Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) secured his third MotoGP win of the season in France last night.
Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) finished second as the top Ducati rider.
Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) returns to the podium despite struggling with handling and grip.
It was an ultra-dramatic MotoGP race last night at the HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France. Many events unfolded which resulted in Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez winning his third race of the season and equalising the number of premier class wins to Casey Stoner’s total of 38. (more…)
Miguel Oliveira will graduate to MotoGP in 2019 after signing a new deal with the Tech 3 squad.
The 23-year-old Portuguese racer will be the first rider that will go through the entire Red Bull KTM system.
From Red Bull Rookies Cup all the way up to MotoGP, Oliveira has been a rising star which has given KTM a good number of wins in his career.
Current Moto2 championship contender Miguel Oliveira will be heading up to the premier MotoGP class in 2019. This was confirmed in Jerez last weekend when he signed a deal with the Tech 3 squad. Oliveira will also be the first rider to go through the entire Red Bull KTM system all the way up to MotoGP. (more…)
There’s a possibility that Sepang International Circuit (SIC) will run the first-ever Malaysian MotoGP team in 2019.
Rumours have indicated that the folks from SIC are heading to Jerez this weekend to work something out with MotoGP and Yamaha.
SIC might partner up with one of the existing private teams with hopes that they can bring in Hafizh, Yamaha, and some funds along with the deal.
We all know that 2019 will be a major season for the entire MotoGP grid. With the changes and additions satellite bikes and the possible reshuffling of riders, there are also rumours on Sepang International Circuit (SIC) securing the first Malaysian MotoGP team next season. (more…)
It seems that MotoGP rider Johann Zarco is set to make his move to the KTM factory team in 2019.
The latest rumour has indicated that the Frenchman has reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with the Austrian manufacturer.
If this is true, Zarco will be a KTM factory rider and will ride their latest KTM RC16 MotoGP bike in 2019 and 2020.
A recent report made by Motorsport.com has stated that current Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Johann Zarco is ready to make his move to KTM next season. The French rider has long been associated with the Austrian manufacturer even since his current team confirmed their move to KTM machinery next season. (more…)
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) took home his sixth consecutive MotoGP win yesterday at the Circuit of the Americas.
Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) got his groove back and finished strong in second place.
Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) gave Suzuki their first back-to-back podium finishes by finishing the race in third.
Despite receiving a three-place grid penalty which saw Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez starting the race from the fourth position, the defending champion and the Circuit of the Americas records holder showed everyone why he’s still the man to beat this year. (more…)
Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Maverick Vinales has been promoted to pole position.
Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez did set the fastest time but will start from fourth after he was given a three-place grid penalty.
Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) completes the front row.
It was a qualifying session filled with drama at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas yesterday as they battle it out for race position on Sunday. The MotoGP qualifying session saw Repsol Honda rider and defending champion setting the fastest lap of the day even after a rough tumble at Turn 13. (more…)
Valentino Rossi has hit hard on Marquez’s riding yesterday by saying that Marquez is destroying the sport.
The duo clashed yesterday mid-race which led to Rossi’s fall in the Argentina GP.
Marquez has been under fire all weekend especially race day for his ‘dangerous riding’ involving several other riders.
Movistar Yamaha MotoGP and nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi had a few choice words to say on the riding antics of one Marc Marquez from Repsol Honda. In a drama-filled Argentina GP race yesterday, Rossi made sure everyone knew how he feels about Marquez which he deemed as ‘dangerous’ all weekend long. (more…)
Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) won his third ever MotoGP race yesterday in Argentina.
Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) came in second followed by Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) in third.
The drama-filled race saw many events especially the clash between Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi.
LCR Honda Castrol rider Cal Crutchlow took home his third ever MotoGP victory yesterday in the Argentina GP. The battle for first came to an incredible conclusion as Crutchlow crossed the chequered flag ahead of Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and more impressively, Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar). (more…)
There are many speculations on how Hafizh Syahrin was picked to ride for Monster Yamaha Tech 3 in MotoGP.
Team principal, Herve Poncharal revealed what happened in an interview with MotoGP.
Hope his revelation puts all skepticism to rest.
This may sound like a bad sector in your laptop’s hard disk: It keeps playing back a certain track. That’s how it probably sounds like when it comes to Hafizh Syahrin, patriotism notwithsanding.
Specifically though, it’s about many – some Malaysians included, unfortunately – who still call Hafizh Syahrin’s viability as not only as a MotoGP rider (click here for our report when the news broke), but a MotoGP rider in arguably the top satellite team apart from Alma Pramac Ducati. There were vicious hissings on social media that some Malaysian governing body or SIC had “paid for his seat.”
YBhg. Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Ahmad Razali, Chief Executive Officer of Sepang International Circuit (SIC), had dispelled the rumours during the official announcement of Hafizh been contracted by Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (click here for our coverage of the event).
Now Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s boss, Herve Poncharal put the record straight during an interview with MotoGP.
Poncharal said, “I met (Dato’ Ahmad Razlan) Ahmad Razali, the CEO of Sepang and talking to him I had a crazy idea. I asked him, ‘What about Syahin in MotoGP?’ He thought I was joking.”
He continued, “The sponsors and suppliers were asking me who I was talking about; the’d never heard of him. From then on I had to convince everyone that he was a good rider. And I would have continued even if there had been more resistance. We’re here to enjoy ourselves.”
But what prompted Poncharal to consider Hafizh. For starters, we knew that Yonny Hernandez didn’t impress during his test at SIC. To be brutally honest, the Columbian had campaigned in MotoGP for many years so that wasn’t his first outing on a MotoGP bike. Additionally and probably the deciding factor was because he had already signed on with a WSBK team. Poncharal had himself iterated that he isn’t interested in a rider who’s already contracted to others.
His answer was, “When you choose a rider, there is always an element of risk. I like people who take risks and I do it too. In competition, you have to like the challenge – if you don’t, you’re in the wrong place.”
It was also fortunate for Haifzh and us Malaysians as Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team is a non-factory team, to see Pescao 55 get his big break, as it meant that Poncharal could make his own decisions, “Team Managers of the official factories can choose the best riders because they have more money to pay them… Instead of signing a top rider, because I can’t, I prefer to take a risk on something that could turn out exciting.”
What is Poncharal’s thoughts about Hafizh now? “Now I’m really happy. I’m not saying he’s going to be the fastest but he’s doing well.”
So, it was the Frenchman who sought out Hafizh Syahrin, not the other way around, and he likes taking risks. Compris? Oui? Très bien!
The next Grand Prix round takes place at the Termas de Rio Hondo Circuit in Argentina, from 6th to 8th April. Stay tuned for the latest news and race reports.
SIC and Hafizh Syahrin has confirmed the rider’s seat in the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team.
Hafizh’s first outing on the Yamaha YZF-M1 during the Buriram Winter Test was positive.
There is one more Winter Test at Qatar from 1st to 3rd March before the start of the season.
21st February 2018, Petaling Jaya – There are many ways to stir the sense of patriotism amongst the citizens of a country, sports being one of them. Malaysia has long have great motorcycling talents but they’ve never seemed to capture much limelight, until recently.
The Hafizh Syahrin “Pescao 55” saga has been put to the rest as the affable Malaysian hero’s place in the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team for 2018 MotoGP has been confirmed without a sliver of doubt, as of 4pm today.
Speaking at a tea-time session with Malaysian journalists, Dato’ Ahmad Razlan Razali and Hafizh Syahmin made the announcement to a boisterous cheer, as patriotism took hold on everyone present.
When questioned, Hafizh said, “I tried my best during the Winter Test at Buriram. Most new riders to the premier class (MotoGP) would record times at least 3 or 4 seconds slower than the leader.”
“While I couldn’t promise great results right away, as there’s still much to learn, what I can promise Malaysia and my fans is that I will always continue to fight for the best possible results,” he continued.
Indeed, Hafizh isn’t a rider who gives up as he had shown in his past races.
Shifting from one team to another is always difficult and that’s why certain riders suffer when they do so. “The atmosphere in the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team is very supportive and relaxed. They’ve been very supportive in providing guidance and advice. Even Johann Zarco has provided some advice.”
As for further testing and development, “I had to get used to the bike quickly. In some sense, the many electronic rider aids in MotoGP helps much more than it did in Moto2. However, the team will send me out for many more laps in the coming test (Qatar). That way, the team could run race simulations, allowing to learn more how the bike handles when the tyre performance drops off and the electronics.”
There’ve been rumblings in social media as to how Hafizh got the Tech 3 seat, ahead of riders such as Moto2 Champion Franco Morbidelli, and forerunners such as Thomas Luthi, Xavier Simeon, Takaagi Nakagami. To put it succinctly, it was speculated that SIC had paid for Hafizh’s seat. Perhaps, we shouldn’t think that far, as Occam’s razor applies in this case: “When all things seems to make no sense, the simplest explanation is the simplest one.” Those riders had signed to their respective teams before Jonas Folger’s announcement to drop out of MotoGP, paving the way for Hafizh.
Dato’ Razlan explained, “The sponsorships deals for the team had been finalized, so there’s no room for SIC to insert our branding. But Insy’Allah, we could do it in 2019.”
“It has always been SIC’s dream to put a Malaysian in every class. However, Hafizh’s entry to MotoGP is one year earlier than we anticipated and that saved us the money. Right now, SIC will take care of Hafizh’s personal costs during the season.”
Hafizh will be based primarily in Spain for the year, “SIC has set up training facilities for myself, Adam Norrodin and Zulfahmi Khairuddin there. I’ve contested in the Spanish CEV before Moto2 so there’s no problem for me there.”
So, will Hafizh’s participation in MotoGP draw in the crowds to the Malaysian MotoGP? “It definitely will,” said Dato’ Razlan, “We are expecting to see a 200% increase in the number of spectators.”
“We hope that with Hafizh’s involvement in MotoGP that especially young Malaysian motorcyclists will be inspired to channel their talents appropriately. With the right focus and determination, look at where one could reach,” added Dato’ Razlan.
At the end of it, come what may, Malaysians can proudly wave the Jalur Gemilang at SIC. Let’s also hope to hear Negaraku on the TV soon.
Ada sesetengah pihak telah bertanya, adakah Hafizh Syahrin penunggang MotoGP Malaysia yang pertama.
Selepas selesainya sesi ujian MotoGP di Thailand, kita tidak boleh nafikan lagi yang Hafizh adalah penunggang dari Malaysia yang pertama mengemudi motosikal MotoGP 1,000cc era moden ini.
Pengesahan muktamad akan datang dari pasukan Monster Yamaha Tech3 sama ada Hafizh Syahrin akan menjadi penunggang MotoGP kelahiran Malaysia pertama yang akan bertanding dalam kelas premier pada musim ini.
