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Repsol Honda

  • Jorge Lorenzo announced his retirement from racing.

  • The shock announcement was made together with Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta.

  • The five-time world champion’s form has dropped after breaking his vertebrae in Assen.

Jorge Lorenzo announced his retirement from racing.

The five-time world champion made the shock announcement in an “exceptional press conference” just prior to the start of the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix. He was accompanied by Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta.

While the announcement shocked some, it may not be so to others. Lorenzo switched over to the Repsol Honda team this year to replace the team’s long-time rider Dani Pedrosa.

He knew that it would be an uphill task to adjust his riding style to a bike which is suited to his teammate Marc Marquez, but maintained a positive outlook although he couldn’t finish higher than 11th.

However, Lorenzo was fast as soon as he found his rhythm in Catalunya. However, an over-enthusiastic lunge took out Andrea Dovizioso, Maverick Vinalez and Valentino Rossi along with himself. 

Then, a huge tumble in the gravel following a crash at Assen during the Dutch TT fractured a vertebrae.

He made a comeback at the British MotoGP round exactly two months later, but the pain forced him to finish 14th. He would finish no higher than that position in the next five rounds leading to Valencia. He has collected 25 points after 18 races and lies 14th in the 2019 championship.

The rider apologised to Honda and team manager Alberto Puig for having to stop a year earlier than his stipulated contract. He cited that he had lost the motivation to compete. But before one criticises his move, breaking one’s back isn’t something anybody likes to do.

Lorenzo’s retirement opens up a spare seat at the factory team. There’s no word from HRC yet but Cal Crutchlow or Johann Zarco are heavily touted to replace Lorenzo.

  • Marc Marquez won the MotoGP title for 2019.

  • He had won 8 races, finished 2nd four times and retired only once, so far.

  • It was his 8th world championship in total, 6th in the MotoGP class and the 4th consecutive.

You’d probably heard by now that Marc Marquez defends his title and is the 2019 MotoGP champion. But to put it in perspective, it was his 8th total world championship title, 6 in total in MotoGP and 4th consecutive in MotoGP. He is also the youngest champion to attain those records.

Marquez wrapped up his amazing season in Round 15 at the Buriram International Circuit in Thailand yesterday. He had trailed Fabio Quartararo from the start before making his move on the last lap. Quatararo retook his lead very briefly in the last corner but was overtaken by Marquez.

It was a fitting finish for the champion on his trusty Honda RC213V. Apart for just one retirement in Austin, Texas, the pairing won eight races and finished second in the other four. The are four rounds remaining to the season.

The victory is also a special occasion for Honda as they celebrate the 60th anniversary of Honda Racing.

Marquez had won the title during his first year (2013) in the premier class, making him one of only a handful to have carried such a feat. That win also cemented his place in history as the youngest MotoGP champion.

He went on the rampage in the following year by winning the first 10 rounds consecutively, and ending the year with 13 wins and MotoGP title No. 2.

Marquez would miss out the 2015 championship, but bounced back in 2016 and never looked back since, scoring MotoGP titles No. 3, 4, 5, and 6 yesterday.

Along the way, Marquez and Repsol Honda posted 61 pole positions and won 53 times.

“It is a great feeling to be World Champion with Honda again. 2019 has been one of my most consistent seasons. We fought hard when we had to and all of the team and Honda have done such an incredible job to bring us to this level. Celebrating Honda Racing’s 60th anniversary with the MotoGP title it a great honor and I am pleased I could do this for Honda. I want to thank everyone who has been involved in this season and the fans who always support us,” said Marc Marquez.

Yoshishige Nomura, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) President commended Marquez on his magnificent achievement. “Marc did a magnificent job once again to win his sixth MotoGP title on Honda’s 60th anniversary of World Grand Prix racing. I wholeheartedly salute his dauntless riding that mesmerizes his fans, supported by his persistent training and mature attitude towards racing. I’m grateful for all the support in winning the championship he had from the team staff, the many sponsors who support our racing activities, and MotoGP fans worldwide.”

Source: Boon Siew Honda Press Release

Sumber: Fabio Quartararo @ Twitter

Pelumba Repsol Honda, Marc Marquez menyifatkan gaya tunggangan Fabio Quartararo bersama Petronas Yamaha mengingatkannya kepada Jorge Lorenzo.

Lorenzo menjadi pesaing Marquez ketika menyertai Yamaha pada 2013 dan berjaya meraih tiga kejuaraan dunia di kelas premier termasuk pada 2015 apabila dia berjaya menewaskan wakil Honda itu.

Seperti Lorenzo, Quartararo turut gemar memasuki selekoh dengan kelajuan tinggi.

Marquez meraih kejuaraan dunia buat kali keenam di kelas premier semalam apabila berjaya mengetepikan cabaran Quartararo di selekoh terakhir dalam perlumbaan ke garisan penamat.

Bagaimanapun, Marquez akui kagum dengan persembahan pelumba berusia 20 tahun itu meskipun ini adalah musim pertamanya di kelas premier.

“Fabio menunggang Yamaha dengan cara yang cukup bagus. Dia mengingatkan saya kepada Jorge Lorenzo ketika bersama Yamaha.

“Hari ini (semalam), dia berlumba dengan baik, dia sangat laju di sepanjang perlumbaan tetapi kami memiliki enjin yang lebih laju tetapi di bahagian selekoh, jentera Quartararo mempunyai cengkaman yang lebih baik.

“Saya yakin dia akan menjadi antara pencabar utama kejuaraan musim depan,” katanya.

(SUMBER: Crash.net)

  • The British MotoGP 2019 saw Alex Rins (Ecstar Suzuki MotoGP) pip Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) at the finish line for the victory.

  • Rins won by just 0.013 second, the closest finish in MotoGP history.

  • Fabio Quartararo and Andrea Dovizioso collided and crashed.

The British MotoGP 2019 saw Alex Rins (Ecstar Suzuki MotoGP) pip Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) at the finish line for the victory.

Marquez, Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha) and Rins stormed off the grid at the start, but it didn’t take long for Marquez to lead the race. Rins didn’t take long to overtake Rossi for second position not long after. He chased down Marquez and started shadowing the world champion for lap after lap.

Rins had used the Suzuki GSX-RR’s superior to close with Marquez’s Honda RC213V which had better acceleration and top speed.

Photo credit MotoGP.com

The duo started trading places a number of times in the third act of the race, but Marquez fought back every single time. Rins stayed close and slipstreamed the Honda to pip Marquez by just 0.013 second. It was the closest finish in MotoGP’s history.

The battle allowed Maverick Vinalez (Monster Energy Yamaha) to catch up after dispatching his teammate Rossi many laps earlier. He would eventually finish in third, just 0.620 second behind Marquez.

The anticipated showdown among Marquez, Andrea Dovizioso (Mission Winnow Ducati) and Fabio Quartararo (PETRONAS Sepang Racing Team) did not materialize as Quartararo crashed at the start and his bike took out Dovizioso’s. The latter’s bike flew into the air upon contacting the Yamaha and threw him into the air. He landed heavily and continued rolling off the track, while his Ducati ruptured its fuel tank and exploded into flames. The Italian was sent to mobile clinic for checks afterwards.

Dovizioso’s team announced that although he had not suffered any broken bones, he’s sent to the Coventry Hospital for further checks after a severe blow to his head caused him to lose short term memory.

The newly resurfaced Silverstone provided the thrills expected, especially in a hectic Moto3 race.

Marc Marquez now leads the championship with 250 points, 78 points from Dovizioso at 172 points and Alex Rins with 149 points. There are seven rounds to go.

  • Jorge Lorenzo may head to Pramac Ducati in 2020.

  • Jack Miller’s contract deal has been delayed.

  • Miller says that it may be due to Lorenzo’s negotiation with the team.

In a shock bit of gossip, Jorge Lorenzo may eye a seat at Pramac Ducati in 2020. Even more intriguingly, current rider Jack Miller says his contract deal is delayed because of Lorenzo.

It’s the mid-season break for the MotoGP paddock and this is when deals are signed and time for the people involved to talk.

Rumours of Lorenzo may quit Honda for a Ducati ride next year started surfacing a few days prior but most (including us) dismissed it as just that – rumours. Why would he leave a factory team for a satellite team?

Miller had earlier joked that his 2020 contract was being “sent to him,” only to discover that Lorenzo had entered negotiations with his team. The Australian wasn’t happy and didn’t mince his words, “I think there is some truth to the rumours about Lorenzo. For sure he’s looking at something because at the moment he can’t ride the Honda. It’s easy to tuck your tail between your legs and run back,” said Miller to Crash.net.

Jack Miller – Photo credit MotoGP.com

“I thought we were waiting on paperwork but clearly that’s not the case. There might be something else behind it, I don’t know yet. We’ll see. Once Jorge comes back from the Maldives or wherever he is, we’ll find out what I’m doing.”

Lorenzo is currently under rehabilitation after crushing his vertebrae in a crash. He had said that the Honda fits him better when he moved to the Repsol Honda factory team but is now reeling from poor results and injury.

Sumber: StadiumAstro

Marc Marquez mahu merampas kedudukan Fabio Quartararo dalam perlumbaan di Jerez yang akan berlangsung hari ini.

Fabio Quartararo – pelumba pasukan Petronas Yamaha – membuat kejutan di Litar Jerez dalam aksi kelayakan semalam apabila menjadi pelumba termuda untuk menduduki petak pertama, sekaligus memecah rekod yang sebelum ini dipegang Marquez.

Sementara itu, rakan sepasukan Quartararo, Franco Morbidelli akan memulakan perlumbaan di petak kedua di hadapan Marquez.

Minggu lalu, Marquez kecundang di GP Amerika – meskipun mendominasi litar tersebut selama enam tahun sebelum ini – namun pelumba berusia 26 tahun itu berharap dapat kembali ke podium di laman sendiri.

Sumber: StadiumAstro

“Saya masih gembira kerana dapat menduduki kelompok depan kerana bukan mudah untuk melakukan pintasan di litar ini.

“Saya tidak menjangkakan kedua pelumba di depan mampu mencatat masa yang sangat pantas! Tetapi saya akan terus berikan yang terbaik di perlumbaan nanti,” katanya.

Ketika Marquez melakar rekod sebagai pelumba termuda yang berjaya menduduki petak pertama, dia kemudiannya meneruskan kecemerlangan di Austin pada tahun 2013.

Quartararo berharap dapat mengikut langkah Marquez di samping memperbaiki rekod terbaiknya kedudukan ketujuh di MotoGP.

“Saya langsung tidak menjangkakan keputusan ini.

“Saya berasa teruja untuk memulakan perlumbaan di petak pertama,” tambahnya.

(SUMBER: StadiumAstro)

  • Marc Marquez scored pole position in qualifying for the Argentina MotoGP 2019.

  • It was the 81st pole of his career.

  • The Top 10 qualifiers were separated by less than 1 second.

After a slow start and difficulties during all four practice sessions, Marc Marquez put the hammer down when it truly mattered to claim the pole position for the Argentina MotoGP 2019. It was the 81stpole of his career.

The reigning world champion could only record the 8th fastest time by FP3 giving his team lots of concern. Afterwards in FP4, the chain on his RC213V hopped off the rear sprocket. Marquez had to park his bike, ran through puddles and mud in the infield to a marshal on a moped who fetched him back to his pits.

Marquez then hopped on his spare bike to complete the rest of the session and Qualifying. But he almost crashed at the first turn during Q2, as well. The team proceeded to run a two-stop, three-run session.

The Spanish posted a super-quick 1m 38.304s fastest lap, putting himself 0.154s clear of Maverick Vinalez in second. Andrea Dovizioso steered his Ducati to 1m 38.468s to complete the front row of the grid. Dovi’s time was just 0.010s behind Vinalez and 0.164s behind Marquez.

The times recorded in Qualifying were more strung out compared to the amazingly close times during the first two Free Practice Sessions. Instead of having 1 second covering 21 riders, it worked out to 1 second covering ten riders ahead of the race.

Behind Dovi was Valentino Rossi, 0.241s away from pole. Jack Miller completed the Top 5 with a mere 0.003s behind VR46.

Meanwhile, the two riders of Petronas Sepang Racing Team surprised everyone when their riders Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Quartararo qualified sixth and seventh, respectively.

Cal Crutchlow, Takaaki Nakagami and Danilo Petrucci completed the Top 10.

  • The MotoGP battle between Yamaha, Ducati, and Honda has taken off to a flying start in yesterday’s qualifying session in Qatar.

  • Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) secured the season’s first pole position on board the new and improved 2019 Yamaha M1.

  • Andrea Dovizioso (Mission Winnow Ducati) and Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) are not far behind and will start tomorrow’s race in P2 and P3.

The 2019 MotoGP season could not have started with a more exciting qualifying session as the battle between Yamaha, Ducati, and Honda took place in the qualifying session earlier today. Under the floodlights of the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, Maverick Vinales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) took the first pole position of the season on board the new 2019 Yamaha YZR-M1. (more…)

  • Repsol Honda teah memperkenalkan jentera bagi kempen MotoGP 2019.
  • Ianya adalah ulang tahun ke-25 kerjasama antara Repsol dan Honda.
  • Beberapa buah ‘pengubahsuaian’ dapat dilihat pada jentera Jorge Lorenzo, kemasan grafik pada jentera 2019 kekal sama.

(more…)

  • Repsol Honda unveils the bike for the MotoGP 2019 campaign.

  • It was the 25thanniversary of Repsol and Honda’s partnership.

  • Some “modifications” are seen on Jorge Lorenzo’s bike, although the 2019 bike has the exact same livery.

For those waiting to see the 2019 Repsol Honda bike were surely disappointed as the livery remains unchanged.

Many had expected a new colour scheme as the Spanish petroleum giant and Honda celebrate the 25thanniversary of their collaboration. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the stale same-ol’-same-ol’ stripes.

However, there seem to be a few notable differences on Jorge Lorenzo’s bike (pictured above).

  • Polished aluminium frame and swingarm.
  • The fuel tank is extended at the rear. Lorenzo prefers to push his weight further back.
  • An extended seat stop.
  • Both bikes sport larger aerobodies.

The launch was held at the Sentul circuit in Indonesia. Current riders Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo were joined by past Repsol Honda champions Mick Doohan and Alex Creville.

L-R: Mick Doohan, Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo, Alex Creville

The Repsol-Honda partnership began in 1994 when Doohan won the first of his five world 500cc GP championship. Alex Creville won the 1999 championship when Doohan crashed heavily during qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez and retired.

Of course, both current riders spewed team savvy answers about how happy they are with the team, how they are confident in winning, yada, yada, yada.

Marc Marquez will be in action at the shakedown test from 1st to 3rd February prior to the first 2019 pre-season testing from 6th to 8th February. Both tests will be held at the Sepang International Circuit.

  • Jorge Lorenzo telah mengalami kecederaan retak tulang pergelangan tangannya (skafoid).
  • Kejadian itu berlaku ketika Lorenzo sedang menjalani latihan di atas litar tanah merah.
  • Dia perlu menjalani pembedahan, namun, tulang skafoid selalunya sembuh dengan cepat.

(more…)

  • Jorge Lorenzo fractured his wrist bone (scaphoid).

  • He was undergoing training at a dirt track.

  • The rider needs surgery, but the scaphoid usually heals quickly.

Jorge Lorenzo fractured his wrist bone (scaphoid) and requires surgery.

The Spanish rider was due to join his new Repsol Honda team at their 2019 MotoGP season launch on Wednesday. He suffered the injury during his training at a dirt track.

MotoGP surgeon Dr. Mir will carry out the surgery. Dr. Mir also operated on Lorenzo’s new teammate Marc Marquez in November 2018.

The rider’s injury is at a bad timing since the first “winter test” at the Sepang International Circuit is just two-and-a-half weeks away. Hopefully, he will be fit by then.

The Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) will have something to worry about since Marquez is also recovering from a surgery to correct his dislocated right shoulder. Adding to that, Cal Crutchlow is reported to be still in some pain after breaking his ankle at Phillip Island, Australia last year. Hence none of their riders are 100% fit.

Lorenzo is not the first rider to break his scaphoid. Casey Stoner, the late Nicky Hayden, Stefan Bradl, Jack Miller, Kevin Schwantz have all fractured their scaphoids during their careers. Hayden’s were removed after they failed to heal and turned arthritic.

Scaphoid fracture

Scaphoid fracture is common as the human body automatically stretches out the arms and palms of the hand to break our fall. That is why motorcycle gloves are usually reinforced in that area.

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