Lüthi leads the way in Moto2™ FP1

Early in the session, Red Bull KTM Tech 3’s Phillip Oettl crashed heavily on the exit of Turn 2 and subsequently visieted the medical centre at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Also crashing out of the session, but thankfully unhurt, were Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) at Turn 5, Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP) at Turn 9 and Joe Roberts (American Racing KTM) at Turn 10.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Marquez heads Quartararo in FP1

There wasn’t much by way of drama – Jack Miller (Pramac Racing), who was sixth, had to get a little creative into Turn 10 and the same corner was the scene of a bit of a snap for Marquez’ Honda in the early stages. The biggest headline stealer saw some modifications on Jorge Lorenzo’s (Repsol Honda Team) tank break cover, with the five-time World Champion having just got back from a post-Mugellp trip to Japan to work on ergonomics…

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Estrella Galicia 0,0 duo top Moto3™ FP1

Estrella Galicia 0,0 teammates Alonso Lopez and Sergio Garcia have locked out the top two positions in Moto3™ FP1 at the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, Lopez setting a 1:49.167 to finish just 0.017 ahead of rookie Garcia, the latter winning at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3™ Junior World Championship last season.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Basic Motorcycle Safety Tips For Beginners

(Sponsored post. Photo Courtesy of Pixabay)

Getting out on the blacktop and feeling the wind rushing all around your body is a dream come true for drivers of all ages. For beginners, riding a motorcycle is a thrill but also a challenge. Riding a motorcycle is very different from driving a car or even a bicycle, and requires much more attention and caution than you might expect.

Having heightened traffic awareness and sufficient riding skill can help you stay safer on the road. It’s not always the fault of a rider when an accident occurs, it can often be an issue of visibility when another driver on the road just doesn’t see you.

Besides avoiding dangerous daredevil behavior on the road, there are a few things that you need to know before getting on your new bike. Serious accidents can happen at any time, so if you want to avoid injuries and having to hire a team of motorcycle lawyers you need to know what you are doing before you hit the blacktop.

Helmets

There are still some states that do not require you to wear a helmet when you are on a motorcycle. Even though it’s not a legal requirement, it is still the best way to protect yourself from devastating head injuries. You are five times more likely to end up with head injuries after a motorcycle crash when you choose not to wear a helmet. Find a helmet that fits well and is certified to be crash safe.

Motorcycle Gear

When you are driving a motorcycle there is nothing between you and the elements. In a car, you have plenty of safety features including air bags and a solid metal frame to help guard your body in the case of an accident. So, you need to protect yourself as well as you can on your own. Wearing leather gear including jackets, gloves and chaps can help save your skin, literally. When you crash, leather can help absorb some of the friction that can happen when your body hits the ground and prevent horrible road rash that can leave scars for years.

Obey All Laws

The rules of the road are designed to protect all drivers including cyclist. Keep your speed under the limit and respect all other drivers on the road. Following all traffic laws may not ultimately prevent all accidents but it can help you to stay visible and aware of everything going on around you. Driving a motorcycle is a privilege so don’t take advantage of that right by driving erratically or dangerously.

Defensive Driving

Motorcycles are not as easy to see on the road as larger vehicles, so it’s up to you to make sure that you are seen by other drivers on the road. Never assume that other vehicles have seen you and don’t take any chances. Use your proper signals and avoid randomly weaving in between lanes. Keep your headlights on at all times and stay out of the blind spots of other vehicles. You should always be aware of all the vehicles around you

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Honda factory visit sparks promise for Lorenzo

Spaniard works directly with Honda engineers in Japan.

Image: Supplied.

A visit to Honda’s factory in Japan has sparked promise for Jorge Lorenzo in increasing his comfort with the Repsol Honda RC213V.

Lorenzo, who will race in front of a home Spanish crown this weekend in Catalunya, visited the factory to work directly with the manufacturer’s engineers in working out his current issues with the MotoGP machine.

“After a mixed weekend in Mugello, I am hoping that we can do good work this weekend in Barcelona,” said Lorenzo. We will keep working at our maximum to close the gap to the front.

“We also have a test after the race, which I am looking forward to as well. I had a very interesting trip to Japan and we were able to work on many things, some which will help this weekend and some for the future.”

The former multi-time world champion has struggled in his adaptation to the Honda in 2019, where he’s currently ranked 14th in the championship standings with 19 points to his name.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Take the online motorcycle safety quiz

A new motorcycle “Always On” safety campaign featuring an online 10-question quiz and video has just been launched by VicRoads but has already attracted some criticism.

Quiz quizzedABS VicRoads Always On safety campaign and quiz brakes

Most motorcycle representatives we spoke to are pleased there is a campaign about motorcycle safety.

However, there was some criticism of the quiz wording, the video edits and the over-reliance on electronic rider aids.

Motorcycle instructors and Victorian Government’s Motorcycle Experts Advisory Committee were consulted in the initial stages, but not the final edit.

MEAP rep Dean Marks says the test wording and video are consequently “flawed”.

“VicRoads will get eaten by experienced riders and instructors and the rest of the MEAP group and instructors,” he says.

Fellow MEAP rep and Victorian Motorcycle Council chair Peter Baulch says he hopes riders “get something out of the survey”.

However, he says the producers “have again adopted the ‘we know best’ attitude”.

Video errors include the rider entering a corner and gearing up, not down, and at a hairpin the rider accelerates instead of slowing.

Rider aids

One of the main flaws is the over-reliance on electronic rider aids such as ABS to save lives.

The video features a new Triumph Street Scrambler (good taste!) that comes with ABS and traction control.

ABS VicRoads Always On safety campaign and quiz brakes

The questionnaires states: “ABS stops wheel lock, traction control senses traction loss and stability control monitors the way you’re riding. These technologies work together to keep you on your bike.”

Peter queried the wording.

“I actually think road safety messages to riders should shift from ‘get a better bike’ (that is, get bikes with ABS) to a message along the lines of ‘become a better rider’,” he says.

Mandatory ABSABS VicRoads Always On safety campaign and quiz brakes

ABS becomes mandatory in November on new motorcycles over 125cc, while bikes with lower engine capacities must have either combined brakes systems (CBS) or ABS.

While authorities promote ABS as reducing crashes by 30%, motorcycle experts dispute the figures and say it dangerously gives riders a false sense of security.

The 2009 Maids Report reverse engineered almost 1000 accidents and found that in 80-87% of crashes riders took no evasive action such as braking, sub-limit braking or swerving.

Therefore, ABS would have had no effect.

VicRoads blunders

It’s not the first time VicRoads has overstated the effect of ABS on road safety.

In 2016, university safety researcher Ross Blackman criticised a VicRoads brochure that stated: “A motorcycle with ABS enhances your riding skills and techniques by preventing the wheels from locking, skidding and sliding under.”

Quite simply, no technology makes you a better rider. It only helps compensate for poor skills or emergencies, he said.

The VicRoads brochure also suggested riders retro-fit ABS, but there is no known aftermarket product.

VicRoads apologised for the misleading information and error when we pointed them out.

ABS is simply no substitute for good rider skills and the only way to get them is through training and practice.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Vinales drawing crowd support in Catalunya podium target

Image: Supplied.

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Vinales is targeting a podium return this weekend at this home Catalan grand prix, explaining he’ll be drawing upon the crowd’s support in his endeavour to land on the box.

The Spaniard is hoping to boost his form on the YZR-M1 in the 2019 MotoGP World Championship, as he currently sits eighth in the championship standings.

Despite recording a host of podiums at the Barcelona circuit in the lower categories, Vinales is yet to climb onto the rostrum in the premier MotoGP class at the venue.

“I can‘t wait to be at my home GP,” Vinales commented. “Montmelo is a very special track for me, it‘s a circuit that I really like and enjoy. There I can feel all the support of my fans, it has an amazing atmosphere. I hope that I can respond with a good result, and why not with a podium? That‘s always our goal.

“Mugello was a very difficult race because it was very physically demanding. We have to keep working hard to be able to find the sweet spot of the bike, so we’ll be able to continue fighting to be towards the top of the standings. So let’s keep focused, and we’ll show the best side of us for our fans.”

The MotoGP World Championship standings are currently led by defending title holder Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda).

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

MotoGP stats update leading into Catalunya

Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya

Stats Update

This is the 28th successive year that the Circuit de Catalunya has hosted a Grand Prix event after first being included on the Grand Prix calendar in 1992.

Only three current venues have a longer ongoing sequence of hosting Grand Prix events: Jerez, Mugello and Assen.

The last time that Spain did not have at least one GP winner across the three classes at the Catalan Grand Prix was 2002.

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya

A total of 81 Grand Prix races for solo motorcycles have been held at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit since 1992 as follows: MotoGP –17, 500cc–10, Moto2 –9, 250cc–18, Moto3 –7, 125cc–20.

Valentino Rossi
Valentino Rossi

Since the first Grand Prix race in the premier class in Catalunya, Yamaha is the most successful manufacturer with 12 wins: nine in MotoGP with Valentino Rossi (2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2016) and Jorge Lorenzo (2010, 2012, 2013, 2015), and three in 500cc with Wayne Rainey (1992, 1993) and Luca Cadalora (1994).

Honda have had 10 wins in the premier class including five successive victories with Alex Criville, Carlos Checa and Mick Doohan in the years 1995 through to 1999, in addition to the wins with Valentino Rossi (2001, 2002), Dani Pedrosa (2008), Casey Stoner (2011) and Marc Marquez (2014).

Alex Criville

Ducati have taken four MotoGP wins at the Catalunya circuit, including their very first in the class with Loris Capirossi in 2003 (of which it’s the 16th anniversary on the qualifying day of the Catalan GP in 2019). The last win by a Ducati rider at the Catalan GP was last year with Jorge Lorenzo.

Loris Capirossi lighting it up - Catalunya 2003
Loris Capirossi lighting it up – Catalunya 2003

The only win for Suzuki was in the 500cc class in 2000, with Kenny Roberts. In 2016 Maverick Viñales’ fourth place equalled the best result for a Suzuki rider at the Catalunya circuit since the introduction of the MotoGP class in 2002, which had previously been achieved by John Hopkins in both 2006 and 2007.

Aleix Espargaro started from pole in 2015 in Catalunya,which was the first pole for Suzuki in the premier class since Chris Vermeulen took the top qualifying spot at the Dutch TT in 2007. It remains the most recent pole for the Japanese manufacturer.

Team SUZUKI ECSTAR grabbed a historic result today during qualifying for the Grand Prix of Catalunya as they took first-and second places on the grid for tomorrow’s race with riders Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales.
Team SUZUKI ECSTAR grabbed a historic result today during qualifying for the Grand Prix of Catalunya as they took first-and second places on the grid for the race in 2016 with riders Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales.

The best result for KTM in Barcelona in the premier class came last year with Pol Espargaro who crossed the line in 11th place, while both Bradley Smith and Mika Kallio crashed out.

In 2016, Alvaro Bautista scored the best result for Aprilia in the MotoGP class with an eighth-place finish.

Jorge Lorenzo on pole for #CatalanGP
Jorge Lorenzo on pole for #CatalanGP in 2018

Last year, Jorge Lorenzo became the first rider qualifying on pole to win the MotoGP race at this circuit since he also won from pole in 2010 (which is also the last pole position for a Yamaha rider at the track). In addition to Jorge Lorenzo (2010 and 2018), the only other rider to have won the MotoGP race at Catalunya from pole position is Valentino Rossi in 2006.

There have been 10 wins for Spanish riders in the premier class in Catalunya: Alex Criville in 1995 & 1999, Carlos Checa in 1996, Dani Pedrosa in 2008, Jorge Lorenzo in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 & 2018, and Marc Marquez in 2014.

Carlos Checa on the YZR-500

There has been at least one Spanish rider on the podium in the MotoGP race at this track since 2007.

The nine Moto2 races that have taken place in Catalunya have been won by eight different riders: Yuki Takahashi (the only victory for a Tech3 bike), Stefan Bradl, Andrea Iannone, Pol Espargaro, Tito Rabat, Johann Zarco, Alex Marquez and Fabio Quartararo. The only rider who has more than a single Moto2 victory at this circuit is Johann Zarco who won in 2015 and 2016. Only two of them have not won from pole position: Yuki Takahashi (2010) and Andrea Iannone (2012).

Johann Zarco
Johann Zarco

The seven Moto3 races that have taken place at the Catalunya circuit have been won by seven different riders: Maverick Viñales, Luis Salom, Alex Marquez, Danny Kent, Jorge Navarro, Joan Mir, Enea Bastianini. Only one of them has been won by a non-Honda rider: Luis Salom (KTM). Four of them have won from pole position: Maverick Viñales (2012), Luis Salom (2013), Alex Marquez (2014) and Enea Bastianini (2018).

Andrea Dovizioso
Andrea Dovizioso

Previously in MotoGP

356.7 – Andrea Dovizioso set a new top speed record in the MotoGP class in FP3 at Mugello at 356.7 km/h, almost 99 m/s.

121 – The second-place finish for Marc Marquez at the Italian GP was the 121st time he has been on the podium in his Grand Prix career, equalling Phil Read. Only five riders have been on the podium on more occasions in Grand Prix racing.

82 – This was the 82nd podium finish in the premier class for Marc Marquez, six less than Giacomo Agostini, who is in fifth place on the list of riders with most podium finishes in the class.

27 – Since the opening Grand Prix in Qatar, 27 different riders have stood on the podium across all classes. Only Marc Marquez has finished on the podium more than four times in the opening six Grands Prix of the season.

22 – During the MotoGP race in Italy, 22 riders set lap times within one second of the fastest lap time, beating the premier class record set at the 2017 Dutch TT and later equalled in Qatar last year, with 20 riders within one second.

13 – Since the opening race in Qatar, there have been 13 different winners across all three classes; this is the highest number of different winners across all three classes after the opening six GP event since 2008 (13 different winners in all classes).

11 – With his win, Tony Arbolino made it 11 different winners in the Moto3 class over the last 11 races, which the longest sequence with different winners in the lightweight class (the previous record was nine).

5 – This is the fifth time this year there have been at least five different manufacturers within the top 10 across the line in MotoGP. The last time there were at least five different manufacturers within the top 10 in five (or more) of the first six races of the year was in 1993.

4 – Four points cover the top three in the Moto2 Championship classification which the smallest margin covering of the top three riders in the intermediate category after the opening six races of the season since the current points scoring system was introduced in 1993.

MotoGP Facts and Stats

Danilo Petrucci is the fourth different rider to win a MotoGP race this year, making the three successive years there were four different winners in the opening six MotoGP races of the year.

MotoGP Rnd Mugello Race Petrucci Selfie
Danilo Petrucci took his first MotoGP victory

At Mugello, Marc Marquez stood on the podium for the 121st time of his Grand Prix career, equalling Phil Read in sixth place on the list of riders with the most podium finishes, behind Angel Nieto (139).

In addition, this is Marc Marquez’ 25th second-place finish in the premier class, one less than Max Biaggi who stands in sixth place in the list of riders with most second-place finishes in the class.

MotoGP Phillip Island Marquez GP AN
Marquez crashes out in Phillip Island

Marc Marquez has failed to score points only three times since the Catalan GP last year (Australia and Valencia in 2018, and Austin this season). Over the last 15 races he has finished since Catalunya, he has always stood on the podium and finished third only once, in Brno.

With his fourth-place finish in Italy, Alex Rins has scored points in the last 15 successive races. The last time he failed to score any points was in Germany last year when he crashed out on the opening lap with Pol Espargaro.

MotoGP Rnd COTA Rins GP AN
Rins celebrates victory – COTA 2019 – Image by AJRN

Takaaki Nakagami finished fifth in Mugello, which is his best result since he stepped up to the MotoGP class. This is the best result for a Japanese rider in the premier class since Katsuyuki Nakasuga was second in Valencia 2011 and the best in dry conditions since Shinya Nakano was fifth in Malaysia back in 2008.

Nakagami is now in third place in the Independent Team riders classification with 40 points behind his teammate Cal Crutchlow (42 points) and Jack Miller (42).

MotoGP Rnd Mugello Race Nakagami
Takaaki Nakagami has shown great promise this season ranking 3rd in the independants’ standings.

Maverick Viñales crossed the line in sixth place in Mugello as the top Yamaha, making it the first time since 2003 there was no Yamaha rider on the podium at the track.

Neither of the two Yamaha factory riders have won at least one of the six opening races for the second successive year. The last time the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team did not have a win in any of the first six races of the year in two successive seasons was in 2002 and 2003.

MotoGP Rnd COTA Rossi Vinales GP AN
Yamaha are a little out in the cold and are struggling to remedy their ongoing woes…

Following the Italian GP, Yamaha have scored 88 points in the Constructor’s World Championship classification, which is the lowest points accumulated after the opening six races by Yamaha since 2003 when the Japanese manufacturer had 70 points after the Catalan GP.

With Valentino Rossi crashing out of the race in Italy and Johann Zarco crossing the line in 17th, only four riders have scored points in all six of the MotoGP races in 2019: Danilo Petrucci, Alex Rins, Andrea Dovizioso and Pol Espargaro.

MotoGP Rnd LeMans Marquez Start
MotoGP as competitive and close as ever

With Ducati, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and KTM within the top 10 in Italy, this is the fifth time this year there are at least five different manufacturers within the top 10. The last time there were at least five different manufacturers within the top 10 in five (or more) of the first six races of the year was in 1993.

Valentino Rossi is the most successful rider across all Grand Prix classes at the Catalunya circuit with 10 victories (1 x 125cc, 2 x 250cc, 1 x 500cc, 6 x MotoGP). The next most successful, with six wins, is Jorge Lorenzo (1 x 250cc, 5 x MotoGP).

Fabio Quartararo (HDR – Speed Up Racing)
Fabio Quartararo (HDR – Speed Up Racing)

The only two of the four rookies in the MotoGP class this year to have previously won in any of the smaller classes in Catalunya are Fabio Quartararo, who won in Moto2 last year after qualifying on pole position, and Joan Mir in Moto3 back in 2017 on his way to clinching the title.

Fabio Quartararo finished in 10th place at Mugello and he is still leading the fight for Rookie of the Year with 31 points, followed by Joan Mir (12 points), Francesco Bagnaia (9 points) and Miguel Oliveira (8).

Historic MotoGP Race

MotoGP Rnd Mugello Race Petrucci Marquez Dovi Rins
Petrucci leading Marquez, Dovizioso and Rins and onto his first MotoGP win.

Danilo Petrucci’s win at the Italian GP is his first since he joined Grand Prix racing in the MotoGP class back in 2012. He became the first rider to take his maiden win in the class at the Mugello circuit.

Petrucci won on his 124th GP race in Italy, which is the highest number of premier class starts for a rider taking his maiden win in the class, beating the record set by Cal Crutchlow, who won for the first time at the 2016 Czech GP making his 98th GP start.

Aged 28 years 221 days old, Petrucci is the oldest rider to take his maiden win in the MotoGP class since Cal Crutchlow in Brno back in 2017, at 30 years 297 days old.

Danilo Petrucci became the seventh rider since the introduction of the MotoGP class in 2002 to win a premier class race without previously competing full-time in any of the smaller GP classes along with Nicky Hayden (3 wins), Cal Crutchlow (3), Makoto Tamada (2), Troy Bayliss (1), Chris Vermeulen (1) and Ben Spies (1).

Along with Chris Vermeulen, Danilo Petrucci is only the second rider to have won in both STK1000 European Championship (former STK1000 Cup) and MotoGP.

Danilo Petrucci is the seventh different rider to win in MotoGP riding a Ducati, along with Casey Stoner (23 wins with Ducati), Andrea Dovizioso (12), Loris Capirossi (7), Jorge Lorenzo (3), Andrea Iannone (1) and Troy Bayliss (1).

With his win, Danilo Petrucci (8 podium finishes with Ducati) is now sitting in fourth place in the list of Ducati riders with most podium finishes in the MotoGP class, behind Casey Stoner (42), Andrea Dovizioso (33) and Loris Capirossi (23).

The win for Petrucci was the 140th podium finish for Ducati in MotoGP, closely followed by Andrea Dovizioso, who gave Ducati their 141st podium in the class.

The win for Petrucci in Mugello is the third successive victory for Ducati at the track, equalling the sequence set by the Borgo Panigale factory in Losail, Motegi and at the Red Bull Ring, and one less than at Phillip Island.

Over the last two years, the Ducati rider who has won in Mugello also won at the following race in Barcelona: Andrea Dovizioso in 2017 and Jorge Lorenzo last year.

MotoGP Rnd COTA Rins GP AN
Rossi chasing Rins – COTA 2019 – Image by AJRN

With Alex Rins in Austin, this is the first time there have been at least two first time winners in MotoGP in a given season since 2016 with Jack Miller, Cal Crutchlow, Andrea Iannone and Maverick Viñales.

Jack Miller set the fastest lap of the race in Italy before crashing out, with a time 1’47.647. During the race, another 21 riders set lap times within one second of this fastest lap time, beating the premier class record set at the 2017 Dutch TT and later equalled in Qatar last year.

Andrea Iannone finished the Italian GP in 15th place, crossing the line just 28.051 seconds behind race winner Danilo Petrucci, which is the ninth closest top 15 of the all-time in a full-length premier class Grand Prix.

0.338s between Danilo Petrucci and Andrea Dovizioso across the line in Mugello is the ninth smallest podium time margin in the premier class, slotting in ahead of the 1991 Japanese GP 1991 (0.353s) and the Czech GP last year (0.368s)

MarquezMarc Marquez reaches 3000 points in Grand Prix racing

With his second-place finish in Mugello, Marc Marquez became the sixth rider in the history of Grand Prix racing to reach the milestone of 3000 points, as shown in the following table of ten riders who have scored the most points in the history across all solo classes.

Pos Riders Total 500/MGP 25/M2 125/M3
1 Valentino Rossi 6145 5203 510 432
2 Dani Pedrosa 4162 2970 626 566
3 Jorge Lorenzo 3937 2890 768 279
4 Andrea Dovizioso 3468 2255 721 492
5 Loris Capirossi 3215 1840 968 407
6 Marc Marquez 3016 1970 579 467
7 Max Biaggi 2892 1624 1268
8 Casey Stoner 2411 1815 322 274
9 Tom Lüthi 2392 0 1948 444
10 Mick Doohan 2298 2298

In addition, with his third place at the Italian GP, Tom Lüthi closes in on Casey Stoner in eighth place on the list of riders with most points in Grand Prix racing.

MotoGP Jerez Test Andrea Dovizioso300th successive Grand Prix race for Andrea Dovizioso

At the Catalan GP, Andrea Dovizioso is scheduled to become the first rider to reach the milestone of 300 successive Grand Prix races. Dovizioso has not missed a single Grand Prix race since he became a full-time GP rider in the 125cc class at the opening race of 2002 at Suzuka in Japan.

Second on this list is Valentino Rossi, whose sequence of successive GP races came to an end when he crashed in practice at the 2010 Italian GP and broke his leg.

Max Biaggi is in third place with 201 successive GP races, a sequence ended in Valencia back in 2005 when he retired from Grand Prix racing.

Tied in fourth place are Sandro Cortese, who had made 190 successive GP races before withdrawing from the French GP in 2016 due to a knee injury, and Randy De Puniet, who had also made 190 successive GP races before breaking his leg during the race at the German GP back in 2010 and missing the following race at Laguna Seca.

Pos Riders Total First Race Last Race
1 A Dovizioso 299 Japan/2002/125 Italy/2019/MGP
2 V Rossi 230 Malaysia/1996/125 France/2010/MGP
3 M Biaggi 201 Great Britain/1992/250 Valencia/2005/MGP
4= R De Puniet 190  Malaysia/1999/125 Germany/2010/MGP
4= S Cortese 190  Spain/2005/125 Spain/2016/M2

On this day…

At 1963 TT, Fumio Ito crossed the line in second in the 250cc race, which is the first Yamaha podium finish in GP racing.

At the 2000 Catalan GP, Kenny Roberts won the 500cc race in Catalunya riding a Suzuki, which is the most recent podium finish for Suzuki at the track so far.

Before the 1995 Italian GP (June 8th), Kevin Schwantz held a press conference announcing his retirement from Grand Prix racing. His famous number #34 was also officially retired.

The 1984 French GP races were contested on Monday, which was the last time this had happened until the MotoGP race at the 2009 Qatar GP (due to weather conditions).

At the 1952 TT, Cecil Sandford won the 125cc race, giving MV Agusta the first of their 275 wins in Grand Prix racing.

At the 1963 TT, Mitsuo Itoh won his first GP win in 50cc, becoming the first (and only) Japanese rider to win a TT race.

At the 1993 German GP, Shinichi Itoh became the first rider to break the 200 mph (321,8 km/h) barrier in Grand Prix racing.

70 years ago, at the 1949 TT, Freddie Frith won the 350cc race riding a Velocette, which was the first ever race counting towards the World Championship.

Ten years ago, at the Catalan GP, Valentino Rossi won the MotoGP race (his 99th Grand Prix win) after a great battle with Jorge Lorenzo.

MotoGP 2009 - Catalunya - Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner
MotoGP 2009 – Catalunya – Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner

At the Grand Prix of Madrid in 1998, held in Jarama, Carlos Checa took his second (and last) 500cc win from Norick Abe and Sete Gibernau, following a collision between Simon Crafar, Max Biaggi and Mick Doohan at the very first corner.

At the 2003 Catalan GP, Loris Capirossi gave Ducati their first Grand Prix victory in the premier class.

Loris Capirossi - Catalunya 2003
Loris Capirossi – Catalunya 2003

On the same day, Dani Pedrosa gave Honda their 150th GP win in the 125cc class.

Dani Pedrosa
Dani Pedrosa – 2003 – 125

At the European GP back in 1991, Max Biaggi made his first GP appearance in the 250cc World Championship, but failed to score any points.

At the 1961 TT, Phil Read won the 350cc race on a Norton, which was the first of his 52 GP victories.

40 years ago, at the 1979 Yugoslavian GP, Graziano Rossi won the 250cc race from Greg Hansford and Patrick

Source: MCNews.com.au

Enter the Yamaha Motor VictorYZone | Grab YZ deals!

Enter the VictorYZone


Yamaha Motor Australia has announced huge discounts on a wide range of 2019 and earlier dirt bikes in preparation for the soon-to-be-released 2020 MX and off-road ranges.

Between now and the end of September, customers can ride into the VictorYZone and grab themselves a massive saving of up to $750 on selected current models.

Yamaha YZFX DPBSE AUS STU
Yamaha YZ450FX

The layered discount program provides an opportunity to dramatically increase the discount on a brand new motorcycle simply by opting for older stock with up to $1500 on 2018 YZF models.

Yamaha YZFX DPBSE AUS STU
Yamaha YZ250FX

If you’re planning to surprise the kids with their first competition MX bike this Christmas, there’s a $500 discount on Yamaha’s race-winning 2018 YZ65. Get a great deal now and stash it in your Santa sack. If your little champ is stepping up to the 85cc class, there’s huge savings to be made there as well with $300 off a 2019 YZ85 and YZ85LW.

Yamaha YZ DPBSE AUS ACT
Yamaha YZ250

Riders looking to step up from the junior ranks, or experienced riders wanting to revel in explosive power combined with a super lightweight package, Yamaha’s legendary two-stroke YZ125 and YZ250 have savings on 2019 models of $300 and $500 respectively.

Yamaha YZ DPBSE AUS STU
Yamaha YZ125

Knocking $500 off the RRP of a 2019 YZ250X is as easy as walking into your local Yamaha dealer. And if that’s not enough to tempt you, there’s a whopping $750 saving to be had on 2019 model YZ250F, YZ250FX, YZ450F and YZ450FX, and that’s just the start. Dealers with older model stock have even more room to move – just put the word on them.

Yamaha YZ DPBSE AUS STU
Yamaha YZ85

As an added temptation, the attractive 4.99% finance from YMF covers all the discounted models until 30 June. Contact your local Yamaha dealer for more information.

Yamaha YZ DPBSE AUS ACT
Yamaha YZ125

Source: MCNews.com.au

Prototype Ducati Streetfighter V4 breaks cover

ducati streetfighter v4

Image: Supplied.

Ducati has taken the covers off its prototype Streetfighter V4 which will make its debut at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on 30 June in the USA.

As part of the development process of the new model, the ‘Race to the Clouds’ has been identified as an ideal proving ground for testing the high performance of the Streetfighter V4.

In keeping with tradition, the Streetfighter V4 derives directly from the sporty Panigale V4 stripped of its fairings, and fitted with high and wide handlebars. The high performance of the 1100cc Desmosedici Stradale is kept in hand by aerodynamic profiles specifically designed for this model.

The prototype will race with a pixelated livery, designed by the Centro Stile Ducati – unlike the normal practice with prototypes, the livery does not hide the lines, but exalts them by deliberately revealing how the bike will finally look.

“The Streetfighter V4 will be one of the stars of the Ducati World Premiere 2020,” declared Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati. “Streetfighter V4 is the Panigale for road riding – so there was no better stage than the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for what will be the highest performance Streetfighter ever put into production.”

The bike will be presented to the public at EICMA 2019 and will be available in Ducati dealerships starting from mid-March 2020 onwards.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

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