Application_of_Sanction_POR_23_Marquez_MotoGP_93_Irresponsible_Riding_1_.01
© , Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
MotoGP: Oliveira Will Not Race In Argentina
Injury forces Miguel Oliveira to sit out Argentina Grand Prix
Lisbon, Portugal – Local hero and MotoGP rider Miguel Oliveira will not be participating in the upcoming Argentina Grand Prix due to a recent injury. Following his crash at the Portuguese Grand Prix, Oliveira underwent further testing in his hometown where further damage have been revealed, which doesn’t allow him to start the second GP of the season.
Despite the setback, Oliveira remains committed to his goal of being competitive in the World Championship and will focus on his recovery in order to return to the saddle of his Aprilia RS-GP at round three of the season in Austin, Texas just two weeks later.
The entire CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP team wishes Oliveira a speedy recovery and looks forward to his return to racing. He will not be replaced in Argentina.
Updates regarding his condition will be released by the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team in the near future.
Moto2: SDK Says He’s Leaving Portugal With Confidence
The American Racing Team leaves Portimão with some valuable learnings and experience as Sean Dylan Kelly crossed the line in 20th position after a rollercoaster weekend whilst Rory Skinner takes 22nd on his first visit to the Algarve in six years.
Sean’s weekend started off as mixed as Friday’s weather. Rain in FP1 curtailed the session but as the track cleared up for FP2, Sean made stellar progress but narrowly missed out on a direct spot into Q2 by a mere 0.13s. Unfortunately, a mistake on his final flying lap during Qualifying prevented SDK from advancing any further than 24th on the grid.
Sean made a steady start to the race as he battled with Lorenzo Dalla Porta and Dennis Foggia for a spot in the top 20. After making his way into 18th position, he was pushed back down into 20th where he ended the race.
Rookie Rory’s first weekend as a full-time Moto2 rider got underway with a steady start as the Scot ended the weather-shortened Friday running in 25th position, only two seconds off the top. Rory continued to make good progress throughout Saturday as he adjusted to the Moto2 machinery, ending Qualifying in 25th position.
Rory’s learning curve continued on Sunday but the Scot handled it well. Making up two positions by the halfway mark, Rory avoided any drama to bring the bike back in 22nd place with some valuable grand prix experience under his belt.
Sean Dylan Kelly #4 –
Overall, it was a really solid weekend and I’m happy with the work we did. It was definitely not the final result I was looking to get in the race but I’m just sticking with the positives because I’m happy with the feeling that I had all race long and the battles that I had with all the guys from lap one through to the chequered flag. I was in a good fight, I was in a pretty good position and the feeling that I had on the bike was something that I haven’t had ever on this Moto2 bike so, we’re working in the right direction and it gives me a lot of confidence going into the next few rounds because Portimão isn’t my strongest track so, to be able to leave with this feeling definitely gives me confidence going into other weekends like Argentina which I think will be a good track for me.
I’m really excited for Argentina as it’s pretty much my second home race and I’m really excited to see my family again first and then ride at a track that I really enjoyed last year.
Rory Skinner #33 –
My debut full-time grand prix race was good! It was nice to finally get a race under my belt this year. Having done the wildcards last year, it was good, but I was in the middle of my British Superbike season so they just kind of faded into vivid memory because it was such a hectic time. But I had a good time and worked out a couple of things that I need to improve with my riding and with the bike as well and we worked really well as a team which is good since it’s our first grand prix weekend with everybody here. I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to going on to Argentina.
Moto2: Roberts Hindered By Arm Problem In Opening Race
Race in recovery for Joe Roberts in Portimao.
First GP experience in Moto2 for Dennis Foggia.
Engines running, traffic lights off, off we go. The new 2023 season of the MotoGP World Championship started today, with the Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimao.
A race in recovery for Italtrans Racing Team, with Joe Roberts called to confirm himself in this third year with the team from Bergamo and rookie Dennis Foggia making his debut in Moto2.
Starting from 19th on the grid after qualifying penalized by the wind, Joe Roberts led a good comeback race finishing 14th at the end of 21 laps. A not brilliant result, due to a problem with his right arm during braking, but which gives him 2 world championship points in a championship that is only just beginning.
Positive debut in Moto2 for Dennis Foggia, who today faced his first GP in the intermediate class. 23rd on the grid, he ran a good race in recovery until finishing 18th, with the points zone within reach.
Now no break: from the Portuguese Grand Prix we fly to Argentina, to the Thermas de Rio Hondo circuit, for the second round of the season.
Dennis Foggia #71 | 18th
“As the first day of school, it didn’t go badly. The goal was to finish in the points and we narrowly missed it. We need to improve the feeling with the bike and get to know each other well with the team. From here we can only take steps forward. See you in Argentina!”.
Joe Roberts #16 | 14th
“I’m quite disappointed with today’s race. I had a problem with my right arm. We have to understand what happened, it’s not a normal thing for me. However it is a long season, we will regroup and come back stronger in the next one!”.
John Sandi | TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
“Going back we knew it wouldn’t be an easy race. However, I’m not satisfied because in his third season with us I expect more from Joe. Dennis made a good debut: we gathered important ideas to continue working. We move to Argentina confident of doing well”.
MotoGP: Ducati Will Not Sub For Bastianini In Argentina
Pecco Bagnaia powers to another superb win at Portimao. Two Ducatis on the podium in Sunday’s Portuguese GP with Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Racing Team) in third
After winning the first sprint race in MotoGP history yesterday, Francesco Bagnaia dominated once again the Portugal GP, the opening round of the 2023 season held this afternoon at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão.
Starting from second on the grid, the World Champion could impose himself from the opening stages, as he managed to gain the race lead already on the second lap. Thanks to an impressive pace and good tyre management, Bagnaia could fend off Maverick Viñales, who stayed close behind him throughout the race. Pecco secured his second win of the season, crossing the line with a 687-thousandths advantage over the Spaniard. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider scored his 12th MotoGP victory, bringing his lead in the standings to 12 points. The Ducati of Marco Bezzecchi, VR46 Racing Team rider, also finished on the podium today, with the Italian protagonist of a remarkable comeback after starting from eighth on the grid.
After the first round of the 2023 season, Ducati and the Ducati Lenovo Team also occupy the first position in the constructors’ and teams’ standings.
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1st
“This is definitely the best start to the season I have ever had in my career, so I can only be happy. My team and I did a great job during testing, so the bike setup was already pretty much defined at the beginning of the weekend. In Argentina, the situation will definitely be different. Still, my feeling with the new bike is incredible, so I think we will be ready to face any condition.”
Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager)
“Being the World Champion and having the number 1 on your fairing gives you the awareness that you have the means to be able to win, and since Pecco got his first win two years ago, he has continued to do extraordinary things, and today was yet another demonstration of that. However, the Championship is only at the beginning and is really long, so we must keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard. Congratulations also to Marco Bezzecchi, who also did a beautiful race!”
With Bastianini also forced to sit out the GP of Argentina after suffering a fracture in his right shoulder in the Sprint Race yesterday, it will be only Bagnaia to take part in the next round, scheduled next week, from 31st March to 2nd April, at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.
Yamaha Developing Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System
Developing the Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System (AMSAS)
Controlling drive and steering forces for rider–machine unity and peace of mind for all motorcyclists
Last year, Yamaha Motor announced its Jin-Ki Kanno x Jin-Ki Anzen Safety Vision, which aims to create a world free of accidents together with our customers. The three pillars of the approach are: 1) Technology that assists with rider recognition, judgment, operation, and damage mitigation, 2) Skills, in which we encourage improvement of users’ riding skills, and Connectivity, where the Cloud is used to provide feedback for safety initiatives. To highlight the Technology pillar in this issue, we spoke with the developers of the Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System (AMSAS). As it is naturally linked to Jin-Ki Anzen, we asked about its aims and the value it offers.
A Rider Aid to Enhance Stability with Starts and at Low Speeds
Accidents involving motorcycles have been attributed primarily to recognition errors (10%), decision errors (17%), and operation errors (5%) on the part of the rider. Data also indicates that approximately 70% of motorcycle accidents occur within two seconds of the trigger leading to the accident. Based on these analyses of accident causes, Yamaha Motor’s development of rider aids is underway according to four vectors: assisted danger prediction, damage prevention and assisted defensive riding, assisted evasive riding maneuvers, and damage mitigation.
Unveiled last year, AMSAS stabilizes a vehicle’s attitude at low speeds by controlling drive forces and steering forces. “[Its most distinctive feature is] its approach to use an arrangement highly applicable to existing vehicles since it does not require any modifications to the frame,” says Project Leader Akitoshi Suzuki. The prototype system under development uses a production YZF-R25 for its platform and is equipped with a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) along with drive and steering actuators.
AMSAS is a rider aid that focuses on the instability a motorcycle experiences when starting off or when riding at low speeds, and works to enhance the stability of the vehicle during these moments. “When starting or stopping, the drive actuator fitted to the front wheel aids with stability, and from there up to about 5 km/h (3 mph), the steering actuator attached to the handlebars takes over,” explains Suzuki. Through the coordination of the two, the mid-development AMSAS prototype vehicle can move at walking speeds without falling over, regardless of the skill level of the rider aboard.
A Technology Platform Adaptable to Various Mobility Applications
Yamaha Motor once made headlines when it unveiled the MOTOBOT—an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot—and MOTOROiD, a proof-of-concept experimental motorcycle equipped with AI and self-balancing technology. “The R&D for AMSAS began with the idea of bringing the technologies and know-how acquired through developing these two models to customers around the world,” says Suzuki.
Jun Sakamoto, who handles safety strategy at Yamaha, explains the value AMSAS aims to offer: “It’s to create conditions where the rider can focus more on operating their bike, so that everyone can enjoy that sense of being one with your machine. By providing an assist when the bike is more unstable and requires skill to operate, we want to deliver fun rooted in peace of mind to a wide range of riders.”
Yamaha has set a target of reducing the number of fatal motorcycle accidents to zero by 2050 and is ramping up efforts according to the three aforementioned pillars of Technology, Skills, and Connectivity. AMSAS is one technology with the potential to become a pivotal rider aid if used in conjunction with other technologies, like the radar-linked Unified Brake System—the first of its kind in the world—already deployed on the TRACER 9 GT+.
“With the base technologies in place now, we’re halfway to our goal of bringing AMSAS’ value to customers,” asserts Suzuki. He and the team have high aspirations for the technology: “From here on, we’ll be working to downscale the sizes of the various components and so on, as we want to develop it into a platform not just for motorcycles, but one also adaptable to a wide range of other personal mobility applications, like bicycles.”
Message from the Editor
As the developers explained, AMSAS uses drive and steering actuators to stabilize the vehicle’s attitude. The motor on the front wheel enables the bike to remain upright at a standstill by using the dynamics of an inverted pendulum, like balancing a broom upside down in your palm.
The actuator mounted on the handlebars, on the other hand, increases the vehicle’s stability with minute steering inputs, like when standing still on a bicycle without pedaling. If you imagine these two scenes working at the same time, you might get a clearer idea of how AMSAS and its principles work with a motorcycle.
– Ayuko Kobayashi
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).
MotoAmerica: Westby Racing Makes The Most Of Weather-Affected Test
Westby Racing Continues March To Atlanta With Preseason Test At Buttonwillow
Tulsa, OK – March 27, 2023 – With round one of the MotoAmerica Superbike season coming up on April 21-23 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Westby Racing and its rider Mathew Scholtz completed its third of four planned preseason tests this past Wednesday and Thursday at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, California.
Weather has been a factor at each of the Buttonwillow tests thus far, but crew chief Ed Sullivan and his experienced crew were determined to continue dialing in the firmware update that they made to the Marelli ECU on the #11 Westby Racing Yamaha YZF-R1. With Mathew in the saddle, the team made judicious use of the track time and extracted maximum value from the laps available.
“I was very happy with the progress we made last week,” Mathew said. “Similar to our last test, the weather really didn’t play into our hands, and it kind of limited our track time, but I think we made some very good progress with the new firmware upgrade. I’m getting really good feeling with the bike again, and we managed to figure out a few things. We’ve gotten to the point where we have a really good base setup with the bike’s electronics. We’ll have one more two-day test at Buttonwillow, which will be our final test before our first race weekend at Road Atlanta. The plan at the next test is to fine-tune a few things and also try a couple of things with the chassis. My Westby Racing crew has been working hard, and we’ve made a lot of really good progress. We’re closing in on having a very good feeling with the bike for the first race weekend.”
Mathew and the Westby Racing team will be at Buttonwillow again on April 4 and 5 for their final preseason test. For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit http://www.WestbyRacing.com
Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.
MotoGP: Marc Marquez Will Miss Argentina GP Due To Broken Thumb
Marquez to miss Argentina GP
After surgery to repair the broken first metacarpal in his right hand, Marc Marquez will miss the second round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship.
Upon returning to Spain for further checks, Marc Marquez was diagnosed with a displaced intrarticular fracture of the base of the first metacarpal of the thumb of the right hand. The #93 immediately underwent surgery at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid with Dr. Ignacio Roger de Oña leading a team consisting of Dr. Samuel Antuña and Dr. Andrea Garcia Villanueva.
The surgery consisted of a closed reduction of the fracture and internal fixation of the same with two screws and passed without incident.
Marc Marquez and the Repsol Honda Team have elected for the eight-time World Champion to miss the next round of the World Championship to fully focus on recovery and arrive at the forthcoming rounds in the best possible condition.
MotoGP: More On The Marc Marquez – Oliveira Collision
Early in the MotoGP race Sunday at Algarve International Circuit, Marc Marquez lost control of his Honda and rammed into Miguel Oliveira from behind, causing both riders to crash out of the battle for the lead.
According to Oliveira, he suffered extensive bruising on his right side, where Marquez hit him.
“Today was a shame, obviously to end my home Grand Prix in just two laps was not something I expected,” said Oliveira. “However, we can still be proud on the progress we made throughout this week. We had a difficult day on Friday and then to do Qualifying like how we did it yesterday and to almost have the podium in hand on the last lap in the Sprint Race was amazing. We had a good start today, to lead and then coming second, I think there was a clear opportunity for us to score a podium. I’m still very bruised on the right side of my hip from the crash, hopefully I can do everything I can [to] be fully fit for Argentina next weekend.”
Marquez, who may have broken a bone in his right hand in the incident, explained himself in a statement that read: “First of all I want to say that I am very sorry to Oliveira, his team and the Portuguese fans because it was his race. I did a really big mistake today, of course it was not my intention to have this happen, my intention was not even to overtake Martin at that point, but I had a massive lock with the front. Maybe the hard front was not fully up to temperature, I released the brakes and the bike went inside. I avoided Martin but made contact with Oliveira. I straight away went over to Miguel and then in the medical centre I went to check on him – fortunately it looks like he is OK and this is the most important thing. On my side I have some pain in my right hand and with my knee but this is not so important at the minute. I fully accept and respect the penalty of the double long-lap during the Argentina GP because I did a mistake.”
For his actions, Marquez received a double-long-lap penalty to be served in his next Grand Prix.
The FIM Stewards penalty statement is below.
GP1_POR_23_Marquez_MotoGP_93_Irresponsible_Riding_signed_1_MotoGP: Race Report From Portugal
More From MotoGP In Portugal
By Michael Gougis
Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia kept his cool in the opening chaotic laps of the MotoGP race, kept his nerve with Maverick Vinales stalking him the entire race and kept his perfect record intact by winning his second race in a row in Portugal.
Bagnaia added the Sunday race win to his equally measured victory in Saturday’s sprint race and came away from the weekend with a perfect 37 points.
Surprise sprint race podium finisher Marc Marquez clipped Jorge Martin and plowed into local hero Miguel Oliveira, taking himself and Oliveira out of the race. Marquez suffered a suspected broken metacarpal bone, was given a double long lap penalty at the next round, and was jeered by Portuguese fans with extended middle fingers and boos as he got a scooter ride back to the pits. Oliveira was diagnosed with a contusion to his leg. Martin dropped several positions and later crashed.
Maverick Vinales took a close second for the Aprilia factory team, with Marco Bezzecchi claiming his second MotoGP podium on his Mooney VR46 Racing Team Desmosedici. Johann Zarco took fourth on the Prima Pramac satellite Ducati, while Alex Marquez finished fifth after running near the front for much of the weekend.
Pedro Acosta took a clean win in the Moto2 race, Daniel Holgado held off the field to take the Moto3 victory and Angel Piqueras won both Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup races.
MotoGP: FIM Clarifies Application Of Marc Marquez Penalty
MotoGP: Oliveira Will Not Race In Argentina
Injury forces Miguel Oliveira to sit out Argentina Grand Prix
Lisbon, Portugal – Local hero and MotoGP rider Miguel Oliveira will not be participating in the upcoming Argentina Grand Prix due to a recent injury. Following his crash at the Portuguese Grand Prix, Oliveira underwent further testing in his hometown where further damage have been revealed, which doesn’t allow him to start the second GP of the season.
Despite the setback, Oliveira remains committed to his goal of being competitive in the World Championship and will focus on his recovery in order to return to the saddle of his Aprilia RS-GP at round three of the season in Austin, Texas just two weeks later.
The entire CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP team wishes Oliveira a speedy recovery and looks forward to his return to racing. He will not be replaced in Argentina.
Updates regarding his condition will be released by the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team in the near future.
Moto2: SDK Says He’s Leaving Portugal With Confidence
The American Racing Team leaves Portimão with some valuable learnings and experience as Sean Dylan Kelly crossed the line in 20th position after a rollercoaster weekend whilst Rory Skinner takes 22nd on his first visit to the Algarve in six years.
Sean’s weekend started off as mixed as Friday’s weather. Rain in FP1 curtailed the session but as the track cleared up for FP2, Sean made stellar progress but narrowly missed out on a direct spot into Q2 by a mere 0.13s. Unfortunately, a mistake on his final flying lap during Qualifying prevented SDK from advancing any further than 24th on the grid.
Sean made a steady start to the race as he battled with Lorenzo Dalla Porta and Dennis Foggia for a spot in the top 20. After making his way into 18th position, he was pushed back down into 20th where he ended the race.
Rookie Rory’s first weekend as a full-time Moto2 rider got underway with a steady start as the Scot ended the weather-shortened Friday running in 25th position, only two seconds off the top. Rory continued to make good progress throughout Saturday as he adjusted to the Moto2 machinery, ending Qualifying in 25th position.
Rory’s learning curve continued on Sunday but the Scot handled it well. Making up two positions by the halfway mark, Rory avoided any drama to bring the bike back in 22nd place with some valuable grand prix experience under his belt.
Sean Dylan Kelly #4 –
Overall, it was a really solid weekend and I’m happy with the work we did. It was definitely not the final result I was looking to get in the race but I’m just sticking with the positives because I’m happy with the feeling that I had all race long and the battles that I had with all the guys from lap one through to the chequered flag. I was in a good fight, I was in a pretty good position and the feeling that I had on the bike was something that I haven’t had ever on this Moto2 bike so, we’re working in the right direction and it gives me a lot of confidence going into the next few rounds because Portimão isn’t my strongest track so, to be able to leave with this feeling definitely gives me confidence going into other weekends like Argentina which I think will be a good track for me.
I’m really excited for Argentina as it’s pretty much my second home race and I’m really excited to see my family again first and then ride at a track that I really enjoyed last year.
Rory Skinner #33 –
My debut full-time grand prix race was good! It was nice to finally get a race under my belt this year. Having done the wildcards last year, it was good, but I was in the middle of my British Superbike season so they just kind of faded into vivid memory because it was such a hectic time. But I had a good time and worked out a couple of things that I need to improve with my riding and with the bike as well and we worked really well as a team which is good since it’s our first grand prix weekend with everybody here. I really enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to going on to Argentina.
Moto2: Roberts Hindered By Arm Problem In Opening Race
Race in recovery for Joe Roberts in Portimao.
First GP experience in Moto2 for Dennis Foggia.
Engines running, traffic lights off, off we go. The new 2023 season of the MotoGP World Championship started today, with the Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimao.
A race in recovery for Italtrans Racing Team, with Joe Roberts called to confirm himself in this third year with the team from Bergamo and rookie Dennis Foggia making his debut in Moto2.
Starting from 19th on the grid after qualifying penalized by the wind, Joe Roberts led a good comeback race finishing 14th at the end of 21 laps. A not brilliant result, due to a problem with his right arm during braking, but which gives him 2 world championship points in a championship that is only just beginning.
Positive debut in Moto2 for Dennis Foggia, who today faced his first GP in the intermediate class. 23rd on the grid, he ran a good race in recovery until finishing 18th, with the points zone within reach.
Now no break: from the Portuguese Grand Prix we fly to Argentina, to the Thermas de Rio Hondo circuit, for the second round of the season.
Dennis Foggia #71 | 18th
“As the first day of school, it didn’t go badly. The goal was to finish in the points and we narrowly missed it. We need to improve the feeling with the bike and get to know each other well with the team. From here we can only take steps forward. See you in Argentina!”.
Joe Roberts #16 | 14th
“I’m quite disappointed with today’s race. I had a problem with my right arm. We have to understand what happened, it’s not a normal thing for me. However it is a long season, we will regroup and come back stronger in the next one!”.
John Sandi | TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
“Going back we knew it wouldn’t be an easy race. However, I’m not satisfied because in his third season with us I expect more from Joe. Dennis made a good debut: we gathered important ideas to continue working. We move to Argentina confident of doing well”.
MotoGP: Ducati Will Not Sub For Bastianini In Argentina
Pecco Bagnaia powers to another superb win at Portimao. Two Ducatis on the podium in Sunday’s Portuguese GP with Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Racing Team) in third
After winning the first sprint race in MotoGP history yesterday, Francesco Bagnaia dominated once again the Portugal GP, the opening round of the 2023 season held this afternoon at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão.
Starting from second on the grid, the World Champion could impose himself from the opening stages, as he managed to gain the race lead already on the second lap. Thanks to an impressive pace and good tyre management, Bagnaia could fend off Maverick Viñales, who stayed close behind him throughout the race. Pecco secured his second win of the season, crossing the line with a 687-thousandths advantage over the Spaniard. The Ducati Lenovo Team rider scored his 12th MotoGP victory, bringing his lead in the standings to 12 points. The Ducati of Marco Bezzecchi, VR46 Racing Team rider, also finished on the podium today, with the Italian protagonist of a remarkable comeback after starting from eighth on the grid.
After the first round of the 2023 season, Ducati and the Ducati Lenovo Team also occupy the first position in the constructors’ and teams’ standings.
Francesco Bagnaia (#1, Ducati Lenovo Team) – 1st
“This is definitely the best start to the season I have ever had in my career, so I can only be happy. My team and I did a great job during testing, so the bike setup was already pretty much defined at the beginning of the weekend. In Argentina, the situation will definitely be different. Still, my feeling with the new bike is incredible, so I think we will be ready to face any condition.”
Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager)
“Being the World Champion and having the number 1 on your fairing gives you the awareness that you have the means to be able to win, and since Pecco got his first win two years ago, he has continued to do extraordinary things, and today was yet another demonstration of that. However, the Championship is only at the beginning and is really long, so we must keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard. Congratulations also to Marco Bezzecchi, who also did a beautiful race!”
With Bastianini also forced to sit out the GP of Argentina after suffering a fracture in his right shoulder in the Sprint Race yesterday, it will be only Bagnaia to take part in the next round, scheduled next week, from 31st March to 2nd April, at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.
Yamaha Developing Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System
Developing the Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System (AMSAS)
Controlling drive and steering forces for rider–machine unity and peace of mind for all motorcyclists
Last year, Yamaha Motor announced its Jin-Ki Kanno x Jin-Ki Anzen Safety Vision, which aims to create a world free of accidents together with our customers. The three pillars of the approach are: 1) Technology that assists with rider recognition, judgment, operation, and damage mitigation, 2) Skills, in which we encourage improvement of users’ riding skills, and Connectivity, where the Cloud is used to provide feedback for safety initiatives. To highlight the Technology pillar in this issue, we spoke with the developers of the Advanced Motorcycle Stabilization Assist System (AMSAS). As it is naturally linked to Jin-Ki Anzen, we asked about its aims and the value it offers.
A Rider Aid to Enhance Stability with Starts and at Low Speeds
Accidents involving motorcycles have been attributed primarily to recognition errors (10%), decision errors (17%), and operation errors (5%) on the part of the rider. Data also indicates that approximately 70% of motorcycle accidents occur within two seconds of the trigger leading to the accident. Based on these analyses of accident causes, Yamaha Motor’s development of rider aids is underway according to four vectors: assisted danger prediction, damage prevention and assisted defensive riding, assisted evasive riding maneuvers, and damage mitigation.
Unveiled last year, AMSAS stabilizes a vehicle’s attitude at low speeds by controlling drive forces and steering forces. “[Its most distinctive feature is] its approach to use an arrangement highly applicable to existing vehicles since it does not require any modifications to the frame,” says Project Leader Akitoshi Suzuki. The prototype system under development uses a production YZF-R25 for its platform and is equipped with a 6-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) along with drive and steering actuators.
AMSAS is a rider aid that focuses on the instability a motorcycle experiences when starting off or when riding at low speeds, and works to enhance the stability of the vehicle during these moments. “When starting or stopping, the drive actuator fitted to the front wheel aids with stability, and from there up to about 5 km/h (3 mph), the steering actuator attached to the handlebars takes over,” explains Suzuki. Through the coordination of the two, the mid-development AMSAS prototype vehicle can move at walking speeds without falling over, regardless of the skill level of the rider aboard.
A Technology Platform Adaptable to Various Mobility Applications
Yamaha Motor once made headlines when it unveiled the MOTOBOT—an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot—and MOTOROiD, a proof-of-concept experimental motorcycle equipped with AI and self-balancing technology. “The R&D for AMSAS began with the idea of bringing the technologies and know-how acquired through developing these two models to customers around the world,” says Suzuki.
Jun Sakamoto, who handles safety strategy at Yamaha, explains the value AMSAS aims to offer: “It’s to create conditions where the rider can focus more on operating their bike, so that everyone can enjoy that sense of being one with your machine. By providing an assist when the bike is more unstable and requires skill to operate, we want to deliver fun rooted in peace of mind to a wide range of riders.”
Yamaha has set a target of reducing the number of fatal motorcycle accidents to zero by 2050 and is ramping up efforts according to the three aforementioned pillars of Technology, Skills, and Connectivity. AMSAS is one technology with the potential to become a pivotal rider aid if used in conjunction with other technologies, like the radar-linked Unified Brake System—the first of its kind in the world—already deployed on the TRACER 9 GT+.
“With the base technologies in place now, we’re halfway to our goal of bringing AMSAS’ value to customers,” asserts Suzuki. He and the team have high aspirations for the technology: “From here on, we’ll be working to downscale the sizes of the various components and so on, as we want to develop it into a platform not just for motorcycles, but one also adaptable to a wide range of other personal mobility applications, like bicycles.”
Message from the Editor
As the developers explained, AMSAS uses drive and steering actuators to stabilize the vehicle’s attitude. The motor on the front wheel enables the bike to remain upright at a standstill by using the dynamics of an inverted pendulum, like balancing a broom upside down in your palm.
The actuator mounted on the handlebars, on the other hand, increases the vehicle’s stability with minute steering inputs, like when standing still on a bicycle without pedaling. If you imagine these two scenes working at the same time, you might get a clearer idea of how AMSAS and its principles work with a motorcycle.
– Ayuko Kobayashi
About Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the outdoor recreation industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outboard Motors, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Robotic Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, Yamalube products, and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of distributors and dealers in the United States.
YMUS has a corporate office in California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, and factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Additional U.S.-based subsidiaries include Yamaha Marine Systems Company (YMSC) with divisions Bennett Marine (Florida), Kracor Systems (Wisconsin) and Siren Marine, Inc. (Rhode Island), Skeeter Boats (Texas), with division G3 Boats (Missouri), and Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana).
MotoAmerica: Westby Racing Makes The Most Of Weather-Affected Test
Westby Racing Continues March To Atlanta With Preseason Test At Buttonwillow
Tulsa, OK – March 27, 2023 – With round one of the MotoAmerica Superbike season coming up on April 21-23 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Westby Racing and its rider Mathew Scholtz completed its third of four planned preseason tests this past Wednesday and Thursday at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, California.
Weather has been a factor at each of the Buttonwillow tests thus far, but crew chief Ed Sullivan and his experienced crew were determined to continue dialing in the firmware update that they made to the Marelli ECU on the #11 Westby Racing Yamaha YZF-R1. With Mathew in the saddle, the team made judicious use of the track time and extracted maximum value from the laps available.
“I was very happy with the progress we made last week,” Mathew said. “Similar to our last test, the weather really didn’t play into our hands, and it kind of limited our track time, but I think we made some very good progress with the new firmware upgrade. I’m getting really good feeling with the bike again, and we managed to figure out a few things. We’ve gotten to the point where we have a really good base setup with the bike’s electronics. We’ll have one more two-day test at Buttonwillow, which will be our final test before our first race weekend at Road Atlanta. The plan at the next test is to fine-tune a few things and also try a couple of things with the chassis. My Westby Racing crew has been working hard, and we’ve made a lot of really good progress. We’re closing in on having a very good feeling with the bike for the first race weekend.”
Mathew and the Westby Racing team will be at Buttonwillow again on April 4 and 5 for their final preseason test. For more updates about Westby Racing, including news, photos, and videos, visit http://www.WestbyRacing.com
Also, follow “Westby Racing” on your favorite social media sites.
MotoGP: Marc Marquez Will Miss Argentina GP Due To Broken Thumb
Marquez to miss Argentina GP
After surgery to repair the broken first metacarpal in his right hand, Marc Marquez will miss the second round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship.
Upon returning to Spain for further checks, Marc Marquez was diagnosed with a displaced intrarticular fracture of the base of the first metacarpal of the thumb of the right hand. The #93 immediately underwent surgery at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid with Dr. Ignacio Roger de Oña leading a team consisting of Dr. Samuel Antuña and Dr. Andrea Garcia Villanueva.
The surgery consisted of a closed reduction of the fracture and internal fixation of the same with two screws and passed without incident.
Marc Marquez and the Repsol Honda Team have elected for the eight-time World Champion to miss the next round of the World Championship to fully focus on recovery and arrive at the forthcoming rounds in the best possible condition.
MotoGP: More On The Marc Marquez – Oliveira Collision
Early in the MotoGP race Sunday at Algarve International Circuit, Marc Marquez lost control of his Honda and rammed into Miguel Oliveira from behind, causing both riders to crash out of the battle for the lead.
According to Oliveira, he suffered extensive bruising on his right side, where Marquez hit him.
“Today was a shame, obviously to end my home Grand Prix in just two laps was not something I expected,” said Oliveira. “However, we can still be proud on the progress we made throughout this week. We had a difficult day on Friday and then to do Qualifying like how we did it yesterday and to almost have the podium in hand on the last lap in the Sprint Race was amazing. We had a good start today, to lead and then coming second, I think there was a clear opportunity for us to score a podium. I’m still very bruised on the right side of my hip from the crash, hopefully I can do everything I can [to] be fully fit for Argentina next weekend.”
Marquez, who may have broken a bone in his right hand in the incident, explained himself in a statement that read: “First of all I want to say that I am very sorry to Oliveira, his team and the Portuguese fans because it was his race. I did a really big mistake today, of course it was not my intention to have this happen, my intention was not even to overtake Martin at that point, but I had a massive lock with the front. Maybe the hard front was not fully up to temperature, I released the brakes and the bike went inside. I avoided Martin but made contact with Oliveira. I straight away went over to Miguel and then in the medical centre I went to check on him – fortunately it looks like he is OK and this is the most important thing. On my side I have some pain in my right hand and with my knee but this is not so important at the minute. I fully accept and respect the penalty of the double long-lap during the Argentina GP because I did a mistake.”
For his actions, Marquez received a double-long-lap penalty to be served in his next Grand Prix.
The FIM Stewards penalty statement is below.
GP1_POR_23_Marquez_MotoGP_93_Irresponsible_Riding_signed_1_MotoGP: Race Report From Portugal
More From MotoGP In Portugal
By Michael Gougis
Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia kept his cool in the opening chaotic laps of the MotoGP race, kept his nerve with Maverick Vinales stalking him the entire race and kept his perfect record intact by winning his second race in a row in Portugal.
Bagnaia added the Sunday race win to his equally measured victory in Saturday’s sprint race and came away from the weekend with a perfect 37 points.
Surprise sprint race podium finisher Marc Marquez clipped Jorge Martin and plowed into local hero Miguel Oliveira, taking himself and Oliveira out of the race. Marquez suffered a suspected broken metacarpal bone, was given a double long lap penalty at the next round, and was jeered by Portuguese fans with extended middle fingers and boos as he got a scooter ride back to the pits. Oliveira was diagnosed with a contusion to his leg. Martin dropped several positions and later crashed.
Maverick Vinales took a close second for the Aprilia factory team, with Marco Bezzecchi claiming his second MotoGP podium on his Mooney VR46 Racing Team Desmosedici. Johann Zarco took fourth on the Prima Pramac satellite Ducati, while Alex Marquez finished fifth after running near the front for much of the weekend.
Pedro Acosta took a clean win in the Moto2 race, Daniel Holgado held off the field to take the Moto3 victory and Angel Piqueras won both Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup races.