Emilio Sanvenero (a building contractor) was an enthusiastic bike racing fan and already a sponsor of MBA when he set up his own company in 1980 to produce race bikes with the aim of competing in the following year’s 125 and 500 World Championships.
The 125 proved to be quite successful with team riders Guy Bertin and Richard Tormo both winning a race and finishing 6th and 8th respectively in the ’81 season. In 1982 MBA closed and most of the staff moved to Sanvenero.
Sanvenero 125cc GP Racer
Tormo was joined by Pier Paolo Bianchi in the 125 class, with Tormo winning the Belgian GP but finishing the season in 4th, one point behind Bianchi’s 3rd.
Sanvenero 125cc GP Racer
After Sanvenero folded (during the German GP!) Bianchi was able to obtain several 125s from the receivers and continued to race them during 1983, scoring three podiums and 8th in the championship.
Sanvenero 125cc GP Racer
This 125 is fitted with a special swingarm designed by Antonio Cobas.
Sanvenero 125cc GP Racer
The 500cc project was both far more ambitious and far less successful. The engine was inspired by Suzuki’s RG500, but used a shorter stroke.
Sanvenero 500cc GP Racer
The crankcases were made by Campagnolo, the crankshafts by Hoeckle and pistons by Mahle. The first frames were made by Nico Bakker but a home-grown chassis was soon used.
Sanvenero 500cc GP Racer
At least four bikes were constructed during the ’81-’82 seasons. Riders were Carlo Perugini (no points) in ’81 and Guy Bertin (no points) & Michel Frutschi (14th) in ’82.
Sanvenero 500cc GP Racer
Indeed Frutschi won the French GP at Nogaro after all the top teams boycotted the race due to safety concerns.
Sanvenero 500cc GP Racer
When the team was declared bankrupt during the German GP at Hockenheim in September the circuit took possession of the two bikes entered and one can still be seen in the circuit museum.
Sanvenero 500cc GP Racer
The two ’81 bikes are in English and Italian collections while the one I photographed is with a German collector, was mechanically restored over 2012-13 and was ridden at the Bikers Classic meeting at Imola in 2013. It is in original condition (apart from the tyres), including the paint.
Sanvenero 500cc GP Racer
Sanvenero 500cc GP RacerSanvenero 500cc GP RacerSanvenero 500cc GP RacerSanvenero 500cc GP RacerSanvenero 125cc GP RacerSanvenero 125cc GP RacerSanvenero 125cc GP RacerSanvenero 125cc GP RacerSanvenero 125cc GP Racer
Spanish ace inducted into the Hall of Fame at Valencia.
Image: Supplied.
Three-time world champion Dani Pedrosa has been named a MotoGP Legend ahead of hanging up his leathers at the end of 2018, with the Spaniard inducted into the MotoGP Legends Hall of Fame at the season finale at Valencia.
Pedrosa won the 125 championship in 2003 and the 250 title in 2004 and 2005, and is one of the most successful riders of all time in the premier category.
After taking the third most podiums of all time behind only Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) and Giacomo Agostini, Pedrosa retires at the end of 2018 with 54 premier MotoGP class victories to his credit.
“First of all thank you to Carmelo and thank you for the nice words,” said Pedrosa.” Obviously it’s a very emotional moment you never expect it to arrive when you’re a kid, and now to be here is a bit strange but I’ happy because I felt a lot of support from all the fans, a lot from all the paddock.
“I’m really, really happy about this moment to see my rivals of a lifetime here. I feel that MotoGP gave me a lot of things in my life because basically I’ve always been here and I learned a lot in life thanks to MotoGP. In the same way I’m very happy that I could give something else to the sport like Carmelo was explaining.
“When I started it was a new generation winning races and championships, not only me but everyone here on the front row. This is good for me because it’s a nice feeling that we opened a door for a new generation. Luckily I don’t know all my numbers which is a good thing!”
Asked about a standout moment, the Spaniard added: “Obviously the moment that stands out for me is the first championship because you achieve something you dreamed of. You know you can get a podium or win a race but to get a championship it’s something that, as a kid, you see these guys going so fast and you don’t believe it.
“So when you achieve it all the emotions come out, and not only that year but for life because you’re been dreaming of it since you were born – watching races on TV and wanting to be that guy. So that day is unique and that’s what makes you, it’s the drive that makes you want more and want to keep going and get through the tough times – and the reaction from the people and the love you get is something I could never imagine so for me that’s the most beautiful.”
Pedrosa joins a long list of greats that have been made MotoGP Legends that includes Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Geoff Duke, Wayne Gardner, Mike Hailwood, Daijiro Kato, Eddie Lawson, Anton Mang, Angel Nieto, Wayne Rainey, Phil Read, Jim Redman, Kenny Roberts, Jarno Saarinen, Kevin Schwantz, Barry Sheene, Marco Simoncelli, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, John Surtees, Carlo Ubbiali, Alex Crivillé, Franco Uncini, Marco Lucchinelli, Randy Mamola, Kork Ballington and the late Nicky Hayden.
Jawa Motorcycles are back with a retro vengeance with the unveiling of three new Classic Legends models in India.
Unfortunately, owners Mahindra Motorcycles are only licensed by the original Czech Jawa company to make and sell the bikes in India.
However, we believe that could change in the next few years if these are successful.
Jawa
Mahindra is releasing the bike under a new brand called Classic Legends Private Ltd which will also produce Yezdi (made Jawa-Yedi bikes in the ‘60s-‘70s) and BSAmotorcycles.
The new Indian-made Jawa motorcycles are currently only available for domestic sale.
They are the Jawa, Jawa Forty Two and Perak bobber which feature the traditional “egg-shaped” headlamp with integrated instruments. The Forty Two has a separate offset instrument pod.
Jawa
Forty Two
Other iconic features include a tool box, dual shocks, twin peashooter exhausts and flat bars.
Indian prices are Rs 1.64 lakh, Rs 1.55 lakh and Rs 1.89 lakh, respectively. That’s about $A3130-3600 ($US2280-2600, £1780-2050).
Perak bobber
The bikes will be available in India early next year with the bobber following later in 2019.
All are powered by a new 293cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine which has been styled to resemble the original air-cooled motor.
It has a very modest output of 20kW (27bhp) of power and 28Nm of torque.
The bikes come with a disc brake on the front with single-channel ABS and a rear drum brake. To be considered for global exported, Mahindra will first have to update to all discs and two-channel ABS.
Mahindra group chairman Anand Mahindra says it is “rare to get an opportunity to resurrect a legend”.
“Jawa is an authentic and iconic brand that represents the desire and yearning in all of us for freedom and adventure,” he says.
Jawa Classic Legends tech specs
Jawa
ENGINE: 293cc Single Cylinder, 4 Stroke, Liquid Cooled, DOHC
BORE STROKE: 76 x 65
COMPRESSION: 11:1
POWER: 20kW (27bhp)
TORQUE: 28Nm
Jawa Forty Two
TRANSMISSION: Constant Mesh 6 Speed
FRAME: Double cradle
TYRES: 90/90 – 18; 120/80 – 17
SUSPENSION: Telescopic Hydraulic Fork; gas canister dual hydraulic shocks
BRAKES: 280mm disc with floating caliper and ABS; rear 153mm drum
Spaniard prepared for Repsol Honda debut at post-season test.
Image: Supplied.
After missing the last four races due to injury, Jorge Lorenzo will return to action this weekend at Valencia’s MotoGP World Championship finale, marking his last outing in Ducati Team colours.
Repsol Honda bound Lorenzo believes his wrist injury has improved drastically in the last two weeks since attempting to ride at Sepang, and is hopeful of putting in one final strong performance for the Italian squad prior to his departure.
“I will be riding on Sunday,” Lorenzo declared. “I think I’m quite well to be able to ride, in Sepang I wasn’t or I wasn’t able to fight for anything important. “But the injury has improved a lot in the last 10 days so now I feel good enough to try and achieve the best result possible for the team.
“It will be an emotional race because it will close an important chapter in my career. Maybe the rain will help me a bit to not stress the injury too much in the recovery too. I’m looking forward to getting on the bike. The first person I had to demonstrate something to was myself, but not even that because I always believed I can go fast on any bike it’s just a question of time.
“We’ve seen changing bikes in MotoGP is very difficult, the level is so high and every small bit of time is so important. In tenths you go from winning to losing ten positions. It was just a matter of time and with that time I showed I was competitive enough to win races. Not fighting for the target I wanted to achieve at Ducati, but here the good moments were very good and I want to give them the last present of a good race on Sunday.”
The multi-time world champion will experience his first taste of the Honda RC213V on Tuesday at the post-season Valencia test.
British champion acquaints himself with WorldSBK-spec Ninja ZX-10RR.
Image: Supplied,
Kawasaki Racing Team’s newly-signed athlete Leon Haslam has completed his first test aboard the 2019 Ninja ZX-10RR at Aragon, joining teammate and four-time world champion Jonathan Rea.
The British Superbike champion worked between two base settings on his WorldSBK-spec machines, making one clear choice of direction before losing some track time due to a minor technical issue just after lunch.
Setting a best-time of 1m51.479s, Haslam was almost two seconds adrift of Rea’s best-time in his first outing, with the test ultimately being cut short ahead of day two commencing with wet weather preventing any further riding.
“The test was positive and I am getting to know all the guys in the team,” said Haslam. “We missed some track time on the opening day, but even then it could have not gone any better. We got quicker each time we went out and the pace was quite competitive, considering we were not looking for that.
“We were just evaluating and understanding things. We are taking it step-by-step and we have another two days at Jerez to test again before the winter break. So far, so good.”
Haslam’s crew chief Marcel Duinker commented: “I was very happy and confident from the very beginning of the tests. We have a BSB champion in our house with a lot of experience on different bikes, different championships and different tyres. Day one went very well. We had two different bike set-ups to put us in the correct direction for chassis development.
“He clearly chose one of them and with some minor changes towards the end of day one, Leon was in the ballpark with our closest competition, who had won several races in the past few years. So from this point of view I am very happy, but unfortunately day two was wet. After this single day on track and with the positive results, we are confident we will continue doing well in Jerez.”
The Kawasaki Racing Team will continue testing next weekend at Jerez in Spain for the final outing of the year.
Jones leads Women’s class as Australia strengthens team advantage.
Image: Supplied.
Day four of Chile’ FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) has concluded with no changes at the top of the World Trophy leaderboard, as Team Australia continues to control proceedings with a six-minute advantage.
Once again setting the benchmark, Australia secured yet another comfortable day win. Fastest from the outset, they continued to confidently build their lead over Team USA and Italy.
Team Italy is becoming the clear favourite in the Junior World Trophy claiming their fourth day win, while the USA sits second overall ahead of Chile. Australia is currently ranked fifth.
In the Women’s World Trophy division, defending champions Australia stretched their lead to eight minutes over the USA, withg Spain continuing to hold onto third.
In the individual category, Australia’s Daniel Milner (KTM Enduro Racing Team) was once again impressively fast in the dusty and rocky conditions, securing a comfortable 40s victory over teammate Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team), the duo being ranked first and second in the E3 standings.
Fellow Aussie Andrew Wilksch (Sherco) is currently 14th in E3, as Thomas Mason (KTM) shifted to 16th. Compatriot Josh Strang (Husqvarna) has moved to fifth in the overall E2 standings, as Fraser Higlett (Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team) holds onto seventh in E1. Lyndon Snodgrass (KTM Enduro Racing Team) was ruled out of the competition on day two.
Tayla Jones (Husqvarna) maintains her lead in the individual Women’s class, followed by Jessica Gardiner (Yamaha) and Mackenzie Tricker (KTM) in fourth and eighth respectively.
The fourth day of competition at the ninety-third edition of the FIM ISDE was another punishing one for competitors. With over three-hundred kilometres of riding in hot and dusty conditions on the same course used for day three, many weary bodies were relieved to reach the end of day four in the knowledge that a new loop would await them for day five.
Once again setting the benchmark in this year’s FIM ISDE, Australia secured yet another comfortable day win. Fastest from the outset, they continued to confidently build their advantage throughout the long and physically demanding day of racing and will start the penultimate day with an almost six-minute advantage over the United States.
Daniel Milner
Although unable to answer the pace of their rivals, moral remains high within the United States squad and as Steward Baylor (USA – KTM) explains there is still a lot more racing to come.
“We’re not giving up just yet,” asserted Baylor. “Australia had us today, but we’re still giving it our all – there’s a long way to go. The conditions are unique and I feel Chile has certainly stamped its character on this year’s FIM ISDE. Every special test is different and requires a lot of focus and race craft to get right. It’s difficult out there, but we’re keeping it fun.”
Steward Baylor
Ending day three one-minute and thirty seconds behind the United States, Italy maintain third overall – albeit three minutes and twenty seconds down. However, with France less than three minutes adrift in fourth, they can not afford to relax.
“With how difficult the riding is, positions are still quite tight in the overall standings,” told Giacomo Redondi (ITA – Honda). “Yesterday Alex Salvini (Husqvarna) had some problems and lost a lot of time. Tomorrow it could be one of us, so we can’t afford to relax. France are always within striking distance – we don’t want to lose the podium at this point in the race.”
Spain complete the top five and enjoy an eight-minute lead over Portugal with two days remaining.
Steadfast at the top of the FIM Junior World Trophy classification, Italy are beginning to look like clear favourites for this year’s title. Claiming their fourth day win, Andrea Verona (TM) and Matteo Cavallo (Beta) impressed on Chilean soil, finishing the day in sixth and seventh overall respectively.
The United States sit second overall, less than four minutes and thirty seconds behind the Italians, with hope that day five will deliver some surprises. The battle for the final step of the podium continues to heat up as Chile beat France for the second day running. Third on day four, Chile have closed to within one-minute of their rivals, setting up an exciting end to the proceedings. Australia and Sweden round out the top six.
Jessica Gardiner
There was no change at the top of the FIM Women’s World Trophy category as defending champions Australia stretched their lead to eight minutes over the United States. Spain continue to hold onto third, while France and Sweden are fixed in fourth and fifth respectively.
Tayla Jones
In the individual category, Australia’s Daniel Milner (KTM) was once again impressively fast in the dusty and rocky conditions, securing a comfortable forty-second margin of victory over teammate Daniel Sanders (Husqvarna), with Taylor Robert (USA – KTM) six seconds back in third. Milner’s day four victory pulls him almost one-minute clear of Robert in the overall standings, with Sanders third.
Daniel Milner
Claiming his second Enduro 1 class day win, Junior rider Verona extends his overall lead over Davide Guarneri (ITA – Honda), with Spain’s Victor Guerrero (Yamaha) overtaking Ryan Sipes (USA – Husqvarna) for third.
Collecting his fourth Enduro 2 victory, Robert remains the rider to beat and comfortably leads with two days remaining. A strong ride from Baylor builds him a thirty-six second cushion over France’s Loic Larrieu (Yamaha) in third.
Keeping things under control in the Enduro 3 class, Milner’s day four win sees him now lead Sanders by one-minute and seventeen seconds. Finding his feet in the Enduro 3 category, Redondi moves past home favourite Ruy Barbosa (CHL – Husqvarna) to take third.
Day four of the FIM ISDE also marked the start the FIM Vintage Trophy. Battling against both the Chilean heat, a rough and demanding course and two special tests, Germany’s Swen Schiller (Kram-It) recorded the overall fastest time of the ten class finishers, also topping the Evo 86 class. Jens Oestreich (GER – SWM) finished fastest in the ’76 class, Germany’s Jens Bossdorf (SWM) topped the ’79 class with Chilean rider Rodrigo Jara (Honda) winning the ’82 category.
With four tough days of racing now complete, competitors in the ninety-third FIM ISDE are beginning to see the home stretch come into sight with just two days remaining. The penultimate day marks the final day of traditional timecard Enduro racing, before concluding with the Motocross race on Saturday 17 November in Viña del Mar.
KRT and Yamaha sits out the rain after Rea set day one pace
The first 2019 pre-season test came to a wet end at Spain’s Aragon circut, as heavy rain in the morning meant only two out of six riders took to the track on Thursday. But it wasn’t a wasted day as the Ducati Panigale V4 R was able to take to the track for the first time under wet conditions.
Continuing to understand their new bike, Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) took to the track for 22 laps, despite being careful to not cause more issues with his shoulder. Experiencing the all new V4 R in the rain for the first time, it was important to get as much track time under his belt as possible.
Chaz Davies
“Despite the forecast, yesterday I was hoping we might get lucky and have a dry track in the morning, but unfortunately it wasn’t the case. The day started and finished wet. We had to ride in the rain at some point anyway, so that’s what we did today and actually it went OK. I wasn’t looking for the limits of the bike in these conditions, keeping also an eye on my shoulder, but we still managed to tick off a few items on our list. We’ll start in Jerez from where we finished here. We have a good base to begin with and our ideas are quite clear, which is the most important thing at this stage.”
Chaz Davies – Panigale V4 R
Serafino Foti, Team Manager
“Overall the test has been positive, even though unfortunately conditions weren’t ideal today. We still did a few laps in the wet to verify the behavior of the Panigale V4 R, collecting important information while at the same time avoiding unnecessary risks. We’ll head directly to Jerez from here to continue our development program, hopefully in more favorable weather. We want to make the most of the last testing days before the new year.”
Chaz Davies – Panigale V4 R
For Michael Ruben Rinaldi (BARNI Racing Team), he was keener to get out on track and try out the V4 R in the rain, and the track began to dry in the early afternoon. Following a sensational opening day with his new bike, he was just making the most of the time he has, as in 2019 the Italian will not only have a new bike to contend with but also new circuits. Rinaldi was able to put in 25 laps on Thursday.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi
The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team will resume action at Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), where Alvaro Bautista will make his debut alongside Davies, on November 26 and 27.
After topping the unofficial timing screens on the opening day around Aragon, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and his new team-mate Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) opted to sit out of Thursday’s on track action. Putting in 139 laps between them on the opening day, they will now shift their focus to the Jerez test in 10 days’ time.
Rea’s technical crew had used this test to make back-to-back comparisons between the 2018 and 2019 official WorldSBK machines, with Rea stating that he feels there is a lot of potential in the new bike already. Rea set his fastest lap times on the 2019 machine.
Jonathan Rea
Jonathan Rea
“Day two of our test was cut short by wet weather so we were not able to refine the base set-up of our new 2019 Ninja ZX-10RR – but first impressions were positive after back-to-back tests with the 2018 machine. It is clear that the potential of the 2019 bike is much higher. To achieve that potential we need to delve into more set-up changes and that will require more time. It needs a bit more of a base setting because the new engine character has more power and more potential, especially under acceleration and on the brakes. That requires a little bit of a different riding style, so I need to understand that together with all my crew, in the next weeks. It was a simple back-to-back test here but in Jerez we can start to test more items with the chassis, electronics and some engine components.”
Jonathan Rea
Pere Riba, Crew Chief for Jonathan Rea
“Our test was good. With our new engine upgrade we have some new parts and it ‘talks’ differently to the rider. That needs time for us to understand how to give the best to Johnny, especially in terms of feeling. Apart from that, his lap times were really fast and we have already collected positive information. It is a shame that is was raining today and we decided not to test in the wet. All the items we needed to try need dry conditions, or else you cannot understand them properly.”
Jonathan Rea
Leon Haslam set an impressive 1’51.479 lap on his first day back in the paddock he knows well from his earlier WorldSBK career. Rains arrived early today and continuing throughout, so the decision was made not to take to the track.
Leon Haslam
Leon Haslam
“The test was positive and I am getting to know all the guys in the team. We missed some track time on the opening day, but even then it could have not gone any better. We got quicker each time we went out and the pace was quite competitive, considering we were not looking for that. We were just evaluating and understanding things. We are taking it step-by-step and we have another two days at Jerez to test again before the winter break. So far, so good.”
Leon Haslam
Marcel Duinker, Crew Chief for Leon Haslam
“I was very happy and confident from the very beginning of the tests. We have a BSB champion in our house with a lot of experience on different bikes, different championships and different tyres. Day one went very well. We had two different bike set-ups to put us in the correct direction for chassis development. He clearly chose one of them and with some minor changes towards the end of day one, Leon was in the ballpark with our closest competition, who had won several races in the past few years. So from this point of view I am very happy, but unfortunately day two was wet. After this single day on track and with the positive results, we are confident we will continue doing well in Jerez.”
Leon Haslam
The Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team duo of Alex Lowes and Michael van der Mark also decided to sit out of day two of the test.
Alex Lowes with crew chief Andrew Pitt
Lowes was able to set the second fastest unofficial time of the test on Wednesday, and they were able to work through a lot of small updates to their YZF-R1 machines with chassis, suspension and electronics.
Three-time World Champion Dani Pedrosa has been named a MotoGP Legend ahead of hanging up his leathers at the end of 2018, with the Spaniard inducted into the MotoGP Legends Hall of Fame at the season finale at Valencia. Pedrosa won the 125 Championship in 2003, the 250 title in 2004 and 2005, and is one of the most successful riders of all time in the premier class.
Dani Pedrosa – 2005- 250
“First of all thank you to Carmelo and thank you for the nice words,” smiled Pedrosa. Obviously it’s a very emotional moment you never expect it to arrive when you’re a kid, and now to be here is a bit strange but I’ happy because I felt a lot of support from all the fans, a lot from all the paddock.
“I’m really, really happy about this moment to see my rivals of a lifetime here. I feel that MotoGP gave me a lot of things in my life because basically I’ve always been here and I learned a lot in life thanks to MotoGP. In the same way I’m very happy that I could give something else to the sport like Carmelo explained. When I started it was a new generation winning races and Championships, not only me but everyone here on the front row. This is good for me because it’s a nice feeling that we opened a door for a new generation. Luckily I don’t know all my numbers which is a good thing!”
Dani Pedrosa with Maverick Vinales at the ceremony
Asked about a standout moment, the Spaniard added: “Obviously the moment that stands out for me is the first Championship because you achieve something you dreamed of. You know you can get a podium or win a race but to get a championship it’s something that, as a kid, you see these guys going so fast and you don’t believe it. So when you achieve it all the emotions come out, and not only that year but for life because you’re been dreaming of it since you were born; watching races on TV and wanting to be that guy.
Dani Pedrosa – MotoGP Legend
“So that day is unique and that’s what makes you, it’s the drive that makes you want more and want to keep going and get through the tough times – and the reaction from the people and the love you get is something I could never imagine so for me that’s the most beautiful.”
Dani Pedrosa – MotoGP Legend
Dani Pedrosa’s career
Dani Pedrosa – 2003 – 125 – Sepang
Pedrosa’s international career began in 2001 in the 125 World Championship. As a rookie, he took two podiums and finished his first season within the top ten overall in eighth. The following year he took his first wins – three of them – to finish the season third overall, before he went two better in 2003 and won his first title with five wins.
Dani Pedrosa – 2003 – 125
Despite breaking both his ankles in a crash at the end of 2003, the ‘Little Samurai’ then moved up to the 250 World Championship for 2004 – and won on his debut.
Dani Pedrosa – 2005- 250
At 18 years and 202 days old Pedrosa became the youngest rider to win in the class, and it was on his way to becoming the youngest ever intermediate class World Champion at 19 years and 18 days old.
Dani Pedrosa – 2005- 250 – Alongside Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner
In 2005, he defended the crown.
2005 World Champions – Valentino Rossi MotoGP – Dani Pedrosa 250 – Tom Luthi 125
2006 marked Pedrosa’s debut in the premier class. On the podium first time out in Jerez and then needing only four races to take his first win when he took to the top step in Shanghai, one of the most successful premier class riders ever had arrived on the scene.
2006 Shanghai MotoGP – Dani Pedrosa won from Nicky Hayden and Colin Edwards
He took another win in his rookie year, at Donington Park, and ended the year in the top five.
Dani Pedrosa – Donington 2006
In 2007 Pedrosa was second overall to only Casey Stoner and added more wins and podiums to his tally, and he was in the top three in the Championship in 2008 – despite breaking his right hand in pre-season testing and sitting out the US GP after injuring his left hand at the German GP.
In 2009 he managed the same top three despite more struggles with injury, and in 2010 was runner-up once again.
2011 was another battle through the pain barrier, before an incredible assault on the title in 2012 that saw the Spaniard only narrowly miss out on the crown – and win the most races that year.
Dani Pedrosa – 2013
In 2013 Pedrosa was leading the standings before a collarbone break and was third overall, and in 2014 he suffered with arm problems throughout the season and despite that, took another win.
Dani Pedrosa – Aragon 2014
2015 began with career-saving surgery to fix the problem, and Pedrosa was back on the top step towards the end of the year at Motegi and at Sepang.
In 2016 Pedrosa won at Misano as he destroyed the field, and 2017 saw him make another piece of history as he took to the top step in the 3000th race counting towards the World Championship, in Jerez. He also became the first rider in history to win at least one Grand Prix per season for 16 consecutive years.
Dani Pedrosa – Misano 2016
After taking the third most podiums of all time behind only Valentino Rossi and Giacomo Agostini, Pedrosa retires at the end of 2018 – and now joins the ranks of MotoGP Legends.
Vito Ippolito, President of the FIM
“I’m very happy to be here with Dani,” began Vito Ippolito, President of the FIM. “You made the list of the big success of his racing career, in the different classes in MotoGP and I can’t add anything around that but I want to say that Dani is an example in my opinion to all the other riders, especially the youngest. Dani really is an example. The way he raced, the way he won, he had great results but the clean way he raced. We in the FIM I can say that sometimes we talked to Dani to share ideas about how he sees things, the penalties to the riders, what his opinion was. We have a lot of trust in Dani.”
Vito Ippolito, Dani Pedrosa and Carmelo Ezpelete
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports.
“It’s a controversial situation for me, on one side I’m happy for him to be a Legend, from the first moment he said he would retire we talked about it and he’s been a big legend of MotoGP and a big asset,” adds Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports. “But on the other side all the memories of the generation are coming to me, Dani is one of the people who has worked through our system and now he has retired. I remember very well the first time I saw Dani in Jarama at the selection for the Activa Movistar Cup. Alberto Puig was talking to all the riders explaining everything, and from the beginning I saw Dani’s eyes and they were saying, ‘don’t talk to me and let me have the bike!’. And I remember he needed help to get on the bike but immediately we saw the skills and the possibilities of Dani. We decided the rules to be part of the Cup, the maximum and minimum age. And Dani wasn’t able to enter by a couple of months but then we talked about it and we decided to adjust it to allow him to participate, and it started a very good relationship. During a very long career we’ve discussed a lot of things many times. We are friends, but he’s also always trying to tell me what he thinks is correct! I’m extremely proud, together with the FIM, to make Dani a real MotoGP Legend, and thank him for all his contribution to MotoGP.”
Dani Pedrosa – MotoGP Legend
Pedrosa joins a long list of greats that have been made MotoGP Legends that includes Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Geoff Duke, Wayne Gardner, Mike Hailwood, Daijiro Kato, Eddie Lawson, Anton Mang, Angel Nieto, Wayne Rainey, Phil Read, Jim Redman, Kenny Roberts, Jarno Saarinen, Kevin Schwantz, Barry Sheene, Marco Simoncelli, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, John Surtees, Carlo Ubbiali, Alex Crivillé, Franco Uncini, Marco Lucchinelli, Randy Mamola, Kork Ballington and the late Nicky Hayden.
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Are you keen to be the next Brett Metcalfe or Justin Brayton? Or maybe you just want to get out into the bush and explore the trails? Whatever your dream – you will not want to miss Honda’s end of year Off Road deals to get you dirty!
Right now, you could pick up the podium finishing 2018 CRF450R with $1000 Honda Dollars* on offer, an exciting deal while its currently smashing the competition in the Australian Supercross Championship with consistent wins at every round so far.
The CRF450R features minor improvements in 2018 following the full redesign of the 2017 model
The CRF450Rs powerful engine produces pro-level performance; while a lightweight frame, updated suspension settings and slim bodywork help put all that power to the ground. The CRF450R offers class-leading power and handling backed by the kind of quality only Honda provides.
An ultra-light aluminium frame gives the CRF450R sharper handling than ever before. The Unicam engine with a higher redline, makes more power and features an Engine Mode Select button that allows the rider to alter power delivery to match riding conditions. The straighter downdraft intake system and exhaust ports have aggressive valve timing to help boost performance across the power band.
For 2018, the electric starter and lithium Ion battery are standard; kick-start is removed. The titanium fuel tank helps lower the bike’s centre of mass, again for improved steering.
Honda’s 2018 CRF250R
There is also $1000 Honda Dollars up for grabs on the 2018 next generation CRF250R. It has a brand new DOHC engine, revised geometry including a lower centre of gravity for improved stability and traction as well as a re-designed dual exhaust and intake system, making it Honda’s most competitive, durable and formidable 250cc race machine to date. Both the CRF450R and CRF250R also have a low rate 1.99% p.a comparison rate^ available as well so have a chat to your Honda dealer to find out more.
The CRF450RX has a special run-out offer of $2000 Honda Dollars* available, featuring Enduro-spec suspension, PGM-FI and EMSB mapping plus larger fuel tank, 18inch rear wheel, sidestand and electric start as standard. A race-ready enduro machine ideal for those chasing that hole-shot.
Honda’s CRF450RX
Trail riders should certainly check out the CRF230F with $300 off, it is ideal for recreational use and has electric start, long-travel suspension and the dependable power of a 223cc four-stroke engine.
^Credit provided by BOQ Credit Pty Limited ABN 92 080 151 266 (BOQC) (Australian Credit Licence Number 393331) trading as Honda MPE Financial Services. BOQC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Queensland Limited ABN 32 009 656 740 (BOQ). BOQ does not guarantee or otherwise support the obligations or performance of BOQC or the products it offers. BOQC’s standard credit assessment criteria apply and fees and charges are payable. The interest rate is 1.99%pa and applicable on a 36 month term consumer loan agreement. The comparison rate of 1.99%pa and is calculated on a loan amount of $10,000 for a term of 36 months. These rates are for secured loans only. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. This offer is subject to approved applicants who finance all new 17YM & 18YM CRF250R & CRF450R during 1st October 2018 and 31st December 2018. Full terms and conditions available at authorized, participating Honda MPE dealerships.
*HondaDollars may be used in store to purchase accessories, servicing or reduce purchase price. $2000 HondaDollars when purchasing a new CRF450RX. $1000 HondaDollars when purchasing a 2017 or 2018 CRF450R. $1000 HondaDollars when purchasing a 2018 CRF250R. $300 Off the CRF230F, all year models. Available between 1 October and 31st December 2018. Only at participating Honda Motorcycle Dealers. Whilst stocks last. For full terms and conditions see in store. Overseas models shown, accessories not included and subject to availability.
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