MotoGP: Flyaway Rounds Begin This Coming Weekend In Indonesia

David Swarts

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September 24, 2024

MotoGP: Flyaway Rounds Begin This Coming Weekend In Indonesia

All on the line in Lombok: more twists and turns await MotoGP™ at Mandalika

In the aftermath of a dramatic Emilia-Romagna GP, we’re heading for Indonesia and a whole new challenge – with the title fight finely poised

Tuesday, 24 September 2024

There’s no time to catch your breath as we head from Misano to Lombok and the very different Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit, with 24 points in it at the top and plenty more on offer. Indonesia loves MotoGP™ and they’re about to get a show, with controversial moves, swinging momentum and plenty more already having proved the calling card of the last few rounds. So here we go!

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) now has that 24-point cushion at the top, and that part of the result on Sunday – the positive – may have more time to sink in on the journey to Lombok. He may have lost the race and in a way he thought was over the line, but his blunder in the flag-to-flag in the previous event has been nearly erased in the standings as reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) made his own error at Misano this time round. It could be a fascinating one at Mandalika, which already has some pivotal history for both etched into its memory: last year, Martin took the points lead on Saturday and then crashed out on Sunday, just as a Bagnaia under pressure made a historic charge to the win from P13 on the grid. The duo will doubtless be protagonists this weekend.

Then there’s Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). One man’s perpetrator of that “over-the-line” move is another man’s last lap hero. He’s got less experience at full fitness at Mandalika so he’ll want to catch up quick, but Misano – even knowing his 100% MotoGP™ podium record at the venue – again proved that a better qualifying for the ‘Beast’ nearly always guarantees he’ll be a serious thread come Sunday, and/or before. Can he keep the momentum going a little stronger than he did after his double at Silverstone?

In the ever-changing scuffle over third overall, meanwhile, Bastianini has pulled back ahead of Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) but by one single point. Marquez took another podium to follow up two wins on the bounce with some consistent form, but he’ll want more pure pace this time out rather than a luck of the draw. He’s not won here – yet? – and like Bastianini, has less experience of the venue at full fitness. And, of course, none on a Ducati.

THE CHASE IS ON

Meanwhile, the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team duo head from their home turf to that of Pertamina this weekend – no pressure. Fabio Di Giannantonio remains just ahead in the standings despite his injury struggles, sizeable crash in Emilia-Romagna, and then tyre pressure AND Long Lap penalties, so the goal will be clear for him: just a little less drama. Marco Bezzecchi, meanwhile, is closing in and now right behind Diggia as he builds a solid run of speed and results, including a front row for San Marino and a top four in the GP last time out. How will they shuffle in Indonesia?

Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) had a tougher second outing at Misano – having been right up there first time round and taken his first Sprint podium – so moving back forward will be the aim. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) will be hoping for more at a fresh track, in his case. After fighting for the podium at Aragon, it didn’t seem to click at Misano – but he will have the added challenge of only having taken taken part in one session at Mandalika in 2023 as he withdrew to recover from an earlier crash.

MORE MORE MORE

At KTM and GASGAS, Misano teased more than it ultimately delivered. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) qualified fourth for Emilia-Romagna and took a solid result in the Sprint, but behind rookie Pedro Acosta at Red Bull GASGAS Tech3. Then on Sunday, both ended up crashing out from pretty solid top fives, if not a chance at better, so they’ll want to try and bounce back. Teammates next year, the two are already playing some cat and mouse in the standings, and in who’s got what once the lights go out. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had a tougher time on pace but took points, and now his future is revealed he’ll want to settle into a rhythm to push forward as we head for the flyaways. Augusto Fernandez at Red Bull GASGAS Tech3 is the same for the latter but we await confirmation on the former as rumours continue to hint at a new role with a new factory.

For Aprilia, the tougher run continued somewhat last time out, but it was a definite uptick as Maverick Viñales took sixth and teammate Aleix Espargaro eighth. Miguel Oliveira has been in their postcode too, with his Trackhouse Racing teammate Raul Fernandez now the rider looking to figure out a step forward. Last season Viñales put Aprilia on the podium in second so the Noale factory will hope that previous form has a say in our return in 2024. Oliveira, having taken the first ever MotoGP™ win at the venue in 2022, will hope the same.

ON THE UP

At Yamaha, there’s been plenty to celebrate for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) across the two events at Misano as he made it into back-to-back Q2s for the first time this season. He then took two sevenths in the GP races – equalling his and Yamaha’s best result of the season so far from Portugal. Heartbreakingly in Emilia-Romagna though, it was set to be fifth before he seemingly ran out of fuel. That would have also made Yamaha the second factory home on Sunday. He’s the only rider to never been off the podium at Mandalika and took his most recent podium at the venue in 2023. His most recent pole was also here, in 2022.

Teammate Alex Rins, meanwhile, was sidelined last time out through illness so he’ll want to attack for points as he returns. It will be interesting to watch Yamaha take on a venue with particular conditions and where they’ve not had lots of recent track time – but neither have their rivals. Quartararo’s form of late promises any small weakness from the rest will be exploited.

Honda also had some key positives from Emilia-Romagna. After both Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) and home hero teammate Luca Marini were forced to sit out the San Marino GP, take two was especially notable. Mir took P11, equalling Honda’s best result this season so far taken by Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) in Aragon, and Marini wasn’t far off him in twelfth. Flashes of progress have shown throughout, with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) also having taken Honda straight into Q2 not long ago, and they’ll want to double down. Like Yamaha, it will be interesting to see where they shuffle in as track time and experience at the venue drop from testing and two race weekends to a return to Mandalika.

Indonesia’s passion for MotoGP™ is legendary and we’ll feel it again as early as Wednesday as many on the grid head to Mataram for a fan parade through the city. Then it’s back in business for another stunning weekend as the title fight teases even more drama on turf that’s hosted plenty of it before.

SHOWTIME

Saturday

Tissot Sprint: 15:00 (UTC +8)

Sunday

Grand Prix: 15:00 (UTC +8)

What’s happening at the #IndonesianGP?

The excitement for our return to Lombok gets in gear on Wednesday afternoon as a special Riders Parade will take place at 16:00 local time (UTC +8) in Mataram. Starting from Sangkareang Park, 12 MotoGP™ stars including Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team), Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team duo of Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio, plus home hero Mario Aji (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia), will head through the streets of Mataram City on an open top bus, ending at Udaya Park. The event will bring the stars of the show to the heart of our Indonesian fanbase, acting as the perfect warm-up act for the rest of the weekend.

On Thursday, the Press Conferences are 1h30 later than standard. The first is at 17:30 local time with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), before Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and teammate Marco Bezzecchi are joined by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) at 18:05.

Moto2™: can Ogura’s title chase momentum be halted in Indonesia?

A Moto2™ belter played out at the Emilia-Romagna GP as three different riders led on the final lap. The one who was in front when it mattered most was Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) as the Italian picked Aron Canet’s Fantic Racing-shaped pocket by 0.027s, as we saw Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) throw away a golden victory ticket after a mistake at Turn 14.

The trio treated us to a phenomenal battle, and it was a pair of results that kept Vietti and Canet in with an outside shout at still challenging for the title. For Arbolino, that’s three podiums in the last three races as the 2023 runner-up finds form heading into the closing stages of the campaign.

Touching back on the Championship, following a P4 at Misano, Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) has taken charge of the 2024 chase. 22 points is the gap the Japanese rider holds heading to Indonesia after teammate Sergio Garcia crashed, while his three other closest pre-race rivals – Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing), Alonso Lopez (MB Conveyors SpeedUp) and Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) – all failed to beat the #79. In Dixon’s case, he too suffered a DNF – his first non-score since the French GP.

A repeat of their 2023 Indonesian GP podiums for Aldeguer and Canet will go down a treat this weekend, as we head to Asia with the Moto2™ title race still wide open. The momentum pendulum sits in Ogura’s camp, but will that change this weekend?

Moto3™: can the chasers respond or will Alonso continue his 2024 surge?

After going two races without standing on the podium, David Alonso (CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team) returned to the top step at the Emilia-Romagna GP to win for the eighth time in 2024. The gap at the top heading to Lombok? A whopping 82 points. Positions in the Championship don’t get much stronger with six rounds to go, so it’s now or never for the chasers at the circuit Alonso finished P2 at in 2023.

The first of those hunters is Daniel Holgado (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3), who will be hungry for a rostrum return after track limits caught the Spaniard out on the last lap. It was a small error that cost Holgado a podium – and promoted Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) to P3 behind the incredibly impressive rookie, Angel Piqueras (Leopard Racing).

The Dutch star is just one point further back in the overall standings after picking up his seventh podium of the season, but for Holgado, Veijer and fifth place Emilia-Romagna GP finisher Ivan Ortola (MT Helmets – MSI), it’s all about taking as many points off Alonso as possible before it’s too late.

WorldSBK: Championship Continues This Coming Weekend At Aragon

David Swarts

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September 24, 2024

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WorldSBK: Championship Continues This Coming Weekend At Aragon

Tight championship battle: Razgatlioglu’s lead under threat ahead of the Tissot Aragon Round

What to look out for in Aragon

Championship Standings

Despite missing the last six races, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) still leads the standings with 365 points. However, his comfortable margin has been cut to just 13 points following Nicolo Bulega’s (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) performance at the Italian Round.

Razgatlioglu’s participation in the upcoming Tissot Aragon Round remains uncertain and will depend on his medical condition. Further updates will be provided closer to the event.

Meanwhile, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) holds onto third place in the standings after securing two podium finishes in Italy, despite his injury. His lead over Kawasaki’s Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) has grown to 28 points.

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), the top Independent rider, is now just three points behind Alex Lowes, following his hat-trick of wins in Cremona. With a commanding 101-point lead in the Independent Riders’ standings and 186 points still available before the round, Petrucci can secure the title in Aragon Race 2 if he outscores Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) by 24 points over the entire round.

Historical Performance

Alvaro Bautista has triumphed in the last two races at Aragon, bringing his total victories at the Spanish track to seven.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) secured his most recent WorldSBK win at Aragon last year.

British riders Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), returning from injury, and Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) have also tasted success at this venue, with Rea, a six-time WorldSBK Champion, boasting an impressive nine wins.

Notably, Toprak Razgatlioglu has yet to claim a victory at Aragon in WorldSBK.

Notable Performances and Records

Danilo Petrucci joined an elite group of riders by securing a hat-trick of victories at the Italian Round, placing himself alongside World Champions Alvaro Bautista, Jonathan Rea, and Toprak Razgatlioglu. Incredibly, these were Petrucci’s first-ever WorldSBK race wins, making his achievement all the more remarkable.

With three consecutive victories under his belt, Petrucci is now poised to make history—if he wins Race 1 in Aragon, he will become only the second rider to follow up his first WorldSBK win with three more in succession, a feat last achieved by Alvaro Bautista with his record 11 consecutive wins at the start of 2019.

Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) is set to reach a significant milestone, as his next start will make him the 71st rider in WorldSBK history to compete in at least 100 races.

MotoAmerica: Herrin Holds Superbike Point Lead Heading Into Finale (Updated)

David Swarts

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September 24, 2024

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MotoAmerica: Herrin Holds Superbike Point Lead Heading Into Finale (Updated)

Herrin And Ducati Closing In On MotoAmerica Superbike Title As The Finale Beckons In New Jersey

Josh Herrin Has A Big Points Lead As He Tries To Win AMA Superbike Title #2 At NJMP, September 27-29

IRVINE, CA (September 24, 2024) – If all goes according to plan for the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team in the MotoAmerica series finale at New Jersey Motorsports Park, September 27-29, Josh Herrin will win his second AMA Superbike Championship – 11 years after winning his first – and Ducati will win its third AMA Superbike title as a manufacturer – 30 years after its last.

And all that will add up to an historic and memorable season for those wearing red.

But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, there are still two races remaining in the Steel Commander Superbike Championship chase and it’s not over until it is.

Herrin heads to the Garden State with a whopping 46-point lead in the Steel Commander Superbike Championship. If he finishes race one at NJMP with a lead of 25 points or more, the title will be his. If that doesn’t happen in race one, he has it to do all over again in race two. Unless he somehow trips over himself, the title will be Herrin’s and he will join MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey, four-time World Champion Eddie Lawson and the late Wes Cooley as two-time winners of the title. Twenty-two different riders have won AMA Superbike Championships in the 48 years of the series.

One thing that’s certain, Herrin won’t be tiptoeing around in eighth or ninth place to win this championship. He’ll fight at the front, much like he did two weeks earlier at Circuit of The Americas, and that’s going to make it entertaining for those of us who get to sit back and watch.

Herrin got to the comfortable position he’s in by winning five races and finishing on the podium in seven races that he didn’t win. He was off the podium a total of six times in 18 races. He also took full advantage of the races his title rival Cameron Beaubier was forced to miss due to injury, winning race two at Road Atlanta and finishing second twice at Brainerd International Raceway in Beaubier’s absence. He also didn’t allow himself to give up early in the season when he had just one podium finish in the first three rounds (six races) with Beaubier winning three of those. Herrin plugged away and it all came together with four wins in the final eight races with the other four resulting in podium finishes.

The bottom line: Herrin had a really good season and even his rivals will tell you that he deserves the championship.

Beaubier, meanwhile, can only think back with a big “what-if.” Lots of the top men crashed out of Superbike race one at Road America in the pouring rain, but only Beaubier suffered injury. His broken heel required surgery with a screw going up through the bottom of his foot to hold things in place. He missed three races, came back a bit too early at Ridge Motorsports Park, but then finished with a flurry of three wins, three seconds and a third on his Tytlers Cycle Racing BMW M 1000 RR. But it likely won’t be enough.

If it’s any consolation (and it’s not), Beaubier is on tap to finish second in the championship as he leads Wrench Motorcycles’ Bobby Fong by 41 points heading to NJMP.

Fong’s early and mid-season were strong, highlighted by his two victories at Brainerd International Raceway, but things have gone sour of late, and Fong hasn’t been on the podium since race two at Ridge Motorsports Park at the end of June. Case in point: Fong scored 21 points in the three races at COTA while Beaubier earned 70 points to take over the runner-up spot in the points chase.

Fong will need two strong races at NJMP to hold off EasyHealthPlans.com/TopPro Racing’s Sean Dylan Kelly for third in the championship with Kelly coming off his career-best weekend of racing with his first-ever MotoAmerica Superbike win coming in race two at COTA. The Floridian is only five points behind Fong.

Surprisingly, you have to go back to fifth and sixth before you find any Attack Performance/Progressive/Yamaha Racing YZF-R1s with Cameron Petersen and Jake Gagne in those spots heading into the finale. Even though there has been a myriad of struggles of late, this is still Petersen’s best season of Superbike racing as he does have a career high of three wins on the year.

Three-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne has had a season of disappointments with arm-pump issues basically ruining his year. He somehow soldiered on through most of the season before finally calling it quits the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course round. At COTA, Xavi Forés filled in for Gagne, and the Spaniard will do the same at NJMP.

Gagne is in a tie for sixth with Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Loris Baz so the Frenchman will surely move up with a chance to also catch Petersen. Baz has two podiums on the season and is still chasing a first-career MotoAmerica Superbike victory.

Beaubier’s teammate JD Beach will likely finish where he is now – eighth in the championship – in his first season back in MotoAmerica and his first season on the team and its BMW M1000 RR. Beach is coming off a strong weekend at COTA with two fourth-place finishes and a fifth.

Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Brandon Paasch will also likely wrap up his season in ninth in the championship, 29 points ahead of what promises to be a real battle in the season finale for 10th and the MotoAmerica Superbike Cup title which pays the winner $25,000.

Jones Honda’s Ashton Yates and Team Brazil’s Danilo Lewis are just four points apart in the fight for 10th in the Superbike standings, but Lewis holds a 10-point lead over Yates in the battle for the money and the Superbike Cup title. Yates has put on a charge with five Superbike Cup wins in a row heading into NJMP.

Pre-NJMP Notes…

Unless he somehow trips over himself, Josh Herrin will join MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey, four-time World Champion Eddie Lawson and the late Wes Cooley as two-time winners of the title. Twenty-two different riders have won AMA Superbike Championships in the 48 years of the series.

The man who owns the most AMA Superbike titles is Mat Mladin with seven and the Australian will be on hand at New Jersey Motorsports Park as MotoAmerica’s Grand Marshal. Coincidentally, Mladin had his last race 15 years ago… at NJMP.

The active MotoAmerica rider with the most AMA Superbike titles is Cameron Beaubier with five championships. With his two wins at COTA two weeks ago, Beaubier now has 65 career AMA Superbike wins, which puts him second and 17 victories behind Mladin’s leading 82 wins.

Jake Gagne was already crowned as the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion when the series rolled into NJMP for the finale a season ago. Gagne went out and won the first race on Saturday in the rain for his 40th career AMA Superbike victory. and rode to a cautious fourth in the wet race two. Gagne beat JD Beach and Corey Alexander in race one with Beach winning race two over PJ Jacobsen and Alexander.

PJ Jacobsen earned pole position for the two Steel Commander Superbike races last year with his lap of 1:20.647. Jake Gagne and Mathew Scholtz rounded out the front row. The lap record is a 1:19.806, which is held by Cameron Beaubier and dates back to 2020.

With NJMP getting a complete repave in the off-season, lap records will likely be scorched this coming weekend.

With his win at COTA, Sean Dylan Kelly became the third rider in the MotoAmerica era to win a Superbike race in his rookie season, joining Toni Elias (2016) and Danilo Petrucci (2022). Five-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Cameron Beaubier also won in his rookie season of AMA Superbike racing in 2014, but that was pre-MotoAmerica.

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. To watch all things MotoAmerica, subscribe to MotoAmerica’s live streaming and video on demand service, MotoAmerica Live+

More, from a press release issued by Ducati:

Destiny beckons for Josh Herrin and Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati as Herrin sets his eyes on the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship

Sunnyvale, Calif., September 25, 2024 — After eight rounds of white-knuckle racing, it all boils down to this as MotoAmerica descends on New Jersey Motorsports Park for the season-ending round over the September 27-29 weekend.

Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati’s Josh Herrin sits in the box seat and heads into the round with a 46-point lead with two final races and 50 points to play for.

Herrin needs to finish race one with a 25-point advantage to second-placed Cameron Beaubier to be assured of the crown. Otherwise, he will still have race two to seal the title. Should Herrin wrap up the title, he will join American racing legends Eddie Lawson, Wes Cooley, and MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey as a two-time AMA Superbike Champion.

Herrin’s 2024 season has been one that’s gotten better and better as it wore on. A solitary top-three finish from the first three rounds was replaced with a flurry of podiums and five race wins in 18 races, setting himself up perfectly for his championship charge.

If Herrin wraps up the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, he will become the first Ducati rider since Troy Corser piloted a Fast by Ferracci Ducati 888 to the title in 1994.

As usual, Herrin will be backed up by his Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati teammate, Loris Baz. Baz is in the hunt for a top-five finish in the championship and could end up as high as third if the cards fall his way in New Jersey.

New Jersey Motorsports Park is the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team’s home track, and it’s a venue Baz has ridden at many times, so don’t discount the flying Frenchman from possibly notching his first MotoAmerica career race victory.

Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#2)

“I’m really excited about this weekend but also a little nervous because there’s a lot on the line,” Herrin said. “We have a big points lead we’ve worked hard to get but even though we have that gap, the pressure is on.

“We’ve tested at New Jersey, so I’m not nervous about riding the track, and the bike’s been really good to me lately. It’s been working well the whole year, except at the beginning of the season with all the rain, which is still an area we need to improve.

“It should be dry this weekend, and we’re hoping to get the championship wrapped up on Saturday so we can go for a race win on Sunday, which I’d really like to end the year on. All the hard work has as paid off, so this weekend, we need to try to have fun on the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati V4 R.”

Loris Baz (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati–#76)

“I can’t believe it’s already the last race of the season!” Baz said. “I’m really looking forward to New Jersey. It’s the home round for the team and a place we’ve tested at, so we have a good setup for the V4 R.

“It’s a big weekend for the team—I want to end the season on a high note, a season that wasn’t exactly what I had hoped for personally but one where we’ve had some great results.

“I’m going to try my best as always and enjoy the atmosphere with Josh and the team.”

On track action for the ninth and final round of the 2024 Steel Commander MotoAmerica Superbike Championship will commence at 8:55 a.m. EDT on Friday, September 27 with Herrin and Baz taking to the track for Free Practice 1 at 10:10 a.m. EDT.

Race one will commence on Saturday, September 28, at 3:10 p.m. EDT, while the season-concluding race two will go green at 3:10 p.m. EDT on Sunday, September 29.

NEMRR: Champions Crowned At Season Finale

David Swarts

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September 23, 2024

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NEMRR: Champions Crowned At Season Finale

The final event of the 2024 NEMRR season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway was a well-attended race with a great forecast, and lots of championships to be decided. NEMRR has awarded double points for the final round of the season in recent years, and with only six events on the calendar nearly every championship was up for grabs.

There was extra tension in the air on Saturday morning as the forecast took a turn and there was a possibility of rain throughout the day. Skies stayed clear throughout the morning practice sessions, and as racing commenced with the SuperStreet class the weather held off.

Randy Morrissette and his Kawasaki ZX-10R streetbike (Super Street is for track day riders to sample racing) continued his incredible Super Street season with a narrow victory over Paul Berger in the Unlimited Class, while Richard Tischofer scored a victory in the Lightweight division over Dominic Petillo. Like many other Super Street riders before him, Morrissette is excited to embark on the start of his official racing career in 2025 as he will be moving on from the Super Street class and making a bid for the NEMRR Rookie of the year in 2025.

Randy Morrissette (627). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR. — Randy Morrissette (687). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

The NEMRR championship races started with the GT classes and featured some of the winningest riders in the series. In the GT500 class, Renee Franco capped off a superb season with a win in the GT500 class and secured her first of three championships for 2024.

The most decorated NEMRR rider of 2024, Brett Guyer, finished the GTL class undefeated and locked up the first of his six NEMRR championships – the most of any rider this season. Guyer, a veteran rider who has proven his abilities on machines across all displacements over the years, dominated the lightweight class ranks in 2024 on his Kramer GP790 machine.

Brett Guyer (11). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

In the GTU class, Sam Martin won his very first NEMRR championship in a hard-fought battle over Frenchman Geoffrey Bonnard. Martin won the final battle of the season and the two riders ended up tied in points, with Martin winning the tiebreaker by virtue of have won one more race than Bonnard over the course of the season!

In the GTO ranks, Chris Arrighi was a long shot to win the title after missing round three, but his bid to win the championship was thwarted when he ran out of gas partway through the race (whoops). Eventual race winner Semir Fazlic, also a first-time champion, would have secured the title anyway as he had worked into second place – exactly where he needed to be in order to secure his title had Arrighi finished the race with the win.

Once the GT races concluded the rain began to creep in, and riders over the next few races were left to choose wet or dry tires – with many contests having riders who made a variety of choices. Among those was Micheal Zoner, who rode his Kramer to his first of three 2024
championships in the Super Singles Class. Another multiple class champion, Ian Beam, rode to both the race victory and the season title in the Heavyweight Supersport class as the rain began to come down. Beam had a banner season in 2024, rocketing his pair of Triumphs to titles in both Middleweight and Heavyweight divisions, including the NEMRR premier Seacoast Sport Cycle Middleweight GP class.

Ian Beam (340). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

When the skies cleared on Sunday, the times dropped and two other riders put exclamation points on their 2024 seasons. Veteran rider and Penguin Racing School owner Eric Wood secured four championship titles on his Ducati V2 in the Heavyweight and Unlimited divisions and capped off his weekend with the fastest laps of the weekend in the Heavyweight Superbike race on Sunday afternoon.

Eric Wood (5). Photo by Sam Draiss, courtesy NEMRR.

Another standout on Sunday was none other than series director John Grush. Ever the competitor, Grush accomplished his 2024 goal after having a frightening medical event at
an NEMRR event last season and undergoing a subsequent heart surgery, came back to record a perfect championship-winning season by winning all six rounds of the Formula 60 Lights class. Nathan Bettencourt also became the youngest-ever Expert-class champion at 14 years and 1 month as he secured the 2024 title in the Moto 3 class on his Honda NSF250.

The feature race of the weekend was held in fully wet conditions, but the action was red hot. The always fast-starting Geoffrey Bonnard, who enjoys riding in the wet, led Lap One but was soon overtaken by young gun Eli Block on Lap Two. Back in the pack was fellow star rider Ben Gloddy, who worked his way up to the second spot by the midway point of
the race. These two stars of NEMRR, both of whom are MotoAmerica race winners, ramped down the lap times all the way down into the torrid 1:19 range – times that were only seen once before at NHMS (at the 101st Loudon Classic). Gloddy made a valiant attempt to fully close the gap to Block, but in the end these two stars maintained the running order across the finish line, with veteran rider Justin Landry rounding out the podium in the final Dash for Cash of the 2024 season.

NEMRR is scheduled for six action-packed rounds in 2025, all at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The 102nd Loudon Classic is scheduled on June 13-15, and will have full details released with respect to classes and purse structure at a later date.

Moto2: Marc VDS Racing Keeping Salac, Dropping Kalex

David Swarts

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September 23, 2024

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Moto2: Marc VDS Racing Keeping Salac, Dropping Kalex

Filip Salac extends Elf Marc VDS Racing Team deal for 2025

The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team is delighted to confirm its rider line-up for the 2025 Moto2 World Championship, with Filip Salac to partner Jake Dixon.

Salac joined the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team for the 2024 campaign, but a series of injuries have prevented him from performing at his best level.

The Czech star’s positive attitude and commitment to succeed is finally reaping rewards and after a first top 10 of the season in Austria recently, Salac rode to a superb season best seventh place in San Marino earlier this month.

The 22-year-old is now determined to continue his recent impressive upturn in form to move closer to the podium fight in the final seven rounds of 2024.

Filip Salac

“The team believing in me gives me a lot of confidence”

“Firstly, I want to say a huge thanks to the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team and in particular Marc for giving me this opportunity to remain with this fantastic project in 2025. This year hasn’t turned out so far to be like any of us wanted and expected through a combination of some bad luck and some injuries. It has been a very tough time for me but I’m extremely thankful for all the support the team has given me. They still believe in me, and this has given me a lot of confidence, which has shown in the last three races.

As my confidence has grown then the results have been strong as well and I am now looking forward to a positive finish to the season as we build into 2025. Once again, thanks to Marc for trusting in me and I hope to be fighting at the front from the first race next season when we make the switch to the Boscoscuro chassis.”

Marc Van Der Straten

Team Owner

“We have confidence he will deliver the results we all want”

“It is true that results this season are far from what we wanted and what we know Filip can achieve. It has been a difficult season of adaptation aggravated by injuries. But I am convinced that Filip can make a comeback with the necessary support, and we will give it to him. We are looking forward to seeing him show his grit so he can fight for the top positions. We have confidence in him and I’m sure he’ll give his all to deliver the results we all want.”

WorldSBK: Barni Racing Fielding Montella On Second Superbike In 2025

David Swarts

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September 23, 2024

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WorldSBK: Barni Racing Fielding Montella On Second Superbike In 2025

Yari Montella in SBK with the Barni Spark Racing Team in 2025

The Supersport rider will be riding a Ducati Panigale V4 Superbike and will join Danilo Petrucci.

The Bergamo-based team will field two bikes in the premier class of the WorldSBK Championship.

Marco Barnabò: “An important step, the team is growing.”

Yari Montella: “Very happy for the opportunity! With Barni and Danilo, I can learn a lot, but for now, I’m focused on Supersport.”

Yari Montella will continue racing with the Barni Spark Racing Team in 2025, but he will do so aboard a Ducati Panigale V4 Superbike, joining Danilo Petrucci in the top-level class of WorldSBK. After securing five wins (and as many podiums) this Supersport season and being in the thick of the world title fight, Yari will be “promoted” next season. For the first time, the Bergamo-based team will be on the grid with two Superbike.

This decision represents the team’s continuous growth and ambitions, shared with the partner Spark, who added: “We started this journey with Marco and his team with clear goal to show that together we can make an impact on this very high and competitive championship. After the French round weekend we have reached one of our goals and we where highest scoring team in that round. Growing also means moving forward and that is why we decided to graduate our young rider Yari Montella to superbike class and field 2 bikes next season. I personally want to thank every single member of the team for making this the best season we ever had and for staying with us when things where tough and working trough to arrive to this moment. Im sure that under Marco’s leadership team will reach few more times highest step of the podium!”
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Yari Montella

For my career, this is a very important moment. Reaching the top of the category was my goal, it was a dream, to be honest. Doing it with a team I’ve worked with for two years and having a teammate like Petrucci makes it even more special. In this situation, I have the opportunity to learn and “steal” many small secrets from the team and my teammate. Compared to Supersport, there will be many more variables to manage, but I can’t wait to start competing in Superbike. However, I haven’t started thinking about 2025 yet; I’m very focused on finishing this Supersport season in the best way possible. After the races in Jerez, I will start considering the new bike

Marco Barnabò

Fielding a second bike in Superbike is a very important decision for us; we’ve been working well, and all the conditions were right to take this step: on one hand, Yari has shown over the past two years with us that he deserves the promotion to the higher category, and it was right to continue this journey together. On the other hand, our intention has always been to keep growing. In these years, we’ve always worked hard, and with the second Superbike, we are reaping the rewards of our efforts, thanks also to the support of the sponsors who have decided to stand by our side.

MotoGP: World Championship Race Results From Misano II

David Swarts

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September 22, 2024

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MotoGP: World Championship Race Results From Misano II

Enea Bastianini won the FIM MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at Misano II at Misano World Circuit – Marco Simoncelli, in San Marino. Riding his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici on Michelin control tires, the Italian won the 27-lap race by over five seconds.

Bastianini’s margin of victory was deceiving as he and Championship point leader Jorge Martin had a big battle on the final lap that ended with the Prima Pramac Racing Ducati rider going off track. But Martin was able to recover in time to get the runner-up spot.

Six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez placed third on his Gresini Racing Ducati.

Marco Bezzecchi got fourth on his Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Ducati.

Martin’s teammate Franco Morbidelli completed Ducati’s sweep of the top five finishing positions.

Two-time and defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia was running third when he crashed his Lenovo Team Ducati out of the race.

MotoGP Race
MotoGP Points after Race

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Bastianini triumphs after last lap clash with Martin, Bagnaia slides out on home soil

The ‘Beast’ rules, the Martinator rues, and Marc Marquez completes the podium as Bagnaia crashes out at Misano

Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Sunday, 22 September 2024

High drama, another title fight twist and a last lap clash: the Gran Premio Pramac dell’Emilia-Romagna was a stunner right to the wire. On the top step after a brutal last lap lunge, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) took Ducati’s 100th premier class win – and ensured the factory wrapped up the 2024 Constructors’ crown. He also ensures he cut his deficit to the top of the Championship, as his last lap attack was to defeat points leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing).

Enea Bastianini (23) put a hard pass on Jorge Martin (89) on the last lap to grab the victory. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Martin may not have taken that win but he does leave with a bolstered 24-point advantage in the title fight after reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) slid out of third when on a charge to catch the duel at the front… promoting Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) to third.

Martin took the holeshot with another stellar start from the middle of the front row, but Bagnaia wrestled the lead back at Turn 2, shooting round the outside and putting the hammer down in the lead in classic style. But Martin managed to hold off Bastianini to keep second in the aftermath, and those three started to build a small gap as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) charged up, and Marc Marquez too.

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the first drama in the front group as the South African crashed out, rider ok and rejoining, but ceding in the battle against Acosta and Marquez. Acosta would do the same a few laps later, rider ok but not able to rejoin.

In the meantime, there were fireworks at the front. Still with 25 laps to go, the top two in the title fight were taking the gloves off. Martin homed in and launched it, but Bagnaia cut back immediately. In the aftermath the Spaniard was nearly sandwiched between the two Ducati Lenovo machines as Bastianini also looked to try his luck, but it stayed as you were. For now…

Next lap around, Martin went for a dive up the inside at La Quercia, and this time made it stick. Bagnaia looked to respond up the inside but was forced to slot back into second and defend from Bastianini instead – and from there the reigning Champion had a few scrappy corners, sectors and laps. Bastianini got past and set off after Martin, and it seemed Bagnaia was going to have to look over his shoulder for Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) starting to reel him in.

Or maybe not? As Bastianini shadowed Martin at the front, Bagnaia started putting in the fast laps. Leaving the #93 and #72 behind, he was cutting three or four tenths off the leading duo’s advantage. Then it was Martin only as Bastianini got his own hammer down to glue back onto the Pramac… but then the #1’s dream was over in some seismic Championship drama.

After getting the gap to the front down below two seconds and then struggling to cut any more into it, there was suddenly a cloud of dust streaking into the air – and a reigning Champion in the gravel. Rider ok, but Emilia-Romagna GP over, Bagnaia was forced to watch the duel for Ducati’s 100th win from the sidelines, wondering if his deficit was going to be 24 points or 29 by the end of play.

At the front, the chess match raged on. Martin in the lead, Bastianini his shadow. With five to go, the #89 then lost every last inch of advantage as he headed slightly wide and Bastianini was almost alongside. A grandstand finish was in the making.

They stayed like that through another lap, and another, and another, and at times it looked like Martin had just been able to stretch out enough tenths to ensure he’d reach the flag without coming under attack. But Bastianini managed to find an answer every time, and onto the last lap it was almost nothing in it. But where would the move come?

The answer was Turn 4, and it was brutal. The Beast sent it, Martin had to sit up, and the #89 was sent well wide, hand in the air as Bastianini sailed away into a nice cushion of time in the lead. Controversial or decisive as it may be for some, it wasn’t so for the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards, who declined to investigate. The #23 takes a brutally-fought home win – extending his 100% MotoGP™ podium record at Misano, cutting his deficit in the title fight, and ensuring his teammate lost five less to Martin. As well as, of course, securing Ducati’s 100th MotoGP™ win and sealing that incredible sixth Constructors’ crown.

Martin was left to seethe at the move but celebrate the new 24-point advantage at the top, and Marc Marquez was bumped up to the podium after Bagnaia’s crash, another shift that has a say in those top echelons of the Championship. Just behind that, Bezzecchi took fourth, not quite able to stay with the #93 but putting in another solid weekend.

Fifth place, until the very last sector of the race, looked set to go to another stunning ride from Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™). But a late issue, reportedly running out of fuel, saw the Frenchman trying to hold on round the final corner and then forced to watch Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing) and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) pip him to the line. Quartararo nevertheless equals his and Yamaha’s best of the season so far: P7.

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing), Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) completed the top ten. Next up, an impressive P11 for Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) equal’s the factory’s best so far this season, and teammate Luca Marini was in touch behind him too. They both beat Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Racing) and a sore Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), who also had a Long Lap due to track limits, with Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) completing the points scorers.

That’s a wrap on a dramatic weekend at Misano, and the paddock is already on the way to Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit for the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia. There, the battle continues for another 37 points – and there are still plenty on the table as the momentum continues to shift and the drama sets us up for a fascinating final stint.

See you on Lombok for the next installment of the world’s most exciting sport!

WorldSBK: Race Two Results From Cremona

David Swarts

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September 22, 2024

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Fan favorite Danilo Petrucci won FIM Superbike World Championship Race Two Sunday at the Cremona Circuit, in Italy. Riding his Pirelli-equipped Barni Spark Racing Team Ducati Panigale V4 R, the Italian won the 23-lap race by 1.023 seconds, giving him a clean sweep of all three race wins on the weekend.

Two-time and defending Champion Alvaro Bautista was the runner-up on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati.

Nicolo Bulega, Bautista’s teammate, finished third, which drew the rookie to within 13 points of Championship leader Toprak Razgatlioglu, who is out with injury.

American Garrett Gerloff finished fourth, just 8.452 seconds behind Petrucci, on his Bonovo Action BMW M 1000 RR.

Alex Lowes rounded out the top five finishers on his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR.

WSBK R2
WSBK Points after R2

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Cremona belongs to Petrucci and Barni

Tissot Superpole Race Highlights

Danilo Petrucci acknowledges the huge crowd at Cremona. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Starting from the outside of the front row Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) enjoyed a perfect start to the ten lap Tissot Superpole Race to lead from the start. Having claimed his first WorldSBK victory in Race 1 he instantly backed it up with another victory. Setting a fast pace in the opening laps Petrucci set the fastest lap of the race on Lap 2 and then controlled proceedings

In the closing stages of the race Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was able to move from fourth to second as he utilised the harder SCX compound tyre to be the fastest rider on track in the final laps. Having started from fourth position on the grid he maintained that position for much of the race before his patience was rewarded

Andrea Iannone ran in second position until the final lap but did claim his first podium since Race 1 of the Czech Round. The Team GoEleven rider struggled in the final laps as the grip dropped from his tyre but at the flag he was able to claim a safe third place position from Nicolo Bulega

A difficult opening lap of the race saw pole sitter Bulega drop to fifth position before he eased his way back into the podium positions. The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati had issues in the closing laps but finished fourth and netted an important six World Championship points

Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) was another rider who used the harder tyre and his reward was a fifth place finish. For the first time this season the Spaniard has claimed back to back top five finishes. With Xavi Vierge also finishing in the points for Team HRC it continued their improved form

Race 2 Highlights

Starting from pole position, by virtue of his Superpole victory, Petrucci led every lap before taking the flag with over a second in hand from his nearest rival. By claiming the victory in Race 2 Petrucci became just the fourth rider to win three races in a WorldSBK weekend

Having started from sixth on the grid, Bautista made a good start to spend the first third of the race in fifth position. On lap seven he leapfrogged Alex Lowes and Iannone to move into third position. For the next 14 laps he closed down his teammate Bulega before making his move into Turn 11 on Lap 20. Bautista was the fastest rider throughout the second half of the race and finished the race just one second behind Petrucci

Bulega set the fastest lap but struggled in the final third of the race and having been overtaken by Bautista the title contender managed his race to claim 16 points

From ninth on the grid Gerloff was able to show strong pace throughout to move into fourth position on the penultimate lap. Gerloff was able to ease his way past Lowes to finish the race as the leading BMW rider with Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) seventh at the flag

In sixth position Lecuona ended a very strong weekend for Honda with three top six finishes.

Championship Standings

Despite missing the previous six races Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) continues to lead the World Championship as he recovers from injury

Having finished fourth in the Superpole Race and third in Race 2 Bulega now sits 13 points behind Razgatioglu

Moto2: World Championship Race Results From Misano II

David Swarts

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September 22, 2024

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Moto2: World Championship Race Results From Misano II

Celestino Vietti won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Misano World Circuit – Marco Simoncelli, in San Marino. Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex on Pirelli control tires, the Italian won the 22-lap race by just 0.029 second.

Aron Canet was the runner-up on his Fantic Racing Kalex.

Tony Arbolino was a close third on his Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Kalex.

Championship point leader Ai Ogura finished fourth on his MT Helmets – MSI Boscoscuro.

Fermin Aldeguer took fifth on his MB Conveyors SpeedUp Boscoscuro.

American Joe Roberts came in sixth on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex and remains third in the World Championship point standings.

moto2 Race
Moto2 Points after Race

World Supersport: Race Two Results From Cremona

David Swarts

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September 22, 2024

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World Supersport: Race Two Results From Cremona

Stefano Manzi won FIM Supersport World Championship Race Two Sunday at the Cremona Circuit, in Italy. Riding his Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing YZF-R6 on spec Pirelli tires, the Italian won the 20-lap race by 2.697 seconds.

Championship point leader Adrian Huertas was the runner-up on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V2.

Thomas Booth-Amos rode his Triumph Street Triple RS 765 to third and his first podium finish of the season.

Marcel Schroetter got fourth on his MV Agusta Reparto Corse F3 800 RR, making four different brands in the top four finishing positions.

Former MotoAmerica Supersport regular Valentin Debise rounded out the top five on his Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha.

Championship contender Yari Montella crashed his Barni Spark Racing Team Ducati out of the race.

WSS R2
WSS R2

MotoGP: Flyaway Rounds Begin This Coming Weekend In Indonesia

September 24, 2024

The start of the MotoGP Tissot Sprint race at Mandalika International Street Circuit in 2023. Photo courtesy Dorna.