Johann Zarco: “What an opportunity to have the last few races of the season on the LCR Honda Idemitsu bike. I’m really thankful to have this chance, and I will do my best to pick up some good results and to enjoy the time, because these could be the last three races I can do for a while. I would like to thank KTM for releasing me so that I can do these races on another bike. Let’s see what I can do. First of all I know that I will enjoy the Phillip Island track, it’s a fast circuit and I think the feeling could be good. We’ll cross our fingers that it can be, and we will see what is possible. The target is to ride at a good pace, and rediscover some of the good feeling I’ve had before.”
Johann Zarco: “What an opportunity to have the last few races of the season on the LCR Honda Idemitsu bike. I’m really thankful to have this chance, and I will do my best to pick up some good results and to enjoy the time, because these could be the last three races I can do for a while. I would like to thank KTM for releasing me so that I can do these races on another bike. Let’s see what I can do. First of all I know that I will enjoy the Phillip Island track, it’s a fast circuit and I think the feeling could be good. We’ll cross our fingers that it can be, and we will see what is possible. The target is to ride at a good pace, and rediscover some of the good feeling I’ve had before.”
Johann Zarco to race final three rounds of MotoGP season on LCR Honda
Due to Takaaki Nakagami’s premature end to the season because of a shoulder operation, the LCR Honda Idemitsu Team will line up with French rider Johann Zarco for the remaining grands prix in Australia, Malaysia and Valencia.
Johann Zarco
“What an opportunity to have the last few races of the season on the LCR Honda Idemitsu bike. I’m really thankful to have this chance, and I will do my best to pick up some good results and to enjoy the time, because these could be the last three races I can do for a while. I would like to thank KTM for releasing me so that I can do these races on another bike. Let’s see what I can do. First of all I know that I will enjoy the Phillip Island track, it’s a fast circuit and I think the feeling could be good. We’ll cross our fingers that it can be, and we will see what is possible. The target is to ride at a good pace, and rediscover some of the good feeling I’ve had before.”
Johann Zarco
The two-time Moto2 World Champion and 2017 MotoGP class Rookie of the Year has accepted the offer from Team Manager Lucio Cecchinello to get back on track on board the Honda RC213V in Idemitsu colors.
Lucio Cecchinello (LCR Honda Team Principal)
“Obviously we are very sorry that Nakagami is forced to miss the last three races of this season, but on the other hand we know that injuries are part and parcel of this sport. I proposed to HRC Director Tetsuhiro Kuwata and Team Manager Alberto Puig the idea of engaging Zarco as our replacement rider and they gave me their approval. When I contacted Zarco he immediately showed interest and together we worked on every step of this project that will conclude in Valencia. From our side we will ensure maximum effort to support Johann, a rider who has shown immense talent and professionalism in his racing career.”
Bannister had to win the race – with Payne and Crosby having to finish outside the Top 3 to become Champion. He set off at the front to do just that, he left Lucas and Carter Brown, Hitchcock, Payne and Crosby to fight amongst themselves. Lap 5, Carter Brown lost the rear at Turn 5, Crosby lucky to stay on the bike after crashing into Brown’s stricken machine. Hitchcock was less fortunate and went down, in doing so being removed from the championship battle.
Wilson embracing return of traditional format at Port Adelaide
Section: Competition
Reigning champion endures challenging night in Brisbane.
Image: Foremost Media.
A difficult start to his SX2 title defence in Brisbane has Jay Wilson embracing the return of a traditional format and full-size circuit at Port Adelaide’s second round of the Australian Supercross Championship this weekend.
The Yamalube Yamaha Racing ace got caught up in the close and aggressive nature of indoor racing at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, going down in turn one during the first main, recovering for seventh. He was fourth in race two, granting him fifth for the night.
“Fifth isn’t ideal, but I’m in the mix and left round one healthy and I’m determined to do better,” said Wilson. “I didn’t get the middle rhythm section as good as I would have liked all night and it proved a little costly. It was the one section of the track where I let myself down but I will be better next weekend.
“My bike is good and the team were great again so we will take the positives from the weekend, work on a few things and come out swinging in Adelaide where we are back to a more traditional format of racing with a 15-lap main event.”
Port Adelaide, the same venue that delivered one of the strongest track layouts in 2018, will offer up a traditional 15-lap main event for the SX2 category this Saturday night.
CFMOTO Australia has added the third 650cc model to the range, called the 650GT ABS which is a “grand tourer”.
It will cost just $8490 ride away and joins the naked 650NK at $6490 and the 650MT at $7490 including a free set of panniers valued at $650 until the end of the year.
Comparative models are the Honda CBR650L ($9999 +ORC), Kawasaki 650L ($9999 +ORC), Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 (from $84440 ride-away), Suzuki SV650 LAMS ($8990 +ORC) and Yamaha MT-07 $9999 +ORC).
That makes the CFMoto 650 range among the cheapest 650cc learner-approved road-going motorcycles in our market.
CFMoto’s grand tourer comes standard with a large colour auto dimming TFT display, adjustable windscreen and USB and 12 volt charging sockets on either side in the cockpit. Panniers are also available as an option.
The 650GT ABS is powered by the same 41.5kW (LAMS restricted) 650cc parallel twin engine as used in the 650NK and 650MT variants.
It is managed by a Bosch EFI system delivering a user-friendly power curve, perfect for new riders.
The hydraulic brakes are supplied by Spanish company J.Juan with a Continental ABS.
It is shod with Metzeler tyres and claims to have a “plush ride” on the KYB conventional telescopic forks and cantilever KYB rear monoshock.
CFMoto also claims the low seat height of 795mm will provide a relaxed riding position.
They say it will appeal to commuters, tourers and learner riders.
The 650GT ABS is available in two colour options, Concept Blue or Nebula Black and is backed by CFMOTO’s two-year, unlimited km warranty.
KTM links
Like the other models in the CFMoto range, the 650GT has European styling thanks to Austrian design house Kiska which also designs KTM motorcycles.
Charity ride open to all styles of motorcycles scheduled for 2019.
Image: Supplied.
Ride Sunday will return to the streets of Australia to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health on 10 November on behalf of charity partner, the Movember Foundation.
The Yamaha Motor Australia-supported charity ride aims to unite riders around Australia and motivate them to ride for a cause.
Ride Sunday see thousands of riders across the country taking to the streets and trails to raise awareness, and is open to all motorcyclists and scooter riders regardless of bike style or riding preference, be it on-road or off-road.
Any rider with a motor and two wheels is encouraged to participate by either joining one of the flagship rides, hosting their own ride, or joining an existing group ride.
Participants can utilise the Ride Sunday peer-to-peer fundraising platform to connect to local dealerships and riders, to create, share, and view ride maps, and join fellow riders. In addition to connecting these motorcycling communities, Ride Sunday aims to reward its fundraisers with significant prizes for fundraising participants.
Founded by the team behind ‘The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride’, Ride Sunday gives all riders the power to ride together and to ride for change.
“Motorcycling is in our DNA,” said founder Mark Hawwa. “There is nothing else like it. No matter what riding niche you fall into, Ride Sunday is a day for you. Our vision is for every street in every major city to be packed with motorcycles.
“For one day, I want riders to be impossible to miss. For everyone in Australia to see our numbers, to notice us, and to see that there is more than just a rider beneath the helmet.”
Ride Sunday is calling on all motorcycle brands to unite, to get back to the basics of riding and connect with Australian motorcyclists while supporting men’s health. For more information, visit www.ridesunday.com.
Quartararo in no rush for rookie of the year title
Frenchman a mathematical chance of earning the title in Japan.
Image: Supplied.
Fabio Quartararo says there’s no rush to claim the rookie of the year title as he enters the Japanese grand prix as a mathematical chance of earning the honour.
The Petronas SRT Yamaha rider has starred in his debut season in the MotoGP World Championship, being a regular podium challenger throughout the 15 rounds so far.
The Frenchman is confident of challenging for a top three at Motegi this Sunday, the Yamaha pilot coming off a thrilling battle with recently-crowned champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) in Thailand.
“We’ll keep working in the same way as we have in the past few weeks, and try to challenge for a good position and to aim for the podium,” Quartararo explained. “We’re also obviously keeping an eye on the rookie of the year title with Motegi being the first place where it can be won – but there’s no rush on it either!
“We’ve seen that Marc [Marquez] has been really fast at Motegi in the past, but it’s also a circuit where I was very strong last year, and for sure it’s going to feel great to be able to ride a MotoGP bike there.”
Quartararo is currently ranked seventh in the championship standings with four rounds remaining on the calendar.
Supercross champion Webb pulls out of Monster Energy Cup
Section: Competition
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider the second high-profile rider to withdraw.
Image: Supplied.
Current Monster Energy AMA Supercross champion Cooper Webb has pulled out of this weekend’s Monster Energy Cup in Las Vegas.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider released a statement confirming his withdrawal, explaining a lack of seat time since returning from a knee injury sustained in the Lucas Oil Pro AMA Motocross Championship is the reason he’ll sit on the sidelines this Saturday night.
“I will not be racing MEC this weekend,” Webb commented. “With only three days of riding on the 450 so far, KTM and I decided it would be best to skip this race and focus on preparation and testing for 2020 SX.”
Lorenzo has ‘some ideas’ to sample at Japanese grand prix
Spaniard still striving for improvements with RC213V.
Image: Supplied.
Repsol Honda’s Jorge Lorenzo says the team and himself have ‘some ideas’ to sample with the RC213V this weekend at the Japanese grand prix, as the Spaniard continues to strive for improvements.
The multi-time world champion has endured a difficult year with injuries and adapting to the Honda, with his most recent scorecards seeing him record 20-18 results at Aragon and Thailand.
“We head to Japan looking for more after two difficult weekends,” said Lorenzo. “Myself and the team have some ideas to try for the bike in Motegi which will hopefully allow us to get back to where we need to be.
“I have some good memories at the track and it will be special to race in front of the Japanese crowd for the first time as a Honda rider.”
Lorenzo is ranked 19th in the MotoGP World Championship with just four rounds left on the calendar.
