The Red Bull KTM factory team enters American Flat Track racing series for 2019
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com
Spaniard 19th on day two of testing at Losail International Circuit.
Image: Supplied.
Multi-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo is still continuing to adapt to his Repsol Honda RC213V after the first two days of MotoGP World Championship testing at Losail International Circuit in Qatar.
The Spaniard was able to spin laps aboard the machine late last year in post-season testing, however a fractured scaphoid sustained at the beginning of the year stripped him the opportunity of completing three days of valuable testing at Sepang earlier this month.
Lorenzo was able to improve his time by one second on day two, winding up 19th on the timesheets, targeting a refined set-up that will benefit corner entry in today’s final outing.
“Today was better than yesterday,” Lorenzo declared. “We modified the bike to improve my feeling and confidence across the whole circuit. You can see we’ve improved by over one second, the position isn’t much better but we are much closer to the front – this is the most important part.
“Tomorrow we’re aiming to make another step forward again, especially with corner entry as I think there’s still more to do there.”
Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins was fastest on day two, followed by Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and rookie Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT).
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
Factory Kawasaki rider third in both outings on Sunday at Phillip Island.
Image: Supplied.
British talent Leon Haslam made his mark while on return to the FIM Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) at Phillip Island over the weekend, challenging for podiums in all three outings.
After overcoming a crash in race one while contending up front, Haslam pulled through for two podium finishes on Sunday in the Superpole race and race two.
The Kawasaki Racing Team rider engaged in hard-fought battle with teammate and four-time defending Jonathan Rea in the final encounter, the duo trading position on an number of occasions before Haslam was forced to accept third for the second time, however the dual has not only granted him a sense of satisfaction, but also an injection of confidence.
“It was good to get on two podiums today,” Haslam stated. “In the 10-lap sprint race I was a little cautious and I got caught behind the Yamahas, so I settled. I thought I had a little bit in hand to catch Jonathan in the final race. I tried to make my own rhythm for the first four laps.
“After this I tried to save the tyre and which then created a group of five riders. It was a nice easy rhythm and I was feeling good with my pace. Johnny and I had some good passes – good battles. My plan was to go away with two laps to go, then he passed me into turn one and I ran a little wide.
“At the same time he went 0.4s of a second faster. I went with him and caught him up on the last lap but I felt like I had been caught out a little bit. To battle with Jonathan in my first race weekend of the year, with his record in this class, I am happy.”
Following the weekend’s three races, Haslam sits sixth in the championship standings while Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) controls the standings.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
Youthful talent to contest German championship alongside ASBK.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Coming off a stellar weekend at Phillip Island in both the Supersport category of the Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) and FIM Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP), it’s been revealed Tom Toparis has scored a deal with Benro Racing to contest the 2019 IDM Supersport 600 Championship in Germany.
The youthful talent dominated in the domestic series at the weekend, claiming pole position before sweeping all three races, while in his WorldSSP wildcard appearance, he raced to an impressive 11th place result.
It’s understood Toparis will continue to challenge the ASBK with Landbridge Transport Yamaha alongside the German championship, where he’ll also pilot a YZF-R6.
“I am very happy that I can announce I will ride in the 2019 IDM Supersport class on a Yamaha YZF-R6 with Benro Racing,” said Toparis. “I am very grateful for this opportunity. It will be a busy year, because I’m going to combine the Australian and IDM championship.
“My family and I focus completely on racing and my goal is also to win this year in Australia. I have no particular goals for the IDM, because I don’t know what I can expect. I will make every effort to get to know the circuits and motorcycle as soon as possible, and I also I’m going to enjoy life on the other side of the world.”
Toparis will make his first appearance with the Dutch squad at round one of the IDM series on 17-19 May at the Lausitzring circuit. Round two of the ASBK is scheduled for 22-24 March at Wakefield Park in New South Wales.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
Disastrous opening round at Phillip Island for DesmoSport Ducati rider.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Three-time Superbike world champion Troy Bayliss is scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair finger injuries sustained on both hands after crashing heavily twice at Phillip Island’s Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) opener over the weekend.
The DesmoSport Ducati rider went down during qualifying on Friday, breaking the little finger on his right hand, however still pushed through to line-up in Saturday’s opening race.
After challenging up-front, the number 32 came into contact with Wayne Maxwell (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia) heading into turn one, resulting in another fall that broke the middle finger of his right hand. Bayliss attempted to return to the grid for race two, however deemed it unsafe following the sighting lap.
“That’s not the way I thought this season would start, that’s for sure,” Bayliss commented. “Breaking the little finger on my left hand wasn’t ideal, but I was able to ride with it. The team did a great job in rebuilding the bike after the second crash.
“When I headed out for race two, I was confident I would be able to race and collect some points, even after confirming that I’d broken the end of my middle finger on my right hand. On the out-lap though, I just couldn’t pull the brake lever properly. I’m really disappointed, but I’m booked for surgery on Tuesday and I’ll be back, ready to ride for round two next month.”
The round was ultimately won by Yamaha-mounted privateer Aiden Wagner ahead of Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team) and Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia). Round two of the ASBK will take place at Wakefield Park in New South Wales on 22-24 March.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
Practice crash forces compatriot Beaton out of the event.
Image: Supplied.
Australian Mitch Evans has landed on the podium at the 2019 Lacapelle Marival International Motocross in France over the weekend.
The event saw a host of MX2 World Championship regulars take part, ultimately strengthening Evans’ pre-season campaign as he embarks on his maiden year on the world stage.
The Queenslander lodged a 3-3 scorecard for third overall, finishing up behind Thomas Kjer Olson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) and victor Ben Watson (Kemea Yamaha).
Australian compatriot Jed Beaton (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing) endured a crash throughout the practice session, electing to sit out the remainder of proceedings. A team statement confirmed the Tasmanian is healthy and ready to contend this weekend’s world championship opener at Nequen in Argentina.
The premier class was taken out by Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing) – who also won the Superfinal – followed by Max Anstie (Standing Construct KTM) and Gautier Paulin (Wilvo Yamaha MXGP).
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
Yamaha duo Vinales and rookie Quartararo close out top three.
Image: Supplied.
Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) went one better on Sunday as the Spaniard put in a 1m54.593s to go fastest on day two of MotoGP testing in Qatar, but it remained tight at the top as the tables turned and Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) ended the day just 0.057s in arrears.
That made some headlines in itself, but the man in third stole some too – rookie Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) stormed to third overall.
47 laps was the final number for Rins as the Suzuki man continued to look like a serious 2019 contender. His teammate, rookie Joan Mir, also impressed and put in a 1m55.280s to end Sunday in P11 and less than seven tenths off his teammate – as well as the second quickest rookie.
Team manager Davide Brivio said Mir was also testing some things, as well as adapting to the bike, but that he’d like to ‘race tomorrow’ looking at Rins’ pace. That bodes well, and the Hamamatsu factory man also said everything ‘visible’ on the bike is decided.
So what of Yamaha? Vinales did a slightly increased 52 laps on day two and was almost top, but he did say they needed to make more progress and improve on the final day. It was a different story – in terms of lap-time at least – for teammate Valentino Rossi. The ‘Doctor’ ended the day down in P19 and over a second off Viñales after 51 laps, but the number 46 has never been one to blast out the blocks in testing.
Team director Massimo Meregalli says it’s been time to confirm positives from Sepang, and that the speed and consistency from Day 1 were encouraging. On Sunday they focused on back-to-back comparisons, and working on fairings as homologation date draws near. The fairing, says Meregalli, is the only thing left to be decided upon – but there was also a new tail unit spotted.
Petronas Yamaha SRT, meanwhile, remained impressive in their own right and as help with development for the Iwata marque. Quartararo’s bike isn’t far off that of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, and teammate Franco Morbidelli’s is the same as that of Viñales and Rossi. Quartararo stunned with his laptime in third, and Morbidelli ended the day in P13 after 52 laps of more important data gathering.
Another man echoing the sentiments of Suzuki boss Davide Brivio on day two was Danilo Petrucci (Mission Winnow Ducati Team). The Italian said he’d be up to race ASAP too, and he was the fastest Borgo Panigale machine in P4. After 48 laps ‘Petrux’ did a best of 1m54.953s and, despite being down in P8, teammate Andrea Dovizioso was close with a 1m11.205s after 53 laps.
Team manager Davide Tardozzi said Ducati have ‘clear ideas regarding frame, engines, aerodynamics, electronics’ and that they were concentrating on tyre life – with an interesting addition under the bike that rumour says is aimed at tyre temperature.
Australian Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) was the top independent team Ducati rider on Sunday and leapt up the timesheets into P12, with Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) in P14 despite a crash. He was just ahead of the second Alma Pramac Racing machine of rookie Francesco Bagnaia.
At Honda, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) was the fastest man for the marque, in fifth. A 1m55.004s was his best effort, but crucially the reigning Champion managed nearly 60 laps – a good sign in his ongoing recovery from shoulder surgery, with Marquez having done less than forty on most test days so far.
Teammate Jorge Lorenzo was a second quicker than day one but in a tight trio between Johann Zarco (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Rossi, and he put in 44 laps with a best of 1m55.742s as he fights to recover from his broken scaphoid. He tried the latest fairing on Sunday, too, and said it was a much better day’s work.
Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) was second fastest Honda in P7, and rumour has it one of his bikes seemed to migrate to his teammate’s side of the garage too. That teammate, Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), had a tough first day but was back in the mix in the top 10 on Sunday, doing 35 laps and taking P9.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) impressed once again on day two. He ended the day in sixth – just 0.002 ahead of Nakagami – and put in 55 laps. Aprilia had a new exhaust, and technical manager Romano Albesiano said Espargaro and teammate Andrea Iannone were testing race setup and aero. Iannone reportedly had positive feedback on the aero, and he ended the day in P16. Test rider Bradley Smith, meanwhile, was focusing on electronics.
Completing the top 10 on Sunday was another headline stealer: Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). He was even higher up for much of the session, and his 1m55.255s meant that all six factories were within the top 10 after a fitting 44 laps for the 2013 Moto2 World Champion.
Teammate Zarco was in P17 just ahead of Lorenzo, but quicker than day one. Team manager Mike Leitner said the focus had switched from bigger changes to details, and noted the pressure to get ready – especially with so many items to test. He also said both have good feelings and noted the particularly positive results for Espargaro’s testing. Testing resumes on Monday.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au
As motorcycle theft continues to be the one area of vehicle theft to rise, a tougher penalty system for offenders is being assessed.
Australian motor vehicle theft is down 4% in the year to October 2018, with the only sector increasing being motorcycles, up 4%.
The biggest increase was in NSW which was up 258 or 15.9% to 1878, despite the state introducing tougher penalties for rebirthing offenders in 2006.
Any rider whose has their pride and joy stolen would probably suggest tough penalties. In one previous article a reader suggested castration!
Law enforcement agencies agree that tougher penalties are needed.
However, the big problem has been that organised criminal rings use specialist criminals for different functions of the same offence.
They include bike thieves, burglars who break into your house to steal car or bike keys, re-birthers, fencers and document forgers.
This has made it difficult to convict offenders and gang bosses or organisers. Charges were often not proven or bargained down to lesser charges, such as receiving stolen property.
At best, the conviction system was protracted with little or no joy for the victims.
In 2006, the NSW government amended the Crimes Act 1900 to introduce a new offence of knowingly facilitating a rebirthing activity carried out on an organised basis.
It would apply to any and all members in the network involved in stealing your motorcycle or car with tougher penalties.
While it seemed like a good idea, National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council figures seem to show it is not working. In fact, NSW bike theft is up almost a quarter over the past four years.
| State/Territory | 2013-10 to 2014-09 | 2017-10 to 2018-09 | % change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thefts |
% of thefts
|
Thefts |
% of thefts
|
||
| ACT | 109 | 110 | 0.9% | ||
| NSW | 1,506 | 1,878 | 24.7% | ||
| NT | 190 | 87 | -54.2% | ||
| QLD | 1,354 | 1,619 | 19.6% | ||
| SA | 451 | 543 | 20.4% | ||
| TAS | 111 | 142 | 27.9% | ||
| VIC | 1,832 | 2,097 | 14.5% | ||
| WA | 2,638 | 2,044 | -22.5% | ||
| AUS | 8,191 | 100.0 | 8,520 | 100.0 | 4.0% |
Law firm DLA Phillips Fox assessed the law changes in 2010 but found many matters were still before the court. They found there had not been enough time to draw conclusions on the law’s impact.
So now the NMVTRC has engaged law firm Clayton Utz to do a second review.
They will not only consider NSW prosecutions but also identify issues that might lead to similar provisions across the nation.
A report is expected to be available by end of April 2019.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Australian fan-favourite third at round eight’s Triple Crown.
Image: Supplied.
An incredible third place result at Detroit’s eighth round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship has extended Chad Reed’s podium record to 132 in the premier class at 36 years of age.
The Australian fan-favourite put on a stellar display in the Triple Crown format, charging to a 3-5-7 scorecard that ultimately granted him the final spot on the box.
His first podium since the Phoenix supercross in 2017, Reed expressed a sense of relief to earn the result that has eluded him for two years, rewarding not only his his efforts, but also the chance taken on him by the JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing squad.
“I’m super proud to be up here with these guys,” Reed explained. “These guys are the best grade of supercross riders in the world, I’m honoured to be here and to do it this late in my career. At this point of my career, I’m a fill-in guy and an ambassador for the sport, so it always feels good to get up here and do my job.
“There’s no mistake about it – I do this because I believe I can be up here. I don’t work my arse off during the week to get the results that I have been. It’s been extremely frustrating week in, week out for the last couple of years, so to have a night where you’re fighting for those top positions, it’s fun.
“It’s a relief – a massive relief for me to finally be up on the podium. JB (Justin Brayton) has the record that I really want – we kind of had a vet national there in the first one. That was fun.”
The two-time AMA Supercross champion is now positioned eighth in the championship standings as the series heads to Atlanta this weekend. The overall win was captured by Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) followed by points leader Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
Source: MotoOnline.com.au
Final outing serves up thrilling finish at Phillip Island.
Image: Russell Colvin.
John Lytras (Yamaha) has captured the final Supersport 300 race victory of the weekend at Phillip Island’s Motul Pirelli Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) opener, while Max Stauffer broke through for the overall win.
In an incredibly close encounter that saw the top five cross the line within 0.139s of each other, it was Lytras who scraped through for the win, 0.037s ahead of Kawasaki-mounted Senna Agius.
A further 0.012s behind was third’s Luke Power (Yamaha), while Stauffer was just a mere 0.02s from grasping another podium finish after securing triumphs in races one and two.
The top five was rounded out by Hunter Ford (Yamaha), followed by Harry Khouri (Yamaha), Yannis Shaw (Kawasaki), Dylan Whiteside (Kawasaki), Seth Crump (KTM), and Travis Hall (Yamaha). Overall it was Stauffer from Lytras, Power, Agius and Khouri. The ASBK will now head to Wakefield Park in New South Wales on 22-24 March for round two of the seven-stop series.
Source: CycleOnline.com.au