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MotoGP: Riders Say Start, First Laps Will Be Very Important At Mugello
“The first laps will be very, very important”: fighting talk at Mugello
Quartararo, Aleix Espargaro, Bastianini, Miller and Bagnaia sit down for the Pre-Event Press Conference in Italy
Thursday, 26 May 2022
The Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley is nigh and the pre-event Press Conference at Mugello saw Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) joined by second on points Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) fresh from a contract renewal, Le Mans winner and home hero Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller and teammate Francesco Bagnaia to talk about the weekend ahead.
QUOTES
What would represent a good result from Mugello and Catalunya?
Fabio Quartararo: “It’s difficult to say because it’s not bad tracks for us but if we are in bad positions then it will be bad, I would say if we get a great start and great first lap it can change our race, the qualifying and first lap. Let’s see how it goes but I think the next two will be tough.”
What is it that you can make up with your style and what are the strong points of the Yamaha at this track that help you be strong?
FQ20: “I hope I will have more or less the same km difference than last year because we know the other manufacturers have improved a lot. I think Sector 2 and 3 are one of our strong points, our bike is really strong there and I feel good in these corners, putting yourself to the limit is a good help.”
With this being Aprilia’s home Grand Prix and the next being yours, is this your most important week of the season so far?
Aleix Espargaro: “Yes, which means more pressure, but it’s okay. It’s two very important races for us. Mugello is very important for Aprilia, I’m very happy to ride in Italy in this way, with good results. We are actually leading the teams’ championship for the first time in Italy for Aprilia, so it’s fantastic and next week it will, be my home GP. It’s two very important races, but it’s 50 points, no more than Germany and Assen, for example, so I am trying to work in the same way as the previous weekends. I have the same feeling that Fabio does, that the first laps of the race will be very, very important, especially against the fast Ducatis here at Mugello with the long straight. So, trying to be focused from the first lap tomorrow morning will be very, very important.”
Do you have new parts on the bike from the Jerez test, and how do you hope they will improve the RS-GP?
AE41: “Yeah, we have a couple of new things. We have a new engine for this weekend, we also have quite big aerodynamic things. I think I will not be the first one to test it tomorrow, maybe it will be Sava on the test team. But, it looks promising and I will try it tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully, it can give us some tenths to fight for the top.”
How special will it be if you get that fourth victory this weekend?
Enea Bastianini: “Mugello is always special. This year again with a lot of fans is amazing for everybody and we will see how it is. We made a really good race in Le Mans but here is another story. We need to stay concentrated in the Free Practices, many riders are fast – Fabio and Pecco here – and Aleix is also very consistent this year. It will be really hard but I’m prepared and ready for this Grand Prix.”
You’ve never had a podium at Mugello, do you think this weekend is the best chance of the first podium?
EB33: “We will try to be on the podium at my home Grand Prix. I’ve tried a lot but it’s not easy, we will see if we can do this but also to stay in the top five is a good result. We will see tomorrow.”
Do you think this is your best opportunity to put a Ducati on the podium at Mugello?
Jack Miller: “I’d like to think so. It’s kind of a love-hate relationship here. At least I finished the race here last year, so that’s nice, but not where we wanted to be. But we’ve been strong ever since Argentina, we’ve been there fighting for the podium every week, so we’re in good form. I feel like we’re at a really solid place with the bike and I feel like the improvements that we’ve made from the 21 to the 22 should really benefit us here in Mugello with a lot of fast changes of direction, a lot of fast corners. So, I’m excited for what the weekend holds, and having the fans back here should be really good.”
Do you think your top speed record might go this weekend?
JM43: “I’d like to hope not. The jumps are already pretty scary, so we don’t need to be doing 365 over that thing, I don’t think. But, you never know, the bikes are getting faster and faster every year, that wall on the inside of Turn 1’s getting closer and closer every year, so it’s a possibility, but we have to wait and see. We talk about the Ducati speed and all that but it’s been equalled by KTM, so we’re not the only ones out there.
How much are you looking forward to putting France behind you here?
Francesco Bagnaia: “Yeah it’s normal sometimes you can make mistakes and my one was a bit too big, but it’s ok. I had time at home to learn from that and I think the best place to re-join is Mugello. I’m really looking forward to riding tomorrow, last year was good to me, everything went well apart from the race, but Sunday was one of the worst days we had during the season. Let’s think from the Championship and try to enjoy tomorrow.”
How was it riding with the fans to Mugello?
FB63: “It was good but the only thing was we were too slow, we had three hours to arrive here in Mugello but it was good. It was the first time I did the Futa Pass and I enjoyed it.”
MotoGP: Prima Is New Title Sponsor Of Pramac Racing Team
PRIMA ASSICURAZIONI AND PRAMAC RACING TOGETHER TOWARDS NEW GOALS: PRIMA PRAMAC RACING THE NEW NAME OF THE MOTOGP® TEAM
Prima Assicurazioni – the leading tech company in the Italian insurance market – is the new Title Sponsor of the MotoGP® Pramac Racing Team.
The three-year partnership between the two companies foresees the evolution of the team name in Prima Pramac Racing, in addition to the new liveries for the two Ducati Desmosedici, the logo and the purple and white colors of Prima placed on the suits of the riders Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin.
A new synergy between two players who make of teamwork one of the founding values of their success, investing in the key role of technology, and who have strong international ambitions.
****
Pramac Racing and Prima Assicurazioni announce a three-year collaboration for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 MotoGP championships.
Prima – tech company that has revolutionized the insurance industry thanks to the digital – will be the new Title Sponsor of Pramac Racing.
Prima Assicurazioni is a leading player in the Italian insurance sector, with over 2 million customers and a strong positioning in the motorcycle segment, with almost one in ten motorcycles in Italy insured with Prima. Thanks to its technological DNA, Prima operates as an insurance agency able to simplify access to car, motorcycle, van, home, family, and accident insurance policies, with an omnichannel distribution strategy that integrates the online with a network of brokers and agents.
A new synergy is born between two players used to putting teamwork at the center of their success, investing in the key role of technology in their strategies, and having strong international ambitions.
The expectations for this season of MotoGP World Championship are high, after an incredible 2021 season for the Pramac Racing team which earned the title of Best Independent Team, Best Independent Rider and Rookie of the Year.
Pramac Racing, team of PRAMAC – a global leader in the production of generators and equipment for handling logistics – will take the name of Prima Pramac Racing for the next three seasons of MotoGP, with a new livery for the two Ducati Desmosedici bikes, starting an exciting long-term project with Prima Assicurazioni.
Pramac Racing has become a main character in the MotoGP World Championship over the years: first of all, for its sport merits that have led the team to be one of the main teams of MotoGP; secondly, for the quality and chemestry present in the team; Finally, for its consistency and continuous presence in the MotoGP World Championship.
George Ottathycal, CEO of Prima Assicurazioni: “Today begins an important partnership between two players used to putting technology, talent and teamwork at the core of their success. The entry into the MotoGP will help us strengthen our brand positioning in the motorcycle segment, in which we already have a share of almost 10% insured vehicles, and it will support our strategy of international expansion. We believe that the path of collaboration undertaken will be full of moments of dialogue between the two companies, and we will have the opportunity to learn something from each other, finding new ideas for development and growth”.
Paolo Campinoti, CEO of PRAMAC: “Today starts a new chapter in Pramac Racing history, I am proud to announce here at the Mugello Grand Prix the beginning of an important collaboration between Pramac Racing and Prima Assicurazioni. Today, Pramac Racing colors change to bring purple into our history for the first time. Prima Pramac Racing will be the name of our team for the next three years, hoping that this can only be the beginning of a great and exciting adventure, we are sure that together we will be very satisfied. I thank George Ottathycal for believing in this great project together with us”.
Pramac Racing
Pramac made his motorcycle racing debut in 2002 with his own MotoGP® team. In 2005, Pramac Racing began its long and profitable collaboration with Ducati.
The Pramac Racing team, always ready to face new challenges and compete with a competitive spirit, has achieved very significant results over time, among which stands out in 2018 the title of “Best Independent Team”. The 2020 MotoGP season saw Pramac team riders present at the starting blocks with the official Ducati Desmosedici GP20 bikes, but the 2021 season was the richest of prizes:
Pramac Racing Team, 2021 Best Independent MotoGP® Team
Johann Zarco, 2021 Best Independent MotoGP® Rider
Jorge Martin, 2021 Rookie of the Year
Ducati with Pramac Racing Team,2021 Constructor Champions
The 2021 MotoGP Championship was therefore a successful year, ending with 8 podiums total for Pramac Racing (1 win, 5 second places and 2 third places), and 5 pole positions (1 for Zarco and 4 for Jorge Martin).
Prima Assicurazioni
Prima Assicurazioni is the tech company, since 2015, which operates as an insurance agency specializing in car, motorcycle, van, home, family and accident insurance. Prima is the company that has revolutionized the relationship between customer and insurance thanks to the digital and then brought this technological revolution even between agents and brokers, finally making run a sector traditionally not very dynamic as the insurance one.
Canadian Superbike: Aprilia RSV4 Homologated For 2022
Aprilia Confirmed for CSBK 2022
Toronto, ON – Aprilia’s famed RSV4 lineup of Italian-built Superbikes are now approved for Canadian National road racing competition in both the Pro Superbike feature category and the Amateur Superbike division of the CSBK tour.
Marco d’Acunzo, President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas, confirmed the homologation of the potent V4 powered street machines, available at dealers across Canada along with the full range of Aprilia sports machinery.
“Aprilia’s first home is the racetrack. It is where the spirit of the brand lives, and with Aprilia, where countless champions first proved themselves on an international stage. This is another step for Aprilia, to bring our championship winning machines to the Canadian racing series, and competition venues across the country,” confirms d’Acunzo, “We look forward to meeting both racers, and fans of Aprilia at CSBK rounds, and further developing our partnership with the series.”
Current Aprilia models confirmed for CSBK action are the RSV4 and the RSV4 factory, the later coming as standard with forged aluminum wheels, Ohlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension and Brembo Stylema brake calipers. These advanced Aprilia machines also feature MotoGP style aerodynamics, including integrated winglets in the fairing.
Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro currently holds second overall in the MotoGP World Championship points standings, the Spanish rider earning one win and four podiums thus far aboard the factory entry.
In World Superbike, the RSV4 Aprilia has earned the World Championship three times, the first two courtesy of Max Biaggi (2010, 2012) and most recently with popular French racer Sylvain Guintoli in 2014.
In Canadian National Superbike action, popular veteran Frank Trombino of Uxbridge, ON, scored Aprilia’s first and thus far only win at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, the famous “old Mosport” near Toronto, ON, aboard an RSV4 in 2014.
Two years later, Italian world moto star Claudio Corti brought his MotoAmerica National series team to CTMP for the final round of the Canadian National series, where his Aprilia battled for the win in both events, eventually earning a pair of second-place finishes after two of the best races in the history of the now 43-year-old Canadian Superbike tour.
This year’s CSBK National series opens with the first round at Grand Bend Motorplex, on Lake Huron, Ontario, June 9-12. In total, there will be nine Pro Superbike Feature events in 2022, all telecast on TSN, The Sports Network.
MotoAmerica: Suzuki Continuing As Official Manufacturer Partner
Suzuki Gridding Up Again As Official Manufacturer Partner Of MotoAmerica For 2022
The Winningest Manufacturer In AMA Superbike Shooting For More Racing Success With MotoAmerica In 2022
IRVINE, CA – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce that Suzuki Motor USA, LLC is continuing as an official manufacturer partner for the 2022 MotoAmerica Championship.
Suzuki, with its iconic GSX-R lineup, has a long history of success in AMA Superbike racing and is the all-time leader in Superbike victories with 216 – 52 more than its nearest competitor. Those victories have carried through to the MotoAmerica era with Suzuki winning 44 MotoAmerica Superbike races and the 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.
Road racing success for the Brea, California-based company has not been limited to Superbike racing as the brand also has 32 MotoAmerica Supersport victories that have led to two of the past three class championships for the Suzuki GSX-R600. Suzuki also has three class championship in the four-year history of the MotoAmerica Twins Cup series with its timeless and popular SV650.
Through its race team, Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki, the company currently fields Jake Lewis and Richie Escalante on GSX-R1000s in the 2022 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike series and Sam Lochoff, Tyler Scott, and Liam Grant aboard GSX-R750s in the MotoAmerica Supersport series.
“Since the first GSX-R750 in 1985, Suzuki GSX-R sportbikes have provided the foundation on which production-based road racing is built around the world,” said Kerry Graeber, Vice President, Division Manager, Motorcycle & ATV Sales & Marketing. “Racing showcases the GSX-R brand and Suzuki is pleased to sponsor MotoAmerica and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the series.”
“Suzuki has been with MotoAmerica since we started in 2015 and it’s great that they are with us again for 2022,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “I raced against Suzuki for decades and I know how competitive they were and how badly they wanted to win. Now, as the president of MotoAmerica, I view things from another angle and I see that Suzuki has not changed and, above all, they still want to win. We appreciate the importance Suzuki places upon the MotoAmerica series and we look forward to their continued success in the current and future seasons.”
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes 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 on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
MotoGP: Aprilia Confirms Espargaro, Vinales For Two More Years
APRILIA RACING CONFIRMS THEIR FACTORY RIDERS FOR THE 2023/2024 TWO-YEAR PERIOD
ALEIX ESPARGARÓ AND MAVERICK VIÑALES WILL BE ON THE FACTORY RS-GP MACHINES FOR THE NEXT TWO-YEAR PERIOD
ALEIX: “WE ARE GOING THROUGH A GREAT TIME, WE ARE A CONCRETE REALITY AND NOW I WANT TO KEEP GROWING WITH APRILIA”
MAVERICK: “CONFIRMATION FOR THE NEXT TWO-YEAR PERIOD, BEING PART OF THE PROJECT, GIVES ME THE PEACE OF MIND TO SET GREAT GOALS FOR MYSELF”
MASSIMO RIVOLA: “WE ARE PROVIDING CONTINUITY TO A PROJECT THAT HAS JUST BEGUN TO REVEAL ITS POTENTIAL”
Under the sign of continuity, Aprilia Racing confirms their riders. Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales will be astride the factory RS-GP machines in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
With more than one-third of the races in the current season already done and dusted, Aleix Espargaró and his Aprilia are two top protagonists in the championship. With one win and three consecutive podiums, Aleix is reaping the fruits of a combination which is also based on the reciprocal and profound harmony with his team. In this situation, the synergy between bike and rider is one of the key factors for success.
Confirmation is based on this line of thinking for both the winner of the Argentinian GP and Maverick, who now has the same goals of increasingly closer integration with the Factory bike from Veneto.
Aleix Espargaró
“This confirmation was just what the doctor ordered. We’ve worked hard together and grown together. We were a hope, now we are reality. In 2021 we had already seen clear signs of our steps forward and now we are able to battle consistently with the best in the world. Continuing to do so with Aprilia is a source of pride for me. We can grow even more and we want to demonstrate that on the track.”
Maverick Viñales
“I’m extremely happy to continue my work with Aprilia Racing. Now our horizons are expanding and we’ll be able to work with continuity to achieve ambitious goals. I believe in this project and I’m happy to be part of it. I’ve found a fantastic environment in Aprilia and this confirmation gives me the peace of mind to grow the way this team and I deserve to.”
Massimo Rivola
“All the good we are doing this season is the fruit of many components, certainly the value of our designers and our technicians led by Romano Albesiano, the overall growth of our racing department and, in large part, the synergy that our Captain Aleix has skilfully built with the bike and with the team. So, we set the goal of continuing along these lines, both with Aleix and with Maverick, and I am pleased with these confirmations today. We still need to grow a lot and now we have the peace of mind to do so.”
MotoAmerica: Riders Don’t Back Petrucci’s Complaints
Shortly after Danilo Petrucci crashed at the end of MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Race Two May 22 at VIRginia International Raceway, he posted on his social media feed about his experience and his displeasure with how MotoAmerica handled the situation.
Journalists from Europe, who were not at the track and some who clearly didn’t even watch a video replay of the incident, took Petrucci’s account as absolute fact and without getting information from any other sources wrote articles that painted MotoAmerica’s safety standards and the series as a whole in a negative light.
Unfortunately, Petrucci’s account of events is not exactly accurate and could arguably be called exaggerated.
Petrucci claimed he “hit three sponsor signs with my body,” when in fact he slid through one sponsor sign made of lightweight material because it is intended to be placed near the track without being a hazard to riders.
Petrucci claimed he was a lying down for “over two minutes with no assistance,” but video from the live race broadcast filmed him walking around and not showing any signs of distress 56 seconds after he took the checkered flag. MotoAmerica officials said they saw Petrucci with direct line of sight sitting up within 30 seconds of him crossing the finish line.
Within three minutes of crashing Petrucci was in the medical center at VIR receiving care from a well-staffed and trauma-trained medical team, and afterward Petrucci’s injuries did not even warrant him being transported to a hospital in an ambulance. Instead, he flew home to Italy to see doctors there.
But after spending the last 10 years racing in the MotoGP World Championship, where the tracks are staffed by hundreds of cornerworkers; several physicians, nurses, and physical therapists; with medi-vac helicopters always on standby, Petrucci was apparently angry about the level of care he received. And instead of talking about it with officials, the Italian decided to vent on social media, which led to MotoAmerica being portrayed poorly in the International media and the eyes of fans.
Petrucci has yet to respond to requests from Roadracingworld.com seeking to speak to him, but other MotoAmerica racers, past and present, with International racing experience say they are comfortable with the level of safety at MotoAmerica events and that they take exception to Petrucci’s comments before and after VIR.
“I think it’s [safety in MotoAmerica] been awesome,” said defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne, who raced in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, the Moto2 World Championship, the British Supersport Championship, and in a full season of the FIM Superbike World Championship. “I don’t know exactly what happened in the incident on Sunday. I guess [Petrucci] was upset that nobody was there to care for him right away. They didn’t really show it on TV, so I don’t really know what happened. But in all of my years in MotoAmerica and after my year in World Superbike, MotoAmerica has really been on it in terms of safety.
“That’s a really weird place to crash. At VIR, there’s no wall out there with cornerworkers and paramedics waiting to jump over the wall. I’m not really sure what he’s complaining about. When they showed him on camera he was walking away and getting ready to walk across the track. Is he mad that they didn’t come pick him up or something?”
Asked about the negative coverage MotoAmerica has received following Petrucci’s comments, Gagne said, “That’s the unfortunate part. I haven’t talked to him since COTA, but all I’ve heard from him since then is him bagging on everyone at MotoAmerica for different reasons, not just this weekend.”
“It’s a really difficult situation,” said Josh Hayes, who in addition to winning Supersport Race One at VIR this past weekend has won 83 other MotoAmerica/AMA Pro races, four AMA Superbike Championships, and has raced in the FIM MotoGP, Supersport, and Endurance World Championships. “I’ve been such a fan of Petrucci and I’m really disappointed for him to come here and just be sh*tting on us in the first three races.
“He doubles at the first one and MotoAmerica’s great. He does good at the next one, but it doesn’t go entirely the way he wants [and] we’re sh*t. He gets to the next track (VIR), he rides good, it doesn’t go the way he wants, and we’re sh*t again. Who isn’t bummed by all of that?
“The racetrack situation isn’t a very easy one to answer. I remember watching Neil Hodgson run off at the checkered flag at that spot, him riding it out, and how far he went out there in the grass. And not being able to turn a road bike in the grass, if you put a corner station out there you just might kill somebody.
“The fact is the cornerworkers have to be on the inside of the track. It’s the only safe place for them to go. So, no matter what, there were still motorcycles [on] the racetrack in front of the cornerworkers. It’s not easy for them to get there. When the last person takes the checkered flag and clears they can get to him as fast as they can run to him. It’s just the location and the way the track is laid out.
“So, I understand coming from the speed he was and the time dilation. And he’s Italian, so he’s dramatic. I do think it’s a bit hot-headed and unfair in one way, but I’m understanding of his plight in the same breath.
“I don’t know if he’s ever raced outside of GP, so I’m not sure he understands the [different] standards. I would imagine there are a few places in BSB and the French Championship and every domestic Championship in this world where you would have similar issues.”
“For me I think MotoGP is a very different Championship,” said Hector Barbera, who spent 17 seasons racing in the World Championship and also raced in the British Superbike Championship. “It’s impossible to compare to the Spanish Championships or the British or to MotoAmerica because [MotoGP] is racing at the most safe tracks around the world. And every year they are working to make the tracks more safe. This is different.
“If I rate the Championships from one to 10, MotoGP is maybe 10 and [MotoAmerica] is about seven. It’s not bad. Sure, in some place can you move some bad place in the corners and make it less dangerous. But even in the Spanish Championships the tracks are not only Barcelona and Jerez and Valencia. We also have Albacete. Albacete is more dangerous. We have Almeria, is more dangerous. Monte Blanco is more dangerous.
“In British Superbike it is dangerous. You ride Superbikes with no electronics and many times with wet conditions. The bikes and the tires are similar, but that Championship is hard. The tracks are small tracks and sometimes the bikes fly (laughs).
“For me, I know when I come ride here the tracks are special tracks. Some tracks are bigger and have more safety, and some tracks are small ones and you need to ride with more attention. But this is a Championship that is nice.”
“Obviously, safety has gotten a lot better since MotoAmerica’s taken over in a lot of different aspects,” said Roger Hayden, a former MotoAmerica Superbike race winner and AMA Pro Supersport Champion who has raced in the MotoGP and Superbike World Championships. Hayden currently works for MotoAmerica as a commentator on the MotoAmericaLive+ streaming service. “If you remember back to the way it used to be, one time it was pouring rain in a Superbike race at Road America and we were on slicks. There’s no way in the world MotoAmerica would let that happen. They’ve actually held up races because rain was coming in.
“One thing is we don’t have a ton of tracks built for [motorcycle] racing, and I think that is the difference from the European tracks. They are built with motorcycles in mind. Most of the tracks we go to are built for cars. So, either we race there or we don’t have a series.
“I’m not saying they’re all dangerous either, and there’s been plenty of guys who came over from other International series and they didn’t complain. The tracks in America are definitely different. They’re a little bit smaller and tighter, and it makes it look a little bit worse than it is the first time you go out there. Could some things improve? I’m sure it could, but it improves every year.
“I don’t think MotoAmerica ever said they were perfect. They try to improve every year, and they listen. And that’s another big difference from MotoAmerica and who ran it before. When you had concerns before there was nobody to go talk to. You couldn’t talk to nobody. Now, when you have a problem, even when I was racing, I could go find Wayne [Rainey, MotoAmerica President] or Chuck [Aksland, MotoAmerica COO] or Richard [Varner, MotoAmerica CFO] and they would listen, and you would get an answer. And that’s all you can ask for.
“It’s come a long way, not only in track safety but now we have a medical team that comes to all the races. We have a series doctor who knows the riders’ histories. And I think that’s something we’ve never had before, and it’s really big.
“I see a lot of people talking bad about MotoAmerica right now and I wish I could just take them back and have them live through 2013 and 2014. You think it’s bad now? You should have raced then when you didn’t even know if there would be a series the next year. One year we only had six races. So, it’s come a long, long way in a short amount of time.”
AFM: Lee Wins Formula Pacific Race At Thunderhill
The American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM) held its third round of the 2022 season in rather blustery conditions May 21-22 at Thunderhill Raceway Park. With winds gusting up to 20mph it was a challenge for riders to find constant brake markers, which made for some exciting and close racing.
In 450 Superbike for example, the second-place battle between Jay Kinberger and Jesse Sims came down to just 0.073 second, with Sims coming out on top behind Daniel Lanuza who ran away with first place.
Open Superbike offered a preview into what was to come in the AFM’s Premier Formula Pacific class. Open Superbike had Bryce Prince besting former AFM #1 plate holder Andrew Lee by 0.0763 second, with Deion Campbell rounding out the podium in third.
The Oculus Financial Group sponsored Formula Pacific race again found Prince and Lee battling for the top step of the podium. Prince led eight out of the 12 laps, but in the end it was Lee finding his way past at the line winning by only 0.01 second. Brenden Ketelsen rounded out the podium fighting his way through a field of 1000’s aboard his Kawasaki 636.
The AFM season continues June 11-12 at Thunderhill Raceway Park.
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Formula 50 Novice
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AFemme
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AFemme Novice
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Formula 40 Lightweight Expert
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Formula 40 Lightweight Novice
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CSRA Expert
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Formula 40 Heavyweight Expert
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Formula 40 Heavyweight Novice
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Formula 40 Middleweight Expert
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- Jesse Carter (Kaw ZX-6R)
- Jeremy Taubman (Yam YZF-R6)
- Oscar Fernandez (Yam YZF-R6)
Formula 40 Middleweight Novice
- Gino Aimo (Suz GSX-R750)
- Jeff Baldwin (Yam YZF-R6)
- Fidencio Lopez (Suz GSX-R750)
- Ben Tilley (Yam YZF-R6)
Clubman Heavyweight
- Jarrod Pellizzer (BMW S1000RR)
- Michael Hoy (BMW S1000RR)
- Jiayi Lyu (Yam YZF-R1)
Clubman Middleweight
- Nick Raleigh (Yam YZF-R6)
- Wilfido Calderon (Yam YZF-R6)
- Justin Sheard (Kaw ZX-6R)
- Andrew McKenzie (Yam YZF-R6)
- Derek Blott (Tri Daytona 675R)
- Richard Cole (Hon CBR600RR)
450 Superbike Expert
- Daniel Lanuza (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Jesse Sims (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Jay Kinberger (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Derek Powell (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Aj Shipley (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Bob Simmons (Kaw Ninja 400)
450 Superbike Novice
- Nayden Balladares (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Jacob Allegra (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Dustin Ray (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Morteza Farr (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Matthew Heckenlively (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Michael Jobling (Kaw Ninja 400)
700 Superbike Expert
- Paul Johnson (Yamaha YZF-R4.5)
- Jordan Edginton (Suz SV650)
- Brandon Souza (Apr RS 660)
- Luke Luciano (Apr RS 660)
- Guadalupe Vega-Tiistola (Yam YZF-R7)
Vintage Expert
- Darrin Gauvin (Hon CB900F)
- Kevin McKee (Kaw KZ1000)
- Mark McKinney (Suz GS750E)
- CJ Bonura (Kaw KZ 1000 MKII)
- Terry Cheney (Hon CB900F)
- Michael Butler (Suz GS 1000)
350 Superbike Expert
- Steve Driscoll (Yam YZF-R3)
- Lisa Kinberger (Yam YZF-R3)
- Nhia Khang (Yam YZF-R3)
- Reece Warfield (KTM RC 390)
- Pao Vang (Yam YZF-R3)
- Antlee Terry (Yam YZF-R3)
350 Superbike Novice
- Andy Guo (Kaw Ninja 300)
- Kathy Zhao (Yam YZF-R3)
- Bernard Roman (Yam YZF-R3)
- Tyler Hamlin (KTM 390)
- Mason Dixon (Yamaha YZF-R3)
- Tom Nichols (Kaw GPZ 550)
Open Superbike Expert
- Bryce Prince (Yam YZF-R1)
- Andrew Lee (Kaw ZX-10)
- Deion Campbell (Yam YZF-R1)
- Ben Hodges (Yam YZF-R1)
- Randy Olson (Yam YZF-R1)
- Joshua Forwood (Apr RSV4)
Open Superbike Novice
- Jarrod Pellizzer (BMW S1000RR)
- Jason S Rodriguez (Yam YZF-R1)
- Todd Horner (Suz GSX-R1000)
- Jason Diaz (BMW S1000RR)
- Michael Hoy (BMW S1000RR)
- Jaycee Sterling (Suz GSX-R000)
750 Superbike Expert
- Berto Wooldridge (Yam YZF-R6)
- Jose Flores (Suz GSX-R750)
- Greg Olson (Yam YZF-R6)
- Grant Boldt (Yam YZF-R6)
- Grant Cowan (Kaw ZX-6R)
- Jesse Carter (Kaw ZX-6R)
750 Superbike Novice
- Anh Vo (Yam YZF-R6)
- Jeff Baldwin (Yam YZF-R6)
- Garrett Graves (Kaw ZX-6R)
- Justin Sheard (Kaw ZX-6R)
- Fidencio Lopez (Suz GSX-R750)
Lightweight Superbike Expert
- Paul Johnson (Yam YZF-R4.5)
- Brandon Souza (Apr RS 660)
- Antlee Terry (Yam YZF-R3)
Lightweight Superbike Novice
- Morteza Farr (Kaw Ninja 400)
Lightweight Twins Expert
- Daniel Lanuza (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Jesse Sims (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Jay Kinberger (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Aj Shipley (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Ramkumar Subramanian (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Norman Smith (Kaw Ninja 400)
Lightweight Twins Novice
- Nayden Balladares (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Jacob Allegra (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Dustin Ray (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Ryan G Robinson (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Michael Jobling (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Matthew Heckenlively (Kaw Ninja 400)
Formula Singles Expert
- Daniel Buecker (Kra EVO2 R)
- Yuri Barrigan (Kra EVO2 R)
- Norbert Katona (KTM 690 SMC)
600 Superbike Expert
- Brenden Ketelsen (Kaw ZX6R)
- Grant Boldt (Yam YZF-R6)
- Stephen Rue (Yam YZF-R6)
- Thomas Montano (Hon CBR600RR)
- Grant Cowan (Kaw ZX-6R)
- Steven Arias (Kaw Ninja 636)
600 Superbike Novice
- Anh Vo (Yam YZF-R6)
- Jeff Baldwin (Yam YZF-R6)
- Nick Raleigh (Yam YZF-R6
- Justin Sheard (Kaw ZX-6R)
- Wilfido Calderon (Yam YZF-R6)
- Garrett Graves (Kaw ZX-6R)
Open Superstock Expert
- Andrew Lee (Kaw ZX-10R)
- Ben Hodges (Yam YZF-R1)
- Tyler Wolters (Kaw ZX-10R)
- George Myshlyayev (Kaw ZX-10R)
- Joshua Forwood (Apr RSV4)
- Scott Miles (Yam YZF-R1)
Open Superstock Novice
- Jason S Rodriguez (Yam YZF-R1)
- Todd Horner (Suz GSX-R1000)
- Michael Hoy (BMW S1000RR)
- Jiayi Lyu (Yam YZF-R1)
- Jaycee Sterling (Suz GSX-R1000)
Super Dino Expert
- Roger Baker (Yam YZF-R1)
- Craig Grantham (Duc 996)
- Jake Barritt (Hon CBR929RR)
Open Twins Expert
- Eric Gulbransen (KTM 1290 Super Duke R)
- Jimmy Weidman (Duc Panigale R)
- Craig Grantham (Duci Panigale 1199 RS)
- Gavin Botha (KTM Super Duke)
- Ladja Sucik (MV F3)
- Frank Sindermann (KTM 890R)
Open Twins Novice
- Melissa Ward (Duc Panigale 1199)
- Jason Diaz (Duc 1199R)
- Morteza Farr (Kaw Ninja 400)
Legacy Heavyweight Expert
- Lee McKenna (Yam YZF-R1)
- Paul Vogel (Yam YZF-R1)
- Greg Brazell (Suz GSX-R1000)
- August Weber (Suz GSX-R1000)
Legacy Middle Expert
- Jose Flores (Suz GSX-R750)
- Stuart Clotworthy (Yam YZF-R6)
- Jake Barritt (Hon CBR CBR929RR)
Legacy Middle Novice
- Fidencio Lopez (Suz GSX-R750)
Formula I Expert
- Stephen Rue (Yam YZF-R6)
- Berto Wooldridge (Yam YZF-R6)
- Eric Gulbransen (KTM 1290 Super Duke R)
- Grant Boldt (Yam YZF-R6)
- Cameron Poe (Kaw ZX-6R)
- Steven Arias (Kaw ZX-6R)
Formula I Novice
- Anh Vo (Yam YZF-R6)
- Justin Sheard (Kaw ZX-6R)
- Fidencio Lopez (Suz GSX-R750)
Formula II Expert
- Daniel Buecker (Kra EVO2 R)
- Yuri Barrigan (Kra EVO2 R)
3 Sergio Morales Galvan (Yam TZ-250)
- Johnny Radavero (Yam TZR250R)
- Norbert Katona (KTM 690 SMC)
Formula III Expert
- Daniel Lanuza (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Jesse Sims (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Aj Shipley (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Derek Powell (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Ron Pedersen (Kaw Ninja 400R)
Formula III Novice
- Nayden Balladares (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Jacob Allegra (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Kevin Vergenz (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Ryan G Robinson (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Kathy Zhao (Yam YZF-R3)
- Michael Jobling (Kaw Ninja 400)
Formula IV Expert
- Paul Johnson (Yam YZF-R4.5)
- Brandon Souza (Apr RS 660)
- Daniel Buecker (Kra EVO2 R)
- Luke Luciano (Apr RS 660)
- Nick Lambert (Lig LFR22)
Formula Pacific
- Andrew Lee (Kaw ZX-10R)
- Bryce Prince (Yam YZF-R1)
- Brenden Ketelsen (Kaw ZX-6R)
- Ben Hodges (Yam YZF-R1)
- Tyler Wolters (Kaw ZX-10R)
- George Myshlyayev (Kaw ZX-10R)
700 Superstock Expert
- Brandon Souza (Apr RS 660)
- Paul Johnson (Yam YZF-R4.5)
- Jordan Edginton (Suz SV 650)
- Luke Luciano (Apr RS 660)
450 Superstock Expert
- Daniel Lanuza (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Jesse Sims (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Ron Pedersen (Kaw Ninja 400R)
450 Superstock Novice
- Nayden Balladares (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Jacob Allegra (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Kevin Vergenz (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Ryan G Robinson (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Matthew Heckenlively (Kaw Ninja 400)
- Michael Jobling (Kaw Ninja 400)
350 Superstock Expert
- Steve Driscoll (Yam YZF-R3)
- Nhia Khang (Yam YZF-R3)
- Lisa Kinberger (Yam YZF-R3)
- Pao Vang (Yam YZF-R3)
350 Superstock Novice
- Kathy Zhao (Yam YZF-R3)
- Yasuyoshi Sakamoto (Yam YZF-R3)
- Tyler Hamlin (KTM 390)
- Bernard Roman (Yam YZF-R3)
- Andy Guo (Kaw Ninja 300)
600 Superstock Expert
- Brenden Ketelsen (Kaw ZX-6R)
- Stephen Rue (Yam YZF-R6)
- Grant Boldt (Yam YZF-R6)
- Thomas Montano (Hon CBR600RR)
- Lei Tian (Yam YZF-R6)
- Cameron Poe (Kaw ZX-6R)
600 Superbike Novice
- Jeff Baldwin (Yam YZF-R6)
- Nick Raleigh (Yam YZF- R6)
- Wilfido Calderon (Yam YZF-R6)
- Richard Cole (Hon CBR600RR)
750 Superstock Expert
- Grant Boldt (Yam YZF-R6)
- Berto Wooldridge (Yam YZF-R6)
- Greg Olson (Yam YZF-R6)
- Oscar Fernandez (Yam YZF-R6)
- Michael Pappas (Suz GSX-R600)
- Michael Kim (Yam YZF-R6)
750 Superstock Novice
- Jeff Baldwin (Yam YZF-R6)
Open Grand Prix Expert
- Joshua Forwood (Apr RSV4)
- Jaakko Tiistola (BMW S1000RR)
- Joseph Palmeri (Kaw ZX-10R)
- August Weber (Suz GSX-R1000)
Open Grand Prix Novice
- Todd Horner (Suz GSX-R1000)
- Jiayi Lyu (Yam YZF-R1)
- Jaycee Sterling (Suz GSX-R1000)
MotoGP: Nakagami Under Race Lap Record In FP1 At Mugello
Moto3: Foggia Fastest In FP1 At Mugello
MotoGP: Riders Say Start, First Laps Will Be Very Important At Mugello
“The first laps will be very, very important”: fighting talk at Mugello
Quartararo, Aleix Espargaro, Bastianini, Miller and Bagnaia sit down for the Pre-Event Press Conference in Italy
Thursday, 26 May 2022
The Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley is nigh and the pre-event Press Conference at Mugello saw Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) joined by second on points Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) fresh from a contract renewal, Le Mans winner and home hero Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™), Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller and teammate Francesco Bagnaia to talk about the weekend ahead.
QUOTES
What would represent a good result from Mugello and Catalunya?
Fabio Quartararo: “It’s difficult to say because it’s not bad tracks for us but if we are in bad positions then it will be bad, I would say if we get a great start and great first lap it can change our race, the qualifying and first lap. Let’s see how it goes but I think the next two will be tough.”
What is it that you can make up with your style and what are the strong points of the Yamaha at this track that help you be strong?
FQ20: “I hope I will have more or less the same km difference than last year because we know the other manufacturers have improved a lot. I think Sector 2 and 3 are one of our strong points, our bike is really strong there and I feel good in these corners, putting yourself to the limit is a good help.”
With this being Aprilia’s home Grand Prix and the next being yours, is this your most important week of the season so far?
Aleix Espargaro: “Yes, which means more pressure, but it’s okay. It’s two very important races for us. Mugello is very important for Aprilia, I’m very happy to ride in Italy in this way, with good results. We are actually leading the teams’ championship for the first time in Italy for Aprilia, so it’s fantastic and next week it will, be my home GP. It’s two very important races, but it’s 50 points, no more than Germany and Assen, for example, so I am trying to work in the same way as the previous weekends. I have the same feeling that Fabio does, that the first laps of the race will be very, very important, especially against the fast Ducatis here at Mugello with the long straight. So, trying to be focused from the first lap tomorrow morning will be very, very important.”
Do you have new parts on the bike from the Jerez test, and how do you hope they will improve the RS-GP?
AE41: “Yeah, we have a couple of new things. We have a new engine for this weekend, we also have quite big aerodynamic things. I think I will not be the first one to test it tomorrow, maybe it will be Sava on the test team. But, it looks promising and I will try it tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully, it can give us some tenths to fight for the top.”
How special will it be if you get that fourth victory this weekend?
Enea Bastianini: “Mugello is always special. This year again with a lot of fans is amazing for everybody and we will see how it is. We made a really good race in Le Mans but here is another story. We need to stay concentrated in the Free Practices, many riders are fast – Fabio and Pecco here – and Aleix is also very consistent this year. It will be really hard but I’m prepared and ready for this Grand Prix.”
You’ve never had a podium at Mugello, do you think this weekend is the best chance of the first podium?
EB33: “We will try to be on the podium at my home Grand Prix. I’ve tried a lot but it’s not easy, we will see if we can do this but also to stay in the top five is a good result. We will see tomorrow.”
Do you think this is your best opportunity to put a Ducati on the podium at Mugello?
Jack Miller: “I’d like to think so. It’s kind of a love-hate relationship here. At least I finished the race here last year, so that’s nice, but not where we wanted to be. But we’ve been strong ever since Argentina, we’ve been there fighting for the podium every week, so we’re in good form. I feel like we’re at a really solid place with the bike and I feel like the improvements that we’ve made from the 21 to the 22 should really benefit us here in Mugello with a lot of fast changes of direction, a lot of fast corners. So, I’m excited for what the weekend holds, and having the fans back here should be really good.”
Do you think your top speed record might go this weekend?
JM43: “I’d like to hope not. The jumps are already pretty scary, so we don’t need to be doing 365 over that thing, I don’t think. But, you never know, the bikes are getting faster and faster every year, that wall on the inside of Turn 1’s getting closer and closer every year, so it’s a possibility, but we have to wait and see. We talk about the Ducati speed and all that but it’s been equalled by KTM, so we’re not the only ones out there.
How much are you looking forward to putting France behind you here?
Francesco Bagnaia: “Yeah it’s normal sometimes you can make mistakes and my one was a bit too big, but it’s ok. I had time at home to learn from that and I think the best place to re-join is Mugello. I’m really looking forward to riding tomorrow, last year was good to me, everything went well apart from the race, but Sunday was one of the worst days we had during the season. Let’s think from the Championship and try to enjoy tomorrow.”
How was it riding with the fans to Mugello?
FB63: “It was good but the only thing was we were too slow, we had three hours to arrive here in Mugello but it was good. It was the first time I did the Futa Pass and I enjoyed it.”
MotoGP: Prima Is New Title Sponsor Of Pramac Racing Team
PRIMA ASSICURAZIONI AND PRAMAC RACING TOGETHER TOWARDS NEW GOALS: PRIMA PRAMAC RACING THE NEW NAME OF THE MOTOGP® TEAM
Prima Assicurazioni – the leading tech company in the Italian insurance market – is the new Title Sponsor of the MotoGP® Pramac Racing Team.
The three-year partnership between the two companies foresees the evolution of the team name in Prima Pramac Racing, in addition to the new liveries for the two Ducati Desmosedici, the logo and the purple and white colors of Prima placed on the suits of the riders Johann Zarco and Jorge Martin.
A new synergy between two players who make of teamwork one of the founding values of their success, investing in the key role of technology, and who have strong international ambitions.
****
Pramac Racing and Prima Assicurazioni announce a three-year collaboration for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 MotoGP championships.
Prima – tech company that has revolutionized the insurance industry thanks to the digital – will be the new Title Sponsor of Pramac Racing.
Prima Assicurazioni is a leading player in the Italian insurance sector, with over 2 million customers and a strong positioning in the motorcycle segment, with almost one in ten motorcycles in Italy insured with Prima. Thanks to its technological DNA, Prima operates as an insurance agency able to simplify access to car, motorcycle, van, home, family, and accident insurance policies, with an omnichannel distribution strategy that integrates the online with a network of brokers and agents.
A new synergy is born between two players used to putting teamwork at the center of their success, investing in the key role of technology in their strategies, and having strong international ambitions.
The expectations for this season of MotoGP World Championship are high, after an incredible 2021 season for the Pramac Racing team which earned the title of Best Independent Team, Best Independent Rider and Rookie of the Year.
Pramac Racing, team of PRAMAC – a global leader in the production of generators and equipment for handling logistics – will take the name of Prima Pramac Racing for the next three seasons of MotoGP, with a new livery for the two Ducati Desmosedici bikes, starting an exciting long-term project with Prima Assicurazioni.
Pramac Racing has become a main character in the MotoGP World Championship over the years: first of all, for its sport merits that have led the team to be one of the main teams of MotoGP; secondly, for the quality and chemestry present in the team; Finally, for its consistency and continuous presence in the MotoGP World Championship.
George Ottathycal, CEO of Prima Assicurazioni: “Today begins an important partnership between two players used to putting technology, talent and teamwork at the core of their success. The entry into the MotoGP will help us strengthen our brand positioning in the motorcycle segment, in which we already have a share of almost 10% insured vehicles, and it will support our strategy of international expansion. We believe that the path of collaboration undertaken will be full of moments of dialogue between the two companies, and we will have the opportunity to learn something from each other, finding new ideas for development and growth”.
Paolo Campinoti, CEO of PRAMAC: “Today starts a new chapter in Pramac Racing history, I am proud to announce here at the Mugello Grand Prix the beginning of an important collaboration between Pramac Racing and Prima Assicurazioni. Today, Pramac Racing colors change to bring purple into our history for the first time. Prima Pramac Racing will be the name of our team for the next three years, hoping that this can only be the beginning of a great and exciting adventure, we are sure that together we will be very satisfied. I thank George Ottathycal for believing in this great project together with us”.
Pramac Racing
Pramac made his motorcycle racing debut in 2002 with his own MotoGP® team. In 2005, Pramac Racing began its long and profitable collaboration with Ducati.
The Pramac Racing team, always ready to face new challenges and compete with a competitive spirit, has achieved very significant results over time, among which stands out in 2018 the title of “Best Independent Team”. The 2020 MotoGP season saw Pramac team riders present at the starting blocks with the official Ducati Desmosedici GP20 bikes, but the 2021 season was the richest of prizes:
Pramac Racing Team, 2021 Best Independent MotoGP® Team
Johann Zarco, 2021 Best Independent MotoGP® Rider
Jorge Martin, 2021 Rookie of the Year
Ducati with Pramac Racing Team,2021 Constructor Champions
The 2021 MotoGP Championship was therefore a successful year, ending with 8 podiums total for Pramac Racing (1 win, 5 second places and 2 third places), and 5 pole positions (1 for Zarco and 4 for Jorge Martin).
Prima Assicurazioni
Prima Assicurazioni is the tech company, since 2015, which operates as an insurance agency specializing in car, motorcycle, van, home, family and accident insurance. Prima is the company that has revolutionized the relationship between customer and insurance thanks to the digital and then brought this technological revolution even between agents and brokers, finally making run a sector traditionally not very dynamic as the insurance one.
Canadian Superbike: Aprilia RSV4 Homologated For 2022
Aprilia Confirmed for CSBK 2022
Toronto, ON – Aprilia’s famed RSV4 lineup of Italian-built Superbikes are now approved for Canadian National road racing competition in both the Pro Superbike feature category and the Amateur Superbike division of the CSBK tour.
Marco d’Acunzo, President and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas, confirmed the homologation of the potent V4 powered street machines, available at dealers across Canada along with the full range of Aprilia sports machinery.
“Aprilia’s first home is the racetrack. It is where the spirit of the brand lives, and with Aprilia, where countless champions first proved themselves on an international stage. This is another step for Aprilia, to bring our championship winning machines to the Canadian racing series, and competition venues across the country,” confirms d’Acunzo, “We look forward to meeting both racers, and fans of Aprilia at CSBK rounds, and further developing our partnership with the series.”
Current Aprilia models confirmed for CSBK action are the RSV4 and the RSV4 factory, the later coming as standard with forged aluminum wheels, Ohlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension and Brembo Stylema brake calipers. These advanced Aprilia machines also feature MotoGP style aerodynamics, including integrated winglets in the fairing.
Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro currently holds second overall in the MotoGP World Championship points standings, the Spanish rider earning one win and four podiums thus far aboard the factory entry.
In World Superbike, the RSV4 Aprilia has earned the World Championship three times, the first two courtesy of Max Biaggi (2010, 2012) and most recently with popular French racer Sylvain Guintoli in 2014.
In Canadian National Superbike action, popular veteran Frank Trombino of Uxbridge, ON, scored Aprilia’s first and thus far only win at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, the famous “old Mosport” near Toronto, ON, aboard an RSV4 in 2014.
Two years later, Italian world moto star Claudio Corti brought his MotoAmerica National series team to CTMP for the final round of the Canadian National series, where his Aprilia battled for the win in both events, eventually earning a pair of second-place finishes after two of the best races in the history of the now 43-year-old Canadian Superbike tour.
This year’s CSBK National series opens with the first round at Grand Bend Motorplex, on Lake Huron, Ontario, June 9-12. In total, there will be nine Pro Superbike Feature events in 2022, all telecast on TSN, The Sports Network.
MotoAmerica: Suzuki Continuing As Official Manufacturer Partner
Suzuki Gridding Up Again As Official Manufacturer Partner Of MotoAmerica For 2022
The Winningest Manufacturer In AMA Superbike Shooting For More Racing Success With MotoAmerica In 2022
IRVINE, CA – MotoAmerica, North America’s premier motorcycle road racing series, is pleased to announce that Suzuki Motor USA, LLC is continuing as an official manufacturer partner for the 2022 MotoAmerica Championship.
Suzuki, with its iconic GSX-R lineup, has a long history of success in AMA Superbike racing and is the all-time leader in Superbike victories with 216 – 52 more than its nearest competitor. Those victories have carried through to the MotoAmerica era with Suzuki winning 44 MotoAmerica Superbike races and the 2017 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.
Road racing success for the Brea, California-based company has not been limited to Superbike racing as the brand also has 32 MotoAmerica Supersport victories that have led to two of the past three class championships for the Suzuki GSX-R600. Suzuki also has three class championship in the four-year history of the MotoAmerica Twins Cup series with its timeless and popular SV650.
Through its race team, Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki, the company currently fields Jake Lewis and Richie Escalante on GSX-R1000s in the 2022 MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike series and Sam Lochoff, Tyler Scott, and Liam Grant aboard GSX-R750s in the MotoAmerica Supersport series.
“Since the first GSX-R750 in 1985, Suzuki GSX-R sportbikes have provided the foundation on which production-based road racing is built around the world,” said Kerry Graeber, Vice President, Division Manager, Motorcycle & ATV Sales & Marketing. “Racing showcases the GSX-R brand and Suzuki is pleased to sponsor MotoAmerica and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the series.”
“Suzuki has been with MotoAmerica since we started in 2015 and it’s great that they are with us again for 2022,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “I raced against Suzuki for decades and I know how competitive they were and how badly they wanted to win. Now, as the president of MotoAmerica, I view things from another angle and I see that Suzuki has not changed and, above all, they still want to win. We appreciate the importance Suzuki places upon the MotoAmerica series and we look forward to their continued success in the current and future seasons.”
About MotoAmerica
MotoAmerica is the North American road racing series created in 2014 that is home to the AMA Superbike Championship. MotoAmerica is an affiliate of KRAVE Group LLC, a partnership that includes 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 on MotoAmerica, visit www.MotoAmerica.com. Also make sure to follow MotoAmerica on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
MotoGP: Aprilia Confirms Espargaro, Vinales For Two More Years
APRILIA RACING CONFIRMS THEIR FACTORY RIDERS FOR THE 2023/2024 TWO-YEAR PERIOD
ALEIX ESPARGARÓ AND MAVERICK VIÑALES WILL BE ON THE FACTORY RS-GP MACHINES FOR THE NEXT TWO-YEAR PERIOD
ALEIX: “WE ARE GOING THROUGH A GREAT TIME, WE ARE A CONCRETE REALITY AND NOW I WANT TO KEEP GROWING WITH APRILIA”
MAVERICK: “CONFIRMATION FOR THE NEXT TWO-YEAR PERIOD, BEING PART OF THE PROJECT, GIVES ME THE PEACE OF MIND TO SET GREAT GOALS FOR MYSELF”
MASSIMO RIVOLA: “WE ARE PROVIDING CONTINUITY TO A PROJECT THAT HAS JUST BEGUN TO REVEAL ITS POTENTIAL”
Under the sign of continuity, Aprilia Racing confirms their riders. Aleix Espargaró and Maverick Viñales will be astride the factory RS-GP machines in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
With more than one-third of the races in the current season already done and dusted, Aleix Espargaró and his Aprilia are two top protagonists in the championship. With one win and three consecutive podiums, Aleix is reaping the fruits of a combination which is also based on the reciprocal and profound harmony with his team. In this situation, the synergy between bike and rider is one of the key factors for success.
Confirmation is based on this line of thinking for both the winner of the Argentinian GP and Maverick, who now has the same goals of increasingly closer integration with the Factory bike from Veneto.
Aleix Espargaró
“This confirmation was just what the doctor ordered. We’ve worked hard together and grown together. We were a hope, now we are reality. In 2021 we had already seen clear signs of our steps forward and now we are able to battle consistently with the best in the world. Continuing to do so with Aprilia is a source of pride for me. We can grow even more and we want to demonstrate that on the track.”
Maverick Viñales
“I’m extremely happy to continue my work with Aprilia Racing. Now our horizons are expanding and we’ll be able to work with continuity to achieve ambitious goals. I believe in this project and I’m happy to be part of it. I’ve found a fantastic environment in Aprilia and this confirmation gives me the peace of mind to grow the way this team and I deserve to.”
Massimo Rivola
“All the good we are doing this season is the fruit of many components, certainly the value of our designers and our technicians led by Romano Albesiano, the overall growth of our racing department and, in large part, the synergy that our Captain Aleix has skilfully built with the bike and with the team. So, we set the goal of continuing along these lines, both with Aleix and with Maverick, and I am pleased with these confirmations today. We still need to grow a lot and now we have the peace of mind to do so.”
MotoAmerica: Riders Don’t Back Petrucci’s Complaints
Shortly after Danilo Petrucci crashed at the end of MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Race Two May 22 at VIRginia International Raceway, he posted on his social media feed about his experience and his displeasure with how MotoAmerica handled the situation.
Journalists from Europe, who were not at the track and some who clearly didn’t even watch a video replay of the incident, took Petrucci’s account as absolute fact and without getting information from any other sources wrote articles that painted MotoAmerica’s safety standards and the series as a whole in a negative light.
Unfortunately, Petrucci’s account of events is not exactly accurate and could arguably be called exaggerated.
Petrucci claimed he “hit three sponsor signs with my body,” when in fact he slid through one sponsor sign made of lightweight material because it is intended to be placed near the track without being a hazard to riders.
Petrucci claimed he was a lying down for “over two minutes with no assistance,” but video from the live race broadcast filmed him walking around and not showing any signs of distress 56 seconds after he took the checkered flag. MotoAmerica officials said they saw Petrucci with direct line of sight sitting up within 30 seconds of him crossing the finish line.
Within three minutes of crashing Petrucci was in the medical center at VIR receiving care from a well-staffed and trauma-trained medical team, and afterward Petrucci’s injuries did not even warrant him being transported to a hospital in an ambulance. Instead, he flew home to Italy to see doctors there.
But after spending the last 10 years racing in the MotoGP World Championship, where the tracks are staffed by hundreds of cornerworkers; several physicians, nurses, and physical therapists; with medi-vac helicopters always on standby, Petrucci was apparently angry about the level of care he received. And instead of talking about it with officials, the Italian decided to vent on social media, which led to MotoAmerica being portrayed poorly in the International media and the eyes of fans.
Petrucci has yet to respond to requests from Roadracingworld.com seeking to speak to him, but other MotoAmerica racers, past and present, with International racing experience say they are comfortable with the level of safety at MotoAmerica events and that they take exception to Petrucci’s comments before and after VIR.
“I think it’s [safety in MotoAmerica] been awesome,” said defending MotoAmerica Superbike Champion Jake Gagne, who raced in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, the Moto2 World Championship, the British Supersport Championship, and in a full season of the FIM Superbike World Championship. “I don’t know exactly what happened in the incident on Sunday. I guess [Petrucci] was upset that nobody was there to care for him right away. They didn’t really show it on TV, so I don’t really know what happened. But in all of my years in MotoAmerica and after my year in World Superbike, MotoAmerica has really been on it in terms of safety.
“That’s a really weird place to crash. At VIR, there’s no wall out there with cornerworkers and paramedics waiting to jump over the wall. I’m not really sure what he’s complaining about. When they showed him on camera he was walking away and getting ready to walk across the track. Is he mad that they didn’t come pick him up or something?”
Asked about the negative coverage MotoAmerica has received following Petrucci’s comments, Gagne said, “That’s the unfortunate part. I haven’t talked to him since COTA, but all I’ve heard from him since then is him bagging on everyone at MotoAmerica for different reasons, not just this weekend.”
“It’s a really difficult situation,” said Josh Hayes, who in addition to winning Supersport Race One at VIR this past weekend has won 83 other MotoAmerica/AMA Pro races, four AMA Superbike Championships, and has raced in the FIM MotoGP, Supersport, and Endurance World Championships. “I’ve been such a fan of Petrucci and I’m really disappointed for him to come here and just be sh*tting on us in the first three races.
“He doubles at the first one and MotoAmerica’s great. He does good at the next one, but it doesn’t go entirely the way he wants [and] we’re sh*t. He gets to the next track (VIR), he rides good, it doesn’t go the way he wants, and we’re sh*t again. Who isn’t bummed by all of that?
“The racetrack situation isn’t a very easy one to answer. I remember watching Neil Hodgson run off at the checkered flag at that spot, him riding it out, and how far he went out there in the grass. And not being able to turn a road bike in the grass, if you put a corner station out there you just might kill somebody.
“The fact is the cornerworkers have to be on the inside of the track. It’s the only safe place for them to go. So, no matter what, there were still motorcycles [on] the racetrack in front of the cornerworkers. It’s not easy for them to get there. When the last person takes the checkered flag and clears they can get to him as fast as they can run to him. It’s just the location and the way the track is laid out.
“So, I understand coming from the speed he was and the time dilation. And he’s Italian, so he’s dramatic. I do think it’s a bit hot-headed and unfair in one way, but I’m understanding of his plight in the same breath.
“I don’t know if he’s ever raced outside of GP, so I’m not sure he understands the [different] standards. I would imagine there are a few places in BSB and the French Championship and every domestic Championship in this world where you would have similar issues.”
“For me I think MotoGP is a very different Championship,” said Hector Barbera, who spent 17 seasons racing in the World Championship and also raced in the British Superbike Championship. “It’s impossible to compare to the Spanish Championships or the British or to MotoAmerica because [MotoGP] is racing at the most safe tracks around the world. And every year they are working to make the tracks more safe. This is different.
“If I rate the Championships from one to 10, MotoGP is maybe 10 and [MotoAmerica] is about seven. It’s not bad. Sure, in some place can you move some bad place in the corners and make it less dangerous. But even in the Spanish Championships the tracks are not only Barcelona and Jerez and Valencia. We also have Albacete. Albacete is more dangerous. We have Almeria, is more dangerous. Monte Blanco is more dangerous.
“In British Superbike it is dangerous. You ride Superbikes with no electronics and many times with wet conditions. The bikes and the tires are similar, but that Championship is hard. The tracks are small tracks and sometimes the bikes fly (laughs).
“For me, I know when I come ride here the tracks are special tracks. Some tracks are bigger and have more safety, and some tracks are small ones and you need to ride with more attention. But this is a Championship that is nice.”
“Obviously, safety has gotten a lot better since MotoAmerica’s taken over in a lot of different aspects,” said Roger Hayden, a former MotoAmerica Superbike race winner and AMA Pro Supersport Champion who has raced in the MotoGP and Superbike World Championships. Hayden currently works for MotoAmerica as a commentator on the MotoAmericaLive+ streaming service. “If you remember back to the way it used to be, one time it was pouring rain in a Superbike race at Road America and we were on slicks. There’s no way in the world MotoAmerica would let that happen. They’ve actually held up races because rain was coming in.
“One thing is we don’t have a ton of tracks built for [motorcycle] racing, and I think that is the difference from the European tracks. They are built with motorcycles in mind. Most of the tracks we go to are built for cars. So, either we race there or we don’t have a series.
“I’m not saying they’re all dangerous either, and there’s been plenty of guys who came over from other International series and they didn’t complain. The tracks in America are definitely different. They’re a little bit smaller and tighter, and it makes it look a little bit worse than it is the first time you go out there. Could some things improve? I’m sure it could, but it improves every year.
“I don’t think MotoAmerica ever said they were perfect. They try to improve every year, and they listen. And that’s another big difference from MotoAmerica and who ran it before. When you had concerns before there was nobody to go talk to. You couldn’t talk to nobody. Now, when you have a problem, even when I was racing, I could go find Wayne [Rainey, MotoAmerica President] or Chuck [Aksland, MotoAmerica COO] or Richard [Varner, MotoAmerica CFO] and they would listen, and you would get an answer. And that’s all you can ask for.
“It’s come a long way, not only in track safety but now we have a medical team that comes to all the races. We have a series doctor who knows the riders’ histories. And I think that’s something we’ve never had before, and it’s really big.
“I see a lot of people talking bad about MotoAmerica right now and I wish I could just take them back and have them live through 2013 and 2014. You think it’s bad now? You should have raced then when you didn’t even know if there would be a series the next year. One year we only had six races. So, it’s come a long, long way in a short amount of time.”
AFM: Lee Wins Formula Pacific Race At Thunderhill
The American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM) held its third round of the 2022 season in rather blustery conditions May 21-22 at Thunderhill Raceway Park. With winds gusting up to 20mph it was a challenge for riders to find constant brake markers, which made for some exciting and close racing.
In 450 Superbike for example, the second-place battle between Jay Kinberger and Jesse Sims came down to just 0.073 second, with Sims coming out on top behind Daniel Lanuza who ran away with first place.
Open Superbike offered a preview into what was to come in the AFM’s Premier Formula Pacific class. Open Superbike had Bryce Prince besting former AFM #1 plate holder Andrew Lee by 0.0763 second, with Deion Campbell rounding out the podium in third.
The Oculus Financial Group sponsored Formula Pacific race again found Prince and Lee battling for the top step of the podium. Prince led eight out of the 12 laps, but in the end it was Lee finding his way past at the line winning by only 0.01 second. Brenden Ketelsen rounded out the podium fighting his way through a field of 1000’s aboard his Kawasaki 636.
The AFM season continues June 11-12 at Thunderhill Raceway Park.
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Formula Pacific
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700 Superstock Expert
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450 Superstock Expert
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350 Superstock Expert
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350 Superstock Novice
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600 Superbike Novice
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