A few stories about how testing went for a couple of the MotoAmerica factory teams at Yamaha and Suzuki.
Yoshimura Suzuki Goes 1-2 in Final MotoAmerica Preseason Test
http://www.motoamerica.com/yoshimura-suzuki-goes-1-2-in-final-motoamerica-preseason-test
...and
Yamaha Factory Superbike and Supersport Racers Quick at COTA
http://www.motoamerica.com/yamaha-factory-superbike-and-supersport-racers-quick-at-cota
Friday, March 31, 2017
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Day two of testing: Roger Hayden Ends Dunlop Test at COTA On Top
Roger Hayden led day two of the Dunlop Preseason Test at Circuit of The Americas.
http://www.motoamerica.com/roger-hayden-ends-dunlop-test-at-cota-on-top
http://www.motoamerica.com/roger-hayden-ends-dunlop-test-at-cota-on-top
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
News from day one of MotoAmerica testing at Circuit of The Americas
Thunderhill Raceway MotoAmerica testing, and other feature stories (including reveals of new bikes and new bike liveries), right here, right now.
Forbes Journalist Doubles With Superbike Racer Chris Ulrich
http://www.motoamerica.com/forbes-journalist-doubles-with-superbike-racer-chris-ulrich
Genuine Broaster Chicken/Honda Superbike Photos
http://www.motoamerica.com/genuine-broaster-chicken-honda-superbike-photos
Yamaha Unveils 2017 MotoAmerica Race Bikes
http://www.motoamerica.com/yamaha-unveils-2017-motoamerica-race-bikes
Yoshimura Suzuki Unveils 2017 Superbike Livery in Austin
http://www.motoamerica.com/yoshimura-suzuki-unveils-2017-superbike-livery-in-austin
Toni Elias has the top speed in day one of testing at Circuit of the Americas.
Toni Elias Fastest In Day One of Dunlop Test at COTA
http://www.motoamerica.com/toni-elias-fastest-in-day-one-dunlop-test-at-cota
TOBC Tuesday, on Wednesday.
TOBC Tuesday: 2017 MotoAmerica Dunlop Preseason Test
http://www.motoamerica.com/tobc-tuesday-2017-motoamerica-dunlop-preseason-test
More testing news, coming up. We will break down Wednesday's testing news, tomorrow.
Forbes Journalist Doubles With Superbike Racer Chris Ulrich
http://www.motoamerica.com/forbes-journalist-doubles-with-superbike-racer-chris-ulrich
Genuine Broaster Chicken/Honda Superbike Photos
http://www.motoamerica.com/genuine-broaster-chicken-honda-superbike-photos
Yamaha Unveils 2017 MotoAmerica Race Bikes
http://www.motoamerica.com/yamaha-unveils-2017-motoamerica-race-bikes
Yoshimura Suzuki Unveils 2017 Superbike Livery in Austin
http://www.motoamerica.com/yoshimura-suzuki-unveils-2017-superbike-livery-in-austin
Toni Elias has the top speed in day one of testing at Circuit of the Americas.
Toni Elias Fastest In Day One of Dunlop Test at COTA
http://www.motoamerica.com/toni-elias-fastest-in-day-one-dunlop-test-at-cota
TOBC Tuesday, on Wednesday.
TOBC Tuesday: 2017 MotoAmerica Dunlop Preseason Test
http://www.motoamerica.com/tobc-tuesday-2017-motoamerica-dunlop-preseason-test
More testing news, coming up. We will break down Wednesday's testing news, tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
The second half of the 2016 MotoGP season
Yours truly never really had the time or energy, to blog all the remaining events of the 2016 MotoGP season. With 2017 action having begun already in Qatar, last weekend, the focus will be on the season ahead. But, before that, for those who are curious, let's revisit who won races in the second half of MotoGP 2016 in all three divisions, as well as congratulating those riders, who went on to win championships. We pick up the action, basically, still at Silverstone in England.
Maverick Vinales and Suzuki won at Silverstone. Then, from there the teams went to San Marino and the Misano Adriatico circuit. Dani Pedrosa won that race, for Honda.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_San_Marino_and_Rimini%27s_Coast_motorcycle_Grand_Prix
#26 Dani Pedrosa ESP. Honda
Lorenzo Baldassari was the Moto2 winner, followed on the podium by Alex Rins and Takaaki Nakagami.
#7 Lorenzo Baldassari ITA. Kalex
In Moto3 action at Misano, Brad Binder and KTM (Red Bull KTM Ajo), scored another win.
#41 Brad Binder RSA. KTM
Next, in Aragon, Spain, it was Marc Marquez's weekend. He swept pole, fastest lap, and the race win in the MotoGP feature race of the weekend.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Aragon_motorcycle_Grand_Prix
#93 Marc Marquez ESP. Honda
The Yamaha's of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi were also on the podium. Sam Lowes was the winner in Moto2 competition at Misano.
#22 Sam Lowes GBR. Kalex
Alex Marquez and Franco Morbidelli finished on the podium as well. Miguel Oliveira withdrew from the race after being hit by another rider in Friday practice, causing a broken collarbone.
In Moto3 at Aragon, Jorge Navarro beat Brad Binder and Enea Bastianini in the 20 lap race.
#9 Jorge Navarro ESP. Honda
Moving away from Europe, the MotoGP riders and teams would next tackle races in Asia, beginning in Japan at Twin Ring Motegi, in Motegi, Japan. This is the home turf of Honda. Could they win at home and keep Yamaha at bay? The answer to that question, was yes. Marc Marquez set fastest lap of the race, and went on to victory.
#93 Marc Marquez ESP. Honda
Marc Marquez beat the Ducati of Andrea Dovizioso, and the Suzuki of Maverick Vinales. Both of the Yamaha's of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, would retire, in Japan, and this struck a blow to their championship hopes for both the riders' and manufacturers' cups.
In the Moto2 race at Motegi, Tom Luthi won the 23 lap race, ahead of Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli.
#12 Tom Luthi SUI. Kalex
The Moto3 race in Japan saw Enea Bastianini victorious over Brad Binder, hoping for a championship, and also, Nicolo Bulega. Japan's Hiroki Ono was disqualified from the Moto3 event.
#33 Enea Bastianini ITA. Honda
...And then, there were three. Down Under, in Australia, at the great Phillip Island circuit in Victoria, Australia, was MotoGP's next challenge. Marc Marquez had the pole, but for the second time this year, after also winning in the Czech Republic at Brno, Honda's Cal Crutchlow was the winner in Australia!
#35 Cal Crutchlow GBR. Honda
In Moto2 and Moto3, there were two repeat winners. Tom Luthi took the checkers first in Moto2.
#12 Tom Luthi SUI. Kalex
Brad Binder was triumphant in Moto3.
#41 Brad Binder RSA. KTM
After Australia, just two races remained in the championship. Who would be crowned in all three classes? We'll find out shortly.
Malaysia, and the Sepang circuit, would see the penultimate event of 2016. Hot, steamy, tropical conditions usually greet the riders in Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city.
Ducati wins again in Malaysia! Andrea Dovizioso, much like Andrea Iannone did earlier in the year in Austria, sweeps pole, fastest race lap, and the race victory! Dovizioso held off a charge from both of the Yamaha's of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi who finished second and third.
#04 Andrea Dovizioso ITA. Ducati
Moto2 action in Malaysia saw Johann Zarco victorious over Franco Morbidelli and Jonas Folger.
Sam Lowes and Axel Pons would both crash in this race.
#5 Johann Zarco FRA. Kalex
Francesco Bagnaia of Italy aboard the Mahindra bike takes the Moto3 win in Malaysia, followed by Jakub Kornfeil and Bo Bendsneyder.
#21 Francesco Bagnaia ITA. Mahindra
Two riders, Japan's Hiroki Ono and Italy's Fabio Spiranelli didn't start the Moto3 race in Malaysia.
Rossi and Lorenzo are drifting farther away from Marc Marquez in the championship with one race remaining, at Autodromo Ricardo Tormo, the curtain closer on the 2016 MotoGP season.
KTM would debut their new 2017 MotoGP bike, at Valencia. Unfortunately, veteran Finnish rider Mika Kallio, would retire the new bike with electrical issues. Jorge Lorenzo, wins the battle, winning the Valencia race.
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP. Yamaha
But in his final race as a Yamaha rider, he loses the war, to Marc Marquez, who wins his second MotoGP World Championship!
Champion: #93 Marc Marquez ESP. Honda
To the victor belong the spoils in the Moto2 finale. Johann Zarco wins the Valencia race, ahead of Tom Luthi and Franco Morbidelli, and wins the Moto2 world championship!
#5 Johann Zarco FRA. Kalex
Ditto in Moto3. Brad Binder wins the race, ahead of Joan Mir and Andrea Migno (all riders on KTM motorcycles), and wins the championship!
#41 Brad Binder RSA. KTM
So, that's a wrap on MotoGP 2016. 2017 has already begun. Stay tuned for race reports from the opener in Qatar, coming soon.
Maverick Vinales and Suzuki won at Silverstone. Then, from there the teams went to San Marino and the Misano Adriatico circuit. Dani Pedrosa won that race, for Honda.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_San_Marino_and_Rimini%27s_Coast_motorcycle_Grand_Prix
#26 Dani Pedrosa ESP. Honda
Lorenzo Baldassari was the Moto2 winner, followed on the podium by Alex Rins and Takaaki Nakagami.
#7 Lorenzo Baldassari ITA. Kalex
In Moto3 action at Misano, Brad Binder and KTM (Red Bull KTM Ajo), scored another win.
#41 Brad Binder RSA. KTM
Next, in Aragon, Spain, it was Marc Marquez's weekend. He swept pole, fastest lap, and the race win in the MotoGP feature race of the weekend.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Aragon_motorcycle_Grand_Prix
#93 Marc Marquez ESP. Honda
The Yamaha's of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi were also on the podium. Sam Lowes was the winner in Moto2 competition at Misano.
#22 Sam Lowes GBR. Kalex
Alex Marquez and Franco Morbidelli finished on the podium as well. Miguel Oliveira withdrew from the race after being hit by another rider in Friday practice, causing a broken collarbone.
In Moto3 at Aragon, Jorge Navarro beat Brad Binder and Enea Bastianini in the 20 lap race.
#9 Jorge Navarro ESP. Honda
Moving away from Europe, the MotoGP riders and teams would next tackle races in Asia, beginning in Japan at Twin Ring Motegi, in Motegi, Japan. This is the home turf of Honda. Could they win at home and keep Yamaha at bay? The answer to that question, was yes. Marc Marquez set fastest lap of the race, and went on to victory.
#93 Marc Marquez ESP. Honda
Marc Marquez beat the Ducati of Andrea Dovizioso, and the Suzuki of Maverick Vinales. Both of the Yamaha's of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, would retire, in Japan, and this struck a blow to their championship hopes for both the riders' and manufacturers' cups.
In the Moto2 race at Motegi, Tom Luthi won the 23 lap race, ahead of Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli.
#12 Tom Luthi SUI. Kalex
The Moto3 race in Japan saw Enea Bastianini victorious over Brad Binder, hoping for a championship, and also, Nicolo Bulega. Japan's Hiroki Ono was disqualified from the Moto3 event.
#33 Enea Bastianini ITA. Honda
...And then, there were three. Down Under, in Australia, at the great Phillip Island circuit in Victoria, Australia, was MotoGP's next challenge. Marc Marquez had the pole, but for the second time this year, after also winning in the Czech Republic at Brno, Honda's Cal Crutchlow was the winner in Australia!
#35 Cal Crutchlow GBR. Honda
In Moto2 and Moto3, there were two repeat winners. Tom Luthi took the checkers first in Moto2.
#12 Tom Luthi SUI. Kalex
Brad Binder was triumphant in Moto3.
#41 Brad Binder RSA. KTM
After Australia, just two races remained in the championship. Who would be crowned in all three classes? We'll find out shortly.
Malaysia, and the Sepang circuit, would see the penultimate event of 2016. Hot, steamy, tropical conditions usually greet the riders in Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city.
Ducati wins again in Malaysia! Andrea Dovizioso, much like Andrea Iannone did earlier in the year in Austria, sweeps pole, fastest race lap, and the race victory! Dovizioso held off a charge from both of the Yamaha's of Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi who finished second and third.
#04 Andrea Dovizioso ITA. Ducati
Moto2 action in Malaysia saw Johann Zarco victorious over Franco Morbidelli and Jonas Folger.
Sam Lowes and Axel Pons would both crash in this race.
#5 Johann Zarco FRA. Kalex
Francesco Bagnaia of Italy aboard the Mahindra bike takes the Moto3 win in Malaysia, followed by Jakub Kornfeil and Bo Bendsneyder.
#21 Francesco Bagnaia ITA. Mahindra
Two riders, Japan's Hiroki Ono and Italy's Fabio Spiranelli didn't start the Moto3 race in Malaysia.
Rossi and Lorenzo are drifting farther away from Marc Marquez in the championship with one race remaining, at Autodromo Ricardo Tormo, the curtain closer on the 2016 MotoGP season.
KTM would debut their new 2017 MotoGP bike, at Valencia. Unfortunately, veteran Finnish rider Mika Kallio, would retire the new bike with electrical issues. Jorge Lorenzo, wins the battle, winning the Valencia race.
#99 Jorge Lorenzo ESP. Yamaha
But in his final race as a Yamaha rider, he loses the war, to Marc Marquez, who wins his second MotoGP World Championship!
Champion: #93 Marc Marquez ESP. Honda
To the victor belong the spoils in the Moto2 finale. Johann Zarco wins the Valencia race, ahead of Tom Luthi and Franco Morbidelli, and wins the Moto2 world championship!
#5 Johann Zarco FRA. Kalex
Ditto in Moto3. Brad Binder wins the race, ahead of Joan Mir and Andrea Migno (all riders on KTM motorcycles), and wins the championship!
#41 Brad Binder RSA. KTM
So, that's a wrap on MotoGP 2016. 2017 has already begun. Stay tuned for race reports from the opener in Qatar, coming soon.
Monday, March 27, 2017
MotoAmrica Set To Use VOMS System To Monitor Concussions
MotoAmerica to use newest system to monitor its riders for concussions.
http://www.motoamerica.com/motoamerica-set-to-use-voms-system-to-monitor-concussions
http://www.motoamerica.com/motoamerica-set-to-use-voms-system-to-monitor-concussions
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Wayne's Word: Installment Four
MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey talks preseason testing and the season ahead.
http://www.motoamerica.com/waynes-word-installment-four
http://www.motoamerica.com/waynes-word-installment-four
Saturday, March 25, 2017
MotoAmerica Dunlop Preseason Test Rider Entry List
Here are the riders and teams that will test at Circuit of the Americas on March 28-29.
http://www.motoamerica.com/motoamerica-preseason-test-powered-by-dunlop-rider-entry-list
http://www.motoamerica.com/motoamerica-preseason-test-powered-by-dunlop-rider-entry-list
Friday, March 24, 2017
2017 MotoGP Season Preview Part 2 - Nearly Alien
Part two of the 2017 MotoGP season preview.
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/2017-motogp-season-preview-part-2/#more-131823
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/2017-motogp-season-preview-part-2/#more-131823
Thursday, March 23, 2017
2017 MotoGP Season Preview Part 1 - The Five Aliens
The first part of a preview of the 2017 MotoGP season. Stay tuned for part two.
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/2017-motogp-season-preview-part-1/#more-131787
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/motogp/2017-motogp-season-preview-part-1/#more-131787
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Ducati motorcycle mashups
Asphalt & Rubber has some pretty clever mashups of a couple of Ducati motorcycles. Check these out.
Ducati 851 Bodywork on a Panigale looks damn good
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/ducati-851-bodywork-panigale-good/#more-131784
...and
How About A Ducati 916 Superleggera?
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/ducati-916-superleggera-photoshop/
Ah, the wonders of PhotoShop.
Ducati 851 Bodywork on a Panigale looks damn good
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/ducati-851-bodywork-panigale-good/#more-131784
...and
How About A Ducati 916 Superleggera?
http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/ducati-916-superleggera-photoshop/
Ah, the wonders of PhotoShop.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Melissa Paris Is MotoAmerica's Newest Team Owner
Superstock 600 racer is putting a 16-year-old MXer to work this season in the KTM RC Cup.
http://www.motoamerica.com/melissa-paris-is-motoamericas-newest-team-owner
http://www.motoamerica.com/melissa-paris-is-motoamericas-newest-team-owner
Monday, March 20, 2017
Freddie Spencer Autobiography, "Feel My Story", Available April 20
"When I rode, I felt connected to everything. It gave me the feeling of hope."
http://www.motoamerica.com/freddie-spencer-autobiography-feel-my-story-available-april-20?dom=moa
http://www.motoamerica.com/freddie-spencer-autobiography-feel-my-story-available-april-20?dom=moa
Sunday, March 19, 2017
MotoAmerica To Host PRE Track Days Airfence Exhibition at VIR
Event at Virginia International Raceway set to bring
awareness to importance of soft barriers.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Danny Eslick wins 3rd Daytona 200 title with last-lap pass
Danny Eslick used the slingshot pass to get by Cory West, to win his third career Daytona 200.
http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2017/3/18/danny_eslick_wins_3r.html
Eslick is only the eighth rider in the 76-year history of the Daytona 200 to win three or more times at "The World Center of Racing." Second place rider Cory West, was disqualified from the event, after the stewards found his bike to have an illegal air filter, but the team will appeal the disqualification. With the disqualification, last year's Daytona 200 champion, Michael Barnes, was promoted to second spot.
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/daytona-200-race-results-from-daytona-international-speedway3182017/
http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2017/3/18/danny_eslick_wins_3r.html
Eslick is only the eighth rider in the 76-year history of the Daytona 200 to win three or more times at "The World Center of Racing." Second place rider Cory West, was disqualified from the event, after the stewards found his bike to have an illegal air filter, but the team will appeal the disqualification. With the disqualification, last year's Daytona 200 champion, Michael Barnes, was promoted to second spot.
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/daytona-200-race-results-from-daytona-international-speedway3182017/
Friday, March 17, 2017
Daytona 200 headlines
This weekend (tomorrow) marks the annual Daytona 200 motorcycle road race, which is sadly not a part of the new FIM/MotoAmerica platform. But, it is still being run. 69 600cc Supersport bikes will take the green flag, and here are all the stories before tomorrow's race. www.roadracingworld.com has all the stories.
Daytona 200: Danny Eslick Quickest In Opening Practice at Chilly Daytona International Speedway
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/daytona-200-danny-eslick-quickest-in-opening-practice-at-chilly-daytona-international-speedway/
Daytona 200: Cory West Tops First Qualifying Session At The World Center Of Racing
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/daytona-200-cory-west-tops-first-qualifying-session-at-the-world-center-of-racing/
Daytona 200: Danny Eslick On Provisional Pole Position At Daytona International Speedway
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/daytona-200-danny-eslick-on-provisional-pole-position-at-daytona-international-speedway/
If you want to watch the Daytona 200, here's how you can do it.
Daytona 200: Race Will Be Streamed Live And at No Charge At FansChoice.tv
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/daytona-200-race-will-be-streamed-live-and-at-no-charge-at-fanschoicetv/
Daytona 200: Defending Champion Michael Barnes Earns Pole Position At Daytona International Speedway
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/daytona-200-defending-champ-michael-barnes-earns-pole-position-at-daytona-international-speedway/
Stay tuned, for news of who wins the Daytona 200, which is now sanctioned by the American Sportbike Racing Association and is specifically for 600cc motorcycles.
Daytona 200: Danny Eslick Quickest In Opening Practice at Chilly Daytona International Speedway
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/daytona-200-danny-eslick-quickest-in-opening-practice-at-chilly-daytona-international-speedway/
Daytona 200: Cory West Tops First Qualifying Session At The World Center Of Racing
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/daytona-200-cory-west-tops-first-qualifying-session-at-the-world-center-of-racing/
Daytona 200: Danny Eslick On Provisional Pole Position At Daytona International Speedway
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/daytona-200-danny-eslick-on-provisional-pole-position-at-daytona-international-speedway/
If you want to watch the Daytona 200, here's how you can do it.
Daytona 200: Race Will Be Streamed Live And at No Charge At FansChoice.tv
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/daytona-200-race-will-be-streamed-live-and-at-no-charge-at-fanschoicetv/
Daytona 200: Defending Champion Michael Barnes Earns Pole Position At Daytona International Speedway
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/daytona-200-defending-champ-michael-barnes-earns-pole-position-at-daytona-international-speedway/
Stay tuned, for news of who wins the Daytona 200, which is now sanctioned by the American Sportbike Racing Association and is specifically for 600cc motorcycles.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Toni Elias video interview
All three parts of a recent video interview with Yoshimura Suzuki's Toni Elias.
Video Interview: MotoAmerica Superbike Racer Toni Elias, Part I.
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-interview-toni-elias-part-i
Video Interview: MotoAmerica Superbike Racer Toni Elias, Part II.
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-interview-motoamerica-superbike-racer-toni-elias-part-ii
Video Interview: MotoAmerica Superbike Racer Toni Elias, Part III.
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-interview-moto-america-superbike-racer-toni-elias-part-iii
Video Interview: MotoAmerica Superbike Racer Toni Elias, Part I.
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-interview-toni-elias-part-i
Video Interview: MotoAmerica Superbike Racer Toni Elias, Part II.
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-interview-motoamerica-superbike-racer-toni-elias-part-ii
Video Interview: MotoAmerica Superbike Racer Toni Elias, Part III.
http://www.motoamerica.com/video-interview-moto-america-superbike-racer-toni-elias-part-iii
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
TOBC Racing Tuesday: The Road To Daytona
A story from yesterday, being published, today. Team owner provides updates on Superstock 1000 effort throughout MotoAmerica season.
http://www.motoamerica.com/tobc-racing-tuesday-road-to-daytona
http://www.motoamerica.com/tobc-racing-tuesday-road-to-daytona
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Next Level Sports And Acorn Woods Join MotoAmerica Team
Well-known agencies to assist in promotional efforts for 2017.
http://www.motoamerica.com/next-level-sports-and-acorn-woods-communications-join-motoamerica-team
http://www.motoamerica.com/next-level-sports-and-acorn-woods-communications-join-motoamerica-team
Monday, March 13, 2017
Yoshimura Suzuki Preseason Testing at Thunderhill Raceway Park
Toni Elias and Roger Hayden talk about the new GSX-R1000R they will race in MotoAmerica.
http://www.motoamerica.com/yoshimura-suzuki-preseason-testing-at-thunderhill-raceway-park
http://www.motoamerica.com/yoshimura-suzuki-preseason-testing-at-thunderhill-raceway-park
Sunday, March 12, 2017
World Superbike Sunday action in Thailand
Jonathan Rea, is unbeaten so far (four for four), in the 2017 FIM World Superbike Championship, winning the Sunday race at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, after his rival Chaz Davies, fell off the bike.
https://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/buriram-wsbk-rea-wins-red-flagged-race-2-as-davies-falls-882113/
Stay tuned for a full race report from Buriram, coming soon. The next round of the championship, is also the first round in Europe, as WSBK heads to Motorland Aragon, in Aragon, Spain. That race will happen in three weeks time.
https://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/buriram-wsbk-rea-wins-red-flagged-race-2-as-davies-falls-882113/
Stay tuned for a full race report from Buriram, coming soon. The next round of the championship, is also the first round in Europe, as WSBK heads to Motorland Aragon, in Aragon, Spain. That race will happen in three weeks time.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Saturday World Superbike action in Buriram, Thailand
The first World Superbike race of the weekend at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, is done and dusted. Jonathan Rea wins it, six seconds ahead of Ducati's Chaz Davies.
Buriram WSBK: Rea takes dominant win in race 1
https://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/buriram-wsbk-rea-takes-dominant-win-in-race-1-881791/
What will race two hold in store, tomorrow? We'll find out.
Buriram WSBK: Rea takes dominant win in race 1
https://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/buriram-wsbk-rea-takes-dominant-win-in-race-1-881791/
What will race two hold in store, tomorrow? We'll find out.
Friday, March 10, 2017
In Memoriam: John Surtees
We remember, the great John Surtees, who has died at age 83. Surtees was the first racer to find success on both two wheels and four, and the only man to have won world championships in a car, and on a motorcycle. May he Rest In Peace.
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/john-surtees-dies-aged-83-881533/?s=1
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/john-surtees-dies-aged-83-881533/?s=1
More MotoAmerica news + a preview of this weekend's World Superbike action in Thailand
More MotoAmerica stories, and, a preview of this weekend's action which marks the second round of FIM World Superbike, in Buriram, Thailand. Stay tuned for a full race report on WSBK in Thailand, coming soon.
Western Service Contract Joins Meen Team As A Title Sponsor
Meen Motorsports is Partnering with The McGraw Group for a second consecutive season.
http://www.motoamerica.com/western-service-contract-joins-meen-team-as-title-sponsor
Dakota Mamola Will Not Race With MotoAmerica in 2017
Son of Grand Prix legend Randy Mamola plans to work with MotoGP race winner Cal Crutchlow.
http://www.motoamerica.com/dakota-mamola-will-not-race-with-motoamerica-in-2017
Hayden Seeking Improvement at Thai World Superbike Round
American completes first practice at Chang International Circuit in top 10.
http://www.motoamerica.com/nicky-hayden-seeking-improvement-at-thai-world-superbike-round
Western Service Contract Joins Meen Team As A Title Sponsor
Meen Motorsports is Partnering with The McGraw Group for a second consecutive season.
http://www.motoamerica.com/western-service-contract-joins-meen-team-as-title-sponsor
Dakota Mamola Will Not Race With MotoAmerica in 2017
Son of Grand Prix legend Randy Mamola plans to work with MotoGP race winner Cal Crutchlow.
http://www.motoamerica.com/dakota-mamola-will-not-race-with-motoamerica-in-2017
Hayden Seeking Improvement at Thai World Superbike Round
American completes first practice at Chang International Circuit in top 10.
http://www.motoamerica.com/nicky-hayden-seeking-improvement-at-thai-world-superbike-round
Thursday, March 9, 2017
a couple more MotoAmerica headlines
A light day on the headlines for MotoAmerica, compared to the last few days. But, there are a couple noteworthy stories.
Dainese On Board As MotoAmerica Partner for Third Year
Dainese is the Official Safety Partner of the Wayne Rainey-led national championship.
http://www.motoamerica.com/dainese-on-board-as-motoamerica-partner-for-third-year
...and
Westby Racing Launches Wing Warriors Fan Membership Program
"Wing warriors are more than fans; they are part of the team"
http://www.motoamerica.com/westby-racing-launches-wing-warriors-fan-membership-program
Dainese On Board As MotoAmerica Partner for Third Year
Dainese is the Official Safety Partner of the Wayne Rainey-led national championship.
http://www.motoamerica.com/dainese-on-board-as-motoamerica-partner-for-third-year
...and
Westby Racing Launches Wing Warriors Fan Membership Program
"Wing warriors are more than fans; they are part of the team"
http://www.motoamerica.com/westby-racing-launches-wing-warriors-fan-membership-program
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Twenty Photos: Thunderhill Raceway Park Preseason Test
Ten MotoAmerica riders took part in two days of testing in Northern California.
http://www.motoamerica.com/twenty-photos-thunderhill-raceway-park-preseason-test
http://www.motoamerica.com/twenty-photos-thunderhill-raceway-park-preseason-test
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
1996 Kawasaki ZX7R
Let's rewind the sportbike history tape to 1996, as we check out the wildest bike on the road at that time, the Kawasaki ZX7R. From the archives of Motorweek and their "Retro Review".
Monday, March 6, 2017
A couple more MotoAmerica updates
A couple more MotoAmerica updates to check in on. James Rispoli makes his debut in British Superbike. Also,
Rispoli Makes Quattro Plant FS-3 Kawasaki Debut
American will race a Kawasaki ZX-10RR in British Superstock 1000 Championship.
http://www.motoamerica.com/james-rispoli-makes-quattro-plant-fs-3-kawasaki-debut-in-spain
...and
MotoAmerica To Host WERA At Three of Its Rounds
WERA Triple Crown set for Road Atlanta, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, and Barber Motorsports Park.
http://www.motoamerica.com/motoamerica-to-host-wera-at-three-its-rounds
Rispoli Makes Quattro Plant FS-3 Kawasaki Debut
American will race a Kawasaki ZX-10RR in British Superstock 1000 Championship.
http://www.motoamerica.com/james-rispoli-makes-quattro-plant-fs-3-kawasaki-debut-in-spain
...and
MotoAmerica To Host WERA At Three of Its Rounds
WERA Triple Crown set for Road Atlanta, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, and Barber Motorsports Park.
http://www.motoamerica.com/motoamerica-to-host-wera-at-three-its-rounds
Sunday, March 5, 2017
MotoGP updates
Yours truly, hopes to write more race reports on the 2016 MotoGP season even though the new 2017 season is slated to start soon. Stay tuned for race reports.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
MotoAmerica testing
A couple of stories about pre-season testing for the 2017 MotoAmerica championship, which kicks off April 21st-23rd at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
MotoAmerica Preseason Testing at Thunderhill Raceway Park
Team begin preparation for April 21-23 series opener at Circuit of the Americas
http://www.motoamerica.com/motoamerica-preseason-testing-at-thunderhill-raceway
...And
Elias Fastest At Thunderhill Test On New Suzuki
Toni Elias leads the way in off-season test at Thunderhill Raceway Park
http://www.motoamerica.com/elias-fastest-at-thunderhill-test-on-new-suzuki
MotoAmerica Preseason Testing at Thunderhill Raceway Park
Team begin preparation for April 21-23 series opener at Circuit of the Americas
http://www.motoamerica.com/motoamerica-preseason-testing-at-thunderhill-raceway
...And
Elias Fastest At Thunderhill Test On New Suzuki
Toni Elias leads the way in off-season test at Thunderhill Raceway Park
http://www.motoamerica.com/elias-fastest-at-thunderhill-test-on-new-suzuki
Friday, March 3, 2017
More MotoAmerica news + WSBK Phillip Island Photo Gallery
News abounds from MotoAmerica as testing for the 2017 season is beginning to get underway.
On The Record: Jake Gagne, Genuine Broaster Chicken Honda
http://www.motoamerica.com/on-record-jake-gagne-genuine-broaster-chicken-honda
New Alpinestars Riding Gear For MotoAmerica Racers
http://www.motoamerica.com/new-alpinestars-gear-for-motoamerica-racers
A Public Service Announcement dedicated to motorcycle road racing.
Donate Now: Road Racing World Action Fund
Jake Lewis explains the value of soft air barriers to help prevent racetrack injuries
http://www.motoamerica.com/motoamerica-donate-now-roadracing-world-action-fund-jake-lewis
Latus Motors Racing And Quicksilver Lubricants Extend Partnership
http://www.motoamerica.com/latus-motors-racing-and-quicksilver-powersports-lubricants-extend-partnership
Sport Rider Archives: Aaron Yates' Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750
"Anyone who's watched Yates ride, marvels at the Georgian's hard-charging style."
http://www.motoamerica.com/riding-aaron-yates-ama-750-supersport-yoshimura-suzuki-gsx-r750
FT ECU Racing Electronics Kits For 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6
http://www.motoamerica.com/ft-ecu-racing-electronics-kits-for-2017-yamaha-yzf-r6
You've seen the race report here on 2 Wheelin'. Now we revisit the World Superbike Phillip Island season opener, with a photo gallery.
World Superbike Phillip Island Photo Gallery
Defending Champ doubles Down Under, Americans Hayden and Jacobsen disappointed.
http://www.motoamerica.com/world-superbike-phillip-island-photo-gallery
On The Record: Jake Gagne, Genuine Broaster Chicken Honda
http://www.motoamerica.com/on-record-jake-gagne-genuine-broaster-chicken-honda
New Alpinestars Riding Gear For MotoAmerica Racers
http://www.motoamerica.com/new-alpinestars-gear-for-motoamerica-racers
A Public Service Announcement dedicated to motorcycle road racing.
Donate Now: Road Racing World Action Fund
Jake Lewis explains the value of soft air barriers to help prevent racetrack injuries
http://www.motoamerica.com/motoamerica-donate-now-roadracing-world-action-fund-jake-lewis
Latus Motors Racing And Quicksilver Lubricants Extend Partnership
http://www.motoamerica.com/latus-motors-racing-and-quicksilver-powersports-lubricants-extend-partnership
Sport Rider Archives: Aaron Yates' Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R750
"Anyone who's watched Yates ride, marvels at the Georgian's hard-charging style."
http://www.motoamerica.com/riding-aaron-yates-ama-750-supersport-yoshimura-suzuki-gsx-r750
FT ECU Racing Electronics Kits For 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6
http://www.motoamerica.com/ft-ecu-racing-electronics-kits-for-2017-yamaha-yzf-r6
You've seen the race report here on 2 Wheelin'. Now we revisit the World Superbike Phillip Island season opener, with a photo gallery.
World Superbike Phillip Island Photo Gallery
Defending Champ doubles Down Under, Americans Hayden and Jacobsen disappointed.
http://www.motoamerica.com/world-superbike-phillip-island-photo-gallery
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Hayden says "no positives" for Honda on Fireblade debut
Honda's Nicky Hayden has expressed his disappointment after a "tougher than expected" 2017 World Superbike season opener at Phillip Island, saying there were "no positives" for the team to draw.
https://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/hayden-says-no-positives-for-honda-on-fireblade-debut-877633/?s=1
https://www.motorsport.com/wsbk/news/hayden-says-no-positives-for-honda-on-fireblade-debut-877633/?s=1
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
FIM World Supersport: Australia
We are ready, for the FIM World Supersport season opener, on the seaside at Phillip Island. The sun is shining. Perfect weather. We are set to see the 600cc bikes, get their season underway. Before we get started (as always), lets have a look at our weather forecast. It's lovely at Phillip Island. Blue skies with no clouds, and abundant sunshine. 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit), air temperature. 32 degrees Celsius (89 degrees Fahrenheit), track temperature. We have an eastern wind. Tires will be a major deal in this event. A huge amount of news in WSSP. We are missing some riders from this race. Reigning FIM World Supersport champion, Kenan Sofuoglu, injured his thumb in training on a Super Moto motorcycle. So, he will not start this race, and his #1 Kawasaki ZX6R sits in the paddock area on display more than anything.
Sofuoglu will not be able to take part in round two in Thailand either. Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Team is currently looking for a fill-in rider for the multiple WSSP world champ while his thumb heals. We wish him the best. We are also without Japanese rider Hikari Okubo. Okubo crashed his #78 CIA Landlord Insurance Honda CBR600RR at turn 11 and hurt himself. He broke his left collarbone and will heal up in time for Thailand. P.J. Jacobsen of the United States, he has been in great form all weekend and is the pole man, for his new team. He now rides an MV Agusta F3 675, a factory bike for the MV Agusta Reparto Corse squad, bearing the #99. Some riders have had tire issues. So, this race for the 600cc bikes, in Supersport, has been shortened to 15 laps.
Jules Cluzel is second. He has a sign, that says "Get Well Soon Hikari San" for Hikari Okubo. What a big disappointment as Okubo would have started tenth. Federico Caricasulo starts third, and he is now riding for the official factory Yamaha World Supersport team, GRT Official WorldSSP Team, on a Yamaha YZF R6, with sponsorship from the Pata snack foods company. Caricasulo finished second here last year. Kyle Ryde starts fourth on his Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Kawasaki ZX6R. Kyle Ryde has a Get Well Soon Kenan sign, wishing Kenan Sofuoglu, his Puccetti Kawasaki team mate, well. Lucas Mahias rolls off fifth on bike #144. He is a team mate to Federico Caricasulo on another Pata Snacks factory Yamaha R6. He had a big wreck on Friday, and in that wreck, somehow, he lost the tip of one of his fingers.
Nonetheless, the Frenchman qualified fifth, in the middle of row two, for this race. He's a scrapper, like a dog who has a bone and won't let it go. Mahias has raced in many categories. He has Grand Prix motorcycle racing experience, and has also run World Endurance, World Supersport, World Superbike, and Superstock 1000. We saw him win in STK1000 last year. Alex Baldolini qualified sixth on the #25 Race Department ATK#25 MV Agusta F3 675. Baldolini was very consistent in 2016. Can he continue that this year? We'll see. Gino Rea is seventh, and he has switched to the Go Eleven Kawasaki team for 2017, on a Kawasaki ZX6R. Roberto Rolfo lines up next in eighth. He is on the #44 Team Factory Vamag bike, another MV Agusta.
Gino Rea and Robbie Rolfo has a contretemps on track, and unfortunately, this left Rolfo with a dislocated shoulder. He'll have to be careful in the race today. He did have his shoulder popped back into place and should be alright. Kyle Smith is riding injured as he starts ninth on his #111 Gemar Balloons - Team Lorini Honda CBR600RR. Rounding out the top ten on the grid, is Luke Stapleford. The Brit is back with the #81 squad, the Profile Racing Triumph Daytona 675. He is one of two Triumph's on the grid this year. Eleventh is Michael Canducci. The Italian is on a third Puccetti Racing Kawasaki ZX6R, teamed with Kenan Sofuoglu and Kyle Ryde.
We have five minutes officially, until World Supersport racing gets underway. Anthony West will be another rider to look out for in this race. "Westy" as he's known, starts 21st in this race. He is a wildcard on the #13 West Racing Yamaha YZF R6. Zulfahmi Khairuddin is another name to watch out for in 12th spot. He had a wreck in the morning warmup. He'll make up ground, and is riding the #63 Orelac Racing Verdnatura Kawasaki ZX6R. Khairuddin won his home race in Malaysia last year. His team mate, Spaniard Nacho Calero, starts behind Khairuddin in 13th. In 14th, we have Sheridan Morais. The South African, who competed last year in MotoAmerica, is on a Kallio Racing Yamaha YZF R6, #32.
His team mate at Kallio Racing Yamaha, is Finn Niki Tuuli. Kallio Racing is still using the 2016 Yamaha R6 and won't use the new version until we begin racing in Europe. Caricasulo, Cluzel, and Jacobsen on the front row. P.J. Jacobsen has the ball in his court with his rival, Kenan Sofuoglu, on the sidelines. Three Australians occupy the seventh row. Aiden Wagner, Lachlan Epis, and Anthony West, are those riders. We have 23 bikes in the field, and making his debut in WSSP, caboose on the grid, is Davide Pizzoli of Italy, on a sister Race Department ATK#25 MV Agusta to Alex Baldolini.
We were to have 24 bikes and riders. But, Aussie wildcard Matt Edwards was hurt in a crash, and will not start his #22 Euro Twins Brisbane Triumph Daytona 675. Edwards is Australian, but was born in Britain. It's a shame he will not be able to start this race. As the final warmup lap begins, drama for Michael Canducci. His bike has been taken off the grid, and it could be game over for the Italian before the race even begins. Check that. He will start, but either from the back of the grid, or from the pit lane. Everyone will use the same rear tire, but the front tires are different. Caricasulo and Cluzel are on the SC2 medium, and P.J. Jacobsen is using the SC1, the softer compound Pirelli front tire.
Track temperature has climbed to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), and this could play into how the tires behave. This is going to be a storming race. Part of what makes Phillip Island so special is as you dive into turn one, it looks like you are headed straight for the ocean. When they call this track Phillip Island, the Aussies are not kidding. It is, on an island. 23 bikes on the grid, ready for a start. Get set, for a wild World Supersport season opener, here at Phillip Island! Red lights, on. Red lights, out! We're away, for the start of WSSP 2017! Jules Cluzel has launched into the lead going for turn one.
P.J. Jacobsen is second and Kyle Ryde is moving up as we round Doohan corner for the first time. Alex Baldolini wants to make a move on P.J. Jacobsen. Lucas Mahias had a wheelie off the line, but is third. Sheridan Morais also has a great start. Michael Canducci had to start in the lane and now he's having to play catch up with the competition. Kyle Ryde has managed to get in front of Jules Cluzel. Kyle Smith moves from ninth to fifth, as they work their way through MG corner. Smith is scrapping with Federico Caricasulo of Italy. Baldolini dives into the lead and Lucas Mahias is now third. Lachlan Epis and Anthony West are 12th and 13th, giving the home crowd something to cheer about. P.J. Jacobsen is falling down the order on the MV Agusta, and it also looks like game over, for Michael Canducci.
Canducci is in the lane, but we have to find out more about Jacobsen's issues. Baldolini and Cluzel are breaking away from the rest of the pack. Jacobsen has crashed his MV Agusta and rejoined, but is now down the order. Oh no! Our leader, Alex Baldolini, has also wrecked! Ugh! Not a good start to 2017 for MV Agusta! Jules Cluzel is your new leader. Three abreast into Doohan corner! Gently, boys. Caricasulo sets fastest lap at 1:34.882. Both of the new Yamaha YZF R6's are running in the top five at the moment as well. Gino Rea has also crashed, as Lucas Mahias jumps into the lead. Kyle Smith passes Federico Caricasulo, and, more crashes, as Swiss rider Robin Mulhauser has fallen out of the race aboard the #70 CIA Landlord Insurance Honda CBR600RR.
We have a red flag on the speedway as there is debris in Siberia corner. We will have to restart this race and P.J. Jacobsen will be able to come back. Jacobsen's bike does not look too heavily damaged. Kyle Ryde is having a strong race thus far. Baldolini had the front end wash away causing his crash. Baldolini will restart the race too. In testing, some large geese flew onto the track during testing for WSBK, WSSP, and MotoGP as well. Geese don't fear motorcycles. Mulhauser had a big wreck at Siberia. Now, this corner, was so named, by the late, great motorcycle champion, Barry Sheene, because it's very cold at that section of the race track with the breeze blowing off the ocean.
Robin Mulhauser joins World Supersport as a rookie, coming across from Moto2. P.J. Jacobsen had mechanical issues with the bike, and not a wreck. Michael Canducci is having his bike worked on. Too bad for Gino Rea, falling out of this race. Rea will not be able to restart this race. Game over for Gino Rea. The marshals are putting speedy dry down on the track to soak up some oil or coolant or something. Robin Mulhauser had a tankslapper down there. This race will be reduced to 2/3rds distance, and be a ten lap dash for cash. It'll be a winner winner chicken dinner kind of deal. P.J. Jacobsen has said used tires work better on his MV Agusta.
P.J. Jacobsen has surely gotten a "get out of jail free card" here. The marshals are finishing their track cleanup. Good to see a variety of motorcycles and that the hobby of motorcycling is alive and well Down Under. The bikes fire up again and we're ready to restart this race. Robin Mulhauser and Gino Rea, are out. Aiden Wagner hopes to take advantage of an open grid spot on the second Gemar Balloons - Team Lorini bike. The MV Agusta bikes are running well, and want to avoid any mechanical troubles. Christian Gamarino won't return to this race either. P.J. Jacobsen had an electrical issue with his bike, but it is fixed now.
This is only his third career pole, after a disappointing 2016 with no wins and only four podiums. The bikes reform on the grid, for a restart. Let's try this again, chaps. Restart at Phillip Island. Red lights, on. Red lights, out! We're back underway on the island! Cluzel has a huge wheelie and the Yamaha's are pushing for the front. Cluzel leads over Caricasulo, and Jacobsen. Lucas Mahias now slides past Jacobsen into third. Could Lucas Mahias be on the podium? Kyle Ryde is clinging to the top ten at the moment. Whoa! A big slide for P.J. Jacobsen! Thankfully he didn't lose the motorcycle there!
Jacobsen drops to seventh behind Kyle Smith. Ryde also passes Baldolini. Here are our points scoring riders as we sprint to the finish.
1. Federico Caricasulo
2. Jules Cluzel
3. Lucas Mahias
4. Kyle Ryde
5. Kyle Smith
6. P.J. Jacobsen
7. Alex Baldolini
8. Niki Tuuli
9. Roberto Rolfo
10. Anthony West
11. Luke Stapleford
12. Sheridan Morais
13. Zulfahmi Khairuddin
14. Nacho Calero
15. Michael Canducci
Mahias is trying to pass Caricasulo. It's a battle of the Yamaha factory team mates. Cluzel leads. He can defend the lead spot. Baldolini passes Ryde. They come through to the Hayshed, picking their lines through the fast, flowing corners, on these 600cc bikes. Caricasulo tries making a move into MG but decides discretion is the better part of valor. Niki Tuuli is now seventh. He has the older Yamaha R6. The 2016 bike. Baldolini resets fastest lap at 1:34.413, as Mahias goes around the outside of his team mate, Federico Caricasulo. Kyle Smith crashes at turn ten but might get back into the action.
Anthony West and Robbie Rolfo are coming to the front. Disaster for P.J. Jacobsen and MV Agusta as he's run off the road! Game over for Jacobsen as far as a win here at Phillip Island. Robbie Rolfo is sixth and resets fastest race lap at 1:34.379. Alex Baldolini and Federico Caricasulo are scrapping into Stoner corner. Caricasulo moves back into third. Baldolini is second. Jacobsen may have missed a shift and ran wide into the corner. Rolfo passes Niki Tuuli and moves up to fifth. Robbie Rolfo has been racing motorcycles at the top level for over 20 years. He knows what's up here. Davide Pizzoli has crashed out of the race. Game over for #7.
Caricasulo slides the Yamaha, and saves it! Baldolini wants his first WSSP win. Cluzel has won before but didn't in 2016. He wants a victory. Five laps down. Five laps left. Halfway. P.J. Jacobsen is back on track, and back into the points, setting a new fastest lap at 1:34.221. Caricasulo as we watch in replay almost ditched the motorcycle. One elbow and one knee down, to save the darn thing. Baldolini is shadowing Cluzel who has led the whole way. Will Cluzel be able to defend for four more laps. Baldolini has had one podium, and that was at Misano, five years ago, in 2012. Cluzel slipstreams Baldolini down the straight and gets the advantage in doing so, keeping the lead.
Lachlan Epis is up to 12th place right now. He is in the points, and will pick them up in his home race. He is an Aussie. Fellow Aussie Anthony West is eight. "Westy" always goes well at Phillip Island, and on a 600cc bike. Robbie Rolfo and Federico Caricasulo are chasing Lucas Mahias, as with three laps to go, it is crunch time. Cluzel runs wide, and Jacobsen lowers fastest lap to 1:33.782. Jacobsen moves ahead of Nacho Calero. Jules Cluzel, meanwhile, has lost the lead and has dropped like a stone all the way to fifth spot. Cluzel has to recover. Can he do it? Rolfo and Ryde are the two who will push for a podium.
Cluzel has a moment down through Lukey Heights. MV Agusta vs. Yamaha, is the battle at the front. Robbie Rolfo wants to go inside Lucas Mahias. Caricasulo now leads, as Alex Baldolini drops to third. Mahias goes inside Baldolini. GRT ran MV Agusta's last year, with Gino Rea. But the switch to Yamaha seems to be paying off, with the new YZF R6. Anthony West in fifth is not racing full-time in WSSP. But, he still wants a podium place. Rolfo moves to second through MG corner. Yamaha is still 1-2. We are on the last lap. This is for the money. Take it to the house. Three wide for the lead! We've got at least six riders who could win this thing. Don't count your chickens until they hatch.
Robbie Rolfo leads through the sweeping Stoner corner. Caricasulo moves past Baldolini, forcing him to sit up. Robbie Rolfo's dislocated shoulder he suffered in testing, hasn't bugged him at all. He leads at Phillip Island. Can he win it? The last plunge into MG corner. Oh my! Jules Cluzel and Federico Caricasulo have crashed into each other with Cluzel flying in the air! Disaster for Jules Cluzel who was hoping for a win today! Alex Baldolini may have been caught in that accident, too. Two riders go for the win. It's Rolfo vs. Mahias. Rolfo and Mahias wheel to wheel at the line! Who takes it? It's a photo finish! Who will be the winner when the marshals find out the pictures and what they say?
Cluzel is hurt. Let's hope he'll be OK. Either way, with who wins, they will get their first wins. Mahias looks like he's won it. But, nothing has been confirmed yet. Niki Tuuli gets a fifth place finish. P.J. Jacobsen finishes sixth. Robbie Rolfo made his debut in 250cc Grand Prix racing in 1996 and has raced everything including 250cc, MotoGP, World Superbike... you name it. Here's the photo finish. Who wins it? Rolfo had to run off the road after the finish line. The finish is under review. How will this play out? We wait. To be racing as close as they did, you need huge respect. The red mist comes down with the visor sometimes. Robbie Rolfo wins it!
World Supersport Race: #44 Roberto Rolfo ITA. MV Agusta F3 675
Next up for World Supersport is the race in Buriram, Thailand in ten days time.
Sofuoglu will not be able to take part in round two in Thailand either. Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Team is currently looking for a fill-in rider for the multiple WSSP world champ while his thumb heals. We wish him the best. We are also without Japanese rider Hikari Okubo. Okubo crashed his #78 CIA Landlord Insurance Honda CBR600RR at turn 11 and hurt himself. He broke his left collarbone and will heal up in time for Thailand. P.J. Jacobsen of the United States, he has been in great form all weekend and is the pole man, for his new team. He now rides an MV Agusta F3 675, a factory bike for the MV Agusta Reparto Corse squad, bearing the #99. Some riders have had tire issues. So, this race for the 600cc bikes, in Supersport, has been shortened to 15 laps.
Jules Cluzel is second. He has a sign, that says "Get Well Soon Hikari San" for Hikari Okubo. What a big disappointment as Okubo would have started tenth. Federico Caricasulo starts third, and he is now riding for the official factory Yamaha World Supersport team, GRT Official WorldSSP Team, on a Yamaha YZF R6, with sponsorship from the Pata snack foods company. Caricasulo finished second here last year. Kyle Ryde starts fourth on his Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Kawasaki ZX6R. Kyle Ryde has a Get Well Soon Kenan sign, wishing Kenan Sofuoglu, his Puccetti Kawasaki team mate, well. Lucas Mahias rolls off fifth on bike #144. He is a team mate to Federico Caricasulo on another Pata Snacks factory Yamaha R6. He had a big wreck on Friday, and in that wreck, somehow, he lost the tip of one of his fingers.
Nonetheless, the Frenchman qualified fifth, in the middle of row two, for this race. He's a scrapper, like a dog who has a bone and won't let it go. Mahias has raced in many categories. He has Grand Prix motorcycle racing experience, and has also run World Endurance, World Supersport, World Superbike, and Superstock 1000. We saw him win in STK1000 last year. Alex Baldolini qualified sixth on the #25 Race Department ATK#25 MV Agusta F3 675. Baldolini was very consistent in 2016. Can he continue that this year? We'll see. Gino Rea is seventh, and he has switched to the Go Eleven Kawasaki team for 2017, on a Kawasaki ZX6R. Roberto Rolfo lines up next in eighth. He is on the #44 Team Factory Vamag bike, another MV Agusta.
Gino Rea and Robbie Rolfo has a contretemps on track, and unfortunately, this left Rolfo with a dislocated shoulder. He'll have to be careful in the race today. He did have his shoulder popped back into place and should be alright. Kyle Smith is riding injured as he starts ninth on his #111 Gemar Balloons - Team Lorini Honda CBR600RR. Rounding out the top ten on the grid, is Luke Stapleford. The Brit is back with the #81 squad, the Profile Racing Triumph Daytona 675. He is one of two Triumph's on the grid this year. Eleventh is Michael Canducci. The Italian is on a third Puccetti Racing Kawasaki ZX6R, teamed with Kenan Sofuoglu and Kyle Ryde.
We have five minutes officially, until World Supersport racing gets underway. Anthony West will be another rider to look out for in this race. "Westy" as he's known, starts 21st in this race. He is a wildcard on the #13 West Racing Yamaha YZF R6. Zulfahmi Khairuddin is another name to watch out for in 12th spot. He had a wreck in the morning warmup. He'll make up ground, and is riding the #63 Orelac Racing Verdnatura Kawasaki ZX6R. Khairuddin won his home race in Malaysia last year. His team mate, Spaniard Nacho Calero, starts behind Khairuddin in 13th. In 14th, we have Sheridan Morais. The South African, who competed last year in MotoAmerica, is on a Kallio Racing Yamaha YZF R6, #32.
His team mate at Kallio Racing Yamaha, is Finn Niki Tuuli. Kallio Racing is still using the 2016 Yamaha R6 and won't use the new version until we begin racing in Europe. Caricasulo, Cluzel, and Jacobsen on the front row. P.J. Jacobsen has the ball in his court with his rival, Kenan Sofuoglu, on the sidelines. Three Australians occupy the seventh row. Aiden Wagner, Lachlan Epis, and Anthony West, are those riders. We have 23 bikes in the field, and making his debut in WSSP, caboose on the grid, is Davide Pizzoli of Italy, on a sister Race Department ATK#25 MV Agusta to Alex Baldolini.
We were to have 24 bikes and riders. But, Aussie wildcard Matt Edwards was hurt in a crash, and will not start his #22 Euro Twins Brisbane Triumph Daytona 675. Edwards is Australian, but was born in Britain. It's a shame he will not be able to start this race. As the final warmup lap begins, drama for Michael Canducci. His bike has been taken off the grid, and it could be game over for the Italian before the race even begins. Check that. He will start, but either from the back of the grid, or from the pit lane. Everyone will use the same rear tire, but the front tires are different. Caricasulo and Cluzel are on the SC2 medium, and P.J. Jacobsen is using the SC1, the softer compound Pirelli front tire.
Track temperature has climbed to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), and this could play into how the tires behave. This is going to be a storming race. Part of what makes Phillip Island so special is as you dive into turn one, it looks like you are headed straight for the ocean. When they call this track Phillip Island, the Aussies are not kidding. It is, on an island. 23 bikes on the grid, ready for a start. Get set, for a wild World Supersport season opener, here at Phillip Island! Red lights, on. Red lights, out! We're away, for the start of WSSP 2017! Jules Cluzel has launched into the lead going for turn one.
P.J. Jacobsen is second and Kyle Ryde is moving up as we round Doohan corner for the first time. Alex Baldolini wants to make a move on P.J. Jacobsen. Lucas Mahias had a wheelie off the line, but is third. Sheridan Morais also has a great start. Michael Canducci had to start in the lane and now he's having to play catch up with the competition. Kyle Ryde has managed to get in front of Jules Cluzel. Kyle Smith moves from ninth to fifth, as they work their way through MG corner. Smith is scrapping with Federico Caricasulo of Italy. Baldolini dives into the lead and Lucas Mahias is now third. Lachlan Epis and Anthony West are 12th and 13th, giving the home crowd something to cheer about. P.J. Jacobsen is falling down the order on the MV Agusta, and it also looks like game over, for Michael Canducci.
Canducci is in the lane, but we have to find out more about Jacobsen's issues. Baldolini and Cluzel are breaking away from the rest of the pack. Jacobsen has crashed his MV Agusta and rejoined, but is now down the order. Oh no! Our leader, Alex Baldolini, has also wrecked! Ugh! Not a good start to 2017 for MV Agusta! Jules Cluzel is your new leader. Three abreast into Doohan corner! Gently, boys. Caricasulo sets fastest lap at 1:34.882. Both of the new Yamaha YZF R6's are running in the top five at the moment as well. Gino Rea has also crashed, as Lucas Mahias jumps into the lead. Kyle Smith passes Federico Caricasulo, and, more crashes, as Swiss rider Robin Mulhauser has fallen out of the race aboard the #70 CIA Landlord Insurance Honda CBR600RR.
We have a red flag on the speedway as there is debris in Siberia corner. We will have to restart this race and P.J. Jacobsen will be able to come back. Jacobsen's bike does not look too heavily damaged. Kyle Ryde is having a strong race thus far. Baldolini had the front end wash away causing his crash. Baldolini will restart the race too. In testing, some large geese flew onto the track during testing for WSBK, WSSP, and MotoGP as well. Geese don't fear motorcycles. Mulhauser had a big wreck at Siberia. Now, this corner, was so named, by the late, great motorcycle champion, Barry Sheene, because it's very cold at that section of the race track with the breeze blowing off the ocean.
Robin Mulhauser joins World Supersport as a rookie, coming across from Moto2. P.J. Jacobsen had mechanical issues with the bike, and not a wreck. Michael Canducci is having his bike worked on. Too bad for Gino Rea, falling out of this race. Rea will not be able to restart this race. Game over for Gino Rea. The marshals are putting speedy dry down on the track to soak up some oil or coolant or something. Robin Mulhauser had a tankslapper down there. This race will be reduced to 2/3rds distance, and be a ten lap dash for cash. It'll be a winner winner chicken dinner kind of deal. P.J. Jacobsen has said used tires work better on his MV Agusta.
P.J. Jacobsen has surely gotten a "get out of jail free card" here. The marshals are finishing their track cleanup. Good to see a variety of motorcycles and that the hobby of motorcycling is alive and well Down Under. The bikes fire up again and we're ready to restart this race. Robin Mulhauser and Gino Rea, are out. Aiden Wagner hopes to take advantage of an open grid spot on the second Gemar Balloons - Team Lorini bike. The MV Agusta bikes are running well, and want to avoid any mechanical troubles. Christian Gamarino won't return to this race either. P.J. Jacobsen had an electrical issue with his bike, but it is fixed now.
This is only his third career pole, after a disappointing 2016 with no wins and only four podiums. The bikes reform on the grid, for a restart. Let's try this again, chaps. Restart at Phillip Island. Red lights, on. Red lights, out! We're back underway on the island! Cluzel has a huge wheelie and the Yamaha's are pushing for the front. Cluzel leads over Caricasulo, and Jacobsen. Lucas Mahias now slides past Jacobsen into third. Could Lucas Mahias be on the podium? Kyle Ryde is clinging to the top ten at the moment. Whoa! A big slide for P.J. Jacobsen! Thankfully he didn't lose the motorcycle there!
Jacobsen drops to seventh behind Kyle Smith. Ryde also passes Baldolini. Here are our points scoring riders as we sprint to the finish.
1. Federico Caricasulo
2. Jules Cluzel
3. Lucas Mahias
4. Kyle Ryde
5. Kyle Smith
6. P.J. Jacobsen
7. Alex Baldolini
8. Niki Tuuli
9. Roberto Rolfo
10. Anthony West
11. Luke Stapleford
12. Sheridan Morais
13. Zulfahmi Khairuddin
14. Nacho Calero
15. Michael Canducci
Mahias is trying to pass Caricasulo. It's a battle of the Yamaha factory team mates. Cluzel leads. He can defend the lead spot. Baldolini passes Ryde. They come through to the Hayshed, picking their lines through the fast, flowing corners, on these 600cc bikes. Caricasulo tries making a move into MG but decides discretion is the better part of valor. Niki Tuuli is now seventh. He has the older Yamaha R6. The 2016 bike. Baldolini resets fastest lap at 1:34.413, as Mahias goes around the outside of his team mate, Federico Caricasulo. Kyle Smith crashes at turn ten but might get back into the action.
Anthony West and Robbie Rolfo are coming to the front. Disaster for P.J. Jacobsen and MV Agusta as he's run off the road! Game over for Jacobsen as far as a win here at Phillip Island. Robbie Rolfo is sixth and resets fastest race lap at 1:34.379. Alex Baldolini and Federico Caricasulo are scrapping into Stoner corner. Caricasulo moves back into third. Baldolini is second. Jacobsen may have missed a shift and ran wide into the corner. Rolfo passes Niki Tuuli and moves up to fifth. Robbie Rolfo has been racing motorcycles at the top level for over 20 years. He knows what's up here. Davide Pizzoli has crashed out of the race. Game over for #7.
Caricasulo slides the Yamaha, and saves it! Baldolini wants his first WSSP win. Cluzel has won before but didn't in 2016. He wants a victory. Five laps down. Five laps left. Halfway. P.J. Jacobsen is back on track, and back into the points, setting a new fastest lap at 1:34.221. Caricasulo as we watch in replay almost ditched the motorcycle. One elbow and one knee down, to save the darn thing. Baldolini is shadowing Cluzel who has led the whole way. Will Cluzel be able to defend for four more laps. Baldolini has had one podium, and that was at Misano, five years ago, in 2012. Cluzel slipstreams Baldolini down the straight and gets the advantage in doing so, keeping the lead.
Lachlan Epis is up to 12th place right now. He is in the points, and will pick them up in his home race. He is an Aussie. Fellow Aussie Anthony West is eight. "Westy" always goes well at Phillip Island, and on a 600cc bike. Robbie Rolfo and Federico Caricasulo are chasing Lucas Mahias, as with three laps to go, it is crunch time. Cluzel runs wide, and Jacobsen lowers fastest lap to 1:33.782. Jacobsen moves ahead of Nacho Calero. Jules Cluzel, meanwhile, has lost the lead and has dropped like a stone all the way to fifth spot. Cluzel has to recover. Can he do it? Rolfo and Ryde are the two who will push for a podium.
Cluzel has a moment down through Lukey Heights. MV Agusta vs. Yamaha, is the battle at the front. Robbie Rolfo wants to go inside Lucas Mahias. Caricasulo now leads, as Alex Baldolini drops to third. Mahias goes inside Baldolini. GRT ran MV Agusta's last year, with Gino Rea. But the switch to Yamaha seems to be paying off, with the new YZF R6. Anthony West in fifth is not racing full-time in WSSP. But, he still wants a podium place. Rolfo moves to second through MG corner. Yamaha is still 1-2. We are on the last lap. This is for the money. Take it to the house. Three wide for the lead! We've got at least six riders who could win this thing. Don't count your chickens until they hatch.
Robbie Rolfo leads through the sweeping Stoner corner. Caricasulo moves past Baldolini, forcing him to sit up. Robbie Rolfo's dislocated shoulder he suffered in testing, hasn't bugged him at all. He leads at Phillip Island. Can he win it? The last plunge into MG corner. Oh my! Jules Cluzel and Federico Caricasulo have crashed into each other with Cluzel flying in the air! Disaster for Jules Cluzel who was hoping for a win today! Alex Baldolini may have been caught in that accident, too. Two riders go for the win. It's Rolfo vs. Mahias. Rolfo and Mahias wheel to wheel at the line! Who takes it? It's a photo finish! Who will be the winner when the marshals find out the pictures and what they say?
Cluzel is hurt. Let's hope he'll be OK. Either way, with who wins, they will get their first wins. Mahias looks like he's won it. But, nothing has been confirmed yet. Niki Tuuli gets a fifth place finish. P.J. Jacobsen finishes sixth. Robbie Rolfo made his debut in 250cc Grand Prix racing in 1996 and has raced everything including 250cc, MotoGP, World Superbike... you name it. Here's the photo finish. Who wins it? Rolfo had to run off the road after the finish line. The finish is under review. How will this play out? We wait. To be racing as close as they did, you need huge respect. The red mist comes down with the visor sometimes. Robbie Rolfo wins it!
World Supersport Race: #44 Roberto Rolfo ITA. MV Agusta F3 675
Next up for World Supersport is the race in Buriram, Thailand in ten days time.
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