More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Jackson and Bridewell share victories in dramatic Oulton Park races
Lee Jackson returned to winning ways in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park today, sharing the victories with Tommy Bridewell who became the eighth different race winner of the season on a dramatic day in Cheshire.
In the second race of the weekend, Jackson held off Title Fighter rival Bridewell and championship leader Bradley Ray in a restarted seven-lap dash to the chequered flag after an incident-packed race that was red flagged twice.
Race two got underway with Jason O’Halloran leading the pack, but Ray was instantly on the attack and took the lead at Cascades.
As the pack streamed through Druids for the first time, there was contact between O’Halloran and Bridewell and the McAMS Yamaha rider once again crashed out of the race. The Australian was left battered and bruised so sat out of race three.
Bridewell was issued a ride through penalty, a drop of three grid positions for race three and two penalty points by Race Direction for his involvement in the incident.
Meanwhile, Ray was trying to make a break at the front, but the battle for the podium positions was between Rory Skinner, Tarran Mackenzie and Leon Haslam.
Mackenzie though crashed out at Hislops on lap four and the race was red flagged, with the defending champion sustaining a suspected broken femur.
The race restarted and Ray again hit the front of the field ahead of Kyle Ryde, Jackson, Skinner and Christian Iddon. Bridewell had started 22nd on the grid due to his ride through time equivalent penalty and fought his way back up the order.
However, the race was then red flagged for a second time when Skinner, Ryde and Iddon tangled at Brittens.
The race was restarted again over seven laps and Ray took the lead from Glenn Irwin and Jackson, but there was more drama on the opening lap when Title Fighter Ryde and Tom Neave crashed out at Old Hall.
Ray was trying to fend off the chasing pack as Jackson went for a move on Irwin at Old Hall to take second before diving ahead of the championship leader at Cascades. A lap later and Bridewell was into second place as he pushed Ray back a further position.
The leading five riders were inseparable as Jackson continued to hold off Bridewell, Ray, Irwin and Danny Buchan, but the Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki rider had the edge and he was able to win the drag to the chequered flag.
Ray was narrowly able to remain ahead of Irwin for the final podium position as Buchan completed the top five for SYNETIQ BMW.
In the final race of the weekend, Bridewell added his name to the 2022 winners’ list, fending off his title rivals to become the eighth different victor of the season for the Oxford Products Racing Ducati team.
The battle for victory in race three became a tussle between four different teams and manufacturers with Bridewell, Glenn Irwin, Jackson and Buchan all in contention.
At the start of the race Irwin grabbed the lead from Ray and Jackson with Bridewell and Buchan in formation. Ray was looking for a move and he dived down the inside at Lodge on the opening lap to take the lead.
Irwin fought back and on lap eight, he reclaimed the position with a move at Lakeside, but Bridewell was through to third and a lap later, he grabbed second position at Old Hall.
The Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider then had Irwin in his sights and he made a decisive move at Lodge to head the pack. Bridewell then withstood the pressure from Irwin and as they took the chequered flag, there was just 0.089s between them.
In the battle for third place, Jackson and Buchan were trading places for the final spot on the podium. On the penultimate lap, the Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki rider reclaimed third and was able to keep Buchan at bay to the finish line.
Ray completed the top five, whilst his teammate Ryde carved his way through the pack from his back row start after his race two crash to finish in ninth place.
The Championship now heads to Donington Park next weekend for the penultimate round of the season. Ray remains on top of the standings by 40 points from Bridewell, who surged into second following his victory and double podium finish at Oulton Park this weekend.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 2 result:
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki)
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.289s
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.807s
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +1.348s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +1.679s
Leon Haslam (VisionTrack Kawasaki) +3.398s
Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) +4.955s
Josh Brookes (MCE Ducati) +5.759s
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +6.095s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +6.533s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 3 result:
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati)
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +0.089s
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) +0.222s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +0.708s
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +2.024s
Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) +2.143s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +2.390s
Josh Brookes (MCE Ducati) +4.789s
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +10.013s
Danny Kent (Buildbase Suzuki) +10.130s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 1113
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 1073
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 1065
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Tommy Bridewell
Oxford Products Racing Ducati
Eighth different race winner in 2022 Bennetts BSB
“A win and two seconds this weekend was good for me; on Thursday I said to the team that if we get everything right with the bike here then my aim is to leave here in the top three in the championship as it was so close.
“We have closed some points on Brad and moved up the order so that is a big boost for me and the team as we head to Donington Park next weekend. It just makes us believe; we know we are capable.
“There are a few areas still to work on as there is a lot more potential in the bike and if we can unlock that then the wins might come a bit easier.
“I had the opportunity to pass Glenn and then my mind switched to slowing the race down to conserve the tyre. I used the strengths of the Ducati so credit to the team and we need to try and keep the ball rolling now at Donington Park.”
The MotoAmerica Championship Comes To A Close In Style At Barber Motorsports Park
Jake Gagne (1) leads the Medallia Superbike pack on the opening lap of the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park. Eventual race winner Cameron Petersen (45) gives chase. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
BIRMINGHAM, AL (September 25, 2022) – Jake Gagne won 17 races last year en route to his first MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. This season, Gagne won 12 – five fewer races – to take the title. Yet, this championship means more than the first, he said. Because it came with more difficultly.
“Last year was cool winning all those races and taking home the championship, but this one feels good to bring it all the way down to the last race,” Gagne said. “It was just incredible. It was amazing being able to race with Danilo (Petrucci). That guy is a world-class racer. Like I said down there, I don’t think there has ever been anybody that I wanted to beat more, just because of his resume. He’s a MotoGP guy, a MotoGP winner. I don’t know how many of those we’ve had here in the States, so I wanted to do right and protect the home turf here and bring this MotoAmerica Championship home with an American.”
On Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park, Gagne finished second to his Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing teammate Cameron Petersen and that earned him a second successive Superbike title. The runner-up finish on Sunday put a ribbon on Gagne’s season that featured 12 wins and 14 total podiums in 20 races.
The race went perfectly for the Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing team as Petersen led Gagne for the duration, the pair flying in formation until Gagne backed it down in the final laps.
Petersen took his second win of the season, his third career victory, and his first in dry conditions at his favorite track by 3.1 seconds over Gagne.
Third place went to Tytlers Cycle Racing’s PJ Jacobsen with the New Yorker passing Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Danilo Petrucci in the last corner on the last lap. It was a fitting finish for Jacobsen, who lost out on third in Saturday’s race one when Petrucci’s jump-start penalty was reversed after the team’s appeal was upheld.
Jacobsen beat Petrucci to the line by .206 of a second.
Fifth place went to Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz, the South African racing with Petrucci early on before fading. He was some seven seconds adrift of the Italian at the finish and 3.2 seconds ahead of Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante.
Next up was Escalante’s teammate Jake Lewis with the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki rider topping Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim.
Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Kyle Wyman was ninth with his teammate Hector Barbera rounding out the top 10.
Superbike Race 2
Cameron Petersen (Yamaha)
Jake Gagne (Yamaha)
PJ Jacobsen (BMW)
Danilo Petrucci (Ducati)
Mathew Scholtz (Yamaha)
Richie Escalante (Suzuki)
Jake Lewis (Suzuki)
Hayden Gillim (Suzuki)
Kyle Wyman (BMW)
Hector Barbera (BMW)
Cameron Petersen – Winner
“Like Jake said, I really wanted to win one, especially after yesterday. But those first few laps, I was a little bit nervous to push like I had been in the past days this weekend. So, honestly, the pace wasn’t that fast, and I think that’s why some of those other guys, like Danilo (Petrucci), were able to stay there a little bit longer. I just tried to hit my marks the whole race because that’s what I did yesterday. I just got excited and started making mistakes. So, I really just tried to focus on hitting my marks, not making any stupid mistakes. Jake (Gagne) can say what he wants, but I think he gave that one to me. It’s pretty nice having a teammate like that. I knew he had pace. He’s had great pace all weekend. He had some funky stuff going on in the race there. Nonetheless, I got a win. I finally got one in the dry. I’m so happy. I can’t thank the team enough. They’ve done an amazing job all year. I’ve never had so much fun racing a motorcycle in my life. I’m really looking forward to the off-season and coming into next year on the same motorcycle, same crew, same team. I think it’s going to be good. Congrats to JG on the championship. He deserves it. The guy is unreal on a motorcycle and just a gem of a human being. He deserves this. And congrats to PJ (Jacobsen). I think he should have had two of these this weekend. I’m glad he got one today and I hope I see him on the grid next year, because he definitely deserves to be here. He’s one of the guys.”
Jake Gagne – Second Place
“After yesterday’s win, having a little bit of a gap going into today, I did sleep a little. It still took me a while to fall asleep last night, honestly. Just running over what could happen and hoping that it was dry. Until the last second. Thirty minutes before the race it was like, wet or dry? It was kind of nerve-racking. I’m stoked we got it done. I wouldn’t have asked for a better year. Last year was cool winning all those races and taking home the championship, but this one feels good to bring it all the way down to the last race. It was just incredible. It was amazing being able to race with Danilo (Petrucci). That guy is a world-class racer. Like I said down there, I don’t think there has ever been anybody that I wanted to beat more, just because of his resume. He’s a MotoGP guy, a MotoGP winner. I don’t know how many of those we’ve had here in the States, so I wanted to do right and protect the home turf here and bring this MotoAmerica championship home with an American. Thanks to the team. It was crazy. Today’s race was kind of crazy, but we made it to the finish.”
PJ Jacobsen – Third Place
“When we first started the race there, I was a little nervous because I had a lot of moments this morning because the track was so green from that little bit of rain. So, I was a little nervous on just leaning the bike so hard. But they were in front of me, and I just kept pushing and pushing. (Danilo) Petrucci and Scholtz were right there, and I just kept catching them and catching them. Then they got into a little bit of a battle there. Then I passed (Mathew) Scholtz and then just kind of went for Petrucci. Then I just sat there with five laps to go, and I knew where I was going to pass him. I passed him just going into the last corner and I knew that he was not going to expect that. So, that’s how it was. It was kind of a little bit of a redemption for yesterday. I really wanted to beat him. That was one thing, for sure.”
More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:
Danilo Petrucci Finishes a Brilliant Second in 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship
In his rookie MotoAmerica season, Danilo Petrucci does himself and Ducati proud
Danilo Petrucci (9). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati North America.
Sunnyvale, Calif., September 25, 2022 – Star rookie Danilo Petrucci (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) has finished an exceptional second place in the 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship after carding a third and a fourth-place finish at the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park.
The Italian took the title struggle with Yamaha’s Jake Gagne right to the season’s final race, with his eventual second place in the standings the best result for Ducati in the MotoAmerica era of AMA Superbike competition.
2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship Standing – Top 5
P1 – Jake Gagne (Yamaha) 376
P2 – Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) 356
P3 – Cameron Petersen (Yamaha) 304
P4 – Mathew Scholtz (Yamaha) 286
P5 – Hector Barbera (BMW) 190
Danilo Petrucci (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC – Ducati #9) : “I am happy,” Petrucci said with a smile. “Happy to finish second in this championship because I fought with a really talented rider like Jake who has a good team and bike. We had many races, with third on Saturday, second on Sunday, so we need to get a bit better with setting the bike up early in the weekend. We gave it our best shot and we can be happy with our year.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Gagne Crowned Back-To-Back MotoAmerica Superbike Champion at Barber
Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne was crowned MotoAmerica Superbike Champion today for the second year running, sealing the deal with a runner-up finish in Race 2 at the Barber Motorsports Park. It was a stellar end to the season for the team as a whole, as Cameron Petersen took home the win for a 1-2 finish in Leeds, Alabama.
Following his dominant performance yesterday, Gagne grabbed the holeshot with Petersen right behind. Looking for redemption after a tough Race 1 and a win of his own, the South African quickly took the lead. The duo set the pace early aboard their Attack Performance Yamaha R1s to build a comfortable gap clear of the competition. Petersen managed a superb race up front and rode on to claim his second win of the season, 3.1-seconds ahead of his teammate.
Gagne’s runner-up finish secured the crown with a 20-point lead. It was an intense battle all year with his title rival Danilo Petrucci, but the Colorado rider fought through adversity to take back-to-back titles in the premier class. Over the 10-round season, he amassed 12 wins, a total of 15 podiums, eight pole positions, and multiple track records. His teammate Petersen enjoyed a successful debut season with the team, ending the year third in the points standings with a pair of wins and a total of 12 podiums.
The 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and his team get a short break before heading over to Portimao, Portugal, to make a wild card appearance at the ninth round of the FIM Superbike World Championship on October 7-9.
Richard Stanboli – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“It’s been a challenging year. Our competition kept us honest, but in the end, when the pressure should be the highest, our riders and crew performed their jobs with great harmony. I couldn’t be prouder of all of them.
“Jake achieved his second championship milestone, and Cameron had his first dry weather superbike win, so it was a good finish to the season. We are now looking forward to our WorldSBK wild card appearance at Portimao and then a little time off after that before we start again with winter testing.
Jake Gagne – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing
“I’m so happy to be able to bring another title home for this team. It was quite a year and a very exciting, close championship hunt. Thanks again to this team for giving me the best bike possible. It feels really good to get this championship. We were all tested again and again with some ups and downs, but we got it done. Congrats to Cam for that win, he got out in front, and I was kind of happy to watch his pace with that little bit of rain earlier. Also, hats off to Danilo (Petrucci), that guy is a true competitor, and he really pushed me this year.”
Cameron Petersen – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing
“To finish off the year with a win, I can’t tell you how much that means to me. We had a rough day yesterday, and we knew what we needed to do. I’ve wanted to get a win in the dry for a long time, and we finally made it happen. I can’t thank the whole team enough. I’ve had so much fun and can’t wait for next year.”
Wyman, Davis Crowned In MotoAmerica Season Finale At Barber Motorsports Park
That’s A Wrap On The 2022 MotoAmerica Championship As Alabama Finale Concludes
BIRMINGHAM, AL (September 25, 2022) – As the saying goes, “save the best for last,” and that was certainly the case with MotoAmerica’s support-class races at Barber Motorsports Park. The final race of the weekend, and final race of the entire 2022 MotoAmerica Championship, was in SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup. And, the way things worked out, two riders ended up deadlocked in a tie based on season points, which meant that the rider with the most wins on the season would be named the season champion. That rider turned out to be Alpha Omega Kawasaki rider Cody Wyman who, as it turned out, did just enough on Sunday to win the championship, the number-one plate, the trophy, and the customized guitar courtesy of Dunlop Motorcycle Tires.
Kaleb De Keyrel (1) won the finale REV’IT! Twins Cup race of the season, but the class championship went to Blake Davis (22). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
REV’IT! Twins Cup -Davis Gets It Done
The REV’IT! Twins Cup riders had their final race of the season on Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park, and the championship was still in the balance. Sixteen-year-old Virginia-based rider Blake Davis finished fourth and clinched the season championship aboard his N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto Yamaha. Meanwhile, last year’s Twins Cup season champion Kaleb De Keyrel won the race, which was, surprisingly, he first victory of the year. The Veloce Racing Aprilia rider started from the pole, was never headed in the nine-lap race, and took the checkered flag with a lead of more than three-and-a-half seconds over Robem Engineering Aprilia rider Teagg Hobbs in second. Hobbs’ teammate Ben Gloddy finished third and only .141 of a second behind Hobbs.
Commenting on his first career MotoAmerica championship, Davis said, “I felt pretty comfortable out there. It was great. Towards the end of the race, the rear started sliding around a lot, so I decided I was just going to back off and not risk it. They rode an amazing race, obviously. All year, I just felt like I was consistent, and I felt like that’s what helped me out the most. I was just having fun (today). I race best when I’m having fun, so that’s all I was going out there to do. Just have some fun, that’s the reason I race.”
About finally getting his first victory of the season in the final race, De Keyrel said, “Not really surprised at all, man. The Twins Cup class really stepped it up this year. We’ve been going a second to two seconds faster per lap at every single track we went to. I improved as a rider every single track, as well. Results on paper, it wasn’t the season I wanted, but as far as me improving as a rider, I went faster at every single track we went to. So, I’m going to hold my head high with that and just keep working hard and keep putting my head down and try to put on performances like today. Everything was clicking. Everything was feeling really good.”
Josh Herrin (2) won the Supersport race on a drying Barber Motorsports Park on Sunday. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
Supersport – A Wet One To Herrin
Rain showers during the day on Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park played a factor in Supersport race two as some of the riders made the decision to use rain tires on the damp track while others chose slicks and gambled that the track would dry out enough as the race wound down to yield faster lap times. It was an interesting dichotomy in team strategies, but in the end, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC rider Josh Herrin, who chose rain tires, was able to run a fast pace from beginning to end, and even with the track almost fully dry by the time the checkered flag flew. Herrin, the recently crowned class champion, won the 15-lap race by a whopping margin of nearly 18 seconds over 3D Motorsports LLC Suzuki rider Luke Power, who finished second for the Australian’s second podium of the season. VisionWheel M4 Suzuki’s Tyler Scott was third.
“Last year, I decided to go dries, slicks in a moment like this, but it was even a little bit wetter,” Herrin said. “It was the worst decision I ever made in racing. No matter how dry it looked out there, I wasn’t putting the slicks on. I was just going to go rain and cross my fingers. It was a really good race, though. I’m happy to be up here. It’s the best way possible to finish the season, especially a championship-winning season when Rocco (Landers) was coming on strong at the end. Mentally, I think if you can win the last race, I feel like it helps a lot going into the next year. You’ve got six, seven months to sit and think about everything. Happy to be up here. I wasn’t expecting to get the win, for sure. In the warmup in the wet, I had a couple moments. Even on the warmup lap of the race, I had a moment. I was really nervous, but things just went our way. When Rocco and Stefano (Mesa) came by on the slicks, I was a little nervous. I waved Stefano by because I saw how fast he was coming up. I thought for sure he was going to catch us, but we got lucky and we were able to hold him off. So, super happy.”
Kayleigh Buyck is the 2022 Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. Champion. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race – Buyck Is Champion
Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race. program wrapped up at Barber Motorsports Park, and Kayleigh Buyck won the final race of the season while also clinching the season championship at the same time. Coming home second was Chloe Peterson while Crystal Martinez rounded out the podium in third.
“I psyched myself out trying to do a lot of math,” Buyck said. “I knew it was going to be close after Jersey, so I just put my head down and came into this weekend. I wanted to have fun. It’s been a stressful season. Everyone has been kicking butt the whole time. I wanted to win the whole race, but I knew if I at least finished decent, I’d hopefully be able to lock it in. Locking in the championship winning the last race is definitely the way to end the perfect season.”
Gus Rodio (96) won the last SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup race after a thrilling battle with Kayla Yaakov (31). Although Rodio tied Cody Wyman (not pictured) in the point standings, Wyman won the title by virtue of the tie-breaker. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup – Tie Goes To The Wyman
SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup’s final race of the season was also the final race of the weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, and Alpha Omega Kawasaki rider Cody Wyman played his cards exactly right with no room for error. He finished eighth in the race, which was just enough for him to clinch the championship with a tie in points but winning the tiebreaker on more wins. The rider who Wyman tied with on points was the same rider who won Sunday’s race: Rodio Racing Kawasaki’s Gus Rodio. The New Jerseyan did all he could to wrap up the title with his last-race victory, but he couldn’t overcome the advantage that Wyman had in total season wins. Second place went to Altus Motorsports Kawasaki rider Kayla Yaakov, and in third place was Team ISO Kawasaki’s Ryoto Ogiwara.
Championship winner Wyman said, “It’s always tough. All these guys and girls are just absolutely sending it on these 400s. The class has been so good. MotoAmerica did such a good job with the rules. The racing is, I think, the best races of the weekend. They’re a lot of fun to be a part of. I feel like I did the work during the season, to have a bit more of a relaxed, although stressful, final weekend. I’m just really happy to be able to wrap this thing up and maybe get some sleep tonight. Just shout out to Lenny from K-Tech. He has had some health issues. We’re thinking about you, man.”
Race winner Rodio said, “Having experience now with a close championship and stuff like this, I to be honest would rather go in 20 points down than 20 points up. I don’t know what was going through Cody’s head, but I was pretty chill all weekend and I knew what I had to do. It’s unfortunately yesterday that that happened, but you can’t really look back and say, if this didn’t happen… We thought it was over after Brainerd, a couple DNF’s. We came into Jersey 50 points down. Came into here 20 points down, and we tied up the championship. Six-race podium streak, which coming into the season, that’s more podiums than I have ever gotten. So, to have that in a row is amazing.”Rohyaprogram wrapped up at Barber Motorsports Park, and Kayleigh Buyck won the final race of the season while also clinching the season championship at the same time. Coming home second was Chloe Peterson while Crystal Martinez rounded out the podium in third.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:
Josh Herrin Turns the Screws to Sign Off 2022 in Style
A dominant race two performance puts an exclamation point on a brilliant season
Josh Herrin (2). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati North America.
Sunnyvale, Calif., September 25, 2022 – Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) put the hurt on the MotoAmerica Supersport pack today at Barber Motorsports Park, the 2022 champion taking a dominant 17-second victory over Yamaha’s Rocco Landers.
Herrin had earlier finished race one in second, under one second off race winner Landers, but returned full of fire for race two, his win capping an incredible year in which his championship-winning margin was a massive 106 points.
The season marks Herrin’s first MotoAmerica Supersport Championship to go with his previous Superbike and Stock 1000 titles. The Californian will be back in red next year as a member of the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati squad.
2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship – Top Five
P1 – Josh Herrin (Ducati) 387
P2 – Rocco Landers (Yamaha) 281
P3 – Tyler Scott (Suzuki) 229
P4 – Benjamin Smith (Yamaha) 173
P5 – Luke Power (Suzuki) 149
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC #2): “The weekend went great,” said class champion Herrin. “Today, we were ready to go in the dry but also ready for it to be wet. We were able to get a big lead and maintain it to the end. I’m super happy with how the year went. Happy to get a championship for Ducati, and the Warhorse HSBK team is a great one to be a part of and I’m happy to be coming back with them next year.”
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
Bautista completes Spanish hat-trick as he leads Ducati 1-2
Alvaro Bautista (19) leads early in a WorldSBK race Sunday at Catalunya. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The Championship leader took a dominant Race 2 victory to extend his advantage in the standings
Race 2 highlights – WorldSBK
P1 – Alvaro Bautista (Abuba.it Racing – Ducati)
Bautista completed a hat-trick with Race 2 victory as he became the first WorldSBK rider with three wins in Barcelona.
He finished the race with a 8.103s gap over his teammate Rinaldi.
He extended his Championship lead to 59 points over Razgatlioglu.
It was his first hat-trick since 2019
“It seems like an easy weekend but, in reality, there was nothing easy. I’m so happy to have won three races here, especially because I think the competition is so high and even more difficult than three years ago. Saturday and Sunday, in the long race, I tried to manage the tyres and keep the pace. I felt quite comfortable. Honestly, for the Superpole Race, we were missing something so, today, in the Warm Up we tried something different on the electronics to help me use the tyre more and not worry about consumption. We tried, I liked it, so I used, and it definitely helped me a lot because it gave me a hand to use the tyre more. I could be fast in the Superpole Race and fight for the win. For sure, it was closer than the other races but also, I expected more fighting, more battling for the victory.
In the end, I don’t like to think about the Championship. I didn’t think about it at the beginning and I don’t think about it now. For me, the important thing is that I’m enjoying the bike a lot. I’m enjoying every practice, every single lap, every single race. Let’s keep this mentality and see what happens at the end. I’m just trying to enjoy the moment, celebrate the victory, to reset when things come back and just race and enjoy.”
P2 – Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
Rinaldi finished in second place ahead of Razgatlioglu, making it a Ducati 1-2 and claiming his 14th podium.
He remains in fourth overall with a 32-point advantage over Locatelli.
“We knew yesterday that our expectation was the podium. But unfortunately, I made a mistake in qualifying and I started tenth. Then the race was a bit compromised, but the speed was there. The strategy in the Superpole Race was to start Race 2 in the first two rows and I did it. Today, I really enjoyed the race because I started well. But Jonny and Axel pushed really hard during the whole race. I had to battle really hard but at the same time manage the tyre because we knew what happened yesterday. I did it and I’m really happy because I had a good pace. I didn’t have the pace of Alvaro but in the end I’m really happy about this second place because it’s the second in a row.”
P3 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
Razgatlioglu completed the top three for his 72nd podium.
He remains second in the standings and eight points adrift from Rea.
“For me, it was a very difficult weekend. In Race 1, we started very well but we finished in fifth place because we were eating the rear tyre. Today, my plan was just follow Jonny and Bassani and Rinaldi, because I know Alvaro is very fast. Today, I wanted to keep the rear tyre because I understood that first position was not possible in this race. I focused on second and third position. I am very happy that we’re back on the podium. I am not focused on the Championship, I am just looking race by race. Portimao is a very good track for me and also Jonny is very strong, Alvaro is very strong. We are fighting again. Argentina will be a little bit difficult because of the very long straight, which is better for the Ducati, but I will keep fighting. I love Indonesia, and I think we are fighting for the win in Indonesia. Australia, I don’t know! We have many races and the Championship is not finished.”
P4 – Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
Rea was battling for a podium place but ran wide at Turn 7 on Lap 16. After his mistake he was able to pass Bassani to take fourth.
He stands in third place in the standings with 327 points.
“The race was under control compared to our expectations until six laps to go. I was just behind Rinaldi, starting to plot how the end of the race would play out and I went into seven, found neutral but I was coming from fourth to third to second. I couldn’t stop the bike. It was all I could do… because I had no engine brake it was to stay upright. The front was jumping… anyway I stayed on the track. Rammed it back into gear… Axel came past but I made quick work of him. I focused on Toprak just to fight until the end. My rhythm was good in the end, but I just ran out of lap so. If you had given me that result at the beginning of the week, I’d probably have accepted it because it’s a really though track for us but after seeing our pace yesterday, understanding how the start of the race was, I felt like we left a little bit out there. But equally satisfied with our position. We had nothing for Alvaro this weekend. He was incredible, on a different level. But I felt like we got a lot from our bike, we even improved the settings of the bike at a circuit that is very difficult for us but we’ve still been able to fight.”
P5 – Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing)
Starting from 13th on the grid, Bassani was fighting for a podium place until Rinaldi and Toprak escaped. He then dropped to finish in sixth place.
“Really good Race 2. I tried to come back from 13th position. It was difficult but we arrived in second place. I tried to maintain second place but in the first half of the race, I finished the front tyre. I just tried to cross the finish line. We arrived fifth, this is really good for the Championship. It was a really difficult weekend for me, but we finish with a good result and we go to Portimao with good moral.”
P6 – Xavi Vierge (Team HRC)
Vierge completed the top six in Race 2 after taking advantage of his Superpole Race result.
“Finally, it has been a really positive weekend, especially on Sunday. We learned a lot. Yesterday was a tricky day. We had a good Superpole but then in the race the temperature dropped a lot. We decided to go with another tyre and I felt so bad with it in the race, I was struggling a lot and I had zero grip. We learned a lot from yesterday, we worked a lot on the electronic side and today with the temperature we were able to choose the tyre that works for us. And we could make a really good Superpole Race and Race 2.”
To note:
Two riders crashed out of the race on the opening lap with Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) going down at Turn 10 and Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) crashing at Turn 14; putting both riders out of the race. Redding was taken to the medical centre for a check-up following his crash and was declared fit but diagnosed with a chest bruise.
The Pirelli Portuguese Round will take place from the 7th to the 9th of October at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.
A Thriller and a spill at Motegi: Miller victorious as title contenders falter
Quartararo struggles to eighth, Bagnaia makes a last lap blunder and Aleix Espargaro suffers a disastrous start as Miller, Binder and Martin steal the spotlight
Jack Miller (43) celebrates his victory with a wheelie across the finish line. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sunday, 25 September 2022
Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) took a scintillating win at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, hitting the front and never looking back. Behind him, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder came home in a stunning second after a last lap attack on Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), with the former taking a second podium of the season from his first ever premier class front row and the latter back on the box for the first time since Barcelona.
Elsewhere for the title contenders there was drama of differing measures, leaving the top three to take home only eight points between them – and they were all scored by Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) despite the fact that he could only manage eighth. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) suffered the first drama as he found his first machine stuck in fuel saving mode and dived into the pits after the Sighting Lap to change, only able to make it up to P16 thereafter, and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) created the second as he made a last lap blunder in the battle with Quartararo and Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – taking home nil points in the process as he slid out.
The duel into Turn 1 saw Binder move into the lead courtesy of the inside line, as Martin passed Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) for second through Turn 3. Miller’s charge started early though, and he made a forceful move for fifth on Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) at Turn 5 and then passed both Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Marc Marquez in one fell swoop at the 90 Degree Corner. He then dispatched Binder at the same place before also pinching the lead from Martin not long after, free in the lead and the hammer immediately down. From there, he didn’t look back and only extended the gap – crossing the line three and a half seconds clear for a stunning Thriller of a win.
In classic Binder style, the South African was chipping away at the gap to Martin ahead of him and by the last few laps was within striking distance. But he waited, and Binder vs Martin was decided on the last lap as the KTM rider chose his moment, making it stick and able to pull out a few tenths. Marquez vs Oliveira vs Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) was similarly decided late, with Marquez dispatching the Portuguese rider late on and the number 88 then left to defend against Marini. That he did, repelling a last lap attack.
Marquez’ fourth place from pole is another step in the right direction as the number 93 begins to remind the grid, if they needed it, that he really is back, and Oliveira’s fifth wasn’t quite a podium but it makes two KTMs in the top five. Marini, meanwhile, continues his impressive consistency and points hauls in sixth.
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) took seventh, and the number 12 was just to the front of a title fight in miniature: Quartararo, Bagnaia and Bastianini, all in a row and battling for eighth. Bagnaia snatched ninth back from Bastianini through Turn 12/Turn 13 on Lap 20 after an earlier shuffle, and that gave him a clear shot at Quartararo. Could he or even would he? The three were incredibly close together and Pecco misjudged it as the front tyre said no more, and he slid out. Quartararo continued to take those eight points, Bagnaia took a 0 after his overambitious move – his words, to accompany his sarcastic applause at himself as he walked away – and Bastianini inherited ninth. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) rounded out the top 10.
So what of Aleix Espargaro? The Aprilia rider had a different tyre than his race choice on the second bike, and that hampered an already difficult comeback task. He took P16, finishing but just missing out on points.
That’s a wrap on the paddock’s return to Japan. After mayhem in Motegi, Quartararo’s World Championship lead has grown to 18 over Bagnaia, while Aleix Espargaro is another seven behind, but there are still four rounds to go. The next is already on the horizon as the OR Thailand Grand Prix beckons and the paddock returns to Chang International Circuit, with action back underway on Friday!
MotoGP™ PODIUM
1 Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) – Ducati – 42’29.174
3 Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) – Ducati – +4.136
Jack Miller: “I can ride a motorcycle sometimes. [Laughs] I mean, I felt amazing all weekend, to be honest, since I rolled out in the first Free Practice. It feels so awesome to be back racing on this side of the world and the Japanese fans have been incredible all weekend, sitting there through the miserable rain yesterday. These guys are some of the best fans we have, so thank you to them, thank you to the team. What an amazing day. It’s awesome; we’ve got a home Grand Prix coming up shortly, wedding coming up in a couple of weeks, it’s amazing points. So, over the moon, can’t thank everybody enough.
“It was an emotional one that’s for certain, as it always is with me, I don’t know why. I was crying like a baby on the in lap. It was awesome, I didn’t know I had that in me, it was amazing to lead from almost start to finish. When you’re riding or racing like that, the biggest opponent you’ve got is the man inside your head – so I was just trying to not listen to him too much, and it was relatively easy to not listen to him today when the bike’s working as well as it was, it was just a case of hitting my marks and not making any silly mistakes, which is quite easy to do here, to outbrake yourself or whatever – it can cost you a lot of time.”
Brad Binder: “It was a fantastic weekend for myself and the team, you know we’ve been working so hard this season and we haven’t got many good results so to be standing back on the podium is an amazing feeling. It was tough out there today, at the beginning of the race I was really struggling a little bit to understand how hard I could push with the rear because it was the first time I’d done laps on the H. Clearly I understood really well following Jorge and Jack at the beginning where we were losing time and where I was strong, so I was able to do laps behind them and really figure out where I needed to improve and use my strong points to my advantage.
“As the race went on I felt like I got better and better, and I need to say a massive thank you to my team for giving me the confidence to go with the H rear considering we’d never used it. To walk away today with a podium is fantastic, I pushed hard and fought hard from lap one but like I said, hats off to my team. They fought so hard, we needed this podium desperately and this is the start of many more.
“Congrats to Jack, he was on another level today. When he passed me, he literally disappeared in about three or four laps. I could see he was on a roll and knowing Jack I thought he’d have the Hard tyre too. By about Lap 10 I knew we weren’t gonna see him again. Hats off to Jack and it’s gonna be awesome having him in the team next year.”
Jorge Martin: “It was a great race in general, for sure a pity I didn’t try the Hard tyre in the Warm Up because I think it was the key today to being a bit more competitive. I made a great start, I was managing the rear a bit on the exit but I saw straight away after six laps when I was behind Jack that I was asking too much to try and keep the pace so I slowed a bit and tried to keep a constant pace to keep some tyre for the end. It was difficult, when I saw 14 laps to go I was a bit on the limit and thought I was a bit in trouble for the end. I tried to keep the distance with Brad but when he arrived with two or three to go it was a shame as second would have been even better but I’m happy with this podium, to be back for the first time since Barcelona so a lot of races, and I have the confidence back I was missing in the front and starting to brake a bit harder. I’m getting used to this bike, that for the moment is difficult to understand a base setup for.”
QUOTES: TITLE CONTENDERS
Fabio Quartararo: “I didn’t enjoy a single moment of the race. You always have to take the positives from a race and the positive was that we extended our lead but it wasn’t a fun race for me. I couldn’t overtake at all, the only overtake I could do was on Marini and it was on the limit, we touched. But for me the difference in acceleration and everything, it was impossible to try anything.
“From the beginning I knew Aleix was out as he wasn’t there on the grid, and I heard straight away the sound when Pecco crashed so it was easy to know. We were lucky to not get hit but the important thing is we finished the race. Now, it’s the same. We need to push at the maximum, it’s still four races and 100 points, so we will have to push to the maximum and it’ll be super important.”
Francesco Bagnaia: “First of all, I want to say thanks to my team because my mistake was too huge. I didn’t do a good manoeuvre, and fortunately I didn’t touch Fabio and he was safe, he finished the race. I was too ambitious.
“I knew I was strong in that braking point, but I was a bit far and in acceleration today I was slow, I was losing compared to other bikes. But I have to think about my mistakes and what to do in the next races.”
“I had a strange feeling in my bike today during the race, this morning in warm Up everything went well and was ok, but this afternoon I struggled too much. In any case, it’s like this, we are lucky Fabio only got eighth, and we didn’t lose too many points, Aleix finished but with no points, so the only sweet taste today is from Jack – I’m happy he won the race. But I have to stay focused fo the next race, a good track for us, and that’s the main objective.”
Aleix Espargaro: “I’m very disappointed, today was a shame. we made a mistake and the electronics guys forget to remove the eco map for fuel saving, there was nothing I could do. The bike was very slow onto the sighting lap, I went into the pits to change the bike but the second bike didn’t have the right tyre so it was very difficult.
“I knew from the beginning that the bike wasn’t going, so I knew there was a mistake and on the second bike I tried everything, but starting from the pits it’s impossible. I also didn’t have the right rear because we had no more mediums. I tried to stay on track in case there was a Red Flag, but we lost the race on the grid.
“They didn’t achieve a lot of points but I’m even more disappointed because today I could have beaten them, so it’s a shame to lose the opportunity but this is racing.”
Ogura holds his nerve for statement home win ahead of Fernandez
Ogura becomes the first Japanese winner at home since 2006, ahead of key rival Fernandez as Lopez completes the podium
Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) became the first Japanese rider to win on home turf since 2006 at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, holding off key Championship rival Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) to the flag after both had to pick their way through from outside the top ten on the grid. Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) made life difficult at times for both with another stellar ride, ultimately forced to settle for third but taking another impressive podium finish in his rookie season.
With Ogura’s historic win in front of the home crowd, he cuts the gap in the Championship to just two points behind Fernandez with four races to go. Polesitter Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40), meanwhile, crashed out and falls to 57 points off the top in third overall. Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) also crashed out, now 72 behind and facing a last stand to stay in it at Buriram.
Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) made a late run at the podium but couldn’t get close enough to Lopez to attack, but he came home ahead of early race leader Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) as the Thai rider ultimately took home a top five ahead of his home round next time out.
Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) made an early challenge for the podium before going wide and slotting back in just behind, taking sixth with a few tenths in hand over Aragon winner Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Albert Arenas (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team), Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) and Filip Salač (Gresini Racing Moto2™) completed the top ten.
Next up it’s Buriram as the intermediate class arrives with just two points in it between what looks like it could be the last two riders standing in the title fight. Will there be a twist in Thailand? We’ll find out next weekend.
Moto2™ PODIUM
1 Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – Kalex – 40’56.269
3 Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpedUp) – Boscoscuro- +7.168
Ai Ogura: “The biggest day of my life, it was incredible. I can’t believe what’s happened now, just a big thanks to all the Japanese fans. I rode quite well today, so, I could manage the race, it’s unbelievable. Thanks to the team and everybody.”
Guevara makes it back-to-back glory with another masterclass at Motegi
The number 28 stays ahead of the game as he outpaces Foggia and Sasaki to extend his lead once again
Izan Guevara (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team) has done it again! Despite never riding at the Mobility Resort Motegi before, the number 28 took another impressive win as he was able to hold off Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) and Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan. The last lap was a showcase in precision and pushing to the limit for all three, with no one quite able to make a decisive move before the flag flew.
The win for Guevara puts him a whopping 45 points clear of teammate Sergio Garcia in the standings. Foggia closes to within 18 points of the second place held by Garcia for the moment, with Sasaki still fourth but also gaining ground on the number 11.
Garcia started well before fading from the podium fight, eventually beating David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports), Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) and John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) to fourth place.
Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) had been in the battle for the win before a late highside out of second place, putting a dent in his place in the standings, and polesitter Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) fought at the front in the early stages before his race came to an early end with a crash.
Now the title fight goes down to the OR Thailand Grand Prix, with Guevara not yet able to take his first shot at the crown but getting ever closer to it. What will Buriram bring? We’ll find out next weekend!
3 Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) – Husqvarna – +1.741
Izan Guevara: “Yeah incredible start. I’m really happy with my race. Thanks to my team because in the warm up I had a big crash, and they repaired my bike in record time. Thanks to everyone and yeah, back-to-back victories!”
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Jackson and Bridewell share victories in dramatic Oulton Park races
Lee Jackson returned to winning ways in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park today, sharing the victories with Tommy Bridewell who became the eighth different race winner of the season on a dramatic day in Cheshire.
In the second race of the weekend, Jackson held off Title Fighter rival Bridewell and championship leader Bradley Ray in a restarted seven-lap dash to the chequered flag after an incident-packed race that was red flagged twice.
Race two got underway with Jason O’Halloran leading the pack, but Ray was instantly on the attack and took the lead at Cascades.
As the pack streamed through Druids for the first time, there was contact between O’Halloran and Bridewell and the McAMS Yamaha rider once again crashed out of the race. The Australian was left battered and bruised so sat out of race three.
Bridewell was issued a ride through penalty, a drop of three grid positions for race three and two penalty points by Race Direction for his involvement in the incident.
Meanwhile, Ray was trying to make a break at the front, but the battle for the podium positions was between Rory Skinner, Tarran Mackenzie and Leon Haslam.
Mackenzie though crashed out at Hislops on lap four and the race was red flagged, with the defending champion sustaining a suspected broken femur.
The race restarted and Ray again hit the front of the field ahead of Kyle Ryde, Jackson, Skinner and Christian Iddon. Bridewell had started 22nd on the grid due to his ride through time equivalent penalty and fought his way back up the order.
However, the race was then red flagged for a second time when Skinner, Ryde and Iddon tangled at Brittens.
The race was restarted again over seven laps and Ray took the lead from Glenn Irwin and Jackson, but there was more drama on the opening lap when Title Fighter Ryde and Tom Neave crashed out at Old Hall.
Ray was trying to fend off the chasing pack as Jackson went for a move on Irwin at Old Hall to take second before diving ahead of the championship leader at Cascades. A lap later and Bridewell was into second place as he pushed Ray back a further position.
The leading five riders were inseparable as Jackson continued to hold off Bridewell, Ray, Irwin and Danny Buchan, but the Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki rider had the edge and he was able to win the drag to the chequered flag.
Ray was narrowly able to remain ahead of Irwin for the final podium position as Buchan completed the top five for SYNETIQ BMW.
In the final race of the weekend, Bridewell added his name to the 2022 winners’ list, fending off his title rivals to become the eighth different victor of the season for the Oxford Products Racing Ducati team.
The battle for victory in race three became a tussle between four different teams and manufacturers with Bridewell, Glenn Irwin, Jackson and Buchan all in contention.
At the start of the race Irwin grabbed the lead from Ray and Jackson with Bridewell and Buchan in formation. Ray was looking for a move and he dived down the inside at Lodge on the opening lap to take the lead.
Irwin fought back and on lap eight, he reclaimed the position with a move at Lakeside, but Bridewell was through to third and a lap later, he grabbed second position at Old Hall.
The Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider then had Irwin in his sights and he made a decisive move at Lodge to head the pack. Bridewell then withstood the pressure from Irwin and as they took the chequered flag, there was just 0.089s between them.
In the battle for third place, Jackson and Buchan were trading places for the final spot on the podium. On the penultimate lap, the Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki rider reclaimed third and was able to keep Buchan at bay to the finish line.
Ray completed the top five, whilst his teammate Ryde carved his way through the pack from his back row start after his race two crash to finish in ninth place.
The Championship now heads to Donington Park next weekend for the penultimate round of the season. Ray remains on top of the standings by 40 points from Bridewell, who surged into second following his victory and double podium finish at Oulton Park this weekend.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 2 result:
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki)
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.289s
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.807s
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +1.348s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +1.679s
Leon Haslam (VisionTrack Kawasaki) +3.398s
Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) +4.955s
Josh Brookes (MCE Ducati) +5.759s
Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +6.095s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +6.533s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 3 result:
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati)
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +0.089s
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) +0.222s
Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +0.708s
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +2.024s
Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) +2.143s
Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +2.390s
Josh Brookes (MCE Ducati) +4.789s
Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +10.013s
Danny Kent (Buildbase Suzuki) +10.130s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 1113
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 1073
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 1065
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Tommy Bridewell
Oxford Products Racing Ducati
Eighth different race winner in 2022 Bennetts BSB
“A win and two seconds this weekend was good for me; on Thursday I said to the team that if we get everything right with the bike here then my aim is to leave here in the top three in the championship as it was so close.
“We have closed some points on Brad and moved up the order so that is a big boost for me and the team as we head to Donington Park next weekend. It just makes us believe; we know we are capable.
“There are a few areas still to work on as there is a lot more potential in the bike and if we can unlock that then the wins might come a bit easier.
“I had the opportunity to pass Glenn and then my mind switched to slowing the race down to conserve the tyre. I used the strengths of the Ducati so credit to the team and we need to try and keep the ball rolling now at Donington Park.”
The MotoAmerica Championship Comes To A Close In Style At Barber Motorsports Park
Jake Gagne (1) leads the Medallia Superbike pack on the opening lap of the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park. Eventual race winner Cameron Petersen (45) gives chase. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
BIRMINGHAM, AL (September 25, 2022) – Jake Gagne won 17 races last year en route to his first MotoAmerica Superbike Championship. This season, Gagne won 12 – five fewer races – to take the title. Yet, this championship means more than the first, he said. Because it came with more difficultly.
“Last year was cool winning all those races and taking home the championship, but this one feels good to bring it all the way down to the last race,” Gagne said. “It was just incredible. It was amazing being able to race with Danilo (Petrucci). That guy is a world-class racer. Like I said down there, I don’t think there has ever been anybody that I wanted to beat more, just because of his resume. He’s a MotoGP guy, a MotoGP winner. I don’t know how many of those we’ve had here in the States, so I wanted to do right and protect the home turf here and bring this MotoAmerica Championship home with an American.”
On Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park, Gagne finished second to his Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing teammate Cameron Petersen and that earned him a second successive Superbike title. The runner-up finish on Sunday put a ribbon on Gagne’s season that featured 12 wins and 14 total podiums in 20 races.
The race went perfectly for the Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing team as Petersen led Gagne for the duration, the pair flying in formation until Gagne backed it down in the final laps.
Petersen took his second win of the season, his third career victory, and his first in dry conditions at his favorite track by 3.1 seconds over Gagne.
Third place went to Tytlers Cycle Racing’s PJ Jacobsen with the New Yorker passing Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC’s Danilo Petrucci in the last corner on the last lap. It was a fitting finish for Jacobsen, who lost out on third in Saturday’s race one when Petrucci’s jump-start penalty was reversed after the team’s appeal was upheld.
Jacobsen beat Petrucci to the line by .206 of a second.
Fifth place went to Westby Racing’s Mathew Scholtz, the South African racing with Petrucci early on before fading. He was some seven seconds adrift of the Italian at the finish and 3.2 seconds ahead of Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki’s Richie Escalante.
Next up was Escalante’s teammate Jake Lewis with the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki rider topping Disrupt Racing’s Hayden Gillim.
Tytlers Cycle Racing’s Kyle Wyman was ninth with his teammate Hector Barbera rounding out the top 10.
Superbike Race 2
Cameron Petersen (Yamaha)
Jake Gagne (Yamaha)
PJ Jacobsen (BMW)
Danilo Petrucci (Ducati)
Mathew Scholtz (Yamaha)
Richie Escalante (Suzuki)
Jake Lewis (Suzuki)
Hayden Gillim (Suzuki)
Kyle Wyman (BMW)
Hector Barbera (BMW)
Cameron Petersen – Winner
“Like Jake said, I really wanted to win one, especially after yesterday. But those first few laps, I was a little bit nervous to push like I had been in the past days this weekend. So, honestly, the pace wasn’t that fast, and I think that’s why some of those other guys, like Danilo (Petrucci), were able to stay there a little bit longer. I just tried to hit my marks the whole race because that’s what I did yesterday. I just got excited and started making mistakes. So, I really just tried to focus on hitting my marks, not making any stupid mistakes. Jake (Gagne) can say what he wants, but I think he gave that one to me. It’s pretty nice having a teammate like that. I knew he had pace. He’s had great pace all weekend. He had some funky stuff going on in the race there. Nonetheless, I got a win. I finally got one in the dry. I’m so happy. I can’t thank the team enough. They’ve done an amazing job all year. I’ve never had so much fun racing a motorcycle in my life. I’m really looking forward to the off-season and coming into next year on the same motorcycle, same crew, same team. I think it’s going to be good. Congrats to JG on the championship. He deserves it. The guy is unreal on a motorcycle and just a gem of a human being. He deserves this. And congrats to PJ (Jacobsen). I think he should have had two of these this weekend. I’m glad he got one today and I hope I see him on the grid next year, because he definitely deserves to be here. He’s one of the guys.”
Jake Gagne – Second Place
“After yesterday’s win, having a little bit of a gap going into today, I did sleep a little. It still took me a while to fall asleep last night, honestly. Just running over what could happen and hoping that it was dry. Until the last second. Thirty minutes before the race it was like, wet or dry? It was kind of nerve-racking. I’m stoked we got it done. I wouldn’t have asked for a better year. Last year was cool winning all those races and taking home the championship, but this one feels good to bring it all the way down to the last race. It was just incredible. It was amazing being able to race with Danilo (Petrucci). That guy is a world-class racer. Like I said down there, I don’t think there has ever been anybody that I wanted to beat more, just because of his resume. He’s a MotoGP guy, a MotoGP winner. I don’t know how many of those we’ve had here in the States, so I wanted to do right and protect the home turf here and bring this MotoAmerica championship home with an American. Thanks to the team. It was crazy. Today’s race was kind of crazy, but we made it to the finish.”
PJ Jacobsen – Third Place
“When we first started the race there, I was a little nervous because I had a lot of moments this morning because the track was so green from that little bit of rain. So, I was a little nervous on just leaning the bike so hard. But they were in front of me, and I just kept pushing and pushing. (Danilo) Petrucci and Scholtz were right there, and I just kept catching them and catching them. Then they got into a little bit of a battle there. Then I passed (Mathew) Scholtz and then just kind of went for Petrucci. Then I just sat there with five laps to go, and I knew where I was going to pass him. I passed him just going into the last corner and I knew that he was not going to expect that. So, that’s how it was. It was kind of a little bit of a redemption for yesterday. I really wanted to beat him. That was one thing, for sure.”
More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:
Danilo Petrucci Finishes a Brilliant Second in 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship
In his rookie MotoAmerica season, Danilo Petrucci does himself and Ducati proud
Danilo Petrucci (9). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati North America.
Sunnyvale, Calif., September 25, 2022 – Star rookie Danilo Petrucci (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) has finished an exceptional second place in the 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship after carding a third and a fourth-place finish at the season finale at Barber Motorsports Park.
The Italian took the title struggle with Yamaha’s Jake Gagne right to the season’s final race, with his eventual second place in the standings the best result for Ducati in the MotoAmerica era of AMA Superbike competition.
2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Championship Standing – Top 5
P1 – Jake Gagne (Yamaha) 376
P2 – Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) 356
P3 – Cameron Petersen (Yamaha) 304
P4 – Mathew Scholtz (Yamaha) 286
P5 – Hector Barbera (BMW) 190
Danilo Petrucci (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC – Ducati #9) : “I am happy,” Petrucci said with a smile. “Happy to finish second in this championship because I fought with a really talented rider like Jake who has a good team and bike. We had many races, with third on Saturday, second on Sunday, so we need to get a bit better with setting the bike up early in the weekend. We gave it our best shot and we can be happy with our year.”
More, from a press release issued by Yamaha:
Gagne Crowned Back-To-Back MotoAmerica Superbike Champion at Barber
Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing’s Jake Gagne was crowned MotoAmerica Superbike Champion today for the second year running, sealing the deal with a runner-up finish in Race 2 at the Barber Motorsports Park. It was a stellar end to the season for the team as a whole, as Cameron Petersen took home the win for a 1-2 finish in Leeds, Alabama.
Following his dominant performance yesterday, Gagne grabbed the holeshot with Petersen right behind. Looking for redemption after a tough Race 1 and a win of his own, the South African quickly took the lead. The duo set the pace early aboard their Attack Performance Yamaha R1s to build a comfortable gap clear of the competition. Petersen managed a superb race up front and rode on to claim his second win of the season, 3.1-seconds ahead of his teammate.
Gagne’s runner-up finish secured the crown with a 20-point lead. It was an intense battle all year with his title rival Danilo Petrucci, but the Colorado rider fought through adversity to take back-to-back titles in the premier class. Over the 10-round season, he amassed 12 wins, a total of 15 podiums, eight pole positions, and multiple track records. His teammate Petersen enjoyed a successful debut season with the team, ending the year third in the points standings with a pair of wins and a total of 12 podiums.
The 2022 MotoAmerica Superbike Champion and his team get a short break before heading over to Portimao, Portugal, to make a wild card appearance at the ninth round of the FIM Superbike World Championship on October 7-9.
Richard Stanboli – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing Team Manager
“It’s been a challenging year. Our competition kept us honest, but in the end, when the pressure should be the highest, our riders and crew performed their jobs with great harmony. I couldn’t be prouder of all of them.
“Jake achieved his second championship milestone, and Cameron had his first dry weather superbike win, so it was a good finish to the season. We are now looking forward to our WorldSBK wild card appearance at Portimao and then a little time off after that before we start again with winter testing.
Jake Gagne – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing
“I’m so happy to be able to bring another title home for this team. It was quite a year and a very exciting, close championship hunt. Thanks again to this team for giving me the best bike possible. It feels really good to get this championship. We were all tested again and again with some ups and downs, but we got it done. Congrats to Cam for that win, he got out in front, and I was kind of happy to watch his pace with that little bit of rain earlier. Also, hats off to Danilo (Petrucci), that guy is a true competitor, and he really pushed me this year.”
Cameron Petersen – Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing
“To finish off the year with a win, I can’t tell you how much that means to me. We had a rough day yesterday, and we knew what we needed to do. I’ve wanted to get a win in the dry for a long time, and we finally made it happen. I can’t thank the whole team enough. I’ve had so much fun and can’t wait for next year.”
Wyman, Davis Crowned In MotoAmerica Season Finale At Barber Motorsports Park
That’s A Wrap On The 2022 MotoAmerica Championship As Alabama Finale Concludes
BIRMINGHAM, AL (September 25, 2022) – As the saying goes, “save the best for last,” and that was certainly the case with MotoAmerica’s support-class races at Barber Motorsports Park. The final race of the weekend, and final race of the entire 2022 MotoAmerica Championship, was in SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup. And, the way things worked out, two riders ended up deadlocked in a tie based on season points, which meant that the rider with the most wins on the season would be named the season champion. That rider turned out to be Alpha Omega Kawasaki rider Cody Wyman who, as it turned out, did just enough on Sunday to win the championship, the number-one plate, the trophy, and the customized guitar courtesy of Dunlop Motorcycle Tires.
Kaleb De Keyrel (1) won the finale REV’IT! Twins Cup race of the season, but the class championship went to Blake Davis (22). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
REV’IT! Twins Cup -Davis Gets It Done
The REV’IT! Twins Cup riders had their final race of the season on Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park, and the championship was still in the balance. Sixteen-year-old Virginia-based rider Blake Davis finished fourth and clinched the season championship aboard his N2 Racing/BobbleHeadMoto Yamaha. Meanwhile, last year’s Twins Cup season champion Kaleb De Keyrel won the race, which was, surprisingly, he first victory of the year. The Veloce Racing Aprilia rider started from the pole, was never headed in the nine-lap race, and took the checkered flag with a lead of more than three-and-a-half seconds over Robem Engineering Aprilia rider Teagg Hobbs in second. Hobbs’ teammate Ben Gloddy finished third and only .141 of a second behind Hobbs.
Commenting on his first career MotoAmerica championship, Davis said, “I felt pretty comfortable out there. It was great. Towards the end of the race, the rear started sliding around a lot, so I decided I was just going to back off and not risk it. They rode an amazing race, obviously. All year, I just felt like I was consistent, and I felt like that’s what helped me out the most. I was just having fun (today). I race best when I’m having fun, so that’s all I was going out there to do. Just have some fun, that’s the reason I race.”
About finally getting his first victory of the season in the final race, De Keyrel said, “Not really surprised at all, man. The Twins Cup class really stepped it up this year. We’ve been going a second to two seconds faster per lap at every single track we went to. I improved as a rider every single track, as well. Results on paper, it wasn’t the season I wanted, but as far as me improving as a rider, I went faster at every single track we went to. So, I’m going to hold my head high with that and just keep working hard and keep putting my head down and try to put on performances like today. Everything was clicking. Everything was feeling really good.”
Josh Herrin (2) won the Supersport race on a drying Barber Motorsports Park on Sunday. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
Supersport – A Wet One To Herrin
Rain showers during the day on Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park played a factor in Supersport race two as some of the riders made the decision to use rain tires on the damp track while others chose slicks and gambled that the track would dry out enough as the race wound down to yield faster lap times. It was an interesting dichotomy in team strategies, but in the end, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC rider Josh Herrin, who chose rain tires, was able to run a fast pace from beginning to end, and even with the track almost fully dry by the time the checkered flag flew. Herrin, the recently crowned class champion, won the 15-lap race by a whopping margin of nearly 18 seconds over 3D Motorsports LLC Suzuki rider Luke Power, who finished second for the Australian’s second podium of the season. VisionWheel M4 Suzuki’s Tyler Scott was third.
“Last year, I decided to go dries, slicks in a moment like this, but it was even a little bit wetter,” Herrin said. “It was the worst decision I ever made in racing. No matter how dry it looked out there, I wasn’t putting the slicks on. I was just going to go rain and cross my fingers. It was a really good race, though. I’m happy to be up here. It’s the best way possible to finish the season, especially a championship-winning season when Rocco (Landers) was coming on strong at the end. Mentally, I think if you can win the last race, I feel like it helps a lot going into the next year. You’ve got six, seven months to sit and think about everything. Happy to be up here. I wasn’t expecting to get the win, for sure. In the warmup in the wet, I had a couple moments. Even on the warmup lap of the race, I had a moment. I was really nervous, but things just went our way. When Rocco and Stefano (Mesa) came by on the slicks, I was a little nervous. I waved Stefano by because I saw how fast he was coming up. I thought for sure he was going to catch us, but we got lucky and we were able to hold him off. So, super happy.”
Kayleigh Buyck is the 2022 Royal Enfield Build. Train. Race. Champion. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race – Buyck Is Champion
Royal Enfield’s Build. Train. Race. program wrapped up at Barber Motorsports Park, and Kayleigh Buyck won the final race of the season while also clinching the season championship at the same time. Coming home second was Chloe Peterson while Crystal Martinez rounded out the podium in third.
“I psyched myself out trying to do a lot of math,” Buyck said. “I knew it was going to be close after Jersey, so I just put my head down and came into this weekend. I wanted to have fun. It’s been a stressful season. Everyone has been kicking butt the whole time. I wanted to win the whole race, but I knew if I at least finished decent, I’d hopefully be able to lock it in. Locking in the championship winning the last race is definitely the way to end the perfect season.”
Gus Rodio (96) won the last SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup race after a thrilling battle with Kayla Yaakov (31). Although Rodio tied Cody Wyman (not pictured) in the point standings, Wyman won the title by virtue of the tie-breaker. Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy MotoAmerica.
SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup – Tie Goes To The Wyman
SportbikeTrackGear.com Junior Cup’s final race of the season was also the final race of the weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, and Alpha Omega Kawasaki rider Cody Wyman played his cards exactly right with no room for error. He finished eighth in the race, which was just enough for him to clinch the championship with a tie in points but winning the tiebreaker on more wins. The rider who Wyman tied with on points was the same rider who won Sunday’s race: Rodio Racing Kawasaki’s Gus Rodio. The New Jerseyan did all he could to wrap up the title with his last-race victory, but he couldn’t overcome the advantage that Wyman had in total season wins. Second place went to Altus Motorsports Kawasaki rider Kayla Yaakov, and in third place was Team ISO Kawasaki’s Ryoto Ogiwara.
Championship winner Wyman said, “It’s always tough. All these guys and girls are just absolutely sending it on these 400s. The class has been so good. MotoAmerica did such a good job with the rules. The racing is, I think, the best races of the weekend. They’re a lot of fun to be a part of. I feel like I did the work during the season, to have a bit more of a relaxed, although stressful, final weekend. I’m just really happy to be able to wrap this thing up and maybe get some sleep tonight. Just shout out to Lenny from K-Tech. He has had some health issues. We’re thinking about you, man.”
Race winner Rodio said, “Having experience now with a close championship and stuff like this, I to be honest would rather go in 20 points down than 20 points up. I don’t know what was going through Cody’s head, but I was pretty chill all weekend and I knew what I had to do. It’s unfortunately yesterday that that happened, but you can’t really look back and say, if this didn’t happen… We thought it was over after Brainerd, a couple DNF’s. We came into Jersey 50 points down. Came into here 20 points down, and we tied up the championship. Six-race podium streak, which coming into the season, that’s more podiums than I have ever gotten. So, to have that in a row is amazing.”Rohyaprogram wrapped up at Barber Motorsports Park, and Kayleigh Buyck won the final race of the season while also clinching the season championship at the same time. Coming home second was Chloe Peterson while Crystal Martinez rounded out the podium in third.
More, from a press release issued by Ducati North America:
Josh Herrin Turns the Screws to Sign Off 2022 in Style
A dominant race two performance puts an exclamation point on a brilliant season
Josh Herrin (2). Photo by Brian J. Nelson, courtesy Ducati North America.
Sunnyvale, Calif., September 25, 2022 – Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) put the hurt on the MotoAmerica Supersport pack today at Barber Motorsports Park, the 2022 champion taking a dominant 17-second victory over Yamaha’s Rocco Landers.
Herrin had earlier finished race one in second, under one second off race winner Landers, but returned full of fire for race two, his win capping an incredible year in which his championship-winning margin was a massive 106 points.
The season marks Herrin’s first MotoAmerica Supersport Championship to go with his previous Superbike and Stock 1000 titles. The Californian will be back in red next year as a member of the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati squad.
2022 MotoAmerica Supersport Championship – Top Five
P1 – Josh Herrin (Ducati) 387
P2 – Rocco Landers (Yamaha) 281
P3 – Tyler Scott (Suzuki) 229
P4 – Benjamin Smith (Yamaha) 173
P5 – Luke Power (Suzuki) 149
Josh Herrin (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC #2): “The weekend went great,” said class champion Herrin. “Today, we were ready to go in the dry but also ready for it to be wet. We were able to get a big lead and maintain it to the end. I’m super happy with how the year went. Happy to get a championship for Ducati, and the Warhorse HSBK team is a great one to be a part of and I’m happy to be coming back with them next year.”
More, from a press release issued by Dorna WorldSBK Press Office:
Bautista completes Spanish hat-trick as he leads Ducati 1-2
Alvaro Bautista (19) leads early in a WorldSBK race Sunday at Catalunya. Photo courtesy Dorna.
The Championship leader took a dominant Race 2 victory to extend his advantage in the standings
Race 2 highlights – WorldSBK
P1 – Alvaro Bautista (Abuba.it Racing – Ducati)
Bautista completed a hat-trick with Race 2 victory as he became the first WorldSBK rider with three wins in Barcelona.
He finished the race with a 8.103s gap over his teammate Rinaldi.
He extended his Championship lead to 59 points over Razgatlioglu.
It was his first hat-trick since 2019
“It seems like an easy weekend but, in reality, there was nothing easy. I’m so happy to have won three races here, especially because I think the competition is so high and even more difficult than three years ago. Saturday and Sunday, in the long race, I tried to manage the tyres and keep the pace. I felt quite comfortable. Honestly, for the Superpole Race, we were missing something so, today, in the Warm Up we tried something different on the electronics to help me use the tyre more and not worry about consumption. We tried, I liked it, so I used, and it definitely helped me a lot because it gave me a hand to use the tyre more. I could be fast in the Superpole Race and fight for the win. For sure, it was closer than the other races but also, I expected more fighting, more battling for the victory.
In the end, I don’t like to think about the Championship. I didn’t think about it at the beginning and I don’t think about it now. For me, the important thing is that I’m enjoying the bike a lot. I’m enjoying every practice, every single lap, every single race. Let’s keep this mentality and see what happens at the end. I’m just trying to enjoy the moment, celebrate the victory, to reset when things come back and just race and enjoy.”
P2 – Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
Rinaldi finished in second place ahead of Razgatlioglu, making it a Ducati 1-2 and claiming his 14th podium.
He remains in fourth overall with a 32-point advantage over Locatelli.
“We knew yesterday that our expectation was the podium. But unfortunately, I made a mistake in qualifying and I started tenth. Then the race was a bit compromised, but the speed was there. The strategy in the Superpole Race was to start Race 2 in the first two rows and I did it. Today, I really enjoyed the race because I started well. But Jonny and Axel pushed really hard during the whole race. I had to battle really hard but at the same time manage the tyre because we knew what happened yesterday. I did it and I’m really happy because I had a good pace. I didn’t have the pace of Alvaro but in the end I’m really happy about this second place because it’s the second in a row.”
P3 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK)
Razgatlioglu completed the top three for his 72nd podium.
He remains second in the standings and eight points adrift from Rea.
“For me, it was a very difficult weekend. In Race 1, we started very well but we finished in fifth place because we were eating the rear tyre. Today, my plan was just follow Jonny and Bassani and Rinaldi, because I know Alvaro is very fast. Today, I wanted to keep the rear tyre because I understood that first position was not possible in this race. I focused on second and third position. I am very happy that we’re back on the podium. I am not focused on the Championship, I am just looking race by race. Portimao is a very good track for me and also Jonny is very strong, Alvaro is very strong. We are fighting again. Argentina will be a little bit difficult because of the very long straight, which is better for the Ducati, but I will keep fighting. I love Indonesia, and I think we are fighting for the win in Indonesia. Australia, I don’t know! We have many races and the Championship is not finished.”
P4 – Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
Rea was battling for a podium place but ran wide at Turn 7 on Lap 16. After his mistake he was able to pass Bassani to take fourth.
He stands in third place in the standings with 327 points.
“The race was under control compared to our expectations until six laps to go. I was just behind Rinaldi, starting to plot how the end of the race would play out and I went into seven, found neutral but I was coming from fourth to third to second. I couldn’t stop the bike. It was all I could do… because I had no engine brake it was to stay upright. The front was jumping… anyway I stayed on the track. Rammed it back into gear… Axel came past but I made quick work of him. I focused on Toprak just to fight until the end. My rhythm was good in the end, but I just ran out of lap so. If you had given me that result at the beginning of the week, I’d probably have accepted it because it’s a really though track for us but after seeing our pace yesterday, understanding how the start of the race was, I felt like we left a little bit out there. But equally satisfied with our position. We had nothing for Alvaro this weekend. He was incredible, on a different level. But I felt like we got a lot from our bike, we even improved the settings of the bike at a circuit that is very difficult for us but we’ve still been able to fight.”
P5 – Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing)
Starting from 13th on the grid, Bassani was fighting for a podium place until Rinaldi and Toprak escaped. He then dropped to finish in sixth place.
“Really good Race 2. I tried to come back from 13th position. It was difficult but we arrived in second place. I tried to maintain second place but in the first half of the race, I finished the front tyre. I just tried to cross the finish line. We arrived fifth, this is really good for the Championship. It was a really difficult weekend for me, but we finish with a good result and we go to Portimao with good moral.”
P6 – Xavi Vierge (Team HRC)
Vierge completed the top six in Race 2 after taking advantage of his Superpole Race result.
“Finally, it has been a really positive weekend, especially on Sunday. We learned a lot. Yesterday was a tricky day. We had a good Superpole but then in the race the temperature dropped a lot. We decided to go with another tyre and I felt so bad with it in the race, I was struggling a lot and I had zero grip. We learned a lot from yesterday, we worked a lot on the electronic side and today with the temperature we were able to choose the tyre that works for us. And we could make a really good Superpole Race and Race 2.”
To note:
Two riders crashed out of the race on the opening lap with Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) going down at Turn 10 and Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) crashing at Turn 14; putting both riders out of the race. Redding was taken to the medical centre for a check-up following his crash and was declared fit but diagnosed with a chest bruise.
The Pirelli Portuguese Round will take place from the 7th to the 9th of October at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.
A Thriller and a spill at Motegi: Miller victorious as title contenders falter
Quartararo struggles to eighth, Bagnaia makes a last lap blunder and Aleix Espargaro suffers a disastrous start as Miller, Binder and Martin steal the spotlight
Jack Miller (43) celebrates his victory with a wheelie across the finish line. Photo courtesy Dorna.
Sunday, 25 September 2022
Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) took a scintillating win at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, hitting the front and never looking back. Behind him, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder came home in a stunning second after a last lap attack on Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), with the former taking a second podium of the season from his first ever premier class front row and the latter back on the box for the first time since Barcelona.
Elsewhere for the title contenders there was drama of differing measures, leaving the top three to take home only eight points between them – and they were all scored by Championship leader Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™) despite the fact that he could only manage eighth. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) suffered the first drama as he found his first machine stuck in fuel saving mode and dived into the pits after the Sighting Lap to change, only able to make it up to P16 thereafter, and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) created the second as he made a last lap blunder in the battle with Quartararo and Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) – taking home nil points in the process as he slid out.
The duel into Turn 1 saw Binder move into the lead courtesy of the inside line, as Martin passed Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) for second through Turn 3. Miller’s charge started early though, and he made a forceful move for fifth on Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) at Turn 5 and then passed both Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Marc Marquez in one fell swoop at the 90 Degree Corner. He then dispatched Binder at the same place before also pinching the lead from Martin not long after, free in the lead and the hammer immediately down. From there, he didn’t look back and only extended the gap – crossing the line three and a half seconds clear for a stunning Thriller of a win.
In classic Binder style, the South African was chipping away at the gap to Martin ahead of him and by the last few laps was within striking distance. But he waited, and Binder vs Martin was decided on the last lap as the KTM rider chose his moment, making it stick and able to pull out a few tenths. Marquez vs Oliveira vs Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) was similarly decided late, with Marquez dispatching the Portuguese rider late on and the number 88 then left to defend against Marini. That he did, repelling a last lap attack.
Marquez’ fourth place from pole is another step in the right direction as the number 93 begins to remind the grid, if they needed it, that he really is back, and Oliveira’s fifth wasn’t quite a podium but it makes two KTMs in the top five. Marini, meanwhile, continues his impressive consistency and points hauls in sixth.
Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) took seventh, and the number 12 was just to the front of a title fight in miniature: Quartararo, Bagnaia and Bastianini, all in a row and battling for eighth. Bagnaia snatched ninth back from Bastianini through Turn 12/Turn 13 on Lap 20 after an earlier shuffle, and that gave him a clear shot at Quartararo. Could he or even would he? The three were incredibly close together and Pecco misjudged it as the front tyre said no more, and he slid out. Quartararo continued to take those eight points, Bagnaia took a 0 after his overambitious move – his words, to accompany his sarcastic applause at himself as he walked away – and Bastianini inherited ninth. Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) rounded out the top 10.
So what of Aleix Espargaro? The Aprilia rider had a different tyre than his race choice on the second bike, and that hampered an already difficult comeback task. He took P16, finishing but just missing out on points.
That’s a wrap on the paddock’s return to Japan. After mayhem in Motegi, Quartararo’s World Championship lead has grown to 18 over Bagnaia, while Aleix Espargaro is another seven behind, but there are still four rounds to go. The next is already on the horizon as the OR Thailand Grand Prix beckons and the paddock returns to Chang International Circuit, with action back underway on Friday!
MotoGP™ PODIUM
1 Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) – Ducati – 42’29.174
3 Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) – Ducati – +4.136
Jack Miller: “I can ride a motorcycle sometimes. [Laughs] I mean, I felt amazing all weekend, to be honest, since I rolled out in the first Free Practice. It feels so awesome to be back racing on this side of the world and the Japanese fans have been incredible all weekend, sitting there through the miserable rain yesterday. These guys are some of the best fans we have, so thank you to them, thank you to the team. What an amazing day. It’s awesome; we’ve got a home Grand Prix coming up shortly, wedding coming up in a couple of weeks, it’s amazing points. So, over the moon, can’t thank everybody enough.
“It was an emotional one that’s for certain, as it always is with me, I don’t know why. I was crying like a baby on the in lap. It was awesome, I didn’t know I had that in me, it was amazing to lead from almost start to finish. When you’re riding or racing like that, the biggest opponent you’ve got is the man inside your head – so I was just trying to not listen to him too much, and it was relatively easy to not listen to him today when the bike’s working as well as it was, it was just a case of hitting my marks and not making any silly mistakes, which is quite easy to do here, to outbrake yourself or whatever – it can cost you a lot of time.”
Brad Binder: “It was a fantastic weekend for myself and the team, you know we’ve been working so hard this season and we haven’t got many good results so to be standing back on the podium is an amazing feeling. It was tough out there today, at the beginning of the race I was really struggling a little bit to understand how hard I could push with the rear because it was the first time I’d done laps on the H. Clearly I understood really well following Jorge and Jack at the beginning where we were losing time and where I was strong, so I was able to do laps behind them and really figure out where I needed to improve and use my strong points to my advantage.
“As the race went on I felt like I got better and better, and I need to say a massive thank you to my team for giving me the confidence to go with the H rear considering we’d never used it. To walk away today with a podium is fantastic, I pushed hard and fought hard from lap one but like I said, hats off to my team. They fought so hard, we needed this podium desperately and this is the start of many more.
“Congrats to Jack, he was on another level today. When he passed me, he literally disappeared in about three or four laps. I could see he was on a roll and knowing Jack I thought he’d have the Hard tyre too. By about Lap 10 I knew we weren’t gonna see him again. Hats off to Jack and it’s gonna be awesome having him in the team next year.”
Jorge Martin: “It was a great race in general, for sure a pity I didn’t try the Hard tyre in the Warm Up because I think it was the key today to being a bit more competitive. I made a great start, I was managing the rear a bit on the exit but I saw straight away after six laps when I was behind Jack that I was asking too much to try and keep the pace so I slowed a bit and tried to keep a constant pace to keep some tyre for the end. It was difficult, when I saw 14 laps to go I was a bit on the limit and thought I was a bit in trouble for the end. I tried to keep the distance with Brad but when he arrived with two or three to go it was a shame as second would have been even better but I’m happy with this podium, to be back for the first time since Barcelona so a lot of races, and I have the confidence back I was missing in the front and starting to brake a bit harder. I’m getting used to this bike, that for the moment is difficult to understand a base setup for.”
QUOTES: TITLE CONTENDERS
Fabio Quartararo: “I didn’t enjoy a single moment of the race. You always have to take the positives from a race and the positive was that we extended our lead but it wasn’t a fun race for me. I couldn’t overtake at all, the only overtake I could do was on Marini and it was on the limit, we touched. But for me the difference in acceleration and everything, it was impossible to try anything.
“From the beginning I knew Aleix was out as he wasn’t there on the grid, and I heard straight away the sound when Pecco crashed so it was easy to know. We were lucky to not get hit but the important thing is we finished the race. Now, it’s the same. We need to push at the maximum, it’s still four races and 100 points, so we will have to push to the maximum and it’ll be super important.”
Francesco Bagnaia: “First of all, I want to say thanks to my team because my mistake was too huge. I didn’t do a good manoeuvre, and fortunately I didn’t touch Fabio and he was safe, he finished the race. I was too ambitious.
“I knew I was strong in that braking point, but I was a bit far and in acceleration today I was slow, I was losing compared to other bikes. But I have to think about my mistakes and what to do in the next races.”
“I had a strange feeling in my bike today during the race, this morning in warm Up everything went well and was ok, but this afternoon I struggled too much. In any case, it’s like this, we are lucky Fabio only got eighth, and we didn’t lose too many points, Aleix finished but with no points, so the only sweet taste today is from Jack – I’m happy he won the race. But I have to stay focused fo the next race, a good track for us, and that’s the main objective.”
Aleix Espargaro: “I’m very disappointed, today was a shame. we made a mistake and the electronics guys forget to remove the eco map for fuel saving, there was nothing I could do. The bike was very slow onto the sighting lap, I went into the pits to change the bike but the second bike didn’t have the right tyre so it was very difficult.
“I knew from the beginning that the bike wasn’t going, so I knew there was a mistake and on the second bike I tried everything, but starting from the pits it’s impossible. I also didn’t have the right rear because we had no more mediums. I tried to stay on track in case there was a Red Flag, but we lost the race on the grid.
“They didn’t achieve a lot of points but I’m even more disappointed because today I could have beaten them, so it’s a shame to lose the opportunity but this is racing.”
Ogura holds his nerve for statement home win ahead of Fernandez
Ogura becomes the first Japanese winner at home since 2006, ahead of key rival Fernandez as Lopez completes the podium
Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) became the first Japanese rider to win on home turf since 2006 at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, holding off key Championship rival Augusto Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) to the flag after both had to pick their way through from outside the top ten on the grid. Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpeedUp) made life difficult at times for both with another stellar ride, ultimately forced to settle for third but taking another impressive podium finish in his rookie season.
With Ogura’s historic win in front of the home crowd, he cuts the gap in the Championship to just two points behind Fernandez with four races to go. Polesitter Aron Canet (Flexbox HP 40), meanwhile, crashed out and falls to 57 points off the top in third overall. Celestino Vietti (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) also crashed out, now 72 behind and facing a last stand to stay in it at Buriram.
Jake Dixon (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team) made a late run at the podium but couldn’t get close enough to Lopez to attack, but he came home ahead of early race leader Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) as the Thai rider ultimately took home a top five ahead of his home round next time out.
Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) made an early challenge for the podium before going wide and slotting back in just behind, taking sixth with a few tenths in hand over Aragon winner Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Albert Arenas (Inde GASGAS Aspar Team), Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) and Filip Salač (Gresini Racing Moto2™) completed the top ten.
Next up it’s Buriram as the intermediate class arrives with just two points in it between what looks like it could be the last two riders standing in the title fight. Will there be a twist in Thailand? We’ll find out next weekend.
Moto2™ PODIUM
1 Ai Ogura (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) – Kalex – 40’56.269
3 Alonso Lopez (Beta Tools SpedUp) – Boscoscuro- +7.168
Ai Ogura: “The biggest day of my life, it was incredible. I can’t believe what’s happened now, just a big thanks to all the Japanese fans. I rode quite well today, so, I could manage the race, it’s unbelievable. Thanks to the team and everybody.”
Guevara makes it back-to-back glory with another masterclass at Motegi
The number 28 stays ahead of the game as he outpaces Foggia and Sasaki to extend his lead once again
Izan Guevara (Autosolar GASGAS Aspar Team) has done it again! Despite never riding at the Mobility Resort Motegi before, the number 28 took another impressive win as he was able to hold off Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) and Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan. The last lap was a showcase in precision and pushing to the limit for all three, with no one quite able to make a decisive move before the flag flew.
The win for Guevara puts him a whopping 45 points clear of teammate Sergio Garcia in the standings. Foggia closes to within 18 points of the second place held by Garcia for the moment, with Sasaki still fourth but also gaining ground on the number 11.
Garcia started well before fading from the podium fight, eventually beating David Muñoz (BOE Motorsports), Diogo Moreira (MT Helmets – MSI) and John McPhee (Sterilgarda Husqvarna Max) to fourth place.
Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) had been in the battle for the win before a late highside out of second place, putting a dent in his place in the standings, and polesitter Tatsuki Suzuki (Leopard Racing) fought at the front in the early stages before his race came to an early end with a crash.
Now the title fight goes down to the OR Thailand Grand Prix, with Guevara not yet able to take his first shot at the crown but getting ever closer to it. What will Buriram bring? We’ll find out next weekend!
3 Ayumu Sasaki (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) – Husqvarna – +1.741
Izan Guevara: “Yeah incredible start. I’m really happy with my race. Thanks to my team because in the warm up I had a big crash, and they repaired my bike in record time. Thanks to everyone and yeah, back-to-back victories!”
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