Tag Archives: News

Miller eager to convert Jerez pace into result at Spanish GP

Podium result a significant boost for Pramac Racing rider entering Europe.

Image: Supplied.

Australian Jack Miller will look to secure his best-ever finish in the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez this Sunday, due to build upon his first-career dry weather podium in the MotoGP World Championship.

Pramac Racing’s Miller was sixth in the attrition-filled Jerez race one year ago, however with momentum on his side in 2019 he’s confident of a strong result regardless if any of the front-runners exit on Sunday.

“The other podium, or victory, was in the wet and it felt great but less like I’d achieved it,” Miller said of his 2016 Assen win. “To get a dry weather podium under our belt is always nice. The bike is working great, I feel super-comfortable at the moment we’ve been strong at all three rounds.

“The team are doing an amazing job and, like I said before, it’s a shame we had that result in Qatar because it would be interesting, especially after how things have shaped up, to see where we would be in the championship. We had a great test here in November, so I look forward to carrying some of that momentum hopefully into here.

“As you said, with the asphalt it will be a little bit of a question mark, we’ll have to go out there and see how the tyres work and having four options here it will be a little bit different to see what we’ll do in the race. Last year we had a decent result but that was due to everyone falling off in front of us – we’ll see what we can do this year.

“I’ve had good pace in the past, just never really been able to put it all together in the race. So I’m hoping this year we can put it all together and have a good weekend, if it goes like it has been at the last couple of GPs and we can keep working in the same way through the practices I think it will be good.”

Because of the recent resurface at Jerez, organisers will allow for an expanded Michelin tyre allocation this weekend as MotoGP teams will have four front and four rear tyres available to them for the Spanish GP.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Monster Energy Yamaha signs MotoGP eSport world champion

News 3 May 2019

Monster Energy Yamaha signs MotoGP eSport world champion

Teenage gamer Lorenzo Daretti officially confirmed as factory Yamaha rider.

Image: Supplied.

The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP team has signed double MotoGP eSport world champion Lorenzo Daretti to represent the organisation in the 2019 season, becoming the first factory gamer in the sport.

Yamaha made the official announcement on the eve of Jerez, where 19-year-old Daretti joined Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales in the presentation led by Yamaha Motor Racing managing director Lin Jarvis.

Jarvis introduced a video showing the highlights of Daretti’s career, securing the 2017 and 2018 MotoGP eSport crowns. Daretti then entered the stage, which featured a custom Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP replica YZF-R1, sporting his race number of 58 and personal logo, ‘Trast73’.

“First of all, I want to say welcome to Lorenzo,” commented Jarvis. “This is a very special occasion for him as well as Yamaha – he has become the first official eSport rider signed by a MotoGP team. It’s a significant step, as we believe eSports and MotoGP can have a great shared future.

“We have kept an eye on the developments of the MotoGP eSport championship in the last two years and Lorenzo struck us with his talent and professionalism and obviously also with his two world champion titles. The fact that he is also the proud owner of an R6 that he uses for track days was really the icing on the cake that convinced us he had to be our eSports rider!

“It won’t be easy to make it a hat-trick crown. eSports is a sector that is rapidly growing, so the competition gets fiercer every year, but we have a lot of faith in Lorenzo’s abilities and are looking forward to a good championship year for him. He will also be joining us at several MotoGP races and other Yamaha promotional events.”

Daretti later showed off his skills on the big screens, doing a lap around Jerez on the MotoGP 18 game by Milestone, before he went on to challenge any journalists that dared to take on his eSport skills.

“I’m really proud to start this new season as an official eSport rider for Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP,” Daretti beamed. “Being a part of this team, which immediately welcomed me with open arms, is an indescribable emotion.

“After two world titles, this year it will be harder to repeat myself because my rivals are getting more and more professional and determined. But the fact that I am the first officially signed rider in the history of the sport gives me an extra boost and I will prepare myself to the maximum to get ready for the challenge.

“I would like to thank Yamaha for the trust they have placed in me since day one and I’m looking forward to starting the 2019 championship qualifying and beginning this new adventure on the track.”

As Daretti is a biker himself, he will also participate in various Yamaha events on-track. One of the first of such opportunities will be the Yamaha VR46 Master Camp in May, which was established as one of the highlight activities promoting Yamaha’s goal to support, encourage, and train young talents from around the world.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au

Yamaha replacement Grant ruled out of Las Vegas finals

News 3 May 2019

Yamaha replacement Grant ruled out of Las Vegas finals

Injuries suffered this week sideline factory 450SX team altogether.

Image: Supplied.

Monster Energy Yamaha has announced Josh Grant will miss this weekend’s final round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship after being injured on Wednesday at the factory test track.

Grant, who has been with Yamaha since Seattle as the fill-in rider for Aaron Plessinger, sustained injuries to his leg and ribs in the training crash that will rule him out of Saturday’s 17th round.

“This was not the phone call you want to get, however, it is the sad part of the game,” said Monster Energy Yamaha team manager Jim Perry. “What a bummer for Josh Grant and the whole team.

“Josh has been making improvements each week with two strong top 10 finishes in the previous events. He has been working hard to finish the supercross series on a high note and it’s a shame that he will be sidelined for the finale.”

As a result of Grant’s injury, with regular duo Plessinger and Justin Barcia already on the sidelines, Monster Energy Yamaha will be absent from Sam Boyd Stadium’s Monster Energy AMA Supercross finals this weekend.


Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Riding lessons now a uni course

How would you like to earn credit points toward your degree by learning to ride a motorcycle in a special uni course!

It sounds like a dream come true and a great way to encourage millennials to ride.

Unfortunately, it is so far only available at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

It’s yet another smart marketing move by Harley-Davidson to get more riders on motorcycles.

Harley-Davidson Marketing Programs Manager Claudia Garber says the company is committed to “building the next generation of riders and meeting them where they are – in this case on campus”.

The pilot uni course is being operated by the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy who hope to roll it out as a course option at other colleges and universities.

Harley-Davidson Australia marketing head honcho Keith Waddell says the integration of the H-D Riding Academy into the local “uni is a great idea and a great way to encourage the next generation of riders”.

“We will be watching the progress of the initiative with interest, however we have no plans to roll out for Australia or New Zealand at this stage,” he says.

Such a course would teach young people some much-needed skills about spatial awareness, road craft and vulnerability in traffic.

It may also make them better future drivers who look out for motorcyclists.

Licensing planPolice chase dodgy bike licence holders unlicensed uni course

The uni course follows a recent South Australia plan to increase the learner rider age and make it a requirement for learner riders to first have a car licence.

Our readers say it should be the other way around – car drivers should first have to get a motorcycle licence.

While that will never happen, several European countries allow young teens to ride 50cc scooters.

This promotes a healthy attitude about safety and respect for riders that seems to carry on later in their motoring life.

Anyone who has ridden in Europe will have witnessed the motorcycle awareness of drivers who sometimes wave you through or even move over to let you pass.

Uni course

A great way to get this process started is with education.

But maybe not just as uni course.

What ever happened to driver education in schools?

The Milwaukee uni course, riding Harley Street 500 motorcycles, will be an elective subject as part of their health sciences degree.

Harley Street 500 uni course
MBW on the Harley Street 500

Students will not only learn to ride, but also be required to attend classroom lessons about the parts and functions of a motorcycle and safe riding behaviour.

The uni course includes use of a training motorcycle, course materials, and insurance.

Students who complete the course will not only receive one general credit toward their degree, but also an MSF completion card.

In many states that means they are exempt from the riding portion of a state motorcycle licence test and may qualify riders for discounted motorcycle insurance. 

Interested students must have a valid automobile driver’s licence or learner’s permit and the ability to ride a bicycle.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Energica Says All Ego Corsa Machines Will Be Ready By End Of May

Despite a huge fire burning the fleet of MotoE Ego Corsa race bikes, Energica says the new crop will be ready by the end of the month.

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MotoE’s single manufacturer Energica has been putting in an extraordinary effort in order to make sure the first-ever edition of the all-electric world series begins on July 7th at the Sachsenring in Germany – after the unfortunate event which took place in Jerez in March.

The company’s ultimate commitment to bring electric racing onto the world stage and its never-give-up attitude – despite big challenges and limited time – have ultimately resulted in a rebuilding timeline that fits the requirements for the championship to get underway as hoped.

By the end of May, Energica will have built all of the Ego Corsa machines needed, in a record time of less than three months. The effort of all partners and suppliers, combined with work ethics and dedication second to none, have been crucial in making the unthinkable a reality.

“On the day after the fire in Jerez, we knew a special effort had to be made” says Energica’s CEO Livia Cevolini. “There was no time to waste, despite witnessing what happened – which was surely something very hard to deal with. We can now very proudly say that there is indeed a sure timeframe for the new Ego Corsa machine to be ready, and that it fits in with the timing for the series to begin in Germany. I can’t thank everyone involved enough for the massive effort that is being put in place and all the teams, riders, fans and partners for their huge support. There is still a little bit of time left, but it’s surely worth the wait.”

While anxiously waiting for MotoE proceedings finally to get underway at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit on 17-19 June for the pre-season official test – with E-Pole and race simulations as well as an Eva Lunar White to be awarded to the race winner – stay tuned to Energica’s social media channels in order to receive constant updates on the rebuilding process of the Ego Corsa machines.

The post Energica Says All Ego Corsa Machines Will Be Ready By End Of May appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Energica Introduces #MyElectric Academy The World’s Only All-Electric Motorcycle Training Course

Interested in learning how to ride a motorcycle quickly, without the hassle of gears and a clutch lever? Read on.

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Riding a high-performance electric motorcycle on the track is a distinctive experience.
Now, for the first time, riders can participate in an Electric Riding Academy organized by the single manufacturer for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup!

Experience the future and become fully immersed in the purest form of electric power: a unique riding course on board Energica models, with expert instruction, on a historic Italian race circuit in the heart of the Motor Valley.

Training Schedule
The course will include electric riding techniques on the track and practice exercises. Participants will be divided into 2 groups of 5 students each.

9:30 am – Welcome coffee and accreditation @ Energica Headquarters
10:00 am – Theoretical training (classroom)
12:00 am – Lunch Break and independent transfer to the Modena Circuit
2:00-5:00 pm – Practical training: exercises and riding control
5:00-6:00 pm – Track sessions with Alessandro Brannetti
6:00-7:00 pm – Hot laps on the track
7:30 pm – Official certificates awarded

Professional trainers with extensive high-performance motorcycle international experience, will be available to customers throughout the day for personalized instruction and advice.

The course will take place at the Modena Circuit.

Total cost for the one-day training and track instruction will be € 990 which will be reimbursed for any rider who goes on to purchase an Energica within 30 days.

Dates Available: May 31 and June 23

Your Coach
Alessandro “Branna” Brannetti is the most experienced rider in the world of electric motorcycle racing.

Alessandro first began riding with CRP, the parent company for Energica, ten years ago. Before then, he was four-time Italian minibike champion and then he landed in 1998 at the 125GP of the Italian Championship (CIV).

The genesis for Energica took place during the two-year racing period 2010-2011. This is when Brannetti won the titles of European champion and vice world champion in our company’s first electric competitions. He was on board the eCRP – the first prototype of electric racing bike created by CRP Racing.

Today Alessandro is the official tester of Energica Motor Company and FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup. He has the highest number of track hours and miles with electric motorcycles of any rider living.

Sign up – www.energicamotor.com/myelectric-academy/

The post Energica Introduces “#MyElectric Academy” – The World’s Only All-Electric Motorcycle Training Course appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Harley-Davidson Riding Academy Is Now An Official College Course

Now you can get credit for riding motorcycles as a college course!

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Second-semester college students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee now have a new favorite class to consider just in time for the start of summer: Harley-Davidson Riding Academy.

Offered through the Department of Kinesiology Sport & Recreation Office at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s College of Health Sciences, Harley-Davidson Riding Academy begins May 2. The elective course includes required reading and classroom lessons on the parts and functions of the motorcycle, suggested riding behaviors to promote confidence, and of course riding practice.

“Harley-Davidson is committed to building the next generation of riders and meeting them where they are – in this case on campus – is a natural extension of that strategy,” said Claudia Garber, Harley-Davidson Marketing Programs Manager. “While many may consider college itself to be the ride of a lifetime, we’re looking forward to broadening horizons even further with a real-life skill and access to a mode of transportation that they may not have considered before.”

Students who complete the course will receive one general credit toward their degree and an MSF completion card, which in many states exempts them from the riding portion of the state motorcycle license test and may qualify riders for discounted motorcycle insurance. The course includes use of a training motorcycle, course materials, and insurance.

Interested students must have a valid automobile driver’s license or learner’s permit and the ability to ride a bicycle.

Harley-Davidson will use the learnings from this pilot with the goal of equipping dealers to offer Riding Academy as a course option at other colleges and universities.

ADDITIONAL “CONTINUING EDUCATION” OPTIONS

Students beyond UW-Milwaukee can raise their hands to show they want Harley-Davidson Riding Academy added to their course catalogs by posting in social media using #IWantRiding101.

For those a bit further off campus, H-D Riding Academy is offered at select Harley-Davidson dealers and provides expert guidance on basic motorcycle functions, rider safety skills and confidence boosting practice rides. Search for classes at www.h-d.com or visit H-D.com/explore.


The post Harley-Davidson Riding Academy Is Now An Official College Course appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Ducati North America Brings Scrambler Summer Road Trip to The Quail: A Motorcycle Gathering

The Quail is about to get an injection of youth with the Ducati Scrambler Summer Road Trip.

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One of the United States’ most prestigious motorcycle events will include elevated engagement this year as Ducati brings their Scrambler Summer Road Trip and a special Scrambler featured class to the annual The Quail Motorcycle Gathering in Carmel, California on May 4. The “Spirit of the Scrambler” class is open to the public and will be judged by Ducati executives, who will award the winner on-site at the event.

Entries for this featured class will be accepted up to May 2, 2019: https://bit.ly/2IDHFYm

Ducati’s Scrambler concept started in 1962 with the idea to mix-up (Scramble) a motorcycle that would work well riding on the street as well as down a dusty dirt road, yet never taking itself too seriously in either environment. The “Spirit of the Scrambler” class recognizes the Scramblers that were built to have fun no matter the terrain and express the personality of the owner’s mixed-up style.

The Scrambler Ducati brand re-launched in 2015 to great success and has sold over 59,000 bikes worldwide while introducing at least two new models every year, expanding the range from the entry Scrambler Sixty2 to the Scrambler 1100 Sport. 2019 saw the refresh of the 800cc Scrambler models addressing improved safety with cornering ABS, functionality with a fuel level gauge and gear position indicator and style with new liveries across the range. Demo rides will also be available on the 2019 Scrambler models, with sign-ups available on-site to tour the beautiful Carmel Valley roads.

Ducati North America CEO Jason Chinnock will be in attendance with his personal Scrambler Ducati Desert Sled to give media, VIPs, Scrambler Ducati aficionados and new riders an overview of the 2019 Scrambler line-up.

“The Motorcycle Gathering at the Quail is one of my favorite motorcycle events with beautiful machines, engaging conversations and great riding in the Carmel Valley,” said Chinnock. “Bringing the Scrambler Ducati brand to the event is a perfect complement to bridge the past with the present of motorcycling while opening the world of motorcycling to new motorcyclists as well as returning riders.” Ducati attended the first Quail: A Motorcycle Gathering in 2009 and is honored to be part of the event showcasing the best of the past with an eye to the future of motorcycling.

The Quail Motorcycle Gathering takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4 at Quail Lodge & Golf Club, 8000 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel-By-The-Sea, California, 93923. Tickets are available here: https://peninsula.ticketmob.com/event.cfm?cart&id=176530

Ducati Promo Code (QL19DUCATI) is available for ticket buyers. The code is valid through May 3 on Pre-Sale General Admission tickets.



The post Ducati North America Brings Scrambler Summer Road Trip to The Quail: A Motorcycle Gathering appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.

Travis Pastrana, Nitro Circus Ringleader Interview 2019

Travis Pastrana’s fingerprints are all over the motorsports world. From the insanity of Nitro Circus to Supercross and motocross, rally and rallycross, and even NASCAR, the man is a vehicular force of nature. He’s helped lift action sports to their lofty place through a combination of a love of motorcycles and a lifetime of bone-breaking labor.

When did you realize you could make a career out of motorcycles that was more than just racing?
When they start out riding a dirt bike, every kid believes they’re going to be a professional in that sport, and for me the reality never really set in. I think the injuries are what really made me find another way to do what I love to do. My dad always said, “Heck, you’re too crippled to come back to construction.”

Do you have any regrets about how you’ve used up your body pursuing this thing?
My biggest regrets at the moment are the times that I didn’t go for it when I thought I had it. Motorcycles come down to calculated risk, or risk versus reward. That’s always changing. Why would I stop doing what I love to do? When I’m hurt, it’s not the injury or the pain that I’m bummed out about, it’s not being able to do what I love to do.

To take your body and put it through the wringer over and over again isn’t the smartest thing. My dad just had his third back surgery this year, and he’s been an avid motorcyclist his whole life. He’s like, “Never stop, son. The second you stop, you’re done.”

You’ve said riding at your level requires constant work. There’s no such thing as a holiday. Who taught you that diligence?
I was really fortunate. I got brought up with my dad and his five brothers. They all worked construction. They were some of the hardest-working people I ever met. My dad said, “You’re not going to make it as a professional athlete and make money doing it, but any day you do not work construction, any day you can live what you love to do, then do whatever it takes to ride that train until the wheels fall off.”

If your kids came to you and said, “Dad, I want to do what you do,” what would you say to them?
If they’re half as passionate as I am about riding motorcycles, or as my wife is about skateboarding, then I feel like I’ve succeeded as a parent. Look, selfishly, yeah, it would be awesome to go ride with my kids, and yeah, they have dirt bikes and they love it, but there’s a difference between riding for fun, riding on the weekend, and trying to win the freaking Supercross championship.

What does retirement look like for you? Is that something you have any interest in?
I was talking about this last week with my wife. We’re sitting down and the Olympics came up, and she has a chance to qualify in skating. She was like, “Well, are you willing to be a stay-at-home dad while I chase this dream?” I didn’t really sign any contracts for this year. This is the first time since I was 7 years old that I don’t have contracts that I have to follow through on. For me, I feel like I’ve lived my college years too many years at this point, but you know, I have time to really enjoy where I am in life and to count my blessings. At the same time, I love what I do, and I’m fortunate to have a lot of opportunities in the motorcycle industry to keep doing what I love. Retirement could be anything.

Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com

Increased competitiveness greater reward than points lead for Dovizioso

News 2 May 2019

Increased competitiveness greater reward than points lead for Dovizioso

Italian ace content with Ducati performance in first three rounds.

Image: Supplied.

As the MotoGP World Championship heads to Jerez in Spain this weekend, Andrea Dovizioso has indicated the increased competitiveness this season at historically challenging tracks for Ducati has brought greater reward than sitting atop the points standings.

The Mission Winnow Ducati rider has ridden consistently in the first three rounds, taking out a stellar victory at Qatar’s season-opener.

Leading Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) by three points, the Italian is confident of delivering a strong result this Sunday, although he acknowledges the challenges that lay ahead.

“We arrive at Jerez in the lead but, more than for the championship position itself, I’m happy first and foremost for the feeling with the bike so far this year,” Dovizioso explained.

“Our competitiveness has further increased and we managed to defend ourselves even on historically difficult tracks, but it’s also true that there are even more riders capable of fighting for the podium and the season has just started.

“I believe that in Jerez we’ll be able to be stronger than in the past, last year during the race we had already shown progress, but we need to keep our head down and work hard to make more improvements and to be contenders on every single track.”

In 2018, Dovizioso was taken out of the race by then teammate Jorge Lorenzo after the Spaniard initially collided with retired MotoGP legend Dani Pedrosa.

Source: CycleOnline.com.au