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The Yamaha fight and KTM’s “big step”

“Quartararo vs Viñales, separated by 4.6 seconds when as they crossed the line, there’s going to be some competition levels in that because they are competing in the same bike. And of course even Morbidelli, who finished 5th in the race, only 2.2 seconds behind Maverick’s second place. That’s how close the podium was. This weekend they will be working on race settings all the way down the line, the way they can go into this race trying to be very competitive against one another. Yamaha guys are available to see each others data and they will be studying. In FP2, Morbidelli was 4th, Viñales 5th, Quartararo was 6th and Rossi was 8th, and all were split by two tenths of a second. That’s how close things are. If somebody has an issue on a certain brand of motorcycle, it really shows and really reflects. It will be interesting to see how they get on.”

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Granado finds pace in FP2 to hunt down Aegerter

The afternoon session saw the MotoE™ riders completing E-Pole simulations, with FP2 taking place at a similar time to the electric class’ qualifying. Granado had the perfect weekend at the Spanish GP and began his weekend in Andalucia by finishing P6 in FP1. However, in the afternoon, Granado stepped it up a notch on board his Energica Ego Corsa to go six tenths quicker than he did in the cooler FP1 conditions. This saw him beat Aegerter by three tenths in FP2, but the latter kept his place at the summit as a trio of riders sit within a tenth at the top – Aegerter, Granado and Casadei.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

SKY Racing Team VR46 take control on Friday in Andalucia

In FP1 it was Bezzecchi who set the pace as we saw the first indication of who possessed the pace five days on from the gruelling Spanish GP battle. However, it wasn’t plain sailing for Bezzecchi in FP2 as the number 72 crashed at Turn 1, with his Kalex Triumph machine setting fire in the gravel trap. Luckily, Bezzecchi didn’t look like he’d done any more damage to his already injured ankle. Both the SKY VR46 bikes were riding in tandem in FP2 as the riders put in some long lap runs, gaining more information for the race.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Nakagami quickest in FP2, Viñales remains top overall

The state of play on Day 1 was almost identical to the Spanish GP, with FP1 giving the riders cooler temperatures to get some fast times in to try and get an early edge in the fight for the top 10. Then, the afternoon heat was a time to try some tweaks to settings and tyres. However, what wasn’t the same was the standings – especially in FP2. It was a Yamaha onslaught in FP1 as three YZR-M1s sat inside the top four, with the ever-impressive Binder separating them. However, Championship leader and Spanish GP winner Quartararo didn’t go for a time in FP1 – and the Frenchman didn’t improve his time in FP2 either.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

McPhee tops FP2 as Fernandez remains fastest in Moto3™

SIC58 Squadra Corse’s Tatsuki Suzuki closes out the opening day second fastest as he guns for three consecutive Moto3™ poles tomorrow, with Rivacold Snipers Team’s Filip Salac finding some more of his pre-season form to be third. Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) was fourth fastest and Andrea Migno (SKY Racing Team VR46) rounded out the top five, with the Italian also ending FP2 second quickest just a fraction behind McPhee. Sixth was 2019’s Red Bull Rookies Champion Carlos Tatay (Reale Avintia Moto3), who looks to be enjoying a better weekend this time around at Jerez after his race ended on the opening lap last Sunday.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Dutch Northern Talent Cup round cancelled

Pursuant to information from government authorities, Dorna Sports is closely monitoring the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. A replacement for the NTC Dutch WorldSBK Round may be considered, but as the situation remains in a state of constant evolution, any further calendar changes or replacement rounds cannot be confirmed until it becomes clearer when exactly it will be possible to hold the events.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

MotoGP™ riders give their best MotoGP™ Fantasy tips

Get the inside scoop on your MotoGP™ Fantasy team ahead of the Andalucia Grand Prix from the stars of MotoGP™ themselves

During Thursday’s pre-event Press Conference, some of the stars of MotoGP™ selected their MotoGP™ Fantasy teams and offered some good tips to help you perfect your dream team ahead of the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucia. Let’s take a look at who they chose and hopefully the premier class riders’ insider info will see you jump up the table this weekend.

Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT)

First up, we’ve got last week’s race winner. The Frenchman, unsurprisingly, went for himself and his Yamaha counterpart Maverick Viñales as his gold riders – a good choice after the pair ended up as last week’s top scorers. Then for his silver riders, the 21-year-old decided to go all Ducati with Andrea Dovizioso and Jack Miller. Finally, KTM were his chosen manufacturer after spending the majority of his budget on his four riders.

Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP)

Top Gun actually went with the same picks as Quartararo, but you can see why. His four riders were last weekend’s top four across the line and they were all inside the top five highest points scorers from the opening round of the year. Plus, KTM were the third-highest scoring constructor despite only Aprilia being cheaper than the Austrian factory. Bargain.

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team)

The Italian went with the top two Ducati point scorers from last weekend in Jack Miller and himself, before then going for a bit of a differential in his silver riders. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder might have only got six points last week but at just 1.2m and after showing some great pace all weekend, he could prove to be a real difference-maker for your team. His final two choices were the best combo from the Spanish Grand Prix – Fabio Quartararo (35 points) and Yamaha (32 points).

Jack Miller (Pramac Racing)

A few different picks from the Aussie in his dream team. His two gold riders were Valentino Rossi and Franco Morbidelli before then putting himself and his good mate Cal Crutchlow as silver riders. Finally, he stuck with Ducati as his manufacturer.

Cal Crutchlow (LCR Castrol Honda)

The Brit looking at the long game here we think after selecting Fabio Quartararo and the injured Marc Marquez as his gold riders. The World Champion’s price dropped by 300k last week and it might be worth holding off another couple of rounds until he’s back to full fitness before investing in the most expensive player in the game. His silver riders were himself and Brad Binder, with the South African proving a popular pick, before he then went with Ducati as his manufacturer.

Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar)

The Suzuki man went all out Suzuki with the blue brand being chosen as his manufacturer, Joan Mir selected as one of his silver riders and then picking himself as his gold rider. Dovizioso was his second gold rider and Rossi his second silver rider.

Albert Arenas (Solunion Aspar Team Moto3) 

Our final rider picks came courtesy of the Moto3™ World Championship leader Albert Arenas who took Rins and Marc Marquez as his gold riders, Francesco Bagnaia, following a best MotoGP™ qualifying and a solid race result, and Brad Binder as his silver riders, before then going with Ducati as his constructor.

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Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

British, Dutch and Qatari WorldSBK rounds cancelled

Three more rounds get the chop

After extensive discussions and the assessment of a multitude of possibilities and scenarios, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and Dorna WSBK Organization (DWO) regret to announce the cancellation of three events that were previously to be determined (TBD) and to be confirmed (TBC). The safety of all parties within the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock is of top priority and whilst the season is carrying on, a solution was not possible to incorporate every venue, given the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UK Round at Donington Park (previously postponed and TBD), the Dutch Round at the TT Circuit Assen (previously rescheduled, then postponed and TBD) and the Qatar Round at the Losail International Circuit (previously postponed and TBD) have been cancelled. It will be the first time in WorldSBK history that there won’t be a round in the United Kingdom, whilst the TT Circuit Assen has been a permanent fixture on the calendar since 1992, ending a streak of the longest continually serving venue in WorldSBK.

Gregorio Lavilla
Director of Sporting/Organisation Departments

I am personally very sad to announce the subsequent cancellations of the three rounds. As a fan of our sport, I am extremely saddened not to go to WorldSBK’s birthplace at Donington Park and the ‘Cathedral of Speed’ at Assen, a track which has featured on our calendar uninterrupted since 1992. I am equally as sad not to not have the spectacle of a night race in Qatar, always something we look forward to. We explored all avenues in order to find a solution but unfortunately, one could not be found. However, this mustn’t cast a cloud over the Championship. The majority of our events in 2020 will happen and plans for a full, complete 2021 are well underway. We would like to thank everyone involved for their tireless work and cooperation, and also the fans for waiting patiently before our season resumes.”

Updated 2020 WorldSBK calendar

  1. March 1 – Phillip Island, Australia
  2. August 2 – Jerez, Spain (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
  3. August 9 – Portimao, Portugal (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
  4. August 30 – Aragon, Spain (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
  5. September 6 – Aragon, Spain (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
  6. September 20 – Catalunya, Spain (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
  7. October 4 – Magny-Cours, France (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
  8. October 11 – Circuito San Juan Villicum, Argentina (TBC) (WSBK-WSSP)
  9. November 8 – Misano, Italy (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)

Source: MCNews.com.au

Aegerter fastest out the blocks in Andalucia

FP1 welcomed the return of class rookie Alessandro Zaccone (Trentino Gresini MotoE) after the Italian was injured during the test ahead of the opening weekend, with the 18-strong field covered by 2.2 seconds in FP1. Keep an eye out for the FP2 standings later on today, before FP3 and E-Pole take place on Saturday.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Bezzecchi secures Moto2™ FP1 top spot

The riders got back down to business after last weekend’s race, with Bezzecchi and Navarro hoping for better fortunes come Sunday afternoon after crashing out. The duo wasn’t deterred and look spurred on by Sunday’s disappointment as both looked vert strong on Friday morning, with Nagashima – as he has been throughout the season – up the sharp end again from the off. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP 40) and Nicolo Bulega (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) rounded out the top five.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here