Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol 72 Issue 09 i Australian Motorcycle News

THERE HAS BEEN plenty of talk throughout the year about the lack of overtaking in MotoGP. The culprit, as has been widely reported, is that the grip on Michelin’s front tyre drops off as it gets too hot, which can happen when it’s in the slipstream of a preceding bike. There are several alleged reasons for the front tyre’s overheating issues, with culprits including ever-greater speeds, more and more aero downforce and shape-shifting technology. And if riders can’t easily slipstream and overtake for fear their front tyre will overheat, then it doesn’t make for very exciting racing. But then there was the Australian GP at Phillip Island. Plenty of speed and plenty of overtaking. So much so, in fact, that it was undoubtedly the most exciting MotoGP race of the…

“I LOVE THIS SPORT, EVERYTHING ABOUT IT, AND, YOU KNOW, IT SHOWS THAT NOT ONLY TO BE WORLD CHAMPION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT IF YOU CAN BE A NICE GUY AND GO FAST FROM TIME TO TIME, THEN THAT’LL DEFINITELY PAY AS WELL”Modest Jack Miller gets emotional after having Phillip Island’s Turn 4 named in his honour. 300 The number of starts Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro has achieved in a long Grand Prix career that encompasses 215 MotoGP starts, 61 in the 250cc and 23 in the 125cc classes. TESLA SAFETY PROBE US road-safety regulators are investigating the recent deaths of two motorcyclists (one in California and one in Utah) after Tesla cars struck them from behind at night. It is claimed both drivers were using Tesla’s semiautonomous Autopilot system.…

JOHN OF THE DESERT Victorian horticulturalist and desert racing legend John Hederics continued his domination of the Australian Safari with a third consecutive victory. Hederics rode a prototype Honda XR600 triumphantly crossing the finish line in Darwin eight days after the kick off from Sydney’s Amaroo Park. But it wasn’t easy. Hederics had a tough day one, way down in 21st, before beginning the rescue mission. He was back into the top 10 by day three and hit the lead on the last day of the 5500km epic. DACKA CALLS TIME After spending a decade at the top of the Australian motocross scene, 27-year-old Craig Dack announced his intention to retire from competition at the end of 1992. Dack carved out a stellar career, winning four Mr Motocross titles and…

Facebook Post of the issue Instagram Don’t Forget #amcn_mag Comment of the Issue Mark Sturmar starts talking early tyre strategy at the Phillip Island MotoGP round! Three days later, under glorious sunshine, Thursday’s big wet was a distant memory… “So, intermediate tyres then?” Reaching out Want to see your pride and joy featured in AMCN? The only thing we love more than writing about bikes is looking at your bikes. Tag your social pics with @ aumotorcyclenews on Facebook or @ amcn_mag on Instagram, or fire them off in an email to amcn@amcn.com.au And don’t forget to tell us why you love it. Get it off yer chest! Got something funny, new, old or wise to say or share? Do it! Head to www.facebook.com/aumotorcyclenews AMCN’S WEBSITE IS THE PLACE TO…

You really only need to select the riding mode that best suits your circumstances because, while they can still be personalised, all the settings have been trimmed to suit. TOUR Designed for distance. Engine brake intervention is significant to aid deceleration by closing the throttle; power delivery is progressive; and traction control is set to the third of four levels. In Tour, the lateral deflectors fully open when exceeding a nominated threshold. The Ohlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension on the V100 Mandello S is adjusted to Comfort. RAIN All electronic intervention is adjusted to effectively tackle difficult weather conditions. The engine braking is heavily present; power delivery is very gentle, and traction control is at maximum. In Rain, the lateral deflectors remain open. The Ohlins Smart EC 2.0 suspension on…

ROAD RACING 2022 MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Rd20 6 Nov, Ricardo Tormo Valencia, ES SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Rd11 12-13 Nov, Mandalika, ID Rd12 19-20 Nov, Phillip Island, AU AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP Rd6 18-20 Nov, Phillip Island, Vic Rd7 25-27 Nov, The Bend, SA FIM JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Rd8 29 Oct, Valencia, ES OCEANIA JUNIOR CUP Rd6 2-4 Dec, The Bend, SA FIM MINIGP WORLD SERIES 1 Nov, Valencia, ES FIM RED BULL ROOKIES CUP Rd8 5-6 Nov, Valencia, ES 2023 MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP * Rd1 26 Mar, Portimao, PT Rd2 2 Apr, Termas de Rio Hondo, AR Rd3 16 Apr, Austin, US Rd4 30 Apr, Jerez, ES Rd5 14 May, Le Mans, FR Rd6 11 Jun, Mugello, IT Rd7 18 Jun, Sachsenring, DE Rd8 25 Jun, Assen, NL Rd9 9 Jul,…

New stuff 1 LAP TIME Tissot $1125 (03) 8844 3300 tissotwatches.com/en-au The limited-edition Tissot T Race MotoGP watch has a fixed production of just 8000 pieces, with each one numbered and featuring the MotoGP logo engraved on the stainless body. The T Race is water-resistant to 100m and boasts a sapphire crystal glass, carbon fibre face and Swiss Quartz movement. 2 PROTECT AND SERVICE Link International From $16.90 (07) 3382 5000 iponeoils.com.au Ipone claim that its Full Protect 6 in 1 multi-purpose lubricant and degreaser can clean and lubricate your bike’s mechanical components while also repelling moisture. As well as assisting with rust removal, Full Protect can also protect against future corrosion and restore electrical contacts. 3 GOODBYE TIGER Andy Strapz $395 (03) 9786 3445 andystrapz.com The new Triumph Tiger…

STILL CALMING DOWN after an epic Oz GP (welcome back, Phillip Island. Welcome back, real grand prix racing), the sudden ascendancy of Rins and the sleek but so far this year unexceptional Suzuki give pause for thought. What did they do right? What have they done wrong until now? And why on earth are they giving up racing? Suzuki’s first MotoGP bike, at the 2002 dawn of the four-stroke class, was a 60-degree V4 that had the virtue of unique engine architecture and the vices of being gutless and unreliable. The narrow angle was dictated by the decision to make an engine to fit the two-stroke RGV chassis, and required a balance shaft; the engine in turn needed a very high compression ratio to make enough power to compensate, leading…

IF EVER A race encapsulated a season, this was it. Rather than a multi-rider group up front, a lead quartet contested the victory at a blustery Phillip Island. There wasn’t a Honda in sight. And in the closing moments, Izan Guevara (Aspar GASGAS) demonstrated what is now ice-cold precision to seal the 2022 Moto3 World Championship to edge clear of a frenetic fight and win by 0.3sec. A shower an hour before the race left the 4.45km track largely dry with wet patches early on. Not that you’d have known by Sergio Garcia’s (Aspar GASGAS) early speed as he ran to an early 0.5sec lead over Ayumu Sasaki (Max Racing Husqvarna), Guevara, Deniz Oncu (Tech3 KTM), Joel Kelso (CIP KTM), Diogo Moreira (MSI KTM), John McPhee (Max Racing Husqvarna) and…

THE CHANCES OF one party may be close to zero. But this topsy-turvy championship battle will go to the final race after Francesco Bagnaia (Lenovo Ducati) failed to wrap it up in Malaysia by the smallest of margins, despite expertly withstanding incessant race-long pressure from Enea Bastianini (Gresini Ducati) to claim an invaluable seventh victory of the year. For long spells of a tense encounter it appeared Ducati was finally on course to clinch the Rider’s Championship that has eluded it for 15 years. Bagnaia benefited from Jorge Martin’s (Pramac Ducati) crash out of the lead to spend long spells up front, while two places back chief rival Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) came under increasing midrace pressure from Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Ducati) – Bagnaia first with the Frenchman…

EARLY IN THE season, three riders looked like they could be world champion. After this round, it now looks like only one. Alvaro Bautista has not won the WorldSBK Championship for Aruba Ducati yet, but even with 124 points still up for grabs in the final two rounds, a lead over your nearest rival of 82, it’s looking very likely. If and when Bautista wins the title, it will be as much about him not making as many mistakes as his rivals – mechanical and human – as well as the acceleration and top-speed advantages he has over the blue and green bikes. He is riding the wheels off the thing when he needs to and, with Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx) and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) on…

THE WEATHER GODS smiled on Symmons Plains despite a deluge on the eastern seaboard to provide a spectacular end to the Tasmanian road racing season on 9 October. And with several riders just having returned from the Victorian state title at Phillip Island, some intense action unfolded. Jason Spencer (Honda CBR1000RR) only needed to finish each race to beat Scott Honeychurch (Kawasaki ZX-10R) for the Superbike title. But the racer in Spencer really kicked in when Honeychurch took an early lead through the sweeper for the first time in Race 3. From many bike lengths behind, Spencer dive-bombed him and parked it in the next corner to pull off one of the boldest passes seen for a long time at Symmons Plains. Meanwhile Jeremy Huddlestone (Yamaha YZF-R1) showed the confidence…

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… especially if you’re our very own Paul Young battling for the win in a Spanish 2 Hour endurance race at Alcarras. You see, the thing with fast blokes is they never know when to slow down. If you’re Jeremy McWilliams or Paul Young, that doesn’t actually seem to matter. But it does when you get pinged speeding in pitlane and the infringement drops you back to third! A podium’s a podium though, and seventh overall from 43 teams of mostly litre bikes is a fine, fine effort.…

PHILLIP WILLIAM READ died in England on 6 October, aged 83, surrounded by his family. A life-long smoker, he had not been in good health. Nor was he in a good financial space, his investments having turned sour. But he was sharp of mind and ready with a joke when he caught up with fellow racers, including former teammate and opponent Giacomo Agostini two weeks earlier at a revival meeting in Assen. Phoned by a fellow Italian Ale Magrini for a comment, Agostini said: “I’m honest, he wasn’t going to be loved. He was willing to do anything… he wanted to win even when it wasn’t feasible. But we never said goodbye and never stopped talking. Despite the rivalry that was created even in the MV team, as among all…

AT THE HEART OF Moto Guzzi’s next-generation model platform is its revolutionary so-called Compact Block 1042cc 90° V-twin eight-valve engine. Measuring 96 x 72mm and running a high 12.6:1 compression ratio dictating the use of premium fuel, the only thing it has in common with its aircooled predecessors is the transverse mounting in the chassis and shaft final drive. For this is Moto Guzzi’s first-ever liquid-cooled production engine (only its legendary 500cc V8 GP racer previously adopted this feature) and its first DOHC roadbike engine, with chain drive featuring hydraulic tensioners to the twin overhead camshafts per cylinder, whose four valves are operated via Formula 1-type finger followers. It’s a wet sump engine, but with its crank chamber separated from the oil pan via a reed valve, thus allowing a…

THE SWAMPS WILL GRAB HOLD AND PULL YOU UNDER IF YOU DON’T PUSH THROUGH It was with a mixture of bravery and stupidity, mostly stupidly, that I ignored the golden rule of dirtbike riding. With not much more than the clothes on my back, I headed deep into the Gardens of Stone National Park on KTM’s 2022 1290 Super Adventure R. Alone. It wasn’t completely stupid. Situated just two and a half hours west of Sydney, I had headed up that way with my wife and her camera to start sniffing around in response to news that the park – and others like it that encompass some of the best adventure-bike riding areas in New South Wales – was slated for closure to recreational vehicle users by the state’s Department…

REGULAR READERS – G’day Aunty Ted – would have recognised a pattern to the Rooth motorcycle life. I ride, therefore I fix. It’s a pattern which spills over the floodgates of motorcycling to affect all areas of my life. Why buy something reliable when a dodgy old piece of shit at a fraction of the price allows you to, well, buy more dodgy old pieces of shit Given the trend to acronyms we’ll call it the DOPS factor. Thanks to DOPS, there are 22 motorcycles in my shed of which six are going often enough to warrant registration, while the others just consume time and money going nowhere. Yes, even a ‘project bike’ like the Indian Scout means time spent thinking how it could be fixed followed by money spent…

PRIOR TO SUNDAY, 1085 days had passed since MotoGP last faced off on Phillip Island. And with each passing lap everyone in attendance was reminded how much they had missed it. This was an Australian classic from first lap to last as the entire field engaged in all-out war. From 24 names jostling up front, the lead group was eventually whittled down to 10, before seven riders went at it up front. Alex Rins (Ecstar Suzuki) gave this contest the finale it deserved, claiming the most unlikely of wins in a seven-bike lead group covered by just 0.884sec. As impressive as the numbers on the timesheets were (5.9sec covered the top 10, the second closest in history), they don’t tell the full story. This was 40 minutes and 50 seconds…

DOMINIQUE AEGERTER (Ten Kate Yamaha) took pole position yet again in WorldSSP and looked an unlikely race winner for much of Race 1. It was to become his own only in the final lap when he passed long-time leader Rafaelle De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Ducati) and crossed the line with a winning margin of 0.292sec. Third place went to Federico Caricasulo (Althea Ducati), who lost a possible second when he ran on into a hairpin, and Aegerter came through with just enough time to hunt down De Rosa. Off podium, Can Oncu started 14th and finished fourth, having to pass several riders, one of whom being fifth-placed Nikki Tuuli (MV Agusta Reparto Corse). Lorenzo Baldassarri (Evan Bros Yamaha) lost lots of ground to Aegerter in the championship fight in…

THERE WERE MUTTERINGS of discontent from several riders over the situation in the Moto2 race at Phillip Island, which wasn’t stopped despite Jorge Navarro crashing out and suffering a serious injury. The Spaniard broke his femur when run over by Simone Corsi on the exit of Turn 4. But more than the break, riders were perplexed how the race continued despite Navarro sitting perilously close to the racing line, between Turns 4 and 5. It was an incident that was brought up in the Safety Commission in Sepang, where Race Direction admitted it had been at fault. “They were very, very sorry,” revealed Aleix Espargaro. “They know it was a clear mistake and everybody from Race Direction to Dorna accepted that it was more than two laps, completely unacceptable, so…

CARTER THOMPSON HAS scored his maiden victory in the Asia Talent Cup, winning Race 1 one at the Sepang International Circuit by 0.195sec after a thrilling last-corner battle with Japanese riders Rei Wakamatsu and Gun Mie. Fellow Aussies Marianos Nikolos and Cameron Swain finished in sixth and 17th respectively. All three Aussies crashed out of Race 2 as the series now moves to the Mandalika circuit in Indonesia for the final round, with Thompson the highest placed of the trio in the standings in eighth. Meanwhile Levi Russo has been selected for the 2023 Asia Talent Cup after successfully making it through the selection process at the Sepang International Circuit Go-Kart Track last weekend. Cameron Dunker also impressed and has been announced as a reserve. Russo was just one of…

SIX-TIME WORLDSBK champion Jonathon Rea might not be slipping the crown on his head for a seventh time at the upcoming finale at Phillip Island, but Kawasaki fans can get their hands on the 2023 production version of his racebike now. Kawasaki Australia is offering the 2023 Ninja ZX-10R for $26,740 (plus onroad costs). The ZX-10R has been a multiple award-winning and WorldSBK-winning machine since it was first released in 2004. Rather than a makeover for 2023, the new model is a result of a series of refinements and updates. There are subtle performance winglets integrated into the fairing, incorporating downforce and aerodynamic properties, backed up by a steeper windshield that adds an extra aerodynamic element. Electronics upgrades include refinement of the riding modes, with four to choose from (Sport,…

LEGENDARY AUSTRALIAN motorcycle accessories distributor Monza Imports used the lead up to its 40th birthday celebrations in Melbourne to officially announce its appointment as the Australian distributor of LeoVince exhausts. Established in 1954, the Italian exhaust brand has partnered with Monza Imports to bring its extensive range of slip-ons, systems, header pipes, link pipes and go-fast goodies into Australia, with both companies focused on offering a premium product at a competitive price. Products are developed on-track and in-house at LeoVince’s state-of-the-art R&D facility in Monticello D’Alba, Italy, with final production handled at the company’s Polish manufacturing facility which pumps out around 150,000 products a year. Despite a long history of producing quality sports, sports-tourer and scooter components, coupled with a solid racing development program, the company also offers an extensive…

Letter of the issue Ridgie didge! I was reading the article on John Britten (AMCN Vol 72 No 05) and at first wondered how my racebike, who I call ‘Ridgie’, got in the photo of his display. On closer examination I realised it was not mine at all despite being the same vintage (1952), colour and, would you believe, also the same race number #118?! It also appears to have primary belt drive! I last raced ‘Ridgie’ at Broadford’s Southern Classic in 2018, but after 28 years I still race my faithful 1962 T100 Tiger – who I call ‘Ol’ Bluey’ – at Collie in Western Australia. However, as I am still standing at 75, and Bluey at 60, I think we’re probably both due for retirement! Thanks for your…

EVEN THOUGH THE Aussie dirt-track scene can open up opportunities overseas, as the likes of AMCN columnists Max Whale and Tom Drane are proving with their American deeds, it’s not all positive and, in my opinion, lacks a bit of structure and direction. I would like to see Australian competition follow in the wheel tracks of the hugely successful AMA format by bringing in the same tyre regulations that would ultimately see everyone racing on 19-inch tyres specifically designed for dirt- and flat-track racing. I’ve ridden on these tyres and not only are they safer and more predictable across every dirt-track surface, but they last 10 times longer than the trials tyres we’re currently using. Every motorcycle discipline all over the world runs tyres specific to that genre. So why…

01 MotoGP Rd20, Valencia, LIVE Videopass, Kayo, Foxsports 4-6 NOVEMBER From 7pm AEDT This is it! After an amazing season of ebbs and flows, action and drama aplenty, it all comes down to the final race at Valencia to crown the 2022 world champion. Warm-up action starts at 7:00pm. 02 OZ SX, Rd2, Adelaide, LIVE australiansupercross.com.au 29 OCTOBER Check website The Australian Supercross Championship is set to be a thriller, with stadium racing often throwing up surprises galore where even the smallest mistakes can be punished. Live streaming on website. 03 WorldSBK Rd11, Mandalika, LIVE Videopass, Kayo, Foxsports 12-13 NOVEMBER Check local guides We’ve slipped this one in ahead of time, but the series looks like going down to the wire between Razgatlioglu and Bautista. It could be decided in…

WHEN CRAIG MCMARTIN, the Boost Mobile with K-Tech team boss, asked if I wanted to race at the MotoGP supports it was obviously a great opportunity but I hadn’t ridden for some time. I know the Boost V4 R is a very capable bike and the team has won a lot with it, but we all know the Ducati is a little bit different to ride – I really wasn’t sure how it would turn out. I completed one test day but it was quite gusty and luckily there were other ASBK competitors there that I could measure myself against. At the end of that day I was happy with the lap times and didn’t feel like I’d be turning up and making a fool of myself. I knew what…

NOT EVEN A long-lap penalty could stop Alonso Lopez (Speed Up Boscoscuro) at a blustery Phillip Island as he sped to a second victory in four races. The Spaniard and his Boscoscuro chassis were untouchable, able to utilise Dunlop’s hard front tyre option while, for once, the Kalex contingent struggled. Lopez had copped a penalty for nerfing Celestino Vietti (VR46 Kalex) in FP1. But that was the only blot on his weekend. After taking the lead from Tony Arbolino (Marc VDS Kalex) on lap one, the 21-year old had built up a lead of 2.6sec by the time he took the long lap on the fourth lap. He rejoined with 1.5sec in hand. From there it was a cruise, as he won his second GP by 3.5sec. Initially, the scrap…

JOHN MCPHEE (Max Racing Husqvarna) capped the most unlikely of comebacks with a thrilling last-gasp win in an epic six-rider shootout. Starting 22nd on the grid and on the verge of walking out on his team on Saturday, the Scot fought through to sit fifth with just two corners remaining. But as Jaume Masia (Ajo KTM), Dennis Foggia (Leopard Honda), Ayumu Sasaki (Max Racing Husqvarna) and Sergio Garcia (Aspar GASGAS) jostled for the lead through Turns 12 and 13, McPhee launched an outrageous four-in-one move into Turn 14 to go from fifth to first. From there, a cutback on Sasaki, who had out-braked him into the final turn, sealed a fourth career victory from the Japanese rider with Garcia third. Before then, two narrow escapes marked a scrappy race. First,…

DUCATI’S SPORTING DIRECTOR Paolo Ciabatti admitted the factory Ducati squad considered implementing team orders during the intense 20-lap Malaysian Grand Prix, but only when it would have cemented the title for Pecco Bagnaia. The Italian found himself leading the race after early leader and fellow Ducati rider Jorge Martin crashed out of a 1.2sec lead on lap seven and poised for maximum points, but Enea Bastianini still with a mathematical chance at the crown, made a tough move on his fellow Italian for the lead just four laps later. And while the pair raced hard for the following laps, team personnel were locked in frantic conversation deciding what lever to pull and when to maximise the chances of celebrating their first riders’ world championship since Australian Casey Stoner way back…

THE PADDOCK RECONVENED in Australia a day after World Supersport 300 rider Victor Steeman succumbed to injuries sustained in a collision at the previous weekend in Portugal – the fourth death of a rider aged 22 or younger in 16 months. It reopened the debate on what motorcycle racing can do to eradicate this alarming surge in fatalities. Maverick Vinales, who lost cousin Dean Berta in a world Supersport 300 race last year at Jerez, flatly stated the machines used in that class are at fault. “I always had the same opinion about the Supersport 300,” said the Aprilia rider. “And I say it before it happened with Dean, before many things, that these kind of categories with the bikes of 180kg that can ride 140km/h maximum on the straight,…

FORMER BSB Superstock 1000 Champion Billy McConnell will join the 727 Moto Racing team alongside Jed Metcher for the final two rounds of the ASBK season, lining up at Phillip Island when the series partners with the world Superbike championship on 20 November. McConnell is the latest big-name announcement for ASBK, following the news that Jack Miller will return to The Bend for 2022. Joining them is two-time FIM World Endurance champ Josh Hook, Moto2 veteran Marcel Schrotter and Harrison Voight in Supersport.…

WITH ONE ROUND still left to run, Adam Senior (Yamaha YZF-R_) has one hand on the Dynapumps Superbike championship in the WA state title after winning all three races at Collie Motorplex earlier this month. Over the years Senior has won the Supersport and 250GP titles and, while he has never claimed the Superbikes, he has finished runner-up and third on several occasions. The Yamaha YZF-R1 racer, sponsored by his family’s engineering business, was quick to acknowledge the advantage given by the absence of championship leader Ben Stronach, who suffered broken ribs and a dislocation of his left shoulder in a practice crash the weekend before. Stronach expects to return for the finale. “It has been a long time between wins for me,” said Senior. “Today we got lucky. It’s…