Raceline KTM challenger returns to premier class at Appin.
Image: East Mount Studio.
Popular talent Hayden Mellross will draw upon his American experience as he plots his attack on the Pirelli MX Nationals MX1 championship, which kicks off this weekend at Appin in New South Wales.
The New South Welshman particularly spent majority of time racing supercross in America, however the youthful talent campaigned in select rounds of the 2016 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship in the premier class.
The intensity is a key characteristic that the Raceline KTM contender is hoping to capitalise on, as he faces off against a highly-competitive and well-credential field this season.
“I’m a racer, so I’m going into any championship – regardless if I’m the favourite or underdog – I’m going into win,” Mellross explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “Yeah, that’s going to be a huge ask each and every weekend because the riders we have in the MX1 class are quite talented.
“We may have lost Dean Ferris – arguably one of the best motocross racers we have – but we also have a lot riders that have come back, like Todd Waters. Waters, [Brett] Metcalfe and [Kirk] Gibbs have been racing the championship for so long, and I think racing against these veterans will be the biggest challenge.
“Using my experience from America – I didn’t get a whole lot of motocross in there, but it’s race experience with intensity. I’m going out there to win, and that’s what my team expects of me. Being a 10-round series, I just want to stay consistent – I think I’ve shown that in my pro career here in in Australia.”
Confirmed has KTM’s factory outfit, the Raceline operation will also field Jy Roberts in MX2 and Regan Duffy in MXD this year.
Ducati contender still beaming with confidence after Phillip Island dominance.
Image: Supplied.
Alvaro Bautista isn’t feeling complacent as round two of the 2019 FIM Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) heads to the Buriram circuit in Thailand this weekend.
The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati newcomer dominated the opening round at Phillip Island in Australia, winning all three races on debut in the series, while also marking an extremely successful start for the all-new Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Despite his commanding performance at the Island, the Spaniard understands the bike is still its infant stages of development, and acknowledges this weekend could very will serve up a contrasting result.
“Australia was a dream weekend and I couldn’t have asked for a better start in World Superbike,” said Bautista. “In Thailand I got a good result last season in MotoGP, so I’m feeling confident but Buriram is a track that has different characteristics to Phillip Island because there are more mixed sectors.
“For sure our rivals will be tough to beat, so we have to remain focussed and work really hard during the weekend. Anyway we will go to Thailand with the same mentality, I know the right feeling with the bike now so I will try and find it there as well.
“The Panigale V4 R is still a completely new bike, and the potential is high but we’ve got a lot of work to do to get it to 100 percent. I don’t know if Buriram is a Ducati track or not, we’ll just have to see what happens.”
With three race wins to his name, Bautista leads the standings with a 13-point advantage over four-time defending champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team).
Pro Motocross deal still developing for three-time Australian champion.
Image: Foremost Media.
Three-time Australian champion Dean Ferris admits he almost contemplated a return to the Pirelli MX Nationals during a quiet period of negotiations in cementing a deal in the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, however he’s relieved to have remained patient as opportunities now present themselves.
Speaking on this weekend’s MX Nationals opener at Appin in New South Wales, Ferris says it’s strange to not be lining up for the highly-anticipated event, although focusing on a new-found career path has allowed him to overcome the angst.
“It’s kind of strange actually,” Ferris told MotoOnline.com.au. “I guess at some stage I had a fear of missing out, but I just had to realign my focus and know that I’m going onto different things now and make sure I keep going in that direction.
“Up until recently I didn’t really have anything on the go, so I almost contemplated coming [back], but I’m glad I’ve hung in there and some opportunities have come up now. It’s definitely strange not being there, but I’m also excited with where my career is going.”
The popular New South Welshman, who’s been linked to a fill-in ride in the MXGP World Championship for the time being, recently made a brief trip to America, and his since returned to finalise his visa and maintain a regular training schedule.
“I’m still working on it right, and there are still quite a few weeks until the nationals start there, so there’s no reason to panic,” he continued. “I’ve come home to sort out my visa and continue riding to make sure I’m in shape if anything comes my way.
“I just needed a good set-up quick-smart, so I just pulled my ’16 [championship bike] out of the shed and started riding it. I could’ve got a bike from Yamaha – our relationship is still really good – but that was the quickest and best way to get some laps under my belt. It’s really cool to ride my old bike and compare it to the latest model and see how Yamaha has improved.”
Ferris rode for CDR Yamaha Monster Energy from 2016 through to 2018 after a lengthy stint in Europe and briefly in America, earning the premier class crown in all three seasons he campaigned in domestically with the powerhouse squad.
Grand prix and IoM TT legends to compete at Sydney Motorsport Park event.
Image: Foremost Media.
The QBE Insurance International Festival of Speed (IFoS) is set to take place at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend in New South Wales, marking the return of the world-class historic motorcycle racing event.
Headlining the action will be the QBE TT Cup, which will see a number of grand prix and Isle of Man TT legend competing with local and international riders for the inaugural crown hosted over five races.
Amongst the field will be John McGuinness (23-time IoM TT winner), Michael Rutter (IoM, Macau GP, and North West 200 winner), Glen Richards (British Supersport and Superstock champion), Jeremy McWilliams (250cc GP winner and former MotoGP rider), and Steve Parrish (former 500cc GP rider and factory team manager).
Alongside the legends will be 400 classic race bikes battling in the 50-plus event race program over three action filled days, with trans-tasman and international contenders fighting for class honours and a spot in the much anticipated TT Cup and the RB Racing Top 50 Superbike Shootout.
Highlights of the International Festival of Speed include the ever-popular spectator parade laps, trade stands, motorcycle club stands, legends autograph sessions as well as general public access to pit garages and the main grandstand. For more information on the event, visit www.internationalfestivalofspeed.com.
Factory Yamaha pilot set to commence MX2 title challenge this weekend.
Image: iKapture.
Former MX2 champion Jay Wilson says his set-up for the upcoming 2019 Pirelli MX Nationals will remained largely unchanged from the setting he utilised in the closing stages of last season.
The Yamalube Yamaha Racing talent transitioned to the all-new 2019 YZ250F for Coolum’s finale before piloting the title-winning machine to the 2018 Australian Supercross Championship SX2 crown.
The number six spent a significant portion of the off-season sidelined with hand injury sustained at the Monster Energy AUS-X Open Sydney, however now fully recovered, Wilson believes he’s had an adequate amount of time on the bike to competitively contend this weekend at Appin’s season-opener in New South Wales.
“I had a pretty good crash in qualifying at the final round of supercross last year and did some damage to my hand that meant I have to have eight weeks off the bike,” Wilson explained. “There was some bone bruising in there as well as some general soreness, but I was able to start riding again in late January and have put in a solid six weeks riding.
“Each day on the bike I feel a bit better and my fitness off the bike has been good. I have had three races in the lead up to the opening round and done well at those. The bike itself is largely unchanged from what I raced at the end of last season, and that’s fine by me as I love the 2019 YZ250F.
“Appin was a good round for me in 2018 and I’m happy to get our championship under way at a track I have done well at in the past. The team has done a great job getting things ready, so all that is left to do is execute out on the race track.”
Yamalube Yamaha Racing’s team line-up remains unchanged for 2019, however Richie Evans will graduate to the premier class and steer the YZ450F.
If you want the best seat in the house, being a marshall is where it’s at.
Begin press release:
MotoAmerica is looking for experienced corner marshals to work at the opening round of the 2019 MotoAmerica Series at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, April 5-7.
MotoAmerica will pay $100 a day plus a guest pass for experienced marshals who want to assist at the Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta round. The series is looking for marshals for all three days of the Suzuki Championship at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
For more information, contact MotoAmerica’s Chief Marshal, David Hawley at [email protected]
MotoCAP, the world’s first safety and comfort ratings system for motorcycle clothing, is important but may be too complex and not comprehensive enough, says a British motorcycle manufacturer.
The Australian ratings system for motorcycle pants, jackets and gloves launched in September 2018.
Since then, MotoCAP has copped some criticism for “faulty comfort ratings” and for only targeting 10% of rider gear for testing and rating per year.
However, many Australian rider representatives have supported the service for reminding riders about the importance of having quality safety gear.
MotoCAP is important
Steve Franklin, major shareholder of Manchester-based Merlin motorcycle clothing company, agrees that MotoCAP is important and should not be underestimated.
Merlin’s Steve Franklin with their flanno leisure gear
He says he misjudged the importance of the British the Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme (SHARP) which is a similar system to MotoCAP, but for helmets only.
Steve says he has concerns that the MotoCAP the rating and testing regime is too complex for consumers to understand.
“It needs to be more simple. Customers want proper and simple advice,” he told us while in Australia recently to meet retailers and distributors Link International.
“There is nothing wrong with trying to improve road safety.”
However, he says the complex MotoCAP rating system could give consumers the wrong impression.
“If we give consumers the wrong info, we lose their confidence,” he says.
Council president Paul Bullock confirms the Tasmanian Road Safety Advisory Council discussed the TMC’s policy proposal.
Proposal rejected
“RSAC did not endorse the proposal,” he says.
“Discussions identified that it might be timely to develop a campaign about all road users sharing the roads.
“RSAC referred this to the Education and Enforcement Sub Committee (EESC) for consideration within its priorities.
“Identification has been passed on to a sub committee of the RSAC ‘for consideration within its priorities’, so it will be a low priority.
“But I will be following and asking what is happening at every RSAC meeting you can be assured of that.”
The rejected TMC call for cyclist ID is based on cyclists disobeying road rules and not being fined.
Paul says it follows “many complaints” from motorcyclists, car drivers, bus drivers and truck drivers about cyclists who behave irresponsibly.
Identification not registration
The rejected TMC proposal did NOT suggest cyclists pay registration fees.
“Cyclists don’t understand it is for identification, not registration. It is to stop cyclists breaking the law. At no cost to the cyclist,” Paul told us when the TMC made the suggestion in January.
The TMC wanted cyclists over 18 to wear some form of reflective identification number on their bike, clothing or helmet. Paul says it could be funded through the road safety levy.
Tasmanian road sign
Rule breakers
What seems to irk many motorists is that cyclists get political favour, their own lanes, free footpath parking and yet avoid traffic offences.
However, cyclists are not avoiding traffic fines altogether.
In the past two years, Queensland Police alone have booked more than 230 cyclists for speeding and 540 for running red lights.
The TMC also provided this list of traffic offences in Tasmania by cyclists:
Offence
Legislation
Fine
Code
Item
Penalty
Unit
Cyclist unreasonably obstructing the path of other driver/pedestrian
RR
125(1)
$81.50
B819
174
0.5
Cyclist ride without due care and attention
RR
367(1)
$122.25
BC11
441
0.75
Cycle without reasonable consideration for other road users
RR
367(2)
$81.50
BC12
442
0.5
Cyclist unreasonably obstructing the path of other driver/pedestrian
RR
125(1)
$81.50
B819
174
0.5
Cyclist not seated astride and facing forward
RR
245(a)
$81.50
BA97
330
0.5
Cyclist riding with no hands on handlebars
RR
245(b)
$81.50
BA97
330
0.5
Cyclist seated other than on seat
RR
245(c)
$81.50
BA98
331
0.5
Cyclist fail to ride in bicycle lane
RR
247(1)
$122.25
BB01
335
0.75
Cyclist cause traffic hazard (moving into path of driver/pedestrian
RR
253
$122.25
BB22
345
0.75
Ride bicycle with no warning device in working order
RR
258(b)
$81.50
BB38
356
0.5
“While the majority of cyclists obey the law there is an element within the cycling fraternity that continually do not,” Paul says.
“They obstruct vehicles travelling on the road; while travelling in a group doing far less speed compared to other vehicles, they will not move into single file to allow vehicles to pass.
“Cyclists use the excuse that they are entitled to ride two abreast on the road, while failing to accept that they are unreasonably obstructing traffic, which is illegal.
“Despite it being legal for cyclists to travel two abreast and laws allowing other vehicle to cross double lines to pass when safe to do so, irresponsible and discourteous rider behaviour puts cyclists and other road users at risk.”
With identification numbers, more traffic offences could be issued, more than paying for the cost to implement the program, Paul says.
Petitions against cyclist rules
Last year, a Change.org petition was started by Drivers For Registration of Cyclists for cyclists to ride single file.
It has so far received more than 136,000 signatures.
Australia’s Hook seventh on the timesheets in Spain.
Image: Supplied.
Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) topped the classification on day one of the official MotoE test in Jerez, Spain, with a 1m48.984s time, heading Niki Tuuli (Ajo Motorsport MotoE) by 0.433s, with Hector Garzo (Tech 3 E-racing) third at the end of action.
The FIM Enel MotoE World Cup riders got their first piece of 2019 Energica Ego Corsa action of the year underway at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, with their most recent test having taken place at the end of November in 2018.
Tricky conditions met the riders then, but there were no such worries on Wednesday in Jerez and, as well as a solid day’s testing, there was also chance to see the teams donning their 2019 liveries for the first time out on track.
Just over half a second back from Granado in fourth place on day one was Mike Di Meglio (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), with Alex De Angelis (Alma Pramac Racing) completing a top five covered by 0.591.
His teammate Josh Hook was seventh, the Australian sitting just ahead of veteran former grand prix rider Randy De Puniet (LCR E-Team) and fellow premier class podium finisher Bradley Smith (One Energy Racing) in seventh and eighth respectively.
Just over a second covered the fastest eight riders on Wednesday, with the top 10 completed by Jesko Raffin (Dynavolt Intact GP) fresh from scoring points as a replacement rider in Moto2 and Italian Lorenzo Savadori (Trentino Gresini MotoE). The riders will be back out for another two days of testing on Thursday and Friday.
So you’ve finally decided to take the plunge, live out your dreams exploring the open roads and touring about town by purchasing your own motorcycle. Even if it doesn’t happen to be your first motorcycle, rather you are just looking to replace your existing one, motorcycle shopping isn’t something you want to take lightly. Just like with any motor vehicle there are a number of considerations that you will want to be aware of to ensure you pick the best model for your needs.
Here’s a look at some of the top tips and advice that you can use as you head out to do some motorcycle shopping.
What Kind of Rider Will You Be?
This is a great starting point when buying a motorcycle. Asking yourself what kind of rider you are and plan to be will help to determine the ideal style of bike for your needs. For example, do you plan to be more of the racer bike style of driver, or are you looking for something to head out on for a relaxing cruise through the country on a Sunday afternoon? Your answer will drastically change the style of bike that you’ll want to look into.
Set a Firm Budget
Here’s a tip that makes sense any time you’re looking at making a big-ticket purchase. It can be very easy to get swept away in the moment and end up spending a whole lot more than you are comfortable with, which is why you want to set a firm budget before you start shopping.
Buy from a Dealer for Added Peace of Mind
It is also a good idea to purchase from a motorcycle dealership rather than a private seller, especially for first-time buyers. Sure you may end up spending a bit more, but a dealership can offer you added peace of mind since they will stand behind the bike. You may also be able to buy a warranty package through the dealership, which just extends that peace of mind.
Used Bikes Can be a Great Option
Keep in mind that while it may be nice to buy a brand new bike right off the assembly line, there is also nothing wrong with looking at used motorcycles. This can be a more budget-friendly approach. If you are planning to purchase a pre-owned bike however be sure you look closely for any signs of it being in a crash or having any damage to it, how well it was looked after and maintained, and that it’s not leaking any fluids.
A Purchase You Feel Confident In
Each of these tips will allow you to make a purchase that not only ticks off all boxes of things you want, but you’ll also know you’re making a sound and wise decision. It should also be noted that you’ll want to spend a little time researching motorcycle insurance providers before a making a purchase that fits your individual motorbiking needs. You can use Insuranks to get a variety of quotes quickly, and easily find out more about each provider.
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