A long lap penalty will be introduced to the 2019 MotoGP World Championship, the Grand Prix Commission has confirmed.

When the FIM MotoGP stewards impose a change of position penalty on a rider, for track limits or any other reason, there is a possibility of it being unfair, and it’s also difficult to monitor when there are multiple infractions.

To make a more fair and verifiable penalty, the Grand Prix Commission, after consultation with the Safety Commission, have agreed to introduce a new long lap penalty.

At every circuit a route will be defined and marked at a safe point around the track, usually an asphalt runoff area outside of a turn, which is some seconds slower than the normal racing line. The penalised rider must ride through the defined area within three laps of being notified, thereby suffering a penalty equivalent to several seconds on that lap.

Procedures will be in place to enable the stewards to use an equivalent time penalty in case the rider is unable to complete the long lap, such as in the case of a red flagged race.

This penalty will be added to the list of sanctions available to the FIM MotoGP stewards, and whilst it is primarily intended for track limits violations, it may be used in any circumstances deemed appropriate by the stewards. The drop position penalty will continue being available to the stewards.

The opening round of MotoGP World Championship is scheduled for this weekend at Losail International Circuit in Qatar.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) has announced that motorcycle racing is set to return to Barbagallo Raceway in Western Australia this season, with the recent reinstatement of the circuit’s MA track licence permitting it to host motorcycle racing events effective 1 March.

After a two-year hiatus, MA has given the green light for motorcycle competition to take place at the venue after several upgrades were undertaken to improve track safety, including the addition of a brand-new chicane to the layout and the installation of air fence safety barriers at key points.

“This is great news for motorcyclists and motorcycle fans in Western Australia, who now have the opportunity to enjoy motorcycling at Barbagallo once again,” said Motorcycling WA’s CEO Joe McCarthy.

“We would like to thank all those who helped to facilitate motorcycling’s return to Barbagallo, including track operators the WA Sporting Car Club and MA. We would also like to acknowledge Minister for Sport and Recreation, The Hon. Mick Murray MLA and the Government of Western Australia for supporting our desire to bring motorcycling back to this fantastic facility.”

MA CEO Peter Doyle added: “It has been a long process, but we are happy to see a positive result. There have been a number of improvements made to the circuit recently and it will great to see racing return to Barbagallo.”

A former venue on the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) calendar, Barbagallo Raceway suspended motorcycle racing and activities in 2016 after the Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) report indicated the venue was unfit to host motorcycle sports.

Motorcycle training was permitted at the circuit in 2018, with this last development closing a difficult two years for the sport and industry in Western Australia. An interclub event is scheduled for 10 March, marking the first road racing competition at Barbagallo since the Kings of Wanneroo in 2016.

Setting the fastest time on the final day of MotoGP World Championship testing in Qatar this week, Maverick Vinales believes there’s still room for improvement ahead of the 10 March opener at Losail International Circuit.

Expressing a positive feeling out on-track, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rider is adamant he’ll be adequately prepared for the race, however acknowledged a lack of grip on the edge of the tyres with his YZR-M1.

“Honestly, I have been riding really good on the track, I felt like I was going very fast with the amount of grip that the track provided today,” Vinales commented. “But we need to improve. I don’t have really good grip on the edge, so we need to keep working, especially in that area.

“On the acceleration side we improved quite a lot since Sepang, and at the moment I’m quite satisfied with what we have in the braking area. My race pace is not bad, I tried ten laps just to understand how the bike is doing, but it was very cold for the medium tyres.

“Anyway, I rode quite well, with quite a good rhythm. Maybe I could have pushed a little more. However, we still need to improve for the race. I think we are going to be ready. The race will be very important for us. Our bike has really positive points, but also a few negatives, so we now need to come to a conclusion and see where we can improve.”

The Yamaha squad has been highly-impressive throughout testing, posting improvements over last season, with multi-time world champion Valentino Rossi also winding up inside the top five at Qatar.

Honda Endurance Racing has signed former MotoGP contender Randy de Puniet for the remainder of the 2018-2019 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) in a new-look line-up where he’ll join Yonny Hernandez alongside regular Sebastien Gimbert aboard the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.

De Puniet has a strong history with Honda, for the LCR Honda team from 2008-2010 in MotoGP where he stood on the podium, and he helped F.C.C. TSR Honda France secure third place at the Suzuka 8 Hours (2016-2017). The 38-year-old has also finished on the EWC podium a further five times, and was the French 125cc Champion in 1998 and a race-winner in the 250cc class of MotoGP.

“I am very happy to return to Honda and ride in EWC for the rest of the 2019 season,” said de Puniet. “I have had past successes in the championship and I think with Honda, and Sébastien and Yonny we will be a very strong team indeed. I am looking forward to the first test and to get going with the Fireblade at Le Mans.”

Hernandez is no stranger to the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 and the championship, having ridden for Honda Endurance Racing on two occasions, where he and the team finished third at the prestigious Bol d’Or 24-hour and the Suzuka 8 Hours. A rider of wide experience, he has raced at world level in MotoGP, Moto2 and WorldSBK.

Gimbert has played an integral part of the Honda team since joining in 2014. Working on the development of the Fireblade, he has helped secured a win and podiums, as well as taking the squad to their highest championship result in third place in the 2017-2018 season.

The opening round of the 2018-2019 EWC got underway last September with the Bol d’Or, and the Honda squad is looking ahead to the remaining four rounds where they will re-focus the strategy to challenge for the championship title. Round two is scheduled on 20-21 April for the 24 Heures Motos in France.

Yamaha Motor Australia has bolstered its support of entry-level road racing in the country with the return of the Yamaha Motor Finance R3 Cup in the 2019 Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), along with backing the all-new Oceania Junior Cup.

The R3 Cup is an entry-level class for up-and-coming riders, providing a national championship environment to hone their racing skills.

Continuing its tradition of cost-effective entry-level racing, Yamaha Motor Australia is offering an attractive value for money package for competitors that will have them on the grid aboard a brand-new race-spec R3 Cup bike for less than $8000.

Purchased separately, a 2018 YZF-R3 road bike costs $6299, and the YRT-developed race kit $5000 – the $7900 YRT-developed race package combines both with an incredible saving of $3500. Competitors only need to fit the race kit, throw on a set of tyres, fill the tank, and line up on the grid.

As series sponsors, Yamaha Motor Finance is also offering a tailor-made YMF package, where participants can purchase the $7900 racing kit through YMF with repayments spread over a 12 or 24-month periods.

A YMF sponsored and Yamaha bLU cRU supported category, competitors will receive a factory-style experience, with series support at every round by Demmery Race Team and Yamaha bLU cRU. There’s also a $20,000 prize pool on offer, as well as a live streaming and television package to entice potential sponsors.

The R3 Cup commences at Wakefield Park’s second round of the ASBK, scheduled for 22-24 March. For more information on the Yamaha YZF-R3 race package, visit www.yamaha-motor.com.au.

Andrea Dovizioso admits he’s exiting the MotoGP World Championship test at Losail International Circuit in Qatar not completely satisfied with his Ducati Desmosedici GP19.

Less than ideal conditions on the final day of testing proved challenging for the Mission Winnow Ducati Team rider, finishing 15th on the timesheets, however he believes there’s strong potential after collecting interesting data throughout the three days of on-track action.

“This closing day was complicated a bit by the wind, which didn’t allow to completely follow our program,” Dovizioso explained. “We focused on some aspects and, while we’re not far from our rivals, there is still room for improvement.

“Honestly I can’t say I’m completely satisfied, but I’m also convinced we have strong potential and I’m confident we can have a strong race. We collected plenty of interesting data and it will be important to make the most of it to make sure we’re as ready and competitive as possible in two weeks’ time.”

Dovizioso’s teammate Danilo Petrucci was stronger in the times, winding up ninth, while Australia’s Jack Miller, piloting a Pramac Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP19, was 10th fastest on day three. Round one of MotoGP is scheduled for 10 March at the Losail venue.

Anthony West has signed with Kawasaki Racing Team for the 2019 Superbike Brazil Championship, ensuring he remains competitive after being provisionally suspended last year.

The FIM provisionally suspended West following the receipt of a report from a urine sample taken at the Misano stop of the World Supersport Championship (WorldSSP) in 2018, indicating an alleged adverse analytical finding of a non-specified substance under Section 6 (stimulants) of the FIM Prohibited List.

West later had his request denied in lifting the provisional anti-doping suspension, barring him from competing in FIM sanctioned events, however the Queenslander denies the allegations and has been vigorously defending himself since.

“Great news, I’m unstoppable,” West said in a social media statement. “I just signed with Kawasaki Racing Team to race all 10 rounds of the Brazil SBK championship for 2019 – I’ll be racing the new Ninja ZX-10R. Thanks to Arai helmets and Fusports boots for sticking with me everywhere I go.

“And thanks to all fans who support me every step of the way. I figured after seeing how fast Alex Barros is at 48 and Troy Bayliss at 49 and still carving up younger riders, that gives me hope I still have more then 10 years left in the sport. You’re not getting rid of me that easy.”

The Superbike Brazil Championship, a non-FIM sanctioned series, is one of the few championships in the world that allows West to compete. The opening round commences on 24 March at Autodrome of Interlagos.