You’ve just booked your first track day and you’re a bit nervous about what the do’s and don’t are of a track day. That’s completely fine, there is nothing to be nervous about! We have complied this list of what to do and what not to do at a track day. Words: Zane Dobie.
There is nothing to be nervous about when it comes to your first track day! We have complied this list of what to do and what not to do.
Show Up In The Right Gear This is a huge one, it might sound simple but it’ll save you some heartache of being turned away from the track. At the bare minimum, most tracks will require you to have one or two piece leathers, leather gloves, riding boots (most tracks will not allow riding shoes) and an Australian/European approved helmet. Some tracks will require a back protector, this is something you should chuck on anyway as it could save you from being paralyzed.
Now, that’s the bare minimum. To ensure your safety it’s best to have a GOOD CONDITION one piece set of leathers, an ill fitting and damaged set could cause you harm in the instance of a crash. Buy yourself a decent helmet, lid’s aren’t meant to be used after being dropped so if you dust of that helmet that’s fallen off your handlebars multiple times, you’re only putting yourself at risk.
Show up in the right riding gear. It’s not ideal to show up in old, damaged leathers, you’re only putting yourself at risk.
Set Up Your Bike Property We have a fair few articles on bike preparation but the rules for a track day are straight forward, no fluids leaking, no ear-drum rupturing exhausts and decent tread on your hoops. Not only will the scrutineer turn you away if they see your tyres have no tread, but you’ll have a terrible time battling the bike with crusty old tyres on.
Oil and fluid leaks are self-explanatory. If your bike is leaking oil while road riding, imagine how much will flow out while revving it to the redline. Don’t ruin someone else’s day by spewing oil down the track, check those drain and filler plugs.
Don’t just opt for the fast group just because you have a fast bike. You could cause an accident…
Find The Right Group For You You’ve bought yourself the top-of-the-line 1000cc machine? Awesome! However fast you think you are on the road, you’ll probably be quite slow learning a track. Don’t choose the “Fast” or “Racer” group just because you have the fastest bike in a straight line. There is absolutely no harm in starting in the slow and intermediate groups while you get to grips. If you’re too fast, the organisers will move you up a skill group.
If you’re off the pace but are unleashing all the power on the straights in the fast group, you are a bit of a danger to the other riders on the course, especially those on smaller capacity machines. Entering the “Race” or “Fast” groups, most riders will be expecting you to be on the racing line, so if they go to overtake and you suddenly chop them up you could end up injuring someone. No one cares what colour your wristband is…
Enter yourself in the right group for your skill level! No one cares what colour your wristband is.
Relax And Stay Calm Say someone hasn’t taken the last bit of advice and they’re slow as all hell in the fast group. Just drop back and give them space, it’s no use dicing with an unpredictable rider. If you have serious concerns then you can bring it up with the organisers.
I’ve had this happen to me on plenty of occasions, in fact, one of my biggest accidents was caused by not letting a YZF-R6 go while I was on a CBR250RR. The YZF-R6 rider took an unpredictable line and grabbed the brakes mid corner, I was on the pace and fully committed to the downhill at Wakefield Park when I speared off the track to avoid them, resulting in me and the bike cartwheeling through the air. This would’ve been avoided if I had just taken a slow down through the pits and raised my concerns with the organisers.
See those mirrors? They’re folded in, focus on your own riding. Faster riders will find a way around you.
Tape Up Those Mirrors And Speedo You do not need to be looking at your Speedo on a track day. 100% of your focus should be on the road, the world passes by very fast when you’re at full pelt on a motorcycle, taking that split second to look at your speedo could result in you missing your braking point or running up the back of someone. If you really want to know how fast you’re going, strap a GPS tracker or GoPro to your bike.
The mirrors have the same theory but it also comes back to that unpredictability too. If there is a faster rider behind you, they’ll find a way past, don’t distract yourself by constantly looking in the mirrors. It’s best to just fold them in or cover them.
Most track days don’t allow you to have a camera on you. Find a good mounting point on the bike and make sure it’s stuck down properly!
Helmet Cameras Most tracks will not allow you to have anything on your helmet. This goes for add-on intercoms too. Find a nice spot for you to put your camera, my preference is on the tail or the tank, and make sure it’s stuck down well and proper. Last thing you want is the camera to be lost the first time you accelerate!
“No one remembers the fastest person, they remember the one who crashed.”
Have Fun, It’s Not MotoGP This is the most important point of the lot. Go out to have fun, not to break a lap record (which probably wont happen). All the track days I attend, I don’t even check the lap times, I’m there to have fun and I can improve on my times at the next race meeting.
Just go out and have fun. You’re not going to get scouted for a MotoGP rider at a track day…
I find that not bothering to time myself will allow me to leave the track glowing with happiness rather than disappointment. Some track day organisers don’t offer timing too, which I believe is a good thing, it stops people from pushing too hard and going beyond their abilities. Just go out and have fun, a MotoGP rider spotter isn’t going to be at your local track day. As the saying goes: no one ever remembers the fastest person, they remember the one that crashed.
That’s about all to have a nice time during your first track day. Don’t be afraid to ask fellow riders for some help, make some friends and enjoy your time! You’re not racing for sheep stations so don’t be a dick.
Additional Advice
Trailer your bikes – You are going to be knackered at the end of the day, last thing you’ll want to do is ride home in your leathers.
Bring your own lunch and water – Every track I’ve been to charges a bonza for food and drinks. Pack a nice lunch and plenty of water.
Bring spare fuel – The fuel at the track will be expensive. It doesn’t hurt to fill up some jerry cans.
With many Australians showcasing their skills abroad in a range of disciplines both on-track and off-road, our monthly column focuses on how they’re faring in 2022 battling it out with the best in their chosen classes against the best riders in the world. Ed Stratmann has us covered with “Aussies Racing Abroad”.
Hoping to carry the momentum from his sensational victory in Japan into October, Jack Miller’s enjoyed a largely positive month aboard his factory Ducati.
Jack Miller – MotoGP Hoping to carry the momentum from his sensational victory in Japan into October, Jack Miller’s enjoyed a largely positive month aboard his factory Ducati.
Kicking things off with a wonderful second in Thailand to bag his seventh podium of the season, Miller handled the wet, treacherous conditions masterfully, as he jumped to the lead early on. Although Miguel Oliveira eventually got past the Aussie, to his credit, Miller didn’t go down without a fight, as he only finished 0.730 behind the Portuguese star.
Kicking things off with a wonderful second in Thailand to bag his seventh podium of the season, Miller handled the wet, treacherous conditions masterfully, as he jumped to the lead early on.
The MotoGP circus then made its way to Australia, where Miller was desperately hoping for a weekend to remember on home soil at Phillip Island. But it wasn’t to be for Miller, who was cruelly taken out by an overzealous Alex Marquez following a good start that saw him mixing it with the frontrunners.
The 27-year-old then turned his attention to the penultimate round of the season in Malaysia, where he claimed an impressive sixth place finish. Having to charge through the pack following a shocking start, it was a joy to watch him carve through the field with incision. “It wasn’t the ideal day but it wasn’t the worst either, I’m happy enough with my performance,” he said.
The Australian round wasn’t to be for Miller, who was cruelly taken out by an overzealous Alex Marquez following a good start that saw him mixing it with the frontrunners.
“Being beaten on the first lap to 21st place probably didn’t help, it was one of my worst starts in my MotoGP career, you could say. The start itself was okay, I was blocked off by the row in front of me. I had to get out early and then I was more or less stuck on the outside and I had to basically hold on but at least I managed to safely get through the first lap and start my run from there. I kept my head down the whole race and was able to work. We had decent pace the whole race and we were able to show it.” said Miller
Currently sitting fifth in the standings ahead of the final round at Valencia, Miller will be keen to close out what’s been an excellent crusade on a high before switching to KTM in next year.
Remy rode really well in Thailand and looked a decent shout for a top 10 finish before his crash.
Remy Gardner – MotoGP Even though he started the month with a crash in Thailand, where he rode really well and looked a decent shout for a top 10 finish, Remy Gardner bounced back admirably to register 15th at Phillip Island and 18th at Sepang. Wanting to put on a show in front of his home fans, especially after the Australian round wasn’t on the calendar during his triumphant Moto2 title winning season, he showcased his skills nicely.
Having gotten off to a blistering start to propel him inside the top 10, it was great to see him piecing everything together, as he cut a fast and confident figure. While tyre issues ultimately shuffled him back, he gave the fans plenty to cheer about in the final stages of the race by blasting past Maverick Vinales to secure a deserved point.
While tyre issues ultimately shuffled him back at the Australian round, he gave the fans plenty to cheer about in the final stages of the race by blasting past Maverick Vinales to secure a deserved point.
Switching his focus to Malaysia, and Gardner, who was dealing with rear grip problems, valiantly rode to an 18th place finish in the gruelling hot and humid conditions. “Today’s race was tough physically. We started okay but I knew it would be difficult with the heat and humidity. I tried to save the tyres as much as I could but the rear was dropping quickly. I gave all I could today,” insisted the 24-year-old.
Joel Kelso – Moto3 Joel Kelso continues to showcase his undeniable talent, in what’s been an upside littered last few races by the Darwinian. His 12th in Thailand was a huge step in the right direction, which served as a huge confidence booster in what’s been an injury hit season.
Joel Kelso continues to showcase his undeniable talent, in what’s been an upside littered last few races by the Darwinian. Photo: Joel Kelso Racing Facebook.
Wanting to build on this result for his home GP, Kelso did precisely that by grabbing a terrific, career-best eighth. Working his way through the field expertly and riding in a calculated manner, his brilliant efforts in front of the delighted Phillip Island crowd was a fitting way to celebrate his home round.
“It was an awesome race, I felt strong through the whole race and at the beginning there I thought a podium was on the cards. I was sitting in that group, saving the tyre and I said ‘let’s sit in the group, enjoy, play a little bit and try to save the tyre for the end’ and when I did there was a little gap that opened up,” Kelso gleamed.
Wanting to build on this result for his home GP, Kelso did precisely that by grabbing a terrific, career-best eighth. Photo: Joel Kelso Racing Facebook.
“I went to the front of the group as soon as possible and started pushing to catch the leaders and matched their lap times for two laps in a row but I just didn’t have enough to close them in so I thought I would save it for the end. Happy to come out P8, feeling really strong on the bike, strongest I’ve felt all season and looking forward to bringing this into Malaysia as well.”
Although 18th was all he could muster in Malaysia, the Aussie will now turn his thoughts to Valencia, where he’ll be hoping to close out the season in style.
Jason O’Halloran’s frustrating end to the season continued in BSB, with things outside of his control ensuring he failed to score points at the finale at Brands Hatch. Photo: McAMS Yamaha Racing Team Facebook.
Jason O’Halloran – British Superbike Jason O’Halloran’s frustrating end to the season continued in BSB, with things outside of his control ensuring he failed to score points at the finale at Brands Hatch.
Despite scoring a credible sixth on Saturday, his Sunday sadly didn’t go to plan, for his race two was ruined when he was once again knocked down with a podium in his grasp. Then, in race three, the “O Show” was disappointingly forced to retire due to a technical problem.
Ultimately ending the season fifth in the championship, which was not what he had in mind after being in title contention for the majority of the campaign, he tried to remain as positive as possible when summing up his year.
“There aren’t many words really, this hasn’t been the end to 2022 any of us wanted but that’s BSB and as we have found out, anything really can, and will happen! It’s hard to be positive right now, but we’ve had a good year – I’ve won seven races, had a load of podiums and the team had many 1-2 finishes so there’s a lot to be proud of. Thanks to the whole team and everyone involved.”
Although the results haven’t always been there this term for Oli, he’s importantly gaining valuable experience with every passing round that will hold him in good stead for the future. Photo: Alex Photo Via Oli Bayliss #32 Facebook.
Oli Bayliss – World Supersport Although the results haven’t always been there this term for Oli Bayliss, he’s importantly gaining valuable experience with every passing round that will undoubtedly hold him in good stead for the future. Back on track for the Portuguese stop on the schedule, the youngster performed admirably as he struggled with bike setup on his way to going 20-16 in the two races.
Wanting to regroup and recalibrate, next up was Argentina, where he started the weekend feeling good and happy on the bike. Unfortunately, this didn’t completely translate into his results even if a 15th in the opening race was solid before he was cruelly ousted early on in the second stanza.
A bit of a learning curve for Bayliss, his first year in WorldSSP has shown some promising results. Photo: Alex Photo Via Oli Bayliss #32 Facebook.
“The Barni Racing Team and I made a big change in warm up that gave me a good feeling with the Ducati Panigale V2, which is very promising as we head into the final two rounds of the 2022 WorldSBK Championship,” he concluded. I am happy that as a team we have a good starting point for next round. Disappointed about the outcome today, but happy we made a step with myself and the bike. Bring on Mandalika in two weeks’ time.”
Jacob Roulstone and Harrison Voight – Red Bull Rookies & Moto3 Juniors Jacob Roulstone and Harrison Voight were back on track for the Moto3 Junior World Championship at Aragon, with the gifted pair both able to take positives from their efforts.
To start with Voight, and his weekend got off to a flyer, as he flexed his muscles by claiming second in practice and ninth in qualifying. Photo: Harrison Voight Racing Facebook.
To start with Voight, and his weekend got off to a flyer, as he flexed his muscles by claiming second in practice and ninth in qualifying. Things didn’t go to plan on race day, however, for he annoyingly bowed out of the race after a fast start that initially saw him battling within the top five. “Solid start to the weekend, doing quick and consistent lap times alone. In qualifying I couldn’t put it all together to crack the 58s without needing a tow,” he said.
“For the race, it’s a disappointing way to end the weekend yet I’m satisfied with how I went from ninth to being in the top five within the second lap. Making gaps to pass was something I improved so I’m taking the positives and moving on. The last dance is at Valencia so let’s make the most of it!”
Roulstone put in one of his best weekends yet at Aragon, for not only did he bag seventh fastest in practice and 11th in qualifying, but he also secured 14th in the race. Photo: Jacob Roulstone Racing Facebook.
Voight also revealed his exciting plans for 2023, with the talented Aussie announcing he’s stepping up to the FIM CEV Moto2 Championship with the Yamaha Stylobike Racing Team for 2023.
Meanwhile, in the case of Roulstone, he put in one of his best weekends yet, for not only did he bag seventh fastest in practice and 11th in qualifying, but he also secured 14th in the race. Duking it out at the front for a large chunk of the race, there was much to admire about his first points scoring effort in this series.
“Overall it was a very productive race and with a big change from my side in my approach to the whole weekend. I have seen the benefits and know more rewards are coming.” Said Roulstone. Photo: Jacob Roulstone Racing Facebook.
“From the first lap on Thursday, I felt very strong, comfortable and confident on the bike – a lot more than the rest of the year. Q1 on Saturday got a good lap, which put me in P7. Then for Q2, I wasn’t able to improve my time but four others were able to, so it pushed me back to start the race in 11th,” he recalled. Then for the race, got a good start but just with the lack of experience at the front of this class and with the high pace early I fell back. With the bike setup for a group battle once I lost the group it was difficult to do the lap speed the frontrunners were. I managed to push through till the end to finish in 14th and score my first Junior World Championship points. “Overall it was a very productive race and with a big change from my side in my approach to the whole weekend. I have seen the benefits and know more rewards are coming.”
Wil Ruprecht – FIM EnduroGP World Championship Wil Ruprecht ended his season on a high by claiming his first world title in the E2 class to cap off what’s been an overwhelmingly outstanding 2022.
Wil Ruprecht. Photo: Enduro GP Facebook.
With all eyes on Ruprecht and Josep Garcia to see who would win their battle for E2 supremacy, the former rode a smart round to ensure he got the job done, as he limited the mistakes to maintain his points advantage.
Cutting an overjoyed figure afterwards, Ruprecht was clearly stoked with his achievement, declaring: “To win my first world title has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid. But they don’t come easy. It’s been a good year, great results mixed with some tough days, so to finally lock it down is incredible.”
The final weekend of the season. The MotoGP decider: two riders, one crown, and an incredible year of ups, downs, thrills, spills, wins and defeats. 23 points split challenger Francesco Bagnaia from incumbent Fabio Quartararo, and for the crowd watching on that makes it an easy enough equation…
The final weekend of the season. The decider: two riders, one crown, and an incredible year of ups, downs, thrills, spills, wins and defeats.
The only thing Quartararo can do is win. If he doesn’t, Bagnaia need not even finish, such is his advantage, but this is motorcycle racing. It ain’t over till the chequered flag waves (ask 2006.)
In the red corner, Bagnaia has a stunning seven wins and has overcome a deficit of 91 points to sit 23 clear. He’s broken more than a few records and stands to become the first Ducati rider to take the crown in 15 years – something that would also see the Bologna factory complete the Triple Crown of Constructors’, Teams’ and Riders’ titles. He won at Valencia last year on a historic day for Ducati too as they locked out the podium, so the track will not be an unwelcome venue for the decider. But that was then, and this is now – with history beckoning with open arms. No longer the chaser, Bagnaia is now the rider in the hot seat.
The only thing Quartararo can do is win. If he doesn’t, Bagnaia need not even finish, such is his advantage, but this is motorcycle racing. It ain’t over till the chequered flag waves (ask 2006.)
In the blue corner, Quartararo’s year has largely been a study in consistency. Few mistakes, some impressive victories and, until late on, the sole Yamaha scoring constructor points every weekend speak to an incredible achievement of a season. A tough Thai GP and then another nil points in Australia seemed to see the tide turn, but El Diablo wasn’t done. As Sepang staged the first match point for his opponent, Quartararo pulled out a much-needed podium for his final stand. Valencia would likely not be his venue of choice, but for Yamaha it’s been a solid one… so with zero pressure now the weight of expectation has shifted to Bagnaia, can Fabio come out swinging?
The decider, however, does not exist in a vacuum. It exists on a grid of the fastest riders and machinery in the world, all of whom have their own targets to hit and glory to chase. Some of whom also have loyalties. With history on the line for Ducati, the message is, as a bare minimum: do not get anywhere close to being the reason for a last-minute heartbreak. And that message goes out to a third of the grid: Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team), Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing), Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing).
Ducati, for their part, have been vocal about having sent out no team or constructor orders before this point in the battle. Bagnaia has also stated he wants to win on track, not by order from above.
Some, like Zarco, have already said they’ve made sure to keep risk under control. Some, like Martin, have said it’s not much to do with him, for which read, most probably, “I’ll make up my own mind”. Miller has already been a team and constructor hero, as well as a teammate pep talker to get Bagnaia feeling confident in the wet. Bastianini, meanwhile, remains staring at the camera with the hint of a smile and an eyebrow raised, leaving many wondering how the Italian will take on the decider.
Ducati, for their part, have been vocal about having sent out no team or constructor orders before this point in the battle. Bagnaia has also stated he wants to win on track, not by order from above. And amid all the talk willfully eager to create months of Borgo Panigale factory puppeteering, the results actually do speak to the riders being able to #GoFree: Miller’s wins and podiums ahead of Pecco, Bastianini’s challengers for his compatriot. The order to not jeopardise history in the making may simply prove another way of saying: “Don’t do anything silly”, and that’s just common sense.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) is now out the fight and looking for much more as the paddock returns to Europe.
For Quartararo, meanwhile, the allies have been a little further back this season. Teammate Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) showed a step forward at Sepang in terms of pace though, and he has known glory at the track before. But what about the rest of the field? Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) is now out the fight and looking for much more as the paddock returns to Europe, as is teammate Maverick Viñales, and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) isn’t even mathematically out the fight for a place in the top five overall this season, such is the South African’s record of Sunday heroics and consistency.
There are plenty more names with little to lose in engaging full attack mode, too – as well as those facing their own last tangos in 2022. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and teammate Joan Mir, the latter a winner at Valencia, will want to leave the Hamamatsu factory on a high. Cal Crutchlow (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP) will be stepping down from competition once again, as rookie teammate Darryn Binder also prepares for a last dance on the way to Moto2.
Remy Gardner (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) sets sail for WorldSBK as teammate Raul Fernandez switches factory.
Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) heads from Honda to try a Ducati, and Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) switches back to Austrian machinery. Remy Gardner (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) sets sail for WorldSBK as teammate Raul Fernandez switches factory, and Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) kisses goodbye to KTM. Miller does the same to Ducati, too, and it speaks well of the Australian that that’s not become a headline ahead of such a pivotal weekend for Borgo Panigale.
Last but not least, we didn’t forget him. And the rest of the grid, the protagonists of #TheDecider and the fans in the stands shouldn’t, either. Ahead of every anti-clockwise track, the Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) klaxon must be sounded. It’s a requirement given the number 93’s incredible record. And it may have been a long, tough time of late to get that glory back, but Marquez already has a pole and a podium since his return – a return where time is on his side as every new race and week adds a little more strength to his recovery. Can the eight-time World Champion steal the headlines this weekend? It would be quite a gauntlet to throw down ahead of 2023, where Marquez has his eyes set on more than just the occasional prize.
You don’t want to miss this! #TheDecider rolls into town today as festivities begin, with Friday first touch and Saturday then deciding the grid for a pivotal showdown.
You don’t want to miss this! #TheDecider rolls into town today as festivities begin, with Friday first touch and Saturday then deciding the grid for a pivotal showdown. Tune in to see that raced into the history books from 14:00 (GMT +1) on Sunday as the lights go out for the final time in 2022, ahead of a new era for the FIM MotoGP World Championship. Will it be a new era under a new Champion? We’re about to find out…
The Championship leader extended his lead over both Razgatlioglu and Rea after a dramatic Race 1 in Argentina. Bautista then fended off Razgatlioglu for a Race 2 win, further extending his Championship lead to 82 points! The Ducati rider now has one hand on the title…
Race One
Race 1 in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship had huge implications in the title fight at the Circuito San Juan Villicum during the Motul Argentinean Round, as Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed a commanding victory in Argentina while title rival Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) finished in 15th place after the reigning Championship had an opening-lap crash as he looked to pass Bautista.
With Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) taking the lead down the long back straight, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) tried to respond to lead into the infield section but lost the front of the bike and went crashing into the gravel. Razgatlioglu was able to re-join but was in last place. The incident cost Bautista time as he dropped back down to fourth place, behind Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) and iker Lecuona (Team HRC).
Bautista picked off Lecuona on Lap 4 to move into the podium places and only took two more laps to move into the lead of the race as he passed both Bassani and Rea on the back straight, after Bassani made a move for the lead on the second lap. Bautista was able to extend his lead at the front of the field for his 13th win of the season. Bautista was the only rider from the top three in the Championship to use the SCX tyre, with Rea and Razgatlioglu using the SC0. Victory also gave Bautista the 52nd podium of his WorldSBK career and the 25th of 2022.
Behind him, Bassani and Rea continued to fight it out for third place with the pair often inseparable throughout the lap. Rea made a move on Lap 8 to move into second place but Bassani was able to respond the following lap down the back straight while, on Lap 11, the pair went elbow to elbow throughout the final sector of the lap and down into Turn 1 on Lap 12; Bassani just holding on in that battle. The pair battled hard through sector four on Lap 18 with Rea making a move at Turn 15 and Bassani responding into Turn 16. On the run down to Turn 1, Rea outbraked Bassani into Turn 1 to stay ahead before fending off the Italian rider at the end of the back straight, going on to take second place ahead of Bassani in third. Rea’s second place was the 237th podium of his career and Kawasaki’s 395th race on the podium, while Bassani took his fourth podium and put Italy on the verge of a milestone having taken 399 podiums to date.
Lecuona was another who used the SCX tyre to take a strong result as he took fourth place after running in the podium places in the closing stages of the race, although he was unable to close the gap to the fighting Rea and Bassani ahead of him. He was ahead of Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in fifth place, with three Ducatis in the top five, finishing around two seconds back from Lecuona at the end of the 21-lap race. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) took sixth place as he made sure Kawasaki had two bikes inside the top six.
There was a three-rider fight for seventh place with Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) scrapping it out. It was Redding who took seventh place at the end of the race as he fended off the chasing Locatelli and Vierge, with the trio separated by around one second. On the last lap, Locatelli made a move on Vierge to take eighth place and demoted the Spanish rookie to ninth. Dutch rider Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) claimed tenth place and rounded out the top ten.
French rider Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) took 11th spot after a strong race from the French rider, finishing 1.5s clear of Xavi Fores (BARNI Spark Racing Team) who took points on his return to the Championship with 12th place. Garrett Gerloff (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) dropped down outside the points during the race but battled back to take 13th spot, ahead of Eugene Laverty (Bonovo Action BMW) in 14th place. Razgatlioglu showed enough pace to take home a single point after fighting back, passing Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) on the final lap. Baz had been running in the points but ran wide on Lap 16 at the end of the back straight.
German rookie Philipp Oettl (Team Goeleven) took 17th place after he was given a three-place grid penalty for Race 1 for slow riding in Free Practice 2, with Oettl fending off the Moto2™-bound Kohta Nozane (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) in 18th place. Rookie Oliver Konig (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) took 19th place ahead of stand-in rider Maximilian Scheib (MIE Racing Honda Team) in 20th and Argentinean Marco Solorza (TPR Team Pedercini Racing) in 21st on his return to the Championship.
Home hero Leandro Mercado (MIE Racing Honda Team) was the first retirement of the race after the Argentinean rider had a Turn 14 crash on Lap 8. Mercado was taken to the medical centre for a check-up following the crash.
WorldSBK Race One Argentina Podium (Full Results Here)
1 Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 2 Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +5.141s
3 Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) +6.689s
Tissot Superpole Race The Tissot Superpole Race for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship was ten laps of thrilling drama at the Circuito San Juan Villicum for the Motul Argentinean Round, as Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) claimed a hard-fought victory after a last-lap battle with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in the ten-lap race. The pair were inseparable during the final few laps with Razgatlioglu taking victory by 0.613s.
Razgatlioglu took advantage of Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) running wide at Turn 1 when flicking from second to first gear and finding neutral at the start of Lap 6 to move into the lead of the race but had Bautista directly behind him. At Turn 8, Bautista made a move on Lap 8, but the reigning Champion responded instantly. A lap later and Bautista made a move at Turn 8, which put Razgatlioglu second, but he responded at Turn 1 at the start of Lap 10 to re-take the lead. On the final lap, Bautista made the same move at the same corner which forced Razgatlioglu to respond into Turn 9 and he did so, running the pair a little bit wide but staying on the track before holding on to take victory. It was a similar move that he tried to make in Race 1 on Saturday which ended up with him in the gravel; Razgatlioglu able to make it work on Sunday.
Razgatlioglu’s 29th career victory means he will line up from pole position for Race 2 this afternoon, with Bautista in second and Rea in third. Second was Bautista’s 53rd podium and the 170th for Spain while Rea took third place for his 238th career podium on his 230th start for Kawasaki. Rea also set the fastest lap in the race, making more history as he became the first rider to set 100 fastest laps in WorldSBK races.
Italian rider Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) took fourth place in the dramatic race as he came out on top in a three-rider fight for fourth place. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was fifth ahead of Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) in sixth place. The three riders were more than three seconds down on Rea in third but, at the end of the race, were separated by just over a second.
Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) will lead off the third row as he battled back to take seventh spot in the Superpole Race, finishing around two seconds clear of eighth-placed Xavi Vierge (Team HRC). Vierge was the highest-placed rider to use Pirelli’s SCQ tyre and battled his way into the top nine, finishing just 0.076s ahead of Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) who took the final place on row three for Race 2. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) just missed out on a spot in the top nine as he finished tenth, just 0.155s behind Baz.
WorldSBK Argentina Tissot Superpole Race Podium (Full Results Here)
1 Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) 2 Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.613s
3 Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.856s
Race Two A dramatic start to Race 2 for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship set the tone for the race at the Circuito San Juan Villicum with Spanish rider Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) took his second victory of the Motul Argentinean Round. The Spanish rider heads into the penultimate round of the season with an 82-point lead in the Championship standings, with Bautista able to take his first WorldSBK title next time out in Indonesia after beating Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) in Race 2.
Bautista had to fight his way back through the field after a poor start, which dropped him down to fifth place, and he picked off his rivals in the early stages of the race. On Lap 4, the Spanish rider made a move on second-placed Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) into Turn 8 before making a similar move on teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) a lap later. At the same time, Razgatlioglu who, like Bautista, lost out on the opening laps, was following Bautista through, with Razgatlioglu passing Lowes at Turn 10 on Lap 4 and then Rinaldi at Turn 1 on Lap 6.
Despite Razgatlioglu closing the gap throughout most of the lap to Bautista, the Spanish rider extended his lead down the long back straight and eventually pulled out a gap of around three seconds to the reigning Champion. Bautista’s victory gave him his 14th of his 2022 campaign and the 30th in WorldSBK, while it was also his 54th podium in WorldSBK. It was also Ducati’s 390th victory in the Championship. Razgatlioglu took his 77th career podium with second place and the 24th of his career, with Razgatlioglu now 83 points back from Bautista.
The battle for the podium places was between Lowes and teammate Jonathan Rea after the six-time Champion ran wide a couple of times in the early stages. Rea looked to pass Rinaldi at Turn 9 on Lap 2, which allowed Lowes through, before he ran wide again at the next corner and dropped down to sixth place. Rea battled his way past Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) at Turn 10 on Lap 6 to move into fifth before both Lowes and Rea passed Rinaldi on Lap 7. For the next 11 laps, Lowes was able to stay ahead of his teammate but Rea made the move at Turn 8 on Lap 18 to take third place for his 239th WorldSBK podium.
Lowes took fourth place, dropping around two seconds behind his teammate in the closing stages, although Lowes did have a four second margin to Rinaldi in fifth. Rinaldi was one rider who opted to use Pirelli’s SC0 tyre with most of the field using the SCX tyres. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) put four manufacturers inside the top six as he took sixth place, with Rinaldi, Vierge and Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) in a three-way fight for fifth place. Lecuona finished two tenths behind teammate Vierge, who was seven tenths behind Rinaldi.
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) leaves Argentina with eighth place after a battle with Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in ninth place; the pair were separated by just one second at the end of the race. Redding led a trio of BMW riders as he finished in eighth place, with teammate Michael van der Mark in tenth, around one second down on teammate Redding, with Eugene Laverty (Bonovo Action BMW) in 11th; Laverty was the highest-placed Independent rider.
Garrett Gerloff (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was around two seconds back from Laverty as he took 12th place, while he had a more than one second margin to the returning Xavi Fores (BARNI Spark Racing Team). Fores marked his return to WorldSBK with three consistent results, taking 12th in Race 1 and the Tissot Superpole Race and 13th in Race 2. Rookie Philipp Oettl (Team Goeleven) was 14th ahead of Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) who rounded out the points-paying positions.
Japanese rider Kohta Nozane (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) finished in 16th place and missed out on a point by just over a second, while Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) was 17th. Baz battled back from the rear of the field after he came off his bike following a Lap 2 collision with Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) at Turn 12. The incident was investigated by the FIM WorldSBK Stewards with Bassani deemed at fault, with the Italian penalised with a Long Lap Penalty. However, for not taking this in time, Bassani was given a second Long Lap Penalty before he was given a ride through penalty for not taking his Long Lap Penalties on time. Bassani was classified in 20th place.
Czech rider Oliver Konig (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) took 18th place ahead of Leandro Mercado (MIE Racing Honda), with the Argentinean rider leaving his home round without points. Bassani was in 20th place ahead of Maximilian Scheib (MIE Racing Honda Team) and Marco Solorza (TPR Team Pedercini Racing) who was the last of the 22-strong field.
WorldSBK Argentina Race Two Podium (Full Results Here)
1 Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2 Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) +3.389s
3 Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +9.784s
Championship Standings After Argentina (Full Standings Here)
1 Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 507 points
2 Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) 425
3 Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 409
MotoE becomes the FIM Enel MotoE World Championship from 2023 as the series expands to an eight-round, 16-race competition and officially gains World Championship status. The season marks the start of an exciting new era, and welcomes the Championship’s new sole manufacturer: Ducati.
The season marks the start of an exciting new era with more races, and welcomes the Championship’s new sole manufacturer: Ducati.
2023 will also see a new track debut on the calendar as MotoE takes on Silverstone for the first time. One of the most spectacular, high-speed circuits in the world, the British venue will be a new challenge for the electric field.
After two pre-season tests, one at Jerez and the other in Barcelona, the season begins at the French Grand Prix at the iconic Le Mans before Round 2 sees MotoE return to the spectacular Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello. Next up it’s the Sachsenring and a return to Germany, before the TT Circuit Assen ahead of the summer break.
MotoE becomes the FIM Enel MotoE World Championship from 2023 as the series expands to an eight-round, 16-race competition and officially gains World Championship status.
Silverstone kicks off the second half of the season, ahead of another visit to the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya then stages the penultimate round as the venue changes its slot on the calendar, before Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli rounds out the season in style on the Riviera di Rimini.
2023 FIM Enel MotoE World Championship Calendar
12 May-14 May – France Le Mans – 2 races
09-11 – June Italy Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello – 2 races
16-18 June – Germany Sachsenring – 2 races
23-25 – June Netherlands TT Circuit Assen – 2 races
04-06 – August UK Silverstone Circuit – 2 races
18-20 – August Austria Red Bull Ring – Spielberg – 2 races
01-03 – September Catalunya Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – 2 races
08-10 – September San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli – 2 races
2023 FIM Enel MotoE World Test Calendar
06-07-08 March – Spain Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto – 3 days
03-04-05 – April Spain Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – 3 days
CDR Yamaha Monster Energy Team racer, Aaron Tanti, took up the fight to the big name US imports to charge to a second place finish at the opening round of the Australian Supercross Championship(ASX), held at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, on Friday Night. An awesome finish in-front of big names.
Aaron Tanti took up the fight to the big name US imports to charge to a second place finish at the opening round of the Australian Supercross Championship (ASX).
Tanti, fresh from his championship win in the 2022 ProMX Championship, showed he has the skills indoors as well as out, after finishing second at the opening round of the Supercross Championship, sandwiched between US riders, Justin Brayton and Dean Wilson.
In front of 18,000 spectators, Tanti steered his YZ450F to the front of the pack in the opening laps and set down a furious pace that saw a four rider pack break away in the 20-lap SX1 main event. Tanti, Matt Moss, Brayton and Wilson edged away from the rest of the field but continued to fight for position at every opportunity.
Tanti led at the halfway point, but pressure was coming as the four-time champ Brayton, managed to find away through Moss and Wilson and set his sights on the lead. But Tanti wasn’t about to give it up without a fight. In an intense battled that mirrored their heat race early in the night, Tanti and Brayton locked into combat.
Tanti, fresh from his championship win in the 2022 ProMX Championship, showed he has the skills indoors as well as out.
Brayton would pull a move, Tanti would counter. Tanti would clear-out, Brayton would wind him back in. Then Tanti went on a wild ride through the whoops that saw him lose control, have both feet off the footpegs as he torpedoed down the infield. Somehow, he manged to wrestle back control of his bike as it speared off track, maintain his lead and not take out any innocent bystanders in the process.
But the moment wasn’t lost on Brayton and within a few laps, he moved by the determined Australia as he was regathering his composure and checked out for a victory. Tanti steadied the ship and despite a late race charge from Wilson, Tanti crossed the finish line in second place and won the crowd over with his desire and desperation.
“That’s all I had,” Tanti said after the gruelling affair. “I wanted to charge as hard as I could for as long as I could and I did that, but Justin was just that bit better than me tonight, so congratulations to him. I’m pretty happy with how the night went and it gives me some confidence knowing that I can put up a good fight against some of the most experienced and professional supercross riders in the world. I did run out of gas towards the end, but I think if I can just keep a little more composure in the early stages and manage my breathing a little better, I can stay in it for longer. Thanks to the CDR Yamaha Monster Energy team for getting us up to speed and the crowd for having my back all weekend. I could hear them all round the track and its awesome to have so much support here In Melbourne,” Tanti ends.
The night wasn’t as good for teammate, Luke Clout. Clout had just returned from injury but was battered and bruised from a crash just a couple of weeks ago.
The night wasn’t as good for teammate, Luke Clout. Clout had just returned from injury but was battered and bruised from a crash just a couple of weeks ago. Still, he was able to generate plenty of speed over the weekend and was well placed in the 20-lap final until he lost the front end early in the race. While a low-speed crash, he fell awkwardly and took some time before remounting. He rejoined the race before going down again, this time injuring his thumb. He was able to pick himself up and complete the main event at a slow pace, but early diagnosis shows some internal issues with his thumb that will require further investigation. It is unlikely Clout will line up for this weekend’s round in Adelaide.
“I felt pretty good on the track all night and I got myself into a good position in the main and tried to settle in behind Aaron. But in the right hand turn after the triple, I lost the from and fell, then I got going again only to fall once more after hitting another rider. The RACESAFE Team feel there is a break in there and a quick X-Ray shows damage so I will see my surgeon on Monday for a full assessment and what treatment needs to be done. It’s not the way I wanted to start the championship and I was so keen to get back racing. I apologise to the team and our sponsors for letting them down, but I will be back more determined than ever once this is sorted,” Clout offers.
The CDR Yamaha International team also returned to Marvel Stadium on Saturday Night for the second and final round of the World Supercross Championship and it was again and mixed night for the team. With Tanti and US based Kyle Chisholm doing the SX2 (250cc) duties, it was left to Josh Hill to be the lone ranger in SX1 on the YZ450F.
He was able to pick himself up and complete the main event at a slow pace after a crash, but early diagnosis shows some internal issues with his thumb that will require further investigation.
Tanti continued his good form and in the three-moto final format, Tanti finished with 9-1-3 results to claim third on the night and fourth in the overall SX2 championship. It proved to be a far more challenging night for Chisholm who was tangled in the opening lap carnage in all three motos and finished outside the top 15.
In SX1, Hill battled hard in each and every race to come home seventh for the night even with a low points score in race two due to a crash. His night was highlighted by a stirring ride in the final race where he come from just inside the 10 ten to snare third.
Round two of the Australian Supercross Championship now moves across to the Wayville Showgrounds in Adelaide this weekend where the action is expected to really pick up now that the championship is underway and every rider has a race under their belts after a two year layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jesse Janisch made the most of a two-race Volusia Speedway finale by securing his first professional flat track championship aboard a Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R on Saturday. Janisch won seven of the 17 AFT races in the 2022 series, finishing seven points clear of second!
Jesse Janisch made the most of a two-race Volusia Speedway finale by securing his first professional flat track championship aboard a Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson XG750R. Photo: Vance & Hines Facebook.
Janisch came into the final weekend with a nine-point lead , knowing how quickly that lead could disappear. His win in the Friday race along with a sixth-place finish by Texter meant that on Saturday, he needed to qualify for the Main event and get at least five points to secure the championship. His eighth-place performance was enough to put him in the series lead, even with the race win going to the veteran Texter.
Janisch joined the Vance & Hines AFT team with six races remaining in the 2021 season. He rewarded his sponsors with five top-four finishes and a win in Charlotte last year. He was named to the 2022 Vance & Hines team in February.
Janisch rode a Vance & Hines-prepared Harley-Davidson XG750R, Harley-Davidson’s purpose-built flat track bike.
“What an awesome year,” said Vance & Hines Team Manager Craig Koontz. “Jesse is a great rider and a great team member. He trusts us to give him a fast bike and he goes out and does great things with it.”
“I have a reputation for being a great rider on TT tracks, but this year, winning three half miles, two miles and two TT’s, I think I proved that I can compete no matter what track I’m on,” said Janisch. “I love my team from Vance & Hines. They never pressured me, just gave me great equipment and allowed me to go out and race. Next week I’m driving to Indy and buying pizza for the whole Vance & Hines crew.”
Vance & Hines is the only organization designated to produce the Harley-Davidson XG750R race-only motorcycle, a turnkey solution for riders wishing to compete in AFT’s Production Twins racing. In 2022, Vance & Hines was a presenting sponsor of AFT’s Production Twins class and offered a contingency sponsorship program that made nearly $100,000 in prize money available to racers.
Carlin Dunne developed a lifelong obsession with perfecting his craft. Instilled with dreams of becoming a racer, filmmaker, and stuntman, he remained humble. To commemorate his legacy Bell have released a limited Race Star Flex DLX styled after his vibrant lid design.
To commemorate Carlin Dunne’s legacy Bell have released a limited edition Race Star Flex DLX lid styled after his vibrant helmet design.
The new Star Flex is a claimed 10% lighter and now includes the Panovison Dark smoke shield in the box (Australia only). Bell say that the Race Star Flex DLX is the ultimate choice for the racer with a day job – where every race weekend decision counts. Offering all the features and protection of its siblings, the Race Star utilizes a 3k carbon fibre shell and is packed with technology.
Carlin Dunne Bell Race Star DLX Flex Helmet.
Carlin Dunne Bell Race Star DLX Flex Helmet.
Carlin Dunne Bell Race Star DLX Flex Helmet.
Carlin Dunne Bell Race Star DLX Flex Helmet.
Bell have also said that the proprietary Flex liner provides comprehensive protection, Magnefusion cheek pads ensure comfort with optimal fit. For Australian racers, the Race Star Flex DLX comes with a Panovision Pinlock Clear shield installed and an additional Panovision Dark Smoke Pinlock with Tear-Off Posts shield in the box. You can pick the limited edition Dunne version for an RRP of $1299.95.
Bell Helmets say that the Moto-10 Spherical is not only their most advanced off-road helmet, it’s a piece of Bell history. Now available in a limited edition “Day In The Dirt 2023” colour-scheme for an RRP of $1,299.95! Contact Cassons for stock more availability info.
As one of the leaders in head protection, one thing has stayed the same since Bell developed their first full-face motocross helmet in 1975—they never stop breaking their own boundaries. Thriving on the progression of helmet development, Bell say they’re determined not to follow trends, but create leading solutions to make riders safe while they perform at their best.
Bell MOTO-10 Day In The Dirt Helmet.
Bell MOTO-10 Day In The Dirt Helmet.
Meet the Moto-10 Spherical—the evolution of the Bell Moto series. Born from the needs of top athletes around the world, the Moto-10 is Bell’s most advanced off-road helmet that they claim, sets a new industry standard. As a direct result of their athletes’ influence and feedback, the Moto-10 achieves a winning combination of increased protection, weight reduction, and extreme airflow, enhancing the rider’s experience and confidence. Combine Bell’s new technologies with their favoured fit and aggressive styling and the Moto-10 emerges as the front-runner.
Now available in plenty of different colour schemes starting at an RRP of $1199.95 ($1,299.95 for the Day In The Dirt 2023 Livery)! Contact Cassons for stock more availability info, head here to check out the latest Bell Australian Catalogue.
Bagnaia makes a huge statement under huge pressure to hold off Bastianini in Sepang, with Quartararo pulling out a podium to keep the fight for the title alive as the championship goes down to the last round in Valencia…
There are few places like Sepang to play a match point. With the humidity hanging heavy in the air and the pressure of potential history just around the corner, lights out for Round 19 added an extra shot of adrenaline. And from there on out, the tension only rose. Two Ducatis, one with the World Championship on the line and another with an entire chess match to decide, escaped into the lead with enough breathing space from the rest to go toe-to-toe. And that they did. The winner, under intense pressure and taking a magnificent seventh victory of the season, was Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), with Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP) just coming up short – after pushing his future teammate to the flag. Again.
Completing the podium and taking the title fight to Valencia was Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). El Diablo bounced back from a tough Saturday to show exactly why he’s the reigning Champion, riding through the pain barrier to a seriously impressive third place to keep himself in it, 23 points back but setting up a final showdown in Valencia.
Bagnaia got the start of his life and braved it out on the brakes to slot into second from the off, gaining seven places to up just behind polesitter Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), with Bastianini already harrying the number 63 – and Quartararo looking for a way past Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team). He found one.
Another big shift then occurred up ahead, with Martin suddenly sliding out the lead – giving that lead to Bagnaia. The title was tantalisingly close for the Italian, and Quartararo may have been third but Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing) was on a charge behind the no. 20, with that plus Bastianini – glued to the back of Bagnaia – making anything possible.
At Turn 4 on Lap 11, another thunderbolt hit. Bastainini was late on the brakes, and through on Bagnaia for the lead of the race he went. Could he break away? The two remained glued together, Bagnaia losing no distance to his future teammate, as the sound of cogs whirring started to ramp up even further. Second sure seemed enough, but would it still be enough on Sunday in two weeks’ time?
The laps ticked down and just before six to go, Bagnaia hit back at the final corner to retake the lead – with Quartararo now looking ahead rather than over his shoulder. The Frenchman was catching the lead duo, with Bezzecchi dropping off the back off the Yamaha. With five to go the gap to from Bastianini to Quartararo was 1.6, and next time round Pecco also led by 0.4 as the number 63 stayed serene.
By two to go, the showdown was clear. Quartararo couldn’t gain too much more time but had a secure third in the bag if he kept it on track. And Bastianini had a serious shot at the win, glued back onto the rear wheel of Bagnaia as the final lap began.
Turn 4 came and went – the earlier passing point – and Bagnaia pounded on. The decisive moment then finally came at Turn 9 as Bastianini got a little close for comfort behind the number 63, losing some metres as he gathered it back up. And that was that, Bagnaia had enough to hold it to the line and takes a 23-point lead to the season finale after a magnificent seventh win of the season. Bastianini was just 0.2 away by the flag after making some statements of his own, with Quartararo doing a phenomenal job to end the race on the rostrum to still be in with a chance at keeping his MotoGP crown.
Bezzecchi couldn’t quite stay with Quartararo for third but the Rookie of the Year took another impressive finish in P4, carving out some room for himself too. Australian GP winner Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) took fifth, with Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) charging up to sixth by the flag and getting past Marc Marquez late on. Ducati Lenovo Team were also crowned Team World Champions after a tense day at the office!
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) did another Sunday classic for a solid eighth, ahead of Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing). After a tough weekend it was a tough Sunday for the number 41’s last stand in the title fight on his 300th start, and he was classified tenth after a penalty for an aggressive move on him was handed to Morbidelli. The Italian was forced to settle for P11 after 3 seconds were added to his race time, just ahead of Cal Crutchlow (WithU Yamaha RNF) after another impressive performance from the Brit. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) and Raul Fernandez (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) were the final point scorers, with Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) off to a good start before a technical problem forced him into pitlane.
What’s 23 points between two of the best riders of their generation? One spectacular final weekend of the season, that’s for sure. Don’t miss the decider as the Circuit Ricardo Tormo hosts in two weeks – with everything on the line and a Champion certain to be crowned.
Moto2 Sepang In an incredibly nervy showdown at Sepang, it was Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) leaving with a third intermediate class win in some style – and Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) leaves with the Championship lead once again. After Arbolino and Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) had escaped at the front, the Japanese rider and then-points leader decided to make an attack – and slid out on the last lap.
Arbolino was left with a sizeable lead ahead of another impressive podium for Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp), who now leads the fight for Rookie of the Year despite only joining the grid full time at Le Mans. Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) was a protagonist as he went elbow to elbow with Fernandez, the Brit eventually able to escape for another impressive podium.
After Arbolino and Ogura escaped, it was initially Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp) holding third but in the latter stages, Lopez was able to pounce. He was followed by Dixon not long after, leaving Fernandez to take on the nervy task of trying to pass the rookie on the final lap – without knowing Ogura was about to crash out.
That was the drama as the Japanese rider went for a move at Turn 9, and suddenly the number 79 was on the floor. That left Arbolino with time to wave to the crowd on the way to the final corner, then crossing the line over 10 seconds clear for an impressive third Moto2 win.
Lopez was able to keep a fairly secure second after that, with Dixon dispatching Fernandez, then Gonzalez and taking another podium. Fernandez made his last lap move on the rookie ahead, and takes a valuable fourth to give him a 9.5 point lead heading into Valencia.
Gonzalez still takes his best ever result in fifth, with Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) in P6. Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) impressed to take seventh, with Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) suffering a tougher day at the office in eighth, just getting the better of Jeremy Alcoba (Liqui Moly Intact GP) and Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp). There was drama on Lap 1 for Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) as he collided with Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and they were out early on, both riders ok.
The title fight rolls on and Fernandez is back on top. It’s 9.5 points ahead of the final showdown in Valencia, and on the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider’s home turf. Tune in for more in two weeks as we decide the 2022 Moto2 World Champion!
1 Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) – Kalex – 38’25.233 2 Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) – Boscoscuro – +11.411 3 Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) – Kalex – +11.802
Moto3 Sepang John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) took an unbelievable win at the PETRONAS Grand Prix of Malaysia in Sepang, making the perfect attack at the final corner to come out on top for the first time since San Marino 2020 – and from P22 on the grid. The Scotsman just pipped teammate Ayumu Sasaki to the line by 0.048, with Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) completing the podium after losing out late on.
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar) suffered some late drama, having to avoid Sasaki after the Japanese rider suffered a moment, leaving the reigning Champion down in P12.
After a freight train start, bit by bit a top six of Guevara, Sasaki, Jaume Masia (Red Bull TKM Ajo), Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), Garcia and Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) broke away at the front, but there was some decisive drama with four to go. Sasaki had a bobble on the main straight after overtaking Guevara, and the number 28 had to bail out and take some avoiding action, heading off onto the grass and dropping back. Meanwhile, McPhee had bridged the gap and was more than in the fight for victory.
That left Garcia leading Sasaki, Masia, Foggia, Moreira and McPhee, and starting the last lap the number 11 was holding firm ahead of Foggia. And then everyone overtook everyone at once, or so it seemed, with the Leopard going for a move on the Aspar and then the rest of the lap largely two or three abreast. As the gaggle headed into the final corner, it was McPhee who pitched it to perfection, hugging the inside line and then tucking in for the final drag to the flag. Teammate Sasaki went toe-to-toe with the Scotsman but couldn’t quite make it stick, with McPhee taking an emotional first win since 2020 by just 0.048. Garcia takes third and another valuable podium, gaining points on Foggia too, as did Sasaki.
Foggia finished sixth in the shuffle, with Masia taking fourth and Moreira fifth. That concluded the front group after Guevara was forced to drop out of it earlier, and the second group was fronted by Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in seventh, just ahead of Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI), Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team), Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Xavier Artigas (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) – with Guevara next up in P12 a small gap back.
That’s all for Sepang! Heading into Valencia it’s Garcia keeping the advantage in the fight for silver – and the Circuit Ricardo Tormo is his playground. Tune in for more in two weeks as Moto3™ round out the season in style!
