Marc Marquez undergoes second operation

Dr. Xavier Mir (MotoGP™ Traumatology Specialist): “Marc Marquez underwent surgery 13 days ago and today he returned to the operating room. The first operation was successful, what was not expected was that the plate was insufficient. An accumulation of stress in the operated area has caused the plate to suffer some damage, so today the titanium plate has been removed and replaced by a new fixation. The rider has not felt pain during this period. He has always followed the medical advice given and the feeling from his body. Unfortunately, an over stress has caused this issue. Now we have to wait 48 hours to understand the recovery time.”

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Apple TV+ Unveils First Look at Long Way Up

Charley and Ewan’s latest journey, the Long Way Up, takes place throughout South America.

Begin Press Release: 


Apple TV+ Unveils First Look at “Long Way Up,” New Original Series Starring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman

“Long Way Up” to Debut Globally September 18 on Apple TV+

Long Way Up

Apple TV+ today unveiled a first look at “Long Way Up,” an epic new motorcycle series, starring and executive produced by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, which reunites best friends after more than a decade since their last motorbike adventure around the world. The first three episodes of “Long Way Up” will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, September 18, and new episodes will roll out weekly.

Covering 13,000 miles over 100 days through 16 border crossings and 13 countries, starting from the city of Ushuaia at the tip of South America, Ewan and Charley journey through the glorious and underexposed landscapes of South and Central America in their most challenging expedition to date, using cutting edge technology on the backs of their electric Harley-Davidson LiveWire® motorcycles in order to contribute to the sustainability of the planet.

Long Way Up

The new series will follow Ewan and Charley as they journey through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and up through Colombia, Central America and Mexico. Also joining them are their longtime collaborators, directors David Alexanian and Russ Malkin following them in their electric Rivians.

“Long Way Up” is a new original series that follows Ewan and Charley’s previous adventures in “Long Way Round” and “Long Way Down.”

The series will join an expanding offering of acclaimed unscripted series and films including the recently announced Fireball,” an original feature documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog and Professor Clive Oppenheimer; the soon-to-premiere 2020 Sundance US Grand Jury Prize award-winning documentary, “Boys State”; and the acclaimed, five-time Emmy nominated – including for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special – “Beastie Boys Story.”



Long Way Up
Long Way Up

The post Apple TV+ Unveils First Look at Long Way Up appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

The Champion returns to face his rivals for the crown

As Marquez returns, there are also two more riders suffering through the pain barrier, although both managed to finish the Andalucia GP. 2016 Czech GP winner Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), with more recovery time for his scaphoid, will want to be able to go the distance a little better, and Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins, with a dislocated shoulder compounded by a small fracture, will be aiming to take a step forward too. The Spaniard took a hard-grafted tenth place last time out, but after Suzuki’s incredible preseason showing he’ll want to recover more ground and score as quickly as possible. The good news for the Hamamatsu Factory in the second race in Jerez though was Joan Mir, with the number 36 putting a crash in the season opener behind him to take fifth and get some reward for his speed. He’ll be even more keen to conquer Brno too, as the Czech track was the scene of his huge crash in testing last season that sidelined him for two races.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Can Bastianini and Marini overhaul Nagashima in Brno?

Three races, three winners is the simplest way to write the story of Moto2™ so far in 2020.  It was Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) taking the lead in Qatar before he had to settle for understudy in Round 2, with Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) bouncing back to take the second victory of the season. Then it got even closer, with a crash during the Andalucia GP seeming to put the Japanese rider on the back foot – and a new winner emerging onto the top step, for the first time in the intermediate class no less. The new kid on the victory block was Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team), and it means we head into Brno with only five points separating the top three. 50, 48, 45 – Nagashima, Bastianini, Marini. With another 75 in play in the next three weekends.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Can anyone topple Arenas in Czechia?

For McPhee, the Czech Repubic holds good memories as it’s the site of his first Grand Prix win. Suzuki has had some solid speed at the venue too, and Tony Arbolino (Rivacold Snipers Team) was on the podium there last year. Ogura was in the top six – as a rookie – Darryn Binder (CIP – Green Power), who stormed from the near back of the grid to take fourth in the Andalucia GP, was a top ten finisher in 2019. The likes of Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3) and Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) have solid finishes at the track too, adding more and more names to the hat for who will be fighting it out it what will surely prove another Moto3™ classic battle at Brno.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Riders risk being torn to shreds on trial surface

Riders could be torn to shreds by a rough “tyre-shredding” road surface designed to stop “hoons” doing burnouts and drifting, according to an ex-bike cop and now riding instructor.

George Foessel joined Queensland Police in 1983 and became a bike cop and a driver/rider trainer as well as a qualified crash investigator.

“My concern is how the surface will impact on the two-wheeled community in the event of a fall,” says Greg who now trains riders at Motor School.

Greg Foessel is now a rider instructor

Shreds tyres

Brisbane City Council has trialled the special abrasive road surface at known hoon burnout locations in Chuwar and Willawong and will soon release their findings.

The road surface consists of bitumen spray sealed with a highly modified rubberised binder and sharp, angular aggregate stones.

It is designed to have high friction to prevent spinning tyres. If a driver or rider does manage a burnout, the rough aggregate shreds tyres quickly.

Road surface trial shreds tyres and riders
These gloves would be shredded if they hit the road at speed

“I totally understand the need to curtail the activities of a few reckless people and the initiative definitely has merit,” Greg says.

“However, I feel that if the surface shreds tyres then it may also shred motorcycle protective clothing and any exposed skin.  This in itself could impose more severe injures who come into contact with this surface.

“I feel that the surface may need to be re-evaluated whilst in the trial phase to ensure there is not an increased risk to cyclists and motorcyclist who may inadvertently come to grief in these areas.”

Despite his concerns and the fact that BCC has yet to release its findings, the Queensland Liberal-National Party (LNP) already plans to roll out the “tyre-shredding surface” at more burnout spots.

The say the road treatment causes increased tyre wear.

Road surface trial shreds tyres and riders
Close-up of rough surface

“If you are driving normally or are on a push bike or motorcycle you are able to ride over the road surface with no issues,” they say.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Rebecca Randazzo says they were not consulted about the trials but are interested in the results.

Council trials

A Brisbane City Council spokesperson says that during their first 12-month trial on Allawah Road, Chuwar, the number of hooning complaints dropped.

Road surface trial shreds tyres and riders
Burnout marks just outside the trial area

I inspected the Chuwar trial and noticed burnout marks just outside the trial area, so it hasn’t totally stopped “hoon” activity in the area.

“Following its success, Council applied a road treatment to a second trial site at Gardens Drive, Willawong in November 2019,” the BCC spokesperson says.

“We have been working with the Queensland Police Service, analysing crash data, undertaking pavement testing, evaluating survey data and analysing community feedback to evaluate the effectiveness of the trial surface.”

“We expect to release the information next month.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Jarvis: “We have the best package in the paddock”

“Never say never in this kind of thing. If I think back to when he was very young, when he started and won, he was having fun and that’s why many love him. He was able to combine exceptional talent with a passion for motorsport, with fun, with a feeling of community. Today there are many young and talented drivers, just think of Marquez who is still very young, so it is possible that some of his records will be beaten over time by Maverick, Fabio, or who knows by whom. But the complete package is not, Valentino is unique, the next riders will bear their baggage, their character, their talent, their style. Life goes on and it will be interesting to see what the future holds.”

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Asia Talent Cup unable to be completed this season

News 3 Aug 2020

Asia Talent Cup unable to be completed this season

Event cancelations and travel restrictions cause early end to series.

Image: Supplied.

This year’s Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup (ATC) has been cancelled due to COVID-19, with border restrictions causing a number of associated events to be dropped by organisers.

With the MotoGP rounds in Thailand and Malaysia both cancelled recently, plus travel restrictions making additional rounds unable to go ahead, only the Qatar round has been contested in 2020.

Every rider who was set to compete in the cup this season will automatically have an available spot on the 2021 grid. Any remaining places in the 2021 cup will be filled by riders from national championships or racing schools across Asia and Oceania, with competitors chosen by the ATC selection committee.

This is due to the fact that the 2021 selection event, set to be held before the Malaysian GP in October at Sepang, cannot take place this season. A 2021 calendar will be announced following publication of 2021 dates or calendars for the championships alongside which the ATC often race, such as MotoGP, Malaysian Superbikes (MSBK) and Australian Superbike (ASBK).

In 2020, the focus for the riders will now move from on-track battles to virtual workshops aimed at improving some important skills off the bike. These will focus on communication and social media, as well the importance of the English language for those who are not native speakers. The first two workshops took place mid-July, with more organised for the coming weeks as the grid gear up for 2021.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Search begins for 2021 Oceania Junior Cup competitors

News 3 Aug 2020

Search begins for 2021 Oceania Junior Cup competitors

Australia’s ‘Road to MotoGP’ now open to expressions of interest.

Image: Russell Colvin.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) is seeking expressions of interest for riders aged 11 to under 16 to be considered for the 2021 Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) series.

The OJC Junior development program made its debut in 2019 and is Australia’s premier junior road racing academy, officially recognised by the FIM and Dorna Sports as part of the ‘Road to MotoGP’ program.

Riders are provided with a race-prepped Yamaha YZF-R15 bikes, equipped with Pirelli tyres, Ohlins suspension, RK chains, Motul oil, Ricondi Motorcycle Apparel leathers and gloves, AGV helmets, TCX boots, round entries, transportation of bikes, pre-event service of bikes, technical support, spare parts budget and OJC team uniform.

Riders competing in the 2021 championship will receive elite coaching to help develop their bike skills and technique, health and fitness, sportsmanship and off-track activities such as media and fan engagement.

The OJC, which is featuring as part of the 2020 Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) was also part of the Australian round of the Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) and was scheduled to be a feature race at this year’s MotoGP at Phillip Island prior to its cancellation.

“Motorcycling Australia are committed to developing Australia’s junior talent on the Road to MotoGP, aimed at developing Australia’s next national talent and international champion,” said MA operations director Martin Port. “Our current riders come from a multitude of disciplines including road, speedway, motocross, enduro and dirt track.

“Every bike is identical – there are no haves and have nots in the OJC program. The racing is spectacular and victory comes down to a rider’s ability to get the most out of himself or herself, but winning isn’t everything in the OJC program. Our focus is the development of these juniors, both on and off the track. It’s about learning, developing as a rider and opening up opportunities.”

Dorna’s commitment has already seen OJC riders qualify for the 2020 Asia Talent Cup selection event and cements MA’s objective to develop clear pathways for junior road racers in the Oceania region. Additionally, selected riders from the OJC were provided the opportunity of participating in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup selection event last year.

Expressions of interest applications are available at www.asbk.com.au.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Bringing you the Best Motorcycle News from Around the Web!