A new era will begin for the FIM CEV Repsol in 2022. As the competition enters its 25th year, the series will officially become known as the FIM JuniorGP™, recognising its status as the final step on the Road to MotoGP™ and a globally vital competition for young talent.
The FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship, the Hawkers European Talent Cup and the Moto2™ European Championship, including the Superstock 600 category, will retain their denominations under the umbrella of FIM JuniorGP.
Over nearly a quarter of a century, the series has played a key role in the recognition and development of riders who have gone on to rule the world, including eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), 2020 MotoGP™ Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and newly crowned Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), France’s first premier class World Champion. Over 80% of the riders in the Grand Prix paddock have passed through the series on their Road to MotoGP™, rising to over 90% for the Moto3™ grid.
2022 now marks a new era as the series becomes FIM JuniorGP, cementing its status as the final stepping-stone for young riders on the Road to MotoGP™.
Mr Jorge Viegas, the FIM President: “The FIM JuniorGP allows young riders to get their MotoGP entrance exam. The FIM is proud to participate in the development of young riders thanks to its close collaboration with Dorna and FIM Europe. The European Talent Cup, the Moto2 European Championship, including the Superstock 600 category and the FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship are all springboards to access the premier category. The FIM JuniorGP will continue to offer thrilling races which will allow the discovery of future stars as was the case for Marc Marquez, Joan Mir, Fabio Quartararo and more recently for Pedro Acosta the 2021 FIM Moto3 Grand Prix World Champion.”
Mr Martin de Graaf, FIM Europe President: “The officialization of FIM CEV Repsol as FIM JuniorGP is a very important step for the on-road competitions. I’m proud to announce that the Hawkers European Talent Cup and the Moto2 European Championship thus officially become an important stepping stone to the World stage. I would like to thank Dorna and FIM for the work done together over the past few seasons: I’m sure that this great step forward will give the championship even more prestige, giving numerous talents the chance to emerge and become great champions”.
Mr Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “We are very proud to announce FIM JuniorGP and the beginning of this new era. The track record of the Championship speaks for itself, with an incredible amount of riders in the MotoGP paddock having raced here on their way to the top. FIM JuniorGP is the perfect name for the series as the final step on the Road to MotoGP and I can’t wait to see what the future holds as the competition hits the milestone of 25 years. We look forward to many more as the FIM JuniorGP era begins.”
American-Hungarian Rossi Moor will start FIM CEV Repsol Moto3 Junior World Championship Race One from 26th on the grid. Moor is riding a Gazzola Racing KTM as a wild card entrant.
American Kristian Daniel Jr., riding an AGR Team Honda, did not finish the European Talent Cup Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) race. Daniel crashed during Q2 while on a lap that would have been fast enough to qualify for the race, and then he suffered electrical problems on the first lap of the LCQ race, according to his father Kristian Daniel.
Canadian Torin Collins, riding a Team MTA Honda, did not finish the European Talent Cup LCQ race.
The FIM CEV Repsol Series races can be watched live via the series’ YouTube channel HERE
Ogden claims maiden pole in the wet as Championship Sunday awaits!
It was a rain-soaked final qualifying of the season for all three classes ahead of a title-deciding race day in Valencia
On a rain-soaked Saturday at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Scott Ogden (Aspar Team) claimed a maiden Moto3™ Junior World Champion pole position as the riders tackled tricky conditions in the final qualifying sessions of the 2021 season. Angel Piqueras (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) will lead the Hawkers European Talent Cup grid from P1, with Alonso Lopez (Boscoscuro Team Ciatti) fronting the grid on Sunday in the Moto2™ European Championship.
In the Moto3™ JWCh, Ogden was fastest in both QP1 and QP2 to claim pole in his last weekend as a Junior World Championship rider. The British rider crashed unhurt twice in the opening qualifying session, before leaving it late to beat Jose Antonio Rueda (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) by 0.108s in slightly better afternoon conditions. Jose Julian Garcia (SIC58 Squadra Corse) will launch from P3, with Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Aspar Team) clinching P4. That Row 2 start for the Spaniard is a great result, with closest rival David Muñoz (Avatel-Cardoso Racing) starting from pitlane and Ivan Ortola (Team MTA) – the only other rider mathematically in with a chance of winning the title – down in P12. Ortola, though, will start P11 after Muñoz’ penalty.
Piqueras has teammate Rico Salmela and Xabi Zurutuza (Cuna de Campeones) alongside him on the front row in the HETC, the latter is the leading title contender on the grid, as Row 2 is made up of the other three title hopefuls. Brian Uriarte (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) will start P4, Championship leader Maximo Martinez (Team Honda Laglisse) is fifth with Adrian Cruces (Cuna de Campeones) sixth ahead of two races tomorrow.
Ahead of the final race of the season, it’s a familiar 1-2 at the spearhead of the Moto2™ ECh grid as Lopez leads teammate and 2021 Champion Fermin Aldeguer off the line. Lopez left it until the last lap in QP2 to beat Aldeguer, with the duo split by 0.145s. Adam Norrodin (Liqui Moly Intact SIC Racing) completes the front row in the Moto2™ ECh.
So that’s it for qualifying in 2021! Tune in to all the action on Sunday as we get set to crown the Moto3™ JWCh and HETC Champions. Sunday schedule in local time (GMT+1) below:
Sunday schedule in local time (GMT+1):
11:00 – Moto3™ Race 1 (18 laps)
12:00 – HETC Race 1 (17 laps)
13:00 – Moto2™ Race 1 (19 laps)
14:00 – Moto3™ Race 2 (18 laps)
15:00 – HETC Race 2 (17 laps)
Television networks and media platforms, in Europe and across the world are showing ever-more interest in live broadcasts of FIM CEV Repsol events.
Leon Haslam forced to miss the WorldSBK season finale
In agreement with his team, Leon Haslam will not compete in the final races of the season in Indonesia, having not yet fully recovered following last month’s surgery (October 21st) on the long biceps tendon in his right arm.
Unfortunately, the pain and lack of strength Haslam experienced during the first two practice sessions has proved too much, despite the rider wrapping up the day just 0.371 of a second from provisional pole position. This weekend sees Leon Haslam bid farewell to both his team and to Honda, the staff of which have appreciated the great dedication and passion that Leon has always shown over the last two years.
Leon Haslam 91
“It’s big disappointment to not be able to race here this weekend. This circuit has been fantastic, especially for the Honda and I was up inside the top six after FP2 despite my injury. We were only 0.3 of a second from the fastest so, of all this year’s rounds and even in my current condition, this was probably the best Friday we’ve had, so being unable to race is very disappointing. I really wanted to round out the season and my time with the team on a positive note, but the guys have been amazing and very supportive of my shoulder injury. I simply didn’t expect to be in this much pain and that, combined with a lack of strength, means we cannot race this weekend, but I really want to thank Honda, HRC and the entire team because everyone’s been fantastic all season long.”
Razgatlioglu storms to Mandalika pole ahead of Rea, title battle to be fought from front row
The WorldSBK heavyweights will start in Championship order for Race 1…
The final Tissot Superpole session of the 2021 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship kicked off at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia, with it proving to be a vital session for the Championship contenders, needing to secure strong grid spots. Moments before the session got underway, spots of rain began falling in the paddock area, adding to the complexity of finding a fast lap time around the all-new track. Starting from a third pole of the year, Championship leader Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) heads title rival Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), both going from first and second on the grid respectively.
FAST START: all the contenders at the front
Blinking first, Toprak Razgatlioglu was right at the front on his first flying lap, whilst Championship rival Jonathan Rea took second place after his first attempt. Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was third whilst Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) was up in fourth ahead of Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing). The first run saw most riders head out on the Q tyre, eager to get a banker lap in with the spots of rain in the air. Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Leandro Mercado (MIE Racing Honda Team) were notable outliers as they used the SCX tyre but were both inside the top ten after their initial efforts.
FRONT ROW: a titanic fight awaits
With just over six minutes to go, everyone headed back out to try and go for a quick lap time, with Jonathan Rea leading the field around the 4.3km Pertamina Mandalika Circuit. The reigning six-time World Champion meant business as he put in a storming lap of a 1’33.201, the fastest lap we’d seen of the weekend. Scott Redding was next up, he took second provisionally but all eyes were on Razgatlioglu once again, with the Turkish rider storming to pole, with a 1’32.877 seeing him become the first and only rider to get into the 1’32 bracket. With Andrea Dosoli and Kenan Sofuoglu watching on and applauding accordingly, Razgatlioglu took pole ahead of Rea and Redding. The same three it has been all year at the forefront of the grid.
BACK-UP BEHIND: Yamahas on the second row
Having been third all the way through Free Practice, Garrett Gerloff took fourth, his joint-best Superpole result of 2021 as he looks revitalised and rejuvenated ahead of racing action in Indonesia, coming at the right time as he is in the battle for Best Independent. Fifth place honours went to Andrea Locatelli, with three Yamahas inside the top five. Locatelli has steadily improved over the course of the Pirelli Indonesian Round weekend and, along with Gerloff, will hope to see if they can help Razgatlioglu out in the title battle, should he need it. Completing the second row with a last lap pushing him up the order, Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) returned with a bang.
IMPRESSIVE SUPERPOLE: row three shows some big names with big gains
Heading up the third row, revelation Axel Bassani will look to get in the fight for Best Independent with Gerloff, as well as support the likes of Scott Redding in Ducati’s quest for the Manufacturers’ Championship. Alvaro Bautista (Team HRC) was eighth, his joint-best Superpole result of the season as he looks to close the Honda WorldSBK chapter of his career on a high. Ninth place went to Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), with both the BMWs inside the top ten. It was an impressive showing from Leandro Mercado, who consolidated his pace from the last few rounds by taking a season-best Superpole result of tenth, his first top ten on the grid after Superpole since Magny-Cours 2017, when he was second.
BEST OF THE REST: a disaster for one star
In his final round as a rider, Chaz Davies (Team GoEleven) was 11th, ahead of an impressive showing from Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha), who took a career-best Superpole result of 12th. Isaac Viñales (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) was 13th as he continued to show his potential, whilst it was a Superpole session to forget for Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), with the Italian, who is fourth in the Championship and just eight points ahead of rookie rival Andrea Locatelli, finishing 14th after setting just two laps, the fewest of anyone. There’ll be plenty of work to do from there.
Samuele Cavalieri (Barni Racing Team) was 15th, ahead of Kohta Nozane (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and Oliver König (OUTDO TPR Team Pedercini Racing). Leon Haslam (Team HRC) was declared unfit after a right shoulder functional impairment halted his weekend, whilst Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) suffered a crash in FP3 and was ruled out with a right acromioclavicular separation.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
De Rosa does it at last: the Italian takes maiden WorldSSP victory in rain-hit Mandalika Race 1
Raffaele De Rosa (3) held off Dominique Aegerter (77) to win World Supersport Race One Saturday in Indonesia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
A long wait is over as Raffaele De Rosa claimed his first WorldSSP win after resisting late-race pressure from the 2021 Champion, Dominique Aegerter
The drama throughout the 19-lap FIM Supersport World Championship was relentless at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Race 1 for the Pirelli Indonesian Round as Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) claimed victory in a rain-impacted opening race. The rain started to fall just before the race started before getting harder in the opening stages, with riders who opted to stay out on slick tyres benefitting as the rain eased after a short period.
RAIN THREATENS TO PLAY A MAJOR PART…
The rain started to fall in the opening four laps of the race, with the race lead being held by numerous riders looked to take control of the race. At around the halfway stage, De Rosa was able to break away at the front of the field in search of his maiden victory, with the Italian rider claiming his first WorldSSP victory at the 89th time of asking.
De Rosa withstood pressure from 2021 Champion Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) in the final two laps of the race as he held on to claim Kawasaki’s 45th WorldSSP win and end a streak of 21 Yamaha victories stretching back to Estoril 2020, when Lucas Mahias claimed victory. De Rosa’s victory means he becomes the third-oldest rider to claim their maiden WorldSSP victory, at 34 years, 7 months and 26 days old. He is also the first Italian to win on a Kawasaki in WorldSSP.
Federico Caricasulo (VFT Racing) claimed the first podium for VFT Racing in his debut race for the team, his third of the 2021 season. He had led the race in the opening stages, including on the first lap as he overtook Aegerter at Turn 10, but fell back to third as Aegerter found some late-race pace. Podiums for Aegerter and Caricasulo mean Yamaha have now claimed 50 podiums in the 2021 season.
CLUZEL FIGHTS BACK
French rider Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) came into the Indonesian Round as the form rider, with three wins in the last four races, but had to battle his way back from 13th place to claim fourth place, missing out on a podium by half-a-second against his former teammate. Another rider who had their turn leading the race was Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha ParkinGo Team), but the Moto2™-bound rider fell down to fifth place. Steven Odendaal (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) was sixth despite losing time as the rain fell with a huge moment exiting the final corner, but he was able to respond to claim a top-six finish. The results for Odendaal mean he will finish the Championship in second place while Gonzalez is guaranteed third place in the standings.
Can Öncü (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was seventh, but like most of the riders ahead of him, had his time battling for the lead of the race before he claimed seventh place, just two tenths away from Odendaal. 2019 Champion Randy Krummenacher (CM Racing) started the weekend strongly after topping Friday practice and also showed strong pace in the first half of the race, before eventually claiming eighth place, half-a-second clear of Estonia’s Hannes Soomer (Kallio Racing). Peter Sebestyen (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) rounded out the top ten, nine seconds away from Soomer.
TAKING HOME POINTS
Unai Orradre (Yamaha MS Racing) claimed his best result since a mid-season switch to WorldSSP with 11th place, while Philipp Oettl (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) extended his points-scoring run to 20 races with 12th. Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Team) was 13th after starting from 20th on the grid, ahead of Andres Gonzalez (VFT Racing) and Daniel Valle (Yamaha MS Racing) who rounded out the points-paying position. Jeffrey Buis (G.A.P. MOTOZOO Racing by Puccetti) was the last of the classified riders in 16th.
TO NOTE…
Vertti Takala (Kallio Racing) was the first rider to retire from the race after he had a Lap 8 crash at the final corner, the left-hander of Turn 17. Although he was able to re-join the race following the crash, the Finnish rider brought his bike back to the pit lane a lap later. Niki Tuuli (MV Agusta Corse Clienti) retired from the race after he had a technical issue on Lap 12 of 19, while the two riders who pitted for intermediate tyres when the rain fell, home hero Galang Hendra Pratama (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) and Christoffer Bergman (Wojick Racing Team), also were not classified.
P1 Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura)
“After this time, I did it! I am really happy. At the finale of the season, we went very fast. My pace was good. I want this because my team, my family, my sponsors deserve it. I’m really happy. Tomorrow, we try again!”
P2 Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha)
“It was a difficult race with all the small drops of rain. The track was little bit wet in some corners and drying after a few laps, then a little bit more rain came again. At the start, I didn’t want to risk too much. I fell back a little bit but at the end, I felt I was the strongest rider on track. When tomorrow is dry, for sure I try to fight for the victory.”
P3 Federico Caricasulo (VFT Racing)
“I’m really happy because my plan was not to come here! VFT Racing gave me this opportunity. When I came, I didn’t think it would be possible to be on the front row and on the podium, but we did it immediately. I’m really happy. The bike and the team are working very well. Now I can’t wait for tomorrow because today I had a little problem in the last two laps with the front tyre. If I solve that for tomorrow, we can fight for the win.”
Editorial Note: Frenchman Valentin Debise, riding his GMT94 Yamaha, has been ruled medically unfit to continue in the Supersport World Championship event in Indonesia. According to a social media post by Debise, he crashed in Free Practice One and injured his shoulder.
North Texas Superbikes (NTXSBKS), the official south central region Dunlop road race tire distributor, would like to invite all Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) racers to win a 2022 Kawasaki Ninja 400.
A new 2022 Kawasaki Ninja 400 will be given away at the 2022 CMRA awards banquet to the lucky winner of the RACE DUNLOP WIN A NINJA! promotion.
“We have been fortunate enough to not be as affected by Covid-19 as many others have been and are giving back to our racing community with help from the CMRA and Altus Motorsports,” says NTXSBKS owner David Roy. “I wish all the riders good luck and a great 2022 season!”
The rules are simple.
You must be a NTXSBKS Dunlop 2022 season contracted rider to participate.
All contracted racers will receive one ticket entry for each tire purchased during the period of 1/1/2022 and 11/30/2022.
These tickets will be distributed to the riders at the 2022 CMRA Banquet and the winner will be drawn at that time.
The new 2022 Kawasaki Ninja 400 will be on display at select rounds of the 2022 CMRA race season.
#2022Loading: Bagnaia hits back, Honda continue stealing headlines in Jerez
Ducati return to the top of the timesheets as Pecco pulls clear, but there’s plenty more to see in pitlane on Day 2
Friday, 19 November 2021
Francesco Bagnaia (63). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Less than half a second away from the all-time Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto lap record, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) has ended the two-day Official 2022 MotoGP™ Jerez Test top of the timesheets, as could somewhat be expected based on the Italian’s recent form. Pecco’s 1:36.872 saw him beat Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) to the overall top by four tenths, with 2021 World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) third. But the timesheets were far from the whole story…
Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Straight out of the blocks on Friday, riding a 2022 prototype – the newer engine, front fairing, air intake and more – Bagnaia went just 0.3s shy of Maverick Viñales’ all-time lap record, seemingly a sign that Ducati have gone into 2022 testing carrying the momentum they ended the season with.
With regards to the engine, a big talking point across all factories for the Jerez Test and beyond, Ducati won’t be deciding their spec until the Mandalika Test in February. As well as the front fairing and air intake, the next biggest difference seen on the factory Ducatis has been the new, much long exhaust. Both Pecco and teammate Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) were using it on Day 1 and Day 2, it will be interesting to see whether it makes an appearance at the Sepang and Mandalika Tests next year.
And the end of both days, Pecco finished 0.4s clear after a further 42 laps on Day 2, adding to his 68 on Thursday, and was very pleased with the work done in Jerez. Johann Zarco’s (Pramac Racing) opening day time sees the Frenchman sit P4 on the combined timesheets, the second quickest Ducati, and he completed another 65 laps on Day 2. After 78 already put in on Thursday, Zarco was one of the busiest riders at the Jerez Test in terms of laps.
Miller and Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) were busy testing 2022 parts across the two days, the Australian was P9 on Friday and P10 overall, with Martin down in P18 on both. Luca Marini (VR46 Racing Team) is the other rider in the Desmosedici ranks who will be on the latest spec machinery in 2022, and the Italian was 14th on the timesheets after clocking 56 laps on Day 2. Former teammate Enea Bastianini (Team Gresini Racing MotoGP) ended the couple of days in P5 overall as the two-time premier class podium finisher got to grips with his GP21.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (D). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Ducati have two rookies in their ranks for 2022, both riding GP21s, and the fastest rookie across the two days was Fabio Di Giannantonio (Team Gresini Racing MotoGP). The Italian was an impressive 1.6s down on Bagnaia having completed 45 laps on Day 2, seeing the 2021 Jerez Moto2™ race winner lap 93 times in total. Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Racing Team) finished 2.4s away from good friend Bagnaia after two days on the bike, a cracking effort from the Italian, who got 115 laps in the bank ahead of testing continuing next year.
Marco Bezzecchi (72). Photo courtesy Dorna.
As has been well documented, Honda have a brand-new bike for 2022. It’s the only machine at the test that looks completely new, with every other manufacturer having variations and adaptations from what we saw in 2021. Engine, chassis, aero, air intake, exhaust position… you name it. HRC have been working tirelessly to bring a new-look RC213V to the grid, and on first look, things are seemingly going well.
Pol Espargaro (44). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Marc Marquez’ (Repsol Honda Team) absence from the Jerez Test was bad news but the presence of Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) was very good news, the number 44 back despite his Turn 13 highside in Valencia. On Day 1, Pol Espargaro admitted that he was – unsurprisingly – riding with some pain in his ribs and wrist, with Nakagami and Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) doing all the work on the new bike on Thursday. LCR boss Lucio Cecchinello also said that at one stage, there were six bikes in the LCR garage for Nakagami and Marquez.
However, on Day 2, Pol Espargaro got his hands on the 2022 prototype. Pitlane reporter Simon Crafar confirmed that the Spaniard now has better rear grip, and the number 44 also tried different aero packages with the new bike. Nakagami was second quickest overall and seventh on Friday, with Pol Espargaro setting his best time of the test on the new bike to take fourth on Friday and seventh overall. Alex Marquez also went quicker on Day 2 as all three Honda riders head into the winter with a very good idea of what the 2022 bike needs to be faster. Overall, it seems it was a positive test for HRC.
The new Yamaha chassis seen on Day 1 sported some modifications on Friday, and despite testing that and a new fairing, as well as continuing on engine testing, Quartararo said he struggled to find any clear positive step: the lap time with the bike was too similar to the older spec. He’s searching for better power, less wheelie and more rear grip for next year. He was second on Friday and third overall, as Nakagami slots into second on the combined Thursday-Friday timesheets.
Quartararo’s teammate Franco Morbidelli also had a new front fairing, with the same ‘wings’ but a different, more smoothly rounded fairing. The side fairing was also different, likely to aid cooling – seemingly a similar goal to Suzuki.
Andrea Dovizioso (WithU RNF Yamaha MotoGP) is now on the 2022 Yamaha, but not quite the same as the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP line-up. The Italian was positive about his riding in the afternoon although said it wasn’t yet instinctive, and reported the new bike has better braking, enabling the riders to brake harder, and a bit more power but the same DNA.
Darryn Binder (40). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Teammate Darryn Binder, barring an out lap crash that slowed progress somewhat, was positive about his test too. The South African rookie started working on different tyres, electronics and traction control as he settles in.
Joan Mir (36). Photo courtesy Dorna.
The word on the street from Suzuki was almost singular up and down pitlane: their 2022 engine is reportedly decided, although Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was more coy in his debrief. The 2020 Champion said a huge focus was on electronics with that new engine, and work continued on the chassis side.
There were also some aero updates on show on Day 2, as promised, with different side fairings breaking cover for Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), although Mir said he’d also tried them on Day 1. A new swingarm was put through some more paces too.
Rins ended the day in third after 59 laps, and sixth overall. Mir was sixth on Friday after 73 laps, and ninth overall. Test rider Sylvain Guintoli added another 56 to the Hamamatsu lap count on Friday too.
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing Team) was once again the fastest Aprilia, slotting into fifth on Day 2 and P8 overall. He was trying a new fuel tank cover, and working on body position to be more comfortable. 82 laps later, and having tried a chassis different to that of the Valencia GP, the number 12 said they had a clear direction. Viñales also said the new exhaust spotted at Aprilia was a similar feeling, which he also said was a positive after it was test back-to-back with the previous version.
Aleix Espargaro (41). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Viñales’ teammate Aleix Espargaro put in another 55 laps on Friday too, and aero remained on show at Aprilia overall. Test rider Lorenzo Savadori had another new-look set of ‘wings’ that were different again, making it three aero packages on show from Noale. Their overall 2022 package will reportedly only be finalised at the Mandalika test.
Brad Binder (33). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Both Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira were back out on a new aero package, but slightly different to the one seen on Day 1. The two both spent a lot of time on it, and MotoGP™ Legend and KTM test rider Dani Pedrosa was also back out – and also using the aero.
The Austrian factory were the most publicly coy of all. “Positives and negatives” were reported from both Brad Binder and Oliveira, and they’re expecting more to test at Sepang. Binder was 11th on Friday and 13th overall, with Oliveira 14th on Friday and 16th overall.
On rookie watch at Tech3 KTM Factory Racing, Raul Fernandez retained the upper hand on newly-crowned Moto2™ World Champion Remy Gardner… by just 0.037. Diggia pipped both to fastest rookie honours by the end of the test, with Fernandez 0.163 off the Italian. The number 25 ended the test in 20th on both Friday and overall, and the number 87 in P22 on both too.
That’s a wrap on the first glimpse of next season… but we’re not going anywhere! Keep up to date on everything happening over winter break and 2022 pre-season on motogp.com!
Daniel Holgado (96) leads the start of FIM CEV Repsol Series Moto3 Junior World Championship Race Two at Catalunya earlier in 2021. Courtesy FIM CEV Repsol Press Office.
The FIM CEV Repsol begins a new era
A new era will begin for the FIM CEV Repsol in 2022. As the competition enters its 25th year, the series will officially become known as the FIM JuniorGP™, recognising its status as the final step on the Road to MotoGP™ and a globally vital competition for young talent.
The FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship, the Hawkers European Talent Cup and the Moto2™ European Championship, including the Superstock 600 category, will retain their denominations under the umbrella of FIM JuniorGP.
Over nearly a quarter of a century, the series has played a key role in the recognition and development of riders who have gone on to rule the world, including eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), 2020 MotoGP™ Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and newly crowned Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), France’s first premier class World Champion. Over 80% of the riders in the Grand Prix paddock have passed through the series on their Road to MotoGP™, rising to over 90% for the Moto3™ grid.
2022 now marks a new era as the series becomes FIM JuniorGP, cementing its status as the final stepping-stone for young riders on the Road to MotoGP™.
Mr Jorge Viegas, the FIM President: “The FIM JuniorGP allows young riders to get their MotoGP entrance exam. The FIM is proud to participate in the development of young riders thanks to its close collaboration with Dorna and FIM Europe. The European Talent Cup, the Moto2 European Championship, including the Superstock 600 category and the FIM Moto3 Junior World Championship are all springboards to access the premier category. The FIM JuniorGP will continue to offer thrilling races which will allow the discovery of future stars as was the case for Marc Marquez, Joan Mir, Fabio Quartararo and more recently for Pedro Acosta the 2021 FIM Moto3 Grand Prix World Champion.”
Mr Martin de Graaf, FIM Europe President: “The officialization of FIM CEV Repsol as FIM JuniorGP is a very important step for the on-road competitions. I’m proud to announce that the Hawkers European Talent Cup and the Moto2 European Championship thus officially become an important stepping stone to the World stage. I would like to thank Dorna and FIM for the work done together over the past few seasons: I’m sure that this great step forward will give the championship even more prestige, giving numerous talents the chance to emerge and become great champions”.
Mr Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports: “We are very proud to announce FIM JuniorGP and the beginning of this new era. The track record of the Championship speaks for itself, with an incredible amount of riders in the MotoGP paddock having raced here on their way to the top. FIM JuniorGP is the perfect name for the series as the final step on the Road to MotoGP and I can’t wait to see what the future holds as the competition hits the milestone of 25 years. We look forward to many more as the FIM JuniorGP era begins.”
Scott Ogden. Photo courtesy Repsol CEV Press Office.
Editorial Notes:
American-Hungarian Rossi Moor will start FIM CEV Repsol Moto3 Junior World Championship Race One from 26th on the grid. Moor is riding a Gazzola Racing KTM as a wild card entrant.
American Kristian Daniel Jr., riding an AGR Team Honda, did not finish the European Talent Cup Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) race. Daniel crashed during Q2 while on a lap that would have been fast enough to qualify for the race, and then he suffered electrical problems on the first lap of the LCQ race, according to his father Kristian Daniel.
Canadian Torin Collins, riding a Team MTA Honda, did not finish the European Talent Cup LCQ race.
The FIM CEV Repsol Series races can be watched live via the series’ YouTube channel HERE
Ogden claims maiden pole in the wet as Championship Sunday awaits!
It was a rain-soaked final qualifying of the season for all three classes ahead of a title-deciding race day in Valencia
On a rain-soaked Saturday at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Scott Ogden (Aspar Team) claimed a maiden Moto3™ Junior World Champion pole position as the riders tackled tricky conditions in the final qualifying sessions of the 2021 season. Angel Piqueras (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) will lead the Hawkers European Talent Cup grid from P1, with Alonso Lopez (Boscoscuro Team Ciatti) fronting the grid on Sunday in the Moto2™ European Championship.
In the Moto3™ JWCh, Ogden was fastest in both QP1 and QP2 to claim pole in his last weekend as a Junior World Championship rider. The British rider crashed unhurt twice in the opening qualifying session, before leaving it late to beat Jose Antonio Rueda (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) by 0.108s in slightly better afternoon conditions. Jose Julian Garcia (SIC58 Squadra Corse) will launch from P3, with Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Aspar Team) clinching P4. That Row 2 start for the Spaniard is a great result, with closest rival David Muñoz (Avatel-Cardoso Racing) starting from pitlane and Ivan Ortola (Team MTA) – the only other rider mathematically in with a chance of winning the title – down in P12. Ortola, though, will start P11 after Muñoz’ penalty.
Piqueras has teammate Rico Salmela and Xabi Zurutuza (Cuna de Campeones) alongside him on the front row in the HETC, the latter is the leading title contender on the grid, as Row 2 is made up of the other three title hopefuls. Brian Uriarte (Team Estrella Galicia 0,0) will start P4, Championship leader Maximo Martinez (Team Honda Laglisse) is fifth with Adrian Cruces (Cuna de Campeones) sixth ahead of two races tomorrow.
Ahead of the final race of the season, it’s a familiar 1-2 at the spearhead of the Moto2™ ECh grid as Lopez leads teammate and 2021 Champion Fermin Aldeguer off the line. Lopez left it until the last lap in QP2 to beat Aldeguer, with the duo split by 0.145s. Adam Norrodin (Liqui Moly Intact SIC Racing) completes the front row in the Moto2™ ECh.
So that’s it for qualifying in 2021! Tune in to all the action on Sunday as we get set to crown the Moto3™ JWCh and HETC Champions. Sunday schedule in local time (GMT+1) below:
Sunday schedule in local time (GMT+1):
11:00 – Moto3™ Race 1 (18 laps)
12:00 – HETC Race 1 (17 laps)
13:00 – Moto2™ Race 1 (19 laps)
14:00 – Moto3™ Race 2 (18 laps)
15:00 – HETC Race 2 (17 laps)
Television networks and media platforms, in Europe and across the world are showing ever-more interest in live broadcasts of FIM CEV Repsol events.
Leon Haslam forced to miss the WorldSBK season finale
In agreement with his team, Leon Haslam will not compete in the final races of the season in Indonesia, having not yet fully recovered following last month’s surgery (October 21st) on the long biceps tendon in his right arm.
Unfortunately, the pain and lack of strength Haslam experienced during the first two practice sessions has proved too much, despite the rider wrapping up the day just 0.371 of a second from provisional pole position. This weekend sees Leon Haslam bid farewell to both his team and to Honda, the staff of which have appreciated the great dedication and passion that Leon has always shown over the last two years.
Leon Haslam 91
“It’s big disappointment to not be able to race here this weekend. This circuit has been fantastic, especially for the Honda and I was up inside the top six after FP2 despite my injury. We were only 0.3 of a second from the fastest so, of all this year’s rounds and even in my current condition, this was probably the best Friday we’ve had, so being unable to race is very disappointing. I really wanted to round out the season and my time with the team on a positive note, but the guys have been amazing and very supportive of my shoulder injury. I simply didn’t expect to be in this much pain and that, combined with a lack of strength, means we cannot race this weekend, but I really want to thank Honda, HRC and the entire team because everyone’s been fantastic all season long.”
Tom Sykes (66) was one of the last riders to get off the pre-grid when a heavy rain storm struck at the Mandalika International Street Circuit, forcing Race One to be postponed until Sunday. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Razgatlioglu storms to Mandalika pole ahead of Rea, title battle to be fought from front row
The WorldSBK heavyweights will start in Championship order for Race 1…
The final Tissot Superpole session of the 2021 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship kicked off at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia, with it proving to be a vital session for the Championship contenders, needing to secure strong grid spots. Moments before the session got underway, spots of rain began falling in the paddock area, adding to the complexity of finding a fast lap time around the all-new track. Starting from a third pole of the year, Championship leader Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) heads title rival Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), both going from first and second on the grid respectively.
FAST START: all the contenders at the front
Blinking first, Toprak Razgatlioglu was right at the front on his first flying lap, whilst Championship rival Jonathan Rea took second place after his first attempt. Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was third whilst Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) was up in fourth ahead of Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing). The first run saw most riders head out on the Q tyre, eager to get a banker lap in with the spots of rain in the air. Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Leandro Mercado (MIE Racing Honda Team) were notable outliers as they used the SCX tyre but were both inside the top ten after their initial efforts.
FRONT ROW: a titanic fight awaits
With just over six minutes to go, everyone headed back out to try and go for a quick lap time, with Jonathan Rea leading the field around the 4.3km Pertamina Mandalika Circuit. The reigning six-time World Champion meant business as he put in a storming lap of a 1’33.201, the fastest lap we’d seen of the weekend. Scott Redding was next up, he took second provisionally but all eyes were on Razgatlioglu once again, with the Turkish rider storming to pole, with a 1’32.877 seeing him become the first and only rider to get into the 1’32 bracket. With Andrea Dosoli and Kenan Sofuoglu watching on and applauding accordingly, Razgatlioglu took pole ahead of Rea and Redding. The same three it has been all year at the forefront of the grid.
BACK-UP BEHIND: Yamahas on the second row
Having been third all the way through Free Practice, Garrett Gerloff took fourth, his joint-best Superpole result of 2021 as he looks revitalised and rejuvenated ahead of racing action in Indonesia, coming at the right time as he is in the battle for Best Independent. Fifth place honours went to Andrea Locatelli, with three Yamahas inside the top five. Locatelli has steadily improved over the course of the Pirelli Indonesian Round weekend and, along with Gerloff, will hope to see if they can help Razgatlioglu out in the title battle, should he need it. Completing the second row with a last lap pushing him up the order, Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) returned with a bang.
IMPRESSIVE SUPERPOLE: row three shows some big names with big gains
Heading up the third row, revelation Axel Bassani will look to get in the fight for Best Independent with Gerloff, as well as support the likes of Scott Redding in Ducati’s quest for the Manufacturers’ Championship. Alvaro Bautista (Team HRC) was eighth, his joint-best Superpole result of the season as he looks to close the Honda WorldSBK chapter of his career on a high. Ninth place went to Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), with both the BMWs inside the top ten. It was an impressive showing from Leandro Mercado, who consolidated his pace from the last few rounds by taking a season-best Superpole result of tenth, his first top ten on the grid after Superpole since Magny-Cours 2017, when he was second.
BEST OF THE REST: a disaster for one star
In his final round as a rider, Chaz Davies (Team GoEleven) was 11th, ahead of an impressive showing from Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha), who took a career-best Superpole result of 12th. Isaac Viñales (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) was 13th as he continued to show his potential, whilst it was a Superpole session to forget for Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), with the Italian, who is fourth in the Championship and just eight points ahead of rookie rival Andrea Locatelli, finishing 14th after setting just two laps, the fewest of anyone. There’ll be plenty of work to do from there.
Samuele Cavalieri (Barni Racing Team) was 15th, ahead of Kohta Nozane (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and Oliver König (OUTDO TPR Team Pedercini Racing). Leon Haslam (Team HRC) was declared unfit after a right shoulder functional impairment halted his weekend, whilst Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) suffered a crash in FP3 and was ruled out with a right acromioclavicular separation.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
De Rosa does it at last: the Italian takes maiden WorldSSP victory in rain-hit Mandalika Race 1
Raffaele De Rosa (3) held off Dominique Aegerter (77) to win World Supersport Race One Saturday in Indonesia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
A long wait is over as Raffaele De Rosa claimed his first WorldSSP win after resisting late-race pressure from the 2021 Champion, Dominique Aegerter
The drama throughout the 19-lap FIM Supersport World Championship was relentless at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Race 1 for the Pirelli Indonesian Round as Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) claimed victory in a rain-impacted opening race. The rain started to fall just before the race started before getting harder in the opening stages, with riders who opted to stay out on slick tyres benefitting as the rain eased after a short period.
RAIN THREATENS TO PLAY A MAJOR PART…
The rain started to fall in the opening four laps of the race, with the race lead being held by numerous riders looked to take control of the race. At around the halfway stage, De Rosa was able to break away at the front of the field in search of his maiden victory, with the Italian rider claiming his first WorldSSP victory at the 89th time of asking.
De Rosa withstood pressure from 2021 Champion Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) in the final two laps of the race as he held on to claim Kawasaki’s 45th WorldSSP win and end a streak of 21 Yamaha victories stretching back to Estoril 2020, when Lucas Mahias claimed victory. De Rosa’s victory means he becomes the third-oldest rider to claim their maiden WorldSSP victory, at 34 years, 7 months and 26 days old. He is also the first Italian to win on a Kawasaki in WorldSSP.
Federico Caricasulo (VFT Racing) claimed the first podium for VFT Racing in his debut race for the team, his third of the 2021 season. He had led the race in the opening stages, including on the first lap as he overtook Aegerter at Turn 10, but fell back to third as Aegerter found some late-race pace. Podiums for Aegerter and Caricasulo mean Yamaha have now claimed 50 podiums in the 2021 season.
CLUZEL FIGHTS BACK
French rider Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) came into the Indonesian Round as the form rider, with three wins in the last four races, but had to battle his way back from 13th place to claim fourth place, missing out on a podium by half-a-second against his former teammate. Another rider who had their turn leading the race was Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha ParkinGo Team), but the Moto2™-bound rider fell down to fifth place. Steven Odendaal (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) was sixth despite losing time as the rain fell with a huge moment exiting the final corner, but he was able to respond to claim a top-six finish. The results for Odendaal mean he will finish the Championship in second place while Gonzalez is guaranteed third place in the standings.
Can Öncü (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was seventh, but like most of the riders ahead of him, had his time battling for the lead of the race before he claimed seventh place, just two tenths away from Odendaal. 2019 Champion Randy Krummenacher (CM Racing) started the weekend strongly after topping Friday practice and also showed strong pace in the first half of the race, before eventually claiming eighth place, half-a-second clear of Estonia’s Hannes Soomer (Kallio Racing). Peter Sebestyen (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) rounded out the top ten, nine seconds away from Soomer.
TAKING HOME POINTS
Unai Orradre (Yamaha MS Racing) claimed his best result since a mid-season switch to WorldSSP with 11th place, while Philipp Oettl (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) extended his points-scoring run to 20 races with 12th. Glenn van Straalen (EAB Racing Team) was 13th after starting from 20th on the grid, ahead of Andres Gonzalez (VFT Racing) and Daniel Valle (Yamaha MS Racing) who rounded out the points-paying position. Jeffrey Buis (G.A.P. MOTOZOO Racing by Puccetti) was the last of the classified riders in 16th.
TO NOTE…
Vertti Takala (Kallio Racing) was the first rider to retire from the race after he had a Lap 8 crash at the final corner, the left-hander of Turn 17. Although he was able to re-join the race following the crash, the Finnish rider brought his bike back to the pit lane a lap later. Niki Tuuli (MV Agusta Corse Clienti) retired from the race after he had a technical issue on Lap 12 of 19, while the two riders who pitted for intermediate tyres when the rain fell, home hero Galang Hendra Pratama (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) and Christoffer Bergman (Wojick Racing Team), also were not classified.
P1 Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura)
“After this time, I did it! I am really happy. At the finale of the season, we went very fast. My pace was good. I want this because my team, my family, my sponsors deserve it. I’m really happy. Tomorrow, we try again!”
P2 Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha)
“It was a difficult race with all the small drops of rain. The track was little bit wet in some corners and drying after a few laps, then a little bit more rain came again. At the start, I didn’t want to risk too much. I fell back a little bit but at the end, I felt I was the strongest rider on track. When tomorrow is dry, for sure I try to fight for the victory.”
P3 Federico Caricasulo (VFT Racing)
“I’m really happy because my plan was not to come here! VFT Racing gave me this opportunity. When I came, I didn’t think it would be possible to be on the front row and on the podium, but we did it immediately. I’m really happy. The bike and the team are working very well. Now I can’t wait for tomorrow because today I had a little problem in the last two laps with the front tyre. If I solve that for tomorrow, we can fight for the win.”
Editorial Note: Frenchman Valentin Debise, riding his GMT94 Yamaha, has been ruled medically unfit to continue in the Supersport World Championship event in Indonesia. According to a social media post by Debise, he crashed in Free Practice One and injured his shoulder.
North Texas Superbikes/Monkey Moto-backed MotoAmerica Junior Cup racer Chase Black at speed on his Kawasaki Ninja 400. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy North Texas Superbikes.
RACE DUNLOP WIN A NINJA!
North Texas Superbikes (NTXSBKS), the official south central region Dunlop road race tire distributor, would like to invite all Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) racers to win a 2022 Kawasaki Ninja 400.
A new 2022 Kawasaki Ninja 400 will be given away at the 2022 CMRA awards banquet to the lucky winner of the RACE DUNLOP WIN A NINJA! promotion.
“We have been fortunate enough to not be as affected by Covid-19 as many others have been and are giving back to our racing community with help from the CMRA and Altus Motorsports,” says NTXSBKS owner David Roy. “I wish all the riders good luck and a great 2022 season!”
The rules are simple.
You must be a NTXSBKS Dunlop 2022 season contracted rider to participate.
All contracted racers will receive one ticket entry for each tire purchased during the period of 1/1/2022 and 11/30/2022.
These tickets will be distributed to the riders at the 2022 CMRA Banquet and the winner will be drawn at that time.
The new 2022 Kawasaki Ninja 400 will be on display at select rounds of the 2022 CMRA race season.
#2022Loading: Bagnaia hits back, Honda continue stealing headlines in Jerez
Ducati return to the top of the timesheets as Pecco pulls clear, but there’s plenty more to see in pitlane on Day 2
Friday, 19 November 2021
Francesco Bagnaia (63). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Less than half a second away from the all-time Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto lap record, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) has ended the two-day Official 2022 MotoGP™ Jerez Test top of the timesheets, as could somewhat be expected based on the Italian’s recent form. Pecco’s 1:36.872 saw him beat Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) to the overall top by four tenths, with 2021 World Champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) third. But the timesheets were far from the whole story…
Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Straight out of the blocks on Friday, riding a 2022 prototype – the newer engine, front fairing, air intake and more – Bagnaia went just 0.3s shy of Maverick Viñales’ all-time lap record, seemingly a sign that Ducati have gone into 2022 testing carrying the momentum they ended the season with.
With regards to the engine, a big talking point across all factories for the Jerez Test and beyond, Ducati won’t be deciding their spec until the Mandalika Test in February. As well as the front fairing and air intake, the next biggest difference seen on the factory Ducatis has been the new, much long exhaust. Both Pecco and teammate Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) were using it on Day 1 and Day 2, it will be interesting to see whether it makes an appearance at the Sepang and Mandalika Tests next year.
And the end of both days, Pecco finished 0.4s clear after a further 42 laps on Day 2, adding to his 68 on Thursday, and was very pleased with the work done in Jerez. Johann Zarco’s (Pramac Racing) opening day time sees the Frenchman sit P4 on the combined timesheets, the second quickest Ducati, and he completed another 65 laps on Day 2. After 78 already put in on Thursday, Zarco was one of the busiest riders at the Jerez Test in terms of laps.
Miller and Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) were busy testing 2022 parts across the two days, the Australian was P9 on Friday and P10 overall, with Martin down in P18 on both. Luca Marini (VR46 Racing Team) is the other rider in the Desmosedici ranks who will be on the latest spec machinery in 2022, and the Italian was 14th on the timesheets after clocking 56 laps on Day 2. Former teammate Enea Bastianini (Team Gresini Racing MotoGP) ended the couple of days in P5 overall as the two-time premier class podium finisher got to grips with his GP21.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (D). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Ducati have two rookies in their ranks for 2022, both riding GP21s, and the fastest rookie across the two days was Fabio Di Giannantonio (Team Gresini Racing MotoGP). The Italian was an impressive 1.6s down on Bagnaia having completed 45 laps on Day 2, seeing the 2021 Jerez Moto2™ race winner lap 93 times in total. Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Racing Team) finished 2.4s away from good friend Bagnaia after two days on the bike, a cracking effort from the Italian, who got 115 laps in the bank ahead of testing continuing next year.
Marco Bezzecchi (72). Photo courtesy Dorna.
As has been well documented, Honda have a brand-new bike for 2022. It’s the only machine at the test that looks completely new, with every other manufacturer having variations and adaptations from what we saw in 2021. Engine, chassis, aero, air intake, exhaust position… you name it. HRC have been working tirelessly to bring a new-look RC213V to the grid, and on first look, things are seemingly going well.
Pol Espargaro (44). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Marc Marquez’ (Repsol Honda Team) absence from the Jerez Test was bad news but the presence of Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) was very good news, the number 44 back despite his Turn 13 highside in Valencia. On Day 1, Pol Espargaro admitted that he was – unsurprisingly – riding with some pain in his ribs and wrist, with Nakagami and Alex Marquez (LCR Honda Castrol) doing all the work on the new bike on Thursday. LCR boss Lucio Cecchinello also said that at one stage, there were six bikes in the LCR garage for Nakagami and Marquez.
However, on Day 2, Pol Espargaro got his hands on the 2022 prototype. Pitlane reporter Simon Crafar confirmed that the Spaniard now has better rear grip, and the number 44 also tried different aero packages with the new bike. Nakagami was second quickest overall and seventh on Friday, with Pol Espargaro setting his best time of the test on the new bike to take fourth on Friday and seventh overall. Alex Marquez also went quicker on Day 2 as all three Honda riders head into the winter with a very good idea of what the 2022 bike needs to be faster. Overall, it seems it was a positive test for HRC.
The new Yamaha chassis seen on Day 1 sported some modifications on Friday, and despite testing that and a new fairing, as well as continuing on engine testing, Quartararo said he struggled to find any clear positive step: the lap time with the bike was too similar to the older spec. He’s searching for better power, less wheelie and more rear grip for next year. He was second on Friday and third overall, as Nakagami slots into second on the combined Thursday-Friday timesheets.
Quartararo’s teammate Franco Morbidelli also had a new front fairing, with the same ‘wings’ but a different, more smoothly rounded fairing. The side fairing was also different, likely to aid cooling – seemingly a similar goal to Suzuki.
Andrea Dovizioso (WithU RNF Yamaha MotoGP) is now on the 2022 Yamaha, but not quite the same as the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP line-up. The Italian was positive about his riding in the afternoon although said it wasn’t yet instinctive, and reported the new bike has better braking, enabling the riders to brake harder, and a bit more power but the same DNA.
Darryn Binder (40). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Teammate Darryn Binder, barring an out lap crash that slowed progress somewhat, was positive about his test too. The South African rookie started working on different tyres, electronics and traction control as he settles in.
Joan Mir (36). Photo courtesy Dorna.
The word on the street from Suzuki was almost singular up and down pitlane: their 2022 engine is reportedly decided, although Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was more coy in his debrief. The 2020 Champion said a huge focus was on electronics with that new engine, and work continued on the chassis side.
There were also some aero updates on show on Day 2, as promised, with different side fairings breaking cover for Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), although Mir said he’d also tried them on Day 1. A new swingarm was put through some more paces too.
Rins ended the day in third after 59 laps, and sixth overall. Mir was sixth on Friday after 73 laps, and ninth overall. Test rider Sylvain Guintoli added another 56 to the Hamamatsu lap count on Friday too.
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing Team) was once again the fastest Aprilia, slotting into fifth on Day 2 and P8 overall. He was trying a new fuel tank cover, and working on body position to be more comfortable. 82 laps later, and having tried a chassis different to that of the Valencia GP, the number 12 said they had a clear direction. Viñales also said the new exhaust spotted at Aprilia was a similar feeling, which he also said was a positive after it was test back-to-back with the previous version.
Aleix Espargaro (41). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Viñales’ teammate Aleix Espargaro put in another 55 laps on Friday too, and aero remained on show at Aprilia overall. Test rider Lorenzo Savadori had another new-look set of ‘wings’ that were different again, making it three aero packages on show from Noale. Their overall 2022 package will reportedly only be finalised at the Mandalika test.
Brad Binder (33). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Both Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira were back out on a new aero package, but slightly different to the one seen on Day 1. The two both spent a lot of time on it, and MotoGP™ Legend and KTM test rider Dani Pedrosa was also back out – and also using the aero.
The Austrian factory were the most publicly coy of all. “Positives and negatives” were reported from both Brad Binder and Oliveira, and they’re expecting more to test at Sepang. Binder was 11th on Friday and 13th overall, with Oliveira 14th on Friday and 16th overall.
On rookie watch at Tech3 KTM Factory Racing, Raul Fernandez retained the upper hand on newly-crowned Moto2™ World Champion Remy Gardner… by just 0.037. Diggia pipped both to fastest rookie honours by the end of the test, with Fernandez 0.163 off the Italian. The number 25 ended the test in 20th on both Friday and overall, and the number 87 in P22 on both too.
That’s a wrap on the first glimpse of next season… but we’re not going anywhere! Keep up to date on everything happening over winter break and 2022 pre-season on motogp.com!
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as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
