The Trackhouse Racing introduction of its 2024 MotoGP team in Hollywood on Friday was a major event for American motorcycle road racing and for Aprilia. There were multiple World Champions and U.S. Champions on hand, as well as representatives from the top level of Aprilia’s motorcycle road racing efforts. 

Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola said that Trackhouse was important to the factory’s racing efforts. With four 2024-spec bikes on the track and in the hands of a team with close ties to the factory, Aprilia will gather more data, more feedback and thus follow Ducati’s example of using the maximum amount of information gathered on the track to hone its racebikes to their optimum on race weekends.

As is the case with most top-level motorsport launches, the machines displayed are not the actual vehicles the team will go racing with. Building a MotoGP machine is an incredibly complicated process, and Aprilia is still building the bikes for the upcoming season. Trackhouse Team Manager and former Grand Prix racer Wilco Zeelenberg said the 2024 machines that rider Miguel Oliveira will race already were in Malaysia for the first pre-season test. Interestingly, job one for the team from an on-track perspective is making sure that the 2024 machine is developed to a higher level of performance than the 2023 bike. Last year’s machine was good enough to win two races and nearly lock out the podium in Barcelona. Raul Fernandez, (who raced 2022 versions of the RS-GP in 2023), said when he got a chance to test the 2023 version of Aprilia’s RS-GP at the post-season test in Valencia, he had much, much more confidence tipping the bike toward the apex on the brakes, and his performance showed–he was fifth-fastest on the day, just behind eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez.

On hand were not only the current MotoGP riders and key personnel for the Aprilia project, but several U.S. racers who have competed at the sport’s highest level. Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz, 500cc Grand Prix World Champions; Superbike World Champion, 250cc World Champion, and three-time 500cc Grand Prix race winner John Kocinski; Joe Roberts, America’s most recent Grand Prix winner (in Moto2); four-time MotoGP podium finisher John Hopkins; and four-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes; were all on hand. (Remember, in his first and only MotoGP event, Hayes filled in for the injured Colin Edwards on the Tech3 Yamaha YZR-M1 at Valencia in 2011, led the wet morning warm-up session, and finished seventh in the MotoGP race.) All spent time talking with young American racer Rossi Moor, who has won races and the 2022 Northern Talent Cup Championship (part of the Road to MotoGP program) in Europe.

The post More From The Trackhouse MotoGP Launch In Hollywood appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Levi Kitchen Wins 250SX Class, Marking Eight Different Winners In Four Events

Anaheim, Calif., – Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Cooper Webb became the fourth different Monster Energy AMA Supercross winner in four rounds when he took the victory at the Anaheim 2 Supercross in front of 43,753 fans in Angel Stadium. Anaheim 2 was the first of three Triple Crown events this year which combine the results from three races to determine one winner on the night. Webb won the overall with (2-2-5) race results.

Going (5-7-1), Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Eli Tomac had the crowd cheering when he earned second place overall with a win in the final race of the evening as the sport celebrates 50 years of racing this year. Last week’s winner, Red Bull KTM’s Aaron Plessinger, earned third place with (6-4-3) and retains the points lead heading into Round 5. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen fought hard for the overall win with (1-2-3) race scores. And Supercross Futures, a part of SMX Next, held its first of five races to feature the future stars of Supercross; in what was the best battle of the night. Troy Lee Designs Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing’s Cole Davies emerged with the victory over Monster Energy Star Yamaha’s Gavin Towers.

“If you do really well the first two [races], the third one sometimes is easy… I had a lot of wiggle room [in Race #3] and could just, honestly, have a solo ride in fifth place. But it is a little bit weird, for sure, to not go over the checkered flag first. But I think that’s kinda the unique thing about the Triple Crown, is we’ve seen a lot of this happen. You can have big point swings, and you can have one bad race and then have two good ones [and] you end up on the podium and something like that. So it’s never over for sure in these kind of situations… I saw Jason [Anderson] right in front of me [in Race #3], he went down, and it probably wasn’t the best thing for me, because it was instantly like, ‘All right, I can just kinda chill,’ but I was grateful to put myself in that situation.” – Cooper Webb

“I was pretty frustrated after those first two [races]. I was like, ‘Okay, here I’m just – what am I now, fifth – seventh place guy right now?’ I don’t know. I just had to go do something, I had to get off the gate there, so it was good. It was good. Had a good flow. I was able to get the whoop combo down, and I felt like that was important for me, and yeah, felt good.” – Eli Tomac

“I knew Detroit was the next race and I really, really wanted to carry the red plate into Detroit given the events that happened last year.” [Plessinger crashed while leading Detroit 2023] “That’s gonna be a special race and yeah, I’m ready for it. I’m ready to get back to Florida this week and put in some work and then go up to the freezing cold and hopefully my moustache doesn’t break off in the 20 degree weather [laughs]. But no, I’m ready to get back up there and do some damage.” – Aaron Plessinger

The Western Regional 250SX Class held its second round and Levi Kitchen became the fourth rider in four rounds to take home a win. Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire battled hard in the first two races but a flat tire in the third Race took his chances at an overall victory. Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Nate Thrasher followed up a win last weekend with a third place finish at Anaheim 2.

“We’re all really close right now. Obviously I want to be the dominant guy, but yeah, it’s closer now. You can’t start in like fifth and sixth with these guys and have them up front. You’d have to have a pretty amazing – I don’t even know what you’d have to do to be able to get up to them. I think it’s tighter than in years’ past. Especially the top five of us, we’re all pretty experienced by now, so it’s definitely tight racing.” – Levi Kitchen

“For the first time in my career I had a flat tire on a Supercross track, so yeah, it was eventful. I knew something was wrong, didn’t necessarily know what until it shot me off in the whoops… I was fine the next couple laps, and then once that rear tire breaks the bead and it’s off the rim, that’s when it gets really, really scary. But overall it was an awesome night. That first and second moto were sick. If we could do that every weekend, I mean, we’d probably get paid a lot more because that was a show. [smiles]. But like I said, that was fun. All in all, it was a really solid day.” – RJ Hampshire  

“[The new bike is] the same motor package but a whole different chassis. So all the suspension characteristics are completely different. So we’re still leaning, but I think I got a good package this weekend. I felt like it was a big step in the right direction for me, and we’re still learning, still working, still trying to get a little bit better, but last week [in testing] I think we found a little bit and it showed this weekend… It was a very hardpack track out there today and on the bike I was racing a couple weekends ago I was struggling pretty bad with the hardpack. So yeah, it was definitely a little bit better spot for me.” – Nate Thrasher  

“It was an awesome battle. We were just going back and forth. And it was super tiring, I was breathing so hard and, you’re just glad to be on top… I couldn’t even feel myself. I was like so frickin – I was like in a dream it felt like.” – Cole Davies (#17) 

Others in attendance include: USA Olympic Skateboarder Nyjah Huston, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire director Gil Kenan, Influencers Ben Azelart and Hayes Grier, world-renowned drummer Jason Bonham of Bonham and Sammy Hagar’s “The Best of All Worlds” Van Halen Tour, rock guitarist Carlos Cavazo of Quiet Riot and Ratt, who was also recently inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame. 

Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan hosts Round 5 of the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship next Saturday, February 3rd. The Detroit Supercross will run on a daytime schedule rather than under the lights. The racing starts at 3:00PM Eastern Time. Doors open for fans attending the race at 8:00AM Eastern Time. The race will kick off the 9-round Eastern Regional 250SX Championship.

Each Supercross round also pays points toward the 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In its second year, the SuperMotocross League combines the Supercross season and the 11-round AMA Pro Motocross season to seed riders into two Super Motocross World Championship Playoffs and a Final in September.

Every race is available live on PeacockTV, with select rounds also viewable on NBC, USA Network, CNBC, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. Fans around the globe can catch the action live, with both English and Spanish commentary, through the SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv).

For video highlights, race results, schedule information, broadcast airtimes, and to purchase tickets, please go to SupercrossLIVE.com.

The post AMA Supercross: Report And Video Highlights From Anaheim Two appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

The finale episode of Thrill of the Race bringing you closer than ever before to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at an incredible title decider at Brands Hatch. Relive all of the emotion, drama and intensity of the final round of the 2023 season at Brands Hatch in the final battle to become 2023 Champion We hope you enjoyed the ride

INTRO 00:00

PRE-WEEKEND TALK WITH TOMMY, GLENN & KYLE 00:54

PRE-RACE THOUGHTS FROM THE TOP 8 01:50

QUALIFYING 04:25

BIKE SOCIAL SPRINT RACE 08:26

POST RACE THOUGHTS WITH STUART HIGGS 16:00

POST RACE THOUGHT WITH TOMMY BRIDEWEL 16:34

THE DAY OF DESTINY 16:55

PRE-RACE 2 THOUGHTS FROM TOMMY, GLENN & KYLE 17:28

BENNETTS BRITISH SUPERBIKE RACE TWO 18:29

RACE 2 REACTIONS 25:25

BENNETTS BRITISH SUPERBIKE RACE THREE 27:02

TOMMY BRIDEWELL CELBRATIONS 36:58

CLOSING WORDS FROM TOMMY & GLENN 39:45

CLOSING WORDS FROM STUART HIGGS 41:15

OUTRO 46:07

#britishsuperbikes #bsb #bsb2023 #doningtonpark #superbikerace #superbikeracing #motorcycle #motorsport #ducati #honda #bmw #kawasaki #superbikes #motorbikes #racing #behindthescenes #onboard #motorsport #motorbikeracing #brandshatch #overtake #onboard #behindthescenes

The post Video: British Superbike “Thrill Of The Race” Episode 11 appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Rev up your engines and mark your calendars as the 2024 Bagger Racing League promises an adrenaline-fueled season with the “Battle of the Baggers.” With a thrilling schedule featuring international showdowns and new classes, this season is set to redefine the world of bagger GP racing. 

**Round 1: Motorsport Park Hastings, NE (May 24-26) – Double Header**

Kicking off the season in grand style, Motorsport Park Hastings in Nebraska will host the inaugural races, treating fans to a double-header extravaganza. The intense competition is sure to set the tone for an action-packed championship. 

**Round 2: Gingerman Raceway, MI (June 28-30) – Double Header**

The excitement continues at Gingerman Raceway in Michigan, where riders will face off in another thrilling double-header. The challenging circuit promises to push competitors to their limits, ensuring every lap is a spectacle for fans.

**Round 3: Bridgestone Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, ON (August 9-11) – International Double Header**

The Battle of the Baggers goes international with Round 3 taking place at Bridgestone Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario. This Canadian showdown will not only test the skills of the riders but also add a global flavor to the competition. Get ready for an unforgettable double-header on Canadian soil.

**Round 4: Finals at Willow Springs International Raceway, CA (November 16-17) – Double Header**

As the season reaches its climax, the Finals at Willow Springs International Raceway in California promise to be a spectacular culmination. The double-header format ensures that every twist and turn of this iconic circuit will play a pivotal role in deciding the ultimate champion.

*Introducing the SUPER STREET CLASS.

Adding a new layer of excitement to the 2024 season, the Bagger Racing League introduces the SUPER STREET CLASS. This category will showcase the prowess of baggers in a unique setting, challenging riders to navigate the streets with speed and precision.

*Shane Narbone Defends His Title**

All eyes will be on the reigning champion, Shane Narbone, as he aims to defend his 2023 title in the bagger GP. Narbone’s skill, experience, and determination make him a formidable contender, but the competition will be fierce, and only time will tell if he can secure another championship. For more information and updates on the 2024 Bagger Racing League “Battle of the Baggers,” visit http://www.BaggerRacingLeague.com. Strap in and get ready for a season of high-speed thrills, intense rivalries, and the relentless pursuit of victory on the bagger racing circuit.

The post Bagger Racing League Announces Four-Round 2024 Race Schedule appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Decatur, Texas-based 3D Motorsports has signed Hayden Bicknese as well as Alex Enriquez to pilot their Suzuki GSX-R750s in MotoAmerica Supersport in 2024. Both riders have tested with the team over the winter and feel confident for the 2024 season. 

Hayden Bicknese is no stranger to the MotoAmerica podium with six podiums in Junior Cup. He is up for the challenge in Supersport this year and feels he can run up front. 

“I’m excited to see what we can do with Hayden. We are lucky enough to be able to ride a lot during the year with him and believe we can develop both the bike and him to be a contender,” expressed 3D Motorsports owner Dustin Dominguez. 

Bicknese added, “I am very excited to be joining 3D Motorsports on the GSX-R750 for my first year in Supersport. I think that I have the opportunity to have a strong first year in the class with Dustin Dominguez and his team, and I can’t wait to see what I can do at Road Atlanta.”

Alex Enriquez had a great year in 2023 as he was selected to represent America in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. The teenager has also had success finishing on the podium in the North American Talent Cup in 2022. For 2024, the Californian will jump into the Supersport class. Enriquez stated, “I’m happy I will be racing in the MotoAmerica Supersport class on a GSX-R750 with 3D Motorsports. I’m so excited and can’t wait till the season starts!”

Dominguez spoke about Enriquez, “I went out to Chuckwalla in December and watched some races and saw Alex on a 600. I was impressed with his riding and lap times. I went to talk to his father and learned it was his first time ever on a Supersport bike. We’re excited to have him with us for 2024.”

3D Motorsports is excited about the future and plans to announce its Stock 1000 rider lineup soon. For more info about the team email 3dmotorsportsllc@gmail.com We want thank all our sponsors for the tremendous support, Btec Turbines, CG Law, Blud Lubricants, Drippin Wet, M4, Spears Racing, Orient Express, Ktech, Dunlop, AF1 Racing, and Southern Adrenaline.

The post MotoAmerica: 3D Motorsports Signs Bicknese, Enriguez For Supersport appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

Bulega impresses with blazing fastest lap while Bautista explores combined weight set-up

Nicolo Bulega continued to set the pace at Jerez, clocking an impressive 1’37.809s lap time that remained untouched throughout the day.

Jonathan Rea and Toprak Razgatlioglu, adjusting to their new teams, concluded the second day with the second- and fourth-fastest times, respectively. Scott Redding claimed the third spot on the timesheets.

Challenges arose for Alvaro Bautista, the reigning WorldSBK Champion, as he navigated the Jerez test, focusing on adapting to the new weight regulation.

On the second day of testing at the Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, Andalucía, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) continued his dominance, setting an exceptional lap record pace, leaving his competitors trailing by more than half a second. In contrast, teammate Alvaro Bautista encountered difficulties, finishing in 16th, lapping in 1’39.583s. Ducati showcased strength with Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) securing fifth place while Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) also delivered a solid performance, finishing seventh. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) claiming ninth while Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) was 15th on his sole day of testing.

Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) showcased Yamaha’s prowess, securing second place with a 1’38.345s, while teammate Andrea Locatelli completed the top ten. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) secured eighth place, while Philipp Oettl (GMT94 Yamaha) took 12th.

In a surprising turn, Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) surged late to claim third place with a 1’38.572s, pushing Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) to fourth. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) also performed well, securing sixth place. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) finished 13th with a best time of 1’39.224s.

Leading the Kawasaki camp, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) finished in 11th place, focusing on race pace, with Axel Bassani improving to 14th. Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was 18th.

Honda had a challenging day, with Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) leading the team in 16th, and teammate Iker Lecuona finishing 19th.

The WorldSBK Paddock is set to move to Portimao, continuing its testing program on January 29th and 30th.

Nicolo Bulega | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati

“It was a solid test. We tried things that I liked. The time attack was very good, and the pace was consistent all day with race tyres. I’m very proud and happy of my fast lap. It’s our first test of the year, and we already have this great feeling with the bike. It wasn’t easy, but when I saw the dashboard with 1’37.8s, I was smiling. I’m happy with all the work done during this first test of the year. I’m already looking forward to the next one. We’ll continue working this way and keep improving the feeling with the bike in Portimao.”

Jerez Test Day 2 Results:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’37.809, 69 laps

2. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) 1’38.345s, 78 laps

3. Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) 1’38.572s, 77 laps

4. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’38.638s, 78 laps

5. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) 1’38.744s, 61 laps

6. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) 1’38.832s, 74 laps

7. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) 1’38,852s, 91 laps

8. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) 1’38.871s, 76 laps

9. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 1’38.907s, 73 laps

10. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) 1’38.943s, 73 laps

2023 WorldSSP runner-up Stefano Manzi (Pata Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) took top spot in the World Supersport field with a 1’41.338s, completing 64 laps. He was three tenths clear of Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) in second as he continues his comeback from arm surgery, while Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) took P3. With Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) in fourth, four different manufacturers were inside the top four at the end of Day 2.

More, from a press release issued by Team HRC Honda:

Team HRC preps for the 2024 WorldSBK Championship with a two-day test at Jerez

Team HRC has kicked off preparations for the upcoming 2024 Superbike World Championship with two days of testing at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Spain.

Benefiting from almost ideal weather conditions on both Wednesday and Thursday, with clear skies and mild temperatures for the time of year, factory riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge made the most of the track time, riding from 10.30am until 6.00pm.

The squad focused on identifying a solid base-setup for the new CBR1000RR-R. This involved testing a series of upgrades made to different areas of the machine, and building on the work completed in November when the bike made its debut outing at Jerez. In addition to this setup work, the team also tested the new E40 sustainable fuel, the use of which is part of the 2024 Superbike regulation, in order to gather data and insights.

Lecuona and Vierge made an impressive number of laps over the course of two intense days, further developing their understanding of the bike’s performance and potential as a result.

Team HRC now looks ahead to its next testing session at Portugal’s Autódromo Internacional do Algarve on 29-30 January, when the preparations for the upcoming racing season will continue.
 

 
Xavi Vierge  97

“I’m happy to be back working with my squad and all the members of my team. We’ve had two days of ideal weather conditions here in Jerez, which has allowed us to complete a lot of laps and get through a significant amount of work. It’s true that we’ve had a little more difficulty than expected, especially during the traction phase, so one of our main goals here was to improve traction and grip. The overall feeling on the bike is quite good, but as soon as we close the throttle, we cannot exploit the power and have too much spin. We’ve made a number of adjustments to the bike setup and electronics, and now it will be crucial for the engineers to analyze all the data and come up with a solid plan for Portimão, so that we can quickly make progress.”
 
 

Iker Lecuona  7

“Over the winter I had a small surgery on my left hand, as I’d been having some issues last season, an after-effect of having broken my hand back in 2021. Although I’ve had to scale back my gym work a little, I’m almost 100% and am now training properly again; I feel strong physically but also mentally and was looking forward to getting on the bike yesterday. I see 2024 as being an important year for me, and so I want to do my best to be ready for it. I feel we’ve taken a step with the aero package, and the bike overall seems to work in a different way, thanks to updated electronics and the like, which helps us to improve in certain areas. Having said that, the bike is new, and we’re still struggling with certain aspects. I wanted to find better front feeling this week, and we worked hard to achieve that but are not there yet. The next two days of testing at Portimão will be important, giving us the chance to understand how the bike feels at a completely different track and to establish the best possible base before we head to Phillip Island.”

More, from a press release issued by Aruba.it Racing Ducati:

Bulega in great form at Jerez (P1). Intense set up work for Bautista. Huertas does well in WorldSSP (P3)

The first two days of testing for the 2024 WorldSBK season concluded at Jerez de la Frontera (Spain).

At the Angel Nieto Circuit, Nicolò Bulega proved to be already at ease on the Ducati Panigale V4R of the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team, finishing first on both Day 1 and Day 2 and setting an impressive chrono of 1’37.809, the fastest time ever set at the Angel Nieto Circuit by a World Superbike rider.

Extremely intense work by Bautista: for the first time, he was able to test the bike in the 2024 configuration, with the extra kilos of ballast required by the new regulations. The Spanish rider (still not at the top of his condition after the scary crash he was involved in during the previous winter test at Jerez) carried out extensive set-up work with his team, completing 149 laps in two days. The time of 1’39.583 (P17) is not indicative, as Bautista was one of the very few riders not taking to the track on a qualifying tire.

Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #11)

“I am happy because we took another step forward, even compared to yesterday, and the feeling has grown steadily. We worked well on the time attack and that means I was also able to improve on the qualifying tires. I think it was an important test and now we go to Portimao to continue on this path. Today’s lap time? It doesn’t change anything: I remain a rookie and my objectives are different to the top riders”.

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #1)

“I am satisfied because on Day 1, due to some pain, I didn’t get the best feeling; today things went better and this is undoubtedly a good sign. I can say that my condition has even improved. We worked a lot on the set-up, especially in light of the new regulations, and we got some important indications. We haven’t tried a time attack but that wasn’t the priority of this testing. I am looking forward to being at Portimao to continue on this path and to get further feedback on my condition”. 

WorldSSP

Good start for Adrian Huertas and the Ducati Panigale V2 of the Aruba.it Racing WSSP team. The Spanish rider completed 124 laps, lowering today (1’41.942) by more than 6 tenths of a second the time recorded on Day 1 and finishing in third place among the 13 WorldSSP riders on track.

Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WSSP #99)

“I am very satisfied with the work we did. We tried many solutions and we were able to understand which of them could be useful and which ones did not work well. We didn’t focus on the lap time but we will have a chance to do that in the upcoming tests.” 

More, from a press release issued by Elf Marc VDS Racing:

Lowes steps up WorldSBK preparations in Jerez
 

With their debut season in the WorldSBK Championship fast approaching, the Elf Marc VDS Racing Team and Sam Lowes were back on track for the first time in 2024 to complete a positive two-day test session at the Circuito de Angel Nieto in Jerez.
 

Riding in the stunning new Elf Marc VDS WorldSBK livery for the first time, favourable weather conditions enabled Lowes to continue his adaptation to Ducati’s Panigale V4 R machine in impressive fashion.
 

With the majority of this year’s star-studded WorldSBK line-up on track in Jerez, Lowes finished the test in a hugely encouraging eighth position, with plenty of data and experience gained ahead of next month’s season opener in Australia.
 

The Elf Marc VDS Racing Team now leaves Spain to cross the border into Portugal for another two-day test session at the spectacular Algarve International Circuit next week.
 
 

Sam Lowes 
 

/// 8th, 1:38.852, 173 laps
 
 

After the winter break, Lowes was busy on track on day one to complete 82 laps, with his prime focus on finding a base set-up while also gaining crucial experience of Pirelli’s hard compound tyres.
 

Lowes ended the first day only 0.3s behind reigning World Champion Alvaro Bautista, with continual improvements made throughout, which was reflected in his fast and constant pace in race trim.
 

More valuable set-up work was accomplished in a marathon stint of 91 laps on the second day, which saw Lowes use Pirelli’s super grippy soft rear tyre for his first time attack on the Ducati Panigale VR 4.
  

His performance on softer rubber was particularly eye-catching, with Lowes able to lap 1.3s faster compared to his best time on day one and he ended eighth overall with a fastest lap of 1:38.852 to finish third fastest Ducati on track.
 
 

“This test was full of positives”
 

“I’m really happy with how the test finished. I improved a lot compared to the first day and I felt a lot better on the bike. That’s a normal evolution as I get more used to the Ducati and know what I need to be fast. The team has done an amazing job in helping me understand more how to ride a superbike and I’m starting to feel like this is my bike. I did a lot of good laps on my own and today was the first time I tried the super soft Pirelli tyre. My time was fast, but I only used one tyre, so I’m sure I could go even faster again. We must be happy with the job we’ve done, and I know there is a plenty more to come as we do more laps and get more comfortable with the Ducati. We did a lot of laps in Jerez, and I feel pretty tired now, but I can’t thank the team enough for all their hard work. We tried a lot of different set-ups to help us get very important information and now I’m looking forward to going to Portimao next week to understand the bike on a completely different track. This test was full of positives and gives me a big boost heading to Portugal.”

The post WorldSBK: Bulega Under Lap Record As Testing Concludes At Jerez appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 25, 2024) – BigR Racing is excited to announce it has signed up-and-coming talent Jared Lowe to contest the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKER championship aboard a Honda CRF450R during the 2024 Progressive American Track season.

Lowe enters his fourth professional season coming off his most impressive campaign yet and expects to continue the upward trend in ‘24. Last season, “the Jet” signaled his arrival as a serious contender in the extraordinary competitive class, notching up a host of personal bests, including his total number of top-ten finishes (five), championship points (80), top Main Event finish (seventh), and top qualifying performance (fourth).

Lowe’s rise mirrors that of BigR Racing. The Kansas-based outfit burst onto the scene as a top-ten entity in 2022 and then increased its top-ten haul, up from three to four, in 2023. Along with the signing of Jared as the team’s lead pilot for the upcoming season, BigR Racing has also recruited Sam Lowe to serve as the squad’s Crew Chief.

BigR Team Owner Ron Belt said, “The entire Lowe racing family brings good things to the series. And after watching Jared and Sam work together in 2023, I knew they would be a great fit with the team.”

Lowe said, “I’m excited to be a part of BigR Racing this year. I’ve got some seat time on the bikes, and I already feel very comfortable. I’m ready to compete.”

BigR Racing and the team is supported by several of the sport’s leading sponsors. Mike Vinson of Vinson Construction, Mission Foods, Roof Systems of Dallas, Al Lamb’s Dallas Honda, Scott Scherb of Scherb Racing, Ryan Sangals of SPC Racing, Motion Pro, L&R Racing, VP Racing Fuel, and LBP, along with many others.

The post American Flat Track: BigR Racing Signs Jared Lowe For AFT Singles appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

The deeper dive into 75 years of racing starts with some of the biggest names in the sport: the Champions

Thursday, 25 January 2024

As we celebrate the 75 years of competition that have brought us to 2024, we’re taking a deeper dive into some of the facts and stats – starting with some of the biggest names in the sport! Check them out, and head to our all-new 75th anniversary page to enjoy some of the best content from then and now, with plenty more to be added throughout the season.

ALL CLASSES

126 Champions

126 riders have won Championships. 56 have more than one, leaving 70 riders with one Grand Prix motorcycle racing Championship to their name – in some cases, so far, as they include a number of familiar names from the current grid.

Champions with the most titles

Giacomo Agostini leads with 15: 8 in the premier class and 7 in the 350cc category. Next up it’s Angel Nieto with 12+1 titles – 7x125cc and 6x50cc – before 3 riders who have 9 titles each: Carlo Ubbiali (6x125cc, 3x250cc), Mike Hailwood (4x500cc, 2x350cc, 3x250cc) and Valentino Rossi (7x500cc/MotoGP, 1x250cc, 1x125cc).

The only current rider able to join that club soon is Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP), who has 8: 6xMotoGP, 1xMoto2 and 1x125cc. After all the former riders who have 7, 6, 5 or 4 titles each, the next current competitor with most titles overall is reigning MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), who has 3: 2xMotoGP and 1xMoto2
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Championship Streaks

One rider holds the overall record: Giacomo Agostini, with 7 titles in a row in the 500cc class from 1966 to 1972, and 7 in a row in the 350cc class from 1968 to 1974.

PREMIER CLASS

Champions with the most premier class titles 

Looking at the premier class only, the rider with the most doesn’t change – it’s Giacomo Agostini (8). Then it’s Valentino Rossi with 7, ahead of Marc Marquez on 6 – putting the number 93 in reach of another piece of history.

The only rider with 5 premier class crowns is Mick Doohan, and 4 have 4: Mike Hailwood, John Surtees, Geoff Duke and Eddie Lawson.

Some riders have only won titles in the premier class. Those with the most are Mick Doohan (5), Eddie Lawson (4), Wayne Rainey (3) and Kenny Roberts (3).

Championship Streaks: premier class

Pecco Bagnaia became only the third rider in the MotoGP era to defend the crown when he did so in 2023. The others are Valentino Rossi, who won from 2002 to 2005 (adding to his maiden premier class 500cc crown in 2001), and then again in 2008 and 2009, and Marc Marquez – he reigned 2013 and 2014, and then from 2016 to 2019.

Over 75 years of premier class history, Giacomo Agostini leads the way with the longest winning streak: those 7 premier class titles we mentioned above.

There are two riders in second on the list of most premier class crowns in a row, with 5 each: Valentino Rossi from 2001 to 2005, and Mick Doohan from 1994 to 1998. Completing the top five, there are two riders who have four in a row: Marc Marquez (2016 to 2019) and Mike Hailwood (1962 to 1965).

HISTORY ON THE LINE

As the most decorated rider on the grid as it stands, there’s history on the line for Marc Marquez this year. He could:

– Join Carlo Ubbiali, Mike Hailwood and Valentino Rossi as a nine-time Champion

– Equal Valentino Rossi in second on the list of riders with most premier class titles

– Become the first rider with an Independent Team to win the crown in the MotoGP era

– Join only Valentino Rossi (Honda – Yamaha) and Casey Stoner (Ducati – Honda) as riders who have won Championships in the MotoGP era with more than one manufacturer

Join us for the Sepang Shakedown to see our first glimpse of 2024 before we see Marc Marquez start his new adventure, in new colours, at the Sepang Test from the 6th to the 8th of February. And then it’s one more test before we start a record-breaking 2024 calendar!

The post MotoGP: The Best Of The Best Over The Last 75 Years appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

KAWASAKI SET TO DEBUT FIRST SUPER BOWL AD

Mullets Take Center Stage in Super Bowl Spot from Goodby Silverstein & Partners

Foothill Ranch, Calif. – Known for Ninja® motorcycles, JET SKI® personal watercraft and MULE side x sides, Kawasaki will literally blaze a new trail at Super Bowl LVIII with the first-ever Big Game spot for an off-road side x side vehicle to promote their new Kawasaki RIDGE side x side. The commercial, created by Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P), pays homage to an all-American hairstyle that’s roared back to popularity in recent years: the mullet.

“The Kawasaki RIDGE combines industry-leading performance and a premium automotive-inspired interior; it’s a mix of work and play.” said Bob O’Brien, Director of Marketing, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. “The mullet is a perfect metaphor—business in the front, party in the back. We hired GS&P to help us bring this category from its current niche audience to the biggest stage in the world and generate mass awareness.”

The ad features two adventure seekers who magically grow mullets upon entering the RIDGE. As the duo tear across backcountry trails, creatures such as bald eagles and bears sprout mullets that look like they’re straight out of an ’80s metal show—culminating in the famously hair-free pro wrestling legend (and real-life Kawasaki enthusiast) Steve Austin suddenly sporting a blonde mullet as the RIDGE passes him by.

“This has all the earmarks of great Super Bowl advertising. Instant RIDGE action. Animals. A big name. Humor. And mullets. Watch any NBA game or hot video. The mullet is everywhere,” said Jeff Goodby, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, GS&P. “Given the hairstyle’s versatile nature, it’s an unexpectedly simple way to introduce the RIDGE.” 

Powersports—and especially side x side vehicles—have left their once-niche world of ranchers and adrenaline junkies and are on the verge of entering mainstream consciousness. The fastest-growing segment in powersports is now side x side vehicles, sales of which have skyrocketed as of late. During the pandemic many families realized that side x side vehicles provided the perfect way to get outside, spend time on adventures and have more fun together. Even as motorcycles sales continue to rise, side x side sales have outpaced them and are projected to overtake the powersports category.

“Kawasaki has built a legacy on pushing the limits in innovation, performance, style and attitude.” said Eigo Konya, President, Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. “Over the decades our products have evolved, but one thing remains the same—Kawasaki exists to ‘Let the Good Times Roll’.”

GS&P has a history of making famous Super Bowl ads. Over the years it’s created memorable ads for Doritos, Cheetos, bubly, Pepsi, BMW, Hyundai, Emerald Nuts, E*TRADE, Budweiser and many others.

In tandem with GS&P’s Super Bowl campaign, Kawasaki also developed a RIDGE launch campaign with marketing partner Fuse Interactive. The launch campaign, which focuses on the vehicle’s top features, introduces the tagline Peak Premium Performance. This statement will firmly plant the Kawasaki flag at the top of the premium Side x Side segment.

The post Video: Kawasaki Running Super Bowl Ad To Help Launch New Ridge Side X Side appeared first on Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle Riding, Racing & Tech News.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON USHERS IN A NEW ERA OF MOTORCYCLE TOURING, REIMAGINING TWO OF THE MOST ICONIC MOTORCYCLES IN HISTORY AND SETTING A NEW STANDARD FOR THE FUTURE OF ADVENTURE ON TWO WHEELS

The All-New Street Glide® and Road Glide® Models Feature Exceptional Performance, Cutting-Edge Innovation, and Bold New Design

Celebrating 25 Years of Custom Vehicle Operations, the CVO Lineup Expands with the Introduction of the All-New CVO Road Glide ST®, Representing the Pinnacle of Bagger Performance, and the CVO Pan America®, Fully Kitted out for Extraordinary Adventures

MILWAUKEE (Jan. 24, 2024) – Harley-Davidson® today revealed four new 2024 motorcycle models ushering in a new era of touring performance, technology, and design. The all-new Street Glide® and Road Glide® models featuring the new Milwaukee-Eight 117, are more powerful, comfortable, and lighter, and packed with advanced technology, including a new infotainment system, all wrapped up in a dramatic new visual design. Commemorating the 25^th anniversary of Custom Vehicle Operations, the new CVO Road Glide® ST model takes hot rod bagger performance to the next level with racing inspired high performance suspension and brakes, and a potent new Milwaukee-Eight® 121 HO engine, and low final drive ratio that combine to produce the kind of acceleration and mid-range thrust aggressive riders crave. And the new CVO Pan America® debuts as the first CVO offering in the adventure touring segment, ready to take on anything with a host of standard equipment all wrapped up in exclusive custom paint and finishes.

Each of these 2024 models are scheduled to reach authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships in January 2024.

“These exciting new models represent a new era for Harley-Davidson, elevating every aspect of performance, technology, comfort, and style,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson. “Without question, these are the most enticing touring motorcycles ever offered by Harley-Davidson.”

NEW 2024 Street Glide and Road Glide Models

The 2024 Street Glide and Road Glide models are more powerful, lighter, and more dynamic, and feature all-new visual design elements that combine a cohesive dynamic flow from the front fenders to the saddlebags. Both models feature an evolved fairing profile that appears refreshingly modern yet retains Harley-Davidson design DNA that makes them instantly familiar. Additional key features include:

• An updated Milwaukee-Eight® 117 V-Twin engine features a new cooling system which further optimizes thermal comfort for the rider and enhanced intake and exhaust flow to boost performance.
• Selectable Ride Modes – Road, Sport, Rain and Custom – electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle.
• Infotainment technology is powered by Skyline OS and presented on a 12.3-inch TFT color touch screen that replaces all analog instrumentation and most switches. A new 200-watt audio amplifier powers a pair of fairing-mounted speakers.
• Improved aerodynamics enhance rider comfort and reduce subjective helmet buffeting at highway speed by an average of 60 percent. Rear suspension travel is increased to 3-inches. A redesigned one-piece seat shape and padding materials offer a significant improvement in long-range comfort for most riders.

NEW CVO Road Glide ST Model Leads 2024 CVO Lineup

The CVO Road Glide ST is the quickest, fastest, and most-sophisticated performance bagger ever produced by Harley-Davidson, and represents a unique collection of components providing high value to performance minded riders. A deep solo seat and six-inch riser paired with a moto handlebar put the rider in an aggressive, upright position with West Coast custom style. Key features include:

• Two premium paint choices: Golden White Pearl or Raven Metallic. A Screamin’ Eagle graphic on the fairing sides and fuel tank is inspired by the Screamin’ Eagle® Harley-Davidson® Factory motorcycles raced in the MotoAmerica® Mission King of the Baggers series. CVO 25th Anniversary graphics celebrate a milestone in factory customization.
• The Milwaukee-Eight® 121 High Output V-Twin engine is exclusive to the CVO Road Glide ST model, tuned to produce 127 horsepower (94kW) and 145 lb. ft. (193 Nm) of torque – the most horsepower and torque ever from a factory-installed engine in a production Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. A lower final drive ratio is selected to enhance acceleration performance in every gear.
• The use of alternate materials helps reduce dry weight to 800 pounds (363 kg). Mufflers have lightweight titanium shells and forged carbon fiber end caps; forged carbon fiber composite is used to form the front fender, seat cowl and tank console; the oil pan is formed of lightweight composite; and wheel design and wave-style front brake rotors are optimized to minimize unsprung weight.
• Fully adjustable front and rear suspension includes SHOWA® rear shock absorbers with remote reservoirs and inverted 47mm SHOWA® 1×1 forks.
• Premium Brembo braking components provide outstanding braking feel and performance for added rider confidence.
• Selectable Ride Modes – Road, Sport, Track, Track Plus, Rain, and multiple Custom modes – electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle.
• A suite of infotainment technology is powered by Skyline OS. A color touch screen replaces all analog instrumentation and most switches. A premium audio system features a 500-watt amplifier and Harley-Davidson® Audio powered by Rockford Fosgate® Stage II 6.5-inch fairing speakers.

The CVO Pan America® motorcycle is a new vehicle of discovery and the CVO program’s first adventure touring (ADV) motorcycle. All of the features that have made the Pan America® 1250 Special model a leading choice among discerning global Adventure Touring riders are retained, including the smooth-and-powerful Revolution® Max 1250 engine, semi-active front and rear suspension, touch screen display, selectable ride modes, and Daymaker® Adaptive Headlamp technology. The CVO Pan America® model is outfitted with a host of rugged accessories selected to enhance the journey, including Adaptive Ride Height suspension, rugged aluminum top and side cases, a Screamin’ Eagle® quickshifter, tubeless laced wheels, auxiliary LED forward lighting, an aluminum skid plate, providing excellent value to the adventure rider who wants it all and more.

In 2023, the CVO Street Glide® and CVO Road Glide® models introduced a bold new design direction for the Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring platform, the extraordinary performance of the Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 powertrain and advanced suspension, and infotainment technology powered by the exclusive Skyline OS. Both models reprise all of those features for 2024 with exciting new color options.

Harley-Davidson stands for the timeless pursuit of adventure and freedom for the soul. Go to H-D.com to learn more about the complete line of Harley-Davidson® Grand American Touring, Sport, Adventure Touring, Cruiser and Trike motorcycles, Harley-Davidson Certified pre-owned motorcycles, Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories, Harley-Davidson® MotorClothes® apparel and accessories, and Harley-Davidson Financial Services.

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