Youthful MotoGP squad unveils 2019 look at official team launch.
Image: Supplied.
Team Suzuki Ecstar has launched its 2019 look at its official team presentation over the weekend, showcasing the two GSX-RRs to be piloted by Alex Rins and Joan Mir.
With two seasons aboard the GSX-RR already, Rins spearheads the team’s efforts as the experienced rider in the garage, having achieved five podiums during the 2018 season with the clear target of getting to the top step of the podium this year.
“Finally winter is over and I can go back riding,” said Rins. “This winter break has felt so long and I can’t wait to be back riding again. After the last test in November I left clear feedback for the engineers to work on, as far as I know the improvements we will try in Sepang will not be drastic but many small improvements in many areas, which is totally the Suzuki philosophy.
“We know what we were missing on the bike, so I believe the R&D in Japan will deliver a package which will help us to improve further. My winter has been very intense, with successful recovery and intense training programme. This is an important year, because in 2018 we were able to show that we can consistently fight for podium positions, and now it’s time to go for the bigger prize – the victory.”
Debutant Mir has already proven that he is not daunted by the top class, showing solid performances in the November tests in Valencia and Jerez, however he acknowledges his maiden MotoGP campaign will be focused on learning rather than results.
“Needless to say, I am very excited to get back on my bike,” Mir commented. “This winter has been very long without riding but I focused on my physical training, which has given positive results so far. Of course I still need many more hours on the bike, there are so many things I still need to understand to be even more effective.
“But I feel very supported by the team and I will rely on their wealth of experience to improve, and also to contribute my own improvements to my bike. It will be a whole package, me and the bike, that will hopefully develop step by step. I don’t have any pressure, but for sure my clear objective will be to end the season with a smaller gap to the winner when compared to the first race.”
The first pre-season test for the MotoGP class is scheduled for 6-8 February at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so a motorbike that one rider might consider beautiful could appear so ugly to others they veer off the road in disgust!
Most motorcycles are more attractive than just about any of the cars on the road, especially modern models that seem to look more like sand shoes than cars.
Perhaps the most beauty challenged style of motorcycle is the adventurer. These are, after all, very practical machines, so looks are not important.
The ubiquitous BMW boxer GS models have been among the least attractive, yet I know many owners who think they have a certain macho charm.
But it’s not impossible to make an attractive adventure bike. Take, for example the Moto Guzzi Stelvio and its replacement, the V85 TT.
V85 TT
Which brings us to the first in our list.
10 most ugly bikes
10 Ducati Multistrada
The original 2003 Multistrada was widely referred to as the “Uglystrada”. The front headlight and fairing assembly look more like a Dyson vacuum cleaner than a motorcycle. It also rated in the top 10 simply because Ducati usually gets styling right (Paso aside), but this was such a hideous miss. Thankfully Ducati has totally redeemed the Multiustrada since a total redesign in 2010.
9 MV Agusta F4Z Zagato
In the same vein, we expect Italian colleagues MV Agusta to get design right, even if they have trouble with reliability. In fact, the F4 is considered by many to be the most beautiful bike ever built. So it comes as a slap in the face that MV would prostitute itself for a rich Japanese businessman and produce this one-off Zagato monstrosity. Some may love it, but I just can’t look at it without feeling betrayed.
8 Most Chinese bikes
Most Chinese motorcycles fall into a design black hole. CFMoto is usually an exception to Chinese ugly, but this CF250T-5 is frightful. What is it, anyway? A cross between a cruiser, scooter and a household appliance?
7 Victory Vision
Is it any wonder Victory Motorcycles was axed? This massive tourer looked like someone chainsawed a ’57 Chev right up the middle. If Elvis is high on your Spotify rotation and you still use Brylcream, it may look attractive in a ‘50s sci-fi way. It actually handled well, but it was an embarrassment to ride and on a warm day, it was unbearably hot.
6 BMW K1
One of the biggest impediments to motorcycle efficiency is aerodynamics. In an effort to streamline bikes there have been some aero design hits like the Hayabusa (some may say it’s a miss). However, there have been many more misses. Top of the aero-awful list is the K1 which is even worse than the Ducati Paso. It may have been a techno de force with ABS and 16-valve engine, but it was fuK1 ugly!
5 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Here’s another example of aero gone wrong. The new Road Glide is actually the best-handling of their touring bikes because the fairing is attached to the frame, not the forks, and it has great aero. But that bull-nose fairing is way out of proportion and looks ugly from every angle, including the rider’s seat.
4 Triumph Speed Triple
I’m going to step on a lot of toes here, because this is a much-loved bike. But the original Speed Triple with its bug-eyed twin headlights was hideous. They simply stuck out like an afterthought. Later models had reshaped lights and a small cowl above them that integrated better with the rest of the bike. Amazing how headlights can ruin a bike. Just take a look at the Ducati 999 with its stacked torch lights and the BMW S 1000 RR with its cockeyed lamps, although they’ve now gone symmetrical.
3 Honda Rune
The Honda Rune looks like something Batman would ride. If that’s your thing, great, but then Batman did wear his underpants on the outside!This 2004 cut-down Goldwing was a good idea that Honda later got right with the F6B and F6C. But this first limited-edition model was like a big plastic Batman toy.
2 Suzuki B-King
Some days I love this beast. Other days it just looks beastly. The Suzuki B-King looks like it was the result of abunch of designerswho concentrated on their own little bit. It just doesn’t have any cohesion and ends up looking like a Transformer. Also, its massive underseat pipes and lights formed a “frightened face” looking back at the following traffic.
Primer viaje del año dirección Malasia! Con ganas de que empiecen los primeros test! 😁
First trip of the year going to Malaysia! Looking forward to starting the first Test!✈️
#preseason #test #2019 Pull&Bear
Tissot
As for Nakagami, he will be riding a 2018 spec RC213V for the 2019 season, the same bike Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), his teammate Dani Pedrosa and Nakagami’s teammate Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) used last season. His transition from 2017 machinery to 2018 machinery? Well, P9 in Valencia was positive for the Japanese rider, but an immensely impressive P1 at the Jerez Test gave us a good indicator of the speed Nakagami could possess this year.
Shinichi Sahara –Project Leader: “We are approaching the true beginning of this new season with renewed enthusiasm and positivity. The tests at the end of last year gave us an important direction, and my expectation is to find ourselves at a competitive level. We have been working on many aspects of the GSX-RR and with the contribution of all our riders – Rins, Mir and the test rider Guintoli – we have been able to improve our technical package. For us, 2019 will be an important season: from one side we will have Alex Rins, who is still young in terms of age but is already experienced with our team and our machine, he has the tools to take the victory we long for. On the other hand we’ll start a new training programme with a young talent in the form of Joan Mir, with no pressure on him and all our efforts going towards his development. Last year we have also reinforced our test team and Guintoli is a true part of the squad who can give us important feedback, without forgetting the hard work done behind the scenes by Japanese test riders in Hamamatsu. I’d say we have a good and solid set up as a team, and we hope for a positive 2019 season.”
Aiden Wagner sets second fastest time in final session
By Mark Bracks
At the end of the two day official ASBK test it was Wayne Maxwell who could beat his chest as the fastest Superbike rider on the grid, after setting a 1:32.312 during the final day’s morning session.
Wayne Maxwell – Image by TBG
Wagner put in a notable final session of the day, setting a late 1:32.451 to post the second fastest time of the test, while close behind was the man who finished third last year in Troy Bayliss, followed by Josh Waters and Daniel Falzon. All bar Falzon and Wagner set their fastest times in the opening session of day two, before the heat really set in.
Defending champion Troy Herfoss meanwhile was sixth fastest, with Bryan Staring, Cru Halliday, Glenn Allerton and Mike Jones rounding out the top ten on the combined timesheets.
See below for individual sessions and the full combined testing times for the weekend.
Superbikes – Sunday Session 1
By 10am Sunday morning, the air temp was over 24 degrees at Phillip Island, with the track temperature already nudging 36 degrees. That meant that with the forecast saying it would only get hotter, it was vital to get the times in early as most expected the track and tyre performance to drop off as the temperatures rose and the day wore on.
Wayne Maxwell – Image by TBG
The first session saw Maxwell kick the day off well and continue his form, topping the sheets again with a blistering 1:32.312, which was only fractionally outside Troy Bayliss’s lap record of 1:32.224.
There were four other riders under the 1:33 mark for the first session of the day, with Bayliss, Waters, Wagner and Herfoss all claiming that honour. There was then a further one second gap back to Halliday in sixth.
Kawasaki Superbike – Practice 5 (Sun Session 1)
Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R ELR 1:32.312
Troy BAYLISS (QLD) Ducati Panigale FE +0.319
Josh WATERS (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R ELR +0.364
Aiden WAGNER (QLD) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.532
Troy HERFOSS (QLD) Honda CBR RR SP +0.672
Cru HALLIDAY (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R1 +1.587
Daniel FALZON (SA) Yamaha YZF-R1 +1.635
Glenn ALLERTON (NSW) BMW S RR +1.642
Arthur SISSIS (SA) Suzuki GSXR RL7 +1.706
Mike JONES (QLD) Kawasaki ZX10RR +1.842
Superbikes – Sunday Session 2
The second session was held just before the lunch break and saw Bayliss return to the top of the timesheets, while a multitude of consistent laps from Falzon propelled him into second for the session. Wagner and Maxwell completed the top four and these were the only other riders to also descend into the 1:32s for the session.
Troy Bayliss – Image by TBG
The consensus of those that were asked is that they were all still trying to find a setup to suit the new Pirelli tyres. All bar Bayliss, who basically just adapted to the new tyres well.
To me, that gives an indication of the man’s adaptability, a skill that would have been honed on those many laps in the Superbike World Championships where a new compound or new profile change from either Michelin or Pirelli was more common than many changing underwear!
Kawasaki Superbike – Practice 6 (Sun Session 2)
Troy BAYLISS (QLD) Ducati Panigale FE 1:32.676
Daniel FALZON (SA) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.108
Aiden WAGNER (QLD) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.281
Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R ELR +0.281
Josh WATERS (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R ELR +0.628
Cru HALLIDAY (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.636
Bryan STARING (WA) Kawasaki ZX10RR +0.793
Troy HERFOSS (QLD) Honda CBR RR SP +0.882
Glenn ALLERTON (NSW) BMW S RR +1.338
Mike JONES (QLD) Kawasaki ZX10RR +1.408
Superbikes – Sunday Session 3
By the time the third session of the day commenced the track temp was over 55 deg with lap times dropping by over a second across the board.
Daniel Falzon – Image by TBG
Daniel Falzon topped the time sheets for the first time, as he set the benchmark of 1:33.208 for the session. Closest was Bayliss, who went within 0.038 second of equaling the time on his last flying lap, with Waters third and Wagner fourth.
Kawasaki Superbike – Practice 7 (Sun Session 3)
Daniel FALZON (SA) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:33.208
Troy BAYLISS (QLD) Ducati Panigale FE +0.036
Josh WATERS (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R ELR +0.215
Aiden WAGNER (QLD) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.217
Cru HALLIDAY (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.256
Bryan STARING (WA) Kawasaki ZX10RR +0.317
Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R ELR +0.317
Troy HERFOSS (QLD) Honda CBR RR SP +.403
Glenn ALLERTON (NSW) BMW S RR +0.411
Mark CHIODO (VIC) Honda CBR RR SP +0.792
Superbikes – Sunday Session 4
With the final session of the two days approaching, a massive blackout hit the Island after a tree came down on a power line, shutting off power to the track and thus power to tyre warmers and other equipment in the pit sheds. As such over half the field of Superbikes decided to pack up for the day, including Daniel Falzon and Glenn Allerton.
Cru Halliday was third fastest in the final session – Image by TBG
After the final 25 minute session with the remaining riders – and a red flag delay after Mark Chiodo crashed at Lukey Heights for the second time of the weekend – it was Aiden Wagner who was the fastest from Maxwell, Halliday, Waters, Mike Jones and Bayliss.
Kawasaki Superbike – Practice 8 (Sun Session 4)
Aiden WAGNER (QLD) Yamaha YZF-R1 1:32.451
Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R ELR +0.492
Cru HALLIDAY (NSW) Yamaha YZF-R1 +0.760
Josh WATERS (VIC) Suzuki GSX-R EL R +0.853
Mike JONES (QLD) Kawasaki ZX10RR +1.335
Troy BAYLISS (QLD) Ducati Panigale FE +1.487
Troy HERFOSS (QLD) Honda CBR RR SP +1.524
Max CROKER (NSW) Suzuki GSX-R +2.287
Alex PHILLIS (VIC) Suzuki GSXR +2.429
Arthur SISSIS (SA) Suzuki GSXR RL7 +2.504
Sunday Superbike Wrap
While there are no prizes for being fastest at a test there is certainly a form guide we can take away, especially with the first round of the Australian Superbike Championship at the same venue in a little under three weeks time.
There may be the usual bunch of street fighters that have battled out the championship over the last couple of years at the front of the field, but Aiden Wagner has certainly made a few sit up and take notice.
Aiden Wagner – Image by TBG
The 25-year-old Queenslander was never out of the top five during the two days and his consistency in lap times was impressive. Also when you peek into the pit box of the Landbridge Transport/Wagner Soil Testing Team and see what isn’t there, it makes his effort even more outstanding.
It is very much a true privateer team with good personnel around him and while the focus will be on the manufacturer teams, just keep an eye on the #28 Yamaha R1 of Wagner. He will be ready to pounce, and he is certainly ready to win.
The first round of the Australian Superbike Championship will be held alongside the opening round of the Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island 22-24 February.
Kawasaki Superbike – Phillip Island Test – Merged classification
Kawasaki ace gains points lead as Cianciarulo earns 250SX West victory.
Image: Supplied.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac has won a mud-filled main event at San Diego’s fifth round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross and FIM World Championship, earning the 450SX points lead in the process.
Tomac pushed through the demanding encounter, capturing victory over Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Marvin Musquin by 4.199s, as Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) completed the podium in third.
Justin Bogle (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM) was an impressive fourth – his best finish of the season – while Australia’s Chad Reed (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing) rounded out the top five. Former points leader Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was eighth, demoting him to fourth in the standings.
In the 250SX West class, Adam Cianciarulo (Pro Circuit Monster Energy Kawasaki) gained the points lead after capturing his third victory of the series, comfortably defeating teammate and podium newcomer Garrett Marchbanks (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) and third’s Jimmy Decotis (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing).
The top five was completed by Shane McElrath (TLD Red Bull KTM) and Jess Pettis (KTM), while former points leader Colt Nichols (Monster Energy Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha) was 10th in the treacherous conditions. The AMA Supercross championship heads to Minneapolis next weekend, marking the first east coast round of the championship.
The first session of the Supersport class on Saturday saw Tom Toparis getting his year off to a good start, in what serves as a warm up for his racing season, which now also includes a wildcard entry in Round 1 of the FIM World Supersport Championship at the end of the month.
Toparis was in intimidating form as he set fastest time of the day on the Yamaha R6, his first outing for the marque after moving over from Kawasaki.
Tom Toparis – Image by TBG
Right behind Toparis was Nicholas Liminton (Yamaha Motor Aust., Yamaha YZF-R6) in second and Aidan Hayes (Hayes Johnston Pty Ltd Chartered Accountants, Yamaha YZF-R6) in third place.
Oli Bayliss (Yamaha YZF-R6) was knocking on the door of the top group but couldn’t catch third placed Pearson, ending up fourth with a 1.37.840. Behind him was Reid Battye (Suzuki, Suzuki GSX-R), seemingly getting more comfortable on the bike after a slow first session to finish fifth fastest.
If Tom Toparis was in intimidating form on Day 1, then on Sunday he proved he was untouchable. Already down into the 1:35’s by lunchtime, Toparis (1:35.295) pushed his Landbridge Yamaha almost two seconds clear of second placed Nic Liminton (1:37.273) who despite improving as the weekend progressed still didn’t have the pace to catch the World Supersport wild card rider.
Tom Toparis – Image by Rob Mott
After a weekend’s worth of trying, Oli Bayliss finally managed to crack the top three for the second and third sessions of the day despite reportedly clipping a stray bird whilst out on track. He finished the weekend in third position behind Liminton and Toparis in what was a superb improvement from yesterday.
Fighting it out for best of the rest all weekend was Broc Pearson and Reid Battye, who were consistently in the top five runners all weekend. Pearson ended the weekend on a 1:37.588 to leave him in fourth, while Battye could only manage a 1:38.142 which left him fifth.
Aidan Hayes and Territorian Sam Lambert managed to dip into the top five in the morning however couldn’t seem to match the top three for pace on a consistent basis. Pearson (1:37.588) ended up fifth and Lambert (1:38.134) ended the weekend in sixth.
Fastest Overall Top 10 Results
Tom TOPARIS (Landbridge Yamaha, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:35.295
Nicholas LIMINTON (Yamaha Motor Aust. Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:37.273
Oli BAYLISS (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:37.492
Broc PEARSON (Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:37.588
Reid BATTYE (Suzuki, Suzuki GSX-R) 1:38.134
Sam LAMBERT (Mv Agusta Aus-NZ, MV Agusta F3) 1:38.142
Scott NICHOLSON (Traction Control Motorsport, Suzuki GSX-R) 1:39.013
Ty LYNCH (Australian Outdoor Living, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:39.136
Ryan TAYLOR (Arden Homes, Yamaha YZF-R6) 1:39.182
YMI Supersport 300 / YMF R3 Cup
He’s new to the team and the bike, but nothing could stop Locky Taylor in taking out the fastest overall lap time in the YMI Supersport 300 and YMF R3 Cup classes on Saturday. Taylor clocked in a fastest time of 1:49.429, ahead of Seth Crump (Rockoil, KTM RC 390) who finishes Day One with the second fastest overall time of 1:49.768.
Locky Taylor – Image by TBG
Third fastest overall was Callum O’Brien (BC Performance, Kawasaki Ninja 400), who featured consistently at the top of the leader board throughout the day. O’Brien finished Day One of the Official ASBK Test with a top lap time of 1:49.939.
Hot on the heels of O’Brien was Zac Levy (Demmery Motorsport, Yamaha R3 321), who clocked in a speedy time of 1:50.109. Rounding out the top five for the day was Luke Power (RTR, Yamaha R3 321) with a best time of 1:50.423.
On Day Two, coming out of the pits like a demon behind the handlebars, Seth Crump (Rockoil, KTM RC 390) took out the fastest lap time for the YMI Supersport 300 and YMF R3 Cup classes.
Seth Crump – Image by TBG
Crump clocked in a best time of 1:49.249, sitting pretty ahead of second place holder Locky Taylor (YRD, Yamaha R3 321) with a 1:49.429. Taylor continued his fantastic form from Saturday’s practice sessions, maintaining a cool head into today’s rising temperatures.
Third fastest for Sunday was Senna Agius (Kawasaki Ninja 400) with a time of 1:49.581. Agius has been riding comfortably with the leading pack all day, appearing in the top three places for each of his four practice sessions. Breathing down Agius’ neck and trailing by a mere .36 seconds was Max Stauffer (Yamaha, Yamaha R3 321), with the fourth fastest time of 1:49.617.
Rounding out the top five for Day Two was Callum O’Brien (BC Performance, Kawasaki Ninja 400) with a time of 1:49.939.
The first ever practice session for the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup kicked off on Saturday as the first time Motorcycling Australia’s Junior Road Race Academy program had ever taken to the track.
bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup – Image by TBG
Damien Cudlin led the field out for their first two supervised laps before waving the field past and unleashing the 25 youngsters onto the Phillip Island circuit for the very first of their practice sessions.
The first untimed session gave the kids the chance to feel their way around the circuit and the bikes at their own pace, before the timing started and the young riders started to come to grips with how the bikes handled.
Fastest time of the day went to Lucas Quinn (2:15.668), ahead of Grenfell and Carter Thompson.
As the pitlane opened on Sunday and the sessions began the youngsters would crank the throttle wide open and swarm out of pit exit, anxious to make the most of every second of their fifteen minutes on track.
The action was akin to a mini Moto3 race, with bunches of six and seven riders having five lap long drafting chains exciting enough to draw a few of the top class riders out of the pit garages for a look at the action.
By the time the weekend finished it was Queensland’s Max Gibbons who came out on top, setting a impressive 2:14.375 to take fastest of the day, followed by Carter Thompson (2:14.835), Archie McDonald (2:14.897), New Zealand’s Cormac Buchanan (2:14.957), and Angus Grenfell (2:15.082).
Rider coach Damien Cudlin was thrilled with the performance of the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup riders.
Damien Cudlin
“So far it’s been a really positive test, I think the kids have all really enjoyed themselves, they’ve learnt a whole lot. “They’ve really surprised me and I think a lot of people in the pitlane with how professional they’ve been and how well they’re riding already, so I’m even more excited to see them in their first race.”
The young racers’ next outing is at Wakefield Park, where the Junior Road Race Academy will go racing for real with the first-ever Oceania Junior Cup round joining Round 2 of ASBK. If this weekend’s performance is anything to go by, these young talented riders will be itching to be the first to stamp their name on the series and will be providing us with some absolutely thrilling racing.
Overall Fastest Top 10 Results
Max GIBBONS bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:14.735)
Carter THOMPSON bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:14.835)
Cros FRANCIS bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:15.202)
Glenn NELSON bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:15.486)
Lucas QUINN bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:15.668)
Jamie PORT bLU cRU Yamaha Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:15.681)
Alex KENWORTHY-JONES bLU cRU Yamaha YZF-R15 (2:15.890)
The end of official testing sees the beginning of the countdown to Round 1 of the season, when we return to Phillip Island on 21-24 February 2019. Make sure you don’t miss it as the Australians join the world’s best Superbike racers for a thrilling weekend of superbike action for Round 1 of the FIM World Superbike Championship. Get your tickets now!
2019 ASBK Calendar
Official ASBK Test – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC February 2 – 3
Round 1- WSBK – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC February 21 – 24
Round 2- Wakefield Park Raceway – Goulburn NSW March 22 – 24
Round 3- The Bend Motorsport Park – Tailem Bend, SA April 26 – 28
Round 4- Morgan Park Raceway – Warwick, QLD July 5 – 7
Round 5- Winton Motor Raceway – Benalla, VIC September 6 – 8
Round 6- Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC October 4 – 6
Round 7- Sydney Motorsport Park – Eastern Creek, NSW November 1 – 3
Toparis once again blitzes Supersport class with fastest time.
Image: Russell Colvin.
For the second day running, Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Wayne Maxwell has topped the official Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) test at Phillip Island in Victoria.
Battling a recently broken collarbone, Maxwell bettered his lap from Saturday, lodging a 1m32.312s time to edge out a blistering
1m32.451s lap from Aiden Wagner (Yamaha) in the final session, as DesmoSport Ducati’s Troy Bayliss closed out the top three with a time of 1m32.631s.
Fourth was credited to Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar) after he lodged a 1m32.676s time, as Daniel Falzon’s (Yamaha Racing Team) 1m32.784s time rewarded him with fifth. Sixth was taken out by reigning champion Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing) followed by Bryan Staring (BCperformance Kawasaki), Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team), Glenn Allerton (Maxima BMW) and Mike Jones (Kawasaki).
In the Supersport category, Tom Toparis (Yamaha) once again reigned supreme, setting his quickest time of 1m35.295s in the first session of the day, defeating Nicholas Liminton (Yamaha) and Oli Bayliss (Cube Racing), who set 1m37.273s and 1m37.492s times respectively. Fourth and fifth were awarded to Broc Pearson (Yamaha) and Reid Battye (Suzuki).
The Supersport 300 and Yamaha R3 Cup, which were combined for each session, saw Tom Bramich (Kawasaki) come out on top over Seth Crump (KTM) and Locky Taylor (Yamaha), while the Oceania Junior Cup was taken out by Max Gibbons (Yamaha) ahead of Carter Thompson (Yamaha) and Archie McDonald (Yamaha).
Valentine’s Day is a time for celebrating our love for those important in our lives, particularly our partner or spouse. When your significant other is also in love with their motorbike, consider combining their two greatest loves in one gift to show how much you care. This includes gifts for those who may no longer take to the road on two wheels, but still, hold a love for motorbikes in their heart. There are now many opportunities to create your own customized gifts, providing you with many options. Here are some creative ideas for those in love with their bikes almost as much as they love you:
Jewelry
Valentine’s day is a day for jewelry, particularly if you are planning to ask for your partner’s hand in marriage, in which case diamonds are your primary choice. Jewelry is also a gift of love on other days on the calendar too. So, if it’s your wedding anniversary you can check out these wonderful ideas at goldenweddinggifts.com. One thing is for sure, no matter what the occasion is, you cannot go wrong with jewelry. A classic braided bracelet made from leather come in a range of styles, including one that can be wrapped twice around the wrist and secured with a strong twist magnet clasp, which will look good on any man. For her, a set of diamond earrings will add a touch of class or a pendant to show off her décolletage.
Experience gift
Superbike weekend
Surprise your partner with an action-packed weekend of high-speed thrills and two-wheeled racing at a Superbike Weekend, whether you choose the world-famous Brands Hatch or a circuit anywhere else in the world, you have always wanted to visit. Perhaps your partner wants to ride their own bike round a track which is easy to arrange, or a guided off-road biking experience is one that will create memories that will last forever.
Born to ride
Mrs MotorbikeWriter in her RSD jacket
Full leather jacket
A touring jacket made from leather can be in a variety of styles.If your biker has hung up their riding boots, a full leather jacket will still be appreciated to keep the biker’s blood flowing through their veins.
If still biking a two-piece riding suit that fits your beloved’s own style would make a great gift. These offer full body coverage and protection, designed to be abrasion resistant in the event of any accident. Other options that are easier on the bank balance are leather gloves, advanced knee protectors, all-weather riding pants, or balaclava, available from a range of biking accessory manufacturers and retailers.
Riding gloves
Full-hand or half-gloves that are abrasion resistant protect the hands from constant friction yet are soft and comfortable inside. You can choose gloves with pre-curved fingers for a snug fit and shock-absorbing padding in the wrist area for added protection.
Saddlebags
Saddlebags make a great Valentine’s Day gift for biking enthusiasts. Riders will always have things they need to carry on their journey, which can be placed in saddle bags that are available in various capacities and for different uses. It is best to buy waterproof saddlebags with lockable facilities so contents can be kept dry and safe in all weather conditions.
Motorcycle Art
Personalized motorcycle name
For those who find it difficult being parted from their bike, a gift that can be hung in the home is a way to keep them connected to their pride and joy. Using high-resolution photographs of Harley Davidson, Honda, and other brand motorcycle parts, there are companies who can create a customized work of art showing your lover’s name or nickname using the shapes of motorbike parts, covering every letter of the alphabet without having to use the same photograph twice.
Home sign
A sign for your home can be fun, such as “Born to ride, forced to work” will look great hung on the wall of your home or propped up on a windowsill or sideboard. These come in a range of styles and in a range of wordings too, so there will be one that suits you best. Available in wood, clay, and metals
Motorbike technology
GPS device
A GPS device is an ideal valentine gift to make sure your partner gets to their destination on time. These can be stand-alone devices or can be used with a smartphone. Many of these devices come fitted with the latest software, allowing maps to be updated and also with city guides. Garmin devices can work without mobile data or internet connection, through wireless Bluetooth technology.
GoPro Camera
Take fabulous photos and videos whilst out on the bike with a GoPro camera. These are waterproof and remain stable when mounted on a bike.Of course, this does not have to be just for use on the bike, the camera can go with you on holiday whether you’re skiing, snorkeling up to depths of 33 feet or taking in the sites of a foreign city, which is where the stereo audio facility and wind noise reduction are an added bonus.
Being creative doesn’t mean you cannot be traditional if you want to gift chocolates and flowers. Search out some delicious Belgian chocolates shaped as motorbikes, for your chocoholic motorcycling Valentine and pair with a dozen red roses or your sweetheart’s favorite blooms. Many flowers have specific meanings around love, such as red roses for passion and everlasting love, but also luxurious orchids, colorful tulips and more.
