Just because it’s Monday and you probably need a bit of a lift, we are reposting this viral video of a dog somewhere in Brazil actually riding a motorcycle.
We think it’s the pawfect excuse to paws and smile. It certainly made us laugh as well as make us scratch our heads …
How is the dog holding the throttle or has it been locked on somehow?
We doubt this scooter has cruise control!
This video has gone viral with more than 22,000 likes on Twitter.
And why not? We always smile when we see a motorcycle with a dog on board, obviously enjoying itself being out in the wind.
Hounded by rules
However, in 2011 Australian Road Rule 297-3 was introduced to ban animals riding on the fuel tank. It was quickly amended to banning an animal being between the rider and the handlebars because some machines have fuel tanks on the back.
So the mutt in the video would be arrested and thrown in the pound for his scooter riding!
I’ve met a few riders with a dog as a riding companion. There’s John Skinner and his little black dog, Scrambles, who have ridden right across the continent and Anny Seaton on her 1986 Kawasaki Z1300 with her dog Mandy sitting alongside her in the sidecar.
“People see you in traffic and they take photos and smile, so we’ve possibly stopped a lot of road rage and saved lives that way,” he says. just as the passenger did in the above viral video.
Tex and Bundy
Tex and Bundy are the only rider and dog in Australia exempt from the rules thanks to Ministerial Declarations because of the charity work they do.
The road rules were changed after a girl was killed in a car crash when she was sitting on the driver’s lap. Tex says the laws were expanded to include animals.
“When they brought it out they should have consulted with the people who it affected – me and the Farmers Federation – but they didn’t,” he says.
Tex tells the tale of a highway patrol officer booking him on his way home from a cancer ride” “He gave us a hard time and made us stand on the side of the road in 35-degree heat until we could get a lift home for Bundy. So I sent out a press release and got some media coverage and eventually the Road Minister in NSW said he could work something out and that’s how I got my first exemption.””
Tex claims several RSPCA bosses ride motorcycles and don’t have a problem with animals on a bike. “But I can’t see them changing the laws,” he says.
“I think a dog is safer in front of you than behind you. If a dog is in the back what happens if you come off the dog? She goes with the bike and nine times out of 10 you are safest away from the bike in a crash. If I have Bundy in front and we crash she comes with me.”
Laws vary around the world, but dogs are allowed to ride in New Zealand.
“It has been a crazy weekend with the weather and everything. Maverick was very fast today, but I was able to follow him and start slowly cooking the victory. Viñales started to push very hard and very fast at the front, but I knew that if I could stay with him for four or five laps then the victory was possible. The Repsol Honda Team have done a great job with the limited track time we have had. We had to gamble a little bit with the soft rear tyre and it was on the limit in the end, but we were able to win! It’s really special to take this 55th win with Honda, I feel incredible with the Honda family and I’m excited to enjoy this moment with them and the team.”
Marc Marquez
Cal Crutchlow – P2
“I knew coming into today that I had the pace to be on the podium, no matter what from Friday’s free practice. We’ve worked hard for this, three podiums in the year is always good, it’s unfortunate that Maverick fell off, but we were still on the podium and we have to be happy with our pace today. I didn’t have the grip or the bike under me to be able to go with Marc (Marquez) or Maverick (Vinales) so I had a big gap behind and was happy with my pace. The last five laps I had to manage my rear tyre and I was just riding home and then it started raining on the final lap! I’m really, really pleased to get a podium here in Australia after what happened last year, at one point I didn’t think I was coming back. I want to thank Honda and my crew who did a great job building me a bike capable of being on the podium today. The whole LCR Castrol team deserved this today. We know we got lucky with second place, because Maverick deserved to be on the podium, but it’s great to be up on the podium with my mate Jack [Miller]”.
Cal Crutchlow on the podium at Phillip Island
Jack Miller – P3
“It’s an extraordinary result and I’m very happy for the team, they did an amazing job! It’s clear that the crash at Vinales allowed me to get on the podium but that can’t cancel the feeling of us finishing on the podium in my home race in front of all my friends and family. The battle with Pecco was exciting and gave me extra motivation to push until the chequered flag, This is a weekend I’ll never forget.”
Jack Miller
Pecco Bagnaia – P4
“I can’t be disappointed that I was so close from finishing on the podium, I am very happy with this result. It was a solid weekend from start to finish, we made the right choice of tyres and we worked well as a team all weekend. This result fills me with satisfaction and I think it is an important step forward. We will be coming into Malaysia with a lot of confidence and I am looking forward to it.”
Pecco Bagnaia
Joan Mir – P5
“It was a good race today. I’m so happy about the work we’ve been doing behind the scenes, all the steps we’re taking are helping a lot. It’s a shame the conditions weren’t more settled during the weekend, because in the dry I felt really good and I got my best MotoGP result. I wish there had been one more lap today – I was getting close to the podium! But finally, it looks like the better results are coming, I feel great with the bike.”
Joan Mir
Andrea Iannone – P6
“It was a positive race for us, but we worked well throughout the weekend. I had a good feeling straight away and I realised from the first practice session that it would be a good opportunity for us. There were obviously many details that helped, beginning with the characteristics of this track, and it’s a pity about some contact in the finale. I lost a winglet and the bike was no longer perfectly balanced. But it was thrilling to ride the Aprilia out front and for that I wish to thank all the guys here and in Noale who are working their hardest and the CEO who supports us in our growth. I hope to be able to bring them more satisfaction. This is only my first season with Aprilia and it was not exactly simple, but we were never lacking in determination and commitment.”
Andrea Iannone
Andrea Dovizioso – P7
“After a first part of the race in which we were fast, we consumed the rear tyre too much and our rhythm dropped compared to that of the top three. In the group of riders fighting for fourth place, we were all in a bit of difficulty but on the last lap I had created the right opportunity for myself: unfortunately, at Turn 2 the bike got away from me, I went wide and lost four positions. In the end it was a pity because we could have finished third and got onto the podium, albeit with a big gap from the first two. The positive aspect from today is that we confirmed our second place in the Riders’ classification, with two rounds remaining and for the third year in a row.”
Andrea Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi – P8
“It was a great start and a very good way to celebrate my 400th Grand Prix, being able to be in front for a bit. In the end, the race result for sure isn‘t fantastic, but I was not so far behind Jack Miller, who arrived on the podium, and I was able to ride in a better way and was more competitive compared to the previous weekend. Anyway, we need more, and we need to be stronger. We need to work, and we‘ll see. Racing at the Phillip Island track is always great, but in the end it was a hard battle.”
Valentino Rossi led early on
Alex Rins – P9
“I’m a bit disappointed because there have been several races where I’ve had really strong and consistent pace – not winning pace because Marc is hard to beat, but podium pace – and I have not been able to convert it to a top result. Today I feel like I could have gone with Cal but it was difficult because I started far down the grid and had to fight a lot. We really need to work on qualifying, being on the front two rows is so crucial. This turned into a sort of ‘survival’ race, and I just had to get the best finish I could. Anyway, I’m ready for Malaysia next week.”
Alex Rins
Aleix Espargaro – P10
“This is a special track for us, different from the other circuits, and I had fun straight away as soon as we got here. We stayed consistently with the best group which was battling for the podium in a fun race with a lot of overtaking. It seemed like a Moto3 race, but with a lot faster and heavier bikes! In order to be even more competitive, I would have needed more grip on the rear, so I was unable to ride exactly as I expected, having to make up a lot of ground in braking.”
Aleix Espargaro
Franco Morbidelli – P11
“It was a difficult race for us. From qualifying this morning we’ve struggled; I had been feeling good all weekend and I was aiming for a better position on the grid, but this morning we had a big drop in performance. This meant we didn’t start the race from where we hoped and we weren’t able to improve from there. I had to manage the tyres and be precise over every lap, but the pace was not forthcoming. We have to investigate why we lost pace today as the rest of the weekend had looked promising. Obviously, we want to be fast again in Malaysia.”
Franco Morbidelli
Pol Espargaro – P12
“It was a complicated weekend. We struggled for grip and traction. In 2017 we were much faster but we had a lot of problems here last year and again this weekend. I think part of it is down to the weather and all the changes we have to make to the bike. Anyway we need to look at the bigger picture and the whole season has been much better. We cannot explain this one track but I think this is part of developing a bike and making it better for every circuit. We will reset in Malaysia. In the worst conditions we took four points and were fourteen seconds from the podium – which is not good – but not horrible. After a difficult weekend we’ll take this.”
Pol Espargaro
Johann Zarco – P13
“The race was great. I chose the soft rear because that was the only tyre I used all weekend and it would have been a shame to have no feeling during the race. At the start I had a good fight with many riders, overtaking them and them overtaking me, and then it was quite funny that the rider I was battling with for most of the race was KTM’s Pol Espargaro. We had a good fight, every time I thought I could get past him and move on to the group ahead, he attacked me again and we lost some time. I tried to beat him, but he did a good last lap and came out of the last corner better than me. I finished 13th which is ok, it was good to come back and it’s always a tough race here at Phillip Island.”
Johann Zarco
Karel Abraham – P14
“For sure it was not the best race that we have done this season but it was OK. I’m really happy for the points that are obviously very important. We were still struggling before the start of the race to choose the rear tyre because I was not sure about the conditions and the weather, but finally we chose the soft option, but I’m still not sure if it was better or not. It was very difficult, especially the end of the race where the rear tyre was not working anymore and I was struggling a lot, but we managed it. Also, before the end of the race, I had a big slide, I was very close to crash and I was overtook by Syahrin, but I overtook him back, and unfortunately in the last lap Viñales had a big crash and I took two points which is great and I’m really happy to add more points in the championship. Even though it was not the best race, it was a good race by performance, being there and consistent lap times. We are still aiming to be there one group ahead, I think this is something that we have to achieve.”
Karel Abraham
Hafizh Syahrin – P15
“I had a really good race. In the beginning, I needed some time to find a good feeling with the hard tyre, but after a few laps I started to find a rhythm and managed to control my rear tyre, but on the straight it was impossible to pass Abraham. Behind Kallio, I couldn’t find a slipstream, so I needed to catch him in the corner and finally I passed him in turn one on the brake and I tried to pass Abraham. Unfortunately, in the last lap it was impossible for me, after I already had him before. In the end, one point is better than nothing, we found back into a rhythm, but we know that we need to be stronger in the beginning of the race.”
Hafizh Syahrin
Jorge Lorenzo – P16
“I expected before we arrived that I would struggle here but you’re always hopeful that things will change and you’re able to be fast. From FP1 we struggled in the wind and the cold. It’s the worst result since returning from the Assen injury, unfortunately this is reality. Malaysia in normal conditions will be better, it’s a track that suits me more and I think we can return to a pace similar to what we had in Motegi.”
Jorge Lorenzo
Maverick Vinales – DNF
“I started the last lap much tighter to the curb to have the chance, if Marc would overtake at the last moment, to brake later. But he overtook me before the finish line. Then I was planning to push to the maximum in sector 3 to overtake in Turn 10, and that’s what I did. So, before I crashed, I was ready to go in without braking to see what would happen, but I locked the rear. Maybe I made a mistake, I don’t know, and then I just fell down on the other side. Today was a race to win, not to be second. I had the chance, so I tried. Anyway, for me it was a very positive race, I crashed but I was satisfied. I gave my best on every lap and the bike was working in a really good way.”
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
Fabio Quartararo – DNF
“It was a tough weekend, with a big crash on Friday and a crash on Sunday. This morning we were able to do something incredible, taking part in my first MotoGP Q1 then going through to the front row. That was a really nice start to the day. In the race, if Petrucci hadn’t hit me I would probably have run onto the grass and lost a lot of positions anyway, but it’s still my rookie year and I’ll learn from it. I’ll now take the opportunity to rest and recuperate as much as possible before the next race in Sepang where I want to reward the circuit and Petronas with a strong performance.”
Fabio Quartararo qualified on the front row despite a big crash on Friday
Mika Kallio – DNF
“We were thinking before the race ‘soft or hard’ tyre and believed the temperature was improving so we chose the hard. I saw after a few laps that the race would be very difficult. There was no grip at all. I managed to do a few fast laps but then the grip was completely gone and I was spinning and spinning off the corners. In the end there was no rubber at all on the rear and because of that I also pushed and destroyed the left side of the front tyre! This weekend is something we need to forget and think about Malaysia. We had a lot more data from there, like everybody else, and I have been there many times with the MotoGP bike with KTM. I think it will be easier for us.”
Mika Kallio
Tito Rabat – DNF
“Today it was less windy, we wanted to try to get out and try to follow the group, but it was impossible. I had a blow to my hand before Japan, my tendon hurts a little and it’s more than it seems. You have to be careful. We will see if in Malaysia we can go back where we deserve.”
MotoGP Race gets underway at Phillip Island
Danilo Petrucci – DNF
“I’m bitterly disappointed because finally I was having a weekend that lived up to my expectations and this morning in qualifying I had set a good time, so I was very optimistic for the race. At Turn 2 Marquez came in on me on the inside, I was forced to go wide and onto a dirty line, lost control of the bike and had a high-side that unfortunately also involved Quartararo. I’m really sorry for him and also for the fact that I probably missed a chance to get onto the podium. My ankle is hurting badly, but after a first check in the circuit, it seems that nothing is broken so I hope to be OK for Malaysia.”
MotoGP Race gets underway at Phillip Island
Miguel Oliveira – DNS
“The reason I was unfit today was the swelling on my left hand and the pain on the right wrist. I could not squeeze with power and therefore not grab the handlebars, which lead to this result. Speaking with the doctors in the medical center, they saw it was maybe better to do an MRI today to check if there is any ligament damages on the right wrist, so this is what I’m going to do. I will fly to Malaysia Monday afternoon and as soon as I land, I should already have the reports. Fingers crossed, that everything goes well! My only wish is to ride and hopefully everything will turn out in the best possible way.”
Miguel Oliveira
Team Managers
Massimo Meregalli – Yamaha MotoGP Team Director
“This is not the ending we had expected to an otherwise good weekend. Vale had a strong start but wasn‘t able to match the pace of the race leaders throughout the 27 laps. Though he experienced a tyre drop and a difference in top-speed didn’t help him to defend his position, he did make a step this week and was able to put up a fight. He finished in eighth place and was actually not far off third. Maverick had a different experience. He fell back in Turn 1 at the start but battled hard and led the race from lap 10 until the last lap. It was very unfortunate that he crashed, because his superb form this weekend deserved a reward, but it wasn‘t to be. Luckily, he wasn’t injured. These things happen when you‘re riding on the limit, fighting for the victory on the very last lap. On a positive note, we take away from this race that we have been competitive in all sorts of weather and track conditions. Now we look forward to giving our all again next weekend in Malaysia, the last GP of the triple-header before the final round in Valencia.”
Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi
Ken Kawauchi – Suzuki Technical Manager
“Joan did a good job today; he was close to the podium and we can really see how he is growing and improving with every race. Alex did well from his grid position, but his pace dropped off a bit as the race went on and he lost some places. We’ll check the data and begin working for next week.”
Alex Rins
Davide Brivio – Suzuki Team Manager
“It was an exciting race today; we had both riders fighting in the group and making a lot of overtakes. Joan got his best MotoGP finish yet, and we’re happy about this. He came from quite far back and showed that he’s more than capable of fighting with the front riders. Alex got up to 4th and he looked really strong, but then he struggled and he finished 9th. But anyway, we’re pleased with today’s result and we’re looking forward to Sepang next weekend.”
Joan Mir
Wilco Zeelenberg – Petronas Yamaha SRT Team Principal
“It was a bad day at the office for Petronas Yamaha SRT. The weekend did not start well with Fabio’s crash on Friday, but Franco also had mixed fortunes all weekend; in some sessions he was fast but in others, he struggled. In the race, Franco couldn’t maintain pace and find the correct strategy to keep his tyres alive. Fabio had a good chance after the disaster of Friday, but he was taken out by Petrucci at turn two. Both were on hard tyres, both had a little slide at the same time, and it was basically the opposite of Silverstone where Fabio took out Dovizioso. The most important thing is that both riders are okay. We need to put this weekend behind whilst learning from it, which was always one of the goals in our rookie year. We share success just as we share the more difficult moments. Now we have a great opportunity to bounce back at the best place possible in only five days’ time in Malaysia.”
Franco Morbidelli
Razlan Razali – Petronas Yamaha SRT Team Principal
“That was our most challenging weekend of the year in MotoGP. The conditions at Phillip Island were harsh and it was hard work on track for Fabio with his injury and being taken out of the race as well as for Franco finding race pace. Nevertheless, we did get a few valuable points to ensure we are still very much in the fight to be best Independent Team. In Moto3 it was an intense battle over an exciting race. John was right in the mix and Ayumu fought well through the field. In Moto2, Adam continues his learning process with a lot thrown at him over the weekend. Sepang will be a key race as Adam’s home event, so he should be able to push for a further step forward. We have great anticipation for Sepang with a lot of local supporters ready to get their first glimpse of Malaysia’s first MotoGP team. Our target is to maintain the momentum of the season.”
Phillip Island MotoGP
Mike Leitner – Red Bull KTM Team Manager
“This weekend was really tough for everybody but we had a problem finding a good setting for the race through the different weather conditions. It was horrible seeing some of the crashes on Saturday and we hope Miguel will be OK after his check in the hospital on his hand. Mika was struggling with rear grip, as were many riders and with other manufacturers. Pol took 12th and it’s a result that we’re not too happy about anymore, we know we can be further forward. We were eleven seconds from the podium and we have to keep realistic but it was a difficult race and we expected more from our visit to Phillip Island.”
Pol Espargaro
Hervé Poncharal – Red Bull KTM Tech3 Team Manager
“A sad weekend here in Phillip Island, Australia for the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team. When you only have one of your riders on the starting grid, this is already a big disappointment. While we were on the grid, Miguel was driving to Melbourne hospital to get an MRI scan to check his right wrist, which is very painful, so we had only one rider. All the focus was on Hafizh, who did a good race and I would like to thank and congratulate him, because after halfway through the race, he has been quite consistent, fast. He was lapping quite often close to the chasing group. He caught Lorenzo, Kallio and finally, there was a big battle with Abraham, but although we passed him, we were losing too much on the straight. He lost him there, but anyway, we got a point. He never slowed down and kept his head down and I’d like to thank him for this. It is a good sign, that will give him a positive spirit just ahead of his home Grand Prix in Malaysia next week. We wish Miguel is ok and wish we have him with us in Sepang and want to have the best of preparations for Hafizh and the whole team there.”
Phillip Island MotoGP
Rubbery Ramblings
Piero Taramasso – Michelin
“As Marc has said it has been a crazy weekend! I think we had a bit of every weather over the weekend, except snow. The tyres were subjected to some real extremes, with heavy rain, cold asphalt and high winds, all on a track that makes huge demands on the tyres.
Michelin wets
“The rain and slick tyres all performed well though, despite all the changes in weather, and even though the riders had very little dry set-up time we were able to assist them with their choices and give them the tools to make the most informed decision for a race tyre. Again, it was pleasing to see different configurations on the podium, with five of the six compounds being used during the race. Consumption is always a factor here at Phillip Island and although that was evident today, it was not severe and we finished the race with the tyres having a good aspect, showing that the mix of rubber on the asymmetric front and rear tyres was correct and gave a consistent performance.
Valentino Rossi started striongly but again lost grip quickly
“The special tyre test session was an invaluable 20-minutes for Michelin as we were able to get all the riders that were available to go out on track to do a number of laps and concentrate just on assessing the tyres. We will now return to France after the final race of the fly-aways and evaluate the tyres and all the data before making a final decision regarding further testing or adding them to the 2020 range.
Jack Miller celebrates podium finish in Australia by burning up some Michelin!
“We now head to Malaysia, where hopefully it will be a bit warmer, we know we will probably also face some changeable weather, but we have spent a lot of time testing at Sepang, so we know what to expect and have the tyres to do the job, no matter what the conditions are.”
Uplifting MotoGP return for Zarco in LCR Honda debut
Section: Competition
Frenchman finishes inside the points at Phillip Island.
Image: Supplied.
It was an uplifting return to the MotoGP World Championship for Johann Zarco at Phillip Island after previously being benched by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, the Frenchman finishing inside the points on debut aboard the LCR Honda RC213V.
The number five was forced to make his maiden outing on the Honda in challenging conditions, with Saturday’s qualifying postponed to Sunday due to dangerous winds, where he eventually qualified in P14.
The 27-lap encounter saw Zarco engage in a battle with former teammate Pol Esparagaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), closing out the race in 13th position.
“The race was great,” Zarco stated. “I chose the soft rear because that was the only tyre I used all weekend and it would have been a shame to have no feeling during the race. At the start I had a good fight with many riders, overtaking them and them overtaking me, and then it was quite funny that the rider I was battling with for most of the race was KTM’s Pol Espargaro.
“We had a good fight, every time I thought I could get past him and move on to the group ahead, he attacked me again and we lost some time. I tried to beat him, but he did a good last lap and came out of the last corner better than me. I finished 13th which is ok, it was good to come back and it’s always a tough race here at Phillip Island.”
Zarco has just two more chances to race aboard the Honda, as the MotoGP World Championship heads to Sepang this weekend for the penultimate round.
Round 7 of the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship hits Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend and will not only mark the grand finale of the Australian Superbike Championship, but will also offer a special treat with the Superbike Masters category appearing on the support schedule.
Superbike Masters – John Allen – Image by TBG
The Superbike Masters category appeared earlier in the season at the Morgan Park ASBK round, and encompasses a range of Period 5 (1976-82) and Period 6 (1983-1990) motorcycles.
With big, heavy road-based motorcycles such as Suzuki GSX1100, Kawasaki Z1000, Yamaha ZFR1000, Ducati TTF1 and even an Irving Vincent, the category showcases the history of Superbike competition in Australia.
While the emphasis is on historic bikes, this weekend’s round will also feature legendary rider of Australian motorcycle racing history, six-time Australian Champion Robbie Phillis entering the event on a Harris Suzuki XR69.
Superbike Masters – Alex Pickett – Image by TBG
Superbike Masters competitor and series liaison Darren Lark said one of the main points of interest is the differences between the various motorcycle brands. The Superbike Masters were popular with the crowd when they appeared on the program at the Morgan Park round, and SMP has attracted a 27-bike field.
Darren Lark
“These days, a lot of current-model motorcycles are very similar in their construction, but back in the 1970s and ‘80s there were different design philosophies. A lot of people enjoy the nostalgic aspect of looking at the bikes, and remembering their unique features. Some of the bikes were completely naked, whereas others had elaborate fairing designs. From our perspective, it’s like a group of mates playing cricket, and getting invited to play at the MCG during the lunch break at the Boxing Day Test. At the end of the day, we’re just a group of mates who enjoy racing each other on the track and hanging out off the track, and it’s very cool having the opportunity to race at such high-profile events.”
Lark said spectators at SMP are encouraged to wander through the pits, talk to the riders and experience the machines first-hand.
Superbike Masters – John Allen currently leads the Superbike Masters standings – Image by TBG
Australian pilots CRF450R in factory Honda HRC colours.
Image: Supplied.
Mitch Evans starred in his All-Japan Motocross Championship debut at Sugo Sportsland’s finale over the weekend, the Australian racing to a dominant victory in Honda HRC colours.
The MX2 World Championship regular has been widely linked to the factory Honda seat alongside reigning MXGP champion Tim Gajser for the 2020 season, with his appearance in Japan – where he sported the outfit’s sponsors – only strengthening speculation.
The Queenslander rode commandingly in the 450 category at the eighth and final round, recording a 1-1 scorecard across the pair of motos.
“I had a lot of fun this weekend, I wish we could’ve done a bit more riding yesterday, but the weather was a bit too wet,” Evans explained in an interview with Swapmoto live. “I think they did a really great job with the track today – it was really technical.
“I had a heap of fun, got two decent starts and made my way to the front. The boys were pushing me there for a while – the track was really rough and technical – it had a nice flow to it, and you had to stay on the pegs. It was a cool weekend, [I went] 1-1. It’s the first time I’ve won a race in a while, so it actually feels pretty good.”
Evans raced his maiden grand prix season with Team Honda 114 Motorsports this season in the MX2 category, where he scored an overall podium on debut. It’s tipped Australians Nathan Crawford and Bailey Malkiewicz will make up the 114 Motorsports line-up next season.
Monster Energy Yamaha rider crashes out of podium contention in Australia.
Image: Supplied.
Maverick Vinales says his last lap crash while challenging Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) at Phillip Island may have been his own mistake, however the Spaniard is still in high spirits after his performance.
The Monster Energy Yamaha rider had dominated the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix until that point, topping every session – including qualifying – while also leading into the final laps of Sunday’s encounter, although a crafty manoeuvre by Marquez as they entered the final lap saw him relinquish the top spot.
Vinales fought back and looked to regain the lead in the dying moments, however he suddenly crashed heading into turn 10, ruling him out of the race altogether.
“I started the last lap much tighter to the curb to have the chance, if Marc would overtake at the last moment, to brake later,” Vinales explained. “But he overtook me before the finish line. Then I was planning to push to the maximum in sector 3 to overtake in Turn 10, and that’s what I did.
“So, before I crashed, I was ready to go in without braking to see what would happen, but I locked the rear. Maybe I made a mistake, I don’t know, and then I just fell down on the other side. Today was a race to win, not to be second. I had the chance, so I tried.
“Anyway, for me it was a very positive race, I crashed but I was satisfied. I gave my best on every lap and the bike was working in a really good way.”
Vinales hangs onto fourth in the championship standings as the series heads to Sepang this weekend for the penultimate round of MotoGP.
Five years since he was last victorious, Kent’s Tim Reeves was back on top of the world on Sunday evening when two podium finishes at Estoril in Portugal saw him and passenger Mark Wilkes claim the 2019 World Sidecar Championship.
Following on from his championship success in 2005-2007, 2012 and 2014, it was Reeves’ sixth world title to go alongside the two World Cups previously won whilst Wilkes was finally able to take his first world title.
Tim Reeves and Mark Wilkes
Victory on the Berlin Express-backed Adolf RS Yamaha also meant it was the first world title won by a non-LCR outfit since 2002 and the championship success went some way to ease the pain from last year when retirement at the last round denied them the title.
Aided by wins in Hungary, Germany, Holland and Croatia, the duo came into the event with a 12-point lead over season long rivals and reigning World Champions Ben and Tom Birchall although rain in qualifying added another twist to proceedings.
However, undeterred by the weather Tim and Mark claimed pole position and with Saturday’s 10-lap ‘Sprint’ race starting in similar conditions, they followed the decision of both the Birchalls and Finnish pairing Pekka Paivarinta/Jussi Veravainen to fit full wet tyres, the latter also still in contention for the world title.
There was little to choose between Reeves/Wilkes and the Birchalls for much of the race and although Kees Endeveld/Jeroen Remme closed in rapidly in the closing stages as their dry tyres started to come into their own, they duly held on to take their fifth win of the season and extend their championship lead to 17 points with just Sunday’s 17-lap Gold Cup race to go.
Tim Reeves and Mark Wilkes
Safe in the knowledge eighth was all they needed to take the title, Tim and Mark were equally aware that things could still go wrong as they had done the previous season but good, sunny conditions helped their cause and they quickly settled into the second place behind the Birchalls.
The latter stretched their lead as Tim concentrated on taking a good, solid finish but when the Birchalls were forced to retire they found themselves in the lead with Paivarinta/Veravainen breathing down their neck. Resisting the temptation of getting embroiled in a battle for the victory, Tim wisely opted to settle for the second place and they crossed the line in the runners-up spot to clinch the World Championship in style.
With five wins and four second place finishes from the ten races, Tim and Mark ended the season with 205 points and with a comfortable advantage of 32 points over Paivarinta/Veravainen whose final race victory saw them overhaul the Birchalls for second in the final championship standings.
Tim Reeves
“I’m chuffed to bits to finally get my hands back on the World Championship and apart from one DNF, it’s been a faultless season. Right from the word go, I felt really strong and as soon as we took our first win in the second round in Hungary, I felt that we were the team to beat. Having said that, I knew every race would be tough as Ben and Pekka are extremely strong at every circuit and all of the races were hard fought so to end the year with five wins and four more podiums is great. I would have loved to have ended the year with two wins but there wasn’t any point in risking anything in Sunday’s second race so took the second place. Ben and Tom had opened up quite a sizeable lead and I wasn’t totally aware that they’d gone out so when Pekka came by it gave me something to focus on and I brought the bike home to start the celebrations. It was a completely new chassis for us this season but it was faultless and the whole team have been superb all year so a special thank you to everyone involved especially Jurgen Roder from Berlin Express, Adrian Kornas, H&S Contractors, DFDS Seaways, Collett Wealth Management, SSD Stainless Steel Design, MJW, Rock Oil, LA Marketing, Potters Home Digital, Pluckley Coachworks, SWT Vehicle Logistics, Pagid Brakes, Shock Factory, Ian Bell Motorcycles, Arai Europe and Wintex.”
Tim Reeves and Mark Wilkes win the 2019 World Sidecar Championship
2019 World Sidecar Championship Final Standings
Tim Reeves/Mark Wilkes (Team Berlin Express Yamaha) 205 pts
2020 KTM Ultimate Race Australian entries announced
Following a spectacular two days of action at the 2020 KTM Ultimate Race qualifiers Australia will be represented by Simon ‘Simmo’ Arthur and Graham Cheney during next year’s KTM Ultimate Race at the Merzouga Rally.
2020 KTM Ultimate Race Qualifiers Australia
Simon ‘Simmo’ Arthur
“KTM always puts on a good event and the prize for this is quite remarkable, to be able to go and compete in the KTM Ultimate Race and represent Australia. I’ve only had the KTM 790 Adventure R for a few weeks, but it handled the conditions so well and did the job perfectly – it’s a very versatile bike. What a chance this is to see a different part of the world in Morocco! I’m on a program to try and get to Dakar in 2021, so this is perfect for me and I’m really grateful. This has been made possible for me by three organisations in particular, which are Choice Suspension, Canberra Motorcycle Centre and APlus Towing – we put this together as a team and got the outcome that we were chasing, so it’s really exciting for all of us.”
Each country that hosts a KTM Adventure Rallye receives two positions in the KTM Ultimate Race, with Arthur and Cheney set to each receive a fully-supported ride, which includes flights, accommodation, entry fees and a KTM 790 Adventure R to compete aboard, with a full race service under the guidance of pro-level and factory-backed off-road racers.
“I’m stoked to be able to qualify for the KTM Ultimate Race, especially considering I only picked the KTM 790 Adventure R up right before the event and it was basically stock-standard. I was really impressed with it though, the bike was definitely competitive throughout the qualifiers and now I’m looking forward to this money-can’t-buy experience in Morocco next year. The goal for me was to remain consistent, flow as well as I could and minimise mistakes during the special tests, which all worked out and I can’t wait to get over there now.”
This year’s KTM Ultimate Race Qualifiers was packed with capable riders on an assortment of KTM adventure machinery, however, both Arthur and Cheney were fittingly equipped with the recently-released KTM 790 Adventure R model. One of the inaugural winners of the KTM Ultimate Race Qualifiers, Steve ‘Robbo’ Robertson was also on-hand to share his experience from earlier this year in Morocco.
2020 KTM Ultimate Race Qualifiers
Commencing the qualifying event on Friday was a 250-kilometre navigation challenge, which took riders through a mixture of terrain including a 40-kilometre section on Stockton Beach that will prove incredibly valuable once Arthur and Cheney arrive in Morocco for the sand-filled Merzouga Rally.
The navigation test also included a series of waypoints where riders had to upload a photo of their bike to Instagram in particular places using correct hashtags as supplied by event organisers.
Saturday provided entertainment for the spectators on location at the Transmoto event, as riders in the KTM Ultimate Race Qualifiers had to complete a pass/fail bike-lift, wheel-change challenge and two timed special tests. The top five riders were then announced, based on accumulative scores, and they put on a final show with a ‘hot lap’ special test of the entire 26-minute Transmoto track.
2020 KTM Ultimate Race Qualifiers
It was another successful KTM Ultimate Race Qualifiers operated by the Transmoto Events team in Stroud, with Arthur and Cheney the final duo selected to represent KTM and Australia during the 2020 KTM Ultimate Race in Morocco.
“The KTM Ultimate Race Qualifiers is a very cool initiative from KTM to bring together the global KTM adventure communities. It is also a great way to showcase the versatility of the KTM adventure range, as these bikes can go long distances over a variety of terrain and also cut some serious times in the special tests! I could not be happier for Simmo and Graham to be representing KTM and Australia – they showed not only what fantastic all-round adventure riders they were, but that they are great sportsmen and are going to be true ambassadors at the KTM Ultimate Race.”
However, the Belgian environment department is now considering banning motorcycles from Brussels because they don’t comply with the latest emissions regulations. However, they move to Euro5 targets from next year.
It’s a worrying development as governments around the world consider banning motorcycles or applying CBD congestion taxes.
It’s not alone as cities around the world have introduced or are introducing congestion charges and bans on motorcycles not only to reduce traffic congestion but also air pollution:
Singapore has road-user charges in a CBD zone resulting in a 20% reduction in delays and plans to ban pre-2003 motorcycles throughout the city in 10 years;
Milan’s Ecopass charges all vehicles entering a designated traffic restricted zone and bans old cars and bikes that do not meet set emissions standards;
A cordon charge in Stockholm has led to 24% fewer commuter trips by car (motorcycles and scooters are exempt), with most people switching to public transport and Gothenburg following the same example;
China and Brazil are considering congestion charges in various cities;
Oregon, USA, has trialled a voluntary pay-per-mile distance charge resulting in a 22% drop in traffic in peak hours and a 91% approval by participants; and
London’s Low Emissions Zone charge has helped stabilise traffic congestion over the past decade despite population growth of 1.3 million. Motorcycles, scooters and electric vehicles are exempt, but from next month some older bikes will cop a £12.50 daily fee to access the new London Ultra Low Emissions Zone.
Belgian waffle
The Belgian move follows recent reports in France and LA that point out that motorcycles have higher emissions levels than cars.
That’s true as cars are now on Euro6 and motorcycles are Euro4, moving to Euro 5 from January.
However, motorcycles are only a small proportion of the CBD traffic population.
Also, the plan does not take into account the fact that electric motorcycles and scooters sales are increasing at about 40% in Europe.
Such a short-sighted proposal should be seen as an indiscriminate attack on a legitimate and effective means of transport.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) played high speed chess at the Pramac Generac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, with the two locked in a tense duel for supremacy throughout.
It wasn’t a duel fought in overtakes and swapped paint, it was a duel in pure speed – with the two perfectly matched the point they made a break for it right down to the final lap.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
That final lap was a dramatic one as Marquez struck early and Viñales dug deep to fight back – and then suffered a dramatic crash that decided the first time the two men have really gone head to head.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
With that, Cal Crutchlow’s (LCR Honda Castrol) impressive ride became one to second place and his best finish of the season, with Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) completing the podium to the delight of the home fans – the first Aussie to stand on the rostrum on home soil in the premier class since MotoGP Legend Casey Stoner won the 2012 event at Phillip Island.
Phillip Island MotoGP Race Report
From the off, the race was a classic – and dramatic. From P4 on the grid, Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) got a great launch to get the holeshot into Doohan Corner, with Viñales slipping to P6 from pole.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
Then, at Turn 2, two heavyweights went out of the race: Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) was pushed slightly wide by Marquez as the packed shuffled into the left-hander, and the Italian was a little too eager on the gas, high-siding and dramatically slid into Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT). The Frenchman was already wide and almost on the grass, therefore sadly also right in the path of the oncoming Italian.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
Back at the front, ‘The Doctor’ was still leading the way on his 400th Grand Prix start, with Crutchlow and Aprilia Racing Team Gresini’s Andrea Iannone slotting in behind the Italian as a freight train of nine riders formed at the front in the opening handful of laps.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
Rossi held P1 until Lap 4 when Crutchlow powered past the Yamaha into Turn 1, before Iannone then spectacularly led the race for Aprilia as Crutchlow, Iannone, Rossi, Marquez, Viñales, Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Miller and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) all battled one another in a scintillating start to the 2019 Australian GP.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
The man with the pace for most of the weekend was slowly picking his way through the pack though. Viñales was up to third on Lap 8, second on Lap 9 and the lead on Lap 10. Knowing the polesitter had the pace to make a break, third place Marquez was then in a hurry to get past Crutchlow as he shoved the Brit wide at the top of Lukey Heights. That dropped the number 35 down to P4 behind Iannone, and Viñales and Marquez immediately seemed to pull the pin. Crutchlow passed the Aprilia of Iannone into Turn 1 and attempted to go with the leading duo as all three set mid 1:29s and escaped the monster battle for P4.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
The LCR Honda Castrol man couldn’t hold the pace of Viñales and Marquez, however, as the two Spaniards were relentless in the lead to pull away. But Crutchlow was far clear of the scrap behind as three Ducatis, two Suzukis, two Aprilias and a Yamaha fought tooth and nail. Rookies Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) and Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) were two impressive performers as they got up in the mix.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
By a handful of laps to go, Marquez was threatening to lead into Turn 1 – and sitting up. As the race rolled on, Marquez kept shying away from a pass, shadowing Viñales around the rest of the lap and waiting for the last. When that came around, there was nothing between the two over the line and the Honda suddenly struck.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
Viñales was quick around the outside in the hope of gaining the inside line for the Southern Loop, but Marquez shut the door. Next came Honda Corner and no way through, leaving Turn 10 as the likely major overtaking opportunity. And the race would be settled on the drop into 10, but not how we imagined.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
Viñales had already pulled off some sublime moves there, and this time he was equally apid over the crest of Lukey Heights, right on the back of Marquez.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
But then, drama suddenly struck as it proved too much to ask of the Yamaha and Viñales cascaded out the race and onto the grass, leaving Marquez uncotested to the line.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
For the reigning Champion it was victory number 55 of his MotoGP career, becoming the most successful Honda rider in the premier class and overtaking Mick Doohan’s record on the MotoGP Legend’s home circuit.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
Viñales’ crash bumped 2016 Australian GP winner Crutchlow into P2, a sensational result for the number 35 after last year’s near-career ending crash at Phillip Island. Meanwhile…
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
Miller fought himself to the fore of the group battle for P4, which had now become a fight for the podium.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
On the run to the line, he had to fend off team-mate Bagnaia to return an Aussie to the rostrum, apparently with a little inspiration from Ned Kelly in his livery.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
‘Pecco’ pocketed his best MotoGP result in P4, from P15 on the grid no less, topping off a great weekend for the Pramac team at Pramac Generac-sponsored GP.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
Fellow rookie Mir also claimed his best premier class result in P5, the Suzuki man holding off the super impressive Iannone as ‘The Maniac’ took his best Aprilia finish and equalled the Noale factory’s best.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
Dovizioso crossed the line in P7 just a whisker behind Iannone, meaning the Team Championship between the Ducati Team and Repsol Honda Team now sits at just one point.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
Rossi slipped back to eighth in the closing stages, holding off the challenge from Rins and Aleix Espargaro, who completed the top ten.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) took P11 ahead of a tougher weekend for Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), that closing Aprilia’s deficit to KTM a little in the standings.
2019 Phillip Island MotoGP Race results 1 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) 40’43.729 2 – Cal Crutchlow* (GBR – Honda) +11.413 3 – Jack Miller* (AUS – Ducati) +14.499
Johann Zarco (LCR Honda Idemitsu) took P13 on his Honda debut, with Karel Abraham (Reale Avintia Racing) and Hafizh Syahrin (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) completing the points.
Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) didn’t race after being declared unfit in his morning check up.
Marc Marquez
“Incredible, incredible win because today we weren’t the fastest on the racetrack, Maverick was faster but I was waiting for him. I knew he was the target, I knew he was coming and didn’t start so well so I was waiting for him and when he overtook I tried to follow him and be there. I knew he’d push once he overtook Cal and that’s what he did. It was a strong move when I took Cal but I had to make it because I knew if Maverick had a gap of more than half a second or a little bit more, it would be impossible. So I was using his slipstream, he was so fast in T2 and T3, I was fastest in the last sector and the straight, where we could use our engine.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
“On the last lap it was my plan to overtake on the straight and then close the door, then I saw it started to rain, especially at Turn 3 and Turn 6, and I thought, ‘what’s going on?!’ but I just tried to brake late. At Turn 10 he’d already overtaken me twice and I knew he would come. I went in so deep, braking hard. I didn’t know he crashed but I think I would have had a second chance. I think I could have overtaken him before the finish line too.
Phillip Island MotoGP 2019 – Image by Rob Mott
“It was a slow-cooked victory that, we tried to work on the details, all the Repsol Honda Team, and I equalled Mick Doohan in Motegi. Now, I’m the rider with more victories for Honda, which is something incredible. I’m happy, enjoying dreaming this dream. Just enjoy it because you don’t know the future.”
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Tex claims several RSPCA bosses ride motorcycles and don’t have a problem with animals on a bike. “But I can’t see them changing the laws,” he says.
