VIDEO: Danilo joked about physiological needs: “Some drivers use a hose, but I kept it in for the 100 km of the special stage”
3 days 17 hours ago
Every single one of these races is scrutinized in this great new book from top MotoGP journalist Mat Oxley, complete with perspectives …
4 days 13 hours ago
Formula 1 sponsorship is worth a lot of money, but do you really know how it works? Find out more about the top racing F1 sponsorships for 2021
5 days 15 hours ago
As with CFMoto, they’ll be renaming a KTM, and Bartolini and Bertelle will put it on the track. QJMotor is part of the same group that …
1 week 9 hours ago
THE CALENDAR – The temperature in Rome is mild even in winter, and it’s time to put on a pair of slicks and hit the Vallelunga route again.
2 weeks 5 hours ago
Measures to prevent the virus from spreading in the bivouac are beginning to take effect, in the hope that no more pilots will be lost before take-off.
2 weeks 18 hours ago
The calendar of the European Women’s Cup 2022 has been partially changed: two rounds in Misano, while the final venue is again Mugello and no more …
2 weeks 2 days ago
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16235";s:7:"summary";s:172:"VIDEO: Danilo joked about physiological needs: “Some drivers use a hose, but I kept it in for the 100 km of the special stage” 3 days 17 hours ago Every… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:4812:"
VIDEO: Danilo joked about physiological needs: “Some drivers use a hose, but I kept it in for the 100 km of the special stage”
3 days 17 hours ago
Every single one of these races is scrutinized in this great new book from top MotoGP journalist Mat Oxley, complete with perspectives …
4 days 13 hours ago
Formula 1 sponsorship is worth a lot of money, but do you really know how it works? Find out more about the top racing F1 sponsorships for 2021
5 days 15 hours ago
As with CFMoto, they’ll be renaming a KTM, and Bartolini and Bertelle will put it on the track. QJMotor is part of the same group that …
1 week 9 hours ago
THE CALENDAR – The temperature in Rome is mild even in winter, and it’s time to put on a pair of slicks and hit the Vallelunga route again.
2 weeks 5 hours ago
Measures to prevent the virus from spreading in the bivouac are beginning to take effect, in the hope that no more pilots will be lost before take-off.
2 weeks 18 hours ago
The calendar of the European Women’s Cup 2022 has been partially changed: two rounds in Misano, while the final venue is again Mugello and no more …
2 weeks 2 days ago
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641966381;}i:1;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:54:"MotoGP ? crew chiefs: who will work with whom in 2022?";s:4:"link";s:87:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/motogp-crew-chiefs-who-will-work-with-whom-in-2022/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Wed, 12 Jan 2022 05:43:12 +0000";s:8:"category";s:13:"Yamaha MotoGP";s:4:"guid";s:87:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/motogp-crew-chiefs-who-will-work-with-whom-in-2022/";s:11:"description";s:191:"Here is a full breakdown of every premier class driver’s right hand breakdown before the 2022 season kicks off The movement of MotoGP ™ crew chiefs is often as intriguing… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:9650:"The movement of MotoGP 
crew chiefs is often as intriguing as the rider market itself. Although the main contenders for the championship from 2021 for the upcoming 2022 MotoGP World Championship will stay with their trusted right-hand hands, it means the introduction of a few new teams and five rookies a lot of variety in the pit lane. Here’s a full breakdown of who each MotoGP rider will be working with over the next season.
After his success last year, the world champion Fabio Quartararo will not surprisingly stay with Diego Gubellini in 2022. The pair first got together when the Frenchman made his MotoGP debut in 2019 and have formed a strong partnership since the factory team with El Diablo last year. However, there is a change on the opposite side of the garage: Franco Morbidelli works with Patrick Primmer.
After a fruitful few years with the experienced Ramon Forcada, Primmer, former suspension technician from Maverick Vinales, is returning to the MotoGP paddock after a sabbatical in 2021 to take up his first job as crew chief.
Morbidelli confirms new crew chief from 2022
Patrick Primmer will take on the role of Yamaha rider while Ramon Forcada will work with the new RNF Yamaha team
Andrea Dovizioso will continue to work alongside Ramon Forcada after the two began their working relationship at the San Marino Grand Prix. Meanwhile, rookie Darryn Binder has teamed up with experienced Noe Herrera. Yamaha poached the Spaniard from Red Bull KTM Ajo after helping Raul Fernandez to eight wins in his rookie Moto2 campaign. as Razlan Razali told motogp.com at the Jerez test, he has also worked with greats like Johann Zarco, Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira over a successful 15-year Grand Prix career.
No change in Ducati’s factory team in 2022 as both Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller remain with their respective crew chiefs. Christian Gabbarini stays at Bagnaia with high hopes to return to title triumphs after helping Casey Stoner claim the Bologna factory’s final premier class title in 2007 on Time last year.
It’s the same story in the Pramac Racing box as well, with Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco sticking to their crew chiefs in 2021. Daniele Romagnoli will sit at Martin’s side again, while Zarco will work with Marco Rigamonti. The big question now, however, is who will be the Pramac Racing Team Manager in 2022, with Francesco Guidotti likely to join the KTM factory team.
A new team and two new crew chiefs, both with strong ties to The Doctor’s past. Luca Marini will have a new partner for the 2022 season who will team up with his brother’s former crew chief David Muñoz. The Spaniard is leaving Petronas Yamaha SRT to work with Ducati for the first time. On the other side of the box, rookie Marco Bezzecchi will work with Matteo Flamigni. The former data engineer has been working at the side of the nine-time world champion for almost twenty years, but will take on his first role as crew chief for the bushy Italian in 2022.
In the Gresini garage, Enea Bastianini brings the experienced Alberto Giribuola with her. The two will start their second season together after Giribuola’s successful time with Andrea Dovizioso came to an end in 2020. While rookie Fabio Di Giannantonio will work with Donatello Giovanotti. Giovanotti was promoted from Gresini’s Moto2 endeavors where he worked with Nicolo Bulega last year, and also has experience working with Luca Marini on both the VR46 Moto2 squad and Forward Racing. Gresini has also added Sergio Verbena to his ranks, having worked alongside Brad Binder and then Danilo Petrucci at KTM for two years.
No change in the Suzuki factory garage as Joan Mir stays with Frankie Carchedi and Alex Rins stays with Jose Manuel Cazeaux. Similar to Pramac Racing, the question at Suzuki is who will take the vacant spot as team principal after Davide Brivio’s shocking return was recently ruled out.
Eight-time world champion Marc Marquez will work with Santi Hernandez again in 2022, while Pol Espargaro will stay with Ramon Aurin. That means Aurin will work with the same rider for the first time since 2016 in consecutive seasons, having worked with Dani Pedrosa, Jack Miller, Takaaki Nakagami, Jorge Lorenzo, Alex Marquez and then Pol Espargaro for six years.
It’s the same story in Lucio Cecchinello’s squad as Japanese star Takaaki Nakagami continues his partnership with Giacomo Guidotti and Alex Marquez starts a second season with Christophe Bourguignon.
There has been a big change at the top of the Austrian plant after Mike Leitner’s departure. Francesco Guidotti is expected to work with her new Technical Director, Fabiano Sterlacchini. Her new technical boss worked at Ducati for 17 years and rose to a management position alongside Gigi Dall’Igna before moving to the Mattighofen plant, while Guidotti returned to KTM after working for the 250cc team between 2006 and 2009 could. When it comes to crew chiefs, there is no change. Miguel Oliveira will stay with Paul Trevathan and Brad Binder will work with Andres Madrid.
A couple of new faces for Herve Poncharal to oversee 2022, and with that come new crew chiefs for Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez. The Moto2 world champion will work with Alex Merhand, who after a few years as a data engineer at Tech3 will take on the role of crew chief. In the meantime, Fernandez will work with Nicolas Goyon in 2022.
No change in the Aprilia box as Aleix Espargaro continues his partnership with Antonio Jimenez. On the other side of the garage, Maverick Viñales starts his first full season with Giovanni Mattarollo. The former Aprilia chassis engineer was transferred to Viñales by the test team when the Spaniard made his debut on the Noale squad.
Every training session, qualifying battle and race, exclusive interviews, historical races and much more fantastic content: this is VideoPass!
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16233";s:7:"summary";s:191:"Here is a full breakdown of every premier class driver’s right hand breakdown before the 2022 season kicks off The movement of MotoGP ™ crew chiefs is often as intriguing… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:9650:"The movement of MotoGP crew chiefs is often as intriguing as the rider market itself. Although the main contenders for the championship from 2021 for the upcoming 2022 MotoGP World Championship will stay with their trusted right-hand hands, it means the introduction of a few new teams and five rookies a lot of variety in the pit lane. Here’s a full breakdown of who each MotoGP rider will be working with over the next season.
After his success last year, the world champion Fabio Quartararo will not surprisingly stay with Diego Gubellini in 2022. The pair first got together when the Frenchman made his MotoGP debut in 2019 and have formed a strong partnership since the factory team with El Diablo last year. However, there is a change on the opposite side of the garage: Franco Morbidelli works with Patrick Primmer.
After a fruitful few years with the experienced Ramon Forcada, Primmer, former suspension technician from Maverick Vinales, is returning to the MotoGP paddock after a sabbatical in 2021 to take up his first job as crew chief.
Morbidelli confirms new crew chief from 2022
Patrick Primmer will take on the role of Yamaha rider while Ramon Forcada will work with the new RNF Yamaha team
Andrea Dovizioso will continue to work alongside Ramon Forcada after the two began their working relationship at the San Marino Grand Prix. Meanwhile, rookie Darryn Binder has teamed up with experienced Noe Herrera. Yamaha poached the Spaniard from Red Bull KTM Ajo after helping Raul Fernandez to eight wins in his rookie Moto2 campaign. as Razlan Razali told motogp.com at the Jerez test, he has also worked with greats like Johann Zarco, Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira over a successful 15-year Grand Prix career.
No change in Ducati’s factory team in 2022 as both Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller remain with their respective crew chiefs. Christian Gabbarini stays at Bagnaia with high hopes to return to title triumphs after helping Casey Stoner claim the Bologna factory’s final premier class title in 2007 on Time last year.
It’s the same story in the Pramac Racing box as well, with Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco sticking to their crew chiefs in 2021. Daniele Romagnoli will sit at Martin’s side again, while Zarco will work with Marco Rigamonti. The big question now, however, is who will be the Pramac Racing Team Manager in 2022, with Francesco Guidotti likely to join the KTM factory team.
A new team and two new crew chiefs, both with strong ties to The Doctor’s past. Luca Marini will have a new partner for the 2022 season who will team up with his brother’s former crew chief David Muñoz. The Spaniard is leaving Petronas Yamaha SRT to work with Ducati for the first time. On the other side of the box, rookie Marco Bezzecchi will work with Matteo Flamigni. The former data engineer has been working at the side of the nine-time world champion for almost twenty years, but will take on his first role as crew chief for the bushy Italian in 2022.
In the Gresini garage, Enea Bastianini brings the experienced Alberto Giribuola with her. The two will start their second season together after Giribuola’s successful time with Andrea Dovizioso came to an end in 2020. While rookie Fabio Di Giannantonio will work with Donatello Giovanotti. Giovanotti was promoted from Gresini’s Moto2 endeavors where he worked with Nicolo Bulega last year, and also has experience working with Luca Marini on both the VR46 Moto2 squad and Forward Racing. Gresini has also added Sergio Verbena to his ranks, having worked alongside Brad Binder and then Danilo Petrucci at KTM for two years.
No change in the Suzuki factory garage as Joan Mir stays with Frankie Carchedi and Alex Rins stays with Jose Manuel Cazeaux. Similar to Pramac Racing, the question at Suzuki is who will take the vacant spot as team principal after Davide Brivio’s shocking return was recently ruled out.
Eight-time world champion Marc Marquez will work with Santi Hernandez again in 2022, while Pol Espargaro will stay with Ramon Aurin. That means Aurin will work with the same rider for the first time since 2016 in consecutive seasons, having worked with Dani Pedrosa, Jack Miller, Takaaki Nakagami, Jorge Lorenzo, Alex Marquez and then Pol Espargaro for six years.
It’s the same story in Lucio Cecchinello’s squad as Japanese star Takaaki Nakagami continues his partnership with Giacomo Guidotti and Alex Marquez starts a second season with Christophe Bourguignon.
There has been a big change at the top of the Austrian plant after Mike Leitner’s departure. Francesco Guidotti is expected to work with her new Technical Director, Fabiano Sterlacchini. Her new technical boss worked at Ducati for 17 years and rose to a management position alongside Gigi Dall’Igna before moving to the Mattighofen plant, while Guidotti returned to KTM after working for the 250cc team between 2006 and 2009 could. When it comes to crew chiefs, there is no change. Miguel Oliveira will stay with Paul Trevathan and Brad Binder will work with Andres Madrid.
A couple of new faces for Herve Poncharal to oversee 2022, and with that come new crew chiefs for Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez. The Moto2 world champion will work with Alex Merhand, who after a few years as a data engineer at Tech3 will take on the role of crew chief. In the meantime, Fernandez will work with Nicolas Goyon in 2022.
No change in the Aprilia box as Aleix Espargaro continues his partnership with Antonio Jimenez. On the other side of the garage, Maverick Viñales starts his first full season with Giovanni Mattarollo. The former Aprilia chassis engineer was transferred to Viñales by the test team when the Spaniard made his debut on the Noale squad.
Every training session, qualifying battle and race, exclusive interviews, historical races and much more fantastic content: this is VideoPass!
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641966192;}i:2;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:123:"Matej Mohoric rushed to hospital after the horror crash of the Giro d?Italia when the bike split in two | Others | Sports";s:4:"link";s:153:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/matej-mohoric-rushed-to-hospital-after-the-horror-crash-of-the-giro-ditalia-when-the-bike-split-in-two-others-sports/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Wed, 12 Jan 2022 05:31:50 +0000";s:8:"category";s:6:"Ducati";s:4:"guid";s:153:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/matej-mohoric-rushed-to-hospital-after-the-horror-crash-of-the-giro-ditalia-when-the-bike-split-in-two-others-sports/";s:11:"description";s:185:"Matej Mohoric was landed on his head and hospitalized after a horror collision at the Giro d’Italia. The 26-year-old raced up the mountain in second place on the 9th stage… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:1661:"Matej Mohoric was landed on his head and hospitalized after a horror collision at the Giro d’Italia. The 26-year-old raced up the mountain in second place on the 9th stage when he flipped his handlebars and landed upside down.
His bike broke in half when the following pack tried to avoid the collision.
Mohoric first got up and sat on a cordon at the roadside as he grappled with what had just happened.
A spare wheel was brought with him in the hope that he could continue driving.
But Mohoric was instead placed on a stretcher and taken to an ambulance for treatment.
“He just overcooked it,” Adam Blythe said in the Eurosport comment.
?It looks like he’s just losing a little of his rear wheel and high sides. He hit a stone on the inside and I think the fork came off the bike.
?Terrible crash, highsider. You can see that the forks are neatly snapped in half. “
The crash ended a difficult period for the Bahrain Victorious team after Mohoric’s teammate Mikel Landa was also forced to retire after being eliminated on Stage 5.
Landa broke her collarbone and multiple ribs in a serious fall early in the competition. He’s waiting for an operation.
Mohoric’s situation remains unknown as he awaits further examinations in the hospital.
“Matej Mohoric crashed on the ninth stage on a descent. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance for radiological diagnostics,” Bahrain Victorious said in a statement.
“He is being kept under surveillance according to the UCI Seismic Protocol.”
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16231";s:7:"summary";s:185:"Matej Mohoric was landed on his head and hospitalized after a horror collision at the Giro d’Italia. The 26-year-old raced up the mountain in second place on the 9th stage… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:1661:"Matej Mohoric was landed on his head and hospitalized after a horror collision at the Giro d’Italia. The 26-year-old raced up the mountain in second place on the 9th stage when he flipped his handlebars and landed upside down.
His bike broke in half when the following pack tried to avoid the collision.
Mohoric first got up and sat on a cordon at the roadside as he grappled with what had just happened.
A spare wheel was brought with him in the hope that he could continue driving.
But Mohoric was instead placed on a stretcher and taken to an ambulance for treatment.
“He just overcooked it,” Adam Blythe said in the Eurosport comment.
?It looks like he’s just losing a little of his rear wheel and high sides. He hit a stone on the inside and I think the fork came off the bike.
?Terrible crash, highsider. You can see that the forks are neatly snapped in half. “
The crash ended a difficult period for the Bahrain Victorious team after Mohoric’s teammate Mikel Landa was also forced to retire after being eliminated on Stage 5.
Landa broke her collarbone and multiple ribs in a serious fall early in the competition. He’s waiting for an operation.
Mohoric’s situation remains unknown as he awaits further examinations in the hospital.
“Matej Mohoric crashed on the ninth stage on a descent. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance for radiological diagnostics,” Bahrain Victorious said in a statement.
“He is being kept under surveillance according to the UCI Seismic Protocol.”
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641965510;}i:3;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:65:"MotoGP, Valentino?s banner removed from Tavullia?s medieval walls";s:4:"link";s:99:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/motogp-valentinos-banner-removed-from-tavullias-medieval-walls/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Wed, 12 Jan 2022 00:45:02 +0000";s:8:"category";s:10:"HRC MotoGP";s:4:"guid";s:99:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/motogp-valentinos-banner-removed-from-tavullias-medieval-walls/";s:11:"description";s:192:"Valentino Rossi withdrew and his Tavullia banners disappeared. But it’s not about his fans falling in love with him. It was a request from the Superintendent of Ancona, since the… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:1223:"Valentino Rossi withdrew and his Tavullia banners disappeared. But it’s not about his fans falling in love with him. It was a request from the Superintendent of Ancona, since the Courier Adriatico reported.
So is the big yellow banner that says ?Thank you Vale! And even “Yellow Park”, the playground at the foot of the walls dedicated to children, does not seem to respect the surrounding medieval architecture.
It was reported to the Sabap Marche (Superintendent of Archeology, Fine Arts and Landscapes of the Marche Region) by a local resident who is a member of “Italia Nostra” (a non-profit organization for the protection and promotion of the historical, artistic and ecological heritage). A decision has not yet been made regarding these banners, but the city has decided to remove them for the time being pending the decision of the superintendent.
Many who turn up their noses at this decision. Not only because of their preference for their roommates, but because these banners and especially the park would have redeveloped the area. Now the ball is in the hands of the superintendent.
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16229";s:7:"summary";s:192:"Valentino Rossi withdrew and his Tavullia banners disappeared. But it’s not about his fans falling in love with him. It was a request from the Superintendent of Ancona, since the… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:1223:"Valentino Rossi withdrew and his Tavullia banners disappeared. But it’s not about his fans falling in love with him. It was a request from the Superintendent of Ancona, since the Courier Adriatico reported.
So is the big yellow banner that says ?Thank you Vale! And even “Yellow Park”, the playground at the foot of the walls dedicated to children, does not seem to respect the surrounding medieval architecture.
It was reported to the Sabap Marche (Superintendent of Archeology, Fine Arts and Landscapes of the Marche Region) by a local resident who is a member of “Italia Nostra” (a non-profit organization for the protection and promotion of the historical, artistic and ecological heritage). A decision has not yet been made regarding these banners, but the city has decided to remove them for the time being pending the decision of the superintendent.
Many who turn up their noses at this decision. Not only because of their preference for their roommates, but because these banners and especially the park would have redeveloped the area. Now the ball is in the hands of the superintendent.
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641948302;}i:4;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:67:"Morbidelli talks about the Spike Lee-inspired Misano helmet message";s:4:"link";s:104:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/morbidelli-talks-about-the-spike-lee-inspired-misano-helmet-message/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Wed, 12 Jan 2022 00:41:28 +0000";s:8:"category";s:13:"Yamaha MotoGP";s:4:"guid";s:104:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/morbidelli-talks-about-the-spike-lee-inspired-misano-helmet-message/";s:11:"description";s:172:"Racism and diversity were at the fore in 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter protests that broke out after the police murder of George Floyd in America in May. Formula… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:2784:"
Racism and diversity were at the fore in 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter protests that broke out after the police murder of George Floyd in America in May.
Formula 1 launched its ?We Race As One? initiative to address the problem, while Mercedes switched to black paint to show its support for the message – with Lewis Hamilton, the loudest voice in motorsport, on Change is urgent. MotoGP was noticeable this year for the lack of similar messages.
As is traditional for Italian riders at their home races, Morbidelli was one of several to debut a special helmet design on Saturday depicting himself as a character from the Spike Lee-winning film Do the Right Thing – a film that is racist Concerning tension and violence in America.
Morbidelli – whose father is Italian and mother is Brazilian – also wears the expression “equality” in numerous languages ??on the back of his helmet.
He explained his new helmet design: ?When I decided to make the special helmet for this event, I wanted to deal with one big thing and one big issue, namely racism. But I also wanted to embrace the whole of 2020, because this year started really badly and many, many unpleasant things happened in the world in 2020.
?We’re trying to put the audience on a show, and we’re trying to make the audience feel good. So I wanted to treat the subject with a little lightness, not be difficult.
?And there’s a Spike Lee movie that does a great job of this thing, it’s called Do the Right Thing. There is the character who at one point in the film only says, “Stop all the BS”, stop hating each other, and he calls it “time out”. So I wanted to put myself in his clothes and stamp my helmet on.
?And I also wanted to send a message of equality [on the back] in different languages ??because I think it’s one of the most important things to remember. I think it’s important to remember that we are all the same. The coronavirus reminded us badly, but we have to remember it for the good days too. I think it was the best message that could be sent in the easiest possible way. “
Morbidelli will start the San Marino Grand Prix on Sunday from second place on the grid between poleman Maverick Vinales and SRT team-mate Fabio Quartararo.
Franco Morbidelli, Petronas Yamaha SRT
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16227";s:7:"summary";s:172:"Racism and diversity were at the fore in 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter protests that broke out after the police murder of George Floyd in America in May. Formula… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:2784:"
Racism and diversity were at the fore in 2020 amid the Black Lives Matter protests that broke out after the police murder of George Floyd in America in May.
Formula 1 launched its ?We Race As One? initiative to address the problem, while Mercedes switched to black paint to show its support for the message – with Lewis Hamilton, the loudest voice in motorsport, on Change is urgent. MotoGP was noticeable this year for the lack of similar messages.
As is traditional for Italian riders at their home races, Morbidelli was one of several to debut a special helmet design on Saturday depicting himself as a character from the Spike Lee-winning film Do the Right Thing – a film that is racist Concerning tension and violence in America.
Morbidelli – whose father is Italian and mother is Brazilian – also wears the expression “equality” in numerous languages ??on the back of his helmet.
He explained his new helmet design: ?When I decided to make the special helmet for this event, I wanted to deal with one big thing and one big issue, namely racism. But I also wanted to embrace the whole of 2020, because this year started really badly and many, many unpleasant things happened in the world in 2020.
?We’re trying to put the audience on a show, and we’re trying to make the audience feel good. So I wanted to treat the subject with a little lightness, not be difficult.
?And there’s a Spike Lee movie that does a great job of this thing, it’s called Do the Right Thing. There is the character who at one point in the film only says, “Stop all the BS”, stop hating each other, and he calls it “time out”. So I wanted to put myself in his clothes and stamp my helmet on.
?And I also wanted to send a message of equality [on the back] in different languages ??because I think it’s one of the most important things to remember. I think it’s important to remember that we are all the same. The coronavirus reminded us badly, but we have to remember it for the good days too. I think it was the best message that could be sent in the easiest possible way. “
Morbidelli will start the San Marino Grand Prix on Sunday from second place on the grid between poleman Maverick Vinales and SRT team-mate Fabio Quartararo.
Franco Morbidelli, Petronas Yamaha SRT
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641948088;}i:5;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:59:"Jorge Lorenzo predicts a new era of Ducati MotoGP success ?";s:4:"link";s:94:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/jorge-lorenzo-predicts-a-new-era-of-ducati-motogp-success/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Wed, 12 Jan 2022 00:30:57 +0000";s:8:"category";s:6:"Ducati";s:4:"guid";s:94:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/jorge-lorenzo-predicts-a-new-era-of-ducati-motogp-success/";s:11:"description";s:195:"Three-time MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo believes that in the hands of Pecco Bagnaia, the Ducati will be the combination to beat in the 2022 MotoGP World Championship. Lorenzo spent… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:2429:"Three-time MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo believes that in the hands of Pecco Bagnaia, the Ducati will be the combination to beat in the 2022 MotoGP World Championship.
Lorenzo spent two humble seasons at Ducati in 2017 and 2018 after parting ways with Yamaha – with whom he won all three titles in 2010, 2012 and 2015 – before retiring at the end of the year after a difficult stint at Honda following a difficult injury-related stint Season 2019.
The Spaniard was just one in a line of riders struggling to get used to the Ducati Desmosedici package, followed by Marco Melandri, Valentino Rossi and Cal Crutchlow, although his form changed when he left Honda for the following year was confirmed, taking three wins in six races before an injury ruined the end of his year.
Over time, Ducati’s shape – namely, its consistency – has steadily improved, developments that led to it being the dominant force in the second half of the 2021 season.
Even though Fabio Quartararo took Yamaha’s first MotoGP crown since Lorenzo in 2015 last year, the Spaniard can’t look beyond a Ducati rider to take his first title in 15 years.
“Quartararo and Bagnaia are the favorites, but even though Fabio is champion, I see Pecco with more options just because he has a Ducati, which for me is without a doubt the best bike ever,” he told Motosan.
In fact, Lorenzo believes Ducati would have won more titles with the right riders on the bike, adding that people like Martin – who currently rides the Pramac machine – and 2020 MotoGP World Champion Joan Mir would be hot bets , should they find themselves in a factory machine in the future.
?I think this Ducati with Marquez or Stoner would have won other championships and if everything goes well in the future, they’ll get it with Pecco or Martin. “
?I think that only if I switched to Ducati would I take a significant step forward. From the outside, I see Suzuki and Yamaha on a similar level.
?KTM isn’t bad and the Honda and Aprilia look complicated, although they can be there too. The Ducati is very fast with every driver and that is no coincidence … “
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16225";s:7:"summary";s:195:"Three-time MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo believes that in the hands of Pecco Bagnaia, the Ducati will be the combination to beat in the 2022 MotoGP World Championship. Lorenzo spent… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:2429:"Three-time MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo believes that in the hands of Pecco Bagnaia, the Ducati will be the combination to beat in the 2022 MotoGP World Championship.
Lorenzo spent two humble seasons at Ducati in 2017 and 2018 after parting ways with Yamaha – with whom he won all three titles in 2010, 2012 and 2015 – before retiring at the end of the year after a difficult stint at Honda following a difficult injury-related stint Season 2019.
The Spaniard was just one in a line of riders struggling to get used to the Ducati Desmosedici package, followed by Marco Melandri, Valentino Rossi and Cal Crutchlow, although his form changed when he left Honda for the following year was confirmed, taking three wins in six races before an injury ruined the end of his year.
Over time, Ducati’s shape – namely, its consistency – has steadily improved, developments that led to it being the dominant force in the second half of the 2021 season.
Even though Fabio Quartararo took Yamaha’s first MotoGP crown since Lorenzo in 2015 last year, the Spaniard can’t look beyond a Ducati rider to take his first title in 15 years.
“Quartararo and Bagnaia are the favorites, but even though Fabio is champion, I see Pecco with more options just because he has a Ducati, which for me is without a doubt the best bike ever,” he told Motosan.
In fact, Lorenzo believes Ducati would have won more titles with the right riders on the bike, adding that people like Martin – who currently rides the Pramac machine – and 2020 MotoGP World Champion Joan Mir would be hot bets , should they find themselves in a factory machine in the future.
?I think this Ducati with Marquez or Stoner would have won other championships and if everything goes well in the future, they’ll get it with Pecco or Martin. “
?I think that only if I switched to Ducati would I take a significant step forward. From the outside, I see Suzuki and Yamaha on a similar level.
?KTM isn’t bad and the Honda and Aprilia look complicated, although they can be there too. The Ducati is very fast with every driver and that is no coincidence … “
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641947457;}i:6;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:64:"Dakar Rally: Cornejo Wins Stage Nine, Walkner Takes Overall Lead";s:4:"link";s:99:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/dakar-rally-cornejo-wins-stage-nine-walkner-takes-overall-lead/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Tue, 11 Jan 2022 20:37:56 +0000";s:8:"category";s:12:"News Wrap-up";s:4:"guid";s:99:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/dakar-rally-cornejo-wins-stage-nine-walkner-takes-overall-lead/";s:11:"description";s:184:"MATTHIAS WALKNER TAKES DAKAR RALLY LEAD ON STAGE NINE Dakar Rally 2022 ? Stage Nine Red Bull KTM Factory Racing?s Matthias Walkner has taken the provisional overall lead of the… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:16372:"MATTHIAS WALKNER TAKES DAKAR RALLY LEAD ON STAGE NINE
Dakar Rally 2022 ? Stage Nine
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing?s Matthias Walkner has taken the provisional overall lead of the 2022 Dakar Rally following a fourth-place finish on day nine. Continuing to deliver strong and consistent stage results, the Austrian star now sits over two minutes ahead of the second-placed rider. Kevin Benavides placed second today, with Toby Price bringing his KTM 450 RALLY home in 17th. Danilo Petrucci finished one position further back and just seven seconds behind in 18th.
Relatively short at a total distance of under 500 kilometers, and with a timed special of 287 kilometers, stage nine of the Dakar was made up of a fast, looped route close to Wadi Ad Dawasir. As the third rider into the stage, Matthias Walkner immediately took his time, focusing on his navigation to avoid making any costly errors. However, with the special proving to be relatively straightforward, Walkner knew he would have to push to stay in touch with his two rivals ahead of him. By catching them both by the finish, the experienced Austrian not only moved himself up into the provisional lead of the race, but also lost the minimum of time to his closest competitors while also securing himself another strong start position for Wednesday?s stage 10.
Matthias Walkner: ?It was quite a short stage today, but really, really fast. It wasn?t too difficult with the navigation and the boys in front did a good job, so it was quite hard to make up a lot of time. By the refueling I saw that I was a little off the pace, not too much, but I knew I would have to get my head down for the second half of the stage. It all seemed to pay off because I have taken over the lead of the overall and also my starting position for tomorrow is quite good. We?ve got three more really interesting days to come.?
Right on the pace from the very start of today?s special, Kevin Benavides placed within the top three for much of the stage, despite the times being exceptionally close throughout the top 10. Steering his KTM 450 RALLY to a runner-up result, the reigning Dakar Champion moves back up the provisional rally order to fifth, just over 10 minutes behind the leader. With three stages left to race and Kevin very much on form, the Argentinian hopes to be able to climb higher in the rankings to challenge for the podium places by the rally finish on Friday, January 14.
Kevin Benavides: ?Stage nine was a really good stage for me. I felt really good on the bike and was able to push a lot. I expected the navigation to be a little trickier, but in the end, it was quite easy to choose the correct way. The guys in front did a good job of navigating so in the end it just came down to speed, and all the guys at the front ended up being really close on time. I finished second today, which will make tomorrow a little tougher. But I?ll focus on my navigation and with only three days left, my plan is to push all day, every day.?
Another solid performance on stage nine saw Toby Price complete the timed special as 17th quickest, albeit only eight and a half minutes down on the winner. Lying just outside the top 10 overall, Toby hopes to use his start position on Wednesday?s stage 10 to elevate himself further up the rankings.
Toby Price: ?It was a good day, I had a couple of little mistakes, but nothing too crazy. I?m starting a little way back tomorrow, so hopefully I?ll be able to grab a little time back then. Other than that, the bike is good, I feel good, we?ll keep on pushing tomorrow.?
Danilo Petrucci once again showed his speed and class on stage nine of the rally, competitive on time and running for most of the day just outside the top 10. Losing a couple of minutes in the very final kilometers of the special, Danilo completed the day as 18th fastest, less than nine minutes behind the winner.
Danilo Petrucci: ?I had a good day today. I?m really happy with my riding and was able to match the speed of the top guys for much of the stage. Unfortunately, I did have a small technical issue that caused me to stop a couple of times, but thankfully, I didn?t lose too much time. It might not be too much of a bad thing because I have a good start position for tomorrow now and I hope to be able to really push once again.?
Provisional Results Stage Nine (overall) ? 2022 Dakar Rally
1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (CHI), Honda, 2:29:30
2. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 2:30:56 +1:26
3. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 2:31:17 +1:47
4. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 2:31:17 +2:06
5. Joan Barreda (ESP), Honda, 2:31:40 +2:10
Other KTM
17. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 2:38:05 +8:35
18. Danilo Petrucci (ITA), KTM, 2:38:12 +8:42
Provisional Standings ? 2022 Dakar Rally after 9 of 12 stages
1. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 30:14:03
2. Sam Sunderland (GBR), GASGAS, 30:16:15 +2:12
3. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 30:17:59 +3:56
4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 30:18:44 +4:41
5. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 30:24:25 +10:22
Other KTM
11. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 30:49:17 +35:14
More, from a press release issued by Husqvarna Factory Racing:
STRONG RESULT FOR LUCIANO BENAVIDES ON DAKAR STAGE NINE
HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDER DELIVERS NEAR FAULTLESS PERFORMANCE TO PLACE SEVENTH ON FAST TIMED SPECIAL
Husqvarna Factory Racing?s Luciano Benavides has continued his run of top-10 stage results by placing seventh-fastest on day nine of the Dakar Rally. Equalling his result from day eight, Benavides completed today?s special just over four minutes behind the eventual winner. In the provisional rankings, the FR 450 Rally rider lies 14th overall.
The prescribed route for today?s 287-kilomtere stage nine was very fast, while also posing less of a challenge in terms of navigation. As such, the top competitors completed the stage with very little time to separate them. Setting off seventh into the special due to his strong performance from stage eight, Luciano Benevides used the first 100 kilometres to get comfortable and settle into the fast terrain before focusing on his speed from there to the end of the stage.
Completing the special four minutes and 21 seconds off the leading time, despite navigating through much of the stage on his own, Luciano?s pace shows the quality of his riding and the performance of his Husqvarna Factory Racing machine. With three days left to race, Luciano lies 14th overall, 54 minutes behind the provisional rally leader. However, with times between the riders extremely close, the 26-year-old is fully focused on delivering more strong results, and moving further up the order, to hopefully complete the event well inside the top 10.
Luciano Benavides: ?Stage nine was a short, fast stage, but I really enjoyed it. It was made up mostly of rocky valleys and canyons with a few sections of dunes, too. The route was really high speed, so it wasn?t the best day to make up time on everyone else. I tried to be as consistent as I could because I think even a small mistake could end up costing you a lot of time today with everything being so close. I think I did a good job ? I?m pleased to get two seventh place finishes in a row now, and again it puts me in a good starting position for tomorrow. I?m feeling good, the bike is working well with no problems, physically I am ok too. The team have also been putting in a lot of good work, so I?m really happy with how everything is going. I?m looking forward to pushing once again tomorrow.?
2022 Dakar Rally ? Stage 9 Provisional Classification
1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) 2:29:30
2. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 2:30:56
3. Ricky Brabec (Honda) 2:31:17
4. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 2:31:36
5. Joan Barreda (Honda) 2:31:40
6. Andrew Short (Yamaha) 2:33:26
7. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 2:33:51
2022 Dakar Rally ? Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 9)
1. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 30:14:03
2. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 30:16:15
3. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 30:17:59
4. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 30:18:44
5. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 30:24:25
6. Joan Barreda (Honda) 30:25:00
?
14. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 31:08:36
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Team:
Second victory for Nacho Cornejo. Monster Energy Honda Team well-positioned to contest the final Dakar stages
Monster Energy Honda Team riders will be in contention for the final overall Dakar Rally 2022 victory. Although the first week did not go quite according to plan, the team has, nevertheless, given their maximum to stand a chance in the rally?s grand finale. Nacho Cornejo won the ninth stage.
Fewer and fewer stages are left to decide the outcome of the 2022 Dakar Rally. Today, in the ninth stage, the 287-kilometre special stage around Wadi Ad-Dawasir began to mark out which riders will be in the final contention for the win. A total of 491 kilometres, through the Arabian Peninsula?s Empty Quarter, featured less sand than on previous days, but more mountain tracks running between canyons that demanded precise, mistake-free navigation.
Yesterday Nacho Cornejo had been left with a bittersweet taste after the eighth stage. A slight mistake towards the end of the special, had left the rider without the prize he had been ultimately seeking: that of minimising any markings for his pursuers to follow while opening the track throughout the day. Today, he returned to the Wadi Ad-Dawasir bivouac with a smile beneath his helmet after a second win in this Dakar, taking the young Chilean?s total tally to five.
Monster Energy Honda Team?s American rider Ricky Brabec rode a fine special, pushing hard and posting third place on the day. Joan Barreda also completed the day?s stage with a certain degree of normality, a mere 2?10 behind his team-mate. Barreda, fifth on the stage, holds sixth in the general standings, less than 11 minutes behind the race leader. Lastly, Pablo Quintanilla did a commendable job today to set himself up nicely for the final victory battle of this 2022 Dakar. He finished eighth on the day and lies in fourth place overall just 4?41 behind the new race leader.
Tomorrow?s stage
With two days to go until the end of the rally, riders can once again expect a navigation-filled day before the 759-kilometre trek is completed. About half the distance ? some 375 kilometres ? will be against the clock. The crossings and parallel tracks could be the undoing of more than a few bikers.
Ricky Brabec 2
STAGE: 3RD OVERALL: 12TH
Today went well. I think I rode very well, and that?s positive. The team, the riders and the mechanics are doing an excellent job. I?m slowly realising a couple of things: sometimes there are days when you don?t lose or gain time and sometimes you can gain or lose a lot of time. It?s something we have to study? I?m happy to be able to get to the end of another day with the whole team. There are two tough days left, so we?ll have to keep pushing. I try to go fast every day, to make up time, but maybe I have to do things differently.
Pablo Quintanilla 7
STAGE: 8TH OVERALL: 4TH
I?m happy. It was a good day because the goal today was to catch Sam and not to make any navigation mistakes. In the end it was a straightforward day: no mistakes, I caught up with Sam after the refuelling and we clawed back another minute in the overall. I think I have a good position for tomorrow. I won?t have to open the track but I will have fast riders in front and behind. We will try to manage the pressure well tomorrow. The times are very tight and will stay that way until the end. I?m really enjoying the race.
José Ignacio Cornejo 11
STAGE: 1ST OVERALL: 9TH
I think I had a good stage. Yesterday I lost a lot of time towards the end, opening the track, and today I wanted to make up some of that time. I would have liked to make up more, but the stage was very fast and it was difficult to make a big difference. I?m pleased: I did what I had to do, which was to push. There are three days left and we will continue with the same attitude, trying to turn out solid performances and improve in the general standings.
Joan Barreda 88
STAGE: 5TH OVERALL: 6TH
Today went quite well. I started 10th, with several riders ahead of me. I set a steady pace, making good decisions in terms of navigation. As the kilometres went by, I felt a bit better and in the final part, I was able to push harder. The truth is that the riders in front navigated really well and didn?t make any mistakes, so the pace was pretty high. We weren?t able to pull back much from the riders in front, but the positive thing is that another stage is over and I have a chance to fight for the Dakar, recovering physically by the day. The goal is to reach the finish-line giving it the maximum.
More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:
ANOTHER POSITIVE DAY AT THE DAKAR FOR SAM SUNDERLAND
GASGAS FACTORY RACING STAR DELIVERS THE GOODS ON CRUCIAL STAGE NINE
Stage nine of the 2022 Dakar Rally was a crucial one for GASGAS Factory Racing?s Sam Sunderland. After his impressive stage win yesterday, he faced the arduous task of leading the riders out on today?s 287-kilometer timed special. Digging deep to post a 14th place finish ? a result that at first glance might look anything but impressive but in reality is genuinely one hell of a performance ? the Brit lost only a minimal amount of time, just over eight minutes in fact, to the eventual stage winner. Now lying two minutes adrift of the provisional overall rally leader with three days to go, the race to the finish is well and truly on for Sam!
Exceptional navigation ensures Sam loses little time on stage nine
Over 30 hours of racing against the clock now complete
Four-rider battle for the Dakar crown begins to emerge
Sam Sunderland: ?Opening a stage only adds to the difficulty of rally racing and I?m super happy with how the day went for me. On paper you could look at the results and think it wasn?t a great stage for me, but the reality was that leading out means you?re relying solely on your roadbook. Not losing huge chunks of time today means I did a pretty good job. Since my crash last week, I?ve felt better and better every day so I?m looking forward to this continuing through the final three days.?
In what?s turning into a four-rider battle for the 2022 Dakar title, Sam?s performance on stage nine may well be his best yet. With the Brit now firing on all cylinders after his crash during week one, he?s back to his best and more than ready for the final three days of racing.
Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2022, stage 9
1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) 2:29:30
2. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 2:30:56
3. Ricky Brabec (Honda) 2:31:17
14. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 2:37:33
Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 9)
1. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 30:14:03
2. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 30:16:15
3. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 30:17:59
MATTHIAS WALKNER TAKES DAKAR RALLY LEAD ON STAGE NINE
Dakar Rally 2022 ? Stage Nine
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing?s Matthias Walkner has taken the provisional overall lead of the 2022 Dakar Rally following a fourth-place finish on day nine. Continuing to deliver strong and consistent stage results, the Austrian star now sits over two minutes ahead of the second-placed rider. Kevin Benavides placed second today, with Toby Price bringing his KTM 450 RALLY home in 17th. Danilo Petrucci finished one position further back and just seven seconds behind in 18th.
Relatively short at a total distance of under 500 kilometers, and with a timed special of 287 kilometers, stage nine of the Dakar was made up of a fast, looped route close to Wadi Ad Dawasir. As the third rider into the stage, Matthias Walkner immediately took his time, focusing on his navigation to avoid making any costly errors. However, with the special proving to be relatively straightforward, Walkner knew he would have to push to stay in touch with his two rivals ahead of him. By catching them both by the finish, the experienced Austrian not only moved himself up into the provisional lead of the race, but also lost the minimum of time to his closest competitors while also securing himself another strong start position for Wednesday?s stage 10.
Matthias Walkner: ?It was quite a short stage today, but really, really fast. It wasn?t too difficult with the navigation and the boys in front did a good job, so it was quite hard to make up a lot of time. By the refueling I saw that I was a little off the pace, not too much, but I knew I would have to get my head down for the second half of the stage. It all seemed to pay off because I have taken over the lead of the overall and also my starting position for tomorrow is quite good. We?ve got three more really interesting days to come.?
Right on the pace from the very start of today?s special, Kevin Benavides placed within the top three for much of the stage, despite the times being exceptionally close throughout the top 10. Steering his KTM 450 RALLY to a runner-up result, the reigning Dakar Champion moves back up the provisional rally order to fifth, just over 10 minutes behind the leader. With three stages left to race and Kevin very much on form, the Argentinian hopes to be able to climb higher in the rankings to challenge for the podium places by the rally finish on Friday, January 14.
Kevin Benavides: ?Stage nine was a really good stage for me. I felt really good on the bike and was able to push a lot. I expected the navigation to be a little trickier, but in the end, it was quite easy to choose the correct way. The guys in front did a good job of navigating so in the end it just came down to speed, and all the guys at the front ended up being really close on time. I finished second today, which will make tomorrow a little tougher. But I?ll focus on my navigation and with only three days left, my plan is to push all day, every day.?
Another solid performance on stage nine saw Toby Price complete the timed special as 17th quickest, albeit only eight and a half minutes down on the winner. Lying just outside the top 10 overall, Toby hopes to use his start position on Wednesday?s stage 10 to elevate himself further up the rankings.
Toby Price: ?It was a good day, I had a couple of little mistakes, but nothing too crazy. I?m starting a little way back tomorrow, so hopefully I?ll be able to grab a little time back then. Other than that, the bike is good, I feel good, we?ll keep on pushing tomorrow.?
Danilo Petrucci once again showed his speed and class on stage nine of the rally, competitive on time and running for most of the day just outside the top 10. Losing a couple of minutes in the very final kilometers of the special, Danilo completed the day as 18th fastest, less than nine minutes behind the winner.
Danilo Petrucci: ?I had a good day today. I?m really happy with my riding and was able to match the speed of the top guys for much of the stage. Unfortunately, I did have a small technical issue that caused me to stop a couple of times, but thankfully, I didn?t lose too much time. It might not be too much of a bad thing because I have a good start position for tomorrow now and I hope to be able to really push once again.?
Provisional Results Stage Nine (overall) ? 2022 Dakar Rally
1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (CHI), Honda, 2:29:30
2. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 2:30:56 +1:26
3. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 2:31:17 +1:47
4. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 2:31:17 +2:06
5. Joan Barreda (ESP), Honda, 2:31:40 +2:10
Other KTM
17. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 2:38:05 +8:35
18. Danilo Petrucci (ITA), KTM, 2:38:12 +8:42
Provisional Standings ? 2022 Dakar Rally after 9 of 12 stages
1. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 30:14:03
2. Sam Sunderland (GBR), GASGAS, 30:16:15 +2:12
3. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 30:17:59 +3:56
4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 30:18:44 +4:41
5. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 30:24:25 +10:22
Other KTM
11. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 30:49:17 +35:14
More, from a press release issued by Husqvarna Factory Racing:
STRONG RESULT FOR LUCIANO BENAVIDES ON DAKAR STAGE NINE
HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDER DELIVERS NEAR FAULTLESS PERFORMANCE TO PLACE SEVENTH ON FAST TIMED SPECIAL
Husqvarna Factory Racing?s Luciano Benavides has continued his run of top-10 stage results by placing seventh-fastest on day nine of the Dakar Rally. Equalling his result from day eight, Benavides completed today?s special just over four minutes behind the eventual winner. In the provisional rankings, the FR 450 Rally rider lies 14th overall.
The prescribed route for today?s 287-kilomtere stage nine was very fast, while also posing less of a challenge in terms of navigation. As such, the top competitors completed the stage with very little time to separate them. Setting off seventh into the special due to his strong performance from stage eight, Luciano Benevides used the first 100 kilometres to get comfortable and settle into the fast terrain before focusing on his speed from there to the end of the stage.
Completing the special four minutes and 21 seconds off the leading time, despite navigating through much of the stage on his own, Luciano?s pace shows the quality of his riding and the performance of his Husqvarna Factory Racing machine. With three days left to race, Luciano lies 14th overall, 54 minutes behind the provisional rally leader. However, with times between the riders extremely close, the 26-year-old is fully focused on delivering more strong results, and moving further up the order, to hopefully complete the event well inside the top 10.
Luciano Benavides: ?Stage nine was a short, fast stage, but I really enjoyed it. It was made up mostly of rocky valleys and canyons with a few sections of dunes, too. The route was really high speed, so it wasn?t the best day to make up time on everyone else. I tried to be as consistent as I could because I think even a small mistake could end up costing you a lot of time today with everything being so close. I think I did a good job ? I?m pleased to get two seventh place finishes in a row now, and again it puts me in a good starting position for tomorrow. I?m feeling good, the bike is working well with no problems, physically I am ok too. The team have also been putting in a lot of good work, so I?m really happy with how everything is going. I?m looking forward to pushing once again tomorrow.?
2022 Dakar Rally ? Stage 9 Provisional Classification
1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) 2:29:30
2. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 2:30:56
3. Ricky Brabec (Honda) 2:31:17
4. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 2:31:36
5. Joan Barreda (Honda) 2:31:40
6. Andrew Short (Yamaha) 2:33:26
7. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 2:33:51
2022 Dakar Rally ? Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 9)
1. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 30:14:03
2. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 30:16:15
3. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 30:17:59
4. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 30:18:44
5. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 30:24:25
6. Joan Barreda (Honda) 30:25:00
?
14. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 31:08:36
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Team:
Second victory for Nacho Cornejo. Monster Energy Honda Team well-positioned to contest the final Dakar stages
Monster Energy Honda Team riders will be in contention for the final overall Dakar Rally 2022 victory. Although the first week did not go quite according to plan, the team has, nevertheless, given their maximum to stand a chance in the rally?s grand finale. Nacho Cornejo won the ninth stage.
Fewer and fewer stages are left to decide the outcome of the 2022 Dakar Rally. Today, in the ninth stage, the 287-kilometre special stage around Wadi Ad-Dawasir began to mark out which riders will be in the final contention for the win. A total of 491 kilometres, through the Arabian Peninsula?s Empty Quarter, featured less sand than on previous days, but more mountain tracks running between canyons that demanded precise, mistake-free navigation.
Yesterday Nacho Cornejo had been left with a bittersweet taste after the eighth stage. A slight mistake towards the end of the special, had left the rider without the prize he had been ultimately seeking: that of minimising any markings for his pursuers to follow while opening the track throughout the day. Today, he returned to the Wadi Ad-Dawasir bivouac with a smile beneath his helmet after a second win in this Dakar, taking the young Chilean?s total tally to five.
Monster Energy Honda Team?s American rider Ricky Brabec rode a fine special, pushing hard and posting third place on the day. Joan Barreda also completed the day?s stage with a certain degree of normality, a mere 2?10 behind his team-mate. Barreda, fifth on the stage, holds sixth in the general standings, less than 11 minutes behind the race leader. Lastly, Pablo Quintanilla did a commendable job today to set himself up nicely for the final victory battle of this 2022 Dakar. He finished eighth on the day and lies in fourth place overall just 4?41 behind the new race leader.
Tomorrow?s stage
With two days to go until the end of the rally, riders can once again expect a navigation-filled day before the 759-kilometre trek is completed. About half the distance ? some 375 kilometres ? will be against the clock. The crossings and parallel tracks could be the undoing of more than a few bikers.
Ricky Brabec 2
STAGE: 3RD OVERALL: 12TH
Today went well. I think I rode very well, and that?s positive. The team, the riders and the mechanics are doing an excellent job. I?m slowly realising a couple of things: sometimes there are days when you don?t lose or gain time and sometimes you can gain or lose a lot of time. It?s something we have to study? I?m happy to be able to get to the end of another day with the whole team. There are two tough days left, so we?ll have to keep pushing. I try to go fast every day, to make up time, but maybe I have to do things differently.
Pablo Quintanilla 7
STAGE: 8TH OVERALL: 4TH
I?m happy. It was a good day because the goal today was to catch Sam and not to make any navigation mistakes. In the end it was a straightforward day: no mistakes, I caught up with Sam after the refuelling and we clawed back another minute in the overall. I think I have a good position for tomorrow. I won?t have to open the track but I will have fast riders in front and behind. We will try to manage the pressure well tomorrow. The times are very tight and will stay that way until the end. I?m really enjoying the race.
José Ignacio Cornejo 11
STAGE: 1ST OVERALL: 9TH
I think I had a good stage. Yesterday I lost a lot of time towards the end, opening the track, and today I wanted to make up some of that time. I would have liked to make up more, but the stage was very fast and it was difficult to make a big difference. I?m pleased: I did what I had to do, which was to push. There are three days left and we will continue with the same attitude, trying to turn out solid performances and improve in the general standings.
Joan Barreda 88
STAGE: 5TH OVERALL: 6TH
Today went quite well. I started 10th, with several riders ahead of me. I set a steady pace, making good decisions in terms of navigation. As the kilometres went by, I felt a bit better and in the final part, I was able to push harder. The truth is that the riders in front navigated really well and didn?t make any mistakes, so the pace was pretty high. We weren?t able to pull back much from the riders in front, but the positive thing is that another stage is over and I have a chance to fight for the Dakar, recovering physically by the day. The goal is to reach the finish-line giving it the maximum.
More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:
ANOTHER POSITIVE DAY AT THE DAKAR FOR SAM SUNDERLAND
GASGAS FACTORY RACING STAR DELIVERS THE GOODS ON CRUCIAL STAGE NINE
Stage nine of the 2022 Dakar Rally was a crucial one for GASGAS Factory Racing?s Sam Sunderland. After his impressive stage win yesterday, he faced the arduous task of leading the riders out on today?s 287-kilometer timed special. Digging deep to post a 14th place finish ? a result that at first glance might look anything but impressive but in reality is genuinely one hell of a performance ? the Brit lost only a minimal amount of time, just over eight minutes in fact, to the eventual stage winner. Now lying two minutes adrift of the provisional overall rally leader with three days to go, the race to the finish is well and truly on for Sam!
Exceptional navigation ensures Sam loses little time on stage nine
Over 30 hours of racing against the clock now complete
Four-rider battle for the Dakar crown begins to emerge
Sam Sunderland: ?Opening a stage only adds to the difficulty of rally racing and I?m super happy with how the day went for me. On paper you could look at the results and think it wasn?t a great stage for me, but the reality was that leading out means you?re relying solely on your roadbook. Not losing huge chunks of time today means I did a pretty good job. Since my crash last week, I?ve felt better and better every day so I?m looking forward to this continuing through the final three days.?
In what?s turning into a four-rider battle for the 2022 Dakar title, Sam?s performance on stage nine may well be his best yet. With the Brit now firing on all cylinders after his crash during week one, he?s back to his best and more than ready for the final three days of racing.
Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2022, stage 9
1. Jose Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) 2:29:30
2. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 2:30:56
3. Ricky Brabec (Honda) 2:31:17
14. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 2:37:33
Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 9)
1. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 30:14:03
2. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 30:16:15
3. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 30:17:59
Every motorcyclist knows that a crash is always a bad experience, even when everything is okay and we get away with some damage to the bike and a few abrasions here and there. However, when we look at a day of practice in the World Cup, it seems that falls are part of the game. It’s basically a bit like the pole vault … but without a soft mattress waiting for us.
The MotoGP riders, but also the Moto2 and Moto3 riders, make mistakes, roll, fall, slide and in almost all cases get up to quickly run to the pits and hold laps. Not even time to think about what happened … and maybe this is their forte.
But how did this first part of the season go from the point of view of the crashes?
At the top of the overall standings is Pol Espargarò, who has accumulated 13 points since moving from KTM to Honda. And to confirm how difficult it is to make friends with the RC213-V, which brought Jorge Lorenzo out of the TOP FIVE of stunt drivers, behind Aleix Espargaro and Iker Leucona with 10, Alex Marquez is immediately back with 10 and his brother, the eight-time world champion Marc with 9 falls. Some of them were actually pretty awesome …
This means that Honda leads the ranking with 39 different types of crashes, ahead of Ducati, which, however, has two other riders with 34.
Good in the ranking (so to speak …) are also the KTM riders with 22 falls. But let’s keep talking about the drivers. You don’t need special attention to see this Alex Rins is sixth among the stunt drivers with 8, unfortunately many in the race and Jack Miller just less and like him another Ducati rider, Johann Zarco.
But why do they all crash like this?
According to Pol Espargarò It’s a mere formality: ?I fell, roll and get up. As long as I don’t do anything, everything is fine. The problem is the falls in the race ?.
True. But every crash takes a bit of confidence, especially when triggered by a highside.
“This type of accident takes a lot of self-confidence – realizes Marc Marquez – because if you slip because you leaned too hard or braked too late, that’s okay, but if the electronics give you away, that’s a different matter. “
Fortunately, there are times like this, the summer breaks, which are designed to recharge the batteries and heal the wounds. In less than a month we’ll see them all back in the saddle: those fearless rubber men.
Every motorcyclist knows that a crash is always a bad experience, even when everything is okay and we get away with some damage to the bike and a few abrasions here and there. However, when we look at a day of practice in the World Cup, it seems that falls are part of the game. It’s basically a bit like the pole vault … but without a soft mattress waiting for us.
The MotoGP riders, but also the Moto2 and Moto3 riders, make mistakes, roll, fall, slide and in almost all cases get up to quickly run to the pits and hold laps. Not even time to think about what happened … and maybe this is their forte.
But how did this first part of the season go from the point of view of the crashes?
At the top of the overall standings is Pol Espargarò, who has accumulated 13 points since moving from KTM to Honda. And to confirm how difficult it is to make friends with the RC213-V, which brought Jorge Lorenzo out of the TOP FIVE of stunt drivers, behind Aleix Espargaro and Iker Leucona with 10, Alex Marquez is immediately back with 10 and his brother, the eight-time world champion Marc with 9 falls. Some of them were actually pretty awesome …
This means that Honda leads the ranking with 39 different types of crashes, ahead of Ducati, which, however, has two other riders with 34.
Good in the ranking (so to speak …) are also the KTM riders with 22 falls. But let’s keep talking about the drivers. You don’t need special attention to see this Alex Rins is sixth among the stunt drivers with 8, unfortunately many in the race and Jack Miller just less and like him another Ducati rider, Johann Zarco.
But why do they all crash like this?
According to Pol Espargarò It’s a mere formality: ?I fell, roll and get up. As long as I don’t do anything, everything is fine. The problem is the falls in the race ?.
True. But every crash takes a bit of confidence, especially when triggered by a highside.
“This type of accident takes a lot of self-confidence – realizes Marc Marquez – because if you slip because you leaned too hard or braked too late, that’s okay, but if the electronics give you away, that’s a different matter. “
Fortunately, there are times like this, the summer breaks, which are designed to recharge the batteries and heal the wounds. In less than a month we’ll see them all back in the saddle: those fearless rubber men.
Quartararo and Morbidelli travel to Austria to gain more fame
PETRONAS Yamaha SRT wants to continue its strong start to the 2020 MotoGP season at the Red Bull Ring – Spielberg this weekend
The PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team with drivers Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli is fresh from their tenth podium in Brno to the Austrian Grand Prix and is confident of achieving further strong results. As the current front runner in both the driver and team standings, the team is traveling to Austria in high spirits.
Although the CzechGP was not the best for Quartararo as increasing tire wear in the race prevented him from making the most of his front row start, the Frenchman was still in the process of scoring nine more championship points. Quartararo is aware that it could be another tricky weekend with extremely different weather conditions predicted and would like to be on the podium again on Sunday – especially since he finished third in Austria last year.
Team-mate Morbidelli will arrive at the Red Bull Ring – Spielberg achieved his first MotoGP podium last weekend. The Italian rode with a tire head and knew his tires were falling off to make sure his bike crossed the finish line in second. Despite the perception that the 4.3km track isn’t the toughest for the Yamaha YZR-M1, Franco is confident that he can still stand at the sharp end of the grid and fight for another podium. He will arrive third in the championship at the Austrian GP.
The Austrian Grand Prix begins for MotoGP riders with FP1 on Friday at 9:55 a.m. local time (3:55 p.m. MYT). The 28-lap race on Sunday starts at 2:00 p.m. local time (8:00 p.m. MYT).
Fabio Quartararo
It wasn’t the best weekend in Brno, but we’re going to Austria with nine more points in the championship. That was important. I like the Austrian track very much and I’m really looking forward to the next two races there. We know that KTM will be strong again as they have tested a lot there and will therefore have a lot of important data for the races. Of course when we arrive we have to see what the conditions are like as the weather forecast is very mixed at the moment, but I think we can get there quickly and be on the podium again. We will definitely try to repeat at least the top 3 placement from last year.
Franco Morbidelli
I think it finally arrived that I got my first MotoGP podium last time! I am very happy because it gave us a lot of self-confidence for these two races in Austria and the certainty that we can fight at the very front. It doesn’t look like one of our strongest tracks on paper, but that’s only on paper! We’ll have to see how the conditions are and how we feel in the first practice session on Friday. But I’m really looking forward to it and can hardly wait to be back on the right track after the next few days.
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16218";s:7:"summary";s:179:"Quartararo and Morbidelli travel to Austria to gain more fame PETRONAS Yamaha SRT wants to continue its strong start to the 2020 MotoGP season at the Red Bull Ring –… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:3023:"Quartararo and Morbidelli travel to Austria to gain more fame
PETRONAS Yamaha SRT wants to continue its strong start to the 2020 MotoGP season at the Red Bull Ring – Spielberg this weekend
The PETRONAS Yamaha Sepang Racing Team with drivers Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli is fresh from their tenth podium in Brno to the Austrian Grand Prix and is confident of achieving further strong results. As the current front runner in both the driver and team standings, the team is traveling to Austria in high spirits.
Although the CzechGP was not the best for Quartararo as increasing tire wear in the race prevented him from making the most of his front row start, the Frenchman was still in the process of scoring nine more championship points. Quartararo is aware that it could be another tricky weekend with extremely different weather conditions predicted and would like to be on the podium again on Sunday – especially since he finished third in Austria last year.
Team-mate Morbidelli will arrive at the Red Bull Ring – Spielberg achieved his first MotoGP podium last weekend. The Italian rode with a tire head and knew his tires were falling off to make sure his bike crossed the finish line in second. Despite the perception that the 4.3km track isn’t the toughest for the Yamaha YZR-M1, Franco is confident that he can still stand at the sharp end of the grid and fight for another podium. He will arrive third in the championship at the Austrian GP.
The Austrian Grand Prix begins for MotoGP riders with FP1 on Friday at 9:55 a.m. local time (3:55 p.m. MYT). The 28-lap race on Sunday starts at 2:00 p.m. local time (8:00 p.m. MYT).
Fabio Quartararo
It wasn’t the best weekend in Brno, but we’re going to Austria with nine more points in the championship. That was important. I like the Austrian track very much and I’m really looking forward to the next two races there. We know that KTM will be strong again as they have tested a lot there and will therefore have a lot of important data for the races. Of course when we arrive we have to see what the conditions are like as the weather forecast is very mixed at the moment, but I think we can get there quickly and be on the podium again. We will definitely try to repeat at least the top 3 placement from last year.
Franco Morbidelli
I think it finally arrived that I got my first MotoGP podium last time! I am very happy because it gave us a lot of self-confidence for these two races in Austria and the certainty that we can fight at the very front. It doesn’t look like one of our strongest tracks on paper, but that’s only on paper! We’ll have to see how the conditions are and how we feel in the first practice session on Friday. But I’m really looking forward to it and can hardly wait to be back on the right track after the next few days.
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641930038;}i:9;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:76:"MotoGP, losing weight and after quarantine in the leather with Jorge Lorenzo";s:4:"link";s:112:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/motogp-losing-weight-and-after-quarantine-in-the-leather-with-jorge-lorenzo/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Tue, 11 Jan 2022 19:30:06 +0000";s:8:"category";s:6:"Ducati";s:4:"guid";s:112:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/motogp-losing-weight-and-after-quarantine-in-the-leather-with-jorge-lorenzo/";s:11:"description";s:171:"VIDEO: Danilo joked about physiological needs: “Some drivers use a hose, but I kept it in for the 100 km of the special stage” 3 days 6 hours ago Every… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:4807:"
VIDEO: Danilo joked about physiological needs: “Some drivers use a hose, but I kept it in for the 100 km of the special stage”
3 days 6 hours ago
Every single one of these races is scrutinized in this great new book from top MotoGP journalist Mat Oxley, complete with perspectives …
4 days 2 hours ago
Formula 1 sponsorship is worth a lot of money, but do you really know how it works? Find out more about the top racing F1 sponsorships for 2021
5 days 4 hours ago
As with CFMoto, they’ll be renaming a KTM, and Bartolini and Bertelle will put it on the track. QJMotor is part of the same group that …
6 days 21 hours ago
THE CALENDAR – The temperature in Rome is mild even in winter, and it’s time to put on a pair of slicks and hit the Vallelunga route again.
1 week 6 days ago
Measures to prevent the virus from spreading in the bivouac are beginning to take effect, in the hope that no more pilots will be lost before take-off.
2 weeks 7 hours ago
The calendar of the European Women’s Cup 2022 has been partially changed: two rounds in Misano, while the final venue is again Mugello and no more …
2 weeks 2 days ago
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16216";s:7:"summary";s:171:"VIDEO: Danilo joked about physiological needs: “Some drivers use a hose, but I kept it in for the 100 km of the special stage” 3 days 6 hours ago Every… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:4807:"
VIDEO: Danilo joked about physiological needs: “Some drivers use a hose, but I kept it in for the 100 km of the special stage”
3 days 6 hours ago
Every single one of these races is scrutinized in this great new book from top MotoGP journalist Mat Oxley, complete with perspectives …
4 days 2 hours ago
Formula 1 sponsorship is worth a lot of money, but do you really know how it works? Find out more about the top racing F1 sponsorships for 2021
5 days 4 hours ago
As with CFMoto, they’ll be renaming a KTM, and Bartolini and Bertelle will put it on the track. QJMotor is part of the same group that …
6 days 21 hours ago
THE CALENDAR – The temperature in Rome is mild even in winter, and it’s time to put on a pair of slicks and hit the Vallelunga route again.
1 week 6 days ago
Measures to prevent the virus from spreading in the bivouac are beginning to take effect, in the hope that no more pilots will be lost before take-off.
2 weeks 7 hours ago
The calendar of the European Women’s Cup 2022 has been partially changed: two rounds in Misano, while the final venue is again Mugello and no more …
2 weeks 2 days ago
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641929406;}i:10;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:60:"MotoGP, Alex Marquez: ?I want Marc to win the title in 2022?";s:4:"link";s:93:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/motogp-alex-marquez-i-want-marc-to-win-the-title-in-2022/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Tue, 11 Jan 2022 14:43:14 +0000";s:8:"category";s:10:"HRC MotoGP";s:4:"guid";s:93:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/motogp-alex-marquez-i-want-marc-to-win-the-title-in-2022/";s:11:"description";s:171:"“For 2022, I wish that fate is a little friendlier not only for me, but especially for Marc, without injuries. Then I hope to be more consistently in the top… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:2349:"“For 2022, I wish that fate is a little friendlier not only for me, but especially for Marc, without injuries. Then I hope to be more consistently in the top 6 or 8 and that Marc can win the world championship. ?Alex Marquez knows what he wants for next year and spoke about it in an interview with AS.
2021 was not an easy year for Alex. He went from the Honda factory team to the LCR team and was unable to repeat the good results of the previous season. It wasn’t all his fault as the RC213V had a lot of problems and only Marc saved Honda’s year with three wins.
They recognized this in Tokyo and prepared a completely new bike for 2022, which we saw first on the track at the Misano tests in September and then the Jerez tests at the end of the year.
“It left me feeling good about it“Said Alex. “It’s a very different concept. We still have a thousand things to work on, but we get the time, and that is the most important thing. It’s exciting because it’s a different bike and it’s a breath of fresh air. It still has to be developed, but the foundation is really good. “
In this he agrees with Marc, who told the Japanese engineers in Misano almost the same thing that his brother had done in Jerez.
?In winter we have to work mainly on the engine and on the aerodynamics, these are the parts that are most heavily developed during the season,? he explained.
They needed this innovation like someone who needs water in the desert.
?You worked on the previous bike for many years. It had a lot of potential, but it had reached its limits as the other brands had gone in a different direction, ?he continued. “We’ve gained a lot of traction and lost a bit of agility, but that’s normal. Traction and acceleration are now essential in MotoGP. “
The Ducatis seem to be everyone’s reference at the moment.
“It’s the most complete bike. I think it was a couple of years ago. Lots of drivers know how to drive it well and they are almost all quick“, Stated Alex. “You decided on this motorcycle concept much earlier and really developed it.”
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16214";s:7:"summary";s:171:"“For 2022, I wish that fate is a little friendlier not only for me, but especially for Marc, without injuries. Then I hope to be more consistently in the top… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:2349:"“For 2022, I wish that fate is a little friendlier not only for me, but especially for Marc, without injuries. Then I hope to be more consistently in the top 6 or 8 and that Marc can win the world championship. ?Alex Marquez knows what he wants for next year and spoke about it in an interview with AS.
2021 was not an easy year for Alex. He went from the Honda factory team to the LCR team and was unable to repeat the good results of the previous season. It wasn’t all his fault as the RC213V had a lot of problems and only Marc saved Honda’s year with three wins.
They recognized this in Tokyo and prepared a completely new bike for 2022, which we saw first on the track at the Misano tests in September and then the Jerez tests at the end of the year.
“It left me feeling good about it“Said Alex. “It’s a very different concept. We still have a thousand things to work on, but we get the time, and that is the most important thing. It’s exciting because it’s a different bike and it’s a breath of fresh air. It still has to be developed, but the foundation is really good. “
In this he agrees with Marc, who told the Japanese engineers in Misano almost the same thing that his brother had done in Jerez.
?In winter we have to work mainly on the engine and on the aerodynamics, these are the parts that are most heavily developed during the season,? he explained.
They needed this innovation like someone who needs water in the desert.
?You worked on the previous bike for many years. It had a lot of potential, but it had reached its limits as the other brands had gone in a different direction, ?he continued. “We’ve gained a lot of traction and lost a bit of agility, but that’s normal. Traction and acceleration are now essential in MotoGP. “
The Ducatis seem to be everyone’s reference at the moment.
“It’s the most complete bike. I think it was a couple of years ago. Lots of drivers know how to drive it well and they are almost all quick“, Stated Alex. “You decided on this motorcycle concept much earlier and really developed it.”
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641912194;}i:11;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:61:"12 one-of-a-kind MotoGP and WorldSBK liveries that do a lot ?";s:4:"link";s:96:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/12-one-of-a-kind-motogp-and-worldsbk-liveries-that-do-a-lot/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Tue, 11 Jan 2022 14:40:05 +0000";s:8:"category";s:13:"Yamaha MotoGP";s:4:"guid";s:96:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/12-one-of-a-kind-motogp-and-worldsbk-liveries-that-do-a-lot/";s:11:"description";s:182:"We’re not going to lie, we were a bit disappointed that the much anticipated (feared) final race for Valentino Rossi in MotoGP came and went without a special bike that… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:7767:"We’re not going to lie, we were a bit disappointed that the much anticipated (feared) final race for Valentino Rossi in MotoGP came and went without a special bike that sent him soaring
In fact, Rossi and Yamaha are no newbies to changing the corporate colors and sponsor decals of their posts with numerous examples over the years since they got their brush (kind of …) and decided to do something different, so it’s one Shame his swan song was not marked accordingly.
That said, we’ve had some corkers over the years, not just from Rossi, with lots of MotoGP teams that have gone rogue more than once, with examples we honestly would rather have seen all year … here’s a selection of the very best .
Nicky Hayden – Ducati Corse – 2009 Indianapolis MotoGP
The late Nicky Hayden was a popular figure everywhere, but no more when he competed on home soil in the United States, which was double the privilege in Laguna Seca and Indianapolis in 2009.
Two years after his MotoGP world title with Honda, Hayden was in the middle of a tough first season getting used to the Ducati Desmosedici, but it seems like home support and a patriotic paint job could be worth a few tenths since he’d kept going clinched his first podium with the Italian company with a run to third place.
Colin Edwards – Camel Yamaha Team – US MotoGP 2006, Laguna Seca
While it wasn’t exactly the most faithful rendition of Yamaha’s iconic yellow, black, and white livery from the 1970s and 1980s, its camel back made the M1 more eye-catching in 2006 than in previous years.
That was until Colin Edwards turned things up to 11 with a splash of patriotic Texan-themed stars and flicks to please the home fans (and clear all mentions of tobacco advertising).
John Hopkins, Kenny Roberts Jr. – Team Suzuki MotoGP – 2005 US MotoGP, Laguna Seca
It’s hard to imagine almost any sport in different capacities without the tell-tale colors of Red Bull sponsorship, but after Red Bull just started its own F1 team, Red Bull gave an outlook on the future of Honda and KTM with a striking one one-off foray with Suzuki in 2005, one that Red Bull couldn’t have been if he had tried.
Alvaro Bautista, Aleix Espargaro – Aprilia Gresini Racing – Valencia MotoGP 2016, Valencia
While most liveries are primarily used to impress a sponsor or reward a rider, Aprilia demonstrated how MotoGP could be a force for important causes by partnering with the RED charity.
To raise awareness of HIV and AIDS, Aprilia’s all-red livery was used during the last Valencia MotoGP races in 2016 and 2017
Valentino Rossi – Repsol Honda, Valencia MotoGP 2003, Valencia
With a third MotoGP World Championship in his pocket, Valentino Rossi celebrated the season finale in Valencia with a funky Austin Powers-style font.
It would also turn out to be his last appearance on a Honda after it was revealed that he would be joining Yamaha in 2004.
Dani Pedrosa, Nicky Hayden – Repsol Honda, Valencia MotoGP 2008, Valencia
Honda paid tribute to longtime partner Repsol by returning to the origins of the Spanish oil giant in motorsport with this simple but white retro paint job during MotoGP 2008 in Valencia.
Repsol reflects the life of its rally cars of the 70s and 80s and supported Lancia, Ford and SEAT in the WRC.
Marco Melandri – Tech 3 Yamaha, MotoGP Portugal 2004, Estoril
The marketing department for the Spiderman 2 film reached out to MotoGP and Marco Melandri in 2004 for a high-profile product placement that resulted in the Italian’s Tech 3 Yamaha decked out in red and blue and adorned with webbing.
In fact, this marked the second time Melandri became Spiderman to promote the franchise and dressed up as an arachnid superhero in 2000. Better still, the insignia would be donated and auctioned to raise money for charity … so a big win!
Valentino Rossi, Colin Edwards – Yamaha Factory, 2005 US MotoGP, Laguna Seca
While we’ve got used to seeing Yamaha in blue for a number of years, it used to be more of a synonym for yellow, black and white.
Many consider this to be the more attractive look and this unique paint job for Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards in Laguna Seca justifies this statement
WorldSBK: Jonathan Rea – Kawasaki Racing Team, 2021 WorldSBK Argentina, San Juan Villicum
OK, we’re cheating a bit here, but we couldn’t help but record this stunning replica of Kawasaki’s first WorldSBK title in 1993 with Scott Russell.
With a retina-burning lime green base, white stripe, and blue wording in the typeface of Kawasaki’s 90s logo, as much as we like the current darker shade, it lets us hope the company will bite the bullet and this takes over again.
As if that weren’t enough, Jonathan Rea’s teammate Alex Lowes drove a burnt orange and black paint job based on the GPZ900R used in Top Gun.
Jack Miller, Pecco Bagnaia – Pramac Ducati, MotoGP Italy 2019, Mugello
Perhaps it’s the fact that yellow has largely deviated from MotoGP teams over the years, but this one-off Italian MotoGP livery for Pramac Ducati, celebrating distant relative Lamborghini, was a big winner.
With Pramac Racing largely sticking to the same formula in red, white, and blue over the decades, the pop of color helped its two motorcycles stand out in 2019.
Valentino Rossi – Yamaha Factory, MotoGP Catalonia 2008, Barcelona
Football enthusiast Valentino Rossi paid tribute to the Italian national team, which played against Spain in the 2008 World Cup final on the same weekend when he competed in the MotoGP of Catalonia with the Yamaha in the synonym pastel blue and even with a football-patterned helmet.
However, with Spain winning the final on penalties, Rossi would appropriately be beaten by Dani Pedrosa in the race.
Aleix Espargaro, Maverick Vinales – Suzuki Ecstar, German MotoGP 2015, Sachsenring
Simple, retro, but atmospheric, the white and blue tones of Suzuki’s famous GSX-R brand proudly flaunted during the German MotoGP 2015 and are reminiscent of the entries of the 80s and 90s.
However, we also wish they had gone all the way with white rims, but you can’t have it all …
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16212";s:7:"summary";s:182:"We’re not going to lie, we were a bit disappointed that the much anticipated (feared) final race for Valentino Rossi in MotoGP came and went without a special bike that… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:7767:"We’re not going to lie, we were a bit disappointed that the much anticipated (feared) final race for Valentino Rossi in MotoGP came and went without a special bike that sent him soaring
In fact, Rossi and Yamaha are no newbies to changing the corporate colors and sponsor decals of their posts with numerous examples over the years since they got their brush (kind of …) and decided to do something different, so it’s one Shame his swan song was not marked accordingly.
That said, we’ve had some corkers over the years, not just from Rossi, with lots of MotoGP teams that have gone rogue more than once, with examples we honestly would rather have seen all year … here’s a selection of the very best .
Nicky Hayden – Ducati Corse – 2009 Indianapolis MotoGP
The late Nicky Hayden was a popular figure everywhere, but no more when he competed on home soil in the United States, which was double the privilege in Laguna Seca and Indianapolis in 2009.
Two years after his MotoGP world title with Honda, Hayden was in the middle of a tough first season getting used to the Ducati Desmosedici, but it seems like home support and a patriotic paint job could be worth a few tenths since he’d kept going clinched his first podium with the Italian company with a run to third place.
Colin Edwards – Camel Yamaha Team – US MotoGP 2006, Laguna Seca
While it wasn’t exactly the most faithful rendition of Yamaha’s iconic yellow, black, and white livery from the 1970s and 1980s, its camel back made the M1 more eye-catching in 2006 than in previous years.
That was until Colin Edwards turned things up to 11 with a splash of patriotic Texan-themed stars and flicks to please the home fans (and clear all mentions of tobacco advertising).
John Hopkins, Kenny Roberts Jr. – Team Suzuki MotoGP – 2005 US MotoGP, Laguna Seca
It’s hard to imagine almost any sport in different capacities without the tell-tale colors of Red Bull sponsorship, but after Red Bull just started its own F1 team, Red Bull gave an outlook on the future of Honda and KTM with a striking one one-off foray with Suzuki in 2005, one that Red Bull couldn’t have been if he had tried.
Alvaro Bautista, Aleix Espargaro – Aprilia Gresini Racing – Valencia MotoGP 2016, Valencia
While most liveries are primarily used to impress a sponsor or reward a rider, Aprilia demonstrated how MotoGP could be a force for important causes by partnering with the RED charity.
To raise awareness of HIV and AIDS, Aprilia’s all-red livery was used during the last Valencia MotoGP races in 2016 and 2017
Valentino Rossi – Repsol Honda, Valencia MotoGP 2003, Valencia
With a third MotoGP World Championship in his pocket, Valentino Rossi celebrated the season finale in Valencia with a funky Austin Powers-style font.
It would also turn out to be his last appearance on a Honda after it was revealed that he would be joining Yamaha in 2004.
Dani Pedrosa, Nicky Hayden – Repsol Honda, Valencia MotoGP 2008, Valencia
Honda paid tribute to longtime partner Repsol by returning to the origins of the Spanish oil giant in motorsport with this simple but white retro paint job during MotoGP 2008 in Valencia.
Repsol reflects the life of its rally cars of the 70s and 80s and supported Lancia, Ford and SEAT in the WRC.
Marco Melandri – Tech 3 Yamaha, MotoGP Portugal 2004, Estoril
The marketing department for the Spiderman 2 film reached out to MotoGP and Marco Melandri in 2004 for a high-profile product placement that resulted in the Italian’s Tech 3 Yamaha decked out in red and blue and adorned with webbing.
In fact, this marked the second time Melandri became Spiderman to promote the franchise and dressed up as an arachnid superhero in 2000. Better still, the insignia would be donated and auctioned to raise money for charity … so a big win!
Valentino Rossi, Colin Edwards – Yamaha Factory, 2005 US MotoGP, Laguna Seca
While we’ve got used to seeing Yamaha in blue for a number of years, it used to be more of a synonym for yellow, black and white.
Many consider this to be the more attractive look and this unique paint job for Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards in Laguna Seca justifies this statement
WorldSBK: Jonathan Rea – Kawasaki Racing Team, 2021 WorldSBK Argentina, San Juan Villicum
OK, we’re cheating a bit here, but we couldn’t help but record this stunning replica of Kawasaki’s first WorldSBK title in 1993 with Scott Russell.
With a retina-burning lime green base, white stripe, and blue wording in the typeface of Kawasaki’s 90s logo, as much as we like the current darker shade, it lets us hope the company will bite the bullet and this takes over again.
As if that weren’t enough, Jonathan Rea’s teammate Alex Lowes drove a burnt orange and black paint job based on the GPZ900R used in Top Gun.
Jack Miller, Pecco Bagnaia – Pramac Ducati, MotoGP Italy 2019, Mugello
Perhaps it’s the fact that yellow has largely deviated from MotoGP teams over the years, but this one-off Italian MotoGP livery for Pramac Ducati, celebrating distant relative Lamborghini, was a big winner.
With Pramac Racing largely sticking to the same formula in red, white, and blue over the decades, the pop of color helped its two motorcycles stand out in 2019.
Valentino Rossi – Yamaha Factory, MotoGP Catalonia 2008, Barcelona
Football enthusiast Valentino Rossi paid tribute to the Italian national team, which played against Spain in the 2008 World Cup final on the same weekend when he competed in the MotoGP of Catalonia with the Yamaha in the synonym pastel blue and even with a football-patterned helmet.
However, with Spain winning the final on penalties, Rossi would appropriately be beaten by Dani Pedrosa in the race.
Aleix Espargaro, Maverick Vinales – Suzuki Ecstar, German MotoGP 2015, Sachsenring
Simple, retro, but atmospheric, the white and blue tones of Suzuki’s famous GSX-R brand proudly flaunted during the German MotoGP 2015 and are reminiscent of the entries of the 80s and 90s.
However, we also wish they had gone all the way with white rims, but you can’t have it all …
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641912005;}i:12;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:55:"Jack Miller 2020, Pramac Ducati, contract, Marc Marquez";s:4:"link";s:89:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/jack-miller-2020-pramac-ducati-contract-marc-marquez/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Tue, 11 Jan 2022 14:28:37 +0000";s:8:"category";s:6:"Ducati";s:4:"guid";s:89:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/jack-miller-2020-pramac-ducati-contract-marc-marquez/";s:11:"description";s:194:"Jack Miller has admitted that despite “quite a bit” of handshakes on an agreement, his 2020 ride is still ongoing. The Australian, who has been with Pramac Ducati since 2018,… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:4086:"Jack Miller has admitted that despite “quite a bit” of handshakes on an agreement, his 2020 ride is still ongoing.
The Australian, who has been with Pramac Ducati since 2018, was considered for the second factory Ducati ride for next year before Danilo Petrucci’s solid form – including a first win at Mugello – helped the Italian lock the seat for 2020 and a Miller to rule out promotion.
Miller’s future could become much clearer if Pramac secures a budget to run two factory bikes for 2020. The 24-year-old’s teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, has stated in his contract that he must receive a factory bike for 2020.
Stream the MotoGP of the Czech Republic 2019 live on your TV, mobile phone, tablet or laptop with KAYO SPORTS. Get Your 14 Day Free Trial>
CONTINUE READING
Career change? Former champions say Rossi can win again in MotoGP
‘Advantage’: Why there is ‘no competition’ in the title fight
Unhappy: Lorenzo’s horror injury run continues
Ahead of the Czech Grand Prix this weekend, Miller said he wasn’t “stressed” by the ongoing talks, but admitted that he was “on the same spot” in the talks with the team as he was before the summer break.
“Nothing has changed about that,” he said when asked about the status of the negotiations.
?I’m on the same point, the team … we pretty much shook hands, but the team is still finalizing.
?A lot is happening behind the scenes in terms of [Bagnaia?s] 2020 bike, my 2020 bike … so just organize how you have the budget for it and all that stuff.
?It just takes time, it’s a pretty big change in terms of the team and budgets and stuff, both from the team and from Ducati.
?It takes time, but where else should I go? I’m not stressed. “
“We pretty much shook hands, but the team is still finalizing.”Source: AFP
Miller started the 2019 season in Qatar bizarrely when he had to give up with a loose saddle. He then made an excellent recovery with fourth place in Argentina before finishing on the podium in Austin.
Top-10 finishes in Le Mans, Barcelona, ??Assen and the Sachsenring were welcome results, but accidents at Jerez and Mugello ruined potential podium finishes.
Ducati has won twice this season – for Andrea Dovizioso in Qatar and Petrucci in Mugello – but it was a year differently controlled by Marc Marquez, who rigged his Honda to five race wins and eight out of nine finishes in the top two.
The Dutch TT and the German Grand Prix were a challenge for Ducati, with Dovizioso being critical of the Desmosedici GP19 after the Sachsenring race.
With the aim of making the bike spin better, Dovizioso said Ducati should forget about trying to catch up with runaway leader Marquez.
“We need to sit down more than ever and develop a strategy for the future,” said Dovizioso.
“The shooting work is difficult and not our specialty, so it will probably take time, but I think we need to focus entirely on that aspect now.”
Miller rides Dovizioso’s factory Ducati earlier this year.Source: AFP
Miller sympathized with Dovizioso’s comment, but waited until after the Czech weekend before he could judge Ducati’s plans.
“I think it was a difficult point after the last two races,” Miller replied when asked for Dovizioso’s comment.
?Well, three for him, considering he was pulled out in Barcelona, ??and then Assen and Sachsenring were both shitty tracks for us.
?We’ll see how well they did this weekend, and then we’ll see? if you don’t have that feeling, you just don’t have that feeling.
?I hope we can get it back [in Brno] and to be able to drive in our comfort zone and be as fast as on other routes. “
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16210";s:7:"summary";s:194:"Jack Miller has admitted that despite “quite a bit” of handshakes on an agreement, his 2020 ride is still ongoing. The Australian, who has been with Pramac Ducati since 2018,… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:4086:"Jack Miller has admitted that despite “quite a bit” of handshakes on an agreement, his 2020 ride is still ongoing.
The Australian, who has been with Pramac Ducati since 2018, was considered for the second factory Ducati ride for next year before Danilo Petrucci’s solid form – including a first win at Mugello – helped the Italian lock the seat for 2020 and a Miller to rule out promotion.
Miller’s future could become much clearer if Pramac secures a budget to run two factory bikes for 2020. The 24-year-old’s teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, has stated in his contract that he must receive a factory bike for 2020.
Stream the MotoGP of the Czech Republic 2019 live on your TV, mobile phone, tablet or laptop with KAYO SPORTS. Get Your 14 Day Free Trial>
CONTINUE READING
Career change? Former champions say Rossi can win again in MotoGP
‘Advantage’: Why there is ‘no competition’ in the title fight
Unhappy: Lorenzo’s horror injury run continues
Ahead of the Czech Grand Prix this weekend, Miller said he wasn’t “stressed” by the ongoing talks, but admitted that he was “on the same spot” in the talks with the team as he was before the summer break.
“Nothing has changed about that,” he said when asked about the status of the negotiations.
?I’m on the same point, the team … we pretty much shook hands, but the team is still finalizing.
?A lot is happening behind the scenes in terms of [Bagnaia?s] 2020 bike, my 2020 bike … so just organize how you have the budget for it and all that stuff.
?It just takes time, it’s a pretty big change in terms of the team and budgets and stuff, both from the team and from Ducati.
?It takes time, but where else should I go? I’m not stressed. “
“We pretty much shook hands, but the team is still finalizing.”Source: AFP
Miller started the 2019 season in Qatar bizarrely when he had to give up with a loose saddle. He then made an excellent recovery with fourth place in Argentina before finishing on the podium in Austin.
Top-10 finishes in Le Mans, Barcelona, ??Assen and the Sachsenring were welcome results, but accidents at Jerez and Mugello ruined potential podium finishes.
Ducati has won twice this season – for Andrea Dovizioso in Qatar and Petrucci in Mugello – but it was a year differently controlled by Marc Marquez, who rigged his Honda to five race wins and eight out of nine finishes in the top two.
The Dutch TT and the German Grand Prix were a challenge for Ducati, with Dovizioso being critical of the Desmosedici GP19 after the Sachsenring race.
With the aim of making the bike spin better, Dovizioso said Ducati should forget about trying to catch up with runaway leader Marquez.
“We need to sit down more than ever and develop a strategy for the future,” said Dovizioso.
“The shooting work is difficult and not our specialty, so it will probably take time, but I think we need to focus entirely on that aspect now.”
Miller rides Dovizioso’s factory Ducati earlier this year.Source: AFP
Miller sympathized with Dovizioso’s comment, but waited until after the Czech weekend before he could judge Ducati’s plans.
“I think it was a difficult point after the last two races,” Miller replied when asked for Dovizioso’s comment.
?Well, three for him, considering he was pulled out in Barcelona, ??and then Assen and Sachsenring were both shitty tracks for us.
?We’ll see how well they did this weekend, and then we’ll see? if you don’t have that feeling, you just don’t have that feeling.
?I hope we can get it back [in Brno] and to be able to drive in our comfort zone and be as fast as on other routes. “
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641911317;}i:13;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:66:"MotoGP, Rossi: ?Honda without Marquez is like when I left in 2003?";s:4:"link";s:99:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/motogp-rossi-honda-without-marquez-is-like-when-i-left-in-2003/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Tue, 11 Jan 2022 09:41:30 +0000";s:8:"category";s:10:"HRC MotoGP";s:4:"guid";s:99:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/motogp-rossi-honda-without-marquez-is-like-when-i-left-in-2003/";s:11:"description";s:169:"Misano is his home race and accordingly he has no lack of expectation. Who are we talking about? It’s easy, of course it is Valentino Rossi, who came to us… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:5037:"Misano is his home race and accordingly he has no lack of expectation. Who are we talking about? It’s easy, of course it is Valentino Rossi, who came to us on the eve of the GP for an exclusive, brand new interview on our website.
“If I stop riding MotoGP, I would like to continue with motorcycles, albeit a little more calmly,” said the doctor – sit down as a tester for GPOne “.
With this joke the # 46 started his own interview and then immediately moved on to his future ambitions.
“During this time I have thought a lot about my career and the most important thing is that I still have a great desire to race and lead an athletic life, that is, to train, to ride a motorcycle and to compare myself with other drivers. to go to the races. That made all the difference. The complicated things are mainly represented by the very high level of our opponents, The top guys are very strong and being young is important. Additionally, Yamaha’s technical moment is not the best and there is a possibility that we will have to suffer as a result. At my age that could make a difference. “
Have you ever thought about continuing with other manufacturers or ending your career with Aprilia, for example?
?My career started there. I feel a bit like footballers who start from their home team, go around the world and return to their homeland as strikers. My heart is always with Yamaha, I’m a Yamaha rider, so I want to end my career with them. It’s very important to have a competitive bike, that’s the most important thing. I never seriously considered changing manufacturers, just ending my career at Yamaha.
What do you think of this World Cup without Marquez?
?The fact that Marc is not there mixed the cards a bit as he won a lot of titles and dominated the last. I believe there is a new generation of drivers besides Marquez like Binder, Oliveira and Quartararo, who come from Moto2 and can make it difficult for everyone, even Marc. In addition, the technical situation has changed from 2019, in fact there are always three KTMs in the top eight, which didn’t happen last year. All of this has resulted in a balance in the performance of the six manufacturers that is incredible and, as a result, everyone believes they can win.
Honda without Marquez is reminiscent of Honda without Rossi …
“That’s correct! In my opinion the Honda is a very fast motorcycle. Marc is undoubtedly his greatest interpreter, they are in trouble, also because the other drivers are not competitive. Honda and Yamaha are suffering while KTM and Suzuki are the surprises. So all the balances change, even if Marc will be the man to beat when he comes back. “
Many observers think that he will no longer be the same as before …
?In these cases you have to see how you feel. Such an injury leaves its mark on the body and mind. On the physical side you need to understand if you experience discomfort while cycling, on the mental level if you are scared. These injuries leave their mark on all drivers, including me. The injury in Mugello was more severe, but Marc suffered even more after the operation as his plate broke and this is even harder. “
Speaking of opponents, there are also young people like Bagnaia and Morbidelli who disturb you …
?I raised snakes in my bosom, I didn’t think of that when we started (smiles). Then it went very well and maybe others will come in MotoGP. I knew about the risk, but it’s nice to have Academy drivers so fast. As for the rivalry, we have to see how we treat each and every driver. I have a different relationship with Pecco than with Franco. I live better with Pecco, while with Franco I feel more of the rivalry on the track, even though he’s a friend of mine.
And Marini?
?Maybe it could happen that I will compete in MotoGP with Luca, at the moment he’s talking to Ducati, even if I don’t know anything about this possibility or not. I have to race for two more years (smiles) ?.
Back to the World Championship, what do you think of all of these highly competitive races?
?It’s a strange, very unusual world championship. You have to argue like this: either you race or you don’t drive. Drivers are never happy with triple races because there is so much stress and fatigue and the risks are greater. However, this year the situation is like that and I think they organized a good championship. Maybe it would have been nice to have more tracks, but it’s better than not racing ?.
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16208";s:7:"summary";s:169:"Misano is his home race and accordingly he has no lack of expectation. Who are we talking about? It’s easy, of course it is Valentino Rossi, who came to us… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:5037:"Misano is his home race and accordingly he has no lack of expectation. Who are we talking about? It’s easy, of course it is Valentino Rossi, who came to us on the eve of the GP for an exclusive, brand new interview on our website.
“If I stop riding MotoGP, I would like to continue with motorcycles, albeit a little more calmly,” said the doctor – sit down as a tester for GPOne “.
With this joke the # 46 started his own interview and then immediately moved on to his future ambitions.
“During this time I have thought a lot about my career and the most important thing is that I still have a great desire to race and lead an athletic life, that is, to train, to ride a motorcycle and to compare myself with other drivers. to go to the races. That made all the difference. The complicated things are mainly represented by the very high level of our opponents, The top guys are very strong and being young is important. Additionally, Yamaha’s technical moment is not the best and there is a possibility that we will have to suffer as a result. At my age that could make a difference. “
Have you ever thought about continuing with other manufacturers or ending your career with Aprilia, for example?
?My career started there. I feel a bit like footballers who start from their home team, go around the world and return to their homeland as strikers. My heart is always with Yamaha, I’m a Yamaha rider, so I want to end my career with them. It’s very important to have a competitive bike, that’s the most important thing. I never seriously considered changing manufacturers, just ending my career at Yamaha.
What do you think of this World Cup without Marquez?
?The fact that Marc is not there mixed the cards a bit as he won a lot of titles and dominated the last. I believe there is a new generation of drivers besides Marquez like Binder, Oliveira and Quartararo, who come from Moto2 and can make it difficult for everyone, even Marc. In addition, the technical situation has changed from 2019, in fact there are always three KTMs in the top eight, which didn’t happen last year. All of this has resulted in a balance in the performance of the six manufacturers that is incredible and, as a result, everyone believes they can win.
Honda without Marquez is reminiscent of Honda without Rossi …
“That’s correct! In my opinion the Honda is a very fast motorcycle. Marc is undoubtedly his greatest interpreter, they are in trouble, also because the other drivers are not competitive. Honda and Yamaha are suffering while KTM and Suzuki are the surprises. So all the balances change, even if Marc will be the man to beat when he comes back. “
Many observers think that he will no longer be the same as before …
?In these cases you have to see how you feel. Such an injury leaves its mark on the body and mind. On the physical side you need to understand if you experience discomfort while cycling, on the mental level if you are scared. These injuries leave their mark on all drivers, including me. The injury in Mugello was more severe, but Marc suffered even more after the operation as his plate broke and this is even harder. “
Speaking of opponents, there are also young people like Bagnaia and Morbidelli who disturb you …
?I raised snakes in my bosom, I didn’t think of that when we started (smiles). Then it went very well and maybe others will come in MotoGP. I knew about the risk, but it’s nice to have Academy drivers so fast. As for the rivalry, we have to see how we treat each and every driver. I have a different relationship with Pecco than with Franco. I live better with Pecco, while with Franco I feel more of the rivalry on the track, even though he’s a friend of mine.
And Marini?
?Maybe it could happen that I will compete in MotoGP with Luca, at the moment he’s talking to Ducati, even if I don’t know anything about this possibility or not. I have to race for two more years (smiles) ?.
Back to the World Championship, what do you think of all of these highly competitive races?
?It’s a strange, very unusual world championship. You have to argue like this: either you race or you don’t drive. Drivers are never happy with triple races because there is so much stress and fatigue and the risks are greater. However, this year the situation is like that and I think they organized a good championship. Maybe it would have been nice to have more tracks, but it’s better than not racing ?.
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641894090;}i:14;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:73:"MotoGP, Espargarò: ?The Aprilia is fast, but you need muscle to drive it?";s:4:"link";s:105:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/motogp-espargaro-the-aprilia-is-fast-but-you-need-muscle-to-drive-it/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Tue, 11 Jan 2022 09:38:23 +0000";s:8:"category";s:13:"Yamaha MotoGP";s:4:"guid";s:105:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/11/motogp-espargaro-the-aprilia-is-fast-but-you-need-muscle-to-drive-it/";s:11:"description";s:191:"Aprilia’s MotoGP season 2021 has got off to a good start. The new RS-GP, which was already advertised by Aleix and Lorenzo during the Jerez tests, also confirmed its development… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:2989:"Aprilia’s MotoGP season 2021 has got off to a good start. The new RS-GP, which was already advertised by Aleix and Lorenzo during the Jerez tests, also confirmed its development compared to the 2020 prototype on the Losail track. An evolution that has touched all essential aspects, from aerodynamics and electronics to the further developed V4 engine.
Even without focusing on the fastest lap, which still allowed Aleix to take third place After being the fastest yesterday, the speed of the new RS-GP was confirmed by several long runs during which the Spaniard maintained a promising pace.
?It’s just a test of course, but our progress is also evident. The great work that started last year and continued through the winter has resulted in the RS-GP improving according to my needs. ” Aleix Espargarò said. ?It’s not just one aspect, it’s a lot of small changes that set it apart from 2020 and make it more competitive. We deserve it from the bottom of our hearts. We can fight with the best on the flying lap and we are also in good shape. I don’t want to exaggerate, but I’m really happy, even if I want to keep my feet on the ground. In 2020 we were between sixth and tenth place. Now the story is different, even if we haven’t found an optimal balance yet. Here at Losail we were quick, doing several laps in fifty-four. The race will of course be different. “
The 2021 RS-GP looks really different from the previous one, but is it really that?
“Not really. The bike isn’t a revolution, but there have been a lot of small adjustments that, taken together, make a difference. The engine has more acceleration and torque below and a lot more downforce thanks to the new aerodynamics. But we lost a bit of speed as a result. Because of the new aerodynamicsthe RS-GP has become very tough and tiring, especially here in Losail, where there are a lot of fast corners. When I talk about driving fatigue I am not referring to the weight. This is the lightest Aprilia ever. It’s the spoilers that make the changes of direction tiresome. I would like it to be more agile and easier. “
In the winter, Romano Albesiano worked a lot on the weight and also on some innovations, such as the mass camper in the saddle.
?I noticed that during the Jerez tests. The chatter was gone and here with only four kilograms no vibrations. The bike is very stable. With that in mind, Yamaha is the reference and we are going in that direction. But I still have a bit of work to do in the gym. The bike has no problems. We’re competitive, but it’s not luck. Everyone worked a lot in Noale. There are new engineers. We are closer. We didn’t just improve on the lap. And I have to say we pushed because many fell. “
Aprilia’s MotoGP season 2021 has got off to a good start. The new RS-GP, which was already advertised by Aleix and Lorenzo during the Jerez tests, also confirmed its development compared to the 2020 prototype on the Losail track. An evolution that has touched all essential aspects, from aerodynamics and electronics to the further developed V4 engine.
Even without focusing on the fastest lap, which still allowed Aleix to take third place After being the fastest yesterday, the speed of the new RS-GP was confirmed by several long runs during which the Spaniard maintained a promising pace.
?It’s just a test of course, but our progress is also evident. The great work that started last year and continued through the winter has resulted in the RS-GP improving according to my needs. ” Aleix Espargarò said. ?It’s not just one aspect, it’s a lot of small changes that set it apart from 2020 and make it more competitive. We deserve it from the bottom of our hearts. We can fight with the best on the flying lap and we are also in good shape. I don’t want to exaggerate, but I’m really happy, even if I want to keep my feet on the ground. In 2020 we were between sixth and tenth place. Now the story is different, even if we haven’t found an optimal balance yet. Here at Losail we were quick, doing several laps in fifty-four. The race will of course be different. “
The 2021 RS-GP looks really different from the previous one, but is it really that?
“Not really. The bike isn’t a revolution, but there have been a lot of small adjustments that, taken together, make a difference. The engine has more acceleration and torque below and a lot more downforce thanks to the new aerodynamics. But we lost a bit of speed as a result. Because of the new aerodynamicsthe RS-GP has become very tough and tiring, especially here in Losail, where there are a lot of fast corners. When I talk about driving fatigue I am not referring to the weight. This is the lightest Aprilia ever. It’s the spoilers that make the changes of direction tiresome. I would like it to be more agile and easier. “
In the winter, Romano Albesiano worked a lot on the weight and also on some innovations, such as the mass camper in the saddle.
?I noticed that during the Jerez tests. The chatter was gone and here with only four kilograms no vibrations. The bike is very stable. With that in mind, Yamaha is the reference and we are going in that direction. But I still have a bit of work to do in the gym. The bike has no problems. We’re competitive, but it’s not luck. Everyone worked a lot in Noale. There are new engineers. We are closer. We didn’t just improve on the lap. And I have to say we pushed because many fell. “
At the start of the MotoGP 2021 season, many experienced observers already tipped the new Pramac Ducati, who signed Jorge Martin, given the Spaniard’s fast pace in both Moto2 and Moto3.
He lived up to that hype too, taking a podium in his second race and winning later that year – something he admitted to The Race in an exclusive interview was part of his strategy for pre-season success.
In addition to being quick, Martin was also intelligent and surrounded by a talented personal management team led by Albert Valera (who also looks after Jorge Lorenzo and Aleix Espargaro). Martin says that while his success in 2021 was incredible, his early decision to leave KTM and switch to Ducati was something born.
?I had to visit almost all of the factories,? he told The Race, ?not the works team, but with works bikes. And finally I decided that my best sporting decision, not the economic one, was Ducati and I went for this one. I am so glad I did.
?Pramac is the right place because at the end of the day we have factory bikes. Maybe not 100% the same parts, maybe the engines go to the factory if they are a little faster, but the frame, the fairings, all the parts are the same. I’m really happy here because the support is amazing. How they urge me from the factory to drive fast and I’m very excited to continue with them next year. “
His connection to the Italian team, which will be under new management in 2022 after the departure of long-term boss Francesco Guidotti to the KTM factory team, is not only in the equipment, but also in the mentality and attitude of both the squad and the team Ducati – a passion Martin says helps him stay motivated.
“You can see that the atmosphere is good,” said the 23-year-old. ?A lot is created by the drivers, it depends on them, and I like being like family in the pits because at the end of the day we have to believe in each other and have confidence when things go wrong in order to speak among us.
?Winning and losing together is so important and I think next year this is the place for me to keep learning, staying focused and winning races.
?I think the main difference in factories is where people are from. It depends on whether they are Japanese or Italian or from other places. Everything is different. But it’s nice to work with Italians because they’re so quick; you always have good solutions. Maybe not always well, but quickly, and it’s important to try things out and be prepared for any situation.
?Maybe it’s a little more difficult with the Japanese because they are a little slower, but if something gets going, it’s sure to be good. Things are a bit mixed at KTM. But I think the Italian style is more Spanish, more Mediterranean, more loving and more suited to my personality. It’s better for me.”
The net result of this union is obvious: a hugely successful end to his debut season with a win in Austria, three more podiums (all four from pole position) and the coveted title of Rookie of the Year – results that he admits is him surprised even given his self-confidence last season.
?I didn’t think you could win,? he admitted. “I thought sometimes to fight for a top 6, to be close to the podium, to finish there once at the end of the year – but in the end we only achieved podium and pole position in the second race, then pole and again” Podiums in Austria with a win. It’s incredible. Pramac’s first win in 25 years … I felt like a rock star at this point in the year!
?It was great, I think, from the moment it started. What I can say is that I always gave 100% and we started off really well until I had this big injury that slowed me down a bit. But I have improved a lot with these mistakes and I think it was the best and the worst season of my life. Victory in MotoGP was the best, but the injury was the biggest [worst thing to happen]So mixed feelings, but satisfied with my performance.
?It is difficult to come here, but it is more difficult to maintain this level. I felt this year that the good thing about it was that I was a rookie and I wasn’t under any pressure even when I was close to the top five. My level was a little lower than in Austria, but I was competitive on a lot of tracks at Assen, at Silverstone, so I think we can do a really great job next year. “
While the results in 2021 may have been fantastic, it is worth remembering that it has not been an easy season for him thanks to his major injury sustained during free practice for the first of the two races of the year in Portimao. He broke eight bones in the fall and missed four races (which makes his Rookie of the Year title all the more impressive), admitting that it was a huge setback for his entire season given the severity of his injuries.
“I still struggle with some parts of my body,” he told The Race at the end of the 2021 season. ?It’s been pretty tough since Assen, but I’ve tried to deal with the situation, avoid the pain with a lot of painkillers, and do a lot of therapy. I’m improving so I hope it’s okay next year.
?At first I thought Portimao was really bad for me. I didn’t like the track, I didn’t like the place in general because of the injuries, but I came back there, started fourth and made the whole race in fifth.
?Of course I lost a bit in the end,? he said of his redemption there in the second half of the year, when he finished seventh, ?but the pace was good throughout the race and now I feel even better ready for that next time. ?year. I’m happy to have ridden there and it’s a good track for me now.
However, with his injury problem after a last operation at the beginning of December to remove various pins and plates that were left over after the first round of reconstructive operations, Martin has his sights set not only on 2022, but also on the implementation of the next step in his master plan for the following year.
“It’s hard to say now,” he admitted about the goals for the coming year, “but if we do a great pre-season, if I understand the bike a little better, if I can concentrate a little more on my style, then we can fight for the top 5. That will be so important to be in the top 5 by the end of the year. When we get there we’ll be close to the top 3 too, so we’re fighting for podiums, for wins, and I hope to be at the top in all races. This is the main thing.
?I’m realistic and the goal is to be on the works team in 2023. That’s for sure. At the end of the day, the drivers who win are in factory teams. I’m happy here, I learn a lot and right now it’s the best team ever, but to get the best performance you have to be in the factory and that’s why my goal is to be there in 2023. “
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16204";s:7:"summary";s:192:"At the start of the MotoGP 2021 season, many experienced observers already tipped the new Pramac Ducati, who signed Jorge Martin, given the Spaniard’s fast pace in both Moto2 and… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:8862:"At the start of the MotoGP 2021 season, many experienced observers already tipped the new Pramac Ducati, who signed Jorge Martin, given the Spaniard’s fast pace in both Moto2 and Moto3.
He lived up to that hype too, taking a podium in his second race and winning later that year – something he admitted to The Race in an exclusive interview was part of his strategy for pre-season success.
In addition to being quick, Martin was also intelligent and surrounded by a talented personal management team led by Albert Valera (who also looks after Jorge Lorenzo and Aleix Espargaro). Martin says that while his success in 2021 was incredible, his early decision to leave KTM and switch to Ducati was something born.
?I had to visit almost all of the factories,? he told The Race, ?not the works team, but with works bikes. And finally I decided that my best sporting decision, not the economic one, was Ducati and I went for this one. I am so glad I did.
?Pramac is the right place because at the end of the day we have factory bikes. Maybe not 100% the same parts, maybe the engines go to the factory if they are a little faster, but the frame, the fairings, all the parts are the same. I’m really happy here because the support is amazing. How they urge me from the factory to drive fast and I’m very excited to continue with them next year. “
His connection to the Italian team, which will be under new management in 2022 after the departure of long-term boss Francesco Guidotti to the KTM factory team, is not only in the equipment, but also in the mentality and attitude of both the squad and the team Ducati – a passion Martin says helps him stay motivated.
“You can see that the atmosphere is good,” said the 23-year-old. ?A lot is created by the drivers, it depends on them, and I like being like family in the pits because at the end of the day we have to believe in each other and have confidence when things go wrong in order to speak among us.
?Winning and losing together is so important and I think next year this is the place for me to keep learning, staying focused and winning races.
?I think the main difference in factories is where people are from. It depends on whether they are Japanese or Italian or from other places. Everything is different. But it’s nice to work with Italians because they’re so quick; you always have good solutions. Maybe not always well, but quickly, and it’s important to try things out and be prepared for any situation.
?Maybe it’s a little more difficult with the Japanese because they are a little slower, but if something gets going, it’s sure to be good. Things are a bit mixed at KTM. But I think the Italian style is more Spanish, more Mediterranean, more loving and more suited to my personality. It’s better for me.”
The net result of this union is obvious: a hugely successful end to his debut season with a win in Austria, three more podiums (all four from pole position) and the coveted title of Rookie of the Year – results that he admits is him surprised even given his self-confidence last season.
?I didn’t think you could win,? he admitted. “I thought sometimes to fight for a top 6, to be close to the podium, to finish there once at the end of the year – but in the end we only achieved podium and pole position in the second race, then pole and again” Podiums in Austria with a win. It’s incredible. Pramac’s first win in 25 years … I felt like a rock star at this point in the year!
?It was great, I think, from the moment it started. What I can say is that I always gave 100% and we started off really well until I had this big injury that slowed me down a bit. But I have improved a lot with these mistakes and I think it was the best and the worst season of my life. Victory in MotoGP was the best, but the injury was the biggest [worst thing to happen]So mixed feelings, but satisfied with my performance.
?It is difficult to come here, but it is more difficult to maintain this level. I felt this year that the good thing about it was that I was a rookie and I wasn’t under any pressure even when I was close to the top five. My level was a little lower than in Austria, but I was competitive on a lot of tracks at Assen, at Silverstone, so I think we can do a really great job next year. “
While the results in 2021 may have been fantastic, it is worth remembering that it has not been an easy season for him thanks to his major injury sustained during free practice for the first of the two races of the year in Portimao. He broke eight bones in the fall and missed four races (which makes his Rookie of the Year title all the more impressive), admitting that it was a huge setback for his entire season given the severity of his injuries.
“I still struggle with some parts of my body,” he told The Race at the end of the 2021 season. ?It’s been pretty tough since Assen, but I’ve tried to deal with the situation, avoid the pain with a lot of painkillers, and do a lot of therapy. I’m improving so I hope it’s okay next year.
?At first I thought Portimao was really bad for me. I didn’t like the track, I didn’t like the place in general because of the injuries, but I came back there, started fourth and made the whole race in fifth.
?Of course I lost a bit in the end,? he said of his redemption there in the second half of the year, when he finished seventh, ?but the pace was good throughout the race and now I feel even better ready for that next time. ?year. I’m happy to have ridden there and it’s a good track for me now.
However, with his injury problem after a last operation at the beginning of December to remove various pins and plates that were left over after the first round of reconstructive operations, Martin has his sights set not only on 2022, but also on the implementation of the next step in his master plan for the following year.
“It’s hard to say now,” he admitted about the goals for the coming year, “but if we do a great pre-season, if I understand the bike a little better, if I can concentrate a little more on my style, then we can fight for the top 5. That will be so important to be in the top 5 by the end of the year. When we get there we’ll be close to the top 3 too, so we’re fighting for podiums, for wins, and I hope to be at the top in all races. This is the main thing.
?I’m realistic and the goal is to be on the works team in 2023. That’s for sure. At the end of the day, the drivers who win are in factory teams. I’m happy here, I learn a lot and right now it’s the best team ever, but to get the best performance you have to be in the factory and that’s why my goal is to be there in 2023. “
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641893253;}i:16;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:38:"Honda will remain in MotoGP until 2026";s:4:"link";s:77:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/10/honda-will-remain-in-motogp-until-2026-2/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Tue, 11 Jan 2022 04:40:22 +0000";s:8:"category";s:10:"HRC MotoGP";s:4:"guid";s:77:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/10/honda-will-remain-in-motogp-until-2026-2/";s:11:"description";s:200:"Honda joins designers Ducati and KTM in extending the MotoGP deal The Japanese manufacturer’s involvement in motorcycle racing goes back to 1954 Honda will remain in MotoGP until the end… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:2107:"Honda will remain in MotoGP until the end of the 2026 season after signing a five-year extension with Dorna Sports, the owner of the commercial rights to the global motorcycle series.
The Japanese manufacturer has been involved in motorcycle racing since joining the Isle of Man TT in 1954. Since then, Honda has achieved 850 podiums and 25 drivers’ championships in the premier MotoGP class alone, more than any other brand in history.
Honda is the third MotoGP constructor to renew its ties to the series after Ducati and KTM inked up extensions last month, also through 2026.
“This important announcement makes MotoGP very proud as Honda is one of the first names that comes to mind when we think of motorcycle racing,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna.
“The Japanese manufacturer has been such an important part of the past, present and future of the FIM MotoGP World Championship and this renewal strengthens the engagement between the two parties even more.”
Noriaki Abe, Managing Officer, Motorcycle Operations, Honda added, ?MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing – it allows us to develop different technologies and, in the face of tough competition, train our engineers and develop their skills.
?With these engineers working on the development of production vehicles, Honda can create better products for its customers. Honda will continue to bring dreams and joy to customers around the world through its motorsport activities, including MotoGP. “
As Honda enters the new year and has reiterated its commitment to MotoGP, the company will begin its final season in Formula 1, at least for the foreseeable future. Last October, Honda announced, citing its sustainability goals, that it would end the sport after the 2021 campaign.
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16202";s:7:"summary";s:200:"Honda joins designers Ducati and KTM in extending the MotoGP deal The Japanese manufacturer’s involvement in motorcycle racing goes back to 1954 Honda will remain in MotoGP until the end… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:2107:"Honda will remain in MotoGP until the end of the 2026 season after signing a five-year extension with Dorna Sports, the owner of the commercial rights to the global motorcycle series.
The Japanese manufacturer has been involved in motorcycle racing since joining the Isle of Man TT in 1954. Since then, Honda has achieved 850 podiums and 25 drivers’ championships in the premier MotoGP class alone, more than any other brand in history.
Honda is the third MotoGP constructor to renew its ties to the series after Ducati and KTM inked up extensions last month, also through 2026.
“This important announcement makes MotoGP very proud as Honda is one of the first names that comes to mind when we think of motorcycle racing,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna.
“The Japanese manufacturer has been such an important part of the past, present and future of the FIM MotoGP World Championship and this renewal strengthens the engagement between the two parties even more.”
Noriaki Abe, Managing Officer, Motorcycle Operations, Honda added, ?MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing – it allows us to develop different technologies and, in the face of tough competition, train our engineers and develop their skills.
?With these engineers working on the development of production vehicles, Honda can create better products for its customers. Honda will continue to bring dreams and joy to customers around the world through its motorsport activities, including MotoGP. “
As Honda enters the new year and has reiterated its commitment to MotoGP, the company will begin its final season in Formula 1, at least for the foreseeable future. Last October, Honda announced, citing its sustainability goals, that it would end the sport after the 2021 campaign.
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641876022;}i:17;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:61:"Marquez ?exploded? with emotion after ?dream? MotoGP comeback";s:4:"link";s:94:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/10/marquez-exploded-with-emotion-after-dream-motogp-comeback/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Tue, 11 Jan 2022 04:37:48 +0000";s:8:"category";s:13:"Yamaha MotoGP";s:4:"guid";s:94:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/10/marquez-exploded-with-emotion-after-dream-motogp-comeback/";s:11:"description";s:203:"Nine months since he suffered the broken arm that would exclude him from the 2020 season, six-time MotoGP World Champion Marquez returned this weekend in Portimao. After qualifying sixth, Marquez… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:3113:"
Nine months since he suffered the broken arm that would exclude him from the 2020 season, six-time MotoGP World Champion Marquez returned this weekend in Portimao.
After qualifying sixth, Marquez ran to third on the first lap before eventually being pushed back to ninth as he tried to get back into a rhythm.
With several falls ahead of him, Marquez crossed the finish line 13 seconds behind race winner Fabio Quartararo and finished his comeback ride in seventh place.
Marquez described his race at Portimao as “the biggest step in my recovery” and couldn’t hold back his emotions when he returned to his team after the Grand Prix.
?Of course emotions is the right word,? he said when asked by Autosport whether he would have thought it possible today.
?I’m a person who likes to keep the emotions inside, but when I got into the box with all of my mechanics I exploded and I couldn’t control the emotions.
?It’s been a very long time since I dreamed of finishing a MotoGP race today and it’s the biggest step in my rehabilitation, recovery and coming back [being] a MotoGP rider was my dream and I did that today.
?When I got to the box, of course, I was put on trial and I was exhausted.
“But it was the explosion of emotions that I couldn’t control, but it was very nice.”
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team, MotoGP Portugal GP 2021
Photo by: Repsol Honda Team
Marquez says the opening laps were tough because it was “not my place” and admits he was simply “riding the bike” for the last six laps when his arm lost energy.
?Perhaps the hardest part was the first few laps because I wasn’t in my place,? he added.
?You know, if you play soccer with the elders at school, they’ll overtake you wherever you want.
?So on the first few laps I didn’t feel in my place, I didn’t have the pace, I had no control over the bike and then everyone started to overtake me.
?But then I was calm, didn’t fight and just found my place and as soon as I found my place, I started to increase my rhythm step by step and at the end of the lap I was able to set my personal best race.
?In the end I felt better and tried to catch [Aleix] Espargaro again, but then my body suddenly said ‘this is where it starts’.
?For the last six laps I just sat on the bike and tried to finish the race. But the most important thing is to finish the race.
“And if we then check to finish the race just 13 seconds behind Quartararo, that is something unbelievable.”
Marquez also received virtual standing ovations from the media gathered on Zoom for his debriefing.
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16200";s:7:"summary";s:203:"Nine months since he suffered the broken arm that would exclude him from the 2020 season, six-time MotoGP World Champion Marquez returned this weekend in Portimao. After qualifying sixth, Marquez… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:3113:"
Nine months since he suffered the broken arm that would exclude him from the 2020 season, six-time MotoGP World Champion Marquez returned this weekend in Portimao.
After qualifying sixth, Marquez ran to third on the first lap before eventually being pushed back to ninth as he tried to get back into a rhythm.
With several falls ahead of him, Marquez crossed the finish line 13 seconds behind race winner Fabio Quartararo and finished his comeback ride in seventh place.
Marquez described his race at Portimao as “the biggest step in my recovery” and couldn’t hold back his emotions when he returned to his team after the Grand Prix.
?Of course emotions is the right word,? he said when asked by Autosport whether he would have thought it possible today.
?I’m a person who likes to keep the emotions inside, but when I got into the box with all of my mechanics I exploded and I couldn’t control the emotions.
?It’s been a very long time since I dreamed of finishing a MotoGP race today and it’s the biggest step in my rehabilitation, recovery and coming back [being] a MotoGP rider was my dream and I did that today.
?When I got to the box, of course, I was put on trial and I was exhausted.
“But it was the explosion of emotions that I couldn’t control, but it was very nice.”
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team, MotoGP Portugal GP 2021
Photo by: Repsol Honda Team
Marquez says the opening laps were tough because it was “not my place” and admits he was simply “riding the bike” for the last six laps when his arm lost energy.
?Perhaps the hardest part was the first few laps because I wasn’t in my place,? he added.
?You know, if you play soccer with the elders at school, they’ll overtake you wherever you want.
?So on the first few laps I didn’t feel in my place, I didn’t have the pace, I had no control over the bike and then everyone started to overtake me.
?But then I was calm, didn’t fight and just found my place and as soon as I found my place, I started to increase my rhythm step by step and at the end of the lap I was able to set my personal best race.
?In the end I felt better and tried to catch [Aleix] Espargaro again, but then my body suddenly said ‘this is where it starts’.
?For the last six laps I just sat on the bike and tried to finish the race. But the most important thing is to finish the race.
“And if we then check to finish the race just 13 seconds behind Quartararo, that is something unbelievable.”
Marquez also received virtual standing ovations from the media gathered on Zoom for his debriefing.
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641875868;}i:18;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:77:"Moto2, Bezzecchi: ?I was sick of staying behind Martin, I was really excited?";s:4:"link";s:109:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/10/moto2-bezzecchi-i-was-sick-of-staying-behind-martin-i-was-really-excited/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Tue, 11 Jan 2022 04:25:57 +0000";s:8:"category";s:6:"Ducati";s:4:"guid";s:109:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/10/moto2-bezzecchi-i-was-sick-of-staying-behind-martin-i-was-really-excited/";s:11:"description";s:174:"Usually, to win a race, you have to pass under the checkered flag first. It was different with Marco Bezzecchi, because the driver from Romagna only found out in Parc… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:2485:"Usually, to win a race, you have to pass under the checkered flag first. It was different with Marco Bezzecchi, because the driver from Romagna only found out in Parc Fermé that he had won the Red Bull Ring.
At that moment his team informed him about the penalty imposed on Jorge Martin, which gave the rider of Sky Racing Team VR46 his first success in Moto2. An unforgettable day for the Italian team, which scored a double by paring Vietti-Bezzecchi.
?What can I say, I’m very happy – Bezzecchi began – when I got to Parc Fermé and they informed me about the sentence imposed on Jorge, I was surprised. I was happy about second place, but it was all unexpected. Of course, I’ve always dreamed of winning in Moto2 and in the end I managed to make one of my dreams come true. Maybe it wasn’t like racing under the checkered flag first, but a win is always special. “
In the race, the Romagna driver went beyond the long haul and in a way revealed himself to be “Diesel” …
?It was a big challenge with Martin. I tried to be calm at the beginning of the race knowing I had good pace. Then I got closer and closer to him, but I was tired of staying behind him without being able to attack. They took the board out of the garage for me, but I didn’t want to look at it. I tried to find an opening, but there was no more space. I also tried to follow his line and take his slipstream, but I had problems braking. In the end, however, everything went well ?.
What happened behind the scenes when the race was over …?
?I hugged Jorge and said:? It was like the old days ?, remembering the Moto3 races where we dueled for victory so often!
There’s now a big party at Sky, thanks in part to the success of Celestino Vietti …
“I told him on Friday that he was ready to win. I saw the fire in him and it all cheered me on. As I said, I’m happy because I dreamed of this result and thank the whole team. ” The last few months have not been easy for me, especially after the crash with the dirt bike. Unfortunately, the lockdown slowed my recovery, also because I had more problems walking than getting on the bike. That story is now a thing of the past and I can’t wait to race at Misano. Two races await us on the same track and we have to be ready ?.
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16198";s:7:"summary";s:174:"Usually, to win a race, you have to pass under the checkered flag first. It was different with Marco Bezzecchi, because the driver from Romagna only found out in Parc… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:2485:"Usually, to win a race, you have to pass under the checkered flag first. It was different with Marco Bezzecchi, because the driver from Romagna only found out in Parc Fermé that he had won the Red Bull Ring.
At that moment his team informed him about the penalty imposed on Jorge Martin, which gave the rider of Sky Racing Team VR46 his first success in Moto2. An unforgettable day for the Italian team, which scored a double by paring Vietti-Bezzecchi.
?What can I say, I’m very happy – Bezzecchi began – when I got to Parc Fermé and they informed me about the sentence imposed on Jorge, I was surprised. I was happy about second place, but it was all unexpected. Of course, I’ve always dreamed of winning in Moto2 and in the end I managed to make one of my dreams come true. Maybe it wasn’t like racing under the checkered flag first, but a win is always special. “
In the race, the Romagna driver went beyond the long haul and in a way revealed himself to be “Diesel” …
?It was a big challenge with Martin. I tried to be calm at the beginning of the race knowing I had good pace. Then I got closer and closer to him, but I was tired of staying behind him without being able to attack. They took the board out of the garage for me, but I didn’t want to look at it. I tried to find an opening, but there was no more space. I also tried to follow his line and take his slipstream, but I had problems braking. In the end, however, everything went well ?.
What happened behind the scenes when the race was over …?
?I hugged Jorge and said:? It was like the old days ?, remembering the Moto3 races where we dueled for victory so often!
There’s now a big party at Sky, thanks in part to the success of Celestino Vietti …
“I told him on Friday that he was ready to win. I saw the fire in him and it all cheered me on. As I said, I’m happy because I dreamed of this result and thank the whole team. ” The last few months have not been easy for me, especially after the crash with the dirt bike. Unfortunately, the lockdown slowed my recovery, also because I had more problems walking than getting on the bike. That story is now a thing of the past and I can’t wait to race at Misano. Two races await us on the same track and we have to be ready ?.
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641875157;}i:19;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:79:"MotoGP, Lorenzo says he would have continued with Honda without the Assen crash";s:4:"link";s:115:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/10/motogp-lorenzo-says-he-would-have-continued-with-honda-without-the-assen-crash/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Mon, 10 Jan 2022 23:39:16 +0000";s:8:"category";s:10:"HRC MotoGP";s:4:"guid";s:115:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/10/motogp-lorenzo-says-he-would-have-continued-with-honda-without-the-assen-crash/";s:11:"description";s:190:"Jorge Lorenzo retired in late 2019, a season he had switched to Honda and suffered serious injuries. The Mallorcan realized that he no longer had the necessary motivation to continue… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:1419:"Jorge Lorenzo retired in late 2019, a season he had switched to Honda and suffered serious injuries. The Mallorcan realized that he no longer had the necessary motivation to continue and decided to quit. As is so often the case, it could have turned out differently.
Lorenzo himself confessed this in front of the microphones of DAZN Spain and identified the turning point of his fall at the Assen GP: “Without this accident, I would without a doubt have stayed with Honda”.
Jorge crashed with two fractured vertebrae in free practice for the TT Assen, so that he had to miss four races.
“Retirement became possible after Assen, but I didn’t want to rush it and put it off as long as possible,” he continued. With a metaphor, continuing would have been like having a “very high mountain and I couldn’t muster the patience or motivation to climb it “.
After all, the Mallorcan had achieved a lot from his very early career and at some point he realized that the game was no longer worth the risk.
“At the age of 30, 31 or 32 you become more cautious and I noticed that – he explained – Every fall with a major injury is like a rock that adds your mental backpack full of negative experiences that make you more cautious. “
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16196";s:7:"summary";s:190:"Jorge Lorenzo retired in late 2019, a season he had switched to Honda and suffered serious injuries. The Mallorcan realized that he no longer had the necessary motivation to continue… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:1419:"Jorge Lorenzo retired in late 2019, a season he had switched to Honda and suffered serious injuries. The Mallorcan realized that he no longer had the necessary motivation to continue and decided to quit. As is so often the case, it could have turned out differently.
Lorenzo himself confessed this in front of the microphones of DAZN Spain and identified the turning point of his fall at the Assen GP: “Without this accident, I would without a doubt have stayed with Honda”.
Jorge crashed with two fractured vertebrae in free practice for the TT Assen, so that he had to miss four races.
“Retirement became possible after Assen, but I didn’t want to rush it and put it off as long as possible,” he continued. With a metaphor, continuing would have been like having a “very high mountain and I couldn’t muster the patience or motivation to climb it “.
After all, the Mallorcan had achieved a lot from his very early career and at some point he realized that the game was no longer worth the risk.
“At the age of 30, 31 or 32 you become more cautious and I noticed that – he explained – Every fall with a major injury is like a rock that adds your mental backpack full of negative experiences that make you more cautious. “
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641857956;}i:20;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:46:"2022: a decisive year for some factory drivers";s:4:"link";s:82:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/10/2022-a-decisive-year-for-some-factory-drivers/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Mon, 10 Jan 2022 23:35:31 +0000";s:8:"category";s:13:"Yamaha MotoGP";s:4:"guid";s:82:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/10/2022-a-decisive-year-for-some-factory-drivers/";s:11:"description";s:173:"These drivers are likely to be in the spotlight ahead of a big season in 2022 as most driver contracts expire With the exception of Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team),… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:7163:"With the exception of Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who have contracts with their respective factories extending beyond 2022, every driver on the grid has a contract that ends next season. It therefore means that the upcoming campaign is huge. For every rider. But some – arguably – more than others, especially those occupying factory seats who are eyeing other drivers.
So let’s take a look at some factory riders who seem to be under a little more pressure to perform than their teammates.
At the start of the 2021 season, Alex Rins was one of the favorites for the title. However, the Spaniard had a tough season and finished in 13th place overall, compared to 3rd place in the previous year. Rins’ only podium was secured at Silverstone with a well-deserved P2 compared to four in 2020, but what cost Rins the most was the DNFs.
Rins crashed six times in 2021 while being his freak Bicycle accident at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya he saw him break his wrist. 2022 will be a great year for Rins, who will be hungry to regain the form that made him the late 2020 title contender.
2021 was a strange year for Miguel Oliveira. KTM in general struggled with a poorly performing RC16 at the start of the season before Oliveira clinched three consecutive podiums in Mugello, in Barcelona – his victory – and at the Sachsenring. Oliveira was back. However, a crash at the Red Bull Ring set the tone for the Portuguese’s second half of the season.
Oliveira only scored nine points between Styria and Valencia, and although injuries played a role, the bike and rider just didn’t fit. 14th overall, compared to teammate Brad Binder in 6th place – and the rise of the new Tech3 KTM Factory Racing rookie pairing Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez – means the KTM factory headquarters will be a hot property.
The transition from KTM to Honda did not go as smoothly as Pol Espargaro and HRC had hoped. The Spaniard ended his debut year on the RC213V in 12th place, but that’s not the whole story. None of the Honda riders felt comfortable with the 2021 package for much of the season, and despite some tough moments, there were some highlights: pole position in the British GP and second place in the Emilia-Romagna GP.
Signs of promise have been seen, but when you’re team-mate to eight-time world champion Marc Marquez, the pressure is always there. Marquez’s contract runs him until 2024. So if Honda wants to make a change in the factory line-up, Espargaro will have to give way. The angel number 44 has the talent, will, work ethic, and everything in between to ensure he is a frontrunner in 2022. It will be an intriguing watch, especially when the exciting brand new machine from HRC hits the table.
We mentioned that 2021 would be an odd season for Oliveira, but no one could have predicted what year Maverick Viñales would have survived before the lights went out in Qatar. The Yamaha stories are well documented so you won’t have to go back to them. But after that Viñales’ new adventure took him to Aprilia, where there was a very promising RS-GP.
Viñales finished in the points twice in five starts, the outstanding performance with his Emilia-Romagna GP P8. Its adaptation to a completely different type of motorcycle – from Yamaha’s inline four to Aprilia’s V4 – is still in the works, but Aprilia expects big things from their new addition in 2022. Everyone is because we all know how much talent Viñales has.
The problems Jack Miller faces despite winning two races and finishing fourth in the World Championship is the rider line-up of Ducati’s independent team and the fact that he is a team-mate of Francesco Bagnaia. It says a little of the obvious, but it’s true. Miller’s campaign was far from bad, but Bagnaia put in a sensational second half of the season to be the only rider to put pressure on eventual world champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
Rookie of the Year Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) won a race, took three more podiums and took four pole positions. Enea Bastianini (Team Gresini Racing MotoGP) was on the podium twice. The silly MotoGP season is brutal and if Miller is to remain a factory Ducati rider in 2023, great results will be needed in early 2022. It has to be said, however, that Ducati is apparently very, very happy with Miller. and your first year in a works team is never easy. The Ducati battles are one to watch very carefully.
MotoGP Stories: Miller’s Road to Top Tier Glory
Follow the Australian’s path to an emotional and long-awaited victory at the Spanish GP that ends in almost five years of pain
All of these drivers are on factory teams for one reason: They are incredibly fast. It will be incredibly fascinating to see the decisions being made about who goes where on the entire grid in the 2023 season. Some factory tremors are very likely, but at the moment nobody knows where they will be coming from. We can only look forward to the races in 2022.
Every training session, qualifying battle and race, exclusive interviews, historical races and much more fantastic content: This is VideoPass!
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16194";s:7:"summary";s:173:"These drivers are likely to be in the spotlight ahead of a big season in 2022 as most driver contracts expire With the exception of Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team),… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:7163:"With the exception of Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who have contracts with their respective factories extending beyond 2022, every driver on the grid has a contract that ends next season. It therefore means that the upcoming campaign is huge. For every rider. But some – arguably – more than others, especially those occupying factory seats who are eyeing other drivers.
So let’s take a look at some factory riders who seem to be under a little more pressure to perform than their teammates.
At the start of the 2021 season, Alex Rins was one of the favorites for the title. However, the Spaniard had a tough season and finished in 13th place overall, compared to 3rd place in the previous year. Rins’ only podium was secured at Silverstone with a well-deserved P2 compared to four in 2020, but what cost Rins the most was the DNFs.
Rins crashed six times in 2021 while being his freak Bicycle accident at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya he saw him break his wrist. 2022 will be a great year for Rins, who will be hungry to regain the form that made him the late 2020 title contender.
2021 was a strange year for Miguel Oliveira. KTM in general struggled with a poorly performing RC16 at the start of the season before Oliveira clinched three consecutive podiums in Mugello, in Barcelona – his victory – and at the Sachsenring. Oliveira was back. However, a crash at the Red Bull Ring set the tone for the Portuguese’s second half of the season.
Oliveira only scored nine points between Styria and Valencia, and although injuries played a role, the bike and rider just didn’t fit. 14th overall, compared to teammate Brad Binder in 6th place – and the rise of the new Tech3 KTM Factory Racing rookie pairing Remy Gardner and Raul Fernandez – means the KTM factory headquarters will be a hot property.
The transition from KTM to Honda did not go as smoothly as Pol Espargaro and HRC had hoped. The Spaniard ended his debut year on the RC213V in 12th place, but that’s not the whole story. None of the Honda riders felt comfortable with the 2021 package for much of the season, and despite some tough moments, there were some highlights: pole position in the British GP and second place in the Emilia-Romagna GP.
Signs of promise have been seen, but when you’re team-mate to eight-time world champion Marc Marquez, the pressure is always there. Marquez’s contract runs him until 2024. So if Honda wants to make a change in the factory line-up, Espargaro will have to give way. The angel number 44 has the talent, will, work ethic, and everything in between to ensure he is a frontrunner in 2022. It will be an intriguing watch, especially when the exciting brand new machine from HRC hits the table.
We mentioned that 2021 would be an odd season for Oliveira, but no one could have predicted what year Maverick Viñales would have survived before the lights went out in Qatar. The Yamaha stories are well documented so you won’t have to go back to them. But after that Viñales’ new adventure took him to Aprilia, where there was a very promising RS-GP.
Viñales finished in the points twice in five starts, the outstanding performance with his Emilia-Romagna GP P8. Its adaptation to a completely different type of motorcycle – from Yamaha’s inline four to Aprilia’s V4 – is still in the works, but Aprilia expects big things from their new addition in 2022. Everyone is because we all know how much talent Viñales has.
The problems Jack Miller faces despite winning two races and finishing fourth in the World Championship is the rider line-up of Ducati’s independent team and the fact that he is a team-mate of Francesco Bagnaia. It says a little of the obvious, but it’s true. Miller’s campaign was far from bad, but Bagnaia put in a sensational second half of the season to be the only rider to put pressure on eventual world champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP).
Rookie of the Year Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) won a race, took three more podiums and took four pole positions. Enea Bastianini (Team Gresini Racing MotoGP) was on the podium twice. The silly MotoGP season is brutal and if Miller is to remain a factory Ducati rider in 2023, great results will be needed in early 2022. It has to be said, however, that Ducati is apparently very, very happy with Miller. and your first year in a works team is never easy. The Ducati battles are one to watch very carefully.
MotoGP Stories: Miller’s Road to Top Tier Glory
Follow the Australian’s path to an emotional and long-awaited victory at the Spanish GP that ends in almost five years of pain
All of these drivers are on factory teams for one reason: They are incredibly fast. It will be incredibly fascinating to see the decisions being made about who goes where on the entire grid in the 2023 season. Some factory tremors are very likely, but at the moment nobody knows where they will be coming from. We can only look forward to the races in 2022.
Every training session, qualifying battle and race, exclusive interviews, historical races and much more fantastic content: This is VideoPass!
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641857731;}i:21;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:60:"AHRMA: Full Race Results From Daytona International Speedway";s:4:"link";s:96:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/10/ahrma-full-race-results-from-daytona-international-speedway/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Mon, 10 Jan 2022 23:29:49 +0000";s:8:"category";s:12:"News Wrap-up";s:4:"guid";s:96:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/10/ahrma-full-race-results-from-daytona-international-speedway/";s:11:"description";s:184:"What is a Press Release? A ?press release? is promotional text issued by a rider, team, company or organization to informthe public about an event, product, or service from the… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:869:"A ?press release? is promotional text issued by a rider, team, company or organization to inform
the public about an event, product, or service from the issuer?s own point of view, and if deemed
to have news value, may be placed on roadracingworld.com as a service to our readers.
A press release is not an article written by Roadracingworld.com staffers. When a post is labeled with the words ?press release?, it means that Roadracingworld.com is not responsible for its content and that Roadracingworld.com makes no guarantee that it is accurate. Not all press releases are posted and Roadracingworld.com may reject press releases if the content is too heavy on commercial promotion with little or no news value or if the press release contains obvious errors.
A ?press release? is promotional text issued by a rider, team, company or organization to inform
the public about an event, product, or service from the issuer?s own point of view, and if deemed
to have news value, may be placed on roadracingworld.com as a service to our readers.
A press release is not an article written by Roadracingworld.com staffers. When a post is labeled with the words ?press release?, it means that Roadracingworld.com is not responsible for its content and that Roadracingworld.com makes no guarantee that it is accurate. Not all press releases are posted and Roadracingworld.com may reject press releases if the content is too heavy on commercial promotion with little or no news value or if the press release contains obvious errors.
But rookie Johann Zarco flew the first six laps and took the lead before crashing into turn two.
And while others struggled with the slippery conditions, Rossi was masterful, managing to bring his Yamaha bike home in third place behind pole sitters Maverick Vinales and Andrea Dovizioso.
“I’m pretty happy, of course,” said Rossi.
?If I had to bet on myself to get on the podium today, I would not have bet. Or 10 euros or so.
?But we never gave up. We tried the maximum.
?We tried three or four different settings this morning, but it was bad anyway, so I just said ‘go’.
?I don’t know what happened, but I enjoyed it.
“I was good at braking and I hope this race will help us understand enough to improve.”
Reigning world champion Marc Marquez finished third in the same race last year but only managed to finish fourth on his Honda machine, which appeared to be battling for power at times.
Meanwhile, Brit Scott Redding took his OCTO Pramac bike to seventh place, unlike fellow compatriot Cal Crutchlow, who crashed twice before being eliminated after just four laps.
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16190";s:7:"summary";s:191:"But rookie Johann Zarco flew the first six laps and took the lead before crashing into turn two. And while others struggled with the slippery conditions, Rossi was masterful, managing… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:1199:"But rookie Johann Zarco flew the first six laps and took the lead before crashing into turn two.
And while others struggled with the slippery conditions, Rossi was masterful, managing to bring his Yamaha bike home in third place behind pole sitters Maverick Vinales and Andrea Dovizioso.
“I’m pretty happy, of course,” said Rossi.
?If I had to bet on myself to get on the podium today, I would not have bet. Or 10 euros or so.
?But we never gave up. We tried the maximum.
?We tried three or four different settings this morning, but it was bad anyway, so I just said ‘go’.
?I don’t know what happened, but I enjoyed it.
“I was good at braking and I hope this race will help us understand enough to improve.”
Reigning world champion Marc Marquez finished third in the same race last year but only managed to finish fourth on his Honda machine, which appeared to be battling for power at times.
Meanwhile, Brit Scott Redding took his OCTO Pramac bike to seventh place, unlike fellow compatriot Cal Crutchlow, who crashed twice before being eliminated after just four laps.
";s:14:"date_timestamp";i:1641857108;}i:23;a:12:{s:5:"title";s:62:"Dakar Rally: Sunderland Wins Stage Eight, Retakes Overall Lead";s:4:"link";s:97:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/10/dakar-rally-sunderland-wins-stage-eight-retakes-overall-lead/";s:2:"dc";a:1:{s:7:"creator";s:17:"Brandon Catterson";}s:7:"pubdate";s:31:"Mon, 10 Jan 2022 20:27:40 +0000";s:8:"category";s:12:"News Wrap-up";s:4:"guid";s:97:"https://motoamerica.info/2022/01/10/dakar-rally-sunderland-wins-stage-eight-retakes-overall-lead/";s:11:"description";s:193:"THIRD-PLACE FINISH FOR MATTHIAS WALKNER ON DAKAR STAGE EIGHT Dakar Rally 2022 ? Stage Eight Matthias Walkner has finished as third quickest on the long 830-kilometer eighth stage of the… ";s:7:"content";a:1:{s:7:"encoded";s:17344:"THIRD-PLACE FINISH FOR MATTHIAS WALKNER ON DAKAR STAGE EIGHT
Dakar Rally 2022 ? Stage Eight
Matthias Walkner has finished as third quickest on the long 830-kilometer eighth stage of the 2022 Dakar Rally, closing the gap on the provisional event leader who he trails by under four minutes. Toby Price enjoyed another solid stage, bringing his KTM 450 RALLY home in sixth place. Kevin Benavides finished as 13th fastest with Danilo Petrucci 25th.
Today?s 395-kilometer special comprised a three-way mixture of sand, dirt, and dunes. With navigation proving less testing than on Sunday?s stage seven, times throughout the front runners were extremely close with the top eight separated by only 10 minutes after close to four hours of racing against the clock.
Making the best use of his later start position, Matthias Walkner pushed hard right from the beginning this morning and was soon working his way through the field. Using his skill and experience, the Austrian was able to successfully complete the stage as third fastest, just over four minutes behind current rally leader Sam Sunderland. Although he will set off near the front on Tuesday?s stage nine, Matthias will start six minutes behind Sunderland and will use the opportunity to chase down his rival and make up those valuable minutes.
Matthias Walkner: ?Every day at the moment is critical because you can win or lose so much time on every stage. Thankfully today went well for me, I was able to push all the way from the back. I gave my all out there today ? everything I had ? so I?m pleased to come away with third place and close in on the overall leader again. There are four more days left to go and with things so close it is more important than ever to complete each stage without making any big mistakes. I?ll do my best to keep focused and concentrate on the days ahead.?
A sixth-place result on stage eight has moved Toby Price one place further up the provisional overall leaderboard to ninth, just over 30 minutes down on the leader. With times closing up at the top of the rankings, and four more long days left to race, the experienced Aussie knows that a podium result is still well within his reach. Earning another favorable start position, for tomorrow?s stage nine, Toby will be looking to further reduce that gap to the leaders and elevate himself higher in the overall standings.
Toby Price: ?It wasn?t too bad today. I got through most of the stage pretty well, I did make a couple of mistakes, but it?s hard to be absolutely perfect out there. The liaisons from today have meant it?s been a really long day in the saddle. All-in-all the bike was really good though and I?m ready for another day.?
Setting off as the second rider into today?s special, Kevin Benavides was able to maintain a strong pace despite having to open much of the stage. A small technical issue with his KTM 450 RALLY caused the Argentinian to stop to make a couple of adjustments midway through the special, but he was soon back on track and pushing to make up time. Completing the stage in 13th, Kevin now lies in an impressive sixth overall in the rally standings and will be aiming to further reduce his 14-minutes-and 47-second deficit to the leader on Tuesday?s stage nine.
Kevin Benavides: ?I?m really pleased with how I rode today. It?s a little frustrating that a small technical issue cost me some time but thankfully I was able to complete the stage in a good position. I did make a couple of small navigation mistakes too, but on the whole things went well. It?s encouraging that after losing so much time on the first stage I am well within the fight for the top positions, so I?ll stay motivated and do my best again tomorrow.?
Two days into the second week of his first ever Dakar Rally, Danilo Petrucci continues to impress with both his speed and consistency. The former MotoGP star was running well inside the top 20 throughout today?s special, only for a small error in the closing kilometers to cost him several minutes and drop him down the order. Happy with his riding, Petrucci now looks forward to tomorrow and another long day on the bike.
Danilo Petrucci: ?I?m happy to get to the finish as it was a very, very long day today. From the start I tried to find a good solid rhythm and then attack when it was safe to do so. I was really pleased with my navigation but just towards the end, I found myself in the wrong canyon and I had to turn around to get back on track. It?s frustrating, but it also means I have a strong starting position for tomorrow.?
KTM-supported privateer Mason Klein put in another exceptional performance today, finishing the long stage as fifth fastest. The 20-year-old continues to impress on his debut Dakar with both his speed and impeccable navigation skills. Today?s result places the American 10th overall and as leading rookie.
Provisional Results Stage Eight (overall) ? 2022 Dakar Rally
1. Sam Sunderland (GBR), GASGAS, 3:48:02
2. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 3:50:55 +2:53
3. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 3:52:13 +4:11
4. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 3:54:46 +6:44
5. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 3:56:10 +8:08
Other KTM
6. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 3:56:41 +8:39
13. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 4:03:04 +15:02
25. Danilo Petrucci (ITA), KTM, 4:11:56 +23:54
Provisional Standings ? 2022 Dakar Rally after 8 of 12 stages
1. Sam Sunderland (GBR), GASGAS, 27:38:42
2. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 27:42:27 +3:45
3. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 27:43:25 +4:43
4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 27:44:12 +5:30
5. Joan Barreda (ESP), Honda, 27:53:20 +14:38
Other KTM
6. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 27:53:29 +14:47
9. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 28:11:12 +32:30
10. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 28:14:08 +35:26
More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:
SAM SUNDERLAND TAKES FIRST STAGE WIN AT 2022 DAKAR RALLY!
BRIT BACK ON TOP AS GASGAS FACTORY RACING?S NEWEST RECRUIT DELIVERS IMPRESSIVE RIDE ON TOUGH STAGE EIGHT TO RETAKE THE RALLY LEAD
Rolling with the punches and bouncing back in style after a difficult day yesterday, Sam Sunderland has arguably delivered his best performance of the Dakar Rally so far with victory on a seriously tough stage eight. Remarkably, it?s Sam?s first stage win of the 2022 rally, and his first for GASGAS Factory Racing, with the Brit?s impressive ride seeing him return to the top of the provisional classification.
Sam bounces back in style to win stage eight
Third Dakar Rally stage win for GASGAS in 2022
Sunderland retakes the provisional lead with four days to go
Sam Sunderland: ?That was a really challenging stage today. There was a lot of sand early on but then near the end there were a lot of canyons to navigate through. You had to be really patient and choose the right one as it would be so easy to get lost and lose time. The guys opening, fortunately, did a great job, which made things a little easier for me but after leading out yesterday, I know how tough that can be. Early on I was pushing hard and I was a bit too aggressive with a few small crashes in the sand so I had to settle down a bit, get into a rhythm, and it paid off as I was able to take the stage win. We have some long days ahead, but today?s result is just what I needed after everything that happened yesterday.?
Undoubtedly, Sam?s determination and his ability to keep on keeping on, even when faced with ongoing Dakar challenges, is a huge reason the GASGAS RC 450F racer has returned to the top of the leaderboard. Relieved after taking his first win of the rally, Sam will be back in the hot seat tomorrow as the rider that has the unenviable task of opening the stage. Armed with his superior navigation skills, and a winner?s mindset, Sam will be first into a stage that will feature very little in the way of sand, yet a lot of rocky terrain, as he completes what might prove to be one of the pivotal stages of the 2022 Dakar Rally.
Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2022, stage 8
1. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 3:48:02
2. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 3:50:55 + 0:02:53
3. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 3:52:13 + 0:04:11
Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 8)
1. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 27:38:42
2. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 27:42:27
3. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 27:43:25
More, from a press release issued by Husqvarna Factory Racing:
BENAVIDES CLAIMS SEVENTH ON DAKAR RALLY STAGE EIGHT
HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDER CONTINUES HIS STRONG RUN OF FORM INTO SECOND WEEK OF GRUELLING EVENT
Continuing to deliver solid results on the long and massively challenging days of the Dakar Rally, Husqvarna Factory Racing?s Luciano Benavides has finished as seventh quickest on the long, 395-kilometre special on stage eight. Overcoming the usual yoyo effect, where riders starting near the front lose a considerable amount of time to their rivals before going on to earn an advantageous starting position for the following day, Benavides was able to maintain good speed on the stage with a minimum of mistakes. Ultimately, he completed the route just under 10 minutes behind the eventual stage winner.
After a steady start through the early kilometres of the stage where he focused on his navigation, Luciano was able to hold his position just inside the top 10 for the majority of the tough, mixed terrain timed special. Where some of his rivals faltered, Benavides was able to maintain his focus and bring his FR 450 Rally to the finish in an extremely commendable seventh place, nine and a half minutes down on the quickest time for the day. His result moves the 26-year-old up to 14th in the provisional overall standings.
Now, with his consistency paying off, and his 2022 Dakar Rally campaign going from strength to strength, the young Argentinian is looking to maximise the advantage he has for Tuesday?s 491-kilometre stage nine and make up more time on those starting ahead of him.
Luciano Benavides: ?Stage eight was a really long day. As usual it had some tricky navigation but also had a really big mix of terrain with big plateaus and dunes, rocky tracks and valleys, and some canyons too ? it was really good fun to race through. The stage was fast, and conditions were windy too, but I was able to do a good job of my navigation and so I?m really happy with that. My speed was also good considering I was up near the front. Altogether I?m very happy with how the day went and now I?m looking forward to pushing once again tomorrow.?
2022 Dakar Rally ? Stage 8 Provisional Classification
1. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 3:48:02
2. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 3:50:55
3. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 3:52:13
4. Ricky Brabec (Honda) 3:54:46
5. Mason Klein (KTM) 3:56:10
6. Toby Price (KTM) 3:56:41
7. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 3:57:34
2022 Dakar Rally ? Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 8)
1. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 27:38:42
2. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 27:42:27
3. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 27:43:25
4. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 27:44:12
5. Joan Barreda (Honda) 27:53:20
6. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 27:53:29
?
14. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 28:34:45
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Team:
Quintanilla, runner-up in the eighth stage, closes in on the rally lead
Pablo Quintanilla posted second place today at the finish-line in Wadi Ad-Dawasir, clawing back time and setting up the chance of making the top step of the final podium. Monster Energy Honda Team?s American rider Ricky Brabec was fourth on the day.
The Dakar Rally heads into its final stretch and today, with the lengthiest stage of this edition, at 830 km, the mileage count takes a hefty leap forward. On the agenda were 395 kilometres of special stage across the southern part of Saudi Arabia, with plenty of sand and a lot of dunes to be tackled. From Al Dawadimi it was on to Wadi Ad-Dawasir, on a day featuring more kilometres of link section than special stage. The most southerly located bivouac in this Dakar will be the destination for two stages: tomorrow, a new looping stage will see competitors charter territory in the vast Empty Quarter.
Pablo Quintanilla was the best placed representative from the Monster Energy Honda Team on today?s stage, although most of the riders performed well on the eighth stage of the Dakar 2022. Pablo reached the bivouac in second place, less than three minutes behind the day?s winner. Ricky Brabec also set a fierce pace, registering the day?s fourth best time, 6?44? behind Sunderland. Tomorrow, the American should be able to use tomorrow?s position to his advantage to gnaw into the time of his direct rivals.
Nacho Cornejo got lumbered with the unpleasant task of opening the track today after winning yesterday?s stage. The young Chilean rode well until the latter part of the day, when a minor navigation error caused him to slip back, losing a little more time than expected. Monster Energy Honda Team team-mate Joan Barreda took a tumble on a dune early in the special that left him in some pain throughout the day. The rider still managed to finish ninth in RallyGP with a 12 minutes deficit. The Spaniard is fifth overall, 14?38? behind the race leader.
Tomorrow?s stage
The Wadi Ad-Dawasir loop, some 491 kilometres in total, including 287 kilometres of timed special stage, will pass through a fairly unfamiliar area: the Arabian Peninsula?s Empty Quarter. Mountains and tracks between canyons will require a radically different riding style to the approach used until now. Less sand, but higher difficulty level, especially regarding the navigation.
Ricky Brabec 2
STAGE: 4TH OVERALL: 12TH
Today?s route was good, it was very fast and the longest day of this Dakar. The first part was a lot of dunes, the second part was very fast. I rode alone all day, hoping to catch the group, but I couldn?t. I wish I was at the front? I wish I was up front battling with the top five. The first seven are within six minutes of each other! For our part, we?ll keep pushing for the remaining days; tomorrow could be a good day. We?ll see what happens? anything can happen in this Dakar.
Pablo Quintanilla 7
STAGE: 2ND OVERALL: 4TH
Today was a good day for me. I took advantage of the starting position that I had and I finished the stage second and knocked off some time in the general standings. I?m very pleased. In the second part of the race we have been taking it day by day and reducing the time. The times are very tight and there are still four special stages to go. I?m calm, enjoying myself and focused on having a good race each day.
José Ignacio Cornejo 11
STAGE: 14TH OVERALL: 11TH
Today was a tough stage, I knew it would be difficult because I had to open the track, but I think I was doing well until about kilometre 333, where I entered a track in a valley that was not the right one. I lost a lot of time to get back in the right place and I?m a bit upset about that because I dropped a little bit of time to the rest of the guys behind. Anyway, I still have the same attitude, the same desire for the remaining days of the race. We?ll go out with the same pace and the same concentration as in the last few days.
Joan Barreda 88
STAGE: 9TH OVERALL: 5TH
The stage was difficult. The first part had a lot of sand and I had a fall when I jumped over a dune. I tried to stay with Nacho, who kept a very high pace today, and in the final part, with a lot of navigation, I managed to catch him. We made a mistake on a note with about 40 kilometres to go, where we lost quite a few minutes. It?s a pity because otherwise it would have been a really good stage. We have to fight every day, giving it our best. There are still days to go, so we have to grit our teeth.
THIRD-PLACE FINISH FOR MATTHIAS WALKNER ON DAKAR STAGE EIGHT
Dakar Rally 2022 ? Stage Eight
Matthias Walkner has finished as third quickest on the long 830-kilometer eighth stage of the 2022 Dakar Rally, closing the gap on the provisional event leader who he trails by under four minutes. Toby Price enjoyed another solid stage, bringing his KTM 450 RALLY home in sixth place. Kevin Benavides finished as 13th fastest with Danilo Petrucci 25th.
Today?s 395-kilometer special comprised a three-way mixture of sand, dirt, and dunes. With navigation proving less testing than on Sunday?s stage seven, times throughout the front runners were extremely close with the top eight separated by only 10 minutes after close to four hours of racing against the clock.
Making the best use of his later start position, Matthias Walkner pushed hard right from the beginning this morning and was soon working his way through the field. Using his skill and experience, the Austrian was able to successfully complete the stage as third fastest, just over four minutes behind current rally leader Sam Sunderland. Although he will set off near the front on Tuesday?s stage nine, Matthias will start six minutes behind Sunderland and will use the opportunity to chase down his rival and make up those valuable minutes.
Matthias Walkner: ?Every day at the moment is critical because you can win or lose so much time on every stage. Thankfully today went well for me, I was able to push all the way from the back. I gave my all out there today ? everything I had ? so I?m pleased to come away with third place and close in on the overall leader again. There are four more days left to go and with things so close it is more important than ever to complete each stage without making any big mistakes. I?ll do my best to keep focused and concentrate on the days ahead.?
A sixth-place result on stage eight has moved Toby Price one place further up the provisional overall leaderboard to ninth, just over 30 minutes down on the leader. With times closing up at the top of the rankings, and four more long days left to race, the experienced Aussie knows that a podium result is still well within his reach. Earning another favorable start position, for tomorrow?s stage nine, Toby will be looking to further reduce that gap to the leaders and elevate himself higher in the overall standings.
Toby Price: ?It wasn?t too bad today. I got through most of the stage pretty well, I did make a couple of mistakes, but it?s hard to be absolutely perfect out there. The liaisons from today have meant it?s been a really long day in the saddle. All-in-all the bike was really good though and I?m ready for another day.?
Setting off as the second rider into today?s special, Kevin Benavides was able to maintain a strong pace despite having to open much of the stage. A small technical issue with his KTM 450 RALLY caused the Argentinian to stop to make a couple of adjustments midway through the special, but he was soon back on track and pushing to make up time. Completing the stage in 13th, Kevin now lies in an impressive sixth overall in the rally standings and will be aiming to further reduce his 14-minutes-and 47-second deficit to the leader on Tuesday?s stage nine.
Kevin Benavides: ?I?m really pleased with how I rode today. It?s a little frustrating that a small technical issue cost me some time but thankfully I was able to complete the stage in a good position. I did make a couple of small navigation mistakes too, but on the whole things went well. It?s encouraging that after losing so much time on the first stage I am well within the fight for the top positions, so I?ll stay motivated and do my best again tomorrow.?
Two days into the second week of his first ever Dakar Rally, Danilo Petrucci continues to impress with both his speed and consistency. The former MotoGP star was running well inside the top 20 throughout today?s special, only for a small error in the closing kilometers to cost him several minutes and drop him down the order. Happy with his riding, Petrucci now looks forward to tomorrow and another long day on the bike.
Danilo Petrucci: ?I?m happy to get to the finish as it was a very, very long day today. From the start I tried to find a good solid rhythm and then attack when it was safe to do so. I was really pleased with my navigation but just towards the end, I found myself in the wrong canyon and I had to turn around to get back on track. It?s frustrating, but it also means I have a strong starting position for tomorrow.?
KTM-supported privateer Mason Klein put in another exceptional performance today, finishing the long stage as fifth fastest. The 20-year-old continues to impress on his debut Dakar with both his speed and impeccable navigation skills. Today?s result places the American 10th overall and as leading rookie.
Provisional Results Stage Eight (overall) ? 2022 Dakar Rally
1. Sam Sunderland (GBR), GASGAS, 3:48:02
2. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 3:50:55 +2:53
3. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 3:52:13 +4:11
4. Ricky Brabec (USA), Honda, 3:54:46 +6:44
5. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 3:56:10 +8:08
Other KTM
6. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 3:56:41 +8:39
13. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 4:03:04 +15:02
25. Danilo Petrucci (ITA), KTM, 4:11:56 +23:54
Provisional Standings ? 2022 Dakar Rally after 8 of 12 stages
1. Sam Sunderland (GBR), GASGAS, 27:38:42
2. Matthias Walkner (AUT), KTM, 27:42:27 +3:45
3. Adrien Van Beveren (FRA), Yamaha, 27:43:25 +4:43
4. Pablo Quintanilla (CHI), Honda, 27:44:12 +5:30
5. Joan Barreda (ESP), Honda, 27:53:20 +14:38
Other KTM
6. Kevin Benavides (ARG), KTM, 27:53:29 +14:47
9. Toby Price (AUS), KTM, 28:11:12 +32:30
10. Mason Klein (USA), KTM, 28:14:08 +35:26
More, from a press release issued by GASGAS Factory Racing:
SAM SUNDERLAND TAKES FIRST STAGE WIN AT 2022 DAKAR RALLY!
BRIT BACK ON TOP AS GASGAS FACTORY RACING?S NEWEST RECRUIT DELIVERS IMPRESSIVE RIDE ON TOUGH STAGE EIGHT TO RETAKE THE RALLY LEAD
Rolling with the punches and bouncing back in style after a difficult day yesterday, Sam Sunderland has arguably delivered his best performance of the Dakar Rally so far with victory on a seriously tough stage eight. Remarkably, it?s Sam?s first stage win of the 2022 rally, and his first for GASGAS Factory Racing, with the Brit?s impressive ride seeing him return to the top of the provisional classification.
Sam bounces back in style to win stage eight
Third Dakar Rally stage win for GASGAS in 2022
Sunderland retakes the provisional lead with four days to go
Sam Sunderland: ?That was a really challenging stage today. There was a lot of sand early on but then near the end there were a lot of canyons to navigate through. You had to be really patient and choose the right one as it would be so easy to get lost and lose time. The guys opening, fortunately, did a great job, which made things a little easier for me but after leading out yesterday, I know how tough that can be. Early on I was pushing hard and I was a bit too aggressive with a few small crashes in the sand so I had to settle down a bit, get into a rhythm, and it paid off as I was able to take the stage win. We have some long days ahead, but today?s result is just what I needed after everything that happened yesterday.?
Undoubtedly, Sam?s determination and his ability to keep on keeping on, even when faced with ongoing Dakar challenges, is a huge reason the GASGAS RC 450F racer has returned to the top of the leaderboard. Relieved after taking his first win of the rally, Sam will be back in the hot seat tomorrow as the rider that has the unenviable task of opening the stage. Armed with his superior navigation skills, and a winner?s mindset, Sam will be first into a stage that will feature very little in the way of sand, yet a lot of rocky terrain, as he completes what might prove to be one of the pivotal stages of the 2022 Dakar Rally.
Results (provisional): Dakar Rally 2022, stage 8
1. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 3:48:02
2. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 3:50:55 + 0:02:53
3. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 3:52:13 + 0:04:11
Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 8)
1. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 27:38:42
2. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 27:42:27
3. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 27:43:25
More, from a press release issued by Husqvarna Factory Racing:
BENAVIDES CLAIMS SEVENTH ON DAKAR RALLY STAGE EIGHT
HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING RIDER CONTINUES HIS STRONG RUN OF FORM INTO SECOND WEEK OF GRUELLING EVENT
Continuing to deliver solid results on the long and massively challenging days of the Dakar Rally, Husqvarna Factory Racing?s Luciano Benavides has finished as seventh quickest on the long, 395-kilometre special on stage eight. Overcoming the usual yoyo effect, where riders starting near the front lose a considerable amount of time to their rivals before going on to earn an advantageous starting position for the following day, Benavides was able to maintain good speed on the stage with a minimum of mistakes. Ultimately, he completed the route just under 10 minutes behind the eventual stage winner.
After a steady start through the early kilometres of the stage where he focused on his navigation, Luciano was able to hold his position just inside the top 10 for the majority of the tough, mixed terrain timed special. Where some of his rivals faltered, Benavides was able to maintain his focus and bring his FR 450 Rally to the finish in an extremely commendable seventh place, nine and a half minutes down on the quickest time for the day. His result moves the 26-year-old up to 14th in the provisional overall standings.
Now, with his consistency paying off, and his 2022 Dakar Rally campaign going from strength to strength, the young Argentinian is looking to maximise the advantage he has for Tuesday?s 491-kilometre stage nine and make up more time on those starting ahead of him.
Luciano Benavides: ?Stage eight was a really long day. As usual it had some tricky navigation but also had a really big mix of terrain with big plateaus and dunes, rocky tracks and valleys, and some canyons too ? it was really good fun to race through. The stage was fast, and conditions were windy too, but I was able to do a good job of my navigation and so I?m really happy with that. My speed was also good considering I was up near the front. Altogether I?m very happy with how the day went and now I?m looking forward to pushing once again tomorrow.?
2022 Dakar Rally ? Stage 8 Provisional Classification
1. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 3:48:02
2. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 3:50:55
3. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 3:52:13
4. Ricky Brabec (Honda) 3:54:46
5. Mason Klein (KTM) 3:56:10
6. Toby Price (KTM) 3:56:41
7. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 3:57:34
2022 Dakar Rally ? Overall Provisional Classification (after stage 8)
1. Sam Sunderland (GASGAS) 27:38:42
2. Matthias Walkner (KTM) 27:42:27
3. Adrien Van Beveren (Yamaha) 27:43:25
4. Pablo Quintanilla (Honda) 27:44:12
5. Joan Barreda (Honda) 27:53:20
6. Kevin Benavides (KTM) 27:53:29
?
14. Luciano Benavides (Husqvarna) 28:34:45
More, from a press release issued by Monster Energy Honda Team:
Quintanilla, runner-up in the eighth stage, closes in on the rally lead
Pablo Quintanilla posted second place today at the finish-line in Wadi Ad-Dawasir, clawing back time and setting up the chance of making the top step of the final podium. Monster Energy Honda Team?s American rider Ricky Brabec was fourth on the day.
The Dakar Rally heads into its final stretch and today, with the lengthiest stage of this edition, at 830 km, the mileage count takes a hefty leap forward. On the agenda were 395 kilometres of special stage across the southern part of Saudi Arabia, with plenty of sand and a lot of dunes to be tackled. From Al Dawadimi it was on to Wadi Ad-Dawasir, on a day featuring more kilometres of link section than special stage. The most southerly located bivouac in this Dakar will be the destination for two stages: tomorrow, a new looping stage will see competitors charter territory in the vast Empty Quarter.
Pablo Quintanilla was the best placed representative from the Monster Energy Honda Team on today?s stage, although most of the riders performed well on the eighth stage of the Dakar 2022. Pablo reached the bivouac in second place, less than three minutes behind the day?s winner. Ricky Brabec also set a fierce pace, registering the day?s fourth best time, 6?44? behind Sunderland. Tomorrow, the American should be able to use tomorrow?s position to his advantage to gnaw into the time of his direct rivals.
Nacho Cornejo got lumbered with the unpleasant task of opening the track today after winning yesterday?s stage. The young Chilean rode well until the latter part of the day, when a minor navigation error caused him to slip back, losing a little more time than expected. Monster Energy Honda Team team-mate Joan Barreda took a tumble on a dune early in the special that left him in some pain throughout the day. The rider still managed to finish ninth in RallyGP with a 12 minutes deficit. The Spaniard is fifth overall, 14?38? behind the race leader.
Tomorrow?s stage
The Wadi Ad-Dawasir loop, some 491 kilometres in total, including 287 kilometres of timed special stage, will pass through a fairly unfamiliar area: the Arabian Peninsula?s Empty Quarter. Mountains and tracks between canyons will require a radically different riding style to the approach used until now. Less sand, but higher difficulty level, especially regarding the navigation.
Ricky Brabec 2
STAGE: 4TH OVERALL: 12TH
Today?s route was good, it was very fast and the longest day of this Dakar. The first part was a lot of dunes, the second part was very fast. I rode alone all day, hoping to catch the group, but I couldn?t. I wish I was at the front? I wish I was up front battling with the top five. The first seven are within six minutes of each other! For our part, we?ll keep pushing for the remaining days; tomorrow could be a good day. We?ll see what happens? anything can happen in this Dakar.
Pablo Quintanilla 7
STAGE: 2ND OVERALL: 4TH
Today was a good day for me. I took advantage of the starting position that I had and I finished the stage second and knocked off some time in the general standings. I?m very pleased. In the second part of the race we have been taking it day by day and reducing the time. The times are very tight and there are still four special stages to go. I?m calm, enjoying myself and focused on having a good race each day.
José Ignacio Cornejo 11
STAGE: 14TH OVERALL: 11TH
Today was a tough stage, I knew it would be difficult because I had to open the track, but I think I was doing well until about kilometre 333, where I entered a track in a valley that was not the right one. I lost a lot of time to get back in the right place and I?m a bit upset about that because I dropped a little bit of time to the rest of the guys behind. Anyway, I still have the same attitude, the same desire for the remaining days of the race. We?ll go out with the same pace and the same concentration as in the last few days.
Joan Barreda 88
STAGE: 9TH OVERALL: 5TH
The stage was difficult. The first part had a lot of sand and I had a fall when I jumped over a dune. I tried to stay with Nacho, who kept a very high pace today, and in the final part, with a lot of navigation, I managed to catch him. We made a mistake on a note with about 40 kilometres to go, where we lost quite a few minutes. It?s a pity because otherwise it would have been a really good stage. We have to fight every day, giving it our best. There are still days to go, so we have to grit our teeth.
Honda has decided to officially start the 2022 season this coming Friday, January 14th. To this end, as is customary today, it organized a purely online press conference. It will be an opportunity to see the drivers one more time after the winter break, but not all.
Marc Marquez will not be there: “He will continue to focus on his recovery and preparation for the season,” it said. Pol Espargarò, Alex Marquez and Takaaki Nakagami will all be in attendance, but not HRC’s spearhead.
As mentioned several times, the last official statement on Marc’s condition came before Christmas, followed by a photo on the trained Spaniard’s social media profiles. It is certainly not busy and Not only is it currently unknown whether Marquez will be able to take part in the winter tests in Malaysia and Indonesia (scheduled for February), but also what his eye is like with diplopia.
If Honda has decided that Marquez won’t be there on Friday, it seems pointless to believe that its brand colleagues can reveal more about his condition unless an official announcement comes in the next few days.
However, we are always in the realm of the maybe, because Honda has decided to manage corporate communications as it did with the arm injury: simply none. A questionable decision, because silence only increases rumors and speculation.
About three weeks before the winter testing, fans want to know more in the hopes that Marquez will be in Malaysia.
";}s:7:"post-id";s:5:"16185";s:7:"summary";s:186:"Honda has decided to officially start the 2022 season this coming Friday, January 14th. To this end, as is customary today, it organized a purely online press conference. It will… ";s:12:"atom_content";s:1597:"Honda has decided to officially start the 2022 season this coming Friday, January 14th. To this end, as is customary today, it organized a purely online press conference. It will be an opportunity to see the drivers one more time after the winter break, but not all.
Marc Marquez will not be there: “He will continue to focus on his recovery and preparation for the season,” it said. Pol Espargarò, Alex Marquez and Takaaki Nakagami will all be in attendance, but not HRC’s spearhead.
As mentioned several times, the last official statement on Marc’s condition came before Christmas, followed by a photo on the trained Spaniard’s social media profiles. It is certainly not busy and Not only is it currently unknown whether Marquez will be able to take part in the winter tests in Malaysia and Indonesia (scheduled for February), but also what his eye is like with diplopia.
If Honda has decided that Marquez won’t be there on Friday, it seems pointless to believe that its brand colleagues can reveal more about his condition unless an official announcement comes in the next few days.
However, we are always in the realm of the maybe, because Honda has decided to manage corporate communications as it did with the arm injury: simply none. A questionable decision, because silence only increases rumors and speculation.
About three weeks before the winter testing, fans want to know more in the hopes that Marquez will be in Malaysia.
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