2022-05-26 Australian Motorcycle News

WorldSBK Round 3 Finishing Positions

1. Jonathan Rea, Alvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu dominated Circuito Estoril, Estoril, 2 37 8 10
2. Bautista ran the Yamaha down to snatch the Race 1 win 3. A damp Portugal 4.182km 5 9
Sunday caused some dramas 4. The world champ is yet to win a race 4 11
in 2022 5. The pack was close behind only in the early laps 6. Rea is 1 12
fighting back the best way he knows how – by winning races 6
WSBK Race 1
3 13
POS RIDER NAT BIKE TIME
4
5 1 A BAUTISTA SPA DUC 33m58.478s

6 2 T RAZGATLIOGLU TUR YAM +0.126s

3 J REA GBR KAW +4.835s

4 A LOCATELLI ITA YAM +17.079s

5 X VIERGE SPA HON +19.107s WSS Race 1

6 I LECUONA SPA HON +19.215s

7 A LOWES GBR KAW +21.956s POS RIDER NAT BIKE TIME

8 S REDDING GBR BMW +23.090s 1 D AEGERTER SWI YAM 30m18.215s

9 M RINALDI ITA DUC +24.104s 2 L BALDASSARRI ITA YAM +3.029s

10 L BAZ FRA BMW +25.212s 3 N BULEGA ITA DUC +4.530s

11 X FORES SPA DUC +27.516s 4 C ÖNCÜ TUR KAW +4.865s

12 A BASSANI ITA DUC +30.686s 5 F CARICASULO ITA DUC +7.575s

13 L BERNARDI SMR DUC +39.599s 6 Y MONTELLA ITA KAW +15.525s

14 K NOZANE JPN YAM +39.643s 7 G VAN STRAALEN NED YAM +20.515s

15 E LAVERTY IRL BMW +41.735s 8 A HUERTAS SPA KAW +20.772s
9 A VERDOIA FRA YAM +21.076s
16 M FRITZ GER YAM +41.854s

17 L MAHIAS FRA KAW +42.790s 10 D VOSTATEK CZE YAM +21.396s

18 C PONSSON BEL KAW +50.082s 11 K SMITH GBR YAM +22.143s

19 H SYAHRIN MAL HON +1m08.940s 12 O BAYLISS AUS DUC +24.067s

20 O KONIG CZE KAW +1m08.979s 13 S JESPERSEN DEN YAM +28.721s

→ 21 I VIÑALES SPA KAW +2 LAPS 14 L TACCINI ITA YAM +29.521s

DNF L MERCADO (ARG, HON). 15 M BRENNER SUI YAM +29.597s

POLE POSITION (NEW RECORD) 16 U ORRADRE SPA YAM +33.281s

REA 1m35.346s (REA 1m35.876s, 2021) 17 T EDWARDS AUS YAM +38.692s

FASTEST LAP (NEW RECORD) 18 S KROEZE NED YAM +40.202s

REA 1m36.204s (RAZGATLIOGLU 1m36.594s, 2020) 19 FI FUGLINI ITA DUC +40.856s
20 FE FUGLINI ITA DUC +40.856s

21 L OTTAVIANI ITA YAM +46.130s

WSBK Superpole race 22 R DE ROSA ITA DUC +58.117s

POS RIDER NAT BIKE TIME 23 B SOFUAGLU TUR MVA +1m00.270s

1 J REA GBR KAW 16m21.784s 24 P SEBESTYEN HUN YAM +1m24.540s

2 T RAZGATLIOGLU TUR YAM +0.174s 25 J BUIS NED KAW +1 LAP

3 A BAUTISTA SPA DUC +4.925s DNF M KOFLER (AUT, DUC), J CLUZEL (FRA, YAM), B CURRIE
(AUS, KAW), N TUULI (FIN, MVA), H SOOMER (EST, TRI),
4 I LECUONA SPA HON +7.050s S MANZI (ITA, TRI).

5 A LOCATELLI ITA YAM +8.240s

6 A LOWES GBR KAW +8.684s POLE POSITION (NEW RECORD)

7 S REDDING GBR BMW +10.293s AEGERTER 1m39.046s (LOCATELLI 1m39.520s, 2020)

8 M RINALDI ITA DUC +29.516s FASTEST LAP (NEW RECORD)

9 X FORES SPA DUC +29.541s AEGERTER 1m40.048s (I VIÑALES 1m40.053s, 2020)

FASTEST LAP

REA 1m36.801s

WSS Race 2

POS RIDER NAT BIKE TIME

WSBK Race 2 1 D AEGERTER SWI YAM 30m52.488s

POS RIDER NAT BIKE TIME 2 K SMITH GBR YAM +2.344s

1 J REA GBR KAW 34m10.420s 3 L BALDASSARRI ITA YAM +3.762s
2 A BAUTISTA
SPA DUC +0.194s 4 Y MONTELLA ITA KAW +3.867s

3 T RAZGATLIOGLU TUR YAM +4.350s 5 C ONCU TUR KAW +4.657s
+7.125
4 A LOWES GBR KAW 6 O BAYLISS AUS DUC +4.704s

5 A LOCATELLI ITA YAM +8.232s 7 A HUERTAS SPA KAW +6.218s

6 I LECUONA SPA HON +8.309s 8 G VAN STRAALEN NED YAM +8.562s
7 A BASSANI ITA DUC +10.865s
9 T EDWARDS AUS YAM +17.876s

8 M RINALDI ITA DUC +16.082s 10 O VOSTATEK CZE YAM +17.895s

9 X VIERGE SPA HON +18.292s 11 L OTTAVIANI CZE YAM +18.818s
10 X FORES SPA DUC +18.412s
12 H SOOMER EST TRI +20.252s

11 S REDDING GBR BMW +19.758s 13 P SEBESTYEN HUN YAM +26.613s

12 L BAZ FRA BMW +25.193s 14 B SOFUOGLU TUR MVA +32.668s
13 K NOZANE JPN YAM +27.753s
15 B CURRIE AUS KAW +44.988s

14 E LAVERTY IRL BMW +38.391s 16 M KOFLER AUT DUC +45.087s
15 L BERNARDI SMR DUC +38.424s
17 J BUIS NED KAW +1m32.069s

16 C PONSSON BEL KAW +41.451s 18 M BRENNER SWI YAM +1m36.773s

17 M FRITZ GER YAM +42.555s DNF S JESPERSEN (DEN, YAM), N BULEGA (ITA, DUC), R DE
18 L MERCADO ARG HON +49.775s ROSA (ITA, DUC), U ORRADRE (SPA, YAM), S MANZI (ITA, TRI),
F CARICASULO (ITA, DUC), FE FULIGNI (ITA, DUC), S KROEZE
19 H SYAHRIN MAL HON +51.353s (NED, YAM), J CLUZEL (FRA, YAM), FI FULIGNI (ITA, DUC).

20 O KONIG CZE BEL +1m14.141s FASTEST LAP

DNF I VIÑALES (SPA, KAW). AEGERTER 1m41.072s

FASTEST LAP RIDER STANDINGS AFTER 3 OF 12 ROUNDS

REA 1m36.919s 1 AEGERTER 145, 2 BALDASSARRI 101, 3 BULEGA 72,
4 VAN STRAALEN 63, 5 ONCU 56, 6 MONTELLA 43, 7 TUULI
RIDER STANDINGS AFTER 3 OF 12 ROUNDS 40, 8 SOOMER 35, 9 CARICASULO 34, 10 HUERTAS 12,
11 SMITH 33, 12 MANZI 27, 13 CLUZEL 23, 14 BAYLISS 21,
1 BAUTISTA 161, 2 REA 144, 3 RAZGATLIOGLU 109, 15 HOBELSBERGER 17, 21 EDWARDS 7, 28 CURRIE 1.

4 LOCATELLI 84, 5 LECUONA 76, 6 RINALDI 60, 7 LOWES

54, 8 VIERGE 48, 9 BASSANI 43, 10 BAZ 38, 11 REDDING

35, 12 GERLOFF 25, 13 OETTL 15, 14 MAHIAS 14,
15 LAVERTY 13.

WorldSSP 300 Championship, Races 1 & 2

POS RIDER NAT BIKE TIME POS RIDER NAT BIKE TIME

1 M GARCIA SPA YAM 22m26.987s 1 S DI SORA SPA KAW 22m37.113s
2 S DI SORA 2 I IGLESIAS
3 Y OKAYA FRA KAW +0.041s 3 M GENNAI SPA KAW +0.332s

JPN KAW +1.377s ITA YAM +0.537s

RIDER STANDINGS AFTER 3 OF 8 ROUNDS

1 GARCIA 98, 2 DI SORA 32, 3 DIAZ 80, 4 STEEMAN 69, 5 OKAYA 64, 24 KHOURI 3.

amcn.com.au 101

race 1. Alex Lowes had his best Sunday of the season in Portugal 2. Scott Redding ran in a special
report anniversary yellow(ish) on the BMW 3. Andrea Locatelli rode to 4-5-5 finishes 4. There are
plenty of signs that Honda is closing the gap on the Big 3 5. Razgatlioglu wore a hole in his
leathers from his mighty SP race save 6. Xavi Fores was right in the Independents’ mix on his
GoEleven Ducati 7. These two will let someone else win a race sometime soon… won’t they?

Round 3 Circuito Estoril, Portugal, 20-22 May 2022 WorldSBK Championship

Razgatlioglu would gap 1 4
the following Bautista in 5
the twisty section of the 2
final part of the lap, only for confidently on a bike that 3
Bautista to make up ground Race 3 was was turning better than on
down the straight, then a Rea vs Day 1. 6
Razgatlioglu would make Bautista
metres per corner to exit the He would not last the final slip and spin and took the
final turn well in front. showdown pace after the top trio broke win. Bautista was too far
away, but neither would pre- behind to close in enough
A well timed effort to stay inescapable, but finally race potential favourite for across the line, despite Rea’s
with the Turkish rider in inapplicable this time. three wins, Razgatlioglu, by final scare and the Ducati’s
the last sector saw Bautista the time it came to fight for power advantage. Rea won
get close enough, and be A margin of victory of the win itself. by 0.194sec, but it was his
experienced enough, to get just 0.174sec for Rea, with second strong victory of the
an ideal drive out of the very Toprak second and Bautista Up front it was eventually day, coming out on top.
last corner and easily pass eventually third, despite a showdown between Rea
the frustrated Razgatlioglu, some heavy early pressure and Bautista. Rea had to have Locatelli was fifth,
to win by 0.126sec. from Lecuona. All the top two goes at passing the red Lecuona sixth, who ran the
three were on slicks, Lecuona bike on the final lap. When whole race with no front
Rea had to console himself on an intermediate front was Bautista gave him a chance mudguard as it had fallen off
with a podium place and a fourth, Locatelli fifth and in a slow left, Rea planted on the sighting lap.
new lap record, on lap four, Alex Lowes (KRT) sixth. his bike in the correct place,
a 1m36.204s that would last and on the blocking line, to Axel Bassani (MotoCorsa
beyond the next two races. The final race of the prevent Bautista cutting back
weekend in the biggest class on him.
Locatelli was fourth on his of all was fought out between
factory Yamaha, top HRC the big three again and the Rea then nearly lost it
rider Xavi Vierge placed forceful Lowes, running completely as he was so
fifth, with his teammate hard on the gas on the final
Iker Lecuona sixth. Redding, corner exit, but he rode the
on his 50th anniversary ‘M’
BMW yellow paint job and
black leathers for one race
only, was eighth.

The Sunday morning
Superpole race, over 10
laps as usual, was held in
damp and changeable track
conditions that became
almost fully dry at the end.

Rea and Razgatlioglu
offered up a real scrapping
show again, with Rea
losing out on the lead and
then losing ground after
Razgatlioglu passed him
under braking, pushing him
onto the damp fringes of
Turn 1.

That should have been
it, but a strange last-lap
mistake in the chicane
from Razgatlioglu saw him
completely lose the front,
only to save it again and
go wide. For Rea it was the
ideal opportunity and he
barrelled past. The two riders
came very close to contact
once again as Razgatlioglu
regained composure and
grip. Recent memories
of Race 2 at Assen were

102 amcn.com.au

Domi Aegerter is, well,
Domi-nating

Aegerter fourth and only the fifth-placed put himself into second place,
again Federico Caricasulo (Althea helped by the tricky conditions
Ducati) reaching close to the he can manage so well.
DOMINIQUE AEGERTER (TEN front. The only two non-600cc
Kate Yamaha) took pole in fours inside the top 11 places It was a very tough race for
WorldSSP, at a record pace, and were those two Ducatis. Baldassarri, who had to attack
then after three other riders had and defend all at once, just
a go at leading – Jules Cluzel It was very different in to keep Kawasaki Puccetti
(GMT94), Can Öncü (Kawasaki WorldSSP Race 2, when the Racing’s Yari Montella behind
Puccetti) and Glenn van slightly iffy track conditions and at the flag.
Straalen (EAB Yamaha) – the the odd droplets of rain showed
Swiss carved through to take up on occasion. Passes were Oncu, another leader
Race 1 by over three seconds flying in every corner with vast for a time, was fifth, but all
from Lorenzo Baldassarri (Evan swings of fortune, front to back. the fighting for the podium
Bros Yamaha). places included the suddenly
Eventually Aegerter made the competitive Oli Bayliss, who
Third place in Race 1 went race his own with superior pace fought his way to sixth in
to Nicolo Bulega (Aruba late on, but an old WorldSSP confident fashion. In the points,
Ducati). But it was in general face, Kyle Smith (VFT Yamaha), Aegerter has 145, Baldassarri
not a happy day for the next- 101, Race 2 faller Bulega 72.
generation bikes, with Öncü

Boy Bayliss WorldSSP 12th/sixth

OLI BAYLISS WAS in P12. The group in front of me suffered a big crash in warm-up
a strong 12th in had a bit more pace than me at on Sunday, but we found a good
Race 1 then in iffy Race 2 the start of the race but towards set-up, managed to get a good
track conditions mixed it up all the end every lap I was catching rhythm and finished the race in a
the way out front to finish sixth. them; maybe half a second a lap. good position. It felt really comfy,
“We had a pretty good qualifying, With five to go when I caught we just kept chipping away. It
P17. In the first race we finished them I hit a false neutral. We was a good race.”

Tommy Gun WorldSSP 17th/ninth I crashed into the little chicane.
I picked it up and as the bike
WILDCARD TOM inside the top 15, and then the didn’t have much damage. I
EDWARDS was 17th tyres started to go off a bit – I went from 29th to 17th, so not far
in Race 1, and then an qualified 20th. I got a bad start off the points.”
excellent ninth in Race 2. in Race 1 and on the second lap,
“Qualifying was going good, up trying to overtake some people, Exiled to the back row for a tyre
pressure infringement, he made
7 up 30 places to take a unique
win, catching the leading group
Record player within five laps.

Racing Ducati) made a tyre IN WORLDSSP300 BOTH races him right to the edge of the Behind him, Inigo Iglesias
choice good enough to let were held in the dry and Marc asphalt to overhaul Di Sora to (SMW Kawasaki) got his first
him ride to seventh in Race 2, Garcia (Yamaha MS Racing) win by just 0.041sec. podium of the year, with
ahead of the factory Ducati of scored a thrilling Race 1 win Mirko Gennai (Team BR Corse
Michael Ruben Rinaldi. over Samuel Di Sora (Leader Pole sitter Yuta Okaya beat Yamaha) third.
Team Flembbo Kawasaki). teammate Victor Steeman
Redding’s team tried a (MTM Kawasaki) to third, with In the championship points
different machine set-up for It was Garcia’s second a 1.533sec comfort gap back to Di Sora’s massive haul for
him, but he could finish only win of 2022 and he used his the usual large chasing pack. second and first places takes
a lowly 11th. slipstream and wide-lined him to within 13 points of leader
passing manoeuvres that took The second race was a Garcia, who was fifth in Race 2.
In the championship history maker for Di Sora.
standings Bautista has Alvaro Diaz (Arco Motor
161 points, Rea 144 and Khouri Mail WorldSSP300 DNF/DNF University Team Yamaha) is
Razgatlioglu 109. In the nine third overall after three rounds.
races Rea has taken five race HARRY KHOURI “Bit of a tough one. We got off
wins, Bautista four. HAD experienced to a good start on day one, “Not the weekend I wanted, but
mechanical problems managed P14, which was good I am really happy that the team
in both races, in Race 1 after a for us, but it just didn’t seem to and I were able to resolve some
problem with his drive chain. click for us in Race 1. of the problems that we were
having on the last day.”

amcn.com.au 103

sport

MotoGP

MIR AND RINS

JOAN MIR LOOKS an odds-on
bet to join Repsol Honda
next year in Pol Espargaro’s
place and admitted he is in
talks with the factory. His
manager Paco Sanchez said,
“I read from some journalists
that we have signed with
Yamaha or we have signed
with Honda but these are
absolutely false. Are we close
to sign with one of them? Yes,
we could be.”

Alex Rins said all options
are open. His management
has touched base with
Repsol Honda’s Team
Manager Alberto Puig, while
Aprilia and its brilliant RS-GP
could be a better match for
his smooth riding style.

MotoGP merry THE ALEIX-APRILIA SAGA
go round
AS THE WEEKS go by, the
The news of Suzuki’s departure has put two high-class impasse between Aleix
riders back on the market and the silly season into overdrive Espargaro and Aprilia
remains. After qualifying
DUCATI MUSICAL CHAIRS third in France, the Catalan
revealed he has heard no
COMING INTO THE French GP further word from the Italian
Ducati bosses had planned factory on its intentions with
to have a mini-championship regards to rider line up in 2023.
between Jorge Martin and Enea
Bastianini until the Dutch GP to “It doesn’t depend on me,”
decide who will race alongside said the 32-year old after
Pecco Bagnaia in its factory securing his fourth front row
team next year. Privately, they start of the year. “I said many
noted the decision was already times I want to stay in Aprilia
taken in Martin’s favour. but I don’t really understand
what’s going on. It makes me
But that may need to be a bit sad. Every race a little bit
reassessed after the French more, but I cannot control. It
GP. Bastianini was the victor, is how it is, but for sure I will
while Martin failed to score not wait forever.”
points for the fifth time in seven
races after crashing due to a NEIL MORRISON
numbness in his right hand on
the 17th lap – a worrying after- say? I said it all. Put two and to find a space for him, possibly
effect of his hideous spill at the two together. (Enea’s) won in the Tech 3 satellite team.
Portuguese GP last April. three races this year. He’s done
a fantastic job. He’s Italian. It When these rumours were put
When Jack Miller was asked makes sense.” to him, Miller said, “No comment.
which way Ducati will lean, he There are a lot of blokes out there
said, “What do you want me to Where does that leave Miller? talking a lot of rubbish.”
He appears set to move back to
one of Ducati’s satellite squads in Privately he asserted
2023. That’s even if KTM are keen remaining with Ducati in some
form is the most likely outcome.

104 amcn.com.au

MotoGP MotoGP

Pecco says until there’s IS A UNION
reliable parity, talk about ON THE
tyre pressures is all hot air CARDS?

PRESSURE SENSORS COMING DURING FRIDAY’S SAFETY
THE LATEST MOTOGP controversy of the infringements, yet none Yamaha Managing Director Commission meeting, riders
surrounded the revelation that are punished. The Motorcycle expressed concern to Dorna
Pecco Bagnaia’s front tyre pressure Sport Manufacturers Association Lin Jarvis said “it would be CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta over the
was below the legal amount for (MSMA) have agreed on this. low salaries in many current
the entirety of the Spanish GP. As inappropriate to penalise for tyre MotoGP contracts. Also, the fact
revealed by AMCN contributor Mat The main reason cited: there is that Romano Fenati was fired
Oxley, it begged the question why no unified, reliable tyre pressure pressures outside the acceptable by his Speed Up team six races
the Italian wasn’t disqualified. sensor which all teams use. into his year-long contract was
range… You penalise based on greeted with unease.
But it has emerged that as “I was in an illegal situation
many as 18 riders have been but this means also that 18 riders what? Unless you have a common Paco Sanchez (pictured),
below the minimum pressure for from the start of the season were manager of Suzuki’s Joan Mir
more than half-race distance in illegal,” said Bagnaia. “But no one way to measure and guarantee and Tech3’s Remy Gardner,
at least one encounter this year, was penalised. So we are speaking commented on negotiating
including Fabio Quartararo in about nothing.” that data is correct. And secondly terms in the current climate.
Portugal. All factories are aware
Even rival factories were that data isn’t tampered with.” “Joan will not ride here for
unwilling to go in on Ducati. zero or for these shit contracts
A statement from MotoGP that KTM, Ducati are offering
to their riders,” he said. “I know
Technical Director Danny how shit Remy’s contract is and
with Joan we will not race for
Aldridge revealed there are plans that. Remy accepted, but for me
it is unacceptable.
to introduce a standard sensor
“MotoGP racers are the
from next year, and to introduce stars of this world. Dorna, the
manufacturers, I don’t
penalties for any offender. know; somebody has to
pay a minimum salary
– and I don’t speak
about Marc Marquez
– but a minimum
because they play with
their lives. We forget
that sometimes.
There are
many riders
that if you
offered them
100,000
they sign.
For zero!”

NM

NM

MotoGP MANAGING DIRECTOR LIN Jarvis improved dramatically and Razlan
revealed Yamaha may only field needs an alternative in case
YAMAHA two machines in the premier class Yamaha decides not to continue
in 2023 with Razlan Razali’s RNF for whatever reason.
REDUCED TO TWO squad heavily linked to a switch to
BIKES IN 2023? Aprilia machinery. “We’d ideally like to extend the
contract with RNF for another
“(RNF) is a new team with a year. But whether our policy
new financial and management and way to work matches their
structure so we go step-by-step expectations… I cannot say.”
with caution with a year-by-year
contract,” Jarvis said. “We have a And there are no options for a
commitment in June to make the partnership with a squad beyond
decision. Aprilia’s situation has RNF? “No. Everybody else has
binding contracts already.” NM

amcn.com.au 105

sport 1. Jason O’Hallora (#22) fights with Kyle Ryde at Donington Park 2. A big crowd rolled up to the
classic circuit 3. Tom Sykes is finding the competition tough back in BSB 4. O’Halloran celebrates
BSB his first win of the season 5. Brayden Elliott broke through to win in Superstock

2

3

4

1

O’Show: We’re 5

back in that stuck, eventually taking post a time in the restarted
the game! victory by 1.7sec. race on Saturday, McConnell
started 34th on the grid
Jason O’Halloran scores two wins Josh Brookes (MCE Ducati) and rode a remarkable race
to move into second overall continued his struggle for to eventually finish sixth,
competitiveness, posting a while Day finished 10th after
JASON O’HALLORAN AND now. We’re back in the game.” 13-10-8 result. running as high as sixth.
the McAMS Yamaha Team The O’Show began the
have found form to seize a “We know we’ve several In Junior Superstock Seth
double victory and a podium weekend on the podium issues that still need to be Crump (SEEEEETH Yamaha)
at the Donington Park in Race 1, finishing just resolved and while it’s hard took a strong seventh after
National circuit in Round 3 0.038sec behind the victor, to be excited with eighth and narrowly avoiding a fallen
of the British Superbike Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG 11th, it’s still nice to make a rider that had initiated a red
Championship, held over Racing Yamaha). step forward,” he said. f lag, while Tullimbar’s Jacob
20-22 May. O’Halloran Hatch (Affinity Kawasaki)
became the sixth winner in On Sunday the New South After five years of finished outside the points
10 races this season and now Welshman demonstrated perseverance Brayden in 22nd position.
sits second in the standings, his true pace, stalking the Elliot (CFS Filtration No
28 points behind Briton lead pack and eventually Bull Racing) celebrated The series reconvenes at
Bradley Ray (Rich Energy picking off Ray for the Race 2 his maiden win in the Knockhill over 17-19 June.
OMG Racing Yamaha). victory. O’Halloran repeated Superstock class in Race 1,
the result in a drama-packed narrowly beating out the MATT O’CONNELL
“I’m over the moon, Race 3, with Leon Haslam highly resourced McAMS
massive thanks to everyone (VisionTrack Kawasaki) Yamaha-backed Tim Neave. RESULTS AFTER 3 OF 12 ROUNDS
at McAMS Yamaha, it’s been bringing out the safety car
difficult when you want to after a spectacular highside Elliot took the lead on POS RIDER BIKE POINTS
win straight away and you that also claimed Glen Irwin lap four of an eight-lap
have to work through things,” (Honda Racing UK). sprint that followed a red SBK 158
said O’Halloran. flag stoppage, leading until 130
Following the restart, the line. Billy McConnell 1 B RAY YAM 125
“Today is proof in the O’Halloran held his nerve, (Jackson Racing Honda) 117
pudding, we’ve been doing claiming the lead but unable found himself knocked 2 J O’HALLORAN YAM 116
our work and it’s paying off to break Ray. On lap 17, he off for the second time 52
made a move at Coppice this season while Levi Day 3 L JACKSON KAW
(Powerslide Motorcycles 86
Suzuki) also came to grief in 4 K RYDE YAM 51
the restart. 24
6 R SKINNER KAW
Sunday’s race again saw 40
Elliot in a commanding 10 J BROOKES DUC 8
position, eventually
finishing fourth. Unable to NATIONAL SUPERSTOCK

2 B ELLIOTT HON

4 B MCCONNELL HON

12 L DAY SUZ

JUNIOR SUPERSTOCK

6 S CRUMP YAM

16 J HATCH KAW

106 amcn.com.au

1. Davy Todd’s (#74) maiden win must be very close 2. Dean Harrison prepares for battle 3. Glenn Irwin
celebrates 4. Josh Brookes was in the hunt in Superbike 5. Ian Hutchison and John McGuinness have a chat
6. Michael Dunlop had a tyre failure at full speed 7. Peter Hickman also withdrew after his tyre delaminated

Road racing

24

1 35

CONTROVERSY HITS NW200
AFTER A TWO-YEAR hiatus due Michael Dunlop (MD Racing way back in 11th on the grid.
to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Suzuki), Peter Hickman (FHO And as if the controversy 6
running of the North West 200 Racing BMW) and Dean Harrison 7
over 13-15 May marked the (DAO Racing Kawasaki) were all surrounding the Dunlop
resumption of the 2022 Irish Road forced to watch the second race tyres wasn’t enough, Richard
Racing calendar ahead of the Isle from their pits. Cooper’s rivals protested about a
of Man TT next month. bracket he had fitted to his KMR
Cooper finished second to Kawasaki, which meant he was
Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) Irwin ahead of Aussie Josh stripped of his two dominant and
notched up his sixth consecutive Brookes (PBM Ducati), who went only NW200 wins.
Superbike victory after taking one better than his opening race
both race wins, though it wasn’t result, completing the podium. Team owner Ryan Farquar
without its controversy. Dunlop called the disqualification “sour
withdrew all of the riders running Alistair Seeley (IFS Yamaha) grapes”, saying the bike passed
Dunlop tyres for the second race, notched up three wins during the scrutineering and the bracket in
after some high-profile riders’ event claiming the Superstock question gave no performance
rear hoops delaminated at high double as well as the opening gains. The outcome awarded
speed during the opening race. Supersport race. Todd finished the Supertwins victories to
All escaped injury. runner up in the opening Frenchman Pierre Yves Bian
Superstock bout and took the (Paton Racing) and Joe Loughlin
Davey Todd (Padgett’s holeshot in the second Supersport (Team ILR). Veteran Jeremy
Honda), who finished second race but it was a fast-starting McWilliams (Paton IFS), who is 58
to Irwin in the opener ahead of Lee Johnston (Ashcourt Racing years old, scored a 3-4 result in
Richard Cooper (Hawk Racing Yamaha) who took a hard-fought the two Supertwins races.
Suzuki), as well as the likes of win from the Padgett’s rider from
KEL BUCKLEY

WorldSBK

INJURIES INTO OVERDRIVE
AT ROUND THREE OF Michael van der Mark, already had to leave his comeback Prodina
the 12-round WorldSBK carrying a serious right lower Kawasaki weekend early, as his Sunday morning, WorldSSP rider
championship, it had already leg break, suffered a fracture unexercised lower leg injury was Filippo Fuligni suffered a fractured
been a costly season in terms of at the top end of his right femur deemed not up to the job of racing pelvis, above, while Lucas
rider injuries. during a crash on Friday. In FP2 for full race distance. Mahias (Kawasaki Pucetti Racing
WorldSBK rookie Philipp Öttl WorldSBK) fell in the Superpole
In WorldSBK alone, Roberto crashed his Go Eleven Ducati and In FP3 Garrett Gerloff crashed his Race and broke his finger.
Tamburini suffered a broken broke his right collarbone, he’ll GRT Yamaha so hard he suffered
right ankle after crashing on try to be back for his team’s home a deep wound and abrasions to GORDON RITCHIE
another rider’s oil at a trackday. round at Misano. his left knee that were so severe
He missed the Estoril race and he was declared unfit. Niki Tulli
was replaced by Marvin Fritz. In WorldSSP Tom Booth-Amos suffered three fractured left toes on

amcn.com.au 107

sport 1. Max Fricke celebrates with Leon Madsen (L) and Fredrik Lindgren 2. Fricke speeds to the flag
3. He took his first SGP win since 2020 4. The Aussie champion is the only current Speedway
SGP GP rider who does not compete in Poland’s PGE Ekstraliga

2

3

Judy McKay 14

Fast as Fricke! SGP STANDINGS AFTER 2 OF 12 ROUNDS

Aussie Max Fricke celebrates second SGP victory 1 BARTOSZ ZMARZLIK POL 32

2 LEON MADSEN DEN 30

3 MIKKEL MICHELSEN DEN 30

4 MACIEJ JANOWSKI POL 29

5 FREDRIK LINDGREN SWE 24

6 MAX FRICKE AUS 22

9 JASON DOYLE AUS 15

AUSTRALIAN MAX FRICKE on track as they witnessed dominated Janowski while 13 JACK HOLDER AUS 10
has won his second-ever one of the most consistently Michelsen headed Thomsen.
Speedway Grand Prix exciting series of races in The last semi-finalist scored
round – but has that result quite a while. After the Orlen FIM eight points, one more than
changed the expectations Speedway GP of Poland was Jack Holder (win, two seconds
for the 2022 World Speedway Zmarzlik left Gorican as staged in front of over 50,000 and two lasts) and two more
Championship? still the benchmark and fans at the PGE Narodowy in than Jason Doyle (win, second,
clearly the one the rest Warsaw on 14 May there is third, last and one fall)
Without the 2021 champion had to beat, with all three only one rider to have ridden
Artem Laguta and Russian Australians among those in both finals – unexpectedly In the final Michelsen
compatriot Emil Sayfutdinov, needing to lift their game. Dane Mikkel Michelsen. fell at the first corner and
Bartosz Zmarzlik started the was excluded before Fricke
SGP series as a raging-hot At the end of the 20 heats Zmarzlik still leads the dominated the rerun ahead
favourite – and nothing that Zmarzlik was second best championship, but he did of Madsen and Lindgren.
happened at the opening behind Maciej Janowski show he is not infallible after
round, the FIM Speedway while Jason Doyle grabbed top-scoring in the heats he The result closes up the
GP of Croatia at Gorican on the last semi-final berth with made two mistakes in his point’s battle but remember
30 April would have changed a win, two seconds, a last and semi and bowed out. it was a round on a specially
the thoughts of fans or a tape exclusion. built track at Poland’s
bookmakers. Zmarzlik lifted and premier football arena which
Jack Holder and Max Fricke was passed by Fricke (10 is the smallest track in the
Zmarzlik won as a new both scored two seconds, a points after opening with SGP series.
era started under a 10-year third and two lasts and on a last he scored a third and
tenure of Discovery Sports countback were worst placed three wins including after Next is the FIM Speedway
Events as the FIM Speedway of those on five points. a thrilling race long battle GP of the Czech Republic
global promoter. While a sell- with Zmarzlik) and Fredrik in Prague on 28 May. The
out crowd and TV viewers Anders Thomsen rounded Lindgren also benefitted Marketa Stadium weekend
around the world noticed Janowski to win the first semi from a Zmarzlik mistake with also features the first-ever
plenty of ‘bells and whistles’ as Leon Madsen and Robert Pawel Przedpelski trailing. SGP2 round – the revamped
added to the enhanced show, Lambert bowed out, before FIM Speedway Under-21
even more pleasing for fans Doyle always trailed behind Michelsen cleared out in World Championship on the
was the quality of the action Zmarzlik, Mikkel Michelsen the second semi as Leon Friday night, 27 May.
and Matej Zagar in the second. Madsen held off Maciej
108 amcn.com.au Janowski and Tai Woffinden. PETER BAKER
In the final Zmarzlik

1. Rikki Henry, Harrison Watts and Judd Plaisted are all smiles on the podium 2. Plaisted leads Henry AFT
in the wet 3. Wayne Maxwell congratulates Henry 4. Henry gets his head down 5. Plaisted chased hard
6. Watts has some style! 7. Riders of all sizes took to the Sydney Premier Karting Park ASMTREERAICMAN
FTLRAATCK!
FIM MiniGP Australia
AFTER A BREAK of a few
2 weeks, the American Flat
Track series continues
Rob Mott 13 over the weekend of May
28-29 with a double header
MEGA WATTS WEEKEND to be held at Lexington,
HARRISON WATTS PRODUCED two competing the podium. immediately with a brave move up Kentucky. Heading in to
excellent rides at Sydney Premier A sudden downpour before Race the inside before scything through the ‘Red Mile’, Jared Mees
Karting Park over May 14-15 to lapped traffic. (Indian) leads the standings
take a race victory and a fighting 2 delayed the start as riders fitted from Briar Bauman (Indian)
second place, enough to propel wet tyres and it was Watts who With a lap to go, Watts tried an and JD Beach (Yamaha),
him to the top of the FIM MiniGP was showing the most confidence outside manoeuvre, unable to get with Aussie Max Whale
standings after two rounds. in the tricky conditions. After past but then diving up the inside sitting second in the AFT
the first few laps, he’d built a a few corners later. Every corner Singles points behind
Birthday boy and pole sitter comfortable lead to the chasing was a battle on the final lap, but teammate Kody Kopp.
Watts made the most of the start pack of Henry, Russo and Plaisted. Henry held his nerve, holding on
and looked in control until Jake for a dramatic win in very greasy “The big announcement
Paige and Jed Fyffe came together Several riders then went conditions. There was a 21sec is that we are bringing back
at close quarters. A further crash down including a high side from gap to Russo in third followed by Fans Choice TV, so Aussies
from Xavier Curmi brought out the Plaisted, with Darius Hamod Plaisted, Page and Fyffe. will be able to watch on
red flags with six laps completed. eventually triggering the red flags set top boxes or devices.
with some bikes proving difficult Watts, who leads the Oceania We’re also in the process
Watts had held an almost to move off the wet track. Junior Cup, now leads the FIM of uploading as much
eight-second advantage over MiniGP series as well. Round three historical content as we
the chasing pack, and continued The whole field showed will be held at Ipswich Go Kart possibly can,” said series
setting the pace after the restart. incredible courage on the greasy Track over 13-14 August. chief Gene Crouch.
Round 1 winner Teerin Fleming surface, as Henry seized the
looked strong however, along opportunity at the 10-lap restart to MATT O’CONNELL The price is expected to
with Judd Plaisted and debutant lead from Watts. Despite immense be US$7.99 per month or the
Rikki Henry. Plaisted stole the pressure, the smooth riding Henry SUPPORT CLASSES rest of the season for US$49.
lead briefly before Watts resumed gained confidence as the race
control, eventually taking the win progressed. Watts was able to THE SUPPORT CLASSES were Crouch also said series
by 6.7sec to Fleming with Plaisted pull a decisive move at the end well represented, with ASBK organisers are working on
of lap six, but Henry responded front runner Glenn Allerton an initiative called Road To
4 taking the opportunity for AFT, making it easier for
6 valuable training time. budding flat trackers to hit
5 Allerton took victory in three the big time.
7 out of the four Veterans races
with Victorian Matt Watkins “At a few races this year
leading the points courtesy there will be amateur racing
of his victory in Race 4. ASBK on the day after our event
regulars Nathan Spiteri and on the same track.”
Cameron Rende also competed
in the GP-2 class with Allerton Crouch said it gives the
claiming the fastest lap of amateur riders the chance
the weekend and round win. to race on a National level
Supermotards also took to the track, the same surface
track, with some spectacular that the Grand National
sideways action from round Championship raced on the
winner Josh Soderland and day before.
former ASBK Supersport 300
front runner Zackary Johnson. “One thing that was a
surprise to me was that
there is a big leap coming
from amateur to professional
level, simply because the
amateur guys have never
raced on our tracks.” MO

amcn.com.au 109

clubsport

GRASSROOTS RACING AT ITS BEST

Preston MC

1

Collins
back on
the box

Aussie 2017 Supersport champ
cleans up at Victorian state titles

REPORT HAMISH COOPER PHOTOGRAPHY CAMERON WHITE

FORMER AUSTRALIAN starts this season on his 2 3
Supersport Champion Ted Yamaha YZF-R1.
Collins gave a masterclass Polesitter South
of riding in wet and dry “I am extremely happy Australian Michael Kemp
conditions at round two of with my efforts of winning (YZF-R1) lies seventh in the
the Pirelli Motul Victorian Race 1 in full wet conditions, points following a 2-DNS-
Road Racing Championship a win in Race 2 in half-wet/ 6 result, while Tasmanian
held at Winton Raceway dry conditions, and a win Jason Spencer (Honda
over 14-15 May. And while in Race 3 on a dry track,” he CBR1000RR) is in eighth
he now holds a commanding said later. place after his effort of DNF-
52-point lead in the 8-4.
Superbike championship, it Collins was shadowed by
wasn’t as easy as it looked. Brad Shaw (YZF-R1) in the In the Supersport
final race, but held his nerve category, Tim Large (YZF-
“Qualifying didn’t go our to win by just 0.474sec. R6) and Harley Side (YZF-
way,” he said after finding R6) continued their duels
himself second on the grid in Shaw bounced back from from the opening round.
the challenging conditions. a DNF in Race 1 to finish
third in Race 2 and maintain
It all came together in the second place on the points
three races, though, with table. Trent Binaisse (Suzuki
three hard-fought wins to GSX-R1000) is just one
give him six wins from six point behind after a 10-2-5
scorecard in the races.

110 amcn.com.au

1. Ted Collins (#29) gets ready to lead away the Superbike field 2. Collins leads Brad Shaw (Yamaha) poPplaeCmaCluscbenLsS@epnaUodmrtyciBonnu.tcrhocemMlus.buabunEjeeawcnts!dlitnoe
in the Esses 3. Darren Sciberras, boss of Race Center 4. In Supersport Luke Sanders leads Large
and Side 5. There was a good crowd on hand 6. Mates after SS racing; Large, Harley Side and William
Sharrock 7. Large leads Side and Brendan Wilson 8. Large and Shaw again 9. Tim Large was on top in
Supersport 10. Collins takes another chequered flag 11. Bronson White meets his hero, supermotard
rider Cori Bourne 12. Race admininstration volunteer Penny Simone and Loren Weaver (Preston Club)

8

49 10

Side beat polesitter Large by

0.858sec in Race 1 but Large

prevailed in Race 2. Side

struck back in the dry Race 3

to win by 0.493sec.

William Sharrock

(CBR600RR) finished third

overall for the meeting to

give major sponsor Race

Center a Supersport 600

5 top-three lockout. 11
Race Center is a

Melbourne-based operation

offering a mentorship

program for up to 18 riders

under the tutelage of owner

Darren Sciberras. Many

observers believe this

business is fast becoming

the backbone of Victorian

road racing.

An indication of its

6 commitment was arriving at

Winton with full wet and dry

set-ups for the motorcycles 12

and riders it was supporting.

There were eight classes STANDINGS AFTER 2 OF 4 ROUNDS

of racing over the weekend, SUPERBIKE

including Supersport 300. 1 TED COLLINS 150
Brodie Gawith (Yamaha 2 BRAD SHAW 98
YZF-R3) had two wins 3 TRENT BINAISSE 97
and a second place to win SUPERSPORT 600
the meeting. Matthew 140
Rindel (YZF-R3) leads the 1 TIM LARGE 128
2 HARLEY SIDE 87
3 BRENDAN WILSON

championship points. SUPERSPORT 300

The next round will be 1 MATTEW RINDEL 131
2 OLLY SHORT 111
7 held at Phillip Island over 3 RILEY BRENNAN 93
3-4 September.

amcn.com.au 111

sport

Grid talk INTERVIEW MATT O’CONNELL

1
2

Gene Crouch

We catch up with American Flat Track boss about the
controversial decision to handicap the successful Indian
FTR750 for 2022 and the fortunes of Aussie Max Whale

A merican Flat felt you had to do something changes we were making. Over thing. He put on a masterclass
Track has made about the Indian FTR750, the course of those tests, we on board the Indian, but we
significant changes having won the last five felt that we were putting the had a Yamaha and a Harley in
for 2022, can you championships? Indian into the performance second and third. That told us
tell us about them? Yeah, we went into an all-in envelope comparable to that of we were on the right path for
We announced towards the end mission to combine our two the other brands. the future.
of last season that we would twins classes. We had fewer
be consolidating our rules and entries in our top class, getting Is it too early to tell if the Another initiative we have
at the end of this season we down to only 11 entries – and formula is right? put into play for this year is
will be having just two classes. 10 of them were Indians. That’s You never know until racing the Mission Production Twins
We’ll have the Singles class, unsustainable in the premier starts. Heading into Volusia Challenge. It’s an opportunity
which is 450cc single-cylinder class. We knew we needed to we saw the Harley, Yamaha for the top-three finishers in
dirtbikes and then the twins combine the categories, but and Indian all up the front. our Production Twins class –
class, which is the Grand to do that we had to find a That first main at Volusia, which is our middle category
National Championship. That performance balance between everybody had to put their of twins – to race their way
will comprise of custom twin- the Indian and the rest of the cards on the table because into the Super Twins category.
cylinder motorcycles from brands that were competing. there are points and a purse These bikes have a smaller
Harley-Davidson, Indian and So we did some testing over on the line. What we saw was performance envelope and
Yamaha and a variety of other the off season, working with a very fair balance between the technical regulations are
brands. the top riders and engineers to manufacturers, and we saw the a little tighter, so there was a
make sure that we understood best man win. Briar Bauman, question as to whether or not
But for this year you guys the implications of the he just rode the wheels off that they would be competitive.
We saw a production-twins

112 amcn.com.au

MAIN: COO of Progressive American Flat Track Gene Crouch 1. Max Whale is flying the Aussie flag in AFT 2. Flat Track
draws big crowds 3. Reigning champion Jared Mees is one of the Indian riders who have been brought back to the field
4. Whale has the potential to move to the AFT SuperTwins class, says Crouch 5. Mees leads the points after three rounds
6. AFT is working to make brands such as Yamaha, Kawasaki, KTM and Harley-Davidson more competitive
35

46

“I think that Max has a good potential to be fast
on a twin because of his size, he’s a bigger rider”

Harley at Volusia running as we have had back from the the displacement range that we When might we see Max make
high as fourth. We feel that this manufacturers is that there is know works best for flat track, the move to a twin?
combination of technical rules an interest in promoting the and which is also in line with I think that Max has a good
in place so far will set us up middle displacement range for the goals of the manufacturers. potential to be fast on a twin
for the future and provide the a twin-cylinder motorcycle. because of his size, he’s a
widest opportunity for OEM Aussies have got Max Whale bigger rider. A lot of times
representation and racing in a That’s great for us because to watch in Singles, and he bigger riders have difficulty on
cost-contained manner. the historic displacement has been at the top of that a single because on a mile they
for a flat track bike is 750cc. category for a few years now. are catching more wind, they
What about the thoughts of The good news is that the What advice would you give have more body mass. To see
Jared Mees, he has been vocal motorcycle manufacturers still to other Aussies considering him so successful on a single, it
about opening up capacity want to promote that product. flat track? opens up the door for him to be
limits and racing 1200cc There are some middle- Follow your heart. Some of very successful on a twin. He’ll
twins. Could that be an option weight twins coming out in the best road racers started on have the ability to muscle the
for AFT? the near future from several dirt. The dirt-track community bike around. The top
I’m definitely familiar with manufacturers that they in the USA is very tight manufacturers, they would
Jared’s idea, he and I have had are interested in promoting knit, it’s very much a family have to be looking at him in
many conversations around through the sport of flat track, community here, so we would the same way, so there is real
this topic (laughs)! What I so we are still committed to welcome anyone that wanted potential for him to move into
can say about that is we have that mid-displacement range to try that path, as you’ve seen the Twins class when the time
spoken to the OEMs at length for twins. with Max Whale. He has been is right, there’s certainly a lot
and the platforms that they quickly adopted over here into of eyes on him. These days
would like to promote. The It’s interesting what Jared the American culture and we we’re seeing more talent stay
ground floor of any successful has brought up, there’s no quite enjoy his success and in the singles class longer
motorsport is the OEMs – the doubt there are more 1200cc look forward to what he can do because of increased
manufacturers. The message motorcycles sold in the US as he continues. manufacturer support.
than mid-displacement twins,
but we are still committed to

amcn.com.au 113

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