Why? Well, there’s plenty of reasons. One of them being the number of Grand Prix race winners we have on the grid in 2020. There are 11 winners in total and Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) boasts the most with 11 GP victories in the lightweight class, with Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) his closest challenger with four wins. Aspar Team’s Albert Arenas has three to his name, with three riders chalking up two GP top step trophies: John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing), Tony Arbolino (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Khairul Idham Pawi (Petronas Sprinta Racing). Elsewhere, Andrea Migno (SKY Racing Team VR46), Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing), Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Kaito Toba (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Sergio Garcia (Estrella Galicia 0,0) have one apiece.
However, this year, the table has been removed for the Thursday and in its place will be stools for the riders to sit on, with a more TV-friendly, dynamic and visually attractive Press Conference at the centre of the changes. The hope is that the shackles will come off and riders will be allowed to express their personalities a little bit more.
However, this year, the table has been removed for the Thursday and in its place will be stools for the riders to sit on, with a more TV-friendly, dynamic and visually attractive Press Conference at the centre of the changes. The hope is that the shackles will come off and riders will be allowed to express their personalities a little bit more.
The Cake Kalk INK is a new slightly more affordable option from the Swedish manufacturer.
Begin Press Release:
Introducing Kalk INK: CAKE’s Newest Off-Road Electric Motorcycle
The Kalk lineup now features three unique off-road performance motorcycles for clean and silent free-riding and backcountry exploration
(Stockholm, Sweden – March 4, 2020) – CAKE, the Swedish manufacturer of lightweight electric off-road performance motorcycles, today announced the launch of Kalk INK. This off-road electric motorcycle is an iteration of the game-changing Kalk OR platform and provides riders with a fast, hassle-free and thrilling backcountry experience that does not pollute or disturb the natural environment.
“Inspiring more people to experience the snappy and responsive feeling of flying through the woods without disturbing or polluting is exciting. Until now, exploring the backcountry with respect toward mother nature, wildlife, and fellow outdoor practitioners has been a utopia,” remarks Stefan Ytterborn, founder and CEO of CAKE. “That, together with building a track in one’s own backyard, or simply getting out there on a trail with fellow riders and being able to chat, are a few things emphasizing the opposites of what traditional motorcycling has always been. On our side, being able to mix these aspects of responsibility and excitement is rewarding.”
Kalk INK is based on the technology developed for the performance-oriented Kalk OR, featuring the same powerful drivetrain, battery, and robust 6061 aluminum frame/swingarm. Just like Kalk OR, Kalk INK is also strongly influenced by downhill and enduro mountain bikes, in both its ride feel as well as its handling characteristics. While the Kalk OR is designed as a feather-light, precision-oriented motorbike delivering uncompromised off-road performance, the Kalk INK is purpose-built for silent and uncomplicated free-riding through the backcountry and beyond.
Kalk INK differentiates itself from Kalk OR and Kalk& by utilizing a non-linkage rear suspension for simplicity and lightweight motocross front suspension for robustness, a sturdy 19-inch wheelset for added durability and less maintenance, and fenders and bodywork that are made from black, injection-molded polycarbonate and ABS. Top speed is +50mph / +80kmh with a ride time of up to 3 hours.
As with CAKE’s premier product, the name Kalk is derived directly from Kalksten, the limestone bedrock of the Swedish island of Gotland, where CAKE’s test grounds are located. The addition of INK refers to the motorcycle’s dark black bodywork, fenders, and suspension.
The Kalk INK retails for $9500 USD / €9500 EUR and will be available direct to consumers via www.ridecake.com and select dealer partners worldwide starting June 1, 2020. Starting today, riders can pre-order the bike with a $200 USD / €200 EUR deposit, the currency depending on the customer’s delivery address.
It’s all about the outdoors. Explore with respect.
The Kalk INK Freeride is based on the same technology as the Kalk OR. Same powerful drivetrain. Slightly heavier stable and wheels and a simplified but sturdier suspension. It’s all about a fast, hassle-free and thrilling backcountry exploration, without polluting or disturbing.
Deliveries start June 1st and onwards. Worldwide delivery!
Specifications
Weight: Dry 55kg/121lbs + battery 17kg/37lbs
Speed & Range: Top speed: +80km/h / +50mph
Range: Trail/Enduro: up to 3 hours
Drivetrain: 11kW motor
42 Nm peak torque on shaft / 280Nm on wheel @ 3000 rpm
Front sprocket: 12 teeth with infused rubber for minimal noise
Rear sprocket: 80 teeth
Chain: size 420 O-ring
Battery: 18650 lithium cells, 51.8 Volt, 50 Ah, 2.6 kWh
Easy Removable Battery
Dashboard & Controller configured for 3 riding modes:
1. Explore: The ultimate mode during exploration. Limited speed to 45 km/h and 3-4h+ battery range
2. Excite: Enduro or active trail riding. 1-2 h riding time
3. Excel: Track and race mode, maximal torque and speed, riding time up to 1h
3 Re-gen brake settings: freewheel, 2-stroke & 4-stroke.
Charging: 0-80% takes 1.5 h to charge in a standard outlet, 0-100% takes 2.5 h to charge in a standard outlet
About CAKE
CAKE is a Swedish company with a clear mission to contribute to speeding up the transition towards a zero-emission society, while combining excitement and responsibility, by developing light, quiet, and clean high performance electric off-road motorcycles. Its first model, the Kalk, debuted at Denver’s OR and Munich’s ISPO shows in January 2018, and has received numerous accolades, including being recognized as “Best in Show” by several outdoor industry publications. In 2019, CAKE launched the Kalk&, a street-legal motorcycle as well as Ösa+ and Ösa Lite, a utility platform with an integrated power station and off-road capabilities.
But that’s not all. Lorezno Dalla Porta (Italtrans Racing) has also won the 2016 FIM CEV Junior Moto3™ World Championship, Federal Oil Gresini Moto2’s Nicolo Bulega and Edgar Pons have an impressive three FIM CEV European Moto2™ titles between them, whilst Jesko Raffin has claimed the same crown. Then, three riders have a Rookies Cup title to their name: Jorge Martin, Lorenzo Baldassarri (FlexBox HP40) and Bo Bendsneyder (NTS RW Racing GP). Plus, EG 0,0 Marc VDS’ Sam Lowes is a former World Supersport Champion from back in 2013.
2020 mi-bike Australian Superbike Championship Round One – Phillip Island Wayne Maxwell
Wayne Maxwell had a great start to his 2020 mi-bike Australian Superbike campaign at Phillip Island, breaking the lap record to take pole and then following up with three race wins.
Maxwell was on pole from Cru Halliday and Josh Waters – TBG Image
Maxwell heads to the second round of the series at Wakefield Park on a perfect 76 championship points, with nearest competitor Cru Halliday 16-points behind.
Wayne Maxwell takes his third win of the weekend in Superbike Race Three – TBG Image
MCNews.com.au caught up with Wayne immediately following the conclusion of racing at Round One, to get his thoughts on the season opener, his Ducati V4 R, and the issues being negotiated with Motorcycling Australia regarding the homologation of the MoTeC ECU for the Boost Mobile backed Ducati V4 R.
Wayne Maxwell Interview
Trevor Hedge: Wayne, a perfect haul for the weekend, pole, three wins. From testing pace I thought you might even be a little bit further in front, but it was a hot pace out there across all twelve laps in the three races.
Wayne Maxwell: “Mate they are a classy bunch of riders, it’s a testament to the field you know, if I had made a mistake, Cru would have been there to pick up the pieces, so I just tried to stay in a rhythm, not making mistakes. It’s much easier racing as two, rather than in a pack of two.”
Wayne Maxwell leads Cru Halliday
Trev: There’s been a bit of banter this weekend, with your Race 1 and Race 2 comments, as in you want some parts for the Ducati that aren’t available to you, they might have been initially apprived, only for permission for those parts later to be withdrawn by M.A….?
Maxwell: “Yeah, we went through the process that Motorcycling Australia has, they have three processes, a reflashed ECU, a manufacturer homologated ECU, or an MA approved option. We went through the process, got all the approval documents, made the investment into making that happen and then obviously after the test, that got revoked, because I’m too fast basically, or I’m not sure….”
Wayne Maxwell – Image Rob Mott
“They said it’s for other reasons, that they didn’t meet the paperwork and there was some kind of error on their end. But they had weeks and weeks to do their due diligence and a lot of people in different departments gave me the approval, not only technical. So I’m not sure where that ones going to head. When Honda get their new bike, are they going to have to run the standard ECU?”
Trev: Where is that advantage going to come from if you get the MoTeC system? Engine braking control, is that where you’re looking to improve the bike?
Maxwell: “Yeah, just some control. We can’t tune the fuel, we can’t do anything at the moment, engine brake control, it’s a little bit of that, it’s just a little bit everywhere. It’s a safety factor, when you go to Wakefield to be competitive you have use first gear in the last corner. Have you ever gone down to first gear on a road bike? The bike likes to goes sideways. So you know something needs to be done, if we can’t have what they have approved and then revoked, then we need to come to some middle of the road agreement and go from there.”
Maxwell leads Waters and a busy ASBK Superbike pack – Image by Rob Mott
Trev: You must be confident heading into the rest of the reason?
Maxwell: “I would probably say I’ve won a race at Wakefield Park every year, I’m probably the only one to beat Troy there. Last year I led and we had some issues with the Suzuki in the middle of the race, but we led most of the race and set a pretty hot pace. That was in the early stages, but he’s a hard man to beat around there, I’m under no illusions, if I can go there and finish second to Troy, or just collect some points… I can’t wait to just keep building up my points and my key is to finish every race. That’s what cost me in the past.”
Wayne Maxwell
Trev: What’s the workload for you and the team, between here and Wakefield Park, working on machine set-up? You’ve got the official test there, will you be able to test outside of those official days?
Maxwell: “Unsure, definitely the official test and we’ll see where we sit. It depends what happens if we get more parts, that will change our testing program and approach. At this stage we’ll take this package there, try to speak to the Ducati factory and try and get some parts that Mike and those guys are getting out of the back of the Factory Ducati pits here this weekend at World Superbike and see how we go.”
Wayne Maxwell on pole – Image by Rob Mott
Trev: What is the next step with that battle you’re going to have with M.A., getting access to that MoTeC ECU?
Maxwell: “I don’t really want to make it a big process, and legal and drawn out, people have jobs to do, it’s nothing personal. We just need some clarifications with what we can do. They’ve got three ways they can approve it, so they are saying they need manufacturer proof from Italy now. I’m sure there’s no manufacturer proof from other brands, from the headquarters overseas, so look, we can’t do that, as obviously there’s other issues going on internal with Ducati in Australia and Europe as Ducati restructures here, so it’s difficult at the moment. I don’t know, they can approve it, they need to set some parameters and we’ll put forward another proposal from there. But all this is eating into time, and when you can lose a championship by five-points, that makes it difficult.”
Wayne Maxwell – TBG Image
Trev: Thanks Wayne, thanks for your time.
ASBK next heads to Wakefield Park later this month, the Goulburn circuit playing host to Round Two of the series over the March 27-29 weekend.
2020 mi-bike Australian Superbike Championship Points
2020 mi-bike Australian Superbike Championship Round One – Phillip Island Cru Halliday
Challenging Wayne Maxwell over the weekend at the opening round of the 2020 mi-bike Australian Superbike Championship was Cru Halliday, the YRT man claiming a consistent second step on the podium across all three races at Phillip Island on the new 2020 YZF-R1.
Cru Halliday – Image by Rob Mott
Here’s what Cru Halliday had to say when MCNews.com.au caught up with him immediately following the final ASBK Superbike race at Phillip Island.
Cru Halliday Interview
Trevor Hedge: Cru you’ve been really really strong all weekend, you’ve hardly put a wheel wrong really, it’s been an impressive performance. You must be pretty happy with yourself.
Cru Halliday: “Yea, thanks Trevor, we’ve got these 2020s after the test, I didn’t test too good here actually, but I never really test good here at Phillip Island. We were on the 2019 models when we tested here, and I hadn’t ridden for so long before then, so that had me a little bit worried. But then we tested the 2020s at Wakefield, and you know what, it’s like a new breath of fresh air.
Cru Halliday – Image by Rob Mott
“I gel with it really good, and we came here and straight away were on the money. It’s good because I really did struggle here in previous times, and now it looks like I’ve got my head around that. I tried to chase down Wayne, and he just rode home, he really didn’t put a foot wrong, every time he made a tiny little mistake I almost fell into that same trap, repeating his mistakes. Hats off to the team, the new 2020 R1 M is unbelievable and Kev Marshall has done a fantastic job of preparing them for this round.”
Trev: Take us through the actual improvements, what are a couple of things that really stand out, making your job easier?
Halliday: “Now it’s got an actual direct throttle sensor in the bike, there’s no more cables in the throttle, it’s all done by fly-by-wire. At first I was a bit worried about it, but once you learn to get used to it, I really love it. I was a bit nervous when they told me there would be no more cables, so there wouldn’t be that cable feel and I thought it would be too sensitive, but it’s not. It’s really nimble and nice to keep the throttle on.
Cru Halliday – Image by TBG
“What I did notice was the mid-range in this new bike, it’s strong. I used to really struggle – not exiting a corner – but that next little part after the initial jump and this thing just grabs and goes. It’s fixed everything that was the bike last year’s weakness. They haven’t recreated the bike, just improved exactly what they needed to improve. So I’m stoked about it, and we’re just going to keep improving as the year goes on.”
Trev: From pre-season testing pace, you said you didn’t test that well. Coming into this I thought Wayne might run away from everyone, but it didn’t quite unfold that way. You were not far off at all.
Halliday: “I race a lot better than I test, I think sometimes I take a little too long at testing, and it doesn’t feel like the atmosphere, where on race weekend I’m pumped and ready to kill. I’m definitely a better racer than I am tester. In saying that I’ve been fast on practice days before, and then struggled in races, but I’m sorta glad I put this score together, its a good way to start the year in second place already, only sixteen points Wayne put on us, that’s good for me coming out of Phillip Island.”
Maxwell leads Halliday, Herfoss and Waters – Image by Rob Mott
Trev: Have you ridden the new bike at Wakefield?
Halliday: “Yep we had a test almost immediately after the first official test here, just at a ride day, just to get on it and try and see what it’s like, and see if they were ready for this round. They were. I was basically straight onto race times, I gel with that track too, it’s not far from my house, only 150 km or an hour and a half, and I’ve had really good results there before. I reckon we’re going to get even better results on this bike, this year.”
Trev: The tyre war has hotted up a bit this year. Yamaha switched from Dunlop to Pirelli a couple of years ago, which was a bit of a controversial move, with Yamaha’s in-house tyre being Dunlop throughout Australia…. but Pirelli still had the answers here this weekend, by the looks of it. Do you think that might change at other circuits?
Halliday: “To be honest I think Pirelli are going to be the tyre to be on at most rounds, as we saw last year at Tailem Bend it sort of wasn’t, but after Tailem Bend in 2019 I think Pirelli got their eyes opened a little bit and put together a good tyre for this year. I haven’t personally been there on the new tyre yet this year, but I’ve heard good things about it.
Cru Halliday – Image Rob Mott
“You’ve got Herfoss on the Michelins, and I’ve heard good things about the Michelins from him personally, but you know, you never know, all riders say they go fast, but knowing him he probably did. By the looks of it, Josh was all over me at the first part of that race with the Dunlop, that’s a strange thing, because I thought the Dunlops weren’t as strong here, but Josh has proven that to be a bit of a different story. So it’s gonna be pretty full on. I’m just glad that Wayne is on the same tyre as me, so it’s easier to tell whats going on. It’s gonna be interesting. I can’t really say, but I know what we’ve got and I reckon we can get the job done this year.”
Trev: Do you think Wayne was foxing a little bit at any times, when he was controlling the pace, do you think he had more up his sleeve?
Halliday: “To be honest he said on the podium that he rode 100 per cent, and if Wayne, out of all people, say he was riding at 100 per cent, then he was riding at 100 per cent.”
Maxwell leads Halliday and Waters – Image by Rob Mott
Trev: You had the best seat in the house to view it from…
Halliday: “It’s hard, I’ve heard him say a lot of times before, ‘Its hard to control the race.’ And it is hard. I’m not going to lie, he was quicker than me this weekend, but it was good I could run with him, and apply pressure to him, but I was at my limit and I think he was at his limit. To be making mistakes like that, you have to be pushing. That’s the problem with pushing like that, one small mistake, it can all be over like Race 2 yesterday. I’m stoked though and hopefully I can show the other boys now I’ve got my head screwed on I can be a contender, instead of just a fast guy.”
Cru Halliday chases Wayne Maxwell
ASBK next heads to Wakefield Park later this month, the Goulburn circuit playing host to Round Two of the series over the March 27-29 weekend.
2020 mi-bike Australian Superbike Championship Points
2020 mi-bike Australian Superbike Championship Round One – Phillip Island Josh Waters
Privateer Josh Waters had his work cut out for him heading into 2020, forming his own team following Suzuki’s surprise decision to withdraw from supporting a factory team in 2020.
Josh Waters on the grid at Phillip Island – Image by Rob Mott
The weekend at Phillip Island though worked out even better than Waters could have hoped. Two very strong third places and third overall for the round earning him 51 championship points, a great reward for his new privateer based team.
MCNews.com.au caught up with Josh Waters immediately after race three at Phillip Island on the weekend.
Superbike Race Three Results Maxwell Halliday +0.752 Waters +3.923
Josh Waters interview
Trevor Hedge: We’re just here with Josh Waters after the opening round of the ASBK. Josh the pressure has been on in the off-season, you’ve had to put your own team together, a new privateer outfit after Suzuki pulled out towards the end of last year. I think you felt like you’d been left a bit high and dry there perhaps, so it was all hands on deck to get you back on track. Its been quite a mission to pull all this together, you must be very, very – very – happy how this has come together. You haven’t quite challenged for the win, but not far off…
Josh Waters: “Yeah I’m wrapped, like you said, to put together a squad that you can do the whole year with, isn’t as easy as I maybe thought at the start. So I’ve had some great people around me, and they’ve been able to get me some good backing, and we’re still a very small team. I haven’t ridden as much as I would have liked to, we did the test, I was quite a ways off. So coming into the event, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to fight to be P3 for the majority of the weekend. I wasn’t in Race 2, where I got sixth, but I was still fighting for third. I was a little ways off but that pace was soooo fast, I’m really happy.”
Waters chases Maxwell with the ASBK Superbike pack hot on his heels – Image by Rob Mott
Trev: Are you going to get any time to test at Wakefield Park?
Waters: “I hope to do the test that everyone else is doing.”
Maxwell leads Halliday and Waters – Image by Rob Mott
Trev: You’re transitioning back to Dunlop this year as well, hows that?
Waters: “It has changed how I ride the bike a bit, one guy was just saying to me, ‘jeez it looks like you’re building confidence every time I watch you ride.’ I needed to try and change something, because I was maybe a little bit the same all the time. I didn’t have a wonderful year last year, but I still came to the final round and could have had a chance to win the championship, with the perfect weekend and someone else having some bad luck. Dunlop have been great to me, have got behind me and I’m really appreciative of that.”
Josh Waters is back with Dunlop this season
Trev: As you bought up confidence, rightly or wrongly, I always thought that effects you a lot as a rider more than most. I can see the level of confidence or how happy you are from your face, I can read you from a mile away… You’ve been smiles all weekend and it’s great to see.
Waters: “I read that last night [on MCNews.com.au], what you’d wrote about the races yesterday, ‘Whenever Josh is happy he seems to go alright’, I’ve known you a long time and maybe the old Josh is back. I’m obviously riding a lot better, and happy with the feeling of what I’ve got underneath me.”
Trev: It must be good for your backers, hopefully they’ll get behind you even more and propel things forward, and of course this fills you with some more confidence. Like I said its great to see you smiling, a smiling Josh Waters is a dangerous Josh Waters.
Josh Waters and Cru Halliday chasing Wayne Maxwell – TBG Image
ASBK next heads to Wakefield Park later this month, the Goulburn circuit plays host to Round Two of the series over the March 27-29 weekend.
2020 mi-bike Australian Superbike Championship Points
2020 mi-bike Australian Superbike Championship Round One – Phillip Island Troy Herfoss
Troy Herfoss rode the Penrite Honda to a handful of fifth place wins at last weekend’s Phillip Island season opener on the outgoing model Fireblade SP. ASBK heads to his happy hunting ground of Wakefield Park late this month with Herfoss ranked fifth in the championship points standings.
Jeremy Burgess overseeing the Michelin rubber for Troy Herfoss abd Penrite Honda – Image by Rob Mott
MCNews.com.au caught up with Herfoss immediately after the final race at Phillip Island for a chat about the weekend, his expectations for the new bike and the season ahead.
Troy Herfoss Interview
Trevor Hedge: It probably feel like a mile away for you – but you weren’t that far behind here this weekend, but still a somewhat disappointing start to the season for you? But there is also some promise there as well… With new tyres for this season, it’s been a fair bit of adaption you and the team have had to make ahead of season 2020.
Troy Herfoss: “Compared to previous years Trev, its been my best, the best I’ve ridden around this circuit. That race was like a 12-lap time trial, the fastest I’ve ever been around here on my own, and we just weren’t good enough. Wayne was a class above. Once the slip-stream broke, I lost a few-tenths every lap down the straight, then got swallowed up by Mike. We’ve been having massive issues shifting back gears, we tried to change something then, and I end up having more issues.
Troy Herfoss – Rob Mott Image
“In saying that, when the bike was at its best, I still wasn’t fast enough to win, and that’s pretty disappointing. The disappointing thing is I feel like it’s the best I’m riding ever, and then to only have three to fifth places to show for it… Winning the championship a few years ago I would honestly say I didn’t ride as good as I did today. So you know, that says a lot for the championship I guess. Now we’re moving to Wakefield and Tailem Bend, we’re going to see something a bit different I think.”
Trev: Wayne has been calling for some updates for the Ducati for the first few rounds, I saw you out something on social overnight saying, ‘do you think the Ducati needs more updates’. Whats your position on whats going to unfold in that corner from here on in?
Troy Herfoss Instagram story quoting Maxwell’s quotes published on MCNews.com.au after race two on Saturday
Herfoss: “If what I’m hearing is right, and they did have something approved by M.A. and then taken way, then that’s a little bit of a kick in the guts for them. I don’t know what the truth is around that. Yesterday when I put that up, my opinion was it was a bit laughable, that he’s had his best ever start to the championship and the first thing he thought about when he got off the bike was that he needed updates to his bike. That’s all there was to it. That’s just my opinion. I think you gotta know when you’ve got something good, and I think he should be enjoying his victories.”
Maxwell leads Halliday, Herfoss and Waters – Image by Rob Mott
Trev: Obviously you’ve seen the top speed of the World Superbike Hondas here this weekend, they’ve been smashing the top speed record, 327 km/h down the shoot, and I know you were all smiles when you got to see that first bike that landed in the country. You’ve generally got a pretty big smile, but that was even bigger than normal. You must be keen to get your hands on that new bike, but a bit frustrated it’ll be a few rounds before we can see it.
Herfoss: “I’m just excited really, we’ve waited a long time, it’s not about the waiting now, its just excitement, and I think the most refreshing thing yesterday was that Bautista and Haslam were not only strong on top speed, but were one of the strongest or Bautista was – at the end of the race. It’s an all round good package and not only that, it’s bloody fast. If we can get a bike that handles even close to what we got now, but with some big power, then its not going to be good for the championship…”
Troy Herfoss’s Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP on arrival
Trev: You won’t know what to do with yourself. You’ll have to learn to ride again.
Herfoss: “Yeah the lines will be different, the race tactic now at this track is just balls to the wall, attack at any given moment, and it’ll be nice to hopefully – you never know, you never know what the bike can do – but if it can handle like the bike does now, but with some more horsepower, it’ll be a refreshing change.”
Trev: With Michelin coming to the party, there’s been a lot of work done by yourself and the team, adapting to the new tyres, with Michelin themselves also, are you happy with their commitment so far?
Herfoss: “So happy, on that aspect I think we’ve had a really good weekend.”
Trev: Better than expected, do you think? Lap times wise – but results not quite perhaps.
Herfoss: “Results no, but the fact I was able to ride the bike the way I did the whole race, you know, as always, tyre manufacturers are always so worried about longevity around this track and we had three races with no issues with the tyre, and I believe this tyre we’re using on the rear is a fairly safe option. I’m unsure of whether I had more or less grip than the Pirelli rear, but I can say the front tyre was unbelievably good. I’m really excited to get onto the normal sort of tyre when we get to these others tracks.”
Troy Herfoss – Image by Rob Mott
Trev: Thanks for your time Troy.
ASBK next heads to Wakefield Park later this month, the Goulburn circuit playing host to Round Two of the series over the March 27-29 weekend.
2020 mi-bike Australian Superbike Championship Points
Thai grand prix postponed amid ongoing Coronavirus outbreak
Section: Competition
Thailand authorities put hold on large-scale events.
Image: Supplied.
After the MotoGP class was cancelled for Qatar’s season-opener, the Thai grand prix has now been postponed as the ongoing Coronavirus makes a further impact on the series.
Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta made a staement following the news, where he emphasised the championship will still be going ahead despite last-minute changes in the schedule.
“We have been in close contact with the authorities in Qatar to understand exactly what we could do,” Ezpeleta said. “Then during the weekend, the situation changed a lot. On Saturday and Sunday it wasn’t a specific problem for anyone, but later on on Sunday we received indication from the authorities in Qatar that due to the situation in Italy and around the world, everyone of Italian nationality or residents of Italy arriving from there needs to be sure they haven’t been in Italy during the last 14 days.
“In those cases, it’s not that entrance to Qatar is forbidden, but anyone who has been in Italy in the last 14 days is advised that they will be quarantined for 14 days in Qatar. Obviously that’s not possible for our people, and this was what led us to cancel the MotoGP category at the grand prix of Qatar. Because Moto2 and Moto3 have been testing this week in Qatar, it’s possible to continue with the championship but only with Moto2 and Moto3, as well as the Asia Talent Cup.
“We have been speaking to the authorities in Thailand all weekend and they advised us that early on Monday, Thailand time, there would be a meeting to decide which events can happen in Thailand. It’s not related to Italians or anyone of any other nationality going to Thailand, it’s that they have decided to cancel big events with large numbers of spectators. It’s different to the situation with Qatar, so we decided to postpone the Thailand Grand Prix and try to locate a date at the end of the year to make the GP possible.
“There will absolutely be a 2020 MotoGP season. We will try to continue with everything and stay aware of the situation because it’s changing day by day, but our wish is to do all the races in the 2020 season.”
Bringing you the Best Motorcycle News from Around the Web!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
