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Reflecting on the MotoGP/WSBK Misano Test

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Misano hosted some MotoGP and WSBK teams for a shakedown test this week

There was no ‘official’ timing undertaken by the respective series organisers but times have widely been circulated from a combined MotoGP and WorldSBK Test staged at Misano over three days this week. One would also imagine the riders were not pushing the outright boundaries in this scenario as the risk of getting injured only weeks before racing is start to recommence after the long COVID-19 induced interruptions to the race season would have their respective team managers none to happy!

That said, racers are racers and when there is a stopwatch present then they want to stop that clock quickest! Some riders got clean laps in on fresh qualifying tyres while others set their fastest time on race tyres. For some there was a strict testing regimen of new parts to be evaluated in their role as test riders and no real chance to slip in soft tyres and go all out for bragging rights.

KRT showing their COVID-19 precautions

The test was also an opportunity for riders and team personnel to familiarise themselves with the masks and social distancing precautions that will be in place at the circuits for race weekends when racing starts again.

Aleix Espargaro was unofficially quickest on the latest Aprilia RS-GP.  Over the course of three days of testing the 30-year-old Spaniard ended with a best of 1m32.932s after 183 laps of the freshly resurfaced 4226 metre long Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

Aleix Espargaro – Aprilia MotoGP – 1m32.932

“After such a long stop, it was exciting to get back onto the track and I already can’t wait to go to Jerez for the first two races. Turning a lot of laps is fundamental for us. We have a totally new bike which, although born with great potential, needs to get some miles under it. We also know that Misano is not our favourite track, but in spite of that, at the end of the three days, we managed to achieve a good pace, confirming the positive impressions we had already had in Malaysia and Qatar.”

Aleix Espargaro

KTM riders Miguel Oliveira and Pol Espargaro were also on track earlier in the week but no official information was forthcoming from the Austrians following the test. Anecdotes on the internerd though suggest Miguel Oliveira lapped just as quick as Aleix Espargaro in the 1m32.9s with Pol Espargaro also on that benchmark. Earlier this week KTM confirmed that Danilo Petrucci will ride the RC16 in MotoGP season 2021 and also confirmed their entire rider line-up for next year (Link).

Ducati MotoGP test rider Michele Pirro only just bested Scott Redding on the Ducati Superbike. Pirro put in a total of 178 laps across to complete his testing schedule while Redding notched up 135 laps in what were sweltering conditions in the Emilia Romagna region of Northern Italy.

Michele Pirro – Ducati MotoGP Test Rider – 1m33.000

“It was a positive three-day test, which has allowed us to regain some confidence with the bike after the long break of these months. Despite the scorching heat, the track, which was recently resurfaced, was in excellent condition and allowed me to feel comfortable immediately. We were able to set good lap times, which make us confident for the two races scheduled for September. We’ve been working on several electronics components and some aspects that were still pending after the Shakedown Test in Sepang. We are sure that thanks to these three days, the Ducati riders will be able to arrive at the first MotoGP race in Jerez ready to be immediately at the highest level of competitiveness.“

Michele Pirro

The 27-year-old Briton would no doubt have loved to have proved faster than Pirro on the MotoGP bike and was only a couple of hundredths off doing exactly that.

Scott Redding – Aruba Ducati WorldSBK Rider – 1m33.067

“These were three very positive days as it was important to regain the feeling with the bike. We have worked a lot especially with used tyres and we have tried new solutions that have given positive feedback. I’ve been working out a lot these months with the goal of losing weight. In the end, I also managed to set a good chrono but this is not important. It was great to get back to work with the guys and I can’t wait to get back on track“.

Scott Redding

Jonathan Rea was next quickest on the KRT ZX-10RR, lapping faster than Aprilia MotoGP rider Bradley Smith.

Jonathan Rea – Kawasaki Racing Team Rider – 1m33.206

“I am quite satisfied with this test and it was very valuable to get up to speed. Yesterday everything felt quite alien to me, especially as the asphalt was new and the grip levels were high. I just had to adapt my riding style a little bit. Also we changed the bike setup; actually to take a little bit of grip away. I was still not 100% confident but I felt better a lot better after the tyre grip had dropped a bit. After six or seven laps I felt more comfortable on the bike. At the end, with a race tyre, I was still able to be very fast and I felt confident to push. We did not get excited or carried away when we were struggling; we just went about it step-by-step with the crew, and with Showa, changing the bike set-up. We did not have many huge items to try. I really feel like here, with the grip level being so high, we have been able to achieve a little bit more natural turning from the bike. That is a huge thing to take away from here and I hope we can apply it to other tracks where we have been struggling in the past.”

Jonathan Rea

Pere Riba – Crew Chief for Jonathan Rea

“Testing has been very good. After this long lockdown it was very interesting to see how the riders would be, how the mechanics and everybody worked. And they all worked very well. Johnny is in really good shape and he has been working a lot on his psychology and physically he was very strong. He came here with his batteries recharged. This track, on the other hand, is like a new track as it has been completely re-asphalted. The grip is impressive – completely crazy! On a Q tyre Johnny was 1.5 seconds faster than what he did last year. Yesterday, all this new grip made a new request to the balance of the bike and Johnny was not so happy. Step-by-step we understood the direction and from the first ‘out lap’ yesterday to the final one today we did not stop improving. I am honestly very proud of the job everybody did in the team. Johnny did a 1’33.4 today, making him the fastest one with a race tyre. On his Q tyre he made a mistake on the first lap but still did a 1’33.2 on his second lap. That could have been a 1’32.9 or 1’33.0.”

Jonathan Rea

Bradley Smith was subbing for the suspended Andrea Iannone and will race for the Aprilia MotoGP squad when the season gets underway after initially being contracted as a test rider unless Iannone is allowed to race under appeal, a situation that looks very unlikely. 

Bradley Smith – Aprilia MotoGP Rider – 1m33.536

“I’m honestly pleased at the end of these tests. I had to make a physical and mental step to go from tester to rider and I think I managed, especially on this last day. Right now, it is fundamental for us to gain experience on this new bike, gathering data and understanding how it reacts. While the base setup proved to be good straight away in Malaysia and Qatar, there are still many aspects that we need to explore in order to exploit the full potential of the new project. On my part, I know that I still have room to improve and Aleix’s performance demonstrates as much, but the gap has shrunk and I feel much more at ease taking the 2020 RS-GP to the limit.”

Bradley Smith

Romano Albesiano – Aprilia Racing Technical Director

“These were important tests to define the starting point of our championship. We assessed the various chassis, engine and electronics solutions, in addition to breaking in a team that is brand new in many aspects. The riders needed this test as well to get back into the rhythm after such a long stop, and I must say that I saw them improving day after day. The decisions in view of Jerez have been taken. Many of the new features we had prepared worked well and I am rather pleased with the overall level of the bike. In any case, there is still a lot of work to do on the details, especially to increase overall reliability. We say it every year, but it isn’t wrong to do so: the level of the championship has gone up even farther and that pushes us to make an even greater effort.”

Bradley Smith

Next quickest Ducati GO Eleven WorldSBK rider Michael Rinaldi on 1m33.560 ahead of KRT’s Alex Lowes. The Briton experiencing another new circuit for the first time on the ZX-10RR and building up his experience and relationship with the bike, putting in over 100 laps on the final day alone.

Alex Lowes – Kawasaki Racing Team Rider – 1m33.694

“The test today has been really good because we had clear targets that we wanted to achieve at the start of the day. We wanted to do a race simulation while trying to keep a good pace after such a long time off the bike. And also find a direction with the front end setup for the Barcelona tests. We achieved both those things. I had a nice 20 laps this morning, when the track was really hot, which gave us good information for the next races in Jerez and Portimao, because we think they are also going to be hot. At the end of today we tried to improve our pace on new tyres and I was quite satisfied with what we did. After 103 laps I was a little bit tired at the end but it was a successful test and we have a lot of information to take into the next test. That will be another new track for me on the Kawasaki, so it is all about gelling with the bike in all different conditions. I also want to say a big thanks to the team. It has not been easy to organise the test with everything that has gone on but a massive thanks to the KRT guys.”

Alex Lowes

Guim Roda – KRT Team Manager

“This has been such an intense test. After four months stopped – the longest in the last 10 years for sure – it has been nice to come back to the racetrack. We tried to get into the rhythm and let the riders enjoy on the bikes. It has been our first experience in ‘Covid-19 mode’ and for sure we need to improve our system. We made PCR tests and Antibody tests for all staff. We even asked a few suppliers who were in attendance to do the same, to ensure to the max that nobody could spread the virus. The most important thing will be to be responsible and try to follow current government rules about virus prevention outside the paddock. We are conscious that part of the proposed racing program is linked to preventing Covid-19 from coming into the paddock, so let’s see if we can ‘win’ this race too.”

Alex Lowes

Chaz Davies put in 177 laps during the test and recorded a best of 1m34.053, a full second slower than his team-mate in the factory Aruba Racing Ducati squad, Scott Redding.

Chaz Davies – Aruba Ducati WorldSBK Rider – 1m34.053

“It was nice to get back out there and see a lot of familiar faces. It has been a long four months and there was a great desire to reconnect with the bike and the track. We worked a lot to try many solutions and get some important feedback. We have improved in some areas and we have to improve in other aspects but the direction is the right one”.

Chaz Davies

Marco Zambenedetti – Ducti Corse Technical Director

“I am very satisfied with these three days of testing as we were able to test – with Redding and Davies – some new parts and technical solutions we tried a month ago on this circuit with Pirro and Rinaldi. We had good feedback from the riders on the new ergonomics. We also re-tested some of the solutions we tried in Australia and there are still some others to try out, especially from an electronic point of view. We will be able to do it before the race weekend at Jerez“.

Scott Redding

Leandro Mercado (Ducati Motocorsa) was next quickest while Leon Camier (Ducati Barni WorldSBK) and Sylvain Barrier (Ducati Brixx WorldSBK) appeared to both be way off the pace if the times circulating for the pair are correct.

Johann Zarco was on track onboard a Ducati Panigale V4 that the Frenchman uses as a training bike while Max Biaggi was also there turning laps on an Aprilia RSV-4RR.

The test was also an opportunity for riders and team personnel to familiarise themselves with the masks and social distancing precautions that will be in place at the circuits for race weekends when racing starts again.
Source: MCNews.com.au

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I am quite satisfied with this test and it was very valuable to get up to speed. Yesterday everything felt quite alien to me, especially as the asphalt was new and the grip levels were high. I just had to adapt my riding style a little bit. Also we changed the bike setup; actually to take a little bit of grip away. I was still not 100% confident but I felt a lot better after the tyre grip had dropped a bit. After six or seven laps I felt more comfortable on the bike. At the end, with a race tyre, I was still able to be very fast and I felt confident to push. We did not get excited or carried away when we were struggling; we just went about it step-by-step with the crew, and with Showa, changing the bike set-up. We did not have many huge items to try. I really feel like here, with the grip level being so high, we have been able to achieve a little bit more natural turning from the bike. That is a huge thing to take away from here and I hope we can apply it to other tracks where we have been struggling in the past. https://bit.ly/JR_Misano2

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I am quite satisfied with this test and it was very valuable to get up to speed. Yesterday everything felt quite alien to me, especially as the asphalt was new and the grip levels were high. I just had to adapt my riding style a little bit. Also we changed the bike setup; actually to take a little bit of grip away. I was still not 100% confident but I felt a lot better after the tyre grip had dropped a bit. After six or seven laps I felt more comfortable on the bike. At the end, with a race tyre, I was still able to be very fast and I felt confident to push. We did not get excited or carried away when we were struggling; we just went about it step-by-step with the crew, and with Showa, changing the bike set-up. We did not have many huge items to try. I really feel like here, with the grip level being so high, we have been able to achieve a little bit more natural turning from the bike. That is a huge thing to take away from here and I hope we can apply it to other tracks where we have been struggling in the past. https://bit.ly/JR_Misano2


Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook

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Today was very productive and valuable because we were not in a rush to test so much and I was able to do a lot of laps and check a lot of settings. After the long break I was not so happy with the normal base bike setting this morning. They have re-asphalted the circuit at Misano and the grip level is so high – abnormally high – which means we have had to take some grip away from our bike to make it a little bit smoother. I had a crash this morning which I was able to rebound from, pretty fast. For day one I feel satisfied but we’ve still got work to do to be comfortable. https://bit.ly/JRmisano1

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Today was very productive and valuable because we were not in a rush to test so much and I was able to do a lot of laps and check a lot of settings. After the long break I was not so happy with the normal base bike setting this morning. They have re-asphalted the circuit at Misano and the grip level is so high – abnormally high – which means we have had to take some grip away from our bike to make it a little bit smoother. I had a crash this morning which I was able to rebound from, pretty fast. For day one I feel satisfied but we’ve still got work to do to be comfortable. https://bit.ly/JRmisano1


Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook

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Jonathan Rea Ready For WorldSBK Restart

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Jonathan Rea Ready For WorldSBK Restart At Misano Test “I am super-excited to get back on the bike – not just to ride again but to see all the team and simply enjoy the working together. I missed that during lockdown. I think this is probably the longest period I have been off the bike! Misano is a great track to get back into the swing of things at. I know our ZX-10RR very well and I know Misano well too. We will have four hot races at the beginning of the re-started season this summer, in Spain and Portugal, so it is perfect to come and test at Misano at this time, as the weather should be similar. The track itself at Misano has a bit of everything – fast corners, both fast and slow changes of direction, and some stop-and-go corners. Because of the lockdown and the quarantine restrictions in the UK I have driven here to Italy in my MX van. I am in here with my bikes, my training gear – pretty much my life is in a van at the minute! I am excited by the journey and getting to test again. It should be a great two days if we keep on working, because we were one of the strongest in Australia. It is really nice to go into this test on the back of securing my future with KRT beyond this season as well. The atmosphere should be pretty nice and we can focus on this year completely. It was great for the team to have been able to get us to this test despite the global situation and I am grateful to Dorna and the circuits for working out the new calendar for us. I cannot wait for the lights to go out on the grid at Jerez on the 1st of August. I will be ready.”


After an enforced absence from track action Jonathan Rea and the official Kawasaki Racing Team will get its intense schedule of tests and
Source: Jonathan Rea On Facebook

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KRT set up for two-day Misano test

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KRT WorldSBK testing at Misano

This forthcoming test staged over Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th June will be unlike any other due to the ongoing pandemic. All KRT team members have been tested and will be health tested and checked during the period of track testing. There will be no regular hospitality unit as such on-site at Misano, with the team getting meals supplied at the track by team staff. For the entire duration team staff will be practicing social distancing and putting in place numerous anti-viral protocols such as facemasks, frequent hand sanitation and adhering to demarked working zones.

Even the confirmed arrival of the team members into Italy just in time to prepare for the Misano test has been a challenge, right up to the last minute. This has been an evolving process considering that the fluid nature of lockdown restrictions are being eased in little-by-little by governments and national bodies, and the team itself features several nationalities in its largely Barcelona-based makeup.  A few other MotoGP and WorldSBK teams will be also on track at Misano this week.

Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager

“This test is our real starting point after the long Covid-19 delay. We have to restart again mainly to get into the rhythm with the riders. It is also especially important to understand the health and safety conditions we will find in the next rounds of the championship, and refine our working conditions. We will take all of this very this carefully to not spread the virus inside the paddock. We will need to work in a very calm way, trying to keep our distance and still make a good test. We will have antibody tests every time we meet together. All of this has led to extra jobs and extra difficulties to operate the team but all of it is necessary. We know our riders have been working a lot since Australia, although with some limits of course, so we need to know how they will be when they arrive at the tests. In general we need to organise everything particularly well and with a short calendar after the re-start we have a smaller margin for error. We want to keep winning to the end of the year. We are calm also that both riders are confirmed with KRT for next year now, so we are all fully focused on this championship season. We need to make an especially good job because Kawasaki and our sponsors, like Monster Energy, Motocard, Showa and Elf, understand the present difficulties and they have kept up their support in the project and in their own human inputs. A lot of success and coverage is needed right to the end of the year to repay all their support!”

WorldSBK Rnd R R Phillip Island WorldSBK Sunday ReaJonathan Rea leading Alex Lowes at the 2020 WorldSBK season opener at Phillip Island

Rea has even travelled to the Misano test in a small panel van he normally uses to transport his motocross bikes in.

Jonathan Rea

“I am super-excited to get back on the bike – not just to ride again but to see all the team and simply enjoy the working together. I missed that during lockdown. I think this is probably the longest period I have been off the bike! Misano is a great track to get back into the swing of things at. I know our ZX-10RR very well and I know Misano well too. We will have four hot races at the beginning of the re-started season this summer, in Spain and Portugal, so it is perfect to come and test at Misano at this time, as the weather should be similar. The track itself at Misano has a bit of everything – fast corners, both fast and slow changes of direction, and some stop-and-go corners. Because of the lockdown and the quarantine restrictions in the UK I have driven here to Italy in my MX van. I am in here with my bikes, my training gear – pretty much my life is in a van at the minute! I am excited by the journey and getting to test again. It should be a great two days if we keep on working, because we were one of the strongest in Australia. It is really nice to go into this test on the back of securing my future with KRT beyond this season as well. The atmosphere should be pretty nice and we can focus on this year completely. It was great for the team to have been able to get us to this test despite the global situation and I am grateful to Dorna and the circuits for working out the new calendar for us. I cannot wait for the lights to go out on the grid at Jerez on the 1st of August. I will be ready.”

WorldSBK Rnd R R Phillip Island WorldSBK Sunday ReaGBRea leading the WorldSBK Tissot Superpole race at Phillip Island

Lowes travelled to Italy last Saturday, with his Moto2 racing brother Sam and their respective partners. They will stay in a house rather than a hotel close to the circuit itself for the duration of the test.

Alex Lowes

“I am really, really excited to get back on my bike! Obviously I am living my dream job so it has been frustrating not to be able to ride, so to get back out this week? I will be like a kid at Christmas the night before we test! I just want to get back out on my ZX-10RR now. In terms of work and what we are trying to achieve, I am looking forward to picking up where we left off with a good feeling on the bike. The number one target of this test is to get the feeling back with the bike and team, and also enjoy it! This is my first season on the ZX-10RR so is going to be nice to try the Kawasaki at another track with Marcel and the guys. Hopefully by the end of the tests we will be up to a good speed and working on that base setting that worked so well in the winter. I am happy if we get hot conditions at Misano because it will be important for me to work with the bike in that way. I am already out in Italy, getting some training in the sun and riding little bikes. It is red hot right now!”

WorldSBK Rnd R R Phillip Island WorldSBK Sunday Lowes ReaGBKRT 1-2 in WorldSBK Race Two at Phillip Island – GeeBee Image

After two days at Misano the team will relocate back to Spain for another two day test at a circuit all new to WorldSBK racing – Montmelo – just a stone’s throw from the team’s headquarters in Granollers. With one full WorldSBK round already completed in Australia in early March (during which Lowes and Rea won a race apiece) the season restarts at four Iberian circuits – Jerez, Portimao, Aragon (twice) and then Montmelo – in what will be a busy period for all involved in the exciting 2020 WorldSBK championship fight. The season is set to restart for real at Jerez, with racedays scheduled for Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August.

Source: MCNews.com.au

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New 2020 WorldSBK Calendar

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2020 WorldSBK Calendar

  1. March 1 – Phillip Island, Australia
  2. August 2 – Jerez, Spain (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
  3. August 9 – Portimao, Portugal (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
  4. Aguust 30 – Aragon, Spain (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
  5. September 6 – Aragon, Spain (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
  6. September 18 – Catalunya, Spain (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
  7. October 4 – Magny-Cours, France (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
  8. October 11 – Circuito San Juan Villicum, Argentina (TBC) (WSBK-WSSP)
  9. November 8 – Misano, Italy (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
    TBD – Donington Park, UK (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
    TBD – Assen, Netherlands (WSBK-WSSP-WSSP300)
    TBD – Losail, Qatar (WSBK-WSSP)

TBD = To be determined
TBC = To be confirmed

New weekend race schedule

After the forced stop in place due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is now scheduled to finally restart in Spain on the first weekend in August alongside the supporting FIM Supersport (WorldSSP) and FIM Supersport 300 World Championships (WorldSSP300).

Both WorldSSP and WorldSSP300 will feature revised weekend schedules starting in Europe, composing of an additional race for each class on Saturday after their respective Tissot Superpole sessions have been completed.

WorldSSP300 Tissot Superpole will happen directly before the class’ Last Chance Race, whilst WorldSBK Race 1, WorldSSP Race 1 and then WorldSSP300 Race 1 will follow. The overall event schedule changes mean that now, racing action will begin for all classes on Saturday, with full Championship points awarded in all races.

The Championship’s return will initially be held without public and with a limited media presence, although the situation is subject to specific government mass gathering guidelines and will be updated in due course.

Gregorio Lavilla, Executive Director, WorldSBK Sporting and Organisation

“Firstly, it is a great satisfaction that we can announce a safe return to racing for all three classes. The history of both WorldSSP and WorldSSP300 enriches the atmosphere of the WorldSBK paddock, often providing some of the closest racing all season, as well as allowing the stars of the future to flourish on the world stage. 2020 has provided its obstacles but thanks to the hard work, tenacity and determination of all parties involved, we will return to the world’s circuits with all three classes. We now look forward hugely to the recommencement of racing at Jerez, whilst welcoming back all corners of the racing paddock.”

Revised WorldSBK race weekend schedule

Revised WorldSBK race weekend schedules – Click for larger version to download or print

2020 WorldSBK Championship Standings

  1. Alex Lowes – Kawasaki 51
  2. Scott Redding – Ducati 39
  3. Toprak Razgatlioglu – Yamaha 34
  4. Jonathan Rea – Kawasaki 32
  5. Michael van der Mark – Yamaha 31
  6. Alvaro Bautista – Honda 20
  7. Loris Baz – Yamaha 20
  8. Chaz Davies – Ducati 19
  9. Leon Haslam – Honda 17
  10. Tom Sykes – BMW 17

2020 WorldSSP Championship Standings

  1. Andrea Locatelli – Yamaha 25
  2. Raffaele De Rosa – MV Agusta 20
  3. Jules Cluzel – Yamaha 16
  4. Corentin Perolari – Yamaha 13
  5. Lucas Mahias – Kawasaki 11

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News, WSBK

Jonathan Rea extends contract with KRT

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Jonathan Rea

“I am super happy to sign a new contract with Kawasaki and KRT. What we have achieved together is incredible. Our success is driven by a great team and of course the base of the project – our Ninja ZX-10RR. I will keep working hard, together with my crew, the engineers at KHI to be in the best condition every single race. This period away from racing has reignited a burning desire to keep winning and continue to improve my skills and the package of our bike. Racing never stands still and all the riders and manufactures are continuing to improve – we must do the same. Now we can fully focus on our 2020 WorldSBK season where racing will restart soon. I want to thank Kawasaki, the team and all my sponsors for their continued support and this great opportunity.”

WorldSBK Rnd R R Phillip Island WorldSBK Sunday ReaGBWorldSBK Tissot Superpole race at Phillip Island earlier this year

Rea has won five consecutive WorldSBK championships as a KRT rider, starting in his first Kawasaki year in 2015. The most successful WorldSBK racer in history, the vast majority of Jonathan’s championship points and race wins have been earned while riding Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-10RR machinery creating a legend in the process.

KRT Team Manager – Guim Roda

“Everyone in the team is delighted that Jonathan will be with us again. In racing we cannot assume anything until it is completed so we are very happy that JR65 has confirmed his future with Kawasaki and us. Everyone involved understands that this is a long-term project and that continuity and success go hand-in-hand. As a rider Jonathan has incredible talents that are very rare. For sure, to keep him as part of KRT gives us a chance to create yet more WorldSBK and racing history. His pit crew and everyone at KRT are delighted to continue this hugely rewarding professional and personal journey together.”

WorldSBK Rnd R R Phillip Island WorldSBK Sunday ReaGBJonathan Rea won the WorldSBK season opening race at Phillip Island

Rea’s competitive nature is as strong as ever as he goes for title number six. Signing his new contract demonstrates his intention to build on and extend his winning streak well beyond this current season.

Jonathan’s ambition is as sharp as ever, especially after confirmation of his new contract with the most successful modern day WorldSBK manufacturer and team in the paddock. His close connection with Kawasaki and KRT is now globally understood and accepted, and in many ways he has become “the face of Kawasaki racing”.

The full support of his wife Tatia, his children and his entire family have been an important element throughout his glittering career, during all the good and more challenging times. The mutually beneficial relationship with his team, one which Jonathan has helped nurture, is an integral part of their combined success.

KRT Kawasaki Racing Team WSBK Reveal ReaKawasaki Racing Team WSBK 2020

Steve Guttridge – KME Racing Manager

“Since Jonathan signed his first deal to race with us in 2015 it has been a dream partnership. Kawasaki as a group had our full focus on extending our relationship into the future. This season, his sixth with us, means that JR is very much part of the Kawasaki family and his record-breaking partnership with the Ninja is revered by our competition and has amazed our fans worldwide. Jonathan – together with his great crew, the team and our engineers – once more has the perfect combination for success. JR’s professionalism, approach to racing – and particularly his mentality – have helped us as a manufacturer to define our blueprint to racing success. Together we aim to continue rewriting the history books and breaking records together. The whole Kawasaki family and Kawasaki fans worldwide welcome the new multi-year agreement with Jonathan and we are excited to witness the next chapter of this amazing story unfold.”

With current championship leader Alex Lowes already signed with Kawasaki beyond 2020 KRT has moved early in its rider choices for the next era of its overall WorldSBK campaign.

WorldSBK Rnd R R Phillip Island WorldSBK Sunday Lowes ReaGBKRT 1-2 in WorldSBK Race Two at Phillip Island – GeeBee Image

Jonathan Rea WorldSBK Statistics

  • World Champion 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019
  • Career Race Wins: 89 (74 for Kawasaki)
  • Career Podiums: 170 (128 for Kawasaki)
  • Career Poles: 23 (19 for Kawasaki)

Kawasaki FIM Superbike World Championship Statistics

  • Total Kawasaki Race Wins: 148 – second overall
  • Total Kawasaki Podiums: 437 – second overall
  • Total Kawasaki Poles: 88 – second overall

WSBK Rnd Qatar Sat Race Rea JMJonathan Rea and family
Source: MCNews.com.au

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MotoGP update with Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta

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Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta on racing outside Europe and MotoGP 2020

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta

“We’ve had several fruitful meetings and especially had a very profitable meeting with the manufacturers, we presented the protocol to them before we presented it to the Spanish and later to other authorities. We agreed a few different things, we gave them the chance to explain to us what they think about different possibilities, it was very profitable and we also approved the number of engines depending on the number of races we will have this season, which was agreed unanimously by all manufacturers. We also talked about the necessities for the future, but it was essentially to get their view on the protocol and then later to approve the situation regarding engines in the 2020 season.

“The calendar we hope to present next week that starts, if everything goes well, on the 19th of July in Jerez. And the latest race on that calendar will be at the beginning of November, with 12 or 13 rounds. But races outside of Europe is something we need to decide, still. There will be a number of races presented – the four non-European races that have not been cancelled: Thailand, Malaysia, Americas and Argentina – for which we will search for approval and we have a deadline of the end of July to tell everybody if we continue with them or stop. After the first two races we will see if the calendar will be 12, 14 or a maximum of 16 rounds.”

We’ve seen riders back training and even a KTM test in Austria (Link), what do you think of that as a sign of hope about the Championship getting closer?

“This is very good, the start of training! And when we knew that some circuits had the idea to let professionals start, we thought it was a very good idea. In fact, we knew for some riders that when they even had the change to do motocross and things like that, it was very helpful for all of them. I know they’re happy because the MotoGP riders haven’t ridden since the test before Qatar, and Moto2 and Moto3 since Qatar. It’s important to start and they’re all anxious to start again!”

Pol Espargaro and KTM tested in Austria recently

What will the paddock look like this season? What special measures and controls will there be, and how will the teams prepare?

“We’ve made a very defined protocol, working together with the different Ministers of Sport in different countries we will visit, to have an idea from any of the countries what we can do. Then in principle, any rider coming to race will have a medical before, and if the doctor decides they need to have a test, they will do it before coming to the first race in Spain. Then later, before coming to the paddock, there will be another test, and then a protocol with control every day, plenty of things in the paddock and especially insulation between each team. We have also some measures for places to eat and everything, in principle, where people are coming from the hotel to the circuit, and circuit to the hotel. Obviously this is for how the situation is right now, if between now and July, the situation in any country is more flexible, we’ll allow for that. In principle we want to isolate the paddock from other things and there will be no connection between the permanent people working at the circuit and the MotoGP family. Finally, the MotoGP family will be around or less than 1300 people and we have increased by five the number of members of each manufacturer for the MotoGP class. The numbers for Moto2 and Moto3 remain the same as originally stated.”

Do we know any more about WorldSBK?

“WorldSBK and the FIM CEV Repsol are defining another protocol, they are related to the national federations. All protocols related to any FIM Championship are connected to the FIM and the FIM is the final party who approve the protocols. World Superbike is the same and they will also present their protocol to any national federation.”

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News, WSBK

WSBK set to recommence at Jerez then Portimao

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2020 WorldSBK season set to recommence

The 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is working hard on resuming racing action for the remainder of the season, amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Championship started in fine style at Phillip Island and now, Dorna WSBK Organization would like to issue an update on the plans to get racing back underway, with the initial racing plan taking place in the month of August once permission is approved.

Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director

“We are very positive about the future, as all the signs are pointing in a good direction to start in Jerez. We are looking at all possible scenarios for all three classes to race, although we continue to work hard on finding the optimum scenario for all parties. A lot will depend on the measures that various governments will implement. As for Donington Park and Assen, we are working with the circuits and governments to establish the best possible outcome for all, with the intention to hold those rounds towards the end of the 2020 season.”

The Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto should welcome the restart of the season on the 31st July – 2nd August, before going to the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal a week later on the 7th – 9th August. The season should then follow our current provisional schedule, at the MotorLand Aragon venue on 28th – 30th. The health of everybody is at the forefront of decision making and these rounds within the Iberian Peninsula are planned to be held behind closed doors, in-line with social distancing measures and medical guidelines set by the Spanish and Portuguese governments. Nevertheless, the situation is evolving, and we will adapt our protocols to the situation of the time.

Furthermore, updates have been made to the following events: the British and Dutch Rounds held at Donington Park and TT Circuit Assen respectively, have been postponed. The Dutch round itself has already been rescheduled once, from the 17th – 19th of April to the 21st – 23rd of August. However, new plans are underway with the best interests in mind, given the current restrictions in place that affect major sporting events within both the UK and the Netherlands. Further updates for the end season calendar will be communicated soon in order to further clarify the calendar situation.

The FIM and Dorna WSBK Organization is evaluating the different scenarios and adapting to each situation in each of the countries we should visit on a day-by-day basis.

Source: MCNews.com.au

Motorcycle News, Motorcycle Racing, News, WSBK

Alex Lowes to continue with Kawasaki WorldSBK in 2021

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Lowes retains coverted KRT seat for 2021

Kawasaki has announced that current WorldSBK Championship leader Alex Lowes will remain with the official KRT FIM Superbike World Championship team for the 2021 season.

KRT Team Manager – Guim Roda

“The job Alex has done until now, his motivation for the KRT project and the serious way he trains himself to be the fittest rider he can be have been such strong arguments to renew with him. It also gives him the time and reassurance to show his full potential on the ZX-10RR. He has the speed to ride the bike on the limit and to perform at the level we expect. We find him a good combination with Rea in terms of mutual respect, and the competition between the riders will help lift up the team to the maximum. We have evaluated his riding style since he joined with us for 2020 and we believe he can ride the bike fast and consistently. We expect to restart this current season again – to make sure the show comes back for all. Fixing an agreement with Alex for 2021 so early in the season will give him a calmness to fully concentrate on his racing and make the best results possible this year.”

WorldSBK Rnd R R Phillip Island WorldSBK Sunday LowesGBAlex Lowes was the victor in WorldSBK Race Two at Phillip Island

After just one round in Kawasaki colours Lowes enjoyed a dream start when he scored a race win at Phillip Island in Australia, during what was his first competitive event on the Ninja ZX-10RR.

Alex Lowes

“It is great be with Kawasaki for 2021. I can continue adapting to the team and adapting myself to the ZX-10RR. Ever since I joined the team I have really felt like it was an opportunity to for me to make another step forward with my riding. Being team-mates with Johnny I feel can learn so much from him and the atmosphere in the team is great. The current situation in the world is not ideal for anyone but Kawasaki really makes me feel positive and focused on the future. It has been fantastic to get something sorted for 2021 before going into the rest of the races this year. My personal target is to keep working hard every day, keep improving myself and also as a team to continue enjoying it. That is why we go racing. This little bit of ‘down-time’ has made us all appreciate how amazing our job is. Our fire was already burning hot but this recent period has certainly brought up the level of appreciation about what we do. I cannot wait to get back up there with Team 22 this season, working Marcel and the guys, and looking forward to even bigger things as we go into next year.”

WorldSBK Rnd R R Phillip Island WorldSBK Sunday Lowes ReaGBKRT 1-2 in WorldSBK Race Two at Phillip Island – GeeBee Image

Even with track action currently on hold after the suspension of all forms of global racing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Alex is fully prepared to continue his initial success as soon as the season restarts, as well as looking forward to partnering his team-mate Jonathan Rea in the Suzuka 8 Hours EWC race.

Optimism is high for both teams and fans starved of racing action since the outstanding opening round in Australia, where Alex and Jonathan won a race each on their KRT machines.

Lowes, now 29, made his latest signing official during a Skype call between himself, KME’s Steve Guttridge and KRT Team Manager Guim Roda.

In re-signing Alex the team has the continuity to build on its current success and aim for even greater things next season.

Steve Guttridge – KME Racing Manager

“Kawasaki Racing Team and our riders have been the dominant force within the WorldSBK series for several seasons now but we cannot relax in that situation; we must keep that momentum moving onwards. Our KRT Superbike project is part of a global effort by Kawasaki, combined with numerous important sponsors and suppliers to our racing programmes. It is our duty to retain the services of the very best riders in the World and Alex has demonstrated that he is just that by leading the Championship from round one. With Alex re-signing for the 2021 season we feel that not only his team and crew will continue to build a strong relationship together but also our key sponsors can have continuity from this (interrupted) season too. We are very happy confirm Alex will be staying with KRT and now look forward to the restart of this season and claiming more podiums together into 2021.”

KRT Kawasaki Racing Team WSBK Reveal Rea Lowes GBKawasaki Racing Team WSBK 2020
Source: MCNews.com.au