MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow Rides 1989 NSR500 During Honda Racing Thanks Day At Motegi (Preview Video Included)

David Swarts

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November 13, 2019

MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow Rides 1989 NSR500 During Honda Racing Thanks Day At Motegi (Preview Video Included)

Sixty years after Honda first entered World Championship racing the company celebrated its tenth Honda Racing Thanks Day with over 17,000 fans at Twin Ring Motegi at the weekend (Sunday 10 November).

The Thanks Day is a free-to-enter event that allows Honda to show its gratitude to race fans for their support. Sunday’s gathering was blessed by glorious sunshine, with fans thronging the paddock area where they were able to get closer than ever to the machines – both past and present – that they love.

Honda Motor President Takahiro Hachigo (front row, center) with Honda racers. Photo courtesy of Honda Pro Racing.

This is a globally unique event, because no other manufacturer contests as many motorsport championships as Honda; from Formula 1 to MotoGP, from IndyCar to World Touring Car, from World Superbike to the Endurance World Championship, from MXGP to Trial and from Japan’s Super GT to its Super Formula car series.

Dozens of the world’s top Honda drivers and riders took part in the event: Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda F1 driver Daniil Kyvat, Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato, MotoGP riders Cal Crutchlow and Takaaki Nakagami, former F1 World Champion and Japanese GT500 Champion Jenson Button, World Touring Car Cup leader Esteban Guerrieri and many more.

The day was packed with fun races, contested by drivers and riders who fought like they were racing for World Championship victory!

The start of the Grom race for fun. Photo courtesy of Honda Pro Racing.

One of the highlights was a very hectic kart race featuring combined driver/rider teams and pit stops. The race was won during an entertaining final lap by Crutchlow, partnered by Super GT racer Hideki Mutoh. Second was the pairing of Mutoh’s team-mate Daisuke Nakajima and All-Japan Superbike Takumi Takahashi. Third were Kyvat and HRC Trial rider Tomoyuki Ogawa.

“We only lost because I’m heavier than the other guys!” joked Kyvat, who scored his first F1 podium of 2019 at July’s German GP, powered by Honda’s RA619H hybrid engine.

The similarly frantic Grom motorcycle race was won by Honda Team Asia Moto3 rider Ai Ogura. Second was F.C.C TSR Honda France EWC rider Mike Di Meglio and third was Crutchlow, who took the chequered flag centimetres behind Ogura.

Success in the Super GT Honda Grand Prix went to Team Kunimitsu team-mates Naoki Yamamoto and Button. The Briton has now retired from the Japanese Super GT Championship, which he won last year together with Naoki Yamamoto and Honda. The Super Formula Final Battle was won by Lucas Auer.

Takuma Sato delighted fans with an exciting drive in the legendary McLaren Honda MP4/4 which Ayrton Senna drove to the 1988 F1 world title. At the same time Crutchlow (Honda LCR Castrol) wowed the crowd with a ride on the fearsome Honda NSR500 that Eddie Lawson rode to victory in the 1989 500cc World Championship. History was in the air!

Kyvat, whose next stop is Sao Paulo for this weekend’s Brazilian F1 Grand Prix, was delighted with his first Honda Racing Thanks Day.

“It’s so cool that Honda has here everything from its earliest F1 car to the latest cars,” said the 25-year-old Russian. “The support I felt here and from Honda fans at also Suzuka was incredible – I’d like to thank the Japanese fans for the passion they bring to our sport.”

Crutchlow was thrilled after his outing on Honda’s awesome 1989 NSR500. “It was incredible and a real privilege to ride an NSR!” grinned the 34-year-old Briton, winner of three MotoGP races on Honda’s RC213V. “I grew up watching guys race these 500s – I used to think the bikes looked spectacular and now I know they are spectacular! The bike was fantastic but I can’t imagine racing one in 1989.”

Sato, who in 2017 became the first Japanese driver to win the world-famous Indy 500 race, had a busy day: as well as Senna’s MP4/4 he drove his Indy 500 winner, a Super GT car and a car from the Suzuka Racing School, where he started his career.

“This is a great opportunity for fans to see the heritage of Honda, and for all the drivers and riders to have fun, but also getting quite serious when they race,” said Sato. “It’s the perfect way to finish the season with a very happy moment and the best way to show the fans how much we appreciate their support.”

Honda Motor President Takahiro Hachigo also added his thanks to the fans. “Honda started World Championship racing in 1959, the year I was born!” he said. “Honda has been racing for such a long time! I want to say thank you to all the fans for supporting us all these years, both in motorcycle and in automobile motorsport.”

More, from a press release issued by LCR Honda:

CRUTCHLOW AND NAKAGAMI ENJOY HONDA RACING THANKS DAY

LCR Honda racers Cal Crutchlow and Takaaki Nakagami were star billings as a host of motorsport VIPs joined in the celebrations for the Honda Racing Thanks Day at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan at the weekend.

2019 marks 60 years of Honda’s first entry into World Championship racing, and the company celebrated its tenth Thanks Day in front of over 17,000 fans who all were allowed free access so that Honda could show its gratitude for their support.

Many of the world’s top Honda athletes took part in the event, with Cal and Taka joined by the likes of F1 driver Daniil Kyvat, Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato, as well as former F1 World Champion Jenson Button among others.

With Nakagami unable to take part in the on-track action due to his recent shoulder operation, it was left to Crutchlow to hold up the LCR Honda honour out on track. The Brit won an entertaining kart race alongside his Super GT racing partner Hideki Mutoh, before just missing out on a win in the wacky Grom race behind Moto3 rider Ai Ogura.

Crutchlow later put on a real show for the fans as he lapped on the awe-inspiring Honda NSR500 that Eddie Lawson rode to victory in the 1989 500cc World Championship.

Honda Motor President Takahiro Hachigo offered a note of thanks to the fans: “Honda started World Championship racing in 1959, the year I was born! Honda has been racing for such a long time! I want to say thank you to all the fans for supporting us all these years, both in motorcycle and in automobile motorsport.”

Cal Crutchlow

“It was incredible and a real privilege to ride an NSR! I grew up watching guys race these 500s – I used to think the bikes looked spectacular and now I know they are spectacular! The bike was fantastic but I can’t imagine racing one in 1989. I’d like to say a big thank you to HRC for this opportunity, because it has been a fantastic event for the fans, but also a special one for us riders”.

Takaaki Nakagami

“It’s always a pleasure for me to be here at the Honda Thanks days but this year, due to my recent shoulder surgery, I could not take part in the track activities unfortunately. Nonetheless I really enjoyed everything that was going on at the track and as always it was great to enjoy spending some time with the fans”.

MotoAmerica 2020: FOX Sports Continues Live Coverage Of Superbike Races, Adds Junior Cup

David Swarts

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November 13, 2019

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MotoAmerica 2020: FOX Sports Continues Live Coverage Of Superbike Races, Adds Junior Cup

FOX Sports Continues As ‘Home Of MotoAmerica Superbike Racing’

Liqui Moly Junior Cup Also Slated For FS2 Programming

COSTA MESA, CA (November 13, 2019) – MotoAmerica and FOX Sports are pleased to announce that FS2 will continue to be the “Home of MotoAmerica Superbike Racing” for the 2020 MotoAmerica Series with one-hour shows set to air live on both Saturday and Sunday from each of the 10 rounds.

Additionally, the Liqui Moly Junior Cup Series will also be shown on FS2 in 2020 with 30-minute shows for each race set to be aired on a delayed basis the week after each event. Both the MotoAmerica Superbike and Junior Cup shows will be re-aired for a second showing via the FS2 Rewind shows.

With 20 live Superbike races, 10 re-airs of Superbike Rewind, 18 Junior Cup shows and 18 Junior Cup Rewinds, the number of MotoAmerica shows on FS2 will total 66 episodes over the course of the season.

“We’re happy to announce that we will be back with FOX Sports for the 2020 MotoAmerica Superbike Series,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “Shortening the program to one hour instead of 90 minutes has allowed FS2 to slot us in for live airings instead of same-day coverage shows. Adding the Liqui Moly Junior Cup races to the FS2 programming is also great news as it not only brings a lot more exposure to our riders and teams in the Junior Cup class, but it also gives our fans more MotoAmerica racing on FOX Sports.”

“Motorcycle road racers are some of the bravest athletes on the planet,” said Frank Wilson, FOX Sports VP of Production. “MotoAmerica on FOX Sports will showcase the speed and daring of the competitors in the U.S.’s premier motorcycle road racing series.”

The following is the tentative schedule for the 2020 MotoAmerica Superbike Series on FS2

(60-Minute Programs/Eastern Time. Subject to change):

April 4 Circuit of The Americas 4 p.m. (Live)

April 5 Circuit of The Americas 4 p.m. (Live)

April 18 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta 3 p.m. (Live)

April 19 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta 3 p.m. (Live)

May 2 VIRginia International Raceway 3 p.m. (Live)

May 3 VIRginia International Raceway 3 p.m. (Live)

May 30 Road America 4 p.m. (Live)

May 31 Road America 4 p.m. (Live)

June 27 The Ridge Motorsports Park 6 p.m. (Live)

June 28 The Ridge Motorsports Park 6 p.m. (Live)

July 11 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 6 p.m. (Live)

July 12 WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca 6 p.m. (Live)

August 8 Pittsburgh International Race Complex 3 p.m. (Live)

August 9 Pittsburgh International Race Complex 3 p.m. (Live)

August 22 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 3 p.m. (Live)

August 23 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 3 p.m. (Live)

Sept. 12 New Jersey Motorsports Park TBD

Sept. 13 New Jersey Motorsports Park 3 p.m. (Live)

Sept. 19 Barber Motorsports Park 4 p.m. (Live)

Sept. 20 Barber Motorsports Park 4 p.m. (Live)

About MotoAmerica

MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey, ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland, motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges, and businessman Richard Varner. For more information on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

World Superbike: Jonathan Rea Quickest, Garrett Gerloff “Immediately Competitive” During Day One Of Testing In Spain

David Swarts

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November 13, 2019

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World Superbike: Jonathan Rea Quickest, Garrett Gerloff “Immediately Competitive” During Day One Of Testing In Spain

Redding runs Rea close in first day of testing at MotorLand Aragon

New stars shine on winter testing kick-off, with early showers giving way to blue skies and lots of action in the afternoon

Reigning World Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) closes Day 1 on top. But the pack chases close behind…

The winter testing season of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has been officially inaugurated at the Spanish circuit of MotorLand Aragon, with Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) leading a nine-strong group of WorldSBK riders (plus WorldSSP300’s Ana Carrasco) on the timesheets. The Northern Irishman’s best time of 1:50.416 was four tenths of a second faster than Scott Redding who nonetheless hit the ground running on his debut with the Aruba.it Racing team.

Scott Redding (45). Photo courtesy of Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.

The day began slowly, with overnight and early morning rain leaving the Alcañiz track in a drenched state. While every team was present and ready to go when the pit-lane lights turned green at 10:00 (GMT+1), no one dared to touch the tarmac until an hour later, when Carrasco took her Kawasaki Ninja 400 for the first laps of MotorLand Aragon as the showers ceased.

At approximately the same time the 2018 WorldSSP300 World Champion crossed the line for her third timed lap, came one of the most awaited moments of the past few months. Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) hopped onboard his WorldSBK-spec Ducati V4 R for the first time in full Aruba.it gear. While the early laps were tentative, the 26-year-old’s times dropped progressively throughout the day – even topping the leaderboards at one point – before settling on a 1’50.868 with 51 laps completed.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (54). Photo courtesy of Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.

For his Welsh teammate Chaz Davies, this will be the first time he can face a full winter testing season with the V4 R in proper conditions – he was still awaiting surgery on his right collarbone twelve months ago – which will be key to building a title challenge for 2020 after a fluctuating first year. Day One saw him work on new ideas concerning the chassis and electronics of his Ducati.

Leon Camier (54). Photo courtesy of Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.

Completing the trio of Ducatis present in Aragon was Leon Camier on his BARNI Racing debut. The Englishman is focusing exclusively on getting to know the V4 R, before diving deeper into the bike’s configuration.

Garrett Gerloff (31) was riding at Motorland Aragon for the first time ever. Photo courtesy of Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.

After midday, the track began to slowly dry out with times finally dropping below the two-minute mark around 2 pm, which prompted the first appearance of both Kawasaki Racing Team riders on the Spanish tarmac. Having proven that the package is as good as it’s ever been, Rea and Crew Chief Pere Riba’s focus in these early stages is on small details destined to make the bike turn a bit easier while not losing any stability.

Alex Lowes. Photo courtesy of Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.

While their work revolves around fine-tuning the package, for Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) these early laps are all about getting an understanding of the bike as a whole. The Englishman lands on a new machine and inside a new team, with new relationships inside Provec Racing just as important to develop as his feeling with the ZX-10RR. On day one at Aragon, the final three hours of the day were enough to complete 37 laps, with a best time only a second behind his Championship-winning teammate.

Federico Caricasulo (64). Photo courtesy of Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.

The manufacturer with the strongest representation at MotorLand Aragon is Yamaha, who put out all four riders – two Pata Yamaha, two GRT Yamaha Junior Team – on the 2019 version of the YZF R1, with the new 2020 model ready to hit the tarmac in Jerez, in two weeks’ time.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was the second rider out on track in the morning and showed that he could be instantly competitive on his new bike, finishing the day only a fraction of a second from teammate Michael van der Mark. For the Dutchman the true test will come in that Jerez test at the end of November, when he meets the evolution of his previous race-winning machine; here, on Wednesday, a few extra components including a different throttle were tested, as van der Mark and new Crew Chief Andrew Pitt began working together for the first time.

Meanwhile, GRT Yamaha’s two representatives began to prove why the Italian team has put its trust in two rookies for 2020. Garrett Gerloff, not only racing on the WorldSBK YZF R1 for the first time but also on Pirelli tyres (and on European tarmac), was immediately competitive, coming within less than a second of van der Mark’s best time. His Italian teammate Federico Caricasulo, on a Superbike for the first time after several years on Supersport machines, recorded more laps than anyone as he finds his feet in a new class.

Track action restarts tomorrow at 10:00 Local Time (GMT+1), before the riders set off for a two-week break before travelling to Jerez.

Aragón Test Day One Unofficial Times:

Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 1’50.416 – 27 laps

Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’50.868 – 51 laps

Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) 1’50.941 – 39 laps

Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’51.176 – 37 laps

Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) 1’51.313 – 47 laps

Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 1’51.567 – 37 laps

Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team) 1’51.867 – 52 laps

Leon Camier (BARNI Racing Team) 1’52.902 – 37 laps

Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team) 1’53.514 – 57 laps

AMA Announces Nominees For 2019 Awards, Including AMA Rider Of The Year

David Swarts

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November 12, 2019

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AMA Announces Nominees For 2019 Awards, Including AMA Rider Of The Year

Award nominees announced for 2019 AMA Championship Banquet

Voting for AMA Racers of the Year is open to AMA members

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association has announced the nominees for the 2019 AMA Championship Banquet awards. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that excelled in AMA-sanctioned competition and recreational activity in 2019.

“The AMA Championship Banquet honors this year’s national and regional champions and recognizes individuals and clubs who have gone above and beyond to support and protect the motorcycling lifestyle,” AMA Director of Racing Kevin Crowther said. “We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of motorcycle and ATV competitors, volunteers and advocates across the nation, and we invite the motorcycling community to come and enjoy this very special event.”

AMA members help choose the winners of selected racing categories, including the coveted AMA Athlete of the Year awards.

AMA members may visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/22CK9RK to cast votes for the 2019 AMA Racing Awards. Voting ends at midnight Sunday, Nov. 17.

The special award winners will be announced at the 2019 AMA Championship Banquet on Dec. 7 at the Hilton Columbus Downtown in Columbus, Ohio. The event is part of the 2019 AMA Legends & Champions Weekend, Dec. 6-7.

Among those recognized at the banquet are top clubs and promoters in competition and recreational riding categories. AMA volunteers also will be recognized in the areas of Rights, Riding and Racing.

Class champions from national and regional motorcycle and ATV championships will be honored with AMA National No. 1 plates at the banquet, while second- and third-place finishers also receive awards.

The AMA Championship Banquet recognizes hundreds of top racers from across the country in disciplines ranging from flat track to motocross to woods racing and everything in between.

Recreational organizers will be recognized in road-riding and off-road categories. The AMA Club of the Year and the AMA Media Award also will be presented.

To reserve your space at the event, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com/champbanquet/. Tickets are $75 each. AMA Life Members receive a $10 discount and children 4 years old and younger are free.

Reservations can be made through Nov. 20 at a special rate. Visit https://aws.passkey.com/e/49921089.

The banquet includes dinner and door prizes.

Visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com/champbanquet/ to learn more.

2019 AMA Racing Award Nominees

AMA Athlete of the Year: National Championship Series

Jacob Argubright — Champion, AMA National Hare & Hound Championship Series

Steward Baylor — Champion, AMA National Enduro Championship Series

Walker Fowler — Champion, AMA Grand National Cross Country ATV Series

Jett Lawrence — Champion, Supercross Futures 250 Futures Class

Kailub Russell — Champion, AMA Grand National Cross Country Series

Patrick Smage — Champion, AMA/NATC MotoTrials National Championship Series

AMA Athlete of the Year: Grand Championships

Trevor Brunner — Nicky Hayden AMA Flat Track Horizon Award Winner

Blake Davis — Nicky Hayden AMA Road Race Horizon Award Winner

Ryder LeBlond — Amateur Champion, AMA Extreme Off-Road Grand Championship

Jalek Swoll — Nicky Hayden AMA Motocross Horizon Award Winner

AMA ATV Athlete of the Year

Bryce Ford — AMA ATV Motocross National Championship Series

Walker Fowler — AMA Grand National Cross Country Series

Traci Pickens — AMA Grand National Cross Country Series

Tyler Wesolowski — AMA Grand Prix ATV National Championship

Landon C. Wolfe — AMA Grand National Cross Country Series

AMA Veteran/Senior Racer of the Year

Russell Bobbitt — AMA National Enduro Championship Series

Mike Brown — AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship

Sam Forrester — AMA Grand National Cross Country Series

Martin Howell — AMA National Enduro Championship Series

Paul Krause — AMA National Enduro Championship Series

Sam Markley — AMA Senior Off-Road Vintage Grand Champion

J.R. Schnabel — AMA Ice Race National Championship

AMA Youth Racer of the Year

Joseph R. Cunningham — AMA Grand National Cross Country Series

A.J. Engnes — AMA Hillclimb Grand Championship

Will Myers — AMA/NATC East Youth Trials Championship; AMA/NATC West Youth Trials Championship

Mikayla Nielsen — AMA Grand Prix National Championship Series; AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship

Lake Plowman — AMA National Enduro Championship Series

Maxiumus Vohland — AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship

AMA Female Racer of the Year

Jazzmyn Canfield — AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship

Tayla Jones — AMA Grand National Cross Country Series

Mikayla Nielsen — AMA Grand Prix National Championship Series; AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship

Traci Pickens — AMA Grand National Cross Country Series

Brandy Richards — AMA Hare & Hound National Championship Series

Mackenzie Tricker — AMA National Enduro Championship Series

2019 AMA Organizer Award Nominees

AMA Motocross Organizer of the Year

2X Promotions, Porterville, Calif.

Group Effort Events, Jacksonville, Fla.

Motosports Enterprises LTD (Byron Motorsports Park), Byron, Ill.

AMA Off-Road Organizer of the Year

Arizona Motorcycle Riders Association, Mesa, Ariz.

Florida Trail Riders, Debary, Fla.

Full Gas Sprint Enduro, Granite Falls, N.C.

AMA Track Racing Organizer of the Year

American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) LLC, Fort Worth, Texas

Deliciate Promotions LLC, Poulsbo, Wash.

Steve Nace Racing Promotions, West Paducah, Ky.

AMA ATV Organizer of the Year

ATV Promoters Group, Morgantown, W.Va.

Iowa ATV Hare Scramble Series, Carlisle, Iowa

AMA Recreational Road Riding Organizer of the Year

American Legion Riders Post 174, Wayne, N.J.

Azratpack, Buckeye, Ariz.

Dawn Patrol MC, Bridgewater Township, N.J.

AMA Recreational Off-Road Organizer of the Year

Central Coast MC Association, San Luis Obispo, Calif.

K T Riders, Hopkinsville, Ky.

Touratech USA, Seattle, Wash.

AMA Club of the Year

Hi-Winders, Millville, Minn.

Square Deal Riders, Port Crane, N.Y.

Walden MX, Kingston, N.Y.

AMA Media Award

David Swarts (Roadracing World & Motorcycle Technology)

Motoplayground

Photos by Grumpy

2019 AMA Volunteer Award Nominees

AMA Volunteer of the Year — RightsMatt Bucher, Swanton, Ohio

Tom Cowher, Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Paul Slavik, Huntington Beach, Calif.

AMA Volunteer of the Year — Riding

Matt Bucher, Swanton, Ohio

Kent Fyfe, Etiwanda, Calif.

Kory Young, Hebron, Ohio

AMA Volunteer of the Year — Racing

Ryan Knapp, Columbia, Md.

Christopher Kirk, Hutchinson, Kan.

Kory Young, Hebron, Ohio

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

Not a member? Join the AMA today: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/join/

2019 MotoGP: Season Concludes This Coming Weekend At Valencia

David Swarts

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November 12, 2019

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2019 MotoGP: Season Concludes This Coming Weekend At Valencia

Last stop Valencia: 2019 set to go out with a bang

The final fireworks of the season are just around the corner, with some top honours still very much on the line

Monday, 11 November 2019

After 18 rounds, some of the greatest races in history and three new World Champions, it’s almost time to bring the curtain down on 2019. And that means it’s time for Valencia; a return to European turf and temperatures and the awesome atmosphere in the amphitheatre that is the Circuit Ricardo Tormo. From nearly every seat you can see nearly every square inch of track, making it quite the stage for a finale.

Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) arrives already part-way through his sixth term as the king of MotoGP™, but there’s still more than personal glory on the line. The team standings have Repsol Honda and Ducati facing off in the final round, and Marquez has already played a huge part in getting them there. Can he secure the title and therefore the triple crown? Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and teammate Danilo Petrucci will be gunning to stop him, with one already secure in second overall and the other looking to bounce back. And what of Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol Honda Team)? It’s been a tough run for the five-time World Champion as he continues his recovery to full fitness and adaptation to the Honda, but this is turf he knows better than most – and has utterly dominated in the past.

It must be Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) who arrives with the momentum, however. After outpacing Marquez in Australia but finding himself unable to outrace him, Malaysia saw the number 12 put in one of his best ever rides to cross the line in his own postcode out front. He’s got some good memories at Valencia too, most notably winning the 2013 Moto3™ Championship at the very last corner on the very last lap, so he’ll likely be top of the watch list for his rivals. And he has to be for one rival in particular: Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar).

Rins has had a tougher run of it since his incredible victory at Silverstone, and the Spaniard is now seven points behind Viñales in the fight for third overall. That means he’ll need to beat him and by a margin if he’s to end the season in the top three, so he’ll be pushing hard for that. But rookie teammate Joan Mir has been giving him something to think about of late too, and that battle seems set to only get closer…

The rookie on a roll was, is and likely will be someone else though: Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT). Race day at Sepang was tougher than Saturday, but he’d broken the lap record a handful of times by the time the lights went out – and outfoxed Marquez’ Q2 tactics. He’s got one more chance to win a race, and plenty more on the line: he’s just ahead of nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) as we arrive, and that would be something for the CV in a debut year. Valencia hasn’t always proven the best track for ‘The Doctor’ either, so could it swing the Frenchman’s way?

There’s a bigger prize Quartararo is up for though: top Independent Team rider. With a healthy 23-point advantage over Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) – his only remaining rival for the title – it seems a formality in some ways, but never say never, especially with Jack Miller. In terms of top Independent Team rider in the race the two will likely have company from Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) and Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) too, and a good few gazes will also be watching Johann Zarco (LCR Honda Idemitsu) in his third ride on the Honda. Sepang ended early through no fault of his own – how will the season end?

12 months ago, meanwhile, the season ended on a serious high for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Pol Espargaro put in one of the rides of his career in the wet to take third place; his first premier class podium and KTM’s first too. The hard work continues for the Austrian factory but the good memories at the track will be a nice reminder that it’s already been paying off, sometimes in a big way. There’s no Miguel Oliveira at Red Bull KTM Tech 3 this weekend either, with Iker Lecuona debuting one race early as an injury replacement – so that’s something to watch out for too.

Finally, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini will be hoping for more of their Australia glory. It’s been a tougher season for the Noale factory but Valencia is another chance to equal those best yet results. For Aleix Espargaro it’s home turf, for Andrea Iannone it’s very well known turf. Can they make another assault on the top six?

Next season the counter will be hitting 20 as the paddock rolls back in to Valencia, and that season starts on Tuesday in the pre-season test. For many it will be a new era, for some simply chance to reset and start afresh with their plans to take over the world. But before then, the last 25 points await whoever dares to claim them, be it for pride or pivotal places in the standings.

Watch the final fireworks of the 2019 MotoGP™ season this weekend, with the lights out for the premier class at 14:00 (GMT +1) on Sunday.

Championship standings

1 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) – 375

2 – Andrea Dovizioso (ITA – Ducati) – 240

3 – Alex Rins (SPA – Suzuki) – 183

4 – Maverick Viñales (SPA – Yamaha) – 176

5 – Danilo Petrucci (ITA – Ducati) – 169

Binder vs Lüthi vs Navarro: the fight to follow Marquez home

The number 73 is now the World Champion. But who’s going to take second?

Despite a truly dominant mid-part of the season for Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), the pressure was starting to build for the points leader on the flyaways, and the two men coming in hot were Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP). But the number 73 kept cool in the searing heat of Sepang to take a tenth podium of the year and become a two-time World Champion, so now it’s about the fight for second – and the final win of the year.

Marquez is now free of the pressure that seemed to tame a few of his recent races, so he’s pencilled in as a favourite from the off – especially given it’s home turf. But then Binder is on a serious roll and looking for his third win in a row, and Lüthi only trails the South African by four points as they squabble over the position at present. And the pendulum could swing either way in that battle all too easily, but in reality it’s not quite a duel, because Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up) remains in with a long shot at second – and he’s racing on home turf.

The Valencian has had an impressive season in 2019, with seven podiums so far and one more chance to take another. He’s yet to take a win in the intermediate class though, and now would surely be the time to do it. Not only in front of his home fans, but also for the standings as he’s 24 points off Binder, meaning winning is all that will do.

Augusto Fernandez (Flexbox HP 40) similarly faces a long shot as well, but his is for fourth overall. After a tougher few races on the flyaways the Spaniard will be back racing on familiar turf, and that’s often seen him soar. He’ll also need to keep one eye on Luca Marini (Sky Racing team VR46) though, with the Italian 15 points behind him and still able to upset the home party. But then Marini has a target on his back too: Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP 40) lurks 11 points behind. The fight for second seems unlikely to be fought alone between Binder, Lüthi and Navarro…

The fight for Rookie of the Year is another one going down to the wire. With the three men in contention all crashing in Sepang, the battle rolled on to the finale and it’s Fabio Di Giannantonio (MB Conveyors Speed Up) who arrives ahead. He’s six points clear of earlier season leader and compatriot Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team), with home hero Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) facing a steeper climb from third. It’s the final race, so one will come out on top once and for all – but which one?

The fight for second and the fight for Rookie of the Year keep the standings on high alert as we head into the season finale. Is it time to see Marquez unleashed? Binder winning three in a row? Lüthi fighting back? Or can Navarro take that final win of the year and his first in the class? There’s also a new face to keep an eye on – American Sean Dylan Kelly, who debuts with American Racing KTM. What can he do as he pits out on the world stage? Find out in the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana on Sunday, at 12:20 local time (GMT +1).

Championship standings

1 – Alex Marquez (SPA – Kalex) – 262

2 – Brad Binder (RSA – KTM) – 234

3 – Tom Lüthi (SWI – Kalex) – 230

4 – Jorge Navarro (SPA – Speed Up) – 210

5 – Augusto Fernandez (SPA – Kalex) – 197

Can Canet secure second on home turf?

The rider from Valencia can’t take the crown this season. But in the finale, he can wrap up second – and take one more Moto3™ win

Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) has had a tougher run of late. Since the last time he won – MotorLand Aragon – he’s lost out pretty big to then-title rival and now Champion Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing), but there’s one last chance for the Spaniard to go out from 2019 swinging. And where better for that to be than true home turf?

The Valencian arrives 15 points ahead of closest challenger Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers), but Arbolino has lost a little momentum of his own as Marcos Ramirez (Leopard Racing) is now only a single point behind the Italian. Can Canet keep them both at bay? He’s qualified on pole at the venue before and shown some speed, despite the fact he’s not got a glittering record on race day. But then, home turf and a last tango in Moto3™ is more than a little motivation before he moves up.

John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing), meanwhile, isn’t quite out of the fight for third either – at least according to the maths. And the maths never lies. The worst the Brit can come out with this year now is his current position of fifth overall, so he can go very much weapons free as he aims for the long shot. But he’ll have some stiff competition: Albert Arenas (Gaviota Angel Nieto Team) is on a roll, Jaume Masia (Mugen Race) is from Valencia and on song, SIC58 Squadra Corse duo Niccolo Antonelli and Tatsuki Suzuki can’t be ruled out.

The fight for Rookie of the Year is still on too, and it’s frequently been a fight in the top ten, top five or even for the podium. Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) is on the verge of taking the title, however, with the Italian 24 points clear of nearest rival Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia). For Vietti to lose it then, Ogura would have to win – and the Italian would have to all-but fail to score. And if they’re equal? Then it would come down to the Japanese rider having taken a second place this season and Vietti “only” thirds, but that says one thing clearly at least: they’re both frontrunners and ones to watch.

One more tango awaits the lightweight class in Valencia, with the likes of Dalla Porta and Canet set to make the leap to Moto2™ after a final showdown. Can Canet bounce back to his best on home turf? Will Dalla Porta extend his run? Or will another name rise to the top as has so often happened of late in Moto3™? Find out this weekend as the lights go out for the lightweight class at 11:00 (GMT +1).

Championship standings

1 – Lorenzo Dalla Porta (ITA – Honda) – 279

2 – Aron Canet (SPA – KTM) – 190

3 – Tony Arbolino (ITA – Honda) – 175

4 – Marcos Ramirez (SPA – Honda) – 174

5 – John McPhee (GBR – Honda) – 156

World Superbike: Oschersleben Returns To Schedule In 2020

David Swarts

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November 12, 2019

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World Superbike: Oschersleben Returns To Schedule In 2020

Oschersleben returns as WorldSBK heads back to Germany

With a rich history in World Superbike, the German round is back on the calendar and will take place at Oschersleben for the first time since 2004

From July 31st to August 2nd, the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship takes place in Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. This means WorldSBK is returning to Germany after two seasons without a round. Crowds should brace themselves for plenty of thrills, spills, action and drama as the world’s fastest production-based Championship looks to provide an exhilarating spectacle, supported by the FIM Supersport World Championship and FIM Supersport 300 World Championship among others.

The Motorsport Arena Oschersleben itself has already been part of WorldSBK from 2000 to 2004 and will be one of 13 rounds of the world’s highest class for production-derived motorcycle racing in 2020. The Championship battle looks certain to provide tough fights for victory with new riders and teams ready to duel on their return to Germany.

Jonathan Rea topped the standings by far after tough competition all year, securing a record fifth consecutive title. Coming up next season, Rea will try to defend his title again with Kawasaki in order to achieve six Championship titles in a row. However, competition never sleeps, and his rivals won’t let the reigning Champion continue to dominate. Among them is the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team with former Champion Tom Sykes and new signing Eugene Laverty, who are making progress and getting closer to the leading group in their past comeback season and look set to fight for the title once again.

2019 WorldSBK runner-up Alvaro Bautista, Rea’s new teammate Alex Lowes, Ducati rider Chaz Davies and Dutch rider Michael van der Mark are going to challenge the reigning Champion, not to mention home-hero, WorldSSP rookie and former Moto3™ Grand Prix winner, Philipp Öettl. As well as this, German-speaking reigning WorldSSP Champion Randy Krummenacher will get as close as possible to a home round.

To experience of the fiercest WorldSBK fighting, spectators will get tickets up from €29 in presale soon. For only €48, guests can access all three action-packed event days. Additionally, a combined ticket for €69 also allows entrance to a multitude of other events at Oschersleben.

Ralph Bohnhorst, Executive Director of Motorsport Arena Oschersleben is looking forward to the return of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship to Germany: “First of all, I am happy that WorldSBK – a World Championship under the auspices of the FIM – will race again in Germany. It is a great opportunity for the Motorsport Arena to be a good host for a prestigious international championship. I am taking to heart the matter of enabling the return of the Superbike World Championship to Oschersleben after its last appearance in the years from 2000 to 2004. I am sure that both us and our guests will be able to experience the finest of motorsports and exciting races at Oschersleben.”

Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director, Sporting and Organization Departments expressed his delight at returning to Germany and indeed Oschersleben: “I am very happy to see the FIM Superbike World Championship return to Oschersleben, it is a place I have fond memories of and some good results. This area of Germany as enthusiastic about motorcycle racing and providing the fans with a world-class spectacle such as WorldSBK is an honour. I look forward to the round in front of the German audience and can’t wait to see the racing action unfold in Germany for the first time in three years.”

2020 Ducatis Will Make North American Debut Nov. 22-24 At The International Motorcycle Show In Long Beach, California

David Swarts

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November 12, 2019

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2020 Ducatis Will Make North American Debut Nov. 22-24 At The International Motorcycle Show In Long Beach, California

Ducati Streetfighter V4 S to Steal Spotlight During Long Beach International Motorcycle Show With Thrilling North American Unveiling

Highly anticipated Streetfighter V4 arrives in production form on U.S. soil for first time during Southern California show

New Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour, Panigale V2 and new Panigale V4 to make debuts alongside Streetfighter V4, Scrambler Icon Dark and Monster 1200 S “Black on Black”

New interactive presentations to take place for first time at Long Beach International Motorcycle Show throughout weekend, representing Ducati worlds and showcasing key highlights including Ducati Link App demonstrations, a V4 engine tech talk, bike maintenance and safety feature discussions, as well as a Q&A with Scrambler Ducati flat track racer Frankie Garcia

Mountain View, Calif. – Following the immense success of last month’s Ducati World Premiere event in Italy, the Bologna-based brand is bringing its newest motorcycles to North America for the first time to display at the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show (IMS) from Friday, Nov. 22 through Sunday, Nov. 24. The public will have the opportunity to be the first in North America to experience the stunning design and engineering of Ducati’s 2020 model lineup at the Long Beach Convention Center in sunny Southern California throughout the weekend.

Several unveilings are set to inspire riders of all levels, including a reveal of the highly anticipated Streetfighter V4 S and the new Panigale V4 S, as well as a new addition to the Ducati superbike stable, the Panigale V2, and the adventurous Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour in addition to the newest resident of the Land of Joy, the Scrambler Icon Dark. It will also be the North American debut of the new Monster 1200 S in “Black on Black” styling.

Returning favorites to the show will include the powerful Diavel 1260 and 1260 S, the riotous Hypermotard 950 and 950 SP, the accessible Monster 797 and 821 Stealth, the versatile Multistrada 950 S and 1260 Enduro, and the new 2020 Scrambler Café Racer, Desert Sled and Full Throttle motorcycles.

New for this year’s Long Beach IMS, Ducati will also be hosting a series of events throughout the weekend to introduce guests to The World of Ducati. A series of exciting and engaging speakers will educate attendees in a fun and entertaining format about Ducati’s newest developments in the spaces of safety, service and technology, including a Ducati Link app demonstration, a V4 engine talk, and a Q&A with Scrambler Ducati flat track racer Frankie Garcia.

For Long Beach IMS ticket information, please visit: https://motorcycleshows.com/longbeach

For those interested in taking home the newest offerings from Ducati, orders will be accepted on-site at the Long Beach Convention Center. The latest Ducati gear and apparel will also be on display.

North American Debuts Slated for Long Beach IMS:

Streetfighter V4 S ($23,995 MSRP / Available April 2020) – The long-awaited Streetfighter V4 is finally here. A Panigale V4 stripped of its fairings and equipped with high, wide handlebars, the Streetfighter is powered by a 1103 cc Desmosedici Stradale engine that pumps out 208 horsepower, harnessed in part by biplane aerofoils and the latest-generation electronics package: a combination of factors and modifications Ducati calls the “Fight Formula.” The result is an over-the-top naked Ducati, modern and technological, with an assertively eye-catching design. It’s a bike that does nothing to hide its segment-leading performance and ensures practicality and full-on fun during everyday rides. The “S” version of the Streetfighter V4 features Marchesini forged wheels and Öhlins electrically controlled suspension.

Panigale V4 S ($28,395 MSRP / Available December 2019) – This Panigale V4 is the benchmark for V4 superbike performance and now it’s equipped with technology and performance taken from the V4 R, starting with the aero pack: aerofoils, Plexiglas screen, nose fairing, larger lateral fairings and more efficient side vents for radiator through-air. This provides better airflow protection and improves overall vehicle stability, enhancing confidence. Also updated is the Front Frame, with modified stiffness to give better front-end ‘feel’ at extreme lean angles. Thanks to a new ‘predictive’ control strategy, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2 significantly improves out-of-the-corner power control; Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2 also shortens up-shift times and allows sportier high-rev gear shifts (over 10,000 rpm) and boosts shift stability during aggressive acceleration and cornering. The “S” version comes with upgraded features including Öhlins suspension, Marchesini forged aluminum wheels in total black, a Lithium-ion battery and sport grips.

Panigale V2 ($16,495 MSRP / Available January 2020) – The new twin-cylinder Panigale has a completely new look and new name – the Panigale V2. Unique from the 959 Panigale, the new Panigale V2 features a single-sided aluminum swingarm, the hallmark of every high-end sport Ducati. Gently molded around the refined monocoque frame, the extensive fairing highlights the more compact twin-cylinder Superquadro engine (smaller in comparison to the Desmosedici Stradale), creating a bike that is visibly leaner and less intimidating than the Panigale V4. It also features sophisticated Inertial Platform-based electronics and, thanks also to a comfortable seat and its suspension set-up, better yet safer sports performance. Powered by the 995 cc Superquadro engine with 155 hp, the Panigale V2 will be making its North American debut in Long Beach.

Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour ($23,295 MSRP / Available November 2020) – The 2020 Multistrada family has a new member: the Grand Tour, a special version of the 1260 S, specifically designed for those who want to eat up miles in maximum comfort. It has a dedicated color scheme combining stylish matte Sandstone Grey and an assertive Ducati Red wheel and fairing as well as a painted frame contrasting perfectly with the grey superstructure. As the name suggests, the Multistrada 1260 S Grand Tour was designed for serious travelling and features center stand, panniers and a dedicated seat with Grand Tour logo as standard. To keep even the most demanding adventurers comfortable it comes with heated grips, additional LED lights, a hands free gas cap and tire pressure monitoring sensor on the dashboard display.

Scrambler Icon Dark ($8,795 MSRP / Available April 2020) – The Ducati Scrambler family is now complete thanks to the arrival of a version that best represents the essentials of this iconic motorcycle: two wheels, a wide handlebar, a great engine and a ton of fun. It’s called the Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark, and it’s the gateway to the “800” model range. The Scrambler Icon Dark represents the perfect starting point for personalization thanks to the wide range of original accessories that suit the “Matte Black” color of the tank and fenders, just like the extensive catalog of apparel available in the Scrambler world.

Monster 1200 S “Black on Black” ($17,795 MSRP / Available Now) – When Ducati designers started working on the Monster 1200, they drew their inspiration from the basics behind that groundbreaking 1993 model: the concept of a “sport naked bike.” New for Model Year 2020, the Monster 1200 S is now available in “Black on Black” livery, which alternates parts in glossy black and matte black. The new color combines sportiness – underlined by the bright red touch on the wheels – and the elegance of black, always synonymous with the Monster family. The 2020 Monster 1200 features a powerful 1,198 cc Testastretta 11° DS engine churning out 150 hp at 9,250 rpm and, unique to the “S” version, upgraded Öhlins suspension and Brembo disc brakes.

2020 World Superbike: Garrett Gerloff Will Get First Ride On GRT Yamaha This Week At Motorland Aragon

David Swarts

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November 12, 2019

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2020 World Superbike: Garrett Gerloff Will Get First Ride On GRT Yamaha This Week At Motorland Aragon

Big names, big changes: what does the Aragon test have in prospect?

With plenty of rider swaps and team changes, as well as fresh rookies, the MotorLand Aragon circuit hosts WorldSBK testing across the next two days!

Despite the season having come to an end, the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship beckons and the first look at new riders and new alliances will come at the Aragon test on the 13th and 14th of November. The Spanish venue will once again provide the opportunity for teams and riders to become accustomed to their new surroundings and build a solid platform to work from. With six teams – of which five have new line-ups – all in attendance, there’s plenty to look out for in the coming days.

Reigning Champions Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK will be in action at MotorLand Aragon, with Jonathan Rea keen to start his title defence as soon as possible. The British rider secured a record-smashing fifth consecutive title in 2019 and will want to go on and achieve a sixth in 2020. However, he has a new teammate and for the first time, Alex Lowes will be seen in action in green. The 2018 WorldSBK race winner and reigning bronze-medalist is to set his sights on bedding in well with the Kawasaki ZX-10RR and gel well with the Provec Racing squad.

Having clinched second place in the Riders’ and Teams’ standings for the 2019 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season, the ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati outfit are eager to go one better in 2020. The season for them starts at the MotorLand Aragon test where Chaz Davies and new teammate Scott Redding will be keen to get down to a strong pace and get the right feeling for 2020. Davies has unrivalled success at Aragon and loves the fast, flowing and dramatic nature of the circuit. For Scott Redding, it will be his first visit to the circuit in two years and his first ride out on a WorldSBK-spec Ducati Panigale V4 R, adding to the exciting spectacle.

There’s a partial new look for the team who finished third overall too, as the Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team field Michael van der Mark for a third season, whilst also recruiting Toprak Razgatlioglu for 2020 too. With both riders being tall and aggressive, there will be a common ground to work from for next year. Van der Mark will be eager to hit the ground running from the start whilst Toprak Razgatlioglu will, like Lowes and Redding, me making his debut with his new machinery. The 23-year-old is an exciting prospect in 2020 and will look to be one to watch from the off.

Bedding into his new manufacturer will be Leon Camier (BARNI Racing Team), who throws his leg over the Ducati Panigale V4 R for the first time, in his bid to return to the top six. The British rider, who has nine WorldSBK podiums to his name, will get his first taste of Ducati power during the Aragon test. Understanding the bike and eradicating any teething problems will be a priority for the 33-year-old, who is with his third manufacturer in four seasons.

One of the most exciting teams on paper going into 2020 are 2019 rookies GRT Yamaha, who field World Supersport runner-up Federico Caricasulo and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner, Garrett Gerloff. Both riders will be at the Aragon test on Wednesday and Thursday for their first taste of World Superbike action. Caricasulo will be eager to repeat what Sandro Cortese achieved in his first year, whilst Garrett Gerloff will to take to MotorLand Aragon for the first time, as well as get aboard the WorldSBK-spec Yamaha YZF-R1 and get used to Pirelli tyres.

During the morning on Wednesday, Manuel Gonzalez and Ana Carrasco will get to have four laps each on Jonathan Rea’s Championship-clinching ZX-10RR. This is a reward for delivering the Japanese manufacturer the WorldSSP300 Riders’ and Manufacturers’ Championships across the last two years.

More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki Motors Europe:

New KRT Line-Up Takes First Steps Together

Five-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea will be joined by his new KRT team-mate Alex Lowes on track for the first time tomorrow, the opening day of a two-day test session at the Motorland Aragon circuit in the north of Spain.

After the culmination of the 2019 FIM Superbike World Championship under floodlights at the Losail circuit at the end of October, the 2020 season effectively begins on Wednesday 13 November. Despite this short turnaround Kawasaki’s new-look official rider-line up of Rea and Lowes is fully ready to make the most of this first testing opportunity together.

For Rea the goals of the test are to find even greater overall set-up improvements than it is possible to find in a normal race weekend, and in particular to improve the performance of his race set-up at the 5.077 km long Motorland Aragon circuit itself.

Rea will rejoin his technical crew, led by Pere Riba, for the Motorland sessions before the whole team heads to the South of Spain, and the Jerez circuit, for the final on-track test of the calendar year. That two-day outing will be held between 28 and 29 November.

Latest KRT signing Lowes is keen to get going on a championship-winning bike that will be all new for him, as well as working with his crew chief Marcel Duinker and other technical staff. A proven WorldSBK race winner, and most recently a nine-times podium scorer in the 2019 season, Lowes was third in the overall championship standings this year.

Jonathan Rea, stated: “It has only been a couple of weeks since the end of the season but I am more than ready to get back on the bike. I feel excited. We left Qatar with good sensations from the ZX-10RR and I hope to improve that in Motorland. We had some challenges there this year during race weekend, so we will confirm that by comparison with the base settings we ended the season with, and also simply try to enjoy the bike. I am looking forward to seeing all the guys again and getting back to business. I will be keeping an eye on the weather and I hope we can get in a solid two days of testing.”

Alex Lowes, stated: “I am really looking forward to the new challenge; starting the new project. Obviously my first objective in Aragon is to start working with Marcel and all my crew, to get those relationships started. Obviously, that is just as important as the feeling with the bike. Apart from the normal things like just going to work and getting used to everything, giving myself the chance to get up to speed, I am looking forward to enjoying it. It is a big change from what I have been used to over the last few years, riding the same bike. So, nice and steady away; I feel really fresh and motivated to get started.”

Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager, stated: “There are two main targets at this test. One is for Jonathan continuing his work after an incredible season. He has arrived at a strong level and now we will see how we can adapt the set-ups we have used through the year. We will try to cover all the set-up ideas we had in mind but could not test during race weekends. We will work to clarify some ideas to improve, to let Johnny go faster at some circuits and be more comfortable doing it. This is one aspect of the test. Of course, the target now for Alex is different. It is a new bike and new team for him, and a new rider for the team. So we need to understand him, what he needs to go fast, how he starts to work with his crew chief Marcel. Their communication, feelings and understandings are important. We need to make this step-by-step together and work calmly, then take good notes of how to continue this relationship in Jerez at the next test.”

2019 KRT Rider WorldSBK Statistics

Jonathan Rea: World Champion 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019

2019: Races 37, Wins 18, Podiums 34, Superpoles 7

Career Race Wins: 88 (73 for Kawasaki)

Career Podiums: 168 (126 for Kawasaki)

Career Poles: 23 (19 for Kawasaki)

Alex Lowes:

2019: Races: 37, Wins 0, Podiums 9, Superpoles 0

Career Race Wins: 1 (0 for Kawasaki)

Career Podiums: 20 (0 for Kawasaki)

Career Poles: 1 (0 for Kawasaki)

7 x Riders’ Championships (Scott Russell 1993, Tom Sykes 2013, Rea 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019), 1 x EVO Riders’ Championship (David Salom 2014)

5 x Manufacturers’ Championships (Ninja ZX-10R 2015 & 2016, Ninja ZX-10RR 2017, 2018 & 2019)

5 x Teams’ Championships (KRT/Provec Racing 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019)

Kawasaki FIM Superbike World Championship Statistics

Total Kawasaki Race Wins: 146 – second overall

Total Kawasaki Podiums: 433 – second overall

Total Kawasaki Poles: 88 – second overall

Kawasaki Releases More Information On Its Electric Motorcycle Concept

David Swarts

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November 12, 2019

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Kawasaki Releases More Information On Its Electric Motorcycle Concept

The annual EICMA show in Milan witnessed a media event hosted by Kawasaki at which six new machines for the 2020 model year were highlighted by Yuji Horiuchi – President of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine Company. In addition, Mr. Horiuchi unveiled an Electric Vehicle (EV) concept and explained its background.

Revealing that Kawasaki had been conducting EV research for many years, Mr. Horiuchi noted that KHI research had so far been based on a mid-capacity style machine with more “rider features” than current EV machines in the market. Possessing the equivalent of 20kw for acceleration on demand and a cruising output akin to 10kw, the EV project has been tested extensively at the Kawasaki owned Autopolis track in southern Japan as well as in real life urban environments.

He continued, “We have focused on the riding sensation during road testing combining an electric power source – which enables high level of flexibility in torque and power delivery – with gear-shifting capability. The result is a machine delivering good rider feeling in line with our overall mission of Rideology”.

Kawasaki's Ninja 650-sized, transmission-equipped electric motorcycle concept vehicle without bodywork. Photo courtesy of Kawasaki UK. — Kawasaki’s Ninja 650-sized, transmission-equipped electric motorcycle concept vehicle without bodywork. Photo courtesy of Kawasaki UK.

A compact machine with a size similar to a Ninja 650, the EV bike uses familiar middle-weight Kawasaki road bike suspension and brakes plus the same trellis type chassis technology as used on many Ninja and Z family machines.

At the core of the 219 kg vehicle is a battery pack rechargeable via a quick CHAdeMo style charging system or a conventional 100-240V domestic supply. In this way the EV machine follows current convention but the Kawasaki “fun to ride” Rideology approach dictated further thinking.

The result is an electric powered two-wheeler with a range of approximately 100km with attributes from a conventional machine such as a clutch and four speed gearbox. In this way it would be expected for the vehicle to be attractive to the current profile of Kawasaki owner and to fulfill Kawasaki’s Rideology philosophy.

Mooted as simply a research project, KHI has stated clearly that there are no plans to add an EV bike to its range in the near future. However, Mr Horiuchi did conclude by intriguing media guests at the press conference with a promise that Kawasaki: “..are finding many more avenues to explore to expand the excitement of control on two wheels.”

2020 Phillip Island International Challenge: Mojo Yamaha Announces Team USA Rider Lineup

David Swarts

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November 12, 2019

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2020 Phillip Island International Challenge: Mojo Yamaha Announces Team USA Rider Lineup

Mojo Yamaha and Team USA Announce the US Team for the 2020 Phillip Island International Challenge

After an auspicious event in 2019, with Josh Hayes taking the top spot on the podium in Race 4 and the US finishing just shy of the winning Australian team in overall points, the team is ready to take the challenge back to the Island Classic in 2020.

Riding for Mojo Yamaha this year will be Josh Hayes, Larry Pegram, Jordan Szoke, Michael Gilbert, Taylor Knapp and Dave Crussell. Rounding out Team USA are Jorge Guerro, Brian Filo, Joe Pethoud, Bruce Lind and Robert Ruwoldt.

Mojo Yamaha uses machines housed in a CMR F1 frame and powered by engines based on the Yamaha FJ1200, the pinnacle of machine development in this pre 1983 class of racing.

“I am really happy with our team this year, our top three riders from 2019 signed up again for 2020, Josh, Larry and Michael and we have two great ‘first timers’ in Jordan Szoke, multiple times Canadian Super champion, and Taylor Knapp,” said Dave Crussell, the owner of Mojo Yamaha.

“We have been very busy this year. Our riders gave us good feedback on where the bikes need to be improved from the 2019 event and during the year we have performed extensive testing of these changes. Denis Curtis at CMR has been working on refinements to the chassis to help weight balance and Larry Cook from LCR Racing has been cooking up some more horsepower from our FJ engines. Getting the right balance of performance and reliability is key,” Crussell continued.

“We have been fielding a US team for five years now. In 2019 we were close, but we lost two riders from the points race due to crashes. Without those unfortunate events, things would have been quite different. Our bikes for 2020 are a major step forward from last year and we are very excited about the strength of our rider base. We are aiming for the top podium step for races and also for the overall challenge,” Crussell enthused.

You can follow the progress of the team on MojoYamaha.com

MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow Rides 1989 NSR500 During Honda Racing Thanks Day At Motegi (Preview Video Included)

November 13, 2019

Cal Crutchlow (1) on Eddie Lawson's 1989 Honda NSR500 Grand PRix racebike during the Honda Racing Thanks Day at Motegi. Photo courtesy of Honda.