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Category: Moto GP

  1. TRENTINO SVILUPPO to make difference in Gresini's project

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    Team Gresini Racing, title holder in the MotoE World Cup, confirms for 2020 the partnership started two years ago with Trentino Marketing, which led to Trentino becoming the main sponsor of the Romagna-based outfit.

    This partnership adds another piece this year with a promotional agreement with the team led by reigning title winner Matteo Ferrari, which sees the two innovation hubs of Trentino Sviluppo on the front row: Polo Meccatronica (Mechatronics Hub) with its lab of rapid prototyping ProM Facility, and Progetto Manifattura (Manufacturing Project) – Be Factory designed to host innovative realities related to sustainable mobility and sport-tech.

    But it is not just marketing. Trentino Sviluppo has also made available its technologies and technical-scientific expertise to develop – together with Team Gresini – some very-innovative components to make the bike ridden by Matteo Ferrari even more competitive.

    Among those there are new foot pegs, handguards and a tool to facilitate the setting of handlebars by mechanics. Small innovations which can make a difference in a one-make championship such as MotoE in which bikes are almost identical.

    Nicola Polito - Trentino Sviluppo Operations Director
    “Trentino Sviluppo joined an already existing partnership by adding the innovative technological expertise of the Mechatronic Hub innovative laboratory. In this historical phase marked by the growing importance of sustainable and clean mobility, there have been significant investments from the Autonomous Province of Trentino through Be Factory, with the goal to support the companies that wish to invest in the development of highly innovative products and services. Be Factory ties perfectly with the idea of Team Trentino Gresini MotoE, because that is the place where new products and services related to sustainable mobility, sporting performance technology, biotechnologies and home automation will come to life. Knowledge applied to corporate activity will manifest into tomorrow’s products.”

    Fausto Gresini - Team manager Trentino Gresini MotoE
    “Our partnership with Trentino Sviluppo is surely a precious one for us. We have designed some components together to improve the rider’s comfort aboard the bike and I must say that the results are great. We’re therefore happy to be working together with a company with such attention to details that also focuses on professionalism, passion and determination.”

  2. Andalusia Race

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    CRASH FOR ALEIX WHILST BATTLING FOR A TOP-10 POSITION

    ANOTHER SOLID RACE IN THE POINTS FOR BRADLEY

    The race had started on the right foot for Aleix Espargaró in Jerez de la Frontera, quick off the grid and able to make up five positions during the first lap. Once he was in the battle for the top 10, the Spanish rider began to settle into his pace until an unfortunate crash on the ninth lap kept him from finishing this double round with a smile.

    Bradley Smith, on the other hand, had to deal with all the confusion on the first turn, involved with contact that was no fault of his own which forced him to slow down. Back in the mix, Bradley rode a judicious race and, thanks in part to a few DNFs, finished twelfth when the chequered flag came out. It’s a result that earns 4 championship points for the new Aprilia RS-GP.


    ALEIX ESPARGARO'
    "There isn’t much to say. I'm disappointed and sorry for the team who, after many hours of hard work, did not have the satisfaction of finishing the race. I had a good start, but in order to maintain the pace with my rivals, apparently I need to take more risks and ride very close to the limit, especially in mid-turn to help acceleration. I know that starting the season with two DNFs isn’t the greatest, but I always go into the races giving 100% to take Aprilia to a position to battle with the best."

    BRADLEY SMITH
    "In this second race, we made some progress, especially in managing to contain the gap with the rider ahead of me. Unfortunately, I lost a lot of time on the first corner, having to slow down a lot to avoid the fallen riders. I made the smartest choice, without taking pointless risks. It was a pity because I would have liked staying in the group. One of the positive aspects is certainly the fact that we were able to finish both races without any serious problems and I know that the guys already have some solutions ready to solve some of the issues that came out during these two weekends."

  3. BEN LAUNCHES EXCITING NEW VIRTUAL CHALLENGES INSPIRED BY FORMULA 1

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    • Automotive charity asks the industry to get behind new virtual challenges - Formula Ben
    • The first virtual challenge, Formula Ben Silverstone VGP, will raise vital funds for the charity
    • Ben needs the industry’s support to help automotive people get back on track

    Automotive industry charity, Ben, is launching its first ever series of virtual challenges, as part of Bring It On 4 Ben. The first of the charity’s virtual challenges to run this year, Formula Ben Silverstone VGP, starts on 2nd August and is inspired by the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

    After the last few months of uncertainty, the Formula Ben Silverstone VGP will help automotive people get back on track, funding vital support which is needed now more than ever.

    To take part, each participant needs to complete the length of the Grand Prix, a total of 190 miles, by exercising in their own way to raise vital funds for Ben. Participants choose how they complete the challenge, for example, by walking, cycling, running, swimming, or even by playing basketball, wrestling, trampolining – or a mixture of whatever they like! There is a whole list of activities to choose from so click here to find out more.

    Participants have 8 weeks to complete the challenge which ends on 30th September. Those taking part will also be able to see their location on the Silverstone circuit and track their progress as they complete the 52 laps of the British Grand Prix.

    Sign up for Formula Ben Silverstone VGP
    To find out more and sign up, click here

    Registration costs £15 per person and each participant will receive a Ben T-shirt. On registration, participants can download an app, link to their fitness tracking device and join the leaderboard for some healthy competition!

    As well as raising vital funds to support automotive people, the Formula Ben Silverstone VGP also aims to help people improve their physical and mental health & wellbeing during this challenging time. In addition, taking part in the challenge offers people the opportunity to connect with others and be involved in something fun, while supporting Ben to help automotive people get back on track for good.

    As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of Ben’s fundraising initiatives have been cancelled, including Ben Ball, leaving the charity with an anticipated £1m income shortfall this year. Therefore, this new approach to fundraising is Ben’s way of adapting to the situation, with more virtual fundraising events set to take place throughout 2020.

    Matt Wigginton, Fundraising Director at Ben, said: “The whole team at Ben are incredibly excited to announce our new series of virtual fundraising events! In the current landscape, we had to adapt quickly and come up with new ways of fundraising because mass participation events can’t physically take place right now.

    “So, Formula Ben Silverstone VGP is a fantastic way to have fun and raise money so we can continue providing life-changing support for automotive people - which is needed now more than ever! We’re supporting more and more people with their health and wellbeing during this challenging time, so we need to make sure we can help them get back on track, which we can only do by continuing to fundraise. 

    “We hope you’ll be part of something amazing and Bring It On 4 Ben by getting involved! Thank you for your support and I can’t wait to see how you choose to complete Formula Ben Silverstone VGP.”

  4. THE DUCATI TEAM READY FOR ANOTHER CHALLENGE IN JEREZ FOR THE GRAND PRIX OF ANDALUSIA

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    Less than a week after the Spanish Grand Prix, which took place last Sunday at Jerez Circuit, the Ducati Team is back once again at the Spanish race track for the second round of the 2020 MotoGP World Championship, the Grand Prix of Andalusia.

    Andrea Dovizioso's third place last Sunday (his best result in MotoGP at Jerez) brought to five the third places obtained by Ducati on the Spanish circuit, while the only victory and pole position of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer in Andalusia date back to 2006 and 2003 respectively, both with Loris Capirossi.

    After the podium of the rider from Forlì and the ninth place of Danilo Petrucci, the Italian team is ready to face another challenging weekend, with very similar conditions on the track, and the temperature of the asphalt that could again exceed 50 degrees. Thanks to the data collected last Sunday in the race, Dovizioso is confident that he can improve his performance and is aiming for another important result in the second Grand Prix of the season.

    Danilo Petrucci, who last weekend was the protagonist of a difficult race due to the after-effects of the bad accident suffered in the pre-race tests, returns to the track intending to redeem himself. The rider from Terni, who boasts a fourth place in Jerez in 2018 with the Pramac Racing Team, is confident that he can fight for the top five positions on Sunday.

    Andrea Dovizioso (#04 Ducati Team) – 3rd (16 points)
    "After such an intense race weekend, I took advantage of these days to continue my rehabilitation after the collarbone surgery. Last Sunday's result was good, and we managed to get positive feedback from the first Grand Prix of the year. We arrive ready at the second race and, above all, knowing better the aspects that we will have to improve to get more speed. It will be important to continue the work in this way, continuing to accumulate the maximum points without making mistakes. Temperatures will once again be very high, and the race will be physically tough. I want to wish Marc, Alex and Cal a speedy recovery. I hope to see them again on the track soon."

    Danilo Petrucci (#9 Ducati Team) – 9th (7 points)
    "I can't wait to race again in Jerez. After the last two days of rest, I feel much better: I managed to solve the stomach issues and also my neck muscle is fine. I know we have the potential to fight for the positions that count: Dovizioso, Miller and Bagnaia have shown that, so my goal for this race will be to stay in the top five. Although it is not an ideal track for our bike, I am sure that without physical problems I will be able to improve my performance. I also hope that Marc, Alex and Cal can recover well from their injuries and get back on track very soon."

    The Ducati Team will take to the track on Friday, 24th July for the first free practice session at 9:55 a.m. local time (GMT +2.00)

  5. FPT INDUSTRIAL IS BACK ON THE TRACK

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    AN OFFICIAL PARTNER OF THE APRILIA RACING TEAM IN THE MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

    Performance, reliability, and power, but also advanced research, a love of a challenge and competition at the highest technological level. These are the values shared by FPT Industrial and Aprilia Racing, which have led the CNH Industrial brand to become an official partner of the racing department of the Noale company in the MotoGP World Championship - the championship that represents the technological pinnacle of motorcycle racing.

    The FPT Industrial logo will debut on the track, displayed on the new Aprilia RS-GP ridden by Aleix Espargarò and Bradley Smith, starting on July 19th with the Spanish Grand Prix held at the Jerez circuit. It will accompany the bikes, riders, and the entire Aprilia Racing Team at all the stages of the world championship season that promises to be very close-run and hard-fought, right up until the last chequered flag.

    As part of the Piaggio Group, Aprilia has 54 world titles to its name, and with 294 Grands Prix wins in the Motorcycle World Championship, it holds the record for victories amongst all the European manufacturers in the history of the greatest motorcycle competition. Before the start of the season, the many Aprilia fans and motor enthusiasts that are part of the FPT Industrial world had the opportunity to "virtually" test the new Aprilia MotoGP in the Powered by FPT version, riding it on ‘discovery’ laps of the Mugello racetrack.

    From May 23rd-30th, aspiring Grand Prix riders were able to challenge the famous e-gamer eleghost555, in a specially prepared video game, trying to beat his lap time at the prestigious and challenging Tuscan track. The fact that thousands of gamers participated in the challenge and the evident enthusiasm it inspired across all social media networks are testament to the rousing emotions to be experienced on track with FPT Industrial and Aprilia.

    “At FPT Industrial we also feel at home at the MotoGP circuits. We look forward to the start of the World Championship to see Aprilia Racing take to the track as well as to celebrate ‘Made in Italy’, especially after such a difficult period. Together we want to be the engines of the restart” - confirms Carlo Moroni, Communications Manager for FPT Industrial.

    The Brand loves challenges. In the past, it achieved record speed on water with its Cursor 16 marine engine, which reached 277.5 km/h and got on the podium of the historic Dakar race with its Cursor 13. It also equipped a grape harvester with its N67 engine, which harvested 197.6 tons of grapes in Australia in eight hours, corresponding to about 200,000 bottles of Shiraz.

    “The partnership with FPT Industrial takes on a special character precisely because it has come into being in such a difficult year, not only for Motorsport and the MotoGP but also for the entire industry, domestic and worldwide” - says Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing’s CEO. “It is, therefore, more than just a strong sign of restarting; it is proof of the strength and determination of two Italian brands who are collaborating to compete at the most difficult of moments in a championship at the highest level, united by their love of a challenge”.