Varese, July 15th, 2022 – F3, Dragster and Turismo Veloce: three unique ways of living one’s motorcycling passion, yet they all share the legendary MV Agusta brand and belong to the very special and eminently Italian RC racing breed.
The smell of fuel and burnt tarmac fills the quiet air. The sun reflects on the brilliant colour combinations of the tank and fairings. Light metal, technology, design. The rumble and roar of the inline-three-cylinder engine breaks the silence and becomes the soundtrack of a great day of riding.
The RC range represents the essence of MV Agusta’s racing DNA, designed for every minute detail to incarnate the highest point in the development of these truly exclusive models. The acronym stands for Reparto Corse as one can easily deduce from the colour scheme shared by the three models, and which emphasises their racing vocation. All three models are in limited series: 200 units for the F3 RC, 300 for the Dragster and the Turismo Veloce, with their production number on the steering plate and delivered with a certificate of authenticity. The racing kit, for the F3 RC and the Dragster RC, is made up of a rich collection of premium parts: exhaust, control unit, footrests, levers and everything needed to turn a plain motorcycle into a racetrack-ready machine.
A 2022 MV Agusta F3 RC. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.
F3 RC
Just think of the best Supersport of the moment, and dress it up in MV Agusta’s official racing colours. You’re ready to ride the F3 RC, the sportiest of the range, ready to burn the tarmac of the next racetrack. Engine, frame, aerodynamics: everything on this bike was designed for maximum performance without compromise. The front forks have an advanced titanium nitride (TiN) coating to reduce friction, wheels that are 10% lighter, resulting in a moment of inertia reduction of 7%. Whether it’s racetrack tarmac or that of a scenic country road, riding sensations remain the same. The racing kit includes an Akrapovič full titanium exhaust that pairs well with the control unit featuring special racing mappings, complete with an extensive carbon-fibre protective heat shield. The aluminum alloy clutch and brake levers are CNC machined. The new F3 RC 2022 is being produced in a 200 units limited series, all numbered and delivered with a certificate of authenticity.
The renewed graphic elements and the colour scheme, clearly remind of the bikes racing in the Moto2 and Supersport championships. The ample use of premium materials serves both aesthetics and function: for instance, the front forks have an advanced titanium nitride (TiN) coating to reduce friction, the forged wheels reduce unsprung mass and improve manoeuvrability; carbon fibre also enhances the design of the Dragster, making it unique among the medium capacity naked. The 800cc three-cylinder engine, already an absolute industry benchmark, is pushed even further the racing kit, which includes an SC Project titanium exhaust and a central unit with optimised mapping, as well as a sleek looking see-through clutch cover.
The new Dragster RC SCS 2022 is being produced in a 300 units limited series, all numbered and delivered with a certificate of authenticity.
The most eclectic MV Agusta, in its RC version, boasts a number of precious details that make it even more exclusive, also because it is being produced in a 300 units limited edition series, all numbered and certified. Many updates have been introduced on this model, from a newly designed exhaust to new suspension tuning, on top of an enlarged windscreen and an updated electronic shifting sensor for improved precision and reliability. The inertial platform is also brand new. The Turismo Veloce RC features the tested and proven Smart Clutch System, developed by MV Agusta together with Rekluse: it will allow for lightning take-offs without having to use the clutch lever to stop and go, making the whole riding experience even easier, more carefree and sportier.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
Rea topped Friday running with a half a second advantage over Razgatlioglu
The six-time WorldSBK Champion led Razgatlioglu and Redding in the combined results, with Bautista in fifth
Jonathan Rea (65). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Friday highlights – WorldSBK
P1 – Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
Rea topped Friday’s timesheets, finishing 0.551s clear of Razgatlioglu.
His fastest time of a 1’27.016s is under the race lap record.
He set an incredible 13 1’27s, more than the total of his competitors combined.
“You never expect such a big difference because half a second is a lot. During practice sessions, everyone is in different strategies. Today I tried to understand a couple of different weight balances with the bike, different wheel basis, some different electronic settings and then try to evaluate both front tyres and also all the rear tyres. We managed to do all that. This morning with the harder rear option, and this afternoon with both the softer options. We gained a lot of information today, now it’s about sitting down understanding what’s going to work for tomorrow. Just looking at the forecast, the temperatures are going to rise so maybe all that work would be in vain because when you have a 10 degrees difference on the asphalt it makes a big difference. The positive thing is that we have lot of info and today we were quite fast. So, it’s a good start to the weekend.”
P2 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
Fastest in FP1, Razgatlioglu concluded Friday in second place about half a second behind Rea.
Not matching Rea’s pace, he lapped two 1’27s and ten 1’28s.
“I’m very happy that we come back again to Donington Park, because I like this track a lot. Today we try for a good setup for the race, but we have to keep working because in FP2 I am not really happy – but P2 was not a bad lap time. We need more grip for the rear and after, I’m just riding because you know I enjoy this track! We will try also a new set-up, we will see. This is just the first day, tomorrow we have FP3 and after we will try again a good set-up for the race. Every race weekend this year we see big improvement, everybody is very fast. Important the race, not Friday – so we are just working for this and I hope tomorrow I am fighting for the victory.”
Scott Redding (45) leading Xavi Vierge (97) on track at Donington Park. Photo courtesy Dorna.
P3 – Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
With a new swingarm at his disposal, Redding completed Friday’s top three after two solid Free Practice sessions.
He finished 0.582s behind Rea’s best time, and 0.031s behind Razgatlioglu in second.
“I think we’ve also made some big steps with the BMW to bring it closer to the front. Different handlebars, different swingarm, different footpegs, I’m just feeling more that it’s my bike and riding with more of a clear mind of how to go fast. It’s definitely an improvement, that’s for sure. But it’s still the start of the evolution for me. I’ve worked with Kalex before; they’re very good technically and a very good way of achieving the goal and they understand that from a rider’s perspective. There will be more to come, which is very good. It’s just part of the puzzle. We have many, many things that we are pushing and working on. Slowly we start to see something coming.”
Alex Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Dorna.
P4 – Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
Lowes ended Friday in fourth place with a best time of 1’27.684s, having run second for most of the session and staying out on one tyre.
“It was a good Friday. It was really nice to get on the bike. I was a little bit nervous this week because it’s a real home race for me. It’s a track I enjoyed and to be honest I felt really good on the bike today. In FP1, I tried my 2022 standard setting and also somethings to watch of the years at Donington last year. In the afternoon, I tried to do a longer run with the SCX tyre just to gather some information for Race 1 tomorrow. I’ve felt quite good. There are some areas in the middle of the lap, the second sector, where I need to improve but in general, I was quite happy.”
Alvaro Bautista (19). Photo courtesy Dorna.
P5 – Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
Championship leader Bautista was fifth, as his best time of 1’27.730 is 0.714s slower than Rea’s time.
He lapped three 1’27s accompanied by 14 1’28s showing signs of good pace.
“I think today has been a positive day. I felt better than I expected; I didn’t expect anything before coming here because I remember three years ago, it was very tough for me. Today, I was feeling much better. The feeling with the bike wasn’t too bad especially with the race pace because I felt quite comfortable compared to three years. I think our pace today was acceptable. Anyway, we have some small details to improve for tomorrow that maybe can help me gain some tenths and especially be more consistent. I’m happy with today.”
P6 – Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
Despite a small crash at Turn 12 in FP2, Rinaldi completed Friday’s top six.
Just 0.005s separated him from his teammate in fifth.
“We used the base from Misano, and it worked really well here. I didn’t expect that. I spoke with the team to just make small adjustments and it paid off because, in FP2, I had a good race pace and consistent. This track is so demanding but with this setup and this work I can go fast every lap, so that means the base is really good. We still need a little bit. I think are on the path to try and fight for the podium, which is our goal.”
To note:
Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) was seventh, with the French rider also having a new swingarm on his BMW M1000RR.
Leon Haslam (TPR Team Pedercini Racing) completed the top 10 at a circuit where he’s famously gone strongly at.
The first Honda rider was Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) in 12th.
Wildcards Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) and Peter Hickman (FHO Racing) finished in 15th and 16th place respectively.
WorldSBK action resumes on Saturday from 09:00 (Local Time), followed by Tissot Superpole at 11:10 and Race 1 at 14:00.
More, from a press release issued by GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team:
SOLID OPENING DAY IN DONINGTON FOR GYTR GRT YAMAHA WORLDSBK TEAM
After a five-week break, the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team returned to action today at the iconic Donington Park, with Garrett Gerloff going ninth fastest on combined times, while Kohta Nozane was 22nd.
The American rider ended Free Practice 1 in 14th (1’29.559), while his Japanese teammate finished 20th (1’31.272), with both aiming to improve their speed in the hotter afternoon session.
GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team riders were eager to extract more potential in Free Practice 2 and so they did, despite mainly focusing on longer runs. Gerloff improved his lap times throughout the session, going ninth fastest on a 1’28.431, with Nozane making steps forward to go 1.520s faster than the morning.
Both riders will be back on track tomorrow, firstly with FP3 at 09:00 local time (GMT+1), before the Tissot Superpole qualifying at 11:10 and Race 1 at 14:00.
“It was an interesting day in a lot of different ways. We found something with the electronics which is positive. We finished the day running with used tyres but we still kept improving. This is what counts as we’re trying to be consistent at the end of the race. The overall position is not where I want to be, but there are a lot of positive things to take into tomorrow.” Kohta Nozane #3
Kohta Nozane (3). Photo courtesy GYTR GRT Yamaha.
“Not the easiest day, but we managed to find good things here in Donington. Firstly I tried to get confidence quickly on this track, then we kept working on improving lap by lap. We made a huge step between FP1 and FP2 and we’re looking forward to make more progress tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki:
Rea Dominates First Day
The fifth round of the WorldSBK championship began in strong fashion for the KRT pairing of Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes, with Jonathan scoring the fastest lap of the day and Lowes finishing up fourth overall.
The predicted summer heatwave conditions did not quite show up at Donington Park, on day one of the action at least, but the early pace put in Rea proved to be red-hot. He is already under the race lap record with his 1’27.016 pace, which he set in FP2. He was more than half a second ahead of the next best rider, Toprak Razgatlioglu.
Lowes was happy with the good work he and his team completed on day one, as he makes preparations to take part in his literal home race weekend. Alex, the BSB Champion in 2013, lives just a few kilometres from the circuit and has always had a great affinity with the undulating 4.023km long Donington layout.
Air and track temperatures are expected to increase all weekend so the team and riders factored that probability into their pre-race preparations. This task was aided by useful data gathered from a recent high temperature test conducted at Motorland Aragon.
After the first two practice sessions on Friday the KRT duo will now face a final FP3 session, Superpole Qualifying and then a full distance Race One at 14.00 UK time, on Saturday 16th July.
Jonathan Rea (65). Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “You can never just take a screenshot of the final lap times and understand all the stories. Everybody was on a different strategy today, trying to understand what’s what. But we did good work and we were able to analyse all the tyre options. Both front tyres and all the rears. Unlike Misano, where there were two extra solutions over the weekend, and it confused everything, I feel we have a handle on at least the tyres. In the morning I was really struggling with the front over the bumps, so we changed the weight balance of the bike, the wheelbase. In the beginning of the second session I was able to understand quite quickly the pros and cons of the changes.”
Alex Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Alex Lowes, stated: “The first day went OK even though I had my best lap cancelled. I got a bit greedy on the entrance to the chicane and I think I touched the green track limits marker. It is nice to be back at Donington. The weather has been good and I think it is just going to get better all weekend. There are already quite a few fans here and I really enjoyed it today. The pace is pretty good so that’s nice. If the temperature rises I know which tyre I am going to use, as I did a long run with it in FP2. I am not sure about the front tyre yet.”
Frenchman Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was declared fit and ready to race at Donington, securing a very strong 11th place overall on day one. Twenty year old rookie rider Oliver König (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) was 26th on the timesheets as he learned his way around the Donington circuit for the first time.
Wildcard entrant Leon Haslam (TPR Pedercini Kawasaki) – recently a factory KRT rider himself – was a very creditable tenth at his home circuit.
More, from a press release issued by Team HRC:
Donington a learning curve for Lecuona and Vierge
Team HRC is out on track for the fifth round of the 2022 Superbike World Championship at the Donington Park circuit in the UK. Neither Iker Lecuona or Xavi Vierge has raced at the British track before, although Iker did benefit from a short one-day test last month. The Team HRC duo therefore spent Friday’s sessions getting to grips with the tricky layout and adapting their CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADES to suit, the day something of a learning experience for them both.
Working hard with his technicians, Lecuona set a best of 1’28.807 to place eighth by the end of the morning’s first free practice. Back on the bike for the first time since his Misano accident, Vierge closed in nineteenth position with a time of 1’30.566.
During the afternoon’s second practice both factory riders were soon able to lower their earlier times. Lecuona slightly improved over the course of the 45-minute session, his outright best of the day a 1’28.509, set in the final five minutes, which placed him twelfth in the combined standings. Vierge’s fastest time, a 1’29.336, saw him round out day one in eighteenth position. The Team HRC duo will continue with its work in tomorrow’s final practice, so as to be as prepared as possible for the weekend’s races.
Iker Lecuona 7
Iker Lecuona (7). Photo courtesy Team HRC.
“The day started very well, after which we got a little lost. A technical glitch this morning slowed things down a bit and then in FP2 I didn’t feel totally right on the bike. We have something to sort out with the set-up; it’s a bit of a slippery track and maybe the conditions are a bit colder compared to when we came testing here three weeks ago, either way I felt a little less comfortable than expected on the bike. I felt a bit tense while riding and that put a lot of strain on my arm, causing some arm-pump. We need to find something that helps us regain those good sensations we had in the test so that we can get back to a more ‘normal’ position, close to the top five”.
Xavi Vierge 97
Xavi Vierge (97). Photo courtesy Team HRC.
“The good thing is that I’m very happy to be back on track and am feeling good enough with my hand at what is a very physical track. I’ve felt OK so far and now just need some laps to adapt and to understand how to go fast here. It was a pity to have missed the tests, which would definitely have helped us a lot, but it is what it is and we just have to focus on the job in hand. We improved quite a lot between FP1 and FP2, especially in terms of race pace. We didn’t use any soft tyre and only worked with the race spec. We are not where we want to be of course, or where we know we can be, but we can be happy in that I can ride as usual, my hand is just fine, and we are doing a good job as a team”.
More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
Alvaro Bautista and Michael Rinaldi fifth and sixth respectively after Donington’s free practice. Bulega finishes third in WorldSSP
Prosecco DOC UK Round free practice ended with Alvaro Bautista and Michael Rinaldi in fifth and sixth respectively.
It was a positive Friday at the Donington Park circuit with the two Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team riders working hard on their Ducati Panigale V4R machines to gather useful information ahead of tomorrow and Sunday races.
After finishing third in FP1, Rinaldi ended in sixth position (1’27.735), 719 thousandths of a second off the fastest time of the day set by Rea (Kawasaki) and less than two tenths off the second place of Razgatlioglu (Yamaha).
Alvaro Bautista worked on details while also trying some tire solutions and ended both sessions in fifth position with the best time of 1’27.730.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19)
Alvaro Bautista (19). Photo courtesy Ducati.
“It was a very positive day in which we did better than we expected. It’s clear: we still have to fix some details to get closer to Rea, who at the moment seems to be one step ahead of everyone. However, I am very satisfied with the sensations I felt today and I think we have all the chances to take a step forward tomorrow morning to fight for the podium.”
Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #21)
Michael Rinaldi (21). Photo courtesy Ducati.
“I am satisfied because we did a really good job. The feeling with the bike is good, a confirm that since Misano we have been going in the right direction. Today’s goal was not to make too many changes to the bike and the good feelings in FP1 helped us. There is still something missing to be at the top but I think we are working well.”
WorldSSP
Very positive Friday for Nicolò Bulega, who rode the Ducati Panigale V2 for the first time at Donington Park, finishing third (1’31.164), two tenths off the best time of the day set by Aegerter (Yamaha).
Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WSSP #11)
“I am happy with what we did today. In FP2 we managed to improve a lot the feeling with the bike. After all, this was the first time for me on this circuit with the race bike. Despite this I felt comfortable right away. The feeling is good and I think we can have a good weekend.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Razgatlıoğlu P2 as Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK get to work on Friday at Donington
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu was initially fastest overall this morning in Free Practice 1 at Donington Park, kicking off the fifth round of the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship in the UK today.
However, lap times tumbled across the board this afternoon as the temperature heated up, with championship rival Jonathan Rea going half a second quicker than the rest of the field in the closing stages of Free Practice 2. Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK stood by its tried and tested race simulation running plan, with defending champion Razgatlıoğlu focusing on race pace rather than outright speed. Despite improving on his lap time by nearly 0.25s, it wasn’t enough to retain the top spot.
The team hope to make a step overnight to find more rear grip for both Razgatlıoğlu and teammate Andrea Locatelli to enable them to fight at the front during the 23-lap feature tomorrow.
Locatelli, in just his second visit to the tricky UK circuit, made steps to recover lost track running in Free Practice 2 after an early crash at Goddard’s in Free Practice 1 reduced his available track time this morning while the team repaired his #55 R1 WorldSBK. The 25-year-old Italian recovered to eighth overall in the combined times this afternoon.
Saturday Race day begins with Free Practice 3 at 09:00 (BST) followed by Superpole qualifying at 11:10 and Race 1 “lights out” at 14:00.
Toprak Razgatlioğlu
Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK
Toprak Razgatlioglu (1). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
“I’m very happy that we come back again to the UK and Donington Park, because I like this track a lot. Today we try for a good set-up for the race, but we have to keep working because in FP2 I am not really happy – but P2 was not a bad lap time. We need more grip for the rear and after, I’m just riding because you know I enjoy this track! We will try also a new set-up, we will see. This is just the first day, tomorrow we have FP3 and after we will try again a good set-up for the race. Every race weekend this year we see big improvement, everybody is very fast. Important the race, not Friday – so we are just working for this and I hope tomorrow I am fighting for the victory.”
Andrea Locatelli
Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK
Andrea Locatelli (55). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
“The first day was not easy because in FP1 I crashed after five laps and we lost a lot of time. Also the feeling after I returned on track was not really good, but in the end, this afternoon we worked around the bike and the feeling was better and we improved on the lap time as well. In general, it’s a strange feeling here in Donington because I have a lot of problem with the rear grip but for sure, we understand something and tomorrow we can improve the bike so this is a great point for us. It’s not so bad to close day one here in P8 and now try to trust in myself to get some good here results tomorrow, to try to close the gap with the front group and to do a really good Superpole and also Race 1 because it’s important for the championship. So we need to continue our work, focus on the job and push to take some good results.”
Paul Denning
Team Principal, Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK
“A positive first day here at Donington: a dry race track, a big crowd for Friday and a great atmosphere around what looks like is going to be the biggest UK WorldSBK event for some years! Performance-wise, it was actually quite challenging. On the face of it, second on the time sheets for Toprak is not bad, and considering it’s only his second visit here, Andrea’s performance is also a solid start. But, to be honest, we’ve got work to do to find more rear grip for both riders and more consistency on the race pace. Jonathan has a clear advantage looking at today but we will be doing everything we can overnight to make a clear step for tomorrow.”
Marc Marquez set to begin physiotherapy after six-week check
Six weeks on from undergoing surgery on his right arm, Marc Marquez underwent the next scheduled post-operative check at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid. The medical team, consisting of Dr. Joaquin Sánchez Sotelo, Dr. Samuel Antuña and Dr. Angel Cotorro, were content with the development of the right humerus.
Subsequently, Marc Marquez has been cleared to enter the next stage of his recovery and begin physiotherapy with the right arm and cardio training.
Marc Marquez
“We have taken an important step in the recovery process. In this second check-up, the doctors have confirmed that the humerus is consolidating correctly, with this we can start physiotherapy on the right arm and cardio training. I am very excited to be able to recover mobility in my arm to continue advancing the recovery process and I want to thank the entire medical team for their treatment and attention.”
Dr. Sanchez Sotelo
MD PhD, Chair of the Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Mayo Clinic.
“In the medical check-up carried out on Marc Marquez, six weeks after surgery on his right humerus, a good clinical and radiological evolution has been confirmed that allows progress in the mobility and strength recovery program of the right arm. The patient will undergo a new review within the next six weeks.”
JOINING WERA AT ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY, ROUND 4 OF THE NORTH AMERICA TALENT CUP MARKS THE HALFWAY POINT OF THE 2022 SEASON
Only three points separate the top two competitors, with third through fifth places in a battle of their own.
SAVANNAH, GA – The North America Talent Cup (NATC) competitors are becoming a more seasoned group of racers and teams after three tough rounds. Round one alongside MotoGP at COTA was an experience of a lifetime for the young road racers. From there, they battled windy conditions on the high plains of Colorado for round two, and grueling heat on a technical circuit for round three at The Ridge. Riders and teams have displayed true grit and overcome challenges along the way.
For round four, the NATC takes the show to the southeast track Roebling Road Raceway for two races alongside longtime road racing sanctioning body, WERA.
The new North America Talent Cup aims to provide riders across the continent with a vital link to professional road racing. The NATC is considered a stepping-stone between the FIM MiniGP North America Series and professional series such as MotoAmerica’s™ Junior Cup or international feeder series like the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup or FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship.
The current points leader is Alessandro Di Mario with 127 points and three wins. With 124 points, Jesse James Shedden, also with three wins, will need to qualify in front in order to stay with Di Mario on the fast, flowing two-mile course.
Aiden Sneed, Logan Cunnison, and Jayden Fernandez have all been in the mix for podiums and wins. With the points so close among the top ten, the championship is far from determined.
We’ve seen impressive racing action over the first half of the season. Everywhere the NATC racers compete, they create fans and catch the attention of industry professionals. The flowing layout of Roebling Road Raceway will be exciting to watch.
The North America Talent Cup is proud to partner with WERA to support the future of American road racing talent.
“WERA Motorcycle Roadracing has been a launch pad for many racers who have gone on to win World Championships and compete at MotoGP levels. We have a long list of riders who started a dream with WERA and made their dream into a career. We are excited to host the NATC with their young dreamers at our event this coming weekend (July 16/17) at Roebling Road Raceway in Bloomingdale, GA. Check out our website for information on WERA and to see the weekend schedule for this event as well,” said WERA Owner Evelyne Clarke.
To learn more about the North America Talent Cup, visit: www.northamericatalentcup.com
To learn more about the WERA, visit: www.wera.com
About NATC
The NATC is a one-make spec-series of teams and riders, using the successful Northern Talent Cup as a blueprint. The limit on entries is 20 riders between 13 and 16 years of age in 2022. The spec-motorcycle will be the Aprilia RS250 SP2; a machine developed by Aprilia in partnership with Ohvale and proven to offer a competitive platform for developing talent. The NATC is designed to create close competition in a cost-effective manner. In its first year, the NATC will race throughout the continental U.S., with seven designated rounds taking place alongside MotoGP™, MotoAmerica™, WERA, and MRA.
About WERA
WERA, based in Canton, Ga., is one of the oldest and largest national sanctioning bodies conducting motorcycle races at road courses across the United States. Since 1974 WERA has enabled thousands of racers at all levels the opportunity to compete across the country. WERA offers a Rider’s School with entry-level racing, pro-am racing and vintage racing for anyone with a motorcycle.
About the FIM North America
FIM North America is one of six Continental Unions (CONUs) recognized as geographical subdivisions and accountable to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It was founded in 1998. The national federations who are members of FIM North America are, by virtue of their geographical area and their membership in the FIM, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Canadian Motorcycle Association. FIM North America establishes an annual calendar of Continental Championship events and other activities and declares champions in designated disciplines and classes. Its member federations issue CONU licenses to riders participating in FIM NA events as well as those who are participating in Continental Championship events organized in other CONUs. For more information, visit fim-northamerica.com.
MAVTV Plus Completes Transition to FloRacing – All Live-Stream Programming Shown Exclusively Through MAVTV on FloRacing
MAVTV Plus App and Website No Longer Featuring LIVE or New VOD Streaming Content
FloRacing Subscription Now Required to Watch MAVTV Plus Streaming Content
CORONA, Calif. and AUSTIN, Texas – MAVTV Motorsports Network and FloSports announced today, effective immediately, new live MAVTV Plus programming will be available exclusively on FloRacing, FloSports’ dedicated motorsports platform. The MAVTV Plus app and website will no longer stream new or on-demand content as of [July 12].
MAVTV and FloSports previously announced MAVTV Plus programming would be available on both the MAVTV Plus app and website, and FloRacing through July 27. However, to ensure maximum customer satisfaction, that transition has been moved up to [July 12]. Fans looking for new, live MAVTV Plus programming must now subscribe to FloRacing.
As part of the move to FloRacing, all MAVTV Plus subscriptions will be canceled, and starting today, all live streaming and new Video On Demand (VOD) content can be seen through MAVTV on FloRacing. All MAVTV Plus monthly and yearly subscribers will be refunded a portion of the subscription amount. An email will be sent to each subscriber with information regarding the refunds.
Important Information For Current MAVTV Plus Subscribers
No MAVTV Plus subscriptions will be transferred to FloRacing
All MAVTV Plus subscriptions will be canceled on July 27 and a portion of the subscription will be refunded – subscribers may cancel at any time
Current MAVTV Plus subscribers can access replays and past content until Tuesday, July 27
As of [July 12], a FloRacing subscription is required to continue watching live MAVTV Plus programming
All live programming that previously aired on the MAVTV Plus app, including the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, finals of the Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, 500 Sprint Car Tour, and more, is now available with a single subscription to FloRacing.
MAVTV Motorsports Network programming has not changed and will still be available through cable television and select digital outlets with FloSports becoming MAVTV Plus’ dedicated direct-to-consumer platform.
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TALKING POINTS AHEAD OF DONINGTON: “I’ll be on the grid next year… it’s a real home race!”
From 2023 mumblings to this weekend’s pondering, there was plenty of chatter going on ahead of the Prosecco DOC UK Round
The 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has touched down at Donington Park in the United Kingdom ahead of the Prosecco DOC UK Round, the fifth round of the season. As is usual on Thursday, the media centre was a hive of activity with plenty of gossip about 2023’s silly season, which manufacturer should shine brightest this weekend, teams and riders testing at Suzuka and – for once – the British weather shining down on what is set to be a sun-soaked weekend of action. Here’s the best quotes from the main stars of the show.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “This weekend will be very tough for us”
“I am so happy so sign again with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati because I feel so good with the team riding the bike and I’m enjoying it a lot. I know I’m a bit old to be a rider, but I feel like I am in the best moment of my career, physically and mentally. I have a lot of motivation and now, I’m a bit more relaxed in my mind because I can work more focused on 2022. I remember three years ago, it was my first time in this track after many years. I don’t know if it’s the layout or whatever but it’s always difficult for Ducati at this track. Let’s see what happens this weekend; I don’t have any expectation, just to start on Friday with the good feeling I had with the first four rounds of the season and let’s see if I can be competitive as I was at the other track. For sure, this weekend will be very tough for us.”
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “In the next days or weeks, there’ll be a communication… I’ll be on the grid next year in WorldSBK!”
“I’m excited because after Misano, we did some testing at Aragon and also Suzuka for the 8 hours. Donington is my home race and I have a lot of fans travelling from Northern Ireland, so I’m excited to see what we can do. The good old British weather looks like it’s going to look down on us and the sun’s going to shine, so I’m excited for a cool weekend. We’re always improving the bike step-by-step and we learnt a lot of things about the bike in the hotter conditions, so we’ll be better equipped to go through the summer races which is really important. Alvaro’s deal is a natural step, he’s doing a good job and he’s competitive, so it’s only natural to continue. About me, it’s that time of the year. One thing for sure is that I’m not going to stay at home and watch the races; my manager is coming here this weekend and he’ll understand everything. Then, in the next days or weeks, there’ll be a communication. It’s exciting times but I’ll be on the grid next year in WorldSBK and I can’t wait!”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK): “Very happy to come to Donington Park, my favourite track!”
“I’m very happy to come to Donington Park, my favourite track, I love it. I hope to be fighting again for victory but we will see. Today, I saw Race 1 again because of the incredible start and after two laps, I was leading. I think in my career, this is an incredible race. This weekend, we will try again! After the WorldSBK bike, the MotoGP™ bike was totally different, but I really liked the braking and the gearing, it’s incredible. We rode it for two or three hours but then it rained, so we went back to Barcelona but anyway, I was very happy, because after becoming World Champion in 2021, it was a nice gift.”
Iker Lecuona (Team HRC): “Mentally, I think I’m in the best moment of my career… I’m excited to jump on the bike and finish in front!”
“We did one test at Donington Park and then a two-day test at Misano, so honestly, I think the bike is improving. Step-by-step, it is improving and so is my feeling with it and the team during these tests made very good work so I think we can make a step at this track. I need to learn another track but I think we can make a step. Every week in between the break, I had something to do: Donington, Misano and Suzuka in Japan. I’m happy though, as it’s more laps with the bike, the team and I tried to learn as much as possible and I think I’ve improved my performance a little bit. Mentally, I think I’m in the best moment of my career and with this new challenge at Donington Park, I don’t care about my physical side, I’m just excited to jump on the bike and finish in the front!”
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “It’s a real home race… we’re going to have a full crowd!”
“I feel good, it’s a real home race and I only live about five minutes from this place, so I get to hear the bikes or the cars every day around here! We only get to ride here once a year, so I’m really happy that we’re going to have a full crowd so it’s going to be great with a good turnout. The weather looks like it’s going to be typical English sunshine, so I’m looking forward to the weekend. The Aragon test was pretty good because we had some new tyres at Misano that we didn’t get to test before the race weekend; it’s hard in a race weekend when you’re working on a setting, to try things, so we used this to try some new tyres, although they’re not here this weekend. To get testing in with hotter conditions was good for me in terms of managing those conditions. Then, we went testing at Suzuka before coming home, spending some time with my daughters and refreshing for this weekend.”
Garrett Gerloff (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team): “If you get the podium once, you’ve got to be able to do it twice!”
“If you get the podium once, you’ve got to be able to do it twice! That would be nice. Everybody’s going really fast this year, it’s something that we see in the overall race times. The pace is a lot quicker especially with the front guys. For sure, the top three is at a really good level. I have the same bike as Toprak, and I should be able to do something. We’re going to start with the setup we had last year and go from there.”
The fifth round of the WorldSBK championship will get underway at Donington Park in the UK between 15-17 July, with Kawasaki Racing Team riders Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes more than ready to get back into competitive action.
With not one but two UK riders in its line-up KRT can almost consider Donington Park as another home venue – even before the squad gets to race within sight of its European base opposite the Circuit de Catalunya – Barcelona, in late September.
The weather forecast for the Donington weekend indicates that it should be hotter than average in the East Midlands of England, up to and through race weekend. This may have an important bearing on overall machine set-up and particularly in regard to tyre choice for the longer Saturday and Sunday races.
Rea enters the Donington weekend in the knowledge that he has scored no fewer than 13 Donington WorldSBK podiums, including six race wins in the recent past. With five race wins in 2022 so far Jonathan sits second in the championship after exactly one-third of the season has been completed.
Donington is almost a literal home round for Alex, having moved to the English East Midlands from his native Lincolnshire some time ago. He is as motivated as ever for success and sees Donington as the ideal venue in which to record his first 2022 podium.
Since the previous WorldSBK round at Misano both Rea and Lowes have still logged hours on race prepared Ninja ZX-10RR machinery. They took part in a short but valuable hot weather test at Motorland Aragon in late June and, more recently, flew to Japan to make on-track preparations in readiness for the Suzuka 8 Hours EWC round.
Two weeks after Donington the WorldSBK paddock will reconvene at Most in the Czech Republic for the sixth round of the series, between 29-31 July. The end of that event signals the start of a five weekend-long summer break, after which Magny Cours in France hosts Round Seven, between 9-11 September.
There will be no WorldSSP300 Championship race at Donington Park but this important category will return to action at Most.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “It’s very cool to face my home race. It brings a lot of excitement because a lot of my friends and family will make the trip. I always enjoy seeing the faces of the home fans who have been following me since my BSB days. Now the paddock is more open than it was last year so it will be nice to get amongst them and really soak up the atmosphere of a home race. It feels like a long time since we have raced, but we have been on the bike. We did some private testing at Aragon and also some preparations for the Suzuka 8 Hours. I have had a lot of bike time recently. I am looking forward to the first laps at Donington because it is a track that I really enjoy. It is a circuit of two halves. One fast and flowing, but the end of the lap is very much stop/start. The Ninja ZX-10RR has a good history at Donington and I have had a few wins there now. It is a good track to kick start this part of the season. Both Donington and Most come in quick succession, so it is important to capitalise. The target is to win so I am excited to see what we can do.”
Alex Lowes (22) during a recent test at MotorLand Aragon. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Alex Lowes, stated: “Donington is the only time we get to race in front of the English fans so I am really looking forward to that this coming weekend. It seems there will be a big turnout of spectators and the weather looks like it is going to be mega. Typical English weather – so it is going to be really hot! Donington is a track I really enjoy, I have had good results there, the Kawasaki has had good results there, so there is no better place to get our first podium of the season – which is long overdue. I live really close to the track and I will enjoy it. We have been building up some good momentum, too. I feel good and I can’t wait to get started. It is going to be a good fun weekend in front of the home fans and let’s try to get onto the podium.”
Frenchman Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) is looking to be declared fit for Donington, after missing the previous Misano round through injury. Oliver König (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) is in the same position, having suffered a collarbone injury in a training accident after the Misano round.
Local hero and regular BSB rider for VisionTrack Kawasaki, Leon Haslam, will be a very popular addition to the Donington Park WorldSBK line-up in a repeat of his partnership with the TPR Team Pedercini Racing Kawasaki squad at the Assen round this year.
Varese, July 15th, 2022 – F3, Dragster and Turismo Veloce: three unique ways of living one’s motorcycling passion, yet they all share the legendary MV Agusta brand and belong to the very special and eminently Italian RC racing breed.
The smell of fuel and burnt tarmac fills the quiet air. The sun reflects on the brilliant colour combinations of the tank and fairings. Light metal, technology, design. The rumble and roar of the inline-three-cylinder engine breaks the silence and becomes the soundtrack of a great day of riding.
The RC range represents the essence of MV Agusta’s racing DNA, designed for every minute detail to incarnate the highest point in the development of these truly exclusive models. The acronym stands for Reparto Corse as one can easily deduce from the colour scheme shared by the three models, and which emphasises their racing vocation. All three models are in limited series: 200 units for the F3 RC, 300 for the Dragster and the Turismo Veloce, with their production number on the steering plate and delivered with a certificate of authenticity. The racing kit, for the F3 RC and the Dragster RC, is made up of a rich collection of premium parts: exhaust, control unit, footrests, levers and everything needed to turn a plain motorcycle into a racetrack-ready machine.
A 2022 MV Agusta F3 RC. Photo courtesy MV Agusta.
F3 RC
Just think of the best Supersport of the moment, and dress it up in MV Agusta’s official racing colours. You’re ready to ride the F3 RC, the sportiest of the range, ready to burn the tarmac of the next racetrack. Engine, frame, aerodynamics: everything on this bike was designed for maximum performance without compromise. The front forks have an advanced titanium nitride (TiN) coating to reduce friction, wheels that are 10% lighter, resulting in a moment of inertia reduction of 7%. Whether it’s racetrack tarmac or that of a scenic country road, riding sensations remain the same. The racing kit includes an Akrapovič full titanium exhaust that pairs well with the control unit featuring special racing mappings, complete with an extensive carbon-fibre protective heat shield. The aluminum alloy clutch and brake levers are CNC machined. The new F3 RC 2022 is being produced in a 200 units limited series, all numbered and delivered with a certificate of authenticity.
The renewed graphic elements and the colour scheme, clearly remind of the bikes racing in the Moto2 and Supersport championships. The ample use of premium materials serves both aesthetics and function: for instance, the front forks have an advanced titanium nitride (TiN) coating to reduce friction, the forged wheels reduce unsprung mass and improve manoeuvrability; carbon fibre also enhances the design of the Dragster, making it unique among the medium capacity naked. The 800cc three-cylinder engine, already an absolute industry benchmark, is pushed even further the racing kit, which includes an SC Project titanium exhaust and a central unit with optimised mapping, as well as a sleek looking see-through clutch cover.
The new Dragster RC SCS 2022 is being produced in a 300 units limited series, all numbered and delivered with a certificate of authenticity.
The most eclectic MV Agusta, in its RC version, boasts a number of precious details that make it even more exclusive, also because it is being produced in a 300 units limited edition series, all numbered and certified. Many updates have been introduced on this model, from a newly designed exhaust to new suspension tuning, on top of an enlarged windscreen and an updated electronic shifting sensor for improved precision and reliability. The inertial platform is also brand new. The Turismo Veloce RC features the tested and proven Smart Clutch System, developed by MV Agusta together with Rekluse: it will allow for lightning take-offs without having to use the clutch lever to stop and go, making the whole riding experience even easier, more carefree and sportier.
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
Rea topped Friday running with a half a second advantage over Razgatlioglu
The six-time WorldSBK Champion led Razgatlioglu and Redding in the combined results, with Bautista in fifth
Jonathan Rea (65). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Friday highlights – WorldSBK
P1 – Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
Rea topped Friday’s timesheets, finishing 0.551s clear of Razgatlioglu.
His fastest time of a 1’27.016s is under the race lap record.
He set an incredible 13 1’27s, more than the total of his competitors combined.
“You never expect such a big difference because half a second is a lot. During practice sessions, everyone is in different strategies. Today I tried to understand a couple of different weight balances with the bike, different wheel basis, some different electronic settings and then try to evaluate both front tyres and also all the rear tyres. We managed to do all that. This morning with the harder rear option, and this afternoon with both the softer options. We gained a lot of information today, now it’s about sitting down understanding what’s going to work for tomorrow. Just looking at the forecast, the temperatures are going to rise so maybe all that work would be in vain because when you have a 10 degrees difference on the asphalt it makes a big difference. The positive thing is that we have lot of info and today we were quite fast. So, it’s a good start to the weekend.”
P2 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
Fastest in FP1, Razgatlioglu concluded Friday in second place about half a second behind Rea.
Not matching Rea’s pace, he lapped two 1’27s and ten 1’28s.
“I’m very happy that we come back again to Donington Park, because I like this track a lot. Today we try for a good setup for the race, but we have to keep working because in FP2 I am not really happy – but P2 was not a bad lap time. We need more grip for the rear and after, I’m just riding because you know I enjoy this track! We will try also a new set-up, we will see. This is just the first day, tomorrow we have FP3 and after we will try again a good set-up for the race. Every race weekend this year we see big improvement, everybody is very fast. Important the race, not Friday – so we are just working for this and I hope tomorrow I am fighting for the victory.”
Scott Redding (45) leading Xavi Vierge (97) on track at Donington Park. Photo courtesy Dorna.
P3 – Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
With a new swingarm at his disposal, Redding completed Friday’s top three after two solid Free Practice sessions.
He finished 0.582s behind Rea’s best time, and 0.031s behind Razgatlioglu in second.
“I think we’ve also made some big steps with the BMW to bring it closer to the front. Different handlebars, different swingarm, different footpegs, I’m just feeling more that it’s my bike and riding with more of a clear mind of how to go fast. It’s definitely an improvement, that’s for sure. But it’s still the start of the evolution for me. I’ve worked with Kalex before; they’re very good technically and a very good way of achieving the goal and they understand that from a rider’s perspective. There will be more to come, which is very good. It’s just part of the puzzle. We have many, many things that we are pushing and working on. Slowly we start to see something coming.”
Alex Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Dorna.
P4 – Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
Lowes ended Friday in fourth place with a best time of 1’27.684s, having run second for most of the session and staying out on one tyre.
“It was a good Friday. It was really nice to get on the bike. I was a little bit nervous this week because it’s a real home race for me. It’s a track I enjoyed and to be honest I felt really good on the bike today. In FP1, I tried my 2022 standard setting and also somethings to watch of the years at Donington last year. In the afternoon, I tried to do a longer run with the SCX tyre just to gather some information for Race 1 tomorrow. I’ve felt quite good. There are some areas in the middle of the lap, the second sector, where I need to improve but in general, I was quite happy.”
Alvaro Bautista (19). Photo courtesy Dorna.
P5 – Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
Championship leader Bautista was fifth, as his best time of 1’27.730 is 0.714s slower than Rea’s time.
He lapped three 1’27s accompanied by 14 1’28s showing signs of good pace.
“I think today has been a positive day. I felt better than I expected; I didn’t expect anything before coming here because I remember three years ago, it was very tough for me. Today, I was feeling much better. The feeling with the bike wasn’t too bad especially with the race pace because I felt quite comfortable compared to three years. I think our pace today was acceptable. Anyway, we have some small details to improve for tomorrow that maybe can help me gain some tenths and especially be more consistent. I’m happy with today.”
P6 – Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
Despite a small crash at Turn 12 in FP2, Rinaldi completed Friday’s top six.
Just 0.005s separated him from his teammate in fifth.
“We used the base from Misano, and it worked really well here. I didn’t expect that. I spoke with the team to just make small adjustments and it paid off because, in FP2, I had a good race pace and consistent. This track is so demanding but with this setup and this work I can go fast every lap, so that means the base is really good. We still need a little bit. I think are on the path to try and fight for the podium, which is our goal.”
To note:
Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) was seventh, with the French rider also having a new swingarm on his BMW M1000RR.
Leon Haslam (TPR Team Pedercini Racing) completed the top 10 at a circuit where he’s famously gone strongly at.
The first Honda rider was Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) in 12th.
Wildcards Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) and Peter Hickman (FHO Racing) finished in 15th and 16th place respectively.
WorldSBK action resumes on Saturday from 09:00 (Local Time), followed by Tissot Superpole at 11:10 and Race 1 at 14:00.
More, from a press release issued by GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team:
SOLID OPENING DAY IN DONINGTON FOR GYTR GRT YAMAHA WORLDSBK TEAM
After a five-week break, the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team returned to action today at the iconic Donington Park, with Garrett Gerloff going ninth fastest on combined times, while Kohta Nozane was 22nd.
The American rider ended Free Practice 1 in 14th (1’29.559), while his Japanese teammate finished 20th (1’31.272), with both aiming to improve their speed in the hotter afternoon session.
GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team riders were eager to extract more potential in Free Practice 2 and so they did, despite mainly focusing on longer runs. Gerloff improved his lap times throughout the session, going ninth fastest on a 1’28.431, with Nozane making steps forward to go 1.520s faster than the morning.
Both riders will be back on track tomorrow, firstly with FP3 at 09:00 local time (GMT+1), before the Tissot Superpole qualifying at 11:10 and Race 1 at 14:00.
“It was an interesting day in a lot of different ways. We found something with the electronics which is positive. We finished the day running with used tyres but we still kept improving. This is what counts as we’re trying to be consistent at the end of the race. The overall position is not where I want to be, but there are a lot of positive things to take into tomorrow.” Kohta Nozane #3
Kohta Nozane (3). Photo courtesy GYTR GRT Yamaha.
“Not the easiest day, but we managed to find good things here in Donington. Firstly I tried to get confidence quickly on this track, then we kept working on improving lap by lap. We made a huge step between FP1 and FP2 and we’re looking forward to make more progress tomorrow.”
More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki:
Rea Dominates First Day
The fifth round of the WorldSBK championship began in strong fashion for the KRT pairing of Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes, with Jonathan scoring the fastest lap of the day and Lowes finishing up fourth overall.
The predicted summer heatwave conditions did not quite show up at Donington Park, on day one of the action at least, but the early pace put in Rea proved to be red-hot. He is already under the race lap record with his 1’27.016 pace, which he set in FP2. He was more than half a second ahead of the next best rider, Toprak Razgatlioglu.
Lowes was happy with the good work he and his team completed on day one, as he makes preparations to take part in his literal home race weekend. Alex, the BSB Champion in 2013, lives just a few kilometres from the circuit and has always had a great affinity with the undulating 4.023km long Donington layout.
Air and track temperatures are expected to increase all weekend so the team and riders factored that probability into their pre-race preparations. This task was aided by useful data gathered from a recent high temperature test conducted at Motorland Aragon.
After the first two practice sessions on Friday the KRT duo will now face a final FP3 session, Superpole Qualifying and then a full distance Race One at 14.00 UK time, on Saturday 16th July.
Jonathan Rea (65). Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “You can never just take a screenshot of the final lap times and understand all the stories. Everybody was on a different strategy today, trying to understand what’s what. But we did good work and we were able to analyse all the tyre options. Both front tyres and all the rears. Unlike Misano, where there were two extra solutions over the weekend, and it confused everything, I feel we have a handle on at least the tyres. In the morning I was really struggling with the front over the bumps, so we changed the weight balance of the bike, the wheelbase. In the beginning of the second session I was able to understand quite quickly the pros and cons of the changes.”
Alex Lowes (22). Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Alex Lowes, stated: “The first day went OK even though I had my best lap cancelled. I got a bit greedy on the entrance to the chicane and I think I touched the green track limits marker. It is nice to be back at Donington. The weather has been good and I think it is just going to get better all weekend. There are already quite a few fans here and I really enjoyed it today. The pace is pretty good so that’s nice. If the temperature rises I know which tyre I am going to use, as I did a long run with it in FP2. I am not sure about the front tyre yet.”
Frenchman Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was declared fit and ready to race at Donington, securing a very strong 11th place overall on day one. Twenty year old rookie rider Oliver König (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) was 26th on the timesheets as he learned his way around the Donington circuit for the first time.
Wildcard entrant Leon Haslam (TPR Pedercini Kawasaki) – recently a factory KRT rider himself – was a very creditable tenth at his home circuit.
More, from a press release issued by Team HRC:
Donington a learning curve for Lecuona and Vierge
Team HRC is out on track for the fifth round of the 2022 Superbike World Championship at the Donington Park circuit in the UK. Neither Iker Lecuona or Xavi Vierge has raced at the British track before, although Iker did benefit from a short one-day test last month. The Team HRC duo therefore spent Friday’s sessions getting to grips with the tricky layout and adapting their CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADES to suit, the day something of a learning experience for them both.
Working hard with his technicians, Lecuona set a best of 1’28.807 to place eighth by the end of the morning’s first free practice. Back on the bike for the first time since his Misano accident, Vierge closed in nineteenth position with a time of 1’30.566.
During the afternoon’s second practice both factory riders were soon able to lower their earlier times. Lecuona slightly improved over the course of the 45-minute session, his outright best of the day a 1’28.509, set in the final five minutes, which placed him twelfth in the combined standings. Vierge’s fastest time, a 1’29.336, saw him round out day one in eighteenth position. The Team HRC duo will continue with its work in tomorrow’s final practice, so as to be as prepared as possible for the weekend’s races.
Iker Lecuona 7
Iker Lecuona (7). Photo courtesy Team HRC.
“The day started very well, after which we got a little lost. A technical glitch this morning slowed things down a bit and then in FP2 I didn’t feel totally right on the bike. We have something to sort out with the set-up; it’s a bit of a slippery track and maybe the conditions are a bit colder compared to when we came testing here three weeks ago, either way I felt a little less comfortable than expected on the bike. I felt a bit tense while riding and that put a lot of strain on my arm, causing some arm-pump. We need to find something that helps us regain those good sensations we had in the test so that we can get back to a more ‘normal’ position, close to the top five”.
Xavi Vierge 97
Xavi Vierge (97). Photo courtesy Team HRC.
“The good thing is that I’m very happy to be back on track and am feeling good enough with my hand at what is a very physical track. I’ve felt OK so far and now just need some laps to adapt and to understand how to go fast here. It was a pity to have missed the tests, which would definitely have helped us a lot, but it is what it is and we just have to focus on the job in hand. We improved quite a lot between FP1 and FP2, especially in terms of race pace. We didn’t use any soft tyre and only worked with the race spec. We are not where we want to be of course, or where we know we can be, but we can be happy in that I can ride as usual, my hand is just fine, and we are doing a good job as a team”.
More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
Alvaro Bautista and Michael Rinaldi fifth and sixth respectively after Donington’s free practice. Bulega finishes third in WorldSSP
Prosecco DOC UK Round free practice ended with Alvaro Bautista and Michael Rinaldi in fifth and sixth respectively.
It was a positive Friday at the Donington Park circuit with the two Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team riders working hard on their Ducati Panigale V4R machines to gather useful information ahead of tomorrow and Sunday races.
After finishing third in FP1, Rinaldi ended in sixth position (1’27.735), 719 thousandths of a second off the fastest time of the day set by Rea (Kawasaki) and less than two tenths off the second place of Razgatlioglu (Yamaha).
Alvaro Bautista worked on details while also trying some tire solutions and ended both sessions in fifth position with the best time of 1’27.730.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19)
Alvaro Bautista (19). Photo courtesy Ducati.
“It was a very positive day in which we did better than we expected. It’s clear: we still have to fix some details to get closer to Rea, who at the moment seems to be one step ahead of everyone. However, I am very satisfied with the sensations I felt today and I think we have all the chances to take a step forward tomorrow morning to fight for the podium.”
Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #21)
Michael Rinaldi (21). Photo courtesy Ducati.
“I am satisfied because we did a really good job. The feeling with the bike is good, a confirm that since Misano we have been going in the right direction. Today’s goal was not to make too many changes to the bike and the good feelings in FP1 helped us. There is still something missing to be at the top but I think we are working well.”
WorldSSP
Very positive Friday for Nicolò Bulega, who rode the Ducati Panigale V2 for the first time at Donington Park, finishing third (1’31.164), two tenths off the best time of the day set by Aegerter (Yamaha).
Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WSSP #11)
“I am happy with what we did today. In FP2 we managed to improve a lot the feeling with the bike. After all, this was the first time for me on this circuit with the race bike. Despite this I felt comfortable right away. The feeling is good and I think we can have a good weekend.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Razgatlıoğlu P2 as Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK get to work on Friday at Donington
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu was initially fastest overall this morning in Free Practice 1 at Donington Park, kicking off the fifth round of the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship in the UK today.
However, lap times tumbled across the board this afternoon as the temperature heated up, with championship rival Jonathan Rea going half a second quicker than the rest of the field in the closing stages of Free Practice 2. Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK stood by its tried and tested race simulation running plan, with defending champion Razgatlıoğlu focusing on race pace rather than outright speed. Despite improving on his lap time by nearly 0.25s, it wasn’t enough to retain the top spot.
The team hope to make a step overnight to find more rear grip for both Razgatlıoğlu and teammate Andrea Locatelli to enable them to fight at the front during the 23-lap feature tomorrow.
Locatelli, in just his second visit to the tricky UK circuit, made steps to recover lost track running in Free Practice 2 after an early crash at Goddard’s in Free Practice 1 reduced his available track time this morning while the team repaired his #55 R1 WorldSBK. The 25-year-old Italian recovered to eighth overall in the combined times this afternoon.
Saturday Race day begins with Free Practice 3 at 09:00 (BST) followed by Superpole qualifying at 11:10 and Race 1 “lights out” at 14:00.
Toprak Razgatlioğlu
Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK
Toprak Razgatlioglu (1). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
“I’m very happy that we come back again to the UK and Donington Park, because I like this track a lot. Today we try for a good set-up for the race, but we have to keep working because in FP2 I am not really happy – but P2 was not a bad lap time. We need more grip for the rear and after, I’m just riding because you know I enjoy this track! We will try also a new set-up, we will see. This is just the first day, tomorrow we have FP3 and after we will try again a good set-up for the race. Every race weekend this year we see big improvement, everybody is very fast. Important the race, not Friday – so we are just working for this and I hope tomorrow I am fighting for the victory.”
Andrea Locatelli
Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK
Andrea Locatelli (55). Photo courtesy Yamaha.
“The first day was not easy because in FP1 I crashed after five laps and we lost a lot of time. Also the feeling after I returned on track was not really good, but in the end, this afternoon we worked around the bike and the feeling was better and we improved on the lap time as well. In general, it’s a strange feeling here in Donington because I have a lot of problem with the rear grip but for sure, we understand something and tomorrow we can improve the bike so this is a great point for us. It’s not so bad to close day one here in P8 and now try to trust in myself to get some good here results tomorrow, to try to close the gap with the front group and to do a really good Superpole and also Race 1 because it’s important for the championship. So we need to continue our work, focus on the job and push to take some good results.”
Paul Denning
Team Principal, Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK
“A positive first day here at Donington: a dry race track, a big crowd for Friday and a great atmosphere around what looks like is going to be the biggest UK WorldSBK event for some years! Performance-wise, it was actually quite challenging. On the face of it, second on the time sheets for Toprak is not bad, and considering it’s only his second visit here, Andrea’s performance is also a solid start. But, to be honest, we’ve got work to do to find more rear grip for both riders and more consistency on the race pace. Jonathan has a clear advantage looking at today but we will be doing everything we can overnight to make a clear step for tomorrow.”
Marc Marquez set to begin physiotherapy after six-week check
Six weeks on from undergoing surgery on his right arm, Marc Marquez underwent the next scheduled post-operative check at the Ruber Internacional Hospital in Madrid. The medical team, consisting of Dr. Joaquin Sánchez Sotelo, Dr. Samuel Antuña and Dr. Angel Cotorro, were content with the development of the right humerus.
Subsequently, Marc Marquez has been cleared to enter the next stage of his recovery and begin physiotherapy with the right arm and cardio training.
Marc Marquez
“We have taken an important step in the recovery process. In this second check-up, the doctors have confirmed that the humerus is consolidating correctly, with this we can start physiotherapy on the right arm and cardio training. I am very excited to be able to recover mobility in my arm to continue advancing the recovery process and I want to thank the entire medical team for their treatment and attention.”
Dr. Sanchez Sotelo
MD PhD, Chair of the Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Mayo Clinic.
“In the medical check-up carried out on Marc Marquez, six weeks after surgery on his right humerus, a good clinical and radiological evolution has been confirmed that allows progress in the mobility and strength recovery program of the right arm. The patient will undergo a new review within the next six weeks.”
Jesse James Shedden (99) is a three-time race winner and currently sits second in the NATC Championship point standings. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy NATC.
JOINING WERA AT ROEBLING ROAD RACEWAY, ROUND 4 OF THE NORTH AMERICA TALENT CUP MARKS THE HALFWAY POINT OF THE 2022 SEASON
Only three points separate the top two competitors, with third through fifth places in a battle of their own.
SAVANNAH, GA – The North America Talent Cup (NATC) competitors are becoming a more seasoned group of racers and teams after three tough rounds. Round one alongside MotoGP at COTA was an experience of a lifetime for the young road racers. From there, they battled windy conditions on the high plains of Colorado for round two, and grueling heat on a technical circuit for round three at The Ridge. Riders and teams have displayed true grit and overcome challenges along the way.
For round four, the NATC takes the show to the southeast track Roebling Road Raceway for two races alongside longtime road racing sanctioning body, WERA.
The new North America Talent Cup aims to provide riders across the continent with a vital link to professional road racing. The NATC is considered a stepping-stone between the FIM MiniGP North America Series and professional series such as MotoAmerica’s™ Junior Cup or international feeder series like the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup or FIM Moto3™ Junior World Championship.
The current points leader is Alessandro Di Mario with 127 points and three wins. With 124 points, Jesse James Shedden, also with three wins, will need to qualify in front in order to stay with Di Mario on the fast, flowing two-mile course.
Aiden Sneed, Logan Cunnison, and Jayden Fernandez have all been in the mix for podiums and wins. With the points so close among the top ten, the championship is far from determined.
We’ve seen impressive racing action over the first half of the season. Everywhere the NATC racers compete, they create fans and catch the attention of industry professionals. The flowing layout of Roebling Road Raceway will be exciting to watch.
The North America Talent Cup is proud to partner with WERA to support the future of American road racing talent.
“WERA Motorcycle Roadracing has been a launch pad for many racers who have gone on to win World Championships and compete at MotoGP levels. We have a long list of riders who started a dream with WERA and made their dream into a career. We are excited to host the NATC with their young dreamers at our event this coming weekend (July 16/17) at Roebling Road Raceway in Bloomingdale, GA. Check out our website for information on WERA and to see the weekend schedule for this event as well,” said WERA Owner Evelyne Clarke.
To learn more about the North America Talent Cup, visit: www.northamericatalentcup.com
To learn more about the WERA, visit: www.wera.com
About NATC
The NATC is a one-make spec-series of teams and riders, using the successful Northern Talent Cup as a blueprint. The limit on entries is 20 riders between 13 and 16 years of age in 2022. The spec-motorcycle will be the Aprilia RS250 SP2; a machine developed by Aprilia in partnership with Ohvale and proven to offer a competitive platform for developing talent. The NATC is designed to create close competition in a cost-effective manner. In its first year, the NATC will race throughout the continental U.S., with seven designated rounds taking place alongside MotoGP™, MotoAmerica™, WERA, and MRA.
About WERA
WERA, based in Canton, Ga., is one of the oldest and largest national sanctioning bodies conducting motorcycle races at road courses across the United States. Since 1974 WERA has enabled thousands of racers at all levels the opportunity to compete across the country. WERA offers a Rider’s School with entry-level racing, pro-am racing and vintage racing for anyone with a motorcycle.
About the FIM North America
FIM North America is one of six Continental Unions (CONUs) recognized as geographical subdivisions and accountable to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It was founded in 1998. The national federations who are members of FIM North America are, by virtue of their geographical area and their membership in the FIM, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Canadian Motorcycle Association. FIM North America establishes an annual calendar of Continental Championship events and other activities and declares champions in designated disciplines and classes. Its member federations issue CONU licenses to riders participating in FIM NA events as well as those who are participating in Continental Championship events organized in other CONUs. For more information, visit fim-northamerica.com.
Tyler Scott (70) leads Sam Lochoff (44), Josh Herrin (hidden behind Scott), and the rest of the field in MotoAmerica Supersport Race One at Road America in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
MAVTV Plus Completes Transition to FloRacing – All Live-Stream Programming Shown Exclusively Through MAVTV on FloRacing
MAVTV Plus App and Website No Longer Featuring LIVE or New VOD Streaming Content
FloRacing Subscription Now Required to Watch MAVTV Plus Streaming Content
CORONA, Calif. and AUSTIN, Texas – MAVTV Motorsports Network and FloSports announced today, effective immediately, new live MAVTV Plus programming will be available exclusively on FloRacing, FloSports’ dedicated motorsports platform. The MAVTV Plus app and website will no longer stream new or on-demand content as of [July 12].
MAVTV and FloSports previously announced MAVTV Plus programming would be available on both the MAVTV Plus app and website, and FloRacing through July 27. However, to ensure maximum customer satisfaction, that transition has been moved up to [July 12]. Fans looking for new, live MAVTV Plus programming must now subscribe to FloRacing.
As part of the move to FloRacing, all MAVTV Plus subscriptions will be canceled, and starting today, all live streaming and new Video On Demand (VOD) content can be seen through MAVTV on FloRacing. All MAVTV Plus monthly and yearly subscribers will be refunded a portion of the subscription amount. An email will be sent to each subscriber with information regarding the refunds.
Important Information For Current MAVTV Plus Subscribers
No MAVTV Plus subscriptions will be transferred to FloRacing
All MAVTV Plus subscriptions will be canceled on July 27 and a portion of the subscription will be refunded – subscribers may cancel at any time
Current MAVTV Plus subscribers can access replays and past content until Tuesday, July 27
As of [July 12], a FloRacing subscription is required to continue watching live MAVTV Plus programming
All live programming that previously aired on the MAVTV Plus app, including the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, finals of the Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, 500 Sprint Car Tour, and more, is now available with a single subscription to FloRacing.
MAVTV Motorsports Network programming has not changed and will still be available through cable television and select digital outlets with FloSports becoming MAVTV Plus’ dedicated direct-to-consumer platform.
Fans can subscribe via FloRacing, gaining access to over 2,000 races annually. The subscription also unlocks premium FloRacing content including exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes access with drivers, news, analysis as well as archived races and event highlights. Watch the races across all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire and Chromecast.
About MAVTV
MAVTV Motorsports Network is the only television network in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to motorsports. MAVTV offers an unparalleled line-up of exclusive and unique events. MAVTV goes beyond the national mainstream motorsports events to include grassroots racing from across the globe: drag racing, pro motocross, sprint boats, rally cars, short course off-road truck racing, sprint cars, pro pulling, drifting, ice racing, and everything in between. MAVTV knows you don’t have to be a race fan to be an automotive enthusiast, which is why we have developed a package of automotive reality and custom build shows that are truly second-to-none. From 24/7 automotive and motorsports content on MAVTV Motorsports Network to the free and exclusive content available on MAVTV Select if it has a motor, it’s probably on MAVTV – The Motorsports Network!
About FloSports
Founded in 2006, FloSports is a venture-backed subscription video streaming service dedicated to sports, offering live and on-demand access to hundreds of thousands of competition events across 25+ vertical sport categories in the US and abroad. With a growing library of more than 300,000 hours of premium content including news, expert commentary, films, documentaries and more, FloSports has established itself as an innovator and leader in sports streaming. Finally, your sport has a home.
TALKING POINTS AHEAD OF DONINGTON: “I’ll be on the grid next year… it’s a real home race!”
From 2023 mumblings to this weekend’s pondering, there was plenty of chatter going on ahead of the Prosecco DOC UK Round
The 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has touched down at Donington Park in the United Kingdom ahead of the Prosecco DOC UK Round, the fifth round of the season. As is usual on Thursday, the media centre was a hive of activity with plenty of gossip about 2023’s silly season, which manufacturer should shine brightest this weekend, teams and riders testing at Suzuka and – for once – the British weather shining down on what is set to be a sun-soaked weekend of action. Here’s the best quotes from the main stars of the show.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “This weekend will be very tough for us”
“I am so happy so sign again with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati because I feel so good with the team riding the bike and I’m enjoying it a lot. I know I’m a bit old to be a rider, but I feel like I am in the best moment of my career, physically and mentally. I have a lot of motivation and now, I’m a bit more relaxed in my mind because I can work more focused on 2022. I remember three years ago, it was my first time in this track after many years. I don’t know if it’s the layout or whatever but it’s always difficult for Ducati at this track. Let’s see what happens this weekend; I don’t have any expectation, just to start on Friday with the good feeling I had with the first four rounds of the season and let’s see if I can be competitive as I was at the other track. For sure, this weekend will be very tough for us.”
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “In the next days or weeks, there’ll be a communication… I’ll be on the grid next year in WorldSBK!”
“I’m excited because after Misano, we did some testing at Aragon and also Suzuka for the 8 hours. Donington is my home race and I have a lot of fans travelling from Northern Ireland, so I’m excited to see what we can do. The good old British weather looks like it’s going to look down on us and the sun’s going to shine, so I’m excited for a cool weekend. We’re always improving the bike step-by-step and we learnt a lot of things about the bike in the hotter conditions, so we’ll be better equipped to go through the summer races which is really important. Alvaro’s deal is a natural step, he’s doing a good job and he’s competitive, so it’s only natural to continue. About me, it’s that time of the year. One thing for sure is that I’m not going to stay at home and watch the races; my manager is coming here this weekend and he’ll understand everything. Then, in the next days or weeks, there’ll be a communication. It’s exciting times but I’ll be on the grid next year in WorldSBK and I can’t wait!”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK): “Very happy to come to Donington Park, my favourite track!”
“I’m very happy to come to Donington Park, my favourite track, I love it. I hope to be fighting again for victory but we will see. Today, I saw Race 1 again because of the incredible start and after two laps, I was leading. I think in my career, this is an incredible race. This weekend, we will try again! After the WorldSBK bike, the MotoGP™ bike was totally different, but I really liked the braking and the gearing, it’s incredible. We rode it for two or three hours but then it rained, so we went back to Barcelona but anyway, I was very happy, because after becoming World Champion in 2021, it was a nice gift.”
Iker Lecuona (Team HRC): “Mentally, I think I’m in the best moment of my career… I’m excited to jump on the bike and finish in front!”
“We did one test at Donington Park and then a two-day test at Misano, so honestly, I think the bike is improving. Step-by-step, it is improving and so is my feeling with it and the team during these tests made very good work so I think we can make a step at this track. I need to learn another track but I think we can make a step. Every week in between the break, I had something to do: Donington, Misano and Suzuka in Japan. I’m happy though, as it’s more laps with the bike, the team and I tried to learn as much as possible and I think I’ve improved my performance a little bit. Mentally, I think I’m in the best moment of my career and with this new challenge at Donington Park, I don’t care about my physical side, I’m just excited to jump on the bike and finish in the front!”
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK): “It’s a real home race… we’re going to have a full crowd!”
“I feel good, it’s a real home race and I only live about five minutes from this place, so I get to hear the bikes or the cars every day around here! We only get to ride here once a year, so I’m really happy that we’re going to have a full crowd so it’s going to be great with a good turnout. The weather looks like it’s going to be typical English sunshine, so I’m looking forward to the weekend. The Aragon test was pretty good because we had some new tyres at Misano that we didn’t get to test before the race weekend; it’s hard in a race weekend when you’re working on a setting, to try things, so we used this to try some new tyres, although they’re not here this weekend. To get testing in with hotter conditions was good for me in terms of managing those conditions. Then, we went testing at Suzuka before coming home, spending some time with my daughters and refreshing for this weekend.”
Garrett Gerloff (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team): “If you get the podium once, you’ve got to be able to do it twice!”
“If you get the podium once, you’ve got to be able to do it twice! That would be nice. Everybody’s going really fast this year, it’s something that we see in the overall race times. The pace is a lot quicker especially with the front guys. For sure, the top three is at a really good level. I have the same bike as Toprak, and I should be able to do something. We’re going to start with the setup we had last year and go from there.”
Jonathan Rea (65) during a recent test at MotorLand Aragon. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Hot Home Weekend Awaits Lowes And Rea
The fifth round of the WorldSBK championship will get underway at Donington Park in the UK between 15-17 July, with Kawasaki Racing Team riders Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes more than ready to get back into competitive action.
With not one but two UK riders in its line-up KRT can almost consider Donington Park as another home venue – even before the squad gets to race within sight of its European base opposite the Circuit de Catalunya – Barcelona, in late September.
The weather forecast for the Donington weekend indicates that it should be hotter than average in the East Midlands of England, up to and through race weekend. This may have an important bearing on overall machine set-up and particularly in regard to tyre choice for the longer Saturday and Sunday races.
Rea enters the Donington weekend in the knowledge that he has scored no fewer than 13 Donington WorldSBK podiums, including six race wins in the recent past. With five race wins in 2022 so far Jonathan sits second in the championship after exactly one-third of the season has been completed.
Donington is almost a literal home round for Alex, having moved to the English East Midlands from his native Lincolnshire some time ago. He is as motivated as ever for success and sees Donington as the ideal venue in which to record his first 2022 podium.
Since the previous WorldSBK round at Misano both Rea and Lowes have still logged hours on race prepared Ninja ZX-10RR machinery. They took part in a short but valuable hot weather test at Motorland Aragon in late June and, more recently, flew to Japan to make on-track preparations in readiness for the Suzuka 8 Hours EWC round.
Two weeks after Donington the WorldSBK paddock will reconvene at Most in the Czech Republic for the sixth round of the series, between 29-31 July. The end of that event signals the start of a five weekend-long summer break, after which Magny Cours in France hosts Round Seven, between 9-11 September.
There will be no WorldSSP300 Championship race at Donington Park but this important category will return to action at Most.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “It’s very cool to face my home race. It brings a lot of excitement because a lot of my friends and family will make the trip. I always enjoy seeing the faces of the home fans who have been following me since my BSB days. Now the paddock is more open than it was last year so it will be nice to get amongst them and really soak up the atmosphere of a home race. It feels like a long time since we have raced, but we have been on the bike. We did some private testing at Aragon and also some preparations for the Suzuka 8 Hours. I have had a lot of bike time recently. I am looking forward to the first laps at Donington because it is a track that I really enjoy. It is a circuit of two halves. One fast and flowing, but the end of the lap is very much stop/start. The Ninja ZX-10RR has a good history at Donington and I have had a few wins there now. It is a good track to kick start this part of the season. Both Donington and Most come in quick succession, so it is important to capitalise. The target is to win so I am excited to see what we can do.”
Alex Lowes (22) during a recent test at MotorLand Aragon. Photo courtesy Kawasaki.
Alex Lowes, stated: “Donington is the only time we get to race in front of the English fans so I am really looking forward to that this coming weekend. It seems there will be a big turnout of spectators and the weather looks like it is going to be mega. Typical English weather – so it is going to be really hot! Donington is a track I really enjoy, I have had good results there, the Kawasaki has had good results there, so there is no better place to get our first podium of the season – which is long overdue. I live really close to the track and I will enjoy it. We have been building up some good momentum, too. I feel good and I can’t wait to get started. It is going to be a good fun weekend in front of the home fans and let’s try to get onto the podium.”
Frenchman Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) is looking to be declared fit for Donington, after missing the previous Misano round through injury. Oliver König (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) is in the same position, having suffered a collarbone injury in a training accident after the Misano round.
Local hero and regular BSB rider for VisionTrack Kawasaki, Leon Haslam, will be a very popular addition to the Donington Park WorldSBK line-up in a repeat of his partnership with the TPR Team Pedercini Racing Kawasaki squad at the Assen round this year.
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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
