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MotoGP: VR46 Racing Will Be “Ducati Factory-Supported” Team In 2025

VR46 Racing Team set to become Ducati’s MotoGP factory-supported team from 2025

Ducati Corse is pleased to announce that from 2025, the VR46 Racing Team will be Ducati’s MotoGP factory-supported team under a multi-year agreement. The team will field an official Desmosedici GP on track and enjoy full technical and sporting support from the Borgo Panigale-based constructor. 

Founded in Tavullia (PU) in 2014 by nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi, the VR46 Racing Team entered MotoGP in 2021 after years of repeated success in the Moto2 and Moto3 categories. With the Pesaro-based team, Ducati Lenovo Team rider and current reigning MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia won his first Moto2 World Title in 2018. Additionally, in 2023, VR46 Racing Team rider Marco Bezzecchi finished third in the MotoGP World Championship after fighting for the title for much of the season.

Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager):

“From day one, the VR46 Racing Team has shown its ability to work in perfect harmony with Ducati, and in recent years, we achieved important results together. We are happy, therefore, to be able to fortify our relationship further, providing the Pesaro-based team with full factory support starting next season. I am sure that together we can achieve other significant goals! Once again, I would like to thank Valentino, Uccio, Pablo, and all the people working with the team with great passion and dedication.”

Alessio Salucci (Team Director VR46 Racing Team):

“I can only be proud to announce that from the next year the VR46 Racing Team will be the Ducati Factory Supported Team in MotoGP. We will be on track with an official bike and a GP24. If they had said it a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it. It’s a truly significant moment for the entire group: having achieved this result in just three years, with a young team, with so many guys with us from Moto3, is something extraordinary. I want to thank all the people who work in the Team, the partners, Ducati and Gigi Dall’Igna for having believed in this project and having today managed to enhance it as it deserves. We have demanding years ahead of us, full of challenges, but we can’t wait to test ourselves and try to achieve ambitious results”.

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by VR46 Racing Team:

PERTAMINA ENDURO VR46 RACING TEAM AS DUCATI FACTORY SUPPORTED TEAM FROM 2025

The Tavullia team becomes the reference of the factory from Borgo Panigale in MotoGP with an official bike and a Ducati Desmosedici GP24
 

 
Tavullia (Italy), August 2nd 2024 – Agreement signed between the Tavullia team and Ducati: three years from its debut in the premier class, the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team becomes, from 2025, with a multi-year contract, the Factory Supported Team of the Borgo Panigale factory.

A choral result of the entire technical crew of the Team VR46 – which in just a few years has become a reference in the Top class – to give new life to a successful Made in Italy synergy. A winning duo since their debut in 2022, which has become increasingly solid, with three victories in 2023 and an important contribution, as a Team in terms of points, to the conquest of the Constructors Championship in the same year.

Shared objectives and boundless passion with a new agreement with significant changes and the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team which becomes Factory Supported Team. In the garage there will be an official bike and a Ducati Desmosedici GP24, together with new Ducati technical staff. 

Alessio Salucci, Team Director Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team

“I can only be proud to announce that from the next year the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team will be the Ducati Factory Supported Team in MotoGP. We will be on track with an official bike and a GP24. If they had said it a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it. It’s a truly significant moment for the entire group: having achieved this result in just three years, with a young team, with so many guys with us from Moto3, is something extraordinary. I want to thank all the people who work in the Team, the partners, in particular Pertamina Lubricants, Ducati and Gigi Dall’Igna for having believed in this project and having today managed to enhance it as it deserves. We have demanding years ahead of us, full of challenges, but we can’t wait to test ourselves and try to achieve ambitious results”.

Luigi Dall’Igna, Ducati Corse General Manager

“From day one, the VR46 Racing Team has shown its ability to work in perfect harmony with Ducati, and in recent years, we achieved important results together. We are happy, therefore, to be able to fortify our relationship further, providing the Pesaro-based team with full factory support starting next season. I am sure that together we can achieve other significant goals! Once again, I would like to thank Valentino, Uccio, Pablo, and all the people working with the team with great passion and dedication”.

MotoGP: Mike Trimby Becomes First Non-Rider Named MotoGP Legend

Mike Trimby named MotoGP™ Legend

Trimby becomes the first non-rider to be inducted in the Hall of Fame, honouring his off-track contributions to the sport

Friday, 02 August 2024

Mike Trimby is now officially a MotoGP™ Legend, having been inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix. Trimby, who sadly passed away in 2023, becomes the first Legend inducted wholly due to their work off-track.

Trimby was the founder and CEO of IRTA, thereby becoming one of the most important figures in the history of motorcycle Grand Prix racing and playing a pivotal role in shaping the sport MotoGP™ has become. 

Trimby did begin his career as a rider and mechanic in the 1960s, but soon started to emerge as a key figure off-track and had established himself as such by the late 1970s. In 1982, the riders then officially requested Trimby to act as their representative, something further formalised with the founding of the International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA) in 1986, with Trimby at the helm.

Advocating for riders and teams, IRTA has remained a pivotal part of the sport. The huge progress in safety made since the organisation was founded is thanks in large part to the work undertaken by Trimby, his wife Irene, and IRTA.

1992 also marked the beginning of the great collaboration between the FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports, which likewise owes much to the foundations laid by IRTA over the decade before, giving riders and teams a voice at the table.

Tony Congram, speaking on behalf of Irene, Mike’s family and IRTA, said: “Irene has asked me to say a few words on her behalf and that of the Trimby family. Thank you all very much for being here today to witness Mike’s induction into the Legends. Thank you, Carmelo, thank you very much for Mike’s invitation to this very prestigious club, it is unbelievable. Mike and Carmelo as you said have had a very strong relationship over the years and it is a testament to Mike’s memory that you have asked him to become a part of the Legends. It is a very proud moment, an honour for Irene to have Mike’s name alongside all of these incredible riders, past and present, so to be amongst them Irene is very proud and so would Mike be very proud. As you can imagine it is still a very emotional time. On behalf of Irene we would like to thank you for your messages, your emails, and all the forms of communication that Irene has had from all of you, and for your kind words and support in this particularly sad time. Again, thank you, Carmelo, and thank you very much, everybody, thank you.”

 

(From left) IRTA Security Manager Tony Congram, Irene Trimby, and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta. Photo courtesy Dorna.
(From left) IRTA Security Manager Tony Congram, Irene Trimby, and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, said: “This is a very special moment for me, as Mike is the first non-rider to be a part of the MotoGP™ Legends. A big reason why MotoGP™ is as it is right now is because of Mike Trimby. I met him many many years ago for the first time when he was representing the riders, even before IRTA, I was the director of the Jarama circuit. I remember well that he arrived on an enduro bike and looked at the paddock and different things and made an incredible effort. To be honest it was considered strange to be representing the riders and it was not really well accepted by the authorities of the paddock. Mike continued doing that and later on, it was growing and growing and with the creation of IRTA he was doing everything to improve the most important thing, the safety of the riders. He was crucial for that and without Mike Trimby I am absolutely sure we would not be as we are right now.

“Later on, when we started in 1991, signing the agreement between IRTA, FIM, Dorna and Two Wheel Promotions, to be honest, Mike was not especially happy at this moment. But working together we achieved what we have achieved right now and for me, it is a very emotional moment, not just as the CEO of Dorna and representing what the Championship thinks but we became very good friends. I was very happy to deal with him, he always had a typical British sense of humour when he was explaining many things to me and, to be honest in the beginning it was very difficult to understand each other but finally we did it. It was a very emotional moment when he left us last year in Misano, it was something that was very strange and right now with Irene here I think it is the proper moment to show everybody how important Mike Trimby was to us. I am extremely happy to announce him as a MotoGP™ Legend because MotoGP™ is as it is right now thanks to Mike Trimby.”

 

Irene Trimby, the widow of IRTA founder and CEO Mike Trimby, wearing his MotoGP Legends medal. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Irene Trimby, the widow of IRTA founder and CEO Mike Trimby, wearing his MotoGP Legends medal. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Mike joins the list of his fellow MotoGP™ Legends in the Hall of Fame: Giacomo Agostini, Hugh Anderson, Hans-Georg Anscheidt, Kork Ballington, Max Biaggi, Alex Crivillé, Mick Doohan, Stefan Dörflinger, Andrea Dovizioso, Geoff Duke, Wayne Gardner, Mike Hailwood, Nicky Hayden, Jorge Lorenzo, Daijiro Kato, Eddie Lawson, Marco Lucchinelli, Randy Mamola, Anton Mang, Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez, Angel Nieto, Dani Pedrosa, Wayne Rainey, Phil Read, Jim Redman, Kenny Roberts, Kenny Roberts Jr, Valentino Rossi, Jarno Saarinen, Kevin Schwantz, Barry Sheene, Marco Simoncelli, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, John Surtees, Luigi Taveri, Carlo Ubbiali and Franco Uncini.

 

 

British Talent Cup: American Correa Qualifies P5 At Silverstone

Amanuel Brinton was fastest during R&G British Talent Cup qualifying Friday at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Kovara Projects/RS Racing Honda, Brinton lapped the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) course in 2:20.126 to top the field of 26 riders.

Americans Julian Correa (Microlise Cresswell Racing Honda), Joshua Raymond, Jr. (Fibre Tec Honda), and Eli Banish (Fibre Tec Honda) qualified fifth, 18th, and 22nd, respectively.

 

Session for GBR BTC QP

MotoGP: Martin Leads Tight Practice Friday Afternoon At Silverstone (Updated)

Jorge Martin led both MotoGP World Championship practice sessions Friday at Silverstone Circuit, in England, but the young Spaniard’s competitors are nipping at his heals. Martin topped Friday afternoon’s practice with a lap time of 1:57.911 on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati Desmosedici, but the top 14 riders in the session were covered by just 1.043 seconds.

Aleix Espargaro, the winner of the British Grand Prix in 2023, was second-best with a 1:57.956 on his factory Aprilia RS-GP.

Two-time and defending World Champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia was third-fastest with a time of 1:58.030 around the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) course.

Bagnaia’s teammate Enea Bastianini turned a fourth-quickest 1:58.190.

Jack Miller continued his strong run on Friday with a 1:58.260 on his Red Bull KTM, placing him fifth in the session.

Other riders finishing the session in the top 10 and advancing straight to Qualifying Two (Q2) included Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati’s Fabio Di Giannantonio (1:58.318), Miller’s teammate Brad Binder (1:58.386), Espargaro’s teammate Maverick Vinales (1:58.389), Di Giannantonio’s teammate Marco Bezzecchi (1:58.506), and Gresini Racing Ducati’s Marc Marquez (1:58.585).

 

MotoGP FP2

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Martin pips Espargaro as Marc Marquez just holds on to a place in Q2

Ducati and Aprilia are split by 0.045s on Day 1 at Silverstone as the main title contenders all slot inside the top 10

 

Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Friday, 02 August 2024

A late flyer from Jorge Martin saw the Prima Pramac Racing star set the early weekend pace at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, as the #89 edged out 2023 Silverstone victor Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) by 0.045s after clocking a 1:57.911. World Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) bagged P3, with the #1 lurking just 0.119s away from his main title challenger as it stands.

It wasn’t an ideal start to Friday afternoon for a pair of Ducatis as both Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) were forced to stop due to some form of issue with their respective machines. 

Meanwhile, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) was the early pacesetter, but as we’ve come to expect, the closing 15 minutes was where the thick of the action took place in Practice 1. There were movements aplenty as the other factory Aprilia, Espargaro, climbed to the summit with the clock ticking down, but it was time attack specialist Martin who managed to clinch Friday’s honours with that late time. 

Bagnaia also improved towards the end of the session, with teammate Bastianini leaving it until his last lap to set a personal best – the ‘Beast’ ending the day in P4 despite those early bike gremlins. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) ended Free Practice 1 in P4 and backed that up with a P5 in the afternoon to remind everyone what he’s capable of, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) fronting the GP23 charge in P6. 

Miller’s teammate Brad Binder ensured both factory KTM’s are automatically in the Q2 scrap on Saturday morning, with Viñales slipping down the order but holding onto a P8 – job done for Top Gun, but the former Silverstone winner will be hunting for more.

Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) were the final two riders to slot inside the top 10, with the eight-time World Champion – who suffered a crash in FP1 – just 0.057s away from finding himself in Q1. 

The all-important times for Saturday’s action at the British GP can be found below as qualifying and the Tissot Sprint beckons following an intriguing opening day. 

FP2: 10:10 (UTC +1)

Q1: 10:50

Q2: 11.15

Tissot Sprint: 15:00

Aron Canet (44). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Aron Canet (44). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Canet claims lap record Friday top spot 

A new Moto2™ Silverstone lap record handed Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) top honours on Friday at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, with the Spaniard’s 2:03.602 time just under three tenths quicker than Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in second place. The leading pair were the only riders to venture into the 2:03s on Day 1, with Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) rounding out the top three, 0.457s away from Canet. 

– Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) goes into Saturday’s action in P7 as the home crowd favourite aims to build on a solid Friday outing. 

– The top two in the title chase and MT Helmets – MSI teammates, Ai Ogura and Sergio Garcia, are P4 and P8 respectively at the end of play on Friday, with the latter suffering a crash in the afternoon that hampered his Practice 1. 

Enjoy Moto2™ Practice at 09:25, with qualifying getting underway at 13:45 on Saturday. 

 

Collin Veijer (95). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Collin Veijer (95). Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Veijer a step ahead on Friday despite afternoon crash

Despite a crash in the afternoon, Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) topped the Moto3™ times on Friday at Silverstone as the Dutchman set a 2:09.565 to end the day a healthy 0.387s clear of second place Ivan Ortola (MT Helmet – MSI). Rookie Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) claimed an impressive P3 in Practice 1 to act as one of three riders to get within half a second of Veijer’s effort. 

– The other rider to do so was home hero Scott Ogden (Fibre Tec Honda – MLav Racing). The British star enjoyed a fruitful day at the office and heads into qualifying day P4 on the timesheets. 

– World Championship leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) was another title chaser to crash on Friday afternoon, with the Colombian ending Day 1 in P6, 0.597s adrift of the summit. 

Tune into Moto3™ Practice 2 at 08:40 local time (UTC +2) before the lightweight class go qualifying at 12:50. 

Moto2: Canet Breaks Lap Record At Silverstone

Aron Canet was the man to beat during Moto2 World Championship practice Friday at the Silverstone Circuit, in England. After leading practice Friday morning, the Spanish veteran topped Friday afternoon’s practice session with a new lap record time. Riding his Pirelli-shod Fantic Racing Kalex, Canet navigated the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) track in 2:03.602, breaking Marco Bezzecchi’s 2021 All-Time Lap Record of 2:03.988.

Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex rider Celestino Vietti was also under the old lap record with a 2:03.896, but he had to settle for second-best in the session.

Tony Arbolino was third with a 2:04.059 on his Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Kalex.

American Joe Roberts finished the session ranked 10th with a 2:04.319 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

 

Moto2 FP2

Moto3: Veijer Lowers Lap Record At Silverstone

Colin Veijer led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Silverstone Circuit, in England. On board his Pirelli-shod Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna, the Dutch rider navigated the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) course in 2:09.565, eclipsing the new All-Time Lap Record of 2:09.600 set by David Alonso in Friday morning’s practice session.

 

Moto3 FP2

MotoGP: Martin Tops Opening Practice At Silverstone

Jorge Martin topped MotoGP World Championship practice Friday morning at Silverstone Circuit, in central England. The title contender recorded a best lap time of 1:59.383 on his Michelin-equipped Prima Pramac Ducati Desmosedici, topping the field of 23 riders.

Maverick Vinales was the best of the rest with a 1:59.473 on his factory Aprilia RS-GP.

Vinales’ teammate Aleix Espargaro, who is retiring at the end of the season, was third at 1:59.719.

Jack Miller made it three makes in the top four with a 1:59.727 on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC 16.

Martin’s teammate Franco Morbidelli rounded out the top five with a lap time of 1:59.803.

 

MotoGP FP1

 

Moto2: Canet Quickest Friday Morning At Silverstone

Aron Canet was quickest during Moto2 World Championship practice Friday morning at the Silverstone Circuit, in England. On board his Pirelli-shod Fantic Racing Kalex, the Spaniard covered the historic 3.7-mile (5.9 km) track in 2:04.021. That was good enough to lead the field of 31 riders and came very close to breaking Marco Bezzecchi’s 2021 All-Time Lap Record of 2:03.988.

Somkiat Chantra was second-best with a time of 2:04.284 on his Idemitsu Honda Team Asia Kalex.

Manuel Gonzalez, riding his QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2 Kalex, was third-fastest with a lap at 2:04.381.

American Joe Roberts was sixth in the session with a time of 2:04.566 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

 

Moto2 FP1

Moto3: Alonso Smashes Lap Record In Opening Practice At Silverstone

David Alonso was fastest during Moto3 World Championship practice Friday morning at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team machine on Pirelli control tires, the young Colombian lapped the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) course in 2:09.600 to lead the field of 25 riders. That lap time also smashed Romano Fenati’s 2021 All-Time Lap Record of 2:10.619 by more than one second.

 

Moto3 FP1

August 2024

On the Front Cover: Francesco Bagnaia (1) is in an all-Ducati-rider battle for the
2024 MotoGP World Championship. One problem they don’t have is eye-blurring chatter. Photo by Gigi Soldana/DPPI Media.

 

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WorldSBK: Toprak’s Perfect 10 Wins Straight

 

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Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Mini Road Racing

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MotoGP: VR46 Racing Will Be “Ducati Factory-Supported” Team In 2025

(From left) VR46 Racing Team Manager Pablo Nieto, VR46 Racing Team Director Alessio Salucci, Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall'Igna, and Ducati Corse Sporting Director Mauro Grassilli. Photo courtesy Ducati.
(From left) VR46 Racing Team Manager Pablo Nieto, VR46 Racing Team Director Alessio Salucci, Ducati Corse General Manager Gigi Dall'Igna, and Ducati Corse Sporting Director Mauro Grassilli. Photo courtesy Ducati.

VR46 Racing Team set to become Ducati’s MotoGP factory-supported team from 2025

Ducati Corse is pleased to announce that from 2025, the VR46 Racing Team will be Ducati’s MotoGP factory-supported team under a multi-year agreement. The team will field an official Desmosedici GP on track and enjoy full technical and sporting support from the Borgo Panigale-based constructor. 

Founded in Tavullia (PU) in 2014 by nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi, the VR46 Racing Team entered MotoGP in 2021 after years of repeated success in the Moto2 and Moto3 categories. With the Pesaro-based team, Ducati Lenovo Team rider and current reigning MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia won his first Moto2 World Title in 2018. Additionally, in 2023, VR46 Racing Team rider Marco Bezzecchi finished third in the MotoGP World Championship after fighting for the title for much of the season.

Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager):

“From day one, the VR46 Racing Team has shown its ability to work in perfect harmony with Ducati, and in recent years, we achieved important results together. We are happy, therefore, to be able to fortify our relationship further, providing the Pesaro-based team with full factory support starting next season. I am sure that together we can achieve other significant goals! Once again, I would like to thank Valentino, Uccio, Pablo, and all the people working with the team with great passion and dedication.”

Alessio Salucci (Team Director VR46 Racing Team):

“I can only be proud to announce that from the next year the VR46 Racing Team will be the Ducati Factory Supported Team in MotoGP. We will be on track with an official bike and a GP24. If they had said it a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it. It’s a truly significant moment for the entire group: having achieved this result in just three years, with a young team, with so many guys with us from Moto3, is something extraordinary. I want to thank all the people who work in the Team, the partners, Ducati and Gigi Dall’Igna for having believed in this project and having today managed to enhance it as it deserves. We have demanding years ahead of us, full of challenges, but we can’t wait to test ourselves and try to achieve ambitious results”.

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by VR46 Racing Team:

PERTAMINA ENDURO VR46 RACING TEAM AS DUCATI FACTORY SUPPORTED TEAM FROM 2025

The Tavullia team becomes the reference of the factory from Borgo Panigale in MotoGP with an official bike and a Ducati Desmosedici GP24
 

 
Tavullia (Italy), August 2nd 2024 – Agreement signed between the Tavullia team and Ducati: three years from its debut in the premier class, the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team becomes, from 2025, with a multi-year contract, the Factory Supported Team of the Borgo Panigale factory.

A choral result of the entire technical crew of the Team VR46 – which in just a few years has become a reference in the Top class – to give new life to a successful Made in Italy synergy. A winning duo since their debut in 2022, which has become increasingly solid, with three victories in 2023 and an important contribution, as a Team in terms of points, to the conquest of the Constructors Championship in the same year.

Shared objectives and boundless passion with a new agreement with significant changes and the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team which becomes Factory Supported Team. In the garage there will be an official bike and a Ducati Desmosedici GP24, together with new Ducati technical staff. 

Alessio Salucci, Team Director Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team

“I can only be proud to announce that from the next year the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team will be the Ducati Factory Supported Team in MotoGP. We will be on track with an official bike and a GP24. If they had said it a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it. It’s a truly significant moment for the entire group: having achieved this result in just three years, with a young team, with so many guys with us from Moto3, is something extraordinary. I want to thank all the people who work in the Team, the partners, in particular Pertamina Lubricants, Ducati and Gigi Dall’Igna for having believed in this project and having today managed to enhance it as it deserves. We have demanding years ahead of us, full of challenges, but we can’t wait to test ourselves and try to achieve ambitious results”.

Luigi Dall’Igna, Ducati Corse General Manager

“From day one, the VR46 Racing Team has shown its ability to work in perfect harmony with Ducati, and in recent years, we achieved important results together. We are happy, therefore, to be able to fortify our relationship further, providing the Pesaro-based team with full factory support starting next season. I am sure that together we can achieve other significant goals! Once again, I would like to thank Valentino, Uccio, Pablo, and all the people working with the team with great passion and dedication”.

MotoGP: Mike Trimby Becomes First Non-Rider Named MotoGP Legend

IRTA staff members at the press conference officially inducting the late Mike Trimby into the MotoGP Hall of Fame with Trimby's widow Irene seated front and center. Photo courtesy Dorna.
IRTA staff members at the press conference officially inducting the late Mike Trimby into the MotoGP Hall of Fame with Trimby's widow Irene seated front and center. Photo courtesy Dorna.

Mike Trimby named MotoGP™ Legend

Trimby becomes the first non-rider to be inducted in the Hall of Fame, honouring his off-track contributions to the sport

Friday, 02 August 2024

Mike Trimby is now officially a MotoGP™ Legend, having been inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix. Trimby, who sadly passed away in 2023, becomes the first Legend inducted wholly due to their work off-track.

Trimby was the founder and CEO of IRTA, thereby becoming one of the most important figures in the history of motorcycle Grand Prix racing and playing a pivotal role in shaping the sport MotoGP™ has become. 

Trimby did begin his career as a rider and mechanic in the 1960s, but soon started to emerge as a key figure off-track and had established himself as such by the late 1970s. In 1982, the riders then officially requested Trimby to act as their representative, something further formalised with the founding of the International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA) in 1986, with Trimby at the helm.

Advocating for riders and teams, IRTA has remained a pivotal part of the sport. The huge progress in safety made since the organisation was founded is thanks in large part to the work undertaken by Trimby, his wife Irene, and IRTA.

1992 also marked the beginning of the great collaboration between the FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports, which likewise owes much to the foundations laid by IRTA over the decade before, giving riders and teams a voice at the table.

Tony Congram, speaking on behalf of Irene, Mike’s family and IRTA, said: “Irene has asked me to say a few words on her behalf and that of the Trimby family. Thank you all very much for being here today to witness Mike’s induction into the Legends. Thank you, Carmelo, thank you very much for Mike’s invitation to this very prestigious club, it is unbelievable. Mike and Carmelo as you said have had a very strong relationship over the years and it is a testament to Mike’s memory that you have asked him to become a part of the Legends. It is a very proud moment, an honour for Irene to have Mike’s name alongside all of these incredible riders, past and present, so to be amongst them Irene is very proud and so would Mike be very proud. As you can imagine it is still a very emotional time. On behalf of Irene we would like to thank you for your messages, your emails, and all the forms of communication that Irene has had from all of you, and for your kind words and support in this particularly sad time. Again, thank you, Carmelo, and thank you very much, everybody, thank you.”

 

(From left) IRTA Security Manager Tony Congram, Irene Trimby, and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta. Photo courtesy Dorna.
(From left) IRTA Security Manager Tony Congram, Irene Trimby, and Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, said: “This is a very special moment for me, as Mike is the first non-rider to be a part of the MotoGP™ Legends. A big reason why MotoGP™ is as it is right now is because of Mike Trimby. I met him many many years ago for the first time when he was representing the riders, even before IRTA, I was the director of the Jarama circuit. I remember well that he arrived on an enduro bike and looked at the paddock and different things and made an incredible effort. To be honest it was considered strange to be representing the riders and it was not really well accepted by the authorities of the paddock. Mike continued doing that and later on, it was growing and growing and with the creation of IRTA he was doing everything to improve the most important thing, the safety of the riders. He was crucial for that and without Mike Trimby I am absolutely sure we would not be as we are right now.

“Later on, when we started in 1991, signing the agreement between IRTA, FIM, Dorna and Two Wheel Promotions, to be honest, Mike was not especially happy at this moment. But working together we achieved what we have achieved right now and for me, it is a very emotional moment, not just as the CEO of Dorna and representing what the Championship thinks but we became very good friends. I was very happy to deal with him, he always had a typical British sense of humour when he was explaining many things to me and, to be honest in the beginning it was very difficult to understand each other but finally we did it. It was a very emotional moment when he left us last year in Misano, it was something that was very strange and right now with Irene here I think it is the proper moment to show everybody how important Mike Trimby was to us. I am extremely happy to announce him as a MotoGP™ Legend because MotoGP™ is as it is right now thanks to Mike Trimby.”

 

Irene Trimby, the widow of IRTA founder and CEO Mike Trimby, wearing his MotoGP Legends medal. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Irene Trimby, the widow of IRTA founder and CEO Mike Trimby, wearing his MotoGP Legends medal. Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Mike joins the list of his fellow MotoGP™ Legends in the Hall of Fame: Giacomo Agostini, Hugh Anderson, Hans-Georg Anscheidt, Kork Ballington, Max Biaggi, Alex Crivillé, Mick Doohan, Stefan Dörflinger, Andrea Dovizioso, Geoff Duke, Wayne Gardner, Mike Hailwood, Nicky Hayden, Jorge Lorenzo, Daijiro Kato, Eddie Lawson, Marco Lucchinelli, Randy Mamola, Anton Mang, Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez, Angel Nieto, Dani Pedrosa, Wayne Rainey, Phil Read, Jim Redman, Kenny Roberts, Kenny Roberts Jr, Valentino Rossi, Jarno Saarinen, Kevin Schwantz, Barry Sheene, Marco Simoncelli, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, John Surtees, Luigi Taveri, Carlo Ubbiali and Franco Uncini.

 

 

British Talent Cup: American Correa Qualifies P5 At Silverstone

Julian Correa (40). Photo by Cami Photography, courtesy Michael Correa.

Amanuel Brinton was fastest during R&G British Talent Cup qualifying Friday at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his Kovara Projects/RS Racing Honda, Brinton lapped the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) course in 2:20.126 to top the field of 26 riders.

Americans Julian Correa (Microlise Cresswell Racing Honda), Joshua Raymond, Jr. (Fibre Tec Honda), and Eli Banish (Fibre Tec Honda) qualified fifth, 18th, and 22nd, respectively.

 

Session for GBR BTC QP

MotoGP: Martin Leads Tight Practice Friday Afternoon At Silverstone (Updated)

Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.
2024 MotoGP World Champion Jorge Martin (89) in action, with Brembo brakes on his GP24 Ducati . Photo courtesy Dorna.

Jorge Martin led both MotoGP World Championship practice sessions Friday at Silverstone Circuit, in England, but the young Spaniard’s competitors are nipping at his heals. Martin topped Friday afternoon’s practice with a lap time of 1:57.911 on his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati Desmosedici, but the top 14 riders in the session were covered by just 1.043 seconds.

Aleix Espargaro, the winner of the British Grand Prix in 2023, was second-best with a 1:57.956 on his factory Aprilia RS-GP.

Two-time and defending World Champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia was third-fastest with a time of 1:58.030 around the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) course.

Bagnaia’s teammate Enea Bastianini turned a fourth-quickest 1:58.190.

Jack Miller continued his strong run on Friday with a 1:58.260 on his Red Bull KTM, placing him fifth in the session.

Other riders finishing the session in the top 10 and advancing straight to Qualifying Two (Q2) included Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team Ducati’s Fabio Di Giannantonio (1:58.318), Miller’s teammate Brad Binder (1:58.386), Espargaro’s teammate Maverick Vinales (1:58.389), Di Giannantonio’s teammate Marco Bezzecchi (1:58.506), and Gresini Racing Ducati’s Marc Marquez (1:58.585).

 

MotoGP FP2

 

 

 

More, from a press release issued by Dorna:

Martin pips Espargaro as Marc Marquez just holds on to a place in Q2

Ducati and Aprilia are split by 0.045s on Day 1 at Silverstone as the main title contenders all slot inside the top 10

 

Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Friday, 02 August 2024

A late flyer from Jorge Martin saw the Prima Pramac Racing star set the early weekend pace at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, as the #89 edged out 2023 Silverstone victor Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) by 0.045s after clocking a 1:57.911. World Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) bagged P3, with the #1 lurking just 0.119s away from his main title challenger as it stands.

It wasn’t an ideal start to Friday afternoon for a pair of Ducatis as both Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) were forced to stop due to some form of issue with their respective machines. 

Meanwhile, Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) was the early pacesetter, but as we’ve come to expect, the closing 15 minutes was where the thick of the action took place in Practice 1. There were movements aplenty as the other factory Aprilia, Espargaro, climbed to the summit with the clock ticking down, but it was time attack specialist Martin who managed to clinch Friday’s honours with that late time. 

Bagnaia also improved towards the end of the session, with teammate Bastianini leaving it until his last lap to set a personal best – the ‘Beast’ ending the day in P4 despite those early bike gremlins. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) ended Free Practice 1 in P4 and backed that up with a P5 in the afternoon to remind everyone what he’s capable of, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) fronting the GP23 charge in P6. 

Miller’s teammate Brad Binder ensured both factory KTM’s are automatically in the Q2 scrap on Saturday morning, with Viñales slipping down the order but holding onto a P8 – job done for Top Gun, but the former Silverstone winner will be hunting for more.

Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) were the final two riders to slot inside the top 10, with the eight-time World Champion – who suffered a crash in FP1 – just 0.057s away from finding himself in Q1. 

The all-important times for Saturday’s action at the British GP can be found below as qualifying and the Tissot Sprint beckons following an intriguing opening day. 

FP2: 10:10 (UTC +1)

Q1: 10:50

Q2: 11.15

Tissot Sprint: 15:00

Aron Canet (44). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Aron Canet (44). Photo courtesy Dorna.

Canet claims lap record Friday top spot 

A new Moto2™ Silverstone lap record handed Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) top honours on Friday at the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, with the Spaniard’s 2:03.602 time just under three tenths quicker than Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in second place. The leading pair were the only riders to venture into the 2:03s on Day 1, with Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) rounding out the top three, 0.457s away from Canet. 

– Jake Dixon (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) goes into Saturday’s action in P7 as the home crowd favourite aims to build on a solid Friday outing. 

– The top two in the title chase and MT Helmets – MSI teammates, Ai Ogura and Sergio Garcia, are P4 and P8 respectively at the end of play on Friday, with the latter suffering a crash in the afternoon that hampered his Practice 1. 

Enjoy Moto2™ Practice at 09:25, with qualifying getting underway at 13:45 on Saturday. 

 

Collin Veijer (95). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Collin Veijer (95). Photo courtesy Dorna.

 

Veijer a step ahead on Friday despite afternoon crash

Despite a crash in the afternoon, Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) topped the Moto3™ times on Friday at Silverstone as the Dutchman set a 2:09.565 to end the day a healthy 0.387s clear of second place Ivan Ortola (MT Helmet – MSI). Rookie Jacob Roulstone (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3) claimed an impressive P3 in Practice 1 to act as one of three riders to get within half a second of Veijer’s effort. 

– The other rider to do so was home hero Scott Ogden (Fibre Tec Honda – MLav Racing). The British star enjoyed a fruitful day at the office and heads into qualifying day P4 on the timesheets. 

– World Championship leader David Alonso (CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team) was another title chaser to crash on Friday afternoon, with the Colombian ending Day 1 in P6, 0.597s adrift of the summit. 

Tune into Moto3™ Practice 2 at 08:40 local time (UTC +2) before the lightweight class go qualifying at 12:50. 

Moto2: Canet Breaks Lap Record At Silverstone

Aron Canet (44). Photo courtesy Fantic Racing.
Aron Canet (44). Photo courtesy Fantic Racing.

Aron Canet was the man to beat during Moto2 World Championship practice Friday at the Silverstone Circuit, in England. After leading practice Friday morning, the Spanish veteran topped Friday afternoon’s practice session with a new lap record time. Riding his Pirelli-shod Fantic Racing Kalex, Canet navigated the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) track in 2:03.602, breaking Marco Bezzecchi’s 2021 All-Time Lap Record of 2:03.988.

Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex rider Celestino Vietti was also under the old lap record with a 2:03.896, but he had to settle for second-best in the session.

Tony Arbolino was third with a 2:04.059 on his Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Kalex.

American Joe Roberts finished the session ranked 10th with a 2:04.319 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

 

Moto2 FP2

Moto3: Veijer Lowers Lap Record At Silverstone

Colin Veijer (95). Photo courtesy Intact GP.
Colin Veijer (95). Photo courtesy Intact GP.

Colin Veijer led Moto3 World Championship practice Friday afternoon at Silverstone Circuit, in England. On board his Pirelli-shod Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna, the Dutch rider navigated the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) course in 2:09.565, eclipsing the new All-Time Lap Record of 2:09.600 set by David Alonso in Friday morning’s practice session.

 

Moto3 FP2

MotoGP: Martin Tops Opening Practice At Silverstone

Jorge Martin (89). Photo by Michael Gougis.
Jorge Martin (89). Photo by Michael Gougis.

Jorge Martin topped MotoGP World Championship practice Friday morning at Silverstone Circuit, in central England. The title contender recorded a best lap time of 1:59.383 on his Michelin-equipped Prima Pramac Ducati Desmosedici, topping the field of 23 riders.

Maverick Vinales was the best of the rest with a 1:59.473 on his factory Aprilia RS-GP.

Vinales’ teammate Aleix Espargaro, who is retiring at the end of the season, was third at 1:59.719.

Jack Miller made it three makes in the top four with a 1:59.727 on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing RC 16.

Martin’s teammate Franco Morbidelli rounded out the top five with a lap time of 1:59.803.

 

MotoGP FP1

 

Moto2: Canet Quickest Friday Morning At Silverstone

Aron Canet (44). Photo courtesy Fantic Racing.
Aron Canet (44). Photo courtesy Fantic Racing.

Aron Canet was quickest during Moto2 World Championship practice Friday morning at the Silverstone Circuit, in England. On board his Pirelli-shod Fantic Racing Kalex, the Spaniard covered the historic 3.7-mile (5.9 km) track in 2:04.021. That was good enough to lead the field of 31 riders and came very close to breaking Marco Bezzecchi’s 2021 All-Time Lap Record of 2:03.988.

Somkiat Chantra was second-best with a time of 2:04.284 on his Idemitsu Honda Team Asia Kalex.

Manuel Gonzalez, riding his QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2 Kalex, was third-fastest with a lap at 2:04.381.

American Joe Roberts was sixth in the session with a time of 2:04.566 on his OnlyFans American Racing Team Kalex.

 

Moto2 FP1

Moto3: Alonso Smashes Lap Record In Opening Practice At Silverstone

David Alonso (80). Photo by Michael Gougis.
David Alonso (80). Photo by Michael Gougis.

David Alonso was fastest during Moto3 World Championship practice Friday morning at Silverstone Circuit, in England. Riding his CFMOTO Valresa Aspar Team machine on Pirelli control tires, the young Colombian lapped the 3.7-mile (5.9 km) course in 2:09.600 to lead the field of 25 riders. That lap time also smashed Romano Fenati’s 2021 All-Time Lap Record of 2:10.619 by more than one second.

 

Moto3 FP1

August 2024

August 2024 Issue
August 2024 Issue

On the Front Cover: Francesco Bagnaia (1) is in an all-Ducati-rider battle for the
2024 MotoGP World Championship. One problem they don’t have is eye-blurring chatter. Photo by Gigi Soldana/DPPI Media.

 

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Inside Info: MV Agusta Superveloce 1000 Serie Oro, Ducati 1103cc Panigale V4 S, Honda Automatic E-Clutch, and more…

Historic Racebike Illustrations: 1966 McIntyre Matchless G50

Intro: Riding ContiAttack SM 2 Tires In The Alps

Quick Look: Return Of The KTM 790 Duke

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Racer Profile: Mallory Dobbs, In The Women’s World Championship

Collections: The Moto Talbott Museum Is One Man’s Vision

 

RACING

MotoGP Analysis: Chatter Can Blur A Rider’s Vision

MotoAmerica Superbike: Beaubier And Herrin Win At Laguna

MotoGP Analysis: Why Ducati’s Davide Tardozzi Celebrates Big!

Interview: Trackhouse Racing’s Davide Brivio Has A Plan

WorldSBK: Toprak’s Perfect 10 Wins Straight

 

COLUMNS

Letters To The Editor: Website Spoiler, MotoGP GPS vs. Tractor GPS,
Remembering Chip Piper

10 Years Ago, August 2014: Rossi Keeps Winning After 300 GP Races. The Televised
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Pre-drilled Titanium Pinch Bolts

The Crash Page: Pedro Acosta Crashes At The Sachsenring

Racing, School, & Track Day Calendar: Where & When To Ride

Classified Ads/Advertiser Index

High Performance Parts & Services Directory

Chris Ulrich: Adventures Of An Ex-Racer: Mini Road Racing

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