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Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook
Star Racing to takeover factory Yamaha 450 program from 2021
Premier class switch for Ferrandis as Martin and Craig are added to 250 team.
Image: Octopi Media.
A three-year partnership that will see Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing become the brand’s factory 450 and 250 class program from 2021 has been made official, also confirming its talent-packed 2021 rider roster.
The announcement confirms that Yamaha will cease its in-house team from next season, as Star Racing becomes one of the most powerful organizations in the sport.
“The Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team has had a tremendous amount of success over the years with both their Amateur and 250 Supercross and Motocross programs,” said Jim Roach, Yamaha Racing department manager for Yamaha Motor Corp., USA.
“Beginning in 2021, the Yamaha 450 program in both championships will transition to the Monster Energy Star Yamaha team, as well. The overall goal is to continue the success that the team has had and to work toward winning 450 Championships.
“Having the Amateur, 250, and 450 Supercross and Motocross programs with the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team also ensures a smooth transition for riders stepping through the program. It is an exciting time for Yamaha, and we look forward to the upcoming racing season!”
Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha has signed 250SX West and 250MX champion Dylan Ferrandis to step up to the YZ450F alongside the returning Aaron Plessinger, who previously rode for Star Racing with significant success in his 250 career.
“I have worked for Star Racing for six seasons and will be going on my seventh full season of racing with the team,” 450 team manager Jeremy Coker commented. “For the last five years, I was the engine technician and have been a part of a total of 10 championships wins. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to step up and manage the 450 program and look to take Dylan and Aaron to the top step of the podium throughout the seasons ahead.”
Image: Octopi Media.
At 26, Ferrandis will step up to the YZ450F after delivering Star Racing and Yamaha three 250 championships in the last two seasons.
The Frenchman will lead a new-look 450 program from Yamaha as it ceases its internal operation and outsources the team to Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha. It is an exciting prospect and one that has taken place following the exit of Justin Barcia, who has been linked to the TLD GasGas team.
“It’s been a dream of mine to fight for a championship in the 450 class in the US,” Ferrandis stated. “I’m so happy to be able to do that with the Monster Energy Star Yamaha team and I feel at home there. I’m still feeling in paradise with two championships this year, but we will get back to work to fight next season.”
For Plessinger, the reunion with Star Racing following two years in the factory 450 team will be a crucial one as he works to establish himself as one of the sport’s elite in the top category. He won the 2018 250SX West and 250MX championships with the organization.
Meanwhile, the 250 squad will be made up by another returning former 250MX champion in Jeremy Martin, joined by longtime Christian Craig, Colt Nichols, Justin Cooper and Jarrett Frye.
“Coming off of two championship wins this season, I’m really looking forward to next season with the goal of carrying that success forward into 2021,” said 250 team manager Will Hahn. “We have a great lineup with Colt, Justin and Jarret returning, some great additions with Jeremy and Christian, and a bright future with Nate, Matt and Nick. I can’t wait for the new year!”
Image: Supplied.
Martin, who won the 2014 and 2015 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross 250MX titles with Star Racing and Yamaha, become available following the closure of Geico Honda.
The 27-year-old made a miraculous comeback from spinal injuries this year after more than a year on the sidelines, going on to finish runner-up to Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha 450 class-bound Dylan Ferrandis in the 250MX standings.
“I’m very excited to have the opportunity this late in the year to get back on the Yamaha for next year moving forward into 2021 with the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team,” said Martin. “I’ve won two championships with them in the past so I’m excited to pick up where I left off and end my 250 career with a bang!”
Image: Supplied.
Craig is coming off a strong performance outdoors with Team Honda HRC in the premier class and will be returning to the 250 ranks full-time in 2021.
“Moving to the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing team is quite a big deal for me,” said Craig. “Bobby [Reagan] has talked to me every year the past few years to get me over here, but the timing didn’t feel right. Finally this year, I knew I needed to get out of my comfort zone if I wanted to take my career to the next level.
“Their whole program has a lot of structure, which is something that has always benefited me and helped my confidence. I’m extremely grateful to start the next chapter in my career with these guys and look forward to putting in the results I know I’m capable of.”
In addition, the Monster Energy Star Yamaha Racing 250 team has more top up-and-coming riders signed, including Nate Thrasher, Matt LeBlanc and Nick Romano. It’s yet to be confirmed when the full-time professional careers of all three will commence.
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
Destination Yamaha host NSW adventure
Destination Yamaha recently hosted their second fun-packed adventure ride and this time the bLU cRU headed to the stunning South Coast hinterland of NSW.
Following the inaugural ride to Gulgong in July, the second Destination Yamaha adventure ride took on the best that the NSW South Coast has to offer and was promoted to Ténéré owners.
The trip was led by experienced tour operator and south coast local Lyndon Heffernan – whose knowledge of the hinterland between Batemans Bay and Narooma is second to none.
Heffo’s ability to seek out a freshly graded trail provided the 11 riders with a premium experience that showcased the ability of Yamaha’s new adventure twin.
The weekend ride covered 525kms of prime adventure riding, with optional ‘challenge’ sections thrown in to keep riders focused. There were several occasions where handlebars kissed the earth but like any good ride, a helping hand or four was never far away.
“I had so much fun riding with a great bunch of guys on some of the most amazing trails. I reckon there were many occasions when the Ténéré out-performed my ability but we still came through unscathed. This is a brilliant machine,” said DY participant Peter Smart. “I covered 600kms there and back plus over 525kms of dirt rocks and trees and the Ténéré did not miss a beat the whole time. Thank you Destination Yamaha for putting together such a well-run event, loved it, I’ll be back for more…”
Destination Yamaha runs activities and events encompassing the wide range of Yamaha products. These are the next two off the rank.
ADV: https://www.yamaha-motor.com.au/discover/destination-yamaha-motor/shoalhaven-adv-ride
Look out for more Destination Yamaha events by tuning into www.destination-yamaha-motor.com.au
Source: MCNews.com.au
Brookes heads to triple-header BSB finale with 16-point advantage
BSB going down to the wire
The 2020 Bennetts British Superbike Championship reaches its climax this weekend (October 16/17/18) with five title protagonists taking the battle down to the wire on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit.
At the top of the standings, for the first time this season, is Josh Brookes, ahead of the final three rounds. The 2015 champion seized the advantage following the previous event at Donington Park, where he celebrated a win and two third places to give him a 16-point edge over his closest rival, and teammate, Christian Iddon.
Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) – Bennetts BSB Championship leader
“I am leading the championship into the final event and that was a nice way to leave Donington Park. Normally I go into Brands Hatch trailing in the points and trying to claw back a desperate chance at the championship, so to go with a lead is a great improvement on years before. Strangely enough, having the points lead has taken away a lot of the pressure and I feel quite comfortable going into Brands Hatch. I feel relaxed, which is good and obviously it’s clear I have a very good record around the GP track, so I want that to carry on. I always look forward to racing there and this time is no different. I’m sure there will be some great racing but I’m ready for this challenge. I just need to focus on working hard and doing a good job and what will be will be.”
Iddon lines up for the title fight ahead of the triple-header finale for the first time on the second of the VisionTrack Ducatis, as the PBM team bids to add an eighth Bennetts BSB crown to its accomplishments in the series.
Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) – Bennetts BSB – Second in the standings
“How am I going to approach it this weekend? I don’t know really! It’s a good position to be in and I’ve never been in this position before in BSB, but I have been in this position before in other times in my career. This year I’ve tried to approach every race race-by-race, lap-by-lap, situation-by-situation and so far it has been pretty good. It’s easier to be the chaser and not the chased so I don’t really care whether I finish second or fifth – it’s the being first against your title rivals that makes the big difference for the championship standings. It’s all to play for and it’s always going to be interesting. You never know how you feel on the bike until you swing a leg over on that first free practice and hopefully I’ll have a good feeling. All I ever do is do my best and I feel good about it. I know that when I get a good feeling, like I had at Snetterton, like I had at Oulton Park, that I’ve got all the pace required to do the job in hand.”
However just two-points adrift of Iddon, is Glenn Irwin, who led the title standings right up until the previous meeting after losing ground with a crash in the opening race in the East Midlands. The Honda Racing contender is more than ready to take on his Ducati rivals, bidding to end a sensational debut season for the new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP with a title victory.
Glenn Irwin knows that it isn’t just the two riders ahead of him to contend with though. He has just a one-point margin over McAMS Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran, as both riders chase their first title.
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) – Bennetts BSB – Third in the standings
“I go into the last round with a lot of hope and the realism that we can be the champion, but I don’t underestimate how difficult of a job that will be. It has been a great year for me regardless and I think we’ve established ourselves as one of the main front runners and that has taken a lot of work. I’m just really looking forward to it. I feel confident and happy with what’s underneath me, but I am aware of how difficult a task it will be on one hand, but I’m also aware that we can win the championship as well. Let’s go and enjoy it, get stuck in and try to complete what has been a dream season for the new Fireblade.”
McAMS Yamaha is the third team and manufacturer in with a chance of title glory after the final race of the season at Brands Hatch; and O’Halloran will be keen to regain the ground he lost in the previous event at Donington Park.
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) – Bennetts BSB – Fourth in the standings
“The points that I scored in the last race at Donington were crucial. We have a little bit more of a point’s deficit now but it is not the end of the world; it’s only 19 points, so it’s still well within reach. I like racing at Brands Hatch, I’ve had some really good races there in the past and I’m expecting to be strong. Who knows what’s coming up at the end of October but it’ll be really nice to have three dry races to battle out for the championship between the top guys and see where we end up. Obviously, Saturday will be an important day for us to try and beat our competitors and make sure we take the title fight right down to the last race on Sunday, and see if we can manage to lift the trophy on Sunday afternoon.”
Tarran Mackenzie is the joker in the pack; a 46-point deficit to Brookes means he still has an outside chance at the title but knows that the opening race on Saturday could prove pivotal to his chances of a first Bennetts BSB crown.
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) – Bennetts BSB – Fifth in the standings
“Being 46 points off is obviously still a long way to be off the championship lead, but it’s almost nice in a way going in with no pressure and just enjoying the last three races. I am just going to get the best results I can and then the championship will sort itself out really. Going into the last round, Brands Hatch is a track that I’ve been strong at in the past, so there’s no reason why I can’t go and fight for three wins there.”
Whilst the five title contenders are ready to go all-in as they bid for title celebrations after Round 18 on Sunday, there are three other race winners this season who will be determined to mix it at the front. Tommy Bridewell, Kyle Ryde and Andrew Irwin, have all been victorious in 2020, and for the second of the Irwin brothers, he will be pushing to take as many points off Glenn’s rivals to aid Honda Racing’s title bid.
Rapid Fulfillment FS-3 Kawasaki’s Danny Buchan and Lee Jackson have been podium finishers this season and will want to end the year on a high, whilst the BMW contenders including Luke Mossey and Bradley Ray will want to come out of the weekend as the leading rider for the manufacturer after a difficult campaign.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings
- Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) 225
- Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 209
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) 207
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 206
- Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 179
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 146
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing) 139
- Lee Jackson (Rapid Fulfillment FS-3 Kawasaki) 131
- Kyle Ryde (Buildbase Suzuki) 130
- Danny Buchan (Rapid Fulfillment FS-3 Kawasaki) 101
Source: MCNews.com.au
🔊⬆️ Looking forward to some more of this on the w/end! 🤟🏼
MotoGP hits Aragon for another double-header | Preview | Schedule
2020 MotoGP Round Eleven – Aragon
MotoGP returns to Spain this weekend for the next double-header in this condensed season as the paddock heads to Motorland Aragon near Alcañiz for firstly the Gran Premio Michelin de Aragón and then seven-days later the inaugural running of the Gran Premio Liqui Moly de Teruel.
Aragon has an interesting and complex layout, which features 10 left- and 7 right-hand corners, comprising of tight hairpins and fast flowing turns, so a front end that gives riders the confidence through a variation of bends is very important, and with a straight of over a kilometre in length where high speed stability and the need to put the almost 300 horsepower of a MotoGP bike down to the tarmac are crucial.
Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner the only riders to have won at the venue, this weekend we’ll have a new rider on the top step. Will it be yet again another new winner in 2020 to make it eight different winners this season? There have been seven different winners in the first nine races of the year, equalling the record of different winners over the opening nine premier class races of a season, set in 2000. 15 riders have now stood on the podium since the first race, which is the highest number in the first nine premier class races since 1976, when there were 17.
Without reigning Champion Marc Marquez in the mix, that makes predictions for Aragon difficult. The Honda rider has won at the track five times in MotoGP, and taken five poles. Last year and the year before, however, Dovizioso took second, with Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) also on the podium in 2019. That makes good reading for the Borgo Panigale factory, as does Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) arriving as the most recent winner. With a little more luck, Miller – or team-mate Francesco Bagnaia – could be two real candidates to be the eighth winner of the season.
1 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) 41’57.221
2 – Andrea Dovizioso (ITA – Ducati) +4.836
3 – Jack Miller (AUS – Ducati) +5.430
in a rain-soaked French GP, the top three going in ultimately fought it out for ninth, but Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) remains the man on top. Although the Frenchman has never stepped on the Aragón podium, he is confident of being able to put together another good performance and continue fighting for the world championship title.
Fabio Quartararo
“We are in a good position going to Aragón, we don’t really need to change anything with the bike. It is a track that could be a little difficult for us, but we have the extra motivation that we are there to fight for a really good result. We are fighting for the championship, last weekend we managed to increase our lead in tricky conditions and so I think we can do really well again this weekend. First of all we will look to enjoy being back on the bike, then look at how we can make it a great GP for us and, of course, see what the conditions are like when we arrive.”
Quartararo is 68 points ahead of Johann Zarco in 15th place; this is the closest top 15 after the opening nine races of a premier class season since the current scoring system was introduced in 1993. In addition, with 18-points between Quartararo in first and Dovizioso in third, this is the closest top three after the opening nine races of a premier class season since 2017, when there were six-points between Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso after the German GP.
Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) lost some ground to the Frenchman in the championship points in France but gained ever-so-slightly on Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) right behind him on track.
Maverick Vinales
“I‘m really happy that the next rounds are held in Aragon. It is a track that I love, one of my favourites. I usually ride really well there and, for sure, I will give it my all this weekend. It‘s sort of my home GP, and it‘s my goal to put in my best performance of the year so far. Last year we already came close to the podium, so I think that we can do a good job again this time round.”
It was Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) who made the big gains last weekend. Fighting for the win before being forced to settle for fourth, it was a welcome chunk of points after his DNF – through no fault of his own – in Barcelona. He’s now third overall, 18 off the top and ahead of Viñales by a single point.
Andrea Dovizioso
“We immediately move forward after the race in Le Mans, and now we are already focused on the next two Grands Prix in Aragón, that will be crucial at this stage of the season. Last year I managed to get on the podium at MotorLand, and even if on paper we are not the favourites on this track, I am sure that we will also have some opportunities by using the strengths of our Desmosedici GP bike at its best. The championship is still open, and we have to keep working race after race to try to achieve our goal.”
Danilo Petrucci, fresh off the back of his success at Le Mans after a masterful race in the wet conducted entirely in the lead, arrives in Spain determined to continue his growing progression and to fight again for the top positions even at the Aragón race track. After Le Mans, the rider from Terni occupies the tenth position in the championship with 64 points. Ducati is second in the manufacturers’ standings, while the Ducati Team is currently third in the teams’ standings.
Danilo Petrucci
“The victory in Le Mans has certainly served to instill a lot of confidence, and I arrive at MotorLand with high morale. Every race is a world unto itself, but after overcoming such a difficult start to the season, now I want to keep improving. I hope to be able to continue with the same positive feelings we had in France, and I am confident that we can also have our say in the last five races that remain in the championship. Let’s see what the conditions of the track at Aragón will look like when we arrive: we will have to be good at interpreting the behaviour of the Michelin tyres. It will be crucial to be able to start on the right foot from Friday’s free practice.”
Jack Miller will be eager to throw off a demoralising run of bad luck. Robbed of a great result in Misano by an errant tear-off blocking the intake of his Desmosedici, then robbed again by an uncharacteristic engine failure for Ducati last time out at Le Mans, the Australia certainly deserves some luck to go his way. Jack was on the podium here last year…
Franco Morbidelli, who will be looking for a good result after picking up an unfortunate DNF at Le Mans, has visited the podium at MotorLand Aragón twice: once in 2016, when he finished third in Moto2, and again in 2017, when he won the race in the intermediate category. After being taken out by another rider on the first lap of the 2019 edition, the Italian will be looking to take the speed from Le Mans and make a return to the top-3 this weekend.
Franco Morbidelli
“Going to Spain this weekend, I expect that we will be fast! I love the MotorLand Aragón circuit. I won there in 2017 when I was in the Moto2 championship and I think that we can do a really good job there this year. It’s a shame we aren’t going there with better results from France, but we were super fast at Le Mans and we need to take this speed with us to Aragón this weekend. I don’t think that we will need to change a lot on the bike, of course we need to see what the conditions are like but I think it will be a good GP for us.”
We must also, of course, mention Valentino Rossi, he has been on the podium at MotorLand – his 2015 battle against now-retired MotoGP Legend Dani Pedrosa is stuff of legend in itself – but it’s been a tougher weekend at times since. This season though, Yamaha are on a roll – and Rossi wants in. Rossi has had an uncharacteristic three crashes in a row and he’s looking to bounce back, also a candidate to be winner number eight…
Valentino Rossi
“After the race in Le Mans the team has travelled to the MotorLand circuit for two back-to-back races. This has always been a difficult track for me, so it will be challenging to be strong here. But this year I‘m quite fast, and I have a good feeling with the bike. So, we will work hard again and try to understand if we can also raise our performance level in Aragon.”
Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) will be looking to show good form once again, with the Japanese rider the only man to have scored in every race – and in the top ten. That consistency has seen him move up to fifth overall in the championship, but it’s not just the maths as Nakagami has also had some impressive speed.
Claiming Honda’s 849th premier class podium at Le Mans, Alex Marquez proved to the world why he is a double World Champion and now a factory MotoGP rider. Whatever the conditions Aragon presents, the MotoGP rookie is entering the weekend like any other; looking to continue learning and adapting to the Honda RC213V. With two races at the same circuit, Alex is looking to replicate the growth he showed between the two races in Jerez and Misano respectively while continuing to focus on improving his performance in Qualifying.
Alex Marquez
“It has been a nice few days enjoying the feeling after Le Mans, I want to say thank you again to everyone who has supported me or sent me a message after the race. But now it is time to reset a little bit and get back to work in Aragon. Qualifying is still the area we need to work on the most as we have shown that our race pace is usually not so bad and we’re able to fight more and more each race. Let’s see what the weather brings, Aragon in the morning can be very cold so we need to pay attention to this. Let’s have a good weekend.”
Stefan Bradl will once again join the Repsol Honda Team for the upcoming race in Aragon as Marc Marquez continues his recovery at home. After five straight days of riding, Bradl has enjoyed a brief rest between races and is now ready to go again after tasting his first points of the season. The HRC Test Rider achieved a tenth-place finish in 2016 when he last raced at the circuit.
Stefan Bradl
“I am happy to continue with the Repsol Honda Team in Aragon, but I hope that Marc is continuing to recover well. Coming back to the points last race with a strong ride has given me extra motivation for this weekend in Aragon. It’s a circuit with a lot of variety and some tricky points, especially if the temperatures are cooler you really need to pay attention to the right side of the tyre early in the lap. The aim is to again deliver the best result possible for HRC.”
Suzuki have podium form at the track, but last year was a tougher weekend. Their other hurdle remains qualifying too, although Mir and teammate Alex Rins have been doing a stellar job of gaining back on Sunday ground lost on Saturday. For Rins it’s home turf too – about as close as you can get to racing in your own back garden – and for Mir it is too. The number 36 has an interesting record at MotorLand: he’s either won from a good grid position or sliced through the field to a top five or six, although his rookie race in MotoGP was the outlier. This season the sophomore has been a threat everywhere, however, and the bike looks to work everywhere – so can he finally take that first win? He’s seemed on the verge so long, he’s a serious threat to be the eighth different man to win, as is Rins. Mir says that’s a bigger focus than the title, too…
Davide Brivio – Suzuki Team Manager
“Normally in Aragon our bike is quite competitive and we’ve had good results here in the past. The conditions will be different to what we’re used to as the event is happening one month later than usual – the temperatures will be lower and there could be rain, so the weather could play a part. But we’re keen to get going and see what we can do.”
Joan Mir
“It’s nice to come to Aragon just after France, because I feel like I’m getting used to the colder circuits and how to manage them. But in the end everywhere is different so we won’t truly know the situation until we start riding. Aragon is a track that I really like and I come here feeling good, I’m still close to the top of the standings and I managed to conserve some points last time out. I’m ready to go.”
Alex Rins
“Aragon is a track that I know well, and the main objective for me will be to qualify in a better position than last week. When you start far back on the grid there’s more pressure and nerves and it’s easier to get caught up where you don’t want to be. My pace in France before the crash was really good and I’m happy to come here and try my best.”
And what about KTM? 2020 is already – after only nine races – their best season in terms of points, and Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was on the podium once again in France, with Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) only just off it. So what can they do? And can rookies Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Iker Lecuona (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) bounce back from a tough first race in the wet? The Austrian factory’s best result at MotorLand so far is a 10th, but the times they have-a-changed this season. Pol Espargaro and Brad Binder also have two wins each in the smaller categories at the track. KTM have scored 125 points in the Constructors’ World Championship, already making 2020 their best season in terms of points score.
Hervé Poncharal – Red Bull KTM Tech3 Team Manager
“We’ve just finished our races in Le Mans and the whole team is driving down to Aragón, which is a place we are always so happy to see. It’s great circuit, a great place, great facilities, great paddock, so this is going to be our ‘place of work’ for the next two weeks with two races in MotorLand. I think it’s going to be very interesting. The championships in all three classes are coming quite close and we can start to feel that people are more and more thinking about the final championship position. Therefore, it will be interesting to score important points there as usual. I believe the Aragón layout should suit our bike. We have a strong engine this year and there is a long straight there, good braking stability, so I think we should be quite competitive there. Miguel just finished the French Grand Prix and he showed good form and I’m quite sure he wants to continue to fight for top 5 finishes until the end of the season. It will be also interesting to see how the weather and track conditions will be, because normally we always have great weather there, but we are coming quite late in October. This is something, that could also be playing an important game in the overall result. Iker knows the place well, too. For sure, being a Spanish rider, he has been racing quite a few times there. We are happy to go down to Spain, to go South. This is a great place and we will be happy to spend the next two weeks there.”
Aragon has good memories for Aprilia and especially for Aleix Espargaro. The number 41 took his MotoGP podium in Aragon, although that was before he rode for the Noale factory.
Motorland Aragon is located in the Teruel area of Spain, it is a very dry and rocky location, where hot daytime temperatures can be expected, but due to its open location, Motorland Aragon can also have very cool mornings, so a range of tyres to function in those fluctuations of temperature is imperative. With all these requirements the allocation of Michelin Power Slicks that have been chosen for Michelin’s named race and the Grand Prix the following weekend have been selected to meet those demands. The front selection in soft and medium will be symmetric in design, whilst the hard front and the rears in soft and hard will feature an asymmetric finish with a harder left-hand shoulder to handle the extra stresses from the increased number or corners that go in that direction, with the medium rear having a symmetric finish. Due to the track’s inland location there is also a high likelihood of rain and thunderstorms over the two weekends, with this possibility the Michelin Power Rain tyres will be available in soft and medium compounds for both the front and rear. The front will be symmetric whilst the rears will have an asymmetric design with the harder left side like their slick counterparts.
Piero Taramasso – Michelin
“It’s always special to be at the Michelin Grand Prix and this is the second time we’ve had the event at Aragon. Last year was a big success and many people from the factories visited us, sadly that won’t be the case this year due to the protocols, but we still aim to put on a good show and make Michelin and all its staff proud. Aragon is always a challenge, with the difference in temperatures from cool mornings to hot afternoons, although we are going there slightly later in the year, so possibly we won’t get the extremes in temperature that we have had before, plus we also have the sand to contend with, which is blown on the track from the surrounding countryside, making it very abrasive. We have chosen a range that will give the riders the confidence in all conditions, so now the thing is it to make the Gran Premio Michelin de Aragón a special event for all.”
MotoGP World Championship Standings
|
Pos |
Rider | Bike | Points |
| 1 | Fabio QUARTARARO | Yamaha | 115 |
| 2 | Joan MIR | Suzuki | 105 |
| 3 | Andrea DOVIZIOSO | Ducati | 97 |
| 4 | Maverick VIÑALES | Yamaha | 96 |
| 5 | Takaaki NAKAGAMI | Honda | 81 |
| 6 | Franco MORBIDELLI | Yamaha | 77 |
| 7 | Jack MILLER | Ducati | 75 |
| 8 | Pol ESPARGARO | KTM | 73 |
| 9 | Miguel OLIVEIRA | KTM | 69 |
| 10 | Danilo PETRUCCI | Ducati | 64 |
| 11 | Brad BINDER | KTM | 62 |
| 12 | Alex RINS | Suzuki | 60 |
| 13 | Valentino ROSSI | Yamaha | 58 |
| 14 | Alex MARQUEZ | Honda | 47 |
| 15 | Johann ZARCO | Ducati | 47 |
| 16 | Francesco BAGNAIA | Ducati | 42 |
| 17 | Aleix ESPARGARO | Aprilia | 24 |
| 18 | Iker LECUONA | KTM | 18 |
| 19 | Cal CRUTCHLOW | Honda | 13 |
| 20 | Bradley SMITH | Aprilia | 11 |
| 21 | Stefan BRADL | Honda | 8 |
| 22 | Tito RABAT | Ducati | 8 |
| 23 | Michele PIRRO | Ducati |
2020 MotoGP Calendar
| Rnd | Date | Circuit |
| 11 | 18 October | MotorLand Aragón |
| 12 | 25 October | MotorLand Aragón |
| 13 | 08 November | Comunitat Valenciana-Ricardo Tormo |
| 14 | 15 November | Comunitat Valenciana-Ricardo Tormo |
| 15 | 22 November | Autodromo Internacional do Algarve |
Le Mans Schedule (AEST)
| Time | Class | Session |
| 1800 | Moto3 | FP1 |
| 1855 | MotoGP | FP1 |
| 1955 | Moto2 | FP1 |
| 2215 | Moto3 | FP2 |
| 2310 | MotoGP | FP2 |
| 0010 (Sat) | Moto2 | FP2 |
| Time | Class | Session |
| 1800 | Moto3 | FP3 |
| 1855 | MotoGP | FP3 |
| 1955 | Moto2 | FP3 |
| 2135 | Moto3 | Q1 |
| 2200 | Moto3 | Q2 |
| 2230 | MotoGP | FP4 |
| 2310 | MotoGP | Q1 |
| 2335 | MotoGP | Q2 |
| 0010 (Sun) | Moto2 | Q1 |
| 0035 (Sun) | Moto2 | Q2 |
| Time | Class | Session |
| 1740 | Moto3 | WUP |
| 1810 | Moto2 | WUP |
| 1840 | MotoGP | WUP |
| 2000 | Moto3 | Race |
| 2120 | Moto2 | Race |
| 2300 | MotoGP | Race |
Source: MCNews.com.au
Billy van Eerde aiming to return from broken leg this weekend
Red Bull Rookies Cup
Seven weeks since the previous four Red Bull Rookies races in Austria, the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup is back this weekend with the Grand Prix of Aragón, and the series will race four of the next five weekends.
8 races for the KTM RC 250 Rs mean that there are 200 points on offer so clearly the championship is wide open even though Spanish 16-year-old Pedro Acosta dominated the opening four races. His sensational form at the Red Bull Ring netted him 100 points, he is 36 ahead of fellow countrymen, 14-year-old David Muñoz and 48 in front of 15-year-old Daniel Holgado. Colombian 14-year-old David Alonso is tied on points with Holgado.
We have seen such leads quickly evaporate many times before in Rookies Cup, a bad weekend is all it takes and the compressed calendar means that there is no slack for recovery of form or from injury.
Talking of injuries, young Aussie Billy van Eerde broke his femur less than six weeks ago during a CEV round at Jerez but will front the grid this weekend to contest the final rounds of the Red Bull Rookies series, starting this weekend at Aragon.
Billy has been working hard since his injury to get back on the bike and while still far from 100 per cent the youngster is confident of being able to race this weekend to try and add to his points tally in what is an incredibly hotly contested series. Billy currently has 15-points in the bank and is 12th on the championship ladder.
Source: MCNews.com.au
Rinaldi steps up to official Ducati WorldSBK squad for 2021
Ducati has announced that the Italian rider Michael Ruben Rinaldi – alongside team-mate Scott Redding – will defend the colours of the Italian Aruba.It squad in the 2021 WorldSBK season with the official Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi
“After an exciting journey in Ducati, joining the official team is an honour for me, as well as confirmation of the quality of the work done over the years. My first target will be to repay, through the results, the trust that has been given to me. For an Italian rider, racing with Ducati is an extraordinary feeling, and I am sure that the passion of the Ducati people will give me an extra boost. I would like to thank Stefano Cecconi and the Aruba family who have always believed in me, and Daniele Casolari, Serafino Foti and the whole Feel Racing for supporting me over the years. A special thought to Claudio Domenicali, Gigi Dall’ Igna and Paolo Ciabatti for having involved me in this new project. Finally, I would like to involve the Ramello family, Denis Sacchetti and all the guys in the Go Eleven team in an ideal embrace. Thanks to them, I was able to make an important quality leap that allowed me to reach this great goal. And of course, I would like to thank my family for having supported me from the beginning together with Germano Bertuzzi whose support has been fundamental. I feel I can promise them all my utmost commitment to achieving great results together“.
Rinaldi’s move comes on the back of the new Yamaha announcements for 2021, and the earlier confirmation that Michael van der Mark is heading to BMW next season.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi was born in Rimini on 21st December 1995 and started racing with the minimoto when he was 7 years old, winning the Italian championship in 2006. After winning the Italian Sport Production Championship in 2011, in 2014 he faced his first international experience in the European Superstock 600 championship, which closed as runner-up in 2015. In 2016 Rinaldi rode the Ducati Panigale R of the Aruba.it Racing – Junior team in the SuperStock 1000 FIM championship, finishing sixth and then conquering the European Champion title at the end of the following season. With the Aruba.it Racing – Junior team, Michael Ruben Rinaldi also made his WorldSBK debut in the 2018 season, racing only in European rounds and then competing in all events of the 2019 Championship with the Barni Racing Team. In the current season, Rinaldi obtained his first success in WorldSBK with the Panigale V4 R of the Go Eleven team in Race-1 at Aragon, round that saw him finish on the podium also in the Superpole Race (P3) and Race-2 (P2).
Stefano Cecconi (Team Principal Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
“It’s with great enthusiasm that we welcome Michael to our team. It is a source of great satisfaction for us as well as a confirmation of the goodness of the project we undertook five years ago with the Junior team. Rinaldi himself was one of the great protagonists, achieving important results: the same results we expect him to achieve from next season on. A big thank to Chaz Davies for all the years we have spent together since we decided – together with Aruba.it – to embark on this fascinating adventure and during which a bond of deep respect and trust was created. The affection for the man and the rider will always remain intact, and for this reason, we want to wish Chaz the best for the future, both inside and outside the track“.
Luigi Dall’ Igna (General Manager of Ducati Corse)
“We are pleased to welcome Michael Ruben Rinaldi to the official team. This year Michael has shown great competitiveness, crowned by the Aragon victory, and has always been fighting for top positions. We believe that the time has come for him to join the official team and we are convinced that he has a bright future ahead of him. I want to thank Chaz, who has been an excellent ambassador for our brand over the past seven years and has achieved some very important results with us: 27 victories plus another 59 podiums finish and three consecutive second places in the world championships. We will try to close in the best way our adventure together in the next race weekend in Estoril“.
1. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team GOELEVEN)
2. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +5.888s
3. Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) +10.035s
Source: MCNews.com.au
2021 Benelli Leoncino Scrambler Announced for the U.S.
Benelli Motorcycles USA has announced that the “Little Lion” is coming to U.S. soil. The 2021 Benelli Leoncino Scrambler is powered by a 500cc DOHC parallel-twin engine, featuring a claimed 48 horsepower at 8,500 rpm. It also boasts a non-adjustable 45mm USD fork and a single rear shock unit, equipped with spring-preload and rebound damping adjustment. MSRP is set at $6,199.
From Press Release:
For more than a century, the Benelli brand has brought innovation to the motorcycle world, playing a key role in the evolution of the modern motorcycle. This 100 year heritage of Italian design culminates with Benelli’s revered Leoncino legacy, and Benelli Motorcycles USA is proud to welcome the legend back to America with the 2021 Benelli Leoncino.
Inspired by the classic café racers of Benelli’s golden years, the 2021 Leoncino (a charming Italian term for “little lion”) lives up to its namesake, exuding the proud sporting heritage of Benelli with nimble cornering ability and responsive handling. Traditional shapes and modern curves flow together in the new red bodywork, crowned by the Lion of Pesaro perched on the front fender.
Powered by a 500cc parallel-twin engine with dual overhead cams and fuel injection, the Leoncino pours on a smooth flow of power. A generous midrange and six speed transmission make excellent use of its 48 horsepower (at 8500), offering an incredibly fun and easy to ride motorcycle. Quiet and powerful 2 into 1 exhaust add to the traditional lines of the Leoncino, while also providing a pleasing sound.
The lightweight steel lattice frame provides a stable platform for the chassis, with a center of gravity and a low seat height to match. An inverted fork with 45mm tubes in the front, and an adjustable laterally mounted single shock in the rear provide an incredibly smooth ride. Cast alloy 17-inch wheels are fitted with premium Pirelli Angel ST radial tires. Ultra strong brakes feature four piston calipers and dual 320mm discs on the front, and 260mm single disc brakes in the rear.
Minimalist bodywork represents an authentic and pure design concept, one that recalls the style and accessibility of the original machine of the 19501950’s: Engine, frame, wheels and a handlebar. Contemporary technology including digital instrumentation and LED headlight and modern performance round out this playful and superbly functional package that could only come from Benelli.
List price for the 2021 Benelli Leoncino, currently available at Benelli Motorcycle dealers, is $6,199. Find more information, including specifications, at http://benelli.ssrmotorsports.com/bikes/leoncino.php
2021 Benelli Leoncino Photo Gallery:
Source: RiderMagazine.com
Victoria plans ‘dangerous’ bicycle passing rule
Victoria plans ‘dangerous’ bicycle passing rule
Victoria will join other states next year with a rule requiring motorists to give cyclists room when passing, potentially putting the lives of motorcyclists in jeopardy.
The bicycle overtaking/passing law had been proposed for Victoria before, but was rejected.
This is despite the fact that driving a car too close to a cyclist is already covered by dangerous driving laws which are enforceable.
The laws have been opposed in the past by a variety of motorcycle rider groups.
Motorcycle Riders Association of Australia spokesman Damien Codognotto says the proposed law may not be enforceable.
“Measuring the distance between a moving car and a bicycle is near impossible,” he says.
“Police would need a clear line of site to both the car and the bicycle and present measuring evidence reliable enough to be accepted by a court.
“This happens when a city-centric law makers make statewide decisions. “
He has called for statistics on car/bicycle crashes in states with the laws and the number fines issued.
“On roads with speeds over 60km/h the bicycle passing law generates deadly situations,” Damien says.
“To avoid fines, drivers swing wide crossing to the wrong side of the road. On the Great Ocean Road, and others like it, this law will contribute to the road toll not reduce it.”
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com