Category: Superbikes

1. Freddie Sheene and Stuart Graham to lead Barry Sheene parade at Suzuki Live

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 1st Jun 2022

   Barry Sheene’s son Freddie and racing legend Stuart Graham will lead the Barry Sheene parade laps at Suzuki Live, which takes place at Cadwell Park on Friday 10 June.  

   Five of Sheene’s Grand Prix bikes will be paraded on the day, including the RT67 125cc machine raced in the world championship by Graham in 1967, before being bought by Sheene in 1970 and raced in Grand Prix in 1971. 

   Sheene’s son Freddie will ride the 1984 XR45 – the last Grand Prix motorcycle his father raced in anger dressed in its famous DAF livery – while the parade will be completed by the 1976 and 1977 world championship-winning XR14s and the quirky XR23A: a 652cc, big-bore RG500 raced in the Trans Atlantic series. 

   All five of the bikes have been restored to working order by Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme.

   Suzuki GB’s Tim Davies, said, “It was already going to be special enough to see five of Barry’s bikes being ridden on track together, as it always is whenever one of his machines is fired up and given a run-out. But to be able to have Freddie over is fantastic and it’s great to give him another opportunity to ride the bikes that made his father such a motorcycling hero.

   “And then to be able to welcome Stuart Graham along, too, is incredible. The little 125 carried him to Grand Prix wins in 1967 and then kick-started Barry’s world championship career in 1971, when he took three wins and five podiums to finish second in the championship that year. At 80-years-old it’ll be amazing to see him back on that bike.”

   As well as the parades Suzuki Live will see plenty of track action, with track day sessions open for classic and modern machines alike. Split into three groups – Classic Novice for those new to track days or riding older machines, Classic Intermediate for those more familiar with track days or riding a classic model, and Open Advanced for the experienced riders on the latest Suzuki machinery – spaces cost £135 per person and can be booked online here.  

   Key models from Suzuki’s on-road product range – including the new GSX-S1000GT sports tourer, GSX-S1000 naked, and third generation Hayabusa – will be available to test ride on the day on the stunning roads surrounding Cadwell Park. Those wishing to take a test ride must present a valid licence and produce a DVLA check code or National Insurance number.  

   A classic bike display will comprise a 1985 GSX-R750F, the TL1000s built brand new by the Vintage Parts Programme in 2014, a 1991 GSX-R1100L, and the Team Classic Suzuki Katana endurance racer. 

   For more information and to book visit https://bike.msvtrackdays.com

2. ENEA CRASHES OUT WHILE AT HIS BEST, DIGGIA AGAIN IN THE POINTS

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 30th May 2022

   Enea Bastianini’s comeback drew to a close with ten laps to go as the Italian rider lost the front-end of his Ducati machine at turn four and found himself – uninjured – in the gravel. This is quite a disappointing result as the #23, who was the only rider with a soft rear tyre, was able to recover six places after what was surely not the best start to the encounter. Today’s DNF has a big impact in his championship situation, but with Montmeló around the corner there will be a chance to make amends.
    
   Fabio Di Giannantonio’s result has a completely different taste, as the MotoGP rookie was starting from pole position in this year’s #ItalianGP. The #49 of Team Gresini Racing MotoGP was able to hold the pressure in the early stages and stay towards the front. He was eleventh at the finish line, his so-far best result in the premier class as he adds more points to his tally after the ones scored in Le Mans.

   DNF ENEA BASTIANINI #23 (3^rd in the championship standings with 94 points)
   “It’s a shame: we had a great pace, and I was fast. Unfortunately, I got sucked into by Aleix’s slipstream and got a bit too quick into turn four, and that led to my front-end tuck. With clear track ahead I was really fast, while it’s always hard in the slipstream at Mugello. 
    
   11^th - FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (20^th in the championship standings with 8 points)
   “First of all, it’s great to start on pole at Mugello and lead on the opening lap. That and the Mugello crowed were really impactful on this experience. Too bad for the race, as I think a faulty tyre made things a bit more difficult. I never found the same feeling I had throughout the weekend and I struggled in keeping the bike stable. We could have stayed in the second group and battle for 7^th/8^th place, but we still made another step forward.”

3. SENSATIONAL DIGGIA TAKES POLE IN MUGELLO

   Posted on 12:00pm Sunday 29th May 2022

   #ItalianGP qualifying. Team Gresini MotoGP does not cease to surprise by claiming the second pole position of the season today at Mugello. This time, however, it is Fabio Di Giannantonio the one taking centre stage: the Italian rider, who has always done incredibly well around the Tuscan hills, was supremely fast both in Q1 and Q2, and at the last attempt before the qualifying chequered flag, he logged a truly incredible lap-time. The Rome-born rider will have clear track ahead when lining up on the #ItalianGP grid tomorrow.
    
   Enea Bastianini also put together a good performance, as the three-time MotoGP race winner was seeded directly into Q2 despite two crashes. The #23 well managed the tricky conditions of the track and secured an encouraging 10^th place ahead of tomorrow’s race. His main rivals for the title are not too far away (6^th and 7^th).

   POLE - FABIO DI GIANNANTONIO #49 (1’46.156)
   “I knew I could do well because I really love this track and I wanted to score a good result here. We have been working well in every session so far – FP1 aside. I was expecting to do a good job, but surely not to take pole position. We did a crazy Q1 and an incredible Q2. I was laser focused, I wasn’t even seeing the drops of rain and in the end this moment of joy came. I would like to dedicate this achievement to everyone who has been supporting me!”
    
   10^th - ENEA BASTIANINI #23 (1’46.679)
   “We’ll be a bit behind on the grid, but we worked well and I’m quite happy with my race pace. The two crashes surely didn’t help, and track conditions in qualifying were really challenging. I would like to congratulate Fabio because he really did some great laps: I will look at his data today, too, to understand where we can improve. Surely we miss something on corner entry in the third sector, but we’ll be part of the game tomorrow – and we need a good start to the race.”

4. MUGELLO AT LAST!

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 26th May 2022

   APRILIA RACING ARRIVES AT THE ROUND ITALIAN FANS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR AS A PROTAGONIST

   ALEIX IS SECOND IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS FOUR POINTS BEHIND THE LEADER AND MAVERICK IS READY TO BE PUT TO THE TEST ON ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR TRACKS

   APRILIA RACING, FIRST IN THE TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS, ALSO TAKES THE THIRD RS-GP ON THE TRACK WITH WILD CARD LORENZO SAVADORI

   MotoGP 2022’s arrival in Italy coincides with the most exciting time in Aprilia’s history in the World Championship GP Motorcycle Racing premier class. An Aleix in a state of grace, with the outstanding support of the new RS-GP, is headed to Mugello as a great protagonist in the championship where he is lying second, just four points behind the leader, and with the further motivation of what feels like a “home” race.

   The weekend on the extraordinary Tuscan track will be Maverick Viñales’ chance to continue his work getting comfortable on the bike, the results of which are beginning to shine through, as is the potential of the Italian-Spanish duo.

   Completing the trident will be Lorenzo Savadori who, thanks to his third wild-card appearance of the season, will be taking the third RS-GP onto the track. It will be yet another extremely important moment in the growth of Aprilia’s MotoGP project, thanks to the testing in the race of new development solutions. Thanks in part to this work, all three riders will benefit from a range of technical upgrades, a tangible sign of the great effort the Veneto-based racing department continues to bring to the table.

   ALEIX ESPARGARÓ
   "In the next two weeks, I’ll have... the two home races! In fact, Mugello and Barcelona represent my two families and that is why these rounds have a particular flavour to them. We have demonstrated that we are fast and that is no exaggeration, but consistency is also what will make the difference this year. There are a lot of strong riders, bikes that are hard to stay ahead of, and every result is the fruit of practically perfect labour. We need to keep it up."

   MAVERICK VIÑALES
   "With hard work, we are constantly finding the answers we are seeking, even if it isn’t easy. We are all battling at an extraordinary level where the devil is in the details and adapting to a new bike and a new team is no simple thing. But I have faith. The potential of the RS-GP is clear and in some situations I am able to exploit it, whereas we still need to work out a few phases of the weekend to take a definitive step forward."

   LORENZO SAVADORI
   "Racing in Mugello, a magnificent track, with the support of the fans, will be a great thrill. We’ll continue our work on an experimental bike with the goal of helping Aleix and Maverick in this extremely demanding championship. My wild cards are complementary to the tests. Non-stop development is necessary because we are fast but the competition won’t let us relax!"

5. TEAM GRESINI JOINS MOTOGP eSPORTS WITH TATEEGO

   Posted on 12:55pm Tuesday 24th May 2022

   This year, it will not only be about asphalt and rubber for Team Gresini, as the Faenza-based squad officially enters the eSports MotoGP World Championship, an ever-growing ‘reality’ in the last few years. With the goal of further strengthening the already tight bond between the company and the country of Indonesia, the Gresini Racing management has put their faith in Charles Armando Williams Hebingadil, also known as TateeGO, a 23-year-old from Manado City, North Sulawesi.
   
   With the support of a whole nation, TateeGO will tackle five eSports challenges in this year 2022, which starts from Mugello this weekend (Friday 27th). Of five events, two will be on-site including the opening one in Tuscany.
   
   TateeGO begins his world championship journey with an interesting fact. His #46, which will be retired this weekend in the ‘real’ world, will continue to be displayed in the virtual one courtesy of the young Indonesian. The decision on the number has come into place after the agreement with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism: the 46 is indeed the identification code of this institution.

   CHARLES ARMANDO WILLIAMS HEBINGADIL aka - TATEEGO #46
   “To be honest I was very happy when I was contacted by the team: Because I am a Gresini racing fan and because we all know there are many Indonesian sponsors tied to it. This will be an amazing experience for me of course, I really hope that in the future I will still be here, and I also want to thank the Gresini Racing Team for choosing me to be the team's esports racer”.
    
   SANDIAGA UNO – MINISTER OF TOURISM & CREATIVE ECONOMY OF INDONESIA
   It is a pleasure to see a talented young man from Indonesia named TateeGO (Charles) representing the nation in the 2022 MotoGP™ï¸ eSport Championship. TateeGO hails from Manado, North Sulawesi, one of Indonesia's best tourism destination. Through the slogan “Wonderful Indonesia”, the world will not only know about Indonesia's tourism but also the great potentials of Indonesia's thriving eSports industry. Good luck and best wishes to TateeGO (Charles), do your best and we fully support you in the 2022 MotoGP™ï¸ eSport Championship! Ayo Bikin Bangga Indonesia!
    
   CARLO MERLINI – DIRETTORE COMMERCIALE E MARKETING GRESINI RACING
   “eSports has been an important institution for some years and as Gresini Racing we could not let this opportunity of being present slip away. We are lucky to be able to count on a young Indonesian rider who already impressed during the worldwide slections and we can’t wait to see him in action at Mugello. We’re happy to welcome him in the #GresiniFamily and I would like to take the opportunity to thank Sandi Uno and the whole Indonesian Ministry of Tourism who are supporting us in this journey as well.”