BMW Racer Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman wins the title in the Asia Road Racing Championship – Podium for the BMW S 1000 RR in Brazil.
Onexox TKKR SAG Team wins the ARRC title with Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman.
Successful finale in Thailand for Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman.
Podium for Danilo Lewis at the final round of this season’s SuperBike Brasil.
A successful 2019 season is drawing to a close for BMW S 1000 RR racers in various championships. And shortly before the turn of the year, the BMW riders have added another title to their tally in the Asia Road Racing Championship. This is the ninth title of 2019 for the BMW Motorrad Motorsport community. The season finale in Brazil also yielded another podium. Asia Road Racing Championship: Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman is crowned champion.
The final round of the 2019 Asia Road Racing Championship at Buriram (THA) could not have been more exciting. BMW racer Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (MAS), from the Onexox TKKR SAG Team, travelled to Thailand in second place in the overall standings – and left as the first Asian Superbike Champion in history. That is because the 1000 cc class formed part of the Asia Road Racing Championship for the first time this year.
Azlan Shah bagged a brace of victories at the penultimate round of the season in Sepang (MAS) reduced the gap to 19 points to championship leader Broc Parkes (AUS / Yamaha). Azlan Shah then once again showed just what he is capable of at the finale in Thailand. He finished runner-up on his BMW S 1000 RR in the first of the two races to further reduce his deficit. That meant the title race went down to the final race of the season. Azlan Shah took the lead at the start and went on to take his sixth victory of the season. In doing so, he leapfrogged Parkes in the championship and claimed the title with a lead of 13 points (238 points to 225).
Azlan Shah’s team-mate Ali Adriansyah Rusmiputro (INA) finished twelfth and eleventh in the final two races. The Onexox TKKR SAG Team ended the season in second place in the Team competition, just three points behind the champions.
SuperBike Brasil: Podium for Danilo Lewis at finale.
The 2019 SuperBike Brasil (BR SBK) season ended with another podium finish for the BMW S 1000 RR. The final two races of the year were held in São Paulo (BRA). Danilo Lewis (BRA) came home third in race two on the RR run by the Tecfil Havoline Racing team. Lewis narrowly missed out on a podium in the opening race too, when he finished fourth.
Danilo Lewis (17). Photo courtesy of BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
FIM Gala: 2019 World Champions celebrated in Monaco
The annual gala toasts the season’s biggest winners on two wheels, this time hosted in the Principality of Monaco
Monday, 02 December 2019
After another awesome season of competition, on Sunday it was once again time for the prestigious FIM Gala to bring the curtain down on the season. Gathering together Champions from all disciplines on two wheels, the Principality of Monaco hosted the event this year. Moto2™ World Champion Alex Marquez and Moto3™ World Champion Lorenzo Dalla Porta flew the flag for MotoGP™, with reigning premier class Champion Marc Marquez unable to attend as he continues to recover from recent shoulder surgery.
Marc Marquez is no stranger to the gala, however, winning six of the last seven premier class crowns, and the Spaniard is now the youngest ever eight-time World Champion – adding another well-earned medal to the cabinet this season, which was collected on his behalf by his father Julia alongside a video message from the man himself. Marquez’ 2020 teammate and 2019 Moto2™ World Champion Alex Marquez picked up his medal on his second visit to the gala, and Moto3™ World Champion Dalla Porta was also back, this time to celebrate his first Grand Prix World Championship.
Jeremy Alcoba was also present to pick up his award for winning the FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship ahead of his full-time debut in Moto3™ on the world stage next season, having impressed to wrap up the crown at the season finale at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia.
Amongst the many others present were WorldSBK Champion Jonathan Rea, who took a record-breaking fifth consecutive crown, 2019 WorldSSP Champion Randy Krummenacher and WorldSSP300 Champion Manuel Gonzalez.
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta was also presented with a special award as he was named an FIM Promoter Legend; presented the honour by FIM President Jorge Viegas.
That’s the final event of the season for those toasted on stage, as engines now lie dormant until the 2020 season, which begins in February. Sepang International Circuit plays host once again, with Marc Marquez aiming to defend the MotoGP™ crown, brother Alex moving up to partner him at the Repsol Honda Team and Dalla Porta likewise graduating, in his case to Moto2™. Who will return to the stage in 2020? Find out after 20 more spectacular races.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
2019 World Champions celebrated at the FIM Awards
Rea, Krummenacher and Gonzalez attended the prize-giving ceremony in Monaco with motorcycling’s best of 2019
The Principality of Monaco was the setting of this year’s prestigious FIM Awards ceremony with the beautiful Sporting Monte-Carlo venue and its breathtaking views on Europe’s most famous bay having the honour to host almost six hundred guests including motorcycling legends, manufacturers and team representatives, various members of the FIM, championship promoters, representatives of the national federations and, of course, the 2019 FIM World Championships.
After another record-breaking season, that saw him become the most successful rider in WorldSBK, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) collected his fifth consecutive medal in front of the world’s motorcycling elite. Alongside Rea, on the red carpet and then on stage to receive his medal was 2019 World Supersport World Champion Randy Krummenacher (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team).
Following a full year of battles, Krummenacher took the honour at the final round of the 2019 season in Qatar entering the history books as the first-ever Swiss champion in WorldSSP. It was a history-making 2019 also for Spanish rider Manuel Gonzalez (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team) that became the youngest World Champion in history after clinching the 2019 World Supersport 300 World Title. Gonzalez also attended the awards with Rea and Krummenacher to collect his medal in front of the world’s best.
The three WorldSBK World Champions were awarded and presented by motorcycling legend and two-time World Superbike World Champion Max Biaggi. Amongst others present were Moto2™ World Champion Alex Marquez, who also took his second world title and Moto3™ World Champion Lorenzo Dalla Porta.
After the final toast, thoughts are now turning to 2020, as WorldSBK will welcome plenty of new faces, illustrious returns and the reigning World Champions heading into the new season with the pressure to defend their crowns.
Hayden Schultz to contest 2020 Twins Cup Championship
Hayden Schultz Racing is excited to announce its return to the MotoAmerica paddock in 2020. Hayden will be contesting the Twins Cup championship on a Yamaha MT-07 prepared by Gene Burcham.
After focusing on flat track in 2019, Hayden decided to focus his efforts in MotoAmerica this coming season. Having seen success on lightweight bikes before in the KTM RC Cup, Hayden feels like he can be competitive in the ever-growing Twins Cup class. Currently sidelined with a broken wrist from a flat track crash earlier in the season, the team will have to wait until the new year to get on track for the first time. In the meantime, Hayden will be focusing on finishing his degree and graduating from the University of Arkansas in Recreation and Sports Management.
“I can’t wait to get back on track with MotoAmerica in 2020. We have a competitive package for this year’s Twins Cup Championship with our Yamaha MT-07 and are aiming to be battling at the front. I’ve got some great people behind me and we are ready to get started. A big thank you to my parents for their support and to Gene Burcham for all he has done to keep me on track with great machinery. There are going to be a lot of fast riders and running up front won’t be an easy task but I’m up for the challenge and will do all I can to be prepared by the time we grid up for Road Atlanta!” said Schultz.
The team is looking for sponsors to partner with and is focusing on producing media to gain exposure for the team and their sponsors. If you are interested in working with Hayden Schultz Racing in 2020 or would like more information email [email protected].
Follow Hayden on social media to keep up to date with him this year!
Youtube: Hayden Schultz
Instagram: @haydenschultz259
Facebook: Hayden Schultz Fan Page
PTR Honda and Dynavolt Tech Announce Title Partnership
PTR Honda are proud to announce a new title partner agreement with Chinese battery company, Dynavolt Tech. The association with the major, global battery company will see PTR Honda re-branded as Dynavolt Honda for the 2020 FIM Supersport World Championship and beyond.
Dynavolt Tech shares PTR Honda’s passionate desire to reach their goals and the introduction of a powerhouse brand like Dynavolt Tech to the WorldSBK paddock reinforces PTR Honda’s commitment to the World Supersport Championship.
Based in Shantou, China, Dynavolt Tech is best known for its high-tech, ethical energy products, including solar power. The company covers the majority of motorcycle batteries in the world with annual production of some 15 million batteries which are sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Chairman of Dynavolt Tech, Leonard Chen said: “It is a pleasure that we are extending our sponsorship to WorldSBK. I believe that with this new partnership more people will know about Dynavolt Tech, it is the best battery you can use in the powersport business! We are looking forward to a good and long partnership with Simon and I hope that together we can succeed.”
PTR Honda Team Manager, Simon Buckmaster said: “I want to say how excited I am to start this partnership with Dynavolt Tech and we look forward to being very successful in 2020 and hopefully for many years to come. I would like to thank Leonard Chen and Dynavolt Tech for giving us this opportunity and we look forward to a really successful association together. I would also like to thank James Nay of Devil Evolution Exhausts for helping to make this happen.”
This coming Sunday, December 1, former MotoAmerica Superbike racer Chris Ulrich will be raising money for the Roadracing World Action Fund by giving 160-mph rides around the 2.3-mile infield road course at Auto Club Speedway, on his 205-horsepower, 2-seat Dunlop M4 Suzuki GSX-R1000R Superbike.
The Roadracing World Action Fund is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to helping prevent rider injuries at racetracks nationwide by raising money for soft barriers commonly referred to as Airfence.
Ulrich has raised a significant amount of money to help deploy soft barriers, both from annual 2-seat Superbike ride fundraisers at Auto Club Speedway in conjunction with Fastrack Riders events, and from giving rides during MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike event weekends. Ulrich has given over 1,300 2-seat Superbike rides to broadcasters, reporters, VIPs and fans.
Chris Ulrich (18) giving a ride on his two-seat Dunlop M4 Suzuki GSX-R1000R Superbike at a MotoAmerica event. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
On Sunday, December 1, rides will be available for a $50 minimum donation on a first-come, first-served basis from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Admission to the racetrack is free, and professional safety gear will be provided to donors free of charge for riders who do not have their own.
Chris Ulrich and WERA Novice racer Max Van (the 14-year-old son of SportbikeTrackGear.com founder and WERA Expert racer Brian Van) do a 1:36.2 lap time at Barber Motorsports Park riding two-up on Ulrich’s Dunlop M4 Suzuki GSX-R1000R 2-Seat Superbike.
This video was recorded by Team Hammer and edited and uploaded to YouTube by SportbikeTrackGear.com.
Get your own 2-Seat Superbike thrill ride at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California this Sunday, December 1st, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. A minimum $50 tax-deductible donation to the non-profit Roadracing World Action Fund (RWAF) will get you two quick laps with Chris Ulrich and will help the RWAF buy more Airfence soft barriers to reduce rider injuries at the racetrack. For more information, e-mail [email protected] .
After experiencing two days of good weather at the Jerez de la Frontera tests KRT duo Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes have completed their final on track preparations before the winter break. Both riders experienced positive outcomes from their testing plans.
Five times World Champion Rea ended up fastest rider of all after setting the best lap of 1’38.397, using a qualifying tyre in the last few laps.
Even after the effects of a large oil spill, which left the entry to Turn One covered in cement dust for the last hour, Rea improved his own existing best time before the action finished at 18.00hrs
Rea also concluded the work he and the team had been carrying out on machine set-up to take into the next tests in Iberia in late January, and then into the 2020 WorldSBK season itself.
Lowes, a first time Kawasaki rider for the coming season, undertook only his second test sessions on the official Ninja ZX-10RR but placed fourth fastest overall.
Lowes, who had a fall right at the end of the available tack time, lost his chance to set a single better lap time but spent most of his test working on overall set-up and improvements in braking. He has now settled into his new working environment and is ready for more at the next series of track tests in late January.
Almost all of KRT’s rivals were also present at Jerez, providing a good measure of where the overall Kawasaki effort stands in the ambition to retain championship titles in 2020.
Jonathan Rea in action at Jerez. Photo courtesy of Kawasaki.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “Overall it was pretty good. I had good motivation for this test. Normally at the end of a busy season it is easy to get lost but we focused on quality rather than quantity. We did a lot of back-to-back testing of things we had ideas to try out during the year. Then we tested some new items and new ideas. The biggest thing was in my riding position on the bike and getting used to the rear brake lever on the handlebar, plus some different engine braking. Aside from that Pirelli brought some different tyres. At the end we could do a time attack with a qualifying tyre and that put us right there. It was hard at the end doing that, because a couple of hours before the session finished there was oil all over Turn One. The track was compromised a bit but I still feel that we did a really good job at this test, both with our outright pace and also consistency. We are where we should be and I am really happy to sign off on an incredible 2019.”
Alex Lowes in action at Jerez. Photo courtesy of Kawasaki.
Alex Lowes, stated: “The test was really positive as my feeling with the bike was very good. After the Aragon test, Marcel and I wanted to work on the braking because how I rode my old bike was a little bit different. But already from the first laps here we made a big step, and today I felt really comfortable with the braking. This, I am really happy about. We did some longer runs today and I could keep it in a nice consistent pace, which was another really good thing. Obviously, at the end I fell while using a qualifying tyre but that was just a small detail. I have had instantly a good connection with all the mechanics and working with Marcel is really easy. It has been real good fun to be here with two good days and good weather; it has been enjoyable.”
Pere Riba, Crew Chief for Jonathan Rea, stated: “We did the best lap time with the Q tyre, after the oil spill. Jonathan did very well at this test so I am happy, as usual. I am always happy because he is always there. We collected almost all the information we wanted during these winter tests – just one small item is missing – but we can test that in January. We understood the balance of the bike that we have been using in the last couple of races, and we also worked with the suspension and electronics, quite deeply. In some small details we collected a lot of information, also with a different bike balance. We found positives here, positives there, so depending on track conditions and layouts we can use this one, or another one. This was the target of the winter tests. Jonathan was enjoying the bike and we go into the winter break at the top of the lists again. This makes for a little bit happier Christmas.”
Marcel Duinker, Crew Chief for Alex Lowes, stated: “I am a very happy crew chief. We set targets for the previous test at Aragon and also here in Jerez. Here, we even went a bit further than our target and we tried everything we needed to try. On fresh tyres, and over distance, we can match the fastest guy on track at this moment. What else can we wish for? I am already looking forward to January.”
As well as the official KRT squad’s efforts at Jerez Xavi Fores rode the Kawasaki Puccetti Ninja ZX-10RR at these tests and finished 11th fastest. Pedercini Racing Team rider Lorenzo Savadori enjoyed his first ride on the Ninja ZX-10RR and finished up 15th fastest.
More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
Aruba.it Racing – Ducati wrap up 2019 with two days of busy testing for Chaz Davies and Scott Redding at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Spain
The final two days of testing for the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team in 2019 concluded today at the Circuito di Jerez – Angel Nieto, with Scott Redding and Chaz Davies ending up fifth and ninth quickest overall on their Ducati Panigale V4 R machines.
Making the most of two days of ideal weather conditions, the two British riders continued with their scheduled testing work, focussing mainly on the bike set-up and trying out some new tyre solutions brought by Pirelli to the Jerez circuit.
Scott Redding (45). Photo courtesy of Aruba.it Racing Ducati.
Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #45) – 1’39.466 (70 laps)
“Today we tried to find a bit more rear grip, something that I’ve struggled with here at Jerez since yesterday, and thanks to the work of the guys in the team in the end we found something that helped a lot. We’re still not where we’d like to be but we’re making progress. As well as testing the new tyres brought by Pirelli, we managed to work a bit more with the electronics, which are totally new to me in Superbike. In general I was quite happy by the end of the test, it’s good to have that bonding between myself and the Panigale V4 R and know which direction to work in ready for the 2020 season.”
Chaz Davies (7). Photo courtesy of Aruba.it Racing Ducati.
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing Ducati #7) – 1’40.000 (77 laps)
“It was a busy couple of days, and all in all I’m pretty satisfied. We had some new parts to get through but mainly we were just trying a lot of different things to find a good base set-up. I think we learnt a few things, working on the rear of the bike to help the weight transfer, one goal which we improved at this track. Now it’ll be nice for me and the team to have a break and recharge our batteries but it doesn’t take long before you want to go racing again next season.”
The World Superbike teams and riders will next be back on track from 22nd to 27th January 2020 when the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team will be involved in four days of testing, first at Jerez (Spain) and then at Portimão (Portugal).
More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad World Superbike Team:
BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team conclude the first test of the 2020 season at the Circuito De Jerez
BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team’s Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty today concluded their first two-day test of the 2020 season at the Circuito De Jerez in Spain. Eugene Laverty threw his leg over his new BMW S 1000 RR for the first time on Thursday and managed to gel with the bike straight away. Throughout the opening day Laverty went through his testing plan and completed 60+ laps setting his fastest lap time of 1’40.971, putting him in P10 at the end of day 1.
Sykes looking to build on his solid maiden season with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team got to work on the opening day by making multiple changes to his RR which included adjustments to the swingarm, rear shock and electronics. Tom’s fastest lap of the day ended with a 1’40.431 and he lapped a total of 50 laps landing him in P7 (+1.224) behind Jonathon Rea in P1.
Day 2 at the Circuito De Jerez and both Sykes and Laverty continued to work through their testing schedules, however with multiple red flags interruptions throughout the day. Laverty made some changes to his BMW S 1000 RR from day 1 with front fork spring adjustments and trying different electronic strategies. Eugene managed to go faster from his 1’40.971 on Thursday with a 1’40.328 putting him in P10. Sykes equally made some changes to his bike on the final day and as a result circled a 1’39.587. Final position P6.
Shaun Muir, Team Principal:
“We’ve completed two full days of testing with Tom and Eugene, we got through an awful lot of work and are generally pleased with the outcome. We’ve found a clear direction for Tom on his chassis set-up which let’s us move forward in a specific direction we know he will be comfortable with. We got through a big list so we’re really pleased for Tom. Eugene had to take some time to get used to the electronics package on the BMW S 1000 RR and over the Christmas break we will further work on a strategy for him. He was getting quicker and quicker but only until the point where he was ready to push, but we are still very happy with his first test as he was running consistent times. Overall, we are happy going into the break, we’ve had no major issues and can ready for the tests in January.”
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director:
“Already during the final stages of the past season, we have been working intensively on the further development of the BMW S 1000 RR for 2020. Our first winter test in Jerez de la Frontera has been very productive. Among other things, we were able to test various chassis variants, new shock absorber elements, a range of tyre options, and electronic updates. Tom had a few minor issues at the start of day one, but they were resolved quickly and we were able to complete the busy programme, which included many test points. Eugene first had to find his feet on the RR, but was soon able to start to configure the bike to his own personal requirements. We are happy with the progress he has made at his first test with the RR. We must now analyse the large amount of data and comprehensive rider feedback we have received, which will help determine the direction we will take to start the 2020 season.”
Tom Sykes (66). Photo courtesy of BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
Tom Sykes:
“I think we had a very strong test and credit to all the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. We’ve had a big list to go through and the boys have worked hard. I am very satisfied with what we achieved. We really tried a lot on the BMW S 1000 RR, definitely made progress and for me now I can go into the winter feeling happy with our performance. Certainly on race tyres as well, we found quite a step and also over the distance. The bike was working nice and we obviously tried the qualifying tyre at the end. It was incredible but after two strong sectors I unfortunately made a small mistake in the hairpin and crashed. But I was interested in how the bike feels with high grip and I also went for another lap after the crash. For me that was good because we have extra information going into the winter. Overall it was a good test with a consistent track to work through a very big list and that’s what we needed all season. Thanks to the whole team and the guys back at the factory for working so hard to make things possible.
Eugene Laverty (50). Photo courtesy of BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
Eugene Laverty:
“Overall, it was a good test. Riding the bike I can tell this is the best chassis I’ve ever ridden. The way the bike turns and enters the corner is incredible. It’s surprising just how physical it is to ride right now. We have to get the power under control for the corner exit. Once I can get that it will be even more ride-able. Right now I can wrestle it for one lap if we wanted to get a lap time but for test that is not necessary. So we’ve been working and just trying to tame the beast a little bit so we can get a bike that is going to be comfortable for 20 laps. The chassis is incredible and that’s the important thing. The base of the bike is good, now it’s just another fine-tuning of the electronics.”
More, from a press release issued by Barni Racing Team:
Barni Racing Team concluded the two-days test at Jerez
Jerez de la Frontera (SPA), 29th November 2019. Second winter test session of WorldSBK ended at the Angel Nieto Circuit in Jerez, Southern Spain. The team led by Marco Barnabò took to the track with Michele Pirro, Ducati MotoGP test rider and Barni Racing Team rider in the italian Championship. Pirro replaced the injured Leon Camier. The Brit, injured on his left shoulder and wrist during the Aragon test, has been still resting as a precaution, but he will be regularly on the saddle of his Ducati Panigale V4 R during the the upcoming tests in January.
Thanks to favorable weather conditions in both days Pirro toke the 2020 pre-season testing programme another step further on the Ducati Panigale V4 R working mainly on the setup at the front of the bike and on electronics.
The rider from San Giovanni Rotondo concluded the first day with 41 laps and the 11th time overall (1’40.995).
On the second day Pirro stopped the activity around 15.30, putting together 38 laps and having improved by more than half a second his previous fastest lap. The time of 1’40.427 placed him on 12th position overall.
Marco Barnabo, Team Principal:
“First of all I have to thank Michele, who has been made available in a such a short time. He worked professionally as he has always done. We would have been to be on track with Camier, but we preferred not to take risks letting him to recover at 100% for the next test here in January. In any case, these two days were very positive trying new setup solutions at the front and working on the electronics in view of 2020.”
Michele Pirro (51). Photo courtesy of Barni Racing Team.
Michele Pirro:
“We worked a lot with new components on the suspensions, I have to say that I found a better feeling comparing the WorldSBK weekend in Misano. Showa is doing a great job, but the whole bike is growing. I think that with the team we had a good job even though we in the second day we rode only half a day.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Razgatlioglu and Van der Mark Race Ready After Positive Jerez Test
Toprak Razgatlioglu and Michael van der Mark are eager to return to action in 2020, after rounding out the 2019 season with a positive two-day test in Jerez. Razgatlioglu showed just how quickly he’s adapted to the Yamaha R1 he’ll campaign in Pata Yamaha with Rizla colours next year, by posting the second quickest time of the test. Loris Baz and van der Mark finished hot on the heels of the 23-year-old Turkish rider, with all three Yamahas inside the top five. It was also a positive test for the GRT Yamaha rookies, Garrett Gerloff and Federico Caricasulo, who took advantage of almost perfect weather conditions in Spain to continue their familiarisation with the WorldSBK specification Yamaha YZF-R1.
Between them Razgatlioglu and van der Mark completed more than 300 laps of the 4.423km Jerez circuit over the course of the two-day test, as they worked their way through an intensive test schedule as part of Yamaha’s ongoing development program for the 2020 season. The two Pata Yamaha riders were assisted in this task by Yamaha EWC and test rider, Niccolò Canepa, who finished the test ahead of a number of WorldSBK regulars in eighth place on the timesheet.
While Razgatlioglu, van der Mark and Canepa focussed on development, Caricasulo and Gerloff continued their adaptation to the GRT Yamaha R1 machines on which they’ll make their WorldSBK debuts in 2020. Caricasulo ended the test 13th on the timesheet, despite losing most of the second afternoon due to a crash on dropped oil on the entry to Turn One, with teammate Gerloff finishing one place further back, but just a tenth of a second behind his teammate.
While four of the five Yamaha riders can now look forward to some much-needed time off over the winter break, van der Mark will have to wait another couple of weeks before finally hanging up his leathers for the season. The 27-year-old heads this weekend to South East Asia, where he’ll attend an event in Jakarta as a guest of Yamaha Indonesia. The next stop on van der Mark’s travel itinerary will be Malaysia, where he will contest the inaugural 8 Hours of Sepang race for Yamaha alongside MotoGP regulars Franco Morbidelli and Hafizh Syahrin.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54). Photo courtesy of Yamaha.
Toprak Razgatlioglu
Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team – P2 – 1’39.226
“It’s been a solid two days for me aboard the Yamaha R1 here in Jerez. The conditions meant we were able to complete a lot of laps and test a lot of new parts on the bike, with very positive results. The focus here was on evaluating new components rather than chasing a fast lap, but my lap times have been consistently quick, so I’m happy about that. We had some issues with the rear spinning up out of the turns, which was losing me some time, but we managed to make a big improvement in this area this afternoon ahead of my race simulation. I think I’ve adapted now to the Yamaha, as my feeling with the bike is good. I leave Jerez a little bit tired after such an intensive test program, but happy with second place on the timesheet and with the progress we’ve made.”
Michael van der Mark. Photo courtesy of Yamaha.
Michael van der Mark
Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team – P4 – 1’39.287
“After the rain in Aragon it was good to come here to Jerez and have almost perfect conditions for the final two days of testing this year. Normally in testing you have both positives and negatives as you work your way through the program, but these two days were overwhelmingly positive. We completed a lot of laps, trying different things on the bike, and we managed to find a solution to the spinning issues we had during the second half of the season. Working with my new crew has also been easy; it’s already like we’ve spent a season together, so this test was a great way to end 2019 on a high note and I’m already looking forward to getting back on the bike in January.”
Federico Caricasulo (64). Photo courtesy of Yamaha.
Federico Caricasulo
GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team – P13 – 1’40.613
“For me, this has been a very positive test. We improved a lot, both in consistency and pace, and we finished the two-days closer to the fast guys than we were in Aragon. I was hoping to push for a good lap time on the qualifying tyre at the end, more to get a feeling with the tyre than anything else, but it wasn’t possible after I had a big crash on oil dropped on the entry to the first turn this afternoon. Anyway, I leave here happy with where we are right now and I’m already looking forward to picking up where we left off today when we return to Jerez in January.”
Garrett Gerloff (31). Photo courtesy of Yamaha.
Garrett Gerloff
GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team – P14 – 1’40.714
“It’s been good to get some time on the bike in the better conditions we’ve had here in Jerez, as it’s made it easier for me to assess the differences from lap to lap. This was a problem at the first test in Aragon because of the wind, the effect of which was unpredictable. The feeling with the bike is good, but the Jerez track feels a little more connected in terms of the rhythm and the flow so, for me, to be consistent on every lap has been a little bit tricky. Luckily, we have the data from the official team, so I’ve been able to make comparisons, but there are definitely a few things I need to work on. We’ve tested a lot of things on the bike, with the normal mix of positives and negatives but, overall, the feeling is good, and we just need to keep working in the same direction when we return here in January.”
GIACOMO AGOSTINI, MV AGUSTA’S RACING LEGEND, NOW HAS HIS OWN MUSEUM
Celebrating an unrivalled sporting career in the champion’s hometown of Bergamo
Varese – 15 World Championships titles, 123 Grand Prix victories, 18 Italian Championships titles, 10 Tourist Trophies’ wins for a total of 311 victorious races: these are the impressive numbers of Giacomo Agostini’s racing career, which extended from the early 60’s to the late 70’s, and most of which was spent under the MV Agusta colours. This unprecedented heritage now has a museum to preserve it and share it with MV Agusta enthusiasts and motorcycling fans from all over the world. It is located in medieval Bergamo, Giacomo Agostini’s hometown, nested between the Po plain and the Alps, a stone’s throw from Milan.
The museum was designed as a private trophy room by architect Michele Giavarini for the champion to keep his more than 350 trophies, with the idea of also opening it to the public. The museum hosts some of the historic bikes used by Agostini, as well as helmets, race suits and personal objects, displayed in a chronological order. On the inox-concrete floor, a giant no.1, black on yellow, the number Agostini raced with, and the word “Ago” painted in bright red, his nom de guerre, remind everyone that Giacomo Agostini’s record number of victories and championships titles is yet unequalled.
Giacomo Agostini commented: “The history of my life is all there in this one room, and being able to spend some time there alone with my thoughts, going back to those extraordinary memories, fills me with joy.”
Timur Sardarov, CEO MV Agusta, said: “The partnership between our brand and Giacomo Agostini is part of the glorious history of this company, and we are glad that a man who contributed so much to the legend of MV Agusta is now being rightly celebrated with this museum.”
The museum is private and can be visited by groups (8 people minimum) upon reservation through Villa Vittoria Charme and Relax luxury bed & breakfast. The resort is managed by Agostini’s daughter Vittoria, and offers a complete package including one-night accommodation, visit to the museum and dinner with the champion.
XAVIER SIMEON AND NICCOLO’ CANEPA TO LINE UP WITH LCR E-TEAM IN 2020
The inaugural FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup was seen as a great success, with the first-ever electric motorcycle racing world championship witnessing some close battles, photo finishes and four different winners in six races. The LCR E-Team official riders Niccolò Canepa and Randy De Puniet were amongst the main protagonists of the innovative and exciting new series, which saw Italy’s Matteo Ferrari being crowned as the first MotoE World Champion.
The 2020 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup starts in May at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Spain, before ending in Misano, Italy, in September. Ahead of “recharging the batteries” over winter, the LCR E-Team is pleased to announce that the Belgian rider Xavier Simeon will join the squad to compete alongside Niccolò Canepa.
After claiming the 2009 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, Simeon arrived in MotoGP in 2010 competing in the Moto2 category for several seasons before joining the premier class aboard the Avintia Ducati in 2018. In 2019, the Belgian placed his Ego Corsa Energica bike in 6th position overall in his inaugural year in the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup (grabbing two podium finishes at the Austrian and San Marino GPs).
Lucio Cecchinello (LCR Team Principal)
“The FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup was a challenge for the organizers, for the teams and for the riders, but everyone’s work produced a unique and exciting championship for two-wheel racing fans and we are very proud to be part of this project. I really want to thank Niccolò and Randy because they proved to be real professionals at their debut with the electric bikes. Today I am happy to announce a brand-new collaboration with Xavier Simeon, and a renewal of the partnership with Niccolò Canepa for the 2020 season: they are both experienced and talented riders who make a perfect combination for the LCR E-Team.”
Xavier Simeon
“After a first year of learning in this brand new electric championship, I am very happy to join the LCR E-Team for my second season in MotoE. It is a great opportunity, especially because it’s a very professional team offering quality support. I’m sure we’ll do great things together. With two podiums last season, the main goal next year will be to win as many races as possible and fight for the cup. I want to thank Zelos, my partners and Lucio for their support in this new adventure.”
Niccolò Canepa
“I am very happy to renew with the LCR E-Team because I truly believe that the first FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup was so exciting. Initially I struggled a bit to adapt but then step by step we managed to improve, so I want to thank my crew for supporting me throughout this new adventure. Let’s say that 2019 was my “first year at school” and it was fundamental for understanding the bike’s potential at the various tracks, but next year I want to be at the front every race. I want to thank Lucio and all the LCR E-Team partners for believing in me again in 2020.”
LCR E-Team Principal Lucio Cecchinello (right) and Niccolo Canepa (left). Photo courtesy of LCR E-Team.
All-Time Superbike Lap Record: 1:38.247, Jonathan Rea, 2019
Superbike Race Lap Record: 1:39.004, Alvaro Bautista, 2019
FIM Superbike World Championship
Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
November 29, 2019
Unofficial Day Two Test Results (all on Pirelli tires):
Jonathan Rea, UK (Kawasaki), 1:38.397
Loris Baz, France (Yamaha), 1:39.280
Michael van der Mark, Netherlands (Yamaha), 1:39.287
Alex Lowes, UK (Kawasaki), 1:39.400
Scott Redding, UK (Ducati), 1:39.466
Tom Sykes, UK (BMW), 1:39.587
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Turkey (Yamaha), 1:39.634
Niccolo Canepa, Italy (Yamaha), 1:39.967
Chaz Davies, UK (Ducati), 1:40.000
Eugene Laverty, Ireland (BMW), 1:40.328
Xavi Fores, Spain (Kawasaki), 1:40.356
Michele Pirro, Italy (Ducati), 1:40.427
Federico Caricasulo, Italy (Yamaha), 1:40.613
Garrett Gerloff, USA (Yamaha), 1:40.714
Lorenzo Savadori, Italy (Kawasaki), 1:40.946
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
Jerez Test – Day 2
Rea fights back to end Jerez test on top, Baz impresses in second
The reigning five-time WorldSBK Champion fended off a resurgent Loris Baz, who is back at the front of WorldSBK
The 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is edging ever-closer as the final test of 2019 is all done and dusted. New motorcycles, team changes and rookie and returning riders made headlines across the two days at the Circuito de Jerez, which took place in more-or-less untroubled conditions. Despite a handful of red flags, it was Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) who topped the timesheets, whilst closely behind were Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha) and Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK).
Loris Baz. Photo courtesy of Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.
Having just been pipped for top slot at lunch time, the KRT squad were back on top come the end of the test, as Jonathan Rea was the first rider into the 1’38s. The time, which is under Alvaro Bautista’s race lap record from last year, slotted him nicely at the top whilst teammate Alex Lowes completed day two of the test in fourth place. Xavi Fores (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) enjoyed a successful comeback to WorldSBK and finished just outside the top ten in 11th, as he continued to become more accustomed to the bike. Aboard the Team Pedercini Racing Kawasaki, Lorenzo Savadori finished 15th and began to get used to Showa suspension.
Michael van der Mark. Photo courtesy of Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.
Yamaha were once again leading the charge to Kawasaki, although this time it was Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha) who was second. The Frenchman bolted up to the top just after lunch but was pegged back by the reigning five-time WorldSBK Champion. Eager to improve the feeling on fresh rubber whilst the bike works a treat on old tyres, Baz is back at the forefront of WorldSBK.
Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team) suffered a mechanical problem which resulted in an oil leak and subsequent crash at Turn 1, bring out the red flags. Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team) and Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) also crashed on oil. Van der Mark finished in third overall, just 0.007 from Baz. Having been inside the top four for most of the day, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team) finished seventh, refining his feeling with Ohlins suspension, as he’d not used it before. On the 2020 R1, Niccolò Canepa was eighth. GRT Yamaha’s top rider was Federico Caricasulo in 13th, whilst Garrett Gerloff was 14th.
WorldSBK rookie Scott Redding (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) was the leading Ducati Panigale V4 R rider in fifth, as the British rider continued his understanding of the team and bike in WorldSBK-spec. Redding has pleased the entire team at ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati with his quick adaptation, adding to the positive mood inside the box. The focus for the team on a whole was the balance of the bike and to try some new parts on the rear end. For Chaz Davies, the Welshman finished in ninth and was over 1.5s behind Jonathan Rea. BARNI Ducati’s Michele Pirro was in 12th place.
The best of the BMWs was once again Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), as the British rider continued his progress and used all of his famed development skills in order to get the bike to his liking. The 2013 WorldSBK Champion leapt up to sixth in the final ten minutes of action, making it three British riders inside the top five. New teammate and former WorldSBK title rival Eugene Laverty was quietly going about his business, as he finished in tenth place on his return to the Shaun Muir Racing fold.
The next test for the WorldSBK circus will take place back at the Jerez circuit before moving immediately on to Portimao, from the 21st to the 26th January. Until then, riders and team personnel will be looking forward to relaxing over the festive periods!
WorldSSP: Andrea Locatelli set the pace on the final day of testing in Jerez
With weather conditions welcoming more track action it was the Italian WorldSSP rookie to end the final day of testing on top
Andrea Locatelli (5). Photo courtesy of Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.
Sun shone down again on the second and final day of testing at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto where WorldSBK and WorldSSP riders continued their preparations for 2020. With the track becoming faster today compared to Day 1, it was this time former Moto2™ rider Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) to set the pace ending on top of the WorldSSP timesheets.
Unfortunately, the best lap of the Italian was also the last that he was able to put in today, as in the afternoon he got involved in a three-rider crash due to the oil left on track by the Yamaha of Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team). Despite that Locatelli was still able to put in 44 laps today while trying different tyre compounds and adapting to his new team and his new WorldSSP machine.
Second overall was another rider coming over from the Moto2™ paddock as Phillip Öttl (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) closed 0.046 s off Locatelli’s best lap and just 0.014 s ahead of Randy Krummenacher. It didn’t take long for the 2019 WorldSSP World Champion to adapt to the new environment of the MV AGUSTA Reparto Corse garage, as he declared to be thrilled about his new squad and the project. After having closed Day 1 on top, the Swiss rider did only 31 laps today ending with a 1’42.743 as his best lap for the day. On the other side of the garage, Federico Fuligni completed 85 laps today to finish sixth overall.
EAB Ten Kate Racing rider Steven Odendaal was fourth ahead of Kallio Racing rider Hannes Soomer, while his teammate Isaac Viñales finished 7th ahead of former Moto3™ rider Can Öncü, who also tried to do as many kilometres as possible to adapt quickly to his new Kawasaki of the Turkish Racing Team.
Closing the order, Belgian rider Loris Cresson (Team Toth) returned on track today after the nasty crashed suffered on the first day of testing in Jerez, completing the day with a best lap in 1’45.621.
WorldSSP Jerez Test Day 2 Unofficial Times:
1. Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan. Bros WorldSSP Team) – 1’42.683 (44 laps)
2. Philipp Oettl (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) – 1’42.729 (62 laps)
3. Randy Krummenacher (MV AGUSTA Reparto Corse) – 1’42.743 (31 laps)
4. Steven Odendaal (EAB Ten Kate Racing) – 1’43.090 (88 laps)
5. Hannes Soomer (Kallio Racing) – 1’43.262 (39 laps)
6. Federico Fuligni (MV AGUSTA Reparto Corse) – 1’43.311 (88 laps)
7. Isaac Viñales (Kallio Racing) 1’43.366 (43 laps)
8. Can Öncü (Turkish Racing Team) 1’44.779 (73 laps)
9. Loris Cresson (Team Toth) 1’45.621 (40 laps)
Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (25). Photo courtesy of BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
BMW Racer Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman wins the title in the Asia Road Racing Championship – Podium for the BMW S 1000 RR in Brazil.
Onexox TKKR SAG Team wins the ARRC title with Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman.
Successful finale in Thailand for Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman.
Podium for Danilo Lewis at the final round of this season’s SuperBike Brasil.
A successful 2019 season is drawing to a close for BMW S 1000 RR racers in various championships. And shortly before the turn of the year, the BMW riders have added another title to their tally in the Asia Road Racing Championship. This is the ninth title of 2019 for the BMW Motorrad Motorsport community. The season finale in Brazil also yielded another podium. Asia Road Racing Championship: Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman is crowned champion.
The final round of the 2019 Asia Road Racing Championship at Buriram (THA) could not have been more exciting. BMW racer Azlan Shah Kamaruzaman (MAS), from the Onexox TKKR SAG Team, travelled to Thailand in second place in the overall standings – and left as the first Asian Superbike Champion in history. That is because the 1000 cc class formed part of the Asia Road Racing Championship for the first time this year.
Azlan Shah bagged a brace of victories at the penultimate round of the season in Sepang (MAS) reduced the gap to 19 points to championship leader Broc Parkes (AUS / Yamaha). Azlan Shah then once again showed just what he is capable of at the finale in Thailand. He finished runner-up on his BMW S 1000 RR in the first of the two races to further reduce his deficit. That meant the title race went down to the final race of the season. Azlan Shah took the lead at the start and went on to take his sixth victory of the season. In doing so, he leapfrogged Parkes in the championship and claimed the title with a lead of 13 points (238 points to 225).
Azlan Shah’s team-mate Ali Adriansyah Rusmiputro (INA) finished twelfth and eleventh in the final two races. The Onexox TKKR SAG Team ended the season in second place in the Team competition, just three points behind the champions.
SuperBike Brasil: Podium for Danilo Lewis at finale.
The 2019 SuperBike Brasil (BR SBK) season ended with another podium finish for the BMW S 1000 RR. The final two races of the year were held in São Paulo (BRA). Danilo Lewis (BRA) came home third in race two on the RR run by the Tecfil Havoline Racing team. Lewis narrowly missed out on a podium in the opening race too, when he finished fourth.
Danilo Lewis (17). Photo courtesy of BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Award winners on stage at the 2019 FIM Awards Gala in Monaco. Photo by www.good-shoot.com/Reygondeau, courtesy of FIM.
FIM Gala: 2019 World Champions celebrated in Monaco
The annual gala toasts the season’s biggest winners on two wheels, this time hosted in the Principality of Monaco
Monday, 02 December 2019
After another awesome season of competition, on Sunday it was once again time for the prestigious FIM Gala to bring the curtain down on the season. Gathering together Champions from all disciplines on two wheels, the Principality of Monaco hosted the event this year. Moto2™ World Champion Alex Marquez and Moto3™ World Champion Lorenzo Dalla Porta flew the flag for MotoGP™, with reigning premier class Champion Marc Marquez unable to attend as he continues to recover from recent shoulder surgery.
Marc Marquez is no stranger to the gala, however, winning six of the last seven premier class crowns, and the Spaniard is now the youngest ever eight-time World Champion – adding another well-earned medal to the cabinet this season, which was collected on his behalf by his father Julia alongside a video message from the man himself. Marquez’ 2020 teammate and 2019 Moto2™ World Champion Alex Marquez picked up his medal on his second visit to the gala, and Moto3™ World Champion Dalla Porta was also back, this time to celebrate his first Grand Prix World Championship.
Jeremy Alcoba was also present to pick up his award for winning the FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship ahead of his full-time debut in Moto3™ on the world stage next season, having impressed to wrap up the crown at the season finale at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia.
Amongst the many others present were WorldSBK Champion Jonathan Rea, who took a record-breaking fifth consecutive crown, 2019 WorldSSP Champion Randy Krummenacher and WorldSSP300 Champion Manuel Gonzalez.
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta was also presented with a special award as he was named an FIM Promoter Legend; presented the honour by FIM President Jorge Viegas.
That’s the final event of the season for those toasted on stage, as engines now lie dormant until the 2020 season, which begins in February. Sepang International Circuit plays host once again, with Marc Marquez aiming to defend the MotoGP™ crown, brother Alex moving up to partner him at the Repsol Honda Team and Dalla Porta likewise graduating, in his case to Moto2™. Who will return to the stage in 2020? Find out after 20 more spectacular races.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
2019 World Champions celebrated at the FIM Awards
Rea, Krummenacher and Gonzalez attended the prize-giving ceremony in Monaco with motorcycling’s best of 2019
The Principality of Monaco was the setting of this year’s prestigious FIM Awards ceremony with the beautiful Sporting Monte-Carlo venue and its breathtaking views on Europe’s most famous bay having the honour to host almost six hundred guests including motorcycling legends, manufacturers and team representatives, various members of the FIM, championship promoters, representatives of the national federations and, of course, the 2019 FIM World Championships.
After another record-breaking season, that saw him become the most successful rider in WorldSBK, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) collected his fifth consecutive medal in front of the world’s motorcycling elite. Alongside Rea, on the red carpet and then on stage to receive his medal was 2019 World Supersport World Champion Randy Krummenacher (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team).
Following a full year of battles, Krummenacher took the honour at the final round of the 2019 season in Qatar entering the history books as the first-ever Swiss champion in WorldSSP. It was a history-making 2019 also for Spanish rider Manuel Gonzalez (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team) that became the youngest World Champion in history after clinching the 2019 World Supersport 300 World Title. Gonzalez also attended the awards with Rea and Krummenacher to collect his medal in front of the world’s best.
The three WorldSBK World Champions were awarded and presented by motorcycling legend and two-time World Superbike World Champion Max Biaggi. Amongst others present were Moto2™ World Champion Alex Marquez, who also took his second world title and Moto3™ World Champion Lorenzo Dalla Porta.
After the final toast, thoughts are now turning to 2020, as WorldSBK will welcome plenty of new faces, illustrious returns and the reigning World Champions heading into the new season with the pressure to defend their crowns.
Hayden Schultz to contest 2020 Twins Cup Championship
Hayden Schultz Racing is excited to announce its return to the MotoAmerica paddock in 2020. Hayden will be contesting the Twins Cup championship on a Yamaha MT-07 prepared by Gene Burcham.
After focusing on flat track in 2019, Hayden decided to focus his efforts in MotoAmerica this coming season. Having seen success on lightweight bikes before in the KTM RC Cup, Hayden feels like he can be competitive in the ever-growing Twins Cup class. Currently sidelined with a broken wrist from a flat track crash earlier in the season, the team will have to wait until the new year to get on track for the first time. In the meantime, Hayden will be focusing on finishing his degree and graduating from the University of Arkansas in Recreation and Sports Management.
“I can’t wait to get back on track with MotoAmerica in 2020. We have a competitive package for this year’s Twins Cup Championship with our Yamaha MT-07 and are aiming to be battling at the front. I’ve got some great people behind me and we are ready to get started. A big thank you to my parents for their support and to Gene Burcham for all he has done to keep me on track with great machinery. There are going to be a lot of fast riders and running up front won’t be an easy task but I’m up for the challenge and will do all I can to be prepared by the time we grid up for Road Atlanta!” said Schultz.
The team is looking for sponsors to partner with and is focusing on producing media to gain exposure for the team and their sponsors. If you are interested in working with Hayden Schultz Racing in 2020 or would like more information email [email protected].
Follow Hayden on social media to keep up to date with him this year!
Youtube: Hayden Schultz
Instagram: @haydenschultz259
Facebook: Hayden Schultz Fan Page
FIM Supersport World Championship team PTR Honda has signed Dynavolt Tech to replace CIA Landlord Insurance as its title sponsor for 2020. Here, Jules Danilo (95) is seen at speed on his PTR Honda CBR600RR. Photo courtesy of CIA Landlord Insurance Honda.
PTR Honda and Dynavolt Tech Announce Title Partnership
PTR Honda are proud to announce a new title partner agreement with Chinese battery company, Dynavolt Tech. The association with the major, global battery company will see PTR Honda re-branded as Dynavolt Honda for the 2020 FIM Supersport World Championship and beyond.
Dynavolt Tech shares PTR Honda’s passionate desire to reach their goals and the introduction of a powerhouse brand like Dynavolt Tech to the WorldSBK paddock reinforces PTR Honda’s commitment to the World Supersport Championship.
Based in Shantou, China, Dynavolt Tech is best known for its high-tech, ethical energy products, including solar power. The company covers the majority of motorcycle batteries in the world with annual production of some 15 million batteries which are sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Chairman of Dynavolt Tech, Leonard Chen said: “It is a pleasure that we are extending our sponsorship to WorldSBK. I believe that with this new partnership more people will know about Dynavolt Tech, it is the best battery you can use in the powersport business! We are looking forward to a good and long partnership with Simon and I hope that together we can succeed.”
PTR Honda Team Manager, Simon Buckmaster said: “I want to say how excited I am to start this partnership with Dynavolt Tech and we look forward to being very successful in 2020 and hopefully for many years to come. I would like to thank Leonard Chen and Dynavolt Tech for giving us this opportunity and we look forward to a really successful association together. I would also like to thank James Nay of Devil Evolution Exhausts for helping to make this happen.”
Chris Ulrich (18) giving a ride on his two-seat Dunlop M4 Suzuki GSX-R1000R Superbike at a MotoAmerica event. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
This coming Sunday, December 1, former MotoAmerica Superbike racer Chris Ulrich will be raising money for the Roadracing World Action Fund by giving 160-mph rides around the 2.3-mile infield road course at Auto Club Speedway, on his 205-horsepower, 2-seat Dunlop M4 Suzuki GSX-R1000R Superbike.
The Roadracing World Action Fund is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to helping prevent rider injuries at racetracks nationwide by raising money for soft barriers commonly referred to as Airfence.
Ulrich has raised a significant amount of money to help deploy soft barriers, both from annual 2-seat Superbike ride fundraisers at Auto Club Speedway in conjunction with Fastrack Riders events, and from giving rides during MotoAmerica/AMA Superbike event weekends. Ulrich has given over 1,300 2-seat Superbike rides to broadcasters, reporters, VIPs and fans.
Chris Ulrich (18) giving a ride on his two-seat Dunlop M4 Suzuki GSX-R1000R Superbike at a MotoAmerica event. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
On Sunday, December 1, rides will be available for a $50 minimum donation on a first-come, first-served basis from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Admission to the racetrack is free, and professional safety gear will be provided to donors free of charge for riders who do not have their own.
Chris Ulrich and WERA Novice racer Max Van (the 14-year-old son of SportbikeTrackGear.com founder and WERA Expert racer Brian Van) do a 1:36.2 lap time at Barber Motorsports Park riding two-up on Ulrich’s Dunlop M4 Suzuki GSX-R1000R 2-Seat Superbike.
This video was recorded by Team Hammer and edited and uploaded to YouTube by SportbikeTrackGear.com.
Get your own 2-Seat Superbike thrill ride at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California this Sunday, December 1st, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. A minimum $50 tax-deductible donation to the non-profit Roadracing World Action Fund (RWAF) will get you two quick laps with Chris Ulrich and will help the RWAF buy more Airfence soft barriers to reduce rider injuries at the racetrack. For more information, e-mail [email protected] .
Jonathan Rea in action at Jerez. Photo courtesy of Kawasaki.
2019 Tests Complete For KRT In Spain
After experiencing two days of good weather at the Jerez de la Frontera tests KRT duo Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes have completed their final on track preparations before the winter break. Both riders experienced positive outcomes from their testing plans.
Five times World Champion Rea ended up fastest rider of all after setting the best lap of 1’38.397, using a qualifying tyre in the last few laps.
Even after the effects of a large oil spill, which left the entry to Turn One covered in cement dust for the last hour, Rea improved his own existing best time before the action finished at 18.00hrs
Rea also concluded the work he and the team had been carrying out on machine set-up to take into the next tests in Iberia in late January, and then into the 2020 WorldSBK season itself.
Lowes, a first time Kawasaki rider for the coming season, undertook only his second test sessions on the official Ninja ZX-10RR but placed fourth fastest overall.
Lowes, who had a fall right at the end of the available tack time, lost his chance to set a single better lap time but spent most of his test working on overall set-up and improvements in braking. He has now settled into his new working environment and is ready for more at the next series of track tests in late January.
Almost all of KRT’s rivals were also present at Jerez, providing a good measure of where the overall Kawasaki effort stands in the ambition to retain championship titles in 2020.
Jonathan Rea in action at Jerez. Photo courtesy of Kawasaki.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “Overall it was pretty good. I had good motivation for this test. Normally at the end of a busy season it is easy to get lost but we focused on quality rather than quantity. We did a lot of back-to-back testing of things we had ideas to try out during the year. Then we tested some new items and new ideas. The biggest thing was in my riding position on the bike and getting used to the rear brake lever on the handlebar, plus some different engine braking. Aside from that Pirelli brought some different tyres. At the end we could do a time attack with a qualifying tyre and that put us right there. It was hard at the end doing that, because a couple of hours before the session finished there was oil all over Turn One. The track was compromised a bit but I still feel that we did a really good job at this test, both with our outright pace and also consistency. We are where we should be and I am really happy to sign off on an incredible 2019.”
Alex Lowes in action at Jerez. Photo courtesy of Kawasaki.
Alex Lowes, stated: “The test was really positive as my feeling with the bike was very good. After the Aragon test, Marcel and I wanted to work on the braking because how I rode my old bike was a little bit different. But already from the first laps here we made a big step, and today I felt really comfortable with the braking. This, I am really happy about. We did some longer runs today and I could keep it in a nice consistent pace, which was another really good thing. Obviously, at the end I fell while using a qualifying tyre but that was just a small detail. I have had instantly a good connection with all the mechanics and working with Marcel is really easy. It has been real good fun to be here with two good days and good weather; it has been enjoyable.”
Pere Riba, Crew Chief for Jonathan Rea, stated: “We did the best lap time with the Q tyre, after the oil spill. Jonathan did very well at this test so I am happy, as usual. I am always happy because he is always there. We collected almost all the information we wanted during these winter tests – just one small item is missing – but we can test that in January. We understood the balance of the bike that we have been using in the last couple of races, and we also worked with the suspension and electronics, quite deeply. In some small details we collected a lot of information, also with a different bike balance. We found positives here, positives there, so depending on track conditions and layouts we can use this one, or another one. This was the target of the winter tests. Jonathan was enjoying the bike and we go into the winter break at the top of the lists again. This makes for a little bit happier Christmas.”
Marcel Duinker, Crew Chief for Alex Lowes, stated: “I am a very happy crew chief. We set targets for the previous test at Aragon and also here in Jerez. Here, we even went a bit further than our target and we tried everything we needed to try. On fresh tyres, and over distance, we can match the fastest guy on track at this moment. What else can we wish for? I am already looking forward to January.”
As well as the official KRT squad’s efforts at Jerez Xavi Fores rode the Kawasaki Puccetti Ninja ZX-10RR at these tests and finished 11th fastest. Pedercini Racing Team rider Lorenzo Savadori enjoyed his first ride on the Ninja ZX-10RR and finished up 15th fastest.
More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
Aruba.it Racing – Ducati wrap up 2019 with two days of busy testing for Chaz Davies and Scott Redding at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Spain
The final two days of testing for the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team in 2019 concluded today at the Circuito di Jerez – Angel Nieto, with Scott Redding and Chaz Davies ending up fifth and ninth quickest overall on their Ducati Panigale V4 R machines.
Making the most of two days of ideal weather conditions, the two British riders continued with their scheduled testing work, focussing mainly on the bike set-up and trying out some new tyre solutions brought by Pirelli to the Jerez circuit.
Scott Redding (45). Photo courtesy of Aruba.it Racing Ducati.
Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #45) – 1’39.466 (70 laps)
“Today we tried to find a bit more rear grip, something that I’ve struggled with here at Jerez since yesterday, and thanks to the work of the guys in the team in the end we found something that helped a lot. We’re still not where we’d like to be but we’re making progress. As well as testing the new tyres brought by Pirelli, we managed to work a bit more with the electronics, which are totally new to me in Superbike. In general I was quite happy by the end of the test, it’s good to have that bonding between myself and the Panigale V4 R and know which direction to work in ready for the 2020 season.”
Chaz Davies (7). Photo courtesy of Aruba.it Racing Ducati.
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing Ducati #7) – 1’40.000 (77 laps)
“It was a busy couple of days, and all in all I’m pretty satisfied. We had some new parts to get through but mainly we were just trying a lot of different things to find a good base set-up. I think we learnt a few things, working on the rear of the bike to help the weight transfer, one goal which we improved at this track. Now it’ll be nice for me and the team to have a break and recharge our batteries but it doesn’t take long before you want to go racing again next season.”
The World Superbike teams and riders will next be back on track from 22nd to 27th January 2020 when the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team will be involved in four days of testing, first at Jerez (Spain) and then at Portimão (Portugal).
More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad World Superbike Team:
BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team conclude the first test of the 2020 season at the Circuito De Jerez
BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team’s Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty today concluded their first two-day test of the 2020 season at the Circuito De Jerez in Spain. Eugene Laverty threw his leg over his new BMW S 1000 RR for the first time on Thursday and managed to gel with the bike straight away. Throughout the opening day Laverty went through his testing plan and completed 60+ laps setting his fastest lap time of 1’40.971, putting him in P10 at the end of day 1.
Sykes looking to build on his solid maiden season with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team got to work on the opening day by making multiple changes to his RR which included adjustments to the swingarm, rear shock and electronics. Tom’s fastest lap of the day ended with a 1’40.431 and he lapped a total of 50 laps landing him in P7 (+1.224) behind Jonathon Rea in P1.
Day 2 at the Circuito De Jerez and both Sykes and Laverty continued to work through their testing schedules, however with multiple red flags interruptions throughout the day. Laverty made some changes to his BMW S 1000 RR from day 1 with front fork spring adjustments and trying different electronic strategies. Eugene managed to go faster from his 1’40.971 on Thursday with a 1’40.328 putting him in P10. Sykes equally made some changes to his bike on the final day and as a result circled a 1’39.587. Final position P6.
Shaun Muir, Team Principal:
“We’ve completed two full days of testing with Tom and Eugene, we got through an awful lot of work and are generally pleased with the outcome. We’ve found a clear direction for Tom on his chassis set-up which let’s us move forward in a specific direction we know he will be comfortable with. We got through a big list so we’re really pleased for Tom. Eugene had to take some time to get used to the electronics package on the BMW S 1000 RR and over the Christmas break we will further work on a strategy for him. He was getting quicker and quicker but only until the point where he was ready to push, but we are still very happy with his first test as he was running consistent times. Overall, we are happy going into the break, we’ve had no major issues and can ready for the tests in January.”
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director:
“Already during the final stages of the past season, we have been working intensively on the further development of the BMW S 1000 RR for 2020. Our first winter test in Jerez de la Frontera has been very productive. Among other things, we were able to test various chassis variants, new shock absorber elements, a range of tyre options, and electronic updates. Tom had a few minor issues at the start of day one, but they were resolved quickly and we were able to complete the busy programme, which included many test points. Eugene first had to find his feet on the RR, but was soon able to start to configure the bike to his own personal requirements. We are happy with the progress he has made at his first test with the RR. We must now analyse the large amount of data and comprehensive rider feedback we have received, which will help determine the direction we will take to start the 2020 season.”
Tom Sykes (66). Photo courtesy of BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
Tom Sykes:
“I think we had a very strong test and credit to all the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. We’ve had a big list to go through and the boys have worked hard. I am very satisfied with what we achieved. We really tried a lot on the BMW S 1000 RR, definitely made progress and for me now I can go into the winter feeling happy with our performance. Certainly on race tyres as well, we found quite a step and also over the distance. The bike was working nice and we obviously tried the qualifying tyre at the end. It was incredible but after two strong sectors I unfortunately made a small mistake in the hairpin and crashed. But I was interested in how the bike feels with high grip and I also went for another lap after the crash. For me that was good because we have extra information going into the winter. Overall it was a good test with a consistent track to work through a very big list and that’s what we needed all season. Thanks to the whole team and the guys back at the factory for working so hard to make things possible.
Eugene Laverty (50). Photo courtesy of BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team.
Eugene Laverty:
“Overall, it was a good test. Riding the bike I can tell this is the best chassis I’ve ever ridden. The way the bike turns and enters the corner is incredible. It’s surprising just how physical it is to ride right now. We have to get the power under control for the corner exit. Once I can get that it will be even more ride-able. Right now I can wrestle it for one lap if we wanted to get a lap time but for test that is not necessary. So we’ve been working and just trying to tame the beast a little bit so we can get a bike that is going to be comfortable for 20 laps. The chassis is incredible and that’s the important thing. The base of the bike is good, now it’s just another fine-tuning of the electronics.”
More, from a press release issued by Barni Racing Team:
Barni Racing Team concluded the two-days test at Jerez
Jerez de la Frontera (SPA), 29th November 2019. Second winter test session of WorldSBK ended at the Angel Nieto Circuit in Jerez, Southern Spain. The team led by Marco Barnabò took to the track with Michele Pirro, Ducati MotoGP test rider and Barni Racing Team rider in the italian Championship. Pirro replaced the injured Leon Camier. The Brit, injured on his left shoulder and wrist during the Aragon test, has been still resting as a precaution, but he will be regularly on the saddle of his Ducati Panigale V4 R during the the upcoming tests in January.
Thanks to favorable weather conditions in both days Pirro toke the 2020 pre-season testing programme another step further on the Ducati Panigale V4 R working mainly on the setup at the front of the bike and on electronics.
The rider from San Giovanni Rotondo concluded the first day with 41 laps and the 11th time overall (1’40.995).
On the second day Pirro stopped the activity around 15.30, putting together 38 laps and having improved by more than half a second his previous fastest lap. The time of 1’40.427 placed him on 12th position overall.
Marco Barnabo, Team Principal:
“First of all I have to thank Michele, who has been made available in a such a short time. He worked professionally as he has always done. We would have been to be on track with Camier, but we preferred not to take risks letting him to recover at 100% for the next test here in January. In any case, these two days were very positive trying new setup solutions at the front and working on the electronics in view of 2020.”
Michele Pirro (51). Photo courtesy of Barni Racing Team.
Michele Pirro:
“We worked a lot with new components on the suspensions, I have to say that I found a better feeling comparing the WorldSBK weekend in Misano. Showa is doing a great job, but the whole bike is growing. I think that with the team we had a good job even though we in the second day we rode only half a day.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Razgatlioglu and Van der Mark Race Ready After Positive Jerez Test
Toprak Razgatlioglu and Michael van der Mark are eager to return to action in 2020, after rounding out the 2019 season with a positive two-day test in Jerez. Razgatlioglu showed just how quickly he’s adapted to the Yamaha R1 he’ll campaign in Pata Yamaha with Rizla colours next year, by posting the second quickest time of the test. Loris Baz and van der Mark finished hot on the heels of the 23-year-old Turkish rider, with all three Yamahas inside the top five. It was also a positive test for the GRT Yamaha rookies, Garrett Gerloff and Federico Caricasulo, who took advantage of almost perfect weather conditions in Spain to continue their familiarisation with the WorldSBK specification Yamaha YZF-R1.
Between them Razgatlioglu and van der Mark completed more than 300 laps of the 4.423km Jerez circuit over the course of the two-day test, as they worked their way through an intensive test schedule as part of Yamaha’s ongoing development program for the 2020 season. The two Pata Yamaha riders were assisted in this task by Yamaha EWC and test rider, Niccolò Canepa, who finished the test ahead of a number of WorldSBK regulars in eighth place on the timesheet.
While Razgatlioglu, van der Mark and Canepa focussed on development, Caricasulo and Gerloff continued their adaptation to the GRT Yamaha R1 machines on which they’ll make their WorldSBK debuts in 2020. Caricasulo ended the test 13th on the timesheet, despite losing most of the second afternoon due to a crash on dropped oil on the entry to Turn One, with teammate Gerloff finishing one place further back, but just a tenth of a second behind his teammate.
While four of the five Yamaha riders can now look forward to some much-needed time off over the winter break, van der Mark will have to wait another couple of weeks before finally hanging up his leathers for the season. The 27-year-old heads this weekend to South East Asia, where he’ll attend an event in Jakarta as a guest of Yamaha Indonesia. The next stop on van der Mark’s travel itinerary will be Malaysia, where he will contest the inaugural 8 Hours of Sepang race for Yamaha alongside MotoGP regulars Franco Morbidelli and Hafizh Syahrin.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54). Photo courtesy of Yamaha.
Toprak Razgatlioglu
Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team – P2 – 1’39.226
“It’s been a solid two days for me aboard the Yamaha R1 here in Jerez. The conditions meant we were able to complete a lot of laps and test a lot of new parts on the bike, with very positive results. The focus here was on evaluating new components rather than chasing a fast lap, but my lap times have been consistently quick, so I’m happy about that. We had some issues with the rear spinning up out of the turns, which was losing me some time, but we managed to make a big improvement in this area this afternoon ahead of my race simulation. I think I’ve adapted now to the Yamaha, as my feeling with the bike is good. I leave Jerez a little bit tired after such an intensive test program, but happy with second place on the timesheet and with the progress we’ve made.”
Michael van der Mark. Photo courtesy of Yamaha.
Michael van der Mark
Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team – P4 – 1’39.287
“After the rain in Aragon it was good to come here to Jerez and have almost perfect conditions for the final two days of testing this year. Normally in testing you have both positives and negatives as you work your way through the program, but these two days were overwhelmingly positive. We completed a lot of laps, trying different things on the bike, and we managed to find a solution to the spinning issues we had during the second half of the season. Working with my new crew has also been easy; it’s already like we’ve spent a season together, so this test was a great way to end 2019 on a high note and I’m already looking forward to getting back on the bike in January.”
Federico Caricasulo (64). Photo courtesy of Yamaha.
Federico Caricasulo
GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team – P13 – 1’40.613
“For me, this has been a very positive test. We improved a lot, both in consistency and pace, and we finished the two-days closer to the fast guys than we were in Aragon. I was hoping to push for a good lap time on the qualifying tyre at the end, more to get a feeling with the tyre than anything else, but it wasn’t possible after I had a big crash on oil dropped on the entry to the first turn this afternoon. Anyway, I leave here happy with where we are right now and I’m already looking forward to picking up where we left off today when we return to Jerez in January.”
Garrett Gerloff (31). Photo courtesy of Yamaha.
Garrett Gerloff
GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team – P14 – 1’40.714
“It’s been good to get some time on the bike in the better conditions we’ve had here in Jerez, as it’s made it easier for me to assess the differences from lap to lap. This was a problem at the first test in Aragon because of the wind, the effect of which was unpredictable. The feeling with the bike is good, but the Jerez track feels a little more connected in terms of the rhythm and the flow so, for me, to be consistent on every lap has been a little bit tricky. Luckily, we have the data from the official team, so I’ve been able to make comparisons, but there are definitely a few things I need to work on. We’ve tested a lot of things on the bike, with the normal mix of positives and negatives but, overall, the feeling is good, and we just need to keep working in the same direction when we return here in January.”
A private museum celebrating the career of Giacomo Agostini is now open by appointment only. Photo courtesy of MV Agusta.
GIACOMO AGOSTINI, MV AGUSTA’S RACING LEGEND, NOW HAS HIS OWN MUSEUM
Celebrating an unrivalled sporting career in the champion’s hometown of Bergamo
Varese – 15 World Championships titles, 123 Grand Prix victories, 18 Italian Championships titles, 10 Tourist Trophies’ wins for a total of 311 victorious races: these are the impressive numbers of Giacomo Agostini’s racing career, which extended from the early 60’s to the late 70’s, and most of which was spent under the MV Agusta colours. This unprecedented heritage now has a museum to preserve it and share it with MV Agusta enthusiasts and motorcycling fans from all over the world. It is located in medieval Bergamo, Giacomo Agostini’s hometown, nested between the Po plain and the Alps, a stone’s throw from Milan.
The museum was designed as a private trophy room by architect Michele Giavarini for the champion to keep his more than 350 trophies, with the idea of also opening it to the public. The museum hosts some of the historic bikes used by Agostini, as well as helmets, race suits and personal objects, displayed in a chronological order. On the inox-concrete floor, a giant no.1, black on yellow, the number Agostini raced with, and the word “Ago” painted in bright red, his nom de guerre, remind everyone that Giacomo Agostini’s record number of victories and championships titles is yet unequalled.
Giacomo Agostini commented: “The history of my life is all there in this one room, and being able to spend some time there alone with my thoughts, going back to those extraordinary memories, fills me with joy.”
Timur Sardarov, CEO MV Agusta, said: “The partnership between our brand and Giacomo Agostini is part of the glorious history of this company, and we are glad that a man who contributed so much to the legend of MV Agusta is now being rightly celebrated with this museum.”
The museum is private and can be visited by groups (8 people minimum) upon reservation through Villa Vittoria Charme and Relax luxury bed & breakfast. The resort is managed by Agostini’s daughter Vittoria, and offers a complete package including one-night accommodation, visit to the museum and dinner with the champion.
LCR E-Team Principal Lucio Cecchinello (left) and Xavier Simeon (right). Photo courtesy of LCR E-Team.
XAVIER SIMEON AND NICCOLO’ CANEPA TO LINE UP WITH LCR E-TEAM IN 2020
The inaugural FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup was seen as a great success, with the first-ever electric motorcycle racing world championship witnessing some close battles, photo finishes and four different winners in six races. The LCR E-Team official riders Niccolò Canepa and Randy De Puniet were amongst the main protagonists of the innovative and exciting new series, which saw Italy’s Matteo Ferrari being crowned as the first MotoE World Champion.
The 2020 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup starts in May at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Spain, before ending in Misano, Italy, in September. Ahead of “recharging the batteries” over winter, the LCR E-Team is pleased to announce that the Belgian rider Xavier Simeon will join the squad to compete alongside Niccolò Canepa.
After claiming the 2009 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, Simeon arrived in MotoGP in 2010 competing in the Moto2 category for several seasons before joining the premier class aboard the Avintia Ducati in 2018. In 2019, the Belgian placed his Ego Corsa Energica bike in 6th position overall in his inaugural year in the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup (grabbing two podium finishes at the Austrian and San Marino GPs).
Lucio Cecchinello (LCR Team Principal)
“The FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup was a challenge for the organizers, for the teams and for the riders, but everyone’s work produced a unique and exciting championship for two-wheel racing fans and we are very proud to be part of this project. I really want to thank Niccolò and Randy because they proved to be real professionals at their debut with the electric bikes. Today I am happy to announce a brand-new collaboration with Xavier Simeon, and a renewal of the partnership with Niccolò Canepa for the 2020 season: they are both experienced and talented riders who make a perfect combination for the LCR E-Team.”
Xavier Simeon
“After a first year of learning in this brand new electric championship, I am very happy to join the LCR E-Team for my second season in MotoE. It is a great opportunity, especially because it’s a very professional team offering quality support. I’m sure we’ll do great things together. With two podiums last season, the main goal next year will be to win as many races as possible and fight for the cup. I want to thank Zelos, my partners and Lucio for their support in this new adventure.”
Niccolò Canepa
“I am very happy to renew with the LCR E-Team because I truly believe that the first FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup was so exciting. Initially I struggled a bit to adapt but then step by step we managed to improve, so I want to thank my crew for supporting me throughout this new adventure. Let’s say that 2019 was my “first year at school” and it was fundamental for understanding the bike’s potential at the various tracks, but next year I want to be at the front every race. I want to thank Lucio and all the LCR E-Team partners for believing in me again in 2020.”
LCR E-Team Principal Lucio Cecchinello (right) and Niccolo Canepa (left). Photo courtesy of LCR E-Team.
Jonathan Rea in action in Spain. Photo courtesy of Kawasaki Motors Europe.
All-Time Superbike Lap Record: 1:38.247, Jonathan Rea, 2019
Superbike Race Lap Record: 1:39.004, Alvaro Bautista, 2019
FIM Superbike World Championship
Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
November 29, 2019
Unofficial Day Two Test Results (all on Pirelli tires):
Jonathan Rea, UK (Kawasaki), 1:38.397
Loris Baz, France (Yamaha), 1:39.280
Michael van der Mark, Netherlands (Yamaha), 1:39.287
Alex Lowes, UK (Kawasaki), 1:39.400
Scott Redding, UK (Ducati), 1:39.466
Tom Sykes, UK (BMW), 1:39.587
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Turkey (Yamaha), 1:39.634
Niccolo Canepa, Italy (Yamaha), 1:39.967
Chaz Davies, UK (Ducati), 1:40.000
Eugene Laverty, Ireland (BMW), 1:40.328
Xavi Fores, Spain (Kawasaki), 1:40.356
Michele Pirro, Italy (Ducati), 1:40.427
Federico Caricasulo, Italy (Yamaha), 1:40.613
Garrett Gerloff, USA (Yamaha), 1:40.714
Lorenzo Savadori, Italy (Kawasaki), 1:40.946
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
Jerez Test – Day 2
Rea fights back to end Jerez test on top, Baz impresses in second
The reigning five-time WorldSBK Champion fended off a resurgent Loris Baz, who is back at the front of WorldSBK
The 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is edging ever-closer as the final test of 2019 is all done and dusted. New motorcycles, team changes and rookie and returning riders made headlines across the two days at the Circuito de Jerez, which took place in more-or-less untroubled conditions. Despite a handful of red flags, it was Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) who topped the timesheets, whilst closely behind were Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha) and Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK).
Loris Baz. Photo courtesy of Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.
Having just been pipped for top slot at lunch time, the KRT squad were back on top come the end of the test, as Jonathan Rea was the first rider into the 1’38s. The time, which is under Alvaro Bautista’s race lap record from last year, slotted him nicely at the top whilst teammate Alex Lowes completed day two of the test in fourth place. Xavi Fores (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) enjoyed a successful comeback to WorldSBK and finished just outside the top ten in 11th, as he continued to become more accustomed to the bike. Aboard the Team Pedercini Racing Kawasaki, Lorenzo Savadori finished 15th and began to get used to Showa suspension.
Michael van der Mark. Photo courtesy of Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.
Yamaha were once again leading the charge to Kawasaki, although this time it was Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha) who was second. The Frenchman bolted up to the top just after lunch but was pegged back by the reigning five-time WorldSBK Champion. Eager to improve the feeling on fresh rubber whilst the bike works a treat on old tyres, Baz is back at the forefront of WorldSBK.
Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team) suffered a mechanical problem which resulted in an oil leak and subsequent crash at Turn 1, bring out the red flags. Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team) and Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) also crashed on oil. Van der Mark finished in third overall, just 0.007 from Baz. Having been inside the top four for most of the day, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team) finished seventh, refining his feeling with Ohlins suspension, as he’d not used it before. On the 2020 R1, Niccolò Canepa was eighth. GRT Yamaha’s top rider was Federico Caricasulo in 13th, whilst Garrett Gerloff was 14th.
WorldSBK rookie Scott Redding (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) was the leading Ducati Panigale V4 R rider in fifth, as the British rider continued his understanding of the team and bike in WorldSBK-spec. Redding has pleased the entire team at ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati with his quick adaptation, adding to the positive mood inside the box. The focus for the team on a whole was the balance of the bike and to try some new parts on the rear end. For Chaz Davies, the Welshman finished in ninth and was over 1.5s behind Jonathan Rea. BARNI Ducati’s Michele Pirro was in 12th place.
The best of the BMWs was once again Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), as the British rider continued his progress and used all of his famed development skills in order to get the bike to his liking. The 2013 WorldSBK Champion leapt up to sixth in the final ten minutes of action, making it three British riders inside the top five. New teammate and former WorldSBK title rival Eugene Laverty was quietly going about his business, as he finished in tenth place on his return to the Shaun Muir Racing fold.
The next test for the WorldSBK circus will take place back at the Jerez circuit before moving immediately on to Portimao, from the 21st to the 26th January. Until then, riders and team personnel will be looking forward to relaxing over the festive periods!
WorldSSP: Andrea Locatelli set the pace on the final day of testing in Jerez
With weather conditions welcoming more track action it was the Italian WorldSSP rookie to end the final day of testing on top
Andrea Locatelli (5). Photo courtesy of Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.
Sun shone down again on the second and final day of testing at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto where WorldSBK and WorldSSP riders continued their preparations for 2020. With the track becoming faster today compared to Day 1, it was this time former Moto2™ rider Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) to set the pace ending on top of the WorldSSP timesheets.
Unfortunately, the best lap of the Italian was also the last that he was able to put in today, as in the afternoon he got involved in a three-rider crash due to the oil left on track by the Yamaha of Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team). Despite that Locatelli was still able to put in 44 laps today while trying different tyre compounds and adapting to his new team and his new WorldSSP machine.
Second overall was another rider coming over from the Moto2™ paddock as Phillip Öttl (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) closed 0.046 s off Locatelli’s best lap and just 0.014 s ahead of Randy Krummenacher. It didn’t take long for the 2019 WorldSSP World Champion to adapt to the new environment of the MV AGUSTA Reparto Corse garage, as he declared to be thrilled about his new squad and the project. After having closed Day 1 on top, the Swiss rider did only 31 laps today ending with a 1’42.743 as his best lap for the day. On the other side of the garage, Federico Fuligni completed 85 laps today to finish sixth overall.
EAB Ten Kate Racing rider Steven Odendaal was fourth ahead of Kallio Racing rider Hannes Soomer, while his teammate Isaac Viñales finished 7th ahead of former Moto3™ rider Can Öncü, who also tried to do as many kilometres as possible to adapt quickly to his new Kawasaki of the Turkish Racing Team.
Closing the order, Belgian rider Loris Cresson (Team Toth) returned on track today after the nasty crashed suffered on the first day of testing in Jerez, completing the day with a best lap in 1’45.621.
WorldSSP Jerez Test Day 2 Unofficial Times:
1. Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan. Bros WorldSSP Team) – 1’42.683 (44 laps)
2. Philipp Oettl (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) – 1’42.729 (62 laps)
3. Randy Krummenacher (MV AGUSTA Reparto Corse) – 1’42.743 (31 laps)
4. Steven Odendaal (EAB Ten Kate Racing) – 1’43.090 (88 laps)
5. Hannes Soomer (Kallio Racing) – 1’43.262 (39 laps)
6. Federico Fuligni (MV AGUSTA Reparto Corse) – 1’43.311 (88 laps)
7. Isaac Viñales (Kallio Racing) 1’43.366 (43 laps)
8. Can Öncü (Turkish Racing Team) 1’44.779 (73 laps)
9. Loris Cresson (Team Toth) 1’45.621 (40 laps)
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In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
