MotoGP: Bagnaia Takes Pole Position At Circuit Of The Americas (Updated)

David Swarts

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October 2, 2021

MotoGP: Bagnaia Takes Pole Position At Circuit Of The Americas (Updated)

MotoGP Qual

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Pecco takes pole with another stunner in Texas

Quartararo starts second, Marquez locks out the front row and Miller faces a charge back through as the grid gets poised for a classic

Sunday, 03 October 2021

Three is now a magic number for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) on Saturdays, with a third, successive and stunning pole position at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas putting him in the perfect position to try and make the same true on Sunday. Pulling out more than three tenths at the top it makes Pecco only the second rider – after Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) – to start from pole in Texas, but he does have company from key Championship rival Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). The Frenchman is second once again to keep tabs on the Italian, with the aforementioned Sheriff of COTA, Marc Marquez, forced to settle for third – but it’s a first front row of the year as the eight-time World Champion continues his battle back to the front.

Q1

Reigning Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was down in Q1 and looking for a way out, and for much of the session it seemed he’d head through fastest. But Luca Marini (Sky VR46 Avintia) had other ideas, and the rookie Italian put in a late lunge for the top to take over. Mir remained second to move through though, denying Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).

Andrea Dovizioso (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was stringing together a good lap late on, but the Italian then got caught behind other riders and just missed out.

Valentino Rossi (Petronas Sprinta Racing) crashed, as did Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), riders ok.

Q2

After the first runs in Q2, it was the King of COTA on to retain the throne – certainly on Saturday – with Marc Marquez ahead of the chasing pack. But there was still some left in the locker for Quartararo and for Bagnaia, and the eight-time World Champion couldn’t quite better his previous best.

Pecco, however, could. The Italian put in an absolute stunner late on, laying it all out there on his second and final attempt at the top. A whole chunk of time up for most of the lap, the Italian crossed the line to take over on provisional pole by nearly half a second ahead of Marquez. Left to go were Quartararo and Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team)…

Quartararo was up initially, but for Miller the attack never came. The Australian wasn’t able to replicate his scorching form from previous sessions, and he was out of the running after running out of time. What could El Diablo do? As the timings came up later in the lap, it wasn’t going to be enough, and Marquez hadn’t put a better effort together either. So, for the first time ever, someone other than the number 93 is on pole at COTA: Bagnaia.

The Grid

Bagnaia heads Quartararo as the top two once again lock out the top, now with Marquez alongside as the eight-time World Champion takes third. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing), who had been behind Marquez when the Honda rider was on for provisional pole, stayed there so he’ll now head up Row 2 – as top Independent Team rider too.

It’s an all-Independent second row, in fact, with Takaaki Nakagami’s (LCR Honda Idemitsu) good weekend continuing in fifth and Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) taking P6, back towards the sharp end following his arm pump surgery ahead of the event.

2019 COTA winner Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) pipped reigning Champion and teammate Joan Mir to P7 as the Suzuki duo head up the third row, joined by Marini as the Q1 graduate continued his impressive form in Q2, taking ninth.

Miller is tenth and raring to push back through, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) the last of those in Q2, in P11 and P12 respectively.

That’s a wrap on Saturday, with the stage perfectly set after qualifying… the top two in the Championship and the King of COTA head up the grid, with another horsepower rodeo just around the corner. Can Marquez make it seven from eight? Can Bagnaia become the first Ducati rider since Casey Stoner to win three on the bounce? Or will Quartararo take Yamaha’s first win in Texas? Tune in at 14:00 (GMT -5) to find out.

Francesco Bagnaia: “We worked a lot all this weekend, we made a great step in FP4 because until FP3 I was in trouble. But in FP4 we made a great step and in qualifying I enjoyed the lap a lot because I wasn’t expecting it. On the first lap I saw I had a margin and it was possible to do another lap, then when I started the second attempt I tried to push from the first braking and everything was perfect, well the last corner I was a bit wide but everything was ok. I’m very happy, it’s very important to start from P1.”

Raul Fernandez continues to rule the roost in Moto2™

The rookie takes a sensational sixth pole, but this time Gardner gets set to start alongside

Raul Fernandez came out on top in another Red Bull KTM Ajo qualifying duel at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas as the top two in the World Championship lineup P1 and P2 on the grid for Sunday’s race. Points leader Gardner was 0.320 off Fernandez’ 2:08.979 as the rookie kept the upper hand on Saturday though, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) earning a first front row start since the German GP in P3.

Q1

Marcos Ramirez (American Racing) found some pace to top the session by three tenths, ahead of Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) as the rookie Italian got the job done in second to move through. The gaps from there were tiny, with Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) just another 0.014 off and Tony Arbolino (Liqui Moly Intact GP) 0.040 off Chantra.

That was enough to see them move through and that denied Marcel Shrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP), and it was a tough session for Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) as the home hero ended Q1 in P12.

Q2

Di Giannantonio topped the early stages of Moto2™ Q2 but with just over five minutes to go, Gardner propelled himself to the top although only by 0.063. Raul Fernandez was third and two tenths down on his title rival after his opening efforts, with Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) and home hero Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) inside the provisional top five too early doors.

With four minutes left, Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) crashed unhurt while down in P15, and then all eyes turned to Raul Fernandez. The Spaniard was 0.029 under Gardner’s time at the second split, and then an impressive three tenths faster through Sector 3. Sure enough, it was destination P1 for Raul Fernandez on his final flying lap, a scorching time that secured pole at COTA. Gardner is forced to settle for second but will be happy to have homed in on Saturda, with Diggia hanging onto the front row.

The Grid

Behind Raul Fernandez, Gardner and Diggia at the head of the field, Bezzecchi and Beaubier held station in the latter stages to claim P4 and P5 in Texas, the American picking up his best Moto2™ qualifying result – less than two tenths away from a front row as his MotoAmerica experience and home magic come to the fore. Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) will start from the outside of Row 2 in P6.

Rookie Arbolino picks up his best Q2 result since the Italian GP, and he’s seventh ahead of fellow rookie Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia). Reigning Moto3™ World Champion Albert Arenas (Inde Aspar Team) in ninth and Vietti in 10th makes it six rookies inside the top 10 in Moto2™ qualifying – a phenomenal job from the less experienced riders in the intermediate class at a challenging and long circuit.

Raul Fernandez vs Remy Gardner: a Sunday showdown between the teammates and title rivals awaits in Texas, but who will come out on top? And can Beaubier claim a dream home GP podium? Find out when the Moto2™ race kicks off at 12:20 local time (GMT-5)!

Raul Fernandez: “I’m really happy, it was an incredible lap, especially because we changed the tyre in the middle of the practice, and I was really happy. I was a bit surprised, I didn’t know before changing the tyre how to improve but when I saw the laptime I thought wow, amazing! It was really difficult ride this weekend with the bumps but in the end I’m really competitive, but so is Remy at this track and I hope tomorrow we’ll have a good fight.”

Masia masters COTA to deny Foggia pole

The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider is back on top in Texas, with Foggia second and Acosta down in P15

Jaume Masia is back on top in Texas! The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider took his fourth career pole and second of the season at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, beating Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) to the top by a couple of tenths. Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) completes the front row, just 0.003 off Foggia.

Q1

Q1 saw both Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and teammate John McPhee looking for a way through and both found one, but it was rookie Lorenzo Fellon (SIC58 Squadra Corse) who topped the session despite a tumble. Alberto Surra (Rivacold Snipers Team) was the final rider moving through.

Carlos Tatay (Avintia Esponsorama) crashed, rider ok, and missing out by just 0.028.

Q2

The fight for pole boiled down to Masia vs Foggia, with the Spaniard taking over on top as the Italian was heading round on his final push. Behind teammate Xavier Artigas (Leopard Racing), Foggia’s first sector was a red one but as the lap went one, he lost touch by enough to deny a really challenge for pole. That left Masia unchallenged to take his second pole of the season, but Foggia nevertheless starts second as he continues his mission to cut the Championship gap. Alcoba took third.

Championship leader Acosta, who was riding in tandem with teammate Masia too, couldn’t make much of a dent in the top and took P15, with fellow rookies Izan Guevara (Solunion GASGAS Aspar Team) and Artigas outgunning him somewhat on Saturday, taking fourth and fifth, respectively.

The Grid

Masia, Foggia and Alcoba head up the grid, ahead of the rookie duo. For Guevara it’s his second best qualifying yet, and it’s Artigas’ best, although equal best starting position of the season… no mean feat for riders making their debuts at the mammoth COTA. Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) completes Row 2.

Friday’s fastest Filip Salač (CarXpert PrüstelGP) heads Row 3, ahead of Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3). McPhee completes the top ten, with two-time COTA winner Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) in a somewhat surprising P11 and Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia VR46 Academy) in P13.

Acosta 15th, Foggia near the front and Masia free of that pressure at the zenith of the title fight could make for an interesting race day in Texas. Make sure to tune in as Moto3™ take on COTA at 11:00 (GMT -5) on Sunday… can Foggia do it again?

Jaume Masia: “I was not expecting that lap, because I had a moment on the first run with the first tyre at Turn 3 but on the last lap I tried to just not lose too much time in the first sector, take care and take my time during the lap because the track is super long to recover the gap. But I had a good reference and it was really helpful.”

Moto3: Masia Claims Pole Position At COTA

David Swarts

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October 2, 2021

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Moto3: Masia Claims Pole Position At COTA

Moto3 Qual

Moto2: Raul Fernandez P1, Beaubier P7, Roberts P25 In FP3 At COTA

David Swarts

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October 2, 2021

0

Moto2: Raul Fernandez P1, Beaubier P7, Roberts P25 In FP3 At COTA

Moto2 FP3

British Superbike: Race One Results From Rainy Donington Park

David Swarts

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October 2, 2021

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British Superbike: Race One Results From Rainy Donington Park

Editorial Notes: American Brandon Paasch, riding his Dynavolt Triumph Street Triple RS 765, finished 8th in wet British Supersport Race One Saturday at Donington Park.

American Julian Correa, riding a Microlise Cresswell Racing Honda, took 10th in wet British Talent Cup Race One Saturday at Donington Park.

Rea reigns at Donington Park to take first Bennetts BSB win as Title Fighters tumble

Gino Rea (44) won Race One on Saturday. Photo courtesy MSVR.

Gino Rea celebrated his first podium finish in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship in style at Donington Park today, mastering the tricky conditions to claim his debut victory for the Buildbase Suzuki team as several of the Title Fighters crashed out of the action.

At the start, Rea launched off the pole position to hit the front of the field heading into Redgate for the first time. The Buildbase Suzuki contender was ahead of Danny Buchan and Glenn Irwin, but as the pack reached Goddards, Buchan had edged the SYNETIQ BMW ahead to take the lead.

Buchan held the advantage for two laps before running wide on the exit of Redgate on the third lap, handing the lead back to Rea, who then continued to post a sequence of rapid times to break the pack and build an advantage at the front. Rea controlled the race to become the eighth different race winner of the season.

Peter Hickman was the first of the Title Fighters to tumble out of contention at Starkeys on lap three, with Glenn Irwin crashing out a few corners later on the brakes into the Fogarty Esses. Buchan also slid out of the race on lap four.

As Rea had a comfortable time advantage, behind Josh Brookes had moved into second on the VisionTrack Ducati with Tommy Bridewell and Lee Jackson in the closing pack. However the reigning champion couldn’t save an off track moment, and he tipped off on the grass at Schwantz Curve on the fifth lap.

Title Fighter Tommy Bridewell was another rider to end his race prematurely and just a few corners later than rival Brookes, he crashed into Coppice.

That elevated Storm Stacey into second position on the LKQ Euro Car Parts Kawasaki; however, he too crashed out on the ninth lap at Redgate, meaning the podium line up changed again as Lee Jackson moved into second with Christian Iddon and Kyle Ryde next in the chasing pack.

The trio took the fight for the podium down to the wire on the final lap, with Ryde emerging ahead to claim second and become the 13th different rider to have scored a podium finish in 2021, with Iddon salvaging a strong third after his sixth row start.

Jackson equalled his best result of the season in fourth place just ahead of McAMS Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran, the Australian now sits level on points with teammate Tarran Mackenzie ahead of tomorrow’s two races.

Joe Francis made an impressive debut with the FHO Racing BMW team to score a sixth place finish with Ryan Vickers, Bradley Ray and Rory Skinner completing the top ten despite a back of the grid start after falling on the sighting lap.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, BikeSocial Race 1:

Gino Rea (Buildbase Suzuki)
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +2.016s
Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +3.405s
Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +3.518s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +44.703s
Joe Francis (FHO Racing BMW) +52.859s
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +57.782s
Ryan Vickers (RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki) +1m:02.000s
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +1m:06.234s
Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +1m:12.423s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Donington Park Race 1:

Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 1102
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 1102
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 1084
Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 1076
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 1050
Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) 1042
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) 1041
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) 1029

For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Gino Rea – Buildbase Suzuki

BikeSocial Race 1 winner

“It feels incredible, it feels like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders. I think the result has been coming, especially over the last few rounds where we’ve made little steps with the bike that have made a big difference on track and with my feeling and with my confidence.

“I’m also really pleased the changes have worked in the wet because we have had some wet sessions this year where I’ve not had the right feeling, and I have a history of being good in the wet. And now I feel that has come back.

“Full credit to the Buildbase Suzuki team; yesterday I was sat in the gravel after a 100mph crash and they’ve rebuilt the bike and gave me the perfect package for today. Thank you to them for the faith they’ve put in me.”

World Superbike: Race One Results From Algarve International Circuit (Updated)

David Swarts

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October 2, 2021

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World Superbike: Race One Results From Algarve International Circuit (Updated)

SBK R1
SBK Points after R1

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Razgatlioglu holds off Redding challenge in Portimao, Rea crashes out

Toprak Razgatlioglu (54) beat Scott Redding (45) to the finish line in Race One at Algarve. Photo courtesy Dorna.

The top three in the Championship battled it out in Portimao with Toprak Razgatlioglu extending his Championship lead to 45 points

A thrilling encounter at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship ended with Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) extending his Championship lead after an incredible battle throughout the 20-lap race with Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), with the latter not finishing the race after a Turn 15 crash.

NOTHING TO SEPARATE THE TOP TWO AT THE START

As the opening lap got underway, Razgatlioglu got the jump from pole position at the start ahead of Rea with the pair battling each other throughout the opening two laps, including an incredible battle in the first two laps with the pair making contact through Turn 13 on Lap 3 with both riders staying on their bike, allowing Redding to take the lead at the start of Lap 4.

At the start of Lap 5, Rea had a moment into Turn 1 allowing the Turkish star to move up to second behind Redding. As Rea made a move for the lead on Redding, he lost the front of his Kawasaki ZX-10RR at Turn 15 forcing the six-time Champion out of the race, with Redding and Razgatlioglu fighting for victory after Rea’s retirement; Rea taken to the medical centre for a check-up. He will be reassessed tomorrow morning before the WorldSBK Warm-Up session, with the Ulsterman diagnosed with multiple contusions and a left elbow abrasion. It means this is the first time since 2014 Race 1 Rea did not feature on the podium in Portimao. Redding held the lead of the race until the start of Lap 11 when Razgatlioglu came blasting through at Turn 1.

Redding looked to respond at the start of Lap 16 but Razgatlioglu responded on the brakes into Turn 1 to retain the lead of the race. Redding tried again on the start of Lap 18 but, like two laps previous, Razgatlioglu was able to maintain position. It was a repeat at the start of Lap 19, with Redding getting by into Turn 4, but Razgatlioglu was able to cut inside into Turn 2. Razgatlioglu went on to claim his first WorldSBK victory at Portimao, while it ended Yamaha’s ten-year Portimao win drought; their first since Marco Melandri in Race 2 in 2011. It was also Yamaha’s 300th race on the podium in WorldSBK.

BATTLE FOR THE PODIUM

The fight for third was an ongoing affair throughout the 20-lap encounter with Leon Haslam (Team HRC) starting from third place holding onto that position until around the mid-way point of the race before he dropped positions, with Alvaro Bautista (Team HRC) working his way up to third place on Lap 12. There was plenty of action between the six riders in contention for a podium, with Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK), Haslam and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) all running wide at Turn 1 at various points of the race.

As the race progressed, Bautista was unable to pull out a gap to the chasing pack with Loris Baz (Team GoEleven) and Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) chasing Bautista, Baz making the move at Turn 1 before van der Mark and Locatelli, still chasing third, made contact at Turn 5 with Locatelli retiring and van der Mark bringing his bike back to the pits; the incident will be investigated after the race by the FIM WorldSBK Stewards. With the pair out of contention for the podium, Baz and Bautista battled for third place with the Spaniard coming out on top. At Turn 15 on the final lap, Bautista crashed out of the race with Baz inheriting third place, his first podium since his WorldSBK return.

CLAIMING A TOP TEN FINISH

Rinaldi finished the race in fourth place after the incredible battle for third place, with Haslam eventually coming home in fifth place after starting from the front row. Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) claimed a solid sixth place in Race 1 in Portimao, just three tenths behind Haslam in fifth place.

Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) continued his strong rookie campaign with seventh place ahead of Argentinean star Leandro Mercado (MIE Racing Honda) claiming eighth place, his first top eight finish since San Juan in 2019, Race 1 and his best result of the 2021 campaign. Eugene Laverty (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) battled up to ninth place with Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha) claiming another top ten finish.

SCORING POINTS

Isaac Viñales (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) missed out on the top ten by just over half-a-second but came home in 11th place, just ahead of Italian Samuele Cavalieri (Barni Racing Team); Cavalieri just a second behind Viñales. 2014 Moto2™ World Champion Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) scored points on his first WorldSBK race onboard Kawasaki machinery, with Kohta Nozane (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Jonas Folger (Bonovo MGM Racing) rounding out the points.

TO NOTE

Loris Cresson (OUTDO TPR Team Pedercini Racing) was the last of the classified riders with the Belgian missing out on a point by just 0.079s. Cresson’s teammate, Lachlan Epis, retired from the race after bringing his bike into the pits, while Gabriele Ruiu (B-Max Racing Team) was also a retirement from the race, along with Rea, Locatelli, van der Mark and Bautista.

P1 Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)

“I was fighting for the win at this track. Jonny is very strong here, but he crashed. After, I tried fighting again with Scott but he’s also very strong. I was waiting until the last two laps and after I try my best. I’m really happy. Thanks to my team because they did an incredible job again. This morning, again, we improved my bike and tomorrow I will try again.”

P2 Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)

“It was a good race; I didn’t expect to have that pace but those two in front were battling. I saw those two, I rolled out of the gas a few times because I thought Jonathan was going to crash in front of me. He crashed on his own. Then it was down to me and Toprak. Down into Turn 1, I don’t know if I want to watch it on TV. You go into there and you hear him coming in so fast. The race was great, I felt good on the bike which was strange because I didn’t feel comfortable all weekend. To get a second position was good and I had quite okay pace.”

P3 Loris Baz (Team GoEleven)

“It’s a good holiday! I said I took it like holidays and I just want to thank Team GoEleven and Ducati because they gave me this opportunity and it’s amazing. I had so much fun riding this bike, improving session by session since Jerez. Just wanted to have fun. I was disappointed for the first time this morning; I could not use the Q tyre. It’s such a big difference and I thought it would be tough to fight for the podium. I knew I had the pace yesterday but starting from ninth is never easy. I made my way through. I had a nice fight with Alvaro. I saw he was on the limit with the front, so I just tried to show him I was there. I hope he’s okay because it’s a bad place to crash. So happy. It’s my holidays and it’s the best I’ve ever had!”

MotoGP: Miller Under Race Lap Record In FP3 At COTA

David Swarts

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October 2, 2021

0

MotoGP: Miller Under Race Lap Record In FP3 At COTA

MotoGP FP3

Moto3: Masia Tops FP3 At COTA

David Swarts

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October 2, 2021

0

Moto3 FP3

World Superbike: Razgatlioglu Takes Pole Position In Portugal

David Swarts

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October 2, 2021

0

World Superbike: Razgatlioglu Takes Pole Position In Portugal

SBK Superpole Qual

Northern Talent Cup: 2022 Application Period Now Open

David Swarts

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October 2, 2021

0

Northern Talent Cup: 2022 Application Period Now Open

2022 Northern Talent Cup applications open now!

Applications for the 2022 Northern Talent Cup are now open! Prospective teams and riders can apply to join the grid until the 31st of December, with registration open now at northerntalentcup.com. A maximum of 26 permanent riders are able to line up in 2022, and all nationalities can apply but the NTC aims to search for new talents from across central and northern Europe.

Riders must be born between January 1st, 2005, and February 28th, 2010. Riders from different racing backgrounds can apply, with no road racing experience necessary. Dirt bikes and/or motocross bikes may also be developing the riding skills that translate into success on tarmac!

Individual riders can apply, but must decide a Team Name and have a Team Manager, and they must have at least one mechanic and a legal guardian.

Any team applying should have a Team Manager, who will be the main contact with the organisation, and the team can comprise a rider and two mechanics, who may also be family members or acquaintances.

KEY DATES

Applications open: 1st October 2021

Application deadline: 31st December 2021

Confirmation of full time riders: 21st January 2022

Download application information HERE

Register HERE

October 2021

Magazine Issue

Trudy Ulrich

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October 1, 2021

0

On the Front Cover: The 2022 KTM RC 390 makes history as the most advanced lightweight production streetbike ever, with IMU-based electronic rider aids, including cornering ABS and lean-angle-sensitive traction control.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology is THE definitive source for motorcycle racing, riding, and tech information.

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW. Or call (909) 654-4779 to subscribe, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

Log in HERE to read the October 2021 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription.

In This Issue:

FEATURES

Inside Info: KTM Puts Advanced Electronics On The RC 390; MV Improves The F3; Suzuki Builds A 1000cc GT, and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 250cc 1964 Yamaha RD56

Intro: Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special Is A Home Run!

MotoGP Analysis: Ginger Molloy’s Life As A GP Racer 50 Years Ago

Editor’s Scrapbook: AMA Museum Archives’ Future Hall Of Famer

Collections: AMA Hall Of Fame Museum

PROFESSIONAL RACING

MotoAmerica Superbikes At NJMP: Gagne Is 2021 Champion

MotoAmerica Superbikes At Barber: Petersen, Scholtz, Gagne Win

MotoGP At Silverstone, Alcaniz, & San Marino: Bagnaia Breaks Through

World Superbike At Magny-Cours, Catalunya, & Jerez: Razgatlioglu Takes Charge

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: World Champion Ana Carrasco; MotoGP Live

10 Years Ago, October 2011: Casey Stoner vs. Mick Doohan; Superbike World Champion Ben Spies

New Products: Big Gear Bags From Alpinestars

The Kids’ Page: Ryder Davis

The Crash Page: Petersen Crashes, Still Wins In MA Superbike

Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where To Ride

ASRA/CCS Newsletter

High-Performance Parts & Services

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Sean Dylan Kelly clinches the Supersport Championship

MotoGP: Bagnaia Takes Pole Position At Circuit Of The Americas (Updated)

October 2, 2021

Francesco Bagnaia (63). Photo courtesy Ducati.

MotoGP Qual

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Pecco takes pole with another stunner in Texas

Quartararo starts second, Marquez locks out the front row and Miller faces a charge back through as the grid gets poised for a classic

Sunday, 03 October 2021

Three is now a magic number for Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) on Saturdays, with a third, successive and stunning pole position at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas putting him in the perfect position to try and make the same true on Sunday. Pulling out more than three tenths at the top it makes Pecco only the second rider – after Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) – to start from pole in Texas, but he does have company from key Championship rival Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP). The Frenchman is second once again to keep tabs on the Italian, with the aforementioned Sheriff of COTA, Marc Marquez, forced to settle for third – but it’s a first front row of the year as the eight-time World Champion continues his battle back to the front.

Q1

Reigning Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was down in Q1 and looking for a way out, and for much of the session it seemed he’d head through fastest. But Luca Marini (Sky VR46 Avintia) had other ideas, and the rookie Italian put in a late lunge for the top to take over. Mir remained second to move through though, denying Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).

Andrea Dovizioso (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was stringing together a good lap late on, but the Italian then got caught behind other riders and just missed out.

Valentino Rossi (Petronas Sprinta Racing) crashed, as did Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), riders ok.

Q2

After the first runs in Q2, it was the King of COTA on to retain the throne – certainly on Saturday – with Marc Marquez ahead of the chasing pack. But there was still some left in the locker for Quartararo and for Bagnaia, and the eight-time World Champion couldn’t quite better his previous best.

Pecco, however, could. The Italian put in an absolute stunner late on, laying it all out there on his second and final attempt at the top. A whole chunk of time up for most of the lap, the Italian crossed the line to take over on provisional pole by nearly half a second ahead of Marquez. Left to go were Quartararo and Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team)…

Quartararo was up initially, but for Miller the attack never came. The Australian wasn’t able to replicate his scorching form from previous sessions, and he was out of the running after running out of time. What could El Diablo do? As the timings came up later in the lap, it wasn’t going to be enough, and Marquez hadn’t put a better effort together either. So, for the first time ever, someone other than the number 93 is on pole at COTA: Bagnaia.

The Grid

Bagnaia heads Quartararo as the top two once again lock out the top, now with Marquez alongside as the eight-time World Champion takes third. Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing), who had been behind Marquez when the Honda rider was on for provisional pole, stayed there so he’ll now head up Row 2 – as top Independent Team rider too.

It’s an all-Independent second row, in fact, with Takaaki Nakagami’s (LCR Honda Idemitsu) good weekend continuing in fifth and Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) taking P6, back towards the sharp end following his arm pump surgery ahead of the event.

2019 COTA winner Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) pipped reigning Champion and teammate Joan Mir to P7 as the Suzuki duo head up the third row, joined by Marini as the Q1 graduate continued his impressive form in Q2, taking ninth.

Miller is tenth and raring to push back through, with Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) the last of those in Q2, in P11 and P12 respectively.

That’s a wrap on Saturday, with the stage perfectly set after qualifying… the top two in the Championship and the King of COTA head up the grid, with another horsepower rodeo just around the corner. Can Marquez make it seven from eight? Can Bagnaia become the first Ducati rider since Casey Stoner to win three on the bounce? Or will Quartararo take Yamaha’s first win in Texas? Tune in at 14:00 (GMT -5) to find out.

Francesco Bagnaia: “We worked a lot all this weekend, we made a great step in FP4 because until FP3 I was in trouble. But in FP4 we made a great step and in qualifying I enjoyed the lap a lot because I wasn’t expecting it. On the first lap I saw I had a margin and it was possible to do another lap, then when I started the second attempt I tried to push from the first braking and everything was perfect, well the last corner I was a bit wide but everything was ok. I’m very happy, it’s very important to start from P1.”

Raul Fernandez continues to rule the roost in Moto2™

The rookie takes a sensational sixth pole, but this time Gardner gets set to start alongside

Raul Fernandez came out on top in another Red Bull KTM Ajo qualifying duel at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas as the top two in the World Championship lineup P1 and P2 on the grid for Sunday’s race. Points leader Gardner was 0.320 off Fernandez’ 2:08.979 as the rookie kept the upper hand on Saturday though, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) earning a first front row start since the German GP in P3.

Q1

Marcos Ramirez (American Racing) found some pace to top the session by three tenths, ahead of Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) as the rookie Italian got the job done in second to move through. The gaps from there were tiny, with Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) just another 0.014 off and Tony Arbolino (Liqui Moly Intact GP) 0.040 off Chantra.

That was enough to see them move through and that denied Marcel Shrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP), and it was a tough session for Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) as the home hero ended Q1 in P12.

Q2

Di Giannantonio topped the early stages of Moto2™ Q2 but with just over five minutes to go, Gardner propelled himself to the top although only by 0.063. Raul Fernandez was third and two tenths down on his title rival after his opening efforts, with Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) and home hero Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) inside the provisional top five too early doors.

With four minutes left, Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) crashed unhurt while down in P15, and then all eyes turned to Raul Fernandez. The Spaniard was 0.029 under Gardner’s time at the second split, and then an impressive three tenths faster through Sector 3. Sure enough, it was destination P1 for Raul Fernandez on his final flying lap, a scorching time that secured pole at COTA. Gardner is forced to settle for second but will be happy to have homed in on Saturda, with Diggia hanging onto the front row.

The Grid

Behind Raul Fernandez, Gardner and Diggia at the head of the field, Bezzecchi and Beaubier held station in the latter stages to claim P4 and P5 in Texas, the American picking up his best Moto2™ qualifying result – less than two tenths away from a front row as his MotoAmerica experience and home magic come to the fore. Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) will start from the outside of Row 2 in P6.

Rookie Arbolino picks up his best Q2 result since the Italian GP, and he’s seventh ahead of fellow rookie Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia). Reigning Moto3™ World Champion Albert Arenas (Inde Aspar Team) in ninth and Vietti in 10th makes it six rookies inside the top 10 in Moto2™ qualifying – a phenomenal job from the less experienced riders in the intermediate class at a challenging and long circuit.

Raul Fernandez vs Remy Gardner: a Sunday showdown between the teammates and title rivals awaits in Texas, but who will come out on top? And can Beaubier claim a dream home GP podium? Find out when the Moto2™ race kicks off at 12:20 local time (GMT-5)!

Raul Fernandez: “I’m really happy, it was an incredible lap, especially because we changed the tyre in the middle of the practice, and I was really happy. I was a bit surprised, I didn’t know before changing the tyre how to improve but when I saw the laptime I thought wow, amazing! It was really difficult ride this weekend with the bumps but in the end I’m really competitive, but so is Remy at this track and I hope tomorrow we’ll have a good fight.”

Masia masters COTA to deny Foggia pole

The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider is back on top in Texas, with Foggia second and Acosta down in P15

Jaume Masia is back on top in Texas! The Red Bull KTM Ajo rider took his fourth career pole and second of the season at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, beating Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) to the top by a couple of tenths. Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) completes the front row, just 0.003 off Foggia.

Q1

Q1 saw both Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and teammate John McPhee looking for a way through and both found one, but it was rookie Lorenzo Fellon (SIC58 Squadra Corse) who topped the session despite a tumble. Alberto Surra (Rivacold Snipers Team) was the final rider moving through.

Carlos Tatay (Avintia Esponsorama) crashed, rider ok, and missing out by just 0.028.

Q2

The fight for pole boiled down to Masia vs Foggia, with the Spaniard taking over on top as the Italian was heading round on his final push. Behind teammate Xavier Artigas (Leopard Racing), Foggia’s first sector was a red one but as the lap went one, he lost touch by enough to deny a really challenge for pole. That left Masia unchallenged to take his second pole of the season, but Foggia nevertheless starts second as he continues his mission to cut the Championship gap. Alcoba took third.

Championship leader Acosta, who was riding in tandem with teammate Masia too, couldn’t make much of a dent in the top and took P15, with fellow rookies Izan Guevara (Solunion GASGAS Aspar Team) and Artigas outgunning him somewhat on Saturday, taking fourth and fifth, respectively.

The Grid

Masia, Foggia and Alcoba head up the grid, ahead of the rookie duo. For Guevara it’s his second best qualifying yet, and it’s Artigas’ best, although equal best starting position of the season… no mean feat for riders making their debuts at the mammoth COTA. Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) completes Row 2.

Friday’s fastest Filip Salač (CarXpert PrüstelGP) heads Row 3, ahead of Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3). McPhee completes the top ten, with two-time COTA winner Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) in a somewhat surprising P11 and Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia VR46 Academy) in P13.

Acosta 15th, Foggia near the front and Masia free of that pressure at the zenith of the title fight could make for an interesting race day in Texas. Make sure to tune in as Moto3™ take on COTA at 11:00 (GMT -5) on Sunday… can Foggia do it again?

Jaume Masia: “I was not expecting that lap, because I had a moment on the first run with the first tyre at Turn 3 but on the last lap I tried to just not lose too much time in the first sector, take care and take my time during the lap because the track is super long to recover the gap. But I had a good reference and it was really helpful.”

Moto3: Masia Claims Pole Position At COTA

October 2, 2021

Jaume Masia (5). Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Ajo.

Moto3 Qual

Moto2: Raul Fernandez P1, Beaubier P7, Roberts P25 In FP3 At COTA

October 2, 2021

Raul Fernandez (25). Photo courtesy Red Bull KTM Ajo.

Moto2 FP3

British Superbike: Race One Results From Rainy Donington Park

October 2, 2021

Kyle Ryde (77) leads Christian Iddon (21) and Lee Jackson (14) during wet British Superbike Race One at Donington Park. Photo courtesy MSVR.