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Team HRC officially launch 2024 WorldSBK campaign

Team HRC WorldSBK Launch

HRC have struggled for pace during pre-season testing, but are confident that the new CBR1000RR-R will help them work their way back towards the front.

2024 Team HRC CBR1000RR-R Fireblade

The 2024 Honda Fireblade features an array of updated components, starting with new aerodynamics and electronics packages. The Japanese engineers have worked tirelessly in recent months to provide the factory Superbike team with a series of new parts that should bring benefits across many areas, not least acceleration, deceleration, and braking.

2024 Team HRC CBR1000RR-R Fireblade

Aesthetically, the CBR logo is flaunted in a brighter shade of blue, while a striking blue band adorns the belly pan. To reflect this change, the riders’ leathers incorporate a similar blue band running vertically from top to bottom.

2024 Team HRC CBR1000RR-R Fireblade

New Team HRC manager José Manuel Escamez outlined the objectives for the upcoming racing season. This was followed by an unveiling of the new 2024 Fireblade that will be entrusted to Lecuona and Vierge.

Team HRC manager José Manuel Escamez alongside Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge
Team HRC manager José Manuel Escamez

The main challenge is to become competitive with the new bike as soon as possible. There are many updates across all areas of the machine, so we need to bring it all together and find a base setup that allows our riders to fully exploit the bike’s potential. The next challenge will be to consistently compete for top-five positions and secure some podium finishes. We are aware that this is a significant challenge, considering the high level of competition in the championship, but we are working tirelessly to achieve that goal.”

2024 Team HRC CBR1000RR-R Fireblade

As they head into a third consecutive season with Team HRC, the two Spanish riders reiterated their goals for the upcoming championship, emphasising the need to exploit the new bike’s potential and obtain good grip and acceleration as well as consistency at different racetracks so as to build on last season’s performance.

Xavi Vierge
Xavi Vierge

I’m really looking forward to this year. We always say that our goal is to win and HRC has made an enormous effort to bring us a great new bike. I too am working hard to prepare in order to start the season strong.

“We basically want to improve a little in every area. We can brake late but in the final part of the braking, we have difficulty stopping properly, so we’re working on that, and also on the drive. We’ve already seen we have more potential in that area with the new bike, and with the electronics too, so I’m excited to see what we can do if we are able to find a good base-setup.

“Let’s say that we didn’t always live up to our potential in 2023, as performance sometimes depended on the track, the conditions, and whether there was a good level of grip or not. Our potential was great at Indonesia, for example, but perhaps less so at some other tracks, so we want to work hard to achieve a better, more consistent level of performance at different circuits.

“We are a factory team, and our performance needs to reflect this. I think it’s important to focus on the present and work hard, test by test and race by race, so that we can be ready to fight for big things.

Iker Lecuona
Iker Lecuona

I’m very happy to be a factory rider with the same team for a third year and it means I’m motivated to work hard during the pre-season. I had a small surgery on my hand in early December so that I would have time to recover and then have the right energy and attitude to get back on the bike and work hard in January. I know my goal, I know my aims, and I know where I want to improve, so I’m trying to focus on those areas with the aim of being able to fight at the front in Australia and beyond. 

“The two bikes are definitely different. We immediately started with an improved version last December, with different aerodynamics and different electronics. Small details really, but these make for a big step when put together. I feel the bike is more stable with this aerodynamics package, and we can more easily understand the behaviour of the bike. We need to adjust our line slightly, but we can use more power and brake a little later. Essentially, the overall feel is different thanks to this combination of new elements. Having said that, we still have a lot of work to do in order to put it all together and find the best compromise to be able to exploit the potential of the new parts.

“The goal is to fight for the podium. We reached the podium in our first year but not last year, which was more challenging. So our first goal is to develop the bike to a level that allows us to fight at the front and fight for the podium. We want to achieve more top three finishes, and then take it from there.

2024 Team HRC CBR1000RR-R Fireblade

Lecuona and Vierge will be back on track with the new-look CBR1000RR-R on 19-20 February, when they will take part in the very last pre-season test at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia before returning to the same track on 23-25 February for the opening round of the 2024 Superbike World Championship season.

2024 Team HRC CBR1000RR-R Fireblade

Tickets for the 2024 season opener are on sale now, check out your options at www.worldsbk.com.au

2024 WorldSBK Dates

Date Circuit WSBK WSSP600 WSP300 WWSBK
23-25 Feb Phillip Island X X
22-24 Mar Catalunya X X X
19-21 Apr Assen X X X
14-16 Jun Misano X X X X
12-14 Jul Donington X X X
19-21 Jul Most X X X
9-11 Aug Algarve X X X X
23-25 Aug Balaton Park X X X
6-8 Sep  Magny-Cours X X X
20-22 Sep Cremona X X X
27-29 Sep Aragón X X X
18-20 Oct Jerez X X X X

Source: MCNews.com.au

Conor Cummins back with Padgett’s for 2024 NW200/IOMTT assault

Conor Cummins confirms 2024 plans

Conor Cummins will line up at the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races for the Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles team, having agreed a deal to ride with the Batley-based team for an eighth successive year.

The Manxman completes an impressive looking line-up alongside the returning Ian Hutchinson, with the pair riding Honda machinery in the RST Superbike, RL360 Superstock, Milwaukee Senior and Monster Energy Supersport Races.

Cummins will be looking to increase his tally of twelve TT podiums, six of which have come with Clive Padgett’s team, with the ultimate aim of taking a much yearned for maiden victory.

Conor Cummins

The 37-year old first joined the Padgetts outfit in 2017 and enjoyed a string of podium results in the headline Superbike and Senior races from 2018 to 2022, only missing out on the rostrum on one occasion. 2022 also saw him take second in the Superstock Race, setting a personal best lap in the process at an average speed of 133.116mph. That lap speed sees Cummins as the fourth fastest rider in TT history, behind only Peter Hickman, Michael Dunlop, and Dean Harrison.

Last year’s campaign was severely hampered by illness which saw him miss half of practice week and the opening Superbike and Supersport races, but he showed both his talent and resilience once more with a pair of fourths in the Senior and second Superstock races where more 132mph+ laps were chalked up.

2022 Superstock TT Monday Results
1. Peter Hickman – BMW
2. Conor Cummins – Honda +12.701s
3. Davey Todd – Honda +7.665s
Conor Cummins

“I’ve taken my time over the off-season to understand what I wanted to achieve in the year ahead and now that all the pieces of the jigsaw are in place, I’m delighted to be staying with the Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles team. I’ve had a bit of a reset, analysing everything both on and off track, and I want to go racing properly and be committed to try and win races with the TT being at the top of the list. I’m keen to get back racing and push for wins in 2024. The desire and passion are still very much there, and after discussing everything with Clive, he’s brought everything to the table so together we’ll be throwing the kitchen sink at the TT. I know what I want to do and that’s win. I made a good step forward in 2022 with the 133mph lap and was looking forward to doing more of the same last year only for a virus to scupper that. I missed a lot of track time and in the races I did, I could only really push hard on the first lap; after that the head and body were exhausted. Obviously, that was out of my control, but I’ll be doing everything possible to put in my best ever TT performances.”

Conor Cummins – Image Jim Gibson
Clive Padgett – Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles Team Principal

“Conor’s part of the Padgett family so it’s great to continue our relationship for an eighth year. The four Superbike and Senior podiums across 2018 and 2019 were incredible and the Senior and Superstock performances in 2022 were amazing, especially his 133mph+ lap in the latter. Last year was obviously affected by illness and I’m not sure people realised just how poorly Conor was, so for him to finish fourth in the Senior was nothing short of a miracle. That just goes to show how talented he is and with him and Hutchy on board for 2024, we’re very excited about the season ahead.”

Conor Cummins

Cummins and the team have several pre-season tests planned before contesting a number of British Championship rounds and the North West 200 prior to the 2024 Isle of Man TT Races.

Source: MCNews.com.au

GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK YZF-R1M machines unveiled at Misano

2024 GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team


The GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team have launched their latest Yamaha R1 machines ahead of the 2024 FIM Superbike World Championship campaign, alongside the grand opening of the new GRT GRT Pro Shop at the Misano World circuit.

2024 GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team unveiling
2024 GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team unveiling

Riders Remy Gardner and Dominique Aegerter enjoyed a positive WorldSBK debut in 2023, finishing the season on a high. Gardner progressed a lot throughout the 2023 season reaching also a remarkable first row in Most; in the season finale, and close to a career-first WorldSBK podium by crossing the line in fourth just a few tenths off the rostrum places.

2024 GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team
2024 GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team
Remy Gardner – GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK

“We had a positive debut season, we kept progressing each round and understanding each other. I am confident we could have a strong 2024 together, we also had some productive test sessions throughout the winter. The goal is to stay regularly in the front places and improving every round, with the target of enjoying my career-first WorldSBK podium.”

Remy Gardner - GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK
Remy Gardner – GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK

Aegerter clinched two podiums in the final round, adding three front row qualifying performances to his tally in the meantime, including a stunning qualifier in his first race in Phillip Island.

Dominique Aegerter – GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK

“I cannot wait to begin the 2024 season! Unfortunately I was not able to take part at the test we had in January as I’m still recovering from the viral infection, but I am keen to enjoy the first round in Phillip Island. Last year we finished the Championship on a high note, the target is to keep improving and fight consistently for the front positions. I would like to be on the podium once again during the season and try to win my first WorldSBK race.”

Dominique Aegerter - GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK
Dominique Aegerter – GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK

The GYTR GRT Yamaha duo is eager to pick up where they left off, with their target to keep improving at each round to allow them to fight at the front regularly during the season.

The team is delighted to welcome back several key partners, as well as introducing new ones for the 2024 campaign, who will be significant in the squad’s successes.

2024 GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team
2024 GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team
Filippo Conti – GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team Principal

“We are all excited for a thrilling 2024 WorldSBK Season. Having Dominique and Remy with us for another season means we can keep progressing and pick up where we left off last season. Both had a positive rookie season, finishing the season on a very high, which give us a lot of confidence for the upcoming Championship, where we would like to fight regularly for the front places. I want to thank Yamaha for the great support they give us every year. In the same way, I’m keen to thank all the partners who will support us once again, as well as I’m delighted to welcome the new ones who will be crucial to the team’s results.”

Remy Gardner - GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK
Remy Gardner – GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK

GYTR GRT Yamaha will join the rest of the WorldSBK competitors for one final pre-season test at the Phillip Island Circuit (19-20 February) before the season’s first races get underway at the picturesque venue between 23-25 February.

Tickets for the 2024 season opener are on sale now, check out your options at www.worldsbk.com.au

2024 WorldSBK Dates

Date Circuit WSBK WSSP600 WSP300 WWSBK
23-25 Feb Phillip Island X X
22-24 Mar Catalunya X X X
19-21 Apr Assen X X X
14-16 Jun Misano X X X X
12-14 Jul Donington X X X
19-21 Jul Most X X X
9-11 Aug Algarve X X X X
23-25 Aug Balaton Park X X X
6-8 Sep  Magny-Cours X X X
20-22 Sep Cremona X X X
27-29 Sep Aragón X X X
18-20 Oct Jerez X X X X

Source: MCNews.com.au

Yamaha officially launch 2024 MotoGP campaign

2024 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP


Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins spearhead the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team in 2024, and here we present you the 2024 YZR-M1, their riders and team members ahead of the Sepang Test getting underway in Malaysia later today.

2024 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP
2024 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP

The colour scheme of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP YZR-M1, the pit box, the riders’ leathers, and the team clothing are largely unchanged for the new season. The most notable changes were the livery featuring some new sponsors and Yamaha’s updates on the personnel and organisational front.

Fabio Quartararo remains a fan favourite and is determined to come back fighting to make 2024 his year. This season he is joined by new team-mate Álex Rins, who brings a ton of fresh technical and riding expertise to the team.

Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider

“It’s the start of the new season – that’s always exciting! Everyone is starting from zero points again, and I know both the team and I are super motivated to get as much work done as possible during the Sepang Test. A good start to 2024 – even if it’s just preseason tests – can result in a big advantage later on. So, as always, we will put everything we have into every day, every session, every run, and every lap. I know Yamaha has been working hard behind the scenes, so I think that if we keep pushing ourselves to the limit in all aspects, we should be able to have a great year together. I want to fight at the front, and I want to greet my fans from the top step of the podium again!”

Fabio Quartararo - Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Álex Rins – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider

“I already had my first taste of the M1 working with the Yamaha team at the Valencia Test and the Shakedown Test, but today’s 2024 MEYM Season Launch event makes me feel excited again as if it’s the first day. We had a good first run at the test in Valencia, so I was quite happy with that, and I can’t wait to continue the work here in Sepang tomorrow. I have many things to try, but I’m feeling confident. The bike seems easy to adapt to, so I think I will be able to make some further steps at the Sepang Test. I have been working a lot on my physical fitness to arrive here at the best possible level, and now all I want to do is start riding again!”

Álex Rins - Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Álex Rins – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider

Besides Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s new rider line-up, the Yamaha management also underwent some changes for 2024. General Manager Motor Sports Development Division of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Takahiro Sumi will now be working closely with new Yamaha YZR-M1 Project Leader Kazuhiro Masuda and new Yamaha Factory Racing Technical Director Massimo Bartolini.

Álex Rins' R1M - Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Álex Rins’ R1M – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Takahiro Sumi – Yamaha Motor Sports Development GM

“As many will know, YMC’s Motor Sports Development Division’s work towards renewed success in 2024 started already before the 2023 season ended. Yamaha’s main goal is and will always be to bring Kando to its customers and fans. It therefore goes without saying that the company is fully dedicated to the cause of bringing the MotoGP trophy back to Yamaha with our new global team power. Based on the riders’ feedback, we have been working tirelessly to find new ways to improve our bike, and we know that Fabio and Álex as well as test rider Cal are keen to put the new 2024-spec bike to the test. It will be a long season again, but we are ready to put in the work and to compete head-on.”

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Principal & Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team Director Massimo Meregalli remain at the helm of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP equipe. The Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Team and its rider Cal Crutchlow will be led by Kazutoshi Seki in 2024.

Fabio Quartararo's R1M - Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Fabio Quartararo’s R1M – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Rider
Lin Jarvis – Yamaha Motor Racing MD

“Last year was a tough season, but we have regrouped, restructured our organisation, and now we are ready to make a comeback. Having made significant changes to our MotoGP project team and with a new rider line-up, the team feel refreshed and ready to tackle the 2024 season. The Yamaha engineers have been working around the clock during the ‘winter break’ and kept developing the bike. So, though the livery remains the same for this season, there is much more to the 2024-spec M1 than is apparent at first glance. Another constant, which we are really grateful for, is the strong relationship with our official sponsors and partners. We are entering our twelfth year with Monster Energy Company as our sponsor and the sixth season with them as title sponsor. We are thankful to them and to our other official team sponsors, partners, and suppliers, with many of whom we have had long-term partnerships, for showing their full support to our project and our mission to excel in the super innovative, technically and physically challenging sport of MotoGP racing. At the start of the 2024 championship, we face 3 preseason tests followed by a 21-event calendar with 42 individual races, including the Sprints and main Races. In addition to that we have numerous IRTA tests throughout the season as well as many private tests where we can now use our GP riders due to the application of the new Concession rules for 2024. So, it will be a long and intense season, where both performance and endurance will count to achieve championship success. Having already started with the ‘Shakedown Test’, we will now begin the real season with the Official Sepang IRTA Test, which is where we can evaluate our performance versus our competitors. I believe this year will be one of the most exciting MotoGP seasons in recent times, and I hope the fans all around the world will enjoy the battles over the next 10 months. Let’s get started!”

2024 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Gallery

Source: MCNews.com.au

Billy Bolt makes it five in a row with SuperEnduro victory in Hungary

2024 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship
Round Five – Budapest, Hungary

Making it five overall victories in a row, Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Billy Bolt topped the podium at the fifth round of the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship in Budapest, Hungary. Securing three races wins from three starts on the night on his FE 350, the defending world champion extended his championship lead to 33 points.

Prestige Race One

Billy Bolt was quick on the gate drop to score the holeshot ahead of Manuel Lettenbichler while Jonny Walker was caught up in the pack.

Walker eventually fought his way forward and eventually got the better of Lettenbichler for second place, who then went down trying to chase the leading duo. Letty’s crash opened the door for Diogo Vieira (POR-GASGAS), and the Portuguese rider was in for a big night, moving into a strong third in the race and never looking back.

Billy Bolt

At the front, Billy Bolt appeared to be on for a trouble-free run to the finish line but there was huge drama in store for the championship leader… while the Brit was closing in to lap Lettenbichler, the KTM rider dropped his bike in the matrix. The triple World Champion had no choice but to spectacularly leap over the stricken German and his machine. The factory Husqvarna rider scared himself by falling heavily on his already injured left leg, but both riders rejoined the race. Despite the pain, Bolt went on to secure the victory ahead of Walker and Vieira.

Prestige Race One Results

  1. Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 12 laps, 7:17.091
  2. Jonny Walker (GBR), Beta, 12 laps, 7:29.898
  3. Diogo Vieira (POR), GASGAS, 12 laps, 7:43.224
  4. Mitchell Brightmore (GBR), GASGAS, 12 laps, 7:55.692
  5. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 11 laps, 7:20.187

Prestige Race Two

Portugal’s Diogo Vieira snatched the Airoh Holeshot and remained at the head of the field for a decent length of time before Billy Bolt got the better of him and raced away to victory.

Billy Bolt

Vieira was left to battle a feisty Dominik Olszowy (POL-Rieju) to secure second place. The Pole began to make mistakes, leaving Vieira to take second place.

The big disappointment in this second bout was Jonny Walker, who failed to climb higher than fifth position. Lacking rhythm and a victim of several falls, the 2023 Vice-World Champion was left feeling frustrated.

Prestige Race Two Results

  1. Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 11 laps, 6:35.545
  2. Diogo Vieira (POR), GASGAS, 11 laps, 6:55.507
  3. Mitchell Brightmore (GBR), GASGAS, 11 laps, 6:58.254
  4. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 10 laps, 6:39.761
  5. Jonny Walker (GBR), Beta, 10 laps, 6:47.852

Prestige Race Three

Jonny Walker took the Airoh Holeshot in front of Bolt and Lettenbichler but again it was Bolt that forged his way to the front before going on to take the final race victory of the night by 13-seconds over his compatriot.  Lettenbichler rounded out the podium

Billy Bolt

Diogo Vieira fell very early on but with the idea of a maiden overall podium on his mind, he launched an incredible comeback. From last place Vieira patiently overtook his opponents one by one and climbed back to a respectable sixth place. A position sufficient to guarantee him his first MotoZ FIM Enduro World Championship podium.

Prestige Race Three Results

  1. Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 12 laps, 6:55.701
  2. Jonny Walker (GBR), Beta, 12 laps, 7:08.635
  3. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 12 laps, 7:12.845
  4. Mitchell Brightmore (GBR), GASGAS, 11 laps, 6:52.802
  5. Eddie Karlsson (SWE), Husqvarna, 11 laps, 6:58.692
  6. Diogo Vieira (POR), GASGAS

2024 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship
Round  Four – Romania

In the championship standings, Billy Bolt is starting to build an insurmountable advantage, the Brit is now 33 points ahead of Jonny Walker.

2024 SuperEnduro Round Five – Hungary – Overall
1. Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 62 points
2. Jonny Walker (GBR), Beta, 48 pts
3. Diogo Vieira (POR), GASGAS, 42 pts

Manuel Lettenbichler consolidated his third place in the standings over Will Hoare who had a very tricky night with seventh overall.

Billy Bolt

I’m massively pleased with my riding tonight. From the get-go I felt good on the track and I really wanted to deliver a good result. With three wins from three starts, I can’t really ask for more from myself. Of course I’m still managing my knee injury from round three in Germany, but I’ve learned how to deal with it. Naturally there were some moments out on track during the evening, but that’s part of the sport. Overall my starts were solid and I grew stronger with each race. With two rounds remaining, I’ll keep chipping away at things and be ready for Bulgaria.”

Billy Bolt
Jonny Walker

I felt good and I was happy with the track, but when it came to racing I just really struggled. The first race wasn’t too bad but it felt slippery like I was losing the front, and then I got a bit of armpump too. The second race was an absolute nightmare for me – I must have crashed four or five times and I had some collisions too. I turned it around a bit in the last race, but Billy was on fire again. Let’s see what happens in the next rounds.”

Manuel Lettenbichler

I’m pretty happy with how tonight has gone! Speed-wise, my riding was good, but I just made a few mistakes with line choices, especially in the first race. I had good pace, but when someone crashed in front of me, it was tough to settle back into a good rhythm. In the second moto I fought back from pretty much last to fourth, which was good. I feel like we could see the speed was there in the last race and that the changes we made to the bike are helping. For my championship position, today has helped me strengthen third overall.

Manuel Lettenbichler

Prestige Overall Round

  1. Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 62 points
  2. Jonny Walker (GBR), Beta, 48 pts
  3. Diogo Vieira (POR), GASGAS, 42 pts
  4. Mitchell Brightmore (GBR), GASGAS, 41 pts
  5. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 40 pts

2024 FIM SuperEnduro World Championship Points
(After Round Five)

  1. Billy Bolt (GBR), Husqvarna, 301 points
  2. Jonny Walker (GBR), Beta, 268 pts
  3. Manuel Lettenbichler (GER), KTM, 193 pts
  4. Will Hoare (GBR), Rieju, 171 pts
  5. Dominik Olszowy (POL), Rieju, 157 pts

The MotoZ FIM SuperEnduro World Championship next heads to Bulgaria on February 24.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Blow by blow reports from the 250-450 AMA SX Mains in Detroit

2024 AMA Supercross Championship

Round Five – Ford Field, Detroit

No rain this week!


250 Main

The 250 East Championship got underway with a turn one pile-up including Haiden Deegan, Jalek Swoll, Cameron McAdoo, Seth Hammaker, Evan Ferry and Tom Vialle.  The event seemed to be triggered by Hammaker getting out of shape and punting Vialle, who then got tangled up with a gaggle of riders.

250 Main

Most were up and running quickly enough but Deegan’s YZ250F had sustained some damage. The youngster continued to circulate but indicated to his crew he had problems.  Hammaker visited the mechanics to try and get his bike bent back straight.

250 Main

Well away from that melee had been Chance Hymas, Austin Forkner and Max Anstie.  Forkner moved through to the lead early on then started to pull away from Hymas.

Austin Forkner

As the track roughed up into the second half of the bout Anstie managed to reel in Hymas, eventually taking that second position and pulling away from the teenager.

Daxton Bennick then also chased down and passed Hymas, the 17-year-old then pulled away from the HRC rider to claim his first podium.

Daxton Bennick

All the while Forkner had been completely untroubled up front, taking a clear victory over Anstie despite the Brit chasing him hard over the latter part of the race.

The polar opposite of how Forkner’s season started in 2023, when he was on the deck before turn one with a torn ACL. What a way to make a comeback, and you could tell how much it meant to him.

Austin Forkner

Jalek Swoll put Triumph firmly inside the top ten on debut, despite getting caught up in that turn one melee. A sixth place finish a huge shot in the arm for Triumph’s fledgling campaign.

Jalek Swoll

Spanish rookie Guillem Farres impressed with an eighth place finish ahead of Henry Miller.

250 Podium – Forkner, Anstie, Bennick

After showing such strong form early on Chance Hymas slipped back through the field in the closing laps to finish tenth.

McAdoo recovered from that turn one fall to claim seven-points for 15th place.

Haiden Deegan

Deegan battled on with his bent up bike to claim six-points but was two laps down by the flag. The youngster’s right-hand bar was bent a long way forward and it was a wonder he was able to effectively use the throttle and front brake to lap what was a pretty brutal course.

The damage to Deegan’s bars is clear in this shot he posted on socials.

250 Main Results

Pos Rider Bike Laps/Interval
1 Austin Forkner Kawasaki 21 Laps
2 Max Anstie Honda +02.557
3 Daxton Bennick Yamaha +06.162
4 Coty Schock Yamaha +21.884
5 Pierce Brown GASGAS +24.562
6 Jalek Swoll Triumph +39.979
7 Henry Miller Honda +45.324
8 Guillem Farres Husqvarna +50.828
9 Marshal Weltin Yamaha 20 Laps
10 Chance Hymas Honda +08.911
11 Trevor Colip Honda +10.279
12 Luca Marsalisi Honda +14.831
13 Preston Boespflug Suzuki +19.074
14 Nicholas Romano Yamaha +30.207
15 Cameron Mcadoo Kawasaki +37.212
16 Haiden Deegan Yamaha 19 Laps
17 Gage Linville GASGAS +16.086
18 Tom Vialle KTM 18 Laps
19 Bryton Carroll Yamaha 16 Laps
20 Cullin Park Honda 6 Laps
21 Seth Hammaker Kawasaki DNF
22 Evan Ferry Triumph DNF

250 East Championship Points

Pos Rider Points
1 Austin Forkner 25
2 Max Anstie 22
3 Daxton Bennick 20
4 Coty Schock 18
5 Pierce Brown 17
6 Jalek Swoll 16
7 Henry Miller 15
8 Guillem Farres 14
9 Marshal Weltin 13
10 Chance Hymas 12
11 Trevor Colip 11
12 Luca Marsalisi 10
13 Preston Boespflug 9
14 Nicholas Romano 8
15 Cameron Mcadoo 7
16 Haiden Deegan 6
17 Gage Linville 5
18 Tom Vialle 4
19 Bryton Carroll 3
20 Cullin Park 2
21 Seth Hammaker 1
22 Evan Ferry 0

450 Main

450 Main

Jett Lawrence scored the holeshot ahead of Chase Sexton and Eli Tomac. 

450 Main

Dylan Ferrandis fourth, Jason Anderson fifth, Malcolm Stewart sixth ahead of Ken Roczen.

450 Main

Hunter Lawrence ninth early on while last week’s Aason Plessinger was down in 14th place on lap one.

While challenging Anderson for sixth place a couple of laps in Malcolm Stewart went down and by the time he was going again was way down in 20th place.

Ken Roczen had been steadily working his way forward, passing Anderson and Ferrandis to move up to fourth place with 16-minutes left on the shot clock. The German was the fastest man on track at this juncture and that saw him reel in and pass Tomac for third place.

Ken Roczen passing Eli Tomac

Cooper Webb was also working his way forward, relegating Anderson to seventh place by one-third race distance.   

Dylan Ferrandis then got the better of Eli Tomac. Moments later Tomac’s team-mate Cooper Webb relegated him further to sixth place. Tomac obviously not real comfortable and just hanging on for points.

Dylan Ferrandis

Jason Anderson also not on top of his game, making some mistakes which allowed Aaron Plessinger to close in and attack the Kawasaki rider. But things then got worse for Tomac as both Plessinger and Anderson pushed him further back to seventh.

Jett Lawrence

Jett had a clear four-second lead over Chase Sexton with seven-minutes remaining but a mistake almost cost him dearly, the youngster saved it and lost little ground, but that was a warning.   Ken Roczen was still third while Webb had moved up to fourth. Jason Anderson had regrouped and was back up to fifth place after getting the better of Ferrandis and Plessinger.  Further back Hunter Lawrence had relegated Tomac to ninth.

Jason Anderson

At the last lap flag Jett led Sexton by six-seconds. Roczen was a further eight-seconds away in third but with a handy nine-second buffer over Cooper Webb.

Jett Lawrence

Jett Lawrence the first two-time winner so far this season and a repeat performance of round one, leading every lap.

Chase Sexton bagging great points once again with that second place finish and moved into the championship lead and will take the red plate to Arlington in two weeks time.

450 Main Podium

Roczen moves up the championship table to seventh off the back of that podium.  The German also carded the fastest lap of the race and said that he was really happy with how he rode.

At the top of the table it is incredibly close. 98 points for Sexton, 97 for Jett and 96 for Plessinger. Cooper Webb also looming large only four-points further behind. Riders now have a weekend off before reconvening in Texas on February 24.

450 Main Results

Pos Rider Bike Laps/Interval
1 Jett Lawrence Honda 28 Laps
2 Chase Sexton KTM +04.740
3 Ken Roczen Suzuki +14.709
4 Cooper Webb Yamaha +21.420
5 Jason Anderson Kawasaki +27.501
6 Aaron Plessinger KTM +28.382
7 Dylan Ferrandis Honda +37.612
8 Hunter Lawrence Honda +41.143
9 Justin Cooper Yamaha +49.231
10 Eli Tomac Yamaha 27 Laps
11 Malcolm Stewart Husqvarna +03.643
12 Justin Barcia GASGAS +04.184
13 Christian Craig Husqvarna +26.355
14 Shane McElrath Suzuki +33.573
15 Derek Drake Suzuki 26 Laps
16 Kyle Chisholm Suzuki +17.976
17 Dean Wilson Honda +33.849
18 Mitchell Harrison Kawasaki +42.733
19 Tristan Lane KTM +44.047
20 Benny Bloss Beta 23 Laps
21 Justin Hill KTM 20 Laps
22 Freddie Noren Kawasaki 2 Laps

450 Championship Points

Pos Rider Points
1 Chase Sexton 98
2 Jett Lawrence 97
3 Aaron Plessinger 96
4 Cooper Webb 92
5 Jason Anderson 84
6 Eli Tomac 82
7 Ken Roczen 77
8 Dylan Ferrandis 77
9 Justin Barcia 59
10 Hunter Lawrence 52
11 Justin Cooper 49
12 Jorge Prado 45
13 Shane McElrath 41
14 Malcolm Stewart 37
15 Adam Cianciarulo 33
16 Dean Wilson 29
17 Christian Craig 29
18 Derek Drake 24
19 Justin Hill 16
20 Kyle Chisholm 15
21 Benny Bloss 11
22 Freddie Noren 11
23 Cade Clason 10
24 Austin Politelli 7
25 Vince Friese 6
26 Justin  Rodbell 5
27 Mitchell Harrison 4
28 Tristan Lane 3
29 Jason Clermont 1
30 Luke Kalaitzian 0

250 Qualifying Results

Pos Rider Bike Time
1 Pierce Brown GASGAS 44.116
2 Max Anstie Honda 44.492
3 Austin Forkner Kawasaki 44.571
4 Tom Vialle KTM 45.058
5 Seth Hammaker Kawasaki 45.149
6 Chance Hymas Honda 45.170
7 Daxton Bennick Yamaha 45.219
8 Haiden Deegan Yamaha 45.226
9 Guillem Farres Husqvarna 45.738
10 Jeremy Martin Yamaha 45.809
11 Jalek Swoll Triumph 45.868
12 Cameron Mcadoo Kawasaki 45.972
13 Cullin Park Honda 46.137
14 Marshal Weltin Yamaha 46.574
15 Henry Miller Honda 46.621
16 Trevor Colip Honda 46.668
17 Nicholas Romano Yamaha 46.697
18 Coty Schock Yamaha 46.848
19 Gage Linville GASGAS 47.363
20 Luca Marsalisi Honda 47.826
21 Ryder Floyd Honda 47.921
22 Hardy Munoz Kawasaki 48.018
23 Preston Boespflug Suzuki 48.129
24 Bryton Carroll Yamaha 48.260
25 Evan Ferry Triumph 48.278
26 Dominique Thury Kawasaki 48.429
27 Logan Leitzel Kawasaki 48.624
28 Lorenzo Locurcio GASGAS 48.689
29 Jack Rogers Kawasak 48.689
30 Mitchell Zaremba Yamah 49.171
31 Cory Carsten Suzuki 49.444
32 Vinny Luhovey Honda 49.532
33 Garrett Hoffman Yamaha 49.556
34 Bryce Shelly Yamaha 49.787
35 Marcus Phelps KTM 49.894
36 Ayden Shive Kawasaki 49.905
37 Tyler Stepek Honda 50.003
38 Logan Boye Kawasaki 50.280
39 Thomas Welch KTM 50.336
40 Hunter Cross KTM 50.338
Top 40 Riders Quaify
41 Jackson Gray Husqvarna 50.434
42 Cole Bradford Kawasaki 50.509
43 Gerhard Matamoros KTM 51.002
44 Keegan Rowley Yamaha 51.110
45 Jacob Glenn KTM 51.117
46 Gage Stine Yamaha 51.221
47 David Pulley Yamaha 51.780
48 Christopher Blackmer Yamaha 51.917
49 Nick Laurie GASGAS 52.417
50 Konnor Visger Honda 53.254

250 Heat One Results

Pos Rider Bike Laps/Interval
1 Cameron Mcadoo Kawasaki 10 Laps
2 Haiden Deegan Yamaha +00.635
3 Tom Vialle KTM +02.057
4 Chance Hymas Hond +05.651
5 Max Anstie Honda +17.986
6 Coty Schock Yamaha +25.345
7 Luca Marsalisi Honda +33.168
8 Trevor Colip Honda +34.633
9 Bryton Carroll Yamaha +35.447
10 Jeremy Martin Yamaha 9 Laps
11 Mitchell Zaremba Yamaha +39.036
12 Ayden Shive Kawasaki +41.442
13 Vinny Luhovey Honda +45.320
14 Marshal Weltin Yamaha +1m19.694
15 Jackson Gray Husqvarna +1m28.841
16 Logan Boye Kawasaki 8 Laps
17 Hardy Munoz Kawasaki +54.713
18 Bryce Shelly Yamaha 7 Laps
19 Hunter Cross KTM 2 Laps
20 Dominique Thury Kawasaki DNF

250 Heat Two Results

Pos Rider Bike Laps/Interval
1 Austin Forkner Kawasaki 10 Laps
2 Daxton Bennick Yamaha +02.806
3 Pierce Brown GASGAS +05.966
4 Seth Hammaker Kawasaki +06.474
5 Henry Miller Honda +15.499
6 Nicholas Romano Yamaha +16.465
7 Guillem Farres Husqvarna +17.735
8 Gage Linville GASGAS +22.534
9 Jalek Swoll Triumph +23.558
10 Preston Boespflug Suzuki +25.481
11 Garrett Hoffman Yamaha +38.799
12 Ryder Floyd Honda +39.648
13 Logan Leitzel Kawasaki 9 Laps
14 Cory Carsten Suzuki +02.810
15 Jack Rogers Kawasaki +04.013
16 Marcus Phelps KTM +10.834
17 Thomas Welch KTM +19.119
18 Evan Ferry Triumph +50.333
19 Tyler Stepek Honda 8 Laps
20 Cullin Park Honda 2 Laps

250 LCQ Results

Pos Rider Bike Laps/Interval
1 Evan Ferry Triumph 8 Laps
2 Preston Boespflug Suzuki +01.614
3 Marshal Weltin Yamaha +05.866
4 Cullin Park Honda +07.719
5 Garrett Hoffman Yamaha +08.235
6 Ryder Floyd Honda +11.158
7 Ayden Shive Kawasaki +15.769
8 Logan Leitzel Kawasaki +18.903
9 Mitchell Zaremba Yamaha +19.724
10 Marcus Phelps KTM +23.356
11 Vinny Luhovey Honda +24.689
12 Jack Rogers Kawasaki +26.975
13 Dominique Thury Kawasaki +31.941
14 Jackson Gray Husqvarna +34.255
15 Logan Boye Kawasaki +35.319
16 Thomas Welch KTM +37.528
17 Hunter Cross KTM +54.580
18 Cory Carsten Suzuki 7 Laps
19 Hardy Munoz Kawasaki DNF
20 Jeremy Martin Yamaha DNS
21 Bryce Shelly Yamaha DNS
22 Tyler Stepek Honda DNS

450 Qualifying Results

Pos Rider Bike Time
1 Jett Lawrence Honda 43.190
2 Cooper Webb Yamaha 43.199
3 Chase Sexton KTM 43.285
4 Eli Tomac Yamaha 43.331
5 Ken Roczen Suzuki 43.350
6 Justin Cooper Yamaha 43.742
7 Jason Anderson Kawasaki 43.769
8 Hunter Lawrence Honda 43.915
9 Malcolm Stewart Husqvarna 44.047
10 Aaron Plessinger KTM 44.066
11 Justin Hill KTM 44.142
12 Dylan Ferrandis Honda 44.176
13 Christian Craig Husqvarna 44.219
14 Justin Barcia GASGAS 44.815
15 Dean Wilson Honda 44.930
16 Mitchell Harrison Kawasaki 45.013
17 Derek Drake Suzuki 45.159
18 Jerry Robin Yamaha 45.378
19 Jeremy Hand Honda 45.412
20 Benny Bloss Beta 45.564
21 Devin Simonson Yamaha 45.653
22 Cade Clason Kawasaki 45.734
23 Shane McElrath Suzuki 45.747
24 Tristan Lane KTM 45.836
25 Freddie Noren Kawasaki 45.867
26 Kyle Chisholm Suzuki 45.899
27 Josh Cartwright Kawasaki 45.912
28 John Short Beta 45.999
29 Justin  Rodbell KTM 46.095
30 Hunter Schlosser KTM 46.347
31 Cheyenne Harmon Yamaha 46.352
32 Theodore Pauli Kawasaki 47.164
33 Brandon Marley Honda 47.586
34 Scotty Wennerstrom Kawasak 47.707
35 Jace Kessler Yamaha 47.797
36 Joel Wightman Yamaha 47.893
37 Joan Cros Kawasaki 48.092
38 Colby Copp KTM 48.143
39 Scott Meshey KTM 48.559
40 Austin Cozadd Kawasaki 48.610
Top 40 Riders Qualify
41 Robert Fitch Husqvarna 49.540
42 Brandon Pederson Yamaha 50.186
43 Rylan Munson Kawasaki 50.841
44 Deegan Hepp Honda 51.075

450 Heat One Results

Pos Rider Bike Laps/Interval
1 Aaron Plessinger KTM 10 Laps
2 Justin Cooper Yamaha +03.873
3 Justin Barcia GASGAS +05.104
4 Hunter Lawrence Honda +07.917
5 Cooper Webb Yamaha] +09.495
6 Eli Tomac Yamaha +10.577
7 Dylan Ferrandis Honda +12.352
8 Kyle Chisholm Suzuki +23.778
9 Benny Bloss Beta +25.199
10 Tristan Lane KTM +27.284
11 Cade Clason Kawasaki +28.553
12 Jerry Robin Yamaha +30.134
13 John Short Beta +34.597
14 Mitchell Harrison Kawasaki 9 Laps
15 Joel Wightman Yamaha +01.353
16 Theodore Pauli Kawasaki +08.433
17 Scotty Wennerstrom Kawasaki +29.573
18 Hunter Schlosser KTM +33.079
19 Austin Cozadd Kawasaki +37.332
20 Colby Copp KTM +45.490

450 Heat Two Results

Pos Rider Bike Laps/Interval
1 Jett Lawrence Honda 10 Laps
2 Ken Roczen Suzuki +03.328
3 Jason Anderson Kawasaki +04.317
4 Chase Sexton KTM 450 +05.315
5 Malcolm Stewart Husqvarna +07.524
6 Dean Wilson Honda +19.051
7 Christian Craig Husqvarna +22.508
8 Shane McElrath Suzuki +23.745
9 Derek Drake Suzuki +24.728
10 Justin Hill KTM 450 +28.618
11 Freddie Noren Kawasaki +41.403
12 Devin Simonson Yamaha +43.268
13 Cheyenne Harmon Yamaha +49.446
14 Josh Cartwright Kawasaki 9 Laps
15 Justin  Rodbell KTM 450 +11.868
16 Jace Kessler Yamaha +17.178
17 Scott Meshey KTM 450 +19.883
18 Joan Cros Kawasaki +24.064
19 Jeremy Hand Honda +35.425
20 Brandon Marley Honda +51.293

450 LCQ Results

Pos Rider Bike Laps/Interval
1 Justin Hill KTM 8 Laps
2 Mitchell Harrison Kawasaki +02.514
3 Tristan Lane KTM +03.286
4 Freddie Noren Kawasaki +04.702
5 Jeremy Hand Honda +07.510
6 Cheyenne Harmon Yamaha +09.496
7 John Short Beta +11.405
8 Jerry Robin Yamaha +13.050
9 Devin Simonson Yamaha +13.538
10 Hunter Schlosser KTM +14.083
11 Jace Kessler Yamaha +21.818
12 Josh Cartwright Kawasaki +22.076
13 Justin  Rodbell KTM +22.475
14 Theodore Pauli Kawasaki +26.012
15 Scott Meshey KTM +28.108
16 Joel Wightman Yamaha +32.754
17 Colby Copp KTM +38.705
18 Scotty Wennerstrom Dallas, TX Kawasaki +41.080
19 Joan Cros Kawasaki +42.742
20 Austin Cozadd Kawasaki +44.574
21 Brandon Marley Honda 7 Laps
22 Cade Clason Kawasaki 4 Laps


2024 AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross calendars
2024 AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross calendars

Source: MCNews.com.au

Acosta tops Sepang Shakedown – Rookie on top after three-day test

MotoGP Sepang Shakedown
Day Three – Saturday

Pedro Acosta got his 2024 campaign going with a three day Shakedown at Sepang this week. As the sole rookie, Acosta was joined on track by test riders on the first day, and other MotoGP riders allowed to test following the new concessions rules shared the track with him from day 2. Three important days of experience were gained before the rest of the class joins the fray on February 6.

Looking fresh in newly revealed Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 colours Acosta delivered an impressive first day after he finished just 0.152 seconds away from fastest rider Dani Pedrosa with a 1’59.385. That is 1.894 seconds off the all-time lap record of the Sepang International Circuit, set by Pecco Bagnaia in qualifying for the 2023 Malaysian Grand Prix just two months ago. Not bad at all for what was the young Spaniard’s second day on a MotoGP bike.

Pedro Acosta

The learning process continued on Friday in a hot and humid Sepang as Acosta continued the work to discover the category, sharing the track with more riders than the past day. Halfway through the day, he had already lowered his fastest lap time to 1’58.531, closing the gap to the circuit’s record (1’57.491). Friday was then interrupted by quite heavy afternoon rain.

Saturday saw the rookie continue his efforts for a final day, lowering his marker to a 1’58.189. A small crash put an end to the morning session, before the afternoon session was again disrupted by heavy rain. Acosta used that opportunity to try a MotoGP bike in the wet for the first time.

Acosta finished the final day of Sepang Shakedown at the top of the timesheets, 0.066 seconds ahead of Pol Espargaro. Two rest days are now ahead, before the entire MotoGP grid hits the track for three days of testing.


Pedro Acosa Sepang Shakedown Times

Day 1 – Time: 1’59.385 – Laps: 45

Day 2 – Time: 1’58.531 – Laps: 42

Day 3 – Time: 1’58.189 – Laps: 33

For reference, the all-time lap Sepang record was set by Pecco Bagnaia at 1m57.491 during qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix last year. The race lap record at Sepang was set by Alex Marquez last year at 1m58.979.  Acosta’s time would have placed him P5 in last year’s Sepang Test overall standings, and there are still three more days to go in that event next week.


Pedro Acosta

We spent these three days mainly trying to work on my riding style, trying to understand the tyres in MotoGP, find a bike set up, and we have to be happy with this first test. We did some good fast laps, but we most importantly had a good race pace on the dry. We even got a bit of time in the wet, which is always a bonus. I tried to follow Dani Pedrosa a bit today, and it was not that easy! In the Sepang Test, we will try to follow the lines of the other riders, and understand everything a bit more. Very happy, now I am going to enjoy two days of rest!”

Nicolas Goyon – Tech3 Team Manager

The Sepang Shakedown is a tradition and usually kicks off the MotoGP season, and this year it was quite interesting as there were more bikes on track with the new concessions rules, so more references for our rookie. Pedro Acosta and the whole Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 team are really happy with these three days, everything went really well. Pedro could set some decent lap times on the dry, and he got to try a bit the wet too, which is always good to take. We did not turn the bike upside down, we just tried to find a comfortable setting for him, and it worked out well because he did an amazing job. This is just the beginning of the season, but it is a good one, and we are looking forward to the Official IRTA Sepang Test with all riders on track.”

As we saw across the previous two days of Shakedown action, the factories have ramped up the aerodynamics game in 2024. Honda’s upgraded ‘stegosaurus’ rear wing can be seen below.

Stefan Bradl had wings galore, but was slowest by a fair margin

On Day 3, Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) was spotted testing a different swingarm, and Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) has confirmed that Honda’s 2023 bike isn’t in Sepang. Honda are focusing on the package they had at the Valencia Test and on a new prototype they’ve got. A “change in direction”.

Joan Mir

Zarco was the fastest Honda on Saturday, ahead of Mir and then Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) and Nakagami, peppered throughout the top ten.

Meanwhile, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) finished the Shakedown in P4, while new team-mate Alex Rins was a tenth off him in P7.

Alex Rins

Yamaha Test Rider Cal Crutchlow ventured out with a new, longer exhaust and an updated aero body.

Cal Crutchlow

The progress of the two Japanese factories will be closely monitored at the Sepang Test.

For Ducati and Aprilia, repped at the Shakedown by Michele Pirro and Lorenzo Savadori, respectively, there were the previously mentioned aero updates on obvious show, and the event saw plenty of prep for the rest of their riders to join the fray at the Sepang Test.

Michele Pirro

That will include reigning Champion Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) meeting his new steed ahead of another title defence campaign, and 2023 challenger Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing). It’s also another chance to see Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) heading out, although that’s not on a 2024-spec bike…

Meanwhile, alongside Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaro at Aprilia, there’s also a complete novelty of a different kind in the Noale camp as Trackhouse Racing prepare to land in MotoGP, with Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez likely soon to appear in their new colours on track for the first time.

Next up it’s the official Sepang Test from the 6th to the 8th of February, where we’ll see everyone back out and back in business ahead of their assault on 2024.

MotoGP Sepang Shakedown Times
Saturday

Pos Rider Bike Time/Gap
1 Pedro Acosta GASGAS 1m58.189
2 Pol Espargaro KTM +0.066
3 Johann Zarco Honda +0.211
4 Fabio Quartararo Yamaha +0.249
5 Dani Pedrosa KTM +0.289
6 Joan Mir Honda +0.328
7 Alex Rins Yamaha +0.354
8 Luca Marini Honda +0.746
9 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha +0.794
10 Takaaki Nakagami Honda +0.883

Provisional 2024 FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar (Updated)
Rnd Date Location
1 10 March Qatar Lusail International Circuit
2 24 March Portugal Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
3 07 April República Argentina Termas de Río Hondo
4 14 April Americas Circuit of The Americas
5 28 April Spain Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto
6 12 May France Le Mans
7 26 May Catalunya Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
8 02 June Italy Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello
9 16 June Kazakhstan Sokol International Racetrack
10 30 June Netherlands TT Circuit Assen
11 07 July Germany Sachsenring
12 04 August Great Britain Silverstone Circuit
13 18 August Austria Red Bull Ring-Spielberg
14 01 September Aragon MotorLand Aragón
15 08 September San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini Misano
16 22 September India Buddh International Circuit
17 29 September Indonesia Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit
18 06 October Japan Mobility Resort Motegi
19 20 October Australia Phillip Island
20 27 October Thailand Chang International Circuit
21 03 November Malaysia Sepang International Circuit
22 17 November Comunitat Valenciana Circuit Ricardo Tormo

Reserve Event: Hungary – Balaton Park Circuit.
Portugal & India remain subject to contract.
Kazakhstan is subject to contract and homologation.

Source: MCNews.com.au

MotoGP Sepang Shakedown got much busier on day two

MotoGP Sepang Shakedown
Day Two – Friday

More riders joined the fray on Friday but it was still Red Bull KTM Factory Racing on top, this time thanks to test rider Pol Espargaro. Pol ended the second day of the Shakedown fastest with a 1:58.241, a lap time just under three-tenths clear of Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), who took part for the first time on Friday. Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) continued to impress, third quickest and just thousandths off 2021 Champion Quartararo.

Fabio Quartararo

After remaining on the sidelines for the opening day of Shakedown action, the Yamaha and Honda riders all allowed to take part thanks to the new concessions system headed out. Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) was the first rider on track, with team-mate Joan Mir, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) and Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) also in action. Likewise, Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) got stuck in, settling in to his new team.

Alex Rins

It was another eye-catching day for MotoGP’s sole 2024 rookie Acosta. Pedro’s best time on Day 2 was a 1:58.531. For context, Brad Binder’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) quickest time at the 2023 Malaysian GP was a 1:58.080 (Q2), Augusto Fernandez’ (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) was a 1:58.107 (Q1) and Jack Miller’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was a 1:58.232 (PR)…

Pedro Acosta

A new piece of front aero – more specifically a front fender wing – was spotted on Dani Pedrosa’s Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine on Day 2, while Aprilia Racing – with Lorenzo Savadori – continued to lap on the Noale factory’s new ‘Batmobile’ rear wing (below). Honda and Stefan Bradl have been busy testing an upgraded stegosaurus-looking rear wing too.

Pol Espargaro

In the hands of Michele Pirro, Ducati’s main aero update that we’ve seen so far – teased by Gigi Dall’Igna at the 2024 team launch – comes on the side fairing. The addition of a further “ground effect” panel can be seen next to Ducati’s usual downwash duct, so it will be interesting to hear the comments of the riders on what effect this has.

Michele Pirro

For the full-time riders, most of the day was spent getting themselves back in the groove on a MotoGP bike after the winter break. Quartararo and Rins had three bikes – two ’23 spec and one ’24 spec – each, with Mir spending a lot of his time on the bike he used at the Valencia Test. The same can be said for Marini, with the Italian largely focusing on adapting to the RC213V.

A heavy rain shower meant dry running was cut short on Friday ahead of the final day of Shakedown testing on Saturday.

MotoGP Sepang Shakedown Times
Friday

  1. Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 1:58.241
  2. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) +0.283
  3. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) +0.290
  4. Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) +0.409
  5. Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) +0.431
  6. Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) +0.846
  7. Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) +0.850
  8. Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) +0.971
  9. Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) +1.028
  10. Stefan Bradl (Honda Test Team) +1.529
  11. Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Factory Racing) +1.633
  12. Michele Pirro (Ducati Lenovo Team) +1.915
  13. Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) +2.579

Provisional 2024 FIM MotoGP World Championship calendar (Updated)
Rnd Date Location
1 10 March Qatar Lusail International Circuit
2 24 March Portugal Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
3 07 April República Argentina Termas de Río Hondo
4 14 April Americas Circuit of The Americas
5 28 April Spain Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto
6 12 May France Le Mans
7 26 May Catalunya Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
8 02 June Italy Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello
9 16 June Kazakhstan Sokol International Racetrack
10 30 June Netherlands TT Circuit Assen
11 07 July Germany Sachsenring
12 04 August Great Britain Silverstone Circuit
13 18 August Austria Red Bull Ring-Spielberg
14 01 September Aragon MotorLand Aragón
15 08 September San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini Misano
16 22 September India Buddh International Circuit
17 29 September Indonesia Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit
18 06 October Japan Mobility Resort Motegi
19 20 October Australia Phillip Island
20 27 October Thailand Chang International Circuit
21 03 November Malaysia Sepang International Circuit
22 17 November Comunitat Valenciana Circuit Ricardo Tormo

Reserve Event: Hungary – Balaton Park Circuit.
Portugal & India remain subject to contract.
Kazakhstan is subject to contract and homologation.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Harley’s Model Year 2023 Run Out Sale is here!

Harley-Davidson Model Year 2023 Run Out Sale


The ride of a lifetime is just around the corner, with Harley-Davidson’s Model Year 2023 Run Out Sale coming to dealerships near you.

Moving into the new year, Harley-Davidson is putting some of their most iconic 2023 models front and centre with a price reduction of up to $4,000 across Sport, Cruiser and Touring models.

2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide
2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide

Coming in a range of different styles and colours, there has never been a better time to get in the saddle and hit the open road with Harley’s 2023 models.

Riders can save $4,000 off Grand American Touring models, $2,500 off Cruiser models (excluding the Breakout 117), $3,500 off the Street Bob 114 and $500 off Sport models.

Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114

These incredible offers are already available in Harley-Davidson dealers but must end on the 31st of March. Click here to experience these runout models for yourself, or find your nearest Harley-Davidson dealership here to pre-order or book a test ride.

Harley-Davidson Model Year 2023 Run Out Sale
Harley-Davidson Model Year 2023 Run Out Sale

Source: MCNews.com.au

Ducati launch online configurator for all 2024 models

2024 Ducati Online Motorcycle Configurator


Thanks to the new Ducati online configurator it is now possible to customise all the 2024 Ducatis to your specific loadout, including photorealistic images with 4K resolution, new views, dedicated environments and a 360° vision of the bike.

The Ducati Panigale V4 S at the Racetrack in the configurator
The Ducati Panigale V4 S at the Racetrack in the configurator

The configurator provides over 400 original Ducati Performance accessories, which can be mounted on the bikes in real time.

Potential buyers can experiment with different combinations, adapting the bike to their preferences and needs.

The Ducati DesertX off-road at night in the configurator
The Ducati DesertX off-road at night in the configurator

Once the configuration is complete, each enthusiast will be able to send their Ducati directly to their trusted dealer and obtain a quote, as well as virtually photographing it in Full-HD to store the image on their computer or smartphone.

The new configurator even allows you to admire the selected bike in iconic locations for Ducati and Made in Italy, such as Piazza Maggiore, in the heart of Bologna, the finish straight of the Mugello International Circuit and the off-road paradise in Sardinia to get the full experience.

The Ducati Diavel in the Piazza at night in the configurator
The Ducati Diavel in the Piazza at night in the configurator

It’s even possible to choose two moments of the day, between daytime and sunset, thus highlighting the light clusters (the DRL by day, the low beams by night) and the dashboard.

The new features are available on all models in the 2024 Ducati range, head on over to the Ducati Configurator and all its new features at https://configurator.ducati.com.

The Ducati Hyper RVE in the Piazza
The Ducati Hyper RVE in the Piazza in the configurator

Source: MCNews.com.au