The FIM MiniGP World Final concludes the season in style
Spain, Italy and Ireland Series riders take podiums and lock out the top five in the inaugural event
Thursday, 11 November 2021
The 2021 FIM MiniGP World Final was an incredible conclusion to the first season of the FIM MiniGP World Series. Two races worth standards points and then the Super Final Race – worth double points – decided the Champion, with FIM MiniGP Spain Series rider Izan Rodriguez coming out on top after doing the triple.
Spain’s Pablo Olivares came second overall and took two podiums, with Italian Cristian Borrelli taking third overall after also finishing on the rostrum twice. The other podium finisher was FIM MiniGP Ireland Series rider Josh O’Brien, who took some spoils in Race 1.
RACE 1
After Qualifying Race that saw the top two move through, the first points on offer were decided. Rodriguez got the perfect start and the holeshot, but Olivares was close on the chase. They took a 1-2 for Spain, with O’Brien impressing to convert fourth on the grid to a podium finish in P3.
RACE 2
With one more rider on the grid, the winner of Qualifying Race 2, there were 25 more points up for grabs and Rodriguez once again took an early lead. He had Olivares as his shadow again too, with the two eventually crossing the line split by almost nothing in another 1-2.
This time around, the close fight for the podium was won by Cristian Borrelli as the FIM MiniGP Italy Series rider made an impressive step forward.
SUPER FINAL RACE
With 50 points on the line it all came down to the final race, and this time around Rodriguez didn’t get the holeshot – closest rival Olivares did. But it didn’t take too long for the points leader to strike back and attack, taking over in the lead once again.
Olivares then got embroiled in the group fight behind, and Rodriguez pulled away to take his third win of the day and impress. Borrelli and compatriot Edoardo Liguori came out on top in the group scrap, taking second and third respectively.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Rodriguez took a clean sweep to become the inaugural Champion and Olivares two second places and a fourth, so it’s a Spain 1-2. Borrelli’s progress throughout the day was rewarded with third overall, just one points off Olivares.
Liguori takes fourth in the standings after the first MiniGP World Final, with Ireland Series star O’Brien continuing his pace in Race 2 and the Super Final to lock out P5 for 2021.
Editorial Note: A link to the full day of racing on YouTube is HERE.
The nine-time World Champion speaks to the press and enjoys a special surprise on Thursday
Thursday, 11 November 2021
The end of an era is nigh and ahead of the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana, nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) sat down for a farewell Press Conference before he bows out. 26 seasons and one final Thursday sit down later, here are some key quotes!
Valentino Rossi. Photo courtesy Dorna.
How is he feeling?
Valentino Rossi: “It’s a particular season especially in the second part after I said it’s my last one. The last race is… I want to try and make it normal but it’s not possible. It’s a great emotion, and already from today to see all the bikes together, all the riders from MotoGP here all together is a great feeling. We’ll see! I’ll try to give the maximum during the weekend, I hope we can have good weather, especially for Sunday, and we’ll see!”
Many MotoGP riders came to Thursday’s press conference to honor Valentino Rossi. Photo courtesy Dorna.
How was it seeing all his title-winning bikes together?
VR46: “I have the bikes at home except the Hondas, I have the Aprilias and Yamahas, the Yamahas are in my house. The 2004 model is in my bedroom. Every morning what I wake up I see the bike, but all together like this is a great emotion. It’s a long long way if you look at the first one it’s a really long time ago. And if you consider that after the last one there was another ten years… it’s a long time and a great emotion.”
Valentino Rossi with his nine World Championship-winning racebikes. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Announcing retirement vs actually retiring…
VR46: “From Austria when I said it, I had a lot of great messages and support from all the other riders, now, and from the past. All my rivals, this is very good. It was great. I always imagined this Press Conference, and here in Valencia… a special place and the opposite for me, a not special place at the same time. It’s strange, a strange feeling but I’ll try to act normal because normally Valencia is a good moment for everyone, it means holidays start after a long season, and everyone is ready to stay at home a bit… but you always think that from Monday, it will be different. Another life. I’ve tried to not think a lot in this way, because I’ll also continue to race, with cars as a driver in this case. But I’ll try to enjoy it because for sure life when you’re not a MotoGP rider anymore will change.”
Now it’s time to get back out on track, so all that remains is…. GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Valentino Rossi with his title-winning Yamaha YZR-M1 racebikes. Photo courtesy Dorna.
#GrazieVale: the nine machines ridden to Championship glory
Surprise! On Thursday afternoon, the nine machines Rossi rode to title-winning glory had a very special appointment with the ‘Doctor’.
The nine-time Champion sat on each one and reminisced a little as they all come together for the first time ever… although one already resides in his bedroom, so some were a little fresher in the memory than others.
Valentino Rossi on his FIM 125cc Grand Prix World Championship-winning Aprilia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The Yamahas, Hondas and Aprilias were also accompanied by Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis, Repsol Honda Team Principal Alberto Puig and Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing CEO, at the surprise, with plenty of other familiar faces from the paddock on hand too.
Editorial Note: Watch a video from Rossi’s reunion with his winning racebikes on YouTube HERE.
Pol Espargaro and Repsol Honda Team forge ahead to Valencia season finale
The Repsol Honda Team and Pol Espargaro aim to end his season on a high with Marc Marquez recovering at home.
Round 18 marks the end of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship campaign which started in Qatar in late March. During the season the Repsol Honda Team have taken three wins, two additional podiums and a pole position. Pol Espargaro is aiming to add to this tally at one of his favourite tracks on the calendar.
The 30-year-old scored his debut premier class podium in Valencia back in 2018 and in 2020, he took a pole position and two thirds at the track. Having taken four top-ten finishes in a row, the #44 arrives at the track in fine form and determined to go into the off season with another strong result. On 100 points, Espargaro sits tenth overall in the championship standings but with his brother, Aleix Espargaro, just 13 points ahead, there are still gains to be made at the final race.
On Tuesday it was announced that Marc Marquez will miss both the Valencia Grand Prix and the Jerez Test due to diplopia after a training crash. The Repsol Honda Team have elected not to field a replacement for the Valencia GP weekend. Pol Espargaro
“First I want to wish Marc all the best during this difficult time and I hope he can recover soon and well. His absence will of course be felt at the track, but we arrive in Valencia still motivated to do our job the best we can. It’s a circuit that I really enjoy a lot, I achieved my first MotoGP podium there in 2018 and I think we can do well there this year. The circuit is very cold at this time of year and this is good for us. It’s the last race, I want to continue the speed from the last races to end well before 2022 begins in Jerez.”
Streetfighter V2 and Streetfighter V4 SP: Two New Ducati Models Derived from the Successful “Fight Formula”
Building on the success of the V4 model, the Ducati Streetfighter family expands with the introduction of new Streetfighter V2 and Streetfighter V4 SP models
The Streetfighter V2 truly represents the essence of the “Fighter” attitude: the new gateway to the Streetfighter family is the perfect synthesis between boldness and essentiality
Manufactured in a numbered series, top-of-the-range Streetfighter V4 SP adds the class-leading technical specification of the “SP” models to the “Fight Formula,” further improving the power-to-weight ratio of the Streetfighter V4 S, already at the top of its category
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), November 11, 2021 – Ducati expands the Streetfighter family with the introduction of two new models: the bold and essential Streetfighter V2 and the top-of-the-range Streetfighter V4 SP. All the in-depth information on the two bikes has been revealed during the fourth episode of the Ducati World Première web series.
A 2022-model Ducati Streetfighter V2 at rest. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The new Streetfighter V2 is a sports-naked bike with a one-of-a-kind character. It accommodates the needs of those riders who are looking for a bike capable of combining the Panigale V2’s DNA with both the attitude and style of the admired Streetfighter. The result is an intuitive and easy-to-handle motorcycle, with the right dose of power to ensure feisty performance and maximum riding fun.
It is noteworthy that this project is the reinterpretation of Ducati’s successful “Fight Formula” applied to the Panigale V2, which has been stripped of the fairings and equipped with high and wide handlebars. The dry weight of this vehicle is 392 lb (178 kg) and the engine is the 955 cc and 153 hp Superquadro, controlled by the latest-generation electronics package.
A 2022-model Ducati Streetfighter V2 at speed. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The new Streetfighter V2 is essential and characterized by a truly sharp design, which embraces the classic stylistic elements of the Streetfighter V4, starting with the distinctive headlight, which pays homage to the V-shaped DRL typical of Ducati sports bikes and is inspired by the famous grin of the Joker.
The design concept behind this new model is built around the mechanics inherited from the Panigale V2, with the Superquadro engine as a bearing element.
Ergonomics has major rider-centric features and is focused on road use with the added values of sportiness and comfort. The high and wide aluminum handlebars replace the handlebar risers of the Panigale V2. The saddle is now wider and has new padding that contributes to make this bike even more comfortable. In addition, the footpegs have been repositioned to increase the amount of room. All these improvements allow the rider great control in sporty riding and facilitate everyday use at the same time.
The engine of the Streetfighter V2 is the 955 cc Euro 5-compliant Superquadro, capable of delivering a maximum power of 153 hp at 10,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 74.8 lb-ft (101.4 Nm) at 9,000 rpm. This engine results are not only usable and enjoyable on the road but also effective and excellent on the track, where the bike can be easily managed. Compared to the Panigale V2, the Streetfighter V2 project has a shorter final ratio (15/45 vs 15/43): this guarantees greater torque to the wheel at road speeds while giving better engine responsiveness when re-opening the throttle.
While developing this new model, Ducati engineers focused their attention on the chassis set-up. The Superquadro engine is used as a bearing element connecting the compact front structure, consisting of a monocoque frame in die-cast aluminum fixed to the engine head. The single-sided swingarm, which is also connected to the engine, is 0.6 inches (16 mm) longer compared to that of the Panigale V2, a key feature which contributes to ensure the stability of the whole bike.
The 1.7-inch (43 mm) Showa BPF front fork and the Sachs shock absorber are added to the platform, featuring dedicated calibration to make the bike more comfortable on the road as well as easily adjustable for a whole new dimension of fun on the racetrack.
The Streetfighter V2 is equipped with 5-spoke wheels and the new Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires: 120/70 ZR17 at the front and 180/60 ZR17 at the rear, which provide a super-fast response to the rider’s needs together with extra cornering feedback. Nearly the whole braking system is faithfully taken from the Panigale V2 and features Brembo M4-32 monobloc radial calipers with 12.6 inch (320 mm) diameter discs with the exception of the brake pads, which offer a less aggressive bite and which are more suitable for road use.
The comprehensive and modern electronics compartment fitting the Streetfighter V2 is inherited from the Panigale V2. The 6-axis IMU inertial platform manages all the electronic controls of the bike and gives the position of the bike in space in real time, sending the information to the control units that manage the controls. The electronic package includes: ABS Cornering EVO with “slide by brake” functionality, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2, Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO.
The Streetfighter V2 features three different Riding Modes (Sport, Road, Wet) with dedicated control settings. The electronic equipment can be enhanced by a range of accessories of the Ducati Performance catalogue: Ducati Data Analyzer (DDA + GPS) and Ducati Multimedia System.
The bike is equipped with LED headlights with front DRL and a 4.3” full-TFT dashboard with an intuitive interface that stems from the Streetfighter V4 family.
The Streetfighter V2 will be available at Ducati dealerships in North America starting in February 2022 in the Ducati Red color with black rims.
The Ducati Performance catalog features numerous accessories designed to enhance the look, performance and style of the new Streetfighter V2. Among these, the winglets designed by Ducati to obtain even higher performance in track use.
For 2022 Ducati introduces also top-of-the-range Streetfighter V4 SP model, offered in a numbered version and marked with the legendary “SP” (which stands for Sport Production) abbreviation. The new Streetfighter V4 SP is the most adrenaline-pumping sports-naked bike to ever roll its wheels off the production line in Borgo Panigale . This is thanks to special technical equipment that perfectly combines the “Fight Formula” with the “SP” specifications, further improving the power-to-weight ratio of the Streetfighter V4 S, which was already at the top of its category, and making the bike even more effective on the track.
A 2022-model Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP at rest. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The Streetfighter V4 SP comes with a dedicated livery, premium equipment derived from the Superleggera V4, as well as with a restrained weight: 432 lb (196 kg) in running order (6.6 lb [3 kg] less compared to the Streetfighter V4 S).
The essential and captivating “Winter Test” livery has been conceived by the Ducati Centro Stile taking inspiration from the Ducati Corse motorcycles ridden in MotoGP and SBK Championships pre-season tests. The Matt Black of the fairings combined with the Matt Carbon finish of rims and wings perfectly contrasts with the bright red accents and sparkling brushed aluminum tank. This new bike from Borgo Panigale is also enriched with some beautiful details, such as the progressive number printed on the handlebar and the Italian flag color scheme on the carbon wings.
A 2022-model Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP at speed. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The Streetfighter V4 SP is equipped with 5 split-spoke carbon rims , 3 lb (1.4 kg) lighter than the forged aluminum rims fitted as standard on the Streetfighter V4 S and capable of reducing the inertia by 26% at the front and 46% at the rear, making the bike significantly more agile and lighter when changing direction. The exclusive Brembo Stylema R® front brake calipers guarantee unmatched braking power, as well as stunning performance even during extended use on track*.
The new bike is equipped with the Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 with the event-based system that can vary the damping according to the rider’s riding style, and together with biplane wings they increase confidence and ensure the best performance in sporty use.
The beating heart is the 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale with 208 hp capable of delivering a torque of 90.4 lb-ft (123 Nm) at 9,500 rpm (Euro 5-compliant). On the Streetfighter V4 SP the Desmosedici Stradale is fitted with the STM-EVO SBK dry clutch, which guarantees a better anti-hopping function, even in the most aggressive downshifts, and greater fluidity during all “off-throttle” stages, which is crucial to be truly effective on the track when pushing to the limit.
The equipment of this unique bike is enriched by the adjustable aluminum and CNC machined footpegs, the carbon front mudguard, the lithium-ion battery and a range of accessories suitable for “track days,” such as the open carbon clutch cover** and the caps for removing the license plate holder.**
Thanks to its technical equipment, the Streetfighter V4 SP is the ideal companion for the novice who wants to rule the track by riding a naked bike and get an instant response. Braking capacity results are outstanding, and the bike is easier to lay into the corner and gets to the apex faster, not to mention offers great stability at high speeds.
The Streetfighter V4 SP will be available in single-seat configuration in the “Winter Test” livery. The bike will be in Ducati dealerships in North America starting in February 2022.
The dynamic videos of the new Ducati Streetfighter V2 and the Streetfighter V4 SP are available on the Ducati YouTube channel.
The complete press kit along with all the product information and the images of the new Ducati Streetfighter family are available for download on Ducati Media House.
Starting pricing for the Ducati Streetfighter V2 will be $16,995 in the U.S. and CAD $18,995 for Canada.
The Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP will have a starting price of $35,500 in the U.S. and CAD $40,000 for Canada.
*Bike specifications and dealer availability may vary from market to market. Please refer to the tech specs contained in the press kit for further information
**This product is intended for vehicles used only in closed-course circuit. Operation on public roads is prohibited by law
Medallia Signs On As Title Sponsor Of MotoAmerica Superbike Class
Series’ Headline Class Renamed MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship For The 2022 And 2023 Seasons IRVINE, CA (November 11, 2021) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is thrilled to announce that Medallia Inc., the market leader in customer and employee experience, will be the title sponsor of the series’ headline class, to be known as the MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship, for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
The 10-round 2022 Superbike season will open alongside the stars of MotoGP at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, April 8-10, and will conclude at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, September 23-25.
This year, Medallia came onboard with MotoAmerica as an official partner for the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca round before stepping up to become the official feedback partner of the series.
As MotoAmerica Superbike class title sponsor, Medallia will continue to provide MotoAmerica with Medallia Quickstart Solutions, a powerful set of prepackaged experience management solutions designed to help companies launch impactful customer and employee experience feedback programs in days. This technology will capture feedback from fans, employees, and racers via video, audio, and text that MotoAmerica can immediately analyze and report on based on responses received, then make real-time decisions based on that data.
“We’ve developed a close relationship with Medallia over the past year, and that has evolved into their title sponsorship of our Superbike class for the next two years,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “Like any great partnership, it goes beyond a title; Medallia’s technology has already proven to be a huge asset in assisting us with getting feedback from our fans and riders that will help us continue to improve and grow our series.”
“At Medallia, we stand with those who push the limits and raise the bar,” said Medallia President and CEO Leslie Stretch. “As sponsors, as technology partners, and as fans, we’re here to champion the champions and wanted to extend our commitment to MotoAmerica to reflect this passion.”
Medallia’s award-winning SaaS platform, the Medallia Experience Cloud, leads the market in the understanding and management of experience for customers, employees, and citizens. Medallia captures experience signals created on daily journeys in person, on calls and digital channels, over video and social media and Internet of Things (IoT) interactions and applies proprietary AI technology to reveal personalized and predictive insights that can drive action with tremendous business results. For more information visit: www.medallia.com.
April 8-10 Circuit of The Americas MotoGP Austin, TX
April 22-24 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Braselton, GA
May 20-22 VIRginia International Raceway Alton, VA
June 3-5 Road America Elkhart Lake, WI
June 24-26 Ridge Motorsports Park Shelton, WA
July 8-10 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, CA
July 29-31 Brainerd International Raceway Brainerd, MN
Aug. 19-21 Pittsburgh International Race Complex Wampum, PA
Sept. 9-11 New Jersey Motorsports Park Millville, NJ
Sept. 23-25 Barber Motorsports Park Birmingham, AL
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Ducati Returns to National Supersport Competition and the Daytona 200 in 2022 With Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York and Josh Herrin
The next generation of MotoAmerica Supersport is upon us and Ducati will be front-row center with the new Panigale V2
Sunnyvale, Calif., November 11, 2021 – Ducati North America today announced it will compete in the new-look MotoAmerica Supersport Championship and the Daytona 200 in 2022, partnering with the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York outfit and new signing, Josh Herrin.
For the first time in the history of the class, the Supersport regulations will be evolved to allow larger capacity twin-cylinder and three-cylinder machines to compete against the established 600cc four-cylinder machines.
With MotoAmerica’s policy of closely replicating the rules set by the WorldSSP Championship, this has opened the door for Ducati to field a factory-supported entry in national-level Supersport competition and once again compete for glory in the Daytona 200, which will come back under the sanctioning of the American Motorcyclist Association and MotoAmerica.
Ducati has pedigree on the high 31-degree banking of Daytona International Speedway, with Jason DiSalvo claiming the 200 victory in 2011 on a Ducati 848, when the race was run under the Daytona Sportbike rules.
At the helm of the 2022 Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York Panigale V2 will be none other than former AMA Superbike, Stock 1000, and 2010 Daytona 200 Champion, Josh Herrin. Herrin is one of the most respected and experienced riders in North America and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Ducati family, as he looks to add the Supersport title to his already stacked trophy cabinet.
Jason Chinnock – Chief Executive Officer, Ducati North America
“The Panigale V2 is one of our best-selling motorcycles in the U.S., so to bring it to the MotoAmerica Supersport racing platform next year is excellent timing,” said Chinnock. “We support broadening motorcycle racing in North America and the partnership with the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York team along with Josh Herrin will pilot our racing heritage into the new era of the Supersport class. The expansion of our presence in the series is good for our customers, fans, and all involved as we work together to grow the sport of American road racing. ”
Bobby Shek – Team Principle, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York
“It’s very exciting for us to be back in the Supersport class,” Shek said. “We’ve put in a lot of years in the class and we know what it takes to run up the front, so we expect nothing less in MotoAmerica and the Daytona 200 with the new Ducati Panigale V2.
“We’re also extremely excited to have signed Josh Herrin. Josh brings a wealth of knowledge, having raced a variety of motorcycles and he’s a former Superbike and Daytona 200 champion, so it’s a win-win for both of us. It’s great to welcome Josh to the Ducati family and for us to benefit from all his years of competitive racing in the Supersport category.”
Josh Herrin – Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York – Ducati #2
“I spoke with Bobby (Shek) at the end of the 2021 season and when I was informed of the chance to ride the Panigale V2 in the new Supersport category, it was exactly what I was looking for,” Herrin said. “I’ve always had so much fun in Supersport, and that’s what I want for 2022. When I have fun on the bike, that’s when I go well. That’s been a key to my success in the past and I think we’re on the right track to replicate that next year.
“To join the Ducati family is a big thing for me. It’s a brand I’ve always admired and to be part of this new project with the Panigale V2, bringing Ducati back into AMA/MotoAmerica Supersport competition, is really exciting. I’ll be out riding a Panigale V2 on the street over the coming months to get a feel for it and I’m looking forward to engaging with the American Ducatisti wherever we go across the country.”
The first race for the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York Ducati Panigale V2 will be the 2022 Daytona 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, March 12, 2022.
Famed race tuner and racing manager Robert “Bob” William Work died August 25, according to the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame. He was 82.
A native of East Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada, Work became the Canadian National Service Manager for Yamaha’s Canadian distributor Pacific Seaboard Ltd. in 1962. Soon after, Trev Deeley Ltd. took over the Yamaha distributorship and Work also took on the additional role of Race Director for Yamaha in Canada.
Work hired rider Yvon Duhamel in 1967, and the duo went on to win many races and titles in Canada and the United States. Work later added Steve Baker to his stable of riders, and together they racked up nine Canadian Road Race Championships and the 1977 Formula 750 World Championship, according to the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
Work also had a hand in the creation of the Yamaha TZ750-powered dirt tracker that King Kenny Roberts used to win the Indy Mile AMA Grand National flat track race in 1975.
Work is survived by wife Irene; daughters Cori, Lisa, and Vicki; stepchildren Kim and Jason; 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2014.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA: Since 2020, all American Flat Track classes have been running the new DT4 tire from Dunlop. Designed for pro and amateur riders alike, the DT4 has multiple compound options, a new tread pattern, more grip and can be run tubeless for greater overall versatility and performance. Now the official tire of American Flat Track features a new smaller 120/70-17 size for mini riders in a soft compound. This additional size will enhance the line of the highly successful DT4 130/80-19 front and 140/80-19 rear sizes.
This new 120/70-17 size is the ideal size for 85-150cc bikes running 17” wheels and is a universal fitment for both front and rear of the bike. This versatility allows parents to save on expenses and flip tires if necessary. Being a smaller version and slight variation of the race proven, larger sized DT4, we know mini riders will find just as much success on them as the top pros!
“We have been working on this new tire for a while now as we have received a lot of requests for mini sizes,” said Dunlop’s Amateur Motocross/Flat Track Support Manager Rob Fox. “We recently extended our highly successful MX amateur Team Dunlop Elite support program to Flat Track enthusiasts as we want to see the Flat Track roots grow from the bottom up. We used top Team Dunlop Elite and supported riders to conduct testing on this tire, and we’re excited to now have them available to the public.”
For sponsorship opportunities, visit www.TeamDunlop.com/flat-track
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires
Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit http://www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com/
Ready, set, MiniGP! The FIM MiniGP World Final is GO
Live coverage begins tomorrow as the engines fire up for the first ever World Final in Valencia
Wednesday, 10 November 2021
The 2021 FIM MiniGP World Final is now underway in Valencia, with the top finalists from the 10 Cups in the inaugural series all facing each other down over two days of track action. Free Practice and qualifying took place on Wednesday before the lights go out for racing on Thursday.
WHERE TO WATCH
The class of 2021 will contest five races to decide the overall Champion, with each broadcast live and free on motogp.com and across MotoGP™ social media on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. MotoGP™’s Matt Dunn and Fran Wyld will provide commentary for each race, with paddock legend and MotoGP™ commentator Matthew Birt down in pitlane.
The 2021 FIM MiniGP World Final field of riders. Photo courtesy Dorna.
HOW IT WORKS
The riders were split into groups – A, B and C – with the allocation made randomly via lottery on Tuesday. According to the classification of each personal best from combined Free Practice sessions, the bottom 12 went straight to Q1 qualifying, the middle 10 directly to Q2 and the top eight directly to Q3. The top four in Q1 and Q2 made the cut to move through.
Qualifying saw the FIM MiniGP Spain Series dominate, ahead of FIM MiniGP Ireland Series’ competitor Josh O’Brien impressing in fourth.
RACE DAY
Each of the five races will be shown live, with two qualifying races, two races awarding standard points and then the Super Final race with double points on offer.
The riders in Q3 are those automatically lining up, with more grid spots available for those who come out on top in the qualifying races.
10:45 10 laps – Qualifying Race 1 – Top 2 go to Race 1 (No Points)
11:30 10 laps – Race 1 – Standard points (25, 20, 16…)
12:22 10 laps – Qualifying Race 2 – Top 2 go to Race 2 (No Points)
13:07 10 laps – Race 2 – Standard points (25, 20, 16…)
Six-time MotoGP World Champion has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship season and an important post-season test later this month due to diplopia, which is also known as double vision. But this isn’t the first time that Marquez has dealt with this career-threatening condition.
On October 30, 2021, Marquez crashed while training on an off-road bike in Spain. He suffered a concussion, which ruled him out of the Algarve Grand Prix November 5-7 at Algarve International Circuit, in Portugal.
Two days after that event, Marquez’s Repsol Honda team announced that he would miss the season finale November 12-14 at Valencia and the IRTA test November 18-19 at Jerez due to vision problems.
A press release issued by the team on November 9 quoted ophthalmologist Dr. Sanchez Dalmau as saying, “The examination carried out on Marc Marquez today after the accident that occurred has confirmed that the rider has diplopia and has revealed a paralysis of the fourth right nerve with involvement of the right superior oblique muscle.”
According to the Harvard Medical School, diplopia is double vision, and in this case, it is being caused by the paralyzed nerve preventing a muscle from rotating Marquez’s right eyeball properly.
The crazy thing is Marquez has suffered this exact same injury before.
On October 21, 2011, Marquez crashed his CatalunyaCaixa Repsol Suter when he hit a wet patch during Moto2 Free Practice One at Sepang. The then-18-year-old Spaniard paralyzed the same nerve, hindering the same muscle, caused double vision for more than three months. In an interview in 2020, Marquez said at the time he feared his career might be over.
Ironic Note: When Marquez was knocked out of the 2011 Moto2 World Championship he was second in the standings, three points behind Stefan Bradl. Bradl went on to win the 2011 Moto2 World Championship and is currently filling in for Marquez while he is out.
Pablo Olivares-Rodriguez (46), Izan Rodriguez-Alvarez (44), Josh O'Brien (22, behind Rodriguez-Alvarez), and Cristian Borrelli (24) battle for the lead of an FIM MiniGP World Final race at Valencia in 2021. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The FIM MiniGP World Final concludes the season in style
Spain, Italy and Ireland Series riders take podiums and lock out the top five in the inaugural event
Thursday, 11 November 2021
The 2021 FIM MiniGP World Final was an incredible conclusion to the first season of the FIM MiniGP World Series. Two races worth standards points and then the Super Final Race – worth double points – decided the Champion, with FIM MiniGP Spain Series rider Izan Rodriguez coming out on top after doing the triple.
Spain’s Pablo Olivares came second overall and took two podiums, with Italian Cristian Borrelli taking third overall after also finishing on the rostrum twice. The other podium finisher was FIM MiniGP Ireland Series rider Josh O’Brien, who took some spoils in Race 1.
RACE 1
After Qualifying Race that saw the top two move through, the first points on offer were decided. Rodriguez got the perfect start and the holeshot, but Olivares was close on the chase. They took a 1-2 for Spain, with O’Brien impressing to convert fourth on the grid to a podium finish in P3.
RACE 2
With one more rider on the grid, the winner of Qualifying Race 2, there were 25 more points up for grabs and Rodriguez once again took an early lead. He had Olivares as his shadow again too, with the two eventually crossing the line split by almost nothing in another 1-2.
This time around, the close fight for the podium was won by Cristian Borrelli as the FIM MiniGP Italy Series rider made an impressive step forward.
SUPER FINAL RACE
With 50 points on the line it all came down to the final race, and this time around Rodriguez didn’t get the holeshot – closest rival Olivares did. But it didn’t take too long for the points leader to strike back and attack, taking over in the lead once again.
Olivares then got embroiled in the group fight behind, and Rodriguez pulled away to take his third win of the day and impress. Borrelli and compatriot Edoardo Liguori came out on top in the group scrap, taking second and third respectively.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Rodriguez took a clean sweep to become the inaugural Champion and Olivares two second places and a fourth, so it’s a Spain 1-2. Borrelli’s progress throughout the day was rewarded with third overall, just one points off Olivares.
Liguori takes fourth in the standings after the first MiniGP World Final, with Ireland Series star O’Brien continuing his pace in Race 2 and the Super Final to lock out P5 for 2021.
Editorial Note: A link to the full day of racing on YouTube is HERE.
Valentino Rossi reunites with all of his World Championship-winning racebikes, which are arranged in chronological order from right to left. Photo courtesy Dorna.
#GrazieVale: the VR46 farewell Press Conference
The nine-time World Champion speaks to the press and enjoys a special surprise on Thursday
Thursday, 11 November 2021
The end of an era is nigh and ahead of the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana, nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) sat down for a farewell Press Conference before he bows out. 26 seasons and one final Thursday sit down later, here are some key quotes!
Valentino Rossi. Photo courtesy Dorna.
How is he feeling?
Valentino Rossi: “It’s a particular season especially in the second part after I said it’s my last one. The last race is… I want to try and make it normal but it’s not possible. It’s a great emotion, and already from today to see all the bikes together, all the riders from MotoGP here all together is a great feeling. We’ll see! I’ll try to give the maximum during the weekend, I hope we can have good weather, especially for Sunday, and we’ll see!”
Many MotoGP riders came to Thursday’s press conference to honor Valentino Rossi. Photo courtesy Dorna.
How was it seeing all his title-winning bikes together?
VR46: “I have the bikes at home except the Hondas, I have the Aprilias and Yamahas, the Yamahas are in my house. The 2004 model is in my bedroom. Every morning what I wake up I see the bike, but all together like this is a great emotion. It’s a long long way if you look at the first one it’s a really long time ago. And if you consider that after the last one there was another ten years… it’s a long time and a great emotion.”
Valentino Rossi with his nine World Championship-winning racebikes. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Announcing retirement vs actually retiring…
VR46: “From Austria when I said it, I had a lot of great messages and support from all the other riders, now, and from the past. All my rivals, this is very good. It was great. I always imagined this Press Conference, and here in Valencia… a special place and the opposite for me, a not special place at the same time. It’s strange, a strange feeling but I’ll try to act normal because normally Valencia is a good moment for everyone, it means holidays start after a long season, and everyone is ready to stay at home a bit… but you always think that from Monday, it will be different. Another life. I’ve tried to not think a lot in this way, because I’ll also continue to race, with cars as a driver in this case. But I’ll try to enjoy it because for sure life when you’re not a MotoGP rider anymore will change.”
Now it’s time to get back out on track, so all that remains is…. GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Valentino Rossi with his title-winning Yamaha YZR-M1 racebikes. Photo courtesy Dorna.
#GrazieVale: the nine machines ridden to Championship glory
Surprise! On Thursday afternoon, the nine machines Rossi rode to title-winning glory had a very special appointment with the ‘Doctor’.
The nine-time Champion sat on each one and reminisced a little as they all come together for the first time ever… although one already resides in his bedroom, so some were a little fresher in the memory than others.
Valentino Rossi on his FIM 125cc Grand Prix World Championship-winning Aprilia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The Yamahas, Hondas and Aprilias were also accompanied by Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis, Repsol Honda Team Principal Alberto Puig and Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing CEO, at the surprise, with plenty of other familiar faces from the paddock on hand too.
Editorial Note: Watch a video from Rossi’s reunion with his winning racebikes on YouTube HERE.
Test rider Stefan Bradl (6) filled in for injured Marc Marquez at the Algarve GP. Photo courtesy Repsol Honda.
Pol Espargaro and Repsol Honda Team forge ahead to Valencia season finale
The Repsol Honda Team and Pol Espargaro aim to end his season on a high with Marc Marquez recovering at home.
Round 18 marks the end of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship campaign which started in Qatar in late March. During the season the Repsol Honda Team have taken three wins, two additional podiums and a pole position. Pol Espargaro is aiming to add to this tally at one of his favourite tracks on the calendar.
The 30-year-old scored his debut premier class podium in Valencia back in 2018 and in 2020, he took a pole position and two thirds at the track. Having taken four top-ten finishes in a row, the #44 arrives at the track in fine form and determined to go into the off season with another strong result. On 100 points, Espargaro sits tenth overall in the championship standings but with his brother, Aleix Espargaro, just 13 points ahead, there are still gains to be made at the final race.
On Tuesday it was announced that Marc Marquez will miss both the Valencia Grand Prix and the Jerez Test due to diplopia after a training crash. The Repsol Honda Team have elected not to field a replacement for the Valencia GP weekend. Pol Espargaro
“First I want to wish Marc all the best during this difficult time and I hope he can recover soon and well. His absence will of course be felt at the track, but we arrive in Valencia still motivated to do our job the best we can. It’s a circuit that I really enjoy a lot, I achieved my first MotoGP podium there in 2018 and I think we can do well there this year. The circuit is very cold at this time of year and this is good for us. It’s the last race, I want to continue the speed from the last races to end well before 2022 begins in Jerez.”
The 2022 Ducati Streetfighter family: The Streetfighter V2 (left), the Streetfighter V4 SP (center), and the Streetfighter V4 S (right). Photo courtesy Ducati.
Streetfighter V2 and Streetfighter V4 SP: Two New Ducati Models Derived from the Successful “Fight Formula”
Building on the success of the V4 model, the Ducati Streetfighter family expands with the introduction of new Streetfighter V2 and Streetfighter V4 SP models
The Streetfighter V2 truly represents the essence of the “Fighter” attitude: the new gateway to the Streetfighter family is the perfect synthesis between boldness and essentiality
Manufactured in a numbered series, top-of-the-range Streetfighter V4 SP adds the class-leading technical specification of the “SP” models to the “Fight Formula,” further improving the power-to-weight ratio of the Streetfighter V4 S, already at the top of its category
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), November 11, 2021 – Ducati expands the Streetfighter family with the introduction of two new models: the bold and essential Streetfighter V2 and the top-of-the-range Streetfighter V4 SP. All the in-depth information on the two bikes has been revealed during the fourth episode of the Ducati World Première web series.
A 2022-model Ducati Streetfighter V2 at rest. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The new Streetfighter V2 is a sports-naked bike with a one-of-a-kind character. It accommodates the needs of those riders who are looking for a bike capable of combining the Panigale V2’s DNA with both the attitude and style of the admired Streetfighter. The result is an intuitive and easy-to-handle motorcycle, with the right dose of power to ensure feisty performance and maximum riding fun.
It is noteworthy that this project is the reinterpretation of Ducati’s successful “Fight Formula” applied to the Panigale V2, which has been stripped of the fairings and equipped with high and wide handlebars. The dry weight of this vehicle is 392 lb (178 kg) and the engine is the 955 cc and 153 hp Superquadro, controlled by the latest-generation electronics package.
A 2022-model Ducati Streetfighter V2 at speed. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The new Streetfighter V2 is essential and characterized by a truly sharp design, which embraces the classic stylistic elements of the Streetfighter V4, starting with the distinctive headlight, which pays homage to the V-shaped DRL typical of Ducati sports bikes and is inspired by the famous grin of the Joker.
The design concept behind this new model is built around the mechanics inherited from the Panigale V2, with the Superquadro engine as a bearing element.
Ergonomics has major rider-centric features and is focused on road use with the added values of sportiness and comfort. The high and wide aluminum handlebars replace the handlebar risers of the Panigale V2. The saddle is now wider and has new padding that contributes to make this bike even more comfortable. In addition, the footpegs have been repositioned to increase the amount of room. All these improvements allow the rider great control in sporty riding and facilitate everyday use at the same time.
The engine of the Streetfighter V2 is the 955 cc Euro 5-compliant Superquadro, capable of delivering a maximum power of 153 hp at 10,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 74.8 lb-ft (101.4 Nm) at 9,000 rpm. This engine results are not only usable and enjoyable on the road but also effective and excellent on the track, where the bike can be easily managed. Compared to the Panigale V2, the Streetfighter V2 project has a shorter final ratio (15/45 vs 15/43): this guarantees greater torque to the wheel at road speeds while giving better engine responsiveness when re-opening the throttle.
While developing this new model, Ducati engineers focused their attention on the chassis set-up. The Superquadro engine is used as a bearing element connecting the compact front structure, consisting of a monocoque frame in die-cast aluminum fixed to the engine head. The single-sided swingarm, which is also connected to the engine, is 0.6 inches (16 mm) longer compared to that of the Panigale V2, a key feature which contributes to ensure the stability of the whole bike.
The 1.7-inch (43 mm) Showa BPF front fork and the Sachs shock absorber are added to the platform, featuring dedicated calibration to make the bike more comfortable on the road as well as easily adjustable for a whole new dimension of fun on the racetrack.
The Streetfighter V2 is equipped with 5-spoke wheels and the new Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tires: 120/70 ZR17 at the front and 180/60 ZR17 at the rear, which provide a super-fast response to the rider’s needs together with extra cornering feedback. Nearly the whole braking system is faithfully taken from the Panigale V2 and features Brembo M4-32 monobloc radial calipers with 12.6 inch (320 mm) diameter discs with the exception of the brake pads, which offer a less aggressive bite and which are more suitable for road use.
The comprehensive and modern electronics compartment fitting the Streetfighter V2 is inherited from the Panigale V2. The 6-axis IMU inertial platform manages all the electronic controls of the bike and gives the position of the bike in space in real time, sending the information to the control units that manage the controls. The electronic package includes: ABS Cornering EVO with “slide by brake” functionality, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2, Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO.
The Streetfighter V2 features three different Riding Modes (Sport, Road, Wet) with dedicated control settings. The electronic equipment can be enhanced by a range of accessories of the Ducati Performance catalogue: Ducati Data Analyzer (DDA + GPS) and Ducati Multimedia System.
The bike is equipped with LED headlights with front DRL and a 4.3” full-TFT dashboard with an intuitive interface that stems from the Streetfighter V4 family.
The Streetfighter V2 will be available at Ducati dealerships in North America starting in February 2022 in the Ducati Red color with black rims.
The Ducati Performance catalog features numerous accessories designed to enhance the look, performance and style of the new Streetfighter V2. Among these, the winglets designed by Ducati to obtain even higher performance in track use.
For 2022 Ducati introduces also top-of-the-range Streetfighter V4 SP model, offered in a numbered version and marked with the legendary “SP” (which stands for Sport Production) abbreviation. The new Streetfighter V4 SP is the most adrenaline-pumping sports-naked bike to ever roll its wheels off the production line in Borgo Panigale . This is thanks to special technical equipment that perfectly combines the “Fight Formula” with the “SP” specifications, further improving the power-to-weight ratio of the Streetfighter V4 S, which was already at the top of its category, and making the bike even more effective on the track.
A 2022-model Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP at rest. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The Streetfighter V4 SP comes with a dedicated livery, premium equipment derived from the Superleggera V4, as well as with a restrained weight: 432 lb (196 kg) in running order (6.6 lb [3 kg] less compared to the Streetfighter V4 S).
The essential and captivating “Winter Test” livery has been conceived by the Ducati Centro Stile taking inspiration from the Ducati Corse motorcycles ridden in MotoGP and SBK Championships pre-season tests. The Matt Black of the fairings combined with the Matt Carbon finish of rims and wings perfectly contrasts with the bright red accents and sparkling brushed aluminum tank. This new bike from Borgo Panigale is also enriched with some beautiful details, such as the progressive number printed on the handlebar and the Italian flag color scheme on the carbon wings.
A 2022-model Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP at speed. Photo courtesy Ducati.
The Streetfighter V4 SP is equipped with 5 split-spoke carbon rims , 3 lb (1.4 kg) lighter than the forged aluminum rims fitted as standard on the Streetfighter V4 S and capable of reducing the inertia by 26% at the front and 46% at the rear, making the bike significantly more agile and lighter when changing direction. The exclusive Brembo Stylema R® front brake calipers guarantee unmatched braking power, as well as stunning performance even during extended use on track*.
The new bike is equipped with the Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 with the event-based system that can vary the damping according to the rider’s riding style, and together with biplane wings they increase confidence and ensure the best performance in sporty use.
The beating heart is the 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale with 208 hp capable of delivering a torque of 90.4 lb-ft (123 Nm) at 9,500 rpm (Euro 5-compliant). On the Streetfighter V4 SP the Desmosedici Stradale is fitted with the STM-EVO SBK dry clutch, which guarantees a better anti-hopping function, even in the most aggressive downshifts, and greater fluidity during all “off-throttle” stages, which is crucial to be truly effective on the track when pushing to the limit.
The equipment of this unique bike is enriched by the adjustable aluminum and CNC machined footpegs, the carbon front mudguard, the lithium-ion battery and a range of accessories suitable for “track days,” such as the open carbon clutch cover** and the caps for removing the license plate holder.**
Thanks to its technical equipment, the Streetfighter V4 SP is the ideal companion for the novice who wants to rule the track by riding a naked bike and get an instant response. Braking capacity results are outstanding, and the bike is easier to lay into the corner and gets to the apex faster, not to mention offers great stability at high speeds.
The Streetfighter V4 SP will be available in single-seat configuration in the “Winter Test” livery. The bike will be in Ducati dealerships in North America starting in February 2022.
The dynamic videos of the new Ducati Streetfighter V2 and the Streetfighter V4 SP are available on the Ducati YouTube channel.
The complete press kit along with all the product information and the images of the new Ducati Streetfighter family are available for download on Ducati Media House.
Starting pricing for the Ducati Streetfighter V2 will be $16,995 in the U.S. and CAD $18,995 for Canada.
The Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP will have a starting price of $35,500 in the U.S. and CAD $40,000 for Canada.
*Bike specifications and dealer availability may vary from market to market. Please refer to the tech specs contained in the press kit for further information
**This product is intended for vehicles used only in closed-course circuit. Operation on public roads is prohibited by law
Medallia President and CEO Leslie Stretch about to go for a ride with former Pro Superbike racer Chris Ulrich on the Dunlop ECSTAR Suzuki two-seat Superbike at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 2021. Photo by David Swarts.
Medallia Signs On As Title Sponsor Of MotoAmerica Superbike Class
Series’ Headline Class Renamed MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship For The 2022 And 2023 Seasons IRVINE, CA (November 11, 2021) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is thrilled to announce that Medallia Inc., the market leader in customer and employee experience, will be the title sponsor of the series’ headline class, to be known as the MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship, for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
The 10-round 2022 Superbike season will open alongside the stars of MotoGP at the Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, April 8-10, and will conclude at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, September 23-25.
This year, Medallia came onboard with MotoAmerica as an official partner for the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca round before stepping up to become the official feedback partner of the series.
As MotoAmerica Superbike class title sponsor, Medallia will continue to provide MotoAmerica with Medallia Quickstart Solutions, a powerful set of prepackaged experience management solutions designed to help companies launch impactful customer and employee experience feedback programs in days. This technology will capture feedback from fans, employees, and racers via video, audio, and text that MotoAmerica can immediately analyze and report on based on responses received, then make real-time decisions based on that data.
“We’ve developed a close relationship with Medallia over the past year, and that has evolved into their title sponsorship of our Superbike class for the next two years,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “Like any great partnership, it goes beyond a title; Medallia’s technology has already proven to be a huge asset in assisting us with getting feedback from our fans and riders that will help us continue to improve and grow our series.”
“At Medallia, we stand with those who push the limits and raise the bar,” said Medallia President and CEO Leslie Stretch. “As sponsors, as technology partners, and as fans, we’re here to champion the champions and wanted to extend our commitment to MotoAmerica to reflect this passion.”
Medallia’s award-winning SaaS platform, the Medallia Experience Cloud, leads the market in the understanding and management of experience for customers, employees, and citizens. Medallia captures experience signals created on daily journeys in person, on calls and digital channels, over video and social media and Internet of Things (IoT) interactions and applies proprietary AI technology to reveal personalized and predictive insights that can drive action with tremendous business results. For more information visit: www.medallia.com.
April 8-10 Circuit of The Americas MotoGP Austin, TX
April 22-24 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta Braselton, GA
May 20-22 VIRginia International Raceway Alton, VA
June 3-5 Road America Elkhart Lake, WI
June 24-26 Ridge Motorsports Park Shelton, WA
July 8-10 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, CA
July 29-31 Brainerd International Raceway Brainerd, MN
Aug. 19-21 Pittsburgh International Race Complex Wampum, PA
Sept. 9-11 New Jersey Motorsports Park Millville, NJ
Sept. 23-25 Barber Motorsports Park Birmingham, AL
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Josh Herrin with a Ducati Panigale V2 streetbike. Photo courtesy Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York.
Ducati Returns to National Supersport Competition and the Daytona 200 in 2022 With Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York and Josh Herrin
The next generation of MotoAmerica Supersport is upon us and Ducati will be front-row center with the new Panigale V2
Sunnyvale, Calif., November 11, 2021 – Ducati North America today announced it will compete in the new-look MotoAmerica Supersport Championship and the Daytona 200 in 2022, partnering with the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York outfit and new signing, Josh Herrin.
For the first time in the history of the class, the Supersport regulations will be evolved to allow larger capacity twin-cylinder and three-cylinder machines to compete against the established 600cc four-cylinder machines.
With MotoAmerica’s policy of closely replicating the rules set by the WorldSSP Championship, this has opened the door for Ducati to field a factory-supported entry in national-level Supersport competition and once again compete for glory in the Daytona 200, which will come back under the sanctioning of the American Motorcyclist Association and MotoAmerica.
Ducati has pedigree on the high 31-degree banking of Daytona International Speedway, with Jason DiSalvo claiming the 200 victory in 2011 on a Ducati 848, when the race was run under the Daytona Sportbike rules.
At the helm of the 2022 Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York Panigale V2 will be none other than former AMA Superbike, Stock 1000, and 2010 Daytona 200 Champion, Josh Herrin. Herrin is one of the most respected and experienced riders in North America and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Ducati family, as he looks to add the Supersport title to his already stacked trophy cabinet.
Jason Chinnock – Chief Executive Officer, Ducati North America
“The Panigale V2 is one of our best-selling motorcycles in the U.S., so to bring it to the MotoAmerica Supersport racing platform next year is excellent timing,” said Chinnock. “We support broadening motorcycle racing in North America and the partnership with the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York team along with Josh Herrin will pilot our racing heritage into the new era of the Supersport class. The expansion of our presence in the series is good for our customers, fans, and all involved as we work together to grow the sport of American road racing. ”
Bobby Shek – Team Principle, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York
“It’s very exciting for us to be back in the Supersport class,” Shek said. “We’ve put in a lot of years in the class and we know what it takes to run up the front, so we expect nothing less in MotoAmerica and the Daytona 200 with the new Ducati Panigale V2.
“We’re also extremely excited to have signed Josh Herrin. Josh brings a wealth of knowledge, having raced a variety of motorcycles and he’s a former Superbike and Daytona 200 champion, so it’s a win-win for both of us. It’s great to welcome Josh to the Ducati family and for us to benefit from all his years of competitive racing in the Supersport category.”
Josh Herrin – Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York – Ducati #2
“I spoke with Bobby (Shek) at the end of the 2021 season and when I was informed of the chance to ride the Panigale V2 in the new Supersport category, it was exactly what I was looking for,” Herrin said. “I’ve always had so much fun in Supersport, and that’s what I want for 2022. When I have fun on the bike, that’s when I go well. That’s been a key to my success in the past and I think we’re on the right track to replicate that next year.
“To join the Ducati family is a big thing for me. It’s a brand I’ve always admired and to be part of this new project with the Panigale V2, bringing Ducati back into AMA/MotoAmerica Supersport competition, is really exciting. I’ll be out riding a Panigale V2 on the street over the coming months to get a feel for it and I’m looking forward to engaging with the American Ducatisti wherever we go across the country.”
The first race for the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York Ducati Panigale V2 will be the 2022 Daytona 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, March 12, 2022.
Bob Work, R.I.P. Photo courtesy Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
Famed race tuner and racing manager Robert “Bob” William Work died August 25, according to the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame. He was 82.
A native of East Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada, Work became the Canadian National Service Manager for Yamaha’s Canadian distributor Pacific Seaboard Ltd. in 1962. Soon after, Trev Deeley Ltd. took over the Yamaha distributorship and Work also took on the additional role of Race Director for Yamaha in Canada.
Work hired rider Yvon Duhamel in 1967, and the duo went on to win many races and titles in Canada and the United States. Work later added Steve Baker to his stable of riders, and together they racked up nine Canadian Road Race Championships and the 1977 Formula 750 World Championship, according to the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
Work also had a hand in the creation of the Yamaha TZ750-powered dirt tracker that King Kenny Roberts used to win the Indy Mile AMA Grand National flat track race in 1975.
Work is survived by wife Irene; daughters Cori, Lisa, and Vicki; stepchildren Kim and Jason; 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2014.
Racer Travis Horn (foreground) at speed on a set of Dunlop DT4 dirt track tires. Photo by DW Media, courtesy Dunlop.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA: Since 2020, all American Flat Track classes have been running the new DT4 tire from Dunlop. Designed for pro and amateur riders alike, the DT4 has multiple compound options, a new tread pattern, more grip and can be run tubeless for greater overall versatility and performance. Now the official tire of American Flat Track features a new smaller 120/70-17 size for mini riders in a soft compound. This additional size will enhance the line of the highly successful DT4 130/80-19 front and 140/80-19 rear sizes.
This new 120/70-17 size is the ideal size for 85-150cc bikes running 17” wheels and is a universal fitment for both front and rear of the bike. This versatility allows parents to save on expenses and flip tires if necessary. Being a smaller version and slight variation of the race proven, larger sized DT4, we know mini riders will find just as much success on them as the top pros!
“We have been working on this new tire for a while now as we have received a lot of requests for mini sizes,” said Dunlop’s Amateur Motocross/Flat Track Support Manager Rob Fox. “We recently extended our highly successful MX amateur Team Dunlop Elite support program to Flat Track enthusiasts as we want to see the Flat Track roots grow from the bottom up. We used top Team Dunlop Elite and supported riders to conduct testing on this tire, and we’re excited to now have them available to the public.”
For sponsorship opportunities, visit www.TeamDunlop.com/flat-track
About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires
Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit http://www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com/
Ready, set, MiniGP! The FIM MiniGP World Final is GO
Live coverage begins tomorrow as the engines fire up for the first ever World Final in Valencia
Wednesday, 10 November 2021
The 2021 FIM MiniGP World Final is now underway in Valencia, with the top finalists from the 10 Cups in the inaugural series all facing each other down over two days of track action. Free Practice and qualifying took place on Wednesday before the lights go out for racing on Thursday.
WHERE TO WATCH
The class of 2021 will contest five races to decide the overall Champion, with each broadcast live and free on motogp.com and across MotoGP™ social media on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. MotoGP™’s Matt Dunn and Fran Wyld will provide commentary for each race, with paddock legend and MotoGP™ commentator Matthew Birt down in pitlane.
The 2021 FIM MiniGP World Final field of riders. Photo courtesy Dorna.
HOW IT WORKS
The riders were split into groups – A, B and C – with the allocation made randomly via lottery on Tuesday. According to the classification of each personal best from combined Free Practice sessions, the bottom 12 went straight to Q1 qualifying, the middle 10 directly to Q2 and the top eight directly to Q3. The top four in Q1 and Q2 made the cut to move through.
Qualifying saw the FIM MiniGP Spain Series dominate, ahead of FIM MiniGP Ireland Series’ competitor Josh O’Brien impressing in fourth.
RACE DAY
Each of the five races will be shown live, with two qualifying races, two races awarding standard points and then the Super Final race with double points on offer.
The riders in Q3 are those automatically lining up, with more grid spots available for those who come out on top in the qualifying races.
10:45 10 laps – Qualifying Race 1 – Top 2 go to Race 1 (No Points)
11:30 10 laps – Race 1 – Standard points (25, 20, 16…)
12:22 10 laps – Qualifying Race 2 – Top 2 go to Race 2 (No Points)
13:07 10 laps – Race 2 – Standard points (25, 20, 16…)
Marc Marquez, as seen in late 2021. Photo courtesy Repsol Honda.
Six-time MotoGP World Champion has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship season and an important post-season test later this month due to diplopia, which is also known as double vision. But this isn’t the first time that Marquez has dealt with this career-threatening condition.
On October 30, 2021, Marquez crashed while training on an off-road bike in Spain. He suffered a concussion, which ruled him out of the Algarve Grand Prix November 5-7 at Algarve International Circuit, in Portugal.
Two days after that event, Marquez’s Repsol Honda team announced that he would miss the season finale November 12-14 at Valencia and the IRTA test November 18-19 at Jerez due to vision problems.
A press release issued by the team on November 9 quoted ophthalmologist Dr. Sanchez Dalmau as saying, “The examination carried out on Marc Marquez today after the accident that occurred has confirmed that the rider has diplopia and has revealed a paralysis of the fourth right nerve with involvement of the right superior oblique muscle.”
According to the Harvard Medical School, diplopia is double vision, and in this case, it is being caused by the paralyzed nerve preventing a muscle from rotating Marquez’s right eyeball properly.
The crazy thing is Marquez has suffered this exact same injury before.
On October 21, 2011, Marquez crashed his CatalunyaCaixa Repsol Suter when he hit a wet patch during Moto2 Free Practice One at Sepang. The then-18-year-old Spaniard paralyzed the same nerve, hindering the same muscle, caused double vision for more than three months. In an interview in 2020, Marquez said at the time he feared his career might be over.
Ironic Note: When Marquez was knocked out of the 2011 Moto2 World Championship he was second in the standings, three points behind Stefan Bradl. Bradl went on to win the 2011 Moto2 World Championship and is currently filling in for Marquez while he is out.
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Accessibility
Accessibility modes
Epilepsy Safe Mode
Dampens color and removes blinks
This mode 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
Improves website's visuals
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
Helps to focus on specific content
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
Reduces distractions and improve focus
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
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
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.
Online Dictionary
Readable Experience
Content Scaling
Default
Text Magnifier
Readable Font
Dyslexia Friendly
Highlight Titles
Highlight Links
Font Sizing
Default
Line Height
Default
Letter Spacing
Default
Left Aligned
Center Aligned
Right Aligned
Visually Pleasing Experience
Dark Contrast
Light Contrast
Monochrome
High Contrast
High Saturation
Low Saturation
Adjust Text Colors
Adjust Title Colors
Adjust Background Colors
Easy Orientation
Mute Sounds
Hide Images
Hide Emoji
Reading Guide
Stop Animations
Reading Mask
Highlight Hover
Highlight Focus
Big Dark Cursor
Big Light Cursor
Cognitive Reading
Virtual Keyboard
Navigation Keys
Voice Navigation
Accessibility Statement
www.roadracingworld.com
November 10, 2026
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
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
