Sunday at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana saw another three incredible races to close the season, and in the evening the FIM Awards ceremony brought the curtain down on 2018 – with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) headlining the show.
Valentino Rossi, Marc Márquez and Andrea Dovizioso with their medals
Marquez received his MotoGP World Champion trophy after taking the title in style in Japan, capping off another record-breaker of a season for the Spaniard.
FIM Awards Ceremony – Marc Marquez
The 2018 Awards were hosted by Gavin Emmett, with Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and FIM President Vito Ippolito in attendance to present the range of awards throughout the evening to all the winners this season.
L-R: 2018 Moto2 World Champion Francesco Bagnaia with Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder
Youngest ever seven-time World Champion Marquez took top billing as he received his record-breaking 2018 MotoGP trophy, along with Moto2 World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Sky Racing Team VR46) and Moto3 World Champion Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) after their incredible seasons.
L-R: 2018 Moto3 World Champion Jorge Martin with Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marco Bezzecchi
The top Independent Team rider title went to Johann Zarco, as it did in 2017 when he was a rookie, following another impressive season ahead of a new challenge in 2019.
All the winners on stage together
This year’s MotoGP Rookie of the Year award was presented to a man who also visited the stage last season but for his intermediate class successes: Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS).
Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), meanwhile, was also honoured as a Legend.
Dani Pedrosa, named a MotoGP Legend ahead of his retirement
In Moto2, EG 0,0 Marc VDS rider Joan Mir – another who took to the stage in 2017 – was crowned Rookie of the Year, with Jaume Masia taking that honour in Moto3 after a great race at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.
Now seven-time World Champion Marc Marquez
The BMW M Award for best qualifier in the MotoGP class went to Marquez for the sixth year in a row, and the Tissot Pole of Poles went to Bagnaia in Moto2 and Martin in Moto3.
The Repsol Honda Team picked up the MotoGP Team world title trophy, and Honda took the MotoGP Constructor Title in the premier class. Kalex came out on top in Moto2, and Honda in Moto3.
Repsol Honda
The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion Can Öncü, runner-up and twin brother Deniz Öncü and third-placed rider Xavier Artigas were honoured for their fantastic seasons in the Cup – with Can Öncü also having stunned the field and become the youngest ever Grand Prix winner earlier in the day, and as a wildcard.
Can Öncü
Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup Champion, Australian Billy Van Eerde, and inaugural British Talent Cup Champion Rory Skinner were also applauded for their seasons.
Billy Van Eerde – 2018 Asia Talent Cup ChampionBilly Van Eerde on the stage with all the MotoGP and World Champions – Billy is second from right in this shot
Now the page turns on another incredible season and the engines switch off – but only for a day. Then, testing for 2019 begins on Tuesday in Valencia, with a whole new year of challenges up ahead and plenty to get excited about.
Remy Gardner Ends Season With Career Best Moto2 Finish In Valencia
Remy Gardner ended his time with the Tech3 Moto2 Racing team with a stunning ride to fifth, his best ever result in the FIM Moto2 World Championship, in today’s twenty-five lap race in Valencia.
Building steadily throughout the weekend, Remy was well inside the top ten after Free Practice, before qualifying seventeenth, for his final race aboard the Mistral 610 machine.
Remy Gardner
With rain continuing to fall as the grid lined up it was clear that the conditions would suit the #87.
Making one of his typical fast starts, Remy ending the opening lap in fourteenth before finding his rhythm moving forward through the field and into the top ten by the time the race reached half distance.
Remy Gardner
Fully focused, he produced the race of his career, lapping as fast as the leaders in the second half of the race to move into the top six with only a handful of laps remaining.
Another perfectly executed move saw Gardner move into fifth, where he remained, crossing the line a fraction of a second behind eventual fourth place rider Mattia Pasini, to end the season with his best ever Moto2 result.
Remy Gardner
Clearly ecstatic, he will savour the moment before regrouping for 2019 where he joins the SAG Racing team aboard a Kalex.
Remy Gardner
“I was a little disappointed to only qualify seventeenth but knew if it continued to rain for the race we could get a good result. It was a long race but I am super happy to finish fifth, by far my best race and my best race finish in Moto2. It was a fun race and good to end the year and my time with Tech3 this way. Big thanks to them, and big thanks to everyone who has been supporting me. Time to relax a little now and then come back even stronger next year where I will be with a new team.”
Remy Gardner
Hervé Poncharal – Tech3 Team Manager
“Finally, a very positive result for Remy and the Mistral in the Moto2 class. We were so disappointed and sad after doing so well in Australia, but not finishing the race. The same happened again in Malaysia. WE know the bike is working well in Valencia. We knew Remy likes the difficult conditions we had today, but you can never be sure. There were so many crashes today. He started quite low, but we could see him coming and catching a lot of riders. But we also saw many crashes in front, so we were praying for him to go up the order, but also not pushing too much and I think in the end, he did the best race he could have done. He’s been passing anyone, he never did any mistake and he never gave up. When following him, he looked quite safe. To finish the race top 5, which is the last race of the Mistral 610, the last race of Remy with us, the last race of the Honda era – this is a fantastic result. I think the whole team deserves that, Remy deserves that and we are very, very happy. We would have liked Bo to be there as well, but we understood what happened and the reason why. We would have liked Hector to be there, as it was an important race for him, but I think he has seen what the team can do and I think this has been a good weekend for him anyway. I’d like to thank Hector for replacing Bo, for trying hard. Unfortunately he crashed and he was physically not fit to ride today, but I hope he comes and join us to celebrate tonight that great way of ending the Moto2 adventure with Mistral. Thanks to all the guys and very special congratulations to Remy.”
Moto2 Results
Circuit Ricardo Tormo, 25 laps, 100.1 km (1 lap: 4.005 km)
After finishing BSB 2018 on a high with a podium at the Brands Hatch finale, Jason O’Halloran has parted company with Honda after an incredible 11 year with the brand. During those years with Honda Jason has taken the runner-up spot in the British Superstock Championship twice, in 2012 and 2014, but a BSB Title has eluded the O’Show.
Jason O’Halloran #22 chasing Leon Haslam at the 2018 BSB season finale at Brnads Hatch – Image Dave Yeomans
After an injury plagued season this year which saw O’Halloran finish eighth in the British Superbike Championship, the 30-year-old will switch allegiances and ride for Yamaha in BSB season 2019.
O’Halloran last rode for Yamaha in 2007, when he clinched the Australian Supersport Championship on a YZF-R6.
In 2007 Jason O’Halloran (Third from left) won the Australian Supersport Championship on a Yamaha. Team-mate Jamie Stauffer took out the Superbike Title. #26 is Dan Stauffer, #4 is Jeremy Crowe.
Jason O’Halloran
“It’s a new chapter and its really exciting to be joining a new team and manufacturer after a long time in the same place. I have big aims and know I’ve got loads more to prove, people haven’t seen the best of me yet! The bike is a proven race winner and the team has great pedigree, so I believe we have the ingredients to fight for wins. I’ve followed the R1 plenty and it seems like you need to be smooth and hold good corner speed, things I really think I can work with. Taz has some great experience on the bike now, so it will be good to be able to hook into information too.”
Jason O’Halloran and Tarran Mackenzie – McAMS Yamaha for BSB 2019
O’Halloran will join young Tarran McKenzie at the McAms Yamaha squad. McKenzie had his rookie Superbike season in 2018 and took tenth place in the championship while team-mate Josh Brookes finished the season in fourth place.
Tarran Mackenzie
“We had a mega first year on the YZF-R1 and I’m just so pleased to be able to continue that progression with the same bike, crew and team for next season, it’s the perfect situation to be honest. Our target was to get a podium before the year was out and we got four with a couple more near misses, so I’m well happy with that to be honest. We hit our stride mid-season and towards the end of the year I felt like my trackcraft and confidence was really high so it will be great starting the year in that way. Silverstone was a key round, we had two podiums, it should have been three and we were battling with the Championship contenders all race. The aim for next season is definitely to make the Showdown and get those first race wins. We have a test at Almeria after Motorcycle Live and I just can’t wait to get cracking, I’m not great at sitting around!”
Tarran Mackenzie
Brookes has joined PBM Be Wiser Ducati for 2019 and will be joined on the Panigale V4 R in the squad by MotoGP exile Scott Redding.
Josh Brookes
“PBM have been the benchmark during much of my time in BSB and have always set the bar very high. With Shakey being my arch-rival, I never really saw myself riding alongside him but when things changed, it became a real consideration, although I wish him a full recovery. The Be Wiser Ducati V4 will be an awesome bike and I’m excited to be a part of this, and to start winning regularly again. I know the team will be at the forefront once again in 2019 and I’m really looking forward to this challenge.”
Josh Brookes to Ducati for BSB 2019
Not only has Jason O’Halloran parted ways with Honda, team-mate Dan Linfoot has also left Honda Racing after a long collaboration with the team. Honda have announced that Andrew Irwin will race Superbike on the Fireblade in BSB 2019 while Tom Neave will contest the Superstock 1000 Championship for Honda Racing.
Hoy ha sido un GP especial, ¡bueno de hecho han sido como dos! Ha sido una carrera peculiar, y difícil de gestionar en la que era importante no caerse. Al llegar al box estaba todo el mundo esperándome y ha sido muy emotivo. Una vez más, gracias a todos vosotros por estar ahí, por todos estos años de apoyo incondicional. Habéis formado parte de una etapa muy importante en mi vida y os llevo en el corazón./ Today it was a special GP, well in fact they have been like two! It has been a peculiar race, and difficult to manage in which it was important not to crash. When arriving at the box everyone was waiting for me and it has been very emotional. Once again, thanks to all of you for being there, for all these years of unconditional support. You have been part of a very important stage in my life and I carry you in my heart
#DP26 #MotoGP #ValenciaGP #RepsolHondaTeam #EyeLoveTommy @ Circuit Ricardo Tormo
Hoy no ha sido nuestro día, disculpas al equipo y afición, pero somos CAMPEONES!🥇
Today has not been our day, apologies to the team and fans but we are the CHAMPIONS!
#ValenciaGP #Level7
It is currently a wet track and raining at Valencia
After passing though Q1 for the sixth time in 2018, Maverick Viñales has qualified on pole position for the sixth time in the premier class – the 17th time of his career – and the first time since Aragón last year.
Maverick Viñales
Maverick Viñales became the second rider since the current qualifying format was introduced in 2013 to qualify on pole position after passing through Q1, along with Marc Márquez in Thailand earlier this year. On Sunday, he will be aiming to become the fourth rider to win the race after passing through Q1 with Jack Miller (Assen – 2016), Cal Crutchlow (Phillip Island – 2016) and Marc Márquez (Buriam - 2018). In this morning’s wet warm-up Vinales was 11th quickest.
Álex Rins has qualified in second, which is his best qualifying result since he stepped up to the MotoGP class in 2017. This is Suzuki’s best starting result since Andrea Iannone was second on the grid in the Americas this year, after Marc Márquez was given a three-grid positions penalty. Rins was 12th quickest in the wet morning warm-up.
Alex Rins
2018 MotoGP runner-up, Andrea Dovizioso completes the front row on the grid, which is his first front row start since he was on pole position in Japan. He will be aiming to become the first Ducati rider to win at Valencia since Casey Stoner back in 2008. Dovizioso was fifth quickest in this morning’s wet warm-up.
Highest-placed Independent Team rider, Danilo Petrucci heads the second row on the grid, which is his best qualifying result since he was also fourth in Austria earlier this season.
Danilo Petrucci
After crashing in Q2, Marc Márquez has qualified in fifth place. Since the opening race in Qatar, Marc Márquez has always qualified on the first two rows on the grid. The World Champion was quickest in this morning’s wet warm-up.
Marc Marquez
Top KTM rider, Pol Espargaró has qualified in sixth on the grid, equalling the best qualifying result for KTM since the Austrian joined the MotoGP class, from Australia last year.
Pol Espargaro
Andrea Iannone, who also passed through Q1, heads the third row on the grid and will be aiming to stand on the podium for the first time at Valencia since 2016 when he finished in third place.
Aleix Espargaró has qualified eighth, which is the best qualifying result for an Aprilia rider since he was seventh in Assen this year. In addition, this is the first time that six current manufacturers have filled the top eight on the grid. Aleix Espargaro was second quickest in this morning’s wet warm-up session.
Aleix Espargaro
The most successful rider at Valencia with seven Grand Prix wins, including last year – his last podium finish so far – Dani Pedrosa has qualified in ninth on the grid, his best qualifying result since he was seventh-fastest in Thailand.
Second across the line at Valencia last year, Johann Zarco, who is leading the Independent Team rider classification, starts from eleventh on the grid after a crash in Q2. It’s his lowest qualifying result since he was 14th in Aragón.
Johann Zarco
The highest-placed Ducati rider across the line last year at Valencia, Michele Pirro, completes the fourth row on the grid.
Valentino Rossi, who was in Q1 for the third time this year, has qualified in 16th, which is his worst qualifying result since he was 18th in Aragón earlier this season. This is Rossi’s worst starting position on the grid at Valencia since he was 26th in 2015 after having been given a penalty. Valentino Rossi though salvaged some honour this morning when he was third quickest in the wet warm-up session.
Jorge Lorenzo, who missed the last four races, has qualified in 13th on the grid. Jorge Lorenzo has won four times in the MotoGP class at Valencia. The last of them was in 2016 on his last appearance for Yamaha.
Tom Lüthi has qualified in 17th on the grid, which is his best qualifying result since he was 15th at Silverstone earlier this year but the race was cancelled due to weather conditions.
MotoGP Q2
Pos.
Rider
Bike
Km/h
Time
1
Maverick VIÑALES
Yamaha
313.7
1’31.312
2
Alex RINS
Suzuki
312.0
1’31.380
3
Andrea DOVIZIOSO
Ducati
318.5
1’31.392
4
Danilo PETRUCCI
Ducati
314.3
1’31.414
5
Marc MARQUEZ
Honda
315.9
1’31.442
6
Pol ESPARGARO
KTM
315.0
1’31.577
7
Andrea IANNONE
Suzuki
311.6
1’31.629
8
Aleix ESPARGARO
Aprilia
308.2
1’31.630
9
Dani PEDROSA
Honda
314.3
1’32.140
10
Jack MILLER
Ducati
311.0
1’32.145
11
Johann ZARCO
Yamaha
313.1
1’32.179
12
Michele PIRRO
Ducati
318.4
1’32.310
MotoGP Q1
Pos.
Rider
Bike
Km/h
Time
1
Andrea IANNONE ↑
Suzuki
313.6
1’31.382
2
Maverick VIÑALES ↑
Yamaha
314.9
1’31.858
3
Jorge LORENZO
Ducati
315.4
1’31.900
4
Takaaki NAKAGAMI
Honda
307.6
1’31.928
5
Franco MORBIDELLI
Honda
308.8
1’32.385
6
Valentino ROSSI
Yamaha
311.7
1’32.452
7
Thomas LUTHI
Honda
308.9
1’32.545
8
Karel ABRAHAM
Ducati
313.6
1’32.547
9
Alvaro BAUTISTA
Ducati
314.3
1’32.568
10
Stefan BRADL
Honda
319.0
1’32.708
11
Hafizh SYAHRIN
Yamaha
312.1
1’32.749
12
Bradley SMITH
KTM
309.2
1’33.011
Records
Fastest Lap:
Lap: 6
Andrea IANNONE
1’31.382
157.7 Km/h
Circuit Record Lap:
2016
Jorge LORENZO
1’31.171
158.1 Km/h
Best Lap:
2016
Jorge LORENZO
1’29.401
161.2 Km/h
Moto2
Luca Marini has qualified on pole position for the second time on what is the 54th start of his Grand Prix career. This is the sixth front row start in Marini’s Grand Prix career.
Xavi Vierge has qualified in second on the grid, which is his best qualifying result since he was also second in France earlier this year. Vierge will be aiming to win his first Grand Prix race on what is the 59th GP start of his career.
Marcel Schrötter completes the front row on the grid, which is his seventh front row start since the opening race in Qatar.
Heading the second row on the grid is the 2018 Moto2 World Champion Francesco Bagnaia. This is the 17th time this year Bagnaia qualified on the first two rows of the grid.
Lorenzo Baldassarri starts from the middle of the second row, which is his best qualifying result since he was also fifth in Japan.
The highest-placed KTM rider, Sam Lowes has qualified in sixth on the grid, which is his best qualifying result since he was fourth in Germany earlier this season. Lowes finished in fourth place in the Moto2 race two years ago at Valencia.
2018 Moto2 runner-up, Miguel Oliveira, who won the Moto2 race in Valencia last year, starts from tenth, which is the 15th time this year he has failed to qualify within the top six.
Oliveira’s teammate Brad Binder, who stood on the podium for the third successive time in Valencia last year in third place, has qualified in 11th on the grid, which is his lowest qualifying result since he was 16th at Silverstone.
Moto2 Qualifying Results
Pos.
Rider
Bike
Km/h
Time
1
Luca MARINI
Kalex
257.8
1’35.777
2
Xavi VIERGE
Kalex
260.2
1’35.804
3
Marcel SCHROTTER
Kalex
259.2
1’35.945
4
Francesco BAGNAIA
Kalex
257.4
1’36.173
5
Lorenzo BALDASSARRI
Kalex
257.8
1’36.270
6
Sam LOWES
KTM
257.3
1’36.335
7
Joan MIR
Kalex
258.7
1’36.336
8
Augusto FERNANDEZ
Kalex
260.2
1’36.380
9
Fabio QUARTARARO
Speed Up
255.6
1’36.396
10
Miguel OLIVEIRA
KTM
259.7
1’36.429
11
Brad BINDER
KTM
260.2
1’36.464
12
Jesko RAFFIN
Kalex
256.6
1’36.499
13
Simone CORSI
Kalex
256.1
1’36.515
14
Mattia PASINI
Kalex
261.5
1’36.532
15
Khairul Idham PAWI
Kalex
258.8
1’36.572
16
Alex MARQUEZ
Kalex
258.8
1’36.580
17
Remy GARDNER
Tech 3
252.0
1’36.595
18
Andrea LOCATELLI
Kalex
258.3
1’36.638
19
Joe ROBERTS
NTS
255.0
1’36.656
20
Tetsuta NAGASHIMA
Kalex
259.8
1’36.667
21
Iker LECUONA
KTM
255.7
1’36.671
22
Steven ODENDAAL
NTS
258.2
1’36.819
23
Jorge NAVARRO
Kalex
258.0
1’36.909
24
Dominique AEGERTER
KTM
260.0
1’36.976
25
Hector GARZO
Tech 3
253.0
1’37.444
26
Niki TUULI
Kalex
257.5
1’37.457
27
Tommaso MARCON
Speed Up
254.1
1’37.483
28
Federico FULIGNI
Kalex
252.3
1’38.351
29
Isaac VIÑALES
Suter
254.7
1’38.406
30
Xavi CARDELUS
Kalex
253.9
1’38.718
31
Jules DANILO
Kalex
255.9
1’39.275
32
Lukas TULOVIC
Suter
250.6
1’39.600
Moto2 Records
Fastest Lap:
Lap: 18
Luca MARINI
1’35.777
150.5 Km/h
Circuit Record Lap:
2014
Thomas LUTHI
1’35.312
151.2 Km/h
Best Lap:
2016
Johann ZARCO
1’34.879
151.9 Km/h
Moto3
Tony Arbolino has qualified on pole position for the first time since Argentina earlier this year. This is Arbolino’s second pole position on what is the 36th start of his Grand Prix career.
Arbolino’s pole position at Valencia is the 15th for a Honda rider since the opening race in Qatar, equalling last year. The last time Honda have had more than 15 pole positions in a single season was in 2015 with 16.
Nakarin Atiratphuvapat has qualified on second on the grid, which is the best qualifying result of his Grand Prix career. He equals the best ever qualifying result by a Thai rider in any class of Grand Prix racing, which had been set by Ratthapark Wilairot in the Moto2 class at Assen in 2010.
The highest placed KTM rider on the grid is John McPhee, who starts from the front row for the fourth time in 2018, one more time than last year. McPhee is looking to finish on the podium for the first time since he was third in Germany earlier this season.
Wildcard at the Valencia GP, Can Öncü heads the second row on the grid, which is the best qualifying result for a Turkish rider in Grand Prix racing since Kenan Sofuoglu was the fourth-fastest qualified on his Grand Prix debut in the Moto2 class, in Portugal back in 2010.
Arón Canet, who was on pole position for the first time in his Grand Prix career in Valencia two years ago, has qualified in fifth on the grid, which is his best qualifying result since he was third in Misano earlier this year.
Second in the Championship, Marco Bezzecchi completes the second row on the grid. This is the 11th time this year Bezzecchi has qualified on the first two rows on the grid.
2018 Moto3 World Champion Jorge Martín has qualified 13th, which is his worst qualifying result since he was also 13th in Thailand earlier this year.
Bezzecchi’s closest rival for second overall, Fabio Di Giannantonio, has qualified in 15th, which is the fourth successive time he has failed to qualify on the first three rows of the grid.
Vinales on MotoGP pole following fascinating Valencia qualifier
Marquez fifth despite shoulder dislocation as Miller takes P10 on the grid.
Image: Supplied.
After a sensational final battle for pole in 2018, Q1 graduate Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) was the man to take P1 at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana.
A 1m31.312s was enough to edge out second-place Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) by 0.068s and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) by 0.080 in a close top three.
Reigning champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), meanwhile crashed, dislocated his shoulder, then headed back out to claim a miraculous fifth and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) starts way down in 16th.
It was seven-time champion Marquez who led the field onto the first flying lap but then at turn four, the 2018 champion suddenly lost the front and went down, seemingly dislocating his left shoulder in the process. Marquez headed straight back to the Repsol Honda motorhome, but soon after he headed back out.
Back on track it was Dovizioso who was setting the pace, but then Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) got the better of his compatriot to set the first 1m31s of the session before blitzing the field again on his next lap – a 1m31.531s becoming the time to beat.
Then with six minutes to go, a warrior emerged in the form of Marquez as he left pit-lane and all eyes were on the seven-time champion. Before the 93 crossed the line though, Vinales shot to the top to take provisional pole.
Red sectors were lighting up the screens in the final minutes of the session though and it was Vinales who went quicker again to make 0.068s his margin at the top, with the miraculous Marquez climbing back up to P3. He then had a moment at turn one to end his session, but Rins was then threatening to take pole on his final lap.
In the end however, qualifying ended with Vinales spearheading the grid after his first pole on a Saturday since Aragon last year, with his Americas GP pole this season resulting from a Marquez penalty. Rins and ‘DesmoDovi’ complete the front row, and Petrucci is top Independent Team rider in fourth.
Just behind the reigning champion Marquez in P5, sixth made it a great day for Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) with the Spaniard just 0.265s from pole in KTM’s equal-best qualifying performance. He was just ahead of Q1 graduate Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) in seventh, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) P8.
In his final qualifying, Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) claimed ninth to start from the outside of the third row after some difficulties in FP4 that affected his QP, with Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) suffering his fourth crash of the weekend to start 10th, but automatically through to Q2 once again.
Italian Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) picked up where he left off in Malaysia to take the Moto2 pole position, his 1m35.777s enough to beat Xavi Vierge (Dynavolt Intact GP) by a slender 0.027s, with fellow Dynavolt Intact GP rider Marcel Schrotter completing the front row. Tech3 Racing’s Remy Gardner was 17th.
In Moto3, Tony Arbolino (Marinelli Snipers Team) did it again in the season finale as he secured his second-career pole position. A 1m46.773s was enough to beat second-place Nakarin Atiratphuvapat (Honda Team Asia) by 0.244s and John McPhee (CIP – Green Power) in third.
Day six saw the ninety-third edition of the FIM ISDE brought to a spectacular close with the traditional Motocross race. Staying close to the host city of Viña del Mar, all professional and amateur riders went head-to-head for the final day of racing on the sandy motocross track.
Daniel Sanders
With a comfortable lead in the classification, Australia entered day six with a virtual grasp on the FIM World Trophy. Putting in a calm, cool and safe ride, they knew winning the Motocross race was not necessary to secure the overall podium.
With Italy and the United States fastest on the final day, Australia played it safe and crossed the finish line third overall to claim the coveted prize of FIM World Trophy champions, backing up their earlier victory from Slovakia in 2015.’
ISDE 2018 – Team Australia
Adding to Australia’s success at the ninety-third edition of the FIM ISDE, Daniel Milner (KTM) secured victory in the overall individual category. Placing a safe eighth on day six, Milner did more than enough to seal the deal.
ISDE 2018
Daniel Milner
“This is a huge result for us. I had a sleepless night last night worrying about the final Motocross race, but it feels awesome that we won. We’ve been so strong as a team all week. Unfortunately, Lyndon Snodgrass dropped out on day two and we knew then how easily things could go wrong. But we never gave up fighting all week – the boys have ridden so, so good. To get this victory, along with the girls winning their class plus myself taking the individual win, is about as good as it gets for Australia and a result that is going to take a very long time to sink in.”
Daniel Milner
The battle for second and third outright in individual honours was a tight affair with Taylor Robert (USA – KTM) edging out Daniel Sanders (AUS – Husqvarna) by just eight seconds for the runner-up result following over four hours and thirty-one minutes of timed racing. The day six Motocross win went to Zachary Bell (USA – Husqvarna).
Taylor Robert
“It’s been an amazing week. I’m a little disappointed not to take the overall win but all-in-all I am happy with my riding. Days three and four were tough and I struggled a little there but I think everyone did. The tests were so technical, the dust was still a problem and the heat made everything a little worse. Day five went well, but I couldn’t catch Milner – hats off to him, he’s been riding really well out here in Chile. I’m really happy to take the win in my class and second for Team USA in the World Trophy competition is great too.”
Taylor Robert
Daniel Sanders
“It was a good week for me. I had a few small mistakes here and there during the week, but I am really happy with my speed. This was my first enduro race on the big FE 501 and I’m more than happy with the way it performed all week long. I really enjoyed racing the big bike in Chile. Conditions were tricky with the dust and the last lap of every day seemed like the most challenging one. With the heat coming through, your heart rate is also going up and you need to be strong physically to keep pushing.”
Daniel Milner and Daniel Sanders
Although knowing that beating Australia would be a tall ask, the United States still put in a determined performance in the hope their rivals would fall at the final hurdle. However, their dream of a second FIM ISDE victory was not to be and they would have to be content with the runner-up result for 2018.
Claiming the final day victory in Chile, Italy complete this year’s FIM World Trophy podium in third, while out-going champions France finish fourth, with Spain fifth. Portugal, the Czech Republic and Sweden were sixth, seventh and eighth respectively, while host nation Chile and Germany complete the top ten.
World Trophy Team Results ISDE 2018
Australia – 13:40:08:56 Josh Strang (Husqvarna) Daniel Milner (KTM) Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna) Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM)
USA – 13:47:18:54 Ryan Sipes (Husqvarna) Taylor Robert (KTM) Steward Baylor (KTM) Zach Bell (Husqvarna)
Italy – 13:50:57:85 Alex Salvini (Husqvarna) Davide Guarneri (Honda) Thomas Oldrati (Honda) Giacomo Redondi (Honda)
France – 13:57:31:53 Loïc Larrieu (Yamaha) Christophe Charlier (Beta) Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) Thomas Dubost (KTM)
Spain – 14:01:18:37 Victor Guerrero (Yamaha) Cristobal Guerrero (Yamaha) Jaume Betriu (KTM) Jonathan Barragan (Gas Gas)
Women’s World Trophy ISDE 2018
As the sun set on the 93rd edition of the FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), the Australian Women’s World Trophy Team have won their sixth consecutive world title! Taking out a record breaking 2018 title, Australia lead the charge ahead of Team USA by just over nine minutes, followed afterward by Spain, France and Sweden in third, fourth and fifth place respectively.
Australian Women’s Team dominate ISDE 2018 – Tayla Jones (Husqvarna) – Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha) – Tricker Mackenzie (KTM) – Image John Pearson
After five days of Enduro racing in blinding dust and stifling heat, day six presented the ladies with a short and fast Motocross circuit, where the value of remain mistake free is utterly critical to your individual and the team’s overall success.
Women Day Six – ISDE 2018 – Image John Pearson
With the Pacific Ocean set as the backdrop to the action-packed final day of the 2018 ISDE, Vina del Mar put on a spectacular show for all attending fans, and Australia pulled out all stops to gain further ground on Team USA.
Scoring another consecutive win overall for the day, Tayla Jones clocked in the fastest time for Team Australia of 10:23.76, leaving not a shadow of a doubt as to her rightful place as first overall in the class.
Tayla Jones
“It was a good six days! We had a strong team, we got some good times at the start of the week which really helped overall, and towards the end we stayed consistent which helped reduce the overall stress from the event. I’m really happy to get a sixth consecutive title, which is a new record! I’m also really honoured to get the overall championship! I have won once it before but there is no doubt that the second time is 10 times better. I would like to give a big thank you to the whole Australian team, the supporters, helpers and volunteers – we couldn’t have done it without them. I would also like to thank the whole Women’s World Trophy Team, Mackenzie and Jess, they’re great teammates. I would also like to thank all my supporters and sponsors back home, and everyone who made this possible!”
Tayla Jones dominated the women’s competition
Jessica Gardiner clocked in the second fastest time for the team in day six of 11:21.54, which has secured her place as fourth overall, sitting behind Livia Lancelot from Team France by just over six minutes. 2018
Jessica Gardiner
“It’s day six and finally we’ve gone through a really solid, hard week. The whole Team Australia helped us get through and we’re really happy to become six-time World Champions! It’s not every day that Aussies are six-time World Champions, it takes a lot of consistency and hard work. I couldn’t be happier have ridden with Mackenzie and Tayla, they’re great teammates and they’ve made it a lot of fun all week!”
Jessica Gardiner – Image John Pearson
Splitting the Aussies to take second overall was Brandy Richards from Team USA.
With a first time ISDE Women’s World Trophy title under her belt, Mackenzie Tricker was elated with our part in Team Australia’s dominance of ISDE 2018.
Mackenzie Tricker
“It was my first ISDE, and it started off pretty good in day one and two, but as the week went on, I felt like I went downhill. As we moved closer to day six, I just tried to salvage what I could and finish, but I felt pretty rough. I am absolutely stoked to have finished the event and have learnt a lot in the process. I was part of a great team and in the end, we were able to get the win!”
Australian Women’s Team dominate ISDE 2018 – Tayla Jones (Husqvarna) – Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha) – Tricker Mackenzie (KTM) – Image John Pearson
Women’s World Trophy ISDE Results
Australia – 10:26:54:17 Tayla Jones (Husqvarna) Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha) Tricker Mackenzie (KTM)
Ryan Sipes (Husqvarna) 4:40:00.41… 9. Fraser Higlett (Husqvarna) 4:48:36.03
Enduro 2
Taylor Robert (KTM) 4:31:47.96
Steward Baylor (KTM) 4:37:01.50
Thomas Oldrati (Honda) 4:37:58.89
Josh Strang (Husqvarna) 4:38:18.86
Enduro 3
Daniel Milner (KTM) 4:29:53.48
Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna) 4:31:56.22
Giacomo Redondi (Honda) 4:37:17.18
Enduro Women
Tayla Jones (Husqvarna) 5:08:48.18
Brandy Richards (Husqvarna) 5:11:43.87
Livia Lancelot (Honda) 5:13:24.78
FIM Junior World Trophy
Ending a ten-year winless streak, Italy raced into the FIM record books as the 2018 FIM Junior World Trophy champions. Previously winning the category in Greece in 2008, Italy were overjoyed to return to the top step of the podium once more. In what’s been an outstanding week of racing for the Italian trio of Andrea Verona (TM), Matteo Cavallo (Beta) and Davide Soreca (TM) they also secured their fifth day win in this year’s race.
Andrea Verona
“It’s just an unbelievable feeling. We knew coming into Chile that we could fight for the win, but we never imagined the entire week would go as well as it has. Last year we were just fifteen seconds behind France at the finish, so to win this year is great. Every day we pushed hard and never settled for position and I think that showed by only losing one day. It’s been ten years since Italy last won this class so that’s special too.”
Finishing just under four minutes behind, the United States capped off a memorable week in Chile to take the runner-up result. In the battle for third, France fended off the challenge from host nation Chile to take third. Despite ending their week fourth, Chile proved that they are becoming an Enduro nation to be reckoned with and will no doubt push to secure a debut FIM ISDE podium in the years to come. Australia and Sweden were fifth and sixth respectively.
Michael Rutter took the early initiative, topping the leaderboard in Thursday morning’s free practice session for the 2018 Macau Grand Prix but it was BMW’s Peter Hickman responded in first qualifying later that afternoon to top the leaderboard.
Hickman’s time of 2’25.429s put him 0.949s ahead of Rutter who was riding the Honda RC213V-S for the first time at Macau.
Peter Hickman
Rutter again set the initial pace during Friday morning’s second and final qualifying session but Hickman moved ahead halfway through with a lap of 2’25.022s. Near the end of the 45-minute session though, Hickman increased his pace further around the 3.8-mile Guia circuit and as he flashed across the line, his lap of 2’23.904s was just 0.288s outside Stuart Easton’s outright lap record which was set back in 2010.
However, Saturday’s race saw Rutter make the perfect start and he led the field around at the end of the first lap, Hickman in second ahead of Gary Johnson.
Michael Rutter – Image Stephen Davison
There was little to choose between the leading five riders during the first three laps but on lap four, Hickman moved ahead of Rutter and began to edge clear.
Indeed, the duo pulled away to leave Johnson, Martin Jessopp and Danny Webb to dispute third place and Hickman’s lead at half race distance had gone out to more than a second.
Danny Webb
Not to be outdone, eight-time winner Rutter reposnded to reduce the deficit to 0.795s by the end of lap eight but Peter dug deep once more to add another four tenths to his lead going into lap ten.
Just as he had done so, the red flags came out after an incident involving Phil Crowe and Ben Wylie, fortunately without serious injury to either rider, and the race was red flagged with the result declared at the end of lap eight.
That meant Hickman, winner of the race in 2015 and 2016, made it a hat-trick of wins at the event with Rutter claiming his 19th podium in second.
Martin Jessopp rounded out the podium on a Be-Wiser Ducati ahead of Danny Webb and Gary Johnson.
David Johnson
South Australia’s David Johnson finished seventh on a PR Racing BMW.
David Johnson
After eighteen months away from riding a Superbike, the legacy of multiple injuries sustained at the North West 200 in May 2017, McGuinness was part of the Tak Chun Group by PBM Ducati team and scored an encouraging tenth place on his return to high level Superbike competition.
John McGuinness
Victory in Macau is the perfect end to a successful season for Hickman, who won the Superstock race and the prestigious Senior TT at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy in June. He also claimed race wins and podiums at the North West 200 and the Ulster Grand Prix. Hickman also made it into the British Superbike Championship (BSB) Showdown as one of the top-six riders over the course of the season.
Peter Hickman
Peter Hickman – P1 – BMW S 1000 RR
“As soon as we completed first practice, I was looking forward to the racing as the BMW was working well right from the off. We quickly found a great set-up and the track was in really good condition, probably the best I’ve seen it since 2015, so I was able to take pole position, which was terrific as I’m not a qualifying rider really, more of a race day man. Michael got a great start in the race but I was happy to sit behind him and follow him for a few laps before making my move. I tried to break him and open up a gap but after half distance he started to reel me in so I got my head down again to pull away once more before the red flags came out. Thankfully, the boys involved are ok and I’m just delighted for Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing to have won and with Michael in second, it’s been the perfect day.”
Peter Hickman
Michael Rutter – P2 – Honda RC 213V-S
“It was always going to be difficult coming here with a brand new bike, particularly given the limited track time we had prior to Thursday, and I’ve been on a steep learning curve but the team have worked fantastic. I was pleased to be on the front row although I was a bit disappointed with my own performance as I lost a bit of concentration on my flying laps and felt that I could have been a lot closer to Peter. I got the perfect start to the race though to grab the lead immediately and I got my head down although I knew Peter would be right with me. When he came by, he pulled a huge gap on me in just one lap but I got my head down again to close in and I could see his rear tyre had a bit of wear in it which I hoped might play into my hands. He pulled away again but I really enjoyed the race and having come with the aim of getting two bikes on the podium, I’m delighted we’ve done exactly that and I can’t thank the team and all the sponsors enough.”
Michael Rutter – Image Stephen Davison
Martin Jessopp – P3 – Be Wiser Ducati
“I didn’t get a good start, but the key was not to panic as you can’t win round here on the first lap. I was happy to sit there but by the time I got up to third, there was too much of a gap. As crazy as it sounds, I’d love another race tomorrow as there is still so much more to come from both me and the bike. The PBM team have been fantastic but I’ve had so much to learn as I didn’t want to push too hard and make a mistake. A few changes now and we could perhaps take it to the two Aspire-Ho Bathams bikes but overall, I’m happy enough with a podium.”
Macau GP Results 2018 Peter Hickman GBR Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing Michael Rutter GBR Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing Martin Jessopp GBR Be Wiser Tak Chun Group Ducati by PBM
Macau GP Results 2018
Peter Hickman GBR Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing
Michael Rutter GBR Aspire-Ho by Bathams Racing
Martin Jessopp GBR Be Wiser Tak Chun Group Ducati by PBM
Danny Webb GBR MGM by Penz134
Gary Johnson GBR Briggs Equipment Kawasaki
Horst Saiger AUT Saiger Racing
David Johnson AUS PR Racing
Derek Sheils IRL MGM by Penz13
Davey Todd GBR Puraglobe Syntainics Racing
John McGuinness GBR Be Wiser Tak Chun Group Ducati by PBM
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