Selecting the right riding gear for the conditions is as important as setting your bike up before a ride. You should be able to focus 100 % on getting the job done without any distraction from poorly selected equipment. In the early days, when Husqvarna Motorcycles helped shape the sport of motocross, riders had little choice but to wear heavy, non-breathable clothing for protection.
Today, riders have the opportunity to select light, comfortable and vented gear for hot days, and waterproof options for colder, wet rides. It is important to wear a set of quality riding gear that has gone through the same vigorous preparation that you and your motorcycle have gone through.
A massive and potentially lethal pothole on a popular motorcycle road that has been reported to authorities is still not repaired weeks later, says Victorian rider Rodney Brown.
“It was 6.30 on a Sunday morning, dark and foggy, when I came across this road hazard killer,” he says.
“The water bottle (28cm long and 9cm wide) I placed in it gives you some perspective of this road safety hazard monster, especially for motorcycle riders.
“This death trap needs to be fixed immediately.”
Rodney reported the pothole on McGeorge Road, South Gisborne, to the local council and VicRoads but says it is still not fixed.
“The road is often used by local motorcycle riders and riders visiting the region who are looking for a scenic ride on a regional road,” he says.
“I rang VicRoads and they referred me on to my local council.
“The council knows about it and only gives these road hazards a quick repair job.
“It has been like this for weeks without any repair.”
Safety issue for riders
Dangerous road conditions are no laughing matter for riders
Potholes and other road maintenance issues are frequently cited in local and international studies.
A 2018 British Automobile Association survey found that while potholes cause damage to cars, they are a greater injury threat to riders with riders three times more likely to be involved in crashes caused by potholes and poor road surfaces than any other vehicle type.
A 244-page 2016 Austroads report, titled “Infrastructure Improvements to Reduce Motorcycle Casualties”, found that roads need to be better designed, funded and maintained to reduce the risk of motorcycle crashes.
And while riders are urged to report road defects, that only yields a result if the problem is promptly fixed.
If a council or state authority is informed of an issue and a crash occurs before it is fixed, then the authority is culpable.
That may yield a result in terms of compensation, but it does nothing to prevent the accident from happening.
Rodney says there need to be roving road crews available to attend major roads hazards, especially on weekends.
Rodney Brown
“If not there soon should be road crews established to do so,” he says.
“With all the talk from VicRoads and local council nothing has changed in my 50 years as far as fixing regional roads.
He says the concerns of motorcycle riders in parliament have been abandoned.
“This (pothole) is just another example where our government doesn’t think motorcycle.”
The FIM Asia Road Racing Championship has released a provisional calendar for the 2021 season comprising of six rounds.
In a cautious move to give plenty of buffer for any lingering pandemic-related travel restrictions, the 2021 season will start late, beginning only in June.
The Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia is expected to host the first two season openers with Round 1 taking place from June 4 to 6, followed quickly by Round 2 from June 11 to 13, 2021.
The circus will then travel to the Zhuhai International Circuit in China for Round 3 from July 30 to August 1 followed by the fourth leg at The Bend Motorsport Park in Australia from September 23 to 26.
The fourth leg of the ARRC will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in Australia from September 23 to 26, alongside ASBK
Two more consecutive rounds at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand will wrap up the season with Round 5 scheduled from November 19 to 21 followed by the season finale from November 26 to 28, 2021.
Ron Hogg – Director Two Wheels Motor Racing
“2020 has been a challenging year for all sporting events. As the promoters of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship, we are grateful to all the racing teams and our corporate partners for their kind understanding and support. While the calendar is still subject to more changes, we are really looking forward to a great comeback season in 2021.”
Peter Doyle currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer – Motorcycling Australia, and comes to this new appointment of FIM Oceania President with decades of experience in motorcycle sports as a competitor, International Team Manager and the CEO of one of the largest FMN’s. Incidentally, PD also demonstrated an acerbic wit as an MCNews.com.au columinst for some time while Team Manager for Mat Mladin in AMA Superbike way back when.
Doyle has held the position of Deputy President of FIM Oceania for over 3 years, the crucial role and work of the ‘’Down Under CONU’’ comes as a very familiar responsibility in the role as incoming FIMO President. This position coming with the important appointment as a member of the FIM Board of Directors, representing the FIMO CONU.
FIMO President-Elect Peter Doyle
‘’I am very proud to be appointed to this position. It is an exciting time for FIM Oceania as the sport continues to grow strongly in this region. In the FIM Oceania region we are very lucky that we are already bouncing back from the effects of a tough CIVID effected year. 2021 within our region is looking positive.
“Yet again, FIMO region has produced more FIM World Champions in 2020. Given the great challenge of distance and long-travel, creating FIM World Champions from Oceania is so much harder. However, the passion for motorcycling within this CONU has created a long history of success, and the outlook looks bright for our future rider talent. This will be a key focus for FIMO moving forward.
‘’I look forward to working with the other FIM Board of Directors whilst representing FIMO. We will continue the great progress over recent years within Oceania thanks to the hard working FIM Oceania Board of Directors from Australia and New Zealand. We are only two FMN’s, but we race across a landscape of a massive region – split by Oceans and Seas. However, the competition Down Under is World class.’’
FIMO President-Elect Peter Doyle
FIM President Jorge Viegas
“We would like to sincerely thank Mr Glen Williams for his commitment and contribution over the last years. We truly enjoyed collaborating with him and take this opportunity to wish him every success in his future endeavours.
‘’We are pleased by the appointment of Mr Peter Doyle, as new President of FIM Oceania, and would like to convey our best wishes for fruitful achievements along this journey. Safe racing and congratulations to FIM Oceania and its new President!’’
The FIM Oceania Board of Directors thanked Glen Williams, outgoing FIM Oceania President for his dedication and great work as over the past 4 years in this role.
Glen Williams
“I would like to thank my fellow FIM Oceania board members and our member federations of MA & MNZ for the full support that they have provided to me during my term. It has both been humbling and also made my role as FIMO President enjoyable and rewarding. My thanks also go out to the members of the FIM Board, The FIM President and FIM Staff who have been invaluable for their positive and constructive guidance throughout my term and through the Covid-19 period.”
FIM Oceania additionally welcomed Mr Noel May to the role of FIM Oceania Deputy President. Mr May come to this appointment highly experienced in motorcycle sport, also holding the current role of President of Motorcycling New Zealand for the past few years.
FIM Oceania enters into the new era as it undergoes the development of the FIM Oceania Strategic Plan, with support from FIM. This planning process will help to guide the future of FIM Oceania and motorcycling in the Oceania region. An important focus is held for junior development, empowering volunteers and growth of the CONU. In addition, cementing strong links with other CONU’s and the FIM through projects and sporting competition.
The new FIM Oceania President term of 4 years starts from December 1st , joining fellow FIMO Board Members from Motorcycling Australia (MA) and Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ).
FIM Oceania President – Peter Doyle (MA)
FIM Oceania Deputy President – Noel May (MNZ)
FIM Oceania Board Member & Secretary General – Simon Maas (MA)
Of course with a lot less MotoGP rounds taking place this year there were less crashes overall but on a per round basis 2020 still saw plenty of fairings destroyed and leathers flayed.
Of the last decade 2017 saw the most crashes – In 2020 we had far fewer rounds to crash at
The number of crashes by MotoGP riders has increased dramatically since Michelin took over as the sole tyre supplier from Bridgestone in 2016. Controls were also introduced in 2016 which restricted the bespoke electronic systems to a more rudimentary level.
In the most recent decade 2010 recorded the least number of crashes. 2020 had far fewer rounds than the other season so the decline illustrated in the graph can largely be ignored if we are looking at the trend on a per event basis
If we include all classes, the worst year for crashes was 2017 with a massive 1126 falls recorded across the MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 categories. In the most recent decade, 2010 wtinessed the least number of MotoGP riders fall.
There were more Moto2 crashes in 2020 than there were Moto3 tumbles. The average falls per event in 2020 for MotoGP was 12.8 for a total of 180, in Moto2 it was an average of 19.4 that produced a tally of 292 crashes, while Moto3 averaged 16.6 crashes per event for a total of 250. It should also be noted that this season there were no wildcard riders due to the COVID situation and this season also was staged in better weather than most.
2020 MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 crash statistics
Le Mans has proved the most treacherous circuit on the calendar over the past two years. There were 100 crashes over the Le Mans weekend this year, 30 of which were at turn three. The next worst was Catalunya with 64 crashes. Valencia and Misano both witnessed 61 tumbles.
Losail saw the least riders hitting the ground with only 27 crashes, but MotoGP did not race at Losail this season. Thus the newest circuit on the calendar, Portimao, actually proved the safest with only 32 crashes recorded across all three classes at the spectacular rollercoaster that is the Portuguese track.
Of course MotoGP did not visit Phillip Island this year but historically the Australian circuit does see plenty throw it down the road. In fact, during season 2016 the Phillip Island event witnessed the most crashes all season with 90 tumbles across the race weekend. Cal Crutchlow survived the carnage to take the win in 2016 from Rossi and Vinales.
The most treacherous event of the last seven seasons took place at a rain lashed Valencia in 2018. The Spanish marshalls would have had their arms dropping off after flagging an inredible 155 crashes over the weekend. The MotoGP race was red-flagged as heavy rain caused multiple riders to crash and racing conditions were deemed too dangerous. Andrea Dovizioso won the re-started race from Alex Rins and Pol Espargaro.
Crashes by circuit – 2014-2020
With 15 crashes this year Johann Zarco topped the crash data for the MotoGP riders in 2020. Alex Marquez had 14 tumbles while Aleix Espargaro also made the crash podium with 12. Danilo Petrucci was the safest of the permanent riders with only two crashes recorded against his name while Maverick Vinales and Andrea Dovizioso were next best with four apiece. Jack Miller recorded eight crashes, as did Pecco Bagnaia, Miguel Oliveira, Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins.
2020 crashes by MotoGP rider
Across all categories it was Malaysia Kasmayudin Daniel that wore out the most leathers with 20 crashes while fellow Moto2 rider Jorge Navarro took second place with 19 tumbles.
And the riders that crash the most are….
Data compiled and sent to us by MotoGP.com Analysis by Trev
Two BMW satellite teams will be competing alongside the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team in the upcoming 2021 season: the Italian RC Squadra Corse team and the Bonovo Action team from Germany. Both teams will be racing with one BMW M 1000 RR.
Markus Schramm – Director of BMW Motorrad
“Cooperation with satellite teams represents another important step for our involvement in the FIM Superbike World Championship. It is great to have two more BMW M 1000 RRs in the field alongside the two motorbikes from our works teams, the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team with riders Tom Sykes and Michael van der Mark. I would like to extend a warm welcome to the two satellite teams in our WorldSBK project. The Bonovo Action team with Jonas Folger is the first German team to register to compete in the WorldSBK with a Bavarian rider on a Bavarian motorbike. That is a special combination. I am also delighted that Eugene Laverty will remain an integral member of our BMW family, applying his talents and his knowledge of BMW superbikes in our satellite team RC Squadra Corse, newly formed but already well known in the World Superbike paddock. I hope that they will all enjoy a successful 2021 WorldSBK season!”
RC Squadra Corse will compete with Eugene Laverty (IRL), who spent the 2020 season with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and will be combining appearances in the WorldSBK with his role as BMW test rider.
Headed by team owner Roberto Colombo, the RC Squadra Corse team will be appearing under a new name in 2021 but has been present in the World Superbike paddock for some time. The team has been competing in the World Superbike Championship since 2016 and also appeared in the 2020 Supersport World Championship. 34-year-old Laverty is one of the most experienced riders in the WorldSBK. 2020 saw him complete his first season with BMW as a rider for the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. Right from the start, Laverty was closely involved in development of the BMW M 1000 RR and brings plenty of experience to the RC Squadra Corse team.
Bonovo Action will continue the successful cooperation with rider Jonas Folger (GER).
The Bonovo Action team is headed by team owner Jürgen Röder and team manager Michael Galinski. The team dominated the International German Motorcycle Championship IDM with Folger in 2020. Folger claimed the championship title, winning all eight races in the IDM season. The team also competed with Folger at the two WorldSBK events in Barcelona (ESP) and Estoril (POR), with both team and rider delivering convincing performances. The 27-year-old Folger began his international career in 2008. In subsequent years, he competed in all MotoGP World Championship classes, moving from the 125s (that later became Moto3), to Moto2 and then MotoGP.
Both satellite teams will work closely with BMW Motorrad Motorsport and the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers
“We are really looking forward to the partnership with Bonovo Action and RC Squadra Corse. The cooperation with these two teams allows us to diversify our WorldSBK project even more. They will communicate closely with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. The benefit for us is that we can access yet more collective feedback. The teams are also very strong as far as the riders are concerned. Jonas Folger and Eugene Laverty are not just fast, but their many years of experience allow them to make important contributions to the further development of the BMW M 1000 RR. It is great that Eugene will still be on board, and to welcome Jonas to the BMW family.”
Competing for Red Bull KTMFactory Racing Team, Williams_Adrian has been the class of the 2020 field, scoring five races wins and two further podiums from eight races. Even when double MotoGP™ eSport champion trastevere73 (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) applied pressure throughout the final round, the Spaniard wouldn’t wilt.
