INDIA in F1

Tag: Cal Crutchlow

  • Yamaha fastest as Sepang Shakedown kicks off 2023

    Yamaha fastest as Sepang Shakedown kicks off 2023

    Crutchlow tops the opening day in Malaysia as new parts surface from several factories

    Sunday, 05 February 2023: MotoGP bikes are back on track! The 2023 campaign has resumed with test riders and our sole premier class rookie, Augusto Fernandez (GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3), completing a rain-affected opening day of the Sepang Shakedown test. Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow topped the timesheets with a 2:01.146, although it’s less about laptimes and more about track time in the first few days of action this year.

    YAMAHA
    Three-time Grand Prix winner Crutchlow had three YZR-M1s at his disposal – two 2023 spec bikes, one 2022 spec machine. The main focus was pinpointed on Yamaha’s new, more aggressive engine which was a hot topic of conversation back in Valencia. Glancing at the timesheets, it looks like the problem that arose at the end of last year, causing some puzzled looks after clear improvements had been proven at earlier tests, has been diagnosed.

    Crutchlow clocked a 330km/h top speed according to the circuit’s live timing, just a couple of kms shy of the fastest. In addition, looking back at the 2022 Sepang Test, Yamaha’s fastest top speed was 327km/h – early indications that progress has been made. That’ll be music to the ears of Fabio Quartararo and his Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ teammate Franco Morbidelli ahead of the Official Sepang Test.

    KTM
    New KTM testing recruit Jonas Folger joined MotoGP™ Legend Dani Pedrosa on track for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing as the German got to grips with the RC16 for the first time. Pedrosa, meanwhile, was working with Jack Miller’s crew on the opening day.

    GASGAS
    Reigning Moto2™ World Champion Fernandez was back out with GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 and having had no plans for the Valencia Test apart from trying a MotoGP™ bike for the first time, these three days will be vital for the Spaniard to start making the bike his own. The number 37 finished second on the timesheets with a 2:01.331, just 0.185s from Crutchlow’s best effort.

    HONDA
    Stefan Bradl was lapping for HRC and the German had two RC213Vs in the box. Bradl was out on a new-look Honda machine dressed in redesigned aero, a new exhaust and the 2023 engine. Bradl’s best time was a 2:01.605, placing him fourth on the timesheets.

    APRILIA
    Lorenzo Savadori was on hand to give the 2023 Aprilia RS-GPs a shakedown, and it was a busy day for the Italian who had six bikes to ride. Aprilia debuted some new aero – something we’ll be seeing plenty of from the factories during pre-season – as Savadori also suffered a technical issue towards the end of the day.

    DUCATI
    Ducati’s trusted Michele Pirro was again putting in the groundwork for the reigning World Champions, who head into the season looking to defend not one, not two, but three Championships.

    The Borgo Panigale factory opened their 2023 account with a new fairing to show off, and Pirro worked with two GP23s. The Italian posted a 2:02.115 best lap time.

    With temperatures soaring in Malaysia, coupled with a dirty track surface following the winter and then rain coming later in the day, times were around three seconds slower than what we saw at the 2022 Malaysian GP. Expect the times to tumble the further we get into testing at Sepang!

    Come back for more Shakedown on Monday and keep up to date with all the goings on on motogp.com and across social media!

  • Marquez, Viñales and Crutchlow split by less than a tenth on Friday

    Marquez, Viñales and Crutchlow split by less than a tenth on Friday

    Jerez, 17 July 2020: After setting the fastest time in the cooler FP1 conditions at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) takes the opening Friday honours of 2020 as he remained fastest by the end of play – but it was far from an easy return to the top for the reigning Champion. Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was just 0.024 in arrears, and after having topped the last couple of tests, with Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) completing the top three less than a tenth off the top.

    FP1 saw the action get underway as an eager Bradley Smith (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) roared out of pitlane as the first MotoGP™ bike out in an official race weekend session this year, and the morning session was the one that would count most on the timesheets for most of the grid. Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) had to sit out the first 20 minutes of the session though, with the Frenchman given a penalty for training on “illegal” machinery – ie outside the regs – but by the end though the time attacks were underway full force, and it was Marquez who came out on top. With Viñales and Crutchlow so close, and Quartararo not yet having had the same running, the Jaws music need not start quite yet for the reigning Champion though.

    In the afternoon it was Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) who proved the man to beat in FP2, but the times were a good eight tenths slower in a sweltering afternoon at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto. Quartararo was second in the more “race similar” conditions, and the only man to improve, with rookie Brad Binder putting in a stunner to put his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing machine inside the top three in the session and only a tenth off the top. FP2 also saw the first two race weekend crashes of the season: Marc Marquez and rookie teammate Alex Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), with both lowsiding out (separately) and unhurt.

    Overall though, it’s Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) who takes fourth as the veteran Italian really cranked up the pace after a more anonymous day on the Wednesday test timesheets, looking strong despite being on the way back from a collarbone injury, with Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) turning the tables on more experienced teammate Alex Rins to complete the top five. Rins was seventh, just behind Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) as the Aussie stuck it in sixth.

    Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) took eighth in an impressive first day, and he led a trio of KTMs in the top ten overall on Friday. Rookie Iker Lecuona (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) put in an awesome performance to end up only 0.002 off the more experienced Espargaro and take ninth, with the aforementioned Brad Binder, as well as ending FP2 in third, doing an impressive enough job with his FP1 time to take tenth overall.

    Johann Zarco (Reale Avintia Racing) was P11 after a solid day, ahead of Morbidelli on the combined timesheets, with Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) next up in P13 on Friday. The ‘Doctor’ seemed to have a tougher time of it on Day 1, but remains the most recent winner for Yamaha at the track (from pole, in 2016) so he’ll be looking for more on Saturday. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) was fourteenth, with Quartararo ending the day in fifteenth and surely heading for a bounce back on Saturday.

    Saturday begins at 9:55 (GMT +2) for MotoGP™ with FP3, which also welcomes in the riders’ last chance to move directly into Q2. With temperatures expected to be a little cooler in the morning, there could well be a big chance to improve – and the likes of Rossi and Quartararo will be top of the list for a time attack late in the session. Qualifying then begins at 14:10.

    MotoGP – Top-3 fastest times on Friday: 1 Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team – Honda – 1:37.350
    2 Maverick Viñales – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – +0.024
    3 Cal Crutchlow – LCR Honda Castrol – Honda – +0.088.

    Marini makes it double trouble for his rivals in Jerez
    The Italian tops both sessions on Friday – but the timesheets are tight as ever

    The second Moto2™ Friday of the 2020 season belonged to Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, the Italian topping the timesheets in FP1 and FP2 to lay down the gauntlet for his rivals. Thanks to his FP1 time, Jorge Navarro (HDR Heidrun Speed Up) sits P2 as the Spaniard splits the Sky Racing Team VR46 duo inside the top three, with Marco Bezzecchi third.

    Much like it was in the MotoGP™ class, it was clear from the early stages that the Moto2™ riders were going to struggle to better their FP1 times that were set in cooler track temperatures of the morning. Ground temperatures were well into the 50s for the intermediate class, but Marini looked as comfortable as he did in the morning session. Both he and teammate Bezzecchi looked strong in both sessions on Friday, and they worked in tandem for a brief period in FP2. It wasn’t quite such a straightforward afternoon for the man second overall as Navarro’s bike suffered some sort of issue and the Spaniard had to pull to the side of the track down the back straight, a slight disruption to his FP2 running. Nevertheless, Navarro was able to get back out and finish P6 in the session itself.

    Championship leader Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) was another man to look comfortable across Friday’s action as he finished the day fourth, with Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) completing the top five. Previous Jerez winner Sam Lowes (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) was sixth as he rejoins the field after injury, ahead of Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Fabio Di Giannantonio (HDR Heidrun Speed Up) took P8, with American rider Joe Roberts back in action to put his Tennor American Racing machine in ninth. Hafizh Syahrin (Inde Aspar Team Moto2) was P10 to make it three Speed Ups in the top ten.

    Tom Lüthi (Liqui Moly Intact GP) was 11th despite a crash, with two-time Jerez winner Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP 40) just behind him. Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team) and Somkiat Chantra (Honda Team Asia) lock out the fastest fourteen who are currently on for provisional Q2 entry.

    After FP3 on Saturday morning, tune in for qualifying from from 15:10 (GMT +2) as the intermediate class prepare to decide a grid for the first time in a good while.

    Moto2 Fastest on Friday:

    1 Luca Marini – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex 1:41.410
    2 Jorge Navarro – HDR Heidrun Speed Up – Speed Up +0.048
    3 Marco Bezzecchi– Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex – +0.315

  • Alex Rins fastest in FP as 0.159 splits four factory riders on Friday at Sepang

    Alex Rins fastest in FP as 0.159 splits four factory riders on Friday at Sepang

    Alex Rins sets the pace in Free Practice sessions on Friday at Sepang. Photo: MotoGP

    Sepang, 02 October 2018: Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) topped the timesheets on Friday at the Shell Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix after going quickest in FP2. The Spaniard heads Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) on the combined times by just 0.089 after setting a 1:59.608, with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) completing a top three covered by 0.093 seconds at Sepang.

    Rins tops FP2 in Sepang on Friday. Photo by Srinivasa Krishnan

    Despite the threat of rain throughout the day, the MotoGP™ riders were able to get two full dry sessions done and dusted in Malaysia, and it was a Suzuki leading the way as the chequered flag came out at the end of FP2. Rins was the man at the summit thanks to his late FP2 time, with Dovi failing to improve on his FP1 time in the afternoon session – P7 for the Italian in FP2. It was Marquez who finished the second session in P2, but the World Champion had an eventful day. In typical  Marquez fashion, the number 93 had to save the front of his RC213V numerous times across the two sessions. Front-end improvements needed for the Champion before qualifying?

    Andrea Dovizioso. Photo: MotoGP

    There were no such close shaves for fourth place overall and sixth fastest in FP2 Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) though. ‘The Doctor’ having a strong Friday to end the day just 0.159 from Rins’ time as four manufacturers make up the top four spots at Sepang. Fifth on the combined times was Jack Miller on board his Alma Pramac Racing Ducati, the Australian setting a quickest time of 1:59.771 to end FP2 in P3 after being the first rider to dip into the 1:59s in FP2. Meanwhile, Australian GP winner Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) completes the day P6 on the overall times, the Spaniard going fourth fastest in FP2 to end the day less than two tenths off P1.

    Marc Marquez. Photo: MotoGP

    Just 0.009 behind him at the end of Friday’s proceedings sits Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing), P7 overall for the Italian thanks to his FP2 time, with Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) improving by over half a second in the second session to end P8 on Friday. Completing the provisional automatic Q2 places were Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) in P9 and Aprilia Racing Team Gresini’s Aleix Espargaro in P10 – the latter going over a second slower in FP2 though, with his FP1 time just enough to better 11th place Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team). Returning from injury, Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) endured a tough opening day. The five-time World Champion finished bottom of the timesheets and over three seconds adrift of the fastest time. Scott Redding (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) had a crash at Turn 2 – rider ok.

    So its Rins that was on fire on Friday in Sepang, a fantastic turnaround after one of his bikes was on up in flames in pitlane on Thursday. The times are super close with 0.203 covering the top six, but FP3 gives the premier class riders the last chance to improve their times to see if they can cement an automatic Q2 place.

    Update: Crutchlow undergoes second surgery

    Cal Crutchlow. Photo: MotoGP

    The LCR Honda Castrol Team have given an update on their rider Cal Crutchlow after the Briton sustained a fracture to his right ankle and tibia at Phillip Island. He currently remains in hospital in Australia, but the three-time Grand Prix winner has successfully undergone a second operation on the affected area and should now be allowed to return home on Sunday.

    “Cal had his second operation on Thursday morning,” says Lucio Cecchinello, LCR Honda Team Principal. “The surgery took less than two hours and he was awake about an hour after the procedure finished. He didn’t complain about any particular pain after coming round. The surgery was performed by Dr Matthias Russ, the same doctor who carried out the first operation, and he stated that he was very pleased with how the surgery had gone. Cal has had two small plates inserted and he will be ready to fly home on Sunday night – provided there are no complications, which nobody expects. Once he’s back home he will start physiotherapy and will try his best to be fit again as soon as possible.”

  • Michelin Australian GP: Changing patterns, new colours, 10 possible winners?

    Michelin Australian GP: Changing patterns, new colours, 10 possible winners?

    The riders line-up to kick-off the pre-event press conference. Photo: MotoGP

    Melbourne, 25 October 2018: The Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix signals the second of the three back-to-back flyaway races and as always, the pre-event Press Conference kicked off the weekend’s proceedings. Joining now seven-time World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) in front of the media were Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), home hero Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) and Alvaro Bautista (Ducati Team) – the latter standing in for the injured Jorge Lorenzo in Australia.

    Marquez at the press conference. Photo: MotoGP

    Phillip Island is a rider and fan favourite, but this weekend sees several reasons why it’s a particularly different Grand Prix. Firstly, after coming to Australia following title wins in Japan in 2014 and 2016, Marquez failed to see the chequered flag on both occasions after crashing out of the race. This is something the Spaniard pointed out in the Press Conference and it’s a pattern he’s wanting to put an end to this year: “I won in 2014 at Motegi, I got here and I thought I could do everything and I crashed,” said the Repsol Honda rider. “In 2016, I felt different but again I crashed in the race. So I need to control myself a bit, it’s a track that I love but…now we will start looking towards the 2019 season.”

    Rossi has an outstanding record on the Island, having only missed the podium four times in his 21 visits. The Italian was second to Marquez last season and picked up the victory when the number 93 crashed in 2014. But, for Rossi, what makes Phillip Island such a unique event?

    Rossi taking time off. Photo: MotoGP

    “I think Phillip Island is one of the best circuits of the season, for more or less everyone,” affirmed ‘The Doctor’. “For me Phillip Island is really different, it’s the only one like this. On other tracks you’re fast as an average speed but here you’re fast in the corners and there are a lot of high-speed changes of direction, it’s mostly left but you still have to manage the right, and it’s all up and down…”

    And what does Crutchlow – beneficiary from Marquez’ 2016 crash – think about this circuit? Well, for a start, there isn’t just a couple of names – in his opinion – that can challenge for victory: “On paper right now there are ten guys who could probably win and there are only three spaces on the podium,” explained the Briton.

    One of those potential winners is home rider Miller. It’s, of course, a special weekend for the Australian and after leading the early exchanges of last season’s race, can he dream up a win around the Island on board a Desmosedici?

    Carl Crutchlow. Photo: MotoGP

    “I love coming to this race, staying in Melbourne for a couple of days and enjoying it. It’s a great event to be a part of,” began the number 43 rider, who will be hoping he can build on his P3 qualifying position in Japan on home soil. “We had the front row start in Japan, we tried the soft option tyre as a gamble and as we kinda had predicted but hoped not that by the third lap the edge of the tyre was too hot, I was rolling around, I had a bit of a slide into the corner and crashed…and I’ll try not to do that too much this weekend.”

    In addition, another special topic about this particular Australian GP comes from fellow Ducati rider Bautista, who swaps his everyday Angel Nieto Team colours for the red of the factory Desmosedici team. Stepping in for Lorenzo, what does the Spaniard hope he can achieve on his final visit to Phillip Island on a GP machine?

    “I think this opportunity arrives at my best moment because I feel very strong riding the bike,” admitted Bautista. “New people, new bike, I have to adapt to the GP18. This track hasn’t been the best for Ducati and before we’ve struggled a lot. I’ll try to give all the information to the engineers.”

    Phillip Island is a special circuit but throw in a few more unique situations like we have on our hands this weekend and it becomes a weekend that is simply unmissable. There are so many other questions that need to be answered, so if you thought the racing would be winding down because the 2018 Championship has been decided then, you’re wrong.

  • Marquez vs Dovi: who will shine brightest in Motul Grand Prix of Japan?

    Marquez vs Dovi: who will shine brightest in Motul Grand Prix of Japan?

    Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso…..another royal battle in the offing. Photo: MotoGp

    Motegi, 18 October 2018: The Motul Grand Prix of Japan could be a Championship clinching weekend for Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and joining him in the pre-event Press Conference was closest rival Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) and home hero Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) to preview Round 16.

    With a 77-point lead in the overall standings, Marquez has his first match point of the season at the Twin Ring Motegi: the home of Honda and a venue he’s sealed the title at previously in 2014 and 2016. The number 93 isn’t wanting to put any extra pressure on himself though and is treating this race like any other weekend.

    “Here we have our first match point but the target is the same as every other weekend, start well in FP1 and try and be ready to fight for the victory. After Warm Up we’ll see whether we can fight – let’s not forget these guys are very strong in Motegi, so no stress and no panic.”

    Marquez vs Dovi….hot battle. Photo: MotoGP

    “These guys” was an indication to the rider sat immediately to his right – Dovizioso. The two were embroiled in an unforgettable battle in Motegi last season and it’s one Marquez remembers like it was yesterday. Is a repeat on the cards? “Those kinds of battles are in my mind like they happened yesterday! It was nice but a difficult race with a lot of water but a great battle. He beat me on the back straight and braked later, he was already in front and I tried at the last corner but it was too much. He made a great move in that race but this year on Sunday it looks like it will be dry, and it could be different…”

    ‘DesmoDovi’ will be hoping the outcome won’t be different from that particular battle as he aims to put Honda’s title celebrations on hold. And in addition to his Spanish colleague, Dovi is treating the Japanese GP as he would any other weekend: not thinking about the Championship and simply just trying to win the race.

    “Let’s try and win the race and make Marc have to wait for the celebrations,” commented the Ducati rider. “I think, unfortunately, I’ve been racing not thinking about the championship for a long time because the gap is so big. Here is just another race and we want to win, come back to victory and it could be a good track for us.”

    It certainly seems like Motegi’s 2018 mixture is a recipe for another potential Marquez vs Dovizioso classic. Despite the weather looking like it will have a part to play on Friday and potentially Saturday, Sunday’s weather forecast is predicting a dry race for both riders to go into full attack mode.

    Will it be magnificent seven for Marquez or delight for Dovi? Thankfully, we don’t have long to find out. Watch both riders join the rest of the premier class field as they take to the Twin Ring Motegi for FP1 on Friday morning.

    A MILESTONE AWAITS CAL CRUTCHLOW

    Crutchlow….on verge of history. Photo: MotoGP

    Honda rider can become the first Briton to reach the milestone in premier class history with a top five result in Japan. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) can etch his name into the MotoGP™ history books again at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan this weekend, with a top five finish in Motegi enough to see him become the first British rider to reach 1000 premier class points in Grand Prix motorcycle racing.

    Currently on 989 points, the Isle of Man resident has been a prominent figure in the MotoGP™ paddock since joining Tech 3 in 2011 from WorldSBK and has since managed to notch up three wins – his maiden GP victory at Brno in 2016 the first from a British rider in 35 years.

    In total, Crutchlow has scored 15 podiums during his eight years and he’s aiming to get another one under his belt at the Twin Ring Motegi to strengthen his position as Independent Team Championship leader:

    “Of course, Motegi is one of the most important races of the calendar because it’s Honda HRC’s home race and we are all keen to get a good result. As I said before, I expected a better result in Thailand, but at the same time I am happy to lead the independent rider classification.

    “The Motegi circuit suits my riding style more then Buriram so the aim to finish in the top 5 and hopefully get on the podium, although the battle up in the front group is very hard. We will see, for sure the Japanese crowd will be awesome as always and we’ll do our best to give them a great show on Sunday. It’s also Taka’s home race and I hope he can make a good race for his family and fans.”

    THE LITTLE SAMURAI’S LAST JAPANESE JOUST

    Dani Pedrosa. Photo: Honda Racing

    After announcing his retirement earlier in the season, Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) aka the ‘Little Samurai’ will take part in his last race on Japanese soil at this weekend’s Motul Grand Prix of Japan.

    The three-time World Champion was present in the pre-event Press Conference and reflected on his time spent in a country he’s become closely connected to: “We’ve already been to two of Honda’s places; the office and the factory and you can see all the Japanese people are so supportive, so it’s an important race. I’ve always had a good welcome here.”

    In addition to a warm welcome off track, Pedrosa had enjoyed success on track at the Twin Ring Motegi. Five wins across all classes – the last coming in 2015 – and a total of 10 podiums gives the 33-year-old hope of a successful weekend, despite also being dished some bad luck at the venue in years gone by.

  • MotoGP pre-race Press Conference: Riders talk of Barcelona and beyond

    MotoGP pre-race Press Conference: Riders talk of Barcelona and beyond

    Riders pose before the pre-race Press Conference in Barcelona. Photo: MotoGP

    Barcelona, 14 June 2018: Selected quotes from riders who attended the Press Conference ahead of the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya:

    Marc Marquez. Photo: MotoGP

    Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team): “Mugello was a difficult weekend for us, but it normally is a bit. We were struggling a lot with the front tyre there, and I wasn’t able to manage it well or in the right way in the race. Here in the test, I felt good and confident. I know it’s not one of the best tracks for me, but still I’ve finished on the podium a few times from 125 to MotoGP.

    It will be a big change inside Honda (when Lorenzo moves to Repsol Honda from Ducati next season), a new team-mate and new riding style. I’ve learned a lot from Dani (Pedrosa) when I arrived, he was riding the Honda so well. But Jorge is a strong team-mate and we’ll try to learn from him because he’s a completely different riding style. But I’m happy I’m INSIDE the team, although he’ll be tough to beat!

    Valentino Rossi. Photo: MotoGP

    Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP): This is a track that I love, but in the last years I’ve had very different results. 2016 it was a victory and then last year it was one of the most difficult races of the season and I struggled a lot, and we didn’t expect it after the year before.

    After Assen as well we started to have a lot of problem in the second half of the year. But it’s important, and the track has changed a lot with the new layout and new track surface without the bumps, and that could help us and our performance,. It will be important to understand our level.

    Jorge Lorenzo. Photo: MotoGP

    Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team): My goal and my first priority was to stay at Ducati, until Le Mans, where I realised that maybe they wanted to swap me…then we started to plan another future. Until then, I wanted to win with Ducati. Races, the Championship if possible. Now, everybody is looking at me…I entered the Championship when I was 16, I know how fast I can be on different bikes. I won with Derbi, I rode for Honda, Aprilia, Yamaha…Ducati. I work a lot of hours, millions of hours and I have this capacity. I know what I want to do with the bike and for sure it will be a challenge, but that’s the future. I am a person of the now and I still have a lot to do with Ducati. Like I did with Yamaha – until the last race I tried to win and do the best for the team.

    We are in a sweet moment with Ducati, it’s a good package and we try and improve it every month. It’s good for all riders, on our side we got some pieces that helped me keep a constant pace and we arrive at a good track after a good test a month ago here.

    Andrea Dovizioso. Photo: MotoGP

    Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team): For sure this is one of the best tracks in our Championship. It’s nice to ride the bike here and we won last year, but this year is a different story with new asphalt and less bumps. I think we have to work very well during the weekend to understand the tyres – a bit more because of the new asphalt. I expect a lot of fast riders with different bikes but I’m confident, in the last two races I’ve fought for the podium and the victory but every weekend it’s a different story so we have to keep calm and work in the right way like we have been doing. I’m happy, because I have a good relationship with Danilo and he knows a lot about our bike. That’s positive because we can work together to try and improve the bike. There are some big changes next year and I think that’s good for our Championship.

    Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing): Mugello was a very difficult race. After Le Mans, where I was on the podium, and at Mugello, last year I was on the podium, so everyone expected it…we worked very hard, in qualifying made a small mistake but then in the race my start was good but then I had contact with Marc, went wide and tried to recover, but my rear tyre was tired with four or five laps to go. I pushed at my best and my target was to save the tyre but I was back in ninth…anyway, I did my best and I was happy about that. But for sure I dreamt of an all Ducati podium until five laps to go! I have no regrets and now we’re focused on this race.

    Cal Crutchlow. Photo: MotoGP

    Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol): Mugello wasn’t too bad. I aimed for the podium at the start of the weekend and I didn’t get it but we have to be happy because it was a very difficult race and tough to manage. We tested there and felt fantastic but in the race weekend it seemed more difficult for us. It was tough in the battle at the time and I couldn’t pass because I didn’t want to risk not finishing. I settled for getting some good points. But Mugello was a step in the right direction for here.

    Joan Mir (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), Moto2™ rookie and reigning Moto3™ World Champion who will move to MotoGP™ next season with Team Suzuki Ecstar: I’m really happy to join MotoGP next year. It’s like a dream for me. If you said to me three years ago that I would be racing in MotoGP next year I would have said you were crazy! But I’m really happy about the progress so far, we’re growing quickly and I just hope to keep going on this line and I hope to improve more in Moto2. That’s my priority, and then in MotoGP to keep learning. Now we’re scoring points and podiums, but we need the victory. But we’re working well!

  • French GP: Johann Zarco’s opportunity to score a win on Home turf

    French GP: Johann Zarco’s opportunity to score a win on Home turf

    Johann Zarco. Photo: Monster Yamaha Tech 3

    Le Mans, 15 May 2018: Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) has been incredibly close to his first premier class win a number of times, and now it’s time to return to the Frenchman’s home turf as MotoGP™ heads for the classic Bugatti circuit at Le Mans this weekend. Steeped in history and having hosted some memorable battles, the HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France will surely be another showstopper.

    As we head north, there are still shockwaves going through the title fight after the three-rider incident that saw Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) and Ducati team-mates Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo collide. As well as eventual Jerez winner Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) taking home 25 points as those three scored zero, Zarco then went past and took second place and 20 points – moving him up to second overall at the head of the pack chasing Marquez.

    Rossi. Photo: Movistar Yamaha MotoGP

    If that wasn’t enough, Le Mans was also the stage for Zarco’s first premier class podium after coming home second last season as a rookie. That was behind the battle royal at the front between Movistar Yamaha MotoGP teammates Valentino Rossi and eventual victor Maverick Viñales, with Le Mans often suiting the M1 and the two in a league of their own. After a tougher start to the season this year, both will be aiming to repeat their 2017 feats, although Rossi would like to write a different ending.

    Marc Marquez. Photo: Honda Racing

    For those in the Jerez incident, a different ending to their front-running pace is exactly the ticket. Pedrosa won at the venue in 2013 and he will be stronger once again as he recovers from his broken wrist, and Dovizioso hailed big steps forward in pace found in Jerez, even saying their competitors should start getting a little nervous.

    Lorenzo, too, made a huge leap forward, leading more than half the Spanish GP and some updates making a difference for the ‘Spartan’. He has also won at the track five times in the premier class, including by two huge margins: 17.7 seconds in mixed conditions in 2009, and 10.6 seconds in 2015 in the dry. For the Majorcan, it’s a good place for the paddock to return to.

    STIFF COMPETITION

    Cal Crutchlow. Photo: LCR Honda Castrol

    There is a lot of competition this season, however. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) will be gunning for the front after a crash in Jerez despite starting on pole, and Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) and team-mate Jack Miller are doing much more than making up the numbers in the front fight. And what about Team Suzuki Ecstar? Alex Rins crashed out in Spain despite showing great pace, but Andrea Iannone took his second podium in a row for the first time in his career, making it three rostrums in a row for Suzuki for the first time in a decade. The Hamamatsu factory is on a roll.

    In Jerez, that was also true for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. The Austrian factory fielded test rider Mika Kallio as a wildcard in Jerez on an early 2019 version of the RC16 and the results were impressive. Although that won’t be rolled out just yet, Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith both showed big progress in Andalucia back on more familiar ground – could another top ten be on the cards?

    Source: motogp.com

  • High drama in Jerez: Marc Marquez wins in a canter as contenders collide

    High drama in Jerez: Marc Marquez wins in a canter as contenders collide

    Marc Marquez on way to winning the Spanish GP. Photo: Honda Racing

    Jerez, 6 May 2018: Reigning champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) took a stunning second win of the season – and his second win at Jerez – in the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, fighting to the front and just able to pull away into clear air, away from some huge drama that then hit the race behind.

    Johann Zarco Photo: Yamaha Racing

    In a pivotal day in the Championship, an unbelievable racing incident saw Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team), teammate Andrea Dovizioso and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) all crash out in one go at Turn 6 – with Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) then coming through to complete the podium.

    Lorenzo got the holeshot after an unbelievable launch from the second row, taking the lead ahead of Pedrosa in second and Zarco in third as polesitter Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) lost out off the line. Marquez remained where he’d qualified in fifth, with Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) in sixth.

    Andrea Iannone. Photo: Suzuki Racing

    Lorenzo pushed early from the front to set the pace, with Pedrosa holding station in second as Marquez, Crutchlow and Zarco squabbled for third. A moment for Zarco soon after then saw the Frenchman out wide and dropping back. Then Crutchlow crashed out, before another name went missing from the front group as Rins followed suit not so long after. Meanwhile, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) had made his way through to the front group leaving a Repsol Honda vs Ducati Team duel of duos fighting it out.

    With 16 laps to go, however, Marquez made his move, slicing past Lorenzo to take over in the lead as ‘DesmoDovi’ and Pedrosa looked for a way past the number 99. After some chopping and changing as Marquez pulled away, it was then time for the overwhelming headline of the race: the three-rider crash that saw Lorenzo, Dovizioso and Pedrosa all collide and tumble into the gravel.

    Dovizioso had attacked Lorenzo into Turn 6 but headed too deep, with the number 99 then cutting back towards the apex, but Pedrosa was already there. The two collided with each other and then Dovizioso; the gravel trap waiting for the three men and the shockwaves of the moment ricocheting around the circuit as the dust settled. Costly in the Championship, but the three all walked away unharmed despite the incident.

    That left Zarco with the unbelievable sight of a Repsol Honda and both Ducatis in the gravel as he came past, inheriting second and then facing seven laps to keep calm and take yet another impressive podium. The battle to complete that after the drama up ahead was hotting up, meanwhile, as Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) were closing in on the Suzuki of Andrea Iannone in third.

    Valentino Ross. Photo: Yamaha Racing

    As the last lap dawned, Iannone was just able to make a gap and stay clear of the chasing Italians, despite Rossi having pulled back an awesome amount of distance on the penultimate lap to get himself in contention. So the ‘Maniac’ crossed the line in third for the third Suzuki podium in a row, Petrucci took fourth and Rossi a top five finish in the race in which he completed a lap of the World – now having raced the equivalent distance of the circumference of the Earth upon finishing Lap 15.

    Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) just dropped off that battle to cross the line in sixth, with Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) making some progress from outside the top 10 in the initial stages to take P7. Eighth was the best result of 2018 so far for Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team) after he fought with Viñales for much of the race, with top rookie Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) taking ninth and his first top ten result in the premier class.

    Mika Kallio (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), wildcarding on a prototype of the 2019 RC16, completed the top ten in another stunning ride, and teammate Pol Espargaro took P11 as he won a battle against Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) by mere hundredths at the line. Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was incredibly close, too, taking P13 to make it three Austrian machines in the points. Those points were completed by Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) and Scott Redding (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini).

    Source: motogp.com

  • Showtime in Jerez: Cal Crutchlow sets hot pace for pole, Marc Marquez fifth

    Showtime in Jerez: Cal Crutchlow sets hot pace for pole, Marc Marquez fifth

    Cal Crutchlow…blowing hot in Jerez. Photo: calcrutchlow.com

    Jerez, 5 May 2018: Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) smashed the previous pole lap record at the newly-resurfaced Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, taking pole position for the first time since the 2016 British GP at Silverstone in some style as he topped the session and then went even faster at the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, here on Saturday.

    Fellow Honda rider Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), the winner at Jerez in 2017, put in another stunner to take second despite his ongoing recovery from a broken wrist sustained in Argentina, with Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) in third to make it eight times in a row the Frenchman will be starting the race from the front row. Reigning champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) will line up fifth.

    It was a tense final shootout at the end of the session and many eyes were on Marquez as the number 93 pushed and consistently lit up the first sectors red – and then just lost out before the line.

    Unable to improve on his initial fast lap, the six-time World champion was pushed off the front row and then down to fifth as Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team), the previous pole lap record holder, lit it up to take fourth and head up Row 2 at the venue at which he took his first podium for Ducati. It’s a big leap forward after a tough start to the season, with the five-time World champion consistently the quickest Borgo Panigale machine for much of the weekend and only 0.013s off the front row.

    Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and teammate Andrea Iannone, after topping FP4 in reverse order, line up sixth and seventh respectively with the Hamamatsu factory a threat for the front throughout. Rins, who is racing in his first Spanish GP in the premier class after missing the event in 2017 due to injury, was only 0.007 off Marquez and just 0.003 ahead of Iannone.

    Championship leader Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) lines up eighth after he was left heading through – and going fastest in – Q1, but the gap was small once again, with the Italian only 0.042 off his compatriot ahead of him. Fellow-Italian on Borgo Panigale machinery Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) completes the third row.

    It was a more difficult day for Movistar Yamaha MotoGP, however. Valentino Rossi will line up tenth after just edging out his teammate by 0.014, with Maverick Viñales therefore lining up P11. Viñales, along with Dovizioso, was a graduate of Q1.

    Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) lines up twelfth ahead of Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), who was just left behind in Q1 by 0.040 seconds, with some solid rookie performances from Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) completing the top fifteen.

    With Crutchlow on pole, master-of-Jerez Pedrosa in the middle of the front row and no-holds-barred Zarco just alongside, it will be a stunning start, not even counting lightning-fast starter Lorenzo in fourth, and the reigning Champion with a point to prove shooting through from fifth. The top 12 are covered by eight tenths.

    Martin storms to pole in Moto 3 with Canet P15

    Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) grabbed his 11th career pole position in Moto2 with Philipp Oettl (Südmetall Schedl GP Racing) in second – earning his first front row since Qatar last year. Martin’s fellow-Del Conca Gresini rider Fabio Di Giannantonio jumped to third on his final run after some last-minute front-end changes; his first front row start of the season.

    One of the biggest headlines was Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0) qualifying in 15th, the Spaniard with a huge task ahead of him on Sunday.

    The session started with a huge crash for Darryn Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) at Turn 4 after colliding with the back of Livio Loi (Reale Avintia Academy) on the exit of the corner. Unfortunately, the South African dislocated his left shoulder and will miss tomorrow’s 22 lap race, declared unfit.

    There was plenty of cat and mouse action going on throughout the session with Martin initially coming back into the pits to escape the melee of riders. The Spaniard didn’t have it all his own way during the session though, with Oettl setting a scorching pace to go 0.531 seconds clear of the rest with 20 minutes left on the clock. However, with just over 10 minutes to go, Martin pounced – setting a 1:46.193 to go 0.153 seconds clear of the German.

    Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse), meanwhile, was up at the sharp end again in qualifying and he will spearhead the second row in P4. His compatriot Marco Bezzecchi (Redox PruestelGP) continues his great start to 2018 in fifth, with Angel Nieto Team Moto3 rider Andrea Migno making it an all-Italian second row in P6.

    The fastest rookie in Jerez qualifying was Alonso Lopez (Estrella Galicia 0,0), with P7 his best grid position so far this year and his previous form at the venue in the Moto3™ Junior World Championship coming to the fore. Enea Bastianini (Leopard Racing) lines up eighth for Sunday’s race, with teammate Lorenzo Dalla Porta rounding out the third row.

    Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) was the leading Japanese rider in P10, with fellow countryman Kaito Toba (Honda Team Asia) a solid 11th and SKY Racing Team VR46 rookie Dennis Foggia in 12th.

    Makar Yurchenko (CIP – Green Power), despite a late crash, was able to qualify P13 after a good afternoon’s work for the rookie and some much improved form this weekend, with reigning Red Bull Rookies MotoGP Cup Champion Kazuki Masaki (RBA BOE Skull Rider) a slender 0.002 back in P14.

    Pole for Lorenzo Baldassarri in Moto2

    Lorenzo Baldassarri (Pons HP 40) took the pole position in Moto2 ahead of Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) and Francesco Bagnaia (SKY Racing Team VR46).

    In second row were Jorge Navarro (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Joan Mir (EG 0,0 Marc VDS).

    Source: motogp.com

  • We did a good job and deserve to be where we are at this moment, says Cal Crutchlow

    We did a good job and deserve to be where we are at this moment, says Cal Crutchlow

    Cal Crutchlow celebrating victory in Argentina. Photo: calcrutchlow.com

    Austin (Texas, US), 20 April 2018: Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), winner of the race in Argentina, asserted that he and his team deserved to be where they are at the moment, heading the MotoGP championship, though the positions can change after this weekend’s Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas.

    Speaking at Thursday’s pre-event Press Conference, here, Crutchlow, backing up his words in parc ferme after his hard-fought win in Argentina, said: “I don’t know whether I’ve silenced any critics or not, but it’s true, don’t doubt me. I think we entered the season to do a good job, the team’s worked really well…sure, on Sunday or next race, maybe I’ll finish tenth and we won’t be leading, but I think at the moment we deserve it because we’ve done a good job. To be leading the rider and team standings is an honor for Lucio as well.”

    The Brit then mentioned how good it is for riders – like himself – to be able to compete with the factory teams. “It’s nice for us three guys to be sat here, knowing we’re competitive with the factory teams. In Qatar, we were competitive too. It’s great for the Championship.”

    Second in the Championship Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) said: “We were very lucky in Argentina, we took a lot of points without good speed. Jack (Miller) showed there was a possibility to be faster during the race, so it means we didn’t work in a perfect way, but it was tricky conditions and a lot of riders struggling. We’re not happy about that weekend, but we’re in a good position in the championship.”

    The number 04 will be aiming to at least replicate his two podiums he has previously earned at the Circuit of the Americas, but the Ducati rider also acknowledged the increased level of competition this year.

    “We have to fight for the podium or the top five, and then wherever we can, fight for the victory. I think, this year will be different to last because there are a lot of very fast riders, you have to take it race by race.”

    Johann Zarco. Photo: Movistar Yamaha Tech 3

    After his second place in Argentina, Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) was understandably in good spirits and the double Moto2™ World Champion is one of the ‘very fast riders’ Dovizioso was referring to. The Tech 3 rider comes into this weekend with the belief that he can take his first premier class victory.

    “It’s pretty nice to get a podium already in the second race, and being close to the victory. On the last lap I was very close to Cal and thinking what I could do to win the race but it was difficult so finishing second was the best solution, and it makes me happy to be third in the Championship.

    “I don’t want to say we’re just fighting for the podium. When you go racing you want to fight for victory. I need that mentality before the weekend. Why Marc is so fast here I don’t know, and I want to understand it throughout the weekend.”

    Maverick Vinales. Photo: Movistar Yamaha MotoGP

    Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), after a difficult opening couple of rounds, is hoping he can replicate the speed he has had here previously.

    “It was important to stay on the bike and get points, then in the second half of the race I felt very strong. We need a better qualifying…but here in Austin I’ve been fast in the past so I’m excited to start and see if we can improve on Argentina.”

    The former Moto3™ World Champion then suggested that if they worked on a few areas, he and his M1 machine will be as competitive as they were at the start of 2017. “I started to feel good on the last laps in Qatar, so we have to keep working, I think if we improve just a few things we can be as strong as last year.”

    It’s a different story at the Team Suzuki Ecstar as the Hamamatsu factory has made big progress – and Alex Rins has taken his maiden MotoGP™ podium. There’s no doubt about how strong Rins looks this season, and the Spaniard spoke about his excellent weekend at Termas de Rio Hondo.

    “We are doing a good job, but from pre-season the bike has started to feel good. In Argentina we had a perfect weekend, more or less like Qatar but in Qatar I lost the front and crashed.”

    There were no such crashes in Argentina, and his podium confirmed his speed and competitiveness on the Suzuki in 2018. “We have a very competitive bike and we improved a lot from last year, also, I have more experience.”

    Moreover, the number 42 comes to COTA with the fond memories of his first Grand Prix win. A track then, he enjoys. “I’m excited to start because this is one of my favourite tracks. I have good memories here and we need to keep the same level, work hard from the beginning trying to be in the top ten for qualifying…and enjoy the race.”

    After his eventful weekend in South America, Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Ducati) began speaking about his race at Termas, and what he’s learnt from the race as a whole. The Australian was in the hunt for victory throughout, and despite ending up fourth, ‘Jackass’ showed he and his GP17 – along with the other Independent Teams – are very competitive this year, making for an exciting Championship.

    “I’m frustrated but semi-satisfied as well. Knowing my past record in previous years I wouldn’t have made it past the first lap with that much pressure! It was a positive weekend for us. I had the feeling back I had in Thailand and Malaysia.

    “There are so many guys on competitive bikes in the field, you can’t doubt anyone. Independent teams winning and nearly dominating the podium last week…it’s pretty impressive and it’s just going to get better and better as the year goes on.”

    The level of competition in MotoGP™ has certainly reached new heights this year, so can one of the Independent Teams – once again – take victory this weekend and end Marc Marquez’s (Repsol Honda Team) dominance at COTA?

    Source: motogp.com