On-Track
Jack Miller – MotoGP

Jack Miller ended his 2024 MotoGP season with a solid 13th in Barcelona, in what was his final race with Red Bull KTM Factory before making the switch to Prima Pramac Yamaha for 2025. “I had a good start, settled in there and the tyres stayed good, but I just couldn’t push much and got stuck behind some guys. We signed-off by finishing the race and putting some points on the board. I think both KTM and I wanted more, but I gave my all from the first laps of testing until the last laps today. Onto the next chapter,” he explained.

And that next chapter aboard the Pramac Yamaha has already begun, with the popular Aussie already getting some vital seat time on his new machine at the recent test. Set to be a major asset to his new squad given his experience and proven work developing many different manufacturers, it’ll be exciting seeing how the #43 fares next campaign.

From MotoGP.com – As well as the statement laptime, there was plenty to pull focus at Prima Pramac Yamaha, with new arrivals Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller debuting on new machinery and the team itself making the much-anticipated switch. They both had the 2024 bike, and Oliveira was P17 after 60 laps, with Miller P22 after 71.

Senna Agius – Moto2

Senna Agius closed out his debut season in Moto2 with a credible 12th in Catalunya to finish 18th in the standings. Starting the finale 10th on the grid, it wasn’t long until he powered into fifth. Unfortunately, his march through the field was halted, however, when he suffered numbness in his right forearm. To his credit, though, he valiantly fought on to complete the bout.

“I had a really good start and on the first few laps, I tried to conserve the tyre. I was able to stay in the leading group quite well. But then, eleven laps before the end, my right arm went to sleep for some reason. I no longer had any control over it and could no longer brake or open the throttle as I wanted,” he lamented.

“I wondered whether I would be able to finish the race at all. So, I just tried to bring the bike home. I’m very disappointed because my bike felt fantastic and the fight for the podium was right in front of me. Getting into it was my plan towards the end. I’ve never had a problem with this physical issue in my life, but something obviously went wrong today. That worries me a bit. Overall, I’m happy with my first World Championship campaign. I did my best and had some good moments. Many thanks to the whole team for all the efforts and work they did for me!”

Setting his sights on making further strides with his LIQUI MOLY Husqvarna Intact GP team next time around, the immensely talented Agius, who banked a memorable maiden Moto2 podium on home soil, will now enjoy a deserved break ahead of what will be a demanding pre-season training schedule.

Jacob Roulstone – Moto3

Jacob Roulstone’s rookie Moto3 term ended on a high note with him clinching an excellent eighth in Barcelona.

Having qualified in ninth, there was much to like about how he rode a measured race and navigated the many challenging situations that inherently come in this wild class. Sitting in 12th with just five laps to go, how the youngster pounced to seize his chance and eventually climb to eighth was very impressive.

“I am happy to finish the season in a decent way. I wish we would have found the pace earlier in the season, but anyway it feels good to finish on that positive note. I knew that Dani was fighting for second, so I tried to get in front of Colin Veijer and Ivan Ortola as best as I could, when I could. He finished second, so I am happy that I could play a tiny part in that success, I am happy for him,” Roulstone reflected.

“It was a bit of a shame to lose the group at some point, but I progressively gained back ground. I am really happy with my season. There were ups and downs, but I am proud about the way I managed to overcome everything. I would like to thank everyone in the team for sticking around me, helping me and giving me the most competitive bike possible in every session and race. I look forward to another season with them next year, and I believe that after a good off-season and preseason training, we will be ready to show our potential for our second year in the championship, and achieve our goals. Thank you to everyone involved!”

Roulstone will now shift his focus to 2025, where he’ll be determined to keep elevating and going from strength to strength in his quest to be regularly battling it out at the top of the category.

Joel Kelso – Moto3

Despite his last race with Boe Motorsports not reaching the heights he intended, it wasn’t all bad, with Joel Kelso’s 14th in qualifying and P12 in the race still being respectable efforts. Struggling at many stages throughout the weekend and unable to match it with the frontrunners, Kelso will now return to Australia to prepare for the 2025 crusade. Changing teams for 2025 to the Level Up-MTA squad, watch for him to right up there, as he aims to be duking it out for title honours.

“It was an easy decision for me to join the Level Up-MTA team. The team consistently demonstrates professional and sporting excellence. I thank manager Alessandro Tonucci for the mutually desired agreement we’ve reached. The 2025 season promises to be exciting as we aim for the Moto3 class crown with a team ready to meet such ambitious goals,”Kelso stated.

Jason O’Halloran – New testing Yamaha role

Experienced BSB star Jason O’Halloran has announced his plans for 2025, as he’ll join the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official team for the 2025 FIM Endurance World Championship alongside Karel Hanika, Marvin Fritz and reserve rider Robin Mulhauser. After 278 races, 28 race wins and 75 podiums in BSB, the “O Show” is looking forward to this next stage of his career.

“I am extremely excited to join the YART team and become a full-time EWC rider. I have spent many years in British Superbikes, but when I started speaking to the team, it just seemed like the perfect move. I want to thank everybody who made this happen. I cannot wait to join up with the team, and what a team! Endurance World Champions in 2009 and 2023, plus Marvin and Karel are amazing riders, and the team’s achievements speak for themselves,” he insisted.

“I had a lot of success in BSB with Yamaha, so I am excited to get back onto the R1. It has always been the bike I gelled with the best; it suits my riding style, and I love riding it. I had a taste of riding in the EWC in the past and it has always been a championship I wanted to race in. With Niccolo retiring, the timing was perfect, and I cannot wait for the challenge ahead.”

His deal also sees the YART team’s long association with Australian riders continue, which has seen Damian Cudlin, Steve Martin, Josh Brookes, Broc Parkes, Wayne Maxwell and Ricky Olson compete for them. The 2025 FIM Endurance World Championship kicks off on April 17 with the 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans, giving the 36-year-old plenty of time to get dialled for what looms as a captivating season.

Off-Road
Jett Lawrence and Hunter Lawrence – Paris Supercross

Although neither Jett or Hunter Lawrence reigned supreme at the 2024 Paris Supercross, there was still much upside to extract from the showpiece event. Getting some crucial gate drops and testing time on the new bike, it was a terrific weekend to log some data and figure some things out ahead of the new term. In the case of Jett, and he really should’ve been crowned the King of Paris, as he won five of the six races, only for an incident with a lapper while leading the second main event to cost him.

Getting some tremendous starts, looking comfortable in the whoops and rhythms and yet again showcasing why he’s widely regarded as the best on the planet, the masterful phenom left content even if he missed out on defending his title. Meanwhile, Hunter definitely endured a more difficult time at the office. Battling the bike and lacking the comfort needed to perform at his best, the lack of time on the latest offering had a considerable impact on his performance.

Expect the HRC team to get any gremlins sorted out sooner rather than later, as the brothers gear up for a huge 2025.

Up next for the dynamic duo was the AUSX Open in Melbourne, which gave them some extra high-level racing action and offered their loyal fans a rare opportunity to see them on home soil before they return Stateside to prepare for another massive campaign. Hunter took the win, the report is here.

The post Racing news | Aussies Racing Abroad December 2024 appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

On-Track

Jack Miller – MotoGP
The month of October has been a consistent one for Aussie MotoGP star Jack Miller. Bagging an impressive fourth in the Sprint and a sixth in the red-flagged race in Japan due to the brutal wet conditions, he backed this up with a solid ninth and a seventh in Indonesia to ensure he headed into his home GP with some handy momentum.

Venturing to the famed Phillip Island track in front of his adoring fans, there was much reason for positivity from his weekend in an event where the main race was run on Saturday due to the impending severe wind and rain on Sunday.

Banking eighth in qualifying ahead of the main race, this gave him a decent grid position to enjoy a strong body of work, where he finished seventh after engaging in some pulsating battles throughout.

“It was a decent Grand Prix. I had a bit of fun with the guys there. The bike was working good, and I cannot complain. I felt I was losing a bit too much time in the last sector but then also struggling a bit with the front tire. I had to try and nurse it. We learned from that today. We didn’t really want that result at our home GP but it was a solid finish and we were not too far away from the front guys. Happy enough and happy with the bike. We have a bit more work to do, but things are going good.”

Joel Kelso – Moto3
Joel Kelso marked his home race in memorable style by bagging his first-ever Moto3 podium. Having earned himself second on the grid, the Darwinian immediately got down to business in the race, displaying excellent speed and race-craft to keep pace with the frontrunners.

Putting on a wicked show for the supporters to eventually bag third despite a late moment, Kelso rightfully cut a delighted figure afterwards, stating: “Bloody brilliant! I’m over the moon. It was tricky conditions, but I just had to go for it at my home GP. I wanted the win but then made a little mistake, so I thought ‘Just put it in the bag’ and get it home safely. There was a lot of pressure, but now we’ll finish the year and try to bring the best results to CFMOTO,” he gleamed.

In another exciting piece of news for the ambitious Kelso, it’s been confirmed he’s signed with BOE Motorsports in Moto3 for 2024. “I am very happy to be able to join a great team like BOE Motorsports for another year in Moto3. I am very grateful for this opportunity; my goal will be to fight at the front and show everyone what we are capable of.”

Senna Agius – European Moto2 Championship and Moto2
The Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact team ace won’t be forgetting October in a hurry, for not only did Agius secure the European Moto2 Championship, but he also signed on the dotted line with his current team to step up to Moto2 on a full-time basis.

“I am feeling super-grateful to have the opportunity to step up with this team. I just have to say thank you for this incredible chance and thanks to everyone involved for believing in me,” he expressed. “It will be my rookie season, and I have so much to learn, but it’s already been a good time riding in Moto2, and I am so happy to be jumping up to Grand Prix now. I am just so excited.”

To shift the attention back to his title triumph, the way the 18-year-old handled the pressure and weight of expectation expertly to get the job done was nothing short of impressive, as he triumphed at Aragon after logging the quickest time in qualifying to underline his tremendous talent emphatically.

Harrison Voight – European Moto2 Championship
Back in action at Aragon, Harrison Voight once again showcased many glimpses of his undeniable class. Starting the opening race all the way back in 20th, it was eye-catching how he embarked on a scintillating charge through the field to work his way up to sixth. Disappointingly, though, while running close to the group of riders up to second, a mistake from a rival forced a collision, which saw him pull out courtesy of some subsequent pain in his leg that meant he was unable to change gears.

Bravely lining up for the second race, 13th was the best he could manage in a bout that saw him toil on valiantly following a rough start. With one round left in the series, all eyes will be on the finale, where the Stylobike hotshot will be eager to close out his season in an uplifting fashion.

Josh Brookes – British Superbike
Josh Brookes ended his 2023 crusade with commendable efforts at the final two rounds at Donington Park and Brands Hatch. To start with the former, his 7-8-3 finishes were a tidy return, considering he qualified back in 17th. Although he wasn’t entirely satisfied with his output at the rain-interrupted round due to him posting great results and rides at the same venue earlier in the term, Brookes remained upbeat with his podium placing.

Even though a nasty spill in first practice and a bike issue in qualifying ensured he had to line up for the opening bout in 18th. It was an unsatisfactory way to begin the finale, but the way he salvaged his weekend was notable. Struggling with bike setup all weekend and never feeling comfortable, much credit must go to Brookes, who fought on doggedly to claim a seventh, an eighth and a ninth to conclude his campaign in a credible seventh in the standings.

“I’d like to thank everyone; all the supporters, the team, sponsors, the fans – everyone who has put something into the team and hopefully next year we can get some better results and fight for the championship,” he told the team’s website.

Jason O’Halloran –  British Superbike
Jason O’Halloran closed out his season with an outstanding showing on his way to a terrific victory at Donington before wrapping up his 2023 with a mixed weekend at Brands Hatch. Despite blasting out of the blocks to bank pole position with the fastest-ever BSB time at the circuit, the opener didn’t go to plan, for tyre issues ensured 17th was all he could muster.

A man on a mission in race two, the ‘O’Show’ scorched his way from 21st to fourth before the race was red-flagged just as a podium beckoned for the Aussie. The third duel was all about the McAMS Yamaha star, as he shot off the line to then ride to an accomplished win in what was a statement body of work ahead of Brands Hatch.

While this last stop on the calendar wasn’t one to remember, even if he bagged pole and was second in the opener, as a crash and a seventh scuppered any hopes he had of challenging for the title. Ultimately obtaining sixth in the standings to close his tenure with the team, who will no longer be running a BSB outfit, an emotional O’Halloran expressed his gratitude for all they’ve done for him and stated what a fantastic time he’s had under the awning over the years.

“I think together with the team, we can look back on what we’ve achieved with great pride. We’ve had an incredible journey over the last five years, and I wish everyone all the success in their next steps. A huge thanks to Steve Rodgers, Wendy, Tina and all the other people who make this happen,” 

Now moving to the Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki, it’ll be intriguing to see how he fares with his new squad in 2024.

Off-Road

Jett Lawrence – MXoN for Australia
Flexing his muscles on the world stage on French soil, Jett Lawrence shone brightly for Team Australian at the prestigious Motocross of Nations. Playing an instrumental role in propelling his nation to their best-ever finish at the event in second!

After constructing some exceptional rides in the qualifying race and in his first moto to carve through the park on the rutty, hard surface, his final moto masterclass was a joy to behold, with him rising to the occasion to outfox the legendary Ken Roczen with aplomb to secure a magnificent victory.

“The first race, the start wasn’t too bad, I was there. I was in the top 10, and I thought I had a good chance of winning it, but I made an aggressive pass on the outside and went down. Starting dead last wasn’t ideal, but I had a pretty good flow around the track and felt fit, and didn’t get tired at all. My last six laps were the fastest, so I was happy with that,” 

“The second moto I wanted to go out and win… I had a decent start, around third, then I made a quick move for second and was chasing Kenny again like back in America. I felt at home, although he had a lot better lines than I did at the start, so I was following him for a bit, but once I was able to get around him, I put my head down and flowed just like home. It was good to get the win and finish on a high.”

Hunter Lawrence – MXoN for Australia
Coming into the showpiece dealing with a nerve issue in his back, Hunter Lawrence deserved plenty of praise for putting his body on the line for his country. Kicking things off with a third in his qualification race, it was impressive how he adjusted to the rugged conditions at Ernee. He then carried his form into the Sunday by securing a 10th and a fifth to bag second in the MX2 class behind Tom Vialle, with him overcoming the pain barrier strikingly to play a pivotal part in his team’s score.

“It was the best result ever for Australia, so it’s awesome, but I’m already looking forward to next year. It was a wild day, the track was super gnarly, it was brutal so we’re happy that everyone was able to do their best, and the boys gave their all, and left everything on the track. If everyone gives their 100% effort, you can’t ask for much more,” reflected the Honda wizard.

Dean Ferris – MXoN for Australia
Experienced campaigner Dean Ferris headed to Ernee fresh from winning the ProMX MX1 crown, eager to impress in what was his seventh MXoN. Surviving a savage crash on the Saturday unscathed, the aim for him was to produce just one sound ride to accompany the Lawrence brothers. And that’s exactly what he did by getting a 12th to stand up and be counted when his country needed him.

Relishing the opportunity and loving coming back to Europe, all eyes will now be on the 2024 season back home, which sees Ferris return to the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy in his quest for further glory.

The post Aussies Racing Abroad: October 2023 appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....

It was an RZ250 and I went down the street and as soon as I got to the first corner I couldn’t make the bike turn! I ended up on the wrong side of the road and could not work out why. For this reason, it’s important to get some basic skills on tar and some coaching before making the transition to riding on the street or on a crowded track. 

NICK’S EXPERIENCE
Nick Ware has been riding for four years, starting out on a minibike when he was 12, followed by a YZ85 big wheel and then his current bike, an RMZ250 motocross bike. Nick’s always been interested in tarmac but also enjoys trail riding and dirt track just for fun.

I’ve wanted to brush up on my dirt skills over the past year so we’ve been hitting the local track together on weekends and sharing the RMZ with the plan that once Nick is up to speed on the bike we can convert it to a motard and have a crack on the tarmac using the RMZ, starting off with a few track days before doing club racing in the 250cc single-cylinder class once he turned 16 and got his senior MA licence.

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After plenty of weekends on the dirt we were both doing the same almost identical lap times of the dirt track we were using. I knew then it was time for Nick to try tarmac so we gathered up the parts required and converted his RMZ250 to a motard overnights. We used Motosprint 17in wheels, a Motosprint sprocket and NG Racing oversize front rotor with caliper extender.

We also fitted Bendix carbon-matrix brake pads and Venhill brake lines. A set of Bridgestone slicks went on and we firmed up the suspension ourselves. The next issue was gearing but we eventually found that Link Int did a 16T front and 39T rear for the bike, easily giving us what was required for The Farm and Eastern Creek. 

With an old set of my leathers plus my spare helmet, gloves and boots in his gear bag, Nick headed to The Farm to tag along with one of our tests. It was his first experience on tarmac and with only the three of us riding the pressure was off and he could relax and ease into it without fear of being run down by a 1000cc superbike at full tilt! 

“The first thing I did was run wide everywhere,” says Nick, “As there is so much grip the bike does not slide around. When you open the throttle the bike wants to go wider than it does off road when the wheel spins.”

“Once I got used to the grip I started to push more but felt uncomfortable as I was sitting on the bike like I was still on the dirt. I felt uncomfortable and awkward hanging off and I was holding on too tight. Later in the day when I was going much faster, the hanging off came naturally and the g-forces from cornering supported my body and I could hang off and relax my arms. As soon as my knee touched down for the first time it all clicked and I was able to understand the way the bike was behaving more.”

“In the arvo I peeled into the first of the Esses and suddenly I was on my arse sliding down the road! The front just folded so quickly compared to on the dirt. I didn’t get hurt but got a shock. I hopped back on straight away and was back into it but could not bring myself to push in that corner or get my knee down for the rest of the day. It was the first time my confidence was rattled but Jeff talked me through my mistakes and I understand why I crashed now”…

The following week we headed to The Farm again for another afternoon where Nick just did lap after lap after lap, getting used to tarmac and limits. We also got a few hours there in the rain one day, which was fantastic as he really clicked in the wet and got plenty of laps in too. 

Having turned 16 Nick was able to join St George MCC and get his Senior MA Road Racing Licence. The next step was to head to Sydney Motorsport Park for an Eastern Creek Ride Day. We both booked into White Group so Nick could follow me on our CBR250R Moriwaki on his RMZ250. We arrived early and set up the pits in time to make sure Nick did not miss the all-important rider’s briefing and special briefing for first timers. Once that was over and the bikes were scrutineered it was time to head out and Nick did the sighting laps with the other first timers behind an Eastern Creek Ride Day official. I then headed out and caught him and we rode together. 

“I was so nervous before that first session it wasn’t funny,” admits Nick, “I’d never ridden with other riders so was really concerned as my bike only has a top speed of around 170km/h so I thought I was going to get run down! There also seems to be more pressure to know all of the rules and flags and there is a lot to take in. But once that first session was out of the way I was ready to go and had fun. Until I crashed and chopped my finger”

Yep. Unfortunately just when Nick was getting confident he lost the front end in the old T9 and his right hand pinkie got caught between the ‘bars and the tarmac. Ouch. Microsurgery and lots of skin grafts and recovery followed this, but as soon as he got the all clear he was back out there. This time learning to ride a road bike, the next step in our plan…

With a totally different riding position to the RMZ, our CBR250R Moriwaki gave Nick the experience required to get comfy in the road race body position and he immediately gelled more with the road bike than his RMZ. 

“The first time I rode the Moriwaki was at SMSP and I was nervous about hurting myself again so took it very easy, just getting used to the seating position. I preferred it and liked tucking in down the straight as well as finding it easier to scrape my knee and use my knee as a third wheel. The next time I rode it was in the rain at The Farm and I did laps for three hours without crashing! I really got my confidence back that day and enjoy the wet”.

The post Feature: Nick Ware On Moving From Dirt To Tar appeared first on Racing, Riding, Motorcycle Reviews, Race bikes, Tech Tips, Rider Training....