Aspar Confirms New Aprilia Package for 2014

Valencia Spain's Aspar MotoGP team will run with a new Aprilia for the 2014 season, after mulling over a switch to Honda, but then, ultimately changing their minds. 

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Aspar+confirms+new+Aprilia+package+for+2014

In Memoriam: John Ross-MacRae

Rest In Peace, Canadian Superbike racer, John Ross-MacRae.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Calgary+motorcycle+racing+star+killed+crash+Quebec/8831562/story.html

FIM World Superbike Round 10: Silverstone

Three weeks ago, on August 4th, the latest round of the FIM World Superbike Championship was run at the Silverstone Circuit in Silverstone, England.

Race one, saw Johnny Rea from England take the victory, while in the second race, it was Frenchman, Loris Baz, on his Kawasaki, taking the honors.  Here are the race winners from Silverstone.

World Superbike race 1: #65 Jonathan Rea     GBR     Pata Honda World Superbike Honda CBR1000RR
World Superbike race 2: #76 Loris Baz           FRA     Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX10R
World Supersport race: #54 Kenan Sofuoglu   TUR     MAHI Racing Team India Kawasaki ZX6R
Superstock 1000 race: #1 Sylvain Barrier        FRA     BMW Motorrad Goldbet STK BMW S1000RR
                                                                                   HP4
Superstock 600 race:  #81 Alessnadro Nocco ITA      San Carlo Team Italia Kawasaki ZX6R

The next race, is this coming weekend, at the Nurburgring in Germany.

Moto 2 & Moto 3: Czech Republic

Here are the results of the support races for MotoGP at Brno last weekend.  Mika Kallio and Marc VDS Racing won the Moto 2 race ahead of Takaaki Nakagami and Tom Luthi.  Unclassified finishers in the race included Sandro Cortese, Mike Di Meglio, Marcel Schrotter, Alberto Moncayo, Alex de Angelis, Steve Odendaal, Gino Rea, and Julian Simon.  26 bikes finished the race.

#36 Mika Kallio     FIN     Kalex

In Moto 3, Spain dominates again, with Luis Salom taking the checkers over Maverick Vinales and Jonas Folger.  Five bikes did not see the checkered flag in Moto 3, including Lorenzo Baldassarri, Brad Binder, Juanfran Guevara, Isaac Vinales, and Niklas Ajo.

#39 Luis Salom     ESP     KTM

The next race for both Moto 2 and Moto 3, along with MotoGP is the British Grand Prix to be held at the Silverstone circuit, this weekend. 

MotoGP round 11: Czech Republic

MotoGP comes to Brno in the Czech Republic for the latest round of the MotoGP World Championship.  The question is, can anyone stop Marc Marquez.  Grand Prix motorcycles began racing in the Czech Republic, in 1950.  Marc Marquez is going for his fourth straight win.  But, Cal Crutchlow also wants to win his first race.  It's cool and cloudy, and rain could very well be a factor.  Cal Crutchlow will race for Ducati next year,  Also, Forward Racing is looking for new riders.  Pol Espargaro, Nicky Hayden, or perhaps, Marco Melandri, could be in contention for this ride.

This is Colin Edwards' current team.  Scott Redding might run for Gressini Honda.  Also, Ben Spies has a more severe broken collarbone than first thought, and hopefully, he'll be back before the end of the year.  In qualifying, Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo will start fourth and fifth.  Alvaro Bautista is second, and Colin Edwards is top CRT bike.  Cal Crutchlow has the pole.  Michele Pirro on Ben Spies' bike starts in row five.  Karel Abraham has a good starting spot.  His father, owns the Brno circuit.

We are ready to race.  Brno was constructed in 1987, and modified in 1996.  Momentum is big.  22 laps scheduled.  Cal Crutchlow might have a small problem.  Here we go.  At the start, Dani Pedrosa gets swamped as Jorge Lorenzo takes the lead.  Crutchlow and Alvaro Bautista fall back.  Lorenzo has a great start, and here comes Valentino Rossi past Bradley Smith.  Alvaro Bautista is pushing.  Andrea Dovizioso and Stefan Bradl are moving up, going into the Kevin Schwantz corner.

Pedrosa and Marquez battle each other coming back to turn one.  Marquez is hanging on, right behind Lorenzo, and Cal Crutchlow is fourth.  Stefan Bradl is also working on Bradley Smith.  Nicky Hayden is now tenth, passing Andrea Ianonne.  Pedrosa still tries to pass Marquez.  Pedrosa cannot pass his team mate.  Lorenzo runs fast lap at 1:56.3.  Hector Barbera has fallen down, and so has Claudio Corti.  Both of them went down at the same time.  Corti didn't even know Barbera was there.

Lukas Pesek also dumps his bike coming into the stadium section.  New race lap record for Marc Marquez, coming into the fourth lap of this race.  Can Bautista hold off Cal Crutchlow?  Yes.  He's up to fourth place.  Bradley Smith is out.  Game over.  Lorenzo still has the lead.  Cal Crutchlow retakes fourth place from Alvaro Bautista.  No change at the front.  Stefan Bradl is seventh.  There are other riders still in contention.  20 bikes remain on track.

Pedrosa is right behind Marquez.  The two Repsol Honda's are closing up on Lorenzo.  Will they make an early move?  There's still 12 laps left.  The next lap, is halfway.  Cal Crutchlow sets his personal best lap time.  Bradl is closing in on Valentino Rossi.  Martin Bauer, an Austrian wildcard rider, is lapped.  Going into Kevin Schwantz corner, the lead battle is still red hot.  Colin Edwards passes Michele Pirro.  Edwards is behind Aleix Espargaro now.  Will Marquez go for the lead?  He'll push like crazy.  No doubt about that.  Crutchlow has ditched his bike!  Ugh!

Can he get back in?  No.  He's a retirement.  Both Tech 3 bikes are out.  Darn.  Lorenzo holds the lead of this race.  Cal Crutchlow restarts the bike.  He was riding the bike the wrong way.  Mike Hailwood did that at the Isle of Man TT, once.  This is Jorge Lorenzo's race to lose.  He has to beat the Honda's.  It's the familiar three riders at the front of this field.  Valentino Rossi passes Alvaro Bautista into turn five.  Pedrosa chases Marc Marquez.  The two Repsol Honda tezam mates, are surely rivals. 

Ten laps remain now.  There are some small drops of rain.  Will it pour?  Not likely.  There are spots of rain out there, as Dani Pedrosa is still pushing.  Now, this track can be wet.  But, the white flag is shown, so they can change to the spare bike if they want to.  Hmmm.  Has race director Mike Webb made a decision here?  If it stays dry, they can run to the end of the race without pitting to get spare bikes.  The wet weather tires are ready.

The rain might still be heavy.  Jorge Lorenzo is going to keep going.  He's been the last to come in for wet tires and a new bike, on a number of occasions.  No intermediate tires in MotoGP.  You either run slicks or wets.  Lorenzo, Marquez, and Pedrosa, all run in the 1:56 bracket.  Seven laps to go now.  Since the white flag has been displayed, they can switch to the spare bike, if they want to.  Marquez goes inside Lorenzo!  Wow.  Marquez is pushing.  Lorenzo won't get away from the Repsol Honda's.  Lorenzo and Pedrosa had a fabulous battle here, last year.

Marquez goes up the inside.  Whoa!  Marquez leads for the first time.  Six laps remain.  What does Pedrosa have left?  Can he pass Lorenzo?  Lorenzo is the meat in a Repsol Honda sandwich.  Valentino Rossi continues to hold off Alvaro Bautista.  This is a big deal for Lorenzo.  Can he fightr Marquez?  Marquez shuts the door.  This is a big deal.  It's now a head to head battle between these three combatants.  Pedrosa and Lorenzo have been hurt.  But, not anymore.  They're healed, and they're giving Marquez what for. 

Pedrosa has to go for it, and right now.  Now, Alvaro Bautista has taken fourth from Valentino Rossi.  Jorge Lorenbzo dives to the inside of Marc Marquez.  But, Marquez wasn't going to be denied, as he's now in the lad, with just four laps left.  What does Dani Pedrosa have?  Three laps left.  Dovizioso and Hayden are battling, too.  But, it's now or never for Pedrosa.  He's got to make the move on Lorenzo, with Marquez ahead.  Pedrosa has to go, now.  Pedorsa naps the line from Lorenzo.  Does he have anything for his team mate?

Turns 13 and 14 will be key, 20 laps into a 22 lap race.  Marquez is now leading this race.  He won Moto 2 at Brno last year.  There's nothing Pedrosa can do.  Marquez could win his fourth consecutive race win.  Alvaro Bautista and Valentino Rossi still battle for fourth, with Stefan Bradl, sixth.  This race is pretty well over.  Throw everything you've got at Marquez, including the kitchen sink.  But, Marquez will dodge it.  Rossi passes Bautista.  Pedrosa will have to settle for second.  Marquez is going to four in a row!  It's his fifth win of the year!

#93 Marc Marquez     ESP     Honda

The next race for MotoGP is in Great Britain, at the Silverstone circuit, in Silverstone, England, next weekend.  So, there's little time to rest.  The race report, will be here.  Stay tuned, fans. 

Rabat to join Marc VDS Racing Team

For the 2014, Esteve "Tito" Rabat, will switch teams, and race in Moto 2 for Marc VDS Racing.  Details, here.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Rabat+to+join+Marc+VDS+Racing+Team

Pirro to replace unlucky Spies at Brno

Super sub, and Ducati test rider, Michele Pirro, of Italy, will replace Ben Spies at the next MotoGP race at Brno in the Czech Republic, this weekend.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Pirro+to+replace+unlucky+Spies+at+Brno

God Speed Gary Nixon

Tribute to the late, great, Gary Nixon.  He was a master on two wheels, on both dirt, and asphalt. 

MotoGP round 10: U.S.A. (Indianapolis)

MotoGP is the top class.  As we all know, these bikes, are the fastest of all.  This season has been crazy, because of new rider, Marc Marquez, turning the world championship competition on it's ear.  Can Marquez win a third race in the United States?  Can he become the youngest rider to win the world championship, beating the mark set by three-time MotoGP champ, Freddie Spencer? 

What will happen with Nicky Hayden?  He wants to stay in MotoGP.  But, it's possible he could also go to World Superbike.  If he did, and won the championship, he'd win titles in all three major championships.  Time will tell as to where he ends up.  It was confirmed yesterday that MotoGP will be back next year at Indianapolis, and for the foreseeable future.  Ben Spies had a huge high side.  He has broken his collarbone.  He had a high side crash.

His team has allowed the broadcast team at Fox Sports, to use the bike as a display for their TV telecast.  For Dani Pedrosa, pain is temporary, but regret, can last forever.  He wanted to be a racer.  Pedrosa was points leader until crashing in Germany.  Hopes are still alive for Pedrosa to win a first world championship title.  Valentino Rossi is the other contender in this race, and of course, readers will know of his success, taking a win earlier this year, for the first time in three years.

Valentino Rossi is one of the most decorated riders in the sport.  But, last year, with Ducati, he had a terrible time.  He's back on a Yamaha this year, and has very much improved.  Not only that.  But, his win in Holland, cemented the fact that he's one of the greats of the sport.  Rossi has won nine championships.  He is also, a very charismatic human being.  It's time for pre-race ceremonies.

Up to a dozen crew members have worked on the bikes to prep them for this moment.  This track is 2.62 miles, and it has 16 turns.  Qualifying hights.  Hector Barbera crashes early.  All the riders pushed as hard as they could.  Andrea Ianonne had a good qualifying session.  That was Q1.  In Q2, Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez, and Dani Pedrosa, will start on the front row.  In this race, Blake Young is the wildcard rider.  The bikes are on their warmup lap.

Warm up your tires.  The tires still need to be scrubbed off.  This race will be 27 laps.  It's 70 miles, and one lap fewer than last year.  At the start, Lorenzo leads over Pedrosa and Marquez.  The field makes their way through the first lap.  Lorenzo and Pedrosa are fighting back from injuries.  Theey want to show something to Marc Marquez.  Bradley Smith runs ahead of Cal Crutchlow.  They are the Tech 3 Yamaha team mates.  Blake Young crashes out of the race on his CRT bike.

It's game over Blake Young.  He'll be back next year.  Crutchlow passes Bradley Smith.  Cal Crutchlow is making inroads on Marquez.  Next year, Cal Crutchlow replaces Nicky Hayden at Ducati.  Stefan Bradl has been running well.  But, he did have a crash in practice.  Still, he's running wel.  Bradl was the first German in the modern era of MotoGP to win a pole.  Pedrosa sets fast lap at 1:39.488.  He's a tenth up on Lorenzo.  But, Jorge Lorenzo keeps the lead.

Cal Crutchlow is moving up.  He wants his first podium in a U.S. race.  Tbese are the wildest motorcycles on the planet.  The riders are up to the challenge.  Pedrosa is a two-time winner at Indy.  Marc Marquez resets fast lap at 1:39.4.  Guest commentator Randy Mammola, (a former rider), explains that calling these races strictly based on lap time, is very difficult to do.  Valentino Rossi is eighth behind Bradley Smith, with the Ducati's of Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso in tow.

Valentino Rossi runs a 1:39.9 compared to a 1:39.6 for Jorge Lorenzo.  Lorenzo runs a 1:39.664.  New fast lap.  Randy de Puniet is out of this race.  Game over.  He's the second retirement, along with Blake Young.  Lorenzo has a new helmet design, with a green mamba snake on it.  He strikes, like a snake, when he needs to.  The pit crew shows their riders the information of gaps on their pit boards.  If the gap has a plus sign, it's more confidence for the riders.

Alvaro Bautista sets fast lap, and goes after Cal Crutchlow.  The bikes are topping 209 miles an hour on the front straight here at The Brickyard.  Mike "The Bike" Hailwood would drag his foot, at 45 degrees, making his feet bleed from out of his riding boots.  Today, these guys can lean over 63 degrees.  The battle for second heats up.  Lorenzo still leads.  But it's a battle between the Repsol Honda team mates.  Marquez has second.  Pedrosa wants it.  Can Marquez sweep the U.S. rounds of the championship?  All the riders are running the soft tire.

Marquez is right on top of Lorenzo.  Bridgestone is developing a new, even softer tire.  The riders can make the tires last longer, because of the electronic assistance, built into the motorcycle.  The harder front tires, help with the more aggressive riding styles the riders have, with their lean angle and so forth.  Marquez wants his fourth win, and his third in the U.S.  Kenny Roberts won four races on the way to his rookie title in 1978.  Roberts could start another MotoGP team, which he's done before.

Marquez can't get by Lorenzo at the moment.  Lorenzo is looking good, but here comes Marquez, and he sticks it!  Can Marequz work his magic?  Ooh.  He slips.  But, he stays on the bike.  The track layout is something the riders like.  But, the track may need to be repaved.  MotoGP will be back at The Brickyard, in the coming years.  Alvaro Bautista and Cal Crutchlow battle.  The riders drift to pit wall for a millisecond, and then, swing out onto the straight to set up turn one.

Some of these guys run on one wheel briefly coming to the front straight.  Marc Marquez has won two Moto 2 races at Indyu.  Lukas Pesek is another retirement from this race.  The race is closing up with less than ten laps remaining.  Crutchlow passes by Alvaro Bautista again.  Hee gets a better drive into the right hander.  Swinging your leg out, distributes your weight evenly on the motorcycle, and that's why a lot of riders, use that technique.

Crutchlow slides a little bit.  Blake Young is out.  Ben Spies couldn't start.  Nicky Hayden and Colin Edwards are still in it.  Jorge Lorenzo was the last non-Honda rider to win a race in the U.S.  Yonny Hernandez is out of the race.  Game over for the Colombian on the Paul Bird Motorsports ART bike.  Eight laps to go now.  There are vast distinctions between a MotoGP bike and a street bike.  The hweelbase is longer.  The engine has more power.  The MotoGP bikes have carbon brakes as well.  They stiffen the bike, and have great stopping power.

You can buy a Honda CBR1000RR with the Repsol MotoGP paint scheme.  But, the CBR1000 is more to the spec of a World Superbike, than a MotoGP machine.  Valentino Rossi runs seventh, and is the only rider besides the top three, in the 1:39 bracket for lap times.  Marquez stays in the lead.  Can Valentino Rossi close in on Stefan Bradl?  Four laps to go.  Valentino Rossi has made it to sixth.  He wants to pass Crutchlow and Bautista.

Cal Crutchlow loses some time.  Rossi tries getting a run on Crutchlow as Bautista gaps them both.  Rossi tries Bautista.   No dice.  Lorenzo and Pedrosa continue their fight as Marc Marquez pulls away.  He is on his way to winning a third race in the United States.  Pedrosa passes Lorenzo for second down the straight.  Only two laps remain now.  Rossi makes a pass on Bautista.  Can he pass Crutchlow next?  Marquez is earning respect quickly.  This is the last lap.  Will Rossi pass Crutchlow?  It's going to be a Repsol Honda 1-2.

Rossi runs wide and gets passed back by Cal Crutchlow.  Can Rossi try again?  This is like Harley Davidson dirt track racing?  Oh.  Rossi's stuck.  He's not going to make it.  But Marc Marquez sweeps the United States at Austin, Laguna Seca, and Indy!  Rossi gets past Crutchlow and holds on for fourth!  Here come Ducati's.  Nicky Hayden passes Dovizioso, but Bradley Smith got by both of them!  What a finish!  It's like a triple jump Supercross finish.  Holy cow!  What a race, folks!

#93 Marc Marquez     ESP     Honda

The next MotoGP race is in the Czech Republic at the Brno Autodrome, next weekend. 

Moto 2: Indianapolis

It's time for Moto 2.  The 600cc bikes, will be let loose, soon.

This race marks halfway in the Moto 2 season.  Scott Redding and Pol Espargaro are the two main title combatants.  Moto 2 bikes have specialized chassis, with custom built bodywork.  James Rispoli from the United States, will make his Moto 2 debut, today.  Rispoli runs AMA 600 Supersport in the United States.  He is a wildcard rider.

The bikes are on the grid before their warmup lap.  Taakaki Nakagami is on the front row in third.  Pol Espargaro starts second, and on pole, is Scott Redding.  The field is on track.  We're ready to race.  This race will be 25 laps.  The temperatures continue to climb.  These guys ride custom made chassis' and they are much lighter than a typical 600cc street bike.  These are quicker than the old 750cc machines from the United States, too.

The grid is set.  Time to race!  At the start, Redding looks to get the jump, and, he's in the lead with Pol Espargaro second.  Takaaki Nakagami is moving up and is now third.  It's a clean start.  Esteve Rabat is fourth.  Nakagaami is pushing Scott Redding.  Julian Simon is also up there on bike #60.  They are now into the tightest section of corners just before going down the front straight.  Nakagaami has the lead.  Nico Terol is pushing Esteve Rabat.  Espargaro gets sideways into turn six.

Get out front early.  Dominique Aegerter on bike #77 is fifth.  Nico Terol is running with the leadeers now.  Aegerter gets around Rabat for fifth spot.  Nakagaami has fast lap so far at 1:44.3.  Nakagaami is running well, and was quickest in the first free practice session.  Nico Terol is moving to the front.  Get as small as you can, tuck behind thee fairing, and use aerodynamics to your advantage.  Keep elbows and knees in.  Scott Redding will be in MotoGP next year.  It is unclear as to which team he'll ride for.

Johann Zarco runs twelfth right now.  Nakagaami continues to lead.  Pol Espargaro holds third, with Nico Terol, chasing.  Like Moto 3, these guys didn't race at Laguna Seca last time out.  So, they too, have had a break, until now.    Nico Terol is in a battle with Dominique Aegerter and Esteve Rabat.  The bikes lighten up as fuel burns off.  Nakagaami hadn't started on the front row since the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.  Nakagaami runs a 1:43.7 and Scott Redding, a 1:44 flat.  Redding is trying to save his tires.

Can Nakagaami lead?  Redding is trying to win three intermediate class GP races in a single season.  Phil Read did that in 1971.  Mattia Passini's race is run.  He is a DNF.  Nico Terol is running well.  But the battle to watch is Redding vs. Nakagaami.  James Rispoli is running well.  He's in 25th, running a Tech 3 chassis.  There's just three of those chassis.  Louis Rossi, is running another one.  Rispoli wants to get into this, and see if, maybe, he'll have an opportunity to race in the world championship.

But, it's tough.  The competition in this class is so stiff.  Pol Espargaro has been running well.  He won last time out at Assen in Holland.  Espargaro wants to reach the top three.  Nakagaami is running a flawless race.  Nakagaami runs a 1:43.722.  Redding is also in and out of the 1:43 range.  Dominik Aegerter is a tough one to pass.  He's after Nico Terol, too.  Terol won the U.S. round for Moto 2 in Austin, Texas, back in March.

Nakagaami is the only rider to run in the 1:43 bracket.  Nakagaami has the front end of the bike wash out.  But, he's hanging right in there.  Twelve laps remain in this race.  Nakagaami also has the back end of the bike step out.  But, he stays with it.  Thios race is just over halfway done.  Nakagaami is still going for it.  Ten laps remain as Rabat is going after Dominik Aegerter.  Nakagaami is managing the bike well at the moment.  Rabat passes Aegerter for fith as Nakagaami has another bobble.  He can't keep getting loose.

Rabat passes Terol.  Can he get by Scott Redding?  Six laps left, as Aegerter and Terol battle for fifth place.  Espargaro is second.  Marc Marquez has won this race the last two years.  He'll be in MotoGP, coming up next.  Rabat and Espargaro are battling for position.  Five laps remain in this race.  Rabat is closing quickly.  Rabat won in Spain earlier this year, and had his first Moto 2 podium, in 2011, at Indianapolis.  Nakagaami has used up his rear tire.  Redding passes Espargaro.

Redding is into a podium place.  Taaki Nakagami is being seriously hounded by Tito Rabat.  Rabat makes a move.  Nakagaami can't reply to that move.  Dominik Aegerter is closing on Pol Espargaro.  This is it.  This is for all the marbles in Moto 2.  Espargaro goes inside of Rddding, and Redding is trying his best to respond.  Rabat leads this.  He's looking for his second win of 2013.  Redding passes Nakagami.  Nakagami is fading.

Redding could still get on the podium.  Redding is pushing.  Can he take the spot from Nakagaami?  It's the final lap.  It's crunch time.  Dominik Aegerter goes deep and Pol Espargaro holds him off.  Tito Rabat is going to win this race, should there be no more incidents.  Tito Rabat wins at Indianapolis!

#80 Esteve Rabat     ESP     Kalex Barcelona

James Rispoli has a good finish as the wildcard rider in this race.  The next Moto 2 race is next weekend at the Automotodrom Brno in Brno, Czech Republic. 

Moto 3: Indianapolis

The legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the venue for the latest MotoGP round.  There are arenas in sports that make events special, and events that make venues special.  MotoGP has run at Indianapolis for the last six years, and the first race at Indianapolis, was a motorcycle race.  Who will win today?  First up, it's the junior category, and Moto 3, followed by Moto 2, and MotoGP.

Only 25 men have won MotoGP championships.  Giacomo Agostini and Valentino Rossi, have eight, and sevn titles, respectively.  The bikes weight 350 pounds, and have 1000cc, four stroke, four cylinder motors, with 250 horsepower.  Theese guys, as you know, are right on the limit.  MotoGP is a true world championship.  Nine countries are represented.  There are three classes.  Moto 3 will be first, and Moto 2.  Moto 2 are the 600cc bikes.  But, Moto 3, with 350cc motors, they are also real competitive.

The pipeline from America to Europe, has closed off a bit.  Will there be an American rider in the AMA series, who could step up to MotoGP?  Time will tell.  Jack Miller has an underpowered bike.  But, he'll be up there.  The race is five minutes away.  Unlike most of the MotoGP races, yours truly, will post highlights, as they happen.  So, look for a lot of information about the motorcycle races today, on the pages, of the 2 wheelin' blog.

33 bikes will start.  In qualifying, Luis Salom fell, and will start tenth.  Salom will be fine.  Maverick Vinales starts on the front row.  Alex Marquez is at the front, and on pole, Alex Rins.  The bikes are on track for their warmup lap.  23 laps scheduled, equaling 60 miles.  The track is at 87 degrees.  So, it's very cool.  Jack Miller and Arthur Sissis, are running the harder rear tires.

At the start, things are already shuffling.  Alex Rins overcooks it and there's a rider down already.  Not sure who.  Rins got shuffled back.  Arthur Sissis is the early leader.  The bikes are still single file.  Jasper Iwema fell down earlier.  Maverick Vinales is now fourth.  The bikes are bunched up at the moment.  The leader will let people pass early.  Watch Luis Salom, in sixth place.  Alex Marquez tries to get by, but Maverick Vinales is the new leader.

Vinales runs fast lap at 1:48.7.  Rins passes Sissis.  Luis Salo is clawing his way through this field.  Ooh.  Jack Miller has crashed.  Off turn one and into turn two, he's high sided off the bikes.  Ouch!  The medical crews are helping him.  Randy Mamola, is a guest commentator for this race.  He is a MotoGP champion in his own right.  Look at the lap times.  Well, resume the race.  Miguel Oliviera and Jakub Kornfeil are running lower down the order.

These riders are into a rhythm.  Alessandro Baldassari and Eirc Granado, and Juanfran Guevara, have all crashed.  Rins, Vinales, and Marquez, remain the top three, with sixteen laps left.  Brad Binder is slow.  So, he's going to be a DNF.  Rins continues to lead after his fourth pole of the year.  Folger, Sissis, and Salom are running together.  Rins is running well.  But, some of these guys, they're going to plot strategies to go for the win, with a few laps to go.

Jonas Folger is languishing, as we see a replay of the start.  Rins did well into turn one, and then, he started to fall down the order.  The super slow motion pictures from the world feed cameras, are astonishing to watch.  Thirteen laps to go.  So, the race is over half done.  Rins, Vinales, and Marquez, continue to scrap for the race lead.  Vinales slides through the corner into turn one.  Well, actually it started coming down the straight and into the turn.

Rins and Vinales are making their moves.  But Rins, he wants to keep pulling out a gap.  Salom is now fifth, passing Arthur Sissis.  Jack Miller fractures his right collarbone in the wreck from earlier.  Because the contact patch on the tires is so small, Moto 3 bikes have the hardest compound tires.  Francesco Bagnaia on the #4 bike, slides off the track.  He might have a problem.   Bagnaia continues.  Zulfahmi Khairuddin fights for seventh with Efren Vazquez.

Alex Marquez still needs a podium.  He has been in the top five in the last five races.  But, time will tell what happens.  Salom races Folger, as they glide over the newly painted curbs, going through turn sixteen.  Efren Vazquez is having trouble with his bike.  Smoke is pouring from the bike.  The engine is going sour.  Four laps left.  Things are now getting serious.  Who will get the win?  Maverick Vinales runs consistently in the 1:48s.  Luis Salom has had a tough time of it.  For Efren Vazquez, it's game over.

Alex Marquez goes to the front of the pack.  Just two laps to go now.  Rins tries to draft his team mate.  They're right together.  It's Rins in front over Marquez.  Who will win?  It's the last lap of Moto 3 at Indy.  Marquez looks inside, rolling into the throttle early.  Rins continues to lead.  Will he sweep Moto 3 in the U.S.A.?  Remember, he won earlier in the year at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Rins does it!  Alex Marquez gets his first career Moto 3 podium.  Luis Salom, (last year's winner), is fourth.

#42 Alex Rins     ESP     KTM

The next Moto 3 race, is at the Brno Autodrome in the Czech Republic, next weekend.  Moto 2 is up next, folks.       

Lorenzo 'feeling good' as Rossi tries two bikes

Yamaha's Friday at Indianapolis, during practice for the Indianapolis Grand Prix tomorrow.  The three races, Moto 3, Moto 2, and MotoGP, will be highlighted, here, as per usual, one entry, per race, which will be posted on successive days.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/yamaha+reviews+indianapolis+friday

Marquez on top as MotoGP returns to action

Marc Marquez was quickest in opening practice for the MotoGP Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this weekend.  Here's the story.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/marquez+indianapolis+fp1+motogp

Riders re-group as Indianapolis weekend begins

A preview of this weekend's return to action for MotoGP at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/press+conference+indianapolis

Yamaha Factory Racing boosted after test

Here's what is expected for Yamaha in the second half of the MotoGP season, after their recent test at the Brno Autodrom in the Czech Republic.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Yamaha+Factory+Racing+boosted+after+test

FIM World Superbike rule changes

From the Facebook page 2 Wheeled News & Views.

WSBK

The following rule changes, aimed at "reducing costs for the motorcycle and its components", have just been announced for the 2014 World Superbike Championship.

The full statement can be seen below, but the highlights are:

MotoGP-style limits on engine changes, an end to manufacturers providing superior bikes to factory or favoured teams - all official machinery will be available on request - plus the introduction of a new EVO class using Superstock specification engines and electronics...

"Following various meetings between the FIM, Dorna and the MSMA, a new framework has been put in place for the progressive application of the new Superbike rules. The new rules are aimed at reducing costs for the motorcycle and its components.

"1. The rules changes for the 2014 FIM Superbike World Championship season will be as follows:
* A limited number of engines (eight) per rider/per season.
* A limited number of gear ratios.
* A price cap on the brakes.
* A price cap on the suspensions.

"2. In order to ensure that there are a sufficient number of riders with competitive motorcycles on the grid, the MSMA [Manufacturers' Association] has agreed to provide, on request, a complete motorcycle package at a fixed price, for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016. The motorcycle packages supplied will be the same as those used by the manufacturer and will receive certain updates and maintenance from the manufacturers during the season.

"3. Under the new rules, there will be a sub-category known as the EVO class. This class will follow the FIM Superbike technical regulations for all chassis, suspension and brake components. On the engine and electronics side, however, these motorcycles will follow the present FIM Superstock rules. The price cap on brakes and suspensions will be the same as Superbike."

AMA Round 5: Laguna Seca, Red Bull United States Grand Prix

Round five of the 2013 AMA championship, took place two weeks ago at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, on the same weekend as the MotoGP event.  Josh Hayes won by seven seconds in the first, 23 lap Superbike contest, over his team mate at Monster Energy Yamaha, Josh Herrin.

#1 Josh Hayes     Yamaha R1

Yamaha extended their dominance in Supersport.  Cameron Beaubier took another victory, over his team mate, Garrett Gerloff.

#6 Cameron Beaubier     Yamaha YZF R6

In the Supersport race, it was a closely fought victory, for Joe Roberts, on the California Superbike School Honda CBR 600 RR, just narrowly beating his rival, Tomas Puerta, riding the #12 Road Race Factory Yamaha YZF R6.

#2 Joe Roberts              Honda CBR 600 RR

A race also happened for the AMA riders at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooelle, Utah, this past weekend.  An update of that race and it's outcome, will be posted soon.  Stay tuned, fans.

Stoner not planning wildcard appearance

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble.  But, Casey Stoner is not coming back to MotoGP racing just for a wildcard shot.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Stoner+not+planning+wildcard+appearances

Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki all set for testing

MotoGP teams from Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki, are set to test this week.  Suzuki, will be returning to the championship in 2015.  Here are the details.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/test%20motegi%20brno%20preview

OFFICIAl; Crutchlow To Ducati, Espargaro To Yamaha

Cal Crutchlow is set to move to Ducati in 2014, while Pol Espargaro, makes the jump from Moto 2 to the big leagues, running for Yamaha, next year.

http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/motogp-official-crutchlow-to-ducati-espargaro-to-yamaha/

Cal Crutchlow's future in MotoGP

From the Facebook page called 2 Wheel News And Views.

MotoGP

Cal Crutchlow has taken a massive career gamble by accepting the tough challenge of transforming Ducati’s flagging fortunes in MotoGP next season.

The British rider rejected an improved pay deal to stay with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad and will be reunited with former teammate Andrea Dovizioso on a factory Desmosedici in 2014.

The former World Supersport champion had until last Saturday to give Yamaha an answer on a final take or leave it offer that he got on the eve of the German round in Sachsenring earlier this month.

Yamaha’s offer included a factory contract and a pay hike from the Japanese factory, which management said was an ‘extraordinary’ step to convince Crutchlow to remain on a YZR-M1 for a fourth season.

One of Crutchlow’s priorities though in lengthy negotiations with Yamaha was the cast iron assurance that he would secure a switch to its works team in 2015.

Unwilling to make such a commitment so far in advance, Yamaha refused to guarantee Crutchlow a place in a star-studded squad currently made up of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, who have won 13 world titles between them, including nine in MotoGP.

During the recent US Grand Prix round at Laguna Seca, Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis said: “There is a proposal on the table from Tech 3 to retain him. What we have offered is that Cal can have a contract direct with us if he wants. We are also making a financial contribution to try and make the Tech 3, Monster and Yamaha project work.

"Yamaha has made a contribution, which is unusual. It is an extraordinary step that we are doing but that is it. That is our limit. It is up to Cal to evaluate his options.

"Maybe money will be the deciding factor but in my opinion you should also weigh up the potential for results and performance. The money is very important to these riders and there is only so much money.

"Yamaha already has two factory riders who are quite well paid, so we have our limitations. We would love to see Cal stay and what we can offer is a competitive team and bike and I think a good money offer.

"If Cal chooses something else that's up to him. Cal is having a fabulous year and doing a great job. If we had a space in the factory team we would consider Cal but we have Valentino and Jorge (Lorenzo) who have two year contracts, simple as that."

Crutchlow had also been linked with a move to the LCR Honda squad for next season but Stefan Bradl’s breakthrough weekend in Laguna Seca last month, where the German scored a career first pole position and podium in the premier class, secured the 2011 Moto2 world champion his RC213V place.

Crutchlow’s decision to walk away from a Yamaha YZR-M1 that has powered him to a career first pole position and four podiums in a stellar 2013 to ride the beastly and brutal Desmosedici will be seen by many as a massive gamble.

The Desmosedici is the bike that destroyed the morale of Italian legend Valentino Rossi and is now tormenting Italian Dovizioso, who scored four podiums more than Crutchlow when the pair were at Tech 3 in last season.

The Ducati deal will make Crutchlow wealthy beyond his wildest dreams but he has taken on the toughest job in racing.

Crutchlow has managed more podiums in the opening nine races of 2013 than Rossi managed in his entire torrid two-year stint at Ducati and the Desmosedici is consistently hammered by Yamaha and Honda.

The last time he spoke publicly about the prospect of riding the fearsome Desmosedici, Crutchlow said he was not scared about its reputation.

He said: “Who is to say the Ducati won’t change? It depends who they have in Ducati and what they do to the bike. Maybe it will come better but I am not scared. Why would I be scared? Is there something to be scared of? Is there a ghost?”

At Laguna Seca recently, Ducati boss Paolo Ciabatti told MCN of the Bologna factory’s desire to sign Crutchlow and he said: "Cal is the only rider capable of being constantly in the top positions that still doesn’t have a contract and obviously we are interested in Cal.

"Yamaha is interested and I understand that also Honda is interested in making him an offer. At this point we have explained what our plan can be with us and it is up to him to give us an answer.

"Cal has all the features that fit into being an ideal Ducati rider in terms of charisma and riding style. But we are not the only ones willing to come to an agreement with him. Obviously it will be important to get Cal on board but if not we will take the best choice according to what we think are the best riders on the market.”

Confirmation of Crutchlow’s big money switch to Ducati means that current teammate Bradley Smith’s seat in Tech 3 is secured and that current Moto2 world championship contender Pol Espargaro will join him on a YZR-M1 machine.

Smith’s future had been the subject of intense speculation while Yamaha was negotiating a contract extension with Crutchlow.

With Spaniard Espargaro already signed months ago on a contract direct with Yamaha in Japan, had Crutchlow agreed to stay then Smith would have been frozen out.

Marquez reviews first half of 2013

As we look forward to the second half of the 2013 MotoGP season, here's an interview with Marc Marquez about how he thinks his season has gone so far.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2013/Marc+Marquez+reviews+first+half+of+2013