Expanded structures: BMW Motorrad Motorsport sets course for the future.
Christian Gonschor and Uwe Geyer take on the new roles of Technical Director and Head of Customer Racing, under BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers.
Expansion of Development and Test departments in Munich and Berlin.
Formation of an independent test team.
Strengthening of the customer racing programme.
Munich. BMW Motorrad Motorsport is positioning itself more broadly with a new and expanded structure, as it sets course for the future. Under the overall direction of BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers, the roles of Technical Director and Head of Customer Racing have been created. The new Technical Director at BMW Motorrad Motorsport is Christian Gonschor. Uwe Geyer is taking on the role of Head of Customer Racing, alongside his position as Head of Marketing. Both report directly to Bongers. Additional specialised teams, including an independent test team, have also been formed within BMW Motorrad Motorsport. The Development and Test departments in Munich and Berlin are being expanded and synergies between BMW Motorrad Motorsport and the production development of the BMW M 1000 RR are to be taken full advantage of. Customer Racing will also be strengthened further.
Dr. Markus Schramm, the Head of BMW Motorrad. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad.
“With this new structure, we are optimising the way we are set up for development and test work, for our works projects and customer racing,” says Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad. “This allows us to increase our capacities in Munich and our engine plant in Berlin, and thus to strengthen the development and test work for the FIM Superbike World Championship and the FIM Endurance World Championship, as well as for our Customer Racing programme. The connection to production development, under the leadership of Christoph Lischka, has been intensified. I am confident that we are well positioned for the future with these and other reforms.”
Several teams to drive motor racing development in Munich and Berlin.
As Technical Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, Christian Gonschor has been tasked with optimising the technical organisation of development and test work. Under his leadership, different specialised teams have been formed for the test team, chassis, engine, electronics and aerodynamics areas. These teams are primarily based in Munich, where specific workshops, test and development motorcycles, testbeds and wind tunnels ensure they have optimal conditions for developing and testing the BMW M 1000 RR and new racing components. On the engine side of things, this takes place in close cooperation with the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin. Furthermore, corresponding capacities for internal development and test work will be increased in both Munich and Berlin.
In Munich, BMW Motorrad Motorsport is based on the same premises as the production development of the BMW M 1000 RR. The close proximity and direct communication allows the best possible use of the many synergies between the different departments.
Technical Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport Christian Gonschor. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad.
The separate new test team is organised and run directly by BMW Motorrad Motorsport. “One of the benefits is that the test team can focus fully on test work at the racetrack, regardless of any race outings,” says Gonschor. “To achieve this, we are also putting together a separate pool of test riders. The focus here is on test work for our WorldSBK project. In the medium term, however, our entire motorsport department will also benefit in other areas from the creation of new motor racing components.”
Customer Racing to be strengthened as an integral pillar.
Alongside the works involvement in the FIM Superbike World Championship and the FIM Endurance World Championship, Customer Racing also forms a fundamental pillar of BMW Motorrad’s motorsport activities. All over the world, BMW riders from official and private teams claim titles, race wins and podiums in their championships. Uwe Geyer is now responsible for this area as the new Head of BMW Motorrad Customer Racing, in addition to his role as Marketing Director.
Head of BMW Motorrad Customer Racing Uwe Geyer. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad.
“Customer racing is fundamental to BMW Motorrad,” stresses Geyer. “We develop our projects for all our customers around the world. Not just those who ride on the streets, but also for those customers who want to compete with our products from the Supersport segment – whether professionally, semi-professionally, or as a hobby. The race package we offer is developed at the highest level of production-based motorsport, in the Superbike World Championship. We then use this race package in a version adapted to meet the customer’s requirements in local Superbike series. This way, every customer benefits from the experience that our development team gains at the highest level, adapted to the respective regulations of the local series.”
One important aspect is the availability of parts for all customers. Both the Superstock and Superbike versions of engines can be acquired directly through BMW Motorrad Motorsport. All other racing components are available via distribution partner alpha Racing. Parts planning, the production of parts and delivery times will be optimised in the future. When it comes to electronics, Customer Racing is supported by the global BMW Motorrad Race Support network. BMW Motorrad will also continue to invest in this support.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad.
Tantalising Battle Awaits as Herfoss and Jones Trade Blows on Friday
The three free practice sessions on the opening day of the fifth round of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul at Queensland’s Morgan Park Raceway mightn’t mean anything except for the bragging rights of being the fastest, but at the end of the day, Troy Herfoss on his Penrite Honda sure made a statement.
It was a lovely and brisk winter’s morning as defending champion, Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) led the first stanza from Herfoss with Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati) showing some promise in third from a rejuvenated Anthony West (Addicted To Track) fourth, the quartet covered by less than half a second with Jones nudging Herfoss by 0.021 of a second. As usual it was more of a fact-finding mission for the Alpinestars Superbike field as they worked on settings to adapt to the cool temps, the nature of the layout, and also the resurfacing of corners around the back half of the circuit.
Mike Jones (1) has started strong as he looks for his first win of season 2023. Photo by Endorphin Media, courtesy ASBK.
Settling into the weekend Herfoss reversed the positions in the second practice from Jones by just 0.079 of a second proving just how close the racing will be and for those who like premonitions, the #17 set his time on the 17th lap! Pearson was again in third, demonstrating that his curve is on the upward trend after his best performance of the year at the last round at Hidden Valley. Rounding out the top four was Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team) who is in a determined mood to put the troubles of Darwin behind him with the championship leader, Josh Waters (McMartin Ducati) fifth but just three tenths off the fastest pace while Anthony West was right up there until he had an issue with his chain which negated his final charge.
The track temp was over 35 degrees celsius during the second session, but by the time the final session was on track, the temp had dropped 10 degrees. The surface may have cooled for the final session, but the intrigue didn’t. Even if it was only unofficial practice there was plenty of activity and intrigue. Herfoss was red-hot as he climbed to the top of the sheets, but what was more impressive is that it was the fastest ever lap of a motorcycle of the Morgan Park, to better Wayne Maxwell’s 2022 qualifying lap by over three tenths of a second to be now the unofficial benchmark of 1:12.243.
Jones was again second from fastest from Pearson with Waters fourth and Halliday rounding out the top five. Three-time Australian Superbike Champion Glen Allerton had been knocking on the door of a top three and was heading in the right direction but had an issue with his chain in the final session which halted the final rush to the top.
Broc Pearson builds on a season-best result in Darwin to finish the day in the top three. Photo by Endorphin Media, courtesy ASBK.
After Friday’s free practice sessions, the scene has been set as it now appears that the battle will continue between Herfoss and Jones as they attempt to clamber above Waters in the point score. Herfoss is just a tantalising eight points behind Waters with defending champion, Jones now gaining the momentum to make an impact on the series in third, 51 points off Waters with Allerton just a point adrift from Jones. It may seem a fair way off for Jones to make the difference but never discount the determination of any rider.
The change in the demeanor of Herfoss over the past two rounds is palpable and he has a confident attitude heading into the weekend. The events of Queensland Raceway, and more particularly, the last round in Darwin have shown that the two-time Australian Champion has increased his hunger to succeed. This weekend will be a major indicator of what lies ahead.
Tomorrow will feature a timed practice in the morning with the two qualifying sessions to determine grid positions for the two, 16-lap Alpinestars Superbike races on Sunday.
Italian rider Federico Caricasulo topped World Supersport Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday afternoon at the Imola circuit, in Italy. riding his Althea Racing Team Ducati Panigale V2, Caricasulo lapped the 3.0-mile (4.9 km) track in 1:51.257 to lead the field of 33 entrants.
Frenchman Valentin Debise, a former regular in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship, was fifth-fastest with a 1:52.332 on his GMT94 Yamaha YZF-R6.
Michael Rinaldi was the fastest rider during World Superbike Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday afternoon at Imola, in Italy. Coming into the weekend, it was uncertain if Rinaldi would be able to ride following the injuries he suffered last round at Donington Park, but the Italian came through and did a 1:47.128 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R to top FP2.
Alex Lowes was second-best with a 1:47.279 on his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR.
American Garrett Gerloff bounced back from a strange crash on the out lap that also took out his Bonovo Action BMW teammate Loris Baz to post the third-quickest lap time, a 1:47.454. It’s Gerloff’s first day ever riding at Imola.
The session was red flagged three times, including once for a crash by Jonathan Rea in the final chicane they put gravel onto the racing surface.
Rinaldi shines in Imola; Bautista and Rea outside of Friday’s top six
Michael Rinaldi (21). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Day one of the Prometeon Italian Round was a busy affair as riders reacquainted themselves with the iconic Autodromo Enzo e Dini Ferrari di Imola. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team) emerged as the fastest rider, topping the combined practice timesheets. Despite carrying an ankle injury, Rinaldi claimed the top spot with an solid final flying lap.
The Kawasaki Racing WorldSBK Team experienced some drama as Jonathan Rea suffered a crash at the final corner but managed to continue and complete 15 laps. However, it was his teammate, Alex Lowes, who stole the spotlight with a late charge, securing the second position.
Garrett Gerloff and Loris Baz of the Bonovo Action BMW team had an early incident but were able to return to the track, with Gerloff taking third in the combined standings.
Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team) also showcased strong performances at home finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
Championship leader Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team) only finished in eighth place overall as he focussed on finding his feet on a track he hasn’t raced on since 2019.
Read the full report from Friday on worldsbk.com
Rinaldi impresses with a solid performance at Imola, setting the fastest lap time of 1:47.128. Photo courtesy Dorna.
P1 | Michael Ruben Rinaldi | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
“This morning, I felt strange with the bike. After the crash at Donington Park, I spent almost one week in bed. I trained a bit but only in the pool, to try and not lose too much energy. But this morning, on the bike, the effort I had to make was pretty demanding. I was able to ride pretty quick, even if the feeling wasn’t good.
We worked to improve the bike for this afternoon and actually, it worked. I was able to lap quickly but every time there was a red flag, so it looked like I was just eighth, eighth and eighth! However, my potential was much more and at the end, we kept pushing with the used tyre; I didn’t put a new tyre. I was quite impressed with the time I was able to do. I had ten laps on the tyre and I did the best lap at the end. The feeling is getting better and better and I am quite happy about my riding on the bike.
Talking about how he physically feels after the first day, Rinaldi didn’t shy away from being tired and kept his hopes for Saturday coy: “I feel quite tired as I didn’t train in a proper way because of the crash at Donington, but FP2 was much better. So, I think that tomorrow I’ll have to take pills for the pain in my ankle because today, I took nothing, just to understand where I was with the pain. At the moment, I feel pretty bad with the ankle and it’s a foot I use a lot because I use the rear brake. I need to be without pain. I can do it for many laps without the pain but after one day, I don’t feel that good. I don’t want to make plans, I just want to try and find the happiness with my bike again.”
Alex Lowes (22) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (54). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Lowes impresses with a strong showing in FP2, finishing in second place overall and trailing Rinaldi by only 0.151 seconds.
Garrett Gerloff (31). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Garrett Gerloff bounced back from a crash to secure the third position on the combined timesheets.
Jonathan Rea (65), post-crash. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jonathan Rea shows resilience despite a crash in FP2, finishing in seventh place on the combined timesheets.
Alvaro Bautista (1). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Bautista faces a challenging day at Imola, finishing in eighth place, trailing his teammate Rinaldi by half a second.
More, from a press release issued by GYTR GRT Yamaha:
GARDNER AND AEGERTER GET THEIR FIRST TASTE OF IMOLA
Remy Gardner and Dominique Aegerter completed a tricky opening day in Imola as they got their first taste of the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, finishing 14th and 19th on combined times on their debut day.
In the opening morning session, both GYTR GRT Yamaha riders were looking to build confidence on the Italian circuit, as they attempted to learn its classic yet challenging layout. Gardner finished 16th with a 1’49.488, while his Swiss teammate was just behind in 17th (1’49.584).
Later, in a hotter Free Practice 2 session, which was red flagged twice, the #87 and the #77 kept putting in the laps to increase their feeling with their Yamaha R1 machines at the track, managing to make progress compared with the morning. Indeed, Gardner significantly improved, shaving 0.794 off his time, eventually crossing the line in 14th (1’48.694). It was a similar story for Aegerter, who went 0.599 faster than his FP1 time to finish 19th (1’48.985).
Remy Gardner (87). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Remy Gardner
P14 (1’48.694)
“It was a difficult day but in the end I think I’ve learned the track quite well. I arrived in Imola feeling a little sick, but day by day I’m getting better and I’m confident about being in good shape tomorrow. In the Free Practice 2 I had more confidence with the track and we managed to be faster, but we know there’s still a lot of work to do. We’re confident about making progress tomorrow, we still have margin to improve.”
Dominique Aegerter (77). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Dominique Aegerter
P19 (1’48.985)
“Today was my first ever time in Imola on two wheels. I went there with a car almost a month ago, but with the bike it’s a different story. I had to find the settings and manage the gearing. It was very hot today as well, and riding in those conditions is always tricky, plus the red flags didn’t help us with getting the rhythm and consistent laps around the track. We will work hard tonight to find more solutions, we’re aiming for a good qualifying and first race.”
More, from a press release issued by Team HRC:
Team HRC seeks a turnaround after a tough Friday at Imola
A challenging Friday for Team HRC at the Imola circuit in Italy, as it prepares for the races making up round seven of the 2023 Superbike World Championship. A track that is technical and new to both riders coupled with extreme weather conditions only made things harder, but the team is ready to put in the work this evening in order to maximise the setup of the bike.
Lecuona and Vierge set to work during the first free practice session, which got started at 10.30am local time. With neither rider having visited the Imola circuit until now, the Team HRC duo focused on building confidence around what is a rather challenging track. Both were able to make progress already during the first practice, with Vierge setting a best of a 1’49.266 and Lecuona a 1’49.286. With these references, the factory riders placed fourteenth and fifteenth at the session’s end.
Heading into the afternoon’s session, both Lecuona and Vierge were keen to improve on their FP1 performance. In hotter conditions (air temp. 32°C, track temp 52°C), the factory riders worked hard with their respective technicians to adapt the set-up of their CBR1000RR-R machines to the Italian track. The session was interrupted with a red flag on three occasions following crashes for other riders, but this did not prevent Team HRC from making the most of the track time and shaving precious tenths of their earlier references. Vierge’s fastest time was a 1.48’749 with which he positioned fifteenth overall, while team-mate Lecuona placed seventeenth with a best of 1’48.907.
With the weather expected to remain hot but stable over the rest of the weekend, and with some setup adjustments in the pipeline, Team HRC plans to try and reduce the gap to the front prior to tomorrow’s Superpole qualifying phase and the first of the weekend’s three races.
Xavi Vierge (97). Photo courtesy Team HRC.
Xavi Vierge 97
P15
“So the first day here in Imola is done and dusted. It’s a new track for us and I like it a lot – the layout is great but very difficult because many of the corners are so narrow. But it’s a nice one to ride even if we’re unfortunately not as fast as we want to be. We are working incredibly hard to fix the difficulties we are having, which are very similar to those we had at Donington and prevent us from fully exploiting the bike’s potential. Right now, we are struggling with the rear and have no grip or contact when exiting the turns, which means that we can only try and make up something on the brakes and that’s not enough of course. We tried to make some adjustments to the setup between FP1 and FP2 with no substantial improvement so the plan is to make some bigger changes for tomorrow.”
Iker Lecuona (7). Photo courtesy Team HRC.
Iker Lecuona 7
P17
“As for the track, I would like to say it’s enjoyable because I can see that it might be, but it’s not enjoyable for me as yet because I’m still struggling to get to grips with it. As for our performance, I can say the feeling I have right now is the worst I’ve had with the bike so far. In FP2 I felt very frustrated with myself, the bike and the situation because we find ourselves fighting for positions that don’t reflect our potential. I tried to do my best anyway, and I want to say thanks to the team because they are pushing a lot and continue to believe in me, but it’s not easy to accept being so far back fighting for fifteenth position. We need to take a moment and then get right to back to work, checking all the data and seeing if we can find something that can help us to reverse the situation tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki:
Lowes Overall Second After Day One
Kawasaki Racing Team riders Alex Lowes and Jonathan Rea took part in their first day of practice at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola in hot conditions. Lowes was finally second in the combined time sheets and Rea seventh.
Both opening Imola track sessions were held in punishing humidity as WorldSBK returned to race after four years away. The established order was reshuffled after an FP2 session that featured no fewer than three red flags, interrupting the planned practice schedule for many teams and riders.
Lowes had used hard tyres in the first session to re-learn the track, in what is his first Kawasaki visit to the classic Italian circuit. Lowes’s FP2 plans to do a 15-lap ‘long run’ were interrupted by the frequent appearance of the red flags but he was still fast and focused and found real improvements in his pace to go second quickest.
Lowes was in sparkling form in the afternoon session, leading for a time until eventual fastest rider Michael Ruben Rinaldi went 0.151 seconds quicker. Despite all the red flags the top five places went faster in FP2 than FP1, but several other competitors had to rely on their morning time to find their final overnight qualifying position.
Rea had been within 0.003 seconds of first place in the opening FP1 session, but found some bad luck in FP2. He experienced a slow crash into the final chicane with 30 minutes left to run, and with his bike too close to the active surface, a red flag was show to stop the session.
The 4.936km Imola track surface proved to be less grippy than the last time WorldSBK had raced there, especially in the intensely hot conditions, which were a major factor holding back the opening day lap times. Track temperatures rose to over 50°C in the afternoon.
Saturday 15 July will feature an FP3 practice session, Tissot Superpole qualifying for grid positions and then a full-distance 19-lap WorldSBK race.
Alex Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Alex Lowes, stated: “This morning in FP1 I was on the hard tyres on the front and it was sliding a lot. It’s a few years since I have been here and this is my first time here on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR. The bike set-up didn’t feel too bad, to be honest, even in FP1. In FP2 I felt quite good straight away. My plan was to do 15 laps in succession and then a shorter run near the end. With the red flags I did not get to put consistent laps in, but even with the 15 laps I did on the same tyre I was still able to do a good time. I think it is going to be a hot race – and a long race – on Saturday, but I feel like I was pretty competitive today.”
Jonathan Rea (65). Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “I love this track it has a nice feeling. You can forget after so long since we have been here that to go fast at Imola you have to be 100% committed. So it just takes some time to get your confidence and then when you are fast and committed, the lap time starts coming. In the afternoon session there were a lot of red flags. My rhythm was really good in the beginning of the session, when everyone used the race option tyres. Then at the end, as the soft option tyres were going in, I didn’t feel so good. I crashed when I changed front tyre and I didn’t feel good with that option, and also the electronics were not so good in the final chicane. I lost a bit of confidence but at the end we put in an SCX rear tyre and was able to improve a little bit. We started this weekend with the bike set-up from 2019, in terms of chassis balance, but of course the bike has evolved. On Saturday we are going to go to more of a 2023 set-up. We will try again to fine tune the electronics and make a step, especially in the engine braking side, as stopping for the chicanes is very important here. I just want to give myself that little bit more confidence for Saturday.”
Isaac Vinales (TPR by Vinales Racing Kawasaki) was 22nd after a hot first day at Imola. Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was 24th and Oliver König (Orelac Racing Movisio Kawasaki) 25th.
More, from a press release issued by PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team:
WorldSBK – A WorldSBK learning curve for Granado and Tamburini at Imola
The PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team is in action at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola for this weekend’s seventh Superbike World Championship round. Rider Eric Granado is getting to grips with what is another new circuit for him, while Roberto Tamburini, who stands in for injured Hafizh Syahrin, is riding the Honda CBR1000RR-R for the first time.
In the morning’s first free practice, Granado worked to gain confidence around the new track, the rider able to make gradual progress throughout this first 45-minute phase. Setting a best of 1’51.505, the Brazilian placed twenty-fourth at the session’s end. Local rider Tamburini has the benefit of knowing the Imola track very well but does not know the CBR1000RR-R, which meant that he spent the first session working with the technicians to adapt the bike to his riding style and the track. By the end of the phase, the Italian was lying twenty-second with a time of 1’51.120.
FP2 got underway mid-afternoon and on a much hotter track (air temp. 32°C, track temp. 52°C). Despite three interruptions to the sessions due to incidents for other riders, the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda duo worked systematically to improve their feeling with the bike. Tamburini was able to make a good step forward with respect to the first session, lowering his time by almost a second a half to close with a best of 1’49.777, a result that saw him place twenty-first overall at the end of day one. Granado was also able to improve on his earlier time by almost a second, a best reference of 1’50.622 putting him twenty-third in the day’s combined standings.
Roberto Tamburini (20). Photo courtesy PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team.
Roberto Tamburini P21
“It’s not easy coming here to WorldSBK with a new bike but at least I know the track of course. This morning we were making quite big changes, modifying the setup to suit my riding style and so on, and then we made some further improvements this afternoon. We made a good step between FP1 and FP2 and have been able to improve both the bike and my feeling with it, so I’m quite pleased with how this first day has gone. Tomorrow we’ll try to work in the same direction and take another step with the aim of doing as well as possible. A big thanks to everyone on the team as they’re all very supportive and working really hard to help me.”
Eric Granado (51). Photo courtesy PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team.
Eric Granado P23
“It’s a beautiful track but also a very technical one where it’s hard to find the right lines, so I struggled a little at first to understand the layout. At least we had two dry sessions that allowed us to make the most of the track time, but it’s also very hot and so pretty hard physically. I’ll need to rest up in preparation for the next two days. We’re still trying to find some solutions that can help us to take another step – so we hope to be able to do that in tomorrow’s sessions so that we’re better prepared for the races.”
More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
Super Friday for Rinaldi who grabs P1 at Imola. Bautista eighth quickest. Bulega fourth in WorldSSP
Friday’s free practices for the Italian Round – the seventh round of the 2023 WorldSBK season held at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola – concluded with an impressive lap by Michael Rinaldi, which granted the Italian rider the first position. It was an intense day for Rinaldi, who was declared fit to race after FP1. As he showed consistency in the morning and afternoon sessions, Michael set the fastest lap at the end of the FP2, which saw several red flags.
After finishing fourth in FP1, Bautista approached FP2 as usual without changing tires to preserve as many as possible for tomorrow’s qualifying and Race 1. The Spanish rider ended up with the eighth fastest time, half a second behind his teammate.
Michael Rinaldi (21). Photo courtesy Ducati.
Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #21):
“It was a special day, different from others, not only because we haven’t raced at Imola for a few years but also because the days following the Donington incident have been challenging. Besides the high temperature and ankle pain that put me to the test during FP1, we were still fast and improved in FP2. I still need to work on the final sector where there is room for improvement, but overall, it has been positive.”
Alvaro Bautista (1). Photo courtesy Ducati.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #1):
“I used this Friday to get familiar with a track where I have raced only once in 2019. The feeling with the bike wasn’t at the highest level as it has been on many occasions this season, but it’s normal, especially considering the extremely high temperature. We weren’t chasing lap times, and in fact, we didn’t change tires during the sessions. There are still several details to work on, but I’m confident we’ll improve the feeling tomorrow.”
WorldSSP
Nicolò Bulega and the Aruba.it Racing WSSP team’s Ducati Panigale V2 set the fourth fastest time at the end of Friday’s free practice sessions.
Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WSSP):
“Today, we faced some difficulties compared to usual. However, with the team, we have already identified the direction to take and what to work on. Tomorrow, we’ll try to do much better.
More, from a press release issued by Team Go-Eleven:
FIRST TIME AT IMOLA, PHILIPP OETTL ENDS IN P 13!
Philipp Oettl (5). Photo courtesy Team Go-Eleven.
One word to describe Imola? Hard, really hard. The first laps on the Santerno track left Philipp speechless; really spectacular and complicated to understand the blind corners. As the German rider himself admitted, here the “timing” with which to set the lines is fundamental. After a complicated first session, Oettl was able to improve on his references, finishing close to the top ten. Today he was used to know the track, from tomorrow it will be essential to look for the laptime.
In the first free practice Philipp made a long run at the beginning of the session to get familiar with the track. Following some riders he managed to improve, however showing some difficulties in the second sector and in the last chicane. Few changes required, the Imola track has very little grip and the heat made it even more slippery. Position out of the fifteen, for a really arduous session, in which the German rider took more than a few laps to understand the layout.
Free Practice 1:
P 1 T. Razgatlioglu 1.47.661
P 2 J. Rea + 0.003
P 3 A. Bautista + 0.030
…
P 19 P. Oettl + 2.011
The second session was decidedly better; track over fifty degrees of asphalt, Oettl immediately improved going down to the low 49. Today the track was much slower than in 2019, due to the high temperatures. Three red flags interrupted the session, so it was not possible to show a real race pace over the long distance. In the final Philipp was able to improve further, staying close to the top ten, but the gap from tenth place is quite high, around seven tenths. Tomorrow, after an entire day, things will definitely be much simpler for all the rookies at Imola and we will see the real values on the track.
Free Practice 2:
P 1 M. Rinaldi 1.47.128
P 2 A. Lowes + 0.151
P 3 G. Gerloff + 0.326
…
P 13 P. Oettl + 1.558
Philipp Oettl (Rider):“I am not unhappy about today; from FP 1 to FP 2 we had a big step and we found the right way for tomorrow. I will check all the data, cause I think I have a bit to improve in the riding here. Imola is really difficult, the first laps I really had to understand where were the corners. I think here I have to ride smooth, but there are really hard breakings, the timing here needs to be perfect to find the best lap!”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Hot Imola Pace in Free Practice for Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK’s Locatelli and Razgatlıoğlu
Andrea Locatelli and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu finished Friday Free Practice in fifth and sixth position respectively on the combined timesheets of the opening day of Round 7 of the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship at Imola today.
In sweltering summer conditions, track temperatures at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari reached well over 52 degrees Celsius during the all-important Free Practice 2 this afternoon. The session which normally allows teams to complete a “race simulation” in similar conditions to those expected during the weekend was plagued with red flag-stoppages, as many riders struggled with a lack of grip due to the extreme temperature. The Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK group kept out of trouble to complete a productive day despite the challenges, and preparations are well underway for qualifying and the points-paying races.
Andrea Locatelli (55). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Andrea Locatelli: P5 – 1’47.592
“It’s a good track for me, I have good memories and the feeling today was great. We started in a really good way from FP1, we found a good base set-up and just tried to ride a lot and do some fine tuning around my R1 – because the feeling is really good. I think we can be fast on this track – we just need to work on generating rear grip, especially for this temperature. If we can find a little bit more grip, something to help me be more relaxed on the bike, I think we can be really competitive. I’m feeling strong and now it’s important to continue like this. We know the rider that finished at the front was on the Q tyre, and we didn’t use it. So to finish the first day like this is a good Friday for us! Every weekend the objective is to try for the podium, but also to stay in the top five and take points for championship.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu: P6 – 1’47.661
“For me, it was not a bad day just I am feeling less grip with the rear tyre. I hope we are improving for tomorrow, but in general we did a good job – it looks like just Bautista and I tried a race simulation today with many laps. I did 14, 15 laps – even with the red flags and good lap times. Just two or three of my laps cancelled! Also my best lap was cancelled because I think I touched the green on Turn 22. But, I am happy – we just need to improve the rear grip and we will see what is possible. I am just thinking about the race now, 19 laps and you need good pace! It looks like we are strong, but for me it is not quite enough – with more rear grip we can ride more relaxed and ready to fight.”
XSR900 DB40 Prototype Breaks Cover at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Yamaha’s Sport Heritage range combines the emotion-evoking design of some of the most iconic motorcycles in the brand’s history and combines this with the very latest high performance chassis and engine technology, paying homage to the racing machines that have shaped Yamaha’s past without compromising modern day performance.
For 2023, this nod to Yamaha’s illustrious racing history goes even further. Following the unveiling of the XSR900 RACER accessories and the 1980s Grand Prix-inspired CafeRacersofInstagram Yard Built for Good special earlier this year, the XSR900 DB40 Prototype has broken cover for the first time at the iconic Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Riding up the prestigious Goodwood Hill on each of the festival’s four days, the XSR900 DB40 Prototype represents a blend of Yamaha’s rich racing history and cutting edge modern technology in line with the Sport Heritage mantra.
Former YZR500 Grand Prix racer Niall Mackenzie, who rode for Marlboro Yamaha in 1989 before three further years on Yamaha machinery in the early nineties, will take to the hill on the XSR900 DB40 Prototype on Thursday and Friday before a selection of journalists and VIPs take the machine to the hill on the weekend.
In the 1980s, Yamaha pioneered a new wave of technological advancement in motorcycle engineering by introducing the Deltabox chassis in their Grand Prix race machines.
This technology would soon filter down to road bikes, and now, 40 years on, the Deltabox style design remains at the heart of many Yamaha motorcycles.
The new Yamaha XSR900 DB40 prototype at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Based on the XSR900, the XSR900 DB40 Prototype – named to celebrate 40 years of the Deltabox chassis – is powered by the award-winning 890cc ‘CP3’ triple-cylinder engine, housed in the very latest version of the Deltabox style frame.
The name ‘Deltabox’ comes from the amalgamation of the word ‘Delta’, the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet, represented by a triangle and the word ‘box’.
From a side view, the Deltabox is formed of a triangle linking the head pipe to the swingarm pivot while the cross-section is box-shaped. This relationship between the steering head and the pivot point offers outstanding rigidity and feedback where a rider will need it most. The cross-shaped box section allows for a greater surface area while providing lighter weight and a higher level of rigidity.
Yamaha debuted the Deltabox chassis in their 1982 YZR500 OW61 Grand Prix machine, while the frame’s first appearance in a production racer came just three years later, the TZR250, bringing the characteristics of the YZR factory race machinery to the road. The Deltabox has since become synonymous with Yamaha’s Supersport models, including the revolutionary R1 launched 25 years ago this year.
The XSR900 DB40 Prototype is the latest model based on the XSR900 platform to pay homage to Yamaha’s racing identity. Last month, custom house caferacersofinstagram unveiled their first Yard Built for Good project at the Bike Shed Motorcycle Club Show, a customised XSR900 harking back to Yamaha’s Grand Prix racers of the 80s and 90s.
This followed the unveiling of a range of Yamaha Genuine Accessories which transformed the standard XSR900 into a RACER with a café racer style mini fairing and race-styled single seat cover. This XSR900 RACER made its debut at the Bike Shed Motorcycle Show before legendary French Grand Prix racer Christian Sarron took to the famous Wheels and Waves Punk’s Peak race in June.
The XSR900 DB40 Prototype will feature in the famous ‘Batch 6 First Glance’ runs at Goodwood at the following times:
Adrian Huertas topped World Supersport Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at the Imola circuit, in Italy. Riding his MTM Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, the Spaniard lapped the 3.0-mile (4.9 km) course in 1:52.010 to lead the field of 32 riders.
Former MotoAmerica regular Valentin Debise was ninth in FP1 with a time of 1:53.419 on his GMT94 Yamaha YZF-R6.
Toprak Razgatlioglu was the fastest rider during World Superbike Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Imola, in Italy. Riding his Pata Yamaha Prometeon YZF-R1, the Turkish rider lapped the 3.0-mile (4.9 km) road course in 1:47.661 to lead the field of 25 riders.
Six-time World Champion Jonathan Rea was the best of the rest with a 1:47.664 on his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR.
Alvaro Bautista, the current Championship point leader, was third-quickest with a 1:47.691 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Riding at Imola for the first time ever, American Garrett Gerloff was P9 and the top BMW rider with a 1:48.694 on his Bonovo Action BMW M 1000 RR.
… and we’re off! MotoGP™ gets first taste of 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Pol returns, some Legends saddle up and the first batch of bikes heads up The Hill
Thursday, 13 July 2023
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is go and MotoGP™ has already blasted up The Hill with some star-studded machinery both past and present. As part of an incredible batch of vehicles giving a tantalising taster of what’s in store over the weekend, the first run saw some Legends and heroes of the now share the famous hillclimb.
On Thursday, one big highlight saw Pol Espargaro reunited with his RC16 as the GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 rider got his first taste of a MotoGP™ machine for some time. And the smile was big as ever!
Pol Espargaro was happy to ride his GASGAS RC16 again. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Ducati test rider Michele Pirro (51) on his Desmosedici GP. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Mika Kallio (36) on his Red Bull KTM RC16. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The MotoGP™ contingent was sizeable even on Day 1, with Espargaro joined by test rider and wildcard extraordinaire Michele Pirro out for Ducati Lenovo Team, Mika Kallio representing for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Lorenzo Savadori on the Aprilia Racing RS-GP, fresh from his own wildcard at the TT Circuit Assen.
Pol Espargaro (44) on his GASGAS RC16. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori (32). Photo courtesy Dorna.
The Legends corner comprised two very familiar faces on Thursday too as Kenny Roberts Jr headed up The Hill, joined by compatriot and fellow MotoGP™ Legend Randy Mamola. The two finished the run side-by-side, or almost, as Mamola kept it pinned to just pip past the fellow Suzuki at the finish line. Dakota Mamola made it a family affair too, at the helm of an LCR Honda Castrol-liveried Honda.
(From left) Michele Pirro, Pol Espargaro, Lorenzo Savadori, and Kenny Lee Roberts. Photo courtesy Dorna.
And that’s just the start! There’s plenty more to come across the weekend, including Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), teammate Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3’s Augusto Fernandez, CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team’s Miguel Oliveira & Raul Fernandez, and some huge Legends who are yet to saddle up: Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Gardner and Alex Crivillé.
WHERE TO FIND US & HOW TO WATCH
On site, the MotoGP™ delegation is based in the Ballroom Paddock near the Drivers’ Club – the perfect showcase to allow fans an awesome overview of the teams prepping the machines. And if you can’t make it? We have incredible coverage of the event.
MotoGP™’s hillclimb action is live streamed on motogp.com, making sure fans around the world can get involved in this unique celebration of the sport. There’s also a selection of photos and round-ups of the action each day of the festival, so make sure to come back for more tomorrow!
QUOTES
POL ESPARGARO, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3: “It’s short! Going up it’s short but it’s so enjoyable to ride the bike, and see the technology of the moment and the oldest ones, the motorbikes and the cars, it’s super nice.
“It’s great to catch up with fans after those months at home, recovering from the injury from Portimao, but I want to be back to normality again! No more time talking about the injury, I understand people want to know when I’ll be back, but I really want to come back, to get back to normality, start to work with the team, get the speed back and fight with these guys! I’m waiting for it.
“Just to hear the engine, open the throttle and feel… how strong is this engine! It’s just insane. It’s something where you lose this feeling when you’re at home for so much time. I’m training on 1000cc bikes that everyone can buy, and the difference is huge. Massive! You understand how much when you’ve stopped for some months and you jump back on this kind of bike. It’s something crazy. I’m looking forward to getting back up to speed and enjoying it again with my GASGAS guys in the box.
“The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya gave me a spot to ride and I really enjoyed it. It’s not on the MotoGP, but it’s a bike I can train on and more or less feel how I feel before I jump on the MotoGP bike, and really the feelings were good! For sure missing a lot of things, but as I said it will take a little bit of time when I come back but I’m really looking forward to getting back on the MotoGP bike.”
KENNY ROBERTS Jr: “It’s my first year here, me and my family arrived in England yesterday and drove down last night. It’s my first time here today, and I didn’t look at any videos or Google it… so we arrived, and it’s amazing! I couldn’t have imagined how big it is, and how involved it is. I know, for my two kids and my wife to come with me is a lot, but I couldn’t have imagined all this, to have to organise it!”
How’s the family enjoying it?
“It’s always a learning experience for the kids… so when I’m like, ‘when I tell you this, it’s cause we’ve done it’. So it’s hard to say ‘I want to go to London and go on a two storey bus’, I’m like… ‘that’s eight hours!’ But when they see this, it’s a whole different side of life. We’ve done this for 15, 20 years, travelled all over the world… and when we had chance to stop, America is huge and we’ve been able to raise the kids and travel around the US. Now they get to see Europe for the first time. They’ve been to Japan, Palau, the 48 lower states. They like the way people speak proper English here! They’re enjoying it and it’s fun.”
The run and the bike:
“I was trying to find neutral and first and second, we’re going to make some changes. You know every rider, we have to make changes and blame everything on the bike! But the gearing we’re going to make a little shorter, and tomorrow I know the direction a bit so it’ll be a little more fun! I just hope the weather’s nice.”
On talking to the current riders:
“It’s the same language. The technology they have now, compared to us, limits them in ways we were limited from tyres, chassis, the feel from the bike. We weren’t so precise with computers and understanding, but we knew there was limitations from the rider. They now can recognise the limitations and attack one area… so let’s say now you concentrate on front tyre pressure, how do you get around that problem. We didn’t know about a lot of that. When we had one day or one session from the next with conditions hotter that we didn’t understand… now they can say ‘this is why’. We had to just rely on the rider. So we were the computer back in the day! If we were given information we didn’t quite understand, it was difficult to find out what was happening.”
About the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard
First staged in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motorsport take part along with legendary figures from the automotive world. Highlights include Future Lab presented by Randox, Electric Avenue presented by bp pulse, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 Pit Lane presented by Sky, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance and Bonhams Auction.
About MotoGP™ & Dorna Sports
The FIM Grand Prix World Championship, MotoGP™, is the world’s most exciting motorsport. 22 of the fastest riders compete on purpose-built prototype motorcycles on some of the world’s greatest racetracks, creating one of the most thrilling shows on Earth. Since it was inaugurated in 1949, the sport has grown to comprise 20 Grands Prix across five continents, with the television broadcast reaching hundreds of millions around the world.
Dorna Sports became the sole commercial and television rights holder of the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship in 1991. Based in Madrid, Spain, with premises in Barcelona and a subsidiary in Rome, the Dorna Group is a leader in sports management, marketing and media, and has seen continued growth over the years; expanding from solely MotoGP™ to include other leading motorcycle racing championships across the globe.
A busy day for WorldSBK as our return to Imola headlines, but 2024 seats remain crucial with lots of major players still yet to put pen to paper
Round 7 of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has arrived and the media day for the Championship gave plenty of major talking points before a wheel had even been turned. From declarations about 2024 to hoping to indulge in some Imola success, we caught up with the main stars of the show and got their thoughts about how the weekend could shape up and how 2024’s grid will eventually shake out.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “The only expectations that we can have for this weekend are battles!”
“It’s another important round for Ducati because it’s their second home round. It’s an important weekend for me as I don’t have a lot of experience in this track. I just raced here once, in 2019, and it was hard because we had to cancel Race 2 due to the weather. I have good memories of the track; the layout is really nice. There are no expectations because we have to build up the references and the feeling with the bike at this track. It was the same as I said at Donington. I think Donington, Imola and Most are the three most difficult races for us. We have to be thinking step by step. It’s difficult to make some expectations because it’s like we start from zero. The important thing is to find the feeling that I had at Donington or other tracks. I’m sure that if we can get that feeling, I can be competitive. This is a track that we saw many battles in the past. The only expectation that we can have for this weekend are battles. I don’t know whether it’ll be for the win or the podium or other positions but there will be battles because there are a lot of points for overtaking. The way to approach the weekend is basically the same. We must be more careful with the gearing because, in the end, it’s the most critical. We have to try to understand which areas we lose more in and try to work more in those areas.”
Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “I think on Sunday, there’ll be an announcement of where I’m going”
“This is a place that I want to have fun at. The track looks so iconic and there’s a lot of history here; I did a couple of laps with the bicycle last night and I had goosebumps. A motorcycle could always be different but it just looks amazing. The trees, buildings, up and downs, I’m really excited to go and ride this track. It’d be nice if the bike was nice to me this weekend and I didn’t have to focus so much on the settings and I could just focus on riding the track. I think on Sunday, there’ll be an announcement of where I’m going and what I’m doing for 2024.”
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “I know the tricks of the trade around here”
“I’m really excited to be back here! It always brings back fond memories; I have had some great races here. It’s a unique part of the world to race in a park, with the undulations and it’s steeped in history. Our track record here has been quite good too. My favourite sector at Imola… it’s hard to give just one! The most iconic part is the drop down from Piratella into Acque Minerali, and then the jump out of there. It’s so difficult to master but when you get as close to perfect as possible, it’s an amazing feeling. You accelerate out of there, uphill and it’s really hard, fighting with the bike. Imola is about having a bike that is easy to ride but that stops very well; we’re stopping really hard in three or four areas of the track. We know we can be stronger here than the first part of the year, to fight for podiums is the minimum we can aim for. I know a few tricks of the trade round here. It’s hard to know whether to go back to our 2019 setting or our current setup.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK): “I’m only looking at Jonny… I hope we fight for the win”
“I’m very excited to come back to Imola. I remember 2019, I have good memories here as I took a podium. In 2015, I had a big fight with Caricasulo in Stock 600! My goal is to fight for the win again. Jonny is normally very strong here. I hope we are fighting with him; I am only looking at Jonny. Also, I think Alvaro will improve this year as the bike has changed a lot. He will be very strong here. I hope it can be a good weekend to recover some points. This year, I’ll try to win in a long race. I hope we fight for the win.”
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team): “It would be a dream to get a podium here!”
“It’s really special because I haven’t been to Imola since 2011. However, I was already with Barni Racing and I have good memories. I can’t wait to ride again on the track again, because it’s one of the most beautiful around the world. Nothing is chosen about my future; as I said at Donington Park and at the start of 2023, I want to win a race here. I am here to do that. With Alvaro, Toprak and Jonny and others, it’s difficult. Maybe I need one more year to try and win and be more consistent in the Championship. After the podium at Donington Park, we want to repeat that performance but we will see because both at Donington Park and Misano, we had a new track surface. This time, we’ll have something a bit more normal, so it’s a good test for us to see if we can fight for the podium regularly. It would be a dream to get a podium here.”
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “We’ve been dreaming about this!”
“I’m excited for him and the team! We’re really close but to have another good team in the WorldSBK Championship is good and maybe in the future, it might even be two riders. For such a good team in Moto2™ to arrive here is only going to make the Championship stronger. Marc van der Straten is a fantastic guy and his personality will be great. On the other side, about my brother, it’s fantastic! We’ve been dreaming for a long, long time since we were kids, to race motorbikes and maybe race together one day. On a personal note, away from the track, I am so, so happy. With our current schedules, we spend a lot of time apart but to race together, travel together, it’s going to be fantastic. The team have been World Champions and Sam has won a Grand Prix just two months ago, so the level he is riding at is fantastic so we can expect him, the bike and the team to be strong.”
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “I love this track… it’s unbelievable to ride!”
“It was a hard crash at Donington Park but this morning, we decided with the doctors to at least try and ride the bike. I feel pretty good; last week, I didn’t feel too good, so we have done more examinations, especially with the head. It’s the hardest part to check and to make sure it’s in the right way for racing bikes. I feel good with the head now, the ankle is still not so good but it’s not broken, so I’ll try my best to ride the bike and get good results. I love this track and it deserves to stay on the calendar; it’s unbelievable to ride here. My best memory was when I won the STK1000 race after a strange race with two red flags, three starts and on the last one, my mechanics had to change the clutch! It was tough as they finished changing it when the pitlane was open and we only 50 seconds to exit the pitlane! About my future, I hope that there will be updates, but for the moment, the focus is to get back on the bike with a good feeling.”
Two-stroke 250 GP bikes are alive and well at AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association) events but those hoping to reach the top step of the box will have to go through Ralph Staropoli.
The 59-year-old’s dominance is reminiscent of Rich Oliver in the AMA’s last few years of AMA Pro two-stroke racing. Staropoli was a new 250cc GP racer back then with a best AMA Pro national finish of seventh, but 20 years later the Coloradoan has risen to Oliver levels and that’s the highest compliment you can give in American two-stroke road racing. And it’s not just a two-stroke 250 that this guy dominates…read on.
Why This Guy?
My interest in writing about Staropoli is two-fold: First is the ultra-professional approach he has taken in his return to road racing. Staropoli, like many AHRMA racers, quit racing due to the pressures of time, money, and lack of joy…that was 1998 for Ralph…but he kept his 250 and started dabbling again a few years later.
We’ve all learned that “dabbling” in a risky endeavor isn’t a great approach and this guy rekindled the joy of motorbike racing with a methodology that rivals factory efforts, even though it’s basically a one-man show (more on that later). Certainly an inspiration for us all. In a nutshell, Staropoli’s message is, “If you’re gonna do it, do it right.” The results of this all-in approach speak for themselves.
Second is Staropoli’s motivation, the only true reason to go amateur racing: Joy. We have all felt the “garage therapy” happiness of fettling our own bikes and Ralph dove headfirst into this world, establishing international ties with two-stroke gurus and taking advantage of the ongoing evolution of two-stroke racing happening in Italy, Portugal, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
But he did more than establish ties; he educated himself on everything necessary to consistently run GP bikes at the front of the field. He’s won on his Honda RS250 and Yamaha TZ250, both built and extensively modified in his shop.
Ralph says, “I wish I knew then what I know now. Bikes have come light years since my AMA days; kit parts are available and I’ve learned how to set these bikes up. I just didn’t know back then. Now I don’t have seizures due to better knowledge and technology like exhaust-gas-temperature readings, detonation counters, and data loggers.” Staropoli does every facet of bike building for his two-strokes, including crankshaft set-up.
Crain Aviation, seen here on Staropoli’s Honda RS250, has taken over painting duties on his fleet of bikes so the outside beauty matches the inside trickness. Staropoli’s dominant AHRMA campaign is also backed by Bridgestone, Suomy helmets, 4SR leathers, Regina chains, VHM pistons, and Motul lubricants, with special parts and pieces coming from Barnett clutches.
It would be easy for those in America to believe that two-stroke road racing development ended when World Championship 250cc Grand Prix racing switched to Moto2 with four-stroke Honda 600s in 2010. From that belief you would guess that American 250 racers were eking by with decades-old equipment. Attend an AHRMA round to see how wrong this belief is!
Staropoli also enjoys the social aspects of racing, especially with close friends like Dave Frick and Adrian Jasso, two racers who share pit areas with Staropoli and field a similar set of bikes. “When racing isn’t fun, I’ll quit,” Ralph says, but like so many of us he realizes that road racing motorcycles brings challenge and satisfaction that is difficult to find elsewhere.
Ralph went to college on a soccer sponsorship and played competitively for years. He’s a certified sky diver. As a high-level defense-industry expert he has the money to buy any fast car, boat, motorcoach… but what else combines the risk, skill, competition, amazing technology, and social aspect of two-wheeled racing?
There’s a special beauty in racing a bike you also built. While Staropoli has educated himself on bike prep, he has also worked hard on fitness and advancing his on-board riding techniques. Photo by Etechphoto.com.
While true challenges are getting harder to find here in America, Staropoli is looking to international racing waters again after being prevented from going across the pond by COVID. Europe’s lure is pure two-stoke events. This is noteworthy because when Staropoli races in American club events with CCS/ASRA he is often pitted against four-stroke machines that “make a lap time” much differently than a 250cc two-stroke.
Wait a second, that’s not a two-stroke! No, it’s a 250 four-Stroke single, but it’s the best bike Ralph Staropoli has ridden and that’s saying a lot. Honda NSF250Rs are busy embarrassing larger bikes here in America. Photo by Joshua Mages.
More Than Two Strokes
Tucked into Staropoli’s ultra-clean pit area is a four-stroke NSF250R Honda that looks just right next to his TZ250 and RS250 because it is a Moto3 bike for the masses. This little Single has been produced since 2012; bikes and support are available through Rising Sun Cycles (rscycles.com) here in America.
Isn’t it cute? Yes, cute like a shark. There have been grids of a dozen or so NSF250Rs here in America, and for about $14,000 you can join them. If you listen closely when the field goes by you can the laughter of riding fun.
“These NSFs took a while to catch on,” Staropoli tells us, “but they’re getting more and more popular. It’s a great bike right out of the box: 42 horsepower and 180 pounds, around $14,000. Most fun bike, best bike, I’ve ever been on.” High praise from a guy with one each of the best TZ250s and RS250s in the country–and some would argue in the world.
“When we got the NSFs, Stewart Aitken-Cade, Dave (Frick), Adrian (Jasso), and I agreed to keep them stock and that lasted for about a year. A really fun year. When Stewart modified his bike’s brakes I told him, ‘The dam has broken’…and now these things have gotten even better.”
Look familiar? Fans of the 2014 Moto3 season will recognize the profile, (this is a real FTR250 Team Gresini bike) while Marco Simoncelli fans will love the paint on Staropoli’s latest acquisition. “It’s shocking to see how far Moto3 bikes have come,” Ralph says. “This thing has dual front discs, launch control, data…way beyond my NSF…so imagine how great a 2023 Moto3 bike must be!” Photo by Ralph Staropoli.
From Moto3 in 2014 to AHRMA in 2023: FTR250.
If you enter the three or four AHRMA classes that the NSF fits into, bring your A-Game because in 2022 the name Staropoli was at the top of every finishing chart. That was 28 starts and 28 wins…and the streak continues in 2023.
What says Fun better than a 500cc GP bike?
Let’s just start with this: 185 horsepower and 270 pounds. Smiling yet? Those are the essential specifications of the ROC YZR500 that just entered Staropoli’s racing world in a very roundabout way.
Ralph takes over the story. “I was talking with Andy Sawford, a friend of mine in the UK, about Honda kit parts. Andy told me to contact a guy in Germany name Jorg Schollhorn. Jorg is the last 500cc National Champion. We became friends and talk four or five times a week. He mentions that an acquaintance of ours might have a 1992 ROC 500 for sale (ROC built chassis for four-cylinder Yamaha YZR500 engines).
“This acquaintance is a master craftsman, a former National Champion in several classes, has huge factory connections…a real mover in world road racing venues, building two-stroke bikes for very famous racers. He was building this ROC for himself, but came across something even better and Jorg thought that perhaps the ROC was for sale.”
It was a dream most of us share and a perfect bike for AHRMA’s Open Two-Stroke class where anything goes as long as it does the ring-ding thing.
Welcome to 1993 500 GP racing: Renzo Colleoni on pace in one of the 14 GP races he contested on the ROC Yamaha YZR500, soon to be campaigned in America. Photo courtesy Ralph Staropoli Collection.
Staropoli has the 500 on his bench, but the professional “acquaintance” who started the project gave him a tremendous head start: This ROC has forks used by Noriyuki Abe, carbs modified by tuning legend Harald Bartol, a kit carbon-fiber tail, an SJK exhaust…the bike is all-new except for the frame, swingarm, and wheels. Photo by Ralph Staropoli.
The bike traveled from Germany to America and should be debuted at the Laguna Seca AHRMA round this coming weekend. For those of us lucky enough to be at Laguna when 500cc GP bikes shook Monterey, this ROC 500 will be another of the tremendous throw-back moments that AHRMA provides.
Sure, we’d all like to buy a former 500 GP bike but probably don’t have the available budget. But that’s not the point. The AHRMA paddock is full of this exact story, at all levels of budget. Many of us are returning to a bike we always loved, many of us are finally on a bike we always lusted for.
A genuine four-cylinder 500cc Grand Prix racebike. Photo by Ralph Staropoli.
In my case, at about 0.0002% of Ralph’s budget, I’m rolling around on a Speedwerks FZR600, returning to a bike model that not just brings me current joy, but brought me joy 30 years ago. For Staropoli, the ROC will introduce a new challenge in preparation and riding…and that anticipated challenge is a big component of the word “happiness.” Happiness abounds in the AHRMA paddock.
The Partner
Anyone who has gone racing knows the slogging work involved. The long prep nights, the even longer drives through Texas, the unexpected problems challenges that trucks, trailers, wheel bearings, master links, bad fuel (how much time have you got?) present. Alone, these challenges can become overwhelming. Ralph recently married Sheri Mursick, a cross-fit star and true right-hand man (person?) of the Staropoli racing program.
At the end of a winning two days at Heartland Park, rider and crew chief take a few minutes to list needed parts, check component hour logs, and get ready to be ready for the next round.
This addition to the team brings us to a significant subject, something that Roadracing World Founder & Editor John Ulrich discussed with me. He said, “No matter what it is, there’s usually somebody in some paddock somewhere who knows all about anything you need, and will tell you what you need to know. Doctors, lawyers, great mechanics, musicians, whatever. And usually are ready to help. Motorcyclists are great.” The Hall of Famer recognizes what pulls so many back to racing and riding: The people. Mr. and Mrs. Staropoli working together to solve the puzzle of winning races will be another reason that Ralph Staropoli will continue to be a tough racer to beat.
Staropoli Racing’s crew chief Sheri Staropoli the 500 GP bike we can’t wait to see roll around American tracks. Photo by Ralph Staropoli.
Loris Baz (76) testing a BMW M 1000 RR in January 2023. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Expanded structures: BMW Motorrad Motorsport sets course for the future.
Christian Gonschor and Uwe Geyer take on the new roles of Technical Director and Head of Customer Racing, under BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers.
Expansion of Development and Test departments in Munich and Berlin.
Formation of an independent test team.
Strengthening of the customer racing programme.
Munich. BMW Motorrad Motorsport is positioning itself more broadly with a new and expanded structure, as it sets course for the future. Under the overall direction of BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers, the roles of Technical Director and Head of Customer Racing have been created. The new Technical Director at BMW Motorrad Motorsport is Christian Gonschor. Uwe Geyer is taking on the role of Head of Customer Racing, alongside his position as Head of Marketing. Both report directly to Bongers. Additional specialised teams, including an independent test team, have also been formed within BMW Motorrad Motorsport. The Development and Test departments in Munich and Berlin are being expanded and synergies between BMW Motorrad Motorsport and the production development of the BMW M 1000 RR are to be taken full advantage of. Customer Racing will also be strengthened further.
Dr. Markus Schramm, the Head of BMW Motorrad. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad.
“With this new structure, we are optimising the way we are set up for development and test work, for our works projects and customer racing,” says Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad. “This allows us to increase our capacities in Munich and our engine plant in Berlin, and thus to strengthen the development and test work for the FIM Superbike World Championship and the FIM Endurance World Championship, as well as for our Customer Racing programme. The connection to production development, under the leadership of Christoph Lischka, has been intensified. I am confident that we are well positioned for the future with these and other reforms.”
Several teams to drive motor racing development in Munich and Berlin.
As Technical Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, Christian Gonschor has been tasked with optimising the technical organisation of development and test work. Under his leadership, different specialised teams have been formed for the test team, chassis, engine, electronics and aerodynamics areas. These teams are primarily based in Munich, where specific workshops, test and development motorcycles, testbeds and wind tunnels ensure they have optimal conditions for developing and testing the BMW M 1000 RR and new racing components. On the engine side of things, this takes place in close cooperation with the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin. Furthermore, corresponding capacities for internal development and test work will be increased in both Munich and Berlin.
In Munich, BMW Motorrad Motorsport is based on the same premises as the production development of the BMW M 1000 RR. The close proximity and direct communication allows the best possible use of the many synergies between the different departments.
Technical Director of BMW Motorrad Motorsport Christian Gonschor. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad.
The separate new test team is organised and run directly by BMW Motorrad Motorsport. “One of the benefits is that the test team can focus fully on test work at the racetrack, regardless of any race outings,” says Gonschor. “To achieve this, we are also putting together a separate pool of test riders. The focus here is on test work for our WorldSBK project. In the medium term, however, our entire motorsport department will also benefit in other areas from the creation of new motor racing components.”
Customer Racing to be strengthened as an integral pillar.
Alongside the works involvement in the FIM Superbike World Championship and the FIM Endurance World Championship, Customer Racing also forms a fundamental pillar of BMW Motorrad’s motorsport activities. All over the world, BMW riders from official and private teams claim titles, race wins and podiums in their championships. Uwe Geyer is now responsible for this area as the new Head of BMW Motorrad Customer Racing, in addition to his role as Marketing Director.
Head of BMW Motorrad Customer Racing Uwe Geyer. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad.
“Customer racing is fundamental to BMW Motorrad,” stresses Geyer. “We develop our projects for all our customers around the world. Not just those who ride on the streets, but also for those customers who want to compete with our products from the Supersport segment – whether professionally, semi-professionally, or as a hobby. The race package we offer is developed at the highest level of production-based motorsport, in the Superbike World Championship. We then use this race package in a version adapted to meet the customer’s requirements in local Superbike series. This way, every customer benefits from the experience that our development team gains at the highest level, adapted to the respective regulations of the local series.”
One important aspect is the availability of parts for all customers. Both the Superstock and Superbike versions of engines can be acquired directly through BMW Motorrad Motorsport. All other racing components are available via distribution partner alpha Racing. Parts planning, the production of parts and delivery times will be optimised in the future. When it comes to electronics, Customer Racing is supported by the global BMW Motorrad Race Support network. BMW Motorrad will also continue to invest in this support.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad.
Tantalising Battle Awaits as Herfoss and Jones Trade Blows on Friday
The three free practice sessions on the opening day of the fifth round of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul at Queensland’s Morgan Park Raceway mightn’t mean anything except for the bragging rights of being the fastest, but at the end of the day, Troy Herfoss on his Penrite Honda sure made a statement.
It was a lovely and brisk winter’s morning as defending champion, Mike Jones (Yamaha Racing Team) led the first stanza from Herfoss with Broc Pearson (DesmoSport Ducati) showing some promise in third from a rejuvenated Anthony West (Addicted To Track) fourth, the quartet covered by less than half a second with Jones nudging Herfoss by 0.021 of a second. As usual it was more of a fact-finding mission for the Alpinestars Superbike field as they worked on settings to adapt to the cool temps, the nature of the layout, and also the resurfacing of corners around the back half of the circuit.
Mike Jones (1) has started strong as he looks for his first win of season 2023. Photo by Endorphin Media, courtesy ASBK.
Settling into the weekend Herfoss reversed the positions in the second practice from Jones by just 0.079 of a second proving just how close the racing will be and for those who like premonitions, the #17 set his time on the 17th lap! Pearson was again in third, demonstrating that his curve is on the upward trend after his best performance of the year at the last round at Hidden Valley. Rounding out the top four was Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team) who is in a determined mood to put the troubles of Darwin behind him with the championship leader, Josh Waters (McMartin Ducati) fifth but just three tenths off the fastest pace while Anthony West was right up there until he had an issue with his chain which negated his final charge.
The track temp was over 35 degrees celsius during the second session, but by the time the final session was on track, the temp had dropped 10 degrees. The surface may have cooled for the final session, but the intrigue didn’t. Even if it was only unofficial practice there was plenty of activity and intrigue. Herfoss was red-hot as he climbed to the top of the sheets, but what was more impressive is that it was the fastest ever lap of a motorcycle of the Morgan Park, to better Wayne Maxwell’s 2022 qualifying lap by over three tenths of a second to be now the unofficial benchmark of 1:12.243.
Jones was again second from fastest from Pearson with Waters fourth and Halliday rounding out the top five. Three-time Australian Superbike Champion Glen Allerton had been knocking on the door of a top three and was heading in the right direction but had an issue with his chain in the final session which halted the final rush to the top.
Broc Pearson builds on a season-best result in Darwin to finish the day in the top three. Photo by Endorphin Media, courtesy ASBK.
After Friday’s free practice sessions, the scene has been set as it now appears that the battle will continue between Herfoss and Jones as they attempt to clamber above Waters in the point score. Herfoss is just a tantalising eight points behind Waters with defending champion, Jones now gaining the momentum to make an impact on the series in third, 51 points off Waters with Allerton just a point adrift from Jones. It may seem a fair way off for Jones to make the difference but never discount the determination of any rider.
The change in the demeanor of Herfoss over the past two rounds is palpable and he has a confident attitude heading into the weekend. The events of Queensland Raceway, and more particularly, the last round in Darwin have shown that the two-time Australian Champion has increased his hunger to succeed. This weekend will be a major indicator of what lies ahead.
Tomorrow will feature a timed practice in the morning with the two qualifying sessions to determine grid positions for the two, 16-lap Alpinestars Superbike races on Sunday.
Federico Caricasulo (64). Photo courtesy Althea Racing Team.
Italian rider Federico Caricasulo topped World Supersport Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday afternoon at the Imola circuit, in Italy. riding his Althea Racing Team Ducati Panigale V2, Caricasulo lapped the 3.0-mile (4.9 km) track in 1:51.257 to lead the field of 33 entrants.
Frenchman Valentin Debise, a former regular in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship, was fifth-fastest with a 1:52.332 on his GMT94 Yamaha YZF-R6.
Garrett Gerloff (31). Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Michael Rinaldi was the fastest rider during World Superbike Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday afternoon at Imola, in Italy. Coming into the weekend, it was uncertain if Rinaldi would be able to ride following the injuries he suffered last round at Donington Park, but the Italian came through and did a 1:47.128 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R to top FP2.
Alex Lowes was second-best with a 1:47.279 on his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR.
American Garrett Gerloff bounced back from a strange crash on the out lap that also took out his Bonovo Action BMW teammate Loris Baz to post the third-quickest lap time, a 1:47.454. It’s Gerloff’s first day ever riding at Imola.
The session was red flagged three times, including once for a crash by Jonathan Rea in the final chicane they put gravel onto the racing surface.
Rinaldi shines in Imola; Bautista and Rea outside of Friday’s top six
Michael Rinaldi (21). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Day one of the Prometeon Italian Round was a busy affair as riders reacquainted themselves with the iconic Autodromo Enzo e Dini Ferrari di Imola. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team) emerged as the fastest rider, topping the combined practice timesheets. Despite carrying an ankle injury, Rinaldi claimed the top spot with an solid final flying lap.
The Kawasaki Racing WorldSBK Team experienced some drama as Jonathan Rea suffered a crash at the final corner but managed to continue and complete 15 laps. However, it was his teammate, Alex Lowes, who stole the spotlight with a late charge, securing the second position.
Garrett Gerloff and Loris Baz of the Bonovo Action BMW team had an early incident but were able to return to the track, with Gerloff taking third in the combined standings.
Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK Team) also showcased strong performances at home finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
Championship leader Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team) only finished in eighth place overall as he focussed on finding his feet on a track he hasn’t raced on since 2019.
Read the full report from Friday on worldsbk.com
Rinaldi impresses with a solid performance at Imola, setting the fastest lap time of 1:47.128. Photo courtesy Dorna.
P1 | Michael Ruben Rinaldi | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
“This morning, I felt strange with the bike. After the crash at Donington Park, I spent almost one week in bed. I trained a bit but only in the pool, to try and not lose too much energy. But this morning, on the bike, the effort I had to make was pretty demanding. I was able to ride pretty quick, even if the feeling wasn’t good.
We worked to improve the bike for this afternoon and actually, it worked. I was able to lap quickly but every time there was a red flag, so it looked like I was just eighth, eighth and eighth! However, my potential was much more and at the end, we kept pushing with the used tyre; I didn’t put a new tyre. I was quite impressed with the time I was able to do. I had ten laps on the tyre and I did the best lap at the end. The feeling is getting better and better and I am quite happy about my riding on the bike.
Talking about how he physically feels after the first day, Rinaldi didn’t shy away from being tired and kept his hopes for Saturday coy: “I feel quite tired as I didn’t train in a proper way because of the crash at Donington, but FP2 was much better. So, I think that tomorrow I’ll have to take pills for the pain in my ankle because today, I took nothing, just to understand where I was with the pain. At the moment, I feel pretty bad with the ankle and it’s a foot I use a lot because I use the rear brake. I need to be without pain. I can do it for many laps without the pain but after one day, I don’t feel that good. I don’t want to make plans, I just want to try and find the happiness with my bike again.”
Alex Lowes (22) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (54). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Lowes impresses with a strong showing in FP2, finishing in second place overall and trailing Rinaldi by only 0.151 seconds.
Garrett Gerloff (31). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Garrett Gerloff bounced back from a crash to secure the third position on the combined timesheets.
Jonathan Rea (65), post-crash. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Jonathan Rea shows resilience despite a crash in FP2, finishing in seventh place on the combined timesheets.
Alvaro Bautista (1). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Bautista faces a challenging day at Imola, finishing in eighth place, trailing his teammate Rinaldi by half a second.
More, from a press release issued by GYTR GRT Yamaha:
GARDNER AND AEGERTER GET THEIR FIRST TASTE OF IMOLA
Remy Gardner and Dominique Aegerter completed a tricky opening day in Imola as they got their first taste of the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, finishing 14th and 19th on combined times on their debut day.
In the opening morning session, both GYTR GRT Yamaha riders were looking to build confidence on the Italian circuit, as they attempted to learn its classic yet challenging layout. Gardner finished 16th with a 1’49.488, while his Swiss teammate was just behind in 17th (1’49.584).
Later, in a hotter Free Practice 2 session, which was red flagged twice, the #87 and the #77 kept putting in the laps to increase their feeling with their Yamaha R1 machines at the track, managing to make progress compared with the morning. Indeed, Gardner significantly improved, shaving 0.794 off his time, eventually crossing the line in 14th (1’48.694). It was a similar story for Aegerter, who went 0.599 faster than his FP1 time to finish 19th (1’48.985).
Remy Gardner (87). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Remy Gardner
P14 (1’48.694)
“It was a difficult day but in the end I think I’ve learned the track quite well. I arrived in Imola feeling a little sick, but day by day I’m getting better and I’m confident about being in good shape tomorrow. In the Free Practice 2 I had more confidence with the track and we managed to be faster, but we know there’s still a lot of work to do. We’re confident about making progress tomorrow, we still have margin to improve.”
Dominique Aegerter (77). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Dominique Aegerter
P19 (1’48.985)
“Today was my first ever time in Imola on two wheels. I went there with a car almost a month ago, but with the bike it’s a different story. I had to find the settings and manage the gearing. It was very hot today as well, and riding in those conditions is always tricky, plus the red flags didn’t help us with getting the rhythm and consistent laps around the track. We will work hard tonight to find more solutions, we’re aiming for a good qualifying and first race.”
More, from a press release issued by Team HRC:
Team HRC seeks a turnaround after a tough Friday at Imola
A challenging Friday for Team HRC at the Imola circuit in Italy, as it prepares for the races making up round seven of the 2023 Superbike World Championship. A track that is technical and new to both riders coupled with extreme weather conditions only made things harder, but the team is ready to put in the work this evening in order to maximise the setup of the bike.
Lecuona and Vierge set to work during the first free practice session, which got started at 10.30am local time. With neither rider having visited the Imola circuit until now, the Team HRC duo focused on building confidence around what is a rather challenging track. Both were able to make progress already during the first practice, with Vierge setting a best of a 1’49.266 and Lecuona a 1’49.286. With these references, the factory riders placed fourteenth and fifteenth at the session’s end.
Heading into the afternoon’s session, both Lecuona and Vierge were keen to improve on their FP1 performance. In hotter conditions (air temp. 32°C, track temp 52°C), the factory riders worked hard with their respective technicians to adapt the set-up of their CBR1000RR-R machines to the Italian track. The session was interrupted with a red flag on three occasions following crashes for other riders, but this did not prevent Team HRC from making the most of the track time and shaving precious tenths of their earlier references. Vierge’s fastest time was a 1.48’749 with which he positioned fifteenth overall, while team-mate Lecuona placed seventeenth with a best of 1’48.907.
With the weather expected to remain hot but stable over the rest of the weekend, and with some setup adjustments in the pipeline, Team HRC plans to try and reduce the gap to the front prior to tomorrow’s Superpole qualifying phase and the first of the weekend’s three races.
Xavi Vierge (97). Photo courtesy Team HRC.
Xavi Vierge 97
P15
“So the first day here in Imola is done and dusted. It’s a new track for us and I like it a lot – the layout is great but very difficult because many of the corners are so narrow. But it’s a nice one to ride even if we’re unfortunately not as fast as we want to be. We are working incredibly hard to fix the difficulties we are having, which are very similar to those we had at Donington and prevent us from fully exploiting the bike’s potential. Right now, we are struggling with the rear and have no grip or contact when exiting the turns, which means that we can only try and make up something on the brakes and that’s not enough of course. We tried to make some adjustments to the setup between FP1 and FP2 with no substantial improvement so the plan is to make some bigger changes for tomorrow.”
Iker Lecuona (7). Photo courtesy Team HRC.
Iker Lecuona 7
P17
“As for the track, I would like to say it’s enjoyable because I can see that it might be, but it’s not enjoyable for me as yet because I’m still struggling to get to grips with it. As for our performance, I can say the feeling I have right now is the worst I’ve had with the bike so far. In FP2 I felt very frustrated with myself, the bike and the situation because we find ourselves fighting for positions that don’t reflect our potential. I tried to do my best anyway, and I want to say thanks to the team because they are pushing a lot and continue to believe in me, but it’s not easy to accept being so far back fighting for fifteenth position. We need to take a moment and then get right to back to work, checking all the data and seeing if we can find something that can help us to reverse the situation tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki:
Lowes Overall Second After Day One
Kawasaki Racing Team riders Alex Lowes and Jonathan Rea took part in their first day of practice at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola in hot conditions. Lowes was finally second in the combined time sheets and Rea seventh.
Both opening Imola track sessions were held in punishing humidity as WorldSBK returned to race after four years away. The established order was reshuffled after an FP2 session that featured no fewer than three red flags, interrupting the planned practice schedule for many teams and riders.
Lowes had used hard tyres in the first session to re-learn the track, in what is his first Kawasaki visit to the classic Italian circuit. Lowes’s FP2 plans to do a 15-lap ‘long run’ were interrupted by the frequent appearance of the red flags but he was still fast and focused and found real improvements in his pace to go second quickest.
Lowes was in sparkling form in the afternoon session, leading for a time until eventual fastest rider Michael Ruben Rinaldi went 0.151 seconds quicker. Despite all the red flags the top five places went faster in FP2 than FP1, but several other competitors had to rely on their morning time to find their final overnight qualifying position.
Rea had been within 0.003 seconds of first place in the opening FP1 session, but found some bad luck in FP2. He experienced a slow crash into the final chicane with 30 minutes left to run, and with his bike too close to the active surface, a red flag was show to stop the session.
The 4.936km Imola track surface proved to be less grippy than the last time WorldSBK had raced there, especially in the intensely hot conditions, which were a major factor holding back the opening day lap times. Track temperatures rose to over 50°C in the afternoon.
Saturday 15 July will feature an FP3 practice session, Tissot Superpole qualifying for grid positions and then a full-distance 19-lap WorldSBK race.
Alex Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Alex Lowes, stated: “This morning in FP1 I was on the hard tyres on the front and it was sliding a lot. It’s a few years since I have been here and this is my first time here on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR. The bike set-up didn’t feel too bad, to be honest, even in FP1. In FP2 I felt quite good straight away. My plan was to do 15 laps in succession and then a shorter run near the end. With the red flags I did not get to put consistent laps in, but even with the 15 laps I did on the same tyre I was still able to do a good time. I think it is going to be a hot race – and a long race – on Saturday, but I feel like I was pretty competitive today.”
Jonathan Rea (65). Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “I love this track it has a nice feeling. You can forget after so long since we have been here that to go fast at Imola you have to be 100% committed. So it just takes some time to get your confidence and then when you are fast and committed, the lap time starts coming. In the afternoon session there were a lot of red flags. My rhythm was really good in the beginning of the session, when everyone used the race option tyres. Then at the end, as the soft option tyres were going in, I didn’t feel so good. I crashed when I changed front tyre and I didn’t feel good with that option, and also the electronics were not so good in the final chicane. I lost a bit of confidence but at the end we put in an SCX rear tyre and was able to improve a little bit. We started this weekend with the bike set-up from 2019, in terms of chassis balance, but of course the bike has evolved. On Saturday we are going to go to more of a 2023 set-up. We will try again to fine tune the electronics and make a step, especially in the engine braking side, as stopping for the chicanes is very important here. I just want to give myself that little bit more confidence for Saturday.”
Isaac Vinales (TPR by Vinales Racing Kawasaki) was 22nd after a hot first day at Imola. Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was 24th and Oliver König (Orelac Racing Movisio Kawasaki) 25th.
More, from a press release issued by PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team:
WorldSBK – A WorldSBK learning curve for Granado and Tamburini at Imola
The PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team is in action at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola for this weekend’s seventh Superbike World Championship round. Rider Eric Granado is getting to grips with what is another new circuit for him, while Roberto Tamburini, who stands in for injured Hafizh Syahrin, is riding the Honda CBR1000RR-R for the first time.
In the morning’s first free practice, Granado worked to gain confidence around the new track, the rider able to make gradual progress throughout this first 45-minute phase. Setting a best of 1’51.505, the Brazilian placed twenty-fourth at the session’s end. Local rider Tamburini has the benefit of knowing the Imola track very well but does not know the CBR1000RR-R, which meant that he spent the first session working with the technicians to adapt the bike to his riding style and the track. By the end of the phase, the Italian was lying twenty-second with a time of 1’51.120.
FP2 got underway mid-afternoon and on a much hotter track (air temp. 32°C, track temp. 52°C). Despite three interruptions to the sessions due to incidents for other riders, the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda duo worked systematically to improve their feeling with the bike. Tamburini was able to make a good step forward with respect to the first session, lowering his time by almost a second a half to close with a best of 1’49.777, a result that saw him place twenty-first overall at the end of day one. Granado was also able to improve on his earlier time by almost a second, a best reference of 1’50.622 putting him twenty-third in the day’s combined standings.
Roberto Tamburini (20). Photo courtesy PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team.
Roberto Tamburini P21
“It’s not easy coming here to WorldSBK with a new bike but at least I know the track of course. This morning we were making quite big changes, modifying the setup to suit my riding style and so on, and then we made some further improvements this afternoon. We made a good step between FP1 and FP2 and have been able to improve both the bike and my feeling with it, so I’m quite pleased with how this first day has gone. Tomorrow we’ll try to work in the same direction and take another step with the aim of doing as well as possible. A big thanks to everyone on the team as they’re all very supportive and working really hard to help me.”
Eric Granado (51). Photo courtesy PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team.
Eric Granado P23
“It’s a beautiful track but also a very technical one where it’s hard to find the right lines, so I struggled a little at first to understand the layout. At least we had two dry sessions that allowed us to make the most of the track time, but it’s also very hot and so pretty hard physically. I’ll need to rest up in preparation for the next two days. We’re still trying to find some solutions that can help us to take another step – so we hope to be able to do that in tomorrow’s sessions so that we’re better prepared for the races.”
More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
Super Friday for Rinaldi who grabs P1 at Imola. Bautista eighth quickest. Bulega fourth in WorldSSP
Friday’s free practices for the Italian Round – the seventh round of the 2023 WorldSBK season held at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola – concluded with an impressive lap by Michael Rinaldi, which granted the Italian rider the first position. It was an intense day for Rinaldi, who was declared fit to race after FP1. As he showed consistency in the morning and afternoon sessions, Michael set the fastest lap at the end of the FP2, which saw several red flags.
After finishing fourth in FP1, Bautista approached FP2 as usual without changing tires to preserve as many as possible for tomorrow’s qualifying and Race 1. The Spanish rider ended up with the eighth fastest time, half a second behind his teammate.
Michael Rinaldi (21). Photo courtesy Ducati.
Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #21):
“It was a special day, different from others, not only because we haven’t raced at Imola for a few years but also because the days following the Donington incident have been challenging. Besides the high temperature and ankle pain that put me to the test during FP1, we were still fast and improved in FP2. I still need to work on the final sector where there is room for improvement, but overall, it has been positive.”
Alvaro Bautista (1). Photo courtesy Ducati.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #1):
“I used this Friday to get familiar with a track where I have raced only once in 2019. The feeling with the bike wasn’t at the highest level as it has been on many occasions this season, but it’s normal, especially considering the extremely high temperature. We weren’t chasing lap times, and in fact, we didn’t change tires during the sessions. There are still several details to work on, but I’m confident we’ll improve the feeling tomorrow.”
WorldSSP
Nicolò Bulega and the Aruba.it Racing WSSP team’s Ducati Panigale V2 set the fourth fastest time at the end of Friday’s free practice sessions.
Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WSSP):
“Today, we faced some difficulties compared to usual. However, with the team, we have already identified the direction to take and what to work on. Tomorrow, we’ll try to do much better.
More, from a press release issued by Team Go-Eleven:
FIRST TIME AT IMOLA, PHILIPP OETTL ENDS IN P 13!
Philipp Oettl (5). Photo courtesy Team Go-Eleven.
One word to describe Imola? Hard, really hard. The first laps on the Santerno track left Philipp speechless; really spectacular and complicated to understand the blind corners. As the German rider himself admitted, here the “timing” with which to set the lines is fundamental. After a complicated first session, Oettl was able to improve on his references, finishing close to the top ten. Today he was used to know the track, from tomorrow it will be essential to look for the laptime.
In the first free practice Philipp made a long run at the beginning of the session to get familiar with the track. Following some riders he managed to improve, however showing some difficulties in the second sector and in the last chicane. Few changes required, the Imola track has very little grip and the heat made it even more slippery. Position out of the fifteen, for a really arduous session, in which the German rider took more than a few laps to understand the layout.
Free Practice 1:
P 1 T. Razgatlioglu 1.47.661
P 2 J. Rea + 0.003
P 3 A. Bautista + 0.030
…
P 19 P. Oettl + 2.011
The second session was decidedly better; track over fifty degrees of asphalt, Oettl immediately improved going down to the low 49. Today the track was much slower than in 2019, due to the high temperatures. Three red flags interrupted the session, so it was not possible to show a real race pace over the long distance. In the final Philipp was able to improve further, staying close to the top ten, but the gap from tenth place is quite high, around seven tenths. Tomorrow, after an entire day, things will definitely be much simpler for all the rookies at Imola and we will see the real values on the track.
Free Practice 2:
P 1 M. Rinaldi 1.47.128
P 2 A. Lowes + 0.151
P 3 G. Gerloff + 0.326
…
P 13 P. Oettl + 1.558
Philipp Oettl (Rider):“I am not unhappy about today; from FP 1 to FP 2 we had a big step and we found the right way for tomorrow. I will check all the data, cause I think I have a bit to improve in the riding here. Imola is really difficult, the first laps I really had to understand where were the corners. I think here I have to ride smooth, but there are really hard breakings, the timing here needs to be perfect to find the best lap!”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Hot Imola Pace in Free Practice for Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK’s Locatelli and Razgatlıoğlu
Andrea Locatelli and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu finished Friday Free Practice in fifth and sixth position respectively on the combined timesheets of the opening day of Round 7 of the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship at Imola today.
In sweltering summer conditions, track temperatures at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari reached well over 52 degrees Celsius during the all-important Free Practice 2 this afternoon. The session which normally allows teams to complete a “race simulation” in similar conditions to those expected during the weekend was plagued with red flag-stoppages, as many riders struggled with a lack of grip due to the extreme temperature. The Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK group kept out of trouble to complete a productive day despite the challenges, and preparations are well underway for qualifying and the points-paying races.
Andrea Locatelli (55). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Andrea Locatelli: P5 – 1’47.592
“It’s a good track for me, I have good memories and the feeling today was great. We started in a really good way from FP1, we found a good base set-up and just tried to ride a lot and do some fine tuning around my R1 – because the feeling is really good. I think we can be fast on this track – we just need to work on generating rear grip, especially for this temperature. If we can find a little bit more grip, something to help me be more relaxed on the bike, I think we can be really competitive. I’m feeling strong and now it’s important to continue like this. We know the rider that finished at the front was on the Q tyre, and we didn’t use it. So to finish the first day like this is a good Friday for us! Every weekend the objective is to try for the podium, but also to stay in the top five and take points for championship.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu: P6 – 1’47.661
“For me, it was not a bad day just I am feeling less grip with the rear tyre. I hope we are improving for tomorrow, but in general we did a good job – it looks like just Bautista and I tried a race simulation today with many laps. I did 14, 15 laps – even with the red flags and good lap times. Just two or three of my laps cancelled! Also my best lap was cancelled because I think I touched the green on Turn 22. But, I am happy – we just need to improve the rear grip and we will see what is possible. I am just thinking about the race now, 19 laps and you need good pace! It looks like we are strong, but for me it is not quite enough – with more rear grip we can ride more relaxed and ready to fight.”
Former Yamaha World Championship Grand Prix racer Niall Mackenzie rode the new Yamaha XSR900 DB40 prototype Thursday at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
XSR900 DB40 Prototype Breaks Cover at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Yamaha’s Sport Heritage range combines the emotion-evoking design of some of the most iconic motorcycles in the brand’s history and combines this with the very latest high performance chassis and engine technology, paying homage to the racing machines that have shaped Yamaha’s past without compromising modern day performance.
For 2023, this nod to Yamaha’s illustrious racing history goes even further. Following the unveiling of the XSR900 RACER accessories and the 1980s Grand Prix-inspired CafeRacersofInstagram Yard Built for Good special earlier this year, the XSR900 DB40 Prototype has broken cover for the first time at the iconic Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Riding up the prestigious Goodwood Hill on each of the festival’s four days, the XSR900 DB40 Prototype represents a blend of Yamaha’s rich racing history and cutting edge modern technology in line with the Sport Heritage mantra.
Former YZR500 Grand Prix racer Niall Mackenzie, who rode for Marlboro Yamaha in 1989 before three further years on Yamaha machinery in the early nineties, will take to the hill on the XSR900 DB40 Prototype on Thursday and Friday before a selection of journalists and VIPs take the machine to the hill on the weekend.
In the 1980s, Yamaha pioneered a new wave of technological advancement in motorcycle engineering by introducing the Deltabox chassis in their Grand Prix race machines.
This technology would soon filter down to road bikes, and now, 40 years on, the Deltabox style design remains at the heart of many Yamaha motorcycles.
The new Yamaha XSR900 DB40 prototype at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Based on the XSR900, the XSR900 DB40 Prototype – named to celebrate 40 years of the Deltabox chassis – is powered by the award-winning 890cc ‘CP3’ triple-cylinder engine, housed in the very latest version of the Deltabox style frame.
The name ‘Deltabox’ comes from the amalgamation of the word ‘Delta’, the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet, represented by a triangle and the word ‘box’.
From a side view, the Deltabox is formed of a triangle linking the head pipe to the swingarm pivot while the cross-section is box-shaped. This relationship between the steering head and the pivot point offers outstanding rigidity and feedback where a rider will need it most. The cross-shaped box section allows for a greater surface area while providing lighter weight and a higher level of rigidity.
Yamaha debuted the Deltabox chassis in their 1982 YZR500 OW61 Grand Prix machine, while the frame’s first appearance in a production racer came just three years later, the TZR250, bringing the characteristics of the YZR factory race machinery to the road. The Deltabox has since become synonymous with Yamaha’s Supersport models, including the revolutionary R1 launched 25 years ago this year.
The XSR900 DB40 Prototype is the latest model based on the XSR900 platform to pay homage to Yamaha’s racing identity. Last month, custom house caferacersofinstagram unveiled their first Yard Built for Good project at the Bike Shed Motorcycle Club Show, a customised XSR900 harking back to Yamaha’s Grand Prix racers of the 80s and 90s.
This followed the unveiling of a range of Yamaha Genuine Accessories which transformed the standard XSR900 into a RACER with a café racer style mini fairing and race-styled single seat cover. This XSR900 RACER made its debut at the Bike Shed Motorcycle Show before legendary French Grand Prix racer Christian Sarron took to the famous Wheels and Waves Punk’s Peak race in June.
The XSR900 DB40 Prototype will feature in the famous ‘Batch 6 First Glance’ runs at Goodwood at the following times:
Adrian Huertas topped World Supersport Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at the Imola circuit, in Italy. Riding his MTM Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, the Spaniard lapped the 3.0-mile (4.9 km) course in 1:52.010 to lead the field of 32 riders.
Former MotoAmerica regular Valentin Debise was ninth in FP1 with a time of 1:53.419 on his GMT94 Yamaha YZF-R6.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54). Photo courtesy Pata Yamaha Prometeon.
Toprak Razgatlioglu was the fastest rider during World Superbike Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Imola, in Italy. Riding his Pata Yamaha Prometeon YZF-R1, the Turkish rider lapped the 3.0-mile (4.9 km) road course in 1:47.661 to lead the field of 25 riders.
Six-time World Champion Jonathan Rea was the best of the rest with a 1:47.664 on his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR.
Alvaro Bautista, the current Championship point leader, was third-quickest with a 1:47.691 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Riding at Imola for the first time ever, American Garrett Gerloff was P9 and the top BMW rider with a 1:48.694 on his Bonovo Action BMW M 1000 RR.
Lorenzo Savadori (32), Pol Espargaro (44), Michele Pirro (51), Kenny Lee Roberts (1), and Dakota Mamola (42) riding Alex Rins' LCR Honda on track at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Photo courtesy Dorna.
… and we’re off! MotoGP™ gets first taste of 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Pol returns, some Legends saddle up and the first batch of bikes heads up The Hill
Thursday, 13 July 2023
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is go and MotoGP™ has already blasted up The Hill with some star-studded machinery both past and present. As part of an incredible batch of vehicles giving a tantalising taster of what’s in store over the weekend, the first run saw some Legends and heroes of the now share the famous hillclimb.
On Thursday, one big highlight saw Pol Espargaro reunited with his RC16 as the GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 rider got his first taste of a MotoGP™ machine for some time. And the smile was big as ever!
Pol Espargaro was happy to ride his GASGAS RC16 again. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Ducati test rider Michele Pirro (51) on his Desmosedici GP. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Mika Kallio (36) on his Red Bull KTM RC16. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The MotoGP™ contingent was sizeable even on Day 1, with Espargaro joined by test rider and wildcard extraordinaire Michele Pirro out for Ducati Lenovo Team, Mika Kallio representing for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Lorenzo Savadori on the Aprilia Racing RS-GP, fresh from his own wildcard at the TT Circuit Assen.
Pol Espargaro (44) on his GASGAS RC16. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori (32). Photo courtesy Dorna.
The Legends corner comprised two very familiar faces on Thursday too as Kenny Roberts Jr headed up The Hill, joined by compatriot and fellow MotoGP™ Legend Randy Mamola. The two finished the run side-by-side, or almost, as Mamola kept it pinned to just pip past the fellow Suzuki at the finish line. Dakota Mamola made it a family affair too, at the helm of an LCR Honda Castrol-liveried Honda.
(From left) Michele Pirro, Pol Espargaro, Lorenzo Savadori, and Kenny Lee Roberts. Photo courtesy Dorna.
And that’s just the start! There’s plenty more to come across the weekend, including Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), teammate Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3’s Augusto Fernandez, CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team’s Miguel Oliveira & Raul Fernandez, and some huge Legends who are yet to saddle up: Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Gardner and Alex Crivillé.
WHERE TO FIND US & HOW TO WATCH
On site, the MotoGP™ delegation is based in the Ballroom Paddock near the Drivers’ Club – the perfect showcase to allow fans an awesome overview of the teams prepping the machines. And if you can’t make it? We have incredible coverage of the event.
MotoGP™’s hillclimb action is live streamed on motogp.com, making sure fans around the world can get involved in this unique celebration of the sport. There’s also a selection of photos and round-ups of the action each day of the festival, so make sure to come back for more tomorrow!
QUOTES
POL ESPARGARO, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3: “It’s short! Going up it’s short but it’s so enjoyable to ride the bike, and see the technology of the moment and the oldest ones, the motorbikes and the cars, it’s super nice.
“It’s great to catch up with fans after those months at home, recovering from the injury from Portimao, but I want to be back to normality again! No more time talking about the injury, I understand people want to know when I’ll be back, but I really want to come back, to get back to normality, start to work with the team, get the speed back and fight with these guys! I’m waiting for it.
“Just to hear the engine, open the throttle and feel… how strong is this engine! It’s just insane. It’s something where you lose this feeling when you’re at home for so much time. I’m training on 1000cc bikes that everyone can buy, and the difference is huge. Massive! You understand how much when you’ve stopped for some months and you jump back on this kind of bike. It’s something crazy. I’m looking forward to getting back up to speed and enjoying it again with my GASGAS guys in the box.
“The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya gave me a spot to ride and I really enjoyed it. It’s not on the MotoGP, but it’s a bike I can train on and more or less feel how I feel before I jump on the MotoGP bike, and really the feelings were good! For sure missing a lot of things, but as I said it will take a little bit of time when I come back but I’m really looking forward to getting back on the MotoGP bike.”
KENNY ROBERTS Jr: “It’s my first year here, me and my family arrived in England yesterday and drove down last night. It’s my first time here today, and I didn’t look at any videos or Google it… so we arrived, and it’s amazing! I couldn’t have imagined how big it is, and how involved it is. I know, for my two kids and my wife to come with me is a lot, but I couldn’t have imagined all this, to have to organise it!”
How’s the family enjoying it?
“It’s always a learning experience for the kids… so when I’m like, ‘when I tell you this, it’s cause we’ve done it’. So it’s hard to say ‘I want to go to London and go on a two storey bus’, I’m like… ‘that’s eight hours!’ But when they see this, it’s a whole different side of life. We’ve done this for 15, 20 years, travelled all over the world… and when we had chance to stop, America is huge and we’ve been able to raise the kids and travel around the US. Now they get to see Europe for the first time. They’ve been to Japan, Palau, the 48 lower states. They like the way people speak proper English here! They’re enjoying it and it’s fun.”
The run and the bike:
“I was trying to find neutral and first and second, we’re going to make some changes. You know every rider, we have to make changes and blame everything on the bike! But the gearing we’re going to make a little shorter, and tomorrow I know the direction a bit so it’ll be a little more fun! I just hope the weather’s nice.”
On talking to the current riders:
“It’s the same language. The technology they have now, compared to us, limits them in ways we were limited from tyres, chassis, the feel from the bike. We weren’t so precise with computers and understanding, but we knew there was limitations from the rider. They now can recognise the limitations and attack one area… so let’s say now you concentrate on front tyre pressure, how do you get around that problem. We didn’t know about a lot of that. When we had one day or one session from the next with conditions hotter that we didn’t understand… now they can say ‘this is why’. We had to just rely on the rider. So we were the computer back in the day! If we were given information we didn’t quite understand, it was difficult to find out what was happening.”
About the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard
First staged in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motorsport take part along with legendary figures from the automotive world. Highlights include Future Lab presented by Randox, Electric Avenue presented by bp pulse, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 Pit Lane presented by Sky, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance and Bonhams Auction.
About MotoGP™ & Dorna Sports
The FIM Grand Prix World Championship, MotoGP™, is the world’s most exciting motorsport. 22 of the fastest riders compete on purpose-built prototype motorcycles on some of the world’s greatest racetracks, creating one of the most thrilling shows on Earth. Since it was inaugurated in 1949, the sport has grown to comprise 20 Grands Prix across five continents, with the television broadcast reaching hundreds of millions around the world.
Dorna Sports became the sole commercial and television rights holder of the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship in 1991. Based in Madrid, Spain, with premises in Barcelona and a subsidiary in Rome, the Dorna Group is a leader in sports management, marketing and media, and has seen continued growth over the years; expanding from solely MotoGP™ to include other leading motorcycle racing championships across the globe.
Alvaro Bautista (1) expects battles with Toprak Razgatlioglu (54), Jonathan Rea (65), and the rest at Imola. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Outspoken ahead of Imola
A busy day for WorldSBK as our return to Imola headlines, but 2024 seats remain crucial with lots of major players still yet to put pen to paper
Round 7 of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has arrived and the media day for the Championship gave plenty of major talking points before a wheel had even been turned. From declarations about 2024 to hoping to indulge in some Imola success, we caught up with the main stars of the show and got their thoughts about how the weekend could shape up and how 2024’s grid will eventually shake out.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “The only expectations that we can have for this weekend are battles!”
“It’s another important round for Ducati because it’s their second home round. It’s an important weekend for me as I don’t have a lot of experience in this track. I just raced here once, in 2019, and it was hard because we had to cancel Race 2 due to the weather. I have good memories of the track; the layout is really nice. There are no expectations because we have to build up the references and the feeling with the bike at this track. It was the same as I said at Donington. I think Donington, Imola and Most are the three most difficult races for us. We have to be thinking step by step. It’s difficult to make some expectations because it’s like we start from zero. The important thing is to find the feeling that I had at Donington or other tracks. I’m sure that if we can get that feeling, I can be competitive. This is a track that we saw many battles in the past. The only expectation that we can have for this weekend are battles. I don’t know whether it’ll be for the win or the podium or other positions but there will be battles because there are a lot of points for overtaking. The way to approach the weekend is basically the same. We must be more careful with the gearing because, in the end, it’s the most critical. We have to try to understand which areas we lose more in and try to work more in those areas.”
Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “I think on Sunday, there’ll be an announcement of where I’m going”
“This is a place that I want to have fun at. The track looks so iconic and there’s a lot of history here; I did a couple of laps with the bicycle last night and I had goosebumps. A motorcycle could always be different but it just looks amazing. The trees, buildings, up and downs, I’m really excited to go and ride this track. It’d be nice if the bike was nice to me this weekend and I didn’t have to focus so much on the settings and I could just focus on riding the track. I think on Sunday, there’ll be an announcement of where I’m going and what I’m doing for 2024.”
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “I know the tricks of the trade around here”
“I’m really excited to be back here! It always brings back fond memories; I have had some great races here. It’s a unique part of the world to race in a park, with the undulations and it’s steeped in history. Our track record here has been quite good too. My favourite sector at Imola… it’s hard to give just one! The most iconic part is the drop down from Piratella into Acque Minerali, and then the jump out of there. It’s so difficult to master but when you get as close to perfect as possible, it’s an amazing feeling. You accelerate out of there, uphill and it’s really hard, fighting with the bike. Imola is about having a bike that is easy to ride but that stops very well; we’re stopping really hard in three or four areas of the track. We know we can be stronger here than the first part of the year, to fight for podiums is the minimum we can aim for. I know a few tricks of the trade round here. It’s hard to know whether to go back to our 2019 setting or our current setup.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK): “I’m only looking at Jonny… I hope we fight for the win”
“I’m very excited to come back to Imola. I remember 2019, I have good memories here as I took a podium. In 2015, I had a big fight with Caricasulo in Stock 600! My goal is to fight for the win again. Jonny is normally very strong here. I hope we are fighting with him; I am only looking at Jonny. Also, I think Alvaro will improve this year as the bike has changed a lot. He will be very strong here. I hope it can be a good weekend to recover some points. This year, I’ll try to win in a long race. I hope we fight for the win.”
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team): “It would be a dream to get a podium here!”
“It’s really special because I haven’t been to Imola since 2011. However, I was already with Barni Racing and I have good memories. I can’t wait to ride again on the track again, because it’s one of the most beautiful around the world. Nothing is chosen about my future; as I said at Donington Park and at the start of 2023, I want to win a race here. I am here to do that. With Alvaro, Toprak and Jonny and others, it’s difficult. Maybe I need one more year to try and win and be more consistent in the Championship. After the podium at Donington Park, we want to repeat that performance but we will see because both at Donington Park and Misano, we had a new track surface. This time, we’ll have something a bit more normal, so it’s a good test for us to see if we can fight for the podium regularly. It would be a dream to get a podium here.”
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “We’ve been dreaming about this!”
“I’m excited for him and the team! We’re really close but to have another good team in the WorldSBK Championship is good and maybe in the future, it might even be two riders. For such a good team in Moto2™ to arrive here is only going to make the Championship stronger. Marc van der Straten is a fantastic guy and his personality will be great. On the other side, about my brother, it’s fantastic! We’ve been dreaming for a long, long time since we were kids, to race motorbikes and maybe race together one day. On a personal note, away from the track, I am so, so happy. With our current schedules, we spend a lot of time apart but to race together, travel together, it’s going to be fantastic. The team have been World Champions and Sam has won a Grand Prix just two months ago, so the level he is riding at is fantastic so we can expect him, the bike and the team to be strong.”
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “I love this track… it’s unbelievable to ride!”
“It was a hard crash at Donington Park but this morning, we decided with the doctors to at least try and ride the bike. I feel pretty good; last week, I didn’t feel too good, so we have done more examinations, especially with the head. It’s the hardest part to check and to make sure it’s in the right way for racing bikes. I feel good with the head now, the ankle is still not so good but it’s not broken, so I’ll try my best to ride the bike and get good results. I love this track and it deserves to stay on the calendar; it’s unbelievable to ride here. My best memory was when I won the STK1000 race after a strange race with two red flags, three starts and on the last one, my mechanics had to change the clutch! It was tough as they finished changing it when the pitlane was open and we only 50 seconds to exit the pitlane! About my future, I hope that there will be updates, but for the moment, the focus is to get back on the bike with a good feeling.”
Ralph Staropoli warms up his trick Yamaha TZ250 at the 2023 Heartland Park AHRMA round. Not seen in this picture is his equally-kitted Honda RS250. “The Honda engine is stronger, the Yamaha handles better,” Staropoli says. “I can lap quicker on the Yamaha but love the head-shaking excitement of the Honda.” He builds and wins on them.
By Nick Ienatsch
Two-stroke 250 GP bikes are alive and well at AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association) events but those hoping to reach the top step of the box will have to go through Ralph Staropoli.
The 59-year-old’s dominance is reminiscent of Rich Oliver in the AMA’s last few years of AMA Pro two-stroke racing. Staropoli was a new 250cc GP racer back then with a best AMA Pro national finish of seventh, but 20 years later the Coloradoan has risen to Oliver levels and that’s the highest compliment you can give in American two-stroke road racing. And it’s not just a two-stroke 250 that this guy dominates…read on.
Why This Guy?
My interest in writing about Staropoli is two-fold: First is the ultra-professional approach he has taken in his return to road racing. Staropoli, like many AHRMA racers, quit racing due to the pressures of time, money, and lack of joy…that was 1998 for Ralph…but he kept his 250 and started dabbling again a few years later.
We’ve all learned that “dabbling” in a risky endeavor isn’t a great approach and this guy rekindled the joy of motorbike racing with a methodology that rivals factory efforts, even though it’s basically a one-man show (more on that later). Certainly an inspiration for us all. In a nutshell, Staropoli’s message is, “If you’re gonna do it, do it right.” The results of this all-in approach speak for themselves.
Second is Staropoli’s motivation, the only true reason to go amateur racing: Joy. We have all felt the “garage therapy” happiness of fettling our own bikes and Ralph dove headfirst into this world, establishing international ties with two-stroke gurus and taking advantage of the ongoing evolution of two-stroke racing happening in Italy, Portugal, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
But he did more than establish ties; he educated himself on everything necessary to consistently run GP bikes at the front of the field. He’s won on his Honda RS250 and Yamaha TZ250, both built and extensively modified in his shop.
Ralph says, “I wish I knew then what I know now. Bikes have come light years since my AMA days; kit parts are available and I’ve learned how to set these bikes up. I just didn’t know back then. Now I don’t have seizures due to better knowledge and technology like exhaust-gas-temperature readings, detonation counters, and data loggers.” Staropoli does every facet of bike building for his two-strokes, including crankshaft set-up.
Crain Aviation, seen here on Staropoli’s Honda RS250, has taken over painting duties on his fleet of bikes so the outside beauty matches the inside trickness. Staropoli’s dominant AHRMA campaign is also backed by Bridgestone, Suomy helmets, 4SR leathers, Regina chains, VHM pistons, and Motul lubricants, with special parts and pieces coming from Barnett clutches.
It would be easy for those in America to believe that two-stroke road racing development ended when World Championship 250cc Grand Prix racing switched to Moto2 with four-stroke Honda 600s in 2010. From that belief you would guess that American 250 racers were eking by with decades-old equipment. Attend an AHRMA round to see how wrong this belief is!
Staropoli also enjoys the social aspects of racing, especially with close friends like Dave Frick and Adrian Jasso, two racers who share pit areas with Staropoli and field a similar set of bikes. “When racing isn’t fun, I’ll quit,” Ralph says, but like so many of us he realizes that road racing motorcycles brings challenge and satisfaction that is difficult to find elsewhere.
Ralph went to college on a soccer sponsorship and played competitively for years. He’s a certified sky diver. As a high-level defense-industry expert he has the money to buy any fast car, boat, motorcoach… but what else combines the risk, skill, competition, amazing technology, and social aspect of two-wheeled racing?
There’s a special beauty in racing a bike you also built. While Staropoli has educated himself on bike prep, he has also worked hard on fitness and advancing his on-board riding techniques. Photo by Etechphoto.com.
While true challenges are getting harder to find here in America, Staropoli is looking to international racing waters again after being prevented from going across the pond by COVID. Europe’s lure is pure two-stoke events. This is noteworthy because when Staropoli races in American club events with CCS/ASRA he is often pitted against four-stroke machines that “make a lap time” much differently than a 250cc two-stroke.
Wait a second, that’s not a two-stroke! No, it’s a 250 four-Stroke single, but it’s the best bike Ralph Staropoli has ridden and that’s saying a lot. Honda NSF250Rs are busy embarrassing larger bikes here in America. Photo by Joshua Mages.
More Than Two Strokes
Tucked into Staropoli’s ultra-clean pit area is a four-stroke NSF250R Honda that looks just right next to his TZ250 and RS250 because it is a Moto3 bike for the masses. This little Single has been produced since 2012; bikes and support are available through Rising Sun Cycles (rscycles.com) here in America.
Isn’t it cute? Yes, cute like a shark. There have been grids of a dozen or so NSF250Rs here in America, and for about $14,000 you can join them. If you listen closely when the field goes by you can the laughter of riding fun.
“These NSFs took a while to catch on,” Staropoli tells us, “but they’re getting more and more popular. It’s a great bike right out of the box: 42 horsepower and 180 pounds, around $14,000. Most fun bike, best bike, I’ve ever been on.” High praise from a guy with one each of the best TZ250s and RS250s in the country–and some would argue in the world.
“When we got the NSFs, Stewart Aitken-Cade, Dave (Frick), Adrian (Jasso), and I agreed to keep them stock and that lasted for about a year. A really fun year. When Stewart modified his bike’s brakes I told him, ‘The dam has broken’…and now these things have gotten even better.”
Look familiar? Fans of the 2014 Moto3 season will recognize the profile, (this is a real FTR250 Team Gresini bike) while Marco Simoncelli fans will love the paint on Staropoli’s latest acquisition. “It’s shocking to see how far Moto3 bikes have come,” Ralph says. “This thing has dual front discs, launch control, data…way beyond my NSF…so imagine how great a 2023 Moto3 bike must be!” Photo by Ralph Staropoli.
From Moto3 in 2014 to AHRMA in 2023: FTR250.
If you enter the three or four AHRMA classes that the NSF fits into, bring your A-Game because in 2022 the name Staropoli was at the top of every finishing chart. That was 28 starts and 28 wins…and the streak continues in 2023.
What says Fun better than a 500cc GP bike?
Let’s just start with this: 185 horsepower and 270 pounds. Smiling yet? Those are the essential specifications of the ROC YZR500 that just entered Staropoli’s racing world in a very roundabout way.
Ralph takes over the story. “I was talking with Andy Sawford, a friend of mine in the UK, about Honda kit parts. Andy told me to contact a guy in Germany name Jorg Schollhorn. Jorg is the last 500cc National Champion. We became friends and talk four or five times a week. He mentions that an acquaintance of ours might have a 1992 ROC 500 for sale (ROC built chassis for four-cylinder Yamaha YZR500 engines).
“This acquaintance is a master craftsman, a former National Champion in several classes, has huge factory connections…a real mover in world road racing venues, building two-stroke bikes for very famous racers. He was building this ROC for himself, but came across something even better and Jorg thought that perhaps the ROC was for sale.”
It was a dream most of us share and a perfect bike for AHRMA’s Open Two-Stroke class where anything goes as long as it does the ring-ding thing.
Welcome to 1993 500 GP racing: Renzo Colleoni on pace in one of the 14 GP races he contested on the ROC Yamaha YZR500, soon to be campaigned in America. Photo courtesy Ralph Staropoli Collection.
Staropoli has the 500 on his bench, but the professional “acquaintance” who started the project gave him a tremendous head start: This ROC has forks used by Noriyuki Abe, carbs modified by tuning legend Harald Bartol, a kit carbon-fiber tail, an SJK exhaust…the bike is all-new except for the frame, swingarm, and wheels. Photo by Ralph Staropoli.
The bike traveled from Germany to America and should be debuted at the Laguna Seca AHRMA round this coming weekend. For those of us lucky enough to be at Laguna when 500cc GP bikes shook Monterey, this ROC 500 will be another of the tremendous throw-back moments that AHRMA provides.
Sure, we’d all like to buy a former 500 GP bike but probably don’t have the available budget. But that’s not the point. The AHRMA paddock is full of this exact story, at all levels of budget. Many of us are returning to a bike we always loved, many of us are finally on a bike we always lusted for.
A genuine four-cylinder 500cc Grand Prix racebike. Photo by Ralph Staropoli.
In my case, at about 0.0002% of Ralph’s budget, I’m rolling around on a Speedwerks FZR600, returning to a bike model that not just brings me current joy, but brought me joy 30 years ago. For Staropoli, the ROC will introduce a new challenge in preparation and riding…and that anticipated challenge is a big component of the word “happiness.” Happiness abounds in the AHRMA paddock.
The Partner
Anyone who has gone racing knows the slogging work involved. The long prep nights, the even longer drives through Texas, the unexpected problems challenges that trucks, trailers, wheel bearings, master links, bad fuel (how much time have you got?) present. Alone, these challenges can become overwhelming. Ralph recently married Sheri Mursick, a cross-fit star and true right-hand man (person?) of the Staropoli racing program.
At the end of a winning two days at Heartland Park, rider and crew chief take a few minutes to list needed parts, check component hour logs, and get ready to be ready for the next round.
This addition to the team brings us to a significant subject, something that Roadracing World Founder & Editor John Ulrich discussed with me. He said, “No matter what it is, there’s usually somebody in some paddock somewhere who knows all about anything you need, and will tell you what you need to know. Doctors, lawyers, great mechanics, musicians, whatever. And usually are ready to help. Motorcyclists are great.” The Hall of Famer recognizes what pulls so many back to racing and riding: The people. Mr. and Mrs. Staropoli working together to solve the puzzle of winning races will be another reason that Ralph Staropoli will continue to be a tough racer to beat.
Staropoli Racing’s crew chief Sheri Staropoli the 500 GP bike we can’t wait to see roll around American tracks. Photo by Ralph Staropoli.
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April 12, 2026
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