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Somewhat surprising Sunday results at Catalunya WorldSBK

September 20, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

2020 WorldSBK Round Six – Catalunya

WSBK Superpole Race

Pole position rider Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) got off the grid extremely well to move straight into the race lead but the KRT man was closely followed by Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha), Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team), Álvaro Bautista (Team HRC) and Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad). Also with an outstanding start, Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha) moved up from his fourteenth spot on the grid and clawed his way up through the ranks to sixth place as the laps progressed.

The leading group was tight and on the third lap Bautista managed to overtake Michael van der Mark’s Yamaha and Rea’s Kawasaki on the straight, but his lead was short-lived due to a huge high-side at turn four which brought his race to an early end.

Michael van der Mark went on to take the lead from Rea who was then followed by Loris Baz (Ten Kate Yamaha) and Chaz Davies (Ducati), the latter enjoying a spectacular comeback ride. The final laps held no surprises, with Michael van der Mark taking his first win of the season ahead of Jonathan Rea and Loris Baz.

Tissot Superpole Race
1. M. van der Mark (PATA YAMAHA WorldSBK Official Team / Yamaha YZF R1)
2. J. Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK / Kawasaki ZX-10RR)
3. L. Baz (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha / Yamaha YZF R1)

Superpole Race Results

Pos	Rider	Bike	Gap
1	M. Van Der Mark	Yamaha	0.000
2	J. Rea	Kawasaki	+2.372
3	L. Baz	Yamaha	+2.923
4	C. Davies	Ducati	+3.929
5	G. Gerloff	Yamaha	+3.985
6	M. Rinaldi	Ducati	+6.487
7	A. Lowes	Kawasaki	+7.688
8	S. Redding	Ducati	+8.573
9	T. Sykes	BMW	+10.071
10	J. Folger	Yamaha	+12.709
11	E. Laverty	BMW	+12.713
12	X. Fores	Kawasaki	+13.027
13	L. Zanetti	Ducati	+21.781
14	V. Debise	Kawasaki	+21.922
15	S. Barrier	Ducati	+26.909
16	T. Takahashi	Honda	+29.074
Not Classified
RET	A. Bautista	Honda	8 Laps
RET	S. Cavalieri	Ducati	8 Laps
RET	L. Haslam	Honda	9 Laps
RET	F. Caricasulo	Yamaha	9 Laps

WorldSBK Race Two

Race two was full of drama and intrigue at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) claimed his first win of the 2020 season and became the seventh different winner in 2020, while American rookie Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team) claimed his maiden World Superbike podium at the Acerbis Catalunya Round.

Chaz Davies on the top step of the podium

Davies was able to get to the front in the early stages of the races before taking the lead and controlling the race, withstanding pressure from Tissot Superpole Race winner Michael van der Mark (PATA YAMAHA WorldSBK Official Team) after the pair passed each other in the first half of the race. Van der Mark then fell into the clutches of Gerloff after the American made a sensational start from fifth place to run in the top three, putting pressure on van der Mark all race.

Gerloff passed van der Mark for second place on the last lap but a mistake from Gerloff on Lap 10 allowed the Dutchman through for second; Gerloff coming home in third place. Davies held on to win his 31st race in his career, equalling Colin Edwards on the all-time list of winners. Gerloff’s podium means he becomes the first American to stand on the WorldSBK podium since Nicky Hayden in 2016.

Championship leader Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) extended his lead at the top of the standings with fourth place, finishing five seconds clear of Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team). Scott Redding (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) finished in sixth place after being passed by Sykes with just a couple of laps to go. Rea had lost ground at the start, but was able to regroup to finish in fourth place and take a 51 point lead into the next round at Magny-Cours.

Eugene Laverty (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) secured his best result of the season with seventh place as he showed more impressive pace, ahead of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in eighth. Leon Haslam (Team HRC) was the sole Honda rider in Race 2 and finished in ninth, with Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) in tenth after losing lots of ground at Turn 1 at the start.

Jonas Folger’s (Bonovo Action by MGM Racing) impressive wildcard weekend continued as he battled his way from the back of the grid to 11th place; Folger not setting a time in Tissot Superpole and missing out on a top nine starting grid for Race 2 by the smallest of margins. Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team) was 12th after starting from the back of the grid; Caricasulo penalised for irresponsible riding in the Superpole Race after a collision with Haslam.

Lorenzo Zanetti (Motocorsa Racing) scored points after being called up to the Championship on Friday evening with 13th place while Takumi Takahashi (MIE Racing HONDA Team) and Xavi Fores (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) completed the points-scoring positions.

Alvaro Bautista (Team HRC) did not start the race following a technical issue on the sighting lap; the Spanish rider, who was declared fit following his dramatic highside crash in the Tissot Superpole Race, pulling off the track shortly after leaving the pit lane. Samuele Cavalieri (Barni Racing Team) crashed out in the early stages, while Sylvain Barrier (Brixx Performance) and Valentin Debise (OUTDO Kawasaki TPR) had a coming together on Lap 17 while battling for 15th place. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team GOELEVEN), who had been running in the top four for the majority of the race, had a technical issue in the latter stages of the race forcing him to retire from the race on Lap 19.

Chaz Davies taking victory in race two at Catalunya

WorldSBK Race Two Results

Pos	Rider	Bike	Gap
1	C. Davies	Ducati	0.000
2	M. Van Der Mark	Yamaha	+2.460
3	G. Gerloff	Yamaha	+2.559
4	J. Rea	Kawasaki	+8.040
5	T. Sykes	BMW	+13.196
6	S. Redding	Ducati	+14.232
7	E. Laverty	BMW	+16.409
8	A. Lowes	Kawasaki	+17.590
9	L. Haslam	Honda	+18.536
10	L. Baz	Yamaha	+20.401
11	J. Folger	Yamaha	+20.451
12	F. Caricasulo	Yamaha	+25.414
13	L. Zanetti	Ducati	+31.420
14	T. Takahashi	Honda	+51.264
15	X. Fores	Kawasaki	+3 Laps
Not Classified
RET	M. Rinaldi	Ducati	2 Laps
RET	V. Debise	Kawasaki	5 Laps
RET	S. Barrier	Ducati	5 Laps
RET	S. Cavalieri	Ducati	17 Laps
RET	A. Bautista	Honda

WorldSBK Quotes

Chaz Davies – P1

“It was a great race. The feeling is that we managed to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Maybe we did it a bit late but the important thing is to have achieved this goal. I would like to thank my team who also worked late last night to fix some things on the set up that worked out great. The race pace was very good since the first laps and this allowed me to stay in the lead to manage the race. I am really very satisfied”.

Serafino Foti (Team Manager Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)

“We would like to congratulate Chaz on his extraordinary victory today. This is also a reward for the work done by his crew that has never given up and has always believed in the possibility of providing him with a high-performance bike. Then it is clear that Chaz did the rest by riding in a masterful manner. Unfortunately, it was a difficult day for Scott. After yesterday’s second place we were convinced he could be competitive in today’s races as well. It’s a shame we were unable to put him in the conditions to let him perform at his best and fight for the podium”.

Michael van der Mark – P2

“It’s been a really, really good Sunday. This morning I had a great start in the Superpole Race and I was following Johnny. I felt so good with the bike and felt sure I could battle with him, then Alvaro passed us both on the straight. Unfortunately for him he crashed and I was lucky I didn’t lose any time. I got to the lead and had such good pace, really quick and consistent as was able to pull away from Johnny. So, I’m really happy to take my first win this year! Then for Race 2, I started from pole position which is ideal. I had a good start, and for the first few laps I tried to feel how the grip levels were and how the bike felt. Chaz and Rinaldi passed me but I wasn’t worried as I knew I could keep the same pace as them. I overtook Rinaldi and tried to catch Chaz, but we both had our ‘strong points’ of the track. I passed him once, but to be honest I had to ask too much of my front tyre to stay with him, he wasn’t pulling away massively but every lap just a little bit. During the race I also had a little battle with Garrett, then I dropped him until two laps before the end when I made a small mistake – and there was Garrett again! Another nice battle in the last lap and I’m happy to finish on the podium in P2. I’m looking forward to Magny-Cours now, it’s good to have a few podiums under our belt, so let’s try and repeat it there.”

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu – DNS

“It is difficult for me to know what to say – I am in a lot of pain but also happy because after scans in the hospital it looks like nothing is broken. The crash was very big, I made a mistake, so I am sorry to Yamaha and to my team, but this can happen. I am sad because Michael showed today the R1 can win. My target is to recover for Magny-Cours and fight again for the podium.”

Paul Denning – Pata Yamaha Team Principal

“Both a very positive and negative race day for the Pata Yamaha team all at the same time. First of all, we’re so relieved that Toprak is not seriously injured after his huge highside in Warm-Up this morning. He was going extremely quick on his first timed lap, more-or-less qualifying pace, and ran a little wide in Turn 13 – and after the overnight rain and a dirty track, the end result was there for all to see. Thanks to the medical staff at the circuit and hospital for looking after him, also to Kenan and some valuable local Turkish support. Toprak should be OK to race in Magny-Cours, although he will be very sore for some days. For the other side of the garage, the day couldn’t really have gone much better! Some detailed, but important improvements to the bike by the team saw Mikey quickest in morning Warm-Up, dominate the Superpole Race from fifth on the grid to celebrate his first win of the year and – if not for just running out of front tyre grip a few laps from the end of Race 2 – it looked like a possible double win was on the cards. Two brilliantly-judged races by Mikey, superb work by his crew and we move on to Magny-Cours in positive spirits. Finally, congratulations to the GRT Yamaha team and Garrett Gerloff for a fabulous performance in Race 2 and Garrett’s first podium in WorldSBK.”

Garrett Gerloff – P3

“It doesn’t feel real! I’m trying to pinch myself. For a while, it didn’t feel like it would be possible this year, but to have it happen is just crazy. I don’t even have words! I’ve always dreamed of being on the podium in a World Championship and to have it happen, it’s like… it’s not real! I am kicking myself a little bit because if I wasn’t so stupid and just braked like I normally do into Turn 10 I probably would’ve made the corner and had second place. That’s something I’ll be thinking about for the next week and a half! I’m just so grateful that Yamaha gave me the opportunity to race in the World Championship, to Filippo in the GRT team for taking me on and being an awesome group of guys and girls, and for supporting me and always being positive. It’s been an amazing environment and I know I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Jonathan Rea – P4

“In the sprint race I felt pretty good but of course in the first laps I was very, very lucky. Alvaro came past on the straight and then in T4 had a huge crash at the exit. I hit his bike and in this moment I thought I was down; was going to crash. I almost let go but miraculously I stayed upright and someone was definitely helping me out there! I had to regroup and chase Mikey but his pace was very good today so congratulations to him and his team. I just didn’t have it in the final race. I felt I had some issues straight away with the front feeling, a lot of vibration in the brakes but apart from that feeling I felt good for about ten laps. The grip level started to drop and I suffered more with the front tyre than yesterday. I was getting a lot of warnings. The race was very tough and aggressive in the beginning so as soon as the pace settled I was just there, and the gap was very constant but to arrive in the front group I was going to have to go over the limit and push the front too much. The target coming here was to increase our championship lead and I think we managed quite well.”

Scott Redding – P6

“It was a very difficult Sunday for me. Both in Superpole Race and Race-2 I had some problems, especially in braking areas. This limited me a lot because I was never able to find the right pace to be competitive. It’s a shame: I expected to do well today. This is a bad result for the World Championship standings but I will not give up now. It is clear, however, that we will have to work hard to have a bike that performs as well as it did two months ago.”

Tom Sykes – P5

“It’s been a refreshing change today. We managed to get some good consistent laps under our belts this afternoon on the BMW S 1000 RR. We didn’t have the pace at the beginning of the race, we couldn’t get the mechanical grip compared to what the other guys had but, what we were able to do was play with the electronics and my riding style throughout the race and keep a consistent pace, which is what we did well. Unfortunately, we were not able to get the result we wanted in yesterday’s race, but we certainly learned from that so to get fifth today is a step in the right direction. I’m really looking forwards to Magny-Cours in a few weeks’ time. This morning in warm-up with a cooler track temperature, the performance from me and the bike was much easier so hopefully heading to France will accommodate me and the BMW S 1000 RR.”

Eugene Laverty – P7

“I made a good start from P12 on the grid in race two and found myself in P8 at the end of lap one. That made my life a lot easier, but it was a tough old race as I was having vibrations coming from both front a rear tyre, so that made it difficult which is disappointing in that aspect as I know the potential could have been much more. Barcelona has suited the BMW S 1000 RR, even in race one yesterday again our potential was so much more but losing that much time in the opening laps was difficult to bridge the gap to guys ahead. Magny-Cours in France will be an unknown for me as I have not ridden a bike like the BMW S 1000 RR around there before. But that is expected; this year was always going to be a learning curve for both me and the bike.”

Marc Bongers – BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director

“That was a great relief after our weekend at Barcelona got off to a difficult start. After the reliability issues on Saturday, it was good to finish the Sunday with our best race results of the season. We have been striving for results like this for a long time and it is great to have achieved that – even if it does not yet open up the path to the top. We performed well in warm-up but Tom’s pace in Superpole was too slow at the beginning, which resulted in a slightly disappointing ninth place. However, both Tom and Eugene made a good start to the second race and both of them made it through the turmoil in the first corners. Tom was able to pull away a bit with the leading group and Eugene was involved in a great battle with Lowes and Haslam before coming out on top by finishing seventh. Tom lost contact with the top six around the halfway point of the race but was able to maintain his pace through to the finish and was able to move up to fifth on the final lap, ahead of Redding and Eugene. Now is not the time to relax but we will take this positive development with us to Magny-Cours and we hope that we can repeat our performance there.”

Alex Lowes – P8

“Obviously this was a bit of a disappointing day for me. I gave absolutely 100% but I did not have the feeling I needed on the bike. We could not get the setting right to give me the confidence to push like we expected. It was a shame to have a difficult weekend as I had a lot of confidence after the last round, where I was feeling ill but still managed to get fifth and sixth places. We need to analyse what happened now and refocus on Magny Cours in a couple of weeks’ time to get back fighting at the front. That is the target for me now.”

Alvaro Bautista – DNS

“Today’s been a bittersweet day. In this morning’s warm-up I was pleased with how the bike was working because we were able to fix the setup issue we had yesterday, and our feeling was a lot better. In the Superpole race I moved into the lead, the first time we’ve been able to do that, which means we are continuing to improve. I was feeling so good on the bike and to be out front again that perhaps I was a little overconfident and pushed a bit too hard, which resulted in a crash. A pity. Physically I wasn’t feeling good ahead of race 2 but I when I jumped on my bike, I saw I was able to ride despite my foot injury. The pain was not too bad. But then the bike stopped on the sighting lap and so I didn’t have chance to compete at all. We’re looking into what the problem was. It was a pity because we had good pace also for race 2 and could have battled with the frontrunners in both the day’s races. Anyway, we will take the positives of this weekend. I’m happy with the job we are doing and with our steps forward and now we’ll see if we can make the most of the final two rounds and score the kind of results we deserve.”

Leon Haslam – P9

“A tough day for us. We made a bad start in the Superpole race and although my feeling was OK over the first lap, I was then hit from behind and crashed with Caricasulo. At first I thought I might have broken my leg but luckily that wasn’t the case and I was just very stiff in my lower body. After another bad start in race 2, my pace was not too bad and I was starting to catch some other riders. We had a good battle with Lowes, but then a small mistake in the final stages meant I eventually finished ninth. It was a tough race and I had some arm pump due to a lack of mobility following the crash, but we have made some steps forward if we consider the entire weekend. It’s just a pity about the actual race results because we had the potential to run top five today. Anyway, we move on to Magny-Cours and will try our best again there.”

WorldSBK Championship Standings

Pos	Rider	Points
1	Jonathan Rea	290
2	Scott Redding	239
3	Chaz Davies	188
4	Michael Van Der Mark	178
5	Toprak Razgatlioglu	157
6	Alex Lowes	145
7	Michael Ruben Rinaldi	144
8	Alvaro Bautista	94
9	Loris Baz	91
10	Leon Haslam	88
11	Tom Sykes	70
12	Garrett Gerloff	68
13	Eugene Laverty	45
14	Federico Caricasulo	41
15	Xavi Fores	37
16	Marco Melandri	23
17	Sandro Cortese	14
18	Leandro Mercado	12
19	Maximilian Scheib	11
20	Jonas Folger	9
21	Sylvain Barrier	5
22	Christophe Ponsson	4
23	Roman Ramos	4
24	Matteo Ferrari	4
25	Takumi Takahashi	4
26	Lorenzo Zanetti	3

WorldSSP

A fightback in the race after a poor start allowed Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) to be crowned World Champion in the 2020 FIM Supersport World Championship after battling his way from fifth to the front of the field at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the first ever Acerbis Catalunya Round.

Locatelli had started from pole position but found himself down in fifth place after the opening handful of laps with Locatelli not taking risks in the early stages, despite falling behind Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing). It would take until Lap 5 for Locatelli to start making moves, first passing Raffaele de Rosa (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) into Turn 1 before he passed Corentin Perolari (GMT94 Yamaha) a lap later.

The title-winning move came on Lap 9 as he made a move on both Mahias and Philipp Oettl (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing); Locatelli forcing Mahias wide and onto the run-off between Turns 1 and 2 although Oettl was able to pass Locatelli shortly after. Locatelli then extended his gap at the front to just over two seconds as he secured victory and the World Championship.

Mahias finished the race in second place, meaning Yamaha secured the Manufacturers’ Championship with Mahias finishing second onboard his Kawasaki. Mahias was joined by teammate Oettl on the podium, with Mahias getting past Oettl with a handful of laps to go but unable to close the gap to Locatelli.

De Rosa secured a fourth placed finish, less than a second away from the podium, with Steven Odendaal (EAB Ten Kate Racing) in fifth, his first top five since Portimao Race 2 as the South African continues to impress in WorldSSP. Isaac Viñales (Kallio Racing) finished in sixth place, finishing ahead of Manuel Gonzalez (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team); the 2019 WorldSSP300 Champion penalised three seconds for track limits infringements.

Perolari fell down the order in the latter stages of the race to finish in eighth place with Danny Webb (WRP Wepol Racing) in ninth; the British rider securing another top ten finish – his fifth in the last six races. Estonian Hannes Soomer (Kallio Racing) completed the top ten, finished just over a second behind Webb.

Peter Sebestyen (OXXO Yamaha Team Toth) just missed out on a top ten finish with 11th place with Axel Bassani (Soradis Yamaha Motoxracing) in 12th place; the highest placed WorldSSP Challenge rider as he finished less than a tenth ahead of WorldSSP Challenge rider Kevin Manfredi (Altogoo Racing Team) in 13th. Race 1 winner Andy Verdoïa (bLU cRU WorldSSP by MS Racing) finished in 14th place as Loris Cresson (OXXO Yamaha Team Toth) completed the points.

There was a collision on the run down to Turn 1 at the start between Can Öncü (Turkish Racing Team) and Patrick Hobelsberger (Dynavolt Honda) with Hobelsberger taken to the medical centre for a check-up before being diagnosed with a left hip contusion and suspected pelvic injury. He will be transferred to hospital for further assessments. Galang Hendra Pratama (bLU cRU WorldSSP by MS Racing) crashed on Lap 2 of the race while Kyle Smith (GMT94 Yamaha) and teammate Oscar Gutierrez came together on the same lap; all three riders retiring from the race.

P1 Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team)

“It’s a dream! Until then you know it’s alive but it’s an incredible day. We work everywhere, every time very well and this is our objective. This is an incredible day and I don’t have any words but I’m very excited. Thanks to my guys because they work very hard every time and this is the result.”

P2 Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing)

“The race is not so bad again it’s not possible to win. I tried to follow but exactly the same race compared to the first part of the season and every stage of the season. It’s not possible to ride in the rhythm of the yellow bike. For sure, it’s not easy because when you start the race and your best position is second it is not nice, but this is racing and this is the racing for this year. I am happy for my team with second position and for Kawasaki because my teammate finished third and this is nice for the Puccetti team and Kawasaki.”

P3 Philipp Oettl (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing)

“It was a tough job, I decided to use the softer rear tyre but after 10 laps to go I felt there was a drop and then I was just sliding around. I tried to build as much grip as possible, but it was a very hard job to do this with pickup but I’m happy, we have a 2-3 with Kawasaki and I think I learnt a lot this weekend. In the past two races, we didn’t have enough luck to finish on the podium but today feels really good.”

WorldSSP Race Two

Pos	Rider	Bike	Gap
1	A. Locatelli	Yamaha	0.000
2	L. Mahias	Kawasaki	+2.159
3	P. Oettl	Kawasaki	+4.252
4	R. De Rosa	MV Agusta	+5.086
5	S. Odendaal	Yamaha	+7.847
6	I. Vinales	Yamaha	+8.195
7	M. Gonzalez	Kawasaki	+9.845
8	C. Perolari	Yamaha	+10.208
9	D. Webb	Yamaha	+12.732
10	H. Soomer	Yamaha	+14.231
11	P. Sebestyen	Yamaha	+15.245
12	A. Bassani	Yamaha	+18.917
13	K. Manfredi	Yamaha	+18.989
14	A. Verdoia	Yamaha	+27.009
15	L. Cresson	Yamaha	+32.532
16	G. Van Straalen	Yamaha	+32.576
17	M. Pons	Honda	+32.603
18	A. Ruiz Carranza	Yamaha	+32.810
19	L. Montella	Yamaha	+42.222
20	G. Erill	Kawasaki	+55.646
Not Classified
RET	F. Fuligni	MV Agusta	2 Laps
RET	O. Gutierrez Iglesiasesp	Yamaha	15 Laps
RET	K. Smith	Yamaha	15 Laps
RET	G. Hendra Pratama	Yamaha	16 Laps
RET	P. Hobelsberger	Honda	/
RET	C. Oncu	Kawasaki	/

WorldSSP Championship Standings

Pos	Rider	Points
1	Andrea Locatelli	263
2	Lucas Mahias	159
3	Jules Cluzel	146
4	Philipp Oettl	124
5	Raffaele De Rosa	106
6	Corentin Perolari	96
7	Steven Odendaal	95
8	Isaac Vinales	90
9	Manuel Gonzalez	89
10	Hannes Soomer	59
11	Danny Webb	55
12	Peter Sebestyen	42
13	Can Alexander Oncu	34
14	Andy Verdoia	33
15	Alejandro Ruiz Carranza	25
16	Federico Fuligni	21
17	Kevin Manfredi	20
18	Axel Bassani	18
19	Kyle Smith	16
20	Miquel Pons	16
21	Loris Cresson	12
22	Galang Hendra Pratama	9
23	Patrick Hobelsberger	6
24	Maria Herrera	2
25	Jaimie Van Sikkelerus	2
26	Hikari Okubo	1
27	Luigi Montella	1

WorldSSP300

The drama went to the final corner on the last lap in FIM Supersport 300 World Championship as the Championship visited the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the first time with Yuta Okaya (MTM Kawasaki MOTOPORT) claiming his and Japan’s first victory in WorldSSP300 during the Acerbis Catalunya Round.

A Turn 10 collision between Unai Orradre (Yamaha MS Racing), Bahattin Sofuoglu (Biblion Motoxracing Yamaha WorldSSP300) and long-time race leader Tom Booth-Amos (RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) separated out the front group meaning Okaya was able to claim victory. Orradre was able to continue in the race but finished in 26th place while Sofuoglu came home in tenth as Booth-Amos retired.

Okaya had been running at the front throughout on the 10-lap race and made the race-winning move on the last lap to claim the stunning victory, heading off teammates Scott Deroue and Jeffrey Buis as MTM Kawasaki MOTOPORT claimed a podium lockout during Race 2; with Deroue closing in on Buis in the Championship standings. Deroue had to come through the Last Chance Race to make the main races and battled his way through the grid to get to the podium in Race 2 as he showed strong pace throughout.

Koen Meuffels (MTM Kawasaki MOTOPORT) continued the team’s success as he finished in fourth place, the team claiming a 1-2-3-4 finish. Meikon Kawakami (Team Brasil AD 78) finished the race in fifth place as the highest-placed Yamaha rider, finishing just over a tenth away from a podium finish. Inigo Iglesias Bravo (Scuderia Maranga Racing) secured a top six finished; under a tenth away from Kawakami.

Hugo de Cancellis (Team TRASIMENO) was another who fought his way through the Last Chance Race to secure a seventh place finish, just ahead of Ukrainian rider Nick Kalinin (Battley-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) in eighth, Adrian Huertas (ProGP Racing) in ninth and Sofuoglu finishing in tenth despite the last-lap crash.

Race 1 podium finisher Samuel di Sora (Leader Team Flembbo) finished in 11th place as he scored more points in Barcelona, with Daniel Mogeda (OUTDO Kawasaki TPR) in 12th, Mika Perez (2R Racing) in 13th, with wildcard Angel Heredia (DEZA-ISMABON Racing Team) and Paolo Grassia (Team CHIODO Moto Racing), who started from the front row, completing the points-scoring positions.

There was a five-rider incident at Turn 10 on Lap 2 of the 10-lap race with Alejandro Carrion (Smrz Racing – Willi Race), Johan Gimbert (GP Project), Kevin Sabatucci (Kawasaki GP Project), Kim Aloisi (ProGP Racing) and Ton Kawakami (Yamaha MS Racing) with Aloisi and Kawakami able to continue in the race. Filippo Rovelli (Kawasaki ParkinGO Team) also did not finish the race, while Bruno Ieraci (Kawasaki GP Project) crashed out on the final lap.

P1 Yuta Okaya

“I have no words. It was such an exciting race but so difficult! It was the hottest conditions of the week and my bike is difficult to push on, we find the chance on the last lap so I could overtake Scott in the final corner. Happy for my first victory for me and also the first Japanese victory and thanks to the team.”

P2 Scott Deroue

“It’s unbelievable! This weekend has been so difficult. In first practice, we had a problem and we were not qualified for Superpole and the other practices were wet, so we were in the Last Chance Race. Yesterday, was really difficult in the wet. This morning was very good, I was fastest, so I knew I had the pace. Then you have to come from the back of the grid to the front and that can be very difficult. In the end, it was difficult, but it worked. I’m really happy.

P3 Jeffrey Buis

“It was a difficult race because in the middle of the race, my front tyre was completely destroyed and setting the lap times was hard. At the end of the race, I had some luck and I can come through to finish third. Good points for the Championship.”

WorldSSP300 Race Two

Pos	Rider	Bike	Class	Gap
1	Y. Okaya	Kawasaki	B	0.000
2	S. Deroue	Kawasaki	B	+0.045
3	J. Buis	Kawasaki	A	+0.161
4	K. Meuffels	Kawasaki	A	+0.239
5	M. Kawakami	Yamaha	B	+0.292
6	I. Iglesias Bravo	Kawasaki	B	+0.343
7	H. De Cancellis	Yamaha	B	+0.697
8	N. Kalinin	Kawasaki	A	+0.773
9	A. Huertas	Yamaha	B	+1.221
10	B. Sofuoglu	Yamaha	B	+1.259
11	S. Di Sora	Kawasaki	A	+1.455
12	D. Mogeda	Kawasaki	A	+2.007
13	M. Perez	Kawasaki	A	+2.032
14	A. Heredia	Kawasaki	B	+2.085
15	P. Grassia	Kawasaki	A	+2.318
16	A. Kroh	Yamaha	A	+2.549
17	T. Brianti	Kawasaki	B	+3.098
18	A. Coppola	Kawasaki	B	+3.337
19	V. Rodriguez Nunez	Yamaha	A	+10.316
20	M. Gennai	Yamaha	A	+12.808
21	M. Garcia	Kawasaki	A	+12.834
22	F. Perez Casas	Yamaha	B	+13.094
23	I. Garcia	Kawasaki	A	+13.334
24	J. Perez Gonzalez	Yamaha	B	+14.130
25	F. Macan	Yamaha	A	+14.147
26	U. Orradre	Yamaha	A	+23.266
27	G. Mastroluca	Kawasaki	B	+39.288
28	T. Kawakami	Yamaha	B	+43.244
Not Classified
RET	T. Booth-Amos	Kawasaki	B	1 Lap
RET	B. Ieraci	Kawasaki	A	1 Lap
RET	F. Rovelli	Kawasaki	A	7 Laps
RET	K. Aloisi	Yamaha	A	/
RET	K. Sabatucci	Kawasaki	B	/
RET	J. Gimbert	Kawasaki	A	/
RET	A. Carrion	Kawasaki	A	/

WorldSSP300 Championship Standings

Pos	Rider	Points
1	Jeffrey Buis	158
2	Scott Deroue	142
3	Bahattin Sofuoglu	111
4	Unai Orradre	98
5	Ana Carrasco	97
6	Tom Booth-Amos	94
7	Thomas Brianti	80
8	Mika Perez	71
9	Meikon Kawakami	58
10	Yuta Okaya	54
11	Koen Meuffels	54
12	Samuel Di Sora	50
13	Bruno Ieraci	44
14	Hugo De Cancellis	38
15	Ton Kawakami	31
16	Nick Kalinin	29
17	Kevin Sabatucci	24
18	Adrian Huertas	22
19	Marc Garcia	16
20	Inigo Iglesias Bravo	15
21	Filippo Rovelli	15
22	Alan Kroh	13
23	Glenn Van Straalen	13
24	Alvaro Diaz	10
25	Victor Rodriguez Nunez	9
26	Tom Edwards	9
27	Alfonso Coppola	9
28	Johan Gimbert	7
29	Oliver Konig	5
30	Daniel Mogeda	4
31	Filip Salac	4
32	Enzo De La Vega	4
33	Alejandro Carrion	4
34	Kim Aloisi	3
35	Angel Heredia	2
36	Paolo Grassia	1
37	Tom Bercot	1
38	Mirko Gennai	1

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News, WSBK

Michael van der Mark to race BMW in 2021

July 2, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team will race with Michael van der Mark in 2021

BMW confirmed the rumours we mentioned earlier this week by stating today that Michael van der Mark will race with the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team in the 2021 WorldSBK Championship.

The 27-year-old Dutchman, a four-time Suzuka 8 Hour winner, will contest his first season on the BMW S 1000 RR in 2021.

Marc Bongers – BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director

“We are very pleased about our agreement with Michael, who has developed very strongly in the Superbike World Championship in recent years. We are convinced that Michael is an asset to our project, and together, in combination with the strong package we can offer him, we can reach the next level in terms of results. We would like to welcome Michael to the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team and look forward to a strong cooperation.”

Michael van der Mark is the second most successful rider in history at the Suzuka 8 Hour

Van der Mark was crowned Supersport World Champion in 2014. For the 2015 season, he switched to the Superbike World Championship, in which he has been active since and has three victories and 29 podiums on his tally.

Shaun Muir – Team Principal BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team

“We are delighted to welcome Michael to the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. He brings a wealth of experience and is one of the youngest, most talented riders on the WorldSBK grid. Securing Michaels services emphasis the focus and determination we have to compete for top honours, and we will give Michael every chance to reach that goal.”

This year Michael van der Mark rides for the Pata Yamaha WorldSBK squad

The team said the second rider for the 2021 season will be announced at a later date.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News, WSBK

Yamaha announce departure of van der Mark

June 30, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

Yamaha and Van der Mark to Part Company at Conclusion of 2020 WorldSBK Season

Yamaha and Michael van der Mark will part ways at the end of the 2020 FIM Superbike World Championship season, with the 27-year-old opting to take on a new challenge in 2021, as to exactly what that challenge is has yet to officially be announced, but there are some rumours linking the Dutchman to BMW. Van der Mark’s departure will bring to a close a four-year partnership that has so far brought three WorldSBK race wins and two victories at the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hour race.

Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Alex Lowes and Michael Van der Mark victorious at the 2017 Suzuka 8 Hour

Van der Mark joined the Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team in 2017 and twice finished on the podium during his debut season. The following year saw the Dutch rider secure his first WorldSBK race win, and Yamaha’s first since returning to the championship in 2016, with victory in Race 1 at Donington Park. Van der Mark doubled up with a win in the following day’s Race 2 and, with eight additional podium finishes over the course of the season, ended the year third in the championship standings.

The former FIM Supersport World Champion added to his win tally in 2019 with victory in Race 2 at Jerez but was sidelined by injury in the following round at Misano following a crash in free practice. Despite missing out at Misano and riding injured at the following two rounds, Van der Mark racked up eight podium finishes in 2019 to end the season fourth in the championship standings.

The Pata Yamaha rider was a contender for the win in all three races at the opening round of the 2020 season in Australia but was unfortunate to miss out on the chance to add to his podium tally. Since the Phillip Island round, racing has been suspended due the coronavirus pandemic, but Van der Mark will return to action next month, with the WorldSBK season set to resume with back-to-back races in Jerez and Portimão.

Both Yamaha and Van der Mark head into the rescheduled 2020 season determined to end their successful four-year collaboration on a high note, by battling for race wins and, ultimately, challenging for the World Championship title.

Michael van der Mark will leave Yamaha at the end of this season
Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News, WSBK

Yamaha outline their WorldSBK assault force for 2020

February 12, 2020 mcnews Leave a comment

2020 Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team

Michael van der Mark and Toprak Razgatlioglu will spearhead Pata Yamaha’s WorldSBK challenge for season 2020.

Australian two-time World Supersport Champion Andrew Pitt has stayed with the team but with Alex Lowes’ moving to KRT, will crew chief for Dutchman Michael van der Mark.

Michael van der Mark

Toprak, after two seasons of real achievement as an independent rider in WorldSBK on Kawasaki ZX-10RR machinery has switched to Yamaha for season 2020. His previous crew chief Phil Marron has come with him to Pata Yamaha, keeping their connection strong as they move into the realms of official team racing on a machine which is all-new to both.

Winner of a race at Jerez last year, Michael van der Mark is back for his fourth year on the official R1, but this year there is a revamped cross-plane four-cylinder machine under his command. He has taken three career race wins in WorldSBK, part of a total of 29 podium finishes in all.

Michael van der Mark

A seasoned WorldSBK campaigner and very much in his prime at 27 years-of-age, Michael aims to be a more consistent winner and podium finisher in 2020, having already built up a good relationship with his new R1 in testing after three seasons racing the previous version. Here’s what van der Mark had to say when asked about season 2020.

2020 marks your fourth season as an Official Yamaha rider on the YZF-R1 – are you feeling ready for the new season?

Michael van der Mark: “Of course I’m ready! I’m looking forward to the new season with the 2020 R1 – which is not a completely different bike – but there are a lot of new parts and improvements that will help us. We need to keep making progress, and with this new bike, that for sure will enable us to make another step.”

So, what changes have been made to the new R1?

MVDM: “One of the improvements is the aerodynamics; it works much better for tall riders like Toprak and me. It is a lot more protective and I think we can get a little bit better top speed. Also, I think the fairing design has brought some other benefits, so again it’s a positive feeling. Together with Öhlins and our performance engineers we’ve made a good step forward to find grip – as it’s always been our main issue. Already last year we made a step and it was really important, I felt like we have found a really good direction and exactly what we are looking for. I don’t know any numbers, but this new bike feels a bit faster as well – that’s always nice!”

Michael van der Mark

You have a new crew chief this year in Andrew Pitt – a two-time World Champion in his own right. How is that relationship developing?

MVDM: “I knew Andrew a bit already because he was working with Alex [Lowes] and we always got along well. It honestly feels good, the communication is great and there’s a bit of a mix in the team now; I have some different guys on my side of the garage. I think it’s good to have some new ideas and styles of working, some new motivation and changes; also with Toprak joining the team. So at the moment things are good! From the first moment I worked with Andrew I really enjoyed it and we did some other stuff together as well. I like the way he works as an ex-top rider. He really understands the problems I have and what I am facing when riding the bike, but also the deep technical side he understands really well, so I’m really happy.”

What about your new teammate, Toprak?

MVDM: “I like him! With Alex the relationship was always great, but it’s also good to have Toprak in the team as a young up-and coming-kid. He’s fast right from the start and we’ve had some really nice battles in the past. I’m really looking forward to the season, I think we can have some good battles again and I’ll be working hard to make sure I’m on top! He’ll keep me on my toes, but that’s what everybody wants. His style is so different to mine, but that’s interesting to learn from as well.”

What is your target in 2020?

MVDM: “Win races. If we can win races then we can build a challenge to fight for the championship. Boom!”

Toprak Razgatlioglu

At only 23 years-of-age, Toprak is a rider who can already beat the best in a fair fight and who is now looking to the new R1 to allow him to do that on a more consistent basis.

Toprak Razgatlioglu

Already a star in his native Turkey and a protégé of compatriot and WorldSSP legend Kenan Sofuoglu, Toprak has made a swift transition to the latest Yamaha R1 after a five-year career spent with a rival manufacturer. Like Michael, Toprak was a Superstock 600 European champion before moving up inside the WorldSBK paddock.

He shared his thoughts about this coming season, the new bikes and possibilities ahead:

Welcome to the Yamaha family and Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team with Rizla. How is the experience so far?

Toprak Razgatlioglu: “It’s a different team and for me, the first time with an official team. I was used to being in a small team, and now coming into an official manufacturer team. I don’t know all the people in the team yet and always I say, for me it is not easy because everyone is different to work with. But already it’s feeling very good and I like it a lot. In the beginning, I was a little… scared! Because I don’t know the team and everything is new. But now I’m very happy and enjoying it. Like with the stoppies at the end of the test, I thought at the start, ‘ah maybe I won’t try because I don’t know if it will be allowed!’ But after one time, somebody asked me ‘can you do another stoppie?’ So then I say ‘OK!’ I didn’t know in the beginning if it would be OK because it was all-new but these are racing people – serious about their jobs – and they also want to enjoy it.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu

What is your impression of the new 2020 Yamaha R1 – what are the strong points?

TR: “Again, the Yamaha a new bike for me but now I have the 2020 R1 – between the two I would say there is not a really big difference, just nice improvements. I feel like it is very easy to turn, really good at turning and with the power I am feeling much better. I’m learning that my new bike with Yamaha has a different character from what I rode in the past. After more laps, I feel much better. I’ve always liked Yamaha; my first bike was a PW50! I have ridden Yamaha bikes over many years – I ride a Niken on the streets at home – and now after five years on a different bike, I have come here and I’m very happy.”

You are working with Phil Marron again as your crew chief, is this important when you are inside a new team and with a new bike?

TR: “Yes we work together well and I am very happy. Because we worked together in 2019, he knows me and I feel this is very important because he understands what I need to go fast. Before, my crew chiefs understood me a little and I would just ride the bike, but in 2019 working with Phil, he understands me more and the result is different! I’m very happy because we’re coming together to this new team. For Phil and me it is new: a new team and a new bike. But now already it is a better feeling, but I keep saying, I need more time, more laps and after, it will be a much better feeling!”

Toprak Razgatlioglu

Are you enjoying having a teammate for the first time? What are the good and bad points compared to being the only rider?

TR: “In 2019, I raced in a team alone in WorldSBK and I think for me it was very easy, because with just one rider if I had a bad session I didn’t feel very bad. After a good session, I would be very happy. And now, coming to Yamaha and the first time having a teammate it is different [by having someone to compare to] – but I am very lucky because he is a very good guy! I know on the track we are fighting hard but outside we are already friends, feeling is like brothers. I say ‘abi’ to Michael and normally to say ‘abi’ in Turkish means ‘big brother’.”

In 2019 you won your first races and made big improvements. What are your goals in 2020?

TR: “I think last year I said the same – to get a podium at Phillip Island. I need this and last year I tried! It was not possible, but this year I will try again. First race, first podium and try to have a good feeling to start. After that, I try my best always, we will see…”

Continuity can be key in many areas of racing but in 2020 the long-time leader of the Pata Yamaha team’s efforts – Paul Denning – has many new elements to help distil into one potent WorldSBK racing mix, ready to score consistent success at a higher level than ever.

Paul Denning

“2020 marks the fifth season since Yamaha’s return to WorldSBK competition in 2016 with the R1 and we are excited to see the next step in our evolution.”. “Yamaha’s Official Team, operated in close partnership with Crescent Racing, has improved every year both in potential and result, made evident by race wins and third and fourth overall in the 2019 Championship. As we get closer to the top level, further improvements are of course more difficult to deliver, but to take the next step forward and challenge for the title must be the target.”

Denning is very much aware that changes have been made with one goal in mind – higher levels of achievement for all.

“Yamaha has continued to improve their development capabilities, the team has improved its structure, and now we also have the new 2020 R1 to help us challenge for victories,” said Paul. “Alongside this, at Yamaha we now have one of the most exciting rider line-ups ever seen in WorldSBK, as Toprak joins Michael to create a talented, young and aggressive team that we hope will allow us to meet our targets and to deliver highly exciting on-track action throughout the new season.”

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu joins Michael van der Mark in the Pata Yamaha squad

Now that winter testing in Europe has concluded, all eyes turn to the official pre-season test in Australia, between 24 and 25 February, which will give the best possible indication of how the new season could start for Pata Yamaha.

The test and then the first weekend of a new era for Pata Yamaha will take place at the same Phillip Island circuit, one that has been host to so many spectacular moments in recent and more historic WorldSBK seasons.

WorldSBK Yamaha Finance Australian Round, Phillip Island

Friday 28 February 2020
Time	Event	Program
8:25	Oceania Junior Cup	Qualifying
8:45	ASBK Supersport	FP2
9:05	Australian Superbike	FP2
9:30	ASBK SS300	FP2
9:50	FIM Medical Inspection
10:00	FIM Track Inspection
10:30	WorldSBK	FP1
11:30	WorldSSP	FP1
12:25	Pit Walk 1
13:00	Australian Superbike	Q1
13:25	Australian Superbike	Q2
13:50	Oceania Junior Cup	R1 \| 6 Laps
14:15	ASBK Supersport	Qualifying
15:00	WorldSBK	FP2
16:00	WorldSSP	FP2
16:55	ASBK SS300	Qualifying
17:15	Parade Laps
Saturday 29 February 2020
Time	Class	Program
8:25	ASBK Oceania Junior Cup	R2 \| 6 Laps
8:50	ASBK Supersport	R1 \|10 Laps
9:30	FIM Medical Inspection
9:40	FIM Track Inspection
10:00	WorldSBK	FP3
10:35	WorldSSP	FP3
11:05	Australian Superbike	R1 \| 12 Laps
11:40	ASBK SS300	R1 \| 8 Laps
12:15	WorldSBK	Superpole
12:55	WorldSSP	Superpole
13:40	Pit Walk 2 & Safety Car Laps
15:00	WorldSBK	R1 \| 22 Laps
16:15	Australian Superbike	R2 \| 12 Laps
16:50	ASBK SS300	R2 \| 8 Laps
17:15	ASBK Supersport	R2 \| 10 Laps
17:50	Hyundai N Experience (Test Drive)
Sunday 1 March 2020
Time	Class	Program
8:20	Oceania Junior Cup	R3 \| 6 Laps
8:50	FIM Medical Inspection
9:00	FIM Track Inspection
09:30	WorldSBK	Warm Up
09:55	WorldSSP	Warm Up
10:30	Australian Superbike	R3 \| 12 Laps
11:05	Pit Walk 3 & Safety Car Laps
12:00	WorldSBK	SP Race \| 10 Laps
13:15	WorldSSP	RACE \|18 Laps
15:00	WorldSBK	R2 \| 22 Laps
16:15	ASBK SS300	R3 \| 8 Laps
16:45	ASBK Supersport	R3 \|10 Laps
17:20	Hyundai N Experience (Test Drive)

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News, WSBK

Rea tops Race 2 from Yamaha duo | Sunday WSBK Report

September 30, 2019 mcnews Leave a comment

WorldSBK 2019
Round 11 – Magny Cours

Sunday Superpole Race & Race 2 Report

Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea ensured the 2019 Pirelli French Round will go down in the history books, after Sunday began with Turkey’s first ever winner Razgatlioglu claiming victory in the Superpole Race and culminating with Jonathan Rea winning Race 2 to become the championship’s first ever five-time champion following early misfortune for nearest rival Alvaro Bautista.

hi MagnyCours WSBK SprintRace Razgatlioglu JM — Toprak Razgatlioglu – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours

In World Supersport Lucas Mahias took the win, with favourites Randy Krummenacher and Federico Caricasulo both crashing out, with 10-points separating the two crashers at the head of the standings.

Ana Carrasco claimed victory in the World Supersport 300 class, while Manuel González extended his championship lead to claim the 2019 title, becoming the youngest rider to ever do so.

WSBK Rnd France Magny Cours Sun WorldSSP Race Gonzales — Manuel González – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours

Superpole Race

22-year-old Toprak Razgatlioglu made it two out of two at the Pirelli French Round, clinching a stunning Tissot Superpole Race victory after another battle with Jonathan Rea, who as a result created the mathematical possibility of securing a fifth WorldSBK crown in race two.

hi R Magny Cours WorldSBK Sunday Razgatlioglu GB — Toprak Razgatlioglu – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours

As the lights went out, Michael van der Mark launched into an early lead, slipping up the inside of Jonathan Rea into the first corner. Leon Haslam maintained third with Tom Sykes climbing two places to fourth. Chaz Davies and Toprak Razgatlioglu were both big movers, improving up to eighth and tenth respectively.

The Razgatlioglu roll continued on the second lap, gaining three places in an incredible move on the brakes into the Adelaide hairpin, overhauling Chaz Davies, Alex Lowes and Michael Ruben Rinaldi. In the meantime, Jonathan Rea had managed to wrestle control away from Michael van der Mark, easing up the inside at the Imola chicane.

WSBK Rnd France Magny Cours Sun Alvaro Bautista AP UC High — Alvaro Bautista – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours

Eleven places had been gained in the first two laps, and two more would follow for Razgatlioglu on lap three, as the remarkable prowess of the Turkish rider on the brakes took him past Tom Sykes at the Adelaide hairpin, before Leon Haslam relinquished third three corners later. When Michael van der Mark was overtaken at Adelaide shortly before half distance, the stage was set for a repeat of yesterday’s last lap battle for the lead in race one.

On lap seven, the comeback was complete with the Turkish Puccetti Racing rider storming up the inside of Rea into his favourite overtaking spot, the Adelaide hairpin. The world champion stayed in touch with Razgatlioglu, and even threatened a counter attack on the final lap, but the Ulsterman couldn’t quite get his Kawasaki stopped into turn five, opening the door for Toprak to ease past on the exit and claim his second victory in a row.

hi MagnyCours WSBK Race Haslam JM — Leon Haslam – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours

The fight for the final front row spot in race two went down to the last lap as well with Chaz Davies, who had earlier made light work of Leon Haslam and Tom Sykes, chasing down the Yamaha of Michael van der Mark.

The Dutchman held on for third in the end, with Davies ensuring he will head the second row of the grid this afternoon in fourth. Alvaro Bautista produced a strong recovery to finish fifth, setting similar lap times to the leaders at various points of the race, but the Spaniard must avoid any mistakes in race two to keep Jonathan Rea waiting for the title. Alex Lowes was sixth, and will complete row two on the grid for race two.

WSBK Rnd France Magny Cours Sun Chaz Davies MEI UC High — Chaz Davies – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours

Loris Baz returned the favour after losing out to Tom Sykes in the latter stages of race one. The Frenchman delighted the home crowd by snatching seventh on the last lap with Leon Haslam falling back to ninth by the chequered flag, the last of the points scorers.

Michael Ruben Rinaldi rode a strong race to tenth as all 20 starters completed the Tissot Superpole Race at Magny Cours. By virtue of his strong performance in Saturday’s Tissot Superpole session, Rinaldi will head the fourth row for race two later this afternoon.

Race 2

Starting from pole position for the first time in WorldSBK, Toprak Razgatlioglu couldn’t make the same lightning start which saw him leap up the order in the two previous races. Rea edged up the inside into Turn 1 to grab the lead but he wouldn’t stay ahead for long, as Michael van der Mark used the slipstream to hit the front at the Adelaide hairpin.

WSBK Rnd France Magny Cours Sun Race Rea JM Cover — Jonathan Rea – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours

The moment which ultimately proved decisive came on Lap 2 as Razgatlioglu lost the rear of his Kawasaki on the exit of Turn 13. As the Turkish rider fought to control the slide, Alvaro Bautista was powerless to avoid the Race 1 winner and both riders were eliminated on the spot. With the words ‘BAUTISTA OUT’ displayed on his pit-board next time around, Rea now knew that a race victory would see him make history.

Michael van der Mark was keen to ensure that Rea didn’t have an unchallenged run to a fifth WorldSBK crown, keeping the Ulsterman at bay until the Imola chicane on Lap 6. The Dutchman didn’t trail for long with the Yamaha proving a formidable motorcycle down the back straight towards Turn 5, an advantage van der Mark utilised to power past on Lap 8.

As the race ticked over half distance, Rea mounted another attack on the leader with van der Mark going defensive into Adelaide. The championship leader was wise to this tactic though and drew alongside into the following Nurburgring chicane, making the move stick on Lap 13. With van der Mark no longer close enough to make use of the slipstream next time around, Rea had the margin he needed to ease clear.

WSBK Rnd France Magny Cours Sun Alex Lowes — Alex Lowes – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours

Despite a valiant effort from van der Mark, the advantage grew to over one-second, allowing Rea to close out the final laps and claim his 12th victory of 2019. This one was the sweetest of all though as he completed one of the great WorldSBK comebacks. From 61 points behind, Rea now holds an unassailable 129-point advantage and a place in the history books as the first ever five-time WorldSBK champion.

Alex Lowes completed the team’s first double-podium of the season with a close third, consolidating third in the championship standings, while Chaz Davies, who was heavily delayed in the early collision between his team-mate Alvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu, recovered to finish fourth, overtaking home favourite Loris Baz on Lap 14. Despite a late challenge from the Frenchman, he was forced to settle for fifth, completing a positive weekend at his home round as the Top Independent Rider in Race 2.

WSBK Rnd France Magny Cours Sun Marco Melandri — Marco Melandri – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours

Marco Melandri closed out the final European round of his WorldSBK career with a strong charge from 15th on the grid to sixth, winning a close three-way fight on the last lap. The Italian finished just a tenth of a second clear of Leon Haslam with Tom Sykes right behind the pair in eighth.

Leon Camier capped off an impressive comeback to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship with ninth place, finishing a second clear of Jordi Torres. Elsewhere, there were points for French wildcard Sylvain Barrier in 13th but disappointment for Sandro Cortese who was forced to retire midway through the race while running in the top ten.

WSBK Rnd France Magny Cours Sun WorldSBK Race podium — Jonathan Rea topped the Race 2 podium from van der Mark and Lowes – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours

Jonathan Rea – P1

“I can quite believe it. It has been an incredible year so far, and a year I have never given up, I’ve kept believing in myself, believing in my bike, believing in my crew and believing in my effort. After the fourth race, it was so tough to keep turning up when you know that he is going to be so difficult to win, but in the mid-season, we turn things around. I don’t have so many words right now, because I did not expect this today. I had no idea what was going to happen. If I would win today, what was the point situation, but I knew when I got the sign that Bautista was out that I could mathematically have the chance. And I did it! Thanks to all my team, all my family and all the people who have been working with me, Kawasaki, the sponsors, all the people that made this possible. It’s a huge team effort, and I couldn’t be here without them.”

hi R Magny Cours WorldSBK Sunday Rea GB — Jonathan Rea – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours

Michael van der Mark – P2

“I tried everything today! We improved the bike a bit in some area but toward the end, we lost quite a lot from Johnny but I really enjoyed this race and we had a nice battle! Of course, I saw that Alvaro was out so I knew Rea wasn’t going to do any crazy thing. I tried to stay with him, I passed him a few times but in the end he was a bit stronger. I want to thank my team because we got another podium.”

WSBK Rnd France Magny Cours Sun Michael van der Mark — Michael van der Mark – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours

Alex Lowes – P3

“I have got a little bit of good luck at the start of the race with the accident that happened in front of me. But after that, I felt strong on the bike and I was able to ride in 1’37 and catch Jonathan and Michael. Unfortunately, I pushed a lot in the middle and when I got there my front tyre was worn out a lot, so I couldn’t fight with van der Mark in the end but I am pleased with the podium and it set us out nicely for the final two fly-aways of the year.”

Chaz Davies – P4

“In both races today I finished in fourth place, which in itself is not a bad result, but I feel I could have got a lot more. In race 2 I almost got caught up in the incident between Toprak and Álvaro so took avoiding action by going off the track. Unfortunately, I came off the grass at four seconds back and finished the race with the same gap that I was unable to make up. It was so frustrating not to get the chance to fight for the win, because the pace was there.”

WSBK Rnd France Magny Cours Sun Chaz Davies AP UC High — Chaz Davies – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours

Loris Baz – P5

“Every race we close the gap to the race winner, and the same was true this afternoon. I’m much happier than I was yesterday, because yesterday I was not so happy with the bike and how I rode the last laps, but today was much better. This morning was also strong, but we had a technical issue after five laps and I just had to ride the bike to the end, although I still managed to beat Leon and Tom. This afternoon I lost again time at the beginning with Michael Rinaldi and Leon, but once past them I was as quick as the top guys over the remaining 15 or so laps. I’m happy; we didn’t quite make the podium, but we need to remember where we’ve come from and that we’re now up there and fighting with the factory bikes. We’re doing our job and I’m sure we’ll be up there challenging for the podium really soon.”

WSBK Rnd France Magny Cours Sun Loris Baz — Loris Baz – 2019 WorldSBK Round 11, Magny-Cours

Álvaro Bautista – DNF

“Fortunately physically I’m OK after the crash, I’m just a bit disappointed because I think in race 2 I was able to fight for the win. For sure the weekend was tough, it was a new track that I’d never seen before and there was very little time to ride in dry conditions. Yesterday in the first race I managed to improve the feeling with the track and made up a lot of positions, while today in race 2 I made a good start and felt really good with the bike up at the front. Unfortunately, I was involved in Razgatlioglu’s crash at Turn 13 and his mistake caused my retirement. It’s a pity to finish in this way but it’s all part of racing. Congratulations to Jonathan Rea because he had a great season. During the championship Jonathan has always been able to get the best out of every situation, and for sure we didn’t lose the title because of this race.”

WorldSBK Race 2 Results

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News

Suzuka 8 Hour Winners List | Results | Roll of Honour

July 12, 2019 mcnews Leave a comment

Suzuka 8 Hour Results

Suzuka 8 Hours History

While the 5.821km Suzuka circuit itself was opened in the September of 1962, the Suzuka 8 Hour first came about in 1978.

It quickly became the most important race for production based bikes in the world.

American duo Wes Cooley and Mike Baldwin won that inaugural duel on July 30, 1978, on a Yoshimura backed GS1000 Suzuki.

Australia planted its flag at Suzuka in 1979 when a Team Honda Australia squad consisting of Tony Hatton and Mick Cole rode a CB900 to victory.

New Zealand took their first top step on the rostrum the following year when Kiwi Graeme Crosby partnered with American Wes Cooley to win the race on a Yoshimura GS1000 Suzuki.

While the race was a Japanese affair largely contested between Nippon manufacturers, it was not untiul 1982 that Japanese riders themselves tasted the champagne. That year the race was reduced to six hours due to an incoming typhoon and standing atop the podium were Shigeo Iijima and Shinji Hagiwara.

Honda RVF Suzuka Hours — 1985 Suzuka 8 Hour winning RVF750

Wayne Gardner won the first of his quartet of Suzuka 8 Hour victories in 1985 while sharing the riding duties on the RVF750 Honda with Masaki Tokuno. Gardner went on to win again the next year, 1986, while partnered with Dominique Sarron.

1987 was the first time Yamaha took top honours and it came thanks to the talents of Kevin Magee, who became the fourth Australian to win a Suzuka 8 Hour. Magee won in partnership with German Martin Wimmer in 1987, the following year, 1988, the Horsham Hurricane’s victory was taken in conjunction with a then 28-year-old Wayne Rainey. The American also won his first 500cc GP race victory that year.

Wayne Gardner and Mick Doohan won in 1991 on an RVF750 Honda.

Daryl Beattie then shared the victory podium with Gardner in 1992 on the Oki Honda Racing Team RVF750.

New Zealand’s Aaron Slight then won three on the trot with a different partner each time. The first victory in 1993 coming on a Kawasaki with Scott Russell, followed by two wins on the RC45, the first with Doug Polen and the second with Tadayuki Okada.

1993 also signalled the change from F1 or TT style motorcycles as the premier category at the Suzuka 8 Hour to ‘Superbikes’.

Colin Edwards and Noriyuki Haga put Yamaha back on top in 1996 before Honda then went on a ten-year winning streak that stretched all the way from 1997 through to 2006.

SuzukaH Rossi Edwards — Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards won the 2001 Suzuka 8 Hour

The first three of that decade long Honda winning streak were won on RC45s, the next four on VTR-SP twins, including Valentino Rossi’s 2001 victory with Colin Edwards on the Cabin Honda VTR-SP1, while the Fireblade took top honours in 2004/05/06.

SuzukaH Takeshi Tsujimura — 2006 – Suzuka 8 Hour – Takeshi Tsujimura

Yukio Kagayama and Kousuke Akiyoshi broke Suzuki’s 24-year drought in 2007.

SuzukaH Kagayama — Yukio Kagayama – 2007 Suzuka 8 Hour

Carlos Checa and Ryuichi Kiyonari put the Fireblade back on top in 2008.

SuzukaH Checa Kiyonari — Carlos Checa and Ryuichi Kiyonari – Suzuka 8 Hour – 2008

2009 saw the introduction of three-rider teams and another all-Japanese victory for Yoshimura Suzuki.

2012 Suzuka 8 Hour winners Kousuke Akiyoshi, Tadayuki Okada and Jonathan Rea

2010 saw Honda’s Fireblade kicked off another winning streak that carried right through to 2014.

2013 Suzuka 8 Hour winners Takumi Takahashi, Michael Van der Mark and Leon Haslam

Winners for Honda in this period included Leon Haslam, Takumi Takahashi, Jonathan Rea, Takaaki Nakagami, Tadayuki Okada and Michael Van der Mark.

2015 marked a new era of domination by the Yamaha Factory Racing Team and the YZF-R1M.

Japanese hotshot Katsuyuki Nakasuga has been part of all those victories while Pol Espargaro (2015/16) helped him to two, as did Alex Lowes (2016/17), while Bradley Smith (2015) and Michael Van der Mark (2017) played their parts in Yamaha’s recent string of success also.

Katsuyuki Nakasuga and Pol Espargaro – 2015 Suzuka 8 Hour

In 2018, Nakasuga again partnered with Alex Lowes and Michael Van der Mark and the trio went on to claim Yamaha’s fourth successive victory.

Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Alex Lowes and Michael Van der Mark victorious at the 2017 Suzuka 8 Hour

Suzuka 8 Hour Most Successful Riders

Only five riders have taken four victories at the prestigious race. Wayne Gardner (1985-1986-1991-1992), Ryuichi Kiyonari (2005-2008-2010-2011), Shinichi Itoh (1997-1998-2006-2011), Katsuyuki Nakasuga (2015-2016-2017-2018), Michael Van der Mark (2013-2014-2017-2018).

The most successful rider at the Suzuka 8 Hour is Tohru Ukawa. The Japanese rider has five victories to his name (1997-1998-2000-2004-2005). All five were won on Honda machinery, two on the RC45, one on the VTR1000 and two more on Fireblades.

Suzuka Ukawa — 2004 Suzuka 8 Hour – Tohru Ukawa

Suzuka 8 Hour Most Successful Manufacturers

Honda are the leading manufacturer with 27 wins. Next best is Yamaha with eight victories while Suzuki have five wins.

SuzukaH Kiyonari — Ryuichi Kiyonari – 2008 Suzuka 8 Hour

Kawasaki has only ever won the prestigious event once and that was some 25 years ago when Aaron Slight and Scott Russell piloted a ZXR750R to victory.

Suzuka 8 Hour Results

Roll of Honour

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News, WSBK

Bautista & van der Mark share Jerez WSBK Sunday wins

June 9, 2019 mcnews Leave a comment

WSBK 2019

Round Six – Jerez – Sunday Report

Alvaro Bautista claimed the Superpole Race victory to kick off Sunday in strong form, with Michael Van Der Mark proving consistent claiming the runner up position on the podium, with Marco Melandri closing out the podium. Rea who had to start from the back of the grid was fourth.

WSBK Rnd Jerez Sun Alvaro Bautista at the end of Tissot Superpole Race — Alvaro Bautista – Jerez WorldSBK 2019

Race 2 of the weekend saw disaster strike for Ducati, with Bautista and Davies both crashing out of contention, with Michael Van Der Mark claiming the win from Rea, with Razgatlioglu claiming the final podium position.

Alvaro Bautista leaves Jerez with 300 points to Jonathan Rea’s 259, while Michael Van Der Mark is third with 188-points.

Tissot Superpole Race

In the Tissot Superpole Race, the first of the Sunday, riders made various changes in terms of tyres. In particular, seven of them used the SCX solution, while Jonathan Rea started from the last spot on the grid because of a penalty for making contact with Alex Lowes in Race 1.

WSBK Rnd Jerez Sun Haslam GB — Jerez WorldSBK 2019

This moved all the other riders up one spot on the grid. Álvaro Bautista therefore started from pole position and led the entire race, managing his advantage over the direct followers and finishing first, as he had done in Race 1.

Behind him, various riders jockeyed for position, but in the end it was Michael Van Der Mark besting the rest, managing to finish on the second step of the podium for the second time this weekend, ahead of Marco Melandri who, after taking third in yesterday’s race due to the penalty levied against Jonathan Rea, took a well-deserved position on the bottom step of the podium today.

WSBK Rnd Jerez Sat Alvaro Bautista — Alvaro Bautista – Jerez WorldSBK 2019

Fourth place went to Jonathan Rea who rode a race from behind, making a truly astonishing comeback if you consider that there were only 10 laps in which to do it.
Worth a mention is Alex Lowes’ crash on the fourth lap which gives him a pointless finish for this race as well, after the unfortunate result yesterday.

WSBK – Race 2

In what was a thrilling Race 2 at Jerez, an uncharacteristic error from Alvaro Bautista at the start of Lap 2 saw the Spaniard suffer his first racing crash in WorldSBK. The battle for the win came alive as Jonathan Rea and Michael van der Mark went head-to-head in the Spanish sun, resulting in the Dutchman taking his first win of 2019, while Razgatlioglu romped to third and yet another podium.

WSBK Rnd Jerez Sat Rea GB — Race 2 – Jerez WorldSBK 2019

Into Turn 1 on the opening lap, Marco Melandri took the initial advantage, while a disaster for his fellow Yamaha rider Alex Lowes, who crashed at Turn 2 on the opening lap. Bautista took the lead at Turn 5 and Michael van der Mark followed him through as Melandri went wide. Jonathan Rea took the pair of Yamaha riders at Turn 6, in a bid to pursue Bautista at the front.

However, it was a disaster for the Spaniard at the beginning of Lap 2 as he crashed out of the lead! The championship leader was on the floor at Turn 1, with his ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati tumbling through the gravel. Bautista remounted but retired soon after. The race was now on, as Jonathan Rea led van der Mark and Marco Melandri, ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu and Chaz Davies completing the top five.

WSBK Rnd Jerez Sun Rea CQ — Jonathan Rea – Jerez WorldSBK 2019

With 15 laps to go, the top five were covered by a second but disaster struck again, this time at Turn 5, as Marco Melandri attempted an ambitious pass on Davies, resulting in both riders crashing out. Davies was clearly frustrated with his former teammate, as both of them lost the chance to achieve a good result with Bautista out. Three of the main protagonists had suffered terrible results – Jonathan Rea was now looking like he was going to walk away from Jerez with a strong haul of points.

Michael van der Mark wasn’t prepared to let Rea have it all his own way, as the Dutchman took the lead with 14 laps to go at Turn 6. Jonathan Rea initially stayed with the Yamaha of van der Mark but couldn’t keep with the relentless pace of the 26-year-old out front, as 10 laps later, he had pulled out a two seconds lead. Alvaro Bautista had re-joined and was circulating in 16th position, ready to pick up the pieces in case anyone else was to crash out.

WSBK Rnd Jerez Sun Michael van der Mark — Michael van der Mark – Jerez WorldSBK 2019

Battles continued to develop down the field, as Michael Ruben Rinaldi, who rocketed through from 11th on the grid to be the top running Ducati in fourth position, ahead of a jostling Sandro Cortese and Leon Haslam, with the Brit getting ahead of the German in the closing stages at Turn 1.

A crash for Ryuichi Kiyonari at the fast Turn 11 resulted in gravel being put all over the circuit and a red flag coming out with two laps to go. Kiyonari walked away from the crash, although his bike was not so fortunate, having barrel rolled.

WSBK Rnd Jerez Sun Michael Van der Mark on the podium — Michael van der Mark – Jerez WorldSBK 2019

Michael van der Mark was a winner once again completing a faultless weekend, right the way through from FP1 to Race 2. Second position and closing the gap down to Bautista in the championship to 41 points, Jonathan Rea was happy to be back on the podium. It was another stunning ride from Toprak Razgatlioglu to complete the race in third position. Rinaldi took a career-best fourth, whilst Leon Haslam fought hard to complete the top five.

Just behind the Brit, Sandro Cortese took his best WorldSBK result. Seventh position belonged to Tom Sykes, who had a relatively quiet Acerbis Spanish Round, whilst Jordi Torres, Loris Baz and a superb Tommy Bridewell completed the top ten on a day where Independent teams took the majority of top ten placings.

Leandro Mercado had a good comeback in 11th, ahead of Markus Reiterberger, Yuki Takahashi and Alex Lowes in 14th place being the last of the point-scorers.

Michael van der Mark – P1

“What an amazing day! I was a bit upset with myself in the Sprint Race because I tried some optimistic overtakes that lost me a lot of time but in the end, I managed to finish second, which put me on the front row for Race 2. I got a good start but then Johnny passed me quite quickly and I was happy to sit behind him and conserve my tyres after Alvaro crashed out. But his pace wasn’t quite what I wanted to do and I could see the group behind were starting to catch us, so I decided to put in a pass and see if I could pull away, which I did. It’s been an incredible weekend and the bike has been great, with only very small changes required. I’m really happy with the progress made with the bike, so many thanks to the team and to Yamaha for all their hard work.”

Jonathan Rea – P2

“In the final race I did not have the pace of Mikey. I need to check the times but we definitely made a step with the bike set-up from yesterday afternoon to today, especially with the front end feeling in the faster corners. But over the lap there were some areas where I was very close, or even better than Michael, but in one crucial area I just lost too much. It is something we have been working on all weekend and today the bike was better. I needed a clean day today to finish both races strongly. This morning’s race took a lot out of me mentally and physically – coming from the back of the grid to try and make up all those positions in a short space of time. I am looking forward to Misano now.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu – P3

“Today I am really happy to take a second podium of the year. In this morning’s short race we tried a new set-up but I did not like it. We came back to the same set-up as we used earlier. Today I followed Michael van der Mark and Johnny, but I was on my limit. I watched Johnny as he has the same bike but my big problem was in turn 11 and 12. In the last eight laps my front tyre had started to slide and I reduced my pace because I was in a podium position.”

WSBK Rnd Jerez Sun Razgatlioglu GB — Toprak Razgatlioglu – Jerez WorldSBK 2019

Leon Haslam – P5

“Every session we were struggling with the front traction and we ran a bit more angle and corner speed compared to some of the other Kawasaki riders and I think that has been hindering me, especially as the temperatures have risen. I have tried to adapt my style and played around a little bit with set-up. I felt in that final race of the weekend I had good pace and could have challenged for that third place but I get stuck behind Tom for too many laps. Then when I got past him I was pushing too hard, like I was before, making too many mistakes. I was just lining Rinaldi up when the red flags came out. Another fifth place, so obviously I am not too happy about the result, but we have managed a lot of problems here this weekend.”

Sandro Cortese – P6

“It was a good race this afternoon, which I finished with my best result of the season. The lap times increased a lot compared to Race 1 yesterday, which meant we didn’t quite have the set-up we needed to run with the front guys and challenge for maybe a fourth place finish today. But, we learned a lot and we know what we need to do for the next race, so I leave Jerez happy with the race result and with the progress we’ve made. Now I’m looking forward to the next race in Misano, where we will aim to fight once again with these guys and, hopefully, secure an even better result.”

WSBK Test Jerez Nov Day GeeBee Sandro Cortese — Sandro Cortese – Image by GeeBee

Tom Sykes – P7

“All things considered, I really feel that we had a decent set of results. I’m a little bit disappointed with race two. I had a big moment in the fast last right hander. I lost the front with 170 km/h and the slide was over fifty metres so it was lucky that we were able to save it. I was able to catch up with the guys again but wasn’t able to pass. Overall, I think we had some decent results given where we are with the performance of the engine. We’re continuing to collect information for moving forward. So now my expectations are to keep the program developing towards the podium. That’s the ultimate target. When you look at the team, the manufacturer and the riders, we have high potential but obviously just for now we need to sit back and understand what we’ve got in this little gap and hopefully for Misano we can have another step forward.”

WSBK Rnd Jerez Sun Tom Sykes — Tom Sykes – Jerez WorldSBK 2019

Álvaro Bautista – DNF

“Today was a day of two halves, in the sense that first we won the Superpole Race and then I crashed on lap 2 of the second race. It was a pity because I did nothing strange, I just lost the front, but racing is like that sometimes. The Jerez weekend was amazing, not only because of my two wins but also for the atmosphere here in the paddock, and for all the fans who came to the circuit to witness the show. Now we have only to continue the great work we did this weekend and try and repeat the same sensations in the next round at Misano.”

WSBK Rnd Jerez Sun Alvaro Bautista UC — Alvaro Bautista – Jerez WorldSBK 2019

Chaz Davies – DNF

“I was quite aware that this was going to be a difficult weekend but I was hoping that with a good mind-set I could have got some decent results. On this type of circuit, with many longish corners, I was really far away with the set-up. I had a vibration issue with the bike in the Superpole Race, but then the guys did a great job to give me a good bike for the last race, where at least I could ride it OK. But then I got caught up in the incident with Melandri at Turn 5. I’m OK, I just picked up a big bruise on the hip and the side of the leg.”

WSBK Rnd Jerez Sun Chaz Davies UC — Chaz Davies – Jerez WorldSBK 2019

Marco Melandri – DNF

“It was a shame to finish the weekend with a crash, but when you think about where we were just two weeks ago and then how we were able to fight for the podium in all three races here in Jerez, it’s something so positive for us. It’s unfortunate that Chaz didn’t leave me the same amount of space I left him when the positions were reversed on the previous lap, but for me it was a racing incident and nothing more. Like I said, it’s a shame, because another podium finish was a real possibility today, even if fighting with Toprak was difficult because he’s so aggressive on the brakes. Anyway, I go home from here much more positive for the future.”

WSBK Rnd Jerez Sat Marco Melandri — Marco Melandri – Jerez WorldSBK 2019

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News, WSBK

Bautista sweeps Assen | Rea & van der Mark battle for podium

April 15, 2019 mcnews Leave a comment

WorldSBK 2019

Round 4 – Assen

Alvaro Bautista claims the double win

Alvaro Bautista’s winning streak continued at Assen despite a max-rpm penalty and weather, with the weekend’s racing all held on Sunday, while the Sprint was cancelled. Taking both race wins the 34-year-old from Talavera de la Reina now equals Jonathan Rea’s consecutive winning streak of 11, albeit with Rea’s race wins being full length races.

WSBK Rnd Assen Sun Alvaro Bautista — Alvaro Bautista

The weekend saw Rea and Michael van der Mark swap the final podium positions each claiming a second-place result and third-place result, with Bautista leaving Assen on 236 points to Rea’s 183. Van der Mark sits fourth in the standings on 115, 11-points behind teammate Alex Lowes.

WorldSBK Race 1

It was a brilliant start by Markus Reiterberger, who was up to second position, demoting Michael van der Mark, while Leon Haslam was fourth. Rocketing through on the first lap from eighth, Jonathan Rea was fifth by the end of the lap one, before getting his teammate for fourth at Turn 1 at the start of lap two.

WSBK Rnd Assen Sun Markus Reiterberger — Markus Reiterberger

As the race settled down, Michael van der Mark began to drop back, unable to fight off a rampant Jonathan Rea. Soon, the Dutchman had Alex Lowes for company, whilst out front, Alvaro Bautista was beginning to stretch Reiterberger. Rea was starting to close but not enough to get on terms with Reiterberger straight away.

Chaz Davies was in a battle with Tom Sykes, before starting to pull away in the middle of the race. Behind Sykes in the same battle were the leading Independent riders, consisting of Jordi Torres and Toprak Razgatlioglu. The two riders swapped positions rather aggressively between Turns 1 and Turn 2. The Spaniard still able to stay ahead of the Turkish rider.

WSBK Rnd Assen Sun Chaz Davies — Chaz Davies

With five laps to go, ‘Pocket Rocket’ Leon Haslam had started to line up the rear end of Alex Lowes’ Yamaha, as the two continued to battle and fight. Despite trying to pull away, Haslam was able to remain with Lowes and eventually, with three laps to go, made the pass at the final chicane. However, a mistake by Haslam at Turn 7 allowed Lowes back ahead, making for a great last lap between the two.

WSBK Rnd Assen Sun Haslam CQ — Leon Haslam

However, at the front, it was business as usual for Alvaro Bautista, who made history to take the win at Assen and become the first rider to win the opening ten races of a WorldSBK season. Jonathan Rea finished second once again in another damage limitation ride, whereas it home-hero Michael van der Mark who completed the podium – his first of the season. Alex Lowes put in the ride of his life with a determined fourth position, ahead of WorldSBK returnee Leon Haslam.

A fine ride by Markus Reiterberger saw him take a stunning sixth position, whilst Chaz Davies was seventh, a further 1.8s behind the German revelation. It was a big battle on the final run to line between Jordi Torres and Toprak Razgatlioglu, with the Spaniard holding on for eighth position and Toprak in ninth. A dejected Tom Sykes could only manage tenth.

WSBK Rnd Assen Sun Leon Camier — Leon Camier

Outside of the top ten, Leon Camier was in eleventh, with Marco Melandri recovering to 12th ahead of his teammate Sandro Cortese. Eugene Laverty couldn’t replicate his Aragon success and was 14th, whilst Ryuichi Kiyonari rounded out the points. Hector Barbera was two laps down in 16th.

Bautista’s win makes it the first for Ducati at TT Circuit Assen since Sylvain Guintoli in 2012, Race 1. He is also the first rider ever in WorldSBK history to take ten victories in the opening ten races. There were no crashers in the race, but Italians Alessandro Delbianco and Michael Ruben Rinaldi retired.

WorldSBK Race 1 – Assen

A. BAUTISTA ESP ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati
J. REA GBR Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK +3.130
M. VAN DER MARK NED Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team +4.934
A. LOWES GBR Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team +10.679
L. HASLAM GBR Kawasaki Racing Team +10.859
M. REITERBERGER GER BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team +15.105
C. DAVIES GBR ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati +17.001
J. TORRES ESP Team Pedercini Racing Kawasaki +20.227
T. RAZGATLIOGLU TUR Turkish Puccetti Racing +20.276
T. SYKES GBR BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team +21.748
L. CAMIER GBR Moriwaki Althea Honda Team +32.686
M. MELANDRI ITA GRT Yamaha +38.777
S. CORTESE GER GRT Yamaha +43.075
E. LAVERTY IRL Team Goeleven +46.018
R. KIYONARI JPN Moriwaki Althea Honda Team +46.293
H. BARBERA ESP Orelac Racing VerdNatura +2 Laps

WorldSBK Race 2

Once more, WorldSBK went to war on the famous TT Circuit Assen layout, with ten riders in the leading group in the early stages. However, after an incredible start, Jonathan Rea couldn’t hold off Alvaro Bautista any longer, as the Spaniard battled through to take an 11th race win of the year!

WSBK Rnd Assen Sun Race Rea CQ — Jonathan Rea in the lead in Race 2

A frantic first lap saw Jonathan Rea erupt through the grid from eighth and was already up to the lead by Turn 5, in what was an impressive opening few corners from the reigning four-time champion. Alvaro Bautista was placed in second but under some serious pressure from home-hero, Michael van der Mark. Leon Haslam was also right in the mix during the opening laps, whilst Alex Lowes and Chaz Davies completed the top six.

WorldSBK Rnd Aragon Sun Alex Lowes — Alex Lowes

The race unfolded, and Jonathan Rea was putting in a fantastic effort to defend from Bautista, standing the bike up on the apex of Turn 5 in order to back Bautista up into the chasing pack. Chaz Davies was able to climb up the order and got as high as third, while Michael van der Mark was being pushed back down the order, to fifth.

On lap six, Bautista, who had been continuously probing and searching for a way ahead of Rea, made his move at the fierce Turn 8, slamming his Ducati down the inside. The move rattled Rea, who needed to fight back straight away to get a hold of Bautista before he stretched away. The Northern Irishman was then passed by Chaz Davies at Turn 9 and Ducati were first and second at Assen.

Rea was soon back into the second place, getting ahead of Davies at the final chicane. Alex Lowes was still ahead of his teammate, but Leon Haslam was the rider who looked rather ominous, lapping quicker than the two Yamaha riders ahead. Just behind, it was another solid ride from Markus Reiterberger who was seventh for the majority of the race.

WSBK Rnd Assen Sun Sykes Reiterberger — Markus Reiterberger

From the middle of the race, it was a phenomenal ride from Michael van der Mark, who was lapping far quicker than everyone ahead of him, including Bautista at one point. The Dutch rider was heroic, bridging a huge gap in short time to catch Jonathan Rea with just three laps remaining.

At Turn 13, around the outside, a brave van der Mark roared ahead, with Rea now facing losing more points to Bautista. As Rea went backwards, it was his teammate Haslam who suffered a similar fate after looking so strong, sliding back behind the BMWs of Reiterberger and Tom Sykes.

WSBK Rnd Assen Sun Tom Sykes — Tom Sykes

With the last lap upon us, Bautista had secured enough of an advantage to secure another win, and despite a desperate attempt by Rea at Turn 10 to get ahead of van der Mark – where they collided – it wasn’t enough, with the crowd’s favourite battling hard to remain ahead.

Bautista took the victory but on a run to the line, Rea got alongside van der Mark, but the Dutch star held on ahead of the reigning four-time WorldSBK Champion! Fourth position was secured by Alex Lowes ahead of Chaz Davies, whilst Markus Reiterberger held off Tom Sykes on a run to the line for his second consecutive sixth position.

In eighth position, Leon Haslam struggled home, some 20 seconds behind race winner Bautista. He was only just ahead of the two Independent Kawasaki riders of Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jordi Torres, completing the top ten in that respective order.

WSBK Rnd Assen Day Cortese — Sandro Cortese

Outside of the top ten, it was Sandro Cortese in 11th and Leon Camier in 12th, whilst Eugene Laverty could only manage 13th. Marco Melandri completed a miserable weekend in 14th after a fierce battle with those ahead of him, whilst Michael Ruben Rinaldi was the last point-scorer. Hector Barbera was 16th ahead of Alessandro Delbianco. Ryuichi Kiyonari retired.

WSBK Rnd Assen Sun Kiyonari — Ryuichi Kiyonari

Bautista’s win is a new record in WorldSBK, having won the opening 11 WorldSBK races of a season. He gives Ducati their 352nd race win in WorldSBK and their 27th at the TT Circuit Assen. It is also Spain’s 48th win in the WorldSBK class.

With his 11th win, it puts him level with Jonathan Rea in terms of consecutive race wins, something the reigning champion only achieved last year! It also puts him level with Ruben Xaus, Regis Laconi and Stephane Mertens with number of wins in their WorldSBK career.

WSBK Rnd Assen Sun Round Podium — Alvaro Bautista claims the overall win from Michael van der Mark and Jonathan Rea

Álvaro Bautista – P1

“I’m very happy because I won two races at a circuit which was maybe not very favourable for us, and where the Kawasakis had always won in the past. The weekend didn’t get off to the best start on Friday, but in any case we managed to be consistent and competitive. Today we did two full-distance 21-lap races and I can tell you that I used up all my energy, but my training helped me a lot. In the first race in the morning there were very cold conditions, but I tried to get a good start and set my own pace right from the start. I was able to open up a bit of a gap on my rivals and manage the situation well to go on to win Race 1. In Race 2 to be honest I didn’t expect to see Rea ahead of me at Turn 4 because he was on the third row, but he made an incredible start. In the early laps I was taking it easy, trying to stay up and study him well but I could see that his pace was a bit slow so I decided to pass him. I always tried to give my all, in fact we also improved on the circuit record, so it was another wonderful weekend.”

Michael van der Mark – P2

“Today was proper old school Superbike, with two long races in one day. This morning we had to go with the harder rear tyre because the track was quite cold. It made the bike difficult to ride because the rear was spinning quite a lot and there wasn’t so much feeling, but we knew this would be the case and it was definitely the right choice for the race. In the second race the temperature had risen enough to go with the soft option rear, but the pace at the start of the race wasn’t as high as I’d expected. I could see Johnny in front of me, but I was battling with a few riders and trying not to lose position, so I couldn’t chase earlier in the race. I tried to stay calm and, once clear of the battles, I managed to close the gap to Johnny and was planning to make the move with two laps to go. But then the opportunity came to go around the outside of him in a fifth gear corner a lap early, so I took it. After that we had a good battle, I think we touched at least once around the back part of the circuit, but we were both struggling for grip at that point. The team did a great job with the bike this weekend, so thanks to them, and a big thank you to the Dutch fans for their support, in what were very cold conditions for anyone sat in the grandstands. I’m happy we could repay them with two podiums today.”

WSBK Rnd Assen Sun Michael van der Mark — Michael van der Mark

Jonathan Rea – P3

“I felt good in the fight and my team gave me a good bike to fight with and keep the gap quite stable for a while. I enjoyed today and it was like good old Superbike, two long races in one day. I feel like the only difference today was that I had a shorter time to take lunch and prepare for race two. But it was not anything extraordinary. I really feel like we maximised our potential with the bike this weekend. I felt good with the bike and we were stronger in some sectors and weaker in others compared to Alvaro. Even in the cold conditions I felt like the grip level was really, really good but at the end when the tyres were dropping, I lost a lot of grip. The bike became more physical to ride. Apart from that I was very impressed with the potential of the tyres and I was able to run quite consistently in the start to middle of the second race. I am pretty content.”

Alex Lowes – P4

“I didn’t feel so strong in the colder conditions of the first race this morning, but it was good to get into a bit of a battle with Leon in the race and even better to beat him to fourth place on the last lap. I felt a lot stronger in the second race, when the slight increase in temperature meant we could run the soft rear tyre. I got up into third after passing Michael and I felt quite good, but then when he came back past me there were a couple of sections where he was a bit stronger than me and I couldn’t quite stay with him. I have to be happy with two fourth places, as this was the best we could do here today, so I’ll take the points and start looking now towards the next race in Imola. Congratulations to Michael and the team, as it was great to see a double podium again today. There’s a fantastic atmosphere in the team and we’re making steps forward every week, which is good to see and great to be a part of.”

WSBK Rnd Assen Day Lowes Pitt — Alex Lowes and Andrew Pitt

Chaz Davies

“Jumping onto the podium at Aragón was great then coming here and not getting a podium could be a bit of a disappointment, but I felt like I put together a decent second race. The first race was tough, I had a bit of contact with Johnny in the first corner, got pushed out and just didn’t make any progression in the race. The second race was good, I got a decent start and got up to second for a lap but then just struggled a bit with the balance of the bike after six or seven laps and in the longer corners in particular. We need to look at that and become more comfortable in these areas. It would have been nice to stay in the fight close to the podium, but it just goes to show that we have some work to do to improve in every track.”

Markus Reiterberger – P6

“I am really happy. The weekend in Assen was great and a big thank you goes to my team for their hard work. We have taken another step and I felt really good on the RR all weekend. I got off to a great start in the opening race and was able to match the pace at the front of the field for the first few laps. After seven or eight laps, however, I had a few issues with the grip on the rear tyre – there was quite a lot of movement entering and exiting the corners. I took wider lines and consequently made two mistakes, and I was forced off while overtaking on one occasion. Despite this, however, I was able to finish in the top six. The second race also went well. We made a few changes to the balance of the bike. Unfortunately, my start was not so good in race two and we lost a few positions. I was able to maintain the same level for a relatively long time. In the end, I fancied myself to finish fifth, but I lost a lot of time behind (Leon) Haslam. That allowed (Chaz) Davies to escape in fifth place. We can now recharge our batteries a bit and prepare for the next races. We are heading in the right direction and will continue to work on further improving the chassis.”

WSBK Test PI Final Markus Reiterberger — Markus Reiterberger

Tom Sykes – P7

“Everyone has seen the potential of the BMW S 1000 RR is high considering how early the project is. Although the positions weren’t what I was hoping for today, on the positive side we have gained a lot of information. I was able to see where I am losing out and during the race that was confirmed it. We will try to improve now where we are missing out and moving forward we know that we progress on this in the next race. Markus rode really well today, I knew he would be strong from his race here last year on the Superstock bike. One of the positives we can take forward is that in general the RR is working in the right direction. We have been consistently around five seconds from P2 in most races so given my experience and the level of the whole BMW Motorrad WorldSBK team, I think we will get to where we need to be throughout the season.”

WorldSBK Race 2 Results – Assen

A. BAUTISTA ESP ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati
M. VAN DER MARK NED Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team +4.688
J. REA GBR Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK +4.706
A. LOWES GBR Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team +10.073
C. DAVIES GBR ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati +13.667
M. REITERBERGER GER BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team +15.373
T. SYKES GBR BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team +15.387
L. HASLAM GBR Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK +20.915
T. RAZGATLIOGLU TUR Turkish Puccetti Racing +22.922
J. TORRES ESP Team Pedercini Racing +23.518
S. CORTESE GER GRT Yamaha WorldSBK +28.286
L. CAMIER GBR Moriwaki Althea Honda Team +36.039
E. LAVERTY IRL Team Goeleven +36.359
M. MELANDRI ITA GRT Yamaha +36.895
M. RINALDI ITA BARNI Racing Team +36.913
H. BARBERA ESP Orelac Racing VerdNatura +37.095
A. DELBIANCO ITA Althea Mie Racing Team +1’10.200

2019 WorldSBK Rider standings following Assen

BAUTISTA Alvaro SPA 236
REA Jonathan GBR 183
LOWES Alex GBR 126
VAN DER MARK Michael NDL 115
HASLAM Leon GBR 93
DAVIES Chaz GBR 76
MELANDRI Marco ITA 69
CORTESE Sandro GER 64
SYKES Tom GBR 54
TORRES Jordi SPA 49
RAZGATLIOGLU Toprak TUR 46
RINALDI Michael Ruben ITA 36
REITERBERGER Markus GER 35
LAVERTY Eugene IRE 32
CAMIER Leon GBR 26
MERCADO Leandro ARG 11
KIYONARI Ryuichi JPN 10
DELBIANCO Alessandro ITA 3

World Supersport

The FIM Supersport World Championship was a yet another fair-bashing, head-to-head squabble, with nothing but pure action prevailing throughout the 18-lap encounter. In a group of six riders, it would be Federico Caricasulo who would take his first win of the season, to claw back points on his championship-leading teammate!

WorldSBK NED WorldSSP Sunday Action Krummenacher — WSSP Race Start

It was a frantic opening lap that saw Raffaele De Rosa lead into Turn 1, whilst Randy Krummenacher slotted into second position. It was a rapid start for Austrian rider Thomas Gradinger who was up to a mighty third position, whereas the same could not be said for Federico Caricasulo, who dropped down as far as eighth on the opening lap from second position on the grid. Hannes Soomer maintained his starting position on the opening lap, with fourth position ahead of Jules Cluzel in fifth.

WorldSBK NED WorldSSP Saturday Action DeRosa — Raffaele De Rosa

Krummenacher took the lead of the race at the end of the opening lap, whilst title rival Jules Cluzel had pushed his way through the field to be fantastic second by Turn 6. It was a good opening few laps of the race for the pairing of Lucas Mahias Hikari Okubo, running well within what started out as a leading group of nine riders.

The group then fragmented, with top five escaping and initially leaving Lucas Mahias behind. However, it was a strong mid-race that brought Mahias back into the fight, bridging a big gap and setting the fastest lap of the race at the same time.

WSBK Rnd Assen Day WSS Caricasulo — Federico Caricasulo

Federico Caricasulo had begun his fight back and was already up to second, courtesy of mistakes of other riders. Raffaele De Rosa was also putting hard moves on riders, with a bold move at Turn 1 for third position, shoving Cluzel off line and back to sixth. Momentarily, this allowed Krummenacher and Caricasulo to escape.

However, just half a lap later, De Rosa crashed out at Turn 9, under pressure from Thomas Gradinger and trying to get back in the fight for the lead.

WSBK Rnd Assen Sun Mahias GB — Lucas Mahias

The Italian was OK, remounted but returned his MV Agusta to the pits for a second non-score of the WorldSSP season. Now with the leading group down to five riders, the gloves were starting to come off!

The final lap soon beckoned and having stalked teammate Krummenacher for the majority of the second half of the race, Caricasulo put in a classy, sophisticated pass at Turn 8 to lead the race for the first time with just half a lap left to go. Krummenacher rode closely for the remaining few corners but wasn’t able to get back ahead!

WorldSBK NED WorldSSP Sunday Finish — Federico Caricasulo claims the win

Caricasulo took the victory ahead of his teammate, whilst Thomas Gradinger made history for Austria as he gave the nation their first WorldSSP podium. Jules Cluzel was off the podium for the second consecutive race in fourth, whilst Lucas Mahias took his best finish in 2019 with fifth, a little over a second back of winner, Federico Caricasulo.

Corentin Perolari was a strong sixth position, holding off Hikari Okubo and Isaac Viñales. Rounding out the top ten, Glenn van Straalen was ninth and put on a fantastic display in front of his massive home crowd, whereas completing the top ten was Jules Danilo, who finished as top Honda, following a late crash for Estonian, Hannes Soomer.

WorldSBK NED WorldSSP Sunday Podium — World Supersport Podium – Assen – 1) Federico Caricasulo, 2) Randy Krummenacher, 3) Thomas Gradinger

Federico Caricasulo – P1

“I’m really happy to win, especially here in Assen, which is not one of my favourite tracks. I worked hard all weekend with the team to make sure I had the best bike possible today and, in the race, I tried to ride more with my head than my heart. I took it fairly easy from the start, as I was running the harder option front tyre and knew it would take time to get up to temperature, but the pace was there from the start and I was able to work my way up to the leading group quite quickly. It’s a great feeling to win my first race of the season and the first with this team and I want to thank everyone in the team for such a fantastic job.”

Thomas Gradinger – P3

“I am so happy! In Aragon we showed we could be in the fight for the podium, but just missed out in the end, so it’s like a dream to come to the very next race and actually finish on the podium for the first time. It was a really tough race, especially at the start, but I managed to work my way up to the leading group and into third place with six laps to go. Once there I just tried to defend the position to the very last lap and it was amazing to cross the line in third place to finish on the podium finally. Big thanks to me team, my crew and my family, who have worked so hard for me. It’s just amazing.”

Lucas Mahias – P5

“The feeling from this race is that one thing is good and one thing not so good. I am happy because I followed the leading group closely and the gap to first position is very small. But I am a little bit disappointed because it is difficult in some places on the track. When I exit turn four, I lose on that sector and then I have to push very hard in the third and fourth sectors to come back. I finished every lap just behind, lap after lap. So I realised that it would be impossible to win, but I continued to push in case I could get onto the podium somehow. I am happy because the feeling on the bike is really great and the chassis is perfect. I got a good feeling back at this race and that is very good for the future. Thanks to the team because race-after-race they improve the set-up.”

World Supersport Race Result – Assen

F. CARICASULO ITA BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team
R. KRUMMENACHER SUI BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team +0.032
T. GRADINGER AUT Kallio Racing +0.223
J. CLUZEL FRA GMT94 YAMAHA +0.580
L. MAHIAS FRA Kawasaki Puccetti Racing +1.277
C. PEROLARI FRA GMT94 YAMAHA +13.748
H. OKUBO JPN Kawasaki Puccetti Racing +13.873
I. VINALES ESP Kallio Racing +13.959
G. VAN STRAALEN NED EAB Racing +20.784
J. DANILO FRA CIA Landlord Insurance Honda +21.632

World Supersport Standings after Assen

Randy Krummenacher 90
Federico Caricasulo 73
Jules Cluzel 69
Thomas Gradinger 40
Hikari Okubo 37
Corentin Perolari 34
Lucas Mahias 32
Raffaele De Rosa 31
Isaac Vinales 27
Hector Barbera 22
…19. Tom Toparis 5

World Supersport 300

WorldSSP300 once again put on a phenomenal show to complete has been an incredible Motul Dutch Round for the World Supersport 300 championship. 19 riders battled hard to see who would take the victory in front of a packed Assen crowd, which eventually saw Manuel Gonzalez take a second career win!

WorldSBK NED WorldSSP Sunday Race Action Jahnig — Jan-Ole Jahnig leads the World Supersport 300 at Assen

Pole position was taken by Galang Hendra Pratama, who got an incredible start and led by Turn 1. However, despite the big initial gap, the race was far from over, as Manuel Gonzalez pushed through to lead, whilst Hugo De Cancellis also came through the field. Teammate Omar Bonoli was also a prominent figure in the leading group, along with Ana Carrasco, Scott Deroue and Nick Kalinin.

As the leaders swapped and changed in frantic fashion throughout the race, there were some massive accidents. Tom Edwards crashed at the ferocious Turn 7, with his bike taking a huge beating on Lap 3. Also crashing in front of him at the same corner and on the same lap, were Kevin Arduini and his teammate, Jack Hyde.

WorldSBK NED WorldSSP Sunday Race Action Gonzalez — Manuel Gonzalez leading

In a race which saw riders drop back and then surge forwards, one of the most notable improvers was Bruno Ieraci, who qualified in 28th place but was up in the lead on the final lap, having to fend off the likes of Ana Carrasco and Manuel Gonzalez!

It was chaos at the final chicane, as all 19 riders looked to try and make up as many positions as possible. Contact between Jan-Ole Jahnig and Manuel Gonzalez forced the Spaniard off track at the final chicane, but he crossed the line in first! Scott Deroue was in third place as the chasing pack crossed the line, with 2.3s covering the top 19!

WorldSBK NED WorldSSP Sunday Race Action Deroue — Scott Deroue

After a small pause as race direction looked at the results, Gonzalez maintained his victory while Jahnig was forced to drop a place for exceeding track limits! Deroue took second in front of his home fans, whilst Jahnig was third and achieved his first podium! Nick Kalinin was fourth whilst Hugo De Cancellis was fifth.

Manuel Gonzalez – P1

“Again victory, but it was so difficult. Last week it was in the last corner and here again in the last corner. We did really good work in all the practice and qualifying sessions. The bike was very good but it was difficult for me to overtake in the corners. In the straights I could manage to pass and in the last sector I wanted to be first! So thanks to the team for all the work they have done.”

WSBK Rnd Assen Sun Gonzalez GB — Manuel Gonzalez

Scott Deroue – P2

“It is always special to be at home and take a podium in front of your friends, family and sponsors. Last year we were strong in Imola as well but in the last lap we crashed. In the other races we were strong so I think the rest of the season we can do the same, and that is my goal. Aragon and Assen are really slipstream races but in Imola and Donington, for example, it is more about pace and corners. There are not so many straights. So I am really looking forward to the other races to see how fast we are there.”

WSBK Rnd Assen Sun Deroue GB — Scott Deroue

World Supersport 300 Race Results

M. GONZALEZ ESP Kawasaki ParkinGO Team
S. DEROUE NED Kawasaki MOTOPORT +0.143
J. JAHNIG GER Freudenberg KTM Junior Team +0.320
N. KALININ UKR Nutec – RT Motorsports by SKM – Kawasaki +0.417
H. DE CANCELLIS FRA Team Trasimeno +0.450
O. BONOLI ITA Team Trasimeno +0.500
B. IERACI ITA Kawasaki GP Project +0.588
A. CARRASCO ESP Kawasaki Provec WorldSSP300 +0.780
A. VERDOÏA FRA BCD Yamaha MS Racing +0.945
V. STEEMAN NED Freudenberg KTM Junior Team +1.009

World Supersport 300 Standings following Assen

Manuel Gonzalez 50
Scott Deroue 36
Hugo De Cancellis 31
Jan-Ole Jahnig 29
Omar Bonoli 19
Andy Verdoïa 18
Bruno Ieraci 17
Victor Steeman 16
Nick Kalinin 15
Robert Schotman 9

Source: MCNews.com.au

2020 WorldSBK Round Six – Catalunya

WSBK Superpole Race

Superpole Race Results

WorldSBK Race Two

WorldSBK Race Two Results

WorldSBK Quotes

Chaz Davies – P1

Serafino Foti (Team Manager Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)

Michael van der Mark – P2

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu – DNS

Paul Denning – Pata Yamaha Team Principal

Garrett Gerloff – P3

Jonathan Rea – P4

Scott Redding – P6

Tom Sykes – P5

Eugene Laverty – P7

Marc Bongers – BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director

Alex Lowes – P8

Alvaro Bautista – DNS

Leon Haslam – P9

WorldSBK Championship Standings

WorldSSP

P1 Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team)

P2 Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing)

P3 Philipp Oettl (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing)

WorldSSP Race Two

WorldSSP Championship Standings

WorldSSP300

P1 Yuta Okaya

P2 Scott Deroue

P3 Jeffrey Buis

WorldSSP300 Race Two

WorldSSP300 Championship Standings

2020 Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team

Toprak Razgatlioglu

Paul Denning

WorldSBK Yamaha Finance Australian Round, Phillip Island

WorldSBK 2019Round 11 – Magny Cours

Sunday Superpole Race & Race 2 Report

Superpole Race

Race 2

Jonathan Rea – P1

Michael van der Mark – P2

Alex Lowes – P3

Chaz Davies – P4

Loris Baz – P5

Álvaro Bautista – DNF

WorldSBK Race 2 Results

Suzuka 8 Hour Results

Suzuka 8 Hours History

Suzuka 8 Hour Most Successful Riders

Suzuka 8 Hour Most Successful Manufacturers

Suzuka 8 Hour Results

Roll of Honour

WSBK 2019

Round Six – Jerez – Sunday Report

Tissot Superpole Race

WSBK – Race 2

Michael van der Mark – P1

Jonathan Rea – P2

Toprak Razgatlioglu – P3

Leon Haslam – P5

Sandro Cortese – P6

Tom Sykes – P7

Álvaro Bautista – DNF

Chaz Davies – DNF

Marco Melandri – DNF

WorldSBK 2019

Round 4 – Assen

Alvaro Bautista claims the double win

WorldSBK Race 1

WorldSBK Race 1 – Assen

WorldSBK Race 2

Álvaro Bautista – P1

Michael van der Mark – P2

Jonathan Rea – P3

Alex Lowes – P4

Chaz Davies

Markus Reiterberger – P6

Tom Sykes – P7

WorldSBK 2019
Round 11 – Magny Cours