Buell® Current and Future Products Get Standing Ovation at Daytona
Grand Rapids, MI – The Buell is Back mantra was reaffirmed and reinforced after a strong showing and enthusiastic response from consumers at Daytona Bike Week 2022.
“Thank You, Thank You, Thank You and now it’s back to work,” said Bill Melvin, CEO of Buell Motorcycle Co. “We were humbled by the wildly enthusiastic response from both the media and consumers at Daytona on our current and future models. Their encouragement and insistence to keep expanding the Buell brand into new segments while pushing the power envelope was clearly heard…so as it pertains to new product development – you ain’t seen nothing yet!”
Buell showcased the Hammerhead and 1190 SX models currently in production while unveiling two new prototypes, the Baja DR and SuperTouring, announcing their entry into the off-road and touring segments while maintaining the brand’s coveted DNA customers expect.
The Baja DR will boast the world’s fastest production dirt bike with a 175hp liquid-cooled, 72-degree V-twin engine with 101 ft-lbs. of torque. Add to this the trellis frame, adjustable swing arm for a 66-72” wheelbase, industry-standard 37” seat height with 26.75-degree rake and you’ve got the makings for an unmatched top-of-the-market speed and performance dirt bike. Production is planned for early 2023.
The Buell DR Baja prototype. Photo courtesy Buell.
The new SuperTouring model will possess the fastest touring bike in the marketplace producing an industry-leading 185hp. It retains Buell’s famous Fuel in Frame handling but will exhibit a more upright riding position, variable mounting points for hard or soft bags and room for rider customization with aftermarket touring accessories. Production is planned for winter 2022.
Opportunities to reserve a production slot for the Hammerhead, 1190 SX, Baja DR, and SuperTouring models are available now by placing a $25 reservation at www.BuellMotorcycle.com. You’ll receive a limited-edition Buell hat too!
“We were blown away by the reception of our future models and listened closely to our customers regarding their likes and dislikes,” said Dean Guard, Chief Product Engineer at Buell Motorcycle Co. “They took the time to evaluate our products and provide us with insights, and we can’t thank them enough for their passionate feedback and input. We will take this information back to our leadership team and make the necessary changes to continue to deliver products that exceed their expectations.”
Buell is headed back more energized than ever to deliver more Hammerhead and SX models, make improvements and prepare to launch their new Baja DR and SuperTouring models and explore opportunities to expand into new product segments as well.
Daytona Bike Week only reaffirmed that Buell is back and delivering excitement at every turn.
For future Buell updates, follow our news page on our website and our social media pages.
Current WorldSBK Race Lap Record: 1:49.620, J. Rea (Kaw), 2020
Current WorldSBK All-Time Lap Record: 1:48.458, J. Rea (Kaw), 2021
FIM Superbike World Championship
MotorLand Aragon
Alcaniz, Spain
April 4, 2022
Provisional Day One Best Lap Times (all on Pirelli tires):
Jonathan Rea, UK (Kaw), 1:49.394
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Turkey (Yam), 1:49.628
Alvaro Bautista, Spain (Duc), 1:50.025
Garrett Gerloff, USA (Yam), 1:50.120
Alex Lowes, UK (Kaw), 1:50.423
Loris Baz, France (BMW), 1:50.446
Kohta Nozane, Japan (Yam), 1:50.520
Iker Lecuona, Spain (Hon), 1:50.586
Eugene Laverty, UK (BMW), 1:50.600
Andrea Locatelli, Italy (Yam), 1:50.612
Philipp Oettl, Germany (Duc), 1:50.713
Scott Redding, UK (BMW), 1:50.734
Michael Ruben Rinaldi, Italy (Duc), 1:50.829
Lucas Mahias, France (Kaw), 1:51.151
Ilya Mikhalchik, Ukraine (BMW), 1:51.438
Xavi Vierge, Spain (Hon), 1:51.446
Roberto Tamburini, Italy (Yam), 1:51.737
Axel Bassani, Italy (Duc), 1:51.890
Christophe Ponsson, Belgium (Yam), 1:52.785
Luca Bernardi, San Marino (Duc), 1:52.937
Leandro Mercado, Argentina (Hon), 1:53.100
Oliver Konig, Czech Republic (Kaw), 1:53.421
Hafizh Syahrin, Malaysia (Hon), 1:53.945
Loris Cresson, Belgium (Kaw), 1:54.691
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
Rea under race lap record pace on Day 1 at Aragon as he tops the WorldSBK timesheets
The six-time World Champion topped the times by just 0.016s ahead of nearest rival Toprak Razgatlioglu on the opening day of testing at MotorLand Aragon
Despite colder conditions impacting on Day 1 of the Supported Test at MotorLand Aragon, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was able to lap faster than the race lap record for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship venue as he topped the timesheets on Day 1 of testing. The six-time World Champion left it late to go top on Day 1 in the combined classification, beating his nearest rival by just 0.016s.
THREE MANUFACTURERS IN THE TOP THREE
Rea claimed top spot on the opening day of action with a lap late in the third and final session of track action as he posted a 1’49.394s, to go under his own race lap record at MotorLand Aragon by two tenths of a second. Rea, who was hoping to start finetuning his ZX-10RR machine ahead of the Pirelli Aragon Round beat Razgatlioglu’s best time of 1’49.410s, set in FP2, in the final minutes of Day 1.
Like Rea, Razgatlioglu was under the race lap record set the six-time World Champion in last year’s Superpole Race, although the 2021 Champion’s day ended a few minutes early when he suffered a technical issue at Turn 15 in the closing stages of the session. Razgatlioglu used new electronics throughout the test as well as working on the race setup of his Yamaha YZF R1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed third spot despite a crash on his Panigale V4 R machine at Turn 6 in FP3, ending the day six tenths down on Rea’s best time as his focus was on the start of the season in just a few days.
ALL FIVE MANUFACTURERS FEATURE IN A TIGHTLY PACKED TOP TEN
Garrett Gerloff (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) finished the day in fourth place as the American lapped around seven tenths slower than Rea, although Gerloff was fastest in the third sector of the lap. Gerloff’s R1 machine was fitted with the 2022 engine and a new exhaust seen on Razgatlioglu’s bike during testing as he claimed a top four finish on Day 1. Teammate Kohta Nozane ensured but GRT Yamaha riders were inside the top ten with eighth place, just four tenths off Gerloff’s pace on Day 1.
The American rider finished three tenths clear of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) as Lowes had a couple of items to try throughout the test, on the suspension and chassis side, although did not want to change the bike too much due to colder conditions than are expected at the Aragon Round.
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) claimed sixth spot as he, like teammate Razgatlioglu, did not improve in the final session of the day. His best time was a 1’50.433s, just over a second off Rea’s time but 0.010s away from Lowes. Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) was the highest-placed BMW rider as he claimed a top seven finish on his M 1000 RR, with teammate Eugene Laverty in tenth. Laverty’s best time was a 1’50.600s as he worked on the rear grip of his machine.
All five manufacturers were inside the top ten as Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) went ninth fastest on his CBR1000RR-R machine, posting a best time of 1’50.586s as he prepares for his rookie WorldSBK campaign. Lecuona’s plan was to do as many laps as possible but cold conditions in the morning and a Turn 7 crash in FP3 meant his running was disrupted, although he was okay following the crash.
TO NOTE…
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was 11th, just 0.032s outside a place inside the top ten on his Panigale V4 R as he looked to test a new swingarm as well as different setup choices. Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) claimed 13th spot for the factory BMW squad, three tenths down on the fastest time record by Baz, the fastest BMW rider.
Last year’s breakthrough star, Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) was 18th on the opening day of test with a time of 1’51.890s, over a tenth slower than debutant Roberto Tamburini (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) who received a late call-up to the 2022 Championship. Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha) was 19th fastest after he had a Turn 2 crash in FP3, with the Frenchman okay after the incident.
More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
The first day of testing at Aragon (Spain) ends with Bautista and Rinaldi in third and eleventh position respectively. Bulega tops WorldSSP
The first of two days of testing at the Motorland circuit in Aragon (Spain) ended with Alvaro Bautista in third place and Michael Rinaldi in 11th.
It was a very peculiar day, characterized by extremely cold temperatures that prevented the riders from being able to take advantage of the first of the three daily sessions.
In the early afternoon, the track conditions improved, and the two Aruba.it Racing – Ducati riders were able to work more effectively with their Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Alvaro Bautista ended with the third fastest time (1’50.025), recorded on SC0 tyres. A crash – without particular consequences – on the last run forced him to postpone the time attack attempt until tomorrow.
After a good fifth place in the second session, Michael Rinaldi – also due to some issues – was unable to make an impact in FP3 closing with the 11th fastest time in the combined standings (1’50.632).
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19)
“We’ve been working a lot on the setup and electronics and we have been able to get some very interesting data. I’m really sorry for the crash on the last run. I went out for the first time with the second bike and, if I’m honest, I don’t know what happened. We will have to check the data to understand it better. Luckily there were no consequences. Anyway, I am confident about the pace we had with the SC0. Tomorrow we’ll also try the softer tires”.
Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #21)
“I can’t be satisfied with the way things went today. We weren’t able to find continuity on the track and that’s something we’ll talk about with the team to be able to do better tomorrow. Anyway, the feeling with the bike isn’t bad and that gives me confidence. Of course, we will have to work harder to be ready for the first round of the season”. WorldSSP
After being forced to skip the FP1 due to low temperatures, Nicolò Bulega showed to be at ease on the Ducati Panigale V2 of the Aruba.it Racing WSSP Team. The Italian rider completed 37 laps in the two-afternoon sessions, finishing in first place with the fastest time of 1’53.818.
Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WSSP Team #11)
“It was a very complicated day because of the weather conditions. Luckily in the afternoon, we were able to work steadily, also because it was my first time on this circuit with the Ducati Panigale V2. We’re still a long way from the fastest times of this category at Aragon, but the feeling with the bike is growing and that’s positive”.
More, from a press release issued by Team Go Eleven:
DAY 1 – ARAGON – SUPPORTED TEST; PHILIPP FINISHES CLOSE TO THE TOP TEN!
Finally the first week of racing has come! WorldSBK toes on track for a two-day Supported Test at Aragon, the same track on which, next weekend, the protagonists will kick off the WorldSBK.
The temperatures certainly did not help teams and riders, since the freezing cold, with temperatures around 0 ° C, forced most of the teams to make a few timed laps. From the second session onwards, the sun showed up at Motorland, warming the track and air, thus giving the riders the opportunity to push. Philipp used race tyres, the harder compound, looking for the right references of lines and brakings, different from those used with the smaller bikes. Right from the start he felt at ease, constantly improving lap times. A two-hour break after FP2 allowed the riders to carry out a quick debrief with the technicians to improve feeling and set-up ahead of the last session of Day 1. The last 45 minutes, FP3, proved to be the faster session for many riders. The asphalt temperatures reached 25 degrees, thus giving greater confidence especially on the front. The German homeowner Go Eleven set excellent times on both hard and soft tyres, dropping below 51. With the best time of 1.50.713 he finished close to the Top ten, 3 tenths from fourth place.
DAY 1 – COMBINED RESULTS:
P 1 J. Rea 1.49.394
P 2 T. Razgatlioglu + 0.016
P 3 A. Bautista + 0.631
P 4 G. Gerloff + 0.726
P 5 A. Lowes + 1.029
…
P 12 P. Oettl + 1.319
There is still a lot of work to do to get ready for the first Friday of the year, but the start is cpositive and Oettl’s feelings are good. In the evening today the Go Eleven technicians will work to fix the corner entrance and the T 2, the two most critical points found during today’s tests.
Philipp Oettl (Rider):
“Today it was a new day on a new track with the Superbike, I am happy by the moment, we made some good steps in the right direction. If we continue like this also tomorrow, I think it would be great. I still have to adapt my riding style to Aragon with the Ducati V4-RS. It’s not easy to learn fast, but we are on the right way, but we need to keep working!”
Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):
“This morning when we woke up it was really very cold, I thought it was a lost day; in reality then in the afternoon the temperature warmed up a bit and we were able to get out on the track in good conditions. There was even more grip than during last year race. We managed to work well, both in the tyre comparison and on the electronics settings. We collected a lot of data that will help us face the race weekend in the best possible way. Philipp’s adaptation is proceeding well, he manages to be fast on all tyres. I’m happy with both the team’s work and Philipp’s, even though it will probably be much warmer at the weekend than today’s conditions. “
Editorial Note: John Denning is the father of Paul Denning, principal of the Pata Yamaha by Brixx World Superbike team.
JOHN DENNING – 30TH MAY 1940 TO 2ND APRIL 2022
It is with great sadness that Crescent Motorcycle Co and the Crescent Yamaha WorldSBK team announces, following a short illness, the passing of Crescent’s modern-day founder, father-figure and constant guide, John Denning. [He was 81.]
John began working in the Bournemouth-based motorcycle and bicycle shop with his father straight from school in the 1950s, and leaves behind him a legacy of 65 years of service to Crescent’s customers and of guidance and care to Crescent’s staff. Operating the business in a prudent professional manner and gaining a reputation for customer service as his first priority, John was pivotal to Crescent’s growth and longer-term success as he supported his son, Paul, in expanding Crescent’s activities in the mid-1990s. This included the move into professional circuit racing in 1997, and John took great pleasure in all stages of the team’s growth, culminating with his huge pride in the ultimate accolade of World Championship victory in 2021. John played an important part in Crescent’s business to the end and was a constant source of encouragement and guidance.
John’s final “official” professional engagement was the recent presentation of the Torrens Trophy to Crescent at the Royal Automobile Club in London, where despite being weakened by his illness, the event was greatly enjoyed.
A keen sportsman and enthusiastic participant in four-wheeled machinery in addition to his passion for motorcycles, John Denning was an energetic, humble and deeply generous gentleman with an irreverent sense of fun, who will be greatly missed by all at Crescent, by his wife Angela, his family and his many friends and colleagues from all over the world.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 26th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 11 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (11 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2022 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Isaiah Burleson. Photo courtesy Isaiah Burleson.
Isaiah Burleson
Age: 18.
Current home: Lead Hill, Arkansas.
Current height/weight: 5’10”/150 pounds.
Current school grade level: 12th grade.
Began riding at age: 5 years.
First road race: 2010, Hallett, Oklahoma, CMRA, Jr. Motard, 1st place.
Current racebike: Kawasaki Ninja 400, Yamaha YZF-R6.
Michael van der Mark to sit out the WorldSBK season opener at Aragón; Ilya Mikhalchik stands in.
BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team rider Michael van der Mark focuses on recovering from his fractured leg.
BMW Motorrad works rider Ilya Mikhalchik will line-up for the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK
Team in the final tests and the first races of the season at MotorLand Aragón.
Michael van der Mark: “My goal is to be fit again as soon as possible”.
Alcañiz. Injured Michael van der Mark (NED) has taken the decision to not participate in the 2022 season opener of the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at MotorLand Aragón (ESP) this coming weekend. The works rider for the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team had surgery last week on the leg fracture he suffered in a training accident with his mountain bike and now focuses on his full recovery. BMW Motorrad works rider Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR) already stood in for van der Mark at the recent Barcelona test and will do again at the final tests and also the season opener.
Van der Mark said: “It has been a difficult decision but unfortunately I will not try to ride at MotorLand Aragón. At this moment we have to be smart and stay calm because this is the only way forward in my recovery. I really miss working with the team and riding my BMW M 1000 RR but right now my goal is to be fit again as soon as possible.”
After testing with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team at Barcelona (ESP), Mikhalchik headed to Le Mans (FRA) to prepare with the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team for the 2022 FIM Endurance World Championship (FIM EWC). This weekend, he is competing with the easyRace BMW Team in the Spanish Superbike Championship (ESBK) at Jerez de la Frontera (ESP) and will then head to MotorLand Aragón in time for the final WorldSBK tests that will take place tomorrow, Monday, and Tuesday.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 26th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 11 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (11 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2022 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Chase Black. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Chase Black
Age: 15.
Current home: Round Rock, Texas.
Current height/weight: 5’9″/130 pounds.
Current school grade level: 9th grade.
Began riding at age: 2.5 years.
First road race: 2017, Katy, Texas, Texas Mini Grand Prix, 12 & Under, 3rd place.
Current racebikes: Kawasaki Ninja 400 & ZX-6R.
Current tuners/mechanics: Jordan Rhodes, Dennis Black (father).
Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup.
Top sponsors: Blk Out Logistics, Eleven Motorsports, Bison Track, Arai Americas, Yoshimura, Motul USA, SBS Brakes, Curbeater, Spears Racing, Moto Liberty, 3:16 Trackdays, Actions On Purpose.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2021 season, placed 15th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (4 top-10 finishes, best race result was 8th), finished 2nd in CMRA 500 GP Expert Championship (3 wins); 2020 season, 11 CMRA Novice race wins, 2 Texas Mini Grand Prix (TMGP) race wins; 2019 season, won CMRA F5 and F6 Championships (10 wins), won 10 TMGP Championships (30 wins), won 2 American Super Mini GP Championships (2 wins); 2018 season, finished 5th in Ohvale Talent Cup Championship.
2022 racing goal: Finish in top 3 in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship.
Racing career goal: Compete in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and Moto3 World Championship.
Racing hero: Dennis Black (father).
Favorite track: Barber Motorsports Park.
Favorite hobby: Riding motocross.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Riding motocross and BMX or bowling.
Aleix Espargaro makes history for Aprilia in Argentina
The Noale factory take pole position for the first time in the MotoGP™ era as the number 41 secures his third pole with a third different motorcycle
Sunday, 03 April 2022
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) is the toast of Noale as the number 41 made history for Aprilia at the Gran Premio Michelin® de la República Argentina, taking the factory’s first pole position in the MotoGP™ era thanks to a 1:37.688. It’s the Spaniard’s first pole position since the 2015 Catalan GP and third overall, each of which has been taken on a different motorcycle, which creates another first in the MotoGP™ era. Add to that, Sunday marks the number 41’s 200th premier class start.
Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) will started second and Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) third, with plenty of shake ups on super Saturday at Termas de Rio Hondo.
Q1
Some of those shake ups were clear from the roll call in Q1, including Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team), Championship leader Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and winner last time out, Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Ultimately it was a Honda 1-2 moving through, with Pol Espargaro fastest from Nakagami and plenty looking for a Sunday comeback. There is, however, a much longer Warm Up to work with…
Q2
Q2 then burst into life, at east for 10 of the 12 riders as Pol Espargaro sat patiently in his box, and Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) encountered an issue when trying to fire up his number one GSX-RR. There was frantic action inside the box to swap the tyres onto his second bike, but thankfully, Mir didn’t lose too much time.
Martin went P1 early doors. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) grabbed P2 before the Australian tucked the front at Turn 1, rider ok, but it meant the yellow flags were out. Next up Aleix Espargaro went 0.3s clear at the summit to lay down a real gauntlet in Q2, with Quartararo P3 at the end of the first efforts behind Martin. Miller was P4, Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) P5 and Marini P6, before Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) pounced up to provisional P5.
So could anyone bridge the 0.3s gap for Aleix Espargaro in the final five minutes? Quartararo was certainly trying but came across Miller, who was on an out-lap, at Turn 7. That lap was then gone for a frustrated reigning World Champion, but there was movement elsewhere as Martin pulled out a beauty to go provisional pole.
Aleix Espargaro wasn’t done yet, however. The Aprilia rider was 0.2s under at the third split, and kept the red sectors rolling to the line for a momentous first pole position for Aprilia in the MotoGP™ era, beating Martin by over a tenth. Marini snuck onto the front row late on, Pol Espargaro made gains and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) adds a little more history for Noale in fifth.
The Grid
Aprilia head the grid for the first time ever, ahead of Martin on the hunt for his first points of the year and Marini enjoying an impressive second premier class start.
Pol Espargaro impressed with P4 after coming through Q1, and the Spaniard edged out compatriot Maverick Viñales by less than a tenth – so that’s P5 for Top Gun and his best qualifying result in Aprilia Racing colours. It’s also the first time with two Aprilias in the top five on the premier class grid.
Quartararo cut a slightly frustrated figure at the end of qualifying, and the Frenchman will start from P6, locking out the second row. Still, as MotoGP™ returns to Termas for the first time since 2019, it’s his best at the venue – and 22 places higher than one of the toughest weekends of his career in Moto2™ before that…
Rins and Mir go two-by-two for Suzuki on Saturday, with Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) completing the third row of the grid. Nakagami rounds out the top ten as he returns to the fold, although the Japanese rider didn’t technically miss any track action after his delayed arrival to Argentina..
Miller wasn’t able to improve on his best time after his Turn 1 tumble, and the Australian finished P11. To add a little insult to timesheet injury however, for riding slowly on the racing line and disturbing Quartararo’s lap, the Australian has also been handed a three-place grid penalty.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was made to rue a mistake at Turn 7 that cost him a lap that was set to take him onto – at least – the front two rows, and the South African had to settle for P12 that becomes P11 after Miller’s penalty.
Behind them await the likes of Bastianini and Bagnaia, with plenty to race for on Sunday. The extended Warm Up gives the premier class another 40 minutes of track time, but then it’s time to go racing as the lights go out at 15:00 (GMT -3) at the Argentinean GP. Don’t miss it!
Aleix Espargaro: “I’m extremely happy. Even more than happy, the word to describe how I feel is proud. I’m proud because I’ve been working with this team for the last six years, and many times, especially the first three or four years we struggled a lot. Coming from there to here makes me really proud.”
The Buell SuperTouring prototype. Photo courtesy Buell.
Buell® Current and Future Products Get Standing Ovation at Daytona
Grand Rapids, MI – The Buell is Back mantra was reaffirmed and reinforced after a strong showing and enthusiastic response from consumers at Daytona Bike Week 2022.
“Thank You, Thank You, Thank You and now it’s back to work,” said Bill Melvin, CEO of Buell Motorcycle Co. “We were humbled by the wildly enthusiastic response from both the media and consumers at Daytona on our current and future models. Their encouragement and insistence to keep expanding the Buell brand into new segments while pushing the power envelope was clearly heard…so as it pertains to new product development – you ain’t seen nothing yet!”
Buell showcased the Hammerhead and 1190 SX models currently in production while unveiling two new prototypes, the Baja DR and SuperTouring, announcing their entry into the off-road and touring segments while maintaining the brand’s coveted DNA customers expect.
The Baja DR will boast the world’s fastest production dirt bike with a 175hp liquid-cooled, 72-degree V-twin engine with 101 ft-lbs. of torque. Add to this the trellis frame, adjustable swing arm for a 66-72” wheelbase, industry-standard 37” seat height with 26.75-degree rake and you’ve got the makings for an unmatched top-of-the-market speed and performance dirt bike. Production is planned for early 2023.
The Buell DR Baja prototype. Photo courtesy Buell.
The new SuperTouring model will possess the fastest touring bike in the marketplace producing an industry-leading 185hp. It retains Buell’s famous Fuel in Frame handling but will exhibit a more upright riding position, variable mounting points for hard or soft bags and room for rider customization with aftermarket touring accessories. Production is planned for winter 2022.
Opportunities to reserve a production slot for the Hammerhead, 1190 SX, Baja DR, and SuperTouring models are available now by placing a $25 reservation at www.BuellMotorcycle.com. You’ll receive a limited-edition Buell hat too!
“We were blown away by the reception of our future models and listened closely to our customers regarding their likes and dislikes,” said Dean Guard, Chief Product Engineer at Buell Motorcycle Co. “They took the time to evaluate our products and provide us with insights, and we can’t thank them enough for their passionate feedback and input. We will take this information back to our leadership team and make the necessary changes to continue to deliver products that exceed their expectations.”
Buell is headed back more energized than ever to deliver more Hammerhead and SX models, make improvements and prepare to launch their new Baja DR and SuperTouring models and explore opportunities to expand into new product segments as well.
Daytona Bike Week only reaffirmed that Buell is back and delivering excitement at every turn.
For future Buell updates, follow our news page on our website and our social media pages.
Jonathan Rea (65). Photo courtesy Dorna WorldSBK Press Office.
Current WorldSBK Race Lap Record: 1:49.620, J. Rea (Kaw), 2020
Current WorldSBK All-Time Lap Record: 1:48.458, J. Rea (Kaw), 2021
FIM Superbike World Championship
MotorLand Aragon
Alcaniz, Spain
April 4, 2022
Provisional Day One Best Lap Times (all on Pirelli tires):
Jonathan Rea, UK (Kaw), 1:49.394
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Turkey (Yam), 1:49.628
Alvaro Bautista, Spain (Duc), 1:50.025
Garrett Gerloff, USA (Yam), 1:50.120
Alex Lowes, UK (Kaw), 1:50.423
Loris Baz, France (BMW), 1:50.446
Kohta Nozane, Japan (Yam), 1:50.520
Iker Lecuona, Spain (Hon), 1:50.586
Eugene Laverty, UK (BMW), 1:50.600
Andrea Locatelli, Italy (Yam), 1:50.612
Philipp Oettl, Germany (Duc), 1:50.713
Scott Redding, UK (BMW), 1:50.734
Michael Ruben Rinaldi, Italy (Duc), 1:50.829
Lucas Mahias, France (Kaw), 1:51.151
Ilya Mikhalchik, Ukraine (BMW), 1:51.438
Xavi Vierge, Spain (Hon), 1:51.446
Roberto Tamburini, Italy (Yam), 1:51.737
Axel Bassani, Italy (Duc), 1:51.890
Christophe Ponsson, Belgium (Yam), 1:52.785
Luca Bernardi, San Marino (Duc), 1:52.937
Leandro Mercado, Argentina (Hon), 1:53.100
Oliver Konig, Czech Republic (Kaw), 1:53.421
Hafizh Syahrin, Malaysia (Hon), 1:53.945
Loris Cresson, Belgium (Kaw), 1:54.691
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
Rea under race lap record pace on Day 1 at Aragon as he tops the WorldSBK timesheets
The six-time World Champion topped the times by just 0.016s ahead of nearest rival Toprak Razgatlioglu on the opening day of testing at MotorLand Aragon
Despite colder conditions impacting on Day 1 of the Supported Test at MotorLand Aragon, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was able to lap faster than the race lap record for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship venue as he topped the timesheets on Day 1 of testing. The six-time World Champion left it late to go top on Day 1 in the combined classification, beating his nearest rival by just 0.016s.
THREE MANUFACTURERS IN THE TOP THREE
Rea claimed top spot on the opening day of action with a lap late in the third and final session of track action as he posted a 1’49.394s, to go under his own race lap record at MotorLand Aragon by two tenths of a second. Rea, who was hoping to start finetuning his ZX-10RR machine ahead of the Pirelli Aragon Round beat Razgatlioglu’s best time of 1’49.410s, set in FP2, in the final minutes of Day 1.
Like Rea, Razgatlioglu was under the race lap record set the six-time World Champion in last year’s Superpole Race, although the 2021 Champion’s day ended a few minutes early when he suffered a technical issue at Turn 15 in the closing stages of the session. Razgatlioglu used new electronics throughout the test as well as working on the race setup of his Yamaha YZF R1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed third spot despite a crash on his Panigale V4 R machine at Turn 6 in FP3, ending the day six tenths down on Rea’s best time as his focus was on the start of the season in just a few days.
ALL FIVE MANUFACTURERS FEATURE IN A TIGHTLY PACKED TOP TEN
Garrett Gerloff (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) finished the day in fourth place as the American lapped around seven tenths slower than Rea, although Gerloff was fastest in the third sector of the lap. Gerloff’s R1 machine was fitted with the 2022 engine and a new exhaust seen on Razgatlioglu’s bike during testing as he claimed a top four finish on Day 1. Teammate Kohta Nozane ensured but GRT Yamaha riders were inside the top ten with eighth place, just four tenths off Gerloff’s pace on Day 1.
The American rider finished three tenths clear of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) as Lowes had a couple of items to try throughout the test, on the suspension and chassis side, although did not want to change the bike too much due to colder conditions than are expected at the Aragon Round.
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) claimed sixth spot as he, like teammate Razgatlioglu, did not improve in the final session of the day. His best time was a 1’50.433s, just over a second off Rea’s time but 0.010s away from Lowes. Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) was the highest-placed BMW rider as he claimed a top seven finish on his M 1000 RR, with teammate Eugene Laverty in tenth. Laverty’s best time was a 1’50.600s as he worked on the rear grip of his machine.
All five manufacturers were inside the top ten as Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) went ninth fastest on his CBR1000RR-R machine, posting a best time of 1’50.586s as he prepares for his rookie WorldSBK campaign. Lecuona’s plan was to do as many laps as possible but cold conditions in the morning and a Turn 7 crash in FP3 meant his running was disrupted, although he was okay following the crash.
TO NOTE…
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was 11th, just 0.032s outside a place inside the top ten on his Panigale V4 R as he looked to test a new swingarm as well as different setup choices. Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) claimed 13th spot for the factory BMW squad, three tenths down on the fastest time record by Baz, the fastest BMW rider.
Last year’s breakthrough star, Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) was 18th on the opening day of test with a time of 1’51.890s, over a tenth slower than debutant Roberto Tamburini (Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team) who received a late call-up to the 2022 Championship. Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha) was 19th fastest after he had a Turn 2 crash in FP3, with the Frenchman okay after the incident.
More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:
The first day of testing at Aragon (Spain) ends with Bautista and Rinaldi in third and eleventh position respectively. Bulega tops WorldSSP
The first of two days of testing at the Motorland circuit in Aragon (Spain) ended with Alvaro Bautista in third place and Michael Rinaldi in 11th.
It was a very peculiar day, characterized by extremely cold temperatures that prevented the riders from being able to take advantage of the first of the three daily sessions.
In the early afternoon, the track conditions improved, and the two Aruba.it Racing – Ducati riders were able to work more effectively with their Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Alvaro Bautista ended with the third fastest time (1’50.025), recorded on SC0 tyres. A crash – without particular consequences – on the last run forced him to postpone the time attack attempt until tomorrow.
After a good fifth place in the second session, Michael Rinaldi – also due to some issues – was unable to make an impact in FP3 closing with the 11th fastest time in the combined standings (1’50.632).
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #19)
“We’ve been working a lot on the setup and electronics and we have been able to get some very interesting data. I’m really sorry for the crash on the last run. I went out for the first time with the second bike and, if I’m honest, I don’t know what happened. We will have to check the data to understand it better. Luckily there were no consequences. Anyway, I am confident about the pace we had with the SC0. Tomorrow we’ll also try the softer tires”.
Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #21)
“I can’t be satisfied with the way things went today. We weren’t able to find continuity on the track and that’s something we’ll talk about with the team to be able to do better tomorrow. Anyway, the feeling with the bike isn’t bad and that gives me confidence. Of course, we will have to work harder to be ready for the first round of the season”. WorldSSP
After being forced to skip the FP1 due to low temperatures, Nicolò Bulega showed to be at ease on the Ducati Panigale V2 of the Aruba.it Racing WSSP Team. The Italian rider completed 37 laps in the two-afternoon sessions, finishing in first place with the fastest time of 1’53.818.
Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WSSP Team #11)
“It was a very complicated day because of the weather conditions. Luckily in the afternoon, we were able to work steadily, also because it was my first time on this circuit with the Ducati Panigale V2. We’re still a long way from the fastest times of this category at Aragon, but the feeling with the bike is growing and that’s positive”.
More, from a press release issued by Team Go Eleven:
DAY 1 – ARAGON – SUPPORTED TEST; PHILIPP FINISHES CLOSE TO THE TOP TEN!
Finally the first week of racing has come! WorldSBK toes on track for a two-day Supported Test at Aragon, the same track on which, next weekend, the protagonists will kick off the WorldSBK.
The temperatures certainly did not help teams and riders, since the freezing cold, with temperatures around 0 ° C, forced most of the teams to make a few timed laps. From the second session onwards, the sun showed up at Motorland, warming the track and air, thus giving the riders the opportunity to push. Philipp used race tyres, the harder compound, looking for the right references of lines and brakings, different from those used with the smaller bikes. Right from the start he felt at ease, constantly improving lap times. A two-hour break after FP2 allowed the riders to carry out a quick debrief with the technicians to improve feeling and set-up ahead of the last session of Day 1. The last 45 minutes, FP3, proved to be the faster session for many riders. The asphalt temperatures reached 25 degrees, thus giving greater confidence especially on the front. The German homeowner Go Eleven set excellent times on both hard and soft tyres, dropping below 51. With the best time of 1.50.713 he finished close to the Top ten, 3 tenths from fourth place.
DAY 1 – COMBINED RESULTS:
P 1 J. Rea 1.49.394
P 2 T. Razgatlioglu + 0.016
P 3 A. Bautista + 0.631
P 4 G. Gerloff + 0.726
P 5 A. Lowes + 1.029
…
P 12 P. Oettl + 1.319
There is still a lot of work to do to get ready for the first Friday of the year, but the start is cpositive and Oettl’s feelings are good. In the evening today the Go Eleven technicians will work to fix the corner entrance and the T 2, the two most critical points found during today’s tests.
Philipp Oettl (Rider):
“Today it was a new day on a new track with the Superbike, I am happy by the moment, we made some good steps in the right direction. If we continue like this also tomorrow, I think it would be great. I still have to adapt my riding style to Aragon with the Ducati V4-RS. It’s not easy to learn fast, but we are on the right way, but we need to keep working!”
Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):
“This morning when we woke up it was really very cold, I thought it was a lost day; in reality then in the afternoon the temperature warmed up a bit and we were able to get out on the track in good conditions. There was even more grip than during last year race. We managed to work well, both in the tyre comparison and on the electronics settings. We collected a lot of data that will help us face the race weekend in the best possible way. Philipp’s adaptation is proceeding well, he manages to be fast on all tyres. I’m happy with both the team’s work and Philipp’s, even though it will probably be much warmer at the weekend than today’s conditions. “
John Denning, R.I.P. Photo courtesy Crescent Motorcycle Co.
Editorial Note: John Denning is the father of Paul Denning, principal of the Pata Yamaha by Brixx World Superbike team.
JOHN DENNING – 30TH MAY 1940 TO 2ND APRIL 2022
It is with great sadness that Crescent Motorcycle Co and the Crescent Yamaha WorldSBK team announces, following a short illness, the passing of Crescent’s modern-day founder, father-figure and constant guide, John Denning. [He was 81.]
John began working in the Bournemouth-based motorcycle and bicycle shop with his father straight from school in the 1950s, and leaves behind him a legacy of 65 years of service to Crescent’s customers and of guidance and care to Crescent’s staff. Operating the business in a prudent professional manner and gaining a reputation for customer service as his first priority, John was pivotal to Crescent’s growth and longer-term success as he supported his son, Paul, in expanding Crescent’s activities in the mid-1990s. This included the move into professional circuit racing in 1997, and John took great pleasure in all stages of the team’s growth, culminating with his huge pride in the ultimate accolade of World Championship victory in 2021. John played an important part in Crescent’s business to the end and was a constant source of encouragement and guidance.
John’s final “official” professional engagement was the recent presentation of the Torrens Trophy to Crescent at the Royal Automobile Club in London, where despite being weakened by his illness, the event was greatly enjoyed.
A keen sportsman and enthusiastic participant in four-wheeled machinery in addition to his passion for motorcycles, John Denning was an energetic, humble and deeply generous gentleman with an irreverent sense of fun, who will be greatly missed by all at Crescent, by his wife Angela, his family and his many friends and colleagues from all over the world.
Isaiah Burleson (919). Photo by David Gillen, courtesy Isaiah Burleson.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 26th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 11 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (11 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2022 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Isaiah Burleson. Photo courtesy Isaiah Burleson.
Isaiah Burleson
Age: 18.
Current home: Lead Hill, Arkansas.
Current height/weight: 5’10”/150 pounds.
Current school grade level: 12th grade.
Began riding at age: 5 years.
First road race: 2010, Hallett, Oklahoma, CMRA, Jr. Motard, 1st place.
Current racebike: Kawasaki Ninja 400, Yamaha YZF-R6.
Michael van der Mark. Photo courtesy BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Michael van der Mark to sit out the WorldSBK season opener at Aragón; Ilya Mikhalchik stands in.
BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team rider Michael van der Mark focuses on recovering from his fractured leg.
BMW Motorrad works rider Ilya Mikhalchik will line-up for the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK
Team in the final tests and the first races of the season at MotorLand Aragón.
Michael van der Mark: “My goal is to be fit again as soon as possible”.
Alcañiz. Injured Michael van der Mark (NED) has taken the decision to not participate in the 2022 season opener of the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at MotorLand Aragón (ESP) this coming weekend. The works rider for the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team had surgery last week on the leg fracture he suffered in a training accident with his mountain bike and now focuses on his full recovery. BMW Motorrad works rider Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR) already stood in for van der Mark at the recent Barcelona test and will do again at the final tests and also the season opener.
Van der Mark said: “It has been a difficult decision but unfortunately I will not try to ride at MotorLand Aragón. At this moment we have to be smart and stay calm because this is the only way forward in my recovery. I really miss working with the team and riding my BMW M 1000 RR but right now my goal is to be fit again as soon as possible.”
After testing with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team at Barcelona (ESP), Mikhalchik headed to Le Mans (FRA) to prepare with the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team for the 2022 FIM Endurance World Championship (FIM EWC). This weekend, he is competing with the easyRace BMW Team in the Spanish Superbike Championship (ESBK) at Jerez de la Frontera (ESP) and will then head to MotorLand Aragón in time for the final WorldSBK tests that will take place tomorrow, Monday, and Tuesday.
Roadracing World started this exclusive special feature recognizing the most promising young road racers as an answer to pessimists who claimed America had no new, up-and-coming young racers. This edition of the Roadracing World Young Gun Awards marks the 26th consecutive year of showcasing an abundance of new talent.
Roadracing World Young Guns have won:
FIM MotoGP and FIM Superbike races and World Championships;
MotoAmerica and AMA Pro races and Championships, including 11 AMA Pro Superbike Championships;
A KTM RC Cup World Final race;
The Daytona 200 (11 times);
WERA National Endurance Championships and WERA National Challenge Championships;
ASRA/Formula USA Grand National and CCS National Championships;
AMA Road Racing Grand Championships and Horizon Awards;
USGPRU National Championships;
Many regional and local titles.
The competition has continually become more intense as more – and younger—racers with higher levels of accomplishment are nominated, and the level of achievement required to make the grade keeps getting tougher.
We’ve spent the last several months accepting nominations and evaluating road racers between the ages of 10 and 18 (as of the start of the 2022 season) who have, at a minimum, won Expert-level road races and/or Championships or had outstanding results as an Amateur/Novice. Most of the riders included here have done far more than the minimum.
The young riders recognized here are the most promising young road racers in North America. All have earned the title of Roadracing World Young Gun.
We will feature one Young Gun per day, presenting them in alphabetical order.
Chase Black. Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
Chase Black
Age: 15.
Current home: Round Rock, Texas.
Current height/weight: 5’9″/130 pounds.
Current school grade level: 9th grade.
Began riding at age: 2.5 years.
First road race: 2017, Katy, Texas, Texas Mini Grand Prix, 12 & Under, 3rd place.
Current racebikes: Kawasaki Ninja 400 & ZX-6R.
Current tuners/mechanics: Jordan Rhodes, Dennis Black (father).
Primary race series: MotoAmerica Junior Cup.
Top sponsors: Blk Out Logistics, Eleven Motorsports, Bison Track, Arai Americas, Yoshimura, Motul USA, SBS Brakes, Curbeater, Spears Racing, Moto Liberty, 3:16 Trackdays, Actions On Purpose.
Recent racing accomplishments: 2021 season, placed 15th in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship (4 top-10 finishes, best race result was 8th), finished 2nd in CMRA 500 GP Expert Championship (3 wins); 2020 season, 11 CMRA Novice race wins, 2 Texas Mini Grand Prix (TMGP) race wins; 2019 season, won CMRA F5 and F6 Championships (10 wins), won 10 TMGP Championships (30 wins), won 2 American Super Mini GP Championships (2 wins); 2018 season, finished 5th in Ohvale Talent Cup Championship.
2022 racing goal: Finish in top 3 in MotoAmerica Junior Cup Championship.
Racing career goal: Compete in Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and Moto3 World Championship.
Racing hero: Dennis Black (father).
Favorite track: Barber Motorsports Park.
Favorite hobby: Riding motocross.
If I wasn’t racing I would be…: Riding motocross and BMX or bowling.
Aleix Espargaro makes history for Aprilia in Argentina
The Noale factory take pole position for the first time in the MotoGP™ era as the number 41 secures his third pole with a third different motorcycle
Sunday, 03 April 2022
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) is the toast of Noale as the number 41 made history for Aprilia at the Gran Premio Michelin® de la República Argentina, taking the factory’s first pole position in the MotoGP™ era thanks to a 1:37.688. It’s the Spaniard’s first pole position since the 2015 Catalan GP and third overall, each of which has been taken on a different motorcycle, which creates another first in the MotoGP™ era. Add to that, Sunday marks the number 41’s 200th premier class start.
Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) will started second and Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) third, with plenty of shake ups on super Saturday at Termas de Rio Hondo.
Q1
Some of those shake ups were clear from the roll call in Q1, including Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team), Championship leader Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) and winner last time out, Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Ultimately it was a Honda 1-2 moving through, with Pol Espargaro fastest from Nakagami and plenty looking for a Sunday comeback. There is, however, a much longer Warm Up to work with…
Q2
Q2 then burst into life, at east for 10 of the 12 riders as Pol Espargaro sat patiently in his box, and Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) encountered an issue when trying to fire up his number one GSX-RR. There was frantic action inside the box to swap the tyres onto his second bike, but thankfully, Mir didn’t lose too much time.
Martin went P1 early doors. Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) grabbed P2 before the Australian tucked the front at Turn 1, rider ok, but it meant the yellow flags were out. Next up Aleix Espargaro went 0.3s clear at the summit to lay down a real gauntlet in Q2, with Quartararo P3 at the end of the first efforts behind Martin. Miller was P4, Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) P5 and Marini P6, before Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) pounced up to provisional P5.
So could anyone bridge the 0.3s gap for Aleix Espargaro in the final five minutes? Quartararo was certainly trying but came across Miller, who was on an out-lap, at Turn 7. That lap was then gone for a frustrated reigning World Champion, but there was movement elsewhere as Martin pulled out a beauty to go provisional pole.
Aleix Espargaro wasn’t done yet, however. The Aprilia rider was 0.2s under at the third split, and kept the red sectors rolling to the line for a momentous first pole position for Aprilia in the MotoGP™ era, beating Martin by over a tenth. Marini snuck onto the front row late on, Pol Espargaro made gains and Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) adds a little more history for Noale in fifth.
The Grid
Aprilia head the grid for the first time ever, ahead of Martin on the hunt for his first points of the year and Marini enjoying an impressive second premier class start.
Pol Espargaro impressed with P4 after coming through Q1, and the Spaniard edged out compatriot Maverick Viñales by less than a tenth – so that’s P5 for Top Gun and his best qualifying result in Aprilia Racing colours. It’s also the first time with two Aprilias in the top five on the premier class grid.
Quartararo cut a slightly frustrated figure at the end of qualifying, and the Frenchman will start from P6, locking out the second row. Still, as MotoGP™ returns to Termas for the first time since 2019, it’s his best at the venue – and 22 places higher than one of the toughest weekends of his career in Moto2™ before that…
Rins and Mir go two-by-two for Suzuki on Saturday, with Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) completing the third row of the grid. Nakagami rounds out the top ten as he returns to the fold, although the Japanese rider didn’t technically miss any track action after his delayed arrival to Argentina..
Miller wasn’t able to improve on his best time after his Turn 1 tumble, and the Australian finished P11. To add a little insult to timesheet injury however, for riding slowly on the racing line and disturbing Quartararo’s lap, the Australian has also been handed a three-place grid penalty.
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was made to rue a mistake at Turn 7 that cost him a lap that was set to take him onto – at least – the front two rows, and the South African had to settle for P12 that becomes P11 after Miller’s penalty.
Behind them await the likes of Bastianini and Bagnaia, with plenty to race for on Sunday. The extended Warm Up gives the premier class another 40 minutes of track time, but then it’s time to go racing as the lights go out at 15:00 (GMT -3) at the Argentinean GP. Don’t miss it!
Aleix Espargaro: “I’m extremely happy. Even more than happy, the word to describe how I feel is proud. I’m proud because I’ve been working with this team for the last six years, and many times, especially the first three or four years we struggled a lot. Coming from there to here makes me really proud.”
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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
