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Post by truenorth on Nov 12, 2022 8:45:40 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Nov 14, 2022 8:51:03 GMT -8
Mat Oxley: Another shot from last week's Valencia tests: Oliveira on the Aprilia. You can really see the shape of the ground-effect fairing, which creates a low pressure area at high lean angles to suck the tyres into the ground. If the 2022 bike is good enough, expect Oliveira to shine
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Post by truenorth on Nov 15, 2022 4:28:48 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Nov 15, 2022 4:30:54 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Nov 15, 2022 4:50:55 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Nov 16, 2022 8:02:04 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Nov 16, 2022 14:45:07 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Nov 17, 2022 8:11:26 GMT -8
TECH RECAP: Valencia Test in-depth review 2023 began in earnest on Tuesday and the tech gurus at motogp.com have had their say on the Valencia Test There’s always a fascinating game of poker going on at the Valencia Test. With track time now at a premium, factories need to make the most of the one-day test in order to help shape their 2023 challengers. But they’re also trying to hold their cards as close to their chests as they can so not to give their rivals any ideas they can react to over the winter break. However, plenty was uncovered on Tuesday at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo and we’re going to take a look at the interesting technical updates and what they mean for each factory. Other than that, a new chassis was spotted and a couple of different aerodynamic packages were seen. One, in particular, had a very similar feel to the aero KTM used this year, which was initially an idea stolen from Ducati. The much larger wings would of course offer increased downforce, which might be necessary if Yamaha can finally get their new engine singing. HONDA Unsurprisingly, Honda had a lot of new items to try out in Valencia. Somewhat surprisingly, none of them had the desired effect. Eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez’s brutal assessment of HRC’s 2023 prototype was that it’s not a motorcycle capable of winning a World Championship. A fully revised tail unit and exhaust system, a tweaked aero package, a new air intake, and likely a new engine all were thrown at the RC213V in the hope that it could offer Marquez more front-end feeling, which he admitted to the media afterward that it did; but only a little. And that came at the cost of rear grip too. DUCATI Lessons have been learned down at Ducati following their pre-season nightmare heading into the 2022 season. Team boss Davide Tardozzi admitted to having a new engine, which they hope has finally overcome the power delivery issues that blighted Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco, plus Mooney VR46’s Luca Marini throughout 2022. They were also spotted trying a new chassis and an updated aerodynamics package that included an ‘Aprilia-style’ side fairing. KTM It’s a massive year coming up for the Austrian factory as they look to finally assert themselves as one of the top premier class teams. After a season dedicated to rebuilding and refocusing their efforts, at an initial glance their 2023 machine looks to be a very positive step. A complete change in weight distribution has been the key, with a fully redesigned rear end and a new chassis the biggest factors in this. A new aerodynamic package was also clearly visible but don’t expect that to be KTM’s final package come the opening round of the year. Team boss Francesco Guidotti revealed extensive time in the wind tunnel, coupled with ramped up collaboration with Red Bull’s F1 outfit, over the coming winter months will shape the orange brand’s aerodynamics for next season. APRILIA A new swingarm, a new chassis, an updated engine and some electronics improvements on the face of it look like a productive day for Aprilia. But, when speaking with Spanish broadcaster DAZN, Aleix Espargaro felt it wasn’t enough, saying that the Valencia Test was “a wasted opportunity” for the Noale squad. YAMAHA The big story down at Yamaha ever since Fabio Quartararo put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension was how much quicker the 2023 Yamaha M1 was going to be. A brand-new engine, tested extensively by Cal Crutchlow at Jerez, Aragon and Motegi, was going to be the answer to their problems. Quartararo himself had tested it at Barcelona and most recently at the Misano Test, on both occasions feeling the extra horses. However, both Quartararo teammate Franco Morbidelli felt no difference whatsoever in Valencia to the bemusement of all.
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Post by truenorth on Nov 18, 2022 4:24:55 GMT -8
Mat Oxley: Aprilia has been testing at Jerez with test-rider Savadori, "working especially on new electronics configurations". At the same time Espargaro & Vinales have been in the wind tunnel, working on aero with the 2023 RS-GP prototype. Oliveira & Fernandez have also been in the tunnel
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Post by truenorth on Nov 19, 2022 7:23:18 GMT -8
Nick Harris
Rather a good way to earn a living
I am sure those exhausted global MotoGP™ travellers spending their first proper weekend at home for many a month would not agree now, but it will not be long before they start getting itchy feet. Enjoy and overindulge over Christmas and the New Year with family and friends but then your mind wanders. Whether you are a gladiator, team manager, mechanic, journalist, commentator, circuit builder, cook or doctor you will be thinking, and then planning, 2023.
You see whatever your role, circumnavigating the globe supporting such a fantastic World Championship is a rather good way to earn a living. Of course, there is the racing, after all, that is why you are there but there is so much more. Discovering new countries and cultures in places and areas you would never dream of going to. Next season is a prime example with two new countries staging MotoGP™ races for the very first time. Kazakhstan and India are included in the 21 Grands Prix schedule that visits 18 countries in a frantic eight months. In July the central Asian Sokol International circuit in Kazakhstan stages its first Grand Prix. Over two months later the Buddh circuit becomes the 75th circuit to stage a Grand Prix when India becomes the 31st country to stage a World Championship race
My first Grand Prix outside Europe was in Argentina in 1982. The record books will illustrate a fantastic 500cc race between two great World Champions Kenny Roberts and Barry Sheene with a young Freddie Spencer spearheading the return of Honda in third place. Equally, I remember so much more. Our 1500km Che Guevara style motorcycle trip across the Pampas to the border of Chile high in the Andes. Stumbling across thousands of mothers in a Buenos Aires square protesting about the disappearance of their sons, – Los Desaparecidos. Two days after we flew back to London war was declared between Britain and Argentina.
Five years later the first Brazilian Grand Prix was held at Goiania. I was dispatched by the BBC to the City, where just two weeks before, the Grand Prix had made world headlines because of a radiation leak. What a trip. Wayne Gardner became the first Australian to win the 500cc World Championship. I persuaded the Chief of Police to provide Wayne with an armed escort to my commentary position for the first interview. The Zoom Zoom club, where the owner fired a gun into the ceiling to open the proceedings proved the perfect place to celebrate.
Early in 1987, I travelled to Japan for the first time for the opening round of the World Championship at Suzuka. It was the first ever 500cc Grand Prix in Japan and how I loved reporting on Niall Mackenzie’s pole position, but it was the meeting of Mr Fax in the media centre that proved the highlight. For years we had spent so many late Sunday nights and early Monday mornings typing out reports and results often from six World Championship races and then telexing and phoning them back to London. We just would not believe Mr Fax when he put the results and reports into his machine and magically, they arrived in London. Life in the media centre was revolutionized with the press of a button.
Those first Grands Prix visits to America were fantastic. Admitting that Kenny Roberts had been right, not something you ever wanted to do, about the fearsome Corkscrew bend at Laguna Seca. Stunned by the sheer size and history when driving through the tunnel into the towering Indianapolis Speedway. Smiling when the circuit dog escaped and delayed practice at the Circuit of the Americas.
So, what a way to earn a living. I promise you it can and often did take over your complete life and that is where the most important part of the whole equation comes in. While you are circumnavigating the globe doing something you love so much spare a thought for those left a home. No meals out every night. No great rushes of adrenaline, no such fulfilment and enjoyment at what you are doing. Instead, taking the kids to school, checking all the bills are paid and constantly apologising for your absence at so many weddings, funerals, and birthday parties. Preparing the washing machine for a bumper load of dirty clothes on your return to name but a few of the ‘highlights’ in your absence.
We are the lucky ones. Those back at home are the real heroes. They have probably already bought their loved ones the Lonely Planet Guides for Kazakhstan and India to fill their Christmas stockings.
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Post by truenorth on Nov 19, 2022 7:45:25 GMT -8
Takaaki Nakagami 小指の伸筋腱再建手術を行い、無事に成功しました 長い冬の到来です🫣 The surgery went well, just fixed tendon of the extensor digiti minimi Tough winter is coming
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Post by truenorth on Nov 19, 2022 15:01:52 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Nov 20, 2022 10:59:40 GMT -8
Gerloff Bids Adieu To Yamaha With Bittersweet Final Day At Phillip Island Appropriately, the Texan rides off into the sunset, concluding the Yamaha chapter of his motorcycle road racing career, at least for now. Photo by GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team. Day three of the Australian round of the 2022 FIM Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island was not only the end of the season for the world’s best Superbike competitors, but for former MotoAmerica Superbike rider Garrett Gerloff, it was his final weekend racing with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team. It was also the end of a major chapter in the Texan’s life as he will now make the switch to racing BMW Superbikes after more than 11 years exclusively on Yamaha machinery. The day started out with Gerloff going sixth-fastest in the morning Warm Up. Then, with rain having returned to the circuit in the afternoon, the riders headed to the grid for the start of the 10-lap Superpole Race. But, as was the case in Saturday’s Race 1, the rain stopped and the sun came out shortly before the starting lights went out. With the asphalt still wet, Gerloff opted for a rain front tire and an intermediate rear tire. The setup worked well for Gerloff throughout the majority of the sprint race, but towards the end, he struggled with tire degradation as the track completely dried. Despite the adversity, however, he still managed to finish seventh after starting the race in sixth. Race 2 was a completely different story for the 27-year-old. His final race in blue Yamaha livery unfortunately ended on the opening lap when he made contact with Team HRC Honda rider Xavi Vierge going into Turn 2, fell down, and was unable to re-join the race. “This day has come so quickly,” Gerloff said. “Looking back, I can’t believe my time with this team is already over. I can’t thank Yamaha enough for the opportunity to come to Europe. We enjoyed some amazing moments, and the GYTR GRT Yamaha team has been incredible to be a part of for the last three seasons. We had some ups and downs, but we were always together. You don’t have that kind of relationship everywhere, and I can’t thank them enough for the support. It wasn’t the way I wanted to end the season. I’m somewhat satisfied with the Superpole Race but, in Race 2, unfortunately, I made contact and wasn’t able to make the second corner. It’s disappointing to end this chapter like this, but I can only look forward. All the best to the team and Yamaha for the coming years. We’ll see each other on track!” With the 2022 WorldSBK season, and also Gerloff’s three seasons with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, now over, he will turn his attention to BMW as he prepares to join the Bonovo Action team aboard an M 1000 RR World Superbike. In a recent interview with SPEEDWEEK.com, Gerloff said, “On Sunday night at Phillip Island, I’m going to meet them (the Bonovo Action BMW team) and say hello. I’ll also be at the team’s Christmas party.” Gerloff also shared that he will be united with a familiar face. “My chief mechanic will be Lez Pearson, with whom I also worked in my first year (with Yamaha) at the Superbike World Championship,” he said. “I’m satisfied with that. I didn’t insist. The team decided that way in my favor.” As for when he will make his debut aboard the BMW Superbike, Gerloff said, “We will have the first test in mid-December. I’m sure going to another garage will probably be a strange feeling.”
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Post by truenorth on Nov 20, 2022 11:05:11 GMT -8
Ezpeleta after the Valencia GP: "The following Monday, 35% of the tickets for 2023 had been sold" If something has sparked the debate this season in MotoGP, it is the drop in the public at some circuits with quite disappointing attendance numbers. However, Carmelo Ezpeleta , CEO of Dorna Sports, speaks with pride about the number of spectators that attended the Motul Grand Prix of the Valencian Community. The municipality of Cheste hosted a total of 92,166 spectators on the day of the race, being one of the circuits with the most attendance of the season after the negative figures on tracks such as Misano or Montmeló .
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Post by truenorth on Nov 24, 2022 9:55:04 GMT -8
2023 WorldSBK silly season and rumour mill: all you need to know about next year’s grid The annual game of musical chairs is well underway and with plenty of contracts up, room for movement and the potential for new stars to join the WorldSBK paddock, it’s been busy already With the 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Champion in the history books, the 2023 rider line-up is getting more and more complete. Plenty of seats have been snatched already, with all factory seats now being taken. As always, there’s potential for new additions from MotoGP™ and graduations from WorldSSP, so we put the gossip, rumours and hard facts in one place. DONE DEALS: all factory seats locked in As the usual jockeying for a seat in WorldSBK gets underway, others have grabbed the holeshot into next year; starting with 2021 World Champions Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK, their line-up will remain unchanged for a third season with Toprak Razgatlioglu and Andrea Locatelli inking new deals. Razgatlioglu had been rumoured for a MotoGP™ seat but with the factory team their likewise remaining unchanged (Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli), that seems unlikely until the earliest of 2024, as stated by Lin Jarvis. For Kawasaki, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) signed a multi-year deal in 2021 taking him into 2023, so he’s secured, and Jonathan Rea will remain in green until the end of 2024 following an announcement after Donington Park. Iker Lecuona confirmed exclusively to WorldSBK.com in a feature interview that he’s remaining with Team HRC for 2023, whilst Xavi Vierge was announced immediately after the Barcelona summer test. Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is also in the first of a multi-year deal and he’ll be joined by Michael van der Mark who goes into his third season in BMW white. With Alvaro Bautista back in Ducati red again for 2023, he’ll be joined by Michael Ruben Rinaldi once again, following the Italian’s renewal and fending off pressure from Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing). Ducati were the last manufacturer to confirm their factory line-up, meaning that all the factory seats are now taken. INDEPENDENT SEATS: plenty left, major ones taken For Independent teams, Ducati rookie Philipp Oettl (Team Goeleven) will remain where he is, with the German on the grid until at least 2023. Elsewhere on the grid, the arrival of Remy Gardner joining the line-up at GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team brings an exciting prospect, whilst Garrett Gerloff moves over to the Bonovo Action BMW team. Gardner will be partnered by double WorldSSP Champion Dominique Aegerter as the Swiss rider makes the step to WorldSBK, whilst Loris Baz has re-signed with Bonovo Action BMW for 2023, announced before the Catalunya Round. On Friday at Portimao, Axel Bassani became the latest rider to sign for 2023, with him remaining at Motocorsa Racing. Before San Juan, it was confirmed that the GMT94 Yamaha team would graduate from WorldSSP to WorldSBK, with Lorenzo Baldassarri being their rider on the YZF-R1. 2013 Champion Tom Sykes will return to the WorldSBK grid after a year in Great Britain, reuniting with Kawasaki machinery with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing. There’s also Danilo Petrucci’s arrival into WorldSBK in 2023 to take one of the Independent Ducati seats, as he’ll race with the BARNI Spark Racing Team next season. OTHER TALKING POINTS: additions, domestic champions and movement? Rookie Hafizh Syahrin (MIE Racing Honda Team) is another who is yet to have a place confirmed for the 2023 campaign whilst his 2022 teammate Leandro Mercado confirmed at his home round of San Juan that he’d not be with the team next year. Also in the Portimao paddock was ex-WorldSBK race winner Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, the manager for Brad Ray, who clinched the 2022 British Superbike title. Eurosport during their live coverage of the Donington Park BSB weekend were speculating that Ray may join the paddock with Sandro Carusi’s Yamaha Motoxracing outfit, something Speedweek also reported. Summarised 2023 rider line-up so far with 19 riders confirmed. TBA = to be announced: Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK: Toprak Razgatlioglu and Andrea Locatelli Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK: Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes Aruba.it Racing – Ducati: Alvaro Bautista and Michael Ruben Rinaldi BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: Scott Redding and Michael van der Mark Team HRC: Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team: Remy Gardner and Dominique Aegerter Motocorsa Racing: Axel Bassani Team Goeleven: Philipp Oettl Kawasaki Puccetti Racing: Tom Sykes BARNI Spark Racing Team: Danilo Petrucci Bonovo Action BMW: Garrett Gerloff and Loris Baz Gil Motor Sport-Yamaha: TBA MIE Racing Honda Team: TBA Orelac Racing VerdNatura: TBA TPR Team Pedercini Racing: TBA GMT94 Yamaha: Lorenzo Baldassarri
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Post by truenorth on Nov 24, 2022 9:58:33 GMT -8
Aprilia quartet spend crucial time in the wind tunnel Aleix Espargaro, Viñales, Oliveira and Raul Fernandez have been busy spending time working on aerodynamics ahead of the winter break After enjoying their most successful season in MotoGP™, Aprilia Racing are aiming for greater heights in 2023 and work has already begun in the wind tunnel for the four riders competing on RS-GPs next season. 2022 race winner Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia Racing teammate Maverick Viñales have been in Cologne recently as the Noale factory goes in search of further aerodynamic innovations. The Spanish duo worked on the first 2023 RS-GP prototype in the wind tunnel, with the results and findings from the test set to shape how the bike looks when it’s rolled out at the Sepang Test in early February next year. In addition, Aprilia’s two new recruits were also doing some important work in the wind tunnel. Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez – both part of the new-look CryptoDATA Aprilia RNF MotoGP™ Team – were dedicating their time to aerodynamic fitting on the new bike. Oliveira was the fastest new bike debutant at the Valencia Test, while Fernandez was also pleased with how his first outing on the RS-GP went. Elsewhere, Aprilia Test Rider Lorenzo Savadori has been busy at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto. The Italian completed two days of private testing on the 15th and 16th of November, notching up 134 laps in total to gather valuable data for the development of the 2023 challenger. Having made a giant leap in 2022, Aprilia will be hoping 2023 is another step forward. The Sepang Test will give us an indication as to where the Italian marque is at with the updated RS-GP.
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Post by truenorth on Nov 24, 2022 10:01:44 GMT -8
"I've never seen Yamaha work so hard" – Crutchlow The Iwata factory Test Rider explains to Motorsport.com the huge effort going into the 2023 package According to Yamaha Test Rider Cal Crutchlow, speaking exclusively to Motorsport.com, the Iwata factory are working harder than ever to make their 2023 package more competitive. Crutchlow, who scored in four out of the six races he competed in at the end of last season, admits Yamaha have really upped their game in the last couple of seasons especially. 2022 – more so than ever – has shown a real step forward is needed with the YZR-M1 if 2021 World Champion Fabio Quartararo and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ teammate Franco Morbidelli can take the fight to the European manufacturers, namely Ducati after their 2022 stunner, in 2023 and beyond. “Yamaha, no, I've never seen them work as hard. And they are working hard. Even last year, they were working hard with the testing,” said Crutchlow in an interview with Motorsport.com. “It's great to see because I spoke to Fabio on the two days of my test [at Jerez before the Valencia GP] and told him what we're trying, and he said, 'at least they're bringing something whether it works or not'. And it's true, at least they are fired up to try things. Whether they work or not, that doesn't matter.” Head over to Motorsport.com (link above) to read the full story. Crutchlow will be back in official testing action at the Sepang International Circuit in early February, where we’ll see the 2023 YZR-M1 in full flow.
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Post by truenorth on Nov 25, 2022 7:29:38 GMT -8
TESTING CALENDAR: who’s on track when before racing action resumes? Friday, 25 November 2022 With the 2022 campaign ending in November and racing resuming again in February 2023, teams are already taking to the track With the 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship done and dusted, eyes have already turned to next season. With a start date in February in Australia, teams have already started securing dates for their winter testing programme as they look to prepare for the 2023 campaign in the best possible shape. Here, we detail the current testing plans for teams up and down the grid with all information subject to change. DECEMBER TESTING: Jerez hosts two tests The Circuit de Jerez – Angel Nieto in southern Spain hosts two tests in December, totalling five days across the two sessions. The first one takes place on December 1st and 2nd and features three WorldSBK teams. Two factory teams will take part at the test, hoping to take advantage of the warm climate in Andalusia, with the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK, with Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes, on track alongside BMW teams. It will also be the first chance to see Tom Sykes with the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing squad as he returns to WorldSBK. The second test features two more factory teams while it will also have the debuts at an independent squad. From December 13th to December 15th, Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK and Team HRC will be on track; with riders Toprak Razgatlioglu and Andrea Locatelli at Yamaha and Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge at Honda. Once again, there will be a BMW presence at Jerez for the test. It will also mark the debut of riders with their new teams: Dominique Aegerter and Remy Gardner at the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team. MIE Racing Honda Team will also take part in the three-day test, while it could be the first chance to spot Garrett Gerloff in BMW colours. INTO JANUARY: split between Jerez and Portimao The first test of the 2023 calendar year takes place at Jerez and there will be plenty of bikes on display across the two days. KRT and Pata Yamaha, will be joined by reigning Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi – could it be the first sighting of Ducati’s new Panigale V4 R? There will be Independent teams on track too, with Philipp Oettl (Team Goeleven) taking part in his first test of the season while, once again, there will be BMW representation at the test. The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve will host the fourth test of the season and takes the testing season into February, with track action on January 31st and 1st February. The Portimao test features a very similar line-up to the Jerez test the week before, as teams and riders get to test new parts at a different venue. FEBRUARY CALLING: more testing and the Official Test February marks the start of the 2023 season with the season-opening Australian Round taking place from the 24th-26th February. In the week leading up to that, there will be two days of testing for the entire WorldSBK and WorldSSP grid with these two days on the Monday and Tuesday before the round; the 20th and 21st February. 2022-2023 testing calendar so far (subject to change) 1st-2nd December: Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto 13th-15th December: Circuit de Jerez – Angel Nieto 25th-26th January: Circuit de Jerez – Angel Nieto 31st January-1st February: Autodromo Internacional do Algarve 20th-21st February: Dorna Official Test, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
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Post by truenorth on Nov 25, 2022 9:10:57 GMT -8
Mat Oxley: MotoGP class crashes. Compare 2012 to 2022: 30% more rider starts, 80% more crashes. That's what happens when you have riders chasing 100ths & 1000ths. Also note big jump in crashes when Michelin arrived in 2016
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Post by truenorth on Nov 25, 2022 9:26:54 GMT -8
Mat Oxley: Most crashed-at corner of 2022 was Sachsenring Turn One: very slow, negative camber, with a tricky downhill braking area - easy to end up carrying too much speed into there
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