Styke undergoing further medical evaluation after Toowoomba fall
Section: Competition
Reigning E1 champion salvages third at challenging round two in Queensland.
Image: Foremost Media.
Two-time defending E1 champion Luke Styke will undergo further medical evaluation this week after crashing heavily in the early stages of Sunday’s second round of the 2020 Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) in Toowoomba, Queensland.
The Yamaha Active8 Yamalube Racing rider is understood to have suffered elbow and ankle injuries, the number 26 admitting he was in significant pain as he pushed through the remainder of the day to finish 14th outright and third in E2.
“Saturday was good and everything was on track, but I got it all wrong in a rocky area of the course and fell onto my elbow and also got my ankle stuck under the bike,” Styke explained. “And I’m not sure what hurts most. I will have to get them both checked out as the pain in both is pretty high.
“I managed to finish and actually got better as the day went on, but I was nowhere near 100 percent. Thankfully the team had my back and encouraged me to keep plugging away and salvage what I could after the crash. My first priority will be to get both my elbow and ankle checked out and make a plan after that.”
Styke won Saturday’s opening round in the E1 division, and paired with his third on Sunday, he’s ranked second in the standings behind round two winner Mason Semmens (KTM Enduro Racing Team). The AORC now heads to Dungog in New South Wales on 14-15 March.
Kade Mosig banned for six-years for anti-doping rule violations
Kade Mosig has received a six-year sanction for 19 violations of Motorcycling Australia’s (MA) anti-doping policy. Mr Mosig tested positive to the prohibited substances exogenous 19-norandrosterone and 19-noretiocholanolone and D-amphetamine following a doping control test conducted by the Australian Sports Anti-doping Authority on May 27, 2018 at the MX Nationals in Murray Bridge, South Australia.
Kade Mosig in 2018
Motorcycling Australia imposed a mandatory provisional suspension on Mr Mosig on July 10, 2018, and his sanction has been backdated to take account time he has already served.
This means Mr Mosig is ineligible to participate, as an athlete or support person (including coaching or officiating) until he has completed his six-year sanction. The ban includes using Member facilities.
In addition to the six-year sanction all competitive results for Mr Mosig from December 9, 2013 onwards will be removed from records. Mr Mosig will be eligible to recommence participation in the sport from July 10, 2024.
Kade Mosig
“I accept the sanction imposed on me understanding I have made some poor decisions in the past. I want to apologise to my family, friends, competitors, supporters and my sponsors. Regrettably I will be moving on from racing professionally and will be making no further comment on this matter.”
Quartararo winds up fastest on day two of Qatar MotoGP test
Section: Competition
Rins and Vinales complete the top three as Miller sits 15th.
Image: Supplied.
It was Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) who set the pace on day two of the Qatar MotoGP World Championship test, setting a fastest lap of 1m54.038s.
Day one pacesetter Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was 0.162s in arrears in second, with Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) completing a top trio split by 0.226s as Yamaha and Suzuki continue to look very strong.
In the Yamaha camp, the timesheets make for positive reading. Quartararo shot to the top with just over an hour and a half of daytwo2 remaining with the best time of the test, with Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) claiming P4 and Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) sitting P9.
Quartararo commented that he had a better day than he did on Saturday, despite the Iwata factory having a couple of issues with engine braking. But things seem positive from the likes of Vinales – tipped by a couple of riders as the man in the best shape as it stands – and all the Yamahas are inside the top 10. Rossi stated they’re ready, too.
At Team Suzuki Ecstar, meanwhile, Rins and Joan Mir both had a bumpier ride on day two after proving the men to beat on Saturday, with crashes for both, riders okay. Nevertheless, the two Spaniards looked in good shape on the whole as they continued to test the new GSX-RR chassis, as well as some electronic, rear shock and new Michelin tyre testing.
In the red corner, there was a little more caution but some positivity too. Ducati Team rider Andrea Dovizioso said they were in better shape than Malaysia and teammate Danilo Petrucci said he’d also had a better day than Saturday as they continue to focus on their programs rather than chasing a laptime. Dovizioso was eighth with a 1m54.662s, Petrucci P12 with a 1m54.852s.
The revolutionary ‘ride height adjuster’ was a talking point again, with Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) admitting that he’d been using the device for a number of races. The Australian also noted the GP20’s superior top speed, describing it as a ‘rocketship’.
In terms of the timesheets, however, Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) was the leading Desmosedici, the sophomore briefly sitting P1 with two hours remaining and eventually finishing up P5. In terms of race pace though, ‘Pecco’ says he needs ‘five tenths’ to stick with the lead guys and he’s looking for more grip on the exit.
Johann Zarco (Reale Avintia Racing) impressed again to sit as the second-fastest Ducati on day two, in P6. Over at Honda, reigning world champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) suffered a crash at turn nine and ended the day in P14, a second off the top. Thankfully he was unhurt.
Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) also crashed, going down at turn two and heading to the medical centre afterwards. The fall ultimately ended Crutchlow’s day, the number 35 suffering swelling to his forearm. He and the team decided it was best to not ride again on Sunday, hopefully he will be on track on Monday for the final day of testing.
Front end feel for the two experienced riders is the main problem, with rookie Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) also experiencing some issues. The reigning Moto2 world Cchampion has been feeling under the weather at the Qatar test but he was happier with how day two went compared to day one.
And it was Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) ended the second day as the fastest Honda rider in P10, the Japanese rider enjoying a decent day as he continues to recover from shoulder surgery, with the injury feeling better than it did on day one. All in all, a big day three lies ahead for the HRC riders.
There was big news on Sunday for Aprilia as they confirmed Lorenzo Savadori as their new MotoGP test rider. And for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), day two targets were working on electronics and setting up the engine, as well as trying to figure out why the new RS-GP started suffering in the cooler temperatures – vital for race day in Qatar.
At KTM, it seems the four riders are pretty much set on the new fairing they’ll be using. Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) admitted they haven’t been going for an outright lap time so far in Qatar, the Spaniard was P13 on the timesheets on day twp – 0.852s shy.
Working on the new Michelin rear tyre was a must today for the Austrian factory and speaking after day two’s action, Red Bull KTM Tech 3 rookie Iker Lecuona said he was really happy after he completed a race simulation. His teammate Miguel Oliveira took a tumble, rider okay, and the two weren’t far apart on the timesheets. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was another to crash, rider okay.
In the video above they are riding through Glasgow’s Necropolis cemetery on a suitably dreary wet day when Batman’s bike has a couple of rear-wheel slides on the wet road surface.
Finally the front wheel also slides and down goes the superhero!
The Batcycle is a custom featuring a four-cylinder engine, fat tyres, long wheelbase and heaps of extra weight which we imagine are supposed to be weapons.
It looks like a handful as we see in this BBC footage that shows the stunt rider having a lot of trouble controlling the Batcycle even in slow riding.
Batcycle
The new Batcycle is not the first motorcycle used by the caped crusader.
In the original 1960s TV show, Batman and Robin rode sidecars based on a 1965 Harley-Davidson and then a 1966 Yamaha YDS-3.
Batcycle in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
They were easy to ride, unlike the Batpods made for Dark Knight and The Dark Knight movies.
Batpod in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Batgirl rode a Batblade based on a drag bike in the 1997 film, Batman & Robin.
In another photo from recent filming, Batman, played by Robert Pattinson, is seen sitting on what looks like a more traditional UJM (universal Japanese motorcycle).
It would be much easier to ride than the Batcycle.
While Batman carries the weapons, it seems Catwoman, played by Zoe Kravtiz, is carrying the luggage on her BMW Boxer fitted with panniers.
Mosig handed down six-year sanction for anti-doping violations
Section: Competition
Former MX Nationals contender accepts the penalty back-dated to 2018.
Image: Foremost Media.
Kade Mosig has been handed down a six-year sanction for violating Motorcycling Australia’s anti-doping policy, the former MX Nationals contender accepting the penalty that has been back-dated to the Australian Sports Anti-doping Authority (ASADA) test undertaken in May 2018.
MA has now confirmed that Mosig made 19 violations under the anti-doping policy, testing positive to the prohibited substances exogenous 19-norandrosterone, 19-noretiocholanolone and D-amphetamine following a doping control test conducted by the Australian Sports Anti-doping Authority (ASADA) on 27 May 2018 in Murray Bridge, South Australia.
Mosig is ineligible to participate as an athlete or support person including coaching and officiating until he has completed his six-year sanction. The ban includes using member facilities. In addition to the six-year sanction, all competitive results for Mosig from 9 December 2013 onwards will be removed from records.
“I accept the sanction imposed on me understanding I have made some poor decisions in the past,” Mosig said in a statement. “I want to apologise to my family, friends, competitors, supporters and my sponsors. Regrettably, I will be moving on from racing professionally and will be making no further comment on this matter.”
Mosig will be eligible to recommence participation in the sport from 10 July 2024.
WorldSBK heads to Phillip Island for final pre-season test
Section: Competition
World Superbikes hit the track ahead of this weekend’s season-opener.
Image: Supplied.
The countdown is on with the WorldSBK teams arriving in Australia this week in readiness for a massive round one week of action, with the first appointment being the final pre-season test this Monday and Tuesday at the Phillip Island Grand Prix track.
With five-time reigning champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) the favourite, Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) continuing his adaptation and Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team) aiming to retain his top position from pre-season, there’s lots to focus on.
It was a Yamaha onslaught at the most recent test at Portimao, with Toprak Razgatlioglu leading the way come the end of play. Finding a breakthrough solution with the Q tyre at Portimao, Razgatlioglu now looks like a threat in Superpole as well as the races.
Teammate Michael van der Mark concluded the Portimao test in fourth and was just over 0.6s off his teammate at the top of the standings. Both riders have been on the 2020 bikes, hailing aerodynamic improvements made for taller riders.
Redding made strides at Portimao and was looking on course to finish both days on top before Razgatlioglu pipped him to the post. The Brit has been working away on rear-end grip and hopes that Phillip Island – one of his favourite circuits – can confirm his and his team’s findings.
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) also made gains at Portimao and finished fifth overall. Ducati as a manufacturer have won the last five WorldSBK races in Australia and will look to continue their dominance Down Under into the new decade.
The Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK didn’t feature at Portimao and instead, took to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for a private afternoon of testing. However, when they were with the opposition, it was Jonathan Rea who topped the timesheets at Jerez.
His 2020 teammate, Alex Lowes, has also been on the pace, enjoying crucial wet weather running at Jerez whilst also taking to the Barcelona-Catalunya track for the first time. Both riders hope to utilise the testing days at Phillip Island to return to the top Down Under come the race weekend.
Going into the Phillip Island Test, BMW’s S1000 RR has been transformed since the start of 2019. Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and teammate Eugene Laverty head to Australia after strong testing in Portugal, working with the chassis set-up, braking strategies, electronics and more.
Sykes is keen to start his season with a podium, whilst Eugene Laverty’s last win came at the Island. The official test gives both riders two days of track time in order to refine parts ahead of racing.
The final factory team at the Phillip Island Test is Team HRC, fielding 2019 runner-up Alvaro Bautista and 2010 runner-up, Leon Haslam. Both riders go well around Phillip Island, with Bautista storming to a hat-trick in 2019.
Keeping their development secretive has added intrigue about the CBR1000RR-R ahead of the new season. However, Haslam topped day one of a wet Jerez before finishing sixth in the dry at Portimao. Can the Japanese manufacturer shine again in Australia?
Independent teams will join their factory counterparts for the Phillip Island official test, with Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) leading the way. The Frenchman was third on the final day is set to take to Phillip Island for the first time with Yamaha. Other independent Yamahas include Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team), who makes his Phillip Island debut during testing.
His teammate Federico Caricasulo was quick in testing and hopes to build on that. In all, the five Yamahas on the WorldSBK grid all packed out the top ten in Portimao testing back in January. Remaining independent teams include Kawasaki Puccetti Racing, who were the best Independent team for 2019.
They’ve got best independent rider from 2018 Xavi Fores for 2020 and are hoping to make more progress. Leon Camier (Barni Racing Team) will also be back out on his Ducati, whilst Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Goeleven) completes the Ducati presence.
Max Scheib (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) will be in action at Phillip Island for the first time, as will Takumi Takahashi (Mie Racing Team), with the latter not featuring during any pre-season tests.
Also out on track will be the middle-class WorldSSP field in their final pre-season test, with local attention focussed on 16-year-old Oli Bayliss – son of motorcycling legend Troy – as he faces one of the biggest weeks of his life racing a Yamaha YZF-R6 in WorldSSP as a wild card, and also launching his national Australian Supersport campaign.
Round 1 of the 2020 Yamaha Off Road Championship was held in Toowoomba and presented new challenges to our riders, including new faces in the field and first round nerves, with new classes also joining the mix.
Coming out on top today and setting 2020 out on the best foot was Luke Styke (Yamaha Active8 Yamalube) in E1, Daniel Milner (KTM Enduro Racing Team) in E2, Daniel “Chucky” Sanders (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team) in E3 and Korey McMahon (Sutto’s Motorex KTM Racing Team) in the EJ class.
Luke Styke – 2020 Yamaha AORC Round 1 – Toowoomba
This new season also introduces of new Junior classes, including JJ, JG and J1, all in mind to ensure the sport is safely secured in future generations to come. Round 1 was clinched by Riley McGillivray in J4, Billy Hargy in J3, Jett Yarnold in J2, Charlie Connolly in J1, Max Stevenson in JJ and Danielle McDonald in JG.
Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha MXStore Ballards Off-Road Team) led the Women’s results at Round 1, Lee Stephens (True Painting and Decorating, KTM Newcastle)in Veterans and Kirk Hutton (Yamaha Motors Australia) in Masters all took out first place, attaining a firm grasp on their continued success from 2019 into 2020. This AORC season also includes the first full season 2 Stroke Cup class, which saw Harry Teed take out the top spot.
E1
Working tooth and nail to hold onto his 2019 victory was Luke Styke on his Yamaha with a time of 55:47.177. Styke lead ahead of Motocross up-and-comer Mason Semmens (KTM Enduro Racing Team), who crossed his seventh and final test for the day with a total time of 55:55.475 with only eight seconds separating two.
Rounding out the E1 Round 1 podium was MXstore’s Kyron Bacon, who continues to grow in leaps and bounds as he transitions from EJ to E1 this season.
Luke Styke
“Today started off a little slower than expected but we progressed throughout the day, made some fixes to the bike and just got better and better. For Round 2 we’re just going to rest up and hopefully start off the racing in a little bit of a better position compared to today.”
E2
As Daniel Milner said at the Press Launch earlier this week, the 2019 racing season was one he wanted to forget, but regardless of the spill early in the day, Milner has grabbed the E2 lead with both hands. Clocking in at 54:39.515, Milner lead comfortably ahead of newcomer and MX Nationals Champion, Todd Waters (Berry Sweet, Husqvarna).
Waters made a big and welcome splash into the E2 class today, shaking up the competition by clocking in an impressive total time of 55:27.309. Closing out the top three was Yamaha Active8 Yamalube’s Josh Green, who finished ahead of Michael Driscoll (Yamaha bLU cRU Off-Road Racing Team) with a total time of 55:36.369.
Daniel Milner
“Today started off strong but I ran into some trouble and came off the bike and I’m lucky that I was able to get back up and continue riding, honestly. Apart from that incident though, my day was pretty good and finished up well with the class win! I think I came into this round swinging, ready to get back into the game in a big way.”
Daniel Milner – 2020 Yamaha AORC Round 1 – Toowoomba
E3
With the number one firmly locked onto his Husqvarna FE501, Chucky remained his unstoppable self. Regardless of a crash early in day’s tests, Chucky did as he does best and pushed through, grinning and bearing it to clock in a time of 55:21.276.
Shaking up the E3 class on the 300 two-stroke is Motul Pirelli Sherco Offroad Racing Team’s Jonte Reynders, who took out second placed behind the International Six Days Enduro World Champion. Rounding out the podium was Callum Norton (KTM Desert Racing Team), with a total time of 57:09.295.
Daniel Sanders – 2020 Yamaha AORC Round 1 – Toowoomba
EJ
It was was the time for Korey McMahon to shine and after tangoing back and forth with the likes of Kyron Bacon last season, McMahon took out a well deserved EJ class win for Round 1, clocking in a time of 58:05.112.
Rounding out the podium today was Blake Hollis (Yamaha) with a total time 58:44.064, and Samuel Pretscherer (Gol Gol Hotel, Mototech) with a time of 59:40.496.
Settling comfortably back into the swings of things, it was like Riley McGillivray never left over the break as he charged ahead of his rivals with ease. McGillivray finished Round 1 with a total time of 48:19.242, ahead of Kodi Stephens and Kobi Wolff.
J3
Billy Hargy was simply unstoppable as he screamed across the Offroad Advantage test track, finishing in first with a total time of 49:16.712. Second place was awarded to William Dennett, while clinching the final podium position was Campbell Hall.
Billy Hargy
“Today was good. Started off a bit slow and came second in the first few tests. I think I was struggling in the test a little bit but I started finding a few good lines and working to my strengths. I didn’t think I’d score the round win and I’m really happy with the end result!”
J2
The rocky landscape didn’t slow down Jett Yarnold, who stole away first place in J2 with ease, clocking in after six laps with a time of 52:38.318. Sliding into second was Levi Stephens, followed closely by Jet Alsop in third.
A brand new addition to the AORC pits, the J1 features 85 small wheels. Coming out on top for Round 1 was Charlie Connolly, with a total time of 56:09.406. Clinching second place was Beau Tripcony, while rounding out the podium was Cooper Boyd.
Charlie Connolly – 2020 Yamaha AORC Round 1 – Toowoomba
JJ
The second brand new addition to AORC is the JJ class with 65cc motorbikes and claiming its first ever round win was none other than Max Stevenson, with a total time of 57:51.208. Taking out second place was Harley Hutton, and close behind was Dylan McDonald scoring third place.
Max Stevenson – 2020 Yamaha AORC Round 1 – Toowoomba
JG
Last but certainly not least in the Juniors is the new JG class. Claiming the first round win was the demon behind the handlebars, Danielle McDonald, with a total time of 54:09.460. McDonald was followed by Monique Simioni and Ariana Collins to complete the podium.
Jess Gardiner appears to have worked straight through the AORC break to build herself up to an even better position for the 2020 season. Clocking in a total time of 1:10:30.314, Gardiner took out first place ahead of ‘The Flying Swede’, Emelie Karlsson (Yamaha).
Stealing away third was Penrite Honda’s Emma Milesevic, who appears to be right at home now after completing a near full season in 2019 whilst also making tracks in Motocross.
Continuing on from a blisteringly hot 2019 season where he rarely faltered off first place, Lee Stephens demonstrated his fine form to take out first place in the Veterans class. Trailing behind Stephens in second place was Richard Chibnall (WBR Echuca On Point Motorcycles, 100% Strength), while the third and final Veteran podium position was won by Christopher Thomas (Thomas Lee KTM).
Lee Stephens
“Had a really good day today. I crashed in the logs on the first test – they caught me out – and I have really been looking forward to getting the season started,” explained Stephens.
Lee Stephens – 2020 Yamaha AORC Round 1 – Toowoomba
Masters
He took out the 2019 AORC Masters title with a round to spare last season and looks set to continue that fantastic streak in 2020, with Kirk Hutton taking out first place, clocking in a total time of 1:07:10.693. Behind Hutton in second was Andrew Gillam, while Timothy Martin rounded out the podium
After the success of the 2 Stroke Cup in selected rounds last season, AORC introduced this class as a full season Championship class for 2020.
Taking out first place at Round 1 was Harry Teed with a total time of 59:10.420. As Teed navigated the WR450F track, which presented a mixture of lush grass and slippery dust, he was followed closely by Brad Hardaker (Banana Coast Pest Control, Yamaha). Third place was won by Dalton Johnson (Motul Pirelli Sheroc Offroad Racing Team).
Their factory in Hinckley, Leicestershire, mainly makes engine components and will become a research and development centre.
It will continue to build their new Triumph Factory Custom (TFC) motorcycles with production wound down from about 6500 a year to about 4500.
Triumph Thruxton and Rocket 3 TFC
They will lay off about 50 workers on the assembly line, paint shop and weld shop.
However, they will add about 20 design engineer jobs in their upgraded R&D facility.
Thai advantages
Apart from the cost advantages of making bikes in Thailand, most major component suppliers are nearby, including an Ohlins factory.
Australia also has a free trade agreement with Thailand, which keeps a lid on prices.
Triumph boss Nick Bloor says the move is part of “Triumph’s next wave of strategic growth”.
“We want to maximise the growth opportunity for the brand globally, particularly in the Asian markets,” he says.
“This is why we are increasing our design resources here in the UK, and focusing our mass-production capabilities in Thailand.
“There will still be manufacturing capability in the UK but the role of our facility in Hinckley will be reconfigured to enable us to create a more flexible and high-value capability.”
Suzuki has been slow to plug into the electric motorcycle revolution, but looks like finally joining the other Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, at least in the Asian market.
The big four Japanese manufacturers have all been slow in announcing their intentions with electric motorcycles and scooters.
No doubt it’s hoped to avoid the Beta/VHS situation where new video recording technology went two different ways.
Standardised batteries and charging infrastructure would mean plugs on bikes and sockets on charging points would suit all electric motorcycle models.
Perhaps a standardised battery size, shape and output would also lead to a battery swap solution which would be quicker than waiting for a bike to recharge.
Slow revolution
By comparison with their major counterparts, the usually innovative Japanese motorcycle companies have been slow to join the electric vehicle revolution.
Meanwhile, Suzuki has been the slow coach with no patents, no announcements, nothing!
Until now.
Autocar India reports that Suzuki Motorcycle India MD Koichiro Hirao says they are working on an EV platform for India.
There is no word on what that EV platform will be; motorcycle, scooter, mobility scooter!
Nor is there any word about whether they would be available outside the country.
India is becoming a major player in the EV market with a host of companies from start-ups to major manufacturers now making them.
This comes in the wake of tough new emissions regulations in the overcrowded and polluted country.
Learn electric terms
Living with petrol-powered motorcycles all our lives, we now find we will have to learn a lot of new terms in the coming electric revolution.
We certainly don’t profess to know much about electrical terms.
But here is a very non-technical, idiot’s guide to the main terms. (Electricians may find this quite amusing!)
Volts: This is a measure between two points in an electrical circuit, sort of like the water pressure in pipes. The mains plug in your house has 240V (230V in UK, 110V in USA) and your motorcycle battery has 12V.
Amps: Together with the voltage, it determines the flow rate of the current. High amps with a low voltage means a lot of current flowing slowly, like a fat, lazy river. Low amps with a high voltage means a faster flow of less current, sort of like when you squeeze the end of a hose and the water spurts out.
Watts: It you multiply the volts by the amps you get the watts, which is the output power of the electric motor. You should already be familiar with kilowatts which are 1000 watts. One kilowatt is 1.34% of one horsepower or one horsepower is 0.75% of a kilowatt.
Harley’s LiveWire electric motor
Kilowatt hours: This is the capacity of the battery. Think of how many litres you can fit in your fuel tank. A one watt-hour battery will power a 1W electric motor for one hour. The new Lightning Strike Carbon Edition has a 20kWh battery which means it can produce 1kW of power for 20 hours.
That’s just a start.
There are a lot of other factors involved and other terms forbattery energy-density (watt-hours per kilogram), charging terms (AC, DC and fast chargers) and a variety of range calculations that take into regenerative charging.
Two riders have died in separate accidents on the Central Coast of NSW and in far west Queensland yesterday (23 February 2020).
NSW Police say a 59-year-old rider from Mardi died in a crash with a Mitsubishi SUV on the Great North Road, Bucketty, 40km north-west of Somersby, about 4.30pm.
Officers from Hunter Valley Police District were told he was riding north and the Mitsubishi SUV was travelling south and the crash occurred in the southbound lane.
“The SUV left the road, crashing down a ravine trapping the driver, while the motorcyclist was thrown down the same ravine,” police say.
Paramedics were winched by helicopter down the ravine to the injured motorcyclist.
Sadly, he died a short time after being brought up to the roadway.
Our sincere condolences to the rider’s family and friends.
A 44-year-old woman, from Paxton, was released from the wreckage of her SUV and escaped with relatively minor injuries.
She was taken to Wyong Hospital for mandatory testing.
The scene was also attended by NSW Ambulance paramedics, Rescue helicopter crew, RFS and VRA volunteers.
Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information is confidential. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
Longreach crash
A 19-year-old rider has died in a crash at the intersection of Falcon and Duck streets, Longreach about 3am yesterday.
Police say their initial investigations “suggest the male rider lost control of his motorcycle”.
The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
Quote this reference number: QP2000379024.
Our sincere condolences to the rider’s family and friends.
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Batcycle in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Batpod in the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Batman and Catwoman on their bikes
Triumph Thruxton and Rocket 3 TFC
Yamaha PES1 electric motorcycle
Honda electric Assist-e self-balancing bike
Harley’s LiveWire electric motor