WorldSBK 2019 Phillip Island Test
Day 2 – AM Report
Cape Barren Geese put a temporary halt to proceedings with an hour remaining in the sessions, as so often happens when these big 4-kilogram birds start waddling around the track. The red flag then had to come out a few more times to clear the birds in the final hour of the morning session, frustrating riders and teams no end.
One thing riders did not have to contend with this morning was the blustery wind that plagued them on Monday afternoon. As a result we had four riders under the previous race lap record, and on four different brands of machinery. The outright qualifying record has not yet been broached though, the 1m29.573 set by Jonathan Rea here two years ago not yet threatened.
Jonathan Rea – GeeBee Image
Again it was Alvaro Bautista on the Ducati Panigale V4 R setting the pace, a 1m30.303 to the Spaniard, but the big improver this morning was Marco Melandri on the satellite GRT Yamaha. The hugely experienced Italian picked up seven-tenths to finish the morning session with a best of 1m30.760, besting Jonathan Rea by a thousandth-of-a-second.
Marco Melandri – TBG Image
Fourth quickest was Tom Sykes on the new BMW S 1000 RR. The German machine obviously to the Briton’s liking as he adapts to a new motorcycle after many years on the dominant ZX-10RR machines with KRT. BMW have neven been known to be short of horsepower, but curiously both Sykes and his team-mate Reiterberger are amongst the slowest bikes in the field through the speed trap.
Tom Sykes – TBG Image
Michael Van der Mark and Leon Haslam were also under the 1m31s barrier.
Alex Lowes did not make much progress this morning, presumably working on new developments after his great showing yesterday. The Pata Yamaha man eighth ahead of BMW’s Markus Reiterberger while Althea Moriwaki Honda recruit Leon Camier rounded out the top ten.
Leon Camier – TBG Image
Wildcard entrant Troy Herfoss made some progress after major problems yesterday fail to make any impact. A busy session in the garage overnight from the Penrite Honda squad has obviously started to allow them to find the right direction with their times now starting to drop, but are yet to match what Herfoss did here a few months ago on his lesser spec’ ASBK Superbike.
Troy Herfoss – Penrite Honda – TBG Image
WorldSBK – Tuesday AM – Times / Speeds
Alvaro Bautista – Ducati 1m30.303 – 316.7 km/h
Marco Melandri – Yamaha 1m30.760 – 306.8 km/h
Jonathan Rea – Kawasaki 1m30.761 – 310.3 km/h
Tom Sykes – BMW 1m30.777 – 302.5 km/h
Michael Van der Mark – Yamaha 1m30.911 – 312.1 km/h
Leon Haslam – Kawasaki 1m30.947 – 309.5 km/h
Sandro Cortese – Yamaha 1m31.077 – 308.6 km/h
Alex Lowes – Yamaha 1m31.272 – 310.3 km/h
Markus Reiterberger – BMW 1m31.376 – 301.7 km/h
Leon Camier – Honda 1m31.443 – 309.5 km/h
Toprak Razgatlioglu – Kawasaki 1m31.445 – 306.8 km/h
Chaz Davies- Ducati 1m31.796 – 314.0 km/h
Jordi Torres – Kawasaki 1m31.808 – 300.0 km/h
Ryuichi Kiyonari – Honda 1m31.860 – 306.8 km/h
Leandro Mercado – Kawasaki 1m31.942 – 303.4 km/h
Eugene Laverty – Ducati 1m31.986 – 303.4 km/h
Michael Rinaldi – Ducati 1m32.428 – 314 km/h
Alessandreo Delbianco – Honda 1m32.979 – 294.3 km/h
Troy Herfoss – Honda 1m33.130 – 300.8 km/h
WorldSBK RPM Limits
Dorna has released updated RPM limits for the 2019 WorldSBK season that will be in place for the start of the season. If a single type of machine looks to have much of an advantage these limits will be reduced further during the season. The new BMW will start season 2019 with a 14,900 rpm limit while the Kawasaki will be pegged to 14,600 rpm.
The new Ducati Panigale V4 R will start with a 16,350 rpm limit, but with both Bautista and Davies clocking by far the fastest speeds during this Phillip Island test, one would expect that the Ducati rev limit to be reduced in due course…
Lust stretching right back to my teenage years was enough to convince me to accept his offer.
But I was also interested to see if the hefty price tag of $32,990 plus on-road costs is justified.
Before departing, James tells me the ECU update has taken some of the lumpiness and grumpiness out of the engine, particularly when cold or ridden at low speeds.
However, we let it idle for a few minutes to warm up, just in case.
As we head out into busy morning traffic I am pleasantly surprised at how tame and manageable it feels.
However, when we turn the Commando 961 forks toward Mt Glorious, it lets rip with a maniacal yelp and plenty of bite from the 961cc parallel twin pushrod engine with 60kW of power and 80Nm of torque.
They are not world-leading figures, but there is a tone and character to this engine that is absolutely delightful and infectious.
The engine throbs and purrs with the best induction roar since Samson slayed that recalcitrant lion.
At idle, the twin pipes burble delightfully but their note is lost in the induction roar as you power on. So it entertains the rider, rather than alarming the general public.
Tingling ride
We press on into the hills and the Commando 961 tingles my fingers, my feet and the antennae-like wing mirrors — if I could afford one, the first thing I would do is ditch those mirrors for bar-end units.
Handling duties are managed by Ohlins forks and shocks, so it’s predictable, sharp, precise and firm, but with a compliant ride over the harsh bumps.
A perfect, neutral handling bike with light steering and a joy to throw around S-bends.
However, I feel a strange disconnect with the bike. Not emotionally, but physically … in the seat of my pants!
I soon realise it’s due to the shape and design of the narrow-fronted seat and scalloped tank.
The seat is comfortable and fits me well, but my knees are too far forward and underneath the indents on the tank.
Consequently my knees are hanging out in the breeze rather than gripping the tank.
I move my rear rearward and it feels better, but still a little strange.
As we slice through the corners, I tap-dance on the gearshift and find the gears as slick as many Japanese motorcycles.
In fact, unless you watch the green neutral light flick off, you wouldn’t know you had selected first gear it is that smooth and quiet.
There are only five gears but with hefty midrange torque, you don’t really need to mess around with a lot of cog swapping.
In fact, I use only three gears up and down Mt Glorious.
Yet you can also short shift and cruise around in top gear even on city roads.
The Commando 961 is a bike that will accommodate any style of riding and reward in a responsive and entertaining way.
But don’t think of this like an original Commando with its lightweight featherbed frame.
This feels a bulkier and more substantial bike.
I was a little surprised to find the instruments only included an odometer, one trip, a clock and a volt meter with the toggle button between the two analogue dials, not on a switchblock on the bars.
But then, this is supposed to be a neo-classic.
Some of the current neo-classics are a little too hi-tech, defeating the whole purpose of getting back into the retro feel.
Is it worth it?
Sport and Cafe Racer models
After a delightful romp through the hills we are back at Brisbane Motorcycles and I am still pondering why anyone would pay so much for a fairly basic motorcycle.
Yet I’m still wanting one and wondering how I can finance it.
Why is that?
There’s no lavish paint, hi-tech wizardry, spec sheet bragging rights or acres of chrome to admire.
In fact, the casings are a lightly polished alloy that is already developing an oxidised patina.
Then it hits me. That’s exactly what I like.
It feels authentic. It feels hand-built. It feels like quality without any unnecessary trimmings, except for those hand-painted gold pin stripes.
There is a certain intrinsic value to this bike that does not translate to the bank balance.
I know I could afford two Japanese bikes for the same price, but I don’t know that I would feel the same level of pride in ownership.
Norton Commando 961 Sport Mk II
Price:
$32,990 plus on-road costs
Engine:
961cc push-rod valve actuation, 3 bearing crank and balancer shaft.
Power:
58.4kW @ 6500rpm
Torque:
90Nm @ 5200rpm
Compression:
10.0:1
Bore x stroke:
88.0 x 79.0 mm (3.5 x 3.1 inches)
Valves per cylinder:
2
Fuel system:
Injection
Ignition:
Digital
Lubrication system:
Dry sump
Cooling system:
Air
Gearbox:
5-speed
Transmission:
Chain
Clutch:
Wet multi-plate hydraulic lifter
Driveline:
Constant mesh
Emissions:
3 way catalytic converter.
Exhaust:
Stainless steel
Frame:
Steel tubular with integral oil tank.
Rake (fork angle):
24.5°
Trail:
99mm (3.9 inches)
Front suspension:
43mm Ohlins RWU – adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping
Moto News Wrap for February 19, 2019 by Darren Smart
Proudly brought to you by Dunlop Geomax
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Moto News Latest
Webb and Faulkner Win Arlington AMA SX
Gibbs and Todd Win at Rotorua
Anstie, Geerts and Monticelli Win Hawkstone
Bou Wins Bilbao X-Trial
Waters and Wilson Win Sunshine State Opener
Clout and Roberts Win King of MX Opener
Yamaha Motor Europe confirm 2019 MXGP team
Watson & Geerts remain with Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha MX2 in 2019
Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing launch 2019 effort
Yamaha Motor New Zealand & Josh Coppins Racing sign Ben & Levi Townley
KTM Junior MX Racing Team announced for 2019
Benhamiin Herrera joins 2019 Beta Factory Enduro Team
Webb & Faulkner win Arlington AMA SX
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas hosted the seventh round of the AMA Supercross Championship and it was Cooper Webb who sensationally stole the 450SX main event win from Ken Roczen by just half a wheel while Austin Forkner put together a wire-to-wire win in the 250SX East final.
“Tonight was incredible! I just never gave up out there. It was incredible for it to come to the last lap – the last turn even – and to be able to win with such a close finish was absolutely insane. That’s probably the best race ever for me.”
Cooper Webb and Marvin Musquin – Image by Hoppenworld
Ken Roczen – P2
“The whoops was one of the spots where I struggled all through the an event which really effected my flow so this is something we learn from, I am using it as fuel for the next race but it was fun, leading the whole race and losing it is not so much fun but we are healthy and still in the championship.”
Ken Roczen – Image by Hoppenworld
450SX Main Results
Cooper Webb – 25 Laps
Ken Roczen +00.028
Marvin Musquin +10.784
Blake Baggett +15.401
Joey Savatgy +18.360 …11. Chad Reed +45.767
Chad Reed – Image by Hoppenworld
450SX Points Standings after Round 7 of 17
Cooper Webb – 150
Ken Roczen – 148
Marvin Musquin – 144
Eli Tomac – 134
Wilson – 110 …9. Chad Reed – 93
Arlington 450SX Podium – Roczen, Webb & Musquin
250SX East Main Event Results
Austin Forkner – 19 Laps
Justin Cooper +04.261
Chase Sexton +09.964
Jordon Smith +15.330
Martin Davalos +16.091
Arlington 250SX East Main Event Results Austin Forkner – 19 Laps Justin Cooper +04.261 Chase Sexton +09.964
250SX East Points after Round 2
Austin Forkner – 52
Justin Cooper – 44
Jordon Smith – 42
Chase Sexton – 39
Alex Martin – 34
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Gibbs & Todd win at Rotorua
The undulating circuit at Rotorua hosted the second round of the New Zealand Motocross Championships and it was Kirk Gibbs who came away with the MX1 class overall while fellow Aussie Wilson Todd won the MX2 and Hamish Harwood the MX 125cc class.
MX1
Australian Gibbs and Cody Cooper battled it out at Rotorua last Sunday with Gold Coast-based Gibbs coming out on top this time around after winning two of the three championship motos while Cooper scored two seconds and a win so after six motos and two rounds the two combatants are tied on 141 points.
Kirk Gibbs
“The day was really good. I got a good start in the first moto then had a good gap and rode to the win, so I was really happy. I made it really tough for myself (in the second moto) I was probably back in about 10th or so, then had to make my way back. I got into second but just couldn’t bridge the gap to Coops [Cody Cooper] and finished there.”
Kirk Gibbs – 2019 MX Nationals Round 2
The third race went the same way as the first and Gibbs pulled away, maintaining the gap to win the race and take the overall round win. “I put a little peg back in for the championship. Coops beat me by three points at the first round and then I beat him by three points yesterday,” added Gibbs.
Kayne Lamont was once again consistent after qualifying third before finishing third three times in the championship motos, after a pre-season knee injury that kept him off the bike during the key preparation months.
Kayne Lamont
“I had two out of the three holeshots, so my starts were there. I managed to run with the boys for a little bit at the start but kind of ran out of puff and managed to circulate to get third. I had enough pace to hang with them but just not through the whole duration of the race. It was just the lack of pre-training and quality bike time. I will catch up with Josh and test some suspension to see if we can improve a little bit for the last two rounds.”
Kayne Lamont – 2019 MX Nationals Round 2
MX1 Top 7
Kirk Gibbs – 72
Cody Cooper – 69
Kayne Lamont – 60
Brad Groombridge – 48
Cohen Chase – 48
Mason Wilkie – 38
Blake Gillard – 36
MX1 Points after 2 of 4 Rounds
Kirk Gibbs – 141
Cody Cooper – 141
Kayne Lamont – 120
Brad Groombridge – 99
Cohen Chase – 96
Blake Gillard – 77
MX2
2018 Australian MX2 Champion Wilson Todd got his championship back on track with the overall win at Rotorua with 4-1-1 moto finishes ahead of fellow Aussie Kyle Webster’s 1-3-3 and defending champion Hamish Harwood’s 2-2-4 finishes so Hamish still leads the championship by three points over Todd while Purvis sits in third a further 12 points back.
Maximus Purvis – 2019 MX Nationals Round 2
MX2 Top Five
Wilson Todd – 68
Kyle Webster – 65
Hamish Harwood – 62
Maximus Purvis – 56
Morgan Fogarty – 47
MX2 Points after 2 of 4 Rounds
Hamish Harwood – 131
Wilson Todd – 128
Maximus Purvis – 116
Brad Groombridge – 97
Morgan Fogarty – 90
MX 125cc
Harwood continues to dominate the MX125 class with three solid moto wins ahead of 15 year old Ben Broad and Tommy Watts – Harwood obviously leads the championship and with two rounds to go he still has to keep his current pace as Broad sits 28 points back.
MX 125 Top 5
Hamish Harwood – 75
Benjamin Broad – 62
Tommy Watts – 58
Joshua Bourke-Palmer – 57
Clayton Roeske – 46
MX 125 Points after 2 of 5 Rounds
Hamish Harwood – 150
Benjamin Broad – 122
Joshua Bourke-Palmer – 109
Tommy Watts – 105
Clayton Roeske – 87
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Anstie, Geerts & Monticelli win Hawkstone
The annual Hawkstone Park International Motocross is one of the key lead-up races to the MXGP season and this year it was veteran Max Anstie who got the overall win in the MXGP class while young Jago Geerts got the win the in the MX2 class before Ivo Monticelli spectacularly won the MX1 and MX2 combined Superfinal.
Max Anstie won the opening MXGP race ahead of Max Nagl and Shaun Simpson but in the second MXGP moto Ivo Monticelli won from Shaun Simpson, Harri Kullas and Anstie so Max earns the overall for with 1-4 motos finishes ahead of Simpson (3-2) and Monticelli (5-1).
Thomas Kjer-Olsen
Adam Sterry battled hard in the early laps of the opening MX2 moto to pull a wining lead ahead of Geerts, Henry Jacobi, Alvin Ostlund and Thomas-Kjer Olsen while Jed Beaton came home in tenth but in the second MX2 moto and it was New Zealander Dylan Walsh who pulled off a shock win ahead of Mikkel Haarup, Bas Vaessen, Geerts, Roan Van-De-Moosdijk and Adam Sterry with Beaton back 14th.
Geerts’ 2-4 moto results earned him the overall ahead of Sterry (1-6), and Haarop (7-2).
Ivo Monticelli won the Superfinal from Max Nagl and Arminas Jasikonis with MX2 riders Olsen in fourth, Geerts in sixth and Beaton in 15th.
Dylan Walsh
“It’s been a bit of an up and down day to be fair. In the first race I had a good moto going with some good lap times until they red-flagged it and on the restart someone clipped me in the first turn and I went down. In the second moto I got a good start and was pressuring for the lead for most of the race and was in a position to take the win when Adam Sterry went down. The Super Final was also looking good and I got myself into around sixth but I had a coming together with another rider and thought it would be best to call it a day.”
Alvin Östlund
“I feel good. It’s my first race so a lot of nerves are out of the way now. In the last race I had the best feeling because I was looser and didn’t get arm-pump. Overall it’s been a solid day, I’m feeling healthy and I got some good practice.”
Thomas Kjer-Olsen
“It’s been a long winter of training and it felt good to finally do some racing. My speed is good at the moment and this is very positive heading to the World Championship. I had two good motos here in the UK and managed to secure fifth overall in MX2. In the mixed MX2/MX1 Superfinal I pushed hard to secure fourth and also be the highest ranking MX2 class rider. I feel I am where I need to be and I will continue working hard in order to be 100% ready for Argentina.”
Jed Beaton
“This was my first race after eight months and it felt good to be back behind the gate, I had some good moments here in the UK, but overall I feel I need more time to show what I am capable of. I made some small mistakes and had a crash in the opening moto, but as the day went on I was able to control my pace. The season has just started and I have a good feeling on my bike. It’s onward and upwards from here and I’m looking ahead to the races to come.”
Jed Beaton
MXGP Moto One
Max Anstie
Max Nagl
Shaun Simpson
Harri Kullas
Ivo Monticelli
Evgeny Bobryshev
Petar Petrov
Mel Pocock
Ryan Houghton
Anton Gole …18. Arminas Jasikonis …38. Tommy Searle
MXGP Moto Two
Ivo Monticelli
Shaun Simpson
Harri Kullas
Max Anstie
Max Nagl
Petar Petrov
Matiss Karro
Arminas Jasikonis
Tommy Searle
Ryan Houghton
Evgeny Bobryshev
MX2 Moto One
Adam Sterry
Jago Geerts
Henry Jacobi
Alvin Ostlund
Thomas-Kjer Olsen
Conrad Mewse
Mikkel Haarup
Davy Pootjes
Bas Vaessen
Jed Beaton
MX2 Moto Two
Dylan Walsh
Mikkel Haarup
Bas Vaessen
Jago Geerts
Roan Van-De-Moosdijk
Adam Sterry
Thomas-Kjer Olsen
Davy Pootjes
Conrad Mewse
Ben Watson …14. Jed Beaton
SuperFinal
Ivo Monticelli
Max Nagl
Arminas Jasikonis
Thomas-Kjer Olsen
Max Anstie
Jago Geerts
Harri Kullas
Evgeny Bobryshev
Mikkel Haarup
Roan Van-De-Moosdijk
Henry Jacobi
Lars Van-Berkel
Bas Vaessen
Alvin Ostlund
Jed Beaton
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Bou wins Bilbao X-Trial
Repsol Montesa Honda rider Toni Bou has restored his 2019 X-Trial Championship lead leaving Bilbao with his 59th career victory over arch rival Adam Raga.
Toni Bou – 2019 X-Trial Round 2
Barcelona winner Raga ensured another close-fought night, topping the standings in round one and matched Bou´s efforts in round two but his rival snatched the early lead in the final, making it through the challenging Section Two with a clean after Raga had recorded a five.
The margin was further extended in Section Four, putting Bou within touching distance of victory, although he then failed in his bid to secure the trophy with a section to spare with a Section Five failure. Still two marks clear, Bou was left to hold his nerve to claim the win and with it the Championship lead.
Toni Bou
“This victory is very important and has been hard-won, since Adam rode well throughout the night. As a result of my fall in Barcelona I haven´t been able to train how I might have liked, so that makes this win even more special. It also means I re-take the lead of the Championship, which is very important when things are so close.”
Toni Bou – 2019 X-Trial Round 2
Despite not being able to make it two in a row Adam Raga was satisfied with second.
Adam Raga
“I’m happy with second place, but especially with my riding, because I beat Toni in Round One, was tied with him in Round Two and only lost in the Final by two marks. I am riding well, and today is more evidence of it. The spectators were exceptional for this first visit to Bilbao.”
Beta’s Benoit Bincaz put in one of the best rides of his career to date, finishing just two marks from a place in the Grand Final but securing a spot on the podium in the Consolation Final over local hero Jaime Busto.
Benoit Bincaz
“I felt strong right from the beginning and kept a high level. It’s my first podium of the season, and the aim is now to repeat it in the coming Rounds. The bike was perfect and I felt comfortable on it. I’m really happy with my performance here and the upward curve in performance I’m enjoying.”
Round Four of the X-Trial FIM World Championship is X-Trial Granada, scheduled for 23rd February.
Toni Bou on the podium with Adam Raga and Benoit Bincaz – 2019 X-Trial Round 2
Results X-Trial Bilbao 2019
BOU Toni SPA Repsol Honda Team
RAGA Adam SPA TRRS Factory Team
BINCAZ Benoit FRA Beta Factory Racing
BUSTO Jaime SPA Gas Gas Factory Team
GELABERT Miquel SPA Sherco Factory Team
FAJARDO Jeroni SPA Gas Gas Factory Team
MARCELLI Gabriel SPA RG Team
PETRELLA Luca ITA Beta Factory Racing
HAGA Sondre NOR TRRS Factory Team
X-Trial Standings after Bilbao 2019
BOU Toni SPA 55
RAGA Adam SPA 50
BUSTO Jaime SPA 30
Waters & Wilson win Sunshine State opener
Coolum MX facility on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hosted the opening round of the Airoh Sunshine State Motocross Championship and it was Todd Waters and Jay Wilson who won the MX1 and MX2 classes respectively.
Waters got the win in the MX1 class over Mason Rowe, Kaleb Barham and Joel Rizzo while Wilson won the MX2 class ahead of Aaron Tanti, Ricky Latimer, Joel Evans. Rowe and Barham.
Clout & Roberts win King of MX opener
Appin hosted the opening round of the NSW King of MX series and it was Luke Clout and Jy Roberts who won the star studded MX1 and MX2 classes respectively.
Luke Clout joins CDR for 2019 alongside Kirk Gibbs
CDR Yamaha’s Clout won the MX1 class ahead of National stars Hayden Mellross, Riley Dukes. Joel Green and Joel Wightman while Roberts worked hard all day to win the MX2 class from Regan Duffy, Rhys Budd, Cooper Pozniak, John Bova and Riley Dukes.
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Yamaha Motor Europe confirm 2019 MXGP team
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP will lead the 2019 challenge with Romain Febvre and Jeremy Seewer at the helm of the advanced YZ450FM. Following a two month break at the end of 2018, Febvre has had an incredible off-season and is feeling fit, fast and strong as he enters his fourth consecutive year inside the premier class with the Michele Rinaldi led team.
Romain Febvre
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s newest recruit, Seewer, made a successful team debut back in October last year with a silver-medal finish at the final round of the All Japan Championship in Sugo. The talented Swiss rider looks forward to entering his second season on the 450cc bike with the support of the Factory team.
Jeremy Seewer
Strengthening Yamaha’s 2019 crusade, Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP has retained Arnaud Tonus for a third season. In addition, the team has welcomed a familiar name back to the Yamaha Family in the form of Gautier Paulin.
Arnaud Tonus
After a solid off-season where both riders have regularly trained together on the bike and off, the dynamic duo have reaped the benefits of working together and are likely to put their YZ450F motorcycles on the podium this season.
Both teams will travel to Argentina at the end of February where the first round of the nineteen round MXGP series will commence on March 2nd and 3rd.
Ben Watson & Jago Geerts remain with Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha MX2 in 2019
Spearheading the effort and set to take Yamaha’s YZ250F to the top of the MX2 Championship, Monster Energy Kemea Yamaha MX2 has retained Ben Watson and Jago Geerts for another season. Inspired by the ‘quality over quantity’ adage, the team has transitioned from a three-rider line-up to two where they will concentrate on the talent they were awakened to during 2018.
Ben Watson and Jago Geerts
Last year, as new recruits to the team both Watson and Geerts exceeded all expectations on what was initially expected to be a ‘learning year’. 21-year-old Watson achieved a career milestone at the MX2 Grand Prix of Russia when he stood on podium for the first time. He also finished inside the top five at 12 Grands Prix and subsequently finished fourth in the final classification after a season-long battle for the MX2 bronze medal.
Ben Watson
Equally as impressive, Geerts had a superb rookie season complete with a podium appearance of his own at the MXGP of Latvia. The 18 year-old Belgian was awarded Youthstream’s ‘Jan de Groot award’ as the rookie of the year. He finished eighth overall in the 2018 MX2 World Championship despite missing three rounds due to injury.
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing launch 2019 effort
Leading national dirt bike racing outfit Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing is all set to fire into the 2019 season, with a two-rider line-up that will contest all major MX Nationals and Australian Supercross Championship events.
Headlining the Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing team is top gun MX2 championship contender Kyle Webster, who roars into his fourth season with the powerhouse CRF Honda Racing team, which is owned and operated by longtime Honda motocross race team principal Mark Luksich.
Joining Webster in the Penrite Oils and Pirelli tyres sponsored Honda team for 2019 is NSW young gun Rhys Budd, who continues his rise through the Honda ranks and will attack the MXD category this year. Meanwhile Sydney youngster Nick Luksich will enjoy support rider status with the team, as he maintains his push up the ranks of the hotly contested MX2 category.
Kyle Webster
“I’ll be racing selected major NZ events over the next couple of weeks, which will really help me to prepare and be as ready as possible for the start to the Australian season. 2019 is set to be a big year: it will be my fourth season with the Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing team, and having Craig onboard as my team mechanic will give me added support to chase race wins and championship victories. I want to be as consistent as possible and be there at every race, every weekend, chasing wins all season long.”
Kyle Webster’s Honda CRF250R
New team rider Rhys Budd is one of Australia’s most decorated junior motocross competitors, with a swag of junior championship wins and podiums to his name since he began racing in 2009.
Rhys Budd
“It’s early days yet, but from the very outset the connection with the Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing team has been really positive and I’m looking forward to the season starting with the MX Nationals at Appin in March. 2019 will be my final year racing in the MXD class, so I want it to be a special one. My goal is always to win and be in the front pack and consistently make the podium, so that’s what I’m aiming for this year.”
Rhys Budd
Heading into his second year in the MX2 category, 19-year-old Nick Luksich is hopeful of putting the injury woes that dogged his 2018 campaign behind him.
Nick Luksich
“2018 was tough, I suffered a broken wrist at the start of the season and then had more injuries through the year and that really wrecks your confidence and you’re not as fit as you want to be when you finally get to line up. This year is shaping up a lot better and I’ve had a really good pre-season and have been doing a lot of riding and training with Kyle, which is so beneficial when you can ride with someone faster and who is so into training. I can’t wait for the season to start at Appin next month!”
The March 17 MX Nationals series opener will formally kick off the Penrite Pirelli CRF Honda Racing team’s 2019 calendar, which will include all ten rounds of the MX Nationals, followed by the Australian Supercross Championship in the second half of the year, along with selected other major race appearances.
Yamaha Motor New Zealand & Josh Coppins Racing sign Ben & Levi Townley
Two former World MXGP rivals will now be firmly on one team, as Yamaha Motor New Zealand, in association with Josh Coppins Racing, are signing up Ben Townley (YZ450) and son Levi Townley (YZ65), who will both be joining bLU cRU effective immediately.
Josh Coppins
“Ben will be a Yamaha ambassador and we will support him across a bunch of racing activities with more to follow and Levi is about supporting the future of the sport. We have decided to re-establish the Yamaha brand in junior racing and off the back of the new YZ65, timing has never been better to look for our new champions.”
Ben Townley (YZ450) and son Levi Townley (YZ65)
He and MX2 World Champion Townley are two of New Zealand’s most successful motocross riders and used to live together for three years in Belgium racing in the World MXGP Championships. In 2005 they finished second and third respectively in the MX1 class to ten-time world champ legend Stefan Everts. At one point Ben and Josh won five GPs in a row between them over Everts – not bad for a couple of Kiwis!
Despite being fiercely competitive on track, off it they were good mates. So, when it came time for Coppins to move away from investing in international racing, he decided to refocus on a junior programme.
Tauranga-based Townley, who retired professionally in 2016, will not only be coaching young riders he will also be riding in select races around New Zealand, including some enduro events.
Being able to share the workload is vital for Coppins, as he is busy running his own Altherm JCR Yamaha motocross race team – made up of senior riders Kirk Gibbs, Kayne Lamont (both MX1) and Maximus Purvis (MX2) at all the major national events.
Coppins will continue with the team and also take on a more managerial position within Yamaha New Zealand, which allows him to be more involved in fostering the country’s young riders.
Eight-year-old Levi’s first race will be the 2019 Ebbett Pukekohe Auckland Motocross Champs in Tuakau on Saturday 23rd February 2019. The following day he will race in the Yamaha Motor New Zealand YZ65 Cup at Harrisville, Pukekohe, which is part of the third round of the Fox New Zealand Motocross Championships.
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
KTM Junior MX Racing Team announced for 2019
KTM Australia has confirmed its KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team for the 2019 season, the five-rider line-up to include Blake Fox, Ryan Alexanderson, Jett Burgess-Stevens, Jet Alsop and Kayden Minear this year.
Jet Alsop
Fox, Burgess-Stevens and Alsop return to the factory team, while Alexanderson and Minear are new to the roster after achieving remarkable results last season. Together, the KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team will be targeting another strong campaign nationwide.
New South Welshman Fox will pilot a KTM 250 SX-F and KTM 125 SX in what will be his last year of junior competition. Incoming KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team recruit Alexanderson, 14, won the Mini Lites BW 12-U14s title at the 2018 Australian Junior Motocross Championship, now stepping up to the KTM 250 SX-F and KTM 125 SX for the year ahead.
Blake Fox
Tasmanian talent Burgess-Stevens will return for his second season with the KTM Junior Motocross Racing Team, the 13-year-old riding a KTM 125 SX in addition to the KTM 85 SX BW. Also back for another term, well-credentialed Queenslander Alsop, 12, will focus upon the KTM 85 SX SW this year.
Minear is a current national champion after capturing the 65cc 9-U11s championship last year, earning his place in the factory team to ride a KTM 85 SX SW and KTM 65 SX in 2019.
Benjamin Herrera joins 2019 Beta Factory Enduro Team
Beta has officially signed up Benjamin Herrera to complete the Beta Factory Enduro Team line-up. The 24-year-old Chilean – pictured with Team Manager Fabrizio Dini, next to a Beta production-model – will indeed support EnduroGP World Champion Steve Holcombe.
Herrera will be busy throughout the whole World Enduro Championship and in some stages of the Assoluti d’Italia on the Beta RR 350 4T.
This is an important promotion that sees the young Chilean move from the Beta Importer Team in his country to being the official rider for the 2019 season.
Benjamin Herrera
“I am very pleased I signed this new contract, it’s a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to become an official rider and now it’s amazing. The aim is to achieve good results both in the World Enduro Championship and in the Assoluti d’Italia in the E2 class. I’m well aware of the value of the Beta brand, since last year I raced with this bike, even if not as an official rider, and I really like the RR.”
Benjamin Herrera
Riders will be on their bikes very soon – the Assoluti d’Italia will start on 2 March at Gioia dei Marsi, while the first stage of the Enduro World Championship is scheduled for 22 March at Dahlen in Germany.
2019 Assoluti D’Italia Calendar
2-3 Mar – Gioia Dei Marsi Aq
31 Mar – Arma Di Taggia Im 1
4 Mar – Pontremoli Ms
1-2 Jun – Sant’angelo In Vado Pu
14 Jul – Crespano Del Grappa Tv
5-6 Oct – Gaggio Montano Bo
2019 World Enduro Championship Calendar
22-24 Mar – Dahlem Germany
3-5 May – Valpacos Portugal
10-12 May – Santiago De Comp. Spain
14-16 Jun – Ajaccio Corsica
21-23 Jun – Rovetta Italy
13-15 Sep – Uhlirske Janovice Czech Republic
27-29 Sep – Ambert France
Smarty’s Weekly Moto News Wrap proudly brought to you by Dunlop
Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider 13th on day one in Australia.
Image: Supplied.
A technical issue on the opening day of FIM Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) testing at Phillip Island hindered Chaz Davies’ progress as he continues to adapt the the all-new Ducati Panigale V4 R.
Faced with the problem in the first session, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider was only able to notch up 21 laps. In the afternoon, track conditions worsened due to the strong winds, only allowing Davies to record a best-time of 1m32.783s after an additional 35 laps, positioning him 13th on the timesheets.
“Today was quite a tough day for me, because for the moment the priority is to improve my confidence with the bike by making small steps forward with the set-up,” Davies explained. “Lap times aside, my confidence grew throughout the day however. We’re making changes, but there’s still a lot of work to do to improve the feeling on the bike.
“I’ve not done a lot on the new bike this winter because of my back twinge, and I haven’t been in a condition to really get to know the bike, but as long as I can get more comfortable for the race, I’ll be happy.”
Day one of testing was topped by Davies’ teammate and WorldSBK newcomer Alvaro Bautista, making his mark on the Superbike field after transitioning from the MotoGP World Championship.
Fly Racing have introduced their 2019.5 Kinetic Mesh Racewear, designed for warmer weather, longer days and plenty of track time, with massive airflow thanks to integrated mesh panels, that also filters out dirt.
2019.5 Fly Racing Kinetic Mesh Racewear
The Kinetic Mesh Racewear is available as a pant and jersey combo, in two Shield and two Noiz graphic colourways, plus the iconic Rockstar Racing graphic.
It’s time to fill up the tank and get out riding this summer!
Fly Racing’s 2019.5 Kinetic Mesh Pant
The Fly Racing 2019.5 Kinetic Mesh pant includes a comfort mesh liner that helps keep you comfortable and cool, with low profile stretch leg cuffs with removable elastic band, and multi-directional stretch-rib panels for flexibility. An internal pocket located inside the waistband also ensures storage space for small items.
2019.5 Fly Racing Kinetic Mesh Racewear
Construction is an ultra-durable multi-panel 900D Nylon outer with lightweight mesh-tech construction to keep you cool. Leather heat shield panels with DuPont Kevlar stitching offer reinforced protection, with sublimated long lasting graphics and soft-flex protective rubber badging.
The ergonomically pre-shaped knee is generously contoured to accommodate most types of knee braces and guards, alongside a full-Floating seat surrounded by stretch-rib material moves naturally with your body.
2019.5 Fly Racing Kinetic Mesh Racewear
The exclusive zipper lock system keeps pants closed and secure, with ratcheting Fly closure allowing for adjustability and adjustable waist belt for a custom fit, while the pant is available for $189.95 RRP.
Fly Racing’s 2019.5 Kinetic Mesh Jersey
The Fly Racing 2019.5 Kinetic Mesh Jersey features a tagless printed collar, while shorty elastic cuffs help prevent arm pump and integrated mesh-tech panel design allows massive airflow. The multi-panel construction ensures maximum performance and a comfortable fit.
2019.5 Fly Racing Kinetic Mesh Racewear
A comfort-stretch collar constructed of thermoplastic rubber, Lycra and stretch-rib materials further help comfort, with an extended tail helps keep the jersey tucked in, and sublimated long-lasting graphics look the business. The Jersey is a standard fit – not too loose, not too tight, with an RRP of $59.95.
Suzuki has lodged patents drawings that suggest a retro cafe racer model with a trellis frame and single-cylinder engine to catch up with other manufacturers plundering this lucrative sector.
While most manufacturers have retro models such as cafe racers and scramblers, Suzuki only has the reincarnated Katana and the lovely, but too-small TU250X.
Customiser have mainly used old GS Suzuki models to create retro cafe racers. Maybe Suzuki has been watching and now plans to follow their lead.
Retro cafe racer drawings
The patent drawings show a very basic motorcycle with a trellis frame that would make it much easier to customise which many retro buyers seem to do.
On top is very short seat and no tail which would obviously never make it to market. Let’s just say it’s unfinished, but certainly a target that some customisers would aim for.
The tank looks very neo-classic with its knee indents and retro lines with a flattish top.
It seems to have a nice short wheel base, steep rake in the forks and rearset footpegs, indicating a cafe racer stance.
There are no handlebars yet, but we would assume it would take clip-ons.
The compact engine is a single-cylinder unit. The patent description talks about “a crankcase, a cylinder and a cylinder head”.
Perhaps it would be around 400cc, vying for that novice market that wants a good balance in a light bike with moderate power.
So it’s not a high-powered cafe racer as the single disc on the front would also suggest.
Of particular interest is the header pipe which curls around before heading down the right side, probably ending at a stubby muffler since it is not visible beyond the engine.
New to Suzuki is the triangular swingarm. It looks quite bulky and sturdy for a bike that looks to be fairly light.
The rear suspension is not visible, so we suspect it is a lateral single shock tucked up behind the engine.
But don;’t get too excited yet.
Patent drawings don’t necessarily end up being complete new models.
It might simply be an exercise in securing the patent some of these elements.
Would you like Suzuki to produce a retro cafe racer? Leave your comments below.
Australian set for 2019 MX2 World Championship campaign.
Image: Supplied.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing has officially launched its team for the 2019 MX2 World Championship, uncovering the look that Australia’s Jed Beaton will sport in his maiden season with the European manufacturer.
The Tasmanian is the team’s newest recruit after becoming a revelation in last year’s championship before injury cut his campaign short, with the young Australian set to pilot FC 250 machine alongside Thomas Kjer-Olsen.
Easing his way back into racing, the number 14 lodged 10-14 moto scores for 12th overall in the MX2 category, while he stormed to 15th in the combined Superfinal, which featured the top MX1 and MX2 riders.
The 19-round 2019 MXGP World Championship will kick off with the grand prix of Patagonia in Nequen, Argentina on 3 March.
Ambitious road toll targets, such as the improbable Vision Zero campaign, create unrealistic expectations that only serve to goad politicians into knee-jerk responses.
They usually consist of lower speed limits and crackdowns on motorcyclists who are over-over-represented in the statistics.
So it comes as no surprise that Australia is not on target to meet its ambitious National Road Safety Strategy road toll objective, agreed to by all state and territory governments in 2011.
They include a special federal Cabinet position for road safety, relevant bureaucratic support, government recognition of road safety and a $3 billion-a-year road safety fund.
All commendable recommendations.
However, they also ridiculously advocate Vision Zero targets by 2050.
Rider concerns
Among the 12 recommendations are two insidious references to issues that should send a shiver down the spine of many motorists, in particular motorcyclists.
One is to “implement rapid deployment and accelerated uptake of proven vehicle safety technologies and innovation”.
This could mean mandating technologies such as automatic emergency brakes in motorcycles.
He recommends 80km/h on some highways and 30km/h in CBD streets.
Together with the AAA’s recommendation, this could be the impetus governments need to drop speeds.
Crash data
The inquiry into the NRSS does not recommend better crash data which is still largely in the hands of untrained police, rather than specific crash investigators.
Motorcycle Council of NSW (MCCNSW) chairman Steve Pearce says proper crash investigation would reveal the real causes of motorcycle crashes and help prevent further accidents and deaths.
A 2012 Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry documented the lack of reliable crash data and recommended a road crash data authority be set up independent of VicPol/VicRoads/TAC.
Motorcycle Riders Association of Victoria spokesman Damien Codognotto says that “while we base road trauma countermeasures on unreliable, inadequate crash data we will get unreliable, inadequate countermeasures”.
Crash data for motorcyclists is not as bad as many police and the mainstream media would have us believe.
The AAA’s inquiry found there were 191 motorcyclist deaths on Australian roads over the past 12 months compared with 242 the previous year which is a decrease of 21.1%.
Meanwhile, cyclist fatalities increased 80%.
So rather than a crackdown on motorcyclists, let’s have a crackdown on riders who flout road rules.
The Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto will be hosting three days of Official Test from Wednesday on, but there’s one manufacturer that’s decided to head down early and stay ahead of the game: KTM. Some teams who will be racing with Austrian machinery this season are on track in Andalucia on Monday and Tuesday, including Kiefer Racing with Lukas Tulovic, the American Team of Joe Roberts and Iker Lecuona and Bester Capital Dubai’s Andrea Migno and Jaume Masia.
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