It’s been a far from straight forward preseason for the two multiple World Champions though and as recently as Monday 21st January, Lorenzo underwent surgery on a fractured left scaphoid sustained while training in Italy. The good news is the five-time World Champion will be in Madrid for the team launch, but it was confirmed that he and the team agreed he would miss the Sepang Test in order to be as fit as possible for the Qatar Test, which will be held on 23rd, 24th and 25th February.
This will be your third season in Moto2, your third on a Kalex but with a new engine for this season. Has the bike changed much from last year? What are your first impressions? Do you think it will be like starting from scratch?
“There are some differences between the two bikes. I also liked the one from last season but the characteristics are a little different. Obviously, we need to work on the set-up because we still need to rack up a lot of test kilometres. As for the engine, the biggest difference in performance that I could feel was in low revs.”
The refreshed KRT WorldSBK line-up of Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam will restart their 2019 campaigns with a two-day test at Jerez, on Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th of January.
Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager
“This Jerez test is a warm-up session to start checking details of things we finished working on last year. The riders have been working hard this winter with their training programmes and now the idea is put it all together and see were we are. Another good point about this Jerez test is that many teams will be there, so everybody will be able to take notes and make final adjustments to be ready for the first race weekend in Australia.”
Jonathan Rea set the pace at Aragon in November
After a long winter break since the most recent test outing at the same Jerez venue last November, four-time WorldSBK champion Rea and current BSB champion Haslam are keen to begin the process of making their final preparations for the first round of the 2019 championship, to be held in mid-February in Australia.
Jonathan Rea
“I am excited to see my team and all the guys. I had a training camp last week in Barcelona and I saw quite a few of them but this will be the first time we will get together as a group. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off at the last test. It has been a long, long winter but I arrive feeling refreshed and recharged after a lot of time at home. We expect some new material in preparation to build our base package at the start of the year. The tests at the end of last year were all about trying out different items and now we can put them all together and begin performance testing. I am excited because we were fast in Jerez in November, so I hope we can have some good weather this time.”
Jonathan Rea – GeeBee Image
After two successful post-season tests at Motorland Aragon and Jerez last year, the entire KRT squad will now concentrate their efforts on making final choices of components and overall machine set-up. With Jerez also returning to the WorldSBK championship race calendar in 2019, the forthcoming track outing at the 4.423 km long circuit in Andalusia will be of great value in its own right.
As well as a new-look riding line-up the most recent Ninja ZX-10RR features a higher-revving stock engine than the 2018 version, achieved in part by the use of finger follower valve technology.
Leon Haslam
“It has been a short winter for me because I got some surgical screws taken out of my ankle. I have done a two-week training camp out in Barcelona, riding Supermoto, flat track and doing numerous other things. The weather has been kind to us. I just want to get back going again on track at Jerez. These tests will be important for me and the more laps the better. Getting used to the bike and how to use it in terms of riding style and electronics, is the key. But also we will get to explore a few more points on the bike, which we have not done at previous tests. The weather looks good for the days on track and all our opposition is going to be there, so it is a key point to see where we are and where we have to improve.”
Leon Haslam – GeeBee Images
After the Jerez tests are completed the KRT team and some of their rivals will swiftly relocate to the Portimao circuit on the Algarve, for two more days of testing on the 27th and the 28th of January.
Yamaha Motor Australia has issued two recalls for their R3 and a recall for their MT-03 (above) for issues such as radiator leaks and gear shift problems.
In the radiator recall, some 4408 YZF-R3A bikes made from 2015-2018 have “insufficient hose material curing at manufacturing” that may lead to cracking in the radiator coolant hose.
The official notice, issued through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, says the cracking may result in coolant leakage.
“This increases the risk of accident and may cause serious injury to the rider and other road users,” it says.
The gear-shift recall affects 2380 YZF-R3A (2015-16) and 534 MT-03LA (2016) bikes.
“Due to a defective shift mechanism torsion spring, riders may not be able to select the desired gear,” the notice says.
Even though manufacturers and importers contact owners when a recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.
Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle recalls as a service to all riders.
If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.
To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:
Youthful talent confirms switch to Dunlop tyres ahead of new season.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Ted Collins will continue to race aboard BMW Motorrad machinery with Next Gen Motorsports in the 2019 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), the youthful talent has confirmed.
Collins embarked on his first outing of the year at Wakefield Park in New South Wales on Monday, sampling Dunlop tyres for the first time aboard his practice-spec BMW premier class machine, sparking increased confidence within the 2017 Supersport champion.
“We were at Wakefield yesterday for the first day of testing on Dunlop tyres, it was a really positive day for us with the Next Gen Motorsports team,” Collins explained to CycleOnline.com.au. “I tested out the Dunlops and I felt pretty comfortable on them – I was actually on my practice bike that I own, and straightaway I was able to get down to PB lap-times.
“So that was a confidence booster going into the season still with the Next Gen Motorsports team. I’ve built up a pretty good relationship over the last nearly four years racing for them. Last year they offered me a deal that no one else could offer in the paddock, but unfortunately there’s not much money it the team or myself, so we’ll be doing it a bit tougher this year.
“Everyone in the team and myself still have the same goal – to be the best we can and be up the front. As far as the Asia thing goes, I definitely won’t be involved in that – I’ll just be racing ASBK.”
With his rookie season behind him, earning a career-best result of fourth at Phillip Island’s finale, the number 29 is anticipating a strong start to his campaign as he intends to build on the base he formed in the closing stages of 2018.
“I’d put the start of the 2018 season down as a disaster,” he added. “I struggled to get my head around the superbike in general and I guess a little bit in myself – it was tough going from being at the front of Supersport and winning the title, then all of a sudden fighting to be in the top 15.
“Coming into the garage and seeing my name that far down was pretty hard. It wasn’t until midway through the season that I changed my mentality – from then onwards, I had massive improvements. Coming into the season, I know I’ll be in a much better position than last year having a stronger base to work off.”
The Next Gen Motorsports team is understood to be fielding Glenn Allerton again for 2019, with the three-time ASBK champion intending to contest the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) with the BMW squad.
Youthful talent to contest Junior category in world championship.
Image: Supplied.
Australian Wil Ruprecht will contest the Junior category of the 2019 FIM Maxxis EnduroGP World Championship after signing a deal with Johansson MPE Yamaha EnduroGP Team.
Ruprecht made a guest appearance with the outfit at the German stop of the series in 2018, scoring a stunning victory on day one to make his presence known on the world stage.
Following his performance, the youthful talent made his intentions clear of entering the world championship full-time, ultimately securing a seat with the Yamaha Motor Scandinavia-backed squad, where he’ll be joined by EnduroGP regular Eero Remes.
In the Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC), Ruprecht scored an Junior title in 2016 before earning top honours again in E1 in 2017 with Active8 Yamalube Yamaha, while his 2018 campaign in E2 was hindered after missing the first two round, winding up seventh overall. The opening round of EnduroGP is scheduled for 22-24 March in Germany.
Oceania title to be fought out between four categories at Phillip Island event.
Image: Supplied.
The FIM Oceania Historic Road Race Cup will feature an updated format at this weekend’s International Island Classic, offering greater opportunity for riders and more spirited competition between the nations.
The title will now be fought out across four classes: 350cc Forgotten Era, 500cc Forgotten Era, Unlimited Forgotten Era and 500cc New Era. Forgotten Era bikes were built between 1973 and 1982, and New Era from 1983 to 1990.
The maximum number of riders that can qualify will be three from each country in each class. Upon completion of the qualifying sessions the closest lap times will be matched between three NZ and three Australian riders for each class.
“The new format of the competition gives the club racer the chance to compete for their country and really creates a competition of true parity.” Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit director Fergus Cameron. “And let’s face it – Australia and New Zealand love a friendly competition.
“There’ll be six spots in each class available via our 2019 qualification method, three for Aussies and three for New Zealand. Spots won’t necessarily go to the rider who sets the fastest time, but the group of riders that set final qualifying times in the closest proximity to another.”
The New Zealand and Australian teams will be announced Friday evening and all points accumulated by each team member over racing on Saturday and Sunday will be tallied to make the final team score.
Trans-Tasman battle all set for International Island Classic
Phillip Island will welcome the 2019 International Island Classic over the January 25-27 weekend, with not just the International Challenge, but also the epic Trans-Tasman battle for the FIM Oceanic Historic Road Race Cup.
The format has been revamped by organisers from FIM Oceania and the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit for 2019, designed to create greater parity, more opportunity for all class riders, and a tougher spirit of competition between the nations.
FIM Oceania Historic Road Race Cup Forgotten Era
The title will now be fought out across four classes: 350cc Forgotten Era, 500cc Forgotten Era, Unlimited Forgotten Era and 500cc New Era. Forgotten Era bikes were built between 1973 and 1982, and New Era from 1983 to 1990.
The maximum number of riders that can qualify will be three from each country in each class. Upon completion of the qualifying sessions the closest lap times will be matched between three NZ and three Australian riders for each class.
Fergus Cameron – Managing Director of the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
“The new format of the competition gives the club racer the chance to compete for their country and really creates a competition of true parity. And let’s face it – Australia and New Zealand love a friendly competition. There’ll be six spots in each class available via our 2019 qualification method, three for Aussies and three for New Zealand. Spots won’t necessarily go to the rider who sets the fastest time, but the group of riders that set final qualifying times in the closest proximity to another.”
FIM Oceania Historic Road Race Cup Forgotten Era
The New Zealand and Australian teams will be announced Friday evening and all points accumulated by each team member over racing on Saturday and Sunday will be tallied to make the final team score.
Glen Williams – FIM Oceania President
‘’FIM Oceania is very excited to be holding the FIM Oceanic Historic Road Race Cup at the International Island Classic. This is a world class event and brings together a wide range of amazing bikes and riders from around the world. The battle between the Aussies and Kiwis will be closer than ever this year. It will be handlebar to handlebar and racing not to be missed.’’
2019 International Island Classic tickets
The 26th International Island Classic, presented by Visit Phillip Island, is the perfect Australia Day getaway without breaking the bank. A three-day adult ticket for the January 25-27 event, is just $82 purchased in advance, and free for children 15 and under (accompanied by a full-paying adult). You can camp at the circuit for four nights for just over $20 per night (with kids once again free) which is a bargain in anyone’s language.
Add it up and you can have a four-day weekend away, with four nights of on-circuit camping, and three days entry to one of the world’s great historic bike meets for the grand total of just $164* per adult and you can bring your kids for free!
Tickets for the largest historic bike meet in the Southern Hemisphere, the 26th International Island Classic, presented by Visit Phillip Island on January 25-27, are available on islandclassic.com.au or at the gate.
*All prices quoted are advance tickets which end midday Wednesday, January 23, 2019. Buy advance and save. Gate ticket prices are additional.
26th International Island Classic
Event Schedule
25th – 27th January 2019
Friday 25th January 2019
9:00 am
Start
Q1
Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Post Classic & Classic
15 min
Q2
250 Forgotten Era, 125 New Era & Shannons Insurance 350 Classic
15 min
Q3
500 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Post Classic
15 min
Q4
Unlimited Forgotten Era – Odds
15 min
Q5
Unlimited Forgotten Era – Evens
15 min
Q6
Shannons Insurance 500 Post Classic
15 min
Q7
Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750
15 min
Q8
350 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Classic
15 min
Q9
Shannons Insurance 500 Classic & 350 Post Classic
15 min
Q10
International Challenge – Slowest 50%
8 min
Q11
International Challenge – Fastest 50%
8 min
Q12
250 New Era & 250 New Era Production
15 min
Q13
Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300
15 min
Q14
500 New Era
15 min
E1*
Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Post Classic & Classic
4 Laps
E2*
250 Forgotten Era, 125 New Era & Shannons Insurance 350 Classic
4 Laps
E3*
500 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Post Classic
4 Laps
E4*
Unlimited Forgotten Era – Premier
4 Laps
E5*
Unlimited Forgotten Era – Minor
4 Laps
Q15
International Challenge – Slowest 50%
8 min
Q16
International Challenge – Fastest 50%
8 min
E6*
Shannons Insurance 500 Post Classic
4 Laps
E7*
Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750
4 Laps
5:00 pm
Finish
* Points awarded toward the Phil Irving Perpetual trophy
Saturday 26th January 2019
9:00 am
Start
E8*
350 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Classic
4 Laps
E9*
Shannons Insurance 500 Classic & 350 Post Classic
4 Laps
E10*
250 New Era & 250 New Era Production
4 Laps
E11*
Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300
4 Laps
E12*
500 New Era
4 Laps
E13*
Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Post Classic & Classic
5 Laps
E14*
250 Forgotten Era, 125 New Era & Shannon’s Insurance 350 Classic
5 Laps
E15*
500 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Post Classic
5 Laps
E16*
Unlimited Forgotten Era – Premier
5 Laps
E17*
Unlimited Forgotten Era – Minor
5 Laps
D1
Demonstration Lap
2 Laps
E18
International Challenge
6 Laps
E19*
Shannons Insurance 500 Post Classic
5 Laps
E20*
Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750
5 Laps
E21*
350 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Classic
5 Laps
E22*
Shannons Insurance 500 Classic & 350 Post Classic
5 Laps
E23*
250 New Era & 250 New Era Production
5 Laps
E24*
Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300
5 Laps
E25*
500 New Era
5 Laps
D2
Demonstration Lap
2 Laps
E26
International Challenge
6 Laps
E27*
Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Post Classic & Classic
4 Laps
E28*
250 Forgotten Era, 125 New Era & Shannons Insurance 350 Classic
4 Laps
E29*
500 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Post Classic
4 Laps
E30*
Unlimited Forgotten Era – Premier
4 Laps
5.00pm
Finish
* Points awarded toward the Phil Irving Perpetual trophy
Sunday 27th January 2019
9:00 am
Start
E31*
Unlimited Forgotten Era – Minor
4 Laps
E32*
Shannons Insurance 500 Post Classic
4 Laps
E33*
Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750
4 Laps
E34*
350 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Classic
4 Laps
E35*
Shannons Insurance 500 Classic & 350 Post Classic
4 Laps
E36*
250 New Era & 250 New Era Production
4 Laps
E37*
Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300
4 Laps
E38*
500 New Era
4 Laps
D3
Demonstration
2 Laps
E39
International Challenge
6 Laps
E40*
Pre-War, 125 Post Classic & Forgotten Era, 250 Post Classic & Classic
5 Laps
E41*
250 Forgotten Era, 125 New Era & Shannon’s Insurance 350 Classic
5 Laps
E42*
500 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Post Classic
5 Laps
E43*
Unlimited Forgotten Era – Premier
5 Laps
E44*
Unlimited Forgotten Era – Minor
5 Laps
E45*
Shannons Insurance 500 Post Classic
5 Laps
E46*
Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 750
5 Laps
E47*
350 Forgotten Era & Unlimited Classic
5 Laps
Parade
Shannons Insurance Parade Lap
1 Lap
E48
International Challenge
6 Laps
E49*
Shannons Insurance 500 Classic & 350 Post Classic
5 Laps
E50*
250 New Era & 250 New Era Production
5 Laps
E51*
Pablo’s Motorcycle Tyres New Era Formula 1300
5 Laps
E52*
500 New Era
5 Laps
5.00pm
Finish
* Points awarded toward the Phil Irving Perpetual trophy
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