Mooney VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi turned the best lap time during a post-race IRTA test day Monday at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain.
Riding his Ducati Desmosedici, Bezzecchi turned a 1:36.574, which was significantly faster than the quickest lap from Sunday’s race, a 1:37.989 by Francesco Bagnaia and was quicker than Bagnaia’s 2022 Race Lap Record of 1:37.669.
In the pre-race press conference, Bezzecchi’s teammate Luca Marini said they had nothing to test today, which means Bezzecchi was likely free to optimize the setup he developed during the weekend and focus on his riding. But it’s worthy to note that Bezzecchi did his best test lap time on lap 56 of 64, which means it likely came in the afternoon and in the same conditions as during the race on Sunday.
Marini was second-best Monday with a 1:36.678, just ahead of Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo, who did a 1:36.725 on lap 60 of 88.
Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales was fifth on Monday with a 1:36.964, but he had the honor of completing the most laps, 94.
The top 19 riders’ best lap times Monday were within 1.2 seconds of each other.
Jerez Test: Novelties aplenty & Bezzecchi back on top!
There were some interesting developments in pitlane as the premier class got back on track in Jerez
Marco Bezzecchi (72). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Monday, 01 May 2023
Did you miss us? We know, we know, it’s barely been a day. But when the action is as good as it was at the Spanish GP, withdrawal symptoms are natural. Luckily, we have a few tidbits to share from the official one-day test that saw the MotoGP™ riders head back out on Monday, with plenty of novelties up and down pitlane… and a familiar name back on top: Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team).
Mooney VR46, Gresini, Ducati Lenovo & Prima Pramac
As can be expected, there wasn’t anything new for the 2022 Ducatis but that didn’t stop Mooney VR46 Racing Team from making it a 1-2. Luca Marini was just a tenth off Bezzecchi, who in turn was about four tenths off the all-time lap record from last season.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) had a good day on the timesheets in fourth, with reigning Champion and Spanish GP winner Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) in sixth. Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) was ninth, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) tenth and Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) 13th.
The sole novelty at Ducati, the home of novelty – a moniker now seemingly under threat from KTM – was a new belly pan on Zarco’s Prima Pramac, with a small inlet on the bottom.
Monster Energy Yamaha
At Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™, there were two different chassis for Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli. Pitlane reporter Simon Crafar was confident he’s seen the “different” one before, as it gets tested, tested again and then shelved. Quartararo also rode the weekend with the newer swingarm – and has that at the test on both machines – having previously gone back to a previous version.
Fabio Quartararo (20) tested a new swingarm and exhaust system. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Some interesting wings also sprouted on Morbidelli’s machine, and the sidepods were bigger. Meanwhile, Quartararo tested the new exhaust in the afternoon, taking it out on a couple of runs. El Diablo was third overall and top until the latter stages, with Morbidelli down in P16.
Aprilia & CryptoData RNF
At Aprilia Racing, it looked like the focus was more on fine-tuning what they have and working with setup. It also looked like both sides of the garage were more than a little preoccupied with practice starts. Maverick Viñales especially was taking every chance to try a launch, and teammate Aleix Espargaro put in a fair few after he also lost out at Turn 1 four times in a row this weekend. Viñales was fifth, and Espargaro seventh.
Maverick Vinales (12) did some setup fine tuning and a lot of practice starts Monday. Photo courtesy Dorna.
At CryptoData RNF MotoGP™ Team, Lorenzo Savadori stepped in for the sidelined Miguel Oliveira, and was unfortunately one of the few crashers on the day. Still, he put in nearly half a century of laps for some more information. Raul Fernandez, meanwhile, did over 70, and ended the day in P11.
Red Bull KTM & GASGAS Tech3
Headlines during the race weekend weren’t enough for the Austrian factory, so they thought they’d make a few more on Monday. Some of the new aero first seen in the hands of Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) over the weekend was put through its paces by Brad Binder and Jack Miller, and our reporters spotted a sidepod that’s more an extra, vertical panel all the way to the bottom of the fairing.
Jack Miller tested some new aerodynamic features. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Our eagle eyes also saw a new chassis for Pedrosa. Oh, and someone from Red Bull Advanced Technologies was spotted in the box…
Dani Pedrosa tested a new frame for KTM. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Binder ended the day in eighth, Miller in P14 and Pedrosa near the back of the order, slacking off on the time attack heroics he very much proved he was still capable of during the weekend.
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3’s Augusto Fernandez took the opportunity to put in 69 laps as he continues to adapt to MotoGP™, and he had the new aero, without the side addition, that was raced by Pedrosa. His temporary teammate – test rider Jonas Folger – did 63.
Repsol Honda & LCR Honda Castrol/Idemitsu
Our eyebrows were raised at Honda, as pitlane reporters Simon Crafar and Jack Gorst spotted the long-awaited Kalex chassis in the hands of HRC test rider Stefan Bradl. Repsol Honda Team Manager Alberto Puig said initial signs were good.
Honda tried a new Kalex frame on Monday. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Bad luck hit when Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) was attempting to head out on it though, with a technical problem seeing the 2020 World Champion manage only five corners of his out lap. Mir also crashed earlier in the session before that, rider ok, but completed 67 laps for P15.
The number 36 had two of his normal chassis this morning but then had one of the chassis teammate Marc Marquez had been using. Mir also tried the small aero update that Bradl had throughout the race weekend, as well as new downwash ducts.
Repsol Honda’s Joan Mir tried a new chassis and some new aero ducting. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) was seen with a chassis used previously by Mir, as well as the downwash ducts. Honda also had a new “winglet” on the swingarm. Rins did 82 laps and was P17, suffering a crash at the end but rider ok. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Castrol) was top Honda in P12 after 70 laps.
Now it’s time to pack up the paddock for the premier class in Jerez, although we’ll see the Moto2™ and Moto3™ fields back out on Tuesday. For MotoGP™ it’s next stop: #GP1000 at Le Mans, with more history waiting to be made just around the corner!
Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom have started “The Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast,” which will be focused on the FIM MotoGP World Championship.
Here is Episode One. The original podcast can be found on SoundCloud or other places you get podcasts.
Third Annual “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” Set For MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest At Laguna Seca
Ride With The Legends On The Monterey Peninsula, Stay For The Race
IRVINE, CA (May 1, 2023) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is excited to announce that “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” will again be held in conjunction with the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest At Laguna Seca with this year’s ride boasting even more legends than in years past.
This year’s ride includes the following legends:
– Three-time World Champion Kenny Roberts
– Four-time World Champion Eddie Lawson
– Three-time AMA Grand National Champion Bubba Shobert
– 1993 World Champion Kevin Schwantz
– Seven-time Supercross and Motocross National Champion Rick Johnson
– 2011 World Superbike Champion Carlos Checa
– Three-time AMA Superbike Champion Doug Chandler
Rainey’s Ride To The Races will be held on Friday, July 7, opening day of the fifth round of the MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship, and will again benefit the Roadracing World Action Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes motorcycle racing safety with the facilitation of soft air barrier systems at racing events.
The 100-mile ride will begin at the Moto Talbott Motorcycle Museum at 4 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley, California, and will tour the best parts of the Monterey Peninsula, including in and around the Santa Lucia Mountain ranges, the Salinas Valley foothills, local wineries, and the stunning Steinbeck country. The ride will conclude at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with two laps around the racetrack, lunch and a Q&A session with legends Rainey, Roberts, Lawson, Shobert, Schwantz, Johnson, Chandler and Checa.
The ride will be limited to 40 riders who purchase the special $500 Premium Rainey’s Ride To The Races ticket. Last year’s ride raised nearly $75,000 for the Roadracing World Action Fund.
“Last year’s ride was sold out and better than the first and this year promises to be better than the second,” said MotoAmerica President and three-time World Champion Wayne Rainey. “I’m excited we’ve added Kevin (Schwantz), Doug (Chandler), Ricky (Johnson) and Carlos (Checa) to the ride so it will give our participants even more time with the legends. The ride was a lot of fun for both the champions and our fans, and the best part is that we raised nearly $75,000 for the Roadracing World Action Fund. We have a goal of raising more this July.”
Rainey’s Ride To The Races will be conducted at a relaxed, easy pace and no one will be left behind. Gordon McCall, a local motorcycle enthusiast and good friend of MotoAmerica, will be leading the ride. The ride will take approximately two to two and a half hours from start to completion.
“I appreciate your support and hope to see you there,” said Rainey.
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.
Brookes scores second win of 2023 in rain interrupted Oulton Park opener
Josh Brookes claimed his second Bennetts British Superbike Championship race win of the season for the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team, celebrating the opening victory at Oulton Park in the BikeSocial Sprint Race that was red flagged on the penultimate lap for rain.
Brookes got a flying start from the Omologato Pole Position to lead the pack into Old Hall for the first time ahead of Storm Stacey, Leon Haslam, Glenn Irwin and Jason O’Halloran. It was disappointment for the McAMS Yamaha team though when O’Halloran crashed out at Cascades on the second lap.
Haslam made a move on Stacey at Island to move second with Glenn Irwin moving into third at Hizzys on the opening lap and the trio then became the force at the front of the field.
Brookes was withstanding the pressure from his ROKiT BMW Motorrad and BeerMonster Ducati rivals as they continued to try to line up an attack for the lead.
As the race reached the penultimate lap, rain began to fall at the race was subsequently red flagged as Brookes became the first race winner in the Milwaukee Grand Slam. Haslam became the fifth different podium finisher of the season so far in second place, whilst Glenn Irwin completed the top three.
Peter Hickman delivered a determined ride to carve his way through the field to finish fourth on the second FHO Racing BMW Motorrad machine, closing in on the leading trio over the closing stages of the race.
Tommy Bridewell had an equally strong performance, finishing the race fifth on the second BeerMonster Ducati after starting 15th on the grid after a difficult eBay Qualifying session earlier in the afternoon.
Bridewell had got the better of Andrew Irwin who led the Honda Racing UK charge in sixth, just ahead of LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha’s Kyle Ryde. Christian Iddon meanwhile was able to stay ahead of Stacey in the closing stages to get his best result of the season so far in eighth, as Stacey ended his positive day in Cheshire with a top ten finish.
Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki’s Lee Jackson completed the top ten ahead of tomorrow’s two races.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, BikeSocial Sprint Race result:
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad)
Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) +0.186s
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.441s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +1.152s
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +4.790s
Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +4.977s
Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +13.661s
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +13.784s
Storm Stacey (Starline Racing Kawasaki) +13.987s
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +14.093s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 66
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 57
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 57
Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 48
Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) 46
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 35
Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Racing Yamaha) 30
Danny Kent (Lovell Kent Racing Honda) 27
Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 25
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 21
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Josh Brookes – BikeSocial Sprint Race winner
FHO Racing BMW Motorrad
“It was obviously great to take the win today, it’s good for all the team, sponsors and partners involved. To everyone else it probably looked like I was out at the front having an easy time and controlling the race, but it was actually quite difficult because I was that first rider on track.
“I could see my lap times on my dash and I wasn’t impressed by any means, so I tried to improve as I was expecting an attack from the riders behind me. I had a few moments where the rear would spin and I’d lose some time, so I just focussed on trying to be as methodical as possible and not make any mistakes, not improve the lap time but just maintain it.
“Towards the end with the rain I desperately didn’t want to put my hand up, I could see the rain on the lap before on the visor, then when I came through to Island Bend on the penultimate lap it was red flagged.
“I know it was the only option, but I would have liked to have taken the win over the finish line with the chequered flag. The BMW felt really sweet in the race, but we’re always trying to improve, but in the race we really did hit a sweet spot and it did feel really good to ride. So hopefully that accelerates us even further tomorrow.”
Herfoss and Jones Bring the House Down at Queensland Raceway
ALPINESTARS SUPERBIKE
The two, sixteen lap Alpinestars Superbike races were absolute showstoppers as the best of Australia went head-to-head at the third round of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship Presented by Motul (ASBK) at Queensland raceway this weekend.
As the smell of burning rubber subsided around the circuit it was two-time Australian Superbike Champion, Troy Herfoss and his Penrite Honda team who rose above the rest scoring a perfect weekend of pole position and two intensely fought race wins to walk away with a perfect score of 51 points. The stellar weekend has consolidated his second place in the title chase in emphatic fashion as Herfoss took a huge chunk of points out of the series pacesetter, Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati).
Waters who had won the previous five races in dominant fashion and set lap records at Phillip Island and Sydney Motorsport Park, could only manage a run of two fourth place finishes behind defending champion Mike Jones’ two-second places, while his Yamaha Racing team-mate Cru Halliday continued his impressive run of six podiums after his two third place results.
While the top four places may have been the same for the two races the action was at another level, particularly at the front in the contests between Herfoss and Jones. After claiming his first pole position in over two years on Saturday afternoon, to say it was a welcome return to the winner’s dais for Herfoss is a massive understatement.
Race One
When the lights went out to start the first race Jones won the drag race to turn one to lead the field from Herfoss as Halliday again blew the start for Waters to move into third.
Jones and Herfoss broke away from the rest as they became embroiled in a titanic struggle that saw the lead change between the pair at least a dozen times. Herfoss stalked his blue prey relentlessly looking for that opening. Jones looked like he had enough up his sleeve, but Herfoss wasn’t playing the game of the defending champion.
Behind them, Waters was in third for the opening lap before Glenn Allerton, (GT Racing BMW) grabbed third on the second lap to hold onto a possible podium until the seventh lap as Halliday steadily made up for his poor start to relegate Allerton to fourth as Waters cleared Allerton for fourth.
But most eyes were firmly focused on the leading pair. Herfoss launched his initial assault at about half-race distance with an aggressive move into the turn three hairpin. He ran wide, allowing Jones up the inside to retake the lead. Herfoss tried again at the first of two left-handers on the track and again at the final turn. Herfoss appeared to be trying too hard as his late braking moves were upsetting his mid-corner attack and he ran wide which allowed Jones back in front.
With little more than millimetres separating the pair it was anyone’s guess with two laps to go. Herfoss made his move on the fifteenth lap to finally take the lead and fended off the #1 Yamaha to take the chequered flag.
It was an enthralling duel as the passing maneuvers were astonishing as both riders threw everything at each other – reminiscent of their last round duel at Sydney Motorsport Park in December 2019 when Jones won his second title.
As they battled, Halliday was encroaching closer to the leading duo but once again rued his getaway off the line. The gap between the leading pair was just 0.115 of a second with Halliday chasing the pair of them down to be just 0.047 behind at the flag.
Cru Halliday was a man on a mission, hunting down the leading duo
It was ASBK at it’s very best, on a beautiful sunny Queensland day in front of packed stands.
Race Two
Jones launched into the lead off the line to make the rest give chase in what Jones has become renowned for as he settles into a rhythm out in front. The McMartin Racing Team and Josh Waters had made a setup change between races, allowing the #21 to run with the leaders in the early stages as the group clicked off the laps. Waters tried valiantly to run with the leading duo but as the wind changed and the track became more greasy with an increased temperature, the Ducati man struggled to hold on and started to drift into a distant third.
The action was hotter than the track as Herfoss took the lead on the fifth lap. Jones was more willing to give up the lead this time as he elected to stay behind the Fireblade and study its weaknesses. A calm and methodical Jones played the patient game, drifting back to allow his front tyre to cool ahead of a renewed attack with three laps to go. Jones pounced on lap thirteen with a move that Herfoss had tried on him in race one, but the lead immediately changed back as Herfoss had his elbows out and muscled his way back into the lead the very next lap.
The pair traded the lead as the last lap board was shown and the fight was on. Side-by-side into turn three as Jones defended the inside line and held Herfoss at bay for now. Fans around Queensland Raceway were on the edge of their seat as Herfoss dived up the inside into turn four to surprise an unsuspecting Jones who had left the door open. The Yamaha rider running wide in avoidance, gathered himself up and adjusted his line for turn five to line up Herfoss into the final corner for one final attack. The pair grabbed the brakes alongside one another, with Jones running up the inside and in turn opening a gap for Herfoss to squeeze the power on and cut back underneath the R1 M. It still wasn’t over as Jones was able to get the Yamaha onto the fat part of the tyre and blast up the inside of Herfoss in a drag race to the line – The Penrite Honda man winning by just 0.056 of a second in his one hundredth start for the manufacturer in ASBK competition.
Jones’ Yamaha Racing Team teammate Halliday rides across the line to score a podium and continue his impressive 2023 form, while third is not the result he is after, it is only a matter of time before the #65 wins a race this season.
MICHELIN SUPERSPORT
Race One
The Michelin Supersport championship in 2023 is quite possibly the most intense and competitive title chase it has been in many years. This year there are so many competitors that are capable of winning a race – and the championship – but there is one rider that is gaining a massive amount of attention as he battles in his rookie year in the class. Fifteen-year-old Cameron Dunker is a revelation.
The way he has adapted so quickly is simply astonishing. In only his fifth race in the class (at Sydney Motorsport Park in March) Cam’ broke through to become the youngest-ever winner of a race in the class. In that race, he conquered the changing wet conditions to put on a master class of controlled yet rapid riding to streak the field. To prove it was no fluke, at QR this weekend he claimed another piece of history to be the youngest rider to grab Pole Position in the class. He certainly sets some challenges for himself, but he converts them into reality as he did on the weekend. Equally impressive is his race craft and riding maturity for one so young but with a successful career in dirt track that saw him win five national titles it is understandable that he is a rising star and has an innate talent for racing either on the black, or the brown, stuff.
While Dunker has set tongues waxing lyrical since his arrival in the class, there are a number of more experienced rivals like series leader, Ty Lynch, dual Australian Champion Tom Bramich, South Australian Ollie Simpson, and others who are aiming to deny the youngster any further glory.
Simpson was like an exocet missile off the line as he charged into the lead, endeavoring to break the spirit of the opposition early. Easier said than done with this year’s pack of hard chargers as they gave chase like a bunch of greyhounds stalking a rabbit on a Friday evening but Simpson had a lead of over two seconds after five laps as Dunker and Lynch duked it out until Dunker grabbed second and set about closing downs Simpson’s lead with Lynch riding shotgun. Dunker hunted down the leader and the pair had some dramatic passing moves as the lead changed numerous over the remaining laps but it was Dunker who held on to win his second win on the trot by just 0.011 sec from Simpson with Lynch right on their tails.
Race Two
In the second race, Simpson again scythed his way from the second row, and Bramich tagged onto his rear wheel as Dunker was off to an uncustomary slow start to be fourth after the first lap. Simpson looked like he was going to disappear into the distance but Bramich sure had the race face on as he pulled back the gap with some impressively fierce late braking to keep Simpson just in front as he searched for a way past.
It appeared to be a two-bike race as the pair had a lead of over 2.5 seconds over third-place Dunker after eight of the 14 laps but Dunker had other ideas. He hunted down the pair overtaking Bramich on the twelft lap and was 1.55 seconds behind Simspon with two laps to go. It didn’t seem possible but Dunker went within 0.232 of a second of pulling off a remarkable win with Bramich scoring his best result in a long time to finish third.
SUPERSPORT 300 AND YAMAHA FINANCE R3 CUP
The Production 300cc and Yamaha Finance R3 Cup were their usual races comprised of mayhem and outrageous passing moves with one to up to a dozen riders fighting for the lead.
For Sunday’s races, Hamod continued his stellar performance from the day before as he added another victory to his resume taking out the third and final Production 300cc race. Each of the four races featured conga lines of up to fourteen bikes battling for the lead and the relegation and promotion of positions was astounding as a rider could be in the lead in one corner and in eighth – or worse – at the very next.
The four races were decided by a total of 0.074 seconds. The closest gap between first and second was 0.003 sec between Hamod and Henry Snell in the final 300cc race with Brandon Demmery a “massive” 0.179 sec away on third. The largest gap was 0.034 in the final R3 Cup race between Cameron Swain and Brandon Demmery with the top six covered by half a second.
Swain finally managed to claim another victory after going so close during the weekend but after leading races many times he was in the wrong spot at the wrong time, being shuffled back rias he was swamped and relegated at critical times of the races.
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and Valentino Rossi Sign Brand Ambassador Agreement
Valentino Rossi fans all over the world will be thrilled by the announcement that their hero will be once again officially representing Yamaha. After 16 years of racing partnership, the nine-time World Champion has entered into an agreement with Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. as an official Yamaha Brand Ambassador.
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 30th April 2023
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. are delighted to announce they have signed a multi-year ambassador service agreement with Valentino Rossi, making the nine-time World Champion an official Yamaha Brand Ambassador.
Yamaha and Rossi‘s epic story started with that iconic victory at The Doctor‘s first GP race for Yamaha in South Africa in 2004. From there on in the partnership got to experience lots of thrilling racing action and many great moments in the paddock and off the track, securing 142 podiums, celebrating 56 GP victories, and winning four MotoGP World Championship Titles in 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009 on the way, which all goes to demonstrate that Rossi and Yamaha are inextricably linked.
Rossi‘s astounding achievements, unparalleled passion for racing, and unrivalled charisma make up a huge part of Yamaha‘s and MotoGP‘s heritage. They earned the Italian, who is recognised the world over, the epithet ’GOAT‘ (Greatest of All Time).
Rossi retired from MotoGP after the 2021 season but immediately expressed his desire to keep riding Yamaha bikes for training and leisure as well as his interest in becoming a Brand Ambassador for Yamaha.
TETSU ONO
General Manager – Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.‘s Motorsports Strategy Division
First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Valentino for continuing our partnership. Yamaha is very proud to have Valentino as a Brand Ambassador, perhaps even more so since the desire to become one came from him personally. To have a nine-time World Champion‘s seal of approval is the best recommendation you can get as a motorcycle brand. It‘s a testament to the product quality and the company culture at Yamaha. Yamaha continuously strives to bring Kando* to its clientele. We are pleased that Valentino, the motorcycle racing GOAT, feels so enthusiastic about riding Yamaha‘s powered two-wheel vehicles, and that he is happy to work in a close partnership with Yamaha again. Yamaha enters this agreement with the full intent to meet Valentino‘s needs where it comes to powered two-wheelers for training and leisure purposes. We look forward to working together with him to strengthen the Yamaha brand.
*Kando is a Japanese word for the simultaneous feelings of deep satisfaction and intense excitement that we experience when we encounter something of exceptional value.
LIN JARVIS
Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing
Of course, this is a great moment for Yamaha and it‘s also an emotional development for the fans, who I‘m sure miss Valentino‘s presence in MotoGP since he retired from his successful career. Valentino and his M1 shared a special bond. His arrival at Yamaha was the catalyst that completely changed our MotoGP racing programme to the point that Valentino and Yamaha almost became synonymous. Together we achieved many wins, podiums, and four championships, and then there are also the moments behind the scenes: the hard work but also the fun parts and the shared passion for racing. We always considered Valentino as ’family‘, and as soon as he expressed his desire to keep using Yamaha bikes and to become a Brand Ambassador, we went to work to make it happen. We are thrilled that Valentino is now officially our ambassador.
VALENTINO ROSSI
Yamaha Brand Ambassador
For sure, this agreement between me and Yamaha gives a great emotion. We worked together for many years in the past, so it feels natural. After I retired from MotoGP, I‘ve kept training and riding motorcycles. I was always planning to keep racing in one form or another. During my MotoGP career I rode Yamaha bikes as part of my contract. But even after retiring, I kept using Yamaha bikes because I enjoy it. I‘m happy that the agreement is now signed, so Yamaha and I get to work together in this new set-up.
NOTES
VALENTINO ROSSI, RECORDS & HIGHLIGHTS:
– Rossi is the most successful Yamaha rider in history (56 wins, 46 second places, 40 third places on a Yamaha, scored in 273 races)
– He is the rider that’s been active the longest in Grand Prix racing (he made his debut in 1996 and retired in 2021 – 26 seasons in all – and he has made 432 Grand Prix starts in total, of which 372 in the premier class)
– He competed the most seasons on a Yamaha in the MotoGP class (16 seasons)
– He secured the most podiums for Yamaha in the MotoGP class (he has stood on the rostrum with Yamaha 142 times)
– He holds the most first places for Yamaha in the MotoGP class (56 wins)
– He completed 230 races back-to-back, without missing one (from his debut in 1996 in Malaysia until the race in Mugello in 2010)
– He holds the record for most races started overall and in the premier class. (He has started in 432 GP races across all classes; 372 of which have been in the premier class and 273 of those races he rode on a Yamaha.)
– He was the first rider to take back-to-back premier-class victories with different manufacturers (after his win at the 2004 season-opening GP in South Africa)
– He achieved the highest number of premier-class victories in a single season by a Yamaha rider (11 wins in 2005)
– He stood on the podium in the premier class on 199 occasions
– He has been on the podium 235 times across all classes
– Out of Yamaha‘s 520 Grand Prix victories, 11% were secured by him, making Rossi the biggest contributing rider (56 victories of the 520 GP wins secured by Yamaha)
– He secured 6,357 points in total counting his results over all the classes he competed in (125cc, 250cc, 500cc, MotoGP)
Chase Sexton Wins Nashville Supercross and Takes Over Second Place in Championship
Hunter Lawrence Grabs Western Regional 250SX Class Title with a Win in the Music City
Nashville, Tenn. – Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton took the Round 15 win in a rare daytime Monster Energy AMA Supercross race in Nashville, Tennessee.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac led early but earned second at the checkered flag at Nissan Stadium. Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen delivered another podium performance and earned third place points toward both the 17-round 2023 Supercross season as well as the inaugural 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In the penultimate round of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class season, Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence was picture-perfect for the race win and the points needed to seal his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross championship.
Chase Sexton’s (23) Nashville Supercross win moved him into second place in the championship standings. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Eli Tomac grabbed a clear Holeshot and sprinted early to establish some breathing room on the pack of Tank Masters Red Line Oil Next Level KTM’s Kevin Moranz, Team Honda HRC’s Colt Nichols, Chase Sexton, Twisted Tea Suzuki Progressive Insurance’s Kyle Chisholm and Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia. Team Tedder Monster Energy Mountain Motorsport’s Justin Hill got an incredible drive down the first rhythm lane and was into third place before the second corner. Absent was Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb, second in the championship points; Webb had been taken out of the event earlier by a tough crash in his Heat Race.
Tomac distanced himself from the pack as Sexton moved past Justin Hill to take over second just three minutes into the race. Sexton sat over four seconds back but set his sights on Tomac. A minute later Tomac had a near-crash in the whoops. The challenging track had created a lot of crashes through qualifying and racing. Tomac’s scare convinced him to lower his aggression, as he reported on the podium after the race.
Just over five minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race Barcia moved forward into third place. Up front, Sexton steadily cut down the lead. The next few laps shook up the race as Sexton made it to Tomac’s rear fender just as Barcia crashed hard off the Dragon’s Back. Barcia was out just as Roczen nabbed third from Justin Hill. From there the race leaders held their spots on the slick, dry track. Sexton earned his fourth win of the season and moved into second in the championship standings. Tomac lost three points to Chase but extended his points lead to 18 due to Webb earning zero in Nashville.
Hunter Lawrence (96) made it a Team HRC Honda sweep by taking the Nashville win and also the 2023 Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
When the gate dropped for the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Hunter Lawrence grabbed the Holeshot but Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Jordon Smith quickly charged up to him. In the third corner Smith bumped his way past and into the lead ahead of Lawrence and Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin. A minute and a half into the 15-minute plus one lap race Smith held first ahead of Lawrence, Smith, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan. With a 49-point lead and only one Eastern Regional 250SX Class round remaining after Nashville, Lawrence could finish as low as 20th and still claim the title. But Lawrence looked like he wanted to go out with a win, and hounded Smith up front. Shimoda moved into third behind them and Deegan fought to get past Martin for fourth.
With 9:30 remaining on the race clock Smith overcooked a turn in the sand section and went off the track and into the Tuff Blox. He didn’t fall, but the mistake and correction to get back on the track cost him two positions. Lawrence took over the lead but suddenly Shimoda was on a tear and looking like he might soon fight for the front spot. Fire Power Honda’s Max Anstie, the winner at the previous round, had made his way into sixth and reached Deegan’s rear wheel just before Deegan made his own move and passed Martin for fourth place.
Late in the race Lawrence had built a comfortable lead while Shimoda, Smith, and Deegan ran close enough that each of their positions were in jeopardy. The riders circled the final laps without major mistakes. Lawrence brought home the race win and with it his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross title. Shimoda earned his first podium of the season after missing most of it due to injury, and Smith took the final podium spot.
Only two rounds remain in the season. The 450SX Class racers line up again inside Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado next Saturday, May 6th before the 2023 Supercross Championship Final Presented by Utah Sports Commission at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 13th. Two champions remain to be crowned, one in the 450SX Class and one in the Western Regional 250SX Class.
The two rounds will also pay points toward the all-new SuperMotocross World Championship which encompasses the Supercross season, the AMA Pro Motocross season, two Playoff races and a Final to determine the sport’s first SuperMotocross World Champion in September.
All 31-rounds of the SuperMotocross World Championship are streamed live on Peacock and select rounds are broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. The 450 class racers battle for a one million dollar payout to the winner, and the 250 class racers all battle in a single class for a $500,000 prize to the winner in that class.
Tickets are available now alongside video highlights, race results, the complete SMX schedule, and more at SupercrossLIVE.com.
450SX Class podium (riders from left) Eli Tomac, Chase Sexton, and Ken Roczen. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
450SX Class Results
1. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha
3. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
4. Colt Nichols, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
5. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM
6. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki
7. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Honda
8. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki
9. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Suzuki
10. Josh Hill, Huntersville, N.C., KTM
450SX Class Championship Standings
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (338)
2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (320)
3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (304)
4. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (280)
5. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (267)
6. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (242)
7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (213)
8. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM (172)
9. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (170)
10. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Honda (165)
250SX Class podium (riders from left) Jordon Smith, Hunter Lawrence, and Jo Shimoda. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results
1. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda
2. Jo Shimoda, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki
3. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha
4. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha
5. Max Anstie, Cairo, Ga., Honda
6. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha
7. Tom Vialle, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
8. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki
9. Henry Miller, Rochester, Minn., Honda
10. Cullin Park, Clermont, Fla., Honda
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
Keep ’em coming! Sunday stages another stunner as Bagnaia vs Binder goes to the wire
Ducati and KTM test the limits of awesomeness in Jerez, with some sideways poetry, pitch perfect defence and a dash of chaos for some big names
Francesco Bagnaia (1) held off Brad Binder (33) to win Sunday at Jerez. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sunday, 30 April 2023
Two KTMS, one Ducati, and one hell of a race. Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) pounced in style to deny Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) the spoils at the Gran Premio Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España, but it went right to the wire – and was far from a two-man show. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was right up in the mix as the podium battle tested out the adage rubbing is racing, but the Australian said it himself: “I love this so much.” And so do we!
It wasn’t without a dash of chaos, drama and, for some, bad luck, however, with former points leader Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) losing that moniker as he slid out. And before the race – that counts – even got going, the first start was Red Flagged after a crash for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team), with Bezzecchi also “involved”, or rather the rider just to the inside of both. The Portuguese rider was a completely innocent party as he got caught up on the outside, and suffered a dislocated shoulder since treated at the Medical Centre. Quartararo? For the team he was certainly innocent of anything more than racing and running out of space. For the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards the Frenchman deserved a Long Lap…
Francesco Bagnaia (1) and Brad Binder (33) fighting for the lead at Jerez. Photo courtesy Dorna.
He was fine to restart though, and as it had been on take one, take two was another KTM show from lights out as they slotted into a 1-2, with Binder leading Miller as Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) slotting into third. Polesitter Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) lost out once again, with Bagnaia also past and into fourth, and he didn’t waste time attacking Martin either. A stylish swoop around Martin at Pedrosa corner and he was through.
It didn’t take long for Miller to decide he was heading through either, sliding down the inside of teammate Binder at the final corner on his mission for Sunday glory. The KTMs then got the hammer down in tandem too, starting to pull away, before Binder returned the favour and Bagnaia set the fastest lap so far to start reeling them in.
Once on the scene, Bagnaia wasted no time in getting past the Aussie, putting his factory Ducati in the tiniest of gaps at Pedrosa corner to sit up the KTM and making a little contact in the process. He raised his had to apologise, Miller raised his to say pfff. The number 43 was then under attack from Martin as well, but snapped straight back at the final corner. That pushed the Pramac well well wide, but no contact there as he slotted back in just behind Aleix Espargaro into fifth…
One lap later, and more penalty drama. Bagnaia was forced to drop one position after that earlier contact though, and the Italian dropped anchor to let Miller back past. It was a KTM one-two once again, but Martin soon got back past Aleix Espargaro to start bothering Miller again.
Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) then crashed out from behind Martin, joining earlier faller Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) as a DNF. And Bezzecchi was just about to join them, the Italian sliding out at Pedrosa, rider ok but ceding that points lead.
Back at the front, Binder was now six tenths ahead of Bagnaia, but as the final few laps dawned the Ducati was gaining, gaining and gaining. At the final corner with four to go, Pecco pounced to perfection and headed over the line with three to go in the lead. Could Binder respond?
At first it seemed like a no, but the number 33 dragged the speed from somewhere. He closed back in, and by the final lap it looked plausible if not likely that Binder would get close enough. By the final sector it looked like one motorcycle in the lead, and the last Lorenzo corner was coming.
The stage was set for a lunge, but Bagnaia was having none of it. The reigning Champion was incredibly strong on the brakes and shut the door to perfection, leaving Binder to have a brief look but find no way through. Split by just two tenths over the line, it was fitting it went to the wire after a stunning race.
Jack Miller (43) celebrates another podium finish. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Miller took third place and that’s now premier class podiums with three different bikes, as well as his first GP rostrum visit with KTM. Martin takes fourth place and was fuming at the Australian for his move, and Aleix Espargaro completed the top five.
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) took sixth in a close, close finish with KTM wildcard and MotoGP™ Legend Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The number 26 was thousandths off but took another top ten after an incredible weekend on his return to competition. Behind them, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) took eighth ahead of Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu). One bit of late drama saw Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) lose out on that as a technical problem caused him a last lap DNF.
On Quartararo watch, the Frenchman was classified tenth after even more drama. He made progress, did the Long Lap but actually didn’t quite stay in the lines, and then had to do another Long Lap. So the comeback into the top ten was something to write home about. Will we see Yamaha make a statement about the penalty as they did after Assen last season? It seems a story likely to roll on.
With the Championship plot ever-changing in MotoGP™, there’s no telling what the next chapter holds as the paddock moves to the SHARK Grand Prix de France on the 12th – 14th of May. It’s no ordinary race weekend either: it’s the 1000th Grand Prix in history. Home heroes Quartararo and Zarco may have had different ideas of how they’d want to arrive into the weekend, but anything can happen – we’ve already had 10 riders on the GP podium this season and they’re both among them. It’s a date with destiny and history, and you don’t want to miss it!
MotoGP™ RACE RESULTS
PECCO BAGNAIA: “I’m really happy, sincerely. The progress we made this weekend is the best we’ve ever had. Friday I was in quite a bit of trouble with the front feeling, yesterday was better but today was unbelievable, my team did another step. I was looking at the bike yesterday and I saw something, we tried it, and everything was perfect today. We managed the tyres perfectly and finally we won in difficult conditions after two 0s. I was trying to understand if it was possible or not, and then to finish first… just want to say thanks to my team because they did an incredible job.”
BRAD BINDER: “It’s fantastic to finish a main race again! The last two I messed up! So happy to have got a solid podium, it was nice to be out front and lead the race. I kept seeing a little gap and thought I got the job done and said I had better make sure I don’t mess up the edge of my tyre, but I think I cooked it with three or four to go. It is what it is, last lap I managed my quickest lap of the race trying to get past Pecco. Hats off to him, he did a fantastic job today and he got me in the end. Huge thanks to my team and to everybody for all the support and we try again next time.”
JACK MILLER: “I had to work for that one! It was a long race and again today with the red flag I had to come back and regroup and do the same again but we got away to a good start. I was suffering a little bit there, as I assume most of the boys were with the right hand edge on the front, especially in the faster corners. I don’t know what happened, but I started putting in really fast laps near the end of the race. I was thinking that was a good lap but I wasn’t closing them down so I knew they were doing the same! Brad rode awesome, Pecco rode awesome. Some nice clean fun racing. Super happy to be a part of it and of course stoked to be up here on the podium with KTM for the first time. It’s an amazing feeling. A lot of us people doubted us at the beginning of this one but we are here already and hopefully we can stay.”
A little more on silencing those critics:
“I’m having a ball. I love this stuff, I love it so much. A lot of guys in this championship sit there and complain about the bike they’re on, how other bikes are better, and so on. If you really want it, go out and do it. It’s not hard. I wasn’t going to stick around where I was, I wasn’t feeling comfortable there and I wanted a new challenge. It’s called taking a risk on yourself, people in business do it all the time. If you trust in yourself enough, yeah it can come back to bite you on the arse, but I trust myself enough, and my ability and the people around me I have working with me. We took a risk and it feels mega when it comes off. I can’t thank first and foremost KTM for giving me this opportunity enough, and thank you to the people who doubt us. I love it. To be back on the podium, not just me but both bikes on the podium after so many riders last year were sitting there complaining how bad this bike was… Ha. Where is it now?”
Flawless Lowes fends off Acosta for first win since 2021
“He was flying!” – Acosta tips his hat as the Brit dominates and denies him a home win, with Lopez third in Spain
Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) smashed it out the park in Spain, with th Brit back on top for the first time since Emilia-Romagna 2021. No one had an answer for the Brit’s stunning pace, with the number 22 pulling away once in the lead and coming home with time for a huge wheelie over the line. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) came home in second after initially leading the way, now equal with Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) on points at the top of the Championship, with Alonso Lopez (CAG Speed Up) back on the podium in third.
After getting the holeshot into Turn 1 to get ahead of Lowes, Acosta led the field around most of the first lap until the Brit pounced at the final corner. Arbolino made a lightning start from P10 too, and the Italian was battling Lopez for P3 on the opening lap.
Back-to-back fastest laps of the race saw Lowes pull 0.4s clear of Acosta, who in turn had 1.1s in hand over Lopez. Arbolino was getting beaten up a bit after a good start though, the title chaser embroiled in a battle with Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Filip Salač (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) and Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40).
By 14 laps to go, Lowes had stretched his lead out to 0.8s. The top two were in a league of their own at this stage, with Lopez 2.2s off Acosta’s rear wheel. With 11 to go, the leader’s gap was up to 1.7s as Lowes got the hammer down, with Acosta still pulling clear of third place Lopez. Ogura was leading the P4 battle with Arbolino tucked right in behind the Japanese star, before Turn 1 on Lap 13 saw Ogura crash out after very, very slight contact with Arbolino’s rear wheel.
Lap 16 of 21 passed by as Lowes continued to stretch his advantage out over Acosta. With five laps left, 2.3s was Lowes’ margin for error, with Lopez holding off Arbolino for the final podium spot by just over a second. And heading onto the final lap, 2.9s was the gap. Lowes managed to bring his Triumph Kalex machine home for a pitch-perfect Spanish GP victory, as Acosta claimed P2 on home turf to bring himself level on points at the top of the overall standings. Lopez managed to hold off Arbolino by half a second to grab his second rostrum of the season.
Arbolino finished P4 from 10th on the grid, he’s now tied on points with Acosta at the summit of the Championship table. Canet picks up a valuable P5 from a P12 grid slot, ahead of Jake Dixon (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar M2), Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Salač and Fermin Aldeguer (CAG SpeedUp) in the top 10.
Check out the full results below, and come back for more from the intermediate class on track at #GP1000 at Le Mans!
Awesome Ortola takes back-to-back glory in an instant classic at Jerez
The Angeluss MTA Team rider doubles down, outfoxing Alonso and Masia on a blockbuster final lap
Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) has done it again! After taking a maiden win at the Americas GP, the Spaniard doubled down on home turf with another impressive charge to win the Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España. It went to the wire in another Moto3™ classic at Jerez, with Ortola followed home by some close company from rookie David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar), the first Colombian to take a podium in Grand Prix racing, and veteran home hero Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing).
Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took the holeshot off the line and fended off attacks from an eager-starting Ortola, but Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Ryusei Yamanaka (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar) soon joined the fight. The front two of Holgado and Ortola began to break away at the front, however, with Öncü next up before Masia made his way past in style at Turn 11 to get on the chase. Yamanaka joined him and the two reeled in the leaders before heartbreak for the Japanese rider as he suffered a technical issue, forced to drop back.
It then became a six-bike battle for victory as Xavier Artigas (CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP) joined the fray, followed by Alonso and fellow rookie Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) into the mix.
By six to go, Masia decided it was his turn to lead his home Grand Prix, taking over from Holgado at the front. The second group, by now including Öncü as well as Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing), was on the scene, creating a nine-rider battle for Spanish Grand Prix victory. The race was on!
The order continued to change from corner to corner, but it was Masia leading over the line as the last lap got underway with Alonso in 2nd, Ortola 3rd, Sasaki 4th, and Holgado 5th. But in the course of two corners, Masia dropped from the lead to 4th place as the group barrelled into the final sector. Into the stunning final Jorge Lorenzo corner, Ortola was back in front after a stunning move for the front, and he held off the shuffle behind as he gassed it to the line for a second win in two.
Alonso brought home his first Grand Prix podium in only his sixth race, with Masia able to snap back at Sasaki to take the final podium spot. Still, after incredible speed but some high profile crashes so far in 2023, fourth is some precious points. Rueda rounded out the top 5 after an impressive display on home soi, with Holgado dropping down to 6th place on the final lap. Still, he retains the points lead.
Suzuki takes eighth after fading slightly late on, but the Japanese rider is also still recovering from his crash last time out. Polesitter Öncü, after getting a Long Lap penalty in the last couple of laps for exceeding track limits, didn’t do it in time and therefore got a 3-second penalty, classified ninth. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) completed the top ten after a tougher weekend for the Brazilian, just ahead of Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team).
For full results see below, and then get ready for #GP1000 at Le Mans in two weeks!
Veteran Sam Lowes rode his Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Kalex to victory in Sunday’s FIM Moto2 World Championship race at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain.
Lowes (the identical twin brother of World Superbike racer Alex Lowes) won the 21-lap race by 2.841 seconds over Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Pedro Acosta.
Alonso Lopez finished third on his CAG SpeedUp Boscoscuro.
American Joe Roberts finished 14th on his Italtrans Racing Kalex, while his countryman Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) crashed out during the first half of the race.
Marco Bezzecchi (72). Photo courtesy Mooney VR46 Racing Team.
Mooney VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi turned the best lap time during a post-race IRTA test day Monday at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain.
Riding his Ducati Desmosedici, Bezzecchi turned a 1:36.574, which was significantly faster than the quickest lap from Sunday’s race, a 1:37.989 by Francesco Bagnaia and was quicker than Bagnaia’s 2022 Race Lap Record of 1:37.669.
In the pre-race press conference, Bezzecchi’s teammate Luca Marini said they had nothing to test today, which means Bezzecchi was likely free to optimize the setup he developed during the weekend and focus on his riding. But it’s worthy to note that Bezzecchi did his best test lap time on lap 56 of 64, which means it likely came in the afternoon and in the same conditions as during the race on Sunday.
Marini was second-best Monday with a 1:36.678, just ahead of Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo, who did a 1:36.725 on lap 60 of 88.
Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales was fifth on Monday with a 1:36.964, but he had the honor of completing the most laps, 94.
The top 19 riders’ best lap times Monday were within 1.2 seconds of each other.
Jerez Test: Novelties aplenty & Bezzecchi back on top!
There were some interesting developments in pitlane as the premier class got back on track in Jerez
Marco Bezzecchi (72). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Monday, 01 May 2023
Did you miss us? We know, we know, it’s barely been a day. But when the action is as good as it was at the Spanish GP, withdrawal symptoms are natural. Luckily, we have a few tidbits to share from the official one-day test that saw the MotoGP™ riders head back out on Monday, with plenty of novelties up and down pitlane… and a familiar name back on top: Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team).
Mooney VR46, Gresini, Ducati Lenovo & Prima Pramac
As can be expected, there wasn’t anything new for the 2022 Ducatis but that didn’t stop Mooney VR46 Racing Team from making it a 1-2. Luca Marini was just a tenth off Bezzecchi, who in turn was about four tenths off the all-time lap record from last season.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) had a good day on the timesheets in fourth, with reigning Champion and Spanish GP winner Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) in sixth. Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) was ninth, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) tenth and Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) 13th.
The sole novelty at Ducati, the home of novelty – a moniker now seemingly under threat from KTM – was a new belly pan on Zarco’s Prima Pramac, with a small inlet on the bottom.
Monster Energy Yamaha
At Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™, there were two different chassis for Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli. Pitlane reporter Simon Crafar was confident he’s seen the “different” one before, as it gets tested, tested again and then shelved. Quartararo also rode the weekend with the newer swingarm – and has that at the test on both machines – having previously gone back to a previous version.
Fabio Quartararo (20) tested a new swingarm and exhaust system. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Some interesting wings also sprouted on Morbidelli’s machine, and the sidepods were bigger. Meanwhile, Quartararo tested the new exhaust in the afternoon, taking it out on a couple of runs. El Diablo was third overall and top until the latter stages, with Morbidelli down in P16.
Aprilia & CryptoData RNF
At Aprilia Racing, it looked like the focus was more on fine-tuning what they have and working with setup. It also looked like both sides of the garage were more than a little preoccupied with practice starts. Maverick Viñales especially was taking every chance to try a launch, and teammate Aleix Espargaro put in a fair few after he also lost out at Turn 1 four times in a row this weekend. Viñales was fifth, and Espargaro seventh.
Maverick Vinales (12) did some setup fine tuning and a lot of practice starts Monday. Photo courtesy Dorna.
At CryptoData RNF MotoGP™ Team, Lorenzo Savadori stepped in for the sidelined Miguel Oliveira, and was unfortunately one of the few crashers on the day. Still, he put in nearly half a century of laps for some more information. Raul Fernandez, meanwhile, did over 70, and ended the day in P11.
Red Bull KTM & GASGAS Tech3
Headlines during the race weekend weren’t enough for the Austrian factory, so they thought they’d make a few more on Monday. Some of the new aero first seen in the hands of Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) over the weekend was put through its paces by Brad Binder and Jack Miller, and our reporters spotted a sidepod that’s more an extra, vertical panel all the way to the bottom of the fairing.
Jack Miller tested some new aerodynamic features. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Our eagle eyes also saw a new chassis for Pedrosa. Oh, and someone from Red Bull Advanced Technologies was spotted in the box…
Dani Pedrosa tested a new frame for KTM. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Binder ended the day in eighth, Miller in P14 and Pedrosa near the back of the order, slacking off on the time attack heroics he very much proved he was still capable of during the weekend.
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3’s Augusto Fernandez took the opportunity to put in 69 laps as he continues to adapt to MotoGP™, and he had the new aero, without the side addition, that was raced by Pedrosa. His temporary teammate – test rider Jonas Folger – did 63.
Repsol Honda & LCR Honda Castrol/Idemitsu
Our eyebrows were raised at Honda, as pitlane reporters Simon Crafar and Jack Gorst spotted the long-awaited Kalex chassis in the hands of HRC test rider Stefan Bradl. Repsol Honda Team Manager Alberto Puig said initial signs were good.
Honda tried a new Kalex frame on Monday. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Bad luck hit when Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) was attempting to head out on it though, with a technical problem seeing the 2020 World Champion manage only five corners of his out lap. Mir also crashed earlier in the session before that, rider ok, but completed 67 laps for P15.
The number 36 had two of his normal chassis this morning but then had one of the chassis teammate Marc Marquez had been using. Mir also tried the small aero update that Bradl had throughout the race weekend, as well as new downwash ducts.
Repsol Honda’s Joan Mir tried a new chassis and some new aero ducting. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) was seen with a chassis used previously by Mir, as well as the downwash ducts. Honda also had a new “winglet” on the swingarm. Rins did 82 laps and was P17, suffering a crash at the end but rider ok. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Castrol) was top Honda in P12 after 70 laps.
Now it’s time to pack up the paddock for the premier class in Jerez, although we’ll see the Moto2™ and Moto3™ fields back out on Tuesday. For MotoGP™ it’s next stop: #GP1000 at Le Mans, with more history waiting to be made just around the corner!
Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley (left) and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom (right) in the paddock at Jerez. Photo courtesy Mat Oxley.
Roadracing World MotoGP Editor and Isle of Man TT winner Mat Oxley and two-time World Championship-winning Crew Chief Peter Bom have started “The Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast,” which will be focused on the FIM MotoGP World Championship.
Here is Episode One. The original podcast can be found on SoundCloud or other places you get podcasts.
For a third successive year, the "Rainey's Ride To The Races" will be held in conjunction with the 2023 MotoAmerica Speedfest At Laguna Seca and this year's ride will feature even more legends than in years past. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Third Annual “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” Set For MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest At Laguna Seca
Ride With The Legends On The Monterey Peninsula, Stay For The Race
IRVINE, CA (May 1, 2023) – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is excited to announce that “Rainey’s Ride To The Races” will again be held in conjunction with the 2023 MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest At Laguna Seca with this year’s ride boasting even more legends than in years past.
This year’s ride includes the following legends:
– Three-time World Champion Kenny Roberts
– Four-time World Champion Eddie Lawson
– Three-time AMA Grand National Champion Bubba Shobert
– 1993 World Champion Kevin Schwantz
– Seven-time Supercross and Motocross National Champion Rick Johnson
– 2011 World Superbike Champion Carlos Checa
– Three-time AMA Superbike Champion Doug Chandler
Rainey’s Ride To The Races will be held on Friday, July 7, opening day of the fifth round of the MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship, and will again benefit the Roadracing World Action Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes motorcycle racing safety with the facilitation of soft air barrier systems at racing events.
The 100-mile ride will begin at the Moto Talbott Motorcycle Museum at 4 E Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley, California, and will tour the best parts of the Monterey Peninsula, including in and around the Santa Lucia Mountain ranges, the Salinas Valley foothills, local wineries, and the stunning Steinbeck country. The ride will conclude at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with two laps around the racetrack, lunch and a Q&A session with legends Rainey, Roberts, Lawson, Shobert, Schwantz, Johnson, Chandler and Checa.
The ride will be limited to 40 riders who purchase the special $500 Premium Rainey’s Ride To The Races ticket. Last year’s ride raised nearly $75,000 for the Roadracing World Action Fund.
“Last year’s ride was sold out and better than the first and this year promises to be better than the second,” said MotoAmerica President and three-time World Champion Wayne Rainey. “I’m excited we’ve added Kevin (Schwantz), Doug (Chandler), Ricky (Johnson) and Carlos (Checa) to the ride so it will give our participants even more time with the legends. The ride was a lot of fun for both the champions and our fans, and the best part is that we raised nearly $75,000 for the Roadracing World Action Fund. We have a goal of raising more this July.”
Rainey’s Ride To The Races will be conducted at a relaxed, easy pace and no one will be left behind. Gordon McCall, a local motorcycle enthusiast and good friend of MotoAmerica, will be leading the ride. The ride will take approximately two to two and a half hours from start to completion.
“I appreciate your support and hope to see you there,” said Rainey.
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.
Brookes scores second win of 2023 in rain interrupted Oulton Park opener
Josh Brookes claimed his second Bennetts British Superbike Championship race win of the season for the FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team, celebrating the opening victory at Oulton Park in the BikeSocial Sprint Race that was red flagged on the penultimate lap for rain.
Brookes got a flying start from the Omologato Pole Position to lead the pack into Old Hall for the first time ahead of Storm Stacey, Leon Haslam, Glenn Irwin and Jason O’Halloran. It was disappointment for the McAMS Yamaha team though when O’Halloran crashed out at Cascades on the second lap.
Haslam made a move on Stacey at Island to move second with Glenn Irwin moving into third at Hizzys on the opening lap and the trio then became the force at the front of the field.
Brookes was withstanding the pressure from his ROKiT BMW Motorrad and BeerMonster Ducati rivals as they continued to try to line up an attack for the lead.
As the race reached the penultimate lap, rain began to fall at the race was subsequently red flagged as Brookes became the first race winner in the Milwaukee Grand Slam. Haslam became the fifth different podium finisher of the season so far in second place, whilst Glenn Irwin completed the top three.
Peter Hickman delivered a determined ride to carve his way through the field to finish fourth on the second FHO Racing BMW Motorrad machine, closing in on the leading trio over the closing stages of the race.
Tommy Bridewell had an equally strong performance, finishing the race fifth on the second BeerMonster Ducati after starting 15th on the grid after a difficult eBay Qualifying session earlier in the afternoon.
Bridewell had got the better of Andrew Irwin who led the Honda Racing UK charge in sixth, just ahead of LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha’s Kyle Ryde. Christian Iddon meanwhile was able to stay ahead of Stacey in the closing stages to get his best result of the season so far in eighth, as Stacey ended his positive day in Cheshire with a top ten finish.
Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki’s Lee Jackson completed the top ten ahead of tomorrow’s two races.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, BikeSocial Sprint Race result:
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad)
Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) +0.186s
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.441s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +1.152s
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +4.790s
Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +4.977s
Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +13.661s
Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +13.784s
Storm Stacey (Starline Racing Kawasaki) +13.987s
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +14.093s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 66
Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 57
Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 57
Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 48
Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad) 46
Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 35
Jack Kennedy (Mar-Train Racing Yamaha) 30
Danny Kent (Lovell Kent Racing Honda) 27
Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 25
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 21
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Josh Brookes – BikeSocial Sprint Race winner
FHO Racing BMW Motorrad
“It was obviously great to take the win today, it’s good for all the team, sponsors and partners involved. To everyone else it probably looked like I was out at the front having an easy time and controlling the race, but it was actually quite difficult because I was that first rider on track.
“I could see my lap times on my dash and I wasn’t impressed by any means, so I tried to improve as I was expecting an attack from the riders behind me. I had a few moments where the rear would spin and I’d lose some time, so I just focussed on trying to be as methodical as possible and not make any mistakes, not improve the lap time but just maintain it.
“Towards the end with the rain I desperately didn’t want to put my hand up, I could see the rain on the lap before on the visor, then when I came through to Island Bend on the penultimate lap it was red flagged.
“I know it was the only option, but I would have liked to have taken the win over the finish line with the chequered flag. The BMW felt really sweet in the race, but we’re always trying to improve, but in the race we really did hit a sweet spot and it did feel really good to ride. So hopefully that accelerates us even further tomorrow.”
Herfoss and Jones Bring the House Down at Queensland Raceway
ALPINESTARS SUPERBIKE
The two, sixteen lap Alpinestars Superbike races were absolute showstoppers as the best of Australia went head-to-head at the third round of the mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship Presented by Motul (ASBK) at Queensland raceway this weekend.
As the smell of burning rubber subsided around the circuit it was two-time Australian Superbike Champion, Troy Herfoss and his Penrite Honda team who rose above the rest scoring a perfect weekend of pole position and two intensely fought race wins to walk away with a perfect score of 51 points. The stellar weekend has consolidated his second place in the title chase in emphatic fashion as Herfoss took a huge chunk of points out of the series pacesetter, Josh Waters (McMartin Racing Ducati).
Waters who had won the previous five races in dominant fashion and set lap records at Phillip Island and Sydney Motorsport Park, could only manage a run of two fourth place finishes behind defending champion Mike Jones’ two-second places, while his Yamaha Racing team-mate Cru Halliday continued his impressive run of six podiums after his two third place results.
While the top four places may have been the same for the two races the action was at another level, particularly at the front in the contests between Herfoss and Jones. After claiming his first pole position in over two years on Saturday afternoon, to say it was a welcome return to the winner’s dais for Herfoss is a massive understatement.
Race One
When the lights went out to start the first race Jones won the drag race to turn one to lead the field from Herfoss as Halliday again blew the start for Waters to move into third.
Jones and Herfoss broke away from the rest as they became embroiled in a titanic struggle that saw the lead change between the pair at least a dozen times. Herfoss stalked his blue prey relentlessly looking for that opening. Jones looked like he had enough up his sleeve, but Herfoss wasn’t playing the game of the defending champion.
Behind them, Waters was in third for the opening lap before Glenn Allerton, (GT Racing BMW) grabbed third on the second lap to hold onto a possible podium until the seventh lap as Halliday steadily made up for his poor start to relegate Allerton to fourth as Waters cleared Allerton for fourth.
But most eyes were firmly focused on the leading pair. Herfoss launched his initial assault at about half-race distance with an aggressive move into the turn three hairpin. He ran wide, allowing Jones up the inside to retake the lead. Herfoss tried again at the first of two left-handers on the track and again at the final turn. Herfoss appeared to be trying too hard as his late braking moves were upsetting his mid-corner attack and he ran wide which allowed Jones back in front.
With little more than millimetres separating the pair it was anyone’s guess with two laps to go. Herfoss made his move on the fifteenth lap to finally take the lead and fended off the #1 Yamaha to take the chequered flag.
It was an enthralling duel as the passing maneuvers were astonishing as both riders threw everything at each other – reminiscent of their last round duel at Sydney Motorsport Park in December 2019 when Jones won his second title.
As they battled, Halliday was encroaching closer to the leading duo but once again rued his getaway off the line. The gap between the leading pair was just 0.115 of a second with Halliday chasing the pair of them down to be just 0.047 behind at the flag.
Cru Halliday was a man on a mission, hunting down the leading duo
It was ASBK at it’s very best, on a beautiful sunny Queensland day in front of packed stands.
Race Two
Jones launched into the lead off the line to make the rest give chase in what Jones has become renowned for as he settles into a rhythm out in front. The McMartin Racing Team and Josh Waters had made a setup change between races, allowing the #21 to run with the leaders in the early stages as the group clicked off the laps. Waters tried valiantly to run with the leading duo but as the wind changed and the track became more greasy with an increased temperature, the Ducati man struggled to hold on and started to drift into a distant third.
The action was hotter than the track as Herfoss took the lead on the fifth lap. Jones was more willing to give up the lead this time as he elected to stay behind the Fireblade and study its weaknesses. A calm and methodical Jones played the patient game, drifting back to allow his front tyre to cool ahead of a renewed attack with three laps to go. Jones pounced on lap thirteen with a move that Herfoss had tried on him in race one, but the lead immediately changed back as Herfoss had his elbows out and muscled his way back into the lead the very next lap.
The pair traded the lead as the last lap board was shown and the fight was on. Side-by-side into turn three as Jones defended the inside line and held Herfoss at bay for now. Fans around Queensland Raceway were on the edge of their seat as Herfoss dived up the inside into turn four to surprise an unsuspecting Jones who had left the door open. The Yamaha rider running wide in avoidance, gathered himself up and adjusted his line for turn five to line up Herfoss into the final corner for one final attack. The pair grabbed the brakes alongside one another, with Jones running up the inside and in turn opening a gap for Herfoss to squeeze the power on and cut back underneath the R1 M. It still wasn’t over as Jones was able to get the Yamaha onto the fat part of the tyre and blast up the inside of Herfoss in a drag race to the line – The Penrite Honda man winning by just 0.056 of a second in his one hundredth start for the manufacturer in ASBK competition.
Jones’ Yamaha Racing Team teammate Halliday rides across the line to score a podium and continue his impressive 2023 form, while third is not the result he is after, it is only a matter of time before the #65 wins a race this season.
MICHELIN SUPERSPORT
Race One
The Michelin Supersport championship in 2023 is quite possibly the most intense and competitive title chase it has been in many years. This year there are so many competitors that are capable of winning a race – and the championship – but there is one rider that is gaining a massive amount of attention as he battles in his rookie year in the class. Fifteen-year-old Cameron Dunker is a revelation.
The way he has adapted so quickly is simply astonishing. In only his fifth race in the class (at Sydney Motorsport Park in March) Cam’ broke through to become the youngest-ever winner of a race in the class. In that race, he conquered the changing wet conditions to put on a master class of controlled yet rapid riding to streak the field. To prove it was no fluke, at QR this weekend he claimed another piece of history to be the youngest rider to grab Pole Position in the class. He certainly sets some challenges for himself, but he converts them into reality as he did on the weekend. Equally impressive is his race craft and riding maturity for one so young but with a successful career in dirt track that saw him win five national titles it is understandable that he is a rising star and has an innate talent for racing either on the black, or the brown, stuff.
While Dunker has set tongues waxing lyrical since his arrival in the class, there are a number of more experienced rivals like series leader, Ty Lynch, dual Australian Champion Tom Bramich, South Australian Ollie Simpson, and others who are aiming to deny the youngster any further glory.
Simpson was like an exocet missile off the line as he charged into the lead, endeavoring to break the spirit of the opposition early. Easier said than done with this year’s pack of hard chargers as they gave chase like a bunch of greyhounds stalking a rabbit on a Friday evening but Simpson had a lead of over two seconds after five laps as Dunker and Lynch duked it out until Dunker grabbed second and set about closing downs Simpson’s lead with Lynch riding shotgun. Dunker hunted down the leader and the pair had some dramatic passing moves as the lead changed numerous over the remaining laps but it was Dunker who held on to win his second win on the trot by just 0.011 sec from Simpson with Lynch right on their tails.
Race Two
In the second race, Simpson again scythed his way from the second row, and Bramich tagged onto his rear wheel as Dunker was off to an uncustomary slow start to be fourth after the first lap. Simpson looked like he was going to disappear into the distance but Bramich sure had the race face on as he pulled back the gap with some impressively fierce late braking to keep Simpson just in front as he searched for a way past.
It appeared to be a two-bike race as the pair had a lead of over 2.5 seconds over third-place Dunker after eight of the 14 laps but Dunker had other ideas. He hunted down the pair overtaking Bramich on the twelft lap and was 1.55 seconds behind Simspon with two laps to go. It didn’t seem possible but Dunker went within 0.232 of a second of pulling off a remarkable win with Bramich scoring his best result in a long time to finish third.
SUPERSPORT 300 AND YAMAHA FINANCE R3 CUP
The Production 300cc and Yamaha Finance R3 Cup were their usual races comprised of mayhem and outrageous passing moves with one to up to a dozen riders fighting for the lead.
For Sunday’s races, Hamod continued his stellar performance from the day before as he added another victory to his resume taking out the third and final Production 300cc race. Each of the four races featured conga lines of up to fourteen bikes battling for the lead and the relegation and promotion of positions was astounding as a rider could be in the lead in one corner and in eighth – or worse – at the very next.
The four races were decided by a total of 0.074 seconds. The closest gap between first and second was 0.003 sec between Hamod and Henry Snell in the final 300cc race with Brandon Demmery a “massive” 0.179 sec away on third. The largest gap was 0.034 in the final R3 Cup race between Cameron Swain and Brandon Demmery with the top six covered by half a second.
Swain finally managed to claim another victory after going so close during the weekend but after leading races many times he was in the wrong spot at the wrong time, being shuffled back rias he was swamped and relegated at critical times of the races.
Valentino Rossi (left) and Yoshihiro Hidaka, President of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Photo courtesy Yamaha.
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and Valentino Rossi Sign Brand Ambassador Agreement
Valentino Rossi fans all over the world will be thrilled by the announcement that their hero will be once again officially representing Yamaha. After 16 years of racing partnership, the nine-time World Champion has entered into an agreement with Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. as an official Yamaha Brand Ambassador.
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 30th April 2023
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. are delighted to announce they have signed a multi-year ambassador service agreement with Valentino Rossi, making the nine-time World Champion an official Yamaha Brand Ambassador.
Yamaha and Rossi‘s epic story started with that iconic victory at The Doctor‘s first GP race for Yamaha in South Africa in 2004. From there on in the partnership got to experience lots of thrilling racing action and many great moments in the paddock and off the track, securing 142 podiums, celebrating 56 GP victories, and winning four MotoGP World Championship Titles in 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009 on the way, which all goes to demonstrate that Rossi and Yamaha are inextricably linked.
Rossi‘s astounding achievements, unparalleled passion for racing, and unrivalled charisma make up a huge part of Yamaha‘s and MotoGP‘s heritage. They earned the Italian, who is recognised the world over, the epithet ’GOAT‘ (Greatest of All Time).
Rossi retired from MotoGP after the 2021 season but immediately expressed his desire to keep riding Yamaha bikes for training and leisure as well as his interest in becoming a Brand Ambassador for Yamaha.
TETSU ONO
General Manager – Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.‘s Motorsports Strategy Division
First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Valentino for continuing our partnership. Yamaha is very proud to have Valentino as a Brand Ambassador, perhaps even more so since the desire to become one came from him personally. To have a nine-time World Champion‘s seal of approval is the best recommendation you can get as a motorcycle brand. It‘s a testament to the product quality and the company culture at Yamaha. Yamaha continuously strives to bring Kando* to its clientele. We are pleased that Valentino, the motorcycle racing GOAT, feels so enthusiastic about riding Yamaha‘s powered two-wheel vehicles, and that he is happy to work in a close partnership with Yamaha again. Yamaha enters this agreement with the full intent to meet Valentino‘s needs where it comes to powered two-wheelers for training and leisure purposes. We look forward to working together with him to strengthen the Yamaha brand.
*Kando is a Japanese word for the simultaneous feelings of deep satisfaction and intense excitement that we experience when we encounter something of exceptional value.
LIN JARVIS
Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing
Of course, this is a great moment for Yamaha and it‘s also an emotional development for the fans, who I‘m sure miss Valentino‘s presence in MotoGP since he retired from his successful career. Valentino and his M1 shared a special bond. His arrival at Yamaha was the catalyst that completely changed our MotoGP racing programme to the point that Valentino and Yamaha almost became synonymous. Together we achieved many wins, podiums, and four championships, and then there are also the moments behind the scenes: the hard work but also the fun parts and the shared passion for racing. We always considered Valentino as ’family‘, and as soon as he expressed his desire to keep using Yamaha bikes and to become a Brand Ambassador, we went to work to make it happen. We are thrilled that Valentino is now officially our ambassador.
VALENTINO ROSSI
Yamaha Brand Ambassador
For sure, this agreement between me and Yamaha gives a great emotion. We worked together for many years in the past, so it feels natural. After I retired from MotoGP, I‘ve kept training and riding motorcycles. I was always planning to keep racing in one form or another. During my MotoGP career I rode Yamaha bikes as part of my contract. But even after retiring, I kept using Yamaha bikes because I enjoy it. I‘m happy that the agreement is now signed, so Yamaha and I get to work together in this new set-up.
NOTES
VALENTINO ROSSI, RECORDS & HIGHLIGHTS:
– Rossi is the most successful Yamaha rider in history (56 wins, 46 second places, 40 third places on a Yamaha, scored in 273 races)
– He is the rider that’s been active the longest in Grand Prix racing (he made his debut in 1996 and retired in 2021 – 26 seasons in all – and he has made 432 Grand Prix starts in total, of which 372 in the premier class)
– He competed the most seasons on a Yamaha in the MotoGP class (16 seasons)
– He secured the most podiums for Yamaha in the MotoGP class (he has stood on the rostrum with Yamaha 142 times)
– He holds the most first places for Yamaha in the MotoGP class (56 wins)
– He completed 230 races back-to-back, without missing one (from his debut in 1996 in Malaysia until the race in Mugello in 2010)
– He holds the record for most races started overall and in the premier class. (He has started in 432 GP races across all classes; 372 of which have been in the premier class and 273 of those races he rode on a Yamaha.)
– He was the first rider to take back-to-back premier-class victories with different manufacturers (after his win at the 2004 season-opening GP in South Africa)
– He achieved the highest number of premier-class victories in a single season by a Yamaha rider (11 wins in 2005)
– He stood on the podium in the premier class on 199 occasions
– He has been on the podium 235 times across all classes
– Out of Yamaha‘s 520 Grand Prix victories, 11% were secured by him, making Rossi the biggest contributing rider (56 victories of the 520 GP wins secured by Yamaha)
– He secured 6,357 points in total counting his results over all the classes he competed in (125cc, 250cc, 500cc, MotoGP)
The Supercross series returned to Nashville. Daytime opening ceremonies kicked off the second-ever Supercross race in the Music City. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Chase Sexton Wins Nashville Supercross and Takes Over Second Place in Championship
Hunter Lawrence Grabs Western Regional 250SX Class Title with a Win in the Music City
Nashville, Tenn. – Team Honda HRC’s Chase Sexton took the Round 15 win in a rare daytime Monster Energy AMA Supercross race in Nashville, Tennessee.
Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac led early but earned second at the checkered flag at Nissan Stadium. Progressive Insurance ECSTAR Suzuki’s Ken Roczen delivered another podium performance and earned third place points toward both the 17-round 2023 Supercross season as well as the inaugural 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In the penultimate round of the Eastern Regional 250SX Class season, Team Honda HRC’s Hunter Lawrence was picture-perfect for the race win and the points needed to seal his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross championship.
Chase Sexton’s (23) Nashville Supercross win moved him into second place in the championship standings. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Eli Tomac grabbed a clear Holeshot and sprinted early to establish some breathing room on the pack of Tank Masters Red Line Oil Next Level KTM’s Kevin Moranz, Team Honda HRC’s Colt Nichols, Chase Sexton, Twisted Tea Suzuki Progressive Insurance’s Kyle Chisholm and Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia. Team Tedder Monster Energy Mountain Motorsport’s Justin Hill got an incredible drive down the first rhythm lane and was into third place before the second corner. Absent was Red Bull KTM’s Cooper Webb, second in the championship points; Webb had been taken out of the event earlier by a tough crash in his Heat Race.
Tomac distanced himself from the pack as Sexton moved past Justin Hill to take over second just three minutes into the race. Sexton sat over four seconds back but set his sights on Tomac. A minute later Tomac had a near-crash in the whoops. The challenging track had created a lot of crashes through qualifying and racing. Tomac’s scare convinced him to lower his aggression, as he reported on the podium after the race.
Just over five minutes into the 20-minute plus one lap race Barcia moved forward into third place. Up front, Sexton steadily cut down the lead. The next few laps shook up the race as Sexton made it to Tomac’s rear fender just as Barcia crashed hard off the Dragon’s Back. Barcia was out just as Roczen nabbed third from Justin Hill. From there the race leaders held their spots on the slick, dry track. Sexton earned his fourth win of the season and moved into second in the championship standings. Tomac lost three points to Chase but extended his points lead to 18 due to Webb earning zero in Nashville.
Hunter Lawrence (96) made it a Team HRC Honda sweep by taking the Nashville win and also the 2023 Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
When the gate dropped for the Eastern Regional 250SX Class, Hunter Lawrence grabbed the Holeshot but Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Jordon Smith quickly charged up to him. In the third corner Smith bumped his way past and into the lead ahead of Lawrence and Muc-Off FXR ClubMX Yamaha’s Jeremy Martin. A minute and a half into the 15-minute plus one lap race Smith held first ahead of Lawrence, Smith, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Jo Shimoda, and Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Haiden Deegan. With a 49-point lead and only one Eastern Regional 250SX Class round remaining after Nashville, Lawrence could finish as low as 20th and still claim the title. But Lawrence looked like he wanted to go out with a win, and hounded Smith up front. Shimoda moved into third behind them and Deegan fought to get past Martin for fourth.
With 9:30 remaining on the race clock Smith overcooked a turn in the sand section and went off the track and into the Tuff Blox. He didn’t fall, but the mistake and correction to get back on the track cost him two positions. Lawrence took over the lead but suddenly Shimoda was on a tear and looking like he might soon fight for the front spot. Fire Power Honda’s Max Anstie, the winner at the previous round, had made his way into sixth and reached Deegan’s rear wheel just before Deegan made his own move and passed Martin for fourth place.
Late in the race Lawrence had built a comfortable lead while Shimoda, Smith, and Deegan ran close enough that each of their positions were in jeopardy. The riders circled the final laps without major mistakes. Lawrence brought home the race win and with it his first Monster Energy AMA Supercross title. Shimoda earned his first podium of the season after missing most of it due to injury, and Smith took the final podium spot.
Only two rounds remain in the season. The 450SX Class racers line up again inside Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado next Saturday, May 6th before the 2023 Supercross Championship Final Presented by Utah Sports Commission at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 13th. Two champions remain to be crowned, one in the 450SX Class and one in the Western Regional 250SX Class.
The two rounds will also pay points toward the all-new SuperMotocross World Championship which encompasses the Supercross season, the AMA Pro Motocross season, two Playoff races and a Final to determine the sport’s first SuperMotocross World Champion in September.
All 31-rounds of the SuperMotocross World Championship are streamed live on Peacock and select rounds are broadcast on NBC, USA Network, and CNBC. The 450 class racers battle for a one million dollar payout to the winner, and the 250 class racers all battle in a single class for a $500,000 prize to the winner in that class.
Tickets are available now alongside video highlights, race results, the complete SMX schedule, and more at SupercrossLIVE.com.
450SX Class podium (riders from left) Eli Tomac, Chase Sexton, and Ken Roczen. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
450SX Class Results
1. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda
2. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha
3. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki
4. Colt Nichols, Murrieta, Calif., Honda
5. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM
6. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki
7. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Honda
8. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki
9. Kyle Chisholm, Valrico, Fla., Suzuki
10. Josh Hill, Huntersville, N.C., KTM
450SX Class Championship Standings
1. Eli Tomac, Cortez, Colo., Yamaha (338)
2. Chase Sexton, Clermont, Fla., Honda (320)
3. Cooper Webb, Newport, N.C., KTM (304)
4. Ken Roczen, Clermont, Fla., Suzuki (280)
5. Justin Barcia, Greenville, Fla., GASGAS (267)
6. Jason Anderson, Rio Rancho, N.Mex., Kawasaki (242)
7. Aaron Plessinger, Hamilton, Ohio, KTM (213)
8. Justin Hill, Yoncalla, Ore., KTM (172)
9. Adam Cianciarulo, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Kawasaki (170)
10. Dean Wilson, Menifee, Calif., Honda (165)
250SX Class podium (riders from left) Jordon Smith, Hunter Lawrence, and Jo Shimoda. Photo courtesy Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Results
1. Hunter Lawrence, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Honda
2. Jo Shimoda, Menifee, Calif., Kawasaki
3. Jordon Smith, Ochlocknee, Ga., Yamaha
4. Haiden Deegan, Tallahassee, Fla., Yamaha
5. Max Anstie, Cairo, Ga., Honda
6. Jeremy Martin, Rochester, Minn., Yamaha
7. Tom Vialle, Murrieta, Calif., KTM
8. Chris Blose, Phoenix, Ariz., Kawasaki
9. Henry Miller, Rochester, Minn., Honda
10. Cullin Park, Clermont, Fla., Honda
Eastern Regional 250SX Class Championship Standings
Keep ’em coming! Sunday stages another stunner as Bagnaia vs Binder goes to the wire
Ducati and KTM test the limits of awesomeness in Jerez, with some sideways poetry, pitch perfect defence and a dash of chaos for some big names
Francesco Bagnaia (1) held off Brad Binder (33) to win Sunday at Jerez. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sunday, 30 April 2023
Two KTMS, one Ducati, and one hell of a race. Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) pounced in style to deny Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) the spoils at the Gran Premio Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España, but it went right to the wire – and was far from a two-man show. Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was right up in the mix as the podium battle tested out the adage rubbing is racing, but the Australian said it himself: “I love this so much.” And so do we!
It wasn’t without a dash of chaos, drama and, for some, bad luck, however, with former points leader Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) losing that moniker as he slid out. And before the race – that counts – even got going, the first start was Red Flagged after a crash for Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) and Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team), with Bezzecchi also “involved”, or rather the rider just to the inside of both. The Portuguese rider was a completely innocent party as he got caught up on the outside, and suffered a dislocated shoulder since treated at the Medical Centre. Quartararo? For the team he was certainly innocent of anything more than racing and running out of space. For the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards the Frenchman deserved a Long Lap…
Francesco Bagnaia (1) and Brad Binder (33) fighting for the lead at Jerez. Photo courtesy Dorna.
He was fine to restart though, and as it had been on take one, take two was another KTM show from lights out as they slotted into a 1-2, with Binder leading Miller as Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) slotting into third. Polesitter Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) lost out once again, with Bagnaia also past and into fourth, and he didn’t waste time attacking Martin either. A stylish swoop around Martin at Pedrosa corner and he was through.
It didn’t take long for Miller to decide he was heading through either, sliding down the inside of teammate Binder at the final corner on his mission for Sunday glory. The KTMs then got the hammer down in tandem too, starting to pull away, before Binder returned the favour and Bagnaia set the fastest lap so far to start reeling them in.
Once on the scene, Bagnaia wasted no time in getting past the Aussie, putting his factory Ducati in the tiniest of gaps at Pedrosa corner to sit up the KTM and making a little contact in the process. He raised his had to apologise, Miller raised his to say pfff. The number 43 was then under attack from Martin as well, but snapped straight back at the final corner. That pushed the Pramac well well wide, but no contact there as he slotted back in just behind Aleix Espargaro into fifth…
One lap later, and more penalty drama. Bagnaia was forced to drop one position after that earlier contact though, and the Italian dropped anchor to let Miller back past. It was a KTM one-two once again, but Martin soon got back past Aleix Espargaro to start bothering Miller again.
Johann Zarco (Prima Pramac Racing) then crashed out from behind Martin, joining earlier faller Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) as a DNF. And Bezzecchi was just about to join them, the Italian sliding out at Pedrosa, rider ok but ceding that points lead.
Back at the front, Binder was now six tenths ahead of Bagnaia, but as the final few laps dawned the Ducati was gaining, gaining and gaining. At the final corner with four to go, Pecco pounced to perfection and headed over the line with three to go in the lead. Could Binder respond?
At first it seemed like a no, but the number 33 dragged the speed from somewhere. He closed back in, and by the final lap it looked plausible if not likely that Binder would get close enough. By the final sector it looked like one motorcycle in the lead, and the last Lorenzo corner was coming.
The stage was set for a lunge, but Bagnaia was having none of it. The reigning Champion was incredibly strong on the brakes and shut the door to perfection, leaving Binder to have a brief look but find no way through. Split by just two tenths over the line, it was fitting it went to the wire after a stunning race.
Jack Miller (43) celebrates another podium finish. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Miller took third place and that’s now premier class podiums with three different bikes, as well as his first GP rostrum visit with KTM. Martin takes fourth place and was fuming at the Australian for his move, and Aleix Espargaro completed the top five.
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) took sixth in a close, close finish with KTM wildcard and MotoGP™ Legend Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). The number 26 was thousandths off but took another top ten after an incredible weekend on his return to competition. Behind them, Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) took eighth ahead of Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu). One bit of late drama saw Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) lose out on that as a technical problem caused him a last lap DNF.
On Quartararo watch, the Frenchman was classified tenth after even more drama. He made progress, did the Long Lap but actually didn’t quite stay in the lines, and then had to do another Long Lap. So the comeback into the top ten was something to write home about. Will we see Yamaha make a statement about the penalty as they did after Assen last season? It seems a story likely to roll on.
With the Championship plot ever-changing in MotoGP™, there’s no telling what the next chapter holds as the paddock moves to the SHARK Grand Prix de France on the 12th – 14th of May. It’s no ordinary race weekend either: it’s the 1000th Grand Prix in history. Home heroes Quartararo and Zarco may have had different ideas of how they’d want to arrive into the weekend, but anything can happen – we’ve already had 10 riders on the GP podium this season and they’re both among them. It’s a date with destiny and history, and you don’t want to miss it!
MotoGP™ RACE RESULTS
PECCO BAGNAIA: “I’m really happy, sincerely. The progress we made this weekend is the best we’ve ever had. Friday I was in quite a bit of trouble with the front feeling, yesterday was better but today was unbelievable, my team did another step. I was looking at the bike yesterday and I saw something, we tried it, and everything was perfect today. We managed the tyres perfectly and finally we won in difficult conditions after two 0s. I was trying to understand if it was possible or not, and then to finish first… just want to say thanks to my team because they did an incredible job.”
BRAD BINDER: “It’s fantastic to finish a main race again! The last two I messed up! So happy to have got a solid podium, it was nice to be out front and lead the race. I kept seeing a little gap and thought I got the job done and said I had better make sure I don’t mess up the edge of my tyre, but I think I cooked it with three or four to go. It is what it is, last lap I managed my quickest lap of the race trying to get past Pecco. Hats off to him, he did a fantastic job today and he got me in the end. Huge thanks to my team and to everybody for all the support and we try again next time.”
JACK MILLER: “I had to work for that one! It was a long race and again today with the red flag I had to come back and regroup and do the same again but we got away to a good start. I was suffering a little bit there, as I assume most of the boys were with the right hand edge on the front, especially in the faster corners. I don’t know what happened, but I started putting in really fast laps near the end of the race. I was thinking that was a good lap but I wasn’t closing them down so I knew they were doing the same! Brad rode awesome, Pecco rode awesome. Some nice clean fun racing. Super happy to be a part of it and of course stoked to be up here on the podium with KTM for the first time. It’s an amazing feeling. A lot of us people doubted us at the beginning of this one but we are here already and hopefully we can stay.”
A little more on silencing those critics:
“I’m having a ball. I love this stuff, I love it so much. A lot of guys in this championship sit there and complain about the bike they’re on, how other bikes are better, and so on. If you really want it, go out and do it. It’s not hard. I wasn’t going to stick around where I was, I wasn’t feeling comfortable there and I wanted a new challenge. It’s called taking a risk on yourself, people in business do it all the time. If you trust in yourself enough, yeah it can come back to bite you on the arse, but I trust myself enough, and my ability and the people around me I have working with me. We took a risk and it feels mega when it comes off. I can’t thank first and foremost KTM for giving me this opportunity enough, and thank you to the people who doubt us. I love it. To be back on the podium, not just me but both bikes on the podium after so many riders last year were sitting there complaining how bad this bike was… Ha. Where is it now?”
Flawless Lowes fends off Acosta for first win since 2021
“He was flying!” – Acosta tips his hat as the Brit dominates and denies him a home win, with Lopez third in Spain
Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) smashed it out the park in Spain, with th Brit back on top for the first time since Emilia-Romagna 2021. No one had an answer for the Brit’s stunning pace, with the number 22 pulling away once in the lead and coming home with time for a huge wheelie over the line. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) came home in second after initially leading the way, now equal with Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) on points at the top of the Championship, with Alonso Lopez (CAG Speed Up) back on the podium in third.
After getting the holeshot into Turn 1 to get ahead of Lowes, Acosta led the field around most of the first lap until the Brit pounced at the final corner. Arbolino made a lightning start from P10 too, and the Italian was battling Lopez for P3 on the opening lap.
Back-to-back fastest laps of the race saw Lowes pull 0.4s clear of Acosta, who in turn had 1.1s in hand over Lopez. Arbolino was getting beaten up a bit after a good start though, the title chaser embroiled in a battle with Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Filip Salač (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™) and Aron Canet (Pons Wegow Los40).
By 14 laps to go, Lowes had stretched his lead out to 0.8s. The top two were in a league of their own at this stage, with Lopez 2.2s off Acosta’s rear wheel. With 11 to go, the leader’s gap was up to 1.7s as Lowes got the hammer down, with Acosta still pulling clear of third place Lopez. Ogura was leading the P4 battle with Arbolino tucked right in behind the Japanese star, before Turn 1 on Lap 13 saw Ogura crash out after very, very slight contact with Arbolino’s rear wheel.
Lap 16 of 21 passed by as Lowes continued to stretch his advantage out over Acosta. With five laps left, 2.3s was Lowes’ margin for error, with Lopez holding off Arbolino for the final podium spot by just over a second. And heading onto the final lap, 2.9s was the gap. Lowes managed to bring his Triumph Kalex machine home for a pitch-perfect Spanish GP victory, as Acosta claimed P2 on home turf to bring himself level on points at the top of the overall standings. Lopez managed to hold off Arbolino by half a second to grab his second rostrum of the season.
Arbolino finished P4 from 10th on the grid, he’s now tied on points with Acosta at the summit of the Championship table. Canet picks up a valuable P5 from a P12 grid slot, ahead of Jake Dixon (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar M2), Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), Albert Arenas (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Salač and Fermin Aldeguer (CAG SpeedUp) in the top 10.
Check out the full results below, and come back for more from the intermediate class on track at #GP1000 at Le Mans!
Awesome Ortola takes back-to-back glory in an instant classic at Jerez
The Angeluss MTA Team rider doubles down, outfoxing Alonso and Masia on a blockbuster final lap
Ivan Ortola (Angeluss MTA Team) has done it again! After taking a maiden win at the Americas GP, the Spaniard doubled down on home turf with another impressive charge to win the Gran Premio MotoGP™ Guru by Gryfyn de España. It went to the wire in another Moto3™ classic at Jerez, with Ortola followed home by some close company from rookie David Alonso (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar), the first Colombian to take a podium in Grand Prix racing, and veteran home hero Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing).
Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took the holeshot off the line and fended off attacks from an eager-starting Ortola, but Championship leader Daniel Holgado (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Ryusei Yamanaka (Gaviota GASGAS Aspar) soon joined the fight. The front two of Holgado and Ortola began to break away at the front, however, with Öncü next up before Masia made his way past in style at Turn 11 to get on the chase. Yamanaka joined him and the two reeled in the leaders before heartbreak for the Japanese rider as he suffered a technical issue, forced to drop back.
It then became a six-bike battle for victory as Xavier Artigas (CFMOTO Racing PruestelGP) joined the fray, followed by Alonso and fellow rookie Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) into the mix.
By six to go, Masia decided it was his turn to lead his home Grand Prix, taking over from Holgado at the front. The second group, by now including Öncü as well as Ayumu Sasaki (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing), was on the scene, creating a nine-rider battle for Spanish Grand Prix victory. The race was on!
The order continued to change from corner to corner, but it was Masia leading over the line as the last lap got underway with Alonso in 2nd, Ortola 3rd, Sasaki 4th, and Holgado 5th. But in the course of two corners, Masia dropped from the lead to 4th place as the group barrelled into the final sector. Into the stunning final Jorge Lorenzo corner, Ortola was back in front after a stunning move for the front, and he held off the shuffle behind as he gassed it to the line for a second win in two.
Alonso brought home his first Grand Prix podium in only his sixth race, with Masia able to snap back at Sasaki to take the final podium spot. Still, after incredible speed but some high profile crashes so far in 2023, fourth is some precious points. Rueda rounded out the top 5 after an impressive display on home soi, with Holgado dropping down to 6th place on the final lap. Still, he retains the points lead.
Suzuki takes eighth after fading slightly late on, but the Japanese rider is also still recovering from his crash last time out. Polesitter Öncü, after getting a Long Lap penalty in the last couple of laps for exceeding track limits, didn’t do it in time and therefore got a 3-second penalty, classified ninth. Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) completed the top ten after a tougher weekend for the Brazilian, just ahead of Romano Fenati (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Scott Ogden (VisionTrack Racing Team).
For full results see below, and then get ready for #GP1000 at Le Mans in two weeks!
Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, in Spain. Photo by Polarity Photo, courtesy KTM.
Veteran Sam Lowes rode his Elf Marc VDS Racing Team Kalex to victory in Sunday’s FIM Moto2 World Championship race at Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto, in Spain.
Lowes (the identical twin brother of World Superbike racer Alex Lowes) won the 21-lap race by 2.841 seconds over Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Pedro Acosta.
Alonso Lopez finished third on his CAG SpeedUp Boscoscuro.
American Joe Roberts finished 14th on his Italtrans Racing Kalex, while his countryman Sean Dylan Kelly (SDK) crashed out during the first half of the race.
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