Adrian Huertas topped World Supersport Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at the Imola circuit, in Italy. Riding his MTM Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, the Spaniard lapped the 3.0-mile (4.9 km) course in 1:52.010 to lead the field of 32 riders.
Former MotoAmerica regular Valentin Debise was ninth in FP1 with a time of 1:53.419 on his GMT94 Yamaha YZF-R6.
WSS FP1
Toprak Razgatlioglu was the fastest rider during World Superbike Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Imola, in Italy. Riding his Pata Yamaha Prometeon YZF-R1, the Turkish rider lapped the 3.0-mile (4.9 km) road course in 1:47.661 to lead the field of 25 riders.
Six-time World Champion Jonathan Rea was the best of the rest with a 1:47.664 on his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR.
Alvaro Bautista, the current Championship point leader, was third-quickest with a 1:47.691 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Riding at Imola for the first time ever, American Garrett Gerloff was P9 and the top BMW rider with a 1:48.694 on his Bonovo Action BMW M 1000 RR.
WSBK FP1
… and we’re off! MotoGP™ gets first taste of 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Pol returns, some Legends saddle up and the first batch of bikes heads up The Hill
Thursday, 13 July 2023
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is go and MotoGP™ has already blasted up The Hill with some star-studded machinery both past and present. As part of an incredible batch of vehicles giving a tantalising taster of what’s in store over the weekend, the first run saw some Legends and heroes of the now share the famous hillclimb.
On Thursday, one big highlight saw Pol Espargaro reunited with his RC16 as the GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 rider got his first taste of a MotoGP™ machine for some time. And the smile was big as ever!
The MotoGP™ contingent was sizeable even on Day 1, with Espargaro joined by test rider and wildcard extraordinaire Michele Pirro out for Ducati Lenovo Team, Mika Kallio representing for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Lorenzo Savadori on the Aprilia Racing RS-GP, fresh from his own wildcard at the TT Circuit Assen.
The Legends corner comprised two very familiar faces on Thursday too as Kenny Roberts Jr headed up The Hill, joined by compatriot and fellow MotoGP™ Legend Randy Mamola. The two finished the run side-by-side, or almost, as Mamola kept it pinned to just pip past the fellow Suzuki at the finish line. Dakota Mamola made it a family affair too, at the helm of an LCR Honda Castrol-liveried Honda.
And that’s just the start! There’s plenty more to come across the weekend, including Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), teammate Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3’s Augusto Fernandez, CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team’s Miguel Oliveira & Raul Fernandez, and some huge Legends who are yet to saddle up: Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Gardner and Alex Crivillé.
WHERE TO FIND US & HOW TO WATCH
On site, the MotoGP™ delegation is based in the Ballroom Paddock near the Drivers’ Club – the perfect showcase to allow fans an awesome overview of the teams prepping the machines. And if you can’t make it? We have incredible coverage of the event.
MotoGP™’s hillclimb action is live streamed on motogp.com, making sure fans around the world can get involved in this unique celebration of the sport. There’s also a selection of photos and round-ups of the action each day of the festival, so make sure to come back for more tomorrow!
QUOTES
POL ESPARGARO, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3: “It’s short! Going up it’s short but it’s so enjoyable to ride the bike, and see the technology of the moment and the oldest ones, the motorbikes and the cars, it’s super nice.
“It’s great to catch up with fans after those months at home, recovering from the injury from Portimao, but I want to be back to normality again! No more time talking about the injury, I understand people want to know when I’ll be back, but I really want to come back, to get back to normality, start to work with the team, get the speed back and fight with these guys! I’m waiting for it.
“Just to hear the engine, open the throttle and feel… how strong is this engine! It’s just insane. It’s something where you lose this feeling when you’re at home for so much time. I’m training on 1000cc bikes that everyone can buy, and the difference is huge. Massive! You understand how much when you’ve stopped for some months and you jump back on this kind of bike. It’s something crazy. I’m looking forward to getting back up to speed and enjoying it again with my GASGAS guys in the box.
“The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya gave me a spot to ride and I really enjoyed it. It’s not on the MotoGP, but it’s a bike I can train on and more or less feel how I feel before I jump on the MotoGP bike, and really the feelings were good! For sure missing a lot of things, but as I said it will take a little bit of time when I come back but I’m really looking forward to getting back on the MotoGP bike.”
KENNY ROBERTS Jr: “It’s my first year here, me and my family arrived in England yesterday and drove down last night. It’s my first time here today, and I didn’t look at any videos or Google it… so we arrived, and it’s amazing! I couldn’t have imagined how big it is, and how involved it is. I know, for my two kids and my wife to come with me is a lot, but I couldn’t have imagined all this, to have to organise it!”
How’s the family enjoying it?
“It’s always a learning experience for the kids… so when I’m like, ‘when I tell you this, it’s cause we’ve done it’. So it’s hard to say ‘I want to go to London and go on a two storey bus’, I’m like… ‘that’s eight hours!’ But when they see this, it’s a whole different side of life. We’ve done this for 15, 20 years, travelled all over the world… and when we had chance to stop, America is huge and we’ve been able to raise the kids and travel around the US. Now they get to see Europe for the first time. They’ve been to Japan, Palau, the 48 lower states. They like the way people speak proper English here! They’re enjoying it and it’s fun.”
The run and the bike:
“I was trying to find neutral and first and second, we’re going to make some changes. You know every rider, we have to make changes and blame everything on the bike! But the gearing we’re going to make a little shorter, and tomorrow I know the direction a bit so it’ll be a little more fun! I just hope the weather’s nice.”
On talking to the current riders:
“It’s the same language. The technology they have now, compared to us, limits them in ways we were limited from tyres, chassis, the feel from the bike. We weren’t so precise with computers and understanding, but we knew there was limitations from the rider. They now can recognise the limitations and attack one area… so let’s say now you concentrate on front tyre pressure, how do you get around that problem. We didn’t know about a lot of that. When we had one day or one session from the next with conditions hotter that we didn’t understand… now they can say ‘this is why’. We had to just rely on the rider. So we were the computer back in the day! If we were given information we didn’t quite understand, it was difficult to find out what was happening.”
About the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard
First staged in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motorsport take part along with legendary figures from the automotive world. Highlights include Future Lab presented by Randox, Electric Avenue presented by bp pulse, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 Pit Lane presented by Sky, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance and Bonhams Auction.
About MotoGP™ & Dorna Sports
The FIM Grand Prix World Championship, MotoGP™, is the world’s most exciting motorsport. 22 of the fastest riders compete on purpose-built prototype motorcycles on some of the world’s greatest racetracks, creating one of the most thrilling shows on Earth. Since it was inaugurated in 1949, the sport has grown to comprise 20 Grands Prix across five continents, with the television broadcast reaching hundreds of millions around the world.
Dorna Sports became the sole commercial and television rights holder of the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship in 1991. Based in Madrid, Spain, with premises in Barcelona and a subsidiary in Rome, the Dorna Group is a leader in sports management, marketing and media, and has seen continued growth over the years; expanding from solely MotoGP™ to include other leading motorcycle racing championships across the globe.
Outspoken ahead of Imola
A busy day for WorldSBK as our return to Imola headlines, but 2024 seats remain crucial with lots of major players still yet to put pen to paper
Round 7 of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has arrived and the media day for the Championship gave plenty of major talking points before a wheel had even been turned. From declarations about 2024 to hoping to indulge in some Imola success, we caught up with the main stars of the show and got their thoughts about how the weekend could shape up and how 2024’s grid will eventually shake out.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “The only expectations that we can have for this weekend are battles!”
“It’s another important round for Ducati because it’s their second home round. It’s an important weekend for me as I don’t have a lot of experience in this track. I just raced here once, in 2019, and it was hard because we had to cancel Race 2 due to the weather. I have good memories of the track; the layout is really nice. There are no expectations because we have to build up the references and the feeling with the bike at this track. It was the same as I said at Donington. I think Donington, Imola and Most are the three most difficult races for us. We have to be thinking step by step. It’s difficult to make some expectations because it’s like we start from zero. The important thing is to find the feeling that I had at Donington or other tracks. I’m sure that if we can get that feeling, I can be competitive. This is a track that we saw many battles in the past. The only expectation that we can have for this weekend are battles. I don’t know whether it’ll be for the win or the podium or other positions but there will be battles because there are a lot of points for overtaking. The way to approach the weekend is basically the same. We must be more careful with the gearing because, in the end, it’s the most critical. We have to try to understand which areas we lose more in and try to work more in those areas.”
Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “I think on Sunday, there’ll be an announcement of where I’m going”
“This is a place that I want to have fun at. The track looks so iconic and there’s a lot of history here; I did a couple of laps with the bicycle last night and I had goosebumps. A motorcycle could always be different but it just looks amazing. The trees, buildings, up and downs, I’m really excited to go and ride this track. It’d be nice if the bike was nice to me this weekend and I didn’t have to focus so much on the settings and I could just focus on riding the track. I think on Sunday, there’ll be an announcement of where I’m going and what I’m doing for 2024.”
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “I know the tricks of the trade around here”
“I’m really excited to be back here! It always brings back fond memories; I have had some great races here. It’s a unique part of the world to race in a park, with the undulations and it’s steeped in history. Our track record here has been quite good too. My favourite sector at Imola… it’s hard to give just one! The most iconic part is the drop down from Piratella into Acque Minerali, and then the jump out of there. It’s so difficult to master but when you get as close to perfect as possible, it’s an amazing feeling. You accelerate out of there, uphill and it’s really hard, fighting with the bike. Imola is about having a bike that is easy to ride but that stops very well; we’re stopping really hard in three or four areas of the track. We know we can be stronger here than the first part of the year, to fight for podiums is the minimum we can aim for. I know a few tricks of the trade round here. It’s hard to know whether to go back to our 2019 setting or our current setup.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK): “I’m only looking at Jonny… I hope we fight for the win”
“I’m very excited to come back to Imola. I remember 2019, I have good memories here as I took a podium. In 2015, I had a big fight with Caricasulo in Stock 600! My goal is to fight for the win again. Jonny is normally very strong here. I hope we are fighting with him; I am only looking at Jonny. Also, I think Alvaro will improve this year as the bike has changed a lot. He will be very strong here. I hope it can be a good weekend to recover some points. This year, I’ll try to win in a long race. I hope we fight for the win.”
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team): “It would be a dream to get a podium here!”
“It’s really special because I haven’t been to Imola since 2011. However, I was already with Barni Racing and I have good memories. I can’t wait to ride again on the track again, because it’s one of the most beautiful around the world. Nothing is chosen about my future; as I said at Donington Park and at the start of 2023, I want to win a race here. I am here to do that. With Alvaro, Toprak and Jonny and others, it’s difficult. Maybe I need one more year to try and win and be more consistent in the Championship. After the podium at Donington Park, we want to repeat that performance but we will see because both at Donington Park and Misano, we had a new track surface. This time, we’ll have something a bit more normal, so it’s a good test for us to see if we can fight for the podium regularly. It would be a dream to get a podium here.”
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “We’ve been dreaming about this!”
“I’m excited for him and the team! We’re really close but to have another good team in the WorldSBK Championship is good and maybe in the future, it might even be two riders. For such a good team in Moto2™ to arrive here is only going to make the Championship stronger. Marc van der Straten is a fantastic guy and his personality will be great. On the other side, about my brother, it’s fantastic! We’ve been dreaming for a long, long time since we were kids, to race motorbikes and maybe race together one day. On a personal note, away from the track, I am so, so happy. With our current schedules, we spend a lot of time apart but to race together, travel together, it’s going to be fantastic. The team have been World Champions and Sam has won a Grand Prix just two months ago, so the level he is riding at is fantastic so we can expect him, the bike and the team to be strong.”
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “I love this track… it’s unbelievable to ride!”
“It was a hard crash at Donington Park but this morning, we decided with the doctors to at least try and ride the bike. I feel pretty good; last week, I didn’t feel too good, so we have done more examinations, especially with the head. It’s the hardest part to check and to make sure it’s in the right way for racing bikes. I feel good with the head now, the ankle is still not so good but it’s not broken, so I’ll try my best to ride the bike and get good results. I love this track and it deserves to stay on the calendar; it’s unbelievable to ride here. My best memory was when I won the STK1000 race after a strange race with two red flags, three starts and on the last one, my mechanics had to change the clutch! It was tough as they finished changing it when the pitlane was open and we only 50 seconds to exit the pitlane! About my future, I hope that there will be updates, but for the moment, the focus is to get back on the bike with a good feeling.”
By Nick Ienatsch
Two-stroke 250 GP bikes are alive and well at AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association) events but those hoping to reach the top step of the box will have to go through Ralph Staropoli.
The 59-year-old’s dominance is reminiscent of Rich Oliver in the AMA’s last few years of AMA Pro two-stroke racing. Staropoli was a new 250cc GP racer back then with a best AMA Pro national finish of seventh, but 20 years later the Coloradoan has risen to Oliver levels and that’s the highest compliment you can give in American two-stroke road racing. And it’s not just a two-stroke 250 that this guy dominates…read on.
Why This Guy?
My interest in writing about Staropoli is two-fold: First is the ultra-professional approach he has taken in his return to road racing. Staropoli, like many AHRMA racers, quit racing due to the pressures of time, money, and lack of joy…that was 1998 for Ralph…but he kept his 250 and started dabbling again a few years later.
We’ve all learned that “dabbling” in a risky endeavor isn’t a great approach and this guy rekindled the joy of motorbike racing with a methodology that rivals factory efforts, even though it’s basically a one-man show (more on that later). Certainly an inspiration for us all. In a nutshell, Staropoli’s message is, “If you’re gonna do it, do it right.” The results of this all-in approach speak for themselves.
Second is Staropoli’s motivation, the only true reason to go amateur racing: Joy. We have all felt the “garage therapy” happiness of fettling our own bikes and Ralph dove headfirst into this world, establishing international ties with two-stroke gurus and taking advantage of the ongoing evolution of two-stroke racing happening in Italy, Portugal, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
But he did more than establish ties; he educated himself on everything necessary to consistently run GP bikes at the front of the field. He’s won on his Honda RS250 and Yamaha TZ250, both built and extensively modified in his shop.
Ralph says, “I wish I knew then what I know now. Bikes have come light years since my AMA days; kit parts are available and I’ve learned how to set these bikes up. I just didn’t know back then. Now I don’t have seizures due to better knowledge and technology like exhaust-gas-temperature readings, detonation counters, and data loggers.” Staropoli does every facet of bike building for his two-strokes, including crankshaft set-up.
It would be easy for those in America to believe that two-stroke road racing development ended when World Championship 250cc Grand Prix racing switched to Moto2 with four-stroke Honda 600s in 2010. From that belief you would guess that American 250 racers were eking by with decades-old equipment. Attend an AHRMA round to see how wrong this belief is!
Staropoli also enjoys the social aspects of racing, especially with close friends like Dave Frick and Adrian Jasso, two racers who share pit areas with Staropoli and field a similar set of bikes. “When racing isn’t fun, I’ll quit,” Ralph says, but like so many of us he realizes that road racing motorcycles brings challenge and satisfaction that is difficult to find elsewhere.
Ralph went to college on a soccer sponsorship and played competitively for years. He’s a certified sky diver. As a high-level defense-industry expert he has the money to buy any fast car, boat, motorcoach… but what else combines the risk, skill, competition, amazing technology, and social aspect of two-wheeled racing?
While true challenges are getting harder to find here in America, Staropoli is looking to international racing waters again after being prevented from going across the pond by COVID. Europe’s lure is pure two-stoke events. This is noteworthy because when Staropoli races in American club events with CCS/ASRA he is often pitted against four-stroke machines that “make a lap time” much differently than a 250cc two-stroke.
More Than Two Strokes
Tucked into Staropoli’s ultra-clean pit area is a four-stroke NSF250R Honda that looks just right next to his TZ250 and RS250 because it is a Moto3 bike for the masses. This little Single has been produced since 2012; bikes and support are available through Rising Sun Cycles (rscycles.com) here in America.
“These NSFs took a while to catch on,” Staropoli tells us, “but they’re getting more and more popular. It’s a great bike right out of the box: 42 horsepower and 180 pounds, around $14,000. Most fun bike, best bike, I’ve ever been on.” High praise from a guy with one each of the best TZ250s and RS250s in the country–and some would argue in the world.
“When we got the NSFs, Stewart Aitken-Cade, Dave (Frick), Adrian (Jasso), and I agreed to keep them stock and that lasted for about a year. A really fun year. When Stewart modified his bike’s brakes I told him, ‘The dam has broken’…and now these things have gotten even better.”
If you enter the three or four AHRMA classes that the NSF fits into, bring your A-Game because in 2022 the name Staropoli was at the top of every finishing chart. That was 28 starts and 28 wins…and the streak continues in 2023.
What says Fun better than a 500cc GP bike?
Let’s just start with this: 185 horsepower and 270 pounds. Smiling yet? Those are the essential specifications of the ROC YZR500 that just entered Staropoli’s racing world in a very roundabout way.
Ralph takes over the story. “I was talking with Andy Sawford, a friend of mine in the UK, about Honda kit parts. Andy told me to contact a guy in Germany name Jorg Schollhorn. Jorg is the last 500cc National Champion. We became friends and talk four or five times a week. He mentions that an acquaintance of ours might have a 1992 ROC 500 for sale (ROC built chassis for four-cylinder Yamaha YZR500 engines).
“This acquaintance is a master craftsman, a former National Champion in several classes, has huge factory connections…a real mover in world road racing venues, building two-stroke bikes for very famous racers. He was building this ROC for himself, but came across something even better and Jorg thought that perhaps the ROC was for sale.”
It was a dream most of us share and a perfect bike for AHRMA’s Open Two-Stroke class where anything goes as long as it does the ring-ding thing.
The bike traveled from Germany to America and should be debuted at the Laguna Seca AHRMA round this coming weekend. For those of us lucky enough to be at Laguna when 500cc GP bikes shook Monterey, this ROC 500 will be another of the tremendous throw-back moments that AHRMA provides.
Sure, we’d all like to buy a former 500 GP bike but probably don’t have the available budget. But that’s not the point. The AHRMA paddock is full of this exact story, at all levels of budget. Many of us are returning to a bike we always loved, many of us are finally on a bike we always lusted for.
In my case, at about 0.0002% of Ralph’s budget, I’m rolling around on a Speedwerks FZR600, returning to a bike model that not just brings me current joy, but brought me joy 30 years ago. For Staropoli, the ROC will introduce a new challenge in preparation and riding…and that anticipated challenge is a big component of the word “happiness.” Happiness abounds in the AHRMA paddock.
The Partner
Anyone who has gone racing knows the slogging work involved. The long prep nights, the even longer drives through Texas, the unexpected problems challenges that trucks, trailers, wheel bearings, master links, bad fuel (how much time have you got?) present. Alone, these challenges can become overwhelming. Ralph recently married Sheri Mursick, a cross-fit star and true right-hand man (person?) of the Staropoli racing program.
This addition to the team brings us to a significant subject, something that Roadracing World Founder & Editor John Ulrich discussed with me. He said, “No matter what it is, there’s usually somebody in some paddock somewhere who knows all about anything you need, and will tell you what you need to know. Doctors, lawyers, great mechanics, musicians, whatever. And usually are ready to help. Motorcyclists are great.” The Hall of Famer recognizes what pulls so many back to racing and riding: The people. Mr. and Mrs. Staropoli working together to solve the puzzle of winning races will be another reason that Ralph Staropoli will continue to be a tough racer to beat.
Former journalist, photographer, TV producer, and racetrack executive Gary Van Voorhis died July 12 in a hospice facility near his home in Ormond Beach, Florida. He was 80.
Van Voorhis, a U.S. Air Force veteran, worked as an Associate Editor at Cycle News from 1975 until 1985. He then became a producer for the television show MotoWorld. After that, he spent several years employed by Daytona International Speedway (DIS), working his way up from the Communications Department to becoming the Director of Events.
Van Voorhis retired from DIS in 2006, after helping create the 3.0-mile infield road course that allowed AMA Pro Superbikes to continue racing at the facility.
He is survived by his girlfriend Lydia Hinshaw and his brother Ray Cassinari.
We will update this post as more information becomes available.
Marc VDS Racing Team raring to start new World Superbike challenge
An exciting new chapter in the illustrious history of the Marc VDS Racing Team will start in 2024, with the squad thrilled to confirm it will compete in the World Superbike Championship for the first time with Sam Lowes and Ducati.
Briton Lowes will change competition but not livery for the latest challenge in his successful career, as he prepares to move to WorldSBK to ride a Ducati Panigale V4 R.
For both Lowes and Marc VDS Racing, the switch to WorldSBK together is the continuation of a fruitful relationship that began in the 2020 Moto2 World Championship. The 32-year-old has so far collected seven wins, 15 podiums and 12 poles in the world-renowned Marc VDS Racing Team livery.
Lowes has previously raced in the WorldSBK paddock when he won the 2013 World Supersport title, and he’s determined to end his 10-year stint in the Grand Prix arena in style, starting with his home round at Silverstone in early August.
The new WorldSBK project is born with the clear goal and ambition of replicating the Marc VDS Racing Team’s stunning success in the Moto2 World Championship where it has raced to over 100 podiums and taken three world titles in 2014, 2017 and 2019.
The Marc VDS Racing Team has been a constant presence on the Moto2 grid since the new category was first introduced in 2010 and currently leads this year’s title chase with Tony Arbolino. And the squad is delighted to confirm it will continue its quest for more success in Moto2 in the 2024 season and beyond with a two-rider effort.
Marc Van Der Straten, Team Owner
“I’m delighted and ready to begin this new adventure in the World Superbike Championship. And it gives me even more pleasure to do it with our great rider, Sam Lowes. I’m also very proud to start this new adventure with Ducati, which is undoubtedly the bike to be on in WorldSBK. This opportunity for expansion comes at the perfect time. After 14 years in MotoGP, where the Marc VDS Racing Team has shown great potential, we are ready to face a new challenge.
We have competed in Moto3, Moto2, MotoGP and MotoE and won three titles. And our commitment to Moto2 remains as strong as ever and I look forward to enjoying a lot more success in the future in a class where our journey on two wheels started. Moto2 has been the platform for us to gain a wealth of experience to continue growing and replicate our achievements in another world-class championship like WorldSBK.
As this is a long-term project, we’ll be aiming to adapt quickly, so that we can get to the front of the pack as quickly as possible. It’s also a source of pride to be taking this step with Sam Lowes, a great rider who has shown what he’s capable of in Moto2, and who shares our team’s values and know-how. Finally, counting on Ducati’s experience and success completes a package that has everything to be perfect and exciting! I hope the whole Marc VDS family will be as happy as I am and that, as always, we can count on their support!”
Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati Corse Sporting Director
“We are very pleased to welcome the Marc VDS Racing Team in the Ducati family for WorldSBK 2024! Marc VDS is one of the most professional and successful structures in the Moto2 World Championship, with three world titles won, and their participation in WorldSBK next year with the highly competitive Panigale V4 R will surely add more value to the whole championship. I would like to personally thank, also on behalf of Ducati Corse, Marc Van Der Straten for his trust and commitment to this exciting new racing project together with Ducati.”
22 Sam Lowes
How excited are you to be taking on this new challenge in WorldSBK?
“I have a lot to learn with the new category including the bike, the tyres, and some new tracks. But I am very motivated and excited for this opportunity. I am very open minded and ready to adapt and learn what I need to be competitive in WorldSBK.”
What are the key factors behind this decision?
“I always had a goal to race in World Superbike and after winning the World Supersport title in 2013 it was a normal step. But I chose to try the Grand Prix paddock. I’m happy and proud that I’ve had such a good GP career, and I’ve enjoyed it a lot. But I feel now it’s a great time to move across to WorldSBK to try a different machine and learn how to ride a superbike. I also believe in myself and know I can achieve good things.”
What does it mean to you to start this adventure with your current team?
“It’s a privilege to ride for Marc VDS Racing Team and to make this step together is a great feeling, as I am sure it can be a strong and top team in WorldSBK as well. I am very grateful to Marc van der Straten for trusting me to start this new project. We have a great relationship; we have achieved some nice things together and we aim for many more!”
How much are you looking forward to riding the Ducati?
“The Ducati is performing very well in many categories now, and they are doing an amazing job. To be able to use their bike will be great and if you look at the history in WorldSBK, many British riders have had amazing results with Ducati, so it’s already a big motivation for me.”
How determined are you to finish your Moto2 career strongly?
“We still have 12 races to go this season and I’m a little sad to only have that many left as it’s an amazing class. We have shown good speed this year but not quite got the end result every weekend. I have some goals I want to achieve and some stats I want to my name. I’m fully motivated to finish in the best possible way. We are leading the Team Championship and I want to fight for top three in the overall rider standings and help win the Team title. That would be a great end to my GP career.”
Michael Rinaldi “FIT” for the free practice sessions of the Italian Round. Bautista and Bulega ready to defend their leadership in WorldSBK and WorldSSP
Michael Rinaldi will be riding the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Ducati Panigale V4R for the first free practice session of the Italian Round, which will begin tomorrow at 10.30am at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. Following the scary accident he was involved in during the second lap of Race-2 at Donington, the Italian rider underwent the necessary medical examinations this morning, which yielded positive results. Rinaldi will be reviewed again after FP1 for a further check to obtain the final “FIT” for the remainder of the round.
Álvaro Bautista arrives at Imola to defend his championship lead. The reigning World Champion has conquered 16 victories and one second-place finish so far, earning 357 points, and he is now 93 points ahead of Razgatlioglu (Yamaha).
Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #1)
“We return to Imola, a track where I have raced only once but have fond memories. Plus, it will be the second home race for Ducati, which always adds to the excitement. I must admit that it won’t be an easy weekend because we don’t have much data for this track. Therefore, our goal will be to work as best as possible to find the same feeling we have had throughout the season so far. I don’t have any specific expectations; I hope to have fun and give the Ducati fans a great weekend.”
Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #21)
“I am truly happy to be back competing at the Imola Circuit, a fantastic track. I am thrilled to have been declared ‘fit’. I take this opportunity to thank the entire Dorna medical staff for their daily support since Donington. I will need to be reviewed after FP1, but it’s a normal procedure, and I hope to pass the examination without any issues. It will be a unique weekend also because we haven’t ridden on this track for a long time. Furthermore, the weather forecast predicts scorching temperatures throughout the weekend. But I assure you, it will be a lot of fun.”
WorldSSP
For Nicolò Bulega and the Ducati Panigale V2, the goal is to defend the first position in the World Supersport Championship standings. The Italian rider has a 55-point advantage over Manzi (Yamaha).
Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WSSP #11):
“I can’t wait to race at Imola, even though it will practically be a new track for me. The last time I raced at the circuit was with the ‘PreGP’ in 2013, so I don’t have any references. However, we are coming from a very good period: I feel good and have trained a lot. I hope it will be a great weekend in front of many friends, Ducati enthusiasts, and the fans who support me.”
Ducati and Kawasaki rev limits updated ahead of the Prometeon Italian Round
Rev limits in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship category will be updated for the Prometeon Italian Round, as announced by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and Dorna WSBK Organization (DWO).
Following the latest analysis of the relative performance of the machines over the last three rounds, the maximum rev limit for Ducati will be decreased by 250 rpm – as per article 2.4.2.2-3* of the regulations.
Ahead of Round 7 in Italy, Kawasaki has elected to use five concession points to benefit from a 250 rpm rev limit increase as per article 2.4.3.3 of the regulations.
*The rev limit may be updated (according to Art. 2.4.2.3) at the end of every 3rd event provided at least 3 events remain in the season.
A regularly updated version of the FIM SBK Regulations which contains the detailed text of the regulation changes may be viewed on the FIM website.
FIM Superbike World Championship Race Two from Imola will be broadcast tape-delayed at 2:00 p.m. Eastern/11:00 a.m. Pacific on Sunday, July 16 on CNBC, according to www.nbcsports.com.
At the beginning of the season, Dorna, the rights holder to the FIM Superbike World Championship, announced that only six races from the 2023 season would be shown in America on NBC’s family of networks.
Anyone wanting to watch all of the races of the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship should consider purchasing a Video Pass from Dorna to watch via live streaming. Get more information here.
Adrian Huertas topped World Supersport Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at the Imola circuit, in Italy. Riding his MTM Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, the Spaniard lapped the 3.0-mile (4.9 km) course in 1:52.010 to lead the field of 32 riders.
Former MotoAmerica regular Valentin Debise was ninth in FP1 with a time of 1:53.419 on his GMT94 Yamaha YZF-R6.
WSS FP1
Toprak Razgatlioglu was the fastest rider during World Superbike Free Practice One (FP1) Friday morning at Imola, in Italy. Riding his Pata Yamaha Prometeon YZF-R1, the Turkish rider lapped the 3.0-mile (4.9 km) road course in 1:47.661 to lead the field of 25 riders.
Six-time World Champion Jonathan Rea was the best of the rest with a 1:47.664 on his factory Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10RR.
Alvaro Bautista, the current Championship point leader, was third-quickest with a 1:47.691 on his Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Riding at Imola for the first time ever, American Garrett Gerloff was P9 and the top BMW rider with a 1:48.694 on his Bonovo Action BMW M 1000 RR.
WSBK FP1
… and we’re off! MotoGP™ gets first taste of 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Pol returns, some Legends saddle up and the first batch of bikes heads up The Hill
Thursday, 13 July 2023
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is go and MotoGP™ has already blasted up The Hill with some star-studded machinery both past and present. As part of an incredible batch of vehicles giving a tantalising taster of what’s in store over the weekend, the first run saw some Legends and heroes of the now share the famous hillclimb.
On Thursday, one big highlight saw Pol Espargaro reunited with his RC16 as the GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 rider got his first taste of a MotoGP™ machine for some time. And the smile was big as ever!
The MotoGP™ contingent was sizeable even on Day 1, with Espargaro joined by test rider and wildcard extraordinaire Michele Pirro out for Ducati Lenovo Team, Mika Kallio representing for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing and Lorenzo Savadori on the Aprilia Racing RS-GP, fresh from his own wildcard at the TT Circuit Assen.
The Legends corner comprised two very familiar faces on Thursday too as Kenny Roberts Jr headed up The Hill, joined by compatriot and fellow MotoGP™ Legend Randy Mamola. The two finished the run side-by-side, or almost, as Mamola kept it pinned to just pip past the fellow Suzuki at the finish line. Dakota Mamola made it a family affair too, at the helm of an LCR Honda Castrol-liveried Honda.
And that’s just the start! There’s plenty more to come across the weekend, including Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), teammate Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3’s Augusto Fernandez, CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team’s Miguel Oliveira & Raul Fernandez, and some huge Legends who are yet to saddle up: Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Gardner and Alex Crivillé.
WHERE TO FIND US & HOW TO WATCH
On site, the MotoGP™ delegation is based in the Ballroom Paddock near the Drivers’ Club – the perfect showcase to allow fans an awesome overview of the teams prepping the machines. And if you can’t make it? We have incredible coverage of the event.
MotoGP™’s hillclimb action is live streamed on motogp.com, making sure fans around the world can get involved in this unique celebration of the sport. There’s also a selection of photos and round-ups of the action each day of the festival, so make sure to come back for more tomorrow!
QUOTES
POL ESPARGARO, GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3: “It’s short! Going up it’s short but it’s so enjoyable to ride the bike, and see the technology of the moment and the oldest ones, the motorbikes and the cars, it’s super nice.
“It’s great to catch up with fans after those months at home, recovering from the injury from Portimao, but I want to be back to normality again! No more time talking about the injury, I understand people want to know when I’ll be back, but I really want to come back, to get back to normality, start to work with the team, get the speed back and fight with these guys! I’m waiting for it.
“Just to hear the engine, open the throttle and feel… how strong is this engine! It’s just insane. It’s something where you lose this feeling when you’re at home for so much time. I’m training on 1000cc bikes that everyone can buy, and the difference is huge. Massive! You understand how much when you’ve stopped for some months and you jump back on this kind of bike. It’s something crazy. I’m looking forward to getting back up to speed and enjoying it again with my GASGAS guys in the box.
“The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya gave me a spot to ride and I really enjoyed it. It’s not on the MotoGP, but it’s a bike I can train on and more or less feel how I feel before I jump on the MotoGP bike, and really the feelings were good! For sure missing a lot of things, but as I said it will take a little bit of time when I come back but I’m really looking forward to getting back on the MotoGP bike.”
KENNY ROBERTS Jr: “It’s my first year here, me and my family arrived in England yesterday and drove down last night. It’s my first time here today, and I didn’t look at any videos or Google it… so we arrived, and it’s amazing! I couldn’t have imagined how big it is, and how involved it is. I know, for my two kids and my wife to come with me is a lot, but I couldn’t have imagined all this, to have to organise it!”
How’s the family enjoying it?
“It’s always a learning experience for the kids… so when I’m like, ‘when I tell you this, it’s cause we’ve done it’. So it’s hard to say ‘I want to go to London and go on a two storey bus’, I’m like… ‘that’s eight hours!’ But when they see this, it’s a whole different side of life. We’ve done this for 15, 20 years, travelled all over the world… and when we had chance to stop, America is huge and we’ve been able to raise the kids and travel around the US. Now they get to see Europe for the first time. They’ve been to Japan, Palau, the 48 lower states. They like the way people speak proper English here! They’re enjoying it and it’s fun.”
The run and the bike:
“I was trying to find neutral and first and second, we’re going to make some changes. You know every rider, we have to make changes and blame everything on the bike! But the gearing we’re going to make a little shorter, and tomorrow I know the direction a bit so it’ll be a little more fun! I just hope the weather’s nice.”
On talking to the current riders:
“It’s the same language. The technology they have now, compared to us, limits them in ways we were limited from tyres, chassis, the feel from the bike. We weren’t so precise with computers and understanding, but we knew there was limitations from the rider. They now can recognise the limitations and attack one area… so let’s say now you concentrate on front tyre pressure, how do you get around that problem. We didn’t know about a lot of that. When we had one day or one session from the next with conditions hotter that we didn’t understand… now they can say ‘this is why’. We had to just rely on the rider. So we were the computer back in the day! If we were given information we didn’t quite understand, it was difficult to find out what was happening.”
About the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard
First staged in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motorsport take part along with legendary figures from the automotive world. Highlights include Future Lab presented by Randox, Electric Avenue presented by bp pulse, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 Pit Lane presented by Sky, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance and Bonhams Auction.
About MotoGP™ & Dorna Sports
The FIM Grand Prix World Championship, MotoGP™, is the world’s most exciting motorsport. 22 of the fastest riders compete on purpose-built prototype motorcycles on some of the world’s greatest racetracks, creating one of the most thrilling shows on Earth. Since it was inaugurated in 1949, the sport has grown to comprise 20 Grands Prix across five continents, with the television broadcast reaching hundreds of millions around the world.
Dorna Sports became the sole commercial and television rights holder of the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship in 1991. Based in Madrid, Spain, with premises in Barcelona and a subsidiary in Rome, the Dorna Group is a leader in sports management, marketing and media, and has seen continued growth over the years; expanding from solely MotoGP™ to include other leading motorcycle racing championships across the globe.
Outspoken ahead of Imola
A busy day for WorldSBK as our return to Imola headlines, but 2024 seats remain crucial with lots of major players still yet to put pen to paper
Round 7 of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has arrived and the media day for the Championship gave plenty of major talking points before a wheel had even been turned. From declarations about 2024 to hoping to indulge in some Imola success, we caught up with the main stars of the show and got their thoughts about how the weekend could shape up and how 2024’s grid will eventually shake out.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “The only expectations that we can have for this weekend are battles!”
“It’s another important round for Ducati because it’s their second home round. It’s an important weekend for me as I don’t have a lot of experience in this track. I just raced here once, in 2019, and it was hard because we had to cancel Race 2 due to the weather. I have good memories of the track; the layout is really nice. There are no expectations because we have to build up the references and the feeling with the bike at this track. It was the same as I said at Donington. I think Donington, Imola and Most are the three most difficult races for us. We have to be thinking step by step. It’s difficult to make some expectations because it’s like we start from zero. The important thing is to find the feeling that I had at Donington or other tracks. I’m sure that if we can get that feeling, I can be competitive. This is a track that we saw many battles in the past. The only expectation that we can have for this weekend are battles. I don’t know whether it’ll be for the win or the podium or other positions but there will be battles because there are a lot of points for overtaking. The way to approach the weekend is basically the same. We must be more careful with the gearing because, in the end, it’s the most critical. We have to try to understand which areas we lose more in and try to work more in those areas.”
Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “I think on Sunday, there’ll be an announcement of where I’m going”
“This is a place that I want to have fun at. The track looks so iconic and there’s a lot of history here; I did a couple of laps with the bicycle last night and I had goosebumps. A motorcycle could always be different but it just looks amazing. The trees, buildings, up and downs, I’m really excited to go and ride this track. It’d be nice if the bike was nice to me this weekend and I didn’t have to focus so much on the settings and I could just focus on riding the track. I think on Sunday, there’ll be an announcement of where I’m going and what I’m doing for 2024.”
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “I know the tricks of the trade around here”
“I’m really excited to be back here! It always brings back fond memories; I have had some great races here. It’s a unique part of the world to race in a park, with the undulations and it’s steeped in history. Our track record here has been quite good too. My favourite sector at Imola… it’s hard to give just one! The most iconic part is the drop down from Piratella into Acque Minerali, and then the jump out of there. It’s so difficult to master but when you get as close to perfect as possible, it’s an amazing feeling. You accelerate out of there, uphill and it’s really hard, fighting with the bike. Imola is about having a bike that is easy to ride but that stops very well; we’re stopping really hard in three or four areas of the track. We know we can be stronger here than the first part of the year, to fight for podiums is the minimum we can aim for. I know a few tricks of the trade round here. It’s hard to know whether to go back to our 2019 setting or our current setup.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK): “I’m only looking at Jonny… I hope we fight for the win”
“I’m very excited to come back to Imola. I remember 2019, I have good memories here as I took a podium. In 2015, I had a big fight with Caricasulo in Stock 600! My goal is to fight for the win again. Jonny is normally very strong here. I hope we are fighting with him; I am only looking at Jonny. Also, I think Alvaro will improve this year as the bike has changed a lot. He will be very strong here. I hope it can be a good weekend to recover some points. This year, I’ll try to win in a long race. I hope we fight for the win.”
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team): “It would be a dream to get a podium here!”
“It’s really special because I haven’t been to Imola since 2011. However, I was already with Barni Racing and I have good memories. I can’t wait to ride again on the track again, because it’s one of the most beautiful around the world. Nothing is chosen about my future; as I said at Donington Park and at the start of 2023, I want to win a race here. I am here to do that. With Alvaro, Toprak and Jonny and others, it’s difficult. Maybe I need one more year to try and win and be more consistent in the Championship. After the podium at Donington Park, we want to repeat that performance but we will see because both at Donington Park and Misano, we had a new track surface. This time, we’ll have something a bit more normal, so it’s a good test for us to see if we can fight for the podium regularly. It would be a dream to get a podium here.”
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “We’ve been dreaming about this!”
“I’m excited for him and the team! We’re really close but to have another good team in the WorldSBK Championship is good and maybe in the future, it might even be two riders. For such a good team in Moto2™ to arrive here is only going to make the Championship stronger. Marc van der Straten is a fantastic guy and his personality will be great. On the other side, about my brother, it’s fantastic! We’ve been dreaming for a long, long time since we were kids, to race motorbikes and maybe race together one day. On a personal note, away from the track, I am so, so happy. With our current schedules, we spend a lot of time apart but to race together, travel together, it’s going to be fantastic. The team have been World Champions and Sam has won a Grand Prix just two months ago, so the level he is riding at is fantastic so we can expect him, the bike and the team to be strong.”
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “I love this track… it’s unbelievable to ride!”
“It was a hard crash at Donington Park but this morning, we decided with the doctors to at least try and ride the bike. I feel pretty good; last week, I didn’t feel too good, so we have done more examinations, especially with the head. It’s the hardest part to check and to make sure it’s in the right way for racing bikes. I feel good with the head now, the ankle is still not so good but it’s not broken, so I’ll try my best to ride the bike and get good results. I love this track and it deserves to stay on the calendar; it’s unbelievable to ride here. My best memory was when I won the STK1000 race after a strange race with two red flags, three starts and on the last one, my mechanics had to change the clutch! It was tough as they finished changing it when the pitlane was open and we only 50 seconds to exit the pitlane! About my future, I hope that there will be updates, but for the moment, the focus is to get back on the bike with a good feeling.”
By Nick Ienatsch
Two-stroke 250 GP bikes are alive and well at AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association) events but those hoping to reach the top step of the box will have to go through Ralph Staropoli.
The 59-year-old’s dominance is reminiscent of Rich Oliver in the AMA’s last few years of AMA Pro two-stroke racing. Staropoli was a new 250cc GP racer back then with a best AMA Pro national finish of seventh, but 20 years later the Coloradoan has risen to Oliver levels and that’s the highest compliment you can give in American two-stroke road racing. And it’s not just a two-stroke 250 that this guy dominates…read on.
Why This Guy?
My interest in writing about Staropoli is two-fold: First is the ultra-professional approach he has taken in his return to road racing. Staropoli, like many AHRMA racers, quit racing due to the pressures of time, money, and lack of joy…that was 1998 for Ralph…but he kept his 250 and started dabbling again a few years later.
We’ve all learned that “dabbling” in a risky endeavor isn’t a great approach and this guy rekindled the joy of motorbike racing with a methodology that rivals factory efforts, even though it’s basically a one-man show (more on that later). Certainly an inspiration for us all. In a nutshell, Staropoli’s message is, “If you’re gonna do it, do it right.” The results of this all-in approach speak for themselves.
Second is Staropoli’s motivation, the only true reason to go amateur racing: Joy. We have all felt the “garage therapy” happiness of fettling our own bikes and Ralph dove headfirst into this world, establishing international ties with two-stroke gurus and taking advantage of the ongoing evolution of two-stroke racing happening in Italy, Portugal, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
But he did more than establish ties; he educated himself on everything necessary to consistently run GP bikes at the front of the field. He’s won on his Honda RS250 and Yamaha TZ250, both built and extensively modified in his shop.
Ralph says, “I wish I knew then what I know now. Bikes have come light years since my AMA days; kit parts are available and I’ve learned how to set these bikes up. I just didn’t know back then. Now I don’t have seizures due to better knowledge and technology like exhaust-gas-temperature readings, detonation counters, and data loggers.” Staropoli does every facet of bike building for his two-strokes, including crankshaft set-up.
It would be easy for those in America to believe that two-stroke road racing development ended when World Championship 250cc Grand Prix racing switched to Moto2 with four-stroke Honda 600s in 2010. From that belief you would guess that American 250 racers were eking by with decades-old equipment. Attend an AHRMA round to see how wrong this belief is!
Staropoli also enjoys the social aspects of racing, especially with close friends like Dave Frick and Adrian Jasso, two racers who share pit areas with Staropoli and field a similar set of bikes. “When racing isn’t fun, I’ll quit,” Ralph says, but like so many of us he realizes that road racing motorcycles brings challenge and satisfaction that is difficult to find elsewhere.
Ralph went to college on a soccer sponsorship and played competitively for years. He’s a certified sky diver. As a high-level defense-industry expert he has the money to buy any fast car, boat, motorcoach… but what else combines the risk, skill, competition, amazing technology, and social aspect of two-wheeled racing?
While true challenges are getting harder to find here in America, Staropoli is looking to international racing waters again after being prevented from going across the pond by COVID. Europe’s lure is pure two-stoke events. This is noteworthy because when Staropoli races in American club events with CCS/ASRA he is often pitted against four-stroke machines that “make a lap time” much differently than a 250cc two-stroke.
More Than Two Strokes
Tucked into Staropoli’s ultra-clean pit area is a four-stroke NSF250R Honda that looks just right next to his TZ250 and RS250 because it is a Moto3 bike for the masses. This little Single has been produced since 2012; bikes and support are available through Rising Sun Cycles (rscycles.com) here in America.
“These NSFs took a while to catch on,” Staropoli tells us, “but they’re getting more and more popular. It’s a great bike right out of the box: 42 horsepower and 180 pounds, around $14,000. Most fun bike, best bike, I’ve ever been on.” High praise from a guy with one each of the best TZ250s and RS250s in the country–and some would argue in the world.
“When we got the NSFs, Stewart Aitken-Cade, Dave (Frick), Adrian (Jasso), and I agreed to keep them stock and that lasted for about a year. A really fun year. When Stewart modified his bike’s brakes I told him, ‘The dam has broken’…and now these things have gotten even better.”
If you enter the three or four AHRMA classes that the NSF fits into, bring your A-Game because in 2022 the name Staropoli was at the top of every finishing chart. That was 28 starts and 28 wins…and the streak continues in 2023.
What says Fun better than a 500cc GP bike?
Let’s just start with this: 185 horsepower and 270 pounds. Smiling yet? Those are the essential specifications of the ROC YZR500 that just entered Staropoli’s racing world in a very roundabout way.
Ralph takes over the story. “I was talking with Andy Sawford, a friend of mine in the UK, about Honda kit parts. Andy told me to contact a guy in Germany name Jorg Schollhorn. Jorg is the last 500cc National Champion. We became friends and talk four or five times a week. He mentions that an acquaintance of ours might have a 1992 ROC 500 for sale (ROC built chassis for four-cylinder Yamaha YZR500 engines).
“This acquaintance is a master craftsman, a former National Champion in several classes, has huge factory connections…a real mover in world road racing venues, building two-stroke bikes for very famous racers. He was building this ROC for himself, but came across something even better and Jorg thought that perhaps the ROC was for sale.”
It was a dream most of us share and a perfect bike for AHRMA’s Open Two-Stroke class where anything goes as long as it does the ring-ding thing.
The bike traveled from Germany to America and should be debuted at the Laguna Seca AHRMA round this coming weekend. For those of us lucky enough to be at Laguna when 500cc GP bikes shook Monterey, this ROC 500 will be another of the tremendous throw-back moments that AHRMA provides.
Sure, we’d all like to buy a former 500 GP bike but probably don’t have the available budget. But that’s not the point. The AHRMA paddock is full of this exact story, at all levels of budget. Many of us are returning to a bike we always loved, many of us are finally on a bike we always lusted for.
In my case, at about 0.0002% of Ralph’s budget, I’m rolling around on a Speedwerks FZR600, returning to a bike model that not just brings me current joy, but brought me joy 30 years ago. For Staropoli, the ROC will introduce a new challenge in preparation and riding…and that anticipated challenge is a big component of the word “happiness.” Happiness abounds in the AHRMA paddock.
The Partner
Anyone who has gone racing knows the slogging work involved. The long prep nights, the even longer drives through Texas, the unexpected problems challenges that trucks, trailers, wheel bearings, master links, bad fuel (how much time have you got?) present. Alone, these challenges can become overwhelming. Ralph recently married Sheri Mursick, a cross-fit star and true right-hand man (person?) of the Staropoli racing program.
This addition to the team brings us to a significant subject, something that Roadracing World Founder & Editor John Ulrich discussed with me. He said, “No matter what it is, there’s usually somebody in some paddock somewhere who knows all about anything you need, and will tell you what you need to know. Doctors, lawyers, great mechanics, musicians, whatever. And usually are ready to help. Motorcyclists are great.” The Hall of Famer recognizes what pulls so many back to racing and riding: The people. Mr. and Mrs. Staropoli working together to solve the puzzle of winning races will be another reason that Ralph Staropoli will continue to be a tough racer to beat.
Former journalist, photographer, TV producer, and racetrack executive Gary Van Voorhis died July 12 in a hospice facility near his home in Ormond Beach, Florida. He was 80.
Van Voorhis, a U.S. Air Force veteran, worked as an Associate Editor at Cycle News from 1975 until 1985. He then became a producer for the television show MotoWorld. After that, he spent several years employed by Daytona International Speedway (DIS), working his way up from the Communications Department to becoming the Director of Events.
Van Voorhis retired from DIS in 2006, after helping create the 3.0-mile infield road course that allowed AMA Pro Superbikes to continue racing at the facility.
He is survived by his girlfriend Lydia Hinshaw and his brother Ray Cassinari.
We will update this post as more information becomes available.
Marc VDS Racing Team raring to start new World Superbike challenge
An exciting new chapter in the illustrious history of the Marc VDS Racing Team will start in 2024, with the squad thrilled to confirm it will compete in the World Superbike Championship for the first time with Sam Lowes and Ducati.
Briton Lowes will change competition but not livery for the latest challenge in his successful career, as he prepares to move to WorldSBK to ride a Ducati Panigale V4 R.
For both Lowes and Marc VDS Racing, the switch to WorldSBK together is the continuation of a fruitful relationship that began in the 2020 Moto2 World Championship. The 32-year-old has so far collected seven wins, 15 podiums and 12 poles in the world-renowned Marc VDS Racing Team livery.
Lowes has previously raced in the WorldSBK paddock when he won the 2013 World Supersport title, and he’s determined to end his 10-year stint in the Grand Prix arena in style, starting with his home round at Silverstone in early August.
The new WorldSBK project is born with the clear goal and ambition of replicating the Marc VDS Racing Team’s stunning success in the Moto2 World Championship where it has raced to over 100 podiums and taken three world titles in 2014, 2017 and 2019.
The Marc VDS Racing Team has been a constant presence on the Moto2 grid since the new category was first introduced in 2010 and currently leads this year’s title chase with Tony Arbolino. And the squad is delighted to confirm it will continue its quest for more success in Moto2 in the 2024 season and beyond with a two-rider effort.
Marc Van Der Straten, Team Owner
“I’m delighted and ready to begin this new adventure in the World Superbike Championship. And it gives me even more pleasure to do it with our great rider, Sam Lowes. I’m also very proud to start this new adventure with Ducati, which is undoubtedly the bike to be on in WorldSBK. This opportunity for expansion comes at the perfect time. After 14 years in MotoGP, where the Marc VDS Racing Team has shown great potential, we are ready to face a new challenge.
We have competed in Moto3, Moto2, MotoGP and MotoE and won three titles. And our commitment to Moto2 remains as strong as ever and I look forward to enjoying a lot more success in the future in a class where our journey on two wheels started. Moto2 has been the platform for us to gain a wealth of experience to continue growing and replicate our achievements in another world-class championship like WorldSBK.
As this is a long-term project, we’ll be aiming to adapt quickly, so that we can get to the front of the pack as quickly as possible. It’s also a source of pride to be taking this step with Sam Lowes, a great rider who has shown what he’s capable of in Moto2, and who shares our team’s values and know-how. Finally, counting on Ducati’s experience and success completes a package that has everything to be perfect and exciting! I hope the whole Marc VDS family will be as happy as I am and that, as always, we can count on their support!”
Paolo Ciabatti, Ducati Corse Sporting Director
“We are very pleased to welcome the Marc VDS Racing Team in the Ducati family for WorldSBK 2024! Marc VDS is one of the most professional and successful structures in the Moto2 World Championship, with three world titles won, and their participation in WorldSBK next year with the highly competitive Panigale V4 R will surely add more value to the whole championship. I would like to personally thank, also on behalf of Ducati Corse, Marc Van Der Straten for his trust and commitment to this exciting new racing project together with Ducati.”
22 Sam Lowes
How excited are you to be taking on this new challenge in WorldSBK?
“I have a lot to learn with the new category including the bike, the tyres, and some new tracks. But I am very motivated and excited for this opportunity. I am very open minded and ready to adapt and learn what I need to be competitive in WorldSBK.”
What are the key factors behind this decision?
“I always had a goal to race in World Superbike and after winning the World Supersport title in 2013 it was a normal step. But I chose to try the Grand Prix paddock. I’m happy and proud that I’ve had such a good GP career, and I’ve enjoyed it a lot. But I feel now it’s a great time to move across to WorldSBK to try a different machine and learn how to ride a superbike. I also believe in myself and know I can achieve good things.”
What does it mean to you to start this adventure with your current team?
“It’s a privilege to ride for Marc VDS Racing Team and to make this step together is a great feeling, as I am sure it can be a strong and top team in WorldSBK as well. I am very grateful to Marc van der Straten for trusting me to start this new project. We have a great relationship; we have achieved some nice things together and we aim for many more!”
How much are you looking forward to riding the Ducati?
“The Ducati is performing very well in many categories now, and they are doing an amazing job. To be able to use their bike will be great and if you look at the history in WorldSBK, many British riders have had amazing results with Ducati, so it’s already a big motivation for me.”
How determined are you to finish your Moto2 career strongly?
“We still have 12 races to go this season and I’m a little sad to only have that many left as it’s an amazing class. We have shown good speed this year but not quite got the end result every weekend. I have some goals I want to achieve and some stats I want to my name. I’m fully motivated to finish in the best possible way. We are leading the Team Championship and I want to fight for top three in the overall rider standings and help win the Team title. That would be a great end to my GP career.”
Michael Rinaldi “FIT” for the free practice sessions of the Italian Round. Bautista and Bulega ready to defend their leadership in WorldSBK and WorldSSP
Michael Rinaldi will be riding the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Ducati Panigale V4R for the first free practice session of the Italian Round, which will begin tomorrow at 10.30am at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. Following the scary accident he was involved in during the second lap of Race-2 at Donington, the Italian rider underwent the necessary medical examinations this morning, which yielded positive results. Rinaldi will be reviewed again after FP1 for a further check to obtain the final “FIT” for the remainder of the round.
Álvaro Bautista arrives at Imola to defend his championship lead. The reigning World Champion has conquered 16 victories and one second-place finish so far, earning 357 points, and he is now 93 points ahead of Razgatlioglu (Yamaha).
Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #1)
“We return to Imola, a track where I have raced only once but have fond memories. Plus, it will be the second home race for Ducati, which always adds to the excitement. I must admit that it won’t be an easy weekend because we don’t have much data for this track. Therefore, our goal will be to work as best as possible to find the same feeling we have had throughout the season so far. I don’t have any specific expectations; I hope to have fun and give the Ducati fans a great weekend.”
Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #21)
“I am truly happy to be back competing at the Imola Circuit, a fantastic track. I am thrilled to have been declared ‘fit’. I take this opportunity to thank the entire Dorna medical staff for their daily support since Donington. I will need to be reviewed after FP1, but it’s a normal procedure, and I hope to pass the examination without any issues. It will be a unique weekend also because we haven’t ridden on this track for a long time. Furthermore, the weather forecast predicts scorching temperatures throughout the weekend. But I assure you, it will be a lot of fun.”
WorldSSP
For Nicolò Bulega and the Ducati Panigale V2, the goal is to defend the first position in the World Supersport Championship standings. The Italian rider has a 55-point advantage over Manzi (Yamaha).
Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WSSP #11):
“I can’t wait to race at Imola, even though it will practically be a new track for me. The last time I raced at the circuit was with the ‘PreGP’ in 2013, so I don’t have any references. However, we are coming from a very good period: I feel good and have trained a lot. I hope it will be a great weekend in front of many friends, Ducati enthusiasts, and the fans who support me.”
Ducati and Kawasaki rev limits updated ahead of the Prometeon Italian Round
Rev limits in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship category will be updated for the Prometeon Italian Round, as announced by the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and Dorna WSBK Organization (DWO).
Following the latest analysis of the relative performance of the machines over the last three rounds, the maximum rev limit for Ducati will be decreased by 250 rpm – as per article 2.4.2.2-3* of the regulations.
Ahead of Round 7 in Italy, Kawasaki has elected to use five concession points to benefit from a 250 rpm rev limit increase as per article 2.4.3.3 of the regulations.
*The rev limit may be updated (according to Art. 2.4.2.3) at the end of every 3rd event provided at least 3 events remain in the season.
A regularly updated version of the FIM SBK Regulations which contains the detailed text of the regulation changes may be viewed on the FIM website.
FIM Superbike World Championship Race Two from Imola will be broadcast tape-delayed at 2:00 p.m. Eastern/11:00 a.m. Pacific on Sunday, July 16 on CNBC, according to www.nbcsports.com.
At the beginning of the season, Dorna, the rights holder to the FIM Superbike World Championship, announced that only six races from the 2023 season would be shown in America on NBC’s family of networks.
Anyone wanting to watch all of the races of the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship should consider purchasing a Video Pass from Dorna to watch via live streaming. Get more information here.
