Australia’s Evans endures challenging weekend in Italian motocross championship.
Image: Supplied.
Multi-time world champion Antonio Cairoli has remained undefeated in the Internazionali D’Italia despite battling illness at Ottobiano’s second round at the weekend.
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider dominated the MX1 outing in extremely cold conditions, fending off a challenge from Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory Racing) in second, followed by Tim Gajser (Honda HRC) in third.
The Italian ace maintained his dominance in the Superfinal, which sees the top 20 riders from MX1 and MX2 combined, claiming the win over Gajser and MX2 world champion Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
“A very difficult race because the track was tricky with a lot of ruts,” Cairoli explained. “I was feeling okay today but it was a difficult week. I had a fever until Friday night and only started to feel a bit better on Saturday. I had a good rhythm in the first moto and could take home the win.
“I started well in the second moto with a holeshot but Tim [Gajser] was riding really well. I made a small mistake with a lapper and had to give everything with three laps to go to get him back. I’ve had two good results and we’re close to being champion again in the Italian series. That will be a great accomplishment for me.”
The MX2 class was topped by Prado, as Australian Mitch Evans (Team Honda 114 Motorsports) charged through the demanding conditions to wind up 24th, putting him out of contention for the Superfinal. Compatriot Caleb Grothues (SDM Corse Yamaha) didn’t line-up for the MX2 encounter despite completing the qualifying session.
Kawasaki becomes naming rights partner for ASBK premier category
Manufacturer increases support in the Australian championship.
Image: Russell Colvin.
Kawasaki Motors Australia has placed its support behind the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), becoming the naming rights partner for the premier Superbike category.
The newly-titled Kawasaki Superbike class will headline the Australian championship as it tours the country for seven rounds, with the manufacturer well represented as title contender Bryan Staring (Kawasaki BCperformance) leads the charge alongside Lachlan Epis (Kawasaki BCperformance), Matt Walters (Kawasaki) and Glenn Scott (GSR Kawasaki).
“Kawasaki Motors is very happy to be supporting the ASBK in 2019 by taking in the naming rights to the Superbike class” said Robert Walker, national sales and marketing manager of Kawasaki Motors Australia.
“The series is as strong and competitive as it has been for several years and it’s good to see all of the manufacturers supporting racing in Australia. Entry level racing through to Superbike racing is having a revival under the new directions of Motorcycling Australia.”
Motorcycling Australia CEO Peter Doyle commented: “It’s fantastic to have Kawasaki’s renewed commitment to ASBK as both a sponsor and a manufacturer. The support of manufacturers like Kawasaki has helped to drive the resurgence of ASBK, meaning we’re able to provide a stronger championship than ever with bigger fields, stronger teams, and most importantly – great racing.”
Last weekend the ASBK completed a two-day test at Phillip Island, the venue that will host the season-opener on 21-24 February in conjunction with the FIM Motul Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK).
Talented Queenslander to be joined by Wills and Semmens.
Image: Foremost Media.
Davey Motorsports KTM has revealed Caleb Ward will spearhead its efforts in the Pirelli MX Nationals, seeing him embark on his second campaign in the premier MX1 category.
The talented Queenslander will be joined by MX2 contender Dylan Wills, as revealed by MotoOnline.com.au last month, while Victorian Mason Semmens will represent the KTM-supported outfit in the MXD division.
In the brief social media announcement by Davey Motorsports, the squad also confirmed team regular and New Zealand champion Hamish Harwood will sit out this year’s Australian championship.
It’s also understood the outfit will assist an array of KTM and Husqvarna supported riders, including Morgan Fogarty (MX2), Liam Walsh (TBC), Chandler Burns (MX2), Noah Ferguson (MXD), Tye Jones (MXD) and Riley Ward (MXD). The opening round of the MX Nationals is scheduled for 17 March at Appin in New South Wales.
Youthful MotoGP squad unveils 2019 look at official team launch.
Image: Supplied.
Team Suzuki Ecstar has launched its 2019 look at its official team presentation over the weekend, showcasing the two GSX-RRs to be piloted by Alex Rins and Joan Mir.
With two seasons aboard the GSX-RR already, Rins spearheads the team’s efforts as the experienced rider in the garage, having achieved five podiums during the 2018 season with the clear target of getting to the top step of the podium this year.
“Finally winter is over and I can go back riding,” said Rins. “This winter break has felt so long and I can’t wait to be back riding again. After the last test in November I left clear feedback for the engineers to work on, as far as I know the improvements we will try in Sepang will not be drastic but many small improvements in many areas, which is totally the Suzuki philosophy.
“We know what we were missing on the bike, so I believe the R&D in Japan will deliver a package which will help us to improve further. My winter has been very intense, with successful recovery and intense training programme. This is an important year, because in 2018 we were able to show that we can consistently fight for podium positions, and now it’s time to go for the bigger prize – the victory.”
Debutant Mir has already proven that he is not daunted by the top class, showing solid performances in the November tests in Valencia and Jerez, however he acknowledges his maiden MotoGP campaign will be focused on learning rather than results.
“Needless to say, I am very excited to get back on my bike,” Mir commented. “This winter has been very long without riding but I focused on my physical training, which has given positive results so far. Of course I still need many more hours on the bike, there are so many things I still need to understand to be even more effective.
“But I feel very supported by the team and I will rely on their wealth of experience to improve, and also to contribute my own improvements to my bike. It will be a whole package, me and the bike, that will hopefully develop step by step. I don’t have any pressure, but for sure my clear objective will be to end the season with a smaller gap to the winner when compared to the first race.”
The first pre-season test for the MotoGP class is scheduled for 6-8 February at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so a motorbike that one rider might consider beautiful could appear so ugly to others they veer off the road in disgust!
Most motorcycles are more attractive than just about any of the cars on the road, especially modern models that seem to look more like sand shoes than cars.
Perhaps the most beauty challenged style of motorcycle is the adventurer. These are, after all, very practical machines, so looks are not important.
The ubiquitous BMW boxer GS models have been among the least attractive, yet I know many owners who think they have a certain macho charm.
But it’s not impossible to make an attractive adventure bike. Take, for example the Moto Guzzi Stelvio and its replacement, the V85 TT.
V85 TT
Which brings us to the first in our list.
10 most ugly bikes
10 Ducati Multistrada
The original 2003 Multistrada was widely referred to as the “Uglystrada”. The front headlight and fairing assembly look more like a Dyson vacuum cleaner than a motorcycle. It also rated in the top 10 simply because Ducati usually gets styling right (Paso aside), but this was such a hideous miss. Thankfully Ducati has totally redeemed the Multiustrada since a total redesign in 2010.
9 MV Agusta F4Z Zagato
In the same vein, we expect Italian colleagues MV Agusta to get design right, even if they have trouble with reliability. In fact, the F4 is considered by many to be the most beautiful bike ever built. So it comes as a slap in the face that MV would prostitute itself for a rich Japanese businessman and produce this one-off Zagato monstrosity. Some may love it, but I just can’t look at it without feeling betrayed.
8 Most Chinese bikes
Most Chinese motorcycles fall into a design black hole. CFMoto is usually an exception to Chinese ugly, but this CF250T-5 is frightful. What is it, anyway? A cross between a cruiser, scooter and a household appliance?
7 Victory Vision
Is it any wonder Victory Motorcycles was axed? This massive tourer looked like someone chainsawed a ’57 Chev right up the middle. If Elvis is high on your Spotify rotation and you still use Brylcream, it may look attractive in a ‘50s sci-fi way. It actually handled well, but it was an embarrassment to ride and on a warm day, it was unbearably hot.
6 BMW K1
One of the biggest impediments to motorcycle efficiency is aerodynamics. In an effort to streamline bikes there have been some aero design hits like the Hayabusa (some may say it’s a miss). However, there have been many more misses. Top of the aero-awful list is the K1 which is even worse than the Ducati Paso. It may have been a techno de force with ABS and 16-valve engine, but it was fuK1 ugly!
5 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Here’s another example of aero gone wrong. The new Road Glide is actually the best-handling of their touring bikes because the fairing is attached to the frame, not the forks, and it has great aero. But that bull-nose fairing is way out of proportion and looks ugly from every angle, including the rider’s seat.
4 Triumph Speed Triple
I’m going to step on a lot of toes here, because this is a much-loved bike. But the original Speed Triple with its bug-eyed twin headlights was hideous. They simply stuck out like an afterthought. Later models had reshaped lights and a small cowl above them that integrated better with the rest of the bike. Amazing how headlights can ruin a bike. Just take a look at the Ducati 999 with its stacked torch lights and the BMW S 1000 RR with its cockeyed lamps, although they’ve now gone symmetrical.
3 Honda Rune
The Honda Rune looks like something Batman would ride. If that’s your thing, great, but then Batman did wear his underpants on the outside!This 2004 cut-down Goldwing was a good idea that Honda later got right with the F6B and F6C. But this first limited-edition model was like a big plastic Batman toy.
2 Suzuki B-King
Some days I love this beast. Other days it just looks beastly. The Suzuki B-King looks like it was the result of abunch of designerswho concentrated on their own little bit. It just doesn’t have any cohesion and ends up looking like a Transformer. Also, its massive underseat pipes and lights formed a “frightened face” looking back at the following traffic.
Kawasaki ace gains points lead as Cianciarulo earns 250SX West victory.
Image: Supplied.
Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac has won a mud-filled main event at San Diego’s fifth round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross and FIM World Championship, earning the 450SX points lead in the process.
Tomac pushed through the demanding encounter, capturing victory over Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Marvin Musquin by 4.199s, as Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC) completed the podium in third.
Justin Bogle (Rocky Mountain ATV/MC KTM) was an impressive fourth – his best finish of the season – while Australia’s Chad Reed (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing) rounded out the top five. Former points leader Cooper Webb (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was eighth, demoting him to fourth in the standings.
In the 250SX West class, Adam Cianciarulo (Pro Circuit Monster Energy Kawasaki) gained the points lead after capturing his third victory of the series, comfortably defeating teammate and podium newcomer Garrett Marchbanks (Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki) and third’s Jimmy Decotis (JGRMX Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing).
The top five was completed by Shane McElrath (TLD Red Bull KTM) and Jess Pettis (KTM), while former points leader Colt Nichols (Monster Energy Yamalube Star Racing Yamaha) was 10th in the treacherous conditions. The AMA Supercross championship heads to Minneapolis next weekend, marking the first east coast round of the championship.
Toparis once again blitzes Supersport class with fastest time.
Image: Russell Colvin.
For the second day running, Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Wayne Maxwell has topped the official Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) test at Phillip Island in Victoria.
Battling a recently broken collarbone, Maxwell bettered his lap from Saturday, lodging a 1m32.312s time to edge out a blistering
1m32.451s lap from Aiden Wagner (Yamaha) in the final session, as DesmoSport Ducati’s Troy Bayliss closed out the top three with a time of 1m32.631s.
Fourth was credited to Josh Waters (Team Suzuki Ecstar) after he lodged a 1m32.676s time, as Daniel Falzon’s (Yamaha Racing Team) 1m32.784s time rewarded him with fifth. Sixth was taken out by reigning champion Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing) followed by Bryan Staring (BCperformance Kawasaki), Cru Halliday (Yamaha Racing Team), Glenn Allerton (Maxima BMW) and Mike Jones (Kawasaki).
In the Supersport category, Tom Toparis (Yamaha) once again reigned supreme, setting his quickest time of 1m35.295s in the first session of the day, defeating Nicholas Liminton (Yamaha) and Oli Bayliss (Cube Racing), who set 1m37.273s and 1m37.492s times respectively. Fourth and fifth were awarded to Broc Pearson (Yamaha) and Reid Battye (Suzuki).
The Supersport 300 and Yamaha R3 Cup, which were combined for each session, saw Tom Bramich (Kawasaki) come out on top over Seth Crump (KTM) and Locky Taylor (Yamaha), while the Oceania Junior Cup was taken out by Max Gibbons (Yamaha) ahead of Carter Thompson (Yamaha) and Archie McDonald (Yamaha).
Valentine’s Day is a time for celebrating our love for those important in our lives, particularly our partner or spouse. When your significant other is also in love with their motorbike, consider combining their two greatest loves in one gift to show how much you care. This includes gifts for those who may no longer take to the road on two wheels, but still, hold a love for motorbikes in their heart. There are now many opportunities to create your own customized gifts, providing you with many options. Here are some creative ideas for those in love with their bikes almost as much as they love you:
Jewelry
Valentine’s day is a day for jewelry, particularly if you are planning to ask for your partner’s hand in marriage, in which case diamonds are your primary choice. Jewelry is also a gift of love on other days on the calendar too. So, if it’s your wedding anniversary you can check out these wonderful ideas at goldenweddinggifts.com. One thing is for sure, no matter what the occasion is, you cannot go wrong with jewelry. A classic braided bracelet made from leather come in a range of styles, including one that can be wrapped twice around the wrist and secured with a strong twist magnet clasp, which will look good on any man. For her, a set of diamond earrings will add a touch of class or a pendant to show off her décolletage.
Experience gift
Superbike weekend
Surprise your partner with an action-packed weekend of high-speed thrills and two-wheeled racing at a Superbike Weekend, whether you choose the world-famous Brands Hatch or a circuit anywhere else in the world, you have always wanted to visit. Perhaps your partner wants to ride their own bike round a track which is easy to arrange, or a guided off-road biking experience is one that will create memories that will last forever.
Born to ride
Mrs MotorbikeWriter in her RSD jacket
Full leather jacket
A touring jacket made from leather can be in a variety of styles.If your biker has hung up their riding boots, a full leather jacket will still be appreciated to keep the biker’s blood flowing through their veins.
If still biking a two-piece riding suit that fits your beloved’s own style would make a great gift. These offer full body coverage and protection, designed to be abrasion resistant in the event of any accident. Other options that are easier on the bank balance are leather gloves, advanced knee protectors, all-weather riding pants, or balaclava, available from a range of biking accessory manufacturers and retailers.
Riding gloves
Full-hand or half-gloves that are abrasion resistant protect the hands from constant friction yet are soft and comfortable inside. You can choose gloves with pre-curved fingers for a snug fit and shock-absorbing padding in the wrist area for added protection.
Saddlebags
Saddlebags make a great Valentine’s Day gift for biking enthusiasts. Riders will always have things they need to carry on their journey, which can be placed in saddle bags that are available in various capacities and for different uses. It is best to buy waterproof saddlebags with lockable facilities so contents can be kept dry and safe in all weather conditions.
Motorcycle Art
Personalized motorcycle name
For those who find it difficult being parted from their bike, a gift that can be hung in the home is a way to keep them connected to their pride and joy. Using high-resolution photographs of Harley Davidson, Honda, and other brand motorcycle parts, there are companies who can create a customized work of art showing your lover’s name or nickname using the shapes of motorbike parts, covering every letter of the alphabet without having to use the same photograph twice.
Home sign
A sign for your home can be fun, such as “Born to ride, forced to work” will look great hung on the wall of your home or propped up on a windowsill or sideboard. These come in a range of styles and in a range of wordings too, so there will be one that suits you best. Available in wood, clay, and metals
Motorbike technology
GPS device
A GPS device is an ideal valentine gift to make sure your partner gets to their destination on time. These can be stand-alone devices or can be used with a smartphone. Many of these devices come fitted with the latest software, allowing maps to be updated and also with city guides. Garmin devices can work without mobile data or internet connection, through wireless Bluetooth technology.
GoPro Camera
Take fabulous photos and videos whilst out on the bike with a GoPro camera. These are waterproof and remain stable when mounted on a bike.Of course, this does not have to be just for use on the bike, the camera can go with you on holiday whether you’re skiing, snorkeling up to depths of 33 feet or taking in the sites of a foreign city, which is where the stereo audio facility and wind noise reduction are an added bonus.
Being creative doesn’t mean you cannot be traditional if you want to gift chocolates and flowers. Search out some delicious Belgian chocolates shaped as motorbikes, for your chocoholic motorcycling Valentine and pair with a dozen red roses or your sweetheart’s favorite blooms. Many flowers have specific meanings around love, such as red roses for passion and everlasting love, but also luxurious orchids, colorful tulips and more.
The Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia ace lodged a quick-time of 1m32.913s in the final session of the day, which proved to be the best outing for the top five riders. Former multi-time Superbike world champion Troy Bayliss (DesmoSport Ducati) was second with a time of 1m33.011s, as Bryan Staring (Kawasaki BCperformance) closed out the top three with a 1m33.181s time.
Team Suzuki Ecstar Australia’s Josh Waters was a fraction off the top three, crossing the line with the fourth quickest time of 1m33.334s, followed by Aiden Wagner’s (Yamaha) 1m33.452s time, placing him in fifth.
Reigning champion Troy Herfoss (Penrite Honda Racing) was sixth ahead of Yamaha Racing Team duo Daniel Falzon and Cru Halliday, Glenn Allerton (Maxima BMW) and Mark Chiodo (Penrite Honda Racing).
In the Supersport category, Tom Toparis was fastest in his first official outing aboard the Yamaha YZF-R6, lodging a 1m36.149s to finish comfortably ahead of Nicholas Liminton (Yamaha) and Broc Pearson (Yamaha), who recorded 1m37.329s and 1m37.588s respectively. Supersport newcomer Oli Bayliss (Cube Racing) was fourth ahead of Reid Battye (Suzuki) in fifth.
The Supersport 300 and Yamaha R3 Cup classes, which were combined for each session, saw Tom Bramich (Kawasaki) emerge fastest over Locky Taylor (Yamaha) and Seth Crump (KTM). The newly-introduced Oceania Junior Cup was topped by Lucas Quinn (Yamaha) ahead of Angus Grenfell (Yamaha) and Carter Thompson (Yamaha). Riding will resume tomorrow for the final day of testing.
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