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Post by truenorth on Jan 24, 2023 8:23:03 GMT -8
"After careful reflection, Forward decided to continue the Moto2 development project on its own. MV Agusta's economic demands are too high, compared to just using the brand in racing". Forward is therefore now back as a manufacturer, joining Kalex and SpeedUp
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Post by truenorth on Jan 24, 2023 8:36:03 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 8:56:56 GMT -8
Razgatlioglu pips 2022 Champion Bautista by just 0.058s on first morning of Jerez test, Petrucci fourth Wednesday, 25 January 2023 The last two WorldSBK Champions were fastest after the first four hours on Day 1 of testing in southern Spain Testing in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in 2023 got underway at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto on Wednesday as 2021 Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK) edged out reigning Champion Alvaro Bautista by under a tenth of a second at 14:00 Local Time (GMT+1), the halfway point of the day’s running. Track action was limited in the first 90 minutes of the day with cold weather meaning riders kept to the box. Razgatlioglu’s fastest time was 1’39.587s from the morning session as he topped the times by just 0.058s ahead of Bautista. Bautista, using both the 2022 and 2023 bikes during the session, posted a 1’39.645s for second as he completed the most laps of anyone in WorldSBK. He was ahead of teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi in third place, while rookie Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was fourth after his first run in WorldSBK; Petrucci starting with the 2022 bike. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) rounded out the top five with a 1’40.350s, seventh tenths down on Razgatlioglu’s time, before being overhauled by Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK) at the halfway stage. Petrucci was the highest-placed rookie in fourth spot, lapping just over half-a-second slower than Razgatlioglu. GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK pairing Dominique Aegerter and Remy Gardner were 11th and 14th respectively, while Lorenzo Baldassarri (GMT94 Yamaha) was 16th on his, and the team’s, first outing in WorldSBK. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) was 12th for his new team as he ran in dry conditions for the first time on the M 1000 RR. In WorldSSP, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba WorldSSP Racing Team) was top in WorldSSP at the halfway stage of the session, posting a 1’43.234s to go faster than Kawasaki duo Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki). Oncu, who has four bikes to test throughout the two days, posted a 1’43.797s to take second while Huertas lapped only two tenths slower than the Turkish star. Rookie Andrea Mantovani (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) was fourth fastest in class as he adjusts to new surroundings.
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 9:00:10 GMT -8
FIRST LOOK: Petrucci on the Panigale V4 R as he makes WorldSBK debut! Wednesday, 25 January 2023 The Italian rider will take part in WorldSBK for the first time this season with the Barni Spark Racing Team As the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship hits the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto for a two-day test, it marks the debut of a MotoGP™ race winner in the Championship. Danilo Petrucci moves to WorldSBK for the first time following a year in MotoAmerica and a race-winning MotoGP™ career, aiming to become the first rider to win in STK1000, MotoGP™, MotoAmerica, WorldSBK and a stage of the Dakar Rally. Check out images of Petrucci at Jerez at the top of this article as he makes his first appearance with the Barni Spark Racing Team ahead of his rookie campaign.
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 9:01:19 GMT -8
JEREZ TEST: five factories and the majority of the grid head to Spain for two-day test Tuesday, 24 January 2023 After two tests before the turn of the year, Jerez hosts the opening two-day test of 2023 as teams and riders gear up for the season ahead The first test of 2023 is upon the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship as the vast majority of the paddock descends on the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto for a two-day test in the south of Spain. All five factory teams will be present at the test while it will also be the first opportunity to see some new riders in new colours during the test as riders gear up for the 2023 WorldSBK season which starts next month in Australia. Reigning Champions Ducati will be present with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi, showing off the 2023 model of the Panigale V4 R. The two-day test, which runs from 10:00 Local Time (GMT+1) until 18:00 on Wednesday and Thursday, will give everyone the first glimpse of the new bike on track for the first time. After launching their bike on Monday in Italy, the test will also be the first chance to see the #1 plate on a Ducati on track for the first time since 2005 after Bautista opted to switch from his traditional #19. Both Yamaha and Kawasaki will be aiming to overhaul Ducati in 2023 as they look to re-gain their titles they secured in 2021 and 2020 respectively and they will join the Bologna-based manufacturer at the test. The Pata Yamaha WorldSBK team will be present with Toprak Razgatlioglu and Andrea Locatelli for the third consecutive season, while six-time Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) will be at the test with teammate Alex Lowes. Both BMW and Honda will be aiming to make steps forward in 2023 and the two-day test could be crucial for them as they look to close the gap to Ducati, Yamaha and Kawasaki. BMW will feature Scott Redding and Michael van der Mark in the factory ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for a second year with the pairing, while Team HRC will once again have Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge at the test. Four BMWs will take to the track during the test as the Bonovo Action BMW squad join the factory team for the two days, with Loris Baz alongside new recruit Garrett Gerloff. With BMW bringing a new bike for 2023, the team will be aiming to collect as much data as possible for the German manufacturer in order to hit the ground running when the season starts. There will be a debut for the GMT94 Yamaha team in WorldSBK with Lorenzo Baldassarri as both team and rider step up from WorldSSP. The Jerez test will be the first time the GMT94 Yamaha squad will have tested their Yamaha YZF-R1 machine. Three other rookies will be at the test with GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team duo Remy Gardner and Dominique Aegerter continuing their adaptation to WorldSBK machinery, while Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) will get his first taste of the WorldSBK-spec Panigale V4 R. Both Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) and Oliver Konig (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) are heading into their second WorldSBK campaign and they will both take to the Jerez track. Oettl will be looking to get adjusted to the new Panigale V4 R for 2023, having seen some of the upgrades already at the team’s launch, while Konig will once again be on the Kawasaki ZX-10RR machine for his second WorldSBK season. There is also a return for Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and this test will be his second since returning to Kawasaki machinery when he takes to the track on Wednesday. There will also be a few WorldSSP teams and riders at the test. Althea Racing will be on track with rider Federico Caricasulo, Andrea Mantovani will make his Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team debut at the test while the Vince64 by Puccetti Racing team will hit the track with John McPhee for the first time. Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) will be at the test on home soil ahead of his second season in the Championship, while former teammate Yuta Okaya (Prodina Kawasaki Racing WorldSSP) will make his WorldSSP debut at the test. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) will be aiming high this season and his campaign starts at Jerez with the two-day test, while it’s a similar story for Nicolo Bulega (Aruba Racing WorldSSP Team) as he embarks on his second campaign with Ducati in WorldSSP.
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 9:13:22 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 9:33:23 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 9:40:18 GMT -8
Marc Marquez with both wheels off the ground at Turn 1 at Laguna Seca, 2013. Photo by Scott Jones
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 9:47:54 GMT -8
90 minutes to the end
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 9:56:19 GMT -8
Yamaha Racing The dynamic duo are back together! Day one of a two-day #WorldSBK test at a sunny but chilly Jerez and toprak_tr54 and phil_marron are already working towards Phillip Island and Round 1 of 2023.
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 9:59:24 GMT -8
Ducati Desmosedici GP23 Pramac
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 10:02:59 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 10:08:14 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 12:33:46 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 13:06:44 GMT -8
Ducati Corse: Back to business! world sbk reigning World Champ 19Bautista, 2nd at the end of Day 1 of Jerez Test ahead of teammate michael rinaldi
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 13:10:39 GMT -8
Razgatlioglu fastest, Petrucci shines, Bautista crashes on dramatic Day 1 of Jerez test Wednesday, 25 January 2023 There was drama everywhere you looked on Wednesday at Jerez as WorldSBK burst into action in 2023 Day 1 during testing for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto was a dramatic affair as teams and riders got their first 2023 running under their belt. 2021 Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK) topped the times ahead of reigning Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) by two tenths of a second, with Bautista crashing in the afternoon, while rookie Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) shone brightly on his WorldSBK debut. TECH CHANGES AT THE FACTORY TEAMS: supplier changes and upgrades… Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK) led the way during Day 1 as he posted a 1’38.597s and completed 60 laps. The 2021 Champion, running his traditional #54 plate, was focusing on the rear of his Yamaha YZF R1 machine to improve grip and acceleration while he also had a new swingarm on the 2023 machine. Andrea Locatelli, entering his third season with the team, had the same focus as his teammate as he looks to start 2023 strongly. Locatelli was 12th in the classification with a best time of 1’40.227s, after 79 laps. Reigning Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) had a crash at Turn 1 in the afternoon session while running his 2023 bike branded with the #1. He was able to ride his Panigale V4 R back to the pits following the crash. Bautista completed 88 laps, as he was one of the first riders to hit the track, with a best time of 1’38.851s. Teammate Michael Ruben Rinaldi, who was focusing on getting a good feeling with his bike, was almost four tenths down on his teammate but only a place behind after Rinaldi completed 72 laps; both riders had the 2022 and 2023 bikes available. Six-time Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) started his test in the afternoon, opting to not go out on track in the colder conditions in the morning, but immediately showed his pace. He took fourth place overall, completing 42 laps, with a best time of 1’39.302s. Teammate Lowes, who had some performance, chassis and suspension components including a modified rear shock to try, was three tenths and one place behind Rea with 37 laps to his name. Kawasaki also introduced a new system on their ZX-10RR which will prevent riders hitting a false neutral, something which occurred on a couple of occasions throughout 2022. Team HRC duo Xavi Vierge and Iker Lecuona had a new fairing to test on Day 1 at Jerez as they embark on their second season with the factory Honda outfit. In view of several engineers from Japan, the pair took seventh and eighth respectively. Honda, testing new components including new brake callipers from supplier Nissin on their CBR1000RR-R, had times of 1’39.879s from Vierge with Lecuona only 0.004s behind.
At the BMW box, both Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and teammate Michael van der Mark adjusted to new brakes after the German manufacturer switched to Nissin from Brembo. Van der Mark’s plan was to complete as many laps as possible on his first day riding the back since the Australian Round, which he did with 65 laps, while Redding completed 67. Redding was the faster of the two riders as he posted a 1’39.998s, while van der Mark was seven tenths slower. ROOKIES UP TO SPEED: Petrucci in the top six, Aegerter and Gardner closely matched Three rookies were taking part in the Jerez test as they got adjusted to new surroundings, teams and bikes. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) took sixth spot at the end of the day with a 1’39.790s, just over a second slower than Razgatlioglu. Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) was ninth fastest on his first day in dry conditions with the Yamaha R1, lapping in 1’39.934, as he worked on linkage, swingarm and electronic components, with teammate Remy Gardner close behind in 14th place and six tenths back from Aegerter. Baldassarri (GMT94 Yamaha), learning the Championship and bike along with his team, was the lowest-placed rookie with 19th place as he took to the Yamaha R1 for the first time. He completed 67 laps during Day 1. NEW SURROUNDINGS: changing team, changes to the crew… German rider Philipp Oettl (Team GoEleven) was 13th on the first day of the test as he used the 2022 Panigale V4 R, possibly using the 2023 bike tomorrow, as he goes in search of his first WorldSBK podium in 2023. He posted a best time of 1’40.234s after completing 67 laps on Wednesday at Jerez. With the 2023 BMW M 1000 RR at his disposal, Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) finished the day in 11th place with a best time of 1’40.065s and completing 54 laps. Gerloff was ahead of both teammate Loris Baz and factory team rider van der Mark in the classification, with Baz taking 17th place after completing 60 laps. The returning Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was in 16th place at the end of the day, although he wasn’t testing anything new compared to the December test. Sykes also had a small mechanical issue with around 90 minutes remaining in the session as he went to leave the pits but was able to head out on track, with the same bike, around 10 minutes later. Oliver Konig (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) was 18th in the WorldSBK field as he starts his second campaign with the Independent Kawasaki squad. Konig was able to test some brake updates on his ZX-10RR but the main goal for him was for his new team around him to adjust; the team have brought in some Czech team member that Konig knows while there has also been a change of crew chief. THREE-WAY FIGHT: Bulega vs Oncu vs Caricasulo for WorldSSP honours In WorldSSP, it was Ducati who came out on top on Day 1 as Nicolo Bulega (Aruba WorldSSP Racing Team) topped the times in a three-way battle. Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), who has four bikes to test at Jerez including the 2022 bike and the 2023 specification, was second while Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing) was third. Rookie Andrea Mantovani (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) took fourth place, ahead of Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) and WorldSSP rookie John McPhee (Vince64 by Puccetti Racing). Yuta Okaya (Prodina Kawasaki Racing WorldSSP) and Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) were also at the test, although neither were recording lap times during the test.
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 13:47:14 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 25, 2023 13:51:37 GMT -8
"Today we had the new bike in the box. The engine is smoother... I think we already made a step forward"
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Post by truenorth on Jan 26, 2023 3:51:00 GMT -8
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Post by truenorth on Jan 26, 2023 3:56:26 GMT -8
Mat Oxley: First shot of Jack Miller in KTM MotoGP colours, with team-mate Brad Binder
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