Round 6 of the CVMA 2020/2021 winter series saw more sunny skies and warm weather at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. With near perfect weather racers from all over the country gathered at Chuckwalla for some great racing action.
Saturday
Saturday morning started off sunny and clear as the practice and qualifying sessions got underway. Michael Gilbert took advantage of the conditions to turn the fastest qualifying lap of 1:45.462. Corey Alexander was second fastest and notably, Jason Pridmore was third fastest, qualifying at a 1:46.210. Jason has a lot of laps coaching racers around Chuckwalla but this would be his first time in competition on the track.
Race number four featured a large contingent of riders on Harley-Davidson motorcycles competing against sport bikes in the Formula Twins race. The new racer school held on Friday afternoon was packed with Harley riders. In fact, they outnumbered the sportbike riders in the school.
Also in race number four, TV announcer Greg White competed in the Formula 40 Ultra-lightweight race racing against David Kolb in the first round of the “Battle of the Olds.” The grudge match between Greg and David that originated on Greg’s podcast was a nail bitter, back and forth race that ended with David passing Greg in the final corner on the last lap to win the first round between them.
Race number five featured a battle of JP43 coaches Jason Pridmore, Michael Gilbert and Corey Alexander racing in the Formula Open class. Michael took the win ahead of Corey and Jason.
Sunday
In a red flag-shortened race one, Michael Gilbert started the day off by winning the Formula Open race in front of Jason Pridmore who finished second just ahead of Corey Alexander.
Race number three, Supersport Middleweight, was a close battle between Liam Grant, Rennie Scaysbrook and Daniel Riser. Liam was on pole for the race and got the holeshot leading from the start. Rennie was third on the grid an slotted into second at the start in front of Tyler Olmstead and Daniel. Rennie ran a close second for the first half of the race putting pressure on Liam. Daniel was able to pass Tyler to take over third position on lap three heading into turn four. Daniel was then able to out drive Rennie onto the back straight and took over the second spot later in the race. Daniel pressured Liam for the remainder of the race but was unable to make a pass. Liam Grant won the race just in front of Daniel Riser and Rennie Scaysbrook who finished second and third respectively.
The Ultra-lightweight Shootout was a close battle between Owen Williams and Jayden Fernandez at the front. The young guns exchanged the lead several times throughout the race long battle with Jaden able to secure the win with Owen finishing second in front of another young gun Travis Horn who finished third.
In the shootout, Corey Alexander got the holeshot but was passed quickly by Michael Gilbert who took the lead coming out of turn three. Corey was able to pass Michael on lap three and lead the race at the halfway point. Michael Gilbert was able to pass Corey on lap seven on the inside of turn seven to take the lead. Michael was able to hold off Corey as they made their way through some lapped traffic on the final lap to take a close victory. Michael Gilbert won the race, Corey Alexander finished second and Jason Pridmore third. A bit further back, Jack Bakken and Travis Wyman finished fourth and fifth, respectively, after another close race for those positions.
CVMA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and also includes Saturday qualifying for grid position in all classes, amateur and expert, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from.
Additionally, CVMA offers free reciprocity as a means of encouraging racers from other clubs to come out and compete. Log on to www.cvmaracing.com for more information.
Back in the bad old days, manufacturers would take sportbikes and de-tune them into standard machines. Horsepower would be cut, weight would be added, and the whole platform would be less potent than the sportbike version.
Aprilia never went that route. Nearly 20 years ago, it took its RSV Mille and turned it into a super-standard called the RSV Tuono. Yes, it had tubular handlebars. Yes, it had smaller fairings. Other than that it was just like the sportbike, and it went like stink.
Sticking with a formula that has worked very well for the company, Aprilia has introduced its 2021 Tuono version of the highly-anticipated and well-received RS 660 introduced a few months back.
Sticking with the tested and successful Tuono formula, the Tuono 660 is almost a carbon copy of the RS 660. It has the same engine, same frame, and almost identical suspension. It has very nearly the same electronics, and the only reason the electronics are different is that by scaling the electronic specifications, Aprilia can afford to offer the bike at a lower price point. It comes with upright handlebars, a slightly less comprehensive fairing, a different fork – and that’s pretty much the extent of the differences between this bike and the RS 660.
The right side of a 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Technical Overview:
The Tuono uses the DOHC, four-valves-per-cylinder, 659cc Parallel Twin based on the technology Aprilia has developed in its amazing RSV4 engines. The company says it puts out 100 bhp and does so over a wide powerband.
The chassis is an abbreviated twin spar aluminum frame mated to an aluminum swingarm, and the engine is a stressed member. Suspension is handled by 41mm inverted forks at the front and a single cantilever shock at the rear.
A six-speed gearbox transmits power to the rear wheel via an assisted slipper clutch. Brembo brakes provide the stopping power front and rear, and the Brembo master cylinder for the front is radial and provides excellent feel at the lever.
The electronics offer ABS, traction control, wheelie control, and a range of power and ride modes. The base Tuono does not come with the clutchless quick shifter and it does not come with the IMU of the RS 660. As such, the rider’s ability to fine-tune the electronics is slightly diminished compared to the RS 660. The wheelie control and traction control, for example, cannot be adjusted independently. The ABS braking is not corner-sensitive. And one of the really cool features of this platform, the cornering lighting, is not available on the non-IMU model.
On the bright side, the quickshifter is only a $199 option, the IMU is only a $200 option, and if you opt for both of them, you have all of the electronic functionality of the full-boogie RS 660 model. With a base price of $10,499, opting for the two electronic add-ons brings the price up to $10,897, neatly splitting the difference between the base Tuono and the RS 660.
The Aprilia Tuono 660’s riding position is more upright than that of the sister RS 660, but is still comfortable at speed. The abbreviated bodywork provides good wind protection and well-incorporated downforce elements at the front. Photo by Larry Chen.
Riding Impressions:
We spent a day riding the roads behind Malibu, with the Pacific Ocean as our backdrop much of the ride. That meant a fair amount of climbing uphill from basically sea level, and that showed one of the weaknesses of the Aprilia Tuono. The models that we used for the intro were true production machines and there was definitely a dip in the powerband between 5,000 RPM and 6,500 RPM. It was some thing that I did not notice on the RS 660s when I rode them, but those were pre-production bikes, we were told, and it is unclear whether those RS 660s actually met all applicable emission standards.
Regardless, the Tuono pulled hard from the bottom, and once through that dip in the RPM range, pulled hard all the way up to redline. It’s really remarkable just how much performance Aprilia has extracted from a middleweight twin. It’s fun to wring the thing, it makes awesome noises, and it will do this all day long.
One of the really impressive things about the RS 660 is that it is extremely comfortable. The Tuono takes this another level, with tubular handlebars that are significantly higher than the RS 660’s clip-ons. The wider bars offer a real-world benefit. In the canyons, we spent a fair amount of time dodging rocks in the roadway. That part was not fun. The wider bars allow you to fine tune your inputs at the front end to tighten or widen your line as necessary to avoid unanticipated objects in the road, and to generally compensate for riding on roads with blind corners, dirt mid-corner, etc. The only real downside is a slight lack of feel at the bars compared to the clip-ons of the RS 660, which put the rider’s weight over the front wheel to a greater degree.
The front fork is a slightly less expensive version of the one found on the RS 660, and offers rebound and preload adjustment only in one leg. It has approximately the same performance on the street as the RS 660’s more complicated fork. It was composed enough over smoother pavement, but ripples and sharp bumps allowed the bike to move around too freely. Again, for street use, it’s more than acceptable, but for the committed canyon rider or the person who wants to take this bike to the track regularly, there’s some suspension work in your future.
Again, at street speeds, I really didn’t get too deeply into the traction control or the ABS. For the person who uses one of these bikes to commute, for touring, and for the occasional sport ride, the base electronics would be more than adequate.
One thing that is really outstanding on this bike, at least for street purposes, is the optional clutchless up-and down-shifting system as fitted to my test unit. Once again, it’s a little clunky at slow speeds, but once you start hauling and start shifting at the upper end of the RPM range, it’s smooth, quick and does not upset the chassis.
It’s almost like the Aprilia engineers wanted you to ride the bike hard. And who am I to argue with the desires of the Aprilia engineers?
The motorcycle comes in three color schemes – Concept Black, Iridium Grey and Acid Gold. Suggested retail starts at $10,499, and it should be available in Aprilia dealerships in mid-April.
The left side of a 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Clean sweep for Aegerter on first day of Catalunya test as he edges out returning Caricasulo
Rookie Dominique Aegerter set lap record pace on day one and topped both sessions on Monday as he immediately got up to speed in WorldSSP
Day one of testing in the FIM Supersport World Championship has come to an end with Swiss rider Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) showing why he had been signed by Ten Kate Racing for the upcoming season as he made it a clean sweep of fastest times on Monday as the first day of testing came to a close, as well as posting a time that was faster than Andrea Locatelli’s pole lap from 2020, albeit on a slightly revised layout.
Aegerter had topped the morning session by half-a-second from Federico Caricasulo (GMT94 Yamaha) but the times were a lot closer come the afternoon, with Caricasulo and Aegerter trading fastest laps as the afternoon session came to an end. Eventually, the Moto2™ race winner edged out Caricasulo by nearly three tenths of a second. Caricasulo, returning from a season of competing in WorldSBK, was immediately ahead of teammate Jules Cluzel, with the Italian half-a-second clear after day one.
South African rider Steven Odendaal (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) finished the day in fourth place but suffered a crash in the afternoon session at Turn 2 with Odendaal going to Granollers Hospital for further assessments following the crash. Christoffer Bergman (Wojick Racing Team) continued his impressive form from the morning session with fifth place, just holding off the challenge of Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) by a tenth of a second. De Rosa’s Orelac Racing teammate, Leonardo Taccini, finished the day in 24th place as he gets ready for a WorldSSP Challenge campaign.
Yamaha MS Racing’s Marc Alcoba finished in seventh place for the day as the rookie showed strong pace from the start of the day while teammate Pawel Szkopek was 22nd for the day as the duo work together for the first time. Manuel Gonzalez’s (Yamaha ParkinGo Team) adaptation from Kawasaki to Yamaha machinery continued at a strong rate as he posted the eighth best time of the day.
WorldSSP Challenge competitor Maria Herrera (Biblion Iberica Yamaha Motoxracing) also had a strong day as she finished in ninth place, beating Estonian rider Hannes Soomer (Kallio Racing) by just a few hundredths of a second. Soomer’s Kallio Racing teammate, Vertti Takala, was just one of three riders from WorldSSP who did not improve their time in the afternoon session, with Takala’s best time coming in the morning session despite an incident in the latter stages of the session.
2019 Champion Randy Krummenacher (EAB Racing Team) was 11th for the day on his return to the Championship after he missed most of the 2020 campaign. CM Racing’s Luca Bernardi finished the day in 12th place as he prepares for his rookie WorldSSP season. Fellow Italian Luigi Montella, who was fifth in the morning session, finished in 13th place on a strong day for the Italian, just ahead of Finnish rider Niki Tuuli (MV Agusta Corse Clienti).
Britain’s Danny Webb (WRP Wepol Racing) was in 15th place despite not taking part in the afternoon session following a crash between Turns 5 and 6. Federico Fuligni (VFT Racing) was 17th as he made his debut for his new team with Ten Kate Racing’s Galang Hendra Pratama in 18th. Fuligni’s teammate at VFT Racing, Davide Pizolli, was 19th with the returning Michel Fabrizio (Motozoo Racing by Puccetti) and teammate Shogo Kawasaki in 20th and 23rd place respectively; the latter competing in the WorldSSP Challenge in 2021. His rival for that competition, Stephane Frossard (Moto Team Jura Vitesse), was 21st.
WorldSSP Top 6 after Day 1.
1.) Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) 1’44.603s
2.) Federico Caricasulo (GMT94 Yamaha) +0.280s
3.) Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) +0.716s
4.) Steven Odendaal (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +1.141s
5.) Christoffer Bergman (Wojick Racing Team) +1.688s
6.) Raffaele de Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +1.707s
Sofuoglu on top after day one of testing at Catalunya
The Turkish rider put in a very late lap to snatch top spot away from Adrian Huertas in an eventful WorldSSP300 test day
Day one of action for the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship at the Supported Test came to a close with Bahattin Sofuoglu (Biblion Yamaha Motoxracing) topping the timesheets for the opening day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya; a day that was disrupted by several Red Flag periods and interrupted running and reduced the running time from the originally planned four hours on Monday.
Turkish rider Bahattin Sofuoglu (Biblion Yamaha Motoxracing) claimed first place for the day as he continued to show his prowess in WorldSSP300 with a time that was faster than any time set last year throughout the only Catalan Round to date, albeit with a slightly revised layout at the Turn 10 left-hander. Sofuoglu’s teammate, Italian rider Marco Gaggi, finished the day in 13th place after he made the switch to Biblion Yamaha Motoxracing for the 2021 campaign as the duo enjoyed a fruitful day in the Catalunya sunshine.
Spanish rider Huertas finished the disrupted day as the second fastest rider after posting a 1’55.378s in the afternoon session as he got to know his new team following his switch to MTM Kawasaki for 2021. He lined up at the test alongside two of his three teammates with Koen Meuffels in 11th, despite a crash in the final part of the lap, and reigning World Champion Jeffrey Buis in 14th; the Dutchman running the #1 plate in 2021 following his Championship success.
In third was Ton Kawakami (AD78 Team Brasil by MS Racing) as the Brazilian rider, alongside brother Meikon, continued to show their impressive speed. Ton had topped the morning session and continued his strong pace with Meikon finishing the day in 17th place. Also in the MS Racing outfit, Unai Orradre (Yamaha MS Racing) finished the day in sixth place despite the Spaniard crashing at Turn 10 in the afternoon session to lose out on some valuable track time. Orradre’s teammate, Miguel Santiago Duarte finished the day in 40th place.
Samuel di Sora (Flemmbo Team Leader) finished in fourth place, almost a second down on Sofuoglu’s best time, which was set with around one minute left to go in the session, while teammate Sylvain Markarian had a crash in the morning session at the newly-revised Turn 10 left-hander but was able to recover ground in the afternoon window to finish the day 15th fastest.
Dorren Loureiro (Fusport – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki) was the lead rider for the RT Motorsports by SKM outfit despite two crashes throughout the day. In the morning session, he crashed at Turn 2 while in the afternoon he crashed in the second sector; both times able to continue riding. He finished in seventh place ahead of teammates Tom Booth-Amos and Harry Khouri, who finished 13th and 31st respectively. Victor Steeman (Freudenberg KTM WorldSSP Team), the sole rider competing on KTM machinery in 2021, finished the day in eighth place after a strong showing.
Spanish rider Alejandro Carrion (Kawasaki GP Project) had a good day out on track as he finished the day in tenth place and the fastest rider from his team, with Alessandro Zanca in 27th place and Alejandro Diez in 30th. 2018 WorldSSP300 Champion Ana Carrasco (Kawasaki Provec WorldSSP300) was back on track following her rapid recovery from a back injury and finished the day in 12th place.
Czech Petr Svoboda (WRP Wepol Racing) was another who fell twice throughout the day, okay on both occasions, as he took a fall in both the morning and afternoon sessions. He was able to respond to go 34th quickest after the two sessions of WorldSSP300 action had come to a close. Filippo Palazzi (ProGP Racing) came off his bike at Turn 5 in the afternoon session but was okay and finished the day in 25th, with his teammate Gabriele Mastroluca in 16th place, while Antonio Frappola (Chiodo Moto Racing) also crashed in the morning session at Turn 2; the Italian able to continue on throughout the day. It was also a decent start for the all-new Viñales Racing Team with Dean Berta Viñales and Kevin Sabatucci both finishing inside the top 20.
Several MotoAmerica teams arrived at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas, Monday to prepare for the official Dunlop/MotoAmerica pre-season test March 30-31.
Among the 41 riders entered across MotoAmerica’s five different classes – HONOS Superbike, Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, and SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup – there are foreign faces, new riders in new places, and some fresh machinery.
The big news over the winter is the addition of MotoGP and World Superbike veteran Loris Baz joining the HONOS Superbike class on a Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Ducati Panigale V4 R. Baz has two bikes at his disposal at COTA, both built to a specification similar to what the factory Ducati Superbike team runs with the exception of the rear swingarm, shock, and shock linkages.
Those parts have been developed by Ducati to work with MotoAmerica’s Dunlop control tires, according to Team Principal Bobby Shek. Ducati Corse has assigned two factory technicians to work for Baz under the leadership of Crew Chief Scott Jensen.
Over at Fresh N’ Lean Attack Performance Yamaha, former AMA Pro Superbike Champion Josh Herrin returns to the Richard Stanboli-led squad to replace five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier, who has moved on to the FIM Moto2 World Championship.
Herrin joins 2020 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Jake Gagne, who has a new Crew Chief, Jon Cornwell, and a new systems analyst, Darin Marshall, who is stuck in Canada and unable to attend the test due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
According to Stanboli, they plan to do some endurance testing on their engines and development work on their chassis during what will be their fourth test of the off-season.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki is back with Bobby Fong, a three-time Superbike race winner in 2020, and his new teammate Cam Petersen, the 2020 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion. According to Team Manager Chris Ulrich, bad weather around the team’s base in Alabama has led to this being the first test for his Superbike riders in 2021. Ulrich said his team is hoping to pick up where they left off at the end of 2020 and do development work on new chassis parts.
Westby Racing Yamaha rider Matthew Scholtz says he is fully recovered from the serious leg injuries he suffered at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October 2020 and, after training for two weeks with four-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion Josh Hayes in Southern California, is fully fit. This test will be Scholtz’s third time on his improved Superbike so far in 2021.
KWR Ducati Superbike rider/team owner Kyle Wyman has opted to skip the test because as of post time MotoAmerica does not have a race scheduled at COTA in 2021.
Although he said he had options to take several different rides in America and Europe for 2021, Richie Escalante said he chose to return to MotoAmerica Supersport and defend the title he won in 2020. While his HONOS HVMC Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R will be wearing his number plate at the test, Escalante said it will be in 2020 trim, meaning it will not be carrying the 8.8 pounds of additional weight mandated for the 636cc machine in 2021. Escalante said he is due to test his 2021 machine with the additional weight in two weeks.
Escalante’s 2020 title rival Sean Dylan Kelly arrives in Texas two weeks after coming just 0.03 second short of winning the 79th Daytona 200. According to his team, Kelly’s M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R600 has been improved since 2020. Kelly has a new teammate for 2021 in 18-year-old South African Sam Lochoff, who is moving up from the MotoAmerica Junior Cup class.
Also moving up from Junior Cup to Supersport in 2021 is two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion and reigning MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion Rocco Landers. Like Kelly, 16-year-old Landers comes to Texas fresh from a successful debut run in the Daytona 200.
The interesting news in the Stock 1000 category is Ashton Yates has finally received his Jones Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and it sounds like it was worth the wait. According to his team, Yates’ new bike in 100% stock form put out roughly the equivalent amount of horsepower as the developed Honda CBR1000RR SP2 he raced in 2020. Yates, however, has not had his new machine on a racetrack yet and will have to take on class competitors Jake Lewis on the Altus Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R1000R and Wyatt Farris on the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R, among others.
Ashton Yates puts his new Jones Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP on a work bench. His father, former AMA Pro Superbike racer Aaron Yates, can be seen in the background. Photo by David Swarts.
The seven Stock 1000 riders signed up for the test will be split between the Superbike group and the Supersport group.
Surprisingly, the test entry list for the MotoAmerica Twins Cup did not include any riders on the highly touted new Aprilia RS 660.
Many riders spent most of Monday doing hours of photos, videos, and interviews for MotoAmerica promotional materials.
Testing runs from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. local time with each group getting four sessions on each of the two days.
The weather forecast for the test looks very good with mild temperatures and little chance for precipitation.
Stay tuned to www.roadracingworld.com for news and results from the two-day test and all season long in 2021.
Update: Scheibe Racing is at COTA with its BMW S1000RR Superbike but may not be active at the test. Scheibe Racing had planned on testing with former MotoGP rider Hector Barbera, but Barbera was unable to travel to America due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. When asked about the situation, team owner Steve Scheibe declined to comment.
TWO CATEGORIES AND TWO DOUBLES, A FIRST IN THE HISTORY OF FSBK-FE
LE MANS
In the presence of the President of the FFM, Sébastien Poirier, the first stage of the French Championship organized by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest under the aegis of the FFM will remain engraved in the annals with a stratospheric performance by a supercharged Valentin Debise on the Bugatti Circuit of Le Mans!
Valentin Debise on the French Superbike podium at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Valentin Debise.
SUPERBIKE
COURSE 1: UNBELIEVABLY DEBISE
The top category riders start in the absence of Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas – Michelin), forced to stand on the pits following a mechanical incident at the start of the warm-up lap.
When the lights go out, Valentin DEBISE (Kawasaki Twist Ring Racing – Dunlop) sets the tone! His neat start from pole position allowed him to gain the advantage and prance in the lead without rival…
In second place at the start of the race, Axel MAURIN (Yamaha CMS – Michelin) saw Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Tech Solutions – Michelin) rise with the knife between the teeth. In the 5th round, the champion of France to grant the 2nd place at the expense of the driver of the No. 89 Yamaha. Now the 3rd rank, Axel MAURIN must deal with Alan TECHER (BMW Tecmas – Michelin) and Gregory LEBLANC (Ducati – Pirelli) determined to thwart the plans of the resident of Team CMS.
In the 10th round, a drop occurs in the chasing group: Gregory LEBLANC is down! Fortunately, he gets up in stride without gravity.
We also observe Alan TECHER to make a mistake and go down in the standings. The driver of the BMW No. 5 succeeds however to stay on track and limited the damage in the 8th rank.
The gaps widened between DEBISE, GINES and MAURIN during the 2nd part of the race. After going it alone during the 17 laps, DEBISE won with nearly 10 seconds in advance. A first big victory in the Championship! GINES confirms its 2nd place ahead of MAURIN. At the foot of the podium, Morgan BERCHET (Yamaha – Dunlop) signs a very nice return to the French Superbike Championship.
At the 5th place overall, the pilot Challenger Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha Motorcycles & GPAddict – Pirelli) begins the season in style with first place in the category for young drivers. On the 2nd step of the podium Challenger Alan AGOGUE (Yamaha – Dunlop) is illustrated after starting from the 15th place on the grid with a beautiful 10th scratch place. Valentin SUCHET (Suzuki LMS – Bridgestone), meanwhile, completed the podium.
It should be noted that Guillaume ANTIGA (Honda – Michelin), the fastest driver in the category during practice, fell on the second lap but nevertheless managed to get back on the track. After being left at the end of ranking, the driver of the No. 26 Honda graced the paddock of a “remontada” to conclude the race in 13th spot.
RACE 2: IMPERIAL DEBISE
No doubt, Valentin DEBISE (Kawasaki Twist Ring Racing – Dunlop) is “the man of the weekend” on the track of the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans! From the first lap, he goes on quick laps and evolves alone in the lead to conclude this first stage of the French Championship with a double in the premier category!
After having signed an excellent start, Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas – Michelin) is second in the 2nd lap, however, he does not manage to maintain the pace. The reigning vice-champion was gradually overtaken by Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Tech Solutions – Michelin), Axel MAURIN (Yamaha CMS – Michelin) and Alan TECHER (BMW Tecmas – Michelin) who took turns winning the rider of the BMW n ° 78. In 6th and 7th position, Gregory LEBLANC (Ducati – Pirelli) and Matthieu LUSSIANA (Yamaha – Dunlop) are in ambush!
Before the halfway point, LEBLANC gave a fruitful thrust on FORAY then put pressure on TECHER. Behind GINES, the MAURIN – TECHER – LEBLANC trio is extremely compact. Two laps from the checkered flag, the pilot of BMW n ° 5 gained the advantage over MAURIN, but the latter did not let himself be left behind.
The hierarchy will not change at the finish line for the top 2. Behind the rider of the Kawasaki n ° 153, GINES demonstrates its rigor and consolidates the second place ahead of TECHER. On the other hand, we find LEBLANC who finished at the foot of the podium after having taken the best from MAURIN in the last moments of the race. Slower in the second half of the race, Foray back down in the ranking to 11th position.
As for the Challenger riders, Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha Moto & GPAddict – Pirelli) contains the assaults of Guillaume ANTIGA (Honda – Michelin) to the end and climbs once again on the top step of the podium. On the 3rd step of the podium, paddock Alan finds AGOGUE (Yamaha – Dunlop).
In the provisional, DEBISE is in the lead with 52 points ahead of GINES (40 points) and MAURIN (27 points).
As a challenger, RENAUDIN is in the lead with 52 points ahead of AGOGUE (36 points) and ANTIGA (33 points).
SUPERSPORT 600
RACE 1: DEBISE GETS THE HOLE
Despite the good start of Valentin DEBISE (Kawasaki – Pirelli), it was the Challenger rider Ludovic CAUCHI (Yamaha – Pirelli) who concluded the first lap in the lead followed very closely by the Kawasaki rider n ° 153. Hugo CLERE (Yamaha – Pirelli), meanwhile, remains in the wake of the two men.
After 2 laps, DEBISE sets its pace and widens the gap, leaving CLERE and CAUCHI in discussion for the rest of the podium. These last two protagonists are then joined by Supersport Challenger riders Charles CORTOT (Yamaha – Dunlop) and Tom BERCOT (Yamaha – Pirelli). The quartet then began a crossover where the duo CAUCHI – CLERE detaches, leaving BERCOT the 4th rank and CORTOT the 5th , both separated by a few meters…
Consistent and efficient, DEBISE scores a first victory with more than 4 seconds ahead of its pursuers. At the end of his fierce battle against CLERE, CAUCHI retains the 2nd place with a lead on the finish line and finishes on the top step of the Challenger podium. CLERE therefore wins the 3rd spot.
Scratch off the podium, BERCOT be satisfied with his victory over CORTOT which ranks 5th. These last two finish respectively 2nd and 3rd on the Challenger podium.
There is also the strong performance of the pilot Challenger Matthew GREGORIO (Yamaha – Michelin) ranks 6th to the 3rd Supersport driver of the race: Cédric TANGRE (Triumph – Michelin).
RACE 2: DEBISE ON A CLOUD
True to himself, the untenable Valentin DEBISE (Kawasaki) signs a superb start and kills the suspense from the start! The Albigensian, excited, wins the victory with more than 14 seconds ahead of his pursuers.
For the second step of the podium, the Challenger rider Ludovic CAUCHI (Yamaha – Pirelli) and his best opponent of the day in Supersport Hugo CLERE (Yamaha – Pirelli) do not count their efforts. Literally neck and neck, both drivers saw Cedric Tangre (Triumph – Michelin) back in their wake to fight the 3 rd spot. After a long debate, the Challenger driver once again takes the best of CLERE and finishes second. TANGRE, with only a few tenths behind, concludes at the foot of the podium.
From the 5th to 9th place, the paddock was able to attend a fierce battle between Tom BERCOT (Yamaha -Pirelli) Kevin LONGEARET (Yamaha – Dunlop), Charles CORTOT (Yamaha – Dunlop), Kilian AEBI (Suzuki – Pirelli) and Adrien ROLLET (Yamaha – Dunlop).
Finally, the hierarchy remains unchanged, BERCOT and CORTOT complete the Challenger podium.
In the provisional, DEBISE is in the lead with 52 points ahead of CAUCHI (40 points) and CLERE (32 points).
In Challenger, CAUCHI is in the lead with 51 points ahead of BERCOT (41 points) and CORTOT (32 points).
GRAND PRIX OBJECTIVE- PRE MOTORCYCLE 3
RACE 1: MIZERA AT THE TAQUET!
Always as fast as the day before, Amaury MIZERA (Beon Yamaha) made a very good start to the race which allowed him to take the lead and widen a comfortable gap over the rest of the competitors on the field. Unsurprisingly at the end of the race, he won with nearly 30 seconds ahead of his first competitor in Pre-Moto3 Leandro QUINTANS SANS (Beon Yamaha)
It was precisely with QUINTANS SANS and Mathis FARGIER (KTM RC4R ) that it is necessary to turn to attend a muscular exchange for the podium. However, FARGIER seems to have a mechanical problem and comes down in the classification at the end of the race. Quintans WITHOUT then ranks 2nd in front Mathéo ROMAN (KTM RC4R) that inherits from the 3rd spot.
RACE 2: SECOND VICTORY FOR MIZERA
Always at ease, Amaury MIZERA (Beon Yamaha) once again demonstrates his leadership on the handlebars of the Beon Yamaha n ° 111. He takes off from the start of the race and sets a pace that he is the only one to keep up. He finished king with more than 34 seconds ahead of his first competitor in OGP.
Leandro QUINTANS SANS (Beon Yamaha), meanwhile, finished 2nd . The battle rages on for 3rd place in the category. Rémy SANJUAN (KTM RC4R) got out of the game and completed the podium leaving Mathéo ROMAN (KTM RC4R) and Enzo SIRE (Moriwaki) in 4th and 5th place in the OGP.
In the provisional, MIZERA is in the lead with 52 points ahead of QUINTANS SANS (40 points) and ROMAN and SANJUAN, both tied with 29 points.
NSF 250
RACE 1: FACE TO FACE BETWEEN MARIUS AND GIABBANI
The 2020 OGP Pre-Moto3 French Champion, Clément GIABBANI (Honda), has to face Henry MARIUS (Honda) for the victory! The two pilots are neck and neck to try to win until the very last laps where MARIUS proves his good form and wins.
Clément GIABBANI finished second. The 3rd driver category Ilan PERON (Honda) did not finish the race.
RACE 2: GIABBANI WINNER
Revenge and opportunist, Clément GIABBANI (Honda) took advantage of a mechanical problem which led Henry MARIUS (Honda) to stop the debate after 2 laps to win in the NSF 250 category.
Ilan PERON (Honda) up logically on the 2nd step of the podium.
Provisional, GIABBANI is in the lead with 46 points ahead of HENRY (26 points) and PERON (20 points).
SUPERSPORT 300
COURSE 1: NEGRIER OF THE HEAD AND SHOULDERS
After being injured, Alexis BOUDIN (Yamaha – Michelin), despite being second in the timed practice, and Anatole BEAUPERE (Kawasaki – Pirelli), who only took part in free practice, were unable to start the race.
It is therefore serene that the poleman Alexy NEGRIER (Yamaha – Pirelli) takes control from the start of the race and begins to widen the gap on the duo Adrien QUINET (Kawasaki – Pirelli) – Paul CAILLOL (Kawasaki – Pirelli). The latter fell in the Dunlop chicane and let QUINET take second place.
However, a hunting group made up of Gabin CAZARD (Yamaha – Pirelli), Diego PONCET (Kawasaki – Pirelli) and Lucas SASSONE (Yamaha FT Racing Academy – Michelin), quickly came back to Adrien QUINET.
After 4 laps of the race, CAZARD relegates QUINET to second place. After a few laps, CAZARD widens a timid gap on his pursuers. QUINET, SASSONE and PONCET then exchange multiple passes to complete the podium.
“Head and shoulders” are the words used by Jean-Claude BRUNEAU, the speaker of the French Championship, to describe the domination of NEGRIER! He finished victorious with more than 11 seconds ahead of CAZARD and SASSONE. Quinet and Poncet rank respectively 4th and 5th .
Note the strong performance of the first representative of the fairer sex, Line OLD (FT Yamaha Racing Academy – Michelin), who concluded the race in 6th place.
In Challenger, it’s very tight for the podium! At the end of the race, Ludovic AMOURET (Kawasaki – Pirelli) made the difference and won ahead of Fergus CHRETIENNOT (KTM – Pirelli) and Lucas LINXE (Kawasaki – Pirelli).
RACE 2: FIRST VICTORY FOR QUINET
And let’s go for 12 laps, with notably a very good start for Alexy NEGRIER (Yamaha – Pirelli) ahead of Gabin CAZARD (Yamaha – Pirelli) and Adrien QUINET (Kawasaki – Pirelli). Kawasaki n ° 93 quickly gained the upper hand over CAZARD and took 2nd place. Determined to continue his effort, Adrien QUINET also took the advantage over Alexy NEGRIER, in the 2nd sector the two young men finished the first lap in this order.
The two protagonists seem determined to put on a show, and are gradually leaving the rest of the peloton led by Gabin CAZARD followed by Diego PONCET (Kawasaki – Pirelli) and Florent DA CUNHA (Kawasaki – Pirelli). The leading duo surrendered blow for blow and regularly exchange the place of leader, to the great pleasure of the paddock which misses nothing of this engaged battle.
At the halfway point, 323 thousandths separate QUINET, provisional leader, and NEGRIER, his runner-up. Behind, the hierarchy also offers us great battles between Cazard and Poncet who regularly exchange the 3rd place DA CUNHA currently plays the role of observer in the 5th position.
More regular, NEGRIER takes the first position on a long-term basis and widens a slight gap on QUINET which is doing its maximum and resisting well, without positioning itself in order to carry an attack. However, in the last lap, NEGRIER fell in the bend of La Chapelle and left QUINET the field to sign his first victory of the season ahead of CAZARD and PONCET who completed the podium.
OLD line (FT Yamaha Racing Academy – Michelin), regular and incisive sign a beautiful 4th place after having taken the lead on DA CUNHA, 5th.
In Challenger, after having occupied first place in the category for a good part of the race, Fergus CHRETIENNOT (KTM – Pirelli) lost to his best opponent Ludovic AMOURET (Kawasaki – Pirelli).
Lucas LINXE (Kawasaki – Pirelli) ends, as in the morning, the 3rd spot.
In the provisional, CAZARD is leading with 40 points ahead of QUINET (39 points) and PONCET (27 points).
As a challenger, AMOURET is in the lead with 51 points ahead of CHRETIENNOT (40 points) and LINXE (33 points).
SIDE-CAR
RACE 2: REEVES / ROUSSEAU DOES THE DOUBLE
The scenario is repeated among the leaders of the sides! The duel between REEVES / ROUSSEAU and STREUER / CLEMENT once again ensures the spectacle during this second race. Side n ° 77 widens a timid gap on STREUER / CLEMENT and consolidates the leading position throughout the race. STREUER / CLEMENT therefore ranks 2nd .
At the 3rd row, Peugeot / Peugeot, yet in the wheel of the race start at the top of crews, finds himself quickly isolated and ends on the final podium.
For its part, LEGLISE / LAVOREL who was forced to retire in race 1 manages to rank 4th in front BARBER / RIGONDEAU.
In F2, CHANAL / LAVOREL won a second victory this weekend! LEGUEN / CESCUTTI and PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI complete the podium with less than half a second difference.
In the provisional, STREUER / CLEMENT and REEVES / ROUSSEAU are in the lead with both 46 points ahead of PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT (32 points).
In F2, CHANAL / LAVOREL holds the lead with 52 points ahead of LEGUEN / CESCUTTI (36 points) and PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI (27 points).
FOLLOW THE 2021 FE-SUPERBIKE FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIP
Fsbk.fr, the website dedicated to the French Superbike Championship always offers to follow the news of the weekend live, detailed information, photos, results, videos…
For this 2021 season, the FFM will broadcast a video of the best moments of the day on the official FSBK-FE facebook page and the fsbk.fr website.
Other meetings will punctuate the weekend through a device specifically focused on social networks via Twitter: @FSBK_officiel , Facebook: fsbk, Youtube: ffmfsbk and Instagram: fsbk
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WorldSSP stars head to Barcelona for two days of testing
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hosts a two-day off-season Supported Test for WorldSSP machines ahead of the upcoming campaign
With the start of the FIM Supersport World Championship edging closer, with the season set to open at MotorLand Aragon in May, both WorldSSP and WorldSSP300 machines will be on track at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for a Dorna-Supported Test on Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th March as preparations ramp up for the upcoming season with eight hours of track time available across two days.
Track action across each day has been divided up into two-hour blocks with WorldSSP riders sharing their two days with their WorldSSP300 counterparts. On Monday and Tuesday, WorldSSP machines will take to the track between 11:00am and 1:00pm Local Time (GMT +2) and also between 4:00pm and 6:00pm.
22 riders from WorldSSP will take to the track, featuring a revised Turn 10 layout, with 2019 Champion Randy Krummenacher (EAB Racing) returning to the Championship while WorldSBK race winner Michel Fabrizio (Motozoo Puccetti Racing) also makes his WorldSSP comeback after 16 years away from the Championship. Fabrizio is joined by rookie and WorldSSP Challenge competitor Shogo Kawasaki. Moto2™ stalwart Dominique Aegerter will be at the test for his new WorldSSP team, Ten Kate Racing Yamaha, with teammate Galang Hendra Pratama.
Reigning Teams’ champions Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team will field one rider in 2021 with Steven Odendaal switching to the outfit that has won the last two riders’ championships with Krummenacher and Locatelli. GMT94 Yamaha have a line-up of Jules Cluzel and Federico Caricasaulo for the new season with both on track in Barcelona, while another front-running team, Kallio Racing, will have both Estonian Hannes Soomer and Vertti Takala on track at the test.
Three more teams will field two riders each in the upcoming season with Raffaele de Rosa and Leonardo Taccini linking up with Orelac Racing VerdNatura and will be at the test on Monday and Tuesday, alongside VFT Racing duo Federico Fuligni and Davide Pizzoli. Another rider making a comeback, Pawel Szkopek (MS Racing) will be the oldest rider on the grid in 2021 and will be on track in Barcelona alongside teammate Marc Alcoba.
Niki Tulli (MV Agusta Corse Clienti) returns to the Championship with MV Agusta as the manufacturer’s sole representative. Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha ParkinGo Team) will be back for a second season after a strong rookie campaign after moving up from WorldSSP300, while he is faced with an additional challenge in 2021 as he switches from Kawasaki to Yamaha machinery although stays with the same team.
Five more riders will be on track during the Barcelona test and four will compete for WorldSSP Challenge honours in 2021. Danny Webb (WRP Wepol Racing) is signed for the full season while Maria Herrera (Biblion Iberica Yamaha Motoxracing), Luca Bernardi (CM Racing), Luigi Montella (Chiodo Moto Racing) and Stephane Frossard (Moto Team Jura Vitesse) will all test at Barcelona over the course of two days as they prepare for their WorldSSP Challenge campaign.
WorldSSP300 field to have two days of testing at Barcelona-Catalunya
The majority of riders competing in WorldSSP300 in 2021 will hit the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for two days of testing on Monday and Tuesday
The FIM Supersport 300 World Championship paddock heads to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for two days of testing ahead of the 2021 campaign getting underway with 37 riders taking to the track across the allotted days. The Supported Test will take place across Monday and Tuesday with the WorldSSP300 riders sharing their two days of action with riders from WorldSSP, with each day split into sections.
WorldSSP300 machines will take to the track from 9:00am Local Time (GMT+2) until 11:00am and again from 2:00pm until 4:00pm on both days, giving them a total of eight hours of track time across both days of action as riders from up and down the grid look to get as ready as possible ahead of what is sure to be a hard-fought 2021 campaign.
Reigning Champion Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) will be joined by two of his three teammates as Adrian Huertas and Koen Meuffels join the action, while 2020 race winner Yuta Okaya will not be present. Buis is not the only Champion from WorldSSP300 on track as 2018 title winner Ana Carrasco (Kawasaki Provec WorldSSP300) joins the action as her recovery from injury continues. Yamaha MS Racing will be represented by four riders across two teams as brothers Ton and Meikon Kawakami test for AD78 Team Brasil by MS Racing while Unai Orradre, who last year became the youngest ever race winner in WorldSSP300, and Miguel Santiago Duarte are with Yamaha MS Racing.
Turkish race winner Bahattin Sofuoglu (Biblion Motoxracing Yamaha) returns to WorldSSP300 after a season of fighting at the front, alongside new teammate Marco Gaggi. Both will be at the Barcelona test, while the all-new Viñales Racing Team, featuring Dean Berta Viñales and Kevin Sabatucci will take to the track ahead of their first WorldSSP300 campaign.
Gabriele Mastroluca and Devis Bergamin will take to the track for ProGP Racing while Samuel di Sora and Sylvain Markarian will contest for Leader Team Flembbo, including an outing at the test. Further down the paddock and Fusport – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki will have their three riders on track as Tom Booth-Amos, Dorren Loureiro and Harry Khouri taking part in the test.
Accolade Smrz Racing’s all-Spanish line-up will get to test at Barcelona as Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez and Victor Rodriguez Nuñez take to the circuit. Petr Svoboda (WRP Wepol Racing) will get a chance to test his machine for WorldSSP300 competition while Antonio Frappola (Chiodo Moto Racing) will be the sole for Chiodo Moto Racing from WorldSSP300.
Alejandro Carrion, Alejandro Diez and Alessandro Zanca will all race for Kawasaki GP Project in 2021 while Machado CAME SBK will have Vicente Perez Selfa, Ruben Bijman and Bruno Ieraci out on track. SMW Racing are another team with three riders taking part in the test with Indy Offer, Joel Romero and Iñigo Iglesias. Also out on track will be Mirko Gennai (BR Corse), Victor Steeman (Freudenberg KTM SSP300), Oliver König (Movisio by MIE), James McManus (Team# 109 Kawasaki) and Johan Gimbert (TPR Team Pedercini Racing).
Viñales battles through to victory as 2021 begins in style
Top Gun shoots first in the desert as Zarco and Bagnaia fight off Mir at the final corner
Maverick Vinales (12). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sunday, 28 March 2021
We wanted fireworks, and we got them. The first race of the 2021 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship was a cracker at the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar as Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales unleashed a stunning race to claim victory. The number 12 climbed his way through the pack to eventually beat second place Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) by just over a second, with the Frenchman and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) then pipping reigning World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) on the run to the line to complete the podium on the opening night.
The start of the race was something to behold for Ducati. Bagnaia, Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team), Zarco and Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) – the latter from 14th on the grid – all propelled themselves to the front as Ducati once again proved themselves holeshot heroes, with Martin’s launch especially making some serious headlines as the rookie joined his fellow GP21 riders inside the top four. Fabio Quartararo and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP teammate Viñales got a little swamped off the line, forced to tuck in behind the Borgo Panigale invasion at the front.
Bagnaia had held on in the lead ahead of Miller, Zarco and Martin, before Zarco then slipstreamed Miller down the home straight and grabbed P2 off the Australian. After sluggish starts, the two factory Yamahas were regrouping though and soon found their way past high-flying rookie Martin on Lap 3. Just behind, Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was scrapping away with Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and World Champion Mir, the GSX-RR duo getting past The Doctor and starting to hound Martin.
Up top, the leading five were line astern. Quartararo and Viñales were attached to the back of Miller, good news for two Yamahas, as Pecco kept it steady in the lead. Quartararo wasn’t messing around, however, and El Diablo dived up the inside of Miller at Turn 15. The Ducati blasted by on the straight again but sensational work on the brakes allowed the Yamaha man to take and hold P3.
A couple of laps later, Viñales decided to pounce on Miller too. Turn 10 was the Spaniard’s chosen point and Miller then found himself down in P5 – was he struggling, or playing the long game? Meanwhile, In free air, Rins was reeling in the leaders and was soon right up behind Miller as well. Viñales was the man starting to look impatient though, right up behind Quartararo…
The lead group, covered by 1.4 seconds, was over two seconds up the road from seventh place Mir and by 12 laps to go, Viñales was up into P3 and immediately bridged the few tenths gap to Zarco. And with 11 to go, Viñales dived up the inside of the Pramac Racing rider for P2 and showed a wheel to race leader Bagnaia, most definitely meaning business. Just behind, Rins had also got the better of Quartararo and as the race entered the halfway stage, Mir and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) were now tagged onto the back of the number 20 Yamaha too.
Viñales and Yamaha’s strengths in the middle of the corners were clear to see, and Turn 10 was once more was the chosen passing place for Top Gun. For the first time, the race leader wasn’t Pecco as Viñales struck on Lap 15, but the top eight riders were still covered by just 2.3 seconds. With Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) in P9 just 3.5 seconds from the lead as well, could the number 12 Yamaha pull away from the group?
It was a half second lead with six to go, as behind Zarco drafted Bagnaia for P2 into Turn 1 and Mir passed Miller to grab fifth. With five laps to go though, Viñales and Zarco were starting to break clear and Top Gun had eked out the lead to a 0.7 second advantage as Zarco, in turn, held a second over Bagnaia. Behind the latter, Mir was now ahead of teammate Rins for P4 as well. But Viñales was checking out and the gap seemed to shoot out to 1.6 seconds not long after, leaving the podium fight in the dust. Battle mode: engaged.
The podium scrap, meanwhile, was in full flow. Mir, at Turn 6, stuck his Suzuki up the inside of Bagnaia’s Ducati and suddenly, it seemed second place Zarco was under threat as well. As the last lap dawned, Mir was desperately trying to find a way past the number 5 but the Suzuki rider had to be patient. The move came though as the reigning Champion struck at the penultimate corner, leaving just one more apex and a run to the line standing between Mir and a phenomenal podium. The two Ducatis were about to prove just how quick they were in a straight line though, and as the Suzuki went ever so slightly wide at the final corner, Zarco and Bagnaia unleashed their grunt towards the flag – and just, just pipped Mir to the rostrum.
Viñales had already crossed the line well ahead of the squabble to start 2021 in style, however, winning at Losail for the second time and in a different manner to his 2017 victory. Zarco took second as top Independent and top Ducati, with Bagnaia debuting in full factory red on the podium in third and Mir just missing out.
Quartararo crossed the line three seconds behind his teammate in P5 as the Frenchman got the better of Rins by just three tenths, and two and a half seconds further down the road, Aleix Espargaro put Aprilia right in the battle with a fantastic P7. Aleix also beat younger brother Pol by just 0.056s as the latter put in an impressive debut with the Repsol Honda Team.
Miller, meanwhile, was forced to settle for ninth. The number 43 slid backwards in the latter stages and crossed the line back from where he would have wanted, looking to bounce back next weekend. Top rookie honours went the way of reigning Moto2™ World Champion Enea Bastianini (Esponsorama Racing) in tenth as just nine seconds split the Italian from the race win and he debuted in the top ten.
Stefan Bradl (Repsol Honda Team) did another top job standing in for Marc Marquez, the German finished P11 and leading 12th place Rossi across the line. Not the race The Doctor will have been looking for from P4 on the grid as he and teammate Franco Morbidelli suffered a very difficult evening – the latter finishing outside the points in P18 after an issue throughout. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the leading KTM rider in P13, with teammate Brad Binder and fast-starting Martin picking up the remaining points on offer in P14 and P15.
That’s it from a stunning start to the season. Viñales was an unstoppable force in the desert for a second time and Zarco and Bagnaia ensure Ducati have something to shout about on a favoured stomping ground. Mir proved exactly why he and Suzuki are reigning Champions with a classy Sunday ride, and there are stories everywhere you look. Round 1 is now in the history books, and Round 2 right here at Losail is just around the corner!
Maverick Viñales: “Honestly I felt unbelievable. Actually the start didn’t go so well, I had a lot of wheelie. So it’s something we need to work on. But after that I felt the potential, I was taking everything with calm and saving the tyres for a good moment. I tried to be smart and calm, and chose the right place to push. Finally I opened a gap and I was trying to control the tyre and manage the power. Overall, so good. It was a fantastic weekend, just to say thank you to my really close family, now my wife… as you know we’re expecting a baby and you know, these results are amazing, everything is good and we’re really blessed. Just thank you.”
More, from a press release issued by Tech3 KTM Factory Racing:
Tech3 KTM Factory Racing faces tricky season opener
The famous floodlights of the Qatari circuit welcomed the MotoGP World Championship today paired with strong winds. With a decent start to the first round of 2021, Iker Lecuona made up several positions coming from P20 on the grid. In the course of the first laps he made it to the top 15, but had take out some speed struggling with his right arm. Crossing the line in P18 at halftime of the race, he managed to recover one more position to eventually finish 17th with some steady lap times.
Tech3 KTM Factory Racing‘s new comer Danilo Petrucci was doing significant steps in the right direction throughout the weekend. In Warm Up he progressed further but was unlucky when the red lights went off for his orange debut at the Losail International Circuit, as he unfortunately crashed out on the first lap after being touched by another rider, leaving him no chance to avoid the gravel.
Iker Lecuona
Position: 17th
Championship: 17th
Points: –
“For one side, I am happy, because I finished the race although I was struggling with my arm. On the first lap, I felt very good with the bike and could fight for the points and with many riders. Therefore, I’m satisfied and also because my performance was pretty good. Later on, I did some mistakes due to my arm, I lost control of my bike, so I had to stay calm in order to finish the race.”
“Although I was struggling in the middle of the race, I could gain a bit more confidence towards the end. I could overtake Morbidelli and was fighting with Marini, but finally he was in front of me by just a tenth of a second. I’m quite happy, also because this was my first ever race here in Qatar. I want to thank my team for their work, we changed something in the Warm Up and it helped me a lot. Now I can’t wait for next week.”
Danilo Petrucci
Position: DNF
Championship: –
Points: –
“I don’t have many words. I’m just very sorry. Unfortunately, I touched another rider and crashed really hard at turn two. This is probably the worst thing, that could happen for my first race with the team. The good news is, that I’m not injured, which is super important. I’m so sorry for my guys and for everyone. We’ll try again next week!”
Hervé Poncharal
Team Manager
“It was definitely not the weekend for the Tech3 KTM Factory Racing team. We’ve been working hard all week long and although the grid positions where not what we were expecting, we were quite confident we could improve during the race and score some points with our two riders, especially with Danilo and it would have been nice for his first ever race with KTM.”
“Unfortunately, his race didn’t even last a lap. It looks like there was a contact with another rider and this is very sad and very disappointing to start our new adventure like that. But it’s part of racing unfortunately. We hope he is going to be ok, because he was complaining a bit about shoulder pain.”
“Iker did a brave race. Unfortunately, he still has some issues with his right arm, which caused him a few slow laps. Otherwise, the speed was there and on quite a few laps he was as quick as the leaders. So, clearly, Iker has got a great potential to ride a MotoGP bike fast, we knew that before.”
“Let’s hope our two guys will be feeling good physically for next week. Let’s wait and see what Miguel and Brad have said and let’s meet and think about what to do to be better for next weekend. Although the final positions where not what we were hoping for, the. Situation is a lot more positive than it looks. Let’s keep on working, let’s keep on pushing and let’s see what is going to happen here in Losail next week.”
More, from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:
OLIVEIRA & BINDER SCORE FIRST MOTOGP™ POINTS AT 2021 SEASON OPENER
MotoGP 2021 – Round 01 of 19, Losail (QAT) – Race
The lights were on at the Losail International Circuit but the red start lights fell for the first of nineteen Grands Prix in 2021. Through tricky and blustery conditions in Qatar Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Miguel Oliveira challenged for the top ten of the premier class before classifying 13th, one position ahead of teammate Brad Binder.
– Oliveira opens Red Bull KTM Factory Racing chapter with three points
– Binder 14th after vibrant start but affected by front tire wear
– Lecuna just misses out on first MotoGP points at Qatar
Hours of work and hundreds of testing laps around the Qatari facility finally counted for something on Sunday evening as the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar brought the 2021 MotoGP season to life. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Tech3 KTM Factory Racing teams had already spent five days of set-up work in early March and two further days of practice and qualification getting prepared for the first of two back-to-back races in the Middle East.
MotoGP has visited the modern but flat and featureless Losail layout for eighteen years, the last 15 as the opening site of a championship campaign. Due to the beginning of the pandemic, the MotoGP class missed the 2020 edition of the event but made up for lost time with plenty of miles around the quick and relentless course.
Miguel Oliveira, winner of the final round of 2020, Brad Binder, Iker Lecuona and new KTM recruit Danilo Petrucci all strived to try and use the strengths of the KTM RC16 in Qatar and struggled for searing one-lap speed to make an impression in qualification. All four riders could not emerge from the Q1 cut on Saturday night and line-up in the second half of the grid with Oliveira furthest ahead in 15th. The Portuguese set-off from the fifth row, despite setting the fastest lap of Losail by an RC16 to-date.
Compared to Friday and Saturday the Qatari evening air was cooler and windier, the gusts causing problems for bike stability and corner judgement. Both Oliveira and Binder made strong starts and circulated in – or on – the fringes of the top ten until they were each plagued by front tire grip problems and had to trim their pace. Petrucci had contact with another rider entering Turn 2 on the first lap and crashed. Lecuona endured his first taste of Losail in the MotoGP class to finish 17th, despite some discomfort with his right arm.
MotoGP will not move anywhere this week. The pitlane garages will remain full for the Tissot Grand Prix of Doha on Saturday/Sunday 3-4.
Miguel Oliveira: “We finished a little ahead of where we started, which is positive and we know our potential is much better. We couldn’t finish stronger because of the front tire. We lost quite a lot of grip before mid-race distance and that compromised our performance. I kept losing time to save a crash. We feel our bike is strong but we cannot compete over the race distance with this compound tire.”
Brad Binder: “It’s good to have the first race of the season under our belts but we didn’t finish close to where we wanted. For sure the whole team and I expected much more. We have to accept reality and there is work to be done at this circuit. In the first part of the race I thought we could be competitive but at half race distance I completely finished my front tire. It was a case of either bring the bike home safely at the pace I was doing or lose the front. It was difficult but now we have data from the first race and we can move on from here.”
Iker Lecuona: “I am happy because I finished the race although I was struggling with my arm. On the first lap, I felt very good with the bike and could fight for the points and with many riders. Therefore, I’m satisfied and also because my performance was pretty good. Later on, I made some mistakes due to my arm, I lost control of my bike, so I had to stay calm in order to finish. I want to thank my team for their work, we changed something in the Warm-Up and it helped me a lot. Now I can’t wait for next week.”
Danilo Petrucci: “I don’t have many words. I’m just very sorry. Unfortunately, I touched another rider and crashed really hard at turn two. This is probably the worst thing that could have happened for my first race with the team. The good news is that I’m not injured, which is super important. I’m so sorry for my guys and for everyone. We’ll try again next week!”
Mike Leitner, Red Bull KTM Race Manager: “We knew it would be a tough season-start for us here but the beginning of the race was strong and we were right in the middle of the group. We suffered in the last third though and lost the lap-times so we have to work on this. It’s not a disaster – we are 11 seconds behind the winner – but this category is very close and we have to find these seconds. Miguel and Brad did well to bring the bike back and score points. We’re sorry to see Danilo crash in Turn 2 but it looks like there was a collision and Iker made acceptable lap-times at the end of the race. We have to step up now and help the boys to be faster.”
Results MotoGP Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar 2021
1. Maverick Viñales (ESP) Yamaha 42:28.663
2. Johann Zarco (FRA), Ducati +1.092
3. Franceso Bagnaia (ITA) Ducati +1.129
4. Joan Mir (ESP) Suzuki +1.222
5. Fabio Quartararo (FRA), Yamaha +3.030
13. Miguel Oliveira (POR), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +11.457
14. Brad Binder (RSA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +14.100
17. Iker Lecuona (ESP), Tech3 KTM Factory Racing +21.026
DNF. Danilo Petrucci (ITA), Tech3 KTM Factory Racing
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
Espargaro stronger with every lap on Repsol Honda Team debut
Positives across both sides of the Repsol Honda Team box as the 2021 season begins with a double point-scoring finish and first top ten for Espargaro in Qatar.
Wind ripped through the MotoGP paddock as the premier class arrived at the Losail International Circuit for the first race of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship season. Fortunately, there were no major concerns about the forecasted high-speed gusts of wind as the grid formed later in the evening although conditions were cooler than before.
Warm Up was a productive session for the Repsol Honda Team as both Pol Espargaro and Stefan Bradl showed well at the start of the day. In sixth and eighth place respectively, the pair helped make it four Honda machines in the top eight at the conclusion of the 20 minute session.
Lining up for his debut race in the iconic colours of the Repsol Honda Team, Pol Espargaro made a great initial launch to move up inside the top ten after the first corner. As the race went on and the fuel lowered, Espargaro was able to steadily improve his pace and joined the battle for the top ten by mid-race distance. Espargaro’s lap times continued to improve, matching or beating that of the leaders towards the end of the 22-laps. In his first race for the team, Espargaro collects eight points for eighth place, top Honda honours and most importantly now has a race worth of data on the RC213V. This knowledge will come into play very soon as the championship prepares for round two at the same venue.
Stefan Bradl was pleased with the progress made earlier in the day and joined the grid ready to battle forward. Using the power of the RC213V to shoot off the line, Bradl was able to immediately move into contention for points from the first lap. Trademark consistency from the German saw him make steady progress over the race and cross the line in 11th place, just a second off Bastianini and a top ten finish.
The Repsol Honda Team will now remain in Qatar, ready for Round 2 next week at the Losail circuit.
Pol Espargaro
8TH
“It has been a race of two halves. The start of the race, honestly, wasn’t good as I took too much time to settle into my pace and then I lost some precious time. In the middle of the race, I was one of the fastest riders and I am happy but also angry because I feel that I could have done better. But it is still just the first race so we have to look at the race from this perspective and I needed to finish the race, a crash would not have been good at all. I have gained a lot of information and now we can go again next weekend in the same place understanding our potential better.”
Stefan Bradl
11TH
“At the end of the day we have done a good first race and I am pleased. I think we suffered a little bit because of Qualifying, in the race we were able to run well and fight a lot. At the start of the race, I was maybe a little too conservative with the front tyre, I think Pol was more aggressive during this time and I could have gone with him, but it is better to bring the bike home than take too many risks in the first race. Maybe we could have done a little more and stayed with Pol, which would have been nice, but I am still pleased.”
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia Gresini Racing:
ALEIX BATTLES, SETS THE PACE AND STAYS WITH THE BEST: APRILIA IS IN THE MIX
A SEVENTH PLACE THAT BOOSTS CONFIDENCE AND PROVIDES CERTAINTIES
The question mark was erased with a great performance by Aleix in the first race in Qatar. The new Aprilia RS-GP is fast, consistent and capable of battling with the best. The seventh-place finish today is worth more than it might seem. The gap from the leader is under six seconds, despite a few tenths lost in overtaking – an important message that rewards the hard work on the track and in Noale.
After a good start, Aleix suffered a few attacks straight away in the early stages where, with a full tank, the rider from Granollers preferred not taking any pointless risks. Once he had set his pace, he began an unstoppable comeback, with times that made him the fastest on track in the central phase of the race. Precise and confident overtaking, Espargaró clawed his way all the way up to a seventh-place finish.
It was a demanding race for teammate Savadori, reckoning with a shoulder that suffered over race distance and with a feeling that still needs to be perfected. For the Italian rookie, finishing the race, accumulating data and gaining experience was fundamental, as well as setting up his race for next week, which will once again be here in Qatar.
ALEIX ESPARGARO’
“I am happy. Seventh place may not seem like much, but I showed that I am able to stay with the best all the way to the end, with a gap behind the leader that had never before been so low. In some stages of the race I was cautious, especially overtaking, where I tried to be clean and not risk, and that certainly cost us a few tenths. But after the positive tests and after all the efforts of the team here and in Noale, it was important not to make any mistakes. Now we definitely know that we can be in the game. We are fast, not only in practice, but also when it counts, and that is fundamental.”
LORENZO SAVADORI
“A difficult race, both because of my shoulder that was bothering me, especially at the beginning, and also because we still need to improve. I don’t have the right feeling to push. I struggle with a full tank and managing the tyres. Finishing the race was important because, analysing the data, we’ll be able to continue working on the RS-GP. The bike definitely has great potential, as Aleix’s performance demonstrates. Now, during the days off, I’ll try to recuperate as much as possible to be ready for next weekend.”
More, from a press release issued by SKY Racing Team VR46:
16TH PLACE FOR LUCA MARINI AT THE QATAR GP
In the debut race in MotoGP, the rider of the Sky VR46 Avintia finished in the slip stream of the Top15.
Doha (Qatar), March 28th 2021 – The Sunday of the MotoGP debut for the Ducati of the Sky VR46 Avintia closes with Luca Marini crossing the finishing line in 16th position.
Starting from the 18th box on the starting grid, Luca was just one position from the points.
Luca Marini:
My first race in MotoGP: I’m happy to have finished it, but I was hoping for a better performance. I lacked a bit of speed and had a worse feeling today than in the other sessions. I was losing especially in the middle of the corner. We will analyze the data in these days but it is nice to be able to race here the next week.
Ruben Xaus:
I’m happy with Luca’s first MotoGP race: he had the potential to fight in the middle of the group fighting for the Top15. He did a good race, with his pace but he will have to learn to be stronger at the start. Entering the race more aggressively in the first 5/6 laps and then not having to recover and battle with riders of the highest level. I’m sure he will take a step forward on this already in race2.
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki ECSTAR:
SOLID START TO THE SEASON FOR SUZUKI WITH 4TH AND 6TH
BARWA GRAND PRIX OF QATAR RACE RESULTS:
Joan Mir: 4th (+ 1.222)
Alex Rins: 6th (+ 3.357)
The first race of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship season got underway with an electric atmosphere and a special light show for the riders, teams, and socially-distanced spectators.
Conditions were cooler and windier than those experienced so far, and the soft-soft tyre combination was the choice for the entire field.
From their ninth and 10th grid positions, Team Suzuki Ecstar’s riders got decent starts, and they managed the first laps well. By the third lap they were already working their way through the pack.
By the ninth lap of the race, Alex Rins had worked his way up to the leading group of riders, and shortly after he had moved into a Top-5 position. Meanwhile, Joan Mir was getting into a strong rhythm behind his team-mate. With six laps to go, the Suzuki pair were both in podium contention thanks to their hard work, consistency, and determination.
Rins began to experience some tyre wear after pushing in the early laps but he managed to hold onto a very solid sixth place. Mir was able to move into third on lap 20, before swiftly heading into a great second on the last lap. He took a wide sweeping line onto the final straight to try and avoid the full force of the slipstream from the competitors behind him but slipped to fourth on the line.
Shinichi Sahara – Team Leader and Project Manager:
“Our riders started from ninth and 10th on the grid but they still fought for the podium, and they were very close to achieving it. Joan managed to save the tyre a little bit better, and he was in second but he lost out to the two Ducatis on the straight, maybe because his line out of the last corner was a little wide. Alex also had very good pace but it dropped a little in the last part of the race because he lost some grip. But we’re very happy and we’ve learned a lot from today: We’ll be going for the podium again next week.”
Ken Kawauchi – Technical Manager:
“We were able to confirm once again that our riders are able to fight at the front. Joan was very, very close to the podium, Alex too at one point. So I’m disappointed for them, but at the same time we’re feeling satisfied and happy. We’ve scored good points in this opening round and we’re looking ahead to next weekend.”
Joan Mir:
“I feel good, it was a nice race. I made a step this morning in warm-up and I regained my feeling with the bike – that was the most important thing. The bike worked so well today, and I’m really grateful to the team. I tried to push hard and get the most from the bike and the tyres, recovering places and managing well. I’m happy with how it worked out even if it would’ve been great to finish second! But I had a feeling those Ducatis would overtake me on the straight in the slipstream, and I’m still satisfied with fourth. We’ll take what we learned and go for next weekend. I’m feeling positive and ready for more.”
Alex Rins:
“My start was not one of my best ones, so I had to push a lot to recover the positions I lost and catch up with the leading group. Already six laps before Joan passed me I was beginning to struggle with the tyres, so I think I cooked them. I did my best, and I’m pretty happy, but in the end I couldn’t manage to go higher. The bike felt good and my pace was strong, so I’m ready for next week!”
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
VIÑALES VICTORIOUS WITH QUARTARARO FIFTH IN OPENING ROUND STUNNER
Losail (Qatar), 28th March 2021
GRAND PRIX OF QATAR
RACE
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Maverick Viñales gave a masterclass today at the Losail International Circuit. The Yamaha man started the 2021 MotoGP season with a perfect victory at the Grand Prix of Qatar. Teammate Fabio Quartararo also put up a strong fight. He made up a lot of ground in the opening laps and finished in fifth place.
1st MAVERICK VIÑALES 42’28.663 / 22 LAPS
5th FABIO QUARTARARO +3.030 / 22 LAPS
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Maverick Viñales and Fabio Quartararo put in some real teamwork at the 2021 MotoGP season opener. After a difficult start, the duo stormed towards the front of the pack as a tag team. Viñales proceeded to take on the frontrunners and came out victorious. Quartararo put up a strong fight to cross the finish line in fifth place.
Viñales launched from third place on the starting grid, to settle into eighth position, but this was only temporary. He was soon behind Quartararo, and the teammates worked together cutting through the rider field on their way to the leaders. When lap 8 came round they had made it to third and fourth place.
The number-12 rider‘s pace was astounding, and it was clear he was ready to put his head down and chase his first podium of the 2021 season. With 12 laps to go, the Spaniard‘s turn came to take over the role of ’leading Factory Yamaha bike‘ in third place. He closed down the gap to Johann Zarco in a matter of a few corners. Once second place was a fact, he moved on to a sparring match with Francesco Bagnaia. He found a way through on lap 15 and then took off. Viñales brilliantly managed the tyres and the gap all the way to end, taking the chequered flag with a 1.092s lead over his closest rival.
Quartararo started from second place and slotted into sixth after the opening corners. He was quick to lead a ‘Yamaha train’ consisting of him, teammate Viñales, and Valentino Rossi to track down the leading group. By the end of the first lap, he was already back in fifth place. His next target was Jorge Martin before setting his sights on the top-3 riders.
With 17 laps to go, the Frenchman started to put serious pressure on Jack Miller. In Turn 15 he made a smooth move for a pass, taking a provisional podium place. Next was a 0.9s gap to bridge to the man in second place, but his attention was also required for the threat of riders closing in from behind. The ride to the front had asked a lot of his tyres, and he was unable to defend his position. With eight laps to go, the youngster found himself in seventh place but not out for the count just yet. He put the bit between his teeth and made a final sprint to take fifth place across the finish line, with a 3.030s margin to first.
Today‘s results put Viñales and Quartararo in first and fifth place in the championship standings, with 25 and 11 points respectively. Yamaha and the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team are also in first place with 25 and 36 point totals after Round 1.
The MotoGP paddock will stay in Qatar, as next week Round 2, the Grand Prix of Doha, will also be held at the Losail International Circuit.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI
TEAM DIRECTOR
The ideal plan for today was to have a good start, then let Maverick and Fabio make the most of the M1, riding Yamaha lines. However, we expected that our competitors would be strong at the start, so it would almost be impossible for us to lead into Turn 1. But Maverick and Fabio knew what they had to do. They made sure not to waste any unnecessary time battling each other and instead worked together as they rode to the top 3. In the end it was Maverick who had the race-winning pace today. His ride was truly stunning! Fabio wasn‘t quite able to fight for the podium because of an unexpected rear-tyre drop, but he still put up a strong fight for fifth and collected some important points for himself and the team. We are very happy overall. Starting the season with a win is a great morale boost and a testament to Yamaha‘s and the team‘s hard work over the winter. Now we will have a few days of rest and then we will be back on track on Wednesday to prepare for GP2, and we will be looking into the issue that Fabio had with his rear tyre today.
MAVERICK VIÑALES
The race was especially good because I had the opportunity to fight with other riders, which is always important. It‘s been a while since I last overtook so many riders in one race. Early on in the race, I felt this special feeling with the bike. Also in FP4 when we did the race simulation I felt fantastic and also in qualifying. I‘m very grateful, because winning is not easy, so we are going to enjoy today. For the coming race we will work and try to improve again, because we know our competitors will also improve. I just want to say ’congratulations‘ to the team, because we did a good job this winter. I think this win is very good for the morale of the team, because it‘s always important to trust ourselves. We still have some things to work on, especially on the race starts. But, overall, I think we can do a good job this season.
FABIO QUARTARARO
I was feeling so strong in the beginning of the race. As soon as I overtook Jack [Miller], I was able to catch Joan [Mir] so fast, but then I noticed a big drop in the rear tyre, which we didn‘t expect, because I didn‘t have that during the test or the practice sessions. I decided to adjust my riding a little, but Maverick still overtook me. He was just in another league and had much more grip than I did. In the end I could overtake Rins and Miller because I was riding in a different way, so that‘s something positive. Last year, on difficult days we made mistakes and finished in P14 or crashed. Today we are P5 and scored 11 points, which is good on a tough day like this, and I was 3s behind Maverick, so that is not that bad.
More, from a press release issued by PETRONAS Yamaha SRT:
PETRONAS Yamaha SRT left wanting more from QatarGP
Valentino Rossi 12th and Franco Morbidelli 18th in opening MotoGP race of 2021
It proved to be a difficult and disappointing opening round of the year at Losail International Circuit for the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team, with Valentino Rossi and Franco Morbidelli, who experienced mechanical issues, ending the Grand Prix of Qatar 12th and 18th respectively.
Rossi’s first race as a PETRONAS Yamaha SRT rider got off to a steady start, with the Italian dropping three places on the start to end the opening lap in seventh. As action unfolded in the first half of the encounter Valentino found himself in 12th and struggling with rear type grip, before dropping further to 16th on lap 12. Rossi was able to steadily claw back positions in the remaining time, eventually recovering to cross the line 12th.
It was a nightmare start for Morbidelli, who experienced a problem with his bike on the grid. The decision was made to complete the race, despite the issue, in order to gather data to help in finding a solution. The Italian found himself in 16th place on the opening lap and 19th on lap two. Franco, who starts his third year with the Malaysian squad, resigned himself to a fairly quiet race and at the end of the 22 laps, took the chequered flag in 18th.
There is only a short wait until the second round of the 2021 MotoGP season, with Rossi and Morbidelli due back on track in only a few days’ time for the Grand Prix of Doha (2-4 April).
Razlan Razali – Team Principal
Today did not go as we expected it to, for various reasons. We know Valentino experienced some issues with the feeling of the rear, so now we will listen to his feedback and see what we can do for the next GP. Franco also had some mechanical problems, which we are looking into because it is not like him to be in that position. We take the positives that he was able to collect data to help us rectify the issue. We know that the Yamaha is a great bike and I want to say congratulations to Maverick [Viñales] on his win.
It was a great effort from Jake in Moto2, who is still recovering from his wrist injury, and we believe that he can do even better next week. We also hope that the next race will be an improvement for Xavi, after his crash today and I’m sure he will dig deep to make it.
It was a fantastic Moto3 race from Darryn to finish third and take his first podium for us. It shows that he has a lot of potential. It was unlucky for John to be taken out so early in the race. Now we just need to look forward to next week.
Valentino Rossi
12th (+10.742)
We expected more, especially after qualifying yesterday, but I struggled in the race. After several laps I had a problem with the tyres, especially the rear one, which is something that we also saw on Friday. We were hoping that it would have been less of a problem today, with the cooler temperatures, but unfortunately the feeling was similar and I lost some positions. I feel like I had a good start compared to the other Yamahas, but some others had a stronger one, I feel like we entered the first corner with a good speed though. Now we try to fix it and make it better for next week.
Franco Morbidelli
18th (+23.892)
It was a difficult race for us. We had a problem on the grid but we decided to give it a go anyway. Out of respect for my team and the work they do I wanted to complete the race, also so that we might understand the problem better. It is something we need to investigate further, I think we might have seen it at other times in the weekend, but during the race it was very clear that something was wrong. It was unfortunate that we had to have the bad race, but the good thing is that we have data to understand what was going on. I hope we can fix something for next week.
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Castrol:
BATTLING ÁLEX MÁRQUEZ UNABLE TO TAKE POINTS IN QATAR
Álex Márquez could not make the start he wanted to his LCR racing career as he failed to finish the season-opening Grand Prix of Qatar on Sunday. The Spaniard was making his first GP appearance for Lucio Cechinello’s team, but did not see the chequered flag as he slid out eight laps from the end in the opening round of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship.
The LCR Honda CASTROL rider enjoyed a positive start to the day as he went fourth quickest in warm-up. Having dropped places after a difficult start, Márquez was battling back through the field and had climbed up into 14th position when he lost his front end to bring a premature end to his race.
Alex Marquez – NC
“In the end it was not a positive day and I’m sad for the team and everybody who worked so hard this weekend. Honestly, I had a horrific start and I lost a lot of time at the first corner and was also touched at the rear by (Danilo) Petrucci. Then I was in a group and was trying to overtake, but it was difficult to overtake at that point. When I was alone I was in really good shape and in a really good rhythm, but when I caught the people ahead it was so difficult to overtake. I did a small mistake that cost us the race, so sorry to the team. But I think we’re in good shape and working well and I think next weekend we have another chance to change the situation and do better in the championship.”
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Idemitsu:
QATAR GP ENDS EARLY FOR NAKAGAMI
The Grand Prix of Qatar ended in early for Takaaki Nakagami as he slid out in the early stages of the 2021 curtain-raiser in Doha. The LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider lost his front end heading into turn nine just seven laps into Sunday’s race, ensuring he finished the opening round of the new World Championship season empty-handed.
Starting from the fourth row, Taka headed into the race in upbeat mood having posted the fifth fastest time in the warm-up session. But the Japanese star lost a handful of places at the start after being crowded at the first corner and his misfortune was compounded on lap seven as he uncharacteristically crashed out.
Takaaki Nakagami – NC
“Of course I’m not happy becuase I didn’t finish the race. There’s not much to say, I’m really sorry to my team as they worked really hard and yesterday we made a big step and had confidence for today’s race. But in the end, I’m not sure as I didn’t make a mistake and the data didn’t show a strange feeling. Anyway the crash was at turn nine and we need to understand what happened at that moment, fortunately I’m ok and we have a few days off to prepare for the next round here in Qatar. Once again, I want to say sorry to all my team, but we have to be strong and think about the next round.”
More, from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo Team:
Pecco Bagnaia third on the podium in the Qatar GP at Losail. Jack Miller finishes the race in ninth position
Bagnaia takes his second podium in MotoGP in the opening Grand Prix of the 2021 MotoGP season in Qatar
Podium also for Johann Zarco, second at Losail with the Desmosedici GP of the Pramac Racing Team
Francesco Bagnaia stepped on the third step of the podium in the Qatar GP this evening, in the first round of the 2021 MotoGP season at the Losail International Circuit of Doha. After a perfect start from pole position, which saw him holding onto the top spot ahead of teammate Jack Miller and the two Ducati machines of Johann Zarco and Jorge Martín (Pramac Racing Team) in the first laps, the Italian rider remained in the lead until over halfway through the race. As he dropped down into fourth place a few laps from the end, Pecco managed to take the third place in a sprint on the finish straight, thanks to his Desmosedici GP’s acceleration.
Pramac Racing Team rider Johann Zarco, setter of the new top speed record in MotoGP yesterday (362.4 km/h), finished second on the podium after starting from the second row on the grid. Third, at the last corner, the Frenchman took advantage of his Desmosedici’s engine power, overtaking Mir onto the straight a few meters away from the finish line, followed by Bagnaia.
After a first part of the race in the leading group, Jack Miller, who started from fifth place on the second row, lost ground progressively to end the GP in ninth place eventually.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 3rd
“I’m thrilled to start the 2021 Championship with a podium: it was my first race with the Ducati Lenovo Team, and I’m coming from a rather difficult end to the 2020 season. Today I tried really hard to keep the lead and close all the doors on Viñales. Unfortunately, I think I made the wrong strategy and wore the tyres down too much at the start. After seven laps, I started to struggle a lot, especially on the rear, and I think that was also due to the different track conditions today compared to the last few days. We still have one more race here in Qatar, so we will try next Sunday again.”
Jack Miller (#43 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 9th
“Ninth position is definitely not the result we were hoping for, but it’s still important points for the Championship. Unfortunately, after a good start, I started to have problems with the rear towards the middle of the race, and I had to manage till the end. I felt really comfortable when I was in third place and was hoping to attack the front guys towards the end, but it didn’t go that way. Now we will analyse the data to understand what happened and find a solution ahead of the next GP, which will be held again here in Qatar”.
The Ducati Lenovo Team riders will be back on track next week, from 2nd-4th April, again at the Losail International Circuit for the Doha GP.
A Celebration of Life for former racer and race official Charles Shields Brothers III has been scheduled April 10 at the Colin Edwards Texas Tornado Boot Camp in Montgomery, Texas.
Brothers passed away January 24 at the age of 70.
Brothers was a longtime race official and Race Director for Texas-based Central Road Racing Club (CRRC) and Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) and saw the launch of the road racing careers of Colin Edwards, Nicky Hayden, Jamie James, Doug Polen, Kevin Schwantz, Freddie Spencer, and Ben Spies, just to name a few.
Brothers was known for his cool and calm demeanor and common sense approach in dealing with problems.
He retired from working races in 2002.
Brothers and his late wife Connie essentially ran CMRA for many years, doing everything from administration, registration, scoring, producing the club newsletter, and running the race events along with the help of their children Robert, Aimee, and Aaron.
The Brothers family was inducted into the CMRA Hall of Fame in 2006.
Sam Lowes, riding his Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Kalex, took the victory in the opening round of the 2021 FIM Moto2 World Championship in windy conditions at Losail International Circuit, in Doha, Qatar.
Remy Gardner kept Lowes honest but had to settle for second place on his Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex.
Fabio Di Giannantonio, riding a Federal Oil Kalex for the team of the late Fausto Gresini, used a last-lap pass on Marco Bezzecchi to earn third and the final spot on the podium.
American Joe Roberts recovered from a sub-par start and worked his way up to sixth place in his debut with the Italtrans Racing team.
American Cameron Beaubier, making his Moto2 debut, went from 21st on the grid to 11th at the finish on his American Racing Kalex.
Lowes pulls the pin for faultless first win of 2021
The Brit pitches it to perfection to start the year on top, with Gardner on the chase and Diggia digging deep for third
Sam Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) became the first British rider to win an opening round Grand Prix since the great Barry Sheene in 1979 after producing a faultless ride at the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar. The polesitter kept a hard-charging Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) at bay as the Australian takes P2 from Round 1, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) coming out on top in a last lap duel with Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46) to hand Gresini Racing an emotional podium.
A lightning start from Row 2 saw Bezzecchi grab the holeshot, with both Lowes and Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) slow from P1 and P2 as third place Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) slotted into P2. Lowes soon got past a wide Fernandez at Turn 1 to recover to P3, and the Brit then made light work of Bendsneyder at Turn 6. Fellow Brit Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was also on the move, up into P5 from P10 on the grid.
Lap 2 saw Raul Fernandez also pass Bendsneyder for third place as the leading eight riders locked horns. Lowes then showed a wheel to Bezzecchi at Turn 6, and by Turn 1 on Lap 3, the British rider was through and leading. Seventh place Gardner set the fastest lap of the race though, with the Australian fighting hard to move through and give chase. Raul Fernandez was also swarming all over the back of Bezzecchi, and making a Turn 1 move stick on Lap 4.
Fernandez’s teammate Gardner, though, was the man on the move. The Australian slipped by Dixon for P4 but a small error then saw Gardner lose the time he’d made up, he was back down to P5. Sixth place Di Giannantonio was then wide at the final corner, and the Italian slipped to P8 as Lowes set the fastest lap of the race.
Fernandez was soon back to within a couple of tenths of the race leader though, Lowes making a mistake somewhere to allow the rookie to close him in. Meanwhile, a regrouped Gardner was now back ahead of Dixon and set the fastest lap of the race again, with Bezzecchi soon enjoying the number 87 for close company. With 13 to go, Gardner struck at Turn 4 and made a move stick on Bezzecchi.
With 12 to go, Fernandez was losing touch on Lowes and Gardner sensed it. The latter was through on his teammate and now had 1.2 seconds to bridge if he wanted to win his second Moto2™ race in succession, but Lowes had something in hand and set the fastest lap of the Grand Prix – a 1:59.529 – to keep his margin comfortable if not yet dominant.
A few laps passed by with stalemate, and the gap remained at just under one and a half seconds between the leading duo. Raul Fernandez continued to keep his teammate honest too, with Bezzecchi sitting 1.2 seconds behind the young Spaniard as Di Giannantonio, Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) and Dixon squabbled right behind the podium fight.
Gardner, on Lap 13, set the fastest lap of the race, but Lowes set his personal best too and on the next lap, the race leader was three tenths quicker. Pin pulled, the gap was up to 1.6 seconds and it would only increase in increments from there.
With three laps to go, it was two seconds and the top two seemed settled, but the battle for the podium was in full swing. Bezzecchi tucked in behind Raul Fernandez down the home straight and took third place away from the star rookie, with Di Giannantonio then on the scene and making it a six-wheel scrap for the podium. The Italian followed compatriot Bezzecchi through and locked his radar onto third…
Up the road, Lowes had a comfortable 2.2 second lead over Gardner and cruised to his first win of the year in style, with the Australian forced to settle for the 20 points but happy enough to do so this time. The final place on the podium was between the two Italians and Di Giannantonio sliced up the inside of Bezzecchi at Turn 11, a classy move pulled off, and Diggia held it on the drag to the line by 0.013s to hand himself and Gresini an emotional rostrum. The first for Gresini Racing in Moto2™ since Lowes in 2016 at the Aragon GP, and a fitting way to remember the late, great Fausto Gresini.
Bezzecchi lost out on a rostrum by the slimmest of margins but a P4 is a solid start to the year. Fernandez couldn’t hold onto a podium place in his first Moto2™ race but it was nevertheless a phenomenal ride from the Spaniard, who took fifth and beat Roberts by 0.6 seconds as the American put in a solid ride to pull out a couple of seconds on Dixon by the flag in sixth. The Brit forced to settle for seventh, ahead of Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) as the German eventually got the better of Bendsneyder. The German, Dutchman was followed home by Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up) as the two completed the top ten.
11th place went to Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) as the American produced a fantastic debut Moto2™ race in a heated battle for the remaining point-scoring positions. Fellow rookie Celestino Vietti (SKY Racing Team VR46) also impressed as he lost out by just 0.142s to Beaubier and took P12, with both getting the better of the more experienced Aron Canet (Inde Aspar Team), Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Tom Lüthi (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) – the latter trio completing the points.
Hector Garzo (Flexbox HP40), Lorenzo Baldassarri (MV Agusta Forward Racing) and Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) crashed out, riders ok.
Lowes did the business after a Warm Up mishap and the British rider starts the year with a near-perfect performance. Gardner and the chasing pack will be hoping to make up ground when the riders attack Losail International Circuit again next weekend, so who will come out on top in Doha in seven days time?
Sam Lowes: “I’ve worked for this race the last few months doing the runs in practice and then I got in that position and stuck to what I’ve been doing, so this was nice. The crash in morning Warm Up didn’t really go to plan and this wind is strong, my style is a bit different to the other guys. I don’t really lean off so much so I’ve got a lot of surface area in corner entry and I was trying to stay low and get out the wind but it was a difficult race to not make a mistake. My pace was strong, I’m proud of myself and the team to start the year like this, it was a tough last ten laps but I’m really happy and we get to do it all again next week.”
More, from a press release issued by Italtrans Racing:
Joe Roberts sets a promising start at Losail.
Tough race for Lorenzo Dalla Porta.
First round for the MotoGP World Championship at Losail Circuit, Qatar, with opened grandstands but the paddock still closed due to the anti-Covid-19 regulations.
A key season for Italtrans Racing Team, reigning Moto2 World Champion with Enea Bastianini and this year on track with Joe Roberts and Lorenzo Dalla Porta.
After the excellent result of the warm up with the best laptime, in race Roberts confirmed the positive feelings of the weekend. Took off from the second row of the grid with the 5th best time of the qualifying, the American had a regular race, looking for the leading group. After a head-to-head with Dixon and Di Giannantonio and then with Fernandez, Roberts finished 6th close to the top five.
Dalla Porta signed his best Moto2 qualifying starting from the 14th position, but he didn’t find the right pace and finished 18th out of the points.
Lorenzo Dalla Porta 18°
“I would have done something more today, but in race I struggled with the wind and the track conditions changed a lot throughout the weekend. I tried to adapt, but I couldn’t keep a good pace. This was only the first race: there is a long way ahead of us and we are aware that our potential is higher”.
Joe Roberts 6°
“I’m happy with the results for the first race with the team. I think is a good starting point. Maybe we could have done another step and fight for the podium, but we missed it for just a little bit. Step by step we are getting stronger and I’m feeling great with the team. I’m happy we are making progress. We know how to improve for next weekend and I feel really positive for round 2 in Qatar”.
Giovanni Sandi – Technical Director
“We were a bit unlucky: the bike was set up for windy conditions, but after a few laps the wind calmed and our speed too. Anyway, Joe did a good job and I’m happy with his race, even though the podium was within reach. Lorenzo struggled a little, but we are ready to work hard in order to give him the best conditions for his grow”.
More, from a press release issued by American Racing Team:
Cameron Beaubier earns world championship points in Moto2 debut at Qatar
Injured American Racing teammate Marcos Ramirez bravely starts race
Calabasas, Calif. (March 28, 2021) — Cameron Beaubier delivered an outstanding FIM Moto2 World Championship debut performance for the American Racing Team under the floodlights on Sunday at the Losail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar.
Despite strong winds that deposited a fine layer of sand from the surrounding desert on the 16-turn, 3.34-mile circuit, Beaubier continued to work toward extracting greater performance from his Triumph-powered Kalex chassis and Dunlop tires.
In the 20-minute pre-race Warm Up, the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike champion produced the seventh-quickest overall lap of the session, a 2:00.692.
Starting the 20-lap race from 22nd on the 28-rider grid, Beaubier attacked his competition, advancing one or even two places in a lap. He consistently circulated in the low-2-minute range, with a best of 2:00.045 on lap 14.
The 28-year-old Californian finished 11th, showing steady progress throughout the weekend and earning five championship points. Sam Lowes won the race from pole position.
“What a crazy race,” said Beaubier. “Now, I see how important qualifying is in this class. I kept my head down and made some good passes. I am happy to get this first race under my belt and move on to next weekend.”
Despite crashing in qualifying on Saturday and fracturing his humerus near the shoulder joint, Beaubier’s teammate, Marcos Ramirez, was declared fit on Sunday and started the race. He pulled in after one lap.
“With this wind, in the fast corners I could barely hold on to the bike,” said Ramirez. “I wanted to test the start and little else.”
American Racing Team Owner Eitan Butbul described the weekend as bittersweet.
“The job that Cameron was able to do in his first Moto2 race was amazing,” he said. “He has the pace to run at the front. To come from 22nd to 11th in this field shows his motivation, potential and talent.
“Sadly, the weekend did not end as well for Marcos. After finding a good direction with bike setup in Qualifying 1 and showing he had the pace to advance to Qualifying 2, he had a high-speed crash, resulting in a small fracture.
“He was cleared to race—even performing one-handed pushups—but the strong winds were too much,” said Butbul. “He pulled in after the start, which was the safest decision. After Marcos rests for a week, we hope to see him fighting his way to the front alongside his sensational teammate, Cameron.”
Practice for the second round of the FIM Moto2 World Championship, which also will be held at the Losail International Circuit, begins Friday.
About the American Racing Team
The American Racing Team is owned by Avner Kass and Eitan Butbul and competes in the FIM MotoGP World Championship. Based in California, the team fields two riders in the Moto2 class: American Cameron Beaubier (No. 6) and Spaniard Marcos Ramirez (No. 42). American Racing has grown under Butbul’s guidance and is a respected member of the MotoGP paddock.
Michael Gilbert (1) leads Corey Alexander (23) at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. Photo by CaliPhotography.com, courtesy CVMA.
CVMA Racing Round 6 – Gilbert Wins 5
Round 6 of the CVMA 2020/2021 winter series saw more sunny skies and warm weather at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. With near perfect weather racers from all over the country gathered at Chuckwalla for some great racing action.
Saturday
Saturday morning started off sunny and clear as the practice and qualifying sessions got underway. Michael Gilbert took advantage of the conditions to turn the fastest qualifying lap of 1:45.462. Corey Alexander was second fastest and notably, Jason Pridmore was third fastest, qualifying at a 1:46.210. Jason has a lot of laps coaching racers around Chuckwalla but this would be his first time in competition on the track.
Race number four featured a large contingent of riders on Harley-Davidson motorcycles competing against sport bikes in the Formula Twins race. The new racer school held on Friday afternoon was packed with Harley riders. In fact, they outnumbered the sportbike riders in the school.
Also in race number four, TV announcer Greg White competed in the Formula 40 Ultra-lightweight race racing against David Kolb in the first round of the “Battle of the Olds.” The grudge match between Greg and David that originated on Greg’s podcast was a nail bitter, back and forth race that ended with David passing Greg in the final corner on the last lap to win the first round between them.
Race number five featured a battle of JP43 coaches Jason Pridmore, Michael Gilbert and Corey Alexander racing in the Formula Open class. Michael took the win ahead of Corey and Jason.
Sunday
In a red flag-shortened race one, Michael Gilbert started the day off by winning the Formula Open race in front of Jason Pridmore who finished second just ahead of Corey Alexander.
Race number three, Supersport Middleweight, was a close battle between Liam Grant, Rennie Scaysbrook and Daniel Riser. Liam was on pole for the race and got the holeshot leading from the start. Rennie was third on the grid an slotted into second at the start in front of Tyler Olmstead and Daniel. Rennie ran a close second for the first half of the race putting pressure on Liam. Daniel was able to pass Tyler to take over third position on lap three heading into turn four. Daniel was then able to out drive Rennie onto the back straight and took over the second spot later in the race. Daniel pressured Liam for the remainder of the race but was unable to make a pass. Liam Grant won the race just in front of Daniel Riser and Rennie Scaysbrook who finished second and third respectively.
The Ultra-lightweight Shootout was a close battle between Owen Williams and Jayden Fernandez at the front. The young guns exchanged the lead several times throughout the race long battle with Jaden able to secure the win with Owen finishing second in front of another young gun Travis Horn who finished third.
In the shootout, Corey Alexander got the holeshot but was passed quickly by Michael Gilbert who took the lead coming out of turn three. Corey was able to pass Michael on lap three and lead the race at the halfway point. Michael Gilbert was able to pass Corey on lap seven on the inside of turn seven to take the lead. Michael was able to hold off Corey as they made their way through some lapped traffic on the final lap to take a close victory. Michael Gilbert won the race, Corey Alexander finished second and Jason Pridmore third. A bit further back, Jack Bakken and Travis Wyman finished fourth and fifth, respectively, after another close race for those positions.
CVMA offers two full days of racing every race weekend and also includes Saturday qualifying for grid position in all classes, amateur and expert, as well as a wide variety of classes to choose from.
Additionally, CVMA offers free reciprocity as a means of encouraging racers from other clubs to come out and compete. Log on to www.cvmaracing.com for more information.
Roadracing World's Michael Gougis testing a 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660. Photo by Larry Chen.
Copyright 2021, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
by Michael Gougis
Back in the bad old days, manufacturers would take sportbikes and de-tune them into standard machines. Horsepower would be cut, weight would be added, and the whole platform would be less potent than the sportbike version.
Aprilia never went that route. Nearly 20 years ago, it took its RSV Mille and turned it into a super-standard called the RSV Tuono. Yes, it had tubular handlebars. Yes, it had smaller fairings. Other than that it was just like the sportbike, and it went like stink.
Sticking with a formula that has worked very well for the company, Aprilia has introduced its 2021 Tuono version of the highly-anticipated and well-received RS 660 introduced a few months back.
Sticking with the tested and successful Tuono formula, the Tuono 660 is almost a carbon copy of the RS 660. It has the same engine, same frame, and almost identical suspension. It has very nearly the same electronics, and the only reason the electronics are different is that by scaling the electronic specifications, Aprilia can afford to offer the bike at a lower price point. It comes with upright handlebars, a slightly less comprehensive fairing, a different fork – and that’s pretty much the extent of the differences between this bike and the RS 660.
The right side of a 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Technical Overview:
The Tuono uses the DOHC, four-valves-per-cylinder, 659cc Parallel Twin based on the technology Aprilia has developed in its amazing RSV4 engines. The company says it puts out 100 bhp and does so over a wide powerband.
The chassis is an abbreviated twin spar aluminum frame mated to an aluminum swingarm, and the engine is a stressed member. Suspension is handled by 41mm inverted forks at the front and a single cantilever shock at the rear.
A six-speed gearbox transmits power to the rear wheel via an assisted slipper clutch. Brembo brakes provide the stopping power front and rear, and the Brembo master cylinder for the front is radial and provides excellent feel at the lever.
The electronics offer ABS, traction control, wheelie control, and a range of power and ride modes. The base Tuono does not come with the clutchless quick shifter and it does not come with the IMU of the RS 660. As such, the rider’s ability to fine-tune the electronics is slightly diminished compared to the RS 660. The wheelie control and traction control, for example, cannot be adjusted independently. The ABS braking is not corner-sensitive. And one of the really cool features of this platform, the cornering lighting, is not available on the non-IMU model.
On the bright side, the quickshifter is only a $199 option, the IMU is only a $200 option, and if you opt for both of them, you have all of the electronic functionality of the full-boogie RS 660 model. With a base price of $10,499, opting for the two electronic add-ons brings the price up to $10,897, neatly splitting the difference between the base Tuono and the RS 660.
The Aprilia Tuono 660’s riding position is more upright than that of the sister RS 660, but is still comfortable at speed. The abbreviated bodywork provides good wind protection and well-incorporated downforce elements at the front. Photo by Larry Chen.
Riding Impressions:
We spent a day riding the roads behind Malibu, with the Pacific Ocean as our backdrop much of the ride. That meant a fair amount of climbing uphill from basically sea level, and that showed one of the weaknesses of the Aprilia Tuono. The models that we used for the intro were true production machines and there was definitely a dip in the powerband between 5,000 RPM and 6,500 RPM. It was some thing that I did not notice on the RS 660s when I rode them, but those were pre-production bikes, we were told, and it is unclear whether those RS 660s actually met all applicable emission standards.
Regardless, the Tuono pulled hard from the bottom, and once through that dip in the RPM range, pulled hard all the way up to redline. It’s really remarkable just how much performance Aprilia has extracted from a middleweight twin. It’s fun to wring the thing, it makes awesome noises, and it will do this all day long.
One of the really impressive things about the RS 660 is that it is extremely comfortable. The Tuono takes this another level, with tubular handlebars that are significantly higher than the RS 660’s clip-ons. The wider bars offer a real-world benefit. In the canyons, we spent a fair amount of time dodging rocks in the roadway. That part was not fun. The wider bars allow you to fine tune your inputs at the front end to tighten or widen your line as necessary to avoid unanticipated objects in the road, and to generally compensate for riding on roads with blind corners, dirt mid-corner, etc. The only real downside is a slight lack of feel at the bars compared to the clip-ons of the RS 660, which put the rider’s weight over the front wheel to a greater degree.
The front fork is a slightly less expensive version of the one found on the RS 660, and offers rebound and preload adjustment only in one leg. It has approximately the same performance on the street as the RS 660’s more complicated fork. It was composed enough over smoother pavement, but ripples and sharp bumps allowed the bike to move around too freely. Again, for street use, it’s more than acceptable, but for the committed canyon rider or the person who wants to take this bike to the track regularly, there’s some suspension work in your future.
Again, at street speeds, I really didn’t get too deeply into the traction control or the ABS. For the person who uses one of these bikes to commute, for touring, and for the occasional sport ride, the base electronics would be more than adequate.
One thing that is really outstanding on this bike, at least for street purposes, is the optional clutchless up-and down-shifting system as fitted to my test unit. Once again, it’s a little clunky at slow speeds, but once you start hauling and start shifting at the upper end of the RPM range, it’s smooth, quick and does not upset the chassis.
It’s almost like the Aprilia engineers wanted you to ride the bike hard. And who am I to argue with the desires of the Aprilia engineers?
The motorcycle comes in three color schemes – Concept Black, Iridium Grey and Acid Gold. Suggested retail starts at $10,499, and it should be available in Aprilia dealerships in mid-April.
The left side of a 2021 Aprilia Tuono 660. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Clean sweep for Aegerter on first day of Catalunya test as he edges out returning Caricasulo
Rookie Dominique Aegerter set lap record pace on day one and topped both sessions on Monday as he immediately got up to speed in WorldSSP
Day one of testing in the FIM Supersport World Championship has come to an end with Swiss rider Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) showing why he had been signed by Ten Kate Racing for the upcoming season as he made it a clean sweep of fastest times on Monday as the first day of testing came to a close, as well as posting a time that was faster than Andrea Locatelli’s pole lap from 2020, albeit on a slightly revised layout.
Aegerter had topped the morning session by half-a-second from Federico Caricasulo (GMT94 Yamaha) but the times were a lot closer come the afternoon, with Caricasulo and Aegerter trading fastest laps as the afternoon session came to an end. Eventually, the Moto2™ race winner edged out Caricasulo by nearly three tenths of a second. Caricasulo, returning from a season of competing in WorldSBK, was immediately ahead of teammate Jules Cluzel, with the Italian half-a-second clear after day one.
South African rider Steven Odendaal (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) finished the day in fourth place but suffered a crash in the afternoon session at Turn 2 with Odendaal going to Granollers Hospital for further assessments following the crash. Christoffer Bergman (Wojick Racing Team) continued his impressive form from the morning session with fifth place, just holding off the challenge of Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) by a tenth of a second. De Rosa’s Orelac Racing teammate, Leonardo Taccini, finished the day in 24th place as he gets ready for a WorldSSP Challenge campaign.
Yamaha MS Racing’s Marc Alcoba finished in seventh place for the day as the rookie showed strong pace from the start of the day while teammate Pawel Szkopek was 22nd for the day as the duo work together for the first time. Manuel Gonzalez’s (Yamaha ParkinGo Team) adaptation from Kawasaki to Yamaha machinery continued at a strong rate as he posted the eighth best time of the day.
WorldSSP Challenge competitor Maria Herrera (Biblion Iberica Yamaha Motoxracing) also had a strong day as she finished in ninth place, beating Estonian rider Hannes Soomer (Kallio Racing) by just a few hundredths of a second. Soomer’s Kallio Racing teammate, Vertti Takala, was just one of three riders from WorldSSP who did not improve their time in the afternoon session, with Takala’s best time coming in the morning session despite an incident in the latter stages of the session.
2019 Champion Randy Krummenacher (EAB Racing Team) was 11th for the day on his return to the Championship after he missed most of the 2020 campaign. CM Racing’s Luca Bernardi finished the day in 12th place as he prepares for his rookie WorldSSP season. Fellow Italian Luigi Montella, who was fifth in the morning session, finished in 13th place on a strong day for the Italian, just ahead of Finnish rider Niki Tuuli (MV Agusta Corse Clienti).
Britain’s Danny Webb (WRP Wepol Racing) was in 15th place despite not taking part in the afternoon session following a crash between Turns 5 and 6. Federico Fuligni (VFT Racing) was 17th as he made his debut for his new team with Ten Kate Racing’s Galang Hendra Pratama in 18th. Fuligni’s teammate at VFT Racing, Davide Pizolli, was 19th with the returning Michel Fabrizio (Motozoo Racing by Puccetti) and teammate Shogo Kawasaki in 20th and 23rd place respectively; the latter competing in the WorldSSP Challenge in 2021. His rival for that competition, Stephane Frossard (Moto Team Jura Vitesse), was 21st.
WorldSSP Top 6 after Day 1.
1.) Dominique Aegerter (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) 1’44.603s
2.) Federico Caricasulo (GMT94 Yamaha) +0.280s
3.) Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) +0.716s
4.) Steven Odendaal (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +1.141s
5.) Christoffer Bergman (Wojick Racing Team) +1.688s
6.) Raffaele de Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +1.707s
Sofuoglu on top after day one of testing at Catalunya
The Turkish rider put in a very late lap to snatch top spot away from Adrian Huertas in an eventful WorldSSP300 test day
Day one of action for the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship at the Supported Test came to a close with Bahattin Sofuoglu (Biblion Yamaha Motoxracing) topping the timesheets for the opening day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya; a day that was disrupted by several Red Flag periods and interrupted running and reduced the running time from the originally planned four hours on Monday.
Turkish rider Bahattin Sofuoglu (Biblion Yamaha Motoxracing) claimed first place for the day as he continued to show his prowess in WorldSSP300 with a time that was faster than any time set last year throughout the only Catalan Round to date, albeit with a slightly revised layout at the Turn 10 left-hander. Sofuoglu’s teammate, Italian rider Marco Gaggi, finished the day in 13th place after he made the switch to Biblion Yamaha Motoxracing for the 2021 campaign as the duo enjoyed a fruitful day in the Catalunya sunshine.
Spanish rider Huertas finished the disrupted day as the second fastest rider after posting a 1’55.378s in the afternoon session as he got to know his new team following his switch to MTM Kawasaki for 2021. He lined up at the test alongside two of his three teammates with Koen Meuffels in 11th, despite a crash in the final part of the lap, and reigning World Champion Jeffrey Buis in 14th; the Dutchman running the #1 plate in 2021 following his Championship success.
In third was Ton Kawakami (AD78 Team Brasil by MS Racing) as the Brazilian rider, alongside brother Meikon, continued to show their impressive speed. Ton had topped the morning session and continued his strong pace with Meikon finishing the day in 17th place. Also in the MS Racing outfit, Unai Orradre (Yamaha MS Racing) finished the day in sixth place despite the Spaniard crashing at Turn 10 in the afternoon session to lose out on some valuable track time. Orradre’s teammate, Miguel Santiago Duarte finished the day in 40th place.
Samuel di Sora (Flemmbo Team Leader) finished in fourth place, almost a second down on Sofuoglu’s best time, which was set with around one minute left to go in the session, while teammate Sylvain Markarian had a crash in the morning session at the newly-revised Turn 10 left-hander but was able to recover ground in the afternoon window to finish the day 15th fastest.
Dorren Loureiro (Fusport – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki) was the lead rider for the RT Motorsports by SKM outfit despite two crashes throughout the day. In the morning session, he crashed at Turn 2 while in the afternoon he crashed in the second sector; both times able to continue riding. He finished in seventh place ahead of teammates Tom Booth-Amos and Harry Khouri, who finished 13th and 31st respectively. Victor Steeman (Freudenberg KTM WorldSSP Team), the sole rider competing on KTM machinery in 2021, finished the day in eighth place after a strong showing.
Spanish rider Alejandro Carrion (Kawasaki GP Project) had a good day out on track as he finished the day in tenth place and the fastest rider from his team, with Alessandro Zanca in 27th place and Alejandro Diez in 30th. 2018 WorldSSP300 Champion Ana Carrasco (Kawasaki Provec WorldSSP300) was back on track following her rapid recovery from a back injury and finished the day in 12th place.
Czech Petr Svoboda (WRP Wepol Racing) was another who fell twice throughout the day, okay on both occasions, as he took a fall in both the morning and afternoon sessions. He was able to respond to go 34th quickest after the two sessions of WorldSSP300 action had come to a close. Filippo Palazzi (ProGP Racing) came off his bike at Turn 5 in the afternoon session but was okay and finished the day in 25th, with his teammate Gabriele Mastroluca in 16th place, while Antonio Frappola (Chiodo Moto Racing) also crashed in the morning session at Turn 2; the Italian able to continue on throughout the day. It was also a decent start for the all-new Viñales Racing Team with Dean Berta Viñales and Kevin Sabatucci both finishing inside the top 20.
Josh Herrin's Fresh N' Lean Attack Performance Yamaha YZF-R1 positioned on pit lane at COTA for promotional photos. Photo by David Swarts.
Several MotoAmerica teams arrived at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), in Austin, Texas, Monday to prepare for the official Dunlop/MotoAmerica pre-season test March 30-31.
Among the 41 riders entered across MotoAmerica’s five different classes – HONOS Superbike, Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, and SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup – there are foreign faces, new riders in new places, and some fresh machinery.
The big news over the winter is the addition of MotoGP and World Superbike veteran Loris Baz joining the HONOS Superbike class on a Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati Ducati Panigale V4 R. Baz has two bikes at his disposal at COTA, both built to a specification similar to what the factory Ducati Superbike team runs with the exception of the rear swingarm, shock, and shock linkages.
Those parts have been developed by Ducati to work with MotoAmerica’s Dunlop control tires, according to Team Principal Bobby Shek. Ducati Corse has assigned two factory technicians to work for Baz under the leadership of Crew Chief Scott Jensen.
Over at Fresh N’ Lean Attack Performance Yamaha, former AMA Pro Superbike Champion Josh Herrin returns to the Richard Stanboli-led squad to replace five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier, who has moved on to the FIM Moto2 World Championship.
Herrin joins 2020 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Jake Gagne, who has a new Crew Chief, Jon Cornwell, and a new systems analyst, Darin Marshall, who is stuck in Canada and unable to attend the test due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
According to Stanboli, they plan to do some endurance testing on their engines and development work on their chassis during what will be their fourth test of the off-season.
M4 ECSTAR Suzuki is back with Bobby Fong, a three-time Superbike race winner in 2020, and his new teammate Cam Petersen, the 2020 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion. According to Team Manager Chris Ulrich, bad weather around the team’s base in Alabama has led to this being the first test for his Superbike riders in 2021. Ulrich said his team is hoping to pick up where they left off at the end of 2020 and do development work on new chassis parts.
Westby Racing Yamaha rider Matthew Scholtz says he is fully recovered from the serious leg injuries he suffered at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October 2020 and, after training for two weeks with four-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion Josh Hayes in Southern California, is fully fit. This test will be Scholtz’s third time on his improved Superbike so far in 2021.
KWR Ducati Superbike rider/team owner Kyle Wyman has opted to skip the test because as of post time MotoAmerica does not have a race scheduled at COTA in 2021.
Although he said he had options to take several different rides in America and Europe for 2021, Richie Escalante said he chose to return to MotoAmerica Supersport and defend the title he won in 2020. While his HONOS HVMC Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R will be wearing his number plate at the test, Escalante said it will be in 2020 trim, meaning it will not be carrying the 8.8 pounds of additional weight mandated for the 636cc machine in 2021. Escalante said he is due to test his 2021 machine with the additional weight in two weeks.
Escalante’s 2020 title rival Sean Dylan Kelly arrives in Texas two weeks after coming just 0.03 second short of winning the 79th Daytona 200. According to his team, Kelly’s M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R600 has been improved since 2020. Kelly has a new teammate for 2021 in 18-year-old South African Sam Lochoff, who is moving up from the MotoAmerica Junior Cup class.
Also moving up from Junior Cup to Supersport in 2021 is two-time MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion and reigning MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion Rocco Landers. Like Kelly, 16-year-old Landers comes to Texas fresh from a successful debut run in the Daytona 200.
The interesting news in the Stock 1000 category is Ashton Yates has finally received his Jones Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and it sounds like it was worth the wait. According to his team, Yates’ new bike in 100% stock form put out roughly the equivalent amount of horsepower as the developed Honda CBR1000RR SP2 he raced in 2020. Yates, however, has not had his new machine on a racetrack yet and will have to take on class competitors Jake Lewis on the Altus Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R1000R and Wyatt Farris on the M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R, among others.
Ashton Yates puts his new Jones Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP on a work bench. His father, former AMA Pro Superbike racer Aaron Yates, can be seen in the background. Photo by David Swarts.
The seven Stock 1000 riders signed up for the test will be split between the Superbike group and the Supersport group.
Surprisingly, the test entry list for the MotoAmerica Twins Cup did not include any riders on the highly touted new Aprilia RS 660.
Many riders spent most of Monday doing hours of photos, videos, and interviews for MotoAmerica promotional materials.
Testing runs from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. local time with each group getting four sessions on each of the two days.
The weather forecast for the test looks very good with mild temperatures and little chance for precipitation.
Stay tuned to www.roadracingworld.com for news and results from the two-day test and all season long in 2021.
Update: Scheibe Racing is at COTA with its BMW S1000RR Superbike but may not be active at the test. Scheibe Racing had planned on testing with former MotoGP rider Hector Barbera, but Barbera was unable to travel to America due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. When asked about the situation, team owner Steve Scheibe declined to comment.
Valentin Debise in action at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Valentin Debise.
TWO CATEGORIES AND TWO DOUBLES, A FIRST IN THE HISTORY OF FSBK-FE
LE MANS
In the presence of the President of the FFM, Sébastien Poirier, the first stage of the French Championship organized by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest under the aegis of the FFM will remain engraved in the annals with a stratospheric performance by a supercharged Valentin Debise on the Bugatti Circuit of Le Mans!
Valentin Debise on the French Superbike podium at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Valentin Debise.
SUPERBIKE
COURSE 1: UNBELIEVABLY DEBISE
The top category riders start in the absence of Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas – Michelin), forced to stand on the pits following a mechanical incident at the start of the warm-up lap.
When the lights go out, Valentin DEBISE (Kawasaki Twist Ring Racing – Dunlop) sets the tone! His neat start from pole position allowed him to gain the advantage and prance in the lead without rival…
In second place at the start of the race, Axel MAURIN (Yamaha CMS – Michelin) saw Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Tech Solutions – Michelin) rise with the knife between the teeth. In the 5th round, the champion of France to grant the 2nd place at the expense of the driver of the No. 89 Yamaha. Now the 3rd rank, Axel MAURIN must deal with Alan TECHER (BMW Tecmas – Michelin) and Gregory LEBLANC (Ducati – Pirelli) determined to thwart the plans of the resident of Team CMS.
In the 10th round, a drop occurs in the chasing group: Gregory LEBLANC is down! Fortunately, he gets up in stride without gravity.
We also observe Alan TECHER to make a mistake and go down in the standings. The driver of the BMW No. 5 succeeds however to stay on track and limited the damage in the 8th rank.
The gaps widened between DEBISE, GINES and MAURIN during the 2nd part of the race. After going it alone during the 17 laps, DEBISE won with nearly 10 seconds in advance. A first big victory in the Championship! GINES confirms its 2nd place ahead of MAURIN. At the foot of the podium, Morgan BERCHET (Yamaha – Dunlop) signs a very nice return to the French Superbike Championship.
At the 5th place overall, the pilot Challenger Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha Motorcycles & GPAddict – Pirelli) begins the season in style with first place in the category for young drivers. On the 2nd step of the podium Challenger Alan AGOGUE (Yamaha – Dunlop) is illustrated after starting from the 15th place on the grid with a beautiful 10th scratch place. Valentin SUCHET (Suzuki LMS – Bridgestone), meanwhile, completed the podium.
It should be noted that Guillaume ANTIGA (Honda – Michelin), the fastest driver in the category during practice, fell on the second lap but nevertheless managed to get back on the track. After being left at the end of ranking, the driver of the No. 26 Honda graced the paddock of a “remontada” to conclude the race in 13th spot.
RACE 2: IMPERIAL DEBISE
No doubt, Valentin DEBISE (Kawasaki Twist Ring Racing – Dunlop) is “the man of the weekend” on the track of the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans! From the first lap, he goes on quick laps and evolves alone in the lead to conclude this first stage of the French Championship with a double in the premier category!
After having signed an excellent start, Kenny FORAY (BMW Tecmas – Michelin) is second in the 2nd lap, however, he does not manage to maintain the pace. The reigning vice-champion was gradually overtaken by Mathieu GINES (Yamaha Tech Solutions – Michelin), Axel MAURIN (Yamaha CMS – Michelin) and Alan TECHER (BMW Tecmas – Michelin) who took turns winning the rider of the BMW n ° 78. In 6th and 7th position, Gregory LEBLANC (Ducati – Pirelli) and Matthieu LUSSIANA (Yamaha – Dunlop) are in ambush!
Before the halfway point, LEBLANC gave a fruitful thrust on FORAY then put pressure on TECHER. Behind GINES, the MAURIN – TECHER – LEBLANC trio is extremely compact. Two laps from the checkered flag, the pilot of BMW n ° 5 gained the advantage over MAURIN, but the latter did not let himself be left behind.
The hierarchy will not change at the finish line for the top 2. Behind the rider of the Kawasaki n ° 153, GINES demonstrates its rigor and consolidates the second place ahead of TECHER. On the other hand, we find LEBLANC who finished at the foot of the podium after having taken the best from MAURIN in the last moments of the race. Slower in the second half of the race, Foray back down in the ranking to 11th position.
As for the Challenger riders, Martin RENAUDIN (Yamaha Moto & GPAddict – Pirelli) contains the assaults of Guillaume ANTIGA (Honda – Michelin) to the end and climbs once again on the top step of the podium. On the 3rd step of the podium, paddock Alan finds AGOGUE (Yamaha – Dunlop).
In the provisional, DEBISE is in the lead with 52 points ahead of GINES (40 points) and MAURIN (27 points).
As a challenger, RENAUDIN is in the lead with 52 points ahead of AGOGUE (36 points) and ANTIGA (33 points).
SUPERSPORT 600
RACE 1: DEBISE GETS THE HOLE
Despite the good start of Valentin DEBISE (Kawasaki – Pirelli), it was the Challenger rider Ludovic CAUCHI (Yamaha – Pirelli) who concluded the first lap in the lead followed very closely by the Kawasaki rider n ° 153. Hugo CLERE (Yamaha – Pirelli), meanwhile, remains in the wake of the two men.
After 2 laps, DEBISE sets its pace and widens the gap, leaving CLERE and CAUCHI in discussion for the rest of the podium. These last two protagonists are then joined by Supersport Challenger riders Charles CORTOT (Yamaha – Dunlop) and Tom BERCOT (Yamaha – Pirelli). The quartet then began a crossover where the duo CAUCHI – CLERE detaches, leaving BERCOT the 4th rank and CORTOT the 5th , both separated by a few meters…
Consistent and efficient, DEBISE scores a first victory with more than 4 seconds ahead of its pursuers. At the end of his fierce battle against CLERE, CAUCHI retains the 2nd place with a lead on the finish line and finishes on the top step of the Challenger podium. CLERE therefore wins the 3rd spot.
Scratch off the podium, BERCOT be satisfied with his victory over CORTOT which ranks 5th. These last two finish respectively 2nd and 3rd on the Challenger podium.
There is also the strong performance of the pilot Challenger Matthew GREGORIO (Yamaha – Michelin) ranks 6th to the 3rd Supersport driver of the race: Cédric TANGRE (Triumph – Michelin).
RACE 2: DEBISE ON A CLOUD
True to himself, the untenable Valentin DEBISE (Kawasaki) signs a superb start and kills the suspense from the start! The Albigensian, excited, wins the victory with more than 14 seconds ahead of his pursuers.
For the second step of the podium, the Challenger rider Ludovic CAUCHI (Yamaha – Pirelli) and his best opponent of the day in Supersport Hugo CLERE (Yamaha – Pirelli) do not count their efforts. Literally neck and neck, both drivers saw Cedric Tangre (Triumph – Michelin) back in their wake to fight the 3 rd spot. After a long debate, the Challenger driver once again takes the best of CLERE and finishes second. TANGRE, with only a few tenths behind, concludes at the foot of the podium.
From the 5th to 9th place, the paddock was able to attend a fierce battle between Tom BERCOT (Yamaha -Pirelli) Kevin LONGEARET (Yamaha – Dunlop), Charles CORTOT (Yamaha – Dunlop), Kilian AEBI (Suzuki – Pirelli) and Adrien ROLLET (Yamaha – Dunlop).
Finally, the hierarchy remains unchanged, BERCOT and CORTOT complete the Challenger podium.
In the provisional, DEBISE is in the lead with 52 points ahead of CAUCHI (40 points) and CLERE (32 points).
In Challenger, CAUCHI is in the lead with 51 points ahead of BERCOT (41 points) and CORTOT (32 points).
GRAND PRIX OBJECTIVE- PRE MOTORCYCLE 3
RACE 1: MIZERA AT THE TAQUET!
Always as fast as the day before, Amaury MIZERA (Beon Yamaha) made a very good start to the race which allowed him to take the lead and widen a comfortable gap over the rest of the competitors on the field. Unsurprisingly at the end of the race, he won with nearly 30 seconds ahead of his first competitor in Pre-Moto3 Leandro QUINTANS SANS (Beon Yamaha)
It was precisely with QUINTANS SANS and Mathis FARGIER (KTM RC4R ) that it is necessary to turn to attend a muscular exchange for the podium. However, FARGIER seems to have a mechanical problem and comes down in the classification at the end of the race. Quintans WITHOUT then ranks 2nd in front Mathéo ROMAN (KTM RC4R) that inherits from the 3rd spot.
RACE 2: SECOND VICTORY FOR MIZERA
Always at ease, Amaury MIZERA (Beon Yamaha) once again demonstrates his leadership on the handlebars of the Beon Yamaha n ° 111. He takes off from the start of the race and sets a pace that he is the only one to keep up. He finished king with more than 34 seconds ahead of his first competitor in OGP.
Leandro QUINTANS SANS (Beon Yamaha), meanwhile, finished 2nd . The battle rages on for 3rd place in the category. Rémy SANJUAN (KTM RC4R) got out of the game and completed the podium leaving Mathéo ROMAN (KTM RC4R) and Enzo SIRE (Moriwaki) in 4th and 5th place in the OGP.
In the provisional, MIZERA is in the lead with 52 points ahead of QUINTANS SANS (40 points) and ROMAN and SANJUAN, both tied with 29 points.
NSF 250
RACE 1: FACE TO FACE BETWEEN MARIUS AND GIABBANI
The 2020 OGP Pre-Moto3 French Champion, Clément GIABBANI (Honda), has to face Henry MARIUS (Honda) for the victory! The two pilots are neck and neck to try to win until the very last laps where MARIUS proves his good form and wins.
Clément GIABBANI finished second. The 3rd driver category Ilan PERON (Honda) did not finish the race.
RACE 2: GIABBANI WINNER
Revenge and opportunist, Clément GIABBANI (Honda) took advantage of a mechanical problem which led Henry MARIUS (Honda) to stop the debate after 2 laps to win in the NSF 250 category.
Ilan PERON (Honda) up logically on the 2nd step of the podium.
Provisional, GIABBANI is in the lead with 46 points ahead of HENRY (26 points) and PERON (20 points).
SUPERSPORT 300
COURSE 1: NEGRIER OF THE HEAD AND SHOULDERS
After being injured, Alexis BOUDIN (Yamaha – Michelin), despite being second in the timed practice, and Anatole BEAUPERE (Kawasaki – Pirelli), who only took part in free practice, were unable to start the race.
It is therefore serene that the poleman Alexy NEGRIER (Yamaha – Pirelli) takes control from the start of the race and begins to widen the gap on the duo Adrien QUINET (Kawasaki – Pirelli) – Paul CAILLOL (Kawasaki – Pirelli). The latter fell in the Dunlop chicane and let QUINET take second place.
However, a hunting group made up of Gabin CAZARD (Yamaha – Pirelli), Diego PONCET (Kawasaki – Pirelli) and Lucas SASSONE (Yamaha FT Racing Academy – Michelin), quickly came back to Adrien QUINET.
After 4 laps of the race, CAZARD relegates QUINET to second place. After a few laps, CAZARD widens a timid gap on his pursuers. QUINET, SASSONE and PONCET then exchange multiple passes to complete the podium.
“Head and shoulders” are the words used by Jean-Claude BRUNEAU, the speaker of the French Championship, to describe the domination of NEGRIER! He finished victorious with more than 11 seconds ahead of CAZARD and SASSONE. Quinet and Poncet rank respectively 4th and 5th .
Note the strong performance of the first representative of the fairer sex, Line OLD (FT Yamaha Racing Academy – Michelin), who concluded the race in 6th place.
In Challenger, it’s very tight for the podium! At the end of the race, Ludovic AMOURET (Kawasaki – Pirelli) made the difference and won ahead of Fergus CHRETIENNOT (KTM – Pirelli) and Lucas LINXE (Kawasaki – Pirelli).
RACE 2: FIRST VICTORY FOR QUINET
And let’s go for 12 laps, with notably a very good start for Alexy NEGRIER (Yamaha – Pirelli) ahead of Gabin CAZARD (Yamaha – Pirelli) and Adrien QUINET (Kawasaki – Pirelli). Kawasaki n ° 93 quickly gained the upper hand over CAZARD and took 2nd place. Determined to continue his effort, Adrien QUINET also took the advantage over Alexy NEGRIER, in the 2nd sector the two young men finished the first lap in this order.
The two protagonists seem determined to put on a show, and are gradually leaving the rest of the peloton led by Gabin CAZARD followed by Diego PONCET (Kawasaki – Pirelli) and Florent DA CUNHA (Kawasaki – Pirelli). The leading duo surrendered blow for blow and regularly exchange the place of leader, to the great pleasure of the paddock which misses nothing of this engaged battle.
At the halfway point, 323 thousandths separate QUINET, provisional leader, and NEGRIER, his runner-up. Behind, the hierarchy also offers us great battles between Cazard and Poncet who regularly exchange the 3rd place DA CUNHA currently plays the role of observer in the 5th position.
More regular, NEGRIER takes the first position on a long-term basis and widens a slight gap on QUINET which is doing its maximum and resisting well, without positioning itself in order to carry an attack. However, in the last lap, NEGRIER fell in the bend of La Chapelle and left QUINET the field to sign his first victory of the season ahead of CAZARD and PONCET who completed the podium.
OLD line (FT Yamaha Racing Academy – Michelin), regular and incisive sign a beautiful 4th place after having taken the lead on DA CUNHA, 5th.
In Challenger, after having occupied first place in the category for a good part of the race, Fergus CHRETIENNOT (KTM – Pirelli) lost to his best opponent Ludovic AMOURET (Kawasaki – Pirelli).
Lucas LINXE (Kawasaki – Pirelli) ends, as in the morning, the 3rd spot.
In the provisional, CAZARD is leading with 40 points ahead of QUINET (39 points) and PONCET (27 points).
As a challenger, AMOURET is in the lead with 51 points ahead of CHRETIENNOT (40 points) and LINXE (33 points).
SIDE-CAR
RACE 2: REEVES / ROUSSEAU DOES THE DOUBLE
The scenario is repeated among the leaders of the sides! The duel between REEVES / ROUSSEAU and STREUER / CLEMENT once again ensures the spectacle during this second race. Side n ° 77 widens a timid gap on STREUER / CLEMENT and consolidates the leading position throughout the race. STREUER / CLEMENT therefore ranks 2nd .
At the 3rd row, Peugeot / Peugeot, yet in the wheel of the race start at the top of crews, finds himself quickly isolated and ends on the final podium.
For its part, LEGLISE / LAVOREL who was forced to retire in race 1 manages to rank 4th in front BARBER / RIGONDEAU.
In F2, CHANAL / LAVOREL won a second victory this weekend! LEGUEN / CESCUTTI and PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI complete the podium with less than half a second difference.
In the provisional, STREUER / CLEMENT and REEVES / ROUSSEAU are in the lead with both 46 points ahead of PEUGEOT / PEUGEOT (32 points).
In F2, CHANAL / LAVOREL holds the lead with 52 points ahead of LEGUEN / CESCUTTI (36 points) and PALACOEUR / CESCUTTI (27 points).
FOLLOW THE 2021 FE-SUPERBIKE FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIP
Fsbk.fr, the website dedicated to the French Superbike Championship always offers to follow the news of the weekend live, detailed information, photos, results, videos…
For this 2021 season, the FFM will broadcast a video of the best moments of the day on the official FSBK-FE facebook page and the fsbk.fr website.
Other meetings will punctuate the weekend through a device specifically focused on social networks via Twitter: @FSBK_officiel , Facebook: fsbk, Youtube: ffmfsbk and Instagram: fsbk
Giacomo Agostini (1) riding a Team Obsolete MV Agusta at Mid-Ohio. Photo courtesy Team Obsolete.
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FIM Supersport World Championship teams will be testing this week at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Photo courtesy Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.
WorldSSP stars head to Barcelona for two days of testing
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hosts a two-day off-season Supported Test for WorldSSP machines ahead of the upcoming campaign
With the start of the FIM Supersport World Championship edging closer, with the season set to open at MotorLand Aragon in May, both WorldSSP and WorldSSP300 machines will be on track at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for a Dorna-Supported Test on Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th March as preparations ramp up for the upcoming season with eight hours of track time available across two days.
Track action across each day has been divided up into two-hour blocks with WorldSSP riders sharing their two days with their WorldSSP300 counterparts. On Monday and Tuesday, WorldSSP machines will take to the track between 11:00am and 1:00pm Local Time (GMT +2) and also between 4:00pm and 6:00pm.
22 riders from WorldSSP will take to the track, featuring a revised Turn 10 layout, with 2019 Champion Randy Krummenacher (EAB Racing) returning to the Championship while WorldSBK race winner Michel Fabrizio (Motozoo Puccetti Racing) also makes his WorldSSP comeback after 16 years away from the Championship. Fabrizio is joined by rookie and WorldSSP Challenge competitor Shogo Kawasaki. Moto2™ stalwart Dominique Aegerter will be at the test for his new WorldSSP team, Ten Kate Racing Yamaha, with teammate Galang Hendra Pratama.
Reigning Teams’ champions Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team will field one rider in 2021 with Steven Odendaal switching to the outfit that has won the last two riders’ championships with Krummenacher and Locatelli. GMT94 Yamaha have a line-up of Jules Cluzel and Federico Caricasaulo for the new season with both on track in Barcelona, while another front-running team, Kallio Racing, will have both Estonian Hannes Soomer and Vertti Takala on track at the test.
Three more teams will field two riders each in the upcoming season with Raffaele de Rosa and Leonardo Taccini linking up with Orelac Racing VerdNatura and will be at the test on Monday and Tuesday, alongside VFT Racing duo Federico Fuligni and Davide Pizzoli. Another rider making a comeback, Pawel Szkopek (MS Racing) will be the oldest rider on the grid in 2021 and will be on track in Barcelona alongside teammate Marc Alcoba.
Niki Tulli (MV Agusta Corse Clienti) returns to the Championship with MV Agusta as the manufacturer’s sole representative. Manuel Gonzalez (Yamaha ParkinGo Team) will be back for a second season after a strong rookie campaign after moving up from WorldSSP300, while he is faced with an additional challenge in 2021 as he switches from Kawasaki to Yamaha machinery although stays with the same team.
Five more riders will be on track during the Barcelona test and four will compete for WorldSSP Challenge honours in 2021. Danny Webb (WRP Wepol Racing) is signed for the full season while Maria Herrera (Biblion Iberica Yamaha Motoxracing), Luca Bernardi (CM Racing), Luigi Montella (Chiodo Moto Racing) and Stephane Frossard (Moto Team Jura Vitesse) will all test at Barcelona over the course of two days as they prepare for their WorldSSP Challenge campaign.
WorldSSP300 field to have two days of testing at Barcelona-Catalunya
The majority of riders competing in WorldSSP300 in 2021 will hit the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for two days of testing on Monday and Tuesday
The FIM Supersport 300 World Championship paddock heads to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for two days of testing ahead of the 2021 campaign getting underway with 37 riders taking to the track across the allotted days. The Supported Test will take place across Monday and Tuesday with the WorldSSP300 riders sharing their two days of action with riders from WorldSSP, with each day split into sections.
WorldSSP300 machines will take to the track from 9:00am Local Time (GMT+2) until 11:00am and again from 2:00pm until 4:00pm on both days, giving them a total of eight hours of track time across both days of action as riders from up and down the grid look to get as ready as possible ahead of what is sure to be a hard-fought 2021 campaign.
Reigning Champion Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) will be joined by two of his three teammates as Adrian Huertas and Koen Meuffels join the action, while 2020 race winner Yuta Okaya will not be present. Buis is not the only Champion from WorldSSP300 on track as 2018 title winner Ana Carrasco (Kawasaki Provec WorldSSP300) joins the action as her recovery from injury continues. Yamaha MS Racing will be represented by four riders across two teams as brothers Ton and Meikon Kawakami test for AD78 Team Brasil by MS Racing while Unai Orradre, who last year became the youngest ever race winner in WorldSSP300, and Miguel Santiago Duarte are with Yamaha MS Racing.
Turkish race winner Bahattin Sofuoglu (Biblion Motoxracing Yamaha) returns to WorldSSP300 after a season of fighting at the front, alongside new teammate Marco Gaggi. Both will be at the Barcelona test, while the all-new Viñales Racing Team, featuring Dean Berta Viñales and Kevin Sabatucci will take to the track ahead of their first WorldSSP300 campaign.
Gabriele Mastroluca and Devis Bergamin will take to the track for ProGP Racing while Samuel di Sora and Sylvain Markarian will contest for Leader Team Flembbo, including an outing at the test. Further down the paddock and Fusport – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki will have their three riders on track as Tom Booth-Amos, Dorren Loureiro and Harry Khouri taking part in the test.
Accolade Smrz Racing’s all-Spanish line-up will get to test at Barcelona as Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez and Victor Rodriguez Nuñez take to the circuit. Petr Svoboda (WRP Wepol Racing) will get a chance to test his machine for WorldSSP300 competition while Antonio Frappola (Chiodo Moto Racing) will be the sole for Chiodo Moto Racing from WorldSSP300.
Alejandro Carrion, Alejandro Diez and Alessandro Zanca will all race for Kawasaki GP Project in 2021 while Machado CAME SBK will have Vicente Perez Selfa, Ruben Bijman and Bruno Ieraci out on track. SMW Racing are another team with three riders taking part in the test with Indy Offer, Joel Romero and Iñigo Iglesias. Also out on track will be Mirko Gennai (BR Corse), Victor Steeman (Freudenberg KTM SSP300), Oliver König (Movisio by MIE), James McManus (Team# 109 Kawasaki) and Johan Gimbert (TPR Team Pedercini Racing).
Viñales battles through to victory as 2021 begins in style
Top Gun shoots first in the desert as Zarco and Bagnaia fight off Mir at the final corner
Maverick Vinales (12). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sunday, 28 March 2021
We wanted fireworks, and we got them. The first race of the 2021 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship was a cracker at the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar as Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales unleashed a stunning race to claim victory. The number 12 climbed his way through the pack to eventually beat second place Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) by just over a second, with the Frenchman and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) then pipping reigning World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) on the run to the line to complete the podium on the opening night.
The start of the race was something to behold for Ducati. Bagnaia, Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team), Zarco and Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) – the latter from 14th on the grid – all propelled themselves to the front as Ducati once again proved themselves holeshot heroes, with Martin’s launch especially making some serious headlines as the rookie joined his fellow GP21 riders inside the top four. Fabio Quartararo and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP teammate Viñales got a little swamped off the line, forced to tuck in behind the Borgo Panigale invasion at the front.
Bagnaia had held on in the lead ahead of Miller, Zarco and Martin, before Zarco then slipstreamed Miller down the home straight and grabbed P2 off the Australian. After sluggish starts, the two factory Yamahas were regrouping though and soon found their way past high-flying rookie Martin on Lap 3. Just behind, Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was scrapping away with Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and World Champion Mir, the GSX-RR duo getting past The Doctor and starting to hound Martin.
Up top, the leading five were line astern. Quartararo and Viñales were attached to the back of Miller, good news for two Yamahas, as Pecco kept it steady in the lead. Quartararo wasn’t messing around, however, and El Diablo dived up the inside of Miller at Turn 15. The Ducati blasted by on the straight again but sensational work on the brakes allowed the Yamaha man to take and hold P3.
A couple of laps later, Viñales decided to pounce on Miller too. Turn 10 was the Spaniard’s chosen point and Miller then found himself down in P5 – was he struggling, or playing the long game? Meanwhile, In free air, Rins was reeling in the leaders and was soon right up behind Miller as well. Viñales was the man starting to look impatient though, right up behind Quartararo…
The lead group, covered by 1.4 seconds, was over two seconds up the road from seventh place Mir and by 12 laps to go, Viñales was up into P3 and immediately bridged the few tenths gap to Zarco. And with 11 to go, Viñales dived up the inside of the Pramac Racing rider for P2 and showed a wheel to race leader Bagnaia, most definitely meaning business. Just behind, Rins had also got the better of Quartararo and as the race entered the halfway stage, Mir and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) were now tagged onto the back of the number 20 Yamaha too.
Viñales and Yamaha’s strengths in the middle of the corners were clear to see, and Turn 10 was once more was the chosen passing place for Top Gun. For the first time, the race leader wasn’t Pecco as Viñales struck on Lap 15, but the top eight riders were still covered by just 2.3 seconds. With Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) in P9 just 3.5 seconds from the lead as well, could the number 12 Yamaha pull away from the group?
It was a half second lead with six to go, as behind Zarco drafted Bagnaia for P2 into Turn 1 and Mir passed Miller to grab fifth. With five laps to go though, Viñales and Zarco were starting to break clear and Top Gun had eked out the lead to a 0.7 second advantage as Zarco, in turn, held a second over Bagnaia. Behind the latter, Mir was now ahead of teammate Rins for P4 as well. But Viñales was checking out and the gap seemed to shoot out to 1.6 seconds not long after, leaving the podium fight in the dust. Battle mode: engaged.
The podium scrap, meanwhile, was in full flow. Mir, at Turn 6, stuck his Suzuki up the inside of Bagnaia’s Ducati and suddenly, it seemed second place Zarco was under threat as well. As the last lap dawned, Mir was desperately trying to find a way past the number 5 but the Suzuki rider had to be patient. The move came though as the reigning Champion struck at the penultimate corner, leaving just one more apex and a run to the line standing between Mir and a phenomenal podium. The two Ducatis were about to prove just how quick they were in a straight line though, and as the Suzuki went ever so slightly wide at the final corner, Zarco and Bagnaia unleashed their grunt towards the flag – and just, just pipped Mir to the rostrum.
Viñales had already crossed the line well ahead of the squabble to start 2021 in style, however, winning at Losail for the second time and in a different manner to his 2017 victory. Zarco took second as top Independent and top Ducati, with Bagnaia debuting in full factory red on the podium in third and Mir just missing out.
Quartararo crossed the line three seconds behind his teammate in P5 as the Frenchman got the better of Rins by just three tenths, and two and a half seconds further down the road, Aleix Espargaro put Aprilia right in the battle with a fantastic P7. Aleix also beat younger brother Pol by just 0.056s as the latter put in an impressive debut with the Repsol Honda Team.
Miller, meanwhile, was forced to settle for ninth. The number 43 slid backwards in the latter stages and crossed the line back from where he would have wanted, looking to bounce back next weekend. Top rookie honours went the way of reigning Moto2™ World Champion Enea Bastianini (Esponsorama Racing) in tenth as just nine seconds split the Italian from the race win and he debuted in the top ten.
Stefan Bradl (Repsol Honda Team) did another top job standing in for Marc Marquez, the German finished P11 and leading 12th place Rossi across the line. Not the race The Doctor will have been looking for from P4 on the grid as he and teammate Franco Morbidelli suffered a very difficult evening – the latter finishing outside the points in P18 after an issue throughout. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the leading KTM rider in P13, with teammate Brad Binder and fast-starting Martin picking up the remaining points on offer in P14 and P15.
That’s it from a stunning start to the season. Viñales was an unstoppable force in the desert for a second time and Zarco and Bagnaia ensure Ducati have something to shout about on a favoured stomping ground. Mir proved exactly why he and Suzuki are reigning Champions with a classy Sunday ride, and there are stories everywhere you look. Round 1 is now in the history books, and Round 2 right here at Losail is just around the corner!
Maverick Viñales: “Honestly I felt unbelievable. Actually the start didn’t go so well, I had a lot of wheelie. So it’s something we need to work on. But after that I felt the potential, I was taking everything with calm and saving the tyres for a good moment. I tried to be smart and calm, and chose the right place to push. Finally I opened a gap and I was trying to control the tyre and manage the power. Overall, so good. It was a fantastic weekend, just to say thank you to my really close family, now my wife… as you know we’re expecting a baby and you know, these results are amazing, everything is good and we’re really blessed. Just thank you.”
More, from a press release issued by Tech3 KTM Factory Racing:
Tech3 KTM Factory Racing faces tricky season opener
The famous floodlights of the Qatari circuit welcomed the MotoGP World Championship today paired with strong winds. With a decent start to the first round of 2021, Iker Lecuona made up several positions coming from P20 on the grid. In the course of the first laps he made it to the top 15, but had take out some speed struggling with his right arm. Crossing the line in P18 at halftime of the race, he managed to recover one more position to eventually finish 17th with some steady lap times.
Tech3 KTM Factory Racing‘s new comer Danilo Petrucci was doing significant steps in the right direction throughout the weekend. In Warm Up he progressed further but was unlucky when the red lights went off for his orange debut at the Losail International Circuit, as he unfortunately crashed out on the first lap after being touched by another rider, leaving him no chance to avoid the gravel.
Iker Lecuona
Position: 17th
Championship: 17th
Points: –
“For one side, I am happy, because I finished the race although I was struggling with my arm. On the first lap, I felt very good with the bike and could fight for the points and with many riders. Therefore, I’m satisfied and also because my performance was pretty good. Later on, I did some mistakes due to my arm, I lost control of my bike, so I had to stay calm in order to finish the race.”
“Although I was struggling in the middle of the race, I could gain a bit more confidence towards the end. I could overtake Morbidelli and was fighting with Marini, but finally he was in front of me by just a tenth of a second. I’m quite happy, also because this was my first ever race here in Qatar. I want to thank my team for their work, we changed something in the Warm Up and it helped me a lot. Now I can’t wait for next week.”
Danilo Petrucci
Position: DNF
Championship: –
Points: –
“I don’t have many words. I’m just very sorry. Unfortunately, I touched another rider and crashed really hard at turn two. This is probably the worst thing, that could happen for my first race with the team. The good news is, that I’m not injured, which is super important. I’m so sorry for my guys and for everyone. We’ll try again next week!”
Hervé Poncharal
Team Manager
“It was definitely not the weekend for the Tech3 KTM Factory Racing team. We’ve been working hard all week long and although the grid positions where not what we were expecting, we were quite confident we could improve during the race and score some points with our two riders, especially with Danilo and it would have been nice for his first ever race with KTM.”
“Unfortunately, his race didn’t even last a lap. It looks like there was a contact with another rider and this is very sad and very disappointing to start our new adventure like that. But it’s part of racing unfortunately. We hope he is going to be ok, because he was complaining a bit about shoulder pain.”
“Iker did a brave race. Unfortunately, he still has some issues with his right arm, which caused him a few slow laps. Otherwise, the speed was there and on quite a few laps he was as quick as the leaders. So, clearly, Iker has got a great potential to ride a MotoGP bike fast, we knew that before.”
“Let’s hope our two guys will be feeling good physically for next week. Let’s wait and see what Miguel and Brad have said and let’s meet and think about what to do to be better for next weekend. Although the final positions where not what we were hoping for, the. Situation is a lot more positive than it looks. Let’s keep on working, let’s keep on pushing and let’s see what is going to happen here in Losail next week.”
More, from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:
OLIVEIRA & BINDER SCORE FIRST MOTOGP™ POINTS AT 2021 SEASON OPENER
MotoGP 2021 – Round 01 of 19, Losail (QAT) – Race
The lights were on at the Losail International Circuit but the red start lights fell for the first of nineteen Grands Prix in 2021. Through tricky and blustery conditions in Qatar Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Miguel Oliveira challenged for the top ten of the premier class before classifying 13th, one position ahead of teammate Brad Binder.
– Oliveira opens Red Bull KTM Factory Racing chapter with three points
– Binder 14th after vibrant start but affected by front tire wear
– Lecuna just misses out on first MotoGP points at Qatar
Hours of work and hundreds of testing laps around the Qatari facility finally counted for something on Sunday evening as the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar brought the 2021 MotoGP season to life. The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Tech3 KTM Factory Racing teams had already spent five days of set-up work in early March and two further days of practice and qualification getting prepared for the first of two back-to-back races in the Middle East.
MotoGP has visited the modern but flat and featureless Losail layout for eighteen years, the last 15 as the opening site of a championship campaign. Due to the beginning of the pandemic, the MotoGP class missed the 2020 edition of the event but made up for lost time with plenty of miles around the quick and relentless course.
Miguel Oliveira, winner of the final round of 2020, Brad Binder, Iker Lecuona and new KTM recruit Danilo Petrucci all strived to try and use the strengths of the KTM RC16 in Qatar and struggled for searing one-lap speed to make an impression in qualification. All four riders could not emerge from the Q1 cut on Saturday night and line-up in the second half of the grid with Oliveira furthest ahead in 15th. The Portuguese set-off from the fifth row, despite setting the fastest lap of Losail by an RC16 to-date.
Compared to Friday and Saturday the Qatari evening air was cooler and windier, the gusts causing problems for bike stability and corner judgement. Both Oliveira and Binder made strong starts and circulated in – or on – the fringes of the top ten until they were each plagued by front tire grip problems and had to trim their pace. Petrucci had contact with another rider entering Turn 2 on the first lap and crashed. Lecuona endured his first taste of Losail in the MotoGP class to finish 17th, despite some discomfort with his right arm.
MotoGP will not move anywhere this week. The pitlane garages will remain full for the Tissot Grand Prix of Doha on Saturday/Sunday 3-4.
Miguel Oliveira: “We finished a little ahead of where we started, which is positive and we know our potential is much better. We couldn’t finish stronger because of the front tire. We lost quite a lot of grip before mid-race distance and that compromised our performance. I kept losing time to save a crash. We feel our bike is strong but we cannot compete over the race distance with this compound tire.”
Brad Binder: “It’s good to have the first race of the season under our belts but we didn’t finish close to where we wanted. For sure the whole team and I expected much more. We have to accept reality and there is work to be done at this circuit. In the first part of the race I thought we could be competitive but at half race distance I completely finished my front tire. It was a case of either bring the bike home safely at the pace I was doing or lose the front. It was difficult but now we have data from the first race and we can move on from here.”
Iker Lecuona: “I am happy because I finished the race although I was struggling with my arm. On the first lap, I felt very good with the bike and could fight for the points and with many riders. Therefore, I’m satisfied and also because my performance was pretty good. Later on, I made some mistakes due to my arm, I lost control of my bike, so I had to stay calm in order to finish. I want to thank my team for their work, we changed something in the Warm-Up and it helped me a lot. Now I can’t wait for next week.”
Danilo Petrucci: “I don’t have many words. I’m just very sorry. Unfortunately, I touched another rider and crashed really hard at turn two. This is probably the worst thing that could have happened for my first race with the team. The good news is that I’m not injured, which is super important. I’m so sorry for my guys and for everyone. We’ll try again next week!”
Mike Leitner, Red Bull KTM Race Manager: “We knew it would be a tough season-start for us here but the beginning of the race was strong and we were right in the middle of the group. We suffered in the last third though and lost the lap-times so we have to work on this. It’s not a disaster – we are 11 seconds behind the winner – but this category is very close and we have to find these seconds. Miguel and Brad did well to bring the bike back and score points. We’re sorry to see Danilo crash in Turn 2 but it looks like there was a collision and Iker made acceptable lap-times at the end of the race. We have to step up now and help the boys to be faster.”
Results MotoGP Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar 2021
1. Maverick Viñales (ESP) Yamaha 42:28.663
2. Johann Zarco (FRA), Ducati +1.092
3. Franceso Bagnaia (ITA) Ducati +1.129
4. Joan Mir (ESP) Suzuki +1.222
5. Fabio Quartararo (FRA), Yamaha +3.030
13. Miguel Oliveira (POR), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +11.457
14. Brad Binder (RSA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing +14.100
17. Iker Lecuona (ESP), Tech3 KTM Factory Racing +21.026
DNF. Danilo Petrucci (ITA), Tech3 KTM Factory Racing
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
Espargaro stronger with every lap on Repsol Honda Team debut
Positives across both sides of the Repsol Honda Team box as the 2021 season begins with a double point-scoring finish and first top ten for Espargaro in Qatar.
Wind ripped through the MotoGP paddock as the premier class arrived at the Losail International Circuit for the first race of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship season. Fortunately, there were no major concerns about the forecasted high-speed gusts of wind as the grid formed later in the evening although conditions were cooler than before.
Warm Up was a productive session for the Repsol Honda Team as both Pol Espargaro and Stefan Bradl showed well at the start of the day. In sixth and eighth place respectively, the pair helped make it four Honda machines in the top eight at the conclusion of the 20 minute session.
Lining up for his debut race in the iconic colours of the Repsol Honda Team, Pol Espargaro made a great initial launch to move up inside the top ten after the first corner. As the race went on and the fuel lowered, Espargaro was able to steadily improve his pace and joined the battle for the top ten by mid-race distance. Espargaro’s lap times continued to improve, matching or beating that of the leaders towards the end of the 22-laps. In his first race for the team, Espargaro collects eight points for eighth place, top Honda honours and most importantly now has a race worth of data on the RC213V. This knowledge will come into play very soon as the championship prepares for round two at the same venue.
Stefan Bradl was pleased with the progress made earlier in the day and joined the grid ready to battle forward. Using the power of the RC213V to shoot off the line, Bradl was able to immediately move into contention for points from the first lap. Trademark consistency from the German saw him make steady progress over the race and cross the line in 11th place, just a second off Bastianini and a top ten finish.
The Repsol Honda Team will now remain in Qatar, ready for Round 2 next week at the Losail circuit.
Pol Espargaro
8TH
“It has been a race of two halves. The start of the race, honestly, wasn’t good as I took too much time to settle into my pace and then I lost some precious time. In the middle of the race, I was one of the fastest riders and I am happy but also angry because I feel that I could have done better. But it is still just the first race so we have to look at the race from this perspective and I needed to finish the race, a crash would not have been good at all. I have gained a lot of information and now we can go again next weekend in the same place understanding our potential better.”
Stefan Bradl
11TH
“At the end of the day we have done a good first race and I am pleased. I think we suffered a little bit because of Qualifying, in the race we were able to run well and fight a lot. At the start of the race, I was maybe a little too conservative with the front tyre, I think Pol was more aggressive during this time and I could have gone with him, but it is better to bring the bike home than take too many risks in the first race. Maybe we could have done a little more and stayed with Pol, which would have been nice, but I am still pleased.”
More, from a press release issued by Aprilia Gresini Racing:
ALEIX BATTLES, SETS THE PACE AND STAYS WITH THE BEST: APRILIA IS IN THE MIX
A SEVENTH PLACE THAT BOOSTS CONFIDENCE AND PROVIDES CERTAINTIES
The question mark was erased with a great performance by Aleix in the first race in Qatar. The new Aprilia RS-GP is fast, consistent and capable of battling with the best. The seventh-place finish today is worth more than it might seem. The gap from the leader is under six seconds, despite a few tenths lost in overtaking – an important message that rewards the hard work on the track and in Noale.
After a good start, Aleix suffered a few attacks straight away in the early stages where, with a full tank, the rider from Granollers preferred not taking any pointless risks. Once he had set his pace, he began an unstoppable comeback, with times that made him the fastest on track in the central phase of the race. Precise and confident overtaking, Espargaró clawed his way all the way up to a seventh-place finish.
It was a demanding race for teammate Savadori, reckoning with a shoulder that suffered over race distance and with a feeling that still needs to be perfected. For the Italian rookie, finishing the race, accumulating data and gaining experience was fundamental, as well as setting up his race for next week, which will once again be here in Qatar.
ALEIX ESPARGARO’
“I am happy. Seventh place may not seem like much, but I showed that I am able to stay with the best all the way to the end, with a gap behind the leader that had never before been so low. In some stages of the race I was cautious, especially overtaking, where I tried to be clean and not risk, and that certainly cost us a few tenths. But after the positive tests and after all the efforts of the team here and in Noale, it was important not to make any mistakes. Now we definitely know that we can be in the game. We are fast, not only in practice, but also when it counts, and that is fundamental.”
LORENZO SAVADORI
“A difficult race, both because of my shoulder that was bothering me, especially at the beginning, and also because we still need to improve. I don’t have the right feeling to push. I struggle with a full tank and managing the tyres. Finishing the race was important because, analysing the data, we’ll be able to continue working on the RS-GP. The bike definitely has great potential, as Aleix’s performance demonstrates. Now, during the days off, I’ll try to recuperate as much as possible to be ready for next weekend.”
More, from a press release issued by SKY Racing Team VR46:
16TH PLACE FOR LUCA MARINI AT THE QATAR GP
In the debut race in MotoGP, the rider of the Sky VR46 Avintia finished in the slip stream of the Top15.
Doha (Qatar), March 28th 2021 – The Sunday of the MotoGP debut for the Ducati of the Sky VR46 Avintia closes with Luca Marini crossing the finishing line in 16th position.
Starting from the 18th box on the starting grid, Luca was just one position from the points.
Luca Marini:
My first race in MotoGP: I’m happy to have finished it, but I was hoping for a better performance. I lacked a bit of speed and had a worse feeling today than in the other sessions. I was losing especially in the middle of the corner. We will analyze the data in these days but it is nice to be able to race here the next week.
Ruben Xaus:
I’m happy with Luca’s first MotoGP race: he had the potential to fight in the middle of the group fighting for the Top15. He did a good race, with his pace but he will have to learn to be stronger at the start. Entering the race more aggressively in the first 5/6 laps and then not having to recover and battle with riders of the highest level. I’m sure he will take a step forward on this already in race2.
More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki ECSTAR:
SOLID START TO THE SEASON FOR SUZUKI WITH 4TH AND 6TH
BARWA GRAND PRIX OF QATAR RACE RESULTS:
Joan Mir: 4th (+ 1.222)
Alex Rins: 6th (+ 3.357)
The first race of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship season got underway with an electric atmosphere and a special light show for the riders, teams, and socially-distanced spectators.
Conditions were cooler and windier than those experienced so far, and the soft-soft tyre combination was the choice for the entire field.
From their ninth and 10th grid positions, Team Suzuki Ecstar’s riders got decent starts, and they managed the first laps well. By the third lap they were already working their way through the pack.
By the ninth lap of the race, Alex Rins had worked his way up to the leading group of riders, and shortly after he had moved into a Top-5 position. Meanwhile, Joan Mir was getting into a strong rhythm behind his team-mate. With six laps to go, the Suzuki pair were both in podium contention thanks to their hard work, consistency, and determination.
Rins began to experience some tyre wear after pushing in the early laps but he managed to hold onto a very solid sixth place. Mir was able to move into third on lap 20, before swiftly heading into a great second on the last lap. He took a wide sweeping line onto the final straight to try and avoid the full force of the slipstream from the competitors behind him but slipped to fourth on the line.
Shinichi Sahara – Team Leader and Project Manager:
“Our riders started from ninth and 10th on the grid but they still fought for the podium, and they were very close to achieving it. Joan managed to save the tyre a little bit better, and he was in second but he lost out to the two Ducatis on the straight, maybe because his line out of the last corner was a little wide. Alex also had very good pace but it dropped a little in the last part of the race because he lost some grip. But we’re very happy and we’ve learned a lot from today: We’ll be going for the podium again next week.”
Ken Kawauchi – Technical Manager:
“We were able to confirm once again that our riders are able to fight at the front. Joan was very, very close to the podium, Alex too at one point. So I’m disappointed for them, but at the same time we’re feeling satisfied and happy. We’ve scored good points in this opening round and we’re looking ahead to next weekend.”
Joan Mir:
“I feel good, it was a nice race. I made a step this morning in warm-up and I regained my feeling with the bike – that was the most important thing. The bike worked so well today, and I’m really grateful to the team. I tried to push hard and get the most from the bike and the tyres, recovering places and managing well. I’m happy with how it worked out even if it would’ve been great to finish second! But I had a feeling those Ducatis would overtake me on the straight in the slipstream, and I’m still satisfied with fourth. We’ll take what we learned and go for next weekend. I’m feeling positive and ready for more.”
Alex Rins:
“My start was not one of my best ones, so I had to push a lot to recover the positions I lost and catch up with the leading group. Already six laps before Joan passed me I was beginning to struggle with the tyres, so I think I cooked them. I did my best, and I’m pretty happy, but in the end I couldn’t manage to go higher. The bike felt good and my pace was strong, so I’m ready for next week!”
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
VIÑALES VICTORIOUS WITH QUARTARARO FIFTH IN OPENING ROUND STUNNER
Losail (Qatar), 28th March 2021
GRAND PRIX OF QATAR
RACE
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Maverick Viñales gave a masterclass today at the Losail International Circuit. The Yamaha man started the 2021 MotoGP season with a perfect victory at the Grand Prix of Qatar. Teammate Fabio Quartararo also put up a strong fight. He made up a lot of ground in the opening laps and finished in fifth place.
1st MAVERICK VIÑALES 42’28.663 / 22 LAPS
5th FABIO QUARTARARO +3.030 / 22 LAPS
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Maverick Viñales and Fabio Quartararo put in some real teamwork at the 2021 MotoGP season opener. After a difficult start, the duo stormed towards the front of the pack as a tag team. Viñales proceeded to take on the frontrunners and came out victorious. Quartararo put up a strong fight to cross the finish line in fifth place.
Viñales launched from third place on the starting grid, to settle into eighth position, but this was only temporary. He was soon behind Quartararo, and the teammates worked together cutting through the rider field on their way to the leaders. When lap 8 came round they had made it to third and fourth place.
The number-12 rider‘s pace was astounding, and it was clear he was ready to put his head down and chase his first podium of the 2021 season. With 12 laps to go, the Spaniard‘s turn came to take over the role of ’leading Factory Yamaha bike‘ in third place. He closed down the gap to Johann Zarco in a matter of a few corners. Once second place was a fact, he moved on to a sparring match with Francesco Bagnaia. He found a way through on lap 15 and then took off. Viñales brilliantly managed the tyres and the gap all the way to end, taking the chequered flag with a 1.092s lead over his closest rival.
Quartararo started from second place and slotted into sixth after the opening corners. He was quick to lead a ‘Yamaha train’ consisting of him, teammate Viñales, and Valentino Rossi to track down the leading group. By the end of the first lap, he was already back in fifth place. His next target was Jorge Martin before setting his sights on the top-3 riders.
With 17 laps to go, the Frenchman started to put serious pressure on Jack Miller. In Turn 15 he made a smooth move for a pass, taking a provisional podium place. Next was a 0.9s gap to bridge to the man in second place, but his attention was also required for the threat of riders closing in from behind. The ride to the front had asked a lot of his tyres, and he was unable to defend his position. With eight laps to go, the youngster found himself in seventh place but not out for the count just yet. He put the bit between his teeth and made a final sprint to take fifth place across the finish line, with a 3.030s margin to first.
Today‘s results put Viñales and Quartararo in first and fifth place in the championship standings, with 25 and 11 points respectively. Yamaha and the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team are also in first place with 25 and 36 point totals after Round 1.
The MotoGP paddock will stay in Qatar, as next week Round 2, the Grand Prix of Doha, will also be held at the Losail International Circuit.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI
TEAM DIRECTOR
The ideal plan for today was to have a good start, then let Maverick and Fabio make the most of the M1, riding Yamaha lines. However, we expected that our competitors would be strong at the start, so it would almost be impossible for us to lead into Turn 1. But Maverick and Fabio knew what they had to do. They made sure not to waste any unnecessary time battling each other and instead worked together as they rode to the top 3. In the end it was Maverick who had the race-winning pace today. His ride was truly stunning! Fabio wasn‘t quite able to fight for the podium because of an unexpected rear-tyre drop, but he still put up a strong fight for fifth and collected some important points for himself and the team. We are very happy overall. Starting the season with a win is a great morale boost and a testament to Yamaha‘s and the team‘s hard work over the winter. Now we will have a few days of rest and then we will be back on track on Wednesday to prepare for GP2, and we will be looking into the issue that Fabio had with his rear tyre today.
MAVERICK VIÑALES
The race was especially good because I had the opportunity to fight with other riders, which is always important. It‘s been a while since I last overtook so many riders in one race. Early on in the race, I felt this special feeling with the bike. Also in FP4 when we did the race simulation I felt fantastic and also in qualifying. I‘m very grateful, because winning is not easy, so we are going to enjoy today. For the coming race we will work and try to improve again, because we know our competitors will also improve. I just want to say ’congratulations‘ to the team, because we did a good job this winter. I think this win is very good for the morale of the team, because it‘s always important to trust ourselves. We still have some things to work on, especially on the race starts. But, overall, I think we can do a good job this season.
FABIO QUARTARARO
I was feeling so strong in the beginning of the race. As soon as I overtook Jack [Miller], I was able to catch Joan [Mir] so fast, but then I noticed a big drop in the rear tyre, which we didn‘t expect, because I didn‘t have that during the test or the practice sessions. I decided to adjust my riding a little, but Maverick still overtook me. He was just in another league and had much more grip than I did. In the end I could overtake Rins and Miller because I was riding in a different way, so that‘s something positive. Last year, on difficult days we made mistakes and finished in P14 or crashed. Today we are P5 and scored 11 points, which is good on a tough day like this, and I was 3s behind Maverick, so that is not that bad.
More, from a press release issued by PETRONAS Yamaha SRT:
PETRONAS Yamaha SRT left wanting more from QatarGP
Valentino Rossi 12th and Franco Morbidelli 18th in opening MotoGP race of 2021
It proved to be a difficult and disappointing opening round of the year at Losail International Circuit for the PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team, with Valentino Rossi and Franco Morbidelli, who experienced mechanical issues, ending the Grand Prix of Qatar 12th and 18th respectively.
Rossi’s first race as a PETRONAS Yamaha SRT rider got off to a steady start, with the Italian dropping three places on the start to end the opening lap in seventh. As action unfolded in the first half of the encounter Valentino found himself in 12th and struggling with rear type grip, before dropping further to 16th on lap 12. Rossi was able to steadily claw back positions in the remaining time, eventually recovering to cross the line 12th.
It was a nightmare start for Morbidelli, who experienced a problem with his bike on the grid. The decision was made to complete the race, despite the issue, in order to gather data to help in finding a solution. The Italian found himself in 16th place on the opening lap and 19th on lap two. Franco, who starts his third year with the Malaysian squad, resigned himself to a fairly quiet race and at the end of the 22 laps, took the chequered flag in 18th.
There is only a short wait until the second round of the 2021 MotoGP season, with Rossi and Morbidelli due back on track in only a few days’ time for the Grand Prix of Doha (2-4 April).
Razlan Razali – Team Principal
Today did not go as we expected it to, for various reasons. We know Valentino experienced some issues with the feeling of the rear, so now we will listen to his feedback and see what we can do for the next GP. Franco also had some mechanical problems, which we are looking into because it is not like him to be in that position. We take the positives that he was able to collect data to help us rectify the issue. We know that the Yamaha is a great bike and I want to say congratulations to Maverick [Viñales] on his win.
It was a great effort from Jake in Moto2, who is still recovering from his wrist injury, and we believe that he can do even better next week. We also hope that the next race will be an improvement for Xavi, after his crash today and I’m sure he will dig deep to make it.
It was a fantastic Moto3 race from Darryn to finish third and take his first podium for us. It shows that he has a lot of potential. It was unlucky for John to be taken out so early in the race. Now we just need to look forward to next week.
Valentino Rossi
12th (+10.742)
We expected more, especially after qualifying yesterday, but I struggled in the race. After several laps I had a problem with the tyres, especially the rear one, which is something that we also saw on Friday. We were hoping that it would have been less of a problem today, with the cooler temperatures, but unfortunately the feeling was similar and I lost some positions. I feel like I had a good start compared to the other Yamahas, but some others had a stronger one, I feel like we entered the first corner with a good speed though. Now we try to fix it and make it better for next week.
Franco Morbidelli
18th (+23.892)
It was a difficult race for us. We had a problem on the grid but we decided to give it a go anyway. Out of respect for my team and the work they do I wanted to complete the race, also so that we might understand the problem better. It is something we need to investigate further, I think we might have seen it at other times in the weekend, but during the race it was very clear that something was wrong. It was unfortunate that we had to have the bad race, but the good thing is that we have data to understand what was going on. I hope we can fix something for next week.
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Castrol:
BATTLING ÁLEX MÁRQUEZ UNABLE TO TAKE POINTS IN QATAR
Álex Márquez could not make the start he wanted to his LCR racing career as he failed to finish the season-opening Grand Prix of Qatar on Sunday. The Spaniard was making his first GP appearance for Lucio Cechinello’s team, but did not see the chequered flag as he slid out eight laps from the end in the opening round of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship.
The LCR Honda CASTROL rider enjoyed a positive start to the day as he went fourth quickest in warm-up. Having dropped places after a difficult start, Márquez was battling back through the field and had climbed up into 14th position when he lost his front end to bring a premature end to his race.
Alex Marquez – NC
“In the end it was not a positive day and I’m sad for the team and everybody who worked so hard this weekend. Honestly, I had a horrific start and I lost a lot of time at the first corner and was also touched at the rear by (Danilo) Petrucci. Then I was in a group and was trying to overtake, but it was difficult to overtake at that point. When I was alone I was in really good shape and in a really good rhythm, but when I caught the people ahead it was so difficult to overtake. I did a small mistake that cost us the race, so sorry to the team. But I think we’re in good shape and working well and I think next weekend we have another chance to change the situation and do better in the championship.”
More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda Idemitsu:
QATAR GP ENDS EARLY FOR NAKAGAMI
The Grand Prix of Qatar ended in early for Takaaki Nakagami as he slid out in the early stages of the 2021 curtain-raiser in Doha. The LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider lost his front end heading into turn nine just seven laps into Sunday’s race, ensuring he finished the opening round of the new World Championship season empty-handed.
Starting from the fourth row, Taka headed into the race in upbeat mood having posted the fifth fastest time in the warm-up session. But the Japanese star lost a handful of places at the start after being crowded at the first corner and his misfortune was compounded on lap seven as he uncharacteristically crashed out.
Takaaki Nakagami – NC
“Of course I’m not happy becuase I didn’t finish the race. There’s not much to say, I’m really sorry to my team as they worked really hard and yesterday we made a big step and had confidence for today’s race. But in the end, I’m not sure as I didn’t make a mistake and the data didn’t show a strange feeling. Anyway the crash was at turn nine and we need to understand what happened at that moment, fortunately I’m ok and we have a few days off to prepare for the next round here in Qatar. Once again, I want to say sorry to all my team, but we have to be strong and think about the next round.”
More, from a press release issued by Ducati Lenovo Team:
Pecco Bagnaia third on the podium in the Qatar GP at Losail. Jack Miller finishes the race in ninth position
Bagnaia takes his second podium in MotoGP in the opening Grand Prix of the 2021 MotoGP season in Qatar
Podium also for Johann Zarco, second at Losail with the Desmosedici GP of the Pramac Racing Team
Francesco Bagnaia stepped on the third step of the podium in the Qatar GP this evening, in the first round of the 2021 MotoGP season at the Losail International Circuit of Doha. After a perfect start from pole position, which saw him holding onto the top spot ahead of teammate Jack Miller and the two Ducati machines of Johann Zarco and Jorge Martín (Pramac Racing Team) in the first laps, the Italian rider remained in the lead until over halfway through the race. As he dropped down into fourth place a few laps from the end, Pecco managed to take the third place in a sprint on the finish straight, thanks to his Desmosedici GP’s acceleration.
Pramac Racing Team rider Johann Zarco, setter of the new top speed record in MotoGP yesterday (362.4 km/h), finished second on the podium after starting from the second row on the grid. Third, at the last corner, the Frenchman took advantage of his Desmosedici’s engine power, overtaking Mir onto the straight a few meters away from the finish line, followed by Bagnaia.
After a first part of the race in the leading group, Jack Miller, who started from fifth place on the second row, lost ground progressively to end the GP in ninth place eventually.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 3rd
“I’m thrilled to start the 2021 Championship with a podium: it was my first race with the Ducati Lenovo Team, and I’m coming from a rather difficult end to the 2020 season. Today I tried really hard to keep the lead and close all the doors on Viñales. Unfortunately, I think I made the wrong strategy and wore the tyres down too much at the start. After seven laps, I started to struggle a lot, especially on the rear, and I think that was also due to the different track conditions today compared to the last few days. We still have one more race here in Qatar, so we will try next Sunday again.”
Jack Miller (#43 Ducati Lenovo Team) – 9th
“Ninth position is definitely not the result we were hoping for, but it’s still important points for the Championship. Unfortunately, after a good start, I started to have problems with the rear towards the middle of the race, and I had to manage till the end. I felt really comfortable when I was in third place and was hoping to attack the front guys towards the end, but it didn’t go that way. Now we will analyse the data to understand what happened and find a solution ahead of the next GP, which will be held again here in Qatar”.
The Ducati Lenovo Team riders will be back on track next week, from 2nd-4th April, again at the Losail International Circuit for the Doha GP.
Charles Brothers (right) with two-time Superbike World Champion and former CMRA racer Colin Edwards (left), circa 2000. Photo courtesy Aimee (Brothers) Bemisderfer.
A Celebration of Life for former racer and race official Charles Shields Brothers III has been scheduled April 10 at the Colin Edwards Texas Tornado Boot Camp in Montgomery, Texas.
Brothers passed away January 24 at the age of 70.
Brothers was a longtime race official and Race Director for Texas-based Central Road Racing Club (CRRC) and Central Motorcycle Roadracing Association (CMRA) and saw the launch of the road racing careers of Colin Edwards, Nicky Hayden, Jamie James, Doug Polen, Kevin Schwantz, Freddie Spencer, and Ben Spies, just to name a few.
Brothers was known for his cool and calm demeanor and common sense approach in dealing with problems.
He retired from working races in 2002.
Brothers and his late wife Connie essentially ran CMRA for many years, doing everything from administration, registration, scoring, producing the club newsletter, and running the race events along with the help of their children Robert, Aimee, and Aaron.
The Brothers family was inducted into the CMRA Hall of Fame in 2006.
Lusail International Circuit. Photo courtesy of Dorna.
Sam Lowes, riding his Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Kalex, took the victory in the opening round of the 2021 FIM Moto2 World Championship in windy conditions at Losail International Circuit, in Doha, Qatar.
Remy Gardner kept Lowes honest but had to settle for second place on his Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex.
Fabio Di Giannantonio, riding a Federal Oil Kalex for the team of the late Fausto Gresini, used a last-lap pass on Marco Bezzecchi to earn third and the final spot on the podium.
American Joe Roberts recovered from a sub-par start and worked his way up to sixth place in his debut with the Italtrans Racing team.
American Cameron Beaubier, making his Moto2 debut, went from 21st on the grid to 11th at the finish on his American Racing Kalex.
Lowes pulls the pin for faultless first win of 2021
The Brit pitches it to perfection to start the year on top, with Gardner on the chase and Diggia digging deep for third
Sam Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) became the first British rider to win an opening round Grand Prix since the great Barry Sheene in 1979 after producing a faultless ride at the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar. The polesitter kept a hard-charging Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) at bay as the Australian takes P2 from Round 1, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) coming out on top in a last lap duel with Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46) to hand Gresini Racing an emotional podium.
A lightning start from Row 2 saw Bezzecchi grab the holeshot, with both Lowes and Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) slow from P1 and P2 as third place Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) slotted into P2. Lowes soon got past a wide Fernandez at Turn 1 to recover to P3, and the Brit then made light work of Bendsneyder at Turn 6. Fellow Brit Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was also on the move, up into P5 from P10 on the grid.
Lap 2 saw Raul Fernandez also pass Bendsneyder for third place as the leading eight riders locked horns. Lowes then showed a wheel to Bezzecchi at Turn 6, and by Turn 1 on Lap 3, the British rider was through and leading. Seventh place Gardner set the fastest lap of the race though, with the Australian fighting hard to move through and give chase. Raul Fernandez was also swarming all over the back of Bezzecchi, and making a Turn 1 move stick on Lap 4.
Fernandez’s teammate Gardner, though, was the man on the move. The Australian slipped by Dixon for P4 but a small error then saw Gardner lose the time he’d made up, he was back down to P5. Sixth place Di Giannantonio was then wide at the final corner, and the Italian slipped to P8 as Lowes set the fastest lap of the race.
Fernandez was soon back to within a couple of tenths of the race leader though, Lowes making a mistake somewhere to allow the rookie to close him in. Meanwhile, a regrouped Gardner was now back ahead of Dixon and set the fastest lap of the race again, with Bezzecchi soon enjoying the number 87 for close company. With 13 to go, Gardner struck at Turn 4 and made a move stick on Bezzecchi.
With 12 to go, Fernandez was losing touch on Lowes and Gardner sensed it. The latter was through on his teammate and now had 1.2 seconds to bridge if he wanted to win his second Moto2™ race in succession, but Lowes had something in hand and set the fastest lap of the Grand Prix – a 1:59.529 – to keep his margin comfortable if not yet dominant.
A few laps passed by with stalemate, and the gap remained at just under one and a half seconds between the leading duo. Raul Fernandez continued to keep his teammate honest too, with Bezzecchi sitting 1.2 seconds behind the young Spaniard as Di Giannantonio, Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) and Dixon squabbled right behind the podium fight.
Gardner, on Lap 13, set the fastest lap of the race, but Lowes set his personal best too and on the next lap, the race leader was three tenths quicker. Pin pulled, the gap was up to 1.6 seconds and it would only increase in increments from there.
With three laps to go, it was two seconds and the top two seemed settled, but the battle for the podium was in full swing. Bezzecchi tucked in behind Raul Fernandez down the home straight and took third place away from the star rookie, with Di Giannantonio then on the scene and making it a six-wheel scrap for the podium. The Italian followed compatriot Bezzecchi through and locked his radar onto third…
Up the road, Lowes had a comfortable 2.2 second lead over Gardner and cruised to his first win of the year in style, with the Australian forced to settle for the 20 points but happy enough to do so this time. The final place on the podium was between the two Italians and Di Giannantonio sliced up the inside of Bezzecchi at Turn 11, a classy move pulled off, and Diggia held it on the drag to the line by 0.013s to hand himself and Gresini an emotional rostrum. The first for Gresini Racing in Moto2™ since Lowes in 2016 at the Aragon GP, and a fitting way to remember the late, great Fausto Gresini.
Bezzecchi lost out on a rostrum by the slimmest of margins but a P4 is a solid start to the year. Fernandez couldn’t hold onto a podium place in his first Moto2™ race but it was nevertheless a phenomenal ride from the Spaniard, who took fifth and beat Roberts by 0.6 seconds as the American put in a solid ride to pull out a couple of seconds on Dixon by the flag in sixth. The Brit forced to settle for seventh, ahead of Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) as the German eventually got the better of Bendsneyder. The German, Dutchman was followed home by Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up) as the two completed the top ten.
11th place went to Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) as the American produced a fantastic debut Moto2™ race in a heated battle for the remaining point-scoring positions. Fellow rookie Celestino Vietti (SKY Racing Team VR46) also impressed as he lost out by just 0.142s to Beaubier and took P12, with both getting the better of the more experienced Aron Canet (Inde Aspar Team), Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Tom Lüthi (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) – the latter trio completing the points.
Hector Garzo (Flexbox HP40), Lorenzo Baldassarri (MV Agusta Forward Racing) and Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) crashed out, riders ok.
Lowes did the business after a Warm Up mishap and the British rider starts the year with a near-perfect performance. Gardner and the chasing pack will be hoping to make up ground when the riders attack Losail International Circuit again next weekend, so who will come out on top in Doha in seven days time?
Sam Lowes: “I’ve worked for this race the last few months doing the runs in practice and then I got in that position and stuck to what I’ve been doing, so this was nice. The crash in morning Warm Up didn’t really go to plan and this wind is strong, my style is a bit different to the other guys. I don’t really lean off so much so I’ve got a lot of surface area in corner entry and I was trying to stay low and get out the wind but it was a difficult race to not make a mistake. My pace was strong, I’m proud of myself and the team to start the year like this, it was a tough last ten laps but I’m really happy and we get to do it all again next week.”
More, from a press release issued by Italtrans Racing:
Joe Roberts sets a promising start at Losail.
Tough race for Lorenzo Dalla Porta.
First round for the MotoGP World Championship at Losail Circuit, Qatar, with opened grandstands but the paddock still closed due to the anti-Covid-19 regulations.
A key season for Italtrans Racing Team, reigning Moto2 World Champion with Enea Bastianini and this year on track with Joe Roberts and Lorenzo Dalla Porta.
After the excellent result of the warm up with the best laptime, in race Roberts confirmed the positive feelings of the weekend. Took off from the second row of the grid with the 5th best time of the qualifying, the American had a regular race, looking for the leading group. After a head-to-head with Dixon and Di Giannantonio and then with Fernandez, Roberts finished 6th close to the top five.
Dalla Porta signed his best Moto2 qualifying starting from the 14th position, but he didn’t find the right pace and finished 18th out of the points.
Lorenzo Dalla Porta 18°
“I would have done something more today, but in race I struggled with the wind and the track conditions changed a lot throughout the weekend. I tried to adapt, but I couldn’t keep a good pace. This was only the first race: there is a long way ahead of us and we are aware that our potential is higher”.
Joe Roberts 6°
“I’m happy with the results for the first race with the team. I think is a good starting point. Maybe we could have done another step and fight for the podium, but we missed it for just a little bit. Step by step we are getting stronger and I’m feeling great with the team. I’m happy we are making progress. We know how to improve for next weekend and I feel really positive for round 2 in Qatar”.
Giovanni Sandi – Technical Director
“We were a bit unlucky: the bike was set up for windy conditions, but after a few laps the wind calmed and our speed too. Anyway, Joe did a good job and I’m happy with his race, even though the podium was within reach. Lorenzo struggled a little, but we are ready to work hard in order to give him the best conditions for his grow”.
More, from a press release issued by American Racing Team:
Cameron Beaubier earns world championship points in Moto2 debut at Qatar
Injured American Racing teammate Marcos Ramirez bravely starts race
Calabasas, Calif. (March 28, 2021) — Cameron Beaubier delivered an outstanding FIM Moto2 World Championship debut performance for the American Racing Team under the floodlights on Sunday at the Losail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar.
Despite strong winds that deposited a fine layer of sand from the surrounding desert on the 16-turn, 3.34-mile circuit, Beaubier continued to work toward extracting greater performance from his Triumph-powered Kalex chassis and Dunlop tires.
In the 20-minute pre-race Warm Up, the five-time MotoAmerica Superbike champion produced the seventh-quickest overall lap of the session, a 2:00.692.
Starting the 20-lap race from 22nd on the 28-rider grid, Beaubier attacked his competition, advancing one or even two places in a lap. He consistently circulated in the low-2-minute range, with a best of 2:00.045 on lap 14.
The 28-year-old Californian finished 11th, showing steady progress throughout the weekend and earning five championship points. Sam Lowes won the race from pole position.
“What a crazy race,” said Beaubier. “Now, I see how important qualifying is in this class. I kept my head down and made some good passes. I am happy to get this first race under my belt and move on to next weekend.”
Despite crashing in qualifying on Saturday and fracturing his humerus near the shoulder joint, Beaubier’s teammate, Marcos Ramirez, was declared fit on Sunday and started the race. He pulled in after one lap.
“With this wind, in the fast corners I could barely hold on to the bike,” said Ramirez. “I wanted to test the start and little else.”
American Racing Team Owner Eitan Butbul described the weekend as bittersweet.
“The job that Cameron was able to do in his first Moto2 race was amazing,” he said. “He has the pace to run at the front. To come from 22nd to 11th in this field shows his motivation, potential and talent.
“Sadly, the weekend did not end as well for Marcos. After finding a good direction with bike setup in Qualifying 1 and showing he had the pace to advance to Qualifying 2, he had a high-speed crash, resulting in a small fracture.
“He was cleared to race—even performing one-handed pushups—but the strong winds were too much,” said Butbul. “He pulled in after the start, which was the safest decision. After Marcos rests for a week, we hope to see him fighting his way to the front alongside his sensational teammate, Cameron.”
Practice for the second round of the FIM Moto2 World Championship, which also will be held at the Losail International Circuit, begins Friday.
About the American Racing Team
The American Racing Team is owned by Avner Kass and Eitan Butbul and competes in the FIM MotoGP World Championship. Based in California, the team fields two riders in the Moto2 class: American Cameron Beaubier (No. 6) and Spaniard Marcos Ramirez (No. 42). American Racing has grown under Butbul’s guidance and is a respected member of the MotoGP paddock.
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