ASBK ’22: Jones the Winner; Herfoss the Sentimental Winner
Qualifying – Alpinestars Superbike
It could be the heat. It could be the 76 points on offer for a perfect score. It could be the fact that we’re (pretty much) at the halfway point of the season. It most definitely was related to the arm-wrestle for leadership of the championship, but the qualifying sessions for the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown were one of the best and most exciting sessions seen in many years.
While the early session just saw top riders do enough to avoid missing Q2, for the second session the top 12 riders in the country put on a show worthy of the large crowd who were in attendance.
Mike Jones did enough in Q1 to ensure he would be there for Q2, whereas Wayne Maxwell did a Wayne Maxwell and of course topped the sheets when that was not required.
But when it really mattered in the second qualifying session, Jones got down to business and hit a 1:05.411 that he followed a while later with a 1:05.333 and then a fastest-for the-weekend 1:05.213.
While it wasn’t into the 1:04s that various pundits had predicted, the feeling in the paddock was that Maxwell would need to keep it together and his early qualifying laps- that included a short off circuit excursion- indicated that perhaps the reigning champion would not be able to have a solid dip in the last few minutes.
And then everyone else had a dip. With a few minutes to go a glance at the timing monitors was eye popping as a multitude of riders mid-lap were dipping into the fastest lap, lap record and personal best territory.
As has been often the case, the longest and hardest sector- three- would be the undoing of many.
…except for Wayne Maxwell, who just pushed through to take not only the pole position, but get into the 1:04s, the qualifying record time and – but for Mike Jones’ emphatic race simulation times on Friday- warm favouritism for the opening race.
Qualifying Grid
Alpinestars Superbike
1 #1 Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) / Boost Mobile Racing with K-tech / AMA / Ipone / Pirelli / McMartin Racing Ducati V4R 1:04.962 7 of 10 286
2 #46 Mike JONES (QLD) / Yamaha Racing Team Yamaha YZF-R1 1:05.213 6 of 10 .251 .251 277
Motorsport is rarely a sport associated with romance. That concept is oft the domain of athletics and horseracing and not sports with so much noise and colour.
Race 1 Result – Alpinestars Superbike
But one could not ignore the romance of Troy Herfoss fighting his way out- not only from sixth place on the grid- but out of a Darwin Hospital where he was 12 months ago to the day after his worst ever crash- a crash that many thought would see the end of his career.
That Mike Jones was out front reeling off lap after consistent lap was impressive- and frankly might be the start of a critical and definitive run to the 2022 Championship- but it was hard to get past not only the Herfoss result, but also the battle that he and Bryan Staring had to get to the line.
The race started off at the expected frenetic pace with the magnificent DesmoSport Ducati in its one-off indigenous livery, firing off the line from third into first for turn one. Bryan Staring wisely didn’t go too deep into the opening turn and that spooked then-second placed Arthur Sissis who had also had a huge start from seventh.
After leading for five laps, Staring found himself second to the number 46 Yamaha after Mike Jones decided that he had the pace and tyres to go to the line. As soon as he hit the lead, Jones focused on smooth, consistent laps and eked out a small, but noticeable gap.
While it was not immediately obvious to anyone off track, early in the race, 2021 Champion Wayne Maxwell was in trouble. His electronics were not on song, and he was losing power and drive in places where there was no need to drop power. Riders around him pounced as the big Ducati popped and burped its way around the Hidden Valley layout. Fourth in race one was a good outcome given the circumstances.
Glenn Allerton had been relegated from eight to tenth after a track limits breach in qualifying and apparently that situation had fired him up as he took the BMW M1000RR from tenth to fourth. In his 100th ASBK round, Allerton was not in the mood for a mid-pack finish. Glenn found himself in a group that were all looking to work their way back into podium contention and while he was unable to get by Maxwell, fifth on the day was a good outcome on a weekend where the Maxima Oils Racing Team appear to be making significant steps forward.
Allerton’s teammate Josh Waters also had a great start but some timing glitches with his transponder made it difficult to establish just exactly how he was going. For all the issues with his timing, he did in fact nail the fastest lap of the race with a 1:05.499 and after a difficult Friday eighth was not what he wanted, but there are good signs for the rest of his weekend.
Cru Halliday had a poor start and went from sixth to eighth. While he would work his way past a few riders, on the day the best he could manage was a return to sixth by the checkered flag.
For the leading group, it was all panning out to Mike Jones’ liking as he stretched his lead a little each lap. Herfoss had passed Maxwell and while you could not see his face, the attitude of the Honda and Herfoss’ body language showed he was absolutely looking to bridge the multi second gap to Staring.
And he did. With just two laps left, Herfoss arrived for what would be the battle of the day. With respect for each other, but a championship and the day’s honours to battle for, they traded positions multiple times and nearly sent themselves off track on the last lap. It was nail biting, exciting and brilliant dicing with Herfoss coming out the winner- albeit for second place on the day.
While the Staring/Herfoss fight was holding the attention of the TV directors and fans, Jones quietly took the Championship by the scruff of the neck as he took race one. He might have missed the bonus point for pole, but the 25 points for the win was ample compensation. With nominal non-title contender Herfoss second, the stretch in Jones’ Championship points lead over Maxwell and Staring was an added bonus.
And we have two more races tomorrow…
Mike Jones:
Bryan was being a bit conservative in the early phase, and I was feeling pretty good, so I pushed passed Bryan and got a good gap. Nice and easy race for me, no dicing so it was a great outcome.
For me the tyres weren’t much of an issue and they degraded fairly consistently, but ultimately I was just trying to smooth and gentle.
Just need to wake up on the right side of the bed and do it all again….
Troy Herfoss:
Far out, this probably the proudest moment I’ve had a on a motorbike.
Just sitting in the truck with the team right now, you realise how invested everyone has been in my recovery.
It’s been a big mental battle to believe I can get back here.
Bryan Staring:
I started a little conservative as Mike said, I just wanted to find my feet in the race.
In the end I was constantly defending my position… I was seeing on the pit board that I was getting him (Jones) back a little bit, but I also had a tail that was getting shorter, and I knew who it was going to be.
Overall I started that race in the lead and I finished at the wrong side of the podium – I certainly didn’t have a bad race but not one that really satisfied me.
Bagnaia breaks the 1:19 barrier to beat Quartararo to pole
The number 63 puts in a sizzling new pole lap record to head Quartararo and Zarco on the front row in Germany
Francesco Bagnaia (63). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 18 June 2022
Ducati Lenovo Team’s Francesco Bagnaia carried his superb Free Practice form into qualifying for the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland as he secured pole position with a new pole lap record. The Italian was the only rider who could get into the 1:19s in Q2 at the Sachsenring – a 1:19.931, specifically – although the front row was still covered by less than a tenth, and the very same Bagnaia remains the outright lap record holder from earlier in the day in FP3. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™’s Fabio Quartararo gave himself a good chance of extending his World Championship with second on the grid, however, and he has 2021 polesitter Johann Zarco alongside him as Prima Pramac Racing rider took third.
There are three different factories in the top four too, with Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro heading Row 2, but seven of the Bologna bullets made it into the second part of qualifying and six of those lock out the top eight. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) topped Q1 before claiming fifth in Q2, ahead of Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team), Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing).
In Q2, Bagnaia made a statement with a 1:20.098 on his first flying lap, immediately before an off-track excursion at Turn 1, and that was still the best time once the opening runs were done. By then, teammate Miller had closed to 0.056 behind though, ahead of Martin on a 1:20.277 and Aleix Espargaro on a 1:20.379.
Pecco was quickly back into the pits for another new soft Michelin rear slick and was the first to go for his second run. He tightened his grip on provisional pole with a 1:20.064 and put more space between himself and the field when he backed that up with the aforementioned 1:19.931. No one would beat that time but, with the temperature pushing into the thirties at the Sachsenring, second position was, appropriately, also hotly contested. Aleix Espargaro clocked a 1:20.120 and then Quartararo a 1:20.093, before Zarco pipped both with a 1:20.030.
However, Quartararo does not lead the World Championship without digging deep, and ‘El Diablo’ had just that little bit more pace left as he put in a 1:20.007 just before the chequered flag. Bagnaia then tried to go for a third run, and while he ran out of time to start a lap again, it mattered not – pole was secured.
Di Giannantonio may have fallen into Q1 but he cleared that hurdle and the Italian rookie was as high as third-quickest before settling in fifth on the grid on a 1:20.128. As it stands, he will start between Aleix Espargaro and Miller, the latter of whom was sixth on a 1:20.150. Miller, however, also has a Long Lap penalty to take on Sunday after crashing under a yellow flag following a crash for Aleix Espargaro in FP4.
Seventh on the grid is Marini and eighth is Martin. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) also made Row 3 while 10th went to Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu), who crashed late at Turn 1. Q1 graduate Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) took 11th all-told, joined by Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) on Row 4.
Pol Espargaro was an agonising 0.004 seconds away from moving through thanks to his late flying lap in Q1, and the Repsol Honda rider will therefore start at the head of Row 5 of the grid. He will be joined there by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammates Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder, with Row 6 comprised of Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol), Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), and home hero replacement rider Stefan Bradl (Repsol Honda).
Rounding out a slightly reduced, 23-rider field are Andrea Dovizioso (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team), Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), Remy Gardner (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing), Raul Fernandez (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing), and Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team).
Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) withdrew from the event due to pain from his wrist fractured in Barcelona.
The grid is set, the gauntlet has been thrown down and it’s a Borgo Panigale armada near the front of the field as Quartararo and Aleix Espargaro lead the resistance. Who can become the first non-93 King of the Ring since 2012? We’ll find out at 14:00 (GMT +2) when the lights go out at the spectacular Sachsenring!
Francesco Bagnaia: “I’m happy, we have done a great job. Today, with these conditions that are very hot, and tomorrow it will be even hotter. But in any case, FP4 was a great session, my feeling was good with the tyres, and it was not easy to be constant, but I think all the riders were in the same situation. I’m very happy. I was surprised about starting the weekend like this yesterday, but the feeling has grown, session by session, and now I feel very comfortable with everything. Let’s see tomorrow, with hotter conditions, but I think that our potential is very high this weekend.”
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki ECSTAR:
ALEX RINS CALLS TIME ON GERMAN GP TO FOCUS ON ASSEN RETURN
Alex Rins with his Team Suzuki ECSTAR crew. Photo courtesy Team Suzuki Press Office.
After discussions with his crew and Suzuki management, Alex Rins has taken the decision to sit out the rest of the German GP weekend in Sachsenring.
Although he was cleared to ride by Dr. Xavier Mir in Barcelona, and Dr. Angel Charte at the circuit, and he bravely took part in the FP1, FP2 and FP3 sessions, Rins felt more pain in his injured wrist than he expected. In order to avoid exacerbating the injury further, and to make a full comeback as soon as possible, he will take no further part in proceedings.
Rins will now continue on the recovery path set for him following the break to his pyramidal/triquetral bone, which involves electromagnetic therapy and a course of rest and anti-inflammatories, in the hope that he can be ready for next weekend’s GP of Assen.
There will be no stand-in rider for Rins at the German GP, and therefore Joan Mir will be the sole representative for Suzuki for the remainder of the weekend.
Alex Rins:
“I have decided, together with the team, to stop riding and not compete in the race this weekend. Today the feeling with my hand and wrist is somewhat worse than yesterday, and I found that I was in a lot of pain when I tried to do a fast lap, so I don’t feel I am capable of competing. For this reason, we prefer to focus on being more recovered and stronger for Holland. Hopefully my physical condition will be better in Assen, especially as it’s track that I like a lot.”
Livio Suppo – Team Manager:
“It’s a pity, but the pain is too much, and it makes no sense to take risks for no reward. We hope Alex can recover more in these next days before we head to Holland next week. I want to thank him for the effort he has put in to be here, he has given his all. And thanks also to the team for the job they’ve done.”
Four years in the cauldron of racing at the GP level has taught Energica a few new tricks on how to make an electric motorcycle better. Specifically, Energica has gathered critical information on battery capacity and management, as well as motor design and operation.
But the design of any motorcycle is a compromise. Energica looked at the new performance potential these developments provided and decided to deploy them to make a machine that was more comfortable and rider-friendly.
This week, Energica invited journalists from around the world to sample its all-new Experia Green Tourer, what it calls the world’s first all-electric sport touring motorcycle. What we found when we arrived for the test ride in the Dolomite mountains in northern Italy was a motorcycle that straddled the line between adventure bike and lightweight tourer.
And a brief test ride showed that Energica had indeed hit the design target of a more nimble, more efficient, and still powerful motorcycle that had the creature comforts of a machine designed to eat miles.
Energica launched the Experia Green Tourer in the habitat it was designed for – the twisty roads of the Dolomite mountains in northern Italy. Stunning views, lush pastures, and ski lifts everywhere. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Tech Briefing
Energica’s experience in FIM MotoE World Cup as the sole supplier of the spec Ego Corsa racebikes has led to a new battery configuration that nestles in and through the all-new steel trellis/aluminum castings frame. The battery pack is multifaceted, allowing more heat dissipation, and is lighter than before. Energica says the Experia now has the greatest battery capacity – 22.5 kilowatt-hours–of any production electric motorcycle. A complete redesign also led to a lighter and re-positioned inverter, which now shares coolant with the new motor.
For this machine, Energica employs the second iteration of its EMCE motor. Created in partnership with Mavel, an Italian company with deep experience in the electric automotive sector, the EMCE (Energica Mavel Co-Engineering) motor is smaller and features a permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance design.
To put it simply, synchronous reluctance motors rely on a sophisticated rotor design to generate a magnetic field and spin the rotor, rather than relying on magnets that are a permanent component of the rotor. However, this design produces less torque than the more traditional design, so some magnets are embedded in the rotor to assist with power generation.
The advantages of this design include lower cost, fewer expensive rare earth magnets, greater safety, and less weight. Compared to the motors in Energica’s first motorcycles, the EMCE motor in the Experia weighs 44 pounds less. It makes less power than the EMCE motor in the other machines in the lineup, at 102 bhp and 85 lbs.-ft., but its smaller size allows for it to be mounted lower and for the shock to be relocated to the centerline of the machine, in the traditional location. As is traditional for electric motorcycles, there is no gearbox and no clutch. Claimed weight for the Experia is 573 pounds.
The new chassis is narrower between the rider’s legs and also is lighter than the previous models’ full steel trellis. Forks are 43mm inverted ZF Sachs adjustable for compression, rebound and preload; the ZF Sachs shock is adjustable for rebound and preload only. The tubular bars sit behind the company’s largest fairing–by far–to date.
Brembo master cylinders front and rear operate Brembo calipers–a pair of four-piston units in the front and a single two-piston unit in the back–on 330mm discs on the front wheel and a single 240mm disc in the rear.
Electronic rider aids include adjustable brake regeneration settings, adjustable traction control, cornering ABS by Bosch, and four different power modes–Sport, Urban, Eco and Rain. Creature comforts include heated grips, four USB power outlets, cruise control, a reverse gear ,and voluminous hard luggage by GIVI.
For this model, Energica deployed its new performance capabilities in rider comfort. The drag created by the new fairing is considerable, and electric bikes are particularly sensitive to aero drag in terms of energy consumption. So, the machine has only a slightly longer range than the prior models but gives the rider and passenger much more comfort over longer distances. Energica claims a range of 261 miles in city riding, 160 miles in combined highway/city riding and 130 miles at an average speed of about 68 mph.
The bike can be charged through all three types of charging systems currently available and will go from zero to 80% charged in 40 minutes on a DC fast charger.
Riding The Experia
Energica’s riding loop consisted of narrow, barely-two-lane-wide roads that meandered through small skiing villages in the mountains of northern Italy. It would have been challenging to evaluate the machines at speed if the roads were empty, as many of the corners would have been first-gear, slip-the-clutch curves on an internal combustion motorcycle. And the roads were not empty–much of the ride consisted of threading our way between bicycles, oncoming trucks, cars, and tour buses, as well as the motorcyclists who had thronged to the region.
Still, I found the torque to be impressive when my machine was in Sport mode, and the throttle response was linear and precise. My particular unit, a pre-production model, seemed to have a glitch that left it occasionally shifting itself into a softer power mode, but when it was on, the bike moved forward with the authority that only the largest gas-powered motorcycles can provide.
Energica hit the target when it came to maneuverability and ease of use. The lower center of gravity and narrower frame made it easier to change directions and to flick into those tighter curves. The brakes were well up to the task of plunging into downhill switchbacks.
And electric bikes have a comfort level that is just–serene. It wasn’t just the upright riding position, the spacious legroom, the lack of shifting and clutching. It was the quiet, the lack of vibration, that just left the whole experience feeling relaxed.
I am looking forward to spending time on an Experia in the States and doing a little two-up riding when the test units arrive. Electric bikes are different, but that doesn’t mean bad, and there are definitely parts of that riding experience that are uniquely pleasurable.
Production of the Experia is slated to begin in July, and units will be available in the U.S. in the fall. Suggested retail price starts at $23,750, although the company will at first only offer the Launch Edition with the hard luggage for $25,880.
Rueda heads Sachsenring Qualifying – Applications open for 2023 Rookies Cup
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup points leader José Rueda, the 16-year-old Spaniard, continued his class act by claiming pole at the Sachsenring. Italian 17-year-old Filippo Farioli is only 0.120 seconds behind with Eddie O‘Shea, the 15-year-old Briton, completing the front row.
While the 2022 Rookies were chasing grid positions the Selection Process for the 2023 Cup was opened on the website.
Here you can sign up for the most exciting time of your life.
As always the Cup is open to everyone with a yearning to test themselves against the best teenage racers in the world and this starts with the online application.
Rueda loving the lefts
“I am very happy with that. I have never been here before and it’s not an easy track but I enjoy it so much. All those left corners are great fun.”
“I will push hard from the start and try and get away but I think there will be some riders who will try to go with us.”
“The bike is working really well, I have confidence in it and we really didn’t change much through the practice sessions. I think I am going to enjoy the races a lot.”
Farioli feeling great
“I think we did a very good job. In FP1 the feeling with the bike was not so good, and with the track. But through FP2 I learnt more, I tried some different things and we improved.”
“Then in the Quali I did the same and we got a good position, I’m happy and confident with the bike now, I am enjoying the track and am very focused.”
“I have the pace to do a better and different race to Mugello and I ended today feeling the bike is perfect and my feeling with the track is perfect.”
O‘Shea on the front
“It was very good, My first time on the front row and I believe my first time on the front three rows so I am happy to be up there with the fast boys.”
“I felt confident and all day, I felt I should be on the front row, if anything I am upset that I am not on pole, I felt that good.”
“I couldn’t ask for a better start to the weekend. I learnt a lot from the fast boys at Mugello after running in the front group. Once you do that your confidence level shoots through the roof.”
“So I came into this weekend, this is my favourite track and I said to my family that I’m going to be up there and I’m happy to live up to what I said.”
Piqueras picks up the pieces for 4th
“I am happy with the good Qualifying because I crashed in FP2 and the bike was a mess, destroyed. The guys did a fantastic job to rebuild it for Qualifying,” enthused the 15-year-old Spaniard.
“It is great to come back from that and be on the second row. The bike is fast and I have confidence for the races that I can race at the front.”
Buchanan better than ever in 5th
“I’m very happy with that, I knew the tyres were going to go off very fast, this track is so grippy that the tyres don’t last very long. So I knew that I had to put it in as quickly as I could,” explained the 15-year-old New Zealander.
“On my first flying lap I went off track at the final corner. So that was gone and the next lap had to count before the tyre dropped. So I put everything into that lap.”
I got the lap done, I think that is by far a new personal best for me. Unfortunately after that I crashed but the team were great and managed to fix it, a great job by them.”
“Then I was able to go out and set a really fast pace by myself which bodes well for the races.”
“It’s my best Qualifying by I think 13 positions. The bike set-up is great, I had a lot of confidence with it.”
Quiles kept from continuing
“I went off in the gravel and the bike fell on it’s side, I couldn’t get it out and the marshals didn’t really help me, I was stuck.”
“It’s a shame because I felt a lot of grip and I had a lot of confidence and I could make P5 but after the fall I couldn’t get going. Still I have a good setting for the races and I am feeling confident in the bike,” concluded the Spanish 14-year-old who still qualified 13th
O’Gorman out of luck
“I went to go inside someone on the first lap and high sided off the gas. It took a long time to get the bike back to the pits, the guys did a great job to repair it but we just didn’t make it before the end of the session,” explained the Irish 14-year-old.
Broadcast
This weekend’s Rookies Cup races can be seen live on www.redbull.tv and on TV stations around the world.
Race 1 is at 16:25 CET on Saturday and Race 2 is on Sunday at 15:30, the show starts 10 minutes before the race.
Mike Jones (46) took pole position and won Race One at Hidden Valley. Photo by Karl Phillipson @optikalphoto, courtesy ASBK.
ASBK ’22: Jones the Winner; Herfoss the Sentimental Winner
Qualifying – Alpinestars Superbike
It could be the heat. It could be the 76 points on offer for a perfect score. It could be the fact that we’re (pretty much) at the halfway point of the season. It most definitely was related to the arm-wrestle for leadership of the championship, but the qualifying sessions for the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown were one of the best and most exciting sessions seen in many years.
While the early session just saw top riders do enough to avoid missing Q2, for the second session the top 12 riders in the country put on a show worthy of the large crowd who were in attendance.
Mike Jones did enough in Q1 to ensure he would be there for Q2, whereas Wayne Maxwell did a Wayne Maxwell and of course topped the sheets when that was not required.
But when it really mattered in the second qualifying session, Jones got down to business and hit a 1:05.411 that he followed a while later with a 1:05.333 and then a fastest-for the-weekend 1:05.213.
While it wasn’t into the 1:04s that various pundits had predicted, the feeling in the paddock was that Maxwell would need to keep it together and his early qualifying laps- that included a short off circuit excursion- indicated that perhaps the reigning champion would not be able to have a solid dip in the last few minutes.
And then everyone else had a dip. With a few minutes to go a glance at the timing monitors was eye popping as a multitude of riders mid-lap were dipping into the fastest lap, lap record and personal best territory.
As has been often the case, the longest and hardest sector- three- would be the undoing of many.
…except for Wayne Maxwell, who just pushed through to take not only the pole position, but get into the 1:04s, the qualifying record time and – but for Mike Jones’ emphatic race simulation times on Friday- warm favouritism for the opening race.
Qualifying Grid
Alpinestars Superbike
1 #1 Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) / Boost Mobile Racing with K-tech / AMA / Ipone / Pirelli / McMartin Racing Ducati V4R 1:04.962 7 of 10 286
2 #46 Mike JONES (QLD) / Yamaha Racing Team Yamaha YZF-R1 1:05.213 6 of 10 .251 .251 277
Motorsport is rarely a sport associated with romance. That concept is oft the domain of athletics and horseracing and not sports with so much noise and colour.
Race 1 Result – Alpinestars Superbike
But one could not ignore the romance of Troy Herfoss fighting his way out- not only from sixth place on the grid- but out of a Darwin Hospital where he was 12 months ago to the day after his worst ever crash- a crash that many thought would see the end of his career.
That Mike Jones was out front reeling off lap after consistent lap was impressive- and frankly might be the start of a critical and definitive run to the 2022 Championship- but it was hard to get past not only the Herfoss result, but also the battle that he and Bryan Staring had to get to the line.
The race started off at the expected frenetic pace with the magnificent DesmoSport Ducati in its one-off indigenous livery, firing off the line from third into first for turn one. Bryan Staring wisely didn’t go too deep into the opening turn and that spooked then-second placed Arthur Sissis who had also had a huge start from seventh.
After leading for five laps, Staring found himself second to the number 46 Yamaha after Mike Jones decided that he had the pace and tyres to go to the line. As soon as he hit the lead, Jones focused on smooth, consistent laps and eked out a small, but noticeable gap.
While it was not immediately obvious to anyone off track, early in the race, 2021 Champion Wayne Maxwell was in trouble. His electronics were not on song, and he was losing power and drive in places where there was no need to drop power. Riders around him pounced as the big Ducati popped and burped its way around the Hidden Valley layout. Fourth in race one was a good outcome given the circumstances.
Glenn Allerton had been relegated from eight to tenth after a track limits breach in qualifying and apparently that situation had fired him up as he took the BMW M1000RR from tenth to fourth. In his 100th ASBK round, Allerton was not in the mood for a mid-pack finish. Glenn found himself in a group that were all looking to work their way back into podium contention and while he was unable to get by Maxwell, fifth on the day was a good outcome on a weekend where the Maxima Oils Racing Team appear to be making significant steps forward.
Allerton’s teammate Josh Waters also had a great start but some timing glitches with his transponder made it difficult to establish just exactly how he was going. For all the issues with his timing, he did in fact nail the fastest lap of the race with a 1:05.499 and after a difficult Friday eighth was not what he wanted, but there are good signs for the rest of his weekend.
Cru Halliday had a poor start and went from sixth to eighth. While he would work his way past a few riders, on the day the best he could manage was a return to sixth by the checkered flag.
For the leading group, it was all panning out to Mike Jones’ liking as he stretched his lead a little each lap. Herfoss had passed Maxwell and while you could not see his face, the attitude of the Honda and Herfoss’ body language showed he was absolutely looking to bridge the multi second gap to Staring.
And he did. With just two laps left, Herfoss arrived for what would be the battle of the day. With respect for each other, but a championship and the day’s honours to battle for, they traded positions multiple times and nearly sent themselves off track on the last lap. It was nail biting, exciting and brilliant dicing with Herfoss coming out the winner- albeit for second place on the day.
While the Staring/Herfoss fight was holding the attention of the TV directors and fans, Jones quietly took the Championship by the scruff of the neck as he took race one. He might have missed the bonus point for pole, but the 25 points for the win was ample compensation. With nominal non-title contender Herfoss second, the stretch in Jones’ Championship points lead over Maxwell and Staring was an added bonus.
And we have two more races tomorrow…
Mike Jones:
Bryan was being a bit conservative in the early phase, and I was feeling pretty good, so I pushed passed Bryan and got a good gap. Nice and easy race for me, no dicing so it was a great outcome.
For me the tyres weren’t much of an issue and they degraded fairly consistently, but ultimately I was just trying to smooth and gentle.
Just need to wake up on the right side of the bed and do it all again….
Troy Herfoss:
Far out, this probably the proudest moment I’ve had a on a motorbike.
Just sitting in the truck with the team right now, you realise how invested everyone has been in my recovery.
It’s been a big mental battle to believe I can get back here.
Bryan Staring:
I started a little conservative as Mike said, I just wanted to find my feet in the race.
In the end I was constantly defending my position… I was seeing on the pit board that I was getting him (Jones) back a little bit, but I also had a tail that was getting shorter, and I knew who it was going to be.
Overall I started that race in the lead and I finished at the wrong side of the podium – I certainly didn’t have a bad race but not one that really satisfied me.
Bagnaia breaks the 1:19 barrier to beat Quartararo to pole
The number 63 puts in a sizzling new pole lap record to head Quartararo and Zarco on the front row in Germany
Francesco Bagnaia (63). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 18 June 2022
Ducati Lenovo Team’s Francesco Bagnaia carried his superb Free Practice form into qualifying for the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland as he secured pole position with a new pole lap record. The Italian was the only rider who could get into the 1:19s in Q2 at the Sachsenring – a 1:19.931, specifically – although the front row was still covered by less than a tenth, and the very same Bagnaia remains the outright lap record holder from earlier in the day in FP3. Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™’s Fabio Quartararo gave himself a good chance of extending his World Championship with second on the grid, however, and he has 2021 polesitter Johann Zarco alongside him as Prima Pramac Racing rider took third.
There are three different factories in the top four too, with Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro heading Row 2, but seven of the Bologna bullets made it into the second part of qualifying and six of those lock out the top eight. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) topped Q1 before claiming fifth in Q2, ahead of Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team), Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), and Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing).
In Q2, Bagnaia made a statement with a 1:20.098 on his first flying lap, immediately before an off-track excursion at Turn 1, and that was still the best time once the opening runs were done. By then, teammate Miller had closed to 0.056 behind though, ahead of Martin on a 1:20.277 and Aleix Espargaro on a 1:20.379.
Pecco was quickly back into the pits for another new soft Michelin rear slick and was the first to go for his second run. He tightened his grip on provisional pole with a 1:20.064 and put more space between himself and the field when he backed that up with the aforementioned 1:19.931. No one would beat that time but, with the temperature pushing into the thirties at the Sachsenring, second position was, appropriately, also hotly contested. Aleix Espargaro clocked a 1:20.120 and then Quartararo a 1:20.093, before Zarco pipped both with a 1:20.030.
However, Quartararo does not lead the World Championship without digging deep, and ‘El Diablo’ had just that little bit more pace left as he put in a 1:20.007 just before the chequered flag. Bagnaia then tried to go for a third run, and while he ran out of time to start a lap again, it mattered not – pole was secured.
Di Giannantonio may have fallen into Q1 but he cleared that hurdle and the Italian rookie was as high as third-quickest before settling in fifth on the grid on a 1:20.128. As it stands, he will start between Aleix Espargaro and Miller, the latter of whom was sixth on a 1:20.150. Miller, however, also has a Long Lap penalty to take on Sunday after crashing under a yellow flag following a crash for Aleix Espargaro in FP4.
Seventh on the grid is Marini and eighth is Martin. Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) also made Row 3 while 10th went to Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu), who crashed late at Turn 1. Q1 graduate Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) took 11th all-told, joined by Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) on Row 4.
Pol Espargaro was an agonising 0.004 seconds away from moving through thanks to his late flying lap in Q1, and the Repsol Honda rider will therefore start at the head of Row 5 of the grid. He will be joined there by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammates Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder, with Row 6 comprised of Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol), Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), and home hero replacement rider Stefan Bradl (Repsol Honda).
Rounding out a slightly reduced, 23-rider field are Andrea Dovizioso (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team), Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™), Remy Gardner (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing), Raul Fernandez (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing), and Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team).
Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) withdrew from the event due to pain from his wrist fractured in Barcelona.
The grid is set, the gauntlet has been thrown down and it’s a Borgo Panigale armada near the front of the field as Quartararo and Aleix Espargaro lead the resistance. Who can become the first non-93 King of the Ring since 2012? We’ll find out at 14:00 (GMT +2) when the lights go out at the spectacular Sachsenring!
Francesco Bagnaia: “I’m happy, we have done a great job. Today, with these conditions that are very hot, and tomorrow it will be even hotter. But in any case, FP4 was a great session, my feeling was good with the tyres, and it was not easy to be constant, but I think all the riders were in the same situation. I’m very happy. I was surprised about starting the weekend like this yesterday, but the feeling has grown, session by session, and now I feel very comfortable with everything. Let’s see tomorrow, with hotter conditions, but I think that our potential is very high this weekend.”
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki ECSTAR:
ALEX RINS CALLS TIME ON GERMAN GP TO FOCUS ON ASSEN RETURN
Alex Rins with his Team Suzuki ECSTAR crew. Photo courtesy Team Suzuki Press Office.
After discussions with his crew and Suzuki management, Alex Rins has taken the decision to sit out the rest of the German GP weekend in Sachsenring.
Although he was cleared to ride by Dr. Xavier Mir in Barcelona, and Dr. Angel Charte at the circuit, and he bravely took part in the FP1, FP2 and FP3 sessions, Rins felt more pain in his injured wrist than he expected. In order to avoid exacerbating the injury further, and to make a full comeback as soon as possible, he will take no further part in proceedings.
Rins will now continue on the recovery path set for him following the break to his pyramidal/triquetral bone, which involves electromagnetic therapy and a course of rest and anti-inflammatories, in the hope that he can be ready for next weekend’s GP of Assen.
There will be no stand-in rider for Rins at the German GP, and therefore Joan Mir will be the sole representative for Suzuki for the remainder of the weekend.
Alex Rins:
“I have decided, together with the team, to stop riding and not compete in the race this weekend. Today the feeling with my hand and wrist is somewhat worse than yesterday, and I found that I was in a lot of pain when I tried to do a fast lap, so I don’t feel I am capable of competing. For this reason, we prefer to focus on being more recovered and stronger for Holland. Hopefully my physical condition will be better in Assen, especially as it’s track that I like a lot.”
Livio Suppo – Team Manager:
“It’s a pity, but the pain is too much, and it makes no sense to take risks for no reward. We hope Alex can recover more in these next days before we head to Holland next week. I want to thank him for the effort he has put in to be here, he has given his all. And thanks also to the team for the job they’ve done.”
The Energica Experia Green Tourer Launch Edition comes with a full sport-touring fairing and hard luggage. The bike weighs 573 pounds, makes 102 horsepower and 85 lbs.-ft. of torque, and will cover up to 160 miles in combined city/highway riding. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Copyright 2022, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
By Michael Gougis
Four years in the cauldron of racing at the GP level has taught Energica a few new tricks on how to make an electric motorcycle better. Specifically, Energica has gathered critical information on battery capacity and management, as well as motor design and operation.
But the design of any motorcycle is a compromise. Energica looked at the new performance potential these developments provided and decided to deploy them to make a machine that was more comfortable and rider-friendly.
This week, Energica invited journalists from around the world to sample its all-new Experia Green Tourer, what it calls the world’s first all-electric sport touring motorcycle. What we found when we arrived for the test ride in the Dolomite mountains in northern Italy was a motorcycle that straddled the line between adventure bike and lightweight tourer.
And a brief test ride showed that Energica had indeed hit the design target of a more nimble, more efficient, and still powerful motorcycle that had the creature comforts of a machine designed to eat miles.
Energica launched the Experia Green Tourer in the habitat it was designed for – the twisty roads of the Dolomite mountains in northern Italy. Stunning views, lush pastures, and ski lifts everywhere. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Tech Briefing
Energica’s experience in FIM MotoE World Cup as the sole supplier of the spec Ego Corsa racebikes has led to a new battery configuration that nestles in and through the all-new steel trellis/aluminum castings frame. The battery pack is multifaceted, allowing more heat dissipation, and is lighter than before. Energica says the Experia now has the greatest battery capacity – 22.5 kilowatt-hours–of any production electric motorcycle. A complete redesign also led to a lighter and re-positioned inverter, which now shares coolant with the new motor.
For this machine, Energica employs the second iteration of its EMCE motor. Created in partnership with Mavel, an Italian company with deep experience in the electric automotive sector, the EMCE (Energica Mavel Co-Engineering) motor is smaller and features a permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance design.
To put it simply, synchronous reluctance motors rely on a sophisticated rotor design to generate a magnetic field and spin the rotor, rather than relying on magnets that are a permanent component of the rotor. However, this design produces less torque than the more traditional design, so some magnets are embedded in the rotor to assist with power generation.
The advantages of this design include lower cost, fewer expensive rare earth magnets, greater safety, and less weight. Compared to the motors in Energica’s first motorcycles, the EMCE motor in the Experia weighs 44 pounds less. It makes less power than the EMCE motor in the other machines in the lineup, at 102 bhp and 85 lbs.-ft., but its smaller size allows for it to be mounted lower and for the shock to be relocated to the centerline of the machine, in the traditional location. As is traditional for electric motorcycles, there is no gearbox and no clutch. Claimed weight for the Experia is 573 pounds.
The new chassis is narrower between the rider’s legs and also is lighter than the previous models’ full steel trellis. Forks are 43mm inverted ZF Sachs adjustable for compression, rebound and preload; the ZF Sachs shock is adjustable for rebound and preload only. The tubular bars sit behind the company’s largest fairing–by far–to date.
Brembo master cylinders front and rear operate Brembo calipers–a pair of four-piston units in the front and a single two-piston unit in the back–on 330mm discs on the front wheel and a single 240mm disc in the rear.
Electronic rider aids include adjustable brake regeneration settings, adjustable traction control, cornering ABS by Bosch, and four different power modes–Sport, Urban, Eco and Rain. Creature comforts include heated grips, four USB power outlets, cruise control, a reverse gear ,and voluminous hard luggage by GIVI.
For this model, Energica deployed its new performance capabilities in rider comfort. The drag created by the new fairing is considerable, and electric bikes are particularly sensitive to aero drag in terms of energy consumption. So, the machine has only a slightly longer range than the prior models but gives the rider and passenger much more comfort over longer distances. Energica claims a range of 261 miles in city riding, 160 miles in combined highway/city riding and 130 miles at an average speed of about 68 mph.
The bike can be charged through all three types of charging systems currently available and will go from zero to 80% charged in 40 minutes on a DC fast charger.
Riding The Experia
Energica’s riding loop consisted of narrow, barely-two-lane-wide roads that meandered through small skiing villages in the mountains of northern Italy. It would have been challenging to evaluate the machines at speed if the roads were empty, as many of the corners would have been first-gear, slip-the-clutch curves on an internal combustion motorcycle. And the roads were not empty–much of the ride consisted of threading our way between bicycles, oncoming trucks, cars, and tour buses, as well as the motorcyclists who had thronged to the region.
Still, I found the torque to be impressive when my machine was in Sport mode, and the throttle response was linear and precise. My particular unit, a pre-production model, seemed to have a glitch that left it occasionally shifting itself into a softer power mode, but when it was on, the bike moved forward with the authority that only the largest gas-powered motorcycles can provide.
Energica hit the target when it came to maneuverability and ease of use. The lower center of gravity and narrower frame made it easier to change directions and to flick into those tighter curves. The brakes were well up to the task of plunging into downhill switchbacks.
And electric bikes have a comfort level that is just–serene. It wasn’t just the upright riding position, the spacious legroom, the lack of shifting and clutching. It was the quiet, the lack of vibration, that just left the whole experience feeling relaxed.
I am looking forward to spending time on an Experia in the States and doing a little two-up riding when the test units arrive. Electric bikes are different, but that doesn’t mean bad, and there are definitely parts of that riding experience that are uniquely pleasurable.
Production of the Experia is slated to begin in July, and units will be available in the U.S. in the fall. Suggested retail price starts at $23,750, although the company will at first only offer the Launch Edition with the hard luggage for $25,880.
Rueda heads Sachsenring Qualifying – Applications open for 2023 Rookies Cup
Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup points leader José Rueda, the 16-year-old Spaniard, continued his class act by claiming pole at the Sachsenring. Italian 17-year-old Filippo Farioli is only 0.120 seconds behind with Eddie O‘Shea, the 15-year-old Briton, completing the front row.
While the 2022 Rookies were chasing grid positions the Selection Process for the 2023 Cup was opened on the website.
Here you can sign up for the most exciting time of your life.
As always the Cup is open to everyone with a yearning to test themselves against the best teenage racers in the world and this starts with the online application.
Rueda loving the lefts
“I am very happy with that. I have never been here before and it’s not an easy track but I enjoy it so much. All those left corners are great fun.”
“I will push hard from the start and try and get away but I think there will be some riders who will try to go with us.”
“The bike is working really well, I have confidence in it and we really didn’t change much through the practice sessions. I think I am going to enjoy the races a lot.”
Farioli feeling great
“I think we did a very good job. In FP1 the feeling with the bike was not so good, and with the track. But through FP2 I learnt more, I tried some different things and we improved.”
“Then in the Quali I did the same and we got a good position, I’m happy and confident with the bike now, I am enjoying the track and am very focused.”
“I have the pace to do a better and different race to Mugello and I ended today feeling the bike is perfect and my feeling with the track is perfect.”
O‘Shea on the front
“It was very good, My first time on the front row and I believe my first time on the front three rows so I am happy to be up there with the fast boys.”
“I felt confident and all day, I felt I should be on the front row, if anything I am upset that I am not on pole, I felt that good.”
“I couldn’t ask for a better start to the weekend. I learnt a lot from the fast boys at Mugello after running in the front group. Once you do that your confidence level shoots through the roof.”
“So I came into this weekend, this is my favourite track and I said to my family that I’m going to be up there and I’m happy to live up to what I said.”
Piqueras picks up the pieces for 4th
“I am happy with the good Qualifying because I crashed in FP2 and the bike was a mess, destroyed. The guys did a fantastic job to rebuild it for Qualifying,” enthused the 15-year-old Spaniard.
“It is great to come back from that and be on the second row. The bike is fast and I have confidence for the races that I can race at the front.”
Buchanan better than ever in 5th
“I’m very happy with that, I knew the tyres were going to go off very fast, this track is so grippy that the tyres don’t last very long. So I knew that I had to put it in as quickly as I could,” explained the 15-year-old New Zealander.
“On my first flying lap I went off track at the final corner. So that was gone and the next lap had to count before the tyre dropped. So I put everything into that lap.”
I got the lap done, I think that is by far a new personal best for me. Unfortunately after that I crashed but the team were great and managed to fix it, a great job by them.”
“Then I was able to go out and set a really fast pace by myself which bodes well for the races.”
“It’s my best Qualifying by I think 13 positions. The bike set-up is great, I had a lot of confidence with it.”
Quiles kept from continuing
“I went off in the gravel and the bike fell on it’s side, I couldn’t get it out and the marshals didn’t really help me, I was stuck.”
“It’s a shame because I felt a lot of grip and I had a lot of confidence and I could make P5 but after the fall I couldn’t get going. Still I have a good setting for the races and I am feeling confident in the bike,” concluded the Spanish 14-year-old who still qualified 13th
O’Gorman out of luck
“I went to go inside someone on the first lap and high sided off the gas. It took a long time to get the bike back to the pits, the guys did a great job to repair it but we just didn’t make it before the end of the session,” explained the Irish 14-year-old.
Broadcast
This weekend’s Rookies Cup races can be seen live on www.redbull.tv and on TV stations around the world.
Race 1 is at 16:25 CET on Saturday and Race 2 is on Sunday at 15:30, the show starts 10 minutes before the race.
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