Moto3 FP3
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MotoGP: Stoner Talks Racing, Retirement, Rossi, And More
Stoner talks racing, retirement, Rossi and more
The two-time MotoGP™ World Champion and Legend himself sits down for a Press Conference in Portugal
Friday, 05 November 2021
MotoGP™ Legend Casey Stoner is back in the house! The Australian is attending the Grande Premio Brembo do Algarve and on Friday, he sat down for a one-off Press Conference to answer a few questions from the media.
Here are some key quotes before the questions from the floor. To watch the whole Press Conference, head to the following link on motogp.com.
Why now?
Casey Stoner: “It’s been a strange. It’s been three and a half years! I believe it was Mugello 2018 the last time I was in the paddock. So it’s been far too long. You know, this was my whole world, I suppose. For a lot of years, everyone we knew… everything. And a lot of people, you know, in this paddock are family and friends, so it’s, it’s been far too long. And you know, we’ve missed everyone to be honest. So yeah, it’s been fantastic. We tried to come over last year, we had plans. And then of course, COVID hit, but it was fantastic MotoGP was able to run at all.
“Then this year, of course, everybody learned how to get through the situation a bit better. And Australia just recently opened up so we thought we’d come over and try and, you know, talk to some people one on one, and, and make some connections again that I suppose lost over the last few years.”
Thoughts on 2021?
CS27: “It’s been incredibly interesting. You know, in terms of diversity of brands on the podium and riders and everything, it’s kind of, you know, day by day, weekend by weekend, it’s plucking the podium out of a hat, there’s sort no form guide, I suppose. over the last two years. But especially this year, when people that you’re expecting to be at the front all of a sudden they’re struggling, and then other people you really didn’t expect to be there will go off and disappear and win a race.
“So it was difficult and almost a little confusing to to watch it this year, just to see some of the results that were happening. And like I said it was it was very unexpected. So in terms of, you know, watching it, it was fantastic. I’d personally like to see a little more consistency from some riders, but at the same time, I guess the current format gives some riders that generally maybe wouldn’t be at the front, some confidence over certain weekends to then go and achieve something that you know in the past wouldn’t be possible.”
Are Ducati on the brink of taking a World Championship again?
CS27: “For a long time now they’ve been close to having, you know, the complete package and getting the job done. But unfortunately, you know, it’s again, which Ducati rider is going to be fast on which weekend. We need to see a little bit more consistency, maybe a bike that is going to suit all the tracks. We’ve always had that issue, all the manufacturers have good tracks and bad tracks. But yeah, certain styles and certain circuits that does seem to struggle with. So they just need to create a little bit more consistency and a little bit, let’s say, easier package at certain times. But they’ve always been very, very close.
“I think you know, if everything sort of swings their way yes, they can win a Championship. But when you’ve got Yamaha that’s producing a great package year after year and I mean what a year Yamaha has had across a whole lot of different forms of motorsport this year. So they’re constantly putting out a package that is very, very difficult to beat. You’ve got Marquez that when you know he’s fit and healthy, on the Honda. They’re very difficult to beat. So, you know, it makes it tough for them. It’s not just throw some bikes out on track with a rider on it, you need that whole package to work together. And that can sometimes be difficult.”
Does he get itchy feet since retirement?
CS27: “The only times I’d have it is probably around qualifying. I quite honestly didn’t ever enjoy race day that much. Sometimes it was nice and easy and everything went well. But it was so… you know, when you’re on the edge of these things, it’s so easy to make those mistakes. So I constantly had that, unfortunately, it was just part of my personality that I didn’t want to make mistakes. It’s not that I just wanted to go out there and ride, you know, comfortably and naturally, it was like, ‘I don’t want to mess up’. Because I’ve got a whole team of people that are expecting something out of me. So I learned to deal with that better in my later years and didn’t have to worry about that as much. But I don’t really get the wish or want to race again.
“I did enjoy practice and qualifying, especially on the weekends. Certainly not testing. But Practice and Qualifying was always fun when everything would come together. And then you just got to go as hard as fast as you possibly could for a lap or two. When you got everything right, I got way more of a thrill out of that than I ever did winning a race. Because in the races, you never went as hard as you could, you always had to manage tyres, fuel… you’re always managing the situation, and you look like a fool if you go and try and go as hard as you can and crash. So there was always a an element of holding back, whereas qualifying a lot of the time you got to let loose. And you know, that was a lot of fun.”
On Valentino Rossi and their rivalry:
CS27: “If Valentino was still loving his racing, then, you know, there’s, there’s no reason not to race. I myself wouldn’t be able to do it. Because you know, for me, racing was winning. I still accepted the fact that I couldn’t win sometimes, but at the same time, the reason I got up in the morning to race was to win. And so I really would struggle to not be running competitively at the front, and I’ve missed Valentino at the front. I think the last, you know, two, three years, I would have loved to seen him battling it out with the guys. I think the racing could have been incredible with that. Like it was in the season before.
“You know, me and Valentino have had some amazing battles, we had a fantastic rivalry. Some good points and bad points, some things went my way and other things really didn’t. But there was one thing that, you know, was fantastic about racing Valentino, and it’s that I got to learn from him, whether it was on track or off the track with his media. He was always very savvy, and very clever, very cunning. So I got to learn a heck of a lot. And I think also, my achievements in my career were validated all the more having raced against him in his era.”
Moto2: Raul Fernandez Heads FP2 At Algarve GP
FIM Moto2 World Championship
Algarve International Circuit
Portimao, Portugal
November 5, 2021
Free Practice Two Results (all using Triumph engines and Dunlop tires):
- Raul Fernandez, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.246
- Sam Lowes, UK (Kalex), 1:43.248
- Remy Gardner, Australia (Kalex), 1:43.368
- Jorge Navarro, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:43.372
- Ai Ogura, Japan (Kalex), 1:43.445
- Aron Canet, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:43.446
- Marco Bezzecchi, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.563
- Celestino Vietti, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.581
- Augusto Fernandez, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.692
- Xavi Vierge, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.702
- Marcel Schrotter, Germany (Kalex), 1:43.726
- Fabio Di Giannantonio, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.744
- Cameron Beaubier, USA (Kalex), 1:43.753
- Jake Dixon, UK (Kalex), 1:43.868
- Stefano Manzi, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.869
- Albert Arenas, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:43.872
- Nicolo Bulega, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.077
- Fermin Aldeguer, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:44.149
- Marcos Ramirez, Spain (Kalex), 1:44.161
- Hector Garzo, Spain (Kalex), 1:44.190
- Hafizh Syahrin, Malaysia (NTS), 1:44.268
- Thomas Luthi, Switzerland (Kalex), 1:44.314
- Somkiat Chantra, Thailand (Kalex), 1:44.354
- Joe Roberts, USA (Kalex), 1:44.498
- Simone Corsi, Italy (MV Agusta), 1:44.590
- Bo Bendsneyder, Netherlands (Kalex), 1:44.643
- Tony Arbolino, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.711
- Tetsuta Nagashima, Japan (Kalex), 1:44.903
- Barry Baltus, Belgium (NTS), 1:45.093
- Piotr Biesiekirski, Poland (Kalex), 1:45.945
- Lorenzo Baldassarri, Italy (MV Agusta), 1:46.789
MotoGP: Quartararo Fastest In FP2 At Algarve GP
FIM MotoGP World Championship
Algarve International Circuit
Portimao, Portugal
November 5, 2021
Free Practice Two Results (all on Michelin tires):
- Fabio Quartararo, France (Yamaha), 1:39.390
- Francesco Bagnaia, Italy (Ducati), 1:39.522
- Jack Miller, Australia (Ducati), 1:39.611
- Joan Mir, Spain (Suzuki), 1:39.680
- Pol Espargaro, Spain (Honda), 1:39.792
- Johann Zarco, France (Ducati), 1:39.889
- Alex Marquez, Spain (Honda), 1:40.042
- Aleix Espargaro, Spain (Aprilia), 1:40.069
- Takaaki Nakagami, Japan (Honda), 1:40.122
- Alex Rins, Spain (Suzuki), 1:40.176
- Jorge Martin, Spain (Ducati), 1:40.179
- Franco Morbidelli, Italy (Yamaha), 1:40.225
- Danilo Petrucci, Italy (KTM), 1:40.231
- Maverick Vinales, Spain (Aprilia), 1:40.284
- Luca Marini, Italy (Ducati), 1:40.323
- Enea Bastianini, Italy (Ducati), 1:40.467
- Brad Binder, South Africa (KTM), 1:40.498
- Stefan Bradl, Germany (Honda), 1:40.700
- Miguel Oliveira, Portugal (KTM), 1:40.935
- Iker Lecuona, Spain (KTM), 1:41.097
- Valentino Rossi, Italy (Yamaha), 1:41.174
- Andrea Dovizioso, Italy (Yamaha), 1:41.214
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Quartararo on a roll to beat Ducati duo on Day 1
The newly-crowned Champion tops the timesheets ahead of Bagnaia and Miller
Friday, 05 November 2021
It was a very impressive opening day of action at the Grande Prémio Brembo do Algarve for 2021 World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). After claiming P1 in FP1, the flying Frenchman topped FP2 with a 1:39.390 to beat Francesco Bagnaia by 0.132, with Jack Miller making it two Ducati Lenovo Team machines in the top three.
FP1
Quartararo started the day as he meant to go on: fastest. However, the Frenchman left it until his last lap to edge out Bagnaia by just 0.045s. Quartararo’s 1:40.192 was good enough to beat third place Miller by 0.131 too, with three familiar faces fighting in out in the top three.
Team Suzuki Ecstar duo Alex Rins – who sported a phenomenal shoulder cam in FP1 – and 2020 World Champion Joan Mir completed the first top five of the weekend as the riders got a sunny and dry opening Free Practice session under their belts, impressing early on.
There were no incidents in FP1.
FP2
Conditions remained perfect in FP2 and three Hondas were able to get themselves into the top six by the time the session had reached the halfway point – Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) sat P4 ahead of Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu). However, the top three from FP1 remained unchanged – Quartararo, Bagnaia, Miller – both in terms of position and time.
With 16 minutes left on the clock, a change at the top occurred. Bagnaia slammed in a 1:40.007 to leapfrog Quartararo into P1, and the Italian’s advantage was now 0.185s. The final 10 minutes then reared its head and, as usual, soft tyres and pushing for top 10 slot was the name of the game. Mir became the first rider to dip below the 1.40 bracket, and the 2020 Champion went even quicker on the next lap.
Miller then went top, but Quartararo immediately shoved the Australian down to second. Pecco was then able to string a personal best lap of the day together on his final effort, but the Italian couldn’t quite find an answer for Quartararo.
There were no crashes in FP2 either.
Combined timesheets
Behind Quartararo and the Ducati Lenovo Team duo, Mir slots into fourth. It was a positive day at the office for the Spaniard and the number 36 heads into Saturday just a couple of tenths down on Quartararo.
Fifth place Pol Espargaro leads the Honda charge, with Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) moving up from P13 in FP1 to take sixth overall and in FP2, readying for his charge at the title of top Independent Team rider on Sunday…
Alex Marquez enjoyed his Friday on the rollercoaster and took seventh, the Spaniard heading compatriot Aleix Esaprgaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and LCR Honda teammate Nakagami in P8 and P9, respectively. The final provisional place in Q2 goes to Rins as it stands, but the top 15 riders are split by less than a second so far…
Will FP3 see another shuffle? The skies look likely to stay dry so it’s all hands on deck for a time attack on Saturday morning from 9:55 (GMT), before qualifying from 14:10!
Raul Fernandez pips Lowes by 0.002, Gardner third despite a crash
The rookie head the veteran on Day 1, with the Championship leader third but showing good pace despite a clash in FP2
Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) finished top of the pile on Day 1 at the Grande Prémio Brembo do Algarve, but only just. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was just 0.002 off the Spaniard’s 1:43.246 by the end of play, with the Brit continuing his Misano momentum. World Championship leader Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was third quickest and quick all day, but the Australian suffered some late drama at the final corner when he crashed with Marcos Ramirez (American Racing). Riders ok, the incident was investigated and no further action was taken.
FP1
It’s all about the Red Bull KTM Ajo duo in terms of the Championship, with Gardner holding his first match point this weekend. The duo – as ever – looked strong, finishing 1-2 in FP1 in the Australian’s favour… but by just 0.014. Aron Canet (QuieroCorredor Aspar Team), rookie Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Hector Garzo (Flexbox HP40) locked out the top five in the opening session.
Fermin Aldeguer (Termozeta Speed Up) crashed and rejoined, and Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and came together, all riders ok.
FP2
Gardner was fastest in the early stages before Raul Fernandez hit back, with Lowes also able to split the duo by the flag. Gardner had a big wobble late on and then suffered the incident with Ramirez, although both riders were up and ok it was a tougher end to the day. Still, Gardner is just 0.122 off his teammate heading into FP3.
The high profile incident for the points leader was the only one of the session.
Combined timesheets
Behind Raul Fernandez, Lowes and Gardner, Jorge Navarro (Termozeta Speed Up) made good progress in the afternoon to finish P4 on Day 1, up from P13 in Fp1. He was just 0.004s away from Gardner too. Ogura crashed in FP1 but was in fine form in FP2 to claim P5, the Japanese rider only 0.001s ahead of Canet.
Sky Racing Team VR46’s Marco Bezzecchi and rookie teammate Vietti cemented Day 1 top 10s in P7 and P8, respectively. Augusto Fernandez bounced back to take P9 on the Friday combined standings, with Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) rounding out the top 10. It’s currently Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2; Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) and Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) who stand to join them in Q2…. but it can all change on Saturday morning.
After late drama for Gardner and smooth sailing for Raul Fernandez, don’t miss Moto2™ FP3 at 10:55 local time (GMT) on Saturday before qualifying from 15:10.
Fenati leads Foggia y 0.015, Acosta fourth on Friday
The veteran Italians lead Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Masia and Acosta, with the Algarve GP already shaping up for a showdown
Day 1 at the Grande Prémio Brembo do Algarve in Moto3™ belonged to Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) as the Italian ousted compatriot and title contender Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) from top spot in FP2. Fenati’s 1:48.026 saw him beat Foggia by just 0.015s, as Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) claimed P3 at the end of play on Friday.
FP1
Acosta led much of the session, and then Foggia hit back in the latter stages to take over by a significant margin – and one he kept, ending FP1 seventh tenths clear of Stefano Nepa (BOE Owlride), with Filip Salač (CarXpert PrüstelGP) a closer third. Acosta ended the session in P6, just over eight tenths off Foggia.
Riccardo Rossi (BOE Owlride) crashed, as did Ryusei Yamanaka (CarXpert PrüstelGP), both riders ok.
FP2
For a long time it looked like Foggia’s 1:48.296 in FP1 was going to remain the fastest time on the opening day of lightweight class action, but that all changed late in the afternoon session. Fenati was able to jump ahead of Foggia and steal the Day 1 honours, but there’s nothing in it between the Italians as the latter also improved.
Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) led the resistance a couple of tenths behind the duo, and World Championship leader Acosta moved up in the afternoon to fourth, only two and a half tenths off the top.
Both Foggia and Acosta look strong once more in the Algarve, and if Friday is anything to go by, Saturday and Sunday’s battle between the top two in the title race looks like it will be a belter.
Alberto Surra (Rivacold Snipers Team) crashed, rider ok, and both his teammate Andrea Migno and Dani Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) suffered technical issues. Riders all ok.
Combined Timesheets
Behind Fenati, Foggia and Red Bull KTM Ajo, rounding out the top five is a stellar job from rookie Adrian Fernandez (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team), the Spaniard just 0.349s off the top, with the experienced Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia VR46 Academy) picking up P6.
Salač, Ayumu Sasaki (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Rossi and Yamanaka complete the top ten, with Izan Guevara (Muchoneumatico GASGAS Aspar Team), Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing), Carlos Tatay (Avintia Esponsorama Moto3) and Nepa set to join them in moving through. Sasaki and Guevara also have Long Lap penalties to serve on race day though, after ebing observed riding slowly on the racing line on Friday.
Will the times tumble once more in FP3? Will both Acosta and Foggia make it into Q2? Find out at 09:00 local time (GMT) before qualifying from 12:35.
Moto3: Fenati Leads FP2 At Algarve GP
FIM Moto3 World Championship
Algarve International Circuit
Portimao, Portugal
November 5, 2021
Free Practice Two Results (all using Dunlop tires):
- Romano Fenati, Italy (Husqvarna), 1:48.026
- Dennis Foggia, Italy (Honda), 1:48.041
- Jaume Masia, Spain (KTM), 1:48.258
- Pedro Acosta, Spain (KTM), 1:48.267
- Adrian Fernandez, Spain (Husqvarna), 1:48.375
- Niccolo Antonelli, Italy (KTM), 1:48.521
- Filip Salac, Czech Republic (KTM), 1:48.540
- Ayumu Sasaki, Japan (KTM), 1:48.697
- Riccardo Rossi, Italy (KTM), 1:48.708
- Ryusei Yamanaka, Japan (KTM), 1:48.804
Moto2: Gardner Tops FP1 In Portugal
FIM Moto2 World Championship
Algarve International Circuit
Portimao, Portugal
November 5, 2021
Free Practice One Results (all using Triumph engines and Dunlop tires):
- Remy Gardner, Australia (Kalex), 1:43.667
- Raul Fernandez, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.681
- Aron Canet, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:43.798
- Celestino Vietti, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.799
- Hector Garzo, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.973
- Jake Dixon, UK (Kalex), 1:44.044
- Marco Bezzecchi, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.086
- Stefano Manzi, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.135
- Fabio Di Giannantonio, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.142
- Albert Arenas, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:44.174
- Cameron Beaubier, USA (Kalex), 1:44.177
- Xavi Vierge, Spain (Kalex), 1:44.194
- Jorge Navarro, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:44.289
- Sam Lowes, UK (Kalex), 1:44.402
- Marcel Schrotter, Germany (Kalex), 1:44.452
- Ai Ogura, Japan (Kalex), 1:44.462
- Marcos Ramirez, Spain (Kalex), 1:44.515
- Thomas Luthi, Switzerland (Kalex), 1:44.653
- Fermin Aldeguer, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:44.681
- Barry Baltus, Belgium (NTS), 1:44.732
- Nicolo Bulega, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.751
- Somkiat Chantra, Thailand (Kalex), 1:44.920
- Bo Bendsneyder, Netherlands (Kalex), 1:44.966
- Tetsuta Nagashima, Japan (Kalex), 1:45.094
- Hafizh Syahrin, Malaysia (NTS), 1:45.101
- Joe Roberts, USA (Kalex), 1:45.116
- Tony Arbolino, Italy (Kalex), 1:45.349
- Augusto Fernandez, Spain (Kalex), 1:45.482
- Simone Corsi, Italy (MV Agusta), 1:45.515
- Lorenzo Baldassarri, Italy (MV Agusta), 1:46.570
- Piotr Biesiekirski, Poland (Kalex), 1:46.965
MotoGP: Quartararo Quickest In FP1 At Algarve GP
FIM MotoGP World Championship
Algarve International Circuit
Portimao, Portugal
November 5, 2021
Free Practice One Results (all on Michelin tires):
- Fabio Quartararo, France (Yamaha), 1:40.192
- Francesco Bagnaia, Italy (Ducati), 1:40.237
- Jack Miller, Australia (Ducati), 1:40.323
- Alex Rins, Spain (Suzuki), 1:40.551
- Joan Mir, Spain (Suzuki), 1:40.689
- Luca Marini, Italy (Ducati), 1:40.785
- Pol Espargaro, Spain (Honda), 1:40.795
- Maverick Vinales, Spain (Aprilia), 1:40.853
- Franco Morbidelli, Italy (Yamaha), 1:40.887
- Aleix Espargaro, Spain (Aprilia), 1:40.889
- Alex Marquez, Spain (Honda), 1:40.948
- Takaaki Nakagami, Japan (Honda), 1:40.995
- Johann Zarco, France (Ducati), 1:41.084
- Iker Lecuona, Spain (KTM), 1:41.199
- Brad Binder, South Africa (KTM), 1:41.215
- Danilo Petrucci, Italy (KTM), 1:41.296
- Jorge Martin, Spain (Ducati), 1:41.348
- Miguel Oliveira, Portugal (KTM), 1:41.375
- Andrea Dovizioso, Italy (Yamaha), 1:41.392
- Enea Bastianini, Italy (Ducati), 1:41.556
- Stefan Bradl, Germany (Honda), 1:41.654
- Valentino Rossi, Italy (Yamaha), 1:42.080
Moto3: Foggia Fastest In FP1 At Algarve GP
FIM Moto3 World Championship
Algarve International Circuit
Portimao, Portugal
November 5, 2021
Free Practice One Results (all using Dunlop tires):
- Dennis Foggia, Italy (Honda), 1:48.296
- Stefano Nepa, Italy (KTM), 1:49.048
- Filip Salac, Czech Republic (KTM), 1:49.082
- Andrea Migno, Italy (Honda), 1:49.153
- John McPhee, UK (Honda), 1:49.157
- Pedro Acosta, Spain (KTM), 1:49.168
- Jeremy Alcoba, Spain (Honda), 1:49.268
- Darryn Binder, South Africa (Honda), 1:49.272
- Jaume Masia, Spain (KTM), 1:49.455
- Izan Guevara, Spain (GASGAS), 1:49.467
MotoAmerica: Riders, Teams React To 2022 Supersport Technical Rules
Copyright 2021, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Last month, MotoAmerica, following the lead of the FIM Supersport World Championship, announced proposed new technical rules for its 2022 Supersport Championship.
Under the new rules, the class, which has traditionally been contested by riders on 599cc and 636cc inline four-cylinder motorcycles, will now be open to the 955cc V-Twin Ducati Panigale V2, the 798cc inline three-cylinder MV Agusta F3, and the 765cc inline three-cylinder Triumph Street Triple 765 RS.
The new machines will be required to use control electronics packages and be subject to restrictions, including prescribed engine maps and rev limits, to limit their performance, while the 599cc and 636cc machines will be allowed to add aftermarket camshafts, aftermarket velocity stacks, and have some light cylinder head modifications to bring the level of their engine performance up and closer to that of the new machines.
According to MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland, MotoAmerica will constantly evaluate the performance of the different machines during the 2022 season,and then make adjustments to the balancing parameters and rules governing the various machines after every third race or more often if it is deemed necessary.
To get reaction to the new Supersport technical rules we reached out to riders and teams that contested the 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.
First, we asked if anyone from MotoAmerica leadership consulted with them during the 2021 season to get their feedback on proposed changes to the Supersport class or inform them that big changes were coming.
None of those contacted by Roadracingworld.com said they were consulted by MotoAmerica on the current status or future of the Supersport class and rules.
Next, we asked for their opinion of the proposed 2022 Supersport technical rules and if they planned to continue in the class next season. Here are the reactions we received. Responding parties are listed in order of 2021 Championship finishing position.
Stoney Landers, who fielded his rider/son Rocco Landers on a Landers Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 supported by Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. and took 4th in the 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship with four podium finishes, said: “It’s very difficult when you have different cc [engine size] motorcycles competing against each other. We experienced it in Supersport with the Kawasaki 636, in Junior Cup we experienced it, and I guess we’re going to experience it again. I don’t know how it’s going to play out.
“As soon as you add all these different engine sizes it’s up to MotoAmerica to balance the class. I think that’s going to put a lot of pressure on them to make it right. I also understand that’s the direction the world is going, so it is what it is.”
Landers said he had not finalized his team’s 2022 racing plans at post time.
Benjamin Smith, who finished 5th in the 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship with two podium finishes on his North East Cycle Outlet Racing Yamaha YZF-R6, said: “I think it’s going to be interesting. I think it’s just going to come down to us getting the most we can out of the R6.
“We know the chassis is great. It really just comes down to what we can do with the motor to have it be reliable and fast enough to keep up with the Triumph and the Ducati and the MV.
“I think it’s also going to come down to if people can get those other bikes to work and handle well. I think it’s going to take some time to figure out what bikes need to be restricted and how much restriction. That’s definitely going to take some time. I’m not opposed to it, that’s for sure, but it’s going to change the look of the class a lot, in my opinion.”
Smith said he looked at moving up to the Stock 1000 and Superbike classes but has decided to continue with his Yamaha in Supersport in 2022.
Stefano Mesa, who finished 6th in the 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship with one race win and four more podiums finishes on his 636cc MESA37 Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R, said, “To be honest with you when the rules came out, I threw my [MotoAmerica Supersport] program aside because for me it doesn’t make sense to go do something when they are kind of allowing in superior bikes, in a way. I know they are new bikes and they have to go test and do a lot of stuff, but HSBK [Racing] is going to do something very good [with a Ducati Panigale V2].
“Even if we do all of this work, the new bikes are going to be 10 horsepower up on us. And the bad thing is when we do all of this work things can go bad much easier. And for sure it will cost us more.
“I know how MotoAmerica is looking at all of this, but I feel every time they do something right they do something so big and mess everything up.”
Nolan Lamkin, who finished 12th in the 2021 MotoAmerica Championship with one podium finish, said, “It is what it is. Even if I wanted something changed I couldn’t really get it changed. And if this is what it’s got to be to have the series survive, then that’s cool.
“I haven’t priced the stuff out yet. If you stay on the R6 it will be a lot quicker speed-wise, [but] I’ve heard our motors are now going to cost $4,000 [each] before labor. I believe it was $1,800 [each] before.
“It adds, one, the cost, and, two, questions about reliability. Before, we were running OEM everything, so we didn’t really have to worry about going through that many [engines]. Now that they’re going to be higher performing and tuned closer to the edge, we may have to have another motor. I’m not sure right now how that will change things.
“My thing is, I can’t control the bikes. I can’t control the other riders. The only things I can actually control are myself and my program.
“I am [planning to go racing in MotoAmerica Supersport again]. I looked at doing something different, because I am one of the taller riders and a 1000, on paper, would fit me well, but I already have my 600 program. I’ve heard some issues people are having with the supply chain and things like that while trying to get parts, and I don’t want to have to go through building a new bike and not be able to get stuff. I have the majority of my [600] program, and it’s just a matter of finding the financial backing.”
MotoGP: Quartararo Shifts Focus To Winning “Triple Crown”
“Starting together and fighting together would be nice”: the gloves come off on the Algarve
Thursday, 04 November 2021
The dust has somewhat settled after a dramatic title decider last time out, but now it’s time to get back in gear for another stunner. The Grande Prémio Brembo do Algarve got underway on Thursday with the Pre-Event Press Conference, with newly-crowned 2021 MotoGP™ World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) joined by second overall Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Repsol Honda Team’s podium finisher Pol Espargaro, home hero Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and the leader in the battle for Rookie of the Year Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama), also fresh from the rostrum.
Here are some key quotes!
Fabio Quartararo: “My voice is still quite bad but it was super nice to celebrate with the team after Misano on Sunday and I spent a few days with my family and yeah, it was super nice! It was also tough to go back to training after a few parties but it was necessary and of course, to feel ready for the race. But of course it was a really special week after winning the title in Misano.
“Honestly I feel – I would not say pressure because I achieved my goal. I will give my best, of course I come here to fight for the victory and for the podium but it’s not something I can really control. I will give my best but we will see the final result. It would be nice to achieve the triple crown and to see if we can achieve it!”
Francesco Bagnaia: “I think that it is more because I lost the race than the Championship, because I was sure Fabio deserved that more. I was a lot of points behind and also, I was winning the race in Misano. If I had won, then I would have been like 36 points behind, and with 36 points we have a lot of possibility to win the title. In any case, I tried my all. It was not our objective to win the Championship this season because I was coming from two very difficult seasons. My first two years in MotoGP I struggled a lot. This year I learned a lot, I grew with the team and in the last part of the season I was fighting for the Championship, but I was too far behind. In any case we tried. I knew with the hard front I was more competitive, but I crashed. I tried my all and this was the only possibility to remain in the Championship fight, to win the race. And I tried.
“For sure these two races will be nice to do. Now Fabio doesn’t have any pressure. So, I would really like to fight with him, not like in Misano, but starting together and fighting together would be nice to have. They are two different tracks. In April/May I was fast here, in Valencia I’ve never been fast in my life so I have to understand how to do it.”
Pol Espargaro: “This is a place where I enjoy quite a lot and in the past year with KTM I performed and, for sure it wasn’t amazingly good but it was a decent race and I almost finished on the podium. But in the beginning of the year we came here with many many problems, we struggled a lot, I had a big crash at the last corner and I don’t have the best memories with the Honda here. Anyway I came here during the summer break to train so I have the layout fresher maybe than the others which is nice, also the bike has changed quite a lot from that moment at the beginning of the year. Honestly speaking we have more possibilities to have a great weekend than what we did at the beginning of the year, so really looking forward to jumping on the bike again after the nice vibes we took in the past weekend in Misano.
“From the past races I have been, you know, working in that direction thinking that this year is over for me. It was over a lot of races ago, I started to think about the future with Honda, we tried to do the maximum we could with the current package, thinking of next year, trying to generate or copy what we have inside the rules with next year’s bike. We had some benefits and some contrasts, we had a lot of problems in Texas and then we come to Misano and we had all the contrasts, we had the benefits with the current package thinking about next year. There are these pros and cons, thinking about next year, I’m looking to just make a reset. With all the experience and knowledge I have with Honda I sometimes feel quite comfortable and I can achieve great results, start from zero with a good base, and from there try to enjoy the bike. I haven’t enjoyed much because I’ve been struggling quite a lot. The future I think is bright but we have to work harder than the others because we start with a disadvantage.”
Miguel Oliveira: “For sure we get to a home GP with a different kind of mentality. Beginning of the season we were having too many problems and the package was not really complete. The conditions were much different from what we had in November the previous season, so definitely we didn’t have anything going our way, and now towards the end of the championship even if the result was not finished in Misano, at least I had a good connection back with the bike. Already in Texas I found a little bit more of this connection and although if the result is not there the feeling is there, so I think this is the most important thing to build a good weekend. For sure the key is to start tomorrow with this feeling, give a good feedback to the team and finish these two last races of the season on a high.
“We have every reason to believe that we can achieve a good result. Of course, it’s always depending on a lot of things, but we know that the intention is there, and we have every reason to believe in that direction. The opponents are going to be tough of course, everyone likes this track, everyone who goes fast on it, so it’s going to be about adapting better to every situation on the track and especially during the race understanding what is a good line and the normal racing routine at the weekend.”
Enea Bastianini: “I took another podium in the last race and I am very happy about this. Now I have an advantage over Jorge Martin but he can be fast like me, especially here in Portimão, but in Valencia I’m not very fast and I have to improve in this area. In Misano we did a good job in the race but not on Saturday because I did three crashes in eight laps, I think, but we can be Rookie (of the Year) this year and we can battle for this.
“I like Portimão a lot, it’s a very strange circuit but I like, it’s one of my favourites. You know it’s not easy to be fast here, and I’m advantaged in respect to Jorge because he’s crashed in the last races but we have to stay concentrated and understand what we can do to be competitive in the weekend and also on Saturday.”
Stoner returns! The two-time Champion and MotoGP™ Legend stops in at Portimão
It’s been a while but the paddock in Portimão has the pleasure of welcoming back MotoGP™ Legend and two-time premier class Champion Casey Stoner for the weekend! And of course, one priority on his first day was a check in with Ducati. Both Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia were on hand in the box for a photo op (and a natter) on Thursday. Stay tuuuuuned!
Moto3: McPhee Quickest In FP3 At Algarve GP
MotoGP: Stoner Talks Racing, Retirement, Rossi, And More
Stoner talks racing, retirement, Rossi and more
The two-time MotoGP™ World Champion and Legend himself sits down for a Press Conference in Portugal
Friday, 05 November 2021
MotoGP™ Legend Casey Stoner is back in the house! The Australian is attending the Grande Premio Brembo do Algarve and on Friday, he sat down for a one-off Press Conference to answer a few questions from the media.
Here are some key quotes before the questions from the floor. To watch the whole Press Conference, head to the following link on motogp.com.
Why now?
Casey Stoner: “It’s been a strange. It’s been three and a half years! I believe it was Mugello 2018 the last time I was in the paddock. So it’s been far too long. You know, this was my whole world, I suppose. For a lot of years, everyone we knew… everything. And a lot of people, you know, in this paddock are family and friends, so it’s, it’s been far too long. And you know, we’ve missed everyone to be honest. So yeah, it’s been fantastic. We tried to come over last year, we had plans. And then of course, COVID hit, but it was fantastic MotoGP was able to run at all.
“Then this year, of course, everybody learned how to get through the situation a bit better. And Australia just recently opened up so we thought we’d come over and try and, you know, talk to some people one on one, and, and make some connections again that I suppose lost over the last few years.”
Thoughts on 2021?
CS27: “It’s been incredibly interesting. You know, in terms of diversity of brands on the podium and riders and everything, it’s kind of, you know, day by day, weekend by weekend, it’s plucking the podium out of a hat, there’s sort no form guide, I suppose. over the last two years. But especially this year, when people that you’re expecting to be at the front all of a sudden they’re struggling, and then other people you really didn’t expect to be there will go off and disappear and win a race.
“So it was difficult and almost a little confusing to to watch it this year, just to see some of the results that were happening. And like I said it was it was very unexpected. So in terms of, you know, watching it, it was fantastic. I’d personally like to see a little more consistency from some riders, but at the same time, I guess the current format gives some riders that generally maybe wouldn’t be at the front, some confidence over certain weekends to then go and achieve something that you know in the past wouldn’t be possible.”
Are Ducati on the brink of taking a World Championship again?
CS27: “For a long time now they’ve been close to having, you know, the complete package and getting the job done. But unfortunately, you know, it’s again, which Ducati rider is going to be fast on which weekend. We need to see a little bit more consistency, maybe a bike that is going to suit all the tracks. We’ve always had that issue, all the manufacturers have good tracks and bad tracks. But yeah, certain styles and certain circuits that does seem to struggle with. So they just need to create a little bit more consistency and a little bit, let’s say, easier package at certain times. But they’ve always been very, very close.
“I think you know, if everything sort of swings their way yes, they can win a Championship. But when you’ve got Yamaha that’s producing a great package year after year and I mean what a year Yamaha has had across a whole lot of different forms of motorsport this year. So they’re constantly putting out a package that is very, very difficult to beat. You’ve got Marquez that when you know he’s fit and healthy, on the Honda. They’re very difficult to beat. So, you know, it makes it tough for them. It’s not just throw some bikes out on track with a rider on it, you need that whole package to work together. And that can sometimes be difficult.”
Does he get itchy feet since retirement?
CS27: “The only times I’d have it is probably around qualifying. I quite honestly didn’t ever enjoy race day that much. Sometimes it was nice and easy and everything went well. But it was so… you know, when you’re on the edge of these things, it’s so easy to make those mistakes. So I constantly had that, unfortunately, it was just part of my personality that I didn’t want to make mistakes. It’s not that I just wanted to go out there and ride, you know, comfortably and naturally, it was like, ‘I don’t want to mess up’. Because I’ve got a whole team of people that are expecting something out of me. So I learned to deal with that better in my later years and didn’t have to worry about that as much. But I don’t really get the wish or want to race again.
“I did enjoy practice and qualifying, especially on the weekends. Certainly not testing. But Practice and Qualifying was always fun when everything would come together. And then you just got to go as hard as fast as you possibly could for a lap or two. When you got everything right, I got way more of a thrill out of that than I ever did winning a race. Because in the races, you never went as hard as you could, you always had to manage tyres, fuel… you’re always managing the situation, and you look like a fool if you go and try and go as hard as you can and crash. So there was always a an element of holding back, whereas qualifying a lot of the time you got to let loose. And you know, that was a lot of fun.”
On Valentino Rossi and their rivalry:
CS27: “If Valentino was still loving his racing, then, you know, there’s, there’s no reason not to race. I myself wouldn’t be able to do it. Because you know, for me, racing was winning. I still accepted the fact that I couldn’t win sometimes, but at the same time, the reason I got up in the morning to race was to win. And so I really would struggle to not be running competitively at the front, and I’ve missed Valentino at the front. I think the last, you know, two, three years, I would have loved to seen him battling it out with the guys. I think the racing could have been incredible with that. Like it was in the season before.
“You know, me and Valentino have had some amazing battles, we had a fantastic rivalry. Some good points and bad points, some things went my way and other things really didn’t. But there was one thing that, you know, was fantastic about racing Valentino, and it’s that I got to learn from him, whether it was on track or off the track with his media. He was always very savvy, and very clever, very cunning. So I got to learn a heck of a lot. And I think also, my achievements in my career were validated all the more having raced against him in his era.”
Moto2: Raul Fernandez Heads FP2 At Algarve GP
FIM Moto2 World Championship
Algarve International Circuit
Portimao, Portugal
November 5, 2021
Free Practice Two Results (all using Triumph engines and Dunlop tires):
- Raul Fernandez, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.246
- Sam Lowes, UK (Kalex), 1:43.248
- Remy Gardner, Australia (Kalex), 1:43.368
- Jorge Navarro, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:43.372
- Ai Ogura, Japan (Kalex), 1:43.445
- Aron Canet, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:43.446
- Marco Bezzecchi, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.563
- Celestino Vietti, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.581
- Augusto Fernandez, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.692
- Xavi Vierge, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.702
- Marcel Schrotter, Germany (Kalex), 1:43.726
- Fabio Di Giannantonio, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.744
- Cameron Beaubier, USA (Kalex), 1:43.753
- Jake Dixon, UK (Kalex), 1:43.868
- Stefano Manzi, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.869
- Albert Arenas, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:43.872
- Nicolo Bulega, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.077
- Fermin Aldeguer, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:44.149
- Marcos Ramirez, Spain (Kalex), 1:44.161
- Hector Garzo, Spain (Kalex), 1:44.190
- Hafizh Syahrin, Malaysia (NTS), 1:44.268
- Thomas Luthi, Switzerland (Kalex), 1:44.314
- Somkiat Chantra, Thailand (Kalex), 1:44.354
- Joe Roberts, USA (Kalex), 1:44.498
- Simone Corsi, Italy (MV Agusta), 1:44.590
- Bo Bendsneyder, Netherlands (Kalex), 1:44.643
- Tony Arbolino, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.711
- Tetsuta Nagashima, Japan (Kalex), 1:44.903
- Barry Baltus, Belgium (NTS), 1:45.093
- Piotr Biesiekirski, Poland (Kalex), 1:45.945
- Lorenzo Baldassarri, Italy (MV Agusta), 1:46.789
MotoGP: Quartararo Fastest In FP2 At Algarve GP
FIM MotoGP World Championship
Algarve International Circuit
Portimao, Portugal
November 5, 2021
Free Practice Two Results (all on Michelin tires):
- Fabio Quartararo, France (Yamaha), 1:39.390
- Francesco Bagnaia, Italy (Ducati), 1:39.522
- Jack Miller, Australia (Ducati), 1:39.611
- Joan Mir, Spain (Suzuki), 1:39.680
- Pol Espargaro, Spain (Honda), 1:39.792
- Johann Zarco, France (Ducati), 1:39.889
- Alex Marquez, Spain (Honda), 1:40.042
- Aleix Espargaro, Spain (Aprilia), 1:40.069
- Takaaki Nakagami, Japan (Honda), 1:40.122
- Alex Rins, Spain (Suzuki), 1:40.176
- Jorge Martin, Spain (Ducati), 1:40.179
- Franco Morbidelli, Italy (Yamaha), 1:40.225
- Danilo Petrucci, Italy (KTM), 1:40.231
- Maverick Vinales, Spain (Aprilia), 1:40.284
- Luca Marini, Italy (Ducati), 1:40.323
- Enea Bastianini, Italy (Ducati), 1:40.467
- Brad Binder, South Africa (KTM), 1:40.498
- Stefan Bradl, Germany (Honda), 1:40.700
- Miguel Oliveira, Portugal (KTM), 1:40.935
- Iker Lecuona, Spain (KTM), 1:41.097
- Valentino Rossi, Italy (Yamaha), 1:41.174
- Andrea Dovizioso, Italy (Yamaha), 1:41.214
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Quartararo on a roll to beat Ducati duo on Day 1
The newly-crowned Champion tops the timesheets ahead of Bagnaia and Miller
Friday, 05 November 2021
It was a very impressive opening day of action at the Grande Prémio Brembo do Algarve for 2021 World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). After claiming P1 in FP1, the flying Frenchman topped FP2 with a 1:39.390 to beat Francesco Bagnaia by 0.132, with Jack Miller making it two Ducati Lenovo Team machines in the top three.
FP1
Quartararo started the day as he meant to go on: fastest. However, the Frenchman left it until his last lap to edge out Bagnaia by just 0.045s. Quartararo’s 1:40.192 was good enough to beat third place Miller by 0.131 too, with three familiar faces fighting in out in the top three.
Team Suzuki Ecstar duo Alex Rins – who sported a phenomenal shoulder cam in FP1 – and 2020 World Champion Joan Mir completed the first top five of the weekend as the riders got a sunny and dry opening Free Practice session under their belts, impressing early on.
There were no incidents in FP1.
FP2
Conditions remained perfect in FP2 and three Hondas were able to get themselves into the top six by the time the session had reached the halfway point – Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) sat P4 ahead of Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) and Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu). However, the top three from FP1 remained unchanged – Quartararo, Bagnaia, Miller – both in terms of position and time.
With 16 minutes left on the clock, a change at the top occurred. Bagnaia slammed in a 1:40.007 to leapfrog Quartararo into P1, and the Italian’s advantage was now 0.185s. The final 10 minutes then reared its head and, as usual, soft tyres and pushing for top 10 slot was the name of the game. Mir became the first rider to dip below the 1.40 bracket, and the 2020 Champion went even quicker on the next lap.
Miller then went top, but Quartararo immediately shoved the Australian down to second. Pecco was then able to string a personal best lap of the day together on his final effort, but the Italian couldn’t quite find an answer for Quartararo.
There were no crashes in FP2 either.
Combined timesheets
Behind Quartararo and the Ducati Lenovo Team duo, Mir slots into fourth. It was a positive day at the office for the Spaniard and the number 36 heads into Saturday just a couple of tenths down on Quartararo.
Fifth place Pol Espargaro leads the Honda charge, with Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) moving up from P13 in FP1 to take sixth overall and in FP2, readying for his charge at the title of top Independent Team rider on Sunday…
Alex Marquez enjoyed his Friday on the rollercoaster and took seventh, the Spaniard heading compatriot Aleix Esaprgaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and LCR Honda teammate Nakagami in P8 and P9, respectively. The final provisional place in Q2 goes to Rins as it stands, but the top 15 riders are split by less than a second so far…
Will FP3 see another shuffle? The skies look likely to stay dry so it’s all hands on deck for a time attack on Saturday morning from 9:55 (GMT), before qualifying from 14:10!
Raul Fernandez pips Lowes by 0.002, Gardner third despite a crash
The rookie head the veteran on Day 1, with the Championship leader third but showing good pace despite a clash in FP2
Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) finished top of the pile on Day 1 at the Grande Prémio Brembo do Algarve, but only just. Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was just 0.002 off the Spaniard’s 1:43.246 by the end of play, with the Brit continuing his Misano momentum. World Championship leader Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was third quickest and quick all day, but the Australian suffered some late drama at the final corner when he crashed with Marcos Ramirez (American Racing). Riders ok, the incident was investigated and no further action was taken.
FP1
It’s all about the Red Bull KTM Ajo duo in terms of the Championship, with Gardner holding his first match point this weekend. The duo – as ever – looked strong, finishing 1-2 in FP1 in the Australian’s favour… but by just 0.014. Aron Canet (QuieroCorredor Aspar Team), rookie Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Hector Garzo (Flexbox HP40) locked out the top five in the opening session.
Fermin Aldeguer (Termozeta Speed Up) crashed and rejoined, and Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and came together, all riders ok.
FP2
Gardner was fastest in the early stages before Raul Fernandez hit back, with Lowes also able to split the duo by the flag. Gardner had a big wobble late on and then suffered the incident with Ramirez, although both riders were up and ok it was a tougher end to the day. Still, Gardner is just 0.122 off his teammate heading into FP3.
The high profile incident for the points leader was the only one of the session.
Combined timesheets
Behind Raul Fernandez, Lowes and Gardner, Jorge Navarro (Termozeta Speed Up) made good progress in the afternoon to finish P4 on Day 1, up from P13 in Fp1. He was just 0.004s away from Gardner too. Ogura crashed in FP1 but was in fine form in FP2 to claim P5, the Japanese rider only 0.001s ahead of Canet.
Sky Racing Team VR46’s Marco Bezzecchi and rookie teammate Vietti cemented Day 1 top 10s in P7 and P8, respectively. Augusto Fernandez bounced back to take P9 on the Friday combined standings, with Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) rounding out the top 10. It’s currently Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2; Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) and Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) who stand to join them in Q2…. but it can all change on Saturday morning.
After late drama for Gardner and smooth sailing for Raul Fernandez, don’t miss Moto2™ FP3 at 10:55 local time (GMT) on Saturday before qualifying from 15:10.
Fenati leads Foggia y 0.015, Acosta fourth on Friday
The veteran Italians lead Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Masia and Acosta, with the Algarve GP already shaping up for a showdown
Day 1 at the Grande Prémio Brembo do Algarve in Moto3™ belonged to Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) as the Italian ousted compatriot and title contender Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) from top spot in FP2. Fenati’s 1:48.026 saw him beat Foggia by just 0.015s, as Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) claimed P3 at the end of play on Friday.
FP1
Acosta led much of the session, and then Foggia hit back in the latter stages to take over by a significant margin – and one he kept, ending FP1 seventh tenths clear of Stefano Nepa (BOE Owlride), with Filip Salač (CarXpert PrüstelGP) a closer third. Acosta ended the session in P6, just over eight tenths off Foggia.
Riccardo Rossi (BOE Owlride) crashed, as did Ryusei Yamanaka (CarXpert PrüstelGP), both riders ok.
FP2
For a long time it looked like Foggia’s 1:48.296 in FP1 was going to remain the fastest time on the opening day of lightweight class action, but that all changed late in the afternoon session. Fenati was able to jump ahead of Foggia and steal the Day 1 honours, but there’s nothing in it between the Italians as the latter also improved.
Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) led the resistance a couple of tenths behind the duo, and World Championship leader Acosta moved up in the afternoon to fourth, only two and a half tenths off the top.
Both Foggia and Acosta look strong once more in the Algarve, and if Friday is anything to go by, Saturday and Sunday’s battle between the top two in the title race looks like it will be a belter.
Alberto Surra (Rivacold Snipers Team) crashed, rider ok, and both his teammate Andrea Migno and Dani Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) suffered technical issues. Riders all ok.
Combined Timesheets
Behind Fenati, Foggia and Red Bull KTM Ajo, rounding out the top five is a stellar job from rookie Adrian Fernandez (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team), the Spaniard just 0.349s off the top, with the experienced Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia VR46 Academy) picking up P6.
Salač, Ayumu Sasaki (Red Bull KTM Tech3), Rossi and Yamanaka complete the top ten, with Izan Guevara (Muchoneumatico GASGAS Aspar Team), Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing), Carlos Tatay (Avintia Esponsorama Moto3) and Nepa set to join them in moving through. Sasaki and Guevara also have Long Lap penalties to serve on race day though, after ebing observed riding slowly on the racing line on Friday.
Will the times tumble once more in FP3? Will both Acosta and Foggia make it into Q2? Find out at 09:00 local time (GMT) before qualifying from 12:35.
Moto3: Fenati Leads FP2 At Algarve GP
FIM Moto3 World Championship
Algarve International Circuit
Portimao, Portugal
November 5, 2021
Free Practice Two Results (all using Dunlop tires):
- Romano Fenati, Italy (Husqvarna), 1:48.026
- Dennis Foggia, Italy (Honda), 1:48.041
- Jaume Masia, Spain (KTM), 1:48.258
- Pedro Acosta, Spain (KTM), 1:48.267
- Adrian Fernandez, Spain (Husqvarna), 1:48.375
- Niccolo Antonelli, Italy (KTM), 1:48.521
- Filip Salac, Czech Republic (KTM), 1:48.540
- Ayumu Sasaki, Japan (KTM), 1:48.697
- Riccardo Rossi, Italy (KTM), 1:48.708
- Ryusei Yamanaka, Japan (KTM), 1:48.804
Moto2: Gardner Tops FP1 In Portugal
FIM Moto2 World Championship
Algarve International Circuit
Portimao, Portugal
November 5, 2021
Free Practice One Results (all using Triumph engines and Dunlop tires):
- Remy Gardner, Australia (Kalex), 1:43.667
- Raul Fernandez, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.681
- Aron Canet, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:43.798
- Celestino Vietti, Italy (Kalex), 1:43.799
- Hector Garzo, Spain (Kalex), 1:43.973
- Jake Dixon, UK (Kalex), 1:44.044
- Marco Bezzecchi, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.086
- Stefano Manzi, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.135
- Fabio Di Giannantonio, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.142
- Albert Arenas, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:44.174
- Cameron Beaubier, USA (Kalex), 1:44.177
- Xavi Vierge, Spain (Kalex), 1:44.194
- Jorge Navarro, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:44.289
- Sam Lowes, UK (Kalex), 1:44.402
- Marcel Schrotter, Germany (Kalex), 1:44.452
- Ai Ogura, Japan (Kalex), 1:44.462
- Marcos Ramirez, Spain (Kalex), 1:44.515
- Thomas Luthi, Switzerland (Kalex), 1:44.653
- Fermin Aldeguer, Spain (Boscoscuro), 1:44.681
- Barry Baltus, Belgium (NTS), 1:44.732
- Nicolo Bulega, Italy (Kalex), 1:44.751
- Somkiat Chantra, Thailand (Kalex), 1:44.920
- Bo Bendsneyder, Netherlands (Kalex), 1:44.966
- Tetsuta Nagashima, Japan (Kalex), 1:45.094
- Hafizh Syahrin, Malaysia (NTS), 1:45.101
- Joe Roberts, USA (Kalex), 1:45.116
- Tony Arbolino, Italy (Kalex), 1:45.349
- Augusto Fernandez, Spain (Kalex), 1:45.482
- Simone Corsi, Italy (MV Agusta), 1:45.515
- Lorenzo Baldassarri, Italy (MV Agusta), 1:46.570
- Piotr Biesiekirski, Poland (Kalex), 1:46.965
MotoGP: Quartararo Quickest In FP1 At Algarve GP
FIM MotoGP World Championship
Algarve International Circuit
Portimao, Portugal
November 5, 2021
Free Practice One Results (all on Michelin tires):
- Fabio Quartararo, France (Yamaha), 1:40.192
- Francesco Bagnaia, Italy (Ducati), 1:40.237
- Jack Miller, Australia (Ducati), 1:40.323
- Alex Rins, Spain (Suzuki), 1:40.551
- Joan Mir, Spain (Suzuki), 1:40.689
- Luca Marini, Italy (Ducati), 1:40.785
- Pol Espargaro, Spain (Honda), 1:40.795
- Maverick Vinales, Spain (Aprilia), 1:40.853
- Franco Morbidelli, Italy (Yamaha), 1:40.887
- Aleix Espargaro, Spain (Aprilia), 1:40.889
- Alex Marquez, Spain (Honda), 1:40.948
- Takaaki Nakagami, Japan (Honda), 1:40.995
- Johann Zarco, France (Ducati), 1:41.084
- Iker Lecuona, Spain (KTM), 1:41.199
- Brad Binder, South Africa (KTM), 1:41.215
- Danilo Petrucci, Italy (KTM), 1:41.296
- Jorge Martin, Spain (Ducati), 1:41.348
- Miguel Oliveira, Portugal (KTM), 1:41.375
- Andrea Dovizioso, Italy (Yamaha), 1:41.392
- Enea Bastianini, Italy (Ducati), 1:41.556
- Stefan Bradl, Germany (Honda), 1:41.654
- Valentino Rossi, Italy (Yamaha), 1:42.080
Moto3: Foggia Fastest In FP1 At Algarve GP
FIM Moto3 World Championship
Algarve International Circuit
Portimao, Portugal
November 5, 2021
Free Practice One Results (all using Dunlop tires):
- Dennis Foggia, Italy (Honda), 1:48.296
- Stefano Nepa, Italy (KTM), 1:49.048
- Filip Salac, Czech Republic (KTM), 1:49.082
- Andrea Migno, Italy (Honda), 1:49.153
- John McPhee, UK (Honda), 1:49.157
- Pedro Acosta, Spain (KTM), 1:49.168
- Jeremy Alcoba, Spain (Honda), 1:49.268
- Darryn Binder, South Africa (Honda), 1:49.272
- Jaume Masia, Spain (KTM), 1:49.455
- Izan Guevara, Spain (GASGAS), 1:49.467
MotoAmerica: Riders, Teams React To 2022 Supersport Technical Rules
Copyright 2021, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By David Swarts
Last month, MotoAmerica, following the lead of the FIM Supersport World Championship, announced proposed new technical rules for its 2022 Supersport Championship.
Under the new rules, the class, which has traditionally been contested by riders on 599cc and 636cc inline four-cylinder motorcycles, will now be open to the 955cc V-Twin Ducati Panigale V2, the 798cc inline three-cylinder MV Agusta F3, and the 765cc inline three-cylinder Triumph Street Triple 765 RS.
The new machines will be required to use control electronics packages and be subject to restrictions, including prescribed engine maps and rev limits, to limit their performance, while the 599cc and 636cc machines will be allowed to add aftermarket camshafts, aftermarket velocity stacks, and have some light cylinder head modifications to bring the level of their engine performance up and closer to that of the new machines.
According to MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland, MotoAmerica will constantly evaluate the performance of the different machines during the 2022 season,and then make adjustments to the balancing parameters and rules governing the various machines after every third race or more often if it is deemed necessary.
To get reaction to the new Supersport technical rules we reached out to riders and teams that contested the 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.
First, we asked if anyone from MotoAmerica leadership consulted with them during the 2021 season to get their feedback on proposed changes to the Supersport class or inform them that big changes were coming.
None of those contacted by Roadracingworld.com said they were consulted by MotoAmerica on the current status or future of the Supersport class and rules.
Next, we asked for their opinion of the proposed 2022 Supersport technical rules and if they planned to continue in the class next season. Here are the reactions we received. Responding parties are listed in order of 2021 Championship finishing position.
Stoney Landers, who fielded his rider/son Rocco Landers on a Landers Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 supported by Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. and took 4th in the 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship with four podium finishes, said: “It’s very difficult when you have different cc [engine size] motorcycles competing against each other. We experienced it in Supersport with the Kawasaki 636, in Junior Cup we experienced it, and I guess we’re going to experience it again. I don’t know how it’s going to play out.
“As soon as you add all these different engine sizes it’s up to MotoAmerica to balance the class. I think that’s going to put a lot of pressure on them to make it right. I also understand that’s the direction the world is going, so it is what it is.”
Landers said he had not finalized his team’s 2022 racing plans at post time.
Benjamin Smith, who finished 5th in the 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship with two podium finishes on his North East Cycle Outlet Racing Yamaha YZF-R6, said: “I think it’s going to be interesting. I think it’s just going to come down to us getting the most we can out of the R6.
“We know the chassis is great. It really just comes down to what we can do with the motor to have it be reliable and fast enough to keep up with the Triumph and the Ducati and the MV.
“I think it’s also going to come down to if people can get those other bikes to work and handle well. I think it’s going to take some time to figure out what bikes need to be restricted and how much restriction. That’s definitely going to take some time. I’m not opposed to it, that’s for sure, but it’s going to change the look of the class a lot, in my opinion.”
Smith said he looked at moving up to the Stock 1000 and Superbike classes but has decided to continue with his Yamaha in Supersport in 2022.
Stefano Mesa, who finished 6th in the 2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship with one race win and four more podiums finishes on his 636cc MESA37 Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R, said, “To be honest with you when the rules came out, I threw my [MotoAmerica Supersport] program aside because for me it doesn’t make sense to go do something when they are kind of allowing in superior bikes, in a way. I know they are new bikes and they have to go test and do a lot of stuff, but HSBK [Racing] is going to do something very good [with a Ducati Panigale V2].
“Even if we do all of this work, the new bikes are going to be 10 horsepower up on us. And the bad thing is when we do all of this work things can go bad much easier. And for sure it will cost us more.
“I know how MotoAmerica is looking at all of this, but I feel every time they do something right they do something so big and mess everything up.”
Nolan Lamkin, who finished 12th in the 2021 MotoAmerica Championship with one podium finish, said, “It is what it is. Even if I wanted something changed I couldn’t really get it changed. And if this is what it’s got to be to have the series survive, then that’s cool.
“I haven’t priced the stuff out yet. If you stay on the R6 it will be a lot quicker speed-wise, [but] I’ve heard our motors are now going to cost $4,000 [each] before labor. I believe it was $1,800 [each] before.
“It adds, one, the cost, and, two, questions about reliability. Before, we were running OEM everything, so we didn’t really have to worry about going through that many [engines]. Now that they’re going to be higher performing and tuned closer to the edge, we may have to have another motor. I’m not sure right now how that will change things.
“My thing is, I can’t control the bikes. I can’t control the other riders. The only things I can actually control are myself and my program.
“I am [planning to go racing in MotoAmerica Supersport again]. I looked at doing something different, because I am one of the taller riders and a 1000, on paper, would fit me well, but I already have my 600 program. I’ve heard some issues people are having with the supply chain and things like that while trying to get parts, and I don’t want to have to go through building a new bike and not be able to get stuff. I have the majority of my [600] program, and it’s just a matter of finding the financial backing.”
MotoGP: Quartararo Shifts Focus To Winning “Triple Crown”
“Starting together and fighting together would be nice”: the gloves come off on the Algarve
Thursday, 04 November 2021
The dust has somewhat settled after a dramatic title decider last time out, but now it’s time to get back in gear for another stunner. The Grande Prémio Brembo do Algarve got underway on Thursday with the Pre-Event Press Conference, with newly-crowned 2021 MotoGP™ World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) joined by second overall Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Repsol Honda Team’s podium finisher Pol Espargaro, home hero Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and the leader in the battle for Rookie of the Year Enea Bastianini (Avintia Esponsorama), also fresh from the rostrum.
Here are some key quotes!
Fabio Quartararo: “My voice is still quite bad but it was super nice to celebrate with the team after Misano on Sunday and I spent a few days with my family and yeah, it was super nice! It was also tough to go back to training after a few parties but it was necessary and of course, to feel ready for the race. But of course it was a really special week after winning the title in Misano.
“Honestly I feel – I would not say pressure because I achieved my goal. I will give my best, of course I come here to fight for the victory and for the podium but it’s not something I can really control. I will give my best but we will see the final result. It would be nice to achieve the triple crown and to see if we can achieve it!”
Francesco Bagnaia: “I think that it is more because I lost the race than the Championship, because I was sure Fabio deserved that more. I was a lot of points behind and also, I was winning the race in Misano. If I had won, then I would have been like 36 points behind, and with 36 points we have a lot of possibility to win the title. In any case, I tried my all. It was not our objective to win the Championship this season because I was coming from two very difficult seasons. My first two years in MotoGP I struggled a lot. This year I learned a lot, I grew with the team and in the last part of the season I was fighting for the Championship, but I was too far behind. In any case we tried. I knew with the hard front I was more competitive, but I crashed. I tried my all and this was the only possibility to remain in the Championship fight, to win the race. And I tried.
“For sure these two races will be nice to do. Now Fabio doesn’t have any pressure. So, I would really like to fight with him, not like in Misano, but starting together and fighting together would be nice to have. They are two different tracks. In April/May I was fast here, in Valencia I’ve never been fast in my life so I have to understand how to do it.”
Pol Espargaro: “This is a place where I enjoy quite a lot and in the past year with KTM I performed and, for sure it wasn’t amazingly good but it was a decent race and I almost finished on the podium. But in the beginning of the year we came here with many many problems, we struggled a lot, I had a big crash at the last corner and I don’t have the best memories with the Honda here. Anyway I came here during the summer break to train so I have the layout fresher maybe than the others which is nice, also the bike has changed quite a lot from that moment at the beginning of the year. Honestly speaking we have more possibilities to have a great weekend than what we did at the beginning of the year, so really looking forward to jumping on the bike again after the nice vibes we took in the past weekend in Misano.
“From the past races I have been, you know, working in that direction thinking that this year is over for me. It was over a lot of races ago, I started to think about the future with Honda, we tried to do the maximum we could with the current package, thinking of next year, trying to generate or copy what we have inside the rules with next year’s bike. We had some benefits and some contrasts, we had a lot of problems in Texas and then we come to Misano and we had all the contrasts, we had the benefits with the current package thinking about next year. There are these pros and cons, thinking about next year, I’m looking to just make a reset. With all the experience and knowledge I have with Honda I sometimes feel quite comfortable and I can achieve great results, start from zero with a good base, and from there try to enjoy the bike. I haven’t enjoyed much because I’ve been struggling quite a lot. The future I think is bright but we have to work harder than the others because we start with a disadvantage.”
Miguel Oliveira: “For sure we get to a home GP with a different kind of mentality. Beginning of the season we were having too many problems and the package was not really complete. The conditions were much different from what we had in November the previous season, so definitely we didn’t have anything going our way, and now towards the end of the championship even if the result was not finished in Misano, at least I had a good connection back with the bike. Already in Texas I found a little bit more of this connection and although if the result is not there the feeling is there, so I think this is the most important thing to build a good weekend. For sure the key is to start tomorrow with this feeling, give a good feedback to the team and finish these two last races of the season on a high.
“We have every reason to believe that we can achieve a good result. Of course, it’s always depending on a lot of things, but we know that the intention is there, and we have every reason to believe in that direction. The opponents are going to be tough of course, everyone likes this track, everyone who goes fast on it, so it’s going to be about adapting better to every situation on the track and especially during the race understanding what is a good line and the normal racing routine at the weekend.”
Enea Bastianini: “I took another podium in the last race and I am very happy about this. Now I have an advantage over Jorge Martin but he can be fast like me, especially here in Portimão, but in Valencia I’m not very fast and I have to improve in this area. In Misano we did a good job in the race but not on Saturday because I did three crashes in eight laps, I think, but we can be Rookie (of the Year) this year and we can battle for this.
“I like Portimão a lot, it’s a very strange circuit but I like, it’s one of my favourites. You know it’s not easy to be fast here, and I’m advantaged in respect to Jorge because he’s crashed in the last races but we have to stay concentrated and understand what we can do to be competitive in the weekend and also on Saturday.”
Stoner returns! The two-time Champion and MotoGP™ Legend stops in at Portimão
It’s been a while but the paddock in Portimão has the pleasure of welcoming back MotoGP™ Legend and two-time premier class Champion Casey Stoner for the weekend! And of course, one priority on his first day was a check in with Ducati. Both Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia were on hand in the box for a photo op (and a natter) on Thursday. Stay tuuuuuned!