Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom have started “The Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast,” which will be focused on the FIM MotoGP World Championship.
This podcast is “MotoGP – Red Versus Purple”
The original podcast can be found on BuzzSprout.com or listened to via other places you get podcasts.
Jorge Martin won the MotoGP World Championship Sprint Race Saturday at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati, the Spaniard won the 13-lap race by 1.131 seconds.
Pole-sitter Luca Marini was the runner-up on his Mooney VR46 Racing Ducati, and Marini’s teammate Marco Bezzecchi placed third, making it a Ducati sweep of the podium.
With Martin’s victory, he takes over the MotoGP World Championship point lead from Francesco Bagnaia, who finished eighth in the Sprint Race.
MotoGP Sprint Race
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Martin strikes gold to grab the Championship lead in action-packed Sprint at Mandalika
Marini and Bezzecchi lock out the podium as Bagnaia can manage only eighth in the Tissot Sprint in Indonesia
Saturday, 14 October 2023
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) is the new MotoGP™ Championship leader! The number 89 pulled another momentous performance out the bag to keep that momentum rolling in style, coming through from sixth on the grid to take a fourth Tissot Sprint win in a row and with it securing a fourth Constructors’ Crown in a row for Ducati.
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) gave it a serious go though, coming home second from his maiden premier class pole, with teammate Marco Bezzecchi also seriously impressing as he took third after a late scrap with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing). The tougher weekend continued for reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) as he came home in P8, leaving him seven points off the top after earlier in the season having been 66 points clear.
Marini made a stellar start to take holeshot but it didn’t take long for Viñales to grab the lead and immediately put the hammer down, the number 12 streaking away in a matter of apexes. The front two were absolutely flying on Lap 1, with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) in third at the head of a Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)-Martin train.
The first drama then saw Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) slide out on Lap 1, rider perfectly ok but losing his chance at grabbing some Saturday glory. Meanwhile, into Turn 1 next time around Martin chose his moment to attack Quartararo – but the Frenchman wasn’t for rolling over and hit back immediately. And then again further round the lap. Martin got it done on the third time of asking, but Marini in second was a fair few tenths gone.
Then, more drama. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) went for a move on Binder for fifth and got it all sorts of wrong, losing the front and collecting the South African as both slid out across the gravel. They rejoined and Binder took P19, but the Aprilia was forced to retire.
Viñaes led Marini by eight tenths with 10 to go, with Martin starting to creep closer to the Mooney VR46 rider and Quartararo left with a little breathing room behind after the Aleix Espargaro-Binder incident. The rider next up by then was Bezzecchi as he dispatched Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and started to harry the Frenchman.
Martin then arrived at Marini and wasted no time with a clinical pickpocket on the Italian, taking over in second and left to chase the one rabbit left up ahead: Viñales. The Aprilia was nearly a second up the road and there were eight laps to go. But the gap started to come down, down, and down – and Marini was right with Martin too as the duo homed in.
Five to go saw Martin strike for gold and take the lead, and just as Viñales did early doors, the number 89 got the hammer absolutely down as soon as he was past. It seemed the Aprilia was struggling and soon enough, Marini was lining up an attack – with Bezzecchi now arriving on the scene too. Marini got past with a carbon copy of Martin’s manoeuvre and the number 72 was next up to have a go at the Aprilia. He had a nibble not long after but overcooked it as Viñales hit back, but how long could the Aprilia hold on?
Viñales held on until the very last lap, but Bezzecchi had it nailed on the final time of asking. The Mooney VR46 machine pulled alongside and pitched it perfectly, moving through for an incredible rostrum finish on Saturday, less than a week after that collarbone break and surgery.
Martin, up ahead, was unbothered to the flag. Marini made a charge but by the final lap the number 10 was forced to settle for second, coming home a second and a half off the Pramac. Bezzecchi completes the Sprint podium ahead of Viñales, with Quartararo taking a no-mean-feat fifth.
Di Giannantonio took his best Sprint result in sixth, ahead of Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). And then came Bagnaia. It was a tough day at the office for the reigning Champion as he lost that lead and failed to make it out of Q1, and he’s got it all to do tomorrow too. What can he pull out the hat?
Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), meanwhile, took the final point in P9 but it wasn’t quite enough, after Binder’s incident, to keep the Austrian marque in the Constructors’ fight.
Now it’s on to the Grand Prix race. Martin has a seven-point lead over Bagnaia and most definitely kept that momentum rolling, but he’s got to do it for full GP distance on Sunday… and starts sixth once again. Can the number 89 stake a further claim on that number 1? Join us for more on Sunday at 15:00 (GMT +8) to find out
Canet grabs pole with FIVE riders covered by just 0.071
As ever, it was a close affair in Moto2™ as the riders took to the Mandalika Circuit to decide the grid ahead of Sunday’s racing action. But this time around, it was CLOSE. Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) put himself in the perfect position as he still seeks to take his first victory in the class. The Spaniard’s 1:34.155 put him just +0.003s clear of his compatriot Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46) who was lighting up the timing screens in the closing moments. Just +0.019s covered the top three in Q2 as Filip Salač (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) put in a stellar performance to take the final front-row spot, and it’s 0.071 covering the top FIVE.
Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) missed out on a front-row start by just +0.024s as he took P4. The newly signed 2024 MotoGP™ rider will be joined by Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) and Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) on row two. Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) bagged 7th place to head row three in front of his fellow Brit Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) and Zonta Van Den Goorbergh (Fieten Olie Racing GP), with title challenger Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) taking a trip to the gravel trap and only rounding out the top ten.
Make sure not to miss any of the Moto2™ action set to commence on Sunday at 13:15 local time (GMT +8).
Moreira nabs first pole of 2023 to head Masia in Indonesia
Qualifying at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia went the way of Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) as the number 10 put down a 1:39.085 to top Q2 and take his first pole of the season. Championship leader Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) put in a clinical performance to bag another front row as he looks to increase his lead, however, and rounding out the front row will be David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) who ended the session +0.225s away from pole position in 3rd.
From one rookie to another, Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) just missed out on the front row by 0.053s as he’s set to head row two ahead of Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia). Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) fronts row three in 7th place as he’s joined by Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team), with David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) rounding out the top 10.
So where’s Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui oly Husqvarna Intact GP)? It was a tougher day at the office for the Japanese rider, currently second in the standings, and he’ll be looking to move forward from P11. See if he can on Sunday as the Moto3™ riders’ attention now turns to the race, with lights out at 12:00 local time (GMT +8)!
Aron Canet captured pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Pons Wegow Los40 Kalex, the Spaniard lapped the 2.6-mile (4.3 km) course in 1:34.155 to top the field of 30 riders.
Manuel Gonzalez was best of the rest with a 1:34.158 on his Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Kalex, and Filip Salac earned the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:34.174 on his QJMotor Gresini Kalex.
American Joe Roberts qualified 11th with a 1:34.529 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.
American Sean Dylan Kelly has completed his fill-in role with Forward Racing and is not riding in Indonesia.
Moto2 Comb Qual
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Title contenders falter as Marini takes maiden pole to head Viñales
Bagnaia goes out in Q1 as Martin AND Bezzecchi crash in Q2, leaving Pecco P13, Bezzecchi P9 and Martin P6
Saturday, 14 October 2023
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) really chose his moment to take a stunning maiden MotoGP™ pole. Aprilia came into super Saturday looking for a 1-2, reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) sought passage from Q1, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) looked to capitalise and Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) seemed like he could make life even more complicated for those just ahead of him in the Championship fight. But no, Saturday morning belongs to Marini as he emerged drama free from Q1 to take that impressive pole position. Main character energy, in the best way.
Aprilia were denied their 1-2 but complete the front row, continuing to look incredibly strong as Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) takes second and Aleix Espargaro third.
Martin? He’s the first of the top three in the Championship, but down in sixth after a crash mid-way through Q2. Bezzecchi crashed earlier in the session and could only recover to ninth. Bagnaia, meanwhile, starts in P13 after missing the cut in Q1 for the first time this season, and in somewhat awkward circumstances. Read on!
Q1
The. Drama. Until the final minute and a half, it looked like everything was going more or less to plan for Bagnaia. He’d gone top before Marini pipped him to it with a new lap record, but then the worst kind of valid but awkward competition appeared: his teammate, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). The ‘Beast’ put in a seriously hot lap of Pertamina Mandalika Circuit, and that was that: Pecco was out of Q2 for the first time this season.
Bastianini headed through just behind Marini, with Championship leader Bagnaia set to start P13 for both the Tissot Sprint and the Grand Prix race. Just to salt the wound a little more, both Marini AND Bastianini also have Long Laps to take on Sunday.
Q2
There was even more drama almost immediately as Bezzecchi took a tumble, rider ok and heading back to the box but racing against time and the pain barrier as he remains in recovery from that collarbone break.
The next drama was for Martin. He headed out wide late on on a lap, unsettled the bike and slid out across the run off. The race against time was even tighter for the number 89, having crashed later in the session than Bezzecchi and the clock ticking down.
Meanwhile, Aprilia were making hay at the top of the pile. Aleix Espargaro led the way after the first runs and then improved his own time on the second, but Viñales had something more on Saturday morning and was able to hit back. Finally, right at the end of the session, Marini unleashed the pole position lap: a new lap record and the first ever lap in 1:29s at Mandalika. That was that, with Aprilia bumped down to second and third.
THE GRID
Behind Marini, Viñales and Aleix Espargaro, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) heads the second row after a strong performance at a venue he likewise impressed at last year. He’s got Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) alongside in that special Springboks helmet, with Martin at the end of Row 2.
Row three sees Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) take seventh and pip Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), with Bezzecchi moving up late on to take P9.
Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the rider relegated to P10 with that late move, with the Aussie ahead of Bastianini and Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team). Then comes Bagnaia. Can the reigning Champion stay cool under pressure? He certainly did in Japan.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Ryde bounces back from crash to end opening day ahead of title rivals
Kyle Ryde took the advantage in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship Free Practice times at Brands Hatch today, bouncing back from a small crash at Sheene Curve during the afternoon to lead the title contenders into tomorrow’s BikeSocial Sprint race.
Ryde arrives at Brands Hatch 35 points adrift of Tommy Bridewell at the top of the standings and the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider stormed ahead in the closing minutes to displace Peter Hickman from the top of the times. The FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team rider had set the initial pace before a red flag interruption when Charlie Nesbitt crashed out unhurt.
When the session resumed the conditions had continued to improve and Ryde wasted no time in pushing to hit the top of the times as the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider bids to retain the title for the team on Sunday.
Glenn Irwin had been sitting in 12th before the red flag, but when the session resumed he launched the BeerMonster Ducati into third place ahead of Christian Iddon on the Oxford Products Racing Ducati.
Championship leader Tommy Bridewell held a top five position at the end of the opening day with McAMS Yamaha in sixth place ahead of fellow title contenders Jason O’Halloran, Lee Jackson and Josh Brookes.
Max Cook held ninth despite a crash at Clearways in the final minute for Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki and Jack Kennedy. Ryan Vickers and Luke Mossey completed the top 12 who progress through to eBay Qualifying 2 tomorrow.
Leon Haslam meanwhile had a challenging start to the weekend as the title-contending ROKiT BMW Motorrad rider ended the opening day in 22nd position.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, combined Free Practice results:
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Kyle Ryde
LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha
“It feels good to end the day fastest and the best way to start the weekend, but it has been mixed conditions and emotions.
“I was very positive today and I was a little bit annoyed too! I missed a couple of minutes of the session, so I was pretty mad. There was no going steady – I went straight out and in a bit of anger I went straight to the top.
“I had a little tip off in the last session, but it was nothing. I just hit a wet patch and was scared to pull the brake and then ran into the gravel at about 70mph. I got beached and fell off, but luckily the bike wasn’t too damaged.
“To be fastest was good and I’ve got a little gap to second as well today but there is definitely room to improve the bike so hopefully we can do that in the morning. Obviously, when the track’s fully dry kerb to kerb, it’s a lot easier to ride and tomorrow people will be going faster for sure.”
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Bridgestone CSBK confirm new national classes including Kawasaki ZX-4RR spec for 2024
Toronto, ON – A new race division will join the Bridgestone CSBK national series in 2024, with the addition of an Amateur Twins category, and a brand-new Cup class for near standard “spec” Kawasaki ZX-4RR machinery.
“Our goal is to provide an opportunity for affordable competition within the Bridgestone CSBK range of classes,” explains series owner Ross Millson. “We’re excited to have Kawasaki join us in offering something new and exciting for Canadian road racing competitors.”
In 2023, CSBK offered a Pro Twins division in conjunction with the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike category, but next season that category will stand alone with an additional Amateur component for the two-cylinder machinery offered by Suzuki, Aprilia, and Yamaha. The rules structure for Pro Twins will mirror other national divisions, with horsepower established at 90 and enforced on the official Dynojet Dyno by Brooklin Cycle Racing of Pickering, ON.
All three manufacturers won National Pro Twins races in 2023, with Aprilia veteran Jeff Williams leading the category prior to a race injury suffered in July. Eventually, Suzuki-mounted first-year pro Andrew Van Winkle, age 16 from Chilliwack, BC, earned the inaugural Bickle Racing Pro Twins title.
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR Cup
Meanwhile, the big news is the development of a category focused on the brand new, high-revving four-cylinder Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR family of sports offerings.
Restricted in street trim due to noise regulations in the U.S.A., the CSBK Cup Series will allow for electronic upgrades that increase the engine’s power output. The unrestricted ZX-4RR is capable of more than 75 horsepower on a rear wheel Dyno.
Details of the Ninja ZX-4RR rules package and specific guidelines will be available shortly, the class offering only mild updates (bodywork, suspension, exhaust) to the standard high spec of the Ninja ZX-4RR.
The new series will be supported by Canadian Kawasaki Motors and be open to both Pro and Amateur level competitors.
Kawasaki last supported a “spec” type class in 2015, when CSBK produced 22 identical Ninja 300 twins for use in a special debut media event at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. These Kawasakis formed the basis for what would become the debut of the Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike category in 2018.
The initial 2024 plan will see Pro and Amateur Twins classes share track time with the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR Series, practicing, qualifying, and racing together. As with the Pro-AM Lightweight category, each group will have one podium post race, with Pros and Amateurs sharing the rostrum.
However, if the two categories see sufficient entries, they could be separated in select later rounds.
In terms of Championship status, the Pros and Amateurs will be scored separately, meaning there will be a total of four National class Champions crowned at the completion of the 2024 season for the Pro-AM Twins/Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR class.
(Knoxville, TN – October 13, 2023) It is with great sorrow that the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) shares the loss of a member of our racing family.
Silke Crombie, an AHRMA road racing competitor in the sidecar and solo motorcycle classes, from Mars Hill, NC, experienced a medical emergency on track during the final weekend of the 2023 AHRMA road racing championship at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL. Her medical emergency was unrelated to any racing activity.
The incident occurred Saturday, Oct. 7. She passed away at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, AL on Oct 12.
Her family has shared that as an organ donor, she will help others to live.
“Silke was known for her loving smile, her German wit, and her passion for everything, particularly racing motorcycles. Silke’s impact on our lives will forever be remembered,” said Daniel May, AHRMA’s Executive Director. “As we mourn the loss of her physical presence, let us also celebrate the beautiful moments we shared and the positive influence she had on all of us.”
The AHRMA family extends our deepest condolences to Silke’s family.
About AHRMA:
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on classic and vintage machines along with a wide range of modern motorcycles.
Aleix Espargaro was fastest during MotoGP World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday afternoon at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his factory Aprilia RS-GP, the Spaniard lapped the 2.6-mile (4.3 km) track in 1:30.474, smashing Fabio Quartararo’s 2022 All-Time Lap Record of 1:31.067.
Espargaro’s teammate Maverick Vinales was second-quickest with a 1:30.628.
And Marco Bezzecchi was third in FP2 with a 1:30.644 on his Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati just days after undergoing surgery to repair a broken collarbone.
MotoGP FP2
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Aprilia top, Bezzecchi third, Bagnaia out of Q2 on headline-packed Day 1 in Indonesia
Aleix Espargaro heads Viñales as Bezzecchi makes a stunning return to competition – with Bagnaia out of Q2 and Martin in the top five
Friday, 13 October 2023
The opening day of the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia has perfectly set the stage for what is set to be a barnstorming weekend of action in Mandalika. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) took top honours in Friday afternoon’s Practice as he turned his session around with a 1:30.474 after hitting the deck earlier on, and it’s his teammate Maverick Viñales in second as he also spent a lot of Friday towards the top end of the timing screens.
The headlines kept coming from there on out as a battered and bruised Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) took third despite an FP1 crash AND coming back from recent collarbone surgery, with reigning Champion and Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) more on the back foot after a late mistake sees him heading for Q1.
From the gravel trap to the top of the pile
With Friday afternoon’s Practice session deciding who goes through to Q2, the riders spent the majority of the session working on their race packages before putting in those late time attacks. With six minutes remaining, all riders were in the pits ready to fight for the all-important top 10, and the battle was about to commence with only a few bankers already set.
Bezzecchi already had his flyer in and was top of the pile after a heroic effort saw him move the goalposts at the 10-minute mark. But Aleix Espargaro had fire in his belly after crashing out of what was set to be a very hot lap earlier on, in the final five minutes he changed the benchmark time once more to smash the lap record and stamp some authority on Friday’s running.
With the Aprilia on rails around Mandalika, Espargaro was then joined by teammate Viñales as the factory Aprilia duo took the top two spots to demote Bezzecchi to P3.
Another hurdle for the World Champion…
Bagnaia was very much in the danger zone after leaving it to his very last lap of the session to put in a hot lap. With the chequered flag already out Bagnaia was sat outside of the top 10 but was motoring on, on course for a personal best. It looked as if the Champ’s lap was looking pretty safe until a big moment in the latter part of the lap saw his flyer scrapped, heading off at Turn 15 after a moment – and Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) then also crashing out almost in tandem.
Now with just a 3-point advantage over his title rival Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Bagnaia will be forced to go through Q1 with Martin comfortably sat in the top five just behind Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who took fourth.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was next up in 6th. The Spaniard has been all over recent headlines after his switch to Gresini Racing MotoGP™ for 2024 was announced, but is proving there are still very much six Grands Prix remaining this year for him to keep pushing.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), the rider Marc Marquez will be replacing, finished just behind the eight-time champ in P8, with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) taking the final two Q2 spots in 9th and 10th.
The Q1 battle
There’s plenty of competition Bagnaia will have to contend with, as Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3), Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), and Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) will all be eyeing up the top two spots.
Equally with the Aprilia looking like a fine package in Indonesia, the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team riders Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira cannot be discounted either. Make sure you don’t miss a single detail as the action unfolds in Indonesia with Qualifying and Tissot Sprint coming up on Saturday!
Pedro Acosta lowered the All-Time Lap Record during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia.
Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex, the Spaniard lapped the 2.6-mile (4.3 km) track in 1:34.456, which eclipsed Manuel Gonzalez’s hours-old record of 1:34.871.
American Joe Roberts was 12th in the session with a 1:35.183 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.
American Sean Dylan Kelly’s fill-in role at Forward Racing has ended, and he is not riding in Indonesia.
Moto2 FP2
Jorge Martin was quickest during MotoGP World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati, the Spaniard led the 22-rider field with a 1:31.811.
Maverick Vinales was second-best with a 1:31.913 on his factory Aprilia RS-GP, and Vinales’ friend and teammate Aleix Espargaro was third in the session at 1:32.913.
MotoGP FP1
Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom have started “The Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast,” which will be focused on the FIM MotoGP World Championship.
This podcast is “MotoGP – Red Versus Purple”
The original podcast can be found on BuzzSprout.com or listened to via other places you get podcasts.
Jorge Martin won the MotoGP World Championship Sprint Race Saturday at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati, the Spaniard won the 13-lap race by 1.131 seconds.
Pole-sitter Luca Marini was the runner-up on his Mooney VR46 Racing Ducati, and Marini’s teammate Marco Bezzecchi placed third, making it a Ducati sweep of the podium.
With Martin’s victory, he takes over the MotoGP World Championship point lead from Francesco Bagnaia, who finished eighth in the Sprint Race.
MotoGP Sprint Race
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Martin strikes gold to grab the Championship lead in action-packed Sprint at Mandalika
Marini and Bezzecchi lock out the podium as Bagnaia can manage only eighth in the Tissot Sprint in Indonesia
Saturday, 14 October 2023
Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) is the new MotoGP™ Championship leader! The number 89 pulled another momentous performance out the bag to keep that momentum rolling in style, coming through from sixth on the grid to take a fourth Tissot Sprint win in a row and with it securing a fourth Constructors’ Crown in a row for Ducati.
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) gave it a serious go though, coming home second from his maiden premier class pole, with teammate Marco Bezzecchi also seriously impressing as he took third after a late scrap with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing). The tougher weekend continued for reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) as he came home in P8, leaving him seven points off the top after earlier in the season having been 66 points clear.
Marini made a stellar start to take holeshot but it didn’t take long for Viñales to grab the lead and immediately put the hammer down, the number 12 streaking away in a matter of apexes. The front two were absolutely flying on Lap 1, with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) in third at the head of a Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)-Martin train.
The first drama then saw Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) slide out on Lap 1, rider perfectly ok but losing his chance at grabbing some Saturday glory. Meanwhile, into Turn 1 next time around Martin chose his moment to attack Quartararo – but the Frenchman wasn’t for rolling over and hit back immediately. And then again further round the lap. Martin got it done on the third time of asking, but Marini in second was a fair few tenths gone.
Then, more drama. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) went for a move on Binder for fifth and got it all sorts of wrong, losing the front and collecting the South African as both slid out across the gravel. They rejoined and Binder took P19, but the Aprilia was forced to retire.
Viñaes led Marini by eight tenths with 10 to go, with Martin starting to creep closer to the Mooney VR46 rider and Quartararo left with a little breathing room behind after the Aleix Espargaro-Binder incident. The rider next up by then was Bezzecchi as he dispatched Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and started to harry the Frenchman.
Martin then arrived at Marini and wasted no time with a clinical pickpocket on the Italian, taking over in second and left to chase the one rabbit left up ahead: Viñales. The Aprilia was nearly a second up the road and there were eight laps to go. But the gap started to come down, down, and down – and Marini was right with Martin too as the duo homed in.
Five to go saw Martin strike for gold and take the lead, and just as Viñales did early doors, the number 89 got the hammer absolutely down as soon as he was past. It seemed the Aprilia was struggling and soon enough, Marini was lining up an attack – with Bezzecchi now arriving on the scene too. Marini got past with a carbon copy of Martin’s manoeuvre and the number 72 was next up to have a go at the Aprilia. He had a nibble not long after but overcooked it as Viñales hit back, but how long could the Aprilia hold on?
Viñales held on until the very last lap, but Bezzecchi had it nailed on the final time of asking. The Mooney VR46 machine pulled alongside and pitched it perfectly, moving through for an incredible rostrum finish on Saturday, less than a week after that collarbone break and surgery.
Martin, up ahead, was unbothered to the flag. Marini made a charge but by the final lap the number 10 was forced to settle for second, coming home a second and a half off the Pramac. Bezzecchi completes the Sprint podium ahead of Viñales, with Quartararo taking a no-mean-feat fifth.
Di Giannantonio took his best Sprint result in sixth, ahead of Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). And then came Bagnaia. It was a tough day at the office for the reigning Champion as he lost that lead and failed to make it out of Q1, and he’s got it all to do tomorrow too. What can he pull out the hat?
Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), meanwhile, took the final point in P9 but it wasn’t quite enough, after Binder’s incident, to keep the Austrian marque in the Constructors’ fight.
Now it’s on to the Grand Prix race. Martin has a seven-point lead over Bagnaia and most definitely kept that momentum rolling, but he’s got to do it for full GP distance on Sunday… and starts sixth once again. Can the number 89 stake a further claim on that number 1? Join us for more on Sunday at 15:00 (GMT +8) to find out
Canet grabs pole with FIVE riders covered by just 0.071
As ever, it was a close affair in Moto2™ as the riders took to the Mandalika Circuit to decide the grid ahead of Sunday’s racing action. But this time around, it was CLOSE. Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) put himself in the perfect position as he still seeks to take his first victory in the class. The Spaniard’s 1:34.155 put him just +0.003s clear of his compatriot Manuel Gonzalez (Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46) who was lighting up the timing screens in the closing moments. Just +0.019s covered the top three in Q2 as Filip Salač (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) put in a stellar performance to take the final front-row spot, and it’s 0.071 covering the top FIVE.
Championship leader Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) missed out on a front-row start by just +0.024s as he took P4. The newly signed 2024 MotoGP™ rider will be joined by Fermin Aldeguer (Beta Tools SpeedUp) and Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) on row two. Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) bagged 7th place to head row three in front of his fellow Brit Sam Lowes (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) and Zonta Van Den Goorbergh (Fieten Olie Racing GP), with title challenger Tony Arbolino (Elf MarcVDS Racing Team) taking a trip to the gravel trap and only rounding out the top ten.
Make sure not to miss any of the Moto2™ action set to commence on Sunday at 13:15 local time (GMT +8).
Moreira nabs first pole of 2023 to head Masia in Indonesia
Qualifying at the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia went the way of Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) as the number 10 put down a 1:39.085 to top Q2 and take his first pole of the season. Championship leader Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) put in a clinical performance to bag another front row as he looks to increase his lead, however, and rounding out the front row will be David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) who ended the session +0.225s away from pole position in 3rd.
From one rookie to another, Collin Veijer (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) just missed out on the front row by 0.053s as he’s set to head row two ahead of Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Taiyo Furusato (Honda Team Asia). Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) fronts row three in 7th place as he’s joined by Matteo Bertelle (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Stefano Nepa (Angeluss MTA Team), with David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports) rounding out the top 10.
So where’s Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui oly Husqvarna Intact GP)? It was a tougher day at the office for the Japanese rider, currently second in the standings, and he’ll be looking to move forward from P11. See if he can on Sunday as the Moto3™ riders’ attention now turns to the race, with lights out at 12:00 local time (GMT +8)!
Aron Canet captured pole position during Moto2 World Championship qualifying Saturday at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Pons Wegow Los40 Kalex, the Spaniard lapped the 2.6-mile (4.3 km) course in 1:34.155 to top the field of 30 riders.
Manuel Gonzalez was best of the rest with a 1:34.158 on his Correos Prepago Yamaha VR46 Kalex, and Filip Salac earned the third and final spot on the front row with a 1:34.174 on his QJMotor Gresini Kalex.
American Joe Roberts qualified 11th with a 1:34.529 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.
American Sean Dylan Kelly has completed his fill-in role with Forward Racing and is not riding in Indonesia.
Moto2 Comb Qual
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Title contenders falter as Marini takes maiden pole to head Viñales
Bagnaia goes out in Q1 as Martin AND Bezzecchi crash in Q2, leaving Pecco P13, Bezzecchi P9 and Martin P6
Saturday, 14 October 2023
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) really chose his moment to take a stunning maiden MotoGP™ pole. Aprilia came into super Saturday looking for a 1-2, reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) sought passage from Q1, Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) looked to capitalise and Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) seemed like he could make life even more complicated for those just ahead of him in the Championship fight. But no, Saturday morning belongs to Marini as he emerged drama free from Q1 to take that impressive pole position. Main character energy, in the best way.
Aprilia were denied their 1-2 but complete the front row, continuing to look incredibly strong as Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) takes second and Aleix Espargaro third.
Martin? He’s the first of the top three in the Championship, but down in sixth after a crash mid-way through Q2. Bezzecchi crashed earlier in the session and could only recover to ninth. Bagnaia, meanwhile, starts in P13 after missing the cut in Q1 for the first time this season, and in somewhat awkward circumstances. Read on!
Q1
The. Drama. Until the final minute and a half, it looked like everything was going more or less to plan for Bagnaia. He’d gone top before Marini pipped him to it with a new lap record, but then the worst kind of valid but awkward competition appeared: his teammate, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team). The ‘Beast’ put in a seriously hot lap of Pertamina Mandalika Circuit, and that was that: Pecco was out of Q2 for the first time this season.
Bastianini headed through just behind Marini, with Championship leader Bagnaia set to start P13 for both the Tissot Sprint and the Grand Prix race. Just to salt the wound a little more, both Marini AND Bastianini also have Long Laps to take on Sunday.
Q2
There was even more drama almost immediately as Bezzecchi took a tumble, rider ok and heading back to the box but racing against time and the pain barrier as he remains in recovery from that collarbone break.
The next drama was for Martin. He headed out wide late on on a lap, unsettled the bike and slid out across the run off. The race against time was even tighter for the number 89, having crashed later in the session than Bezzecchi and the clock ticking down.
Meanwhile, Aprilia were making hay at the top of the pile. Aleix Espargaro led the way after the first runs and then improved his own time on the second, but Viñales had something more on Saturday morning and was able to hit back. Finally, right at the end of the session, Marini unleashed the pole position lap: a new lap record and the first ever lap in 1:29s at Mandalika. That was that, with Aprilia bumped down to second and third.
THE GRID
Behind Marini, Viñales and Aleix Espargaro, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) heads the second row after a strong performance at a venue he likewise impressed at last year. He’s got Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) alongside in that special Springboks helmet, with Martin at the end of Row 2.
Row three sees Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) take seventh and pip Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), with Bezzecchi moving up late on to take P9.
Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the rider relegated to P10 with that late move, with the Aussie ahead of Bastianini and Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team). Then comes Bagnaia. Can the reigning Champion stay cool under pressure? He certainly did in Japan.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Ryde bounces back from crash to end opening day ahead of title rivals
Kyle Ryde took the advantage in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship Free Practice times at Brands Hatch today, bouncing back from a small crash at Sheene Curve during the afternoon to lead the title contenders into tomorrow’s BikeSocial Sprint race.
Ryde arrives at Brands Hatch 35 points adrift of Tommy Bridewell at the top of the standings and the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider stormed ahead in the closing minutes to displace Peter Hickman from the top of the times. The FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team rider had set the initial pace before a red flag interruption when Charlie Nesbitt crashed out unhurt.
When the session resumed the conditions had continued to improve and Ryde wasted no time in pushing to hit the top of the times as the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider bids to retain the title for the team on Sunday.
Glenn Irwin had been sitting in 12th before the red flag, but when the session resumed he launched the BeerMonster Ducati into third place ahead of Christian Iddon on the Oxford Products Racing Ducati.
Championship leader Tommy Bridewell held a top five position at the end of the opening day with McAMS Yamaha in sixth place ahead of fellow title contenders Jason O’Halloran, Lee Jackson and Josh Brookes.
Max Cook held ninth despite a crash at Clearways in the final minute for Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki and Jack Kennedy. Ryan Vickers and Luke Mossey completed the top 12 who progress through to eBay Qualifying 2 tomorrow.
Leon Haslam meanwhile had a challenging start to the weekend as the title-contending ROKiT BMW Motorrad rider ended the opening day in 22nd position.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, combined Free Practice results:
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Kyle Ryde
LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha
“It feels good to end the day fastest and the best way to start the weekend, but it has been mixed conditions and emotions.
“I was very positive today and I was a little bit annoyed too! I missed a couple of minutes of the session, so I was pretty mad. There was no going steady – I went straight out and in a bit of anger I went straight to the top.
“I had a little tip off in the last session, but it was nothing. I just hit a wet patch and was scared to pull the brake and then ran into the gravel at about 70mph. I got beached and fell off, but luckily the bike wasn’t too damaged.
“To be fastest was good and I’ve got a little gap to second as well today but there is definitely room to improve the bike so hopefully we can do that in the morning. Obviously, when the track’s fully dry kerb to kerb, it’s a lot easier to ride and tomorrow people will be going faster for sure.”
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Bridgestone CSBK confirm new national classes including Kawasaki ZX-4RR spec for 2024
Toronto, ON – A new race division will join the Bridgestone CSBK national series in 2024, with the addition of an Amateur Twins category, and a brand-new Cup class for near standard “spec” Kawasaki ZX-4RR machinery.
“Our goal is to provide an opportunity for affordable competition within the Bridgestone CSBK range of classes,” explains series owner Ross Millson. “We’re excited to have Kawasaki join us in offering something new and exciting for Canadian road racing competitors.”
In 2023, CSBK offered a Pro Twins division in conjunction with the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike category, but next season that category will stand alone with an additional Amateur component for the two-cylinder machinery offered by Suzuki, Aprilia, and Yamaha. The rules structure for Pro Twins will mirror other national divisions, with horsepower established at 90 and enforced on the official Dynojet Dyno by Brooklin Cycle Racing of Pickering, ON.
All three manufacturers won National Pro Twins races in 2023, with Aprilia veteran Jeff Williams leading the category prior to a race injury suffered in July. Eventually, Suzuki-mounted first-year pro Andrew Van Winkle, age 16 from Chilliwack, BC, earned the inaugural Bickle Racing Pro Twins title.
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR Cup
Meanwhile, the big news is the development of a category focused on the brand new, high-revving four-cylinder Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR family of sports offerings.
Restricted in street trim due to noise regulations in the U.S.A., the CSBK Cup Series will allow for electronic upgrades that increase the engine’s power output. The unrestricted ZX-4RR is capable of more than 75 horsepower on a rear wheel Dyno.
Details of the Ninja ZX-4RR rules package and specific guidelines will be available shortly, the class offering only mild updates (bodywork, suspension, exhaust) to the standard high spec of the Ninja ZX-4RR.
The new series will be supported by Canadian Kawasaki Motors and be open to both Pro and Amateur level competitors.
Kawasaki last supported a “spec” type class in 2015, when CSBK produced 22 identical Ninja 300 twins for use in a special debut media event at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. These Kawasakis formed the basis for what would become the debut of the Amateur Lightweight Sport Bike category in 2018.
The initial 2024 plan will see Pro and Amateur Twins classes share track time with the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR Series, practicing, qualifying, and racing together. As with the Pro-AM Lightweight category, each group will have one podium post race, with Pros and Amateurs sharing the rostrum.
However, if the two categories see sufficient entries, they could be separated in select later rounds.
In terms of Championship status, the Pros and Amateurs will be scored separately, meaning there will be a total of four National class Champions crowned at the completion of the 2024 season for the Pro-AM Twins/Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR class.
(Knoxville, TN – October 13, 2023) It is with great sorrow that the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) shares the loss of a member of our racing family.
Silke Crombie, an AHRMA road racing competitor in the sidecar and solo motorcycle classes, from Mars Hill, NC, experienced a medical emergency on track during the final weekend of the 2023 AHRMA road racing championship at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL. Her medical emergency was unrelated to any racing activity.
The incident occurred Saturday, Oct. 7. She passed away at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, AL on Oct 12.
Her family has shared that as an organ donor, she will help others to live.
“Silke was known for her loving smile, her German wit, and her passion for everything, particularly racing motorcycles. Silke’s impact on our lives will forever be remembered,” said Daniel May, AHRMA’s Executive Director. “As we mourn the loss of her physical presence, let us also celebrate the beautiful moments we shared and the positive influence she had on all of us.”
The AHRMA family extends our deepest condolences to Silke’s family.
About AHRMA:
The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to competing on classic and vintage machines along with a wide range of modern motorcycles.
Aleix Espargaro was fastest during MotoGP World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday afternoon at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his factory Aprilia RS-GP, the Spaniard lapped the 2.6-mile (4.3 km) track in 1:30.474, smashing Fabio Quartararo’s 2022 All-Time Lap Record of 1:31.067.
Espargaro’s teammate Maverick Vinales was second-quickest with a 1:30.628.
And Marco Bezzecchi was third in FP2 with a 1:30.644 on his Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati just days after undergoing surgery to repair a broken collarbone.
MotoGP FP2
More, from a press release issued by Dorna:
Aprilia top, Bezzecchi third, Bagnaia out of Q2 on headline-packed Day 1 in Indonesia
Aleix Espargaro heads Viñales as Bezzecchi makes a stunning return to competition – with Bagnaia out of Q2 and Martin in the top five
Friday, 13 October 2023
The opening day of the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia has perfectly set the stage for what is set to be a barnstorming weekend of action in Mandalika. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) took top honours in Friday afternoon’s Practice as he turned his session around with a 1:30.474 after hitting the deck earlier on, and it’s his teammate Maverick Viñales in second as he also spent a lot of Friday towards the top end of the timing screens.
The headlines kept coming from there on out as a battered and bruised Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) took third despite an FP1 crash AND coming back from recent collarbone surgery, with reigning Champion and Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) more on the back foot after a late mistake sees him heading for Q1.
From the gravel trap to the top of the pile
With Friday afternoon’s Practice session deciding who goes through to Q2, the riders spent the majority of the session working on their race packages before putting in those late time attacks. With six minutes remaining, all riders were in the pits ready to fight for the all-important top 10, and the battle was about to commence with only a few bankers already set.
Bezzecchi already had his flyer in and was top of the pile after a heroic effort saw him move the goalposts at the 10-minute mark. But Aleix Espargaro had fire in his belly after crashing out of what was set to be a very hot lap earlier on, in the final five minutes he changed the benchmark time once more to smash the lap record and stamp some authority on Friday’s running.
With the Aprilia on rails around Mandalika, Espargaro was then joined by teammate Viñales as the factory Aprilia duo took the top two spots to demote Bezzecchi to P3.
Another hurdle for the World Champion…
Bagnaia was very much in the danger zone after leaving it to his very last lap of the session to put in a hot lap. With the chequered flag already out Bagnaia was sat outside of the top 10 but was motoring on, on course for a personal best. It looked as if the Champ’s lap was looking pretty safe until a big moment in the latter part of the lap saw his flyer scrapped, heading off at Turn 15 after a moment – and Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) then also crashing out almost in tandem.
Now with just a 3-point advantage over his title rival Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Bagnaia will be forced to go through Q1 with Martin comfortably sat in the top five just behind Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who took fourth.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was next up in 6th. The Spaniard has been all over recent headlines after his switch to Gresini Racing MotoGP™ for 2024 was announced, but is proving there are still very much six Grands Prix remaining this year for him to keep pushing.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), the rider Marc Marquez will be replacing, finished just behind the eight-time champ in P8, with Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) taking the final two Q2 spots in 9th and 10th.
The Q1 battle
There’s plenty of competition Bagnaia will have to contend with, as Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3), Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), and Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) will all be eyeing up the top two spots.
Equally with the Aprilia looking like a fine package in Indonesia, the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team riders Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira cannot be discounted either. Make sure you don’t miss a single detail as the action unfolds in Indonesia with Qualifying and Tissot Sprint coming up on Saturday!
Pedro Acosta lowered the All-Time Lap Record during Moto2 World Championship Free Practice Two (FP2) Friday at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia.
Riding his Red Bull KTM Ajo Kalex, the Spaniard lapped the 2.6-mile (4.3 km) track in 1:34.456, which eclipsed Manuel Gonzalez’s hours-old record of 1:34.871.
American Joe Roberts was 12th in the session with a 1:35.183 on his Italtrans Racing Kalex.
American Sean Dylan Kelly’s fill-in role at Forward Racing has ended, and he is not riding in Indonesia.
Moto2 FP2
Jorge Martin was quickest during MotoGP World Championship Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Mandalika International Street Circuit, in Indonesia. Riding his Prima Pramac Racing Ducati, the Spaniard led the 22-rider field with a 1:31.811.
Maverick Vinales was second-best with a 1:31.913 on his factory Aprilia RS-GP, and Vinales’ friend and teammate Aleix Espargaro was third in the session at 1:32.913.
MotoGP FP1
