16-year-old female motocross sensation, Charli Cannon, will join Rhys Budd and Alex Larwood on the Yamalube Yamaha Racing Team and contest the Women’s division during the 2022 Pro MX Championship. Budd and Larwood will handle the MX2 duties while Cannon will add an extra dimension to the team.
Yamaha Motor Australia has a long history of supporting women in racing, ranging from several riders in the Australian Off Road Championship (AORC), including world champion, Jess Gardiner, to a wide range of female motocross and road riders over the past 20 years.
The Sunshine Coast based Cannon, a four-time national junior girls champion on 85 and 125cc machinery, graduated to the senior division late in the 2021 season and is determined to keep her climb up the ladder at a rapid rate as she pits herself against the best female riders in the country for the three round championship scheduled for Wonthaggi, Gilman and Coolum throughout the year.
She will also contest selected rounds of the MX3 championship (14-17 year old) at the Pro MX and race against many of her male rivals during her junior days.
Cannon, will have the exact same machinery available to her as her male team mates as she moves into the expanded Yamalube Yamaha Racing Team. Her number 7 YZ250F will be tailored to her needs but the same parts, components and development will be invested in Charli, as it is in Rhys and Alex.
“I was so excited to get this offer from the Yamalube Yamaha Team and have a major team support me in racing,” Cannon begins. “Mike and Nash have gone above and beyond to support me and I’m really looking forward to getting the season under way.
Charli is excited to give the boys a run for their money in the MX3 championship.
“Having the support of the team has taken a weight off the shoulders of my family but I also understand the responsibility that comes with it. The hard work begins now as Yamaha and the Yamalube team have invested in myself, and I want to reward them for it.
“My bike is awesome, and my pre-season is going well. We have some local races to contest in the coming weeks before the opening round of the Pro MX Women’s class starts at Wonthaggi in late March,” she said.
“And if Alex and Rhys aren’t carefully, they might get a hurry up from Charli in the future,” Ward laughs.
Team manager, Mike Ward, is elated to have Charli on board and explains she has the work ethic and determination to make it in the rough and tumble world of motocross.
“It was a simple decision to bring Charli into the team. She has been a Yamaha supported rider for some time now with excellent results and we have seen first-hand the effort she puts into racing. With a dedicated women’s class at the Pro MX, we felt she was the right person to have on the team and look forward to working with her not just at the Women’s rounds but also the MX3 and state races she contests.”
Charli will line up at Hervey Bay on February 19/20 in Queensland for the opening round of the Sunshine State MX Series.
“I also want to thank the team sponsors who have jumped on board to support Charli. Everyone has been so enthusiast about having a female factory rider on the team and we are positive Charli will make the most of this opportunity. And if Alex and Rhys aren’t carefully, they might get a hurry up from Charli in the future,” Ward says.
The year gets underway for all three riders on the Yamalube Yamaha Team in the coming weeks with Alex Larwood racing in Victoria this weekend while Rhys and Charli will line up at Hervey Bay on February 19/20 in Queensland for the opening round of the Sunshine State MX Series.
Fast Facts with Charli Cannon
Name: Charli Cannon
Age: 16
Lives: Coolum, Sunshine Coast.
Number: 7
Bike: YZ250F
Team: Yamalube Yamaha Racing
Career Highlights: 4 x Australia Junior Girls champion/ Multi QLD girls Champion/ MQ female sports person of the year.
Goals: To win the Women’s Pro MX and race the world Women’s championship.
The Official mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) Test kicked off at Phillip Island with torrential rain, no rain, light drizzle and humid morning conditions before the sun finally broke through in the afternoon and enticed the riders to attack the track in anger.
Most of the major players were in attendance, with all eyes were on 2020-21 Superbike Champion, Wayne Maxwell, who came out of attempted retirement to attempt to net another title in 2022.
Maxwell (Ducati V4R) lead the early dry sessions in the premiere Alpinestars Superbike category to the tunes of half a second ahead of Bryan Staring (Ducati V4R), with Aiden Wagner a further three tenths back in the Yamaha YZF-R1. Lachlan Epis (BMW-MRR) would later split Maxwell and Staring in fourth practice despite Maxwell dropping into the 1:31.9’s with a startling one-second advantage over the second place.
Bryan Staring followed close behind Wayne Maxwell as the pair of Ducatis trumped the timesheets.
Tom Edwards (YZF-R6) lead the way early in the Michelin Supersport class, edging Harrison Voight (YZF-R6) to the tune of one-tenth, with Senna Agius (Honda CRB RR) just three-hundredths of a second in arears. Oli Bayliss however would trump Edwards in Practice Four to the tune of seven-tenths in the interests of getting a solid hit-out on his Ducati 955 before heading to Europe next week to contest the World Supersport Championship.
“Oli Bayliss however would trump Edwards in Practice Four to the tune of seven-tenths in the interests of getting a solid hit-out on his Ducati 955.”
In the Dunlop Supersport 300 / Yamaha Finance R3 Cup/ Moto3 combined session, the Moto3 spec KTM of Harrison Voight topped the table ahead of fellow Moto3 Hondas ridden by Carter Thompson and Angus Grenfell. The first Dunlop SS300 rider was Marianos Nikolis (Yamaha YZF-R3). Second and third in the class results were Liam Waters and Cameron Swain (both Yamaha YZF-R3’s) respectively.
“Lachlan Epis (BMW-MRR) would later split Maxwell and Staring in fourth practice despite Maxwell dropping to 1:31.9’s.”
The bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup was the first opportunity for a number of rookie riders to get to grips with the Yamaha YZF-R15 under the watchful eye of new series coach Garry McCoy. Marcus Hamod was the quickest out of the blocks, shading Harrison Watts by four-tenths of a second, with Levi Russo a further tenth in arrears. In Practice Four, Hamod continued at the, albeit just five-hundredths of a second ahead of Teerin Fleming, who was in turn four-tenth ahead of Ryan Larkin.
Day Two
Day Two of the Official mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) Test began in dry but humid conditions at Phillip Island. In what turned out to be a reverse of Day 1, torrential rain marred the afternoon, eliminating the prospect of any serious times being set late in the day.
Wayne Maxwell was instantly back out on top for day two of the ASBK Philip island test…
Day one’s front-runner Wayne Maxwell (Ducati V4R) scorched the Phillip Island circuit with a 1:31.848 to head Alpinestars Superbike Practice 5. Last year’s ASBK champion was over a second ahead of Lachlan Epis (BMW MRR), who in-turn enjoyed a one-tenth margin over Cru Halliday (Yamaha YZF-R1). From there it appeared Maxwell had nothing more to prove, preferring to leave his opposition wondering as he sat out the rest of the day. Maxwell was cautiously optimistic about his performance, preferring not to read too much into the test.
Other riders maximised their testing time at Philip Island after both the 2020 and 2021 season were cut short due to COVID.
“A lot of people are running different programs and a lot of people have changed teams, so they’re trying to find their way on a new bike,” said Maxwell. “For us we’ve got a bit more continuity than most. Pirelli have worked really hard to bring us some updated tyres, so it’s really worked out and great to be where we are headed into the 2022 season.”
Allerton, Herfoss and Staring are all looking like promising contenders for the ASBK crown this year.
In Maxwell’s absence, Halliday topped the timesheets in Practice 6 with a 1:32.232 to go second overall for the day. Lachlan Epis was six-tenths in arrears, with Marcus Chiodo (Yamaha YZF-R1) a further two-tenths behind in third. Amid increasingly wet conditions, only four riders ventured out for Practice 7. Jed Metcher (Yamaha YZF-R1) led the way with a 1:50.178 with Mike Jones only other rider to set a time with a 2:07.063.
The Supersport field were scrambling to tumble Oli’s time as he gets some practice in before heading overseas to race in the World Supersport Championship!
Oli Bayliss topped Michelin Supersport Practice five on his Ducati 955, whilst in the Supersport field, Senna Agius (Honda CBR-RR) led Tom Edwards (Yamaha YZF-R6) and Harrison Voight (Yamaha YZF-R6), who were separated by just over a second.Bayliss lead the field again in Practice 6, with Tom Edwards heading the Supersport field with a 1:35.012 to go second overall for the day ahead of Agius. Oli Bayliss and Senna Agius will be racing overseas in 2022, making Tom Edwards the top Dunlop Supersport competitor at the test.
All classes were out during testing. The 300s were keen to get some track time ready to start the season.
Harrison Voight (KTM RC 250) and Carter Thompson (Honda NSF 250) headed the combined Supersport 300/R3 Cup session in Moto3 machinery. Leading the SS300 field was Brandon Demmery and Archie McDonald – both on Yamaha YZF-R3’s. Voight again topped Practice 6, with a 1:42.725. Heading the SS300 field in fifth overall was Cameron Swain with a 1:49.491, followed by Archie McDonald (1:49.897) and Brodie Gawith (1:49.943) on his Yamaha YZF-R3 to complete the top three in SS300.
“The bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup riders were keen to put into practice series coach Garry McCoy’s words of wisdom.”
The bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup riders were keen to put into practice series coach Garry McCoy’s words of wisdom and set about running old rubber to get to grips with tyre wear simulations. With Practice 5 cut short, Ryan Larkin topped the order with a 2:13.540 – half a second ahead of Levi Russo, who was four-tenths ahead of Teerin Fleming. Practice 6 saw a slight mix-up of the order with Jodie Paige leading the way with a 2:12.961 to top the day overall, just over half a second ahead of Larkin and Harrison Watts a further tenth away to round out the top three.
That wraps up the offical 2022 ASBK test! Riders will be battling it out on track starting on the 25th of February.
Practice 7 was run in the dampest conditions of the day, but riders braved the wet, with Sam Drane leading the way with a 2:21.763 – one-tenth ahead of Bodie Paige and Levi Russo, who was a further second behind.
MotoGP testing is finally underway! The Shakedown took place from the 31st of January to the 2nd of February at the Sepang International Circuit, before the whole grid heads out for the official two-day Sepang Test on the 5th and 6th of February. Check out all the best shots below.
Day one meant we finally got to see the home hero, Remy Gardner, head out on his MotoGP KTM for the first time!
Day 2 of the Sepang Shakedown saw Stefan Bradl and Honda join the fray, as well as Maverick Viñales for Aprilia Racing. The Noale factory’s concessions allow their race riders, Viñales and teammate Aleix Espargaro, to take part in the Shakedown. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) was sidelined with illness on Tuesday.
Honda were out on track on Day 2 with Bradl at the helm
Yamaha fielded Nakasuga (alongside Nozane)
Bezzecchi was the fastest rookie on Day 2
Gardner was back out despite still recovering from injury
The third and final day of the Sepang Shakedown saw Aleix Espargaro join Aprilia Racing teammate Maverick Viñales on track as the Noale factory continue to benefit from concessions, allowing their race riders to take part. Viñales topped the timesheets with the only 1:58 of the day, ahead of his teammate.
“Viñales topped the timesheets with the only 1:58 of the day, ahead of his teammate.”
Another headline saw Cal Crutchlow join the Yamaha contingent following the recent announcement that the Brit would be continuing as Monster Energy Yamaha test rider for another two years.
Pirro was doing some back-to-back comparisons for Ducati on Day 3.
Guintoli got the hammer down for Suzuki, alongside fellow test rider Tsuda.
Aleix Espargaro joined the fray for Aprilia.
Darryn Binder continued to settle in on the leap from Moto3™ to MotoGP™.
The number 35’s running was limited on Day 3, however. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), meanwhile, remained sidelined with illness on Wednesday. The rookie is now looking to return to the track on Saturday as the two-day official Sepang Test begins.
All the best shots from the Sepang Shakedown.
Gardner was back out despite still recovering from injury
Bezzecchi was the fastest rookie on Day 2
Yamaha fielded Nakasuga (alongside Nozane)
Day one meant we finally got to see the home hero, Remy Gardner, head out on his MotoGP KTM for the first time!
Darryn Binder continued to settle in on the leap from Moto3™ to MotoGP™.
Honda were out on track on Day 2 with Bradl at the helm
Pirro was doing some back-to-back comparisons for Ducati on Day 3.
Guintoli got the hammer down for Suzuki, alongside fellow test rider Tsuda.
Luca Bernardi and Oli Bayliss hit the track for Barni Ducati Racing Team for the first time during the two day test.
The ‘next generation’ of the Supersport World Championship gets underway with new bikes, returning manufacturers, rookies and familiar faces all taking to the grid. With the unveiling of the provisional entry list, 30 riders will be on the grid this season, including 18 year old Australian, Oli Bayliss, son of three-time World Superbike Champion, Troy.
A new ruleset has brought plenty of changes to the WorldSSP grid for 2022 but 30 riders will battle it out for glory in the upcoming campaign.
The field represents five manufacturers with the return of Ducati and Triumph, as well as a new bike on the grid for MV Agusta. There are also four graduates from WorldSSP300 embarking on their first campaign in WorldSSP including the 2020 and 2021 Champions.
Headlining the entry list for the 2022 campaign is the return of two manufacturers with new bikes following the introduction of the new ruleset, with Ducati and Triumph making welcome returns. The Ducati Panigale V2 will be used by seven riders across six teams as the Bologna manufacturer returns to WorldSSP action.
Australia’s Oli Bayliss will compete for Barni Spark Racing Team in 2022, while Federico Caricasulo will compete for Althea Ducati. Nicolo Bulega will be with the Aruba Racing Supersport Team as he switches from Moto2™ to WorldSSP.
Australia’s Oli Bayliss will compete for Barni Spark Racing Team in 2022.
Raffaele De Rosa sticks with Orelac Racing for 2022 but on Ducati machinery, with the team known as Ducati Orelac Racing VerdNatura while Maximilian Kofler will race with CM Racing with the Ducati Panigale V2. Davide Giugliano is returning to the paddock as a team manager with D34G Racing, with two Ducati bikes, running brothers Filippo and Federico Fuligni in the WorldSSP Challenge.
Triumph are also returning to the Championship with two bikes at Dynavolt Triumph, run by the very successful PTR squad, with Hannes Soomer and Stefano Manzi looking for a title fight using the Triumph Street Triple 765 machine for the 2022 season. Niki Tuuli returns for a second season with MV Agusta Reparto Corse, with the team running the MV Agusta F3 800 RR in 2022 with the new ruleset. He will be joined in a two-rider line-up by Bahattin Sofuoglu, who will run in the WorldSSP Challenge.
Reigning Teams’ Champions Ten Kate Racing Yamaha have stuck with Dominique Aegerter as they look to make it two-in-a-row in 2022, with young Italian rider Leonardo Taccini joining the team. At Kawasaki Puccetti Racing, Turkish star Can Öncü is looking to build on podium finishes in the closing stages of 2021 as 2022 gets underway while Yari Montella joins the team.
Two generations of Bayliss Ducati Superbike riders. Oli will be out to break his Dad’s records!
The Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team have retained Hungarian rider Peter Sebestyen for 2022 but will field Lorenzo Baldassarri alongside him after finishing second in the Riders’ Championship in 2021 with Steven Odendaal. Frenchman Jules Cluzel will remain with GMT94 Yamaha once again, and he will race alongside Andy Verdoïa who returns to the Championship full-time. MTM Kawasaki will be competing in WorldSSP in 2022, with 2021 WorldSSP300 Champion Adrian Huertas riding for the team that has had so much success in WorldSSP300 and who he claimed the 2021 title with, while Benjamin Currie will make his debut in WorldSSP in 2022 with Motozoo Racing by Puccetti. German rider Patrick Hobelsberger returns to the Championship on a full-time basis after three outings in 2021, competing with Kallio Racing in 2022.
Kyle Smith returns to the Championship with VFT Racing alongside Marcel Brenner, who will compete in the WorldSSP Challenge while Dutch rider Glenn van Straalen returns with EAB Racing Team after finishing the 2021 campaign with the team. At Yamaha MS Racing, they retain Unai Orradre who made a mid-season step up to WorldSSP in 2021 from WorldSSP300 and he will be alongside Ondrej Vostatek in the Yamaha MS Racing box.
Seven riders will compete for WorldSSP Challenge honours including Filippo and Federico Fuligni and Marcel Brenner, including three riders who have graduated from WorldSSP300. 2020 WorldSSP300 Champion Jeffrey Buis made his debut in the final two rounds of 2021 in WorldSSP and will continue with Motozoo Racing by Puccetti in 2022, while Tom Booth-Amos will make his debut in WorldSSP with the Prodina Racing WorldSSP600 outfit as the team also steps up. The third WorldSSP300 graduate in the WorldSSP Challenge is Turkish star Bahattin Sofuoglu with MV Agusta Reparto Corse. The final WorldSSP Challenge competitor is Alessandro Zetti with Kallio Racing.
The two-day test for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship came to a conclusion with six-time Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) topping the timesheets as the only rider to lap in the 1’38s bracket across both days of the offical test.
Despite only half a day of testing at Jerez, Jonathan Rea topped the timesheets ahead of teammate Alex Lowes as the Jerez test came to an end.
After sitting out of day one of testing, Rea also only took to the track around 13:00 Local Time for a half-day test, but it did not stop him going straight to the top of the timesheets with a 1’38.851s. Rea was able to complete 61 laps in his half-day of testing, lapping faster than teammate Alex Lowes by around 1.4 seconds.
Lowes had spent the first day of action focusing on the front of his Kawasaki ZX-10RR machine before switching his attention to the rear on day two as he looked to focus on corner exit improvements. Lowes completed 59 laps and posted a best lap time of 1’40.266s. Both Rea and Lowes were able to test Pirelli’s new-for-2022 SCQ tyre during their day two action.
“Lowes had spent the firs day of action focusing on the front of his Kawasaki ZX-10RR machine before switching his attention to the rear on day two as he looked to focus on corner exit improvements.”
Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was the third Kawasaki rider on track and the final WorldSBK rider on day two, as the Frenchman continued his comeback from a scaphoid injury that forced him out of the end of the 2021 campaign. Mahias had some new components on his bike, with more to come including updates such as the gearbox and aerodynamics. Mahias also tested a new suspension at Jerez as Kawasaki Puccetti evaluates Öhlins suspension. He completed 64 laps with a best lap time of 1’40.542s.
Finnish rider Niki Tuuli (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) ended the day on top in the WorldSSP category after completing 45 laps. Running the old bike with a new engine in a hybrid, the Finn posted a best lap time of 1’42.341s as the sole full-time MV Agusta tester on track. He had been joined on day one and part of day two by five-time champion Kenan Sofuoglu after his nephew, Bahattin Sofuoglu, tested positive for COVID-19 before the test.
Only three WorldSBK riders took to the track as Team HRC opted to miss day two of action after a “fantastic” test day.
Tuuli was followed by Turkish duo Can Öncü (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and Kenan Sofuoglu, with the latter switching his attentions to Kawasaki Puccetti in the afternoon. With a new ruleset coming into force in WorldSSP for 2022, the team drafted in Sofuoglu to test out the new brake systems for the upcoming campaign including a new brake pump and disc. Sofuoglu took to the track on Öncü’s #61 Kawasaki ZX-6R machine, with the #61 bike completing 85 laps, the most of anyone, with a best time of 1’42.361s. Sofuoglu’s best recorded time, when he was with the MV Agusta machine, was a 1’43.774s after putting 30 laps to his name.
Yari Montella, who is making his full-time debut in WorldSSP in 2022 for Kawasaki Puccetti Racing, added 49 laps to his tally across the two-day test despite a few crashes for the Italian. He had a tumble at the final corner on day one but was able to re-mount and continue riding, while he also had two more crashes today including one at Turn 10. Despite this, he posted a best time of 1’43.875ss on an eventful two days for the Italian.
“Tuuli was followed by Turkish duo Can Öncü (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and Kenan Sofuoglu, with the latter switching his attention to Kawasaki Puccetti in the afternoon.”
WorldSSP rookie Ben Currie (Motozoo Racing by Puccetti) and teammate Jeffrey Buis added 44 and 49 laps to their experience respectively on day two, with Australian rider Currie riding on track despite a wrist injury he noticed on day one; he had some physio in the evening to ensure he was able to ride again on the second day. His best time was a 1’44.606s while Buis, who took part in the final two rounds of WorldSSP in 2021, was around one second slower. Ana Carrasco was also on track at Jerez, testing a WorldSSP machine for the first time, completing 52 laps with a best of 1’47.553s.
Unofficial WorldSBK times from day two at Jerez:
1 Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing team WorldSBK) 1’38.851s
2 Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 1’40.266s
3 Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) 1’40.542s
Unofficial WorldSBK times after day one of testing:
1 Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 1’40.316
2 Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) 1’40.342
3 Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) 1’40.496
4 Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) 1’40.921
Metzeler know you’re going to be wearing through those knee sliders when you’re on their tyres, they’re so confident that they’re giving away a free pair of knee sliders with selected tyre purchases. This deal wont last long so if you need new hoops, now’s the time to jump on it!
Need new hoops and new knee sliders? Look no further than Metzeler. They are giving away free pairs of knee sliders when you buy a set of Racetec Slick, Racetec RR or Sportec M9-RR tyres!
Metzeler has something special just for Australian sports and track day riders. They know that using their tyres on your bikes means your knee sliders can wear out faster with all of that grip! So for limited time, when you buy a set of Racetec Slick, Racetec RR or Sportec M9-RR, you can score a set of Metzeler knee sliders free of charge. So, you can get your knee down on the new hoops with plenty of confidence you’ll come out the other side!
Limited time only. Sliders are available to claim for Australian store purchases of a set of Racetec Slick, Racetec RR or Sportec M9-RR tyres through participating, authorised Metzeler dealers only. For further details click here!
GASGAS have taken the awesome MC 450F and installed the very best Technical Accessories to make it even better, the all-new MC 450F Troy Lee Designs motocross bike is loaded with factory team hardware to create a race machine that they say is capable of winning at the very highest level.
“Heavily inspired by Justin Barcia’s AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross race-winning machine, GasGas have fitted many of the very same parts used by Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing.”
Heavily inspired by Justin Barcia’s AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross race-winning machine, GasGas have fitted many of the very same parts used by Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing to create what they say is one hell of a great performing, and cool looking, race replica. Just take a look at the full list of what’s included on the all-new MC 450F Troy Lee Designs motocross bike…
Replica Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing graphics from the 2021 season
A set of #51 decals for those who wish to go full Bam Bam in 2022
Troy Lee Designs Factory Racing Seat
Softer ODI Lock-On Grips
Factory Racing Triple Clamps (anodized red)
Factory Wheels (black)
Dunlop tyres
Black rear sprocket
Gold chain
Factory Start Device
GasGas have taken their popular MC450F…
…and made it into a race ready bike off the showroom floor.
Semi-Floating Front Disc
Front Brake Disc Guard
Composite Skid Plate
Frame Protection Kit (red)
Hourmeter
Map Select Switch
Akrapovic “Slip-On Line” exhaust system
Hinson Outer Clutch Cover
Black Neken Fatbar with GASGAS bar pad
Firmer suspension settings
GasGas have unlocked a little more power from the compact MC 450F motor by adding a lightweight Akrapovič Slip-On Line exhaust system, giving significantly improved torque and an overall performance boost. Quick and easy changes in the power delivery can be made thanks to a handlebar mounted Map Select Switch.
GasGas also bolted a Semi-floating Front Disc to the front wheel to improve braking performance with a Front Brake Disc guard keeping the disc safe and out of harm’s way.
For improved handling, the MC 450F Troy Lee Designs motocross bike features firmer WP XACT suspension settings, with the forks held in place by adjustable, red anodized Factory Racing Triple Clamps. For additional comfort, GasGas have fitted softer ODI Lock-On grips and installed a TLD Factory Racing seat cover, to keep you firmly in place while getting on the gas.
The machine comes fitted with their Factory Wheels, in black. Rock solid and super-cool looking, they’re fitted with Dunlop’s Geomax MX33 tyres. GasGas also bolted a Semi-floating Front Disc to the front wheel to improve braking performance with a Front Brake Disc guard keeping the disc safe and out of harm’s way.
“For improved handling, the MC 450F Troy Lee Designs motocross bike features firmer WP XACT suspension settings.”
Finally, finishing the bike off in style is an extended list of parts from the Technical Accessories range. From front to back, there’s a Factory Start Device, Neken handlebars, a Composite Skid Plate, Hinson Clutch Cover, a red Frame Protection Kit, a black Rear Sprocket, and a gold chain. Plus, to keep on top of service intervals, they have installed an Hour Meter, so you’ll never lose track of just how many hours you’ve spent on this awesome bike.
The MC 450F Troy Lee Designs will be available in limited numbers in Australia and New Zealand from March 2022. For more information and to check out the full spec of the MC 450F Troy Lee Designs motocross bike, head here.
Team HRC will have an all-rookie line-up in 2022 after bringing in Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge from MotoGP and Moto2.
Day on the of 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship kicked off overnight as Team HRC, Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK and others hit Spain’s Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto for the first of two days testing.
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) topped day one with Jonathan Rea sitting the day out – ahead of rookie Spaniards Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) and teammate Iker Lecuona.
Despite Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) deciding not to come out and play – he opted to sit-out day one and doesn’t know whether he’ll be riding a full day or a half day on day two – it was still a good day for Kawasaki. Alex Lowes was back on track and said that he feels much better, having had a couple of surgeries as well as working hard with the physios. He had things to try from Showa and also for the rear of the bike and the British rider ended day one as the fastest. Commenting on the new items, he said it’s “nothing massive but in our game, small changes can make a big difference.”
Honda continued to progress throughout the day as Xavi Vierge completed the day in second. The rookie Spaniard enjoyed the whole day inside the top two positions and was a regular fixture at the top for most of that. After a good first test for both he and fellow rookie teammate Iker Lecuona back in December, both were looking at more electronic and traction control settings, improving grip, turning and handling.
“Honda continued to progress throughout the day as Xavi Vierge completed the day in second.”
Team manager Leon Camier commented that there’s a “few aspects to help optimise what we’ve got” so there’ll be plenty more to come on day two. Also spotted on day one was that Honda have changed to Nissin brakes and Showa suspension; they previously ran Brembo and Ohlins respectively. Kawasaki’s factory team also use Showa, whilst BMW are the only other factory team that use Nissin.
Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was another rider who, having been injured at the end of 2021, was back on a motorcycle. Having had a broken wrist four months ago, and it has healed for only a month, he was on track to get some crucial lap time and to adapt to the electronics. Although he doesn’t have pain in his scaphoid, he has some pain with the ligament and the muscle and has lost some power. However, he did say it was getting better, but slowly. He was fourth at the end of the day.
The SCQ tyre will now be used primarily for the Tissot Superpole Race, as the SCX – previously used with the 10-lap dash in mind – has been used more for the full races
The big news away from the on-track action was that Pirelli confirmed that a new tyre will be introduced for the 2022 season: The SCQ tyre will be used primarily for the Tissot Superpole Race, as the SCX – previously used with the 10-lap dash in mind – has been used more for the full races. For more information and quotes from Pirelli’s Motorsport Director about the new tyre.
Xavi’s teammate Iker Lecuona was also out setting impressive times while tweaking all the new technology on his Honda.
WorldSSP: Öncü remains fastest ahead of new recruits Finland’s Niki Tuuli headed out towards the end of the day, completing some laps to get dialled in and finished the day on top. On the MV Agusta, there was new engine, clutch, gearbox and electronics, so plenty of items to get through. Turkish star Can Öncü’s (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) 2022 season preparation got off to a solid start as he finished second in the WorldSSP testing standings.
His new teammate and 2021 WorldSSP one-event rider Yari Montella was next up, second in the class, whilst Kenan Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was third. Sofuoglu is deputising for his nephew, Bahattin, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday before the flight. Ben Currie (G.A.P Motozoo by Puccetti Racing) and teammate Jeffrey Buis adapted to life in WorldSSP, with less than a second separating them.
WorldSBK unofficial times after day one of testing:
1 Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 1’40.316 2 Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) 1’40.342 3 Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) 1’40.496 4 Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) 1’40.921
The mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) say they are pleased to announce that Alpinestars has announced their continuing support of the Superbike class for the 2022 season.
Alpinestars has announced their continuing support of the Superbike class for the 2022 season.
Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) bikes are fast, spectacular and sound incredible. The category is a big drawcard for fans as ASBK machinery is very similar to the ones that the public can purchase off the showroom floor.
Alpinestars – Scott Runciman: “Alpinestars are proud to be continuing their association with the Australian Superbike Championship. Over our journey, Alpinestars has outfitted countless world champions and we hope to continue in that tradition.
Alpinestars are not only an important part of the safety sector, the continued support of racing helps the sport grow further.
Motorcycling Australia (MA) CEO Peter Doyle: “Alpinestars have been a terrific supporter of the Australian Superbike Championship and it is extremely gratifying to see their continued involvement in our premier racing class in 2022. We’re pleased to once again see the Alpinestars Superbike Championship on our race calendar. With Alpinestars support, we will once again be able to serve up some of the best Superbike racing anywhere in the world. It’s a Championship that we can all be very proud of.”
The mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul (ASBK) say they are pleased to announce that Michelin has signed on as the title sponsor of the Supersport Championship for the 2022 season.
The Supersport 600 category has rules in place to help keep costs down, allowing riders to join the series without breaking the bank.
Often affectionately described in the paddock as the “600s”, Supersport’s enduring appeal has been its ability to maintain costs at a manageable level, with bikes predominantly production-spec with limited modifications.
For Michelin, racing has been an integral and critical aspect of the company’s activities, serving not only as a marketing channel but also offering proof-of-concept for the company’s extensive R&D process. Founded in 1889, the Michelin Group provides tyres to over 170 countries. The Michelin Group makes tyres locally for customers’ specific needs and road conditions in one of their 69 production facilities around the world.
“For Michelin, racing has been an integral and critical aspect of the company’s activities, serving not only as a marketing channel but also offering proof-of-concept for the company’s extensive R&D process. “
Doug Sharp, Michelin Australia: “Michelin Australia is proud to support the Supersport Championship, a category which always puts on a great show and has also become a launching pad for riders to create overseas opportunities in WorldSBK, WorldSS and BSB. In recent years, we’ve seen the likes of Oli Bayliss, Tom Toparis, Max Stauffer and Broc Pearson show their talent in the Supersport category. We’re sure that 2022 will again deliver great racing and we are all looking forward to the first round of the 2022 ASBK Championship and the Michelin Supersport Championship.”
Motorcycling Australia (MA) CEO Peter Doyle: “Motorcycling Australia are excited to see Michelin throw their support behind Supersport. Supersport is well established as one of the jewel in the crown categories of ASBK, with many riders honing their craft and showing their potential in this fantastic category.”
2022 ASBK Calendar
Round 1 Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, VIC 25 – 27 February SBK, SSPT, SS300, R3 Cup, OJC, SBK Masters
