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Obituary | Robert ‘Bob’ Lusk, a born-again biker…

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Obituary | Robert ‘Bob’ Lusk, a born-again biker with a fascinating background… Expat American Robert Lusk passed away on June 9 at his home in Southern England. He was 85 years of age, and had been a resident in the UK since 1968. Tribute from Alan Cathcart…

Bob Lusk was a born-again biker with a fascinating background, who was raised in rural New England, where while growing up he acquired the skills of many handicrafts, including leatherwork. But he enjoyed a motorcycling epiphany at the age of 15. “I’d help out in a local gas station after school,” he recounted. “Each day a bloke who commuted to work on his Triumph Bonneville would park it outside the forecourt. One day, I went over and sat on it, looked down and saw the kickstarter, then put my foot on it, and it started – on its centre stand, thankfully! And in that moment, the only way I can describe it is, God came down and put his hands on me, and said, “Robert Lusk, this is your life!”

So in the early 1960s Lusk dropped out of Clark University in Worcester, Mass. to become one of Yamaha’s first American dealers, while road racing them successfully in both the Northeast USA and Canada. He finished third on an air-cooled Yamaha rotary-valve single in the 1967 125cc Canadian GP behind Bill Ivy’s factory V4, as a consequence of which he arranged to immigrate to Britain to pursue a racing career there.

But nerve injury suffered in a crash in his final American race forced Lusk to stop racing for 30 years, until a cure by chiropractors allowed him to restart his career in UK Classic racing. Meanwhile, he’d begun producing handmade leather goods to sell from a stall at London’s Portobello Road Market. “It was the Swinging ‘60s, and people wanted what I made,” he recalled. “Besides bags and belts and stuff like that, I was making handmade sandals, and they were good value, people liked them, and that was the beginning of my shoe business. So, then I had to establish a little production line, and it all took off from there.”

By 1997 Robert Lusk had built up a multi-million pound footwear business with four London stores employing almost 100 people. His neck injury had healed, so together with 11-year old son Chester he began racing Mini Moto. Both Lusks ended up as age-group champions in their new sport – and having converted Valentino-style from Mini Moto to full-size bikes, Chester Lusk started Silverstone’s 2003 British 125GP as a 17-year old wild card entry on the RS125R Honda his Dad sponsored him on, having swiftly risen up the ranks in full-size motorcycle racing.

Robert Lusk with his neighbour Jeff Beck and visitor Johnny Depp with a 1939 Chevvy Hot Rod at a Beck Hotrod Party.
Robert Lusk with his neighbour Jeff Beck and visitor Johnny Depp with a 1939 Chevvy Hot Rod at a Beck Hotrod Party.

Inevitably, Bob Lusk began Classic racing himself, too, firstly with the 1977 MT125R Honda air-cooled single with which he won the 2005 CRMC British 125cc championship title at age 65. Success came on both sides of the Atlantic, too, with visits to Loudon to ride former rival Frank Camillieri’s Yamaha to podium finishes and runner-up in the championship in AHRMA racing. Progressing to Matchless G50 singles Lusk became a consistent front-runner in CRMC events, and on a 350cc AJS 7R he finished second in the 2018 Avon Tyres Lansdown National championship at the age of 78, just one point behind champion Geoff Leather who was young enough to be his grandson!

The profits from his shoe business had allowed Bob Lusk to start collecting motorcycles in 2004, initially focusing on Historic racebikes he wanted to compete on – with success, still winning races at age 79 against much younger riders. But as his eclectic collection expanded to more than 100 bikes of all eras and types, it began to feature many examples of life-changing pioneer conveyances from 1898 onwards, many with a fascinating human story behind them.

However, Robert had latterly begun downsizing his bike collection to create space and funding for a new passion – assembling one of the largest collections in the world of original motorcycle posters from the past 120 years. Sadly, his plans to publish a large format picture book depicting many of these died with him.

Robert Lusk was a free spirit who defied the aging process via untrammelled enthusiasm, and a constant search for new passions with a mechanical link. His infectious enthusiasm made him many friends inside and outside the motorcycle world, and on both sides of the Atlantic. He will be greatly missed, and our sympathies for their loss are with his wife Susan, and children Chester and Amber. RIP, Robert!

Track Test | 2025 Yamaha YZF-R9 Review

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This isn’t just an MT-09 with fairings bolted on. The R9 feels like its own model entirely, with a purpose and attitude far removed from its naked sibling.
This isn’t just an MT-09 with fairings bolted on. The R9 feels like its own model entirely, with a purpose and attitude far removed from its naked sibling.

Last month I threw a leg over Yamaha’s all-new YZF-R9 at SMSP South Circuit, and the sense of anticipation was electric. The skies were heavy and grey, threatening to ruin everything, but somehow the rain held off letting us finally unleash the sports beast… Words: Jeff Ware Photos: iKapture

SMSP (Sydney Motorsports Park) South Circuit was a good layout for the YZF-R6. We lapped in the 1:02 bracket, on par with the inline-four YZF-R6 at a quick ride day pace. Which bike would be capable of the fastest time in race trim is hard to say, but probably the R9 thanks to the torque of the CP3 inline triple engine, and in an easier way, too.
SMSP (Sydney Motorsports Park) South Circuit was a good layout for the YZF-R6. We lapped in the 1:02 bracket, on par with the inline-four YZF-R6 at a quick ride day pace. Which bike would be capable of the fastest time in race trim is hard to say, but probably the R9 thanks to the torque of the CP3 inline triple engine, and in an easier way, too.

I very clearly remember the first time I rode the MT-09 back when it launched at The Farm. I pulled back into the pits, laughing at how much fun the bike was, and thought to myself, “This engine belongs in a proper sportsbike.” Its punchy torque, linear pull, and that characteristic crossplane triple sound felt like it was just begging for clip-ons and fairings. Yamaha teased us for years…

Yamaha gave us the MT-09SP with its high-spec suspension and electronics, a wicked nakedbike. Then the XSR900 and XSR900GP with retro styling, and while they were brilliant street bikes, they never quite scratched that supersport itch for me. But now, with the R9, Yamaha has finally delivered on what so many riders, including myself, have wanted – a fully fledged YZF-R sportsbike powered by that magnificent CP3 engine, but friendly for the road.

Finally, a CP3 powered sportsbike, tame yet capable, comfy yet racy. The YZF-R9 will appeal to many…

A friendly YZF-R6, (which is still available as the YZF-R6 RACE for $20,249 ready for the track, on slicks), the R9 joins Yamaha’s huge YZF street legal sports lineup of the YZF-R15M, YZF-R3, YZF-R1, YZF-R1M, YZF-R7LA and YZF-R7HO (click on any of those to read our test on that bike) … But the R9 is the first sports triple. Bring it on, baby! We headed to SMSP for the Aussie launch, the day was run for Yamaha Motor Australia by MotoSchool, and they were fantastic, highly recommended…

The new 2025 Yamaha YZF-R9 is available in Team Yamaha Blue, Matt Black or Intensity White/Redline, $23,299 R/A.

THE RIDE
The first thing that struck me as I rolled out onto the track was just how different the R9 felt compared to the MT-09 or XSR900GP. This isn’t just an MT-09 with fairings bolted on. The R9 feels like its own model entirely, with a purpose and attitude far removed from its naked sibling. The chassis tuning, geometry changes, electronics calibration, and ergonomics come together to make it feel like a genuine supersport machine, not quite razor sharp and stiff, but very good on track and easier to ride…

Where the XSR900 GP is a retro street sportsbike with a fairing slapped on for styling cred, the R9 is a thoroughbred track-day ready contender. It’s a proper step up from the R7 and fills the void left by the legendary R6, offering something different – more midrange punch, easier rideability, and real-world versatility while still retaining that racetrack soul, and after testing it, I reckon it would be easy to set it up as a serious track bike, given that some small suspension changes really moved it forward that way.

This isn’t just an MT-09 with fairings bolted on. The R9 feels like its own model entirely, with a purpose and attitude far removed from its naked sibling.
This isn’t just an MT-09 with fairings bolted on. The R9 feels like its own model entirely, with a purpose and attitude far removed from its naked sibling.

At 187cm tall, I usually fold up awkwardly on supersport bikes, but the R9’s ergonomics surprised me. The footpegs in their lowest position offered plenty of room, and the ‘bars are slightly higher and flatter than a traditional supersport, giving it a neutral yet committed stance. Everything just fits. The seat is comfortable, the tank sculpted perfectly for knee grip, and the overall riding position felt more relaxed than an R6 yet still aggressive enough for serious track work. The bike should fit a broad range of shapes, there is plenty of room there to move around, and it definitely has that YZF familiarity.

"The best way I can describe it is that it felt like riding a big R3 with grunt. That same nimble, flickable feel, but with the torque-rich triple engine launching you out of corners with authority"...
“The best way I can describe it is that it felt like riding a big R3 with grunt. That same nimble, flickable feel, but with the torque-rich triple engine launching you out of corners with authority”…

I managed a solid 40 laps spread over four sessions, and despite a few injury limitations on my part these days – too many busted wrists over the years and too many hamburgers lately – I settled into a consistent 1:03 lap pace, with my quickest lap a flat 1:02. That’s about a second off my usual testing pace here, but considering I was nursing my wrists and dealing with occasional whiskey throttle moments, the R9’s forgiving nature really let me get away with it. I’ll pop a video on YouTube soon.

I found myself grinning inside my helmet lap after lap. The best way I can describe it is that it felt like riding a bigger R3, with grunt. That same nimble, flickable feel, but with the torque-rich triple engine launching you out of corners with authority. Unlike the old R6 engine, which is a true race motor so needs to be kept screaming at high revs to stay in the performance window, the R9 pulls cleanly from lower in the rev range thanks to its broad, linear power delivery. You can short shift it, ride it lazily, or wind it out and attack – it’s flexible and confidence inspiring, but it does reach that limiter early.

"The best way I can describe it is that it felt like riding a big R3, with grunt"... The R9 powers off turns very well.
“The best way I can describe it is that it felt like riding a big R3, with grunt”… The R9 powers off turns very well.

Underneath lies the proven 890cc CP3 engine, essentially the MT-09’s unit but retuned via mapping and ignition changes to suit the R9’s sporting intentions. Internally it remains unchanged, but the difference in feel is noticeable. It’s snappier, livelier, and more exhilarating than the current MT-09, almost reminiscent of the raw, aggressive original MT-09 from a decade ago.

The torque is broad, pulling cleanly from second, third, or fourth gear exits. On Sydney South’s shorter straight, the gearing felt ideal. Top speed? Hard to say without a proper long straight, but with gearing 15 per cent taller than the MT-09, I’d guess around 240km/h. On track, you do hit the rev limiter fairly quickly, but it’s not an issue once you get a feel for the engine.

It’s an engine with character, a triple that spins up with urgency yet remains composed and easy to modulate. The traction control was working hard out of a few corners, but that is because I was just holding it wide open and relying on the TC. Feeding the power in progressively revealed a very nice tractable delivery and good rear tyre control.

The YZF-R9 handles like a true supersport bike, slightly softer, but with excellent geometry and ground clearance.
The YZF-R9 handles like a true supersport bike, slightly softer, but with excellent geometry and ground clearance.

The chassis is an aluminium Deltabox frame paired with fully adjustable KYB suspension front and rear. The front runs USD 43mm forks, while the rear is a KYB monoshock with remote preload adjustment, handy for quick changes trackside. Out of the crate, the suspension is on the softer side, making it less tiring to ride compared to a rock-hard supersport machine. The negative is it does get a bit loose when up near the limit, and as grip and speed increases, so too will the need to stiffen up the suspension at both ends, but you would need to be pretty serious, as it is, it will do for track days and club level racing I reckon…

We only went up a little in preload front and rear to suit my 100kg with gear, and that small change made the bike livelier and more responsive. The R9 carries more frame flex than an R6, which makes it forgiving and comfortable, yet retains enough stiffness to attack turns with confidence. Despite chilly track temperatures limiting front-end feel early on, it was communicative enough to push hard. In warmer conditions with hot sticky rubber and dialled suspension, it will reveal its full potential.

Speaking of electronics, Yamaha has kitted the R9 out with a trickle-down of the first-gen R1M package…

On upshifts at full throttle, there were a few times the front got wild, near tank-slapping, so I would be fitting a high-quality steering damper if I owned an R9. The Bridgestone Battlax RS11 tyres warmed up well despite cool conditions and offered confidence on corner entry, edge grip and drive out, these are awesome tyres and I’ve raced on them in the past. The SpinForged wheels keep unsprung weight down, look great and come straight from the YZF-R6 RACE.

“I tried a mix today: Power 2, L1, and all electronics on 1 for the final sessions. In full attack mode, it’s lively and urgent without being intimidating”.

Braking is handled by Brembo Stylema calipers up front with a Brembo radial master-cylinder. Braking performance is decent, but not as jaw-dropping as some Stylema setups I’ve used. The initial bite requires a firmer squeeze, and there’s a hint of ABS valving sponginess, but the six-axis IMU-based ABS system never intruded harshly. We ran with rear ABS switched off, which I’d recommend for track use, but front ABS intervention was minimal. I also noticed the clutch take-up was abrupt and right at the end of the lever travel, making pit exits a little tricky, but on track it didn’t matter thanks to the flawless up and down quick-shifter.

"Braking performance is decent, but not as jaw-dropping as some Stylema setups I’ve used"...
“Braking performance is decent, but not as jaw-dropping as some Stylema setups I’ve used”…

Speaking of electronics, Yamaha has kitted the R9 out with a trickle-down of the first-gen R1M package from a decade ago. It has a six-axis IMU enabling 9 level traction control (TCS), 3 level slide control (SCS), 3 level lift control (LSS), brake control (BC), engine brake management (EBM) plus cruise control, variable speed limiter, and multiple ride modes – Sport, Street, Rain, and two Custom plus four Track modes. It has it all, and a new style switchblock pair to help navigate it, and the Y-Connect app.

I tried a mix today, see the settings in the dash photos above. In full attack mode, it’s lively and urgent without being intimidating, but I preferred Power 2 rather than 1, as the throttle was nicer on initial opening, allowing me to keep the bike more balanced and retain rear grip off turns… One awesome feature is the Y-TRAC race setting complemented by a virtual pitboard feature that displays instructions and information from pit crew to rider in real time! You can also drop a pin on a GPS location on the track you are on, and the dash will do your lap times and display it on the dash each lap!

“The 2025 YZF-R9 is a friendly R6 with a broader power curve, stronger midrange, and easier ergonomics for real-world riding”…

The TFT dash is clear and intuitive, with four street themes and one track layout. Switchgear is typical Yamaha – functional and logical – although I struggled to change ride modes on the move, even with throttle shut. I’ll dig deeper when we test it on the road next month. The triple-clamp looks straight off the R1, with neat M1 MotoGP-style grooves, and there’s a GYTR race triple available for trackday warriors.

The R9 looks like a bigger R7 or smaller R1, slotting perfectly into the YZF-R family. The fairings are sharp and aggressive, the LED headlight compact and menacing. It looks every bit the middleweight supersport weapon Yamaha needed to fill the void left by the discontinued (road anyway) R6.

CONCLUSION
Overall, the 2025 YZF-R9 is a friendly R6 with a broader power curve, stronger midrange, and easier ergonomics for real-world riding. On track, it’s fast, confidence inspiring, and fun. On the road, it promises to be practical enough for commuting yet thrilling on your favourite twisties, we will find out soon. At $23,199 ride away, it’s not cheap, three grand more than the R6 (but ten grand less than an R1), but you’re getting a bike with true supersport handling, a punchy triple engine, and electronics that rival litre bikes from just a few years ago. For track days, weekend scratching, and even daily duties, it’s a winner. We’ll have a full road test coming in August after our street ride in July…

 

2025 Yamaha YZF-R9 Specifications

yamaha-motor.com.au

Price: $23,199 R/A
Warranty: Three-years unlimited km
Colours: Team Yamaha Blue, Matt Black, Intensity White/Redline
Claimed Power: 87.5kW@10,000rpm
Claimed Torque: 93Nm@7000rpm
Wet Weight: 195kg
Fuel capacity: 14L
Fuel Consumption (Claimed): N/A
Fuel Consumption (Tested): N/A
Range (Claimed): N/A

Engine: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, Crossplane triple, 78.0mm x 62.1mm bore x stroke, 890cc, 11.5:1 compression, three-into-one exhaust Gearbox: Six speed Clutch: Assist & Slipper Clutch with Quick Shift System (up & down), EFI, three-into-one exhaust.

Chassis: Aluminium Deltabox frame
Rake: 24.7° Trail: 109.2mm
Front Suspension: USD 43mm KYB forks, fully adjustable, 120mm travel, KYB monoshock, fully adjustable with low-speed valve, 117mm travel.
Brakes: Twin 320mm discs with Brembo Stylema four-piston radial calipers, Brembo radial master-cylinder, stainless braided lines, cornering ABS (f), Single 220mm disc with single-piston caliper, ABS (r), rear ABS disconnect for track
Wheels & Tyres: 10-spoke cast alloy wheels, Bridgestone RS11 120/70 – 17 (f), 180/55 – 17 (r) tyres

Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1420mm
Seat height: 831mm
Ground clearance: 140mm
Overall width: 706mm
Overall length: 2070mm
Overall height: 1181mm

Instruments & Electronics: 5in full-colour TFT dash with four street and one track theme, Y-Connect app compatibility, Garmin StreetCross Nav support, 6-Axis IMU, Traction Control (TCS), Slide Control (SCS), Lift Control (LIF), Brake Control (BCS), Engine Brake Management (EBM), Back Slip Regulator (BSR), Launch Control, Cruise Control, Quick Shifter, Ride Modes (Sport, Street, Rain, Custom x 2), Virtual Pitboard, Variable Speed Limiter, Immobiliser, LED lighting.

MotoGP Round 9 Report 2025 | Marc Marquez magical at Mugello

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MotoGP Round 9 | Marc Marquez magical at Mugello | Marc Marquez emerged from an all-time great battle to take a 93rd win in all classes, ahead of Alex Marquez and a late charge from Fabio Di Giannantonio. Report: MotoGP/Ed Stratmann

Marc Marquez the famous number 93, took his 93rd victory in Mugello.

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

A quality 1:44.634 lap late into a phenomenal MotoGP Practice session at the Brembo Grand Prix of Italy saw Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #12) spoil Ducati’s opening day party. Top Gun flew highest to beat Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63) by 0.110s on Friday afternoon, as the Italian’s teammate Marc Marquez made sure both factory Ducatis were inside the top three at the end of play.

Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3 #12) spoiled Ducati’s opening day party

100 not out. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team #93) has become the first rider ever to reach triple figures and take 100 pole positions across all classes after narrowly beating teammate Francesco Bagnaia to a Saturday morning P1 at the Brembo Grand Prix of Italy. Marquez’s all-time lap record, a 1:44.169, was just 0.059s quicker than Bagnaia’s best effort, as Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73) claimed a front-row start having got within a tenth of pole in a memorable Mugello Q2.

100 not out. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team #93) has become the first rider ever to reach triple figures and take 100 pole positions.

Read our previous MotoGP news here…

Moto2

Filip Salač (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #12) was the long-time leader in the session and remained on top at the end of Moto2 Practice at Mugello, as the Czech rider finished ahead of Boscoscuro’s Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team #13) and Championship leader Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #18).

For the second consecutive Grand Prix, Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team #19) would launch the Moto2 race from pole position after the Brazilian beat Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego #44) on Saturday afternoon thanks to a 1:49.745. Meanwhile, Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2 #75) started on the front row for the first time this season in P3.

Moto3

David Almansa’s (Leopard Racing #22) 1:55.535 handed the Spaniard top spot on Friday at the Brembo Grand Prix of Italy, as a pair of Japanese stars completed the leading trio – Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia #72) and Ryusei Yamanaka (FRINSA – MT Helmets – MSI #6).

He left it late, but he did it in style, as Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo #83) clinched his first Moto3™ pole at Mugello, and the #83 rookie even charged round the outside of a fellow frontrunner in his rush for glory. Carpe’s 1:54.733 put him a couple of tenths ahead of teammate and Championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo #99), with Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power #19) taking third to continue his impressive form at Mugello.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

Mugello always delivers the goods, and 2025’s Tissot Sprint was no different, as racing fired up on Saturday afternoon. Having secured a 100th career pole, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) was primed to stamp his authority on Italian soil, and that’s exactly what he did – even if he did it a harder way than he’d have preferred.

There was drama before the lights even went out for polesitter Marquez, who seemed to be distracted by something as the Sprint got underway, costing him places on the run down to San Donato. The holeshot was grabbed by Bagnaia, whilst Alex was now in second.

Further back, all kinds of drama unfolded as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #33) fell after contact with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #49), leaving Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR #5) nowhere to go as both fell. The incident was initially investigated, but no further action was taken. There was another faller at the end of the first lap, with Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37) crashing at Turn 15 before he completed the first lap.

Lap 2 was a real corker as Marc, now already back into P3, was alongside brother Alex and teammate Pecco into Turn 1, three abreast as they fought for the lead. The #93 initially hit the front but ran himself and his brother Alex wide as Mugello specialist Bagnaia had the inside for the exit. Getting their elbows out, the #63 and #73 went head-to-head into Turn 2, with the Gresini Racing Ducati coming out on top. Pecco was pushed back further at Turn 4 with Marc coming by, reasserting his authority in the factory colours.

Elsewhere, there was a big battle for fifth place as both Di Giannantonio and teammate Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #21) duked it out with themselves and also a fading Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP #20). Quartararo began dropping back further when Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72) and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team #25) came through.

On Lap 4, the #93 made his move to lead ahead of his brother, both now a second clear of Pecco in third. But it wasn’t all done, as both initially seemed to latch back on to the #93. However, with just 4 laps to go, it was looking like a battle for P1, as Alex homed in on Marc, and then another for P3, as Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) began to close down double Champion Bagnaia. The gap was just three tenths going into the penultimate lap, but in the end, it was to remain the same. Further back, Quartararo’s challenging Sprint was made worse as Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #54) came through to steal the last point.

At the front, Marc Marquez converted his 100th GP pole to strike in his teammate’s backyard. Another Marquez 1-2 with Alex in second, as Bagnaia’s run of wins at Mugello ended. Viñales showed great pace despite being unable to snatch a podium in the closing stages, but a solid fourth gave him encouragement for Sunday.

“We gave a good show and won the sprint race, and that was not the main target – the main target was to not lose a lot of [championship] points. I hope all these Italian fans enjoyed the show, because the comeback was super nice,” Marquez reflected.

Tissot Sprint Race Results

  1. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo
  2. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati (+1.441s)
  3. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo (+2.561s)
  4. Maverick Viñales Red Bull KTM Tech3 (+3.099s)
  5. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+4.139s)

Sunday
MotoGP

Mugello often delivers some magic, and in 2025, it didn’t fail to deliver again. Some all-time great opening laps saw the three heavyweights at the top of the title race go bar to bar in an epic start to the Brembo Italian GP.  Having to work hard for a 93rd win across all classes but securing it nonetheless and taking Ducati to victory at home, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) fended off Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), whilst a late burst from Fabio Di Giannantonio saw him pick Pecco’s pocket for P3 on the penultimate lap.

As the lights went out, it was a drag race between Marc Marquez and Bagnaia down towards San Donato for the first time, initially going to the #93, before his teammate stormed back through at Turn 2 and led the opening lap of his home Grand Prix.

Lap 2, and it was absolutely head-to-head – the battle we all hoped for coming into 2025 burst into life. Marc Marquez hit the front again at Turn 1 and held position ahead of his teammate, who even had a look at Turn 6 but thought better of it. On Lap 3 it was Bagnaia’s turn to retaliate at Turn 1, but the #93 got under his teammate, only for the #63 to bash his way back into the lead for Turn 2. Marc Marquez barrelled back through two apexes later, but Pecco wasn’t done yet, aiming to turn it tight at Turn 5. But there, he kissed the rear end of the #93 Ducati ahead, allowing Alex Marquez through and dropping to P3.

Lap 4 was just as explosive, as Bagnaia got himself back into second round Turn 1 before pouncing on Marc Marquez immediately at Turn 2 in a carbon copy of his earlier move. He made that stick and held the lead until Marc Marquez tried again at Turn 1 but headed in deep. Bagnaia slipped back through and held off the #93 for the rest of the lap until it almost all came undone for the #63 at the final corner, as he was forced into an incredible front-end save.

Into Lap 7, the #93 pounced again, this time back into P2 as Bagnaia was now forced to take third for the time being. Two laps later, Marc Marquez then struck for the lead as he chipped his brother’s advantage back down and pounced.

Behind, there was big drama in the battle for fourth, and potentially what could have been the battle for the podium. Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was taken out by Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) as the Italian made contact on the way through, spelling the end of Viñales’ Italian GP and leaving a bitter taste after a strong Sprint. Morbidelli was handed a Long Lap Penalty, which he then also served incorrectly and, therefore, was issued another. This promoted his teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio into P4, which would go on to have consequences.

More bad luck struck down the field, this time for Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP #43), who retired with a clutch problem. Meanwhile, Morbidelli’s Grand Prix, after two Long Laps, was now a battle with Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team), with the Spaniard having his strongest weekend of the season.

Further up the road, fellow Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) had worked his way into the top five amidst the incidents ahead of him, whilst the battle between top KTM was now between Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and teammate Pedro Acosta, something that went Acosta’s way with five laps to go at Turn 1.

Just behind the all-orange battle, Ai Ogura’s (Trackhouse Racing MotoGP #79) Grand Prix was also noteworthy, moving from 21st on the grid into the top ten with four laps remaining as he returns to form from injury.

Back in the podium scrap and with brothers Marc and Alex now in settled P1 and P2 respectively, it was a stellar ride from Di Giannantonio to decide the final step on the podium. With a late turn of searing pace, the #49 managed to hunt down a struggling Bagnaia and then got ahead of him at Turn 6. He wasn’t giving up on P2 either, hunting down the #73 and coming up only just short. As Marc Marquez crossed the line to take an incredible 93rd win across all classes. Alex Marquez took second by a matter of metres, as Diggia’s charge was forced to stop at P3.

Bagnaia took fourth after that stunning first few laps, as he ultimately came up short of the podium – a difficult result for the much-decorated home hero. Fellow home hero Bezzecchi took fifth for Aprilia Racing on their home turf too, ahead of Morbidelli in P6 after his adventures.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Marquez insisted. “To wear the red colours, it’s a Ducati track, three Ducatis on the podium – to win here with the red colours, I already understood this morning it was super special for them, even for me, because I feel part of them. Happy to take 37 points from this amazing weekend.”

MotoGP Race Results

  1. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo
  2. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati (+1.942s)
  3. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+2.136s)
  4. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo (+5.081s)
  5. Marco Bezzecchi Aprilia Racing (+9.329s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

  1. Marc Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati – 270
  2. Alex Marquez Ducati Lenovo – 230
  3. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 160
  4. Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati – 128
  5. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina Enduro VR46 Team LCR – 120

Moto2

It wasn’t easy, but winning from P8 on the grid was made to look like it on Sunday afternoon by Moto2 Grand Prix winner Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) as the title race leader claimed a classy fourth win of the season. The Spaniard fended off an impressive challenge from second place Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2), as Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego) earned P3 after an absolute throwdown with Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team).

Polesitter Moreira got the launch he would have wanted, but the star of the start was Gonzalez. The title race leader was up to P3 from eighth on the grid, but that was soon P4, for chief rival Canet grabbed P3 into T10, as a great battle at the front played out on the opening laps. Nine riders were split by 1.3s, with the chasing pack 0.7s adrift.

On Lap 7 of 19, Arenas led from Gonzalez and Canet, with Moreira fourth as a small gap appeared between the leading quartet and Filip Salač (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team). Then, on the same lap, Gonzalez led the chase for victory for the first time – but not for long. Arenas led again, with the top four now a second clear of the likes of Salač, Izan Guevara (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2 #28) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo #53).

Gonzalez’s pace, once he hit the front again, was proving too hot for everyone bar Arenas. Moreira and Canet had dropped to over a second behind the front two. And with six laps to go, Gonzalez’s lead was over 0.5s for the first time. And with four to go, the lead was up to just north of a second. This was Gonzalez’s race now, as a fierce fight between Canet and Moreira played out for the final rostrum spot.

The duo weren’t giving each other an inch. A proper elbows-out, fairing-bashing scrap rolled on and on in brutal glory, and all this allowed home hero Celestino Vietti (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team) to latch onto the back with half a lap to go. But in the end, Canet held onto P3 after an almighty dogfight at the chequered flag, with Gonzalez eventually clinching victory by 1.4s ahead of Arenas.

Moreira held Vietti behind, as the Brazilian and Italian finished P4 and P5.

Moto2 Race Results

  1. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP
  2. Albert Arenas Italjet Gresini Moto2 (+1.409s)
  3. Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO (+3.648s)
  4. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team (+3.745s)
  5. Celestino Vietti Beta Tools SpeedRS (+3.813s)

Moto2 Championship Points

  1. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 143
  2. Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 134
  3. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 103
  4. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 94
  5. Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing – 85

Moto3

It seems poetic: Marc Marquez took his first Grand Prix pole in France, first podium in the UK and first win at Mugello. 15 years later, history repeated itself. Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) battled from the third row to lead home a rookie 1-2 ahead of Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Dennis Foggia (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team #71) in a classic Moto3 scrap at Mugello.

Grabbing the holeshot, polesitter Carpe maintained his place, and the front three on the grid were the top three in the early stages, with Championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Scott Ogden (CIP Green Power) trading paint on the opening lap behind.

Three riders fell on the second lap on the exit of Turn 5, with Vicente Perez (GRYD MLav Racing Team #32), Ricardo Rossi (Rivacold Snipers Team #54) and Ruche Moodley (DENSSI – Racing Boe #21) all out. Another contender fell from the top six at the start of Lap 3; David Almansa (Leopard Racing) out after contact with rival Ogden.

By Lap 6, Quiles led the way and battled with Rueda, whilst Guido Pini (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #94) had put in a miraculous opening third of the race, climbing from 20th on the grid to P4 and the podium fight by Lap 6, scrapping with fellow home hero Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse #58).

There was a close moment on Lap 7 for David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) and Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3 #73) at Turn 10, with Perrone in the lead battle from the back of the grid. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing #31) was also in the mix on his comeback ride, leading briefly by the end of Lap 7. Fernandez’s charge was short-lived, though, as he and Lunetta crashed at Turn 1 under braking. The home charge came to an end a few corners later for the #94 of Pini, who crashed on the exit of Turn 12 after contact with Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA #66).

Foggia led at Turn 1 onto the last lap, but he and Carpe swapped places at Arrabbiata 1 and 2, allowing Quiles to come back into the battle, and he was P2 by Turn 12. Into the last corner, he hit the front, and despite Carpe’s best efforts in a slipstream battle, the #28 wasn’t going to be denied on the line. He took his career-first win – at the same place as Marc Marquez in 2010 – ahead of Carpe and home-hero Foggia, who was back on the podium for the first time since Buriram in 2022.

Rueda extended his Championship lead with P4 – coming from as low as 15th at one point – whilst Muñoz was fifth.

Moto3 Race Results

  1. Maximo Qulies CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team
  2. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo (+0.006s)
  3. Dennis Foggia CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team (+0.066s)
  4. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo (+0.102s)
  5. David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+0.212s)

Moto3 Championship Points

  1. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 162
  2. Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 106
  3. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 105
  4. Joel Kelso LEVELUP – MTA – 93
  5. Maximo Qulies CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team – 85

How Did the Aussies Do?

Despite Jack Miller powering from 13th to 10th early on in the Sprint, his ongoing struggles with the hard tyre meant he dropped to 16th in the sweltering conditions. Wanting more on Sunday, sadly things didn’t work out for Miller, who retired on lap 10 with a clutch issue when in contention to grab some vital points. Even though a poor start saw Senna Agius (#81) relegated back to 23rd, he deserved immense credit for coming back to secure 13th in the stacked Moto2 class.

Despite a solid ninth in qualifying for Joel Kelso, ninth was the best he could muster in the race, as an incident with Guido Pini hindered his hopes of finishing any higher. Although Jacob Roulstone (#12) led for the first time in a Moto3 race, luck wasn’t on his side, for he had to avoid two crashes around him, which dropped him way back. To his credit, he admirably kept pushing to claim a solid 13th. He’ll extract the positives and hope to carry his momentum into Assen next weekend.

For current MotoE results, click here...

WorldSBK Round 6 | Razgatlioglu sparkles at Misano

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WorldSBK Round 6 | Razgatlioglu sparkles at Misano | Over 76,000 fans came out in force at the Misano World Circuit – Marco Simoncelli for the latest MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship round, as the home crowd were treated to an action-packed weekend. Report: WorldSBK/Ed Stratmann

Friday practice
WorldSBK

It wasn’t just the temperatures that were rising at the Misano World Circuit as the pace ramped up in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, with Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #11) claiming Friday honours by 0.190s ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team #1). The top two in the standings traded fastest laps throughout the day, with ‘El Turco’ fastest in FP1 and ‘Bulegas’ quickest in FP2, at the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna round.

Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team #5) was an impressive third in FP2, which gave him fourth in the combined classification after setting a 1’33.640s, although it wasn’t enough for third in the combined standings – that belonged to Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19) who was fourth in FP2, just 0.014s away from Montella.

Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team #87) was the fastest Yamaha rider on Friday through his FP1 effort, with the Australian star losing track time in FP2 after a crash at Turn 3. He was able to rejoin the action in the final minutes of FP2, before he crashed at Turn 13, but his 1’.33.669s gave him P5 overall.

Read our WorldSBK Round Five report here… 

WorldSSP

The FIM Supersport World Championship field popped the cork on Friday’s Tissot Superpole action at a balmy Misano. Taking pole position, Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura #51) was the fastest after the 45 minutes, followed on the timesheet by Mattia Casadei (Motozoo ME Air Racing #40) and Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse #11) in P3.

Marcel Schroetter (WRP Racing #23), with his 1’37.395s lap, missed the front row by just four hundredths of a second behind Bendsneyder. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team #61) snagged a second-row spot through his 1’37.513s lap, finishing as top Yamaha in the session.

Saturday
WorldSK
WorldSBK Race 1

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) ran away with P1 as he put distance between himself and rival Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who finished P2 for his 18th WorldSBK podium. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team #9) held off Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team #22) for P3 in a nail-biting battle for his 19th career podium in the category after Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team #47)’s strong start was ruined by his Lap 2 crash.

Razgatlioglu held onto his P1 grid start as he claimed the holeshot, followed into T1 by Bassani and Bulega; however, the pair of Italians strode past the #1 as he ran wide.

After Bassani disappointingly crashed out of the race, ‘El Turco’ thundered back towards Bulega in P1, overtaking him on Lap 4. The pair from there locked horns as the #1 doggedly defended his P1 to try to win back Championship points. Behind them, Alex Lowes and Petrucci had a protracted duel of their own as they each wanted to claim the final rostrum spot for their own.

In the late running, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha #55) closed the gap to Alex Lowes in P4, nipping at the British rider’s heels as they battled in front of him. In the end, he lacked the pace to fight for P3 as well, finishing top Yamaha in P5.

“This is very good for me. After signing for next year in MotoGP, I’m really happy, but I’m just focused on my job. This weekend is very important for me because we’re still fighting for the title in WorldSBK,” Razgatlioglu said.

WorldSBK Race 1 Results

  1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
  2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +1.045s
  3. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +16.684s
  4. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +16.824s
  5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +17.450s

WorldSSP Race 1

Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing #62) took his 50th WorldSSP rostrum, becoming only the third rider to reach this milestone alongside Kenan Sofuoglu (85) and Jules Cluzel (63).

Manzi thundered across the line in the opening race for his 14th career win, and the fourth this year. Rookie Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) struck a late move on Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) to land P2, relegating Oncu to P3 for Masia’s third podium and Oncu’s 20th.

Manzi charged up the grid on the first lap of the race, and after just one lap, Manzi had recovered from his P10 starting position to P3. On lap 5, Oncu made an incisive move to take P1 from Masia, and Manzi followed him through the break, contacting Masia and Oncu as the riders went three wide, relegating Masia to P3. Manzi, shortly after setting up shop in P1, put on a defensive masterclass as Oncu launched assault after assault, and Manzi consistently held his P1 position. A late move by Masia on the race’s final lap cut in on Oncu and shuffled the Turk to the bottom rung of the podium as the Spaniard earned his third career WorldSSP podium.

Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing #69) hung with Schroetter and Debise in front of him for most of the race, as he eventually earned a solid P5.

WorldSSP Race 1 Results

  1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
  2. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +0.514s
  3. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) +1.518s
  4. Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) +1.573s
  5. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) +1.783s

Sunday
Superpole Race

The final day at Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” and the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna round got off to a jaw-dropping start as MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship leader Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) crashed out from the first two positions. Seizing the opportunity, the #1 topped the podium, followed by Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team), who notched his first podium since the Tissot Superpole Race at Jerez 2024, and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha), who earned his first-ever podium at Misano.

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) found themselves in the gravel just moments after lights out as Bulega surged up for the holeshot. Bassani lost control of his bike as he lost the front on the inside, and his KB998 Rimini slid into Bulega, ending the race for both of them, and ending a 50-race streak of at least one Ducati on the podium. The incident was investigated by the FIM WorldSBK Stewards, and Bassani was given a double Long Lap Penalty for Race 2 for irresponsible riding at Turn 1.

Toprak cut inside of Bassani as his bike slid out from under him to avoid the danger and cruised home for P1 to give BMW its fifth consecutive podium at Misano, the best streak for a manufacturer since Kawasaki and Rea’s seven-race streak from 2014 to 2017. Joining Razgatllioglu on the podium was Alex Lowes and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) for Bimota’s first podium in 25 years and Locatelli’s 22nd career WorldSBK podium, respectively.

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) did well to climb positions as he started in P9, but he was unable to keep up with a strong jump off the line from Alex Lowes and Locatelli, finishing in P4. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) gained positions up from his P11 starting position, battling with Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) for stretches of the race reminiscent of the pair’s duels from seasons past to finish in P5.

Superpole Race Results

  1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
  2. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +4.281s
  3. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +6.122s
  4. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +7.542s
  5. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +8.855s

WorldSBK Race 2

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) landed his ninth season win as he cruised to a Race 2 win by nearly a 10-second margin. Bulega glided up the grid from his P10 grid start for his 15th podium of the season, limiting the damage to his Riders’ Championship lead. His lead now stands at a tenuous nine points ahead of the #1. In third place, Bautista earned his 10th podium of the year; however, his race win drought continues, as he last topped the podium at Aragon Race 2 in 2024.

Toprak flew off the line to claim the holeshot, followed into the first corner by Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha), and that was the closest any other rider got to home in the race. While Locatelli, Alex Lowes and Danilo Petrucci battled in the early running for P2 until Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) shuffled them aside as they tried in vain to catch ‘El Turco’. Toprak held a strong pace all race to cruise to an uncontested race win to complete his second Misano hat-trick in back-to-back years. Bulega and Bautista finished in a lonely P2 and P3, as they had the pace to separate themselves from the riders behind them but lacked the speed to catch the streaking #1.

Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) won a protracted battle with Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) (Barni Spark Racing Team) to claim P4. ‘Petrux’ and Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) gave a sequel to their Race 1 battle for P3, a struggle which Petrucci won, but not without Locatelli, Bulega and Bautista passing the pair, shuffling the #9 to P5.

“I’m really happy because I was pushing really hard this weekend, and I hit my target of winning all three races. In the last race especially, the bike felt much better; we have improved the bike step by step, and it allowed me to settle into my rhythm and have a very strong pace. I’m very happy, last year I had three wins here – and this year I did it again – now I’m looking forward to Donington,” explained Razgatlioglu.

WorldSBK Race 2 Results

  1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
  2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +9.685s
  3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +14.438s
  4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +16.752s
  5. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +19.273s

Championship Points

  1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 292 points
  2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 283
  3. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 179
  4. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 172
  5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) 157

WorldSSP Race 2

Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) closed out the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna round at Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” with a race win over Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) and Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) in P2 and P3. Race 2 was the 30th race hosted at the Emilia-Romagna venue. Championship Leader Stefano Manzi crashed out on Turn 16 from P1, as another opportunity to solidify his championship lead was spoilt for the #62, as his lead over Oncu is now cut to 47 points.

Can Oncu and Stefano Manzi brought their Yamaha R1 machines to bear on each other as they battled from lights out. Manzi had established himself in front of Oncu by a slim margin, until a sudden Turn 16 lowside crash saw Oncu sail past him into P1. Several laps later, Japanese rider Kaito Toba (PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team #27) had a big highside tumble over his handlebars on Turn 14, prompting a red flag and ending the race as it had run more than two-thirds of the distance. Disappointed as they had begun to show pace and looked like they could have given Oncu a run for his money, Jaume Masia and Valentin Debise settled for the second and third spots on the podium.

Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team #65) was in the mood in Race 2, battling with Jaume Masia, Valentin Debise and Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team #52) at different points in the race. He finished in P4 for his second-best finish of the season so far. Alcoba finished in P5, tying his best result of the season, which was earned at Phillip Island Race 2.

WorldSSP Race 2 Results

  1. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team)
  2. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +0.291s
  3. Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) +0.424s
  4. Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.846s
  5. Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) +4.924s

Championship Points

  1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) 210 points
  2. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) 163
  3. Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) 156
  4. Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) 146
  5. Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) 142

WorldSSP300 Race 1

Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki #50) topped the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship podium for the first time in his career at the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna round Race 1. He was followed across the line by Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse #43), who earned his first podium since Portimao 2023, and rounding out the podium was new championship leader Julio Garcia (Prodina Kawasaki Italka Racing #48).

Torres protected his P1 grid start as he claimed the holeshot, with Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300 #91) in P2 all over the Spaniard as he badgered the #47 for P1 in the early running. The pair sparred throughout the first laps, contending with David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI #38), Julio Garcia (Prodina Kawasaki Italka Racing) and Carter Thompson, as the pack of Kawasaki Ninja 400s set their sights on the race win. Thompson’s podium hopes looked to be in dire straits as the Australian had fallen to P7 with just a few laps remaining, but, picking his moment well, the Australian slotted into P1 midway through the last lap, and didn’t leave enough time for any of his competitors to steal it from him for his first WorldSSP300 win of his career. Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) chased him across the line for his fourth podium in the category. In P3, Garcia made it 16 races in the points in a row, one point-scoring race shy of the record set by Dorren Loureiro from 2017 to 2018.

Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove #7) had his hopes of a fourth podium snubbed by Championship leader Garcia, shuffling the Kove rider to P4. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) fell to P5 after his P4 grid start, battling for the podium spots throughout the race.

WorldSSP300 Race 1 Results

  1. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki)
  2. Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) +0.338s
  3. Julio Garcia (Prodina Kawasaki Racing Sport) +0.473s
  4. Benat Fernandez (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kove) +0.494s
  5. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) +0.737s

WorldSSP300 Race 2

Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) slipped by the Championship leader, Julio Garcia (Prodina Kawasaki Italka Racing) on the final straight of the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna round to claim the race win. Fernandez’s win raised his tally to two wins and four podiums in his rookie season so far. Garcia earned his 12th podium to tie Ana Carrasco in WorldSSP300 podiums, and David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) notched his fourth rostrum finish in his two years in the Championship.

Seconds after lights out, a crash between Felix Mulya (ProGP NitiRacing #27) and Emanuele Cazzaniga (Racestar Trasimeno #4) caused a red flag as medical attention was being rendered to Cazzaniga, who was taken to the medical centre before the race restarted over a decreased eight-lap distance.

The race saw a host of different leaders across the shortened distance, as Salvador Garcia and Benat Fernandez all led for stretches of the final lap. Garcia made a late move to brush aside Fernandez, riding defensively to hold off moves, corner after corner, by the Kove rider until a desperate dash to the line on the home straight. In a photo finish, the rookie #7 pipped Julio Garcia (Prodina Kawasaki Italka Racing) by just 0.009s. Behind him, teammate David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) was just behind the two fellow Spaniards ahead of him after overcoming his long-lap penalty, just 0.035s slower than Fernandez in P1.

Antonio Torres (Team ProDina XCI #47) was the odd man off the podium; a shame for him as he rode a strong race but couldn’t fight his way through the three riders ahead of him to get on the podium. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) was less than 0.05s behind Torres, and despite having led the race for stretches and starting from P1 on the grid, the Aussie was bundled down to P5 by the end of the race.

WorldSSP300 Race 2 Results

1 Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove)
2 Julio Garcia (Prodina Kawasaki Italka Racing) +0.009s
3 David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) +0.026s
4 Antonio Torres (Team ProDina XCI) +0.099s
5 Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) +0.049s

Championship Points

  1. Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove) 134
  2. Julio Garcia (Prodina Kawasaki Italka Racing) 133
  3. Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) 114
  4. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) 104
  5. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) 93

How did the Aussies Do?

Despite a strong qualifying to grab sixth and finishing eighth in the Superpole Race, Remy Gardner was frustratingly taken out while showing promising pace early in Race 2 to end his weekend on a low note. Oli Bayliss (#32) had a tough start to round six, dropping from P12 to P18 early in Race 1, as he struggled with the bike throughout the bout, ultimately finishing 19th. Although improvement was evident in Race 2, as he moved from P13 to 11th, a red flag halted his progress to end the race early.

For the full WorldSBK Round 3 results in all classes for all days, click here...

Keith Campbell, Australia’s First Grand Prix World Champion

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The first Australian to win a Grand Prix World Championship on two wheels or four is to be celebrated in a much-awaited biography written by renowned motorcycle racing historian Don Cox. Keith Campbell, Australia’s first Grand Prix World Champion by Don Cox

Campbell secured the 1957 World 350 Championship in his debut season with Moto Guzzi, finishing on the podium at the Isle of Man.
Campbell secured the 1957 World 350 Championship in his debut season with Moto Guzzi, finishing on the podium at the Isle of Man. He was the first Australian to win multiple Grands Prix in a calendar year.

Keith Campbell, Australia’s First Grand Prix World Champion is a terrifically researched 95,000-word account of Campbell’s remarkable career featuring many previously unpublished photographs.

Campbell secured the 1957 World 350 Championship in his debut season with Moto Guzzi, finishing on the podium at the Isle of Man and taking consecutive victories in The Netherlands, Belgium and Northern Ireland. He was the first Australian to win multiple Grands Prix in a calendar year.

Campbell’s world title was the culmination of an eight-year journey from Melbourne teenager welding vacuum-cleaner bodies to finance his racing and solo trips to the famed Isle of Man that launched his career as a Continental Circus rookie at 22 and then successful private entrant.

A fair-minded man, Campbell stood up for proper payment for private riders at the 1955 Dutch TT. Along with other striking riders, he was suspended from racing for six months. Undeterred, he was back racing and winning in 1956, and then piloted Guzzi 350 singles, 500 singles and the fabulous Guzzi 500 V-eight as a factory rider.

Keith Campbell on the 500cc. V8 Moto-Guzzi.

Guzzi’s withdrawal from racing in September 1957 left Campbell without a works ride. He returned to the privateer ranks for 1958 with plans to head home to Melbourne and start a business in 1959. Campbell tragically died in a race accident at Cadours, France, in July 1958.

Former magazine editor Peter Donaldson, and writer and publishing consultant Jamie McIlwraith have read the full text.

Pre order your copy here…

“This is a truly remarkable biography of the racer, businessman and entrepreneur who became Australia’s first motorsport grand prix world champion,” Donaldson said.

“Talent, bravery, speed, smarts and persistence. Australia’s first road-racing World Champion Keith Campbell used all of that to reach the pinnacle of success,” McIlwraith said. “The man behind the legendary Circus Life  history of 1950s’ Aussie international motorcycle racers tells the inspiring yet tragic story of Campbell’s extraordinary career”.

Keith Campbell on a Manx Norton in 1958.

Keith Campbell, Australia’s first Grand Prix World Champion draws on interviews with Keith Campbell’s family, friends, rivals, team mates, helpers and travelling mates, reporters and spectators from the day.

The list of those whom helped contribute to the book includes Jack Ahearn, Keith Bryen, Rod Coleman, Geoff Duke, Keith’s brother George Campbell, key helpers Ron Day and Bob Edmonds, Eric Hinton, Bob Mitchell, Maurie Quincey, John Surtees and Vic Willoughby. Keith Campbell, Australia’s first Grand Prix World Champion is due for release in mid-2025.

Expressions of interest to KRCampbellbook@gmail.com  or KR Campbell Book, PO Box 356 Haberfield NSW 2045

Michelin to WorldSBK, Pirelli to MotoGP in Historic Tyre Switch

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In a major shake-up for global motorcycle racing, Michelin will take over as the official tyre supplier for the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) from 2026, while Pirelli will make a long-anticipated move to MotoGP, replacing Michelin as the sole supplier from the same season.

The announcement marks one of the biggest changes in racing tyre partnerships in recent memory. Michelin has been the exclusive tyre supplier to MotoGP since 2016 and brings a long legacy of premier-class experience to WorldSBK. Pirelli, meanwhile, has held the role of sole tyre supplier in WorldSBK since 2004 and will now return to the MotoGP paddock, having last competed at the highest level in the early 2000s.

Read our WorldSBK and MotoGP articles here... and our tyre articles here…

Dorna Sports, who promote both MotoGP and WorldSBK, said the switch is part of a broader strategy to bring fresh technical challenges and development to both championships, while also refreshing commercial partnerships.

Both tyre brands have deep motorsport heritage and extensive technical expertise, with Michelin focusing on continuous performance evolution through MotoGP, and Pirelli priding itself on tyre consistency and adaptability across a wide range of production-based bikes in WorldSBK.

The switch is expected to significantly influence race dynamics, team strategies, and ongoing tyre development, as both championships adjust to their new suppliers.

ASBK Round Four | Josh Waters banishes Morgan Park demons

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PitBoard
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Josh Waters banished the unlucky track tag in emphatic fashion to claim overall honours at round four of the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) at Morgan Park Raceway on June 15. Report: ASBK Media/Ed Stratmann Pics: RbMotoLens

The reigning SW-Motech Superbike champion finished with a 1-2 scorecard on his McMartin Racing Ducati around the physically demanding 2.96km circuit, with Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati, 2-3 #11) and Anthony West (Addicted to Track Yamaha, 3-4 #13) completing the dais.

Race one was particularly dramatic, with circuit guru Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team #46) retiring on lap four after his machine expired, which took all the pressure off Josh Waters as he cruised to the finish line. Jones’ comeback was emphatic in race two to make it three Morgan Park wins from the last four starts, but he’s now 53pts (215 to 162) behind Josh Waters at the halfway mark in the championship and with a mountain to climb to wrest momentum back from his long-time rival.

For Waters, it was a palpable sense of relief when he spoke in parc ferme at the end of race two. “I am just so happy with how this round has gone,” he said. “My history hasn’t been wonderful at Morgan Park, but to get pole, win race one, claim the overall and finish second to Mike (Jones) in race two is really satisfying.”

Read our previous ASBK news here…

SW-Motech Superbike Race One

Following Jones’ demise in the SW-Motech Superbike opener, all the pressure was off Waters, who just had to keep his powder dry to claim maximum points. He nailed that remit to win the 16-lapper by 2.7 seconds – his 40th victory in the Superbike class and the seventh in a massively impressive 2025 – from Pearson, who was involved in a ding-dong scrap for second with West and Cameron Dunker (MotoGO Yamaha #3).

And that was the order they finished in, with resourceful rookie Jack Favelle (Addicted to Track Yamaha #33) fifth from Max Stauffer (Yamaha Racing Team #27), Glenn Allerton (Superbike Advocates Racing Ducati #14) and Cru Halliday (Stop and Seal Yamaha #65). Meanwhile, young gun Jonathan Nahlous (Omega Racing Team Yamaha #20) was another race one casualty after crashing out.

Race One Results

  1. Josh Waters
  2. Broc Pearson (+2.740)
  3. Anthony West (3.294)
  4. Cameron Dunker (3.445)
  5. Jack Favelle (+7.144)

SW-Motech Superbike race two

With Jones back in the mix, anticipation went up a notch in race two as Waters got the holeshot from West. Jones was third, and on lap three he eased past West and immediately set out in pursuit of Waters with his customary smooth and natural flow.

Two laps later, the pair were running line astern and threatening to eclipse Jones’ two-year-old lap record. That didn’t eventuate, but Jones did pass Waters on lap 12 to move into the lead. Waters was perfectly content to finish second, while Pearson was a gritty third after passing West and Favelle in the second half of the 16-lapper.

“That was a great race,” said Jones. “I put the hammer down to catch Josh (Waters). After I got past, the setup was working well on my Yamaha and I was able to push until the end of the race. “A big thanks to the team for getting my bike back into working order between races.”

Meanwhile, Dunker, Nahlous and Allerton filled positions 6-8 among the 15 finishers. West (158pts) is third in the championship from Pearson (129), Allerton (126), Stauffer (120), Dunker (119) and Nahlous (113). Next up for the SW-Motech fraternity is round five at Queensland Raceway from August 8-10 as the ASBK reunites with the Repco Supercars Championship for the first time since 2023 in Darwin.

Jones is also a potent force around Queensland Raceway, but it was Waters and Allerton who shared the winning spoils at the venue in May this year. The intrigue continues in what has been a stellar year of Superbike action.

Race Two Results

  1. Mike Jones
  2. Josh Waters (+2.936)
  3. Broc Pearson (6.079)
  4. Anthony West (6.824)
  5. Jack Favelle (+7.232)

Championship Points

  1. Josh Waters – 215 Points
  2. Mike Jones – 162 Points
  3. Anthony West – 158 Points
  4. Broc Pearson – 129 Points
  5. Glenn Allerton – 126 Points

Kawasaki Supersport

Archie McDonald (Stop and Seal Yamaha #69) returned from his latest European sojourn with more sting in the tail than ever, completing a perfect round with pole position, two race wins and a new lap record. Despite missing the last round at Queensland Raceway, McDonald’s now moved back up to second in the standings on 160pts, behind teammate Jack Mahaffy (186 #37) and in front of BCperformance Kawasaki duo Olly Simpson (154 #5) and Hayden Nelson (130 #279).

Mahaffy (3-2) finished on the same points as the returning Tom Edwards (Team BWR Yamaha, 2-3 #71) in Warwick, with the latter back in Supersport mode for the first time in five years after finishing second in the 2021 championship behind Broc Pearson.

In race one, McDonald weathered strong early pressure from Edwards to claim a dominant victory in the 13-lapper – cut short by one lap after a savage Glenn Nelson (Stop and Seal Yamaha #9) highside at turn six. Will Nassif (Omega Racing Team Yamaha #65) was another to go down. The pace was red-hot, with a new lap record set five times – twice by Edwards and three times by McDonald.

Mahaffy was a lonely third, while Simpson, Tom Bramich (Apex Yamaha #44), Nelson, Jake Farnsworth (Yamaha #49) and Jesus Torres Cabrera (Yamaha #11) all flashed over the finish line in quick succession to claim positions 4-8. Race two was also red-flagged after eight laps when Marcus Hamod (Honda #13) was flung over the bars – but not before McDonald lowered the lap record again to 1:14.338.

The race was restarted as a five-lap dash, with McDonald again having too much class as he made it a Sunday double ahead of Mahaffy, Edwards, Nelson, Simpson and Farnsworth.

Round Results

  1. Archie Mcdonald – 51 Points
  2. Jack Mahaffy – 38 Points
  3. Tom Edwards – 38 Points
  4. Olly Simpson – 33 Points
  5. Hayden Nelson – 32 Points

Championship Points

  1. Jack Mahaffy – 186 Points
  2. Archie Mcdonald – 150 Points
  3. Olly Simpson – 154 Points
  4. Hayden Nelson – 130 Points
  5. Tom Bramich – 129 Points

Race and Road Supersport 300 and ShopYamaha R3 Cup

More sensational slicing and dicing in the Race and Road Supersport 300 class, with the combined winning margin across all three races a staggering 0.169 seconds! But in terms of race management and consistency, Scott Nicholson (#39) came to the fore again as he extended his lead in the championship to 57pts (229 to 182) over fellow Kawasaki rider Tara Morrison (#95).

Nicholson went 1-2-1 across the races, with John Pelgrave (Yamaha, 2-3-4 #43) and Tyler King (8-5-2 #128) second and third overall. Jake Paige (Kawasaki #55) was the other race winner, by a miniscule 0.004secs in race two, but then crashed out of the finale, as did fellow teen hard-charger Hudson Thompson (Yamaha #41). Thompson was third in race one, while Riley Nauta (Kawasaki #42) claimed the final podium position in race three. Paige is third in the standings on 170pts from Thompson (166).

Championship Points

  1. Scott Nicholson – 229 Points
  2. Tara Morrison – 182 Points
  3. Jake Paige – 170 Points
  4. Hudson Thompson – 166 Points
  5. Jordy Simpson – 163 Points

ShopYamaha R3 Cup

In the ShopYamaha R3 Cup, Mitch Simpson’s (#66) lead is now just 13pts (146 to 133) over the rapidly improving Nikolas Lazos (#11) after the latter won the round courtesy of his 4-1-3 scorecard. Simpson was disqualified from the opener after a machine irregularity but then followed with 3-1 results to maintain his place at the pointy end of the ever-tightening leaderboard.

Thompson (1-2-7 #41) and Pelgrave (3-4-2 #43) were second and third overall at Morgan Park, while Phoenix O’Brien (#85) (second in race one) was the other rider to finish a race on the podium. Jordy Simpson (Yamaha, 127pts #33) is third in the standings from Thompson (119) and Pelgrave (117).

The final round of the ShopYamaha Cup will be held at The Bend from November 7-9. Missing from the Supersport 300 and R3 Cup races at Morgan Park was leading light Valentino Knezovic (Yamaha #26), who injured his hand in qualifying and took no further part in proceedings.

Championship Points

  1. Mitch Simpson – 146 Points
  2. Nikolas Lazos – 133 Points
  3. Jordy Simpson – 127 Points
  4. Hudson Thompson – 119 Points
  5. Jason Pelgrave – 117 Points

Superbike Masters

As expected, former Superbike ace Beau Beaton (Ducati 851 #86) took the Superbike Masters races at Morgan Park by the scruff of the neck, winning all three in a canter. Ben Burke (Honda VFR750, 3-3-2 #60) and Corey Glock (Honda RC30, 4-2-3 #98) were second and third overall, while Josh Mathers (Yamaha FZR1000 #777) was clearly the second fastest rider before his machine expired at the tail end of race two – his weekend prematurely over.

Can Beaton go through the season undefeated? He’s building an irresistible case, and we’ll get the definitive answer at The Bend in November.

Championship Points

  1. Beau Beaton – 150 Points
  2. Michael Berti Mendez – 101 Points
  3. Phil Allen – 89 Points
  4. Phillip Burke – 75 Points
  5. Ben Burke – 56 Points

Oceania Junior Cup

Round three of the 2025 BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) was held at Morgan Park Raceway in Warwick (Qld) from June 13-15, with the FIM-backed circuit racing academy again delivering outstanding entertainment. Nineteen riders lined up around the tight and twisty 12-turn layout, with the light and sweet-handling Yamaha YZF-R15s ideally suited to the layout.

Connor Lewis (2-2-1 #77) and polesitter Chaz Williams (3-1-2 #18) were again the standouts, sharing the winning spoils as all three races went down to the wire between large groups of riders. Another highlight was Xavier Curmi’s (#82) first OJC victory, which came in race one when he moved up three spots on the final lap to greet the chequered flag in a jaw-dropping battle.

Curmi also moved up from sixth to equal fourth in the battle for OJC honours – an Australian Junior Road Race Championship – after his enterprising weekend. He’s on 124pts alongside Hunter Charlett (#73), with Williams leading on 178pts from Lewis (170) and Rossi McAdam (128 #61). McAdam can count himself unlucky in race two, leading onto the start-finish straight for the last time before being swallowed up by Williams and Lewis.

Strong performances were also put in at Morgan Park Raceway by the likes of Jai Strugnell (#99), Ghage Plowman (#27), Jed Louis (#56), Thomas Cameron (#23) and Ethan Pelgrave (#43). Round four of the 2025 BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup will be held at Phillip Island from September 6-7, alongside the 2025 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul.

Championship Points

  1. Chaz Williams – 178 Points
  2. Connor Lewis – 170 Points
  3. Rossi McAdam – 128 Points
  4. Xavi Curmi – 124 Points
  5. Hunter Charlett – 124 Points

All detailed ASBK Championship class results are here…

MotoGP Round 8 2025 report | Marc Marquez delivers Aragon masterclass

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PitBoard
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MotoGP Round 8 2025 report | Marc Marquez delivers Aragon masterclass | The #93 became the first rider to top every session of a weekend since 2015, as Alex Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia grabbed Sunday podiums in Aragon. Report: Ed Stratmann/MotoGP

Friday Practice and Saturday Qualifying
MotoGP

It was a case of catch me if you can for World Championship leader Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team #93) at the end of Friday’s running in Aragon. The #93’s 1:46.397 was plenty good enough to see him finish 0.204s clear of title rival Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP #73), as Maverick Viñales (#12) stuck his Red Bull KTM Tech3 machine inside the top three to sit 0.556s adrift of Marc Marquez heading into Saturday.

Was it ever in any doubt? Not really. MotorLand Aragon specialist Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) set a new all-time lap record to fend off the challenge of brother and title rival Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) to clinch his seventh Aragon pole position. That 1:45.704 was 0.260s quicker than the #73’s best effort, as Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team #21) earned a first front-row start of 2025 to also sit within three tenths of the World Championship leader.

Read our previous MotoGP news here…

Moto2

After the disappointment of the British GP, a fightback at Aragon began from the off for Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP #18), with the Championship leader P1 straight away on Friday at the end of play. Leading the charge into Q2, he’ll once again be the favourite, but the gap isn’t too big, so there’s still work to be done throughout the rest of the weekend.

Thanks to a 1:49.940 in Q2, Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team #10) became the first Brazilian ever to claim a pole position in Moto2, continuing an impressive run of form in his sophomore season in the class. Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego #7) lined up in the middle of the front row in P2, as the Belgian was 0.222s adrift of Moreira in qualifying ahead of Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo #53).

Moto3

Top in Free Practice 1 and top in Practice signalled a great day at the office for Moto3 World Championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo #99) at the GoPro Grand Prix of Aragon – but it wasn’t perfect. A late crash at Turn 7 put a slight dampener on the Spaniard’s Friday, but the #99’s 1:57.338 was good enough to see him beat David Muñoz (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #64) by 0.078s, with David Almansa (Leopard Racing #22) rounding out the top three.

Leading the Championship, winning at home, aiming to make it four in a row – it’s record after record for Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – and he smashed the Moto3 lap record for a third pole of 2025 at the GoPro Grand Prix of Aragon. He headed Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse #58) and Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Viel Aspar Team #28) on the grid, with Quiles fighting his way through from Q1.

Saturday
Tissot Sprint

93 territory? Not without a fight; it may have been a lap record in qualifying, but it wasn’t as straightforward as Championship leader Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) would have hoped. A blistering start from his rivals meant he may have had to work hard, but eventually, the six-time MotoGP title winner took a seventh Sprint victory of 2025 ahead of his brother Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) whilst a fighting third went to Alex’s teammate Fermin Aldeguer.

The opening lap was a corker as Marc bogged down before he collided in the braking area with a fast-starting Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #37), pushing him back to fourth briefly. Marquez recovered and got back ahead of Acosta and was in third, but it was Alex Marquez who snatched the holeshot and broke free ahead of Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team).

Further back, there was plenty of battling as rivals Aldeguer (#54) and Acosta then battled over P4, initially going the #37’s way. Behind, big drama for Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP #43) and Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol #36), with the latter running off track and then falling. Miller was issued a Long Lap Penalty, the latest incident in a long story of the rivalry.

Further up the road, and Marc had now got Franky for P2 and set off after his brother. This left Morbidelli in the clutches of Acosta, who had now moved within striking distance by Lap 4. He tried up the inside at Turn 1, but Franky retaliated, with the Italian holding firm.

A lap later and Acosta was back to try again but this time ran deep into Turn 1, putting him in a battle with Aldeguer once more. The #54 struck at Turn 12, holding firm until Turn 16 when Acosta went ahead again, but once more, he was wide, paving the way for Fermin to bag P4 and charge after the podium places.

Meanwhile, another battle was brewing as Marc had closed down brother Alex for the lead and, by the start of Lap 6, got the job done at Turn 1. The younger Marquez brother was still with him for half a lap, but by Turn 7, Marc had got into his stride and was now the pacesetter at the front. Whilst one factory Ducati was enjoying their time at the front, another was having a nightmare as Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team #63) dropped down early on and then made a mistake at Turn 7, dropping him to 13th.

With just four laps to go, it was Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP #20) vs Maverick Viñales at Turn 1, with the Spaniard passing the Frenchman but using all the track to do so; Quartararo had to sit up, allowing Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing #33) and Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing #72) to zip by.

In the final three laps, Aldeguer was ruffling more feathers; this time, it was Morbidelli who was forced to yield with a bold move at Turn 4, giving the Murcian rider P3. This left Morbidelli to fend off fourth place from Acosta on the final lap, but up at the front, Marc Marquez was in dreamland in his true stomping ground, easing to Sprint success, extending his lead in the standings to 27 points and thus guaranteeing that regardless of what happened tomorrow, he’d lead the standings to Ducati’s backyard at Mugello.

Alex Marquez was a hard-fought second ahead of Aldeguer, doubling up Gresini’s Aragon success and making it a second Sprint rostrum for himself in his rookie year.

“I had a small problem at the start because I spun the rear tyre, but I was able to manage and not lose a lot of positions,”Marc Marquez said.

“My plan was to try to lead from the beginning until the end, but I saw that Alex was pushing a lot in the first 2-3 laps. That was a bit my weak point with the soft rear tyre, but I was calm, and at the end of the race, my feeling was great, perfect. Let’s see if tomorrow we can keep the same rhythm.”

Tissot Sprint Race Results

  1. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo
  2. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati (+2.080s)
  3. Fermin Aldeguer BK8 Gresini Ducati (+4.630s)
  4. Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+5.944s)
  5. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+6.095s)

Sunday
MotoGP

Sometimes, sport isn’t about watching a phenomenal fight for victory honours. Sometimes, sport is also about witnessing greatness and enjoying an athlete performing at the very top of their game – and that’s exactly what was seen this weekend at the GoPro Grand Prix of Aragon. Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), for the first time since 2015, topped every session in a Grand Prix weekend to clinch a dominant seventh victory at MotorLand. Simply put: chapeaux.

On home turf, brother and title rival Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) took P2 ahead of an improving Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) – the Italian looking somewhat back to the Champion we know and love on Sunday. As the saying goes, form is temporary, class is permanent.

Unlike the Sprint, Marc Marquez got a great launch and the holeshot belonged to the polesitter, with Alex Marquez and Bagnaia slotting into P2 and P3. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) lost out at the start; the Italian was shuffled down to P7 on Lap 1 from the front row.

The two Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machines of Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder got away well, though, as they were shadowing Bagnaia in P3 as Acosta showed a wheel at Turn 1 on Lap 2 – but the Italian regained P3 at Turn 2. However, at Turn 12, the #37 did make a move stick on the #63 – but not for long! Bagnaia bit back at the penultimate corner to reclaim P3. This was great viewing for the fans, but it was costing the duelling duo, plus Binder and Morbidelli, time to Marc and Alex Marquez.

A mistake from Sprint podium finisher Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) meant the Spanish rookie was 1.2s behind the fight for P3, as his teammate Alex Marquez shadowed Marc Marquez. The gap was hovering around the half-second mark in the opening exchanges.

Heading onto Lap 7 of 23, the top five were split by 1.4s as both factory KTMs – Acosta and then Binder – set fastest laps of the Grand Prix. But on the next lap, was it time for Marc Marquez to put the hammer down? A 1:47.275 was set as the title race and Grand Prix leader stretched his lead to 0.8s. That lap was a good two tenths – plus a bit more – quicker than Alex Marquez, Bagnaia, Acosta and Binder.

Another fastest lap of the GP, a 1:47.180, saw Marquez’s advantage climb to 1.3s. His chief title rival, Alex Marquez, was the slowest of the top five and the #73 had trouble brewing. And speaking of trouble, back-to-back podium finisher Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR #5) crashed out at Turn 12. An unfortunate end to a great run of form for the Frenchman.

 

On Lap 12 of 23, a podium fight of four became three, as Binder’s promising Grand Prix came to a premature end at Turn 2. And then Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) crashed out too. El Diablo slipped out of contention at Turn 1, as his Aragon woes continued.

With nine laps to go, Marc Marquez’s lead was now just under two seconds as Alex Marquez continued to keep Bagnaia at bay by 0.5s. Acosta had dropped to 1.6s off the podium, but the KTM rider had three seconds of fresh air behind him to the Morbidelli-Aldeguer fight for P5. And what a battle it was between the yellow and blue Ducatis.

While chasing Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) for P7, Maverick Viñales’ (Red Bull KTM Tech3) Aragon pursuit ended at Turn 12 in the closing stages, as Marc Marquez demonstrated his dominance by setting the fastest lap of the Grand Prix. Fair play.

Alex Marquez and Bagnaia’s late pace also saw them get into the 1:46s, but neither of them was a match for Marc Marquez at MotorLand as the home hero became the first rider to lead every session of a Grand Prix weekend since… Marc Marquez at the 2015 German GP. Supremacy.

Alex Marquez limited the damage and Bagnaia returned to the podium in what must be a massive injection of confidence for the double MotoGP World Champion.

Acosta couldn’t quite keep tabs on the podium chase, but a P4 was a job well done for the double World Champion, as Morbidelli eventually beat Aldeguer in a feisty fight for P5. P7 went the way of Mir as the 2020 World Champion picked up his best result since the 2023 Indian GP. Marco Bezzecchi’s (Aprilia Racing) impressive ride also deserved praise, for he came back from P20 on the grid to collect P8.

“It was an amazing weekend. All the practices, leading with full focus and concentration. As I expected, the others got closer and closer every session, and in the race, the pace of Alex [Marquez] and Pecco [Bagnaia] was super fast. But I was consistently controlling the race distance, and the celebration together with my brother was amazing,” Marquez explained.

MotoGP Race Results

  1. Marc Marquez Ducati Lenovo
  2. Alex Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati (+1.107s)
  3. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo (+2.029s)
  4. Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM (+7.657s)
  5. Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati (+10.363s)

Check out the full MotoGP race results here…

MotoGP Championship Points

  1. Marc Marquez BK8 Gresini Ducati – 233
  2. Alex Marquez Ducati Lenovo – 201
  3. Francesco Bagnaia Ducati Lenovo – 140
  4. Franco Morbidelli Pertamina VR46 Ducati – 115
  5. Fabio Di Giannantonio Pertamina Enduro VR46 Team LCR – 99

Moto2

Three thousandths of a second. That’s all that separated winner Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and second place Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) in an all-time classic Moto2 thriller at the GoPro Grand Prix of Aragon – the closest finish in the new era of Moto2. Third place went the way of Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego), as the Belgian claimed his third podium in the last four races.

From a historic pole, Moreira pocketed the holeshot, but at Turn 7, Öncü led. The Turk was on a march as we then witnessed double CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team drama. Daniel Holgado (#27), out of control in the downhill braking zone at Turn 12, wiped out luckless teammate David Alonso (#80) as both crashed out on Lap 1.

Back at the front, Baltus was our new race leader on Lap 2. After a qualifying disaster, Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) was up to P14 at the same stage, one place ahead of 2024 Aragon GP winner Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #96), as Aron Canet (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego #44) carved his way past Moreira on Lap 3 to demote the polesitter to P4. And on Lap 6, the top four of Baltus, Öncü, Canet and Moreira were locked together, with Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedRS Team #21) the chief chaser in P5, 1.4s adrift.

On Gonzalez watch, Lap 11 saw the #18 sit 0.7s away from the quartet of riders battling for P5 – those were Lopez, Filip Salač (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team #12), Silverstone winner Senna Agius (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP #81) and Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team #16). And further up the road, Öncü was getting a wriggle on. The Turk set the two consecutive fastest laps of the race on Lap 13 and 14 of 19, which put him 0.5s clear of Baltus. What did the Belgian, Moreira and Canet have in return? The answer from the Brazilian (Moreira) was a new fastest lap of the Grand Prix, but the gap – after a small fight with Baltus – was now 0.7s.

Moreira was coming, though, and fast. Heading onto the final lap, the gap was zero after another fastest lap of the race! Öncü vs Moreira, Turkey vs Brazil. Turn 5 saw Moreira take the lead, so what answers did Öncü have? It all came down to the final two corners. And what a finish it was. Öncü hung his Triumph-Kalex around the outside as the duo locked elbows on the run to the line. Two rising stars were gunning for their first Moto2 victory, and by the skin of his teeth, Öncü stole it by 0.003s! Wow.

Baltus didn’t quite have the pace in the closing stages, but it’s a third podium of the year for the Belgian, as Agius and Salač completed the top five ahead of Canet, who faded in the final laps.

Moto2 Race Results

  1. Deniz Oncu Red Bull KTM Ajo
  2. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team (+0.003s)
  3. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO (+1.949s)
  4. Senna Agius Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP (+5.146s)
  5. Filip Salac Elf Marc VDS Racing (+5.926s)

Moto2 Championship Points

  1. Manuel Gonzalez Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP – 118
  2. Aron Canet Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 118
  3. Diogo Moreira Italtrans Racing Team – 90
  4. Barry Baltus Fantic Racing LINO SONEGO – 89
  5. Jake Dixon Elf Marc VDS Racing – 85

Moto3

Leaving it until the last lap to take a first win is one thing, but the last corner is another. Still, David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) finally got the job done in style at the GoPro GP of Aragon, taking a first win after a final corner attack on rookie sensation Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Viel Aspar Team). In P3, it was another rookie who continues to impress, as Alvaro Carpe (Red Bull KTM Ajo #83) came strong late on, whilst teammate and Championship leader Jose Antonio Rueda made a last-lap mistake to cost him late on and crossed the line in P8.

Grabbing the holeshot, Rueda was able to get through the opening sector cleanly, but behind, a fast-starting Quiles had got into P2 at Turn 3, passing Luca Lunetta (SIC58 Squadra Corse). Quiles wasted no time by getting straight onto the back wheel of the #99 ahead of him as the usual early freight train in Moto3 took shape. Further back down the field, a tricky weekend for Stefano Nepa (SIC58 Squadra Corse #82) continued when he was taken out by Vicente Perez (LEVELUP-MTA #32) at Turn 9.

On Lap 4, there was a clear established group of four at the front, as joining Rueda and Quiles was Muñoz and David Almansa (Leopard Racing), both with great pace all the way through the weekend. However, just three laps later, it was all one big group again but down one rider, as Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull KTM Tech 3 #12) was forced to retire with a technical problem.

Into the second half of the 17-lap encounter, and it was Almansa making moves back into the podium places. But Sunday specialist Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia #72) was right there too, ahead of Carpe, Championship challenger Angel Piqueras (FRINSA – MT Helmet – MSI #36), his teammate Ryusei Yamanaka (#6) and Joel Kelso (LEVELUP-MTA #66).

On Lap 12, the lead changed for the first time, with Lunetta and Muñoz getting ahead of Rueda, who was down to sixth place. Soon, it was Almansa who had got to the head of the field, showcasing his weekend pace when it mattered.

Into the last two laps, Quiles headed the group of ten riders, but Muñoz was right there with him and hit the front to lead onto the last lap. Quiles retaliated, and behind there was also a costly error for Rueda, with the Championship leader getting it all wrong into Turn 1 and costing himself a load of places. It was all boiling down to a final slipstream battle, but the #28 of Quiles looked to have it sorted until Muñoz made a bold move into the final corner, keeping it clean and making it stick. Quiles tried to hit back on the drag to the line but came up just short as Muñoz became the latest winner in Moto3. Quiles missed out by just 0.050s, as Carpe could only watch on at the duel for glory, but nevertheless took a second rostrum of his rookie year.

It was a career-best P4 for Almansa, who continues to edge closer to a first podium, ahead of Lunetta and Piqueras, with the latter taking a couple of points out of Championship leader Rueda. Kelso managed to come through for P7 ahead of Rueda, who rued his last-lap mistake.

Moto3 Race Results

  1. David Munoz Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP
  2. Maximo Qulies CFMOTO Viel Aspar Team (+0.050s)
  3. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo (+0.381s)
  4. David Almansa Leopard Racing (+0.459s)
  5. Luca Lunetta SIC58 Squadra Corse (+0.636s)

Moto3 Championship Points

  1. Jose Antonio Rueda Red Bull KTM Ajo – 149
  2. Angel Piqueras FRINSA – MT Helmets – 97
  3. Joel Kelso LEVELUP – MTA – 86
  4. Alvaro Carpe Red Bull KTM Ajo – 85
  5. Taiyo Furusato Honda Team Asia – 67

How Did the Aussies Do?

Despite receiving a long-lap penalty following an incident on the second lap with Joan Mir, Jack Miller admirably finished 13th in the Aragon Sprint race. Then for the Sunday bout, the Australian made a strong start, as he climbed from 14th to 10th on the opening lap. While he fought hard, he would eventually finish 14th after tyre wear forced him to slow in the later stages.

While Senna Agius was disappointed with his 13th in qualifying at Aragon, he rebounded impressively to secure fourth in the main dance. Managing the race maturely, this was a fine result considering he battled tyre issues.

Although Joel Kelso stated it was a tough weekend for him at Aragon, where he faced many challenges throughout as he struggled to find his rhythm, he still deserved credit for clinching seventh. With this in mind, expect the Aussie ace to come out swinging at Mugello.

Banking an excellent P6 in qualifying at Aragon, this was a brilliant way for Jacob Roulstone to begin his weekend. But sadly his race ended early due to a technical issue beyond his control, which meant he had to retire on lap five when he was running near the front.

For current MotoE results, click here...

 

Pecco Bagnaia and the Lamborghini Temerario HPEV

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He might be best known for tearing up the MotoGP grid on his Ducati Desmosedici GP, but Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia has proven he’s just as handy behind the wheel, recently hopping into the driver’s seat of Lamborghini’s all-new Temerario HPEV. Press: Ducati ANZ

And no surprise, the Italian gun was grinning from ear to ear. The Temerario, a new high-performance electrified beast from Sant’Agata Bolognese, is packing a brand-new twin-turbo V8 paired with three electric motors. The combined grunt? A wild 920 horses, launching the stuning car from 0–100km/h in just 2.7 seconds — and 0–200 in a staggering 7.1. Top speed? 343km/h. Yep, it’s proper quick.

Top speed? 343km/h. Yep, it’s proper quick…

Pecco, a self-confessed Lamborghini fan, jumped at the chance to sample it. “I’d never felt anything like it,” he said.“Rather than feeling like a turbo, it’s more like a naturally aspirated engine with a wild intake system. Hitting 10,000rpm is unbelievable. But what shocked me most was how easy it is to drive. It’s a stunning combination.”

That lofty 10,000rpm redline is more reminiscent of a bike than your typical supercar — no wonder it got Pecco’s attention. It’s a unique nod to performance engineering from both Ducati and Lamborghini, which are both under the Volkswagen Group umbrella.

The number 63 on Pecco’s GP bike also connects him to the brand — Lamborghini was founded in 1963, and the link is more than just symbolic. Between Ducati’s Desmosedici and Lambo’s latest track-slaying tech, it’s clear both Italian brands are at the cutting edge.

While the Temerario HPEV isn’t available to the public just yet (and still going through the final type approval stages), if Pecco’s reaction is anything to go by, it’s going to be a serious bit of kit when it hits the road. Stay tuned for more as we keep an eye on when this high-revving hybrid monster is officially released, we might hit Lambo up for a long term family car!

Check out the video below…

Aussies Racing Abroad | May 2025

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With many Aussies showcasing their skills abroad in a range of disciplines on-track, our latest column focuses on how they’re faring battling it out, this month we have Miller, Agius, Kelso, Roulstone, Gardner, Bayliss, Power, O’Halloran, Cannon and Owens…

On-Track
Jack Miller – MotoGP

It was a case of what could’ve been for Jack Miller at Le Mans. After banking a solid 11th in the Sprint, the Sunday race, which was ultimately won by an incredible Johann Zarco, was one that got away from the Aussie. Amid the chaos of the opening laps, those who had gambled on slicks initially looked to have made the right choice – until the rain intensified. Moving up to 13th on lap three, Miller was on it, carving his way through the field with impressive pace on the wet tyres.

Disaster then struck for Miller at the end of lap six when he was violently thrown off the bike in a nasty highside, just when the stars appeared to be aligning for the #43.

“This one is tough to digest. We had the right strategy, I gambled, trusted the forecast and I was right. Staying out there at the beginning was tough, all the bikes on slicks were coming by, but I knew there was going to be a crossover where I could have started to recover. I was trying to nurse it and do all the right things,” he lamented.

“It hurts, because I don‘t understand what went on. It had started to rain a little more, like I was hoping, came to the last corner, did the same thing as the laps before, but I lost it, had a highside, and that was it. Don‘t know if it was because of bumps or different patches of asphalt, but I am devastated because we had done everything right. I am gutted for the team, also considering that Johann at that time was behind me.”

Read last month’s Aussie’s Abroad here...

Senna Agius – Moto2

Heading into the main dance on Sunday dissatisfied with his 14th in qualifying, Senna Agius was fired up and ready for battle. But, despite producing a tidy showing, the long lap penalty he was handed for taking a shortcut at turn nine ruined his hopes of a quality result.

To his credit, the 19-year-old crucially showed dogged determination to fight back to get into the points, adding two more to his tally ahead of the British Grand Prix by virtue of his 14th.

“A tough race! I did my best to catch up after the long lap, but I made a mistake. I didn’t give the rider who overtook me enough time to get past me again. That’s why I had to take a shortcut and got a long lap penalty. After that, I just tried to score as many points as possible,“ reflected Agius.

“Unfortunately, Le Mans was not an easy weekend. I’m pretty annoyed about how the race went for us. But I tried not to give up. We just have to stay strong and keep focusing because we are working really well. We just need to find some consistency with the feeling. So, we need to stay strong and restart at Silverstone and hopefully have another good weekend there.”

Joel Kelso – Moto3

Having logged third in qualifying to earn a coveted front-row start, this was a terrific sign that Joel Kelso would go on to enjoy a brilliant race at Le Mans.

Kelso duly took command from the start, wasting little time in flexing his muscles and showcasing the pace and precision of a true frontrunner. Even though he was holding firm in the lead for the majority of the bout, a last-corner incident with David Munoz unfortunately robbed him of what would have been a richly deserved maiden Moto3 victory.

Jose Antonio Rueda capitalised on this skirmish, as Munoz and Kelso initially crossed the line in second and third respectively. A post-race penalty was then given to Munoz to promote Kelso to P2.

While the outcome was heartbreaking, his standout performance once again reinforced his status as a genuine title contender.

“P2. Well, what could have been. Led the whole race but just came up short at the end. Honestly, I’m really happy with how the weekend went (except for the last two corners). Another podium on the board and even more fire in the belly to chase that first race win. Massive thank you to my team for all their hard work, it’s going to pay off soon,” he insisted.

Jacob Roulstone – Moto3

Finishing 13th in Moto3 at Le Mans marked a solid result for Jacob Roulstone as he continues to regain his rhythm after recently returning from injury.

Extracting the positives from this one, which included fighting back from P18 to bag some vital points, Roulstone was, however, left to regret getting off to a poor start in this stacked category, which conditioned his race.

“Will take the points to end the weekend here in Le Mans. P13 – ups and downs over the weekend, but we have made progress. Huge thanks to the team as always for the hard work each day. It was awesome again to race at Red Bull KTM Tech3’s home GP. The record crowd of 311,000 over the weekend was incredible,” he stated.

Remy Gardner – World Superbike

Despite a DNF in race one, there were plenty of positives to take from Remy Gardner’s weekend at Most, as he notably claimed an excellent sixth place in the Tissot Superpole and capped it off with an outstanding fifth in race two.

Blasting off the line rapidly, the #87 made many key passes to kick off proceedings in the second stanza. Powering up to fifth before maintaining his momentum, the 27-year-old admirably navigated the remainder of the race to secure fifth.

“What a way to end the weekend! The sprint race didn’t go well, I wasn’t feeling great on the bike, but we kept pushing and stayed focused on race two. That made the difference – I felt much better and could fight with the front group. I had a great start, which helped me get into a good position early. The pace was strong, and I stayed close to the podium group for most of the race. In the final five laps, I managed to open a gap and secure fifth place. A really strong top-five finish,”explained Gardner.

Oli Bayliss – World Supersport

PTR Triumph’s Oli Bayliss rode to an accomplished ninth in race one in the challenging World Supersport class. Starting 17th, he fought his way up to duke it out for sixth, but a late mistake saw him slip to ninth, in a race where he clinched his best finish since the season opener.

Wanting to keep the ball rolling for the second encounter, this contest was disappointingly shattered by two long lap penalties. But he did, however, recover valiantly to grab 12th.

“I’m a bit disappointed after that one. I was feeling really good on the bike and the pace is showing. Two long laps didn’t help us at all, so really kicking myself. We’ll try again in Misano to maximise our potential. Thanks to my team and sponsors,” Bayliss said.

Gaining crucial confidence and performing at a level nearing his best, there was much to like about his efforts at the Czech round. The upcoming round in Italy should be pivotal in his quest to get back to where he knows he belongs – slugging it out at the front.

Luke Power – World Supersport

Venturing to Most with fond memories after picking up a good result last year at the venue, Luke Power’s Czech outing began with tremendous speed in the wet. Although the Motozoo ME AIR Racing MV Agusta ace crashed while laying down a heater, thankfully he didn’t further hurt himself.

He then continued on his path to recapture his groove following his shoulder injury, with 18th in qualifying and race two, which was a more than respectable effort by the Aussie all things considered.

“It was a rollercoaster of emotions, I guess, is the best way to describe the weekend in Most. On the upside, I was happy with Friday. I had a big crash at the start of qualifying, but the team did a fantastic job to fix the bike so I could get back out. I was able to secure P18, which is not the best grid position, but considering I had crashed twenty minutes before, it was good. I want to say a big thanks to the team,” Power commented.

“Saturday was a bit of a downer. I made a good start and made up places in the first five laps. The pace honestly wasn’t bad. Unfortunately, I encountered an unexpected drop in the tyre. I don’t really know why, but this is racing. I finished the race, which wasn’t easy, but at least we finished and got some data. On Sunday I didn’t make a good start, and the first two laps were difficult. I recovered and had good pace towards the end of the race. We fell short of finishing in the points, but our speed at points in the race was as fast as those in the top ten. I will regroup for Misano. I am confident in myself, and I am confident in the team and proud of how we worked. It’s coming together, but it’s a world championship, so it’s not easy – the guys here are fast.”

Off-Track
Jake Cannon – EMX250

It’s been a month full of learning and ups and downs in EMX250 for Jake Cannon, with brutal weather, bad luck, poor starts and crashes ensuring he’s struggled to get the outcomes he desires.

After an unsatisfactory 32nd and 15th in Portugal and Spain respectively, the talented Australian will now shift his focus to the next event in France, the home GP for his Bud Racing Kawasaki Team, in his pursuit of some much-improved results.

Liam Owens – EMX250

Registering a pair of 12ths in the two EMX250 races in May so far has been a decent return for the young Aussie. Progressing nicely with his Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna squad, highlights have come in the form of his sixth in the opening moto in the mud at Portugal, P3 in qualifying in Spain and a masterful fourth in the first Spanish race.

Frustratingly, his disqualification in the second moto in Lugo for an issue in the goggle lane cost him and cancelled out his 11th, meaning he was forced to settle for 12th overall. Annoyed about being unable to put everything together for a complete weekend, all the signs are promising that he’ll translate his speed into results sooner rather than later.

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