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MotoGP: Dovizioso scores Ducati’s First back-to-back Win since 2010

Last weekend’s MotoGP race saw Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) with a very comfortable race win in the Spanish GP ahead of the Repsol Honda duos, Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa.

This win marks Ducati’s first ever back-to-back win since 2010 when MotoGP Legend Casey Stoner was racing with them.

Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) crossed the line in P4 ahead of Monster Yamaha Tech 3 riders, Johann Zarco and Jonas Folger.

It was a weird, unpredictable yet amazing MotoGP race weekend over at Catalunya where Andrea Dovizioso crossed the line comfortably in first place for the second time in a row on board his Ducati Desmosedici GP17. This win for ‘DesmoDovi’ marks Ducati first ever back-to-back win for the giant red Italian manufacturer since 2010 when MotoGP Legend Casey Stoner was racing with them. (more…)

Chang Circuit is boring – Valentino Rossi

Nine time world champion Valentino Rossi has described the Chang International Circuit as boring. This is in response to reports that Thailand may be the third Asian country to host a MotoGP race at the circuit in Buriram.

In a report published by motorsport website crash.net, Rossi is said to be “not very happy to go” to Thailand in 2018.

The report said that Rossi was left “unmoved” after a recent trip to the Chang International Circuit. It is said that he was left unmoved by the location, and feels that the five hour drive from Bangkok would be “inconvenient for the traveling MotoGP community”.

Referring to the possible addition of a 19th race in 2018, Rossi was quoted as saying, “I think 18 is already a good number.”

“If from 18 goes to 19, it doesn’t change the world, but if it’s possible to remain 18, I’m more happy.”

Describing the problems with the track, Rossi said, “Especially the problem I think is, I was in Thailand for Yamaha two years ago and the track is not interesting. It’s very boring, has not a lot of corners, just long straights. I think it’s not the best place to go.”

“And also where the track is, is quite bad, it’s far from everything. So I’m not very happy to go to Thailand, essentially, on that track. But if we have to go, we’ll go.”

Marc Marquez too echoed the opinion of his rival, and agreed that the number of races per year was “already a lot”. However, Marquez too is open to the idea of sampling a new setting and layout.

“Like Valentino says, 18 race is already a lot,” said Marquez. “Maximum, I don’t know the plan in the future, but maximum 20 races will already be the limit for the riders. But, OK, Thailand is a new track, I like new tracks. Always when we go to new tracks I feel good. So why not? I like it.”

However, current championship leader Maverick Vinales expressed concern that the expansion to more races would make it more difficult for riders to keep fit throughout the season.

In the report, Vinales was quoted as saying, “It’s always difficult. When it’s more races it’s even more difficult because you have to continue on your 100% all of the year. It’s really difficult. When you have a great physical condition, six, seven more, you start to go down.

“But every person will go down, you cannot stay at the top level all the year. It’s going to make it more difficult, but also it’s going to be good for the show, more interesting. Let’s see. I don’t know. I like to go to new places, new tracks that we can enjoy it.

“Thailand, the place is quite nice, so it’s going to be quite nice to go there. It’s going to be good. Also, the other places, I like to go to new tracks and try it, and not always the same tracks. It’s going to be difficult to make all of the year at a really good level.”

Read the original report by Crash.net here.

CONFIRMED: Thailand will host MotoGP in 2018

Thailand has confirmed that they will start hosting the MotoGP race for three years beginning in 2018.

The deal was finalised between the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and Dorna last weekend during a meeting in Italy.

The MotoGP Thai Round will run its course from 5 to 7 October 2018.

According to a report made by the Bangkok Post, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and Dorna has come to an agreement which will see Thailand hosting the MotoGP race for three years beginning in 2018. Both parties finally struck the deal the past weekend back in Italy. (more…)

MotoGP: ‘DesmoDovi’ became First Italian Rider to win the Italian GP on a Ducati

The MotoGP round in Mugello yesterday saw Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) became the first ever Italian rider to win the Italian GP on an Italian bike.

The win pushed ‘DesmoDovi’ to the second position in the world standings with 79 points behind championship leader and second place finisher, Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP).

Danilo Petrucci (OCTO Pramac Racing) hunted down the front runners and snatched the final podium spot away from hometown hero, Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP).

Ducati’s very own Andrea Dovizioso and their beloved Ducati Desmosedici GP17 created history yesterday in Mugello. Their amazing win marked the first ever Italian rider to win the Italian GP on an Italian bike. Despite battling with illness throughout the weekend, ‘DesmoDovi’ came out triumphant in front of his legendary home crowd. (more…)

Confirmed: Triumph to replace Honda as Moto2 engine supplier!

There have been whispers in the industry for many months now, and some dealers have even known about it for a few months already, but it has just been officially made official – Triumph motorcycles will be the exclusive engine supplier to the FIM Moto2 World Championship beginning 2019.

The 765cc engine is the same as the one powering the Triumph Street Triple.

The British motorcycle maker has signed a three-year contract with Dorna, the commercial rights holder of MotoGP, to supply a race-tuned 765cc triple cylinder engine based on the same engine as the all-new 2017 Triumph Street Triple.

Triumph engines have already proven themselves by winning multiple races including the legendary Isle of Man TT.

The engine is based on the race-winning Daytona 675R which has already proven itself with Supersport wins at the Isle of Man TT, Daytona 200 and British Supersport Championships in 2014 and in 2015.

Officiall official – Triumph will supply all Moto2 engines beginning 2019!

The engine has been re-developed with the following modifications:

• Modified cylinder head with revised inlet and exhaust ports for optimised gas flow
• Titanium valves and stiffer valve springs for increased rpm
• Low Output race kit alternator for reduced inertia
• Taller 1st gear ratio
• Race developed slipper clutch which will be tuneable
• Specific race ECU; which will be
• Revised engine covers for reduced width
• Different sump to allow for improved header run

The engine which will be used in Moto2 however has been further developed to allow it to ‘breathe’ more freely and rev harder than the production bike, increasing overall performance. There are other classified updates to to specifically adapt the engine for race use.

The Triumph Street Triple is already a legend by itself, with many fans hailing it as one of the greatest naked bikes ever!

This is fantastic news for current owners and fans as it brings the British marque up to the same level as some of the most iconic engine makers like Ducati, Honda and Yamaha. The engine has already been proven to be powerful and reliable, and with this, you can expect every Triumph motorcycle to come out of the factory to have some racing pedigree.

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi Fit to Race in Mugello this weekend

The medical representatives from FIM, Mugello Circuit and MotoGP have all declared that Valentino Rossi fit race this weekend in the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley, Mugello.

The news was a big sigh of relief for Rossi’s fans after having suffered significant injuries when the Italian was involved in a major motocross incident a few days ago.

Valentino Rossi’s injuries included major trauma to the chest and stomach together with bruised liver and kidneys.

MotoGP royalty Valentino Rossi has been declared fit to race at this weekend’s Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley. The FIM medical director, Dr Giancarlo di Filippo together with the Chief Medical Officer of the Autodromo Del Mugello circuit and MotoGP Medical Director all gave the thumbs up for the Italian’s hometown hero to race in front of his home crowd this weekend. (more…)

New Ducati MotoGP Engine in the Works

Danilo Petrucci (OCTO Pramac Racing) was given the chance to pilot the latest Desmosedici GP17 but at the same time help develop a new Ducati MotoGP engine.

No specific details were given on the new engine but Petrucci stated that the engine will be given back to the factory team once they’re done with all of the tests.

Petrucci also commented that the engine has roughly the same power as the current GP17 engine except for a few parts; most probably throttle body, exhaust, etc.

OCTO Pramac Racing MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci is currently developing a brand new engine to be used on the Ducati Desmosedici GP17. The OCTO Pramac racing team was given the latest Ducati MotoGP machinery with the condition of assisting in developing and testing new parts before handing the information back over to the factory team. (more…)

Who was Malaysia’s First GP Rider?

With more Malaysian riders competing in international races around the world, the question of who was Malaysia’s first GP rider comes to mind.

There were many Malaysians racing in regional and national GP races back in the 1960s to 1980s from the legendary riders like Oh Kah Beng aka “Foreman Oh” and Kuan Huah Chin aka “Bulldog Kuan”.

The first modern-day GP rider is none other than Shahrol Yuzy who began his international GP career back in 1996 and retired in 2002.

In this modern day and age, Malaysians are getting more recognition than ever especially in the motorcycle racing world. Currently, we have a total of three young Malaysians competing in the highest level of road or circuit racing that is MotoGP. (more…)

BMW says No to MotoGP

BMW Motorrad has clearly stated that they have no interest in competing in the highest level of circuit racing that is MotoGP.

Their exit from WorldSBK back in 2013 was rumoured as a preparation to join MotoGP but they clarified that they were refocusing on developing their road bikes at the time.

BMW Motorrad is currently racing in WorldSBK with the Althea BMW Racing Team together with their riders, Raffaele De Rosa and Jordi Torres piloting their BMW S1000RR.

With more and more factory teams partaking in the world’s highest level of circuit racing that is MotoGP, some folks are starting to wonder if there will be more manufacturers willing to give a shot at racing fame as well as showcasing they physical prowess when it comes to developing superb racing machines. (more…)

Nicky Hayden has passed away

Nicky Hayden has sadly succumbed to his injuries. The 2006 MotoGP world champion was involved in a road traffic accident last Wednesday while riding a bicycle.

The 35-year old American was hit by a car near Misano circuit in Rimini, Italy.

Hayden had switched to World Superbike Championship in 2015 but also appeared in MotoGP twice last year.

Hayden had sustained severe head, chest and pelvic injuries and was transported first to a local hospital and then to the intensive care unit of a major hospital in Italy.

Hayden’s condition never improved.

He will be forever remembered as a world champion who only won three MotoGP races. The Kentucky Kid as he is lovingly known, racked up six second place finishes and 19 third place finishes in his career, with a total of 28 podium finishes.

Hayden was team-mate to some of the all time greats including Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner, both of who he was good friends with.

Rossi hailed Hayden as “one of the best friends I’ve ever had in the paddock.”

Hayden and Rossi share a special relationship as the American was the one who ended the Italian’s run of five consecutive MotoGP titles in 2006.

Hayden was one of the few motorcycle racers who enjoyed success both in MotoGP and in WSBK.

With his passing, the sport, both MotoGP and WSBK, no longer has an American racing in the series.

We at Bikes Republic are devastated by the news. It’s a dark day for motorcycle enthusiasts everywhere.

MotoGP: Vinales snatches 500th Grand Prix Win for Yamaha in France; Marquez and Rossi DNF

Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) ran a brilliant race yesterday during the HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France in Le Mans which makes it three out five wins this season.

Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) crashed out of yesterday’s race dropping them down the world standings.

Vinales now leads the 2017 MotoGP championship with 85 points, Dani Pedrosa second with 68 points and Rossi in third with 62 points.

After a difficult weekend for most of the high-profile riders from top factory teams all weekend, Maverick Vinales from the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP squad came out on top with yet another win at the HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France in Le Mans. This third win of the season puts him in ahead in the world championship with 85 points. (more…)

MotoGP: Vinales heads an All Yamaha Front Row Start in Today’s French GP

Yesterday’s MotoGP qualifying session saw an all Yamaha front row assault where Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) will start at the front of today’s race.

They will start today’s race together with French local boy, Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) who ran a sensational Q1 and Q2 in front of his home fans.

Other surprises in today’s race includes the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing duo, Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith who qualified in a respectable P8 and P10.

Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) will start tomorrow’s MotoGP race for the HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France when he qualified on top of the time sheets during qualifying yesterday. After a troubled free practice sessions which haunted most of the high profile riders and factory teams, Vinales managed to set a blistering pace to sit comfortably at the front for tomorrow’s race. (more…)

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