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Category: Moto GP

Moto GP, the Motorcycle World Championship

  • Riders revved up for “intense” Misano: MotoGP

    Riders revved up for “intense” Misano: MotoGP

    Top riders pose after the press conference ahead of the Misano race. A MotoGP image.
    Misano, 12 September 2019:
    Ahead of the Gran Premio Octo di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, it was time to talk shop in the pre-event Press Conference, with reigning Champion and points leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) joined by his closest challenger, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), as well as Silverstone winner Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), UK podium finisher Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), hometown hero Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Moto3™ Championship leader Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing).

    Marquez was first to talk, with that incredible British GP first on the agenda before talk turned to the recent Misano test.

    “Yeah of course it was not the best last corner for us, but anyway I’m happy because Silverstone was one of the circuits we struggled at a lot last year and this year we were there. The Misano test was quite interesting, we will check this weekend. Race pace was not so fast compared to last year but we were competitive, especially Yamaha riders were very fast, Dovi was not 100% fit but he will be fast, and he’s the winner from last year. Apart from that we have a good advantage in the championship, we need to be calm, try to finish races and see what happens in the future.

    “The key is it’s difficult to be consistent every lap. 2 or 3 hard brake points it’s hard to be consistent, also sector 3 with all the fast corners…to be consistent there all the race is difficult. It’s a race track that I like, we will start in a good way, we have new things from the test we need to check. Anyway in our box we don’t need to be crazy. Find the best of what we have and take points every weekend, that’s what’s important.”

    2018 winner Andrea Dovizioso spoke next, beginning with how he feels after the big crash at Silverstone.

    “I feel good fortunately, we worked hard at home and we were able to complete a test, it was important to make a test before the race. The feeling wasn’t perfect but it was important to do some laps. I feel good, I’m happy, I’m 100% fit, I did some motocross just to be sure and I’m ready. Last year was good for us, we had a special race, but I’m expecting a different weekend this year. The competitors are very strong, in the test a lot of riders have good pace but the weekend is always different. And the conditions are maybe a bit different, we have to see the grip we can find because at the test it was different than last year. So we have to see, I think it will be important for every bike.”

    And overall? 78 points is his deficit to Marquez, but he says it’s the bigger picture. “I think my best way to make the best result is the same way I’m racing now. For the Championship 78 points is a big gap, but it’s a bigger gap if you think about recovering the points to Marc. It’s not just about 78 points, there’s not a big reason to think about the Championship. Especially because in some races we were quick and some not, so we have to improve those things.”

    Fresh from his second premier class win, Rins took the mic next. And that was, of course, where the Suzuki rider began.

    “It was unbelievable to get the victory in Silverstone, especially for the battle with Marc. I saw the race six or seven times. After the victory I think we are a little stronger in the race, in the race I’m able to fight, and we arrive here after a good test. We found some things, two days of testing and our setup is more or less clear. But things will be difficult because all the riders are there and it’s a small track, so it will be a fun weekend.

    “During all the Fridays we are trying to improve, to see the setup, do a lot of laps on the tyres. Now I’m ready to do one lap at the end of the Championship, from this year it was more difficult. Silverstone wasn’t enough, we were in Q1, so I will try to be more in the top positions.”

    Viñales spoke next, fresh from his rostrum finish in the UK where he came home third and almost in touching distance of the duel ahead.

    “For sure we need to try and keep the momentum. I feel really good on the bike and especially with myself. Confidence is really high, so we’ll try to push the maximum, try to keep a good level all weekend and during the race be at the front. The test has been really successful for me so we will try to do our best.

    “I focused a lot to improve myself on the bike for this race, so I focused a lot on that side.”

    Rossi, meanwhile, will be doing his best to take back fifth in the title fight from Viñales, with the two having been locked close together for a good few races. But first, the nine-time World Champion talked about the pre-event on Tuesday that saw him take to the streets of his hometown of Tavullia on the Yamaha M1.

    “It was a great moment because it was a dream I had when I was a child. We know very well that road because we always go up and down with our scooter, the road is fun with a lot of corners. So I said ‘one time it will be good to try my M1 in Tavullia’. It was like this and it was fun. I have a good feeling and on the road, I expected it to be more difficult, but the bike was ok!”

    And the Grand Prix itself? The ‘Doctor’ sounds ready to fight near the front on home – truly home – turf.

    “For sure here in Misano it’s always a special Grand Prix, it’s really my home Grand Prix. In the last races I was a bit better but in Silverstone after a solid weekend, in the race I wanted to fight for the podium but I was not strong enough. So we will try another time here. We did some testing, important testing, my pace was quite good, I feel quite well with the bike so we try, we are ready and we will see if we are strong enough to fight for the podium.”

    Finally, lightweight class points leader Dalla Porta took the mic. Last season the venue saw him take his first win, this year he arrives as Championship leader.

    “Last year I took my first victory here and it was very important for me. Very impressive because I didn’t expect it. This year I have had some good results so far, I’m trying to have good races only. I’m so excited to start this weekend and try to have a good race!”

    And the future? It’s looking bright as the Italian spoke about his move for next year: “Italtrans is a fantastic team. For me it will be to experience first, but I’m so excited to ride the bike, I never tried a 600 bike before! I want to try the bike as soon as possible, but for now I have to be focused on this season.”
  • Hometown hero, Valentino Rossi revs through Tavullia ahead of the GP week-end

    Hometown hero, Valentino Rossi revs through Tavullia ahead of the GP week-end

    What do you get when you add a nine-time World Champion, his Italian hometown and a Yamaha M1? One hell of a parade

    Full capacity crowd! Rossi makes his way through the streets of his hometown. Photos: MotoGP

    Tavullia, 10 Sept 2019: Even when you’ve ruled the world nine times, broken records and raced in the premier class for two decades, there remain some dreams to be realised. For Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), that was to ride his Yamaha M1 through the streets of his hometown, Tavullia, and before the Gran Premio Octo di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, it came true.

    Beginning at the Ranch – the seminal home of the VR46 Riders Academy and training grounds developed and designed man himself – this was more than just a parade lap, it was an event. And so, after getting suited and booted and gearing up for the road ahead, the nine-time World Champion set off from the quiet, vine-lined hillsides of the venue and rode out towards his hometown.

    The story began on the very same streets, but back then Rossi and his friends were on scooters, not one of the fastest prototype motorcycles in the world. A lot has changed since then, but plenty things remain the same – and one of them is most definitely the passion the area has for motorcycling and for their most famous son, which was most definitely on full display once the number 46 arrived in the town centre.

    Setting off for Tavullia in style

    Packed to the rafters, the piazzale lined by fans and a sea of yellow stretching down the streets, the scene was a sight to behold as the ‘The Doctor’ made his way into the crowd, greeting the fans and turning dream into reality for both himself and many of those who flooded the town to see him. But this was just the beginning, with a couple more stops yet to come.

    The next one was VR46 headquarters, located just outside the town centre of Tavullia but still very much on home turf. And from there, of course, there was only one place to end up: the classic Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.

    A meet and greet with a difference..

    Once at the track, speed was back on the agenda and the race weekend on the horizon. Misano is the first track Rossi rode, just a stone’s throw from his hometown, and the blast around on the M1 was a fitting end to the homecoming lap of honour – as was the wheelie pulled all the way down the main straight, bringing the event to a close before the switch soon flicks to race mode.

    Tune in for the Gran Premio Octo di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini on the 13th to 15th September, when Rossi gets back on track – this time to race. The lights go out for MotoGP™ at 14:00 (GMT +2) on Sunday.

  • Pacesetter: Quartararo just 0.010 off the lap record: Misano test final day

    Pacesetter: Quartararo just 0.010 off the lap record: Misano test final day

    Rookie steals the limelight once again to end testing nearly half a second clear

    Fabio Qartararo tops Misano test on Friday. the final day. A MotoGP image

    Misano, 30 August 2019: After only a second mistake of your rookie season in a race, what’s the best way to bounce back? Topping two days of testing at Misano, half a second clear on the final day and within 0.010 of the lap record ought to do the trick for Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT). On Friday the rookie was once again top of the pile, this time ahead of the Ducati of Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) by nearly half a second, with Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) completing the top three after another impressive day for the Italian.

    Once more it was a scorcher on the Riviera de Rimini as the sun beat down on the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for the second and final day of the two-day test. And as Petronas Yamaha SRT continued their almost-dominance at the top, Yamaha overall continued their solid showing. For Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, Valentino Rossi was seen leaving pitlane with what looked like a carbon covered front brake on one of his YZR-M1s. Teammate Maverick Viñales was on track with the double exhaust again today as well, seemingly doing a comparison with the ‘normal’ Yamaha exhaust. The Spaniard was also back to using the usual tail on both of his bikes on Friday as he ended the test P6, just under a second back from Quartararo. ‘The Doctor’ had climbed into the top three in the closing stages, only to be displaced by Petrucci’s late time attack to end the day fourth at his home track.

    Ducati shot up the timesheets on the second day with Petrucci. He and teammate Andrea Dovizioso were out testing with one of their two bikes having the swingarm attachment. In addition, the two Italians were both using the wheel covers on their GP19s, with test rider Michele Pirro displaying a slightly different looking Ducati belly pan. Pirro finished 15th on the timesheets, Dovizioso was 17th.

    Jack Miller (Pramac Racing), meanwhile, was the lunchtime leader and he even ended his test at midday, the Australian encountering an issue with his number one bike during the morning. The number 43 was mainly working on his race pace and stability in the high-speed corners, something he says he struggled with a bit at Silverstone. Miller also said he and the team had found a little bit of direction in that department; good news ahead of the Grand Prix weekend. Teammate Francesco Bagnaia was also mainly working on race setup, and the rookie had a positive-looking test on board his GP18 as the Pramac duo finished up fifth and seventh respectively. Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) also put his Ducati in P12 after a solid day’s work.

    Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) was the fastest Honda rider at the Misano Test, the Japanese rider putting in his fastest laps towards the end of Day 2 to sit P8 on the timesheets. In the Repsol Honda garage, as well as having two Repsol liveried bikes, Championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) had HRC test rider Stefan Bradl’s bike at his disposal on Friday as he ended the test P10. Marquez rode a blacked-out Honda on Thursday and today it was the turn of Bradl to have a go, with Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) also having a black Honda on his side of the garage on Day 2. Five-time World Champion Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol Honda Team) didn’t ride on Day 2 as he continues to recover from injury.

    Meanwhile at Team Suzuki Ecstar, Joan Mir finished the test in P11 as the Spaniard continued to get back up to speed following his huge Brno Test crash. “Some new parts”, settings and grip was Mir’s main aim, and the rookie ended the test ahead of British GP winner Alex Rins, who had a low key time on the timesheets at least.

    Aprilia ended the second day in the top ten. Aleix Espargaro was ninth quickest on his Aprilia Racing Team Gresini machine as the Italian brand continue working towards 2020, although the Spaniard suffered two crashes during the morning session on Day 2. Teammate Andrea Iannone confirmed the team were working more in the direction of next year’s package and the Italian ended the test in P14.

    Some of the headlines, however, remain reserved for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. MotoGP™ Legend Dani Pedrosa got a full day of testing done for Austrian factory KTM, with the three-time World Champion trying a tail unit that was similar to what Pol Espargaro and Johann Zarco used at the opening round of the season, something Pedrosa also used at the Barcelona Test earlier in the year. KTM did confirm they tested things they think they will use in the coming races and Pedrosa finished the day as the quickest KTM rider, with Dovizioso splitting him from Espargaro on the timesheets. Espargaro also crashed in the morning. Hafizh Syahrin (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) was behind the number 44, and his teammate Miguel Oliveira remains absent to recover from his Silverstone crash.

    That’s a wrap for testing at Misano, with plenty of talking points to take us into the next race at…Misano. In the meantime, whet your appetite for the Riviera di Rimini classic with all the interviews, full results and highlights from the test on motogp.com.

    Test Top Times: Fabio Quartararo* (FRA – Yamaha) 1:31.639
    Danilo Petrucci  (ITA – Ducati) +0.476
    Franco Morbidelli* (ITA – Yamaha) +0.614

    *Independent Team rider

  • #MotoGP2020: provisional 2020 calendar released

    Paris, 28 August 2019: Subject to an FIM Homologation, Finland will host a Grand Prix in 2020 in July, with the PTT Thailand Grand Prix provisionally moving from Round 14 to Round 2.

    A total of 20 races are scheduled for the year with Qatar opening the season on 8 March 2020.

     

     

    No. Date Grand Prix Circuit
    1 08 March 2020 Qatar* Losail International Circuit
    2 22 March Thailand Chang International Circuit
    3 05 April Americas Circuit of the Americas
    4 19 April Republica Argentina Termas de Rio Hondo
    5 03 May Spain Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto
    6 17 May France Le Mans
    7 31 May Italy Autodromo del Mugello
    8 07 June Catalunya Barcelona – Catalunya
    9 21 June Germany Sachsenring
    10 28 June Netherlands TT Circuit Assen
    11 12 July Finland** KymiRing
    12 09 August Czech Republic*** Automotodrom Brno
    13 16 August Austria Red Bull Ring-Spielberg
    14 30 August Great Britain Silverstone
    15 13 September San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
    16 04 October Aragón MotorLand Aragón
    17 18 October Japan Twin Ring Motegi
    18 25 October Australia Philip Island
    19 01 November Malaysia Sepang International Circuit
    20 15 November Comunitat Valenciana Comunitat Valenciana-Ricardo Tormo

    2020 Pre-season MotoGP Tests:

    Date Test Circuit
    19/11/19 Valencia Comunitat Valenciana-Ricardo Tormo
    26/11/19 Jerez Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto
    7/02/20 Sepang Sepang
    22/02/20 Qatar
    Losail International Circuit

     

  • Rins pips Marquez by milli-second at final corner in the Silverstone thriller: MotoGP

    Rins pips Marquez by milli-second at final corner in the Silverstone thriller: MotoGP

    A battle for the ages rages to the last in an incredible Suzuki vs Honda duel

    Rins pips Marquez at the post on Sunday in Silverstone. A MotoGP image

    Silverstone, 25 August 2019: Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) became the sixth different winner at Silverstone in the last six races at the track in a stunning GoPro British Grand Prix, timing it to perfection to sweep past reigning Champion Marc Marquez at the final corner and make it two last-second defeats for the number 93 in as many races. A duel from almost the first to last, the race is the equal fourth closest premier class finish – and one very much written straight into the history books. Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) completed the podium and closed in in the latter stages, but the battle remained Marquez vs Rins to the line.

    Marquez got a storming start from pole, streaking away from the line as Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) slotted into second but some huge drama hit just behind. A crash for Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) saw the rookie slide out and unfortunately for the man behind him, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), the stricken bike was unavoidable. The Italian hit the Yamaha and both machines and men slid out into the run off, out of the British GP.

    That left Marquez, Rossi and Rins at the head of the race, and the number 42 wasted no time attacking the ‘Doctor’ for second, tagging right on to the rear of Marquez as soon as he was past. From there the two began to pull away, and Rossi was left with teammate Viñales to contend with as the number 12 plowed past Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) and started to cut down the gap.

    Then Rins ran wide and Viñales did just behind, leaving both men with a little more work to do. Heads back down though, they both set about getting back into the tow of the machines ahead. Rins got back on terms with Marquez, and with 14 to go Viñales was pulling alongside Rossi. Move made and cleanly past, the gap to the two ahead was now the key focus for ‘Top Gun’.

    Not long after, Rins attacked. Around the outside, the Suzuki rider swept past in a stunning move for the lead, and breath was held around the track. Was this a deciding moment? Ultimately it didn’t last long, however, and Rins even specified: “I let him back past, I didn’t want him to see my weaknesses.”

    And so it came down to a duel to the end, and what a duel it was. The two remained tagged together as the laps ticked down and everything was set up to perfection for a final lap showdown, although the Suzuki rider had a wobble at Turn 9 after a look behind to check on the approaching Viñales. Regrouping quickly, Rins then took another nibble on the penultimate lap, getting past Marquez for just about a corner before the reigning Champion struck back…and then came a dress rehearsal of sorts.

    Coming around the final corner to start the final lap, the Suzuki swept around the outside and was alongside Marquez as the two went elbow to elbow, but Rins ended up on the green stuff and Marquez held firm. The number 42 also lost a few metres with the move, and the pressure was on for the remaining five kilometers of the race. Was there time to catch and pass the man in such charge of the Championship?

    Through Maggots and Becketts, the Yamaha of Viñales was almost as close to Rins as Rins was to race leader Marquez, with the number 12 on the limit to try and get in the fight. As the corners passed, however, the Honda and Suzuki edged away – and Rins was more than simply hanging in there. With three corners left the Suzuki was Marquez’ shadow, but was there time? The dress rehearsal from a lap before gave us a clue of what was in store: it was going to go down to the final corner.

    Rins had showed some incredible speed there throughout the race, and the number 42 credited that as a big part of his being able to stay with Marquez. That was now his ace, and as the Honda rider tried to defend, the Suzuki unleashed its awesome corner speed as Rins ran wider and then cut back, barrelling alongside Marquez towards the line. And, by hundredths, coming out on top.

    The win was the fourth closest in premier class history, Rins’ second of the season and the first time the gloves have come off for the number 42 in a last lap fight for a premier class victory. 40 years since Sheene vs Roberts was split by 0.030, Rins beat Marquez by just 0.013. For the reigning Champion, it was also a second final corner defeat in a row.

    Viñales, then, was forced to spectate around the final sector, but the 2016 Silverstone winner said he got the maximum from the machine for his 60th podium in third. Teammate Valentino Rossi took fourth and the top Yamaha results continued as Morbidelli completed the top five. The number 21 was also the top Independent Team rider.

    He stole that honour from home hero Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) as the Brit took P6, crossing the line half a second ahead of Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team), with Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) and Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) not too far behind either as they took P8 and P9 respectively. Andrea Iannone (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) completed the top ten after a solid Sunday showing from the Italian.

    Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing), Sylvain Guintoli (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Hafizh Syahrin (Red Bull KTM Tech 3), Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol Honda Team) and Karel Abraham (Reale Avintia Racing) completed the points.

    Johann Zarco (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) didn’t finish after he came into contact with Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and they both went down, the Frenchman subsequently penalised with three grid positions at his next race. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) crashed but rejoined, Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) suffered an issue and, of course, neither Quartararo nor Dovizioso saw the flag. Dovizioso, after examination, was given the all clear and returns home from the UK as normal, although he and Quartararo will need to be declared fit in Misano having suffered concussion.

    That’s it from Silverstone, with six different winners in the last six races at the track made a reality by Alex Rins after a truly history-making stunner of a showdown. Next it’s Misano and Marquez’ advantage has increased once again, but it’s twice in a row the reigning Champion has been pipped to the post on race day. Will it continue on the Riviera di Rimini? Find out in three weeks time.

    Alex Rins: “Unbelievable, unbelievable! I’ve beaten two legends: Valentino in Texas, Marquez here in Silverstone. It was so crazy. I beat him today but now I need to continue; I know it will be difficult. I made some mistakes, I nearly crashed at the first corner – I had a big moment. Two laps to the end I crossed the line very close to Marc and I thought the race was over but then I saw one lap remaining and thought: ‘wow, Alex, come on you need to keep pushing’. I was able to cut a lot of time in the first and second sectors and then in the last sector Marc was much stronger than me. Into Turn 16 he was able to brake really hard. The last lap was unique though and it was possible for me to overtake.

    “I have a lot of confidence with my Suzuki right now. We work so hard during the practices to get the feeling right and I was able to play with my bike to brake harder.”

    Top three MotoGP Results: 1 – Alex Rins (SPA- Suzuki) 40’12.799
    2 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) +0.013
    3 – Maverick Viñales (SPA – Yamaha) +0.620

    Top Independent Team rider:
    5 – Franco Morbidelli (ITA – Yamaha) +13.109

  • Marquez vs Rossi vs Miller: a three-man freight train fights for Silverstone pole

    Marquez vs Rossi vs Miller: a three-man freight train fights for Silverstone pole

    High-speed chess in Q2 sees the reigning Champion emerge ahead in the final dash for the line

    Marquez takes Silverstone pole on Saturday. A MotoGP image

    Silverstone, 24 August 2019: Repsol Honda Team’s Marc Marquez took pole number 60 of his career to steal P1 in a Q2 Silverstone stunner, with everything going down to the wire and a three-man freight train of Marquez, Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) fighting it out in the final seconds of the session.

    Over the line it was Marquez who took the upper hand, with Rossi set to start P2 after taking his first front row since Austin and Miller alongside the two men on the front row in third. Turn 1 is going to be a stunner.

    It was Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) who made it through from Q1 after finding themselves outside the top ten on Saturday morning, with the number 04 ultimately topping the session by 0.246 to set himself up for an assault on Q2. That Q2 didn’t disappoint, with the grid in the air until the final few seconds.After the first run it was Free Practice pacesetter Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) who was on provisional pole, but the Frenchman came under threat once the final assault began.

    Rossi needed a lap time after having his maiden lap cancelled for track limits and ‘The Doctor’, Marquez and Miller came out of pitlane at the same time as a cat and mouse game proceeded on the out-lap, with no one wanting to lead. After they’d almost ground to a halt on the Wellington Straight, it had to be go-time and needing a lap time the most, Rossi had to bolt. The ones that want to get freight services can visit MyUSAddress`s official website for help.

    Marquez and Miller slotted into the tow, and all three were up in the first sector. And the second…and then the third – but Marquez was the man with the biggest margin, the reigning Champion a few tenths under Quartararo’s time by the final sector.As the three barrelled round the final corner, Rossi was first over the line to take over at the top, before being deposed by Marquez just behind him. A split second later Miller stole third, leaving Quartararo relegated to fourth and a Marquez-Rossi-Miller front row.As it transpired, an alarm on the dash had caused the Frenchman to switch to his number two bike and there wasn’t time to change the front tyre.

    So Q2 may have been out of reach, but El Diablo’s FP4 pace says he’ll be guns blazing on Sunday afternoon… Alongside Quartararo on the second row is Rins after a solid session despite the Suzuki rider’s journey through Q1, with Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) slotting into sixth after he’s shown good speed all weekend at the track that saw him take his first premier class win. Dovizioso, who topped Q1, will line up seventh and will be gunning for another characteristic stunner of a start, although the Italian’s fastest laptime was identical to that of Viñales.

    Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was eighth fastest and starts just ahead of Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) after the home hero suffered a crash in Q2, with his teammate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) completing the top ten.Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) had a tough day at the track where he took his first podium and was P11, ahead of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and the Red Bull KTM Factory racing duo of Pol Espargaro and Johann Zarco.

    Red Bull KTM Tech 3’s Miguel Oliveira was only just off the factory duo in P15.A Q2 treat sees Marquez vs Rossi take centre stage, but there’s plenty of challengers waiting in the wings. The man who set the pace all weekend is certainly one of them, but a good eight riders will fancy their chances of a win or assault on the podium, so it looks like we’re set up for another Silverstone stunner.

    Tune in for the race LIVE at 13:00 local time (GMT+1) on Sunday afternoon​.

    Qualifying results: 1 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) 1’58.168
    2 – Valentino Rossi (ITA – Yamaha) +0.428
    3 – Jack Miller* (AUS – Ducati) +0.434

    *Independent Team rider

  • Quick out the blocks: Quartararo crucifies the lap record on Day 1

    Quick out the blocks: Quartararo crucifies the lap record on Day 1

    Marquez forced to end up 2nd on Friday at Silverstone. A MotoGP image

    French rookie in a class of his own on Friday as we see scorching times set at Silverstone

    Silverstone, 23 August 2019: Fabio Quartararo’s (Petronas Yamaha SRT) savage 1:59.225 was allowed to stand to give the rookie phenomenon the advantage on Friday at the GoPro British Grand Prix with a brilliant new lap record, after the lap was initially disallowed before a photo review. The Frenchman was also fastest in FP1 to make it a full house on Friday, with a significant advantage in both sessions. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) sits as Quartararo’s closest challenger, 0.251 back, with Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) completing the top three as Yamaha stormed the timesheets.

    FP1 started under cloudy Silverstone skies as the MotoGP™ riders got their first taste of the new asphalt, and it was Quartararo who came into FP2 with a half-second advantage over the rest. Marquez was again his nearest rival in the opening session and it was the number 93 who instantly led FP2, cutting Quartararo’s advantage to two-tenths on the overall timesheets. Other early improvers were home hero Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), the British rider dipping into the 2:00s, while Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and Crutchlow’s teammate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) climbed into the top 10 as well.

    Temperatures in England – believe it or not – were soaring and it seemed the riders were struggling to improve their times from FP1 at first, with Marquez’ benchmark putting him over seven tenths clear of the field for the first half of FP2. However, it wasn’t plain sailing for the seven-time Champion as at the Vale complex, Marquez crashed for the first time since Le Mans Q2 – but rider instantly up and ok. FP1 P4 finisher Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) then moved into second in the session, but then came Quartararo to cut the gap.

    With eight minutes left, the timesheets lit up as fresh Michelin rubber was slotted in for a thrilling time attack. Riders like Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) – 10th in FP1 – had slipped down to the lower ends of the timing screens, but the Australian soon jumped up to fourth overall and the two Yamahas were on barnstormers. Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) looked set to go top overall and he did so with a new lap record, but ‘The Doctor’ didn’t stay there long as rookie Quartararo then hammered in his stunning 1:59.225: the quickest ever lap we’ve seen around Silverstone.

    Viñales then got overhauled by Marquez as he beat his compatriot with a 1:59.476, with Rossi’s time putting him in fourth. Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) moved up into fifth and sixth respectively, with Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) strong on fresh tyres to end the day seventh on the combined times.

    Oliveira once again impressed to lead the KTM charge in P8, the Portuguese rider improving from P16 in the opening 45 minutes, with Miller’s aforementioned time enough to give him ninth overall. Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) took tenth.

    Takaaki Nakagami, another who had their laptime reinstated, ended the day in P11, just ahead of Aleix Espargaro. Espargaro just missed out after the laptime reinstatements despite managing to get back out on his Aprilia Racing Team Gresini machine after first one completely cut out heading into Brooklands corner, and he ends the day in P12. Pol Espargaro, teammate Johann Zarco and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) completed the fastest fifteen.

    A fast and furious couple of sessions on Friday now sets us up nicely for Saturday. FP3 should be dry, so there’s still time for the top 10 to change ahead of qualifying. Tune in for a crucial session at 09:55 local time (GMT+1).
    Friday’s fastest:
    1 – Fabio Quartararo* (FRA – Yamaha) 1’59.225
    2 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) +0.251
    3 – Maverick Viñales (SPA – Yamaha) +0.540
    4 – Valentino Rossi (ITA – Yamaha) +0.712
    5 – Cal Crutchlow* (GBR – Honda) +0.768*Independent Team rider
  • `Everything is very fast’: riders prepare to take on Silverstone: MotoGP

    `Everything is very fast’: riders prepare to take on Silverstone: MotoGP

    The pre-event Press Conference and the Day of Champions kick off the GoPro British Grand Prix

    Top photo L-R: Crutchlow, Quartararo, Dovizioso, Marquez, Rossi, Miller, Lorenzo. A MotoGP image

    Silverstone, 22 August 2019: Before go-time for the GoPro British Grand Prix, we had a full house of seven riders in the pre-event Press Conference, with reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) joined by Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT), Jack Miller (Pramac Racing), Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) and the returning Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol Honda Team). The new surface, the competitive field and what to expect in the weekend ahead meant there was plenty to talk about.

    Marquez spoke first. “Yeah, of course, looking forward to the Silverstone GP and this weekend because as you know I have some good luck, and I was unlucky some years. Anyway, we’ve had great races, it’s a circuit I like, one of our weak points on this race track was the bumps but looks like they’ve resurfaced in a good way, it looks nice from a bicycle! But tomorrow we will check on the bike and yeah apart from that try to concentrate, stay focused and try to fight on Sunday for the best position.”

    And is the number 93 expecting tough competition? Most definitely. “Especially here, we saw last year in practice Viñales was fast, all the Yamaha riders were fast, but we weren’t far away. I think this year with the new surface it will be different, we need to understand the tyres, the grip, the level of our bike…we have a better engine this year and here it will be a small help. Of course, Dovi will be there, he’s second in the Championship and will try to push, but our target is to finish on the podium and get points for the championship. The forecast looks nice so we’ll keep going!”

    Dovizioso was next on the mic, with the Italian actually the most recent winner at Silverstone given his victory in 2017. And he’s the most recent winner overall after that stunner in Spielberg.

    “Yes for sure the last race was amazing, a really nice battle from the first lap to the end with Marc, so we are so happy about that, we needed that victory. I’m happy to be here, I think it’s one of the best races in the Championship, the track is really nice. Hopefully, without bumps, it will be even nicer so I’m excited to try the new asphalt.”

    So is it the British weather that Dovizioso has had on his side in the UK? His first premier class win came at Donington and since he’s had a fair few successes…

    “I don’t like the weather so much! But I have always had good luck in this country, I’ve been pretty fast in England most of the time, I don’t know why. Donington was a special track and a special first victory but in Silverstone I’ve always felt good, it’s a really difficult track but I enjoy riding here.”

    Rossi is another of the long list of previous winners at Silverstone. Incidentally, he also took his first premier class win in the UK at Donington as well, and after a tougher run of things in 2019, the ‘Doctor’ seems to be back on track.

    “Yeah for us in the last two races from Brno we start in a better way. After we did another step, we worked well and we were quite competitive in the race. Considering Austria on paper is one of the worst tracks for us, it was quite good. We arrive here, hope to continue in that way because anyway Austria was not so bad, but I wasn’t fast enough to find the podium so we need to continue to work. Silverstone is a fantastic track. It’s a great track, it’s a big track, everything is very fast and technical. Everybody is waiting for the asphalt tomorrow. If they’ve done a good job with fewer bumps and good grip, it will be very fun to ride here. And also we wait for the weather because in 2017 it was a fantastic weekend, a great weekend. Last year, unfortunately, it was a lot more difficult. We hope it’s similar to 2017!

    “In the past, I had good races and arrived on the podium, so this is the target. About the top speed we know we’re not fantastic but on paper, in Austria, it’s more important than here. The important thing is to find a good feeling with the bike, a good balance, and be ready for Sunday.”

    Rookie Fabio Quartararo, meanwhile, also showed there’s more to Austria than just being the fastest in a straight line. After his podium there, the vibes are good on the way into Silverstone.

    “I’m really happy about arriving here at a track that I really like. As Valentino said, I think everybody is waiting for the new tarmac, I think it should be a good track for us. Suits us better than Austria so I can’t wait for tomorrow.

    “The goal is to be top Rookie, we’re leading but the Championship isn’t over. Now we’re improving every race, we’re learning, so that’s still the main goal for this year. But in Austria the goal was to be in front but we didn’t expect to be on the podium, so if we have the opportunity to be on the podium we’ll fight for it.”

    Quartararo is top rookie and he’s also leading the Independent Team rider standings at the moment, ahead of the next man to talk: Jack Miller. The Australian spoke about the weekend ahead, and how it feels to arrive with a new contract in his pocket.

    “I’m definitely coming into this weekend with a different mindset that’s for sure. This Thursday has been easier, let’s just say that. It’s been nice you know, the Day of Champions has been really nice to see all the fans but no it’s good to be back, like you say I had a chance to make it back to back podiums last weekend, I had really strong pace all weekend but threw it away a bit too early. Had a good feeling this weekend last year, hopefully, this year is a lot better and as the boys said the asphalt should be amazing, we’ve heard some decent reviews about the asphalt so I’m looking forward to getting out there tomorrow and I think it’s shaping up to be a great weekend.”

    It has sometimes been a more difficult track for the Australian, however, including a high-profile crash with then-teammate Cal Crutchlow a few years ago. But this year Miller is positive ahead of the weekend.

    “As long as I don’t have any British road blocks in my way I should be alright! It’s not the best track for me to be honest, I always hated it until last year, with the new asphalt it was like a different track and I loved it. And I’m looking forward to it now with the reviews it’s had, I can’t wait to get out there. Should be a good weekend.”

    Home hero Crutchlow was the next man on the mic, and the weekend is a fitting landmark: it’ll be his 150th Grand Prix start on Sunday.

    “I only got told at the last race that it would be my 150th Grand Prix start – I didn’t think I’d done 150 Grands Prix and I definitely haven’t finished 150! I’m looking forward to it, Silverstone is a good race for me, I’ll give my all for the 20-lap race.”

    Crutchlow was also asked about the visit he paid to Chelsea F.C. on Wednesday and dabbled a bit in the beautiful game before.

    “It was was good! I’ve been to a few football stadiums in my time so to go back when I wasn’t playing or watching a game…it was nice to go round Stamford Bridge and get taken around by Kepa…he’s a big MotoGP fan, obviously, he supports the Spaniards but it was a really good day.”

    Finally, it was time to welcome back Jorge Lorenzo. After a long period of recovery after his crash in which he cracked vertebrae and got sidelined, he’s ready to race.

    “I’m happy to be back. Finally, after a long time. A very long time, no? I’ve never spent so long out of racing competition for about the 17 years I’ve been here. I’m back. What was very difficult at the beginning, the first two weeks were very difficult, I wasn’t recovering fast, it was slow. Luckily after three weeks, the recovery has been faster, I have been able to do some physical training again. With some pain after the work during the night, every time the pain was less and less. I think this is the right moment to come back to the bike because you can lose a lot of speed, a lot of pace if you stay so much time out of the competition.

    “Honestly with my injury theoretically you need three months to recover completely, I’m about two months on now from the crash and obviously I still have some pain, but I feel ready to ride again and to try. I’m not here to fight for the win or podium or top five, but as soon as I go on the bike I want to start getting the pace I need to get good performances again like I started to show before the crash.”

    That he did, and it’s a good venue for the number 99 to return to. He’s got three wins at Silverstone and was on pole last season, and although it’s about getting back up to speed, the venue is certainly one the five-time World Champion knows his way around.

    Lorenzo rejoins the field on track from Friday morning, with the race on Sunday at 13:00 (IST 5.30pm)

  • Moto2 and Moto3 back on track for Spielberg test

    Moto2 and Moto3 back on track for Spielberg test

    The intermediate and lightweight classes put in a few more laps on Monday at the Red Bull Ring

    Brad Binder was back on track the day after his win and birthday. A MotoGP image

    Spielberg, 12 August 2019: After an action-packed myWorld Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich, 23 Moto2 and six Moto3 riders were back on track to put in a day of testing on a sunny Monday at the Red Bull Ring, with most working on gearing up for the remainder of the season.

    Moto2™ Championship leader Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) was one of the key names putting in the work and the Spaniard had an evolution chassis from Kalex to test for the 2020 season. Key rival Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP) and his teammate Marcel Schrötter were also there, working on race setup in Austria after a tougher than expected weekend for both.

    Fellow Kalex rider Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), who had a tricky weekend in Austria, was also out and able to find the setup he was looking for all weekend on Monday. Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) and teammate Nicolo Bulega were in testing action too. Compatriot Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team) was meant to be, but the Italian is still hurting from Sunday’s Turn 9 crash with the same Marini.

    Elsewhere, Austrian GP race winner Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was getting more laps under his belt ahead of the rest of the campaign, with teammate Jorge Martin having a 3D printed front air intake to try, as well as having a different fairing to Binder. Both Martin and Red Bull KTM Tech 3’s Marco Bezzecchi were trying the front air intake, which had the same look as the original 2019 version, but without a split in the middle. Bezzecchi was also given the new KTM from Brno to test. Fellow KTM rider Iker Lecuona had a few bike issues at the start of the day as the American Racing KTM team were also out testing with Lecuona and Joe Roberts.

    Beta Tools Speed Up’s Jorge Navarro and Fabio Di Giannantonio gave a new, leaner front fairing a go. Simone Corsi was out testing Steven Odendaal’s NTS RW Racing GP bike with the aim of helping the South African out, with Odendaal also trying teammate Bo Bendsneyder’s bike for setup comparison as NTS continue their development. MV Agusta Temporary Forward were likewise focused on development for the rest of 2019. A few of the Moto2™ riders also tried Dunlop’s new front tyre for 2020.

    In the Moto3™ class, fourth-place Austrian GP finisher and rookie Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) did a fair amount of work on the 2020 KTM, and the young Italian seemed to be the only rider testing it. The new bike had a full carbon fairing. Can Öncü, meanwhile, stayed in Austria to continue his work on the 2019 Red Bull KTM Ajo machine as he aims for more rookie success.

    Jakub Kornfeil (Redox PrüstelGP) was joined by FIM CEV Repsol Moto3™ Junior World Championship rider Jason Dupasquier as he had a run out on a World Championship level machine for the first time, and BOE Skull Rider Mugen Race riders Kazuki Masaki and Makar Yurchenko were on track, too.

    The riders now have a weekend off before heading to Silverstone in under two weeks’ time for the GoPro British Grand Prix.

  • Dovizioso unleases incredible overtaking move on Marquez at the final corner for another stunner

    Dovizioso unleases incredible overtaking move on Marquez at the final corner for another stunner

    Andrea Dovizioso stuns Marc Marquez at the last corner in the Austrian GP on Sunday. A MotoGP image

    Spielberg, 11 August 2019: Do not adjust your set: that was Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) slicing past Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) at the final corner as the Italian turned the tables on the reigning Champion, the hunted turning hunter to keep Ducati’s 100% winning record at the Red Bull Ring intact. After all-out war in Austria, ‘DesmoDovi’ became the first repeat winner since the venue’s return to the calendar in 2016, with the gloves coming off early as a vintage Dovi vs Marquez duel lit up the Red Bull Ring. The Italian has won most of them, but in Spielberg he didn’t play defence. Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) completed the podium after another impressive ride from the rookie, equalling Yamaha’s best result at the track.

    Polesitter Marquez was lightning off the start but so was Dovizioso as the two pre-race favourites headed into Turn 1 already locked together, despite Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) heading in slightly hot and almost clipping the number 4 Ducati ahead of him. But all’s well that ends well and this was just the beginning, with the Italian and Spaniard even making slight contact on the run into Turn 3 at 300km/h. Marquez was on the inside and Dovi on the outside, but the number 93 went in hot and ran wide, the Ducati then also forced to sit up. That let Quartararo sweep through to lead, with Miller and Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins then also pouncing on the exit and Marquez having another wobble as he gassed it to try and slot back into the pack.

    Dovizioso was behind Marquez after the shuffle, but he was back past into Turn 4 as Quartararo started putting the hammer down in the lead. The Frenchman was 0.5 ahead onto Lap 2, but Dovizioso and Marquez started to make up ground as they recovered from a frantic opening lap. Dovi was soon back up to second, with Miller holding off Marquez – for the time being – and fast-starting Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) not far off, ‘The Doctor’ climbing his way up to fifth from P10 in the opening exchanges and initially in the battle for the podium.

    Before long, Marquez had dispatched Miller and the top three started to edge away from the number 43, Rossi and Rins. Then on Lap 7, Quartararo was under serious attack: Dovizioso blasted past into the lead, before Marquez shot past the Yamaha moments later. The two were back in front, and the duel was just getting started.

    The pin wasn’t yet pulled, however, with the top five remaining within a second and a half before heartbreak struck for Miller as the Australian slid out at Turn 9. Just metres ahead on track, Marquez struck for the lead at the final corner, too, and then the duo started to pull clear. Not by a massive margin each lap, but Quartararo couldn’t match the pace of the Ducati and Honda as another almighty Austrian battle started to take shape.

    Marquez threatened to stretch away but the gap didn’t rise above 0.4 seconds, with the number 93 strong in the first half of the lap and Dovizioso the stronger in the second part. The laps ticked by and there was nothing between them, Dovizioso shadowing the reigning Champion. Then, out of nowhere, a move was made with nine to go. Dovizioso powered alongside Marquez, and the number 93 even looked across at the Italian heading into Turn 1. But the Ducati made the pass stick and it was now the 2017 Austrian GP winner in control.

    Tensions were bubbling to boiling point for the next five laps, with Marquez trailing Dovi by 0.1, 0.2. The question was not if, but when and where. Then, with three to go, we found out. Turn 7 was the unlikely location as Marquez stuck it underneath Dovizioso to take back the lead, and it settled back into strategic chess until Turn 1 on the penultimate lap as the number 04 went for it. Could he make it stick? Not quite, Dovizioso running wide and Marquez straight back through.

    Onto the last lap, there was nothing separating the leaders and again, Dovi went for it at Turn 1 but ran wide, so it was Marquez who led going down into Turn 3. The Italian was close but not close enough around the final lap, and it started to look like the Borgo Panigale factory’s stranglehold on the Red Bull Ring could be under threat. But it was far from over as down to the last sector, with the two glued together once again as the Ducati powered up the hill out of Turn 8. He was close, but no pass came at Turn 9. It was going down to the wire.

    Heading into the last corner, the Ducati pulled out from behind the Honda as Dovizioso pulled a Marquez – pushing his machine into the gap and on the verge of creating space rather than using it. It was roles reversed from 2017 as the Italian lunged down the inside, keeping it perfectly pinned to deny Marquez and power towards the line ahead for his second win of the season. With no chance to strike back, Marquez was forced to settle for second.

    Behind the duel, Quartararo took the chequered flag in a lonely third to claim his third MotoGP™ rostrum and bank another huge haul of points in his impressive 2019, coming home top rookie, top Independent Team rider and top Yamaha – equalling the Iwata factory’s best result at the track from 2016.

    Just behind him, Rossi had been caught by teammate Maverick Viñales and  Suzuki rider Rins as the trio battled for fourth, with Rossi ultimately able to pull a tenth or two clear of Viñales as three Yamahas sat in the top five at a tougher track for them. Rins, meanwhile, was only 0.021 off the number 12, the number 42 running it close and only just fended off.

    Behind the Yamaha train, Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) took P7 and a big haul of points after a much more positive weekend, finishing just ahead of fellow rookie Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3). The Portuguese rider finished as the best KTM on the Austrian factory’s home turf, taking a sensational P8 and some serious scalps.

    Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) will be disappointed with P9 on a Ducati-friendly circuit, with compatriot Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) completing the top 10 ahead of Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and the second KTM of Johann Zarco (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).

    Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), meanwhile, crashed out of contention on Lap 2 at Turn 3, the British rider hitting the back of Tito Rabat’s Reale Avinita Racing Ducati after the Spaniard had to take avoiding action after a problem for Pol Espargaro’s (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) bike.

    The 2019 Austrian GP will live long in the memory after another breathtaking Dovizioso vs Marquez battle, and it’s the Italians who emerge victorious again. Can they repeat the feat in Silverstone next time out? Two weeks will tell us.

    Andrea Dovizioso: “I think this is my best victory, for many reasons…we didn’t have Marc’s speed, we had to make a good strategy, we had to fight aggressively in the first few laps and the last four…and we’re struggling a lot to fight for the Championship so this gives us a lot of energy for the future. And the work in the practice paid off in the race because at the end I had more grip, giving me the possibility to fight until the last corner.

    “To win in this battle at the last corner in the opposite way to normal is so exciting, so nice…and when you have your friends there after the first corner, seeing them go crazy, screaming, it’s so nice!”

    MotoGP Top-3 results:

    1 – Andrea Dovizioso (ITA – Ducati) 39’34.771
    2 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) +0.213
    3 – Fabio Quartararo* (FRA – Yamaha) +6.117

    *Independent Team rider