motogp Archives

Mechmoto Racing Brings Exciting New MotoGP Experience To Asia

We’ve all seen the usual MotoGP race weekend packages offered by travel companies that include flights, accommodation and a grandstand ticket. Now, thanks to Mechmoto Racing, MotoGP fans have the chance to feel what it’s like to be a team member with their Ultimate GP Racing Experience.

Say goodbye to the standard grandstand pass and say hello to the MotoGP pit wall, team garage and hospitality as you join a MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 team for a whole race weekend.

Indy Sam and Justin McLachlan from Mechmoto Racing in Australia have utilised their MotoGP contacts to offer race fans an ultimate GP experience that is unrivalled.

Mechmoto is a leading motorcycle servicing business based in Queensland Australia that brings MotoGP expertise to the roads. Co-Founder Indy Sam has had a long and illustrious two-wheel career having worked in MotoGP, World Superbike Championship, and the Australian Superbike Championship since the early 2000’s as a mechanic.

With Indy’s experience in these leading motorcycle racing series, not only has he been able to bring that mechanical experience to road bikes in the land down under, but he’s been able to work with MotoGP teams to offer race weekend experiences like no other. “We are race enthusiasts,” says Indy. “And we know what an awesome race weekend experience would be for enthusiasts like us. So with my contacts in MotoGP we can offer an experience that takes the fans right into the heart of the team to feel the excitement and drama up close and personal.”

Limited to only four guests per MotoGP round, the guests will be immersed in unparalleled access with their own personalised official MotoGP paddock pass and personally guided by Indy himself as they experience a race start from the pit wall, pit lane walks, team garage visits, meeting riders, dining in team hospitality, and even joining the team parties. A team may even allow guests to join a debrief.

Currently there are two teams who are part of the Race event package – LCR Honda MotoGP and Gas Gas Aspar Moto2 & Moto3 – discussions are underway to bring in more teams though guests will meet many other teams unofficially during the event.

As a special introduction to Asia based MotoGP fans, Mechmoto Racing is offering over 20% ($4,000) off the package price. More information can be found at http://www.mechmotoracing.com/the-ultimate-gp-racing-experience.

*Article contributed by Ben Potter

Nadal Wishes Marquez The Best Of Luck On His New Challenges, Hints At Honda Exit?

Speculation about the future of MotoGP superstar Marc Marquez continues to swirl, with rumors of retirement and a potential team switch causing a stir among fans.

KTM is likely to be the relevant destination for the 8-time World Champion.
The Spaniard is rumoured to be unhappy at Honda.

While details remain scarce, a recent social media post from tennis legend Rafael Nadal has added fuel to the fire and hinted at Marquez’s possible departure from Honda.

Nadal, a close friend of Marquez and a beloved personality in Spain, posted a photo of the two icons together, accompanied by a caption that raised eyebrows. He wrote, “Visits [views] that make you very excited. Thanks @marcmarquez93 for coming to meet the Rafa Nadal Academy By Movistar. We see each other soon and good luck on your new challenges.”

¡Visitas de las que hacen mucha ilusión! ☺️ ¡Gracias @marcmarquez93 por venir a conocer la Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar! ¡Nos vemos pronto y suerte en tus nuevos retos! 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/OMnlYPWQE1

— Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar (@rnadalacademy) July 10, 2023

The phrase “new challenges” has sparked speculation about Marquez’s next move within MotoGP or potentially outside the premier class. While Marquez is currently contracted with the Repsol Honda MotoGP team for another year, his future beyond 2023 remains uncertain.

Alberto Puig, Honda’s team boss, has expressed a willingness to respect Marquez’s wishes, stating that he wouldn’t want to keep the rider against his will. Puig understands that an unhappy rider rarely performs at their best, as demonstrated by previous cases like Lorenzo and Rossi at Ducati, and Maverick Vinales at the end of his Yamaha contract. However, Honda is unlikely to release Marquez without significant compensation.

Should Marquez and Honda part ways before his contract expires, KTM emerges as a potential destination. KTM has been performing exceptionally well in MotoGP and is the only team capable of challenging the dominant Ducatis. Nevertheless, KTM would have to pay a hefty sum to secure Marquez’s services, considering the existing contracts of their current riders, Brad Binder and Jack Miller, which extend until the end of 2024.

Alpinestars Unveils Limited Edition Supertech R10 Race Helmet

Alpinestars, the renowned manufacturer of motorcycle gear and apparel, has recently unveiled its latest offering in racing helmets – the limited edition Supertech R10.

Designed and developed specifically for professional MotoGP athletes, this cutting-edge helmet combines speed, protection, and comfort to enhance the overall racing and sport riding experience.

The Supertech R10 features a range of innovative design elements aimed at maximizing performance. The helmet’s aerodynamic stability is achieved through a meticulous reduction of drag, ensuring optimal air management both inside and outside the helmet. The optimized chin bar design provides maximum protection for the collar bone, while also offering a lightweight and robust profile to safeguard the rider’s chin tip area.

Constructed with a multi-layer composite and advanced epoxy resin, the Supertech R10 achieves an ideal balance of strength, mechanical performance, and weight ratio. The external and internal materials are strategically designed to provide exceptional protection against both linear and oblique acceleration impacts. Furthermore, the shell’s lower profile is engineered to safeguard the rider’s collarbone in the event of a heavy impact.

Aerodynamic efficiency and stability are further enhanced by the race spoiler and winglets, which effectively reduce drag by 4.54%. The helmet boasts an impressive field of vision, with 220 degrees of lateral vision and 57 degrees of vertical vision. Additionally, the shield construction is equipped with pins for easy fixation of a Pinlock 120XLT – 100% Max Vision lens and tear-off films.

Safety remains a top priority, as the Supertech R10 is ECE22.06 homologated and features an Optical Class 1 shield. The shield mechanism incorporates metal lock levers to prevent unwanted detachment during impacts, while the tool-less quick release system allows for swift and effortless visor changes. The helmet’s chin vent, designed with laminated airflow, effectively prevents fogging and misting.

Inside the helmet, the EPS foam is intelligently distributed to provide precise impact absorption where needed most. The EPS is equipped with Alpinestars’ patented A-Head fitting height and angle adjustment system, allowing riders to customize the helmet’s fit to their exact preferences.

Alpinestars will release a limited launch edition of the Supertech R10 in a striking Carbon/Red Shadow colorway. Only 200 numbered helmets will be available for purchase on July 10th at alpinestars.com. With its exceptional performance and exclusive design, the Supertech R10 is set to become the pinnacle of Alpinestars racing helmets, capturing the hearts of professional riders and avid motorcycle enthusiasts alike.

End Of An Era: Toni Elias Calls It Quits In Motorcycle Racing

Toni Elias, the renowned MotoGP race winner and Moto2 champion, has announced his retirement from two-wheel racing. The decision comes after securing a respectable fifth-place finish in the Road America Superbike race on June 4, 2023.

Elias, known for his impressive record of 17 grand prix victories across multiple classes, including 125cc, 250cc, Moto2, and Racing, is particularly remembered for his remarkable triumph over Valentino Rossi in the 2006 Estoril race.

This win marked Elias’ first premier-class rostrum and stood as the last MotoGP victory by a satellite rider until Jack Miller’s triumph in 2016.

After struggling to secure further wins in the 800cc MotoGP class, Elias transitioned to the newly formed Moto2 category in 2010 and clinched the championship title in its inaugural season with Gresini. Despite returning to MotoGP with LCR Honda, Elias failed to make a significant impact and spent the next few seasons accepting temporary MotoGP rides between his Moto2 commitments.

However, Elias experienced a remarkable resurgence when he moved to the United States in 2016. He made a victorious debut in MotoAmerica and went on to claim the championship title in the following season.

Elias continued to compete in MotoAmerica, finishing as the championship runner-up in 2018 and 2019 while riding for Suzuki. His final full campaign took place in 2020, followed by sporadic appearances in races before signing with Team Hammer/Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki for the 2023 season.

After securing a fifth-place finish in the recent race, Elias emotionally announced his retirement on live television, referring to it as his “last dance.” He expressed his gratitude to Chris Ulrich, John Ulrich, Team Hammer, and all those who had supported him throughout his career. Elias acknowledged that his return to racing did not meet his expectations but expressed his appreciation for the enjoyable moments in his final race.

With his retirement, Elias leaves behind an illustrious career that saw him compete at the highest level of motorcycle racing and make a lasting impact on the sport. Fans and fellow riders alike will undoubtedly remember his fierce battles on the track and his significant contributions to the MotoGP and Moto2 championships.

MotoGP: Francesco Bagnaia Wins At Mugello, Marc Marquez Crashes Out Again

Francesco Bagnaia continued his dominance in the MotoGP circuit by securing his third consecutive win at Mugello in a thrilling race. The Italian rider displayed exceptional skill and determination, outshining his competitors, with Jorge Martin finishing closely behind in second place.

The race initially saw Bagnaia making a strong start, but his lead was short-lived as Jack Miller quickly overtook him, rapidly advancing from fourth to first position. However, Bagnaia swiftly responded, regaining his lead just one corner later at turn two.

As the race progressed, the pace of the KTM rider faltered, allowing for intense moments on the track. At one point, a near collision loomed as both Marquez brothers and Luca Marini found themselves in a precarious situation.

Alex Marquez pushed too hard, out-braking himself into turn one, narrowly squeezing between his brother and Marini before running wide. Miller capitalised on the opportunity, reclaiming his position, but Marquez remained on the inside, jostling for control.

Meanwhile, Marc Marquez, in fourth place, faced a devastating setback as he crashed out of the Grand Prix for the fourth consecutive time. The crash occurred at the final corner while he was attempting to overtake Marini, but Marquez misjudged his line, losing the front-end and ending his race prematurely.

While Bagnaia and Martin maintained a stable gap of half a second between them, yellow flags were deployed in sector three due to Miguel Oliveira’s crash.

As the race continued, Alex Marquez, who had been in fourth position, made a move to claim third place from Marini on lap 12. However, Marquez ran slightly wide, allowing Marini to regain his position momentarily. Determined, Marquez tried again on lap 13, utilising his better rear grip to close in along the start-finish straight, successfully securing third place.

The battle for victory intensified on lap 14 when Bagnaia, who had initially held a lead of four tenths of a second, unleashed an impressive surge, extending his advantage to over six tenths of a second and ultimately crossing the finish line with a comfortable one-second lead.

The Marquez family’s challenging race took a turn for the worse when Alex crashed out of third place at turn two during lap 15. Despite the setback, Marini, eager to secure a podium finish on home soil, fought hard, attempting an immediate response after making a mistake at the final corner. Although he briefly managed to move ahead of Johann Zarco, the Italian struggled to fend off the French rider for an extended period and losses out his podium spot.

MotoGP: Jorge Martin Claims Sprint Race Win At Le Mans

Jorge Martin has delivered a stunning performance at Le Mans, winning the French GP sprint race and claiming victory for Pramac Ducati.

The race saw a mixture of success and disappointment for the home crowd as reigning MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia made a brilliant start and led into turn one from Jack Miller, only for Martin to take the lead by lap four.

Miller, using a medium front tyre that had caused many riders to crash in practice, suffered an early exit at turn seven.

Meanwhile, Martin’s lead over Brad Binder was up to 1.5 seconds, and Bagnaia, who was all over Marc Marquez, regained a podium spot by overtaking Marquez with a brave move at turn one.

The race was a huge disappointment for Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 world champion, who made brilliant progress from 13th to eighth prior to his crash at turn nine with four laps remaining.

Quartararo’s crash was a major letdown for the home crowd.

At the front, the top three remained unchanged as Martin took his first win of 2023, with Binder and Bagnaia completing the podium at 2nd and 3rd place.

Meanwhile, Luca Marini takes 4th place ahead of Marquez who struggled at the end.

MotoGP: Alex Rins Claims Historic Win At COTA, Bagnaia Crashed Out

In a dramatic turn of events at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), Alex Rins secured a thrilling victory in the Grand Prix after forcing Francesco Bagnaia into another crash.

Alex Rins claims LCR Honda’s 100th podium in MotoGP.
Fabio Quartararo snatching first podium of the season.

The race started with Bagnaia making a brilliant start and holding off Rins into turn one. However, the factory Ducati team’s luck was short-lived as Jorge Martin and Alex Marquez clashed, resulting in crashes for both riders.

Meanwhile, Jack Miller made a significant move up the order to position himself in third, closing in on Rins and Bagnaia. However, Miller’s charge ultimately ended as he crashed out of the race on lap seven. As the race progressed, Bagnaia continued to lead despite pressure from Rins, with Quartararo in third position.

However, just like in the previous Sprint race, Bagnaia made another crucial error, crashing out of the Grand Prix on lap 14, allowing Rins to take over the lead. Luca Marini then blasted past Quartararo with eight laps remaining, showing the immense speed of his Ducati. But Rins managed to control the gap and secure his victory, just his third race for Honda.

The race witnessed three crashes in short order as Takaaki Nakagami kicked things off before Brad Binder and Joan Mir joined him. Maverick Vinales showed good pace, making overtakes on Binder and Miguel Oliveira to secure a position in the top ten.

The COTA Grand Prix provided fans with plenty of action and drama, with Rins emerging as the ultimate victor. Bagnaia, on the other hand, will need to regroup after another Grand Prix crash.

Tissot Launches Limited Edition 2023 T-Race MotoGP Chronograph

Attention all Tissot and MotoGP fans! Tissot has just announced the release of its highly anticipated limited edition 2023 T-Race MotoGP chronograph.

Only 8,000 of these watches will be made and sold worldwide, each one individually numbered.
The watch has a racing-inspired design, with features such as a blacked-out brake disc and caliper on the bezel.

This stunning timepiece boasts an exquisite design inspired by MotoGP racing bikes, making it a must-have for any motorsport enthusiast.

The watch features a black and red color scheme with white lettering and numbering, giving it a sleek and modern look. The front bezel displays a blacked-out brake disc and caliper, while the pushrods are inspired by the handlebars of a racing bike. The profile of the watch showcases engine cooling fins, adding to its racing-inspired design.

The case is made of stainless steel with a black PVD coating, providing both protection and style. The back of the case features an engraved MotoGP logo, Tissot 1853, and the text ‘World Championship Official Timekeeper’ around the MotoGP and Tissot logos placed in the center. Each of the 8,000 limited edition watches is individually numbered, with the number displayed at the bottom of the back of the case.

The 2023 T-Race MotoGP Limited Edition chronograph has a scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, as well as a Swiss-made quartz movement. It is waterproof up to 10 bar pressure and includes features such as an end-of-battery-life indicator, a 60-second central chronograph hand, 30-minute and 1/10-second counters, and additional time and split time functionality.

The watchband is a red rubber unit with a tire-tread-like pattern on the underside, adding to its sporty design. It comes in a special case that’s designed to look like a miniature MotoGP helmet, with the watch displayed inside. Unlike a real helmet, this case is hinged, and the entire top flips up so you can admire and wear the chronograph inside as you choose.

The limited edition 2023 T-Race MotoGP chronograph from Tissot is priced at €725 (RM3.5k). With only 8,000 available worldwide, this watch is a collector’s item and is expected to sell out quickly. Get yours before they’re gone!

MotoGP: Toprak Razgatlioglu Gets Another Shot At The Yamaha YZR-M1 Race Bike

Toprak Razgatlioglu, the reigning Superbike World Champion, has been confirmed to be testing the Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP bike at Jerez next week.

The second test will take place three weeks before the resumption of WorldSBK in Assen.
Jerez is a track where Razgatlioglu has traditionally been very strong.

The test will also be attended by official Yamaha MotoGP test rider, Cal Crutchlow, who will be assessing new parts from Yamaha to enhance the YZR-M1’s performance.

This will be Razgatlioglu’s second outing on the YZR-M1, after his test in mixed conditions at MotorLand Aragon last year. It is speculated that Yamaha is giving Razgatlioglu a chance to try the MotoGP bike in the fully-dry conditions that he missed out on in Aragon last year, or to prepare him for a MotoGP switch in 2024, likely in place of Franco Morbidelli.

Lin Jarvis, Managing Director Yamaha Motor Racing, stated that Razgatlioglu is an extraordinarily talented motorcycle racer, and he is curious to see his speed on the Factory MotoGP machine. Razgatlioglu will have the chance to ride alongside Cal, who will be there for the ongoing development testing of Yamaha’s 2023 YZR-M1.

Andrea Dosoli, Road Racing Manager Yamaha Motor Europe, expressed his gratitude to Yamaha for giving Razgatlioglu the opportunity to test the YZR-M1 once again. The Jerez track is a place where Razgatlioglu has traditionally been very strong, and it looks like they’re going to enjoy almost perfect testing conditions. Dosoli added that Razgatlioglu’s focus at the test will be on getting a feel for the characteristics of the YZR-M1 and the Michelin tyres.

Razgatlioglu himself said that he is looking forward to testing the YZR-M1 MotoGP bike at Jerez, a track he likes a lot. He thanked Yamaha for giving him this opportunity and stated that the test will give him the chance to understand better the demands of racing a Factory MotoGP bike.

Razgatlioglu’s Andalucian test on the Yamaha MotoGP motorcycle will take place three weeks before the resumption of the WorldSBK series in Assen at the end of April. Meanwhile, MotoGP’s next race is at the Circuit of the Americas on 14-16 April.

MotoGP: Jorge Martin Unveils All-New Alpinestars Helmet

Pramac Racing rider Jorge Martin showcased his all-new Alpinestars helmet ahead of the 2023 MotoGP season after making the switch from Shark Helmets.

Ducati’s Jorge Maritn has ditched his Shark Race R-Pro GP helmets for a brand-new Alpinestars lid.
Alpinestars is yet to released an official announcement regarding the FIM-approved helmets.

Although the Italian motorcycle gear company is no stranger to manufacturing motorcycle helmets, this is the first time that Alpinestars has designed and built a specific headgear for motorcycle racing.

Nevertheless, this isn’t the first time the new helmet appeared after MotoGP retiree Andrea Dovizioso was seen testing the pre-production model last year.

However, this is the first time the helmet has snapped in a full-finished and liveried-up version.

Although Martin’s helmet is packed with vibrant colours and graphics, the new helmet can be seen sporting a sizeable top-mounted air inlet. There’s also a large front-mounted chin mount flanked by air exhaust fitted on each side.

Interestingly, the side profile looks similar to Shoei’s X-Spirit III, although the brand’s new X-SPR Pro is replacing the former.

Unfortunately, Alpinestars has yet to release the official information regarding the new helmet, but with MotoGP to kick-off soon, beginning with the Sepang Test in February, we expect the brand to make an official announcement soon.

MotoGP: Monster Energy Yamaha Ready To Take On The 2023 Season

Monster Energy Yamaha has officially unveiled its latest livery ahead of the 2023 MotoGP season.

The official unveiling ceremony was done in Indonesia during Yamaha S3 Dealer Meeting.

Joining the glitzy event were Yamaha MotoGP team boss Lin Jarvis, Yamaha President Yoshihiro Hidaka, Yamaha MotoGP team director Massimo Meregalli and two lead rider, Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli.

While the Yamaha M1 still features Yamaha’s iconic blue, the fairing and nose cone of the 2023 race bike now features a distinctive dazzle-camo paint scheme.

According to Yamaha the 2023 livery is designed by legendary helmet designer, Aldo Drudi.

“I always felt our previous bike was the most beautiful and clean in the racing world, but now you will notice it’s a little bit more aggressive.

“A little bit younger. You can see some camouflage feel and this is not by accident. The [livery] has been designed by one of the top designers in our world, Aldo Drudi in Italy, and the idea is to be aggressive.

“We are going to battle! We are going to war! We are going to challenge!,” said Jarvis.

Also, the same design will be applied to every official Monster Yamaha team as confirmed by Jarvis.

“You will also see later this week a similar [livery] design in Supercross and Motocross. So this is a Monster Yamaha new look and feel,” he added.

Meanwhile, Quartararo will not only begin the new season with a new livery, the Frenchman will also donned the all-new HJC RPHA 1 race helmet.

Suzuki Bids Farewell To Grand Prix Racing With Digital Photobook

As 2022 is ending, Suzuki is wrapping up its motor racing operations by closing down the team’s official website and destroying the remaining Suzuki GSX-RR race bikes.

Suzuki bids farewell to fans with a special 229-page digital photobook.
The photobook includes all of Suzuki’s success in MotoGP.

However, as a final farewell gift to the fans, the House of Hamamatsu released a special digital photobook to recap the team’s success and progress at MotoGP.

The 229-page book recaps Suzuki’s effort upon the team’s return to MotoGP in 2015 after a four-year hiatus. The team fielded then-rookie Maverick Vinales and the experienced Aleix Espargaro.

After a few changes in the riders’ lineup, Suzuki found its gem through Joan Mir, who joined the team in 2019 before securing Suzuki’s fifth world championship in 2020.

Despite struggling the following year, Mir kept the team in the hunt for glory all year long.

Although Suzuki will no longer participate in Grand Prix racing, the brand’s legacy in MotoGP will continue to live on.

Fans can access the digital photobook via www.suzuki-motogp.com.

Bikesrepublic

motogp