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KTM launches 2019 MotoGP program in Austria

KTM launches 2019 MotoGP program in Austria

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 unveil liveries.

Image: Supplied.

KTM has launched its 2019 MotoGP program at its factory in Mattighofen, Austria, unveiling the look of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Red Bull KTM Tech3 RC16s that will be fielded in the premier class this season.

After two impressive seasons in MotoGP where the manufacturer grasped its first points, maiden top 10 finishes and ended the second term with its podium debut in Valencia, the effort is now doubled with the experienced Red Bull KTM Tech3 unit placing another two RC16s on the grid.

“For us this is another very special moment in our racing story and it’s a milestone for us to have that structure in place,” said KTM motorsport director Pit Beirer. “Our road race project has been building consistently since 2012 in terms of structure, confidence and people.

“I would say we have an amazing ‘path’ in place where you can go from a Rookies bike through all the categories to a MotoGP bike. In the premier class two motorcycles is not enough to be able to develop technology up until the highest level so having a second team in the MotoGP gives us an amazing feeling that our system is in place.

“We will work with this programme and that doesn’t only mean young riders and trying to get them through but also the bikes for each category with a strong in-house line-up and effort. That’s why today is very special.”

Pol Espargaro will begin his third season with the factory RC16 and his sixth in the premier class, where he’ll be joined for the first time by fellow former Moto2 world champion Johann Zarco.

Red Bull KTM Tech3 field the promise of Hafizh Syahrin and rookie Miguel Oliveira, who is the first rider to have come up the Moto3 and Moto2 KTM ladder. KTM’s MotoGP effort is backed up by the test team duo of Mika Kallio and Dani Pedrosa.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Ducati Island Confirmed For 2019 MotoGP Grand Prix Of The Americas

Ducati Island at the Grand Prix of the Americas is back for 2019. 

Begin press release:


Ducati Island is the #1 Ducati fan experience location during the MotoGP races at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. This year Ducati will be returning to COTA with new activities, including more than 74,000 square feet of event space offering fun and interactive experiences, such as an exhilarating Zip Line ride over Turn 1, a Ducati Parade Lap on the track, Italian inspired lunch and hospitality suite for Ducati owners, live music entertainment, MotoGP rider appearances plus much more. This is Ducati’s biggest North American event of the year, with limited ticket packages now available… they will sell out. Three-day Ducati Ticket Packages are now available for purchase here

From April 12-14, Ducati takes over the entire Trackside East area at COTA, allowing for Ducati-only parking and demo rides of Ducati’s newest Scrambler Ducati family , in addition to amplified thrills of live entertainment and the possibility to meet racers during MotoGP team visits. Tens of thousands of fans came through Ducati Island last year, and these ticket packages are the best way to experience the race and cheer on the Ducati Corse team with other Ducati fans.

The Ticket Packages start at $239 per person for a Turn 1 Grandstand ticket, and $259 for the  Main Grandstand ticket will give ticket-holders access to Main Grandstand seating for three days as well as a motorcycle parking pass right onsite at Ducati Island, a Ducati Exclusive Track Lap, VIP Pit Lane Walk and “Merenda” Italian inspired lunch, as well as the COTA Zip Line flying over Turn 1 and the Main Straight. This is all in addition to access to Ducati’s VIP Hospitality lounge and signature Ducati Welcome Gifts.

All fans of MotoGP are encouraged to visit Ducati Island and learn about the brand, whether they are loyal Ducatisti or new to the brand.

The MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, taking place on April 14 at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, will be the third race of the MotoGP season, and the only North American stop of the 2019 race schedule.



The post Ducati Island Confirmed For 2019 MotoGP Grand Prix Of The Americas appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Aprilia USA Announces 2019 Aprilia Racers Days Track Program

The Aprilia Racers Day program is expanding nationwide for 2019

Begin press release:


Aprilia USA announces 2019 Aprilia Racers Days program – the manufacturer-led, on-track experience launched in 2018 – where customers can experience the brand’s passion for speed first hand with demo ride capabilities on track.

With the complete 2019 range from Aprilia dedicated product specialists and track instructors, Aprilia Racers Days presents an inspirational environment for brand enthusiasts that offers an inclusive atmosphere not found at a typical track event. This year the program expands to six locations, each of which will be supported by Aprilia’s premium industry partners:  Pirelli, Dainese and AGV.

The 6-stop tour takes the track at several iconic locations for seven total events. The highlight of the tour will be its stop at Circuit of the America’s following North America’s only MotoGP round. Aprilia owners, aspiring track riders and performance enthusiasts will take to the same circuit as the world’s greatest racers and put the machines through their paces in the exact environment that inspired their legendary performance. Aprilia welcomes all motorcyclists to participate in this truly unique opportunity, with the ability to test its class-leading machines in a private setting without the distraction of cars or speed limits.

EVENT DETAILS:

Circuit of the Americas – April 16, 2019

*Monday, April 15th (ARD Participants can observe Aprilia Racing Private Test at COTA)

*Tuesday, April 16th (Consumer Day on Track)

9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Austin, TX

GingerMan Raceway – April 29, 2019

61414 Co Rd 388, South Haven, MI

The Ridge Motorsports Park – May 6, 2019

1060 W Eells Hill Rd, Shelton, WA

Buttonwillow Raceway Park – May 6, 2019

24551 Lerdo Hwy, Buttonwillow, CA 93206

New York Safety Track – May 25, 2019

Sunday, May 26th

396 Zimmerman Rd, Jefferson, NY 12093

New York Safety Track – May 26, 2019

396 Zimmerman Rd, Jefferson, NY 12093

Barber Motorsports Park – June 10, 2019

6040 Barber Motorsports Pkwy, Leeds, AL


For More Information: http://www.aprilia.com/

Tickets Available at: https://aprilia.ticketspice.com/aprilia-racers-days-2019

Aprilia Racers Days events will be supported directly by Aprilia trained technicians and product specialists, as well as partners Pirelli, Dainese and AGV to offer the best on-track experience with expert advice, performance and protection. The cost of participation in the events will not only qualify for an incredible track day experience with your existing motorcycle, but also include a VIP Aprilia Racers Days package, up to two test ride sessions, and special giveaway items throughout the program. Participants will also receive $250 accessory voucher for qualifying purchases before June 30.

Using its 15 years as the Official Tire Supplier to the FIM Superbike World Championship, Pirelli developed the DIABLO ROSSO™ CORSA II, an innovative new tire derived from racing and designed for use on the road and track. DIABLO ROSSO™ CORSA II is the first-ever Pirelli motorcycle tire that uses two compounds applied in three zones on the front tire and three compounds applied at five zones on the rear, creating an aggressive combination. Innovative profiles, a new structure and a new tread design allow every rider to follow their leanings.

To learn more about the complete line of Pirelli motorcycle tires, please visit www.pirelli.com.

For each of the events, the latest sport-oriented technical apparel and helmets will be showcased by Dainese and AGV, the leader in protection for moto and dynamic sports, which joins Aprilia Racers Days in 2019 for the first time ever as Official Safety Sponsor. The natural synergy between these two Italian brands – both known for premium products and innovation – brings a new level of excitement to the tour.

At each stop along the tour, Dainese will have master tailors from its Custom Works program available for fittings and consultations, and professionals from Dainese D-Stores will offer a demo fleet of D-Air suits for both men and women and  wide range  of AGV helmets including Pista GP R, Corsa R, Sport Modular, K-5 S, and AX-9 for participants to test on the track.

To learn more about the complete line of Pirelli motorcycle tires, please visit www.pirelli.com.

ABOUT PIRELLI

Pirelli was founded in Milan in 1872 and today stands as a global brand known for its cutting edge technology, high-end production excellence and passion for innovation that draws heavily on its Italian roots. With around 30,000 employees, Pirelli is a major player in the tire industry and the only global player focused solely on the Consumer tire market, which includes tires for cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Pirelli is now concentrating on High Value tire markets, delivering innovative tires and developing Specialties and Super Specialties for its comprehensive product portfolio. Pirelli has a long link with motorsport and it sustains its technological excellence by bringing innovations developed within the motorsport arena into its consumer products. The company currently supports over 460 car and motorcycle sport events and has been the exclusive tire supplier to the Formula One™ World Championship since 2011. Such a strong presence in motorsport enables Pirelli to transfer a series of avant-garde solutions to its day-to-day operations providing the final consumer with the maximum levels of performance and safety.

Pirelli Tire North America (PTNA) services North America through its Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) facility and research and development center at its Rome, Georgia headquarters, its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Silao, Mexico and its New York City, Montreal and Mexico City sales and marketing offices. The company manufactures, distributes and markets original equipment and replacement tires for export and domestic car/motorcycle applications (US, CA, MX) and Agro/Heavy Truck platforms (MX).

ABOUT DAINESE GROUP

Founded in 1972 by Lino Dainese, true to its mission of advocating and delivering safety in dynamic sports, the Company designs advanced protective head-to-toe gear for motorcycling, winter sports, cycling, horse riding and sailing. In 2007 Dainese acquired the iconic premium sport helmet manufacturer AGV, established in 1947. The new Dainese Settantadue brand, established in 2017, reinterprets the design of historic garments that are a part of the stylistic heritage of the Group, with a contemporary twist. Dainese and AGV products represent the technology frontier in the field of protection for dynamic sports and are used by the world’s top athletes including Valentino Rossi and Sofia Goggia, Olympic Champion and winner of the Downhill World Cup.






The post Aprilia USA Announces 2019 “Aprilia Racers Days” Track Program appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Indian and American Flat Track Renew Partnership for 2019

Rules changes for 2019 intended to make things a bit tougher for Indian’s dominant FTR750 aren’t keeping the company from being a big part of AFT’s renaissance, with a possible total contingency payout of almost $360,000, among other things. The season kicks off March 14 with the Daytona TT.


Indian Press Release:

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 12, 2019) – Indian Motorcycle has not only dominated AFT Twins presented by Vance & Hines competition since its dramatic return to American Flat Track in 2017, it has also been a staunch supporter of the series, its riders and AFT’s broadcast efforts.

That won’t change in 2019, as Indian Motorcycle announced today another strong financial commitment to the American Flat Track series.

Indian Motorcycle’s commitment for 2019 is substantial and three-pronged, and includes sponsorship of three of AFT’s most-anticipated events, contingency offerings of nearly $360,000, and substantial support of AFT’s broadcast efforts on NBCSN and FansChoice.tv.

Indian Motorcycle will serve as the event entitlement sponsor of the Lima Half-Mile at Lima, Ohio’s Allen County Fairgrounds on June 21; the Buffalo Chip TT in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 4; and the Minnesota Mile at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota – just a stone’s throw from the Indian Motorcycle factory and headquarters – on September 21.

As the title sponsor of events last year, Indian Motorcycle and the presence of its owners, dealers and machines, dominated the proceedings. Attendees were treated to dedicated fan areas, dealer demo rides, bike displays, giveaways – and even a chance to win brand-new Indian motorcycles. Expect more of the same at those Indian-sponsored events this year, plus – at all 18 rounds  – a special 20-x-20-foot Indian Motorcycle FTR 1200 display, the same basic setup tha introduced the brand-new and highly anticipated Indian Motorcycle FTR 1200 to the American public at last year’s Meadowlands Mile finale.

Indian Motorcycle’s contingency payment program for AFT Twins riders is once again quite generous, and equal to the 2018 total, at $333,000. Main Event winners on Indian Motorcycle FTR750s can look forward to earning double what they received in 2018. Riders finishing in first place on an FTR750 will now receive $10,000 per event. Second-through-fifth-place finishers earn $3500, $1500, $1250 and $1000, respectively, with payouts extending through all top-ten positions. Indian Motorcycle made nearly $150,000 in direct contingency payments to AFT riders in 2018, more than any other partner in the history of AFT competition. Additionally, Indian Motorcycle is once again offering a $25,000 bonus for an AFT Twins championship, bringing the total contingency available to $358,000.

Indian Motorcycle will once again be an integral part and partner of AFT’s NBCSN telecast and FansChoice.tv live streams, both of which set new viewership records last season on their way to introducing a million new fans to America’s original extreme sport. Indian Motorcycle’s broadcast support will maximize the company’s exposure in the sport, and include features, commercials and guaranteed race-team exposure for viewers and fans.

“The rise in popularity of American Flat Track has run in parallel with the introduction to our sport by Indian Motorcycle,” said Michael Lock, CEO of American Flat Track. “Their success on-track has been impressive and the whole racing community is eagerly awaiting the 2019 season to see if they can maintain their winning streak. We are delighted that Indian remains a partner to the series and we welcome their support.”

The makeup of this year’s Indian Motorcycle factory team – aka the ‘Wrecking Crew’ – will be a bit different than in years past, with twice-reigning AFT Twins champion and Indian Motorcycle factory rider Jared Mees being joined by Briar and Bronson Bauman, brothers who showed serious speed in 2018. A handful of very fast privateers on Indian FTR750s are sure to be contenders as well, including Henry Wiles, Jeffrey Carver Jr., Davis Fisher, Brandon Robinson and others.

“Since our return to professional racing, we have received incredible support from the fans, the riders and, of course, American Flat Track,” said Gary Gray, Vice President – Racing, Service & Technology for Indian Motorcycle. “We’re honored to continue our investment in the sport and are excited to start the 2019 season in Daytona.”

American Flat Track will kick off its highly-anticipated 2019 season with the Bigger, Better, and Faster DAYTONA TT presented under the lights of the Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, March 14, 2019. Tickets start at just $35 online ($45 at the gate) and are available for purchase now at www.americanflattrack.com.

For more information on American Flat Track and the upcoming 2019 season visitwww.americanflattrack.com.

How to Watch:

NBCSN and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of American Flat Track. For the 2019 season, NBCSN’s coverage of AFT moves to highly-coveted, weekend afternoon programming slots within two weeks of each event. The complete schedule for AFT on NBCSN can be viewed at http://www.americanflattrack.com/events-nbcsn/. FansChoice.tv remains a cornerstone of AFT’s digital strategy, providing live streaming coverage of every event on AFT’s live page while previous events and exclusive features are available on AFT’s VOD page.

About American Flat Track:
American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on American Flat Track, please visit http://www.americanflattrack.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram, live stream the events at FansChoice.tv and catch all the American Flat Track racing action on NBCSN.

The post Indian and American Flat Track Renew Partnership for 2019 appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Is covert speed detection a deterrent?

Most motorists hate covert speed detection by police, yet they seem to be finding more and more sneaky ways to cover themselves while operation radar units and speed cameras.

Gold Coast rider Gary Lynn confronted the cop photographed in the bushes above on the Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd last Sunday.

“Don’t they realise their presence on the roads will do more than hiding in bushes?” he asks.

“It’s blatant revenue-raising at its finest.”

Both sentiments are shared by many motorcyclists and drivers in multiple opinion polls.

Even the Queensland Police Union says unmarked and covert speed cameras should be banned as they do nothing more than raise government revenue.

We ask: “How would the officer in the bushes feel if he clocked a speeding rider on his hand-held TruCAM laser digital camera and the rider crashed and died further down he road?”

And how would the rider’s widow feel when she received the offence notice in the post a few days later knowing a police officer could have pulled over her speeding husband and saved his life?

Covert activity

Police Covert speed camera
Somewhere in there is a cop!

Gary posted his photographs on his GC Hinterland and Northern NSW Road Conditions (motorcyclists) Facebook page to make others aware of covert police activity in the region.

It was followed by another post showing what a rider thought was a car parked in a private property with the boot up and a speed camera located inside. It could not be verified as a covert police camera.

Is covert detection legal?

Well, yes and no. It depends on the state and how the speed detection equipment is deployed.

We asked police in every state for their policies on covert speed detection and most replied.

Victoria Police say mobile speed cameras are “not deployed in a concealed way”, but didn’t answer questions about handheld devices and cops hiding in bushes.

South Australia Police say they make “no apologies about using covert, camouflaged cameras to detect dangerous road behaviour”.

WA Police basically told us it was none of our business: “We use various tools to assist in our traffic enforcement capabilities.  We will not be providing details of specific tools or methodologies.”

NSW Police say they “use a range of enforcement strategies to assist in reducing road trauma”. But, like the WA cops, they say it’s none of our business.

“For operational reasons it would be inappropriate to discuss the guidelines surrounding these strategies. If riders and drivers observe the speed limits then they have nothing to be concerned about,” they say.

Queensland Police are a little vague, telling us the Queensland Camera Detected Offence Program “utilises an evidence based mixture of covert and marked camera operations”.

Police using covert TruCAM laser speed camera
Queensland Police using covert TruCAM laser speed camera

Yet the Queensland police website clearly states: “It is not the policy of the Queensland Police Service to deliberately conceal speed cameras.”

Dissenting views

It’s not just motorists who don’t like covert speed detection devices.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers says these “sneaky” devices do not reduce the road toll nor stop motorists from speeding.

“Getting a ticket in the mail up to a month after speeding when you can barely remember even where you were back then, has no effect and is quite rightly cynically viewed as revenue raising,” he said.

RACQ technical and safety policy spokesman Steve Spalding says they also prefer a visible police presence.

“Our members have repeatedly told us that over the years, they much prefer to see a police officer use a marked vehicle, not just for speeding, but for all of the other problem behaviours that we see on the road,” he says.radar police speed camera demerit hidden lidar

MUARC report

However, motorists, police unions and motoring groups are fighting a losing battle against covert speed detection.

Politicians and police typically cite a Monash University academic and an Auditor General’s report that back covert speed cameras as more effective at reducing general speeding than high-visibility cameras.

Monash University Accident Research Centre professor Max Cameron says high-visibility speed cameras are only good for reducing speed at a black spot.

Mobile speed cameras were originally introduced to reduce speed at black spots. NSW still has very prominently signed fixed and mobile speed cameras, Western Australia is now trialling more visible speed cameras and England is going all-out to make the cameras much more visible.

However, Queensland has removed the signs warning of mobile speed cameras and a report by Queensland’s auditor-general found they are not always deployed at the right time, in the right location, or in the “right mode” (not covert enough).

The report says only 16.3% of mobile deployment hours is covert because police want to avoid perceptions of revenue-raising.

It recommends that a high percentage of covert deployment would prompt a general deterrence to speeding.

Professor Cameron agrees: ”… if you’re trying to affect speeding all the time then the best idea is to make sure the cameras aren’t predictable or apparent and to operate them covertly,” the professor says. “The idea of being conspicuous is really in the wrong direction.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Webb pinching himself with drastic advancements this season

Webb pinching himself with drastic advancements this season

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing contender earns third main event victory.

Image: Supplied.

Cooper Webb says he has to pinch himself over the improvements he’s made this season, advancing as a title contender in the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship following two lacklustre years in the premier class.

Webb stormed his third victory of the year on Saturday night at Minneapolis, making him the most winningest rider in the first six rounds of the series.

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider has labelled the feat as ‘spectacular’, although he’s acknowledged he still has more to learn in his pursuit for a maiden 450SX crown.

“To get three wins this year is pretty spectacular,” Webb expressed. “Especially bouncing back from last week – having that bad race in the mud – but I never lost belief, never lost faith and knew I was still good. I felt good all day today and to be able to apply it in the heat race, win that, and then win the main was pretty special.

“It’s cool, I have to pinch myself because I’ve come such a long way in a short amount of time. It’s crazy what a year or half a year will do to you. The last two years this place ended my season, so it’s pretty cool to bounce back from that and never give up, never doubt myself, make a change and stick to it.

“I want to keep doing well and doing what I’m doing. I definitely feel like I have a lot to improve on and a lot to learn but we’ll see if we can keep going.”

Webb sits second in the championship standings, one point behind Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) while being just one marker ahead of Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) and Marvin Musquin (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Minneapolis ‘best ride of the season’ says Reed

Minneapolis ‘best ride of the season’ says Reed

Former champion seventh at the sixth round of supercross.

Image: Supplied.

Two-time champion Chad Reed has labelled his performance at Minneapolis’ sixth round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship as his best of the season.

The JGRMX Yoshmiura Suzuki Factory Racing rider put in a spirited ride that saw him wind up seventh in the classification, and despite not being his best finish on paper, the Australian fan-favourite is content with what he delivered out on track.

“We made some great progress with the fork settings this past week,” Reed explained. “That carried over into the weekend, and helped contribute to my best qualifying result of the year. My speed and fitness are good, but I am frustrated with my starts.

“I’m not giving myself a fighting chance with track position being so important. It was a hard-fought seventh place. Honestly, it was my best ride of the season. I’ll continue to work on my starts and fork settings so that I get to that next level out of myself.”

Reed sits eighth in the championship standings as the series heads to Arlington in Texas this weekend. The 450SX points lead is currently controlled by Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC), while the top four riders are separated by two points.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Gajser makes step by step improvements in pre-season racing

News 12 Feb 2019

 

 

Gajser makes step by step improvements in pre-season racing

Slovenian runner-up in Italian motocross championship.

Image: Supplied.

Former premier class world champion Tim Gajser believes he’s made step by step improvements throughout the 2019 Internazionali D’Italia, assisting in his pre-season progress as he plots his attack on the MXGP World Championship.

The Honda HRC talent rose through the standings in the three-round Italian championship that attracted fellow world champions Antonio Cairoli (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing), securing runner-up honours in the Superfinal classification after earning a fourth place result at Mantova last weekend.

“Overall I’m quite happy with how these first few races of the year turned out,” said Gajser. “Riola was okay, Ottobiano was better and then Mantova was even better than that, so it was good to see step by step improvements each race.

“I was feeling better each time I rode my Honda CRF450RW and that is important and it makes me look forward even more to Argentina, to start finally start the season. I am ready to give my best!”

Cairoli captured his 11th premier class Italan motocross title at the weekend after dominating the series. The opening round of the MXGP World Championship will take place on 3 March at Neuquen in Patagonia Argentina.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Physical condition improving according to Marquez

Repsol Honda talent still easing back into riding following shoulder surgery.

Image: Supplied.

Reigning world champion Marc Marquez says his physical condition has improved after suffering from soreness in his shoulder on day two of MotoGP testing in Malaysia last week.

The Spaniard completed 37 laps on day two to preserve himself for the final day, ultimately waking up with a positive feeling that allowed him to continue carrying out testing, lodging 39 laps to wind up 11th on the timesheets during day three.

Easing back into riding after shoulder surgery, the Repsol Honda rider is satisfied with his progress so far as one more official test looms on 23-25 February at Losail International Circuit in Qatar.

“Day three was very positive, especially with my physical condition – I’m feeling much better,” Marquez admitted. “Yesterday I was a little worried about riding today, but I woke up and felt better. We were able to try many things for Honda today and I felt really good on the bike, comfortable and consistent.

“Everything we had planned to do this test, we have done. Of course I would have liked to ride more but we had to take it a bit easy. Even so, I’m happy because I was riding easy, not in my riding style but I was able to ride more. I didn’t crash and we tried the most important things for the Repsol Honda Team, I am happy because of this.”

The test was dominated by Ducati riders as Danilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow Ducati) topped Pramac Racing duo Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au