Moto2 FP1
© , Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
MotoAmerica: Gagne Quickest In Superbike Test Session 4 At Ridge
MotoGP: Rossi Downplays Chances Of Racing in 2022
“One of my favourite tracks”: MotoGP™ returns to legendary turf
Riders ready to get racing as the pre-event Press Conference kicks the Motul TT Assen into gear
Thursday, 24 June 2021
We’re BACK! The pre-event Press Conference kicked off the Motul TT Assen on Thursday as the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship returns to the legendary venue. Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was joined Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing); second in the standings, as well as Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller, momentum man Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Sachsenring history-maker Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and legend Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT), the latter fresh from announcing his 2022 MotoGP™ project, to talk about the weekend ahead and the one just gone.
Here are some key quotes:
Fabio Quartararo: “I’m so excited because it’s one of my favourite tracks. It’s totally different from the Sachsenring, the bike is going well. In 2019 I was so happy, it’s track I really like, it’s so fast and I think we can do really well, we feel great on the bike. Sachsenring was a tough one for us, I think the podium was the best we could have achieved on Sunday and yeah, really happy about that one.”
On summer break:
“Honestly, I like to have a break but five weeks will feel a lot. But yeah, it’s important to have a break, change your mind a little bit but already on the second week I will be nervous to go back on the bike, but I think it’s necessary for the body and mind.”
Johann Zarco: “I hope because it will be necessary for the Championship and before the summer break it would be good to catch a great visit here. As I’m always saying the Ducati has a huge potential and I think the bike has the potential to be on the podium everywhere now this season. Clearly I missed something in the Sachsenring but the weekend was quite interesting and also in the race the first half, I was pretty happy to see many things so I hope these things will be useful for this weekend and will make me strong to fight with Fabio, who I think will be one of the best and if I can be fast enough I think I will enjoy.”
On summer break:
“From my side I think I could continue because I like it when I do the GPs in a row, and don’t feel that really I need the break but I will take it as it’s coming and as a good thing, because maybe I don’t feel it but the body wants it. Five weeks will be long and that’s why it will be necessary to enjoy your break, but then we start to train well to be ready for the second half, that will start with the two Spielbergs in a row, that can be good for the Ducati. So, living day by day, I’m quite easy with it and I think I will take it in a good way, but the body could continue, because the results are good so the you are happy when you go in this way.”
Jack Miller: “For sure the memories flood back. It’s kind of been an up and down track through my career for sure that massive highlight in ’16 but it’s one I’ve never really gelled with in the dry. But I’m keen to get here again third year, I struggled a little bit in 2019 but as Johann said we have a bike that should be able to fight for the podium week in week out. It just wasn’t our day last week on Sunday, I felt mega all weekend just wasn’t able to put it together in the race. The boys rode well and we got out of there with some decent points, onto here and then the summer break so hopefully we can end the first half of the season on a high note, that would be nice and come into the second half of the season with more of a clear idea of what we need to do.”
On summer break:
“It’s neither long enough or short enough. I can’t go home, it’s not long enough to go home so I have to stay here and yeah, it is what it is. It’s nice to have a break, go away, do some other things for a couple of weeks rather than travel and whatnot. An extra couple of weeks wouldn’t have been too bad but can’t always get what you want!”
Miguel Oliveira: “For sure the moment that we are in right now is strong and we are motivated, we feel better than ever. Assen is a track where we come to discover with this new package that we have, that it’s promising. Every race track that we have been we could be straightaway competitive and we can at least show already, on Friday, our potential and of course tomorrow it’s going to be a key day for us also, to quickly find the way to set up the bike and again be competitive this weekend.”
On crew chief Paul Trevathan:
“With Paul it was quite easy to get back. We worked together in 2015, he was not my crew chief, but he was you know KTM track assistant in Moto3 and so we did this this year together in the same garage so of course I knew him. Also when I moved to MotoGP we were always talking a little bit and of course the relationship was quite natural so when I found him as my crew chief, I was very pleased I was happy that we could work together, also because I think not only him but the whole structure on that side of the garage is super! Everyone is great, but I’ve been working, obviously, closer to my side and I’m really pleased to be in a position where I am now, because I have a great team helping me to achieve these great results.”
Marc Marquez: “It was an important victory on Sunday, one of the most important, or the hardest moment, of my career. This victory arrived in a very important moment because we were in a very deep situation, especially to me but also to the team and to Honda, because it was a long time without a victory but I think here we will come back to our real situation. But anyway it was important that victory before the summer break, we will try to pass Assen and then more than one month to continue our programme, our process, and let’s see if we can ride in a better way than Mugello and Montmelo, but I can’t expect to be on the same level as the Sachsenring.”
On summer break:
“Of course the summer break will be important for me, the arm and especially the shoulder feels a lot, especially if you do too much. It’s strange because in Montmelo test I did many laps but if I do some laps, stop, some laps, stop, I can ride many times. But if the stress on the arm is for a long time like 30 laps at the Sachsenring, then the day after the performance goes down a lot. I feel a lot the weather change and the humidity, it’s normal, I had a phone call with the doctor and he says it’s normal, but the most important was that victory, then let’s see.
“The good news for me this week is that we will go to Austin. It’s a circuit I like. Bad news is we have already cancelled, or it looks like we won’t race at some tracks but more races on the calendar is better for all riders.”
Valentino Rossi: “Assen is a great place. It is the track that more or less every rider loves because, first of all, it is the track with the most history in motorcycle racing and was on the calendar from the beginning, and secondly, the layout is fantastic. Now it is modified but it remains the taste of the old Assen and the ride here is always a great pleasure. Yes and now it is official for next year VR46 will have a team in MotoGP and we are all very happy and very proud of this project that started 10 years ago with the riders’ academy and also with the team in Moto3 and Moto2. It has a lot of good people that work on this project and everybody is very excited. We will use the Ducati bike and we’re very happy with this. It is an Italian bike and Italian riders and also the team that is in Italy, in Tavullia. Yeah I think it’s good and we can enjoy.”
On the future:
“I still haven’t decided because I will think more deeply during this break. I also have to speak with Yamaha and with the team, but you know we want to try for better performance and better results for sure so. The start of the season until this moment was not fantastic, so from this point of view, I think that will be very difficult that I will race next year. Always the Prince pushes me to race next year in my team with the Ducati, but at the moment I think that will be very difficult.”
That’s a wrap on Thursday! Free Practice begins on Friday morning, before MotoGP™ gears up to face down the Geert Timmer chicane at 14:00 (GMT +2) on Sunday.
Ahead of track action, it was also time for some videogame action. On Thursday afternoon at the legendary TT Circuit Assen, MotoGP™ rider Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was joined by home heroes Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team), Moto2™ rider, and MotoE™ rookie Jasper Iwema (Pons Racing 40) for a play-off on the Starting Grid, with a very special guest too: Motul Super Fan Samuel Jaspers.
It was Rins who ultimately came out on top, beating the home heroes on home turf to start his Motul TT Assen on a high. How will the cards shuffle once the lights go out for real? Bendsneyder races at 12:20 (GMT +2), Rins at 14:00 and Iwema at 15:30 on Sunday…
MotoAmerica: Escalante Fastest In Supersport Test Session 4 At Ridge
MotoAmerica: Mazziotto, Gloddy Lead Twins/Jr. Cup Test Session 4 At Ridge
MotoAmerica: More Previews Of The Event At Ridge Motorsports Park
It’s A Fight For Titles As MotoAmerica Brings The Show To Ridge Motorsports Park
The Four Support Classes Feature Tight Battles For Championship Supremacy As The Series Heads To The Pacific Northwest
IRVINE, CA (June 24, 2021) – All four of the MotoAmerica support classes feature close battles in the chase for class championships as the series brings the fight to the Pacific Northwest and Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington, with first and second in those four separated by a total of just 43 points.
The closest championship fight in the 2021 MotoAmerica Series as we get ready to battle in the fourth round of the series, is in the SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup Series where the top two are separated by just four points. Leading the way is MotoAmerica rookie Tyler Scott with the Pennsylvanian and his Scott Powersports/KTM RC390R leading New Hampshire’s Benjamin Gloddy and his Landers Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400 by just four points after three rounds and six races.
Both youngsters have won two races apiece, but Scott has been slightly more consistent with podiums in five of the six races. That gives him that four-point lead over Gloddy, whose 2021 record is marred a tad by a seventh-place finish in the last race at Road America. “Marred” is a bit strong considering that although he was seventh in the race, Gloddy was just .550 of a second behind the victor.
Kermoto/Madden Painting’s Cody Wyman is third in the title chase and 24 points behind Scott. Right now, it’s a two-rider race for the title but that can change in a hurry in races with the top seven separated by half a second.
The second closest championship battle heading into the Pacific Northwest is in the Twins Cup class where Robem Engineering’s Kaleb De Keyrel is just 10 points ahead of veteran racer Chris Parrish and his GCP Suzuki SV650. And Parrish, who has raced in more races than most of his competitors have had hot meals, is just four points ahead of third-placed Teagg Hobbs and seven clear of Jackson Blackmon who is fourth.
Like De Keyrel, Hobbs has won two races, but his tally has been blotted by two DNFs, including a race crash in the last round at Road America. Blackmon, meanwhile, missed the first round with a wrist injury and has since gone on a streak of three runner-up finishes in a row.
The Twins Cup class is also showing parity amongst the three brands competing: De Keyrel is racing the new Aprilia RS 660, Hobbs and Parrish are racing the long-in-the-tooth Suzuki SV650; and Blackmon is aboard the Yamaha FZ-07/MT-07.
Three things you can count on: Death, taxes and Richie Escalante and Sean Dylan Kelly battling to the bitter end for the Supersport Championship. Those two are at it again in 2021 with 11 points separating the two with Kelly leading Escalante, 125-114.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Kelly made hay while the sun shone with three wins in the first three races. Then Escalante rebounded, despite an early season broken collarbone from a cycling accident, with his first win of the year in round four at VIR on his HONOS-backed Kawasaki.
At Road America, those two were embroiled in a race that may have been the best in series history. It ended in tears, however, on the last lap when both riders lost the front in turn five without touching. The synchronized crash left them both running to their bikes with Escalante winning that battle and finishing fifth with Kelly sixth. The win went to privateer Stefano Mesa, his first-ever in the Supersport class. MESA37’s Mesa is third in the series standings, 35 points behind Kelly.
In race two at Road America, Escalante took off from the start and was never headed in winning his second race of the season. Coming into the Pacific Northwest, it’s anyone’s title.
Fourth place in the points is held by impressive class rookie Sam Lochoff, the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki rider earning his first podium of the year in race one at Road America.
The largest championship points lead in the four support classes is in Stock 1000 and it’s still only 18 points. The title chase is led by Altus Motorsports’ Jake Lewis, the Kentuckian riding the former Cam Petersen Suzuki GSX-R1000 that won last year’s title.
Lewis is 18 points clear of Geoff May, though the Georgian will slip down the standings after opting to miss the west coast rounds at both the Ridge and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. May is just four points ahead of HONOS HVMC Racing’s Corey Alexander and Travis Wyman Racing’s Travis Wyman with those two tied on points and just one ahead of Michael Gilbert Racing’s Michael Gilbert. So that’s five riders within 23 points of the championship lead.
Four riders have won Stock 1000 races thus far this year: Lewis (2), Alexander (1), Wyman (1) and Gilbert (1).
The Ridge round will also mark the second round of the Mini Cup by Motul Series with youngsters set to compete on the karting track adjacent to the MotoAmerica paddock.
The Mini Cup by Motul Series consists of three classes: 110cc, 160cc and 190cc.
After just one round and two races, the 110cc championship is being led by American Racing Team’s Kensei Matsudaira by 10 points over Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati new York’s Nathan Gouker. Matsudaira won both races at Road America two weeks ago.
Matsudaira is also leading the 160cc championship by 10 points after two victories over Atlas Speed Factory’s Jesse James Shedden in Wisconsin.
Shedden, however, is atop the standings in the 190cc class after two wins at Road America. American Racing Team’s Joshua Raymond is second – 17 points behind Shedden.
The Ridge Support Class Notes…
Richie Escalante won the first of two Supersport races last year at Ridge Motorsports Park, but he was taken out of race two on the opening lap in the first corner. Race two was won by Sean Dylan Kelly with Kelly finishing second to Escalante in the first race.
The lone Stock 1000 race last year at Ridge was won by Cameron Petersen by 10 seconds over Michael Gilbert.
Rocco Landers, who went on to win the Twins Cup title, won the Twins Cup race in Washington in 2020 by some seven seconds over Kaleb De Keyrel. Landers also won both Junior Cup races last year en route to taking that title as well.
Richie Escalante is third on the MotoAmerica Supersport win list with 15 class victories. That puts him behind JD Beach (32 wins) and Garrett Gerloff (19 wins). Sean Dylan Kelly has won 10 MotoAmerica Supersport races.
More, from a press release issued by Travis Wyman Racing:
Evol Technology LLC set to be title sponsor of Travis Wyman Racing BMW for this weekend’s MotoAmerica Superbikes at the Ridge
Team welcomes additional support from its first-ever title sponsor
When the Travis Wyman Racing BMW rig arrives at The Ridge Motorsports Park today, the team will be tasked with affixing a familiar logo to its BMW S 1000 RR. Evol Technology LLC – one of rider/team owner Travis Wyman’s sponsors for many years and the team’s first-ever title sponsor – is set to be back in the lead sponsorship role June 25-27 for MotoAmerica’s Superbikes at the Ridge round.
The Travis Wyman Racing BMW squad has helped Evol Technology LLC develop new products and improve its existing products for BMW S 1000 RR models. The Pacific Northwest-based company has had a smaller logo on Travis Wyman Racing’s motorcycle since the team’s first race at Road Atlanta in 2018. It also became the team’s first title sponsor that same year for the MotoAmerica round at Sonoma Raceway.
“Evol Technology’s founder, Steve Korol, has been a good friend and partner for most of my pro racing career, and I’m happy to showcase the technical partnership between Evol Technology and Travis Wyman Racing at the closest round to Steve’s shop in Boise, Idaho,” Travis Wyman said. “The team and I have worked closely with Steve to develop various parts for the BMW S 1000 RR, which has in turn contributed to our on-track success in MotoAmerica. Steve does a lot to support many racers in the MotoAmerica paddock, and I’m stoked to be helping him get the word out about his company.”
Evol Technology LLC designs, develops and manufactures precision mechanical products and prototypes, specializing in motor sports applications and prototyping services for the broader mechanical and industrial design community. All of Evol Technology’s products and services are 100-percent American made.
“Evol Technology is honored and proud to support Travis and his team’s top-shelf, grassroots racing effort,” Evol Technology LLC Company Principal Steve Korol said. “Travis and his team embody perfectly so much of what we recognize as the critical ingredients of success: extraordinary athletic talent and unrivaled technical savvy backed with fierce grit and determination. Combined with the formidable BMW S 1000 RR, we couldn’t ask for better partners to aid in our continual pursuit to bring world-class road racing products to our customers.”
Wyman is leading the chase for the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Cup title by 21 points and is tied for third in the Stock 1000 points standings. The Las Vegas rider will race four times this weekend on The Ridge’s 2.47-mile road course, with two Superbike races and two Stock 1000 races scheduled for the event. Saturday’s Stock 1000 race is slated to get underway at 1:10 p.m. Pacific, and the Superbike race starts at 4:10 p.m. Pacific. The Stock 1000 Class kicks off the MotoAmerica racing action on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Pacific and the day’s Superbike race is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. Pacific.
To learn how to tune in and watch Wyman continue his quest for two MotoAmerica class titles, visit www.motoamerica.com.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:
Loris Baz and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Ready to Keep the Ducati Flag Flying at The Ridge
Sunnyvale, Calif., June 23, 2021 – Round four of the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship will see Loris Baz flying solo for the Ducati factory against America’s best this weekend at The Ridge as Panera Bread Ducati’s Kyle Wyman continues his recovery from a broken left elbow suffered in race two at the previous round at Road America.
Baz has been in solid form of late, taking a season-best second place at round three of the championship at Road America to move up into seventh in the series standings.
The undulating Washington track poses a new set of challenges for the French maestro as he continues his adaptation to MotoAmerica competition. Regardless, in his own words, Baz is in America to win, with the goal to always put the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R SBK on the podium against the hordes of Suzuki and Yamaha riders.
Loris Baz (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York – Ducati #76)
“It’s a new race week, and my first on the West Coast,” Baz said. “We are expecting really warm weather, so it’s going to be burning out on the track. I’m looking forward to this race. I think we found a good direction with the way the bike works at Road America, and since we’ve been testing and changing the electronics a bit, I feel more and more comfortable on the bike each time. It’ll be good for me to get out and experience a completely new track, one that’s much different to Road America. I’m feeling strong for this one and can’t wait to get on the bike.”
Round four of the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship will be held at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Washington on June 23-25, 2021.
More, from a press release issued by Scott Powersports KTM:
Tyler Scott and KTM Take Points Lead to the Ridge
With strong first and second place finishes in Wisconsin, Tyler Scott takes his KTM and the Sportbike Track Gear Junior Cup points lead into the next round at The Ridge this weekend.
“We got the KTM RC 390 R working really well in Wisconsin. I was able to pull a bit of a gap on the pack and take the first race” Tyler said. “Race 2 I didn’t want to lead the last lap, but I saw a gap and had to go for it. Missing the double-win by .024 stings a little, but I’m happy to take the points lead.” That lead currently sits at 4 points.
Step by step, the team is learning more and more about the strengths of their package. “We don’t have the fastest trap speeds, but the little KTM is narrow and nimble, so it works well in the draft and in the tighter sections” Mike Scott, team owner from Scott Powersports offered. “The setup for the Ridge should be quite different, so we’re eager to get started.”
Round 4 of the MotoAmerica series starts June 25th at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington. As always, Tyler and the team thank KTM North America, Arai Helmets, Scott Powersports, Bob Robbins, Davey Loikits, Dunlop , Motorex, N2 , Champschool, EvolveGT, Alpinestars, Dale Quarterley, and all the fans for their continued support.
MotoGP: Dovizioso Tests Aprilia At Misano
GOOD TEST FOR ANDREA DOVIZIOSO IN MISANO
CHASSIS, AERODYNAMICS AND ELECTRONICS TESTS OVER THE TWO DAYS, ALSO IN VIEW OF 2022
The two days of testing on the Misano track ended today, with protagonists Andrea Dovizioso and the Aprilia RS-GP.
Andrea was finally able to test the RS-GP in ideal conditions since the last test in Mugello was plagued by rain. 78 laps yesterday and 48 today are a testament to the hard work Andrea put in on the track, supported by the Aprilia Racing test team. Dovizioso lapped at decidedly fast times, making a clear improvement from one day to the next although, as always in these cases, the clock is not the most important reference.
Aerodynamics, electronics and the general dynamic of the bike, with various chassis solutions tested over the two days: these were the areas explored, also in view of developments on the RS-GP both for the second half of this season and to define the bike for next season.
ANDREA DOVIZIOSO
“It was a very interesting test. Testing on a third and different circuit was extremely important to understand the bike better and to see which points need to be developed. We tested and changed a lot of things in order to better understand many details which, in fact, we gathered more accurately, identifying how to improve and where, on the other hand, we lose something with certain changes. With the next scheduled tests, we’ll be able to make more comparisons and discuss our ideas better.”
MASSIMO RIVOLA – APRILIA RACING CEO
“These were two very positive days. We are pleased with these tests that gave us some important pointers and demonstrated the bike’s progress which has already been seen in the races. It’s a job that we will continue as scheduled in July. Andrea has proven to be a great rider in terms of sensitivity and understanding the way the bike behaves. Parallel to testing, Aprilia Racing is taking measures to find the best solution in terms of the riders to put on the grid in 2022, without having to wait for the outcome of the next tests in July. Andrea is certainly included in the solutions we are assessing, but there are very interesting and valid alternatives on the table and a decision must be taken soon so we can properly plan the future strategy of the team. The Assen weekend will be extremely important in this regard.”
MotoAmerica: Gagne P1 In Superbike Test Session 3 At Ridge
Moto2: Augusto Fernandez Leads FP1 At Assen
MotoGP: Vinales Under Race Lap Record In FP1 At Assen
MotoAmerica: Gagne Quickest In Superbike Test Session 4 At Ridge
MotoGP: Rossi Downplays Chances Of Racing in 2022
“One of my favourite tracks”: MotoGP™ returns to legendary turf
Riders ready to get racing as the pre-event Press Conference kicks the Motul TT Assen into gear
Thursday, 24 June 2021
We’re BACK! The pre-event Press Conference kicked off the Motul TT Assen on Thursday as the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship returns to the legendary venue. Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was joined Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing); second in the standings, as well as Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller, momentum man Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Sachsenring history-maker Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and legend Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT), the latter fresh from announcing his 2022 MotoGP™ project, to talk about the weekend ahead and the one just gone.
Here are some key quotes:
Fabio Quartararo: “I’m so excited because it’s one of my favourite tracks. It’s totally different from the Sachsenring, the bike is going well. In 2019 I was so happy, it’s track I really like, it’s so fast and I think we can do really well, we feel great on the bike. Sachsenring was a tough one for us, I think the podium was the best we could have achieved on Sunday and yeah, really happy about that one.”
On summer break:
“Honestly, I like to have a break but five weeks will feel a lot. But yeah, it’s important to have a break, change your mind a little bit but already on the second week I will be nervous to go back on the bike, but I think it’s necessary for the body and mind.”
Johann Zarco: “I hope because it will be necessary for the Championship and before the summer break it would be good to catch a great visit here. As I’m always saying the Ducati has a huge potential and I think the bike has the potential to be on the podium everywhere now this season. Clearly I missed something in the Sachsenring but the weekend was quite interesting and also in the race the first half, I was pretty happy to see many things so I hope these things will be useful for this weekend and will make me strong to fight with Fabio, who I think will be one of the best and if I can be fast enough I think I will enjoy.”
On summer break:
“From my side I think I could continue because I like it when I do the GPs in a row, and don’t feel that really I need the break but I will take it as it’s coming and as a good thing, because maybe I don’t feel it but the body wants it. Five weeks will be long and that’s why it will be necessary to enjoy your break, but then we start to train well to be ready for the second half, that will start with the two Spielbergs in a row, that can be good for the Ducati. So, living day by day, I’m quite easy with it and I think I will take it in a good way, but the body could continue, because the results are good so the you are happy when you go in this way.”
Jack Miller: “For sure the memories flood back. It’s kind of been an up and down track through my career for sure that massive highlight in ’16 but it’s one I’ve never really gelled with in the dry. But I’m keen to get here again third year, I struggled a little bit in 2019 but as Johann said we have a bike that should be able to fight for the podium week in week out. It just wasn’t our day last week on Sunday, I felt mega all weekend just wasn’t able to put it together in the race. The boys rode well and we got out of there with some decent points, onto here and then the summer break so hopefully we can end the first half of the season on a high note, that would be nice and come into the second half of the season with more of a clear idea of what we need to do.”
On summer break:
“It’s neither long enough or short enough. I can’t go home, it’s not long enough to go home so I have to stay here and yeah, it is what it is. It’s nice to have a break, go away, do some other things for a couple of weeks rather than travel and whatnot. An extra couple of weeks wouldn’t have been too bad but can’t always get what you want!”
Miguel Oliveira: “For sure the moment that we are in right now is strong and we are motivated, we feel better than ever. Assen is a track where we come to discover with this new package that we have, that it’s promising. Every race track that we have been we could be straightaway competitive and we can at least show already, on Friday, our potential and of course tomorrow it’s going to be a key day for us also, to quickly find the way to set up the bike and again be competitive this weekend.”
On crew chief Paul Trevathan:
“With Paul it was quite easy to get back. We worked together in 2015, he was not my crew chief, but he was you know KTM track assistant in Moto3 and so we did this this year together in the same garage so of course I knew him. Also when I moved to MotoGP we were always talking a little bit and of course the relationship was quite natural so when I found him as my crew chief, I was very pleased I was happy that we could work together, also because I think not only him but the whole structure on that side of the garage is super! Everyone is great, but I’ve been working, obviously, closer to my side and I’m really pleased to be in a position where I am now, because I have a great team helping me to achieve these great results.”
Marc Marquez: “It was an important victory on Sunday, one of the most important, or the hardest moment, of my career. This victory arrived in a very important moment because we were in a very deep situation, especially to me but also to the team and to Honda, because it was a long time without a victory but I think here we will come back to our real situation. But anyway it was important that victory before the summer break, we will try to pass Assen and then more than one month to continue our programme, our process, and let’s see if we can ride in a better way than Mugello and Montmelo, but I can’t expect to be on the same level as the Sachsenring.”
On summer break:
“Of course the summer break will be important for me, the arm and especially the shoulder feels a lot, especially if you do too much. It’s strange because in Montmelo test I did many laps but if I do some laps, stop, some laps, stop, I can ride many times. But if the stress on the arm is for a long time like 30 laps at the Sachsenring, then the day after the performance goes down a lot. I feel a lot the weather change and the humidity, it’s normal, I had a phone call with the doctor and he says it’s normal, but the most important was that victory, then let’s see.
“The good news for me this week is that we will go to Austin. It’s a circuit I like. Bad news is we have already cancelled, or it looks like we won’t race at some tracks but more races on the calendar is better for all riders.”
Valentino Rossi: “Assen is a great place. It is the track that more or less every rider loves because, first of all, it is the track with the most history in motorcycle racing and was on the calendar from the beginning, and secondly, the layout is fantastic. Now it is modified but it remains the taste of the old Assen and the ride here is always a great pleasure. Yes and now it is official for next year VR46 will have a team in MotoGP and we are all very happy and very proud of this project that started 10 years ago with the riders’ academy and also with the team in Moto3 and Moto2. It has a lot of good people that work on this project and everybody is very excited. We will use the Ducati bike and we’re very happy with this. It is an Italian bike and Italian riders and also the team that is in Italy, in Tavullia. Yeah I think it’s good and we can enjoy.”
On the future:
“I still haven’t decided because I will think more deeply during this break. I also have to speak with Yamaha and with the team, but you know we want to try for better performance and better results for sure so. The start of the season until this moment was not fantastic, so from this point of view, I think that will be very difficult that I will race next year. Always the Prince pushes me to race next year in my team with the Ducati, but at the moment I think that will be very difficult.”
That’s a wrap on Thursday! Free Practice begins on Friday morning, before MotoGP™ gears up to face down the Geert Timmer chicane at 14:00 (GMT +2) on Sunday.
Ahead of track action, it was also time for some videogame action. On Thursday afternoon at the legendary TT Circuit Assen, MotoGP™ rider Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was joined by home heroes Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team), Moto2™ rider, and MotoE™ rookie Jasper Iwema (Pons Racing 40) for a play-off on the Starting Grid, with a very special guest too: Motul Super Fan Samuel Jaspers.
It was Rins who ultimately came out on top, beating the home heroes on home turf to start his Motul TT Assen on a high. How will the cards shuffle once the lights go out for real? Bendsneyder races at 12:20 (GMT +2), Rins at 14:00 and Iwema at 15:30 on Sunday…
MotoAmerica: Escalante Fastest In Supersport Test Session 4 At Ridge
MotoAmerica: Mazziotto, Gloddy Lead Twins/Jr. Cup Test Session 4 At Ridge
MotoAmerica: More Previews Of The Event At Ridge Motorsports Park
It’s A Fight For Titles As MotoAmerica Brings The Show To Ridge Motorsports Park
The Four Support Classes Feature Tight Battles For Championship Supremacy As The Series Heads To The Pacific Northwest
IRVINE, CA (June 24, 2021) – All four of the MotoAmerica support classes feature close battles in the chase for class championships as the series brings the fight to the Pacific Northwest and Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington, with first and second in those four separated by a total of just 43 points.
The closest championship fight in the 2021 MotoAmerica Series as we get ready to battle in the fourth round of the series, is in the SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup Series where the top two are separated by just four points. Leading the way is MotoAmerica rookie Tyler Scott with the Pennsylvanian and his Scott Powersports/KTM RC390R leading New Hampshire’s Benjamin Gloddy and his Landers Racing Kawasaki Ninja 400 by just four points after three rounds and six races.
Both youngsters have won two races apiece, but Scott has been slightly more consistent with podiums in five of the six races. That gives him that four-point lead over Gloddy, whose 2021 record is marred a tad by a seventh-place finish in the last race at Road America. “Marred” is a bit strong considering that although he was seventh in the race, Gloddy was just .550 of a second behind the victor.
Kermoto/Madden Painting’s Cody Wyman is third in the title chase and 24 points behind Scott. Right now, it’s a two-rider race for the title but that can change in a hurry in races with the top seven separated by half a second.
The second closest championship battle heading into the Pacific Northwest is in the Twins Cup class where Robem Engineering’s Kaleb De Keyrel is just 10 points ahead of veteran racer Chris Parrish and his GCP Suzuki SV650. And Parrish, who has raced in more races than most of his competitors have had hot meals, is just four points ahead of third-placed Teagg Hobbs and seven clear of Jackson Blackmon who is fourth.
Like De Keyrel, Hobbs has won two races, but his tally has been blotted by two DNFs, including a race crash in the last round at Road America. Blackmon, meanwhile, missed the first round with a wrist injury and has since gone on a streak of three runner-up finishes in a row.
The Twins Cup class is also showing parity amongst the three brands competing: De Keyrel is racing the new Aprilia RS 660, Hobbs and Parrish are racing the long-in-the-tooth Suzuki SV650; and Blackmon is aboard the Yamaha FZ-07/MT-07.
Three things you can count on: Death, taxes and Richie Escalante and Sean Dylan Kelly battling to the bitter end for the Supersport Championship. Those two are at it again in 2021 with 11 points separating the two with Kelly leading Escalante, 125-114.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Kelly made hay while the sun shone with three wins in the first three races. Then Escalante rebounded, despite an early season broken collarbone from a cycling accident, with his first win of the year in round four at VIR on his HONOS-backed Kawasaki.
At Road America, those two were embroiled in a race that may have been the best in series history. It ended in tears, however, on the last lap when both riders lost the front in turn five without touching. The synchronized crash left them both running to their bikes with Escalante winning that battle and finishing fifth with Kelly sixth. The win went to privateer Stefano Mesa, his first-ever in the Supersport class. MESA37’s Mesa is third in the series standings, 35 points behind Kelly.
In race two at Road America, Escalante took off from the start and was never headed in winning his second race of the season. Coming into the Pacific Northwest, it’s anyone’s title.
Fourth place in the points is held by impressive class rookie Sam Lochoff, the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki rider earning his first podium of the year in race one at Road America.
The largest championship points lead in the four support classes is in Stock 1000 and it’s still only 18 points. The title chase is led by Altus Motorsports’ Jake Lewis, the Kentuckian riding the former Cam Petersen Suzuki GSX-R1000 that won last year’s title.
Lewis is 18 points clear of Geoff May, though the Georgian will slip down the standings after opting to miss the west coast rounds at both the Ridge and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. May is just four points ahead of HONOS HVMC Racing’s Corey Alexander and Travis Wyman Racing’s Travis Wyman with those two tied on points and just one ahead of Michael Gilbert Racing’s Michael Gilbert. So that’s five riders within 23 points of the championship lead.
Four riders have won Stock 1000 races thus far this year: Lewis (2), Alexander (1), Wyman (1) and Gilbert (1).
The Ridge round will also mark the second round of the Mini Cup by Motul Series with youngsters set to compete on the karting track adjacent to the MotoAmerica paddock.
The Mini Cup by Motul Series consists of three classes: 110cc, 160cc and 190cc.
After just one round and two races, the 110cc championship is being led by American Racing Team’s Kensei Matsudaira by 10 points over Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati new York’s Nathan Gouker. Matsudaira won both races at Road America two weeks ago.
Matsudaira is also leading the 160cc championship by 10 points after two victories over Atlas Speed Factory’s Jesse James Shedden in Wisconsin.
Shedden, however, is atop the standings in the 190cc class after two wins at Road America. American Racing Team’s Joshua Raymond is second – 17 points behind Shedden.
The Ridge Support Class Notes…
Richie Escalante won the first of two Supersport races last year at Ridge Motorsports Park, but he was taken out of race two on the opening lap in the first corner. Race two was won by Sean Dylan Kelly with Kelly finishing second to Escalante in the first race.
The lone Stock 1000 race last year at Ridge was won by Cameron Petersen by 10 seconds over Michael Gilbert.
Rocco Landers, who went on to win the Twins Cup title, won the Twins Cup race in Washington in 2020 by some seven seconds over Kaleb De Keyrel. Landers also won both Junior Cup races last year en route to taking that title as well.
Richie Escalante is third on the MotoAmerica Supersport win list with 15 class victories. That puts him behind JD Beach (32 wins) and Garrett Gerloff (19 wins). Sean Dylan Kelly has won 10 MotoAmerica Supersport races.
More, from a press release issued by Travis Wyman Racing:
Evol Technology LLC set to be title sponsor of Travis Wyman Racing BMW for this weekend’s MotoAmerica Superbikes at the Ridge
Team welcomes additional support from its first-ever title sponsor
When the Travis Wyman Racing BMW rig arrives at The Ridge Motorsports Park today, the team will be tasked with affixing a familiar logo to its BMW S 1000 RR. Evol Technology LLC – one of rider/team owner Travis Wyman’s sponsors for many years and the team’s first-ever title sponsor – is set to be back in the lead sponsorship role June 25-27 for MotoAmerica’s Superbikes at the Ridge round.
The Travis Wyman Racing BMW squad has helped Evol Technology LLC develop new products and improve its existing products for BMW S 1000 RR models. The Pacific Northwest-based company has had a smaller logo on Travis Wyman Racing’s motorcycle since the team’s first race at Road Atlanta in 2018. It also became the team’s first title sponsor that same year for the MotoAmerica round at Sonoma Raceway.
“Evol Technology’s founder, Steve Korol, has been a good friend and partner for most of my pro racing career, and I’m happy to showcase the technical partnership between Evol Technology and Travis Wyman Racing at the closest round to Steve’s shop in Boise, Idaho,” Travis Wyman said. “The team and I have worked closely with Steve to develop various parts for the BMW S 1000 RR, which has in turn contributed to our on-track success in MotoAmerica. Steve does a lot to support many racers in the MotoAmerica paddock, and I’m stoked to be helping him get the word out about his company.”
Evol Technology LLC designs, develops and manufactures precision mechanical products and prototypes, specializing in motor sports applications and prototyping services for the broader mechanical and industrial design community. All of Evol Technology’s products and services are 100-percent American made.
“Evol Technology is honored and proud to support Travis and his team’s top-shelf, grassroots racing effort,” Evol Technology LLC Company Principal Steve Korol said. “Travis and his team embody perfectly so much of what we recognize as the critical ingredients of success: extraordinary athletic talent and unrivaled technical savvy backed with fierce grit and determination. Combined with the formidable BMW S 1000 RR, we couldn’t ask for better partners to aid in our continual pursuit to bring world-class road racing products to our customers.”
Wyman is leading the chase for the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Cup title by 21 points and is tied for third in the Stock 1000 points standings. The Las Vegas rider will race four times this weekend on The Ridge’s 2.47-mile road course, with two Superbike races and two Stock 1000 races scheduled for the event. Saturday’s Stock 1000 race is slated to get underway at 1:10 p.m. Pacific, and the Superbike race starts at 4:10 p.m. Pacific. The Stock 1000 Class kicks off the MotoAmerica racing action on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Pacific and the day’s Superbike race is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. Pacific.
To learn how to tune in and watch Wyman continue his quest for two MotoAmerica class titles, visit www.motoamerica.com.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:
Loris Baz and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Ready to Keep the Ducati Flag Flying at The Ridge
Sunnyvale, Calif., June 23, 2021 – Round four of the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship will see Loris Baz flying solo for the Ducati factory against America’s best this weekend at The Ridge as Panera Bread Ducati’s Kyle Wyman continues his recovery from a broken left elbow suffered in race two at the previous round at Road America.
Baz has been in solid form of late, taking a season-best second place at round three of the championship at Road America to move up into seventh in the series standings.
The undulating Washington track poses a new set of challenges for the French maestro as he continues his adaptation to MotoAmerica competition. Regardless, in his own words, Baz is in America to win, with the goal to always put the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R SBK on the podium against the hordes of Suzuki and Yamaha riders.
Loris Baz (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York – Ducati #76)
“It’s a new race week, and my first on the West Coast,” Baz said. “We are expecting really warm weather, so it’s going to be burning out on the track. I’m looking forward to this race. I think we found a good direction with the way the bike works at Road America, and since we’ve been testing and changing the electronics a bit, I feel more and more comfortable on the bike each time. It’ll be good for me to get out and experience a completely new track, one that’s much different to Road America. I’m feeling strong for this one and can’t wait to get on the bike.”
Round four of the 2021 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship will be held at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Washington on June 23-25, 2021.
More, from a press release issued by Scott Powersports KTM:
Tyler Scott and KTM Take Points Lead to the Ridge
With strong first and second place finishes in Wisconsin, Tyler Scott takes his KTM and the Sportbike Track Gear Junior Cup points lead into the next round at The Ridge this weekend.
“We got the KTM RC 390 R working really well in Wisconsin. I was able to pull a bit of a gap on the pack and take the first race” Tyler said. “Race 2 I didn’t want to lead the last lap, but I saw a gap and had to go for it. Missing the double-win by .024 stings a little, but I’m happy to take the points lead.” That lead currently sits at 4 points.
Step by step, the team is learning more and more about the strengths of their package. “We don’t have the fastest trap speeds, but the little KTM is narrow and nimble, so it works well in the draft and in the tighter sections” Mike Scott, team owner from Scott Powersports offered. “The setup for the Ridge should be quite different, so we’re eager to get started.”
Round 4 of the MotoAmerica series starts June 25th at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington. As always, Tyler and the team thank KTM North America, Arai Helmets, Scott Powersports, Bob Robbins, Davey Loikits, Dunlop , Motorex, N2 , Champschool, EvolveGT, Alpinestars, Dale Quarterley, and all the fans for their continued support.
MotoGP: Dovizioso Tests Aprilia At Misano
GOOD TEST FOR ANDREA DOVIZIOSO IN MISANO
CHASSIS, AERODYNAMICS AND ELECTRONICS TESTS OVER THE TWO DAYS, ALSO IN VIEW OF 2022
The two days of testing on the Misano track ended today, with protagonists Andrea Dovizioso and the Aprilia RS-GP.
Andrea was finally able to test the RS-GP in ideal conditions since the last test in Mugello was plagued by rain. 78 laps yesterday and 48 today are a testament to the hard work Andrea put in on the track, supported by the Aprilia Racing test team. Dovizioso lapped at decidedly fast times, making a clear improvement from one day to the next although, as always in these cases, the clock is not the most important reference.
Aerodynamics, electronics and the general dynamic of the bike, with various chassis solutions tested over the two days: these were the areas explored, also in view of developments on the RS-GP both for the second half of this season and to define the bike for next season.
ANDREA DOVIZIOSO
“It was a very interesting test. Testing on a third and different circuit was extremely important to understand the bike better and to see which points need to be developed. We tested and changed a lot of things in order to better understand many details which, in fact, we gathered more accurately, identifying how to improve and where, on the other hand, we lose something with certain changes. With the next scheduled tests, we’ll be able to make more comparisons and discuss our ideas better.”
MASSIMO RIVOLA – APRILIA RACING CEO
“These were two very positive days. We are pleased with these tests that gave us some important pointers and demonstrated the bike’s progress which has already been seen in the races. It’s a job that we will continue as scheduled in July. Andrea has proven to be a great rider in terms of sensitivity and understanding the way the bike behaves. Parallel to testing, Aprilia Racing is taking measures to find the best solution in terms of the riders to put on the grid in 2022, without having to wait for the outcome of the next tests in July. Andrea is certainly included in the solutions we are assessing, but there are very interesting and valid alternatives on the table and a decision must be taken soon so we can properly plan the future strategy of the team. The Assen weekend will be extremely important in this regard.”
MotoAmerica: Gagne P1 In Superbike Test Session 3 At Ridge