Stories that developed between the Malaysia round and the Britain round of the FIM World Superbike Championship. Working on the race reports for Donington right now, and will have those posted, in due course.
Injured Guintoli to miss Donington, aims for Misano return
http://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/injured-guintoli-to-miss-donington-aims-for-misano-return-738374/?s=1
MotoAmerica champion Beaubier to make WSBK debut
http://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/motoamerica-champion-beaubier-to-make-wsbk-debut-738594/?s=1
Davide Giugliano in third place after the first day of practice at Donington
http://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/davide-giugliano-in-3rd-place-after-the-first-day-of-practice-in-donington-741036/?s=1
Lowes ruled out of home round after Sepang crash
http://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/lowes-ruled-out-of-home-round-after-sepang-crash-741167/?s=1
Qualifying report from Donington.
Donington WSBK: Sykes dominates for fifth pole of 2016
http://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/donington-wsbk-sykes-dominates-for-fifth-pole-of-2016-741199/?s=1
Stay tuned, for further race reports. The news update, only scratches the surface. Much more to come.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Moto3: Italy
Now it is time, for the junior riders, to tackle the Autodromo del Mugello. The fans are here in their thousands. It's warm, with no clouds in the sky. 1/3rd of the season has gone by. We are ready for a corker of a race as Brad Binder wants to go for three in a row. Romano Fenati is on his third career pole, with a special paint scheme on the bike, of the Italian flag. The hillsides are jammed. We've seen MotoGP and Moto2 produce fabulous races. Moto3 started the proceedings. Andrea Migno is second on the grid, a career best placing. Khairul Idham Pawi has qualified third. It would have been an Italian lockout of the front row. However, Francesco "Pecco" Bagnaia, had his qualifying time taken away.
Brad Binder wants to become the first South African rider, since Cork Ballington in the 250cc division in 1979, to win three straight races. Binder has favorite status at this point. Jorge Navarro has had seven podiums in ten races, but wants a win. Enea Bastianini starts in sixth place. Bastianini's wrist is still bothering him, and he missed the French race because of that, after a motocross accident. He has set a fast time for this race. The pressure is off him, though, because he's way behind Brad Binder in the points standings. Bastianini says he's ready to race. Niccolo Bulega is also one to watch. Pecco Bagnaia rolls off eighth, and right behind him, Spaniard Aron Canet. Another rookie, Joan Mir, completes the top ten.
Starting eleventh is Hiroki Ono of Japan. Andrea Migno has never been at the front of a Grand Prix motorcycle race. Bo Bendsneyder qualified thirteenth. Niccolo Antonelli has had qualifying issues, crashing at the Bucine corner, and having to start his Honda in 21st. Gabriel Rodrigo of Argentina, he has been handed a grid penalty. On the front row, it's both Sky VR46 machines, with Fenati, in P1. 33 riders will start. 20 laps scheduled for Moto3. Maria Hererra looks to have stalled her motorcycle on the grid as the rest of the riders set off on the warmup lap. The track and weather conditions are perfect for racing 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit), air temp. 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), track temp.
Most riders are on medium rear tires and medium fronts. But Livio Loi has the softer option rear tire mounted on his bike. The slipstream is crucial here at Mugello as the straight is 1.1 kilometers long. Round six of the Moto3 championship in 2016, is, go! Romano Fenati and Khairul Idham Pawi start well. Brad Binder also has a very solid start from row two. Jorge Navarro tries to charge and so does Aron Canet! Khairul Idham Pawi tries passing Pecco Bagnaia into Casanova, and Bagnaia slams the door in his face. Hiroki Ono also makes a pass on Pawi. Niccolo Antonelli moves up to 19th spot. Plunging into Correntaio, the bikes remain single file as we approach the completion of lap one.
Enea Bastianini is tenth and has to try to pass his competition, as the slipstream begins, in earnest. Pecco Bagnaia has a look inside Brad Binder. Brad Binder sweeps past three riders! He tries to pass Andrea Migno under braking. But, Migno holds station. Migno leads. Romano Fenati, though, has been pushed down to fifth place. Migno leads as Fenati has passed Bagnaia. Binder runs wide. Navarro goes to the lead at Poggio Secco. Jakub Kornfeil is making a charge through this field. Andrea Migno has not been up at the sharp end of the grid. Migno takes the lead from Jorge Navarro.
Ono and Pawi also have the drive to go for the lead! Who will it be? It's Hiroki Ono! But now, Pawi sweeps through, past Ono! Pawi charges from seventh, to first! He passed an entire group of riders! There's more good news for Pawi! He's turned the fastest lap of the race so far at 1:58.332. Romano Fenati strikes back, and he's up to second. However, fellow Italian Enea Bastianini, is going backwards in a hurry. Fenati, Navarro, and Pawi, the top three. This is a rip snorting Moto3 race at Mugello, ladies and gentlemen! Fabio Quartararo also languishes and is 16th.
Niccolo Antonelli is now 18th. Hiroki Ono, meanwhile, squeezes his way underneath Jorge Navarro. Pawi loses a spot to Pecco Bagnaia. Ono leads, and Navarro is charging. Juanfran Guevara sets new fast lap at 1:58 flat. 1:58.009 precisely. Lorenzo Dalla Porta and Fabio Di Giantonio are also running really well at this stage. Lorenzo Dalla Porta, is a local rider, standing in for the injured Phillip Oettl in this race. Fenati and Bagnaia pass for position. Bo Bendsneyer of Holland, he's 22nd, but is a mere 2.8 seconds off the lead! This is very close, action packed racing, from the Moto3 squad here at Mugello!
The riders jockey for position and go six or seven abreast into turn one at San Donato! Holy mackerel! Hang onto your hollyhocks here boys and girls! Migno and Binder now run 1-2. Lorenzo Dalla Porta as a stand in rider, is doing a fabulous job. These riders are starting to get aggressive and this race is going down at a tremendous clip. Aron Canet has also forced his way past Lorenzo Dalla Porta. Brad Binder has moved his way into second place. Jorge Martin runs inside the top ten. The way these blokes are running, you'd think it was the start of the race all over again. A frantic pace is being set.
Fabio De Giantonio is really running well. Aron Canet has been demoted a few spots. Folks. Check this out! Fabio Di Giantonio, the Moto3 rookie, now leads at Mugello! Juanfran Guevara gets loose, and how he stayed atop that KTM motorcycle, goodness only knows! Fifteen laps remain. Romano Fenati continues to lead. It is impossible to escape from other riders. Try to pull out a gap, and make sure you cross the line first. Dalla Porta and Ono nearly wreck going through Scarperia and Pollagio. Fabio Quartararo has moved up to tenth as Andrea Migno has unfortunately sunk from the lead to 12th. Jorge Navarro passes and moves from third to first.
Fenati does retake the lead, though. Brad Binder has now taken the lead through San Donato as Khairul Idham Pawi comes to second. Brad Binder is pushing, running in the lead, and also, continuing to lead the Moto3 world championship, as Darryn Binder almost challenges. However, while his brother leads, Darryn Binder takes a tank slapper at Arrabiata 1. Game over. Enea Bastianini is way down to 18th and of course, Andrea Migno has also fallen down the order as Hiroki Ono has now taken the race lead. Fabio Quartararo has almost taken the race lead! Will he squeeze Navarro out?
Fabio Quartararo, takes the race lead! He's back on form, here, at Mugello. Navarro and Di Giantonio almost touch! Maintain your position in the top group. 23 riders are in this train, with Bo Bendsneyder as the caboose. Fabio Di Giantonio goes for the lead and takes it. Meanwhile, Romano Fenati, he is also fighting on the outside. Binder and Pawi make contact. Di Giantonio leads over Fenati at this stage, working lap ten, and we are halfway home in this Moto3 contest. Oh dear! This is the turning point of this race! Romano Fenati, the pole man, it's game over! He's stopped on course!
Brad Binder, is now leading. He was seventh, and has moved into the lead. We also see Niccolo Bulega is trying to move to third. Amazingly, Brad Binder, is the only rider of the top dozen, who has won a Moto3 race. We have reached the halfway mark in this race. Will anyone draft past Binder? Ono is going to try. It's close. But, Binder gets sandwiched between motorcycles! Binder plummets to sixth. RBA Racing is now in contention with both Juanfran Guevara, and Gabriel Rodrigo, (either one, actually), has moved into contention. Bulega was moving to his left, didn't see Binder, and... slam! They nearly crashed, as Binder was trying to avoid Bulega coming across!
Fabio Quartararo leads Hiroki Ono right now. Maria Herrera is 24th. Oh dear! Jorge Navarro has crashed out! Navarro is down at Bucine. Eight laps to go. Brad Binder is now going for the jugular in terms of the championship. Binder will be able to extend his lead to 50 points, with his two championship rivals out of the race (namely Fenati and Navarro). Quartararo continues to lead as Lorenzo Dalla Porta tries for the lead, but Niccolo Bulega flies to the lead from seventh! Andrea Migno started second but is way down now. Andrea Locatelli has crashed out. Game over through Lucco and Poggio Secco.
Whoa! More argy bargy, as Pawi clips the rear of Quartararo! Lorenzo Dalla Porta leads here at Mugello. It's impossible to call who will win. Dalla Porta leads. He also won the CEV Junior World Championship race at Le Mans. Now Fabio Quartararo has taken the lead as Jorge Martin runs wide through San Donato. Lorenzo Dalla Porta makes an aggressive move up the inside of Fabio Di Giantonio. Romano Fenati had the chain break on his bike. Any one in this group of 10-15 riders could win the Mugello Moto3 race. Quartararo leads and Pecco Bagnaia pushes his way past Brad Binder. Bagnaia closes on Quartararo through Casanova and Sevelli.
Enea Bastianini is coming, fast. Sadly, Andrea Migno is way down in 16th. Aron Canet sweeps past Fabio di Giantonio and also Khairul Idham Pawi. Canet could eat up Brad Binder. Quartararo still leads, with Binder passing Bagnaia. Just three laps to go. Di Giantonio assumes the lead from fourth as Bagnaia slides into the corner way, way, way too hot! This is through San Donato. The rookies are really performing like veteran riders in this race as Hiroki Ono passes Pawi. Di Giantonio makes a mistake through Arrabiata 1. Quartararo loses fourth to Hiroki Ono through Scarperia. Brad Binder has the advantage right now.
Two laps to go and Quartararo gets a brilliant drive into San Donato. Niccolo Antonelli and Joan Mir have also entered the picture. Quartararo still leads as Binder passes through Casanova. Aron Canet is being passed left and right. Pecco Bagnaia goes under Brad Binder. We begin the final lap at Mugello. Hiroki Ono is coming on like a steam locomotive, and so is Brad Binder! Aron Canet and Niccolo Antonelli are up there, too. But, Binder, who was sixth, now moves to P1! Binder runs wide and Francesco Bagnaia tries taking advantage. But, Binder, throws the block. Bagnaia under pressure from Quartararo!
If Binder has the lead through Casanova, he could win this race. Bagnaia goes inside Quartararo. He wants to chase down Binder. Binder opens a gap, taking a defensive line. Binder has played these tactics, perfectly. Oh dear! Rider down! It's Khairul Idham Pawi! If Francesco Bagnaia wants to win, he'll have to dive bomb binder through the last turn at Bucine. Out of the last corner, Aron Canet has a massive high side! He's down and out! Brad Binder, barely holds on, for a hat trick! Fabrizio Di Giantonio, almost pulls it off. But, Binder, is the winner, in Italy!
#41 Brad Binder RSA KTM
Wham, bam, thank you mam! This is Binder's championship to lose. Poor old Aron Canet wrecks. Pecco Bagnaia is on the podium. Seven hundredths of a second, covers the top five, across the start/finish line! Still catching up with these races. So, the next one, for Moto3, will be the Catalunya Grand Prix in Barcelona, Spain. Stay tuned, for a race report.
Brad Binder wants to become the first South African rider, since Cork Ballington in the 250cc division in 1979, to win three straight races. Binder has favorite status at this point. Jorge Navarro has had seven podiums in ten races, but wants a win. Enea Bastianini starts in sixth place. Bastianini's wrist is still bothering him, and he missed the French race because of that, after a motocross accident. He has set a fast time for this race. The pressure is off him, though, because he's way behind Brad Binder in the points standings. Bastianini says he's ready to race. Niccolo Bulega is also one to watch. Pecco Bagnaia rolls off eighth, and right behind him, Spaniard Aron Canet. Another rookie, Joan Mir, completes the top ten.
Starting eleventh is Hiroki Ono of Japan. Andrea Migno has never been at the front of a Grand Prix motorcycle race. Bo Bendsneyder qualified thirteenth. Niccolo Antonelli has had qualifying issues, crashing at the Bucine corner, and having to start his Honda in 21st. Gabriel Rodrigo of Argentina, he has been handed a grid penalty. On the front row, it's both Sky VR46 machines, with Fenati, in P1. 33 riders will start. 20 laps scheduled for Moto3. Maria Hererra looks to have stalled her motorcycle on the grid as the rest of the riders set off on the warmup lap. The track and weather conditions are perfect for racing 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit), air temp. 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), track temp.
Most riders are on medium rear tires and medium fronts. But Livio Loi has the softer option rear tire mounted on his bike. The slipstream is crucial here at Mugello as the straight is 1.1 kilometers long. Round six of the Moto3 championship in 2016, is, go! Romano Fenati and Khairul Idham Pawi start well. Brad Binder also has a very solid start from row two. Jorge Navarro tries to charge and so does Aron Canet! Khairul Idham Pawi tries passing Pecco Bagnaia into Casanova, and Bagnaia slams the door in his face. Hiroki Ono also makes a pass on Pawi. Niccolo Antonelli moves up to 19th spot. Plunging into Correntaio, the bikes remain single file as we approach the completion of lap one.
Enea Bastianini is tenth and has to try to pass his competition, as the slipstream begins, in earnest. Pecco Bagnaia has a look inside Brad Binder. Brad Binder sweeps past three riders! He tries to pass Andrea Migno under braking. But, Migno holds station. Migno leads. Romano Fenati, though, has been pushed down to fifth place. Migno leads as Fenati has passed Bagnaia. Binder runs wide. Navarro goes to the lead at Poggio Secco. Jakub Kornfeil is making a charge through this field. Andrea Migno has not been up at the sharp end of the grid. Migno takes the lead from Jorge Navarro.
Ono and Pawi also have the drive to go for the lead! Who will it be? It's Hiroki Ono! But now, Pawi sweeps through, past Ono! Pawi charges from seventh, to first! He passed an entire group of riders! There's more good news for Pawi! He's turned the fastest lap of the race so far at 1:58.332. Romano Fenati strikes back, and he's up to second. However, fellow Italian Enea Bastianini, is going backwards in a hurry. Fenati, Navarro, and Pawi, the top three. This is a rip snorting Moto3 race at Mugello, ladies and gentlemen! Fabio Quartararo also languishes and is 16th.
Niccolo Antonelli is now 18th. Hiroki Ono, meanwhile, squeezes his way underneath Jorge Navarro. Pawi loses a spot to Pecco Bagnaia. Ono leads, and Navarro is charging. Juanfran Guevara sets new fast lap at 1:58 flat. 1:58.009 precisely. Lorenzo Dalla Porta and Fabio Di Giantonio are also running really well at this stage. Lorenzo Dalla Porta, is a local rider, standing in for the injured Phillip Oettl in this race. Fenati and Bagnaia pass for position. Bo Bendsneyer of Holland, he's 22nd, but is a mere 2.8 seconds off the lead! This is very close, action packed racing, from the Moto3 squad here at Mugello!
The riders jockey for position and go six or seven abreast into turn one at San Donato! Holy mackerel! Hang onto your hollyhocks here boys and girls! Migno and Binder now run 1-2. Lorenzo Dalla Porta as a stand in rider, is doing a fabulous job. These riders are starting to get aggressive and this race is going down at a tremendous clip. Aron Canet has also forced his way past Lorenzo Dalla Porta. Brad Binder has moved his way into second place. Jorge Martin runs inside the top ten. The way these blokes are running, you'd think it was the start of the race all over again. A frantic pace is being set.
Fabio De Giantonio is really running well. Aron Canet has been demoted a few spots. Folks. Check this out! Fabio Di Giantonio, the Moto3 rookie, now leads at Mugello! Juanfran Guevara gets loose, and how he stayed atop that KTM motorcycle, goodness only knows! Fifteen laps remain. Romano Fenati continues to lead. It is impossible to escape from other riders. Try to pull out a gap, and make sure you cross the line first. Dalla Porta and Ono nearly wreck going through Scarperia and Pollagio. Fabio Quartararo has moved up to tenth as Andrea Migno has unfortunately sunk from the lead to 12th. Jorge Navarro passes and moves from third to first.
Fenati does retake the lead, though. Brad Binder has now taken the lead through San Donato as Khairul Idham Pawi comes to second. Brad Binder is pushing, running in the lead, and also, continuing to lead the Moto3 world championship, as Darryn Binder almost challenges. However, while his brother leads, Darryn Binder takes a tank slapper at Arrabiata 1. Game over. Enea Bastianini is way down to 18th and of course, Andrea Migno has also fallen down the order as Hiroki Ono has now taken the race lead. Fabio Quartararo has almost taken the race lead! Will he squeeze Navarro out?
Fabio Quartararo, takes the race lead! He's back on form, here, at Mugello. Navarro and Di Giantonio almost touch! Maintain your position in the top group. 23 riders are in this train, with Bo Bendsneyder as the caboose. Fabio Di Giantonio goes for the lead and takes it. Meanwhile, Romano Fenati, he is also fighting on the outside. Binder and Pawi make contact. Di Giantonio leads over Fenati at this stage, working lap ten, and we are halfway home in this Moto3 contest. Oh dear! This is the turning point of this race! Romano Fenati, the pole man, it's game over! He's stopped on course!
Brad Binder, is now leading. He was seventh, and has moved into the lead. We also see Niccolo Bulega is trying to move to third. Amazingly, Brad Binder, is the only rider of the top dozen, who has won a Moto3 race. We have reached the halfway mark in this race. Will anyone draft past Binder? Ono is going to try. It's close. But, Binder gets sandwiched between motorcycles! Binder plummets to sixth. RBA Racing is now in contention with both Juanfran Guevara, and Gabriel Rodrigo, (either one, actually), has moved into contention. Bulega was moving to his left, didn't see Binder, and... slam! They nearly crashed, as Binder was trying to avoid Bulega coming across!
Fabio Quartararo leads Hiroki Ono right now. Maria Herrera is 24th. Oh dear! Jorge Navarro has crashed out! Navarro is down at Bucine. Eight laps to go. Brad Binder is now going for the jugular in terms of the championship. Binder will be able to extend his lead to 50 points, with his two championship rivals out of the race (namely Fenati and Navarro). Quartararo continues to lead as Lorenzo Dalla Porta tries for the lead, but Niccolo Bulega flies to the lead from seventh! Andrea Migno started second but is way down now. Andrea Locatelli has crashed out. Game over through Lucco and Poggio Secco.
Whoa! More argy bargy, as Pawi clips the rear of Quartararo! Lorenzo Dalla Porta leads here at Mugello. It's impossible to call who will win. Dalla Porta leads. He also won the CEV Junior World Championship race at Le Mans. Now Fabio Quartararo has taken the lead as Jorge Martin runs wide through San Donato. Lorenzo Dalla Porta makes an aggressive move up the inside of Fabio Di Giantonio. Romano Fenati had the chain break on his bike. Any one in this group of 10-15 riders could win the Mugello Moto3 race. Quartararo leads and Pecco Bagnaia pushes his way past Brad Binder. Bagnaia closes on Quartararo through Casanova and Sevelli.
Enea Bastianini is coming, fast. Sadly, Andrea Migno is way down in 16th. Aron Canet sweeps past Fabio di Giantonio and also Khairul Idham Pawi. Canet could eat up Brad Binder. Quartararo still leads, with Binder passing Bagnaia. Just three laps to go. Di Giantonio assumes the lead from fourth as Bagnaia slides into the corner way, way, way too hot! This is through San Donato. The rookies are really performing like veteran riders in this race as Hiroki Ono passes Pawi. Di Giantonio makes a mistake through Arrabiata 1. Quartararo loses fourth to Hiroki Ono through Scarperia. Brad Binder has the advantage right now.
Two laps to go and Quartararo gets a brilliant drive into San Donato. Niccolo Antonelli and Joan Mir have also entered the picture. Quartararo still leads as Binder passes through Casanova. Aron Canet is being passed left and right. Pecco Bagnaia goes under Brad Binder. We begin the final lap at Mugello. Hiroki Ono is coming on like a steam locomotive, and so is Brad Binder! Aron Canet and Niccolo Antonelli are up there, too. But, Binder, who was sixth, now moves to P1! Binder runs wide and Francesco Bagnaia tries taking advantage. But, Binder, throws the block. Bagnaia under pressure from Quartararo!
If Binder has the lead through Casanova, he could win this race. Bagnaia goes inside Quartararo. He wants to chase down Binder. Binder opens a gap, taking a defensive line. Binder has played these tactics, perfectly. Oh dear! Rider down! It's Khairul Idham Pawi! If Francesco Bagnaia wants to win, he'll have to dive bomb binder through the last turn at Bucine. Out of the last corner, Aron Canet has a massive high side! He's down and out! Brad Binder, barely holds on, for a hat trick! Fabrizio Di Giantonio, almost pulls it off. But, Binder, is the winner, in Italy!
#41 Brad Binder RSA KTM
Wham, bam, thank you mam! This is Binder's championship to lose. Poor old Aron Canet wrecks. Pecco Bagnaia is on the podium. Seven hundredths of a second, covers the top five, across the start/finish line! Still catching up with these races. So, the next one, for Moto3, will be the Catalunya Grand Prix in Barcelona, Spain. Stay tuned, for a race report.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Moto2: Italy
It is now Moto2's turn to take to the track at Mugello, in Italy. This is round six of the championship. 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit), air temp. 42 degrees Celsius (107 Fahrenheit), track temperature. Sam Lowes has pole for this 22 lap contest at Autodromo del Mugello, while Alex Rins, rolls off in ninth place. Mugello, is a magic track. Lowes has not qualified lower than second in his three Moto2 races at Mugello. He's trying to claw back five points, to Alex Rins, championship leader. Johann Zarco starts sixth, Rins, ninth. Jonas Folger is down in 17th place. He was quick in the morning warmup. Sam Lowes, has pole, as mentioned. He is very relaxed for this race, unlike at Le Mans last time out.
Lorenzo Baldassari and Forward Racing roll off third, with a special Italian paint scheme, on the motorcycle. Luca Marini (Valentino Rossi's half brother), is team mate, to Baldassari. Takaaki Nakagami of Japan, is second. This is his first front row start in Moto2 since the season opener for Moto2 in Qatar, two years ago, back in 2014. Nakagami, was quickest, in the morning warmup. Axel "Action" Pons, (as he is being called this weekend), starts from fourth, on the outside of row two. Fifth, will be Marcel Schrotter, as we continue to look through the grid, at the top contenders. Sixth on the grid, is Johann Zarco. Marcel Schrotter is surprised that he qualified so well. Tom Luthi rolls off in seventh place.
Simone Corsi, is eighth, on his Speed Up. Alex Rins, championship leader, is ninth. He wrecked in qualifying, though. Sam Lowes has great pace on the harder option Dunlop rear tire. Johann Zarco is going for the softer option rear tire. Sandro Cortese, Franco Morbidelli, and others, will also be worth watching for this one. Sam Lowes earns his sixth career pole. Federico Fuligni of Italy, is a wildcard rider. The bikes roll off on their warmup lap, and Nakagami is slow away from the line. Track temperature, has gone up slightly, before we start this one.
A good start, is crucial, here at Mugello. Sam Lowes won at Jerez in Spain, the last time he started a race from pole. 21 laps of action, in Moto2, at Mugello, as the green flag waves at the back of the field. The lights go out, and we are racing, at Mugello! Lorenzo Baldassari gets a great start, and so does Sam Lowes, who rockets off the line. Tom Luthi makes a fabulous start, as the bikes are spread out across the road. Luthi is pushed down to seventh, and here comes Takaaki Nakagami. Sam Lowes wants to go inside Nakagami for the race lead. Can he get there? Not yet. No dice into Casanova for the first time.
Wait until the Arrabiata 1 & 2 complex, or, the anger corners. Sam Lowes moves inside and takes over the race lead. Or rather, retakes the lead. Lowes leads Nakagami, Baldassari, and Axel Pons remains fourth. Baldassari slides past Nakagami for second. Hafizh Syahrin, he has picked up six spots, and is up to ninth after starting 15th on the grid. Baldassari defends his line over Nakagami. Simone Corsi passes Alex Rins through San Donato. Jonas Folger, is now languishing in 22nd place. Luca Marini, in his home Grand Prix, started tenth, but has now dropped to 16th place. Alex Rins slides under Simone Corsi, and makes the pass. This is a right old ding dong, as they say in racing.
Marcel Schrotter passes Simone Corsi into the Palaggio corner. Johann Zarco, running the soft rear tire, remains tenth, and can't get by riders ahead of him. Schrotter runs a tad wide, ahead of Simone Corsi. Tom Luthi rockets up the inside, passing, from fourth spot. He takes two spots, and is now second! Luthi turns in fastest lap of the race so far at 1:52.749. Oh my gosh! Folks, we have a major wreck. Luca Marini goes down, along with, Alex Marquez. What a tough break, for Marquez. He has crashed in five out of six races in 2016 already. This was a battle for 15th and 16th spot, respectively.
Lorenzo Baldassari has passed Takaaki Nakagami, for third place. Takaaki Nakagami, passes inside Sam Lowes. But, the riders, have to be careful, because the riders in front of this group, (Lowes, Luthi, and Baldassari), could pull away. Luthi speeds around Sam Lowes on the outside. Lorenzo Baldassari moves to third, past Nakagami. Rins also passes, into San Donato. Luthi runs another fast lap at 1:52.718. Jonas Folger, may be headed for the house, as he is off the pace on his #94 DynaVolt Racing Kalex. Jonas Folger, has had a horrid time, ever since signing up to race for Tech3 Yamaha in MotoGP next year. Alex Marquez, rejoins the race. But, the younger brother of MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez, is caboose on the field.
Tom Luthi remains ahead of Sam Lowes at the moment. Axel Pons has some rear wheel spin out of Correntaio corner. Through Bucine, there's a real battle brewing. Lowes takes second away again, from Baldassari. The top five bikes, are contained within the lead group here. Nakagami jumps from fifth to third. Oh dear! Sam Lowes, runs wide, and Tom Luthi sees the opening, and goes for the lead. Baldassari takes Nakagami for third. It's game over for Jonas Folger. He's in pit lane. He's retired his motorcycle. Xavi Vierge has also fallen and retired his bike. Through Borgo San Lorenzo, and then, into Casanova another time. Vierge likely lost the front end of his bike.
Axel Pons, Marcel Schrotter, and Johann Zarco, are catching the top five, and so, this could be an eight bike train before the race is over. Xavi Vierge's bike plows straight into the air fence. Sam Lowes leads from Baldassari, Luthi, Nakagami, and Rins. But, folks, we have a red flag being displayed. This race, will be stopped, for some reason. The air fence, has been damaged, and perhaps, it has been popped, and will need to be repaired. We work lap five of 21. Xavi Vierge crashed in Biondetti 1 & 2. The air fence, has done it's job, but has a puncture, and part of it, has lost the air.
Jonas Folger is out due to his quick shifter, packing up. Three DNF's in six races. Folger has not been able to be consistent. This race will be shortened. We can technically forget the first five laps. We will revert to lap four, and Tom Luthi will start from pole, with Sam Lowe second, and so forth. Jonas Folger, won't restart this race, sadly. The race will be restarted, for eleven laps, and the grid spots are based on lap three positions. Folger could perhaps restart this race, because on lap three, he was still in the order. What will happen due to tire choice? Alex Marquez can come back out. Johann Zarco, will need a soft tire. Lowes, Luthi, and Nakagami, will be on the front row for the restart.
A new pad of air fence, will be inflated and put in place, to cushion a wreck, should one happen at that particular section of track. Johann Zarco will restart from ninth place. Work is being done to Jonas Folger's motorcycle, too. Pit lane will open at 12:45 P.M. This race, has not had the battles we expected. So, we'll have 11 laps. No one will be able to whistle off into the distance. What will the tire selection become? Will riders use hard tires, or soft tires? Maybe there will be no hard tires left, and only soft ones will be available. Dunlop says a softer option rear tire, would work well. There will be no issues, with running that tire, now that the race distance, has been shortened. Who will make the switch? We'll find out, soon. But, does Zarco have a fresh tire left?
Sam Lowes could not find grip on the soft tire. This race will have the quick restart procedure as pit exit will be open for one minute, ahead of the sighting lap, much like we've seen in World Superbike. Game over for Luca Marini. In the old days, we used aggregate scoring. But, that's too confusing. The sighting lap starts, and Jonas Folger, will be back on track. Get on the bike, and get out of the garage, onto the grid. Alex Marquez, is actually the only rider, swapping to a soft tire. Dominique Aegerter has switched from soft to hard tires. Sam Lowes, is stuck with the hard tire. Johann Zarco is the only rider in the front on the soft option tire. One mechanic per rider allowed on the grid to make sure things are OK, before we restart.
We complete the sighting lap now. 11 laps scheduled. Federico Fuligni will start from pit lane due to tech issues. Fuligni will actually join the rear of the grid on his #42 bike. To restart again, is not the easiest proposition. It's a whole different dynamic. It's a short, sprint race. A dash for cash, if you will. Now, Simone Corsi might have a problem, and he's not allowed out onto the grid. He will have to start from pit lane. Maybe he was late getting out. Edgar Pons suffered the same fate. Ratthapark Willairot also has to go back to the lane. We now have a delayed start, and the 600cc engines are very hot. They're steaming.
Folks, we've got some problems. This isn't good. Start delayed. Snore. They are all coming off the grid, and the race officials from the International Racing Association, are saying, "guys, we need to get the bikes off the grid." We'll keep you updated. But, there's going to be a delay in this race. Ugh! This race, could be pushed until after MotoGP. Too many bikes would start from pit lane. So, we will have to completely restart this race.
Edgar Pons, Simone Corsi, Federico Fuligni and others, were on the grid, but several others are told to come off the grid. This is the third restart of this race, or, rather, the third delay. The race is now an 11 lap sprint. Make that ten. The quick restart procedure will be used. Some engines were overheating at 115 degrees Celsius. Yikes! It's manic Mugello, and it's a ten lap, Saturday night, short track shootout. Many of these blokes need to make a better start, than on the original one. Boatloads of riders are going to be sent to the back of the grid, for delaying the restart procedure! Unreal! Alex Rins will start at the back for not exiting the pits quick enough. Ditto for Takaaki Nakagami!
One minute, is as clear as a bell. A handful of riders didn't know what was going on. Xavier Simeon and Takaaki Nakagami were still on the grid. One by one, the marshals pulled some of the riders, off the grid. A couple teams are caught cold by the quick start procedure. Pit lane opens again, in five minutes. In 2010, in the first year of Moto2, Simone Corsi scored a podium after starting outside the top 30. Pit lane opens in two and a half minutes. Alex Rins at the back, and Sam Lowes, at the front. Three teams didn't get their riders out quick enough. Pit lane opening is TBA.
Simone Corsi and Hafizh Syahrin have gone to the end of the pit lane. Corsi's motor will overheat. It looks as though the grid has been revised again. We're going to find a full, new grid sheet here. OK. The bikes are moving out on the sighting lap. Will we be third time lucky? This race, will be wild. Jonas Folger will get a second chance. Oh dear! Before we can even restart this race, Xavier Simeon, has crashed! The bike is on a crest in the road. That's not a good spot for him to be. Hafizh Syahrin sensibly signals to other riders, "we have a crash. Slow down!" Sam Lowes, is still on pole. Takaaki Nakagami still has issues. We have another warmup lap. We'll start this race, in a few minutes.
Full championship points, are still available. The dynamics of this event, have been turned upside down. Luca Marini, and Xavier Simeon, won't start. Let's try this again. Go! Tom Luthi gets a flyer! Luthi is away like a bullet as Sam Lowes loses spots headed down to fourth or fifth. Make that sixth. Hafizh Syahrin has also gotten a flyer. Luthi leads Lorenzo Baldassari. Marcel Schrotter has moved to fourth. Johann Zarco currently runs ahead of Sam Lowes. Baldassari leads the field through Arrabiata two. Axel Pons tussles with Dominique Aegerter through Scarperia corner.
Axel Pons tries Sam Lowes into Correntaio, as we watch Lorenzo Baldassari going for it, too. Johann Zarco passes Marcel Schrotter at Bucine. We've had another rider fall. Alex Rins has moved up to 19th and still has work to do. Baldassari still leads. Alex Rins passes Ricard Cardus. So, the top ten right now is Baldassari, Luthi, Syahrin, Zarco, Lowes, Schrotter, Pons, Aegerter, Morbidelli, and Cortese. AGR team mates Pons and Schrotter scuffle through the Scarperia corner another time. Mattia Pasini, meanwhile, has crashed out. It's game over. Pasini has won here at Mugello in the old 125cc and 250cc classes. Syahrin wants his first dry race podium.
Tom Luthi takes the lead as Sam Lowes puts in fastest lap at 1:52.756. Alex Rins is 17th, just behind Jonas Folger. Through Matterazzi and Borgo San Lorenzo they go. Sam Lowes is being very cautious in his riding approach. Lorenzo Baldassari wants to make a move into Arrabiata 1. But, he thinks better of it, as Tom Luthi continues to lead. The top five is forming into one large group of motorcycles. Alex Rins moves to 16th. Well, not for too long. Jonas Folger passes him. Baldassari goes to second and Syahrin is passed by Zarco. Zarco passes Tom Luthi through Poggio Secco. Zarco runs the soft rear option tire.
Axel Pons is also moving up. Zarco resets fast lap at 1:52.975. Six laps to go. Baldassari has the advantage as Rins now is working on passing Miguel Oliveira. Hafizh Syahrin will try to attack Tom Luthi for third. Franco Morbidelli and Dominique Aegerter, have a good scrap going on as well. Rins might lose the championship lead to Sam Lowes, as we are approaching the halfway mark in this race, lap five of ten. Luthi runs wide into Correntaio and allows Hafizh Syahrin to gain ground. Zarco goes for a pass on Baldassari! Zarco makes it and will lead down to San Donato. Luthi tries Syahrin, and can't get there. Sam Lowes presses Hafizh Syahrin into running wide!
Lowes now moves to fourth. Lowes acknowledges he was too rough on Syahrin. Zarco and Lowes are half a second apart. Lowes can't shake Syahrin, or Axel Pons. Lorenzo Baldassari wants to win his first Moto2 race and he's going for the lead, right on Zarco! Can he hold the lead? No! Runs wide, does Baldassari and Johann Zarco dives back on the outside. Zarco says "merci beaucoup" and goes on his way. Takaaki Nakagami has made it back inside the points paying positions in 14th. Four laps left. Zarco goes inside Baldassari again, and they trade paint! Whoa! That was close!
Baldassari gets into Zarco's slipstream. What can he do? Lorenzo Baldassari has the inside line. He squeezes Zarco, as Tom Luthi runs very wide. Zarco tries again into Poggio Secco, but Baldassari isn't finished. Baldassari had to back out of the throttle, allowing Tom Luthi to close up. Syahrin and Lowes aren't out of the picture yet, either. Baldassari and Zarco continue their scrap into Sevelli. New fast lap, for Luthi, at 1:53.672. Zarco runs wide in Arrabiata 1. The crowd is going bonkers! Rins can at least salvage a top ten. The penultimate lap is on. Zarco retakes the lead ahead of Baldassari as Sam Lowes can't pass Hafizh Syahrin and has to defend from Axel Pons.
Can Zarco score his first win since the opener in Qatar back in March? Lowes passes Syahrin. He's a half a second away from the podium. But, he'll have to hope the top three take each other out which won't happen. We start the final lap now. Lorenzo Baldassari will line up Zarco, for a pass into San Donato. Baldassari is going for the block pass on the brakes, another time. Baldassari knows what Zarco is up to. But, he leaves the door open, and Zarco is going to squeeze by, just barely! Zarco has superior speed through the rhythm section of this course here at Mugello. Zarco can stretch out in the climbing and diving turns of Casanova, Sevelli, and the Arrabiata section.
Lowes closes on Tom Luthi and wants to make a pass. Will it be Zarco, or Baldassari for the win at Mugello? Zarco holds the lead. Baldassari can't pass into Correntaio. Zarco holds on into Biondetti. This is it. What will happen into Bucine, the last turn? Baldassari sweeps inside and can't pass. It's going to be a drag race to the finish line! It's not enough! Zarco wins at Mugello!
#5 Johann Zarco FRA. Kalex
Yours truly, is still catching up with Moto2 races. The next event on the schedule was the Grand Prix of Catalunya at Barcelona in Spain. Stay tuned for highlights of that race, in the not too distant future.
Lorenzo Baldassari and Forward Racing roll off third, with a special Italian paint scheme, on the motorcycle. Luca Marini (Valentino Rossi's half brother), is team mate, to Baldassari. Takaaki Nakagami of Japan, is second. This is his first front row start in Moto2 since the season opener for Moto2 in Qatar, two years ago, back in 2014. Nakagami, was quickest, in the morning warmup. Axel "Action" Pons, (as he is being called this weekend), starts from fourth, on the outside of row two. Fifth, will be Marcel Schrotter, as we continue to look through the grid, at the top contenders. Sixth on the grid, is Johann Zarco. Marcel Schrotter is surprised that he qualified so well. Tom Luthi rolls off in seventh place.
Simone Corsi, is eighth, on his Speed Up. Alex Rins, championship leader, is ninth. He wrecked in qualifying, though. Sam Lowes has great pace on the harder option Dunlop rear tire. Johann Zarco is going for the softer option rear tire. Sandro Cortese, Franco Morbidelli, and others, will also be worth watching for this one. Sam Lowes earns his sixth career pole. Federico Fuligni of Italy, is a wildcard rider. The bikes roll off on their warmup lap, and Nakagami is slow away from the line. Track temperature, has gone up slightly, before we start this one.
A good start, is crucial, here at Mugello. Sam Lowes won at Jerez in Spain, the last time he started a race from pole. 21 laps of action, in Moto2, at Mugello, as the green flag waves at the back of the field. The lights go out, and we are racing, at Mugello! Lorenzo Baldassari gets a great start, and so does Sam Lowes, who rockets off the line. Tom Luthi makes a fabulous start, as the bikes are spread out across the road. Luthi is pushed down to seventh, and here comes Takaaki Nakagami. Sam Lowes wants to go inside Nakagami for the race lead. Can he get there? Not yet. No dice into Casanova for the first time.
Wait until the Arrabiata 1 & 2 complex, or, the anger corners. Sam Lowes moves inside and takes over the race lead. Or rather, retakes the lead. Lowes leads Nakagami, Baldassari, and Axel Pons remains fourth. Baldassari slides past Nakagami for second. Hafizh Syahrin, he has picked up six spots, and is up to ninth after starting 15th on the grid. Baldassari defends his line over Nakagami. Simone Corsi passes Alex Rins through San Donato. Jonas Folger, is now languishing in 22nd place. Luca Marini, in his home Grand Prix, started tenth, but has now dropped to 16th place. Alex Rins slides under Simone Corsi, and makes the pass. This is a right old ding dong, as they say in racing.
Marcel Schrotter passes Simone Corsi into the Palaggio corner. Johann Zarco, running the soft rear tire, remains tenth, and can't get by riders ahead of him. Schrotter runs a tad wide, ahead of Simone Corsi. Tom Luthi rockets up the inside, passing, from fourth spot. He takes two spots, and is now second! Luthi turns in fastest lap of the race so far at 1:52.749. Oh my gosh! Folks, we have a major wreck. Luca Marini goes down, along with, Alex Marquez. What a tough break, for Marquez. He has crashed in five out of six races in 2016 already. This was a battle for 15th and 16th spot, respectively.
Lorenzo Baldassari has passed Takaaki Nakagami, for third place. Takaaki Nakagami, passes inside Sam Lowes. But, the riders, have to be careful, because the riders in front of this group, (Lowes, Luthi, and Baldassari), could pull away. Luthi speeds around Sam Lowes on the outside. Lorenzo Baldassari moves to third, past Nakagami. Rins also passes, into San Donato. Luthi runs another fast lap at 1:52.718. Jonas Folger, may be headed for the house, as he is off the pace on his #94 DynaVolt Racing Kalex. Jonas Folger, has had a horrid time, ever since signing up to race for Tech3 Yamaha in MotoGP next year. Alex Marquez, rejoins the race. But, the younger brother of MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez, is caboose on the field.
Tom Luthi remains ahead of Sam Lowes at the moment. Axel Pons has some rear wheel spin out of Correntaio corner. Through Bucine, there's a real battle brewing. Lowes takes second away again, from Baldassari. The top five bikes, are contained within the lead group here. Nakagami jumps from fifth to third. Oh dear! Sam Lowes, runs wide, and Tom Luthi sees the opening, and goes for the lead. Baldassari takes Nakagami for third. It's game over for Jonas Folger. He's in pit lane. He's retired his motorcycle. Xavi Vierge has also fallen and retired his bike. Through Borgo San Lorenzo, and then, into Casanova another time. Vierge likely lost the front end of his bike.
Axel Pons, Marcel Schrotter, and Johann Zarco, are catching the top five, and so, this could be an eight bike train before the race is over. Xavi Vierge's bike plows straight into the air fence. Sam Lowes leads from Baldassari, Luthi, Nakagami, and Rins. But, folks, we have a red flag being displayed. This race, will be stopped, for some reason. The air fence, has been damaged, and perhaps, it has been popped, and will need to be repaired. We work lap five of 21. Xavi Vierge crashed in Biondetti 1 & 2. The air fence, has done it's job, but has a puncture, and part of it, has lost the air.
Jonas Folger is out due to his quick shifter, packing up. Three DNF's in six races. Folger has not been able to be consistent. This race will be shortened. We can technically forget the first five laps. We will revert to lap four, and Tom Luthi will start from pole, with Sam Lowe second, and so forth. Jonas Folger, won't restart this race, sadly. The race will be restarted, for eleven laps, and the grid spots are based on lap three positions. Folger could perhaps restart this race, because on lap three, he was still in the order. What will happen due to tire choice? Alex Marquez can come back out. Johann Zarco, will need a soft tire. Lowes, Luthi, and Nakagami, will be on the front row for the restart.
A new pad of air fence, will be inflated and put in place, to cushion a wreck, should one happen at that particular section of track. Johann Zarco will restart from ninth place. Work is being done to Jonas Folger's motorcycle, too. Pit lane will open at 12:45 P.M. This race, has not had the battles we expected. So, we'll have 11 laps. No one will be able to whistle off into the distance. What will the tire selection become? Will riders use hard tires, or soft tires? Maybe there will be no hard tires left, and only soft ones will be available. Dunlop says a softer option rear tire, would work well. There will be no issues, with running that tire, now that the race distance, has been shortened. Who will make the switch? We'll find out, soon. But, does Zarco have a fresh tire left?
Sam Lowes could not find grip on the soft tire. This race will have the quick restart procedure as pit exit will be open for one minute, ahead of the sighting lap, much like we've seen in World Superbike. Game over for Luca Marini. In the old days, we used aggregate scoring. But, that's too confusing. The sighting lap starts, and Jonas Folger, will be back on track. Get on the bike, and get out of the garage, onto the grid. Alex Marquez, is actually the only rider, swapping to a soft tire. Dominique Aegerter has switched from soft to hard tires. Sam Lowes, is stuck with the hard tire. Johann Zarco is the only rider in the front on the soft option tire. One mechanic per rider allowed on the grid to make sure things are OK, before we restart.
We complete the sighting lap now. 11 laps scheduled. Federico Fuligni will start from pit lane due to tech issues. Fuligni will actually join the rear of the grid on his #42 bike. To restart again, is not the easiest proposition. It's a whole different dynamic. It's a short, sprint race. A dash for cash, if you will. Now, Simone Corsi might have a problem, and he's not allowed out onto the grid. He will have to start from pit lane. Maybe he was late getting out. Edgar Pons suffered the same fate. Ratthapark Willairot also has to go back to the lane. We now have a delayed start, and the 600cc engines are very hot. They're steaming.
Folks, we've got some problems. This isn't good. Start delayed. Snore. They are all coming off the grid, and the race officials from the International Racing Association, are saying, "guys, we need to get the bikes off the grid." We'll keep you updated. But, there's going to be a delay in this race. Ugh! This race, could be pushed until after MotoGP. Too many bikes would start from pit lane. So, we will have to completely restart this race.
Edgar Pons, Simone Corsi, Federico Fuligni and others, were on the grid, but several others are told to come off the grid. This is the third restart of this race, or, rather, the third delay. The race is now an 11 lap sprint. Make that ten. The quick restart procedure will be used. Some engines were overheating at 115 degrees Celsius. Yikes! It's manic Mugello, and it's a ten lap, Saturday night, short track shootout. Many of these blokes need to make a better start, than on the original one. Boatloads of riders are going to be sent to the back of the grid, for delaying the restart procedure! Unreal! Alex Rins will start at the back for not exiting the pits quick enough. Ditto for Takaaki Nakagami!
One minute, is as clear as a bell. A handful of riders didn't know what was going on. Xavier Simeon and Takaaki Nakagami were still on the grid. One by one, the marshals pulled some of the riders, off the grid. A couple teams are caught cold by the quick start procedure. Pit lane opens again, in five minutes. In 2010, in the first year of Moto2, Simone Corsi scored a podium after starting outside the top 30. Pit lane opens in two and a half minutes. Alex Rins at the back, and Sam Lowes, at the front. Three teams didn't get their riders out quick enough. Pit lane opening is TBA.
Simone Corsi and Hafizh Syahrin have gone to the end of the pit lane. Corsi's motor will overheat. It looks as though the grid has been revised again. We're going to find a full, new grid sheet here. OK. The bikes are moving out on the sighting lap. Will we be third time lucky? This race, will be wild. Jonas Folger will get a second chance. Oh dear! Before we can even restart this race, Xavier Simeon, has crashed! The bike is on a crest in the road. That's not a good spot for him to be. Hafizh Syahrin sensibly signals to other riders, "we have a crash. Slow down!" Sam Lowes, is still on pole. Takaaki Nakagami still has issues. We have another warmup lap. We'll start this race, in a few minutes.
Full championship points, are still available. The dynamics of this event, have been turned upside down. Luca Marini, and Xavier Simeon, won't start. Let's try this again. Go! Tom Luthi gets a flyer! Luthi is away like a bullet as Sam Lowes loses spots headed down to fourth or fifth. Make that sixth. Hafizh Syahrin has also gotten a flyer. Luthi leads Lorenzo Baldassari. Marcel Schrotter has moved to fourth. Johann Zarco currently runs ahead of Sam Lowes. Baldassari leads the field through Arrabiata two. Axel Pons tussles with Dominique Aegerter through Scarperia corner.
Axel Pons tries Sam Lowes into Correntaio, as we watch Lorenzo Baldassari going for it, too. Johann Zarco passes Marcel Schrotter at Bucine. We've had another rider fall. Alex Rins has moved up to 19th and still has work to do. Baldassari still leads. Alex Rins passes Ricard Cardus. So, the top ten right now is Baldassari, Luthi, Syahrin, Zarco, Lowes, Schrotter, Pons, Aegerter, Morbidelli, and Cortese. AGR team mates Pons and Schrotter scuffle through the Scarperia corner another time. Mattia Pasini, meanwhile, has crashed out. It's game over. Pasini has won here at Mugello in the old 125cc and 250cc classes. Syahrin wants his first dry race podium.
Tom Luthi takes the lead as Sam Lowes puts in fastest lap at 1:52.756. Alex Rins is 17th, just behind Jonas Folger. Through Matterazzi and Borgo San Lorenzo they go. Sam Lowes is being very cautious in his riding approach. Lorenzo Baldassari wants to make a move into Arrabiata 1. But, he thinks better of it, as Tom Luthi continues to lead. The top five is forming into one large group of motorcycles. Alex Rins moves to 16th. Well, not for too long. Jonas Folger passes him. Baldassari goes to second and Syahrin is passed by Zarco. Zarco passes Tom Luthi through Poggio Secco. Zarco runs the soft rear option tire.
Axel Pons is also moving up. Zarco resets fast lap at 1:52.975. Six laps to go. Baldassari has the advantage as Rins now is working on passing Miguel Oliveira. Hafizh Syahrin will try to attack Tom Luthi for third. Franco Morbidelli and Dominique Aegerter, have a good scrap going on as well. Rins might lose the championship lead to Sam Lowes, as we are approaching the halfway mark in this race, lap five of ten. Luthi runs wide into Correntaio and allows Hafizh Syahrin to gain ground. Zarco goes for a pass on Baldassari! Zarco makes it and will lead down to San Donato. Luthi tries Syahrin, and can't get there. Sam Lowes presses Hafizh Syahrin into running wide!
Lowes now moves to fourth. Lowes acknowledges he was too rough on Syahrin. Zarco and Lowes are half a second apart. Lowes can't shake Syahrin, or Axel Pons. Lorenzo Baldassari wants to win his first Moto2 race and he's going for the lead, right on Zarco! Can he hold the lead? No! Runs wide, does Baldassari and Johann Zarco dives back on the outside. Zarco says "merci beaucoup" and goes on his way. Takaaki Nakagami has made it back inside the points paying positions in 14th. Four laps left. Zarco goes inside Baldassari again, and they trade paint! Whoa! That was close!
Baldassari gets into Zarco's slipstream. What can he do? Lorenzo Baldassari has the inside line. He squeezes Zarco, as Tom Luthi runs very wide. Zarco tries again into Poggio Secco, but Baldassari isn't finished. Baldassari had to back out of the throttle, allowing Tom Luthi to close up. Syahrin and Lowes aren't out of the picture yet, either. Baldassari and Zarco continue their scrap into Sevelli. New fast lap, for Luthi, at 1:53.672. Zarco runs wide in Arrabiata 1. The crowd is going bonkers! Rins can at least salvage a top ten. The penultimate lap is on. Zarco retakes the lead ahead of Baldassari as Sam Lowes can't pass Hafizh Syahrin and has to defend from Axel Pons.
Can Zarco score his first win since the opener in Qatar back in March? Lowes passes Syahrin. He's a half a second away from the podium. But, he'll have to hope the top three take each other out which won't happen. We start the final lap now. Lorenzo Baldassari will line up Zarco, for a pass into San Donato. Baldassari is going for the block pass on the brakes, another time. Baldassari knows what Zarco is up to. But, he leaves the door open, and Zarco is going to squeeze by, just barely! Zarco has superior speed through the rhythm section of this course here at Mugello. Zarco can stretch out in the climbing and diving turns of Casanova, Sevelli, and the Arrabiata section.
Lowes closes on Tom Luthi and wants to make a pass. Will it be Zarco, or Baldassari for the win at Mugello? Zarco holds the lead. Baldassari can't pass into Correntaio. Zarco holds on into Biondetti. This is it. What will happen into Bucine, the last turn? Baldassari sweeps inside and can't pass. It's going to be a drag race to the finish line! It's not enough! Zarco wins at Mugello!
#5 Johann Zarco FRA. Kalex
Yours truly, is still catching up with Moto2 races. The next event on the schedule was the Grand Prix of Catalunya at Barcelona in Spain. Stay tuned for highlights of that race, in the not too distant future.
Monday, June 27, 2016
MotoGP: The incredible statistics behind Jack Miller's maiden race win
Again, yours truly, will report on the Dutch TT. But, here's a story, on Jack Miller's maiden MotoGP victory, in that race.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/moto-gp/motogp-the-incredible-statistics-behind-jack-millers-maiden-race-win/news-story/0959ffb8137c8bacef9063f75eb33ccf
http://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/moto-gp/motogp-the-incredible-statistics-behind-jack-millers-maiden-race-win/news-story/0959ffb8137c8bacef9063f75eb33ccf
Sunday, June 26, 2016
MotoGP: Jack Miller confirms he will ride for Marc VDS Racing in 2017 season
Still catching up, with MotoGP. But, as they race in Assen, Holland, at "The Cathedral", for the Dutch TT today, here's some good news. Jack Miller's future, is secure, as he will return to ride for Marc VDS in MotoGP, next year.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/moto-gp/motogp-jack-miller-confirms-he-will-ride-for-marc-vds-racing-in-2017-season/news-story/59184a1280654225a06e0aae5164968c
http://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/moto-gp/motogp-jack-miller-confirms-he-will-ride-for-marc-vds-racing-in-2017-season/news-story/59184a1280654225a06e0aae5164968c
Saturday, June 25, 2016
More MotoAmerica in Alabama
Looking back at some of the racing from last time out in Alabama.
Yamaha Blu Cru Is 'Bama Bound to Barber
http://www.motoamerica.com/yamaha-blu-cru-is-bama-bound-to-barber
Millenium Technolgoies/KWR Ready For Barber After Success In Wisconsin
http://www.motoamerica.com/millennium-technologies-kwr-ready-for-barber-after-success-in-wisconsin
No Knapping For Taylor in Super Pole
http://www.motoamerica.com/no-knapping-for-taylor-in-superpole
Blu Cru's JD Beach Best at Barber Motorsports Park
http://www.motoamerica.com/blu-crus-beach-best-at-barber-motorsports-park
Cameron Beaubier Podiums in Superbike Race One at Barber
http://www.motoamerica.com/cameron-beaubier-podiums-in-superbike-race-one-at-barber
JD Beach Doubles at Barber Motorsports Park
http://www.motoamerica.com/jd-beach-doubles-at-barber-motorsports-park
Valentin Debise Extends Supersport Podium Streak at Barber
http://www.motoamerica.com/valentin-debise-extends-supersport-podium-streak-at-barber
Beaubier's Double Podium at Barber Maintains His Superbike Points Lead
http://www.motoamerica.com/beaubiers-double-podium-at-barber-maintains-his-superbike-points-lead
Paasch and Mazzioto Split KTM RC Cup Race Victories at Barber
http://www.motoamerica.com/paasch-and-mazziotto-split-ktm-rc-cup-race-victories-at-barber
Mazziotto Victorious in KTM RC Cup Race Two in Alabama
http://www.motoamerica.com/mazziotto-wins-in-alabama
Wyman Earns Season-Best Superbike Finishes in Alabama Heat
http://www.motoamerica.com/wyman-earns-season-best-superbike-finishes-in-alabama-heat
Barber Round Proves Challenging For Aprilia HSBK Racing
http://www.motoamerica.com/barber-round-proves-challenging-for-aprilia-hsbk-racing
Yoshimura Suzuki Sweeps MotoAmerica Superbike in Alabama
http://www.motoamerica.com/yoshimura-suzuki-sweeps-motoamerica-superbike-in-alabama
It's Blue Skies Ahead For The Yamaha Blu Cru
http://www.motoamerica.com/its-blue-skies-ahead-for-yamaha-blu-cru
Stay tuned, for a full report, on the action, in Utah.
Yamaha Blu Cru Is 'Bama Bound to Barber
http://www.motoamerica.com/yamaha-blu-cru-is-bama-bound-to-barber
Millenium Technolgoies/KWR Ready For Barber After Success In Wisconsin
http://www.motoamerica.com/millennium-technologies-kwr-ready-for-barber-after-success-in-wisconsin
No Knapping For Taylor in Super Pole
http://www.motoamerica.com/no-knapping-for-taylor-in-superpole
Blu Cru's JD Beach Best at Barber Motorsports Park
http://www.motoamerica.com/blu-crus-beach-best-at-barber-motorsports-park
Cameron Beaubier Podiums in Superbike Race One at Barber
http://www.motoamerica.com/cameron-beaubier-podiums-in-superbike-race-one-at-barber
JD Beach Doubles at Barber Motorsports Park
http://www.motoamerica.com/jd-beach-doubles-at-barber-motorsports-park
Valentin Debise Extends Supersport Podium Streak at Barber
http://www.motoamerica.com/valentin-debise-extends-supersport-podium-streak-at-barber
Beaubier's Double Podium at Barber Maintains His Superbike Points Lead
http://www.motoamerica.com/beaubiers-double-podium-at-barber-maintains-his-superbike-points-lead
Paasch and Mazzioto Split KTM RC Cup Race Victories at Barber
http://www.motoamerica.com/paasch-and-mazziotto-split-ktm-rc-cup-race-victories-at-barber
Mazziotto Victorious in KTM RC Cup Race Two in Alabama
http://www.motoamerica.com/mazziotto-wins-in-alabama
Wyman Earns Season-Best Superbike Finishes in Alabama Heat
http://www.motoamerica.com/wyman-earns-season-best-superbike-finishes-in-alabama-heat
Barber Round Proves Challenging For Aprilia HSBK Racing
http://www.motoamerica.com/barber-round-proves-challenging-for-aprilia-hsbk-racing
Yoshimura Suzuki Sweeps MotoAmerica Superbike in Alabama
http://www.motoamerica.com/yoshimura-suzuki-sweeps-motoamerica-superbike-in-alabama
It's Blue Skies Ahead For The Yamaha Blu Cru
http://www.motoamerica.com/its-blue-skies-ahead-for-yamaha-blu-cru
Stay tuned, for a full report, on the action, in Utah.
Friday, June 24, 2016
MotoAmerica from Utah Motorsports Campus
Stay tuned for news about this weekend's MotoAmerica action, in Utah, at Utah Motorsports Campus. There is plenty of it. Details to come.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Status of Moto2 in Italy
Folks, after a track side issue, and a delay in the restart of the Moto2 race at Mugello, there will be a delay. Stay tuned, for a report on the race, coming, more than likely, tomorrow, even though this race, has already happened.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
MotoGP Round 6: Italy
This is the 31st Italian motorcycle Grand Prix at Mugello. This is going to be a monstrous race, because all the bikes are on hard and soft front and rear tires. Marc Marquez and one of the other riders, is on different tires. Maverick Vinales looks to be consistent for Suzuki. Everyone wants to win here, in Italy. Marc Marquez is second in the world championship. Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso is in attendance at the Mugello race. Bradley Smith has qualified eighth fastest. He won here in 2009 in 125cc competition. Danilo Petrucci starts in ninth place. Scott Redding, completes the top ten.
Jorge Lorenzo is fifth. He's never finished outside the top two in the last seven years, including three straight in 2011, 2012, and 2013, as well as last year, in 2015. Andrea Dovizioso rolls off 13th. This race, in Italy, a year ago, was the last time Andrea Dovizioso even qualified on the front row of the grid. Pol Espargaro is 14th, after having a very difficult weekend, with two crashes, including one in qualifying, before the race. Cal Crutchlow rolls off 16th. Andrea Ianonne, third. Maverick Vinales, second, and Valentino Rossi, who last won here in Italy, back in 2008. Tito Rabat broke his collarbone in a Saturday morning wreck. So, he won't start. But, nonetheless, battle will commence, at Mugello, over 23 laps... next!
The first MotoGP race here at Mugello, was 40 years ago, in 1976. Barry Sheene beat Phil Read, by a mere one thousandth of a second! Talk about close! Weather conditions, before we go green. Air temperature is 26 degrees Celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit), track temperature 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit). So, the track, is plenty hot. However, the weather is perfect. This should be one heck of a race. The track, is a sea of yellow, as the fan launch yellow flares and yellow balloons into the sky. Can Ducati take their first win in MotoGP in six years, at home? We're about to find out.
Rossi has won seven consecutive races here, and those wins came between 2002 and 2008. The last seven years, from 2009-2015, Jorge Lorenzo has been either first or second. Riders cinch down their helmets. We are ready to race, at Mugello, in Italy! Italy holds it's breath. Here we go. The Italian motorcycle Grand Prix at Mugello, is go! The two Yamaha's of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, fly out in front towards the first corner at San Donato. Lorenzo passes Rossi, for the race lead! Oh man! Hot and heavy already! Uh oh! We've got riders down at the back of the field. Jack Miller, has ditched his motorcycle, and so have Loris Baz, and Alvaro Bautista on one of the factory Aprilia's.
Through Poggio Secco, Yamaha's run 1-2. Maverick Vinales, though, had a nightmare start. From the front row of the grid, he has absolutely plummeted to 11th. Through Casanova and Cevelli corners, plunging downhill. They come through Arrabiata 1 & 2. Remember, in Italian, these corners are named after, anger... not spicy pasta. This is a blind, fast right hand turn, that crests a rise. Bradley Smith also had a great start. If Valentino Rossi wants to beat his team mate, he's going to have to rough him up, fast, because if Lorenzo gets away, it's pretty much game over for everyone else and they'll have to battle among themselves, and let Lorenzo whistle off into the distance.
Andrea Ianonne has also sunk from the front row, down to eighth spot. Yonny Hernandez jumped the start. He will have to serve a penalty for that. Rossi, is charging to pass Lorenzo! Side by side at 215 miles an hour! Rossi leads, but he's run wide! Lorenzo comes right back on his Yamaha team mate! Both Ducati's got caught out, too, running way wide off line into San Donato. The two Yamaha's lead the way as Aleix Espargaro on the Suzuki fends off the challenge from Marc Marquez on the Honda. Dani Pedrosa, is now up to fifth place. Maverick Vinales continues now, to languish in 11th spot.
As predicted, Yonny Hernandez, did jump the start. Rossi glued to Lorenzo's rear wheel as the riders dive through Scarperia corner. From Scarperia to Palaggio. Through Correntaio, and onto a 7/10ths of a mile, 1,000 meter long straight. Rossi tries the inside line, but no. Rossi sets fastest lap so far at 1:48.445. Dani Pedrosa runs sixth, and Marc Marquez makes a pass on Aleix Espargaro. So, the factory Honda's are hanging in there, with everyone else. Marquez is now inside the top three places. Rossi is gaining on Lorenzo and is right in his face, with the whole of Italy, virtually, cheering on "The Doctor". Andrea Dovizioso has passed Dani Pedrosa, for fifth place.
Scott Redding passes Bradley Smith, as well. Through Biondetti 1 & 2, the battle is hot and heavy between Rossi and Lorenzo. Maverick Vinales goes inside Bradley Smith. Rossi and Lorenzo are side by side another time. Rossi tries to hold the advantage, but Lorenzo stays out in front. New fast lap, as Andrea Dovizioso sets a 1:47.997. Valentino Rossi is eyeing every opportunity. He's a man on a mission, to get past his team mate. Downhill braking through the right hand turn at Correntaio once more. Can Rossi get close enough exiting Biondetti to have a shot at passing Lorenzo? He has to have a shot through the last turn at Bucine.
Rossi tries a move on the outside! Will it work? Not quite. Lorenzo throws the block. Marc Marquez says, "you all at Yamaha, with your tussling, are going to give me a chance to close up! Thank you!" Andrea Dovizioso has passed Aleix Espargaro for fourth spot. Andrea Ianonne is now ninth. Dropping down, through Sevelli. This is the race the fans wanted to see. We still have about 17 laps left to go. Aleix Espargaro has also had a great ride so far, on the Suzuki. This is Dani Pedrosa's 250th Grand Prix race. Espargaro seems to be falling into Pedrosa's clutches ever so slightly. So far, Rossi hangs in there with Lorenzo and has not let his Yamaha team mate, sprint away.
Andrea Ianonne flies past Scott Redding and Maverick Vinales, for seventh, like he was shot from a cannon! Yonny Hernandez serves a penalty. Alvaro Bautista is OK after the wreck, and Loris Baz is being checked at the clinic. Rossi is showing his wheel through Scarperia and Arrabiata 1. Into Bucine, Rossi holds his ground. Where will he make a move? Rossi is right in the slipstream once again. Will he make a move? No. He is held off, again, by Lorenzo. Rossi seems to have the pace to run with Lorenzo. Rossi closes into Correntaio again. Lorenzo gets great drive through Biondetti and Bucine. Holy cow! Folks, these guys are racing on the straightaway, at 340 kilometers an hour, 210 miles an hour... on a motorcycle! Simply astonishing.
Oh dear! What has happened? Has Rossi made a mistake? He's off course! Oh no! Rossi, has a mechanical problem with the Yamaha! Rossi surely has a problem directly related to the bike itself. Did he make a mistake? He was looking down at his left foot. There's now smoke trailing from the bike. Rossi's Yamaha, has gone ka-blammo! A blown motor, and it's game over for the ten-time world champion. Jorge Lorenzo, ironically, blew a motor in the morning warmup for this race. So, two Yamaha engine failures, in a single day! Holy cow! That's not good. The plug has been pulled out of the bath here, and the water gurgles down the drain, as Rossi retires.
Rossi was in contention to win at Mugello for the first time since 2008. It won't happen today. Problems again, too, for Scott Redding. Redding has had his third major mechanical problem of the year. Jorge Lorenzo looks like he will dominate this race, as Marc Marquez now comes to second place. Rossi is only 12 points being Jorge Lorenzo. But, he'll lose championship points, after this race. Scott Redding had a water pressure problem. Thirteen laps left to run. We have 16 bikes still circulating on track. The order is Lorenzo, Marquez, Dovizioso, Iannone, Pedrosa, Vinales, Aleix Espargaro, Bradley Smith, Danilo Petrucci, Michele Pirro, Cal Crutchlow, Hector Barbera, Stefan Bradl, Eugene Laverty, Yonny Hernandez, and Pol Espargaro.
Rossi fans are streaming towards the circuit exits here at Mugello, now that their hero has retired. Andrea Ianonne is fourth. Lorenzo knows when to go for it, and protect things, running at the front, as Valentino Rossi comes back to the garage. Marc Marquez will battle Jorge Lorenzo, to the finish. Andrea Dovizioso has dropped 1.5 seconds behind Marquez. This is Rossi's second DNF of the year. If Marquez beats Lorenzo, they'd be equal on points, but, Lorenzo would lead, due to how many wins he has. Jorge Lorenzo is able to stand up to pressure from other riders. Maverick Vinales is sixth, but out of contention for a win, as he is quicker from Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez.
Andrea Ianonne is faster than his team mate Andrea Dovizioso by a full second, as Ducati look like they'll get a podium either way, at their home race. Andrea Ianonne is catching up to Andrea Dovizioso. Yamaha begins inspecting the motorcycle after Valentino Rossi had to bring it in. Dovizioso and Ianonne battle, and Marc Marquez is pressing Jorge Lorenzo, too. Marquez, could win this race, if he has a chance. Bradley Smith goes past Aleix Espargaro, and is now seventh. Wow! Andrea Ianonne has just set, the fastest top trap speed in MotoGP history! 354.5 kilometers an hour... (221.5 miles an hour!) That's blazing speed if there ever was!
Iannone comes out of the slipstream from behind Dovizioso. Dovizioso defends, but Iannone finds a gap, and sails through on the outside! Dani Pedrosa is pushing, and is 1.1 seconds behind the Ducati's. Lorenzo ekes out a tenth of a second, on Marc Marquez, with six laps left. Marc Marquez has to push to stay with Lorenzo. Marc Marquez can't accelerate out of the corners on the Honda, compared to the Yamaha. So, Marquez has to make up time in the braking zones. Two-time MotoGP World Champion and Ducati ambassador, Casey Stoner, looks on, as the pressure is turned on in the battle between the two Andrea's. Dovizioso is a demon on the brakes, and he makes a pass on Ianonne and makes it work.
Dani Pedrosa is quicker than these two blokes on the Ducati's at the moment. Gigi Dall'Igna, Davide Tardozzi, and Paolo Ciabatti are down in the pit lane, probably going, "please don't repeat that horrid crash in Argentina!" Pedrosa is now right with the two Ducati's. It's a fair fight. Dani Pedrosa will partner Marc Marquez at Honda, for two more seasons. Iannone pushes inside Dovizioso. With just five laps remaining, Marc Marquez dials in the fastest lap of the race thus far, bringing it down to a 1:47.980. Dovizioso meanwhile, comes into San Donato way too hot, and runs wide. Dovizioso's podium hopes, in Italy, seem to have been dashed.
Dovizioso could be eaten up by Maverick Vinales on the Suzuki. Bradley Smith runs seventh as the top independent rider in the field right now. Smith, Aleix Espargaro, and Petrucci, scrap. Bradley Smith won at Mugello, in 2009, in 125cc competition. He was fifth here last year in MotoGP. Lorenzo and Marquez have exchanged consecutive fast laps. 1:47.961 for Lorenzo. Marquez responding with a 1:47.871. Marquez closes through Lucco and Poggio Secco corners. Plunging again through Casanova and Sevelli, the laps wind down. Marc Marquez tries the inside on Lorenzo, and runs wide!
Marquez got into Scarperia too hot. Three laps left now. Andrea Dovizioso has dropped back from the third place battle, as Dani Pedrosa presses Andrea Iannone. Iannone is hanging on by the skin of his teeth. Pedrosa is now third! He makes the pass stick, out Sevelli. MotoGP is fickle, because we've been singing the praises of Yamaha and Ducati here at Mugello, and we have a Honda, trying to go for the win. Marquez is pushing, through Bucine, as we complete lap 21. Two to go! Marquezs comes out of the slipstream, and now, it's a braking duel! Marquez leads through the corner. Can he make it stick? No! He runs wide, and Lorenzo is back in front!
Marquez has to try again, for the third time. Just a lap and a half to go, rising to Correntaio, as Andrea Iannone comes back to third, battling with Dani Pedrosa. One lap left at Mugello, and they're side by side! Lorenzo blocks through San Donato, and doesn't allow Marquez to go through. Over the top end of the circuit, however, Marquez makes his move! He makes it stick! What will Jorge Lorenzo do, to fight back? Fight fire with fire. Go on defense. Dropping through Casanova and Sevelli one final time, it's a different game. Lorenzo is now playing offense. Half a lap to go descending into Arrabiata 1 and ascending through Arrabiata 2. Marquez continues to hold the advantage into Scarperia.
Lorenzo won't give up without a fight. Lorenzo will line Marquez up, for a move, out of Biondetti. Lorenzo makes a move up the inside and makes the pass! Marquez fights back! This is too much! Lorenzo tries going through, but, no. Now, the run, to the finish line! Who's going to do it? Lorenzo ducks out to try and pass! Is it a photo finish! Not quite. Lorenzo, nips Marquez, at the line!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP. Yamaha
How? How? How, did Lorenzo snatch the win away? What a last lap! Yikes! That race was insane! Marquez got a wheelie powering over the crest to the finish line, and that's how Lorenzo won this thing. Yours truly, is catching up, with MotoGP races. So, next up, will be the Catalunya Grand Prix in Barcelona, Spain, before coming to what will be this weekend's action, at "The Cathedral of Speed" at Assen, in Holland. Stay tuned, for further race coverage from Mugello, as well as Catalunya, and Assen, coming your way soon, on 2 Wheelin'. Arriva derci, for now.
Jorge Lorenzo is fifth. He's never finished outside the top two in the last seven years, including three straight in 2011, 2012, and 2013, as well as last year, in 2015. Andrea Dovizioso rolls off 13th. This race, in Italy, a year ago, was the last time Andrea Dovizioso even qualified on the front row of the grid. Pol Espargaro is 14th, after having a very difficult weekend, with two crashes, including one in qualifying, before the race. Cal Crutchlow rolls off 16th. Andrea Ianonne, third. Maverick Vinales, second, and Valentino Rossi, who last won here in Italy, back in 2008. Tito Rabat broke his collarbone in a Saturday morning wreck. So, he won't start. But, nonetheless, battle will commence, at Mugello, over 23 laps... next!
The first MotoGP race here at Mugello, was 40 years ago, in 1976. Barry Sheene beat Phil Read, by a mere one thousandth of a second! Talk about close! Weather conditions, before we go green. Air temperature is 26 degrees Celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit), track temperature 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit). So, the track, is plenty hot. However, the weather is perfect. This should be one heck of a race. The track, is a sea of yellow, as the fan launch yellow flares and yellow balloons into the sky. Can Ducati take their first win in MotoGP in six years, at home? We're about to find out.
Rossi has won seven consecutive races here, and those wins came between 2002 and 2008. The last seven years, from 2009-2015, Jorge Lorenzo has been either first or second. Riders cinch down their helmets. We are ready to race, at Mugello, in Italy! Italy holds it's breath. Here we go. The Italian motorcycle Grand Prix at Mugello, is go! The two Yamaha's of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, fly out in front towards the first corner at San Donato. Lorenzo passes Rossi, for the race lead! Oh man! Hot and heavy already! Uh oh! We've got riders down at the back of the field. Jack Miller, has ditched his motorcycle, and so have Loris Baz, and Alvaro Bautista on one of the factory Aprilia's.
Through Poggio Secco, Yamaha's run 1-2. Maverick Vinales, though, had a nightmare start. From the front row of the grid, he has absolutely plummeted to 11th. Through Casanova and Cevelli corners, plunging downhill. They come through Arrabiata 1 & 2. Remember, in Italian, these corners are named after, anger... not spicy pasta. This is a blind, fast right hand turn, that crests a rise. Bradley Smith also had a great start. If Valentino Rossi wants to beat his team mate, he's going to have to rough him up, fast, because if Lorenzo gets away, it's pretty much game over for everyone else and they'll have to battle among themselves, and let Lorenzo whistle off into the distance.
Andrea Ianonne has also sunk from the front row, down to eighth spot. Yonny Hernandez jumped the start. He will have to serve a penalty for that. Rossi, is charging to pass Lorenzo! Side by side at 215 miles an hour! Rossi leads, but he's run wide! Lorenzo comes right back on his Yamaha team mate! Both Ducati's got caught out, too, running way wide off line into San Donato. The two Yamaha's lead the way as Aleix Espargaro on the Suzuki fends off the challenge from Marc Marquez on the Honda. Dani Pedrosa, is now up to fifth place. Maverick Vinales continues now, to languish in 11th spot.
As predicted, Yonny Hernandez, did jump the start. Rossi glued to Lorenzo's rear wheel as the riders dive through Scarperia corner. From Scarperia to Palaggio. Through Correntaio, and onto a 7/10ths of a mile, 1,000 meter long straight. Rossi tries the inside line, but no. Rossi sets fastest lap so far at 1:48.445. Dani Pedrosa runs sixth, and Marc Marquez makes a pass on Aleix Espargaro. So, the factory Honda's are hanging in there, with everyone else. Marquez is now inside the top three places. Rossi is gaining on Lorenzo and is right in his face, with the whole of Italy, virtually, cheering on "The Doctor". Andrea Dovizioso has passed Dani Pedrosa, for fifth place.
Scott Redding passes Bradley Smith, as well. Through Biondetti 1 & 2, the battle is hot and heavy between Rossi and Lorenzo. Maverick Vinales goes inside Bradley Smith. Rossi and Lorenzo are side by side another time. Rossi tries to hold the advantage, but Lorenzo stays out in front. New fast lap, as Andrea Dovizioso sets a 1:47.997. Valentino Rossi is eyeing every opportunity. He's a man on a mission, to get past his team mate. Downhill braking through the right hand turn at Correntaio once more. Can Rossi get close enough exiting Biondetti to have a shot at passing Lorenzo? He has to have a shot through the last turn at Bucine.
Rossi tries a move on the outside! Will it work? Not quite. Lorenzo throws the block. Marc Marquez says, "you all at Yamaha, with your tussling, are going to give me a chance to close up! Thank you!" Andrea Dovizioso has passed Aleix Espargaro for fourth spot. Andrea Ianonne is now ninth. Dropping down, through Sevelli. This is the race the fans wanted to see. We still have about 17 laps left to go. Aleix Espargaro has also had a great ride so far, on the Suzuki. This is Dani Pedrosa's 250th Grand Prix race. Espargaro seems to be falling into Pedrosa's clutches ever so slightly. So far, Rossi hangs in there with Lorenzo and has not let his Yamaha team mate, sprint away.
Andrea Ianonne flies past Scott Redding and Maverick Vinales, for seventh, like he was shot from a cannon! Yonny Hernandez serves a penalty. Alvaro Bautista is OK after the wreck, and Loris Baz is being checked at the clinic. Rossi is showing his wheel through Scarperia and Arrabiata 1. Into Bucine, Rossi holds his ground. Where will he make a move? Rossi is right in the slipstream once again. Will he make a move? No. He is held off, again, by Lorenzo. Rossi seems to have the pace to run with Lorenzo. Rossi closes into Correntaio again. Lorenzo gets great drive through Biondetti and Bucine. Holy cow! Folks, these guys are racing on the straightaway, at 340 kilometers an hour, 210 miles an hour... on a motorcycle! Simply astonishing.
Oh dear! What has happened? Has Rossi made a mistake? He's off course! Oh no! Rossi, has a mechanical problem with the Yamaha! Rossi surely has a problem directly related to the bike itself. Did he make a mistake? He was looking down at his left foot. There's now smoke trailing from the bike. Rossi's Yamaha, has gone ka-blammo! A blown motor, and it's game over for the ten-time world champion. Jorge Lorenzo, ironically, blew a motor in the morning warmup for this race. So, two Yamaha engine failures, in a single day! Holy cow! That's not good. The plug has been pulled out of the bath here, and the water gurgles down the drain, as Rossi retires.
Rossi was in contention to win at Mugello for the first time since 2008. It won't happen today. Problems again, too, for Scott Redding. Redding has had his third major mechanical problem of the year. Jorge Lorenzo looks like he will dominate this race, as Marc Marquez now comes to second place. Rossi is only 12 points being Jorge Lorenzo. But, he'll lose championship points, after this race. Scott Redding had a water pressure problem. Thirteen laps left to run. We have 16 bikes still circulating on track. The order is Lorenzo, Marquez, Dovizioso, Iannone, Pedrosa, Vinales, Aleix Espargaro, Bradley Smith, Danilo Petrucci, Michele Pirro, Cal Crutchlow, Hector Barbera, Stefan Bradl, Eugene Laverty, Yonny Hernandez, and Pol Espargaro.
Rossi fans are streaming towards the circuit exits here at Mugello, now that their hero has retired. Andrea Ianonne is fourth. Lorenzo knows when to go for it, and protect things, running at the front, as Valentino Rossi comes back to the garage. Marc Marquez will battle Jorge Lorenzo, to the finish. Andrea Dovizioso has dropped 1.5 seconds behind Marquez. This is Rossi's second DNF of the year. If Marquez beats Lorenzo, they'd be equal on points, but, Lorenzo would lead, due to how many wins he has. Jorge Lorenzo is able to stand up to pressure from other riders. Maverick Vinales is sixth, but out of contention for a win, as he is quicker from Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez.
Andrea Ianonne is faster than his team mate Andrea Dovizioso by a full second, as Ducati look like they'll get a podium either way, at their home race. Andrea Ianonne is catching up to Andrea Dovizioso. Yamaha begins inspecting the motorcycle after Valentino Rossi had to bring it in. Dovizioso and Ianonne battle, and Marc Marquez is pressing Jorge Lorenzo, too. Marquez, could win this race, if he has a chance. Bradley Smith goes past Aleix Espargaro, and is now seventh. Wow! Andrea Ianonne has just set, the fastest top trap speed in MotoGP history! 354.5 kilometers an hour... (221.5 miles an hour!) That's blazing speed if there ever was!
Iannone comes out of the slipstream from behind Dovizioso. Dovizioso defends, but Iannone finds a gap, and sails through on the outside! Dani Pedrosa is pushing, and is 1.1 seconds behind the Ducati's. Lorenzo ekes out a tenth of a second, on Marc Marquez, with six laps left. Marc Marquez has to push to stay with Lorenzo. Marc Marquez can't accelerate out of the corners on the Honda, compared to the Yamaha. So, Marquez has to make up time in the braking zones. Two-time MotoGP World Champion and Ducati ambassador, Casey Stoner, looks on, as the pressure is turned on in the battle between the two Andrea's. Dovizioso is a demon on the brakes, and he makes a pass on Ianonne and makes it work.
Dani Pedrosa is quicker than these two blokes on the Ducati's at the moment. Gigi Dall'Igna, Davide Tardozzi, and Paolo Ciabatti are down in the pit lane, probably going, "please don't repeat that horrid crash in Argentina!" Pedrosa is now right with the two Ducati's. It's a fair fight. Dani Pedrosa will partner Marc Marquez at Honda, for two more seasons. Iannone pushes inside Dovizioso. With just five laps remaining, Marc Marquez dials in the fastest lap of the race thus far, bringing it down to a 1:47.980. Dovizioso meanwhile, comes into San Donato way too hot, and runs wide. Dovizioso's podium hopes, in Italy, seem to have been dashed.
Dovizioso could be eaten up by Maverick Vinales on the Suzuki. Bradley Smith runs seventh as the top independent rider in the field right now. Smith, Aleix Espargaro, and Petrucci, scrap. Bradley Smith won at Mugello, in 2009, in 125cc competition. He was fifth here last year in MotoGP. Lorenzo and Marquez have exchanged consecutive fast laps. 1:47.961 for Lorenzo. Marquez responding with a 1:47.871. Marquez closes through Lucco and Poggio Secco corners. Plunging again through Casanova and Sevelli, the laps wind down. Marc Marquez tries the inside on Lorenzo, and runs wide!
Marquez got into Scarperia too hot. Three laps left now. Andrea Dovizioso has dropped back from the third place battle, as Dani Pedrosa presses Andrea Iannone. Iannone is hanging on by the skin of his teeth. Pedrosa is now third! He makes the pass stick, out Sevelli. MotoGP is fickle, because we've been singing the praises of Yamaha and Ducati here at Mugello, and we have a Honda, trying to go for the win. Marquez is pushing, through Bucine, as we complete lap 21. Two to go! Marquezs comes out of the slipstream, and now, it's a braking duel! Marquez leads through the corner. Can he make it stick? No! He runs wide, and Lorenzo is back in front!
Marquez has to try again, for the third time. Just a lap and a half to go, rising to Correntaio, as Andrea Iannone comes back to third, battling with Dani Pedrosa. One lap left at Mugello, and they're side by side! Lorenzo blocks through San Donato, and doesn't allow Marquez to go through. Over the top end of the circuit, however, Marquez makes his move! He makes it stick! What will Jorge Lorenzo do, to fight back? Fight fire with fire. Go on defense. Dropping through Casanova and Sevelli one final time, it's a different game. Lorenzo is now playing offense. Half a lap to go descending into Arrabiata 1 and ascending through Arrabiata 2. Marquez continues to hold the advantage into Scarperia.
Lorenzo won't give up without a fight. Lorenzo will line Marquez up, for a move, out of Biondetti. Lorenzo makes a move up the inside and makes the pass! Marquez fights back! This is too much! Lorenzo tries going through, but, no. Now, the run, to the finish line! Who's going to do it? Lorenzo ducks out to try and pass! Is it a photo finish! Not quite. Lorenzo, nips Marquez, at the line!
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP. Yamaha
How? How? How, did Lorenzo snatch the win away? What a last lap! Yikes! That race was insane! Marquez got a wheelie powering over the crest to the finish line, and that's how Lorenzo won this thing. Yours truly, is catching up, with MotoGP races. So, next up, will be the Catalunya Grand Prix in Barcelona, Spain, before coming to what will be this weekend's action, at "The Cathedral of Speed" at Assen, in Holland. Stay tuned, for further race coverage from Mugello, as well as Catalunya, and Assen, coming your way soon, on 2 Wheelin'. Arriva derci, for now.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
MotoGP & World Superbike updates
Stay tuned, as yours truly, will catch up, on updating the more recent races in MotoGP as well as the FIM World Superbike Championship, as soon as possible. Things have been pretty busy as of late.
Monday, June 20, 2016
MotoAmerica Round 6: Barber Motorsports Park
Catching up with all the action from the sixth round of the MotoAmerica championship at Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Alabama.
Video: Roger Hayden One Lap of Barber Motorsports Park
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-roger-hayden-one-lap-barber-motorsports-park
On The Record: Danny Eslick, TOBC Racing
http://www.motoamerica.com/on-record-danny-eslick-tobc-racing
Video: Watch Friday MotoAmerica Superbike Highlights
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-watch-friday-motoamerica-superbike-superstock-1000-highlights
Video: Nicky Hayden at Barber Motorsports Park
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-motogp-world-champion-nicky-hayden-at-motoamerica-barber-motorsports-park
Cameron Beaubier Takes Barber Superbike Pole Position
http://www.motoamerica.com/beaubier-takes-barber-superbike-pole-position
Video: Supersport Highlights Race 1 Barber Motorsports Park
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-supersport-race-one-highlights-barber-motorsports-park
Interview: Roger Hayden Barber Superbike Race One Victory
http://www.motoamerica.com/interview-roger-hayden-barber-superbike-race-one-victory
Hayden, Elias Split Wins at Barber Motorsports Park
http://www.motoamerica.com/hayden-elias-split-superbike-wins-at-barber-motorsports-park
Cameron Petersen Is Climbing MotoAmerica Ladder
http://www.motoamerica.com/cameron-petersen-is-climbing-motoamerica-ladder
VIDEO: Barber Superbike Race One Highlights
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-barber-superbike-race-one-highlights
Claudio Corti Bounces Back After Big Crash At Barber
http://www.motoamerica.com/claudio-corti-bounces-back-after-big-crash-at-barber
VIDEO: Superbike Barber Race Two Highlights
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-motoamerica-superbike-barber-race-two-highlights
VIDEO: Barber Supersport Beach, Gerloff, and Roberts Interviews
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-beach-gerloff-and-roberts-interviews-barber-supersport-race-two
VIDEO: Barber Superbike Race Two Podium Interviews
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-barber-superbike-race-two-podium-interviews
The next round of the championship, is this weekend, in Utah, at Utah Motorsports Campus, formerly known as Miller Motorsports Park, in Tooele, Utah.
Video: Roger Hayden One Lap of Barber Motorsports Park
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-roger-hayden-one-lap-barber-motorsports-park
On The Record: Danny Eslick, TOBC Racing
http://www.motoamerica.com/on-record-danny-eslick-tobc-racing
Video: Watch Friday MotoAmerica Superbike Highlights
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-watch-friday-motoamerica-superbike-superstock-1000-highlights
Video: Nicky Hayden at Barber Motorsports Park
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-motogp-world-champion-nicky-hayden-at-motoamerica-barber-motorsports-park
Cameron Beaubier Takes Barber Superbike Pole Position
http://www.motoamerica.com/beaubier-takes-barber-superbike-pole-position
Video: Supersport Highlights Race 1 Barber Motorsports Park
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-supersport-race-one-highlights-barber-motorsports-park
Interview: Roger Hayden Barber Superbike Race One Victory
http://www.motoamerica.com/interview-roger-hayden-barber-superbike-race-one-victory
Hayden, Elias Split Wins at Barber Motorsports Park
http://www.motoamerica.com/hayden-elias-split-superbike-wins-at-barber-motorsports-park
Cameron Petersen Is Climbing MotoAmerica Ladder
http://www.motoamerica.com/cameron-petersen-is-climbing-motoamerica-ladder
VIDEO: Barber Superbike Race One Highlights
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-barber-superbike-race-one-highlights
Claudio Corti Bounces Back After Big Crash At Barber
http://www.motoamerica.com/claudio-corti-bounces-back-after-big-crash-at-barber
VIDEO: Superbike Barber Race Two Highlights
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-motoamerica-superbike-barber-race-two-highlights
VIDEO: Barber Supersport Beach, Gerloff, and Roberts Interviews
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-beach-gerloff-and-roberts-interviews-barber-supersport-race-two
VIDEO: Barber Superbike Race Two Podium Interviews
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-barber-superbike-race-two-podium-interviews
The next round of the championship, is this weekend, in Utah, at Utah Motorsports Campus, formerly known as Miller Motorsports Park, in Tooele, Utah.
Sunday, June 19, 2016
motorcycle racing news and race reports
Have been active with other racing this weekend. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, auto race. Stay tuned, for more race reports and news, from motorcycle racing, when yours truly, has a chance, to sort them out.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
MotoAmerica Round 6: Barber Motorsports Park
At Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Alabama, round
six of the MotoAmerica championship took place, with Yoshimura Suzuki
dominating the weekend, as Toni Elias and Roger Hayden split wins in each of
the races.
http://www.motoamerica.com/hayden-elias-split-superbike-wins-at-barber-motorsports-park
J.D. Beach, won the Supersport races, and in KTM RC390 Cup
action, Anthony Mazziotto III. was the race winner.
Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, is next up for the
championship, in less than ten days time.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
24 Hours of Le Mans Moto 2016 highlights
A highlight reel from the opening race of the 2016 FIM Endurance World Championship, the motorcycle 24 Hours of Le Mans, at the Bugatti circuit in Le Mans, France, located just inside the Sarthe circuit for the 24 Hours of Le Mans car race, coming up this weekend.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
MotoAmerica Round 5: Road America
All the news from the MotoAmerica round at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. Also, in the Dairy State, be prepared for cheese references aplenty.
Road America is "Rode A Yamaha"
http://www.motoamerica.com/road-america-is-rode-yamaha
Kyle Wyman Racing Ready For Millennium Technologies Home Race In Wisconsin
http://www.motoamerica.com/kyle-wyman-racing-ready-for-millennium-technologies-home-race-in-wisconsin
#RideHVMC Freeman Racing Ducati Eager To Visit Road America
http://www.motoamerica.com/ridehvmc-freeman-racing-ducati-eager-to-visit-road-america
By A Slice, Gerloff Takes The Cheese In Wisconsin
http://www.motoamerica.com/by-slice-gerloff-takes-cheese-in-wisconsin
Cameron Beaubier Extends Yamaha's Wisconsin Winning Streak
http://www.motoamerica.com/cameron-beaubier-extends-yamahas-wisconsin-winning-streak
Debise And M4 SportbikeTrackGear.com Suzuki Win In Wisconsin
http://www.motoamerica.com/debise-and-m4-sportbiketrackgearcom-suzuki-win-in-wisconsin
Beaubier Orders Up A Double Cheese With Two Superbike Victories
http://www.motoamerica.com/beaubier-orders-up-double-cheese-with-two-superbike-victories
Yamaha Blu Cru Riders Second And Third In Supersport Race Two
http://www.motoamerica.com/yamaha-blu-cru-riders-second-and-third-in-supersport-race-two
Hayden and Elias Earn Rostrum Finishes At Road America
http://www.motoamerica.com/hayden-and-elias-earn-rostrum-finishes-at-road-america
Exciting Weekend For Anthony Mazzioto In Wisconsin
http://www.motoamerica.com/exciting-weekend-for-anthony-mazziotto-in-wisconsin
Road America Paves Way Closer Towards MotoAmerica Championship
http://www.motoamerica.com/road-america-paves-way-closer-toward-motoamerica-championship
#RideHVMC Freeman Racing Ducati Works Through Challenges At Road America
http://www.motoamerica.com/ridehvmc-freeman-racing-ducati-works-through-challenges-at-road-america
Paasch and Yates Capture Victories At Road America KTM RC Cup
http://www.motoamerica.com/paasch-and-yates-capture-victories-at-road-america-ktm-rc-cup
The next event for MotoAmerica, took place, last weekend, at Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Alabama. Look for all the highlights, tomorrow, here on 2 Wheelin' as we get caught up on the action in the MotoAmerica Championship.
Road America is "Rode A Yamaha"
http://www.motoamerica.com/road-america-is-rode-yamaha
Kyle Wyman Racing Ready For Millennium Technologies Home Race In Wisconsin
http://www.motoamerica.com/kyle-wyman-racing-ready-for-millennium-technologies-home-race-in-wisconsin
#RideHVMC Freeman Racing Ducati Eager To Visit Road America
http://www.motoamerica.com/ridehvmc-freeman-racing-ducati-eager-to-visit-road-america
By A Slice, Gerloff Takes The Cheese In Wisconsin
http://www.motoamerica.com/by-slice-gerloff-takes-cheese-in-wisconsin
Cameron Beaubier Extends Yamaha's Wisconsin Winning Streak
http://www.motoamerica.com/cameron-beaubier-extends-yamahas-wisconsin-winning-streak
Debise And M4 SportbikeTrackGear.com Suzuki Win In Wisconsin
http://www.motoamerica.com/debise-and-m4-sportbiketrackgearcom-suzuki-win-in-wisconsin
Beaubier Orders Up A Double Cheese With Two Superbike Victories
http://www.motoamerica.com/beaubier-orders-up-double-cheese-with-two-superbike-victories
Yamaha Blu Cru Riders Second And Third In Supersport Race Two
http://www.motoamerica.com/yamaha-blu-cru-riders-second-and-third-in-supersport-race-two
Hayden and Elias Earn Rostrum Finishes At Road America
http://www.motoamerica.com/hayden-and-elias-earn-rostrum-finishes-at-road-america
Exciting Weekend For Anthony Mazzioto In Wisconsin
http://www.motoamerica.com/exciting-weekend-for-anthony-mazziotto-in-wisconsin
Road America Paves Way Closer Towards MotoAmerica Championship
http://www.motoamerica.com/road-america-paves-way-closer-toward-motoamerica-championship
#RideHVMC Freeman Racing Ducati Works Through Challenges At Road America
http://www.motoamerica.com/ridehvmc-freeman-racing-ducati-works-through-challenges-at-road-america
Paasch and Yates Capture Victories At Road America KTM RC Cup
http://www.motoamerica.com/paasch-and-yates-capture-victories-at-road-america-ktm-rc-cup
The next event for MotoAmerica, took place, last weekend, at Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Alabama. Look for all the highlights, tomorrow, here on 2 Wheelin' as we get caught up on the action in the MotoAmerica Championship.
Monday, June 13, 2016
Watching John McGuinness Chase Down Ian Hutchinson Is Dizzying
Check out this wild action from the Isle of Man TT in the senior riders Superbike race, as Ian Hutchinson is the rabbit, and John McGuinness is the hound. This is wild!
http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/videos/a29519/watching-john-mcguiness-chase-down-ian-hutchinson-is-dizzying/
http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/videos/a29519/watching-john-mcguiness-chase-down-ian-hutchinson-is-dizzying/
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Yamaha YZF-R1: MotoAmerica vs. World Superbike
Comparing two versions of a Yamaha YZF-R1 racing motorcycle from MotoAmerica, and FIM World Superbike.
http://www.motoamerica.com/yamaha-yzf-r1-motoamerica-superbike-versus-world-superbike
http://www.motoamerica.com/yamaha-yzf-r1-motoamerica-superbike-versus-world-superbike
Saturday, June 11, 2016
In Memoriam
The Isle of Mann Tourist Trophy motorcycle road races, are legendary, but, they do have danger like any kind of racing does, and riders pushing their motorcycles to the limit, may pay the ultimate cost for a victory. Sadly, four riders, have been killed, during the races on the Isle of Man this week. Rest In Peace, Andrew Soar, Ian Bell, Dwight Beare, and Paul Shoesmith.
Rider dies in crash at Isle of Man Senior TT
http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/isle-of-man-tt-death-andrew-soar-senior-tt-061016
Driver killed during second sidecar race at Isle of Man TT
http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/isle-of-man-tt-death-sidecar-ian-bell-061016
Saturday saw two fatalities at the Isle of Man TT
http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/isle-of-man-tt-deaths-saturday-dwight-beare-paul-shoesmith-060516
Condolences to these riders' families.
Rider dies in crash at Isle of Man Senior TT
http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/isle-of-man-tt-death-andrew-soar-senior-tt-061016
Driver killed during second sidecar race at Isle of Man TT
http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/isle-of-man-tt-death-sidecar-ian-bell-061016
Saturday saw two fatalities at the Isle of Man TT
http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/isle-of-man-tt-deaths-saturday-dwight-beare-paul-shoesmith-060516
Condolences to these riders' families.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
MotoAmerica updates
Stay tuned, as racing in MotoAmerica has begun to heat up. Look for updates from Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, last weekend, and also from Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, this weekend, coming soon, to 2 Wheelin'.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
This is the Fastest Ever Lap Around the Isle of Man
The legendary Michael Dunlop, sets the fastest lap ever
recorded around the Tourist Trophy motorcycle racing course, on the Isle of Man,
on his BMW S1000RR Superbike.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/videos/a29454/this-is-the-fastest-ever-lap-around-the-isle-of-man/
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
MotoGP news before Italy
News before the Italian round of the MotoGP World Championship at Mugello.
#ItalianGP: New contracts, same thrilling Mugello circuit
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/19/italiangp-new-contracts-same-thrilling-mugello-circuit/201187
Meet the Wildcards: The Tricolore
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/meet-the-wildcards-the-tricolore/201104
Dark Skies Loom as Pawi Shines in FP1
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/dark-skies-loom-as-pawi-shines-in-fp1/201233
Intermediates help Hernandez grab top in FP1
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/intermediates-help-hernandez-grab-top-in-fp1/201241
Riders explain what makes Mugello so special
http://www.motogp.com/en/youtube_update/2016/05/20/riders-explain-what-makes-mugello-so-special/201239
Improvements continue in Mugello as Zarco leads on Friday
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/improvements-continue-in-mugello-as-zarco-leads-on-friday/201294
First Moto2 Practice Topped By Zarco
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/first-moto2-practice-topped-by-zarco/201246
Ono Ends Friday in control as Mugello dries
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/ono-ends-friday-in-control-as-mugello-dries/201254
Iannone ignites at Ducati's home to top FP2
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/iannone-ignites-at-ducati-s-home-to-top-fp2/201263
Iannone: "Tomorrow we still have to improve some aspects"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/iannone-tomorrow-we-still-have-to-improve-some-aspects/201344
Redding: "I feel quite comfortable"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/redding-i-felt-quite-comfortable/201312
Pirro: "Today is a good day"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/pirro-today-is-a-good-day/201341
Marquez: "I expected to be a little further off"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/marquez-i-expected-to-be-a-little-further-off/201313
Dovizioso: "I was forced to ride in an unnatural position"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/dovizioso-i-was-forced-to-ride-in-an-unnatural-position/201380
Lorenzo: "Things can change with two more practices"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/lorenzo-things-can-change-with-two-more-practices/201346
Rossi: "The problem is that we are all very close"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/rossi-the-problem-is-that-we-are-all-very-close/201386
Moto3 into the 1:57s as Antonelli leads FP3
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/moto3-into-the-1-57s-as-antonelli-leads-fp3/201438
Iannone remains the man to beat
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/iannone-remains-the-man-to-beat/201463
Lowes back on top in Mugello FP3
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/lowes-back-on-top-in-mugello-fp3/201500
Tito Rabat will not start the Italian MotoGP race, because of a left collarbone fracture, according to a Tweet from Marc VDS Racing.
Italians swarm the top ten, Fenati seizes pole
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/italians-swarm-the-top-ten-fenati-seizes-pole/201543
Iannone's form continues in Free Practice 4
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/iannone-s-form-continues-in-free-practice-4/201577
Redding and Espargaro advance into Q2
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/redding-and-espargaro-advance-into-q2/201586
Resurgent Rossi fights back with sensational pole
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/resurgent-rossi-fights-back-with-sensational-pole/201591
Lowes cruises to pole as rivals stumble
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/lowes-cruises-to-pole-as-rivals-stumble/201624
Rossi: "A long time since I last had pole here"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/rossi-a-long-time-since-i-last-had-pole-here/201665
Rossi unveils 'Mugiallo' helmet
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/rossi-unveils-mugiallo-helmet/201485
Lorenzo: "There is still something that's not good"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/lorenzo-there-is-still-something-that-s-not-good/201684
Smith: "We've learnt from our mistakes"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/smith-we-ve-learnt-from-our-mistakes/201704
Marquez: "Our bike is quite sensitive to temperature"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/marquez-our-bike-is-quite-sensitive-to-temperature/201720
Iannone: "Last year I went much better in qualifying!"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/iannone-last-year-i-went-much-better-in-qualifying/201727
Vinales: "This race will be very hard fought"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/vinales-this-race-will-be-very-hard-fought/201736
Moto3 Sunday guide for the #ItalianGP
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/22/moto3-sunday-guide-for-the-italiangp/201717
#ItalianGP: MotoGP race guide
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/22/italiangp-motogp-race-guide/201730
A guide to the #ItalianGP Moto2 race
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/22/a-guide-to-the-italiangp-moto2-race/201728
Italian 1-2-3 as Bastianini leads Warm Up
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/22/italian-1-2-3-as-bastianini-leads-warm-up/201741
In form Nakagami shows intent in Warm up
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/22/in-form-nakagami-shows-intent-in-warm-up/201769
Vinales on top as Lorenzo encounters issues
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/22/vinales-on-top-as-lorenzo-encounters-issues/201794
Stay tuned, for race action, from all three classes in MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3, from Italy, coming soon.
#ItalianGP: New contracts, same thrilling Mugello circuit
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/19/italiangp-new-contracts-same-thrilling-mugello-circuit/201187
Meet the Wildcards: The Tricolore
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/meet-the-wildcards-the-tricolore/201104
Dark Skies Loom as Pawi Shines in FP1
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/dark-skies-loom-as-pawi-shines-in-fp1/201233
Intermediates help Hernandez grab top in FP1
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/intermediates-help-hernandez-grab-top-in-fp1/201241
Riders explain what makes Mugello so special
http://www.motogp.com/en/youtube_update/2016/05/20/riders-explain-what-makes-mugello-so-special/201239
Improvements continue in Mugello as Zarco leads on Friday
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/improvements-continue-in-mugello-as-zarco-leads-on-friday/201294
First Moto2 Practice Topped By Zarco
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/first-moto2-practice-topped-by-zarco/201246
Ono Ends Friday in control as Mugello dries
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/ono-ends-friday-in-control-as-mugello-dries/201254
Iannone ignites at Ducati's home to top FP2
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/iannone-ignites-at-ducati-s-home-to-top-fp2/201263
Iannone: "Tomorrow we still have to improve some aspects"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/iannone-tomorrow-we-still-have-to-improve-some-aspects/201344
Redding: "I feel quite comfortable"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/redding-i-felt-quite-comfortable/201312
Pirro: "Today is a good day"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/pirro-today-is-a-good-day/201341
Marquez: "I expected to be a little further off"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/marquez-i-expected-to-be-a-little-further-off/201313
Dovizioso: "I was forced to ride in an unnatural position"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/dovizioso-i-was-forced-to-ride-in-an-unnatural-position/201380
Lorenzo: "Things can change with two more practices"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/lorenzo-things-can-change-with-two-more-practices/201346
Rossi: "The problem is that we are all very close"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/20/rossi-the-problem-is-that-we-are-all-very-close/201386
Moto3 into the 1:57s as Antonelli leads FP3
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/moto3-into-the-1-57s-as-antonelli-leads-fp3/201438
Iannone remains the man to beat
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/iannone-remains-the-man-to-beat/201463
Lowes back on top in Mugello FP3
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/lowes-back-on-top-in-mugello-fp3/201500
Tito Rabat will not start the Italian MotoGP race, because of a left collarbone fracture, according to a Tweet from Marc VDS Racing.
Italians swarm the top ten, Fenati seizes pole
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/italians-swarm-the-top-ten-fenati-seizes-pole/201543
Iannone's form continues in Free Practice 4
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/iannone-s-form-continues-in-free-practice-4/201577
Redding and Espargaro advance into Q2
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/redding-and-espargaro-advance-into-q2/201586
Resurgent Rossi fights back with sensational pole
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/resurgent-rossi-fights-back-with-sensational-pole/201591
Lowes cruises to pole as rivals stumble
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/lowes-cruises-to-pole-as-rivals-stumble/201624
Rossi: "A long time since I last had pole here"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/rossi-a-long-time-since-i-last-had-pole-here/201665
Rossi unveils 'Mugiallo' helmet
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/rossi-unveils-mugiallo-helmet/201485
Lorenzo: "There is still something that's not good"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/lorenzo-there-is-still-something-that-s-not-good/201684
Smith: "We've learnt from our mistakes"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/smith-we-ve-learnt-from-our-mistakes/201704
Marquez: "Our bike is quite sensitive to temperature"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/marquez-our-bike-is-quite-sensitive-to-temperature/201720
Iannone: "Last year I went much better in qualifying!"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/iannone-last-year-i-went-much-better-in-qualifying/201727
Vinales: "This race will be very hard fought"
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/21/vinales-this-race-will-be-very-hard-fought/201736
Moto3 Sunday guide for the #ItalianGP
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/22/moto3-sunday-guide-for-the-italiangp/201717
#ItalianGP: MotoGP race guide
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/22/italiangp-motogp-race-guide/201730
A guide to the #ItalianGP Moto2 race
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/22/a-guide-to-the-italiangp-moto2-race/201728
Italian 1-2-3 as Bastianini leads Warm Up
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/22/italian-1-2-3-as-bastianini-leads-warm-up/201741
In form Nakagami shows intent in Warm up
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/22/in-form-nakagami-shows-intent-in-warm-up/201769
Vinales on top as Lorenzo encounters issues
http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2016/05/22/vinales-on-top-as-lorenzo-encounters-issues/201794
Stay tuned, for race action, from all three classes in MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3, from Italy, coming soon.
Monday, June 6, 2016
MotoGP: Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez appear to end their bitter feud after Catalunya GP
Stay tuned. Still have to write a full race report for this one, and for the previous race in Italy. But, it appears, that after the events at the Catalunya/Barcelona MotoGP race, including the tragic death of Moto2 racer Luis Salom, that the bitter rivalry between Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez, has come to an end.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/moto-gp/motogp-valentino-rossi-and-marc-marquez-appear-to-end-their-bitter-feud-after-catalunya-gp/news-story/5e6fa3145c37dde8542502b04ae24fd9
http://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/moto-gp/motogp-valentino-rossi-and-marc-marquez-appear-to-end-their-bitter-feud-after-catalunya-gp/news-story/5e6fa3145c37dde8542502b04ae24fd9
Sunday, June 5, 2016
MOTOGP: Riders were willing to cancel Catalunya GP
Haven't gotten around to writing a race report yet. So, this is not a spoiler alert. The race reports from the past couple MotoGP races, will come. Hang in there, folks. But, this article explains that after Luis Salom's fatal accident, other riders were indeed willing to cancel the racing action at Circuit de Catalunya Barcelona, this weekend.
http://www.racer.com/more/moto-gp/item/130416-riders-were-willing-to-cancel-catalunya-gp
http://www.racer.com/more/moto-gp/item/130416-riders-were-willing-to-cancel-catalunya-gp
Saturday, June 4, 2016
In Memoriam: Luis Salom
Sad, sad news, to report, this Saturday morning. Moto2 racer, Luis Salom, has died, after a crash, in practice, for the MotoGP Catalunya Grand Prix, at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. Yours truly, still has to catch up on MotoGP action, and will eventually post a race report on this event. But, this is shocking to hear. Rest In Peace, Luis Salom.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/36447935?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_sport&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=sport
http://www.bbc.com/sport/motorsport/36447935?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_sport&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=sport
Friday, June 3, 2016
Marc Marquez confirms new Honda deal, Pol Espargaro confirms KTM move
MotoGP silly season, is in full swing, not even halfway through the 2016 season. There is some good news, though. Marc Marquez, has signed a new contract with Honda, and Pol Espargaro, will race with the new, factory KTM team, coming into MotoGP, next year.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/moto-gp/motogp-marc-marquez-confirms-new-honda-deal-pol-espargaro-confirms-ktm-move/news-story/1a2d2a07e3e243680671c4023fe23609
http://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsport/moto-gp/motogp-marc-marquez-confirms-new-honda-deal-pol-espargaro-confirms-ktm-move/news-story/1a2d2a07e3e243680671c4023fe23609
Thursday, June 2, 2016
FIM World Supersport: Malaysia
We travel to Asia for the second time in 2016, for round six of the FIM World Supersport championship, to race at Sepang International Circuit. Last year, the stars and stripes of the United States, shone brightly in Malaysia, when P.J. Jacobsen, became the first ever American rider, to win a World Supersport event, in Malaysia. Dark clouds are looming over the circuit. Right now, it's hot. 32 degrees Celsius (89 degrees Fahrenheit), ambient temperature. Track temperature reads 46 Celsius (114 degrees Fahrenheit). It rained for three hours overnight. Randy Krummenacher led practice. This is round six of World Supersport. Four-time WSSP champion Kenan Sofuoglu, is in the points lead, ahead of both Randy Krummenacher, and Jules Cluzel.
Will the dark clouds, dump buckets of rain on the Sepang track? We have a 14 lap race for World Supersport. 2/3rds distance, will be lap nine, if the weather gets iffy. Zulfahmi Khairuddin, who has raced here in Malaysia, in Moto3, is the crowd favorite. He hails from this nation of course. He starts from the second row of the grid. He was 12th in the warmup, concentrating on setup. There's expectation for Malaysian motorsport in this race. Khairuddin is confident in the motorcycle. Jules Cluzel may have won the first race we ran in WSSP on the Asian continent, in Thailand. However, in morning warmup here in Malaysia, he fell off the bike.
Cluzel has had just two podiums so far this year. He low sided into turn one in the morning warmup. With other riders looking strong, Cluzel will have a tough time. A few Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup riders, are hanging around in Kenan Sofuoglu's Puccetti Kawasaki garage, including Kenan's nephew. He races in SAATC competition. Many fans from Turkey are here in Malaysia, to support their hero. If Sofuoglu wins, it will be a milestone victory, his 35th career WSSP triumph. The pit lane has opened. P.J. Jacobsen rolls out of the garage. He made history here at Sepang, last August. He was the first ever American polesitter in WSSP, and also, the first American race winner in the category.
Christian Gamarino is headed out on his warmup lap. Rain is beginning to fall already, at turns three and six. Again, pit lane is open. The weather looks like it's beginning to clear. We had heavy rain the night before this race, during the early hours of the morning. People in their hotel rooms, were awakened by an amazing downpour, with lots of thunder and lightning. If you ever have a chance to visit Malaysia (and no, yours truly has not had the chance, yet), check out the Petronas Towers, especially when they are lit at night. I hear the sight is a spectacle to behold. Zulfahmi Khairuddin starts fifth, and as he makes his way to the grid, the crowd erupts in applause.
Jules Cluzel was hurt in Jerez towards the end of last year with two broken legs. He's healed, but is still limping. Randy Krummenacher may fight with his team mate in this race, because the World Supersport motorcycle feels much better to him, than the Moto2 bike. Nine minutes before we get underway, it's raining. It is going to be a wet race for these blokes. Rain is falling here at Sepang. There are intermediate and wet Pirelli Super Corsa intermediate and wet tires. Gino Rea could be pleased of this. He ran well at this track, in Moto2, a few years ago.
The rain is very heavy, but it seems like it isn't raining. However, if it starts raining in Malaysia, it's not a light rain at all. It's a heavy downpour. The tires are not the only things being changed. Swing arms, preload settings on shocks, and other suspension settings, are also being tinkered with. The riders will also wear their rain ponchos. The start, has been delayed. Race Director Giancarlo Carloia has decisions to make. 23 riders will race, as we do not have the European riders in an Asian event. The European Supersport Cup, will return, at the next race. Details, coming up, after this race is done.
Some riders will be running off the grid, to have a short break. Put all your faith in the tires. Kenan Sofuoglu's pit crew, is changing tires. Road spec tires, are being used for Supersport. These bikes are based on the road going models. They are Pirelli Super Corsa tires. Very similar, to the Super Stock 1000 Series that races in Europe. You can buy these tires for track days, from Pirelli's webpage, if you have a 600cc motorcycle, such as a Kawasaki ZX6R, Honda CBR600RR, MV Agusta F3 675, or Yamaha YZF R6. We look down, through the starting grid. Randy Krummenacher rolls of second. In third, In fourth, Patrick Jacobsen.
Zulfahmi Khairuddin is fifth. Sixth, is Ayrton Badovini. Roberto Rolfo is eighth. Wet tires, on this track, are not useful at Sepang. Intermediate tires work better in wet weather, here in Malaysia. You can mix and match tires, if you choose. You have to have faith in the tires, so you don't give up too much ground. Crews are readying the rain tires. Lorenzo Zanetti starts 12th. He won a WSSP race at Imola in 2014. He was third in Malaysia, last year. Kyle Smith and Gino Rea are the rainmeisters in this division. P.J. Jacobsen and Randy Krummenacher also do well in wet weather. Krummenacher had a Moto2 podium last year.
Stefan Hill, is the rider starting caboose on the field, in 23rd spot. We are supposed to start the race now. But the start has been delayed. We watch the Kevin Wahr ridden Lorini Honda, sponsored by Gemar Balloons, that is lined up 19th, to match Wahr's bike number. He is team mate to Ayrton Badovini, and of course, Badovini, is a fill-in rider for Glenn Scott, who continues to recover from injury. Kevin Wahr has wet tires on. In one minute, we will have a sighting lap, form up on the grid, have a warmup lap, and then a race start.
The 30 second board is out, but Ayrton Badovini has his motorcycle in pit lane. So, he may have an issue, and only one Team Lorini, Gemar Balloons bike, would start this race. Badovini has to have the tires changed from dry to wet. This extra sighting lap, means we will have a reduced race distance, from 14 to 13 laps. Will the start be delayed? We'll see. Kyle Smith is confident he will race well. Ayrton Badovini is being held in the pit lane, having to wait for everyone to go by, and rejoin the warmup lap. One side of the track, is already drenched.
The new granite surface holds some water under the surface to have greater grip within the track. But, where do you brake in the wet? Be careful. Ayrton Badovini's grid spot in sixth, is open. Ondrej Jezek is the last rider to pull up. A reduced number of mechanics is allowed onto the track and then, the bikes will be on their way on the warmup lap. The start, has perhaps, been delayed again. Keep calm, and stay focused. No further start delays. The five minute board is being held up. So, stay cool, for five minutes, boys. Kyle Smith, is looking for a good result in the wet.
With 13 laps, 2/3rds distance, is lap eight. Zulfahmi Khairuddin could do well here. It will all come down to tire choice, though. Does anyone risk using both an intermediate and a slick tire? It is a wet race. But, if anyone wants to change tires, we're going to stop the race, again. All riders have the clear visors on their helmets. Gino Rea feels confident about his chances, as the leading MV Agusta on this grid. A marshal is picking up a tear off strip off the road. The rain is now starting again. But, more consistent wet conditions will help. However, the surface is different now.
Sprays of rain, have now become a downpour. The palm trees are blowing in the wind. Alex Baldolini's bike has been moved off the grid. We should be underway, with standard race start procedure. Two gaps on the grid. Badovini should have started sixth. Baldolini, should have rolled off 14th. Away we go, on a second warmup lap as the rain is pouring down. The water really hangs in the air. If the leader hits a wet patch first, it could be disaster. That happened, in a MotoGP race at Estoril in Portugal, years ago, to rider Sete Gibernau. It is risk vs. reward, racing in the wet.
The red flag flies. There's too much standing water right now. There's a massive flash of lightning. One of the PTR Honda rides through a barrier. There's been a big crash of thunder, too. Everyone is getting soaked in the pit lane. It's a deluge. A monsoon if you like. We watch Luke Stapleford. He began the season, with the CIA Landlord Insurance Honda squad. Now, he is riding a Triumph Daytona 675. More WSSP news since we last raced in Italy. SC Racing, the Italian team for Kyle Ryde, has suddenly withdrawn from the World Supersport Championship, since the Imola race.
Ryde is high and dry without a ride at this point. Kyle Ryde has not gotten an offer for the next race, at Donington Park in England. Will we be singing "Singing In The Rain" by Gene Kelly and Ginger Rogers, before this race is over? Uh... maybe. Just don't make yours truly, sing it! We are now into full wet conditions for this race, once it gets started. Once it stops raining, the track should dry fairly quickly. We're going to have a long delay here, folks. It's really windy. Gene Kelly's ghost, is haunting the paddock here in Sepang. Singing in the rain, singing in the rain, what a glorious feeling, I'm happy again! Not! The riders are not happy about this rain shower! Hardy har har.
There. Yours truly, gave the lyrics for "Singing In The Rain", as we await the end of this downpour. More claps of thunder, strike. Alex Baldolini has had a new motor put into his customer MV Agusta F3 675. Deal with the conditions, and we'll see what happens. The "friendly security guards" as commentators Greg Haines and Steve English called them, here at Sepang, who said, "no, there won't be rain", are, according to Mr. Haines, "about as useful as a chocolate tea pot". Now, if that's some sort of thinly veiled insult, yours truly, apologizes. Those are Mr. Haines' words, and not mine. Because we have had a red flag, now we will recalculate the race distance, and move the dial, back up to 14 laps.
The race is effectively null and void. Shades of the Superstock 1000 race at Assen. Federico Caricasulo's bike is being changed over to a full wet setup. Gino Rea, is showing a bit of English humor, wearing swimming goggles, and doing a breast stroke for the camera! More fun and games here at Sepang! The rain seems to be easing up slightly. Just get ready to go. Major heat is outside now. The humidity will build, and the temperature will spike. We can hear the rain bucketing down, from the track microphones. I spy, with my little eye... something beginning with R. That is, rain. Rain... water falling, from clouds, condensed from vapor, in the atmosphere. Hehe.
These are the kinds of conditions everyone hates. Clear skies are around, starting to appear around turns six and seven. OK. I'll believe you. The water, is bouncing off the track surface. It's very windy, too. It was literally, the calm before the storm, a few hours ago. Lorenzo Zanetti finds time, during this delay, to take a screwdriver, and open the vents in his crash helmet. Now, we wait... wait... and wait. This race will be 2/3rds distance. However, we haven't restarted. We'll have a full race. The wind is picking up, again. The conditions are too difficult, to have a real race start, boys and girls.
We still hear some huge claps of thunder. Thunder... a loud noise, following lightning. A loud rumbling noise, caused by the rapid expansion of air, suddenly heated by lightning. Kaboom! What better thing is there to do, while we wait, than describe what we're dealing with here, folks? Nothing much. We can only hope the wind is a good thing, and that it blows these rain clouds away. We can still hear the rain falling, and see the cameras moving around, due to the wind. Federico Caricasulo's team is working on the Honda CBR600RR he rides. It's the same team he rode for in Superstock 600 last year. Zulfahmi Khairuddin is chatting with Sepang circuit CEO Razlan Rizali. Fahmi qualified in fifth, and went through to Super Pole 2, after the first round of qualifying.
This rain, is not what Zulfahmi Khairudin needs. He's got pressure, to perform, in front of his fans. He's been very quick and confident on the bike. Frank Vassierre, is driving the safety car, to check the track. Two fleets of Alfa Romeo 4C safety cars are used. One fleet, in Europe, and one, in Asia. The producer has taken Greg Haines and Steve English, in the commentary box, by surprise. We continue to wait. No more fun and games. The weather conditions are changing a bit. It has actually been postponed, until after World Superbike race two.
Folks... hit the fast forward button. It's 5:00 P.M. local time, as we NOW get to start the World Supersport race. Current conditions on the speedway. 26 degrees Celsius air temperature (78 degrees Fahrenehit), 30 degrees Celsius, (86 degrees Fahrenheit), track temperature. We had a two hour delay, and in that time, ran the second World Superbike race, which you have already heard about. If you haven't yet, go back, and read my race report about it. We are on the sighting lap, and have more rain. It's still raining, and dark clouds are around. Kenan Sofuoglu has had a good start to this weekend, and to this season, as he has won two races so far.
Hometown hero Zulfahmi Khairuddin, lines up fifth. Jules Cluzel wants to perform, and lets hope he and the MV Agusta team, can get things together, today. Randy Krummenacher starts second. He has taken to World Supersport like a duck to water. Kenan Sofuoglu has pole. Gino Rea starts third just alongside the Kawasaki's. Real tension in the air, as more rain could be on the way Zulfahmi Khairuddin, rolls off fifth. He is one of four brothers. Two of them race motorcycles, and a couple others, are studying. P.J. Jacobsen rolls off fourth. Jules Cluzel is seventh. We are on a drying track. It's hot and sticky, and the rain is lifting.
Ayrton Badovini starts sixth. We have damp conditions, and it will be a wet race. Roberto Rolfo is eighth. Rolfo has won a Moto2 race here and has been on the podium in the 250cc championship. Ondrej Jezek is ninth. The safety car drives away to assess traffic conditions. The race track is truly a living thing right now. Nicolas Terol is tenth. Front row, then, is Gino Rea, Randy Krummenacher, and Kenan Sofuoglu. The bikes are on their warmup lap. The conditions have changed. Now, we see no spray off the tires. However, there will be damp patches to look out for.
We have two safety cars here. The Alfa Romeo that is a constant sight in WSBK, and a local safety car from the speedway. In this case, a yellow Porsche. Two riders to watch as we get underway will be Luke Stapleford and Hikari Okubo. Sadly, Kyle Ryde isn't racing here, because his team folded and he hasn't got a motorcycle to race. Honda have won this race for the last two years, with the same team. Michael van der Mark won in 2014 and P.J. Jacobsen did so, last year. We have a near collision between two of the MV Agusta's of Lorenzo Zanetti and Ayrton Badovini, coming to the grid.
It's a damp track here in Malaysia. We're ready to race, now. 14 laps. Here come the lights. Go! Gino Rea has a fabulous start, and takes the lead headed for the first turn! Jules Cluzel on the factory MV Agusta is side by side with Kenan Sofuoglu, headed for turn one. The crowd will go bonkers, as Zulfahmi Khairuddin is now up to fourth place! Make it third, after Cluzel runs wide! If Khairuddin got a fabulous start, then, Lorenzo Zanetti had a real bad one and is sliding down the order. Jules Cluzel is also plummeting down the list. Cluzel is the only rider in the field with an intermediate rear tire. Randy Krummenacher has also fallen way down, to tenth place. Kenan Sofuoglu has never actually raced with Zulfahmi Khairuddin. So, the thought is, "alright, buddy. Let's see what your made of."
Gino Rea, has started well, and Kyle Smith has moved up a ton of places, to fourth overall after starting on the fifth row, somewhere down in the back half of the top 15. Smith did indeed start in 15th spot. Khairuddin tries the world champ and can't make it. Both these blokes ride the same bike. The Kawasaki ZX6R. Ayrton Badovini and P.J. Jacobsen are also racing for position. Jacobsen is struggling and Nico Terol is hot on his heels. Oh dear. A little contact, forces two riders to go down. Ondrej Jezek is one, and the other, is Kevin Wahr, on the second Gemar Balloons - Team Lorini Honda. Khairuddin tries inside Sofuoglu, but runs wide.
Kyle Smith also almost loses control of the motorcycle. Khairuddin moves past Sofuoglu into second place. It was indeed Ondrej Jezek, who dropped his bike. Game over for Kevin Wahr as well. Wahr hit pit lane at the end of lap one. Gino Rea leads. He has won once before in World Supersport, and does well at Sepang. Khairuddin, meanwhile, is up to second, in his home race. His brother also ran in the Asia Talent Cup motorcycle race here, earlier. Kyle Smith is pressuring Kenan Sofuoglu for third as well. Rea and Khairuddin lead the way so far. Smith tries inside Sofuoglu. But, Khairuddin is going for the lead outside of Gino Rea! Khairuddin takes the lead!
Kenan Sofuoglu runs wide, dropping to fifth place. The crowd goes nuts! Khairuddin sets fastest lap at 2:23.278. Sofuoglu passes Kyle Smith for third. Ayrton Badovini is all over Kyle Smith. Badovini is a rainmeister as well. P.J. Jacobsen is sixth. Randy Krummenacher has fallen to tenth, and at the moment, Christoffer Bergman from Sweden, is on for a point, in 15th place. Smith passes Sofuoglu, and this race, ladies and gentlemen, could play a pivotal part in the outcome of the championship. Krummenacher is nine seconds behind and needs to book it, now. Meanwhile, Jules Cluzel could be in a situation, where the race, comes to him.
Khairuddin leads, with Rea continuing to challenge. Ayrton Badovini is trying to pass Kenan Sofuoglu. Sofuoglu runs wide and almost makes contact with Badovini. It's still Badovini and Sofuoglu for position! P.J. Jacobsen is just behind these two blokes, but too far back to capitalize should either rider make a mistake. Alex Baldolini has moved around Nico Terol for seventh place. Lorenzo Zanetti and Federico Caricasulo are next in line completing the top ten. Don't forget, that Honda is the only make of motorcycle, to have won here, in Malaysia, over the last two seasons. Sofuoglu has to be careful in his scrum with Badovini.
Sofuoglu is pushing hard, and we have a three way fight for the race lead. Kyle Smith turns a new fast lap at 2:22.865. Robbie Rolfo leads Jules Cluzel, in a battle between a customer MV Agusta and a factory one. Cluzel may have a slight gear issue, trying to shift the motorcycle into the right one to get into the corner. Ayrton Badovini, is pushing hard, on the balloon sponsored Lorini Honda, trying to get by Sofuoglu. No point in taking too much of a risk for Kenan Sofuoglu. Badovini makes the pass. Kyle Smith tries Gino Rea for second spot. Smith passes Rea, but, he could be trouble for Khairuddin and the Malaysian fans, who want to see their hero, win this race.
P.J. Jacobsen is inching closer to Kenan Sofuoglu, and wants to make a move. Gino Rea takes it too deep under braking, trying to square off the corner and get underneath Ayrton Badovini. Smith, Badovini, and Rea, all race well in the rain. Badovini sets the new fastest lap, at 2:21.798. Working lap six, with nine now remaining. A lap or so to halfway. Badovini wiggles the bike out of turn four. Badovini is subbing for the injured Glenn Scott at Team Lorini at the moment. Alex Baldolini runs seventh, and does not have much to show for it, even though he has a new engine in his motorcycle. Nico Terol is eight, while Randy Krummenacher is charging, in ninth place.
He'll have to press as hard as possible, as five riders want a piece of him. The sharks are going after the minnow in that battle. Jules Cluzel and Lorenzo Zanetti are part of said group and squabbling with each other. Cluzel though, is being passed, due to his shifting problems as Zanetti, Roberto Rolfo, Christian Gammarino, another others, go by. Rolfo is pressing Zanetti now. Federico Caricasulo is running on his own in tenth place. Status quo at the front. Or, is it? Kyle Smith wants to make a move on Zulfahmi Khairuddin. We are one lap shy of halfway.
P.J. Jacobsen wants to try to move past Sofuoglu. Six riders will go for the win. Badovini tries Smith for second. They almost touch, but thankfully keep the bikes upright. Gino Rea is going to try and attack Ayrton Badovini. Again, if Khairuddin wins, this place will go bonkers. The remainder of the top ten has not changed. Jules Cluzel is 11th. Zanetti and Rolfo have both lost a few places. Aiden Wagner runs fifteenth. He's back in action this weekend. Wagner dislocated his collarbone and shoulder in a wreck at Assen in Holland. Hikari Okubo is followed by Chrisoffer Bergman, Luke Stapleford, and others. Meanwhile, Ayrton Badovini tries Kyle Smith again.
Stefan Hill, Ondrej Jezek, and Lachlan Epis, are the remaining riders. Nacho Calero is last, after Kevin Wahr retired. Calero cannot stand racing in the wet. Even though he's fifth, Kenan Sofuoglu should increase his points lead. Randy Krummenacher topped the morning warmup, and felt comfortable about doing really well today. But, in these intermediate conditions, it's tough, as Ayrton Badovini, passes Kyle Smith. Jules Cluzel in 11th is running quicker than Zulfahmi Khairuddin in the lead, and he is the only rider in this field running on intermediate rear tires. Gino Rea goes around Kyle Smith.
Randy Krummenacher has now passed Federico Caricasulo for ninth. Jacobsen tries Kyle Smith, and Kenan Sofuoglu, has gotten around him. The gap is 6/10ths of a second, with six laps left. Smith tries to dive past Jacobsen, but, no dice. Jules Cluzel runs a new fast lap at 2:21.665. Cluzel is half a second faster than the leaders. But, with six laps left, there isn't enough time for Cluzel to close up. Ayrton Badovini now resets fast lap, taking it down to 2:21.930. The top six is split into two groups of three as we are headed for the finish. Badovini slides the Honda. Sofuoglu, Jacobsen, and Smith, need to close up, and work together to do so. Khairuddin is trying to win. We have seen Khairul Idham Pawi, win a World Championship event for Malaysia, in Moto3, earlier this year.
Cluzel is charging with the intermediate rear tire, but, he's running wide, and can't slow down into the corner. Nico Terol and Randy Krummenacher are behind Jules Cluzel. Cluzel takes fastest lap this time at 2:21.403. Terol runs wide and Caricasulo is just behind these blokes. Christian Gammarino remains 12th. Roberto Rolfo has dropped down the order. Aiden Wagner is being challenged by Hikari Okubo and Luke Stapleford. Ayrton Badovini can put his bike anywhere he wants. The gap is still 6/10ths of a second. It's Khairuddin over Badovini, on the balloon bike. Cluzel is right with Alex Baldolini, but Cluzel has slowed, pushing as hard as possible.
Badovini will push hard, to try forcing a mistake. We are past the 2/3rds cutoff. Badovini is trying Khairuddin. Badovini passes Khairuddin! He could win this race! P.J. Jacobsen also makes a pass on Kenan Sofuoglu. Khairuddin passes Ayrton Badovini. Jacobsen passes Sofuoglu, and Cluzel passes Baldolini. Badovini places the motorcycle right where he needs it to be, and is now back in front of Khairuddin. Gino Rea is now a part of this scrum as well. Khairuddin is desperate. He'll either win it or bin it. Jacobsen almost ditches the bike in fifth. Will Rea pass Khairuddin and have a go at Badovini?
In replay, Kenan Sofuoglu runs wide, allowing P.J. Jacobsen to pass. Khairuddin has to stay with Badovini. Both of these guys want to win. Gino Rea wants his second victory in 43 starts. Badovini keeps the inside line over Khairuddin. Rea sets fastest lap of the top three at 2:22.372. Jacobsen passes Sofuoglu, who is now being hounded by Kyle Smith. Can Ayrton Badovini end up winning? He was dropped from the BMW World Superbike team after they restructured. Khairuddin has to keep up with Badovini. Will Gino Rea pull the pin and go after the top two? If anyone in the top four wins, we'll have had five winners in the first six races in World Supersport! Amazing!
Khairuddin is going to make his move on Badovini. He can't quite get there. He's a true celebrity in all of Malaysia, not just in motorcycle racing. Sofuoglu struggles for grip and runs very wide. Kyle Smith takes fifth place away. Khairuddin goes left to turn one and on the last lap, he's taken the lead! The crowd goes crazy! Badovini fights back on the outside! Badovini knows Khairuddin is under real pressure to win this race. Can Khairuddin do anything with Ayrton Badovini? Nico Terol is losing places hand over fist. Christian Gammarino, Robbie Rolfo, and Lorenzo Zanetti have all passed him.
Terol has stopped with a mechanical issue. Kenan Sofuoglu will maintain his championship lead by 17 points over Randy Krummenacher. Four corners to go. Khairuddin will challenge Badovini one more time. Badovini twitches. One corner to go! Will Khairuddin do it? Khairuddin is through on Badovini! Can he make it stick into the braking zone? Badovini gets back around him! The only thing he can hope for is to drive past Badovini down the stretch! Too late! Ayrton Badovini wins at Sepang!
#86 Ayrton Badovini ITA. Honda CBR600RR
Congratulations to Team Lorini! Badovini wins his first FIM World Supersport race! Khairuddin is in tears. He must have been crushed! Badovini has to be in tears as well, but for a different reason. Fastest lap went to P.J. Jacobsen on the very last lap of this race! Happiness, and sadness, in this race. Gino Rea gets his second podium in three races. I am delighted for Ayrton Badovini, but also, disappointed that Khairuddin didn't quite get there. Honda wins five out of six WSSP races so far this year. Gino Rea, again, is fourth. What a race! Motorsport has definitely brought people together all around the world, as it should, in this race. Khairuddin was hero of the hour. But, Badovini, is the winner.
The next FIM World Supersport race, took place at Donington Park, in England. Stay tuned, for coverage of that race, coming soon.
Will the dark clouds, dump buckets of rain on the Sepang track? We have a 14 lap race for World Supersport. 2/3rds distance, will be lap nine, if the weather gets iffy. Zulfahmi Khairuddin, who has raced here in Malaysia, in Moto3, is the crowd favorite. He hails from this nation of course. He starts from the second row of the grid. He was 12th in the warmup, concentrating on setup. There's expectation for Malaysian motorsport in this race. Khairuddin is confident in the motorcycle. Jules Cluzel may have won the first race we ran in WSSP on the Asian continent, in Thailand. However, in morning warmup here in Malaysia, he fell off the bike.
Cluzel has had just two podiums so far this year. He low sided into turn one in the morning warmup. With other riders looking strong, Cluzel will have a tough time. A few Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup riders, are hanging around in Kenan Sofuoglu's Puccetti Kawasaki garage, including Kenan's nephew. He races in SAATC competition. Many fans from Turkey are here in Malaysia, to support their hero. If Sofuoglu wins, it will be a milestone victory, his 35th career WSSP triumph. The pit lane has opened. P.J. Jacobsen rolls out of the garage. He made history here at Sepang, last August. He was the first ever American polesitter in WSSP, and also, the first American race winner in the category.
Christian Gamarino is headed out on his warmup lap. Rain is beginning to fall already, at turns three and six. Again, pit lane is open. The weather looks like it's beginning to clear. We had heavy rain the night before this race, during the early hours of the morning. People in their hotel rooms, were awakened by an amazing downpour, with lots of thunder and lightning. If you ever have a chance to visit Malaysia (and no, yours truly has not had the chance, yet), check out the Petronas Towers, especially when they are lit at night. I hear the sight is a spectacle to behold. Zulfahmi Khairuddin starts fifth, and as he makes his way to the grid, the crowd erupts in applause.
Jules Cluzel was hurt in Jerez towards the end of last year with two broken legs. He's healed, but is still limping. Randy Krummenacher may fight with his team mate in this race, because the World Supersport motorcycle feels much better to him, than the Moto2 bike. Nine minutes before we get underway, it's raining. It is going to be a wet race for these blokes. Rain is falling here at Sepang. There are intermediate and wet Pirelli Super Corsa intermediate and wet tires. Gino Rea could be pleased of this. He ran well at this track, in Moto2, a few years ago.
The rain is very heavy, but it seems like it isn't raining. However, if it starts raining in Malaysia, it's not a light rain at all. It's a heavy downpour. The tires are not the only things being changed. Swing arms, preload settings on shocks, and other suspension settings, are also being tinkered with. The riders will also wear their rain ponchos. The start, has been delayed. Race Director Giancarlo Carloia has decisions to make. 23 riders will race, as we do not have the European riders in an Asian event. The European Supersport Cup, will return, at the next race. Details, coming up, after this race is done.
Some riders will be running off the grid, to have a short break. Put all your faith in the tires. Kenan Sofuoglu's pit crew, is changing tires. Road spec tires, are being used for Supersport. These bikes are based on the road going models. They are Pirelli Super Corsa tires. Very similar, to the Super Stock 1000 Series that races in Europe. You can buy these tires for track days, from Pirelli's webpage, if you have a 600cc motorcycle, such as a Kawasaki ZX6R, Honda CBR600RR, MV Agusta F3 675, or Yamaha YZF R6. We look down, through the starting grid. Randy Krummenacher rolls of second. In third, In fourth, Patrick Jacobsen.
Zulfahmi Khairuddin is fifth. Sixth, is Ayrton Badovini. Roberto Rolfo is eighth. Wet tires, on this track, are not useful at Sepang. Intermediate tires work better in wet weather, here in Malaysia. You can mix and match tires, if you choose. You have to have faith in the tires, so you don't give up too much ground. Crews are readying the rain tires. Lorenzo Zanetti starts 12th. He won a WSSP race at Imola in 2014. He was third in Malaysia, last year. Kyle Smith and Gino Rea are the rainmeisters in this division. P.J. Jacobsen and Randy Krummenacher also do well in wet weather. Krummenacher had a Moto2 podium last year.
Stefan Hill, is the rider starting caboose on the field, in 23rd spot. We are supposed to start the race now. But the start has been delayed. We watch the Kevin Wahr ridden Lorini Honda, sponsored by Gemar Balloons, that is lined up 19th, to match Wahr's bike number. He is team mate to Ayrton Badovini, and of course, Badovini, is a fill-in rider for Glenn Scott, who continues to recover from injury. Kevin Wahr has wet tires on. In one minute, we will have a sighting lap, form up on the grid, have a warmup lap, and then a race start.
The 30 second board is out, but Ayrton Badovini has his motorcycle in pit lane. So, he may have an issue, and only one Team Lorini, Gemar Balloons bike, would start this race. Badovini has to have the tires changed from dry to wet. This extra sighting lap, means we will have a reduced race distance, from 14 to 13 laps. Will the start be delayed? We'll see. Kyle Smith is confident he will race well. Ayrton Badovini is being held in the pit lane, having to wait for everyone to go by, and rejoin the warmup lap. One side of the track, is already drenched.
The new granite surface holds some water under the surface to have greater grip within the track. But, where do you brake in the wet? Be careful. Ayrton Badovini's grid spot in sixth, is open. Ondrej Jezek is the last rider to pull up. A reduced number of mechanics is allowed onto the track and then, the bikes will be on their way on the warmup lap. The start, has perhaps, been delayed again. Keep calm, and stay focused. No further start delays. The five minute board is being held up. So, stay cool, for five minutes, boys. Kyle Smith, is looking for a good result in the wet.
With 13 laps, 2/3rds distance, is lap eight. Zulfahmi Khairuddin could do well here. It will all come down to tire choice, though. Does anyone risk using both an intermediate and a slick tire? It is a wet race. But, if anyone wants to change tires, we're going to stop the race, again. All riders have the clear visors on their helmets. Gino Rea feels confident about his chances, as the leading MV Agusta on this grid. A marshal is picking up a tear off strip off the road. The rain is now starting again. But, more consistent wet conditions will help. However, the surface is different now.
Sprays of rain, have now become a downpour. The palm trees are blowing in the wind. Alex Baldolini's bike has been moved off the grid. We should be underway, with standard race start procedure. Two gaps on the grid. Badovini should have started sixth. Baldolini, should have rolled off 14th. Away we go, on a second warmup lap as the rain is pouring down. The water really hangs in the air. If the leader hits a wet patch first, it could be disaster. That happened, in a MotoGP race at Estoril in Portugal, years ago, to rider Sete Gibernau. It is risk vs. reward, racing in the wet.
The red flag flies. There's too much standing water right now. There's a massive flash of lightning. One of the PTR Honda rides through a barrier. There's been a big crash of thunder, too. Everyone is getting soaked in the pit lane. It's a deluge. A monsoon if you like. We watch Luke Stapleford. He began the season, with the CIA Landlord Insurance Honda squad. Now, he is riding a Triumph Daytona 675. More WSSP news since we last raced in Italy. SC Racing, the Italian team for Kyle Ryde, has suddenly withdrawn from the World Supersport Championship, since the Imola race.
Ryde is high and dry without a ride at this point. Kyle Ryde has not gotten an offer for the next race, at Donington Park in England. Will we be singing "Singing In The Rain" by Gene Kelly and Ginger Rogers, before this race is over? Uh... maybe. Just don't make yours truly, sing it! We are now into full wet conditions for this race, once it gets started. Once it stops raining, the track should dry fairly quickly. We're going to have a long delay here, folks. It's really windy. Gene Kelly's ghost, is haunting the paddock here in Sepang. Singing in the rain, singing in the rain, what a glorious feeling, I'm happy again! Not! The riders are not happy about this rain shower! Hardy har har.
There. Yours truly, gave the lyrics for "Singing In The Rain", as we await the end of this downpour. More claps of thunder, strike. Alex Baldolini has had a new motor put into his customer MV Agusta F3 675. Deal with the conditions, and we'll see what happens. The "friendly security guards" as commentators Greg Haines and Steve English called them, here at Sepang, who said, "no, there won't be rain", are, according to Mr. Haines, "about as useful as a chocolate tea pot". Now, if that's some sort of thinly veiled insult, yours truly, apologizes. Those are Mr. Haines' words, and not mine. Because we have had a red flag, now we will recalculate the race distance, and move the dial, back up to 14 laps.
The race is effectively null and void. Shades of the Superstock 1000 race at Assen. Federico Caricasulo's bike is being changed over to a full wet setup. Gino Rea, is showing a bit of English humor, wearing swimming goggles, and doing a breast stroke for the camera! More fun and games here at Sepang! The rain seems to be easing up slightly. Just get ready to go. Major heat is outside now. The humidity will build, and the temperature will spike. We can hear the rain bucketing down, from the track microphones. I spy, with my little eye... something beginning with R. That is, rain. Rain... water falling, from clouds, condensed from vapor, in the atmosphere. Hehe.
These are the kinds of conditions everyone hates. Clear skies are around, starting to appear around turns six and seven. OK. I'll believe you. The water, is bouncing off the track surface. It's very windy, too. It was literally, the calm before the storm, a few hours ago. Lorenzo Zanetti finds time, during this delay, to take a screwdriver, and open the vents in his crash helmet. Now, we wait... wait... and wait. This race will be 2/3rds distance. However, we haven't restarted. We'll have a full race. The wind is picking up, again. The conditions are too difficult, to have a real race start, boys and girls.
We still hear some huge claps of thunder. Thunder... a loud noise, following lightning. A loud rumbling noise, caused by the rapid expansion of air, suddenly heated by lightning. Kaboom! What better thing is there to do, while we wait, than describe what we're dealing with here, folks? Nothing much. We can only hope the wind is a good thing, and that it blows these rain clouds away. We can still hear the rain falling, and see the cameras moving around, due to the wind. Federico Caricasulo's team is working on the Honda CBR600RR he rides. It's the same team he rode for in Superstock 600 last year. Zulfahmi Khairuddin is chatting with Sepang circuit CEO Razlan Rizali. Fahmi qualified in fifth, and went through to Super Pole 2, after the first round of qualifying.
This rain, is not what Zulfahmi Khairudin needs. He's got pressure, to perform, in front of his fans. He's been very quick and confident on the bike. Frank Vassierre, is driving the safety car, to check the track. Two fleets of Alfa Romeo 4C safety cars are used. One fleet, in Europe, and one, in Asia. The producer has taken Greg Haines and Steve English, in the commentary box, by surprise. We continue to wait. No more fun and games. The weather conditions are changing a bit. It has actually been postponed, until after World Superbike race two.
Folks... hit the fast forward button. It's 5:00 P.M. local time, as we NOW get to start the World Supersport race. Current conditions on the speedway. 26 degrees Celsius air temperature (78 degrees Fahrenehit), 30 degrees Celsius, (86 degrees Fahrenheit), track temperature. We had a two hour delay, and in that time, ran the second World Superbike race, which you have already heard about. If you haven't yet, go back, and read my race report about it. We are on the sighting lap, and have more rain. It's still raining, and dark clouds are around. Kenan Sofuoglu has had a good start to this weekend, and to this season, as he has won two races so far.
Hometown hero Zulfahmi Khairuddin, lines up fifth. Jules Cluzel wants to perform, and lets hope he and the MV Agusta team, can get things together, today. Randy Krummenacher starts second. He has taken to World Supersport like a duck to water. Kenan Sofuoglu has pole. Gino Rea starts third just alongside the Kawasaki's. Real tension in the air, as more rain could be on the way Zulfahmi Khairuddin, rolls off fifth. He is one of four brothers. Two of them race motorcycles, and a couple others, are studying. P.J. Jacobsen rolls off fourth. Jules Cluzel is seventh. We are on a drying track. It's hot and sticky, and the rain is lifting.
Ayrton Badovini starts sixth. We have damp conditions, and it will be a wet race. Roberto Rolfo is eighth. Rolfo has won a Moto2 race here and has been on the podium in the 250cc championship. Ondrej Jezek is ninth. The safety car drives away to assess traffic conditions. The race track is truly a living thing right now. Nicolas Terol is tenth. Front row, then, is Gino Rea, Randy Krummenacher, and Kenan Sofuoglu. The bikes are on their warmup lap. The conditions have changed. Now, we see no spray off the tires. However, there will be damp patches to look out for.
We have two safety cars here. The Alfa Romeo that is a constant sight in WSBK, and a local safety car from the speedway. In this case, a yellow Porsche. Two riders to watch as we get underway will be Luke Stapleford and Hikari Okubo. Sadly, Kyle Ryde isn't racing here, because his team folded and he hasn't got a motorcycle to race. Honda have won this race for the last two years, with the same team. Michael van der Mark won in 2014 and P.J. Jacobsen did so, last year. We have a near collision between two of the MV Agusta's of Lorenzo Zanetti and Ayrton Badovini, coming to the grid.
It's a damp track here in Malaysia. We're ready to race, now. 14 laps. Here come the lights. Go! Gino Rea has a fabulous start, and takes the lead headed for the first turn! Jules Cluzel on the factory MV Agusta is side by side with Kenan Sofuoglu, headed for turn one. The crowd will go bonkers, as Zulfahmi Khairuddin is now up to fourth place! Make it third, after Cluzel runs wide! If Khairuddin got a fabulous start, then, Lorenzo Zanetti had a real bad one and is sliding down the order. Jules Cluzel is also plummeting down the list. Cluzel is the only rider in the field with an intermediate rear tire. Randy Krummenacher has also fallen way down, to tenth place. Kenan Sofuoglu has never actually raced with Zulfahmi Khairuddin. So, the thought is, "alright, buddy. Let's see what your made of."
Gino Rea, has started well, and Kyle Smith has moved up a ton of places, to fourth overall after starting on the fifth row, somewhere down in the back half of the top 15. Smith did indeed start in 15th spot. Khairuddin tries the world champ and can't make it. Both these blokes ride the same bike. The Kawasaki ZX6R. Ayrton Badovini and P.J. Jacobsen are also racing for position. Jacobsen is struggling and Nico Terol is hot on his heels. Oh dear. A little contact, forces two riders to go down. Ondrej Jezek is one, and the other, is Kevin Wahr, on the second Gemar Balloons - Team Lorini Honda. Khairuddin tries inside Sofuoglu, but runs wide.
Kyle Smith also almost loses control of the motorcycle. Khairuddin moves past Sofuoglu into second place. It was indeed Ondrej Jezek, who dropped his bike. Game over for Kevin Wahr as well. Wahr hit pit lane at the end of lap one. Gino Rea leads. He has won once before in World Supersport, and does well at Sepang. Khairuddin, meanwhile, is up to second, in his home race. His brother also ran in the Asia Talent Cup motorcycle race here, earlier. Kyle Smith is pressuring Kenan Sofuoglu for third as well. Rea and Khairuddin lead the way so far. Smith tries inside Sofuoglu. But, Khairuddin is going for the lead outside of Gino Rea! Khairuddin takes the lead!
Kenan Sofuoglu runs wide, dropping to fifth place. The crowd goes nuts! Khairuddin sets fastest lap at 2:23.278. Sofuoglu passes Kyle Smith for third. Ayrton Badovini is all over Kyle Smith. Badovini is a rainmeister as well. P.J. Jacobsen is sixth. Randy Krummenacher has fallen to tenth, and at the moment, Christoffer Bergman from Sweden, is on for a point, in 15th place. Smith passes Sofuoglu, and this race, ladies and gentlemen, could play a pivotal part in the outcome of the championship. Krummenacher is nine seconds behind and needs to book it, now. Meanwhile, Jules Cluzel could be in a situation, where the race, comes to him.
Khairuddin leads, with Rea continuing to challenge. Ayrton Badovini is trying to pass Kenan Sofuoglu. Sofuoglu runs wide and almost makes contact with Badovini. It's still Badovini and Sofuoglu for position! P.J. Jacobsen is just behind these two blokes, but too far back to capitalize should either rider make a mistake. Alex Baldolini has moved around Nico Terol for seventh place. Lorenzo Zanetti and Federico Caricasulo are next in line completing the top ten. Don't forget, that Honda is the only make of motorcycle, to have won here, in Malaysia, over the last two seasons. Sofuoglu has to be careful in his scrum with Badovini.
Sofuoglu is pushing hard, and we have a three way fight for the race lead. Kyle Smith turns a new fast lap at 2:22.865. Robbie Rolfo leads Jules Cluzel, in a battle between a customer MV Agusta and a factory one. Cluzel may have a slight gear issue, trying to shift the motorcycle into the right one to get into the corner. Ayrton Badovini, is pushing hard, on the balloon sponsored Lorini Honda, trying to get by Sofuoglu. No point in taking too much of a risk for Kenan Sofuoglu. Badovini makes the pass. Kyle Smith tries Gino Rea for second spot. Smith passes Rea, but, he could be trouble for Khairuddin and the Malaysian fans, who want to see their hero, win this race.
P.J. Jacobsen is inching closer to Kenan Sofuoglu, and wants to make a move. Gino Rea takes it too deep under braking, trying to square off the corner and get underneath Ayrton Badovini. Smith, Badovini, and Rea, all race well in the rain. Badovini sets the new fastest lap, at 2:21.798. Working lap six, with nine now remaining. A lap or so to halfway. Badovini wiggles the bike out of turn four. Badovini is subbing for the injured Glenn Scott at Team Lorini at the moment. Alex Baldolini runs seventh, and does not have much to show for it, even though he has a new engine in his motorcycle. Nico Terol is eight, while Randy Krummenacher is charging, in ninth place.
He'll have to press as hard as possible, as five riders want a piece of him. The sharks are going after the minnow in that battle. Jules Cluzel and Lorenzo Zanetti are part of said group and squabbling with each other. Cluzel though, is being passed, due to his shifting problems as Zanetti, Roberto Rolfo, Christian Gammarino, another others, go by. Rolfo is pressing Zanetti now. Federico Caricasulo is running on his own in tenth place. Status quo at the front. Or, is it? Kyle Smith wants to make a move on Zulfahmi Khairuddin. We are one lap shy of halfway.
P.J. Jacobsen wants to try to move past Sofuoglu. Six riders will go for the win. Badovini tries Smith for second. They almost touch, but thankfully keep the bikes upright. Gino Rea is going to try and attack Ayrton Badovini. Again, if Khairuddin wins, this place will go bonkers. The remainder of the top ten has not changed. Jules Cluzel is 11th. Zanetti and Rolfo have both lost a few places. Aiden Wagner runs fifteenth. He's back in action this weekend. Wagner dislocated his collarbone and shoulder in a wreck at Assen in Holland. Hikari Okubo is followed by Chrisoffer Bergman, Luke Stapleford, and others. Meanwhile, Ayrton Badovini tries Kyle Smith again.
Stefan Hill, Ondrej Jezek, and Lachlan Epis, are the remaining riders. Nacho Calero is last, after Kevin Wahr retired. Calero cannot stand racing in the wet. Even though he's fifth, Kenan Sofuoglu should increase his points lead. Randy Krummenacher topped the morning warmup, and felt comfortable about doing really well today. But, in these intermediate conditions, it's tough, as Ayrton Badovini, passes Kyle Smith. Jules Cluzel in 11th is running quicker than Zulfahmi Khairuddin in the lead, and he is the only rider in this field running on intermediate rear tires. Gino Rea goes around Kyle Smith.
Randy Krummenacher has now passed Federico Caricasulo for ninth. Jacobsen tries Kyle Smith, and Kenan Sofuoglu, has gotten around him. The gap is 6/10ths of a second, with six laps left. Smith tries to dive past Jacobsen, but, no dice. Jules Cluzel runs a new fast lap at 2:21.665. Cluzel is half a second faster than the leaders. But, with six laps left, there isn't enough time for Cluzel to close up. Ayrton Badovini now resets fast lap, taking it down to 2:21.930. The top six is split into two groups of three as we are headed for the finish. Badovini slides the Honda. Sofuoglu, Jacobsen, and Smith, need to close up, and work together to do so. Khairuddin is trying to win. We have seen Khairul Idham Pawi, win a World Championship event for Malaysia, in Moto3, earlier this year.
Cluzel is charging with the intermediate rear tire, but, he's running wide, and can't slow down into the corner. Nico Terol and Randy Krummenacher are behind Jules Cluzel. Cluzel takes fastest lap this time at 2:21.403. Terol runs wide and Caricasulo is just behind these blokes. Christian Gammarino remains 12th. Roberto Rolfo has dropped down the order. Aiden Wagner is being challenged by Hikari Okubo and Luke Stapleford. Ayrton Badovini can put his bike anywhere he wants. The gap is still 6/10ths of a second. It's Khairuddin over Badovini, on the balloon bike. Cluzel is right with Alex Baldolini, but Cluzel has slowed, pushing as hard as possible.
Badovini will push hard, to try forcing a mistake. We are past the 2/3rds cutoff. Badovini is trying Khairuddin. Badovini passes Khairuddin! He could win this race! P.J. Jacobsen also makes a pass on Kenan Sofuoglu. Khairuddin passes Ayrton Badovini. Jacobsen passes Sofuoglu, and Cluzel passes Baldolini. Badovini places the motorcycle right where he needs it to be, and is now back in front of Khairuddin. Gino Rea is now a part of this scrum as well. Khairuddin is desperate. He'll either win it or bin it. Jacobsen almost ditches the bike in fifth. Will Rea pass Khairuddin and have a go at Badovini?
In replay, Kenan Sofuoglu runs wide, allowing P.J. Jacobsen to pass. Khairuddin has to stay with Badovini. Both of these guys want to win. Gino Rea wants his second victory in 43 starts. Badovini keeps the inside line over Khairuddin. Rea sets fastest lap of the top three at 2:22.372. Jacobsen passes Sofuoglu, who is now being hounded by Kyle Smith. Can Ayrton Badovini end up winning? He was dropped from the BMW World Superbike team after they restructured. Khairuddin has to keep up with Badovini. Will Gino Rea pull the pin and go after the top two? If anyone in the top four wins, we'll have had five winners in the first six races in World Supersport! Amazing!
Khairuddin is going to make his move on Badovini. He can't quite get there. He's a true celebrity in all of Malaysia, not just in motorcycle racing. Sofuoglu struggles for grip and runs very wide. Kyle Smith takes fifth place away. Khairuddin goes left to turn one and on the last lap, he's taken the lead! The crowd goes crazy! Badovini fights back on the outside! Badovini knows Khairuddin is under real pressure to win this race. Can Khairuddin do anything with Ayrton Badovini? Nico Terol is losing places hand over fist. Christian Gammarino, Robbie Rolfo, and Lorenzo Zanetti have all passed him.
Terol has stopped with a mechanical issue. Kenan Sofuoglu will maintain his championship lead by 17 points over Randy Krummenacher. Four corners to go. Khairuddin will challenge Badovini one more time. Badovini twitches. One corner to go! Will Khairuddin do it? Khairuddin is through on Badovini! Can he make it stick into the braking zone? Badovini gets back around him! The only thing he can hope for is to drive past Badovini down the stretch! Too late! Ayrton Badovini wins at Sepang!
#86 Ayrton Badovini ITA. Honda CBR600RR
Congratulations to Team Lorini! Badovini wins his first FIM World Supersport race! Khairuddin is in tears. He must have been crushed! Badovini has to be in tears as well, but for a different reason. Fastest lap went to P.J. Jacobsen on the very last lap of this race! Happiness, and sadness, in this race. Gino Rea gets his second podium in three races. I am delighted for Ayrton Badovini, but also, disappointed that Khairuddin didn't quite get there. Honda wins five out of six WSSP races so far this year. Gino Rea, again, is fourth. What a race! Motorsport has definitely brought people together all around the world, as it should, in this race. Khairuddin was hero of the hour. But, Badovini, is the winner.
The next FIM World Supersport race, took place at Donington Park, in England. Stay tuned, for coverage of that race, coming soon.
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Sepang World Supersport race
Folks, there was a big rain delay, in the FIM World Supersport race at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia. The race did eventually get underway. Stay tuned, for a race report. For now, it's a bit late, for yours truly, to be reporting on this event, even though it has already taken place. So, perhaps, tomorrow, we will resume with coverage, of World Supersport from Malaysia, and the full race report (currently, in progress), will be published.
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