Benelli Bringing Leoncino Trail To North America

December 29, 2020

A 2021 Benelli Leoncino Trail. Photo courtesy Benelli Motorcycles USA.

Leoncino Trail Joins Benelli Motorcycles USA Lineup

Benelli introduces Trail version of the Leoncino classic Scrambler

Norwalk, CA – Just weeks after welcoming the all-new Leoncino to North America, Benelli Motorcycles USA is proud to announce the next model in the Leoncino legacy to hit U.S. shores, the Benelli Leoncino Trail.

Like the classic Benelli Leoncino motorcycle, inspired by the café racers of the 60’s and 70’s, the Leoncino Trail takes the do-it-all persona of Benelli’s “little lion” and expands its capability even further, with spoked wheels, aggressive tire tread, longer suspension travel and a style all its own. Like the adventurous spirit of the Benelli brothers a century ago, and the proud sporting heritage of Benelli Motorcycles throughout the golden age of motorcycling, the Leoncino Trail will forge ahead even when the road gets rough.

Powered by a 500cc parallel twin engine with dual overhead cams and fuel injection, the Leoncino Trail puts out a steady flow of smooth power. Just like its Leoncino sibling, the Trail shares a generous midrange and sixspeed transmission that make excellent use of its 48 horsepower (at 8500), offering an incredibly fun and easyto-ride motorcycle.

The Leoncino Trail stands apart with its aluminum alloy spoked wheels and aggressive Metzeler Tourance tires. Wheel size increases to 19-inches up front, fitted with 110/80-19 tread, and a 17-inch wheel in the rear with a 150/70-17 tire for optimum stability in mixed road conditions. Suspension also increases from the standard Leoncino, with an adjustable USD fork up front utilizing 50mm fork tubes, and a laterally mounted single shock in the rear. Greater adjustability and increased travel give the Leoncino Trail the versatility to take on rougher roads, so the fun doesn’t stop when the pavement does.

A taller handlebar gives the Leoncino Trail a roomier cockpit and more upright riding position while the stitched gripper seat helps keep the rider in place. Coupled with the added ground clearance and longer-travel suspension, the Leoncino Trail carries a slight size advantage for greater leverage over the bike and improved sporting capabilities. Ultra-strong brakes help keep you in control, with four-piston calipers and dual 320mm wave-style rotors on the front, and a 260mm single disc in the rear.

Minimalist bodywork and a classic low-slung two-into-one exhaust embrace the authentic scrambler design concept. The Leoncino Trail follows the classic style cues with a contemporary twist all its own, and the right touch of technology to bring it into the modern era. Digital instrumentation, clean and compact control switchblocks and all LED lighting round out this versatile sporting package that could only come from Benelli.

List price for the 2021 Benelli Leoncino Trail, currently available at Benelli Motorcycle dealers, is $6,499. Find more information, including specifications, at http://benelli.ssrmotorsports.com/.

ABOUT BENELLI MOTORCYCLES

In 1911, the six Benelli brothers began building motorcycle parts, including their first engine in 1919. In 1921, the first Benelli motorcycle was born. Nearly a century later, the Italian legacy continues, with a rich heritage of sport and touring Benelli motorcycles. In December 2005, Benelli became part of the Qianjiang (Q.J.) Group manufacturer, winner of the prestigious Best Motorcycle Importer award. Q.J. is located in Wenling, China, employing 14,000 people and producing over 1.2 million vehicles and 2 million engines per year, distributed worldwide. In 2015, SSR penned an agreement with Q.J. to control North American distribution, and in 2016 began to import Benelli Motorcycles in the U.S.
More at http://benelli.ssrmotorsports.com/.

ABOUT SSR MOTORSPORTS

SSR Motorsports is an American motorcycle and powersports company based in Norwalk,
California, started in 2002 by the Li family. SSR Motorsports offers a diverse line of powersports products from pit bikes to full-size dirt bikes, street bikes, scooters, e-bicycles and UTVs, with a focus on providing quality products at affordable prices. SSR products are sourced in China, tested and developed in the U.S., and distributed through a vast American dealer network, backed by product warranties, excellent customer service and parts support. In 2016, SSR Motorsports became the exclusive U.S. distributor of Benelli Motorcycles and continues to expand the line of the Qianjiang-owned Italian brand of motorcycles. More at http://www.ssrmotorsports.com/.

Canadian Superbike: Daley Continues With Suzuki Canada

December 29, 2020

Trevor Daley (9). Photo by Tim McGill Photography, courtesy Trevor Daley.

Suzuki and Daley On Track for 2021

Mississauga, Ontario

As we look out from beneath the dark cloud that was 2020, the anticipation of a return to superbike racing in Canada is a beacon of light in a year of perpetual upheaval. In the spirit of moving onward and upward, Trevor Daley is pleased to confirm his continued partnership with Suzuki Canada for the 2021 race season.

“I’m very excited to race the GSX-R1000R again in 2021, and to continue working with the amazing group of people at Suzuki Canada,” says Trevor. “Even though racing was restricted in 2020, I look forward to applying what I learned on- and off-track this year to my race program, and be in the fight for Canadian Superbike Championship (CSBK) race wins in 2021.”

Trevor Daley. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Trevor Daley.

Trevor returned to Suzuki equipment for the 2019 season and his results immediately moved him to the front of the grid. Building off three consecutive 2019 CSBK podiums, a February test in Florida and continued improvements made to his Suzuki over the off-season, Trevor was looking forward to the 2020 races despite the truncated schedule. With a second and a third in the two races his schedule allowed him to compete in, his pace was stronger than ever.

With the 2020 CSBK season coming to a premature end in early August, Trevor was fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend several MotoAmerica events with American Suzuki flagship operation M4 ECSTAR Suzuki. Trevor also had the privilege of racing his Suzuki Canada GSX-R at the Indianapolis MotoAmerica round and looks forward to implementing the many technical and riding skills gleaned to his 2021 Canadian campaign.

Trevor encourages enthusiasts to follow along with and participate in his and Suzuki Canada’s social media, which will include new machine livery that echoes the MotoGP championship-winning Suzuki GSX-RR.

Series information, event scheduling—as well as multimedia and past results—can be found at the Canadian Superbike Championship website at CSBK.ca.

Trevor- @Onespeedinc

Suzuki Canada- @Suzukicanada

Canadian Superbike Championship- @cdnsuperbike

World Endurance: 2021 Schedule Released

December 29, 2020

Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (SERT) leads the 2019-2020 FIM Endurance World Championship after the first two rounds. Photo courtesy of Team Suzuki Press Office. — Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (SERT) won the 2019-2020 FIM Endurance World Championship. Photo courtesy Team Suzuki Press Office.

FIVE RACES IN 2021 FIM EWC CALENDAR

Five races feature on the 2021 FIM Endurance World Championship schedule. The season starts at Le Mans in France with the 24 Heures Motos in mid-April.

Following the last race of the 2019-2020 season in Portugal last September, the 2021 season of the FIM Endurance World Championship will open in France on 17 and 18 April with the 24Heures Motos at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans.

Three major races return to the calendar in 2021 after being postponed in 2020.

The 8 Hours of Oschersleben is scheduled for Sunday 23 May in Germany.

The FIM EWC will once again stage the Suzuka 8 Hours, to be held in Japan on Sunday 18 July just before the start of the Tokyo Olympics.

The Bol d’Or will take place on the Paul Ricard Circuit at Le Castellet in France on 18 and 19 September.

As in 2020, the 12 Hours of Estoril wraps up the 2021 season in Portugal. The race will be held on Saturday 16 October at the circuit near Lisbon.

François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events

“We have not put the pandemic behind us as yet, but ensuring the sport’s continuity remains a priority for 2021. Every single race will take place as scheduled whatever the conditions of spectator attendance at the circuits, and the 2021 calendar will help teams keep their costs in check. All of the championship’s big classic races are back to offer fans an exciting show ahead of the first-ever 24H de Spa Motos in June 2022.”

Jorge Viegas, President of the FIM

“Once again we will do everything possible to ensure that the FIM Endurance World Championship has a worthy calendar, one that can offer all the protagonists a balanced and exciting competition. Even if the pandemic is not over, the FIM and Eurosport Events are continuing to work tirelessly to deliver an unforgettable show thanks to the ongoing support of the organisers and National Federations in each country.”

2021 FIM EWC provisional calendar

17-18 April 2021 – 24 Heures Motos / Le Mans – France

23 May 2021 – 8 Hours of Oschersleben – Germany

18 July 2021 – Suzuka 8 Hours – Japan

18-19 September 2021 – Bol d’Or (24h) / Le Castellet – France

16 October 2021* – 12 Hours of Estoril – Portugal

* Race on Saturday

Gloves Off: When The Win Is All That Matters…

December 28, 2020

Wayne Maxwell, the 2020 mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Champion. Photo by Russell Colvin, courtesy ASBK.com.au.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION:

By Michael Gougis

Gloves Off: When The Win Is All That Matters…

“I just want your best game…”

– The Color of Money, 1986

Hustling pool is the name of the game in the famous Paul Newman-Tom Cruise movie, The Color of Money. It’s not about winning. It’s about keeping the other player in the game long enough to bleed them dry of cash. And that means deliberately losing sometimes, and sometimes playing well enough to just beat them, baiting them into making the next bet, and the next. The psychology of the hustle is well-known, and it works. Someone is paying to keep all of those lights on in Las Vegas, and it’s not the casino owners…

For the pool hustler, their ultimate skill level is a well-guarded secret. Keeping it a secret is their greatest asset. That way, their opponent really never knows what they are going up against. The opponent is betting on hope, faith, belief, not knowledge. And when two skilled hustlers go against each other, it’s a poker game as well as a pool match, and the mind games are as fascinating as the next shot.

Racing isn’t always about winning races.

Sometimes it’s about a team keeping sponsors happy, even if it costs a win. I’ve seen teams throw away their best shot at a race win because, as riders cycled through pit stops, their rider wound up in the lead and they kept the rider out well past the optimal pit window for a tire change. It was worth more to the sponsors to see the rider in front for a few laps than to optimize their chances for a win.

Sometimes it’s about a team’s bottom line. A professional racing organization exists to pay the bills. If a less-competitive tire manufacturer is willing to foot the team’s entire racing budget for a season, maybe they sign that contract, even if it means that your chances of race wins are lessened.

Sometimes it’s about a rider managing points with an eye on a Championship. Joan Mir is undoubtedly talented, but he’s the 2020 MotoGP World Champion in part because he managed to stay upright when others around him – well, didn’t. Riders who win Championships know when to take the points for second, or fifth, instead of throwing it down the road and leaving the track with no points.

And…let’s not even talk about team orders.

Bottom line is that for the professional racer, there are a lot of times they’re not battling for the win or riding at 110%, and there are reasons for that, even if we as fans don’t necessarily like it. As fans, we understand it. But we know we’re not seeing their best game.

That’s why the last race of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul, a few weeks ago is well worth a watch.

At the last round at Wakefield Park, Wayne Maxwell and Troy Herfoss were the class of the field, but with multiple races on the cards for that round, neither could afford to absolutely throw caution to the wind. Each of them was counting points with an eye on the Superbike title.

The next-to-last race was an exercise in strategy, with Herfoss out front on his Honda CBR1000RR-R, trying to slow the pace enough to back Maxwell’s Ducati Panigale into the pursuing pack. The plan was to give other riders a chance to get in front of Maxwell and take points away from him, allowing Herfoss to gain points on Maxwell in the title chase. It was intellectually interesting, but we knew that neither racer was riding at their limit. Ultimately, it ended with Herfoss’ machine malfunctioning, allowing Maxwell to clinch his second ASBK Superbike title.

That left the final race. And that was a joy to watch. With nothing left to battle for except for pride and race prize money, Herfoss and Maxwell bolted to the front and were gone. They were at their absolute, on-the-edge, thrilling best. For 18 laps, they gave no quarter, racing clean but as hard as they possibly could. We, as fans, got to see their best game.

And Herfoss and Maxwell knew they’d seen the best of each other, too. It’s worth it to watch the cool-down lap. The pair pull up next to each other and actually embrace while still riding. Then they flip their visors open and, while still riding, have the kind of conversation that only those who have put everything on the line in competition can understand.

It is awesome to watch talented people do the thing they are skilled at. But it’s even more awesome when you see them at their absolute best.

The final race starts at about the 6-hour mark in the video below:

Provisional 2021 Northern Talent Cup Schedule Released

December 28, 2020

Herman Tomczyk, ADAC Sports President (left); Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports (center); and Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director (right), with a KTM RC4R racebike at the announcement of the Northern Talent Cup. Photo courtesy of Dorna. — Herman Tomczyk, ADAC Sports President (left); Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports (center); and Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director (right), with a KTM RC4R racebike at the announcement of the Northern Talent Cup in late 2019. Photo courtesy of Dorna.

Provisional 2021 Northern Talent Cup calendar announced

The 2021 provisional Northern Talent Cup calendar has now been announced. 14 races over seven rounds are planned, with the NTC set to race alongside MotoGP™, the IDM and Speedweek.

A pre-season test at Oschersleben gets action underway in April, before Round 1 sees competition begin later that month as the NTC races alongside the IDM at the Lausitzring in Germany. From there the Cup moves to France to take on Le Mans at the French Grand Prix with MotoGP™, ahead of a return to pre-season venue Oschersleben for Round 3 later in May with Speedweek.

Rounds 4 and 5 see the NTC return to the MotoGP™ paddock alongside the German and Finnish Grands Prix at the Sachsenring and KymiRing, respectively, before Round 6 pitches the NTC field against the legendary TT Circuit Assen alongside the IDM in the Netherlands.

The season finale then rounds out the year at the Red Bull Ring, again alongside the IDM, creating a seven-round, 14-race calendar across five countries.

All dates, events and the attendance of spectators are subject to the evolution of the pandemic and the approval of the corresponding governments and authorities.

NTC_2021_Calendar_2020_12_17.01

Video: “HogSpoli” James Rispoli’s AFT Production Twins Title Chase, P3

December 27, 2020

James Rispoli (43). Photo by Scott Hunter, courtesy AFT.

“HogSpoli” is a series of videos chronicling former road racer James Rispoli’s pursuit of the 2020 American Flat Track AFT Production Twins Championship on his Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson.

The video was shot and edited by Gray Pham of Gp Industries.

Here is Part Three.

Interview: Cal Crutchlow, In The December Issue

December 27, 2020

Cal Crutchlow—seen here losing the front during 2020 pre-season testing at Sepang—raced for 10 years in MotoGP, the last six with Honda. In 2021 he will be Yamaha’s official MotoGP test rider. Photo by DPPI Media.

Featured In the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World:

We interviewed Cal Crutchlow in his office inside the LCR Honda garage during testing at Sepang. It sounds glamorous, but really it wasn’t. The tiny space felt more like a police interrogation room than a MotoGP star’s paddock sanctuary. Paint peeled from the walls and apart from a rickety table and chair the only furniture was a mangy old sofa, like you might find in grungy student housing.The weather was typically tropical—about 93 degrees F outside—so Crutchlow sprawled across the sofa wearing nothing more than underpants and some new tattoos.

The 2020 season was 34-year-old Crutchlow’s 10th in MotoGP. He hasn’t won a MotoGP World Championship but is the only Briton to have won a premier class Grand Prix race in 40 years. Crutchlow made it this far through grim determination, with a fearsome ability to shrug off pain, and a refusal to admit defeat. He’s not a guy you’d want to fight.

“I like to suffer,” he says…

—Cal Crutchlow Interview, By Mat Oxley

It was never dull watching Cal Crutchlow racing, nor was it ever dull reading what the straight-talking Brit had to say about other racers, his machine or himself. Crutchlow reflects on the end of a storied racing career in the December issue of Roadracing World!

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

PREVIEW the December 2020 Issue of Roadracing World!

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Interview: World Superbike Racer Gerloff, In December Issue

December 26, 2020

Garrett Gerloff (31) leads Scott Redding (45) and World Champion Jonathan Rea (1) in a World Superbike race at Catalunya. Photo courtesy GRT Yamaha.

Featured In the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World:

For many, 2020 has been a year to forget. For American racer Garrett Gerloff, 2020 has been a year he will never forget, despite its challenges. When Roadracing World last talked to the 25-year-old Texan in the June issue, he had just finished an eye-opening debut weekend racing his GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team YZF-R1 in the FIM Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island. Then the world was locked down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the COVID-19 situation improved and racing prepared to resume, Gerloff had to jump through bureaucratic hoops in order to travel back to Europe just before the new-look 2020 Superbike World Championship resumed at Jerez. From there, it was a whirlwind of action with seven rounds and 21 races—and lots of ups and downs—crammed into just 11 weeks, but Gerloff found success …

—America’s New Star, By David Swarts

During a “miraculous” rookie season, American Garrett Gerloff claimed three podium finishes, one front-row grid spot, and finished 11th in the final Superbike World Championship points. Find out how he did it, in the words of America’s newest international racing star – it’s in the December issue of Roadracing World!

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

PREVIEW the December 2020 Issue of Roadracing World!

Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats. SUBSCRIBE NOW . Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Read the December 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology with your online subscription. Log in HERE

Available at Cycle Gear and other motorcycle retailers.

Visit www.roadracingworld.com daily for breaking news and events.

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/roadracingworld

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com @roadracingworld

Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com @roadracing_world

MotoGP: Cecchinello Rates Nakagami’s 2020 Performance

December 26, 2020

LCR Honda Idemitsu rider Takaaki Nakagami (30). Photo courtesy LCR Honda Idemitsu.

CECCHINELLO’S REVIEW ON TAKAAKI NAKAGAMI’S 2020 SEASON

A few weeks after the end of the 2020 season, LCR Honda Team Principal Lucio Cecchinello comments on Takaaki Nakagami’s performance.

The Japanese rider joined the LCR Honda IDEMITSU Team in 2018 and has been riding the RC213V alongside Cal Crutchlow ever since. Nakagami has ended his 3rd season in the premier class with 116 points overall in the final standings. He has also achieved his career best result and obtained his first ever MotoGP pole position in 2020.

Takaaki Nakagami (30). Photo courtesy LCR Honda.

Did you ever expect such a great season for Taka despite the difficulty of the 2020 calendar?

“I did expect an improvement from Taka this year because he had already shown in the previous season very good potential. Especially considering that in 2019 he was riding the 2018 bike, and it was not as competitive as the 2019 model. We clearly see that on the data and also around the track.

There were some key points to work on this year, and I did expect an improvement but no such a significant one, as displayed in the second part of the season when he showed to be one of the strongest MotoGP riders.”

In which aspects has Taka improved and in which ones does he still have to take a step forward?

“Taka improved in a couple of important aspects. At first, he understood that there is a new riding technique to be applied if you want to be fast on a MotoGP bike specially with the Honda. Basically, to start to incline the bike earlier while going into the corner and this allows the rider to use a bigger tire contact patch and therefore being more performing in the deceleration phase. Another important step he made was increasing the maximum lean angle which allowed him to turn tighter and gain time.

Regarding the improvements we have to make for next year, looking back on the missed opportunities of the 2020 season, I believe he needs to better manage the pressure. He has already understood this and mentioned it in a couple of interviews. I am confident, this will come with time, with more experience.”

You have competed for many years alongside Nobby Ueda (one of the most competitive Japanese riders ever). How are Japanese riders different from Western riders?

“Yes, I had Nobby Ueda as a Teammate. He was a fantastic teammate and a great rider. Nobby, I believe, together with the other Honda Japanese riders of the 90s or early 2000s, was a very aggressive rider. All of them were, very strong. Never afraid. They had a kind of Samurai or Kamikaze mentality. I think the strongest point of Japanese riders compared to Western riders is that when Asian riders, especially the Japanese, are focused on a target, they are very committed. They approached their goals with a very strong mentality, and they were even almost prepared to kill themselves to reach that target. It was good learning for me.

I can see that Taka is a bit more calmed compared to the Japanese riders of the 90s, he is more pragmatic but definitely very committed, very focused and determined. His determination is key.”

Takaaki Nakagami (30). Photo courtesy Dorna.

What is Taka’s working approach like? Is he different from other riders in the paddock today?

“I would say that we’ve worked with many riders in our 25 years of team history and we understood that every rider has his own personality and his own style. Definitely, Nakagami is one of the most committed riders, spending time in our pit garage working closely with the team engineers discussing every single aspect that can be improved: his riding position, aerodynamics, gear box ratios and many other small details. So apart from riding the bike, he does spend a lot of time working in the garage and I believe this is very positive because with the tiny differences in lap time in MotoGP nowadays, only working like a maniac you can make the difference.”

Holiday Greetings From The Motorcycle Industry

December 25, 2020

christma-hrc-wide — From Honda Racing Corporation (HRC).

Here are some of the holiday greeting cards received by Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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