The new-look Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team has launched its 2019 campaign with a team presentation in Jakarta, Indonesia, showcasing a stunning new livery that will grace the YZR-M1s of Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales.

Monster Energy has increased its presence on the Yamaha contender, coming on board as the naming rights partner of the team for the 2019 MotoGP World Championship that will kick off on 10 March at Losail International Circuit in Qatar.

“I saw the bike and it’s beautiful,” Vinales stated. “Normally I try to start and feel prepared. It doesn’t matter how last year went, it’s a new start. We’ve seen many changes within the team, Stefan will enable me to do my best.

“I feel like I have really good experience with my people, with all the changes I think I can do it. All the athletes I cheer for have Monster. I feel really proud and now incorporating Monster on the bike, it feels really good.”

Valentino Rossi added: “Yeah you know, in this moment you are always very excited. It’s a shame because the holidays have finished, but we are ready. We have to work hard because in the last period our opponents made a good step.

“In modern MotoGP the key is the tyres, we always work to save the tyres. It’s a difficult job, it’s very precise, you have to work on your style and work hard with your engineers. his is the objective this year.

“For me it’s a long time with Monster and I always feel very comfortable. I like the colours, the green and black are good with the blue of our Yamaha – it’s aggressive, we’re like Men in Black. I’m very proud, it’s important to have Monster as a main sponsor.”

The duo will be out on track this week at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia for the first pre-season test of the year.

After undergoing shoulder surgery during the off-season, reigning champion Marc Marquez is targeting to be at full-fitness for the opening round of the MotoGP World Championship in Qatar on 10 March.

The Spaniard took to the track last week aboard a practice bike, his first time back on a motorcycle since the operation, however his first real test will be this week at Sepang’s official test in Malaysia, where he’ll complete three days of riding aboard his RC213V.

“I needed this,” said Marquez after his first ride back. “I touched my elbow on the ground! Riders in general need to have their minds clear. At least on the trip to Malaysia, which is 14 hours long, I will be thinking I have ridden a bike, got on the brakes, felt the throttle and the clutch.

“We have done a few laps that have helped me to see where things are. This week we have to work on it. It was pretty much what I expected, the large force under braking – especially left-handers, where I have to support my left shoulder was problematic. That is where we have to continue working, have patience in Malaysia and get to March at full fitness.”

A recurring dislocation of the Repsol Honda rider’s left shoulder was the reason he underwent surgery throughout the off-season, which presented the only opportunity for it to be repaired.

Kirk Gibbs has declared he isn’t settling for mediocre results and performances in his New Zealand MX Nationals title defence after finishing second at the weekend’s opener in Taranaki.

The Altherm JCR Yamaha rider won the opening encounter before accepting second place moto scores in races two and three, granting him runner-up honours behind eventual winner Cody Cooper (Honda Racing) as Yamaha teammate Kayne Lamont closed out the podium.

“It was a bit of a day of ‘what ifs’ but we were right there,” Gibbs admitted. “I’ll need to push the boys – we are not going to settle for mediocre. We want to be going for wins not podiums, it’s just what we expect.

“In the opening race I got a good start and got the hole-shot. Cody was on me the whole race but I withstood the pressure. I felt like a rode good but not a hundred percent, as I really had to protect my lines.

“In the final race I got slammed coming out of the gate. When I went over the first table top I got sideways and fell over. I managed to charge up to second behind Cody at the end.”

Defending MX2 champion Hamish Harwood (CML Motorex KTM Team) captured victory in the quarter-litre class over Australian champion Wilson Todd (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna), who completed the day with a race win to his name, while Maximus Purvis (Altherm JCR Yamaha) rounded out the podium. Aussie contender Morgan Fogarty (KTM) wound up seventh overall.

The New Zealand MX Nationals heads to Rotorua in two weeks’ time, scheduled for 17 February.

Oli Bayliss has impressed in his first official Supersport outing at Phillip Island’s Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) test last weekend.

The Cube Racing rider, son of three-time superbike world champion Troy Bayliss, lodged the third fastest time in the category aboard a Yamaha YZF-R6, winding up just over two seconds off title favourite and pace-setter Tom Toparis (Yamaha), offering a boost of confidence to the Queenslander.

“It was great to get on the bike this weekend and put some laps in,” Bayliss explained. “Supersport is such a different style of racing to Supersport 300, but I’m loving it. I managed to be in the top group in all my sessions, so I’m feeling pretty confident that with some more time riding the bike, I can be competitive.”

Cube Racing team manager Ben Henry praised Bayliss for his efforts, commending him on his mature take to transitioning from the Supersport 300 division.

“It was a great weekend for Oli,” said Henry. “He used his head, riding to the conditions and learning as he circulated to put in some great times. I think he gained some confidence out there, and as he keeps improving his skills and feedback to the team, he’ll keep progressing through the season with some great results.”

Bayliss will make his Supersport racing debut on 21-24 February at Phillip Island for the opening round of ASBK, which will run in conjunction with the FIM Superbike World Championship opener.

Adam Cianciarulo says he’s at ease after gaining the 250SX West points lead as the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship heads east, resulting in a month-long break in the western regional category.

The Pro Circuit Monster Energy Kawasaki ace claimed his third main event victory on Saturday night at San Diego’s mud-filled fifth round of the championship, which ultimately granted him the points lead.

The youthful talent encountered issues at both Anaheim stops, and was only able to capitalise in the points standings at the weekend when former red-plate holder Colt Nichols (Monster Energy Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha) wound up in 10th.

“It feels good going into the break and [the points lead] kind of puts the mind at ease,” Cianciarulo explained. “I haven’t had the red-plate basically since I was a little kid, so that feels good.

“I think when you have a stressful day like this in the mud – there are a lot of unknowns that can happen – it definitely felt better than usual. I’m excited to keep building on this – we’re only halfway through, so we’ve got a couple of weeks to get back to work.”

The number 92 has managed to stretch an eight-point lead over Shane McElrath (TLD Red Bull KTM), as the 250SX West class returns for the first East/West Shootout on 2 March at Atlanta. This weekend’s sixth round of the AMA Supercross series will see Australian Hunter Lawrence (Geico Honda) make his debut in the 250SX East category at Minneapolis.

After topping the Supersport times at the weekend’s official Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) test in Phillip Island, Tom Toparis has declared intentions to extract more from his package at the grand prix circuit’s Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP) test on 18-19 February ahead of his wildcard appearance.

In his first official outing aboard the Yamaha YZF-R6, the youthful talent was supremely quick in both sessions, clocking up a fast-time of 1m35.295s – almost two seconds clear of his nearest competitor.

“It’s awesome to be on the Yamaha this year, I’m really grateful for the opportunity to ride the R6,” Toparis stated. “[It’s been a] good couple of days, my first real time at the island on the R6, so I’m super comfortable after the two days and really looking forward to getting to the races.

“We’re doing the world supersport wildcard this year, so we’ll have two days of testing down here during that week, and I think we’ll be able to find a little bit more. Hopefully we can repeat the weekend we had here last year.”

Toparis is one of two Australians who have been granted wildcard entries for the FIM Motul Superbike World Championship (ASBK) opener at Phillip Island on 22-24 February, where reigning ASBK champion Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing) will represent the nation in the premier class.

The WorldSBK opener will run in conjunction with round one of the ASBK, meaning both Toparis and Herfoss will undertake double duties in their respective classes throughout the weekend.