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2020 Honda Superbike World Championship Team Launch

February 22, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Honda WorldSBK colours unveiled in Japan

The official launch of Honda’s factory backed effort in the 2020 World Superbike Championship took place on Friday in Tokyo.

Honda WorldSBK Team unveiled

Factory riders Alvaro Bautista and Leon Haslam unveiled the livery of the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP that will make its track debut next week, at the opening Superbike World Championship round at Phillip Island.

Honda WorldSBK Team unveiled

Taking to the stage to open the presentation were Managing Officer, Chief Officer, Motorcycle Operations of Honda Motor Co. Noriaki Abe, and President and Representative Director, Honda Racing Corporation Yoshishige Nomura.

They spoke about the Honda project with regard to the championship, the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and the riders with whom Honda returns to the production-derived series with a full HRC factory team after an eighteen-year absence.

Leon Haslam and Alvaro Bautista

Noriaki Abe

Managing Officer, Chief Officer, Motorcycle Operations of Honda Motor Co.

“Racing is an important ingredient of developing Honda products, so it’s not a coincidence that the decision to join again the WorldSBK Championship with a factory team coincides with the launch of the new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. From the beginning this project was designed and developed together with the HRC riders and technicians, and the exchange of information led to the realization of a Super Sport motorcycle “ready to race”. We used many parameters from the MotoGP machine, bore and strokes are the same and by using RC213V technologies and relentless optimization of the engine’s fundamentals, combustion efficiency and friction reduction was achieved. I like to mention also the aerodynamic package – that including the winglets, benefits from lessons learned directly from the MotoGP machine. Although we know it will be a tough challenge, ultimately our factory HRC Team and satellite MIE Racing Althea Honda Team aim to achieve the best possible results. I am confident that our teams in just a few races can fight for the podium”.

Honda WorldSBK Team unveiled

It was then the turn of Bautista and Haslam, preceded by Team Manager Jaume Colom, and there was no hiding the riders’ enthusiasm at being part of such a united, determined group and a very exciting project, the pair well aware of the challenge that awaits Team HRC but more than ready to tackle it.

Alvaro Bautista

“I’m very pleased to be part of what is such an important project for Honda and HRC. I see all the work that is going into it and feel very positive energy from everyone at the company and on the team. It’s a very important year for me too. We know that we face a big challenge and that we have a lot of work to do; we’re a new group that is growing together to reach the top as soon as possible. Our goal is to be strong and fast with the Honda, a very competitive bike that can undoubtedly achieve great results. I hope to have fun and entertain all our fans this season.”

Alvaro Bautista

Leon Haslam

“It all feels so real now we’re here in Tokyo. We’re at the Honda HQ and the first races are just around the corner; it’s a dream come true. I am extremely excited and also a little nervous, because I really want to do well, and know we have the potential to do that. We’re ready to work hard and do our very best to achieve strong results. As for the first race, we’re at one of my favourite tracks, Phillip Island, where I’ve been successful in the past. We’ll have to see with regards to the competition of course, but I admit I’m really looking forward to the opening round.”

Leon Haslam

During the same event, the satellite MIE Racing Althea Honda Team was also presented, with factory HRC rider Takumi Takahashi joining Team Principal Midori Moriwaki on stage.

Midori Moriwaki

“The 2020 racing season is going to be a very special one and I’m very proud to see the MIE Racing name on the world stage, supported by Honda and HRC. I am very grateful for this precious backing. Thanks to the strong relationship with Honda and Althea Racing, we started our WorldSBK work last year and now, with the new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, such a special bike, we renew our commitment, on track with HRC rider Takumi Takahashi. I’m also delighted to announce here, in the special setting of Honda Welcome Plaza Aoyama, that we have signed Jordi Torres, who completes our 2020 line-up. Jordi will join the MIE racing Althea Honda Team as of the third round (Jerez). We know we are in for a demanding season, as everything is new and we are up against some very strong rivals, but we also have the experience and knowledge gained during the 2019 season, which will be of real value.”

Takumi Takahashi

“I’m very happy to be racing in the WorldSBK championship this year. To race at world level was always my dream since day one. It’s now become true and I wish to thank HRC, Honda and MIE Racing for this great opportunity. It’s the first time I will work with an international squad, but communication has been good and I immediately realised that we share the same goals. We know it will be hard work and a challenging season, but I’m really motivated to see where we can end up. I’ll do my best to reach the best possible level”.

Jordi Torres

“I’m thrilled to have the chance to race in the WorldSBK championship with Honda and the MIE Racing Althea Honda Team. I’m prepared to work closely with the team, bringing my own experience but also learning from them. I’m sure that by combining our efforts, we will be able to continuously improve our performance and our results over the season. I am looking forward to riding the new Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and will do my best for the team, Honda and all our fans”.

On concluding the presentation, the team now flies to Australia, set to participate in a final two-day test session early next week before then taking to the track for the opening round of WorldSBK 2020.

Source: MCNews.com.au

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Qatar MotoGP test set to light up Losail

February 21, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Qatar MotoGP Test 2020

After the Sepang Test and Fabio Quartararo’s (Petronas Yamaha SRT) full house of fastest laps across the three days, it’s time to get suited and booted for another three-day Official Test – the second and final, at Losail International Circuit in Qatar. Will Quartararo strike again? How will adaptation to the tyres for 2020 affect the likes of Ducati? Are we likely to see some more extreme aero innovations as have often broken cover in the desert before? We’re about to find out.

Will Quartararo top the time-sheets once again…?

Yamaha certainly lead the battle on the time-sheets as it stands, thanks to Quartararo. But team-mate Franco Morbidelli had some solid speed too, and Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was up there as Sepang came to a close. His team-mate Maverick Viñales, the man who won the race in Malaysia last year, was not in terms of the timesheets – but he was also pretty positive and didn’t go for that all-out time-attack lap. Better top speed was something he pointed out, something high on the Iwata marque’s agenda.

Maverick Vinales concentrated on long-run race set-up in Malaysia and demonstrated race winning pace

Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) flew the flag for Honda at Sepang, ending the test less than a tenth off Quartararo. The Briton also took on a huge workload for Honda in regards to testing new components.

Cal Crutchlow

“We’re looking forward to this test in Qatar. I think it’s going to be a busy three days with a different schedule to normal with the on-track activities, but it doesn’t really change our plans so much for what we want to feel with the bike and how we want to work. We want to continue to work hard with the LCR Castrol Honda team and HRC over these next three days and get the information to try and improve the bike from the Malaysia test where I felt quite good, but we needed to improve in some areas. Hopefully, I think we can do that here and get ready for the race here in two weeks’ time.”

Cal Crutchlow

With reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) – now signed up with Honda for another four years – coming back from shoulder surgery and his new team-mate a rookie in the form of Alex Marquez, Crutchlow had a long list of items to test. And both Repsol Honda Team Manager Alberto Puig and Marc Marquez raised a few questions about how prepared they were – as rumours swirled about how ready the reigning Champion himself was – so Qatar could be interesting.

How will Marquez’ shoulder fare in Qatar…?

Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) is keen to test his physical condition further as he comes back from injury.

Takaaki Nakagami

“So, it’s the second test of the season after the first one in Sepang. Doing the Sepang test was a tough three days for me, the right shoulder was not in perfect condition. But after that we had nearly ten days and it was a good recovery for me, I was back in Japan and every day I was doing rehabilitation to try and improve the shoulder. It was good and it feels much better than last week. We’ll try to improve day by day, but it will be tough as the track condition is normally dirty and you struggle to find grip as it hasn’t been used for a long time. But I feel quite calm and we won’t try to rush things, we’ll just look to keep improving the bike and the shoulder too.”

Takaaki Nakagami

Suzuki, meanwhile, seemed positively brimming for much of the Sepang Test. And for good reason, as both Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and team-mate Joan Mir showed serious speed on longer runs and single laps. That caught the attention of many up and down pitlane too – so will we see that transfer into more speed in the desert?

Joan Mir

At Ducati, the feedback was more cautious – as is often the case – but Ducati Corse boss Luigi Dall’Igna was fairly satisfied with the improvements they made. The new tyres were something Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and teammate Danilo Petrucci were focused on for a lot of the time – also running in tandem to gain more data. Dall’Igna also said there was more to come from the Borgo Panigale factory in Qatar, which is certainly something we’ve come to expect in recent years.

Luigi Dall’Igna hinted that there might be some more surprises revealed on the 2020 MotoGP Ducati Desmosedici when the covers come off in Losail…

Jack Miller (Pramac Racing), meanwhile, was less guarded. The Australian was fastest Ducati much of the time in Malaysia and Dovizioso said both he and Miller ended the test without doing a single lap time attack on the softer tyre. So that could be something to watch out for, as is the progress of Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) heading into his second year, and Johann Zarco (Reale Avintia Racing) as he adapts to life on a Ducati, in his case a GP19.

Jack Miller was consistently impressive at Sepang

KTM continued their mammoth conveyor belt of new things to try. A new chassis is one key change, and the Austrian factory also brought some interesting aero to Sepang – “serrated” edges on the back of the front fairing. Will there be more to see? After test rider Dani Pedrosa’s impressive performance on Day 2 at Sepang, Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) then bettered that laptime before the end of the test and there were a good few smiles in the pitbox. Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) progress will be something to look out for too as he adjusts to the premier class, likewise Iker Lecuona (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) as he begins his first full season in MotoGP. And Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), so often impressive in 2019, is another coming back from injury – what does he have in the locker?

2020 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC16 Specifications

Arguably one of the biggest headline stealers at Sepang, however, were Aprilia. Straight out the box with their new V4 RS-GP, the Noale factory impressed. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was so positive about it he got emotional.

Aleix Espargaro is in love with the new RS-GP

Although it wasn’t a perfect start free of teething problems, it was a big news within and without the garage – as was Espargaro’s long run pace at Sepang. What will we see from him and test rider Bradley Smith in Qatar? Will the positivity that begun at the shakedown test keep that incredible momentum?

Is this the closest Iannone is going to get to riding the Aprilia RS-GP in 2020…? That depends on the outcome of his appeal against his ban for the presence of illegal substances
Source: MCNews.com.au

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Aprilia officially launch the new RS-GP for 2020 MotoGP challenge

February 21, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

An entirely redesigned RS-GP optimised in every aspect, beginning with the refined aerodynamics, which combine with a new 90-degree V4 engine.

2020 Aprilia RS-GP

The package is completed by the exclusive seamless gearbox, developed in-house, and a double rail frame in aluminium, the same material used for the swingarm.

The electronics department also received great attention, supported by an in-house Aprilia Racing in-house organisation that was strengthened throughout last season.

2020 Aprilia RS-GP

Massimo Rivola – Aprilia Racing CEO

“This has been the longest winter of recent years for Aprilia Racing. The guys and girls in the racing department put forth a truly incredible effort. Arriving in Sepang with two prototypes was already a small victory for us. In the first test, the new RS-GP showed good signs, so we need to pick up from there to build our new season. I said it before, and I’ll confirm it again: we cannot expect a clear path. We will most likely have a complicated early part of the season with an bike that is very much still wet behind the ears, but I am certain that from mid-season, we will be able to see the true value of the hard work done in Noale. Hopefully Andrea we’ll have Andrea with us soon and be able to complete, along with Aleix and Bradley, our trio of riders.”

2020 Aprilia RS-GP

The structure of the team, with the exception of a few new additions, remains substantially unchanged. Working alongside Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola will be Technical Director Romano Albesiano and Team Manager Fausto Gresini.

2020 Aprilia RS-GP

The two sides of the garage will be managed by Antonio Jimenez and Pietro Caprara, seasoned crew chiefs in the MotoGP paddock.

Is this the closest Iannone is going to get to riding the Aprilia RS-GP in 2020…? That depends on the outcome of his appeal against his ban for the presence of illegal substances

Romano Albesiano – Aprilia Racing Technical Director

“For Aprilia Racing, the 2020 RS-GP represents and unique technical challenge. The new bike was created by taking the cardinal concepts of the racing department and reworking them in light of the experience accumulated in recent seasons. It is an innovative prototype in many aspects, beginning with the clearly visible ones, and this confirms the attitude of Aprilia Racing, which boasts technological innovation as its primary value. As with any redesign, it will take a period of refinement. We have had an extremely heavy workload over the last few months, but I am absolutely satisfied with the result achieved. This is a satisfaction that I am pleased to share with the Noale work group.”

2020 Aprilia RS-GP

Fausto Gresini – Aprilia Team Manager

“Hearing that the riders liked the new bike straight away in the Malaysian tests was the first bit of good news for our 2020 season. Aprilia Racing’s efforts were incredible and are a demonstration of desire and dedication for this championship. The beginning will not be simple. The bike is very young and obviously needs to be developed. But, I believe that the strength of a team can be seen precisely in times like these, when we need to close ranks and all set our sights on the same objective. After the enthusiasm over a good début, we’ll wait to see the response of other tracks, beginning precisely with Qatar. We all need to stay focused on a single ambition: taking this project as high as possible.”

2020 Aprilia RS-GP 2020 Aprilia RS-GP 2020 Aprilia RS-GP 2020 Aprilia RS-GP
Source: MCNews.com.au

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Montesa 125 Sprint | 55 kg | 18 hp | 150 km/h

February 21, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

With Phil Aynsley

Sometimes a bike’s looks strike you so strongly that any interesting history is just a happy addition. This Montesa 125 Sprint is a case in point.

Montesa 125 Sprint Montesa 125 Sprint without fairing

The 1954 125 Sprint was Montesa’s first catalogue race bike and was based on the company’s road model, first introduced in 1945.

The Montesa 125 Sprint offered a catalogue racer Montesa 125 Sprint

Factory racers were also campaigned successfully, notably finishing second, third and fourth in the Ultra Lightweight TT at the IOM in 1956.

Factory racer versions of the Montesa 125 Sprint also saw IoM success Montesa 125 Sprint

The motor featured a six-speed bolt-on gearbox with needle-roller bearings throughout. It also had “plugs” mounted on the crankcase mouth that protruded up inside the interior of the piston to assist in transferring the intake charge to the combustion chamber.

The Montesa 125 Sprint produced 18 hp Overall weight was just 55 kg

The petrol fuel mixture could be added to (for those demanding sections of track) by oil held in the frame that was bleed into the carburettor bell-mouth. The 55 kg bike made 18 hp and had a top speed of 150+km/h.

A top speed of 150km/h was also possible on the Montesa 125 Sprint Montesa 125 Sprint

The dolphin fairing was introduced in late 1954, replacing the handlebar unit fitted prior – it was one of the first full fairings to be offered on a race bike.

The Montesa 125 Sprint ‘dolphin fairing’ Montesa 125 Sprint

This bike was bought directly from the factory, then the second owner, Swedish racer Leigh Smeadh passed it on to the current owner a few years ago.

Montesa 125 Sprint Montesa 125 Sprint Montesa 125 Sprint
Source: MCNews.com.au

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Bezzecchi fastest on Day 2 of Official Jerez Test

February 20, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

2020 MotoGP

Official Jerez Test – Day 2

The second day of the Official Moto2 and Moto3 test at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto saw Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) storm to the top in the intermediate class, with Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) claiming P1 in the lightweight class – as both had done last week at the private test at the venue. The conditions allowed plenty of running once again, with the day warmer still and the field making the most of the southern Spanish weather.

Moto2

In Moto2, Bezzecchi set the timing screens alight in the second session of Day 2 to set a new lap record. The Italian’s 1:40.448 was enough to beat an incredible performance from rookie Aron Canet (Aspar Team) by 0.262 on Thursday, with the injured Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) claiming an equally impressive P3.

Aron Canet

Both Bezzecchi and Canet beat Remy Gardner’s (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) new lap record time set on Day 1, the Australian finishing P13 on the second day of action. Fourth on Thursday was the experienced Tom Lüthi (Liqui Moly Intact GP) as both the Swiss rider and Spaniard Jorge Navarro (Speed Up Racing) dipped below the 1:41 barrier.

Jorge Navarro

Aron Canet

“This second day has gone very well: I am happy because I have improved my time and my pace, but what I liked most is that I begin to understand the category, the laps, the tyres… We still have a lot to do, tomorrow I will try to complete a race simulation to see how I feel physically.”

Aron Canet

Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) ended the day sixth fastest to finish 0.666 off Bezzecchi’s benchmark, but it wasn’t the day his teammate Jake Dixon would have been looking for. The British rider suffered a crash at Turn 2 in the second session which damaged his right-hand ring finger, the Moto2 sophomore will now miss Day 3 as he flies back to the UK for further medical checks.

Xavi Vierge

Seventh fastest went the way of Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo), with Italians Lorenzo Baldassarri (FlexBox HP 40) and Luca Marini (SKY Racing Team VR46) next up, also finishing seventh tenths off top spot. Completing the top 10 was American Racing’s Joe Roberts, the American setting his best lap in the final session of the day.

One thing spotted in the EG 0,0 Marc VDS box was two extra bikes under Kalex covers for Augusto Fernandez. One of the two is expected to be testing Kalex’s 2020 chassis, something that Edgar Pons (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) tried on Day 1 and impressed with.

Moto2 Combined Times – Jerez Test Day 2

Source: MCNews.com.au

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Marc Marquez signs with HRC through to the end of 2024

February 20, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Marquez with Honda for next five season

Honda Racing Corporation have announced that six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez has signed a four-year extension of his contract and will continue to race with the factory team until at least December 2024.

Yoshishige Nomura – HRC President

“We are happy to announce that, after the end of the current season, Marc will stay in the Honda family for four more years. We started talking a few months ago, as both parties wanted to stay together and continue winning. Marc started his career in the premier class in 2013 and with him we have won six of the last seven MotoGP titles. As a unique champion, he deserves a unique deal. I am very confident in this partnership and I wish everyone involved continued success.”

Marc Marquez

So far, Marc Marquez has claimed 56 victories, 95 podiums and 62 pole positions with his RC213V in the premier class. These results have established him as the most dominant Honda rider in the premier class.

Marc Marquez

“I am very proud to announce my renewal with Honda Racing Corporation for the next four years. Honda gave me the opportunity to arrive in the MotoGP class with a factory bike in 2013. Since the first year we have achieved success together and I am very happy to continue being part of the Honda family. HRC gives me the confidence to extend this partnership to obtain our common goal and continue our story of success.”

Marc Marquez
Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News, WSBK

Slicks for all classes for the first time in WorldSBK

February 20, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

No tread for

The Motul FIM Superbike World Championship, which has reached its thirty-third edition, the seventeenth consecutive with Pirelli as the Official Sole Supplier of tyres for all classes, again commences at Phillip Island, Australia. The season opens with the official tests of February 24th and 25th and subsequently with the race weekend scheduled from February 28th to March 1stthat involves the WorldSBK and WorldSSP classes.

For the first year ever, the WorldSSP and WorldSSP300 classes will also use slick tyres, with the WorldSSP class starting from Phillip Island while the WorldSSP300 class opens at the Jerez event.

The Phillip Island circuit has always been one of the most demanding circuits on the WorldSBK calendar because tyres are exposed to strong and constant thermo-mechanical work, especially on the left side.

In Phillip Island, we note a localised overheating on the tyre surface which at the same time also occurs on during maximum lean angle. This generates different forces with very strong torsional stresses. The peculiarity of the Australian track is that it generates both a mechanical and a thermal stress to which the tyres are constantly subjected.

The famous Southern Loop is the longest parabolic of the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship, which requires ‘full throttle’, with a fixed lean angle for an extended period. Under these conditions, the tyre is forced to work for some time with mechanical stresses located on a small tread surface and, in that area of continuous use, there is a rapid increase in temperature.

Also this year Pirelli has developed various solutions designed to counter the multiple pitfalls of the Australian circuit and which will be tested by both the WorldSBK and WorldSSP class during the two test days preceding the race.

Test solutions for the WorldSBK and WorldSSP classes

In the WorldSBK class, in addition to the intermediate and wet tyres that are always present in case of adverse weather, the riders will have four slick solutions, two front and two rear. The front options are the standard SC1 in soft compound and the standard SC2 in medium compound in the sizes 125/70, the only front size available this season.

As for the rear options, the riders will have two compounds available only in size 200/65: the development SC1 W1049, developed specifically for the Australian track and reference solution in previous years, and the development SC1 Y1093, which thanks to a reinforced structure allows better thrust during acceleration, allowing greater stability.

WorldSSP

In the WorldSSP class, the riders will test for the first time on Pirelli slick tyres and will have two front and one rear solutions available. For the front, there will be the standard SC1 and SC2 in sizes 120/70. At the rear the riders will try the development SC1 Y1006 in the increased size 190/60, the only rear size for the 600 class.

It is an evolution in the slick version of the development SC1 U1149: a treaded solution and reference in the past editions with a compound able to guarantee greater stability during high temperatures. Lastly, there will be the development SC1 Y1035,with a new profile and structure to improve the contact patch and stability under acceleration, as well as performance consistency.

Since Pirelli has never used the new slick tyres developed for the 600 class on this circuit, the Italian company will evaluate the best strategy to be put in place for the race, based on the results and data obtained during the tests.

Pirelli Test solutions for Phillip Island

Pirelli Test solutions for Phillip Island WorldSBK Pirelli Test solutions for Phillip Island WorldSSP

WorldSBK Yamaha Finance Australian Round, Phillip Island

Thursday 27th February 2020
*Thursday session not open to public*
Time	Class	Program
13:10	Oceania Junior Cup	FP1
13:30	Australian Supersport	FP1
14:05	Australian Superbike	FP1
14:40	Australian Supersport 300	FP1
15:15	Oceania Junior Cup	FP2

Friday 28th February 2020
Time	Event	Program
8:25	Oceania Junior Cup	Qualifying
8:45	ASBK Supersport	FP2
9:05	Australian Superbike	FP2
9:30	ASBK SS300	FP2
9:50	FIM Medical Inspection
10:00	FIM Track Inspection
10:30	WorldSBK	FP1
11:30	WorldSSP	FP1
12:25	Pit Walk 1
13:00	Australian Superbike	Q1
13:25	Australian Superbike	Q2
13:50	Oceania Junior Cup	R1 \| 6 Laps
14:15	ASBK Supersport	Qualifying
15:00	WorldSBK	FP2
16:00	WorldSSP	FP2
16:55	ASBK SS300	Qualifying
17:15	Parade Laps
Saturday 29th February 2020
Time	Class	Program
8:25	ASBK Oceania Junior Cup	R2 \| 6 Laps
8:50	ASBK Supersport	R1 \|10 Laps
9:30	FIM Medical Inspection
9:40	FIM Track Inspection
10:00	WorldSBK	FP3
10:35	WorldSSP	FP3
11:05	Australian Superbike	R1 \| 12 Laps
11:40	ASBK SS300	R1 \| 8 Laps
12:15	WorldSBK	Superpole
12:55	WorldSSP	Superpole
13:40	Pit Walk 2 & Safety Car Laps
15:00	WorldSBK	R1 \| 22 Laps
16:15	Australian Superbike	R2 \| 12 Laps
16:50	ASBK SS300	R2 \| 8 Laps
17:15	ASBK Supersport	R2 \| 10 Laps
17:50	Hyundai N Experience (Test Drive)
Sunday 1st March 2020
Time	Class	Program
8:20	Oceania Junior Cup	R3 \| 6 Laps
8:50	FIM Medical Inspection
9:00	FIM Track Inspection
09:30	WorldSBK	Warm Up
09:55	WorldSSP	Warm Up
10:30	Australian Superbike	R3 \| 12 Laps
11:05	Pit Walk 3 & Safety Car Laps
12:00	WorldSBK	SP Race \| 10 Laps
13:15	WorldSSP	RACE \|18 Laps
15:00	WorldSBK	R2 \| 22 Laps
16:15	ASBK SS300	R3 \| 8 Laps
16:45	ASBK Supersport	R3 \|10 Laps
17:20	Hyundai N Experience (Test Drive)

Source: MCNews.com.au

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Remy Gardner tops Moto2 Jerez Test opening day

February 19, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

2020 MotoGP

Official Jerez Test – Day 1

2020 is up and running in Moto2 and Moto3 with Remy Gardner (Onexox TKKR SAG Team) ending Day 1 at the Official Jerez Test as the man to beat in the intermediate class, with Sergio Garcia (Estrella Galicia 0,0) taking the honour in the lightweight class.

Sergio Garcia topped the Moto3 timesheets

There were good conditions for the riders at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto as the first of three days testing began on Wednesday, with each class able to maximise their track time.

Moto2

Gardner set a scorching 1:40.848 in the final session of the day in Moto2 to top the timesheets, with an impressive Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team) slotting into second 0.269 down. Perennial title challenger Tom Lüthi (Liqui Moly Intact GP) was the only other rider to get within half a second of Gardner, taking P3.

Tom Lüthi

Behind the quickest trio came reigning FIM CEV Moto2 European Champion Edgar Pons (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) to make it a Kalex top four lockout, the Spaniard sitting 0.587 off Gardner. After an impressive private test, rookie Aron Canet (Aspar Team) began the Official Test in fine form too as the Spaniard finished P5 with a 1:41.439 – the top Speed Up and rookie.

Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Tetsuta Nagashima, who gets on the team’s new Kalex chassis with previous experience, was fifth, ahead of an impressive first run out for MV Agusta Forward Racing’s Simone Corsi, with the Italian veteran less than half a tenth off Nagashima, in P7.

The second-fastest Speed Up on Day 1 was 2019 Jerez podium finisher Jorge Navarro (Speed Up Racing) in P8, with Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) splitting Navarro from his teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio, who was tenth.

Aron Canet

Navarro is also the man whose pole lap from 2019 is the lap record time Gardner beat on Day 1, so there’s likely plenty to come from the field yet. But it was nevertheless a competitive start to the season for the intermediate class, with under two seconds splitting the top 25 riders.

Moto2 Combined Times – Jerez Test Day 1

Pos.	Rider	Nat.	Team	Gap
1	Remy GARDNER	AUS	Onexox TKKR SAG Team	01:40.8
2	Enea BASTIANINI	ITA	Italtrans Racing Team	0.269
3	Thomas LUTHI	SWI	Liqui Moly Intact GP	0.498
4	Edgar PONS	SPA	Federal Oil Gresini Moto2	0.587
5	Aron CANET	SPA	Aspar Team	0.591
6	Tetsuta NAGASHIMA	JPN	Red Bull KTM Ajo	0.597
7	Simone CORSI	ITA	MV Agusta Forward Racing	0.628
8	Jorge NAVARRO	SPA	Speed Up Racing	0.737
9	Xavi VIERGE	SPA	Petronas Sprinta Racing	0.833
10	Fabio DI GIANNANTONIO	ITA	Speed Up Racing	0.885
11	Augusto FERNANDEZ	SPA	EG 0.0 Marc VDS	0.915
12	Luca MARINI	ITA	SKY Racing Team VR46	1.031
13	Marcel SCHROTTER	GER	Liqui Moly Intact GP	1.032
14	Marco BEZZECCHI	ITA	SKY Racing Team VR46	1.062
15	Hector GARZO	SPA	Flexbox HP 40	1.215
16	Nicolo BULEGA	ITA	Federal Oil Gresini Moto2	1.27
17	Jake DIXON	GBR	Petronas Sprinta Racing	1.283
18	Somkiat CHANTRA	THA	Idemitsu Honda Team Asia	1.309
19	Bo BENDSNEYDER	NED	NTS RW Racing GP	1.363
20	Jorge MARTIN	SPA	Red Bull KTM Ajo	1.388
21	Jesko RAFFIN	SWI	NTS RW Racing GP	1.434
22	Lorenzo BALDASARRI	ITA	Flexbox HP 40	1.5
23	Joe ROBERTS	USA	American Racing	1.554
24	Hafizh SYAHRIN	MAL	Aspar Team	1.611
25	Stefano MANZI	ITA	MV Agusta Forward Racing	1.899
26	Lorenzo DALLA PORTA	ITA	Italtrans Racing Team	2.196
27	Marcos RAMIREZ	SPA	American Racing	2.473
28	Andi FARID IZDIHAR	INA	Idemitsu Honda Team Asia	2.678

Moto3

In Moto3, it was Sergio Garcia who picked up where he left off in 2019. The Valencia GP winner topped the timesheets on Wednesday, although it wasn’t by much – with Petronas Sprinta Racing’s John McPhee just 0.060 in arrears. Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia) impressed to complete the top three, another tenth and a half back.

Albert Arenas was top KTM

2019 Jerez winner Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse) was fourth fastest overall, although he was just 0.011 ahead of Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3), the man who broke the lap record in private testing last week. Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) took P6, ahead of Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) in seventh as the Spaniard seems to have quickly settled into life on the Honda.

The top KTM rider on Day 1 was Albert Arenas (Aspar Team) just behind Masia, with Filip Salač (Rivacold Snipers Team) in P9 after a noteworthy day on the timesheets for the Czech rider.

Romano Fenati

Noteworthy was also apt for the man in tenth: Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team). The veteran Italian was fastest Husqvarna on Wednesday as the marque return to Moto3 competition, making it all three manufacturers in the top ten as 2020 begins.

Moto3 Combined Times – Jerez Test Day 1

Pos.	Rider	Nat.	Team	Gap
1	Sergio GARCIA	SPA	Estrella Galicia 0.0	01:45.5
2	John McPHEE	GBR	Petronas Sprinta Racing	0.06
3	Ai OGURA	JPN	Honda Team Asia	0.231
4	Niccolo ANTONELLI	ITA	SIC58 Squadra Corse	0.287
5	Gabriel RODRIGO	ARG	Kömmerling Gresini Moto3	0.298
6	Tatsuki SUZUKI	JPN	SIC58 Squadra Corse	0.406
7	Jaume MASIA	SPA	Leopard Racing	0.641
8	Albert ARENAS	SPA	Aspar Team	0.677
9	Filip SALAC	CZE	Rivacold Snipers Team	0.758
10	Romano FENATI	ITA	Sterilgarda Max Racing Team	0.771
11	Dennis FOGGIA	ITA	Leopard Racing	0.841
12	Raul FERNANDEZ	SPA	Red Bull KTM Ajo	0.885
13	Tony ARBOLINO	ITA	Rivacold Snipers Team	0.928
14	Alonso LOPEZ	SPA	Sterilgarda Max Racing Team	0.939
15	Stefano NEPA	ITA	Aspar Team	0.972
16	Deniz ONCU	TUR	Red Bull KTM Tech3	1.075
17	Andrea MIGNO	ITA	SKY Racing Team VR46	1.175
18	Yuki KUNII	JPN	Honda Team Asia	1.181
19	Jeremy ALCOBA	SPA	Kömmerling Gresini Moto3	1.199
20	Ayumu SASAKI	JPN	Red Bull KTM Tech3	1.338
21	Celestino VIETTI	ITA	SKY Racing Team VR46	1.352
22	Darryn BINDER	RSA	CIP Green Power	1.392
23	Kaito TOBA	JPN	Red Bull KTM Ajo	1.449
24	Davide PIZZOLI	ITA	BOE Skull Rider Facile.Energy	1.507
25	Ryusei YAMANAKA	JPN	Estrella Galicia 0.0	1.998
26	Carlos TATAY	SPA	Reale Avintia Racing	2.012
27	Riccardo ROSSI	ITA	BOE Skull Rider Facile.Energy	2.122
28	Jason DUPASQUIER	SWI	CarXpert Pruestel GP	2.178
29	Khairul Idham PAWI	MAL	Petronas Sprinta Racing	2.195
30	Maximilian KOFLER	AUS	CIP Green Power	2.844
31	Dirk GEIGER	GER	CarXpert Pruestel GP	3.793

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

Hayes to race ASBK opener on Addicted to Track Team YZF-R1

February 19, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Josh Hayes joins ASBK season opener at Phillip Island

One of America’s all-time Superbike greats – Josh Hayes – will take on the best Australian Superbike talent in next week’s first round of the mi-bike Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul, at Phillip Island.

Josh Hayes recently raced at the Island Classic – Image by Russell Colvin

The four-time American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Superbike Champion, fell in love with Phillip Island and Australia after competing in the 2019 and 2020 International Island Classic held at the Island last month and the Island obsession will see Hayes race a Yamaha YZF-R1 under the Queensland-based “Addicted to Track Team” banner.

Josh Hayes

“I have to say that I’m overwhelmed by the outreach of support to bring to fruition the idea of participating in a round of the Australian Superbike Championship. After simply chatting about how much fun it would be with Mark Bracks, he assembled all the necessary people to make it actually happen! From the Addicted to Track team, Phillip Island Circuit, and Motorcycling Australia support, arose the final touches of help from Öhlins, Dunlop Tires, and Mojo Yamaha’s Dave Crussell. With all of this backing, I have to admit to feeling a touch of pressure to perform well against the ASBK regulars. But I truly enjoy the circuit, and absolutely love competition, so I’m looking forward to trying to get into the fight with a few of my racing friends.”

Josh Hayes – Image by Russell Colvin

Stephanie Redman – ATTR Team Manager

“When we received the opportunity to host Josh in the first round of ASBK at Phillip Island we were excited. Josh brings a huge amount of knowledge and experience to the team about both racing and the Yamaha R1s. Anthony from A&C Motorcycle Dyno has worked hard to get the bikes ready and with the support of YRD and Yamaha Australia we will be able to give Josh a good package overall. We believe Josh should be able to run some good times, but our only true expectations are to be professional, put our best foot forward and have a bit of fun while doing it.”

Dave Bennett – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit General Manager

“We’re thrilled to have Josh back for our next big event, the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship – Yamaha Finance Round. At January’s Island Classic he was as tough as nails on the track, and off-track, enthusiastic and great fun in the paddock. Josh is a true racer. We love his appreciation of our little piece of 4.445km island bitumen, so much so, that he is returning from the US within a month. The winners are the fans. Josh brings world-class talent to the grid and the result will be spectacular Australian Superbike racing to thrill everyone trackside.”

Hayes won his four AMA superbike titles from 2010-12 and then again in 2014, and he finished seventh in the 2011 season-ending MotoGP round at Valencia deputising for injured countryman Colin Edwards. With 61 AMA Superbike wins to his credit, Hayes is second on the all-time winners’ list behind Australian Mat Mladin.

Josh Hayes – Image by Russell Colvin

Practice for the mi-bike Insurance Australian Superbike Championship will commence on Thursday, February 27 with qualifying and racing from Friday to Sunday. The packed agenda of 15 races includes the headline categories of World Superbike and World Supersport and from the national ranks, Australian Supersport, Supersport 300 and the Oceania Junior Cup.

ASBK returns to Phillip Island for Round 1 alongside the WSBK

Book tickets and on-circuit camping via Ticketek today for a weekend getaway at Phillip Island’s World Superbikes from February 28-March 1, 2020.

Source: MCNews.com.au

MotoGP, Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

KTM officially reveal 2020 MotoGP race colours

February 18, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

KTM’s official premiere MotoGP efforts launch for fourth year

Images by Sebas Romero/KTM

KTM have revealed their 2020 MotoGP race colours and officially launched the 2020 Grand Prix season today, with all eyes now focused on the factory’s fourth season in the premier class with the twenty-race calendar getting underway at the Losail International Circuit on March 8.

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The line-ups for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 have been known for a number of months with 28-year-old Pol Espargaro returning for his fourth term with the KTM RC16 (as holder of the most Grand Prix points and one podium finish) and his seventh in the category.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

24-year-old rookie teammate Brad Binder will be making his MotoGP debut alongside Miguel Oliveira who enters his second year in MotoGP at 25 years of age. Iker Lecuona at 20 is another rookie for 2020 and the youngest racer on the grid forming the Tech3 roster.

Red Bull KTM Tech3

Pit Beirer – KTM Motorsport Director

“2020 is about to begin and I would say we are exactly where we expected to be. We’ve had everything on a road map and have followed it with the full support of the company and the board. Last year we worked with a satellite team and four riders that provided valuable feedback and the groups spurred each other on, but, at the same time, it pushed us to the limit for resources and raised us to the peak where we are now. I would not say we have a ‘satellite team’ now but instead we are a KTM ‘pack’ with friendship and trust, and I include our test team in that whole organisation. It’s fascinating to be able to develop insanely powerful, high-quality motorcycles – the pinnacle of motorcycling engineering – and we push the materials to the limit. Then there are the riders; Pol brings so much to this project and we know Brad very well and it is a great story for us to have our own Moto3 world champion now racing in MotoGP. Miguel will definitely put the factory guys under pressure this year and we have huge faith in Iker who has impressed us already. Working on the Moto3 project in 2012 was the foundation of our current MotoGP programme and one of the most important steps for our racing department because it allowed us to start, learn fast and build with largely the same group of people. We’re happy to be able to play such a big role in that category. We will continue to give it everything we’ve got to make improvements in MotoGP. This is an important season for us. I’m convinced we have done an excellent job in the background to be lining up with a very good motorcycle on the starting grid but we will be measured by our lap-times!”

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing & Red Bull KTM Tech3

For the second season on a row, KTM will count four KTM RC16s on the MotoGP grid and with the quartet of race bikes all carrying a 2020 spec. The riders have already completed both a private and official IRTA test so far since January and will lap Losail from February 22nd for three days in the final dialling-in outing before Grand Prix action commences at the same venue.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC16 Specifications

Red Bull KTM Tech3 boast some novelty factor for 2020 with their ‘Organics by Red Bull’ livery and a fresh look for the crew. The potential of the third generation of the KTM RC16 is eagerly anticipated after the firm expanded their test team efforts with the experience of former world champion Dani Pedrosa complimenting the long-standing knowledge of Mika Kallio in 2019.

Pol Espargaro’s RC16 – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

MotoGP will represent the peak of the KTM road racing structure. No less than fourteen KTM RC4 riders will be progressing or learning the finer points of Grand Prix in the Moto3 division while the stars of tomorrow will be battling through the 2020 seven-round Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and the brand-new Northern Talent Cup series.

2020 MotoGP Calendar

Date	Grand Prix	Circuit
08 March	Qatar*	Losail International Circuit
22 March	Thailand	Chang International Circuit
05 April	Americas	Circuit of the Americas
19 April	Republica Argentina	Termas de Rio Hondo
03 May	Spain	Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto
17 May	France	Le Mans
31 May	Italy	Autodromo del Mugello
07 June	Catalunya	Barcelona – Catalunya
21 June	Germany	Sachsenring
28 June	Netherlands	TT Circuit Assen
12 July	Finland**	KymiRing
09 August	Czech Republic	Automotodrom Brno
16 August	Austria	Red Bull Ring-Spielberg
30 August	Great Britain	Silverstone
13 September	San Marino	Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
04 October	Aragón	MotorLand Aragón
18 October	Japan	Twin Ring Motegi
25 October	Australia	Phillip Island
01 November	Malaysia	Sepang International Circuit
15 November	Comunitat Valenciana	Comunitat Valenciana-Ricardo Tormo
Evening * Subject to FIM Homologation

Source: MCNews.com.au

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