Claudio Domenicali reconfirmed as President of Motor Valley Development
Third term as President for the Chief Executive Officer of Ducati confirmed at today’s Motor Valley Development shareholders’ meeting
Claudio Domenicali: “I believe that enhancing the uniqueness of this territory is a duty for those who, like us, are part of it. It is an honour to be able to continue in this role in the next two years”
Motor Valley is a unique industrial region in the world, with 16,500 companies and over 90,000 employees, with 16 billion in annual turnover and exports of 7 billion
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy) – Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati, has been reconfirmed for another two years as President of Motor Valley Development, the association that brings together all the two and four-wheeled brands of the Emilia-Romagna land of motors. The appointment took place during the shareholders’ meeting.
“In recent years I have carried out the task of President of the Motor Valley Development association with pride and responsibility because I believe that enhancing the uniqueness of this territory is a duty for those who, like us, are part of it. It is an honour to be able to continue in this role in the next two years and I would like to thank all the partners and institutions for their trust”, declared Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO and President of Motor Valley. “The industrial, tourist and cultural region of the Emilia-Romagna Motor Valley deserves to be supported and promoted in all its components, continuing to give value to the prestigious universities, historical and artistic culture and unrivalled motoring and technological expertise.”
Motor Valley is a unique industrial region in the world, with 16,500 companies and over 90,000 employees, an annual turnover of 16 billion euros and exports of 7 billion. A reality that over the years has become a strategic tourist asset for the Region, thanks to 13 specialized museums (including the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena, the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, the Automobili Lamborghini Museum, the Ferruccio Lamborghini Museum, the Ducati Museum in Borgo Panigale and the Horacio Pagani Museum), 18 private collections and 4 racetracks for racing competition (the “Riccardo Paletti” in Varano de’ Melegari, the Modena racetrack in Marzaglia, the “Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari” in Imola and the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Misano Adriatico).
Further information on Motor Valley Development is available on the association’s website https://www.motorvalley.it/en/
New Buell® Super Cruiser™ is a Roland Sands Design® Collaboration
Grand Rapids, MI – Buell Motorcycle announced this week that a new Super Cruiser designed by Roland Sands of Roland Sands Design, Long Beach, CA, is in development for 2025, bringing two iconic brands together to create a one-of-a-kind motorcycle with a West Coast attitude.
“Building a cruiser was something we always contemplated,” said Bill Melvin, CEO of Buell Motorcycle Co. “The market is full of American manufacturers known mostly for big, heavy bikes – not fast, hot ones like the famous V-twins of the 30s. Our Buell Super Cruiser will be the hottest bike on the market. Period.”
Roland Sands & Roland Sands Design will bring the heat. Champion motorcycle racer turned custom bike builder, Sands is considered the King of Cool in styling cruisers, café racers, and many top brands’ iconic built bikes.
“When Bill first approached us about building a high-performance cruiser using the Buell motor, it was as if the bike designed itself,” said Roland Sands. “Considering the history of Buell and the market’s need for a truly high-performance cruiser, and the build quality of the existing Buell chassis parts, motor, and rolling kit, the project was a natural fit.”
The left side of the RSD-designed Buell Super Cruiser. Photo courtesy Buell Motorcycle Co.
The Super Cruiser will take advantage of Buell’s unique high-performance V-twin engine and innovative perimeter braking system and structural swingarm, delivering a bike with exceptional handling in a non-sport bike format.
“The design lends itself to the West coast scene where customization is part of bike culture,” said Melvin. “And Roland was enthusiastic about incorporating Buell technology into that culture, creating the fastest, coolest cruiser on the market.”
“I’ve been working on projects like this for 20-plus years, and this is the first time we’ve been able to build a performance cruiser without the typical V-twin performance compromises of weight and motor width and length,” said Sands.
At 450 lbs. and 175 hp, Sands’ chassis geometry delivers road-friendly handling that’s ready for the track. Using much of the standard Buell rolling kit, Sands engineered his chassis design to work with the swingarm, forks, original 17″ wheels, and brake system. “Ground clearance, bar position, and comfortable seating and foot positions are key to getting the cruiser look with sport bike handling,” said Sands.
The Super Cruiser solidifies that Buell is Back and building more than sport bikes. Out of the gate, this cruiser will lead performance in the category. It’s light, nimble, and high torque, incorporating all the main points that connect the rider to the ground, and it’s cracking open another part of the market – a younger crowd craving speed and performance in a cruiser.
Buell previewed the Super Cruiser’s proof of concept at a Private VIP Reveal Party at Roland Sands Design shop in Long Beach, CA on February 10.
About its potential, Sands is confident. “With correct geometry and an attitude to match? Yeah, that’s the business right there,” he said.
The front end of the RSD Buell Super Cruiser with the production Buell front wheel and brake system. Photo by Michael Gougis.
The digital instrument display is tucked under the handlebar on the RSD Buell Super Cruiser. Photo by Michael Gougis.
The custom frame, radiator, and exhaust system are the highlights of the RSD Buell Super Cruiser. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Martin fastest, Aprilia and GASGAS shine despite rain delays on Day 2
A few more puzzle pieces seem to slot into place for a couple of factories on Saturday, with plenty to see in pitlane despite rain curtailing play
Saturday, 11 February 2023
It was a largely rain-affected second day of Official MotoGP™ testing at Sepang International Circuit, with the riders only getting a couple of hours of dry running time under their belts. Overnight rain meant a damp track in the morning, before heavy rain just after midday put any hopes of getting more dry weather testing to one side. However, there are still stories to be told!
Jorge Martin’s (Prima Pramac Racing) 1:58.736 saw the Spaniard claim top spot, with Miguel Oliveira’s (RNF MotoGP™ Team) fastest time of the weekend putting him second on Day 2. Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) was third and also set his fastest time of the test so far, the Spaniard sitting well inside the top 10 heading into the third and final day.
Here’s a rundown of what was seen tech-wise, starting with Ducati after Martin’s table-topping performance. And first, a smile for the vibes… despite the rain.
Francesco Bagnaia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
DUCATI
Martin topped the timesheets and, despite a crash at Turn 7 and some tape on his hand, was positive at the end of the day – saying he hopes to ride in the final Sunday session without any issues. He compared aero but said the crash affected whether he can be fully sure of the differences as yet. Both he and teammate Johann Zarco had a new swingarm each to try, with small differences. Zarco was P15 and on the Frenchman’s role, new Pramac Team Manager Gino Borsoi added that Zarco remains on testing duty but the work will be spread little more across other Ducati riders now too.
Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was the second Ducati and slotted into fifth, and both his machines sported the updated aero fairing. New teammate Enea Bastianini was also trying aero but seemed to also be focusing on engine specification, ending Saturday in ninth.
Enea Bastianini (23) had two different aero packages to evaluate Saturday. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Enea Bastianini (23) had two different aero packages to evaluate Saturday. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) was seventh, with Friday’s fastest, his teammate Marco Bezzecchi, a bit further down the order in P12 and suffering a crash at Turn 5, rider ok. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) was in P14 and his new teammate, Ducati newcomer Alex Marquez, was P17.
APRILIA
The leading RS-GP rider on Day 2 was the aforementioned Oliveira, whose 1:58.839 puts him into the top five overall on the combined standings. What’s more, that lap time is just a tenth off his fastest lap time aboard the KTM at last year’s Sepang Test. Impressive again from the Portuguese star, while RNF MotoGP™ Team teammate Raul Fernandez ended up climbing to P6 before the afternoon rain fell. Both Oliveira and Raul Fernandez had two 2022-spec Aprilias to work with.
Miguel Oliveira (88) on his RNF MotoGP Team Aprilia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Over in the factory Aprilia Racing ranks, Maverick Viñales tested a small variation of the new aero wings that we’ve seen on the Aprilias this week. The difference is they have a third element underneath them, something that test rider Lorenzo Savadori has been running. Meanwhile, Aleix Espargaro had a complicated day at the office. The number 41 crashed at Turn 12 ahead of lunch before then suffering a technical issue in the final hour of the day.
GASGAS
Pol Espargaro had one bike with a new chassis and was seen using the aero update tested by Binder and Miller in Valencia – plus those downwash ducts to add those to the “ground-effect” side fairings. He was positive about the aero and the top speed trap numbers, saying the running may have been short but it was valuable. He also had a coming together with Bagnaia earlier in the day, going past the reigning Champion and then heading a little wide, but both riders stayed on and continued with their running after a couple of gesticulations.
Pol Espargaro (44) was positive once more, and smashed in a top lap time. Photo courtesy Dorna.
2023 rookie Augusto Fernandez continued with the new seat and tail unit, and he was working on testing out parts as well as “simply” settling in.
KTM
At Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, Jack Miller was first out on track, as he was on Friday, and it was his laptimes coming down that proved the conditions by around lunchtime. One of his machines sounded different to pitlane reporter Simon Crafar, a difference he noted yesterday in one of Binder’s machines, so that will be a key area of interest going forward once there’s more dry running. Miller was P19 by the end of play.
Brad Binder (33). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Brad Binder, meanwhile, ended the day in P10 and spent much of his time on aero. He was seen on the initial update seen in Valencia and also headed out on the package debuted by test rider Dani Pedrosa on the third day of the Shakedown – with the addition of the downwash ducts on the lower side fairing, also seen on the GASGAS RC16 of Pol Espargaro.
Jack Miller (43). Photo courtesy Dorna.
YAMAHA
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) began the day with Yamaha’s new aero package on both bikes in his garage, while the Frenchman was also running through some of the parts he tested on Day 1 to get another feel for them. Quartararo – who was positive about his day’s work – also tried the downwash ducts that were debuted by test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga on Day 1, and he clocked a 335.4km/h top speed – the third fastest behind the Ducatis of Bagnaia and Martin. Yamaha have two 2023 engine specifications in Sepang, so a decision needs to be made as to which one gets the nod for the season.
Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) also had Yamaha’s new aero package on two bikes, but the Italian also did some work on the older aero on Day 2 – back-to-back testing. Cal Crutchlow joined the fray again after sitting out the opening day of the Official Test, as Quartararo and Morbidelli finished P4 and P11 respectively.
HONDA
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) continued with four RC213Vs in his side of the garage, including HRC’s ‘experimental bike’ seen yesterday. His two 2023 development bikes have different chassis from one another, one is the standard 2023 chassis that we’ve seen a lot, while the other is a chassis Stefan Bradl has been seen testing.
Marc Marquez (93) demonstrating the grip of the Michelin rain tires. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Honda newcomers Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) – who said he’s more comfortable on the Honda despite a lack of dry action on Day 2 – and Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) both have two 2023 development bikes to play with. Mir’s bikes having two different chassis – the same as teammate Marquez. Rins, on the other hand, has the same chassis in both of his RC213Vs and had a positive day after climbing into the top 10, also stating at the end of the day that his riding style is meshing pretty well with his new machinery. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu), meanwhile, also had two different chassis like Marquez and Mir.
That’s it from Day 2, with one day at Sepang remaining. There’s live timing on motogp.com throughout the day, before our special After the Flag broadcasts from 17:30 local time (GMT +8). Pitlane reporter Simon Crafar is joined by Jack Gorst in Malaysia, with Louis Suddaby and Neil Morrison anchoring the show in Barcelona as the team run through a host of analysis, insights and interviews. Join us on Sunday for the final day of the first Official Test!
More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3:
Espargaro Third of Rain-Affected Day 2 of Sepang Test, Fernandez Continues Progress in the Wet
The Sepang Test action resumed on Saturday in Malaysia after a very intense and hot first day yesterday, which was the first school day of 2023 for the MotoGP™ class. If rookie Augusto Fernandez continued his progression following his Shakedown Test, the experienced Pol Espargaro rode his GASGAS RC16 for the first time in three months yesterday, with a busy testing schedule on the menu. Unfortunately, the plans faced consequent disruptions today with the rain being part of the party all day. The rainfall from the morning made it difficult for any rider to go out for the first two hours of day 2.
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 rider Pol Espargaro gave it a go at lunch time, and was followed shortly by a few other riders. Before that, only four riders had adventured themselves to the drying Sepang Circuit. Today, he continued to try different settings, some aero in yesterday’s continuity, and the trial of a different chassis was in the plans. The Spaniard improved quickly from his Friday’s fastest lap (2’00.078), in 1’59.205. Shortly after, he reached 1’58.881, a time placing him third in the timesheets, 0.042 seconds from the fastest man of the day, Jorge Martin. With two hours to go, an intense rain took over the circuit. Pol went on track to get a few laps in the wet, but the aquaplaning forced team number 44 to call it a day.
The conditions were not ideal for the Moto2™ World champion Augusto Fernandez, in need of as much dry track time as possible. He did not ride all morning and started his programme at 13:30 local time (GMT+8). He continued to progress behind the other MotoGP™ riders at lunch time, before he was able to get wet track conditions again following his first experience in the Shakedown. Appearing comfortable with the wet Michelin tyres, he registered interesting lap times towards the end of the afternoon under the rain. Just like his teammate’s, Augusto’s side ended the day once the track was too soaked to do anything else relevant. His fastest lap of the thirty-two of the day in 2’00.732 placed him twenty-third. There is only one day left for the GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 riders to complete their testing programs, so we will be hoping for better conditions on Sunday before heading back home.
Pol Espargaro
Position: 3rd
Time: 1’58.881
Laps: 29
“Tricky day today with the weather, especially on the second day which is very important because we have a big programme. We had many things to try today. Unfortunately, we were unable to check all our to-do list, but the few things we worked on were positive. We tried a new chassis and a few new parts. For the chassis, we need to find a balance between the old and the new one, so we will work on that. For the new parts aiming to improve the turns and the top speed, I think that we got good information today. We were a bit behind yesterday because we worked mainly with medium tyres, but today we are in the Top 5. I am happy because we are improving, and hopefully tomorrow we can push more because I have one more set of soft tyres that I did not use today.”
Augusto Fernandez
Position: 23rd
Time: 2’00.732
Laps: 32
“We already had one wet day during the Shakedown Test, but today was a proper wet day because the rain was quite intense. It was very interesting to learn about the Michelin wet tyres, because they are one of the biggest differences with Moto2. I was surprised that we were able to turn and brake more or less in the same way than in dry conditions. We tried different things today, such as settings and electronics, so the time is not as good as yesterday, but I look forward to dry conditions tomorrow so we can continue our progress.”
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
DAMP BUT POSITIVE DAY 2 FOR MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP AT SEPANG TEST
Sepang (Malaysia), 11th February 2023
SEPANG MOTOGP OFFICIAL TEST
Fabio Quartararo’s and Franco Morbidelli‘s patience was tested on the second day of the Sepang MotoGP Official Test. The eight-hour session was repeatedly halted by rain both in the morning and the afternoon. Still, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP teammates put in numerous laps and took 4th and 11th place respectively in today‘s timesheets.
4th FABIO QUARTARARO 1’58.897 / 34 LAPS
11th FRANCO MORBIDELLI 1’59.289 / 44 LAPS
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli were back on track today for a second day of testing at the Sepang International Circuit, but rain showers in the morning and afternoon impeded their schedule. Still, the duo managed to get some laps in and work through a number of different items, taking 4th and 11th place respectively in today‘s rankings.
Quartararo had hoped to get more laps in at the Sepang circuit today, but wet track conditions meant he had to be patient. Once a dry line had formed, the Frenchman was able to go out and test various items, and he ended the day with a good feeling. His best time of 1’58.897s, set on lap 8/34, put him in fourth place in today‘s results, 0.161s from first, and in eighth in the Day 1 + Day 2 timesheets, 0.427s from the top.
After a solid first day of testing, Morbidelli was extra motivated to resume his work. As with his teammate, rain disrupted the testing plans he had scheduled for Day 2, but the Italian still got plenty of laps in. A 1‘59.289s set on lap 8/44 saw him end FP2 in 11th place, 0.553s off today‘s fastest time. His Day-1 time, a 1‘59.118s, was faster though and put him in joint 14th position in the combined results, with a 0.648s margin to first.
FABIO QUARTARARO
I‘m pretty happy. Analysing the data yesterday, I was not riding really well from my side. I tested a lot of things then. Today I was riding in a much better way, and it was a positive test. I‘m happy about what we have tested today. I‘m looking forward to tomorrow; hopefully the weather will be better than today. We haven‘t fully decided about the aero package yet. But we tried something yesterday that we didn‘t really like, and we tried it again today, and it was much better. I’m feeling happy today.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI
Finally, we were also able to ride in the rain with the new engine, and it’s important. With the updated engine, we needed to check how it was behaving on the wet. There are some things to work on that we can adjust, so it was good to have the chance to ride in wet conditions. I personally didn’t have the chance to try the new aero combinations today, because right at the moment that I was going to try it, it started raining. But I will be able to try it tomorrow hopefully.
More, from a press release issued by RNF MotoGP Team:
Oliveira second fastest, Fernandez in P6 on Saturday in Sepang
Rain affected the second day of testing in Malaysia, yet the RNF MotoGP Team duo improved noticeably.
The second day of the official MotoGP testing at the Sepang International Circuit started on a damp track this morning. Some rain showers interrupted proceedings throughout the day, but Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez did not only just set fast dry lap times, but also learned to ride their new Aprilia RS-GP in the wet.
Although time on a dry track was limited due to some drops of rain and some heavier showers towards the end of the day, Oliveira managed to improve on his personal best lap time from day one by 0.891 seconds. Thereby, the Portuguese star moved up to second place in the test standings of the day, just 0.103 seconds behind the fastest rider after doing 52 laps today.
His teammate Fernandez followed Oliveira in stepping up. He went 0.701 seconds faster than on Friday, which was just his second day aboard the Aprilia RS-GP. The young Spaniard did 35 laps during Saturday, clocked the sixth fastest time of the day and missed out on the top by only 0.376 seconds, significantly building on his feeling.
Tomorrow will be the final test day at the Sepang International Circuit, before the entire paddock moves over to Europe for two further days of testing at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, Portugal, in March ahead of the first of 21 rounds of 2023 at the same venue.
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“Today was a good day! It’s true that we didn’t get as much dry time as we wanted. Actually, we wanted to test a couple more things with the bike, but we couldn’t. That was a shame. But we still enjoyed ourselves throughout today. Hopefully, we get the chance to have some more track time in dry conditions tomorrow.”
RAUL FERNANDEZ
“We had a nice plan but because of the weather, we had to change everything. But in general, I am really happy. We worked really hard on the pace, and this is important for me to understand the bike more. We also managed to work in the wet conditions, it’s complicated with the weather but I’m really happy with the result of what we did today. I had a better feeling, a smile on my face and enjoyed the session today. Tomorrow, we will try to do a lot more laps and work more on myself.”
More, from a press release issued by Mooney VR46 Racing:
MARINI CLOSE TO THE TOP UNDER THE RAIN AT SEPANG
In a Day2 characterised by uncertain weather, Luca is among the most competitive in the wet. Bezzecchi also did well, maintaining the provisional P1 with yesterday’s lap time
Sepang (Malaysia), February 11th 2023 – Despite the rain, which hit the circuit area from the early hours of the morning and then in the afternoon, the positive sensations of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team duo continue at the Sepang International Circuit where they are busy in the first tests of the 2023 season. Luca Marini set the seventh best lap time of the day in dry conditions, P14 in the combined standings, while Marco Bezzecchi finished 12th (P1 in the combined with yesterday’s lap time, 1:58.470).
Really comfortable on the Ducati Desmosedici GP in wet conditions and on the track to gain confidence with the new rain compound, Luca – 50 laps completed – set a good 1:59.118, improving by over two tenths compared to Day1.
Marco also did well, leading the group with yesterday’s lap time, with a good 1:59.361 (31 total laps ) and is only six tenths behind the very first guys. Step forward in the wet and overall positive feedbacks on the eve of the final day of testing, tomorrow from 10.00am to 06.15pm local time.
Luca Marini
A day conditioned by the weather: we had planned to test material to improve the performance, but there was not enough time in the dry. The feeling is still good and so is the pace, especially in the wet. I’m happy, even if we weren’t able to make the most of the day. I hope for better weather to be able to use all the tires we have and improve the flying lap. With the rain, we removed all the rubber from the asphalt and tomorrow, if it’s good, the conditions will be more realistic in terms of the race weekend.
Marco Bezzecchi
Despite the crash, we had a good day. I was on the track for a long time with used tires and I also kept a good pace throughout the race. Too bad about the crash, I stayed in the garage for a while because it was important to get back on track with the same bike. In the wet then, I can’t complain, I felt comfortable. Compared to the GP21, I have more support on the rear and this helps me a lot.
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
Rain hits Sepang for Day Two of the Sepang Test
Showers throughout the day saw reduced running on the second day of the MotoGP test in Malaysia, Marc Marquez making the most of dry track time as Joan Mir took the opportunity to find some speed in the wet.
Early morning showers left the Sepang circuit damp when it opened at 10am local time, the majority of the MotoGP field waiting to venture out. After an early lunch, both the Repsol Honda Team riders entered the track to start working through their plan. More rain arrived in the afternoon and ended any chance of dry running in the second half of the day as a persistent drizzle remained.
Adding to his 58 laps from the previous day, Marc Marquez did a further 36 laps aboard various configurations of the RC213V. As the track remained completely wet in the afternoon, Marquez used the opportunity to assess the Honda machines in the wet and continue to gather data in a variety of conditions. Ending the day in 13th, the #93 continued through his and Honda HRC’s testing plan in order to prepare for the coming season.
Despite the weather, Joan Mir continued to make the most of all available track time and completed another 36 laps. A best time of 1’59.631 put the newest Repsol Honda Team rider in 16th place, less than 0.2s behind Marquez on the other Repsol Honda Team machine. The #36 was pleased with the progress he made, able to make a step and continue improving his feeling on the Honda RC213V.
Just a final day of running remains in Malaysia before the Repsol Honda Team return to Japan to continue their preparations for the Portimao Test, March 11 – 12, and the start of the season less than two weeks later at the same venue.
Marc Marquez
13TH 1’59.450
“Unfortunately today we couldn’t ride a lot and we had to change our schedule as a result. We were able to do about 25 laps in the dry and then in the wet we were able to confirm a few points. I am working a lot and I am trying to get a lot of information for Honda and to be as clear as possible with my comments. Since it rained today we will have to move our plan for the second day to tomorrow where we are aiming to make a step with the lap time.”
Joan Mir
16TH 1’59.632
“The rain today was a pity because it meant we had to change our plan completely. We had a lot of things to try but we only got a few laps in the dry. Still we made the most of what we could and got some laps in the rain where the feeling was not so bad. I was able to improve with each lap and each exit which is the really important thing. We were faster than yesterday and I’m feeling more comfortable on the Honda. There’s still a lot of work to do so let’s hope the weather is good tomorrow and focus on what we have to try.”
Get It While It’s Hot (And Cheaper): MotoAmerica Live+
MotoAmerica’s Live And On-Demand Streaming Service Is $89.99 Until March 1. Just In Time For Daytona 200
IRVINE, CA – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce that MotoAmerica Live+ will again be the place to go for live coverage of the 2023 MotoAmerica Championship.
MotoAmerica Live+ is what you need for live and on-demand streaming of the entire 2023 MotoAmerica Championship – beginning with the Daytona 200 on March 11 – as it provides race fans with the option of watching all the action on the web, Roku, Android, iOS and Apple TV.
And now is the time to get signed up as MotoAmerica is currently offering an “early bird” special pricing of $89.99 until March 1. After March 1, the cost of watching all the action from the championship live will increase from $89.99 to $109.99.
Coverage on MotoAmerica Live+ features six to eight hours of coverage a day of the majority of practice, plus every lap of qualifying and race action live, in addition to exclusive interviews, and other special features from all the MotoAmerica classes, including the premier Medallia Superbike class, Supersport, Yuasa Stock 1000, Junior Cup and REV’IT! Twins Cup.
“MotoAmerica Live+ has proven to be very popular with our fans, especially so as the 2023 season promises so much excitement and is just around the corner,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “We will start with the Daytona 200 on March 11 and Live+ will be the only place where our fans who can’t make it out to the races can watch it live. Last year’s 200 was thrilling from start to finish with Brandon Paasch winning the race by just .007 of a second and, with Daytona historically producing close finishes, we’re expecting more of the same this year.”
MotoAmerica Live+ gets rolling March 9-11 with the only live coverage of all the MotoAmerica action from Daytona International Speedway, including the 81st running of America’s most historic motorcycle race – the Daytona 200. In addition to the 200, MotoAmerica Live+ subscribers will also get to watch action from the opening rounds of the REV’IT! Twins Cup, Mission King Of The Baggers and Roland Sands’ Super Hooligans National Championship.
For those wanting to purchase MotoAmerica Live+ on a race-to-race basis, individual races can be purchased for $12.99.
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.
Former AMA Pro racer Ron Mass, of Milner, Georgia, died of complications of COVID-19 pneumonia January 6, 2023, in a hospice care facility in Georgia. He was 74.
Mass raced in AMA Nationals during the 1970s, including riding Yamaha TZ750s in AMA Formula One races with the likes of Dave Aldana, Steve Baker, Mike Baldwin, Richard Chambers, John Long, King Kenny Roberts, and Gene Romero, often finishing in the top 10.
Along the way, Mass, a U.S. Air Force veteran, graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Aeronautical Science. After racing, he worked as an airline pilot.
He is survived by his stepson Zeke Shohfi.
Ron Mass (40) in action at Daytona in 1979. Photo courtesy Larry Lawrence.
Most motorcycle road races in Northern Ireland, both on the public roads and “short circuits,” have been cancelled for 2023 due to rising insurance costs, according to a February 9 report published by the BBC.
Organizers of the North West 200, which is scheduled in May, are saying they are still trying to hold their event this year.
More, from a press release issued by the North West 200 Press Office:
STATEMENT FROM THE ORGANISERS OF THE fonaCAB AND NICHOLL OILS NORTH WEST 200
The crisis the fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils North West 200 and the rest of motorcycle sport in Ireland currently faces is due to a huge increase in the cost of insurance cover for 2023.
The organisers of the North West 200, the Coleraine and District Motor Club, have been working tirelessly to mitigate the pressure created by these extra costs. The club was confident it could manage the initial premium increase but with other events unable to do so, the transfer of extra charges to the North West 200 created an unsustainable financial burden.
Yesterday the sport’s governing body, the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland (UC), announced the cancellation of all motorcycle sporting events in Northern Ireland this year. But the organisers of the NW200 have not given up the fight. We cannot afford to lose an event that has been running for over 90 years and plays such a vital role in the economy of the north coast area.
We have been overwhelmed by the messages and offers of support we have received today and whilst we understand the decision taken by the MCUI (UC), the Coleraine and District Motor club will continue in its efforts to stage the North West 200 on May 7-13.
Plans were already in place to welcome new competitors to the event during an induction day next Tuesday, February 14. Both that event and the Meet the Stars race launch, scheduled for February 15, will go ahead as planned and we will continue to keep everyone informed of our progress.
Yamaha Returns as Official OEM Partner of Progressive AFT in 2023
Signs on as Title Sponsor of Yamaha Senoia Short Track
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Progressive American Flat track is excited to confirm that Yamaha Motor Corp., USA will continue as an Official OEM Partner of Progressive AFT for the 2023 season.
Yamaha had an extremely strong showing in 2022, scoring race wins and contending for championships up and down the class structure. Most notable was the incredible strides it made in the Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle category. The Estenson Racing Yamaha’s terrific tandem of Dallas Daniels and JD Beach combined to secure six victories, 15 podiums, and 27 top fives. The duo finished a close third and fourth in the final standings after battling for the crown all season long in what was Yamaha’s greatest Championship showing since the days of Kenny Roberts in the mid-‘70s.
Yamaha was a genuine powerhouse in Progressive AFT’s additional classes as well where it totaled eight victories among its 32 podiums, with seven different riders standing on the box at least once during the ‘22 campaign.
Yamaha is poised to take another step forward in 2023 with Daniels and Beach once again spearheading the bLU cRU’s multi-class title assault.
“We’re excited and looking forward to another year of racing and partnership with Progressive American Flat Track,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha Motorsports marketing manager. “The Estenson Yamaha Racing team is encouraged with the progress and resulting success in 2022, but remains motivated and focused on the goals of claiming the Mission SuperTwins championship and regaining the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles title.”
As part of Yamaha’s impressive commitment to the series, it will also serve as the title sponsor of the Yamaha Senoia Short Track, which will take place on March 25 at Senoia Raceway in Senoia, Georgia, located just down the interstate from Yamaha’s US-based Headquarters in Marietta, Georgia.
“We appreciate Yamaha’s continued support of Progressive American Flat Track,” said Gene Crouch, COO of AMA Pro Racing. “We’re looking forward to playing host for the Atlanta-based employees of Yamaha Motor Corp. USA and providing an exciting evening of flat track racing when the series heads to Senoia Raceway for Round 3 on March 25.”
The 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season will launch with the hugely anticipated return of the DAYTONA Short Track I & II at the Flat Track at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, March 9 and Friday, March 10.
FOX Sports and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2023 season, all races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round at http://www.FansChoice.tv.
About Yamaha Motor Corp., USA
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the Powersports industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Outboard Motors, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, 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 Cypress, California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Further U.S.-based Yamaha companies include Skeeter Boats (Texas), G3 Boats (Missouri), Bennet Marine (Florida), Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana), and Kracor, Inc. (Wisconsin).
About Progressive American Flat Track
Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.
This 40-plus-minute documentary, featuring exclusive footage and interviews from key figures inside WorldSBK, takes an in-depth look at the big story of the 2022 season
The meteoric rise. The inexplicable fall. And then, finally, The Return. Alvaro Bautista’s (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) path to the summit of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has made for a compelling tale, told over four scintillating seasons of racing and culminating in the #1 numberplate which he will bear this upcoming 2023 season. The final 12 months of that road mark the starting point for ‘Alvaro Bautista: The Return’, a 40-plus-minute, in-depth look at a landmark year for the 38-year-old and Ducati alike.
The Return tells a story of redemption. Bautista and Ducati, a partnership as fascinating as it was fragile three years earlier, set off together once again with a shared goal: to right the wrongs of the 2019 campaign and return to the top of the WorldSBK Championship.
This is, in Bautista’s own words, not only a return to Ducati, but also a return to being a competitive rider, of finding joy in the sport once again. Proof of this renewed fire can be found from lap one on the Panigale V4R (at a test in Jerez, explained eloquently by crew chief Giulio Nava), and remains evident across the documentary through the many battles with rivals Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK).
Exclusive interviews with all three championship contenders, as well as with several key members of the Ducati Corse and Aruba.it Racing – Ducati family, provide context and answer some of the key questions from the 2022 season. Who first brought up the idea of a reunion? When did Bautista feel the most pressure in 2022? And the question that has hung over their heads since 2019 – what happened?
These quotes and reactions are complemented by behind-the-scenes footage of the Spanish rider and his Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team, at the track and beyond, with much of it unreleased until now. See the different sides of the reigning World Champion: the preparation, the fears, the emotions.
We are BACK and there was plenty to see on Day 1 of the Sepang Test!
Marco Bezzecchi (72). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Friday, 10 February 2023
Day 1 of the Official MotoGP™ Sepang Test is now in the history books! Mooney VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi ended the day on top as the Italian set a 1:58.470 to finish 0.130s ahead of second place Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing). There’s more to pre-season than the timesheets though, and there was plenty to see on Friday up and down pitlane. Here’s a rundown of Day 1 at the office for the class of 2023!
Fabio Quartararo (20) and Marc Marquez (93). Photo courtesy Dorna.
HONDA
There was plenty of interest on Marc Marquez’s (Repsol Honda Team) side of the garage, where the eight-time World Champion had four bikes at his disposal – one that he finished 2022 on, two 2023 bikes that have been seen a few times now, and one with some new, relatively unseen parts on it.
Marc Marquez (93) on his “2023” Honda RC213V. Photo courtesy Dorna.
That bike features the new air intake but also sports the aero wings that seem to be the ones Marquez ran in the second half of 2021. In addition, this particular RC213V has the ground effect lower side fairing and an aluminium swingarm – but it’s not the Kalex one. The number 93 admitted that the bike in question had a bit of a “different character”, but the lap time and performance were similar. Marquez was top Honda by the end of play, ending the day in 12th.
Marc Marquez (93) on a different Honda RC213V. Photo courtesy Dorna.
New stablemate Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team), meanwhile, had two 2023 Honda machines on his side of the garage and ended the day in P17 – just under half a second from 12th place Marquez – with fellow new HRC rider Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) having a similar setup in his box. The 2022 Valencia GP winner ended the opening day in P18, with Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) in P22. The Japanese rider tested two different chassis and two new engines, with focus on getting a good feeling on the bike again having suffered with his hand injury for the latter months of 2022.
DUCATI
The Borgo Panigale factory topped the timesheets with Bezzecchi as the Italian took over late on, and that’s not a huge surprise given the high level of the GP22 that comes out the box and ready to roll for 2023. The laptime was impressive nevertheless.
The headlines in terms of development at Ducati are concentrated on the new machines and, of course, the Ducati Lenovo Team line-up as Enea Bastianini joins reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia. Bastianini was fastest of the two and third overall, with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) just five thousandths in arrears in fourth. Bagnaia was fifth, another tenth further back. But what did we see?
Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Bastianini was on 2022-looking machinery, and so was Bagnaia for much of the day – but the eagle-eyed spotted a small difference. One bike had the ride height device controls on top of the left handlebar and the other one had them on the triple clamp. Later in the day, Bagnaia also headed out on the new aero seen at the Shakedown test.
Francesco Bagnaia (1). Photo courtesy Dorna.
At Pramac, Martin didn’t seem to be testing anything too new, but teammate Johann Zarco was spotted on the new aero. He was P7 at the end of Day 1. Amongst those on 2022 machinery for the season, Bezzecchi stole the headlines despite a crash at Turn 7, but there were some notable laps from Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) in eighth, with new teammate – and Ducati debutant – Alex Marquez only just behind in P9 as he adapts to a whole new machine. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) was P13.
APRILIA
In the Noale camp, both Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia Racing stablemate Maverick Viñales had three bikes to test on Day 1. Both of the Spaniards had one 2022-spec RS-GP and two 2023-spec RS-GPs, and both were out on the new one from very early on.
As seen at the Shakedown with test rider Lorenzo Savadori, the new RS-GP has an updated aero package, a different tail unit and the exhausts have also had a small update. Moreover, the chassis and swingarm have been slightly updated too, with Team Manager Paolo Bonora admitting to pitlane reporter Simon Crafar that the whole bike is an “evolution”, with plenty of small tweaks from 2022.
After a late time attack, Viñales set a 1:58.600 to finish second on the timesheets having completed 67 laps – the most of anyone – and he was positive about his initial taste of the 2023 RS-GP. Espargaro ended Friday’s action in P6, 0.4s from top spot.
Miguel Oliveira’s (RNF MotoGP™ Team) first morning back on his new RS-GP didn’t go quite as planned after the Portuguese star suffered a small crash in the final sector. Oliveira was unhurt and posted 50 laps to finish P14, with teammate Raul Fernandez continuing his adaptation with 54 laps and a P15 placement.
Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales (12) was second on the time sheets. Photo courtesy Dorna.
YAMAHA
It didn’t take long for Fabio Quartararo to start lapping with the 2023 aero package that we saw Cal Crutchlow testing at the Shakedown. Both the Frenchman and his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ teammate Franco Morbidelli had three bikes in their respective sides of the Iwata factory box as the duo got to work testing Yamaha’s promising new engine.
Both were towards the top of the speed trap charts, further indicating that a solid step has been made in that department. Quartararo was also seen testing a different chassis to his 2022 version, while Yamaha also brought some new downwash ducts to the table on Friday – the first time they’ve tested them.
The 2021 World Champion was upbeat about the top speed gains, but admitted that it still needs work. Understandable with it being the opening day of the test. The throttle connection “is still difficult to judge” and regarding the chassis Quartararo tried, it sounds like that won’t be an update that will be in line to be used in 2023.
Having worked tirelessly during the Shakedown, Crutchlow wasn’t lapping for the opening day and will save his energy for Day 2 and 3, but fellow test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga joined Quartararo and Morbidelli on track. The latter duo completed 117 laps between them, Morbidelli finishing P10 and Quartararo P11.
Fabio Quartararo (20) on his new YZR-M1. Photo courtesy Dorna.
KTM
At Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, it was new arrival Jack Miller who was the lead rider for the Austrian factory on the timesheets and the Australian was also the very first out on track. He ended the day in 16th. Both Miller’s machines were sporting the new aero he tried in Valencia, but that’s not the even newer aero tested by Dani Pedrosa on the third day of the Shakedown.
For Brad Binder, there wasn’t much to see from the outside – suggesting the South African may have been working comparing engine specs – and he was on the aero run throughout 2022 and was 21st.
Jack Miller (43) on his KTM. Photo courtesy Dorna.
GASGAS
Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) was the top RC16 for a while, shaving half a second off his best lap from the Shakedown and then ending the day in P19. After using the Shakedown to settle in, Fernandez also had the new seat and tail unit. Teammate Pol Espargaro reportedly had one bike with the new chassis spotted in the hands of Binder in the Valencia Test, and he was just behind his new rookie teammate by the end of play.
Pol Espargaro (44) on his GASGAS. Photo courtesy Dorna.
That’s it from Day 1 but there’s more over the weekend! Check out live timing on Saturday and Sunday, and then tune in for our special After the Flag broadcasts from 17:30 local time (GMT +8) on both days. Pitlane reporter Simon Crafar is joined by Jack Gorst in Malaysia, with Louis Suddaby and Neil Morrison anchoring the show in Barcelona as the team run through a host of analysis and insights – as well as plenty of exclusive interviews from riders and key players. See you on Saturday!
More, from a press release issued by Gresini Racing:
TOP NINE RESULT ON OPENING DAY OF OFFICIAL TESTING AT SEPANG
Both Team Gresini MotoGP riders have shone today in the most typical humid heat at Sepang – with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez finishing the opening day of official testing eighth and ninth, respectively.
The two Gresini standard bearers in MotoGP set almost identical lap-times, with Diggia only 0.015secs faster than his new teammate in what was a positive day, despite a few hiccups. A technical problem in the morning took away some track-time from the #73, while the rider #49 was forced to take it easy due to some minor physical issue.
It was an encouraging effort for Team Gresini MotoGP with both their riders only five tenths of a second from the top but also ahead of a few big names of the series.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49). Photo courtesy Gresini Racing.
8th – FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (1’59.021s – 47 laps)
“It was an incredible feeling to be back on track after such a long winter break. You never really get used to that with MotoGP because the speed is so high. We worked well by focusing on one single area at a time and without overdoinge: it’s clear we have plenty of margin still, but we’re working well. We need to keep working and hoping for good weather in the next couple of days.”
Alex Marquez (73). Photo courtesy Gresini Racing.
9th – ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (1’59.036s – 53 laps)
“It was a positive first day: you always have a little doubt on how it will be to return to action, but things went well. We need to keep working this way because the base is good. We tried very little setup-wise at Valencia, so we’ll start with that tomorrow. We need to improve our pace, but I guess it’s normal with a new bike. Good first day, but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves.”
More, from a press release issued by RNF MotoGP Team:
Oliveira and Fernandez start first day at school with a smile
The RNF MotoGP Team is starting their new Aprilia-adventure with Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez in Malaysia.
Testing is in full swing this week and RNF MotoGP Team’s Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez got the first laps aboard their Aprilia RS-GP machines under their belt at the scorching Sepang International Circuit today. Although a short rain shower interrupted proceedings around lunchtime at the first official day of testing in 2022, both, Oliveira and Fernandez could use track time at their best.
The Portuguese clocked a fastest lap of 1:59.730 after breaking the two minutes mark in the afternoon. In total, Oliveira did 50 laps around the Sepang International Circuit on day one and started to continue his adaption to his new bike and his new team after doing just one day of testing in Valencia last November. He concluded day one in P14.
Likewise, Fernandez got on board his Aprilia RS-GP again following some initial laps in Spain last year. He was working to learn the machine better and better and improved throughout the day. He ended up in P15, just 0.083 seconds behind his experienced new team mate after 54 laps on Friday.
Saturday and Sunday will see the premier class back out at the Sepang International Circuit to further prepare the 2023 season.
Miguel Oliveira (88). Photo courtesy RNF MotoGP Team.
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“I had good feelings. I think after three months, everyone started from zero and it was the same for me too, the first couple of runs I had to discover the bike again. It’s very different but the bike has a lot of potential, I just need to adapt it now to my style. We haven’t touched anything yet on the bike, we started with the base setup, and now we will discover and touch little things so I can feel more comfortable and of course, to go faster. We have two more days and plenty of kilometers to do with the Aprilia and I’m confident.”
Raul Fernandez (25). Photo courtesy RNF MotoGP Team.
RAUL FERNANDEZ
“To be honest, it’s my first time on the RS-GP in Malaysia and it was really difficult especially in the first lap. But I am happy, I felt like at home and with Aprilia’s support, I am really happy to be able to build back confidence with the bike. It’s my job now to train my mindset and build more confidence, to enjoy and believe in myself and my team. Anyway, we have two more days, and I’m happy to continue training on this track and try different settings and work more on myself.”
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP START 2023 SEPANG TEST
Sepang (Malaysia), 10th February 2023
SEPANG MOTOGP OFFICIAL TEST
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team got back into action after the long winter break. Today, Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo rode 59 and 58 laps respectively, ending the first day of the Sepang MotoGP Official Test in 10th and 11th place.
10th FRANCO MORBIDELLI 1’59.118 / 59 LAPS
11th FABIO QUARTARARO 1’59.422 / 58 LAPS
Today, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team‘s Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo were back aboard their YZR-M1s for the first time in 2023 for the official IRTA MotoGP test in Malaysia. The riders got straight to work, assessing updated items. They ended in 10th and 11th place respectively in the Day-1 timesheets.
Morbidelli is greatly motivated for the 2023 season and was keen to go over various updates today. The Italian made the most of the dry conditions. He used the morning session to get back into a solid rhythm after three months of no MotoGP riding. He successfully completed his Day-1 testing plans in the afternoon and gave an extra push in the final hour. He ran 59 laps in total, securing 10th place with a 1‘59.118s, 0.648s from first.
Eager to be back aboard his YZR-M1 again after the winter break, Quartararo went straight to work to start his 2023 campaign. He spent the morning stint getting back into the swing of things trying various tyre options. He moved on to cross off the items on his programme in the afternoon, evaluating the new updates. He rode 58 laps over the course of eight hours of high-temperature testing and set a best lap of 1‘59.422s to take 11th place, 0.952s from the top.
Franco Morbidelli (21). Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI
It was a busy day. Yamaha brought a lot of things to try, and this is positive. The team has begun the year with a great attitude: quite aggressive. They really are giving their maximum to step up our package, and I’m really pleased to see that. We have a lot of work to do and ahead of us, but if we keep going with this mindset, we can make it happen.
Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha.
FABIO QUARTARARO
It was a tough day, especially in the morning, because we used a few tyres that I didn‘t really like, especially the soft front. But we tried a lot of things today. Some were positive: especially the top speed improved. There are still many things to test, and we have two more days. Tomorrow we will use the tyres in a better way, and let‘s see what we can do. For the first day, it wasn‘t too bad. Tomorrow we will work more on aerodynamics, and I think it will be intense.
More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3:
Espargaro Kicks Off 2023 Campaign in Sepang Test, Fernandez Continues MotoGP™ Adaptation
The 2023 MotoGP™ campaign was officially launched in Malaysia on Friday as rookie Augusto Fernandez was joined by his teammate Pol Espargaro and the rest of the class for the first official test of the season, held in Sepang. Whilst Moto2™ World Champion was back on track for another three days after his Sepang Shakedown programme, it was the first school day for new GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 rider Pol Espargaro. The alarm for 2023 rang over the paddock at 10:00 local time (GMT+8), and both Spanish riders did not take long to set off for the day.
After riding on his own during the three days of Sepang Shakedown, rookie Augusto Fernandez enjoyed sharing the track with experienced riders today, admitting that he was already able to learn a lot from them through observation. He quickly improved his lap time to 2’00.027, 0.455 seconds faster than his best lap of the Sepang Shakedown. Starting to feel confident enough to give an extra push, the awaited first crash happened, without any damage on both the rider and the bike. The work continued thoroughly, and after fifty-eight laps, the GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 rider finished the day in nineteenth, his lap in 2’00.027 being his fastest of day 1.
Within the first hour, Pol Espargaro had already completed eleven laps with a fastest lap in 2’00.874. The aim of the day was to re-adapt to his new GASGAS RC16 after almost three months without riding it. Besides that, he had different settings to test in the afternoon. As track temperature was getting hotter, he gained a few seconds to make it to 2’00.154 at lap 14. Later on, a crash without gravity saw him lose the front, calling it out for lunch break. The action resumed later on after the heat peak had gone, and Pol Espargaro completed the first day of the Sepang Test in twentieth with a fastest lap in 2’00.078 reached just before the end of the day. Adaptation and learnings will continue tomorrow for both Espargaro and Fernandez, as day 2 of the Sepang Test awaits them both on Saturday, at 10:00 local time (GMT+8).
Augusto Fernandez (37). Photo courtesy GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3.
Augusto Fernandez Position: 19th Time: 2’00.027 Laps: 58
“Riding on my own at the Sepang Shakedown was very useful to get used to the MotoGP bike and build a base, but I have to admit that it is nice to be joined by the rest of the MotoGP class. I was able to observe them, their trajectories, follow them, and I made interesting discoveries. It was a very positive day, and I look forward to tomorrow.”
Pol Espargaro (44). Photo courtesy GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3.
Pol Espargaro Position: 20th Time: 2’00.078 Laps: 58
“It was a busy day today because we have a lot planned for the Sepang Test. In addition, I have to adapt to the way of working of the Pierer Mobility Group because it is very different from the past. A lot of new engineers relying much more on analytics and numbers have come along, and I will need to get used to these changes. Regarding the bike itself, in Valencia, we had one new bike and an old one, mainly because I wanted the old one to just ride without thinking too much. Here, we have two new and completely different bikes. The engine character and the chassis have changed, and additionally we tested some aero parts, but we have not completely figured out which ones we will use. We have two more crucial days of testing to do, so let’s focus on that.”
More, from a press release issued by Mooney VR46 Racing:
MARCO BEZZECCHI THE FASTEST AT SEPANG TEST
The rider of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team opens 2023 with the best lap time of the day at the test in Malaysia. In the slip stream of the fastest guys also Luca Marini, 13th
Sepang (Malaysia), February 10th 2023 – Marco Bezzecchi opens the 2023 season in the best possible way at the MotoGP test at the Sepang International Circuit: a busy day to take the measurements of the Ducati Desmosedici GP and the absolute best lap time at the end of the sessions for the rider of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team. Good sensations also for Luca Marini, 13th in the combined of the Day1.
Extremely fast from the first out in the morning, Marco makes another step forward in the afternoon with an impressive 1’58.470, a time recorded just before the checkered flag (lap 54 of 55) and which is means the provisional P1.
Fifty laps and various tests also for Luca to get back on track after the long winter. He closes with a best of 1’59.469 and with still two days of work at disposal in front of him.
Luca Marini (10). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Luca Marini 10
A good first day of testing: I immediately found the feeling of Valencia and I was fast. We don’t have much to try here and we preferred to concentrate all of the work on today. Tomorrow and Sunday there will be a way to take care of race simulations and sprint races. Last year I was practically unable to race here, I retired immediately after the start and I have to make the most of this test to understand the drop of the rear tire. I also did some tests on the electronics and a new throttle control that I’m very happy with. Since I’ve been in MotoGP, I still haven’t found a device that’s comfortable for me, while I really like this one. The level is very high, today we have already run below 1.59 and there are over 15 riders, all competitive.
Marco Bezzecchi (72). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Marco Bezzecchi 72
I like the bike a lot, but it’s nothing new: the sensations were already good in Valencia. I’m happy, we started well, but it’s only the first day. The bike has many strong points, like the old one after all, but there are some steps in the details such as entering into the corners and braking. On the flying lap, I immediately felt at ease while we have to work hard on the race pace. We have not enough tires, I’ve always ridden whit the M, which isn’t the best choice here, and when I put on the soft, everything went right.
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
2023 begins in Sepang for the Repsol Honda Team
Marc Marquez and Joan Mir were reunited with their respective Repsol Honda Team RC213Vs as the first of three days of testing at the Sepang International Circuit commenced a new year of competition.
A busy day of testing started the 2023 season in earnest for the Repsol Honda Team, entering their 29th year of competition in the premier class. Classic Sepang conditions were waiting for the Repsol Honda Team as the long break over Winter officially ended. Temperatures in the high 20s persisted throughout the day despite brief spots of rain around lunchtime.
Marc Marquez continued the work started in Valencia as he spent his day riding a number of different configurations for the Honda RC213V. The day started aboard the 2022 Honda RC213V for a handful of laps as Marquez set himself a benchmark as he got back up to MotoGP speed after a winter of training. Feeling physically fit, the Repsol Honda Team rider worked from track open to track close to assess various options for Honda HRC. Completing a total of 58 laps, the #93 set the 12th fastest time of the opening day. The situation at the end of the Portimao Test remains Marquez’s main focus.
Riding the factory Honda machine for just the first time since the brief Valencia Test, Joan Mir’s primary objective was to confirm the feelings he had in Spain before beginning to work on his testing plan. Improving his speed throughout the day, Mir completed 53 laps of the 5.5-kilometre-long Sepang International Circuit before ending the day with a handful of practice starts. A 1’59.832 saw the #36 under the 2’00 barrier on his first day riding the Honda RC213V at Sepang, a solid foundation to build off over the coming days.
Action continues for the second day of testing in Malaysia, both Marquez and Mir aiming to continue preparations for the start of the respective 2023 campaigns.
Marc Marquez (93). Photo courtesy Repsol Honda.
Marc Marquez
12TH 1’59.424
“It was a really busy day, trying a lot of different things like you normally do in the pre-season. We started first on the 2022 bike just to confirm the feeling and then we jumped straight to the new bikes. We tried a few bikes and some different setups for them, getting a lot of interesting information and data from it which now the engineers and technicians need to analyse. We will see what the situation is at the end of the pre-season, it has just been a single day so it is very early to understand anything. We’re trying different things right now and working hard, it is what testing is for.”
Joan Mir (36). Photo courtesy Repsol Honda.
Joan Mir
17TH 1’59.832
“For sure it was a demanding day, we did a lot of laps and we tried many things. We haven’t made a huge step compared to Valencia, but we are taking some steps. The goal is to improve each day and close the gap to the top riders. I am still adapting to the bike, but I think it is going well so far. There’s a lot of information to process at the moment, from the technical side and in regards to my riding. Everything is moving and developing on all sides, we have to be satisfied with this first step but we need to keep going.”
Barnett Clutches and Cables, manufacturers of top-quality American-made motorcycle and ATV clutches and cables since 1948, is pleased to announce the launch of an all-new website. On the site you will find product information and applications for virtually the entire line of Barnett products. Clutch kits, baskets, pressure plates, covers, cables and more- they’re all there. Whether you need a clutch or cable for a classic vintage machine of the past or for modern machinery- street or off-road, you can find the information and applications you are looking for on the Barnett website. Check it out at www.barnettclutches.com.
A screen shot from the all-new Barnett Clutches and Cables website. Image courtesy Barnett Clutches and Cables.
Claudio Domenicali reconfirmed as President of Motor Valley Development
Third term as President for the Chief Executive Officer of Ducati confirmed at today’s Motor Valley Development shareholders’ meeting
Claudio Domenicali: “I believe that enhancing the uniqueness of this territory is a duty for those who, like us, are part of it. It is an honour to be able to continue in this role in the next two years”
Motor Valley is a unique industrial region in the world, with 16,500 companies and over 90,000 employees, with 16 billion in annual turnover and exports of 7 billion
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy) – Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati, has been reconfirmed for another two years as President of Motor Valley Development, the association that brings together all the two and four-wheeled brands of the Emilia-Romagna land of motors. The appointment took place during the shareholders’ meeting.
“In recent years I have carried out the task of President of the Motor Valley Development association with pride and responsibility because I believe that enhancing the uniqueness of this territory is a duty for those who, like us, are part of it. It is an honour to be able to continue in this role in the next two years and I would like to thank all the partners and institutions for their trust”, declared Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO and President of Motor Valley. “The industrial, tourist and cultural region of the Emilia-Romagna Motor Valley deserves to be supported and promoted in all its components, continuing to give value to the prestigious universities, historical and artistic culture and unrivalled motoring and technological expertise.”
Motor Valley is a unique industrial region in the world, with 16,500 companies and over 90,000 employees, an annual turnover of 16 billion euros and exports of 7 billion. A reality that over the years has become a strategic tourist asset for the Region, thanks to 13 specialized museums (including the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena, the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, the Automobili Lamborghini Museum, the Ferruccio Lamborghini Museum, the Ducati Museum in Borgo Panigale and the Horacio Pagani Museum), 18 private collections and 4 racetracks for racing competition (the “Riccardo Paletti” in Varano de’ Melegari, the Modena racetrack in Marzaglia, the “Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari” in Imola and the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Misano Adriatico).
Further information on Motor Valley Development is available on the association’s website https://www.motorvalley.it/en/
Former racer Roland Sands and the new Buell Super Cruiser. Photo courtesy Buell Motorcycle Co.
New Buell® Super Cruiser™ is a Roland Sands Design® Collaboration
Grand Rapids, MI – Buell Motorcycle announced this week that a new Super Cruiser designed by Roland Sands of Roland Sands Design, Long Beach, CA, is in development for 2025, bringing two iconic brands together to create a one-of-a-kind motorcycle with a West Coast attitude.
“Building a cruiser was something we always contemplated,” said Bill Melvin, CEO of Buell Motorcycle Co. “The market is full of American manufacturers known mostly for big, heavy bikes – not fast, hot ones like the famous V-twins of the 30s. Our Buell Super Cruiser will be the hottest bike on the market. Period.”
Roland Sands & Roland Sands Design will bring the heat. Champion motorcycle racer turned custom bike builder, Sands is considered the King of Cool in styling cruisers, café racers, and many top brands’ iconic built bikes.
“When Bill first approached us about building a high-performance cruiser using the Buell motor, it was as if the bike designed itself,” said Roland Sands. “Considering the history of Buell and the market’s need for a truly high-performance cruiser, and the build quality of the existing Buell chassis parts, motor, and rolling kit, the project was a natural fit.”
The left side of the RSD-designed Buell Super Cruiser. Photo courtesy Buell Motorcycle Co.
The Super Cruiser will take advantage of Buell’s unique high-performance V-twin engine and innovative perimeter braking system and structural swingarm, delivering a bike with exceptional handling in a non-sport bike format.
“The design lends itself to the West coast scene where customization is part of bike culture,” said Melvin. “And Roland was enthusiastic about incorporating Buell technology into that culture, creating the fastest, coolest cruiser on the market.”
“I’ve been working on projects like this for 20-plus years, and this is the first time we’ve been able to build a performance cruiser without the typical V-twin performance compromises of weight and motor width and length,” said Sands.
At 450 lbs. and 175 hp, Sands’ chassis geometry delivers road-friendly handling that’s ready for the track. Using much of the standard Buell rolling kit, Sands engineered his chassis design to work with the swingarm, forks, original 17″ wheels, and brake system. “Ground clearance, bar position, and comfortable seating and foot positions are key to getting the cruiser look with sport bike handling,” said Sands.
The Super Cruiser solidifies that Buell is Back and building more than sport bikes. Out of the gate, this cruiser will lead performance in the category. It’s light, nimble, and high torque, incorporating all the main points that connect the rider to the ground, and it’s cracking open another part of the market – a younger crowd craving speed and performance in a cruiser.
Buell previewed the Super Cruiser’s proof of concept at a Private VIP Reveal Party at Roland Sands Design shop in Long Beach, CA on February 10.
About its potential, Sands is confident. “With correct geometry and an attitude to match? Yeah, that’s the business right there,” he said.
The front end of the RSD Buell Super Cruiser with the production Buell front wheel and brake system. Photo by Michael Gougis.
The digital instrument display is tucked under the handlebar on the RSD Buell Super Cruiser. Photo by Michael Gougis.
The custom frame, radiator, and exhaust system are the highlights of the RSD Buell Super Cruiser. Photo by Michael Gougis.
Martin fastest, Aprilia and GASGAS shine despite rain delays on Day 2
A few more puzzle pieces seem to slot into place for a couple of factories on Saturday, with plenty to see in pitlane despite rain curtailing play
Saturday, 11 February 2023
It was a largely rain-affected second day of Official MotoGP™ testing at Sepang International Circuit, with the riders only getting a couple of hours of dry running time under their belts. Overnight rain meant a damp track in the morning, before heavy rain just after midday put any hopes of getting more dry weather testing to one side. However, there are still stories to be told!
Jorge Martin’s (Prima Pramac Racing) 1:58.736 saw the Spaniard claim top spot, with Miguel Oliveira’s (RNF MotoGP™ Team) fastest time of the weekend putting him second on Day 2. Pol Espargaro (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) was third and also set his fastest time of the test so far, the Spaniard sitting well inside the top 10 heading into the third and final day.
Here’s a rundown of what was seen tech-wise, starting with Ducati after Martin’s table-topping performance. And first, a smile for the vibes… despite the rain.
Francesco Bagnaia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
DUCATI
Martin topped the timesheets and, despite a crash at Turn 7 and some tape on his hand, was positive at the end of the day – saying he hopes to ride in the final Sunday session without any issues. He compared aero but said the crash affected whether he can be fully sure of the differences as yet. Both he and teammate Johann Zarco had a new swingarm each to try, with small differences. Zarco was P15 and on the Frenchman’s role, new Pramac Team Manager Gino Borsoi added that Zarco remains on testing duty but the work will be spread little more across other Ducati riders now too.
Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was the second Ducati and slotted into fifth, and both his machines sported the updated aero fairing. New teammate Enea Bastianini was also trying aero but seemed to also be focusing on engine specification, ending Saturday in ninth.
Enea Bastianini (23) had two different aero packages to evaluate Saturday. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Enea Bastianini (23) had two different aero packages to evaluate Saturday. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) was seventh, with Friday’s fastest, his teammate Marco Bezzecchi, a bit further down the order in P12 and suffering a crash at Turn 5, rider ok. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) was in P14 and his new teammate, Ducati newcomer Alex Marquez, was P17.
APRILIA
The leading RS-GP rider on Day 2 was the aforementioned Oliveira, whose 1:58.839 puts him into the top five overall on the combined standings. What’s more, that lap time is just a tenth off his fastest lap time aboard the KTM at last year’s Sepang Test. Impressive again from the Portuguese star, while RNF MotoGP™ Team teammate Raul Fernandez ended up climbing to P6 before the afternoon rain fell. Both Oliveira and Raul Fernandez had two 2022-spec Aprilias to work with.
Miguel Oliveira (88) on his RNF MotoGP Team Aprilia. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Over in the factory Aprilia Racing ranks, Maverick Viñales tested a small variation of the new aero wings that we’ve seen on the Aprilias this week. The difference is they have a third element underneath them, something that test rider Lorenzo Savadori has been running. Meanwhile, Aleix Espargaro had a complicated day at the office. The number 41 crashed at Turn 12 ahead of lunch before then suffering a technical issue in the final hour of the day.
GASGAS
Pol Espargaro had one bike with a new chassis and was seen using the aero update tested by Binder and Miller in Valencia – plus those downwash ducts to add those to the “ground-effect” side fairings. He was positive about the aero and the top speed trap numbers, saying the running may have been short but it was valuable. He also had a coming together with Bagnaia earlier in the day, going past the reigning Champion and then heading a little wide, but both riders stayed on and continued with their running after a couple of gesticulations.
Pol Espargaro (44) was positive once more, and smashed in a top lap time. Photo courtesy Dorna.
2023 rookie Augusto Fernandez continued with the new seat and tail unit, and he was working on testing out parts as well as “simply” settling in.
KTM
At Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, Jack Miller was first out on track, as he was on Friday, and it was his laptimes coming down that proved the conditions by around lunchtime. One of his machines sounded different to pitlane reporter Simon Crafar, a difference he noted yesterday in one of Binder’s machines, so that will be a key area of interest going forward once there’s more dry running. Miller was P19 by the end of play.
Brad Binder (33). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Brad Binder, meanwhile, ended the day in P10 and spent much of his time on aero. He was seen on the initial update seen in Valencia and also headed out on the package debuted by test rider Dani Pedrosa on the third day of the Shakedown – with the addition of the downwash ducts on the lower side fairing, also seen on the GASGAS RC16 of Pol Espargaro.
Jack Miller (43). Photo courtesy Dorna.
YAMAHA
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) began the day with Yamaha’s new aero package on both bikes in his garage, while the Frenchman was also running through some of the parts he tested on Day 1 to get another feel for them. Quartararo – who was positive about his day’s work – also tried the downwash ducts that were debuted by test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga on Day 1, and he clocked a 335.4km/h top speed – the third fastest behind the Ducatis of Bagnaia and Martin. Yamaha have two 2023 engine specifications in Sepang, so a decision needs to be made as to which one gets the nod for the season.
Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) also had Yamaha’s new aero package on two bikes, but the Italian also did some work on the older aero on Day 2 – back-to-back testing. Cal Crutchlow joined the fray again after sitting out the opening day of the Official Test, as Quartararo and Morbidelli finished P4 and P11 respectively.
HONDA
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) continued with four RC213Vs in his side of the garage, including HRC’s ‘experimental bike’ seen yesterday. His two 2023 development bikes have different chassis from one another, one is the standard 2023 chassis that we’ve seen a lot, while the other is a chassis Stefan Bradl has been seen testing.
Marc Marquez (93) demonstrating the grip of the Michelin rain tires. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Honda newcomers Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team) – who said he’s more comfortable on the Honda despite a lack of dry action on Day 2 – and Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) both have two 2023 development bikes to play with. Mir’s bikes having two different chassis – the same as teammate Marquez. Rins, on the other hand, has the same chassis in both of his RC213Vs and had a positive day after climbing into the top 10, also stating at the end of the day that his riding style is meshing pretty well with his new machinery. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu), meanwhile, also had two different chassis like Marquez and Mir.
That’s it from Day 2, with one day at Sepang remaining. There’s live timing on motogp.com throughout the day, before our special After the Flag broadcasts from 17:30 local time (GMT +8). Pitlane reporter Simon Crafar is joined by Jack Gorst in Malaysia, with Louis Suddaby and Neil Morrison anchoring the show in Barcelona as the team run through a host of analysis, insights and interviews. Join us on Sunday for the final day of the first Official Test!
More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3:
Espargaro Third of Rain-Affected Day 2 of Sepang Test, Fernandez Continues Progress in the Wet
The Sepang Test action resumed on Saturday in Malaysia after a very intense and hot first day yesterday, which was the first school day of 2023 for the MotoGP™ class. If rookie Augusto Fernandez continued his progression following his Shakedown Test, the experienced Pol Espargaro rode his GASGAS RC16 for the first time in three months yesterday, with a busy testing schedule on the menu. Unfortunately, the plans faced consequent disruptions today with the rain being part of the party all day. The rainfall from the morning made it difficult for any rider to go out for the first two hours of day 2.
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 rider Pol Espargaro gave it a go at lunch time, and was followed shortly by a few other riders. Before that, only four riders had adventured themselves to the drying Sepang Circuit. Today, he continued to try different settings, some aero in yesterday’s continuity, and the trial of a different chassis was in the plans. The Spaniard improved quickly from his Friday’s fastest lap (2’00.078), in 1’59.205. Shortly after, he reached 1’58.881, a time placing him third in the timesheets, 0.042 seconds from the fastest man of the day, Jorge Martin. With two hours to go, an intense rain took over the circuit. Pol went on track to get a few laps in the wet, but the aquaplaning forced team number 44 to call it a day.
The conditions were not ideal for the Moto2™ World champion Augusto Fernandez, in need of as much dry track time as possible. He did not ride all morning and started his programme at 13:30 local time (GMT+8). He continued to progress behind the other MotoGP™ riders at lunch time, before he was able to get wet track conditions again following his first experience in the Shakedown. Appearing comfortable with the wet Michelin tyres, he registered interesting lap times towards the end of the afternoon under the rain. Just like his teammate’s, Augusto’s side ended the day once the track was too soaked to do anything else relevant. His fastest lap of the thirty-two of the day in 2’00.732 placed him twenty-third. There is only one day left for the GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 riders to complete their testing programs, so we will be hoping for better conditions on Sunday before heading back home.
Pol Espargaro
Position: 3rd
Time: 1’58.881
Laps: 29
“Tricky day today with the weather, especially on the second day which is very important because we have a big programme. We had many things to try today. Unfortunately, we were unable to check all our to-do list, but the few things we worked on were positive. We tried a new chassis and a few new parts. For the chassis, we need to find a balance between the old and the new one, so we will work on that. For the new parts aiming to improve the turns and the top speed, I think that we got good information today. We were a bit behind yesterday because we worked mainly with medium tyres, but today we are in the Top 5. I am happy because we are improving, and hopefully tomorrow we can push more because I have one more set of soft tyres that I did not use today.”
Augusto Fernandez
Position: 23rd
Time: 2’00.732
Laps: 32
“We already had one wet day during the Shakedown Test, but today was a proper wet day because the rain was quite intense. It was very interesting to learn about the Michelin wet tyres, because they are one of the biggest differences with Moto2. I was surprised that we were able to turn and brake more or less in the same way than in dry conditions. We tried different things today, such as settings and electronics, so the time is not as good as yesterday, but I look forward to dry conditions tomorrow so we can continue our progress.”
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
DAMP BUT POSITIVE DAY 2 FOR MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP AT SEPANG TEST
Sepang (Malaysia), 11th February 2023
SEPANG MOTOGP OFFICIAL TEST
Fabio Quartararo’s and Franco Morbidelli‘s patience was tested on the second day of the Sepang MotoGP Official Test. The eight-hour session was repeatedly halted by rain both in the morning and the afternoon. Still, the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP teammates put in numerous laps and took 4th and 11th place respectively in today‘s timesheets.
4th FABIO QUARTARARO 1’58.897 / 34 LAPS
11th FRANCO MORBIDELLI 1’59.289 / 44 LAPS
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP‘s Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli were back on track today for a second day of testing at the Sepang International Circuit, but rain showers in the morning and afternoon impeded their schedule. Still, the duo managed to get some laps in and work through a number of different items, taking 4th and 11th place respectively in today‘s rankings.
Quartararo had hoped to get more laps in at the Sepang circuit today, but wet track conditions meant he had to be patient. Once a dry line had formed, the Frenchman was able to go out and test various items, and he ended the day with a good feeling. His best time of 1’58.897s, set on lap 8/34, put him in fourth place in today‘s results, 0.161s from first, and in eighth in the Day 1 + Day 2 timesheets, 0.427s from the top.
After a solid first day of testing, Morbidelli was extra motivated to resume his work. As with his teammate, rain disrupted the testing plans he had scheduled for Day 2, but the Italian still got plenty of laps in. A 1‘59.289s set on lap 8/44 saw him end FP2 in 11th place, 0.553s off today‘s fastest time. His Day-1 time, a 1‘59.118s, was faster though and put him in joint 14th position in the combined results, with a 0.648s margin to first.
FABIO QUARTARARO
I‘m pretty happy. Analysing the data yesterday, I was not riding really well from my side. I tested a lot of things then. Today I was riding in a much better way, and it was a positive test. I‘m happy about what we have tested today. I‘m looking forward to tomorrow; hopefully the weather will be better than today. We haven‘t fully decided about the aero package yet. But we tried something yesterday that we didn‘t really like, and we tried it again today, and it was much better. I’m feeling happy today.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI
Finally, we were also able to ride in the rain with the new engine, and it’s important. With the updated engine, we needed to check how it was behaving on the wet. There are some things to work on that we can adjust, so it was good to have the chance to ride in wet conditions. I personally didn’t have the chance to try the new aero combinations today, because right at the moment that I was going to try it, it started raining. But I will be able to try it tomorrow hopefully.
More, from a press release issued by RNF MotoGP Team:
Oliveira second fastest, Fernandez in P6 on Saturday in Sepang
Rain affected the second day of testing in Malaysia, yet the RNF MotoGP Team duo improved noticeably.
The second day of the official MotoGP testing at the Sepang International Circuit started on a damp track this morning. Some rain showers interrupted proceedings throughout the day, but Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez did not only just set fast dry lap times, but also learned to ride their new Aprilia RS-GP in the wet.
Although time on a dry track was limited due to some drops of rain and some heavier showers towards the end of the day, Oliveira managed to improve on his personal best lap time from day one by 0.891 seconds. Thereby, the Portuguese star moved up to second place in the test standings of the day, just 0.103 seconds behind the fastest rider after doing 52 laps today.
His teammate Fernandez followed Oliveira in stepping up. He went 0.701 seconds faster than on Friday, which was just his second day aboard the Aprilia RS-GP. The young Spaniard did 35 laps during Saturday, clocked the sixth fastest time of the day and missed out on the top by only 0.376 seconds, significantly building on his feeling.
Tomorrow will be the final test day at the Sepang International Circuit, before the entire paddock moves over to Europe for two further days of testing at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, Portugal, in March ahead of the first of 21 rounds of 2023 at the same venue.
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“Today was a good day! It’s true that we didn’t get as much dry time as we wanted. Actually, we wanted to test a couple more things with the bike, but we couldn’t. That was a shame. But we still enjoyed ourselves throughout today. Hopefully, we get the chance to have some more track time in dry conditions tomorrow.”
RAUL FERNANDEZ
“We had a nice plan but because of the weather, we had to change everything. But in general, I am really happy. We worked really hard on the pace, and this is important for me to understand the bike more. We also managed to work in the wet conditions, it’s complicated with the weather but I’m really happy with the result of what we did today. I had a better feeling, a smile on my face and enjoyed the session today. Tomorrow, we will try to do a lot more laps and work more on myself.”
More, from a press release issued by Mooney VR46 Racing:
MARINI CLOSE TO THE TOP UNDER THE RAIN AT SEPANG
In a Day2 characterised by uncertain weather, Luca is among the most competitive in the wet. Bezzecchi also did well, maintaining the provisional P1 with yesterday’s lap time
Sepang (Malaysia), February 11th 2023 – Despite the rain, which hit the circuit area from the early hours of the morning and then in the afternoon, the positive sensations of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team duo continue at the Sepang International Circuit where they are busy in the first tests of the 2023 season. Luca Marini set the seventh best lap time of the day in dry conditions, P14 in the combined standings, while Marco Bezzecchi finished 12th (P1 in the combined with yesterday’s lap time, 1:58.470).
Really comfortable on the Ducati Desmosedici GP in wet conditions and on the track to gain confidence with the new rain compound, Luca – 50 laps completed – set a good 1:59.118, improving by over two tenths compared to Day1.
Marco also did well, leading the group with yesterday’s lap time, with a good 1:59.361 (31 total laps ) and is only six tenths behind the very first guys. Step forward in the wet and overall positive feedbacks on the eve of the final day of testing, tomorrow from 10.00am to 06.15pm local time.
Luca Marini
A day conditioned by the weather: we had planned to test material to improve the performance, but there was not enough time in the dry. The feeling is still good and so is the pace, especially in the wet. I’m happy, even if we weren’t able to make the most of the day. I hope for better weather to be able to use all the tires we have and improve the flying lap. With the rain, we removed all the rubber from the asphalt and tomorrow, if it’s good, the conditions will be more realistic in terms of the race weekend.
Marco Bezzecchi
Despite the crash, we had a good day. I was on the track for a long time with used tires and I also kept a good pace throughout the race. Too bad about the crash, I stayed in the garage for a while because it was important to get back on track with the same bike. In the wet then, I can’t complain, I felt comfortable. Compared to the GP21, I have more support on the rear and this helps me a lot.
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
Rain hits Sepang for Day Two of the Sepang Test
Showers throughout the day saw reduced running on the second day of the MotoGP test in Malaysia, Marc Marquez making the most of dry track time as Joan Mir took the opportunity to find some speed in the wet.
Early morning showers left the Sepang circuit damp when it opened at 10am local time, the majority of the MotoGP field waiting to venture out. After an early lunch, both the Repsol Honda Team riders entered the track to start working through their plan. More rain arrived in the afternoon and ended any chance of dry running in the second half of the day as a persistent drizzle remained.
Adding to his 58 laps from the previous day, Marc Marquez did a further 36 laps aboard various configurations of the RC213V. As the track remained completely wet in the afternoon, Marquez used the opportunity to assess the Honda machines in the wet and continue to gather data in a variety of conditions. Ending the day in 13th, the #93 continued through his and Honda HRC’s testing plan in order to prepare for the coming season.
Despite the weather, Joan Mir continued to make the most of all available track time and completed another 36 laps. A best time of 1’59.631 put the newest Repsol Honda Team rider in 16th place, less than 0.2s behind Marquez on the other Repsol Honda Team machine. The #36 was pleased with the progress he made, able to make a step and continue improving his feeling on the Honda RC213V.
Just a final day of running remains in Malaysia before the Repsol Honda Team return to Japan to continue their preparations for the Portimao Test, March 11 – 12, and the start of the season less than two weeks later at the same venue.
Marc Marquez
13TH 1’59.450
“Unfortunately today we couldn’t ride a lot and we had to change our schedule as a result. We were able to do about 25 laps in the dry and then in the wet we were able to confirm a few points. I am working a lot and I am trying to get a lot of information for Honda and to be as clear as possible with my comments. Since it rained today we will have to move our plan for the second day to tomorrow where we are aiming to make a step with the lap time.”
Joan Mir
16TH 1’59.632
“The rain today was a pity because it meant we had to change our plan completely. We had a lot of things to try but we only got a few laps in the dry. Still we made the most of what we could and got some laps in the rain where the feeling was not so bad. I was able to improve with each lap and each exit which is the really important thing. We were faster than yesterday and I’m feeling more comfortable on the Honda. There’s still a lot of work to do so let’s hope the weather is good tomorrow and focus on what we have to try.”
Jake Gagne (1) leading Danilo Petrucci (9) early in MotoAmerica Superbike Race One at PittRace in 2022. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
Get It While It’s Hot (And Cheaper): MotoAmerica Live+
MotoAmerica’s Live And On-Demand Streaming Service Is $89.99 Until March 1. Just In Time For Daytona 200
IRVINE, CA – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce that MotoAmerica Live+ will again be the place to go for live coverage of the 2023 MotoAmerica Championship.
MotoAmerica Live+ is what you need for live and on-demand streaming of the entire 2023 MotoAmerica Championship – beginning with the Daytona 200 on March 11 – as it provides race fans with the option of watching all the action on the web, Roku, Android, iOS and Apple TV.
And now is the time to get signed up as MotoAmerica is currently offering an “early bird” special pricing of $89.99 until March 1. After March 1, the cost of watching all the action from the championship live will increase from $89.99 to $109.99.
Coverage on MotoAmerica Live+ features six to eight hours of coverage a day of the majority of practice, plus every lap of qualifying and race action live, in addition to exclusive interviews, and other special features from all the MotoAmerica classes, including the premier Medallia Superbike class, Supersport, Yuasa Stock 1000, Junior Cup and REV’IT! Twins Cup.
“MotoAmerica Live+ has proven to be very popular with our fans, especially so as the 2023 season promises so much excitement and is just around the corner,” said MotoAmerica COO Chuck Aksland. “We will start with the Daytona 200 on March 11 and Live+ will be the only place where our fans who can’t make it out to the races can watch it live. Last year’s 200 was thrilling from start to finish with Brandon Paasch winning the race by just .007 of a second and, with Daytona historically producing close finishes, we’re expecting more of the same this year.”
MotoAmerica Live+ gets rolling March 9-11 with the only live coverage of all the MotoAmerica action from Daytona International Speedway, including the 81st running of America’s most historic motorcycle race – the Daytona 200. In addition to the 200, MotoAmerica Live+ subscribers will also get to watch action from the opening rounds of the REV’IT! Twins Cup, Mission King Of The Baggers and Roland Sands’ Super Hooligans National Championship.
For those wanting to purchase MotoAmerica Live+ on a race-to-race basis, individual races can be purchased for $12.99.
MotoAmerica is North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series. Established in 2014, MotoAmerica is home to the AMA Superbike Championship as well as additional classes including Supersport, Stock 1000, Twins Cup, Junior Cup, and King Of The Baggers. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership including three-time 500cc World Champion, two-time AMA Superbike Champion, and AMA Hall of Famer Wayne Rainey; ex-racer and former manager of Team Roberts Chuck Aksland; motorsports marketing executive Terry Karges; and businessman Richard Varner. For more information, please visit www.MotoAmerica.com and follow MotoAmerica on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.
Ron Mass (40) in action on his Yamaha TZ750 back in the day. Photo courtesy Ron Mass Collection.
Former AMA Pro racer Ron Mass, of Milner, Georgia, died of complications of COVID-19 pneumonia January 6, 2023, in a hospice care facility in Georgia. He was 74.
Mass raced in AMA Nationals during the 1970s, including riding Yamaha TZ750s in AMA Formula One races with the likes of Dave Aldana, Steve Baker, Mike Baldwin, Richard Chambers, John Long, King Kenny Roberts, and Gene Romero, often finishing in the top 10.
Along the way, Mass, a U.S. Air Force veteran, graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Aeronautical Science. After racing, he worked as an airline pilot.
He is survived by his stepson Zeke Shohfi.
Ron Mass (40) in action at Daytona in 1979. Photo courtesy Larry Lawrence.
The start of a race at a previous North West 200 race. Photo by Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press International, courtesy Coleraine and District Motor Club Ltd.
Most motorcycle road races in Northern Ireland, both on the public roads and “short circuits,” have been cancelled for 2023 due to rising insurance costs, according to a February 9 report published by the BBC.
Organizers of the North West 200, which is scheduled in May, are saying they are still trying to hold their event this year.
More, from a press release issued by the North West 200 Press Office:
STATEMENT FROM THE ORGANISERS OF THE fonaCAB AND NICHOLL OILS NORTH WEST 200
The crisis the fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils North West 200 and the rest of motorcycle sport in Ireland currently faces is due to a huge increase in the cost of insurance cover for 2023.
The organisers of the North West 200, the Coleraine and District Motor Club, have been working tirelessly to mitigate the pressure created by these extra costs. The club was confident it could manage the initial premium increase but with other events unable to do so, the transfer of extra charges to the North West 200 created an unsustainable financial burden.
Yesterday the sport’s governing body, the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland (UC), announced the cancellation of all motorcycle sporting events in Northern Ireland this year. But the organisers of the NW200 have not given up the fight. We cannot afford to lose an event that has been running for over 90 years and plays such a vital role in the economy of the north coast area.
We have been overwhelmed by the messages and offers of support we have received today and whilst we understand the decision taken by the MCUI (UC), the Coleraine and District Motor club will continue in its efforts to stage the North West 200 on May 7-13.
Plans were already in place to welcome new competitors to the event during an induction day next Tuesday, February 14. Both that event and the Meet the Stars race launch, scheduled for February 15, will go ahead as planned and we will continue to keep everyone informed of our progress.
JD Beach (95) leads Estenson Racing Yamaha teammate Dallas Daniels (32) and Mission Foods/Roof Systems Indian's Brandon Robinson (44) at the Laconia Short Track. Beach won the AFT SuperTwins main event over Daniels, while Jarod Vanderkooi (not pictured), Robinson's teammate, finished third. Photo by John Owens.
Yamaha Returns as Official OEM Partner of Progressive AFT in 2023
Signs on as Title Sponsor of Yamaha Senoia Short Track
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Progressive American Flat track is excited to confirm that Yamaha Motor Corp., USA will continue as an Official OEM Partner of Progressive AFT for the 2023 season.
Yamaha had an extremely strong showing in 2022, scoring race wins and contending for championships up and down the class structure. Most notable was the incredible strides it made in the Mission SuperTwins presented by S&S Cycle category. The Estenson Racing Yamaha’s terrific tandem of Dallas Daniels and JD Beach combined to secure six victories, 15 podiums, and 27 top fives. The duo finished a close third and fourth in the final standings after battling for the crown all season long in what was Yamaha’s greatest Championship showing since the days of Kenny Roberts in the mid-‘70s.
Yamaha was a genuine powerhouse in Progressive AFT’s additional classes as well where it totaled eight victories among its 32 podiums, with seven different riders standing on the box at least once during the ‘22 campaign.
Yamaha is poised to take another step forward in 2023 with Daniels and Beach once again spearheading the bLU cRU’s multi-class title assault.
“We’re excited and looking forward to another year of racing and partnership with Progressive American Flat Track,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha Motorsports marketing manager. “The Estenson Yamaha Racing team is encouraged with the progress and resulting success in 2022, but remains motivated and focused on the goals of claiming the Mission SuperTwins championship and regaining the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles title.”
As part of Yamaha’s impressive commitment to the series, it will also serve as the title sponsor of the Yamaha Senoia Short Track, which will take place on March 25 at Senoia Raceway in Senoia, Georgia, located just down the interstate from Yamaha’s US-based Headquarters in Marietta, Georgia.
“We appreciate Yamaha’s continued support of Progressive American Flat Track,” said Gene Crouch, COO of AMA Pro Racing. “We’re looking forward to playing host for the Atlanta-based employees of Yamaha Motor Corp. USA and providing an exciting evening of flat track racing when the series heads to Senoia Raceway for Round 3 on March 25.”
The 2023 Progressive American Flat Track season will launch with the hugely anticipated return of the DAYTONA Short Track I & II at the Flat Track at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, March 9 and Friday, March 10.
FOX Sports and FansChoice.tv are the official homes for coverage of Progressive American Flat Track. For the 2023 season, all races will premiere in one-hour telecasts on FS1 during highly desirable weekend time slots. The complete schedule can be viewed at https://www.americanflattrack.com/events-foxsports. FansChoice.tv provides livestreaming coverage of every Progressive AFT round at http://www.FansChoice.tv.
About Yamaha Motor Corp., USA
Yamaha Motor Corp., USA (YMUS), is a recognized leader in the Powersports industry. The company’s ever-expanding product offerings include Motorcycles and Scooters, ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles, Snowmobiles, Outboard Motors, WaveRunner Personal Watercraft, Boats, Outdoor Power Equipment, Power Assist Bicycles, Golf Cars, Power Assist Wheelchair Systems, Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Machines, Unmanned Helicopters, Accessories, Apparel, 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 Cypress, California, two corporate offices in Georgia, facilities in Wisconsin and Alabama, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. Further U.S.-based Yamaha companies include Skeeter Boats (Texas), G3 Boats (Missouri), Bennet Marine (Florida), Yamaha Precision Propeller (Indiana), and Kracor, Inc. (Wisconsin).
About Progressive American Flat Track
Progressive American Flat Track is the world’s premier dirt track motorcycle racing series and one of the longest-running championships in the history of motorsports. Sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing in Daytona Beach, Fla., the series is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track motorcycle racing on the globe. For more information on Progressive American Flat Track, please visit us on the web, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, check us out on Instagram and catch all the Progressive American Flat Track racing action on FOX Sports.
This 40-plus-minute documentary, featuring exclusive footage and interviews from key figures inside WorldSBK, takes an in-depth look at the big story of the 2022 season
The meteoric rise. The inexplicable fall. And then, finally, The Return. Alvaro Bautista’s (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) path to the summit of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has made for a compelling tale, told over four scintillating seasons of racing and culminating in the #1 numberplate which he will bear this upcoming 2023 season. The final 12 months of that road mark the starting point for ‘Alvaro Bautista: The Return’, a 40-plus-minute, in-depth look at a landmark year for the 38-year-old and Ducati alike.
The Return tells a story of redemption. Bautista and Ducati, a partnership as fascinating as it was fragile three years earlier, set off together once again with a shared goal: to right the wrongs of the 2019 campaign and return to the top of the WorldSBK Championship.
This is, in Bautista’s own words, not only a return to Ducati, but also a return to being a competitive rider, of finding joy in the sport once again. Proof of this renewed fire can be found from lap one on the Panigale V4R (at a test in Jerez, explained eloquently by crew chief Giulio Nava), and remains evident across the documentary through the many battles with rivals Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK).
Exclusive interviews with all three championship contenders, as well as with several key members of the Ducati Corse and Aruba.it Racing – Ducati family, provide context and answer some of the key questions from the 2022 season. Who first brought up the idea of a reunion? When did Bautista feel the most pressure in 2022? And the question that has hung over their heads since 2019 – what happened?
These quotes and reactions are complemented by behind-the-scenes footage of the Spanish rider and his Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team, at the track and beyond, with much of it unreleased until now. See the different sides of the reigning World Champion: the preparation, the fears, the emotions.
We are BACK and there was plenty to see on Day 1 of the Sepang Test!
Marco Bezzecchi (72). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Friday, 10 February 2023
Day 1 of the Official MotoGP™ Sepang Test is now in the history books! Mooney VR46 Racing Team’s Marco Bezzecchi ended the day on top as the Italian set a 1:58.470 to finish 0.130s ahead of second place Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing). There’s more to pre-season than the timesheets though, and there was plenty to see on Friday up and down pitlane. Here’s a rundown of Day 1 at the office for the class of 2023!
Fabio Quartararo (20) and Marc Marquez (93). Photo courtesy Dorna.
HONDA
There was plenty of interest on Marc Marquez’s (Repsol Honda Team) side of the garage, where the eight-time World Champion had four bikes at his disposal – one that he finished 2022 on, two 2023 bikes that have been seen a few times now, and one with some new, relatively unseen parts on it.
Marc Marquez (93) on his “2023” Honda RC213V. Photo courtesy Dorna.
That bike features the new air intake but also sports the aero wings that seem to be the ones Marquez ran in the second half of 2021. In addition, this particular RC213V has the ground effect lower side fairing and an aluminium swingarm – but it’s not the Kalex one. The number 93 admitted that the bike in question had a bit of a “different character”, but the lap time and performance were similar. Marquez was top Honda by the end of play, ending the day in 12th.
Marc Marquez (93) on a different Honda RC213V. Photo courtesy Dorna.
New stablemate Joan Mir (Repsol Honda Team), meanwhile, had two 2023 Honda machines on his side of the garage and ended the day in P17 – just under half a second from 12th place Marquez – with fellow new HRC rider Alex Rins (LCR Honda Castrol) having a similar setup in his box. The 2022 Valencia GP winner ended the opening day in P18, with Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) in P22. The Japanese rider tested two different chassis and two new engines, with focus on getting a good feeling on the bike again having suffered with his hand injury for the latter months of 2022.
DUCATI
The Borgo Panigale factory topped the timesheets with Bezzecchi as the Italian took over late on, and that’s not a huge surprise given the high level of the GP22 that comes out the box and ready to roll for 2023. The laptime was impressive nevertheless.
The headlines in terms of development at Ducati are concentrated on the new machines and, of course, the Ducati Lenovo Team line-up as Enea Bastianini joins reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia. Bastianini was fastest of the two and third overall, with Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) just five thousandths in arrears in fourth. Bagnaia was fifth, another tenth further back. But what did we see?
Enea Bastianini (23). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Bastianini was on 2022-looking machinery, and so was Bagnaia for much of the day – but the eagle-eyed spotted a small difference. One bike had the ride height device controls on top of the left handlebar and the other one had them on the triple clamp. Later in the day, Bagnaia also headed out on the new aero seen at the Shakedown test.
Francesco Bagnaia (1). Photo courtesy Dorna.
At Pramac, Martin didn’t seem to be testing anything too new, but teammate Johann Zarco was spotted on the new aero. He was P7 at the end of Day 1. Amongst those on 2022 machinery for the season, Bezzecchi stole the headlines despite a crash at Turn 7, but there were some notable laps from Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) in eighth, with new teammate – and Ducati debutant – Alex Marquez only just behind in P9 as he adapts to a whole new machine. Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) was P13.
APRILIA
In the Noale camp, both Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia Racing stablemate Maverick Viñales had three bikes to test on Day 1. Both of the Spaniards had one 2022-spec RS-GP and two 2023-spec RS-GPs, and both were out on the new one from very early on.
As seen at the Shakedown with test rider Lorenzo Savadori, the new RS-GP has an updated aero package, a different tail unit and the exhausts have also had a small update. Moreover, the chassis and swingarm have been slightly updated too, with Team Manager Paolo Bonora admitting to pitlane reporter Simon Crafar that the whole bike is an “evolution”, with plenty of small tweaks from 2022.
After a late time attack, Viñales set a 1:58.600 to finish second on the timesheets having completed 67 laps – the most of anyone – and he was positive about his initial taste of the 2023 RS-GP. Espargaro ended Friday’s action in P6, 0.4s from top spot.
Miguel Oliveira’s (RNF MotoGP™ Team) first morning back on his new RS-GP didn’t go quite as planned after the Portuguese star suffered a small crash in the final sector. Oliveira was unhurt and posted 50 laps to finish P14, with teammate Raul Fernandez continuing his adaptation with 54 laps and a P15 placement.
Aprilia’s Maverick Vinales (12) was second on the time sheets. Photo courtesy Dorna.
YAMAHA
It didn’t take long for Fabio Quartararo to start lapping with the 2023 aero package that we saw Cal Crutchlow testing at the Shakedown. Both the Frenchman and his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ teammate Franco Morbidelli had three bikes in their respective sides of the Iwata factory box as the duo got to work testing Yamaha’s promising new engine.
Both were towards the top of the speed trap charts, further indicating that a solid step has been made in that department. Quartararo was also seen testing a different chassis to his 2022 version, while Yamaha also brought some new downwash ducts to the table on Friday – the first time they’ve tested them.
The 2021 World Champion was upbeat about the top speed gains, but admitted that it still needs work. Understandable with it being the opening day of the test. The throttle connection “is still difficult to judge” and regarding the chassis Quartararo tried, it sounds like that won’t be an update that will be in line to be used in 2023.
Having worked tirelessly during the Shakedown, Crutchlow wasn’t lapping for the opening day and will save his energy for Day 2 and 3, but fellow test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga joined Quartararo and Morbidelli on track. The latter duo completed 117 laps between them, Morbidelli finishing P10 and Quartararo P11.
Fabio Quartararo (20) on his new YZR-M1. Photo courtesy Dorna.
KTM
At Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, it was new arrival Jack Miller who was the lead rider for the Austrian factory on the timesheets and the Australian was also the very first out on track. He ended the day in 16th. Both Miller’s machines were sporting the new aero he tried in Valencia, but that’s not the even newer aero tested by Dani Pedrosa on the third day of the Shakedown.
For Brad Binder, there wasn’t much to see from the outside – suggesting the South African may have been working comparing engine specs – and he was on the aero run throughout 2022 and was 21st.
Jack Miller (43) on his KTM. Photo courtesy Dorna.
GASGAS
Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3) was the top RC16 for a while, shaving half a second off his best lap from the Shakedown and then ending the day in P19. After using the Shakedown to settle in, Fernandez also had the new seat and tail unit. Teammate Pol Espargaro reportedly had one bike with the new chassis spotted in the hands of Binder in the Valencia Test, and he was just behind his new rookie teammate by the end of play.
Pol Espargaro (44) on his GASGAS. Photo courtesy Dorna.
That’s it from Day 1 but there’s more over the weekend! Check out live timing on Saturday and Sunday, and then tune in for our special After the Flag broadcasts from 17:30 local time (GMT +8) on both days. Pitlane reporter Simon Crafar is joined by Jack Gorst in Malaysia, with Louis Suddaby and Neil Morrison anchoring the show in Barcelona as the team run through a host of analysis and insights – as well as plenty of exclusive interviews from riders and key players. See you on Saturday!
More, from a press release issued by Gresini Racing:
TOP NINE RESULT ON OPENING DAY OF OFFICIAL TESTING AT SEPANG
Both Team Gresini MotoGP riders have shone today in the most typical humid heat at Sepang – with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez finishing the opening day of official testing eighth and ninth, respectively.
The two Gresini standard bearers in MotoGP set almost identical lap-times, with Diggia only 0.015secs faster than his new teammate in what was a positive day, despite a few hiccups. A technical problem in the morning took away some track-time from the #73, while the rider #49 was forced to take it easy due to some minor physical issue.
It was an encouraging effort for Team Gresini MotoGP with both their riders only five tenths of a second from the top but also ahead of a few big names of the series.
Fabio Di Giannantonio (49). Photo courtesy Gresini Racing.
8th – FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (1’59.021s – 47 laps)
“It was an incredible feeling to be back on track after such a long winter break. You never really get used to that with MotoGP because the speed is so high. We worked well by focusing on one single area at a time and without overdoinge: it’s clear we have plenty of margin still, but we’re working well. We need to keep working and hoping for good weather in the next couple of days.”
Alex Marquez (73). Photo courtesy Gresini Racing.
9th – ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (1’59.036s – 53 laps)
“It was a positive first day: you always have a little doubt on how it will be to return to action, but things went well. We need to keep working this way because the base is good. We tried very little setup-wise at Valencia, so we’ll start with that tomorrow. We need to improve our pace, but I guess it’s normal with a new bike. Good first day, but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves.”
More, from a press release issued by RNF MotoGP Team:
Oliveira and Fernandez start first day at school with a smile
The RNF MotoGP Team is starting their new Aprilia-adventure with Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez in Malaysia.
Testing is in full swing this week and RNF MotoGP Team’s Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez got the first laps aboard their Aprilia RS-GP machines under their belt at the scorching Sepang International Circuit today. Although a short rain shower interrupted proceedings around lunchtime at the first official day of testing in 2022, both, Oliveira and Fernandez could use track time at their best.
The Portuguese clocked a fastest lap of 1:59.730 after breaking the two minutes mark in the afternoon. In total, Oliveira did 50 laps around the Sepang International Circuit on day one and started to continue his adaption to his new bike and his new team after doing just one day of testing in Valencia last November. He concluded day one in P14.
Likewise, Fernandez got on board his Aprilia RS-GP again following some initial laps in Spain last year. He was working to learn the machine better and better and improved throughout the day. He ended up in P15, just 0.083 seconds behind his experienced new team mate after 54 laps on Friday.
Saturday and Sunday will see the premier class back out at the Sepang International Circuit to further prepare the 2023 season.
Miguel Oliveira (88). Photo courtesy RNF MotoGP Team.
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“I had good feelings. I think after three months, everyone started from zero and it was the same for me too, the first couple of runs I had to discover the bike again. It’s very different but the bike has a lot of potential, I just need to adapt it now to my style. We haven’t touched anything yet on the bike, we started with the base setup, and now we will discover and touch little things so I can feel more comfortable and of course, to go faster. We have two more days and plenty of kilometers to do with the Aprilia and I’m confident.”
Raul Fernandez (25). Photo courtesy RNF MotoGP Team.
RAUL FERNANDEZ
“To be honest, it’s my first time on the RS-GP in Malaysia and it was really difficult especially in the first lap. But I am happy, I felt like at home and with Aprilia’s support, I am really happy to be able to build back confidence with the bike. It’s my job now to train my mindset and build more confidence, to enjoy and believe in myself and my team. Anyway, we have two more days, and I’m happy to continue training on this track and try different settings and work more on myself.”
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Yamaha:
MONSTER ENERGY YAMAHA MOTOGP START 2023 SEPANG TEST
Sepang (Malaysia), 10th February 2023
SEPANG MOTOGP OFFICIAL TEST
The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team got back into action after the long winter break. Today, Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo rode 59 and 58 laps respectively, ending the first day of the Sepang MotoGP Official Test in 10th and 11th place.
10th FRANCO MORBIDELLI 1’59.118 / 59 LAPS
11th FABIO QUARTARARO 1’59.422 / 58 LAPS
Today, Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team‘s Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo were back aboard their YZR-M1s for the first time in 2023 for the official IRTA MotoGP test in Malaysia. The riders got straight to work, assessing updated items. They ended in 10th and 11th place respectively in the Day-1 timesheets.
Morbidelli is greatly motivated for the 2023 season and was keen to go over various updates today. The Italian made the most of the dry conditions. He used the morning session to get back into a solid rhythm after three months of no MotoGP riding. He successfully completed his Day-1 testing plans in the afternoon and gave an extra push in the final hour. He ran 59 laps in total, securing 10th place with a 1‘59.118s, 0.648s from first.
Eager to be back aboard his YZR-M1 again after the winter break, Quartararo went straight to work to start his 2023 campaign. He spent the morning stint getting back into the swing of things trying various tyre options. He moved on to cross off the items on his programme in the afternoon, evaluating the new updates. He rode 58 laps over the course of eight hours of high-temperature testing and set a best lap of 1‘59.422s to take 11th place, 0.952s from the top.
Franco Morbidelli (21). Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha.
FRANCO MORBIDELLI
It was a busy day. Yamaha brought a lot of things to try, and this is positive. The team has begun the year with a great attitude: quite aggressive. They really are giving their maximum to step up our package, and I’m really pleased to see that. We have a lot of work to do and ahead of us, but if we keep going with this mindset, we can make it happen.
Fabio Quartararo (20). Photo courtesy Monster Energy Yamaha.
FABIO QUARTARARO
It was a tough day, especially in the morning, because we used a few tyres that I didn‘t really like, especially the soft front. But we tried a lot of things today. Some were positive: especially the top speed improved. There are still many things to test, and we have two more days. Tomorrow we will use the tyres in a better way, and let‘s see what we can do. For the first day, it wasn‘t too bad. Tomorrow we will work more on aerodynamics, and I think it will be intense.
More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3:
Espargaro Kicks Off 2023 Campaign in Sepang Test, Fernandez Continues MotoGP™ Adaptation
The 2023 MotoGP™ campaign was officially launched in Malaysia on Friday as rookie Augusto Fernandez was joined by his teammate Pol Espargaro and the rest of the class for the first official test of the season, held in Sepang. Whilst Moto2™ World Champion was back on track for another three days after his Sepang Shakedown programme, it was the first school day for new GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 rider Pol Espargaro. The alarm for 2023 rang over the paddock at 10:00 local time (GMT+8), and both Spanish riders did not take long to set off for the day.
After riding on his own during the three days of Sepang Shakedown, rookie Augusto Fernandez enjoyed sharing the track with experienced riders today, admitting that he was already able to learn a lot from them through observation. He quickly improved his lap time to 2’00.027, 0.455 seconds faster than his best lap of the Sepang Shakedown. Starting to feel confident enough to give an extra push, the awaited first crash happened, without any damage on both the rider and the bike. The work continued thoroughly, and after fifty-eight laps, the GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 rider finished the day in nineteenth, his lap in 2’00.027 being his fastest of day 1.
Within the first hour, Pol Espargaro had already completed eleven laps with a fastest lap in 2’00.874. The aim of the day was to re-adapt to his new GASGAS RC16 after almost three months without riding it. Besides that, he had different settings to test in the afternoon. As track temperature was getting hotter, he gained a few seconds to make it to 2’00.154 at lap 14. Later on, a crash without gravity saw him lose the front, calling it out for lunch break. The action resumed later on after the heat peak had gone, and Pol Espargaro completed the first day of the Sepang Test in twentieth with a fastest lap in 2’00.078 reached just before the end of the day. Adaptation and learnings will continue tomorrow for both Espargaro and Fernandez, as day 2 of the Sepang Test awaits them both on Saturday, at 10:00 local time (GMT+8).
Augusto Fernandez (37). Photo courtesy GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3.
Augusto Fernandez Position: 19th Time: 2’00.027 Laps: 58
“Riding on my own at the Sepang Shakedown was very useful to get used to the MotoGP bike and build a base, but I have to admit that it is nice to be joined by the rest of the MotoGP class. I was able to observe them, their trajectories, follow them, and I made interesting discoveries. It was a very positive day, and I look forward to tomorrow.”
Pol Espargaro (44). Photo courtesy GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3.
Pol Espargaro Position: 20th Time: 2’00.078 Laps: 58
“It was a busy day today because we have a lot planned for the Sepang Test. In addition, I have to adapt to the way of working of the Pierer Mobility Group because it is very different from the past. A lot of new engineers relying much more on analytics and numbers have come along, and I will need to get used to these changes. Regarding the bike itself, in Valencia, we had one new bike and an old one, mainly because I wanted the old one to just ride without thinking too much. Here, we have two new and completely different bikes. The engine character and the chassis have changed, and additionally we tested some aero parts, but we have not completely figured out which ones we will use. We have two more crucial days of testing to do, so let’s focus on that.”
More, from a press release issued by Mooney VR46 Racing:
MARCO BEZZECCHI THE FASTEST AT SEPANG TEST
The rider of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team opens 2023 with the best lap time of the day at the test in Malaysia. In the slip stream of the fastest guys also Luca Marini, 13th
Sepang (Malaysia), February 10th 2023 – Marco Bezzecchi opens the 2023 season in the best possible way at the MotoGP test at the Sepang International Circuit: a busy day to take the measurements of the Ducati Desmosedici GP and the absolute best lap time at the end of the sessions for the rider of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team. Good sensations also for Luca Marini, 13th in the combined of the Day1.
Extremely fast from the first out in the morning, Marco makes another step forward in the afternoon with an impressive 1’58.470, a time recorded just before the checkered flag (lap 54 of 55) and which is means the provisional P1.
Fifty laps and various tests also for Luca to get back on track after the long winter. He closes with a best of 1’59.469 and with still two days of work at disposal in front of him.
Luca Marini (10). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Luca Marini 10
A good first day of testing: I immediately found the feeling of Valencia and I was fast. We don’t have much to try here and we preferred to concentrate all of the work on today. Tomorrow and Sunday there will be a way to take care of race simulations and sprint races. Last year I was practically unable to race here, I retired immediately after the start and I have to make the most of this test to understand the drop of the rear tire. I also did some tests on the electronics and a new throttle control that I’m very happy with. Since I’ve been in MotoGP, I still haven’t found a device that’s comfortable for me, while I really like this one. The level is very high, today we have already run below 1.59 and there are over 15 riders, all competitive.
Marco Bezzecchi (72). Photo courtesy Dorna.
Marco Bezzecchi 72
I like the bike a lot, but it’s nothing new: the sensations were already good in Valencia. I’m happy, we started well, but it’s only the first day. The bike has many strong points, like the old one after all, but there are some steps in the details such as entering into the corners and braking. On the flying lap, I immediately felt at ease while we have to work hard on the race pace. We have not enough tires, I’ve always ridden whit the M, which isn’t the best choice here, and when I put on the soft, everything went right.
More, from a press release issued by Repsol Honda:
2023 begins in Sepang for the Repsol Honda Team
Marc Marquez and Joan Mir were reunited with their respective Repsol Honda Team RC213Vs as the first of three days of testing at the Sepang International Circuit commenced a new year of competition.
A busy day of testing started the 2023 season in earnest for the Repsol Honda Team, entering their 29th year of competition in the premier class. Classic Sepang conditions were waiting for the Repsol Honda Team as the long break over Winter officially ended. Temperatures in the high 20s persisted throughout the day despite brief spots of rain around lunchtime.
Marc Marquez continued the work started in Valencia as he spent his day riding a number of different configurations for the Honda RC213V. The day started aboard the 2022 Honda RC213V for a handful of laps as Marquez set himself a benchmark as he got back up to MotoGP speed after a winter of training. Feeling physically fit, the Repsol Honda Team rider worked from track open to track close to assess various options for Honda HRC. Completing a total of 58 laps, the #93 set the 12th fastest time of the opening day. The situation at the end of the Portimao Test remains Marquez’s main focus.
Riding the factory Honda machine for just the first time since the brief Valencia Test, Joan Mir’s primary objective was to confirm the feelings he had in Spain before beginning to work on his testing plan. Improving his speed throughout the day, Mir completed 53 laps of the 5.5-kilometre-long Sepang International Circuit before ending the day with a handful of practice starts. A 1’59.832 saw the #36 under the 2’00 barrier on his first day riding the Honda RC213V at Sepang, a solid foundation to build off over the coming days.
Action continues for the second day of testing in Malaysia, both Marquez and Mir aiming to continue preparations for the start of the respective 2023 campaigns.
Marc Marquez (93). Photo courtesy Repsol Honda.
Marc Marquez
12TH 1’59.424
“It was a really busy day, trying a lot of different things like you normally do in the pre-season. We started first on the 2022 bike just to confirm the feeling and then we jumped straight to the new bikes. We tried a few bikes and some different setups for them, getting a lot of interesting information and data from it which now the engineers and technicians need to analyse. We will see what the situation is at the end of the pre-season, it has just been a single day so it is very early to understand anything. We’re trying different things right now and working hard, it is what testing is for.”
Joan Mir (36). Photo courtesy Repsol Honda.
Joan Mir
17TH 1’59.832
“For sure it was a demanding day, we did a lot of laps and we tried many things. We haven’t made a huge step compared to Valencia, but we are taking some steps. The goal is to improve each day and close the gap to the top riders. I am still adapting to the bike, but I think it is going well so far. There’s a lot of information to process at the moment, from the technical side and in regards to my riding. Everything is moving and developing on all sides, we have to be satisfied with this first step but we need to keep going.”
Barnett Tool & Engineering's 43,000-square-foot headquarters in Ventura, California. Photo by David Swarts.
The All New BarnettClutches.com
Barnett Clutches and Cables, manufacturers of top-quality American-made motorcycle and ATV clutches and cables since 1948, is pleased to announce the launch of an all-new website. On the site you will find product information and applications for virtually the entire line of Barnett products. Clutch kits, baskets, pressure plates, covers, cables and more- they’re all there. Whether you need a clutch or cable for a classic vintage machine of the past or for modern machinery- street or off-road, you can find the information and applications you are looking for on the Barnett website. Check it out at www.barnettclutches.com.
A screen shot from the all-new Barnett Clutches and Cables website. Image courtesy Barnett Clutches and Cables.
A “press release” is promotional text issued by a rider, team, company or organization to inform
the public about an event, product, or service from the issuer’s own point of view, and if deemed
to have news value, may be placed on roadracingworld.com as a service to our readers.
A press release is not an article written by Roadracingworld.com staffers. When a post is labeled with the words “press release”, it means that Roadracingworld.com is not responsible for its content and that Roadracingworld.com makes no guarantee that it is accurate. Not all press releases are posted and Roadracingworld.com may reject press releases if the content is too heavy on commercial promotion with little or no news value or if the press release contains obvious errors.
Accessibility
Accessibility modes
Epilepsy Safe Mode
Dampens color and removes blinks
This mode enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode
Improves website's visuals
This mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode
Helps to focus on specific content
This mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode
Reduces distractions and improve focus
This mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
This mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Online Dictionary
Readable Experience
Content Scaling
Default
Text Magnifier
Readable Font
Dyslexia Friendly
Highlight Titles
Highlight Links
Font Sizing
Default
Line Height
Default
Letter Spacing
Default
Left Aligned
Center Aligned
Right Aligned
Visually Pleasing Experience
Dark Contrast
Light Contrast
Monochrome
High Contrast
High Saturation
Low Saturation
Adjust Text Colors
Adjust Title Colors
Adjust Background Colors
Easy Orientation
Mute Sounds
Hide Images
Hide Emoji
Reading Guide
Stop Animations
Reading Mask
Highlight Hover
Highlight Focus
Big Dark Cursor
Big Light Cursor
Cognitive Reading
Virtual Keyboard
Navigation Keys
Voice Navigation
Accessibility Statement
www.roadracingworld.com
November 14, 2026
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience,
regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level.
These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible
to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific
disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML,
adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with
screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive
a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements,
alongside console screenshots of code examples:
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website.
In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels;
descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups),
and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag
for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology.
To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on
as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to
