Thursday, March 31, 2016

More MotoGP news

News from MotoGP, via motorsport.com, starting with post-race news from the first race in Qatar, and continuing to more recent news, as MotoGP races in Argentina, this weekend.

Marquez: Honda must work on acceleration deficit to rivals

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/marquez-honda-must-work-on-acceleration-deficit-to-rivals-681239/?s=1

Lorenzo: Soft tyre gamble "made me win the race"

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/lorenzo-soft-tyre-gamble-made-me-win-the-race-681244/?s=1

Crutchlow says electronics issues caused crash

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/crutchlow-says-electronics-issue-caused-crash-681256/?s=1

Iannone: "I had the speed to fight with Lorenzo"

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/iannone-i-had-the-speed-to-fight-with-lorenzo-681265/?s=1

Rossi "didn't have the speed to attack" for Qatar podium

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-didn-t-have-the-speed-to-attack-for-qatar-podium-681264/?s=1

News Editor for motorsport.com, Jamie Klein, rates the riders, after the season opener in Qatar.

Qatar MotoGP: Motorsport.com's rider ratings

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/qatar-motogp-motorsport-com-s-rider-ratings-681323/?s=1

Pedrosa: I'm too far behind the leaders

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/pedrosa-i-m-too-far-behind-the-leaders-681337/?s=1

Espargaro to stick with 2015 Suzuki after "worst moment" of his career

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/espargaro-to-stick-with-2015-suzuki-after-worst-moment-of-his-career-681346/?s=1

Smith: KTM's been "very successful" in everything it tried

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/smith-ktm-s-been-very-successful-in-everything-it-tried-681363/?s=1

Stoner continues to shrug off Ducati race return speculation

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/stoner-continues-to-shrug-off-ducati-race-return-speculation-681472/?s=1

Rossi: Ducati can threaten for 2016 title

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-ducati-can-threaten-for-2016-title-681399/?s=1

Lorenzo says he only has Yamaha offer

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/lorenzo-says-he-only-has-yamaha-offer-681573/?s=1

Randy Mamola joins Motorsport.com
http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/randy-mamola-joins-motorsport-com-681654/?s=1

Stoner completes Qatar test for Ducati
http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/stoner-completes-qatar-test-for-ducati-681749/?s=1

Redding sets sights on Tech3 duo for Argentina

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/redding-sets-sights-on-tech-3-duo-for-argentina-681767/?s=1

Pirro to replace Petrucci in Argentina MotoGP round

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/pirro-to-replace-petrucci-in-argentina-motogp-round-681832/?s=1

Randy Mamola writes a commentary on Valentino Rossi.

Randy Mamola: The two sides of Valentino Rossi

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/randy-mamola-the-two-sides-of-valentino-rossi-681825/?s=1

Yamaha ready to give Lorenzo more time for contract decision

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/yamaha-ready-to-give-lorenzo-more-time-for-contract-decision-681971/?s=1

Espargaro baffled by visor problems in Qatar

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/espargaro-baffled-by-visor-problems-in-qatar-681994/?s=1

An interview, with Jack Miller.

Miller relieved to score points after "disaster" qualifying

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/miller-relieved-to-score-points-after-disaster-qualifying-682103/?s=1

MotoGP Editor for motorsport.com, Oriol Puigdemont, with translation by News Editor Pablo Elizalde, looks back at the race in Qatar.

Qatar MotoGP debrief: Lorenzo's land, Rossi's doubts

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/qatar-motogp-debrief-lorenzo-s-land-rossi-s-doubts-682181/?s=1

Bradl encouraged by Aprilia pace prior to crash

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/bradl-encouraged-by-aprilia-pace-prior-to-crash-681936/?s=1

Honda reaps benefits of Magneti Marelli input

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/honda-reaps-benefits-of-magneti-marelli-input-682571/?s=1

Lorenzo has "super offer" from Ducati - Agostini

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/lorenzo-has-super-offer-from-ducati-agostini-682696/?s=1

Ducati focused on corner grip after breaking speed record

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/ducati-focussed-on-corner-grip-after-breaking-speed-record-682966/?s=1

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

More World Superbike news after Thailand

It has been a while since the Thailand round of the FIM World Superbike Championship.  But, here's news, that came, after that race was completed.

Sykes: "Great feeling" to break Rea streak in Thailand fight

http://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/sykes-great-feeling-to-break-rea-streak-in-thailand-fight-679241/?s=1

Hayden "learned a lot" on tough Buriram weekend

http://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/hayden-learned-a-lot-on-tough-buriram-weekend-
679257/?s=1

Ducati "missing that last bit" to beat the Kawasaki's - Davies

http://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/ducati-missing-that-last-bit-to-beat-the-kawasakis-davies-679284/?s=1

...And, a preview, of the next race, in Aragon, Spain, this weekend.  Yours truly, will have all the race highlights.

WorldSBK: The Men Who Would Be King
http://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/worldsbk-the-men-who-would-be-king-682627/?s=1


Tuesday, March 29, 2016

MotoGP news

The latest, from MotoGP, in all three classes, as riders and teams, head to Argentina, to race, this weekend.  Plus, to start things off, we go old school, and relive three great South American MotoGP races.  2002 MotoGP in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, 2003 125cc, also in Rio de Janiero, and last year's epic MotoGP race in Argentina, which, you would have read about, here, on 2 Wheelin'.

Classics: Relive 3 of the best South American GPs

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/29/classics-relive-3-of-the-best-south-american-gps/196351

Bradley Smith continues point-scoring run

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/29/bradley-smith-continues-point-scoring-run/196885

Espargaro: "We've got to keep the momentum going"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/29/espargaro-we-ve-got-to-keep-the-momentum-going/196896

Agostini: "Ducati has made Lorenzo a super offer"

http://www.motogp.com/en/in%20the%20media/2016/03/29/agostini-ducati-has-made-lorenzo-a-super-offer/196906

Marquez: "We haven't had a winter test here to count on"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/29/marquez-we-haven-t-had-a-winter-test-here-to-count-on/196914

Bradl: "We need to get some kilometres in"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/29/bradl-we-need-to-get-some-kilometres-in/196918

20 Years of the LCR Team
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/29/20-years-of-the-lcr-team/196928

Intermediate class head to Argentina with growing potential

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/29/intermediate-class-head-to-argentina-with-growing-potential/196463

#StatAttack: Moto2 back to Argentina
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/29/statattack-moto2-back-to-argentina/196886

Lowes: "Last year I was competitive"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/29/lowes-last-year-i-was-competitive/196901

Moto3 championship wide-open as battle resumes in Argentina

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/28/moto3-championship-wide-open-as-battle-resumes-in-argentina/196370

#StatAttack:Riders look to carry success to Argentina

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/29/statattack-riders-look-to-carry-success-to-argentina/196887


Monday, March 28, 2016

More MotoAmerica rider interviews

More interviews, with riders from MotoAmerica.

On The Record: Toni Elias, Moto2 World Champion
http://www.motoamerica.com/on-record-toni-elias-moto2-world-champion

Two Minutes with Bobby Fong, Superstock 1000 Racer

http://www.motoamerica.com/two-minutes-with-bobby-fong-motoamerica-superstock-1000-racer

On The Record: Claudio Corti, Aprilia HSBK Racing Rider
http://www.motoamerica.com/on-record-claudio-corti-aprilia-hsbk-racing-rider


Sunday, March 27, 2016

MotoAmerica COTA testing

All you need to know, from the recent MotoAmerica test session at Circuit of the Americas, in Austin, Texas. 

Ready, Set, Go!  MotoAmerica Dunlop Preseason Test Begins Now

http://www.motoamerica.com/ready-set-go-motoamerica-preseason-test-powered-by-dunlop-begins-now

Goodbye Braking Bumps: Garrett Gerloff Talks COTA Track Mods
http://www.motoamerica.com/goodbye-braking-bumps-garrett-gerloff-talks-cota-track-mods

Yoshimura Suzuki Unveils 2016 Superbike Livery at COTA test
http://www.motoamerica.com/yoshimura-suzuki-unveils-2016-superbike-livery-at-cota-test

Beaubier, Roberts Lead Day One of COTA Test
http://www.motoamerica.com/beaubier-roberts-lead-day-one-cota-test

On The Record: Toni Elias, Moto2 World Champion
http://www.motoamerica.com/on-record-toni-elias-moto2-world-champion

No Stopping Beaubier at Dunlop Preseason COTA Test
http://www.motoamerica.com/no-stopping-beaubier-at-cota-test


Saturday, March 26, 2016

Pedrosa Blog: Work, Work, Work

Not many recent stories, in MotoGP, since yesterday's update.  But, here's Dani Pedrosa's most recent blog entry.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/25/pedrosa-blog-work-work-work/196369


Friday, March 25, 2016

Moto2 and Moto3 news after Qatar

Here are the headlines, from the junior classes (Moto2 and Moto3), after their races, in Qatar, last weekend.

Luthi wins dramatic Moto2 race in Qatar
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/21/luthi-wins-dramatic-moto2-race-in-qatar/196115

Luthi: "I still won the race, with or without his penalty"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/20/luthi-i-still-won-the-race-with-or-without-his-penalty/196188

Morbidelli: "We must take the positives"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/21/morbidelli-we-must-take-the-positives/196191

Salom: "I want to say thanks to my mum"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/21/salom-i-want-to-say-thanks-to-my-mum/196190

Corsi: "Incredible race, very crazy!"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/21/corsi-incredible-race-very-crazy/196192

The Grand Prix commission, discusses the use of winglets, and quickshifters in Moto2 and Moto3.

Grand Prix commission announce revised technical rules

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/22/grand-prix-commission-announce-revised-technical-rules/196339

Race Director for MotoGP, Mike Webb, talks about the bizarre start to the Qatar Moto2 race.

Webb discusses Moto2 start in Qatar

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/23/mike-webb-discusses-moto2-start-in-qatar/196465

Antonelli claims thrilling first victory of the year

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/20/antonelli-claims-thrilling-first-victory-of-the-year/196090

Antonelli: "I knew that the KTM bikes were faster"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/20/antonelli-i-knew-that-ktm-bikes-were-faster/196182

Binder: "I had to keep on the gas"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/21/binder-i-had-to-keep-on-the-gas/196193

Bagnaia: "Probably the best of my life!"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/21/bagnaia-probably-the-best-of-my-life/196194


Thursday, March 24, 2016

MotoGP news after Qatar

Looking at headlines from MotoGP, after the opening race in Qatar.

Espargaro: "I knew it was a gamble"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/22/espargaro-i-knew-it-was-a-gamble/196204

Barbera: "This is just the beginning"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/22/barbera-this-is-just-the-beginning/196203

Rabat: "I need to be faster"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/23/rabat-i-need-to-be-faster/196208

The latest blog entry from Marc Marquez.

Marquez Blog: A Positive Outcome
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/23/marquez-blog-a-positive-outcome/196368

Bautista: "It was not a walk in the park"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/23/bautista-it-was-not-a-walk-in-the-park/196207

Laverty: "Suddenly on Saturday we had a big breakthrough"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/23/laverty-suddenly-on-saturday-we-had-a-big-breakthrough/196205

Baz: "I tried to change my lines"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/23/baz-i-tried-to-change-my-lines/196209

Expectations, reality and early surprises
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/23/expectations-reality-and-early-surprises/196352

Hernandez: "But then the engine stopped"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/23/hernandez-but-then-the-engine-stopped/196211

Bradl: "The crash is hard to explain"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/23/bradl-the-crash-is-hard-to-explain/196210



Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Grand Prix Commission Bans Winglets in Moto2 and Moto3

It is OK, to use aerodynamic winglets if you are a team that races a MotoGP motorcycle.  But, if you race in Moto2 or Moto3, it's a no no.

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/grand-prix-commission-bans-winglets-moto2-moto3/

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Moto3: Qatar

In Qatar, the sun has set.  Out comes the moon.  This was, the first race of the evening on Sunday, but it will be the last, in order, in the coverage of the MotoGP Qatar weekend on 2 Wheelin'.

This is the first race, of three, within a four week period.  We have 18 laps ahead of us, with 33 riders.  Only five race winners in Moto3 have won.  Will we make it six?  There are four or five potential winners in all three classes.  Just amazing.  We've seen that in MotoGP and Moto2.  Will it be Romano Fenati, who is in contention?  The Italian, is going for his sixth career win, and his first, since the Japan race last year, at the Motegi circuit.  Belgian Livio Loi, looked to be on pole.  But, indeed, it was Romano Fenati.  This is his 71st world championship start.  So, his number of poles equals the number on his motorcycle.

Livio Loi will take the fight to Fenati, for sure, and so will Brad Binder.  Binder was put back three spots along with his team mate at Red Bull KTM Ajo.  That is newcomer, Bo Bendsneyder from Holland.  Niccolo Antonelli was quickest in warmup.  He has damage to his collarbone, after a pre-season skiing accident.  He has had a bad cold.  Antonelli is positive.  Joan Mir, is a Moto3 rookie, who ran in Australia last year, stepping in for Japan's Hiroki Ono, who was injured.  Mir was in it for pole, but crashed into team mate, Andrea Locatelli, from Italy.  Joan Mir made a few too many mistakes.  Again, Bo Bendsneyder will be one to watch.

Five minutes, until we start this race.  Ten rookies on the grid for Moto3 in 2016.  Enea Bastianinni had some trouble in qualifying.  He finished second in this event, last year.  Niccolo Bulega is a rookie who is a protege of Valentino Rossi.  Jorge Martin lines up 13th for Aspar Team.  Fabio Quartararo is third, Livio Loi, second, and on pole, Romano Fenati.  Let's race.  How will last year's winner of this race, Alexis Masbou, of France, fare?  He is down the order on the grid.  The bikes are on their warmup lap.  None of the riders really wanted to be a part of the warmup.  They won't learn anything in warmup, by going out on the speedway.

Conditions are perfect, and similar to practice.  Dunlop has all riders choosing medium front and medium rear tires, for the compound.  They call Enea Bastianini, "the beast", and for good reason.  He is a hard charger.  A real scrapper.  Look out, too, for team mates Fabio Quartararo, and Frenchman Aron Canet.  He is the best debut rider on a qualifying performance, since Scott Redding entered the 125cc class, in 2008.  The bikes are settling onto the grid, to start this race.  Here we go.

The flag is taken away.  The lights are on.  When the red lights go out, we are racing, Moto3 style, in Qatar!  Go!  Romano Fenati has a fabulous start as Quartararo and Loi do well.  Romano Fenati has the hole shot.  Brad Binder is up to third.  Jorge Navarro is fifth.  Enea Bastianini is fourth.  Livio Loi likes to have clear track.  Bastianini passes Fabio Quartararo.  Livio Loi likes to have clear track, and not be bunched into a pack of riders.  Aron Canet sinks to tenth.  Niccolo Antonelli picks up one spot.  Antonelli moves to sixth and Francesco Bagnaia has moved up five places.

Livio Loi runs wide, and Romano Fenati, passes him for the lead!  Jorge Navarro is now fourth.  Francesco Bagnaia is called "Pecco".  Jorge Navarro is being slipstreamed by Antonelli.  Binder moves to the lead, as Loi runs wide!  Livio Loi has dropped to eighth or ninth spot.  We work lap three of this motorcycle race.  If you take it easy, you'll be eaten alive.  Brad Binder leads over Jorge Navarro right now.  Loi got caught out by the draft.  Fenati is dropped to fourth.  Francesco Bagnaia, is going for it.  "Pecco" is in the zone.

Fenati chases Bastianini, as Binder and Navarro lead the pack.  The KTM and the Honda have more engine power and performance than the Mahindra motorcycle.  Brad Binder has led races, but has never won.  Jorge Navarro passes Binder for the lead and Romano Fenati has lost a couple spots.  Livio Loi was passed by Juanfran Guevara for tenth.  Niccolo Antonelli is up to third.  His collarbone can't be bothering him.  Look out for Nicolo Bulega, too.  He's coming for the top ten.  Aron Canet is content to race in 13th.  Juanfran Guevara is moving up through the field, too.  Binder leads from Navarro.

Jakub Kornfeil almost runs off the road.  Binder leads lap three.  Fenati sweeps outside, back into the lead.  Antonelli runs wide and Bagnaia pounces.  Antonelli lays down the first fast lap of the race at 2:06.309.  Romano Fenati sweeps to the left of Brad Binder to take the lead.  Binder, was a sitting duck.  Nicolo Bulega is going for it.  He ran the CEV Repsol Junior series last year on a Moto3 bike and did very well.  Fenati leads over Binder.  Both these boys are on KTM bikes.  Miguel Oliveira had a very successful season in Moto3 last year, before moving up to Moto2.  Danny Kent is watching his Leopard Racing team mates in Moto3.

Francesco Bagnaia is running well, and here comes Jorge Navarro!  Bagnaia is up to third.  Mahindra has never won a Moto3 race.  Will they do it, tonight?  Binder leads, with Navarro second.  Bulega passes Bastianini.  Fabio Quartararo is gapping Francesco Bagnaia.  Niccolo Antonelli is trying to draft Jorge Navarro.  Antonelli's injuries cost him training time.  Six laps into this contest.  Fenati shoots around three bikes, on one straightaway, going from fourth, to first!  Bagnaia goes inside Brad Binder, and, they touch!  Flat out on a Moto3 bike.

Romano Fenati continues to lead.  Nico Bulega is coming, and fast.  He's 16, and he is a taller rider, along with Bo Bendsneyder.  Guevara presses Quartararo.  Bulega did not fall in the CEV Repsol Moto3 championship all last year.  But, let's hope saying that, doesn't cause the dreaded commentator's curse, ladies and gentlemen.  Bulega is crushing it.  He's put in a 2:06.3 as his personal best lap.  He's dragging Quartararo, Juanfran Guevara, and Livio Loi, with him.  Enea Bastianini is ninth and Bagnaia passes Binder.  Maria Herrera is trying to get into the points, passing Jorge Martin, aiming for Andrea Locatelli.  Binder, Navarro, and Antonelli, is the top three.

The Mahindra motorcycle has a great chassis in the handling department.  Twelve laps now remain.  How will Romano Fenati do?  Brad Binder has a slight issue and recovers.  Binder, four wide, holds firm in P1.  Francesco Bagnaia moves back to fourth as Niccolo Antonelli nearly gets chopped!  Binder runs fastest lap now, at 2:06.454.  Fabio Quartararo and Enea Bastianini are getting on pace, but Guevara has just passed Quartararo.  Could Bastianini have front end issues?  Romano Fenati battles to pass a couple of riders.  Livio Loi is seventh, closing up on the top six.  How is his race craft?

Bulega is also pushing, for a good position.  Ten laps now remain, as Romano Fenati, is flying!  So is Livio Loi!  2:06.171 for Loi.  Fenati is definitely in P1.  Livio Loi is really maturing as a rider.  He's coming to the sharp end of this field.  He is a second clear of Enea Bastianini, along with a host of other riders in a pack like Bastianini, Quartararo, Guevara, Jakub Kornfeil, Phillip Oettl, Jules Danilo, Joan Mir, and Maria Herrera.  Bagnaia, Bulega, and Loi, are revelations.  But, Quartararo and Bastianini, are not performing as they should, compared to last season.  Romano Fenati, has a taller sixth gear in his bike's transmission.  Teams experimented with the taller gears, in the warmup, before the race, during the day.

Binder is trying hard to pass for second.  But, Francesco Bagnaia says, "no way, sunshine!" and makes a daring pass for second, himself!  Fenati hangs on, and Bulega continues to push as Niccolo Antonelli got freight trained, to sixth spot.  One podium for Bagnaia, in the race at Le Mans, last year... the French Grand Prix.  Bagnaia has been hot and cold this weekend.  But, he's hot right now.  Livio Loi is going to join the top six as Binder tries to slipstream past Niccolo Antonelli.  He got dragged into the slipstream quicker than he anticipated.  Loi is in the pound seats for a victory here, maybe.

Niccolo Antonelli would crash often early in his career.  He has gotten over that.  Eight laps to go as Antonelli runs wide, and Bagnaia almost crashes!  He almost runs into Brad Binder!  Nico Bulega is now into the top four.  Enea Bastianini is pushing to catch Livio Loi.  Bastianini, got a podium place, in a great ride here, last year, in Qatar.  Alexis Masbou is having issues with his Peugeot bike, and so is John McPhee, his team mate, at Peugeot.  Fenati leads over Binder.  Binder will try something, and he passes for the lead.  Jorge Navarro tries him.  No dice.  Bulega is also there, right on Fenati's rear wheel.

Bastianini loses one place.  Bulega tries the inside past Navarro.  No chance of that.  Francesco Bagnaia wants a spot.  Antonelli tries to pass Francesco Bagnaia.  Six laps left.  Brad Binder leads.  Navarro runs wide, and Bulega almost wrecks!  Romano Fenati has moved back into the lead.  Livio Loi and Enea Bastianini will be able to catch this huge lead battle.  Bulega finished 12th at Valencia last year, in the finale, as a rookie.  But, he's cooking right now.  Juanfran Guevara battles Fabio Quartararo for ninth.  Romano Fenati has been told, to move up.  He had been playing the waiting game.  Bagnaia and Antonelli run wide, as Fenati and Navarro almost crash!  Brad Binder is in the lead.

Livio Loi chips away another tenth.  Bastianini cuts the gap between himself and Livio Loi.  Romano Fenati is booking it as fast as possible.  Livio Loi wants to be a part of this front pack.  Binder continues to lead.  Philipp Oettl is ninth.  He's fallen away from the big group at the front.  Bulega makes a monster move!  He goes to first from nowhere!  Fenati is going to try catching him, as Binder closes the door on Fenati!  Yikes!  Binder moves back in front.  Fenati is third.  Navarro wants Antonelli, but no dice.  Three KTM's at the front.  Bulega and Fenati, are team mates.  But, are they pals?  Fenati says yes.  Hmmm. Question mark.  Fenati is right up behind Bulega now.  He's turned in a great performance.

Niccolo Antonelli, want to pass Jorge Navarro and Bagnaia.  Loi wants it, but, Bulega does, even more!  Bulega inside, and Binder is in the sandwich.  Antonelli gets in a little hot.  Fenati leads this.  Binder says, "hey, Romano.  I'm still here!"  Binder is loose on the brakes.  Fenati leads.  Bagnaia tries outside Antonelli.  Bulega goes to second!  Fenati and Bulega 1-2.  Bulega goes to the lead over Fenati!  This friendship will be strained.  Bastianini is going for it with a 2:06.7.  Cue the jaws music.  The shark, is hungry, for victory.  He wants to take a chomp out of the field.  Livio Loi is going to be swallowed up by Bastianini.

Brad Binder, speaking of the shark eating the guppy, swallows Bulega, in one big gulp!  Fenati is in the lead!  Bulega is sinking, but not quite.  He won't go down without a fight.  "Pecco" Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini are sizzling, too.  Binder leads, as Antonelli passes Bulega.  He's learning.  The beast from Rimini is coming, fast.  Another shark is in the water.  Guevara spills his bike, and rejoins.  Binder leads from Fenati, and Bagnaia, passes Navarro.  Sore collarbone, not withstanding, Antonelli is steaming along.

Leading going on to the final corner, won't help.  One lap to go in the first Moto3 race in Qatar.  Who wins it?  Six or seven riders, have a shot.  Fenati runs wide!  Game over for Fenati?  He loses five spots.  He's the sinking ship, that will end up, somewhere, down the order.  Game, set, match.  Fenati is toast, in this race.  Livio Loi also has that sinking feeling.  It's the final lap.  If he gets the drive off the final corner, Binder, has this motorbike race, in the bag.  Navarro is being harried, by Antonelli.  Jorge Navarro wants to win his first Moto3 race.  Bulega is still in it.  Can Fenati get to shore and run for the finish line?

Binder wants it.  So does Antonelli.  But, Bagnaia, he is going for it, hard!  I want the podium!, he says.  Livio Loi looks as if he'll have to settle for a top ten, in eighth.  Binder, Antonelli, Bagnaia, Navarro, and Bulega, will be the ones to battle for the win.  Navarro is there.  Bulega is losing his earlier steam.  Ditto for Bastianini.  Navarro, almost clips the rear wheel of Bagnaia's motorcycle!  It is now a four man race.  Niccolo Antonelli wants his third victory in Moto3.  Brad Binder, is on the cusp of his first ever Moto3 win.  Who will do it?  Binder rolls the dice.  He's leading on the front straight for the final time.

Bulega makes a pass.  He's not out of this one yet, blokes.  He's trying mightily to go up the order before they get to the line!  Antonelli and Bagnaia are steaming up behind Binder!  Who will cross the line first?  It's Brad Binder!  No!  It's Antonelli!  Oh my gosh!  Photo finish!  Antonelli, or Binder.  Poor old Brad Binder!  It's Niccolo Antonelli winning this thing!  Yikes!  What a race!

#23 Niccolo Antonelli     ITA.     Honda

Collarbone?  What collarbone?  We thought he'd be in horrid pain.  But, he's done it!  He's had the flu, and a fever.  He's had pain in his collarbone.  He's a wreck.  But, he wins!  Poor old Brad Binder, was so, so, so close!  He has still not won in Moto3.  Goodness me!  Francesco Bagnaia gets his second podium, with third place.  Romano Fenati must also be gutted.  Niccolo Antonelli is running for Valentino Rossi, and Rossi's team gets first, and third, in this race.

Fenati should be happy about this.  All the potential championship contenders, picked up points in this race.  Brad Binder still has to wait for a win.  Nico Bulega will get a podium, soon.  Today's race, showed that.  Honda, KTM, and Mahindra, on the podium.  The next race for Moto3, is one where, like always, they join their brethren in Moto2 and MotoGP, will be in Argentina at Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo, in two weeks.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Moto2: Qatar

We are ready, to bring you, action, from the Moto2 race at Losail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar.  Anything is possible when these riders line up on the grid.  Four riders may fight for the win.  Jonas Folger, Sam Lowes, Johann Zarco, and Alex Rins, are the four riders who could have the overall pace to fight for victory.  Franco Morbidelli could be a dark horse.  Jonas Folger, has earned his second Moto2 pole position for the race.  He ran a 1:59.052, just beating Sam Lowes.  He runs for Dynavolt Racing.  Folger teams up with Sandro Cortese, a fellow German rider.  We have a moment of humor.  There is a person in the crowd, who looks like a dead ringer for Valentino Rossi.  However, this gentleman who has come to watch the Moto2 race, is not, "The Doctor".  So, don't anyone get too excited.

Jonas Folger and Sam Lowes are two riders who are incredibly quick.  Lowes had two wrecks on Thursday and Friday.  Alex Rins also had a qualifying wreck.  But, it didn't matter.  The Paginas Amirilias bike is ready.  Can Johann Zarco defend his Moto2 champion again this year?  He may make this his final season in Moto2.  Could the Frenchman be a MotoGP rider, next year?  Lorenzo Baldassari qualified seventh, but dislocated both shoulders.  Baldassari won't race as the medics declared him unfit to do so.  Marcel Schrotter has a new team this year, and wants to do well.  He's got a braking issue with the motorcycle.

These riders, will need to be right on pace for the last six or seven laps of the race, in order to have a shot at winning it.  Another one to watch, is Moto3 world champ, Danny Kent.  He moves up this year, to Moto2.  Kent wants a top ten, but also wants to learn.  Marcel Schrotter starts seventh, and his team mate Axel Pons has struggled.  He is injured slightly.  He had a crash in testing here in Qatar, and is back to form, for this race.  Alex Marquez is ready, although, his wrist is not feeling well.  He's got front end chatter in the motorcycle, too.

Again, Jonas Folger, is on pole, and like last year, he wants to win the opening round of Moto2 2016.  29 riders will start, as the bikes are off on their warmup lap.  All these motorcycles have the same racing tires from last year, and it's a even playing field.  Let's have a fair, old fashioned race.  Danny Kent, is back in Moto2 after trying to race these 600cc motorcycles in 2010.  But, in 2010, that didn't work out as Kent had planned.  Johann Zarco has done well this weekend, and is world champ in this division.

The bikes are on the warmup lap.  Jonas Folger wants to be confident that he can try to win a championship.  Here we go.  Folger, Lowes, Rins in row one.  Zarco, Morbidelli, Cortese.  Row three, Marcel Schrotter, Takaaki Nakagami, and Tom Luthi.  Green flag at the back of the field.  When the lights go out, we are racing.  Go!  Some questionable starts, as Jonas Folger leads, and Alex Rins got an awesome start!  Franco Morbidelli jumped the start.  Some of the blokes on the front row were caught napping.

Franco Morbidelli jumped the start so convincingly, that it looked like a lot of other riders, missed the lights when they went out.  The race stewards are surely going to look at replays of that start.  We watch Takaki Nakagami as he makes a move on Sam Lowes.  Tom Luthi said he needed a good start, and he did indeed get one!  20 laps scheduled for this Moto2 event.  Jonas Folger is pulling away from his competition, by a country mile.  Sam Lowes passes Nakagami for second.  Tom Luthi is going for it, and Luthi passes Nakagami.  Franco Morbidelli and Danny Kent have also had good starts.

Jonas Folger leads by over a second as Tom Luthi, moves into second position.  Sam Lowes moves past.  Franco Morbidelli passes Nakagami.  Sandro Cortese is followed by Alex Rins.  As the red lights went out, there were at least two or three blokes who jumped the start here.  What will the stewards have to say about this little fracas?  Zarco did jump the start, and so did Sam Lowes, Marcel Schrotter, and Alex Rins.  This throws a huge spanner in the works.  All of them will have to do a ride through penalty.  Wow!  Jonas Folger is increasing his lead.  Zarco is in the lane for his ride through penalty.  His title defense has gotten off to a difficult start.

Takaaki Nakagami and Robin Mulhauser, have also jumped the start.  But, dear oh dear!  Our leader, with a 1.5 second lead, Jonas Folger, has crashed!  It's game over for Folger, unless he can restart the motorcycle, and get back into contention.  No dice.  Game over indeed.  Halfway through the corner, the front end of the bike, washes out, and pow!  Folger, is down for the count.  He's out.  Franco Morbidelli is your new leader, ladies and gentlemen.  A bunch of riders have also come into the pits.  Rins, Lowes, and Schrotter take their ride through penalties.

The only rider to get a clean getaway was Folger.  But, he's out of it.  Tom Luthi is now leading, fighting for victory with Franco Morbidelli.  Also, Takaaki Nakagami will have a penalty ahead, from third.  We have quite the top ten, behind Luthi in Morbidelli.  But, Nakagami, as well as bike #70, Robin Mulhauser, will need to hit the sin bin to serve their penalties.  Five riders in all jumped the start of this race.  Franco Morbidelli is starting to push Tom Luthi for the lead.  Nakagami's pit board is not showing he needs to pit.  They are saying, "box", meaning pit.

Simone Corsi will be promoted.  Jeepers!  Franco Morbidelli and Tom Luthi almost crash into each other, and Luthi could have had his knee sheared off, if Morbidelli had been any closer!  Don't try this at home kids, these boys are trained professionals.  This lead battle, is scintillating!  Could Franco Morbidelli get his first Moto2 win?  Simone Corsi is also going for it.  Takaaki Nakagami, has to pit, as Luthi passes Morbidelli again.  Morbidelli is a scrapper, but so is Luthi.  Alex Marquez has dropped to the back of the field.

A few riders have served their penalties.  It did not pay off for Johann Zarco.  Takaaki Nakagami, needs to pit for his penalty, as Robin Mulhauser has finished his penalty.  Alex Rins can salvage a few points.  Nakagami finally comes in.  Forward Racing's Moto2 squad has not had the best weekend.  Obviously, Lorenzo Baldassarri could not start this race, and his team mate Luca Marini, had a crash, which has caused severe knee pain.  Seven laps complete.  Nakagami has pitted.  Hafizh Syahrin is up to fifth, just behind Sandro Cortese and Simone Corsi.

Oh dear!  Alex Marquez, has crashed out.  Sandro Cortese moves to third spot.  Jonas Folger is definitely disappointed, running in the 1:59 range.  Thirteen laps now remain in this race.  Danny Kent is following Luis Salom at the moment, as Tom Luthi continues to lead over Franco Morbidelli.  Sandro Cortese cannot put a gap on Simone Corsi.  Alex Rins and Sam Lowes have clawed their way back into the top 20.  We begin lap nine.  Tom Luthi is one of the most experienced competitors in Moto2.  Takaaki Nakagami is close behind Sam Lowes, and he's also been passed by Johann Zarco.  Sam Lowes runs a 1:59 lap.  Isaac Vinales and Alex Rins battle for 17th and 18th.  Tom Luthi and Franco Morbidelli are battling for a win.

Hafizh Syahrin is running well.  Morbidelli closes on Tom Luthi, and can't pass into turn one.  Eleven laps left.  Simone Corsi passes Sandro Cortese.  Sam Lowes is carving his way through the field, resetting fastest lap at 1:59.611.  Tom Luthi has won races, and in 2005, was a World Champion.  Franco Morbidelli, has won a championship, but not at Grand Prix level.  He won the European Super Stock 600 title in 2013.  So, he has experience on one of these 600cc motorcycles, which are run in Moto2.

Franco Morbidelli is still proving to be a dark horse contender for this race.  Morbidelli is close enough to take the lead away, from Luthi.  Luthi runs a little wide, and Morbidelli, makes the pass.  The laps are winding down, for Moto2, here in Qatar.  Alex Marquez believes that there was an issue with the red lights at the start of this race.  Corsi passes Cortese for third.  Luis Salom, has moved into fifth place.  He is ahead of Hafizh Syahrin, Danny Kent, and Axel Pons, with Dominique Aegerter also in contention.

Franco Morbidelli is comfortable at the front of this race.  Alex Rins sets his personal best lap, and looks to be headed for a points scoring finish, with eight laps left.  Seven or eight riders could have a good season, who are running in mid field at the moment.  Simone Corsi holds third.  Alex Rins sets his personal best lap.  Rins is just behind Mattia Pasini.  Rins, Lowes, and Zarco, they are together, but, they are quite down the order.  Johann Zarco has passed Sam Lowes.  You've got the good race, in the bottom part of the race order right now.

Morbidelli wants his first win.  He had a podium at Indianapolis last year, but broke a leg, in a motocross wreck, when he and Valentino Rossi, were riding motocross bikes.  Rossi took Morbidelli to the hospital.  Morbidelli is a VR46 academy rider.  Oh!  Sam Lowes, makes the save of the century!  His Moto2 motorcycle, became a bucking bronco for a second!  Yikes!  Lowes was way off in the grass.  Working lap 14 of 20.  Tom Luthi is going after Franco Morbidelli.  Luthi's fastest lap so far is 2:00.389.  Morbidelli's is working with New Zealand's Pete Benson, as crew chief.  Benson won titles in MotoGP with Nicky Hayden in 2006, and with Tito Rabat, in 2014.

Luis Salom had a so so season last year.  A train of bikes has emerged at the midfield including Hafizh Syahrin, Danny Kent, Axel Pons, Dominique Aegerter, and Xavier Simeon.  Kent is clear of team mate and fellow Moto3 graduate, Miguel Oliveira.  Oh dear!  Franco Morbidelli and Sandro Cortese are under investigation for jumping the start, by the stewards.  Morbidelli did jump the start, and hit the throttle before the red lights went out.  Five laps left.  Will Franco Morbidelli be disqualified?  Tom Luthi does not have to take any unnecessary risks.  But, there's some confusion here.

Xavier Simeon crashes out of the top ten, even though he has also been able to get back into the race.  This race, has been quite the puzzle.  Xavier Simeon has crashed, with five laps left.  Nothing is being told to Franco Morbidelli, except for pertinent information.  If he does not get penalized, he could win this thing.  No word on whether Sandro Cortese jumped the start either.  This is very, very confusing, and I have not seen this situation, in the five years I have followed MotoGP.  If this all comes to fruition, seven of the first eight starters in this race, will have jumped the start.

If these guys were to be penalized, Louis Salom, would get a podium.  It is too late for ride through penalties.  Time penalties would be assessed.  Axel Pons, has crashed.  Four laps to go.  Axel Pons has crashed.  The bike didn't chuck him off.  It went down, half pirouetted, and Pons just landed on the tarmac.  Sam Lowes is now back into the points.  Alex Rins has also moved back into the top ten in ninth spot.  This is after a couple riders crashed out.  This is like a very confusing movie.  Nothing has really changed with the leaders as Simone Corsi is third right now.  We will need a revolving door on the podium.

Two laps left under the floodlights.  Sandro Cortese moves to third.  Alex Rins runs ninth.  Luca Marini has had a good debut in Moto2.  Marini, is the half-brother of Valentino Rossi.  Sam Lowes has taken eleventh from Miguel Oliveira.  He is trying to follow Alex Rins.  If Tom Luthi finishes, he'll get 20 points, or, perhaps, a win.  He's under investigation.  Corsi is ahead of Luis Salom.  Sandro Cortese has plummeted to 16th.  He's run the fastest lap of the race, as we start the last lap.  Tom Luthi leads.  Sandro Cortese and Franco Morbidelli did jump the start!  There will be a 20 second penalty.  Morbidelli is no longer fighting for the win!  Tom Luthi, has this race, in the bag!

Oh my gosh!  This is bizarre!  Franco Morbidelli has no clue he'll have a penalty!  20 seconds applied.  This is not done and dusted yet.  It will be on track.  But, the debate will rage, after the race.  Luthi defends on the inside.  Morbidelli tries.  But, Tom Luthi, has won!  Luis Salom is also on the podium!  Salom is now second, with Simone Corsi, third.  Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, this has been a bizarre motorcycle race.  Morbidelli and Cortese jumped the start, as well as Sam Lowes, Alex Rins, and Johann Zarco.  Morbidelli will be seventh.

#12 Tom Luthi     CHE.     Kalex

Sandro Cortese dropped back behind Corsi and Luis Salom.  His penalty drops him to 15th.  No doubt that Morbidelli and Cortese both jumped the start.  Jonas Folger was the only rider who didn't jump the start.  Sam Lowes finished ninth and earned fastest lap at a 1:59.4.  Yikes!  What a Moto2 race!  The time penalties have been allotted.  Luis Salom gets his first podium since 2014 at the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.  Simone Corsi has his first podium since the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring, also in 2014.

Wow!  What a race.  The next Moto2 event, supports MotoGP, in Argentina, at Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo, in two weeks.

Sunday, March 20, 2016

MotoGP Round 1: Qatar

We are ready, for the opening race of MotoGP 2016.  Watch for Marc Marquez on the Honda, and Maverick Vinales on the Suzuki.  Andrea Ianonne and Andrea Dovizioso, will be ones to watch.  Rumors have been spread like wildfire about riders, especially with Valentino Rossi, signing a recent new contract.  Bradley Smith will have a new deal next year, with KTM.  Hector Barbera doesn't have a specific tire strategy.  Barbera has his best qualifying run since 2012.  It's been a tough time for Cal Crutchlow lately.  He debuted in Grand Prix racing here, in 2011.  He will be a dad, in August. 

Lots of support in Qatar, for British riders.  Scott Redding, Bradley Smith, and Cal Crutchlow, are those riders.  Jorge Lorenzo is on pole.  The defending MotoGP champion, will be looking for glory today, as we commence this 22 lap race, soon.  Lorenzo has not defended the championship successfully.  Watch the Aspar Ducati's of Yonny Hernandez and Eugene Laverty as well.  The Irishman had a great qualifying effort, in 14th.  He equaled his effort from the Argentina race last year.  Valentino Rossi's tires are a bit of a concern.  The crew was upping the temperature on the tire warmer, as he chose a harder compound rear tire. 

Alvaro Bautista has had some tough times on the new Aprilia.  The bike at least has to finish a race.  Watch for Tito Rabat, making his MotoGP debut.  Jack Miller, and Stefan Bradl are also notables.  Bradl has not had the best weekend either.  Many riders, with the new Michelin tires, they are not sure what compounds to use, until the race start.  In the past, with the old Bridgestone tires, the decision would be made on the Friday of the weekend.  We are five minutes away, from the start, of the 2016 MotoGP season, right here, on 2 Wheelin'.  Stay tuned, for an exciting race.

Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati, Honda, Aprilia, KTM.  They are all here.  #LetBattleCommence.  20 motorcycles will start this race.  20 of the best bikes and best riders in the world.  Racing is about to begin, as the bikes are on their warmup lap.  This race will be a real journey into the unknown with the new tires.  We are ready to roll as the floodlights pierce the night sky in Qatar.  Rossi will race for at least three more seasons.  The youngest rider in the series, Maverick Vinales, on the Suzuki, is on the front row.  22 laps scheduled.

Welcome aboard, ladies and gentlemen.  Get ready for the ride of a lifetime.  MotoGP 2016, is underway!  Jorge Lorenzo makes a great start as Marc Marquez has a slower getaway.  Marquez is getting swamped by the rest of the field as Andrea Ianonne moves into second, just behind Jorge Lorenzo.  Dani Pedrosa moves up to third spot.  We've got a bike really wide out in no man's land there somewhere.  It is an Aprilia.  Not sure which rider.  It could be either Stefan Bradl, or Alvaro Bautista.  Difficult to tell.

Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Iannonne, and Andrea Dovizioso, are the top three.  Just what was predicted.  Marc Marquez has had a horrid start, and Dani Pedrosa has done much better.  Maverick Vinales is down to seventh on the Suzuki.  Maverick Vinales will have to make up ground.  Now, Ianonne is closing on Lorenzo, through the triple right hand corner at turn 13.  Marc Marquez leads team mate Dani Pedrosa.  This scrum, is for fifth and sixth.  Lorenzo will get blitzed by Ianonne!  Ianonne leads!  Lorenzo fights back, and runs wide. 

These blokes are running 349 kilometers an hour!  Folks, that's 218 miles an hour, on a motorcycle!  Amazing stuff!  Lorenzo wants by Dovizioso.  Maverick Vinales needs to pass Dani Pedrosa ASAP.  Lorenzo can't get into the slipstream of the Ducati, to try and go by.  It's a Ducati 1-2.  Lorenzo was the meat in the sandwich.  Lorenzo will now have to take real risks to make up time.  Rossi and Marquez are going for it as well.  Valentino Rossi has Marc Marquez coming for him.  Lorenzo, Rossi, and Marquez, are on the harder option Michelin tire.

Andrea Ianonne, sets fastest lap of the race so far at 1:56.181.  Ducati, wants this one, bad.  They have not won a MotoGP race in six long years, since 2010.  Marc Marquez is right behind Valentino Rossi, and coming next are Maverick Vinales on the Suzuki, and Marquez's Honda team mate, Dani Pedrosa.  Through turn six they come.  This is the slowest corner on the Losail International Circuit, here in Qatar.  Marquez passes Rossi, and makes the pass fair and square.  The Marquez/Rossi war, resumes.

Ianonne continues to lead.  Jorge Lorenzo is third.  Maverick Vinales has lost time after a bad start.  New fast lap, from Marquez.  1:55.710.  Hector Barbera hangs on to Cal Crutchlow in ninth spot.  Lorenzo tries Andrea Dovizioso.  No dice.  Valentino Rossi seems content to stay in fifth right now.  Cal Crutchlow is moving ahead of Hector Barbera.  Marc Marquez has made a pass on one Yamaha, and now, tries to pass the other.  Ianonne and Dovizioso still lead for Ducati.  But, they have not increased their gaps too greatly as of yet.

Marquez begins to pressure Lorenzo.  He's right on your tail, sir.  Ianonne has dropped his fast lap to a 1:55.632.  He's getting quicker and quicker.  If anyone wants to win this thing, they are going to need lots of distance between themselves and the Ducati's.  Maverick Vinales does not quite have the horsepower in his Suzuki, to move past the Honda of Dani Pedrosa, either on the straightaway, or, in the corners for that matter.  Andrea Ianonne leads Andrea Dovizioso.  Marc Marquez, in all the practice sessions, only had an issue in the final sector on the track, speed wise.

How will the new Michelin tires behave?  All three tire combinations have worked.  But this is the first real battle.  Rossi has gapped Dani Pedrosa quite a bit.  Andre Dovizioso gets the lead, on lap five, as he also leans in and just touches Dovizioso!  Ooh!  That was close.  They don't called Andrea Ianonne "the maniac" for nothing.  New fast lap by Dovizioso, and he runs a 1:55.498.  Ianonne wants to win his first MotoGP race.  Dovizioso wants it back, and takes it back, on the inside!  Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez realize what the Ducati blokes are doing at the front and want a piece of this action as well.

Lorenzo tries to ride inside Ianonne.  Oh dear!  Ianonne pushed too hard!  He's down, and has crashed out of second spot!  Andrea Ianonne... why?  He was pushing far too hard.  So now, one Ducati, and one Andrea, in this race.  There's a dead fish out there.  Release the sharks.  They smell blood now.  Remember, Andrea Dovizioso has one win in MotoGP.  But, it was not on a Ducati bike.  A battle ensues between Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi.  Watch out for the back half of the top ten, too.  Cal Crutchlow, Hector Barbera, and Bradley Smith, will absolutely be flying.  Pol Espargaro is also back there.

Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez, and Jorge Lorenzo are all on the hard option front Michelin.  Oh dear.  It's game over for Cal Crutchlow.  He too, has crashed.  Lorenzo is charging.  He wants by Andrea Dovizoso, as we work lap six.  These boys are indeed riding cautiously.  There's no question.  Maverick Vinales is still having to work on Dani Pedrosa, to try and get by.  Dani Pedrosa is very good at conserving and protecting tires.  It might not matter, that MotoGP has now switched tire brands from Bridgestone to Michelin.  Rossi is 1.8 seconds ahead of Pedrosa, and is a couple tenths quicker overall on the previous lap.

Pol Espargaro has passed his team mate Bradley Smith, for eighth spot, on his Monster Energy Tech 3 Yamaha.  Scott Redding now runs tenth.  Can Andrea Dovizioso get a win?  When he won in 2010, he was actually racing for Repsol Honda, the team that Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa now ride for.  Now, we have a real dust up, as Jorge Lorenzo takes the lead from Andrea Dovizioso, momentarily.  Now, it's official.  On lap eight, Lorenzo takes the lead here in Qatar.  Loris Baz has crashed out of this race.  For another rider, it's game over indeed.

Dani Pedrosa and Maverick Vinales are chasing down this lead quartet of Lorenzo, Dovizioso, Marquez, and Rossi.  A Ducati and a Honda, in the middle of a Yamaha sandwich.  Maverick Vinales on the Suzuki is losing ground to Pedrosa as we speak.  Marquez and Rossi haven't pulled the pin yet.  But, just wait.  They'll be at the sharp end soon.  Another new wrinkle for this year, is that the riders will be more involved in controlling the motorcycle.  All the software for electronic rider aids, has been banned and disconnected from these motorcycles.  It is more in the rider's hands now, and how they know what to do, with their bike.

Andrea Dovizioso is right behind Jorge Lorenzo.  The top four are going to battle it out, unless Dani Pedrosa can make inroads.  Once again, contenders like Andrea Ianonne and Cal Crutchlow have crashed out.  Keep an eye on Marc Marquez, because at the end of the fourth practice, the night before the race, everyone was talking about Marquez's stunning pace, on worn tires.  A new wrinkle in MotoGP's online feed for this year, is a distance gauge, between two motorcycles and their riders, measured in meters.  Pretty snazzy device.  Riders are sussing each other out and also sussing out tire behavior.

Twelve laps left.  Jorge Lorenzo still leads.  He's running on a hard front and soft rear tire.  Dani Pedrosa and Maverick Vinales will have to settle for the back half of the top six, and won't see the podium today.  Marc Marquez says he will need to be more patient.  No deviation in lap times.  Everyone is running in the 1:55 bracket.  This is like a Moto3 race, where someone will wait until the last couple laps, to make a decisive move.  Lorenzo has a more finessed riding style.  Lorenzo resets fast lap, just as yours truly describes his riding style.  1:55.375. 

These next laps are going to be interesting.  Will Lorenzo force the issue on the opposition and the new Michelin tires?  Maverick Vinales cannot get by Dani Pedrosa.  But, Pol Espargaro has indeed passed Hector Barbera for seventh.  Pol Espargaro is running well.  Barbera, is riding a three year old Ducati.  It is a 2014 model.  Scott Redding runs tenth on the Pramac Ducati.  His team mate, Danilo Petrucci, is not in this race, as his hand, is healing.  Andrea Dovizioso, is right behind Jorge Lorenzo.  Game over for Stefan Bradl.  He's crashed his factory Aprilia out of 16th spot.  He did so at turn 15. 

Valentino Rossi is losing ground to the top three.  The final three riders eligible to score points in this race (points are awarded to the top 15), are Jack Miller, Alvaro Bautista, and, Tito Rabat, on his debut as a MotoGP rider.  Eugene Laverty has taken 12th spot away from Jack Miller.  Nine laps left to race.  Valentino Rossi has been riding consistently, in fourth.  He has not made a move on anyone in the race so far, after picking up one position, at the start.  Marc Marquez has the exact same tire combination as Rossi does.

Lorenzo is opening a gap at the front.  New fastest lap of the race.  Rossi turns a 1:55.281.  Dovizioso is the only rider on the softer tire at the front.  Therefore, Lorenzo, Marquez, and Rossi, will have better braking stability into the corners.  Marc Marquez can't get close enough to Andrea Dovizioso to make a pass into the first turn.  This is the first of three races in four weeks.  Jorge Lorenzo has put on a masterful display in today's race.  Once he's in a rhythm, he is faultless.  Lorenzo resets fast lap at 1:55.109.  Michelin should be happy, as the pace is hot, and yet steady, through this race.

Lorenzo wants his third MotoGP victory in Qatar.  He has a 125cc win, and a couple in the 250cc class as well.  Stefan Bradl is OK after his spill, and speaking of spills, a replay is shown of Loris Baz low siding his bike as well.  Six laps left now.  Jorge Lorenzo's Yamaha is on rails.  Valentino Rossi is going to finish fourth or so, after winning this race, last year.  Does Marc Marquez risk it and catch Jorge Lorenzo?  Or, does he stay content with finishing fourth?  Valentino Rossi is being told where Dani Pedrosa is.  Just when he might drop by the wayside, Rossi shows he can stay in the game.  Bradley Smith has moved back to eighth after passing Hector Barbera.

The battle might be between Dovizioso and Marquez, for second spot.  Lorenzo carries lots of speed into turn 11 as we have four laps left now.  A monumental mistake from Lorenzo is the only way for Dovizioso or Marquez to catch him.  Valentino Rossi runs wide at turn six.  Marquez lines Dovizioso up, and he makes the pass!  He's got to go now, if he is going to try and catch Jorge Lorenzo.  Marquez has to pull the pin, now.  Marquez set fast lap on the last lap of his practice simulation.  Marc Marquez's only fear is Dovizioso thundering by him with the massive horsepower of the Ducati.

Marquez is late on the brakes, to hold Dovizioso at bay.  The gap is one second.  Three laps to go now.  Marquez runs wide at turn six and Andrea Dovizioso is starting to go after Marquez.  Marquez is probably too late to catch Lorenzo, as Lorenzo is 1.4 seconds ahead.  Valentino Rossi is catching Andrea Dovizioso.  So, another Yamaha, could eat up the Ducati, if Dovizioso doesn't pour on the steam.  Two laps now remain in the opening MotoGP race of 2016.  Lorenzo runs a 1:54.927 on lap 20.  It's going to take a mistake for it to be game over for Lorenzo. 

Rossi is closing on Dovizioso, and fast.  Rossi has closed right up on Dovizioso.  Lorenzo is riding off into the distance.  He has 1.9 seconds in hand.  Rossi wants a podium.  But, there's no way Dovizioso is going to give up.  It's the last lap.  Dovizioso passes Marquez, and here's Rossi for the final podium spot!  The Honda and the Yamaha are not close enough, and even if they are, they aren't going to be close enough to get by the Ducati.  Dovizioso is looking good for second if he does not let Marquez pounce.  Lorenzo has whistled off into the distance.  Lorenzo is going to win. 

Marc Marquez tries Dovizioso for second, and almost gets there!  But, Dovizioso says, "no way, sunshine", and steals the spot right back.  Lorenzo wins it!

#99 Jorge Lorenzo     ESP.     Yamaha

New tires, and new electronics.  But, the same story.  Great ride by Lorenzo and by Dovizioso.  Bitterly disappointed, has to be Valentino Rossi.  Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi both get valuable season points for the championship.  Andrea Dovizioso gets second place in Qatar.  Tito Rabat, finishes in 15th, and picks up a single point, in his MotoGP debut.  It'll be tough for anyone to beat Jorge Lorenzo in 2016. 

The next MotoGP race is in Argentina at Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo, in two weeks.  Stay tuned, for a full race report.




Saturday, March 19, 2016

MotoGP news from Qatar

The action has begun, in preparation for the Qatar GP on Sunday, in all three classes.  Stay tuned, for news, and also, eventually, for race reports from all three races.  Here is the latest from MotoGP.

MotoGP has a new look for 2016
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/17/motogp-has-a-new-look-for-2016/195089

Lorenzo leads as the MotoGP riders hit the track in Qatar

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/17/lorenzo-leads-as-the-motogp-riders-hit-the-track-in-qatar/195258

Lorenzo: "We Still Have A Margin For Improvement"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/17/lorenzo-we-still-have-a-margin-for-improvement/195456

Rossi: "We did a good job during pre-season"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/17/rossi-we-did-a-good-job-during-pre-season/195479

Iannone: "We still need to find something extra"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/17/iannone-we-still-need-to-find-something-extra/195466

Vinales: "We started from where we left off"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/17/vinales-we-started-from-where-we-left-off/195495

Marquez: "It was not the easiest FP1 I've ridden in"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/17/marquez-it-was-not-the-easiest-fp1-i-ve-ridden-in/195505

Barbera: "Finishing fourth is like a gift for us"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/17/barbera-finishing-fourth-is-like-gift-a-for-us/195513

Ianonne shines in Free Practice 2
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/18/iannone-shines-in-free-practice-2/195558

Iannone throws down the gauntlet in FP3
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/19/iannone-throws-down-the-gauntlet-in-fp3/195697

Dovizioso: "We are up there with the quickest riders"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/18/dovizioso-we-are-up-there-with-the-quickest-riders/195837

Rossi: "I wasn't able to do the perfect lap"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/18/rossi-i-wasn-t-able-to-do-the-perfect-lap/195793

Marquez: "We are not far from the fight for the podium"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/18/marquez-we-are-not-far-from-the-fight-for-the-podium/195754

Lorenzo: "I would like to improve my pace"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/18/lorenzo-i-would-like-to-improve-my-pace/195845

VInales: "I think we could be even more competitive"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/18/vinales-i-think-we-could-be-even-more-competitive/195848

Rossi & Yamaha confirm 2-year contract extension

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/19/rossi-yamaha-confirm-2-year-contract-extension/195869

Rest In Peace, 600cc bike racer Taoufik Gattouchi.
http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2016/03/19/minute-of-silence-for-taoufik-gattouchi/195895

Lorenzo Tops FP4 Before Qualifying Battle
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/19/lorenzo-tops-fp4-before-qualifying-battle/195917

Perfect start to title defence for Lorenzo with Qatar pole

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/19/perfect-start-to-title-defence-for-lorenzo-with-qatar-pole/195937

Crutchlow and Smith advance to Q2
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/19/crutchlow-and-smith-advance-to-q2/195928

Lorenzo: "I almost crashed on the first lap"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/19/lorenzo-i-almost-crashed-on-the-first-lap/196001

Iannone: "I could have picked up a nice pole position"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/19/iannone-i-could-have-picked-up-a-nice-pole-position/196017

Rossi: "now we can concentrate on the races"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/19/rossi-now-we-can-concentrate-on-the-races/196026

Vinales: "We did an incredible job"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/19/vinales-we-did-an-incredible-job/196000


Friday, March 18, 2016

MotoAmerica news stories

News from MotoAmerica, as well as MotoGP, as the stars and motorcycles of the world's premier road racing championship, race their season opener in Qatar, on Sunday.

Best Buddies Beach and Gillim Set For Daytona Short Track

http://www.motoamerica.com/best-buddies-jd-beach-and-hayden-gillim-set-for-daytona-short-track

Daytona 200 Future: Associated Press Interviews Wayne Rainey

http://www.motoamerica.com/daytona-200-future-associated-press-interviews-motoamerica-president-wayne-rainey

Five Minutes With Les Pearson, PATA Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team

http://www.motoamerica.com/five-minutes-with-les-pearson-pata-yamaha-official-worldsbk-team

Fans, you read about these races.  Here's the summary of World Superbike in Thailand.

Kawasaki Teammates Rea And Sykes Trade Superbike Wins In Thailand

http://www.motoamerica.com/kawasaki-teammates-rea-and-sykes-trade-superbike-wins-in-thailand

Supersport/Superstock 600 Classes To Be Combined
http://www.motoamerica.com/supersport-superstock-600-classes-to-be-combined

Fan Activities Aplenty For Preseason MotoAmerica Test at COTA

http://www.motoamerica.com/fan-activities-aplenty-for-preseason-motoamerica-test-at-circuit-of-the-americas

Kyle Wyman Will Contest MotoAmerica Superbike In 2016
http://www.motoamerica.com/kyle-wyman-will-contest-motoamerica-superbike-in-2016

Toni Elias Will Stand In For Injured Superbike Rider Jake Lewis

http://www.motoamerica.com/world-champion-toni-elias-will-stand-in-for-injured-superbike-racer-jake-lewis-at-yoshimura-suzuki

Danny Eslick Pleads No Contest To Misdemeanor Battery In Daytona

http://www.motoamerica.com/danny-eslick-pleads-no-contest-to-misdemeanor-battery-in-daytona

Shez Show: Sheridan Morais Joins Team Rabid Transit

http://www.motoamerica.com/shez-show-is-back-sheridan-morais-joins-team-rabid-transit-in-superstock-1000

Ten Rider Quotes: MotoGP Qatar Press Conference
http://www.motoamerica.com/ten-rider-quotes-motogp-qatar-press-conference

MotoGP 2016: Changes Present Challenges For Riders And Teams
http://www.motoamerica.com/motogp-2016-changes-present-challenges-for-riders-and-teams

Suzuki Superbike Shootout of Georgia Set For April 15-17
http://www.motoamerica.com/suzuki-superbike-shootout-georgia-set-for-april-15-17

Mazda Raceway Celebrates 45 Years of Championship Motorcycle Racing

http://www.motoamerica.com/mazda-raceway-celebrates-45-years-championship-motorcycle-racing


Thursday, March 17, 2016

more MotoGP news stories

More news and interviews from MotoGP via motorsport.com, as we look forward, to the start of the season, this weekend, in Qatar.

KTM hails "clear step forward" after Valencia test

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/ktm-hails-clear-step-forward-after-valencia-test-678481/?s=1

Rossi: I was "betrayed" by Marquez "lies"
http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-i-was-betrayed-by-marquez-lies-678692/?s=1

Yamaha using Zeelenberg to scout new MotoGP talents

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/yamaha-using-zeelenberg-to-scout-new-motogp-talents-678751/?s=1

Marquez: "Having media influence is one thing, using it against someone is another"

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/marquez-having-media-influence-is-one-thing-using-it-against-someone-is-another-679438/?s=1

A team preview for Ducati, in Qatar.

Ducati Team ready for opening round of 2016 MotoGP World Championship in Qatar

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/ducati-team-ready-for-opening-round-of-2016-motogp-world-championship-in-qatar-679507/?s=1

A preview of the 2016 MotoGP season.

MotoGP 2016 season preview: Let the games begin (again)

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/motogp-2016-season-preview-let-the-games-begin-again-679485/?s=1

An interview with Kevin Schwantz.

Interview: Kevin Schwantz on the 2016 MotoGP season

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/interview-kevin-schwantz-on-the-2016-motogp-season-679723/?s=1

Barbera: "I shone on two-strokes, I can do the same in MotoGP"

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/barbera-i-shone-on-two-strokes-i-can-do-the-same-in-motogp-679625/?s=1

Rossi expects "nothing special" between himself and Marquez

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/rossi-expects-nothing-special-between-himself-and-marquez-679828/?s=1

Lorenzo not ruling out Honda win
http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/lorenzo-not-ruling-out-honda-win-679851/?s=1

Aprilia's preview of the Qatar GP

First race of the season for Aprilia
http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/first-race-of-the-season-for-aprilia-680155/?s=1


Wednesday, March 16, 2016

MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 news stories

Updates from all classes in MotoGP, as testing took place for Moto2 and Moto3, and the season, draws closer, every single day.

KTM complete MotoGP test in Valencia
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/09/ktm-complete-motogp-test-in-valencia/194249

Photo Gallery: A historical look back at Qatar

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/10/photo-gallery-a-historical-look-back-at-qatar/194254

Putting in the miles
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/10/putting-in-the-miles/194272

Rabat: "Finishing in the top ten would be great"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/10/rabat-finishing-races-in-the-top-10-would-be-great/194273

Rossi: "I can continue for a couple of years"

http://www.motogp.com/en/in%20the%20media/2016/03/11/rossi-i-can-continue-for-a-couple-of-years/194408

How the regulation changes could shake up the MotoGP field

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/12/how-the-regulation-changes-could-shake-up-the-motogp-field/194218

A new era for tyres
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/12/a-new-era-for-tyres/194255

Laverty: "I want to be consistently finishing in the points"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/11/laverty-i-want-to-be-consistently-finishing-in-the-points/194425

Hernandez: "We still have to take steps forward"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/13/hernandez-we-still-have-to-take-steps-forward/194490

Dovizioso: "MotoGP bikes can make the most of their power"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/15/dovizioso-motogp-bikes-can-make-the-most-of-their-power/194710

Rossi: "Finally we start talking about racing!"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/15/rossi-finally-we-start-talking-about-racing/194712

Pedrosa: "I expect things to go a little better for us"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/15/pedrosa-i-expect-things-to-go-a-little-better-for-us/194718

Lorenzo: "We need to keep our feet on the ground"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/15/lorenzo-we-need-to-keep-our-feet-on-the-ground/194729

Dani Pedrosa's first 2016 blog entry.

Pedrosa Blog: Hello again, Doha!
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/16/pedrosa-blog-hello-again-doha/194730

Michelin return with records to beat
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/16/michelin-return-with-records-to-beat/194623

Marquez: "We'll fight to get the best result on Sunday"

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/16/marquez-we-ll-fight-to-get-the-best-result-on-sunday/194754

Bradley Smith on testing, silly season & the Qatar GP

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/16/bradley-smith-on-testing-silly-season-the-qatar-gp/194702

Celebrating 25 Years Racing Together
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/16/celebrating-25-years-racing-together/194753

Rins heads competition on opening day of Moto2 Qatar Test

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/11/rins-heads-competition-on-opening-day-of-qatar-moto2-test/194435

Luthi on top in Qatar as season draws closer

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/12/luthi-on-top-in-qatar-as-season-draws-closer/194507

Lowes grabs the lead of the Moto2 field with minutes left

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/13/lowes-grabs-the-lead-of-the-moto2-field-with-minutes-left/194574

Tight Moto2 World Championship heads to desert showdown

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/13/tight-moto2-world-championship-heads-to-desert-showdown/194592

#StatAttack: Moto2 field deepens in 2016
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/15/statattack-moto2-field-deepens-in-2016/194251

Navarro leads Moto3 charge in Qatar
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/11/navarro-leads-moto3-charge-in-qatar/194431

Loi gains momentum to top second day of Moto3 testing

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/12/loi-gains-momentum-to-top-second-day-of-moto3-testing/194508

Antonelli on top as Moto3 riders assault circuit record

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/13/antonelli-on-top-as-moto3-riders-assault-circuit-record/194572

Moto3 set for incredible season opener in Qatar

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/14/moto3-set-for-incredible-season-opener-in-qatar/194573

#StatAttack: Young talents step into Moto3

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/03/11/statattack-young-talents-step-into-moto3/194252


Tuesday, March 15, 2016

FIM World Supersport Round 2: Buriram, Thailand

For only the second time, the FIM World Supersport Championship, visits Thailand.  Four riders, who had bad luck, last time out, in Australia, will try to rebound, here in Thailand.  Those riders include Kyle Smith, Kenan Sofuoglu, Lorenzo Zanetti, and Jules Cluzel.  Randy Krummenacher, has the edge, going into the race in Thailand.  This should be a sizzler, chaps.  We are ready to race in FIM World Supersport in Thailand.  This race, will last 17 laps.  Kawasaki has the constructors championship lead.  Randy Krummenacher leads the championship.  Anthony West, who ran with the series in Australia, was a wildcard.  Hence, he will not be in this race.

The sighting lap, is coming up.  There is time for the riders to make up ground in the championship.  However, after bad races last time out in Australia, Kenan Sofuoglu, and Jules Cluzel, they will definitely be playing catch up.  Randy Krummenacher also has to show his prowess and that he can continue winning performances like he had at Phillip Island, a fortnight ago.  Cluzel has taken his 17th career World Supersport pole.  This puts him in company, with Australian rider, Broc Parkes.  Cluzel and Sofuoglu, need points.

Kenan Sofuoglu had a tire go down.  Anthony West said he may have touched Sofuoglu.  But, Sofuoglu rebuffed West's claim.  Sofuoglu has to go for it, and pressure his team mate, Randy Krummenacher.  Ratthapong Willairot, will be another rider to keep an eye on in this race.  Jules Cluzel has nil points.  He needs a solid finish.  The MV Agusta motorcycle has been held back, not being allowed to have traction control.  There are eight, MV Agusta F3 675 motorcycles, in this field. 

The other riders, are not having issues with the traction control like Cluzel is.  They are saying they need to get the most from it, and understand how to use it.  Other MV Agusta riders include Alex Baldolini, Aiden Wagner, Roberto Rolfo, Lorenzo Zanetti, Nicolas Terol, and Janos Chrobak.  Jules Cluzel needs to get the bike to work, in a race.  The one lap pace works.  But, he has to let things flow properly.  Robbie Rolfo's motorcycle,. has been totally rebuilt.  The wheels and the dashboard are the only parts of the motorcycle that were not replaced.

Riders are trying to keep cool, and it's also tough, to cool the bikes.  Riders are putting ice packs down their backs, using wet towels, and getting their cool suits activated.  17 laps on the limit, in the heat, is tough.  But, we'll see.  Five other riders have won their first races in World Supersport.  Josh Brookes and Luca Scassa are among them.  Kenan Sofuoglu was out qualified by Randy Krummenacher.  Sofuoglu is favorite on race pace.

But, also, take a look at Patrick "P.J." Jacobsen, who was fastest in the morning warmup.  One of the best things the rider's drink, to stay hydrated during races, is coconut water.  Kyle Smith is one to look out for, winning the 2015 finale in Qatar.  Smith went Scuba diving after the Australia race.  12,000 people are in the grandstand.  Watch Rathapong Willairot.  His brother, Rathapark Willairot is also a motorcycle racer.  Gino Rea starts ninth on his MV Agusta.  Zulfahmi Khairuddin will also do well.  Khairuddin, is one of four brothers. 

Look for Luke Stapleford to do well, as he was a wildcard in the British round last year.  But, is a full-time racer this year.  Five minutes to the race start.  Look out for Kevin Wahr and Hikari Okubo as well.  Wahr missed the WSSP race in Australia.  Hikari Okubo is another to watch.  Lots of riders are looking for points.  Jules Cluzel lost this race with an engine failure last year.  Can he rebound today?

We are ready to race.  There is one Thai wildcard in this race.  Fadeka Kraisart is that rider.  25 World Supersport 600cc motorcycles, ready to do battle.  The bikes are on their warmup lap.  Lorenzo Zanetti has had a bad weekend.  He's 16th on the grid.  Zanetti could not get the feel he wanted on the motorcycle.  Jules Cluzel looks to the side of his bike.  He is a former world champ in the 125cc class.  With tires, most riders will run the A spec solution as opposed to the B, and also the A compound on the rear, for smooth asphalt and high temperatures, which this track has.

Nico Terol dives for pit lane.  Hmmm.  He's got a problem and might have to start from pit lane.  Two of the three riders on the front row have yet to score points in 2016.  Sadly, it's game over for Nico Terol.  He has to retire his motorcycle, even before the race begins.  But now, the rest of the Supersport field, will race.  24 bikes take the green light.  Get ready for drama.  We are underway!  The Kawasaki's get a flying start, as Jules Cluzel gets swamped.  Hikari Okubo is stuck on the grid, and P.J. Jacobsen is already scything his way to the front!  He's up to the lead, from fourth on the grid!

Cluzel recovers ahead of Kenan Sofuoglu.  Into the hairpin, Kenan Sofuoglu has already passed Randy Krummenacher.  Krummenacher is running well, and Alex Baldolini has already gained a place, moving from fifth to fourth.  Can P.J. Jacobsen stay out in front?  Kenan Sofuoglu makes a move on Jules Cluzel.  He makes it work, and is up to second, behind Jacobsen.  Baldolini and Krummenacher follow.  The rider who could not get off the grid quick enough was Stefan Hill of Great Britain on one of the CIA Landlord Insurance Honda CBR600RR's.  Hikari Okubo has lost five places.

Baldolini and Krummenacher battle for position.  Jacobsen leads Sofuoglu and Cluzel.  The field is tightly bunched.  A privateer Kawasaki ran wide, and Lorenzo Zanetti is moving up.  Federico Caricasulo is another contender.  Krummenacher passes Baldolini.  Alex Baldolini is really going for it this year so far, even though this is the second race.  Ooh!  Ratthapark Willairot is down and out!  He's low sided his motorcycle.  Will he get back into the fray?  Other riders, were jolly lucky they didn't get collected in this incident.  The Thai crowd can't believe it, because Willairot is one of their countrymen.

Oh deary me!  Another rider is off the road.  Federico Caricasulo is doing some agricultural racing, through the gravel trap.  Caricasulo is back up and running.  He went off at turn six.  The four fast blokes in the championship in testing, are now in front of this field.  It's Jacobsen, Sofuoglu, Cluzel, and Krummenacher.   Dekka Kraisar is running well, and so are Gino Rea, and Zulfahmi Khairuddin.  These two, are former competitors in the Moto2 World Championship.  So, they know the 600cc motorcycles well.  We will watch, because if Cluzel and Sofuoglu fight with each other, Jacobsen will indeed be able to pull away.

Willairot is back in the race.  15 laps left.  Kenan Sofuoglu is being pursued by Randy Krummenacher.  The Kawasaki Puccetti team mates are going to be in a major battle, or so it appears.  Cluzel and Sofuoglu are chasing down Jacobsen.  Federico Caricasulo is back into trouble, again.  Caricasulo nearly hits Gino Rea's bike, and is forced off way wide, onto the pavement, and into the gravel, keeping the motorcycle, upright, thankfully.  Turn six is fast, and has a deep gravel trap.  He avoided a high side incident.  He has to find his way back through the field.

He has rejoined in 21st spot, ahead of Lachlan Epis.  Epis, is down near the tail of the field along with Stefan Hill and Ratthapong Willairot.  Jacobsen is still running first.  But, Kyle Ryde runs really wide, and goes right to pit lane, with an issue.  P.J. Jacobsen sets fastest lap.  Not sure of the time.  Alex Baldolini is only half a second slower.  Zulfhami Khairuddin is pushing forward.  He's doing really well.  He did very well in Moto3.  He says he's more comfortable on the bigger, 600cc bike.  Lorenzo Zanetti runs wide.  The MV Agusta is not working, with the setup.

Kyle Smith passes Khairuddin.  Cluzel and Sofuoglu are trading fastest laps.  Six laps done.  Eleven left.  Jacobsen has been caught by Cluzel.  Cluzel needs points.  Kenan Sofuoglu is fastest though.  Alex Baldolini has dropped to fifth.  Jacobsen, Cluzel, Sofuoglu, Krummenacher, the top four.  These blokes are running for the win.  There is another battle between Nacho Calero, Roberto Rolfo, and Federico Caricasulo.  Nacho Calero, the Spaniard, is on a Kawasaki ZX-6-R for Orelac Racing Verdnatura.

Honda, MV Agusta, Kawasaki, Kawasaki.  Gino Rea and Lorenzo Zanetti will pressure Alex Baldolini.  Jacobsen makes a slight mistake.  Less than a second covers the top four bikes.  This is really close racing!  Only ten laps remain now.  Cluzel has to pass Jacobsen, ASAP.  Krummenacher sets fastest lap of this race, insofar as the top three, at a 1:39.124, while Sofuoglu, Cluzel, and Jacobsen, are slower.  Krummenacher wants to pass Sofuoglu.  It's MV attacking Honda and Kawasaki vs. Kawasaki.

Jacobsen had some tire issues and crashes at Phillip Island.  The Honda has been sorted out well.  We are halfway through this race, chaps.  Kyle Smith, sets fastest lap.  Smith passes Baldolini for fourth.  Can Kyle Smith hone in on the top three?  Smith is coming, fast.  The lead group will be brought back towards the rest of the field.  Sofuoglu and Cluzel are close together.  Impatience is setting in.  Will Krummenacher dive up the inside in a slippery turn three?  Hikari Okubo passes Luke Stapleford for fourteenth spot.

Aiden Wagner is sixteenth, followed by Christian Gammarino, and Federico Caricasulo.  Roberto Rolfo, Nacho Calero 20th, Lachlan Epis, and Stefan Hill complete the remaining riders.  Krummenacher is thinking of diving inside.  Last year, Sofuoglu stole second from P.J. Jacobsen.  Team boss Manuel Puccetti will be nervous.  Krummenacher passes Sofuoglu.  Game over for Hikari Okubo, as he's crashed, and then rejoined the race.  Six laps now remain.  Jacobsen looks more comfortable, and he's choosing his lines wisely, and does not have to defend so much.

Cluzel is biding his time, saving his tires.  The scrap for the top four spots, is only separated by 8/10ths of a second.  Krummenacher is forcing Cluzel to ride defensively.  The laps click away.  Caricasulo is under investigation by the stewards.  Cluzel is right behind Jacobsen.  Kenan Sofuoglu is now the fastest rider on the road.  Put yourself in the right place for the last few laps.  This is quite the race for the finish.  Krummenacher can place his bike wherever he chooses.  We have three different bikes going for the win.  Cluzel passes Jacobsen!  Krummenacher can't take advantage of the situation.

Jacobsen comes back and does the same to Cluzel!  Sofuoglu and Krummenacher are also making contact, fighting for position.  Krummenacher has to attack Sofuoglu, and force the move.  This is riveting!  Kyle Smith is coming, fast.  Jacobsen is going for it.  Sofuoglu was fastest in this group last time around.  Jacobsen has Cluzel right on top of him.  Three laps remain now.  Jacobsen has to push, hard.  Sofuoglu has earned the best second sector time of this race.  We are on the penultimate lap.  Two to go.  No tire issues.  These guys are going for it.

Where will Jules Cluzel attack?  Cluzel gets into the draft, and tries to dive inside.  Watch out for turn four.  Jacobsen runs wide, allowing Cluzel to go by!  Now, Sofuoglu slams the side of Jacobsen!  Jacobsen fights back!  They are three abreast into turn seven!  Wow!  Jules Cluzel says, "merci beaucoup" and rides off into the sunset!  Cluzel reckoned he'd get points.  Sofuoglu passes Jacobsen.  Jacobsen passes.  One lap to go.  Sofuoglu passes Jacobsen and Cluzel is speeding away!  Sofuoglu passes Jacobsen.  Poor old P.J. Jacobsen, has gotten snookered.

One corner to go.  Will Honda attack Kawasaki?  Cluzel wins!  Sofuoglu beats Jacobsen.  Randy Krummenacher finishes fourth, and he maintains his championship lead.

World Supersport Race: #16 Jules Cluzel     FRA.    MV Agusta F3 675

What a race!  Two manufacturers have won in the first two World Supersport races of 2016.  Next up, World Supersport, joins World Superbike, in Aragon, Spain, in three weeks.

Monday, March 14, 2016

FIM World Superbike Round 2: Buriram, Thailand

Buriram, Thailand hosts round two of the FIM World Superbike Championship, for 2016.  Let's go first, to race one.

Last time out, at the season opener in Australia, it was a wild one.  How will the races go down in Thailand?  Last year, Johnny Rea, did the double, on the way to winning the championship, with Kawasaki.  He wants to become the first rider, to win the opening four races of the season, since Neil Hodgson did so, back in 2003.  We have a new pole man for the first race.  The circuit here at Buriram in Thailand, was built and conceived by legendary race track designer, Herman Tilke.  This is the Chang International Circuit which is 2.8 miles long.  Turn three and the back straight are the best overtaking places on this speedway.

We are 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of the capital city of Bangkok, in Thailand, set to go racing.  This race see heat and humidity as the story line before we begin 35 degrees Celsius air temp, (that's 95 degrees Fahrenheit), and a track temperature of 44 degree Celsius, 111 degrees Fahrenheit!  One word.  It's hot!  Compare the conditions at Chang International Circuit, to opening your oven door at home when the oven is on, and getting heat blasted in your face.  That's how it feels for fans, and riders, alike.

Michael van der Mark, becomes the first Dutchman, ever, to earn pole, for a World Superbike race.  It is also Honda's first pole, since 2014, when Jonathan Rea was riding for them.  van der Mark should be sensational in this race, and no one even thought Honda would perform the way they have, before this event.  van der Mark turned in a pole lap at 1:33.452.  Will Honda need it's new 2017 Fireblade bike?  At this rate, not now they won't.  The 2016 model, is proving to be a rocket ship.  Kawasaki leads everything at the moment, with rider, team, and manufacturer point standings, to keep track of.

Again, Rea wants to equal Neil Hodgson's record, of winning the opening four races of the championship, as Hodgson did, thirteen years ago.  van der Mark, is on pole.  But the green bikes, are alongside him on the grid, having set the exact same lap times during qualifying.  It all depends on who sets the time first.  How will these two blokes line up on the grid?  We're going to find out, in short order.

The time sheets, were incorrect, and Sykes will start second, while Rea, will roll off, third.  Davide Giugliano and Chaz Davies ALMOST crashed into each other during Super Pole qualifying!  That could have been REALLY ugly!  Davies starts fourth, with Giugliano, in sixth place.  It was an honest mistake.  Giugliano said he didn't see Davies, and apologized after the session.  That's the one golden rule in motor racing on two wheels, as well as four.  Don't take your team mate out!

Watch the Yamaha's in this opening race.  Sylvain Guintoli, has out qualified his team mate, Alex Lowes, for both of the first races in the first two rounds.  Lowes did well in Australia, and has worked well so far in Thailand.  Guintoli has a great amount of experience on the World Superbike machines.  We are looking at a strong first few rows on the grid for this first race in Thailand.  Alex Lowes set his time on a racing tire, after not having the chance to run on qualifying tires at a 1:34.3 in Super Pole 2.  We should watch out for Markus Reiterberger, and also, Jordi Torres, on the Althea BMW.

Althea, their sponsor, has many, many guests here, for the race.  The bikes are going out on their formation lap.  Michael van der Mark has never been on a World Superbike pole.  He is becoming a more mature rider, than he was.  Honda has not won a race, since 2014.  Jonathan Rea has lined up in third place, as the bikes are indeed finishing their reconnaissance lap, forming up, on the starting grid.  Pole position is on the left hand side of the road.  The reason for the KRT bikes starting where they are, is due to the second fastest times.  Sykes was quicker than Rea.  It seems Honda, has more speed, while Ducati, has lost some of their top speed.

How will this play out, during the first race of the weekend?  We're about to find out.  Pirelli says the tire wear here at Buriram, won't be as severe as at Phillip Island.  It's 50/50 on fronts and rear tires should be OK.  Phillip Island, is about the roughest track on the schedule.  It is all about being in a comfort zone, with the front tire.  A compound vs. B compound.  Stability, is key.  Hard tires, could be the way to go for this first race.  Due to braking in a straight line, tires are not totally strained here at Buriram.

Michael van der Mark, for his pole, takes a Tissot watch, and, being a rambunctious rascal, (as the riders surely are, all in fun), he signs, the camera lens!  For the win, Michael.  For the win, as they say.  Herman Tilke, in designing this track, has put the grandstand opposite the pit lane.  Therefore, more of the track is closer to the fans.  Riders are taking vitamin supplemented fluids, and wearing cool suits.  Eat dried fruit, or bananas, kiwi, beans, peas, and fish.  Avoid caffeinated energy drinks and soda pop, because you will lose more fluid and be dehydrated.  No spicy food, fatty food, or alcohol.

Practice one was not dramatic.  Practice two, makes time for setting up the bikes.  Jonathan Rea did a 15 or 16 lap run, in practice, running a consistent pace in the 1:34-1:35 bracket.  Markus Reiterberger celebrated his 22nd birthday on Wednesday.  Everyone sang Happy Birthday to him in the Thai language.  BMW Althea, and Pirelli, are both investigating what happened to Reiterberger's tire, after the end of the race in Australia, two weeks ago.  Karel Abraham qualifies 11th.  He went through Super Pole 1, and into Super Pole 2.  Milwaukee BMW is showing promise at these opening races of the season.

Fabio Menghi's leathers, are being worn today, by stand-in rider, from Italy, Matteo Baiocco.  Baiocco makes his 82nd WSBK start, and went from Super Pole 2, into Super Pole 1.  Baiocco raced for Althea Ducati, in 2015.  British Superbike champion, and a man who has run in WSBK before this season, Josh Brookes, will also be one to look out for in this event.  He starts next to the MV Agusta of Leon Camier.  MV Agusta was fastest of anyone in Friday Free Practice 1.  MV Agusta has to be careful with their engines for this race.  Roman Ramos, is fifteenth, and is Mr. Consistency, who had a good race last time out.

Xavi Fores is back on the motorcycle for this race, after a big wreck at Phillip Island, where he sat out the races.  He had surgery on his finger after Australia, and is back in action here, at Buriram. Roman Ramos, finished in the points, in Australia.  Can he do it again, in Thailand?  Sylvain Barrier, crashed into the barrier, (no pun intended), in corner number four on this circuit.  He was caught in a wreck with Xavi Fores, and clipped the tires.  Lorenzo Savadori will start 18th on his Aprilia.  Savadori, and team mate, Alex de Angelis, have, along with the BMW bikes, been the fastest through the speed traps.

They clock in at 303-304 kilometers an hour.  Folks, do the math, and keep and mind, that's 190 miles an hour!  That's fast, for a motorcycle, and really hauling the mail!  Five minutes before race one starts.  20 laps scheduled.  Alex De Angelis, is back in action, and scored points in the second race in Australia.  Saeed Al Sulaiti, starts 20th.  He is on the second Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX10R along with Sylvain Barrier.  We are ready, for a start.

We have a couple of wildcard riders, from Thailand.  One of them, yours truly may not pronounce or spell the name of, because, I will butcher it, horribly, who starts caboose on the field today, as a wildcard.  van der Mark is on a softer front tire than the Kawasaki's.  Kawasaki, and the Yamaha of Sylvain Guintoli, will run the harder, B spec tire on the front.  It is all about rider preference.  What tire does their riding style, suit?

More than a tenth of the WSBK races run, since the series' formation in 1988, have been run, in Asia.  70 of them.  Almost half, (32) of them, have been run at the Sugo circuit, in Japan.  This is the third running of the WSBK race at Chang International Circuit in Thailand.  Michael van der Mark, (The Flying Dutchman), is on pole, for Honda.  Here we go.  We are under starter's orders, and ready to get underway!

Lights out!  To borrow from NASCAR's Darrell Waltrip...  Boogity, boogity, boogity!  Let's go racing, boys!  van der Mark has gotten swamped at the start!  He's got it wrong, and is sinking in a hurry!  The green machines, from Kawasaki, assume positions one and two.  Davide Giugliano has made a good start.  But, poor old Michael van der Mark has fallen to sixth place.  Into the hairpin, it's hard, hard braking from 300 kilometers per hour (188 miles an hour), to 80 clicks (50 miles per hour).  Watch out in turn three.  New asphalt, means, zero grip.  Sylvain Guintoli suffers the same fate Michael van der Mark did at the start, is dropping well down the order.

We watch a battle for sixth, between Alex Lowes, and Nicky Hayden.  Davide Giugliano, runs wide, and nearly snares his team mate Davies, again!  Chaz Davies and Michael van der Mark, both pass, safely.  No riders have jumped the start, and it's clean and green, so far.  Karel Abraham is beginning to move up.  He started eleventh, and is now, ninth, with Sylvain Guintoli, completing the top ten.  Guintoli has managed to pass Roman Ramos.  Jordi Torres is losing spots as well.

Guintoli is all over Abraham, like a rash.  Guintoli makes the pass out of turn twelve, and we start the third lap of this race.  If Abraham is able to be ahead of Guintoli, look out.  The BMW's are wicked fast motorbikes.  Josh Brookes is not running well, however.  He's tumbled five places, from 14th to 19th.  Michael van der Mark is now third, having passed Chaz Davies.  Jonathan Rea, runs wide, and signals something to Tom Sykes.  Not sure Sykes even saw the gesture.  Kawasaki's two riders have to work together.

Sykes has opened a gap on Rea as we start lap four, and van der Mark, is coming.  Rea and van der Mark have put together their best laps, so far.  Sykes, Rea, van der Mark, Davies, and Giugliano, are the top five.  Yamaha's are slower than the front running motorcycles, as Davide Giugliano runs wide and goes back behind Hayden.  Giugliano is actually being hounded by Alex Lowes.  Nicky Hayden wanted to dive to the right, but thought better of it, because the new pavement off line, is very slick.  Has someone crashed?  If so, it could be either Karel Abraham, or, Xavi Fores.

No crash.  But, Karel Abraham, has plummeted to 14th place.  Michael van der Mark is now right on Jonathan Rea's tail.  The Honda has much more top speed than last year.  Sykes loses time, as Rea and van der Mark, are piling on the pressure.  Sykes needs to conserve his rear tire.  van der Mark, is quickest, of the top three, as we look at lap times.  van der Mark with a 1:34.499, Rea clocks in at 1:34.650, and Sykes, at 1:34.883.  These three chaps, are two and a half seconds clear, of Chaz Davies, who is languishing in fourth spot at the moment.

Abraham is recovering.  van der Mark, is pushing, hard.  van der Mark, briefly runs off the road!  Be very, very careful, Michael!  You are way too fast, into that corner!  van der Mark was not registered at the timing beacon on that sector of track, because he was well and truly, off the road, and about to pancake that bike onto the pavement, if he wasn't careful!  What we know is this.  The Kawasaki, has more potential right now, than does the Honda.  So, with Honda, having to prove themselves, van der Mark, is forced, to ride, as if his life depended on it, and be sent out, as the hound, chasing after the two rabbits at the sharp end of this field.

After having gone walkabout, van der Mark, has recovered.  Alex Lowes is giving the Yamaha a good run, as we work lap seven, and are three laps shy of halfway in this first race.  Alex De Angelis, is also inside the top ten.  Markus Reiterberger, holds station, in ninth spot, where he started the race, on the Althea BMW S1000RR.  Trouble for Nicky Hayden?  He's fallen from fifth, to eighth place.  Alex Lowes may not be on the timing screens either.  What has happened to both Alex Lowes and Nicky Hayden?  Markus Reiterberger is now seventh.  Eighth for Hayden, and ninth, for Lowes.  One of the Thai wildcard riders, has pitted, and rejoined, far down the order, not a factor for the overall win.

Markus Reiterberger enters World Superbike after winning two German Superbike championships in the last three years.  2013 and 2015.  Nicky Hayden, is eighth.  Alex Lowes, has fallen, to ninth.  Not much of a gap between Rea and Sykes.  In replay, we watch Alex Lowes and Nicky Hayden, making the same error turning into the corner, and running off the road, almost simultaneously.  Both, off the road, at turn three.  At the end of this lap, we'll be halfway home, as Tom Sykes has caught Jonathan Rea.

This is lap 10 of 20.  Every lap, in recent succession, Tom Sykes, has been quicker, than Jonathan Rea.  But, we turn our attention, to Nicky Hayden and Honda, as it could be, that Hayden has dropped to the tail end of the field.  Hayden has gone through the gravel at turn four, at the fastest corner on the track.  He's stopped.  It could be his first retirement, in World Superbike.  "The Kentucky Kid" has mechanical woes, and is out of this race, folks.  He'll have to come back, for race two.

The battle for ninth place, is heating up.  Alex De Angelis, Jordi Torres, Luca Savadori, and Karel Abraham, all want the spot.  Meanwhile, at Ducati, Davide Giugliano is back up to full speed, and he's catching Chaz Davies, hand over fist.  This is a carbon copy of what happened in morning warmup, and the two Aruba.it Ducati's almost come to blows in the middle of the track!  Scary business here.  Gently, boys.  Davide Giugliano, has to be more careful of knowing where his team mate is, because, if these two coves (lower level British slang for men, that is), take each other out, the Ducati management, is going to give them a sure thrashing.

Rea is more comfortable with taking lines on his bike, than Sykes is, as far as the Kawasaki duo is concerned.  van der Mark, is at least two to three tenths quicker than the Kawasaki's.  1:34.9 for Sykes, 1:34.8, for Rea, and 1:34.6 for van der Mark.  Working lap 12.  Can van der Mark bridge the gap to the Kawasaki's?  We are seeing the major fight between the two Kawasaki boys.  All the press etc. and even Jonathan Rea have said that the new Kawasaki Ninja has been built, for Tom Sykes.  Sykes accused Rea of being disrespectful, and that Rea's claim was rubbish.

We still have eight laps to run, in race one, and a whole other race, yet to go.  Sykes and Rea are now clearly outperforming van der Mark's Honda.  Sylvain Guintoli is in a fight, with Markus Reiterberger, at the moment.  Giugliano and Davies, are still rumbling.  Davies does not have the grip Giugliano does.  But, he's going for it.  Alex Lowes is now piling the pressure on Sylvain Guintoli.  So, the Yamaha team mates, may also have a dust up, before this thing is over.  The lead gap between Sykes and Rea, has also increased, from 2/10ths of a second, to 8/10ths of a second in sector three.

Rea runs wide at turn eight.  Close call!  van der Mark is further back, and he'll finish on the podium again.  Honda, with van der Mark aboard the bike, could win for the first time since 2014 in Portimao, Portugal, when Jonathan Rea, was their star rider.  Hmmm.  van der Mark could be set to put the cat among the pigeons, if he gets on the podium.  The royal rumble between Davies and Giugliano, continues.  Jordi Torres has also made a good recovery, coming back to ninth place after being outside the points, passing Alex De Angelis.

Leon Camier is running pretty well and so is super sub rider, Matteo Baiocco.  Nicky Hayden describes the tech issues that forced him out of this race, to his team.  Rea sets another fast lap at 1:33.936.  Deary me.  Giugliano is beginning to fall behind, again.  He has to be frustrated, and his race is going pear shaped.  Forget royal rumble.  It's royal fumble for Giugliano, as he starts to lose ground.  Five laps to go.  The leaders will soon lap the slower Yamaha ridden by Imre Toth.  Insofar as Giugliano, is recovering.  Reverse that.  His race is not going pear shaped.  He just ran wide.

Take back what I said earlier.  No royal fumble, for the Ducati rider.  When you run wide, the timing beacons on the road, don't register you, and the timing and scoring system thinks that you've dropped by the wayside.  Right now, in the lead battle, Jonathan Rea, clearly, is attempting to force Jonathan Rea, into a mistake.  Four laps to go now, and for the first time, Rea is inside Tom Sykes!  Sykes is forced wide, and has to try and come back.  He can't quite make it.

Rea gets loose.  Tom Sykes is not allowing Rea to get away.  Three laps left.  If Rea pulls out a few tenths more, Sykes will have to settle for second.  Michael van der Mark, will get another podium finish (his third straight), if the order stays as is.  Meanwhile, more argy bargy from the Ducati boys!  For the third time, these blokes have tried to knock each other out of the race.  Are these two going to have to be put in time out, like two spoiled children, fighting over a toy?  This is unbelievable!  Markus Reiterberger on the BMW, could be headed for his career best finish, ahead of the Yamaha's of Lowes and Guintoli, running seventh and eighth.

Jordi Torres on the second BMW is ninth, and Alex De Angelis, on the first Aprilia, is tenth.  Xavi Fores has moved into the points, in fifteenth spot, ahead of Matteo Baioco.  We are on the penultimate lap, and oh!  Davide Giugliano is down and out!  He hits the deck, on the last corner!  It is his first crash of 2016.  Giugliano comes in a little too hot, the front end washes away.  Next thing Giugliano knows, he's on his knees, and in trying to get up and recover too quickly, he falls again.  He's trying to run at 60 kilometers an hour, and loses his balance.

Giugliano, is up and running again, after acting like a rally driver, and spraying gravel into the marshals' faces.  Davies is fourth.  Giugliano will languish, down in 18th spot.  Both Aprilia's are into the top ten.  Jonathan Rea, tries passing a backmarker.  21-year-old Hungarian rider, Peter Sebestyen.  Well, Sebestyen, was looking in the wrong direction, and didn't even see the Kawasaki's bearing down on him!  Dear, Peter, you were a bit too close for comfort, to the leaders, on that move, sunshine.

Karel Abraham, and others, are still running.  Matteo Baiocco, is now in the points.  Tom Sykes is really closing up after Rea's encounter with Peter Sebestyen.  Four corners, three, two, one.  Rea wins three out of three by two tenths of a second over his team mate!

WSBK Race 1: #1 Jonathan Rea    GBR.    Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX10R

Karel Abraham has crashed in turn four, on the final lap.  Two Kawasaki's with a 1-2 finish, and it's the 80th win for them in World Superbikes!  MV Agusta has done well in this race, too.  This is also the 17th 1-2 in World Superbike for Kawasaki.  Rea has moved ahead of Colin Edwards in all-time World Superbike wins.  He still has to catch Troy Corser, Noriyuki Haga, Troy Bayliss, and Carl Fogarty, who is the winningest rider in WSBK history with 59.

Race two, is coming up.

Jonathan Rea, is looking to break that aforementioned record, set by Neil Hodgson.  Can Rea do the double?  Let's find out.  We're ready for race two.

A sellout crowd, looks forward to another great 20 lap race.  Michael van der Mark, starts on pole, and hopes his Honda will be reliable.  It should be noted, Kawasaki's 1-2 in race one, was their first since the 2015 race at Donington Park, in England.  We are close to the warmup lap.  Will Tom Sykes change strategy, and follow Jonathan Rea for most of this second race?

van der Mark had an engine braking issue in race one.  van der Mark is going to have a tough time, taking it to the Kawasaki's.  Everything is so hot on the bikes, the mechanics have wear gloves to not burn themselves.  Nicky Hayden's race one issues were a sensor cutting power to the engine.  Markus Reiterberger scored the first top five finish for a German rider, in WSBK competition, in six years, in race one, in Thailand.  Max Neukirchner was the last German, to accomplish the feat.  He did so in the first race at Valencia, Spain, in 2009.

MV Agusta wanted to conserve the engine on their bike, and this caused Leon Camier to be demoted.  Camier's crash with Karel Abraham, from Camier's point of view, was that he braked too late.  Karel Abraham's view is that Camier chopped across the front of Abraham's motorcycle.  There was no contact, in reality.  It's a racing incident.  The bikes venture out on the sighting lap, for race two.  We prepare, for a start.  Jordi Torres had a front brake issue in race one.  That's why he was falling down the order in race one.

VFT Racing and Matteo Baiocco, rebuilt the motor on their Ducati, and just barely are ready to get the bike onto the grid.  Sometimes, teams just have to switch to their spare motorcycle.  The sun is more intense in today's race, than it was, in the Saturday contest.  Chaz Davies is testing his brakes, while he lines up fourth on the grid.  Race stewards for all classes (Superbike, Supersport, and the Red Bull Asia Talent Cup), don't cross the white line, coming out of the pit lane exit.

For Matteo Baiocco, he cannot hurt this rebuilt motor.  As far as regular rider for that team, Fabio Menghi, his injuries were a dislocated collarbone and a fractured hip.  Menghi will also have to go through rehabilitation.  So, he might not be back until May when we get to England, at Donington Park, or, one of his home races in Italy at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.  We are ready, for race two.

Alex Lowes had a great ride in race one, on the spare Yamaha.  Milwaukee BMW will introduce new parts for their motorcycles when we get to Europe, in three weeks at Motorland Aragon, in Aragon, Spain.  More details on that, at the end of this race.  Let's hope, once again, Matteo Baiocco, will survive this race with the brand new engine in the motorcycle.  Baiocco is racing a Ducati in Italian Superbike.  Josh Brookes has had a not-so-good weekend.  Five minutes to go before this race begins.  Watch Alex De Angelis and Lorenzo Savadori, too, on the Aprilia's.  Will they be a factor in this second race?

We are ready, for action, in race two.  We are on the warmup lap.  Over 81,000 fans, have been here over the weekend.  45,000 for today!  Four manufacturers in the top five.  Honda, Kawasaki, Ducati, and Yamaha.  Pirelli has a few riders going with the A spec tire.  But, some, are using the B spec tire.  Again, it's rider's preference.  25 motorcycles, will take the start of race two.  The tension is amazing.  We're ready, for launch.  Go!  Jonathan Rea gets a good launch, but he gets swallowed up by Tom Sykes and Michael van der Mark, going into corner number one.

Into turn two, Davies and Giugliano, are side-by-side already.  Heavy braking into turn three as the Ducati's are ready to pounce on Jonathan Rea.  Rea passes van der Mark.  But, there's major contact between van der Mark and Davies!  Yikes!  Guintoli and Lowes on the Yamaha's are running together, and we watch the Honda's moving up.  That's Nicky Hayden.  Meanwhile, more bad luck for Davide Giugliano on the Ducati.  The two Kawasaki's are breaking away from the rest of the field.  Alex Lowes is up to fifth.

Baiocco has plummeted from 12th to 19th, on his VFT Racing Ducati.  Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea have been running well, as Markus Reiterberger, drops to tenth.  Davies and Lowes are resuming a battle they had in round one at Phillip Island.  Lowes makes a pass.  Davies tries to come back, into turn one, start lap three.  Sylvain Guintoli and Nicky Hayden, also want a piece of this action.  Lowes runs wide into turn four!  Whoa!  Nicky Hayden will also try passing Lowes.  Davide Giugliano is actually moving forward, instead of backward.  Turn four is the fastest corner here at Chang International Circuit.  Lowes is lucky he didn't crash.

Comparing these different motorcycles for a moment.  The Kawasaki's have the best overall package in terms of power and speed, as well as braking and handling.  The Ducati's have to carry more corner speed, as they don't have quite the same top speed.  Best of the rest is Jordi Torres on the BMW.  He finished fourth, twice, in Thailand, on an Aprilia, last year.  Last year, Tom Sykes called Torres "the Spanish Elvis", because of his sideburns, and, because he is a good singer.  The rest of the order is Savadori, Reiterberger, De Angelis, Abraham, Ramos, Brookes, Camier, Baiocco, Barrier, Al Sulaiti, and others.

Working lap five, as we watch Lowes and Guintoli fight for fifth, on the Yamaha's.  Both of them passed Giugliano on lap one.  Tom Sykes is in the lead, and Jonathan Rea, is second.  The two Kawasaki's are the class of the field at this point.  We have fifteen laps left.  The Kawasaki riders have told those in the media, that this bike is at 85% of it's full potential.  Right now, they need to find a bike more consistent for Jonathan Rea.  Sykes is more confident on the bike this time, than in Australia, last time out.

Chaz Davies looks to be pressuring Michael van der Mark.  In this race, worries over Tom Sykes' tires, should be nonexistent.  Rea brakes earlier than Sykes does.  Rea seems to be toying with Sykes right now.  Karel Abraham loses three spots.  Oh dear.  We see a red and yellow slipper surface flag being waved.  Could there be oil, or moisture, on the road?  This was from the marshal post at turn 12.  We will be halfway through this race, at the end of the next lap.  It is easier to follow than lead.  Rea is using less road than Sykes.  But, he can also pressure Sykes.  The Kawasaki's have a 1.6 second lead. 

Now, the two Kawasaki's are leading Michael van der Mark's Honda, by 1.6 seconds.  Wow.  Chaz Davies, his ridden around Michael van der Mark.  van der Mark has a tow, and can he get back past Davies?  Davies holds station, in third place.  We've still got the battle on our hands between Sykes and Rea.  Meanwhile, Alex Lowes is falling down the order.  He's now 17th.  Actually, he's out.  Game over.  Rea inside Sykes.  No.  Jonathan Rea tries diving down the inside of Tom Sykes.  No dice.

The Ducati and the Honda are now closing in on the Kawasaki's.  Turn twelve is a difficult corner to pass in.  Rea dives inside Sykes!  Rea almost touches Sykes!  Davies and van der Mark are closer and closer.  Everyone takes different lines, and so, it's easy to have an issue and drift across the road.  van der Mark runs wide.  He's lost tons of time.  Davies could catch these blokes and pass them, if they keep battling.  Rea is inside Sykes in turn eight.  Rea now leads.  Sykes has to respond, now.  The red mist has come down.  Rea has to cut qualifying laps, and open a gap. 

Oh dear!  Rea, runs wide!  Well, so much for the theory of cutting qualifying laps!  Sykes and Davies are 1-2.  Jonathan Rea maybe went deep into turn three, and lost control, briefly, without falling.  Now, this is a motorcycle race!  Michael van der Mark is now two seconds down the road.  It's a three man race for the win, in race two, in Thailand.  Chaz Davies has won nine WSBK races, and finished on the podium, 33 times.  Remember, in race one, Peter Sebestyen, held up the leaders.  Now, Sebestyen's team mate, Imre Toth, is doing the same thing, on the other Team Toth Yamaha YZF R1.  For Davies, he may be in trouble, because there's a piece of debris, flapping on one of the exhaust pipes.

Oh dear.  Alex De Angelis has gone off the road in turn three.  Davide Giugliano has taken away places.  De Angelis could be out of this one.  Alex De Angelis, does rejoin.  But, he's out of the points, way back in 16th.  Five laps left.  Jonathan Rea wants to pass Chaz Davies.  But, all the bikes are skating around.  Grip is at a premium.  No question.  This is great racing!  The crowd is going bonkers.  Rea will really have to push hard to win.  The Kawasaki's will duke it out to the end.  Four laps to go now.

Rea ran his fastest first sector time on the previous lap.  Rea runs 1:34.373, while Sykes completes a lap at 1:34.504, and Davies, can only muster a 1:34.772.  If he wants it, Sykes has to hold off Rea's charge.  It was on lap 17 of race one on Saturday (read the opening segment of this race report), whre Rea overtook Sykes.  Can he do it again?  In three laps, we will also find out if Kawasaki can get their 18th 1-2 finish in WSBK racing.  Chaz Davies is coming back, too.  Rea wants his fourth win of the year.

Sykes has gone really well, and this is his best riding since his title year of 2013.  More lapped traffic is coming.  Davies is alongside Rea, but, he's on the wrong side of the road!  Rea passes Davies.  One of the Thai wildcard riders, almost has to slam on the brakes, to let the leaders through!  Davies is the fastest of these three.  Rea makes another pass on Sykes!  Oh, my heart!  It's not done yet.  Sykes tries to make a move, but Rea, cuts back to the inside!  Sykes cuts back through underneath!  This is a two man race now.

Never mind.  Davies is also still in it!  A three way fight to the finish!  Three motorcycles separated by 3/10ths of a second!  Rea can't pass.  Who will win?  We are on the last lap of this race, ladies and gentlemen.  It's all come down to this.  Rea tries Sykes into the right hander at turn three.  No dice.  How bad do you want it?  Tom Sykes has not won since Jerez in Spain, last September.  Rea passes for the lead.  Rea runs wide in turns six and seven, and Sykes is back to the lead!  Unbelievable!  Four corners left in this titanic duel of two wheeled gladiators.

Sykes loses traction through the penultimate corner.  Rea alongside.  Sykes, moves across to block!  Sykes defends from Rea!  Davies might have a chance.  Side by side off the last corner!  Jonathan Rea, has been beaten!  Tom Sykes, wins race two in Thailand!  You've been beaten, fair and square, Jonathan Rea.  Rea will not break Neil Hodgson's record.

WSBK Race 2: #66 Tom Sykes     GBR.     Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki ZX10R

Something may still be dangling off Davies' Ducati. 

It is Tom Sykes' 27th win, and 65th podium.  He equals the win total of American rider and double world champ, Doug Polen who won the title in 1991 and '92.  He is the first rider other than Jonathan Rea to win in Thailand.  But, Kawasaki, remains unbeaten.  What a motorcycle race!  Now, the World Superbike Championship, moves into the European part of the season.  The next event, is at Motorland Aragon, in Aragon, Spain, coming up, in three weeks.

We'll see you, in Spain, then.  It should be fun.  So long, for now.