Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 69 Issue 18 i Australian Motorcycle News

THE SELFISH EVIL of a toilet paper hoarder – which wasn’t even a thing a few weeks ago – ain’t far away from the same selfish road muppet that changes lanes on top of a motorcyclist, then refuses to even hand out a wave of apology. It’s time we all got in a big room of mirrors and took a long hard look at ourselves The same mindset that refuses to take on the responsibility of making a mistake on the road, and we all make them, stubbornly staring straight ahead after nearly rubbing a fellow human on the bitumen, is the same kind of person that thinks “stuff everyone else, as long as I can wipe my butt, the rest of you can just hose it off”. Who to…

54K Overall spectator numbers for Phillip Island’s three-day WorldSBK round were up nearly 1000 on 2019, despite changeable weather and the economic effects of a traumatic summer. MOVIE SHOWDOWN Triumph and BMW go head-to-head in the latest Bond and Mission Impossible movies. An early poster for the Bond flick No Time To Die has Daniel Craig as 007 on a Scrambler 1200 XE. Meanwhile, actor Tom Cruise says he has done most of his own stunt riding in the latest Mission Impossible: Fallout movie. It involved riding a BMW R nineT in a police chase around the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Sadly, both movies have been affected by the coronavirus, with filming stopped on MI in Venice, Italy, while the Bond release date has been pushed back to November.…

THE MOST CONVINCING electric motorcycle currently in production now has a sports-commuter option. American firm Zero has taken the wraps off its fully-faired SR/S, which is based on the SR/F. This means it has an air-cooled motor making 82kW and 190Nm of torque allied to a 14.4kWh lithium ion battery. Zero claims a 323km range when fitted with the optional Power Tank – effectively an extra battery – and 259km in standard form. However, it also claims that when the rider tucks behind the fairing at highway speeds, range can increase by as much as 13 percent. Still no word whether Zero will be back in Oz, but in the US, the SR/S starts around AUD$30,000.…

With the 2020 MotoGP season underway (well, sort of) it’s time to have a crack out our ‘Class of 2004’ mash-up quiz for your chance to win a swanky Ipone care kit. Name the riders making up this bloke’s grotesque scone and email them to us, along with your details, for your chance to win. ANSWERS WILL BE REVEALED IN THE NEXT ISSUE EMAIL YOUR NUMBERED ANSWERS TO COMPS@AMCN.COM.AU FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! Having trouble? Check out www.amcn.com.au for clues…

ENGINE Capacity 250cc Type Single cylinder, four-stroke, DOHC, four-valves Bore & stroke 77 x 53.6mm Compression ratio 13.5:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI Transmission Six-speed Clutch Wet, multi-plate Final drive Chain PERFORMANCE Power Not Given Torque Not Given Top speed 145km/h (claimed) Fuel consumption 6.9L/100km (measured) ELECTRONICS Type Customisable and switchable maping CHASSIS Frame material Aluminium Frame type Semi double cradle Rake 26.1 degrees Trail 114mm Wheelbase 1446mm SUSPENSION Type KYB Front: USD telescopic fork, adjustable compression, rebound and spring preload, 310mm travel Rear: Monoshock, adjustable preload, compression and rebound, 318mm travel WHEELS & BRAKES Wheels Aluminium, spoked Front: 21 Rear: 18 Tyres Metzeler Six Day Front: 90/90-21 54M…

ENGINE Capacity 999cc Type Inline-four, DOHC, 16 valves Bore & stroke 80 x 49.7mm Compression ratio 12.5:1 Cooling Liquid Fueling EFI, 4 x 48mm throttle bodies Transmission Six-speed Clutch Wet, multi-plate, slipper Final drive Chain PERFORMANCE Power 121kW @ 11,000rpm (claimed) Torque 114Nm @ 9250rpm (claimed) Top speed 275km/h (est) Fuel consumption 6.2L/100km (claimed) ELECTRONICS Type BMW Continental ABS, Ride-by-wire Rider aides Cornering ABS, Cornering Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, Dynamic Damping Control, Dynamic Brake Control, Adaptive Headlights Modes Rain, Road, Dynamic and Dynamic Pro CHASSIS Frame material Aluminium Frame type Bridge Rake 24.9 degrees Trail 116mm Wheelbase 1552mm SUSPENSION Type DDC Front: 45mm telescopic fork, electronically adjustable…

THE M9 USES a dual-compound tread on both the front and rear tyres and are constructed using a ‘cap and base’ design, which means that they lay nice sticky rubber on the edge of the tyre for cornering fun, on top of a layer of harder silica-rich rubber that keeps temperatures, and therefore performance, more consistent. The percentage of silica has been increased – which may explain why they take slightly longer to warm up – and it’s a compound Metzeler calls ‘full silica’. That same stiffer compound is also found in the centre section of the tyre to offer better mileage when you’re on the boring sections. A quarter of the rear tyre is the harder compound while the remaining 75 percent is the super-sticky stuff. The front tyre…

it would not be possible for anyone blind from birth to ride a motorcycle. He already had the necessary feel and handling of a motorcycle when he lost his sight entirely. Even so, without a reliable guide, there’s no way to negotiate his way out of the pits, let alone down a 10km course with timing markers 30m apart. Teaming up with Kevin Magee completed a double act that has improved with training at Sydney Dragway and with each run over the last three years on the salt. In the early stages of training, the team hooked up with V8 Supercars radio guru Paul Simpson. The system uses a one-way hookup for Magee to give directions. Felten can’t reply and can only respond with hand signals, which can be problematic.…

Bills Bits & Bikes is a must-visit destination for motorcyclists passing through the area. Mark Mitchell is an enthusiast and has a decent collection of bikes and parts dating back to the vintage era, covering both on road and off road models. Whether you are chasing old hard to find parts, or just want to look around and have a chat, it is a worthwhile place to spend some time – 26 Shannon St, Birdwood Ph: (08) 8568 5756. Open Tues – Fri 9.00am – 5.00pm and Sat 9.00am – 12.30pm, or by appointment.…

AS I LEANED over the barrier at Phillip Island’s parc ferme watching Ducati’s 2020 Superbike being tested for noise, the memories from 1990 came flooding back. The WorldSBK official ordered the V4 R to be run up to 5500rpm, and then stuck his testing device above the exhaust exit on the right-hand side to get a reading of 117dB. Swapping to the exhaust on other side he recorded 113 dB. Ducati is on the limit again, I thought as the team technician cleverly pulled in the clutch to disguise the noisy rattle of the dry clutch. The WSBK technical regulations clearly state for 2020: The noise limit for Superbikes will be 115 dB/A (with a 3 dB/A tolerance after the race only). Ah, the more it changes the more it…

JORGE LORENZO IS an YZR-M1 mastermind. He won 44 races on it in a near perfect marriage of his smooth style and the Yamaha’s gentle handling. But despite his hyped return as test rider there are doubts he’ll have a huge impact on Yamaha’s 2020 championship assault, which rests on the technical preferences of Maverick Viñales, Fabio Quartararo and Rossi. Lorenzo has yet to ride the 2020 YZR-M1, with his outing at the Sepang test restricted to the 2019 model. Yamaha is expected to test again early next month, likely Lorenzo’s first on the 2020 M1. It could be mid-season, or later, before any new kit arrives for the factory riders. More likely is Lorenzo’s influence on the 2021 Yamaha, with a prototype likely to appear at late season tests…

IF THE QATAR weekend was anything to go by, the future of Australian racing is in good hands after Harrison Voight built on his early promise from a year ago to claim a brilliant debut podium in the second Asia Talent Cup outing of the weekend. The 13-year-old Queenslander qualified second for the two races that ran alongside the first MotoGP round of the year. After an unfortunate early slip off in race one, Voight regained his composure to produce a measured display the second time around. Locked in an all-action five-rider shootout for the win, the Aussie found himself in a slipstream duel to the finish line. He eventually lost out to Malaysian winner Syarifuddin Azman by 0.051s while Japan’s Kanta Hamada was just 0.002s ahead. A third place…

LAST YEAR’S PIKES Peak International Hillclimb winner Rennie Scaysbrook has turned his attention to this year’s Isle of Man TT after the American-based road race scratched motorcycles off the schedule following the death of high-profile rider Carlin Dunne last July. Racing for the veteran TT PRF Racing Team on board a Suzuki GSX-R600 in the Supersport category, Rennie will be on well set-up machinery with the team campaigning a bike around the Mountain Course every year since 1995. “I’m going there as a journalist racer, hoping to stay out of the way of the fast guys and experience the race I’ve always dreamed of doing but never thought I’d get the chance to.” Rennie remains adamant his TT campaign will be very different to his three successful Pikes Peak events,…

Aussie showdown Much of the first few weeks of the UK speedway season features testimonial and other open meetings, including a testimonial meeting for Cowra rider Todd Kurtz at Sheffield. He has lined up plenty of Aussie mates including world champions Chris Holder and Jason Doyle, Troy Batchelor, Brady Kurtz, Sam Masters and Jack Holder. On 29 March Australia takes on the might of Poland in a match at SGP venue, Torun, with Doyle, the Holders and Brady Kurtz joined by Max Fricke and Jaimon Lidsey for the Aussies. PB Swingin sliders Speedway sidecar action rolls on in the lead up to the Australian Championship at Mildura over 27-28 March. Warren Monson/ Andrew Summerhayes led home Mick Headland/Brenton Kerr, Brodie Cohen/Damien Egan and Byren Gates/Mick O’Loughlin in the final of…

BACK WHEN 18-year-old Todd Smith won the NSW Motocross Championship younger brother Jake was still in juniors, so the sibling rivalry was no more than measuring the number and height of the silverware trophies vying for space in the family workshop. Then, with the switch to enduro, the family rivalry ramped. Not that the boys didn’t enjoy a few beers and a few laughs together; but the joking stopped when the gloves were on. At stake was the tough, two-day Yellow Mountain Enduro which Todd won in 2004. And the legendary Condo 750 cross-country rally which younger brother Jake first won in 2007. Glenn Hoffmann, chief of the GHR Honda Off-Road team, knew a good thing when he saw it. Why have just the one ticket in the chaos of…

Vale Tony Blain The driving force behind the Bulli Antique Motorcycle Weekend and the former owner of Redfern Motorcycles, Tony Blain, has died after a short illness. Dog act Punks steal the Troy Bayliss two-seater Ducati V4 R from the DesmoSport team’s race truck when itwas en route toPhillip Island’s WSBK round. Free as a bird Michael Dunlop has already cut laps at Jerez on the Paul Bird Motorsport Ducati V4 R he will race at this year’s Isle of Man TT. More info page 122 Tyred and true A five-way tyre war has broken out in ASBK, which can only be good for roadbike customers.…

SUZUKI WAS AN early starter in the electrification of bikes, showing running concepts way back in 2007, creating a number of electric Burgman scooters, but it has recently lagged behind its rivals. That’s partly because its early electric projects focused on hydrogen fuel cells instead of batteries. Fuel cell technology has always been promising – with refuelling faster than recharging – but its complexity and expense has been undercut by battery-powered electric vehicles. Now Suzuki has filed a new patent application for a battery-powered scooter with a simple – and hence cheap – design. It features a single, decent-sized battery under the rider’s seat – potentially making it easy to swap – and a motor directly below that. This drives the rear wheel directly via a chain or belt. The…

Hey Max, with power and top-speed figures on roadbikes becoming less and less relevant as the years roll on, how much onus did you put on the new XR’s electronic offerings over its outright performance? “WE TRY WITH each generation to improve the electronics. Not to take away the riding experience but just to make it safer and less obtuse, if you know? Superbike power has never been more easy to control. If you were to ride a 10-year-old 160hp GSX-R, people wouldn’t even buy these bikes any more – they would be afraid. “In Superbike – and I’m referring to this as an everyday Superbike – people want the electronics, they want all the tech that the Superbike riders have – the Quick Shift Assist Pro, it makes the…

JIM SCAYSBROOK’S magnificent book “The Castrol Six Hour Production Race” is long out of print. Copies occasionally pop up on eBay but expect to pay $100-150. My regional library managed to get hold of a copy for me to borrow through the interlibrary loan system. It’s an informative read with hundreds of images and certainly worth a quick search whenever you pass a secondhand book shop or market stall. Or, if you’re really quick, you could try Sue’s Transport Books and Collectables on (02) 9558 9759.…

THE DISTINCTIVE pi-tt tread design will be recognisable to those that are familiar with Metzelers Sportec range. But this pattern isn’t there just to spruce up the look of the new M9, it’s all about dispersing as much water as possible in soggy conditions. The groove-less centre squishes surface water and flushes it into the adjacent longitudinal grooves. This effect increases as speeds rise, theoretically increasing stability in bad weather as your speed comes up. The mid-shoulder section of the tyre does a lot of the moist grunt-work, and the frequency and size of the grooves increase in this section, dispersing even more water as you throw the M9 into mid-lean corners. If it’s plonked in the right places, the tread also has the added bonus of generating heat as…

Oli Bayliss “I CAME INTO the weekend confident that I would be able to win races, and riding World Supersport definitely helped me understand what it’s like to ride at the next level. It’s a great way to start the season, especially against riders like Tom (Toparis) before he heads to Europe. The final race didn’t start too well to be honest, I wasn’t totally comfortable, and I ended up lifting the front wheel off the start and had to work hard to stay with the leaders. “I tried to make a few passes in the corners but ran wide, so to come out on top is pretty good!”…

Harry Khouri “COMING INTO THIS weekend nothing crossed my mind saying I was going to get three wins and top all the sessions. Looking back on it, I don’t even know what to say. It’s been an amazing weekend thanks to the team. In the last race I saw Benny (Baker) got off the line well but he ran wide at turn two, so I snuck up the inside and went as hard as I could. I just managed to open a gap… towards the end of the race I was in a good rhythm and comfortable at that speed.”…

“Considering Friday, it wasn’t a bad result. I wouldn’t be surprised if I had a little crack in one of my ribs. It’s a bit sore. It’s tender. But once I’m on the bike the horns are out and I forget about it. The Friday was tough. I was definitely feeling a bit drunk in the afternoon after hitting my head so hard. I was very dizzy. Then another crash on Saturday morning. That wasn’t a confidence booster. But we kept calm and made it into FP2. We managed to come back. It’s a fifth but it feels like a victory to me!”…

JORGE LORENZO HAS seemingly lost the fear factor just four months after the mental and physical anguish of a single season on a Honda RC213V triggered his unexpected retirement. Lorenzo will make a wildcard racing return on what he feels is the safe haven of the Yamaha YZR-M1 at the Barcelona Grand Prix in June. The decision has ignited speculation that Lorenzo is prepping for a full-time comeback in 2021, which raises the mouth-watering prospect of a YZR-M1 dream team return alongside Valentino Rossi. However even if Yamaha test rider Lorenzo regains his appetite for risk, he’s third in line behind Rossi and Franco Morbidelli. The two Italian riders have first dibs on the 2021 slots at Petronas Yamaha SRT, which appears to be Lorenzo’s only option. Scared of further…

LAST ISSUE WE reported that three-time World Speedway champ Jason Crump is set to come out of retirement to ride for the Ipswich Witches. Now son Seth will be joining the action, joining MSS Performance to race a Ninja 400 in the BSB Pirelli Junior Supersport Championship. Jason, 44, recently jumped back on the bike at an Australia versus Great Britain test match at Pinjar Park in Perth, which then led to the offer coming through from Ipswich. Seth, 17, who has ridden the last three years in the ASBK Supersport 300 championship on a KTM RC390, is also preparing for his final year in high school. “I was always looking to ride in BSB this year, and dad decided he wanted to ride again, so it all just kind…

Lack and Fame Barry Lack has been inducted into the Tasmanian Motor Sports Hall of Fame. From 1973 to 1990, Lack won 27 Tasmanian Motor Cycle Club trophies including having most wins in a year four times. Although long retired, he continues to mentor young Tasmanian riders. KEN YOUNG Heavy metal Remy Gardner is no stranger to pain. But even the Aussie was surprised by the operation in December to remove metal plates that were inserted into both lower legs after a painful motocross crash two years ago. “We had an hour and a half operation planned. In the end it took five hours. My bones healed too well and welded themselves to the plates and screws. The docs had to break plenty of tools trying to get it out.…

Australian Motorcycle News road test photographs are posed for by skilled, professional riders under controlled circumstances. Attempting to imitate their actions may be dangerous. Australian Motorcycle News supports and endorses rider training and wearing protective riding gear. Unless you’re former AMCN contributor Vert Bush on the Aussie launch of the new Africa Twin in Uluru then, it would seem, protective motorcycle riding gear extends to a pair of sleeveless one-piece overalls. But with temperatures in the mid-to-high 30s, a good lid and sturdy pair of boots at either end, maybe it doesn’t actually matter? Here’s hoping he’s got plenty of sunscreen...…

The year was... 002004 News Filthy rich banker Alan Wilzig loved designer Massimo Tamburini so much that he decided to have a Ducati 998 and a MV Agusta F4 grafted together. Wilzig lavished the $150K bastard child with 12 layers of paint and lots of it is painted with real gold (because he could). Word on the street is that Willie Zigzag still owns his homage to Tamburini, plus 24 Bimotas and a bunch of KTM adventure bikes. He once owned a castle as well but he flogged that to his brother. Three champions All three of these blokes, Dani Pedrosa, Valentino Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso were crowned world champions in 2004, and 16 years later they are all still riding around on GP bikes. Admittedly pint-sized Pedrosa MotoGP ride…

ENGINE Capacity 2458cc Type In-line three-cylinder, DOHC, four-valves per cylinder Bore & stroke 110.2 x 85.9mm Compression ratio 10.8:1 Cooling Liquid-cooled Fueling EFI Transmission Six-speed Clutch Wet, multiplate Final drive Shaft PERFORMANCE Power 123kW @6000 rpm (claimed) Torque 221Nm @4000 rpm (claimed) Top speed 222km/h Fuel consumption 8L/100km (measured) ELECTRONICS Type Continental Rider aides Conering traction control, cornering ABS, four ride modes (road, rain, sport and rider-configurable), hill hold control, cruise control, keyless ignition CHASSIS Frame material Aluminium Frame type Backbone Rake 27.9° Trail 134.9mm Wheelbase 1677mm SUSPENSION Type Showa Front: 47mm USD fork with compression and rebound adjustment, 120mm travel Rear: Monoshock, fully adustable, 107mm travel WHEELS &…

BECAUSE WE BUY and ride bikes, what you and I see when we look at a motorcycle is very different to what the guy BMW pays to create an aerodynamically efficient conglomeration of metal, rubber and plastic sees. Add to the equation that this bike is a sportsbike and a tourer all at once and it’s easy to understand why the looks of the new S 1000 XR made for some robust conversation. What BMW’s marketing material refers to as “richly contrasting design features” could mean to others as “hit with the ugly stick”. Part GS-beak, part GP-style wings, the front aero jutting out from under the headlight blurs the line between adventure and sport. Above the now-symmetrical headlight is a hugely effective two-way manually adjustable screen – achieved with…

MARQUEZ HAS WHAT ROBERTS HAD; A SKILL NO ONE ELSE HAD THE ONLY OTHER rookie to win the premier-class title was ‘King’ Kenny Roberts, winner of the 1978 500cc championship. Roberts had much of what Marquez had – intelligence, daring and a skill that no one else had – the ability to slide and spin the rear tyre to adjust his lines through a corner. Eventually everyone learned to slide and spin the rear tyre. So presumably everyone will learn to slide the front tyre like Marquez. Or possibly not, because sliding the front is a much, much riskier trick. But some riders – Rins is already getting there – will learn to do what Marquez does. Will they do it in 2020? We don’t know. What about 2021? Things…

Humans are creatures of habit; we vote Labor or Liberal because we always have, or mum and dad did, we put our socks and shoes on the same way the majority of the time and when it comes to our bikes, we can be fiercely brand loyal. “I’m a Honda man” or “I’m a Ducati girl” and our biases extend to the equipment we strap on ourselves and our bikes as well, such as the tyres we rely on to keep sunny side up. Our tyre loyalties are formed in a bunch of different ways, it can be what our mates use, perhaps what a racer uses, or it could be something as simple a s good ex periences, even just sticking with the OEM tyre. As someone that used…

There is fuel at either end of this 40km ride with servos at Crafers and Gumeracha, as well as at several other towns across the region. There are many good accommodation options along the route from the majestic old Mount Lofty House to pub stays, cabins, and camping, as well as plenty of outlets for a meal or a drink. If you are more a big kid at heart you can always drop in The Big Rocking Horse and Toy Factory in Gumeracha. It is mainly set up for families and kids with a wildlife display, working toy factory, café, and the big horse Fix it Lee’s Spot On Motorcycles are on the main street at Mt Pleasant and offer good workshop facilities and spare parts - 122 Melrose Street,…

Show time 14 MARCH Bike, Trike & Hotrod Show, 132 Meakin Rd, Kingston, Qld. Gates open 10am; all entries must be ridden in. Bar, stalls, live music, burnouts, competitions, food and drinks. Child friendly til 7.30pm. Free camping, no dogs and no BYO. Hosted by Vietnam Veterans and Veterans MC Queensland Chapter. For information phone 0432 832 494 or see qldvvmc.com.au. 22 MARCH DOCSA’s Italian Motorcycle Show, Wigley Reserve, Cnr Anzac Hwy and Adelphi Tce, Glenelg, SA. Bike entries open at 9:30am, judging then begins at 1pm; show closes 4.30pm. More than 100 Italian bikes on display. Food and refreshments merchandise stands and trade displays. Entry $5 per bike for DOCSA members; $10 for non-members; public admission free. Hosted by Ducati Owners Club of SA. For information phone Greg Sheridan…

SAYING THAT MOTOGP 2020 got going with a skeleton staff might seem in poor taste, given that the naughty old coronavirus has left corpses in its wake. It has certainly been the early-season winner, creating havoc in the best-laid plans of the no-longer-so-smug Dorna management. Havoc means disappointment for riders and fans alike. But it also means opportunity. The postponement of the season start is another chance for factory engineers to get ready to rumble. What we know so far is that the opening round at Losail was without the main players. MotoGP had already tested in the desert and gone home again; Motos 2 and 3 however had now arrived for their tests, and were thus in place to race in front of the usual empty grandstands when Qatari…

Mr Tom Superpole Tom Sykes smashed the track record in Superpole, using his official BMW to set a 1m29.230sec that gave him not only pole position but also extended his own all-time career Superpole winning record to a half century. It was BMW’s first pole since last year at Donington from… Sykes of course. Records tumble Andrea Locatelli (Bardahl Evans Bros Yamaha) used the new Pirelli slick tyres in WorldSSP to beat Sam Lowes long time WorldSSP record with his 1m32.176sec. He was joined under the old record by reigning champion Randy Krummenacher (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), as the new Pirelli slicks offered more front grip than their predecessors. Yankee doodle Garrett Gerloff’s first race at PI, when he ran well up in the early stages before dropping back, was…

Wayne Maxwell “IT’S A FANTASTIC start for the Boost Mobile with K-Tech team, there’s so much effort that goes on behind the scenes, trying to piece all the partners and sponsors together. “It’s a great feeling to get the first wins for the V4 R in Australia and a big reward for how good Craig is with Ducatis. Jamie (Stauffer) also did a great job, but to take it to the next level where it can win races was the next step. I felt pretty comfortable out there, like I could pull out the lap times pretty easily, so there was no stress.”…

Phil’s cameo role Suzuki’s legendary tuner Phil Tainton made a one-off appearance at Phillip Island helping SA privateer Arthur Sissis. “As I’m getting older I’m trying to find another focus in life but racing is like a drug to me,” he said. Tainton’s input helped Sissis to a strong sixth-place finish in race one and seventh overall. Suspension tweaks and a careful revision of the 2017 GSX-R1000’s ergonomics gave Sissis a machine that retained its rideability over race distance. Glen’s cameo role SA’s Dallas Skeer put together one of his most consistent ASBK rounds to date and revealed the improved result was partly due to the influence of Glen Richards, the former crew chief to Oli Bayliss who stepped back from race weekend duties to have more time with his…

Roberts clung onto Marini like a man possessed NO ONE SAW this coming. Yes, Qatar has a habit of throwing up a surprise or two. There’s history here, of course. Going all the way back to the inaugural running of the Moto2 class that ran in 2010, and then an unknown teenager by the name of Shoya Tomizawa ran away with the spoils. But this year’s event was big on the shock factor from start to end. The previously outgunned American Joe Roberts (American Racing Kalex) carried a wave of newfound confidence from Friday’s FP2, a session in which he broke the outright circuit record, through to this action-packed opener. For 12 laps here the 22-year old Californian, who grabbed a sensational maiden pole position on Saturday, clung on to…

IF JORGE LORENZO decides he has regained the motivation to be a full-time MotoGP racer then he will have to wait behind Rossi and his VR46 Academy protege Morbidelli. Rossi’s decision around 2021 is central to the plans of the Petronas SRT squad and their philosophy of nurturing young talent. A slot is being kept open to accommodate Rossi’s desires and Yamaha MotoGP boss Lin Jarvis is hoping that SRT retains Morbidelli on a new contract next year. “In principle, Petronas SRT is the team for young, challenging riders and we share that ideology,” Jarvis said. “But if Valentino, who is an icon of our sport, decides to race in 2021 then you can step out of your philosophy for one year. “Franco Morbidelli is a very good rider and…

THE DELAY TO the start of the MotoGP season as also impacted riders and teams hoping to use the early races to assess form and opportunities for factory gigs in 2021. Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia wanted to make early impressions with Ducati bosses, who also need to make a decision about the future of incumbent #1 Andrea Dovizioso. Aprilia is in the market with a new RS-GP that offers a factory chance in 2021. KTM has a portfolio of young riders to check although the factory ambitions, for the moment, are more on bike development rather than superstar riders. Along with Rossi, veteran British rider Cal Crutchlow, 34, (LCR Honda, above) has also flagged retirement considerations based on early race form.…

THE ISLE OF MAN government has released a statement saying the 2020 event remains on schedule and is so far not affected by the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak. “The Isle of Man government is carefully monitoring the Island’s position regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) with a cross-government working group established to regularly review the changing situation,” the statement reads. “While the threat to the public in the Isle of Man remains low, a number of future contingency scenarios are being considered. This is usual practice and is in line with the WHO advice for preparations in case of a pandemic. “The risk is low and preparations for this year’s TT remain on schedule. Work will continue as usual in order to ensure another successful TT.”…