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MotoGP: Marc Marquez Intensify Training Ahead Of 2022 MotoGP

Marc Marquez has been in and out of surgery prior to his comeback at the 2021 MotoGP.

However, despite a strong return to the race last season, he then suffered a training crash and struggled with diplopia (double vision) prior to the penultimate round of the 2021 schedule.

This means Marquez, will need to fight his way back into the game again ahead of the 2022 season.

Just last week, Honda revealed that the Spaniard is adequately progressing on his road to recovery.

However, in the latest update by the rider himself, Marquez can be seen wearing a Red-Bull branded workout gear hence signalling he’s currently
working out to regain some stamina.

While Marquez’s intensify his training, GP One’s Carlo Pernat revealed that the 28-year-old rider will not make it in time for the official pre-season test in Sepang Circuit.

The uncertainty about his health also led Honda to start looking at the prospect of signing Suzuki’s Joan Mir for 2023. While Marquez’s spot with the Japanese marquee is safe through 2024, the move could displace Pol Espargaro.

Nevertheless, looking back at how strong Marquez was despite he was just 70 per cent back to his best last season, the six-time MotoGP world champion will go all out to be ready for the upcoming 2022 season.

The Zeppelin Will Remain As A Concept Motorcycle – TVS Motor Company

After months of speculation, TVS Motor Company has officially confirmed that the company has no plan to bring the Zeppelin concept to production.

The excitement over the Zeppelin is still existing despite the concept motorcycle was first unveiled back in 2018.

Despite the Zeppelin still making the news to this day, there have been no developments about the motorcycle from TVS.

In the latest update, TVS Motor has confirmed that the Zeppelin will remain as a concept via the company official Instagram page.

The Zeppelin was showcased as an entry-level cruiser that featured a first-of-its-kind hybrid powertrain by combining a 220cc single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine paired to a 1200W regenerative assist motor.

The motorcycle also comes equipped with a unique Integrated Starter Generator (ISG), a patented system by TVS.

While the news might come as a surprise, there is still a good chance that TVS has other plans in the future.

We might see a different kind of cruiser soon enough.

CONFIRMED: New Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 To Break Cover In 2023

Royal Enfield is about to unleash an all-new Himalayan 450 that is set to rival the KTM 390 Adventure.

The rumours have been making their round for quite some time now but it has been confirmed that a more powerful Himalayan will be set to debut in the first quarter of 2023.

According to reports in India, Royal Enfield decided to develop a slightly bigger Himalayan after customer feedback suggested the current Himalayan 411 is a bit underpowered due to its weight.

As the name suggests, the Himalayan 450 will carry a 450cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine capable of producing 40hp and has more low-end grunt and better mid-range power. Power is delivered to the rear wheel via a 6-speed manual transmission.

Looking at the image render provided by BikeWale, the Himalayan 450 shares a very similar build-up with the 411 including a circular headlamp, frame, tall handlebars and long suspension travel.

The 450 is expected to carry the same tire configuration with a 21-inch front and 17-inch rear.

Interestingly, the 450 will also feature tubeless spoke wheels, something you usually find on a bigger and pricier adventure machine.

BREAKING: The 2022 Moto Morini X-Cape 650 Is Coming To Malaysia

One of the most anticipated bike for 2022, the Moto Morini X-Cape 650 is coming to Malaysia via MForce Bike Holdings.

In an official statement, MForce Bike Holdings has announced that the company has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of Moto Morini in Malaysia.

For those who are not in the loop, Moto Morini is an Italian motorcycle company established back in 1937 and is based in Bologna.

While it retains the Italian image and head office in Milan, Moto Morini went into liquidation in late 2010 before they were revived by again a year later. However, in fall of 2018, the ownership rights had transferred to Zhongneng Vehicle Group.

Currently, the Moto Morini motorcycle range includes the Corsaro ZT, Corsaro ZZ, Milano and Super Scrambler, all of which is powered by a 1,200cc V-Twin.

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However, the one that caught our attention is the upcoming X-Cape 650 that whas first showcased at EICMA in Milan, Italy back in November.

The X-Cape 650 features a 649cc parallel-twin engine that makes around 60hp @ 8,250rpm and 56Nm @ 7,000rpm. While the power is decent, the X-Cape 650 comes fitted with premium components, including an adjustable upside down Marzocchi forks, adjustable KYB rear shocks and Brembo brakes.

The adventure-tourer also comes equipped with an 18L tank and a 7-inch TFT instrument display.

To ensure its rigidity on and off-road, the X-Cape 650 is built around a steel trellis frame and paired to an aluminium swingarm.

According to MForce, the X-Cape 650 is expected to arrived in Malaysia sometime in Q2 2022.

I Will Make My MotoGP Debut In 2023 – Toprak Razgatlioglu

The 2021 WorldSBK Champion has spoken, Toprak Razgatlioglu will make his MotoGP debut in 2023.

After much speculation about his future, the 25-year-old Turkish rider has confirmed that he will make the jump to MotoGP in 2023.

It was a spectacular season for the Yamaha rider, not only winning his first WorldSBK title but also beating six-time WorldSBK champion, Jonathan Rea.

While the aim is to make the shift to MotoGP, Razgatlioglu is still set his sight of retaining the WorldSBK title in 2022.

In the meantime, he will get his taste of grand prix racing with the factory-spec YZR-M1.

“I will try the M1 in a private test, I will be on track with Cal Crutchlow and I will be able to make my MotoGP debut in 2023.

“I know that people who like me and accompany me want me to do this more than I do.

“So 2022 is very important for my transition to MotoGP. But for now, I want to be focused on defending the Superbike title in 2022,” he said.

2022 Dakar: Danilo Petrucci Takes Maiden Dakar Stage Win

Danilo Petrucci just became the first former MotoGP rider to win a Dakar Rally stage at the 2022 Dakar.

It was an exceptional Day 5 for the Italian after finishing stage four at third place, his first-ever podium after leaving MotoGP.

While some might suggest it was pure luck, that thought was single-handedly shut down by Petrucci as he came out on top of Stage 5 despite getting into his first Dakar crash.

“Today was quite a long day. I set off this morning and decided I really wanted to learn and improve my navigation, so I didn’t push too hard at the beginning.

“After one corner there was a large dune with a group of camels on the other side. One big camel came into the track, and I had to avoid it but ended up crashing after going across a lot of bumps and camel grass.

“That was my very first crash of this Dakar. After that I eased off a bit and Kevin caught up with me and we rode together towards the finish,” said Petrucci.

Despite coming in second place, 4 minutes 14 seconds behind fellow KTM Toby Price, the latter was handed a six-minute penalty for speeding, subsequently handing Petrucci his first Dakar stage win in just his fifth attempt.

Petrucci started the endurance rather strongly, storming the first stage at 13th place.

However, his KTM 450 Rally suffered a mechanical issue during Stage 2 after passing kilometre 115, which also ended his chance to finish the 2022 Dakar within the classification.

Nevertheless, he bounced back in Stage 3 and got to finish in 22nd place, 9 minutes 21 seconds off the winner.

Two-time motocross world champion, Heinz Kinigadner had high praise for the KTM rider who is considered a rookie in Dakar.

“Danilo Petrucci rode incredibly in the fourth stage. He made rally aces look almost ridiculous on Wednesday, to the point of embarrassing them,” he said.