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13-Time Canadian Superbike Champ Szoke Loses Title Sponsor

Szoke Parts Ways with Mopar Express Lane for 2020

COVID-19 claims another collateral victim of the ill-fated COVID-19 virus. Szoke remains healthy physically, but financially his team has taken a huge loss.

13 Time Canadian Superbike Champion was amidst design plans with Mopar Express Lane for his bid to earn his 14th title in the Superbike Championship when he got the call. Mopar would not be supporting anybody this season, they cut everything motorsport.

“My boss Jon Camilleri called me with the bad news. He himself was very upset as drastic changes were happening to our world’s health on a daily basis and now financially things are starting to topple.” said Szoke. “I get it, I really do. I’ve been doing this long enough to know that no matter what, contract or no contract nothing is ever a given. Mopar is more than just a sponsor to me, they have supported us for the past 7 seasons. I consider the entire team over at Chrysler Canada my friends, and hope that when this turns around you will see us riding the Mopar “M” again.”

Does this endanger the chances of Jordan bidding for his 14th title in 2020?

Not necessarily. Although the Canadian Superbike Championship has not come forward regarding their situation related to COVID-19. The season opener is set to begin May 22nd in Shannonville ON.

“I am disappointed in the way things were handled. We are supposed to support each other, not rip the very fabric of our industry to shreds. When the virus arrived, Chrysler had to shut down their factories. All of the motorsport partnership agreements were canceled, it’s not just about us, its about us as a whole.” says Szoke.

There is always the issue of public health that comes first. As it stands right now, we will just have to hurry up and wait.

#stayhome
#selfisolate

ASRA/CCS Announces Changes To 2020 Schedules

2020 ASRA/CCS Schedule Updates

The 2020 Schedule has Been Changed As of April 1, 2020

We appreciate your patience and support during this difficult time for our country as well as our sport.

As you are all aware, the moving target of “shelter in place” state executive orders and Federal CDC warnings, has forced us to re-schedule 2 events and cancel the April event at Carolina Motorsports Park. With the new target of resuming life as we knew it on May 1, we are still hopeful that the May 2-3 event at Autobahn will signal the re-start of our 2020 season, should that change we will notify you as soon as we can via email, website and press releases.

First, our Fort Worth office is under a “shelter in place” order until at least April 6, 2020. This means that for now, the best way to contact us is via email. If you call or fax something to us, there is no guarantee when we will be able to respond, but all three of us have daily access to our email. We will update you if that date changes.

As of today, we have confirmation that the April 25-26 event at New Jersey Motorsports Park will be rescheduled to July 25-26 on the Thunderbolt Circuit. All pre-entries have been automatically transferred to this event. If you do not wish to participate in that event and you are pre-entered, please contact [email protected] for instructions.

With the Daytona 200 moving to October, the tentative daily schedule is the same as the March event which means the final Team Challenge by Michelin Tire and the ASRA Sprints by Pirelli Tire scheduled for October have been moved to December 5-6 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. ASRA National Championship Awards will be presented in Victory Lane after the final race each day. (Team Challenge on Saturday, ASRA Sprints on Sunday.)

Click link for downloadable .PDF

->2020 Updated ASRA/CCS Schedule<-

 

AMA Sanctioned ASRA Championship Series Presented by Pirelli Tire

Feb 29-Mar 1 Roebling Road Raceway

May 23-25 Summit Point Circuit -SP

Jun 13-14 Blackhawk Farms

Jul 18-19 Road America

Jul 25-26 NJMP Thunderbolt

Sept 19-20 Virginia Int’l Raceway

Oct 16-18 Daytona Int’l Speedway

Dec 5-6 Homestead

 

AMA Sanctioned ASRA Team Challenge Series Presented by Michelin Tire

Feb 29 Roebling Road Raceway

May 16 Blackhawk Farms

June 19 NH Motor Speedway >

Jul 18 Road America

Aug 16 Summit Point Circuit +

Sept 6 NJMP Thunderbolt

Sept 19 Virginia Int’l Raceway

Dec 5 Homestead +

+ = 3 hours or 200 miles

 

2020 CCS Sanctioned Events

37th Annual Race of Champions

Oct 15-18 Daytona Int’l Speedway

 

Loudon Road Race Series >

May 2-3 NH Motor Speedway>

May 16-17 NH Motor Speedway>

June 19-21 NH Motor Speedway>

July 4-5 NJMP Thunderbolt

Aug 1-2 NH Motor Speedway>

Aug 29-30 NH Motor Speedway>

Sep 19-20 NH Motor Speedway>

Oct 3-4 NH Motor Speedway>

 

Atlantic Roadracing Championship

May 23-25 Summit Point Circuit -SP

June 19-21 NH Motor Speedway>

July 4-5 NJMP Thunderbolt

Jul 25-26 NJMP Thunderbolt *

Aug 1-2 NC Bike

Aug 15-16 Summit Point Raceway

Sep 5 NJMP Thunderbolt -TS

Sep 6 NJMP Thunderbolt -TS

Sept 19-20 Virginia Int’l Raceway*

 

Florida Roadracing Championship

Feb 8-9 Homestead # *

Feb 29-Mar 1 Roebling Road

Aug 22 Roebling Road -TS

Aug 23 Roebling Road -TS

Oct 16-18 Daytona Int’l Speedway

Dec 5-6 Homestead *

 

Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Championship

Feb 29-Mar 1 Roebling Road *

May 23-25 Summit Point Circuit -SP

June 13 Summit Point Circuit -TS

June 14 Summit Point Circuit -TS

June 19-21 NH Motor Speedway >

July 4-5 NJMP Thunderbolt

Jul 25-26 NJMP Thunderbolt

Aug 1-2 NC Bike

Aug 15-16 Summit Point

Sept 19-20 Virginia Int’l Raceway *

Oct 16-18 Daytona Int’l Speedway *

 

Mid-West Roadracing Championship

May 2-3 Autobahn North * -SP

May 16-17 Blackhawk Farms -SP

June 13-14 Blackhawk Farms

June 20 Brainerd Int’l Raceway -TS (Hosted by CRA)

June 21 Brainerd Int’l Raceway -TS (Hosted by CRA)

Jul 18 Road America -TS

Jul 19 Road America -TS

Aug 1 Blackhawk Farms -TS

Aug 2 Blackhawk Farms -TS

Sep 19-20 Blackhawk Farms *

 

Southeast Roadracing Championship

Feb 29-Mar 1 Roebling Road *

June 13 Summit Point Circuit -TS

June 14 Summit Point Circuit -TS

Aug 1-2 NC Bike

Aug 22 Roebling Road Raceway -TS

Aug 23 Roebling Road Raceway -TS

Sept 19-20 Virginia Int’l Raceway

Oct 16-18 Daytona Int’l Speedway *

 

MotoGirlGT Roadracing Championship

Feb 29-Mar 1 Roebling Road

May 23-25 Summit Point Circuit #

June 13 Summit Point Circuit -TS

June 14 Summit Point Circuit -TS

June 19-21 NH Motor Speedway >

July 4-5 NJMP Thunderbolt

Jul 18 Road America -TS

Jul 19 Road America -TS

Jul 25-26 NJMP Thunderbolt

Aug 15-16 Summit Point

Sep 5-6 NJMP Thunderbolt

Sept 19-20 Virginia Int’l Raceway

Oct 16-18 Daytona Int’l Speedway

 

Team Hammer School and Pro Practice

October 15 Daytona Intl Speedway

Hosted by Team Hammer Advanced Schools (For details see www.teamhammer.com/school.)

 

All Dates Are Subject to Change

* = Double Points

TS = Twin Sprint

SP = Saturday Practice

> = LRRS Contact affiliates or visit their websites for entry information to these events. WWW.NHMS.com

Revised 3/31/20

Video: Suzuki: “We’re In This Together”

A heartfelt message from Suzuki Motor Corporation during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

MotoAmerica: Cardo Systems Sponsoring Series

Talking To Each Other: Cardo Systems To Be A MotoAmerica Series Sponsor

Communication And Entertainment Systems To Be Showcased

IRVINE, CA (April 1, 2020) – MotoAmerica has announced that Cardo Systems will be a series sponsor for the 2020 season with the road racing series set to showcase the company’s advanced motorcycle communications technology to its viewing audience.

Cardo Systems specializes in the design, development, manufacturing and sale of state-of-the-art communication and entertainment systems for motorcycle helmets. Since inception in 2004, Cardo has pioneered the vast majority of innovations for Bluetooth motorcycle communication systems and the company’s products are the world’s leading communication devices for the motorcycle industry and are available in over 85 countries.

“It’s great to have Cardo Systems involved in our series as a sponsor,” said MotoAmerica’s Lance Bryson. “But it goes deeper than that as we will be able to showcase their products to our audience by actually showing Cardo’s technology and how it is used by incorporating it into our broadcast and MotoAmerica Live+ programming.”

“We at Cardo are extremely excited to partner with MotoAmerica,” said Jamie Cheek, VP of Sales North America for Cardo. “We look forward to continuing our involvement with such an outstanding group in our industry.”

For the complete 2020 MotoAmerica Series schedule, click HERE

To purchase tickets for any of the 2020 series round, click HERE

For information on how to watch the 2020 MotoAmerica Series, click HERE

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes 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 on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

24th Annual Roadracing World Young Gun Awards, In The April Issue

Featured In the April 2020 issue of Roadracing World:

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 24th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.

     The young riders recognized are the top-26 most promising young road racers under age 19 in North America.

     Each is being featured individually on www.roadracingworld.com, as a member of the Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2020 …

—24th Annual Roadracing World Young Guns Awards

They are the brightest developing talents in the world of North American motorcycle road racing, the future Champions at your local club or regional event, in National competition and maybe even at the Grand Prix level. Every year, Roadracing World gives its readers a look at the stars of the future. This year’s class? They’re all in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

 

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

PREVIEW the April 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.

Log in or subscribe HERE.

Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

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MotoGP: Iannone Appealing “Absurd Penalty” Doping Suspension

FIM SENTENCE – FOOD CONTAMINATION ARGUMENT ADMITTED BUT ANDREA IANNONE SUSPENDED FOR EIGHTEEN MONTHS
 

MASSIMO RIVOLA: “ABSURD PENALTY, IT’S A SENTENCE THAT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGES IANNONE’S INNOCENCE. WE WANT ANDREA BACK IN THE SADDLE AND WE’LL SUPPORT HIM IN HIS APPEAL TO THE CAS”

Aprilia Racing acknowledges the FIM measure that imposes an eighteen-month disqualification for rider Andrea Iannone.

Upon initial analysis of the sentence, it is satisfying to see how the total absence of intention was recognised and the accidental nature of the assumption of steroids, in fact recognising the argument of food contamination, something that had never before occurred. This scenario opens up new possibilities of appeal for Andrea Iannone, but the puzzlement remains for a penalty that is entirely inconsistent with the reconstruction contained in the sentence itself which recognises in the facts, albeit without acquitting him, Andrea Iannone’s innocence.

In observance of the sports values which have always inspired our operations and which outline zero tolerance for any practices prohibited by the regulations, Aprilia Racing has always reiterated our complete faith in our rider and we do so now with renewed emphasis after this sentence and we will support him in his appeal to the CAS.

 

 

MASSIMO RIVOLA – APRILIA RACING CEO

“The sentence leaves us baffled because of the penalty levied against Andrea, but also very satisfied in its motivations. The judges recognised Andrea’s complete good faith and unawareness of assuming the substance, confirming the food contamination argument. For this reason, the penalty imposed does not make any sense. In light of the motivations written by the judges themselves, Andrea should have been acquitted, as has always occurred to other contaminated athletes, but this situation leaves us a lot of hope for the appeal which we hope will be very quick. We want Andrea back on his Aprilia RS-GP. We will be by his side all the way to the end of this matter and we will support him in his appeal.”

MotoGP: FIM Suspends Iannone For 18 Months For Doping Test Failure

FIM Anti-doping

FIM Grand Prix World Championship

FIM International Disciplinary Court (CDI) imposes 18 months suspension on MotoGP Rider Andrea Iannone

The FIM International Disciplinary Court (CDI) handed down on 31 March 2020 a decision imposing a period of ineligibility of eighteen months on Italian MotoGP Rider Mr. Andrea Iannone, commencing on 17 December 2019 (i.e. the effective date of the Provisional Suspension) and which shall end on 16 June 2021.

Following a routine In-Competition doping test conducted at the round of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship held in Sepang, Malaysia on 3 November 2019, Mr. Andrea Iannone tested positive for Drostanolone metabolite 2α-methyl-5α-androstane-3α-ol-17-one, a WADA prohibited substance under heading “S1. Anabolic Agents, 1. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS), a. Exogenous AAS” of the FIM Anti-doping Code.

Following notification of his adverse analytical finding Mr. Iannone was provisionally suspended by the FIM since 17 December 2019.

A hearing before the CDI on the merits of the case was held in Mies (Switzerland) on 4 February 2020.

At the end of the hearing the CDI panel decided to suspend the hearing pending the additional and final written submissions of the parties (i.e. 28 February 2020).

Mr. Iannone is disqualified from Round 18 of the 2019 FIM Grand Prix World Championship held on November 1-3, 2019, in Sepang (Malaysia) and Round 19 of the 2019 FIM Grand Prix World Championship held on November 15-17, 2019, in Valencia (Spain) with all of the resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

An appeal against the CDI decision may be lodged before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland within 21 days from the date of receipt of the CDI decision pursuant to Article 13.7of the FIM Anti-doping Code.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2020: Gabriel Da Silva

24th-Annual Roadracing World Young Gun Honors:

By David Swarts

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 24th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

AMA Pro races and Championships, including eight AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

The Daytona 200 (8 times);

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 11 and 18 (as of the start of the 2020 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships on a 125cc two-stroke/250cc four-stroke or larger racebike or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

 

Gabriel Da Silva. Photo courtesy of Gabriel Da Silva.
Gabriel Da Silva. Photo courtesy of Gabriel Da Silva.

Gabriel Da Silva

Age: 16.

Current home: Vero Beach, Florida.

Current height/weight: 5’10”/130 pounds.

Current school/grade: 10th grade.

Began riding at age: 2 years.

First road race: 2008, Immokalee, Florida, WCPBA, Pocketbike Open, 1st place.

Current racebike: Yamaha YZF-R6.

Current tuner/mechanic: Eduardo Da Silva (father).

Primary race series: FMRRA, WERA Sportsman.

Top sponsors: HJC, Motion Pro, Galfer USA, One-X Racing Leather, K-Tech USA, Broward Motorsports, John Cook/Track Day Winner, Vortex Racing.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2019 season, won a race in Racing Bike Mexico Supersport 300 Championship, won 600 Superstock WERA National Challenge race during Grand National Finals (GNF) at Barber Motorsports Park, won FMRRA Moto3 Championship (6 race wins); 2018 season, won Racing Bike Mexico KTM RC Cup Championship (3 wins, 7 podiums in 7 races); 2017 season, runner-up in Racing Bike Mexico KTM RC Cup Championship (by one point).

2020 racing goals: Gain speed and support while winning on 600.

Racing career goal: Be MotoGP World Champion.

Racing hero: Casey Stoner.

Favorite track: Barber Motorsports Park.

Favorite hobby: Studying motorcycle related information.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Focusing more on school.

MotoAmerica: Josh Hayes Previews Superbike, P5 (Jake Gagne)

By David Swarts

When the 2020 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship begins there will be some familiar faces on the grid, but there will also be a whole lot of newness: New bikes, new teams, new crew chiefs, and new classes.

To help preview the season, we’ve enlisted the help of Josh Hayes.

Not only has Hayes won four AMA Pro Superbike Championships, he’s won a total of 83 AMA Pro/MotoAmerica races and three support class titles; raced in the Endurance World Championship; run at the front in Supersport World Championship races; and finished seventh while competing in his first MotoGP race as a substitute rider at Valencia in 2011.

More recently, Hayes won two races at the International Island Classic vintage event in January of this year at Phillip Island; raced at the front throughout the 2019 Daytona 200 and was on provisional pole position for the 2020 Daytona 200; and finished on the podium in the MotoAmerica Supersport class in 2019.

When he’s not racing, Hayes is a rider coach for top competitors, including Bobby Fong and Jake Gagne, as well as working with Garrett Gerloff.

And if these weren’t enough qualifications to preview the upcoming season, Hayes rode in place of injured Mathew Scholtz on Westby Racing’s 2020-model Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike during the official MotoAmerica pre-season test at Barber Motorsports Park in March. So, he’s had a close look at most of the field.

This preview series is highlighting one Superbike or Superbike Cup/Stock 1000 rider each day, but it will not feature every rider entered in the two classes. Riders will be listed in the order they finished the 2019 Superbike Championship with riders who were not in the 2019 Superbike Championship listed in alphabetical order.

 

Jake Gagne. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Jake Gagne. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Jake Gagne

Jake Gagne, of Ramona, California, went straight from racing in youth motocross to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, and he won the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Championship in 2010. Gagne tried to continue his road racing career in Europe but ultimately had to come home and find a ride in America.

Shortly after returning to race in the U.S.A., Gagne hooked up with former racer and long-time dirt-track riding instructor Danny Walker, who formed a Yamaha-equipped road racing team around Gagne.

Gagne progressed and went from being the only rider to beat Cameron Beaubier during the 2013 AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike season to winning the same Championship on his YZF-R6 in 2014. Gagne then followed that up by winning the 2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 title on a Yamaha YZF-R1, while sometimes beating factory riders on Superbikes in the then-combined races.

For 2016, Gagne’s team moved him up to the MotoAmerica Superbike class, but things did not go well as the team struggled to get advanced Magneti Marelli electronics working smoothly on the Yamaha. When Walker switched his team over to be a factory-backed Honda effort in 2017, the struggles continued somewhat, especially early in the season, in spite of Gagne’s team reverting to simpler engine electronics.

Gagne, however, showed enough promise that Honda chose him to fill in on the Red Bull Honda World Superbike team at Laguna Seca following the tragic death of Nicky Hayden in a bicycle accident. Gagne did well enough that the Red Bull Honda team invited him to ride at more rounds late in the season, and then hired him full-time to ride in the 2018 FIM Superbike World Championship.

It was a big learning year for Gagne. There was a new team, new tires, new tracks, a new way of living, and new advanced electronics to learn. Gagne did relatively well, earning four top-10 finishes and scoring 64 points. But it wasn’t good enough to keep his ride, and Gagne returned to America once again.

Heading into the 2019 season, Gagne signed with Scheibe Racing to ride the team’s powerful BMW S1000RR Superbike, but during the off-season, the Californian badly broke his right leg while training. Unfortunately, the injury took much longer to fully heal than anticipated, hindering Gagne’s early results.

Just as Gagne regained full fitness and started competing near the front and getting top-six race finishes, the 2019 season was over. Gagne ended up eighth in the final Superbike Championship point standings, but his potential was not overlooked.

Once it was announced that Garrett Gerloff was moving up to the GRT Yamaha Superbike World Championship, Yamaha quickly hired Gagne to replace Gerloff on the Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha factory team for 2020.

At that same time, that means that Gagne will need to adjust to another new team and the new, 2020-model Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike. But during pre-season testing, 27-year-old Gagne has appeared as confident and as quick as ever and looks like he could be a title contender in 2020.

“If you look at Jake’s career he’s been very competitive at every level, but he spent a lot of it with the one [Danny Walker’s] team,” said Hayes. “Jake’s experience in road racing was still very limited up until he went to World Superbike. He had the same crew chief through most of his career and most of the same team members and the same ideas and same process.

“I think his World Superbike experience was his first real test, and it’s always difficult for an American to step into a European team and feel like one of them. So, it was probably a bit of a whirlwind for him.

“Then for him to come back and get the opportunity on the Scheibe BMW but spend half the season injured was another hard road for him. He did show some promise at the end of the season, however, and Keith McCarty and Jim Roach [at Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.] have always looked at Jake as part of the Yamaha family from all his past success.

“With all of those credentials there’s no question about Jake’s talent. I think that there’s not much of a question if Jake is going to get to the front. It’s just going to be a matter of how well he adapts to a new team, a new way of going racing, a much more complicated motorcycle, and new pressures that he probably hasn’t felt before. Because he is jumping on a Championship-winning motorcycle right next to the four-time Champ [Beaubier], who also finished second in two other Championships.

“It’s going to be pretty tough to fill those shoes when Gerloff was winning on his way out and to figure out how all these pieces work.

“Fortunately, Gagne has been able to do a fair bit of riding, and he’s been able to see a little bit of what Cameron is doing and what his process is and learn how the team works. Come the first race, it’ll be interesting to see where all that kind of slots into place and how quickly he can get himself near the front guys. Then we’ll see how long it takes for him to stay there and be a regular part of the front group.

“I have no doubts that he will be there. It’s just a matter of how quickly and how steadily he’ll be there in this first season.”

KTM Launches 121-Horsepower, 366-Pound 2020-Model 890 Duke R

2020 KTM 890 DUKE R

MSRP: $11,699 USD/ $12,599 CAD

 

THE SUPER SCALPEL

With the lightweight, compact and razor-sharp packaging of the KTM 790 DUKE as its starting point, the KTM 890 DUKE R brings out the best in the DUKE thanks to increased power and torque from the new 890 cc engine, ‘racier’ ergonomics, performance BREMBO brakes, fully adjustable WP APEX suspension, and enhanced electronic rider aids—just to name a few of the performance features that come standard on the “R.” It was designed to be a sportier and edgier no-compromise naked motorcycle for conquering twisty mountain roads or hard riding on the racetrack. The KTM 890 DUKE R is the ideal machine for the motorcyclist wanting a more extreme experience or searching for bigger thrills in a compact and agile package.

 

A 2020 KTM 890 Duke R at rest. Photo courtesy of KTM.
A 2020 KTM 890 Duke R at rest. Photo courtesy of KTM.

2020 KTM 890 R DUKE HIGHLIGHTS

 

·        Extremely powerful, torquey parallel twin 890 cc DOHC engine with electronic fuel injection, dual balancer shafts, PASC slipper clutch and Ride-by-Wire for a smoother and more refined response.

·        Based on the parallel twin of the KTM 790 DUKE, the engine features an increased bore and stroke, higher compression ratio and rpm ceiling, larger valves and a new piston design coupled with new connecting rods and a new crankshaft, all wrapped in new engine cases.

·        New crankshaft with 20% more rotating mass for improved engine character at constant speed and improved cornering stability due to its gyroscopic effect.

·        New sensors specifically developed for KTM by DELL’ORTO in each throttle body to measure the manifold pressure and adjust the mixture accordingly, allowing individual mapping control per cylinder.

·        New box piston features 10 gram weight reduction despite larger bore, three piston rings and a bronze conrod bearing to support the increased RPM and power.

·        New cylinder head developed to accommodate a set of larger 37 mm intake and 30 mm exhaust valves, a new camshaft with increased lift and more aggressive profile and a new balancer shaft to match the increased RPM and increased rotating mass.

·        Faster gear changes have been achieved through shorter shift lever action. This is combined with new settings for the optional Quickshifter+ to improve clutchless up and down shifting action.

·        Precise, ultralight tubular Chromium Molybdenum steel frame with a cast aluminum subframe.

·        Fully adjustable, cutting-edge WP APEX forks feature split function damping for excellent response, stability and tuneability.

·        Fully adjustable WP APEX shock offers high and low speed compression settings, as well as rebound adjustment. A hydraulically adjustable preload adjuster allows for quick and easy tuning on the fly.

·        Triple clamp stiffness has been tuned to match the flex of the fork, contributing to sporty handling and excellent feedback. An aluminum steering stem has been used instead of steel, as on the KTM 790 DUKE, to reduce the overall weight.

·        Powerful BREMBO Stylema brake calipers paired with lighter 320 mm floating front discs offer unmated stopping power and a 1.2 kg (2.6 lbs) reduction of unsprung weight.

·        BREMBO MCS master cylinder allows the rider to adjust lever ratio and brake feel.

·        Cornering ABS with Supermoto ABS for rider-centric control.

·        A completely new generation of lean-angle sensitive MTC (Motorcycle Traction Control) now uses two different controllers (a wheelslip controller and a pitch angle controller) to offer advanced traction control behavior and settings.

·        Selectable ride modes including Sport, Street, Rain and optional Track allow for easy changes to engine and MTC character.

·        Optional Track mode includes 9-level adjustable traction control, launch control and anti-wheelie off.

·        Multifunctional dashboard with full-color TFT display is bright and clear.

·        Premium Michelin Power Cup tires offer exceptional grip in all track and street conditions.

·        Sharp aggressive styling runs from the front to the rear for a look that is pure DUKE and includes an orange powder coated frame, standard on “R” models.

·        LED headlight and LED daytime running lights for excellent visibility and illumination.

·        Die-cast, open-lattice swingarm is precisely manufactured and has been optimized for stiffness while still offering excellent flex characteristics and features a steeper angle for increased stability.

·        WP steering damper fitted as standard and set up to feel as natural as possible, giving the rider a secure feeling while keeping the agile riding character of the bike.

·        New, flatter tapered aluminum handlebar offers a more aggressive riding position and is adjustable in 4 positions on the triple clamp and can be rotated in three further positions.

 

A 2020 KTM 890 Duke R at rest. Photo courtesy of KTM.
A 2020 KTM 890 Duke R at rest. Photo courtesy of KTM.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Type: Parallel Twin, 4-Stroke, DOHC

Displacement: 890 cc

Bore/Stroke: 90.7/68.8 mm

Starter: Electric; 12V 10Ah

Transmission: 6 Gears

Fuel System: DKK Dell’Orto, 46 mm Throttle Body

Lubrication: Pressure Lubrication with 2 Oil Pumps

Cooling: Liquid Cooling with Water/Oil Heat Exchanger

Clutch: PASC (Power Assisted Slipper Clutch), Mechanically Operated

Ignition: Bosch EMS with Ride-By-Wire

Frame: CroMoly Tubular Steel, Engine as Stressed Member

Subframe: Cast Aluminum

Handlebar:  Aluminum, Tapered, Ø 26/22 mm

Front Suspension: WP APEX USD Ø 43 mm

Rear Suspension: WP APEX Monoshock

Suspension Travel Front/Rear: 140 mm/5.5 in; 150 mm/5.9 in

Front/Rear Brakes: Disc Brake 320 mm/240 mm

Front/Rear Wheels: 3.50 x 17”, 5.50 x 17”

Front/Rear Tires: 120/70ZR17”; 180/55ZR17”

Steering Head Angle: 24.3º

Wheelbase: 1,482 mm ± 15 mm / 58.3 ± 0.6 in

Ground Clearance: 206 mm / 8.1 in

Seat Height: 834 mm / 32.8 in

Tank Capacity: 14 L / 3.7 gal

Weight (without fuel), Approx: 166 kg / 365.9 lbs

13-Time Canadian Superbike Champ Szoke Loses Title Sponsor

Jordan Szoke (1), the 13-time Canadian Superbike Champion, as seen in 2019. Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy of CSBK/PMP.
Jordan Szoke (1), the 13-time Canadian Superbike Champion, as seen in 2019. Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy of CSBK/PMP.

Szoke Parts Ways with Mopar Express Lane for 2020

COVID-19 claims another collateral victim of the ill-fated COVID-19 virus. Szoke remains healthy physically, but financially his team has taken a huge loss.

13 Time Canadian Superbike Champion was amidst design plans with Mopar Express Lane for his bid to earn his 14th title in the Superbike Championship when he got the call. Mopar would not be supporting anybody this season, they cut everything motorsport.

“My boss Jon Camilleri called me with the bad news. He himself was very upset as drastic changes were happening to our world’s health on a daily basis and now financially things are starting to topple.” said Szoke. “I get it, I really do. I’ve been doing this long enough to know that no matter what, contract or no contract nothing is ever a given. Mopar is more than just a sponsor to me, they have supported us for the past 7 seasons. I consider the entire team over at Chrysler Canada my friends, and hope that when this turns around you will see us riding the Mopar “M” again.”

Does this endanger the chances of Jordan bidding for his 14th title in 2020?

Not necessarily. Although the Canadian Superbike Championship has not come forward regarding their situation related to COVID-19. The season opener is set to begin May 22nd in Shannonville ON.

“I am disappointed in the way things were handled. We are supposed to support each other, not rip the very fabric of our industry to shreds. When the virus arrived, Chrysler had to shut down their factories. All of the motorsport partnership agreements were canceled, it’s not just about us, its about us as a whole.” says Szoke.

There is always the issue of public health that comes first. As it stands right now, we will just have to hurry up and wait.

#stayhome
#selfisolate

ASRA/CCS Announces Changes To 2020 Schedules

Drew Jankord (2) leads Tom Girard during a CCS race at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in 2019. Photo by Jessica Johnk, courtesy of ASRA/CCS.
Drew Jankord (2) leads Tom Girard during a CCS race at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in 2019. Photo by Jessica Johnk, courtesy of ASRA/CCS.

2020 ASRA/CCS Schedule Updates

The 2020 Schedule has Been Changed As of April 1, 2020

We appreciate your patience and support during this difficult time for our country as well as our sport.

As you are all aware, the moving target of “shelter in place” state executive orders and Federal CDC warnings, has forced us to re-schedule 2 events and cancel the April event at Carolina Motorsports Park. With the new target of resuming life as we knew it on May 1, we are still hopeful that the May 2-3 event at Autobahn will signal the re-start of our 2020 season, should that change we will notify you as soon as we can via email, website and press releases.

First, our Fort Worth office is under a “shelter in place” order until at least April 6, 2020. This means that for now, the best way to contact us is via email. If you call or fax something to us, there is no guarantee when we will be able to respond, but all three of us have daily access to our email. We will update you if that date changes.

As of today, we have confirmation that the April 25-26 event at New Jersey Motorsports Park will be rescheduled to July 25-26 on the Thunderbolt Circuit. All pre-entries have been automatically transferred to this event. If you do not wish to participate in that event and you are pre-entered, please contact [email protected] for instructions.

With the Daytona 200 moving to October, the tentative daily schedule is the same as the March event which means the final Team Challenge by Michelin Tire and the ASRA Sprints by Pirelli Tire scheduled for October have been moved to December 5-6 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. ASRA National Championship Awards will be presented in Victory Lane after the final race each day. (Team Challenge on Saturday, ASRA Sprints on Sunday.)

Click link for downloadable .PDF

->2020 Updated ASRA/CCS Schedule<-

 

AMA Sanctioned ASRA Championship Series Presented by Pirelli Tire

Feb 29-Mar 1 Roebling Road Raceway

May 23-25 Summit Point Circuit -SP

Jun 13-14 Blackhawk Farms

Jul 18-19 Road America

Jul 25-26 NJMP Thunderbolt

Sept 19-20 Virginia Int’l Raceway

Oct 16-18 Daytona Int’l Speedway

Dec 5-6 Homestead

 

AMA Sanctioned ASRA Team Challenge Series Presented by Michelin Tire

Feb 29 Roebling Road Raceway

May 16 Blackhawk Farms

June 19 NH Motor Speedway >

Jul 18 Road America

Aug 16 Summit Point Circuit +

Sept 6 NJMP Thunderbolt

Sept 19 Virginia Int’l Raceway

Dec 5 Homestead +

+ = 3 hours or 200 miles

 

2020 CCS Sanctioned Events

37th Annual Race of Champions

Oct 15-18 Daytona Int’l Speedway

 

Loudon Road Race Series >

May 2-3 NH Motor Speedway>

May 16-17 NH Motor Speedway>

June 19-21 NH Motor Speedway>

July 4-5 NJMP Thunderbolt

Aug 1-2 NH Motor Speedway>

Aug 29-30 NH Motor Speedway>

Sep 19-20 NH Motor Speedway>

Oct 3-4 NH Motor Speedway>

 

Atlantic Roadracing Championship

May 23-25 Summit Point Circuit -SP

June 19-21 NH Motor Speedway>

July 4-5 NJMP Thunderbolt

Jul 25-26 NJMP Thunderbolt *

Aug 1-2 NC Bike

Aug 15-16 Summit Point Raceway

Sep 5 NJMP Thunderbolt -TS

Sep 6 NJMP Thunderbolt -TS

Sept 19-20 Virginia Int’l Raceway*

 

Florida Roadracing Championship

Feb 8-9 Homestead # *

Feb 29-Mar 1 Roebling Road

Aug 22 Roebling Road -TS

Aug 23 Roebling Road -TS

Oct 16-18 Daytona Int’l Speedway

Dec 5-6 Homestead *

 

Mid-Atlantic Roadracing Championship

Feb 29-Mar 1 Roebling Road *

May 23-25 Summit Point Circuit -SP

June 13 Summit Point Circuit -TS

June 14 Summit Point Circuit -TS

June 19-21 NH Motor Speedway >

July 4-5 NJMP Thunderbolt

Jul 25-26 NJMP Thunderbolt

Aug 1-2 NC Bike

Aug 15-16 Summit Point

Sept 19-20 Virginia Int’l Raceway *

Oct 16-18 Daytona Int’l Speedway *

 

Mid-West Roadracing Championship

May 2-3 Autobahn North * -SP

May 16-17 Blackhawk Farms -SP

June 13-14 Blackhawk Farms

June 20 Brainerd Int’l Raceway -TS (Hosted by CRA)

June 21 Brainerd Int’l Raceway -TS (Hosted by CRA)

Jul 18 Road America -TS

Jul 19 Road America -TS

Aug 1 Blackhawk Farms -TS

Aug 2 Blackhawk Farms -TS

Sep 19-20 Blackhawk Farms *

 

Southeast Roadracing Championship

Feb 29-Mar 1 Roebling Road *

June 13 Summit Point Circuit -TS

June 14 Summit Point Circuit -TS

Aug 1-2 NC Bike

Aug 22 Roebling Road Raceway -TS

Aug 23 Roebling Road Raceway -TS

Sept 19-20 Virginia Int’l Raceway

Oct 16-18 Daytona Int’l Speedway *

 

MotoGirlGT Roadracing Championship

Feb 29-Mar 1 Roebling Road

May 23-25 Summit Point Circuit #

June 13 Summit Point Circuit -TS

June 14 Summit Point Circuit -TS

June 19-21 NH Motor Speedway >

July 4-5 NJMP Thunderbolt

Jul 18 Road America -TS

Jul 19 Road America -TS

Jul 25-26 NJMP Thunderbolt

Aug 15-16 Summit Point

Sep 5-6 NJMP Thunderbolt

Sept 19-20 Virginia Int’l Raceway

Oct 16-18 Daytona Int’l Speedway

 

Team Hammer School and Pro Practice

October 15 Daytona Intl Speedway

Hosted by Team Hammer Advanced Schools (For details see www.teamhammer.com/school.)

 

All Dates Are Subject to Change

* = Double Points

TS = Twin Sprint

SP = Saturday Practice

> = LRRS Contact affiliates or visit their websites for entry information to these events. WWW.NHMS.com

Revised 3/31/20

Video: Suzuki: “We’re In This Together”

Alex Rins (42). Photo courtesy of Team Suzuki ECSTAR.
Alex Rins (42). Photo courtesy of Team Suzuki ECSTAR.
A heartfelt message from Suzuki Motor Corporation during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

MotoAmerica: Cardo Systems Sponsoring Series

A helmet fitted with a Cardo Systems communications and entertainment system. Photo courtesy of MotoAmerica.
A helmet fitted with a Cardo Systems communications and entertainment system. Photo courtesy of MotoAmerica.

Talking To Each Other: Cardo Systems To Be A MotoAmerica Series Sponsor

Communication And Entertainment Systems To Be Showcased

IRVINE, CA (April 1, 2020) – MotoAmerica has announced that Cardo Systems will be a series sponsor for the 2020 season with the road racing series set to showcase the company’s advanced motorcycle communications technology to its viewing audience.

Cardo Systems specializes in the design, development, manufacturing and sale of state-of-the-art communication and entertainment systems for motorcycle helmets. Since inception in 2004, Cardo has pioneered the vast majority of innovations for Bluetooth motorcycle communication systems and the company’s products are the world’s leading communication devices for the motorcycle industry and are available in over 85 countries.

“It’s great to have Cardo Systems involved in our series as a sponsor,” said MotoAmerica’s Lance Bryson. “But it goes deeper than that as we will be able to showcase their products to our audience by actually showing Cardo’s technology and how it is used by incorporating it into our broadcast and MotoAmerica Live+ programming.”

“We at Cardo are extremely excited to partner with MotoAmerica,” said Jamie Cheek, VP of Sales North America for Cardo. “We look forward to continuing our involvement with such an outstanding group in our industry.”

For the complete 2020 MotoAmerica Series schedule, click HERE

To purchase tickets for any of the 2020 series round, click HERE

For information on how to watch the 2020 MotoAmerica Series, click HERE

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes 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 on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

24th Annual Roadracing World Young Gun Awards, In The April Issue

Young Guns Rocco Landers (97) and Damian Jigalov (78) battling for the lead during a MotoAmerica Junior Cup race. Photos by Brian J. Nelson.

Featured In the April 2020 issue of Roadracing World:

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 24th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.

     The young riders recognized are the top-26 most promising young road racers under age 19 in North America.

     Each is being featured individually on www.roadracingworld.com, as a member of the Roadracing World Young Guns, Class of 2020 …

—24th Annual Roadracing World Young Guns Awards

They are the brightest developing talents in the world of North American motorcycle road racing, the future Champions at your local club or regional event, in National competition and maybe even at the Grand Prix level. Every year, Roadracing World gives its readers a look at the stars of the future. This year’s class? They’re all in the latest issue of Roadracing World!

 

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

PREVIEW the April 2020 issue of Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology!
Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology magazine is available in print and digital formats.

Log in or subscribe HERE.

Or call (909) 654-4779, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

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MotoGP: Iannone Appealing “Absurd Penalty” Doping Suspension

Andrea Iannone (29) leading the MotoGP race at Phillip Island. Photo courtesy of Aprilia Gresini Racing.
Andrea Iannone (29) leading the MotoGP race at Phillip Island. Photo courtesy of Aprilia Gresini Racing.

FIM SENTENCE – FOOD CONTAMINATION ARGUMENT ADMITTED BUT ANDREA IANNONE SUSPENDED FOR EIGHTEEN MONTHS
 

MASSIMO RIVOLA: “ABSURD PENALTY, IT’S A SENTENCE THAT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGES IANNONE’S INNOCENCE. WE WANT ANDREA BACK IN THE SADDLE AND WE’LL SUPPORT HIM IN HIS APPEAL TO THE CAS”

Aprilia Racing acknowledges the FIM measure that imposes an eighteen-month disqualification for rider Andrea Iannone.

Upon initial analysis of the sentence, it is satisfying to see how the total absence of intention was recognised and the accidental nature of the assumption of steroids, in fact recognising the argument of food contamination, something that had never before occurred. This scenario opens up new possibilities of appeal for Andrea Iannone, but the puzzlement remains for a penalty that is entirely inconsistent with the reconstruction contained in the sentence itself which recognises in the facts, albeit without acquitting him, Andrea Iannone’s innocence.

In observance of the sports values which have always inspired our operations and which outline zero tolerance for any practices prohibited by the regulations, Aprilia Racing has always reiterated our complete faith in our rider and we do so now with renewed emphasis after this sentence and we will support him in his appeal to the CAS.

 

 

MASSIMO RIVOLA – APRILIA RACING CEO

“The sentence leaves us baffled because of the penalty levied against Andrea, but also very satisfied in its motivations. The judges recognised Andrea’s complete good faith and unawareness of assuming the substance, confirming the food contamination argument. For this reason, the penalty imposed does not make any sense. In light of the motivations written by the judges themselves, Andrea should have been acquitted, as has always occurred to other contaminated athletes, but this situation leaves us a lot of hope for the appeal which we hope will be very quick. We want Andrea back on his Aprilia RS-GP. We will be by his side all the way to the end of this matter and we will support him in his appeal.”

MotoGP: FIM Suspends Iannone For 18 Months For Doping Test Failure

Andrea Iannone (29). Photo courtesy of Aprilia Gresini Racing.
Andrea Iannone (29), as seen in 2020. Photo courtesy of Aprilia Gresini Racing.

FIM Anti-doping

FIM Grand Prix World Championship

FIM International Disciplinary Court (CDI) imposes 18 months suspension on MotoGP Rider Andrea Iannone

The FIM International Disciplinary Court (CDI) handed down on 31 March 2020 a decision imposing a period of ineligibility of eighteen months on Italian MotoGP Rider Mr. Andrea Iannone, commencing on 17 December 2019 (i.e. the effective date of the Provisional Suspension) and which shall end on 16 June 2021.

Following a routine In-Competition doping test conducted at the round of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship held in Sepang, Malaysia on 3 November 2019, Mr. Andrea Iannone tested positive for Drostanolone metabolite 2α-methyl-5α-androstane-3α-ol-17-one, a WADA prohibited substance under heading “S1. Anabolic Agents, 1. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS), a. Exogenous AAS” of the FIM Anti-doping Code.

Following notification of his adverse analytical finding Mr. Iannone was provisionally suspended by the FIM since 17 December 2019.

A hearing before the CDI on the merits of the case was held in Mies (Switzerland) on 4 February 2020.

At the end of the hearing the CDI panel decided to suspend the hearing pending the additional and final written submissions of the parties (i.e. 28 February 2020).

Mr. Iannone is disqualified from Round 18 of the 2019 FIM Grand Prix World Championship held on November 1-3, 2019, in Sepang (Malaysia) and Round 19 of the 2019 FIM Grand Prix World Championship held on November 15-17, 2019, in Valencia (Spain) with all of the resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.

An appeal against the CDI decision may be lodged before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland within 21 days from the date of receipt of the CDI decision pursuant to Article 13.7of the FIM Anti-doping Code.

Roadracing World Young Guns 2020: Gabriel Da Silva

Gabriel Da Silva (4) during the 2019 WERA GNF. Photo by Brian J Nelson.
Gabriel Da Silva (4) during the 2019 WERA GNF. Photo by Brian J Nelson.

24th-Annual Roadracing World Young Gun Honors:

By David Swarts

Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 24th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.

Roadracing World Young Guns have won:

FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;

AMA Pro races and Championships, including eight AMA Pro Superbike Championships;

A KTM RC Cup World Final race;

The Daytona 200 (8 times);

WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;

ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;

AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;

USGPRU National Championships;

Many regional and local titles.

The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.

We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 11 and 18 (as of the start of the 2020 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships on a 125cc two-stroke/250cc four-stroke or larger racebike or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.

The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.

We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.

 

Gabriel Da Silva. Photo courtesy of Gabriel Da Silva.
Gabriel Da Silva. Photo courtesy of Gabriel Da Silva.

Gabriel Da Silva

Age: 16.

Current home: Vero Beach, Florida.

Current height/weight: 5’10”/130 pounds.

Current school/grade: 10th grade.

Began riding at age: 2 years.

First road race: 2008, Immokalee, Florida, WCPBA, Pocketbike Open, 1st place.

Current racebike: Yamaha YZF-R6.

Current tuner/mechanic: Eduardo Da Silva (father).

Primary race series: FMRRA, WERA Sportsman.

Top sponsors: HJC, Motion Pro, Galfer USA, One-X Racing Leather, K-Tech USA, Broward Motorsports, John Cook/Track Day Winner, Vortex Racing.

Recent racing accomplishments: 2019 season, won a race in Racing Bike Mexico Supersport 300 Championship, won 600 Superstock WERA National Challenge race during Grand National Finals (GNF) at Barber Motorsports Park, won FMRRA Moto3 Championship (6 race wins); 2018 season, won Racing Bike Mexico KTM RC Cup Championship (3 wins, 7 podiums in 7 races); 2017 season, runner-up in Racing Bike Mexico KTM RC Cup Championship (by one point).

2020 racing goals: Gain speed and support while winning on 600.

Racing career goal: Be MotoGP World Champion.

Racing hero: Casey Stoner.

Favorite track: Barber Motorsports Park.

Favorite hobby: Studying motorcycle related information.

If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Focusing more on school.

MotoAmerica: Josh Hayes Previews Superbike, P5 (Jake Gagne)

Jake Gagne (32) as seen during the MotoAmerica pre-season test at Barber Motorsports Park. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Jake Gagne (32) as seen during the MotoAmerica pre-season test at Barber Motorsports Park. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

By David Swarts

When the 2020 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship begins there will be some familiar faces on the grid, but there will also be a whole lot of newness: New bikes, new teams, new crew chiefs, and new classes.

To help preview the season, we’ve enlisted the help of Josh Hayes.

Not only has Hayes won four AMA Pro Superbike Championships, he’s won a total of 83 AMA Pro/MotoAmerica races and three support class titles; raced in the Endurance World Championship; run at the front in Supersport World Championship races; and finished seventh while competing in his first MotoGP race as a substitute rider at Valencia in 2011.

More recently, Hayes won two races at the International Island Classic vintage event in January of this year at Phillip Island; raced at the front throughout the 2019 Daytona 200 and was on provisional pole position for the 2020 Daytona 200; and finished on the podium in the MotoAmerica Supersport class in 2019.

When he’s not racing, Hayes is a rider coach for top competitors, including Bobby Fong and Jake Gagne, as well as working with Garrett Gerloff.

And if these weren’t enough qualifications to preview the upcoming season, Hayes rode in place of injured Mathew Scholtz on Westby Racing’s 2020-model Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike during the official MotoAmerica pre-season test at Barber Motorsports Park in March. So, he’s had a close look at most of the field.

This preview series is highlighting one Superbike or Superbike Cup/Stock 1000 rider each day, but it will not feature every rider entered in the two classes. Riders will be listed in the order they finished the 2019 Superbike Championship with riders who were not in the 2019 Superbike Championship listed in alphabetical order.

 

Jake Gagne. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Jake Gagne. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.

Jake Gagne

Jake Gagne, of Ramona, California, went straight from racing in youth motocross to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, and he won the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Championship in 2010. Gagne tried to continue his road racing career in Europe but ultimately had to come home and find a ride in America.

Shortly after returning to race in the U.S.A., Gagne hooked up with former racer and long-time dirt-track riding instructor Danny Walker, who formed a Yamaha-equipped road racing team around Gagne.

Gagne progressed and went from being the only rider to beat Cameron Beaubier during the 2013 AMA Pro Daytona Sportbike season to winning the same Championship on his YZF-R6 in 2014. Gagne then followed that up by winning the 2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 title on a Yamaha YZF-R1, while sometimes beating factory riders on Superbikes in the then-combined races.

For 2016, Gagne’s team moved him up to the MotoAmerica Superbike class, but things did not go well as the team struggled to get advanced Magneti Marelli electronics working smoothly on the Yamaha. When Walker switched his team over to be a factory-backed Honda effort in 2017, the struggles continued somewhat, especially early in the season, in spite of Gagne’s team reverting to simpler engine electronics.

Gagne, however, showed enough promise that Honda chose him to fill in on the Red Bull Honda World Superbike team at Laguna Seca following the tragic death of Nicky Hayden in a bicycle accident. Gagne did well enough that the Red Bull Honda team invited him to ride at more rounds late in the season, and then hired him full-time to ride in the 2018 FIM Superbike World Championship.

It was a big learning year for Gagne. There was a new team, new tires, new tracks, a new way of living, and new advanced electronics to learn. Gagne did relatively well, earning four top-10 finishes and scoring 64 points. But it wasn’t good enough to keep his ride, and Gagne returned to America once again.

Heading into the 2019 season, Gagne signed with Scheibe Racing to ride the team’s powerful BMW S1000RR Superbike, but during the off-season, the Californian badly broke his right leg while training. Unfortunately, the injury took much longer to fully heal than anticipated, hindering Gagne’s early results.

Just as Gagne regained full fitness and started competing near the front and getting top-six race finishes, the 2019 season was over. Gagne ended up eighth in the final Superbike Championship point standings, but his potential was not overlooked.

Once it was announced that Garrett Gerloff was moving up to the GRT Yamaha Superbike World Championship, Yamaha quickly hired Gagne to replace Gerloff on the Monster Energy Attack Performance Yamaha factory team for 2020.

At that same time, that means that Gagne will need to adjust to another new team and the new, 2020-model Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike. But during pre-season testing, 27-year-old Gagne has appeared as confident and as quick as ever and looks like he could be a title contender in 2020.

“If you look at Jake’s career he’s been very competitive at every level, but he spent a lot of it with the one [Danny Walker’s] team,” said Hayes. “Jake’s experience in road racing was still very limited up until he went to World Superbike. He had the same crew chief through most of his career and most of the same team members and the same ideas and same process.

“I think his World Superbike experience was his first real test, and it’s always difficult for an American to step into a European team and feel like one of them. So, it was probably a bit of a whirlwind for him.

“Then for him to come back and get the opportunity on the Scheibe BMW but spend half the season injured was another hard road for him. He did show some promise at the end of the season, however, and Keith McCarty and Jim Roach [at Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.] have always looked at Jake as part of the Yamaha family from all his past success.

“With all of those credentials there’s no question about Jake’s talent. I think that there’s not much of a question if Jake is going to get to the front. It’s just going to be a matter of how well he adapts to a new team, a new way of going racing, a much more complicated motorcycle, and new pressures that he probably hasn’t felt before. Because he is jumping on a Championship-winning motorcycle right next to the four-time Champ [Beaubier], who also finished second in two other Championships.

“It’s going to be pretty tough to fill those shoes when Gerloff was winning on his way out and to figure out how all these pieces work.

“Fortunately, Gagne has been able to do a fair bit of riding, and he’s been able to see a little bit of what Cameron is doing and what his process is and learn how the team works. Come the first race, it’ll be interesting to see where all that kind of slots into place and how quickly he can get himself near the front guys. Then we’ll see how long it takes for him to stay there and be a regular part of the front group.

“I have no doubts that he will be there. It’s just a matter of how quickly and how steadily he’ll be there in this first season.”

KTM Launches 121-Horsepower, 366-Pound 2020-Model 890 Duke R

A 2020 KTM 890 Duke R at speed. Photo courtesy of KTM.
A 2020 KTM 890 Duke R at speed. Photo courtesy of KTM.

2020 KTM 890 DUKE R

MSRP: $11,699 USD/ $12,599 CAD

 

THE SUPER SCALPEL

With the lightweight, compact and razor-sharp packaging of the KTM 790 DUKE as its starting point, the KTM 890 DUKE R brings out the best in the DUKE thanks to increased power and torque from the new 890 cc engine, ‘racier’ ergonomics, performance BREMBO brakes, fully adjustable WP APEX suspension, and enhanced electronic rider aids—just to name a few of the performance features that come standard on the “R.” It was designed to be a sportier and edgier no-compromise naked motorcycle for conquering twisty mountain roads or hard riding on the racetrack. The KTM 890 DUKE R is the ideal machine for the motorcyclist wanting a more extreme experience or searching for bigger thrills in a compact and agile package.

 

A 2020 KTM 890 Duke R at rest. Photo courtesy of KTM.
A 2020 KTM 890 Duke R at rest. Photo courtesy of KTM.

2020 KTM 890 R DUKE HIGHLIGHTS

 

·        Extremely powerful, torquey parallel twin 890 cc DOHC engine with electronic fuel injection, dual balancer shafts, PASC slipper clutch and Ride-by-Wire for a smoother and more refined response.

·        Based on the parallel twin of the KTM 790 DUKE, the engine features an increased bore and stroke, higher compression ratio and rpm ceiling, larger valves and a new piston design coupled with new connecting rods and a new crankshaft, all wrapped in new engine cases.

·        New crankshaft with 20% more rotating mass for improved engine character at constant speed and improved cornering stability due to its gyroscopic effect.

·        New sensors specifically developed for KTM by DELL’ORTO in each throttle body to measure the manifold pressure and adjust the mixture accordingly, allowing individual mapping control per cylinder.

·        New box piston features 10 gram weight reduction despite larger bore, three piston rings and a bronze conrod bearing to support the increased RPM and power.

·        New cylinder head developed to accommodate a set of larger 37 mm intake and 30 mm exhaust valves, a new camshaft with increased lift and more aggressive profile and a new balancer shaft to match the increased RPM and increased rotating mass.

·        Faster gear changes have been achieved through shorter shift lever action. This is combined with new settings for the optional Quickshifter+ to improve clutchless up and down shifting action.

·        Precise, ultralight tubular Chromium Molybdenum steel frame with a cast aluminum subframe.

·        Fully adjustable, cutting-edge WP APEX forks feature split function damping for excellent response, stability and tuneability.

·        Fully adjustable WP APEX shock offers high and low speed compression settings, as well as rebound adjustment. A hydraulically adjustable preload adjuster allows for quick and easy tuning on the fly.

·        Triple clamp stiffness has been tuned to match the flex of the fork, contributing to sporty handling and excellent feedback. An aluminum steering stem has been used instead of steel, as on the KTM 790 DUKE, to reduce the overall weight.

·        Powerful BREMBO Stylema brake calipers paired with lighter 320 mm floating front discs offer unmated stopping power and a 1.2 kg (2.6 lbs) reduction of unsprung weight.

·        BREMBO MCS master cylinder allows the rider to adjust lever ratio and brake feel.

·        Cornering ABS with Supermoto ABS for rider-centric control.

·        A completely new generation of lean-angle sensitive MTC (Motorcycle Traction Control) now uses two different controllers (a wheelslip controller and a pitch angle controller) to offer advanced traction control behavior and settings.

·        Selectable ride modes including Sport, Street, Rain and optional Track allow for easy changes to engine and MTC character.

·        Optional Track mode includes 9-level adjustable traction control, launch control and anti-wheelie off.

·        Multifunctional dashboard with full-color TFT display is bright and clear.

·        Premium Michelin Power Cup tires offer exceptional grip in all track and street conditions.

·        Sharp aggressive styling runs from the front to the rear for a look that is pure DUKE and includes an orange powder coated frame, standard on “R” models.

·        LED headlight and LED daytime running lights for excellent visibility and illumination.

·        Die-cast, open-lattice swingarm is precisely manufactured and has been optimized for stiffness while still offering excellent flex characteristics and features a steeper angle for increased stability.

·        WP steering damper fitted as standard and set up to feel as natural as possible, giving the rider a secure feeling while keeping the agile riding character of the bike.

·        New, flatter tapered aluminum handlebar offers a more aggressive riding position and is adjustable in 4 positions on the triple clamp and can be rotated in three further positions.

 

A 2020 KTM 890 Duke R at rest. Photo courtesy of KTM.
A 2020 KTM 890 Duke R at rest. Photo courtesy of KTM.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Type: Parallel Twin, 4-Stroke, DOHC

Displacement: 890 cc

Bore/Stroke: 90.7/68.8 mm

Starter: Electric; 12V 10Ah

Transmission: 6 Gears

Fuel System: DKK Dell’Orto, 46 mm Throttle Body

Lubrication: Pressure Lubrication with 2 Oil Pumps

Cooling: Liquid Cooling with Water/Oil Heat Exchanger

Clutch: PASC (Power Assisted Slipper Clutch), Mechanically Operated

Ignition: Bosch EMS with Ride-By-Wire

Frame: CroMoly Tubular Steel, Engine as Stressed Member

Subframe: Cast Aluminum

Handlebar:  Aluminum, Tapered, Ø 26/22 mm

Front Suspension: WP APEX USD Ø 43 mm

Rear Suspension: WP APEX Monoshock

Suspension Travel Front/Rear: 140 mm/5.5 in; 150 mm/5.9 in

Front/Rear Brakes: Disc Brake 320 mm/240 mm

Front/Rear Wheels: 3.50 x 17”, 5.50 x 17”

Front/Rear Tires: 120/70ZR17”; 180/55ZR17”

Steering Head Angle: 24.3º

Wheelbase: 1,482 mm ± 15 mm / 58.3 ± 0.6 in

Ground Clearance: 206 mm / 8.1 in

Seat Height: 834 mm / 32.8 in

Tank Capacity: 14 L / 3.7 gal

Weight (without fuel), Approx: 166 kg / 365.9 lbs