Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE Team’s Randy Krummenacher was quickest during FIM MotoE Free Practice One at Sachsenring, in Germany.
MotoE FP1
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MotoGP: Marc Marquez Says “It’s True I Override Sometimes”
“I’m ready to attack!”: Thursday talking points at the Sachsenring
Hear from Bagnaia, Bezzecchi, Martin, Marc Marquez, Binder, Zarco and Quartararo!
Thursday, 15 June 2023
And we’re BACK! The Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland is our second stop on the triple header as we keep it pinned, and ahead of track action, two press conferences covered some key talking points with some key faces:
The first comprised Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), before the second saw Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) joined by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing).
Here are some key quotes!
FRANCESCO BAGNAIA: “It’s a track where last year the performance was there. Friday we were competitive, pole position and in the race we know what happened, I crashed. The important thing is to start how we finished in Mugello and the same way I had the feeling last year so let’s try. It won’t be easy, it looks like the conditions can change quickly like today so let’s see. I am confident the performance is there, and we can be competitive against the top riders.”
Last years’ experience and taking that for 2023?
“To believe always. It was a difficult moment. It wasn’t the first time I was competitive and then I lost everything I just tried to understand what happened, I just tried to understand our potential. The meeting after the race was very important for the team and for me. From that moment, everything changed from Assen. At the front, we were always competitive and fighting for the win and it was a great comeback. My feeling was incredible with the bike and sometimes I still think about the Sachsenring from last year where we had to be more focused.”
On the Miller Mugello start onboard?
“I saw him at that moment when he was raising his arm. I thought he started from the second row and closed the line on someone and thought he was saying sorry! In MX when you do the holsehot, they are happy so they raise the arm like that. It was fun to see!”
MARCO BEZZECCHI: “Sunday at Mugello was a bit frustrating because I was expecting a bit more, of course beating Pecco was very difficult as I saw in the Sprint because he was very quick, but I thought there was the possibility to stay with Jorge or Johann to fight for the top five at least. But immediately when I started the race I felt really bad with the front end of the bike and I couldn’t really understand why, so we took some days to forget this day but when I got here I immediately started to look at the data and trying to understand, we saw what the problem was and fortunately it wasn’t because of my riding. I was a bit nervous for this but fortunately it wasn’t this. Now we can concentrate on this round and try to do a little bit better.”
Can you tell us what the problem was?
“I think no, haha.”
Is this a good track to bounce back at?
“Yeah it’s a track I like, it’s very particular because it’s very small with a MotoGP bike but in the past years I’ve been able to get a podium in Moto2 and Moto3, so it will be nice to ride it again on a MotoGP bike. Last year I was not so bad but it will be difficult for me to be close to the top riders like Marc or Pecco who are really quick here, but I will try my best to make the best performance I can to try to get a good result and continue in this positive few races that I’m making.”
JORGE MARTIN: “I feel great with the bike. I know the bike really well and I know where the limit is more or less, for sure Pecco knows it a bit better but I feel I’m closing the gap, every time I am stronger and finishing races is one of the keys so I hope to keep this progress.”
Chances of victory?
“Yeah, the Sunday win is still missing and hopefully it comes soon. I’m not in a rush, I want to always finish close to the podium, that would be amazing. My time will come for sure. Sachsenring is a nice track, I always enjoy riding here. I won in Moto3 here, the last seasons haven’t been so bad, so I hope to be competitive.”
MARC MARQUEZ: “I’m interested to see how it is here at the Sachsenring, especially because I couldn’t race two good circuits for my riding style, Argentina and Americas, so this is the first circuit I’ll race this season where normally I feel comfortable from P1 on. But it will be difficult, I’m not coming from my best moment, I’m coming from two crashes in a row on Sunday, so of course your confidence gets lower, but anyway I’m arriving with a good mentality and I’d like to be on the podium on Sunday.
On injury worries, and Honda riders riding on the limit:
“I’m not worried about another injury, if you do you’re not fast on the racetrack. But it’s true the way we’re riding now, I feel ready. Last year I wasn’t ready to attack but now I’m ready to attack, I’m riding well and I feel ready to be there. But it’s true I override sometimes. In Le Mans it was normal because I was pushing for the podium, and I was pushing too much. But in Mugello I was very comfortable, I mean I was controlling myself, because I chose the soft rear, I was controlling the gas and the situation to finish in the top six or top seven because that was possible. But I crashed, went wide and I didn’t expect it but I lost the front. We’ll see, but I’ll keep going and keep pushing to change the situation for the future.”
On a meeting at Mugello with Honda senior management:
“It wasn’t the first meeting I’ve had with HRC, but an important one because Aoyama-san and Watanabe-san, big bosses. It was important. The feeling was good in the meeting and, in the future but not far way and soon, we need some reaction there. We have very good riders in Honda and we need something more to fight for the top positions.”
On Jorge Lorenzo’s statement he believes Marc could go to KTM:
“Next race he’ll say Aprilia, no? Jokes aside, now in MotoGP the level is super high. All manufacturers. It looks like Honda and Yamaha are struggling a bit more, but the European manufacturers are pushing a lot and they are going very aggressive mode to develop the bike. And it’s there we’re trying to react, together with Honda, to improve this year and especially the Misano test looking to 2024… we’re working together to try and be there. But of course… I appreciate Jorge haha.”
What’s needed this weekend to bring you closer to the front?
BRAD BINDER: “Looking back at last week it was incredible to walk away with the 366km/h, it’s quite crazy to think about it but in general I’m quite excited to get started here at the Sachsenring, it’s a track I have a lot of great memories at, I got my first World Championship podium here, my first win in Moto2 and in GP I’ve always had quite good races, not quite so good last year but other than that I’ve always had a good feeling here so I’m excited to get started, the way our bike is working this season I think we can be incredibly competitive here and I’m looking forward to see where we really pan out.”
Turning a key weapon here this weekend?
“Definitely. It’s clear we struggled a bit more in Mugello where things were a lot more flowing but where we have to brake and really stop the bike and use our acceleration to get out, we are much stronger than last season. I see things being a lot better for us here and yeah we have some small things to try and improve in the rolling long corners, and if we can do so I’m sure we’ll be in for a good weekend.”
Setting or new parts?
“Just simply playing with the settings.”
Does the nature of the track add to the pressure of qualifying?
“I think if we look back at previous seasons here it can be less than 0.3 from first to tenth. So with it being such a short track things are extremely tight, extremely close, and yeah it’s going to be important to try get a strong lap in to try get a spot in Q2.”
Are you a contender this weekend?
JOHANN ZARCO: “I’m sure I have the package, with the bike and the team we are competitive and we enjoy the Ducati a lot at the moment. I’m not the only one, we have other fast riders. The package is ready but we have to choose the tyres well as it is a particular track. I don’t say the tyre makes a real difference, but the way you use it can make a difference. Let’s see how we begin on Friday. The weather conditions also – to adapt as well as possible. Last year I had a fantastic race trying to catch Fabio. I had the harder tyre he had the medium, but I couldn’t catch him. He didn’t give up and I could not catch him. It would be nice to repeat these kind of moments but with an even better feeling.”
Ducati transfer rumours… what’s plan A for Zarco?
“I hope (to stay). Clearly, it’s the best place to be. The way I can perform now and enjoy with the team. With Jorge we are three years together. He was not so consistent the last two years, since the beginning of the year, it’s only the first race he really missed out, now he is there. We are together here now, why not continue going like this!?”
Does the nature of the track add to the pressure of qualifying?
“Different circuit to Mugello but same challenge. With the Sprint we are learning QP is getting more and more important. I would love to be on the front row, even the first two rows because the last few races I’ve been on the third. Even if I did a good race in Mugello, it’s not making the work easier, so it would be good to be in the top three guys to push for the podium on Saturday and Sunday.”
Optimistic about being at the front this weekend?
FABIO QUARTARARO: “To be at the front, I don’t know. To be honest, the main goal for me this weekend is trying to be in the top ten from tomorrow to at least help in qualifying to secure a good place, because you know the last few qualifyings were terrible for us. Hopefully we can make a step, especially in qualifying. Then the races is a different thing.”
Is this the toughest moment of your career?
“Of my career no, in MotoGP, yes. I’m struggling to understand it because we didn’t make big changes but it totally changed the way of riding my bike, and especially we’re missing a lot from last year, from 2021, but this year I’m struggling especially with new tyres to do one lap. So we have to find a solution and take the best from ourselves.”
Thoughts on Morbidelli’s ‘who says I want another year with Yamaha?’
“I loved it quite a lot when I saw the video, but it’s not my job to evaluate what he’s saying, so… it’s something that made me laugh but I don’t really care.”
Do you hope Franco is your teammate in 2024?
“I don’t go into these things. I think he and Yamaha know exactly what they’re doing, so it’s all in their hands.”
Does the Sachsenring make it even more crucial to get a good grid spot?
“I think first of all for us, it’s to go straight into Q2 and then we’ll see. But the goal is to start on the first two rows, even the third I’ll accept.”
Dainese San Diego Opening June 17
Dainese Group Announces Grand Opening of San Diego Flagship Location
An Experience with Racing Memorabilia and Full Lines of Protective Wear from Dainese Group Brands; Dainese, AGV Helmets, and TCX Footwear
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – JUNE 15, 2023 – Dainese (www.dainese.com), the world leader of protective wear for dynamic sports, today announced the grand opening of its latest flagship retail location in San Diego.
The new San Diego D-Store retail location offers an extensive range of Dainese’s cutting-edge motorcycle apparel, including leather suits, jackets, pants, gloves, boots, and advanced protective gear. With a reputation built on decades of innovation and commitment to rider safety, Dainese continues to push boundaries in technology, design, and craftsmanship, catering to the evolving needs of the motorcycle community. Product highlights include the world’s first and most advanced wearable airbag system for any type of motorcyclist. From D-air racing suits and jackets for street and touring and the versatile Smart Jacket can be worn underneath or above other garments for everyday use.
Visitors to the San Diego D-Store can experience Dainese’s Custom Works program and design the leathers of their dreams with full personalization, including colors, graphic art, logos, and more. The innovative line of AGV Helmets will also be available, including the just-launched Tourmodular, K6, Pista GP RR along with the AX-9, and Legends Collection. As well as the full 2023 footwear collection for TCX Boots built with maximum protection and comfort on – and off-road, for all four seasons.
“The new San Diego store is a true experience, and we’re very excited to be opening our doors in this dynamic city that is one of the most enthusiastic markets for the motorcycle industry ” said Louis Ortega, General Manager, Dainese North America. “We are excited to see our D-store San Diego location become one of the many spots this great city has to offer for group rides, events and a place for the community to gather and connect.”
San Diego is a strategic location for the brand. Known for its thriving motorcycle community, picturesque landscapes, and favorable riding conditions, San Diego is one of the top markets for motorcycle protective apparel sales.
Dainese San Diego is conveniently located at 3740 Rosecrans St. Suite F, San Diego, CA 92110, just down the street from the Pechanga Arena. In addition to the store’s retail offerings, Dainese San Diego will regularly host group rides and meetups, fostering a sense of community among local riders.
MotoGP: Hans-Georg Anscheidt Joins MotoGP Legends
Hans-Georg Anscheidt becomes a MotoGP™ Legend
The German rider is inducted into the Hall of Fame on home turf at the Sachsenring
Thursday, 15 June 2023
Hans-Georg Anscheidt is now a MotoGP™ Legend! The German was one of the most successful riders in the first decade of the 50cc World Championship and won three back-to-back World Championships in the class from 1966 to 1968.
Born in Königsberg (now Kaliningrad) in 1935, Anscheidt started riding Enduro in 1955 before switching to Speedway in 1957, then taking on the new challenge of 50cc circuit racing from 1959. After European level success, Anscheidt continued racing for Kreidler when the 50cc class officially debuted as a World Championship in 1962.
He won the first race of the season at Montjuïc and took a second Grand Prix win at Monza in the Nations Grand Prix, finishing the year runner up overall – a feat he repeated in 1963 as he added three more victories to his count. He then ended 1964 in third place overall, taking another win, before a tougher 1965 ahead of a switch to Suzuki.
That switch saw Anscheidt begin an incredible winning run. He took his first 50cc World Championship in 1966 and it didn’t stop there as the German won an impressive three titles in a row from 1966 to 1968. Remarkably, the first two saw Anscheidt compete as a factory Suzuki rider, but in 1968 he won his final Championship as a privateer. With his name in the history books as a three-time World Champion and winner of 14 Grands Prix, Anscheidt retired as the reigning Champion at the end of 1968.
Now he joins a list of MotoGP™ Legends that includes Valentino Rossi, Giacomo Agostini, Hugh Anderson, Kork Ballington, Max Biaggi, Alex Crivillé, Mick Doohan, Stefan Dörflinger, Andrea Dovizioso, Geoff Duke, Wayne Gardner, Mike Hailwood, Nicky Hayden, Jorge Lorenzo, Daijiro Kato, Eddie Lawson, Marco Lucchinelli, Randy Mamola, Anton Mang, Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez, Angel Nieto, Dani Pedrosa, Wayne Rainey, Phil Read, Jim Redman, Kenny Roberts, Kenny Roberts Jr, Jarno Saarinen, Kevin Schwantz, Barry Sheene, Marco Simoncelli, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, John Surtees, Luigi Taveri, Carlo Ubbiali and Franco Uncini.
CARMELO EZPELETA, CEO OF DORNA: “It’s a special pleasure for me to meet today Hans-Georg Anscheidt, I was telling his son that I was especially happy because I had the chance to see him race in Spain in Montjuïc in 63 or 64, I was starting my great feeling for bikes and I remember the sound of the Suzuki, a lot of gearbox! I remember it so well. He was a very successful rider and it’s a big honour to induct him into the MotoGP Hall of Fame.”
HANS-GEORG ANSCHEIDT as translated by his son, Achim Anscheidt:
“When he started his career at the start of the 60s, it was in European races, the motorcycles were almost like racing mopeds doing a maximum of 100km/h. And then from 1961 it became more serious racing, international and in the European championship, and at the same time competing in the German championship. After beginning his career with offroad and dirt track, he signed a contract with the Kreidler factory from Stuttgart and became factory rider and a test rider from 1961 to 1964, and was second in the title in 1962 and 1963.
“In this time he was employed by Kreidler not only racing on roads, and also doing offroad and six-day trials and enduro. Kreidler then decided to stop factory road racing, against Suzuki and Honda they didn’t have much chance. And then a very secretive Japanese person put a Telegram in his hand telling him to contact the factory in Hamamatsu! And in six years he’d seen Mr Kreidler once. So he wrote a letter to him, saying can you please let me do this race. Suzuki wanted him to do the last Grand Prix of 1965 and Mr Kreidler said yes. And good luck! Then the Suzuki time began.
“He had a lot of success with Suzuki with the 50cc and 125cc machinery, but they always said they wanted me to do 50cc. The 50cc class was very challenging in terms of the technical development, almost like Group B rally development in the 1990s. Technology got so exotic and only Suzuki and Honda really were able to produce it. The motorcycle is mostly titanium, the frame is aluminium, two cylinders and a 14-speed gearbox, with a usable rev range between 17,500 and 18,000.
“He became World Champion in 1966 and 1967, but Suzuki decided to withdraw. So my father asked nicely if he could have a bike and spares, and Suzuki granted it him. This one was raced by Katayama in 1967, it had a terrible accident and went back to Japan. They repaired it there and then they decided to give it to my father to race it in 1968 and he became a privateer World Champion.
“He is very thankful to Dorna and the management for giving him the chance to be here, and that he was able to invite his family. So thank you, thank you very much.”
World Endurance: BMW Motorrad Team Looking To Repeat At Spa 24-Hour
EVENT PREVIEW: SPECTACULAR SPA TO CHALLENGE EWC HEROES BY DAY AND BY NIGHT
*All-action FIM EWC season continues with second edition of 24H SPA EWC Motos
*Legendary Belgian track to provide a tough test for rider and machine
*36 permanent EWC teams set for FIM Endurance World Championship glory chase
*Dunlop Superstock Trophy adds to the exciting twice round-the-clock spectacle
International motorcycle racing’s ultimate rollercoaster contest is about to get under way with Belgium’s legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps gearing up to host round two of the FIM Endurance World Championship, the 24H SPA Motos, from tomorrow (Friday) until Sunday.
Reviving the spirit of the famous 24 Heures de Liège, which was part of the EWC up until 2001, the second edition of the 24H SPA EWC Motos is hotly anticipated following on from the action-packed season-opening 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans in April.
It’s also an event with a formidable reputation as riders race flat out on the 6.985-kilometre undulating track by day and by night with the prospect of changeable weather conditions always a factor at the venue, which is also home to the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix.
Viewers in 196 countries will be treated to spectacular coverage from the 24H SPA EWC Motos, one of the most exciting races in two-wheel motorsport, with live action available in 75 countries. Fans travelling to Spa can also look forward to three days of epic entertainment both on and off the track.
THE EWC STARS ASSEMBLING IN THE ARDENNES HOPING FOR A SPA BREAK
The second edition of the 24H SPA EWC Motos will be contested by some of the best riders in the business. Thirty-seven teams have entered with world champions, national title winners, riders with MotoGP and World Superbike experience, plus young stars aiming for the top in the EWC all set to take part. Here’s a summary of just some of the entry highlights.
Take two for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team?
After winning the inaugural 24H SPA EWC Motos in June 2022, Belgian squad BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team is preparing to push for a victory double under the guidance of formidable ex-racer Werner Daemen. Riders Jérémy Guarnoni, Illya Mykhalchyk and Markus Reiterberger will be aiming to keep the #37 BMW at the top of the timesheets.
World champions on a roll
Having won the season-opening 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans, F.C.C. TSR Honda France is on a roll heading to Spa where it placed third in 2022 following a heroic final stint from Gino Rea. While the Briton won’t be in action this year as he continues his recovery from serious injury, the combination of Mike Di Meglio, Josh Hook and Alan Techer provide a potent threat.
Leblanc brings podium pedigree to Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar
Part of the TATI Team Beringer Racing line-up that finished second overall at Spa 12 months ago, Grégory Leblanc is a new addition to the Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar attack, which also includes Randy de Puniet and Spa rookie Kazuki Watanabe. Meanwhile, Spaniard Román Ramos takes Leblanc’s place on the #4 Kawasaki alongside Hugo Clere and Baptiste Guittet, part of the 2022 FIM Endurance World Cup-winning Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers Motostore squad.
Rivals eye Spa revenge
YART Yamaha and Yoshimura SERT Motul both have scores to settle at Spa. The Austrian YART team was leading in 2022 when engine failure spelt retirement on the final morning, while its Suzuki-powered rival lost out on a podium place during a thrilling late-race battle.
Home heroes on show
Belgium-based KM99 launched its EWC attack to the world ahead of last year’s 24H SPA EWC Motos. Now it’s preparing to put on a show for real with local rider Bastien Mackels finally getting the chance to compete at home in the EWC after injury ruled him out last season.
Inspired by past glories
Team Bolliger Switzerland’s Kevin Bolliger “grew up in the Spa paddock” watching his father Hanspeter competing in the 24 Heures de Liège, Belgium’s previous EWC fixture and the inspiration behind the 24H SPA EWC Motos. The Kawasaki squad is one of the leading privateer outfits preparing for action along with Yamaha-powered Moto Ain and Wójcik Racing Team, which welcomes back Sheridan Morais to its Formula EWC attack following injury. Honda Viltaïs Racing completed the 2022 EWC season with victory in the Bol d’Or and will look to Spa to build on its fine fourth place finish in April’s 24 Heures Motos, where ERC Endurance Ducati, Maco Racing, Motobox Kremer Racing and Team LRP Poland also scored important points. They will all be targeting more success at Spa where Mana’au Compétition soutient la Ligue contre le cancer will be a new permanent EWC team.
Superstock superstars
Headed by Le Mans-winning Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team, the Dunlop Superstock Trophy contingent also features ADSS 97, Chromeburner RAC41 Honda, Honda No Limits, National Motos Honda, Pitlane Endurance and Slider Endurance.
OG Motorsport World Endurance Team welcomes back Camille Hedelin to its ranks, while Gabriel Pons is returning to Team 33 Louit April Moto, which led in Spa last season.
Two-time Supermoto world champion Marc Reiner-Schmidt comes in for the injured Marco Fetz at Energie Endurance where Sander Claessen is a new recruit for Spa. An injury sustained in the Isle of Man TT Races recently has ruled out Matthieu Lagrive, leading to 3ART Best of Bike calling up Alex Plancassagne as his replacement.
Aviobike, Holland Motorstore Racing, JMA Racing Action Bike, Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers Motostore, Team 202, TRT Bazar 2 la Bécane, Uniserv Moto82 Team and Wójcik Racing Team will also be in contention for Dunlop Superstock Trophy honours along with Team Racing 85.
PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE:
Key FIM EWC timings are as follows:
Friday 16 June:
10h00-11h00: Free Practice
12h00-14h00: First Qualifying
15h15-17h15: Second Qualifying
17h30-18h00: Post-qualifying press conference (Room 132)
19h45-20h45: Pitwalk and autograph session
21h30-23h00: Night Practice
Saturday 17 June:
11h30-12h30: Pitwalk and autograph session
13h00: Pitlane open
13h20: Pitlane closed
14h00: Start of 24H SPA EWC Motos
Sunday 18 June:
14h00: Finish of 24H SPA EWC Motos
14h10: Podium ceremony
14h30: Post-race press conference (Room 132)
LIVE TIMING: https://www.its-live.net/#/live/ewc/2023/24hspa
24H SPA EWC MOTOS IN 100 WORDS:
A track as legendary as it is demanding hosted international-level motorbike racing for the first time since 2001 when the 24H SPA EWC Motos revived the spirit of the 24 Heures de Liège, once an EWC calendar mainstay, in June 2022. The iconic circuit underwent extensive safety upgrades mandated by FIM and FMB specifically for the EWC’s return with the 6.985-kilometre layout – the longest of the season – featuring expanded run-off areas, the repositioning of safety barriers, plus the realignment of Turn 9 for bike use only. Belgium-based BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team came out on top of a rain-hit race.
24H SPA EWC MOTOS FAST FACTS:
*The 24H SPA EWC Motos recreated the spirit of the famous 24 Heures de Liège, which counted as a round of the EWC up until 2001, when it ran for the first time in June 2022.
*It took place on a track upgraded specifically for the EWC as part of an investment programme costing 25 million euros.
*The return of the EWC to Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was first discussed in 2015, shortly after Discovery Sports Events (formerly Eurosport Events) became championship promoter as part of a long-term agreement with governing body, FIM.
*At 6.985 kilometres, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the longest on the EWC calendar.
*Appointed as the event coordination agency for the first 24H SPA EWC Motos in June 2022, PHA Claude Michy was named local event promoter for a nine-year period in September 2022, in addition to continuing its existing responsibilities associated with organising the event.
24H SPA EWC MOTOS ESSENTIALS:
WHERE: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
LOCATION: Rte du Circuit 55, 4970 Stavelot, Belgium
WHEN: 16-18 June 2023
TRACK LENGTH: 6.985 kilometres
RACE DISTANCE: 24 hours
QUALIFYING LAP RECORD:
YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC – Karel Hanika, 2m18.845s, 2022
RACE LAP RECORD:
Yoshimura SERT Motul – Sylvain Guintoli, 2m21.056s, 2022
RECENT WINNERS:
2022: BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team (Markus Reiterberger, Illya Mykhalchyk, Jérémy Guarnoni), 508 laps
EXPERT VIEW BY BASTIEN MACKELS, KM99
“I know Spa really well but every time on the first day when you come back to Spa the circuit is so fast that you have to let one day for your brain to understand how fast is it, how faster is it compared to all the other tracks you have in Europe and even in the world. Of course we have to be patient and really concentrated on every corner, every lap of the track. We have to manage the speed on this track because it’s so much more faster than, let’s say, Le Mans. But it’s still not enough because the track allows you to go even faster so you have to learn lap after lap and get focused. It looks not so physical but you spend so much time in the long corners, left, right that it asks a lot from your body. There’s no question that Raidillon is the best corner in the world. Every rider who comes to Spa wants to try this corner. I can’t wait to be in the first lap because the first lap in Spa when you go full in fifth, this corner is amazing, you cannot compare this feeling. The compression in the corner is really incredible, I love it so much and every lap you are waiting for this corner. Full in fifth gear it will be something like 265kph with the slowest point around 200kph, amazing. In Spa the weather is even more difficult because the track is so big. In the past I remember it being dry in the paddock but wet and rainy on the other side of the track so it’s something you must be focused on. If you see a cloud coming you really have to take care about that because it’s possible that it’s raining on one side but not the other side. But in every endurance race you have to be really concentrated on the weather because it’s easy to make a mistake. If I knew something special about the weather I would keep it for me but it’s not really like that! I remember once we had hailstones and you could see these balls of ice jumping on the track, we were braking but we could see these balls of ice in the last chicane, it was really unbelievable. You really can have everything and maybe two weeks later it could be 35 degrees and you cannot breathe.”
More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad Motorsport:
24H SPA EWC Motos: BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team extra motivated ahead of FIM EWC home round.
- Round two of the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship.
- After last year’s historic victory, Markus Reiterberger, Ilya Mikhalchik and Jérémy Guarnoni now compete with the new #37 BMW M 1000 RR in the Spa-Francorchamps 24-hour race.
- Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team ready for its first outing in the Ardennes, following its Superstock win at Le Mans.
Spa-Francorchamps. The BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team is returning to the scene of its greatest success to date. This weekend, the 24H SPA EWC Motos (BEL) forms round two of the FIM Endurance World Championship 2023 (FIM EWC). Last year, the team and its riders Markus Reiterberger (GER), Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR) and Jérémy Guarnoni (FRA) claimed a historic victory in the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps. The success at the team’s home event was not only the first win in a 24-hour race for Werner Daemen’s (BEL) outfit, but also the first time a European manufacturer had won over this distance for several decades. All set for its first appearance at the event is the Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team. They start in the Superstock class of the FIM EWC and are making their debut on the Ardennes rollercoaster at Spa-Francorchamps.
This season, the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team is running the new version of the BMW M 1000 RR. The three regular riders – Reiterberger, Mikhalchik and Guarnoni – immediately finished on the podium in the first race with the new bike when the trio came home third on the #37 M RR at the opening round of the 2023 season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA) in mid-April. The team is now extremely motivated ahead of the second race of the season at the iconic racetrack, which is just a one-hour drive from the Belgian team’s base. The fourth rider at Spa-Francorchamps is Vincent Lonbois (BEL). Over the course of his career, the 32-year-old has spent many years riding BMW motorcycles at racetracks and on the road racing scene. In 2016, he was crowned champion in the International Road Racing Championship (IRRC) with the BMW S 1000 RR. He also finished runner-up in the BMW Motorrad Race Trophy in the same year.
The new Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team, in which the French Tecmas Racing Team and its owner Arnaud Sassone (FRA) is collaborating with Werner Daemen’s company Motorcycle Racing Parts and BMW Motorrad Motorsport, made a dream start to its debut season in the FIM EWC at Le Mans. Kenny Foray (FRA), Jan Bühn (GER) and Loïc Arbel (FRA) took victory in the Superstock class with the #9 BMW M 1000 RR. The team is now entering uncharted territory at Spa-Francorchamps. Although the Tecmas Racing Team has contested individual races in the FIM EWC in the past, it did not start the 24H SPA EWC Motos last year.
The race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps begins with free practice on Friday morning. The grid positions will then be determined in the two-part qualifying on Friday afternoon. The race itself gets underway on Saturday at 14:00 (CEST). As well as the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team and the Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team, private BMW outfit Team LRP Poland also competes at the 24H SPA EWC Motos.
Quotes ahead of the 24H SPA EWC Motos.
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “It goes without saying that last year’s fantastic victory remains a memorable one. We are now back in the Ardennes to face this special challenge again. We have shown that we can be successful at the home circuit for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, and are obviously hoping for a similar result this year. The current season got off to a successful start with the new BMW M 1000 RR at Le Mans, with third place overall for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team and the debut victory in the Superstock class for the Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team. We now travel to Spa-Francorchamps well prepared. The law of any 24-hour race obviously also applies here – namely that anything can happen. However, as far as the riders, teams and machinery are concerned, we are well prepared and very confident ahead of the weekend.“
Werner Daemen, Team Manager BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team: “We are expecting a hot week at Spa–Francorchamps. The weather forecast is perfect. Last week, we had a successful pre-test. I was a little bit worried about the weather but the new BMW M 1000 RR also looks very good in hot conditions this year. So I think that we are well prepared for defending our good result from last year and hopefully we also have the necessary luck.”
Markus Reiterberger: “Spa-Francorchamps is the home event for our team, and it is practically the home race for us too. Spa is a really great racetrack, and we have very fond memories of the circuit after last year’s victory. We completed a two-day function test there at a hobby event, during which we gained our first impressions of the new bike at this track. We now continue with the final tests, in which we will work on the fine-tuning. As a team, I believe we are better positioned than ever. We are ready. We want to at least finish on the podium, but would obviously prefer to win. That is the goal we have set ourselves. The weather forecast is good, the team is super. There is nothing to stop us being successful, and we will do everything we can to make that the case.”
Ilya Mikhalchik: “I am looking forward to a great race weekend at Spa on a beautiful track. I can’t wait to get back there with our new beautiful bike. Let’s hope for a good weekend and to enjoy riding our BMW M 1000 RR there. We want to show good speed over the entire weekend and to do a good job during the race. It would be great to finish the race on Sunday with a strong result.”
Jérémy Guarnoni: “The target for Spa is clear; like always, we want to win. We know that it is a track we are really fast on. Last year we won there, so obviously the goal is to repeat that. That would be really amazing. It is also a special race for us because it is the team’s home race. This gives us an extra motivation. We know that in dry conditions, we are really fast there so let’s see what will happen. I am confident. At the pre–test, we saw that all is okay. Everything is on point so let’s see.”
Arnaud Sassone, Team Owner Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team: “We arrive at Spa-Francorchamps as the championship leader and with an advantage of eleven points. That is perfect, but it does put us under extra pressure, which we must manage. This race at Spa is a first for my team of technicians, but we have worked hard and listened to our riders in order to be well prepared. BMW Motorrad has been successful at Spa in the past, with the overall victory for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team last year. Our three Tecmas riders, led by their leader Kenny Foray, are a well-oiled team, which is both fast and capable of providing the engineers with precise information. They are also in great form and very motivated. All three of them are very familiar with the track in the Ardennes. Kenny took part in qualifying with the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team in 2022, while Loïc Arbel finished runner-up in the overall standings on the Tati Team’s Kawasaki. And Jan Bühn has been a regular at the Spa circuit for years.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:
Yamalube YART Yamaha Seeking Spa Redemption
The Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team head into Round 2 of the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship, the second edition of the 24H SPA EWC Motos, aiming to build on their podium at the opening round of the season in Le Mans and bounce back from their heart-breaking late DNF while leading last year’s race.
The YART Yamaha Team of Karel Hanika, Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz, and reserve-rider Robin Mulhauser are determined to get revenge at the 24H SPA EWC Motos after joy turned to despair during the 2022 edition of the race. Recovering from a tricky start, the team had mounted a sensational fightback to take the lead just before the 18-hour mark, only to see a technical issue force them to DNF and effectively end their championship aspirations.
Heading to Belgium in 2023 with 65 points up for grabs at each 24-hour race, the Australian squad are currently second in the EWC overall standings with 54 points after a stunning second place at the Le Mans 24 Heures Motos. The team is confident in following that result with another strong performance after topping Tuesday’s official test at Spa with a 2:19.657, 0.873s ahead of their nearest rival, as they look to lift their first title since 2009.
During the test, all three main riders showed excellent one-lap pace and managed to run extensive race simulations as they worked on finetuning the electronics setup and front-end feeling on the Bridgestone-shod #7 R1, while reserve-rider Mulhauser tested and prepared parts for the race. Their advantage at the top was even more impressive when you consider YART were one of the few leading EWC teams not to previously take part in a private test at the circuit in 2023.
The EWC returns to the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for the second year in a row with the 24H SPA EWC Motos after a 21-year break, reviving the spirit of the famous 24 Heures de Liege that run until 2001.
The return of the historic Belgian track to the endurance calendar saw it undergo several changes to the layout to meet motorcycle racing safety requirements, including expanded run-off areas at several corners, repositioning of some safety barriers, and a minor realignment of Turn 9.
The new endurance-specific layout is 6.985km, making it the longest track on the calendar in 2023. It is also one of the fastest and features a combination of long straights, high-speed sections, and undulating elevation changes that make it one of the world’s most challenging circuits, with YART’s Hanika the current outright lap record holder with a 2:18.845 set in qualifying last year.
It was not just YART on the podium at Le Mans in April, as the 3ART Best of Bike Yamaha team of Martin Renaudin, Ludovic Cauchi, and Mathieu Lagrive were also celebrating after they claimed second in the FIM Endurance World Cup and ninth overall in front of their home fans, scoring 53 points in the SST class and leaving France second in the Cup Standings.
Wojcik Racing Team EWC 77’s Sheridan Morais, Isaac Vinales and Mathieu Gines will be looking for a top-ten finish after securing 12th at Le Mans, while the Maco Racing Team of Anthony West, Enzo Boulom and Bálint Kovács are hoping to improve on their 32nd place finish last time out in France.
The KM Motos squad of Lucas Mahias, Florian Marino and Bastien Mackels, and the Moto Ain Yamaha EWC Supported Team of Claudio Corti, Corentin Perolari, and Roberto Tamburini will be aiming to kickstart their seasons after they were both forced to retire from the race in Le Mans.
The action at the 2023 24H SPA EWC Motos kicks off on Friday with a one-hour Free Practice session at 10:00 am local time (UTC+2) before the 1st Qualifying Practice Session between 12:00-14:00 and the 2nd Qualifying Practice Session from 15:15-17:15. Then there is a 90-minute Night Practice session between 21:30-23:00 before Saturday’s 24-hour race kicks off at 14:00 with the iconic “Le Mans” running start.
Karel Hanika
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team
“I am looking forward to the race now. Unlike most other teams, we only had the one-day official pre-test here on Tuesday. We were a bit worried beforehand that we might be a step behind the rest, but we were immediately up to speed, and the whole team was fast on long and short runs, which saw us end the day on top of the combined timesheets. I love racing here as it is a high-speed track. The YART R1 was awesome; we still need to improve a few little things on the settings for the traction control and engine braking, and a little with the front end, but honestly, we feel ready and fast. Our pace fills us with confidence, we need a little more luck than last year, and we can put ourselves in a solid championship position.”
Niccolò Canepa
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team
“I am delighted with the test this week, as some of the other teams had some to Spa to test previously, and for us to be so much quicker was an excellent sign. We did a race simulation that was much faster than last year’s race pace, plus we also had very speed over one lap on the soft tyre. Therefore, we are confident heading into the rac3. The weather looks like it will be perfect too. Last year, we were leading the race when we had an issue that forced us to retire, so I believe we can fight for victory this year too.”
Marvin Fritz
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team
“We are as ready as we can be. We had fantastic weather here for the private practice at Spa, which meant we could ride all day with two bikes. This was important because we were one of the only teams which didn’t test beforehand. We worked on many things with the bike and showed our potential by ending the day in P1. I had been stuck in bed for one and a half weeks due to being sick, so I was happy I could get back on the bike and immediately be on the pace with my teammates. We aim to continue to work on Friday to be even stronger during the race.”
Robin Mulhauser
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team
“I think we have prepared for this race superbly, even more so than last year, when it was a new track for most of us. The test went well, as we were not necessarily looking for fast lap times, yet we had a great pace. My three teammates were fast on their long stints while I helped prepare and test some parts of the race. Last year was heartbreaking for the whole team, so we are looking forward to getting the result we deserve this year here at Spa.”
Mandy Kainz
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team – Team Manager
“It is great to be back at Spa. It is such an iconic circuit, with its elevation changes and high-speed nature, but this year we want to get our redemption after suffering from heartbreak in last year’s race. The team have prepared superbly. Unlike most teams, we did not test here before Tuesday, so finishing 0.8s ahead of the rest of the field was encouraging. The riders worked hard on the bike setup and completed race simulations, so we know we have good pace over a hot lap and longer stints. Now we must put it all together in the race and hope for better luck. Our aim, as always, is first to finish the race, as with so many points available, it is essential we reach the end of the 24 hours in the best position possible. I want to thank the whole team and Bridgestone for all of their hard work, and we are confident that if things go our way, we can be in the fight for victory.”
British Superbike: Championship Racing In Scotland This Weekend
The wait is over. Knockhill is next and ten points cover the top five in Bennetts BSB title fight
The Bennetts British Superbike Championship returns this weekend (June 16/17/18) and just a narrow ten points separate the top five in the title fight after the opening three rounds as the series reaches Knockhill in Scotland.
Seven different riders have celebrated podium success from the opening nine races, with five of those securing race wins, but ahead of this weekend, it is Tommy Bridewell leading the standings for BeerMonster Ducati.
Bridewell surged to the top of the points after the previous round at Donington Park, moving three points ahead of his teammate Glenn Irwin, with the pair both already race winners in 2023 Bennetts BSB.
Double champion Josh Brookes heads to Scotland holding third in the title race; the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad rider is a double winner this season and just two points adrift of Irwin, but also knows that he only holds a slender four-point edge over another previous champion, Leon Haslam and the ROKiT BMW Motorrad team in fourth place.
Reigning champions LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha currently hold fifth place in the standings with Kyle Ryde who bounced back from a crash at his home round of Donington Park to move to within ten points of Bridewell at the top.
Meanwhile both Yamaha and Kawasaki are targeting a fightback at Knockhill; McAMS Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran and Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki’s Lee Jackson are equal on points in sixth overall with the pair keen to repeat their previous success at the Scottish circuit. O’Halloran became the fifth different race winner of the season last time out, whilst Jackson aims for his first top three finish of 2023.
Reigning Quattro Group British Supersport champion Jack Kennedy and Mar-Train Racing Yamaha currently lie equal on points in eighth with the second LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha of Ryan Vickers, who claimed his first podium finish in Bennetts BSB last time out. However just a single point puts them ahead of Oxford Products Racing Ducati’s Christian Iddon, who in turn holds a one point advantage over the second FHO Racing BMW Motorrad contender, Peter Hickman.
There will however be several riders hoping that the fast and frantic dynamic of Knockhill can play to their advantage this weekend, including Danny Kent (Lovell Kent Racing Honda), Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing), Storm Stacey (Starline Racing Kawasaki), Tom Neave (Honda Racing UK) and Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW).
Meanwhile championship rookies Max Cook (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki), Bradley Perie (Lee Hardy Racing Kawasaki) and Jack Scott (Rapid CDH Racing Kawasaki) will be eager to impress.
This weekend’s fourth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship will be live on Eurosport 2 with Sunday’s raceday also broadcast live on free-to-air channel Quest.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
- Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 119
- Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 116
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team) 114
- Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) 110
- Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 109
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 70
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) 70
- Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 50
- Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Racing Yamaha) 50
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 49
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Tommy Bridewell
BeerMonster Ducati
“I think for me, Knockhill is crucial to really maximise the potential for one lap in qualifying to put ourselves ideally on the front row and worst case, on the second row, then take the race from there.
“I feel that we have good potential there and a good opportunity to do a good weekend, so we just need to let it play out and go from there. The goal is always to extend the championship lead and that is definitely something that I will be looking to do.
“The test that we had at Knockhill was positive and we were bang on the pace. The main thing for us was to get as many laps under our belt so that our side of the team could analyse the data over the break to come back stronger this weekend.”
More, from a press release issued by BeerMonster Ducati:
Bennetts BSB Leaders BeerMonster Ducati Head For Knockhill
The picturesque circuit of Knockhill in Fife is the destination for round four of the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship with Lake District-based BeerMonster Ducati hoping to continue their recent good form.
Arriving at the Scottish track which overlooks the Firth of Forth, Paul Bird’s riders Tommy Bridewell and Glenn Irwin occupy first and second place in the standings aboard their factory supported BeerMonster Ducati F23s.
After a four-week break, Wiltshire-based Bridewell heads the title chase by just three points ahead of Irwin, from County Antrim, with Tommy winning a race at Oulton Park and following it up with five additional podiums. Glenn, meanwhile, has won two races so far at Silverstone and Oulton Park, and has four podium finishes to his name out of the nine races held so far.
But neither rider can rest on their laurels as the chasing pack is ready to pounce, with just ten points separating the top five riders ahead of the three races this weekend around the tight and twisty 1.27-mile circuit.
Neither Bridewell nor Irwin has won a Bennetts BSB race at Knockhill although the PBM team have had plenty of success over the years at what is effectively one of their local tracks, being located just over the border in Cumbria.
Tommy Bridewell: “It’s been good to have a little bit of a break since the last round and I’ve enjoyed a holiday and recharged my batteries. That said, we had a great one-day test at Knockhill during the break which gave us some good data to work with. That has given the team some time to work on settings ahead of the weekend. Because of the nature of the circuit, qualifying is crucial as it’s difficult to make passes in the races, so a good set-up is vital from the start. Arriving as championship leader, the idea is to consolidate that position, but I know it’s not going to be easy.”
Glenn Irwin: “It will be great to visit Scotland as it’s as near as I get to a home round, and I always have lots of support which I enjoy. We had a good test at Knockhill a couple of weeks ago and worked through what we needed to and made some good improvements. So, we arrive a little further ahead than we would be with a new bike so we’ll see what that brings. But we know the weekend will present us with some challenges, so both me and the team need to be 100% and we should be fine. Hopefully, the weather holds, and we can enjoy another successful meeting.”
For further information on BeerMonster please visit https://beermonster.com and the new PBM website, www.pbmuk.net. For all details on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, please visit www.britishsuperbike.com.
More, from a press release issued y Honda Racing UK:
It’s back to British Superbikes for round 4 at Knockhill
Fresh from the fantastic Isle of Man TT races, the Honda Racing team now get back to business in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Knockhill Racing Circuit for round four.
After putting in a fighting ride at Donington Park GP in the previous round and breaking into the top ten to secure his best-ever finish in the championship series to date, Tom Neave will be hoping to continue his breakthrough form to maintain his charge up the championship standings. He heads to the 1.27-mile Scottish circuit with a previous-best finish aboard a Fireblade of fourth in the Pirelli National Superstock series during his championship-winning year in 2021.
Tom will be the sole entrant for the Honda Racing team at this upcoming round as teammate Andrew Irwin continues to recover from the injuries sustained as a result of his crash during private testing at the same circuit on 30th May.
Honda will be hoping to continue its dominant form in the Pirelli National Superstock series. In the hands of various riders and teams, the current model Fireblade has now occupied every podium position, bar a single third-place finish, in all of the races this year. Cementing the potential of this current model.
Free practice fires into life at 13.00 on Friday 16th ahead of the initial BikeSocial Sprint race on Saturday. To see a full weekend timetable click here.
#68 Tom Neave
After completing my first proper UK test this year at Knockhill recently, I can go into the round feeling like I can pick up from where we left it in that test and kick on straight away in FP1. This will stand me in good stead for the weekend, and hopefully give me a bit of a head start on those who missed the test.
I really like Knockhill, it is a proper rider’s track, you’ve got to get your elbows out and I’ve gone really well there in previous years in some of the other classes. In my championship year for Honda, I managed to get a fourth and a fifth there too after coming back from a knee injury.
I’m hoping to continue the momentum that I’ve built over the previous rounds into this one and get some more top-tens. My confidence is growing and we are taking steps, they might be baby steps but it’s coming.
It’s a shame that Andrew isn’t going to be here with us, I hope his recovery is going well and I wish him all the best. I hope that he gets back to it soon.
Australian Superbike: Championship Heading To Hidden Valley Raceway
Herfoss in Hot Pursuit as Championship Fight Heats up in Darwin
When it comes to Charles Darwin, most people can easily quote his famous phrase, “Survival of the fittest.” This resonates strongly in Darwin, NT, as round four of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) takes place.
While the June weather in the NT is generally pleasant and ludicrously lovely, it still remains hot and unforgiving which comes as a rude shock to Alpinestars Superbike competitors from southern Australia. Riders employ various methods to keep cool, including ice jackets, ice baths, oscillating fans, and even unconventional approaches like using kiddie wading pools and wheelie bins.
Josh Waters (McMartin Racing) entered round three at Queensland Raceway with a sizeable lead but saw it narrow due to outstanding performances by Penrite Honda’s Troy Herfoss, who displayed his champion-like indefatigability. Waters anticipated difficulties at QLD and focused on minimising losses, with the current points leader doing so with two respectable fourth-place finishes.
Nevertheless, finishing fourth wasn’t desirable, especially with all the main championship contenders ahead of him. Herfoss secured the maximum 51 points while Waters settled for 34, allowing Herfoss to cut the gap in half and firmly putting the pressure back on the #21 ahead of the upcoming round.
However, as a seasoned professional, Waters will put that behind him as the championship heads to Darwin for the winter leg of the competition. Waters boasts an impressive track record in Darwin, having secured a total of seven race wins at the Hidden Valley Raceway previously, with Herfoss and Jones being the closest contenders with two wins each.
Waters, aboard the Ducati, will enjoy the favourable conditions and track, particularly the 1.1KM long main straight and overall layout and will expect domination in the manner of the Sydney Motorsport Park and Phillip Island rounds. Furthermore, the heat shouldn’t bother him much, given his background as a lad from Mildura, and the Ducati has proven its excellence in hot conditions, although fuel economy must be carefully managed.
This round consists of three races with a maximum of 76 championship-affirming points up for grabs. Last year, former McMartin Racing rider Wayne Maxwell missed out on round victory and subsequently lost any chance of securing another championship due to a combination of rider errors and team issues. Valuable lessons were learned, and it is unlikely we will witness a repeat of those problems.
Among the riders likely to challenge Waters, Yamaha’s Mike Jones will be at the forefront. Jones trails Waters by 56 points and lags 38 points behind Herfoss, making it crucial for him to start closing the gap. Fellow Yamaha man Cru Halliday excels on faster circuits and has experienced a resurgence in 2023, so he won’t go down without putting up a fight. Herfoss, who returned to the podium in Darwin last year, can confidently put to rest any doubts about the circuit being a jinx. With his self-assured demeanour and belief, the Honda rider poses a significant threat.
We cannot forget the likes of Glenn Allerton (GT Racing BMW) and Bryan Staring (MotoGo Yamaha), who in recent years have shown glimpses of race winning speed and strategy, only to narrowly miss out. Allerton stood on the podium once last year while Staring did twice, they’ll be looking to have their BMW M1000RR and Yamaha R1 M in the mix come the chequered flag.
However, the Ducati, under the expert guidance of Craig McMartin, has evolved to its full potential, while 36-year-old Josh Waters, at the peak of his abilities and maturity, makes the McMartin Panigale V4 R an irresistible force.
Indigenous Round
A number of ASBK teams have joined the Indigenous Round theme for this year once again with striking new looks. Penrite Honda, DesmoSport Ducati and MotoGo Yamaha all unveiled their liveries during the week, with more teams to showcase a new look in the coming days, stay tuned to the ASBK social media channels for more.
A proud Western Australian, Bryan Staring and MotoGo Yamaha have teamed up with Perth Artist, Xavier and Marlee Resources to create their livery.
When speaking about the design and it’s significance to him, Staring said, “The design incorporates Kings Park, Swan River and the people in the community. I think that’s a good showcase for Western Australia, but also for the company that’s behind it and the people that were responsible for bringing the artwork together, including Xavier (the artist), it’s a real honour to represent it. It’s close to my heart as I’m a proud Boorloo boy. “
The DesmoSport Ducati squad have also connected with their local region to develop their livery. Telling stories from the Yugambeh Language region (Gold Coast), they have partnered with indigenous artist, Luther Cora to continue telling stories of Aboriginal culture local to the team, and embracing with awe, the oldest living culture in the world.
Once again incorporating artwork from Lorraine White and partnering with the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School (MITS) for a charitable cause, the Penrite Honda crew unveiled the Fireblade alongside the Penrite Racing Supercars team in North Melbourne.
“I’m really excited about our indigenous livery this year, it’s always great to unveil a new livery and our team love getting behind the indigenous round,” said Herfoss. “Working with the Penrite Racing Supercars team and having matching liveries is a lot of fun and it’s great to incorporate artwork from Lorraine again this year to produce the liveries, as well as partner again with MITS to raise money for the kids. I think our Fireblade will be the best looking bike on track and I can’t wait to see it out there.”
In partnering with MITS, several auction items will be up for grabs to continue to support its mission, with Honda Australia generously donating a CRF50 stickered up as a Penrite Honda, Herfoss replica. You can find the auction site here.
MotoGP: Bagnaia Returns To Sachsenring In Much Different Position
Bagnaia and Bastianini back on track this weekend for the German GP at the Sachsenring
After a perfect weekend at Mugello that saw Pecco Bagnaia taking victory, pole position, setting the fastest race lap and winning Saturday’s Sprint, the Ducati Lenovo Team is now ready to take to the track again for the German GP. Hosting the seventh round of the 2023 MotoGP season will be the Sachsenring circuit, located in the north of the country a few kilometres from the town of Chemnitz.
Bagnaia, who last year reached his biggest deficit in the Championship at the Sachsenring following a crash (-91 points), arrives this year at the German GP as Championship leader with a 21-point lead over second-placed Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Racing Team). The reigning World Champion will also try to maintain his momentum in Germany.
On the other side of the garage, teammate Bastianini is 20th in the Championship after he took part in his first race this year in the last Italian GP. The rider from Rimini, who is still not 100% fit, managed to close both the Sprint and the Sunday GP in the top ten, a result which was above expectations considering the long absence he took from racing after the injury in Portimão in mid-March. On the Sachsenring track, which is physically less demanding than Mugello, Bastianini aims to be more competitive.
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1st (131 points)
“The weekend at Mugello was really perfect and gave me the right energy to face this race weekend in Germany as well. I know the Tuscan track very well; I’ve lapped there a lot, and that helped me, but the feeling with my Desmosedici allowed me to make a difference. I hope to be able to find these feelings again right away at Sachsenring: the goal will always be the same. To work well from the first sessions and arrive as ready as possible for the Sprint and Sunday’s race.”
Enea Bastianiani (#23, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 20th (8 points)
“I’m glad to be able to get right back on track. The weekend at Mugello turned out to be positive, and even though I struggled a lot in the race, I managed to get a result that I never expected at first. It still takes time to be 100 per cent, but Sachsenring will be less physically demanding than the circuit we raced on last weekend, so I hope to do even better in the German GP.”
Ducati Lenovo Team riders will take to the track for Practice 1 at the Sachsenring track on Friday, 16th June, at 10:45am local time. The Sprint will run over a 15-lap distance on Saturday at 3:00pm, while the German GP will kick off on Sunday at 2:00pm over a distance of 30 laps.
The Loudon Classic: A Pillar Of American Road Racing
Motorcycle races come and go. Grand Prix racing in the United States, for example, has taken place since World War II in four different locations – Daytona, Laguna, Indianapolis and Austin – with gaps as long as 23 years between Grand Prix events.
Through it all, the Loudon Classic has been there. Since the time of World War I, when motorcycles were barely more than motorized bicycles and paved roads were a novelty, motorcyclists have descended on the New Hampshire Lakes Region for rallies, recreation and racing.
The actual beginning of the race that would become known as the Loudon Classic is shrouded in the mists of history. The first rally in the area took place in 1916, and was (according to Wikipedia) officially recognized in 1923 by the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM), an organization later to become the American Motorcyclists Association. Part of what the FAM called its Gypsy Tour, the rally was a destination event to promote motorcycling. Now known as Laconia Motorcycle Week, the event “included races, shows and a motorcycle hill climb competition,” Wikipedia states.
Now, one must be clear that the modern concept of an organized race is very, very different than what was happening back then. According to the book Laconia Motorcycle Week, edited by Charlie St. Clair and Jennifer Anderson, “The unorganized motorcycle hill climbs took place on Tower Street off of Lakeside Avenue, while other races took place anywhere they could be managed.” It is easy to see why reliable information about these early races is difficult to come by.
Things got more organized in the 1930s. In 1933, the AMA introduced a new category of racing for street machines, and in 1934 organizers held a 200-mile race on a 3.3-mile track in Swanzey, New Hampshire. The first race to be called the Laconia Classic, the event was won by Babe Tancrede on a Harley-Davidson.
The race was held for a year at Old Orchard Beach, Main, then moved to the Belknap Recreational Area near Laconia in New Hampshire. It was held there until 1963, and during that time the rally grew to become the largest gathering of motorcyclists in the U.S. until its popularity was overtaken by the Sturgis rally in the 1970s.
When the Belknap circuit was closed after the 1963 race, another circuit was created in Loudon, approximately 20 miles away. The Bryar Motorsports Park circuit featured 11 turns in 1.6 miles, and was known for its spectator-friendliness – a fan in the stands could see pretty much the whole circuit. It was during this period that the event became known as the Loudon Classic. It was also known for the, um, unruly behavior of some of those in attendance.
American motorcycling historian Larry Lawrence wrote in a recent article: “Loudon gained a reputation for the wild atmosphere that encompassed the event. Riders camped in the woods surrounding the track, and when the sun went down the craziness began. One particular area of the camping grounds surrounding the track known as ‘Animal Hill’ gained notoriety for its wild happenings, such as car and motorcycle burnings, dirt hill motorcycle drag races, and fireworks fights, sometimes all at once.”
After the 1989 event – won by AMA Superbike Champion Jamie James – the track was closed and the New Hampshire Motor Speedway constructed at the location. It features an oval/road course, but unusually, the road course section of the circuit snakes outside of the oval. Increasing speeds and a lack of runoff room led to the race being removed from the AMA Pro Road Racing calendar – it’s noteworthy that the Classic is run with middleweight machines. Eric Bostrom won the final AMA Superbike race at the facility in 2001.
MotoGP: Dorna Previews The Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland
Get in the ring! MotoGP™ gears up for a showdown in Germany
The King of the Ring. The reigning Champion on a roll. Binder looking to make up ground… and Martin making his presence felt. Here comes part two of the triple header!
Wednesday, 14 June 2023
Here we go! We’ve packed up and headed north for the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, and what a race weekend we have ahead. There are few venues more different to each other than Mugello and the Sachsenring, and there are few riders who have a record like one does on this turf. But King of the Ring Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), with 11 wins at the track across all classes, arrives from a crash out in Italy that left him frustrated, and with no points yet scored in a Grand Prix race in 2023. His speed, however… we’ve still seen plenty of that. So we have to start there.
THE RETURN OF THE KING?
On pole in Portugal, just missing out at Le Mans and then again in Mugello, with plenty of on-track discussions with his rivals along the way, is some record considering the last few weeks, months and years of Marc Marquez’ life. And he was on the podium in the first ever Tissot Sprint. Does that, and his undefeated record every time he’s raced at the Sachsenring since he won the 125cc race in 2010 by 17 seconds, say the most? Or is the mountain just a little too high in 2023 as we watch both a legendary rider and, crucially, factory pushing to get back to the top? We’re about to find out, and with more than just a sneak peek in the Sprint on Saturday. His “first” comeback saw him take back this crown. His second sees him as ready as ever to put his elbows out and try to repeat the feat.
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION
12 months on, it’s quite something to look at Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) then and now. Pecco arrives in Germany with a 21-point lead in 2023, having just reigned his home Grand Prix, which is a far, far cry from that record 91-point deficit he faced on Sunday evening at the Sacshenring last season. Then, he crashed out and Quartararo won… and it remains the Frenchman’s most recent victory as 2023 proves a tough season. Can this venue start some sparks of a turnaround for him and Yamaha? And what of teammate Franco Morbidelli, who had some Sunday sass of his own, as he beat El Diablo at Mugello?
But back to Bagnaia. It was some performance on home turf and he added another full house weekend – pole, Sprint win and GP win – to create that gap at the top. Can that form continue at the Sachsenring, a venue with some very different characteristics and, in the era before this, a tougher track for Ducati?
MORE, MORE, MORE
Some left Mugello wanting a whole lot more, and no one more so than Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team). It wasn’t a terrible weekend, with a Sprint podium in second, but it was an expensive one in the standings as he’s now 20 points further back after a tougher Sunday. But despite not quite being able to get in the battle, he kept it calm for some points that may well prove valuable. Can he come out swinging at the Sachsenring?
Meanwhile at KTM, it was a mixed bag at Mugello but the Austrian factory left with some solid points. The kind of points that, in pre-season, looked dreamy, and now seem a little disappointing as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) gets stuck in near the top of the standings and new teammate Jack Miller continues to show some serious speed only six races in on the RC16. So what have they got for Germany? KTM have a podium at the track and Miller too on different machinery, and he and Binder have solid records here… all of which says they’ll likely be in contention again.
ON THE MOVE
Some big winners at Mugello, even if they might not have quite made it to the top step, were Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco. Both on the GP podium and Martin also visiting the Sprint rostrum, it was a good haul of points and an impressive show of speed. Having also previously been a tough track for Martin, the turnaround is notable – and it’s bumped him up to third in the standings. Zarco, meanwhile, is the only MotoGP™ rider not called Marc Marquez to have started from pole in Germany when the number 93 was on the grid. So that’s a feather in the cap of the Frenchman as he continues gaining some momentum this season too.
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) also impressed at Mugello. Despite his injured hand, he held on for a solid Sprint result and fought Zarco nearly to the end of the GP race for that podium on Sunday. With a few more days to recover, can he stay in that fight? And it’s a similar question for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) as he rode through the pain barrier to a more than solid sixth place, and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) as he returned from injury but is still on the road to full fitness. Still, he was straight back into the top ten.
LOOKING FOR SOME MOMENTUM
Top of the pile here must surely be Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). He crashed out in the Sprint in a controversial clash with Binder and probably made the biggest splash with that needle-threading Turn 1 encounter on Sunday, but the number 73 actually also deserves a better headline: he’s the only rider who matched Bagnaia on speed as the two set identical fastest laps. The story of Alex Marquez’s year so far is serious pace, a couple of mistakes and a large dash of bad luck, but the latter two don’t cancel out the first and he can’t be counted out of the fight at the front.
Next up? Someone who fought for the podium at the Sachsenring last year: Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing). He just missed out on Q2 on Friday in Italy and it didn’t get better from there, but it most definitely has the potential to. Then there’s Miguel Oliveira (CryptoData RNF MotoGP™ Team), who crashed out in Mugello and will want some solid points despite that shoulder still bothering him, and teammate Raul Fernandez wants to find that Friday form after a tougher time once the lights went out.
Rookie Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) retains his record of points every Sunday alongside only Quartararo and Morbidelli, but after that fourth in France, P15 wasn’t the aim in Mugello so he’ll want more. So too will Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), who slipped backwards a little last time out.
Meanwhile, Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) took some points on Sunday but only had Marquez as a reference at Honda, and that will continue in Germany – no mean benchmark. Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) will sit the race weekend out and won’t be replaced, and Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) will be sidelined for some time after breaking his leg. LCR also won’t replace him. Jonas Folger, meanwhile, will continue on duty for GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 at the venue where he took his premier class podium.
So that’s the grid. Bagnaia is in the hot seat, Bezzecchi and Binder want to gain some ground back, Martin is on a roll… and still, when you’ve won 11 times at the track and have eight World Championships, Marc Marquez is there to steal a huge chunk of the headlines as we head to the Sachsenring. Previously, the number 93’s longest win drought was the 581 days between Valencia in 2019 and the 2021 German Grand Prix. Since his most recent win in Emilia-Romagna in 2021, it will now be 602. You don’t want to miss this.
SHOWTIME
Friday’s practice sessions decide the automatic entrants to Q2, before the MotoGP™ grid qualify on Saturday morning. The Tissot Sprint is set for lights out at 15:00 on Saturday as ever, and the Grand Prix gets going at 14:00 CEST!
Tissot Sprint: Saturday 15:00 (GMT +2)
Grand Prix Race: Sunday 14:00 (GMT +2)
Moto2™: Arbolino vs Acosta arrives in Germany
If France was one twist, Mugello was another as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) hit back in style to dominate the Italian GP. But Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), despite a difficult weekend, found more than just a step on race day to take second and a valuable 20 points. That leaves him with a healthy gap at the top of the Championship in tact, so what will Germany bring?
Behind that duo, Jake Dixon (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team) was back on the podium and says it’s that first part of the race where he’s got to focus on taking a step forward, and that was true in a different way of another perennial threat at the front: Alonso Lopez (MB Conveyors SpeedUp). He had a coming together with Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), went off on his first Long Lap attempt and then had to do another… but managed quite a comeback thereafter. Can he iron out that drama in Germany? And can Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) find something more on race day?
Find out on Sunday at 12:15 (GMT +2)!
Moto3™: Can anyone stop Holgado?
Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) put in a convincing performance at Mugello, as if the same hadn’t already been true. But in a five-way fight for the win, the number 96 came out on top once again… so can anyone stop him at the Sachsenring?
Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) definitely tops the list of those looking to try. He missed out on that win at Mugello by almost nothing and was out-dragged on the straight, a challenge that should be a little smaller for the now-taller rider in Germany. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), now on a consistent run at the front and on the podium in Italy, will also want to threaten, as will Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) as he lost out. Rookie sensation David Alonso (Valresa GASGAS Aspar) will want to keep impressing too, and those who had back of the grid penalties in Germany will be back in the mix…
Tune in for more Moto3™ on Sunday at 11:00 (GMT+2)!
MotoE: Krummenacher Quickest In FP1 In Germany
Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE Team’s Randy Krummenacher was quickest during FIM MotoE Free Practice One at Sachsenring, in Germany.
MotoE FP1
MotoGP: Marc Marquez Says “It’s True I Override Sometimes”
“I’m ready to attack!”: Thursday talking points at the Sachsenring
Hear from Bagnaia, Bezzecchi, Martin, Marc Marquez, Binder, Zarco and Quartararo!
Thursday, 15 June 2023
And we’re BACK! The Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland is our second stop on the triple header as we keep it pinned, and ahead of track action, two press conferences covered some key talking points with some key faces:
The first comprised Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), before the second saw Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) joined by Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing).
Here are some key quotes!
FRANCESCO BAGNAIA: “It’s a track where last year the performance was there. Friday we were competitive, pole position and in the race we know what happened, I crashed. The important thing is to start how we finished in Mugello and the same way I had the feeling last year so let’s try. It won’t be easy, it looks like the conditions can change quickly like today so let’s see. I am confident the performance is there, and we can be competitive against the top riders.”
Last years’ experience and taking that for 2023?
“To believe always. It was a difficult moment. It wasn’t the first time I was competitive and then I lost everything I just tried to understand what happened, I just tried to understand our potential. The meeting after the race was very important for the team and for me. From that moment, everything changed from Assen. At the front, we were always competitive and fighting for the win and it was a great comeback. My feeling was incredible with the bike and sometimes I still think about the Sachsenring from last year where we had to be more focused.”
On the Miller Mugello start onboard?
“I saw him at that moment when he was raising his arm. I thought he started from the second row and closed the line on someone and thought he was saying sorry! In MX when you do the holsehot, they are happy so they raise the arm like that. It was fun to see!”
MARCO BEZZECCHI: “Sunday at Mugello was a bit frustrating because I was expecting a bit more, of course beating Pecco was very difficult as I saw in the Sprint because he was very quick, but I thought there was the possibility to stay with Jorge or Johann to fight for the top five at least. But immediately when I started the race I felt really bad with the front end of the bike and I couldn’t really understand why, so we took some days to forget this day but when I got here I immediately started to look at the data and trying to understand, we saw what the problem was and fortunately it wasn’t because of my riding. I was a bit nervous for this but fortunately it wasn’t this. Now we can concentrate on this round and try to do a little bit better.”
Can you tell us what the problem was?
“I think no, haha.”
Is this a good track to bounce back at?
“Yeah it’s a track I like, it’s very particular because it’s very small with a MotoGP bike but in the past years I’ve been able to get a podium in Moto2 and Moto3, so it will be nice to ride it again on a MotoGP bike. Last year I was not so bad but it will be difficult for me to be close to the top riders like Marc or Pecco who are really quick here, but I will try my best to make the best performance I can to try to get a good result and continue in this positive few races that I’m making.”
JORGE MARTIN: “I feel great with the bike. I know the bike really well and I know where the limit is more or less, for sure Pecco knows it a bit better but I feel I’m closing the gap, every time I am stronger and finishing races is one of the keys so I hope to keep this progress.”
Chances of victory?
“Yeah, the Sunday win is still missing and hopefully it comes soon. I’m not in a rush, I want to always finish close to the podium, that would be amazing. My time will come for sure. Sachsenring is a nice track, I always enjoy riding here. I won in Moto3 here, the last seasons haven’t been so bad, so I hope to be competitive.”
MARC MARQUEZ: “I’m interested to see how it is here at the Sachsenring, especially because I couldn’t race two good circuits for my riding style, Argentina and Americas, so this is the first circuit I’ll race this season where normally I feel comfortable from P1 on. But it will be difficult, I’m not coming from my best moment, I’m coming from two crashes in a row on Sunday, so of course your confidence gets lower, but anyway I’m arriving with a good mentality and I’d like to be on the podium on Sunday.
On injury worries, and Honda riders riding on the limit:
“I’m not worried about another injury, if you do you’re not fast on the racetrack. But it’s true the way we’re riding now, I feel ready. Last year I wasn’t ready to attack but now I’m ready to attack, I’m riding well and I feel ready to be there. But it’s true I override sometimes. In Le Mans it was normal because I was pushing for the podium, and I was pushing too much. But in Mugello I was very comfortable, I mean I was controlling myself, because I chose the soft rear, I was controlling the gas and the situation to finish in the top six or top seven because that was possible. But I crashed, went wide and I didn’t expect it but I lost the front. We’ll see, but I’ll keep going and keep pushing to change the situation for the future.”
On a meeting at Mugello with Honda senior management:
“It wasn’t the first meeting I’ve had with HRC, but an important one because Aoyama-san and Watanabe-san, big bosses. It was important. The feeling was good in the meeting and, in the future but not far way and soon, we need some reaction there. We have very good riders in Honda and we need something more to fight for the top positions.”
On Jorge Lorenzo’s statement he believes Marc could go to KTM:
“Next race he’ll say Aprilia, no? Jokes aside, now in MotoGP the level is super high. All manufacturers. It looks like Honda and Yamaha are struggling a bit more, but the European manufacturers are pushing a lot and they are going very aggressive mode to develop the bike. And it’s there we’re trying to react, together with Honda, to improve this year and especially the Misano test looking to 2024… we’re working together to try and be there. But of course… I appreciate Jorge haha.”
What’s needed this weekend to bring you closer to the front?
BRAD BINDER: “Looking back at last week it was incredible to walk away with the 366km/h, it’s quite crazy to think about it but in general I’m quite excited to get started here at the Sachsenring, it’s a track I have a lot of great memories at, I got my first World Championship podium here, my first win in Moto2 and in GP I’ve always had quite good races, not quite so good last year but other than that I’ve always had a good feeling here so I’m excited to get started, the way our bike is working this season I think we can be incredibly competitive here and I’m looking forward to see where we really pan out.”
Turning a key weapon here this weekend?
“Definitely. It’s clear we struggled a bit more in Mugello where things were a lot more flowing but where we have to brake and really stop the bike and use our acceleration to get out, we are much stronger than last season. I see things being a lot better for us here and yeah we have some small things to try and improve in the rolling long corners, and if we can do so I’m sure we’ll be in for a good weekend.”
Setting or new parts?
“Just simply playing with the settings.”
Does the nature of the track add to the pressure of qualifying?
“I think if we look back at previous seasons here it can be less than 0.3 from first to tenth. So with it being such a short track things are extremely tight, extremely close, and yeah it’s going to be important to try get a strong lap in to try get a spot in Q2.”
Are you a contender this weekend?
JOHANN ZARCO: “I’m sure I have the package, with the bike and the team we are competitive and we enjoy the Ducati a lot at the moment. I’m not the only one, we have other fast riders. The package is ready but we have to choose the tyres well as it is a particular track. I don’t say the tyre makes a real difference, but the way you use it can make a difference. Let’s see how we begin on Friday. The weather conditions also – to adapt as well as possible. Last year I had a fantastic race trying to catch Fabio. I had the harder tyre he had the medium, but I couldn’t catch him. He didn’t give up and I could not catch him. It would be nice to repeat these kind of moments but with an even better feeling.”
Ducati transfer rumours… what’s plan A for Zarco?
“I hope (to stay). Clearly, it’s the best place to be. The way I can perform now and enjoy with the team. With Jorge we are three years together. He was not so consistent the last two years, since the beginning of the year, it’s only the first race he really missed out, now he is there. We are together here now, why not continue going like this!?”
Does the nature of the track add to the pressure of qualifying?
“Different circuit to Mugello but same challenge. With the Sprint we are learning QP is getting more and more important. I would love to be on the front row, even the first two rows because the last few races I’ve been on the third. Even if I did a good race in Mugello, it’s not making the work easier, so it would be good to be in the top three guys to push for the podium on Saturday and Sunday.”
Optimistic about being at the front this weekend?
FABIO QUARTARARO: “To be at the front, I don’t know. To be honest, the main goal for me this weekend is trying to be in the top ten from tomorrow to at least help in qualifying to secure a good place, because you know the last few qualifyings were terrible for us. Hopefully we can make a step, especially in qualifying. Then the races is a different thing.”
Is this the toughest moment of your career?
“Of my career no, in MotoGP, yes. I’m struggling to understand it because we didn’t make big changes but it totally changed the way of riding my bike, and especially we’re missing a lot from last year, from 2021, but this year I’m struggling especially with new tyres to do one lap. So we have to find a solution and take the best from ourselves.”
Thoughts on Morbidelli’s ‘who says I want another year with Yamaha?’
“I loved it quite a lot when I saw the video, but it’s not my job to evaluate what he’s saying, so… it’s something that made me laugh but I don’t really care.”
Do you hope Franco is your teammate in 2024?
“I don’t go into these things. I think he and Yamaha know exactly what they’re doing, so it’s all in their hands.”
Does the Sachsenring make it even more crucial to get a good grid spot?
“I think first of all for us, it’s to go straight into Q2 and then we’ll see. But the goal is to start on the first two rows, even the third I’ll accept.”
Dainese San Diego Opening June 17
Dainese Group Announces Grand Opening of San Diego Flagship Location
An Experience with Racing Memorabilia and Full Lines of Protective Wear from Dainese Group Brands; Dainese, AGV Helmets, and TCX Footwear
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – JUNE 15, 2023 – Dainese (www.dainese.com), the world leader of protective wear for dynamic sports, today announced the grand opening of its latest flagship retail location in San Diego.
The new San Diego D-Store retail location offers an extensive range of Dainese’s cutting-edge motorcycle apparel, including leather suits, jackets, pants, gloves, boots, and advanced protective gear. With a reputation built on decades of innovation and commitment to rider safety, Dainese continues to push boundaries in technology, design, and craftsmanship, catering to the evolving needs of the motorcycle community. Product highlights include the world’s first and most advanced wearable airbag system for any type of motorcyclist. From D-air racing suits and jackets for street and touring and the versatile Smart Jacket can be worn underneath or above other garments for everyday use.
Visitors to the San Diego D-Store can experience Dainese’s Custom Works program and design the leathers of their dreams with full personalization, including colors, graphic art, logos, and more. The innovative line of AGV Helmets will also be available, including the just-launched Tourmodular, K6, Pista GP RR along with the AX-9, and Legends Collection. As well as the full 2023 footwear collection for TCX Boots built with maximum protection and comfort on – and off-road, for all four seasons.
“The new San Diego store is a true experience, and we’re very excited to be opening our doors in this dynamic city that is one of the most enthusiastic markets for the motorcycle industry ” said Louis Ortega, General Manager, Dainese North America. “We are excited to see our D-store San Diego location become one of the many spots this great city has to offer for group rides, events and a place for the community to gather and connect.”
San Diego is a strategic location for the brand. Known for its thriving motorcycle community, picturesque landscapes, and favorable riding conditions, San Diego is one of the top markets for motorcycle protective apparel sales.
Dainese San Diego is conveniently located at 3740 Rosecrans St. Suite F, San Diego, CA 92110, just down the street from the Pechanga Arena. In addition to the store’s retail offerings, Dainese San Diego will regularly host group rides and meetups, fostering a sense of community among local riders.
MotoGP: Hans-Georg Anscheidt Joins MotoGP Legends
Hans-Georg Anscheidt becomes a MotoGP™ Legend
The German rider is inducted into the Hall of Fame on home turf at the Sachsenring
Thursday, 15 June 2023
Hans-Georg Anscheidt is now a MotoGP™ Legend! The German was one of the most successful riders in the first decade of the 50cc World Championship and won three back-to-back World Championships in the class from 1966 to 1968.
Born in Königsberg (now Kaliningrad) in 1935, Anscheidt started riding Enduro in 1955 before switching to Speedway in 1957, then taking on the new challenge of 50cc circuit racing from 1959. After European level success, Anscheidt continued racing for Kreidler when the 50cc class officially debuted as a World Championship in 1962.
He won the first race of the season at Montjuïc and took a second Grand Prix win at Monza in the Nations Grand Prix, finishing the year runner up overall – a feat he repeated in 1963 as he added three more victories to his count. He then ended 1964 in third place overall, taking another win, before a tougher 1965 ahead of a switch to Suzuki.
That switch saw Anscheidt begin an incredible winning run. He took his first 50cc World Championship in 1966 and it didn’t stop there as the German won an impressive three titles in a row from 1966 to 1968. Remarkably, the first two saw Anscheidt compete as a factory Suzuki rider, but in 1968 he won his final Championship as a privateer. With his name in the history books as a three-time World Champion and winner of 14 Grands Prix, Anscheidt retired as the reigning Champion at the end of 1968.
Now he joins a list of MotoGP™ Legends that includes Valentino Rossi, Giacomo Agostini, Hugh Anderson, Kork Ballington, Max Biaggi, Alex Crivillé, Mick Doohan, Stefan Dörflinger, Andrea Dovizioso, Geoff Duke, Wayne Gardner, Mike Hailwood, Nicky Hayden, Jorge Lorenzo, Daijiro Kato, Eddie Lawson, Marco Lucchinelli, Randy Mamola, Anton Mang, Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez, Angel Nieto, Dani Pedrosa, Wayne Rainey, Phil Read, Jim Redman, Kenny Roberts, Kenny Roberts Jr, Jarno Saarinen, Kevin Schwantz, Barry Sheene, Marco Simoncelli, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, John Surtees, Luigi Taveri, Carlo Ubbiali and Franco Uncini.
CARMELO EZPELETA, CEO OF DORNA: “It’s a special pleasure for me to meet today Hans-Georg Anscheidt, I was telling his son that I was especially happy because I had the chance to see him race in Spain in Montjuïc in 63 or 64, I was starting my great feeling for bikes and I remember the sound of the Suzuki, a lot of gearbox! I remember it so well. He was a very successful rider and it’s a big honour to induct him into the MotoGP Hall of Fame.”
HANS-GEORG ANSCHEIDT as translated by his son, Achim Anscheidt:
“When he started his career at the start of the 60s, it was in European races, the motorcycles were almost like racing mopeds doing a maximum of 100km/h. And then from 1961 it became more serious racing, international and in the European championship, and at the same time competing in the German championship. After beginning his career with offroad and dirt track, he signed a contract with the Kreidler factory from Stuttgart and became factory rider and a test rider from 1961 to 1964, and was second in the title in 1962 and 1963.
“In this time he was employed by Kreidler not only racing on roads, and also doing offroad and six-day trials and enduro. Kreidler then decided to stop factory road racing, against Suzuki and Honda they didn’t have much chance. And then a very secretive Japanese person put a Telegram in his hand telling him to contact the factory in Hamamatsu! And in six years he’d seen Mr Kreidler once. So he wrote a letter to him, saying can you please let me do this race. Suzuki wanted him to do the last Grand Prix of 1965 and Mr Kreidler said yes. And good luck! Then the Suzuki time began.
“He had a lot of success with Suzuki with the 50cc and 125cc machinery, but they always said they wanted me to do 50cc. The 50cc class was very challenging in terms of the technical development, almost like Group B rally development in the 1990s. Technology got so exotic and only Suzuki and Honda really were able to produce it. The motorcycle is mostly titanium, the frame is aluminium, two cylinders and a 14-speed gearbox, with a usable rev range between 17,500 and 18,000.
“He became World Champion in 1966 and 1967, but Suzuki decided to withdraw. So my father asked nicely if he could have a bike and spares, and Suzuki granted it him. This one was raced by Katayama in 1967, it had a terrible accident and went back to Japan. They repaired it there and then they decided to give it to my father to race it in 1968 and he became a privateer World Champion.
“He is very thankful to Dorna and the management for giving him the chance to be here, and that he was able to invite his family. So thank you, thank you very much.”
World Endurance: BMW Motorrad Team Looking To Repeat At Spa 24-Hour
EVENT PREVIEW: SPECTACULAR SPA TO CHALLENGE EWC HEROES BY DAY AND BY NIGHT
*All-action FIM EWC season continues with second edition of 24H SPA EWC Motos
*Legendary Belgian track to provide a tough test for rider and machine
*36 permanent EWC teams set for FIM Endurance World Championship glory chase
*Dunlop Superstock Trophy adds to the exciting twice round-the-clock spectacle
International motorcycle racing’s ultimate rollercoaster contest is about to get under way with Belgium’s legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps gearing up to host round two of the FIM Endurance World Championship, the 24H SPA Motos, from tomorrow (Friday) until Sunday.
Reviving the spirit of the famous 24 Heures de Liège, which was part of the EWC up until 2001, the second edition of the 24H SPA EWC Motos is hotly anticipated following on from the action-packed season-opening 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans in April.
It’s also an event with a formidable reputation as riders race flat out on the 6.985-kilometre undulating track by day and by night with the prospect of changeable weather conditions always a factor at the venue, which is also home to the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix.
Viewers in 196 countries will be treated to spectacular coverage from the 24H SPA EWC Motos, one of the most exciting races in two-wheel motorsport, with live action available in 75 countries. Fans travelling to Spa can also look forward to three days of epic entertainment both on and off the track.
THE EWC STARS ASSEMBLING IN THE ARDENNES HOPING FOR A SPA BREAK
The second edition of the 24H SPA EWC Motos will be contested by some of the best riders in the business. Thirty-seven teams have entered with world champions, national title winners, riders with MotoGP and World Superbike experience, plus young stars aiming for the top in the EWC all set to take part. Here’s a summary of just some of the entry highlights.
Take two for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team?
After winning the inaugural 24H SPA EWC Motos in June 2022, Belgian squad BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team is preparing to push for a victory double under the guidance of formidable ex-racer Werner Daemen. Riders Jérémy Guarnoni, Illya Mykhalchyk and Markus Reiterberger will be aiming to keep the #37 BMW at the top of the timesheets.
World champions on a roll
Having won the season-opening 24 Heures Motos at Le Mans, F.C.C. TSR Honda France is on a roll heading to Spa where it placed third in 2022 following a heroic final stint from Gino Rea. While the Briton won’t be in action this year as he continues his recovery from serious injury, the combination of Mike Di Meglio, Josh Hook and Alan Techer provide a potent threat.
Leblanc brings podium pedigree to Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar
Part of the TATI Team Beringer Racing line-up that finished second overall at Spa 12 months ago, Grégory Leblanc is a new addition to the Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar attack, which also includes Randy de Puniet and Spa rookie Kazuki Watanabe. Meanwhile, Spaniard Román Ramos takes Leblanc’s place on the #4 Kawasaki alongside Hugo Clere and Baptiste Guittet, part of the 2022 FIM Endurance World Cup-winning Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers Motostore squad.
Rivals eye Spa revenge
YART Yamaha and Yoshimura SERT Motul both have scores to settle at Spa. The Austrian YART team was leading in 2022 when engine failure spelt retirement on the final morning, while its Suzuki-powered rival lost out on a podium place during a thrilling late-race battle.
Home heroes on show
Belgium-based KM99 launched its EWC attack to the world ahead of last year’s 24H SPA EWC Motos. Now it’s preparing to put on a show for real with local rider Bastien Mackels finally getting the chance to compete at home in the EWC after injury ruled him out last season.
Inspired by past glories
Team Bolliger Switzerland’s Kevin Bolliger “grew up in the Spa paddock” watching his father Hanspeter competing in the 24 Heures de Liège, Belgium’s previous EWC fixture and the inspiration behind the 24H SPA EWC Motos. The Kawasaki squad is one of the leading privateer outfits preparing for action along with Yamaha-powered Moto Ain and Wójcik Racing Team, which welcomes back Sheridan Morais to its Formula EWC attack following injury. Honda Viltaïs Racing completed the 2022 EWC season with victory in the Bol d’Or and will look to Spa to build on its fine fourth place finish in April’s 24 Heures Motos, where ERC Endurance Ducati, Maco Racing, Motobox Kremer Racing and Team LRP Poland also scored important points. They will all be targeting more success at Spa where Mana’au Compétition soutient la Ligue contre le cancer will be a new permanent EWC team.
Superstock superstars
Headed by Le Mans-winning Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team, the Dunlop Superstock Trophy contingent also features ADSS 97, Chromeburner RAC41 Honda, Honda No Limits, National Motos Honda, Pitlane Endurance and Slider Endurance.
OG Motorsport World Endurance Team welcomes back Camille Hedelin to its ranks, while Gabriel Pons is returning to Team 33 Louit April Moto, which led in Spa last season.
Two-time Supermoto world champion Marc Reiner-Schmidt comes in for the injured Marco Fetz at Energie Endurance where Sander Claessen is a new recruit for Spa. An injury sustained in the Isle of Man TT Races recently has ruled out Matthieu Lagrive, leading to 3ART Best of Bike calling up Alex Plancassagne as his replacement.
Aviobike, Holland Motorstore Racing, JMA Racing Action Bike, Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers Motostore, Team 202, TRT Bazar 2 la Bécane, Uniserv Moto82 Team and Wójcik Racing Team will also be in contention for Dunlop Superstock Trophy honours along with Team Racing 85.
PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE:
Key FIM EWC timings are as follows:
Friday 16 June:
10h00-11h00: Free Practice
12h00-14h00: First Qualifying
15h15-17h15: Second Qualifying
17h30-18h00: Post-qualifying press conference (Room 132)
19h45-20h45: Pitwalk and autograph session
21h30-23h00: Night Practice
Saturday 17 June:
11h30-12h30: Pitwalk and autograph session
13h00: Pitlane open
13h20: Pitlane closed
14h00: Start of 24H SPA EWC Motos
Sunday 18 June:
14h00: Finish of 24H SPA EWC Motos
14h10: Podium ceremony
14h30: Post-race press conference (Room 132)
LIVE TIMING: https://www.its-live.net/#/live/ewc/2023/24hspa
24H SPA EWC MOTOS IN 100 WORDS:
A track as legendary as it is demanding hosted international-level motorbike racing for the first time since 2001 when the 24H SPA EWC Motos revived the spirit of the 24 Heures de Liège, once an EWC calendar mainstay, in June 2022. The iconic circuit underwent extensive safety upgrades mandated by FIM and FMB specifically for the EWC’s return with the 6.985-kilometre layout – the longest of the season – featuring expanded run-off areas, the repositioning of safety barriers, plus the realignment of Turn 9 for bike use only. Belgium-based BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team came out on top of a rain-hit race.
24H SPA EWC MOTOS FAST FACTS:
*The 24H SPA EWC Motos recreated the spirit of the famous 24 Heures de Liège, which counted as a round of the EWC up until 2001, when it ran for the first time in June 2022.
*It took place on a track upgraded specifically for the EWC as part of an investment programme costing 25 million euros.
*The return of the EWC to Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps was first discussed in 2015, shortly after Discovery Sports Events (formerly Eurosport Events) became championship promoter as part of a long-term agreement with governing body, FIM.
*At 6.985 kilometres, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the longest on the EWC calendar.
*Appointed as the event coordination agency for the first 24H SPA EWC Motos in June 2022, PHA Claude Michy was named local event promoter for a nine-year period in September 2022, in addition to continuing its existing responsibilities associated with organising the event.
24H SPA EWC MOTOS ESSENTIALS:
WHERE: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
LOCATION: Rte du Circuit 55, 4970 Stavelot, Belgium
WHEN: 16-18 June 2023
TRACK LENGTH: 6.985 kilometres
RACE DISTANCE: 24 hours
QUALIFYING LAP RECORD:
YART – Yamaha Official Team EWC – Karel Hanika, 2m18.845s, 2022
RACE LAP RECORD:
Yoshimura SERT Motul – Sylvain Guintoli, 2m21.056s, 2022
RECENT WINNERS:
2022: BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team (Markus Reiterberger, Illya Mykhalchyk, Jérémy Guarnoni), 508 laps
EXPERT VIEW BY BASTIEN MACKELS, KM99
“I know Spa really well but every time on the first day when you come back to Spa the circuit is so fast that you have to let one day for your brain to understand how fast is it, how faster is it compared to all the other tracks you have in Europe and even in the world. Of course we have to be patient and really concentrated on every corner, every lap of the track. We have to manage the speed on this track because it’s so much more faster than, let’s say, Le Mans. But it’s still not enough because the track allows you to go even faster so you have to learn lap after lap and get focused. It looks not so physical but you spend so much time in the long corners, left, right that it asks a lot from your body. There’s no question that Raidillon is the best corner in the world. Every rider who comes to Spa wants to try this corner. I can’t wait to be in the first lap because the first lap in Spa when you go full in fifth, this corner is amazing, you cannot compare this feeling. The compression in the corner is really incredible, I love it so much and every lap you are waiting for this corner. Full in fifth gear it will be something like 265kph with the slowest point around 200kph, amazing. In Spa the weather is even more difficult because the track is so big. In the past I remember it being dry in the paddock but wet and rainy on the other side of the track so it’s something you must be focused on. If you see a cloud coming you really have to take care about that because it’s possible that it’s raining on one side but not the other side. But in every endurance race you have to be really concentrated on the weather because it’s easy to make a mistake. If I knew something special about the weather I would keep it for me but it’s not really like that! I remember once we had hailstones and you could see these balls of ice jumping on the track, we were braking but we could see these balls of ice in the last chicane, it was really unbelievable. You really can have everything and maybe two weeks later it could be 35 degrees and you cannot breathe.”
More, from a press release issued by BMW Motorrad Motorsport:
24H SPA EWC Motos: BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team extra motivated ahead of FIM EWC home round.
- Round two of the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship.
- After last year’s historic victory, Markus Reiterberger, Ilya Mikhalchik and Jérémy Guarnoni now compete with the new #37 BMW M 1000 RR in the Spa-Francorchamps 24-hour race.
- Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team ready for its first outing in the Ardennes, following its Superstock win at Le Mans.
Spa-Francorchamps. The BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team is returning to the scene of its greatest success to date. This weekend, the 24H SPA EWC Motos (BEL) forms round two of the FIM Endurance World Championship 2023 (FIM EWC). Last year, the team and its riders Markus Reiterberger (GER), Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR) and Jérémy Guarnoni (FRA) claimed a historic victory in the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps. The success at the team’s home event was not only the first win in a 24-hour race for Werner Daemen’s (BEL) outfit, but also the first time a European manufacturer had won over this distance for several decades. All set for its first appearance at the event is the Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team. They start in the Superstock class of the FIM EWC and are making their debut on the Ardennes rollercoaster at Spa-Francorchamps.
This season, the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team is running the new version of the BMW M 1000 RR. The three regular riders – Reiterberger, Mikhalchik and Guarnoni – immediately finished on the podium in the first race with the new bike when the trio came home third on the #37 M RR at the opening round of the 2023 season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA) in mid-April. The team is now extremely motivated ahead of the second race of the season at the iconic racetrack, which is just a one-hour drive from the Belgian team’s base. The fourth rider at Spa-Francorchamps is Vincent Lonbois (BEL). Over the course of his career, the 32-year-old has spent many years riding BMW motorcycles at racetracks and on the road racing scene. In 2016, he was crowned champion in the International Road Racing Championship (IRRC) with the BMW S 1000 RR. He also finished runner-up in the BMW Motorrad Race Trophy in the same year.
The new Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team, in which the French Tecmas Racing Team and its owner Arnaud Sassone (FRA) is collaborating with Werner Daemen’s company Motorcycle Racing Parts and BMW Motorrad Motorsport, made a dream start to its debut season in the FIM EWC at Le Mans. Kenny Foray (FRA), Jan Bühn (GER) and Loïc Arbel (FRA) took victory in the Superstock class with the #9 BMW M 1000 RR. The team is now entering uncharted territory at Spa-Francorchamps. Although the Tecmas Racing Team has contested individual races in the FIM EWC in the past, it did not start the 24H SPA EWC Motos last year.
The race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps begins with free practice on Friday morning. The grid positions will then be determined in the two-part qualifying on Friday afternoon. The race itself gets underway on Saturday at 14:00 (CEST). As well as the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team and the Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team, private BMW outfit Team LRP Poland also competes at the 24H SPA EWC Motos.
Quotes ahead of the 24H SPA EWC Motos.
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “It goes without saying that last year’s fantastic victory remains a memorable one. We are now back in the Ardennes to face this special challenge again. We have shown that we can be successful at the home circuit for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, and are obviously hoping for a similar result this year. The current season got off to a successful start with the new BMW M 1000 RR at Le Mans, with third place overall for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team and the debut victory in the Superstock class for the Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team. We now travel to Spa-Francorchamps well prepared. The law of any 24-hour race obviously also applies here – namely that anything can happen. However, as far as the riders, teams and machinery are concerned, we are well prepared and very confident ahead of the weekend.“
Werner Daemen, Team Manager BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team: “We are expecting a hot week at Spa–Francorchamps. The weather forecast is perfect. Last week, we had a successful pre-test. I was a little bit worried about the weather but the new BMW M 1000 RR also looks very good in hot conditions this year. So I think that we are well prepared for defending our good result from last year and hopefully we also have the necessary luck.”
Markus Reiterberger: “Spa-Francorchamps is the home event for our team, and it is practically the home race for us too. Spa is a really great racetrack, and we have very fond memories of the circuit after last year’s victory. We completed a two-day function test there at a hobby event, during which we gained our first impressions of the new bike at this track. We now continue with the final tests, in which we will work on the fine-tuning. As a team, I believe we are better positioned than ever. We are ready. We want to at least finish on the podium, but would obviously prefer to win. That is the goal we have set ourselves. The weather forecast is good, the team is super. There is nothing to stop us being successful, and we will do everything we can to make that the case.”
Ilya Mikhalchik: “I am looking forward to a great race weekend at Spa on a beautiful track. I can’t wait to get back there with our new beautiful bike. Let’s hope for a good weekend and to enjoy riding our BMW M 1000 RR there. We want to show good speed over the entire weekend and to do a good job during the race. It would be great to finish the race on Sunday with a strong result.”
Jérémy Guarnoni: “The target for Spa is clear; like always, we want to win. We know that it is a track we are really fast on. Last year we won there, so obviously the goal is to repeat that. That would be really amazing. It is also a special race for us because it is the team’s home race. This gives us an extra motivation. We know that in dry conditions, we are really fast there so let’s see what will happen. I am confident. At the pre–test, we saw that all is okay. Everything is on point so let’s see.”
Arnaud Sassone, Team Owner Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team: “We arrive at Spa-Francorchamps as the championship leader and with an advantage of eleven points. That is perfect, but it does put us under extra pressure, which we must manage. This race at Spa is a first for my team of technicians, but we have worked hard and listened to our riders in order to be well prepared. BMW Motorrad has been successful at Spa in the past, with the overall victory for the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team last year. Our three Tecmas riders, led by their leader Kenny Foray, are a well-oiled team, which is both fast and capable of providing the engineers with precise information. They are also in great form and very motivated. All three of them are very familiar with the track in the Ardennes. Kenny took part in qualifying with the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team in 2022, while Loïc Arbel finished runner-up in the overall standings on the Tati Team’s Kawasaki. And Jan Bühn has been a regular at the Spa circuit for years.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:
Yamalube YART Yamaha Seeking Spa Redemption
The Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team head into Round 2 of the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship, the second edition of the 24H SPA EWC Motos, aiming to build on their podium at the opening round of the season in Le Mans and bounce back from their heart-breaking late DNF while leading last year’s race.
The YART Yamaha Team of Karel Hanika, Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz, and reserve-rider Robin Mulhauser are determined to get revenge at the 24H SPA EWC Motos after joy turned to despair during the 2022 edition of the race. Recovering from a tricky start, the team had mounted a sensational fightback to take the lead just before the 18-hour mark, only to see a technical issue force them to DNF and effectively end their championship aspirations.
Heading to Belgium in 2023 with 65 points up for grabs at each 24-hour race, the Australian squad are currently second in the EWC overall standings with 54 points after a stunning second place at the Le Mans 24 Heures Motos. The team is confident in following that result with another strong performance after topping Tuesday’s official test at Spa with a 2:19.657, 0.873s ahead of their nearest rival, as they look to lift their first title since 2009.
During the test, all three main riders showed excellent one-lap pace and managed to run extensive race simulations as they worked on finetuning the electronics setup and front-end feeling on the Bridgestone-shod #7 R1, while reserve-rider Mulhauser tested and prepared parts for the race. Their advantage at the top was even more impressive when you consider YART were one of the few leading EWC teams not to previously take part in a private test at the circuit in 2023.
The EWC returns to the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps for the second year in a row with the 24H SPA EWC Motos after a 21-year break, reviving the spirit of the famous 24 Heures de Liege that run until 2001.
The return of the historic Belgian track to the endurance calendar saw it undergo several changes to the layout to meet motorcycle racing safety requirements, including expanded run-off areas at several corners, repositioning of some safety barriers, and a minor realignment of Turn 9.
The new endurance-specific layout is 6.985km, making it the longest track on the calendar in 2023. It is also one of the fastest and features a combination of long straights, high-speed sections, and undulating elevation changes that make it one of the world’s most challenging circuits, with YART’s Hanika the current outright lap record holder with a 2:18.845 set in qualifying last year.
It was not just YART on the podium at Le Mans in April, as the 3ART Best of Bike Yamaha team of Martin Renaudin, Ludovic Cauchi, and Mathieu Lagrive were also celebrating after they claimed second in the FIM Endurance World Cup and ninth overall in front of their home fans, scoring 53 points in the SST class and leaving France second in the Cup Standings.
Wojcik Racing Team EWC 77’s Sheridan Morais, Isaac Vinales and Mathieu Gines will be looking for a top-ten finish after securing 12th at Le Mans, while the Maco Racing Team of Anthony West, Enzo Boulom and Bálint Kovács are hoping to improve on their 32nd place finish last time out in France.
The KM Motos squad of Lucas Mahias, Florian Marino and Bastien Mackels, and the Moto Ain Yamaha EWC Supported Team of Claudio Corti, Corentin Perolari, and Roberto Tamburini will be aiming to kickstart their seasons after they were both forced to retire from the race in Le Mans.
The action at the 2023 24H SPA EWC Motos kicks off on Friday with a one-hour Free Practice session at 10:00 am local time (UTC+2) before the 1st Qualifying Practice Session between 12:00-14:00 and the 2nd Qualifying Practice Session from 15:15-17:15. Then there is a 90-minute Night Practice session between 21:30-23:00 before Saturday’s 24-hour race kicks off at 14:00 with the iconic “Le Mans” running start.
Karel Hanika
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team
“I am looking forward to the race now. Unlike most other teams, we only had the one-day official pre-test here on Tuesday. We were a bit worried beforehand that we might be a step behind the rest, but we were immediately up to speed, and the whole team was fast on long and short runs, which saw us end the day on top of the combined timesheets. I love racing here as it is a high-speed track. The YART R1 was awesome; we still need to improve a few little things on the settings for the traction control and engine braking, and a little with the front end, but honestly, we feel ready and fast. Our pace fills us with confidence, we need a little more luck than last year, and we can put ourselves in a solid championship position.”
Niccolò Canepa
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team
“I am delighted with the test this week, as some of the other teams had some to Spa to test previously, and for us to be so much quicker was an excellent sign. We did a race simulation that was much faster than last year’s race pace, plus we also had very speed over one lap on the soft tyre. Therefore, we are confident heading into the rac3. The weather looks like it will be perfect too. Last year, we were leading the race when we had an issue that forced us to retire, so I believe we can fight for victory this year too.”
Marvin Fritz
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team
“We are as ready as we can be. We had fantastic weather here for the private practice at Spa, which meant we could ride all day with two bikes. This was important because we were one of the only teams which didn’t test beforehand. We worked on many things with the bike and showed our potential by ending the day in P1. I had been stuck in bed for one and a half weeks due to being sick, so I was happy I could get back on the bike and immediately be on the pace with my teammates. We aim to continue to work on Friday to be even stronger during the race.”
Robin Mulhauser
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team
“I think we have prepared for this race superbly, even more so than last year, when it was a new track for most of us. The test went well, as we were not necessarily looking for fast lap times, yet we had a great pace. My three teammates were fast on their long stints while I helped prepare and test some parts of the race. Last year was heartbreaking for the whole team, so we are looking forward to getting the result we deserve this year here at Spa.”
Mandy Kainz
Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team – Team Manager
“It is great to be back at Spa. It is such an iconic circuit, with its elevation changes and high-speed nature, but this year we want to get our redemption after suffering from heartbreak in last year’s race. The team have prepared superbly. Unlike most teams, we did not test here before Tuesday, so finishing 0.8s ahead of the rest of the field was encouraging. The riders worked hard on the bike setup and completed race simulations, so we know we have good pace over a hot lap and longer stints. Now we must put it all together in the race and hope for better luck. Our aim, as always, is first to finish the race, as with so many points available, it is essential we reach the end of the 24 hours in the best position possible. I want to thank the whole team and Bridgestone for all of their hard work, and we are confident that if things go our way, we can be in the fight for victory.”
British Superbike: Championship Racing In Scotland This Weekend
The wait is over. Knockhill is next and ten points cover the top five in Bennetts BSB title fight
The Bennetts British Superbike Championship returns this weekend (June 16/17/18) and just a narrow ten points separate the top five in the title fight after the opening three rounds as the series reaches Knockhill in Scotland.
Seven different riders have celebrated podium success from the opening nine races, with five of those securing race wins, but ahead of this weekend, it is Tommy Bridewell leading the standings for BeerMonster Ducati.
Bridewell surged to the top of the points after the previous round at Donington Park, moving three points ahead of his teammate Glenn Irwin, with the pair both already race winners in 2023 Bennetts BSB.
Double champion Josh Brookes heads to Scotland holding third in the title race; the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad rider is a double winner this season and just two points adrift of Irwin, but also knows that he only holds a slender four-point edge over another previous champion, Leon Haslam and the ROKiT BMW Motorrad team in fourth place.
Reigning champions LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha currently hold fifth place in the standings with Kyle Ryde who bounced back from a crash at his home round of Donington Park to move to within ten points of Bridewell at the top.
Meanwhile both Yamaha and Kawasaki are targeting a fightback at Knockhill; McAMS Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran and Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki’s Lee Jackson are equal on points in sixth overall with the pair keen to repeat their previous success at the Scottish circuit. O’Halloran became the fifth different race winner of the season last time out, whilst Jackson aims for his first top three finish of 2023.
Reigning Quattro Group British Supersport champion Jack Kennedy and Mar-Train Racing Yamaha currently lie equal on points in eighth with the second LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha of Ryan Vickers, who claimed his first podium finish in Bennetts BSB last time out. However just a single point puts them ahead of Oxford Products Racing Ducati’s Christian Iddon, who in turn holds a one point advantage over the second FHO Racing BMW Motorrad contender, Peter Hickman.
There will however be several riders hoping that the fast and frantic dynamic of Knockhill can play to their advantage this weekend, including Danny Kent (Lovell Kent Racing Honda), Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing), Storm Stacey (Starline Racing Kawasaki), Tom Neave (Honda Racing UK) and Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW).
Meanwhile championship rookies Max Cook (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki), Bradley Perie (Lee Hardy Racing Kawasaki) and Jack Scott (Rapid CDH Racing Kawasaki) will be eager to impress.
This weekend’s fourth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship will be live on Eurosport 2 with Sunday’s raceday also broadcast live on free-to-air channel Quest.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
- Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 119
- Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 116
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team) 114
- Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) 110
- Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 109
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 70
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) 70
- Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 50
- Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Racing Yamaha) 50
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 49
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Tommy Bridewell
BeerMonster Ducati
“I think for me, Knockhill is crucial to really maximise the potential for one lap in qualifying to put ourselves ideally on the front row and worst case, on the second row, then take the race from there.
“I feel that we have good potential there and a good opportunity to do a good weekend, so we just need to let it play out and go from there. The goal is always to extend the championship lead and that is definitely something that I will be looking to do.
“The test that we had at Knockhill was positive and we were bang on the pace. The main thing for us was to get as many laps under our belt so that our side of the team could analyse the data over the break to come back stronger this weekend.”
More, from a press release issued by BeerMonster Ducati:
Bennetts BSB Leaders BeerMonster Ducati Head For Knockhill
The picturesque circuit of Knockhill in Fife is the destination for round four of the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship with Lake District-based BeerMonster Ducati hoping to continue their recent good form.
Arriving at the Scottish track which overlooks the Firth of Forth, Paul Bird’s riders Tommy Bridewell and Glenn Irwin occupy first and second place in the standings aboard their factory supported BeerMonster Ducati F23s.
After a four-week break, Wiltshire-based Bridewell heads the title chase by just three points ahead of Irwin, from County Antrim, with Tommy winning a race at Oulton Park and following it up with five additional podiums. Glenn, meanwhile, has won two races so far at Silverstone and Oulton Park, and has four podium finishes to his name out of the nine races held so far.
But neither rider can rest on their laurels as the chasing pack is ready to pounce, with just ten points separating the top five riders ahead of the three races this weekend around the tight and twisty 1.27-mile circuit.
Neither Bridewell nor Irwin has won a Bennetts BSB race at Knockhill although the PBM team have had plenty of success over the years at what is effectively one of their local tracks, being located just over the border in Cumbria.
Tommy Bridewell: “It’s been good to have a little bit of a break since the last round and I’ve enjoyed a holiday and recharged my batteries. That said, we had a great one-day test at Knockhill during the break which gave us some good data to work with. That has given the team some time to work on settings ahead of the weekend. Because of the nature of the circuit, qualifying is crucial as it’s difficult to make passes in the races, so a good set-up is vital from the start. Arriving as championship leader, the idea is to consolidate that position, but I know it’s not going to be easy.”
Glenn Irwin: “It will be great to visit Scotland as it’s as near as I get to a home round, and I always have lots of support which I enjoy. We had a good test at Knockhill a couple of weeks ago and worked through what we needed to and made some good improvements. So, we arrive a little further ahead than we would be with a new bike so we’ll see what that brings. But we know the weekend will present us with some challenges, so both me and the team need to be 100% and we should be fine. Hopefully, the weather holds, and we can enjoy another successful meeting.”
For further information on BeerMonster please visit https://beermonster.com and the new PBM website, www.pbmuk.net. For all details on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, please visit www.britishsuperbike.com.
More, from a press release issued y Honda Racing UK:
It’s back to British Superbikes for round 4 at Knockhill
Fresh from the fantastic Isle of Man TT races, the Honda Racing team now get back to business in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Knockhill Racing Circuit for round four.
After putting in a fighting ride at Donington Park GP in the previous round and breaking into the top ten to secure his best-ever finish in the championship series to date, Tom Neave will be hoping to continue his breakthrough form to maintain his charge up the championship standings. He heads to the 1.27-mile Scottish circuit with a previous-best finish aboard a Fireblade of fourth in the Pirelli National Superstock series during his championship-winning year in 2021.
Tom will be the sole entrant for the Honda Racing team at this upcoming round as teammate Andrew Irwin continues to recover from the injuries sustained as a result of his crash during private testing at the same circuit on 30th May.
Honda will be hoping to continue its dominant form in the Pirelli National Superstock series. In the hands of various riders and teams, the current model Fireblade has now occupied every podium position, bar a single third-place finish, in all of the races this year. Cementing the potential of this current model.
Free practice fires into life at 13.00 on Friday 16th ahead of the initial BikeSocial Sprint race on Saturday. To see a full weekend timetable click here.
#68 Tom Neave
After completing my first proper UK test this year at Knockhill recently, I can go into the round feeling like I can pick up from where we left it in that test and kick on straight away in FP1. This will stand me in good stead for the weekend, and hopefully give me a bit of a head start on those who missed the test.
I really like Knockhill, it is a proper rider’s track, you’ve got to get your elbows out and I’ve gone really well there in previous years in some of the other classes. In my championship year for Honda, I managed to get a fourth and a fifth there too after coming back from a knee injury.
I’m hoping to continue the momentum that I’ve built over the previous rounds into this one and get some more top-tens. My confidence is growing and we are taking steps, they might be baby steps but it’s coming.
It’s a shame that Andrew isn’t going to be here with us, I hope his recovery is going well and I wish him all the best. I hope that he gets back to it soon.
Australian Superbike: Championship Heading To Hidden Valley Raceway
Herfoss in Hot Pursuit as Championship Fight Heats up in Darwin
When it comes to Charles Darwin, most people can easily quote his famous phrase, “Survival of the fittest.” This resonates strongly in Darwin, NT, as round four of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship presented by Motul (ASBK) takes place.
While the June weather in the NT is generally pleasant and ludicrously lovely, it still remains hot and unforgiving which comes as a rude shock to Alpinestars Superbike competitors from southern Australia. Riders employ various methods to keep cool, including ice jackets, ice baths, oscillating fans, and even unconventional approaches like using kiddie wading pools and wheelie bins.
Josh Waters (McMartin Racing) entered round three at Queensland Raceway with a sizeable lead but saw it narrow due to outstanding performances by Penrite Honda’s Troy Herfoss, who displayed his champion-like indefatigability. Waters anticipated difficulties at QLD and focused on minimising losses, with the current points leader doing so with two respectable fourth-place finishes.
Nevertheless, finishing fourth wasn’t desirable, especially with all the main championship contenders ahead of him. Herfoss secured the maximum 51 points while Waters settled for 34, allowing Herfoss to cut the gap in half and firmly putting the pressure back on the #21 ahead of the upcoming round.
However, as a seasoned professional, Waters will put that behind him as the championship heads to Darwin for the winter leg of the competition. Waters boasts an impressive track record in Darwin, having secured a total of seven race wins at the Hidden Valley Raceway previously, with Herfoss and Jones being the closest contenders with two wins each.
Waters, aboard the Ducati, will enjoy the favourable conditions and track, particularly the 1.1KM long main straight and overall layout and will expect domination in the manner of the Sydney Motorsport Park and Phillip Island rounds. Furthermore, the heat shouldn’t bother him much, given his background as a lad from Mildura, and the Ducati has proven its excellence in hot conditions, although fuel economy must be carefully managed.
This round consists of three races with a maximum of 76 championship-affirming points up for grabs. Last year, former McMartin Racing rider Wayne Maxwell missed out on round victory and subsequently lost any chance of securing another championship due to a combination of rider errors and team issues. Valuable lessons were learned, and it is unlikely we will witness a repeat of those problems.
Among the riders likely to challenge Waters, Yamaha’s Mike Jones will be at the forefront. Jones trails Waters by 56 points and lags 38 points behind Herfoss, making it crucial for him to start closing the gap. Fellow Yamaha man Cru Halliday excels on faster circuits and has experienced a resurgence in 2023, so he won’t go down without putting up a fight. Herfoss, who returned to the podium in Darwin last year, can confidently put to rest any doubts about the circuit being a jinx. With his self-assured demeanour and belief, the Honda rider poses a significant threat.
We cannot forget the likes of Glenn Allerton (GT Racing BMW) and Bryan Staring (MotoGo Yamaha), who in recent years have shown glimpses of race winning speed and strategy, only to narrowly miss out. Allerton stood on the podium once last year while Staring did twice, they’ll be looking to have their BMW M1000RR and Yamaha R1 M in the mix come the chequered flag.
However, the Ducati, under the expert guidance of Craig McMartin, has evolved to its full potential, while 36-year-old Josh Waters, at the peak of his abilities and maturity, makes the McMartin Panigale V4 R an irresistible force.
Indigenous Round
A number of ASBK teams have joined the Indigenous Round theme for this year once again with striking new looks. Penrite Honda, DesmoSport Ducati and MotoGo Yamaha all unveiled their liveries during the week, with more teams to showcase a new look in the coming days, stay tuned to the ASBK social media channels for more.
A proud Western Australian, Bryan Staring and MotoGo Yamaha have teamed up with Perth Artist, Xavier and Marlee Resources to create their livery.
When speaking about the design and it’s significance to him, Staring said, “The design incorporates Kings Park, Swan River and the people in the community. I think that’s a good showcase for Western Australia, but also for the company that’s behind it and the people that were responsible for bringing the artwork together, including Xavier (the artist), it’s a real honour to represent it. It’s close to my heart as I’m a proud Boorloo boy. “
The DesmoSport Ducati squad have also connected with their local region to develop their livery. Telling stories from the Yugambeh Language region (Gold Coast), they have partnered with indigenous artist, Luther Cora to continue telling stories of Aboriginal culture local to the team, and embracing with awe, the oldest living culture in the world.
Once again incorporating artwork from Lorraine White and partnering with the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School (MITS) for a charitable cause, the Penrite Honda crew unveiled the Fireblade alongside the Penrite Racing Supercars team in North Melbourne.
“I’m really excited about our indigenous livery this year, it’s always great to unveil a new livery and our team love getting behind the indigenous round,” said Herfoss. “Working with the Penrite Racing Supercars team and having matching liveries is a lot of fun and it’s great to incorporate artwork from Lorraine again this year to produce the liveries, as well as partner again with MITS to raise money for the kids. I think our Fireblade will be the best looking bike on track and I can’t wait to see it out there.”
In partnering with MITS, several auction items will be up for grabs to continue to support its mission, with Honda Australia generously donating a CRF50 stickered up as a Penrite Honda, Herfoss replica. You can find the auction site here.
MotoGP: Bagnaia Returns To Sachsenring In Much Different Position
Bagnaia and Bastianini back on track this weekend for the German GP at the Sachsenring
After a perfect weekend at Mugello that saw Pecco Bagnaia taking victory, pole position, setting the fastest race lap and winning Saturday’s Sprint, the Ducati Lenovo Team is now ready to take to the track again for the German GP. Hosting the seventh round of the 2023 MotoGP season will be the Sachsenring circuit, located in the north of the country a few kilometres from the town of Chemnitz.
Bagnaia, who last year reached his biggest deficit in the Championship at the Sachsenring following a crash (-91 points), arrives this year at the German GP as Championship leader with a 21-point lead over second-placed Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Racing Team). The reigning World Champion will also try to maintain his momentum in Germany.
On the other side of the garage, teammate Bastianini is 20th in the Championship after he took part in his first race this year in the last Italian GP. The rider from Rimini, who is still not 100% fit, managed to close both the Sprint and the Sunday GP in the top ten, a result which was above expectations considering the long absence he took from racing after the injury in Portimão in mid-March. On the Sachsenring track, which is physically less demanding than Mugello, Bastianini aims to be more competitive.
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1st (131 points)
“The weekend at Mugello was really perfect and gave me the right energy to face this race weekend in Germany as well. I know the Tuscan track very well; I’ve lapped there a lot, and that helped me, but the feeling with my Desmosedici allowed me to make a difference. I hope to be able to find these feelings again right away at Sachsenring: the goal will always be the same. To work well from the first sessions and arrive as ready as possible for the Sprint and Sunday’s race.”
Enea Bastianiani (#23, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 20th (8 points)
“I’m glad to be able to get right back on track. The weekend at Mugello turned out to be positive, and even though I struggled a lot in the race, I managed to get a result that I never expected at first. It still takes time to be 100 per cent, but Sachsenring will be less physically demanding than the circuit we raced on last weekend, so I hope to do even better in the German GP.”
Ducati Lenovo Team riders will take to the track for Practice 1 at the Sachsenring track on Friday, 16th June, at 10:45am local time. The Sprint will run over a 15-lap distance on Saturday at 3:00pm, while the German GP will kick off on Sunday at 2:00pm over a distance of 30 laps.
The Loudon Classic: A Pillar Of American Road Racing
Motorcycle races come and go. Grand Prix racing in the United States, for example, has taken place since World War II in four different locations – Daytona, Laguna, Indianapolis and Austin – with gaps as long as 23 years between Grand Prix events.
Through it all, the Loudon Classic has been there. Since the time of World War I, when motorcycles were barely more than motorized bicycles and paved roads were a novelty, motorcyclists have descended on the New Hampshire Lakes Region for rallies, recreation and racing.
The actual beginning of the race that would become known as the Loudon Classic is shrouded in the mists of history. The first rally in the area took place in 1916, and was (according to Wikipedia) officially recognized in 1923 by the Federation of American Motorcyclists (FAM), an organization later to become the American Motorcyclists Association. Part of what the FAM called its Gypsy Tour, the rally was a destination event to promote motorcycling. Now known as Laconia Motorcycle Week, the event “included races, shows and a motorcycle hill climb competition,” Wikipedia states.
Now, one must be clear that the modern concept of an organized race is very, very different than what was happening back then. According to the book Laconia Motorcycle Week, edited by Charlie St. Clair and Jennifer Anderson, “The unorganized motorcycle hill climbs took place on Tower Street off of Lakeside Avenue, while other races took place anywhere they could be managed.” It is easy to see why reliable information about these early races is difficult to come by.
Things got more organized in the 1930s. In 1933, the AMA introduced a new category of racing for street machines, and in 1934 organizers held a 200-mile race on a 3.3-mile track in Swanzey, New Hampshire. The first race to be called the Laconia Classic, the event was won by Babe Tancrede on a Harley-Davidson.
The race was held for a year at Old Orchard Beach, Main, then moved to the Belknap Recreational Area near Laconia in New Hampshire. It was held there until 1963, and during that time the rally grew to become the largest gathering of motorcyclists in the U.S. until its popularity was overtaken by the Sturgis rally in the 1970s.
When the Belknap circuit was closed after the 1963 race, another circuit was created in Loudon, approximately 20 miles away. The Bryar Motorsports Park circuit featured 11 turns in 1.6 miles, and was known for its spectator-friendliness – a fan in the stands could see pretty much the whole circuit. It was during this period that the event became known as the Loudon Classic. It was also known for the, um, unruly behavior of some of those in attendance.
American motorcycling historian Larry Lawrence wrote in a recent article: “Loudon gained a reputation for the wild atmosphere that encompassed the event. Riders camped in the woods surrounding the track, and when the sun went down the craziness began. One particular area of the camping grounds surrounding the track known as ‘Animal Hill’ gained notoriety for its wild happenings, such as car and motorcycle burnings, dirt hill motorcycle drag races, and fireworks fights, sometimes all at once.”
After the 1989 event – won by AMA Superbike Champion Jamie James – the track was closed and the New Hampshire Motor Speedway constructed at the location. It features an oval/road course, but unusually, the road course section of the circuit snakes outside of the oval. Increasing speeds and a lack of runoff room led to the race being removed from the AMA Pro Road Racing calendar – it’s noteworthy that the Classic is run with middleweight machines. Eric Bostrom won the final AMA Superbike race at the facility in 2001.
MotoGP: Dorna Previews The Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland
Get in the ring! MotoGP™ gears up for a showdown in Germany
The King of the Ring. The reigning Champion on a roll. Binder looking to make up ground… and Martin making his presence felt. Here comes part two of the triple header!
Wednesday, 14 June 2023
Here we go! We’ve packed up and headed north for the Liqui Moly Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, and what a race weekend we have ahead. There are few venues more different to each other than Mugello and the Sachsenring, and there are few riders who have a record like one does on this turf. But King of the Ring Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), with 11 wins at the track across all classes, arrives from a crash out in Italy that left him frustrated, and with no points yet scored in a Grand Prix race in 2023. His speed, however… we’ve still seen plenty of that. So we have to start there.
THE RETURN OF THE KING?
On pole in Portugal, just missing out at Le Mans and then again in Mugello, with plenty of on-track discussions with his rivals along the way, is some record considering the last few weeks, months and years of Marc Marquez’ life. And he was on the podium in the first ever Tissot Sprint. Does that, and his undefeated record every time he’s raced at the Sachsenring since he won the 125cc race in 2010 by 17 seconds, say the most? Or is the mountain just a little too high in 2023 as we watch both a legendary rider and, crucially, factory pushing to get back to the top? We’re about to find out, and with more than just a sneak peek in the Sprint on Saturday. His “first” comeback saw him take back this crown. His second sees him as ready as ever to put his elbows out and try to repeat the feat.
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION
12 months on, it’s quite something to look at Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) then and now. Pecco arrives in Germany with a 21-point lead in 2023, having just reigned his home Grand Prix, which is a far, far cry from that record 91-point deficit he faced on Sunday evening at the Sacshenring last season. Then, he crashed out and Quartararo won… and it remains the Frenchman’s most recent victory as 2023 proves a tough season. Can this venue start some sparks of a turnaround for him and Yamaha? And what of teammate Franco Morbidelli, who had some Sunday sass of his own, as he beat El Diablo at Mugello?
But back to Bagnaia. It was some performance on home turf and he added another full house weekend – pole, Sprint win and GP win – to create that gap at the top. Can that form continue at the Sachsenring, a venue with some very different characteristics and, in the era before this, a tougher track for Ducati?
MORE, MORE, MORE
Some left Mugello wanting a whole lot more, and no one more so than Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team). It wasn’t a terrible weekend, with a Sprint podium in second, but it was an expensive one in the standings as he’s now 20 points further back after a tougher Sunday. But despite not quite being able to get in the battle, he kept it calm for some points that may well prove valuable. Can he come out swinging at the Sachsenring?
Meanwhile at KTM, it was a mixed bag at Mugello but the Austrian factory left with some solid points. The kind of points that, in pre-season, looked dreamy, and now seem a little disappointing as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) gets stuck in near the top of the standings and new teammate Jack Miller continues to show some serious speed only six races in on the RC16. So what have they got for Germany? KTM have a podium at the track and Miller too on different machinery, and he and Binder have solid records here… all of which says they’ll likely be in contention again.
ON THE MOVE
Some big winners at Mugello, even if they might not have quite made it to the top step, were Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco. Both on the GP podium and Martin also visiting the Sprint rostrum, it was a good haul of points and an impressive show of speed. Having also previously been a tough track for Martin, the turnaround is notable – and it’s bumped him up to third in the standings. Zarco, meanwhile, is the only MotoGP™ rider not called Marc Marquez to have started from pole in Germany when the number 93 was on the grid. So that’s a feather in the cap of the Frenchman as he continues gaining some momentum this season too.
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) also impressed at Mugello. Despite his injured hand, he held on for a solid Sprint result and fought Zarco nearly to the end of the GP race for that podium on Sunday. With a few more days to recover, can he stay in that fight? And it’s a similar question for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) as he rode through the pain barrier to a more than solid sixth place, and Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) as he returned from injury but is still on the road to full fitness. Still, he was straight back into the top ten.
LOOKING FOR SOME MOMENTUM
Top of the pile here must surely be Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™). He crashed out in the Sprint in a controversial clash with Binder and probably made the biggest splash with that needle-threading Turn 1 encounter on Sunday, but the number 73 actually also deserves a better headline: he’s the only rider who matched Bagnaia on speed as the two set identical fastest laps. The story of Alex Marquez’s year so far is serious pace, a couple of mistakes and a large dash of bad luck, but the latter two don’t cancel out the first and he can’t be counted out of the fight at the front.
Next up? Someone who fought for the podium at the Sachsenring last year: Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing). He just missed out on Q2 on Friday in Italy and it didn’t get better from there, but it most definitely has the potential to. Then there’s Miguel Oliveira (CryptoData RNF MotoGP™ Team), who crashed out in Mugello and will want some solid points despite that shoulder still bothering him, and teammate Raul Fernandez wants to find that Friday form after a tougher time once the lights went out.
Rookie Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) retains his record of points every Sunday alongside only Quartararo and Morbidelli, but after that fourth in France, P15 wasn’t the aim in Mugello so he’ll want more. So too will Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), who slipped backwards a little last time out.
Meanwhile, Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) took some points on Sunday but only had Marquez as a reference at Honda, and that will continue in Germany – no mean benchmark. Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) will sit the race weekend out and won’t be replaced, and Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) will be sidelined for some time after breaking his leg. LCR also won’t replace him. Jonas Folger, meanwhile, will continue on duty for GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 at the venue where he took his premier class podium.
So that’s the grid. Bagnaia is in the hot seat, Bezzecchi and Binder want to gain some ground back, Martin is on a roll… and still, when you’ve won 11 times at the track and have eight World Championships, Marc Marquez is there to steal a huge chunk of the headlines as we head to the Sachsenring. Previously, the number 93’s longest win drought was the 581 days between Valencia in 2019 and the 2021 German Grand Prix. Since his most recent win in Emilia-Romagna in 2021, it will now be 602. You don’t want to miss this.
SHOWTIME
Friday’s practice sessions decide the automatic entrants to Q2, before the MotoGP™ grid qualify on Saturday morning. The Tissot Sprint is set for lights out at 15:00 on Saturday as ever, and the Grand Prix gets going at 14:00 CEST!
Tissot Sprint: Saturday 15:00 (GMT +2)
Grand Prix Race: Sunday 14:00 (GMT +2)
Moto2™: Arbolino vs Acosta arrives in Germany
If France was one twist, Mugello was another as Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) hit back in style to dominate the Italian GP. But Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), despite a difficult weekend, found more than just a step on race day to take second and a valuable 20 points. That leaves him with a healthy gap at the top of the Championship in tact, so what will Germany bring?
Behind that duo, Jake Dixon (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team) was back on the podium and says it’s that first part of the race where he’s got to focus on taking a step forward, and that was true in a different way of another perennial threat at the front: Alonso Lopez (MB Conveyors SpeedUp). He had a coming together with Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team), went off on his first Long Lap attempt and then had to do another… but managed quite a comeback thereafter. Can he iron out that drama in Germany? And can Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) find something more on race day?
Find out on Sunday at 12:15 (GMT +2)!
Moto3™: Can anyone stop Holgado?
Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) put in a convincing performance at Mugello, as if the same hadn’t already been true. But in a five-way fight for the win, the number 96 came out on top once again… so can anyone stop him at the Sachsenring?
Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) definitely tops the list of those looking to try. He missed out on that win at Mugello by almost nothing and was out-dragged on the straight, a challenge that should be a little smaller for the now-taller rider in Germany. Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP), now on a consistent run at the front and on the podium in Italy, will also want to threaten, as will Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) as he lost out. Rookie sensation David Alonso (Valresa GASGAS Aspar) will want to keep impressing too, and those who had back of the grid penalties in Germany will be back in the mix…
Tune in for more Moto3™ on Sunday at 11:00 (GMT+2)!