Pramac Racing ace a fraction off leader’s pace on day two in Spain.
Image: Supplied.
Jack Miller has expressed his pleasure in the initial feeling he experienced aboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP19 at Valencia’s post-season MotoGP test.
The Australian struck technical difficulties on day one, hindering his ability to progress on the new premier class contender, however the issues were rectified on day two, allowing him to lodge the fourth fastest time – just 0.182s off leader Maverick Vinales (Yamaha Factory Racing).
“I’m very happy,” Miller stated. “We’ve had two days of very interesting tests. The feeling with the bike is very good. It’s clear that there’s still work to be done on the setup and fixing some details but the first sensations are extremely positive.”
Miller utilised day two to work on set-up ahead of continued testing at Jerez in two weeks time, while his rookie Pramac Racing teammate Francesco Bagnaia impressed with a time just outside of the top 10.
“It’s been two important days,” said Bagnaia. “The first impact with Ducati was impressive and I must say that I immediately found myself very well with the whole team that made me feel at ease. We have made great strides forward and in Jerez we will work to continue to improve.”
Two-time AMA Supercross champion still in contention for S-X Open Oceania crown.
Image: Foremost Media.
Australian supercross legend Chad Reed is anticipating this weekend’s Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland at Mount Smart Stadium will serve up a familiar-length layout to that of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship.
Reed, currently piloting an Autotrader Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing RM-Z450, evidently struggled to adapt to the hard-packed soil on offer at the AUS-X Open Sydney two weeks ago, while the tighter confines of Qudos Bank Arena didn’t help his cause in the Triple Crown format.
“I’m assuming when we go to New Zealand – from my experience – it’s always softer, and it’s an open stadium, so weather could threaten,” Reed explained. “I think we’re really going to have different conditions than what we had in Sydney. Obviously the venue is much bigger so the track will be bigger – it will be kind of what we’re used to in America.”
The number 22 wound up fifth overall in Sydney despite crossing the line in P1 in the final of three races, where he was later docked five positions for mistakingly taking the shortcut lane for the second time in the evening.
The S-X Open Auckland marks round two of the Monster Energy S-X Open Supercross FIM Oceania Championship, which Reed is still in contention for as AMA regular Dean Wilson (DPH Motorsport Husqvarna) currently leads in the absence of Jason Anderson (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing).
Australian Miller fourth aboard 2019-spec Ducati Desmosedici.
Image: Supplied.
Maverick Vinales (Yamaha Factory Racing) got his 2019 pre-season off to the perfect start after he topped both days at the Valencia test, setting the quickest time of 1m30.757s to better second place Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso by 0.133s and reigning champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team).
For Vinales and teammate Valentino Rossi – who ended the test eighth fastest – another new spec of engine was available for them to test, after Tuesday saw them test the first spec of the 2019 Yamaha engine. Ending the test top can only be a good sign for the Spaniard, who managed to complete 57 laps on day two, setting his quickest time on his 50th lap as we saw a mini time attack occur during the afternoon.
Vinales said it will now be important to continue testing in Jerez, feeling like they’ve made good progress but needing more time on the new one after another slightly later start on day two due to a damp track. For nine-time world champion Rossi, meanwhile, a good haul of 63 laps were set as the Italian ended the day 0.614s off his teammate.
VR46 Academy rider and YZR-M1 rookie Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT), meanwhile, did 57 laps as he continues to adjust from Honda to Yamaha – but that adjusting doesn’t seem to be taking the 2017 Moto2 Champion long. Interestingly, Morbidelli was also riding with a new spec engine to finish day two just 0.217 off Vinales, but he was on a 2017 chassis.
Carbon forks were also used by Morbidelli, while rookie teammate Fabio Quartararo got a valuable 63 laps (101 in total) under his belt as he impressed on his premier class debut – just 1.334s separated the Frenchman from the fastest time set.
For Marquez and teammate Jorge Lorenzo, the ‘second version’ 2019 bike was used. This bike isn’t the full 2019 version, but a combination of parts including the chassis, engine, a Ducati-esque tank modification on Lorenzo’s bike, aero packages, a new air intake, new suspension and a relocated steering damper.
Honda have different combinations of everything and Marquez said he was concentrating on the engine, too. Plenty of laps were done by both multiple World Champions – neither of whom are at full power with some injury struggles – on a productive day, with Marquez ending P3 after 53 laps, with Lorenzo completing 46 laps – 0.827s off the top for the ‘Spartan’.
In the Ducati garage, 57 laps were completed by Dovizioso – and the second fastest time – after a more productive day for the Italian. The number 04 and teammate Danilo Petrucci were on Desmosedicis that were very close to being 2019 specs, the latter ending the day fifth fastest after 60 laps – 0.202s from top spot.
Meanwhile, test rider Michele Pirro – who crashed at turn two – was on the full spec 2019 machine, with Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) on board a ‘first step’ 2019 bike, according to Team Manager Davide Tardozzi. It was another good day for 2018 Moto2 world champion Francesco Bagnaia, who – also according to Tardozzi – was on an early 2018 spec Ducati.
The rookie was able to lap 49 times on day two to bring his overall tally up to 87 as he ends the test just 0.648s off the fastest time. Fellow Desmosedici rider Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) returned to MotoGP action at the Valencia Test, and impressed immensely. Still nowhere near 100% fit, the Spaniard completed 59 laps on his GP18 on day two – in addition to his 36 on day one – to finish just over a second off pacesetter Vinales.
Elsewhere, some big news from the test over at Team Suzuki Ecstar was the new engine that Alex Rins was testing on Wednesday. The Spaniard was able to register 69 laps and set the seventh fastest time of the test, 0.497s from Vinales. And what about teammate Joan Mir? Well, the rookie continued his very solid debut to finish 0.957s off P1 after getting 56 laps done. Team Manager Davide Brivio says the engine will also be a key focus in Jerez, before important decisions are made going into the winter break.
At KTM, it was a more difficult second day for Johann Zarco (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as he crashed twice on day two trying to find the limit, ending the two-day test 1.752s off Vinales’ time. 50 laps were completed by the Frenchman, who was again the first rider to head out after the Circuit Ricardo Tormo took a while to dry in the morning.
Teammate Pol Espargaro ended 0.871s from Vinales in P13, 47 laps fulfilled for the Spaniard who had a new fairing to try – and was focusing on electronics, as he’d reported on day one. There was a late crash for Hafizh Syahrin (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) at turn 10 after the Malaysian continued his adaptation to a new machine, with both he and teammate Miguel Oliveira riding 2019 RC16 machines. The Portuguese rider completed 46 laps on day two – 79 in total – to finish 3.041s from the top, shaving over a second off his fastest time from day one.
With Andrea Iannone (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) crashing twice and test rider Bradley Smith crashing once, it was also a difficult day for the new Noale factory riders, although Iannone shrugged off his two crashes as a natural consequence of finding the limit on a new bike.
Teammate Aleix Espargaro was on engine testing duty and trying chassis updates, and a P10 finish and 55 laps completed signalled a solid day’s work as the Spaniard ended the two days 0.643s off the pace. Iannone was able to get 32 laps done, with Smith putting in the work to get 58 circulations complete. One more test for the year has been scheduled for 28-29 November at Jerez in Spain.
A trial of motorcyclists using bus lanes should be introduced in Melbourne “to improve motorcycle safety and allow more efficient traffic movement”, says Shadow Minister for Roads and Infrastructure, David Hodgett.
Riders can only legally ride in bus lanes in NSW and the ACT in Australia. In most states, only bicycles, taxis, limousines and emergency vehicles can use these lanes.
However, in several major cities around the world, including London, riders are allowed to use bus lanes.
Ahead of tomorrow’s state election, Hodgett says Melbourne’s population growth is “putting enormous stress on roads and traffic congestion and that negatively impacts everyone’s quality of life”.
Under the Liberal Nationals’ trial, motorcycles would initially be permitted access to south-bound bus lanes along Hoddle St between Victoria Parade and the Eastern Freeway and on the inbound bus lane of the Eastern Freeway.
Hodgett says they would add more routes in future.
Bus lanes trials
The plan follows a six-month VicRoads trial in 2011 where riders were permitted to use bus lanes on Hoddle Street during peak periods.
A report is now more than seven years overdue and riders are still not allowed in bus lanes.
Western Australia also ran a one-year trial for motorbikes and taxis in bus lanes from March 2015. The trial was extended to include Fitzgerald St bus lane up to October 2017.
Similarly, no report has been released except to say that there were a few minor crashes.
If there are concerns about safety, why are cyclists allowed to use these lanes in most states?
Cyclists often get their own lanes anyhow
Surely cyclists are far more vulnerable because of the speed differential with motorised transport and their smaller profile on the road.
Allowing motorcycles and scooters to use bus lanes is not just another free kick for riders.
Like lane filtering, it would free up the rest of the road for other traffic, so it should be supported by all motorists.
And motorcycles would not hold up buses as would slow-moving cyclists who are allowed to use them.
The option of using a bus lane would give lane-filtering riders an alternative to the sometimes dangerously small gaps between lanes of traffic.
Cities that allow riders to use bus lanes
Riders can use bus lanes in London
Motorcyclists have been allowed to use bus lanes in London, Bristol, Belfast and the Netherlands for many years. Aberdeen in Scotland is now trialling their use.
Many other cities are not included simply because they do not have bus lanes.
In 2016, Tel Aviv opened its bus lanes to riders after a six-month trial. It showed that motorcycles, buses and taxis can coexist in the same lane.
“Under all circumstances examined, including at corners and next to bus stops, the new arrangements did not substantially change or aggravate the ‘conflict’ between two-wheeled vehicles and other vehicles. All potential conflicts were resolved without incident,” the report said.
Israel is now rolling it out throughout the country.
What Bates does—by hand—is custom jackets, riding suits, boots, gloves, retro saddles, and pillion seats. We got to see where these bespoke gear are created.
SX2 champion Wilson to head up Australian contingent stepping up to SX1.
Image: Foremost Media.
A selection of Australian Supercross Championship SX2 contenders heading to this weekend’s Monster Energy S-X Open Auckland will step up to the premier class for the New Zealand event, including recently-crowned champion Jay Wilson.
Wilson, a regular challenger in the New Zealand MX Nationals, will return to the Josh Coppins-operated Altherm JCR Yamaha squad, this time aboard a YZ450F in a special one-off appearance.
“It’s sort of a one-off, no pressure race for me,” Wilson explained to MotoOnline.com.au. “New Zealand is like my second home – I do a lot of racing over there with the JCR team and Josh Coppins. It will be nice to get back over there and do a supercross, so I’m really excited about it and also jumping back on the 450.
“I’ve been enjoying it – supercross has obviously been really good for me this season. To race on the bigger bike with some good dudes, I’m just pumped to be doing it. It’s not completely pressure-free as I’ve got my own personal goals that I want to achieve over there, but there’s no championship on the line – if I go there and get a good result, then that’s a bonus for me and the team.”
Amongst the contingent of 250 riders graduating to SX1 for the weekend is DPH Motorsport Husqvarna duo Hayden Mellross and Dylan Wills, plus KTM Motocross Racing Team’s Dakota Alix.
This is despite the report acknowledging that motorcycle crash rates have decreased as a proportion of the number of riders. (In NSW and Victoria alone, rider numbers have increased as much as 74% in a decade.)
Suggestion box
The uni report also suggests:
Licence refresher courses for older and returned riders;
Promote high-visibility motorcycle clothing and research into its effects;
Increase motorcycle visibility technology such as modulating headlights;
Support national standards for motorcycle protective clothing;
Reduced speed limits in high-speed zones, rural areas and intersection;
Increase speed limit enforcement;
Increase rider licensing requirements;
Promote technologies to mitigate multi-vehicle crashes;
Improve the quality of rural roads;
Evaluate roads for their specific motorcycle safety; and
Reconsider the learner-approved motorcycle scheme (LAMS) to also consider bike type, not just power-to-weight ratio.
Visibility fear
While some of the recommendations have merit, there is a fear among riders that authorities will twist words such as “promote” and “support” into “mandatory”.
This could lead to mandatory high visibility clothing, mandatory protective clothing minimums and mandatory technology such as emergency braking, traction control and crash sensors.
It has been compiled using 2005-2014 data from police crash reports in several states, vehicle registrations in Victoria and NSW, and Redbook motorcycle specifications.
The Monash Uni report reflects previous studies with findings such as older rider numbers and associated crashes are increasing.
However, it also found some new and interesting characteristics such as the fact that the number of riders choosing more powerful motorcycles has doubled.
It also claims to show that the crash and injury severity risks on high power-to-weight-ratio bikes are higher.
Here is a summary of the crash stat findings:
Fatal and serious injury motorcycle crashes increased 20%;
Rural areas are more dangerous for riders;
Most popular motorcycle types — sport, off-road and cruisers — also have the highest incidence of severe injury crashes;
Unlicensed and novice riders are more likely to crash older motorcycles;
Severe injury risk in motorcycle crashes is higher at intersections and in multi-vehicle collisions; and
Risk is lower in 50km/h zones.
What do you think of the Monash University report? Leave your comments below.
Morbidelli an impressive sixth on day one aboard the Yamaha.
Image: Supplied.
The all-new Petronas Yamaha SRT outfit made it’s official entry into the MotoGP paddock this week at Valencia’s post-season test in Spain, with riders Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo sampling the Yamaha YZR-M1 for the first time.
Morbidelli, who just completed his rookie MotoGP campaign, immediately gelled with the Yamaha, which was evident through his quick-time of 1m32.085s, ranking him sixth on the result sheets.
“It has been a great first day,” said Morbidelli. “I felt good with the bike as soon as I got in it and the connection with the team is really good. I managed to get some laps in this afternoon that were solid and fast.
“I have more time to find in my riding, as I get to know the bike and understand its strengths and weaknesses, to get the most out of this test. I have been surprised how smooth the Yamaha is to ride and how easy it is to understand.”
Moto2 graduate Quartararo enjoyed his first 38 laps in MotoGP with a best-lap of 1m33.850s, placing the teenager in 23rd position while being the third fastest rookie.
“The first day of the test has gone really well,” Quartararo stated. “It was a shame we didn’t get to do more laps because of the conditions, which weren’t the best, but I am happy because each time I went out onto the track I improved. So far in the middle of the corner and the exit we are quite strong but I am losing time in braking.
“The team are encouraging me to believe in the brakes because at the start you think you’re not going to be able to get stopped but in the end you can do it and I enjoyed that. The most impressive thing about my first outing on the Yamaha was the power, especially on the first straight, and also the brakes. Hopefully we can have good conditions tomorrow because we want to work on braking and improving the feeling.”
The duo will return to the circuit today along with full MotoGP contingent for day two of the official test.
Standout year has national number three linked to Serco Yamaha seat.
Image: Foremost Media.
New South Welshman Aaron Tanti has revealed his racing future is locked in for the 2019 season where he’s to remain in the MX2/SX2 category, following the closure of the Complete Parts Kawasaki Racing team.
Tanti experienced a breakout year in 2018, capturing a number of race victories on his way to third in the Pirelli MX Nationals MX2 standings, making him a favourable contender for the crown next season.
While unable to disclose the team he’s contracted to, the number 18 has been heavily linked to a position at the champion-winning Serco Yamaha outfit alongside regular Nathan Crawford, expected to prompt the departure of MX2 champion Wilson Todd.
“I’ve got a big thing for next year and I’m happy with it,” Tanti declared to MotoOnline.com.au. “I don’t think I can say too much yet, but I’m 100 percent racing – I’ve got something sorted in MX2.
“This was my first year riding full-time and it was massive learning curve. I’m going to have to learn how to control a championship and on my bad days, I’m going to have to make them as good as they can be. I learned a lot this year and it’s been a big eye-opener – I’m going to be ready for 2019.”
Despite earning the crown with Serco Yamaha, speculation circulating at AUS-X Open Sydney indicates Todd will return to DPH Motorsport aboard Husqvarna machinery for the first time in his career after a potential opportunity in Europe failed to come through.
With the Australian Supercross Championship now at a close and this weekend’s S-X Open Auckland the final racing commitment for many teams and riders, the domestic silly-season is set to kick into overdrive throughout the coming weeks.
Spaniard 18th fastest on opening day of MotoGP testing at Valencia.
Image: Supplied.
Multi-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo has made his debut with Repsol Honda at the opening day of Valencia’s post-season MotoGP test in Spain.
After completing a two-year stint with Ducati at the weekend, where he finished 12th for ninth in the standings, the Spaniard completed his initial laps aboard the championship-winning RC213V before rain called for a premature end to the day.
The number 99 logged 30 laps with a best time of 1m32.959s, granting him 18th overall on the day – 1.543s off the fastest time set by Maverick Vinales (Yamaha Factory Racing).
Missing four of the last five grand prix, Lorenzo is still nursing a wrist injury, which he believes improved drastically in recent weeks, ultimately allowing him the race the season finale on Sunday along with this week’s two-day test.
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