Repsol Honda rider returns after off-season shoulder surgery.
Image: Supplied.
Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez admits his crash on day three of testing at Sepang came as a result of discovering his physical limit.
The Spaniard was easing back into riding throughout the three-day test after undergoing shoulder surgery in the off-season, the Repsol Honda rider expressing his relief to come out of the incident unscathed.
“I finished the day with a good feeling as this morning we had a good rhythm and I put in the most effort today,” said Marquez. “I had a small crash at turn 15, but this was down to physical condition.
“It’s good to know where the limit is, of course it would have been better to not crash but I am okay after it. Today I did 47 laps again, but it was with a different rhythm. I tried a few things but there is still work to do. The runs today were a little longer today but our speed was still good.”
Marquez was 12th fastest on the final day of testing, while his next outing will be in Qatar on 22 February.
Herlings believes brutal Hawkstone was ‘useful practice’
Section: Competition
Red Bull KTM entry scores overall victory in Great Britain.
Image: Supplied.
Multi-time world champion Jeffrey Herlings says the Hawkstone International was ‘useful practice’ despite the brutally muddy conditions in Great Britain.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider, who went 3-1 to secure the overall victory, believes the outing was still beneficial as similar conditions could potentially strike Matterley Basin’s MXGP World Championship opener next month.
“I felt good today,” Herlings stated. “It was a shame to have that start crash in the first moto but I still came back from last to third and almost got Glenn [Coldenhoff]. Then I holeshot and led the whole way in the second.
“It was about survival and there was only really one line to use, so passing the lappers was tricky. Anyway, we got it done. It was useful practice because Matterley could be the same!”
Round one of the MX2 World Championship is scheduled for 1 March at Matterley Basin in Great Britain.
KTM RC16 upgrades ‘what we were missing’ declares Espargaro
Section: Competition
Spaniard samples a number of components in three-day Sepang test.
Image: Supplied.
Pol Espargaro says the upgrades made to the 2020 KTM RC16’s engine and electronics are what he was previously missing after a positive outing at the Sepang test.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider tested an extensive amount of components to the engine, electronics and chassis, while he also concentrated on different swingarms and the new Michelin tyre allocation.
The Spaniard went 8-8-7 on the timesheets across the three days, leaving Espargaro with a strong mindset as the season-opener approaches.
“We’ve done a lot these six days,” Espargaro stated. “Today was successful – we tested the new Michelin tyres and we made our conclusions. We also worked on the swingarm because we felt we were losing grip in hot conditions from the soft tyres so we wanted to understand why.
“We learned a lot actually. We have more horsepower and the electronics are working smoother which allows you to open the throttle earlier in the corners and is important here in Sepang and what we were missing before.
“Overall it feels very good. In Qatar we will restart. We might have different problems and we’ll have different tyres so we’ll begin again and hopefully have the same results.”
The next MotoGP outing is scheduled for 22 February in Qatar for the final pre-season test ahead of round one, slated for 8 March at the Losail circuit.
It’s enough to send shivers up your spine, but an Indian man has ridden 11km with a deadly krait snake inside his helmet.
School teacher Ranjith told Indian news website Mathrubhumi that he didn’t feel the snake and was not bitten.
Ranjith is very lucky as the krate is one of the top four species that inflict the most snakebites in India.
As for the snake, it died from being crushed inside the helmet.
As for the helmet, Ranjith burnt it!
“I think the snake might have got into the helmet from the pond near my house,” he told Mathrubhumi.
“The snake was inside my helmet for a long time, but I never felt anything unusual while wearing it.”
Snake hitchhikers
Snakes have not only been known to hitch rides on planes, but also on motorcycles before as these videos show.
They are attracted to the warmth of the engine as well as the dark and warmth of the cavity under the seat.
The reptile usually boards the bike while it is parked somewhere.
We have run over many snakes while riding and none has been flicked up on to the bike.
Spiders are also common unwelcome hitchhikers.
I once rode almost 500km from Bateman’s Bay to Mudgee with a big spider on my jacket which I had stupidly placed on the ground while I drank my coffee.
Never, ever put your helmet or jacket on the ground! Lesson learnt.
On another occasion I had a hornet in my jacket that repeatedly bit me for several kilometres until I could find it and kill it.
If you are bitten by a snake, spider or other venomous creature, obviously seek medical attention as soon as possible.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service has a Fast First Aid booklet with advice for people with no medical training on how to manage first-aid situations. It includes managing a heart attack, snake bites, choking, burns and severe bleeding.
It is free in NSW and ACT only. To receive your copy text ‘NOW’ to 0428 044 444.
There are about 3000 reported snakebites each year resulting in between 200 and 500 requiring anti-venom and an average of one or two fatalities.
Tar snakes … not to be confused with real snakes!
RFDS guide on snake bites
Do try to note the colour, size, distinctive markings and patterns of the snake without putting yourself at risk. A positive identification will help medics get the correct anti-‐venom into the patient more quickly.
Do NOT wash the area of the bite or try to suck out the venom. It is extremely important to retain traces of venom for use with venom identification kits.
Do NOT incise or cut the bite, or apply a high tourniquet. Cutting or incising the bite won’t help. High tourniquets are ineffective and can be fatal if released.
Do stop the spread of venom – bandage firmly, splint and immobilise. All the major medical associations recommend slowing the spread of venom by placing a folded pad over the bite area and then applying a firm bandage. It should not stop blood flow to the limb or congest the veins. Only remove the bandage in a medical facility, as the release of pressure will cause a rapid flow of venom through the bloodstream.
Do NOT allow the victim to walk or move their limbs.
Use a splint or sling to minimise all limb movement. Put the patient on a stretcher or bring transportation to the patient.
Do seek medical help immediately as the venom can cause severe damage to health or even death within a few hours.
Have you ever had a snake, spider or other unwelcome guest on your motorcycle? How did you deal with it? Leave your comments below.
Australian lands moto two podium in Great Britain.
Image: Supplied.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Jed Beaton made his racing return in brutal conditions at the Hawkstone International on the weekend, marking his first competitive outing since July last year.
The Australian, who’s coming off an injury-riddled 2019 campaign, performed strongly at the British event that was marred by heavy rain, pushing through to record a 7-2 scorecard for fourth overall.
Despite the muddy conditions, Beaton was thrilled to be back behind the gates as he prepares for the 2020 MX2 World Championship.
“Today was my first race in quite a while, so I was easing myself back into it,” Beaton explained. “I got off to a really bad start in race one and with the heavy rain it was a tough opening few laps.
“I managed to get into a rhythm and started moving forward. It was raining the whole time so it was a bit of a miserable moto, but it was good to be racing again. The second moto was much better. I got off to a much better start and managed to avoid some chaos in the second turn.
“That put me into fifth position and then I made a few passes and moved into second. By the time I got there, the leader had checked out. It was great to be in second and ride my own race, which I held to the flag.”
The opening round of the MX2 World Championship is scheduled for 1 March at Matterley Basin in Great Britain.
Pramac’s Miller exits Sepang test with positive changes
Section: Competition
Ducati pilot performs strongly across the three days in Malaysia.
Image: Supplied.
Jack Miller has exited the opening pre-season MotoGP test at Sepang by making positive changes to his Ducati Desmosedici GP20, the Australian performing strongly across the three days.
The Pramac Racing entry went 5-2-8 on the timesheets over the duration of the test, signifying a promising start to his own development onboard the latest spec Ducati.
“A positive final three-day test in Malaysia,” Miller commented. “We made many changes today, we were lucky that it was dry until the last 20 minutes. We are always happier with how the bike works, there are still a few details to work on.
“But in general, we have always been fast over the three days and we have done what we wanted. Today I had the best time with the medium rear tyre and I was very surprised. We have worked well with the team, now a couple of days to relax and then I will start preparing for Qatar.”
Miller will be out on track next on 22 February in Qatar for the final pre-season test ahead of round, scheduled for 8 March at the Losail circuit.
Evans breaks through to claim Superfinal win at Mantova
Section: Competition
Team HRC newcomer continues impressive pre-season form.
Image: Supplied.
Australian Mitch Evans broke through to claim an impressive Superfinal victory at Mantova’s last round of the 2020 Italian International Motocross Championship over the weekend.
The Team HRC newcomer, who’s been highly-impressive in the lead up to his rookie premier class campaign in the MXGP World Championship, raced to fourth in the opening MX1 encounter before defeating reigning world champion and teammate Tim Gajser (Team HRC) in the combined Superfinal.
The result secured the Queenslander second in the Superfinal and MX1 championship standings, providing a boost of confidence heading into the 20-round world championship.
“I had a great time riding this Internazionali d’Italia, especially finishing off with a win in the Superfinal here,” Evans commented. “I followed Tim for a little bit, but I had good lines so I made the pass and just tried to ride forward and concentrate on what I was doing.
“It is awesome to get a race win and now I know what it’s like, I hope I can repeat it during the season. However, I also know that it won’t be easy so I need to keep training hard and working with the team to make sure my level stays consistently high.”
Fellow Australian Nathan Crawford (Team Honda 114 Motorsports) was 14th in MX2 and 12th in the Superfinal, while compatriot Caleb Grothues (RT973 Suzuki) recorded a DNF in the opening MX2 outing.
Sepang MotoGP test finishes with Quartararo on top
Section: Competition
Day three sees Crutchlow and Rins complete the top three.
Image: Supplied.
Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) made it a full house at the Sepang test as he topped the timesheets once again on Sunday, with the Frenchman putting in a 1m58.349s to end the session close to the fastest ever lap of the Malaysian venue.
He had some close company himself, however, with LCR Honda Castrol’s Cal Crutchlow taking second place, 0.082s off, and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) taking third within 0.101s of the top. All manufacturers ended the test within 0.345s.
The weather was on side again on Sunday, with only the last half hour or so affected by rain – but a few finished a little early whether by design or mishap. For Quartararo it was a shorter day than Saturday, as the Petronas Yamaha SRT rider put in 57 laps, setting his fastest on his 17th. Teammate Franco Morbidelli, on his “A-spec” machine, did 58 laps and ends the test in P13.
Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was actually the second fastest Yamaha rider on Sunday and overall at the test. His best was a 1m58.541s and that puts him in fifth overall after just over a half century of laps. Rossi’s teammate Maverick Vinales, meanwhile, was way down the timesheets yet positive about the test; his best a 1m59.169s in P18 – but after a whopping 83 laps and some impressive long run pace. On Saturday evening, the Spaniard was especially impressed by the top speed improvement in the engine.
Test rider Jorge Lorenzo was out on track on Sunday too, with the Spaniard adding another 45 laps to the Iwata marque’s program and proving a key point of interest. But Yamaha had another slightly different talking point too – something that looks very much like a holeshot device, spotted on Vinales’, Rossi’s and test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga’s machinery.
Honda’s test program workhorse Cal Crutchlow kept them in the hunt for the top on day three. The Brit’s best was a 1m58.43s1 and, predictably, he was one of the most prolific on track, completing 69 laps. Reigning champion Marc Marquez did 47 laps and was P12, his day ending in a mishap at turn 15 – rider okay. The Spaniard also reported in his debrief that he’s more focused on getting the technical side of the new season sorted, rather than worried about his shoulder recovery.
His rookie teammate Alex Marquez was 16th and did 49 laps, ending the test less than half a tenth off getting into the 1m58s. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) did a best of a 1m59.860s a bit further back, completing 48 laps.
Alex Rins was back in charge of the Suzuki teammate battle for supremacy on Sunday. The number 42 almost made it three bikes in a tenth but for a single thousandth, and he did an apt 42 laps, downing tools a little early. Teammate Joan Mir was P10 after 32 laps, his best a 1m58.736s despite a crash at turn nine. The positivity from the Hamamatsu factory seems positively brimming after the test, and some impressive long run pace in the mid 59s made for good reading too.
Ducati, meanwhile, saw their top position on the timesheets taken over by Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) as the Italian put in a 1m58.502s to secure P4 – only 0.052s off Rins. Ducati Team’s Danilo Petrucci was sixth with a 1m58.606s, and Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) eighth… but just 0.010s behind the Italian. Bagnaia and Miller both crashed at Turn 15, riders ok.
Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) was a little further down in P14 with a best of 1m58.859s, with every GP20 rider putting in around 50 laps each on Sunday. But Dovizioso sounded pretty satisfied, working on setup and feeling on the new tyre in the morning – and pointing out that both he and Miller set their best on the medium…
Johann Zarco (Reale Avintia Racing), meanwhile, continued his improvement on the GP19 and ends the test 15th on day three, getting down to a 1m58.951s after 42 laps. Teammate Tito Rabat did a best of 1m59.549s.
Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) finishes the Sepang test in a similar position to where he started it, in seventh, but the number 44 was nearly a second quicker on day two. He only put in 34 laps on Sunday, but was also at the shakedown with KTM. His teammate Brad Binder had a pretty solid Sunday too as he remained close to fellow rookie Alex Marquez on the timesheets; the South African shaving nearly a second and a half off his day one best.
Red Bull KTM Tech 3’s Miguel Oliveira, meanwhile, impressed on day three, putting in a 1m58.764s as he returns from injury – and slotting into P11 just ahead of reigning world champion Marc Marquez despite only doing 22 laps. Oliveira’s teammate Iker Lecuona put in only 23 laps as well, but the Austrian factory also fielded test rider Mika Kallio as the Finn took over from day two hero Dani Pedrosa. Kallio suffered a crash at turn 15, rider ok.
Aprilia also leave Sepang securely belonging in the top ten, having hit the ground very much running with the new RS-GP. Alex Espargaro led the way for the Noale factory once again as he took ninth with a 1m58.694s, putting in 45 laps – and saying there was also more to come from a single lap, which was proving a challenge to maximise. And that’s borne out in the awesome long run pace the number 41 laid down, with a host of mid 59s. Test rider Bradley Smith was also on duty once again, adding 61 laps.
Defending 450SX champion Webb breaks through in San Diego
Section: Competition
Ferrandis extends advantage with another win in 250SX West.
Image: Octopi Media.
Defending Monster Energy Supercross champion Cooper Webb has risen for his first victory of the 2020 season in a pivotal result at San Diego tonight.
Six rounds in and the number one plate-holder delivered a breakout performance for Red Bull KTM to climb to third in the 450SX standings, now within nine points of the lead.
It was a well-earned result for Webb, who was able to overcome longtime leader Adam Cianciarulo (Monster Energy Kawasaki) with just two minutes remaining in the premier class main event. That pair finished 1-2, with Blake Baggett (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM WPS) landing third.
At the beginning, Baggett took the holeshot before Cianciarulo stormed into the lead, but it was Webb who moved to the head of the pack through the first few turns. Cianciarulo countered and led the majority prior to Webb’s late surge and an important win for his title hopes.
Fourth tonight was the best that Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) could manage after working his way from as far back as 10th at the close of the opening lap, getting the better of Justin Barcia (Monster Energy Yamaha) following a series of exchanges between them, while Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) also had a bad start on his way to P6.
Roczen’s teammate Justin Brayton was directly behind in seventh, as Malcolm Stewart (Smartop MotoConcepts Bullfrog Spas Honda), his teammate Justin Hill and the fast-starting Aaron Plessinger (Monster Energy Yamaha) filled the top 10. Plessinger was as high as third before a fall five minutes in.
Australian legend Chad Reed (Mountain Motorsports cbdMD CR22 Honda) was able to return for his send-off in San Diego after transferring through his heat race, but exited the main event in the closing stages.
The red plate remains in Roczen’s position, now just a single point ahead of Tomac as Webb homes in on them in third prior to the 20202 Monster Energy Supercross heading east to Tampa next Saturday, 15 February.
Image: Octopi Media.
Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha’s Dylan Ferrandis extended his advantage in 250SX West after winning tonight in San Diego.
It was Michael Mosiman (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna) who led early, before Austin Forkner (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) took charge for his turn at the front.
Working his way from third on the opening lap, defending champion Ferrandis sliced his way by Forkner in the closing laps to take victory by 6.123s as the checkered flag flew. It was Ferrandis and Justin Cooper (Monster Energy Star Racing Yamaha) who joined him on the podium.
Mosiman, meanwhile, rode to a solid fourth following the disappointment of a DNF in Oakland one week ago, comfortably ahead of Brandon Hartranft (TLD Red Bull KTM), who managed to take fifth from Luke Clout (Penrite Honda Racing) toward the end of the final.
Finishing seventh was Jacob Hayes (Gas Monkey AJE Motorsports Husqvarna), ahead of Carson Brown (JME Motorsports Husqvarna), Derek Drake (TLD Red Bull KTM) and Alex Martin (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki).
Australians Jay Wilson (Yamaha) and Aaron Tanti (Yamaha) finished 11th and 14th respectively. A notable non-finisher was Cameron McAdoo (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki), his bike stopping while he was in fifth.
Entering the mid-season break for 250SX West, Ferrandis now holds an important seven-point lead in the standings ahead of Cooper, with Forkner a further six in arrears in third position. Their next round will come in Seattle on 28 March.
Quartararo once again fastest on day two of MotoGP testing
Section: Competition
Pramac Racing’s Miller edged out of the top spot at Sepang.
Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was once again the man at the top of the timesheets on day two of the Sepang test, but this time the Frenchman made his mark on the 2020 factory machine as he got a taste of the new YZR-M1 on Saturday.
The man he deposed was Jack Miller (Pramac Racing), who was once again the fastest Ducati, after the Australian had held on to P1 for some time. Third was another stellar performance that stole some headlines as Dani Pedrosa – erstwhile master of Sepang – put KTM into the top three and only 0.090s off the top; his 1m58.662s most definitely an eyebrow-raiser.
Day two saw the weather play nice, with track time uninterrupted and that proving valuable for many – and many putting in a good number more laps on Saturday. Quartararo’s 72 laps were testament to that and followed up a performance on day one that was impressive but, in some ways, could have been expected – with the number 20 already having shown scintillating speed on the 2019 Yamaha.
Getting on the new machine and proving able to put in a 1m58.572s not long after ensured day two was more than a simple rinse and repeat. Teammate Franco Morbidelli was also quick in fifth after 60 laps, 0.259 off the top on an “A-spec” 2020 machine – without the new air intake and reportedly without the new engine.
Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), meanwhile, slotted in right behind the Italian – only 0.062 in further arrears, although he did crash, just as he did on day one. The number 12 did 69 laps as both he and teammate Valentino Rossi continued to work with three machines each, and Rossi was tenth overall after 60 laps. ‘The Doctor’s’ best was a 1m59.116s. Yamaha test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga suffered a crash, rider ok.
At Ducati, it was Jack Miller who was once again the fastest man on Borgo Panigale machinery. He did 50 laps and only lost out on the top by 0.069, with the positive reports on Ducati’s 2020 machinery continuing. In terms of position it was a ‘tougher’ day on the timesheets for his fellow GP20 riders.
However, with Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) in P13 followed by Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) in 14th and 15th respectively – all three within a tenth and all three putting in nearly 60 laps. Dovizioso crashed at turn six, rider ok, causing a brief red flag solely to make sure he was away from the track and racing line.
Johann Zarco (Reale Avintia Racing), meanwhile, beat the lap-time he set on day one by over half a second, although he maintained the same position, and Ducati Corse Sporting Director Paolo Ciabatti Ducati Corse was spotted in the box with the Frenchman. Zarco’s teammate Tito Rabat was just behind him in position but three and a half tenths in arrears.
At KTM, Dani Pedrosa was the star attraction on the timesheets, and the ‘Little Samurai’ did his fastest lap at Sepang International Circuit – no mean feat given his number of premier class poles and wins at the venue.
Pol Espargaro sung his praises too. Espargaro ended the day in P8 after nearly fifty laps and was happy with his day despite a tip off at turn one – working on the new chassis and testing it with different setups, citing some key improvements in grip and stability. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) also improved, shaving eight tenths off his day one best and getting closer to fellow rookie Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda Team).
Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) was P16 at the end of the day after 42 laps, continuing his comeback from injury and after also having taken part in the shakedown. Likewise his rookie teammate Iker Lecuona, who put in 41 laps as he adapts to the premier class, ending Saturday on a 2m00.396s, although he did suffer a crash.
Just missing out on the top three after Pedrosa’s late lunge were Suzuki. The tables turned on the timesheets on Day 2 as Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was the leading Hamamatsu factory machine in P4, a 1m58.731s putting him only a tenth and a half off the top after 54 laps. Teammate Alex Rins put in 63 laps, and set his best of a 1m58.978s on the new chassis… citing it as a key step in the right direction. Mir saw it more as a balance of positives and negatives. Test rider Sylvain Guintoli was also on track and he did 58 laps.
For Honda, it was a more muted day on the timesheets, but it was reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) who took back the honour of quickest for the factory after Cal Crutchlow’s (LCR Honda Castrol) P4 on Day 1. Marquez was ninth with a best of a 1m59.097s after 47 laps, although he crashed at Turn 3. Rider ok, bike less so. Crutchlow did 64 laps, with his huge workload continuing as he remains on point for test duty, and a best of 1m59.247s put him in P12.
Alex Marquez was top rookie once again although, as stated, had Binder for close company, and Takaaki Nakagami’s (LCR Honda Idemitsu) comeback continued to prove a challenge. He was P21 after 47 laps.
Aprilia’s new 90-degree V4 ended the day in P11 in the hands of Aprilia Racing Team Gresini’s Aleix Espargaro, with the number 41 putting in 43 laps and setting a best of 1m59.224s. Top speed seems a key area of improvement so far, and test rider Bradley Smith was also out on track working on the project. He did 61 laps.
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