MotoGP Rd1: Friday at the Grand Prix of Qatar

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March 6, 2022

More Suzuki power? Day 1 suggests so. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) topped the timesheets on the first day of 2022 as MotoGP™ returned to blistering action at the Grand Prix of Qatar, with teammate and 2020 Champion Joan Mir in third and MM #93 2nd.

Remy Gardner had a great debut on Friday, so good to have another Aussie in the MotoGP class.

FP1
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder pipped Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) to the first MotoGP™ P1 of the season, lunging to the top with a 1:54.851. It was close, however, with 0.056 between the two. Rins rounded out the top three at Qatar.

Pol Espargaro and Repsol Honda Team teammate Marc Marquez made it three Hondas in the top five to kick off the season too, with just 0.2s splitting the fastest quintet.

Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team) encountered an early issue when his YZR-M1’s belly pan was loose, but nothing came of it for the South African rookie. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) crashed unhurt with just over 15 minutes to go at Turn 3.

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), the runner-up in 2021, then crashed at Turn 6 with five minutes to go – rider ok. The front of the Italian’s GP22 washed away early in the braking zone in an early mistake for Pecco in 2022 as he ended FP1 in P18.

FP2
FP2 saw the floodlights at Lusail International Circuit beaming and the premier class got straight to work. The lap times soon fell, and Marc Marquez sat top before Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) took over.

The riders got some valuable laps under their belts at the same time the race is going to be at on Sunday, but with 20 minutes to go, the time attacks started. Pol Espargaro climbed to the summit, then went even faster on his second flying lap on the soft tyres, the gap up to 0.4. A whole heap of rapid laps were about to appear, however.

The first 1:53 came in from Mir with 13 minutes to go. That was swiftly beaten by Marc Marquez, the new benchmark a 1:53.711, but that didn’t stand as the fastest for long either – and it was Rins who struck back to go 0.174 clear. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) then closed the gap with two minutes to go, before Mir made it a Suzuki 1-2. It still wasn’t done, however, as Marc Marquez returned to P1 with a minute left on the clock. Again, though, Rins struck back and at the end of play, the Suzuki man is the rider to beat heading into Day 2.

Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) crashed unhurt at Turn 1, and Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) crashed twice in quick succession in FP2, once at Turn 6 and then on the next lap at Turn 10 – rider ok.

Provisional Q2 places
Behind Rins, Marc Marquez and Mir, Martin ends the day in P4 at Qatar and as both top Independent Team rider and Ducati. For the most part, it had been a quiet day for the Borgo Panigale factory before the 2021 Rookie of the Year struck.

The fastest Yamaha was Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) as a late time saw the Italian leap up the timesheets, with Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) sixth ahead of qualifying day in the desert. Aleix Espargaro grabbed P7 overall, despite nearly getting in a bit of a tangle with teammate Maverick Viñales on his final flying effort.

Miller had a bike issue and had to retire from the race after rapidly dropping back through the pack.

Reigning World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) is four tenths off the pace in P8, just ahead of Pol Espargaro in ninth and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) in tenth – the Italian sneaking into the top 10 after a crash at Turn 6 in FP1 dampened his first session.

0.8s splits the top 15 right down to FP1 pacesetter Brad Binder, and the riders outside the top 10 now face an uphill battle to try and earn an automatic Q2 place in the warmer, daytime conditions… see who can hit back on Saturday with FP3 at 13:15 (GMT +3), before qualifying for the first race of the season kicks off at 18:00.

MotoGP FRIDAY: TOP 3 (For full FP2 results, click here)

1 Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – Suzuki – 1’53.432
2 Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) – Honda – +0.035
3 Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – Suzuki – +0.147

Moto2 Friday
Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) ended the first day of 2022 Moto2™ at the top of the timesheets, setting a 1:59.112 as his best lap but fastest in both sessions. The number 37 denied new teammate and rookie sensation Pedro Acosta by just over a tenth and a half, but the now number 51 still made it a Red Bull KTM Ajo 1-2 on Day 1. Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) – recovering from a broken hand – landed P3 late on.

FP1
Fernandez kicked off 2022 in perfect fashion, with 0.138 in hand in FP1. Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) was second quickest, with Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) picking up P3 on his final flying lap.

Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up) was P4 and 0.393s away from Fernandez’s 2:00.290, with Aron Canet (Flexbox HP40) rounding out the top five ahead of reigning Moto3™ World Champion Acosta.

Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Italtrans Racing Team) suffered an issue with his machine with just over 15 minutes left of the session, rider ok.

FP2
The opening exchanges in Qatar of FP2 were busy as track conditions allowed the riders to immediately improve their times. Dixon rose to the top on his fifth flying lap, before Canet moved the goalposts with just under 10 minutes to go. Acosta and Fernandez then exchanged P1 and Dixon crashed – unhurt – as he chased a time to go back to the summit. In the end, Fernandez held P1 from Acosta, with Schrötter rising to P3 on his last lap.

Dalla Porta crashed too, as did Simone Corsi (MV Agusta Forward Racing), riders ok.

Provisional Q2 places
Behind Fernandez, Acosta and Schrötter at the top, Vietti edged out Canet by 0.004 as the pair finished P4 and P5 respectively.

Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) is sixth going into Saturday’s action, with rookie Filip Salač (Gresini Racing Moto2™) going well in FP2 to finish seventh. Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) were P8 and P9 respectively, as Dixon slipped to P10 after his crash.

Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) pipped teammate Sam Lowes to P11, ahead of Albert Arenas (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team). Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) impressed on his debut day in P14, the rookie moving over from WorldSSP and making a splash on Friday.

Moto2 FRIDAY: TOP 3 (For full FP2 results, click here)

1 Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – Kalex – 1’59.112
2 Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – Kalex – +0.160
3 Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) – Kalex – +0.164

Moto3 Friday
Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) claimed the first Friday Moto3™ honours of the season thanks to a late 2:04.920 in FP2 at the Grand Prix of Qatar, pulling an impressive 0.4 seconds clear of the pack. That pack was led by John McPhee (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team), with FP1 pacesetter and 2021 runner up Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) ending Day 1 in P3 thanks to his morning best.

Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) claimed the first Friday Moto3™ honours of the season thanks to a late 2:04.920 in FP2 at the Grand Prix of Qatar

FP1
Foggia put in a commanding performance in the first session of the season, heading the timesheets by a whopping 0.9 seconds. Second was compatriot Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team), with Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) third quickest but 1.1 seconds off the top. Tatsuki Suzuki made it two Leopard Racing machines in the top five as the Japanese rider claimed P4, with P5 going the way of Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse).

FP2
Most of the action came in the final five minutes of FP2, but ahead of the final flurry of fast laps, Guevera had to pull up at the end of the front straight with a broken chain. Luckily, the Aspar Team mechanics were able to sort the issue as the Spanish sophomore then went out to slam home the only 2:04 of the day. McPhee briefly sat top with his final fast lap before being deposed, with Suzuki third fastest in FP2. Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) suffered a technical problem.

Provisional Q2 places
Behind Guevara and McPhee from their FP2 bests, Foggia slots into third thanks to his FP1 stunner – and the Italian rode alone in the closing stages while others went in search of a tow. Suzuki ends the day in fourth, and Sergio Garcia (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) completed the top five, 0.5s off Guevara.

Migno slots into sixth ahead of 2021 Qatar GP winner Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo), with CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP in formation in P8 and P9; Tatay pipping teammate Xavier Artigas. Rossi was 10th.

The final four riders at Qatar set to move straight through to Q2 as it stands are previous Qatar winner Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power), compatriot Ryusei Yamanaka (MT Helmets – MSI), rookie Joel Kelso (CIP Green Power) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3).

Moto3 FRIDAY: TOP 3 (For full FP2 results, click here)

1 Izan Guevara (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) – GASGAS – 2’04.920
2 John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) – Husqvarna – +0.424
3 Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) – Honda – +0.494

ASBK Gallery: All The Best Shots From Round One, Phillip Island

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March 3, 2022

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Wayne Maxwell (Ducati V4R) was the only rider in the 1:31’s and was looking untouchable until a stumble on lap 5 saw last year’s ASBK champion crash out at turn eight — Coming into the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship (WSBK) round, the Alpinestars Superbike Championship is in a fascinating and potentially game-changing position.

A fast and consistent Bryan Staring has taken Round One victory of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) after the year kicked off in exciting fashion! Photos: BiteSizePics & A Bear…

It was a battle of the Ducati's as Staring and Maxwell went head to head all weekend. — It was a battle of the Ducati’s as Staring and Maxwell went head to head all weekend.

Check out all the race reports here…

Australian Superbike (ASBK) Round One Results (Full Results Here)

1 Bryan Staring – Ducati V4R
2 Cru Halliday – Yamaha YZF-R1
3 Mike Jones – Yamaha YZF-R1

Broc had an unfortunate start to his season in the Superbike class of ASBK, crashing out and sitting out some of the weekend. Now it's full steam ahead to secure a team like DesmoSport Ducati. — Broc had an unfortunate start to his season in the Superbike class of ASBK, crashing out and sitting out some of the weekend. Now it’s full steam ahead to secure a team like DesmoSport Ducati.

Awesome to see Ant West out there, still a legend.

Pole man, reigning Aussie Champ, Wayne Maxwell.

Maxwell was blisteringly fast on Friday and Saturday, smashing the lap record and taking Pole. — From round one – ironically at Phillip Island earlier this year – reigning Champion Wayne Maxwell has made defending his Championship unusually difficult, and at times, seemingly impossible.

Josh Waters is happy on the BMW so far, and very fast.

Josh Waters has come to grips with the BMW quickly, qualifying third.

Cru Halliday, a Phillip Island specialist, qualified second on his YZF-R1M.

In Race Three, it was Varis Fleming’s turn to steal the win, two-tenths ahead Jacobs and a superb ride from Joseph Marinello — In Race Three, it was Varis Fleming’s turn to steal the win, two-tenths ahead Jacobs…

Supersport 600 Round One Results (Full Results Here)

1 Senna Agius – Honda CBR 600 RR
2 Tom Bramich – Yamaha YZF-R6
3 Olly Simpson – Yamaha YZF-R6

Senna Agius (Honda CBR RR) took Race One victory in Michelin Supersport ahead of Tom Bramich (Yamaha YZF-R6) and Jack Hyde (Yamaha YZF-R6).

In the Yamaha Finance R3 Cup, Varis Fleming (Yamaha YZF-R3) was able to better Harry Snell (Yamaha YZF-R3) by a mere one-hundredth of a second in Race Two…

Supersport 300 Round One Results (Full Results Here)

1 Harry Snell – Yamaha YZF-R3
2 James Jacobs – Kawasaki Ninja 300
3 Taiyo Aksu – Yamaha YZF-R3

R3 Cup Round One Results (Full Results Here)

1 Glenn Nelson – Yamaha YZF-R3
2 Taiyo Aksu – Yamaha YZF-R3
3 Harry Snell – Yamaha YZF-R3

Laura Brown was seen battling her way up the pack on her Kawasaki Ninja 300... — Laura Brown was seen battling her way up the pack on her Kawasaki Ninja 300…

OJC Round One Results (Full Results Here)

1 Harrison Watts – Yamaha YZF-R15
2 Cameron Rende – Yamaha YZF-R15
3 Teerin Fleming – Yamaha YZF-R15

With the International Island Classic being cancelled for the past two years. The Superbike Masters series tagged along with the ASBK for round one... — With the International Island Classic being cancelled for the past two years. The Superbike Masters series tagged along with the ASBK for round one…

Superbike Masters Round One Results (Full Results Here)

1 Scott Campbell – Honda RC30 750
2 Murray Clark – Suzuki GSXR 1183
3 Scott Webster – Harris Suzuki 1200

Race Reports: 2022 ASBK Round One, Phillip Island

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March 3, 2022

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A fast and consistent Bryan Staring has taken Round One victory of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) after the year kicked off in exciting fashion! Photos: BiteSizePics & A Bear… Report: MA

SATURDAY REPORT
Wayne Maxwell showed the Alpinestars Superbike field a clean set of heels by securing pole position for Round One of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK).

Maxwell (Ducati V4R) shattered the hopes of his opposition to record a time of 1:31.363; a full second and a half ahead of his nearest competitor in Cru Halliday (Yamaha YZF-R1). Halliday in-turn edged Josh Waters (BMW M RR) by a tenth of a second, who rounded out the top three with a 1:32.911.

While Maxwell didn’t quite manage to secure a quicker time than his all-time best lap of Phillip Island in Friday practice, and was circumspect given the conditions he was presented with in qualifying.

“I surprised myself yesterday, but the conditions we had yesterday were the best we’ve had all weekend,” said Maxwell.

“The wind was very changeable and gusty out there today through from Turn Two to Turn Three. I just put it all on the line for a lap and was happy to put it on pole for the guys.”

SUPERSPORT 600
Senna Agius (Honda CBR RR) took pole in Michelin Supersport Q2 with a time of 1:35.307 ahead of Tom Edwards (Yamaha YZF-R6) on a 1:35.658 and Tom Bramich (Yamaha YZF-R6). Agius will be looking to capitalise on his pace tomorrow before heading overseas to compete in Europe.

SUPERSPORT 300
The Dunlop Supersport 300 Race One honours went to Harry Snell (Yamaha YZF-R3), finishing just seven-hundredths of a second ahead pole-sitter Glenn Nelson (Yamaha YZF-R3) and Cameron Dunker (Yamaha YZF-R3).

R3 CUP
Nelson would take some consolation after seizing both pole and the Yamaha Finance R3 Cup race One victory by the barest of margins ahead of Varis Fleming (Yamaha YZF-R3) and Jonathan Nahlous (Yamaha YZF-R3). Fleming was incidentally first to cross the line, but was eventually demoted to second-place after exceeding track limits.

OJC
Despite Bodie Paige (Yamaha YZF-R15) dominating most of Friday practice Levi Russo (Yamaha YZF-R15) pulled out the stops to take pole for the BLU CRU Oceania Junior Cup ahead of Teerin Fleming (Yamaha YZF-R15) and Paige. However in Race One, it was Cameron Rende who executed a perfect race to take victory ahead of Hudson Thompson and Harrison Watts.

SUPERBIKE MASTERS
Murray Clark (Suzuki GSXR 1183) gave historic racing fans plenty of joy by putting on a serene display to take victory in Race One of Superbike Masters ahead of Scott Campbell (Honda RC30 750) and Scott Webster (Harris Suzuki 1200). It was a repeat showing in race Two, however this time it was John Allen (Yamaha OW31 750) snatched the final step on the podium.

SUNDAY REPORT
In Alpinestars Superbikes Race One at Phillip Island, Wayne Maxwell (Ducati V4R) was the only rider in the 1:31’s and was looking untouchable until a stumble on lap 5 saw last year’s ASBK champion crash out at turn eight. Maxwell walked away unscathed, but the error left Bryan Staring (Ducati V4R) a clean road ahead with a four-second margin over the rest of the field.

An emotional Staring was almost lost for words on the podium, saying that he’d been “pretty patient for a pretty long time” waiting for this victory. We were chasing (Wayne) all weekend,” said Staring. “I knew that we had good race pace, but I didn’t know how good it needed to be though. Once we set out I could see the areas where we were strong and in the end, I kept the pressure on.”

Despite nursing a sore ankle from his excursion at Hayshed in Race One, Maxwell kept it neat and clean in race Two and was able to slowly edge a two-second gap to the fellow Ducati rider to take victory ahead of Staring and Cru Halliday (Yamaha YZF-R1).

Maxwell commended his team on preparing the number two bike to give him the win. “It was good to get a bit back,” said Maxwell. “I’ve got a few bruises so I’ll go and get the body healed up.”

Australian Superbike (ASBK) Round One Results (Full Results Here)

1 Bryan Staring – Ducati V4R
2 Cru Halliday – Yamaha YZF-R1
3 Mike Jones – Yamaha YZF-R1

Supersport 600
Senna Agius (Honda CBR RR) took Race One victory in Michelin Supersport ahead of Tom Bramich (Yamaha YZF-R6) and Jack Hyde (Yamaha YZF-R6). It was Senna’s weekend, however with the international-bound youngster taking the double in Race Two ahead of Tom Edwards, with Bramich this time occupying the final step of the podium.

In Race Three, it was Varis Fleming’s turn to steal the win, two-tenths ahead Jacobs and a superb ride from Joseph Marinello (Kawasaki Ninja) to grab the final podium position after finishing just outside the top ten in race Two.

Supersport 600 Round One Results (Full Results Here)

1 Senna Agius – Honda CBR 600 RR
2 Tom Bramich – Yamaha YZF-R6
3 Olly Simpson – Yamaha YZF-R6

Supersport 300
In Dunlop Supersport, Harry Snell (Yamaha YZF-R3) took off where he left on Saturday by executing a perfect ride to take Race Two victory, one-tenth ahead of James Jacobs (Kawasaki Ninja) and Taiyo Aksu (Yamaha YZF-R3) rounding out the top three.

Supersport 300 Round One Results (Full Results Here)

1 Harry Snell – Yamaha YZF-R3
2 James Jacobs – Kawasaki Ninja 300
3 Taiyo Aksu – Yamaha YZF-R3

R3 Cup
In the Yamaha Finance R3 Cup, Varis Fleming (Yamaha YZF-R3) was able to better Harry Snell (Yamaha YZF-R3) by a mere one-hundredth of a second in Race Two, with Taiyo Aksu (Yamaha YZF-R3) recording a strong weekend to score another podium. Race Three saw round winner Fleming take another victory ahead of Jai Russo (Yamaha YZF-R3) and Aksu once again.

R3 Cup Round One Results (Full Results Here)

1 Glenn Nelson – Yamaha YZF-R3
2 Taiyo Aksu – Yamaha YZF-R3
3 Harry Snell – Yamaha YZF-R3

OJC
Marcos Hamod took Saturday’s fancied runners by surprise by seizing victory in Race Two of the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup ahead of Sam Drane and Teerin Fleming. Hamod took advantage of a race in two parts after a restart, while in Race Three, Harrison Watts took final honours ahead of Hamod and Fleming.

OJC Round One Results (Full Results Here)

1 Harrison Watts – Yamaha YZF-R15
2 Cameron Rende – Yamaha YZF-R15
3 Teerin Fleming – Yamaha YZF-R15

Superbike Masters
In Superbike Masters, Scott Campbell (Honda RC30 750) got the better of Murray Clark (Suzuki GSXR 1183) to take the win in Race 3, with Scott Webster (Harris Suzuki 1200) rounding out the top three.

Superbike Masters Round One Results (Full Results Here)

1 Scott Campbell – Honda RC30 750
2 Murray Clark – Suzuki GSXR 1183
3 Scott Webster – Harris Suzuki 1200

Round One Of ASBK Has Kicked Off! Head to P.I This Weekend

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February 24, 2022

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Superbike racing fans will be on the edge of their seats as the 2022 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) presented by Motul kicks off another year of intense and close racing this weekend at Phillip Island.

The 2022 season will run over eight rounds, with the opening round this weekend at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from February 25-27 proudly presented by Spokes.com.au

Tempting though it may be, placing too much importance upon the recent official ASBK pre-season test at Phillip Island isn’t always the best indicator for full-season form, but on paper, it appears that Wayne Maxwell is set to pick up from where he left off last year.

Maxwell secured his third ASBK title at The Bend in December ‘21 and was top of the class at recent pre-season testing. Despite a lengthy career in the ASBK paddock, Maxwell is in the form of his life at present and his quest for a hat-trick of Aussie titles and further to become the first rider of the modern era to claim four ASBK titles looks ominously likely.

An in-form Troy Herfoss will be a major threat to Maxwell with the pair engaged in some bar-to-bar duels that will be long remembered, while Bryan Staring (the only rider to become an Australian Champion in three different classes) will be looking to add to his own tally after joining the DesmoSport outfit for 2022. Long-time BMW racer Glenn Allerton showed at season’s end that he still has the pace and consistency to run at the front.

Indeed, in the Alpinestars Superbike class, one is spoiled for choice when looking for talent and form. Six ASBK Champions will be on the grid in 2022 including Maxwell, Herfoss, Staring and Allerton while fellow former champs Mike Jones will contend aboard a Yamaha, and Josh Waters returns to the paddock aboard a BMW.

Allerton, Herfoss and Staring are all looking like promising contenders for the ASBK crown this year. — Six ASBK Champions will be on the grid in 2022 including Maxwell, Herfoss, Staring and Allerton while fellow former champs Mike Jones will contend aboard a Yamaha, and Josh Waters returns to the paddock aboard a BMW.

Regulars- and serious contenders- also include Lachlan Epis, Ant West, Arthur Sissis, Cru Halliday Jed Metcher, Daniel Falzon, Aiden Wagner and Matt Walters. Then you add in the next generation Superbike rookies Brock Pearson and Max Stauffer who have graduated from Supersport and it adds up to an enticing round- and the season ahead!

Get your tickets for this weekend here…

The opening round – proudly presented by Spokes.com.au and Visit Victoria- will have plenty of support category action, including the Michelin Supersport class, Dunlop Supersport 300 / Yamaha Finance R3 Cup and the new generation racers from Motorcycling Australia’s premier junior road racing academy, the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup.

2022 ASBK Calendar

Round 1 Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC 25 – 27 February SBK, SSPT, SS300, R3 Cup, OJC, SBK Masters
Round 2 Queensland Raceway, Ipswich QLD 18 – 20 March SBK, SSPT, SS300, R3 Cup, OJC, Sidecars
Round 3 Wakefield Park Raceway, Goulburn NSW 22 – 24 April SBK, SSPT, SS300, R3 Cup, OJC, Sidecars
Round 4 Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin NT 17 – 19 June * With Supercars – SBK Only
Round 5 Morgan Park Raceway, Warwick QLD 5 – 7 August SBK, SSPT, SS300, R3 Cup, OJC
Round 6 Symmons Plains Raceway – Launceston TAS 20 – 23 October SBK, SSPT, SS300, R3 Cup
Round 7 Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Cowes VIC TBA – November TBC
Round 8 The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend SA 2 – 4 December SBK, SSPT, SS300, R3 Cup, OJC
ASBK Night of Champions Dinner – The Bend 4 December

Superbike Masters Make A Return This Weekend!

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February 24, 2022

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After a hiatus, Victorian clubs commenced their own competitions for modified big-bore, four-stroke machines and the southern state soon became the central powerhouse of Australian Superbike racing.

In the absence of Australia’s largest historic motorcycle race, the ‘International Island Classic’, the Superbike Masters class will be a welcome addition for racing fans and a reminder of when big-bore racing attracted thousands to witness races with similar machinery to what they rode to the track.

For the opening round of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championships presented by Motul, the ever-popular “Superbike Masters" return for another hit out. — For the opening round of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championships presented by Motul, the ever-popular “Superbike Masters” return for another hit out.

In 1970, visionary promoter, Vince Tesoriero and his fellow Willoughby MCC members dreamed up the first Castrol 6-Hour and the annual event soon developed into world’s go-to production bike race.

Such was its standing and prestige, manufacturers produced specific models, like the Honda CB1100R – solely designed for success in the Castrol 6-Hour with the old adage of “what wins on Sunday, sells on Monday” and sell they did! The CB was basically a race bike with a single seat and fairing, designed for the road and produced in limited numbers.

The Superbike Masters class takes us back to the days of the Castrol 6-hour when essentially stock bikes would battle it out on track. — The Superbike Masters class takes us back to the days of races like the Castrol 6-hour when essentially stock bikes would battle it out on track.

The flip side of that was that entrants went to great lengths to take advantage of any loophole in the rules – sometimes exceeded the regulations. So Tesoriero and co came up with an idea; instead of endurance races for production bikes, what about sprint races for modified machines with the top riders of the day involved? The catch cry on one of the posters was “Super heroes on Super bikes”.

Get your tickets for this weekend here…

Making its debut on 18 February 1973 at Amaroo Park, the rules were fairly open for what was allowed on the machines. The four-round series was called the “Chesterfield 5000” – the “5000” signifying the prize money that was up for grabs. However, the concept lasted just three years.

After a hiatus, Victorian clubs commenced their own competitions for modified big-bore, four-stroke machines and the southern state soon became the central powerhouse of Australian Superbike racing. The first Australian Superbike Championship was held in 1987. Since then, many riders have had their name etched their name on the trophy; Robbie Phillis, Malcolm “Wally” Campbell, Troy Corser, the late Kirk McCarthy, Anthony Gobert, Marty Craggill, former MA President, Peter Goddard, and ASBK commentator Steve Martin are just some pre 2000 Champions.

The P5 ‘Unlimited Forgotten Era’ is for machines manufactured from 1973 to 1982. These are split into 2 classes; P5 Unlimited and P5F1 for aftermarket framed bikes like the Harris, Spondon and the GP-spec Yamaha TZ750 two-strokes. The P6 ‘New Era’ is open to bikes from 1983 to 1990 and are made up of Formula 750 machines like the Honda RC30 and P6 Formula 1300 – for machines such as the Yamaha FZR1000 and the CB1100R.

Today, the Superbike Masters category is open to bikes from the bygone era and with a full field of 40 bikes spread over four classes. — Today, Superbike Masters is open to bikes from the bygone era and with a full field of 40 bikes spread over four classes.

Just a taster of the spectacular machinery on show will be XR 69, factory replicas Endurance racing specials fitted with Suzuki GSX 1100 Engines, the Harris Replica Formula 1 fitted with Z900-Z1000 Kawasaki Engines and a P & M Formula 1 – fitted with a Z1000 Kawaski engine. Some of the popular riders featured in the class include 3 x time Australian Harley Davidson Sporters Champion John Allen, riding the Terry McKinnon -C&M Motorcycles prepared Yamaha TZ750.

In addition, multiple Island classic winner Scott Webster, will be riding the T&K Carney prepared Harris Suzuki XR69. Webster is the only rider to represent Australia at every island classic international challenge and always rises to big occasions. Multiple Australian P4 and P5 Australian title winner, Craig Ditchburn, will be riding a homebuilt Yamaha TZ750 while on the same machinery will be 250 UK Production Championship Champion and 2 x British Endurance Champion, Jim Agombar.

Massive Yamaha Presence During 2022 ASBK Season

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February 24, 2022

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Riders hit the track this Friday at Phillip Island for round one of the 2022 ASBK Championship.

With the opening round of the 2022 Mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) set to roar into life this weekend at the iconic Phillip Island circuit, Yamaha will be out in full force throwing its support behind Australian racing both on and off the track.

On track, Yamaha is by far the dominant brand in the ASBK with riders stretching from the entry level and innovative Oceania Junior Cup contested on the Yamaha R15, where 20 of the countries newest racers get to wet their feet in the ASBK environment, through to the Superbike class with Yamaha supporting over 10 riders at the opening round.

ASBK
The Superbike division is loaded with talent in 2022 with plenty choosing the Yamaha R1 as their weapon of choice. The YRT duo of Cru Halliday and Mike Jones have enjoyed a buoyant pre-season and are both primed and ready for a serious assault on this years’ championship. The team is motivated, the riders are happy, and it all gets under way this weekend at Phillip Island.

Joining them in the Superbike class will be the newly formed 727 team consisting of the talented Jed Metcher riding alongside 2021 600cc Supersport champ, Broc Pearson. The team assembled a who’s who of talent behind the scenes and are out to make waves in the premier category.

Aiden Wagner returns to Yamaha and with the help of Addicted to Track and Northstar Yamaha, is looking to return to the podium. Phillip Island has been a happy hunting ground for Wagner, and he would like nothing more to get on the box at the series opener.

Throw in the fast starting and ever improving Arthur Sissis, the experienced Anthony West, the talented Max Stauffer and the blazing fast Daniel Falzon and the grid will turn blue on Sunday as they thunder down the front straight at speeds nearing 300 kilometres per hour.

600cc Supersport
2021 saw Yamaha clean sweep the podium in the Supersport category with Broc Pearson, Tom Edwards and Max Stauffer out classing their rivals. With Pearson and Stauffer moving up to the premier class, Tom Edwards becomes the man to beat on his Yamaha R6. But he won’t have it all his own way as a range of up and comers are ready to make their mark.

2021 saw Yamaha clean sweep the podium in the Supersport category with Broc Pearson, Tom Edwards and Max Stauffer out classing their rivals.

Ben Baker steps up from winning both the 300cc and R3 Cup in 2021 and will hit the ground running, Tom Bramich, Reece Oughtred, Scott Nicholson and Olly Simpson, all racing with YRD support will be out to make improvements in 2022.

300cc Supersport / R3 Cup
Yamaha is still the weapon of choice in the 300cc Supersport with the bonus being able to contest the R3 Cup on the very same machine, giving riders excellent value for money. Ben Baker was able to take the double last year and has now moved to the 600cc class, so a new winner will be crowned in 2022 and will take the next step up the racing ladder.

OJC- R15 Cup
The popular R15 Cup returns for 2022 with 25 teenage adrenaline junkies ready to take to the ASBK tracks of Australia. Since its inception, the class has proven a winner, both in terms of introducing new riders to the sport as well as help retain them as a large percentage of riders have gone on from the R15 Cup and are now contesting the larger capacity classes.

YMA’s sister company has also joined forces with Yamaha and Motorcycling Australia to support the stars of tomorrow. Using premium brands like Dunlop, Ohlins, Shark and DID, it’s a collaborative effort from all parties to take the class to the next level.

Yamaha supply the R15 race bikes, supported pricing with parts and accessories as well as Yamalube oils.

Off Track
Yamaha don’t just target the on track, there is plenty of work that goes on behind the scenes in supporting the riders and the event. YRD is a huge player in supporting Yamaha riders at and between every ASBK round. John Redding and his YRD team of Janice and Stewart Winton offer race supported pricing on parts, technical advice and are happy to answer all your questions to give Yamaha an asset no other manufacturer can offer.

Yamaha Finance is also the class sponsor of the R3 Cup. The R3 Cup offers affordable national level racing and Yamaha Finance offer great products to keep your racing dreams alive.

“Yamaha Motor Australia continue to invest in domestic racing and are looking forward to the 2022 ASBK season getting under way. With two seasons that have been impacted by Covid, we hope that 2022 sees things back to normal with a full season ahead of us and some great racing at each and every round.”

“We encourage all riders and race enthusiasts to get back to the track in 2022 as the racing will be first class. Yamaha is proud to again be a major backer of road racing in Australia and the opening round can’t come soon enough for us. Let’s get it underway,” says YRT’s John Redding.

Dixon fastest in Moto2 On Saturday At Portugal

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PB

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February 24, 2022

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Day 1 of the official Moto2™ and Moto3™ test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve saw Jake Dixon (GASGAS Aspar Team) make a late lunge to the top in the intermediate class, the Brit ending the day 0.075 ahead of Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40).

Dixon, Canet, Fernandez and Acosta split by 0.095 on Saturday. It's tight at the top as Moto2™ get testing underway in Portugal. — Dixon, Canet, Fernandez and Acosta split by 0.095 on Saturday. It’s tight at the top as Moto2™ get testing underway.

Almost as close was Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo), only another four thousandths in arrears. Only a few more thousandths behind came his teammate, reigning Moto3™ World Champion Pedro Acosta, with last year’s rookie sensation maintaining that moniker as he moves into the intermediate class…

Then came a small gap back to Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) as the number 6 ended the day 0.265 off Acosta, heading up another group of incredibly tight laptimes. Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and Albert Arenas (GASGAS Aspar Team) were up next, with Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) just 0.002 off Arenas. Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) took P9, with Fermin Aldeguer (Speed Up Racing) taking tenth.

The likes of Fernandez, Acosta, Ogura, Beaubier and Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing) didn’t head out in the final session and with laptimes only a second off the pole record already, how much more will get pulled out the locker on Day 2?

Moto2 Testing Day 1 Top Three (Full Results Here)

1 Jake Dixon (GASGAS Aspar Team) – Kalex – 1:43.169
2 Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) – Kalex – +0.075
3 Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – Kalex – +0.089

Moto3
Tatsuki Suzuki began his tenure with Leopard Racing by topping the timesheets on Day 1, the Japanese rider putting in a 1’48.575 to pull nearly a tenth and a half clear of Izan Guevara (GASGAS Aspar Team), who is gearing up for his second season in Moto3™. It was a rookie completing the top three though, with David Muñoz (BOE SKX) 0.283 off the top.

Leopard Racing's new arrival heads the timesheets ahead of Guevara and rookie Muñoz — Leopard Racing’s new arrival heads the timesheets ahead of Guevara and rookie Muñoz.

That denied Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) as the Turk was an apt 0.053 further back, with another rookie standout in fifth: Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI). The Brazilian debutant was even closer in the tight field, 0.017 off Öncü.

Adrian Fernandez seems to be settling in at Red Bull KTM Tech 3 as he ended Day 1 in P6, just ahead of Sergio Garcia (GASGAS Aspar Team). Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP) put CFMoto into the top ten on their debut in P8, ahead of another impressive rookie in Ivan Ortola (Team MTA). Ayumu Sasaki’s first official day in Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max colours saw the Japanese rider complete the top ten.

Only a handful of names have raced at the venue before as the lightweight class takes on Termas de Rio Hondo.

That leaves the likes of Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) outside the top ten, but it is, after all, only the first day. And Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), the runner up last season, will be glad of that too as he was sidelined due to illness. Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia) is also sidelined, the Japanese rookie through injury after breaking his ankle, and he will unfortunately miss the test.

Moto3 Testing Day 1 Top Three (Full Results Here)

1 Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) – Honda – 1’48.575
2 Izan Guevara (GASGAS Aspar Team – GASGAS – +0.131
3 David Muñoz (BOE SKX) – KTM – +0.283

Canet Sets Fastest Ever Moto2 lap On The Algarve

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PB

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February 24, 2022

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Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) was near the top of the timesheets on Day 1 of the Official Moto2 and Moto3 test at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, and the Spaniard underlined his speed with some style on Sunday by ending the day fastest and with a new lap record – a 1’41.892.

There's just 0.037 in it at the top as four riders better Raul Fernandez' 2021 pole position time — There’s just 0.037 in it at the top as four riders better Raul Fernandez’ 2021 pole position time.

The rider on the chase was none other than rookie sensation – so far the moniker has only rolled over from Moto3™ to Moto2™ – Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo), with the debutant just 0.037 in arrears. His teammate Augusto Fernandez was third, 0.111 off the top, with Day 1’s fastest, Jake Dixon (GASGAS Aspar Team), fourth on Sunday and the final rider to break the old lap record.

Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) had a little fresh air in fifth, the American 0.147 off Dixon but two and a half tenths clear of Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) in P6. Fermin Aldeguer (MB Conveyors Speed Up) put his Boscoscuro in seventh, ahead of Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) as the two sophomores continue to show good pace. So too does Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) as he slotted into ninth. Albert Arenas (GASGAS Aspar Team) was only 0.017 off the American, completing the top ten.

Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) once again sat out the final session of the day, and the Brit is suffering from tendonitis that will also see him miss Day 3 entirely. He crashed in the second session too, as did Ogura, Acosta, Keminth Kubo (Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team) and Sean Dylan Kelly (American Racing). Kelly also crashed in session one, as did Schrötter and Aldeguer. The final session saw the most tumbles as Beaubier, Arenas, MV Agusta Forward Racing’s Simone Corsi and Marcos Ramirez, Niccolo Antonelli (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Jorge Navarro (Flexox HP 40) crashed, all riders ok.

Moto2 Testing Day 2 Top Three (Full Results Here)

1 Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40) – Kalex – 1’41.892
2 Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – Kalex – +0.037
3 Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) – Kalex – +0.111

Moto3
Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) has retained his grip on the top in Portugal, with the Japanese rider leaving it late but coming out on top to deny new teammate Dennis Foggia by just 0.019. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) made it a Honda 1-2-3, exactly a tenth in further arrears.

Leopard Racing retain P1 as Foggia gets back on track - and pipped to the top late on — Leopard Racing retain P1 as Foggia gets back on track – and pipped to the top late on.

There was a bigger gap of a couple of tenths back to Carlos Tatay (CFMoto Racing PrüstelGP), with the Spaniard, in turn, 0.297 ahead of Riccardo Rossi (SIC58 Squadra Corse). John McPhee was sixth as the Scot gets to grips with his Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max machine, with Sergio Garcia (GASGAS Aspar Team) 0.003 further back and Alberto Surra (Rivacold Snipers Team) 0.077.

David Muñoz (BOE SKX) followed up a top three on Day 1 with ninth on Day 2, and the Spaniard was top rookie as he slotted in 0.144 behind Surra. Izan Guevara (GASGAS Aspar Team) completed the top ten.

There were some crashes on Day 2, most notably a tumble for Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) as the Turk crashed and collected his new teammate, Adrian Fernandez. Fernandez was ok and Öncü headed for the Medical Center, given the all-clear for fractures but suffering with pain in his foot.

Elia Bartolini (QJMotor Avintia Racing Team) was the sole crasher in the first session. The Öncü incident was in the second session, in which Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Guevara also fell. McPhee crashed in session three, riders all ok.

Moto3 Testing Day 2 Top Three (Full Results Here)

1 Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) – Honda – 1:47.390
2 Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) – Honda – +0.019
3 Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) – Honda – +0.119

MotoGP Unlimited Premiere In Paris

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PB

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February 24, 2022

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On Wednesday it was Madrid, now, Paris. The Elysées Biarritz hosted the second premiere for MotoGP Unlimited, with two more episodes of the new docuseries about the FIM MotoGP World Championship screened on Thursday – less than a month ahead of the series’ worldwide launch on the 14th of March.

2021 MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) was joined at the event by Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), with the three taking to the red carpet and then the stage. After a Q&A, it was time to sit back and enjoy the two episodes.

MotoGP Unlimited will launch exclusively on Prime Video in France, Italy, Spain, and more than 170 countries and territories worldwide – including the UK and U.S. – on the 14th of March. Produced by THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO in collaboration with Dorna Sports, the series comprises eight 50-minute episodes and follows a number of premier class stars, including riders and team managers.

Quartararo, Bagnaia and Rins walk the red carpet as two more episodes of MotoGP™ Unlimited are screened in Paris.

The docuseries takes fans behind the scenes, allowing viewers an intimate and exclusive look at the challenges faced by the MotoGP riders and teams during the season, both on and off the track.

Bagnaia (L), Quartararo (centre, left), Dorna Sports Chief Commercial Officer Manel Arroyo (centre, right) and Rins (R)

Quartararo, Bagnaia and Rins share the stage with the YZR-M1.

The docuseries follows in the footsteps of other Prime Video sports content productions also produced by THE MEDIAPRO STUDIO, such as Fernando; following double Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso, Six Dreams, and the acclaimed series All or Nothing. The executive producers are Laura Fernández Espeso, Javier Méndez, and Bernat Elías, and the directors are Arnau Monràs and Jaume García.

Australian racing fans can tune into the series via the Amazon Prime streaming service on the 14th of March. Don’t miss it!

Francesco Bagnaia & Ducati Sign On Until 2024

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PB

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February 24, 2022

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The pair of Ducati Lenovo riders put in a collective effort during testing, completing over 400 laps!

Francesco Bagnaia and Ducati Corse have reached an agreement that will see the Italian rider aboard the Ducati Lenovo Team’s factory Desmosedici GP bike for another two seasons after a very successful season in 2021…

Francesco Bagnaia and Ducati set to continue together in the 2023 and 2024 MotoGP seasons.

Born in Turin in 1997, “Pecco” Bagnaia made his MotoGP debut in 2019 with the Desmosedici GP of the Pramac Racing Team. He also contested the 2020 season with the same squad, achieving his first podium at the Grand Prix Lenovo of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera, where he finished second on the rostrum.

Promoted to the official Ducati team last year, the Turin-born rider continued to shine after taking pole position and finishing third place in the opening GP of 2021 and soon became one of the main title contenders. With nine podiums, four victories and six pole positions, Bagnaia ended 2021 in second place and is now looking forward to the new Championship, which will start on 6th March at the Losail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar.

Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team)
“Being a Ducati rider in MotoGP has always been my dream, and knowing that I can continue with the Ducati Lenovo Team for another two seasons makes me happy and proud. I have found a serene environment in the factory team: I feel very much in tune with my team and know that we can do great things together. Now I can only concentrate on doing well in this Championship. A big thank you to Claudio, Gigi, Paolo, Davide and all the Ducati Corse staff. I’ll try to repay their trust with my results on the track!”

Luigi Dall’Igna (General Manager of Ducati Corse):
“We are delighted to have Bagnaia with us for another two seasons. Since he arrived at Ducati in 2019, Pecco has shown great talent and the ability to interpret our Desmosedici GP very well, adapting to ride it in any condition. He did it, especially in the last season, during which he had significant growth and got to play for the World Title. The way he managed the races at Aragón, Misano, Portimão and Valencia, scoring four fantastic victories, is proof of his maturity as a rider. With these great qualities, we are sure that he has the potential to aim for the title with us”.

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Dixon fastest in Moto2 On Saturday At Portugal

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MotoGP Unlimited Premiere In Paris

Francesco Bagnaia & Ducati Sign On Until 2024

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