assorted motorcycle racing stories

Stories from AMA, MotoGP, and World Superbike.

MOTOGP: Lorenzo Lead, Marquez Escapes Terrifying Crash
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-lorenzo-fastest-marquez-escapes-terrifying-crash/

WSBK: Hopkins Visits Crescent Suzuki At TT
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/wsbk-hopkins-visits-crescent-suzuki-at-tt/

MOTOGP: Mixed Start for Monster Yamaha Tech 3
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Mixed+start+for+Monster+Yamaha+Tech+3

MOTOGP: Spies Faces Dilemma
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-spies-faces-dilemma/

AMA racing news bits

A couple news items heading into round two for AMA Superbike and AMA Daytona Sportbike this weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

AMA DSB: Mending Westby Excited For Road America
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ama-dsb-mending-westby-excited-for-road-america/

AMA SBK: Yamaha Title Hopefuls Lead Into Round 2
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ama-sbk-yamaha-title-hopefuls-lead-into-round-2/

Lorenzo insists 'we have to be calm'

Despite Jorge Lorenzo's performances being less than stellar so far this season, he insists that cooler heads have to prevail for the time being at Yamaha when it comes to where the performances have been so far this season.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Lorenzo+insists+we+have+to+be+calm

Ducati Team trio prepares for home race

Ducati will once again run three bikes in their home race, the Italian Grand Prix, with test rider, Michele Pirro, joining the squad.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Ducati+Team+trio+prepares+for+home+race
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-ducati-prepares-for-home-round/

MOTOGP: Honda Tests '14 Production RC

Recently, Honda tested what will be their newest production based racing bike, that will allow competitors and teams to run in MotoGP at a lower cost.  Here's the full story.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-honda-tests-14-production-rc/

In memoriam: Yoshinari Matsushita

Statement issued on behalf of the ACU:

ACU Events Ltd regrets to announce that Japanese rider Yoshinari Matsushita, 43, was killed during the qualifying session at the 2013 Isle of Man TT Races in an incident at Ballacrye in the North of the Island. The session was immediately red flagged following the accident.

Yoshinari, from Saitama in Japan was an experienced racer who first competed at the TT Races in 2009. As well as competing regularly in the Superstock and Superbike classes he also finished 5th in the 2011 TT Zero for electric bikes. He was also 2008 Motegi Endurance race winner.

The ACU wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to Yoshinari’s family and friends.

Gary Thompson, MBE, Clerk of the Course, ACU, commented:

“Yoshi was a really popular competitor who had a large number of friends in the TT Races paddock. He was a genuine and friendly character who always had time for everyone. He will be sorely missed.”

The Coroner of Inquests has been informed and an investigation into the circumstances of the accident is underway.

 

MOTOGP: Pedrosa Takes Momentum Into Mugello

A preview of this weekend's MotoGP race in Mugello, Italy.  The Italian Grand Prix.  Look for highlights, right here at the 2 Wheelin' blog on the day of the race, this Sunday.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-pedrosa-takes-momentum-into-mugello

World Superbike Round 5: Donington Park, England

Tom Sykes for Kawasaki swept both races run in round five of the 2013 FIM World Superbike Championship at Donington Park in Leicestershire, England.

World Superbike race 1: #66 Tom Sykes     GBR     Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX10R
World Superbike race 2: #66 Tom Sykes     GBR     Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX10R
World Supersport race: #11 Sam Lowes      GBR     Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha YZF R6

The two Super Stock classes did not race in England.  They will be in action next time out.  The next race is in Portugal at the Autodromo Nacional do Algarve in Portimao, Portugal, in two weeks. 

AMA Superbike news stories, (revisions to the remaining 2013 schedule, & safety improvements: new airfence)

Here are some stories from AMA Superbike.  The remaining 2013 schedule for AMA Superbike is now complete, with the TBA date scratched from the schedule.  The next race is next weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ama-sbk-13-schedule-finalized/

Also, AMA Pro Racing has invested in a brand new inventory of Airfence to keep the riders safe in crash situations.  This is what Airfence is.

http://www.airfence.com/

Here's the complete story.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ama-sbk-ama-pro-invests-in-airfence/

WSBK: Punch Of The Penguins

The British riders in the FIM World Superbike Championship apparently have a wicked sense of humor, and quite the ability to have a ton of fun!  Check out this story on the Punch Of The Penguins competition at Donington Park.  It's not ALL about racing for these chaps.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/wsbk-the-punch-of-the-penguins/

WSBK: Title Battle Arrives At Donington Park

A preview of this weekend's FIM World Superbike race at the Donington Park circuit in Leicestershire, England.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/wsbk-title-battles-arrives-at-donington-park/

Racing a superbike at 150mph with no legs

An inspirational story about a British motorcycle racer named Murray Hambro.  

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/22265878

Moto 3: France

Le Mans and the Bugatti circuit is the setting for this round of Moto 3.  On the pole will be Maverick Vinales, who has scored his first pole of the season.  This race will be 24 laps.  When it's damp, the biks have to use a rear taillight.  The bikes are on their warmup lap, getting ready for the race.  Hopes are that rain will not be a factor in this one.  

Round four is ready to go.  Maverick Vinales is the championship leader.  Niccolo Antonelli couldn't get into his space.  At the start, Maverick Vinales takes the lead, but Jonas Folger is moving up quickly.  Alex Rins will pass Louis Salom into La Chapelle.  Jack Miller drops some spots.  Jonas Folger knows how to run in these damp conditions.  He had a podium at Le Mans in 2009 in the old 125cc class.  Jack Miller is trying to stay with Alex Marquez.  The dry line is tight.  Be careful into the Blue Esses.  Can Jonas Folger get around to make a pass?  One of the French wildcard riders gets a black flag.  Not sure who it is.

Into Garage Vert, it's still damp as the bikes fly onto the back straight.  Jakub Kornfeil is fastest of all, passing Jack Miller down the front straight as someone gets a ride through penalty.  Folger leads, going past Maverick Vinales.  Luis Salom is also in the lead battle in a way, as there is a definite pack forming here.  Miguel Oliviera passes Alex Marquez.  No real separation between bikes is occurring.  Jack Miller has dropped behind Niklas Ajo.  He's hung out to dry.  Watch out for the Astro turf on the side of the track. 

 Miguel Oliviera is the only non KTM rider in the top ten.  But, he falls down iin turn one.  Was that a collision with another bike?  Apparently, he might have hit Alex Marquez.  Maybe not.  Both the Mahindra bikes are out, as Jonas Folger is leading.  Maverick Vinales is right behind.  Folger is starting to set quick laps.  If the track stays dry, it will only get quicker.  Folger holds on as Vinales is trying his best.  Johann Zarco made a similar move on Gino Rea in the Moto 2 race at Le Mans, last year.

This race will be a fair fight.  Vinales won his first race here at Le Mans in 2011.  Folger is on the medium compound option tire.  Most are on the medium, with two riders on soft tires.  The soft tire might be durable enough to last to the end of the race.  Jakub Kornfeil runs sixth right now with Niklas Ajo and others moving up.  Brad Binder drops some spots.  Romano Fenati and John McPhee are moving up.  Fenati and McPhee battle into Garage Vert.  Alex Rins is fastest of all.  But, Luis Salom is losing time.

Florian Alt crashes his bike, running over the fairing!  Ouch!  Alex Marquez is fifth, 2.8 seconds behind the top four riders as seven of 24 laps are complete.  Five laps to halfway.  The battles are beginning to simmer as Jack Miller passes Niklas Ajo.  Alexis Masbou passes Brad Binder.  Maverick Vinales still leads through Museum corner.  Jonas Folger wants to win this.  He'll have to take a chance at it.  Alex Rins scored a podium at Le Mans last year in his first season of Moto 3.  One lap to halfway.  Alex Marquez holds off Jakub Kornfeil.  Ajo passes Miller.

Zulfahmi Khairuddin is coming up through the fieeld, too.  Jonas Folger loses ground, running wide onto the escape road.  There was oil or something down in one of the corners.  There was a collision between Folger and Francesco Bagnaia.  It was World Superbike-esque.  A tankslapper.  Back through the Blue Esses, Khairuddin is booking it.  Niklas Ajo also makes some decent passes as Romano Fenati is pushing Jack Miller.  Someone has crashed.  Or maybe, they got loose.  Ah.  It's Niccolo Antonelli, crashing out of another Moto 3 race.

Rins shadows Vinales as Luis Salom runs his best lap of the race.  Romano Fenatti has lost ground, running really wide onto the paint on the outside of the track.  Rins still shadows Vinales.  Jules Danilou (a French wildcard rider), runs off the road.  Rins runs fast lap at 1:44.3.  Ten laps now remaIN.  Jakub Kornfeil tries reeling in Alex Marquez.  But, he's still got work to do.  Brad Binder is trying to pass Alexis Masbou, but he'll have a tall order ahead of him.  

Zulfahmi Khairuddin is going for it.  Jonas Folger turns his fastest lap.  He's the only rider in the top four who has not won a race yet this year, with eight laps remaining.  John McPhee is caught behind Maverick Vinales as Alexis Masbou nearly loses his bike.  He and McPhee battle.  Jakub Kornfeil can't reel in Alex Marquez.  Arthur Sissis is being reeled in by Jack Miller.  This is for 14th and 15th.  The two Australians are not having good races today.  Luis Salom runs his personal best lap of the race as Danilo falls.  Five laps remain in the race.

Through Museum, going into Garage Vert, the battle continues.  But, Jonas Folger is still having to play catchup.  Into La Chapelle, it's still Vinales, Rins, and Salom.  Vinales' team manager Pablo Nieto wants good laps from Vinales in the last laps of this race.  Alexi Masbou is now ninth.  Rins runs fast lap at a 1:44 flat.  Khairuddin and Ajo have both crashed.  This was a monster high side by Khairuddin, and he's caught by Niklas Ajo's bike.  That was a bad, bad wreck.  Fortunately, both riders are OK.

Romano Fenati is going to finish seventh.  For Niklas AJo, it's game over.  Khairuddin is also fine.  This crash took place in the backstretch esses.  Meanwhile, Vinales, Rins, and Salom remain in the top three places.  Rins is being pressured just a little bit.  Salom wants by him.  Vinales still leads this race.  Another rider falls down.  Vinales runs a 1:44.118.  Jonas Folger can do no better than fourth, with Alex Marquez behind.  Vinales has run a perfect race today.  Hyugi Watanabe crashes.  It's the last lap.  Rins and Salom are not going to make inroads on Vinales.  He runs a 1:43.961, a lap that would have qualified him third for this race!

Luis Salom wants one more shot at Alex Rins.  But, on the last lap, it's all Vinales as Brad Binder passes Alexis Masbou for eighth spot.  Will Salom pass Alex Rins?  This is the race.  Vinales will win.  Vinales is going to win.  But, who is going to be second?  Rins gets second place.

#25 Maverick Vinales    ESP     KTM Figueres

The next Moto 3 race will be in Italy at the Mugello circuit, coming up in a shade over a week.    

Moto 2: France

Here are the highlights of the Moto 2 race from the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans.  Tito Rabat has a one point lead in the championship at the moment after winning last time out in Spain.  This race will be 26 laps.  It is likely to be a dry race.

On pole, is Takaaki Nakagami.  Gino Rea is making his first start of 2013.  The bikes are on their warmup lap as the track seems to be drying out.  The skies over the Bugatti circuit are dark.  Will rain play a factor in the Moto 2 race?

At the start, it's Rabat leading.  Pol Espargaro is up to second as Scott Redding has fallen to tenth.  Pol Espargaro shot to second behind Nakagaami.  Scott Redding also got bogged down and is nith.  Dominik Aegerter is going forward, too.  Nakagaami wants a first win in Grand Prix racing as Johann Zarco has also done well to get into a top place.  Espargaro is trying, as the rain is coming.  Xavier Simeon and Nico Terol are both going well, too.  With Le Mans, the track can be wet in one spot and dry on another as the bikes go through Garage Vert.  Tito Rabat wants by Nakagami.  Mika Kallio is battling with Scott Redding.

Nakagami is hassling Pol Espargaro right now.  Maybe he missed a shift or something.  With a motorcycle, you are shifting with your foot of course.  Toni Elias is 18th.  Gino Rea also seems to be moving up.  But, it's Tito Rabat and Pol Espargaro taking each other out!  This is a disaster!  Is it weather?  Is it a real crash?  Pol Espargaro is back on his bike.  Both these guys fell down in totally separate incidents in the Museum corner.  Synchronized crashing!

Scott Redding might take over the points lead.  Someone else has a tank slapper, too.  Not sure which bike it was.  Thomas Luthi also crashes.  Yikes.  He low sides his bike.  Tito Rabat is in the pits with a busted handlebar among other issues.  Four laps complete of 26 scheduled as Mike DiMeglio, Mika Kallio, and Scott Redding, are all going to come to the fore in this one.  Johann Zarco runs second with Dominik Aegerter and Xavier Simeon also up there.  No Spaniards to be found.

Simone Corsi wants to win his first Moto 2 race.  Pol Espargaro is way back in the field.  But, he'll keep clicking off laps.  Xavier Simeon is going well, too, as Tito Rabat is back on track.  Taki Nakagaami runs a 1:39.5 for fastest lap so far.  Scott Redding is also moving up, steadily.  Nakagaami runs fast lap, but he crashes!  Yikes!  Never speak too soon!  He slides off the track.  Johann Zarco leads the French Grand Prix for Moto 2.  The French fans are going bananas.  Johann Zarco has the lead.

The riders are getting into lapped traffic, going past Rafid Topan Socipto from Indonesia.  Now, Scott Redding is in the race lead.  All three of the crashes in this race so far, have occurred at the Museum corner.  Sixteen laps to go, and it seems the weather will dry out for the time being.  Redding is followed by Zarco, and Xavier Simeon third.  Not sure who was the last Belgian to win a motorcycle Grand Prix.  Julian Simon, Randy Krummenacher, Alex de Angelis, and others, are having notable races.

Gino Rea pits.  Steven Odendahl and Anthony West are also having respectable races.  Louis Rossi and Danny Kent also run well.  Johann Zarco is closing.  Scott Redding is into a pace now.  Redding exits the Blue Esses, as there are 15 laps to go.  Mika Kallio passes Dominik Aegerter.  Julian Simon, Anthony West, Randy Krummenacher, and Alex de Angelis, all battle.  Sandro Cortese is struggling, and has a broken finger.

Redding gaps Johann Zarco by a few seconds.  Steven Odendaal crashes as Scott Redding runs quicker again.  It's going to be a battle between Redding, Zarco, and Simeon.  Twelve laps remain.  Axel Pons has crashed.  Johann Zarco is going faster, and he's even quicker  now than he was in qualifying.  1:39.137 is the time.  Ten laps remain.  Redding wants to win this race.  But, he also needs to keep the championship scenario in mind.

Redding STILL hasn't won in this division.  Xavier Simeon still wants by Zarco.  Nicolas Terol crashes out, with Julian Simon going forward.  This fall is in Museum corner again.  Scott Redding runs his personal best lap.  Mika Kallio is pressuring Simeon, and passes.  Mika Kallio gets better towards the end of the race.  So, Marc VDS Racing could have two bikes in top places for Moto 2 in France.  Fortunately, the rain is staying away.  Seven laps remain as Scott Redding runs another quick lap.  Randy Krummenacher has fallen down the order.

Mika Kallio is now second as Scott Redding sets fast lap.  Now, it's the Marc VDS team mates who will hound each other.  Redding is gapping Kallio as they run 1:39.2 (both of them).  Six laps to go as Xavier Simeon passes Johann Zarco.  Mika Kallio has already won in the old 125cc and 250cc classes.  Gino Rea is back on track, albeit ten laps down.  No.  He's back in the garage.  It's still Redding and Kallio.  But, there's rain coming.  Maybe at the back of the track.  No.  On both sides.

Will this race be red flagged?  There are yellow dlags out.  The race director will have to take a look.  Xavier Simeon takes second from Mika Kallio.  How wet is the track?  Redding might win this.  But, Xavier Simeon also has a shot at it.  Three laps left now.  No rain yet.  Redding runs a 1:43, which is five seconds slower than what was run for the rest of the race, running 1:38s.  The race is red flagged.

Scott Redding wins his first Moto 2 Grand Prix!

#45 Scott Redding     GBR     Kalex Quedegley

The next Moto 2 race is the Italian Grand Prix at the Mugello circuit in the Tuscany countryside in Italy.  That race is in two weeks. 

MotoGP round 4: France

Round four of MotoGP 2013 is the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, run on the Bugatti circuit, the motorcycle track at Le Mans.

The track at Le Mans is legendary.  The weather is cloudy and rainy.  Giacomo Agostini won here in 1969, lapping the field.  Riders have been dealing with injuries.  Karel Abraham is ack.  Ben Spies will not race, and development rider for Ducati, Michele Pirro, will run the bike.  Andrea Ianonne is also not at his best either at this point.  He's got trouble with his right arm.  Colin Edwards is needing updats for his bike.  Randy de Puniet is testing for Suzuki, who will return to MotoGP next year. 

Also, Cal Crutchlow may have some competition for his seat at Tech 3 Yamaha from Moto 2 rider, Pol Espargaro.  In qualifying, it was dry.  Marc Marquez had a bad crash in practice.  But, Marquez scored pole in qualifying.  Andrea Dovizioso starts third, next to Jorge Lorenzo.  Dani Pedrosa and Cal Crutchlow both crashed in practice.  Nicky Hayden went to tenth place in qualifying.  Valentino Rossi is not having good luck with his Yamaha.  Andrea Ianonne and Michelee Pirro are together on the same row.

The bikes are on track, for what will be a wet race.  This track is 2.5 miles long, built in 1965, by the French bridges and roads department.  We're ready to race.  The rain still falls. It'll be anyone's race.  Brad Staring misses his grid space.

At the start, Andrea Dovizioso shoots into the lead of this 28 lap race.  Dovizioso first, Lorenzo second.  Marc Marquez is sinking.  Dani Pedrosa moves up.  Nicky Hayden, Andrea Ianonne and Valentino Rossi are starting to  make an impact into Museum.  Marc Marquez slides through Museum.  Andrea Dovizioso leads, and is gapping the field.  Dovizioso has one race win.  He won in the wet at Donington Park, in England.  Marquez passes Ianonne.

Aleix Espargaro has the top CRT bike.  Rossi passes Stefan Bradl on the inside line.  Rossi is moving up as Marquez pushes deep into the Dunlop chicane.  Valentino Rossi was second here last year behind Lorenzo on the Ducati, in the wet.  Into Garage Vert, it's Ducati followed by Yamaha.  No wins.  No losses.  Not at this point, anyway.  It's been a long while since Ducati has led a GP by a long way.  Casey Stoner did, years ago.  Pedrosa is quickest on the track so far as the top four run in the 1:47 range.  Pedrosa won Jerez last time, a race yours truly did not see.

Dani Pedrosa had a crash at Garage Vert years ago with the late Marco Simoncelli.  Cal Crutchlow and Nicky Hayden are both ahead of Marc Marquez at this point in time.  Dovizioso is the one having to tiptoe, because he's the first bike who finds the water on the circuit.  Thee Ducati's seems to run well in the rain.  But, their cornering speeds are improving through testing.  Cal Crutchlow has passed Nicky Hayden.  Dani Pedrosa is ssecond.  Crutchlow is fastest at a 1:45.9.  Dovizioso blocks Pedrosa.  Rossi is coming.  Lorenzo is matching Pedrosa's pace right now, too.

Pedrosa passes Dovizioso in Garage Vert.  But the Ducati comes back to the lead, and Pedrosa still passes back.  Can Pedrosa pull away?  What will happen?  Valentino Rossi wants a piece of this, too.  Cal Crutchlow runs another fast lap.  1:45.6 for Dovizioso as Jorge Lorenzo runs wide into La Chapelle (Chapel corner), and back through Museum again.  Dani Pedrosa had a two second lead.  But, Pedrosa runs wide into the gravel trap, almost.  Dovizioso still leads this race.

Lorenzo is being pushed by Bradl.  Michele Pirro is tenth now.  Nine laps complete.  Lorenzo is behind Bradl, going through La Chapelle.  Dani Pedrosa is trying to attack Dovizioso into the blue esses.  Dovizioso won the 125cc race at Le Mans the year he earned the championship in that category as Marc Marquez goes fastest at 1:44.267.  The top riders are separated by just a second and a half.  Pedrosa passes Dovizioso for the lead, right in the middle of the corner at Garage Vert!  Wow!  Dani Pedrosa is going to be in it here, and the same goes for Marquez, who is chasing down Jorge Lorenzo, and fast.

Dovizioso is back in the lead.  But this battle is not over yet.  Pedrosa passes again.  The track is damp and Cal Crutchlow has come to third, passing Valentino Rossi, and Nicky Hayden is also up there.  The race is half over.  14 laps complete.  14 to go.  Can Pedrosa pull away?  The bikes run through a drying Dunlop chicane.  Yamaha needs points.  Jorge Lorenzo is still having issues, about to be eaten up by Alvaro Bautista.  Nicky Hayden is pushing Valentino Rossi as the sun is coming out.  But, the track won't dry quickly enough.

Pedrosa runs a 1:43.527.  Bautista continues to push Jorge Lorenzo.  He's nopt having the race he wanted at all.  If Pedrosa wins this race, he will take over the points lead from Marc Marquez.  Nine laps remain now as Dovizioso and Crutchlow fight for second.  Pedrosa wants to be the first repeat winner this year.  Stefan Bradl loses his bike, and so does Valentino Rossi!  Yikes!  Hayden could have run into Rossi.  But, fortunately, he didn't.  Marc Marquez is now pushing.  Bradl is back in the race.  Aleix Espargaro is running well.  But, the CRT bikes can't keep up with the top riders.

Bradl passes Iannone.  Yonny Hernandez pits with a problem.  It's game over.  Pedrosa still leads.  The track is drying.  Pedrosa could get back-to-back wins here after winning in Spain two weeks ago.  Crutchlow and Dovizioso scrap.  They are former team mates of course.  Last year, Crutchlow crashed out of this race.  Five laps remain now.  It's the last few laps of round four as Cal Crutchlow passes Dovizioso who gets loose.  Crutchlow is second.  Dovizioso had a huge wiggle. 

Crutchlow could have a career best finish as Marc Marquez is pushing for the podium.  Dani Pedrosa is on a Sunday ride.  He'll take the lead in the championship, and he'll win a second consecutive Grand Prix.  Valentino Rossi is going to finish twelfth.  Bradley Smith will get his best MotoGP result, finishing ninth.  Marc Marquez is pushing Andrea Dovizioso though.  Dovizioso pushes, but has to yield to Marquez.  Marquez is in third in his first wet MotoGP race.  Michael Laverty moves over, letting these guys by.  Dovizioso is hanging on, but he couldn't avoid letting Marquez go by.

Dani Pedrosa is on the last lap.  This race is coming to an end.  Ducati will get a top five with both their bikes.  But, this race is owned by Dani Pedrosa.  He's just enjoying the ride.  It takes years for MotoGP riders to ride one of these high powered rocketships in the wet.  But, Pedrosa will do it.  He wins the French Grand Prix at Le Mans!

#26 Dani Pedrosa     ESP     Honda

Cal Crutchlow gets his first podium in MotoGP!  Jorge Lorenzo will finish seventh, after winning this race last year.  The next race in MotoGP is the Italian Grand Prix at the Mugello circuit, coming up in two weeks.

MotoGP stories

Here are some news items headed into this weekends round of the championship at Le Mans in France.

MOTOGP: Heated Title Fight Heads To France
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-heated-title-fight-heads-to-france/

MOTOGP: HRC leads into France
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-hrc-leads-into-france/

MOTOGP: Lorenzo Seeks Redemption At Le Mans
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-lorenzo-seeks-redemption-at-le-mans/

Different challenges for Marquez and Pedrosa

A preview of this weekend's MotoGP action at Le Mans, highlighting Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez.  Pedrosa has yet to win at Le Mans.  Here's the story.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/repsol+honda+preview+lemans

Dan Kneen's massive save at the Isle of Man TT

Gasp!  This is probably the GREATEST example of motorcycle control I've EVER seen.  Watch Dan Kneen at the 2011 Isle of Man TT get hugely sideways on his bike, and remarkably, save himself from certain disaster.  Jaw dropping!

Bikes of Lorenzo and Rossi to carry special logos at Le Mans

Former Yamaha fixture Jean Claude Olivier (who was killed in a traffic accident in 2010), will be memorialized this weekend at the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, when Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi carry stickers on their bikes in his honor.  Rest In Peace, Jean Claude Olivier.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Bikes+of+Lorenzo+and+Rossi+to+carry+special+logos+at+Le+Mans

World Superbike Round 4: Monza

Marco Melandri and Eugene Laverty won the two races held in round four of the FIM World Superbike Championship this past weekend at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza in Monza, Italy.  Here are all the race winners.

World Superbike race 1: #33 Marco Melandri     ITA      BMW Motorrad Goldbet SBK  BMW S1000RR
World Superbike race 2: #58 Eugene Laverty      IRL      Aprilia Racing Team  Aprilia RSV4 Factory
World Supersport race: #11 Sam Lowes             GBR     Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha YZF R6
Superstock 1000 race: #32 Lorenzo Savadori     ITA      Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R
Superstock 600 race: #53 Nicola Jr. Montertino  ITA      Team Trasimeno Yamaha YZF R6

The next World Superbike race is in England, at the Donington Park circuit in the Midlands, coming up in two weeks.

AMA DSB: Westby Cleared To Race

Dane Westby has clearance to get back on a motorcycle, and will be ready in time for the next round of the AMA Daytona Sportbike championship, to be held at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, the first weekend in June.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ama-dsb-westby-cleared-to-race/

Ciabatti discusses Ducati's GP13 "lab bike"

Paolo Ciabatti, the Project Director for Ducati's MotoGP team, talks about the difference between the current GP13 racing bike and the GP13 "lab bike" test mule as described by rider's Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso. 

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Ciabatti+discusses+Ducatis+GP13+lab+bike+1

Pirro In For Spies at Le Mans

Due to having to recover from injury, Ben Spies will not race his Ducati in the next MotoGP round at Le Mans in France, and team test rider Michele Pirro, will sub for him.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-pirro-in-for-spies-at-le-mans/

Motogp.com: Marquez Youngest ever MotoGP leader

Marc Marquez is racking up more and more records as the races go by.  Yours truly knows to be unbiased.  But, I have to admit, every time I watch a MotoGP race, I am becoming more and more of a fan of this guy.  He's going places already!

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/marquez+new+records

Moto 3: Spain

Here are the highlights of the Moto 3 race from the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Spain.

The weather is perfect.  The fans are ready for a great Moto 3 race.  Spaniards lock out the front row for this race.  Alex Rins has pole for this 23 lap race.  Livio Loi makes his debut as a Grand Prix motorcycle rider this season.  Alex Rins has his second career pole, and is also in the points lead.

At the start, Maverick Vinales challenges but can't get the lead over Alex Rins who heads the field.  Jack Miller, Jonas Folger, and Niccolo  Antonelli all got good starts, going through Sito Pons corner and into Dry Sac for the first time.  Rins leads Vinales and Salom at the present time.  Rins tries to break away.  It is difficult to break away at Jerez, into a lead.  The bikes run liner stern as Alex Marquez dumps his bike, and then continues.  He probably hit Jasper Iwema, and that's what caused the collision. 

Everyone is being cautious, but Jack Miller slides through Aspar corner.  Luis Salom runs fast lap at 1:46.2 as John McPhee moves to 17th place.  Vinales takes the lead through Dry Sac, starting another lap.  Brad Binder is being hounded by Jack Miller at the moment.  Vinales still leads over Rins at this moment.  Miller is running smoother through the corners, than Binder is.  Could he be losing grip with the tires?  Zulfammi Khairuddin and Miguel Oliviera battle, and Jakub Kornfeil is also in this scrum. 

Salom and Folger battle through the Jorge Lorenzo corner.  Niklas Ajo and Niccolo Antonelli are into this battle with Jack Miller and Brad Binder now.  Miller passes Binder going into Dry Sac again.  Jorge Navarro has dropped his bike.  He is the wildcard rider in Moto 3 at Jerez.  Ana Carrasco and Florian Alt battle for 23rd and 24th.  Alessandro Tonucci is also in this dice for the lower places.  Eric Granado is also being prssed.  Speaking of pressed, it looks like Alrx Rins is right up behind Maverick Vinales into the Sito Pons curve.

There are four bikes battling for the lead with sixteen laps remaining.  Livio Loi is running well in his first Moto 3 race.  The front few bikes are running single file, very similar to how Moto 3 went down at Circuit of the Americas a few weeks ago.  Antonelli has passed Jack Miller, and the battle won't quit.  Miguel Oliviera is going well.  Vinales continues to lead Rins and Luis Salom back through Dry Sac again.  Rins is slower than Vinales through the final corner.  Binder, Miller, and Ajo, run fifth, sixth, and seventh.  Folger still wants a podium this season.

Niccolo Antonelli gets squeezed by Zulhfammi Khairuddin.  The bikes run through the Criville and Ferrari corners.  This race is near it's halfway mark.  Tony Finsterbusch pits, and has had a fraught weekend here in Spain.  Alex Rins has crashed!  He does the same thing as a year ago, wrecking inthis race.  He wants to get back on the bike.  He came into this race with the championship lead!  He will rejoin, but he's not going to be a winner today.

Miguel Oliviera is slowing and Jack Miller has crashed, too.  The safety crews try shaking the gravel out of his bike, lifting it up.  Maverick Vinales is now in the race lead ahead of Luis Salom.  Jonas Folger could get a podium place.  Niccolo Antonelli crashes, and he's also a retirement.  Australian Arthur Sissis is now twelfth.  Brad Binder is now up to fourth position.  Ten laps remain now.  It's Vinales, Salom, and Folger, the top three.  Niklas Ajo, Efren Vazquez, and others, are now battling for position in the middle of the pack.  Khairuddin passes Vazquez.

Romano Fenati is running well.  Last year of course, he won this race, in the wet, by over half a minute.  Ana Carasco has crashed out of the race.  Nine laps left as Maverick Vinales tries his best to hold off Luis Salom.  He's got to book it to stay ahead.  Florian Alt is now out of this race.  He ditches his bike.  Jonas Folger will finish on the podium, albeit, alone, in third.  Luis Salom could have the pace to match Maverick Vinales.  But, he's hanging right in there at this point.  Folger continues to hang on with seven laps left.  Arthur Sissis is trying to hang with Alexis Masbou. 

Wait.  There's a red flag.  Alan Techer has had a hard crash.  We'll revert to lap 16 for scoring.  No, wait.  Fifteen.  This race is now over.  Maverick Vinales is the winner!

#25 Maverick Vinales     ESP     KTM Figueres

Let's hope Alan Techer will be OK.  But Luis Salom, meanwhile, is NOT a happy camper about finishing in second place.  Up next on the Moto 3 calendar along with Moto 2 and MotoGP is at Le Mans in France, at the Bugatti motorcycle circuit.  The race is in two weeks.

BSB: Lowes Takes Lead With Oulton Park Win

An update from the British Superbike Championship.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/bsb-lowes-takes-points-lead/

Moto 2: Spain

Here are the highlights of the Moto 2 race from Jerez, Spain.

This race will be 26 laps.  On the pole at Jerez, will be Tito Rabat.  Scott Redding and Taki Nakagaami are second and third.  Redding still leads Moto 2 points.

The bikes set off on their formation lap.  They're ready.  Here we go.

At the start, Rabat gets passed and it seems that Nico Terol has moved up a spot.  Actually, Rabat leads over Redding at the moment.  Pol Espargaro needs to pass coming into Dry Sac.  Rabat pulls away a bit and Redding will be able to bring everyone back going into the Ferrari croner.  Ratthpark Villairot is crashed out in the Ferrari corner as Nico Terol battles Pol Espargaro.  They are coming back through Sito Pons corner and into Dry Sac again.

Nico Terol battles his team mate Jordi Torres.  Axel Pons is in the pits.  Toni Elias slides into the corner trying to pass Mika Kallio and Simone Corsi.  The bikes are running in the 1:43 range and Rabat is fastest.  Rabat has had his first pole, but, he also wants his first win in Moto 2.  Julian Simon passes Mike Di Meglio. Toni Elias somehow misses taking out both Kallio and Corsi in replay.  Rabat resets fast lap but has Redding, Nakagami, and Espargaro, still coming.  Kyle Smith pits, and might have damage to his bike.  Scott Redding is beginning to close up.  Redding is currently the points leader in Moto 2.

Rabat sets another fastest lap.  Not sure of the time.  Nakagami is 7/10ths of a second behind Scott Redding right now.  Axel Pons is out of this race.  Tires and heat will be a big deal in this event.  Rabat resets fast lap in the 1:43 bracket.  Nakagaami wants a podium again, after crashing last time out at Circuit of the Americas.  Rabat brings fast lap down to a 1:43.119.  There are still 19 laps to run.  Make that 18.  Jordi Torres battles Xavier Simeon and Mika Kallio.  Julian Simon and Tom Luthi battle for position.

Scott Redding is still hanging in there in the top three, currently second, still behind Rabat.  The riders have to really concentrate and push as quick as they can.  Danny Kent falls off his bike, but continues.  He slid off of it in a minor, low side crash.  Marcel Schrotter leads Toni Elias.  Elias has won in the old 250cc class before.  Xavier Simeon has Dominik Aegerter and Mika Kallio, following.  Rathpark Villairot, as well as another rider, might have injuries after a crash.  Mike Di Meglio battles with Randy Krummenacher.  The helicopter camera looking above the race track, tells the story.

Rabat still has a lead margin at the moment.  Pol Espargaro is starting to close on Taki Nakagaami as Kyle Smith ditches the bike again.  Is there tire wear?  It's hard to tell if the tires are fading as this race has past it's half distance mark.  Kallio slides off his bike, too.  He's on the second Marc VDS machine.  He won Jerez in 250cc competition in 2008.  Twelve laps remain now.  Nakagaami is being hounded by Pol Espargaro.  Scott Redding runs 3/10ths quicker than Rabat, as Nakagami is slightly slower than Espargaro.

The gap is at a half a second now.  Eleven laps now remain.  Make that nine.  Not much action in the last two laps, except for a battle between Nakagami and Espargaro.  Pol Espargaro wants to pounce.  Nakagami is ahead as Espargaro will not be happy about being blocked.  The laps continue to click away.  Rabat continues to lead here at Jerez.  Xavier Simeon could get his best finish in Moto 2.  Jordi Torres fends off Simeon's challenge.

Espargaro closes up.  But, Nakagaami is faster.  Nakagaami wiggles the motorcycle.  Espargaro is half a second behind Taaki Nakagami now.  This race is flowing in a way, at least at the top.  However, the question is, does Nakagaami have enough?  Espargaro is closing up.  This is an intent battle.  Yours truly is trying to keep an eye on the TV set here.  They come to the Sito Pons corner.  Espargaro and Nakagaami batle for the final podium place.  Tito Rabat still leads this race.  The bikes com e through Jorge Lorenzo corner, and now, there's three laps left.

Back through Sito Pons corner.  Redding is ahead of Nakaggami.  Espargaro is actually taking it to Nakaggami who comes right back by in a huge battle.  This is the best battle on track right now, coming to the end of this race through the Alex Criville and Ferrari corners.  Espargaro is making the home crowd happy.  Into Dry Sac again.  Nakagaami was surprised by Espargaro.  Going back into Dry Sac, Nakagaami purposely goes wide to try and outbrake his rival.

Espargaro is now third.  Tito Rabat looks as if he's going to win this thing.  It's the final lap.  Rabat is going to win his first Moto 2 race, and his first Grand Prix, soon.  Can Nakagami make a last ditch effort to pass Espargaro?  He needs to make a move, now.  It's the last lap.  Espargaro will be third, and here's Tito Rabat.  He wins it!

#80 Esteve "Tito" Rabat     ESP     Kalex Barcelona

The next race for Moto 2 is in two weeks, in France.  The venue, Le Mans, at the Bugatti circuit which is intended for use by motorcycles.  That race, is in two weeks.

MotoGP round 3: Spain (abbreviated highlights)

Yours truly had events to attend to this weekend, but, here are the abbreviated highlights of the MotoGP race from Spain, at the Jerez Circuit.

Repsol Honda dominated with a 1-2 finish.  But, it was in reverse order this time, compared to last time out at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.  Dani Pedrosa beats his team mate Marc Marquez for the win.  The Yamaha's of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo followed in third and fourth place.  Hiroshi Aoyama was the last classified finisher in the event.  Five bikes ended up not being classified in the running order, due to retiring from the race.  The non-finishers include Stefan Bradl, Andrea Iannone, Lucas Pesek, Randy de Puniet, and Yonny Hernandez.

#26 Dani Pedrosa     ESP     Honda

Here's a video of the last lap craziness.

http://www.speedtv.com/video/moto-racing/motogp-marquez-and-lorenzo-collide-while-pedrosa-wins-spain-2013-2353942094001/1#_vtop

The next race in MotoGP will be the the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, on the Bugatti circuit, and that event will be run in two weeks.

More MotoGP news from Jerez

Even more headlines leading up to this weekend's MotoGP action at Jerez de la Frontera.

MOTOGP: Pedrosa second, Marquez optimistic
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-pedrosa-second-marquez-optimistic/

MOTOGP: Yamaha Duo Want More
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-yamaha-duo-want-more/

Finally, another story about Michele Pirro racing a third Ducati.

MOTOGP: Pirro Shakes Down Revised GP13
http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-pirro-shakes-down-revised-gp13/

Repsol Honda Team confident after Friday

The Repsol Honda squad has had a successful first practice session at Jerez for the MotoGP race.  Details, here.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Repsol+Honda+Team+confident+after+Friday

MOTOGP: Ducati Goes Three Deep At Jerez

Despite low expectations, the factory Ducati squad will add a third rider this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix.  That is, their test rider, Michele Pirro.  Here are the details.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-ducati-goes-three-deep-at-jerez/

Ducati Team expecting no miracles in Spain

As MotoGP heads into the European part of the season, not too much is sought after by the Ducati squad, except probably, to try and finish the race.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/ducati+preview+Jerez