Red Bull KTM Ajo had both bikes inside the top six with Kaito Toba one spot back in sixth. Japan’s Suzuki will be gunning for three straight pole positions later this afternoon, but a crash at Turn 6, unhurt, in the closing stages of FP3 won’t help his preparation for Q2. Inside the top and joining Suzuki in Q2 will be Tony Arbolino (Rivacold Snipers Team), who’s teammate Filip Salac hobbled away from a crash at Turn 13, Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) and World Championship leader Albert Arenas (Solunion Aspar Team Moto3).
The FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) may have been forced to take a break from racing for a few months, but work has continued where possible at BMW Motorrad Motorsport. In the wind tunnel, for example, engineers have been fine-tuning the aerodynamics of the BMW S 1000 RR in the BMW Group Acoustic Wind Tunnel. An important role in this work is being played by BMW Motorrad World SBK Team rider, Eugene Laverty (IRL) – in the form of a 3D model.
Aerodynamics play a key role in determining the top speed of a World Superbike. Even the smallest of details can make a big difference here. The goal is to keep the aerodynamic drag as low as possible. The BMW Group Acoustic Wind Tunnel in Munich (GER) has everything the BMW Motorrad Motorsport engineers need to test and develop aerodynamic updates for the RR used in WorldSBK.
Fine-tuning the aerodynamics of the BMW S 1000 RR in the BMW Group Acoustic Wind Tunnel
However, to simulate the flow conditions as realistically as possible, it is not enough to simply position the bike in the wind tunnel by itself. Out on the racetrack, there is also a rider on the bike, creating his own air resistance, even if his riding position has also been optimised aerodynamically. For that reason, the whole package of motorcycle and rider is used in the airflow, which is generated by the wind tunnel’s 2,600-hp electric motor and can reach speeds of up to 255 km/h. To make this possible, BMW Motorrad Motorsport has turned to an innovative method: 3D scanning.
Fine-tuning the aerodynamics of the BMW S 1000 RR in the BMW Group Acoustic Wind Tunnel
“Eugene was here in Munich with us before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. He was trying to find the ideal sitting position on the RR and, while he was in that position, we took detailed measurements with a 3D scanner,” said BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers. Detailed measurements means every individual glove finger, every contour of the helmet, every seam in the leather overalls, every crease that affects the aerodynamic drag and with it the airflow. “Based on the data from the 3D scan, we created a plastic model made of two halves. It took about a week to get all the details right, however our 3D Eugene was then ready for action,” Bongers added.
Fine-tuning the aerodynamics of the BMW S 1000 RR in the BMW Group Acoustic Wind Tunnel
Since then, the plastic Laverty has been providing a very important service. He has racked up over 50 test runs in the wind tunnel. “Using a 3D model like this allows us to work more efficiently on development of our RR,” explains Bongers. “While a real rider must travel to get here, the plastic version is available at any time for testing in the wind tunnel. This means that we can evaluate and implement updates even faster.” Another major advantage of the 3D model became particularly apparent during the coronavirus-enforced break. While WorldSBK riders Laverty and Tom Sykes (GBR) were unable to travel to Munich due to travel restrictions, plastic Laverty was waiting in Munich, ready to get back on the RR in the wind tunnel.
Fine-tuning the aerodynamics of the BMW S 1000 RR in the BMW Group Acoustic Wind Tunnel
So, what does the real Laverty make of his double? “He’s just a few shades paler than my Irish complexion,” said a chuckling Laverty, referring to the light plastic used to make the model. “All joking aside, it was a little unusual to sit on the bike for so long and to be measured from every angle with a 3D scanner. However, the result is awesome. I can do my bit to make our RR faster without having to be in Munich in person. It’s not every day you get to see yourself as such a detailed model. It is fascinating what is possible with modern technology, and the BMW Group is leading the way in many areas in this regard.”
Fine-tuning the aerodynamics of the BMW S 1000 RR in the BMW Group Acoustic Wind Tunnel
Following the break for the coronavirus, it has now also been possible to measure team-mate Sykes in Munich. His 3D model will soon also see action in the wind tunnel. The next races for the optimised RR, the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and the real riders will take place on the first weekend in August. The 2020 WorldSBK season, which was suspended after the opening round in Australia, will resume at Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. at the beginning of next month.
Fine-tuning the aerodynamics of the BMW S 1000 RR in the BMW Group Acoustic Wind Tunnel
With its trellis frame, droopy single headlight and general design of the tank, seat, shorty front fender and aggressive stance, it is every bit a Monster clone.
A clone of Ducati’s Monster droopy headlight?
The one thing the Italian-designed and Chinese-built bike does better is the elegant, stubby exhaust which is much nicer than the bulky mufflers on the Ducati.
Ducati 821
Benelli 752S
Benelli’s 752S is actually powered by a 754cc parallel twin engine, rather than an L-twin in the Ducati.
The bike arrives in Australia in September 2020 at $12,990 ride away.
And it isn’t starved of features with 50mm Marzocchi upside-down forks, a KYB monoshock and decent sized twin 320mm front brake discs and Pirelli Angel ST tyres.
It comes in a choice of red, white, green and black.
Clone in style only
The Benelli is a Monster clone in style only, not in tech specs and price.
It is powered by Benelli’s four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine with 56kW of power and 67Nm of torque.
The comparable Ducati Monster is the 821 with 81kW of power and 85Nm.
More importantly, the Benelli is a bit of a porker at 226kg of Chinese metal and plastic rather than the svelte Ducati at a mere 205kg.
But then the Ducati Monster 821 does cost $18,300.
The Benelli 752 is more comparable to models such as the BMW F 800 R ($13,450), Kawasaki Z900 ($12,599), KTM 790 Duke ($15,790), Triumph Street Triple S ($13,800) and Yamaha MT-07 HO ($10,699).
It comes in a choice of green, red, black and white.
Benelli 752S
Benelli 752S
Price
$12,990 ride away
Engine
liquid-cooled twin, 4 valves/cylinder, DOHC
Displacement
754cc
Bore x Stroke
88 x 62 mm
Compression
11.5:1
Power
56kW @ 8500rpm
Torque
67Nm @ 6500rpm
Emissions
135g/km
Economy
5.9L/100km
Transmission
6-speed, wet clutch
Suspension (front)
USD 50mm forks, adjustable rebound, compression and spring preload
Tickle joins Monster Energy Yamaha for Pro Motocross season
Section: Competition
Injury of Plessinger could take as long as 12 weeks to recover.
Image: Supplied.
Monster Energy Yamaha has drafted in Broc Tickle for the upcoming 2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in place of injured team regular Aaron Plessinger.
Tickle returned to racing midway through Monster Energy Supercross with JGRMX Suzuki, however, will transfer to the factory YZ450F outdoors.
“I’m super-excited about this opportunity and grateful to be a part of the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing Team for the outdoor season that starts up here in a couple weeks,” Tickle said.
“For myself, I’m just really looking forward to it. It’s a great opportunity, and a good group of people around me. We’ll start off at Loretta’s and build from there.”
Yamaha Racing manager Jim Roach said: “Unfortunately, Aaron was injured last week just as we were ramping up for the start of the motocross season.
“We are excited to have someone with Broc’s experience on the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory team and are looking forward to getting the Pro Motocross season started!”
Plessinger continues to focus on his return after he dislocated his wrist while training last Tuesday at Fox Raceway in Pala, California. The 2018 250MX champion underwent surgery to repair it and quickly began the rehab process, but the timeline for recovery could take 12 weeks.
Yamaha 1-2 topped by Vinales in Jerez Friday practice
Section: Competition
Remarkable rookie Binder best of the KTMs in third overall.
Image: Supplied.
Spaniard Maverick Vinales led Monster Energy Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi on the opening day of the Red Bull Grand Prix of Andalucia at Jerez.
That duo topped an incredible charge from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder as the rookie completed the top three in another impressive showing.
Once again it was FP1 laps that decided the combined timesheets for many in the field and a good few familiar faces need to move forward in FP3 to make it to Q2.
With the weather as scorching as ever in southern Spain and looking unlikely to change overnight, however, there is plenty time for the field to fight back to get into Q2, including Spanish GP winner Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) as the Frenchman ended the day outside the top 10 once again.
Rossi had a less dramatic day as ‘The Doctor’ was back near the top of the time-sheets from his FP1 time and remained within a couple of tenths of teammate Vinales in FP2 – something that could bode well after a podium for the latter last week.
Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was behind the nine-time world champion on combined times too as the number 21 took P4 overall, ending the day as top Independent Team rider. Then came the rest of the KTMs, as Binder’s teammate Pol Espargaro, despite a tip off, was fifth fastest on Friday.
Red Bull KTM Tech 3’s Miguel Oliveira extended the impressive showing as he completed the combined top six, followed by Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) who was the top Ducati, FP2 leader Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu), Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team).
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) did not ride on Friday, his plan is to return to action on Saturday, while Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) did, ending the day in P20 and P21 respectively as they evaluate their respective conditions.
The Moto2 top three were split by less than a tenth of a second, with Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) taking the spoils ahead of championship leader Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Jorge Navarro (Beta Tools Speed Up), who was just 0.065s off the top. SAG Racing’s Remy Gardner was P20.
It was Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) who topped the time-sheets in Moto3 followed by Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse), who was second fastest, and Filip Salac (Rivacold Snipers Team) within a tenth of the Japanese rider to complete the top three.
The MotoE World Cup was led by Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP), but points-leader and first race winner Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) came close to knocking the rookie off the top in the afternoon in FP2, Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadracorse) took P3, with Josh Hook (Octo Pramac MotoE) 12th.
Two Royal Enfield Himalayan adventurer motorcycles have starring roles in an upcoming Kiwi winter surf film called “Lost Track New Zealand”.
There, that’s a sentence you never thought you would hear!
This trailer indicates a film that is beautifully shot and seems to capture the adventure and freedom of both riding and surfing.
For anyone who has ever ridden a motorcycle around New Zealand they will know that it is filled with winding roads through spectacular middle earth scenery.
”Lost Track New Zealand” follows surfer Torren Martyn and film maker Ishka Folkwell as they embark on a four month motorbike adventure to explore the island nation’s roads and surf.
They customised the Royal Enfield Himalaya bikes to carry surfboards as well as their camping gear.
Torren and Ishka ride through storms and survive near-death experiences on their quest to escape into nature and surf perfect waves.
The coming feature film, produced by wetsuits manufacturer needessentials, includes an outstanding original soundtrack composed by Headland and Nick Bampton.
There is no date or screening venue yet for the film, but we will update when it is availablew.
2020 MotoGP Round Two – Jerez Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucía
MotoGP riders reflect on day one
Maverick Vinales – P1
“Today I felt really good on the bike. We tried a new set-up, which is an improvement, and this is the most important thing. Lap by lap and practice by practice I‘m feeling better. So, we need to keep working in this way, because I think that‘s the way to bring the bike to the top. This afternoon I was working on the hard and the medium tyre. We need to understand how all the tyre specs work for us, because it will be really hot on Sunday, so we need to know what we can do. But the feeling is great with any tyre. We also worked a lot on the front tyre, and the feeling is good – better than it was last week. For sure, on Sunday we will have another tyre discussion, but in any case, I feel comfortable with the bike. I think we made an improvement compared to last week. I think this is a good test for us, we never raced at the same track twice in a row. The most important thing is to understand how we do better on race day.”
Maverick Vinales – P1
Valentino Rossi – P2
“It‘s a positive Friday, because we changed something in the setting of the bike, and I feel better. I feel more comfortable, I can ride in a better way, and I improved my pace. So, this morning was very good. In the afternoon, with the hotter temperatures, I suffered a bit more. But anyway, it was not so bad, and I was able to keep a good pace also with the used tyres. It‘s not easy, because there are a lot of riders who are very fast, but also our pace is not bad. As always, tomorrow morning will be crucial. It will be very important to find the right spot to make the right lap time to stay in the top 10. We‘ll have to try. I feel better with the bike compared to last week. We have to work because in some corners I‘m not fantastic. But anyway, it was a positive day.”
Valentino Rossi – P2
Franco Morbidelli – P4
“It was a good Friday; we were able to finish fourth in both morning and afternoon sessions. The pace was especially good and so I’m very happy. Like always, there are some things to improve but we are in a good place. One area to improve will be in braking, so we will work to get better on that. It should be a good race because a lot of riders are setting similar lap times. We tried the soft front tyre this morning, just to understand how it is round here. There are some areas it’s good in, but then the hard tyre is better in other areas. We will need to choose well which tyre we use, but I’m confident going into qualifying tomorrow.”
Franco Morbidelli – P4
Miguel Oliveira – P6
“Overall, we had a positive start. We did a few changes to the bike this morning and I really enjoyed it. Finally, I was able to go fast on one lap, at least faster than the Qualifying last week. For sure, we still need to improve a little bit for tomorrow if we want to be in Q2, but I feel like we’ve done a good job. This afternoon, we kept the same tyres, working on our race pace and so far, I just have positive feelings.”
Miguel Oliveira – P6
Jack Miller – P7
“I think the pace is working better, the feeling with the bike is perfect. Today I didn’t want to take too many risks, especially in the faster corners, but in general I think everything is working even better than last week. Today the temperature was very hot, and we were focusing on both tires non only the rear one. We are ready for tomorrow.”
Jack Miller – P7
Takaaki Nakagami – P8
“As you can see from the result, we are definitely improving compared to last weekend. We got good support from HRC and the team who did a great job today. I’m pretty happy with my feeling on the bike and have improved my riding style, so we’re ready for tomorrow. But we need to pay attention in FP3 because you never know what can happen, everyone goes faster and faster, but we’ll do our best to stay inside the top 10. Then let’s see what happens in qualifying, we are quite competitive so this is a good sign for the race. Let’s keep pushing!”
Takaaki Nakagami – P8
Aleix Espargaro’ – P9
“This morning things felt a bit better and I managed to ride the RS-GP into the top ten. It should be said that, with three fast riders on the injured list, it was a bit simpler. In any case, tomorrow in FP3 we’ll need to push hard to hold onto this position. We had a few difficulties in the afternoon. Unfortunately, we are still losing a lot in acceleration and that is accentuated by the poor grip when the temperature rises. I hope I can improve for tomorrow. The goal is to confirm the top-10 position and take the bike to Q2.”
Aleix Espargaro’ – P9
Andrea Dovizioso – P10
“I am satisfied with the work we have done during Day 1. We managed to improve my feeling with the bike a lot, especially in braking and entering the corners, but still, I can’t be as smooth as I would like on the corner exit. Looking at the timesheets, we see that our rivals have also managed to make some progress compared to last weekend, so it will be important to continue to improve and find a good rhythm for the race. Tomorrow it will be crucial to do a good qualifying and be able to start from the first rows in the race.”
Andrea Dovizioso – P10
Joan Mir – P11
“Today I worked on race pace – especially using the hot conditions in the afternoon to try and put together some laps – as well as working on setup. I’m making up for the time I lost last Sunday. Tomorrow in FP3 it will be important to set a quick lap in order to go into Q2. It seems today we’ve learned some useful things, and we’ll see tomorrow what type of lap time I can do.”
Joan Mir – P11
Iker Lecuona – P12
“This morning, I finished in P12, so I was quite happy, especially because I managed to improve the base of the bike, so I could ride more relaxed and faster. In FP2 this afternoon, we were trying some things for the race, so we didn’t focus on the lap time. Unfortunately, I had a small crash in turn two, after we changed something on the bike and I didn’t have a good feeling with the front. I went back out with the number two bike, so it was ok. Anyway, we know where we can work on from here, so I hope I can improve my lap time tomorrow and stay closer to the front.”
Iker Lecuona – P12
Johann Zarco – P13
“So, the first day here for de second grand prix has been good. This afternoon I improved a little bit my lap time compared to the morning one. I got a little crash, but I was trying to find some new limits and to crash was not a problem, it was almost good to understand where I can push or not. So, positive day, tomorrow will be especially important to find the time-attack in FP3 to have the chance to go straight to Q2 and then have the best qualifying as possible. The performance is coming better and now I need to stay focused.”
Johann Zarco – P13
Fabio Quartararo – P14
“I have actually changed my approach to Free Practice! Before I would always make a time attack because I wanted to finish first. Last year if I had finished Friday with a position like this I would have been angry. I’m really happy though as we know we have one-lap pace here, so I could work on race pace – after all what counts is Sunday. The potential for us to go directly into Q2 is high, but of course anything can happen. I’m feeling confident and our situation is very good. We’ve tried quite a lot of things today and I’m feeling great. I had one moment where the wheel didn’t stay on the track like I thought it would and I ended up on the grass. A little bit of motocross practice during a MotoGP session was quite fun! The pace is great and I can wait for tomorrow to jump back on the bike and get some more laps in.”
Fabio Quartararo – P14
Alex Marquez – P15
“It will be interesting to see how much we can improve this weekend, already this weekend we have been able to make a step especially in the hotter conditions of the afternoon. I’m 100% sure tomorrow we can make another step as we have found a set up change for hot conditions which helped us. Tomorrow will be an important day for us, going directly to Q2 will need a low 37 and our target is to be as close to Q2 as possible. We’re working on our one lap pace to try and achieve this.”
Alex Marquez – P15
Danilo Petrucci – P16
“Unfortunately in this heat, being able to improve the times in the afternoon is always very complicated. My feelings are slowly improving, but today I struggled mainly to turn the bike, and so, it will be an aspect that we will have to work on. Tomorrow morning’s session will be crucial because being able to get into Q2 can make really a difference ahead of the race. The goal now is to be able to be fast immediately in FP3 and get a good result in qualifying.”
Danilo Petrucci – P16
Pecco Bagnaia – P17
“Today we continued with the work done last week. We focused on race pace, and I made many laps with used tires, today I have never done a time attack. I think that we did a very good job. I did a lot of laps in both the sessions and the chrono that I did during my 21st laps was the same compared to my best. It was very important in view of the race, because last Sunday I struggled a lot during the last ten laps due to front tires. Tomorrow during FP3 we will focus on time attack to directly access in Q2 and.”
Pecco Bagnaia – P17
Tito Rabat – P18
“It’s been a positive day. In the morning, with the soft front tyre I didn’t do very well, but in the afternoon we tried some modifications and it went a little better. I’m satisfied and now we’ll see if we can continue in this direction and improve a little more. I’m sure that if we continue on this path it will go well”
Tito Rabat – P18
Bradley Smith – P19
“Today we decided to use the two sessions to work on the aspects that I had been least satisfied with during the race last Sunday. The conditions had caught us a bit off guard. Apparently, we still don’t have enough data on this new bike. The FP3 session tomorrow morning will clearly be a sort of qualifying. Everyone will be on the track with knives between their teeth and we’ll have to try to exploit the RS-GP as best we can in the time attack, but what counted today was working on the setup for Sunday.”
Bradley Smith – P19
Cal Crutchlow – P20
“It was good to get back on track today with not a bad feeling on the bike to be honest. The team and Honda were very relaxed with me this weekend to see if I could ride. I showed it’s possible to ride the bike, although the feeling is a little strange. I don’t have so much pain in the wrist and when I do I just try to ride around it as best as possible. I feel the condition of me on the bike is not superb after the crash last week, but we’ll continue to work over the weekend to make me a little bit more comfortable. The surgeon, Dr Mir, has done a good job and, along with me keeping ice on the wrist over the weekend to keep the inflammation down, I’ll grit my teeth and try to do my best possible on the bike.”
Cal Crutchlow – P20
Alex Rins – P21
“It was hard today, I expected to feel better on the bike, but I felt a lot of pain in my shoulder – especially under braking. In FP1 I was without painkillers, but I took some before FP2. Despite the pain, the good thing is that after these two sessions my shoulder does not seem more swollen or inflamed, so tomorrow we need to keep fighting and working. I managed to try a few settings and consider the tyre choice ahead of the race, let’s see if I can be a bit faster tomorrow.”
Alex Rins – P21
Marc Marquez – DNS
“Yesterday I arrived at the circuit after the operation in Barcelona and passed the medical test in the afternoon. It means I can ride, and after discussing with Honda we decided to start directly on Saturday. I have slept quite well, I am obviously in some pain, but we have had physiotherapy sessions with my physio that have been quite good for me. With the team we have set ourselves only one objective, which is to see our feelings tomorrow in FP3. Let’s see how the arm is and from there we will decide our next objective. Thanks to everyone for their support, these have been hard days but with the support of HRC, the Repsol Honda Team, all the sponsors and fans who love the sport just as I do, it seems easier.”
Marc Marquez – DNS
Massimo Meregalli – Yamaha Team Director
“We had a good day today. Of course, it‘s always nice to see both our riders top the timesheets in FP1 – and having a good pace in the cooler morning session is important for tomorrow‘s FP3, so we can go straight into Q2 – but it‘s the afternoon pace that‘s our main focus. Maverick is looking confident again regardless of the track conditions, even more so than last week. He‘s comfortable on his bike, so we are excited to see where these positive feelings will take him this weekend. For Valentino we prepared a different set-up that he liked straight away, and it gives him the feeling that he was missing during the last weekend. Thanks to this he could ride the bike in a manner that he‘s more comfortable with. All in all, we did a good job with the tyres. In FP2 we focused on comparing the different specifications and gathered good information in view of Sunday‘s race. Tomorrow afternoon we will continue and finish the work on the tyres, and as always we will try to make a further step in tomorrow‘s FP3.”
Monster Energy Yamaha 1-2
Davide Brivio – Suzuki Team Manager
“Today was important, Alex needed to check his condition after the injury and it’s not easy for him, but we still managed to try some things and prepare for the weekend. It’s only the first day but he got some indication as to how his body is reacting. He’ll continue with treatment and hope to feel better. Joan didn’t push in the morning, but in the afternoon he showed good pace and he was consistent. Overall, a positive day.”
MotoGP Friday Report
Maverick Viñales and team-mate Valentino Rossi made it a Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 1-2 on Friday in the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucia, holding back an incredible charge from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Brad Binder as the rookie completed the top three in another impressive showing at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto. Once again it was FP1 laps that decided the combined timesheets for many in the field, and a good few familiar faces need to move forward in FP3 to make it to Q2…
With the weather as scorching as ever in southern Spain and looking unlikely to change overnight, however, there is plenty time for the field to fight back to get into Q2, including Spanish GP winner Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) as the Frenchman ended the day outside the top ten once again – just as he did a week ago. It did get a little racy for ‘El Diablo’ in FP2 though, with Viñales tagging onto the back of Quartararo at the beginning of the session and the two heading round in a brief cat and mouse with a number of laps close together… and later in the session, the Frenchman kicked up some dust as he ran afoul of track limits too, although no harm done.
Rossi had a less dramatic day as the ‘Doctor’ was back near the top of the timesheets from his FP1 time, and remained within a couple of tenths of team-mate Viñales in FP2 – something that could bode well after a podium for the latter last week, and given the temperatures in the second session mirror race time more closely. Protégé of sorts Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was a fitting 0.046 off the nine-time World Champion on the combined timesheets too as the number 21 took P4 overall, ending the day as top Independent Team rider.
Maverick Vinales – P1
Then came the rest of the KTM armada, as the top six was a tale of two factories: Yamaha and KTM. Binder’s incredible P3, off the back of race-leading pace shown in the Spanish GP despite his early run off relegating him from the top ten, backs up both the South African’s speed and that of KTM. Team-mate Pol Espargaro, despite a tip off, was fifth fastest on Friday and third fastest in FP2 after equalling the Austrian factory’s best dry weather result last week, and Red Bull KTM Tech 3’s Miguel Oliveira extended the impressive showing as he completed the combined top six.
Brad Binder – P3
Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) was the top Ducati on Friday as he took seventh, and the Australian had Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) for close company as he took P8. The number 30 also became the first Japanese rider to top a full session since Shinya Nakano in 2006 as he scorched to the top in FP2, slamming in two fast laps for good measure.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was ninth quickest, with Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) – Spanish GP podium finisher – completing the top ten overall.
Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) beat Iker Lecuona (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) to 11th despite a crash for the latter, ahead of Johann Zarco (Hublot Reale Avintia Racing) in P13. The Frenchman was also crasher on Friday with a low-side tip off in FP2, but he also showed some impressive speed in the hot afternoon conditions and ended the second session of the day in second, just a tenth and a half off Nakagami’s FP2-topping 1:37.715.
Quartararo was 14th on Day 1, one position ahead of where he finished last week on his way to winning that race, with rookie Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) locking out the fastest fifteen on Friday.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) did not ride on Friday, his plan is to return to action on Saturday. Fellow comeback kings Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) did, however, ending the day in P20 and P21 respectively as they evaluate their respective conditions.
MotoGP Combined Practice Times
Pos
Rider
Bike
Time/Gap
1
M.Viñales
YAMAHA
1m37.063
2
V.Rossi
YAMAHA
+0.142
3
B.Binder
KTM
+0.307
4
F.Morbidelli
YAMAHA
+0.353
5
P.Espargaro
KTM
+0.379
6
M.Oliveira
KTM
+0.429
7
J.Miller
DUCATI
+0.503
8
T.Nakagami
HONDA
+0.529
9
A.Espargaro
APRILIA
+0.672
10
A.Dovizioso
DUCATI
+0.676
11
J.Mir
SUZUKI
+0.686
12
I.Lecuona
KTM
+0.769
13
J.Zarco
DUCATI
+0.807
14
F.Quartararo
YAMAHA
+0.829
15
A.Marquez
HONDA
+0.894
16
D.Petrucci
DUCATI
+0.934
17
F.Bagnaia
DUCATI
+1.246
18
T.Rabat
DUCATI
+1.330
19
B.Smith
APRILIA
+1.629
20
C.Crutchlow
HONDA
+1.784
21
A.Rins
SUZUKI
+2.038
Moto2
How close do you like it? On Day 1 of the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucia, the Moto2 top three were split by less than a tenth of a second, with Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) taking the spoils by virtue of a 1:41.525. The Italian crashed later in the day – rider ok – but held onto the top with his FP1 time, ahead of Championship leader Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Jorge Navarro (Beta Tools Speed Up), who was just 0.065 off the top.
Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46
Another Andalucian summer day; another set of soaring track temperatures dealt to the riders, and consequently it was the FP1 times that made up the combined standings for the majority. Bezzecchi headed that before his FP2 tip off – and small brief fire that engulfed the bike – but he was quick in the afternoon too, just 0.081 off the fastest time set by his teammate and Spanish GP winner Luca Marini. Nagashima was still just 0.059 off Bezzecchi in FP2 though, with some familiar names rising to the top in both sessions.
Behind the top three overall, two-time Jerez winner Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP 40) was much further up the timesheets this Friday around as he took P4 at only a tenth and a half off the top, with Federal Oil Gresini Moto2’s Nicolo Bulega putting in a solid day’s work to complete the top five. Previous Jerez winner Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) was sixth quickest, ahead of Spanish GP winner Marini in seventh overall.
Last weekend’s polesitter Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was P8, with Stefano Manzi (MV Agusta Forward Racing) in ninth to make it three different chassis in the top ten. Impressive rookie Aron Canet (Openbank Aspar Team Moto2) locked out that top ten after showing some solid speed once again.
Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) made a big leap up the timesheets to end Friday in 11th, ahead of a tougher day at the office for Marcel Schötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) and his teammate Tom Lüthi. They still stand to take their provisional places in Q2 though, as does the final graduate as of Friday: Tennor American Racing’s Joe Roberts.
Moto2 Combined Practice Times
Pos
Rider
Bike
Time/Gap
1
M.Bezzecchi
KALEX
1’41.525
2
T.Nagashima
KALEX
0.028
3
J.Navarro
SPEED UP
0.065
4
L.Baldassarri Ita
KALEX
0.153
5
N.Bulega
KALEX
0.210
6
S.Lowes
KALEX
0.225
7
L.Marini
KALEX
0.230
8
J.Martin
KALEX
0.232
9
S.Manzi
MV AGUSTA
0.236
10
A.Canet
SPEED UP
0.365
11
S.Chantra
KALEX
0.381
12
M.Schrotter
KALEX
0.409
13
T.Luthi
KALEX
0.493
14
J.Roberts
KALEX
0.505
15
J.Dixon
KALEX
0.517
16
M.Ramirez
KALEX
0.543
17
E.Bastianini
KALEX
0.583
18
H.Syahrin
SPEED UP
0.605
19
E.Pons
KALEX
0.693
20
R.Gardner
KALEX
0.774
21
F.Di Giannanto Ita
SPEED UP
0.787
22
A.Fernandez
KALEX
0.886
23
X.Vierge
KALEX
1.064
24
A.Izdihar
KALEX
1.075
25
H.Garzo
KALEX
1.282
26
L.Dalla Porta Ita
KALEX
1.435
27
B.Bendsneyde
NTS
1.679
28
S.Corsi
MV AGUSTA
1.707
29
K.Daniel
KALEX
1.783
30
J.Raffin
NTS
2.338
Moto3
Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) topped the timesheets on Day 1 of the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucia, putting in a 1:45.896 in FP1 and remaining the only rider to dip into the 1:45s by the end of play. Last weekend’s polesitter Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) was second fastest, with Filip Salač (Rivacold Snipers Team) within a tenth of the Japanese rider to complete the top three. The combined time-sheets were so tight on Day 1, only five of the gaps splitting the 31-strong grid were over a tenth of a second…
Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo)
It was another baking hot Friday under the Andalucian sun, and the majority of the combined timesheets once again featured a majority of laptimes set in the slightly cooler conditions of FP1. The afternoon instead saw John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) in charge for much of FP2, with the Scotsman seven tenths clear, then three, and then finally just 0.045 ahead after a late dash from Andrea Migno (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Championship leader Albert Arenas (Solunion Aspar Team Moto3), who also got within a tenth of the Brit.
Overall though it’s Fernandez, Suzuki and Salač in charge from their FP1 times, with last week’s Friday showstopper, Gabriel Rodrigo (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3), slotting into fourth. Migno completed the top five as the Italian was once again up at the sharp end in Jerez.
Next up on the Friday timesheets it was a battle for supremacy between the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and the FIM CEV Repsol, with 2019 Rookies Cup winner Carlos Tatay (Reale Avintia Moto3) taking the spoils in P6 to edge out reigning FIM Moto3 Junior World Champion Jeremy Alcoba (Kömmerling Gresini Moto3). They finished the day just ahead of Spanish GP podium finisher Tony Arbolino (Rivacold Snipers Team) and FP2’s fastest man McPhee, who were eighth and ninth respectively. Stefano Nepa (Solunion Aspar Team Moto3) completed the top ten after a solid showing.
The final four currently enjoying a provisional place in Q2 are Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing), two-time 2020 podium finisher Ai Ogura (Honda Team Asia), Ayumu Sasaki (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and, in an uncharacteristic P14, Championship leader Arenas. The likes of Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse), Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Jaume Masia (Leopard Racing) are currently set to miss out, the latter after also suffering a crash, and will be looking for more…
Maximilian Kofler (CIP Green Power) was the only other rider to take a tumble on Friday, although teammate Darryn Binder had a small skirmish and run off. The South African will be another looking for improvements in FP3 after mounting an amazing comeback through the field before a crash in the Spanish GP last weekend.
Moto3 Combined Practice Times
Pos
Rider
Bike
Time/Gap
1
R.Fernandez
KTM
1m45.896
2
T.Suzuki
HONDA
+0.216
3
F.Salac
HONDA
+0.309
4
G.Rodrigo
HONDA
+0.341
5
A.Migno
KTM
+0.393
6
C.Tatay
KTM
+0.396
7
J.Alcoba
HONDA
+0.437
8
T.Arbolino
HONDA
+0.464
9
J.Mcphee
HONDA
+0.491
10
S.Nepa
KTM
+0.650
11
D.Foggia
HONDA
+0.663
12
A.Ogura
HONDA
+0.680
13
A.Sasaki
KTM
+0.744
14
A.Arenas
KTM
+0.753
15
R.Rossi
KTM
+0.823
16
R.Yamanaka
HONDA
+0.959
17
N.Antonelli
HONDA
+0.960
18
D.Binder
KTM
+0.988
19
Y.Kunii
HONDA
+1.007
20
C.Vietti
KTM
+1.084
21
K.Toba
KTM
+1.167
22
S.Garcia
HONDA
+1.293
23
K.Pawi
HONDA
+1.315
24
D.Öncü
KTM
+1.388
25
J.Dupasquier
KTM
+1.392
26
J.Masia
HONDA
+1.425
27
A.Lopez
HUSQVARNA
+1.593
28
R.Fenati
HUSQVARNA
+1.620
29
D.Pizzoli
KTM
+1.663
30
B.Baltus
KTM
+1.884
31
M.Kofler
KTM
+1.983
MotoE
Round 2 of the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup looks even closer than the first after Friday’s action at the Gran Premio Red Bull de Andalucia. Dominique Aegerter (Dynavolt Intact GP) leads the field at the end of play thanks to a 1:48.024 in FP1, but points leader and first race winner Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) came close to knocking the rookie off the top in the afternoon in FP2 as the Brazilian finished just 0.032 in arrears overall. Mattia Casadei (Ongetta SIC58 Squadracorse) kept it even closer in third as he finished the day 0.059 off Aegerter, the Italian’s lap also his fastest from his FP1.
The morning session was drama free for the field and the majority set their fastest lap therein, with Aegerter leading Cadasei. Granado joined the top three party in FP2 as one of only two in the top ten to improve, but the next riders up on the combined timesheets were all faster in the morning.
Alex de Angelis was fourth overall for Octo Pramac MotoE, with 2019 Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE) completing the top five. Jordi Torres (Pons Racing 40) was sixth quickest in another solid showing for the rookie, ahead of only the second man in the top ten to improve in FP2: rookie Alejandro Medino (Openbank Aspar Team). Niccolo Canepa (LCR E-Team) was eighth, with Mike Di Meglio (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) in P9 thanks to his FP1 time – but the Frenchman suffering a crash in FP2, rider ok. Xavier Simeon (LCR E-Team) completes the top ten.
Niki Tuuli (Avant Ajo MotoE) was P11 on Friday as he continues to struggle slightly to replicate is 2019 pace, and the Finn also suffered a crash in FP2 at Turn 6. Rider ok, and both he and Di Meglio – race winners last year – will be looking for a little more going forward, as will rookie Lukas Tulovic (Tech 3 E-Racing). The German finished 14th on Day 1, ten places lower than his finishing position in Race 1.
Josh Hook – P12
“Today was a little bit difficult, we tried different set up and in the end we found the right one. The bike is working quite well, in the afternoon session we were a little bit slower than we were in the morning. We will try again tomorrow morning when the track will be faster.”
This drawing from the Kawasaki patent seems to show the bike being delivered to the dealer without the battery and motor.
While that could be to avoid problems with transporting potentially hazardous batteries, it could also mean the batteries are removable and therefore swappable.
So, instead of having to wait around for hours to charge a flat battery, you simply swap the removable battery with a fully charged unit in seconds.
Whatever it shows, it seems Kawasaki s moving closer to production of its Endeavour electric motorcycle.
For the moment, Kawasaki say the bike is simply proof of their technology and intentions.
The oil-and-liquid cooling system in the Kawasaki patent drawings are certainly more substantial than we have seen on any other electric motorcycle so far.
That would not only provide more range, but also greater performance.
Harley-Davidson has filed a patent application for a variable valve timing (VVT) V-twin engine, possibly for the Sportster to improve economy and reduce emissions.
The iconic American manufacturer has often been accused of old engine technology and faced barrage of criticism for going “backwards” from double to single overhead cam with the Milwaukee Eight engine despite it being more powerful, efficient and easier to maintain.
VVT history
BMW’s 1250cc Shiftcam Boxer engine with variable valve timing
A move to VVT would see Harley join many other motorcycle manufacturers that use the technology including the four Japanese manufacturers, BMW (ShiftCam) and Ducati (Desmodromic Valve Timing).
VVT has been around in motorcycles since the 1980s, but is surprisingly banned from MotoGP.
The first bike with VVT was the Honda CBR400F in 1983, but their Variable Valve Timing and Electronic lift Control (VTEC) only became popular in the 2002 VFR800.
Honda VFR800 VTEC engine with variable valve timing
Variable valve timing, which is even used in your common garden-variety Camry, makes the engine more flexible in different conditions, which results in increased fuel economy, lower emissions and improved performance, particularly torque.
Development of this technology began in the 1970s and the 1980 Alfa Romeo Spider 2000 was the production car with a mechanical VVT system.
It’s now common in cars and is known as VVT-i and VVTL-i in Toyota, MIVEC in Mitsubishi, VVL in Nissan and VANOS by Ford, BMW, Ferrari and Lamborghini.
The formula for how and when the valves open varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Harley VVT
Harley-Davidson VVT patent drawing
While Harley likes to keep things simple, reliable and easy to maintain, VVT would add complexity to the cylinder heads and add to the price of periodic valve adjustments.
Their patent is not for VVT which already exists, but for a modular engine balancer on either side of a crankshaft of a VVT V-twin engine.
But which Harley model would get the new engine?
The patent drawings seem to show a Fat Bob, but it has a Milwaukee Eight engine which is only a few years old, so that’s unlikely.
Similarly, the water-cooled Street range engine is only a few years old and the Harley’s upcoming street fighter and adventure bikes are powered by the Revolution Maxwater-cooled engine.
Harley Revolution Max platform includes Pan America and Bronx Streetfighter
This VVT engine is more likely to be fitted to the popular Sportster range whose Revolution engine is 34 years old.
It is in desperate need of a modern replacement as the Sportster will no longer be able to be sold in Europe because of tough new Euro5 emissions regulations coming next year for existing models.
Sportster is in much need of an updated powertrain
A VVT V-twin would give the Sportster a new lease on life.
While Sportster fans may be horrified at this modern tech in such a traditional motorcycle at least the drawings show air-cooling fins, so it is unlikely to have water cooling. Whew!
Nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) looks like he’s found something extra in Andalucia. The Doctor doesn’t look like he can match the pace of Quartararo or Viñales judging from the FP2 timesheets, but there’s plenty of 1:38s in both of his runs. Looking at the second run, where he had 11 and 16 lap old tyres underneath him – hard front, medium rear – Rossi produced six 1:38s, with his best of 1:38.292 coming on his final lap. On a front hard that had 23 laps completed on it and a rear medium that had 28 on the clock, it’s promising.
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