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Post by truenorth on Dec 26, 2022 9:57:26 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Dec 30, 2022 10:26:28 GMT -8
the 23 riders aiming for glory in the 2023 WorldSBK season Thursday, 29 December 2022 The entry lists for 2023 have been unveiled with 23 riders set for the 2023 season as everyone fights it out for WorldSBK glory With the 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship now in the history books, attention is turning to the 2023 season which starts in February. The provisional permanent entry list for WorldSBK in 2023 has been released with 23 riders set to take to the track next year when the season gets underway and, while there are no changes at the factory teams, there have been plenty of changes up and down the grid at the Independent outfits. STAYING PUT: the five factory teams remain the same After impressive performances throughout the season, Ducati, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Honda and BMW have all opted to remain with their line-ups for the 2023 season. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) will look to defend his title using his #19 plate, rather than the #1, and continues alongside Michael Ruben Rinaldi. At runners-up Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team, 2021 Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu returns to his traditional #54 plate after using the #1 throughout 2022 and he is joined by Andrea Locatelli for a third campaign. Jonathan Rea will also be looking to win the title next year with the Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK as he goes in search of a seventh title, and he is, once again, joined by Alex Lowes. There is a slight rebranding for the BMW factory team as they become known as the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team with riders Scott Redding and Michael van der Mark aiming to take the new M 1000 RR to the rostrum in 2023. The Honda factory team, Team HRC, will also retain the same line-up as Iker Lecuona looks to build on his one podium from 2022 and Xavi Vierge aims to score a podium finish. INDEPENDENT TEAM CHANGES: changes throughout the grid There’s a change at the Bonovo Action BMW team as Garrett Gerloff joins the Independent BMW team from GRT Yamaha, jining Loris Baz who has his second season with the team in 2023. At MIE Racing Honda Team, Malaysian rider Hafizh Syahrin will stay for a second campaign after a strong end to his rookie season and he will be joined by Eric Granado; Granado competed for the team on a one-off appearance in 2020 but will have a full campaign in 2023. There are some new faces on the 2023 grid as well as some returning faces or motorcycling veterans. 2013 Champion Tom Sykes returns to Kawasaki machinery with the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing outfit, while two-time MotoGP™ race winner Danilo Petrucci will make his WorldSBK debut with the Barni Spark Racing Team. ROOKIES AIMING FOR IMPACTS: four rookies looking for success There is also the debut of the GMT94 Yamaha team in WorldSBK, with the team running 2022 WorldSSP runner-up Lorenzo Baldassarri for his maiden WorldSBK campaign. Baldassarri will be joined by his title rival from 2022 as Dominique Aegerter makes the step up to WorldSBK with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team alongside 2021 Moto2™ World Champion Remy Gardner as the Australian steps across from MotoGP™. Yamaha Motoxracing WorldSBK Team return for a second campaign in the Championship, employing the services of 2022 British Superbike champion Bradley Ray. Ray will only compete in the European rounds of the season. REMAINING THE SAME: staying in place Italian rider Axel Bassani will stay with the Motocorsa Racing team for the 2023 season as he hopes to continue impressing on the Ducati Panigale V4 R machine, while fellow Independent Ducati rider Philipp Oettl also stays with the Team GoEleven squad for his second campaign in WorldSBK. Czech rider Oliver Konig ended the 2022 season with two points finishes in two rounds and he stays with the Orelac Racing VerdNatura squad for his second campaign.
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Post by truenorth on Dec 30, 2022 10:27:44 GMT -8
30 riders, six manufacturers: the teams and riders aiming for glory in WorldSSP in 2023 revealed Thursday, 29 December 2022 Honda return to the Championship while there’s changes up and down the grid in the pursuit of success in 2023… 30 full-time riders are set to tackle the FIM Supersport World Championship in 2023 with the full details of the provisional entry list now available. Honda make a return to the Championship with the CBR600RR machine, bringing the total manufacturers on the grid to six, while there are changes at the teams who have fought for the title in recent seasons. Out of the 30 riders, eight are set to contest the WorldSSP Challenge and compete in the European rounds only. CHANGES AT THE TOP: a new order coming in 2023? With two-time Champion Dominique Aegerter and 2022 runner-up Lorenzo Baldassarri moving to WorldSBK for 2023, there are changes at 2022’s top two teams. Ten Kate Racing Yamaha will look to make it three titles on the bounce with Jorge Navarro making his WorldSSP debut, alongside Stefano Manzi who switches to Yamaha. The Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team have opted to go for a one-bike line-up in 2023 with Andrea Mantovani the team’s sole rider, while there’s an all-new line-up at Dynavolt Triumph: Niki Tuuli switches from MV Agusta while Harry Truelove makes his full-campaign debut. Like Evan Bros. Yamaha, the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team will only have one rider in 2023 with Can Oncu remaining with the squad. MV Agusta Reparto Corse have signed German rider Marcel Schroetter for 2023 alongside Turkish rider Bahattin Sofuoglu, with Sofuoglu competing in the full season after taking part in the WorldSSP Challenge in his rookie campaign. HONDA’S RETURN: two bikes as they look for success Honda last competed in WorldSSP in the 2020 season but, after a two-year absence, return to the Championship with the CBR600RR machine. The MIE – MS Racing Honda Team will field Malaysian rider Adam Norrodin alongside British Superbike champion Tarran Mackenzie. Honda have 10 titles, 104 wins and 283 podiums so far in WorldSSP, ranking them as one of the most successful manufacturers in the Championship and will be looking to add to that in 2023. WorldSSP300 CHAMPIONS IN WorldSSP: staying in place while others move up 2022 WorldSSP300 Champion Alvaro Diaz will make his WorldSSP debut in 2023 with the Arco Yart Yamaha WorldSSP outfit, taking part in the WorldSSP Challenge. Adrian Huertas, the 2021 WorldSSP300 Champion, remains in the MTM Kawasaki squad for 2023 as he looks to build on a solid rookie campaign. Two WorldSSP300 race winners will join them in 2023 as Yuta Okaya makes his debut with the Prodina Kawasaki Racing WorldSSP team and Tom Booth-Amos switches to Motozoo Racing by Puccetti for 2023 after finishing the season with the team. He is joined by Luke Power for his debut, with Okaya, Booth-Amos and Power all taking part in the WorldSSP Challenge. DEBUTS AND FULL CAMPAIGNS: looking to make a mark Moto3™ stalwart John McPhee will make his WorldSSP debut in 2023 as he links up with the newly-formed Vince64 by Puccetti Racing team. Thai duo Apiwath Wongthananon and Anupab Sarmoon will become the first riders from Thailand to race in WorldSSP since Ratchada Nakcharoensri in 2019 as they join the Yamaha Thailand Racing Team for their debuts. Nicholas Spinelli will have a full season campaign in 2023 with the VFT Racing Yamaha squad, joined by Maiki Abe, son of Norick Abe, who will take part in the WorldSSP Challenge. Tom Edwards will take part in the WorldSSP Challenge in 2023 with the Yart – Yamaha WorldSSP Team after he had several wildcards throughout 2022. After several one-off appearances for the GMT94 Yamaha squad, Valentin Debise will compete for them in 2023 as the team’s sole rider. CHANGING TEAMS: shaking up the grid for 2023 After his debut season in 2022, Oli Bayliss will remain in the Championship for 2023 and stays with Ducati machinery but will race for the D34G Racing team, alongside Maximilian Kofler with the Austrian rider competing in the WorldSSP Challenge. Phillip Island Race 1 winner Yari Montella secured the Barni Spark Racing Team spot for 2023 to ensure he remains on the grid, while Federico Fuligni moves to the Orelac Racing VerdNatura team in 2023 alongside Raffaele De Rosa; the pair re-united as teammates after the pair were together in 2020 at MV Agusta. STAYING PUT: hoping to build on 2022 After taking several podium finishes last season, Nicolo Bulega will remain with the Aruba Racing WorldSSP Team for a second consecutive season as he aims to take Ducati to the top step of the podium. Federico Caricasulo ended the 2022 campaign in fine form and he, like Bulega, remains with his team for next season as Althea Racing keep the same line-up. Dutch rider Glenn van Straalen is another who remains in place for next season as he sticks with the EAB Racing Team outfit.
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Post by truenorth on Dec 31, 2022 5:36:27 GMT -8
Fabio Quartararo Bye 2022 ! See you in 2023
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Post by truenorth on Jan 1, 2023 11:25:15 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 2, 2023 12:05:06 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 3, 2023 15:07:27 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 9, 2023 8:45:38 GMT -8
World Champs on the @worldsbk grid in 23!
@19bautista #WorldSBK x1, #125cc x1
@therealtomsykes WorldSBK x1
@gardnerremy #Moto2 x1
@jonathanrea WorldSBK x6
@domiaegerter77 WorldSSP x2, #MotoE x1
@mickeyvdmark WorldSSP x1
@toprak_tr54 WorldSBK x1
A. Locatelli #WorldSSP x1
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Post by truenorth on Jan 12, 2023 10:31:23 GMT -8
Kazakhstan GP: Exploring new horizons in racing Discover the best that the Land of the Great Steppe has to offer fans as the World Championship visits Sokol International Racet The MotoGP™ World Championship is set to take on a thrilling new adventure in 2023 as the sport touches down at the Sokol International Racetrack in Kazakhstan for the first time. Round 9 of the 2023 campaign is set to take place on July 7th, and fans are in for a real treat as they discover the beauty and excitement of this new destination. Located in Central Asia, Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country in the world and is renowned for its diverse and picturesque landscape. The country is home to vast steppes, large lakes, and towering mountains, as well as coastal resorts on the Caspian and Aral seas. The ancient capital of Almaty, situated just 76 kilometres away from the racetrack, is a cultural hub that offers a vibrant nightlife and promises to be a popular destination for riders, teams, and fans alike. The Sokol International Racetrack is a masterpiece of engineering, designed by the renowned Hermann Tilke, who has also conceived numerous tracks on both the MotoGP™ and Formula 1 calendars, in conjunction with RacingLoop. Ground first broke on construction in 2014, and the result of years of hard work is a circuit 4.5 km in length with 12 turns, 8 of which are right-handers, and 4 of which are left-handers. This marks the 30th country visited by the World Championship since its inception in 1949 and the 74th venue to host a Grand Prix. As always, MotoGP™ is keen to establish itself in new territories and embrace fresh fan bases. The Championship’s visit aims to instil a passion for speed within the Kazakh nation as the sport continues to grow globally. The Land of the Great Steppe is the latest addition to the growing number of countries in Asia that are joining the MotoGP™ market, and we hope it can join the likes of Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and Malaysia in producing world-class events to entertain an adoring public. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the world's best riders in action in this new and exciting destination.
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Post by truenorth on Jan 12, 2023 10:46:28 GMT -8
Honda undergoes team restructuring There are some major changes behind the scenes at HRC as they plot a way back to the top of the MotoGP™ world The 2023 season of the MotoGP™ World Championship could mark a turning point for Honda. After a few mixed campaigns, the Japanese manufacturer is aiming big in 2023 to help restore some former glories. Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) will arrive into the new season in good physical shape for the first time in a long time, and he will be accompanied by Joan Mir on the factory team. Meanwhile, Alex Rins, who was also previously at Suzuki, will join LCR Honda as Takaaki Nakagami's teammate. Guidotti, the driving force behind Mir As recently reported by motorsport.com, Honda HRC is still working hard to complete a competitive RC213V and has undergone a significant technical restructuring to define its panel of engineers and technicians for the new campaign. One of the key moves centers around Joan Mir. Giacomo Guidotti, who was previously the Crew Chief for Takaaki Nakagami, is poised to move onto the factory team to help guide the 2020 World Champion's first steps with his new machinery. Nöhles, new ally for Nakagami Guidotti's promotion to the Repsol Honda Team also brings change for Nakagami. In this case, the Italian's vacancy next to Taka will apparently be filled by former rider Klaus Nöhles. After working for the last three years with the Honda test team, the German now finds himself on the frontlines. This will not be the first time he works with Nakagami, having done so previously at the season finale last year in Valencia and at the post-GP test. Aurin, takes charge of the test team The experienced Ramon Aurin, a well-known figure in Honda and a familiar face in the paddock after working with riders such as Dani Pedrosa, Andrea Dovizioso, Jorge Lorenzo, and Pol Espargaro, will now purportedly take on the role of technical leader for the test team. According to motorsport.com, Aurin was originally set to be the Crew Chief for Joan Mir, but due to the reduction of test days and the importance of their role, Honda asked Aurin to lead the development team instead. Stability around Marquez The Repsol Honda Team will see a familiar face in the paddock in the form of Santi Hernandez, who will continue to serve as the inseparable Crew Chief to Marc Marquez. The team is looking to the future with optimism, as Alex Rins will be joined by David Garcia, who has previously worked with Alex Marquez. Motorsport.com also reports that the team's General Technical Director will be Frenchman, Christophe Bourguignon. Changes in the HRC leadership The article also alleges that there are set to be a number of other moves within HRC's racing leadership. After a few years away from the circuit, Shinichi Kokubu returns to the role of RC213V Project Leader. Tetsuhiro Kuwata remains as HRC's General Manager, while Shinya Wakabayashi, General Manager of the company's racing division, joins the top management team, which will not include the former Technical Director, Takeo Yokoyama, who is leaving the World Championship this year to take up a position at the Tokyo HQ. The various changes all fold into an overall goal - bringing Honda back to the very top in MotoGP™.
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Post by truenorth on Jan 12, 2023 11:02:55 GMT -8
What's new for Moto3™ in 2023? From returning record holders to exciting rookie riders, there is plenty to keep an eye on in the lightweight class ahead of the new season The 2023 Moto3™ season is fast approaching and anticipation is building as fans gear up for another exciting year of racing in the lightweight class. With a host of talented young riders set to make their debut on the grid, as well as a number of notable changes and shifts within teams, this season promises to be one of the most thrilling yet. Here's a look at what we know so far about the upcoming 2023 Moto3™ season. A number of talented young riders are set to make their debut on the grid with Niccolo Farioli, who has shown impressive potential during his time in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, joining the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team. David Salvador, who had to unfortunately drop out from the 2022 season, will also be making his full-time debut, joining the CIP Green Power team. Romano Fenati, who holds the record for most wins in the class, drops down to Moto3™ after securing a ride with the Rivacold Snipers Team. Syarifuddin Azman, who finished fourth in the 2022 FIM JuniorGP World Championship, will be joining the MT Helmets - MSI team. Colombian rider David Alonso, who made one-off appearances in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, will be making his full-time debut in the Moto3™ class with the GASGAS Aspar Team. Collin Veijer, the 2022 Red Bull Rookies Cup runner-up, has signed up with the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP team while reigning Red Bull Rookies Cup Champion Jose Antonio Rueda will be one to watch this season as he joins Aki Ajo’s Red Bull KTM squad. These young talents bring a wealth of potential and promise to the Moto3™ class, and it will be exciting to see how they fare against the more experienced riders on the grid. As always, there were plenty of musical chairs happening during the winter break, as established names sought out a change of scenery. One of the bigger off-season switches sees Turkish rider Deniz Öncü move to Red Bull KTM Ajo after three years with the Red Bull KTM Tech3 team, while Dani Holgado moves in the opposite direction. Jaume Masia also leaves Aki Ajo’s team, opting for a return to Leopard Racing after two seasons away. Ryusei Yamanaka will be hoping to fill the sizeable leathers of last year’s Champion Izan Guevara at GASGAS Aspar Team. Matteo Bertelle switches to Rivacold Snipers Team, while Lorenzo Fellon and Kaito Toba trade places at CIP Green Power and SIC58 Squadra Corse respectively. Joel Kelso also moves away from CIP Green Power after his rookie season, and the Australian will link up with Xavi Artigas at CFMoto Racing Pruestel. Another notable change on the grid is title contender Ayumu Sasaki will now ride under Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP banner, a change from Max racing following the departure of Max Biaggi’s team from Moto3™. These changes bring a new dynamic to the grid and it will make for an intriguing watch to see how these riders adapt to their new surroundings. The upcoming campaign is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling yet. With a host of talented riders looking to make their mark on the grid, the competition is sure to be fierce. Jaume Masia’s return to Leopard Racing comes with the goal of claiming the title. Diogo Moreira, who made a huge impression in his rookie campaign, will be looking to build on his success and could make a run for the Championship. Tatsuki Suzuki will be aiming to make his experience count and establish himself as a top contender in the lightweight class. Another rider to watch out for is David Muñoz, who will be making his full-season debut after shaking things up on track in 2022. Deniz Öncü will be hunting down a breakthrough victory in Aki Ajo's team and lead a title fight. Romano Fenati hopes to rediscover his winning touch while last year's fourth place finisher, Ayumu Sasaki, will be aiming to build on an encouraging year and challenge for Championship glory. As always, the Moto3™ class is known to produce rookie sensations, and this year could be no different. With a talented field of riders, it's set to be an unforgettable season filled with nail-biting battles and potential new stars emerging in the lightweight class.
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Post by truenorth on Jan 12, 2023 11:10:43 GMT -8
What's new for Moto2™ in 2023? New names, new numbers and new teams are shaking up the intermediate class ahead of the new campa A new year brings new beginnings, and this is certainly true for the Moto2™ class in 2023. The field is set to be filled with new teams, riders, and numbers, providing plenty of fresh excitement in the intermediate class. As the season begins, let's take a look at what we can expect from this year's Moto2™ competition. Rookie revelations The upcoming Moto2™ season is set to see the arrival of nine new riders, including reigning Moto3™ World Champion, Izan Guevara, who will remain with the GASGAS Aspar Team. Sergio Garcia, who was bested by his former teammate Guevara to the Moto3™ title last season, joins the Flexbox HP40 team. Completing the trio of riders moving up is Dennis Foggia, who has signed with the Italtrans Racing team. Joining the Moto2™ ranks from the premier class is Darryn Binder, who is set to debut in the category with the Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP team. Returning to Moto2™ is Lukas Tulovic, who comes back after competing in MotoE™, and earning the title of FIM Moto2™ European Champion in 2022. He will be sharing the garage with Binder at Intact GP. Familiar names also join the grid full-time, such as Rory Skinner, who replaces outgoing Cameron Beaubier at American Racing. Kohta Nozane comes back to Yamaha VR46 Master Camp Team while Alex Escrig will be racing for the MV Agusta Forwards Team and Borja Gomez will join Fantic Motor on a full-time basis after two substitute Moto2™ appearances in 2022. Seat swappers A number of riders have also opted for a change of scenery in 2023. One of the bigger moves from the off season sees Albert Arenas swap GASGAS Aspar for the Red Bull KTM bike under the stewardship of Aki Ajo, where the 2020 Moto3™ Champion will partner 2021 Moto3™ winner and 2022 Moto2™ Rookie of the Year Pedro Acosta. Having ridden with Liqui Moly Intact GP during his rookie season, Jeremy Alcoba has returned to the more familiar surrounds at Gresini Racing for his sophomore year, while Lorenzo Dalla Porta switches Italtrans Racing for the Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team. Celestino Vietti, one of the early season title favourites, will also ride under a new team moniker for 2023, as Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Racing Team in Moto2™ becomes Fantic Motor in a new collaboration. Lucky numbers We will also see some riders with a new number at the front of their machines, the most notable of which sees 2022 Rookie of the Year change from #57 to his preferred #37, last seen on his bike when he won the Moto3™ title. Will it prove lucky again ah contends for the intermediate class Championship in 2023? Marcos Ramirez is the only other rider the change his number, reversing his old #42 to #24. The Moto2™ class in 2023 is set to be one of the most exciting seasons yet, with a host of riders ready to shake things up on the track. Reigning champions and newcomers alike will be battling it out for the top spot, with riders switching teams and returning to familiar surrounds. With so many new developments and storylines to follow, the upcoming season is sure to be filled with surprises, drama and thrilling racing.
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Post by truenorth on Jan 12, 2023 13:17:25 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 13, 2023 13:42:31 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 14, 2023 7:05:42 GMT -8
Former Suzuki technical director Ken Kawauchi has arrived at Honda
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Post by truenorth on Jan 14, 2023 7:30:56 GMT -8
Mat Oxley: Carlo Pernat, who understands racing much better than most, isn’t keen on #MotoGP sprint races. In Corriere dello Sport he says 42 races is too many & that a huge row is breaking out over rider bonuses. Obvs riders want win/podium bonuses for extra races but no one wants to pay. Racers HAVE to be selfish to do what they do, so they’re not natural union people. But this money row may change that. I recall Miller saying he’s very keen on sprint races because “more bonuses!” but now #MotoGP expects riders to do 21 extra races for free. Really?!
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Post by truenorth on Jan 16, 2023 9:37:40 GMT -8
Mat Oxley: Honda's RC213Vs will run Akrapovič exhausts from this year, after switching from SC-Project. Akrapovič are now used by HRC, Ducati, KTM and Yamaha in MotoGP. Only Aprilia use another make, SC-Project
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Post by truenorth on Jan 16, 2023 9:49:40 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 16, 2023 10:00:52 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 16, 2023 10:08:04 GMT -8
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