MotoAmerica/American Flat Track racers Corey Alexander and James Rispoli are excited to announce the release of Episode 10 of their Pipe Dreams Podcast, featuring Patrick “PJ” Jacobsen, a recent MotoAmerica Superbike race winner, World Supersport Championship runner-up, Suzuka 8-Hours vice champion, and MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up.
PJ was born in New York but spent most of his upbringing from the age of three on at racetracks across the United States and eventually around the world. He began his journey by claiming dozens of national dirt track racing championships before transitioning to asphalt and pursuing his dreams in Europe. Over the past 20 years, he has raced against some of the world’s best motorcycling talents.
Now, at 30 years old and fresh off of his first MotoAmerica Superbike victory, PJ sat down with us to share his journey, as well as some of the mysteries that have left many wondering who he really is and what makes him such an incredibly talented rider. We hope you enjoy!
Available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, the tenth full episode with PJ launches today. Video of the episode can be viewed on Spotify and YouTube.
About Pipe Dreams Podcast:
Pipe Dreams Podcast launched in 2023 by MotoAmerica and American Flat Track riders Corey Alexander and James Rispoli in an effort to share the stories of fellow racers and motorsport professionals around the world. The podcast releases twice per month for streaming on all major platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube. Editing is curated by Sabotno Media. Follow @pipedreams_pod on social media or visit https://anchor.fm/pipe-dreams to listen now.
New challenges. New horizons. MotoGP™ touches down in India!
A new adventure for all and the start of a pivotal run in the fight for the 2023 crown. Who’s coming out on top in India?
Monday, 18 September 2023
This is it. The fight for the 2023 crown is about to ramp up to an incredible finale, and it all starts with a whole new adventure for everyone: India. Buddh International Circuit welcomes the world’s most exciting sport for the first ever IndianOil Grand Prix of India, organised by Fairstreet Sports, and there is everything to play for.
The dynamic at the top
A whole new venue is a reset of sorts, and after that crash in Barcelona saw reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) riding through the pain barrier on home turf at Misano, the title fight is also a little closer as Pecco now sits only 36 points clear of Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing). So will the #1 remain so at a new track? His modus operandi has often been building his speed and performance, improving those details over time until he’s seemed untouchable. So it will be an interesting race between Bagnaia and Martin to see who can adapt the quickest, especially as Martin arrives from a near-perfect weekend.
Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) wasn’t at full tilt at Misano either though and he’ll want to seize the opportunity to take a new track by the horns, as will Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who is no stranger to that himself. The South African may see Buddh International Circuit as a big opportunity to hit back after a disappointing Sunday at Misano. It wasn’t overall for KTM though, and they had some goodies at the test as the orange push continues to gain momentum overall.
Opportunities abound
One thing that may play in Ducati’s favour at a new track is also data. With eight bikes, although not all the GP23, there’s information at their fingertips. Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) will want some of that as the Frenchman looks for a lot more form, and it was a tougher weekend at Misano for Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), who then topped the test, and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) too. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) also seemed to lose some ground he’d made up. On the other side of the Ducati Lenovo Team box we know we won’t have Enea Bastianini on duty either, with Michele Pirro likely called up now he’s off wildcard duty. Can the Ducati armada hit the ground running?
Speaking of data, Aprilia certainly have more of that now they’ve got four bikes on the grid. Misano saw a complete switcharound though as Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) went from doing the double to struggling to get into the top ten as the last Noale machine home on Sunday, with teammate Maverick Viñales leading the charge and making the difference as he’d promised on Thursday. In terms of Aleix’s ascent up the Championship that’s not ideal, but the bike had that pace so that’s another big positive.
The 2022 machine also had pace in the hands of Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) and teammate Raul Fernandez, which is more good news. Raul Fernandez took his best result yet in an impressive P8, and Oliveira has been on a solid run since much of the rest of the grid decided to let him race in peace. He was hot on the heels of Viñales on Sunday. If we’re talking about the challenge of a new track too, Oliveira is the most recent winner at a new venue – twice. He did it at Portimao and then again at Mandalika, so we know the Portuguese rider isn’t averse to eating some adaptation for breakfast.
Reset & reload
For Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who arrives fresh from becoming a father, a new track is probably good news if it can offer that reset. Since impressing a whole lot earlier in the season, it’s been a tougher run for a few races and ‘Thriller’ wants to get back to doing just that. Fellow RC16 riders Pol Espargaro and Augusto Fernandez at GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 too, with the latter losing his run of scoring on every Sunday so far last time out. For a rookie though, a new venue could prove a real injection of opportunity, with rivals’ experience now solely that of their machinery and not the track.
At Yamaha, they’ll hope a new track brings new opportunity too. After Team Manager Massimo Meregalli praised their new engine at the Misano Test but Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) said he’d been expecting more all round, the dynamic remains an interesting one. Quartararo will certainly hope that the new layout will cut the deficit to those ahead as everyone races to get to grips with Buddh International Circuit, and teammate Franco Morbidelli will want to cut his own deficit… but he is now the only rider who’s scored every Sunday.
Grabbing the spotlight
For many reasons, the spotlight was on Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) at Misano. His Grand Prix race may have seen him come home in seventh, but it was some performance as he played all his cards right and finished some distance closer to the winner than the next Honda did to him. The other reasons? The rumour mill about Marquez’ future rolls on…
The next Honda home at Misano was Stefan Bradl on wildcard and testing duty though, so not a true metric, and this time round he’ll be at LCR Honda Castrol replacing Alex Rins. More data, more experience and more work once again goes into that road back to the top for Honda. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) will want to show he’s got the measure of the German too. For Joan Mir, meanwhile, the mission is the same: rebuild. It’s been a tough season so far with injury and then a run of DNFs, and the Mayorcan could find that a new track proves a good new challenge as everyone takes on the same new turf at the same time.
SHOWTIME IN INDIA
The schedule and timezone are a little different for the IndianOil Grand Prix of India, so tune in for the main events…
Tissot Sprint: Saturday 15:30 (GMT +5:30)
Grand Prix Race: Sunday 15:30 (GMT +5:30)
Acosta leads Moto2™ onto fresh turf
The perfect way to hit back after a couple of tougher rounds is to stamp some authority back on the front, and that’s exactly what Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) did in Misano. His lead increased once again, but now it’s a whole new challenge at Buddh International Circuit and it could be a full reset, with many of the key players arriving in some very different quandries.
Before Misano, Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) probably would have voted for that full reset, but the Italian was back in the podium fight on home turf and he’ll want to keep that going and use experience on the bike in his favour. Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) wants a whole lot more on turf never raced by his rivals though, and Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) needs to bounce back.
Austria winner and Misano podium finisher Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) wouldn’t be too upset with a continuing of the status quo as his form continues though, and Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) was back on that form as he returned to the rostrum for the first time since France. On a circuit new for everyone, however, could it be an opportunity for some of the fast faces who haven’t quite cracked the rostrum to make it work for them?
We’ll find out on Sunday at 13:45 (GMT +5:30) as the intermediate class take on the inaugural IndianOil Grand Prix of India!
Moto3™: India could prove a pivotal point in the fight for the crown
There are now five riders within 21 points and six within 29 in the fight for the 2023 Moto3™ crown, and Championship leader Daniel Holgado’s (Red Bull KTM Tech3) gap is now just four points ahead of closest challenger Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP). Next up it’s Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing), then Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), before David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) enters the chat in fifth. He was 46 points off the top before Misano, but after another stunning win it’s now just 21. Ivan Ortola (MTA Angeluss Team) is the rider sixth overall and he can’t be counted out either…
The good news for the newer faces on the grid is that the veterans don’t have any experience in India either. But the bad news is it’s the last venue that’s true of before a long, long run of flyaways that seem almost tailor made for the likes of Sasaki, Masia and Öncü. So India, with another 25 points in play, could truly prove crucial. Tune in for Moto3™’s debut in India this weekend, with lights out at 12:30 (GMT +5:30) on Sunday!
KYT Extends Congratulations to Xavi Fores for Clinching the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship
Press Release Issued and Sponsored By KYT
September 2023 – KYT Americas proudly congratulates Xavi Fores for his remarkable season in the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship. Fores demonstrated exceptional talent, skill, and determination throughout the season, ultimately securing the championship title in his first full year racing MotoAmerica’s Supersport class.
2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Xavi Fores (12). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy KYT Americas.
Riding for Warhorse HSBK Racing, the Spaniard’s journey to becoming the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion is a testament to his world class experience on the racetrack. His years racing World SBK, World Endurance and British Superbike set him apart early on as the racer to beat coming into the national series. Xavi’s record-breaking start to the season, winning the first eight races of the championship, gave him a strong advantage going into the last few rounds. After challenging races at Brainerd and Pittsburgh, he knew he had to deliver at COTA. A win in race one gave Xavi the championship with 357 points; an 86-point margin over second place.
KYT, known for their world class helmets, is proud to have played a role in ensuring Xavi’s safety on the track.
As Xavi Fores enjoys his championship win, KYT extends its gratitude to his team, fans, sponsors, and partners who have supported his exhilarating journey. Together, we look forward to witnessing more remarkable victories in the future.
For more information about KYT and its commitment to motorsport safety, please visit www.kytamericas.com.
About KYT: At KYT, we incorporate over two decades of experience in world-class competition into sleek, race-engineered helmets designed to protect and perform. Our designs offer optimal ventilation and aerodynamics while maintaining the highest level of crash protection. Since 1998, KYT’s intense focus on the competitive environment allows us to produce a helmet with quality and function designed to perform at the highest level of motorsports and performance. KYT America now brings its industry leading safety, style, and service to one of the most innovative motorcycle markets in the world.
Tremblay wins again, MacKay secures Sport Bike title in finale at SMP
Shannonville, ON – A tough weekend ended on a much happier tone for Alex Dumas, as he closed out the year with a start-to-finish victory in race three of the GP Bikes Pro Superbike class at the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship finale at Shannonville Motorsport Park.
With nothing but pride and stats left to play for in the last race of the year after the Canada Cup and Constructors Championship were clinched on Saturday, Dumas jumped out to an early lead on lap one and paced an exciting four-rider battle for majority of the contest, holding off champion Ben Young the entire way.
The victory was dominant but hardly easy, as Young followed close behind his rival for all 14 laps while both outlasted an early assault from Trevor Dion and Jordan Szoke.
Though the victory won’t make Dumas forget the crash that ruined his championship hopes on Friday, the Purple Skull Brewing/Liqui Moly Suzuki rider showed plenty of excitement – and perhaps relief – as he ended the weekend with a win.
“It’s been a hard weekend. Not at all the weekend we wanted, so it’s good to at least end it on a high note,” an emotional Dumas said. “I have to thank the team for putting together a really good program, and one that didn’t plan on being second. But it’s always nice to win the last race of the season, so now we’ll see what we can do next year.”
Dumas was back to his usual self on Sunday after an uncharacteristic stretch of rough performances, earning back some momentum he hopes will carry over into 2024.
As for Young, it was a quiet end to his spectacular 2023 comeback, making no attempt at an overtake as he followed Dumas start-to-finish to claim second. The Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW star didn’t necessarily need to add anything to his season resumé, though, after scoring five consecutive victories to clinch the championship on Saturday.
“Alex rode incredible today, and we knew he was going to be strong, so I didn’t really want to end the year by throwing myself down the road,” Young laughed. “We got what we came here for, so it was just risk vs reward today.”
While Dumas has made no illusions about his future, committing to his goal of recapturing the Canada Cup, the same cannot be said of Young after the three-time champ was coy about his 2024 plans.
“We’ll see. It’s tough to say, because there’s a lot more that goes on behind the scenes than people realize, but we’re going to take it one step at a time,” Young said.
Regardless of what happens in the offseason, the era of Dumas vs Young already showed signs of being threatened this weekend, thanks in large part to the breakthrough performances of rookie Trevor Dion.
Piloting the Economy Lube and Tire/LDS Consultants Ducati for the first time this round, he completed the hat-trick of podiums on Sunday by claiming another third-place finish, though this was the most impressive one yet as he challenged Dumas and Young for the lead throughout the middle portion of the race.
“To finish the weekend up here on the box again is incredible, but what makes it even better is proving to myself that I can ride a Superbike at the front with these guys,” Dion said. “It’s been a tough year at times, but this Ducati has been a dream come true. I’m speechless.”
The 48-point weekend also proved to be more than enough to swing the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year fight in his favour, as he clinched the award by moving to sixth in the overall championship, 17 points clear of John Fraser and Paul Macdonell.
Dion’s latest performance came after an exciting early battle with Jordan Szoke, as the pair of former teammates briefly traded places a couple of times before Dion made the move stick in turn three at the halfway point.
Szoke would settle in to a spectacular fourth, though, enough to secure the same spot for him in the championship as the 14-time champion ended a resilient year with top-five finishes in each of the eight races in which he took the chequered flag – also taking home the FAST School Hard Charger award for his efforts on Sunday.
The Canadian Kawasaki rider is expected to return for a 25th season in the Superbike class after celebrating his 150th career feature class race on Sunday, but admitted it’s not as guaranteed as years past.
“I’m an old racer still trying to make it happen,” Szoke joked. “I feel like I’m riding well, and it’s been a great end to the year for me. We’re taking some positive turns for 2024, so we’ll see how things go in the next few months.”
Rounding out the top-five for another day in a row was Sam Guerin, who this time avoided any setbacks on the back-straightaway but was caught up in another familiar battle with Trevor Daley.
Guerin managed to retaliate on Daley’s last-lap pass in the hairpin and put his EFC Group BMW fifth, a discreet end to his spectacular season as he finishes third in the championship, while Daley put in another superhuman effort to salvage sixth despite riding with a broken femur on his OneSpeed Suzuki.
Paul Macdonell would wind up seventh and add a bit of hardware to end the day, helping earn the Team of the Year award for the Acme Motorsports Yamaha crew in his first CSBK season.
The feature class will now get a deserved break as they enter the 2023-24 offseason, one that could be full of changes amongst the Pro Superbike stars following a wild and thrilling Bridgestone CSBK campaign.
Full results from the entire season can now be found on the series’ official website at CSBK.ca.
Tremblay wins again, MacKay secures Sport Bike title in finale at SMP
Shannonville, ON – The wait for David MacKay’s first national title is finally over, as he officially wrapped up the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike championship in the last day of the Bridgestone CSBK season at Shannonville Motorsport Park on Sunday.
MacKay needed only to finish 14th or higher to seal the middleweight trophy, but there were still some nervous faces in the ODH Snow City Cycle Kawasaki team as title rival Matt Simpson took the lead on lap one and MacKay faded into a six-rider battle for second.
The concern was short-lived, though, as race one winner Sebastien Tremblay hunted down Simpson and snatched the race lead just as MacKay allowed a trio of riders through to settle into a more comfortable gap.
Simpson had just started to lose touch with Tremblay and come under fire from Elliot Vieira and Brad Macrae when a crash further down the order brought out the red flag, with MacKay fifth at the time of the stoppage.
That would prove to be the final result, as the race did not restart and Tremblay scored the victory, but the real celebrations would begin in MacKay’s pits as he clinched the only thing left missing from his impressive Sport Bike resumé after finishing as the title runner-up in each of the last two years.
“This is a long time coming. Long overdue,” MacKay said. “Every year this is the goal, but to finally accomplish it is a once in a lifetime feeling. Now we just get to celebrate!”
The long-time Sport Bike frontrunner wouldn’t confirm anything as he soaked in the moment, but left a slight hint about his future as many expect him to graduate to the feature Pro Superbike class instead of defending his #1 plate in 2024.
“So many people helped make this possible, so I’m happy to reward them and now we can move on to even bigger and better things,” MacKay said.
2023 Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike Champion David MacKay. Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy CSBK.
The trophy celebration overshadowed what was another incredible performance from Tremblay, who ended the year in red-hot form with a third consecutive victory and second in a row aboard the revamped Turcotte Performance Suzuki GSX-R750.
“It was a tough battle for me, as again I did not get a great start, but I was able to gradually fight my way through as the race went on,” Tremblay said. “It’s been a great weekend for us. Unfortunate to end it on a red flag, but happy to showcase an awesome bike in the 750.”
The win – the 12th of his Sport Bike career – also moves Tremblay one clear of Kenny Riedmann (who was in attendance at SMP) for fifth on the category’s all-time list, while he ties MacKay for tenth on the all-time podium list as well.
While Simpson’s title hopes were struck down in the last race of the year, the Blackstock Motorsports Yamaha rider was happy to end his breakout season on the podium in second as he builds towards another potential title challenge in 2024.
“We knew it would be hard to make the points up, but it’s been a great fight with David all year so we tried our best, and congrats to him,” Simpson said. “It’s obviously a bummer, but to come home second today and in the championship makes us pretty happy for the season.”
Completing the podium was Vieira, who continued his own streak of four consecutive podiums as he continues to come to grips with his GP Bikes Ducati.
“It hasn’t really been the year we wanted, but we’re glad to be up on the podium here again today,” Vieira said. “The bike is handling really well and we’re starting to get in a groove, so hopefully it can continue next year.”
The Suzuki-Yamaha-Ducati lineup on the podium means that Kawasaki’s record-breaking streak of 34 consecutive races on the box will finally end, a stretch dating back to St-Eustache in 2018, though they aren’t likely to lose sleep over it after MacKay helped secure the brands 15th Sport Bike crown and third in a row.
Just missing the podium was Macrae, who put all kinds of pressure on Vieira and briefly got past the Ducati rider before the red flag came out, leaving the Colron Excavating Yamaha team seventh in the final standings.
Double-amateur champion Mavrick Cyr was a notable star early in his pro debut, choosing to leave the amateur ranks early after clinching both titles on Saturday. The 18-year-old Rizzin Racing Triumph rider worked his way as high as sixth in the opening laps and in the podium mix before settling into a strong ninth in his maiden appearance.
2023 Bickle Racing Pro Twins Champion Andrew Van Winkle. Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Another teenager who enjoyed a fantastic day was Andrew Van Winkle, who became the youngest pro champion in CSBK history by winning the Bickle Racing Pro Twins class race.
The 16-year-old FD Racing Suzuki star didn’t even need to enter on Sunday as he was four points clear of the injured and absent Jeff Williams, but added an exclamation point to his sensational year by beating veteran Hans Van Sleuwen as he celebrated the historic title from the top of the box.
“It was a hard few laps, and I actually had a few scary moments out there, but I’m up here to talk about it so it ended up okay,” he joked. “I’m really happy to win the race as well and excited to bring home the #1 plate.”
The Chilliwack, BC phenom said he was undecided on whether or not he would defend that championship, with a possible move to the front of the Sport Bike class on the horizon for the inaugural Twins champion.
The full results from Sunday’s final day of the Sport Bike and Twins season can be found on the series’ official website at CSBK.ca.
BOL D’OR BEST FOR YOSHIMURA SERT AS YART HOLDS ON FOR EWC TITLE GLORY
Yoshimura SERT Motul (12) won the Bol d’Or 24-hour FIM Endurance World Championship race. Photo courtesy FIM EWC.
*Suzuki-powered squad wins epic FIM Endurance World Championship season finale
*Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team lands overall EWC title joy in tense finish
*FIM Endurance World Cup goes to Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda after late drama
*Honda Viltaïs Racing beats BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team to runner-up spot
*Five motorcycle manufacturers in the top five underlines competitiveness of EWC
For immediate release (17 September 2023): Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team is the winner of the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship following a tense climax to the season at Circuit Paul Ricard this afternoon as Yoshimura SERT Motul won the 86th Bol d’Or.
Austria-based YART was one of six teams in EWC title contention starting the legendary 24-hour event, but it endured a nervy conclusion to the race due to a temperature issue that forced the team to make multiple pit stops for running repairs.
With defending champion F.C.C. TSR Honda France retiring at 03h30 following a technical failure and the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team dropping out of the lead fight due to two unscheduled pit visits, YART essentially needed a top-nine Formula EWC finish to secure the EWC’s biggest prize.
Running with a special livery to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Yamaha R1, the Bridgestone-equipped YART trio of Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika rode faultlessly, eventually finishing in fourth position to secure EWC gold, having held the race lead on numerous occasions.
“The team did an amazing job, I’m really proud of them and my team-mates were riding superbly,” said Czech Hanika, whose Yamaha was fully functioning at the finish. “Big thanks to Yamaha for this opportunity. Every rider participates in this championship because they want to win and that’s why we are here trying to do our best.”
Having experienced a season of more lows than highs, Yoshimura SERT Motul was determined to end the 2023 campaign on top of a race that would mark Sylvain Guintoli’s final EWC outing with Suzuki power. Despite Gregg Black and Étienne Masson competing as a duo for the final nine hours after Guintoli fell ill, Yoshimura SERT Motul triumphed by a clear margin. That was despite Black being one of eight riders to fall on oil at the end of the Mistral Straight this morning, which triggered a lengthy safety car period.
“It’s incredible,” said UK-born, France-based Black. “We’ve had a pretty hard season but we’ve been performing, so to finish the season like this with this result is just incredible. The team did a great job, my team-mates also. It was a hard one but we got it and we got the pace and we could win the Bol d’Or. We’re really happy.”
Honda Viltaïs Racing couldn’t quite repeat its Bol d’Or-winning heroics from 2022 but it did secure a season-best second as riders Florian Alt, Steven Odenaal and event rookie Leandro Mercado impressed on the Pirelli-shod #333 machine. BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, featuring Jérémy Guarnoni, Illya Mykhalchyk and Markus Reiterberger, completed the podium, its third top-three finish of the year.
Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar moved into fifth behind Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team when TATI Team Beringer Racing dropped out earlier this morning. The Kawasaki-powered TATI outfit had enjoyed a brief stint in the lead during the opening hour when it capitalised on its decision to use intermediate tyres for the rapidly drying conditions.
Having taken the coveted EWC crown at Circuit Paul Ricard 12 months ago, F.C.C. TSR Honda France hit trouble shortly before 3am when Mike Di Meglio was forced to push the #1 Honda after it stopped at the entrance to the pitlane. Despite its best efforts, the team was forced to retire with a terminal technical issue at 03h26. Along with team-mates Josh Hook and Alan Techer, Di Meglio knew hopes of another EWC title would be salvaged if its main rivals also stopped. In the event, it was a frustrating finish to an otherwise strong season.
Maco Racing Team beat Team LRP Poland to sixth place among the Formula EWC squads with Team Bolliger Switzerland, Moto-Ain and KM99 next up. Belgian outfit KM99, making its Bol d’Or debut, was in the top five when an electrical issue struck at 01h25.
Wójcik Racing Team’s #77 dropped out shortly after eight hours having been delayed by an electronic issue early in the race. Motobox Kremer Racing spent six minutes repairing its Yamaha after Christian Napoli was caught up in the multi-bike accident at Signes Corner.
Chas Davies stopped from the lead battle with 40 minutes of the race run to hand over to Xavi Forés. But his replacement was soon in trouble after a collision at the final corner left the Spaniard limping to the side of the track and his Ducati Pingale V4R suffering terminal damage. The incident led to an early safety car intervention.
DELIGHT FOR CHROMEBURNER-RAC41-HONDA, DESPAIR FOR NATIONAL MOTOS
There was Dunlop Superstock Trophy delight for Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda but despair for National Motos Honda, which lost the Bol d’Or category win and the FIM Endurance World Cup for Teams in the final hour after a technical fault struck.
Swiss brothers Sébastien and Valentin Suchet, plus Frenchman Guillaume Raymond were on course for double delight at Circuit Paul Ricard but their late heartache let in Kawasaki-powered Team 33 Louit April Moto for the race victory and Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda for the Superstock title.
Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore took third behind Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda with Pitlane Endurance – JP3 fourth, BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers fifth and Wójcik Racing Team sixth followed by 3ART Best of Bike. OG Motorsport World Endurance Team was in third but slipped back as TRT27 Bazar 2 La Bécane also showed strong early form.
Having started the Bol d’Or in contention for Dunlop Superstock Trophy honours, Honda No Limits and Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team dropped out in the opening stages. The former was eliminated in a collision, while Kenny Foray had covered a little more than 30 minutes when engine failure forced the #9 into retirement. ADSS 97, Falcon Racing and Slider Endurance were also unable to go the distance.
More, from a press release issued by FIM:
Update following FIM EWC Bol d’Or
During the Post-Race Technical Inspection on 17 September following the 86th Bol d’Or Endurance Race, the motorcycle n°41 (Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda), which finished in seventh position, was subjected to a fuel tank capacity control by the FIM Technical Directors.
The control recorded a fuel tank overcapacity in contravention of article 2.7.6.10 of the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship and Cup Regulations.
As is required, additional fuel tank capacity controls were conducted with a fuel tank overcapacity also recorded.
The FIM EWC Stewards Panel convened to consider the evidence provided by the FIM Technical Directors and declared motorcycle n°41 did not conform to the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship and Cup Regulations and disqualified motorcycle n°41 from the results of the 86th Bol d’Or Endurance Race.
Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda did not appeal the decision of the FIM EWC Stewards Panel.
As such, the decision to disqualify motorcycle n°41 has been upheld and the positions of all other finishers will be reclassified, while points will be reallocated to the eligible finishers.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
0.5 point separates Irwin and Bridewell in title fight after intense Oulton Park
Tommy Bridewell (46) leads Glenn Irwin (2) and the rest of the British Superbike field at Oulton Park. Photo courtesy MSVR.
The BeerMonster Ducati team celebrated an emotionally charged treble victory at Oulton Park at an intense opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship Showdown meaning that just 0.5 point separates Glenn Irwin and Tommy Bridewell ahead of the penultimate round at Donington Park.
Irwin had kicked off the weekend with a victory in yesterday’s BikeSocial Sprint Race, dedicating the win to Team Owner Paul Bird who sadly passed away earlier this month, as the BeerMonster Ducati teammates fight to secure PBM’s ninth title at Brands Hatch in October.
In a dramatic second race of the weekend, Irwin was awarded the victory after his BeerMonster Ducati teammate was penalised for unsafe conduct under the Safety Car, dropping him to sixth place.
The pair had been duelling during the race, with the pair trading places for the lead. Bridewell held the advantage until Storm Stacey crashed out and the BMW Safety Car was deployed.
On the restart, Bridewell concertinaed the pack, forcing several riders to take evasive action to avoid crashing and he was issued a long lap penalty for unsafe conduct under the Safety Car.
Bridewell crossed the line just ahead of Irwin, but his time penalty dropped him to sixth place in the final result. The penalty promoted Lee Jackson into second place as he claimed his second podium finish of the weekend just ahead of Kyle Ryde on the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha.
In race three, Bridewell fought to claim the final race win of the weekend, holding off Irwin who claimed second place ahead of Jackson. Irwin’s strong performance has seen him surge ahead in the standings, having overhauled Bridewell’s 14.5-point advantage before the Showdown with six races now remaining to decide the 2023 champion.
The Oulton Park weekend featured five different riders on the podium representing four different manufacturers, with Irwin and Bridewell sharing the podium with Jackson, Ryde and Leon Haslam across the three races.
As the Championship reaches the penultimate round, the top nine riders in the standings remain in mathematical contention, with a maximum of 180 points available from the final two rounds. However, the top six currently remain within the 105 point target which is required if they are to remain in title contention for the final round of the season at Brands Hatch next month.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 2 result:
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati)
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +1.823s
Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +2.056s
Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) +2.518s
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +2.584s
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +2.954s
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Ducati) +3.788s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +4.104s
Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +5.020s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +6.858s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 3 result:
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati)
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) +1.147s
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +2.107s
Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) +5.375s
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +7.655s
Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +8.182s
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Ducati) +11.099s
Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +11.110s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +14.214s
Storm Stacey (Starline Racing Kawasaki) +18.447s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 360.5
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 360
Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 300
Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) 283
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) 280.5
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 276.5
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 250
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Ducati) 222
Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 207
Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing) 122.5
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Glenn Irwin
BeerMonster Ducati
“We came here in the thick of a championship fight and I’ve been able to grab three podiums, so its been an unbelievable weekend.
“There’s been a lot emotion before we came here and I think how the entire team and everyone within the paddock have handled and been able to put on a show and go to work has been incredible.
“It pleases me a lot how the guys in the team worked and how I rode round here it’s a physical track. We all work very hard. It’s a bit of a cliché when we say we work our asses off and I guess we all do and when the team work as hard as you work, if not harder, you get results and reap the reward.
“The championship lead is nice, it’s always a nice position to be in. It’s certainly better than where it was nine races ago when I was 38.5 points behind. We still have that one additional DNF so to be in the lead, pretty much all square with the extra DNF is something that pleases me a lot.
“Hats off to Tommy [Bridewell] he rode a great last race. We were holding the pace up, both of us for sure purely for energy. You can go banzai round here but the other guy usually comes with you anyway so his last couple of laps were really, really strong. I was working hard but I’d seen at Cadwell when I was trying to push him he nearly made a mistake on the last lap as did I – so close to losing a lot of points.
“I got plus 1.3s I think with two [laps] to go and I was beat fair and square in the race at that point and it was bring home the 22 points. I honestly didn’t expect to overhaul 15 points this weekend, it’s been great. Fair play to the rest of the guys I shared the podium with this weekend because there has been some enjoyable racing.
“I haven’t’ watched any of it and I look forward to getting home tonight, grab a Chinese, and then do the school run in the morning. I have a lot to be grateful for. And how can you not enjoy four wins and two seconds in your last six races?”
New rider line-up for team Accolade Smrz Racing BGR once again. Chris Clark will race alongside Perez Gonzalez in Aragon
Team Accolade Smrz Racing BGR will race the final two rounds of the 2023 World Supersport 300 championship with a new rider line-up. Maxim Repak’s condition, following his injury, won’t allow the young rider from Slovakia to return to racing for the remainder of the season. Levi Badie, who replaced him in Magny Cours, France, cannot participate in Aragon due to other commitments. The Czech team of Jakub Smrž was therefore forced to look for another talented rider. It will be Chris Clark from USA, only 16 years old, who will get the opportunity to measure his talent against other protagonists of the world championship in Aragon, 22-24 September.
Chris Clark: “I am so excited to announce that I will be racing in the world championship at Aragon with team Accolade Smrz Racing BGR. This is an amazing opportunity for me and I want to thank all of my sponsors and Jakub Smrž for allowing me to join the team at Aragon. I am so excited to have the chance to learn from and ride with a team that has so much experience.”
Jakub Smrž (team manager): “Max will not ride for the remainder of the season and Levi has a race in Moto America, which coincides with Aragon. So we had to find another replacement rider. The plan was that Levi would return for Portimao but it is not possible to change riders so much without a proper reason, so Chris will also do the last race of the season. It will be a new challenge again but Chris is very promising and he has the right physique for a 300 machine.“
Young clinches third CSBK title after last-lap pass on Dumas
2023 Bridgestone CSBK Champion Ben Young. Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Shannonville, ON – For the first time in a half-decade, the Canada Cup is staying with its owner.
Ben Young officially retained his #1 plate on Saturday, winning race two at Shannonville Motorsport Park to clinch the GP Bikes Pro Superbike class in the final round of the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship.
It originally looked as though the title fight would at least proceed onto Sunday, as Alex Dumas grabbed the holeshot and led virtually from start-to-finish with Young settling into a comfortable second, needing to gain four points on Dumas in order to clinch.
His pace began to ramp up dramatically in the final few laps, however, and the gap continued to drop as Young reeled in Dumas, pressuring him but still not showing any indication he would take the risk of passing his rival.
That all changed on the final lap, though, as Young launched a daring move into turn four – the same place where Dumas crashed out a day ago – and held off a pair of retaliation attempts to steal a fifth consecutive victory and wrap up his third overall CSBK championship.
“I was pursuing Alex all race, and he was really pushing me to my limit. A few times I even caught myself wondering if I should back off a bit and settle into second, but I was stronger on the brakes so I just put my head down and went for it,” Young said.
This trophy had a bit more meaning for the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW squad, however, as Young admitted the narrative around his 2022 title fueled him to push for the win even if he didn’t necessarily need to for the points spread.
“Some people thought that we only won the championship last year because Alex crashed in AMP, so to prove that wrong even after all the bad luck we’ve had feels really special,” Young said. “But it’s been a great year battling him, and it took a great bike and a great team behind me to make it happen.”
The loss served as an exclamation point on what’s been a disastrous five-race stretch for Dumas, seeing his 36-point lead entering CTMP swing to a 28-point deficit entering the final race of the year.
The Purple Skull Brewing/Liqui Moly Suzuki rider was understandably frustrated at how the weekend has played out thus far, but will have an opportunity to at least end the year on a high note and build towards a fresh championship challenge in 2024.
“I tried to just get away early and to be honest I felt really comfortable, but Ben got by me in turn four and I think after the crash there yesterday and after leading every lap, I just was mentally drained,” Dumas said. “Congrats to Ben. It’s tough to lose another championship, but hopefully we can win it back in the years to come.”
The duo were once again clear of the pack by the end, but it didn’t start out that way as a pack of six ran together for majority of the opening five laps. That shuffling produced a very similar scenario to race one, though, as Sam Guerin again ran wide off the back straight and slipped out of the podium fight.
Instead the last podium place went to Trevor Dion, who continued his sensational debut weekend with the Economy Lube and Tire Ducati team with a third-place finish. That came at the expense of his former teammate Jordan Szoke, who Dion battled with throughout the race as the two put on a show to end the day.
“It’s been a phenomenal weekend. Such a hard-fought race today again, in the end we put it to Jordan but he ran a great race and didn’t make it easy at all,” Dion said. “He was faster than me in some places, but there were a lot of areas we had more speed too so I just wanted to put this Ducati into the podium and put my head down.”
Szoke was forced to settle for fourth, but continued what’s been perhaps his strongest weekend of the year after taking second-place on Friday aboard one of the Canadian Kawasaki machines.
The split between he and Dion has thus far been good for all parties involved, with the two both enjoying great weekends while Dion’s replacement – rookie Connor Campbell – continued to turn heads by finishing seventh in just his second-ever race aboard the Canadian Kawasaki superbike.
That performance earned him the FAST School Hard Charger Award on the day and a $500 prize to go with it, as he earns his place as one of the breakout stars of the final round.
Guerin’s crucial early mistake did knock him out of podium contention yet again but wasn’t enough to delay any celebration for BMW, as they also successfully defended their Constructors Championship in 2023.
The Motorrad brand celebrated their second consecutive crown with one race to go, and had Guerin join Young on the podium to accept the awards after the EFC Group rider’s heroics in round four at CTMP.
Tremblay wins in Sport Bike, MacKay inches closer to title
The other pro championships won’t have to wait long to be decided, after David MacKay and Andrew Van Winkle each moved closer to trophies on Saturday.
MacKay was only at the front for a single lap before Sebastien Tremblay took over a lead he wouldn’t relinquish, as the Turcotte Performance Suzuki rider looked nearly unstoppable in the debut of the revamped GSX-750.
The only rider who came close to ruining that debut was pole-sitter Brad Macrae, who overcame a mediocre start to hunt down Tremblay and put all kinds of pressure on the 2021 champion.
Unfortunately, Macrae would crash out just as he prepared an attack for the win, allowing a charging Elliot Vieira into second and MacKay back onto the podium in third as he extends his title advantage to 25 points over rival Matt Simpson – who was in the lead fight early but ran off the back straight early and could only fight back to fifth.
While MacKay was thrilled to extend his advantage, the star of the individual race was undoubtedly Tremblay who has now reeled off consecutive victories.
“I didn’t get a great start, but I followed for a lap and a half or so and then managed to get ahead of David. Brad made it super tough on me after that, but unfortunately he crashed out and I was able to relax a bit more again,” Tremblay said. “The 750 is really strong. We have some issues still to work through, but hopefully it can be even a bit better tomorrow.”
Vieira continued his red-hot second half of the season in second, putting the GP Bikes Ducati on the box for the fourth time in five races, though MacKay was happy to see him and Tremblay as the only two ahead of him.
“Our gameplan went exactly how we could have hoped,” MacKay said. “It was nice to get the holeshot and lead for a while, but we’re super happy with where we are. We did exactly what we needed to do for tomorrow.”
Simpson will need a miracle to overcome his 25-point deficit with only 27 points remaining, but has already turned his focus to adding a win to close out the year and taking whatever fortune comes afterwards.
As for Van Winkle, the 16-year-old phenom moved closer to securing a historic Bickle Racing Pro Twins title, winning for the first time in his national career at an opportune time as he takes over the championship lead from the injured Jeff Williams.
Van Winkle hasn’t mathematically clinched, but needs just to finish on Sunday to bring home the record-breaking title, which would make him the youngest pro champion ever.
“I just want to keep it on two wheels and clinch it, but we’re going to play it safe because you never know what can happen,” Van Winkle said. “It’s nice to be able to follow some of these Sport Bike guys and learn as much as possible, but hopefully we can bring it all home tomorrow.”
Full results from the penultimate day of the CSBK season can be found on the series’ official website.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Irwin wins emotional opening race at Oulton Park
Glenn Irwin won an emotional opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship BikeSocial Sprint race at Oulton Park, withstanding race-long pressure from his teammate and title rival Tommy Bridewell, who made a costly mistake on the final lap which dropped him to fourth place.
The BeerMonster Ducati teammates arrived at Oulton Park for the Showdown determined to continue the legacy of PBM Team Owner Paul Bird, who sadly passed away earlier this month.
The pair continued their bid for a ninth title for the team by snatching the leading two positions on the opening lap of the BikeSocial Sprint Race ahead of Kyle Ryde, Storm Stacey, Leon Haslam and Lee Jackson.
Stacey crashed out on the opening lap unhurt at Lodge, but Haslam and Jackson had soon moved ahead of Ryde as he shadowed the BeerMonster Ducatis, led by Irwin.
Irwin held the lead until the final lap when Bridewell grabbed the lead at Cascades with the pair side-by-side and nothing between them. Irwin and Jackson were in close contention, with Irwin regaining the lead at Island Bend.
Bridewell remained determined and he was within striking distance of Irwin, but he made a costly mistake into Hislops Chicane for the final time, outbraking himself to run on and he was forced to rejoin in fourth place.
Irwin took the chequered flag to claim an emotional victory for the team, with Jackson just 0.390s adrift and Haslam returning to the podium in Cheshire.
Bridewell’s fourth place means the advantage at the top of the standings was halved, with now just 7.5 points between the teammates. Josh Brookes was fifth as he was able to move ahead of Ryde and Christian Iddon.
Jason O’Halloran was eighth on the McAMS Yamaha with Peter Hickman and Charlie Nesbitt completing the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, BikeSocial Sprint Race:
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati)
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +0.390s
Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) +1.085s
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +2.148s
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +5.975s
Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +6.215s
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Ducati) +6.746s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +10.169s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +20.237s
Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing) +20.277s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship Standings:
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 321
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 313.5
Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 266
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 258.5
Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) 247
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) 238.5
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 218
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Ducati) 198
Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 189
Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Racing Yamaha) 116
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Glenn Irwin. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Glenn Irwin
BeerMonster Ducati
“We have to come and do our job and I feel like not just me, but as an entire team and Tommy [Bridewell] as well, we’ve done that all weekend.
“My bike was very, very good in that race. There are always areas to improve in racing but we will keep focusing on ourselves.
“I feel ready, I’ve said all year that I do feel like this is the year. I understand people feeling pressure, but it’s not there at the minute. I’m really, really enjoying my racing.
“I didn’t know what happened on the last lap, so thanks Tommy for not taking me out. It was quite close but seven and a half points now is better than 14 and a half it was before.
“Well done to all the boys as well. And obviously, that’s for the Birdman.”
MotoAmerica/American Flat Track racers Corey Alexander and James Rispoli are excited to announce the release of Episode 10 of their Pipe Dreams Podcast, featuring Patrick “PJ” Jacobsen, a recent MotoAmerica Superbike race winner, World Supersport Championship runner-up, Suzuka 8-Hours vice champion, and MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up.
PJ was born in New York but spent most of his upbringing from the age of three on at racetracks across the United States and eventually around the world. He began his journey by claiming dozens of national dirt track racing championships before transitioning to asphalt and pursuing his dreams in Europe. Over the past 20 years, he has raced against some of the world’s best motorcycling talents.
Now, at 30 years old and fresh off of his first MotoAmerica Superbike victory, PJ sat down with us to share his journey, as well as some of the mysteries that have left many wondering who he really is and what makes him such an incredibly talented rider. We hope you enjoy!
Available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, the tenth full episode with PJ launches today. Video of the episode can be viewed on Spotify and YouTube.
About Pipe Dreams Podcast:
Pipe Dreams Podcast launched in 2023 by MotoAmerica and American Flat Track riders Corey Alexander and James Rispoli in an effort to share the stories of fellow racers and motorsport professionals around the world. The podcast releases twice per month for streaming on all major platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube. Editing is curated by Sabotno Media. Follow @pipedreams_pod on social media or visit https://anchor.fm/pipe-dreams to listen now.
Buddh International Circuit near New Delhi, India. Photo courtesy Buddh International Circuit.
New challenges. New horizons. MotoGP™ touches down in India!
A new adventure for all and the start of a pivotal run in the fight for the 2023 crown. Who’s coming out on top in India?
Monday, 18 September 2023
This is it. The fight for the 2023 crown is about to ramp up to an incredible finale, and it all starts with a whole new adventure for everyone: India. Buddh International Circuit welcomes the world’s most exciting sport for the first ever IndianOil Grand Prix of India, organised by Fairstreet Sports, and there is everything to play for.
The dynamic at the top
A whole new venue is a reset of sorts, and after that crash in Barcelona saw reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) riding through the pain barrier on home turf at Misano, the title fight is also a little closer as Pecco now sits only 36 points clear of Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing). So will the #1 remain so at a new track? His modus operandi has often been building his speed and performance, improving those details over time until he’s seemed untouchable. So it will be an interesting race between Bagnaia and Martin to see who can adapt the quickest, especially as Martin arrives from a near-perfect weekend.
Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) wasn’t at full tilt at Misano either though and he’ll want to seize the opportunity to take a new track by the horns, as will Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who is no stranger to that himself. The South African may see Buddh International Circuit as a big opportunity to hit back after a disappointing Sunday at Misano. It wasn’t overall for KTM though, and they had some goodies at the test as the orange push continues to gain momentum overall.
Opportunities abound
One thing that may play in Ducati’s favour at a new track is also data. With eight bikes, although not all the GP23, there’s information at their fingertips. Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) will want some of that as the Frenchman looks for a lot more form, and it was a tougher weekend at Misano for Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), who then topped the test, and Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) too. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) also seemed to lose some ground he’d made up. On the other side of the Ducati Lenovo Team box we know we won’t have Enea Bastianini on duty either, with Michele Pirro likely called up now he’s off wildcard duty. Can the Ducati armada hit the ground running?
Speaking of data, Aprilia certainly have more of that now they’ve got four bikes on the grid. Misano saw a complete switcharound though as Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) went from doing the double to struggling to get into the top ten as the last Noale machine home on Sunday, with teammate Maverick Viñales leading the charge and making the difference as he’d promised on Thursday. In terms of Aleix’s ascent up the Championship that’s not ideal, but the bike had that pace so that’s another big positive.
The 2022 machine also had pace in the hands of Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) and teammate Raul Fernandez, which is more good news. Raul Fernandez took his best result yet in an impressive P8, and Oliveira has been on a solid run since much of the rest of the grid decided to let him race in peace. He was hot on the heels of Viñales on Sunday. If we’re talking about the challenge of a new track too, Oliveira is the most recent winner at a new venue – twice. He did it at Portimao and then again at Mandalika, so we know the Portuguese rider isn’t averse to eating some adaptation for breakfast.
Reset & reload
For Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who arrives fresh from becoming a father, a new track is probably good news if it can offer that reset. Since impressing a whole lot earlier in the season, it’s been a tougher run for a few races and ‘Thriller’ wants to get back to doing just that. Fellow RC16 riders Pol Espargaro and Augusto Fernandez at GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 too, with the latter losing his run of scoring on every Sunday so far last time out. For a rookie though, a new venue could prove a real injection of opportunity, with rivals’ experience now solely that of their machinery and not the track.
At Yamaha, they’ll hope a new track brings new opportunity too. After Team Manager Massimo Meregalli praised their new engine at the Misano Test but Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) said he’d been expecting more all round, the dynamic remains an interesting one. Quartararo will certainly hope that the new layout will cut the deficit to those ahead as everyone races to get to grips with Buddh International Circuit, and teammate Franco Morbidelli will want to cut his own deficit… but he is now the only rider who’s scored every Sunday.
Grabbing the spotlight
For many reasons, the spotlight was on Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) at Misano. His Grand Prix race may have seen him come home in seventh, but it was some performance as he played all his cards right and finished some distance closer to the winner than the next Honda did to him. The other reasons? The rumour mill about Marquez’ future rolls on…
The next Honda home at Misano was Stefan Bradl on wildcard and testing duty though, so not a true metric, and this time round he’ll be at LCR Honda Castrol replacing Alex Rins. More data, more experience and more work once again goes into that road back to the top for Honda. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) will want to show he’s got the measure of the German too. For Joan Mir, meanwhile, the mission is the same: rebuild. It’s been a tough season so far with injury and then a run of DNFs, and the Mayorcan could find that a new track proves a good new challenge as everyone takes on the same new turf at the same time.
SHOWTIME IN INDIA
The schedule and timezone are a little different for the IndianOil Grand Prix of India, so tune in for the main events…
Tissot Sprint: Saturday 15:30 (GMT +5:30)
Grand Prix Race: Sunday 15:30 (GMT +5:30)
Acosta leads Moto2™ onto fresh turf
The perfect way to hit back after a couple of tougher rounds is to stamp some authority back on the front, and that’s exactly what Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) did in Misano. His lead increased once again, but now it’s a whole new challenge at Buddh International Circuit and it could be a full reset, with many of the key players arriving in some very different quandries.
Before Misano, Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) probably would have voted for that full reset, but the Italian was back in the podium fight on home turf and he’ll want to keep that going and use experience on the bike in his favour. Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) wants a whole lot more on turf never raced by his rivals though, and Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40) needs to bounce back.
Austria winner and Misano podium finisher Celestino Vietti (Fantic Racing) wouldn’t be too upset with a continuing of the status quo as his form continues though, and Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) was back on that form as he returned to the rostrum for the first time since France. On a circuit new for everyone, however, could it be an opportunity for some of the fast faces who haven’t quite cracked the rostrum to make it work for them?
We’ll find out on Sunday at 13:45 (GMT +5:30) as the intermediate class take on the inaugural IndianOil Grand Prix of India!
Moto3™: India could prove a pivotal point in the fight for the crown
There are now five riders within 21 points and six within 29 in the fight for the 2023 Moto3™ crown, and Championship leader Daniel Holgado’s (Red Bull KTM Tech3) gap is now just four points ahead of closest challenger Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP). Next up it’s Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing), then Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), before David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar Team) enters the chat in fifth. He was 46 points off the top before Misano, but after another stunning win it’s now just 21. Ivan Ortola (MTA Angeluss Team) is the rider sixth overall and he can’t be counted out either…
The good news for the newer faces on the grid is that the veterans don’t have any experience in India either. But the bad news is it’s the last venue that’s true of before a long, long run of flyaways that seem almost tailor made for the likes of Sasaki, Masia and Öncü. So India, with another 25 points in play, could truly prove crucial. Tune in for Moto3™’s debut in India this weekend, with lights out at 12:30 (GMT +5:30) on Sunday!
KYT Extends Congratulations to Xavi Fores for Clinching the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship
Press Release Issued and Sponsored By KYT
September 2023 – KYT Americas proudly congratulates Xavi Fores for his remarkable season in the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship. Fores demonstrated exceptional talent, skill, and determination throughout the season, ultimately securing the championship title in his first full year racing MotoAmerica’s Supersport class.
2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion Xavi Fores (12). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy KYT Americas.
Riding for Warhorse HSBK Racing, the Spaniard’s journey to becoming the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion is a testament to his world class experience on the racetrack. His years racing World SBK, World Endurance and British Superbike set him apart early on as the racer to beat coming into the national series. Xavi’s record-breaking start to the season, winning the first eight races of the championship, gave him a strong advantage going into the last few rounds. After challenging races at Brainerd and Pittsburgh, he knew he had to deliver at COTA. A win in race one gave Xavi the championship with 357 points; an 86-point margin over second place.
KYT, known for their world class helmets, is proud to have played a role in ensuring Xavi’s safety on the track.
As Xavi Fores enjoys his championship win, KYT extends its gratitude to his team, fans, sponsors, and partners who have supported his exhilarating journey. Together, we look forward to witnessing more remarkable victories in the future.
For more information about KYT and its commitment to motorsport safety, please visit www.kytamericas.com.
About KYT: At KYT, we incorporate over two decades of experience in world-class competition into sleek, race-engineered helmets designed to protect and perform. Our designs offer optimal ventilation and aerodynamics while maintaining the highest level of crash protection. Since 1998, KYT’s intense focus on the competitive environment allows us to produce a helmet with quality and function designed to perform at the highest level of motorsports and performance. KYT America now brings its industry leading safety, style, and service to one of the most innovative motorcycle markets in the world.
Alex Dumas (23) finished off the 2023 season in style, leading Sunday's GP Bikes Pro Superbike race from start to finish at Shannonville Motorsport Park ahead of newly crowned 2023 CSBK champion Ben Young (1) in second and Trevor Dion (20) in third. Jordan Szoke (101) finished fourth. Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Tremblay wins again, MacKay secures Sport Bike title in finale at SMP
Shannonville, ON – A tough weekend ended on a much happier tone for Alex Dumas, as he closed out the year with a start-to-finish victory in race three of the GP Bikes Pro Superbike class at the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship finale at Shannonville Motorsport Park.
With nothing but pride and stats left to play for in the last race of the year after the Canada Cup and Constructors Championship were clinched on Saturday, Dumas jumped out to an early lead on lap one and paced an exciting four-rider battle for majority of the contest, holding off champion Ben Young the entire way.
The victory was dominant but hardly easy, as Young followed close behind his rival for all 14 laps while both outlasted an early assault from Trevor Dion and Jordan Szoke.
Though the victory won’t make Dumas forget the crash that ruined his championship hopes on Friday, the Purple Skull Brewing/Liqui Moly Suzuki rider showed plenty of excitement – and perhaps relief – as he ended the weekend with a win.
“It’s been a hard weekend. Not at all the weekend we wanted, so it’s good to at least end it on a high note,” an emotional Dumas said. “I have to thank the team for putting together a really good program, and one that didn’t plan on being second. But it’s always nice to win the last race of the season, so now we’ll see what we can do next year.”
Dumas was back to his usual self on Sunday after an uncharacteristic stretch of rough performances, earning back some momentum he hopes will carry over into 2024.
As for Young, it was a quiet end to his spectacular 2023 comeback, making no attempt at an overtake as he followed Dumas start-to-finish to claim second. The Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW star didn’t necessarily need to add anything to his season resumé, though, after scoring five consecutive victories to clinch the championship on Saturday.
“Alex rode incredible today, and we knew he was going to be strong, so I didn’t really want to end the year by throwing myself down the road,” Young laughed. “We got what we came here for, so it was just risk vs reward today.”
While Dumas has made no illusions about his future, committing to his goal of recapturing the Canada Cup, the same cannot be said of Young after the three-time champ was coy about his 2024 plans.
“We’ll see. It’s tough to say, because there’s a lot more that goes on behind the scenes than people realize, but we’re going to take it one step at a time,” Young said.
Regardless of what happens in the offseason, the era of Dumas vs Young already showed signs of being threatened this weekend, thanks in large part to the breakthrough performances of rookie Trevor Dion.
Piloting the Economy Lube and Tire/LDS Consultants Ducati for the first time this round, he completed the hat-trick of podiums on Sunday by claiming another third-place finish, though this was the most impressive one yet as he challenged Dumas and Young for the lead throughout the middle portion of the race.
“To finish the weekend up here on the box again is incredible, but what makes it even better is proving to myself that I can ride a Superbike at the front with these guys,” Dion said. “It’s been a tough year at times, but this Ducati has been a dream come true. I’m speechless.”
The 48-point weekend also proved to be more than enough to swing the Brooklin Cycle Racing Pro Rookie of the Year fight in his favour, as he clinched the award by moving to sixth in the overall championship, 17 points clear of John Fraser and Paul Macdonell.
Dion’s latest performance came after an exciting early battle with Jordan Szoke, as the pair of former teammates briefly traded places a couple of times before Dion made the move stick in turn three at the halfway point.
Szoke would settle in to a spectacular fourth, though, enough to secure the same spot for him in the championship as the 14-time champion ended a resilient year with top-five finishes in each of the eight races in which he took the chequered flag – also taking home the FAST School Hard Charger award for his efforts on Sunday.
The Canadian Kawasaki rider is expected to return for a 25th season in the Superbike class after celebrating his 150th career feature class race on Sunday, but admitted it’s not as guaranteed as years past.
“I’m an old racer still trying to make it happen,” Szoke joked. “I feel like I’m riding well, and it’s been a great end to the year for me. We’re taking some positive turns for 2024, so we’ll see how things go in the next few months.”
Rounding out the top-five for another day in a row was Sam Guerin, who this time avoided any setbacks on the back-straightaway but was caught up in another familiar battle with Trevor Daley.
Guerin managed to retaliate on Daley’s last-lap pass in the hairpin and put his EFC Group BMW fifth, a discreet end to his spectacular season as he finishes third in the championship, while Daley put in another superhuman effort to salvage sixth despite riding with a broken femur on his OneSpeed Suzuki.
Paul Macdonell would wind up seventh and add a bit of hardware to end the day, helping earn the Team of the Year award for the Acme Motorsports Yamaha crew in his first CSBK season.
The feature class will now get a deserved break as they enter the 2023-24 offseason, one that could be full of changes amongst the Pro Superbike stars following a wild and thrilling Bridgestone CSBK campaign.
Full results from the entire season can now be found on the series’ official website at CSBK.ca.
Sebastien Tremblay (24) won Sunday's shortened Pro Sport Bike race over Matt Simpson (91) as the CSBK season wrapped up this weekend at Shannonville Motorsport Park. Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Tremblay wins again, MacKay secures Sport Bike title in finale at SMP
Shannonville, ON – The wait for David MacKay’s first national title is finally over, as he officially wrapped up the Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike championship in the last day of the Bridgestone CSBK season at Shannonville Motorsport Park on Sunday.
MacKay needed only to finish 14th or higher to seal the middleweight trophy, but there were still some nervous faces in the ODH Snow City Cycle Kawasaki team as title rival Matt Simpson took the lead on lap one and MacKay faded into a six-rider battle for second.
The concern was short-lived, though, as race one winner Sebastien Tremblay hunted down Simpson and snatched the race lead just as MacKay allowed a trio of riders through to settle into a more comfortable gap.
Simpson had just started to lose touch with Tremblay and come under fire from Elliot Vieira and Brad Macrae when a crash further down the order brought out the red flag, with MacKay fifth at the time of the stoppage.
That would prove to be the final result, as the race did not restart and Tremblay scored the victory, but the real celebrations would begin in MacKay’s pits as he clinched the only thing left missing from his impressive Sport Bike resumé after finishing as the title runner-up in each of the last two years.
“This is a long time coming. Long overdue,” MacKay said. “Every year this is the goal, but to finally accomplish it is a once in a lifetime feeling. Now we just get to celebrate!”
The long-time Sport Bike frontrunner wouldn’t confirm anything as he soaked in the moment, but left a slight hint about his future as many expect him to graduate to the feature Pro Superbike class instead of defending his #1 plate in 2024.
“So many people helped make this possible, so I’m happy to reward them and now we can move on to even bigger and better things,” MacKay said.
2023 Liqui Moly Pro Sport Bike Champion David MacKay. Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy CSBK.
The trophy celebration overshadowed what was another incredible performance from Tremblay, who ended the year in red-hot form with a third consecutive victory and second in a row aboard the revamped Turcotte Performance Suzuki GSX-R750.
“It was a tough battle for me, as again I did not get a great start, but I was able to gradually fight my way through as the race went on,” Tremblay said. “It’s been a great weekend for us. Unfortunate to end it on a red flag, but happy to showcase an awesome bike in the 750.”
The win – the 12th of his Sport Bike career – also moves Tremblay one clear of Kenny Riedmann (who was in attendance at SMP) for fifth on the category’s all-time list, while he ties MacKay for tenth on the all-time podium list as well.
While Simpson’s title hopes were struck down in the last race of the year, the Blackstock Motorsports Yamaha rider was happy to end his breakout season on the podium in second as he builds towards another potential title challenge in 2024.
“We knew it would be hard to make the points up, but it’s been a great fight with David all year so we tried our best, and congrats to him,” Simpson said. “It’s obviously a bummer, but to come home second today and in the championship makes us pretty happy for the season.”
Completing the podium was Vieira, who continued his own streak of four consecutive podiums as he continues to come to grips with his GP Bikes Ducati.
“It hasn’t really been the year we wanted, but we’re glad to be up on the podium here again today,” Vieira said. “The bike is handling really well and we’re starting to get in a groove, so hopefully it can continue next year.”
The Suzuki-Yamaha-Ducati lineup on the podium means that Kawasaki’s record-breaking streak of 34 consecutive races on the box will finally end, a stretch dating back to St-Eustache in 2018, though they aren’t likely to lose sleep over it after MacKay helped secure the brands 15th Sport Bike crown and third in a row.
Just missing the podium was Macrae, who put all kinds of pressure on Vieira and briefly got past the Ducati rider before the red flag came out, leaving the Colron Excavating Yamaha team seventh in the final standings.
Double-amateur champion Mavrick Cyr was a notable star early in his pro debut, choosing to leave the amateur ranks early after clinching both titles on Saturday. The 18-year-old Rizzin Racing Triumph rider worked his way as high as sixth in the opening laps and in the podium mix before settling into a strong ninth in his maiden appearance.
2023 Bickle Racing Pro Twins Champion Andrew Van Winkle. Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Another teenager who enjoyed a fantastic day was Andrew Van Winkle, who became the youngest pro champion in CSBK history by winning the Bickle Racing Pro Twins class race.
The 16-year-old FD Racing Suzuki star didn’t even need to enter on Sunday as he was four points clear of the injured and absent Jeff Williams, but added an exclamation point to his sensational year by beating veteran Hans Van Sleuwen as he celebrated the historic title from the top of the box.
“It was a hard few laps, and I actually had a few scary moments out there, but I’m up here to talk about it so it ended up okay,” he joked. “I’m really happy to win the race as well and excited to bring home the #1 plate.”
The Chilliwack, BC phenom said he was undecided on whether or not he would defend that championship, with a possible move to the front of the Sport Bike class on the horizon for the inaugural Twins champion.
The full results from Sunday’s final day of the Sport Bike and Twins season can be found on the series’ official website at CSBK.ca.
BOL D’OR BEST FOR YOSHIMURA SERT AS YART HOLDS ON FOR EWC TITLE GLORY
Yoshimura SERT Motul (12) won the Bol d’Or 24-hour FIM Endurance World Championship race. Photo courtesy FIM EWC.
*Suzuki-powered squad wins epic FIM Endurance World Championship season finale
*Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team lands overall EWC title joy in tense finish
*FIM Endurance World Cup goes to Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda after late drama
*Honda Viltaïs Racing beats BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team to runner-up spot
*Five motorcycle manufacturers in the top five underlines competitiveness of EWC
For immediate release (17 September 2023): Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team is the winner of the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship following a tense climax to the season at Circuit Paul Ricard this afternoon as Yoshimura SERT Motul won the 86th Bol d’Or.
Austria-based YART was one of six teams in EWC title contention starting the legendary 24-hour event, but it endured a nervy conclusion to the race due to a temperature issue that forced the team to make multiple pit stops for running repairs.
With defending champion F.C.C. TSR Honda France retiring at 03h30 following a technical failure and the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team dropping out of the lead fight due to two unscheduled pit visits, YART essentially needed a top-nine Formula EWC finish to secure the EWC’s biggest prize.
Running with a special livery to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Yamaha R1, the Bridgestone-equipped YART trio of Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz and Karel Hanika rode faultlessly, eventually finishing in fourth position to secure EWC gold, having held the race lead on numerous occasions.
“The team did an amazing job, I’m really proud of them and my team-mates were riding superbly,” said Czech Hanika, whose Yamaha was fully functioning at the finish. “Big thanks to Yamaha for this opportunity. Every rider participates in this championship because they want to win and that’s why we are here trying to do our best.”
Having experienced a season of more lows than highs, Yoshimura SERT Motul was determined to end the 2023 campaign on top of a race that would mark Sylvain Guintoli’s final EWC outing with Suzuki power. Despite Gregg Black and Étienne Masson competing as a duo for the final nine hours after Guintoli fell ill, Yoshimura SERT Motul triumphed by a clear margin. That was despite Black being one of eight riders to fall on oil at the end of the Mistral Straight this morning, which triggered a lengthy safety car period.
“It’s incredible,” said UK-born, France-based Black. “We’ve had a pretty hard season but we’ve been performing, so to finish the season like this with this result is just incredible. The team did a great job, my team-mates also. It was a hard one but we got it and we got the pace and we could win the Bol d’Or. We’re really happy.”
Honda Viltaïs Racing couldn’t quite repeat its Bol d’Or-winning heroics from 2022 but it did secure a season-best second as riders Florian Alt, Steven Odenaal and event rookie Leandro Mercado impressed on the Pirelli-shod #333 machine. BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, featuring Jérémy Guarnoni, Illya Mykhalchyk and Markus Reiterberger, completed the podium, its third top-three finish of the year.
Team Kawasaki Webike Trickstar moved into fifth behind Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team when TATI Team Beringer Racing dropped out earlier this morning. The Kawasaki-powered TATI outfit had enjoyed a brief stint in the lead during the opening hour when it capitalised on its decision to use intermediate tyres for the rapidly drying conditions.
Having taken the coveted EWC crown at Circuit Paul Ricard 12 months ago, F.C.C. TSR Honda France hit trouble shortly before 3am when Mike Di Meglio was forced to push the #1 Honda after it stopped at the entrance to the pitlane. Despite its best efforts, the team was forced to retire with a terminal technical issue at 03h26. Along with team-mates Josh Hook and Alan Techer, Di Meglio knew hopes of another EWC title would be salvaged if its main rivals also stopped. In the event, it was a frustrating finish to an otherwise strong season.
Maco Racing Team beat Team LRP Poland to sixth place among the Formula EWC squads with Team Bolliger Switzerland, Moto-Ain and KM99 next up. Belgian outfit KM99, making its Bol d’Or debut, was in the top five when an electrical issue struck at 01h25.
Wójcik Racing Team’s #77 dropped out shortly after eight hours having been delayed by an electronic issue early in the race. Motobox Kremer Racing spent six minutes repairing its Yamaha after Christian Napoli was caught up in the multi-bike accident at Signes Corner.
Chas Davies stopped from the lead battle with 40 minutes of the race run to hand over to Xavi Forés. But his replacement was soon in trouble after a collision at the final corner left the Spaniard limping to the side of the track and his Ducati Pingale V4R suffering terminal damage. The incident led to an early safety car intervention.
DELIGHT FOR CHROMEBURNER-RAC41-HONDA, DESPAIR FOR NATIONAL MOTOS
There was Dunlop Superstock Trophy delight for Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda but despair for National Motos Honda, which lost the Bol d’Or category win and the FIM Endurance World Cup for Teams in the final hour after a technical fault struck.
Swiss brothers Sébastien and Valentin Suchet, plus Frenchman Guillaume Raymond were on course for double delight at Circuit Paul Ricard but their late heartache let in Kawasaki-powered Team 33 Louit April Moto for the race victory and Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda for the Superstock title.
Team 18 Sapeurs Pompiers CMS Motostore took third behind Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda with Pitlane Endurance – JP3 fourth, BMRT 3D Maxxess Nevers fifth and Wójcik Racing Team sixth followed by 3ART Best of Bike. OG Motorsport World Endurance Team was in third but slipped back as TRT27 Bazar 2 La Bécane also showed strong early form.
Having started the Bol d’Or in contention for Dunlop Superstock Trophy honours, Honda No Limits and Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team dropped out in the opening stages. The former was eliminated in a collision, while Kenny Foray had covered a little more than 30 minutes when engine failure forced the #9 into retirement. ADSS 97, Falcon Racing and Slider Endurance were also unable to go the distance.
More, from a press release issued by FIM:
Update following FIM EWC Bol d’Or
During the Post-Race Technical Inspection on 17 September following the 86th Bol d’Or Endurance Race, the motorcycle n°41 (Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda), which finished in seventh position, was subjected to a fuel tank capacity control by the FIM Technical Directors.
The control recorded a fuel tank overcapacity in contravention of article 2.7.6.10 of the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship and Cup Regulations.
As is required, additional fuel tank capacity controls were conducted with a fuel tank overcapacity also recorded.
The FIM EWC Stewards Panel convened to consider the evidence provided by the FIM Technical Directors and declared motorcycle n°41 did not conform to the 2023 FIM Endurance World Championship and Cup Regulations and disqualified motorcycle n°41 from the results of the 86th Bol d’Or Endurance Race.
Chromeburner-RAC41-Honda did not appeal the decision of the FIM EWC Stewards Panel.
As such, the decision to disqualify motorcycle n°41 has been upheld and the positions of all other finishers will be reclassified, while points will be reallocated to the eligible finishers.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
0.5 point separates Irwin and Bridewell in title fight after intense Oulton Park
Tommy Bridewell (46) leads Glenn Irwin (2) and the rest of the British Superbike field at Oulton Park. Photo courtesy MSVR.
The BeerMonster Ducati team celebrated an emotionally charged treble victory at Oulton Park at an intense opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship Showdown meaning that just 0.5 point separates Glenn Irwin and Tommy Bridewell ahead of the penultimate round at Donington Park.
Irwin had kicked off the weekend with a victory in yesterday’s BikeSocial Sprint Race, dedicating the win to Team Owner Paul Bird who sadly passed away earlier this month, as the BeerMonster Ducati teammates fight to secure PBM’s ninth title at Brands Hatch in October.
In a dramatic second race of the weekend, Irwin was awarded the victory after his BeerMonster Ducati teammate was penalised for unsafe conduct under the Safety Car, dropping him to sixth place.
The pair had been duelling during the race, with the pair trading places for the lead. Bridewell held the advantage until Storm Stacey crashed out and the BMW Safety Car was deployed.
On the restart, Bridewell concertinaed the pack, forcing several riders to take evasive action to avoid crashing and he was issued a long lap penalty for unsafe conduct under the Safety Car.
Bridewell crossed the line just ahead of Irwin, but his time penalty dropped him to sixth place in the final result. The penalty promoted Lee Jackson into second place as he claimed his second podium finish of the weekend just ahead of Kyle Ryde on the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha.
In race three, Bridewell fought to claim the final race win of the weekend, holding off Irwin who claimed second place ahead of Jackson. Irwin’s strong performance has seen him surge ahead in the standings, having overhauled Bridewell’s 14.5-point advantage before the Showdown with six races now remaining to decide the 2023 champion.
The Oulton Park weekend featured five different riders on the podium representing four different manufacturers, with Irwin and Bridewell sharing the podium with Jackson, Ryde and Leon Haslam across the three races.
As the Championship reaches the penultimate round, the top nine riders in the standings remain in mathematical contention, with a maximum of 180 points available from the final two rounds. However, the top six currently remain within the 105 point target which is required if they are to remain in title contention for the final round of the season at Brands Hatch next month.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 2 result:
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati)
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +1.823s
Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +2.056s
Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) +2.518s
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +2.584s
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +2.954s
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Ducati) +3.788s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +4.104s
Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +5.020s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +6.858s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 3 result:
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati)
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) +1.147s
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +2.107s
Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) +5.375s
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +7.655s
Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +8.182s
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Ducati) +11.099s
Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +11.110s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +14.214s
Storm Stacey (Starline Racing Kawasaki) +18.447s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 360.5
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 360
Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 300
Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) 283
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) 280.5
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 276.5
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 250
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Ducati) 222
Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 207
Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing) 122.5
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Glenn Irwin
BeerMonster Ducati
“We came here in the thick of a championship fight and I’ve been able to grab three podiums, so its been an unbelievable weekend.
“There’s been a lot emotion before we came here and I think how the entire team and everyone within the paddock have handled and been able to put on a show and go to work has been incredible.
“It pleases me a lot how the guys in the team worked and how I rode round here it’s a physical track. We all work very hard. It’s a bit of a cliché when we say we work our asses off and I guess we all do and when the team work as hard as you work, if not harder, you get results and reap the reward.
“The championship lead is nice, it’s always a nice position to be in. It’s certainly better than where it was nine races ago when I was 38.5 points behind. We still have that one additional DNF so to be in the lead, pretty much all square with the extra DNF is something that pleases me a lot.
“Hats off to Tommy [Bridewell] he rode a great last race. We were holding the pace up, both of us for sure purely for energy. You can go banzai round here but the other guy usually comes with you anyway so his last couple of laps were really, really strong. I was working hard but I’d seen at Cadwell when I was trying to push him he nearly made a mistake on the last lap as did I – so close to losing a lot of points.
“I got plus 1.3s I think with two [laps] to go and I was beat fair and square in the race at that point and it was bring home the 22 points. I honestly didn’t expect to overhaul 15 points this weekend, it’s been great. Fair play to the rest of the guys I shared the podium with this weekend because there has been some enjoyable racing.
“I haven’t’ watched any of it and I look forward to getting home tonight, grab a Chinese, and then do the school run in the morning. I have a lot to be grateful for. And how can you not enjoy four wins and two seconds in your last six races?”
New rider line-up for team Accolade Smrz Racing BGR once again. Chris Clark will race alongside Perez Gonzalez in Aragon
Team Accolade Smrz Racing BGR will race the final two rounds of the 2023 World Supersport 300 championship with a new rider line-up. Maxim Repak’s condition, following his injury, won’t allow the young rider from Slovakia to return to racing for the remainder of the season. Levi Badie, who replaced him in Magny Cours, France, cannot participate in Aragon due to other commitments. The Czech team of Jakub Smrž was therefore forced to look for another talented rider. It will be Chris Clark from USA, only 16 years old, who will get the opportunity to measure his talent against other protagonists of the world championship in Aragon, 22-24 September.
Chris Clark: “I am so excited to announce that I will be racing in the world championship at Aragon with team Accolade Smrz Racing BGR. This is an amazing opportunity for me and I want to thank all of my sponsors and Jakub Smrž for allowing me to join the team at Aragon. I am so excited to have the chance to learn from and ride with a team that has so much experience.”
Jakub Smrž (team manager): “Max will not ride for the remainder of the season and Levi has a race in Moto America, which coincides with Aragon. So we had to find another replacement rider. The plan was that Levi would return for Portimao but it is not possible to change riders so much without a proper reason, so Chris will also do the last race of the season. It will be a new challenge again but Chris is very promising and he has the right physique for a 300 machine.“
It was Alex Dumas (23) who grabbed the holeshot and led most of Saturday's Superbike race two at Shannonville Motorsport Park. Ben Young (1) took the lead on the last lap and went on to win the race, clinching the 2023 CSBK championship in the process. Trevor Dion (20) was third. Photo by Rob O'Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Young clinches third CSBK title after last-lap pass on Dumas
2023 Bridgestone CSBK Champion Ben Young. Photo by Rob O’Brien, courtesy CSBK.
Shannonville, ON – For the first time in a half-decade, the Canada Cup is staying with its owner.
Ben Young officially retained his #1 plate on Saturday, winning race two at Shannonville Motorsport Park to clinch the GP Bikes Pro Superbike class in the final round of the Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship.
It originally looked as though the title fight would at least proceed onto Sunday, as Alex Dumas grabbed the holeshot and led virtually from start-to-finish with Young settling into a comfortable second, needing to gain four points on Dumas in order to clinch.
His pace began to ramp up dramatically in the final few laps, however, and the gap continued to drop as Young reeled in Dumas, pressuring him but still not showing any indication he would take the risk of passing his rival.
That all changed on the final lap, though, as Young launched a daring move into turn four – the same place where Dumas crashed out a day ago – and held off a pair of retaliation attempts to steal a fifth consecutive victory and wrap up his third overall CSBK championship.
“I was pursuing Alex all race, and he was really pushing me to my limit. A few times I even caught myself wondering if I should back off a bit and settle into second, but I was stronger on the brakes so I just put my head down and went for it,” Young said.
This trophy had a bit more meaning for the Van Dolder’s Home Team BMW squad, however, as Young admitted the narrative around his 2022 title fueled him to push for the win even if he didn’t necessarily need to for the points spread.
“Some people thought that we only won the championship last year because Alex crashed in AMP, so to prove that wrong even after all the bad luck we’ve had feels really special,” Young said. “But it’s been a great year battling him, and it took a great bike and a great team behind me to make it happen.”
The loss served as an exclamation point on what’s been a disastrous five-race stretch for Dumas, seeing his 36-point lead entering CTMP swing to a 28-point deficit entering the final race of the year.
The Purple Skull Brewing/Liqui Moly Suzuki rider was understandably frustrated at how the weekend has played out thus far, but will have an opportunity to at least end the year on a high note and build towards a fresh championship challenge in 2024.
“I tried to just get away early and to be honest I felt really comfortable, but Ben got by me in turn four and I think after the crash there yesterday and after leading every lap, I just was mentally drained,” Dumas said. “Congrats to Ben. It’s tough to lose another championship, but hopefully we can win it back in the years to come.”
The duo were once again clear of the pack by the end, but it didn’t start out that way as a pack of six ran together for majority of the opening five laps. That shuffling produced a very similar scenario to race one, though, as Sam Guerin again ran wide off the back straight and slipped out of the podium fight.
Instead the last podium place went to Trevor Dion, who continued his sensational debut weekend with the Economy Lube and Tire Ducati team with a third-place finish. That came at the expense of his former teammate Jordan Szoke, who Dion battled with throughout the race as the two put on a show to end the day.
“It’s been a phenomenal weekend. Such a hard-fought race today again, in the end we put it to Jordan but he ran a great race and didn’t make it easy at all,” Dion said. “He was faster than me in some places, but there were a lot of areas we had more speed too so I just wanted to put this Ducati into the podium and put my head down.”
Szoke was forced to settle for fourth, but continued what’s been perhaps his strongest weekend of the year after taking second-place on Friday aboard one of the Canadian Kawasaki machines.
The split between he and Dion has thus far been good for all parties involved, with the two both enjoying great weekends while Dion’s replacement – rookie Connor Campbell – continued to turn heads by finishing seventh in just his second-ever race aboard the Canadian Kawasaki superbike.
That performance earned him the FAST School Hard Charger Award on the day and a $500 prize to go with it, as he earns his place as one of the breakout stars of the final round.
Guerin’s crucial early mistake did knock him out of podium contention yet again but wasn’t enough to delay any celebration for BMW, as they also successfully defended their Constructors Championship in 2023.
The Motorrad brand celebrated their second consecutive crown with one race to go, and had Guerin join Young on the podium to accept the awards after the EFC Group rider’s heroics in round four at CTMP.
Tremblay wins in Sport Bike, MacKay inches closer to title
The other pro championships won’t have to wait long to be decided, after David MacKay and Andrew Van Winkle each moved closer to trophies on Saturday.
MacKay was only at the front for a single lap before Sebastien Tremblay took over a lead he wouldn’t relinquish, as the Turcotte Performance Suzuki rider looked nearly unstoppable in the debut of the revamped GSX-750.
The only rider who came close to ruining that debut was pole-sitter Brad Macrae, who overcame a mediocre start to hunt down Tremblay and put all kinds of pressure on the 2021 champion.
Unfortunately, Macrae would crash out just as he prepared an attack for the win, allowing a charging Elliot Vieira into second and MacKay back onto the podium in third as he extends his title advantage to 25 points over rival Matt Simpson – who was in the lead fight early but ran off the back straight early and could only fight back to fifth.
While MacKay was thrilled to extend his advantage, the star of the individual race was undoubtedly Tremblay who has now reeled off consecutive victories.
“I didn’t get a great start, but I followed for a lap and a half or so and then managed to get ahead of David. Brad made it super tough on me after that, but unfortunately he crashed out and I was able to relax a bit more again,” Tremblay said. “The 750 is really strong. We have some issues still to work through, but hopefully it can be even a bit better tomorrow.”
Vieira continued his red-hot second half of the season in second, putting the GP Bikes Ducati on the box for the fourth time in five races, though MacKay was happy to see him and Tremblay as the only two ahead of him.
“Our gameplan went exactly how we could have hoped,” MacKay said. “It was nice to get the holeshot and lead for a while, but we’re super happy with where we are. We did exactly what we needed to do for tomorrow.”
Simpson will need a miracle to overcome his 25-point deficit with only 27 points remaining, but has already turned his focus to adding a win to close out the year and taking whatever fortune comes afterwards.
As for Van Winkle, the 16-year-old phenom moved closer to securing a historic Bickle Racing Pro Twins title, winning for the first time in his national career at an opportune time as he takes over the championship lead from the injured Jeff Williams.
Van Winkle hasn’t mathematically clinched, but needs just to finish on Sunday to bring home the record-breaking title, which would make him the youngest pro champion ever.
“I just want to keep it on two wheels and clinch it, but we’re going to play it safe because you never know what can happen,” Van Winkle said. “It’s nice to be able to follow some of these Sport Bike guys and learn as much as possible, but hopefully we can bring it all home tomorrow.”
Full results from the penultimate day of the CSBK season can be found on the series’ official website.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Irwin wins emotional opening race at Oulton Park
Glenn Irwin won an emotional opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship BikeSocial Sprint race at Oulton Park, withstanding race-long pressure from his teammate and title rival Tommy Bridewell, who made a costly mistake on the final lap which dropped him to fourth place.
The BeerMonster Ducati teammates arrived at Oulton Park for the Showdown determined to continue the legacy of PBM Team Owner Paul Bird, who sadly passed away earlier this month.
The pair continued their bid for a ninth title for the team by snatching the leading two positions on the opening lap of the BikeSocial Sprint Race ahead of Kyle Ryde, Storm Stacey, Leon Haslam and Lee Jackson.
Stacey crashed out on the opening lap unhurt at Lodge, but Haslam and Jackson had soon moved ahead of Ryde as he shadowed the BeerMonster Ducatis, led by Irwin.
Irwin held the lead until the final lap when Bridewell grabbed the lead at Cascades with the pair side-by-side and nothing between them. Irwin and Jackson were in close contention, with Irwin regaining the lead at Island Bend.
Bridewell remained determined and he was within striking distance of Irwin, but he made a costly mistake into Hislops Chicane for the final time, outbraking himself to run on and he was forced to rejoin in fourth place.
Irwin took the chequered flag to claim an emotional victory for the team, with Jackson just 0.390s adrift and Haslam returning to the podium in Cheshire.
Bridewell’s fourth place means the advantage at the top of the standings was halved, with now just 7.5 points between the teammates. Josh Brookes was fifth as he was able to move ahead of Ryde and Christian Iddon.
Jason O’Halloran was eighth on the McAMS Yamaha with Peter Hickman and Charlie Nesbitt completing the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, BikeSocial Sprint Race:
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati)
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +0.390s
Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) +1.085s
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +2.148s
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +5.975s
Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +6.215s
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Ducati) +6.746s
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +10.169s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +20.237s
Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing) +20.277s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship Standings:
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 321
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 313.5
Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 266
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 258.5
Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) 247
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) 238.5
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 218
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Ducati) 198
Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 189
Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Racing Yamaha) 116
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Glenn Irwin. Photo courtesy MSVR.
Glenn Irwin
BeerMonster Ducati
“We have to come and do our job and I feel like not just me, but as an entire team and Tommy [Bridewell] as well, we’ve done that all weekend.
“My bike was very, very good in that race. There are always areas to improve in racing but we will keep focusing on ourselves.
“I feel ready, I’ve said all year that I do feel like this is the year. I understand people feeling pressure, but it’s not there at the minute. I’m really, really enjoying my racing.
“I didn’t know what happened on the last lap, so thanks Tommy for not taking me out. It was quite close but seven and a half points now is better than 14 and a half it was before.
“Well done to all the boys as well. And obviously, that’s for the Birdman.”
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