Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Keen to Show Speed in Spanish GP
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 26th April 2023
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli are in high spirits ahead of this weekend‘s Gran Premio MotoGP de España. The duo feel they will be able to get a lot of work done during Round 4 and the consecutive IRTA Test at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team have travelled back to Europe for Round 4 of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship, held at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto this weekend.
Following Fabio Quartararo‘s strong podium finish at the Americas GP Race, the Frenchman is in high spirits and excited to get back to action this weekend at the Gran Premio MotoGP de España. His third place helped him climb up to seventh in the championship standings, and he is confident that he can move further up the rankings this weekend. Last year in Jerez, El Diablo secured second place. This time out, he is keen to aim for the top step of the podium again as he did in 2020, opening the season with two consecutive victories there.
Franco Morbidelli arrives in Jerez holding tenth place in the overall standings after a top-8 finish in Austin. The Italian is strongly determined to add another solid performance to his Jerez results. He visited the Spanish GP podium for the first time in 2021, taking third place. The number-21 rider is also keen to make full use of the extra track time on Monday during the Official IRTA Test.
The Circuito de Jerez was built in 1986 and has hosted one of the most popular MotoGP events of the season ever since. Blessed with good weather, beautiful scenery, fast corners, hard braking areas, and a natural amphitheatre, the 4.4km Jerez circuit offers spectators a great view of the thrilling racing action that takes place there.
Those who can‘t wait any longer for some hot laps in Jerez can watch our latest MotoGP eSport video in which Lorenzo Daretti (aka Trastevere73) shows exactly why riders and motorsports fans love this circuit.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI Team Director
The podium in Austin was a nice reward after weeks of hard work. The next step is to make sure we keep our upward trajectory going. Jerez always has a great atmosphere, and it‘s usually a good track for us, so we are heading into this round with good vibes. It will be a busy week for the team because the Spanish GP is directly followed by the one-day Official IRTA Jerez Test. Both the race weekend and the test are very important for the championship, so we will leave no stone unturned.
FABIO QUARTARARO
To be back on the podium in Austin felt great, but we need to do more work. My starts improved a lot in Austin compared to Argentina, and that did help in achieving third place in the Race. Jerez is a good circuit for us. We are usually quite competitive here, and we can fight for the win, so that‘s the aim for this year as well.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI
We scored championship points in Austin, but we are aiming for more this weekend in Jerez. We need to be fighting more towards the front of the field, and we saw last time round that the key is in being inside the top 10 after Friday‘s P2. If you are not in Q2, the weekend gets exponentially harder. We have taken a good look at the Round-3 data and hope to book further progress this weekend. We have an extra day of testing on Monday that will also help with this.
Spanish GP at Jerez de la Frontera: the Ducati Lenovo Team returns to Europe for the fourth round of the 2023 MotoGP season
After the Argentina and the Americas GP, the Ducati Lenovo Team returns to Europe to tackle the fourth round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship, the Spanish GP, at the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto.
Located just a few kilometres from Jerez de la Frontera, the Andalusian track saw Ducati score its first MotoGP podium here 20 years ago, in the 2003 Spanish GP, with Troy Bayliss third. A total of nine podiums have been achieved by the Borgo Panigale manufacturer at Jerez, including three victories. After Capirossi’s first win in 2006, Ducati won the last two Grands Prix held in 2021 and 2022, first with Jack Miller and then with Francesco Bagnaia.
Last year’s reigning World Champion was the protagonist of a perfect weekend. After setting the new circuit record and taking pole in qualifying, Pecco scored his first win of the season, setting the fastest lap in the race. The rider from Chivasso, back from two crashes in the last rounds held overseas, aims to return to fight for victory on the Spanish circuit.
Enea Bastianini, who had been absent from the GP of Portugal after a right shoulder injury suffered in the Portimão Sprint race, will also return to the track in Jerez. After undergoing rehabilitation in recent weeks, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider returned to the track last Monday in Misano with the Panigale V4S to check his condition, and the feedback was positive. Enea will undergo another medical examination on Thursday at the track, and, having obtained the doctors’ clearance, he will be able to participate in the Spanish GP.
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 2nd (53 points)
“The Spanish GP will be the first of a long series of races that we will hold in Europe, and I am happy to open this phase of the season at the Jerez Circuit, where last year I took both pole position and victory. We come from two GPs where we could have obtained important results, but I crashed twice instead, so I am very motivated to do well here in Spain. I will face the weekend as I have always done to fight for victory again.”
Enea Bastianini (#23, Ducati Lenovo Team)
“I am thrilled to be back with my team because we have had few opportunities to work together this year! These weeks at home have not been easy, seeing the others race, but I will finally be able to get back on track as well. I had given 100% to try to be physically ready for Austin, working out in the gym and continuing physical therapy, but the doctors advised me to wait. On Thursday, I will have a final medical checkup in Jerez, and if all goes well, I will be able to get back on my Desmosedici GP. Jerez is a track I like, but I still know I am not at 100% of my strength, so this GP will be like a test for me to get back in shape for the next races.”
MotoGP riders will take to the track on Friday, 28th April, at 10:45am for Practice 1, while the Sprint race (12 laps) and the Spanish GP (25 laps) will be held at 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. On Monday, also in Jerez, there will be one more day of post-race testing.
First home run for Mir as Lecuona makes Honda MotoGP debut
A still recovering Marc Marquez will be replaced by Honda WorldSBK’s Iker Lecuona, the young Valencia rider making his MotoGP return alongside Joan Mir inside the Repsol Honda Team box for his first home race as a Honda rider.
Returning to one of the most familiar tracks on the MotoGP World Championship calendar, the paddock arrives at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto. First hosting a Grand Prix in 1987, the 4.42-kilometer-long circuit has seen Honda take 22 premier class Grands Prix victories, the most recent coming in 2019 when Marc Marquez won the race. The entirety of HRC arrives buoyed by Alex Rins’ victory in Austin, Texas and all are eager to continue the form and make further improvements.
Marc Marquez will continue recovering from the broken first metacarpal of the right hand sustained at the Portuguese Grand Prix. The French GP, May 12 – 14, has been set as the target for the #93 to return to competition. For the Spanish Grand Prix, he will be replaced by Iker Lecuona.
Focusing on the positives of Austin and the improvements made, Joan Mir lands back on home turf with a clear path to follow. The Jerez circuit has seen the #36 produce a string of his trademark consistent results in the premier class, sixth place in 2022 his worst finish at the venue since arriving in MotoGP in 2019. Having made a step with the ergonomics of the Repsol Honda Team RC213V in Austin, confirming this improved feeling will be the first objective of the weekend for the double World Champion.
2022 and 2023 have seen Iker Lecuona competing with Team HRC in WorldSBK, the 23-year-old from Valencia consistently fighting for the top five in his rookie season. This included a podium finish at the Dutch round in 2022, just his second weekend of competition on the Honda CBR1000RR-R. His 2023 WorldSBK season started with a string of top-ten finished in Phillip Island with more speed shown in Mandalika and Assen. Lecuona is no stranger to the premier class, having competed full time from 2020 to the end of 2021. He achieved a best result of sixth place at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2021 during this time.
Stefan Bradl will contest the Spanish Grand Prix aboard a fifth Honda RC213V with the Honda HRC Test Team.
Joan Mir
“My first time riding in front of the Spanish fans as a Repsol Honda Team rider will be special, I am hoping we can have another weekend of improvements. The end result in Austin was not what we wanted with the crash, but we found an important step in the race that I am looking to trying in Jerez. Austin to Jerez is a very big change in terms of layout and demands but I have always felt comfortable there. I’m also looking forward to the post-race test, a day to just focus on our work and my riding.”
Iker Lecuona
“First I want to wish Marc all the best in his recovery, he is the reference in MotoGP and I think not only the fans, but also the riders miss him a lot. For me, of course it’s an incredible opportunity to return to MotoGP and ride with the team of my dreams. Doing it in front of the Spanish crowd is extra special. But we have to be realistic, it will be a very tough and demanding weekend. I have spent this year and last year fully focused on WorldSBK with Team HRC and now I need to get used to everything that is different in MotoGP as well as learn a brand-new bike – the Honda RC213V. No matter what, I will do my best and let’s see what the outcome is.”
Marquez continues recovery, targets French GP return
Marc Marquez underwent a medical check at the Ruber Internacional Hospital after having been successfully operated on four weeks ago for an intra-articular fracture of the first metacarpal on the right hand.
The clinical and radiological progression was deemed satisfactory, however, due to the nature of the fracture and the time elapsed, the medical team led by Dr. Roger de Oña together with Marquez, have decided to continue with his recovery and preparation during the coming weeks and focus his possible return on the French GP, May 12 – 14.
Iker Lecuona from Team HRC in WorldSBK will replace Marc Marquez for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.
Marc Marquez
“Yesterday we did another CT scan and it has been confirmed that, despite the fact that the injury is progressing favourably, the bone has not yet finished healing and racing in Jerez was risky. Together with the medical team, we decided not to take any risks, to wait two more weeks and return in Le Mans. I am very sorry to miss the Spanish Grand Prix because it is always special, because of the atmosphere, racing at home and above all, seeing and enjoying the fans. I will continue with the rehabilitation and work to be back as soon as possible. Thank you for your messages of support!”
The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports can confirm the cancellation of the 2023 Kazakhstan GP. Ongoing homologation works at the circuit, paired with current global operational challenges, have obliged the cancellation of the 2023 event.
MotoGP™ looks forward to visiting Sokol International Racetrack in 2024 to welcome a new region to the calendar.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 27th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 12 MotoAmerica/AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (12 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more — and younger — racers with higher levels of accomplishments are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2023 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, placed 10th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (best race finish was 4th, 9 top-10 finishes), won 2 CVMA 2021-2022 Winter Series Championship (500 Supersport, Ultra-Lightweight Shootout, and Formula Ultra-Lightweight), was highest overall point scorer in CVMA 2021-2022 Winter Series; 2021 season, finished 14th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (3 top-10 finishes, best race finish was 8th); 2020 season, won CVMA 2020-2021 Winter Series 500 Supersport and Ultra-Lightweight Shootout Expert Championships, won WERA West D Superbike Expert Championship, finished 2nd in WERA West Clubman Expert Championship (won 8 WERA races), won CVMA 2019-2020 Winter Series 500 SS Amateur Championship; 2019 season, won 3 WERA West Novice-class Championships (Clubman, D Superbike, Mini 50), won 20 WERA races.
2023 racing goals: Learn to ride the Supersport bike, get the best finishes I can, win CVMA Championships 2022-2023 Championships.
Racing career goals: Compete as a Pro in MotoAmerica and move to World Superbike.
Racing heroes: Valentino Rossi, Greg Hancock.
Favorite tracks: Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Brainerd.
Favorite hobbies: Working out, photography/videography.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Playing video games or talking with friends.
Some of the riders who have graduated from Roadracing World Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and AFT SuperTwins race winner J.D. Beach;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and two-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2018 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship runner-up Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike podium finisher Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and current Moto2 World Championship competitor Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and two-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and current powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers race winner James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha rider Jake Gagne is planning to have surgery on his right arm this week in California.
During the opening round of the MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship this past weekend at Road Atlanta, two-time and defending Superbike Champion Gagne said he was hindered in both races by “arm pump,” which is also known as compartment syndrome.
Arm pump is a condition common in motorcycle racers where overly developed muscles in the forearm restrict blood flow to and from the hand, resulting in pain, numbness, and/or a lack of strength. This obviously creates an extra challenge for someone trying to race a 220-plus-horsepower Superbike at speeds in excess of 185 mph.
The symptoms of arm pump can be diminished by surgery that involves cutting and/or removing the fascia around the forearm muscles, giving the muscles more room to expand and relieving the blood flow restriction.
While he was able to fight for the win in both races at Road Atlanta, taking a first and second, Gagne feels something must be done to fix the situation and the time to do it is now.
“I’m going to go see Dr. [Thomas] Bryan on Wednesday [April 26] and get surgery on my arm, because now is the time,” 29-year-old Gagne exclusively told Roadracingworld.com. “This is the biggest break. We have three and a half weeks until the next race [May 19-21 at Barber Motorsports Park], so I’m not worried about getting recovered in time.
“It was really, really holding me back this weekend. We managed to get a second and a first, but I just couldn’t ride the bike nearly like I wanted to. Anyone who’s ridden these things knows it gets sketchy when you’re pumped up. And especially because it’s my right arm, so working the throttle was bad and I could only brake as hard as I could pull the lever, which is tough in a battle with these guys. I couldn’t really make passes on the brakes. It was just being creative with my drives and stuff.
“I’m cool with getting it done. I got it done twice earlier in my career, but it’s been a lot of years since then. I just want to be comfortable on the bike. The bike was awesome this weekend, but two, three laps into the race I was just hanging on.
“We got lucky. We got creative. The bike was working awesome. It was all on me, and I want to ride this Yamaha the way it wants to be ridden.”
Gagne’s teammate Cameron Petersen had surgery to relieve arm pump symptoms prior to the start of the 2023 season.
It is with deep regret that the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club has been forced to abandon plans to revive the Ulster Grand Prix on August 18-19, 2023.
The club began the initiative with confidence, enjoying the full backing of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and the Ulster Grand Prix Supporters’ Club. There was encouraging support from teams and riders and we also received strong commitments of financial support from the local business community for which we are extremely grateful.
However, in recent weeks those plans have been undermined by two specific issues.
Despite numerous requests by Dundrod club officials during the last six weeks, we have been totally frustrated in our attempts to gain access to a copy of the public liability insurance policy the Motorcycle Union of Ireland, Ulster Centre, has put in place for 2023.
The Dundrod club was expected to make an initial payment of £26,000 by mid-April. The finance is in place to make that payment but without sight and consideration of the policy documents, the club’s solicitor has advised this payment should not proceed.
That issue has been further compounded by ongoing uncertainty around funding for the event from Tourism NI. The Dundrod club made application to TNI last December as required. We are now in April 2023 and there has still been no indication as to whether or not this application will be successful or what level of support the UGP might be eligible to receive.
Given these uncertainties, the Dundrod club has been left with no option other than to make the unfortunate decision being announced today.
Following an eventful opening of the 2023 season in Portugal, Argentina and lately in Austin, Texas, the MotoGP World Championship returns to Europe this weekend with one of the classics in the calendar. The CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team is eager to compete at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto this weekend for the Spanish Grand Prix, one of three home rounds for team rider Raul Fernandez.
Following a strong catch up in the Sprint race as well as in the main race of the Americas Grand Prix last time out, Miguel Oliveira showed a strong comeback after being forced to sit out the second round of 2023. Starting from P15, he finished eighth in the Sprint and in an impressive fifth position of the full-length race on Sunday, collecting a total if 13 World Championship points. This weekend, the Portuguese star hopes to continue his progress aboard the Aprilia RS-GP, making similar moves with a better starting position.
At the same time, Raul Fernandez is coming home. The young rider from Spain’s capital Madrid, recently felt better and better with his RS-GP. He was ready to score some decent points in the main race at the Circuit of the Americas just a bit over one week ago, but unfortunately had to return to the pits with a technical issue, forcing him to an early retirement. On home soil, the 22-years old is aiming to make up for the lost points this weekend.
The fourth of 21 rounds in 2023 starts this Friday with Free Practice one at 10:45 local time, followed by Free Practice two at 15:00. Apart from Saturday’s action-packed program, Sunday will see the main race starting 15:00 local time in Spain.
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“I’m confident after Austin, which was a track, that is difficult for me. Coming back from the injury, it was nice to score some points. The goal for Jerez will remain the same, continue on this line in scoring points in both races. Hopefully we can make another step forward in terms of speed and improving the Qualifying. I’m looking forward to discover Jerez with the Aprilia. I’m very motivated.”
Raul Fernandez (25) at speed at COTA. Photo courtesy RNF MotoGP Team.
RAUL FERNANDEZ
“Jerez is a very important track for me. Of course, it’s always something special having a race in Spain, my home country in front of our fans. I will try to get a good feeling aboard the Aprilia RS-GP, like I had in Texas last time out and I hope I’ll be a bit luckier avoiding problems. We’ll try to do our best. I think we have potential and step by step we arrive closer to the top, but I think it’s time to get some results now to confirm we can be there.”
Razlan Razali, Founder and Team Principal CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
“So far with the first round in Portimao and the first two flyaway races, we can be satisfied in some ways with our performance compared to last year. We know if that the situation was not the way it was, we could have done better, meaning the incident of Marc Marquez and Miguel in round one and the mechanical issue that Raul had in Austin.”
“Maybe the situation could be a little bit better for the team already. But it’s still a positive time for the team and now the MotoGP circus is back in Jerez this week, which I believe will be truly where the championship begins, where everybody is familiar with the circuits, beginning with Jerez, then Le Mans, followed by Mugello, Sachsenring and Assen. The most important thing is that both riders are in good health and fitness, getting to grips with the RS-GP at each track quickly. We arrive in Jerez full of enthusiasm and motivation to continue our progress to go better.”
Wilco Zeelenberg, Team Manager CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
“After mixed results from Miguel and Raul in Austin, we are quite happy to go to Jerez and see what the boys can do in Spain. Of course, we have had Portimao already, which didn’t work out really well for us, but there is much more track knowledge by both riders in Jerez than in Austin and in Austin they already seemed to have a good speed and where both in a good flow. With their entourage and the enthusiastic fans, it’s always nice to ride in Jerez. On top of that, Raul is Spanish, so it will be his first 2023 home race. Let’s see, what we can do. Hopefully, the sun will shine again for us in the South of Spain.”
Round 1 of the 2023 NorthEast Motorcycle Road Racing (NEMRR) series kicked off April 22-23 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway under clear but cool conditions, typical of an April event in New England.
The excitement during this particular off-season has been palpable, as the series has been focused on the upcoming 100th running of the Loudon Classic in June. The record-breaking $250,000 purse and $55,000 winners take has attracted a group of top-level talent and teams of a size and pedigree that the Northeast has not seen in the 20 years since AMA Pro Racing last visited the speedway.
Although this opening weekend was attended by primarily the series regulars, it was apparent that many riders had made significant extra efforts to prepare top-shelf equipment for the big event in June.
In a good sign for the series and our sport, the new rider classes that open NEMRR events every Saturday were well-attended and full of new faces. Starting with the Super Street Classes, which were introduced several years ago as a half step into racing, riders on track day-prepared machines run a combined “heat race” to get a feel for what it’s like to start a session with a green flag. These mostly-for-fun classes are broken into Unlimited and Lightweight displacement divisions, with the overall win coming from Randy Morrissette on his Ducati Panigale.
The Rookie Race, which starts each race weekend for the NEMRR Novice racers and serves as a “final exam” for those seeking a license, had the largest turnout in recent memory and was won by Nino Jordan.
NEMRR is one of the only clubs in the nation that runs a novice racer class, which creates a idea atmosphere for new riders as it completely separates this group form experienced racers as they learn our sport.
The feature race of NEMRR weekend is the Michelin/MotoRace dash for cash, a Middleweight Grand Prix contest that will form the basis for the 100th running of the Loudon Classic. Conspicuously absent was 2022 champion Scott Greenwood, who dominated the class in 2022 but was forced to sit on the sidelines due to a lingering shoulder injury sustained playing hockey this winter.
Greenwood’s absence left the field wide open, and at the start of the race, Eli Block, who was the closest challenger to Greenwood in 2022, led the way on his freshly upgraded Yamaha R6. Starting from the back row, meanwhile, was the talented Tyler Sweeney on a Yamaha R6 that was the equal of Block’s machine.
Sweeney has not been a full-time participant in the NEMRR series for several years but has made an appearance at most of the Loudon Classic events and has always been a podium contender.
The dropping temperatures led NEMRR officials to shorten the normal 12-lap event to 8 laps, and Sweeney got right to work and moved into second place by lap three. From there, the gap between the two front runners closed at a rate of just over a second per lap with Sweeney taking the lead on lap six. This move lit a fire under Block, who dropped nearly a second a lap and made a strong effort to close the gap to the leader. As the two leaders rocketed out of the final corner, Block’s R6 was visibly spinning and sliding. His effort came up half a bikelength short as Sweeney held on for the win.
Sunday’s races were held under less favorable conditions as constant rain and temperatures in the low 40’s dominated the day. Of the riders who braved the conditions, the pair of Paul Duval and Tom Hynes led the way with each rider securing two wins. Both riders were Yamaha R6 -mounted and took turns churning out the fastest lap times of the day and trading wins on the racetrack. In the end, Duval secured the fastest lap and took the final head-to-head victory in the K-Tech Suspension Middleweight Supersport Class.
Round Two of the NEMRR Series with be held May 13-14 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and will give fans a preview of the Loudon Classic as several of the top professionals attending the big race will be using round two as an opportunity to test. Enthusiasts looking for tickets to the historic 100th running of the Loudon Classic June 16-18 can find a link directly on the www.nemrr.com home page!
Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha.
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Keen to Show Speed in Spanish GP
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), 26th April 2023
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli are in high spirits ahead of this weekend‘s Gran Premio MotoGP de España. The duo feel they will be able to get a lot of work done during Round 4 and the consecutive IRTA Test at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto.
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team have travelled back to Europe for Round 4 of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship, held at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto this weekend.
Following Fabio Quartararo‘s strong podium finish at the Americas GP Race, the Frenchman is in high spirits and excited to get back to action this weekend at the Gran Premio MotoGP de España. His third place helped him climb up to seventh in the championship standings, and he is confident that he can move further up the rankings this weekend. Last year in Jerez, El Diablo secured second place. This time out, he is keen to aim for the top step of the podium again as he did in 2020, opening the season with two consecutive victories there.
Franco Morbidelli arrives in Jerez holding tenth place in the overall standings after a top-8 finish in Austin. The Italian is strongly determined to add another solid performance to his Jerez results. He visited the Spanish GP podium for the first time in 2021, taking third place. The number-21 rider is also keen to make full use of the extra track time on Monday during the Official IRTA Test.
The Circuito de Jerez was built in 1986 and has hosted one of the most popular MotoGP events of the season ever since. Blessed with good weather, beautiful scenery, fast corners, hard braking areas, and a natural amphitheatre, the 4.4km Jerez circuit offers spectators a great view of the thrilling racing action that takes place there.
Those who can‘t wait any longer for some hot laps in Jerez can watch our latest MotoGP eSport video in which Lorenzo Daretti (aka Trastevere73) shows exactly why riders and motorsports fans love this circuit.
MASSIMO MEREGALLI Team Director
The podium in Austin was a nice reward after weeks of hard work. The next step is to make sure we keep our upward trajectory going. Jerez always has a great atmosphere, and it‘s usually a good track for us, so we are heading into this round with good vibes. It will be a busy week for the team because the Spanish GP is directly followed by the one-day Official IRTA Jerez Test. Both the race weekend and the test are very important for the championship, so we will leave no stone unturned.
FABIO QUARTARARO
To be back on the podium in Austin felt great, but we need to do more work. My starts improved a lot in Austin compared to Argentina, and that did help in achieving third place in the Race. Jerez is a good circuit for us. We are usually quite competitive here, and we can fight for the win, so that‘s the aim for this year as well.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI
We scored championship points in Austin, but we are aiming for more this weekend in Jerez. We need to be fighting more towards the front of the field, and we saw last time round that the key is in being inside the top 10 after Friday‘s P2. If you are not in Q2, the weekend gets exponentially harder. We have taken a good look at the Round-3 data and hope to book further progress this weekend. We have an extra day of testing on Monday that will also help with this.
Enea Bastianini (23) in action earlier this season in Portugal. Photo courtesy Ducati.
Spanish GP at Jerez de la Frontera: the Ducati Lenovo Team returns to Europe for the fourth round of the 2023 MotoGP season
After the Argentina and the Americas GP, the Ducati Lenovo Team returns to Europe to tackle the fourth round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship, the Spanish GP, at the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto.
Located just a few kilometres from Jerez de la Frontera, the Andalusian track saw Ducati score its first MotoGP podium here 20 years ago, in the 2003 Spanish GP, with Troy Bayliss third. A total of nine podiums have been achieved by the Borgo Panigale manufacturer at Jerez, including three victories. After Capirossi’s first win in 2006, Ducati won the last two Grands Prix held in 2021 and 2022, first with Jack Miller and then with Francesco Bagnaia.
Last year’s reigning World Champion was the protagonist of a perfect weekend. After setting the new circuit record and taking pole in qualifying, Pecco scored his first win of the season, setting the fastest lap in the race. The rider from Chivasso, back from two crashes in the last rounds held overseas, aims to return to fight for victory on the Spanish circuit.
Enea Bastianini, who had been absent from the GP of Portugal after a right shoulder injury suffered in the Portimão Sprint race, will also return to the track in Jerez. After undergoing rehabilitation in recent weeks, the Ducati Lenovo Team rider returned to the track last Monday in Misano with the Panigale V4S to check his condition, and the feedback was positive. Enea will undergo another medical examination on Thursday at the track, and, having obtained the doctors’ clearance, he will be able to participate in the Spanish GP.
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 2nd (53 points)
“The Spanish GP will be the first of a long series of races that we will hold in Europe, and I am happy to open this phase of the season at the Jerez Circuit, where last year I took both pole position and victory. We come from two GPs where we could have obtained important results, but I crashed twice instead, so I am very motivated to do well here in Spain. I will face the weekend as I have always done to fight for victory again.”
Enea Bastianini (#23, Ducati Lenovo Team)
“I am thrilled to be back with my team because we have had few opportunities to work together this year! These weeks at home have not been easy, seeing the others race, but I will finally be able to get back on track as well. I had given 100% to try to be physically ready for Austin, working out in the gym and continuing physical therapy, but the doctors advised me to wait. On Thursday, I will have a final medical checkup in Jerez, and if all goes well, I will be able to get back on my Desmosedici GP. Jerez is a track I like, but I still know I am not at 100% of my strength, so this GP will be like a test for me to get back in shape for the next races.”
MotoGP riders will take to the track on Friday, 28th April, at 10:45am for Practice 1, while the Sprint race (12 laps) and the Spanish GP (25 laps) will be held at 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. On Monday, also in Jerez, there will be one more day of post-race testing.
First home run for Mir as Lecuona makes Honda MotoGP debut
A still recovering Marc Marquez will be replaced by Honda WorldSBK’s Iker Lecuona, the young Valencia rider making his MotoGP return alongside Joan Mir inside the Repsol Honda Team box for his first home race as a Honda rider.
Returning to one of the most familiar tracks on the MotoGP World Championship calendar, the paddock arrives at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto. First hosting a Grand Prix in 1987, the 4.42-kilometer-long circuit has seen Honda take 22 premier class Grands Prix victories, the most recent coming in 2019 when Marc Marquez won the race. The entirety of HRC arrives buoyed by Alex Rins’ victory in Austin, Texas and all are eager to continue the form and make further improvements.
Marc Marquez will continue recovering from the broken first metacarpal of the right hand sustained at the Portuguese Grand Prix. The French GP, May 12 – 14, has been set as the target for the #93 to return to competition. For the Spanish Grand Prix, he will be replaced by Iker Lecuona.
Focusing on the positives of Austin and the improvements made, Joan Mir lands back on home turf with a clear path to follow. The Jerez circuit has seen the #36 produce a string of his trademark consistent results in the premier class, sixth place in 2022 his worst finish at the venue since arriving in MotoGP in 2019. Having made a step with the ergonomics of the Repsol Honda Team RC213V in Austin, confirming this improved feeling will be the first objective of the weekend for the double World Champion.
2022 and 2023 have seen Iker Lecuona competing with Team HRC in WorldSBK, the 23-year-old from Valencia consistently fighting for the top five in his rookie season. This included a podium finish at the Dutch round in 2022, just his second weekend of competition on the Honda CBR1000RR-R. His 2023 WorldSBK season started with a string of top-ten finished in Phillip Island with more speed shown in Mandalika and Assen. Lecuona is no stranger to the premier class, having competed full time from 2020 to the end of 2021. He achieved a best result of sixth place at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2021 during this time.
Stefan Bradl will contest the Spanish Grand Prix aboard a fifth Honda RC213V with the Honda HRC Test Team.
Joan Mir
“My first time riding in front of the Spanish fans as a Repsol Honda Team rider will be special, I am hoping we can have another weekend of improvements. The end result in Austin was not what we wanted with the crash, but we found an important step in the race that I am looking to trying in Jerez. Austin to Jerez is a very big change in terms of layout and demands but I have always felt comfortable there. I’m also looking forward to the post-race test, a day to just focus on our work and my riding.”
Iker Lecuona
“First I want to wish Marc all the best in his recovery, he is the reference in MotoGP and I think not only the fans, but also the riders miss him a lot. For me, of course it’s an incredible opportunity to return to MotoGP and ride with the team of my dreams. Doing it in front of the Spanish crowd is extra special. But we have to be realistic, it will be a very tough and demanding weekend. I have spent this year and last year fully focused on WorldSBK with Team HRC and now I need to get used to everything that is different in MotoGP as well as learn a brand-new bike – the Honda RC213V. No matter what, I will do my best and let’s see what the outcome is.”
Marquez continues recovery, targets French GP return
Marc Marquez underwent a medical check at the Ruber Internacional Hospital after having been successfully operated on four weeks ago for an intra-articular fracture of the first metacarpal on the right hand.
The clinical and radiological progression was deemed satisfactory, however, due to the nature of the fracture and the time elapsed, the medical team led by Dr. Roger de Oña together with Marquez, have decided to continue with his recovery and preparation during the coming weeks and focus his possible return on the French GP, May 12 – 14.
Iker Lecuona from Team HRC in WorldSBK will replace Marc Marquez for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.
Marc Marquez
“Yesterday we did another CT scan and it has been confirmed that, despite the fact that the injury is progressing favourably, the bone has not yet finished healing and racing in Jerez was risky. Together with the medical team, we decided not to take any risks, to wait two more weeks and return in Le Mans. I am very sorry to miss the Spanish Grand Prix because it is always special, because of the atmosphere, racing at home and above all, seeing and enjoying the fans. I will continue with the rehabilitation and work to be back as soon as possible. Thank you for your messages of support!”
Sokol International Racetrack. Photo courtesy Dorna.
2023 Kazakhstan GP cancelled
Wednesday, 26 April 2023
The FIM, IRTA and Dorna Sports can confirm the cancellation of the 2023 Kazakhstan GP. Ongoing homologation works at the circuit, paired with current global operational challenges, have obliged the cancellation of the 2023 event.
MotoGP™ looks forward to visiting Sokol International Racetrack in 2024 to welcome a new region to the calendar.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed North America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 27th consecutive year of showcasing what is actually an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 12 MotoAmerica/AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (12 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more — and younger — racers with higher levels of accomplishments are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2023 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2022 season, placed 10th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (best race finish was 4th, 9 top-10 finishes), won 2 CVMA 2021-2022 Winter Series Championship (500 Supersport, Ultra-Lightweight Shootout, and Formula Ultra-Lightweight), was highest overall point scorer in CVMA 2021-2022 Winter Series; 2021 season, finished 14th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (3 top-10 finishes, best race finish was 8th); 2020 season, won CVMA 2020-2021 Winter Series 500 Supersport and Ultra-Lightweight Shootout Expert Championships, won WERA West D Superbike Expert Championship, finished 2nd in WERA West Clubman Expert Championship (won 8 WERA races), won CVMA 2019-2020 Winter Series 500 SS Amateur Championship; 2019 season, won 3 WERA West Novice-class Championships (Clubman, D Superbike, Mini 50), won 20 WERA races.
2023 racing goals: Learn to ride the Supersport bike, get the best finishes I can, win CVMA Championships 2022-2023 Championships.
Racing career goals: Compete as a Pro in MotoAmerica and move to World Superbike.
Racing heroes: Valentino Rossi, Greg Hancock.
Favorite tracks: Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, Brainerd.
Favorite hobbies: Working out, photography/videography.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Playing video games or talking with friends.
Some of the riders who have graduated from Roadracing World Young Guns and gone on to racing success in National or International series include:
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion Jason Aguilar (R.I.P.);
2013 AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Corey Alexander;
AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race winner Tommy Aquino (R.I.P.);
2008 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and AFT SuperTwins race winner J.D. Beach;
MotoAmerica Twins Cup race winner Jackson Blackmon;
former Canadian Sport Bike Champion Tomas Casas;
three-time Canadian Sport Bike Champion and 2014 Canadian Superbike Champion Jodi Christie;
former AMA Pro SuperSport East Champion and MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 race winner Josh Day;
2011 Daytona 200 winner Jason DiSalvo;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Championship runner-up and current MotoAmerica team owner Dustin Dominguez;
2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Champion, 2019 MotoAmerica Twins Cup Champion, and 2021 Canadian Superbike Champion Alex Dumas;
four-time Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race winner and former motorcycle track record holder Carlin Dunne (R.I.P.);
Canadian Superbike race winner Bodhi Edie;
two-time AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, two-time AMA Pro XR1200/Harley-Davidson Champion and four-time Daytona 200 winner Danny Eslick;
2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and MotoAmerica Superbike race winner Bobby Fong;
2010 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Champion, 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North America Superstock 1000 Champion, and two-time MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne;
two-time MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and World Superbike podium finisher Garrett Gerloff;
2017 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Championship runner-up Michael Gilbert;
2014 AMA Pro SuperSport Champion, 2018 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and 2022 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Championship runner-up Hayden Gillim;
2002 AMA Superbike Champion and 2006 FIM MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden (R.I.P.);
2007 AMA Pro 600cc Supersport Champion, 2014 AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up, and 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship runner-up Roger Hayden;
eight-time AMA Pro Superbike race winner and two-time AMA Supersport Champion Tommy Hayden;
2013 AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Champion, 2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Josh Herrin;
MotoAmerica Supersport front-runner Teagg Hobbs;
AMA Pro Superstock race winner Jake Holden;
2011 British Superbike Championship runner-up and former MotoGP and World Superbike regular John Hopkins;
2015 Supersport World Championship runner-up, 2019 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Superbike podium finisher Patrick “P.J.” Jacobsen;
2021 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion and current Moto2 World Championship competitor Sean Dylan Kelly;
Canadian Superbike race winner Kevin Lacombe;
two-time MotoAmerica Stock 1000 Champion Andrew Lee;
2021 MotoAmerica Stock 1000 and Superbike Cup Champion Jake Lewis;
MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Sam Lochoff;
MotoAmerica Superstock 600 race winner Nick McFadden;
AMA Pro SuperSport race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport race winner Stefano Mesa;
Elena Myers, the first and only woman to win AMA Pro Supersport races;
AMA Pro XR1200 race winner, multi-time Loudon Classic winner, and two-time BRL Champion Shane Narbonne;
2012 Canadian Superbike Championship runner-up Andrew Nelson;
2016 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Champion, 2019 British Motostar (Moto3) Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and two-time Daytona 200 winner Brandon Paasch;
2012 Daytona 200 winner and 2010 AMA Pro Supersport West Champion Joey Pascarella;
2016 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher, and current powersports dealership owner Bryce Prince;
AMA Pro and Canadian National race winner and multi-time N2/WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Peris;
two-time AMA Pro SuperSport National Champion, British Supersport podium finisher, 2020 AFT Production Twins Champion, and MotoAmerica King Of The Baggers race winner James Rispoli;
2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 600 Champion, MotoAmerica Supersport race winner, and Moto2 World Championship race winner Joe Roberts;
former Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup Champion and former FIM Moto2 European Championship competitor Benny Solis, Jr.;
three-time AMA Pro Superbike Champion, 2009 Superbike World Champion, MotoGP race winner, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Ben Spies;
multi-time AMA Pro race winner and four-time overall WERA National Endurance Champion Chris Ulrich;
MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher and former World Superbike competitor Jayson Uribe;
2017 MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup Championship runner-up, 2018 MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship runner-up, and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory Ventura;
Canadian Superbike race winner Alex Welsh;
former AMA Pro Superbike Rookie of the Year, Chinese Superbike Championship race winner and MotoAmerica Supersport podium finisher Cory West;
MotoAmerica Junior Cup and Superbike Cup race winner Ashton Yates;
and two-time AMA Pro Superbike Championship runner-up Blake Young.
Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha rider Jake Gagne is planning to have surgery on his right arm this week in California.
During the opening round of the MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship this past weekend at Road Atlanta, two-time and defending Superbike Champion Gagne said he was hindered in both races by “arm pump,” which is also known as compartment syndrome.
Arm pump is a condition common in motorcycle racers where overly developed muscles in the forearm restrict blood flow to and from the hand, resulting in pain, numbness, and/or a lack of strength. This obviously creates an extra challenge for someone trying to race a 220-plus-horsepower Superbike at speeds in excess of 185 mph.
The symptoms of arm pump can be diminished by surgery that involves cutting and/or removing the fascia around the forearm muscles, giving the muscles more room to expand and relieving the blood flow restriction.
While he was able to fight for the win in both races at Road Atlanta, taking a first and second, Gagne feels something must be done to fix the situation and the time to do it is now.
“I’m going to go see Dr. [Thomas] Bryan on Wednesday [April 26] and get surgery on my arm, because now is the time,” 29-year-old Gagne exclusively told Roadracingworld.com. “This is the biggest break. We have three and a half weeks until the next race [May 19-21 at Barber Motorsports Park], so I’m not worried about getting recovered in time.
“It was really, really holding me back this weekend. We managed to get a second and a first, but I just couldn’t ride the bike nearly like I wanted to. Anyone who’s ridden these things knows it gets sketchy when you’re pumped up. And especially because it’s my right arm, so working the throttle was bad and I could only brake as hard as I could pull the lever, which is tough in a battle with these guys. I couldn’t really make passes on the brakes. It was just being creative with my drives and stuff.
“I’m cool with getting it done. I got it done twice earlier in my career, but it’s been a lot of years since then. I just want to be comfortable on the bike. The bike was awesome this weekend, but two, three laps into the race I was just hanging on.
“We got lucky. We got creative. The bike was working awesome. It was all on me, and I want to ride this Yamaha the way it wants to be ridden.”
Gagne’s teammate Cameron Petersen had surgery to relieve arm pump symptoms prior to the start of the 2023 season.
Peter Hickman (60) in action at the 2019 Ulster Grand Prix. Photo by Pacemaker Press International, courtesy of the Ulster Grand Prix.
It is with deep regret that the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club has been forced to abandon plans to revive the Ulster Grand Prix on August 18-19, 2023.
The club began the initiative with confidence, enjoying the full backing of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and the Ulster Grand Prix Supporters’ Club. There was encouraging support from teams and riders and we also received strong commitments of financial support from the local business community for which we are extremely grateful.
However, in recent weeks those plans have been undermined by two specific issues.
Despite numerous requests by Dundrod club officials during the last six weeks, we have been totally frustrated in our attempts to gain access to a copy of the public liability insurance policy the Motorcycle Union of Ireland, Ulster Centre, has put in place for 2023.
The Dundrod club was expected to make an initial payment of £26,000 by mid-April. The finance is in place to make that payment but without sight and consideration of the policy documents, the club’s solicitor has advised this payment should not proceed.
That issue has been further compounded by ongoing uncertainty around funding for the event from Tourism NI. The Dundrod club made application to TNI last December as required. We are now in April 2023 and there has still been no indication as to whether or not this application will be successful or what level of support the UGP might be eligible to receive.
Given these uncertainties, the Dundrod club has been left with no option other than to make the unfortunate decision being announced today.
Miguel Oliveira's results at COTA resulted in him feeling confident and motivated heading into Round Four at Jerez. Photo courtesy RNF MotoGP Team.
CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team returns to Europe
Following an eventful opening of the 2023 season in Portugal, Argentina and lately in Austin, Texas, the MotoGP World Championship returns to Europe this weekend with one of the classics in the calendar. The CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team is eager to compete at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto this weekend for the Spanish Grand Prix, one of three home rounds for team rider Raul Fernandez.
Following a strong catch up in the Sprint race as well as in the main race of the Americas Grand Prix last time out, Miguel Oliveira showed a strong comeback after being forced to sit out the second round of 2023. Starting from P15, he finished eighth in the Sprint and in an impressive fifth position of the full-length race on Sunday, collecting a total if 13 World Championship points. This weekend, the Portuguese star hopes to continue his progress aboard the Aprilia RS-GP, making similar moves with a better starting position.
At the same time, Raul Fernandez is coming home. The young rider from Spain’s capital Madrid, recently felt better and better with his RS-GP. He was ready to score some decent points in the main race at the Circuit of the Americas just a bit over one week ago, but unfortunately had to return to the pits with a technical issue, forcing him to an early retirement. On home soil, the 22-years old is aiming to make up for the lost points this weekend.
The fourth of 21 rounds in 2023 starts this Friday with Free Practice one at 10:45 local time, followed by Free Practice two at 15:00. Apart from Saturday’s action-packed program, Sunday will see the main race starting 15:00 local time in Spain.
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“I’m confident after Austin, which was a track, that is difficult for me. Coming back from the injury, it was nice to score some points. The goal for Jerez will remain the same, continue on this line in scoring points in both races. Hopefully we can make another step forward in terms of speed and improving the Qualifying. I’m looking forward to discover Jerez with the Aprilia. I’m very motivated.”
Raul Fernandez (25) at speed at COTA. Photo courtesy RNF MotoGP Team.
RAUL FERNANDEZ
“Jerez is a very important track for me. Of course, it’s always something special having a race in Spain, my home country in front of our fans. I will try to get a good feeling aboard the Aprilia RS-GP, like I had in Texas last time out and I hope I’ll be a bit luckier avoiding problems. We’ll try to do our best. I think we have potential and step by step we arrive closer to the top, but I think it’s time to get some results now to confirm we can be there.”
Razlan Razali, Founder and Team Principal CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
“So far with the first round in Portimao and the first two flyaway races, we can be satisfied in some ways with our performance compared to last year. We know if that the situation was not the way it was, we could have done better, meaning the incident of Marc Marquez and Miguel in round one and the mechanical issue that Raul had in Austin.”
“Maybe the situation could be a little bit better for the team already. But it’s still a positive time for the team and now the MotoGP circus is back in Jerez this week, which I believe will be truly where the championship begins, where everybody is familiar with the circuits, beginning with Jerez, then Le Mans, followed by Mugello, Sachsenring and Assen. The most important thing is that both riders are in good health and fitness, getting to grips with the RS-GP at each track quickly. We arrive in Jerez full of enthusiasm and motivation to continue our progress to go better.”
Wilco Zeelenberg, Team Manager CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
“After mixed results from Miguel and Raul in Austin, we are quite happy to go to Jerez and see what the boys can do in Spain. Of course, we have had Portimao already, which didn’t work out really well for us, but there is much more track knowledge by both riders in Jerez than in Austin and in Austin they already seemed to have a good speed and where both in a good flow. With their entourage and the enthusiastic fans, it’s always nice to ride in Jerez. On top of that, Raul is Spanish, so it will be his first 2023 home race. Let’s see, what we can do. Hopefully, the sun will shine again for us in the South of Spain.”
Tyler Sweeney (745). Photo by Martin Hanlon, courtesy NEMRR.
Round 1 of the 2023 NorthEast Motorcycle Road Racing (NEMRR) series kicked off April 22-23 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway under clear but cool conditions, typical of an April event in New England.
The excitement during this particular off-season has been palpable, as the series has been focused on the upcoming 100th running of the Loudon Classic in June. The record-breaking $250,000 purse and $55,000 winners take has attracted a group of top-level talent and teams of a size and pedigree that the Northeast has not seen in the 20 years since AMA Pro Racing last visited the speedway.
Although this opening weekend was attended by primarily the series regulars, it was apparent that many riders had made significant extra efforts to prepare top-shelf equipment for the big event in June.
In a good sign for the series and our sport, the new rider classes that open NEMRR events every Saturday were well-attended and full of new faces. Starting with the Super Street Classes, which were introduced several years ago as a half step into racing, riders on track day-prepared machines run a combined “heat race” to get a feel for what it’s like to start a session with a green flag. These mostly-for-fun classes are broken into Unlimited and Lightweight displacement divisions, with the overall win coming from Randy Morrissette on his Ducati Panigale.
The Rookie Race, which starts each race weekend for the NEMRR Novice racers and serves as a “final exam” for those seeking a license, had the largest turnout in recent memory and was won by Nino Jordan.
NEMRR is one of the only clubs in the nation that runs a novice racer class, which creates a idea atmosphere for new riders as it completely separates this group form experienced racers as they learn our sport.
The feature race of NEMRR weekend is the Michelin/MotoRace dash for cash, a Middleweight Grand Prix contest that will form the basis for the 100th running of the Loudon Classic. Conspicuously absent was 2022 champion Scott Greenwood, who dominated the class in 2022 but was forced to sit on the sidelines due to a lingering shoulder injury sustained playing hockey this winter.
Greenwood’s absence left the field wide open, and at the start of the race, Eli Block, who was the closest challenger to Greenwood in 2022, led the way on his freshly upgraded Yamaha R6. Starting from the back row, meanwhile, was the talented Tyler Sweeney on a Yamaha R6 that was the equal of Block’s machine.
Sweeney has not been a full-time participant in the NEMRR series for several years but has made an appearance at most of the Loudon Classic events and has always been a podium contender.
The dropping temperatures led NEMRR officials to shorten the normal 12-lap event to 8 laps, and Sweeney got right to work and moved into second place by lap three. From there, the gap between the two front runners closed at a rate of just over a second per lap with Sweeney taking the lead on lap six. This move lit a fire under Block, who dropped nearly a second a lap and made a strong effort to close the gap to the leader. As the two leaders rocketed out of the final corner, Block’s R6 was visibly spinning and sliding. His effort came up half a bikelength short as Sweeney held on for the win.
Sunday’s races were held under less favorable conditions as constant rain and temperatures in the low 40’s dominated the day. Of the riders who braved the conditions, the pair of Paul Duval and Tom Hynes led the way with each rider securing two wins. Both riders were Yamaha R6 -mounted and took turns churning out the fastest lap times of the day and trading wins on the racetrack. In the end, Duval secured the fastest lap and took the final head-to-head victory in the K-Tech Suspension Middleweight Supersport Class.
Round Two of the NEMRR Series with be held May 13-14 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and will give fans a preview of the Loudon Classic as several of the top professionals attending the big race will be using round two as an opportunity to test. Enthusiasts looking for tickets to the historic 100th running of the Loudon Classic June 16-18 can find a link directly on the www.nemrr.com home page!
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Cognitive Disability Mode
Helps to focus on specific content
This mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode
Reduces distractions and improve focus
This mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
This mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Online Dictionary
Readable Experience
Content Scaling
Default
Text Magnifier
Readable Font
Dyslexia Friendly
Highlight Titles
Highlight Links
Font Sizing
Default
Line Height
Default
Letter Spacing
Default
Left Aligned
Center Aligned
Right Aligned
Visually Pleasing Experience
Dark Contrast
Light Contrast
Monochrome
High Contrast
High Saturation
Low Saturation
Adjust Text Colors
Adjust Title Colors
Adjust Background Colors
Easy Orientation
Mute Sounds
Hide Images
Hide Emoji
Reading Guide
Stop Animations
Reading Mask
Highlight Hover
Highlight Focus
Big Dark Cursor
Big Light Cursor
Cognitive Reading
Virtual Keyboard
Navigation Keys
Voice Navigation
Accessibility Statement
www.roadracingworld.com
November 11, 2026
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
