Tag Archives: Competition

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Espargaro and KTM fastest on Friday in return to Red Bull Ring

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News 22 Aug 2020

Espargaro and KTM fastest on Friday in return to Red Bull Ring

Section: Competition Post: CycleOnline

Image: Supplied.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pol Espargaro has rebounded from another contentious race result last weekend to top free practice at the Grand Prix of Styria, the second leg of the MotoGP double header in Austria.

Espargaro laid down his fastest time in the afternoon session while Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) topped the morning, making him second on combined times and 0.221s behind.

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) was a mere 0.004s behind Miller, once again with a time set in the morning session.

This race is the second Austrian encounter in a double-header to be held at the Red Bull Ringg, Speilberg. It was revealed yesterday that injured Frenchman Johann Zarco will start from pit-lane if he takes the track this weekend in Austria after undergoing scaphoid surgery on Wednesday. The penalty is sanction for his high-speed clash with Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) that caused last weekend’s chaos and was confirmed this morning.

Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) rebounded strongly after the drama surrounding his clash with KTM stablemate Espargaro last weekend, to finish fourth on combined times from Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu). This result means three bikes in the top five are from independent teams, albeit running current machinery.

The Suzuki’s of Joan Mir and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) were again strong, taking sixth and seventh respectively. The struggle in Austria continues for Yamaha with Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) highest placed in eighth from Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT). Brno winnerBrad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) rounded out the top ten.

For the second week running, Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) has impressed on Friday and topped the combined Moto2 timesheets from last weekend’s Austrian GP polesitter Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team), who was just 0.016 behind. Race winner from last weekend, Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) completed the top three, who were all covered by 0.060s.

After just missing the podium in fifth last weekend, Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) finished the fastest man in Friday practice in the Moto3 category with a lap of 1m35.997s, his time set in the morning session. Championship leader Albert Arenas (Valresa Aspar Team) ended up 0.306s behind in second place followed by Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in third.

In the Red Bull Rookies Cup, Australian Billy Van Eerde has qualified on the third row this week, a much-improved result after starting last week’s race from 20th position. On pole after his victory double last weekend is Spanish 16-year-old Pedro Acosta. The top ten were covered by a second with Daniel and David Muñoz second and third.

Australian Van Eerde, a podium finisher at last year’s event, fought to a 15-7 result last weekend to salvage 10 points, leaving him 11th in the standings.

Detailed results

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Pit-lane start the penalty of Zarco for Austrian GP incident

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News 21 Aug 2020

Pit-lane start the penalty of Zarco for Austrian GP incident

Section: Competition

Esponsorama Racing sitting out Friday after undergoing wrist operation.

Image: Supplied.

Injured Frenchman Johann Zarco will start from pit-lane in his next MotoGP race, still a question mark for this weekend in Austria after undergoing scaphoid surgery on Wednesday.

The sanction for his high-speed clash with Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) that caused last weekend’s chaos was confirmed during FP1 this morning.

According to the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel of Bill Cumbow, Freddie Spencer and Ralph Bohnhorst, Esponsorama Racing Ducati rider Zarco was ‘found to be riding in an irresponsible manner causing a crash’.

Zarco underwent surgery in Italy this week when it was revealed that he fractured his right scaphoid in the fall, but he won’t know if he’s fit to ride in the Grand Prix of Styria at Red Bull Ring until he attempts to ride in practice on Saturday.

“The operation was good,” Zarco said. “Now I need to wait 48 hours for the medical check, so [Friday] I will not ride the bike – I hope I can do it on Saturday. After the surgery I’m getting better, but I don’t feel ready yet to ride.

“I hope that waiting 24 hours more I will feel better and I can do some laps on Saturday to improve the feelings with the bike. To miss tomorrow the two free practices, it’s not a big drama because we have last week references and the bike is fast in this track.”

Prior to learning of his penalty, Zarco added: “Today I had the meeting with stewards to explain everything well about the overtake to Morbidelli and contrast it with the data. I didn’t do anything crazy, so I hope they understand this and we will wait to the final decision.”

If the penalty is to be served in Spielberg this weekend, the decision is final, however, should he not be fit to ride and it is to instead be applied at a following round, Zarco could have to opportunity to appeal the sanction.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

MA remains committed to holding 2020 motocross championship

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News 21 Aug 2020

MA remains committed to holding 2020 motocross championship

Section: Competition

Revamped series wouldn’t commence until late October at earliest.

Image: Foremost Media.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) remains committed to relaunch the Australian Motocross Championship in 2020, despite ongoing delays due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A brief update from the governing body confirmed today that plans are currently taking place to host five rounds within three events in Q4.

The series commencement will depend on the opening of state borders – almost certainly ending any discussion of a hub-style series – and could begin in late October or early November, then run into December.

“Motorcycling Australia advised today that with the current COVID-19 restrictions in place and constantly changing rules around state borders, plans for the 2020 Australian Motocross Championship have been further delayed,” a statement read.

“MA remains committed to hosting the Australian Motocross Championship in 2020 if conditions in the current health crisis allow in the coming months. If border restrictions are relaxed, then we hope to commencement the championship in late October or early November and run through to early December as needed.

“Planning continues around a three-event, five-round Australian Motocross Championship over this period with formats and locations yet to be confirmed. We are aiming to be in a position to announce venues and dates around mid-September, pending further government announcements on COVID-19 restrictions.”

The ongoing delays in relation to the nationals will impact any chance of an Australian Supercross Championship being launched for 2020, since the motocross championship would be taking place so late in the year.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Wall extended on the inside of turn three at Red Bull Ring

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News 21 Aug 2020

Wall extended on the inside of turn three at Red Bull Ring

Section: Competition

Race direction oversees modifications to Spielberg-based circuit.

Image: Supplied.

Modifications have been made to the inside of turn three at the Red Bull Ring following last Sunday’s shocking MotoGP incident that saw Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli crash at high-speed in the Austrian GP.

The series will host its second-consecutive round at the Spielberg circuit, however, race direction has overseen a series of urgent updates that have been completed in order to minimise the risk of a similar incident reoccurring.

A new wall constructed of FIA fencing, tyres and an air fence has been built to make sure nothing can run on and re-enter the track after both Zarco and Morbidelli’s bikes almost impacted Monster Energy Yamaha teammates Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi at speed.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

AORC season reduced to single TBC event remaining

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News 20 Aug 2020

AORC season reduced to single TBC event remaining

Section: Competition

Location for final rounds of 2020 championship yet to be finalised.

Image: Foremost Media.

A slashed Yamaha Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) calendar will have just one event remaining at a location to be confirmed if the series is to restart in November as targeted.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) has announced today that the Wynyard event in Tasmania has been cancelled due to state border restrictions that will see the state closed until at least December.

The AORC season has already hosted rounds in Toowoomba and Dungog prior to the escalation of COVID-19 and subsequent government restrictions that are currently in place. Now, just one event is scheduled for 14-15 November, but a venue hasn’t been finalised.

It’s been a troubled year for the off-road series as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, with KTM Group Australia already announcing that it has benched the KTM Enduro Racing Team and Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team for the remainder of 2020.

2020 Australian Off-Road Championship calendar (revised):
Rds 1-2 – 22-23 February – Toowoomba, Queensland
Rd3 – 14 March – Dungog, New South Wales
Rds 4-5 – 14-15 November – TBC


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Disappointment for Gardner in crash from Moto2 pole

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News 19 Aug 2020

Disappointment for Gardner in crash from Moto2 pole

Section: Competition

SAG Racing Team rider unable to convert qualifying result in Austria.

Image: Supplied.

A crash while in podium contention has come as more disappointment for capable Australian Remy Gardner in the Moto2 race at Red Bull Ring after lining up in pole position.

Gardner starred on Saturday by recording a 1m28.681s to top qualifying by just 0.036s, but a drama-filled restarted race saw him exit proceedings at turn one in the middle stages.

“The feeling with the bike was good and, even though I was still struggling a little with straight-line speed, I was confident that we could produce a good result,” Gardner reflected. “Quali was almost perfect – I showed I have big balls when it matters and was able to get the lap done. I got a little bit of slipstream in sectors one and two and managed to keep it flowing in the final part of the lap.

“I was super-happy and couldn’t wait to race. I was pushing very hard, struggling with the speed in first and second sector. I was trying too hard to make up the time on the brakes and unfortunately I ended up crashing. A big mistake, very costly for the championship, but we just have to keep fighting.

“We showed yesterday that we have the speed, we now just need a little luck. I’m glad that all those involved in the incident are okay. Looking forward and not backwards. Thanks once again to all those sending positive messages on social media… means a lot!”

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Competition, Motorcycle News, News

Estoril to replace Misano on updated WorldSBK calendar

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News 19 Aug 2020

Estoril to replace Misano on updated WorldSBK calendar

Section: Competition

Three-year deal secured for series to resume in San Marino from 2021.

Image: Supplied.

Portuguese circuit Estoril has been added to the 2020 Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) calendar in mid-October following the cancellation of the Misano round.

Estoril will feature as the final event of this year’s shortened eight-round series, marking WorldSBK’s first visit to the venue in almost 30 years since 1993. It’s the first time in history that Portugal holds two rounds.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it has not yet been decided about the presence of fans at the Estoril event, but a decision will made at a more relevant time in accordance to the protocols of the moment.

Despite the cancellation of the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli round, a new three-year deal has been secured with event organisers to resume in 2021. Next season will mark the 30th year of WorldSBK’s presence at the Italian track, with it being on the calendar in all but two years of racing.

2020 Superbike World Championship calendar (revised):
Rd1 – 28 February-1 March – Phillip Island, Australia
Rd2 – 31 July-2 August – Jerez, Spain
Rd3 – 7-9 August – Portimao, Portugal
Rd4 – 28-30 August – MotorLand Aragon, Spain
Rd5 – 4-6 September – MotorLand Aragon, Spain
Rd6 – 18-20 September – Catalunya, Spain
Rd7 – 2-4 October – Magny-Cours, France
Rd8 – 16-18 October – Estoril, Portugal

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

Kill-switch damage puts Hunter Lawrence out of Loretta Lynn’s 1

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News 19 Aug 2020

Kill-switch damage puts Hunter Lawrence out of Loretta Lynn’s 1

Section: Competition

Cause of moto one non-finish identified by Australian’s Geico Honda team.

Image: Octopi Media.

Finishing 17th overall wasn’t the beginning to Lucas Oil Pro Motocross that Hunter Lawrence was expecting at Loretta Lynn’s 1, struck with a technical issue in the opening turns of moto one.

The Geico Honda rider is tipped to be a challenger for the 250MX crown in 2020, however, 40-14 scores were a disappointing way to start his campaign on Saturday.

Lawrence qualified in 10th position and was looking to build on that result across the pair of afternoon races until – according to the team’s report – a first turn pile-up damaged his kill-switch and forced him out of contention.

“First moto really just wrecked our day with the DNF,” said Lawrence. “Being gate pick 40 for the second moto, I was going okay until [Mitchell] Harrison took me out. I then just pushed too hard for what the track conditions were and crashed again. Then it was survival mode – the track was really weird and just so funny. Like, you couldn’t push too hard on it and slower was almost faster. Looking to redeem myself big time this weekend.”

Round one of the outdoor series was better for a conservative Jett Lawrence to commence his first full season in Pro Motocross, delivering a 6-7 scorecard for sixth overall aboard his Geico Honda CRF250R.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

Multiple locations removed in favour of more MXGP triple-headers

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News 19 Aug 2020

Multiple locations removed in favour of more MXGP triple-headers

Section: Competition

World championship won’t visit Turkey, Russia or Portugal in 2020 season.

Image: Supplied.

Turkey, Russia and Portugal have been dropped from another heavily-revised 2020 MXGP World Championship calendar, with a series of triple-header events scheduled to complete much of the season.

The decision of Infront Moto Racing come due to elevated COVID-19 travel restrictions, Turkey was scheduled for 6 September, while the Portuguese and Russian rounds were listed as TBC on the previous schedule.

All three events will be postponed until next season and, instead, the next three rounds will be held at a single location in a similar structure to the successful triple-header at Kegums completed last week. The first event will be 6 September, followed by 9 September – another mid-week race – and 13 September.

Additionally, MXGP will head to Mantova in Italy for another trio of races on 27 September, 30 September and 3-4 October. Further changes will then see the world championship head to Pietramurata for three-straight events on 1 November, 4 November and 8 November.

That will mean that in addition to Latvia and Lommel, scheduled for October, that were already due to be hosted as three rounds at the same venue in succession, there will now be three triple-header rounds in Italy during the 2020 season.

Organisers have indicated that the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina to be held at Neuquen remains part of the calendar as TBC for the moment, depending on the ongoing national conditions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

2020 MXGP World Championship calendar (revised):
Rd1 – 1 March – Matterley Basin, Great Britain
Rd2 – 8 March – Valkenswaard, The Netherlands
Rd3 – 9 August – Kegums, Latvia
Rd4 – 12 August – Kegums, Latvia
Rd5 – 16 August – Kegums, Latvia
Rd6 – 6 September – Faenza, Italy
Rd7 – 9 September – Faenza, Italy
Rd8 – 13 September – Faenza, Italy
Rd9 – 27 September – Mantova, Italy
Rd10 – 30 September – Mantova, Italy
Rd11 – 4 October – Mantova, Italy
Rd12 – 11 October – intu Xanadu-Arroyomolinos, Spain
Rd13 – 18 October – Lommel, Belgium
Rd14 – 21 October – Lommel, Belgium
Rd15 – 25 October – Lommel, Belgium
Rd16 – 1 November – Pietramurata, Italy
Rd17 – 4 November – Pietramurata, Italy
Rd18 – 8 November – Pietramurata, Italy
TBC – Neuquen, Patagonia-Argentina

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Competition, Motocross, News

Troublesome back forces Webb out of Pro Motocross season

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News 19 Aug 2020

Troublesome back forces Webb out of Pro Motocross season

Section: Competition

Multiple injuries sideline Red Bull KTM contender following Loretta’s.

Image: Octopi Media.

Red Bull KTM has confirmed Cooper Webb will miss the remainder of the 2020 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship after aggravating existing back injuries at Loretta Lynn’s in practice at the opening round last Saturday.

Webb has battled ongoing back issues since crashing heavily in the Arlington round of Monster Energy Supercross – including another incident last month – and suffered from the effects on his way to seventh overall at the outdoor opener.

“About a month ago I had a practice accident where I re-injured my back in the same areas as Dallas,” Webb explained. “We got it checked out and at the time it was two bulged disks. We were able to manage the best we could with riding and training the last month, with good and bad days.

“Well, Saturday during practice two I had a crash that upset my back and as the day went on it got worse and worse, with moto two being a disaster. [On] Monday I got checked again and we found that I have three herniated disks in my back, as well as a torn nerve and bone contusions on my sacrum and both iliac joints.

“With that being said, I need to rest my back and doing the proper procedures to make sure my back is fine for the rest of my career. Thank you to all my sponsors for the continued support. I’m pissed off, but in racing s**t happens and I will be determined as ever in 2021 to get back on top.”

Red Bull KTM team manager Ian Harrison added: “We are very proud of the way that Cooper has handled this situation and the heart that he has shown to even finish out the SX season and line up for the opening round of MX after such a big crash earlier in year,” said “We understand how disappointing this is for him but the whole team is here to support him and do what is best for him long-term to be healthy.”

Despite his injuries, Webb was able to press on in the final rounds of his 450SX title defence, ultimately finishing runner-up to Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) following the seven-straight rounds in Salt Lake City.The team will continue to field Marvin Musquin outdoors, who had missed Supercross through injury.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au