Graves Motorsports’ Chuck Graves walks Roadracing World’s Sam Fleming around a track day/basic Supersport build 2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R that was on display during Kawasaki’s official launch of the new model at Ridge Motorsports Park, in Shelton, Washington.
@GravesMotorsports @RoadracingWorld2012 @KawasakiMotorsEU @KawasakiUSA
Borgo Panigale Experience: all the new features of the visit to the factory and the Ducati Museum
Ducati expands the offer of the Borgo Panigale Experience, the itinerary that allows enthusiasts to discover the history, present and future of the Company
The tour of the Ducati factory is enhanced with a visit to the new “Finitura e Delibera Estetica” building, where to observe the final dressing of the bikes carried out by Ducati with a sartorial approach
By popular demand, the Discovery Tours in the company of the Curator of the Ducati Museum have been extended with the addition of three new appointments
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy) – Ducati is expanding the offer of the Borgo Panigale Experience, the itinerary created for all enthusiasts who wish to immerse themselves in the Ducati universe by exploring the 97 years of history of the brand, its present and its future.
The Borgo Panigale Experience includes entry to the Ducati Museum, where enthusiasts can admire the bikes that have made the history of the Company, and a guided tour of the factory, which allows everyone to walk among the production lines and observe how the bikes of their dreams are crafted.
From October, the visit to the factory also includes the new “Finitura e Delibera Estetica” building , where visitors will be able to observe the last phase of the production cycle which consists of the final dressing of the bikes, carried out by Ducati with a sartorial approach. In this step, parts such as fairings and covers are assembled. Finally, each bike is carefully inspected to ensure that it is perfect from an aesthetic point of view, with the aim of ensuring the highest quality standards that distinguish Ducati.
The new space was inaugurated in December 2022 and covers a total area of 4,400 m². The building was designed with particular attention to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, it is in fact classified as NZEB, or “Nearly Zero Energy Building”, indicating almost zero energy consumption, powered mainly by renewable sources.
Furthermore, thanks to the success of the Discovery Tours in the company of the Curator of the Ducati Museum Livio Lodi , expert and history enthusiast, the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer has decided to further expand the calendar events. During this extraordinary experience, participants will be accompanied on an exciting journey through the rooms that preserve the legacy of Ducati, discovering details and anecdotes that make the history of the Company unique.
The new dates to visit the Ducati Museum with the Curator and his narratives have been scheduled for 21 October, 18 November and 2 December. Each day there is a tour in English and one in Italian.
All information on opening times, type of tours and bookings for the Ducati Museum and the factory is available in the section dedicated to the Borgo Panigale Experience on the Ducati website.
MOTOPLEX DAYTONA OPENS ITS DOORS AS THE REGION’S ONLY PIAGGIO-EXCLUSIVE FLAGSHIP, WITH APRILIA, MOTO GUZZI, PIAGGIO AND VESPA BRANDS
A DESTINATION FOR MOTORCYCLISTS WORLDWIDE, DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, NOW HAS AN INJECTION OF ITALIAN TWO-WHEELED VEHICLES, WITH PIAGGIO GROUP MOTORCYCLES AND SCOOTERS
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The Piaggio Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of two-wheeled vehicles, has opened another group-exclusive North American dealership, following the recent arrivals of Montreal, Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Idaho Falls, with Daytona Beach, Florida. The location is an evolution of the consumer retail experience, elevated to support the demands of modern customers and passionate owners, which showcases Piaggio Group’s Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, and Vespa motorcycle and scooter brands. Expanding on dealerships in Naples and Gainesville, MotoPlex Daytona is the third franchise of Adamo Motion, Inc. for Piaggio Group, and the first exclusive MotoPlex destination in Florida.
MotoPlex Daytona is committed to providing an all-encompassing solution for motorcycle and scooter enthusiasts. Beyond sales, the dealership offers a comprehensive range of services including maintenance, repair, and accessory installation by factory-trained technicians. Aligned with the Piaggio Group brands, MotoPlex Daytona arrives to support Aprilia brand with its mix of street, sport, and adventure model offerings, just in time for the arrival of an entry-level Aprilia RS 457, which promises to bring many new customers to the brand. The dealership displays the range of iconic Moto Guzzi motorcycles, known and loved for their celebrated V-twin engines and Italian soul, synonymous with their unmistakable style and character, and recent arrival of the first water-cooled “compact-block” Moto Guzzi V100 platform. With the Piaggio and Vespa brands, premium and approachable transportation meet the street with timeless style, known reliability, and charm, in scooter options that range from electric options and displacements that span from 50cc to over 500cc.
“Our goal is to create a community around the love of riding. Whether you are a seasoned motorcyclist or someone looking to make their first purchase, we are here to offer personalized service that meets all your needs,” says Buck Brown, General Manager of MotoPlex Daytona.
“Our customers have an expectation for a seamless and contemporary retail experience. With MotoPlex Daytona, you have a platform to support this customer journey in a space that is both inviting and functional, with highly trained staff to provide assistance and service to the most passionate riders and Piaggio Group brands,” says Marco d’Acunzo, President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas, “We know with the recent opening of other MotoPlex locations, that customers have been in need of this type of retail journey, and the addition of locations like MotoPlex Daytona, we are able to match the enthusiasm of each customer with a complementary environment worthy of our brands.”
Together under one roof the MotoPlex retail concept provides service, accessories, merchandising and entertainment, to give customers a unique global vision of the two-wheeled world. MotoPlex Daytona is located at 566 Ballough Rd, Daytona Beach, FL and joins hundreds of other select Piaggio Group MotoPlex franchises around the world.
For more information about Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, or Vespa please visit the brand websites.
Aprilia.com
MotoGuzzi.com
Piaggio.com
Vespa.com
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR):
Bridewell secures emotionally charged Bennetts British Superbike title by half a point
Tommy Bridewell celebrated an emotional 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship title in an incredible Showdown decider; finishing second behind his BeerMonster Ducati teammate and fierce title rival Glenn Irwin in the final race of the season to take the crown by an unprecedented margin of just half a point.
The battle to become the 2023 Champion went down to the wire, on the last lap of the final race of the season at Brands Hatch as the leading trio in the title chase were pushed to the limit to decide the destiny of the championship.
Irwin had won the race earlier in the afternoon to half Bridewell’s advantage with just 5.5 points separating them going into the final race of the season and Ryde also within mathematical contention should the teammates falter.
Bridewell had initially grabbed the advantage, but Ryde soon had charged ahead to take the lead and with Irwin in fourth that would have been enough for Bridewell to become champion.
However, a hallmark Bennetts BSB race didn’t disappoint the huge crowds at the Kent circuit as a determined Irwin fought his way to the front by lap 11.
Irwin in the lead and with Ryde splitting him from his teammate Bridewell would have turned the tables in his favour, but the 20-lap race saw the championship advantage change in favour of the teammates no less than eight times.
Ryde then regained the lead, but the balance shifted again on the penultimate lap of the season when Irwin produced a rapid exit out of Surtees to pass the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider at Hawthorn and once again move into the title hot seat. This left Bridewell needing to pass Ryde with just a lap and a half of the 2023 Bennetts BSB campaign left to run.
The decisive moment came at Druids on the final lap. Bridewell produced a strong run through Paddock Hill Bend to set up a run on Ryde into Druids before outbraking him and holding the position as they fired down Graham Hill Bend for the final time.
Irwin had managed to build a bit of a gap at the front of the pack, which he held to the chequered flag to claim his tenth win of the season. However, with Bridewell’s second position that was enough to take the title by the narrowest winning points margin in series history.
Bridewell dedicated the championship win to his late brother Ollie and to PBM Team Owner Paul Bird, who passed away last month, in one of the most emotional victories in history.
Ryde followed the BeerMonster Ducatis home to take third and ensure that the top three riders in this year’s standings shared the final podium of the season.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 2
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 3
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Standings
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Tommy Bridewell
BeerMonster Ducati
“I dedicate everything I do in my life to my brother. The day I lost Ollie, I promised him I would become British Champion and today is that day.
“Everything in my life has been built towards this and I’ve dedicated every day to my late brother Ollie and to become BSB champion, so for it to finally happen has made my life complete. Full credit to Glenn, he’s brought both the best and worst out of me and he’s pushed me like no teammate has ever done before – he’s an unbelievable rider and certainly knows how to ride a bike!
“When Paul Bird took me on, I told him I’d give everything, so the title is dedicated to both him and Ollie and I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone involved in the team for the opportunity. Today was tough and tense, but we got it done.
“I don’t know how you can summarise that last race. There were points when Glenn was ahead in the championship and I was back then it was swinging either way. And to be able to stand here and say I finally won the Bennetts British Superbike Championship is absolutely unbelievable.
“It hasn’t sunk in and it probably won’t sink in for a while. I’m lost for words but what a year it’s been. Thank you to the team, thank you to everyone that supports me and hopefully it’s the first of many to come.”
Texan Mikey Lou Sanchez, age 13, finished fifth and third in the two RFME ESBK PreMoto3 Spanish National Championship races Sunday at Circuito de Jerez, in Spain.
Riding his MRE Talent Team BeOn, Sanchez finished fifth, just 0.448 second behind the winner, in 13-lap Race One.
Then in 13-lap Race Two, Sanchez placed third, 1.685 seconds behind the winner.
More, from a press release issued by Sanchez Racing:
Mikey Lou Sanchez podiums for the 3rd time in the ESBK PreMoto3 at the Circuito de Jerez this past weekend.
Even though Jerez is one of Mikey’s favorite tracks in Spain, he had a slow start to the weekend finishing P16 during Friday’s free practice. Then he improved to 1.2 seconds off in qualifying for P13 on the grid.
He started on the fifth row for Race One and he pushed hard from the start. Mikey spent the first couple of laps making his way through the field and on lap eight of 13 he caught the front group. On the last laps with many changes of position, Mikey finished a strong fifth place only 0.4 second off of the winner.
Michael Sanchez (father) said, “Being over a second and a half off the leader on Friday was huge, but the team and Mikey kept working, and come race time, Mikey did what Mikey does.”
In Race Two, Mikey started from the middle of the second row in P5. He immediately went with the front group and with five laps remaining he was in a battle with another rider that was being black flagged because his rear brake caliper was dangling, only being held on by the rear brake line. Mikey was able to keep focused and finish the race in P3.
“For couple of laps I was thinking I got to stay real low. Low below my windscreen just in case the brake line broke. I didn’t want to get hit with the brake caliper. Once I saw the brake line wrap around the exhaust pipe I knew it was good to go.”
With one round remaining in Barcelona November 18-19, Mikey now sits fifth in the ESBK PreMoto3 National Championship.
Mikey’s race can be seen at the link below starting from 1:14:00 mark.
¡En directo! ESBK Jerez 2. Campeonato de España de Superbike 2023
We would personally like to thank all our sponsors Roadway Traffic Control, HJC Helmets,Texas Motorcycle Academy, San Marcos Iron Doors, Williams Custom Painting, Moto Liberty, 212 Decals, Mark Niemi. Fred and Maggie Beck, Theo Bick, Ben Fondu, Paul Stamper, Stacey Pawelek.
Francesco Bagnaia won the FIM MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at Mandlika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici, the defending World Champion won the 27-lap race by 0.306 second.
Maverick Vinales was the runner-up on his factory Aprilia RS-GP, and Fabio Quartararo finished third, just 0.433 second behind Bagnaia, on his Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1.
Jorge Martin, the World Championship point leader coming into the race, crashed his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati and Did Not Finish (DNF).
MotoGP race
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
What. A. TWIST! Pecco puts in a masterclass from P13 as Martin crashes out the lead at Mandalika
The podium is by covered just four tenths as Viñales and Quartararo harry the reigning Champion home – but Bagnaia doesn’t crack as Martin offers an open goal
Sunday, 15 October 2023
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) looked to be on the ropes as the sun went down on Saturday at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia. What was a 66-point advantage over key rival Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) had become a seven-point deficit, and the number 1 had only managed eighth in the Tissot Sprint – from a P13 on the grid he would face for the Grand Prix race too. Martin, meanwhile, had streaked away to a fourth Sprint win on the bounce, the rider on form in every way. But Sunday was not, as it turned out, a day to defend for Bagnaia.
From lights out the number 1 was off on a mission, making quick work of the journey up into third. From there, he was chasing Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) as Martin disappeared into the lead, and then came the truly pivotal moment of the Grand Prix. After achieving near perfection of late and taking that hard-fought lead on Saturday, the number 89 suddenly slid out at Turn 11 – leaving an open goal for Bagnaia. The reigning Champion didn’t miss, but he most definitely had to work hard for it – getting past Viñales late on before the Aprilia and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) both homed right in at the final corner.
Still, Pecco held on to leave a tough weekend at Mandalika with an 18-point lead as Viñales and Quartararo followed him home in the closest podium of the season so far. Pivotal? It could well prove so. It was also historic as Bagnaia became the first rider to win after qualifying off the front four rows in a dry race since the 2006 Turkish GP!
And we’re off!
As the lights went out in Indonesia, Martin got the race start of all race starts as he shot into the lead from sixth on the grid. The Spaniard was absolutely flying too as he led the way from Viñales, already a few bike lengths clear, with Quartararo holding on in third.
Martin and Viñales began to check out as a queue started to build up behind Quartararo, but Bagnaia had been given the wake-up call on Sunday morning as he came out of the gates ready to race and carved his way through the riders ahead, climbing up from 13th on the grid to third by the start of Lap 3.
The early shuffles
The drama was initially elsewhere. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) crashed out, rider ok, and then Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) went for a pickpocket on Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), but the South African made contact and the Italian slid out. Binder was given a Long Lap for it, and Marini did rejoin at least to do his he’d earned a few races ago.
The race then began to settle, but Martin was pulling the pin in the lead and breaking away from Viñales. Fastest lap after fastest lap came in from the number 89, the Pramac putting down a pace that no other could match as he went 2.7s clear of Viñales with 17 laps remaining.
They say to always expect the unexpected in motorcycle racing, however, and that statement proved itself true in MotoGP™ as Martin went from hero to zero in a matter of seconds. A costly mistake at Turn 11 saw his Prima Pramac Ducati bounce through the Indonesian gravel trap and that was that for this Grand Prix – with Bagnaia left with an open goal and now, only one machine ahead of him: Viñales.
Bagnaia on the charge
Viñales may not have yet taken that win with Aprilia, but he’s no stranger to the top step and Bagnaia had to be patient to pull the number 12 back to within striking distance. The Italian took small chunks out of the Spaniard and slowly but surely was edging closer and closer.
As the reigning Champion got within touching distance, he didn’t waste time. It was a tense contest to watch but it didn’t seem it for those involved, with Pecco putting in a perfectly calculated move at Turn 10 to take the lead with 8 laps to go. From there, he started to ask big questions of Viñales on the chase.
In the meantime, all eyes were on Quartararo, who was still third but running faster than both riders ahead of him. And a LOT faster. It only took the 2021 World Champion a couple of laps to reel in Viñales, but passing him was going to prove to be a much tougher task.
They held station, but the race was far from over as both started to edge closer to Bagnaia. By two laps to go, we had three nationalities on three different manufacturers scrapping it out for victory – with the Championship leader and a little history on the line.
As the last lap started, it looked like Bagnaia had enough in hand. But the tension rose and rose as the Aprilia and the Yamaha steamrollered the gap, almost within striking distance by the final two corners. But neither could quite make a move and the Ducato crossed the line for a pivotal and historic win, with Bagnaia becoming the first rider to win from outside the top four rows in a dry race since Marco Melandri at the 2006 Turkish GP.
The full picture
All the talk heading into the weekend was about the Gresini Racing MotoGP™ team, and just as the Italian team signed Marc Marquez for the 2024 season, the very rider he replaced pulled out his best ride in the premier class. Fabio Di Giannantonio put on an impressive display to take 4th place, just +6.962s away from the victory, and four seconds up the road from proven race winner Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) as the number 72 raced through the pain barrier following that collarbone surgery last weekend.
Meanwhile, Binder watch. After the Long Lap following contact with Marini, the South African then committed a second offence as he got a little too close for comfort to Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) and the Portuguese rider was forced well wide. That was a second Long Lap, but Binder still got stuck in to come back through to P6. Teammate Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was just over a second back in seventh as he managed to get the better of the returning Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) who had run off track earlier in the race.
Alex Rins (LCR Honda) was another who returned from injury. Ninth place was a positive result for the Spaniard as he finished eight seconds clear of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) who, after a strong start going with Quartararo, dropped right down the order to P10.
The 2023 MotoGP™ World Championship truly is the gift that keeps on giving. The pendulum has convincingly swung in both directions throughout the course of the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia. With the ball now back in Bagnaia’s court, you’re not going to want to miss any of the action as MotoGP™ heads to Philip Island in just one week’s time. DO. NOT. MISS IT!
Pedro Acosta won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex, the young Spaniard won the 22-lap race by 2.044 seconds.
Acosta’s countryman Aron Canet finished second on his Pons Wegow Los40 Kalex, and Fermin Aldeguer placed third, 4.716 seconds behind Acosta, on his Beta Tools SpeedUp Bascoscuro machine.
American Joe Roberts took ninth on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.
With his fill-in ride at Forward Racing completed, American Sean Dylan Kelly did not race in Indonesia.
Moto2 Race
Diogo Moreira won the FIM Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his MT Helmets – MSI KTM, the Brazilian rider won the 20-lap race by just 0.107 second.
David Alonso was the runner-up on his Gaviota Aspar Team GASGAS, while David Munoz finished third, just 0.130 second behind Moreira, on his BOE Motorsports KTM.
The top eight finishers were covered by just 0.811 second at the finish, and the top 13 finishers were just 1.8 seconds apart at the checkered flag.
Moto3 Race
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR):
Ryde wins to close the gap as Bridewell leads standings into decider day
Kyle Ryde claimed an intense BikeSocial Sprint Race victory to edge him closer to his BeerMonster Ducati title rivals in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship title fight, but the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider was pushed all the way to finish as just 0.015s separated him from Jason O’Halloran at the chequered flag.
Ryde has been determined all weekend as the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha team target consecutive titles and he delivered exactly what he had threatened. He grabbed the lead from O’Halloran on the third lap and continued to fight him to the finish. O’Halloran had made a move into Paddock Hill Bend for the final time, but by the time the pair reaches Druids, Ryde was back ahead. The Yamahas were almost inseparable on the dash to the finish line, but the win means Ryde cut his deficit by a further eight points to Bridewell.
Meanwhile the raging battle between the BeerMonster Ducati teammates continued and Glenn Irwin carved his way through the pack from his 17th place grid start to be seventh by the fourth lap and then into fourth place behind his closest rival just two laps later.
Irwin was pushing to make a move on the dry line, but it was still damp in places off-line, as the pair were inseparable on equal machinery. Irwin made an attempt for a move at Stirlings, but as he dived ahead he ran onto the damp and had to then try and regain the ground.
Bridewell had the edge he needed to claim the final podium position and in doing so moves to 10.5 points ahead of Irwin ahead of tomorrow’s two crucial races with 70 points available for the taking tomorrow.
Whilst several of the title contenders featured on the podium, it was disaster again on the Grand Prix circuit for Leon Haslam as he crashed out of fifth place at Surtees on the ninth lap, giving him even more of an uphill task if he is to become Champion for the second time.
Christian Iddon carved through into fifth for the Oxford Products Racing Ducati team, holding off Peter Hickman and Josh Brookes. Jack Kennedy scored another top eight finish with Lee Jackson and Ryan Vickers completing the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, BikeSocial Sprint Race:
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Kyle Ryde
LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha
“I feel like my Free Practice three session this morning kind of won me that race today. I think a few people opted to sit the session out, understandably. I nearly did the same, but I just wanted to keep going round, I was enjoying riding my bike and that definitely won me the race because it was the exact same conditions, same tyres, probably the same temperature as well.
“Credit to the boys for making the bike a little bit better than FP3 this morning and I just managed to hold Jason off to the line. Luckily for me with the last corner you can see just how close Jason was with the shadow. I knew he wasn’t coming underneath me, so I just had to be as smooth as possible across the start line as I knew he had a little more grip.
“I’m very pleased to take my first ever win at Brands Hatch, at the last meeting where it means the most.”
Tommy Bridewell
BeerMonster Ducati
“That was a good race all in all. I’m really happy because I had Glenn plus-zero on my board pretty much the whole race. When the shoe is on the other foot I know that somehow I will make a pass, so I knew he would have a go.
“I made a mistake coming through Sheene Curve which gave him the opportunity, but obviously he had to go on the wet patch to do that. It was a tough race but always the target is to finish ahead of Glenn and we ticked that off and again another podium.
“We’ve got a decent chunk of work to do to try and get a bit stronger for tomorrow and hopefully we can take that next step again.”
VR46 RACING TEAM AND PERTAMINA LUBRICANTS SIGN A TITLE PARTNERSHIP STARTING IN 2024
From next January, the Tavullia Team will be named Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team. PT Pertamina Lubricants alongside the Team for three seasons.
Jakarta (Indonesia), October 14th 2023 – VR46 Racing Team and PT Pertamina Lubricants together in MotoGP for three seasons. The Indonesian lubricants brand, through the motorcycle lubricant brand Pertamina Enduro, will become title partner of the Tavullia crew starting from January 1st 2024, under the name of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team.
A strategic choice and the birth of a new synergy, between the VR46 Racing Team, the team busy in the Motorcycling World Championship owned by the nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi, and the lubricants giant PT Pertamina Lubricants to give new impetus to two realities already established in Motorsport and thus becoming a true point of reference also in performance and technologies.
Common vision, shared values and great ambitions for the newborn Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team: a team animated by an immense passion for engines and two wheels, capable of combining the two biggest fan bases of the MotoGP circus in cheering and thus involving hundreds of thousands of fans from all over the world.
From the 2024 MotoGP season the Pertamina Enduro logo will be present on the Ducati Desmosedici GP bikes entrusted to Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini, the riders suits, helmets, technical spaces, as well as in all images, assets, materials and communications of the VR46 Racing Team.
Alessio Salucci, Team Director – VR46 Racing Team
“Welcoming Pertamina Lubricants, which for the next three seasons will be the title partner of the VR46 Racing Team, marks in a crucial way the history of our Team, an important piece and a further step forward in achieving our goals. We are truly honored to have entered into an agreement with a brand of this kind in the world of motorsport. With this new synergy, we not only share common ambitions, but we combine the two largest and most loyal fan bases in MotoGP. A bridge between the Italian fans and all those who follow us from Indonesia and to whom we hope to give important satisfactions in the future. This long-term project between two companies so experienced in the world of motorcycling and competitions, such as VR46 Racing Team and Pertamina Lubricants, aims to bring true passion for this sport from a unique point of view to hundreds of thousands of fans all around the world. In 2024, a new era of our history in MotoGP starts, an adventure full of successes, which began only two years ago, and which would not have been possible without the support and participation of a partner like Mooney who I would like to thank personally for mutual trust and respect”.
Mr. Werry Prayogi – President Director of PT Pertamina Lubricants
“The partnership between PT Pertamina Lubricants and VR46 Racing Team is a strategic move to extending our vision of becoming a champion in the lubricants industry. This is proof that VR46 Racing Team and Valentino Rossi place great trust in the international quality of Pertamina Enduro”.
Gianluca Falcioni, CEO – VR46 Agency
“We are very proud of the agreement reached with a prestigious and important company like Pertamina Lubricants for the VR46 Racing Team. Through VR46 Agency, Valentino Rossi’s company, we are looking for partners and sponsors for all projects in the VR46 world. From the first months we have aimed at new markets, towards rapidly growing countries. Indonesia and South-East Asia in general represent an enormous pool of fans and enthusiasts for VR46. The passion for MotoGP is immeasurable and we believe that through this agreement, with such an important company, we can evolve strategically by activating not only sporting synergies but also creating 360-degree opportunities between VR46 and these countries. From the first meeting with Pertamina we understood the great affinity of values, the same vision of motorcycling and approach to competitions. There are no words to describe the role and prestige that Pertamina Lubricants plays in. Endurance is the key point that make this great brand a unique partner to support our project. I would like to underline that this is not a simple partnership, but the birth of a synergy in which Pertamina Lubricants will make knowledge, experience and technology available to achieve great performance on the track. Finally, with this strategic agreement, we are getting even closer to our fan base in Indonesia, a country where we have always felt welcome and where we believe there are the foundations to activate multiple projects both in the racing and business opportunities fields”.
VR46 Racing Team
The Team was founded in 2014 with the aim of supporting young Italian talents of the two wheels from Moto3 to MotoGP. A long journey of 10 seasons on track, with a World Title won in 2018 in Moto2 thank to Francesco Bagnaia, a Team World Championship crown in 2020 in Moto2 and the first historic wins in the Top class in 2023 (Bezzecchi, Argentina GP). Francesco Bagnaia is the first rider from Sky VR46 project to arrive in MotoGP in 2019. He will be followed by Marini (2021) and Bezzecchi (2022 – the year of the Team’s debut in MotoGP). To date, 10 Italian riders have taken their first steps in the World Championship thanks to this crew. Based in Tavullia, the Mooney VR46 Racing Team currently races in MotoGP with two Ducati Desmosedici GPs entrusted to Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini. In just two years in this category, the Team has won 3 races, achieved a total of 9 podiums and the title of Rookie of the Year (2022 – Bezzecchi).
Pertamina Lubricants
Pertamina Lubricants is a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, Pertamina’s Commercial & Trading (C&T) Subholding that focuses on production, processing, transportation, storage, distribution, and marketing of world class lubricants, grease, and specialties chemicals. Pertamina Lubricants operates three production units in Gresik, Cilacap, and Jakarta, as well as one production unit in Thailand, with a total capacity exceeding 535 million liters per year. In addition to meeting the growing lubricant market demands in Indonesia, Pertamina Lubricants has expanded globally, currently present in 14 countries worldwide. Pertamina Lubricants primary goal is to develop in foreign markets and become a global champion in the lubricant industry.
Graves Motorsports’ Chuck Graves walks Roadracing World’s Sam Fleming around a track day/basic Supersport build 2024 Kawasaki ZX-6R that was on display during Kawasaki’s official launch of the new model at Ridge Motorsports Park, in Shelton, Washington.
@GravesMotorsports @RoadracingWorld2012 @KawasakiMotorsEU @KawasakiUSA
Borgo Panigale Experience: all the new features of the visit to the factory and the Ducati Museum
Ducati expands the offer of the Borgo Panigale Experience, the itinerary that allows enthusiasts to discover the history, present and future of the Company
The tour of the Ducati factory is enhanced with a visit to the new “Finitura e Delibera Estetica” building, where to observe the final dressing of the bikes carried out by Ducati with a sartorial approach
By popular demand, the Discovery Tours in the company of the Curator of the Ducati Museum have been extended with the addition of three new appointments
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy) – Ducati is expanding the offer of the Borgo Panigale Experience, the itinerary created for all enthusiasts who wish to immerse themselves in the Ducati universe by exploring the 97 years of history of the brand, its present and its future.
The Borgo Panigale Experience includes entry to the Ducati Museum, where enthusiasts can admire the bikes that have made the history of the Company, and a guided tour of the factory, which allows everyone to walk among the production lines and observe how the bikes of their dreams are crafted.
From October, the visit to the factory also includes the new “Finitura e Delibera Estetica” building , where visitors will be able to observe the last phase of the production cycle which consists of the final dressing of the bikes, carried out by Ducati with a sartorial approach. In this step, parts such as fairings and covers are assembled. Finally, each bike is carefully inspected to ensure that it is perfect from an aesthetic point of view, with the aim of ensuring the highest quality standards that distinguish Ducati.
The new space was inaugurated in December 2022 and covers a total area of 4,400 m². The building was designed with particular attention to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, it is in fact classified as NZEB, or “Nearly Zero Energy Building”, indicating almost zero energy consumption, powered mainly by renewable sources.
Furthermore, thanks to the success of the Discovery Tours in the company of the Curator of the Ducati Museum Livio Lodi , expert and history enthusiast, the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer has decided to further expand the calendar events. During this extraordinary experience, participants will be accompanied on an exciting journey through the rooms that preserve the legacy of Ducati, discovering details and anecdotes that make the history of the Company unique.
The new dates to visit the Ducati Museum with the Curator and his narratives have been scheduled for 21 October, 18 November and 2 December. Each day there is a tour in English and one in Italian.
All information on opening times, type of tours and bookings for the Ducati Museum and the factory is available in the section dedicated to the Borgo Panigale Experience on the Ducati website.
MOTOPLEX DAYTONA OPENS ITS DOORS AS THE REGION’S ONLY PIAGGIO-EXCLUSIVE FLAGSHIP, WITH APRILIA, MOTO GUZZI, PIAGGIO AND VESPA BRANDS
A DESTINATION FOR MOTORCYCLISTS WORLDWIDE, DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, NOW HAS AN INJECTION OF ITALIAN TWO-WHEELED VEHICLES, WITH PIAGGIO GROUP MOTORCYCLES AND SCOOTERS
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The Piaggio Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of two-wheeled vehicles, has opened another group-exclusive North American dealership, following the recent arrivals of Montreal, Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Idaho Falls, with Daytona Beach, Florida. The location is an evolution of the consumer retail experience, elevated to support the demands of modern customers and passionate owners, which showcases Piaggio Group’s Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, and Vespa motorcycle and scooter brands. Expanding on dealerships in Naples and Gainesville, MotoPlex Daytona is the third franchise of Adamo Motion, Inc. for Piaggio Group, and the first exclusive MotoPlex destination in Florida.
MotoPlex Daytona is committed to providing an all-encompassing solution for motorcycle and scooter enthusiasts. Beyond sales, the dealership offers a comprehensive range of services including maintenance, repair, and accessory installation by factory-trained technicians. Aligned with the Piaggio Group brands, MotoPlex Daytona arrives to support Aprilia brand with its mix of street, sport, and adventure model offerings, just in time for the arrival of an entry-level Aprilia RS 457, which promises to bring many new customers to the brand. The dealership displays the range of iconic Moto Guzzi motorcycles, known and loved for their celebrated V-twin engines and Italian soul, synonymous with their unmistakable style and character, and recent arrival of the first water-cooled “compact-block” Moto Guzzi V100 platform. With the Piaggio and Vespa brands, premium and approachable transportation meet the street with timeless style, known reliability, and charm, in scooter options that range from electric options and displacements that span from 50cc to over 500cc.
“Our goal is to create a community around the love of riding. Whether you are a seasoned motorcyclist or someone looking to make their first purchase, we are here to offer personalized service that meets all your needs,” says Buck Brown, General Manager of MotoPlex Daytona.
“Our customers have an expectation for a seamless and contemporary retail experience. With MotoPlex Daytona, you have a platform to support this customer journey in a space that is both inviting and functional, with highly trained staff to provide assistance and service to the most passionate riders and Piaggio Group brands,” says Marco d’Acunzo, President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas, “We know with the recent opening of other MotoPlex locations, that customers have been in need of this type of retail journey, and the addition of locations like MotoPlex Daytona, we are able to match the enthusiasm of each customer with a complementary environment worthy of our brands.”
Together under one roof the MotoPlex retail concept provides service, accessories, merchandising and entertainment, to give customers a unique global vision of the two-wheeled world. MotoPlex Daytona is located at 566 Ballough Rd, Daytona Beach, FL and joins hundreds of other select Piaggio Group MotoPlex franchises around the world.
For more information about Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, or Vespa please visit the brand websites.
Aprilia.com
MotoGuzzi.com
Piaggio.com
Vespa.com
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR):
Bridewell secures emotionally charged Bennetts British Superbike title by half a point
Tommy Bridewell celebrated an emotional 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship title in an incredible Showdown decider; finishing second behind his BeerMonster Ducati teammate and fierce title rival Glenn Irwin in the final race of the season to take the crown by an unprecedented margin of just half a point.
The battle to become the 2023 Champion went down to the wire, on the last lap of the final race of the season at Brands Hatch as the leading trio in the title chase were pushed to the limit to decide the destiny of the championship.
Irwin had won the race earlier in the afternoon to half Bridewell’s advantage with just 5.5 points separating them going into the final race of the season and Ryde also within mathematical contention should the teammates falter.
Bridewell had initially grabbed the advantage, but Ryde soon had charged ahead to take the lead and with Irwin in fourth that would have been enough for Bridewell to become champion.
However, a hallmark Bennetts BSB race didn’t disappoint the huge crowds at the Kent circuit as a determined Irwin fought his way to the front by lap 11.
Irwin in the lead and with Ryde splitting him from his teammate Bridewell would have turned the tables in his favour, but the 20-lap race saw the championship advantage change in favour of the teammates no less than eight times.
Ryde then regained the lead, but the balance shifted again on the penultimate lap of the season when Irwin produced a rapid exit out of Surtees to pass the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider at Hawthorn and once again move into the title hot seat. This left Bridewell needing to pass Ryde with just a lap and a half of the 2023 Bennetts BSB campaign left to run.
The decisive moment came at Druids on the final lap. Bridewell produced a strong run through Paddock Hill Bend to set up a run on Ryde into Druids before outbraking him and holding the position as they fired down Graham Hill Bend for the final time.
Irwin had managed to build a bit of a gap at the front of the pack, which he held to the chequered flag to claim his tenth win of the season. However, with Bridewell’s second position that was enough to take the title by the narrowest winning points margin in series history.
Bridewell dedicated the championship win to his late brother Ollie and to PBM Team Owner Paul Bird, who passed away last month, in one of the most emotional victories in history.
Ryde followed the BeerMonster Ducatis home to take third and ensure that the top three riders in this year’s standings shared the final podium of the season.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 2
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 3
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Standings
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Tommy Bridewell
BeerMonster Ducati
“I dedicate everything I do in my life to my brother. The day I lost Ollie, I promised him I would become British Champion and today is that day.
“Everything in my life has been built towards this and I’ve dedicated every day to my late brother Ollie and to become BSB champion, so for it to finally happen has made my life complete. Full credit to Glenn, he’s brought both the best and worst out of me and he’s pushed me like no teammate has ever done before – he’s an unbelievable rider and certainly knows how to ride a bike!
“When Paul Bird took me on, I told him I’d give everything, so the title is dedicated to both him and Ollie and I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone involved in the team for the opportunity. Today was tough and tense, but we got it done.
“I don’t know how you can summarise that last race. There were points when Glenn was ahead in the championship and I was back then it was swinging either way. And to be able to stand here and say I finally won the Bennetts British Superbike Championship is absolutely unbelievable.
“It hasn’t sunk in and it probably won’t sink in for a while. I’m lost for words but what a year it’s been. Thank you to the team, thank you to everyone that supports me and hopefully it’s the first of many to come.”
Texan Mikey Lou Sanchez, age 13, finished fifth and third in the two RFME ESBK PreMoto3 Spanish National Championship races Sunday at Circuito de Jerez, in Spain.
Riding his MRE Talent Team BeOn, Sanchez finished fifth, just 0.448 second behind the winner, in 13-lap Race One.
Then in 13-lap Race Two, Sanchez placed third, 1.685 seconds behind the winner.
More, from a press release issued by Sanchez Racing:
Mikey Lou Sanchez podiums for the 3rd time in the ESBK PreMoto3 at the Circuito de Jerez this past weekend.
Even though Jerez is one of Mikey’s favorite tracks in Spain, he had a slow start to the weekend finishing P16 during Friday’s free practice. Then he improved to 1.2 seconds off in qualifying for P13 on the grid.
He started on the fifth row for Race One and he pushed hard from the start. Mikey spent the first couple of laps making his way through the field and on lap eight of 13 he caught the front group. On the last laps with many changes of position, Mikey finished a strong fifth place only 0.4 second off of the winner.
Michael Sanchez (father) said, “Being over a second and a half off the leader on Friday was huge, but the team and Mikey kept working, and come race time, Mikey did what Mikey does.”
In Race Two, Mikey started from the middle of the second row in P5. He immediately went with the front group and with five laps remaining he was in a battle with another rider that was being black flagged because his rear brake caliper was dangling, only being held on by the rear brake line. Mikey was able to keep focused and finish the race in P3.
“For couple of laps I was thinking I got to stay real low. Low below my windscreen just in case the brake line broke. I didn’t want to get hit with the brake caliper. Once I saw the brake line wrap around the exhaust pipe I knew it was good to go.”
With one round remaining in Barcelona November 18-19, Mikey now sits fifth in the ESBK PreMoto3 National Championship.
Mikey’s race can be seen at the link below starting from 1:14:00 mark.
¡En directo! ESBK Jerez 2. Campeonato de España de Superbike 2023
We would personally like to thank all our sponsors Roadway Traffic Control, HJC Helmets,Texas Motorcycle Academy, San Marcos Iron Doors, Williams Custom Painting, Moto Liberty, 212 Decals, Mark Niemi. Fred and Maggie Beck, Theo Bick, Ben Fondu, Paul Stamper, Stacey Pawelek.
Francesco Bagnaia won the FIM MotoGP World Championship race Sunday at Mandlika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Lenovo Team Ducati Desmosedici, the defending World Champion won the 27-lap race by 0.306 second.
Maverick Vinales was the runner-up on his factory Aprilia RS-GP, and Fabio Quartararo finished third, just 0.433 second behind Bagnaia, on his Monster Energy Yamaha YZR-M1.
Jorge Martin, the World Championship point leader coming into the race, crashed his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati and Did Not Finish (DNF).
MotoGP race
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
What. A. TWIST! Pecco puts in a masterclass from P13 as Martin crashes out the lead at Mandalika
The podium is by covered just four tenths as Viñales and Quartararo harry the reigning Champion home – but Bagnaia doesn’t crack as Martin offers an open goal
Sunday, 15 October 2023
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) looked to be on the ropes as the sun went down on Saturday at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia. What was a 66-point advantage over key rival Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) had become a seven-point deficit, and the number 1 had only managed eighth in the Tissot Sprint – from a P13 on the grid he would face for the Grand Prix race too. Martin, meanwhile, had streaked away to a fourth Sprint win on the bounce, the rider on form in every way. But Sunday was not, as it turned out, a day to defend for Bagnaia.
From lights out the number 1 was off on a mission, making quick work of the journey up into third. From there, he was chasing Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) as Martin disappeared into the lead, and then came the truly pivotal moment of the Grand Prix. After achieving near perfection of late and taking that hard-fought lead on Saturday, the number 89 suddenly slid out at Turn 11 – leaving an open goal for Bagnaia. The reigning Champion didn’t miss, but he most definitely had to work hard for it – getting past Viñales late on before the Aprilia and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) both homed right in at the final corner.
Still, Pecco held on to leave a tough weekend at Mandalika with an 18-point lead as Viñales and Quartararo followed him home in the closest podium of the season so far. Pivotal? It could well prove so. It was also historic as Bagnaia became the first rider to win after qualifying off the front four rows in a dry race since the 2006 Turkish GP!
And we’re off!
As the lights went out in Indonesia, Martin got the race start of all race starts as he shot into the lead from sixth on the grid. The Spaniard was absolutely flying too as he led the way from Viñales, already a few bike lengths clear, with Quartararo holding on in third.
Martin and Viñales began to check out as a queue started to build up behind Quartararo, but Bagnaia had been given the wake-up call on Sunday morning as he came out of the gates ready to race and carved his way through the riders ahead, climbing up from 13th on the grid to third by the start of Lap 3.
The early shuffles
The drama was initially elsewhere. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) crashed out, rider ok, and then Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) went for a pickpocket on Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), but the South African made contact and the Italian slid out. Binder was given a Long Lap for it, and Marini did rejoin at least to do his he’d earned a few races ago.
The race then began to settle, but Martin was pulling the pin in the lead and breaking away from Viñales. Fastest lap after fastest lap came in from the number 89, the Pramac putting down a pace that no other could match as he went 2.7s clear of Viñales with 17 laps remaining.
They say to always expect the unexpected in motorcycle racing, however, and that statement proved itself true in MotoGP™ as Martin went from hero to zero in a matter of seconds. A costly mistake at Turn 11 saw his Prima Pramac Ducati bounce through the Indonesian gravel trap and that was that for this Grand Prix – with Bagnaia left with an open goal and now, only one machine ahead of him: Viñales.
Bagnaia on the charge
Viñales may not have yet taken that win with Aprilia, but he’s no stranger to the top step and Bagnaia had to be patient to pull the number 12 back to within striking distance. The Italian took small chunks out of the Spaniard and slowly but surely was edging closer and closer.
As the reigning Champion got within touching distance, he didn’t waste time. It was a tense contest to watch but it didn’t seem it for those involved, with Pecco putting in a perfectly calculated move at Turn 10 to take the lead with 8 laps to go. From there, he started to ask big questions of Viñales on the chase.
In the meantime, all eyes were on Quartararo, who was still third but running faster than both riders ahead of him. And a LOT faster. It only took the 2021 World Champion a couple of laps to reel in Viñales, but passing him was going to prove to be a much tougher task.
They held station, but the race was far from over as both started to edge closer to Bagnaia. By two laps to go, we had three nationalities on three different manufacturers scrapping it out for victory – with the Championship leader and a little history on the line.
As the last lap started, it looked like Bagnaia had enough in hand. But the tension rose and rose as the Aprilia and the Yamaha steamrollered the gap, almost within striking distance by the final two corners. But neither could quite make a move and the Ducato crossed the line for a pivotal and historic win, with Bagnaia becoming the first rider to win from outside the top four rows in a dry race since Marco Melandri at the 2006 Turkish GP.
The full picture
All the talk heading into the weekend was about the Gresini Racing MotoGP™ team, and just as the Italian team signed Marc Marquez for the 2024 season, the very rider he replaced pulled out his best ride in the premier class. Fabio Di Giannantonio put on an impressive display to take 4th place, just +6.962s away from the victory, and four seconds up the road from proven race winner Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) as the number 72 raced through the pain barrier following that collarbone surgery last weekend.
Meanwhile, Binder watch. After the Long Lap following contact with Marini, the South African then committed a second offence as he got a little too close for comfort to Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) and the Portuguese rider was forced well wide. That was a second Long Lap, but Binder still got stuck in to come back through to P6. Teammate Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was just over a second back in seventh as he managed to get the better of the returning Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team) who had run off track earlier in the race.
Alex Rins (LCR Honda) was another who returned from injury. Ninth place was a positive result for the Spaniard as he finished eight seconds clear of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) who, after a strong start going with Quartararo, dropped right down the order to P10.
The 2023 MotoGP™ World Championship truly is the gift that keeps on giving. The pendulum has convincingly swung in both directions throughout the course of the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia. With the ball now back in Bagnaia’s court, you’re not going to want to miss any of the action as MotoGP™ heads to Philip Island in just one week’s time. DO. NOT. MISS IT!
Pedro Acosta won the FIM Moto2 World Championship race Sunday at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex, the young Spaniard won the 22-lap race by 2.044 seconds.
Acosta’s countryman Aron Canet finished second on his Pons Wegow Los40 Kalex, and Fermin Aldeguer placed third, 4.716 seconds behind Acosta, on his Beta Tools SpeedUp Bascoscuro machine.
American Joe Roberts took ninth on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.
With his fill-in ride at Forward Racing completed, American Sean Dylan Kelly did not race in Indonesia.
Moto2 Race
Diogo Moreira won the FIM Moto3 World Championship race Sunday at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his MT Helmets – MSI KTM, the Brazilian rider won the 20-lap race by just 0.107 second.
David Alonso was the runner-up on his Gaviota Aspar Team GASGAS, while David Munoz finished third, just 0.130 second behind Moreira, on his BOE Motorsports KTM.
The top eight finishers were covered by just 0.811 second at the finish, and the top 13 finishers were just 1.8 seconds apart at the checkered flag.
Moto3 Race
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR):
Ryde wins to close the gap as Bridewell leads standings into decider day
Kyle Ryde claimed an intense BikeSocial Sprint Race victory to edge him closer to his BeerMonster Ducati title rivals in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship title fight, but the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider was pushed all the way to finish as just 0.015s separated him from Jason O’Halloran at the chequered flag.
Ryde has been determined all weekend as the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha team target consecutive titles and he delivered exactly what he had threatened. He grabbed the lead from O’Halloran on the third lap and continued to fight him to the finish. O’Halloran had made a move into Paddock Hill Bend for the final time, but by the time the pair reaches Druids, Ryde was back ahead. The Yamahas were almost inseparable on the dash to the finish line, but the win means Ryde cut his deficit by a further eight points to Bridewell.
Meanwhile the raging battle between the BeerMonster Ducati teammates continued and Glenn Irwin carved his way through the pack from his 17th place grid start to be seventh by the fourth lap and then into fourth place behind his closest rival just two laps later.
Irwin was pushing to make a move on the dry line, but it was still damp in places off-line, as the pair were inseparable on equal machinery. Irwin made an attempt for a move at Stirlings, but as he dived ahead he ran onto the damp and had to then try and regain the ground.
Bridewell had the edge he needed to claim the final podium position and in doing so moves to 10.5 points ahead of Irwin ahead of tomorrow’s two crucial races with 70 points available for the taking tomorrow.
Whilst several of the title contenders featured on the podium, it was disaster again on the Grand Prix circuit for Leon Haslam as he crashed out of fifth place at Surtees on the ninth lap, giving him even more of an uphill task if he is to become Champion for the second time.
Christian Iddon carved through into fifth for the Oxford Products Racing Ducati team, holding off Peter Hickman and Josh Brookes. Jack Kennedy scored another top eight finish with Lee Jackson and Ryan Vickers completing the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, BikeSocial Sprint Race:
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Kyle Ryde
LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha
“I feel like my Free Practice three session this morning kind of won me that race today. I think a few people opted to sit the session out, understandably. I nearly did the same, but I just wanted to keep going round, I was enjoying riding my bike and that definitely won me the race because it was the exact same conditions, same tyres, probably the same temperature as well.
“Credit to the boys for making the bike a little bit better than FP3 this morning and I just managed to hold Jason off to the line. Luckily for me with the last corner you can see just how close Jason was with the shadow. I knew he wasn’t coming underneath me, so I just had to be as smooth as possible across the start line as I knew he had a little more grip.
“I’m very pleased to take my first ever win at Brands Hatch, at the last meeting where it means the most.”
Tommy Bridewell
BeerMonster Ducati
“That was a good race all in all. I’m really happy because I had Glenn plus-zero on my board pretty much the whole race. When the shoe is on the other foot I know that somehow I will make a pass, so I knew he would have a go.
“I made a mistake coming through Sheene Curve which gave him the opportunity, but obviously he had to go on the wet patch to do that. It was a tough race but always the target is to finish ahead of Glenn and we ticked that off and again another podium.
“We’ve got a decent chunk of work to do to try and get a bit stronger for tomorrow and hopefully we can take that next step again.”
VR46 RACING TEAM AND PERTAMINA LUBRICANTS SIGN A TITLE PARTNERSHIP STARTING IN 2024
From next January, the Tavullia Team will be named Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team. PT Pertamina Lubricants alongside the Team for three seasons.
Jakarta (Indonesia), October 14th 2023 – VR46 Racing Team and PT Pertamina Lubricants together in MotoGP for three seasons. The Indonesian lubricants brand, through the motorcycle lubricant brand Pertamina Enduro, will become title partner of the Tavullia crew starting from January 1st 2024, under the name of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team.
A strategic choice and the birth of a new synergy, between the VR46 Racing Team, the team busy in the Motorcycling World Championship owned by the nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi, and the lubricants giant PT Pertamina Lubricants to give new impetus to two realities already established in Motorsport and thus becoming a true point of reference also in performance and technologies.
Common vision, shared values and great ambitions for the newborn Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team: a team animated by an immense passion for engines and two wheels, capable of combining the two biggest fan bases of the MotoGP circus in cheering and thus involving hundreds of thousands of fans from all over the world.
From the 2024 MotoGP season the Pertamina Enduro logo will be present on the Ducati Desmosedici GP bikes entrusted to Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini, the riders suits, helmets, technical spaces, as well as in all images, assets, materials and communications of the VR46 Racing Team.
Alessio Salucci, Team Director – VR46 Racing Team
“Welcoming Pertamina Lubricants, which for the next three seasons will be the title partner of the VR46 Racing Team, marks in a crucial way the history of our Team, an important piece and a further step forward in achieving our goals. We are truly honored to have entered into an agreement with a brand of this kind in the world of motorsport. With this new synergy, we not only share common ambitions, but we combine the two largest and most loyal fan bases in MotoGP. A bridge between the Italian fans and all those who follow us from Indonesia and to whom we hope to give important satisfactions in the future. This long-term project between two companies so experienced in the world of motorcycling and competitions, such as VR46 Racing Team and Pertamina Lubricants, aims to bring true passion for this sport from a unique point of view to hundreds of thousands of fans all around the world. In 2024, a new era of our history in MotoGP starts, an adventure full of successes, which began only two years ago, and which would not have been possible without the support and participation of a partner like Mooney who I would like to thank personally for mutual trust and respect”.
Mr. Werry Prayogi – President Director of PT Pertamina Lubricants
“The partnership between PT Pertamina Lubricants and VR46 Racing Team is a strategic move to extending our vision of becoming a champion in the lubricants industry. This is proof that VR46 Racing Team and Valentino Rossi place great trust in the international quality of Pertamina Enduro”.
Gianluca Falcioni, CEO – VR46 Agency
“We are very proud of the agreement reached with a prestigious and important company like Pertamina Lubricants for the VR46 Racing Team. Through VR46 Agency, Valentino Rossi’s company, we are looking for partners and sponsors for all projects in the VR46 world. From the first months we have aimed at new markets, towards rapidly growing countries. Indonesia and South-East Asia in general represent an enormous pool of fans and enthusiasts for VR46. The passion for MotoGP is immeasurable and we believe that through this agreement, with such an important company, we can evolve strategically by activating not only sporting synergies but also creating 360-degree opportunities between VR46 and these countries. From the first meeting with Pertamina we understood the great affinity of values, the same vision of motorcycling and approach to competitions. There are no words to describe the role and prestige that Pertamina Lubricants plays in. Endurance is the key point that make this great brand a unique partner to support our project. I would like to underline that this is not a simple partnership, but the birth of a synergy in which Pertamina Lubricants will make knowledge, experience and technology available to achieve great performance on the track. Finally, with this strategic agreement, we are getting even closer to our fan base in Indonesia, a country where we have always felt welcome and where we believe there are the foundations to activate multiple projects both in the racing and business opportunities fields”.
VR46 Racing Team
The Team was founded in 2014 with the aim of supporting young Italian talents of the two wheels from Moto3 to MotoGP. A long journey of 10 seasons on track, with a World Title won in 2018 in Moto2 thank to Francesco Bagnaia, a Team World Championship crown in 2020 in Moto2 and the first historic wins in the Top class in 2023 (Bezzecchi, Argentina GP). Francesco Bagnaia is the first rider from Sky VR46 project to arrive in MotoGP in 2019. He will be followed by Marini (2021) and Bezzecchi (2022 – the year of the Team’s debut in MotoGP). To date, 10 Italian riders have taken their first steps in the World Championship thanks to this crew. Based in Tavullia, the Mooney VR46 Racing Team currently races in MotoGP with two Ducati Desmosedici GPs entrusted to Marco Bezzecchi and Luca Marini. In just two years in this category, the Team has won 3 races, achieved a total of 9 podiums and the title of Rookie of the Year (2022 – Bezzecchi).
Pertamina Lubricants
Pertamina Lubricants is a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, Pertamina’s Commercial & Trading (C&T) Subholding that focuses on production, processing, transportation, storage, distribution, and marketing of world class lubricants, grease, and specialties chemicals. Pertamina Lubricants operates three production units in Gresik, Cilacap, and Jakarta, as well as one production unit in Thailand, with a total capacity exceeding 535 million liters per year. In addition to meeting the growing lubricant market demands in Indonesia, Pertamina Lubricants has expanded globally, currently present in 14 countries worldwide. Pertamina Lubricants primary goal is to develop in foreign markets and become a global champion in the lubricant industry.
