Courtesy of MotoGP
Just seven points separate the three leading eSport riders – AndrewZh (Ducati Team), trastevere73 (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Cristianmm17 (Team Suzuki Ecstar) – at the head of the championship table. With double points available at the final round, the series is wide open and anything can happen. Visit The Official Website: https://esport.motogp.com/
Courtesy of MotoGP
Join #MotoGP pitlane reporter Amy Dargan and commentator Matt Dunn at the #ValenciaGP for the ePreview of the final round of the FIM Enel #MotoE World Cup! ⚡
Courtesy of KRT – Kawasaki Racing Team
Five-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea will be joined by his new KRT team-mate Alex Lowes on track for the first time tomorrow, the opening day of a two-day test session at the Motorland Aragon circuit in the north of Spain.
After the culmination of the 2019 FIM Superbike World Championship under floodlights at the Losail circuit at the end of October, the 2020 season effectively begins on Wednesday 13 November. Despite this short turnaround Kawasaki’s new-look official rider-line up of Rea and Lowes is fully ready to make the most of this first testing opportunity together.
For Rea the goals of the test are to find even greater overall set-up improvements than it is possible to find in a normal race weekend, and in particular to improve the performance of his race set-up at the 5.077 km long Motorland Aragon circuit itself.
Rea will rejoin his technical crew, led by Pere Riba, for the Motorland sessions before the whole team heads to the South of Spain, and the Jerez circuit, for the final on-track test of the calendar year. That two-day outing will be held between 28 and 29 November.
Latest KRT signing Lowes is keen to get going on a championship-winning bike that will be all new for him, as well as working with his crew chief Marcel Duinker and other technical staff. A proven WorldSBK race winner, and most recently a nine-times podium scorer in the 2019 season, Lowes was third in the overall championship standings this year.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “It has only been a couple of weeks since the end of the season but I am more than ready to get back on the bike. I feel excited. We left Qatar with good sensations from the ZX-10RR and I hope to improve that in Motorland. We had some challenges there this year during race weekend, so we will confirm that by comparison with the base settings we ended the season with, and also simply try to enjoy the bike. I am looking forward to seeing all the guys again and getting back to business. I will be keeping an eye on the weather and I hope we can get in a solid two days of testing.”
Alex Lowes, stated: “I am really looking forward to the new challenge; starting the new project. Obviously my first objective in Aragon is to start working with Marcel and all my crew, to get those relationships started. Obviously, that is just as important as the feeling with the bike. Apart from the normal things like just going to work and getting used to everything, giving myself the chance to get up to speed, I am looking forward to enjoying it. It is a big change from what I have been used to over the last few years, riding the same bike. So, nice and steady away; I feel really fresh and motivated to get started.”
Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager, stated: “There are two main targets at this test. One is for Jonathan continuing his work after an incredible season. He has arrived at a strong level and now we will see how we can adapt the set-ups we have used through the year. We will try to cover all the set-up ideas we had in mind but could not test during race weekends. We will work to clarify some ideas to improve, to let Johnny go faster at some circuits and be more comfortable doing it. This is one aspect of the test. Of course, the target now for Alex is different. It is a new bike and new team for him, and a new rider for the team. So we need to understand him, what he needs to go fast, how he starts to work with his crew chief Marcel. Their communication, feelings and understandings are important. We need to make this step-by-step together and work calmly, then take good notes of how to continue this relationship in Jerez at the next test.”
2019 KRT Rider WorldSBK Statistics
Jonathan Rea: World Champion 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019
2019: Races 37, Wins 18, Podiums 34, Superpoles 7
Career Race Wins: 88 (73 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 168 (126 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 23 (19 for Kawasaki)
Alex Lowes:
2019: Races: 37, Wins 0, Podiums 9, Superpoles 0
Career Race Wins: 1 (0 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 20 (0 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 1 (0 for Kawasaki)
7 x Riders’ Championships (Scott Russell 1993, Tom Sykes 2013, Rea 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019), 1 x EVO Riders’ Championship (David Salom 2014)
5 x Manufacturers’ Championships (Ninja ZX-10R 2015 & 2016, Ninja ZX-10RR 2017, 2018 & 2019)
5 x Teams’ Championships (KRT/Provec Racing 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019)
Kawasaki FIM Superbike World Championship Statistics
Total Kawasaki Race Wins: 146 – second overall
Total Kawasaki Podiums: 433 – second overall
Total Kawasaki Poles: 88 – second overall
Courtesy of Honda Racing Corporation
2019 EICMA Show, Milan (Italy): Following yesterday’s 2020 Honda New Models Press Presentation, where the World Premiere unveiling of the sensational new CBR1000RR-R was the highlight of event, this morning the 2020 HRC Teams and Riders Presentation took place in the presence of Managing Officer, Chief Officer, Motorcycle Operations of Honda Motor Co. Noriaki Abe, President and Representative Director, Honda Racing Corporation Yoshishige Nomura.
Made even more special by the celebration this year of the 60th anniversary of Honda’s racing activities, the presentation once again brought together riders of the official HRC teams competing in the top motorsport championships worldwide – including the 2019 World Championship-winning triple of Marc Marquez (MotoGP), Tim Gajser (MXGP), and Toni Bou (Trial).
It was the perfect stage for Mr. Abe to announce the signing of Leon Haslam to partner recently announced Alvaro Bautista in the strong line-up of the HRC’s Official WorldSBK team in 2020.
“We will join WorldSBK with our new CBR1000RR-R with HRC factory team”, Mr. Abe commented. “We are happy to announce that we just fixed the rider line-up, with Leon Haslam becoming team-mate with Alvaro Bautista. I expect to see our WorldSBK riders fighting for victory”.
“For me to get the opportunity to be back with Honda and, most importantly, as an official rider with HRC back in the championship with a factory team, is like a dream come true” said Leon Haslam. “It’s so exciting to be involved in the project and already I’m thinking about when I can ride the bike and get to Phillip Island, one of my favourite tracks, for the first race. I can’t wait to ride the CBR1000RR-R. A new bike means that we’re looking at a big challenge of course, but the project is extremely professional, and we all know what Honda and HRC are capable of. What they have achieved in the racing world speaks for itself. It’s really a fantastic opportunity for me, and I’m ready to give it my all, for the team, the company and all our fans around the world”.
Courtesy of Husqvarna Motorcycles
| OFFICIALLY SUPPORTED SATELLITE TEAM WILL FIELD TWO RIDERS IN 2020 MOTO3 SEASON ONBOARD NEW HUSQVARNA FR 250 GP MACHINES |
| Husqvarna Motorcycles are pleased to announce their return to international road racing and the FIM World Championship Grand Prix Moto3 class where they will officially support the Max Racing Team. Owned by four-time 250cc World Champion Max Biaggi who secured no fewer than 42 GP victories during an illustrious career and under the management of experienced German former-racer Peter Öttl, the team will field Romano Fenati and Alonso Lopez in the 2020 season on the new Husqvarna FR 250 GP. |
The Moto3 class replaced the outgoing 125cc category in 2012 and is restricted to single-cylinder 250cc four-stroke machines. In 2014 Husqvarna Motorcycles secured Moto3 class podium finishes, stepping away from the series at the end of 2015. With a rich heritage in road racing, Husqvarna Motorcycles’ return to the hotly contested Moto3 category mirrors the brand’s wider expansion into the global street motorcycle market.
The experienced Romano Fenati finished the 2017 Moto3 World Championship as runner-up, showing himself to be a rider capable of delivering strong, season-long performances. During his time as a Moto3 campaigner Fenati has earned 11 GP victories, 24 podiums and four pole positions. Alonso Lopez, at just 17 years old, is also keen to make his mark on the Moto3 series. 2020 will be the young Spaniard’s third year in the class having made his debut in 2018, claiming a recent third-place result at the Thai Grand Prix he has shown he is more than capable of fighting for top results.
Moto3 World Championship kicks off in Qatar on March 8
th.
Stefan Pierer – CEO KTM AG:“We are very much looking forward to
seeing the return of Husqvarna Motorcycles to the MotoGP paddock. The
Moto3 class represents the perfect platform to showcase the Husqvarna
brand, as we have seen in the past during the 2014 and 2015 seasons.
With Husqvarna Motorcycles continuing to expand in the direction of
performance street motorcycles, we believe the added exposure from
racing in the Moto3 class will help us maintain the brand’s continued
growth for many years to come.”
Pit Beirer – Motorsports Director at KTM / Husqvarna Motorcycles:“We’re really excited to be able to
bring the Husqvarna Motorcycles brand back into road racing and the
Moto3 World Championship. The Moto3 category is an excellent platform to
nurture new Grand Prix talent and represents the first rung in MotoGP
World Championship competition when it comes to developing rider
potential. With the knowledgeable and experienced pairing of Max Biaggi
and Peter Öttl heading the team, and riders Fenati and Lopez both more
than capable of challenging for race wins, we are really looking forward
to seeing what the Max Racing Team can do in the 2020 season with the
Husqvarna FR 250 GP.”
Max Biaggi – Max Racing Team Principal: “I am very happy that Husqvarna
Motorcycles have chosen to support our team for their return to
international road racing. Husqvarna’s re-entry into Moto3 is a very
special and unique moment, one that personally I am very proud to be
associated with. Everyone in the team is looking forward to 2020. We
believe that with the support of Husqvarna Motorcycles we can achieve
great things. Our two riders are both very motivated. With Romano Fenati
and Alonso Lopez, we have one experienced and one young rider, but both
can deliver strong results. We will give our riders all we can to allow
them to show their true potential.”
Peter Öttl – Max Racing Team Manager:“I am really proud to work with
Husqvarna Motorcycles in the Moto3 World Championship. After my active
racing career, I worked for Husqvarna in their Offroad Racing
Department, so to be opening another chapter with the brand in 2020 is
personally very special to me. We have a close relationship with the
company for almost 10 years now and this project is another display of
trust but also a huge responsibility for our team. With the signing of
Romano Fenati and Alonso Lopez, we will have two promising riders on the
Husqvarna FR 250 GP. Fenati is one of the most successful Moto3 riders
in recent years and he proved it already with 11 GP victories. We are
convinced that he has the potential to fight for the podium right away.
With Alonso Lopez, we rely on a young rider – he´s just 17 years old but
already with two years’ experience in the FIM World Championship.
During the last races he has produced some great performances in the
category and we are confident he will evolve and improve in our team. I
am more than satisfied with our rider line-up – with an experienced
rider and a young talent both at a high level in the Moto3 FIM World
Championship we’re looking forward to a very positive 2020 season.”
Courtesy of Sharon Cox
In fitting spirit and memory Sam Smith Clay Classic was run at the family’s property just outside Pukekohe at the weekend. An event which brought riders together from varying dirt-racing disciplines within New Zealand to honour the legacy set by Sam – NZ’s 2008 Supersport Championship title for 600cc.
For Sam was an all-round-genuine awesome guy who just loved racing. And that meant racing on anything- 2 wheels, 4 wheels, dirt, road, even I remember on shoddy-built wooden planks nailed together at random intervals for Sam to practice BMX!
NZ lost Sam earlier this year, and this event: Sam Smith Clay Classic was testamount to what Sam stood for- bringing people together for the love of racing- flat track was the discipline race of the day.
As important for all there, the orgainzers, volunteers, riders who arrived from far and wide, was the raising and promotion of mental health. Sam having passed away, left a void where all there on Saturday picked up- talking about mental health is real for everyone to share, speak up on a topic that is no longer swept aside.
This is what the day meant to those closet to Sam Smith: Scott Wilkins organizer:
‘Sam and I had started talking about running another Clay Classic while at Rosebank Speedway last year. We were both enjoying riding the flat track and thought it would be a great time to do it’.
‘We talked with Sam’s family after his death, and then chose to help Megan at the Mind Health Project so that we would raise funds for a local Pukekohe charity that was helping in this area’.
‘And today it was just awesome to see such a diverse range of riders giving a another form of the sport a go. Flat track dates back to the earliest motorcycle racing, and having people from Road Racing, MX, Enduro and Speedway, with riders from young to old, it was an awesome day- the Final- and having 3 of Sam’s mates on the podium was the cherry on the top’.
Words from NZ’s FIM World MX legend: Josh Coppins in film edit:
Courtesy of TV FIM
Courtesy of KRT – Kawasaki Racing Team
Experienced Spanish rider Xavi Fores will return to the WorldSBK paddock in 2020 inside the WorldSBK wing of the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing set-up.
As the 2019 campaign ends thoughts turn to a new season in WorldSBK and the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team has much to look forward to with the signing of six-time WorldSBK podium finisher Xavi Fores.
The 34-year-old Xavi took part in 91 WorldSBK races before spending the 2019 season in the BSB championship, scoring four rookie-season podiums in what many consider the most competitive national championship of all.
The Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team, having already won races in 2019 with talented young rider Toprak Razgatlioglu, hope to use Xavi’s great experience in WorldSBK to let them move to the next level in their technical approach and consistency.
Xavi Fores, stated: “I am really happy to re-join WorldSBK with the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Team for next season. Manuel and Kawasaki have built a very strong team in the last few seasons and it was very easy to make a deal with them. The bike is very strong and I think it can suit my riding style very well, so I was pushing hard to close the deal with Manuel. I can’t wait to jump on the bike and start to work hard to prepare for next season to make sure we start Round One in Australia with a strong package and in good shape. I want to thank Kawasaki Europe for their big effort and their support, and I also want to thank Manuel for his trust in me.”
Manuel Puccetti, Team Manager, stated: “We are very motivated to have Xavi ride for our team next season. He is an experienced rider and fast in all conditions as he has shown many times in the past. I believe we have all the ingredients for another great season in WSBK and we are all keen to get started.”
Steve Guttridge, Kawasaki Europe Racing manager, stated: “With Xavi joining us as our rider inside the Puccetti team we will exchange youth for experience. Our goal, as Kawasaki, is to help build up the team’s knowledge in the WorldSBK class to an even higher level again during the 2020 season. The team have a great infrastructure and using the Ninja ZX-10RR they also now have the rider to perform at the highest level again next year. We are all very excited to get started with this partnership.”
ASC - Action Sports Connection 