Motorcycle racing welcomes a new era with the launch of the MotoE Championship (officially the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup) in 2019 and the LCR Team is pleased to announce its participation in the series with Randy De Puniet and Niccolò Canepa as official riders for the LCR E-Team.
Lucio Cecchinello (LCR Team Principal)
“This project is a new challenge in my career and I am very proud to be part of it with the brand-new LCR E-Team because this new series represents a part of racing’s future. I am also very happy to be back working with my former Chief Technician, Paolo Cordioli (who helped me to set up the LCR Team in 1996) and also Luciano and Thomas Betti, both former international champions of previous electric bike competitions. When Randy (De Puniet) accepted our proposal to be part of this new project, I was very happy because he lined up for the LCR Team for five years in the past (2003/2004 in the 250cc class and 2008/2009/2010 in the MotoGP class) achieving amazing results (18 times on the podium, including 4 victories in LCR colours). Niccolò has a very impressive career record also, including the 2007 Superstock World Title and the 2016/2017 FIM World Endurance Title, and is keen to start this new challenge aboard the MotoE”.
The new championship, which will run alongside MotoGP, will feature low-noise, zero-emission motorcycles that are powered by renewable energy sources.
The inaugural calendar consists of five rounds that will take place during MotoGP events (Jerez de la Frontera, Le Mans, Sachsenring, Spielberg and Misano) and a first test on November 23-25 at Jerez.
The LCR E-Team is ready embrace the new challenge with a strong line-up that features highly-respected technical staff, talented former LCR rider De Puniet and the 2017 Endurance Champion, Canepa.
Randy De Puniet
“Of course I am very happy to be part of the first MotoE Championship and for me it is even better because I return to the LCR Team where I raced for 5 years in my MotoGP career. I had my best racing memories with this team so it’s amazing to be back with Lucio and his squad. Regarding MotoE World Cup, everything will be new for everybody, but thanks to this test in November in Jerez we will gather more information on the bike and the riding style. I think it’s going to be fun with 18 identical bikes using the same tyres, so I cannot wait to start this new challenge”.
Randy De Puniet
Niccolò Canepa
“I am very happy to be part of this new project in its debut season and, most of all, doing it in LCR colours. I think this is one of the most high-level teams in the paddock and I have a very good relationship with Lucio. Now I can’t wait to try this bike for the first time in Jerez. I am actually training a lot to get ready for the start of the season and this first test in November will give us important information on the bike configuration. Lucio has put together a very professional crew and, from my side, I will do my best to reward the team with good results”.
GRT Yamaha Step Up to WorldSBK with Marco Melandri and Sandro Cortese in 2019
Yamaha has reached an agreement with Marco Melandri and Sandro Cortese that will see the two riders campaign factory supported Yamaha YZF-R1 machines for the GRT Yamaha Team, who will step up to contest the FIM World Superbike Championship in 2019.
The move to the premier class for GRT Yamaha comes after two incredibly successful seasons in the FIM World Supersport Championship. In 2017 the team secured the world title with Lucas Mahias, who returned with the team in 2018 to finish as runner up to Cortese in the championship. GRT Yamaha also finished both seasons as the top team in the series, making a significant contribution to Yamaha’s domination of the class.
While GRT Yamaha will be new to the FIM World Superbike Championship in 2019, in Melandri and Cortese they have two riders with vast experience gained in both prototype and production racing. This experience will be critical as the team adapt to the demands of racing in the premier production class.
WorldSBK 2016 – Aragon – Marco Melandri
A former 250cc World Champion and MotoGP race winner, Melandri has claimed an impressive 72 podium finishes, including 22 race wins, since making his debut in the FIM World Superbike Championship aboard a Yamaha YZF-R1 back in 2011. The 36-year-old from Ravenna in Italy was second in the championship that year, his best result to date, but has finished inside the top five in every season he’s contested since. Since stepping away from MotoGP Melandri has ridden for every European manufacturer in WorldSBK, Aprilia, Ducati, BMW, and also was for a period of time the official test rider for MV Agusta’s WorldSBK campaign.
WorldSBK 2016 – Aragon – Marco Melandri
Although 2019 will be Cortese’s first season in the FIM World Superbike Championship he also brings a wealth of experience with him to the GRT Yamaha team. The 28-year-old German took five race wins and 10 podium finishes on his way to being crowned as the first ever Moto3 World Champion in 2012. Cortese is also the reigning World Supersport Champion, having secured the title in his debut season in the class aboard a Yamaha YZF-R6 with a podium finish in the final round in Qatar.
Sandro Cortese – GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team
“To win the WorldSSP championship and then step up to WorldSBK with the GRT Yamaha Team is like a dream come true for me. I’m super happy to be a part of this new project and, although it’s a big step, I am really looking forward to the challenge. I can’t wait to jump on the Yamaha YZF-R1 for the first time in Jerez later this month to start the familiarisation process. It will be like Christmas for me; I’ve never ridden such a big bike before and I am like a small kid who can’t wait to get his present! The bike will be more physically demanding to ride than the Yamaha YZF-R6 and, with three races every weekend instead of just one next year, I will definitely need to work on my fitness over the winter to ensure I’m ready.”
Sandro Cortese celebrates the 2018 World Supersport title
Melandri and Cortese will get their first opportunity to test the Yamaha YZF-R1 they’ll campaign in GRT Yamaha colours in 2019 during a two-day test at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain, which gets underway on 26th November.
Filippo Conti – GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team Manager
“I am really delighted to be stepping up to the WorldSBK championship with Yamaha, it’s like a dream come true. We started this project in WorldSSP and now we are moving up to WorldSBK, which is very important for the team but also for Yamaha’s production racing program. It’s a big step for us and we know we will be facing a steep learning curve in our debut season, but our two riders bring with them a wealth of experience. Riders don’t come more experienced than Marco, who has been a frontrunner in WorldSBK since he came to the championship in 2011. And while 2019 will be Sandro’s first season on a WorldSBK machine, he’s the reigning WorldSSP champion and a former Moto3 World Champion, so I expect him to adapt quickly to our Yamaha YZF-R1. We need to learn a lot in this new category, but our target is clear; we want to be as competitive in WorldSBK as we have been in WorldSSP. Maybe this isn’t possible in our debut season, but that’s the goal for the future.”
Motorcycle racing could return to Wanneroo Raceway in 2019
Following the return of recreational motorcycle activities to Barbagallo Raceway in September 2018, WA Sporting Car Club (WASCC) and Motorcycling Western Australia (MWA) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in order to address works required to the circuit so that motorcycle racing can re-commence.
Wayne Maxwell, Mike Jones, Glenn Allerton – Wanneroo 2016 – Image Keith Muir
The MOU, jointly signed by WASCC President Russell Sewell and MWA President Tracy Simpson, pledged WASCC and MWA to cooperate in a spirit of mutual understanding and to develop a closer relationship of goodwill. Within a matter of weeks of the MOU being suggested, the commitment to work together resulted in a solution for the return of motorcycle racing at Barbagallo Raceway.
Ben Henry leads Ryan Hampton and Mike Jones – Wanneroo 2015 – Image Andrew Gosling
Subsequent to the presentation of a concept design by MWA, WASCC consultant engineer, Steve Brake of Calibre Consultants, prepared technical and works drawings in accordance with the requirements of Motorcycle Australia’s Track Guidelines – 2018 as well as the run-off calculations as indicated in Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries’ Hall Report.
MWA forwarded these drawings to Motorcycling Australia (MA) who have provided written confirmation that, pending successful completion of the works and a subsequent inspection, MA would issue Barbagallo Raceway an appropriate license.
Kings of Wanneroo 2014 – Image Steve Thibou
WASCC is currently reviewing the scope of works and obtaining costings with a view to dove-tailing the works into its programmed major works schedule in January 2019, concurrent with a planned re-surface of the raceway.
Motorcycle Racing Club WA and WASCC have agreed dates for the MCRCWA racing and other activities calendar for 2019 (pending issue of the MA track license). Members of MCRCWA were briefed by its Executive at a Town Hall meeting held on Wednesday, 7th November.
WASCC President Russell Sewell
“This is an exciting development for the sport of motorcycle racing in Western Australia following the unfortunate, extended absence from Barbagallo raceway. The new spirit of cooperation between the two main bodies representing tarmac based motorsports in Western Australia has been fruitful at both the Executive and management levels.”
2016 ASBK at Wanneroo – Image Trevor Hedge
MWA President Tracy Simpson welcomed the new agreement between the two bodies and noted that it was an important step towards getting motorcycle racing back at Barbagallo raceway. Tracy said that it has been a focus for MWA and new CEO Joe McCarthy to work with all parties to enable racing to resume at Barbagallo and is thrilled that a detailed plan has been provisionally approved for 2019.
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What Went Down Last Weekend?
Wildwood Rock Extreme Enduro – Victoria
AMA EnduroCross Series – Boise, ID
World Vet Championships – Glen Helen, CA
Canadian Triple Crown Supercross – Quebec
Cooper Wins Waikato Champs
Russia to Stage 2019 FIM Speedway of Nations Finals
Beaton, Ostlund and Jasikonis to Husqvarna for 2019
Bollinger to Husqvarna for GNCC
Wilson to SX-Open at Mt Smart
Anstie to KTM in 2019
Bopping to CDR Yamaha
RIP Dan Villopoto
Three New Riders for CycleTrader/Rock River Yamaha
Australian MX Nationals Dates Announced?
What Racing is Left for 2018?
Wildwood Rock Extreme Enduro – Victoria
158 riders turned up to tackle the 2018 Wildwood Rock Extreme Enduro but despite the best efforts of the local punters it was international sensation Wade Young who took just under three hours to win the event for the second year in a row.
Wade Young claimed the 2018 Wildwood Rock Extreme Enduro win
Young won the event by completing six laps in 2 hours and 51 minutes while second placed rider Wade Ibrahim ended the day some ten minutes behind Young but almost eight minutes ahead of third placed Tim Coleman.
Extreme Challenge Top Ten
Wade Young – 2:51:52.298
Wade Ibrahim – 3:01:54.424
Timothy Coleman – 3:08:29.045
Hamish MacDonald – 3:16:10.434
Mitch Harper – 3:23:26.636
Ruben Chadwick – 3:26:09.563
Robert Nowak – 2:53:50.645
Chris Perry – 2:55:25.952
Jake Whitaker – 2:58:32.980
Anthony Solar – 3:01:32.306
AMA EnduroCross Series – Boise, ID
Colton Haaker has won his second AMA EnduroCross championship with a conservative second place finish at the Boise finale while Cody Webb did everything he could to hang onto his number one plate by taking the win in front of another large and enthusiastic crowd.
Colton Haaker – Image by Tanner Yeager
Third place for the night went to Ty Tremaine, who also narrowly beat Kyle Redmond for third in the championship after both battled for most of the main event.
Ty Cullins blasted his Beta 300 two-stroke to the front at the start of the main event, just ahead of Haaker and Webb. The two championship combatants moved past Cullins, who had troubles and dropped back to ninth by the end of the first lap. Haaker led the first two laps and Webb jumped a huge log double to close right up to his back wheel and then made a pass for the lead on lap three.
Colton Haaker – Image by Tanner Yeager
Webb kept jumping the large double to open a gap on Haaker, who was riding a conservative race to clinch the championship. Haaker made it through the No Joke Lane on lap nine of fifteen and the only drama remaining for Webb was to make it through the No Joke Lane himself without losing time. Webb did that on lap eleven and went on for his third win of the season.
The battle for third in the race and championship between Tremaine and Redmond was intense. Redmond came into the race with a single point lead over Tremaine so whichever rider finished in front of the other would take the spot. Tremaine quickly worked up from eighth position on lap one to lock into a battle with Redmond. They traded third a few times before Tremaine opened a gap in the closing laps. Redmond held on for fourth position in the race and championship.
Colton Haaker – Image by Tanner Yeager
Colton Haaker
“This whole season it’s been Cody (Webb) and I going back-and-forth, back-and-forth and the championship really came down to a few key moments, like the halfway point in the season when we’re tied, and I knew what we had to do to win. For me, I think last weekend in Everett was the championship night. I knew if I could win there I could win the title. I never won in Everett before that, so I think I made it happen there. Tonight, I got a great start and rode clean and smooth and Cody passed me and got a bit of a gap. He was riding really solid tonight and taking some extra risks that I didn’t have to. I just wanted to bring it home here and I’m so happy we did. It’s amazing to come back and win the EnduroCross title again after losing it. It wasn’t easy coming back from not winning and gaining the confidence to get back up to the front.”
Colton Haaker – Image by Tanner Yeager
Cody Webb
“The season and my riding were good despite how little prep time I had coming in. I got the win at round one in Prescott and that was just really lucky. Even by Costa Mesa I only had a couple 12-minute motos in me before the race. I just fell apart in the main and couldn’t hold on. The rest of the year I focused on getting back to doing full motos in training. That had me riding better and by Denver, things got really aggressive and I couldn’t seem to keep up the intensity there. So, I started doing more bracket-style training, riding as hard as I could go. I felt like a steam engine this year. I started out sluggish and kept throwing more fuel to the fire and, by the end of the year, I was back to full-steam ahead. Losing the championship is a bummer but it’s nice to cap of the season with a big win here in Idaho like this. I was doing stuff on the track no one else was doing and it was fun to win the crowd over by jumping big stuff. Now, it’s off to get my arm pump under control and SuperEnduro prep.”
Cody Webb
Ty Tremaine
“The season started off great with the Alta electric bike. They were putting in a lot of effort with me and the EnduroCross program and they, unfortunately, closed up shop. So, I’m really lucky Beta took a chance with me and I just tried to keep my head down and not let anything get to me so there really isn’t a reason I shouldn’t have performed on any bike. Going into the off-season I’m working really hard. I’m really happy about where we’re going from here.”
Ty Cullins
“I’ve been working super hard all year. My main goal was to get top fives and, about halfway through the season, I was in the lead for the Junior Championship and I focused on that as the goal for the year. It’s just been a great year. I finished top-five in half the races, I shared the holeshot tonight with Colton Haaker and I am just looking forward to getting the details for next year dialed in and come back better than ever.”
Boise EnduroCross Main Event
Cody Webb
Colton Haaker
Ty Tremaine
Kyle Redmond
Ty Cullins
Geoff Aaron
Cory Graffunder
Max Gerston
Noah Kepple
Cooper Abbott
Colton Haaker – Image by Tanner Yeager
Super EnduroCross Rider Point Standings
Colton Haaker – 150 points
Cody Webb – 146 points
Ty Tremaine – 100 points
Kyle Redmond – 99 points
Geoff Aaron – 90 points
Ty Cullins – 89 points
Noah Kepple – 83 points
Cooper Abbott – 76 points
Mason Ottersberg – 55 points
Dustin McCarthy – 53 points
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World Vet Championships – Glen Helen, CA
The annual World Vet Motocross Championship was held at Glen Helen in California last weekend and you will recognise many a rider in the results below including ANZACS Daryl Hurley, Tony Cooksley and Barry Surwaski.
Hurley was the star performer with a win in the 40+ Pro class and hard fought 4th in the 30+ Pro class while Surwaski managed a 10th in the 40+ Pro class despite being on a YZ250F against a full field of 450s.
30+ Pro Class
Josh Grant (Kaw)–1-1
Jeff Loop (Yam)–3-2
Tonni Andersen (KTM)–2-3
Daryl Hurley (Suz)–4-4
Kris Keefer (Yam)–6-5
40+ Pro Class
Daryl Hurley (Sus) 2-1
Kurt Nicoll (KTM) 3-2
Kris Keefer (Yam) 1-4
Steve Powell (Suz) 5-6
Todd Gravitt (KYM) 7-5
Matt Karlsen ((kaw) 6-7
Matthieu Smith (Hon) 8-8
Bill Fosnock (Hon) 9-9
Craig Brown (Kaw) 11-10
Barry Surawski (Yam) 13-11
50+ Pro Class
Kurt Nicoll (KTM)–1-1
Don Bisceglia (Hus)–2-2
Ed Foedish (Yam)–3-3
Darren Cahill (Yam)–5-4
Jon Ortner (Yam)–6-5
25+ Expert Class
Stephen Martin (Hon)–DNF-1
Billy Lea (Yam)–1-DNS
Vince Giancana (Suz)–2-DNS
William Smith (Kaw)–3-DNS
30+ Expert Class
Brody Jennings (Yam)–2-1
Jesse Mobley (Suz)–4-2
Lucas Frye (Hon)–3-DNS
35+ Expert Class
Mirko Milani (KTM)–1-1
Jeff Northrop (Hus)–3-2
Kenny Bell (Suz)–DNF-3
Imre Adamek (KTM)–2-DNS
40+ Expert Class
Matthieu Smith (Hon)–1-1
Shawn Bushnell (Hon)–2-2
Laurence Wiltshire (KTM)–3-3
Billy Van Vugt (Suz)–8-4
Ralf Schmidt (TM)–7-5
45+ Expert Class
Mike Reefman (Yam)–1-1
Craig Davis (Hus)–3-2
Fabio Occhiolini (Hon)–2-3
Brian Storrie (Hus)–4-4
Glenn Carmody (Kaw)–6-5
55+ Expert Class
Kevin Foley (Suz)–1-1
Robert Reisinger (Hus)–3-2
Tommy Grandstroem (Hon)–2-3
Michael Clement (Hus)–6-4
Milt Reimer (Yam)–4-6
60+ Expert Class
Pete De Graaf (KTM)–1-1
Isao Ida (Hon)–2-2
Eric McKenna (KTM)–4-3
Mark Kaestner (Yam)–3-5
Trey Jorski (KTM)–6-4
Val Tamietti (Yam)–7-6
Tony Cooksley (Yam)–5-9
65+ Expert Class
Carl Garafy –1-1
Bruce Sass (Yam)–2-2
Dwight Catalano (Yam)–4-3
Mic Rodgers (Hus)–3-DNS
70+ All Class
Gary Chase (Yam)–1-2
Jim O’neal (Yam)–3-3
Bill Maxiam (Hon)–2-6
Roque Colman (Hon)–5-4
Steve Machado (Yam)–4-5
Woman Expert
Steffi Laier (KTM)–1-1
Vicki Golden (Suz)–2-2
Nicole Pitell-Vaughan (Hon)–3-3
Holly Break (Yam)–4-4
Canadian Triple Crown Supercross – Quebec
Round three of the Rockstar Triple Crown Championship took place in Quebec last weekend and the final featured a controversial finish between title contenders Cole Thompson and Colton Facciotti – the result of which is under investigation by the promoters and the governing body.
Facciotti held the lead over Thompson going into the final corner where Thompson ran into the side of Facciotti as they exited the corner before going over the finish line. Both riders crashed and Facciotti went off the side of the finish line jump, landed on his back and despite Facciotti going over the finish line first Thompson was credited with the win, with Facciotti taking second while Phil Nicoletti finished third.
Facciotti did not attend the podium celebration after the race and was kept in the hospital overnight with a lung and back injury. Derek Schuster confirms Colton is out for the remainder of the season.
Jess Pettis got the win the 250 class ahead of Logan Karnow and Shawn Maffenbeier and with one round remaining takes an 11 point lead in the championship.
450 Overall
Cole Thompson
Colton Facciotti
Phil Nicoletti
Cody VanBuskirk
Tyler Medaglia
Daniel Herrlein
Cheyenne Harmon
Matt Goerke
Keylan Meston
Eric Jeffrey
450 Championship Standings
Cole Thompson – 83
Colton Facciotti – 74
Phil Nicoletti – 65
Matt Goerke – 58
Tyler Medaglia – 58
250 Overall
Jess Pettis
Logan Karnow
Shawn Maffenbeier
Tanner Ward
Marco Cannella
250 Championship Standings
Jess Pettis 90
Logan Karnow – 79
Shawn Maffenbeier – 77
Marco Cannella – 65
Tanner Ward – 59
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Cooper Wins Waikato Champs
Despite still feeling the effects of a chest infection that has reduced him to the couch for several weeks Honda rider Cody Cooper has once again won the annual Waikato Motocross Championships near Te Kuiti last weekend.
After arch rival Kayne Lamont was injured Cooper easily accounted for Cohen Chase and Reece Walker on a stock standard 2019 Honda CRF450R.
Cody Cooper
“I was feeling quite tired in the last race. I was feeling quite shaky as my body hasn’t recovered from the bug I had.”
Cooper Webb who joins KTM Factory Racing in 2019 won the Waikato Champs
The 35 year old Cooper will now look at getting his bike and body in shape for the up-coming New Zealand Motocross Championships.
Russia to Stage 2019 FIM Speedway of Nations Finals
World Championship speedway is bound for Russia next year as the reigning world champions host the Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations (SON) Finals in Togliatti on July 20 and 21.
Russian duo Artem Laguta and Emil Sayfutdinov stormed to victory at this year’s Finals in Wroclaw, breaking Great Britain’s hearts in an epic title decider to win the nation’s first ever speedway world title.
Togliatti Circuit – Russia
The country has been a huge force in the ice speedway world, with Togliatti’s Anatoly Stepanov Stadium a regular venue for world-class events, including the 2019 FIM Team Ice Speedway World Championship on February 16 and 17.
BSI Speedway managing director Torben Olsen is excited by the prospect of bringing the sport’s biggest names to Togliatti.
Torben Olsen
“It has long been our wish to bring the FIM Speedway World Championships presented by Monster Energy to Russia. Following their Monster Energy SON win last summer and the country’s hugely successful staging of the FIFA World Cup, there really couldn’t be a better time to be taking this event to Togliatti. “
The 353-metre Togliatti circuit is home to Russian speedway and ice speedway teams Mega-Lada Togliatti. The stadium also serves as a technical sports school for children, a sports bar, a hotel and the only specialised youth speedway track in Russia.
Alexei Stepanov – President of the Mega-Lada Club
“Thanks to many years of fruitful work, developing and popularising motorcycle sports in Russia, and the special support of the Samara regional government and the governor, Mr. Dmitry Azarov, this summer Togliatti’s Anatoly Stepanov Stadium will host the final rounds of the prestigious team event, the Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations. I am sure that the national teams shall enjoy the racing, and fans and friends coming from all over the world shall like staying in Togliatti. We will do our best to write Togliatti’s name in the glorious history of world speedway.”
The competing countries in the 2019 Monster Energy SON will be revealed in due course.
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Beaton, Ostlund and Jasikonis to Husqvarna for 2019
Just a week after confirming that the 2017 MX2 World Motocross Champion Pauls Jonass will compete in the MXGP class on Husqvarna machinery, the iconic brand has backed that up with the signing of Jed Beaton, Arminas Jasikonis and Alvin Ostlund for the 2019 World Motocross Championships.
Australian star Beaton will join Thomas Kjer-Olsen with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2 team for the 2019 and 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship seasons under the guidance of former FIM 500cc Motocross World Champion Jacky Martens.
Jed Beaton
“It’s a great honour for me to join the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna MX2 team. Growing up in Australia, it’s been a lifelong dream of mine to be able to race the Motocross World Championship. As a member of the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna MX2 team I believe I am in the best possible position to fight for the ultimate goal of becoming world champion. The team never cease to impress me with their professionalism and I am really looking forward to starting the new chapter of my career with them.”
Jed Beaton to Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MX2 Team in 2019
Jasikonis will race for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MXGP team throughout the 2019 season and the 21-year-old racer from Lithuania will partner Jonass in a highly promising two-rider team that will compete in the MXGP class.
Arminas Jasikonis
“I’m really looking forward to entering the 2019 series with the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna MXGP team. I’ve been closely following their work and to finally be a member of this great team feels like a dream has come true. I admire their professionalism and I am willing to work harder than ever so I can give my best in each and every GP. This will be my third full season in the MXGP category and I am really motivated to make it the best one so far. Coming from a shoulder injury, I’ve worked really hard to be physically stronger and I’m now looking forward to start riding my new FC 450 machine. It’s a great bike and I believe I am capable of doing great things aboard this machine.”
Arminas Jasikonis & Antti Pyrhonen
Swedish rider Alvin Ostlund will race the 2019 MX2 championship for the Revo Husqvarna which will also become a Factory supported satellite team for 2019.
Alvin Ostlund
“It is finally official now, I can say I have signed for Revo Husqvarna for 2019! It is a very good bike and I am looking forward to the season ahead next year. Hopefully we can have a good winter now and then this will mean a good start to the season. I am doing both the British and the MXGP series next year, this is a lot more riding then I have ever done before as I have only ever done one series. I have been with Yamaha for the past 8 years and so this is a big change for me, the Husqvarna FC 250 is totally different with the engine and suspension but as soon as I got on the bike I enjoyed riding it. It feels good, I can’t wait!
Bollinger Replaces Strang at Husqvarna for GNCC
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing have announced that Trevor Bollinger will join the squad for the 2019 Amsoil Grand National Cross Country Series as the teammate to Thad Duvall, who finished second in this year’s series.
Trevor Bollinger
“I am excited to be riding for the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team. It’s a real honour to be working with such a professional group. I look forward to doing great things together.”
Timmy Weigand – Team Manager
“Trevor will be a great addition to our team, he has had a successful career already and we are happy to have him out there racing the GNCC series.”
At Rockstar Energy Husqvarna, Bollinger takes the place of veteran (and 2010 GNCC Champion) Josh Strang, who took sixth overall in this year’s GNCC points.
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Wilson to SX-Open at Mt Smart
The Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland is shaping up to be a grand slam of the world’s best superstars this year, with Dean Wilson confirmed for the November 24 blockbuster inside Mt Smart Stadium.
Dean Wilson
“I’m super excited to be coming to New Zealand and competing in the first ever S-X Open Auckland. It’s perfect timing for me to come down and really put in a good performance; with the high caliber names that are competing this year, if I can beat them, then I’m back on the international radar, which is what I’m aiming for. I’m sure the Kiwi fans are going to be excited you know, their first real big supercross with some fast guys and world champions, it’s just going to be a really exciting event so hopefully, they’re loud and ready for some good racing.
Dean Wilson
“I’ve never been to New Zealand before but it does look like a beautiful country, it’s very green, nice rolling hills, it is a bit like Scotland. I really am looking forward to it. I’m going to see as much as I can, but obviously, I need to get back to the States and get training. I’m just lucky enough to get to go check it out. It’s going to be super cool and I’m looking forward to it
“I grew up watching Ben Townley when I was younger and you know he was always a guy that battled Villopoto and looked like he was trying half as hard, it was really funny to watch. A very talented guy and yeah, he’s a legend.”
Dean Wilson will ride a DPH Motorsport team prepared, Husqvarna FC450
Wilson will ride a DPH Motorsport team prepared, Husqvarna FC450 at this year’s Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland.
During last year’s event, the 26-year-old took top honours during the Saturday night AUS-X Open final in Australia last year, backing that up with a strong second place on Sunday.
Anstie to KTM in 2019
Max Anstie has agreed to a one-year deal with Standing Construct KTM to join 2018 MXoN winner Glenn Coldenhoff (moving over from Red Bull KTM) and Ivo Monticelli on the team.
Max Anstie
“I’m really looking forward to 2019, the Standing Construct KTM team are a great crew, we have great material and a solid programme. We will be ready to perform in 2019! I’m very grateful to KTM and Tim for making this happen and giving me this opportunity.”
Max Anstie
Tim Mathys – Team Manager
“I am very happy to have signed Max to ride for our team in 2019, already in our MX2 period we were seriously interested in Max and also earlier this season we showed interest in him. With the support of KTM we managed to find an agreement and I think that we have a strong team heading into the 2019 MXGP season.”
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Bopping to CDR Yamaha
Lawson Bopping will compete on the CDR Yamaha YZ450F at the AUS-X Open in Sydney and the SX Open event in New Zealand after injuries to Dean Ferris and Nathan Crawford have left a seat vacant for the two biggest events of the year.
Bopping, who raced for the team in 2012 and 2013, took a couple of years away from racing due to health concerns but returned for this years’ Australian Supercross Championship and has been placing well in the premier SX1 division where he currently sits in eighth place with just the Sydney round remaining.
Craig Dack – Team Manager
“With the last two events of the year the highest profile on our racing calendar, I felt it was important that we were well represented by having two bikes on the track. We have a commitment to our sponsors to provide them with quality riders, good coverage at events and solid results and we believe Lawson can fill that role for us at these two events. Lawson will slot in easily for us as he knows everyone on the team, has worked with us in the past and is very comfortable on the Yamaha YZ450F. We have no expectations on him other them compete like he has every other weekend and represent our team, brand and sponsors well and I’m sure he will do a great job. It’s a shame that injures to Dean Ferris and Nathan Crawford have occurred, but racing is a tough game sometimes. The good news is both are recovering well and will be back to 100% in the near future.”
CDR Yamaha’s Craig Dack
For Bopping, it’s an unexpected return to the big rigs of professional racing. At the end of the 2015 season, Bopping took some time off racing to allow his health to recover after running himself into the ground.
Although he stopped racing, he never lost his love for riding a dirt bike and now with his health back under control, Bopping opted to join back into the racing fray for the 2018 Australian Supercross Championship and has enjoyed life in the fast lane once again.
Lawson Bopping
“I was pretty ran down by the end of the 2015 season and it felt like I just never had any energy so I had to make the call to step away from racing and get my body right. I wouldn’t say I’m 100% fit, but I feel pretty healthy at the moment and I’m loving being back at the races and doing supercross. It’s pretty exciting to get the call from Craig to do these final two rounds. It’s never good to get the gig because of rider injures so I feel for both Dean and Nathan in their situations. It’s going to be fun racing for CDR Yamaha again and I look forward to hanging out with the guys and racing their amazing bikes for the next couple of weekends and hopefully I can do a good job of keeping the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team flag flying high.”
Current CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team racer, Dylan Long, sits fifth in the points and looking to improve at the final round in Sydney.
The AUS-X Open roars to life at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on November 9 and 10, while the SX Open in Auckland will tear up Mt Smart Stadium on November 27.
McAdoo Set for AUS-X
20-year-old American Cameron Mcadoo has signed on to replace Bradley Taft as Penrite Honda Racing’s sole SX2 rider for this weekend’s AUS-X and for young star can’t wait to race in Australia alongside fellow Iowa rider Justin Brayton.
Cameron Mcadoo
“I have been riding and training with Justin at Club MX for the past two seasons. He is an inspiration and offers great advice and support. He always talks about Australia and I truly appreciate the opportunity Penrite Honda has given me to come out and compete. I was happy with several MX finishes and I hope to carry that momentum into Sydney. The bike here is competitive and I have watched the success they have had with many riders in the SX2 class over the last few seasons.”
Team director Yarrive Konsky considered all options for the teams SX2 replacement, but felt this was the best outcome.
Yarrive Konsky – Team Director
“We looked at riders in our RED RIDER program but they are aligned with different sponsors and we didn’t feel it was justified to disrupt that. All other top 10 riders are aligned with other brands so we wanted someone who was on a Honda and could fit straight into our program,” said Konsky.
RIP Dan Villopoto
Not long after helping his son Ryan compete in the Red Bull Straight Rhythm event and right in the middle of preparing for AUS-X in Australia, Dan Villopoto passed away late last week from a massive heart attack.
Ryan Villopoto paid tribute to his father, Dan
“This world we live in is a giving place but at the same time it can be cruel,” Ryan said from his @RyanVillopoto Instagram account. “I spent the last six weeks with my dad day in and day out working and training for the upcoming races overseas. For the first time in a long time it was real again, like when I was young. Love you Dad! You will be sorely missed by all.”
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
Three New Riders for CycleTrader/Rock River Yamaha
CycleTrader/Rock River Yamaha has signed Matt Bisceglia to contest the 2019 supercross season in the 450 class while in the 250 Class Brandon Hartranft and Jacob Hayes have signed to compete in both the AMA Supercross and the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championships.
What Racing is Left for 2018?
The countdown is on for the 93rd FIM International Six Day Enduro (ISDE), as Australia’s World Trophy, Junior Trophy and Women’s Trophy Teams head off to Vina del Mar, Chile this weekend and all of our teams have the ability to take the win while we also look to Sydney for AUS-X with Chad Reed touted as the favourite to win the event once again.
The Red Bull Knock Out Beach Race is on this weekend too and the big news is that MXoN winner Glenn Coldenhoff will go for victory against the World SS Enduro riders Billy Bolt, Josep Garcia, Taddy Blazusiak, Nathan Watson and Jonny Walker while Weston Beach race winner Todd Kellett is also on hand to have a crack at taking the win – see the list of the remaining events for 2018 below:
Australasia
Australian Supercross Championships – Nov. 11 – AUS-X Open – Sydney
New Zealand Supercross Championships
Nov. 24 – SX Open – Auckland
Dec. 1 – South Waikato
Dec. 15 – Southland
America
2018 AMA World Off-Road Championships (WORCS) – Nov. 9-11 – Primm, NV
2018 THOR Mini Olympics – Nov. 19-24 – Gainesville, FL
2018 Day In The Dirt – Nov. 24-26 – Glen Helen, CA
Canadian Triple Crown Supercross – Nov. 17 – Hamilton
Europe
Stuttgart Supercross – Nov. 9-10 – Germany
2018 Paris Supercross – Nov. 17-18 – Paris, France
World Enduro Super Series (WESS) – Nov. 10 – Red Bull Knock Out Beach Race – The Netherlands
ISDE – Nov. 12-17 – Chile
Geneva Supercross – Nov. 30/Dec. 1 – Switzerland
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
Representatives from the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation recently met with Mr Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports SL, along with the Sporting Director, Mr Carlos Ezpeleta, took a short break to visit the Island of Bali, staying at one of the five-star resorts at the Nusa Dua, a 350-ha integrated Tourism Estate, owned and managed by ITDC.
During this time, Mr Ezpeleta and Mr Abdulbar M. Mansoer, CEO and President Director of ITDC, toured and enjoyed the facilities at the Nusa Dua and also embarked on a day trip to the Island of Lombok to visit the Mandalika, another tourism resort project currently under development by ITDC, situated in the Southern Coast of the Island.
Mandalika
Specifically, for this trip, Dorna was visiting a possible location for hosting future Motorbike Race Events within the 1,175-ha integrated tourism estate. The Mandalika, an Integrated Tourism Complex is situated in the South of Lombok, next to the neighboring Island of Bali. With 16km of Beachfront, the Mandalika is managed under ITDC.
Mr Abdulbar M. Mansoer – CEO of ITDC
“Mr Carmelo Ezpeleta was primarily at the Nusa Dua for a well-deserved break at the Bali National Golf Club before heading out to Kuala Lumpur for the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang. It was not his first time to the Island as he visited the Nusa Dua around 2 years prior beforehand. For this visit, during his busy schedule and on route between the two races, he wanted to visit Bali as well as Lombok, where we welcomed him to the Mandalika and presented a potential concept to host future Motorbike Race Events. His visit was brief, but we believe that he sincerely enjoyed his break and of course we would be very happy to welcome him back to Bali and Lombok in the near future.”
ITDC Head of Investment & Marketing Ricky Baheramsjah, ITDC Director of Development Edwin Darmasetiawan, ITDC President Director and CEO Abdulbar M. Mansoer, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, Roadgrip Indonesia Director Raoul Pasaribu, Construction and Operation Director Ngurah Wirawan, Dorna Sporting Director Carlos Ezpeleta, MRK1 Consulting Managing Director Mark Hughes
Round 1 – WSBK – Phillip Island, VIC February 21 – 24
Round 2 – Wakefield Park, Goulburn NSW March 22 – 24
Round 3 – The Bend, Tailem Bend, SA April 26 – 28
Round 4 – Morgan Park, Warwick, QLD July 5 – 7
Round 5 – Winton, Benalla, VIC September 6 – 8
Round 6 – Phillip Island, VIC October 4 – 6
Round 7 – SMP, Eastern Creek, NSW November 1 – 3
2019 ASBK Calendar
ASBK
2018 was a great year for the revitalised Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship and in 2019 organisers aim to raise the bar even higher.
The ASBK season will be kicking off in February for the Official ASBK Pre-Season Test at the world-famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on the first weekend in February.
The Championship will then start in earnest back at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from 21 – 24 February in conjunctuion with the opening round of the FIM Superbike World Championship (WSBK).
Phillip Island
ASBK then returns to its first standalone round of the year as riders and fans head North to Wakefield Park Raceway in New South Wales for Round 2, from 22 – 24 March.
Wakefield Park
After an excellent maiden voyage in 2018, ASBK returns to The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia for Round 3 in late April.
Some of the rooftop crowd at The Bend in 2018
ASBK will then venture up to Queensland for Round 4 in early July for the poopular round at Morgan Park near Warwick.
Morgan Park
ASBK then returns to Victoria for rounds 5 and 6. Winton on the weekend of September 8 before the penultimate round of the 2019 ASBK Championship at Phillip Island on the first weekend in October.
Winton
It is a long time since ASBK hosted a season finale at Sydney Motorsports Park but 2019 will see ASBK back in Sydney for what will be the season finale over the first weekend in November.
Supersport 300 | Seth Curmp #57 – Oli Bayliss #86 – Hunter Ford #20 – Dylan Whiteside #32
“It was a hard race, first of all because I was starting from seventh place. I didn’t get a perfect start, and then my first lap was good but not one of the best of my career. Step by step, I overtook some riders and got to second place. I saw that Valentino was pushing and I started to chase him, lapping at qualifying pace! But in the process, I overheated the rear tyre; the front was also warming up quickly and the feeling wasn’t good. So for a few laps, I just tried to cool down and in so doing I began to feel better and better. I saw I was getting closer to Valentino and honestly that gave me extra motivation. At that moment, it was just a matter of instinct and pushing, something that you can do when you’ve already got the Championship. Unfortunately, he made a little mistake in turn one, which is a shame as it would have been nice to see how the duel would have ended. Anyway, when I saw him crash, I just cooled down and focused on finishing the race. We won, and that was the best way to seal the Constructors Championship. I would also like to congratulate Jorge Martin and “Pecco” Bagnaia for taking Championships. We’ll celebrate together in Valencia.”
Marc Marquez and Repsol Honda celebrate the win and the constructor’s championship
Alex Rins – P2
“I feel very happy because our race pace was strong and I was able to close the gaps to the other riders and pass them during the race. I still had very good pace even in the last few laps because I was able to manage the tyres well, but I lost time earlier in the race so that made it more difficult. We’re working really hard and we have found important things and learned more for next year. I’m very excited to go to Valencia, especially as we are feeling very strong with the bike now, and Suzuki deserve to end the season on a high.”
Alex Rins
Johann Zarco – P3
“I’m pretty happy, it was a fantastic race! But also difficult like usually in Malaysia. I was tired at the end, but the energy is coming back already. I think the key for that podium was the beginning of the race. I was thinking about overtaking Valentino (Rossi), but he was fast and it was good to be behind him. I could go away, but did a little mistake, when Marc overtook me. I tried to stay behind Marc, had a little gap, but was able to keep a good pace and then Valentino crashed, so I was second. I thought I can control, but four laps to the end Alex (Rins) was faster than me. Even if I was controlling the race well, when I tried to push a little bit more on the last laps, but I just got three tenths faster, which was not fast enough to keep the gap. He overtook me on the last lap. I tried to fight again, but I didn’t have any rear grip anymore. Anyway, the third place is a good finish.”
Johann Zarco
Maverick Vinales – P4
“I already said yesterday that we lost the race in qualifying. This morning I went out in the wet again and I finished first. Everything in MotoGP is so close now, so you have to start at the front. The tyre wear also gets worse when you’re fighting your way up from the back, you destroy the tyres. I was close to the podium, but with four laps to go the tyre dropped a lot and I couldn’t do anything about it. The team worked very well this weekend, they provided me with a really good bike. I think that, if I had started from the front, I would have been fighting for the race. I’m actually really happy that at three different tracks I was in contention to win. I think there are still many things that we can improve on, but things are better compared to before, and now I can be more consistent. I think Valencia will be a good track for us, I really like the track, it’s good for my riding style, so let’s see.”
Maverick Vinales
Dani Pedrosa- P5
“Today I focused a lot on the start because I was very far back on the grid. The start itself wasn’t perfect, but then I was able to recover a few places in the first corner. Unfortunately, I lost some ground with Dovi and Marc just a couple of turns later. Anyway, the feeling at the beginning of the race was good enough and I was able to stay there close to the front. On the other hand, toward the end I began struggling with grip again and I was passed by Rins and Viñales. All in all it was a little bit better race than usual. I would like to congratulate Martin for his title. He was able to overcome some difficulties this year, an injury and other issues, and he had a strong race today. He totally deserves this result.”
2018 Malaysian MotoGP
Andrea Dovizioso – P6
“I have to admit that today I’m disappointed because I wasn’t able to do the race I expected and suffered a lot with a lack of grip. As I said on Thursday, I had hoped for a dry race because we have always gone well in testing and practice in these conditions, but today I really struggled a lot and now we have to understand exactly what happened. In the end, thanks to Rossi’s error, we succeeded in taking home second place overall both in the Riders’ and Constructors’ standings, and I’m happy with this result even though this year we weren’t really able to oppose Marquez. I wish to thank the team because we have managed to do a great job, especially from mid-season onwards, but it’s not enough and we will still have to continue to work with commitment.”
Andrea Dovizioso
Álvaro Bautista – P7
“I struggled quite a lot with rear grip, I was losing a lot of traction on the exits of the corners and the bike was sliding around and running wide. I was quite limited with what I could do but I gave the maximum I could. We have finished as the second Ducati, four seconds behind Dovizioso on the factory bike, which I think is a good result and it keeps up my recent run of top ten finishes. It has been a good spell for us here in Asia.”
Álvaro Bautista
Jack Miller – P8
“We chose to use the medium tyre at the rear to try to do something different than the others. But we didn’t get the results we hoped for. From the beginning, I felt a lot of vibrations that didn’t allow me to have a competitive race pace. Honestly I expected more from this race”.
Jack Miller
Danilo Petrucci – P9
“I’m not happy with the way things went today. We had a good pace throughout the weekend but today I couldn’t manage the tyres and I struggled since the start. I tried to do my best but the temperature didn’t help. Conditions will be different at Valencia and I hope to get a good result to finish the season”.
Danilo Petrucci
Hafizh Syahrin – P10
“It’s just unbelievable! First of all, I want to say thank you very much to my team, because they always believe in me and give me great motivation. Yesterday has been a disaster for us, but we made up for it. In the starting grid, I saw my father and was just emotional and had to hug him. I want to thank everybody that came here. To arrive in the top 10 for my home GP was my target, but to be honest, I didn’t believe it was possible. But in the end, we did it, which is incredible. I want to thank everybody; I love my family and my fans. I’m so happy!”
Hafizh Syahrin
Aleix Espargaro’ – P11
“This was certainly one of the three most physically demanding races of my entire career. I started very badly and lost a lot of positions on the first turn, so I had to make up ground. After a few passes, a gap formed behind my brother, Pol. I managed to overtake him after a good battle. At that point, I was making up ground on the tenth place rider, but there were only a few laps left. Today’s result is positive, but we want to do more and we know we can, so we need to keep working and preparing our 2019 season as best we can.”
Aleix Espargaro’
Franco Morbidelli – P12
“I am happy with this result, it was a nice recovery to gain so many positions after starting from 19th on the grid. I am very satisfied with the work the team did this weekend and now I am really looking forward to the final race in Valencia.”
Malaysian MotoGP
Stefan Bradl – P13
“I’m happy, we finished in the points and that was my target. Of course, it was a tough race as I’d not ridden the bike in almost two months and then I arrived here in Malaysia and the conditions were unbelievably hot. Also the weather was inconsistent, so overall I think we did a good job and I’m happy with the team because they helped me a lot. As soon as I started with them this weekend it felt like I was back home, so I have to thank Lucio (Cecchinello) and the guys in the garage who did an incredible job. A big thanks to HRC as well as they built up a test schedule this year which allowed me this opportunity. Also I want to wish Cal (Crutchlow) a speedy recovery, I hope he’s recovering well and can come back as strong as he was before.”
Malaysian MotoGP
Takaaki Nakagami – P14
“The race was a bit of a struggle. The track temperature was quite good, although the condition wasn’t perfect. We chose a medium tyre for the front and a soft for the rear and I think that was the correct choice for us. But we couldn’t find the same kind of performance as in FP3 when we had a strong pace, around 2’01 laps. I wasn’t able to do that in the race and for me it was difficult to find the rear grip. The team did a great job all weekend and hopefully we can get our best result of the season in the last race in Valencia.”
Takaaki Nakagami
Bradley Smith – P15
“We were lacking performance all race with some technical issues which meant I couldn’t set my normal lap-times. I could still finish the race and took a point, which was a positive and there are just five points between Pol and me going into the last race. Five points is difficult to gain but it is still fun to be going into that situation. We worked well all weekend and the guys clearly know what they need to do and what they need to fix. I’m quite excited about Valencia. It will be my last Grand Prix and it is a track I enjoy. We’ll go there optimistic and keen to finish this chapter with KTM in a positive way.”
Bradley Smith
Tom Luthi – P16
“It was a hot race and I was struggling a little for the first two laps with rear edge grip and I nearly went down at the final corner. But then I found a good pace and felt good on the bike but later I struggled again with rear grip and I lost time which cost me a chance of some points. I was very close and so a pity that again I am in sixteenth place.”
2018 Malaysian MotoGP
Xavier Simeon – P17
“I knew that it would be a difficult race in dry conditions. Even though my start was better than in Australia, it still wasn’t good and I lost all the advantage I had with my starting position. But all in all, I am still satisfied with the outcome of the race, because I hadn’t felt comfortable in dry conditions before and in the race, my pace has been quite consistent and similar to the riders that finished close to the Top 10. Considering this, I am a little frustrated, because I did most of the things right to achieve another place within the point rankings, but I still struggle to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. In MotoGP, everything needs to be perfect and little details can make all the difference. Apart from that, the team has done a great job once again and I reduced the gap to the front runners a lot. In fact, I didn’t expect to be that close. Now we have to wait and see what will happen at Valencia. I hope Tito can ride again and for myself, I hope to enjoy my last race in MotoGP with the team.”
Xavier Simeon
Valentino Rossi – P18
“It was a great shame because this was my best race of the season. I felt comfortable, I had a good pace, I pushed, and I had the chance to win, but unfortunately with four or five laps to go I fell – I don’t understand what happened. I made a mistake, because I crashed. It’s such a pity, but it still remains a good weekend, because we improved the setting of the bike. I think we have to do some more work, but it looks like we were able to use the bike in a better way in the last few races. This is good, but we have to see if we’re also strong in Valencia. It’s a difficult track for us in general, but we have to try.”
Valentino Rossi
Scott Redding – P19
“Unfortunately, my race today ended after six laps. We had problems with grip throughout the weekend and as soon as the tyres began to wear a bit, it was impossible for me to push. Riding very aggressively, the improvement in times was minimum, so I was forced to set my sights on just finishing the race.”
2018 Malaysian MotoGP
Michele Pirro – DNF
“The fact that I only did one session on a dry track, with the race today being dry, for sure put me at a bit of a disadvantage. I started quite well and bit by bit was making up places when I lost the front at the last corner, probably because I pushed a bit too hard, and I crashed. I didn’t expect that to happen because I was trying to do a consistent race. I’m sorry for the team, and it’s a pity to finish the race in this way, because I could have got into the top 10 and instead I wasn’t able to bring home any points for the team.”
Michele Pirro
Andrea Iannone – DNF
“I’m a bit disappointed because we had the chance to take another podium, but I don’t want to focus on what happened today. I always try to think positively, and the good things are that I had strong pace and I had a really good feeling with the bike after the team and I worked hard together. So I’ll just remain focused on the last race of the season and I will give my all to have a good result there.”
Andrea Iannone
Pol Espargaro – DNF
“I was losing power while I was eleventh and we don’t know at the moment what the problem was, the guys are checking. It has been a tough couple of weeks: we didn’t have a good feeling in Japan and in Australia we were fast but the tyre blew and now we’ve had this issue. It has a been a tough end to the season but we’ll go to Valencia looking to finish things in a good way before we already think about 2019.”
Pol Espargaro
Karel Abraham – DNF
“It is incredible how much bad luck we have had this weekend. We had a technical problem on the first day, I had a crash as soon as it started raining yesterday and that left me in pain for today, when we had an electronic problem that shut the bike down and wouldn’t restart. I was feeling better this morning and I was close to the top ten in warm-up. I didn’t get a great start in the race but I had passed a couple of riders and was closing on Nakagami, who ended up fourteenth, when the bike stopped. We will work out the problem but I am disappointed because I think we could have repeated the performance from Japan and picked up some points, but unfortunately we go home with nothing.”
Karel Abraham
Team Managers
Herve Poncharal – Tech3 Yamaha Team Manager
“What an unbelievable day today here in Sepang Malaysia. I think the race direction took the right decision to move everything forward two hours. We had great sunshine, a beautiful race and regarding Monster Yamaha Tech3, I’m very proud. For Johann, after getting that great pole position last night, he got a great start, put his head down, followed Valentino (Rossi) for quite a few laps, then Marc (Marquez) came into that group and this trio has been almost leading the race for two thirds, then Johann dropped a little bit, but he was always in contention for that so dearly awaited podium, where we haven’t been since Jerez. I feel very sorry for Valentino, but he crashed, although I think he was doing a great race. At that moment we thought, the podium is almost in the bag and second position was quite easy and then we saw Rins coming from nowhere, doing incredible lap times. Congratulations to him. He passed us, but we are anyway very happy with the podium, a really strong weekend. It was a tough day today with the heat, with managing the body for the riders and also the tyres, so this is great. We are now leading the independent riders’ championship, which is the main target for us now – in fifth, joint with Alex Rins, so Valencia is going to be something to challenge for us. But of course, this is only one part of the garage. On the other side, I was feeling very sorry last night after Qualifying for Hafizh, because I know how important this Malaysian Grand Prix was for him. I know the effort he put in to reach MotoGP and finally for his first home GP he was so disappointed, so sad. I tried to cheer him up this morning, I tried to cheer him up on the grid and – I don’t know if there is a link in between what I told him and what he did, but the start was unreal. Maybe one of the best starts I’ve ever seen, at least this season and from that moment he was fighting with Miller, Petrucci and even Viñales at some stage. He finished the race in 10thposition, which is a dream for us and for him and I’m so happy, because Hafizh is not only an incredible team player, but he is a charming young man and he is the best ambassador Malaysia could have in MotoGP. I could feel how disappointed he was to see all the people coming to support him and him not delivering. Finally he did deliver and this is the cherry on the cake. We are going to fly back home after five weeks on the road, but we go home happy, positive in mind and ready to challenge what we have to do in Valencia.”
Johann Zarco
Massimo Meregalli – Yamaha Team Director
“For sure this is not the ending we had hoped for this weekend. The final results don‘t do justice to the pace of our riders, because they both had really strong form this weekend. Maverick had to start from the fourth row and make up a lot of ground. If he had started a bit more towards the front, he would have been a top contender today, because his pace matched Vale‘s. Valentino did exactly what he needed to do at the start. He was leading the race perfectly, so it‘s a great shame it ended the way it did. Nevertheless, we can take some positives from these last three races, as we made a step with the bike and were consistent in our performance. Today we were competitive at a circuit that doesn‘t necessarily play to our bike‘s strengths. So, with that in mind, we head to Valencia eager to fight at the front again during the season finale.”
Valentino Rossi
Ken Kawauchi – Suzuki Technical Manager
“Finally everything was OK and we did a good job. Today is a bitter sweet feeling because both riders had great pace but sadly Andrea couldn’t finish the race – I’m sure he would’ve also fought for the podium. But Alex managed to achieve 2nd and we’re so happy because it’s our third consecutive podium and we’ve had two second places in a row. I really want to thank everyone involved in this project, this season has been so positive. In the final race we hope to achieve that one thing we’ve been missing…”
Alex Rins and Team Suzuki celebrate
Davide Brivio – Suzuki Team Manager
“Of course we’re very happy! We took another podium, our eighth of the season! It’s great that our riders have had four podiums each, it’s good news for us and for all of Suzuki. I want to congratulate Alex for keeping his head down and fighting until the end to take 2nd position, it was excellent. I’m very sorry for Andrea because he could’ve been fighting for the podium too but he incurred in a very unlucky crash. I would like to say a big thank you to all the Team staff that are working very hard on improving our level and of course to all the Japanese guys back in the factory. We are living a positive moment and now we look forward to the last race of the year!”
Alex Rins and Team Suzuki celebrate
Mike Leitner – KTM Team Manager
“Disappointing today. Pol had good pace in the middle of the race and was going for tenth place but then we had a technical problem and we are still looking into the cause. Bradley got one point and while we cannot be happy with that we know that he gave his best. We’ll keep our motivation up for Valencia and look towards our next chapter in 2019. I think moments like these and the difficult first seasons are part of the learning process; it is a challenge, and we chose to be here. In Moto2 and Moto3 we were fighting until the end for the titles but it didn’t happen and we’ll look at things this winter and see what we can do better for next year.”
Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith
Piero Taramasso – Michelin
“This has been another Grand Prix where we have seen the tyres tested to extremes. The weekend began with lower temperatures than expected for Sepang on Friday – although still quite high – and the tyres performed really well and some very fast lap-times were set. This continued on Saturday morning and it looked like we were in a position to break the outright record in qualifying, but then it rained very heavily. This meant the MICHELIN Power Rain tyres were used in anger for one of the few times this year and again they gave excellent results in the difficult conditions. The times were quick and the grip was really good and it produced an exciting qualifying. Today then saw temperatures rise to more than we had seen all weekend and with the information the teams had and with the assistance from their respective technicians, the best tyres were chosen. This produced a fast race which saw us break the duration record, this is one of the most important time benchmarks for us, as it shows the durability and consistency over race distance. There were also three different manufacturers on the podium, which is again a very important marker for Michelin, as it shows performance for all types of bikes. This has been a long trip, but we have had some very good results, learned a lot about the overall performance of the slick and wet tyres and the different compounds in many changeable conditions. We now head back to Europe for the final round and then get ready to start testing for 2019.”
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) claimed his 70th career win after taking victory at the Shell Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix. The 2018 Champion looked set to lock horns with nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) in the final stages, but the race would end in disaster for ‘The Doctor’ as he crashed out with four to go.
Marc Marquez and Repsol Honda celebrate the win and the constructor’s championship
Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) completed the podium at Sepang International Circuit, the latter from pole, and home hero Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) stormed from the back of the grid to the top ten in a race to remember in Malaysia.
2018 Malaysian MotoGP
When the lights went out it was Rossi who got a stellar launch from P2, with pole man Zarco slightly sluggish off the line and ‘The Doctor’ getting a comfortable holeshot ahead of the the Frenchman, who managed to brake late to slot into P2. Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) was able to leapfrog Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) into P3 at the start, with Marquez making up one position into P6.
2018 Malaysian MotoGP
The premier class riders then settled, but this came after Marquez and teammate Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) exchanged paint on the opening lap. The 2018 Champion would soon start to make his way forward though, despite a hairy last corner moment at the end of the opening lap that led to Iannone crashing out directly behind the seven-time Champion.
2018 Malaysian MotoGP
Back at the front, Rossi and Zarco were off as Yamaha had a 1-2 in the opening exchanges, but Marquez hunted them down after making his way past Miller. The Honda rider was on the exhaust of Zarco’s M1 machine and soon enough he managed to slice his way through. Turn 14 was the chosen destination after a slight error from the number 5 machine, with arch-rival Rossi now in his sights. But the number 46 was in an excellent rhythm at the front as the gap between the duo hovered at 3/4s of a second, with Zarco beginning to lose touch at the halfway stage of the race as Rossi continued to press on. 1.1 seconds was the gap to Marquez as 10 laps ticked over at Sepang.
2018 Malaysian MotoGP
With eight to go, Rossi was still pumping in the lap times to keep the gap above a second to Marquez, with Zarco now over three seconds behind his fellow Yamaha rider. However, the gap then dipped below the one-second barrier with seven to go and the seven-time Champion was hunting down the nine-time Champion. As ever, Marquez was pushing the limit and there was a slight scare for the number 93 at Turn 5; a ‘mini Marquez moment’, let’s say.
Valentino Rossi
With five to go at Sepang, the gap was just 0.7, as we set ourselves for a grandstand finish between two of the sport’s all-time greats. But then, disaster struck ‘The Doctor’. A return to victory after 26 races went begging as he lost the front of his YZR-M1 at Turn 1 with four laps to go and he picked up his stricken Yamaha in front of the Rossi grandstand, leaving Marquez with a lonely ride home to the win. The result also sealed the Constructors’ crown for Honda, adding yet more to celebrate for the number 93 and his factory.
Marc Marquez
The battle for P2 and P3 between Zarco and Rins was far from finished, however. As the last lap began, Zarco led but Rins was soon past, with the Frenchman having no answer for the Suzuki and the Spaniard crossing the line to take his fourth podium of the season. Zarco took his first since Jerez in third, not able to quite strike back but completing a top weekend for both.
Sepang MotoGP Race Results 1 – Marc Marquez (SPA) HONDA 40’32.372 2 – Alex Rins (SPA) SUZUKI +1.898 3 – Johann Zarco (FRA) YAMAHA +2.474
After a less than impressive start, Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) recovered to string together a strong latter half of the Grand Prix to finish P4, with Pedrosa crossing the line P5 on his final racing visit to the Sepang International Circuit. It was a subdued race for one of the pre-race favourites Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), however, as the winner here for the last two seasons couldn’t replicate those results and took P6. After Rossi’s crash though, the Italian has sealed P2 in the Championship.
Andrea Dovizioso
Angel Nieto Team’s Alvaro Bautista was P7 in his penultimate MotoGP race and he led fellow Desmosedici rider Miller as the Australian slipped down to P8 after a good start. P9 was his teammate Danilo Petrucci, but arguably ride of the day went to a certain Malaysian: Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3).
Hafizh Syahrin
Starting P23, the home hero was able to get a stunning start as he got himself up to P12 on the opening lap, eventually claiming P10 to close Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) down in the battle for ‘Rookie of the Year’. Emotional before and after the race, it was the first time a Malaysian had ever competed in the premier class and Syahrin marked the occasion in style – even heading out onto the main straight to throw his gloves into a deservedly adoring crowd.
Morbidelli took P12 to limit some of that damage in the standings and remains ahead, just behind Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini). LCR Honda Castrol replacement rider Stefan Bradl claimed P13 and points, the German finishing just ahead of teammate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu), with Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) completing the points.
A scorching encounter in Sepang ends with Marquez on top once more, with Rossi left to ponder on what could have been. Valencia in a couple of weeks’ time brings to 2018 Championship to a close.
2018 MotoGP Sepang Results
Pos
Rider
Team
Laps
1.
Marquez M.
Repsol Honda
40:32.372
2.
Rins A.
Team Suzuki Ecstar
+1.898
3.
Zarco J.
Monster Tech 3
+2.474
4.
Vinales M.
Movistar Yamaha
+4.667
5.
Pedrosa D.
Repsol Honda
+6.190
6.
Dovizioso A.
Ducati Team
+11.248
7.
Bautista A.
Angel Nieto Team
+15.611
8.
Miller J.
Alma Pramac Racing
+19.009
9.
Petrucci D.
Alma Pramac Racing
+22.921
10.
Syahrin H.
Monster Tech 3
+26.919
11.
Espargaro A.
Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
+29.503
12.
Morbidelli F.
Marc VDS Racing Team
+30.933
13.
Bradl S.
LCR Honda
+35.322
14.
Nakagami T.
LCR Honda
+37.912
15.
Smith B.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
+39.675
16.
Luthi T.
Marc VDS Racing Team
+41.820
17.
Simeon X.
Reale Avintia Racing
+43.978
18.
Rossi V.
Movistar Yamaha
+58.288
19.
Redding S.
Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
+1:00.191
DNF
Espargaro P.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
Retired
DNF
Pirro M.
Ducati Team
Accident
DNF
Abraham K.
Angel Nieto Team
Retired
DNF
Iannone A.
Team Suzuki Ecstar
Accident
Marc Marquez and Repsol Honda celebrate the win and the constructor’s championship
2018 MotoGP Sepang Standings
Pos
Rider
Team
Points
1.
Marquez Marc
Repsol Honda Team
321
2.
Dovizioso Andrea
Ducati Team
220
3.
Rossi Valentino
Movistar Yamaha MotoGP
195
4.
Vinales Maverick
Movistar Yamaha MotoGP
193
5.
Rins Alex
Team Suzuki Ecstar
149
6.
Zarco Johann
Monster Yamaha Tech 3
149
7.
Crutchlow Cal
LCR Honda
148
8.
Petrucci Danilo
Alma Pramac Racing
144
9.
Iannone Andrea
Team Suzuki Ecstar
133
10.
Lorenzo Jorge
Ducati Team
130
11.
Pedrosa Dani
Repsol Honda Team
106
12.
Bautista Alvaro
Angel Nieto Team
105
13.
Miller Jack
Alma Pramac Racing
91
14.
Morbidelli Franco
Marc VDS Racing Team
50
15.
Espargaro Aleix
Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
44
16.
Syahrin Hafizh
Monster Yamaha Tech 3
40
17.
Rabat Tito
Reale Avintia Racing
35
18.
Espargaro Pol
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
35
19.
Smith Bradley
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
30
20.
Nakagami Takaaki
LCR Honda
23
21.
Redding Scott
Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
15
22.
Abraham Karel
Angel Nieto Team
10
23.
Kallio Mika
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
6
24.
Bradl Stefan
Honda Racing Corporation
3
25.
Nakasuga Katsuyuki
Yamaha Factory Team
2
26.
Simeon Xavier
Reale Avintia Racing
1
27.
Pirro Michele
Ducati Team
1
28.
Luthi Thomas
Marc VDS Racing Team
0
29.
Torres Jordi
MV Agusta Reparto Corse
0
30.
Jones Mike
Reale Avintia Racing
0
31.
Guintoli Sylvain
Pata Yamaha Official WSBK Team
0
32.
Ponsson Christophe
Ponsson C.
0
Marc Marquez and Repsol Honda celebrate the win and the constructor’s championship
MotoGP Team Standings
Pos
Team
Points
1.
Repsol Honda Team
427
2.
Movistar Yamaha MotoGP
388
3.
Ducati Team
363
4.
Suzuki MotoGP
282
5.
Alma Pramac Racing
235
6.
Monster Yamaha Tech 3
189
7.
LCR Honda
174
8.
Angel Nieto Team
102
9.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
65
10.
Aprilia Racing Team Gresini
59
11.
Estrella Galicia 0,0
50
12.
Reale Avintia Racing
36
Francesco Bagnaia (Sky Racing Team VR46) clinched the 2018 Moto2 World Championship at the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix after finishing P3 at Sepang, with title rival Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) just up the road in second. Bagnaia’s teammate Luca Marini made it an even more memorable day for Sky Racing Team VR46 as he secured his maiden Grand Prix victory in style after coming so close on a number of occasions.
As the lights went out, both of the Championship rivals got off to a flyer but it was Marini who led coming out of Turn 1 after a messy opening corner for his fellow front row starters; Fabio Quartararo (MB Conveyors – Speed Up) and Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) both running in hot. This allowed Bagnaia and Oliveira to slip through up the inside to get into P2 and P3; pretty much the perfect getaway for ‘Pecco’, who slotted in behind teammate Marini.
Marini then got himself into a rhythm at the front, with Bagnaia and Oliveira battling away for P2 – the title firmly in Bagnaia’s hands at this early stage of the race, even with Oliveira making a pass stick at Turn 4 with 12 laps to go. The Portuguese rider then locked his radar on race leader Marini, who now had a one second lead, with Bagnaia starting to slip into the clutches of compatriot Mattia Pasini (Italtrans Racing Team). Polesitter Marquez and Lorenzo Baldassarri (Pons HP40) were also in hot pursuit of the Championship leader.
Oliveira had reeled in Marini 11 laps remaining, with a win for the KTM rider enough to take the title chase down to Valencia if Bagnaia dropped below the podium positions. With six to go, it seemed the battle for the win was between Marini and Oliveira, with both Baldassarri and Marquez losing touch in the fight for the final podium spot – and Pasini still 0.4 behind countryman Bagnaia.
In sweltering Sepang conditions, Marini was being made to sweat by Oliveira as the continued to look strong for a first Grand Prix win. But the Italian was on rails as he soaked up the pressure from the KTM behind and with two to go, a 0.7 gap had appeared. Going into the final lap, Marini had the biggest lead he’d had for a while, with Bagnaia sitting comfortably in a Championship clinching P3 – and with over a second cushion back to Pasini.
As the chequered flag was waved it was double delight for Sky Racing Team VR46 as Marini took a magnificent maiden Grand Prix victory, with Bagnaia coming home third to seal the 2018 Moto2 World Championship. Oliveira didn’t go down without a fight as he took P2 at the Sepang International Circuit – and his 11th podium of the season, but it wasn’t quite enough.
Pasini crossed the line in P4, with Quartararo rounding out the top five after getting the better of sixth place Baldassarri and seventh place Marquez in the latter stages. Australian GP winner Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took P8 in Malaysia after struggling with grip, with Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP) and Joan Mir (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) rounding out the top ten in P9 and P10 respectively.
Remy Gardner looked set for a top six finished until a crash with thirteen laps to go.
Remy Gardner
“I was really pushing but just didn’t have the grip and was sliding all over from the very first corners. Marquez made a clean pass but it put me onto the dirty part of the track and I tucked the front. Another unlucky incident but I’m proving that I have the speed to race with the top guys which is encouraging for the final race and for next year. I can take the positives from the weekend after qualifying fourth. Big thanks to all the tweets and support from everyone around the globe. See you in Spain!”
Remy Gardner #87
Just like the lightweight class, the 2018 intermediate class crown was decided in Malaysia and it went the way of ‘Pecco’. A stunning season for the Italian, with teammate Marini continuing his fantastic 2018.
2018 Moto2 Sepang Results
Pos
Rider
Team
Time
1.
Marini L.
Sky Racing Team VR46
38:25.689
2.
Oliveira M.
Red Bull KTM Ajo
+1.194
3.
Bagnaia F.
Sky Racing Team VR46
+3.020
4.
Pasini M.
Italtrans Racing Team
+4.497
5.
Quartararo F.
Beta Tools-Speed Up Racing
+5.250
6.
Baldassarri L.
Pons HP40
+5.305
7.
Marquez A.
Estrella Galicia Marc VDS
+7.690
8.
Binder B.
Red Bull KTM Ajo
+8.943
9.
Schrotter M.
Dynavolt Intact GP
+9.687
10.
Mir J.
Estrella Galicia Marc VDS
+18.547
11.
Vierge X.
Dynavolt Intact GP
+18.816
12.
Locatelli A.
Italtrans Racing Team
+19.739
13.
Navarro J.
Federal Oil Gresini
+21.177
14.
Aegerter D.
Kiefer Racing
+21.960
15.
Lowes S.
SWI
+26.875
16.
Corsi S.
Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2
+28.515
17.
Pawi K. I.
Idemitsu Honda Team Asia
+28.802
18.
Roberts J.
NTS RW Racing GP
+29.791
19.
Raffin J.
Garage Plus Interwetten
+30.557
20.
Pons E.
Pons HP40
+31.069
21.
Odendaal S.
NTS RW Racing GP
+38.430
22.
Danilo J.
SAG Team
+42.930
23.
Pratama D. E.
Federal Oil Gresini
+57.507
24.
Vinales I.
Forward Racing Team
+57.910
25.
Fuligni F.
Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2
+1:03.737
26.
Sucipto R. T.
QMMF Racing Team
+2:04.066
DNF
Fernandez A.
Pons HP40
Accident
DNF
Tuuli N.
SIC Racing Team
Accident
DNF
Nagashima T.
Idemitsu Honda Team Asia
Retired
DNF
Gardner R.
Tech 3 Racing
Retired
DNF
Cardelus X.
Team Stylobike
Retired
DNF
Lecuona I.
SWI
Retired
Francesco Bagnaia
Moto2 Championship Standings
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
1.
Bagnaia Francesco
Sky Racing Team VR46
304
2.
Oliveira Miguel
Red Bull KTM Ajo
272
3.
Binder Brad
Red Bull KTM Ajo
201
4.
Baldassarri Lorenzo
Pons HP40
162
5.
Marquez Alex
Estrella Galicia Marc VDS Team Moto2
157
6.
Mir Joan
Estrella Galicia Marc VDS Team Moto2
155
7.
Marini Luca
Sky Racing Team VR46
147
8.
Schrotter Marcel
Dynavolt Intact GP
138
9.
Vierge Xavi
Dynavolt Intact GP
131
10.
Quartararo Fabio
Beta Tools-Speed Up Racing
128
11.
Pasini Mattia
Italtrans Racing Team
128
12.
Lecuona Iker
Swiss Innovative Investors
60
13.
Navarro Jorge
Federal Oil Gresini Moto2
58
14.
Lowes Sam
Swiss Innovative Investors
49
15.
Corsi Simone
Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2
47
16.
Locatelli Andrea
Italtrans Racing Team
45
17.
Aegerter Dominique
Kiefer Racing
42
18.
Fernandez Augusto
Pons HP40
37
19.
Gardner Remy
Tech 3 Racing
29
20.
Nagashima Tetsuta
Idemitsu Honda Team Asia
23
21.
Fenati Romano
Marinelli Snipers Team
14
22.
Barbera Hector
Pons HP40
10
23.
Raffin Jesko
Garage Plus Interwetten
9
24.
Manzi Stefano
Forward Racing Team
8
25.
Kent Danny
Beta Tools-Speed Up Racing
8
26.
Vinales Isaac
Forward Racing Team
7
27.
Roberts Joe
NTS RW Racing GP
5
28.
Bendsneyder Bo
Tech 3 Racing
2
29.
Pawi Khairul Idham
Idemitsu Honda Team Asia
1
30.
Pons Edgar
Pons HP40
1
31.
Odendaal Steven
NTS RW Racing GP
1
32.
Tuuli Niki
SIC Racing Team
1
33.
Warokorn Thitipong
APH PTT The Pizza SAG
0
34.
Granado Eric
Forward Racing Team
0
35.
Danilo Jules
SAG Team
0
36.
Garzo Hector
Garzo H.
0
37.
Tulovic Lukas
Kiefer Racing
0
38.
Fuligni Federico
Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2
0
39.
Staring Bryan
Go & Fun Honda Gresini
0
40.
Cardelus Xavi
Team Stylobike
0
41.
Pratama Dimas Ekky
Federal Oil Gresini Moto2
0
42.
Medina Alejandro
SAG Team
0
43.
Morais Sheridan
Willirace Racing Team
0
44.
Perolari Corentin
Promoto Sport
0
45.
Khairuddin Zulfahmi
SIC Racing Team
0
46.
Sucipto Rafid Topan
QMMF Racing Team
0
47.
Tangre Cedric
Yohan Moto Sport
0
Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) was crowned the Moto3 World Champion at the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix after claiming a stunning Sepang International Circuit victory, with main Championship rival Marco Bezzecchi (Redox PruestelGP) slipping down to P5 on the final lap to hand the title to the Spaniard. Leopard Racing teammates Lorenzo Dalla Porta and Enea Bastianini completed the podium after another hard-fought contest in Malaysia.
It was Martin who got the best launch off the line from pole position but with a long run down into Turn 1, Bezzecchi was able to get in his slipstream and brake later to get the holeshot. A tentative lap followed for the Spaniard, who dropped down to P5 by the end of the first lap and at the end of Lap 2, the Championship leader was P8. Bezzecchi, meanwhile, was heading the pack…
The latter then lost the lead of the race at the start of Lap 4, with fellow KTM rider Darryn Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) getting aggressive heading into Turn 1, forcing Bezzecchi out wide and dropping him to sixth, just ahead of Martin. Meanwhile, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) had got past his teammate as the duo battled for P8 – and Martin dropped to P10 at the end of Lap 5.
You could cut the tension with a knife and on Lap 6 there was a nerve-wracking moment between Bezzecchi and fellow Italian Tony Arbolino (Marinelli Snipers Team) as they came together on the exit of Turn 6, both – thankfully – staying upright. Then, with 10 laps to go, Martin started to make progress and at the final corner, a phenomenal late lunge underneath race leader Bezzecchi from P6 almost paid off. The slipstream down the straight, though, did pay off as Martin took the lead of the race. Was this his time to pull the pin?
The answer was yes, but he couldn’t break away. Bezzecchi was back through with nine to go at the final corner and then, with eight laps to go, contact between the two main title leaders at Turn 1. Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) then took the baton and started to create a gap but suddenly, at Turn 1, the Spaniard tucked the front and crashed out of contention – rider ok. The gloves were now off at the front with a huge seven laps remaining and a title on the line.
The hustle and bustle at the front kept on going in true Moto3™ style. But then in true Martin style, with three laps of the race to go and the Championship firmly in the balance, the pin was definitely pulled this time. The Spaniard hit the front and suddenly there was a 0.8 second lead appearing, with Bezzecchi unable to get past Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) and Arbolino. This gap continued to grow as it looked increasingly difficult for Bezzecchi to get the better of Martin, and the Italian’s attention firmly switched to keeping his title aspirations alive.
On the prowl behind Bezzecchi were a gaggle of hungry Moto3 riders. Di Giannantonio, Dalla Porta, Arbolino, Albert Arenas (Angel Nieto Team), Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Enea Bastianini (Leopard Racing) and Binder were all there in the hunt for P2. The last lap started and at Turn 4, Bezzecchi was out on the curb and down to P5 – a Championship losing position. Could the Italian recover? The answer was no, Bezzecchi pushed all he could but would cross the line P5. Despair for the Italian, and jubilation for Martin who took the victory by an impressive 3.5 seconds.
Dalla Porta crossed the line in P2 for his fifth podium of the season, with teammate Bastianini recovering in the latter stages to grab a podium that means he becomes the most successful Moto3 rider in history on rostrum count.
Sepang Moto3 Race Results 1 – Jorge Martin (SPA) HONDA 38’34.799 2 – Lorenzo Dalla Porta (ITA) HONDA +3.556 3 – Enea Bastianini (ITA) HONDA +3.757
Australian GP winner Arenas missed out on a podium by 0.038, with Bezzecchi pipping ‘Diggia’ on the line – and the duo now have P2 in the Championship to fight for in Valencia. Binder ended the race in P7, Arbolino was eighth, Suzuki P9 and teammate Niccolo Antonelli securing a top ten on his return from injury.
Starting from the pitlane, home hero Adam Norrodin (Petronas Sprinta Racing) produced a stunning comeback rider to get himself into the lead group. But with little over two laps to go, the Malaysian rider crashed out at the final corner. John McPhee (CIP – Green Power), Dennis Foggia (SKY Racing Team VR46) and Alonso Lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0) all crashed at Turn 9, with Celestino Vietti (SKY Racing Team VR46) also crashing in a separate incident at the same place.
Rossi was on fire before late mistake ends in ashes
Valentino Rossi had a heroic run at the Sepang International Circuit, but it ended in heartbreak on lap 17 when the Italian superstar crashed out of the lead. He was able to rejoin the race and took the chequered flag in 18th place.
Valentino Rossi
“It was a great shame because this was my best race of the season. I felt comfortable, I had a good pace, I pushed, and I had the chance to win, but unfortunately with four or five laps to go I fell – I don’t understand what happened. I made a mistake, because I crashed. It’s such a pity, but it still remains a good weekend, because we improved the setting of the bike. I think we have to do some more work, but it looks like we were able to use the bike in a better way in the last few races. This is good, but we have to see if we’re also strong in Valencia. It’s a difficult track for us in general, but we have to try.”
A champion in defeat
Despite the disappointment Rossi still acknowledged all of the fans on the slow down lap and put on a brave face for the cameras. This is not his first rodeo… But still, impressive to see his demeanour after the heartache.
Valentino Rossi
In another great display of sportsmanship from an opposite side of the fence. The injured Jorge Lorenzo tweeted after the race the following.
Jorge Lorenzo
“Apart from the crash, I’ve never seen @ValeYellow46 so consistent. More than ten laps in just one-tenth at the hottest and longest track impressed me today. And some said he started to feel his age after the last race….”
Rossi had a perfect start from second, taking the hole shot and holding the lead superbly. He had a stunning consistent pace that allowed him to make a clean getaway from his pursuers.
Valentino Rossi
Though his advantage went up and down over the first half of the race, there was no one who could really reach Rossi at the front, let alone make an attempt at passing the nine-time World Champion.
Valentino Rossi
However, in the final ten laps the heat and the tyre degradation meant Marc Márquez was closing in.
Valentino Rossi
The Doctor responded by picking up the pace and defended his first place brilliantly, but a small mishap in Turn 1 on lap 17 caused him to slide down the tarmac. He was able to rejoin the race in 18th place and finished in the same position, 58.288s from first.
Valentino Rossi
Today’s results see Rossi hold on to third position in the championship standings with a 25-point gap to second.
Massimo Meregalli – Yamaha Team Director
“For sure this is not the ending we had hoped for this weekend. The final results don‘t do justice to the pace of our riders, because they both had really strong form this weekend. Maverick had to start from the fourth row and make up a lot of ground. If he had started a bit more towards the front, he would have been a top contender today, because his pace matched Vale‘s. Valentino did exactly what he needed to do at the start. He was leading the race perfectly, so it‘s a great shame it ended the way it did. Nevertheless, we can take some positives from these last three races, as we made a step with the bike and were consistent in our performance. Today we were competitive at a circuit that doesn‘t necessarily play to our bike‘s strengths. So, with that in mind, we head to Valencia eager to fight at the front again during the season finale.”
16-year-old Billy Van Eerde today won the 2018 Asia Talent Cup Championship after an unbelievable weekend of racing at Sepang.
Jack Miller has been instrumental in helping Billy this season both at the track, and in a massive way away from the track
It came down to the line and Billy was actually beaten to the flag by championship rival Haruki Noguchi. However, the Japanese rider had a coming together on the straight with Malaysian rider Danial Sharil.
[embedded content]
An investigation immediately after the race then judged Noguchi to have been guilty of irresponsible riding and docked him 27-seconds, which promoted Billy to the race win, and with that enough points to be crowned Asia Talent Cup Champion.
A coming together at the flag decided the championship
Billy only joined the Asia Talent Cup for the first time this year, while many of his competitors, including Noguchi have had multiple years in the tightly contested category on controlled Honda NSF250R motorcycles.
Billy Van Eerde with mum Sue
I don’t think it is out of place for me to say that all of us that are regularly involved in Australian Road Racing are immensely proud of Billy’s achievement today, and feel lucky to have seen his progression from the start as he made his transtion from dirt track in the ranks of ASBK Supersport 300 on a KTM.
Billy Van Eerde
I reckon it is also fair to say that quite a few of shed a tear this evening as we watched the realisation dawn on Billy that he had won the championship.
Billy Van Eerde – 2018 Asia Talent Cup Champion
Alberto Puig (Talent Promotion Director)
“As always this Cup is about evolution during the year and some guys make more of an evolution than others, van Eerde started step by step but has been progressing, as have many other riders, and finally he was the Champion and we have to congratulate him. I think this incident in the last race made it a little it strange, but in the points he’s the Champion and that’s what counts. Overall we’re happy with the year, we’re satisfied we had another season of the Cup because it’s always complicated.”
Billy Van Eerde – 2018 Asia Talent Cup Champion2018 Asia Talent Cup Top ThreeBilly Van Eerde – 2018 Asia Talent Cup Champion – #19
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