Jess Gardiner Ploughs Ahead For Her 6th A4DE Win

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May 11, 2022

Gardiner took home her 6th A4DE Women’s title today, after smoking the competition in the Final Moto.

The stage was set in Erica and against all odds, the weather held out for one spectacular final day of the 2022 Prestige Iveco Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE). Day 4 featured one final trail ride followed by an exciting five lap Final Moto. The big news was Jess Gardiner claiming her sixth A4DE win.

Gardiner finished with a total time of 28:27.487. Karlsson finished in second place with a total time of 28:57.556. — Coming out victorious was Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) in Women to claim her 6th title…

Coming out victorious was Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) in Women to claim her 6th title, Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) in E1 to claim his 1st ever title, Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) in E2, Tom Mason (Gas Gas) in E3, Darren Lloyd in Veteran and Jason Salopayers in Masters. The Final Moto was contrastingly clinched by Todd Waters (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) in E2, Andrew Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) in E3, Jason Haas in Masters and Steven Powell in Veteran.

E1
It was Bacon’s time to shine, as he screamed across the Final Moto. With a total time of 15:14.491, the Yamaha racer set an extremely strong tone immediately, scoring the holeshot and keeping a strong lead across all five laps.

“I got the holeshot in that race and I’m stoked with the end result. It was definitely fun tussling with Cooper [Sheidow]. I would see him out of the corner of my eye and it definitely pushed me on to stay ahead. The feeling is unreal [winning the E1 A4DE title]. I didn’t think I’d be here today to be honest. I’ve always watched this event as a kid, so it seems unreal to me, to be here. I can’t wait to see what happens next!”

Filling out the remaining E1 podium after four days is Cooper Sheidow (Kessner Motorcycles, KTM) and Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team), with respective times of 2:34:01.318 and 2:34:32.634. Contrastingly though, it was Sheidow and Blake Hollis who claimed the silver and bronze in the Final Moto, knocking Carpentier down to fourth.

2022 A4DE E1 Top 3 Provisional Progressive Results

1 Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 2:29:38.401
2 Cooper Sheidow (Kessner Motorcycles, KTM) 2:34:01.318
3 Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 2:34:32.634

E2
He had some challenges throughout the event, especially in Day 3 after losing to Waters. After all that though, the E2 A4DE title was won by Green with nearly a minute to spare! The Yamaha racer has solidified a place in every fans heart, after earning a hard fought title with a total time of 2:31:34.604.

He had some challenges throughout the event, especially in Day 3 after losing to Waters. After all that though, the E2 A4DE title was won by Green with nearly a minute to spare!

“I’m pretty relieved to finish off Day 4. It was hard work. I got a good start and the holeshot [in the Final Moto]! I was about two laps in and thought to myself ‘wow, that red plate holder is on my back wheel’. It was an awesome weekend – challenging, slippery and hard to race. I had a few mistakes this event, so we’ll go back to the drawing board and learn from it. I’m super stoked to be racing Toddy [Waters], we have great banter and I love it.”

Waters took home an impressive second place win overall in E2, demonstrating how versatile his skill set is in both Motocross and Enduro. Waters also won the Final Moto with a total time of 15:08.634, beating Green by nearly six seconds. Beta’s Fraser Higlett stole third place overall, just behind Waters with a total time of 2:35:58.657. With a result like that, it bodes well for Higlett’s remaining Enduro 2022 racing season.

2022 A4DE E2 Top 3 Provisional Progressive Results

1 Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 2:31:34.604
2 Todd Waters (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 2:32:36.528
3 Fraser Higlett (Beta) 2:35:58.657

E3
After years away from racing, Mason came back with a fire in his belly and it well and truly paid off! Winning the 2022 E3 title, Mason has demonstrated his undeniable skills on his Gas Gas, clocking in a total time over four days of 2:32:27.991.

“I feel relieved that I can put this A4DE in the books. Today was good – I had a bit of a scare before the Final Moto, where my kickstarter broke just before the race. But we got it sorted and this event has reflected my best results. I didn’t know what to expect coming into the event. I was aiming for a top 10 finish and to get in the top five after time off is a great confidence boost.”

Even with a penalty, Wilksch finished Day 4 with an extremely impressive result. Claiming the Final Moto win in E3 with a total time of 15:21.505, the Husqvarna boarded rider put on a spectacular show for fans, as he tussled with Mason for the gold. Wilksch also walks away from Erica with a second place win overall in E3. KTM’s Stefan Granquist protected his third place position in E3 overall and in the Final Moto, finishing the A4DE with a total time of 2:34:05.969.

2022 A4DE E3 Top 3 Provisional Progressive Results

1 Thomas Mason (Gas Gas) 2:32:27.991
2 Andrew Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) 2:33:14.324
3 Stefan Granquist (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 2:34:05.969

Women
She’s seemingly unstoppable! Gardiner took home her 6th A4DE Women’s title today, after smoking the competition in the Final Moto. With a total time of 17:18.835, Gardiner demonstrated her prowess both in the tight and technical, as well as on the open straight.

Looking back on her fantastic four days here in Erica, Gardiner confirmed that “I feel ecstatic to earn my sixth title! I was nervous going into the Final Moto. Everyone is watching and your body is tired, but you need to put on a show and demonstrate your riding style. The start was exhilarating, where I needed to keep ahead of Emelie who’s on a bigger bike. I was lucky to get that holeshot and it set me up well for the rest of the rest. Winning definitely doesn’t get old! I’m so thrilled with this result.”

KTM’s Emelie Karlsson finished Day 4 with a fantastic result of second place! Navigating tough conditions and long hours on the bike, Karlsson earnt both second place in the Final Moto and in the overall Women’s class. Last but certainly not least, Ebony Nielsen (KTM) claimed third overall after her first ever A4DE! With a humble mindset of staying upright for four days, Nielsen’s end result is a testament to her skillset.

2022 A4DE Women Top 3 Provisional Progressive Results

1 Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 2:52:00.916
2 Emelie Karlsson (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 2:57:11.800
3 Ebony Nielsen (KTM) 3:09:25.783

Veteran
Day 3 may have been a struggle for the 2022 Veteran Champ, but Day 4 brought in the rewards for Lloyd! Coming in third in the Final Moto, Lloyd’s steady and consistent times earnt him the 2022 title.

“I’m honestly feeling pretty wrecked after the past four days. The conditions have been pretty slick, which is not what I’m used to. It’s hard coming from dry conditions, to tracks that are hard packed and slick. It’s been challenging but my Husqvarna has served me well.” said Lloyd

Richard Chibnall took home second place overall in the Veteran class, finishing four days with a total time of 2:48:53.467. The Final Moto winner was Steven Powell, who finished five laps with a total time of 16:26.167. This fantastic result ensured he went home with a third place finish overall.

2022 A4DE Veteran Top 3 Provisional Progressive Results

1 Darren Lloyd 2:48:20.134
2 Richard Chibnall 2:48:53.467
3 Steven Powell 2:50:22.980

Masters
Over in Masters, Salopayers fought back after a tough Day 3, to win the overall 2022 title! With an overall progressive time of 2:54:57.959, he set a considerable lead in the class.

“I’m feeling really good after the Final Moto. It’s been a great time, great event and even the weather held out! I struggled in the wet, slippery conditions but overall I enjoyed my time here in Erica.”

The Final Moto today was won by Day 3 winner, Jason Haas with a total time of 17:06.563. With the strong lead, Haas also ensured his second place finish overall.Third place for the 2022 A4DE was awarded to Scott Szabo, who finished with a time of 2:58:34.644.

2022 A4DE Masters Top 3 Provisional Progressive Results

1 Jason Salopayers 2:54:57.959
2 Jason Haas 2:56:26.733
3 Scott Szabo 2:58:34.644

Senior Trophy Team
Queensland (QLD) have taken home the 2022 Challenge Trophy, after clocking in a total time of 40:13.456. The combined efforts of William Dennett, Higlett, Thomas McCormack, Kaleb Treasure, Waters and Blake Hollis, enabled the QLD team to clinch the win overall and on all four days!

Victoria (VIC) conceded for second place overall, thanks to the high-speeds and strong focus from Chibnall, Simon Cox, Jacob Deagan, Mason, Monique Simioni and Wilksch. After four days, the VIC team finished with a time of 2:32:17.999.

The podium was rounded out by New South Wales (NSW), with a total time of 6:24:10.366, by Carpentier, Granquist, Brad Hardaker, Brock Nichols, Bacon and Green.

2022 A4DE Senior Trophy Team Overall Provisional Results

1 QLD 40:13.456
2 VIC 2:32:17.999
3 NSW 6:24:10.366

Junior Trophy Team
VIC came out victorious though in the 2022 Junior Trophy, taking home the gold with a total time of 40:42.106. The VIC Junior Trophy team was made up by Nicholas Graham, Riley McGillivray, Patrick McGillivray and William Price. NSW filled out second place, with a total time of 4:29:56.559, with the help of Luke Chellas, Thomas Foster, Korey McMahon and Sheidow.

2022 A4DE Junior Trophy Team Overall Provisional Results

1 VIC 40:42.106
2 NSW 4:29:56.559

Women’s Trophy Team
NSW may not have won the Senior or Junior Trophy but they came away victorious for the 2022 Women’s Trophy! With the help of Julie Denyer, Gardiner and Karlsson, the NSW team won with an overall time of 05:10.884. QLD took out second place, with a total time of 3:24.17.238, with team members Emily Bielenberg and Ebony Nielsen. VIC filled out the final podium spot with a time of 7:34:04.351, through members Holly Blake, Rachel Boyle and Angela Scott.

2022 A4DE Women’s Trophy Team Overall Provisional Results

1 NSW 05:10.884
2 QLD 3:24.17.238
3 VIC 7:34:04.351

View the combined results for all categories here…

Waters Drowns Out Green At Day 3 A4DE

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PB

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May 11, 2022

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Marking his first four-day, Waters took like a duck to water and is using each day to move from strength to strength.

166 kilometres, over six hours on the bike and icy temperatures awaited our 2022 Prestige Iveco Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE) field, for Day 3. For this the penultimate day for the A4DE, the MKD/NEET, Beta, Husqvarna and KTM tracks were slippery at best and truly put world-class racers through their paces.

For this the penultimate day for the A4DE, the MKD/NEET, Beta, Husqvarna and KTM tracks were slippery at best and truly put world-class racers through their paces.

Richard Chibnall in Veteran and Jason Haas in Masters also shook up their class leader board. Claiming their third class wins and strengthening their A4DE victor campaigns was Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) in E1, Andrew Wilksch in E3 and Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) in Women.

E1
Claiming another fastest time with 47:56.945, Bacon is looking very comfortable ahead of the fourth and final day. Heading into the Final Moto, Bacon’s exceptional results hint at a very high-speed, high-heart-rate event! All eyes will be on him as he guns for the holeshot.

Heading into the Final Moto, Bacon’s exceptional results hint at a very high-speed, high-heart-rate event!

Yamaha’s Jeremy Carpentier boosted his position in E1 on day three, landing back on the podium with a total time of 49:04.283. Likely taking learnings from yesterday’s challenges, Carpentier notched up strong results all day, claiming a well deserved second place for Day 3. Cooper Sheidow once again took out third place for Day 3, with a total time of 49:11.324. Gas Gas’s Korey McMahon, whom fans will remember from yesterday’s podium, was unfortunately a DNF.

2022 A4DE E1 Day 3 Top 3 Provisional Results

1 Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 47:56.945
2 Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 49:04.283
3 Cooper Sheidow (Kessner Motorcycles, KTM) 49:11.324

E2
Day 3 was Waters’ time to shine, as he clocked in the top E2 result with a total time of 48:33.178. Remaining a steady and consistent force across the MKD/NEET, Beta, Husqvarna and KTM tests, the MX superstar quietly pushed onward to a fantastic result.

Green was close behind Waters with a total time of 48:47.596, securing second place for Day 3.Fraser Higlett once again stole away third place in E2, with a total time of 49:54.605. Higlett continues to demonstrate his powerful presence in Enduro across the A4DE, as he navigates a new team and bike.

2022 A4DE E2 Day 3 Top 3 Provisional Results

1 Todd Waters (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 48:33.178
2 Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 48:47.596
3 Fraser Higlett (Beta) 49:54.605

E3
Wilksch continues to keep a steady hold on first place in E3, finishing a gruelling Day 3 with a total time of 48:21.260. The Husqvarna boarded racer was close behind Bacon for the fastest time of the day, yet after six and a half hours on the bike, he just couldn’t catch the Yamaha rider.

Thomas Mason was hot on Wilksch’s heels, finishing in second for Day 3 with a total time of 48:33.483. Marking his first collection of test wins, the conditions were ideal for the Gas Gas rider who clearly thrived on day three’s greasy tracks. KTM’s Stefan Granquist held on strong to third place for Day 3. With a total time of 49:06.715, Granquist has protected his position on the podium ahead of Riley McGillivray by well over one minute.

2022 A4DE E3 Day 3 Top 3 Provisional Results:

1 Andrew Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) 48:21.260
2 Thomas Mason (Gas Gas) 48:33.483
3 Stefan Granquist (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 49:06.715

Women
The Erica conditions is clearly treating Yamaha’s Gardiner to a spectacular A4DE, as she took out another Women’s class win! With a total time of 54:29.870, Gardiner continues to put time between her and KTM pocket rocket, Emelie Karlsson.

The Erica conditions is clearly treating Yamaha’s Gardiner to a spectacular A4DE, as she took out another class win!

Karlsson claimed second place again, with a total time of 56:32.090. After managing an injury and days of long hours on the bike, Karlsson continues to push onward and upward. Heading into day four’s Final Moto, fans will be keeping a close eye on Gardiner and Karlsson, as they fight for those valuable seconds that separate gold and silver trophies.

Fellow KTM boarded racer, Ebony Nielsen had another strong day in Erica, claiming her consecutive third place win in Women’s. Marking her first ever A4DE, Nielsen has grown from strength to strength as she pushes mind and body over four hard days on the bike.

2022 A4DE Women Day 3 Top 3 Provisional Results

1 Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 54:29.870
2 Emelie Karlsson (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 56:32.090
3 Ebony Nielsen (KTM) 1:02:41.633

Veteran
It was a very happy day for Chibnall, who pushed his way up the podium to first place for Day 3! Former Day 1 and 2 Veteran victor, Darren Lloyd dropped down to second place for Day 3, finishing 166 kilometres with a total time of 54:05.022. Christopher Thomas finished Day 3 on a high, propelling his position up the ranks into third. With a total time of 54:05.412, Thomas was a hairsbreadth away from second place!

2022 A4DE Veteran Day 3 Top 3 Provisional Results

1 Richard Chibnall 53:23.437
2 Darren Lloyd 54:05.022
3 Christopher Thomas 54:05.412

Masters
It was an exciting tango over in Masters, between Day 1 and 2 winner Jason Salopayers and Haas. Over the course of the near seven-hour day, Haas clocked in the fastest time of the two, 55:48.067. Winning a well earnt first place spot for Day 3, Haas has set an exciting tone for day four’s Final Moto.

Salopayers settled for second place, with a total time of 56:06.473. Brandon Kienhuis pushed hard for a glittering final result of third. This marks Kienhuis’ first podium spot in Masters for the 2022 A4DE, signalling an exciting Day 4 as he fights to protect his bronze.

2022 A4DE Masters Day 3 Top 3 Provisional Results

1 Jason Haas 55:48.067
2 Jason Salopayers 56:06.473
3 Brandon Kienhuis 56:29.316

Click here to view the combined results from all classes…

Bacon Smokes The Competition On Australian Four Day Enduro Day 2

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PB

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May 11, 2022

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With a total time of 1:02:15.927, Bacon cooked any chance of his rivals putting him under pressure.

The only thing that held off on Day Two was the rain, as a jampacked field tackled 187 kilometres for Day 2 of the 2022 Prestige Iveco Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE). Notching up over seven hours on the bike, more than 230 riders navigated muddy, slippery conditions across the course.

Bacon in E1, Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) in E2, Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) in Women, Darren Lloyd in Veteran and Jason Salopayers in Masters all claimed consecutive wins, cementing a promising future for the final two days of the Australian Four Day Enduro.

E1
Humble by nature, contrastingly fearless in action, Bacon was clearly unstoppable in E1. With a total time of 1:02:15.927, Bacon cooked any chance of his rivals putting him under pressure. Even as he navigated the fondly coined ‘Hotel Slide’ section of the Husqvarna test track, the Yamaha boarded speed demon finished seven gruelling hours, unruffled.

Behind Bacon in second place for Day 2 was Gas Gas’s Korey McMahon, who took his learnings from yesterday, improved and came away with a strong result. With a total time of 1:03:57.355, McMahon continues to prove time and time again, why he’s such a contender in the Enduro space. Third place for Day 2 was won by Cooper Sheidow, with a total time of 1:04:09.490.

2022 A4DE E1 Day 2 Top 3 Provisional Results

1 Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:02:15.927
2 Korey McMahon 1:03:57.355
3 Cooper Sheidow 1:04:09.490

E2
It was Groundhog Day in E2 for Day 2, with the same three frontrunners claiming first, second and third. Green set a cracking pace all day, comfortably claiming gold with a lead of over one minute. Although the conditions were tough – if not tougher than Day One – Green remained on-brand with his cool, calm and collected attitude.

Green set a cracking pace all day, comfortably claiming gold with a lead of over one minute. Although the conditions were tough Green remained on-brand with his cool, calm and collected attitude.

Todd Waters took out second place today with a total time of 1:04:10.056, ahead of Beta’s Fraser Higlett. You wouldn’t have known it was Waters’ first Australian Four Day Enduro, who swung out times all day that marked him as a top contender. Higlett closed off the podium for Day 2 with a total time of just 1:05:05.681.

2022 A4DE E2 Day 2 Top 3 Provisional Results

1 Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 1:02:57.984
2 Todd Waters (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 1:04:10.056
3 Fraser Higlett (Beta) 1:05:05.681

E3
After Day One’s penalty for Wilksch, Enduro fans were keeping a keen eye on results to see how the Husqvarna rider clapped back to improve his standings. We were not disappointed. Wilksch clocked in a time of 1:02:37.104, marking a near one minute lead for the day ahead of his E3 competition.

After Day One's penalty for Wilksch, Enduro fans were keeping a keen eye on results to see how the Husqvarna rider clapped back to improve his standings. — After Day One’s penalty for Wilksch, Enduro fans were keeping a keen eye on results to see how the Husqvarna rider clapped back to improve his standings.

Thomas Mason pushed ahead of KTM’s Stefan Granquist today, claiming second place with a total time of 1:03:36.122. Granquist in third for the day with a total time of 1:04:43.693.

2022 A4DE E3 Day 2 Top 3 Provisional Results

1 Andrew Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) 1:02:37.104
2 Thomas Mason 1:03:36.122
3 Stefan Granquist (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 1:04:43.693

Women
Over in the Women’s class, Gardiner claimed a consecutive win. This is set to make for an exciting final two days of the A4DE, as the Yamaha boarded racer seeks to increase her current lead time. Emelie Karlsson was hot on Gardiner’s heels, with strong times through the day. Finishing Day 2 with a total time of 1:13:34.340, Karlsson finished ahead of Ebony Nielsen. Nielsen pushed Monique Simioni off the podium today, finishing seven hours on her bike with a total time of 1:18:05.026.

Over in the Women’s class, Gardiner claimed a consecutive win. This is set to make for an exciting final two days of the A4DE, as the Yamaha boarded racer seeks to increase her current lead time.

2022 A4DE Women Day 2 Top 3 Provisional Results

1 Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 1:11:44.724
2 Emelie Karlsson (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 1:13:34.340
3 Ebony Nielsen 1:18:05.026

Veteran
Lloyd has continued a great streak here in Erica, with the Day 2 Veteran class win. With a total time of 1:09:20.052, Lloyd finished ahead of Jason Dwyer, with a lead time of over one minute. Richard Chibnall claimed the final podium spot for Day 2, with a total time of just 1:11:04.386.

With a total time of 1:09:20.052, Lloyd finished ahead of Jason Dwyer, with a lead time of over one minute.

2022 A4DE Veteran Day 2 Top 3 Provisional Results

1 Darren Lloyd 1:09:20.052
2 Jason Dwyer 1:10:44.234
3 Richard Chibnall 1:11:04.386

Masters
Erica is treating Salopayers very nicely, with another win. With a total time of 1:12:36.713, Salopayers finished ahead of Jason Haas, by over one minute. Haas and Scott Szabo took out second and third respectively, with times of 1:13:46.799 and 1:14:51.858.

With a total time of 1:12:36.713, Salopayers finished ahead of Jason Haas, by over one minute.

2022 A4DE Masters Day 2 Top 3 Provisional Results

1 Jason Salopayers 1:12:36.713
2 Jason Haas 1:13:46.799
3 Scott Szabo 1:14:51.858

View the combined results for all categories here…

Racer Test: Jonathan Rea’s 2011 WSBK Castrol Honda

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PB

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May 5, 2022

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I rode seven bikes during my day at the test event at Portimao, held on the Monday after the final WSBK round of the 2011 season. Each test was an experience in itself, from the team members to the bikes and the riders, but there was one bike I was really excited about.

Riding a number of the fastest bikes in the world on one of the best tracks on the calendar is on every racing fans bucket list... — Riding a number of the fastest bikes in the world on one of the best tracks in the world is on every racing fans bucket list…

The bike I was most keen on actually wasn’t the Althea Ducati of Carlos Checa, or the Alitalia Aprilia of Max Biaggi. OK, so Marco Melandri’s R1 was one of the bikes I was really stoked to ride but – it was the Castrol Honda CBR1000RR that really had me excited.

Check out our other racer tests here…

Growing up idolising the likes of Aaron Slight, Carl Fogarty, Joey Dunlop and Colin Edwards on their Castrol Hondas has engrained the Castrol Honda colours and name in the youthful and enthusiastic area of my brain – you know that bit? It’s the part that fades when the mortgage and kids come along.

The iconic Castrol livery is instantly recognisable. Over a decade later, it's one of the best looking liveries to grace racing grids. — The iconic Castrol livery is instantly recognisable. Over a decade later, it’s one of the best looking liveries to grace the grid.

So as I jumped on the plane for the long haul from Sydney to Lisbon I started re-visiting the history books. After getting one or eight bloody mary’s into me on and being told about the ‘responsible drinking policy’ by the hostess, I shut my eyes and began to remember all the late nights watching WSBK in 1990s in our boiling hot family lounge room – then walking to school half asleep the next day, getting kicked out of class for spending my time sketching Castrol Honda RC45s in my books.

So there I was 20 years later, driving a hire car from Lisbon to Portimao to ride the latest generation Castrol Honda superbike. I’m thinking how lucky I am, how there’s a kid out there somewhere just like I was – watching the races on TV, Jonathan Rea posters in their room, sketching Castrol Honda’s in their schoolbooks but probably with a worse haircut than I had back in the day.

Jeff said the Castrol Honda's were always a favourite of his when he was growing up. Let's be honest though, they were everyone's favourite too.. — Jeff said the Castrol Honda’s were always a favourite of his when he was growing up. Let’s be honest though, they were everyone’s favourite too..

THE RIDE

I’ve just jumped off the Alitalia Aprilia RSV4, the fastest motorcycle I think I’ve ever ridden. It’s hot. I have no time to spare so I rush to the Castrol Honda garage for my allotted test on the CBR. I meet Tarsh Weston, an Aussie from Phillip Island who runs a PR and Marketing business with clients like Kawasaki, Ten Kate Honda and Castrol Honda.

Tarsh happens to be engaged to Jonny Rea. I tell her to stand by and watch how it’s really done. Then I tell the mechanic to put a real man sized spring on the shock, I eat lots of meat and drink lots of beer. I tell them, It took two Kangaroos to make this leather suit, I make terrible jokes when I’m nervous. A few laughs and a few odd looks and I’m heading up pit lane on the pit lane speed limiter. It all sinks in. I’m riding a real Castrol Honda WSBK machine.

"Despite a big height difference between Rea and I, I instantly felt at home on the Honda." — “Despite a big height difference between Rea and I, I instantly felt at home on the Honda.”

Last year my test at Magny Cours was rained out, that was hard to take after an epic trip there. The year before I sent our own Wayne Gardner to ride the bikes, also here at Portimao. He found the Castrol Honda peaky, with vague brake and with wide offsets and lots of trail. He called it a one-line bike that was not as raceable as he expected on a circuit like Portimao. I was interested to see if things were still like this, as the other bikes on the day were not like that so far.

As I roll onto the chute and short-shift to fourth gear for a run down to turn one for the first time I find myself instantly feeling at home on the bike. Despite a height difference of about three meters between Rea and myself, I actually fit. The bars are fairly wide and flat but not as radically MX looking as they seem on TV. Just more of a flat angle than stock and slightly wider, they are not low, like Checa’s old school set-up on the Ducati.

Multiple maps switches and remote front brake lever adjustment.

"The bars were surprisingly wide and flat." — “The bars were surprisingly wide and flat.”

It feels slim and the screen is nice and tall. The pegs and levers all fall in a natural position – much like the streetbike feels and the machine, despite having a fair amount of ride height in it, is not as tall in the back as I expected. In fact out of all of the machines I’ve ridden today this one feels the most balanced.

I have to put my head down immediately as we only get three laps, I’ve done a million laps here so I’m good to go. As I crest the hump around the back before of the circuit the front of the bike goes sky high. I didn’t ask if it has wheelie control – but either it doesn’t or it only works at higher rpm where proper riders would be in this section.

"Only getting three laps with my dream bike meant I had to put the hammer down instantly." — “Only getting three laps with my dream bike meant I had to put the hammer down instantly.”

The acceleration down through the dipper is incredible – second to the Alitalia Aprilia. Stronger than the rest including the BMW, which I’m convinced, was heavily wound back for us journalists on the day.

I arrive at turn 10 a tight right-hander and brake hard. The forks dive through their stroke fairly quickly and the back of the bike gets a little unstable. This has been common today – my weight plus my lack of finesse on the brakes.

Ohlins TTX36 with hydraulic preload adjuster added.

It’s easy to turn the bike regardless and get through the corner, accelerating hard down the hill around to turn 12. From 12 to the chute is where the Castrol Honda really feels fast. That power delivery again has me feeling confident to open the throttle earlier and harder than on the other bikes today so out of turn 13 I’m going faster than ever – there seems to be more feel from the rear of this bike than the other WSBK machines.

Cresting the hill onto the chute, the bike rears it’s head and gives a gentle shake. I tuck in tight and click via the quickshifter through the neat ‘box to fifth gear only. The CBR is so freaking fast compared to any other I’ve ridden, including the past three or four generations of factory Australian Superbikes. Think of your streetbike acceleration in second gear, now think of your streetbikes acceleration in second gear down a steep hill. That’s what this bike feels like in fourth and fifth.

Jeff recalled that the acceleration, even in the higher gears, is out of this world on these bikes.

I sit up just before the downhill and really brake in the dip at the end, back shifting to second gear. The gearbox is so neat the clutch slip makes the bike feel like a two-stroke. Hard braking while turning into T1 then accelerating hard to T2 and T3, the CBR rides the few bumps there and feels so nimble. Into the uphill T3 it is the only superbike I’ve been able to easily get in tight and neat quickly, stand it up and fire it off without feeling like I’m going to run out of track as I come onto the short straight at T5.

Between T5 and T6 the Castrol Honda is so fast but that braking stability I felt into T10 appears again at T6. The rear of the bike gets unstable and throws me out a bit. I do like the back of a bike to come around a bit on the hard brakes, it helps me have some sort of feel for the rear, but it throws me off a little on the Castrol Honda. I put it down to my 85kg weight. Still, no problems to turn it tight and fire it off up the hill out of the corner.

Nissin/Yutaka floating 320mm rotors, radial-mount monoblock calipers.

Nissin/Yutaka floating 220mm rotor, single caliper.

I have one more flying lap and that’s it. I might never get this kind of opportunity again. I’m going to enjoy this. I truly, honestly put my head down. If I crash then that would really suck but what would suck more is if I don’t ride a real WSBK bike in anger when I have had to opportunity to do so, I’ve fallen off about nine million bikes so it’s not going to be the end of the world.

The SC1 tyres fitted are so, so incredible. They were new when I jumped on the bike so after the first lap they are in that perfect place. Again the bike shakes its head gently over the crest onto the chute, I click fifth gear and bury my big head. I go as close as I have yet to the crest of the hill before rolling off and braking, the bike stays so stable because I’m calmer and slowed my actions down.

"On my final lap I decided it was time to put the hammer down for real and give the bike everything it has." — “On my final lap I decided it was time to put the hammer down for real and give the bike everything it has.”

I peel into T1 harder and with more lean angle than I have all day and crack the throttle much earlier, and wider, for the run up to T3. Again into T3 I’m braking harder and with more lean angle than before. I’m pretty much at my limit, which is domestic A grade and it’s been the same limit for 20 years. I head towards T6 with much more speed and really have one of those hard braking, turning, hold my breath shit I’m going to die entries into T6.

The bike absolutely hauls up the hill and through the fast T8 and again I’m getting that feeling of injury as I brake at what seems to be an impossible lean angle into T9. Up over the crest carrying more speed and rpm, the bike doesn’t try and spit me over the back like it did when I was going slower.

PI Research PECTEL fuel injection, 46mm throttle-bodies, HRC airfilter and airbox.

I go through the dip flat in third (pretty sure the WSBK guys do it in fourth!) and brake hard for T10. Fire it down the hill for and suddenly I’m again in need of Oxygen as I think I’ve overshot T13 but Jesus Christ these brake and tyres are insane. I almost fall off as I change direction for T14 but I get the bike in there really nice and tight and get on the throttle hard, using every inch of track on exit before rolling off gently and entering pit lane.

I’m shaking as I hop off the bike and grinning ear to ear. When you spend your life riding motorcycles for a job and ride your own bikes on weekends, it takes something special to really get that buzz you got the very first time you rode a bike. Well, I got that buzz on the Castrol Honda. I’m glad I didn’t crash, I’m glad I took the risk, I have no idea how fast or slow I was. I’m just stoked that I had the chance to experience how good these machine and their riders really are.

The Castrol Honda was amazing. Balanced, fast, quick steering yet stable and needed much less lean angle than any of the other bikes out there (aside from Melandri’s R1), to get through a corner at the same speed. It felt safer to ride. Used less track and also left more room for error and more lean angle up your sleeve if it all goes wrong.

Jonathan Rea Interview (2011 end of season).

Jonathan Rea spoke about how the 2011 Castrol Honda had some major changes all throughout the seasons between 2008 to 2011. He also gave his opinions on what needed to be changed and what he struggled with the most across the season on the bike.

How could you not love that timeless livery? Check out what Jonathan Rea had to say about the bike…

JW – How much did the 2011 machine change between 2008 and 2011?

Jonathan Rea – As a race machine my bike has got much easier to ride. Mid-way through 2009 we swapped from WP to Ohlins suspension and together with my Team we have developed the PI electronics package to what it is today.

Under the fairing, the honda looks tidy and relatively stock with all the secrets hidden away.

JW – What are two key strong points and weak points of the 2011 machine?

Jonathan Rea – Strongest points of the bike are high-speed direction change and it’s quite easy to ride. Weakest points are top speed and corner entry stability before the PI ride-by-wire was introduced mid-way through 2011.

JW – What are the main two key improvements you have asked for 2012?

Jonathan Rea – We will now work with the Factory Ohlins suspension guys as well as one of their suspension technicians and my team are working hard to find some horsepower.

Finding more horsepower was a main concern of Rea's going into the 2012 season. The Honda struggled compared to some of the other machines on the grid. — Finding more horsepower was a main concern of Rea’s going into the 2012 season. The Honda struggled compared to some of the other machines on the grid.

JW – Did you have fun riding the 2011 Castrol Honda?

Jonathan Rea – To be honest in the middle of the season I was enjoying riding it at all – and then I got injured – which was maybe a blessing as when I came back we started to work towards the 2012 bike which meant changes with electronics, Cosworth PI and the ride-by-wire introduction.

The Honda has stream-lined curves that make it like a dart through the air. — The Honda has stream-lined curves that make it like a dart through the air…

2011 WSBK Castrol Honda Fireblade Specifications

Power: Over 215hp
Wet weight: Under 165kg
Fuel capacity: 22L

Engine: Liquid-cooled 16-valve inline four-cylinder four-stroke
Bore and stroke: 76 x 55.1mm
Displacement: 999.8cc
Fuel delivery: PI Research PECTEL fuel injection, 46mm throttle-bodies, HRC airfilter and airbox
Exhaust: Arrow four-into-one titanium
Gearbox: HRC kit cassette style with 1.717 primary ratio, race shift with quickshifter
Clutch: STM wet multi-plate slipper clutch, cable actuation, 520 chain final drive

Frame type: Diamond aluminium composite twin-spar
Wheelbase: Adjustable
Rake: Adjustable
Trail: Adjustable
Front suspension: Ohlins FGR900 forks with TTX system
Rear suspension: Ohlins TTX36 with hydraulic preload adjuster added
Front brakes: Nissin/Yutaka floating 320mm rotors, radial-mount monoblock calipers
Rear brake: Nissin/Yutaka floating 220mm rotor, single caliper
Front wheel: PVM Magnesium forged seven-spoke, 16.5 x 3.50in
Rear wheel: PVM Magnesium forged seven-spoke, 16.5 x 6.25in
Front tyre: Pirelli Slick, 120/70 – 16.5
Rear tyre: Pirelli slick, 190/50 or 200/65 – 16.5
Instruments: PI Research race dash

2011 WSBK Jonathan Rea Honda Fireblade Gallery

How could you not love that timeless livery?

ASBK Rule Change: Front Brake Ducting

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PB

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May 5, 2022

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Superbike Teams have been advised that ASBK Management Team have provided the opportunity for Superbikes to be fitted with Front Brake Ducting prior to ASBK Round 4 – Darwin. This gives us a chance to see what new innovation ASBK teams can come up with!

Any such Front Brake Cooling Ducting fitted to a motorcycle MUST fit the criteria:

The purpose of the Front Brake Ducting is for the cooling of the front brake disc and caliper only
No aerodynamical advantage can be gained by the design or fitment of the Front Brake Ducting
Front Brake Cooling Ducting used must be commercially available
Front Brake Cooling Ducting used must be securely mounted to the motorcycle
Front Brake Cooling Ducting may be used at all 2022 ASBK events from Round 4 – 7
Front Brake Cooling Ducting selected must be approved by MA Technical Department prior to use at ASBK Round 4 – Darwin

Submission for approval to the Front Brake Cooling Ducting is to be made no later than 7 days prior to ASBK Round 4 – Darwin. Submissions should include full details of the duct and mounting
The final decision on Front Brake Cooling Ducting mounting, design, and/or aerodynamical advantage is at the discretion of the ASBK Management Team and ASBK Chief Technical Officer

Ferris, Malkiewicz and Williams Top The Podium At ProMX, Wodonga

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PB

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May 5, 2022

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A procession of Yamaha’s battled for the podium placings throughout the moto...

The Wodonga track in Victoria played host to Round 3 of the Penrite ProMX Championship presented by AMX Superstores. Riders and teams were presented with a contrasting race track that as fast as it was treacherous, providing race fans with intense racing action and mistakes from many of the elite ProMX riders across the day.

THOR MX1
In THOR MX1, it was time for the challengers to assert dominance over the field. Following the unprecedented turn of events that saw both Round 1 Red Plate holder, CDR Yamaha Monster Energy’s Luke Clout and Round 2 Red Plate holder, HRC Honda Racing Australia’s Kyle Webster, both exit the Championship with injuries within the same week, the Championship was now thrown wide open.

In the opening THOR MX1 moto, HRC Honda Racing Australia’s Dean Ferris would assert himself early on lap 1 to the front of the field. The first lap would also see Kirk Gibbs crash out of contention with Aaron Tanti colliding with the downed KTM rider’s bike, leaving both riders on the floor and at the back of the pack. Husqvarna Racing Australia’s Todd Waters latched onto the back of Ferris and the pair ran in their all too familiar 1st and 2nd positions that we have seen so many times before. To make things even more interesting, GO24 KTM’s Brett Metcalfe joined the veteran freight train out front, the trio sprinting away from the rest of the field.

Waters would pass Ferris temporarily 8 minutes in, however Ferris would return the favour in exactly the same spot 5 minutes later. Ferris would lead the trio of Australian Motocross legends to the chequered flag in an epic last lap battle, with Todd Waters in 2nd, Brett Metcalfe in 3rd, GAS GAS Australia’s Hayden Mellross 4th and Aaron Tanti in 5th.

For the first time in the 2022 ProMX Championship, the back to back motos factored into race day proceedings for THOR MX1 in the afternoon. In back to back part 1, Ferris would execute the holeshot with Metcalfe in 2nd, Tanti in 3rd and Gibbs in 4th. The short moto format would see the riders stay in this formation until late in the moto when Metcalfe would cross rut and crash following the first turn area, leaving the door open for Tanti and Gibbs to move forward. At the chequered flag it was Ferris taking the win from Tanti in 2nd and Gibbs in 3rd. Todd Waters put on an incredible charge from a first turn crash all the way back to 5th in the short back to back moto format.

In the 2nd back to back moto, it was again Ferris who executed a perfect holeshot. Aaron Tanti pushed his way to the lead spot for the majority of the moto, however down the stretch Ferris was too strong, passing Tanti back with a few minutes to go. At the chequered flag it was Ferris claiming a perfect day with another 1st, with Tanti in 2nd, Waters in 3rd, Metcalfe 4th and Mellross 5th. Dean Ferris would close up a huge points margin to just 11 points out of the Championship lead with the THOR MX1 overall victory at Wodonga. New Red Plate holder Todd Waters was 2nd overall and Aaron Tanti was 3rd overall, sitting just 1 point out of the Red Plate.

THOR MX1 Overall Podium

1st – Dean Ferris
2nd – Todd Waters
3rd – Aaron Tanti

PIRELLI MX2
In Pirelli MX2, it appeared to be business as usual after HRC Honda Racing Australia’s Wilson Todd jumped to the front of the field early in lap 1, passing holeshot winner Husqvarna Australia’s Dylan Wills. However on lap 3, Todd would uncharacteristically crash out of the lead, passing the number 1 spot to Serco Yamaha’s Jesse Dobson. A procession of Yamaha’s battled for the podium placings throughout the moto with Yamalube Yamaha’s Rhys Budd, Serco Yamaha’s Bailey Malkiewicz and WBR Yamaha’s Ryder Kingsford all in tow. At the end of moto 1, it was Malkiewicz who emerged victorious, ahead of Ryder Kingsford and Rhys Budd. Wilson Todd would charge from 14th back to 4th and Jesse Dobson would crash out sustaining a dislocated shoulder at the mid point of the race.

Moto 2 was more of a familiar affair, with Todd holeshotting and after a brief battle with GAS GAS Australia’s Noah Ferguson, beginning his trademark inching away from the field of Pirelli MX2 riders. Malkiewicz and Larwood would battle for 2nd position with Larwood eventually pulling away from his bLU cRU counterpart. At the chequered flag, it was Todd taking 1st with Larwood in 2nd and Malkiewicz in 3rd. Liam Andrews on the Ride Red Honda would place a season best 4th with Ryder Kingsford placing 6th.

With 1-3 Moto scores, Malkiewicz would claim his first career Pirelli MX2 overall win, with Wilson Todd in 2nd and Ryder Kingsford in 3rd. In the Championship points, Wilson Todd maintains a healthy points lead as Red Plate holder ahead of Bailey Malkiewicz in 2nd and Alex Larwood in 3rd.

Pirelli MX2 Overall Podium

1st – Bailey Malkiewicz
2nd – Wilson Todd
3rd – Ryder Kingsford

Maxxis MX3
In Maxxis MX3, youngster Cooper Holroyd took the holeshot on his Yamaha and would lead solid laps early in moto 1. At the half way point, KTM mounted Ryan Alexanderson would pass Holroyd for the lead, with HRC Honda Racing Australia’s Cambell Williams and Husqvarna mounted Jack Mather in tow.

In the Championship, Williams extends his points lead with the Red plate, ahead of Alexanderson in 2nd and KTM Racing Australia’s Kayden Minear in 3rd.

At the chequered flag of Maxxis MX3 Moto 1, it was Ryan Alexanderson taking the Victory, ahead of Williams in 2nd and Mather in 3rd. Moto 2 would see KTM Newcastle mounted youngster Connor Towill holeshot and lead early.

At the halfway mark, Campbell Williams would mount his attack to take 1st position. Ryan Alexanderson mounted a huge charge from outside the top 5 to challenge Alexanderson down the stretch of the moto, culminating in a last lap battle for the top spot. At the finish, Williams would take the moto win ahead of Alexanderson in 2nd and Jack Mather in 3rd.

Riders now head to Gillman, SA on the 29th May for round four of the ProMX 2022 championship.

In the Championship, Williams extends his points lead with the Red plate, ahead of Alexanderson in 2nd and KTM Racing Australia’s Kayden Minear in 3rd.

For Full ProMX results and points tables head here…

Maxxis MX3 Overall Podium

1st – Campbell Williams
2nd – Ryan Alexanderson
3rd – Jack Mather

MA announces 2022 FIM Trial des Nations (TdN) Team Australia Members

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PB

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May 5, 2022

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Australia will take an unchanged line-up into the 18-country International Trophy men’s division.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) have announced the team members for the 2022 FIM Trial des Nations, to be held from 24 -25 September in Monza, Italy. Australia hasn’t been to the TdN since 2019 after the COVID-19 pandemic held up plans of any international trials events…

This will be the first TdN event since 2019 when Ibiza, Spain hosted the event. — This will be the first TdN event since 2019 when Ibiza, Spain hosted the event…

Men’s Team: Kyle Middleton, Chris Bayles, Connor Hogan.
Women’s Team: Jenna Lupo, Kaitlyn Cummins.

For long time Team Manager Phil Whittle, the return of the Trial des Nations is as welcome as it is a relief: “We’re raring to go in 2022. While there have been several years between TdN events, I believe our team will be firing in Monza! We’ve had a level of consistency in team makeup that will really help us able compete on level terms with the other countries. This will be the 5th time that this particular men’s team have been at the TdN.”

Connor Hogan will hopefully be in top form as he is competing in the FIM World Trial Championship in the lead up to the TdN. This will be Kyle Middleton’s 12th appearance at this event and with six Australian Trials titles, he brings with him a wealth of experience. Chris Bayles is also a hugely talented rider and brings experience and consistent results to the table as a state champion and national podium winner.

Kyle Middleton is no stranger to the FIM Trial des Nations, with this year marking his 12th TdN... — Kyle Middleton is no stranger to the FIM Trial des Nations, with this year marking his 12th TdN…

“On the women’s team, Jenna Lupo will be at her third TdN event and we welcome back Katilyn Cummins for her second Trials de Nations. We’re confident both women will be at the top of their game come late September.”

For Peter Doyle, CEO of Motorcycling Australia (MA), the return of the Trials de Nations – and Team Australia’s entry- is another positive sign for the sport: “Phil Whittle has done a tremendous job for a long time and MA are looking forward to see what this really well balanced and talented team can do in September. We wish them every success, and congratulate them all on their selection for Team Australia.”

The 2022 FIM Trial des Nations (TdN) will be held in Monza, Italy from 24-25 September. For more information, see the FIM page here.

Australian Four Day Enduro: Day One Results

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PB

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May 5, 2022

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It’s been a long time coming and Day 1 of the 2022 Prestige Iveco Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE) did not disappoint. Offering a launching pad to prove our competitor’s world class skill set, Erica threw everything at a field of over 230 riders across 180 kilometres of tracks.

Greeted in the morning with blue skies and sunshine, the promised turn in conditions arrived early in the afternoon.

After Day 1, the class leaders are Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) in E1, Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) in E2, Stefan Granquist (KTM Offroad Racing Team) in E3, Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) in Women, Darren Lloyd in Veteran and Jason Salopayers in Masters.

E1
His fans were probably expecting his exceptional form on day one, but nothing could really prepare you as you witnessed Bacon utterly at home in Erica’s challenging conditions. Similar to his home track conditions, the greasy tracks and unpredictable weather didn’t faze the Yamaha mounted rider, who clocked in the fastest time for Day 1, 24:11.038.

Hardpacked tracks quickly became slippery, forcing a quick change in riding tactics to ensure riders remained both upright and in the fight.

Close behind Bacon were fellow Yamaha racers, Blake Hollis (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) and Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team). The action was tense as both riders sought out that silver spot. After long, cold and wet hours on the bike, Hollis took out second ahead of Carpentier, by just over a second. Their respective times were 24:57.043 and 24:58.963.

2022 A4DE E1 Day 1 Top 3 Provisional Results:

1 Kyron Bacon (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 24:11.038
2 Blake Hollis (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 24:57.043
3 Jeremy Carpentier (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 24:58.963

E2
It was a good day for Yamaha in Erica, as Green took out the lead in E2 for the 2022 A4DE. The seasoned favourite in Enduro remained comfortably at the front of the E2 pack across the Big Dave, Force, Yamaha and Beta test tracks, finishing the first day with a total time of just 24:34.446.

The exciting development you should definitely keep your eye on, is Husqvarna’s Todd Waters. Marking his first ever A4DE, Waters has become a familiar, albeit new face to the Enduro community, with huge success following him from Motocross. Taking the harsh conditions and demanding race format in his stride, Waters has ticked off Day 1 with a second-place finish and a total time of 24:44.660. That’s just about 10 seconds behind Green! Beta’s Fraser Higlett remained steady all day, earning him third in the E2 standings.

2022 A4DE E2 Day 1 Top 3 Provisional Results:

1 Joshua Green (Shop Yamaha Offroad Racing Team) 24:34.446
2 Todd Waters (Husqvarna Offroad Racing Team) 24:44.660
3 Fraser Higlett (Beta) 25:07.661

E3
The drama started early in E3, with a penalty for Husqvarna’s Andrew Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) which has set him back in the E3 standings for the 2022 A4DE. Claiming first place on day one after navigating Erica’s tough conditions was KTM’s Granquist, with a total time of 24:51.358.

Claiming first place on day one after navigating Erica’s tough conditions was KTM’s Granquist, with a total time of 24:51.358. — Claiming first place on day one after navigating Erica’s tough conditions was KTM’s Granquist, with a time of 24:51.358.

Thomas Mason was just seconds behind Granquist, settling in for second place with a total time of 24:53.596. Wilksch’s updated result post penalty has placed in him third, nearly one second behind Mason.

2022 A4DE E3 Day 1 Top 3 Provisional Results:

1 Stefan Granquist (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 24:51.358
2 Thomas Mason 24:53.596
3 Andrew Wilksch (Simford Racing, Husqvarna) 24:54.455

Women
Yamaha’s Gardiner remained ahead of the pack all day on day one, tangoing at times with KTM’s Emelie Karlsson as the conditions got harder due to the weather. After rain fell, the Force and Beta test tracks became increasingly slippery, causing the Enduro household names to fight for the top spot.

After a hard day on the bike, Gardiner finished with a total time of 28:27.487. Karlsson finished in second place with a total time of 28:57.556. Monique Simioni took out third on day one, with a total time of 30:04.710.

2022 A4DE Women Day 1 Top 3 Provisional Results:

1 Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha JGR Ballard’s Off Road Team) 28:27.487
2 Emelie Karlsson (KTM Offroad Racing Team) 28:57.556
3 Monique Simioni 30:04.710

Veteran
Over in Veteran, the competition was fierce as riders worked to clinch the fastest time possible. Coming out in the lead after Day 1 was Lloyd, with a total time of 27:50.477. Lloyd beat Richard Chibnall and Steven Powell for first, leaving them to second and third respectively. Chibnall and Powell finished the day relatively close to each other with total times of 27:57.610 and 28:04.104.

Coming out in the lead after Day 1 was Lloyd, with a total time of 27:50.477. Lloyd beat Richard Chibnall and Steven Powell for first, leaving them to second and third respectively.

2022 A4DE Veteran Day 1 Top 3 Provisional Results:

1 Darren Lloyd 27:50.477
2 Richard Chibnall 27:57.610
3 Steven Powell 28:04.104

Masters
Salopayers clinched the Masters class lead on day one, just seconds ahead of Brandon Kienhuis. With a total time of 28:34.855, Salopayers earnt a hard-fought top dog spot, even in the afternoon’s tough conditions.

Kienhuis finished the day with a total time of 28:36.987. Third place on the Masters leaderboard is Scott Szabo, with a total time of 29:01.472.

2022 A4DE Masters Day 1 Top 3 Provisional Results:

1 Jason Salopayers 28:34.855
2 Brandon Kienhuis 28:36.987
3 Scott Szabo 29:01.472

View the combined results for all categories here…

Racer Test: Riding Checa’s Title Winning Althea Ducati RS11

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PB

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May 4, 2022

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Carlos Checa dominated WSBK in 2011, winning his first ever world title at the ripe old age of 38. With 15 wins and 21 podiums all up on the privateer Ducati. Of all the bikes I rode at the 2011 end of season press test, the Althea Racing Ducati RS11 was the most exciting…

Checa dominated the 2011 SBK season on the privateer Duke. Riding it revealed a refined and user friendly package.

Watching King Carlos dominate on what is essentially an old superseded customer spec RS11 race bike that anyone could buy for just shy of $200,000 AUD as a base model had been great from a fan point of view. And even when speed deficits on the ultra fast Alitalia Aprilia or Yamaha machines was as big as 18km/h at the fast tracks, Carlos would still win.

Check out our other race bike tests here…

With this in mind and after studying his sector times on the infield of all the tracks this year, it was clear that this machine is a weapon in the parts that count… and with my own 1198 project in Australia at the time, I was keen to see how much of an animal a WSBK championship winning machine really was.

Based around the $200,000 customer spec RS11, Checa developed a title winner. Hat's off to him and the team. — Based around the $200,000 customer spec RS11, Checa developed a title winner. Hat’s off to him and the team.

THE RIDE
It’s a warm Monday morning at Algarve International Circuit, a place that feels like my second home such is its popularity for tyre tests, bike launches and other events. It’s a long haul 40-hour trip from home, though, but I’ve had the weekend to recover and soak up the WorldSBK atmosphere…

Once the team fire the beast up and start warm-up my heart gets beating. I’m rarely nervous or intimidated by a motorcycle but the pulsing of massive two-ring 106mm pistons is getting the heart racing. I’m focussed today as I have 11 bikes to test in a row. All of the top WorldSBK and WorldSSP machines. No time to be worried… just get on and go…

"The 'bars are also low and dropped down the forks old-school style and I really feel in the bike rather than on it." — “The ‘bars are also low and dropped down the forks old-school style and I really feel in the bike rather than on it.”

Climbing onto Checa’s machine, the first thing I notice is how flat the bike feels. I expected some radically jacked up machine, particularly with Checa’s Grand Prix past, however, the bike is surprisingly conservative feeling. The seat is low.

The ‘bars are also low and dropped down the forks old-school style and I really feel in the bike rather than on it. It’s a great seating position that feels like and old-fashioned racer… The bike is super narrow as expected but aside from the obvious things like the Marelli dash and race ‘bars, seat etc, it feels like a regular road 1198… very familiar to me.

Checa is small of stature like many racers but I found the footpeg position roomy and overall the riding position just gave instant confidence and control. Years of experience means Carlos has nailed the riding possie on this bike and he looked comfortable in all situations on the Ducati during 2011…

I head off, needing mega revs and a good push to get going as first gear is really tall. I exit pit lane and short-shift to third gear for the run down to turn one. Wow! Serious torque. All the other bikes have needed second gear through turns one and two but the Ducati stomps off the turns with ferocious punch. In fact I can’t keep it from wheel-standing and need to get the revs up once I settle down.

"Power is linear and acceleration so strong that the bike feels faster than the other world superbikes." — “Power is linear and acceleration so strong that the bike feels faster than the other world superbikes.”

I settle in and feel really confident and comfortable on the bike. It feels agile and light and nimble. Initial turning is so quick and accurate. Change of direction from full lean to full lean is not as fast as the fours, however, here at Portimao that is not an issue. It is only out of turn 13 (left) and into 14 (right) that I notice that slightly heavier direction change.

The torque is incredible and not easy to get used to. Carlos rides with such finesse and grace that I was convinced this would be a big pussycat to ride. But it is not. The acceleration can only be described as violent and the throttle response instant in every sense of the word. In the lower gears I found I had to really spend attention on cracking the throttle smoothly with a bit of rear brake on.

Brembo radial P4X34-38 calipers and 320mm rotors

Once open the bike jumps off the turns like you would not believe. Do it with urgency or lack of care and the bike responds by bucking, shaking and trying to twist its trellis frame into knots. Smooth is the key and once I calmed down and got settled on the bike I started to ‘get it’.

Power is linear and acceleration so strong that the bike feels faster than the other superbikes. But once the revs reach 11,500rpm the power drops away rapidly. The bike is very flat up top so early shifting and long gears are required, which takes time to get used to after riding all of the fours and some 600s.

"The suspension on the Althea Ducati is surprisingly plush, although I do weigh in at 18kg more than Checa!" — “The suspension on the Althea Ducati is surprisingly plush, although I do weigh in at 18kg more than Checa!”

One surprise on the Checa bike is the level of engine braking Carlos likes. It helps him get the bike turned and jammed into corners but caught me out a few times. Most racers like a lot of clutch slip however the number 7 machine has more engine braking than a Mack truck! Back shift into turns above 9000rpm and the rear wheel will hop and the bike shudder. I found myself having to downshift one less gear and/or later than usual. I even gave the bike a big old school rev on backshifting into some of the tighter turns.

With so much torque and drive the bike is not the easiest to control in a quick test and would take some time to learn to ride smoothly and to not upset the bike with inputs. It’s clear Checa has that nailed but I can see why many riders never adapt to Ducati motorcycles.

Plenty of team secrets under the front fairing... — Plenty of team secrets under the front fairing…

90-degree L-twin Desmodromic four-valve per-cylinder liquid-cooled four-stroke.

The brakes on the Althea Ducati are simply stunning. I’m glad I had ridden a few other machines the morning I rode Checa’s as I thought I knew what strong brakes were! Well, as incredible as some of the others are, the set-up Carlos runs is incredible. Braking in anger is an experience right up there with the thrill of the acceleration from the engine. And the feel is incredible. As is the grip from the SC1 Pirelli slicks, which were not grooves as they are in the static imagery.

The suspension on the Althea Ducati is surprisingly plush, although I do weigh in at 18kg more than Checa! The bike sits so balanced on the springs and the level of feel from the stunning Ohlins forks is out of this world. The wheels and tyres remain firmly on the tarmac and the bike settles so, so quickly as proven in Carlos’ amazing 170km/h 24m slide coming onto the chute in the race on Sunday.

"Braking in anger is an experience right up there with the thrill of the acceleration from the engine." — “Braking in anger is an experience right up there with the thrill of the acceleration from the engine.”

Overall an experience to remember and one of the biggest thrills of my life…

TECH TALK
Sitting on the scales, Ducati’s 1198 Testastretta evoluzione engine weighs in at just 56kg and the 90-degree L-twin desmo engine generates a claimed 200CV or 197hp at 11,000rpm at the crankshaft with a 50mm air restrictor in place. Restrictors vary from 46 to 52mm.

Internally, this engine includes a pair of two-ring Omega pistons that reduce weight and frictional losses. Obviously, the crankshaft is also lighter than the stocker and was re-balanced accordingly. If you had x-ray vision, you’d see that the pistons have very short skirts and extra ribbing under the crown. Very similar in design to what’s used in the MotoGP Desmosedici.

When asked about the compression ratio, engineers looked out the window but did confirm that the stock heads receive love and attention in the ports to make intake and exhaust flow happy. Camshafts offer the same lift as stock but longer duration to allow deeper breathing. Imparting motion to the valves is a set of ultra-polished rocker arms that offer longer life expectancy at the 12,400rpm redline.

Each cylinder head carries a pair of standard injectors. Control of these is the domain of the Magneti Marelli ECU that determines the exact amount of fuel required to keep each cylinder in its happy place at every combination of throttle opening and rpm.

Removing exhaust gases is a Termignoni exhaust. The two-into-one-into-two kit item uses 52 and 57mm tubing with a wall thickness of just 0.8mm! Mufflers are made of titanium and carbon-fibre.

Transferring power is the dry slipper-clutch and the cartridge-style six-speed transmission from the Ducati race kit. The pinions from the gearbox are all shot-peened before fitting to lengthen their life.

All of this is loaded into a frame that’s as stock as the day it left the factory. Fitting a 6.25×16.5-inch wheel and 190/65-16.5 slick into the stock swingarm doesn’t work so a new, stronger replacement is part of the kit. Linkages for the Ohlins RSP40 shock also differ to stock.

Holding the 3.50×16.5-inch front wheel is an Ohlins TRVP25 42mm fork that is race-only. At the lower end, they carry fully-machined assemblies to hold the front axle clamps as well as the mounts for the front calipers and pressure accumulators.

Front brake calipers are P4X34-38, matched with a pair of 320mm rotors also from Brembo. The differential-piston caliper bodies are machined from solid blocks of lithium-aluminium. Indicating how little it is used, the rear brake rotor is 218mm, smaller than the stock 245mm jobbie but still gripped by a P2X34 twin-piston caliper.

ALTHEA RACING DUCATI RS11 1198 Specifications

Power: Over 200hp@11,000rpm (with 50mm restrictor)
Wet weight: 162 – 171kg (variable, managed by FIM pending results)
Fuel capacity: 23.9L

Engine: 90-degree L-twin Desmodromic four-valve per-cylinder liquid-cooled four-stroke
Bore and stroke: 106mm x 67.9mm
Displacement: 1198cc
Fuel delivery: Magneti Marelli Marvel4 ECU, elliptical throttle-bodies with air restrictor between 46 and 52mm diameter (FIM regulations), Magneti Marelli 162 + 189 twin injectors per cylinder
Exhaust: Termignoni, stainless and titanium, two-into-one-into-two with titanium/carbon-fibre mufflers
Gearbox: Six-speed cassette with straight cut gears
Clutch: Dry, multi-plate slipper clutch, hydraulic actuation

Frame type: Tubular steel trellis frame
Wheelbase: 1435m
Rake: Adjustable
Trail: Adjustable
Front suspension: 43mm pressurised Ohlins TRVP25/TTX25 fork
Rear suspension: Single-sided swingarm, Ohlins RSP40 shock
Front brakes: Brembo radial P4X34-38 calipers and 320mm rotors
Rear brake: Brembo P2X34 caliper and 218mm rotor
Front wheel: Marchesini, 3.50×16.5
Rear wheel: Marchesini, 6.25×16.5
Front tyre: Pirelli Slick, 120/75 – 16.5
Rear tyre: Pirelli Slick, 190/65 – 16.5
Instruments: Magneti Marelli

ALTHEA RACING DUCATI RS11 1198 Gallery

Racer Test: Chaz Davies WSS Yamaha YZF-R6, A Decade On!

By

PB

-

May 4, 2022

0

Chaz Davies historically wrapped up the WSS title just over 10 years ago on the now legendary (and becoming collectable when talking early models) phased out for the street YZF-R6. At the season finale in Portugal in 2011, Jeff tested the amazing ParkinGO racer…

A decade on and little has changed, showing what a brilliant racer the YZF-R6 was from 2009 onwards.

Check out our other race bike tests here…

Chaz had wrapped up the WSS title the previous round to the finale at Portimao, where I rode the bike on the Monday after the race. In a more relaxed mood but typically in winning form, Davies took victory from Salom and Ellison in a stunning race the day before I rode the bike. It was a fitting last WSS race for the then 24-year-old, who went on to be a WSBK long termer, following his retirement at the end of 2021.

In it’s 12th year of development and with this particular machine in its second year (2009 with Cal Crutchlow, 2010 a year off, back for 2011), the then current factory R6 was a proven winner. Davies alone had given the bike six victories on his way to title glory. So when I walked into the ParkinGO pit garage with my lid under my arm and a signed waiver in my hand, I knew I was on for a good time…

The agility of a short wheelbase bike but the corner speed and stability of a long wheelbase machine. Magic?

The first thing I noticed about Chaz’s bike was how much it felt like a normal R6. The fuel tank, bodywork, all very familiar. The ride height both ends is tall as expected but not as radical as I anticipated. The ‘bars are really wide and flat, very close to a flat bar like an MX bike. The seat position is fantastic – close to the bars but there is still a comfortable reach. And the seat-to-peg distance is roomy. Overall a perfect fit for me. I’m the same height as Chaz so it makes a change from me trying to fit into the typical jockey sized bikes.

The bike was fitted with the same tyres Chaz ran on the weekend prior.

Stock Yamaha R6, Pirelli Supersport control tyres, Akro system.

The bike was fitted with 30 per cent worn tyres, which was OK, and warmed up and ready to go. TC was set to level 3, which is as Chaz raced it the day before. Everything else was as per Sunday. The bike naturally felt like a racer as Yamaha developed it with racing only in mind….

At only 158kg, this beast was a lightweight. What a stunning looking chassis. I wonder where the bike is now?

Rolling out of pit lane and accelerating towards turn one the R6 spun up really quickly. The gearbox shift was amazing and was the fastest quickshifter around for the era. After a few corners to settled in, put my head down and started to push. The engine was a screamer, it builds from 12,000rpm but the business end is up around 14,000 – 16,000rpm where things get very rapid.

The slim tank echoed that of the stock R6.

Super slim tail unit, plenty of room for Chaz Davies, who is tall for a racer…

Despite the peaky nature, once in the top end rev band the bike was electric smooth and the TC very subtle. The power didn’t tail off at all. The top end was just stunning, particularly compared to the Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR and much more than the MotoCard Kawasaki ZX-6R I rode on the same day.

The gearbox ratios felt closer and more competition-like than the other SS bikes and the shifter is great. Downshifting is simply a matter of clicking back through the gears – the engine blips itself and the clutch slips into turns accordingly. Run into corners was stunning and corner speed is 250 GP-like.

Carbon-fibre and big $ everywhere you look and this was a decade back!

MoTeC EMS and data logging capabilities.

Initial throttle opening was silky smooth and the bike really was so easy to ride. It just felt like a normal track R6 but with stunning suspension and massive power. On the gas, even in the upper gears, the bike loved to wheelstand, so I found myself using a lot of rear brake over the crest at the back of the circuit.

The front brakes were a letdown, with little initial bite, but this could be a Davies preferred setup.

The brakes on the bike were not as powerful as expected. Chaz may prefer a low ratio in the master-cylinder, as there was a lack of initial bite and the brakes needed a big squeeze to pull up. This is probably not such a bad thing in the heat of battle on such a short wheelbase bike. Chaz has a tendency to back bikes into turns and an abrupt initial bite would exaggerate that style.

Stock Tokico rear caliper but look at the slots in that rotor?

Initial turn-in is fast, the best steering of all the bikes I sampled on the day, and the bike fell onto its side very quickly. Lean angle is incredible and the bike tracked through turns with the poise of a long wheelbase machine while still having the benefits of the agility and line changing ability that comes with the short wheelbase.

Considering just how well the bike turned in, it makes you think about what amazing things riders and engineers can get a bike to at world level.

The rear spring was really, really hard and there was some small rear chatter as I was not pushing through the stroke anywhere near as much as Chaz would be. Using full throttle off all of the corners on the bike and trusting the fantastic chassis and electronics was a great buzz and the speed down the chute sensational.

Standard swingarm, carbon chain deflector guard.

145hp and a 16,000rpm rev ceiling makes for exciting stuff.

Overall, I was surprised at how easy the Chaz Davies ParkinGO world supersport championship winning R6 was to ride for a normal human like me. It was very exciting, don’t get me wrong, but so well sorted that it was easy. I can clearly see how a talented rider like Chaz Davies could steer this thing to so many victories and a title. It’s a winner in every sense of the word…

SPECIFICATIONS – 2011 Chaz Davies ParkinGO YAMAHA WORLD SUPERSPORT TEAM YZF-R6

Power: Over 145hp
Wet weight: 158kg
Fuel Capacity: 17.3L

Engine: Liquid cooled DOHC in-line-four 16-valve four-stroke
Bore and stroke: 64 x 42.5mm
Displacement: 599cc
Compression ratio: N/A
Fuel Delivery: YCC-T, standard throttle-bodies and injectors, Magneti Marelli
Exhaust: Akropovic
Gearbox: Close ratio race kit
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate slipper

Frame type: Aluminium die-cast Deltabox
Wheelbase: Adjustable
Rake: N/A
Trail: N/A
Front suspension: Stock R6 with Ohlins internals
Rear suspension: Ohlins TTX
Front brake: Stock Tokico
Rear brake: Stock Tokico
Front wheel: Stock Yamaha R6
Rear wheel: Stock Yamaha R6
Front and rear tyre: Pirelli

Instruments: Magneti Marelli race dash

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