try and be fast to get in amongst the leading positions throughout the weekend.”
Andrea Dovizioso is closest to leader Marquez but almost 100-points separate them heading into Aragon
In the fight for top Independent Team rider, it’s also close, although Quartararo’s Misano masterpiece put him back above Jack Miller (Pramac Racing), and gave him some breathing space ahead of Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) for now. Is another twist coming in Round 14? Crutchlow certainly will want to score big and bounce back from a crash on the Riviera di Rimini and Miller made good progress forward on Sunday in San Marino.
Marc Marquez – Aragon MotoGP 2018 – Round 14
Making life increasingly difficult for the riders who started the season bothering the top five, top eight and top ten is Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), however. A stunning performance from the Spaniard in qualifying at Misano gave KTM their second front row of the season, and the number 44 brought it home in seventh at the flag, battling the likes of Rins and the Ducatis.
Pol Espargaro has impressed more than a few times this season, and home turf at Aragon will see him pushing to do the same. And there’s News on the other side of the KTM garage: after announcing in the summer that Johann Zarco would be parting ways with the Austrian factory for 2020, the switch has come early and it’s test rider Mika Kallio who takes over for the remaining races of this season. How will Kallio fare in a full-time seat? And can KTM profit even more from the Finn’s feedback as they continue their huge development push?
Johann Zarco will not be on the grid at Aragon after KTM demoted him in favour of Mike Kallio
At Aprilia, meanwhile, it’s also home turf for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and he’s been on the podium at the track before – his only rostrum in the premier class.
Aleix Espargaro
“Aragón is a track where I have always done rather well. I like the layout and I expect to do better than in Misano. We know what our limits are. Right now, the best strategy is to always give 100%, trying to get the most out of the technical package we have available to us.”
Aleix Espargaro
Team-mate Andrea Iannone was forced to sit Misano out after hurting his shoulder and could find it tough going at Aragon.
Andrea Iannone
“Since Misano I have been working to recover from the shoulder injury. Unfortunately we don’t have much time. The situation is not perfect but only after the medical checkup will I know if it will be possible to race. My aim is to be there, even if I have to grit my teeth.”
Andrea Iannone
Aprilia factory test rider Bradley Smith will contest this round also.
Bradley Smith
“It’s good to be back on the track for my last wildcard of the season. We have done a lot of work behind the scenes on various tracks. We were in Aragón just a few days ago for a test. This weekend, my goal will be to help the official team ahead of the overseas rounds. It will be interesting to see where we are with respect to our competitors since everything evolves very quickly in MotoGP. This will help me understand where to focus our work for the rest of the season and in preparation for 2020.”
Bradley Smith on the Aprilia MotoGP bike at Jerez earlier this year
Could Aragon be the place where Lorenzo finds his mojo…?
A promising start to the San Marino GP has Jorge Lorenzo confident of more improvements to come in Spain. Suffering from less physical discomfort after the race, Lorenzo and his Repsol Honda Team are eager to return to track to continue closing the distance to the front. With two premier class wins and seven podiums to his name at the Aragon circuit, Lorenzo has enjoyed significant past success. Will this be the turning point….?
Jorge Lorenzo
“Aragon is a circuit I like and have had good results at in the past and in Misano we started the weekend well so I am hopeful we can be strong. Our objective is to keep closing the distance to the front as I improve physically and finish better than we did in Silverstone and in Misano. It will be good to race in front of the home fans before we begin the tour overseas.”
Jorge Lorenzo
Misano is unique and Motor Land the same – in a completely different way. Can Marquez extend his lead in the final race before the flyaways? Or will the likes of Viñales, Quartararo and Rins fight back?
2019 British Superbike Championship Round 10 – TT Circuit Assen
Just three-points separate Be Wiser Ducati teammates Josh Brookes and Scott Redding at the top of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings, as the title-deciding Showdown gets underway at Assen in the Netherlands this weekend
After seven different race winners and a total of 11 podium finishes, later the identities of the six Title Fighters were confirmed last time out at Oulton Park, but it is the 2015 champion Brookes, who has the marginal advantage coming into the first two Showdown races.
Brookes celebrating his Oulton Park Race One win.
Brookes has lined up in eight previous Showdowns and is the only previous title winner amongst this year’s six. A three-time race winner at Assen, the Australian heads into the decisive final three rounds ready for the title fight.
Josh Brookes
“Going into the Showdown leading the standings is ideal; it is only a small few points but it is still nice to have it. The last few tracks that are in the Showdown have been good for me in the past, so I am hoping that happens again. I like Assen, not just because of race results I have had there, but because it is a great track and I am ready to put on a challenge for the championship in these last races.”
Redding arrives at Assen with previous track knowledge too though; the former Grand Prix rider was a podium finisher in the MotoGP class alongside Jack Miller and Marc Marquez in 2016 at the Dutch circuit and is pushing to finish ahead of his teammate this weekend to fire himself back to the top of the standings.
Scott Redding leading Marquez and Crutchlow onto his 2016 Assen MotoGP Podium
Less than a race win adrift of Brookes at the top is Tommy Bridewell who secured the Oxford Racing Ducati team’s first victory at Oulton Park. Bridewell has been a podium finisher at Assen in the past and knows that he can’t afford to give an inch in the final seven races of the season.
Tarran Mackenzie has claimed his place in the Showdown for the first time this season and the McAMS Yamaha rider trails Bridewell by nine points ahead of the two races this weekend. Mackenzie celebrated a podium finish at the circuit last year for the team and is confident of a stronger result this weekend as his wrist injury from Cadwell Park continues to improve.
Tommy Bridewell – Oulton Park
The third first-time Showdown contender is Danny Buchan and he is just a single point adrift of Mackenzie as he leads the Kawasaki charge. 2019 also marks the first appearance for FS3-Racing Kawasaki in the top six and after missing out on the podium at Oulton Park, they will be ready to battle to add to their winning tally at a circuit where Team Green were victorious in both races last season with Leon Haslam.
Peter Hickman completes the six Title Fighters for Smiths Racing BMW, the fourth different manufacturer to feature in the 2019 Showdown, and believes the only way is forward now as he has nothing to lose in the standings.
If you haven’t taken some time out from life to explore the vast expanse of our world, you’re missing out. There’s something extraordinary about packing up some essential belongings, jumping on your bike and cruising off into the sunset.
OK, that’s slightly too romantic a setting, but can you see how relaxing an adventure on the open road can be? Sure, switching off and taking a digital detox can be incredibly relaxing.
But, you can still balance having a relaxing trip with staying in touch with the world. Since we’re all so connected thanks to the smartphone surge, connecting with our loved ones is only seconds away through the likes of Facetime, Skype, WhatsApp and the addictive social media channels.
Hell, there’s also new betting sites you can try while you’re on the move if betting is your thing. With mobile networks and WiFi hotspots stronger than ever, placing bets and watching live streams online is much easier now.
The fact is, apart from the rigmarole of daily life pressures, you can explore the likes of Mary River Valley without feeling stressed about putting life on hold.
How? That’s for us to know, and for you to find…
No, we’re kinder than that!
Work Flexibly
We understand that not everyone can be mobile when they’re working. However, with such a massive shift in employers’ recognising that staff want more flexibility in working hours and work locations, how much is there to stop you from working on the road?
Imagine a world where you can cruise around on your bike, stopping off in a coffee shop to attend a conference call and catch up with the team while supping on your favourite bean-brew of choice. It’s possible, it really is.
How? Well, people are already doing it, so follow them!
Bloggers Are Leading the Way
Freelancing and blogging sit in their isolated niche away from the office and factory-binding jobs that make you feel like you can’t ever break free. Even if you can’t take your work away on your bike, perhaps you can extend your work so you can entice your employer to be more flexible.
What if they let you have some time out over and above authorised leave for a trip on your bike, in exchange for you to blog about your employer?
Or, in exchange for snapping some photos of your travel, the company can do a spotlight on their employees and what they get up to in their spare time?
This is just one example of how breaking the status quo can lead to a life more open and explored.
Stagnancy is the route of all Evil
You know that feeling of doing the same thing day in, day out? It’s awful, isn’t it? If McGregor and Boorman can inspire millions, why can’t you? If you want to make a drastic change, it’s up to nobody but you.
The thing is, you don’t even need to do it alone. If your spouse, ankle-biters or mates fancy a trip with you, memories could be created for life for all involved, not just you. That way, you won’t feel like you’re being selfish for packing your saddles and riding off.
Just because you’re on “holiday,” it doesn’t mean that you step out of one life and into another.
Take your iPads, smartwatches and phones. Crikey, even take your portable games console if you want to.
Plan way in advance and tell people what your intentions are. That way, there’s no surprise factor when it comes close to your trip.
There are very few things that you can’t get while on two wheels. The exception to this, of course, is if you head out into the true wilderness. Even so, with a boost to 4G coverage in the outback, you still might not be as isolated as you once thought.
What Are You Waiting For?
For some, it’s not so simple to pack up and ride away. Life commitments get in the way, and it’s not good to sack off your mates for a better option. But, if your boss says it’s no dramas to take some holiday at short notice, and it’s a feasible option otherwise, what’s stopping you?
We know, it’s you! We wild humans tend to find a reason to NOT do something instead of going wild and just doing it.
Even if you’re looking to grab your first motorbike or need an upgrade, start to look for a new one before you get the opportunity to go away. That way, you remove the barriers before they begin to imprint in your life and stop you from channelling the open road.
Make a plan, and it’ll become more of a reality than a dream.
The 5.5-kilometre Sepang International Circuit serves up a great deal of variety. Be it the awesome turn three, or the downhill turn five, there is plenty of fast bends to excite. But a smattering of heavy-braking hairpins are thrown in, to ensure a compromise is needed in terms of bike set-up.
Aragon’s 5.078km anticlockwise layout is an array of fast-flowing bends, long straights and tight hairpins. The 10 left-handers and seven right-handers mean the rear Michelin soft, medium and hard slick tyres will be asymmetrical in design, featuring a harder left-hand shoulder. The front soft, medium and hard will all be symmetrical.
Sunday is where we see the schedule change. Moto3™, as usual, will head out first for Warm Up at 09:00, but it will be the MotoGP™ riders who then come out second at 09:30 – not Moto2™. The intermediate class will get their Warm Up underway at 10:00 ahead of the Moto3™ race, which begins at 11:20 – not the usual 11:00 slot. MotoGP™ will race at 13:00, with Moto2™ the last race of the day in Aragon at 14:30.
