Category: Superbikes

1. MUGELLO PART1: MARQUEZ DROPS FROM THE TOP, DIGGIA CRASHES

   Posted on 4:00pm Friday 9th Jun 2023

   It was a two-sided Friday for Team Gresini Racing MotoGP who after today’s two FP sessions could not finish higher than 13^th with Alex Marquez, while Fabio Di Giannantonio was 17^th-quickest in the combined times of FP1 and FP2. Needless to say that expectations were very different.
    
   The Spanish rider had dominated FP1 and until few minutes before the end of FP2 he was battling for the top spot, while the Italian suffered a crash while entering turn one at the end of the second session, while going for the time attack.
    
   Both riders will have to go through Q1 tomorrow as they will battle for gaining access to the final qualifying sessions with plenty of rivals including Quartararo and Miller.

2. A FULL-THROTTLE JUNE FOR TEAM GRESINI MOTOGP

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 5th Jun 2023

   The unusually long break from racing has lasted almost a full month. Le Mans is a distant memory and it will soon be time for a ‘tour de force’ that will begin at Mugello and finish at Assen, with Sachsenring in between.
    
   Team Gresini MotoGP could not truly enjoy the break, as from one side there were the tragic happenings that involved the city of Faenza and the surrounding areas, while on the other side the need of track-time led to a test at Mugello, which was Fabio Di Giannantonio and Alex Marquez at work to better prepare the upcoming events.
    
   The home round has multiple meanings for Diggia: Mugello is his favourite track and the venue where he secured his maiden pole position in MotoGP; the air of home will hopefully help him continue his growth aboard the Desmosedici machine. All three tracks are actually on the favourite list for the Rome-born rider, who aims at stepping up his game in this month of June.
    
   Alex Marquez is looking forward to leaving behind the unfortunate happenings of the last GPs, which have left a mark even though they are a thing of the past. Mugello, Sachsenring and Assen are all tracks where the Spaniard has won before, so he is eager to make a comeback in style. 

3. Revving up for the 2023 Bennets British Superbike Championships: A Competition Preview

   Posted on 10:00am Friday 19th May 2023

   The Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB) is a motorcycle racing series held in the United Kingdom. It is the most prestigious domestic motorcycle racing series in the UK, attracting some of the best riders in the world. The 2023 season is shaping up to be another thrilling one, with world-class riders such as Josh Brookes, Kyle Ryde, Glenn Irwin, Leon Haslam, and Tommy Bridewell looking to build on solid starts to their campaigns. 

   This championship's exciting line-up will manifest in three headline BSB races on the GP circuit, set to shape the fierce title fight. The first race will roar into action following Saturday's qualifying, then a thrilling doubleheader on Sunday wraps up the high-octane weekend. To further enhance the experience for fans, check out THE BIKER GUIDE for information and products for Bikers. This will undoubtedly amplify the thrill and engagement of following the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

   Players to Watch

   Noteworthy contenders emerge amidst the highly competitive field. While it is challenging to identify a clear favourite for the title, several riders have consistently demonstrated exceptional performances throughout their careers.

   Josh Brookes is one of the most experienced riders in the championship and has won the title twice in his career. He will want to add a third title to his name this year. Kyle Ryde is another rider who has shown immense potential in the championship and finished third in the standings last year. He will aim to build on his success from last year and challenge for the title this year. Glenn Irwin has consistently performed in the championship and hopes to secure his first title this year.

   Leon Haslam, a former champion, aims to improve upon his fifth-place finish in last year's standings, while Tommy Bridewell, who impressed with a fourth-place finish in the previous season, sets his sights on challenging for the championship crown.

   Will there be a BSB Dark Horse?

   Beyond the established names, there are always a few riders who surprise everyone with their performances. These dark horses have the potential to disrupt the title race and create upsets. They often benefit from being overlooked by their opponents, who tend to focus on the more prominent contenders. Additionally, their hunger to prove themselves drives them to take risks, catching their opponents off guard. One such rider this year is Danny Buchan, a former Superstock 1000 champion who exhibited promise in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.  Buchan aims to improve upon his 11th-place finish in the standings last year, having already displayed his potential with a podium finish in the opening race of the season at Phillip Island. With 150/1 odds from various bookmakers, Buchan would be an outside bet for punters to try any of the best free bet offers available.

   Type of Bikes

   The Bennetts British Superbike Championship showcases a diverse range of bikes, each possessing unique characteristics. Renowned manufacturers such as Yamaha, Kawasaki, Ducati, BMW, and Suzuki participate in the championship, utilizing this platform to showcase their engineering prowess.

   Ducati has recently been a dominant force in the championship, and the Panigale V4R is their weapon of choice. The Panigale V4R is a 998cc V4 engine that produces 220 horsepower and has a top speed of over 320km/h. The bike is known for its impressive power delivery and handling, making it a formidable opponent on the track.

   Kawasaki has also been a strong contender in the championship and has won the title four times in the last six years. The Kawasaki ZX-10RR is their bike of choice, and it is powered by a 998cc inline-four engine that produces 200 horsepower. The cycle is known for its excellent handling and agility, making it a popular rider choice.

   In recent years, BMW has been a manufacturer to watch in the championship, with the BMW S1000RR being their bike of choice. The S1000RR is powered by a 999cc inline-four engine that produces 205 horsepower and has a top speed of over 300 km/h. The bike is known for its precision handling and impressive acceleration.

   Yamaha is another manufacturer that has been a consistent contender in the championship, with the Yamaha YZF-R1 being their bike of choice. The YZF-R1 is powered by a 998cc inline-four engine that produces 200 horsepower and has a top speed of over 300 km/h. The bike is known for its exceptional handling and agility, making it a popular rider choice.

   Suzuki has also been a manufacturer to watch in the championship, with the Suzuki GSX-R1000 being their bike of choice. The GSX-R1000 is powered by a 999cc inline-four engine that produces 200 horsepower and has a top speed of over 300 km/h. The bike is known for its smooth power delivery and excellent handling.

   Final Thoughts

   As the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship fast approaches, it promises high-octane thrill and fierce competition. With a line-up of top riders and powerful bikes from leading manufacturers, this season is all set for some exhilarating action. As the riders prepare to hit the track, spectators can expect a memorable season full of dynamic performances, upsets, and intense racing battles.

    

    

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4. LE MANS - RACE

   Posted on 8:00pm Sunday 14th May 2023

   THE APRILIAS ARE SUPER COMPETITIVE IN LE MANS, HINDERED BY THE EVENTS OF AN EXTREMELY HEATED RACE

   MAVERICK ENDS UP IN THE GRAVEL IN A DUEL WITH BAGNAIA AFTER DEMONSTRATING THE POTENTIAL TO AIM FOR VICTORY

   ALEIX LOSES EIGHT POSITIONS IN THE OPENING BATTLE, COMES BACK AND FINISHES IN AN OUTSTANDING FIFTH PLACE

   AND NOW IT’S OFF TO MISANO FOR APRILIA ALL STARS!

   This press release must find a way to convey how the Le Mans race leaves Aprilia Racing both with feelings of great disappointment and great strength in view of the upcoming events, beginning from the next round in Mugello.

   In the French race, Maverick Viñales ended up in the gravel after contact with Bagnaia as he was completing a manoeuvre to overtake the Ducati rider but not before he had the time, in almost four laps, to show that he was fast enough today to be in the running for the win. At that moment, Maverick was moving up toward the race lead after a good start from the second row, demonstrating speed and clean riding, fully supported by an RS-GP in grand form.

   Things went a bit better for Aleix Espargaró who, also off the line well from the eleventh spot on the grid, had already moved into sixth place when he dropped down no fewer than ten positions during a battle that included contact among several riders on the first lap. From there, he rode a brilliant comeback race to finish fifth, just behind the riders who were battling for the podium.

   The next event for all the Aprilia riders and enthusiasts is set for 27 May at the Misano circuit for Aprilia All Stars. This is the huge Aprilia celebration starring the riders and bikes which have written motorcycling history. The RS-GP machines will be on the track with Espargaró, Viñales, Oliveira, Fernandez, and Savadori (who finished with an outstanding twelfth place today for the RNF satellite team). And with them will be Aprilia World Champions Max Biaggi and Loris Capirossi, plus many other riders and friends of the Aprilia brand from the sport and entertainment world. Entry is free of charge and the paddock will be livened up by music and events for the entire day on Saturday, 27 May.

   Aleix
   "The first thing I did today was apologise to the team for the mistake in qualifying, which did not make things easy in the two races. I started well today and then there was the usual chaos so I lost time trying to avoid it and found myself rather far back. I recovered and I had a great pace. Toward the end, I would have been able to have a go with Augusto but it wasn’t worth the risk of ruining his great race too. The good thing is that the RS-GP continues to be fast on every track and that is the most important thing. Now we’ll recharge and get ready for the upcoming races."

   Maverick
   "I’m angry, not so much about what happened but because of the lost opportunity. I felt really strong today and I’m sure I would have been battling for the win. It was one of those races where, as a rider, you just feel like you have a little something more. Bagnaia and I are two professional riders. It was an unfortunate contact and the adrenaline of the moment had us heated up, but the one thing that is clear is that we riders – all of us – need to settle down and be an example for the young people. The regret remains but no controversy. It happened and we’ll keep looking forward as early as Mugello. Here in Le Mans we demonstrated once again that we are extremely fast and we improved a lot of things this weekend."

5. UNLUCKY MARQUEZ, TOP8 FOR DIGGIA

   Posted on 3:00pm Sunday 14th May 2023

   The French GP’s traditional full Sunday race at Le Mans was an elimination game, with only 14 riders able to make it to the finish line. Alex Marquez is among those who left the battle early on as he was the unlucky co-protagonist of a dangerous coming together with Marini, who was trying a desperate save after losing control of his Ducati machine. The collision was inevitable and led to a bitter, early end to the Spaniard’s weekend. 
    
   It was a completely different Sunday for Fabio Di Giannantonio as today’s eighth place equals his so-far best result in MotoGP (Sachsenring 2022), with the Italia who has been constantly in the top ten in the last four GPs.

   DNF – ALEX MARQUEZ #73
   “I’m leaving Le Mans with very positive feelings with the bike. I approached the first turns well; I was aggressive but still between the boundaries. Then I was able to get in touch with the leading group and the idea was to wait a little bit, but it didn’t go as I had hoped. Marini made a mistake and crashed, Bezzecchi behind him was able to avoid him, but there was nothing I could do. I am perfectly fine, which is something, but we surely have been missing a bit of luck in this early season.”
    
   8^th - FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49
   “I’m very happy. We had a weekend in which we kept improving and today the feeling with the bike was excellent. We fought, I had what it takes to play my cards right and I was able to battle with Quartararo for almost the whole race. The feeling keeps improving and we’re on the right track. I expect a further step forward at Mugello.”

    

   

    

    

    

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