Angel Piqueras wins stunning Rookies Le Mans Race 2
Too much drama in Race 2 of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup at Le Mans but it didn’t prevent Angel Piqueras taking his 5th win of the season and the 16-year-old Spaniard brilliantly held off Italian 15-year-old Guido Pini.
Spaniard Alberto Ferrández took 3rd from Argentina’s Marco Morelli as the 15-year-olds battled to the line for the final podium spot.
Piqueras did it again
“I really didn’t have a plan for the race today, I knew that the track would be different to yesterday and it was, it was a bit cold and without the same grip.”
“In the early laps and all the way through the race, it was a big battle at the front, all the riders were pushing very hard but on the last two laps I decided to push and to see what I could do.”
“It worked and am very happy to win again, of course, this is very good for the championship and it has been a great weekend. Two wins, it might not have been like that but it was.”
Pini improved last lap effort
“I am very happy with that, it’s my first podium in Rookies Cup. It was a very hard race, a lot of fighting at the front. We had to be a bit careful in the beginning because the track was cold but that was OK.
“I was confident going into the race today as I was yesterday. Yesterday I made mistakes on the last lap and that cost me the podium but not today. I battled with Piqueras for the win but I couldn’t do it this time.”
“I am enjoying the bike and really looking forward to my home race in Mugello.”
Ferrández gave it all
“I am very happy with that, I pushed all the way, from the first lap to the last I was always on the limit.”
“Finally on the last lap, so many riders crashed and finally I could overtake Morelli in the last corners and got on the podium. I have practised a lot, worked very hard for this but that is normal and I will try and do it again in Mugello.”
Morelli makes better use of Pole
“I am happy with the result, better than yesterday but very lucky because some riders crashed. I am happy though because today I could stay in the front group, I didn’t do that yesterday.”
“I still need to improve I need to be able to overtake more. I have scored some points which is good for the championship but that is not so important this year.”
“I tried for the podium, I overtook Ferrández but he overtook me, I was close to the podium and try again in Mugello.”
Cormac Buchanan 5th
“Well, very lucky, I was P11 going into the second to last lap and finished P5 so it is the first top 5. Lucky but then to finish first, first you have to finish so I’ll take it,” explained the 16-year-old New Zealander referring to the 5 riders who fell off at the end of the race.
“The starts this weekend have been really good, I am finally getting back to the way I felt at the end of last year so I’m really pleased with that but I just need to work on staying a bit more calm because when I get in that front group it gets a bit hectic and I kind of make a lot of mistakes. Then start losing the group.”
“There is still plenty to work on and I am going to train hard for Mugello and get P5 with more merit shall we say.”
Màximo Quiles falls on the final lap
“At the beginning of the race I was quite strong, I pushed and caught the front and we battled all the race, I could lead for some laps. But then towards the end, I dropped back a bit to get recharged so that I could push again for the finish.”
“Then on the last lap I was P4 and preparing the overtake and in the 2nd corner I braked straight and I crashed, I think I crashed with 2 more and I am very sorry for them. I hope Hakim (Danish) is OK.”
Hakim Danish brought down
“I was feeling good with the bike,” explained the 15-year-old Malaysian.” I was in the front group, I did a better job than yesterday, today I didn’t make the same mistakes as yesterday.”
I had a good start and managed to get quickly into the front group, then run in the top 5 and I could get up to 2nd. In the last lap, two riders crashed and hit me hard, I could do nothing about that. I am OK and let’s see the next race.”
Álvaro Carpe taken out
“I’m not so happy because I was in 3rd on the last lap and a rider hit me and I crashed.” stated the 15-year-old Spaniard. “I went to the bike but the engine had stopped and I could not restart it to get any points.”
“Yesterday I was 6th but it is not so good for the championship, I think I am still second but Piqueras has such a big lead.”
“We have to wait for Mugello and see what we can do there. I will do my best.”
Rico Salmela falls on last lap
“I’m OK after the crash. It was quite a good race before the crash. I was top 3 most of the race. Then close to the end I made a small mistake, I got neutral and I dropped to the back of the group. Then I pushed to catch up, I gained some positions and on the last lap I was P3 and I thought I could try to catch the riders in front. And then I had a small accident, I tried to save it but it was too much.
We’ll see what we can do in Mugello if we can still beat Piqueras.”
Ruche Moodley misses matching Race 1
“In the first laps I took it a bit carefully, just to check the track, because in Portimão I didn’t do that,” said the 16-year-old South African referring to his early race crash on a cold track in Portugal. “Then I felt confident, even though I was 13th at one stage, that I could catch the group.”
“The track was good and got better, on the 2nd to last lap I tried to get in a better position so that I could attack on the last lap and I just tucked the front.”
Chase Sexton Wraps Up 2023 Supercross Title with Utah Win
Jett Lawrence Tops 250SX Class Racers in East/West Showdown
Salt Lake City, Utah, (May 14, 2023) Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton nabbed the final win of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross indoor stadium season to cap his first 450SX Class championship with a victory in front of a sold-out crowd of 49,871 fans inside Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger took the race’s runner-up spot at the Supercross Championship Final Presented by Utah Sports Commission. And Team Tedder Monster Energy Mountain Motorsport’s Justin Hill took third place and his career-first 450SX Class podium to conclude the Supercross season and also earn points toward the inaugural 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In the 250SX Class season finale, Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence earned his sixth victory of the season in the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Showdown that pit both regions against each other for the second time in 2023.
Chase Sexton (23) used speed and determination to take his first Supercross Championship. He finished the season on top with a nearly 20-second win at the finale in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
On the podium, the AMA awarded Chase Sexton the Monster Energy Supercross Champion title. He entered the race with the championship mathematically won but received the official #1 plate after the race. With Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence and Jett Lawrence wrapping the two 250SX Class championships at previous rounds, 2023 marked only the third time ever, and second time for Honda, that a manufacturer has captured all three Supercross championships in the same season. The 2023 season marks the 50th Anniversary of Supercross racing in America.
When the gate dropped Chase Sexton grabbed the holeshot ahead of Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo, FXR General Grind & Machine’s Justin Starling, Twisted Tea Suzuki Progressive Insurance’s Kyle Chisholm and Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen. Roczen was on the move early but just a few turns in he injured his knee in a rutted corner. Roczen’s injury took him out of the race and he lost a chance to earn the two points needed to secure third overall in the championship.
Cianciarulo was into second place just a few laps into the race with Chisholm right behind. Just over three minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race Aaron Plessinger took over third and set his sights on Cianciarulo while Justin Hill was into fourth place and on the charge. As the race clock ticked past 12 minutes Plessinger moved past Cianciarulo to take over second, and a lap and a half later Justin Hill was around Cianciarulo and into third place.
As Sexton stretched out his lead up front, Cianciarulo mounted a charge to take back third. But with five minutes left on the race clock the final positions appeared settled. Chase Sexton took his sixth win of the season and brought Honda its first Supercross title since 2003. Sexton’s late-season surge was one of the sport’s great title comebacks, with parallels to David Bailey’s 1983 season that also included a third-to-first drive in the final five races of the season.
Jett Lawrence (1) took the win in what is likely his final 250SX Class race. He moves up to race the 450SX Class next year. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
In the final 250SX Class race of the season, Phoenix Racing Honda’s Coty Schock grabbed the holeshot but Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire was quickly into the lead ahead of Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle, Jett Lawrence, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Levi Kitchen, and Fire Power Honda’s Max Anstie as heavy rain came down in the stadium. Hunter Lawrence found himself with a mid-pack start and then got tangled up when Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Enzo Lopes crashed. As Hampshire, Jett Lawrence and Kitchen slotted into the top three spots, Hunter Lawrence and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan worked their way up from outside the top ten.
Three minutes into the 15-minute plus one lap race Jett Lawrence began applying pressure on Hampshire for the lead. At the same time, back on the track, Deegan broke into the top ten. Two minutes later Jett Lawrence was in striking distance of the front spot as his brother Hunter Lawrence climbed into the top ten. As the race clock ticked down to eight and a half minutes Jett Lawrence charged through the whoops and cut under Hampshire in the following corner. The riders made contact; Lawrence accelerated away clean but the disturbance led to a Hampshire mistake down the next rhythm lane.
From there Jett Lawrence was unchallenged for the lead. The win gives the Australian racer the distinction of being the winningest Honda rider in the 250SX Class, surpassing racing legends Eli Tomac, Jeremy McGrath and Hunter Lawrence. Hampshire held second to the checkered, and Kitchen took the final 250SX Class podium of the season.
With the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross indoor stadium season wrapped up, the racers have a two week break before the start of the 11-round AMA Pro Motocross outdoor season. Points earned from the Supercross season will combine with points earned in the motocross season to determine the top 20 riders who will gain entry into the all-new SuperMotocross World Championship. Riders in spots 21-30 in overall points, as well as single event winners not in the top 20, will get a spot on the line in the Last Chance Qualifier to battle for the final two spots on the 22-rider starting gate. In September two Playoff races and one Final, with increasing points payouts, will determine the first SuperMotocross World Champion and deliver a $1,000,000 win bonus to that rider. The 250 class racers will battle for a $500,000 win bonus. It’s the first ever playoff season for the sport and delivers a three-race post season that will be all-new for the fans, teams, and racers.
Before the Monster Energy Supercross season closes its books, one great event is yet to conclude: the 2023 St. Jude Love Moto Stop Cancer Supercross Auction. The online auction offers unique, autographed, one-of-a-kind memorabilia donated by the teams, partners, and athletes. The auction runs until Monday, May 15th at 8:00 PM ET. All money raised goes directly to the children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the St. Jude mission of Finding Cures. Saving Children. To bid on the auction items please go to: St. Jude Love Moto Stop Cancer Supercross Auction.
All rounds of the 2023 SuperMotocross World Championship will be streamed live on Peacock; rounds 29 and 31 will also be broadcast live on USA Network. Both Playoffs and the Final will be re-broadcast on CNBC. For the full race schedule and ticket sales, as well as 2023 Supercross highlight videos, recap race reports, and post-race press conferences, please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.
450SX Class podium (racers from left) Aaron Plessinger, Chase Sexton, and Justin Hill. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
450SX Class Results
1. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
2. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM
3. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM
4. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki
5. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Honda
6. Josh Hill, Huntersville, N.C., KTM
7. Shane McElrath, Oakland, Fla., Suzuki
8. Justin Starling, Riverview, Fla., GASGAS
9. Devin Simonson, Laurinburg, N.C., Kawasaki
10. Grant Harlan, Decatur, Tex., Yamaha
450SX Class Championship Final Standings
1. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (372)
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (339)
3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (304)
4. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (304)
5. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (267)
6. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (242)
7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (236)
8. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM (212)
9. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (210)
10. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Honda (200)
250SX Class podium (racers from left) Levi Kitchen, Jett Lawrence, and RJ Hampshire. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Mooney VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi won the Shark Grand Prix of France, a FIM MotoGP World Championship race, Sunday at the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France.
Bezzecchi, riding his Ducati Desmosedici GP22, won the race (his second of the season), by 4.256 seconds over Prima Pramac Ducati’s Jorge Martin, the pole-sitter. Martin just held off his teammate — and home hero — Johann Zarco by 0.5 second.
The race saw eight riders crash out, including Championship point leader Francesco Bagnaia, and only 13 riders finish.
Drama. Clashes. Glory. And a title twist! #GP1000 had it all as Bezzecchi takes stunning second win
Bezzecchi bounces back, Bagnaia clashes with Viñales, Marquez slides out and there’s a home hero on the podium as Le Mans served up a day packed with headlines
Marco Bezzecchi (72). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sunday, 14 May 2023
Take a minute to catch your breath after what was an incredible SHARK Grand Prix de France! Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) takes a special place in history as the race winner at the 1000th FIM Grand Prix after a stunning break for glory in front of a record crowd at Le Mans, and there was drama, drama, drama throughout the field.
First, Bezzecchi is now just one point behind Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) after the Italian crashed out of the race in a dramatic clash with Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Viñales… gravel trap shouting match included, but both riders ok. Then, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) vs Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) lit up the fight for second in a tough but fair tussle, but that then ended in late race heartbreak for the number 93 as he slid out. However, for the French fans it did mean Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) was then promoted to a glorious home podium after some impressive Sunday pace, giving the 278,805 record crowd even more to cheer about.
The grid formed in front of the biggest crowd MotoGP™ has ever seen and it was Marc Marquez who shot into the lead as Bagnaia dropped down the order to P5. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) slotted himself into P2 with Bezzecchi putting his VR46 Ducati into P3. Bagnaia then quickly snapped back at Martin as the Ducati riders duked it out on lap 1.
It was Marquez, Miller, Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Bagnaia, and then Martin as they came across the line for the first time, and we had a race on our hands in MotoGP™. Miller wasn’t intimated by the eight-time World Champion by any means as the Aussie tried to force his way through on Marquez, but the Spaniard wouldn’t give in and hit straight back in true Marquez fashion.
Miller hit the front at the Dunlop chicane, meanwhile, the reigning World Champion was on the move as Bagnaia had now climbed his way back up into a podium position with 25 laps remaining.
The laps ticked away as a seven-bike battle for victory formed with Viñales carving his way into the 3rd place, the Aprilia seriously on the move. But then came the drama: the Spaniard collided with Bagnaia as both riders competed for the same piece of tarmac, both careening off into the gravel. Riders ok and to their feet… and then a fair few yells exchanged.
Half a lap later, there was more drama in the Le Mans gravel traps as Marini suffered a big crash coming out of the Dunlop chicane, just cutting the kerb. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) then got caught in the Italian’s crash as the field behind avoided the incident, riders again ok but another huge moment of adrenaline shaking the race up.
As the chaos subsided, we had a race on our hands. A four-rider battle for victory had formed as Miller now found himself with Marquez, Bezzecchi, and Martin for company, before Bezzecchi pushed his way through on Marc Marquez – and dropped the Spaniard from 2nd to 4th. The number 93 was sent into another postcode although no harm done, with both regrouping and Bezzecchi then told to drop a position for the move: a penalty he expected, and a penalty he also served wisely as he chose his moment to let Martin back through. And then took it back, with Marquez following suit too.
Bezzecchi now had an open goal to make huge gains in the title fight as Bagnaia sat in the garage, and the VR46 rider took the lead from Miller as they barrelled into the Dunlop chicane once again. Marquez quickly followed him through half a lap later too, with Bezzecchi already stretching out half a second at the front.
With 15 laps to go, Bezzecchi had 1.2s in his pocket to Marquez behind, who was 0.5s up the road from Martin, who had found his way through on Miller. The Aussie was starting to fall into the clutches of Zarco and Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3). It didn’t take long for Zarco to push his way through either as the Frenchman moved up into P4 and Fernandez followed, leaving Miller in sixth.
With six to go, Martin thought it was time to pounce on Marc Marquez. The Spaniard tried to push his way through on the eight-time World Champion, but the Repsol Honda man was not giving in easy and bit back at the Prima Pramac Racing rider at every opportunity. That allowed Zarco to edge closer and closer… and the crowd had definitely noticed.
Martin finally pushed his way through with one and a half laps remaining, and this time the drama was for the number 93. Trying to hang in there, the returning Repsol Honda rider tucked the front and ended his French Grand Prix in the gravel trap, but after quite a return to the upper echelons of the timesheets.
That meant one thing to a partisan crown: Zarco was on the podium. The grandstands erupted around the French circuit as Bezzecchi crossed the line for a first dry weather win, Martin ensured he’s the top scorer at Le Mans this year, and then the home hero reached the flag. The noise made for an impressive welcome.
Fourth place was also something to shout about as Tech3’s Fernandez took an impressive result after an impressive weekend. First time in Q2, the GASGAS rider had had the speed all weekend and made it pay to perfection on Sunday to bounce back.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) rounded out the top five as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) recovered from being battered down the order on the first lap to fight his way back through the pack, take a long penalty for a shortcut, and still manage to take sixth.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) had a tougher home Grand Prix but took a chunk of points on Sunday as the 2021 World Champion ended his weekend in Le Mans with a P7, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia), and Franco Morbidelli taking 8th, 9th, and 10th – just ahead of Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Lenovo Team) on his MotoGP™ return deputising for the injured Enea Bastianini.
Early race leader Miller crashed out with three laps remaining after the Aussie had been dropping down the order on his KTM machine, making it a weekend to forget in terms of results but one to remember for speed. Can he bounce back at Mugello? Many will be looking to join him in doing so…
With the championship plot ever-changing in MotoGP™, there’s no telling what the chapter holds as the paddock moves to the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley on the 9th to 11th of June. Make sure to keep up to date with all of the action as it unfolds on motogp.com!
QUOTES: BEZZECHI
MARCO BEZZECCHI: “I expected the penalty. I didn’t want to pass but I braked a bit too late and when I realized I was getting closer and closer, I tried to go to the inside to not hit him. Unfortunately I pushed him wide so I thought for sure they give me a drop position. I was ready for it and I agree, also. It was a bit too much. It’s difficult to pass but I didn’t really want to pass, but it’s ok. Fortunately I kept myself calm about the penalty I knew was coming, tried to find the right place to give up the position and then fight back.
How was that winning feeling?
“It was fantastic. I saw I was fast, at the beginning I didn’t want to use the front tyre too much or put too much temperature in it. When I was behind someone, I was trying to pass quite quick and when I found myself at the front I thought, ‘now I have fresh air’. I tried to push and see how it is. On Friday I had good pace so I tried to make the same but it was even better! I was able to ride 31.9, 31.8 and it was fantastic. I saw I was escaping so I tried to stay calm and concentrate, at one with my bike, and it was an incredible emotion crossing the line in the dry. In the wet was good but in the dry even better!”
And on that bet to not shave their moustaches until he won again…
“This is the thing I’m most happy about. I made this bet first in December before Christmas with my team, we were having dinner together and to break their balls a little bit I said ‘ok, you all have a long beard but if I win, you have to make it moustache and we won’t shave it until I win again. But then when I did win I said, ‘No! Now I have to really have a moustache!’ I was so nervous because it wasn’t coming anymore, so fortunately today when I saw the feeling was good, I said ‘today’s the day!”
Tony Arbolino (14). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Arbolino grabs the momentum as Acosta crashes out in France
The Italian is back on top to take the title lead, with Salač and Lopez completing the podium
Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) took an important victory for his Championship campaign as he commanded the race from the front, putting the pressure on Championship rival Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Acosta, who went into the Shark Grand Prix de France as Championship leader but equal on points with Arbolino, crashed out of second trying to reel in the number 14. Filip Salač (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) put some pressure on Arbolino as the chequered flag drew closer, but the Italian held strong forcing the Czech rider to settle for second. Alonso Lopez (Lightech SpeedUp) hung onto the leading duo too, taking third and yet another podium.
Arbolino got the holeshot before Lopez dived up the inside to take over, but there was drama one lap later as Arbolino took the lead into Turn 1, with his teammate Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) crashing out of 3rd place at Turn 2. However, the red flags came out for a incident involving multiple riders at turn 5. All riders ok: Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) and Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp).
With the countdown to the restart underway, it was all hands on deck as the polesitter rushed his way back to the box with under a minute left until the green light went on to open pit lane, and the team worked on his bike. The crowd watched on with baited breath and Lowes missed the deadline for the the pitlane closing time by just a second, forcing the Brit to start from the back of the grid…
So riders lined up for the restart but this time without the polesitter in position. The red lights went out once again and it was Arbolino who took the holeshot, fending off Lopez through the Dunlop chicane, with Acosta latched onto to the leading duo.
Arbolino, Lopez, Acosta, and Salač was the order as the came across the line for the first time with the top 3 stretching out a little bit of breathing space to the Czech rider. Lopez and Acosta were swapping paintwork as the two Spaniards battled it out though, letting Arbolino sail away at the front and allowing Salač to join the P2 party.
Arbolino began to stretch a lead at the front as he set a new race lap record on his very first flying lap. This also stretched out the riders behind as Acosta began to pull away from Lopez, who now had Salač and Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) for company in the battle for 3rd.
Acosta responded one lap later setting the new fastest lap but still with 0.6s to find to catch the Italian. Incredible Championship drama came soon after though, as the former Championship leader crashed out of the race with 10 laps to go… as key title rival Arbolino sat in comfortable victory contention.
That promoted the battle for 3rd to the battle for 2nd as Salač led Lopez in P2. Arbolino had 1.8s in his pocket until he began to lose ground at an alarming rate though, with Salač getting within under half a second of the Italian with seven laps to go. But Arbolino controlled the gap at 0.5s at the front, taking the race victory as Acosta watched the #14 stretch out a 25-point lead in the Championship.
Salač still takes an impressive second place to reward his speed this season, with Lopez once again tasting that Prosecco in third.
Vietti looked strong in the opening stages of the race but wasn’t able to keep up with the incredible pace of the top 3 as the Italian finished 0.6s back from the podium fight in P4. Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar M2) rounded the top 5 after carving through an incredible scrap involving Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Barry Baltus (Fieten Olie Racing GP) and Fermin Aldeguer (Ligthtech SpeedUp) who finished 6th, 7th, and 8th respectively. Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) took ninth, just fending off an impressive ride from rookie Sergio Garcia (Pons Wegow Los40).
The Lowes watch was a dramatic one as the Brit carved his way through from the back of the grid, picking off rider after rider in hopes of finishing in a point-scoring position. Although it’s not the result the Brit would have wanted, he recovered to P15 as he walked away from Le Mans with a Championship point.
The Championship story continues to run its rollercoaster course in the 2023 Moto2™ season though. With the momentum currently with Arbolino, the Italian will go into his home Grand Prix in high spirits as the attention now turns to the iconic Mugello circuit for the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley in just four weeks’ time!
Daniel Holgado (96) beat Ayumu Sasaki (71) and Jaume Masia (5) to win the Moto3 race at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Holgado escapes Sasaki to take home win for Tech3
The Championship leader extends his advantage with a masterclass, with Sasaki back on the box and Masia continuing his run of form in France
Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) is the Moto3™ race winner in the 1000th FIM Grand Prix in history! The Spaniard extended his Championship lead as he got back on the top step in style, leading from the front and keeping it pitch perfect over the final lap to take a home win for the Tech3 team too. After a tough start to the season, Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) took his first rostrum of the season after some more impressive speed, and Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) completed the podium as his consistent run continues… and he moves up to second overall.
Sasaki technically got the holeshot but got attacked into the first chicane by Holgado, the Japanese rider trying to fight back later in the lap but denied. As ever in the close competition of the lightweight class though, it soon became a group fight with a leading freight train of ten riders – with rookies David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) and Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) leading the chase, Alonso up from 25th on the grid.
A top eight was able to pull away though, with Holgado, Sasaki, Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team), Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI, Masia, Xavier Artigas (CFMoto PrüstelGP) and Ryusei Yamanaka (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) line astern. Heading into the final corners with 10 to go though, drama hit as Moreira suddenly slid out, crashing alone and rider ok, but his place in the standings left up for grabs – and Championship leader Holgado still holding firm at the front.
On the last couple of laps, the top four made their break: Holgado, Sasaki, Masia and Ortola. Over the line onto the last lap, Holgado still had a few tenths in hand too, but that didn’t last long as Sasaki homed in. The duo gained some reprieve as a moment for Masia dropped him back slightly too, and it became two duels.
At the front though, Holgado just had too much for the Japanese rider on the chase. The number 96 crossed the line for a stunning second win and increases his advantage in the title fight, with Sasaki second but back on the box for the first time this season. Masia recovered from his moment to hold off Ortola, taking the last step on the podium and making his own gains in the Championship too.
Yamanaka got the better of Öncü to complete the top five, with Artigas a little further back in seventh. Alonso, Rueda and Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) completed the top ten in that second group.
Now it’s time to reset and reload for Mugello, with Holgado leading Masia as Tuscany beckons at the start of the triple header!
Elf Marc VDS Racing’s Tony Arbolino won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at the 2.6-mile (4.2 km) Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. The Italian rider won the race, his first of the season, by 0.620 second over QJMotor Gresini rider Celestino Vietti. Lightech Speedup’s Alonso Lopez was a relatively close third.
Americans Joe Roberts and Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) finished 12th and 16th, respectively.
The race was stopped by a red flag shortly after the original start due to four riders – including pole-sitter Sam Lowes — crashing. A complete restart of 14 laps was then run. Lowes, Arbolino’s teammate, finished 15th.
Red Bull KTM Tech3 rider Daniel Holgado won the Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Holgado took the victory, his second of the season, by 0.150 second over Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna’s Ayumu Sasaki. Jaume Masia finished third on his Leopard Racing Honda.
Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Tom Drane (Yam), 18 laps
2. Trent Lowe (Hon), -00.005 seconds
3. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -00.036
4. Chad Cose (Hus), -00.101
5. Dalton Gauthier (KTM), -01.503
6. Trevor Brunner (Yam), -01.784
7. Max Whale (KTM), -01.855
8. Shayna Texter-Bauman (KTM), -02.706
9. Travis Petton (KTM), -02.718
10. Kody Kopp (KTM), -03.115
11. Morgen Mischler (Hon), -04.423
12. Declan Bender (KTM), -11.246
13. James Ott (Hus), -11.257
14. Aidan RoosEvans (Hon), -11.397
15. Hunter Bauer (Hon), -11.633
16. Landen Smith (KTM), -12.953
17. Jared Lowe (Hon), -14.571
18. Tyler Raggio (Yam), -18.380
19. Justin Jones (KTM), -18.482
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 24 laps
2. Dallas Daniels (Yam), -00.573 seconds
3. JD Beach (Yam), -07.545
4. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -07.566
5. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -07.931
6. Davis Fisher (Ind), -08.035
7. Briar Bauman (KTM), -11.674
8. Bronson Bauman (KTM), -15.753
9. Ben Lowe (Ind), -19.601
10. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -19.606
11. Nick Armstrong (Yam), -28.813
12. Kasey Sciscoe (Har), -2 laps
13. Jimmy McAllister (KTM), -2 laps, -27.570
14. Scooter Vernon (Kaw), -10 laps, DNF
15. Johnny Lewis (Roy), -24 laps, DNF
16. Ryan Wells (Roy), -24 laps, DNF
More, from a press release issued by American Flat Track (AFT):
Mees Gets His Revenge in Sacramento Mile Rematch
Jared Mees (1). Photo courtesy AFT.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 13, 2023) – Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750) furthered his claim as the preeminent Mile rider currently competing in Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, with a pivotal victory in Saturday night’s 57th Legendary Mission Sacramento Mile powered by Law Tigers at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California.
Those bragging rights were brought into question after Mees was outscored 2-1 in Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle Mile wins a year ago by then-rookie Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT). Their first Mile showdown of the season carried even greater significance than it otherwise would have with Daniels having arguably emerged the title favorite and leading reigning champion Mees in the points.
The race went to script with the two separating at the front and settling into a one-on-one fight to the flag. Just past mid-distance, Mees railed around the corners with his helmet down in an attempt to break Daniels’ challenge. While unable to sink Daniels’ hopes completely, the ploy granted Mees a few tenths which he successfully guarded all the way to the end.
The victory was the 24th Mile triumph of Mees’ illustrious career. That moves him ahead of Ricky Graham and into sole possession of fifth place on the all-time order and just one away from joining Bubba Shobert and Bryan Smith in a tie for third.
The result also drew Mees a bit closer to the championship lead. That said, Daniels is not doing him any favors in that regard, extending his season-long streak of top-two finishes. The gap is now 20 points (159-139) as the two continue to distance themselves from the remainder of a talented pack of contenders.
“I honestly was sweating coming into the Miles – last year I felt like we were a little down,” Mees admitted after earning his fifth-career Sacramento Mile win. “I didn’t know what to expect. But Kenny (Tolbert) worked really hard this winter to get us back some ponies, and Jimmy Wood really had that thing hooked up with the Öhlins suspension. I don’t think I’ve ever been that hooked up before. I could just go into the corner and mash the throttle. The Indian Motorcycle was phenomenal tonight.”
Daniels’ teammate, JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), solidified his hold on third in the championship order with his third podium of the season. It only came about following a final-lap duel with Kolby Carlile (No. 36 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07), however, when Beach poked ahead by 0.021 seconds at the line.
Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) each had a shot at the box on the final lap as well, ultimately finishing fractionally behind in fifth and sixth, respectively.
Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 790 Duke) earned a lonely seventh, although that description fails to adequately express the contour of his race. Bauman actually led more than once early in the contest before running wide on the powerful-yet-brutish KTM and dropping to fifth. He worked his way back up to third at one point before going off the groove again and fading out of podium contention.
Bauman was followed home by his brother, Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing/2 Wheelz KTM 790 Duke), while Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Mission Foods Indian FTR750) and Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Indian FTR750) completed the top ten.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Australian phenom Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) scored his maiden Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER victory in breathtaking fashion in Sacramento.
A huge early train of 450s connected to the front slowly whittled away as the race progressed. The battle for the win at last took its final shape with just over a minute remaining when three-time Sacramento Mile winner Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) fell away from the lead group and into the clutches of a second group bursting with big names and title contenders.
With Brunner out of the fight, the checkered flag was set to be decided between Drane, Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), and Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450).
Lowe stormed past Drane as they opened the final lap, but the diminutive Aussie stormed back by on the back straight, confident he could out-run any and all slingshot attempts in the decisive drag race to the line.
He was proven correct, albeit only by just 0.005 seconds over Lowe and 0.036 seconds over Saathoff. Meanwhile, Cose finished just another 0.065 seconds back yet found himself left off the podium altogether.
Drane came into the season with serious hype and had endured something of a quiet start to the year when judged based on those lofty expectations. However, tonight’s victory put everything back in its proper perspective. Ultimately, the Estenson Racing Yamaha prodigy earned his first win just a month after turning 17 and competing in what was just his eighth Progressive AFT Main Event. Perhaps even more remarkably, it was the first Main Event at a Mile in Drane’s career.
He said, “I just can’t thank the team enough for all the work they do, all the hours. It’s amazing. This has boosted my confidence heaps, showing I can do it. I’m so happy.”
Fifth went to Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F), who clawed his way up from outside the top ten after earning his slot on the grid via the LCQ.
He placed Brunner between himself and his primary title rivals in the process. Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) crossed the stripe in seventh, followed by Sacramento Mile legend Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 450 SX-F) and the impressive Travis Petton IV (No. 82 ECG Racing/3 Bros KTM 450 SX-F).
The final position in the top ten went to defending class champ Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F). Despite the uncharacteristic result, Kopp continues to lead in the standings with 137 points. Gauthier closed to within 14 points at 123, while Whale and Saathoff are now tied for third at 115.
Next Up:
Progressive American Flat Track will continue its run of spectacular Mile action with the Red Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Lexington at the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, on May 27. Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/red-mile-59131 to secure your tickets today.
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FansChoice.tv is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://www.fanschoice.tv.
FOX Sports coverage of the Legendary Sacramento Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, May 27, at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT).
Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.
More, from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:
KODY KOPP CONTINUES TO LEAD AFT SINGLES POINTS AFTER SACRAMENTO MILE CHALLENGE
Round 7 – American Flat Track Championship
Kody Kopp (1). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing duo Kody Kopp and Max Whale endured a tough night of competition at Round 7 of the 2023 American Flat Track Championship, with Whale finishing in seventh position and Kopp 10th in the AFT Singles Main Event. Defending champion Kopp continues to lead the point standings following the Sacramento Mile.
After qualifying in seventh, defending champion Kopp made inroads between qualifying and the opening Heat of the event, powering his #1 KTM 450 SX-F to third position, setting himself up well for the Main Event. A more difficult 18-lap affair saw Kopp eventually cross the line in 10th position, retaining his lead in the AFT Singles series.
Kody Kopp: “Honestly, a little frustrated with how the weekend went, and a lot of things added up to the 10th-place finish here at the Sacramento Mile. We’re a team though, we’ll go back to work, we’ve got a two-week break and we’ll come back swinging in Kentucky.”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Whale was 10th in qualifying at the Northern Californian venue, before crossing the finish line in fourth place for the second Heat of the event, just 0.213 off the race winner. The Australian fought hard during the Main Event, landing P7 and still sitting third in the championship overall.
Max Whale: “Definitely a tough day here in Sacramento. I feel as though I rode well, but just a few mistakes today – the team worked great, but I ended the night in P7, which isn’t great. It could’ve been much worse from where I was at one stage, we fought hard, and we’ll move on to the next one.”
Next Race: The Red Mile – Lexington, Kentucky – May 27, 2023
Round 7 Results
AFT Singles Main Event
1. Tom Drane, Yamaha
2. Trent Lowe, Honda
3. Chase Saathoff, Honda
OTHER KTM
5. Dalton Gauthier, KTM
7. Max Whale, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
8. Shayna Texter-Bauman, KTM
9. Travis Petton IV, KTM
10. Kody Kopp, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
12. Declan Bender, KTM
16. Landen Smith, KTM
19. Justin Jones, KTM
2023 AFT Singles Point Standings
1. Kody Kopp, 137 points
2. Dalton Gauthier, 123
3. Max Whale, 115
OTHER KTM
11. Justin Jones, 52
13. Travis Petton IV, 35
14. Shayna Texter-Bauman, 34
16. Logan Eisenhard, 27
22. Hunter Bauer, 16
23. Hayden Gillim, 14
24. Clarke Morian V, 10
25. Tanner Dean, 9
28. Declan Bender, 8
31. Landen Smith, 4
32. Olin Kissler, 4
More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle:
Indian Motorcycle Racing & Jared Mees Win Sacramento Mile
Mees Pilots Indian FTR750 to Third Victory of the Season, Continues Hunt for Record-Tying Ninth Premier Class Championship
Jared Mees (1). Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy Indian Motorcycle.
MINNEAPOLIS – It was another exciting weekend of American Flat Track (AFT) racing, as Indian Wrecking Crew Rider and Reigning SuperTwins Champion Jared Mees wins the Sacramento Mile aboard his Indian FTR750. The win marked Mees’ third of the season, tying him for the most wins this season with Estenson Racing Yamaha rider Dallas Daniels.
Starting from the pole position, Mees staved off the competition as he rode hard across the finish line to his 24th-career Mile victory, moving him up in the record books with the fifth most Mile wins of all time. In typical Mees fashion, Mees delivered a clutch performance, as he and Daniels are in the thick of a head-to-head battle for the 2023 SuperTwins Championship.
“I honestly was sweating coming into the Miles – last year I felt like we were a little down,” Mees admitted. “I didn’t know what to expect. But Kenny (Tolbert) worked really hard this winter to get us back some ponies, and Jimmy Wood really had that thing hooked up with the Öhlins suspension. I don’t think I’ve ever been that hooked up before. I could just go into the corner and mash the throttle. The Indian Motorcycle was phenomenal tonight.”
With 139 points on the year, Mees sits securely in second – 24 points ahead of third (115) and 20 points behind Daniels (159). In addition to his three wins, Mees has secured a third-place podium finish, two fourth-place finishes and a P6. Meanwhile, Daniels has raced to a top-two finish in all seven races this season.
The AFT season continues with two more Mile races, the Red Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Lexington on May 27, and the DuQuoin Mile on June 17.
For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
INDIAN and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International, LLC. Always wear a helmet, protective clothing and eyewear and insist your passenger does the same. Ride within the limits of the law and your own abilities. Read, understand and follow your owner’s manual. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Glenn Irwin, riding his BeerMonster Ducati Panigale V4 R, won both Superbike races Saturday at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland. The victories were Irwin’s seventh and eighth-consecutive Superbike victories at the event, according to a press release issued by his team.
Alastair Seeley followed up his win in Superstock Race One on May 11 with another win in Saturday’s Superstock Race Two on his SYNETIQ BMW M 1000 RR. It was 43-year-old Seeley’s 29th career win at the North West 200.
Davey Todd won Supersport Race Two on a Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles Honda CBR600RR, completing a sweep of both Supersport race wins at the event.
Richard Cooper won both of Saturday’s Supertwin races on his KMR Kawasaki ER6 (a.k.a. Ninja 650).
JMcC Roofing Racing’s American rider Patricia Fernandez-West finished 35th in Superbike Race One, 26th in Superbike Race Two, and 29th in Superstock Race Two on her Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. She also placed 22nd in Supersport Race Two on her Yamaha YZF-R6.
Fernandez-West’s teammate and husband Cory West, riding a Kawasaki ER6, finished 10th and seventh in Supertwin Race One and Race Two, respectively. West was also recognized as “Fastest Newcomer.”
Update: American Chris Sarbora riding a Moto-Hub.co.uk BMW, finished 17th and 24th in Superbike Race One and Two, respectively, and 24th in Superstock Race Two on Saturday. On Thursday, Sarbora took 30th in Superstock Race One.
Editorial Note: The PDFs of the race results below include results from each class for the entire event. So, you must scroll down several pages, just past the grid sheets, to see the results from Saturday’s races.
More, from a press release issued by NW200 Press Office:
GLENN IRWIN CLOSES IN ON NW200 SUPERBIKE RECORD
Glenn Irwin’s domination of superbike racing at the fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils North West 200 continued unabated last weekend when the 33 year old steered his PBM/Beer Monster Ducati V4 to victory in both of the premier class races.
That double means Irwin is the winner of the last eight superbike races at the event, a tally just one shy of the record of nine Superbike victories at the meeting shared by the late Joey Dunlop and Michael Rutter.
An off by Gerald Dath in the first race and separate crashes by James Hillier and Mike Browne in the second brought out the red flags after only three of the scheduled laps had been completed in each race.
Irwin was battling Davey Todd and Dean Harrison in the first encounter with only 1.5 secs covering the trio before Alastair Seeley was forced out of the race on the second lap with an overheating engine on his Milwaukee BMW- but not before a close encounter with Irwin at the Magic Roundabout.
“Glenn has come up the inside and has caught the wing.” Seeley explained.
“It was a bit of a risky move going into a high speed corner.”
Michael Dunlop set the fastest lap of the race at 122.712mph as he moved into the lead at Metropole on lap two on his new Hawk Racing Honda. A lap later he had retired.
Irwin, who later apologised to his Carrickfergus neighbour for the wing encounter, was holding off Todd and Harrison when the race was stopped. Victory came as a relief for the current BSB championship leader after Tuesday and Thursday’s troubled qualifying sessions with his Ducati.
“When I came here this week I knew what I wanted and I knew what we had.” Irwin, who limits his racing to the Superbike races at the North West, explained.
“It wasn’t what I wanted but to be fair to the boys they’ve went outside the budget to get me what I needed.”
“On Thursday I felt like I was riding like a maniac and I could never win the race. Today I felt like I was riding at 70%, pushing hard on some corners but I felt in control.”
With his confidence boosted by that win, Irwin was locked in battle with Seeley, Dunlop and Dean Harrison on the third lap of the second race when James Hillier’s crash brought out the red flags. The race was restarted and the Ducati rider moved into the lead at Mather’s chicane, crossing the line 1.06 seconds ahead of Seeley when the red flags came out for a second time after Mike Browne’s crash.
After some initial confusion and a lengthy wait as officials struggled to deal with red flags, opening roads and finalising the result, the local hero was finally declared the winner. Joining his jubilant fans in the packed grandstands for some crowd surfing duly followed.
“It’s an amazing feeling.” a relieved Irwin smiled after having spent the previous few weeks telling anyone who would listen that he would win big at his home race this year.
“It’s been a tough week.” he admitted.
“I’ve come in the best form ever and the guys gave me a great bike today.”
SEELEY’S SYNETIQ SMILE
Alastair Seeley’s rejuvenated racing career shows no sign of slowing down as the North West 200’s most successful racer notched up more wins and lap records at this year’s event.
The 43 year old has re-entered the British Superstock 1000 fray this season and is running at the front of the pack on the Synetiq BMW. Bringing that bike and pace to Portrush, Seeley smashed the lap record and claimed victory in both of this year’s NW200 stocker races.
The former double British champion added win number 28 and added the new 124.427mph record to his NW200 CV in the Thursday evening race, leading Davey Todd and his Milenco Padgett’s Honda home by a huge 10.3 seconds.
It also marked Seeley’s 15th victory around the 8.9 mile Northern Ireland roads circuit with Hector and Philip Neill’s TAS Racing team, the Moneymore-based squad that had prepared his machine.
“It is a match made in heaven.” Seeley smiled.
“It’s a great team, they are a great bunch of guys with a big family atmosphere and this year we are very happy and I keep saying a happy rider is a fast rider.”
Todd, the reigning British Superstock champion, held off Michael Dunlop and his MD Racing Honda by 0.3 seconds with Dean Harrison 20 seconds further back on the DAO Racing Kawasaki.
Earlier in the evening Seeley had to settle for second to Todd as he made his debut on the Powertoolmate Ducati V2 machine in the Supersport event. The Ulsterman had the consolation of setting a new Supersport lap record at 118.066mph as he finished 0.1 second behind the Milenco Padgett’s Honda.
Seeley then lost that record to Peter Hickman in Saturday’s Supersport race who raised the bar to 118.273mph as the Ducati racer finished sixth. His 29th North West win came in the Superstock contest as he took the lead on the opening lap and raised his two day old lap record to 124.484mph to lead Michael Dunlop home by 0.7 seconds from Dean Harrison. A runner-up finish in the feature Superbike race behind Glenn Irwin topped off a brilliant week for the diminutive veteran who revelled in his victories.
“They just keep coming.” Seeley smiled as he closes in on a 30th victory at the seaside event, double the number of the second most successful NW200 racer, the late, Robert Dunlop.
DAVEY’S DOUBLE
Davey Todd showed why he is road racing’s hottest prospect as he scored a brilliant Supersport double at the NW200 on his Milenco Padgett’s Honda. The 27 year old came out on top in a brilliant four way battle during Thursday evening’s first 600cc race with only 1.31 seconds covering the first six riders at the chequered flag.
Todd prevailed by 0.108 seconds over Alastair Seeley (Powertoolmate Ducati) ahead of Richard Cooper (BPE Russell Yamaha), Michael Dunlop (MD Racing Honda) and Dean Harrison (BPE Russell Yamaha).
It was Todd’s second NW200 win, his first coming in a wet 600cc race in 2019. Last year he had to settle for the runner-up spot four times.
“I didn’t want to let that one slip away.” he said after the thrilling battle.
“It was really hard to judge on the last lap but I’m over the moon and that’s a dream. I have a win in the wet on the 600 but this really means a lot.”
The lap record was broken in both North West Supersport races this year, first by Alastair Seeley in the opening race and then by Peter Hickman in the second as Todd doubled up after another frantic Supersport battle on Saturday. The English rider got the better of Richard Cooper again to take the win by 0.2 seconds with Peter Hickman third on the Trooper Beer Triumph and Dean Harrison fourth. Only 0.539 seconds covered the first four as they crossed the line.
“This one is even better.” Todd smiled after the fierce battle.
“I got a taste of winning on Thursday and I knew I was strong on the bike. The boys were going so hard, I wasn’t sure I was going to do it. I just about hung on and holding these guys off is hard. Each time someone came past me I tried to bite back and that’s the hardest I’ve rode here.”
COOPER’S REVENGE
Twelve months ago Richard Cooper’s North West 200 dream turned into a nightmare when the Nottingham racer’s Supertwin double was cancelled out because of a technical infringement on his KMR Kawasaki.
The Englishman unexpectedly rejoined the Dungannon bike builder in a last minute deal for this year’s event after the Bathams R7 Yamaha he had intended to race failed to materialise. Both Twins races were run on Saturday and Cooper dominated, setting a new lap record at 112.251mph to win the first encounter as he led local racers Paul Jordan (Prez Racing Kawasaki) and Adam McLean (JMcC Roofing Kawasaki) home.
McLean repeated his third place performance in the second event with 59 year old Jeremy McWilliams (Bayview Paton) finishing second, 4.8 seconds behind Cooper who had finally cancelled out the disappointment of 12 months ago.
“I had moved on but it was more difficult for Ryan.” Cooper explained.
“I told him the only way to get over it was to win so this is for Ryan and his family and I want to see a smile on his face.”
Cooper also enjoyed two podium finishes in the 600cc races with the BPE/Russell Racing Yamaha squad, finishing third in the Thursday race behind Davey Todd and Alastair Seeley before pushing Todd hard as he finished second in Saturday’s race.
DUNLOP AND HARRISON IMPRESS
Michael Dunlop and Dean Harrison posted a series of impressive North West 200 results this year ahead of next month’s TT races.
The Ballymoney man has switched to Honda power for the big bike classes this season, running a Hawk Racing Honda in the Superbike division alongside a stock spec Fireblade and R6 Yamaha in his own MD Racing colours.
He might not have won any races at this year’s NW200 but he was running at the front of the pack in all the races he contested.
Posting the fastest Superbike lap during the opening practice session, he finished in the top five in every race he started except the first Superbike event, when he was forced to retire because of issues with his rear Dunlop tyre. His best performances came in the two Superstock races where he was second and third on the MD Racing Honda.
Harrison claimed third place finishes on the DAO Racing Kawasakis in both of Saturday’s Superbike events plus a third and fourth in the two Superstock races. He also finished fourth and fifth on the BPE/Russell Yamaha R6 in both 600cc races at the seaside event.
“I felt most comfortable on the Superbike.” Harrison said.
“I am riding it the most and it was the same bike I ride at BSB. I felt like I was always there in both races. It was a shame the races were cut short because there was nothing in it between us and I had more to give.”
FHO RACING CONTROVERSY
The blistering race action at this year’s NW200 was overshadowed by the exclusion of the FHO Racing BMW team from Thursday evening’s Superstock race and the squad’s subsequent withdrawal from the event.
The team had run foul of the Motorcycling Union of Ireland rule book which prohibits the use of carbon fibre wheels fitted on the M1000RRs of Peter Hickman and Josh Brookes. Team principal, Faye Ho, immediately pulled her squad out of the event in protest.
The North West organisers responded by pointing out the ban on carbon fibre wheels is clearly stated in the event’s regulations.
“We thought the rules were the same but found out too late that they were not.” Peter Hickman, who remained at the meeting to compete on his own Supertwin and Supersport-spec machinery, later explained.
“As far as we as a team are concerned, we just want consistency.”
The real losers though were the NW200 fans. They were deprived of seeing the FHO BMW duo in action against Irwin, Seeley and Co in the Stocker and Superbike events, a prospect made even more mouth-watering after Brookes had raised Bruce Anstey’s fastest ever speed trap time of 209.8 mph to an incredible 212.4 mph during the final Superbike qualifying session.
DUNLOP TYRE WOES CONTINUE
Previously dominant in road racing, the Dunlop Tyre company suffered a nightmare at last year’s NW200 when tyres on Peter Hickman, Michael Dunlop and Davey Todd’s machines all delaminated at high speed. Problems resurfaced with the Dunlop rubber at this year’s event, forcing some Dunlop runners to request the organisers cut the race distance from six to five laps for the second Superstock and feature Superbike races.
NW200 INJURY TOLL
The current leader of the British Supersport series, Lee Johnston, suffered serious injuries when he crashed his Ashcourt Yamaha at Church corner during qualifying. The English-based Ulsterman was airlifted to hospital with a broken shoulder and femur.
New Honda signing, Nathan Harrison broke his wrist and collarbone when he crashed out of the Superstock race later the same day at Dhu Varren, ruining the young Manx hopeful’s TT start alongside veteran teammate, John McGuinness.
Michael Sweeney is another TT doubtful after crashing at the same spot in the opening Supertwin race on Saturday, breaking vertebrae, his collarbone and dislocating a knee.
Conor Cummins was ruled out of Saturday’s North West action on his Padgett’s Honda after damaging his knee when he clouted a kerb at Ballysally roundabout in Thursday’s Superstock race and both North West newcomer, Mike Browne and James Hillier escaped serious injury in crashes at Juniper Hill chicane.
Spaniard Jorge Martin won the MotoGP Sprint Race Saturday afternoon on the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Riding his Prima Pramac Ducati Desmosedici, Martin won the 13-lap race by 1.840 seconds over Red Bull KTM Brad Binder. Defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia was a close third on his Lenovo Ducati.
Absolute showstopper: Martin takes the spoils as Champions clash
The Spaniard stormed to his debut Tissot Sprint victory from Binder, ahead of a breathtaking battle between Bagnaia and Marquez
Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 13 May 2023
We billed it as super Saturday and once again, we meant it. The Tissot Sprint at Le Mans was another jaw dropper throughout the field, and we have a new name in the history books as Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) put in an inch-perfect ride to take his first Sprint win in MotoGP™. Just behind him, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) fought his way through the pack to storm to another podium in second, and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completed the podium.
‘Completed the podium’ isn’t quite the correct product description, however, as the #1 actually had a gloves-off melee with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) that was intense, spectacular, and left both giving some fantastic reviews of the sport they compete in.
Let’s rewind first. It was Bagnaia who stormed off the line to take the holeshot as the lights went out, whilst Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) shot into P2. Turn 2 came and Martin made an incredible around-the-outside move to take 2nd place from Miller though, and as the riders crossed the line for the first time it remained Bagnaia, Martin, Miller, shadowed by Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Marquez in hot pursuit. Sector two came around and it was disappointment in the KTM camp though as Miller crashed out at Museum corner, by then promoting Marquez to P3. Some spirits were lifted for the Austrian manufacturer as Binder was on the move though, pushing his way past Marini to set the fastest lap and latch himself onto the back of the top 3.
With 11 laps to go, and it was a four-rider scrap for Tissot Sprint glory as Bagnaia led Martin, Marquez, and Binder respectively with Marini in a distant 5th. That didn’t last long, however, as Martin lunged up the inside of Bagnaia to take the lead away from the Ducati Lenovo rider. The number 89 then began to put the hammer down and pulled out 0.7s in just one lap. From there on out, he was untouchable. For the fight behind, a different word should be sought.
Marquez and Binder were queuing up behind Pecco, and a big reshuffle at the Dunlop chicane saw Binder take full advantage to go into P2, demoting Bagnaia to P3 and Marquez to P4. Marini then caught the battle as Bagnaia was struggling to hold onto the pace of the leaders, and it became a four-rider scrap. But Binder decided he was out, and the KTM started to edge away.
Brad Binder (33) leads Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, Luca Marini, and Aleix Espargaro at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Marquez pushed his way through at the Dunlop chicane with 8 laps to go, seeing Bagnaia drop to 5th behind Marquez and Marini. With the Italian clearly struggling he did his best to cling on, and snapped straight back at Marini. Next target: Marquez. Bagnaia was coming back at it, and made a move on the eight-time World Champion at the 200mph Turn 1 with 4 laps of racing still remaining.
The Italian then put the hammer down, and Marquez was unable to hang onto the coattails of the factory Ducati as the Spaniard faded slightly into the clutches of Marini. Martin crossed the line to take his first Sprint win as well as his first Grand Prix points at Le Mans, bouncing back in style as Binder took second to gain in the title fight, ahead of Bagnaia completing the podium.
After Bagnaia pulled away from the pack to defend his top 3, Marini got the better of Marquez to take 4th place. Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) was all over the rear of the battle for 4th in the last couple of laps, but lost ground after a crucial mistake in the closing stages halted his progress and saw the Frenchman settle for 6th.
Meanwhile, further back there was a gaggle of riders swapping paintwork as Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) got the better of the chasing Aprilia Racing riders of Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales to take 7th place with the Aprilias 8th and 9th respectively. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) completed the top ten.
The tough home Grand Prix for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) continued as the Frenchman crashed out of the Sprint to the dismay of the home crowd. Rider perfectly ok. He’d made an absolutely charge up from 13th on the grid, but lost the chance to move forward to the podium battle.
If Saturday’s action at the SHARK Grand Prix de France is anything to go by, you do not want to miss any of the action on Sunday’s billing as the race gets underway at 14:00 local time (GMT +2)! Join us for more tomorrow!
QUOTES
JORGE MARTIN: “I finally made it. I’m super proud of my team, and proud of myself because I’ve finally come back to the first position. It’s been a long time. it’s only a Sprint race but at least I got that feeling of the leading of not making mistakes and keeping the hammer down. Making that gap with Brad wasn’t easy but finally, I could make those two laps a bit more relaxed and yeah, I enjoyed a lot those last corners to finish in first position!”
BRAD BINDER: “I knew this start was everything. If I could get a decent launch off the line, cut my way through, and just hang with the boys at the beginning I knew I could probably bring it home in a decent spot. So I gave my best out there today, I need to say thank you to my team they did an incredible job again. It’s clear what we can improve for tomorrow, so I’m really looking forward to it. I think we can do a much better job in the long race.”
QUOTES: BAGNAIA & MARQUEZ WEIGH IN
PECCO BAGNAIA: “The battle was fun, I was enjoying it, it was quite aggressive but it’s the way I like to race. So I don’t understand the way they judged it because two weeks ago I got a penalty. And I’m NOT asking for a penalty for Marc, I’m just asking why I got one, it was normal like mine was. I think it’s correct to follow this line! It was aggressive but I like it. Battles have to be aggressive, for me. I’d like to continue like this.
“When there’s contact you’re upset in that moment, with the adrenaline and tension. But for me the battles like this is normal and we have to keep it like this.”
MARC MARQUEZ: “For me we must stop speaking about these small things and overtakes. I spoke with Pecco and he wasn’t angry at me. More upset because he was penalised in Jerez and I wasn’t here. They’re different actions but… guys, this is MotoGP. It’s my 11th year in the category, I think. If you want to overtake it’ll always be a close overtake and I think it’s what the fans enjoy.
“Yesterday the Stewards were in the Safety Commission and I gave my opinion. My opinion on this year is that everything that’s happened in the races has been a racing incident – the only one that should be penalised was my one in Portimao, because it was a big mistake! That one must be penalised. The rest were racing incidents and what happened today at Turn 3 was completely normal.”
Sam Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Lowes doubles down with second pole in two races, ahead of Lopez and Arbolino
Another race weekend, another record for Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team)! The Brit followed up his demolition of the opposition in Jerez to take pole position at Le Mans, a couple of tenths clear. Alonso Lopez (Lightech SpeedUp) put in a strong effort to take P2 whilst the Marc VDS squad put both their riders on the front row with Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) snatching P3.
Lowes’ lap record came in with a few minutes left on the clock, but neither Lopez nor Arbolino could topple it.
Where’s Pedro?
Now the Championship leader by virtue of his two wins to Arbolino’s one, and the two equal on points, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) starts off the front row in France… but not by too much. He’s just behind another impressive performance from Filip Salač (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™), with Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) sixth but stealing some limelight with a stunning save.
Somkiat Chantra (IDEMISTU Honda Team Asia) fronts the 3rd row of the grid ahead of Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar M2) who crashed out of Q2 to finish in P8 ahead of Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp), with Barry Baltus (Fieten Olie Racing GP) rounding out the top 10.
The Moto2™ riders’ attention now turns to the race on Sunday, make sure not to miss any of the action as it commences at 12:15 local time (GMT +2)!
Ayumu Sasaki (71). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sasaki snatches pole from Moreira and Holgado
Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) is back on top! After early season speed halted by some Sunday misfortunes, the Japanese rider put big points on the board in Jerez and backed it up with another pole position. He heads the field by three tenths, with Championship rivals Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) and Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) alongside.
Sasaki led the way as the riders came back to the pits for their final runs for a chance at pole, and the fast laps came flying in as the clock ran down. Andrea Migno (CIP Green Power), Holgado, and Moreira tried to threaten Sasaki’s time at the top but the Japanese rider held strong as he moved the goalposts by 0.4s on his final flying lap.
Moreira had a charge for pole at the end of the session but the young Brazilian fell short, still starting just ahead of Holgado, who’s in third. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) snatched 4th place on the grid and despite a crash for the Migno at the end of the session, the Italian’s lap time was enough for him to bag him a spot on the 2nd row as he finished 5th.
COTA and Jerez winner Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) put himself on the 2nd row in 6th, ad the third row is made up by Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing), Xavier Artigas (CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP), and Romano Fenati (Rivcold Snipers Team), as the rookie Syarifuddin Azman (MT Helmets – MSI) rounds out the top 10.
Make sure not to miss any of the Moto3™ action set to commence on Sunday at 11:00 local time (GMT +2)!
Piqueras robs Salmela in Le Mans Rookies Cup Race 1
Rising Finnish star Rico Salmela rode a perfect race ahead of the KTM pack and so nearly scored his 2nd Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup victory. But the 15-year-old was passed at the penultimate corner complex by Angel Piqueras.
Angel Piqueras (18) leads Rico Salmela (27) during Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Race One at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Red Bull.
So the 16-year-old points leader stood for the Spanish National Anthem for the 4th time this season with Ruche Moodley, the 16-year-old South African, joining them on the podium.
It was yet another fabulous race and while Salmela looked cool and confident in front the battle behind was incredibly intense, anyone of 8 or 10 riders could have made the podium and even the win as Piqueras demonstrated.
Piqueras sent it
“It’s true, I didn’t know how I managed to win. I just pushed very hard at the end, the last two laps, pushed at every corner.”
“I felt good at the end of the race, I was confident and I decided to take a chance. I pushed very hard, right on the limit and I almost crashed, I could have crashed, that was a real possibility but I didn’t. Maybe I will crash tomorrow, we’ll see.”
“It was a really hard race all the way, we were all pushing hard and it was only at the end that I felt that I could go and try and win, I felt really strong and felt I could try to catch Rico.”
“I won’t change anything on the bike for tomorrow, It is great. I felt I lacked a bit on the straight but maybe just because I am a bit bigger.”
Salmela so smooth
“Yes, It was a really good race, I was having some fun in the front. I think that I was doing quite a good pace in the lead.”
“In the last lap, I left a little gap and Piqueras took it. I tried to close it a bit but went too late on the brakes and went a little bit wide and Piqueras got the inside line.”
“I’m still quite happy with the work that I did today but I know that there are still some places that I can improve on for tomorrow. I like the bike, no need to change it at all but I think that one of the things I can do is probably push harder from the beginning and maybe make the last laps a bit better.”
Moodley made up places
“It was a really good race, quite difficult coming from 13th. I pushed really hard from the start and I knew I could get a good position. In the end, it was a podium so I am so happy.”
“Brad (Binder) was a big help, on Thursday he was showing me some lines. In practice though I still wasn’t feeling that confident until the end of Qualifying. Then today, I don’t know what happened,” he laughed.
“The bike felt good so I am not going to change anything, I hope for another good race tomorrow.”
Quiles 4th and cries foul
“It’s not fair,” stated the 15-year-old Spaniard after the race, visibly distressed. “Other riders in Jerez touch the green in Jerez many times and me, I touch it 3 and they give me a long lap and again here. It’s not correct but I am happy with the bike and the way I rode the race.”
Guido Pini not thrilled with 5th
“I’m not really happy because I was all the race in the lead group, 3rd or 4th position,” explained the 15-year-old Italian. “On the last lap I tried to do my best, but Piqueras passed me, I didn’t crash but almost high sided and Moodley passed me. Also, Maximo, I passed him but he passed me again so 5th position, I’m not really happy but tomorrow I think I can do better.”
Hakim Danish lost out after charge to the front
“I’m not happy because I made a lot of mistakes,” explained the 15-year-old Malaysian frankly after finishing 9th. “I slid off in the warm-up lap, luckily I could get up and still get in the race.”
“I had a good start in the race, I tried to follow the front group, I managed to do that. Then in the middle of the race I tried to pass one rider but I made a little mistake in Turn 7 and I almost hit the rider in front because I braked so late.”
“So then I had to catch the group again and I made another mistake in Turn 9, I braked too late and went straight. So a difficult race but I will improve for tomorrow.”
Marco Morelli frustrated with 13th from Pole
“A little bit of a bad race, I think.” said the 15-year-old Argentine. “I don’t know what to say but I am disappointed, I started from the pole and I finish 13, that’s not a great result.”
“But, I will learn from that, I need to close the door more, today I let too many riders through, gave them too much room.”
“I have one more opportunity to start from Pole and this is great. I am happy with the bike so it is just up to me.”
Matteo Ferrari won MotoE World Championship Race Two Saturday on the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Riding his Felo Gresini Ducati electric motorcycle, Ferrari won the eight-lap sprint by 0.712 second over Race One winner Jordi Torres, who rides an Openbank Aspar Team Ducati. Hector Garzo was a close third on his Dynavolt Intact GP Ducati.
The #81 comes out on top after a duel to the line as Ferrari slides out in Race 1 in France
Hector Garzo (4) and Jordi Torres (81) fight for the lead in MotoE Race One. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 13 May 2023
Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) started 2023 on top! The Spaniard duelled compatriot Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) right to the line for the first honours of the new era, coming out on top after a last lap duel. Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™) crashed out of the fight at the front and has a Long Lap for Race 2 after a dramatic start, with Randy Krummenacher (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) coming through to complete the rostrum on his first electric start.
Garzo took the holeshot from Ferrari as the top two shot off the line, with Torres slotting into third from third on the grid. Nicolas Spinelli (HP Pons Los40) moved up into fourth after a solid start too, with the rookie on the move and a gap forming behind the top four.
At the front, it was Garzo vs Ferrari, with the lead changing on Lap 2 and then again a lap later, and in some style. That wasn’t the end of the drama for either though, with Ferrari then suddenly crashing out with four to go… leaving Garzo with a little breathing space ahead of Torres.
The chasing group had also had a shake up, with Spinelli crashing out before both Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) and Mattia Casadei (HP Pons Los40) went down at Turn 7 – just a lap before Ferrari did the same. That made it a duel for the win and huge group fight to complete the podium, with Krummenacher leading the train on the penultimate lap.
It also added more drama for Ferrari as the Yellow Flags were still out, and he was given a Long Lap penalty to serve in Race 2. The drama wasn’t done for Race 1 yet though: a Long Lap for Kevin Manfredi (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) after a shortcut ensured the Italian wouldn’t be on the rostrum, but he was still in the fight for it until the final lap.
That final lap saw Torres choose his moment to perfection, attacking into the chicane and then getting the hammer down to try and hold Garzo off. And that he did, with the number 81 able to hold on to the line, taking the first FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship victory by less than a tenth.
Behind Garzo, the podium fight saw Krummenacher come out on top as the Swiss rider makes his electric debut on the rostrum, ahead of Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse). Hikari Okubo (Tech3 E-Racing) completed the top five.
Ferrari fights back with fabulous Race 2 charge for victory
Despite a Long Lap Penalty, the Italian couldn’t be stopped as Torres and Garzo complete the rostrum
Matteo Ferrari (11). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™) came out swinging in Race 2 at Le Mans, overcoming a Long Lap penalty for a crash under yellows in Race 1 to charge back to the front and take the win. Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) was forced to settle for second but consolidated his points lead, with Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) leaving Le Mans with two podiums after another top finish in Race 2. Ferrari’s win was also a historic 200th podium in the Grand Prix paddock for the Gresini Team!
Garzo repeated his Race 1 heroics to nab the holeshot as the lights went out, with Ferrari slotting into second and Torres once again shadowing in third. Nicolas Spinelli (HP Pons Los40) likewise made a good getaway to slot into fourth, with teammate Maria Casadei making quicker progress on take two, up into fifth.
Ferrari didn’t take long to strike for the lead, but just as he took over the Race Direction message came through: serve the Long Lap given for that Race 1 crash under yellows. The Italian pushed on to try and make the biggest gap possible before heading in though, and he was absolutely caning it. He took the penalty on the last chance lap to do so, re-emerging behind Torres as Garzo after the number 81 had grabbed the lead.
The mission was clear, and the mission was a success. First he stalked Garzo before finding a way through at Turn 1, and as the final corners dawned on the penultimate lap he was lining up a repeat. He pulled it off in style on Torres, able to stay just ahead over the final lap to take that first win of the year in style.
Torres’ second place was a tactical one as the Spaniard increased his points lead, however, and Garzo leaves with two podiums for second overall.The fight just behind saw Casadei dispatch teammate Spinelli as the Pons team locked out the top five, both sure to be looking for a little more in Mugello but putting some solid points on the board in Round 1.
Check out the full results and get ready to recharge for more as MotoE™ heads into the triple header in a few weeks!
Angel Piqueras (18) leads Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Race Two at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Red Bull.
Angel Piqueras wins stunning Rookies Le Mans Race 2
Too much drama in Race 2 of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup at Le Mans but it didn’t prevent Angel Piqueras taking his 5th win of the season and the 16-year-old Spaniard brilliantly held off Italian 15-year-old Guido Pini.
Spaniard Alberto Ferrández took 3rd from Argentina’s Marco Morelli as the 15-year-olds battled to the line for the final podium spot.
Piqueras did it again
“I really didn’t have a plan for the race today, I knew that the track would be different to yesterday and it was, it was a bit cold and without the same grip.”
“In the early laps and all the way through the race, it was a big battle at the front, all the riders were pushing very hard but on the last two laps I decided to push and to see what I could do.”
“It worked and am very happy to win again, of course, this is very good for the championship and it has been a great weekend. Two wins, it might not have been like that but it was.”
Pini improved last lap effort
“I am very happy with that, it’s my first podium in Rookies Cup. It was a very hard race, a lot of fighting at the front. We had to be a bit careful in the beginning because the track was cold but that was OK.
“I was confident going into the race today as I was yesterday. Yesterday I made mistakes on the last lap and that cost me the podium but not today. I battled with Piqueras for the win but I couldn’t do it this time.”
“I am enjoying the bike and really looking forward to my home race in Mugello.”
Ferrández gave it all
“I am very happy with that, I pushed all the way, from the first lap to the last I was always on the limit.”
“Finally on the last lap, so many riders crashed and finally I could overtake Morelli in the last corners and got on the podium. I have practised a lot, worked very hard for this but that is normal and I will try and do it again in Mugello.”
Morelli makes better use of Pole
“I am happy with the result, better than yesterday but very lucky because some riders crashed. I am happy though because today I could stay in the front group, I didn’t do that yesterday.”
“I still need to improve I need to be able to overtake more. I have scored some points which is good for the championship but that is not so important this year.”
“I tried for the podium, I overtook Ferrández but he overtook me, I was close to the podium and try again in Mugello.”
Cormac Buchanan 5th
“Well, very lucky, I was P11 going into the second to last lap and finished P5 so it is the first top 5. Lucky but then to finish first, first you have to finish so I’ll take it,” explained the 16-year-old New Zealander referring to the 5 riders who fell off at the end of the race.
“The starts this weekend have been really good, I am finally getting back to the way I felt at the end of last year so I’m really pleased with that but I just need to work on staying a bit more calm because when I get in that front group it gets a bit hectic and I kind of make a lot of mistakes. Then start losing the group.”
“There is still plenty to work on and I am going to train hard for Mugello and get P5 with more merit shall we say.”
Màximo Quiles falls on the final lap
“At the beginning of the race I was quite strong, I pushed and caught the front and we battled all the race, I could lead for some laps. But then towards the end, I dropped back a bit to get recharged so that I could push again for the finish.”
“Then on the last lap I was P4 and preparing the overtake and in the 2nd corner I braked straight and I crashed, I think I crashed with 2 more and I am very sorry for them. I hope Hakim (Danish) is OK.”
Hakim Danish brought down
“I was feeling good with the bike,” explained the 15-year-old Malaysian.” I was in the front group, I did a better job than yesterday, today I didn’t make the same mistakes as yesterday.”
I had a good start and managed to get quickly into the front group, then run in the top 5 and I could get up to 2nd. In the last lap, two riders crashed and hit me hard, I could do nothing about that. I am OK and let’s see the next race.”
Álvaro Carpe taken out
“I’m not so happy because I was in 3rd on the last lap and a rider hit me and I crashed.” stated the 15-year-old Spaniard. “I went to the bike but the engine had stopped and I could not restart it to get any points.”
“Yesterday I was 6th but it is not so good for the championship, I think I am still second but Piqueras has such a big lead.”
“We have to wait for Mugello and see what we can do there. I will do my best.”
Rico Salmela falls on last lap
“I’m OK after the crash. It was quite a good race before the crash. I was top 3 most of the race. Then close to the end I made a small mistake, I got neutral and I dropped to the back of the group. Then I pushed to catch up, I gained some positions and on the last lap I was P3 and I thought I could try to catch the riders in front. And then I had a small accident, I tried to save it but it was too much.
We’ll see what we can do in Mugello if we can still beat Piqueras.”
Ruche Moodley misses matching Race 1
“In the first laps I took it a bit carefully, just to check the track, because in Portimão I didn’t do that,” said the 16-year-old South African referring to his early race crash on a cold track in Portugal. “Then I felt confident, even though I was 13th at one stage, that I could catch the group.”
“The track was good and got better, on the 2nd to last lap I tried to get in a better position so that I could attack on the last lap and I just tucked the front.”
Rice-Eccles Stadium hosted its 22nd Monster Energy Supercross, and its fourth Supercross season finale, in Utah's inspiring “State of Sport" spirit. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Chase Sexton Wraps Up 2023 Supercross Title with Utah Win
Jett Lawrence Tops 250SX Class Racers in East/West Showdown
Salt Lake City, Utah, (May 14, 2023) Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton nabbed the final win of the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross indoor stadium season to cap his first 450SX Class championship with a victory in front of a sold-out crowd of 49,871 fans inside Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger took the race’s runner-up spot at the Supercross Championship Final Presented by Utah Sports Commission. And Team Tedder Monster Energy Mountain Motorsport’s Justin Hill took third place and his career-first 450SX Class podium to conclude the Supercross season and also earn points toward the inaugural 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In the 250SX Class season finale, Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence earned his sixth victory of the season in the Dave Coombs Sr. East/West Showdown that pit both regions against each other for the second time in 2023.
Chase Sexton (23) used speed and determination to take his first Supercross Championship. He finished the season on top with a nearly 20-second win at the finale in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
On the podium, the AMA awarded Chase Sexton the Monster Energy Supercross Champion title. He entered the race with the championship mathematically won but received the official #1 plate after the race. With Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence and Jett Lawrence wrapping the two 250SX Class championships at previous rounds, 2023 marked only the third time ever, and second time for Honda, that a manufacturer has captured all three Supercross championships in the same season. The 2023 season marks the 50th Anniversary of Supercross racing in America.
When the gate dropped Chase Sexton grabbed the holeshot ahead of Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Adam Cianciarulo, FXR General Grind & Machine’s Justin Starling, Twisted Tea Suzuki Progressive Insurance’s Kyle Chisholm and Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen. Roczen was on the move early but just a few turns in he injured his knee in a rutted corner. Roczen’s injury took him out of the race and he lost a chance to earn the two points needed to secure third overall in the championship.
Cianciarulo was into second place just a few laps into the race with Chisholm right behind. Just over three minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race Aaron Plessinger took over third and set his sights on Cianciarulo while Justin Hill was into fourth place and on the charge. As the race clock ticked past 12 minutes Plessinger moved past Cianciarulo to take over second, and a lap and a half later Justin Hill was around Cianciarulo and into third place.
As Sexton stretched out his lead up front, Cianciarulo mounted a charge to take back third. But with five minutes left on the race clock the final positions appeared settled. Chase Sexton took his sixth win of the season and brought Honda its first Supercross title since 2003. Sexton’s late-season surge was one of the sport’s great title comebacks, with parallels to David Bailey’s 1983 season that also included a third-to-first drive in the final five races of the season.
Jett Lawrence (1) took the win in what is likely his final 250SX Class race. He moves up to race the 450SX Class next year. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
In the final 250SX Class race of the season, Phoenix Racing Honda’s Coty Schock grabbed the holeshot but Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire was quickly into the lead ahead of Red Bull KTM’s Tom Vialle, Jett Lawrence, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Levi Kitchen, and Fire Power Honda’s Max Anstie as heavy rain came down in the stadium. Hunter Lawrence found himself with a mid-pack start and then got tangled up when Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Enzo Lopes crashed. As Hampshire, Jett Lawrence and Kitchen slotted into the top three spots, Hunter Lawrence and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan worked their way up from outside the top ten.
Three minutes into the 15-minute plus one lap race Jett Lawrence began applying pressure on Hampshire for the lead. At the same time, back on the track, Deegan broke into the top ten. Two minutes later Jett Lawrence was in striking distance of the front spot as his brother Hunter Lawrence climbed into the top ten. As the race clock ticked down to eight and a half minutes Jett Lawrence charged through the whoops and cut under Hampshire in the following corner. The riders made contact; Lawrence accelerated away clean but the disturbance led to a Hampshire mistake down the next rhythm lane.
From there Jett Lawrence was unchallenged for the lead. The win gives the Australian racer the distinction of being the winningest Honda rider in the 250SX Class, surpassing racing legends Eli Tomac, Jeremy McGrath and Hunter Lawrence. Hampshire held second to the checkered, and Kitchen took the final 250SX Class podium of the season.
With the 2023 Monster Energy AMA Supercross indoor stadium season wrapped up, the racers have a two week break before the start of the 11-round AMA Pro Motocross outdoor season. Points earned from the Supercross season will combine with points earned in the motocross season to determine the top 20 riders who will gain entry into the all-new SuperMotocross World Championship. Riders in spots 21-30 in overall points, as well as single event winners not in the top 20, will get a spot on the line in the Last Chance Qualifier to battle for the final two spots on the 22-rider starting gate. In September two Playoff races and one Final, with increasing points payouts, will determine the first SuperMotocross World Champion and deliver a $1,000,000 win bonus to that rider. The 250 class racers will battle for a $500,000 win bonus. It’s the first ever playoff season for the sport and delivers a three-race post season that will be all-new for the fans, teams, and racers.
Before the Monster Energy Supercross season closes its books, one great event is yet to conclude: the 2023 St. Jude Love Moto Stop Cancer Supercross Auction. The online auction offers unique, autographed, one-of-a-kind memorabilia donated by the teams, partners, and athletes. The auction runs until Monday, May 15th at 8:00 PM ET. All money raised goes directly to the children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the St. Jude mission of Finding Cures. Saving Children. To bid on the auction items please go to: St. Jude Love Moto Stop Cancer Supercross Auction.
All rounds of the 2023 SuperMotocross World Championship will be streamed live on Peacock; rounds 29 and 31 will also be broadcast live on USA Network. Both Playoffs and the Final will be re-broadcast on CNBC. For the full race schedule and ticket sales, as well as 2023 Supercross highlight videos, recap race reports, and post-race press conferences, please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.
450SX Class podium (racers from left) Aaron Plessinger, Chase Sexton, and Justin Hill. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
450SX Class Results
1. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
2. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM
3. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM
4. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki
5. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Honda
6. Josh Hill, Huntersville, N.C., KTM
7. Shane McElrath, Oakland, Fla., Suzuki
8. Justin Starling, Riverview, Fla., GASGAS
9. Devin Simonson, Laurinburg, N.C., Kawasaki
10. Grant Harlan, Decatur, Tex., Yamaha
450SX Class Championship Final Standings
1. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (372)
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (339)
3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (304)
4. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (304)
5. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (267)
6. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (242)
7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (236)
8. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM (212)
9. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (210)
10. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Honda (200)
250SX Class podium (racers from left) Levi Kitchen, Jett Lawrence, and RJ Hampshire. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
The Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Photo courtesy CIP Green Power KTM.
Mooney VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi won the Shark Grand Prix of France, a FIM MotoGP World Championship race, Sunday at the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France.
Bezzecchi, riding his Ducati Desmosedici GP22, won the race (his second of the season), by 4.256 seconds over Prima Pramac Ducati’s Jorge Martin, the pole-sitter. Martin just held off his teammate — and home hero — Johann Zarco by 0.5 second.
The race saw eight riders crash out, including Championship point leader Francesco Bagnaia, and only 13 riders finish.
Drama. Clashes. Glory. And a title twist! #GP1000 had it all as Bezzecchi takes stunning second win
Bezzecchi bounces back, Bagnaia clashes with Viñales, Marquez slides out and there’s a home hero on the podium as Le Mans served up a day packed with headlines
Marco Bezzecchi (72). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sunday, 14 May 2023
Take a minute to catch your breath after what was an incredible SHARK Grand Prix de France! Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) takes a special place in history as the race winner at the 1000th FIM Grand Prix after a stunning break for glory in front of a record crowd at Le Mans, and there was drama, drama, drama throughout the field.
First, Bezzecchi is now just one point behind Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) after the Italian crashed out of the race in a dramatic clash with Aprilia Racing’s Maverick Viñales… gravel trap shouting match included, but both riders ok. Then, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) vs Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) lit up the fight for second in a tough but fair tussle, but that then ended in late race heartbreak for the number 93 as he slid out. However, for the French fans it did mean Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) was then promoted to a glorious home podium after some impressive Sunday pace, giving the 278,805 record crowd even more to cheer about.
The grid formed in front of the biggest crowd MotoGP™ has ever seen and it was Marc Marquez who shot into the lead as Bagnaia dropped down the order to P5. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) slotted himself into P2 with Bezzecchi putting his VR46 Ducati into P3. Bagnaia then quickly snapped back at Martin as the Ducati riders duked it out on lap 1.
It was Marquez, Miller, Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Bagnaia, and then Martin as they came across the line for the first time, and we had a race on our hands in MotoGP™. Miller wasn’t intimated by the eight-time World Champion by any means as the Aussie tried to force his way through on Marquez, but the Spaniard wouldn’t give in and hit straight back in true Marquez fashion.
Miller hit the front at the Dunlop chicane, meanwhile, the reigning World Champion was on the move as Bagnaia had now climbed his way back up into a podium position with 25 laps remaining.
The laps ticked away as a seven-bike battle for victory formed with Viñales carving his way into the 3rd place, the Aprilia seriously on the move. But then came the drama: the Spaniard collided with Bagnaia as both riders competed for the same piece of tarmac, both careening off into the gravel. Riders ok and to their feet… and then a fair few yells exchanged.
Half a lap later, there was more drama in the Le Mans gravel traps as Marini suffered a big crash coming out of the Dunlop chicane, just cutting the kerb. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) then got caught in the Italian’s crash as the field behind avoided the incident, riders again ok but another huge moment of adrenaline shaking the race up.
As the chaos subsided, we had a race on our hands. A four-rider battle for victory had formed as Miller now found himself with Marquez, Bezzecchi, and Martin for company, before Bezzecchi pushed his way through on Marc Marquez – and dropped the Spaniard from 2nd to 4th. The number 93 was sent into another postcode although no harm done, with both regrouping and Bezzecchi then told to drop a position for the move: a penalty he expected, and a penalty he also served wisely as he chose his moment to let Martin back through. And then took it back, with Marquez following suit too.
Bezzecchi now had an open goal to make huge gains in the title fight as Bagnaia sat in the garage, and the VR46 rider took the lead from Miller as they barrelled into the Dunlop chicane once again. Marquez quickly followed him through half a lap later too, with Bezzecchi already stretching out half a second at the front.
With 15 laps to go, Bezzecchi had 1.2s in his pocket to Marquez behind, who was 0.5s up the road from Martin, who had found his way through on Miller. The Aussie was starting to fall into the clutches of Zarco and Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3). It didn’t take long for Zarco to push his way through either as the Frenchman moved up into P4 and Fernandez followed, leaving Miller in sixth.
With six to go, Martin thought it was time to pounce on Marc Marquez. The Spaniard tried to push his way through on the eight-time World Champion, but the Repsol Honda man was not giving in easy and bit back at the Prima Pramac Racing rider at every opportunity. That allowed Zarco to edge closer and closer… and the crowd had definitely noticed.
Martin finally pushed his way through with one and a half laps remaining, and this time the drama was for the number 93. Trying to hang in there, the returning Repsol Honda rider tucked the front and ended his French Grand Prix in the gravel trap, but after quite a return to the upper echelons of the timesheets.
That meant one thing to a partisan crown: Zarco was on the podium. The grandstands erupted around the French circuit as Bezzecchi crossed the line for a first dry weather win, Martin ensured he’s the top scorer at Le Mans this year, and then the home hero reached the flag. The noise made for an impressive welcome.
Fourth place was also something to shout about as Tech3’s Fernandez took an impressive result after an impressive weekend. First time in Q2, the GASGAS rider had had the speed all weekend and made it pay to perfection on Sunday to bounce back.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) rounded out the top five as Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) recovered from being battered down the order on the first lap to fight his way back through the pack, take a long penalty for a shortcut, and still manage to take sixth.
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) had a tougher home Grand Prix but took a chunk of points on Sunday as the 2021 World Champion ended his weekend in Le Mans with a P7, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia), and Franco Morbidelli taking 8th, 9th, and 10th – just ahead of Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Lenovo Team) on his MotoGP™ return deputising for the injured Enea Bastianini.
Early race leader Miller crashed out with three laps remaining after the Aussie had been dropping down the order on his KTM machine, making it a weekend to forget in terms of results but one to remember for speed. Can he bounce back at Mugello? Many will be looking to join him in doing so…
With the championship plot ever-changing in MotoGP™, there’s no telling what the chapter holds as the paddock moves to the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley on the 9th to 11th of June. Make sure to keep up to date with all of the action as it unfolds on motogp.com!
QUOTES: BEZZECHI
MARCO BEZZECCHI: “I expected the penalty. I didn’t want to pass but I braked a bit too late and when I realized I was getting closer and closer, I tried to go to the inside to not hit him. Unfortunately I pushed him wide so I thought for sure they give me a drop position. I was ready for it and I agree, also. It was a bit too much. It’s difficult to pass but I didn’t really want to pass, but it’s ok. Fortunately I kept myself calm about the penalty I knew was coming, tried to find the right place to give up the position and then fight back.
How was that winning feeling?
“It was fantastic. I saw I was fast, at the beginning I didn’t want to use the front tyre too much or put too much temperature in it. When I was behind someone, I was trying to pass quite quick and when I found myself at the front I thought, ‘now I have fresh air’. I tried to push and see how it is. On Friday I had good pace so I tried to make the same but it was even better! I was able to ride 31.9, 31.8 and it was fantastic. I saw I was escaping so I tried to stay calm and concentrate, at one with my bike, and it was an incredible emotion crossing the line in the dry. In the wet was good but in the dry even better!”
And on that bet to not shave their moustaches until he won again…
“This is the thing I’m most happy about. I made this bet first in December before Christmas with my team, we were having dinner together and to break their balls a little bit I said ‘ok, you all have a long beard but if I win, you have to make it moustache and we won’t shave it until I win again. But then when I did win I said, ‘No! Now I have to really have a moustache!’ I was so nervous because it wasn’t coming anymore, so fortunately today when I saw the feeling was good, I said ‘today’s the day!”
Tony Arbolino (14). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Arbolino grabs the momentum as Acosta crashes out in France
The Italian is back on top to take the title lead, with Salač and Lopez completing the podium
Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) took an important victory for his Championship campaign as he commanded the race from the front, putting the pressure on Championship rival Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Acosta, who went into the Shark Grand Prix de France as Championship leader but equal on points with Arbolino, crashed out of second trying to reel in the number 14. Filip Salač (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) put some pressure on Arbolino as the chequered flag drew closer, but the Italian held strong forcing the Czech rider to settle for second. Alonso Lopez (Lightech SpeedUp) hung onto the leading duo too, taking third and yet another podium.
Arbolino got the holeshot before Lopez dived up the inside to take over, but there was drama one lap later as Arbolino took the lead into Turn 1, with his teammate Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) crashing out of 3rd place at Turn 2. However, the red flags came out for a incident involving multiple riders at turn 5. All riders ok: Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) and Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Master Camp).
With the countdown to the restart underway, it was all hands on deck as the polesitter rushed his way back to the box with under a minute left until the green light went on to open pit lane, and the team worked on his bike. The crowd watched on with baited breath and Lowes missed the deadline for the the pitlane closing time by just a second, forcing the Brit to start from the back of the grid…
So riders lined up for the restart but this time without the polesitter in position. The red lights went out once again and it was Arbolino who took the holeshot, fending off Lopez through the Dunlop chicane, with Acosta latched onto to the leading duo.
Arbolino, Lopez, Acosta, and Salač was the order as the came across the line for the first time with the top 3 stretching out a little bit of breathing space to the Czech rider. Lopez and Acosta were swapping paintwork as the two Spaniards battled it out though, letting Arbolino sail away at the front and allowing Salač to join the P2 party.
Arbolino began to stretch a lead at the front as he set a new race lap record on his very first flying lap. This also stretched out the riders behind as Acosta began to pull away from Lopez, who now had Salač and Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) for company in the battle for 3rd.
Acosta responded one lap later setting the new fastest lap but still with 0.6s to find to catch the Italian. Incredible Championship drama came soon after though, as the former Championship leader crashed out of the race with 10 laps to go… as key title rival Arbolino sat in comfortable victory contention.
That promoted the battle for 3rd to the battle for 2nd as Salač led Lopez in P2. Arbolino had 1.8s in his pocket until he began to lose ground at an alarming rate though, with Salač getting within under half a second of the Italian with seven laps to go. But Arbolino controlled the gap at 0.5s at the front, taking the race victory as Acosta watched the #14 stretch out a 25-point lead in the Championship.
Salač still takes an impressive second place to reward his speed this season, with Lopez once again tasting that Prosecco in third.
Vietti looked strong in the opening stages of the race but wasn’t able to keep up with the incredible pace of the top 3 as the Italian finished 0.6s back from the podium fight in P4. Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar M2) rounded the top 5 after carving through an incredible scrap involving Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Barry Baltus (Fieten Olie Racing GP) and Fermin Aldeguer (Ligthtech SpeedUp) who finished 6th, 7th, and 8th respectively. Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) took ninth, just fending off an impressive ride from rookie Sergio Garcia (Pons Wegow Los40).
The Lowes watch was a dramatic one as the Brit carved his way through from the back of the grid, picking off rider after rider in hopes of finishing in a point-scoring position. Although it’s not the result the Brit would have wanted, he recovered to P15 as he walked away from Le Mans with a Championship point.
The Championship story continues to run its rollercoaster course in the 2023 Moto2™ season though. With the momentum currently with Arbolino, the Italian will go into his home Grand Prix in high spirits as the attention now turns to the iconic Mugello circuit for the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley in just four weeks’ time!
Daniel Holgado (96) beat Ayumu Sasaki (71) and Jaume Masia (5) to win the Moto3 race at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Holgado escapes Sasaki to take home win for Tech3
The Championship leader extends his advantage with a masterclass, with Sasaki back on the box and Masia continuing his run of form in France
Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) is the Moto3™ race winner in the 1000th FIM Grand Prix in history! The Spaniard extended his Championship lead as he got back on the top step in style, leading from the front and keeping it pitch perfect over the final lap to take a home win for the Tech3 team too. After a tough start to the season, Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) took his first rostrum of the season after some more impressive speed, and Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) completed the podium as his consistent run continues… and he moves up to second overall.
Sasaki technically got the holeshot but got attacked into the first chicane by Holgado, the Japanese rider trying to fight back later in the lap but denied. As ever in the close competition of the lightweight class though, it soon became a group fight with a leading freight train of ten riders – with rookies David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) and Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) leading the chase, Alonso up from 25th on the grid.
A top eight was able to pull away though, with Holgado, Sasaki, Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team), Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI, Masia, Xavier Artigas (CFMoto PrüstelGP) and Ryusei Yamanaka (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) line astern. Heading into the final corners with 10 to go though, drama hit as Moreira suddenly slid out, crashing alone and rider ok, but his place in the standings left up for grabs – and Championship leader Holgado still holding firm at the front.
On the last couple of laps, the top four made their break: Holgado, Sasaki, Masia and Ortola. Over the line onto the last lap, Holgado still had a few tenths in hand too, but that didn’t last long as Sasaki homed in. The duo gained some reprieve as a moment for Masia dropped him back slightly too, and it became two duels.
At the front though, Holgado just had too much for the Japanese rider on the chase. The number 96 crossed the line for a stunning second win and increases his advantage in the title fight, with Sasaki second but back on the box for the first time this season. Masia recovered from his moment to hold off Ortola, taking the last step on the podium and making his own gains in the Championship too.
Yamanaka got the better of Öncü to complete the top five, with Artigas a little further back in seventh. Alonso, Rueda and Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team) completed the top ten in that second group.
Now it’s time to reset and reload for Mugello, with Holgado leading Masia as Tuscany beckons at the start of the triple header!
The Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Photo courtesy CIP Green Power KTM.
Elf Marc VDS Racing’s Tony Arbolino won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at the 2.6-mile (4.2 km) Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. The Italian rider won the race, his first of the season, by 0.620 second over QJMotor Gresini rider Celestino Vietti. Lightech Speedup’s Alonso Lopez was a relatively close third.
Americans Joe Roberts and Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) finished 12th and 16th, respectively.
The race was stopped by a red flag shortly after the original start due to four riders – including pole-sitter Sam Lowes — crashing. A complete restart of 14 laps was then run. Lowes, Arbolino’s teammate, finished 15th.
The Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Photo courtesy CIP Green Power KTM.
Red Bull KTM Tech3 rider Daniel Holgado won the Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Holgado took the victory, his second of the season, by 0.150 second over Liqui Moly Intact GP Husqvarna’s Ayumu Sasaki. Jaume Masia finished third on his Leopard Racing Honda.
Provisional Parts Unlimited AFT Singles Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Tom Drane (Yam), 18 laps
2. Trent Lowe (Hon), -00.005 seconds
3. Chase Saathoff (Hon), -00.036
4. Chad Cose (Hus), -00.101
5. Dalton Gauthier (KTM), -01.503
6. Trevor Brunner (Yam), -01.784
7. Max Whale (KTM), -01.855
8. Shayna Texter-Bauman (KTM), -02.706
9. Travis Petton (KTM), -02.718
10. Kody Kopp (KTM), -03.115
11. Morgen Mischler (Hon), -04.423
12. Declan Bender (KTM), -11.246
13. James Ott (Hus), -11.257
14. Aidan RoosEvans (Hon), -11.397
15. Hunter Bauer (Hon), -11.633
16. Landen Smith (KTM), -12.953
17. Jared Lowe (Hon), -14.571
18. Tyler Raggio (Yam), -18.380
19. Justin Jones (KTM), -18.482
Provisional Mission SuperTwins Main Event Results (all on Dunlop tires):
1. Jared Mees (Ind), 24 laps
2. Dallas Daniels (Yam), -00.573 seconds
3. JD Beach (Yam), -07.545
4. Kolby Carlile (Yam), -07.566
5. Brandon Robinson (Ind), -07.931
6. Davis Fisher (Ind), -08.035
7. Briar Bauman (KTM), -11.674
8. Bronson Bauman (KTM), -15.753
9. Ben Lowe (Ind), -19.601
10. Jarod Vanderkooi (Ind), -19.606
11. Nick Armstrong (Yam), -28.813
12. Kasey Sciscoe (Har), -2 laps
13. Jimmy McAllister (KTM), -2 laps, -27.570
14. Scooter Vernon (Kaw), -10 laps, DNF
15. Johnny Lewis (Roy), -24 laps, DNF
16. Ryan Wells (Roy), -24 laps, DNF
More, from a press release issued by American Flat Track (AFT):
Mees Gets His Revenge in Sacramento Mile Rematch
Jared Mees (1). Photo courtesy AFT.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 13, 2023) – Jared Mees (No. 1 Indian Motorcycle/Rogers Racing/SDI Racing FTR750) furthered his claim as the preeminent Mile rider currently competing in Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, with a pivotal victory in Saturday night’s 57th Legendary Mission Sacramento Mile powered by Law Tigers at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California.
Those bragging rights were brought into question after Mees was outscored 2-1 in Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle Mile wins a year ago by then-rookie Dallas Daniels (No. 32 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT). Their first Mile showdown of the season carried even greater significance than it otherwise would have with Daniels having arguably emerged the title favorite and leading reigning champion Mees in the points.
The race went to script with the two separating at the front and settling into a one-on-one fight to the flag. Just past mid-distance, Mees railed around the corners with his helmet down in an attempt to break Daniels’ challenge. While unable to sink Daniels’ hopes completely, the ploy granted Mees a few tenths which he successfully guarded all the way to the end.
The victory was the 24th Mile triumph of Mees’ illustrious career. That moves him ahead of Ricky Graham and into sole possession of fifth place on the all-time order and just one away from joining Bubba Shobert and Bryan Smith in a tie for third.
The result also drew Mees a bit closer to the championship lead. That said, Daniels is not doing him any favors in that regard, extending his season-long streak of top-two finishes. The gap is now 20 points (159-139) as the two continue to distance themselves from the remainder of a talented pack of contenders.
“I honestly was sweating coming into the Miles – last year I felt like we were a little down,” Mees admitted after earning his fifth-career Sacramento Mile win. “I didn’t know what to expect. But Kenny (Tolbert) worked really hard this winter to get us back some ponies, and Jimmy Wood really had that thing hooked up with the Öhlins suspension. I don’t think I’ve ever been that hooked up before. I could just go into the corner and mash the throttle. The Indian Motorcycle was phenomenal tonight.”
Daniels’ teammate, JD Beach (No. 95 Estenson Racing Yamaha MT-07 DT), solidified his hold on third in the championship order with his third podium of the season. It only came about following a final-lap duel with Kolby Carlile (No. 36 G&G Racing/Yamaha Racing Yamaha MT-07), however, when Beach poked ahead by 0.021 seconds at the line.
Brandon Robinson (No. 44 Mission Roof Systems Indian FTR750) and Davis Fisher (No. 67 Rackley Racing/Bob Lanphere’s BMC Racing Indian FTR750) each had a shot at the box on the final lap as well, ultimately finishing fractionally behind in fifth and sixth, respectively.
Briar Bauman (No. 3 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 790 Duke) earned a lonely seventh, although that description fails to adequately express the contour of his race. Bauman actually led more than once early in the contest before running wide on the powerful-yet-brutish KTM and dropping to fifth. He worked his way back up to third at one point before going off the groove again and fading out of podium contention.
Bauman was followed home by his brother, Bronson Bauman (No. 37 Fastrack Racing/2 Wheelz KTM 790 Duke), while Ben Lowe (No. 25 Rackley Racing/Mission Foods Indian FTR750) and Jarod Vanderkooi (No. 20 JMC Motorsports/Fairway Ford Indian FTR750) completed the top ten.
Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER
Australian phenom Tom Drane (No. 59 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) scored his maiden Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER victory in breathtaking fashion in Sacramento.
A huge early train of 450s connected to the front slowly whittled away as the race progressed. The battle for the win at last took its final shape with just over a minute remaining when three-time Sacramento Mile winner Trevor Brunner (No. 21 Estenson Racing Yamaha YZ450F) fell away from the lead group and into the clutches of a second group bursting with big names and title contenders.
With Brunner out of the fight, the checkered flag was set to be decided between Drane, Trent Lowe (No. 48 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), Chase Saathoff (No. 88 American Honda/Mission Foods CRF450R), and Chad Cose (No. 49 1st Impressions Race Team/Husqvarna Racing FC450).
Lowe stormed past Drane as they opened the final lap, but the diminutive Aussie stormed back by on the back straight, confident he could out-run any and all slingshot attempts in the decisive drag race to the line.
He was proven correct, albeit only by just 0.005 seconds over Lowe and 0.036 seconds over Saathoff. Meanwhile, Cose finished just another 0.065 seconds back yet found himself left off the podium altogether.
Drane came into the season with serious hype and had endured something of a quiet start to the year when judged based on those lofty expectations. However, tonight’s victory put everything back in its proper perspective. Ultimately, the Estenson Racing Yamaha prodigy earned his first win just a month after turning 17 and competing in what was just his eighth Progressive AFT Main Event. Perhaps even more remarkably, it was the first Main Event at a Mile in Drane’s career.
He said, “I just can’t thank the team enough for all the work they do, all the hours. It’s amazing. This has boosted my confidence heaps, showing I can do it. I’m so happy.”
Fifth went to Dalton Gauthier (No. 79 D&D Racing/Certified KTM 450 SX-F), who clawed his way up from outside the top ten after earning his slot on the grid via the LCQ.
He placed Brunner between himself and his primary title rivals in the process. Max Whale (No. 18 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F) crossed the stripe in seventh, followed by Sacramento Mile legend Shayna Texter-Bauman (No. 52 Parts Plus/Jacob Companies KTM 450 SX-F) and the impressive Travis Petton IV (No. 82 ECG Racing/3 Bros KTM 450 SX-F).
The final position in the top ten went to defending class champ Kody Kopp (No. 1 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450 SX-F). Despite the uncharacteristic result, Kopp continues to lead in the standings with 137 points. Gauthier closed to within 14 points at 123, while Whale and Saathoff are now tied for third at 115.
Next Up:
Progressive American Flat Track will continue its run of spectacular Mile action with the Red Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Lexington at the Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, on May 27. Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/americanflattrack/events/red-mile-59131 to secure your tickets today.
For those that can’t catch the live action from the circuit, FansChoice.tv is the live streaming home of Progressive AFT. Sign up now and catch every second of on-track action starting with Practice & Qualifying and ending with the Victory Podium at the end of the night at https://www.fanschoice.tv.
FOX Sports coverage of the Legendary Sacramento Mile, featuring in-depth features and thrilling onboard cameras, will premiere on FS1 on Saturday, May 27, at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT).
Progressive American Flat Track, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.
More, from a press release issued by KTM Factory Racing:
KODY KOPP CONTINUES TO LEAD AFT SINGLES POINTS AFTER SACRAMENTO MILE CHALLENGE
Round 7 – American Flat Track Championship
Kody Kopp (1). Photo courtesy KTM Factory Racing.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing duo Kody Kopp and Max Whale endured a tough night of competition at Round 7 of the 2023 American Flat Track Championship, with Whale finishing in seventh position and Kopp 10th in the AFT Singles Main Event. Defending champion Kopp continues to lead the point standings following the Sacramento Mile.
After qualifying in seventh, defending champion Kopp made inroads between qualifying and the opening Heat of the event, powering his #1 KTM 450 SX-F to third position, setting himself up well for the Main Event. A more difficult 18-lap affair saw Kopp eventually cross the line in 10th position, retaining his lead in the AFT Singles series.
Kody Kopp: “Honestly, a little frustrated with how the weekend went, and a lot of things added up to the 10th-place finish here at the Sacramento Mile. We’re a team though, we’ll go back to work, we’ve got a two-week break and we’ll come back swinging in Kentucky.”
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Whale was 10th in qualifying at the Northern Californian venue, before crossing the finish line in fourth place for the second Heat of the event, just 0.213 off the race winner. The Australian fought hard during the Main Event, landing P7 and still sitting third in the championship overall.
Max Whale: “Definitely a tough day here in Sacramento. I feel as though I rode well, but just a few mistakes today – the team worked great, but I ended the night in P7, which isn’t great. It could’ve been much worse from where I was at one stage, we fought hard, and we’ll move on to the next one.”
Next Race: The Red Mile – Lexington, Kentucky – May 27, 2023
Round 7 Results
AFT Singles Main Event
1. Tom Drane, Yamaha
2. Trent Lowe, Honda
3. Chase Saathoff, Honda
OTHER KTM
5. Dalton Gauthier, KTM
7. Max Whale, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
8. Shayna Texter-Bauman, KTM
9. Travis Petton IV, KTM
10. Kody Kopp, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
12. Declan Bender, KTM
16. Landen Smith, KTM
19. Justin Jones, KTM
2023 AFT Singles Point Standings
1. Kody Kopp, 137 points
2. Dalton Gauthier, 123
3. Max Whale, 115
OTHER KTM
11. Justin Jones, 52
13. Travis Petton IV, 35
14. Shayna Texter-Bauman, 34
16. Logan Eisenhard, 27
22. Hunter Bauer, 16
23. Hayden Gillim, 14
24. Clarke Morian V, 10
25. Tanner Dean, 9
28. Declan Bender, 8
31. Landen Smith, 4
32. Olin Kissler, 4
More, from a press release issued by Indian Motorcycle:
Indian Motorcycle Racing & Jared Mees Win Sacramento Mile
Mees Pilots Indian FTR750 to Third Victory of the Season, Continues Hunt for Record-Tying Ninth Premier Class Championship
Jared Mees (1). Photo by Tim Lester, courtesy Indian Motorcycle.
MINNEAPOLIS – It was another exciting weekend of American Flat Track (AFT) racing, as Indian Wrecking Crew Rider and Reigning SuperTwins Champion Jared Mees wins the Sacramento Mile aboard his Indian FTR750. The win marked Mees’ third of the season, tying him for the most wins this season with Estenson Racing Yamaha rider Dallas Daniels.
Starting from the pole position, Mees staved off the competition as he rode hard across the finish line to his 24th-career Mile victory, moving him up in the record books with the fifth most Mile wins of all time. In typical Mees fashion, Mees delivered a clutch performance, as he and Daniels are in the thick of a head-to-head battle for the 2023 SuperTwins Championship.
“I honestly was sweating coming into the Miles – last year I felt like we were a little down,” Mees admitted. “I didn’t know what to expect. But Kenny (Tolbert) worked really hard this winter to get us back some ponies, and Jimmy Wood really had that thing hooked up with the Öhlins suspension. I don’t think I’ve ever been that hooked up before. I could just go into the corner and mash the throttle. The Indian Motorcycle was phenomenal tonight.”
With 139 points on the year, Mees sits securely in second – 24 points ahead of third (115) and 20 points behind Daniels (159). In addition to his three wins, Mees has secured a third-place podium finish, two fourth-place finishes and a P6. Meanwhile, Daniels has raced to a top-two finish in all seven races this season.
The AFT season continues with two more Mile races, the Red Mile presented by Indian Motorcycle of Lexington on May 27, and the DuQuoin Mile on June 17.
For more information on Indian Motorcycle Racing, visit IndianMotorcycle.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT INDIAN MOTORCYCLE®
Indian Motorcycle Company is America’s First Motorcycle Company®. Founded in 1901, Indian Motorcycle has won the hearts of motorcyclists around the world and earned distinction as one of America’s most legendary and iconic brands through unrivaled racing dominance, engineering prowess and countless innovations and industry firsts. Today that heritage and passion is reignited under new brand stewardship. To learn more, please visit www.indianmotorcycle.com.
INDIAN and INDIAN MOTORCYCLE are registered trademarks of Indian Motorcycle International, LLC. Always wear a helmet, protective clothing and eyewear and insist your passenger does the same. Ride within the limits of the law and your own abilities. Read, understand and follow your owner’s manual. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The start of the Superstock race Thursday evening at the North West 200. Alastair Seeley (34), Davey Todd (74), and Michael Dunlop (6) lead the field off the grid. Photo courtesy NW200 Press Office.
Glenn Irwin, riding his BeerMonster Ducati Panigale V4 R, won both Superbike races Saturday at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland. The victories were Irwin’s seventh and eighth-consecutive Superbike victories at the event, according to a press release issued by his team.
Alastair Seeley followed up his win in Superstock Race One on May 11 with another win in Saturday’s Superstock Race Two on his SYNETIQ BMW M 1000 RR. It was 43-year-old Seeley’s 29th career win at the North West 200.
Davey Todd won Supersport Race Two on a Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles Honda CBR600RR, completing a sweep of both Supersport race wins at the event.
Richard Cooper won both of Saturday’s Supertwin races on his KMR Kawasaki ER6 (a.k.a. Ninja 650).
JMcC Roofing Racing’s American rider Patricia Fernandez-West finished 35th in Superbike Race One, 26th in Superbike Race Two, and 29th in Superstock Race Two on her Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R. She also placed 22nd in Supersport Race Two on her Yamaha YZF-R6.
Fernandez-West’s teammate and husband Cory West, riding a Kawasaki ER6, finished 10th and seventh in Supertwin Race One and Race Two, respectively. West was also recognized as “Fastest Newcomer.”
Update: American Chris Sarbora riding a Moto-Hub.co.uk BMW, finished 17th and 24th in Superbike Race One and Two, respectively, and 24th in Superstock Race Two on Saturday. On Thursday, Sarbora took 30th in Superstock Race One.
Editorial Note: The PDFs of the race results below include results from each class for the entire event. So, you must scroll down several pages, just past the grid sheets, to see the results from Saturday’s races.
More, from a press release issued by NW200 Press Office:
GLENN IRWIN CLOSES IN ON NW200 SUPERBIKE RECORD
Glenn Irwin’s domination of superbike racing at the fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils North West 200 continued unabated last weekend when the 33 year old steered his PBM/Beer Monster Ducati V4 to victory in both of the premier class races.
That double means Irwin is the winner of the last eight superbike races at the event, a tally just one shy of the record of nine Superbike victories at the meeting shared by the late Joey Dunlop and Michael Rutter.
An off by Gerald Dath in the first race and separate crashes by James Hillier and Mike Browne in the second brought out the red flags after only three of the scheduled laps had been completed in each race.
Irwin was battling Davey Todd and Dean Harrison in the first encounter with only 1.5 secs covering the trio before Alastair Seeley was forced out of the race on the second lap with an overheating engine on his Milwaukee BMW- but not before a close encounter with Irwin at the Magic Roundabout.
“Glenn has come up the inside and has caught the wing.” Seeley explained.
“It was a bit of a risky move going into a high speed corner.”
Michael Dunlop set the fastest lap of the race at 122.712mph as he moved into the lead at Metropole on lap two on his new Hawk Racing Honda. A lap later he had retired.
Irwin, who later apologised to his Carrickfergus neighbour for the wing encounter, was holding off Todd and Harrison when the race was stopped. Victory came as a relief for the current BSB championship leader after Tuesday and Thursday’s troubled qualifying sessions with his Ducati.
“When I came here this week I knew what I wanted and I knew what we had.” Irwin, who limits his racing to the Superbike races at the North West, explained.
“It wasn’t what I wanted but to be fair to the boys they’ve went outside the budget to get me what I needed.”
“On Thursday I felt like I was riding like a maniac and I could never win the race. Today I felt like I was riding at 70%, pushing hard on some corners but I felt in control.”
With his confidence boosted by that win, Irwin was locked in battle with Seeley, Dunlop and Dean Harrison on the third lap of the second race when James Hillier’s crash brought out the red flags. The race was restarted and the Ducati rider moved into the lead at Mather’s chicane, crossing the line 1.06 seconds ahead of Seeley when the red flags came out for a second time after Mike Browne’s crash.
After some initial confusion and a lengthy wait as officials struggled to deal with red flags, opening roads and finalising the result, the local hero was finally declared the winner. Joining his jubilant fans in the packed grandstands for some crowd surfing duly followed.
“It’s an amazing feeling.” a relieved Irwin smiled after having spent the previous few weeks telling anyone who would listen that he would win big at his home race this year.
“It’s been a tough week.” he admitted.
“I’ve come in the best form ever and the guys gave me a great bike today.”
SEELEY’S SYNETIQ SMILE
Alastair Seeley’s rejuvenated racing career shows no sign of slowing down as the North West 200’s most successful racer notched up more wins and lap records at this year’s event.
The 43 year old has re-entered the British Superstock 1000 fray this season and is running at the front of the pack on the Synetiq BMW. Bringing that bike and pace to Portrush, Seeley smashed the lap record and claimed victory in both of this year’s NW200 stocker races.
The former double British champion added win number 28 and added the new 124.427mph record to his NW200 CV in the Thursday evening race, leading Davey Todd and his Milenco Padgett’s Honda home by a huge 10.3 seconds.
It also marked Seeley’s 15th victory around the 8.9 mile Northern Ireland roads circuit with Hector and Philip Neill’s TAS Racing team, the Moneymore-based squad that had prepared his machine.
“It is a match made in heaven.” Seeley smiled.
“It’s a great team, they are a great bunch of guys with a big family atmosphere and this year we are very happy and I keep saying a happy rider is a fast rider.”
Todd, the reigning British Superstock champion, held off Michael Dunlop and his MD Racing Honda by 0.3 seconds with Dean Harrison 20 seconds further back on the DAO Racing Kawasaki.
Earlier in the evening Seeley had to settle for second to Todd as he made his debut on the Powertoolmate Ducati V2 machine in the Supersport event. The Ulsterman had the consolation of setting a new Supersport lap record at 118.066mph as he finished 0.1 second behind the Milenco Padgett’s Honda.
Seeley then lost that record to Peter Hickman in Saturday’s Supersport race who raised the bar to 118.273mph as the Ducati racer finished sixth. His 29th North West win came in the Superstock contest as he took the lead on the opening lap and raised his two day old lap record to 124.484mph to lead Michael Dunlop home by 0.7 seconds from Dean Harrison. A runner-up finish in the feature Superbike race behind Glenn Irwin topped off a brilliant week for the diminutive veteran who revelled in his victories.
“They just keep coming.” Seeley smiled as he closes in on a 30th victory at the seaside event, double the number of the second most successful NW200 racer, the late, Robert Dunlop.
DAVEY’S DOUBLE
Davey Todd showed why he is road racing’s hottest prospect as he scored a brilliant Supersport double at the NW200 on his Milenco Padgett’s Honda. The 27 year old came out on top in a brilliant four way battle during Thursday evening’s first 600cc race with only 1.31 seconds covering the first six riders at the chequered flag.
Todd prevailed by 0.108 seconds over Alastair Seeley (Powertoolmate Ducati) ahead of Richard Cooper (BPE Russell Yamaha), Michael Dunlop (MD Racing Honda) and Dean Harrison (BPE Russell Yamaha).
It was Todd’s second NW200 win, his first coming in a wet 600cc race in 2019. Last year he had to settle for the runner-up spot four times.
“I didn’t want to let that one slip away.” he said after the thrilling battle.
“It was really hard to judge on the last lap but I’m over the moon and that’s a dream. I have a win in the wet on the 600 but this really means a lot.”
The lap record was broken in both North West Supersport races this year, first by Alastair Seeley in the opening race and then by Peter Hickman in the second as Todd doubled up after another frantic Supersport battle on Saturday. The English rider got the better of Richard Cooper again to take the win by 0.2 seconds with Peter Hickman third on the Trooper Beer Triumph and Dean Harrison fourth. Only 0.539 seconds covered the first four as they crossed the line.
“This one is even better.” Todd smiled after the fierce battle.
“I got a taste of winning on Thursday and I knew I was strong on the bike. The boys were going so hard, I wasn’t sure I was going to do it. I just about hung on and holding these guys off is hard. Each time someone came past me I tried to bite back and that’s the hardest I’ve rode here.”
COOPER’S REVENGE
Twelve months ago Richard Cooper’s North West 200 dream turned into a nightmare when the Nottingham racer’s Supertwin double was cancelled out because of a technical infringement on his KMR Kawasaki.
The Englishman unexpectedly rejoined the Dungannon bike builder in a last minute deal for this year’s event after the Bathams R7 Yamaha he had intended to race failed to materialise. Both Twins races were run on Saturday and Cooper dominated, setting a new lap record at 112.251mph to win the first encounter as he led local racers Paul Jordan (Prez Racing Kawasaki) and Adam McLean (JMcC Roofing Kawasaki) home.
McLean repeated his third place performance in the second event with 59 year old Jeremy McWilliams (Bayview Paton) finishing second, 4.8 seconds behind Cooper who had finally cancelled out the disappointment of 12 months ago.
“I had moved on but it was more difficult for Ryan.” Cooper explained.
“I told him the only way to get over it was to win so this is for Ryan and his family and I want to see a smile on his face.”
Cooper also enjoyed two podium finishes in the 600cc races with the BPE/Russell Racing Yamaha squad, finishing third in the Thursday race behind Davey Todd and Alastair Seeley before pushing Todd hard as he finished second in Saturday’s race.
DUNLOP AND HARRISON IMPRESS
Michael Dunlop and Dean Harrison posted a series of impressive North West 200 results this year ahead of next month’s TT races.
The Ballymoney man has switched to Honda power for the big bike classes this season, running a Hawk Racing Honda in the Superbike division alongside a stock spec Fireblade and R6 Yamaha in his own MD Racing colours.
He might not have won any races at this year’s NW200 but he was running at the front of the pack in all the races he contested.
Posting the fastest Superbike lap during the opening practice session, he finished in the top five in every race he started except the first Superbike event, when he was forced to retire because of issues with his rear Dunlop tyre. His best performances came in the two Superstock races where he was second and third on the MD Racing Honda.
Harrison claimed third place finishes on the DAO Racing Kawasakis in both of Saturday’s Superbike events plus a third and fourth in the two Superstock races. He also finished fourth and fifth on the BPE/Russell Yamaha R6 in both 600cc races at the seaside event.
“I felt most comfortable on the Superbike.” Harrison said.
“I am riding it the most and it was the same bike I ride at BSB. I felt like I was always there in both races. It was a shame the races were cut short because there was nothing in it between us and I had more to give.”
FHO RACING CONTROVERSY
The blistering race action at this year’s NW200 was overshadowed by the exclusion of the FHO Racing BMW team from Thursday evening’s Superstock race and the squad’s subsequent withdrawal from the event.
The team had run foul of the Motorcycling Union of Ireland rule book which prohibits the use of carbon fibre wheels fitted on the M1000RRs of Peter Hickman and Josh Brookes. Team principal, Faye Ho, immediately pulled her squad out of the event in protest.
The North West organisers responded by pointing out the ban on carbon fibre wheels is clearly stated in the event’s regulations.
“We thought the rules were the same but found out too late that they were not.” Peter Hickman, who remained at the meeting to compete on his own Supertwin and Supersport-spec machinery, later explained.
“As far as we as a team are concerned, we just want consistency.”
The real losers though were the NW200 fans. They were deprived of seeing the FHO BMW duo in action against Irwin, Seeley and Co in the Stocker and Superbike events, a prospect made even more mouth-watering after Brookes had raised Bruce Anstey’s fastest ever speed trap time of 209.8 mph to an incredible 212.4 mph during the final Superbike qualifying session.
DUNLOP TYRE WOES CONTINUE
Previously dominant in road racing, the Dunlop Tyre company suffered a nightmare at last year’s NW200 when tyres on Peter Hickman, Michael Dunlop and Davey Todd’s machines all delaminated at high speed. Problems resurfaced with the Dunlop rubber at this year’s event, forcing some Dunlop runners to request the organisers cut the race distance from six to five laps for the second Superstock and feature Superbike races.
NW200 INJURY TOLL
The current leader of the British Supersport series, Lee Johnston, suffered serious injuries when he crashed his Ashcourt Yamaha at Church corner during qualifying. The English-based Ulsterman was airlifted to hospital with a broken shoulder and femur.
New Honda signing, Nathan Harrison broke his wrist and collarbone when he crashed out of the Superstock race later the same day at Dhu Varren, ruining the young Manx hopeful’s TT start alongside veteran teammate, John McGuinness.
Michael Sweeney is another TT doubtful after crashing at the same spot in the opening Supertwin race on Saturday, breaking vertebrae, his collarbone and dislocating a knee.
Conor Cummins was ruled out of Saturday’s North West action on his Padgett’s Honda after damaging his knee when he clouted a kerb at Ballysally roundabout in Thursday’s Superstock race and both North West newcomer, Mike Browne and James Hillier escaped serious injury in crashes at Juniper Hill chicane.
The Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Photo courtesy CIP Green Power KTM.
Spaniard Jorge Martin won the MotoGP Sprint Race Saturday afternoon on the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Riding his Prima Pramac Ducati Desmosedici, Martin won the 13-lap race by 1.840 seconds over Red Bull KTM Brad Binder. Defending World Champion Francesco Bagnaia was a close third on his Lenovo Ducati.
Absolute showstopper: Martin takes the spoils as Champions clash
The Spaniard stormed to his debut Tissot Sprint victory from Binder, ahead of a breathtaking battle between Bagnaia and Marquez
Jorge Martin (89). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 13 May 2023
We billed it as super Saturday and once again, we meant it. The Tissot Sprint at Le Mans was another jaw dropper throughout the field, and we have a new name in the history books as Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) put in an inch-perfect ride to take his first Sprint win in MotoGP™. Just behind him, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) fought his way through the pack to storm to another podium in second, and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) completed the podium.
‘Completed the podium’ isn’t quite the correct product description, however, as the #1 actually had a gloves-off melee with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) that was intense, spectacular, and left both giving some fantastic reviews of the sport they compete in.
Let’s rewind first. It was Bagnaia who stormed off the line to take the holeshot as the lights went out, whilst Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) shot into P2. Turn 2 came and Martin made an incredible around-the-outside move to take 2nd place from Miller though, and as the riders crossed the line for the first time it remained Bagnaia, Martin, Miller, shadowed by Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) and Marquez in hot pursuit. Sector two came around and it was disappointment in the KTM camp though as Miller crashed out at Museum corner, by then promoting Marquez to P3. Some spirits were lifted for the Austrian manufacturer as Binder was on the move though, pushing his way past Marini to set the fastest lap and latch himself onto the back of the top 3.
With 11 laps to go, and it was a four-rider scrap for Tissot Sprint glory as Bagnaia led Martin, Marquez, and Binder respectively with Marini in a distant 5th. That didn’t last long, however, as Martin lunged up the inside of Bagnaia to take the lead away from the Ducati Lenovo rider. The number 89 then began to put the hammer down and pulled out 0.7s in just one lap. From there on out, he was untouchable. For the fight behind, a different word should be sought.
Marquez and Binder were queuing up behind Pecco, and a big reshuffle at the Dunlop chicane saw Binder take full advantage to go into P2, demoting Bagnaia to P3 and Marquez to P4. Marini then caught the battle as Bagnaia was struggling to hold onto the pace of the leaders, and it became a four-rider scrap. But Binder decided he was out, and the KTM started to edge away.
Brad Binder (33) leads Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, Luca Marini, and Aleix Espargaro at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Marquez pushed his way through at the Dunlop chicane with 8 laps to go, seeing Bagnaia drop to 5th behind Marquez and Marini. With the Italian clearly struggling he did his best to cling on, and snapped straight back at Marini. Next target: Marquez. Bagnaia was coming back at it, and made a move on the eight-time World Champion at the 200mph Turn 1 with 4 laps of racing still remaining.
The Italian then put the hammer down, and Marquez was unable to hang onto the coattails of the factory Ducati as the Spaniard faded slightly into the clutches of Marini. Martin crossed the line to take his first Sprint win as well as his first Grand Prix points at Le Mans, bouncing back in style as Binder took second to gain in the title fight, ahead of Bagnaia completing the podium.
After Bagnaia pulled away from the pack to defend his top 3, Marini got the better of Marquez to take 4th place. Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) was all over the rear of the battle for 4th in the last couple of laps, but lost ground after a crucial mistake in the closing stages halted his progress and saw the Frenchman settle for 6th.
Meanwhile, further back there was a gaggle of riders swapping paintwork as Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) got the better of the chasing Aprilia Racing riders of Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales to take 7th place with the Aprilias 8th and 9th respectively. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) completed the top ten.
The tough home Grand Prix for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) continued as the Frenchman crashed out of the Sprint to the dismay of the home crowd. Rider perfectly ok. He’d made an absolutely charge up from 13th on the grid, but lost the chance to move forward to the podium battle.
If Saturday’s action at the SHARK Grand Prix de France is anything to go by, you do not want to miss any of the action on Sunday’s billing as the race gets underway at 14:00 local time (GMT +2)! Join us for more tomorrow!
QUOTES
JORGE MARTIN: “I finally made it. I’m super proud of my team, and proud of myself because I’ve finally come back to the first position. It’s been a long time. it’s only a Sprint race but at least I got that feeling of the leading of not making mistakes and keeping the hammer down. Making that gap with Brad wasn’t easy but finally, I could make those two laps a bit more relaxed and yeah, I enjoyed a lot those last corners to finish in first position!”
BRAD BINDER: “I knew this start was everything. If I could get a decent launch off the line, cut my way through, and just hang with the boys at the beginning I knew I could probably bring it home in a decent spot. So I gave my best out there today, I need to say thank you to my team they did an incredible job again. It’s clear what we can improve for tomorrow, so I’m really looking forward to it. I think we can do a much better job in the long race.”
QUOTES: BAGNAIA & MARQUEZ WEIGH IN
PECCO BAGNAIA: “The battle was fun, I was enjoying it, it was quite aggressive but it’s the way I like to race. So I don’t understand the way they judged it because two weeks ago I got a penalty. And I’m NOT asking for a penalty for Marc, I’m just asking why I got one, it was normal like mine was. I think it’s correct to follow this line! It was aggressive but I like it. Battles have to be aggressive, for me. I’d like to continue like this.
“When there’s contact you’re upset in that moment, with the adrenaline and tension. But for me the battles like this is normal and we have to keep it like this.”
MARC MARQUEZ: “For me we must stop speaking about these small things and overtakes. I spoke with Pecco and he wasn’t angry at me. More upset because he was penalised in Jerez and I wasn’t here. They’re different actions but… guys, this is MotoGP. It’s my 11th year in the category, I think. If you want to overtake it’ll always be a close overtake and I think it’s what the fans enjoy.
“Yesterday the Stewards were in the Safety Commission and I gave my opinion. My opinion on this year is that everything that’s happened in the races has been a racing incident – the only one that should be penalised was my one in Portimao, because it was a big mistake! That one must be penalised. The rest were racing incidents and what happened today at Turn 3 was completely normal.”
Sam Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Lowes doubles down with second pole in two races, ahead of Lopez and Arbolino
Another race weekend, another record for Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team)! The Brit followed up his demolition of the opposition in Jerez to take pole position at Le Mans, a couple of tenths clear. Alonso Lopez (Lightech SpeedUp) put in a strong effort to take P2 whilst the Marc VDS squad put both their riders on the front row with Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) snatching P3.
Lowes’ lap record came in with a few minutes left on the clock, but neither Lopez nor Arbolino could topple it.
Where’s Pedro?
Now the Championship leader by virtue of his two wins to Arbolino’s one, and the two equal on points, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) starts off the front row in France… but not by too much. He’s just behind another impressive performance from Filip Salač (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™), with Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) sixth but stealing some limelight with a stunning save.
Somkiat Chantra (IDEMISTU Honda Team Asia) fronts the 3rd row of the grid ahead of Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar M2) who crashed out of Q2 to finish in P8 ahead of Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Mastercamp), with Barry Baltus (Fieten Olie Racing GP) rounding out the top 10.
The Moto2™ riders’ attention now turns to the race on Sunday, make sure not to miss any of the action as it commences at 12:15 local time (GMT +2)!
Ayumu Sasaki (71). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sasaki snatches pole from Moreira and Holgado
Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) is back on top! After early season speed halted by some Sunday misfortunes, the Japanese rider put big points on the board in Jerez and backed it up with another pole position. He heads the field by three tenths, with Championship rivals Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) and Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) alongside.
Sasaki led the way as the riders came back to the pits for their final runs for a chance at pole, and the fast laps came flying in as the clock ran down. Andrea Migno (CIP Green Power), Holgado, and Moreira tried to threaten Sasaki’s time at the top but the Japanese rider held strong as he moved the goalposts by 0.4s on his final flying lap.
Moreira had a charge for pole at the end of the session but the young Brazilian fell short, still starting just ahead of Holgado, who’s in third. Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) snatched 4th place on the grid and despite a crash for the Migno at the end of the session, the Italian’s lap time was enough for him to bag him a spot on the 2nd row as he finished 5th.
COTA and Jerez winner Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) put himself on the 2nd row in 6th, ad the third row is made up by Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing), Xavier Artigas (CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP), and Romano Fenati (Rivcold Snipers Team), as the rookie Syarifuddin Azman (MT Helmets – MSI) rounds out the top 10.
Make sure not to miss any of the Moto3™ action set to commence on Sunday at 11:00 local time (GMT +2)!
The Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Photo courtesy CIP Green Power KTM.
Piqueras robs Salmela in Le Mans Rookies Cup Race 1
Rising Finnish star Rico Salmela rode a perfect race ahead of the KTM pack and so nearly scored his 2nd Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup victory. But the 15-year-old was passed at the penultimate corner complex by Angel Piqueras.
Angel Piqueras (18) leads Rico Salmela (27) during Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Race One at Le Mans. Photo courtesy Red Bull.
So the 16-year-old points leader stood for the Spanish National Anthem for the 4th time this season with Ruche Moodley, the 16-year-old South African, joining them on the podium.
It was yet another fabulous race and while Salmela looked cool and confident in front the battle behind was incredibly intense, anyone of 8 or 10 riders could have made the podium and even the win as Piqueras demonstrated.
Piqueras sent it
“It’s true, I didn’t know how I managed to win. I just pushed very hard at the end, the last two laps, pushed at every corner.”
“I felt good at the end of the race, I was confident and I decided to take a chance. I pushed very hard, right on the limit and I almost crashed, I could have crashed, that was a real possibility but I didn’t. Maybe I will crash tomorrow, we’ll see.”
“It was a really hard race all the way, we were all pushing hard and it was only at the end that I felt that I could go and try and win, I felt really strong and felt I could try to catch Rico.”
“I won’t change anything on the bike for tomorrow, It is great. I felt I lacked a bit on the straight but maybe just because I am a bit bigger.”
Salmela so smooth
“Yes, It was a really good race, I was having some fun in the front. I think that I was doing quite a good pace in the lead.”
“In the last lap, I left a little gap and Piqueras took it. I tried to close it a bit but went too late on the brakes and went a little bit wide and Piqueras got the inside line.”
“I’m still quite happy with the work that I did today but I know that there are still some places that I can improve on for tomorrow. I like the bike, no need to change it at all but I think that one of the things I can do is probably push harder from the beginning and maybe make the last laps a bit better.”
Moodley made up places
“It was a really good race, quite difficult coming from 13th. I pushed really hard from the start and I knew I could get a good position. In the end, it was a podium so I am so happy.”
“Brad (Binder) was a big help, on Thursday he was showing me some lines. In practice though I still wasn’t feeling that confident until the end of Qualifying. Then today, I don’t know what happened,” he laughed.
“The bike felt good so I am not going to change anything, I hope for another good race tomorrow.”
Quiles 4th and cries foul
“It’s not fair,” stated the 15-year-old Spaniard after the race, visibly distressed. “Other riders in Jerez touch the green in Jerez many times and me, I touch it 3 and they give me a long lap and again here. It’s not correct but I am happy with the bike and the way I rode the race.”
Guido Pini not thrilled with 5th
“I’m not really happy because I was all the race in the lead group, 3rd or 4th position,” explained the 15-year-old Italian. “On the last lap I tried to do my best, but Piqueras passed me, I didn’t crash but almost high sided and Moodley passed me. Also, Maximo, I passed him but he passed me again so 5th position, I’m not really happy but tomorrow I think I can do better.”
Hakim Danish lost out after charge to the front
“I’m not happy because I made a lot of mistakes,” explained the 15-year-old Malaysian frankly after finishing 9th. “I slid off in the warm-up lap, luckily I could get up and still get in the race.”
“I had a good start in the race, I tried to follow the front group, I managed to do that. Then in the middle of the race I tried to pass one rider but I made a little mistake in Turn 7 and I almost hit the rider in front because I braked so late.”
“So then I had to catch the group again and I made another mistake in Turn 9, I braked too late and went straight. So a difficult race but I will improve for tomorrow.”
Marco Morelli frustrated with 13th from Pole
“A little bit of a bad race, I think.” said the 15-year-old Argentine. “I don’t know what to say but I am disappointed, I started from the pole and I finish 13, that’s not a great result.”
“But, I will learn from that, I need to close the door more, today I let too many riders through, gave them too much room.”
“I have one more opportunity to start from Pole and this is great. I am happy with the bike so it is just up to me.”
The Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Photo courtesy CIP Green Power KTM.
Matteo Ferrari won MotoE World Championship Race Two Saturday on the Bugatti Circuit, in Le Mans, France. Riding his Felo Gresini Ducati electric motorcycle, Ferrari won the eight-lap sprint by 0.712 second over Race One winner Jordi Torres, who rides an Openbank Aspar Team Ducati. Hector Garzo was a close third on his Dynavolt Intact GP Ducati.
The #81 comes out on top after a duel to the line as Ferrari slides out in Race 1 in France
Hector Garzo (4) and Jordi Torres (81) fight for the lead in MotoE Race One. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Saturday, 13 May 2023
Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) started 2023 on top! The Spaniard duelled compatriot Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) right to the line for the first honours of the new era, coming out on top after a last lap duel. Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™) crashed out of the fight at the front and has a Long Lap for Race 2 after a dramatic start, with Randy Krummenacher (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) coming through to complete the rostrum on his first electric start.
Garzo took the holeshot from Ferrari as the top two shot off the line, with Torres slotting into third from third on the grid. Nicolas Spinelli (HP Pons Los40) moved up into fourth after a solid start too, with the rookie on the move and a gap forming behind the top four.
At the front, it was Garzo vs Ferrari, with the lead changing on Lap 2 and then again a lap later, and in some style. That wasn’t the end of the drama for either though, with Ferrari then suddenly crashing out with four to go… leaving Garzo with a little breathing space ahead of Torres.
The chasing group had also had a shake up, with Spinelli crashing out before both Miquel Pons (LCR E-Team) and Mattia Casadei (HP Pons Los40) went down at Turn 7 – just a lap before Ferrari did the same. That made it a duel for the win and huge group fight to complete the podium, with Krummenacher leading the train on the penultimate lap.
It also added more drama for Ferrari as the Yellow Flags were still out, and he was given a Long Lap penalty to serve in Race 2. The drama wasn’t done for Race 1 yet though: a Long Lap for Kevin Manfredi (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse) after a shortcut ensured the Italian wouldn’t be on the rostrum, but he was still in the fight for it until the final lap.
That final lap saw Torres choose his moment to perfection, attacking into the chicane and then getting the hammer down to try and hold Garzo off. And that he did, with the number 81 able to hold on to the line, taking the first FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship victory by less than a tenth.
Behind Garzo, the podium fight saw Krummenacher come out on top as the Swiss rider makes his electric debut on the rostrum, ahead of Kevin Zannoni (Ongetta SIC58 Squadra Corse). Hikari Okubo (Tech3 E-Racing) completed the top five.
Ferrari fights back with fabulous Race 2 charge for victory
Despite a Long Lap Penalty, the Italian couldn’t be stopped as Torres and Garzo complete the rostrum
Matteo Ferrari (11). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Matteo Ferrari (Felo Gresini MotoE™) came out swinging in Race 2 at Le Mans, overcoming a Long Lap penalty for a crash under yellows in Race 1 to charge back to the front and take the win. Jordi Torres (Openbank Aspar Team) was forced to settle for second but consolidated his points lead, with Hector Garzo (Dynavolt Intact GP MotoE™) leaving Le Mans with two podiums after another top finish in Race 2. Ferrari’s win was also a historic 200th podium in the Grand Prix paddock for the Gresini Team!
Garzo repeated his Race 1 heroics to nab the holeshot as the lights went out, with Ferrari slotting into second and Torres once again shadowing in third. Nicolas Spinelli (HP Pons Los40) likewise made a good getaway to slot into fourth, with teammate Maria Casadei making quicker progress on take two, up into fifth.
Ferrari didn’t take long to strike for the lead, but just as he took over the Race Direction message came through: serve the Long Lap given for that Race 1 crash under yellows. The Italian pushed on to try and make the biggest gap possible before heading in though, and he was absolutely caning it. He took the penalty on the last chance lap to do so, re-emerging behind Torres as Garzo after the number 81 had grabbed the lead.
The mission was clear, and the mission was a success. First he stalked Garzo before finding a way through at Turn 1, and as the final corners dawned on the penultimate lap he was lining up a repeat. He pulled it off in style on Torres, able to stay just ahead over the final lap to take that first win of the year in style.
Torres’ second place was a tactical one as the Spaniard increased his points lead, however, and Garzo leaves with two podiums for second overall.The fight just behind saw Casadei dispatch teammate Spinelli as the Pons team locked out the top five, both sure to be looking for a little more in Mugello but putting some solid points on the board in Round 1.
Check out the full results and get ready to recharge for more as MotoE™ heads into the triple header in a few weeks!
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