10-seconds off Moto2 pace but a lot of speed to be found
High-profile MotoE riders sparked up their mounts for the first time in Spain overnight in company with the official Moto2 testing schedule ahead of season 2019.
The fastest time from the first outing for the MotoE machines came from Ajo Motorsports rider Niki Tuuli, a 1m51.721. That opening day benchmark nearly ten-seconds slower than the fastest Moto2 time of the day recorded by Lorenzo Baldasarri, as a new chapter also started for Moto2 with the move to Triumph engines for season 2019.
Clearly, these are only the first baby steps for the MotoE machines, but with high-profile teams and highly skilled riders, Dorna is certainly providing this new class with every chance of success.
Angel Nieto Team’s Energica MotoE machine
Many riders would have liked to have turned a lot more laps but were restricted by battery capacity and recharge times, as at this test many of the two-rider teams only had one machine at their disposal to be shared by two riders.
Former WorldSSP podium finisher and Moto2 rider Niki Tuuli (Ajo Motorsport MotoE) topped the times on Day 1 of three, setting a quickest time of 1:51.721.
Moto3 laptimes had tumbled dramatically after the first runs, and by the end of play Tuuli, a previous WorldSSP podium finisher, proved fast enough to beat 2017 European Moto2 Champion Eric Granado (Esponsorama Racing) by 0.121s.
Former Grand Prix rider Randy de Puniet (LCR E-Team) completed the top three with only 0.185 splitting the trio.
Randy de Puniet (LCR E-Team)
Bradley Smith is another high-profile current riders to be taking on MotoE in 2019, alongside his new official test role as development rider for Aprillia MotoGP, the Brit will race MotoE with the One Energy Racing Team and was 0.618 off the top on his first outing.
Bradley Smith
Bradley Smith
“I am happy to have completed my first laps on the MotoE bike. The first session was in the wet, so it was a good opportunity to compare it to the feeling in the dry conditions that we had later. I am positively surprised with the handling of the bike and the way it has performed here at Jerez. We have to work out which steps we need to take to improve everything and evaluate the result of each step. So far everything we have seen has been positive; now we need to analyse the work we have done on this first day and make a plan for tomorrow. We were in the top three for the majority of the day, now we have to work out a way to be the fastest, which is the objective.”
Bradley Smith
Alex De Angelis (Alma Pramac Racing) was just 0.064 behind Smith in P5. The much anticipated return of former MotoGP frontrunner Sete Gibernau, meanwhile, saw the 45-year-old hit the ground running and only just over a second off the top.
Sete Gibernau
World Endurance Champion Josh Hook was P14 and shared the Alma Pramac electric bike with team-mate Alex De Angelis as the Australian got his first brief taste of MotoE machinery. Hook finished up in P14 just behind fellow WEC regular Kenny Foray who made his debut with the new Tech3 MotoE squad.
Kenny Foray – P13
“Everything was totally new for me today and I also didn’t know the track very well yet. So, the first laps I spent to learn the track and then I started to try to find a feeling, after being on a 1000cc machine all the time. Lap by lap, I enjoyed it more and more, but I know, I still have to work a lot on myself to adapt my style, especially to improve my corner speed and some other things. I have to admit, it’s not easy, but it’s a lot of fun!”
Kenny Foray
Josh Hook – P14
“I had a great time. If I have to be honest, I was impressed by the power delivery of the bike when accelerating, but mainly the most impressive thing was how easy the bike is to ride. After two laps I was already pushing hard. I wanted to lap more but the battery doesn’t allow it”.
Female road race sensation María Herrera is also taking on the new challenge of in an Ángel Nieto squad alongside team-mate Nico Terol. Terol was the faster of the two on day one after completing ten laps with a best effort of 1’54.192. Terol had the opportunity to ride the bike here on the occasion of the Spanish Grand Prix earlier in the year and is confident that there is plenty of room for improvement over the next two days of the test.
Nico Terol – P12
“I did seven laps in the final session of the day, after watching my team-mate in the other two. I didn’t have the set-up how it needed to be – it was very soft on the front and I couldn’t brake how I wanted. On the fourth lap I set my best time and I am sure I could have gone faster but tomorrow I will have two sessions back to back and I’ll be able to give more and get more out of the bike.”
Nico Terol
María was riding the Energica machine for the first time and was sixteenth fastest in her debut appearance on the bike she will race in 2019. The Spanish youngster reported a good feeling from her first laps of the Spanish track and already has some ideas on how to adapt her riding style to the specific demands of this new machine.
María Herrera – P16
“The first feeling with the MotoE bike is good, the acceleration is quite smooth and it reminds me of a 600 – you have to keep the corner speed up because you can’t be aggressive on the gas. I have to understand the best way to get this bike stopped with the weight it has, which will be one of the main points of focus, as well as the inertia in corner entry, having never ridden a bike like this before. I didn’t ride much today, only the first two sessions, but I am keen to get the bike set up how I like it and seeing how far we can go with it.”
María Herrera
Teams and riders were not just getting their heads around new and very different machinery than they had ridden before, but also were getting up to speed with new rubber. Specially designed, the front tyres are a derivative of MotoGP tyres but the rears have more of a Superbike background.
The fronts need to support the heavy bikes under braking, whereas the rears need to warm up quickly for the shorter race distances in the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup. With the different characteristics of each, that made it something very new for each rider out on track – regardless of their racing experience.
Lucio Cecchinello put this image out on his Instagram account that shows some of what is behind the fairings of the new MotoE machines
If you love bikes, there’s nothing closer to pure heaven than immersing yourself in a world of motorcycles, mechanics and memorabilia at the iconic historic event, the International Island Classic at Australia’s Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit.
Island Classic pits always hold plenty of surprises and eye candy
Now in its 26th year, the Classic will once again roll into the island for the Australia Day long weekend from Friday to Sunday January 25-27, with 56 races on the agenda and tickets available now from www.islandclassic.com.au.
Island Classic pits always hold plenty of surprises and eye candy
A celebration of a century of motorbikes, the event is a true bike fest with close to 500 bikes racing and on display, including old Indians, Nortons and Vincents through to vintage Triumphs, Harleys and Ducatis. There’s six historic categories from pre-WW1 bikes through Vintage (1920-1945), Classic and Post Classic (from 1946 to 1972) and the more recent Forgotten Era and New Era classes fighting for class honours and the Phil Irving Perpetual Trophy.
Clive Warner’s TZ750
They all race hard, but when it comes to the dog-eat-dog competition the focus is on the International Challenge. Now in its 15th year, the Challenge will see defending champion Australia take on the USA and New Zealand on bikes manufactured between 1973 and 1984, piloted by riders boasting loads of experience and exceptional talent.
Island Classic International Challenge
Teams from Australia, the US and NZ will fill the International Challenge grid for four, six-lap races, with the Aussies ready to defend the title they wrestled back from the UK in last January.
Captain Rex Wolfenden has released his team of star recruits including the squad’s ace performer of 2018, Adelaide’s David Johnson, who led the Aussies back to the winner’s circle after three years lagging behind the Brits.
Beau Beaton and David Johnson – Island Classic 2018
Johnson will be back on the Suzuki XR69, hoping to emulate his 2018 performance which included two wins and two seconds en-route to being awarded the Ken Wootton Memorial Trophy for best individual performance.
Also back in the saddle after an Island Classic hiatus will be Isle of Man specialist Cam Donald and Melbourne’s Jed Metcher on the T-Rex Racing Honda. Metcher, who just took out the Australian Historic Championship at Broadford in November, will race the Honda he campaigned to victories at the Island Classic in 2016 and 2017.
Jed Metcher
“At Broadford my bike felt amazing, and we have a bit of further development for the island. I’ll be ready,” said Metcher who has taken a break from his international racing career to focus on his Race Center business in Melbourne’s Brunswick. I love the Island Classic, I just love the atmosphere. I love the enthusiasm of generations of people who are in love with their motorcycles and just enjoy everything on offer from the paddock to the track. And of course the racing is tough. But it is friendly competition. You know the sun shines, it’s Phillip Island, everyone who there is into it. The Island Classic is really a good place to be.”
Jed Metcher
The Australian team boasts great depth and experience with world endurance champion, Melbourne’s Steve Martin; three-time Australian superbike champion and Island Classic champion Shawn Giles; and Coffs Harbour’s Beau Beaton who in 2018 won the Phil Irving trophy.
In addition, there’s Dean Oughtred, Aaron Morris, Paul Byrne, Craig Ditchburn and, returning for his umpteenth appearance, long-time campaigner Scott Webster.
2017 Island Classic – Unlimited Forgotten Era – Scott Webster – Image: Cameron White
The Island Classic is the perfect Australia Day getaway without breaking the bank. A three-day adult ticket for the Island Classic, purchased in advance, is just $82, and free for children 15 and under (accompanied by a full-paying adult). You can camp at the circuit for four nights for just over $20 per night (with kids once again free) which is a bargain in anyone’s language.
Add it up and you can have a four-day weekend away, with four nights of on-circuit camping, and three days entry to one of the world’s great historic bike meets for the grand total of just $164* per adult and you can bring your kids for free!
Tickets for the 26th running of the International Island Classic, the largest historic bike meet in the southern hemisphere, are available on islandclassic.com.au or at the gate.
2019 Island Classic International Challenge
Team Australia
Captain: Rex Wolfenden
David Johnson – Suzuki XR69 – 1982 – 1294cc
Shawn Giles – Suzuki Katana – 1982 – 1294cc
Steve Martin – Suzuki Katana – 1982 – 1294cc
Beau Beaton – Irving Vincent – 1982 – 1300cc
Cam Donald – Irving Vincent – 1982 – 1300cc
Jed Metcher – T-Rex Racing Honda Harris F1 – 1982 – 1150cc
Dean Oughtred – Suzuki GSX1100S Katana – 1982 – 1260cc
Aaron Morris – Suzuki Katana – 1982 – 1294cc
Paul Byrne – Suzuki XR69 – 1982 – 1294cc
Craig Ditchburn – TZ 750 Yamaha – 1982 – 750cc
Scott Webster – Suzuki XR69 – 1982 – 1200cc
*All prices quoted are advance tickets. Advance ticket sales end midday Wednesday 23 January 2019. Buy advance and save. Gate ticket prices are additional.
After the poor weather across the nineteenth and final round of 2018 MotoGP in Spain, Red Bull KTM were able to count on sunnier and brighter conditions for their first work towards the 2019 FIM World Championship with a host of new riders, including two that have made the jump across from Tech3 Yamaha machinery to the KTM RC16.
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director
“Today was the start of a new phase for us in MotoGP and it was impressive and emotional to see four KTMs pulling out of the pitlane these days. We had a great end to 2018 and the work did not stop on Monday to get everything and everyone ready for Tuesday and today. It was another special moment to see the Tech 3 guys warming up those RC16s and making their first steps with us. It was a big effort to put it all together for these two days so thanks to everyone involved. On the track we went about our work. Pol carried over his confidence from Sunday while Johann came into the team and started to learn the bike and the guys around him. The same could be said for Tech 3. We’ll keep pushing now until next week and then come out strong when we can run on the track again next year.”
Johann Zarco
Mike Leitner, Red Bull KTM Team Manager
“It was quite an interesting test. We brought Johann into the team and we’d been looking forward to that for quite some time. The target of the test with him was to get him familiar with our bike and how it works and reacts. He tried many different things with the settings. He also has a new Crew Chief and some other team members so it was a good start. He crashed today but luckily nothing big and it showed him some limits and understanding. We’ll make some analysis this week and hope to make another step in Jerez. Pol gave some good feedback about the new parts we had for him and we have some exciting potential for a new direction. The job these days was firmly towards 2019 and overall we’re happy.”
Pol Espargaro
Pol Espargaro, still elated after his run to a brilliant third position in the Valencia rain, notched 35 laps on Tuesday (before more untimely showers cut the afternoon short) and 47 on a dry Wednesday to focus mainly on electronics and other key points of the ’19 KTM RC16. The Spaniard showed top ten pace when pushing for a quick lap.
Pol Espargaro
“It has been a positive test: you can always take the positive parts of whatever you do. We tried many, many things, especially electronics. We had a nice test, even if we had a problem going for a really fast lap in the end. The team is happy. We still have much to do but we have Jerez in a few days. Last year we were quite good there with a test after the race. I have good memories. The bike has changed much since then and we still have some changes to make. It is good to have more fast riders on the bike like Johann, the test riders and the young guys at Tech 3. They just need time and experience.”
Pol Espargaro
Across the garage Johann Zarco made his eagerly awaited Red Bull KTM debut and spent both days feeling his way around the motorcycle and altering the characteristics to suit his style. The former double Moto2 World Champion and 2017 Rookie of the Year clocked 86 laps in total. He suffered two small crashes on Wednesday but otherwise profited from his initial taste of the Austrian machinery.
Johann Zarco
Johann Zarco
“I wanted to improve my lap-time more today but we could not do it. I can really feel the potential of the bike but we still need to get the speed. It was a shame to have two crashes but I didn’t have any injuries and it helped to understand things about the bike and what I might have to change with my riding style. Step-by step. I’m building up this adventure. We are working on corner entry feeling and to find a direction but we improved and I felt I could play with the bike. I’m already thinking about what changes I need to make. Anyway, it was pretty nice to get on that bike and something so different that I’ve discovered in MotoGP until now. Even all the colours, the suit: it was exciting!”
Johann Zarco
Another significant sight in Valencia was the all-black KTM Team Tech 3 KTM’s of Hafizh Syahrin and Miguel Oliveira. The Malaysian is beginning his first full MotoGP pre-season while the Portuguese is one of four rookies in the premier class for 2019. Both were also busy with their acclimatisation.
Hafizh Syahrin
Hafizh Syahrin
“Overall, we had a decent test. I didn’t look at the lap time these two days, but tried to feel good on the bike, to get used to it and to understand the electronics. On the first day, we didn’t touch anything on the bike but this afternoon we changed some things on the front and the rear, which was positive. Later today, it was quite cold and we used the medium tyre. I had a small crash in turn 10, but I was in a good shape and had a good rhythm to understand the bike. We try to continue working hard. I hope we have some great weather in Jerez and aim to improve with every session.”
Hafizh Syahrin
Miguel Oliveira
“We did much more laps than yesterday and just continued to work on the bike. Toady we started to touch some areas after we had the same bike throughout the day on Tuesday. Now we were able to make some changes. Because everything is new, it took the team a bit of time to make these changes and also to adapt my comments from what I wish to have from the bike, so it’s a learning curve for everyone in this particular situation. So far, it has been positive.”
Miguel Oliveira
MotoGP will now move further south and to Jerez to continue testing on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th November and the last track days before the winter period.
2019 MotoGP Test Day Two Times
VIÑALES, Maverick Yamaha Factory Racing 1:30.757 50 / 57
DOVIZIOSO, Andrea Ducati Team 1:30.890 0.133 0.133 39 / 57
MARQUEZ, Marc Repsol Honda Team 1:30.911 0.154 0.021 39 / 53
MILLER, Jack Alma Pramac Racing 1:30.939 0.182 0.028 63 / 66
PETRUCCI, Danilo Ducati Team 1:30.959 0.202 0.020 57 / 60
Maverick Viñales (Yamaha Factory Racing) got his 2019 preseason off to the perfect start after he topped both days at the Valencia Test, setting the quickest time of 1:30.757 to better second place Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso by 0.133 and reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) by 0.154 as the premier class riders completed a busy day of testing in Valencia; the rain staying away on Wednesday.
Maverick Viñales
For Viñales and teammate Valentino Rossi – who ended the test eighth fastest – another new spec’ of engine was available for them to test, after Tuesday saw them test the first spec of the 2019 Yamaha engine.
Ending the test top can only be a good sign for the Spaniard, who managed to complete 57 laps on Day 2, setting his quickest time on his 50th lap as we saw a mini time attack occur during the afternoon.
Viñales said it will now be important to continue testing in Jerez, feeling like they’ve made good progress but needing more time on the new one after another slightly later start on Day 2 due to a damp track.
Maverick Viñales
“It has been a positive test. We’ve been working a lot on improving for the first lap of the race. I’m actually really happy because from the first lap I felt good grip and I could push. There’s still work to do to further improve the engine braking and the smoothness of the power, so that’s what we will work on in Jerez. It was unlucky that we couldn’t ride all day, like we had planned. We couldn’t test the engines very well, so we’re going to decide after Jerez which of the two we choose. As I said, we need to try more, to be more convinced about the engine decision, but I think we’re on the right track. We need to focus on the riding style and getting a smoother bike will be very important, especially when there’s no grip during the race, but there is an upgrade coming that will help a lot. In these last two days I only focused on the engine and didn’t touch anything concerning the setting. I think we could have improved the set-up for Valencia a lot, but I’m happy that just focusing on the engine we improved by some tenths.”
Maverick Viñales
The Doctor was very focused on getting his YZR-M1‘s new engine in perfect shape ahead of the 2019 season. He completed 63 laps in total and set a 1’31.371s after completing two-thirds of his testing programme, which was enough to keep him in ninth position in the rankings, 0.614s from today’s best time. The lap also earned him ninth place in the overall Valencia test results, as almost all MotoGP riders improved on their best effort on the second day.
Valentino Rossi
“We were able to improve compared to yesterday, but unfornately our opponents were able to improve more. Today was a bit more difficult. We tried a different engine and a different spec, but it was similar to the one we tried yesterday so they have more or less the same performance. For now we keep the same material, and next week we will try it again at another track, in Jerez, so there we’ll try to understand it in a better way. After that we have to wait for next year. The test in Jerez is important because in the GP there in May we weren’t very fast. We need to understand if we’re stronger now.”
Valentino Rossi
Massimo Meregalli – Yamaha MotoGP Team Director
“We‘ve made a very productive start to the 2019 pre-season, and we have quite a few things to be positive about. Our wish for some dry testing time was granted, though we had to wait until the afternoon on both days. Still, the hours on track allowed us to get a lot of work done. As announced during the Valencia GP weekend, Maverick and Valentino focused mainly on comparing the new engine evolution to the 2018 engine. The new engines improve the engine braking, and the acceleration is smoother. Both riders really only concentrated on comparing the engines, without touching the chassis setting. They both gave positive and similar feedback on what we tried during this test. We managed to do 60% of what we had scheduled. So far we‘re on the right path. Next up is the two-day test at Jerez that will be crucial in preparing for the 2019 season. We’re heading in the right direction, so that’s our motivation to keep working hard.”
Valentino Rossi
VR46 Academy rider and YZR-M1 rookie Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT), meanwhile, did 57 laps as he continues to adjust from Honda to Yamaha – but that adjusting doesn’t seem to be taking the 2017 Moto2 Champion long.
Interestingly, Morbidelli was also riding with a new spec engine to finish Day 2 just 0.217 off Viñales, but he was on a 2017 chassis. Carbon forks were also used by Morbidelli, while rookie teammate Fabio Quartararo got a valuable 63 laps (101 in total) under his belt as he impressed on his premier class debut – just 1.334 separated the Frenchman from the fastest time set.
Franco Morbidelli
“It has been a really good day for us, we have been able to complete more laps than yesterday and learn more about the bike. We have done a good job and in the end we have finished with a good lap time, although that’s not the important thing at the moment. The priority is to give good feedback to the team and the Yamaha engineers, to work on everything we can to improve the bike and at the same time maximise its strong points. We played around a little with the setting today but only at a basic level to understand more about how it works. I am very happy and a little surprised by our speed and consistency but we have to focus on continuing to improve because so far this is just testing.”
Franco Morbidelli
Fabio Quartararo
“We have been able to improve a lot on the second day of the test – as far as the lap time is concerned, by almost two seconds – and I am really happy with all the work we have done. We couldn’t get too many laps in yesterday but today every time I went out the feeling with the bike improved. With the new tyre I was always able to improve and with the used tyre I could stay constant. We have only tried some very small things with the set-up of the bike – little details like the footpegs and the front suspension. We had the last five minutes available to practice starts and the first one was a little strange because it was the first time I had tried launch control, but from the second one I felt better and better and I know we will continue to improve. I am very happy with this first test, the team have done a great job. Now I am looking forward to more at Jerez!”
Fabio Quartararo
Wilco Zeelenberg -Petronas Yamaha SRT Team Manager
“It has been a very positive test for the whole team. Fabio [Quartararo] has completed his first laps on a MotoGP bike and watching his progression, and seeing where he finished up, I think he has done a good job. We are trying to guide him in the best way possible but once he is on the bike it is him that makes the decisions. Franco [Morbidelli] has more experience and was fast from the start, I think we have all been impressed by his lap times and the flow of information is also very good. The start gun has been fired and now we have to keep working at Jerez next week.”
Franco Morbidelli
For Marquez and teammate Jorge Lorenzo, the ‘second version’ 2019 bike was used. This bike isn’t the full 2019 version, but a combination of parts including the chassis, engine, a Ducati-esque tank modification on Lorenzo’s bike, aero packages, a new air intake, new suspension and a relocated steering damper.
Jorge Lorenzo
Honda have different combinations of everything and Marquez said he was concentrating on the engine, too. Plenty of laps were done by both multiple World Champions – neither of whom are at full power with some injury struggles – on a productive day, Marquez ended up in P3 after 53 laps, while Lorenzo completed 46 laps – 0.827 off the top for the ‘Spartan’.
Marc Marquez
Marc Marquez – P3
“It was a good day for us, as we tried many things and got a lot of information. Today we mainly worked on the new bike and the engine setup, but not only on that. We had many things to try and to understand, as the feeling is quite different. In the morning I was really comfortable and I was already able to be fast. Then I stayed there, remained calm and kept the rhythm, because to be honest, it was a must-not-crash situation today. We tried different combinations, spending a lot of time in the garage in the morning, but I was able to make a few consistent runs in the afternoon.”
Marc Marquez
In the Ducati garage, 57 laps were completed by Dovizioso – and the second fastest time – after a more productive day for the Italian. The number 04 and teammate Danilo Petrucci were on Desmosedicis that were very close to being 2019 specs, the latter ending the day fifth fastest after 60 laps – 0.202 from top spot.
Andrea Dovizioso
Andrea Dovizioso
“Today went better than yesterday because we were able to do a lot of tests, including back-to-back ones, during which we found some interesting solutions. These were small details and now we want to try them in different conditions and on another track to get some more precise feedback. These two days of tests at Valencia have been very positive and now we will try and confirm the same sensations at Jerez.”
Andrea Dovizioso
Danilo Petrucci
“I’m pleased with this second day of tests because we were able to try a lot of things and we were always pretty fast, up near the top of the timesheets. I was able to lap consistently with excellent times, even though we didn’t do many tests with different set-ups, and this means that the 2019 bike has a good base. In the end, I only missed out on a quick lap, but I’m very pleased with the way the team is working, with even more engineers helping me, and this made all the difference.”
Danilo Petrucci
Meanwhile, test rider Michele Pirro – who crashed at Turn 2 – was on the full spec 2019 machine, with Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) on board a ‘first step’ 2019 bike, according to Team Manager Davide Tardozzi. Dovizioso commented he’d found something “interesting” that will now be explored further at Jerez.
Michele Pirro
“Today I didn’t do many laps, just 14 in total, when the track wasn’t very fast, but we still managed to do a test that gave us some very useful information. Unfortunately, the problem with my right shoulder, which has worsened since Sunday, didn’t allow me to work well and I crashed again. In ten days’ time I’ll finally be able to have an operation and then I want to turn over a new page.”
Michele Pirro
Jack Miller
“I’m very happy. We’ve had two days of very interesting tests. The feeling with the bike is very good. It’s clear that there’s still work to be done on the setup and fixing some details but the first sensations are extremely positive”.
Jack Miller
It was another good day for 2018 Moto2 World Champion Francesco Bagnaia, who – also according to Tardozzi – was on an early 2018 spec Ducati. The rookie was able to lap 49 times on Day 2 to bring his overall tally up to 87 as he ends the test just 0.648 off the fastest time.
Pecco Bagnaia
“It’s been two important days. The first impact with Ducati was impressive and I must say that I immediately found myself very well with the whole team that made me feel at ease. We have made great strides forward and in Jerez we will work to continue to improve”.
Pecco Bagnaia
Fellow Desmosedici rider Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) returned to MotoGP action at the Valencia Test, and impressed immensely. Still nowhere near 100% fit, the Spaniard completed 59 laps on his GP18 on Day 2 – in addition to his 36 on Day 1 – to finish just over a second off pacesetter Viñales.
Tito Rabat
“This was a positive test. We did a good job, we were calm and I used every lap to learn more about the new bike and some new staff members in my team. I’m very happy about this test and I’m in love with my Ducati GP18. The bike turns better and the power is incredible. Now we have to keep working in the same way at Jerez next week”.
Tito Rabat
Rabat’s new teammate Karel Abraham continued to familiarise himself with the team and to adapt to his new Ducati GP18, a bike quite different from the one he rode until last Sunday. Abraham also improved his pace from the first day and wants to progress even more at the next two days of testing at Jerez.
Karel Abraham
“Today we did a lot of work and we were able to test many things on the bike, but we have more to do next week in Jerez, where we will double-check the set-up base that we established. We know the potential of the bike is much higher than our position in the time sheets today, so we have to work hard to get the best out of this machine. That’s why I’m not completely happy. But the first connection with the team is good and I’m sure we will improve during the winter test to get to the maximum before the season starts in Qatar”.
Karel Abraham
The LCR Honda Idemitsu Team recorded positive results for their Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami. Testing the 2018 Honda RC213V which his injured team-mate Cal Crutchlow had used during the season, Nakagami made significant progress, and ended the test as the second-fastest Honda behind world champion Marc Marquez. The 26-year-old completed 70 laps of the track, more than any other rider present, and ended up eighth on the timesheets, just a half-second behind the best lap overall.
Takaaki Nakagami
“We made a really important step forward today, and with each outing I felt much more confident with the bike. The lap times were good and we were only a few tenths behind the fastest riders. I’m really happy to be on this competitive bike and step by step we are just trying to find the right set-up for it. The position is good, so I’m really happy with the work we have done as a team, and particularly happy with my new crew chief Giacomo (Guidotti). We mainly worked on set-up of the chassis today, and that was the main thing. Then we did a few back to back tests to double check things. The new Michelin rear tyre that all the riders tested was also a positive for me. All told it has been a positive test for us, and now we go to Jerez and try to keep moving on forwards.”
Takaaki Nakagami
Elsewhere, some big news from the test over at Team Suzuki Ecstar was the new engine that Alex Rins was testing on Wednesday. The Spaniard was able to register 69 laps and set the seventh fastest time of the test, 0.497 from Viñales. And what about teammate Joan Mir? Well, the rookie continued his very solid debut to finish 0.957 off P1 after getting 56 laps done. Team Manager Davide Brivio says the engine will also be a key focus in Jerez, before important decisions are made going into the winter break.
Alex Rins
“My first impression of the new engine was good. I did a lot of laps with both the old engine and the new spec one, so I could compare and contrast. In the end my fastest lap came with the old engine, but we’ll continue to work. The new one has a lot of power and that’s a good sign. The main difference is in the power delivery on the whole curve, I can feel that a lot with the new engine spec. Let’s see what we can try in Jerez next week. I’m feeling good.”
Alex Rins
Joan Mir
“I’m very happy overall, I was improving in each session on the track and I was able to try a lot of things such as electronics. I’m learning a bit more about how MotoGP works and how the adjustments change the feel of the bike. My pace has been good, and that’s a great thing. But in Jerez I will try to work on setting fast laps, because here I wasn’t really able to set a very pacy lap. But I’m very happy with how everything is going so far. I can’t wait for Jerez!”
Joan Mir
Davide Brivio – Suzuki Team Manager
“This has been a productive and positive test for us, despite the weather conditions which prevented us from completing the whole programme we had. Alex made some improvements in setup and electronics at first, and then today he could finally test the new engine spec. Despite the fact that we still have some areas to finalise his first impressions were positive, and we got some important indications. We also wanted to try the 2019 chassis but due to the weather we’ll try it in Jerez. Joan continued his apprentice programme, after getting confident with the bike yesterday, today he began to appreciate how the bike’s behaviour changes as soon as we apply some modifications. For him the job was mainly focused on set up and electronics. These two days have been in line with our expectations and have helped us prepare for Jerez, where we will try to finalise the base bike that we will use in Sepang in February.”
Alex Rins
Ken Kawauchi – Suzuki Technical Manager
“It’s been a positive test, except for the weather. It’s normal at this time of the year but it meant we didn’t have much track time. Alex at least was able to try the new engine for next year, which was helpful for starting the process of adjusting it. We’ll continue this work next week. As a rookie Joan has been very impressive and worked well, and both riders have done a very good job. The level of competition has been high among all the manufacturers, so we need to stay focused and get even more improvements.”
Alex Rins
At KTM, it was a more difficult second day for Johann Zarco (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as he crashed twice on Day 2 trying to find the limit, ending the two-day test 1.752 off Viñales’ time. 50 laps were completed by the Frenchman, who was again the first rider to head out after the Circuit Ricardo Tormo took a while to dry in the morning.
Johann Zarco – AJRN Image
Teammate Pol Espargaro ended 0.871 from Viñales in P13, 47 laps fulfilled for the Spaniard who had a new fairing to try – and was focusing on electronics, as he’d reported on Day 1.
Pol Espargaro
“By the end, we wanted to do a fast lap time because it’s what people see, but we had some problems with that. Anyway, I think we’ve done a good job. We tried many things on the bike. All the staff are happy and have still a lot of things to try. We’ll continue in Jerez!”
Pol Espargaro
There was a late crash for Hafizh Syahrin (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) at Turn 10 after the Malaysian continued his adaptation to a new machine, with both he and teammate Miguel Oliveira riding 2019 RC16 machines. The Portuguese rider completed 46 laps on Day 2 – 79 in total – to finish 3.041 from the top, shaving over a second off his fastest time from Day 1.
Hafizh Syahrin
“Overall, we had a decent test. I didn’t look at the lap time these two days, but tried to feel good on the bike, to get used to it and to understand the electronic. On the first day, until we didn’t touch anything on the bike, but this afternoon we changed some things on the front and the rear, which was positive. Later today, it was quite cold and we used the medium tyre. I had a small crash in turn 10, but I was in a good shape and had a good rhythm to understand the bike. We try to continue working hard and to understand, also for the team to learn the new electronic. I hope we have some great weather in Jerez and aim to improve with every session.”
Hafizh Syahrin
Miguel Oliverira
“Today we definitely made a step forward compared to yesterday and improved our lap time obviously. We did much more laps than yesterday and just continued to work on the bike. Toady we started to touch some areas, after we had basically the same bike throughout the day on Tuesday. Now we were able to make some changes. Because everything is new, it took the team a bit of time to make these changes and also to adapt my comments from what I wish to have from the bike, so it’s a learning curve for everyone in this particular situation. So far, it has been positive.”
Miguel Oliverira
With Andrea Iannone (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) crashing twice and test rider Bradley Smith crashing once, it was also a difficult day for the new Noale factory riders, although Iannone shrugged off his two crashes as a natural consequence of finding the limit on a new bike.
Teammate Aleix Espargaro was on engine testing duty and trying chassis updates, and a P10 finish and 55 laps completed signalled a solid day’s work as the Spaniard ended the two days 0.643 off the pace.
Aleix Espargaro
“We did a good job in these tests. Today I tried a new frame, also continuing the tests on the new engine that I had used yesterday. The feeling was good, although I want to try everything again in Jerez, which is a rather different track than this one and more indicative. We know well which areas we need to work on and the arrival of two new riders with a lot of experience helps us to focus our priorities. This will be a very demanding winter, because these two days confirmed the level of the championship that awaits – even higher than the season that just ended if that’s possible.”
Aleix Espargaro
It was the second day of work with Aprilia for Andrea Iannone as well who was able to carry out a series of comparative tests, lapping both with the 2018 configuration bike and the more recent evolution that the team had used in the latest races. The Italian rider continued his apprenticeship, working primarily on adapting the RS-GP to his riding characteristics. He turned 32 laps today, with a best time of 1’32.124 and two crashes without any physical consequences.
Andrea Iannone
There was plenty of work for the Aprilia Racing Test Team, with two RS-GP machines entrusted to new-entry Bradley Smith. On today’s 58 laps, the English rider mainly looked for a base setup on which to then work in the next tests, testing new components and technical solutions. His best lap stopped the clock at 1’33.028.
Bradley Smith
“It was nice to do several laps with the new bike and the new team today. Our goal is first and foremost to gain familiarity with the RS-GP, find a base setup that will then allow us to better assess the various technical upgrades that we’ll need to test as our experience grows. We worked a lot on the electronics and we made some slight changes to the suspension calibration, reaching a level where I am more at ease. I adapted rather quickly. I didn’t struggle too much to find a good position in the saddle and I can’t wait to get back on the track in Jerez to give the guys more information so we can prepare the 2019 bike as best as possible.”
Bradley Smith
That’s a wrap from Valencia now, but there’s more action coming before the winter break! Make sure to keep up to date from the Jerez Test on the 28th and 29th November.
2019 MotoGP Test Day Two Times
VIÑALES, Maverick Yamaha Factory Racing 1:30.757 50 / 57
DOVIZIOSO, Andrea Ducati Team 1:30.890 0.133 0.133 39 / 57
MARQUEZ, Marc Repsol Honda Team 1:30.911 0.154 0.021 39 / 53
MILLER, Jack Alma Pramac Racing 1:30.939 0.182 0.028 63 / 66
PETRUCCI, Danilo Ducati Team 1:30.959 0.202 0.020 57 / 60
Maverick Viñales (Yamaha Factory Racing) took the first honours of 2019 track action at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, setting the quickest time of 1:31.416 to head 2018 World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) by 0.302, with Valentino Rossi (Yamaha Factory Racing) third on the timesheets.
Maverick Viñales
Onlookers also witnessed Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol Honda Team), Johann Zarco (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and others get to grips with their new machines – although it was an earlier end to the day than anticipated after rain cut action short in the late afternoon.
The day also began with similar weather problems, with the skies dry but the track a little damp, and that delayed proceedings a little. Once it did get underway, the day ushered in a new era.
At the Repsol Honda Team, Marquez was a threat near the top for much of the day and the reigning Champion had two other black-liveried bikes in the garage – a 2019 development bike and an all-new bike for the coming season.
Marc Marquez
But arguably the biggest talking point from the test was Lorenzo’s debut on an RC213V machine. The five-time World Champion didn’t head out until around 1pm local time, but eventually completed 30 laps before rain stopped play at around 15:20.
Jorge Lorenzo
Still not up to full fitness after his wrist injury, Lorenzo ended Day 1 with the 18th fastest time; his 1:32.959 was 1.543 off Viñales as he begins his adaptation from Ducati to Honda.
Marc Marquez
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to try everything we had planned to, as the track was still half-and-half in the morning and it started raining again later in the afternoon. So we only did 25 laps. Anyway, we tried three different bikes, starting with the current one but moving immediately to two other bikes, each with slightly different specifications. It was a positive test; there’s still a lot of work to do but we’re on the right path and the first feeling is good. Tomorrow we’ll continue with the same plan, trying to understand the bike’s balance because it changed a bit, and we still have to test the other small modifications. Pre-season just started, so we look forward to improving step by step.”
Marc Marquez
Viñales was the later improver to take to the top. The Spaniard’s main focus was on the engine, and he began with some time on the ‘old’ bike before changing to a new engine option which helped put him on the top of the timesheets.
Maverick Viñales
“We tried to make a step forward with the engine, and I just felt really good going out. We still need to amend the engine in terms of acceleration, because the engine is different from what we had during the 2018 season. We need to keep going and I’m really happy. Tomorrow we might have another engine with another step. Maybe we will try that, but I’m quite happy with what we have now, so I want to make laps and set up the electronics really well, because it changes a lot over the whole track and we didn’t have time to do it today. I did my best lap with the new engine. I feel the direction we’re going in is the right one, because I feel much better in the corners, which is where we needed to improve, so now we can focus on acceleration.”
Maverick Viñales
Teammate Valentino Rossi, meanwhile, was also near the top – and he had positive things to say about the engine he tried, that it stresses the tyre less. He also gave a peek of what he’ll be working on tomorrow – another spec.
Valentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi
“Today we tried one (engine) and tomorrow we’ll try the other one, which is similar but different. Tomorrow, the most important thing is try the second spec. For me, these two tests are not crucial, but are important. We have time until next February to choose the engine, but in this test we can give a good indication to work more in one way.”
Valentino Rossi
Ducati was a slightly different story, with 2017 and 2018 runner-up Andrea Dovizioso left a little frustrated after Day 1. With no dry laptimes from the weekend as a reference, the Italian worked on an updated GP18 to lay down some laps to use as a comparison for the new bike – but then it rained.
Andrea Dovizioso
Tomorrow the number 04 will be looking to get that base and then begin work in earnest if the weather proves better, but he did finish Day 1 only 0.001 off Rossi.
Andrea Dovizioso
“Unfortunately the day wasn’t very productive because in the morning, with the track surface still partially damp, there weren’t the conditions to go out on track. We had to wait a lot, in the end we didn’t do many laps, and in addition we had to prepare a base set-up with the 2018 bike, because during the race weekend we were unable to lap in the dry. The tests we had scheduled must be done well and in a precise way, because the decisions we will take during these tests will have an effect on the definition of the bike we will use next year. We wanted to do a good back-to-back test but when we were ready, in the afternoon, it began to rain. Tomorrow morning, we hope to find the track dry and to be able to lap all day.”
Andrea Dovizioso
On the other side of the garage, newcomer Danilo Petrucci described it as the first day at school as he debuts in factory colours, and had no negatives to report back.
Danilo Petrucci
Danilo Petrucci
“My first day in the factory team was a fantastic feeling, for me it was like the first day at school! The team welcomed me so well and I immediately felt at ease with them. We were able to work with both bikes, and it’s a pity the rain came when I was lapping strongly and there was a lot of rubber on the track. We did a lot of laps with used tyres and we were quite quick. The new bike is an excellent starting point and doesn’t have any negative aspects, but I’ll also have to work to improve my riding style. It was a good start and I hope to continue this way also tomorrow.”
Danilo Petrucci
Test rider Michele Pirro, meanwhile – the only rider to crash on the opening day – headed out on a GP19 for 19 laps to set the tenth fastest time, 0.804 from the top.
Michele Pirro
“Today we did several tests on various components and we gathered some useful information, but unfortunately the weather wasn’t much help and we started our laps late and finished early. However, we’ve already been able to identify the path we have to follow over the winter months, and this is a positive fact. Unfortunately, I also crashed because the shoulder I injured at Mugello is not quite right yet and even though the painkillers have an effect, I don’t always have total control of the situation. When you have this type of physical problem, these things can happen, but it’s just a matter of gritting my teeth until the end of the month and then I’ll have an operation to finally resolve the situation.”
Michele Pirro
Behind Dovizioso, LCR Honda Castrol’s replacement rider Stefan Bradl completed the top five after 51 laps, putting in a 1:32.015, with teammate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) a little further down the timesheets in P13.
In sixth came one of the most impressive performances of the day from new team on the grid Petronas Yamaha SRT. Franco Morbidelli, fresh from being crowned 2018 Rookie of the Year, was only two tenths off Rossi and using a hybrid of Johann Zarco’s former 2018 bike with a new engine from the factory.
Franco Morbidelli
“It has been a great first day, I felt good with the bike as soon as I got in it and the connection with the team is really good. I managed to get some laps in this afternoon that were solid and fast. I have more time to find in my riding, as I get to know the bike and understand its strengths and weaknesses, to get the most out of this test. I have been surprised how smooth the Yamaha is to ride and how easy it is to understand.”
And on his first ever outing on a MotoGP machine, teammate Fabio Quartararo was able to get 38 laps under his belt to set a quickest time of 1:33.850 – 2.434 off Viñales. The biggest change? The Frenchman reported it was the power – and where he has to brake in the premier class compared to the intermediate.
Fabio Quartararo
“The first day of the test has gone really well. It was a shame we didn’t get to do more laps because of the conditions, which weren’t the best, but I am happy because each time I went out onto the track I improved. So far in the middle of the corner and the exit we are quite strong but I am losing time in braking. The team are encouraging me to believe in the brakes because at the start you think you’re not going to be able to get stopped but in the end you can do it and I enjoyed that. The most impressive thing about my first outing on the Yamaha was the power, especially on the first straight, and also the brakes. Hopefully we can have good conditions tomorrow because we want to work on braking and improving the feeling.”
Fabio Quartararo
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was satisfied and positive after Day 1, too. The Spaniard was working on updates and hopes the machine will be the basis of their 2019 bike, and he was up the timesheets from early in the track action and eventually finished up in P7.
Aleix Espargaro
“These tests started off on the right foot. In addition to the technical upgrades, there were some new faces in my garage: crew chief Antonio Jimenez and electronics engineer Gianluca Giorgini. From this point of view, the initial impact was more than good. The engine upgrade that I tested today also had some positive sides, especially in terms of power distribution management. This is an aspect that should let us be more effective in conditions with very used tyres, in other words, in the final laps which are often the decisive ones in the race. In any case, I want to delve farther and compare the different configurations calmly in order to avoid any rushed decisions.”
New teammate Andrea Iannone also took to the RS-GP for the first time. The Italian was only able to get 15 laps under his belt to as he ended the day in P19, while test rider Bradley Smith was able to get to grips with his new bike – 17 laps completed for the British rider, with a best time of 1:33.709.
Behind Aleix Espargaro and Petrucci was the hero of the hour for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing on Sunday: Pol Espargaro. The Spaniard was positive after Day 1 and ended up P9, putting in 35 laps due to the decreased track time and eager to go again tomorrow. The focus, he says, is currently on electronics – where KTM could stand to make a key gain as they aim to establish themselves as regular runners nearer the podium they took in the Grand Prix on the weekend.
New teammate Johann Zarco, meanwhile, reported a 50/50 day – the Frenchman said he initially struggled to find a base setting but is delighted with the feeling in the team and the factory support; another eager to head out again on Wednesday. Zarco was P17 overall, seven tenths off his new teammate.
The fastest rookie of the day was Francesco Bagnaia, who joins Alma Pramac Racing. He impressed in P11 just behind Pirro, and was focusing on simply putting in the laps and settling in.
Pecco Bagnaia
“Unfortunately the rain stopped us after only 38 laps. But I’m really very satisfied with this first day. Honestly, we just tried to lap as much as we could. We’ll start working on the setup tomorrow. My first feeling? The bike is impressive.”
Pecco Bagnaia
His teammate Jack Miller, meanwhile, said his new bike has almost nothing in common with the old and had positive reports – although the Australian’s day was brought to an even earlier end due to a small technical problem they’ll have rectified for Day 2. Miller ended the day in P14.
Jack Miller
Jack Miller
“Feelings are very positive. I feel that the new much is better in many ways. Unfortunately, we had a technical problem that forced us to stop the test earlier. I can’t wait to get back on track tomorrow”.
Jack Miller
Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins slots into P12 after Day 1. A podium finisher on Sunday, Rins was straight back to business in testing and, much like Dovizioso at Ducati and Marquez at Honda, was about to head out to begin some key work when the rain came down. The Spaniard was suited and booted to start evaluating the Hamamatsu Factory’s new engine, but that will now be a task for tomorrow.
Alex Rins
Alex Rins
“Today was a bit of a shame, because at the beginning we could do some positive work, but when we were ready to go with the new engine the rain arrived and we had to give up. We were still able to put in some laps and try some small things, but we haven’t really tried anything major yet. The grip level was quite low so riding wasn’t easy today, we hope tomorrow will be drier and we can fit more laps in. I have a lot more experience now and this gives me bigger confidence to help develop the bike, we have a lot of confidence in each other when it comes to preparing for next season. Joan has a lot of potential and we’ll see how he continues, he did a great job today.”
Alex Rins
Rookie teammate Joan Mir, meanwhile, ended the day in P15 just behind Jack Miller – and only a few tenths off Rins after an impressive first day of ‘official’ experience – having briefly tested the Suzuki in Japan previously.
Joan Mir
“My feeling was really good. It’s my first real day as a MotoGP rider, and my first day in Suzuki colours and I’m super happy. I have a great crew around me and I feel comfortable with them and also quite comfortable with the bike, so that’s important. It’s a big challenge to adapt from Moto2 to MotoGP. Compared with Moto2, you spend a lot more time braking, and you must brake very hard. And, of course, the acceleration is much more powerful. Electronics will be one of the things that will require more efforts to learn. It’s only the first day, but I’ve already found it useful to compare info with Alex. I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Joan Mir
Davide Brivio – Suzuki Team Manager
“It’s been a good day but it could have been better because the rain arrived. Alex wasn’t able to complete his plan to test the new engine, so we hope it will be dry tomorrow so that we can do it then. We still tried some things, which of course is always useful, but we lost a lot of time in the morning due to the conditions. It’s been positive for Joan, he was able to do a lot of laps in the afternoon before the rain, he is learning, understanding, and adjusting. Everything is on schedule with him. He really enjoyed riding and that’s always a good way to start.”
Joan Mir
Just behind Mir came Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing). The Spaniard, out of action since his crash at Silverstone, said he was positively surprised how he felt on the bike and his sixteenth-place finish on the first day showed once again that the former intermediate class Champion is made of steel.
His new teammate, Karel Abraham, was four-tenths off him as the Czech rider moves in one leap from a GP16 to a GP18. He spent most of the day settling in, and reported he made some big changes already.
Jonas Folger (Yamaha Test Team) was another man back in action as he begins working as a Europe-based test rider for the Iwata factory. He did 30 laps on the first day and was 0.040 ahead of Quartararo.
The final names on the timesheets were Hafizh Syahrin and Miguel Oliveira, who both begin new eras – as does the Tech 3 team. Beginning a new chapter with KTM, the KTM Tech 3 Racing riders put in 20 and 33 laps respectively as the Malaysian adapts from the Yamaha and Oliveira adapts from Moto2.
Hafizh Syahrin – P24
“I’m very happy to be in the KTM garage and part of this family. We were not able to do many laps today, because this morning the track was still wet and many riders were waiting. I did 20 laps and we planned to continue, but the rain suddenly came nearly two hours before the official end of the test, so we had no chance to do more laps on a dry track. At the moment, I have the feeling the bike is quite good in handling and more powerful, but obviously we need to change some things to adapt to my riding. Anyway, I’m very happy to be riding the RC16 and can’t wait to keep on working with it.”
Hafizh Syahrin
Miguel Oliveira – P25
“I’m really happy to officially sit on the MotoGP bike for the first time. Everything feels obviously quite strange. We spent our runs on trying to get a sensation for the commands like the throttle, brake, gearing, also rear brake while trying to get an overall feeling for the bike, plus trying to understand a little bit how the electronic works. We were just getting the laps in, so I am happy for that. Obviously we were pretty slow, but I’m sure I’m getting my time to understand and make solid steps.”
17-year-old Max Whale from Coondoo QLD, Australia has accomplished much in his young career, and displayed his developing talent during his introductory year in the AFT Singles class in 2018.
Max finished the year 14th in the series standings, an impressive run considering he missed two rounds due to an injury mid-season.
Max Whale
Whale had several top-10 finishes, including a fifth place finish at the OKC Mile and finish of fourth at the Williams Grove Half-Mile. These results have led Weirbach Racing to support Max Whale in the AFT Singles class, aboard the new 2019 Kawasaki KX450.
Max Whale
“I am really excited to join Weirbach Racing for the 2019 season,” said Whale of his upcoming season. “I’m looking forward to working with a great group of guys with plenty of experience. My goals for 2019 are to run in the top 5 consistently and to reach the top step of the podium at a national race.” He added, “I’m thrilled to be riding the 2019 Kawasaki KX450; this is the best KX I’ve ever ridden. With a year underneath my belt in the AFT series I’m ready to build on that experience and keep progressing.”
Max Whale
The team is busy building, preparing and testing motorcycles over the winter months, with its sights aimed at a successful 2019 season.
About Weirbach Racing
Weirbach Racing is run by Ted Weirbach and his father Dick Weirbach. Dick is a veteran of the flat track scene for better than 35 years. He ran as a novice in the late 60’s and owned a Bultaco motorcycle shop for eight years. Weirbach racing was founded in 2000 and is committed to the success and development of up and coming professional riders. In 2009, the inaugural year of the AMA Pro Singles Championship, Weirbach Racing’s James “the Rocket” Rispoli took second place overall and in 2011 Mikey Martin won the Pro Singles Championship. Other notables to ride for Dick & Ted are Briar Bauman, Bronson Bauman, Henry Wiles, Sammy Halbert, Aaron King, Jesse Janisch, and Davey Durelle and Rob Pearson.
This morning was a very big start to the next stage in many riders careers as testing got underway at Valencia ahead of MotoGP season 2019.
For Moto2 graduates such as Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha), Francesco Bagnaia (Alma Pramac Ducati) and Miguel Oliveira (KTM) the first opportunity to get a taste of the mind-bending performance that a 1000cc MotoGP machine making almost twice the horsepower that a Moto2 can muster had to wait. Fellow debutante Joan Mir (Team Suzuki) had already thrown a leg over the GSX-RR earlier this year in Japan so he has a little head start on his fellow class of 2019 newcomers.
Early morning rain had left the circuit damp when pit-lane opened and it was a couple of hours before any machines turned a Michelin around the 14-turn, 4.005km Circuit Ricardo Tormo, also known as Circuit de Valencia.
After a stellar year for KTM in Moto3 and Moto2 the Austrian brand double up their efforts in MotoGP for season 2019 with now four riders astride the KTM RC 16. Their testing program will also receive a major boost with Bradley Smith becoming a full-time test rider along with five wilcard appearances during the season, while Dani Pedrosa will also join KTM as an official test rider next year.
Both Tech3 Yamaha riders have moved over to KTM with Johann Zarco and Hafizh Syahrin in orange for 2019. It was Zarco that first braved conditions as he turned his initial familiarisation laps with the KTM RC16. The track now dry, but a moment for the 28-year-old showed that grip was still at a premium. After a couple of laps Zarco was back in to the pits for some adjustments, this first day will largely be spent getting the Frenchman comfortable on the Austrian machine. Of course the KTM is quite unique, it utilises a steel trellis frame to house its V4 engine and runs on WP suspension, so the RC16 will certainly feel very different to the Tech3 Yamaha he is familiar with.
Johann Zarco exits pitlane on the KTM – Image by AJRN
Pol Espargaro continues with the KTM squad he rode with in 2018 while KTM’s Portuguese Moto2 rider Miguel Oliveira graduates to the premier class. With Espargaro already holding the #44 plate in MotoGP, Oliveira elected to double his regular number from Moto2 to #88 for MotoGP.
Red Bull KTMs in test livery ready for debutante Miguel Oliveira and young Malaysian star Hafizh Syahrin at Valencia
Yamaha had their troubles in season 2018 and a lot of people suggested that Yamaha’s lack of a European test team was a contributing factor to their problems. Today marks the start of a new Yamaha Factory Racing European Test Team with rider Jonas Folger. Despite a one-year absence, the 25-year old German is familiar with the YZR-M1 as he rode a Tech3 Yamaha throughout the 2017 season.
Lin Jarvis – Managing Director, Yamaha Racing
“It is no secret that Yamaha has had a challenging season in 2018. Though we made progress towards the end, we are convinced that the extra support from a European test team will be greatly beneficial to the development process of the YZR-M1. Jonas Folger will be Yamaha’s new European MotoGP test rider and he will start his duties here in Valencia during the official IRTA Test. We are very pleased to welcome him back to Yamaha‘s MotoGP programme. Jonas showed great skill and excellent speed when he was a Yamaha satellite rider in 2017. His past experience with the YZR-M1, as well as his youth and drive, will surely make him a great asset to our 2019 campaign. We look forward to having him working closely with our four MotoGP-class riders and our development engineers to further improve the YZR-M1.”
Jonas Folger
With Tech3 making the switch to KTM machinery Yamaha have partnered with the new Sepang International Circuit Racing Team which will race under the banner of Petronas Yamaha SRT. 2018 MotoGP Rookie of the Year Franco Morbidelli and MotoGP debutante Fabio Quartararo at the controls of latest spec YZR-M1 machinery for the Malaysian funded team.
Fabio Quartararo checks out his new machine at Valencia this morning – AJRN Image
Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales both continue with the existing Movistar MotoGP Yamaha squad but the Spaniard has switched to a new crew chief. Vinales has poached Esteban Garcia, Bradley Smith’s crew chief from KTM. The pair had previously worked together when Vinales was in Moto3 back in 2013.
Vinales’ previous crew chief Ramon Forcada has switched to Yamaha’s new SIC Racing satellite team to work with Franco Morbidelli. The 23-year-old Italian starts the test on the YZR-M1 Maverick Vinales rode at last weekend’s Valencia MotoGP.
Franco Morbidelli with Ramon Forcada – Image by AJRN
Vinales made the decision to split with Forcada back in July after a frustrating season, but the Spaniard then got the monkey off his back late in the season and started scoring results, thus it will be interesting to see if he regrets his earlier frustrations that caused him to jettison the very well regarded Forcada.
Maverick Vinales with crew chief Ramon Forcada, Vinales sacked the well regarded technican and wanted a new crew chief after being frustrated by his lack of results in season 2018.
Over at Honda of course the big news is Jorge Lorenzo joining the Factory Repsol squad alongside World Champion Marc Marquez.
It is without doubt that Lorenzo will achieve success on the Honda, it is just a matter of how long it takes him to adapt and achieve it. We all witnessed his turn-around in form when he found a solution at Ducati, from zero to hero in one foul swoop. How long will it take him to find form on what seems to be a very difficult to ride Honda…?
As Repsol Honda fired up their machines this morning at Valencia in their first warm-up procedures it was humorous to see senior Ducati and KTM technical personnel crowd around as close as they could get to the new Honda. HRC boss Tetsuhiro Kuwata came out and made some friendly gestures suggesting that they piss off somewhere else but it all seemed in good humour, for the cameras anwyay…
At Ducati Danilo Petrucci makes the step up from the satellite Alma Pramac squad to take over Lorenzo’s spot in the Factory garage.
Joining Jack Miller at Alma Pramac Ducati is debutante Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia. The Australian was on 2017 machinery in 2018, and will jump straight to the latest 2019 spec’ machine for next season, bypassing the 2018 model altogether. A much smoother power delivery has been promised by Ducati for 2019.
Alma Pramac squad getting ready for action this morning at Valencia – AJRN Image
Andrea Iannone has moved from Suzuki to Aprilia where he joins Aleix Espargaro, while previous incumbent Scott Redding heads to British Superbike with Ducati.
Taking Iannone’s spot at Suzuki is 21-year-old Spaniard Joan Mir. Alex Rins seems to be particularly excited about the prospects of the 2019 iteration of the GSX-RR with a big boost in engine performance expected for the new season.
Tito Rabat and Karel Abraham will ride for Reale Avintia Racing Ducati.
Takaaki Nakagami and Cal Crutchlow continue with LCR Honda while at today’s test Honda test rider Stefan Bradl is also on an LCR machine.
With all of the high profile changes and the new blood coming into the category MotoGP season 2019 has plenty of promise. The absolutely stellar season we enjoyed this year though will certainy take some beating.
Today’s test will finish up at 0300 AEDT Wednesday morning and we will be here to report what went on tomorrow morning. At the time of publishing the piece, 2200 AEDT, there was five hours remaining on the clock, and still only Zarco had been on track to turn a couple of laps. All other riders remained in their pit garages awaiting better conditions.
Experienced youngsters can qualify to race Supersport 600
Motorcycling Australia has announced that the entry age for the Supersport 600 Class has been amended for those who qualify for a new endorsement; permitting riders who meet a certain criterion to compete at the age of 15 years and over.
This will enable experienced and skilled young riders such as current high-performing Supersport 300 competitors to step up to the 600cc Supersport ranks earlier than previously allowed.
The rule change means the likes of young Oli Bayliss can move up from Supersport 300 to Supersport 600 in season 2019 – TBG Image
This makes great sense as while the 300 Supersport racing is fast and frenetic, the lap-times and speeds achieved are a country mile away from what 15-year-old riders once recorded on the two-stroke 125cc machines that were raced at championship level until a few years ago.
The current Supersport 300 lap record at Phillip Island is seven-seconds slower than domestic competitors lapped on 125cc machines some 15 years ago, and 12-seconds slower than international 125cc competitors lapped Phillip Island.
Similar to the endorsement for 13-year-olds to step into the Supersport 300 class, the new ruling has been passed to allow endorsements to be made available for those competitors whom warrant being permitted to step up from the Supersport 300 class into the Supersport 600 class.
For each application certain requirements will need to be met and considered on its own merit, which are outlined in the 2019 Manual of Motorcycle Sport, effective 1st of January 2019. See attached bulletin for more detail (Link).
The strategy is to encourage a sustainable and more accessible progression plan, junior competitors to develop their skills at an early age through the respective classes available before contesting a club, state or national championship on a Superbike.
The Supersport class has been one of the most successful feeder categories into the Superbike class since the late 1990s. With rules similar to those of the Superbikes, the Supersport 600 class is open to 600cc four-cylinders, 675cc three-cylinder and 750cc two-cylinder production-based machines.
The category sits neatly between the Supersport 300s and the Superbike class, developing skills in relation to throttle control and suspension setup, critical skills for the premier class.
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What Went Down Last Weekend?
2018 ISDE – Chile
World Trophy Report
Women’s World Trophy Report
Junior World Trophy Report
2018 Paris Supercross – Paris, France
Barcelona Supercross – Spain
Canadian Triple Crown Supercross – Hamilton
Vialle and Evans Set for 2019 World MX2 Champs
Nagl Returns to Sarholtz KTM
Herlings In for Hawkestone
Wade Young to Roof of Africa 2018
Musquin Injured
Peick Injured
Indian Ready for 2019
ISDE Head to Portugal in 2019
What Racing is Left for 2018?
2018 ISDE – Chile
In conditions similar to the A4DE at Cessnock earlier this year, Australia’s World Trophy Team and Women’s World Trophy Team have sliced their way through the hot and dusty conditions to take their respective class wins at the 2018 ISDE in Chile.
World Trophy Report
After five days of deep ruts, rocks and bulldust, Australia entered day six with a nine minute lead over their closest rivals so with Italy and the United States fastest at the final motocross race, Australia played it safe and crossed the finish line third overall which was more than enough to wrap up the FIM World Trophy Championship.
ISDE 2018 – Team Australia
Milner and Daniel Sanders went 1-2 at the Cessnock A4DE and this wasn’t far from being repeated ahead of the best riders in the world with Milner winning the coveted overall at the ninety-third edition of the FIM ISDE while Sanders was pipped by 8 seconds for second overall by America’s best at the event in Taylor Robert.
Daniel Milner
“This is a huge result for us. I had a sleepless night last night worrying about the final Motocross race, but it feels awesome that we won. We’ve been so strong as a team all week. Unfortunately, Lyndon Snodgrass dropped out on day two and we knew then how easily things could go wrong. But we never gave up fighting all week – the boys have ridden so, so good. To get this victory, along with the girls winning their class plus myself taking the individual win, is about as good as it gets for Australia and a result that is going to take a very long time to sink in.”
Daniel Milner
Taylor Robert
“It’s been an amazing week. I’m a little disappointed not to take the overall win but all-in-all I am happy with my riding. Days three and four were tough and I struggled a little there but I think everyone did. The tests were so technical, the dust was still a problem and the heat made everything a little worse. Day five went well, but I couldn’t catch Milner – hats off to him, he’s been riding really well out here in Chile. I’m really happy to take the win in my class and second for Team USA in the World Trophy competition is great too.”
Daniel Sanders
“It was a good week for me. I had a few small mistakes here and there during the week, but I am really happy with my speed. This was my first enduro race on the big FE 501 and I’m more than happy with the way it performed all week long. I really enjoyed racing the big bike in Chile. Conditions were tricky with the dust and the last lap of every day seemed like the most challenging one. With the heat coming through, your heart rate is also going up and you need to be strong physically to keep pushing.”
ISDE 2018 – World Trophy team podium
With Lyndon Snodgrass forced out with a mechanical issue early in the event, Australia could not afford another rider to faulter so Josh Strang played his part perfectly with the Husqvarna pilot finishing fourth outright in the E2 class and tenth overall – a truly world class performance.
Josh Strang
“It was a long week of racing here in Chile and I am really happy we managed to get this win. The special tests were fairly good for me all week long. I was battling to remain up front every day. I was quite consistent during the week and managed to stay out of trouble. There were times when I felt that my speed could have been better, but overall, it’s more of an endurance event. More than anything else, the ISDE is a team event and for Team Australia it is perfect to come out on top both in the World Trophy and the Women’s World Trophy standings.”
Josh Strang
The United States had to be content with the runner-up result for 2018 with Italy completing this year’s FIM World Trophy podium in third, while out-going champions France finish fourth, with Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Chile and Germany rounding out the top ten.
World Trophy Team Results ISDE 2018
Australia – 13:40:08:56 : Josh Strang (Husqvarna); Daniel Milner (KTM); Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna); Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM)
USA – 13:47:18:54 : Ryan Sipes (Husqvarna); Taylor Robert (KTM); Steward Baylor (KTM); Zach Bell (Husqvarna)
Italy – 13:50:57:85 : Alex Salvini (Husqvarna); Davide Guarneri (Honda); Thomas Oldrati (Honda); Giacomo Redondi (Honda)
France – 13:57:31:53 : Loïc Larrieu (Yamaha); Christophe Charlier (Beta); Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas); Thomas Dubost (KTM)
Spain – 14:01:18:37 : Victor Guerrero (Yamaha); Cristobal Guerrero (Yamaha); Jaume Betriu (KTM); Jonathan Barragan (Gas Gas)
Women’s World Trophy Report
The Australian Women’s World Trophy Team won their sixth consecutive world title by over nine minutes ahead of Team USA while Spain, France and Sweden rounded out the top five.
After five days of enduro racing in blinding dust and stifling heat, day six presented the ladies with a short and fast motocross circuit and it was 2018 GNCC champion Tayla Jones who clocked in the fastest time for Team Australia of 10:23.76, leaving not a shadow of a doubt as to her rightful place as first overall in the class.
ISDE 2018 – Australia’s winning Women’s Team of Tayla Jones, Jessica Gardiner and Mackenzie Tricker
Tayla Jones
“It was a good six days! We had a strong team, we got some good times at the start of the week which really helped overall, and towards the end we stayed consistent which helped reduce the overall stress from the event. I’m really happy to get a sixth consecutive title, which is a new record! I’m also really honoured to get the overall championship! I have won once it before but there is no doubt that the second time is 10 times better. I would like to give a big thank you to the whole Australian team, the supporters, helpers and volunteers – we couldn’t have done it without them. I would also like to thank the whole Women’s World Trophy Team, Mackenzie and Jess, they’re great teammates. I would also like to thank all my supporters and sponsors back home, and everyone who made this possible!”
Jessica Gardiner clocked in the second fastest time of 11:21.54, which has secured her place as fourth overall behind Livia Lancelot from Team France and Brandy Richards from Team USA.
Jessica Gardiner
“It’s day six and finally we’ve gone through a really solid, hard week. The whole Team Australia helped us get through and we’re really happy to become six-time World Champions! It’s not every day that Aussies are six-time World Champions, it takes a lot of consistency and hard work. I couldn’t be happier have ridden with Mackenzie and Tayla, they’re great teammates and they’ve made it a lot of fun all week!”
Jessica Gardiner – Image by Dario Agrati
With a first time ISDE Women’s World Trophy title under her belt, Mackenzie Tricker was elated to be part of Team Australia’s dominance of ISDE 2018.
Mackenzie Tricker
“It was my first ISDE, and it started off pretty good in day one and two, but as the week went on, I felt like I went downhill. As we moved closer to day six, I just tried to salvage what I could and finish, but I felt pretty rough. I am absolutely stoked to have finished the event and have learnt a lot in the process. I was part of a great team and in the end, we were able to get the win!”
Mackenzie Tricker – Image by Dario Agrati
Women’s World Trophy ISDE Results
Australia – 10:26:54:17 : Tayla Jones (Husqvarna); Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha); Tricker Mackenzie (KTM)
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Junior World Trophy Report
The Italian team of Andrea Verona (TM), Matteo Cavallo (Beta) and Davide Soreca (TM) ended a ten-year winless streak to take out the 2018 FIM Junior World Trophy championship ahead of the USA, France, Chile, Australia and Sweden.
Andrea Verona
“It’s just an unbelievable feeling. We knew coming into Chile that we could fight for the win, but we never imagined the entire week would go as well as it has. Last year we were just fifteen seconds behind France at the finish, so to win this year is great. Every day we pushed hard and never settled for position and I think that showed by only losing one day. It’s been ten years since Italy last won this class so that’s special too.”
Fraser Higlett – Image by Sarah Kinrade
Despite having to push his bike over the line at the final motocross test, Fraser Higlet was the best of the Australia’s Junior riders with a ninth in the E1 class and a more than credible 38th outright while Andrew Wilksch and Thomas Mason battled through the never-ending dust to finish 49th and 51st respectively out of the 82 finishers.
Junior Trophy Overall
Italy 13:58:35.51
USA 14:02:33.01
France 14:17:21.98
Chile 14:19:45.09
Australia 14:35:58.82
Enduro 1
Andrea Verona (TM) 4:37:32.45
Davide Guarneri (Honda) 4:38:07.91
Victor Guerrero (Yamaha) 4:39:04.06
Ryan Sipes (Husqvarna) 4:40:00.41…9. Fraser Higlett (Husqvarna) 4:48:36.03
Enduro 2
Taylor Robert (KTM) 4:31:47.96
Steward Baylor (KTM) 4:37:01.50
Thomas Oldrati (Honda) 4:37:58.89
Josh Strang (Husqvarna) 4:38:18.86
Enduro 3
Daniel Milner (KTM) 4:29:53.48
Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna) 4:31:56.22
Giacomo Redondi (Honda) 4:37:17.18 …15. Andrew Wilksch …16. Thomas Mason
Enduro Women
Tayla Jones (Husqvarna) 5:08:48.18
Brandy Richards (Husqvarna) 5:11:43.87
Livia Lancelot (Honda) 5:13:24.78
Jess Gardner…9. Mackenzie Tricker
2018 Paris Supercross – Paris, France
In his debut at the event and just a week after winning AUS-X Open in Sydney, reigning US Supercross champion Jason Anderson has been crowned King of Bercy in Paris last weekend while Dylan Ferrandis got a huge support from the fans to get a podium result between Anderson and Zach Osborne.
2018 Paris Supercross – Jason Anderson tops the podium
Jason Anderson dominated the French Supercross, just missing two wins in the six races ever the two nights of racing after French hero Dylan Ferrandis won the second race on Saturday night before teammate Zach Osborne won the first sprint race on Sunday.
Jason Anderson
“The race was tough with some close racing on both nights and I’m happy with the overall win. The motos were short and I had to work a bit harder to make things happen. My lap times were not that good in qualifying and the superpole, but I was very happy with my speed in the motos and that’s what matters the most. I showed some good racecraft this weekend and that’s positive. I’m heading back to the US now. I hope I can come back even stronger for A1.”
2018 Paris Supercross – Jason Anderson
Just a month after winning the Marseille Supercross in his first race on a 450 since a long time, Dylan Ferrandis also confirmed his great shape as he got a podium result each night to finish runner up in the overall classification.
Third overall Zach Osborne also got great results for one if his first race in the 450 class, but unfortunately lost all his chances with a puncture in the main event on Sunday while fourth and fifth went to Honda teammates Vince Friese and Justin Brayton who also helped the US Team to win the Nations classification,a win the riders dedicated to Weston Peick who was injured on Saturday.
Zach Osborne
“It was my first race as an official 450 rider and I felt really good on my new bike. Overall, it’s been a really positive weekend for me and it was good to get third in the overall. In the last moto on Sunday I was running in second but had a flat tyre that dropped me behind. I have a very positive feeling so far in this off-season and I’m looking forward to the Geneva Supercross in two weeks time. I believe the track over in Geneva will suit my style more and I can battle for some good results there.”
2018 Paris Supercross – Zach Osborne
King of Paris Overall (SX1) – Combined Results (Sat & Sun)
Jason Anderson 1-3-1-3-1-1 : 10
Dylan Ferrandis 3-1-4-10-4-2 : 24
Zach Osborne 6-2-2-1-2-12 : 25
Vince Friese 4-5-6-2-5-4 : 26
Justin Brayton 9-6-3-4-3-3 : 28
Jordi Tixier 8-7-5-15-5-8-7 : 48
Justin Hill 5-27-7-9-6-5 : 49
Cedric Soubeyras 13-8-15-5-8-7 : 56
Fabien Izoird 7-10-9-8-13-15 : 62
Ben LaMay 11-15-12-6-11-11 : 66
Americans also dominate the SX2 category with the new Prince of Paris in Jace Own who won three races and was runner up in the three others (1/2/1 and 2/1/2) while AUS-X SX2 class winner Cameron McAdoo (4/1/3 and 3/2/5) took out second place ahead of Frenchmen Adrien Escoffier (2/4/2 and 5/3/3) and Thomas Do (6/3/6 and 6/4/1).
Prince Of Paris (SX2) – Combined Results (Sat & Sun)
Jace Owen 1-2-1-2-1-2 : 9
Cameron McAdoo 4-1-3-3-2-5 : 18
Adrien Escoffier 2-4-2-5-3-3 : 19
Thomas Do 6-3-6-6-4-1 : 26
Anthony Bourdon 3-5-8-1-13-6 : 36
Brian Moreau 5-7-5-8-9-8 : 42
Pierre Lozzi 13-8-4-4-8-7 : 44
Lorenzo Camporese 7-6-7-9-6-14 : 49
Julien Roussaly 9-17-11-7-5-4 : 53
Calvin Fonvieille 12-9-9-10-7-9 : 56
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Barcelona Supercross – Spain
In the Triple Crown-style format (three main events) at the Barcelona Supercross it was Josh Grant who won the first two and finished second in the third to take the overall by one point over Stewart, who went 2-2-1 while Charles LeFrancois finished third overall.
Josh Grant wins the Barcelona SX 2018
SX1 Overall
Josh Grant
Malcolm Stewart
Charles Lefrancois
Dominique Thury
Joan Cros
Canadian Triple Crown Supercross – Hamilton
The final round of the supercross portion of the inaugural Rockstar Energy Triple Crown Championship wrapped up last Saturday night in Hamilton, Canada and it was Cole Thompson and Jess Pettis who wrapped up the SX1 and SX2 championships respectively.
Cole Thompson, who already claimed the $100,000 as the overall series winner, won the SX1 main event and the supercross title with Phil Nicoletti and Matt Goerke filling the podium while in the SX2 class Shawn Maffenbeier claimed the win over Tanner Ward and the new champion Jess Pettis.
Canadian Triple Crown Supercross 2018 – Cole Thompson
SX1 Overall
Cole Thompson
Phil Nicoletti
Matt Goerke
Daniel Herrlein
Mike Alessi
SX1 Championship Standings (Final)
Cole Thompson – 113
Phil Nicoletti – 92
Matt Goerke – 83
Cody Vanbuskirk – 76
Colton Facciotti – 74
SX2 Overall
Shawn Maffenbeier
Tanner Ward
Jess Pettis
Cade Clason
Marco Cannella
SX2 Championship Standings (Final)
Jess Pettis 115
Shawn Maffenbeier – 107
Logan Karnow – 99
Marco Cannella – 86
Tanner Ward – 86
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Vialle and Evans Set for 2019 World MX2 Champs
The 2019 World MX2 Motocross Championships will have two new faces on the start grid in 2019 with second generation French rider Tom Vialle and Aussie talent Mitch Evans signing with separate teams last week.
Vialle, son of former GP winner and title contender Frederic, will join World Champion Jorge Prado on the factory KTM 250 SX-F after a moto victory, five top-three race finishes and three podiums in the 2018 EMX250 European Championship.
Tom Vialle
“I want to thank all the people who have helped make this opportunity with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing possible. It is a great to be joining the best team in the world for my first year in MX2! Being next to champions and race winners like Jeffrey Herlings, Tony Cairoli and Jorge Prado doesn’t bother me because I know it is a perfect chance to be learning from the fastest. I cannot wait to get started and to progress as much as I can.”
Tom Vialle to 2019 World MX2 – With Joel Smets
Evans finished second to Dean Ferris in this years Australian MX Nationals before turning heads at the MXoN at Red Bud with 10-14 moto finishes for 8th outright in the Open class which has reportedly landed the Aussie with a ride with the same team that Hunter Lawrence rode for this year.
Nagl Returns to Sarholtz KTM
Max Nagl is back where it all started at the beginning of his long and successful career with a German star returning to the Sarholtz KTM racing team for the 2019 MXGP Championships and the ADAC MX Masters.
Max Nagl
“With Burkhard and Edith everything started. With this team I celebrated my first great successes. Everything started with the 85cc machine and then ended with the change to KTM factory in 2008. I am mega happy that it is now going back and we together with the help of KTM and our partners a great package, I am sure for the upcoming season! We want to fight a successful season together, look forward to the front and stack everything together. We want to go for the ADAC MX Masters title and get good results in the MXGP championship.”
Max Nagl returns to the Sarholtz KTM team in 2019
Herlings In for Hawkstone
HIMX are delighted to announce that they have signed factory Red Bull KTM rider and 2018 MX1 World Champion Jeffrey Herlings for the Be Wiser – Bridgestone Hawkstone International on the 17th February 2019.
Jeffrey Herlings
“I’m super excited to come back to race at Hawkstone Park International on the 17th February. It’s a beautiful track and always a pleasure to come and race there. The fans are amazing every year when I raced there and hopefully we can fight again for the win in 2019 as we did in previous years. I want to give a big thank you to SMC for having me back and see you all in February!”
Jeffrey Herlings – Image by Jeff Kardas
Gary Ford – SMC
“Getting Jeffrey back to our event as World Champion is fantastic news. He’s always been a big supporter of Hawkstone and it is great he will be back in February. He always puts on a good show whenever he comes to Hawkstone Park and it is great news for the fans.
Also confirmed are Brits Tommy Searle and Max Anstie plus Rockstar Husqvarna riders Jed Beaton and Thomas Kjer Olsen.
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Wade Young to Roof of Africa 2018
It’s been a huge year for extreme enduro star Wade Young with victories at prestigious events including Red Bull Romaniacs, Megawatt and Sea To Sky. Young’s recent victory at the Wildwood Rock Extreme in Melbourne saw thousands of fans witness the South African decimate the competition.
Wade Young with Sherco Factory mechanic Franck Boulissett and Sherco Australia’s Derek Grundy and Glenn Granger
Young’s Wildwood Rock Extreme victory proved to be a stern lead-up to the 2018 Roof of Africa which will begin on December 5 in the Kingdom of Lesotho. With previous victories at the Roof of Africa, Young is determined to finish off his 2018 racing year with another hometown victory at what is widely regarded as the Mother of Hard Enduro.
Young’s dominating display at the Wildwood Rock Extreme earnt him a massive 10-minute margin from the nearest competitor, much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd. Young was inundated with fans seeking selfies, autographs and the chance to talk immediately after the race.
Wade Young
“I was very happy to take the win at Wildwood,” explained Young. “I like racing this event. The crowd was amazing and even through this race is a different format to the usual extreme events I race, it’s quite intense. The track is relentless and quite tricky in places but I really enjoyed it. Sherco Australia provided me with a great bike and it was a nice victory.”
Wade Young on his way to Wildwood Rock Extreme victory
Young raced a 2019 model Sherco 300 SE-R Racing at Wildwood Rock Extreme, proving that the standard engine and suspension package is a winning formula.
Musquin Out – Hill and Peick In
Defending King of Paris, Marvin Musquin was forced to sit out last weekend’s Paris Supercross after picking up a knee injury. Below is a press release from the event organizers.
“While he was conducting a final testing session before his departure for France and the big meeting of the Arena Paris-La Defense this weekend, Marvin Musquin unfortunately suffered a knee injury that has forced to withdraw! The organizers made a last-minute replacement with Weston Peick and Justin Hill.
Marvin Musquin injured – Image by Jeff Kardas
“It was an obviously disappointed Marvin who made the news to the organizers: the prospect of being able to challenge the World Champion, Jason Anderson, for once on the soil of his country, was a challenge that was particularly close to his heart. The exact severity of the injury is not yet known and Marvin needs to consult his trusted doctor before knowing how much it will impact his program beyond the Paris Supercross.
“The organizers are looking for pilots likely to replace Marvin, at short notice, their co-headlining which, with such a short time, was obviously a challenge. The official Suzuki team Joe Gibbs Racing, however, rose to the challenge and upset its program to allow both of its flagship drivers to participate. Weston Peick, King of Lille 2015 and Justin Hill, champion SX 250 2017, will jump on a plane in a few hours with luggage filled with factory parts they will ride on brand new RMZ 2019 made available by Suzuki France and the Amexio Team of Nicolas Aubin.”
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Peick Injured
Weston Peick is currently in a local hospital in France after a serious crash at the Paris Supercross where the stocky American collided with Dylan Ferrandis in the third SX1 main event and went down and was then landed on by Cedric Soubeyras.
Peick was immediately taken to the hospital and according to local sources has facial injuries that will more than likely need surgery.
Indian Ready for 2019
Indian announced its 2019 team with Jared Mees, who has won the last two AFT Twins Championships with Indian ready to do battle once again this time with brothers Briar and Bronson Bauman as his teammates while Brad Baker, who was paralysed in a practice crash at X Games last year, returns to the team as technical advisor and rider coach.
Bryan Smith’s Indian FTR
AFT has announced new rules for the 2019 season that would benefit a production-based machine that can now be bored-and-stroked to 900cc instead of 750, and they can run larger throttle bodies. Indian is okay with the larger displacement, but not happy with the new throttle body rule.
Indian take serious issue with the third rule change – allowing production engines to increase from 38mm throttle bodies to 40mm. This rule excludes Indian Motorcycle Racing, because the Scout FTR750 is not a street legal production motorcycle. Not only does the rule singularly handicap Indian Motorcycle, it represents a significant impairment of our ability to compete on an equal level with every other team in the paddock, specifically on mile tracks.
Jared Mees
Indian said it has no issue with the new displacement rules, nor new fuel rules put in place for 2019. Although Indian doesn’t like the fuel-body change, it will still go racing with full commitment, “Despite these changes, we will attack 2019 with the same competitive focus and determination that resulted in back-to-back championships over the past two years.”
FIM ISDE heads to Portugal for 2019
With winning celebrations now complete at the 2018 FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) in Chile, plans are already in place for the 2019 edition in Portugal.
After a ten-year absence, the FIM’s longest-sanctioned off-road motorcycle competition returns to Portugal for the first time since 2009.
2019’s edition of the ISDE will head to Portugal – Image by Dario Agrati
Situated in the south of the country, the beautiful Algarve city of Portimão and its World-renowned Autódromo Internacional do Algarve will host to the ninety-fourth running of FIM ISDE.
With its large, purpose-built facility, the international motor racing circuit will act as the paddock and centre hub of activity for the race while utilising the surrounding mountainsides, three unique routes will be laid out incorporating a wide range of terrain for riders to contest.
The opening two days will be predominantly sandy, while days three, four and five offer a contrasting character of forest and rocky terrain that will take riders into the country’s highest mountain range.
Daily routes are expected to be around three-hundred kilometres each in length, ensuring both riders and machines will be tested to their absolute limits, while also enjoying breath taking scenery.
With the official date yet to be confirmed, the ninety-fourth edition of the FIM ISDE is expected to be held between late October and early November.
ISDE 2018 – Image by Dario Agrati
What Racing is Left for 2018?
The Aussies kicked everyone’s arse at the ISDE last week so with that event done and dusted we now look to the SX Open in Auckland this coming weekend – see the list of the remaining events for 2018 below:
Australasia
New Zealand Supercross Championships
24 – SX Open – Auckland
1 – South Waikato
15 – Southland
America
2018 THOR Mini Olympics – Nov. 19-24 – Gainesville, FL
2018 Day In The Dirt – Nov. 24-26 – Glen Helen, CA
Europe
Geneva Supercross – Nov. 30/Dec. 1 – Switzerland
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