Dunlop Introduces New Roadsmart IV Sport-Touring Tires

David Swarts

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August 17, 2020

Dunlop Introduces New Roadsmart IV Sport-Touring Tires

Dunlop’s Roadsmart IV sets a new Sport-Touring benchmark

Buffalo, NY: Sport-touring riders have unique demands. They want sport-bike level grip and handling, a compliant ride, and most of all high mileage.

Dunlop exceeded customer expectations with the Sportmax Roadsmart III® (RSIII), a tire with class-leading mileage and performance that lasted deep into its lifespan.

A Dunlop Roadsmart IV rear tire. Photo courtesy Dunlop.

Now the benefits of the RSIII have been elevated in the all-new Sportmax Roadsmart IV® (RSIV), which joins the RSIII in Dunlop’s sport-touring line. Dunlop’s two-tiered market strategy gives riders the option to choose between the high-performing and now lower-priced RSIII or opt for the class-leading performance of the new RSIV.

A Dunlop Roadsmart IV front tire. Photo courtesy Dunlop.

The RSIV establishes a new benchmark for best-in-class mileage and stays close to its peak performance throughout its lifespan. Additionally, the RSIV offers performance upgrades compared to the RSIII, including quicker steering response, more nimble handling, and greater wet-weather performance—grip, stability and overall response.*

The RSIV is a completely new tire—new tread patterns, construction, compounds, and profiles. And while the RSIV utilizes Dunlop’s exclusive MT Multi-Tread™ technology for high mileage and high grip, the tire features innovative new technology that expands the performance envelope.

Benefits include:

– Increased mileage (up 26% in the rear, up 23% in front**)

– Class leading grip in wet and dry conditions

– 15% lighter steering

– More neutral steering and rider feel

– Quicker warm-up

– More even wear across the life of the tire

– Greater compliance, ride quality, and comfort

Widest Range Available

With the addition of the Roadsmart IV, Dunlop has created the most market-driven sport-touring tire range available in sizes to fit a broad variety of motorcycles. Additionally, Dunlop continues to be the only brand offering sport-touring tires that perform on both “Standard” and “GT” bikes, eliminating the need for two separate versions of its sport-touring tires.

The Roadsmart IV joins Dunlop’s premium performance products by offering what other tires cannot: class-leading mileage, the handling of a full-on sport tire, and tremendous wet-weather grip—all while letting riders enjoy these advantages throughout its lifespan.

To find out more about Dunlop’s new Sportmax Roadsmart IV, go to www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com

*Testing performed at the Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. proving grounds in Japan on a 2016 Suzuki GSF1250 with tire sizes 120/70ZR17 front and 180/55ZR17 rear. Individual results may vary.

**Testing performed by Dunlop in Japan on a 2018 Honda CB1300 SB with tire sizes 120/70ZR17 front and 180/55ZR17 rear on 40% public roads and 60% highways. Individual results may vary.

About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires

Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com

MotoGP: Rossi Blames Zarco For Scary Crash In Austria

David Swarts

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August 17, 2020

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MotoGP: Rossi Blames Zarco For Scary Crash In Austria

The myWorld Motorrad Grand Prix Von Österreich saw one of the scariest crashes of the MotoGP era.

On lap nine of the 28-lap MotoGP race, Franco Morbidelli and Johann Zarco were approaching Turn Three at over 185 mph. Zarco powered past Morbidelli in a left-hand kink, drifted right across Morbidelli’s nose, and then applied the brakes to enter Turn Three, a slow right-hander. Rossi later described it by saying Zarco “went very wide in braking and he slammed the door in the face of Franco, and with this bike when you ride 300 kph you have the slipstream, so Franco didn‘t have any chance to brake.”

Morbidelli then ran into the back of Zarco, causing both riders to crash at very high speed.

While Zarco and Morbidelli each tumbled to a stop off-track to rider’s right, their motorcycles continued on and crossed the track in Turn Three, nearly hitting Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi mid-corner.

Morbidelli’s Yamaha tumbled between Vinales and Rossi, who were little more than a bike-length apart, with what looked like millimeters to spare.

Zarco’s Ducati went on a ghost ride, ripped through a soft barrier, and almost simultaneously flew over the top of Vinales; in a video released by series promotor Dorna, one of the bike’s wheels appeared to actually touch Vinales’ helmet.

Had either bike struck Vinales or Rossi it could have resulted in serious injury or death for the riders, but in what many are calling a miracle, neither suffered a scratch; Morbidelli and Zarco also escaped serious injury.

After the race was completed, the riders involved let their feelings be known, especially nine-time World Champion Rossi, who brought Zarco’s actions into question.

“It was very scary,” Rossi was quoted as saying in a press release issued by his team, Monster Energy Yamaha, on Sunday. “All four riders, but especially me and also Maverick, were very lucky. We have to pray to somebody tonight, because the situation was very dangerous. I think it is good to be aggressive, for sure, because everybody tries to do the maximum, but for me we don‘t have to exaggerate, because we need to remember that this sport is very dangerous. You need to have respect for your rivals, especially at a track where you‘re always going at 300 kph. I have already spoken with Zarco, he promised me that he didn‘t do it on purpose. He went very wide in braking and he slammed the door in the face of Franco, and with this bike when you ride 300 kph you have the slipstream, so Franco didn‘t have any chance to brake.”

“A pity Sunday, because I got a big crash in the race with Franco Morbidelli,” Zarco was quoted as saying in a press release issued by his team, Esponsorama Racing, on Sunday. “On the brake he touched me, and we flew away. He has been surprised because we were so close and with the speed it was not easy to slow down. Then we have been scared because our bikes really could hit somebody but finally no one was really injured, so that is the most important thing.”

The press release from Esponsorama Racing included the following: “With 20 laps to go, Zarco was involved in an unfortunate incident and was hit by Franco Morbidelli in Turn Three, causing a spectacular accident that didn’t allow him finishing a race that promised a successful result. After the crash, both bikes were thrown out and nearly caught up with Rossi and Viñales, but fortunately both Zarco and all the riders involved were unharmed.

“After the comments and declarations that have been made, Johann Zarco is very affected, as at no time did he intend to carry out a manoeuvre that would endanger any other opponent. However, the French Esponsorama Racing rider wanted to apologize and clarify with each and every one of the riders involved in this race incident. Nevertheless, after the Austrian Grand Prix, the telemetry showed that Zarco was braking later in Turn Three than in the rest of the race, so it is clear from this analysis that at no time was his intention to harm Morbidelli’s braking and close his line.”

There has been no indication that the actions involved in the Morbidelli-Zarco crash have been referred to Race Direction for any discipline, but talk of the crash is sure to continue for some time to come.

To watch several free video replays of the crash, go here. To see the videos you must have or create a user account.

KTM 200 Duke Coming To The U.S.A.

David Swarts

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August 17, 2020

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DETAILS ANNOUNCED FOR THE ALL-NEW 2020 KTM 200 DUKE

August 17, 2020

MURRIETA, Calif. – KTM North America, Inc. is thrilled to announce details for the all-new 2020 KTM 200 DUKE, a light and nimble machine with grin-inducing power that makes for the perfect entry point into motorcycling and the DUKE family.

A 2020-model KTM 200 Duke in white. Photo courtesy KTM North America.

Thanks to an ultra-compact single-cylinder 4-stroke power plant with state-of-the-art injection electronics and close-ratio, 6-speed transmission, the new KTM 200 DUKE packs a mighty punch. The generously sized, ergonomic 3.5-gal. fuel tank feeds the highly efficient engine and provides exceptionally long range. A predatory design and lightweight tubular steel trellis frame proudly display its BEAST-inspired DNA and shout DUKE.

The KTM 200 DUKE delivers the perfect balance of performance and everyday rideability. Its superb ergonomics provide riders with maximum freedom of movement. The upright riding position supports relaxed rides and encourages committed cornering. Large contact surfaces ensure maximum control and optimal feedback, while retaining riding comfort. Confidence-inspiring handling is managed by WP APEX 43 mm USD forks and an APEX Linkless rear shock. Braking duties are easily covered by the 4-piston radially-mounted BYBRE front brake caliper featuring Bosch 2-Channel ABS, as well as Supermoto ABS functionality. Impressively low weight and a massively appealing low seat-height of just 31.6 in. eliminate the intimidation factor and make the KTM 200 DUKE as easy to handle as it is exhilarating to ride.

HIGHLIGHTS

BASE PRICE: $ 3,999 USD*

DUKE STYLING

CHROMOLY STEEL TRELLIS FRAME

STEEL TRELLIS SUBFRAME

199.5 CC DOHC SINGLE

WP APEX 43 MM USD FORKS

WP APEX LINKLESS REAR SHOCK

4-PISTON RADIALLY-MOUNTED BYBRE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER

LCD DISPLAY

BOSCH 2-CHANNEL ABS

SUPERMOTO ABS

A 2020-model KTM 200 Duke. Photo courtesy KTM North America.

KTM’s lineup of street motorcycles is more adrenaline-inducing than ever before and now for 2020 it includes a hyper-affordable option for even the most fiscally responsible of new riders.

With initial availability in August 2020, this ultra-lightweight commuter arrives just in time for back-to-school. For those schooling from home, the KTM 200 DUKE will arrive just in time for riders to take a break and test their skills on the tarmac. For more information, please visit www.ktm.com/us.

World Endurance: Bol d’Or 24-Hour Replaced By 12 Hours Of Estoril

David Swarts

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August 17, 2020

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World Endurance: Bol d’Or 24-Hour Replaced By 12 Hours Of Estoril

FIM EWC Finale at Estoril, Bol d’Or 2020 cancelled

Without the possibility of hosting spectators, the Bol d’Or 2020 will not take place.

The local authority, Prefecture of Var has just withdrawn permission to welcome public to the race, scheduled for September 19-20. A new event, the 12 Hours of Estoril in Portugal, will take place on September 27 in its place.

The Bol d’Or 2020, the proposed finale of the current FIM EWC season, was supposed to host endurance fans at Le Castellet in the south of France on 19-20 September.
Following the strengthening of restrictions to stop Covid-19 in France, the local authority, Prefecture of Var, has withdrawn the authorisation to welcome spectators to the event. This decision has forced Editions Larivière, the race organiser, to cancel the Bol d’Or 2020.

Finale at Estoril

The 2019-2020 FIM EWC Finale will instead take place in Portugal on the Estoril circuit on 27 September.

A 12-hour race is scheduled on this international circuit near Lisbon. It will close a sporting season particularly disrupted by the global health crisis. As the FIM EWC season final event, this 12-hour race will benefit from the bonus of 150% of the points in both EWC and Superstock categories, as well as intermediate points in the standings after eight hours of racing. The 4.182km Estoril circuit has hosted MotoGP and FIM Superbike World Championship events previously. Before this final event in Portugal, FIM EWC teams will race at Le Mans for the 24 Hours Motos on 29-30 August.

François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Event

“We support the decision of Editions Larivière to cancel the Bol d’Or 2020 within the context of stricter restrictions related to the health situation in France. We will return to this great event in September 2021. In order to protect the interests of the championship and teams, we have made every effort to replace this final race. We are pleased to announce and offer a new battle between teams at the Estoril circuit to close the 2019-2020 season.”

Jorge Viegas, FIM President

“It is a huge disappointment that the iconic Bol d’Or has had to be cancelled due to the extension of the restrictions in France. I would like to warmly thank the Circuito Estoril, the Promoter Eurosport Events, the Portuguese Federation for the efforts made to prepare for this race with such short deadlines. A big thank you also to all the teams, the riders, the officials for their flexibility in adapting to these changes linked to the current health situation, and in the interest of the World Championship. I am very happy to see the FIM Endurance World Championship returning to Estoril for the race which will close the 2020 season. “

American Flat Track: Indy Mile Doubleheader Is Next Weekend

David Swarts

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August 17, 2020

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American Flat Track: Indy Mile Doubleheader Is Next Weekend

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 17, 2020) – The 2020 American Flat Track season resumes this weekend with the return of Indy Mile as the series descends on the fabled Indiana State Fairgrounds & Events Center for its first-ever doubleheader event.

The postponement of the circuit’s scheduled resurfacing opened the door for the late return of the historic event to the ‘20 calendar. As a result, the Indy Mile I on Friday, August 21, and the Indy Mile II on Saturday, August 22, will mark the first AFT race action at the venue since 2015.

The circuit debut of the AFT SuperTwins presented by Vance & Hines class is destined to add yet another chapter to the legacy of the historic Indy Mile, which already includes some of the greatest races in the history of the sport — races that helped build the legends of such icons as Kenny Roberts, Scott Parker, Chris Carr, Ricky Graham, and so many others. The atmosphere in town is bound to be electric as well, as the “Racing Capital of the World” will play host to the Indy Mile I & II and the 65th Hoosier Hundred at the same venue, on the same weekend.

A hugely popular 100-mile, 100-lap race as part of the USAC Silver Crown Series, the Hoosier Hundred – an event with an illustrious history dating back to the 1950s – waved its final checkered flags in 2019 amid the resurfacing discussions of the dirt track. Now, presented with a unique opportunity to combine the most prestigious open-wheel racing in the United States with the most revered dirt track motorcycle racing, the Hoosier Hundred is back to close out what is now THE motorsports event of the season with a Sunday night event at Indiana State Fairgrounds following the AFT Indy Mile Doubleheader.

With just the season-opening Volusia Half-Mile I & II completed thus far, the 2020 title fight is still in its earliest stages. However, with four consecutive Miles looming on the schedule, the Indy Mile I & II could play a critical role in determining this year’s AFT SuperTwins Champion.

Jared Mees (No. 9 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) pulled off a clean sweep of the Miles a year ago. If he manages to do so again this year after executing the double in Volusia, reeling him back in could prove a tall order indeed. Reigning champion Briar Bauman (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Progressive Insurance FTR750) will be desperate to prevent that from happening while completing his career Grand Slam in the process.

Don’t discount the chances of Bryan Smith (No. 4 Harley-Davidson/Vance & Hines XG750R Rev X) turning the upset and guiding the XG750R to its maiden premier-class race win. Not only is “Mile Master” Smith a two-time winner of the Indy Mile, the race shops of both Vance & Hines and H-D Crew Chief Ricky Howerton’s Howerton Motorsports are among the 400 motorsports-related firms that call Indianapolis home.

Sammy Halbert (No. 69 Coolbeth-Nila Racing Indian FTR750), who opened his season in impressive fashion with third- and fourth-place finishes in Florida, is a past Indy Mile winner himself. Not only that, but he now also has the experience of two-time Indy Mile winner Kenny Coolbeth in his corner.

Additionally, Smith’s teammate, Jarod Vanderkooi, (No. 20 Harley-Davidson/Vance & Hines XG750R Rev X) and Yamaha ace JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT) come into the weekend with undercard victories at the venue to their credit.

The Indy Mile has the potential to play an outsized role in the AFT Singles presented by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys championship fight as well.

While much of the preseason chatter revolved around the veterans from the premier class who are now hunting the AFT Singles title — riders like Henry Wiles (No. 17 RMR Honda/Honda Talon CRF450R), Mikey Rush (No. 14 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F), and Chad Cose (No. 49 Wally Brown Racing/American Suzuki RM-Z450) — the first two wins of the season went to up-and-comers Max Whale (No. 18 Coondoo Cattle Co./Australian Road Services Kawasaki KX450F) and Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F).

The one-time premier class rider who may need a big weekend more than any other is Shayna Texter (No. 52 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F). Texter is the only active rider in the class with an Indy Mile win under her belt, and another huge weekend in Indy could prove to be the springboard to the championship-winning season the category’s rider with the most all-time wins has been attempting to assemble her entire decorated career.

With no TTs yet on the calendar, 2020 is perhaps her best opportunity yet, but only if she capitalizes at the high-speed tracks. ‘19 AFT Singles runner-up Rush could prove to be the biggest obstacle standing in her way considering that he clicked off three wins and a runner-up in last year’s four Miles.

Meanwhile, reigning AFT Production Twins champion Cory Texter (No. 1 G&G Racing/Roof Systems Yamaha MT-07) and ‘19 runner-up Ryan Varnes (No. 68 RVR/RoyBuilt Don’s Kawasaki Ninja 650) picked up where they left off, trading race wins in the season’s opening two races.

Multi-time road racing national champion James Rispoli (No. 43 Latus Motors Racing Harley-Davidson XG750R) battled for victory in both races, walking away with a pair of runner-up finishes. Rispoli has been knocking on the door ever since his return to his dirt track roots. Perhaps the Indy Mile will play witness to his first AFT win in more than a decade.

Once again, spectator safety has been placed at a premium and AFT has worked closely with local health and government officials toward those ends. For more on the specific precautions being undertaken, please consult the AFT Events Health & Safety FAQ.

Ticket sales have been limited to 25% capacity in order to promote a safe atmosphere and allow for proper social distancing. Indy Mile I & II tickets can be purchased at store.americanflattrack.com with a $10 multi-day discount available for each pair of Friday/Saturday Grandstand General Admission tickets purchased in advance.

A range of ticket options are available, from walk-in Infield General Admission at $25 (kids 12 and under free with the purchase of adult admission) all the way up to Premium Reserved Box Seating, which can accommodate a party as large as ten. Upgraded options are extremely limited and are selling fast. Reserve yours now at store.americanflattrack.com

Gates will open for fans at 4:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT on both days with the Main Event programs slated to begin at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT. Live coverage of the entire weekend’s racing activities will be available on any device for less than $1 per event via TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.

Both races will air on NBCSN, with the Indy Mile I airing on Thursday, August 27, starting at 1:00 a.m ET/10:00 p.m. PT, and the Indy Mile II to follow on Saturday, August 29, at 12:00 a.m. ET/9:00 p.m. PT. The broadcasts will include exclusive features, cutting-edge aerial drone and onboard footage, and the expert commentary of AFT legend Chris Carr.

How to Watch:

NBCSN and TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold are the official homes for coverage of American Flat Track. The complete schedule for AFT on NBCSN can be viewed at http://www.americanflattrack.com/events-nbcsn/. TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold – the most-robust motorsports offering in the digital marketplace – is a cornerstone of AFT’s digital strategy, providing live streaming coverage of every event and maintaining an active archive of all AFT content.

About American Flat Track:

American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on American Flat Track, please visit http://www.americanflattrack.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram, live stream the events with TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold and catch all the American Flat Track racing action on NBCSN.

MotoGP: Ducati Celebrates Its 50 Race Victories

David Swarts

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August 17, 2020

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MotoGP: Ducati Celebrates Its 50 Race Victories

Ducati’s 50 MotoGP wins

Thanks to Andrea Dovizioso’s spectacular victory at the Austrian GP, Ducati achieved its 50th overall MotoGP success yesterday. It is an important milestone for the Borgo Panigale manufacturer: thanks to the determination and dedication of the many technicians and engineers involved in the development of the Desmosedici GP bike, Ducati has had a rich history of success in the most prestigious World Motorcycle Championship, where it has been present in its premier class since 2003, after the introduction of the new regulation for four-stroke engines.

Andrea Dovizioso. Photo courtesy Ducati.

The first Ducati Desmosedici GP bike was entrusted in the hands of Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss, who soon were able to take it on the podium. In the opening race at Suzuka in Japan, the Italian rider finished third at the finish line, taking the first of the 155 podiums obtained by the Italian factory (136 with the official team and 19 with the satellite teams). Also in 2003, at the Autodromo del Mugello, the new Desmosedici GP bike entered the history of motorcycling scoring the overall record of maximum speed (332,409 km/h with Capirossi). In their home race, at the Italian GP, Loris also took the second place, completing an all-Italian podium with Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi.

A few weeks later, Capirossi gave Ducati its first MotoGP victory at the Catalunya Grand Prix, after an exciting race at Montmelò Circuit. For the Italian, it was the first of seven successes achieved with the Desmosedici machine from 2003 to 2007. In 2006 Troy Bayliss, who took part in the 2003 and 2004 MotoGP seasons with Ducati, spectacularly won the last Grand Prix of the season in Valencia, in his only appearance as a substitute for the injured Sete Gibernau, after becoming World Champion in WorldSBK with the Italian manufacturer.

But it was in 2007, when the technical regulation brought the engines from 1000cc to 800cc, that Ducati reached the pinnacle of its MotoGP success. With ten wins and 14 podiums, Casey Stoner became World Champion, and the Bologna-based factory won the manufacturers’ title in the category. After this fantastic season, the Australian champion won another 13 victories in three years with Ducati and became the most successful rider onboard the Desmosedici GP bike, with 23 victories.

After Stoner’s last success at Phillip Island in 2010, in 2016 it was Andrea Iannone in Austria and then Andrea Dovizioso in Malaysia to bring Ducati back on the top step of the podium. With a Desmosedici GP bike increasingly performing thanks to the evolutions introduced over the years, like the innovative wings that have revolutionized the conceptions of aerodynamics, Dovizioso from 2017 to today has taken 14 more victories.

These have to be added to the three successes of Jorge Lorenzo in 2018, and the exciting win of Danilo Petrucci last year in Mugello, in front of the big audience of Ducatisti fans present in the stands.

Statistics:Casey Stoner (23) is the rider with the most wins with the Ducati Desmosedici GP bike. Andrea Dovizioso (14), Loris Capirossi (7), Jorge Lorenzo (3), Troy Bayliss (1), Andrea Iannone (1) and Danilo Petrucci (1) follow.

The year Ducati had the most MotoGP wins was 2007, the season in which Casey Stoner, with ten successes, became World Champion. In the same year, Capirossi won the Japanese GP.

In 2018 Ducati obtained seven more victories, and in 2008 and 2017 6 victories.

Ducati has triumphed on 19 different circuits: Motegi, Sepang, Losail and the Red Bull Ring are the tracks where it has achieved the most successes, winning five victories. Mugello, Montmelò and Phillip Island follow with four wins; Valencia and Brno with three wins; Misano and Donington with two and finally Sachsering, Assen, Jerez, Silverstone, Laguna Seca, Motorland Aragon, Shanghai and Istanbul with a win.

Among the 50 victories achieved since 2003, Ducati has also scored six 1-2, placing its riders on the first and second steps of the podium on six occasions.

In addition to the 50 victories, the Borgo Panigale manufacturer has taken 155 podiums in the premier class since 2003: 136 obtained by the official team riders and 19 obtained by satellite teams riders.

Thanks to the riders, engineers, technicians, our partners and sponsors, all the collaborators, Ducatisti and all the people who have helped to bring the Ducati Desmosedici GP bike on the top step of the podium.

Ducati's 50 MotoGP race victories. Graphic courtesy Ducati. — Ducati’s 50 MotoGP race victories. Graphic courtesy Ducati.

World Superbike: Prosecco Title Sponsor Of Motorland Aragon Round

David Swarts

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August 17, 2020

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World Superbike: Prosecco Title Sponsor Of Motorland Aragon Round

Prosecco DOC announced as Event Main Sponsor
for the Aragon Round

The Italian wine consortium to headline the Aragon Round of the 2020 calendar

Prosecco DOC and Dorna WSBK Organization (DWO) are thrilled to announce the Italian brand as Event Main Sponsor for the Aragon Round of the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at MotorLand Aragon, which will take place from the 28th to 30th August. On the calendar since 2011, the emblematic Spanish circuit has always hosted exciting racing, making no doubt that this year’s round will be another exhilarating event. The Championship arrives with a fourth different leader since the beginning of the season and with just four points separating first and second, the Prosecco DOC Aragon Round brings high importance for the title race.

With a continuous popularity growth in Europe, Prosecco DOC is a leading producer of sparkling wine, a title the company has held since 2009 after receiving its Controlled Designation of Origin. Each year, more than 450 million bottles are produced and sold around the world. With aims to pursue a continuous improvement through new technologies, the consortium is at the forefront of innovation and development in the industry, complementing the essence and ethos of WorldSBK. Prosecco DOC and the fastest production-based Championship also share a common goal for environmental sustainability, as the brand promotes organic and integrated production. Heading into their eighth season of collaboration with WorldSBK, this Event Main Sponsor agreement is a great opportunity for the Italian brand to continue their partnership with the Championship.

The renowned Prosecco wine is sprayed during every podium celebration, bringing some of the best memories from the weekend to a global audience of fans at home. This strong, working partnership further demonstrates the successful association between the consortium and the Championship and will ensure a joyful atmosphere within the paddock throughout the event.

Canadian Superbike: Szoke Sweeps At Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

David Swarts

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August 16, 2020

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Canadian Superbike: Szoke Sweeps At Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

Szoke continues unbeaten streak, inches closer to 14th title with dramatic sweep at CTMP

Bowmanville, ON – Thirteen-time National champion Jordan Szoke is on the brink of adding another title to his resumé after another weekend sweep at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, winning both races in the Pro Superbike class to take a commanding lead after two rounds of the Canadian Superbike Championship, presented by Pro6 Cycle.

Szoke saved one of the best performances of his career for race one, coming all the way back to win after deciding to switch bikes on the warmup lap, relegating himself to the back of the grid as the Lynden, ON veteran was forced to start from pit lane aboard his Canada General Warranty Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja.

After capturing pole position on Saturday, Szoke made the last-second decision to choose his “B bike,” which was mounted with a soft rear tire and a front rain tire to counter the tricky conditions on a drying track.

As Szoke carved his way through the grid, rival Kenny Riedmann extended a large lead early on, appearing to be well on his way towards a third victory at CTMP in the last three years as a “wildcard” entry as he filled in for Trevor Daley aboard his M4 Suzuki Canada GSX-R1000RR.

However, that lead came to a sudden halt with five laps to go, as rookie Samuel Guerin grabbed the lead for the first time in his Pro career aboard EFC Group BMW S1000RR as he aimed to be the first rookie to win since Szoke in 1998.

Guerin’s lead was much shorter-lived than Riedmann’s, however, as a hard-charging Szoke overtook the Quebec City, QC native before holding off a last-lap pass attempt to clinch his third consecutive victory to begin 2020 in stunning fashion.

“I’ve never started from pit lane before, but nothing ever really surprises me here,” Szoke laughed. “I had two bikes with completely different setups, and after the warmup lap I just decided to hop on the rain bike, and I knew almost right away that if I kept my head down I could catch whoever was in front of me.”

Guerin would settle for his first career podium in second, joining Szoke and reigning champion Ben Young as the only riders in Pro Superbike history to podium within their first three races.

“It is such an honour to share the podium with these legends, my heart was beating like crazy,” Guerin said. “I didn’t expect to lead, so I really had to keep myself calm. I thought maybe I could pull something off at the end, but my goal was to podium and I’ve done that, so now my next goal is to win.”

Riedmann would ultimately hold onto third, securing a podium finish in his first entry of the 2020 season despite riding his Suzuki machine for the first time on Saturday.

“The bike is amazing, I’ve never been that quick that fast on a new bike before,” Riedmann said. “I wasn’t too worried riding in the rain, but I took a gamble on the rain tires. I was kind of bummed because these conditions would have suited Trevor really well, but we held onto it and it feels great to be back up here.”

Szoke wasn’t the only rider to charge his way to the front, as veteran Michael Leon overcame a brutal start to mount a comeback of his own en route to a fourth-place finish aboard his Royal Distributing BMW.

Leon came out on top of a late-race battle with Guyanese youngster Elliott Vieira, who scored a then-career-best finish in the Pro Superbike category in fifth aboard a lesser-powered Yamaha YZF-R6 sport bike machine.

Things were much different in race two, as the four front-row starters engaged in a thrilling battle from the drop of the lights, shuffling positions on virtually every lap up until the halfway point as Leon took an early lead before settling into third.

As Szoke and Riedmann renewed their rivalry up front and Leon chased close behind, Guerin settled into a distant fourth, seemingly ending his shot at a double-podium on the weekend. Instead, a Leon crash with four laps to go brought out a red flag to end the race, handing Szoke his fourth consecutive win ahead of his same two podium-mates from race one.

The decision gives Szoke a commanding 71-point lead through two weekends, with future racing still in question as rookie Samuel Guerin leads the fight for second in the championship ahead of Sebastian Tremblay and Ernest Bernhard.

Vieira continued to turn heads aboard his sport bike machine by one-upping his previous career high in fourth, while Bernhard took a personal best of his own to round out the top five aboard his Yamaha YZF-R1.

Hometown teenager Matthew Simpson scored his first ever National victory in race two of the AIM Insurance Amateur Lightweight class, coming out on top of a thrilling four-way battle for the lead aboard his Yamaha YZF-R3 after a number of last-lap passes at the front.

Simpson managed to make the decisive move over Jacob Black in the penultimate corner, with Black then falling to third in the final corner after another remarkable pass from round one runner-up Mike Maguire.

Black managed to hang on for his first career podium behind Maguire, while round one winner Mackenzie Weil settled for fourth to cap off a run of three Kawasaki Ninja 400’s inside the top-four.

Pole-sitter Jordan Royds and rival Alex Cleary each claimed their first career National victories in the MotorcycleCourse.com Amateur Superbike class, splitting the two races as Royds captured race one before Cleary reversed the outcome in race two.

Royds overcame a poor start in changing conditions to edge Cleary early in the day aboard his IBEW Yamaha YZF-R1, before the St. Jerome, QC native made up for it with a victory of his own aboard his Turcotte Performance Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Joining Royds and Cleary on the podium in race one was Sarah-Michelle Cotton, who excelled in the wet weather to become the first female podium finisher in any of the National classes since 2014 aboard her Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja, while Anthony Bergeron completed the podium in race two aboard his BMW S1000RR.

The series remains optimistic of more racing to end the 2020 season, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks as CSBK officials continue to address their plans amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Full results from Sunday’s action can be found on the series’ official website at www.csbk.ca.

Canadian Sport Bike: Tremblay Takes Victory At CTMP

David Swarts

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August 16, 2020

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Canadian Sport Bike: Tremblay Takes Victory At CTMP

Tremblay wins dramatic wet race in Pro Sport Bike at CTMP

Bowmanville, ON – August 16, 2020 – Sebastian Tremblay took his second consecutive victory in the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike class on Sunday, surviving a late charge from teammate Christian Allard in a thrilling wet race at round two of the Canadian Superbike Championship at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, presented by Pro6 Cycle.

Tremblay jumped out to an early lead after reigning champion Will Hornblower crashed out on the warmup lap, but the round one winner came under immediate fire from all three of his Quebec-born Turcotte Performance Kawasaki teammates as the top-six all battled for the lead in the early stages.

Eighteen-year old Nicolas Meunier then took his stab at the front, leading for a handful of laps before Tremblay wrestled the lead back once more. However, despite mounting a near four-second advantage, Tremblay’s lead evaporated in the late stages as rookie Allard put together a thrilling comeback bid, nearly colliding with Tremblay in the final corner before settling for second.

Meunier would hang onto third for his first career Pro podium, becoming the youngest podium finisher since Tomas Casas won the championship at the same age in 2018, and just the fifth teenager to find the top-three since 2000.

Completing the front-running quartet of Turcotte Performance bikes was Vincent Levillian, who nearly overtook Meunier for his second consecutive podium despite running new machinery after a massive crash in Saturday’s qualifying session.

Rounding out the top-five as the first non-Kawasaki rider was Stratford, ON native Chris Pletsch, who made the most of the wet conditions to take a career-best finish aboard his Honda CBR600RR, while rookie Connor Campbell also settled for a career-best in sixth aboard his Kawasaki after briefly recording the fastest laps of the race.

Paul Courtois won the first of two AIM Insurance Amateur Lightweight races on Sunday, capturing his first career National victory after a thrilling last-lap pass on Herve Remetter aboard his Honda CBR500RR.

Courtois and Remetter battled for nearly the entire race under wet conditions, with Remetter leading majority of the laps across the line before Courtois made the race-winning pass in turn six to unseat the Turcotte Performance Kawasaki Ninja 400 rider.

The podium was completed by J.F. Cloutier who scored his first career podium aboard his Yamaha YZF-R3, after youngster Maverick Cyr – son of former Pro race-winner J.F. Cyr and grandson of former Pro Bob Cyr – crashed out of third at the midway point.

The series will now turn its attention towards the Pro Superbike feature doubleheader on Sunday afternoon, where championship leader Jordan Szoke will start from pole as he chases his record 14th National title.

Full results, including Sunday’s schedule, can be found on the series’ official website at www.csbk.ca.

ASRA: Dickerson, Jones, Mesa Win Sprints At Summit Point

David Swarts

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August 16, 2020

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ASRA: Dickerson, Jones, Mesa Win Sprints At Summit Point

Editorial Note: Use the scrolling tool in the bottom left corner of the PDF viewer to see all pages of the results.

081620 SPR ASRA Results

More, from a press release issued by ASRA/CCS:

ASRA Sprints at Summit Point Summer Cyclefest

Summit Point WV – The AMA Sanctioned ASRA Sprints by Pirelli Tire featured Two wins by Stefano Mesa in the SuperStock and SportBike classes with Ryan Jones and Mark Dickerson claim the top spot in ThunderBike and Moto 3 respectively. In the Amateur ASRA championships Thomas Hind (SuperStock), Alex Yampolskiy (SportBike), Johnathan Price (ThunderBike) and Keegan Brown (Moto3) recorded victories at Summit Point Raceway.

For more racing information visit www.asraracing.com or call us at (817) 246-1127. Join ASRA in the greatest road racing experience available today!

Dunlop Introduces New Roadsmart IV Sport-Touring Tires

August 17, 2020

Dunlop's new Roadsmart IV tires in use on a BMW. Photo courtesy Dunlop.

Dunlop’s Roadsmart IV sets a new Sport-Touring benchmark

Buffalo, NY: Sport-touring riders have unique demands. They want sport-bike level grip and handling, a compliant ride, and most of all high mileage.

Dunlop exceeded customer expectations with the Sportmax Roadsmart III® (RSIII), a tire with class-leading mileage and performance that lasted deep into its lifespan.

Now the benefits of the RSIII have been elevated in the all-new Sportmax Roadsmart IV® (RSIV), which joins the RSIII in Dunlop’s sport-touring line. Dunlop’s two-tiered market strategy gives riders the option to choose between the high-performing and now lower-priced RSIII or opt for the class-leading performance of the new RSIV.

The RSIV establishes a new benchmark for best-in-class mileage and stays close to its peak performance throughout its lifespan. Additionally, the RSIV offers performance upgrades compared to the RSIII, including quicker steering response, more nimble handling, and greater wet-weather performance—grip, stability and overall response.*

The RSIV is a completely new tire—new tread patterns, construction, compounds, and profiles. And while the RSIV utilizes Dunlop’s exclusive MT Multi-Tread™ technology for high mileage and high grip, the tire features innovative new technology that expands the performance envelope.

Benefits include:

– Increased mileage (up 26% in the rear, up 23% in front**)

– Class leading grip in wet and dry conditions

– 15% lighter steering

– More neutral steering and rider feel

– Quicker warm-up

– More even wear across the life of the tire

– Greater compliance, ride quality, and comfort

Widest Range Available

With the addition of the Roadsmart IV, Dunlop has created the most market-driven sport-touring tire range available in sizes to fit a broad variety of motorcycles. Additionally, Dunlop continues to be the only brand offering sport-touring tires that perform on both “Standard” and “GT” bikes, eliminating the need for two separate versions of its sport-touring tires.

The Roadsmart IV joins Dunlop’s premium performance products by offering what other tires cannot: class-leading mileage, the handling of a full-on sport tire, and tremendous wet-weather grip—all while letting riders enjoy these advantages throughout its lifespan.

To find out more about Dunlop’s new Sportmax Roadsmart IV, go to www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com

*Testing performed at the Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. proving grounds in Japan on a 2016 Suzuki GSF1250 with tire sizes 120/70ZR17 front and 180/55ZR17 rear. Individual results may vary.

**Testing performed by Dunlop in Japan on a 2018 Honda CB1300 SB with tire sizes 120/70ZR17 front and 180/55ZR17 rear on 40% public roads and 60% highways. Individual results may vary.

About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires

Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com

MotoGP: Rossi Blames Zarco For Scary Crash In Austria

August 17, 2020

Johann Zarco (5). Photo courtesy Esponsorama Racing.