motogp Archives

Lorenzo Upset at Zarco’s Pass

Jorge Lorenzo is upset at Johann Zarco
Lorenzo cited Zarco for being too aggressive
Zarco defended his move as just racing

Jorge Lorenzo is upset at Johann Zarco’s pass on him in the early stages of the Japanese GP. To the former, the move on him by the triple Moto2 Champion was dangerous, which caused a get-together at the corner exit.

Lorenzo likened Zarco to playing a game on the PlayStation. “You saw what happened,” said Lorenzo. “It’s not the first time he’s done this kind of thing – with me but also with two or three other riders. But he keeps doing it as though he’s playing on the PlayStation on time attack, like there’s no one at the side; very aggressive. I went to his box but he doesn’t understand he’s doing something bad and he won’t change. Someone should tell him to be more calm. He thinks he’s right and doing good, and that you or we need to be careful – not that he has to calm down. I would like to speak with the Safety Commission to see what we can do, because something could happen in future.”

That was CLOSE! Maybe too close? JZ5 barges his way through on JL99!#JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/ANR2uLy764

— MotoGP™??? (@MotoGP) 15 October 2017

Lorenzo was perhaps pointing to the incident at Austin this year, although it was Valentino Rossi at the receiving end of Zarco’s “aggression.”

“I was confident with the front so in Turn 9 I could attack,” explained the Frenchman. “Then he tried to stay on the outside but when I went out the corner I didn’t see him, I didn’t think he could be there and we touched because of my acceleration I went normally on my line and we touched each other. It was quite a strong touch but it was normal in the race. Because I was on the inside I got the advantage. Nobody crashed is the good thing.”

Zarco had started from pole, his second of the year, but slipped back to finish the race in eighth. Lorenzo struggled with rear grip initially but was able to rally and finish sixth.

MotoGP: KTM confirms both Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro for 2018

The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team has confirmed that both their current riders Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro will continue their MotoGP efforts in 2018.

Both riders including their test rider Mika Kallio will continue to develop their KTM RC16 MotoGP machinery to be more competitive come next season.

The best result that they had so far was with Mika Kallio as a wildcard entry during the Austrian GP where he finished in the top ten.

KTM has released a press release regarding the future of their current MotoGP riders Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaro. They have confirmed that both riders will continue their MotoGP efforts with the Austrian factory squad for another season in 2018. (more…)

MotoGP: Dovizioso delivers masterclass victory in wet Motegi

Andrea Dovizioso delivered yet another masterclass finish in today’s wet MotoGP race over at Twin Ring Motegi.

The Italian blasted from behind and even had yet another amazing last lap battle with P2 finisher Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda).

Danilo Petrucci (OCTO Pramac Racing) led the race for quite a number of laps before settling for third.

https://www.facebook.com/MotoGP/videos/10156210125850769/

It was yet another exciting race delivered by MotoGP heroes Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and current championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda). At a very, VERY wet Twin Ring Motegi, these boys delivered quite a performance in front of their Japanese fans. (more…)

Valentino Rossi “In trouble and doesn’t know why”

Valentino Rossi reckons he and teammate Maverick Vinalez are “in trouble and don’t know why,” in worried about their chances at the Japanese GP, should the rain continue. The pair has been struggling with lack of rear grip on their Yamaha YZF-M1 through the entire season.

Riders may be able to ride around the problem in the dry, but the rain amplifies the problem.

The factory team seemed to make some headway in previous races, without doubt also attributed to riders’ skill and determination, however yesterday’s free practice sessions at Motegi saw both riders 11^th and 12^th fastest.

Rossi said, “We’re in trouble and we don’t understand why. Last year I was very competitive in the wet and had a good feeling with the old bike, but this year we’re struggling. We’ve tried to modify the bike, but in the end we’re far from the top. It’s the same as the problem in the dry – we don’t have rear grip.”

While Valentino Rossi knows he’s out of contention for his 10^th title as a result of a broken leg, Maverick Vinalez saw first his lead, and now his chances for his first MotoGP tltle slip further and further away.

At the time this article went “live,” Andrea Dovizioso of Ducati Team continued to be the fastest man after FP3 on combined free practice times, ahead of Marc Marquez, Aleix Espargaro and Jorge Lorenzo.

Valentino Rossi dug deep and found some pace to first make it into the top ten before finally going up to fifth fastest. Vinalez is in 14^th, meaning that he will need to fight through Q1. The Top 12 combined times qualify automatically to Q2.

Q1 starts at 1:10pm today (14^th October).

Meet Johann Zarco at the Spartan Concept Store, Sunway this 25 October 2017!

The Spartan Concept Store located in Sunway will be organising a special meet and greet session with their MotoGP rider, Johann Zarco.

The meet and greet will happen at their store on 25 October 2017 from 7pm – 10pm.

Those who come before 8pm with their motorcycles will stand a chance to win a brand new Shark helmet, Furygan jacket and other amazing prizes.

Attention to all Johann Zarco and MotoGP fans here in Malaysia! The Spartan Concept Store is proud to announce that they’ll be organising a special meet and greet session with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider, Johann Zarco on 25 October 2017! (more…)

HJC Helmet Malaysia wants to give away FREE merchandise!

That’s right, folks. HJC Helmet Malaysia wants to give away some FREE merchandise every single day for the next month!

A weekly post will be posted on the Bikes Republic and Motomalaya Facebook pages. A daily winner with the best comment will be selected by HJC Helmet Malaysia.

A lot of mystery prizes will be given out so get creative with those comments as only the best and most unique will be selected!

https://www.facebook.com/BikesRepublic/photos/a.430814360282888.99524.352487781448880/1754756257888685/?type=3

To all HJC helmet fans, lend me your ears! (or eyes, since you WILL want to read this. *waves hand like a Jedi*) HJC Helmet Malaysia wants to give away some of their premium merchandise in conjunction with the upcoming MotoGP Malaysian round happening on 27 until 29 October 2017. (more…)

MotoGP: Repsol Honda One-Two in Aragon; Lorenzo Third

The 14^th MotoGP round held in Aragon yesterday saw a one-two finish by the Repsol Honda boys, Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa

Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) showed tremendous progress finishing in third after leading the majority of the race on board his Ducati Desmosedici GP17.

Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) raced brilliantly and finished in P5 behind team mate Maverick Vinales despite a broken leg just 25 days ago.

It was a momentous MotoGP round at the 14^th MotoGP round that is the Gran Premiro Movistar de Aragon where Repsol Honda duo Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa scored a one-two victory in front of their home crowd. Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) completed the all-Spaniard podium with an outstanding classic Lorenzo-styled riding on board the now comfortable Ducati Desmosedici GP17. (more…)

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi WILL TRY to ride in Aragon this weekend

Nine-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha) will try to ride this weekend at the 14^th round in Aragon, Spain.

The 38 year old Italian has had a very positive result following a fitness assessment on board the Yamaha YZF-R1M around the Misano World Circuit a couple of days ago.

After just three weeks since he sustained the broken leg, Rossi will need to convince MotoGP officials and medical staff if he plans to rejoin the 2017 MotoGP title chase this coming Sunday.

Our theories about motorcycle racers have been confirmed yet again, ladies and gentlemen. These folks are MENTAL. We found out that Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi will attempt to ride his competition Yamaha YZF-M1 at the 14^th MotoGP round in Aragon, Spain this coming weekend. (more…)

MotoGP: Valentino Rossi back in action on Yamaha R1M; targets Aragon return

Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi clocked in four laps yesterday in Misano on board the Yamaha YZF-R1M as part of his fitness test.

The nine-time World Champion has been eager to get back in the 2017 title chase after having missed the past MotoGP round due to double fracture injury to his right leg.

Rossi has set his sights on racing his beloved Yamaha M1 in Aragon this weekend although his team has announced that WorldSBK Yamaha factory rider Michael van der Mark will be his replacement.

After just 18 days since the unfortunate event that fell upon the MotoGP nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi, the Doctor is back again for some two-wheel action. As part of his recuperating schedule which his actually extraordinarily ahead of time, Rossi clocked in four laps in San Marino at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on board of a Yamaha YZF-R1M used by the VR46 Academy. (more…)

MotoGP: Suzuki wants WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea in 2018?

Rumours have been floating around regarding the effort of trying to lure WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea to join Suzuki in MotoGP.

With Team SUZUKI ECSTAR’s current star rider Andrea Iannone not performing as they had hoped, Dorna and Suzuki are said to be in talks in trying to pull in the WorldSBK World Champion.

If the transfer is successful, there’s a huge possibility that Suzuki will be able to fight against other factory teams as well as making the WorldSBK competitive again for other riders.

The last MotoGP round was full action, drama and action despite the exclusion of nine-time World Champion, Valentino Rossi from the Movistar Yamaha squad. It was yet another unfruitful race for Team SUZUKI ECSTAR as their supposedly number one rider Andrea Iannone had retire after 12 laps in the rain. (more…)

2018 MotoGP Calendar

The provisional 2018 MotoGP Championship calendar has been published.
Thailand will host MotoGP for the first time.
The 2018 season will start one week earlier and end an extra week later than usual.

Dorna has released the provisional 2018 MotoGP calendar. The dates and rounds are as follows:

Round 1: 18 March Qatar* Doha/Losail
Round 2: 8 April Argentina Termas de Rio Hondo
Round 3: 22 April Americas COTA
Round 4: 6 May Spain Jerez de la Frontera
Round 5: 20 May France Le Mans
Round 6: 3 June Italy Mugello
Round 7: 17 June Catalunya Catalunya
Round 8: 01 July Netherlands TT Assen
Round 9: 15 July Germany Sachsenring
Round 10: 5 August Czech Republic Brno
Round 11: 12 August Austria Red Bull Ring
Round 12: 26 August Great Britain TBA
Round 13: 9 September San Marino & Riviera di Rimini Misano
Round 14: 23 September Aragon MotorLand Aragon
Round 15: 7 October Thailand Buriram
Round 16: 21 October Japan Motegi
Round 17: 28 October Australia Phillip Island
Round 18: 4 November Malaysia Sepang
Round 19: 18 November Valencia Ricardo Tormo-Valencia

As expected, Buriram, Thailand’s addition brings the total number of rounds to 19. Malaysia still hosts the penultimate round but the date has been bumped to 4th November, instead of the customary late-October slot.

The Thai round will be held on 7th October, with the next weekend off, before resuming the usual three rounds in a row – Japan, Australia, Malaysia – beginning 21st October.

It’s a wise move by Dorna to give space between Thailand and Malaysia, lest the crowd be split between two neighbouring countries.

The extra round means shuffling the customary dates. Qatar will begin a week earlier than usual, and hopefully miss the unexpected rainstorm which wreaked havoc on this year’s race schedule. The 4-week summer break between July and August will be cut to just two. The 2018 MotoGP Championship ends one week later at Aragon on 18th November.

The venue of the British round has yet to be confirmed, following the Circuit of Wales fallout.

A few riders had raised concerns about the championship featuring too many rounds, citing the possibility of not receiving enough rest between races. Finland is set to join the MotoGP calendar in 2019, bringing the total to a manic 20 rounds.

MotoGP: Michael van der Mark will replace Rossi in Aragon

Current WorldSBK factory Yamaha rider Michael van der Mark has been selected to replace the injured Valentino Rossi in the next MotoGP round in Aragon on 24 September 2017.

The 24 year old Dutch will be making his MotoGP debut on the Yamaha YZF-M1 for the very first time with the support of Rossi’s current team.

Rossi is expected to make his return at the beginning of the three flyaway races starting in Motegi, Japan.

WorldSBK Yamaha rider Michael van der Mark has been selected to replace the injured Movistar Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi at Aragon in the next MotoGP round. As Rossi continues his rehabilitation procedure following an enduro-related injury, the 24 year old from Netherlands who is the current factory Yamaha rider riding for the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team will be making his MotoGP debut. (more…)

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Jorge Lorenzo is upset at Johann Zarco

Lorenzo cited Zarco for being too aggressive

Zarco defended his move as just racing