Dovizioso: We did the perfect race

Andrea Dovizioso hailed his fourth victory of 2017 as “the perfect race”, as the Italian moves to the top of the standings ahead of Ducati’s home race at Misano.

Having been part of the leading group for 17 laps, Dovizioso passed fellow countryman Valentino Rossi into Stowe corner with three laps to go.

“I’m so happy about Sunday’s victory, my fourth this year, because every race we win is different from the others and this means that we are really strong and can fight for the championship”, began Dovizioso, who delivered Ducati’s 37th victory in Grand Prix racing.

“It was a really tough race because all of our rivals were on top form. Today Marquez was unlucky, but we did the perfect race because, even though we were probably not the quickest outright. We were able to interpret the race in the best possible way and go on to win”, he continued.

“This means that the work we did during the weekend was excellent, and so was my race strategy because I managed to get into the right position at the right time. This year, every race is a story in itself and the tyres are always a key factor. We are very focused on our working method which is producing results”, he concluded.

Dovizioso’s win made it the first time since Casey Stoner in 2009 that a Ducati rider has won four races in a single year.

Rossi: ‘Good weekend… We have to do better’

Valentino Rossi celebrated his 300th premier class start with his 190th premier class podium at Silverstone on Sunday and whilst saying it was a “good weekend”, the Italian said that he and his team “have to do better” if they stand a chance of victory.

“I‘m satisfied because it was a great race for me. I was able to ride really well after a great start and I stayed in front and rode on the limit without making mistakes, so I enjoyed it a lot for 17 laps”, began the Italian – who led the majority of the British Grand Prix.

“I think this is a good way to celebrate my 300th race in MotoGP‘s premier class. There remains a bit of frustration, because I knew on the last laps I would suffer a bit with the degradation of the rear tyre, but I think this weekend we improved a lot”, he continued.

Yamaha’s main problem has been rear tyre grip in the latter stages of races, which has so far plagued them at Jerez, Catalunya and again in Austria.

“We‘re still not at the top, we have to do better if we want to try to win, but it was a good weekend”.

Valentino closes in on the championship lead, from 33 points behind to just 26, as he heads to his home race of Misano in two weeks time. Yamaha recently completed a “successful” one-day test at the circuit.

Fourth Win for Dovizioso as Marquez Retires

Andrea Dovizioso has taken his fourth win of the 2017 MotoGP season in a scintillating British Grand Prix at Silverstone, which saw Cal Crutchlow finish fourth, Valentino Rossi lead for the majority of the race and Marc Marquez retire with a suspected engine failure.

Into turn one on the first lap, Valentino Rossi led and instantly pulled away from the chasing pack. Marc Marquez and Cal Crutchlow were in behind, whilst Dovi and Maverick Vinales battled it out over fourth and fifth. Jorge Lorenzo was also a fast starter, occupying sixth.

By the end of the first two laps, Rossi had a lead of over a second. Whilst Vinales was able to get to second, he was only able to close Valentino down in the final sector, with the gap hovering at around 0.8 seconds.

An early retirement was Britain’s Sam Lowes, having crashed his Gresini Racing Aprilia. The former World Supersport champion leaves MotoGP at the end of the season to join the Interwetten Moto2 team, who currently field Tom Luthi. Teammate Aleix Espargaro also retired later on.

With seven laps to go, Valentino Rossi had been virtually caught by the chasing quartet which consisted of Dovizioso, Marquez, Vinales and home-hero, Cal Crutchlow. However, approaching Stowe corner, Marc Marquez suffered a suspected engine failure as a cloud of smoke billowed from the factory Honda. A rare occasion to see a HRC machine blow up, with one other notable incident being in 1998, in World Superbikes with Aaron Slight suffering similar fate in the closing stages at Monza.

Dovizioso moved through to take the lead at Stowe with three laps to go. Rossi initially trying to fight with his fellow countryman but having to settle for 2nd. Then, later in the lap, Maverick Vinales powered ahead his 38-year-old teammate going into Brooklands.

Despite the Yamaha duo’s best efforts, they were forced to stay as they were as Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso took his second consecutive victory, his fourth of the year. Vinales and Rossi completed the podium with Crutchlow fourth. It was Valentino Rossi’s 300th premier class start and he celebrated it with his 190th premier class podium. Dovizioso gave Ducati their 37th victory in MotoGP.

The Italian now leads the series as MotoGP heads to Ducati’s backyard at Misano, some 85 miles away from the manufacturer’s home city of Bologna. Valentino Rossi also heads home, as the nine-time champion lives just 10 miles away from the Misano circuit.

Top 5: Championship Standings after 12 races

1.) Andrea Dovizioso,  Ducati,    183

2.) Marc Marquez,     Honda,       174  +9

3.) Maverick Vinales, Yamaha   170  +13

4.) Valentino Rossi,    Yamaha,  157 +26

5.) Dani Pedrosa,        Honda,      148 +35

British GP: MotoGP Preview – Blighty’s Calling

The home of black pudding. The home-ground for a pint of Marston’s Pedigree and fish and chips. The only place in the world where you spend most of your life on the phone, making complaints, or queuing to make a complaint. The land of which Barry Sheene was born on, yet the land of which many a famous rider left us on. It is time for the British Grand Prix. The most iconic race of all time, steeped in history on both positive and negative gradients. The Silverstone circuit hosts its eighth consecutive British Grand Prix in 2017 and whilst the Circuit of Wales was a white elephant, the British entourage has never been better, with three lions seeking home pride.

Marc Marquez leads the championship on his Repsol Honda, having not been off the rostrum since Mugello in June. He’s not been lower than second in the last four races, making him a worthy series leader. However, he isn’t having it all his own way, with Andrea Dovizioso beating him in a last corner shoot out in Austria. Is Marc rattled by the fact that he – the most determined of all racers – was forced to be second best? He comes to a circuit at which he knows well. Since stepping up to the premier class, he has finished, 2nd (2013), 1st (2014) and 4th (2016), whilst crashing out in 2015 from 2nd. He has taken three pole positions, with last year being the first year he wasn’t fastest after Saturday qualifying. Will his top three consistency be on show again this weekend or will Andrea Dovizioso chip away into a frail points advantage?

Dovi is 2nd in the championship, 16 points down on the five-time champion. The Ducati ace powered to victory last time out in Austria, taking his third of the year. The last rider to do that on a Ducati was Casey Stoner back in 2010. However, it is the first time since Stoner in 2008 where Ducati have got to the halfway mark in the season and still looked like genuine contenders. The Italian has had three podiums at Silverstone before and apart from 2013, he has finished every race in the top six whilst riding a Ducati. He was the British Grand Prix winner in 2009 at Donington Park; will he repeat his performance at Silverstone?

Maverick Vinales – despite enduring a poor run of form – is third in the championship, 24 points off leader Marquez. Vinales comes to Silverstone with happy memories from last year, with it being the venue for his first ever premier class race win – and thus far, Suzuki’s last. Vinales hasn’t won since the French Grand Prix, after a titanic scrap with teammate Valentino Rossi. The Spaniard has never had back to back sixth places so if he does finish 6th, it’ll be the first time. A podium on Sunday would be his 10th in the premier class. He only has one other win to his name at Silverstone and that was back in 2012 on the FTR Honda in Moto3.

Valentino Rossi will be making his 300th premier class start this weekend, a phenomenal achievement that no one else has been able to reach. It will be his 353rd across all classes and his 201st for Yamaha. The Italian’s form at Silverstone isn’t the greatest – one win in 2015 is all he has to his name in terms of victories. However, he hasn’t finished off the podium there since 2014. Rossi is the winner of eight British GPs, more than any other rider. To make it nine would be a big ask but not impossible. Since returning to Silverstone, Yamaha have won four races whereas Honda just two, so the bike clearly likes the fast direction changes the circuit has to offer. A recent test in Misano also looked promising so will we see a Yamaha battle at the top? Valentino has endured his worst spell in Europe since 2013, where – like this year – his only podium and win came at Assen. Rossi has to win again but will this round be the round he does it?

Dani Pedrosa lies 5th in the championship, 35 points off teammate Marquez and two down from Rossi ahead. Pedrosa has finished the last three races on the podium, meaning he could be a threat come race day. He hasn’t had four consecutive podiums in Europe since 2013, between Jerez and Catalunya so another podium would correct that stat. Pedrosa has never won at Silverstone and his only other premier class British Grand Prix win was in 2006, his rookie season. Dani is still very much in the championship hunt and a win, coupled with misfortune for those ahead, would place the plucky Spaniard right in the mix once more. His last podium at Silverstone came back in 2013, so whilst current form suggests a strong challenge, his recent circuit form suggests otherwise. We will only find out on race day.

Johann Zarco continues to impress in 2017, setting the fastest lap of the race and a new lap record at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. The Frenchman comes to Silverstone, having been disqualified last season, despite taking a win the year before. In 2014, he was 4th and qualified on pole so Silverstone definitely seems like a circuit Zarco likes. The reigning double Moto2 champion could do with another top six, as his 5th in Austria was his first top six since Catalunya. If he carries on beating the factory Yamahas, you have to wonder if Zarco will be given the factory bike for next year, whilst remaining in Tech 3. He’s doing the business and at the end of the day, he’s a top rider. Could Silverstone be another Zarco success story?

Lorenzo is next up in the championship. A 4th place last time out wasn’t too shabby but he was well off the winning time. The Spaniard has three victories at Silverstone, with the last one coming in 2013. Lorenzo also knows that he has to beat Andrea Dovizioso to remind Ducati why he was employed. Lorenzo was the last Spanish rider to win a race at the British GP on an Italian bike – 250cc, Aprilia, Donington Park, 2006.

Tech 3 rider Jonas Folger is eighth, having won the Moto3 race in 2011. The German retired from only his 2nd race at the Red Bull Ring and will want to be resurgent this weekend. A German rider has never won the British Grand Prix, nor have they ever scored a podium there. Then again, first time for everything, right?

Britain’s Cal Crutchlow is 9th in the championship. The British GP pole-sitter from last year had a terrible Austrian race but always goes well at Silverstone. A fine 2nd last year and being taken out whilst running 4th in 2015 are highlights that Crutchlow thrives on home glory. Crutchlow is riding a vintage Castrol Honda livery this weekend, unveiled by none other than New Zealander, Aaron Slight.

Completing the top 10 in the championship is Danilo Petrucci, who took his first ever podium at Silverstone in 2015. Despite two podiums, four DNFs – including last time out in Austria – have landed him further down the table than he would’ve hoped. Silverstone knowledge will be key for Danilo come Sunday.

Alvaro Bautista’s season has been a strange one. With the exception of COTA, every race he has finished has been in the top 10. On the other hand, he has crashed out five times. 11th in the championship, Bautista has bags of pace but crashes just a bit too often. He took his first ever premier class pole position at Silverstone in 2012 and for the last two seasons, has finished the British GP in 10th, riding an Aprilia. Keep your eyes peeled for Bautista the Bowling Ball.

Aleix Espargaro’s Aprilia was off the pace in Austria, being caught up in turn one shenanigans that landed him at the back of the field. The Spaniard forced his way through to 13th place, his worst finish of the year. Since 2013, Aleix has finished the British Grand Prix inside the top 10 and has yet to not score points at all in the premier class in Blighty.

Jack Miller has had an OK year, but of late, has gone off the boil. The Marc VDS Honda rider had his best result of 6th at Assen but is yet to get a top 10 since then. He has already signed a deal to join the Octo Pramac Ducati team for next year, so the pressure is off in terms of delivering results. Miller has never had a top five at the British Grand Prix since joining the paddock in 2012 and is yet to score points in the premier class at Silverstone.

Loris Baz is fighting to stay in the GP paddock and he’s fighting hard. The Frenchman is 14th in the championship and has had three top 10 results. A 9th last time out in Austria will propel him to hopefully remain in Grand Prix. He knows Silverstone well, taking a win in WSBK back in 2013. He is yet to score points at Silverstone in MotoGP.

Scott Redding’s first ever win came at the British Grand Prix – albeit at Donington Park. However, he has also done the business at Silverstone too, winning the 2013 Moto2 race. He crashed twice last year but finished 6th in 2015 and 10th the year before. Up until joining MotoGP’s premier class, he was yet to finish outside the top five at home.

Andrea Iannone occupies 16th in the championship and his season doesn’t look like it will get any better. The flamboyant Italian has a best result of 8th in the premier class at Silverstone but had never had a podium at the track prior to that. Suzuki won at the circuit last year, but given the struggles of the manufacturer this year, how much of last years success was down to the bike and how much was down to the rider?

Karel Abraham will remain in the paddock for another season with the Aspar Ducati team. Karel comes to the British GP with happy memories, including a row two qualifying performance back in 2011. The same year, he finished 7th in the race – his best result at Silverstone. Abraham has been doing a solid job in 2017, having not retired since Le Mans.

Tito Rabat has had a better season in 2017 but it hasn’t been good enough for Marc VDS to retain his services for another year. Yet to have a top 10 this season, Rabat has failed to score points in the last three races. It may well be an uphill struggle from here on in and who knows where he will be riding next year? The good news is that every British GP since 2010 has seen Tito score points, so the odds are evening themselves out.

Pol Espargaro had his Austrian Grand Prix cut short, to give him his fourth retirement of the year. Having said that, the last finish he had was 9th and KTM’s first ever top 10. Espargaro’s recent GP history shows DNFs for the last two seasons and a 6th in 2014. His last British GP podium was in 2012, where he won ahead of Scott Redding and Marc Marquez. Will Silverstone turn orange on Sunday?

He was 10th in last years standings but currently, Hector Barbera ranks 20th in the championship. A dire season – mainly due to Avintia Ducati’s continuous front end problems – has resulted in a disastrous run of form for the Spaniard. If he fails to score points on Sunday, it will be the first time since the Avintia Kawasaki CRT days of 2014 where he’s endured five non-point-scoring rides (Indianapolis-Aragon). His best result at Silverstone since joining the premier class in 2010 is a 10th, in 2012. He was 14th last year and 13th in 2015.

Alex Rins is 21st in the championship – albeit missing five races and only scoring points in two others. The Spanish rookie finished 16th in Austria, despite looking a lot more at home on his Suzuki. Last year’s British GP was one of his worst finishes in the year, with 7th. A 2nd in 2015 and a win in 2014 do suggest that not all is lost. Riding a Suzuki that has won at Silverstone may give Alex the confidence he needs to score more points on race day.

Bradley Smith is 22nd and heads to his home race in need of points. Rumours suggest that Bradley may be out of a ride for next season, with KTM reporting to bring in Mika Kallio. Smith hasn’t scored points in the 2nd half of the season and was only 18th in KTM’s home race last time. The 26-year-old missed last year’s British GP but was 7th in 2015. His last podium at the circuit came in 2011 on a Tech 3 Moto2 bike.

Sam Lowes brings up the rear of the MotoGP table (as far as full-time entrants go) and goes into his home round with an uncertain future. Lowes goes well at Silverstone, finishing in the top 7 on two occasions in Moto2, although he was taken out of the race last year by Johann Zarco. Lowes finished 2nd in a World Supersport race in 2013, having been knocked off whilst leading by Kenan Sofuoglu on the last lap. Lets hope that Sam can add to his points tally on Sunday to prove to team bosses that he has what it takes to remain in MotoGP.

Now that you are equipped with all the facts and stats for Sunday, you can head off and digest the atmosphere of race day. Will Valentino Rossi shine once more or will Marc Marquez reign again? Could Andrea Dovizioso continue his fighting spirit and tackle the Silverstone circuit or will Maverick Vinales be Top Gun for a 2nd season at the British Grand Prix. All that really matters though is that it is the British Grand Prix and it’s being hosted in a country famed for good food. Double egg and chips anyone?

@MotoGPKiko

Josh Brookes Speaks Out About Aleix Espargaro Twitter Row

Anvil Hire Tag Racing Yamaha rider Josh Brookes was involved in a Twitter spat with Gresini Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro. The two clashed when a difference of opinion was voiced over track safety at the Red Bull Ring for the Austrian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Josh used a ‘dress emoji’ in response to Aleix Espargaro’s announcement that he wouldn’t race if the track was wet.

“I think it’s pretty clear that for the people that haven’t got soft minds that it wasn’t a dig at Aleix. Simon Patterson of MCN had quoted Aleix saying that he, ‘wouldn’t ride if it was wet’, to which I pointed out a few things. These are supposedly the top riders in the world, on the best equipment in motorcycle racing, in the best teams, on the best tracks and the best salaries that motorcycle riders can achieve – yet they still complain about the conditions”, said the Australian, who is chasing a 2nd BSB crowning on his return to the series.

“Take a look at tracks that we ride here and you won’t find us guys complaining. The conditions are the same for everyone. If it is too slippery to go in at 180kph, then go in at 160kph. That’s how racing works. If you made it so safe to the point where you couldn’t crash, then there’d be no point in racing. It wouldn’t separate any of them from their skill on the bike, their team’s knowledge, their mechanics skills, or the riders’ intelligence on the bike etc. That is the whole point; it basically defeats the whole point of racing by pulling out”, he continued.

Josh did however reason with the Spaniard, saying “I’m not against him standing up for what he believes in, but there is a time. He should’ve made his feelings known on Thursday evening or in a safety commission. He should’ve said something after the Austrian GP in 2016 and then he could’ve given himself a whole 12 months to make his mind up. He shouldn’t wait until Saturday night after practice and qualifying before going, ’oh, by the way, if it rains tomorrow I’m not riding’. It isn’t professional and it’s not what he is there to do. He is there to represent himself and his brand, which is Aprilia”.

“Unfortunately, through the world of social media, people lost sight of what the original point was and they picked their own argument to fit to their own agenda, to go against me. Aleix took it very personal and I felt his his reply attacks were a bit uncalled for”.

Brookes continues by saying, “perhaps he hasn’t had the results this year and that he feels in a vulnerable position, although I don’t know his circumstances. I’m not a hater of the guy either because I don’t know him. I still don’t have a problem with him because it doesn’t matter if he said it or if Valentino Rossi had said it or anyone else, my reply still would’ve been the same. I’d still stop and chat with him if he had five minutes”.

The 2015 BSB champion took a lot of flack from fans, who took his use of emoji as a sexist symbol. 13-time Women World Trials Champion Laia Sanz also got involved, questioning if he had a problem with females or blue dresses.

“The most disappointing thing was that people took a completely irrelevant stand and started branding me a chauvinist and women hater when it had absolutely nothing to do with it. If my phone had another emoji then I would’ve used another emoji but I genuinely didn’t think that putting a dress up would’ve been enough to insult women or female riders. My sister raced for years. How would I have a problem with female riders if my own sister from my own family raced? People will cherry-pick a point that is 100m away from the story but if it suits their argument, that’s what they’ll use to run with. I think more than anything this all shows an example of human intelligence – or lack of in some areas”.

Image courtesy of Gareth Davies of Full Factory Photography.

Motegi Remains on MotoGP Calendar Until 2023

The Twin Ring Motegi circuit, which hosts the Japanese MotoGP and previously the Pacific Motorcycle Grand Prix, will remain on the calendar until at least 2023 following a new deal between the circuit and Dorna.

The contract will be enabled from 2019 onwards, to celebrate what will be the 20th anniversary of the circuit being on the MotoGP calendar. It is one of the most popular circuits for fans, as viewing areas often allow you to see over a great amount of the track.

It has seen many great races and iconic moment, such as Marquez’ crowning in 2014 and 2016, as well as Valentino Rossi’s in 2008. It was also the venue where Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo had their last real head-to-head battle, back in 2010. The circuit was also host to the last Japanese premier class winner, with Makoto Tamada on a Camel Honda for Sito Pons’ team back in 2004.

Carmelo Ezpeleta said, “We are delighted to announce this contract renewal with a place that is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The Twin Ring Motegi is the home track of Honda and the Japanese GP is the home Grand Prix for major manufacturers such as Yamaha and Suzuki, who are main players in the MotoGP class; some of the most important at the pinnacle of the championship. We will continue the event and make further efforts, together with Mobilityland, to enhance the value of the MotoGP™ series.”

The 2017 Japanese Grand Prix takes place on the 13th-15th of October.

Doviziso: It Was a Crazy Race!

Andrea Dovizioso branded the Austrian Grand Prix as a “crazy race”, having defeated Marc Marquez in one of the best head to head race-long battles MotoGP has ever seen. The Italian took his third victory of the season and gave me Ducati their second consecutive win at the circuit. 

“It was a crazy race, but to be honest the whole weekend was incredible, and in particular the final curve of the last lap, but I managed to remain clear headed and was aware that Marquez was going to try and pass me”, began the Italian, who now moves into 2nd in the championship, 16 points behind Marc Marquez.

“It was a very difficult situation because if Marc had closed the door coming out of the corner, he would have forced me out and passed me. Instead I was able to resist his attack and I went on to win”, he continued.

Dovizioso concluded by saying, “I’m very satisfied with the way we managed the entire weekend with my team: understanding the right choice of tyres was really difficult but we did it. We had a great race, we’re making up points in the championship, and we’ve got all the right cards to fight for the title.”

This is the first back to back victory at the same circuit in consecutive seasons since Casey Stoner at Phillip Island, from 2007 to 2010. Dovizioso also becomes just the 4th Italian to win across all classes at the Red Bull Ring, alongside Ivan Goi, Andrea Iannone and Franco Morbidelli. Andrea Dovizioso also moves eight points clear of Maverick Vinales, the top Yamaha.

Image: MotoGP

Exclusive: Steve Parrish Q&A: 20 Minutes with Britain’s Fastest Prankster

I was lucky enough to know that Steve Parrish would be at Snetterton a few weeks back for the BSB meeting, so I decided that after giving him a remote control rat to play around with at home, to get an interview with one of Barry Sheene’s best friends. So, in this exclusive interview, Parrish reveals his racing career highlights, the best race he ever commentated on, the British Talent Cup, why he voted to Remain in the EU and what the easiest prank to play on someone is.

Main highlights of your motorcycle racing career?

Having lots of fun and causing chaos. I suppose you could say, ‘enjoying living the dream’. I guess however that I peaked early; 1977 was my best year in the Grand Prix paddock. I had a cracking bike, it was the old Sheene bike from the previous season and I ended up fifth in the World Championship on it. I had lots of races against the heroes that I used to have posters on my bedroom wall of, such as Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read.

I carried on in British Championship’s and just being involved after that was great. It’s a lovely sport we are in and I met a lot of good friends via the sport, whilst also losing quite a few friends via the sport, as it was probably a lot more dangerous back then. However, I look at it as the best part of my life really and had the best part of 10-12 years racing motorcycles, which were massively exhilarating to ride, although a little bit dangerous and painful at times! I will always look back on my career and I’m often asked, ‘what is your favourite form of racing?’ and it would be motorcycle racing. I have more admiration for motorcycle racers than anyone else.

Who was your fiercest competitor back then?

I have to say Barry Sheene. At the time, he was the guy to beat. He was on the same bikes as I was on and he was pretty special. He beat me a lot more times than I beat him, I grant you!

How about your media career highlights?

One of the best races I have ever commentated on was Colin Edwards vs Troy Bayliss at Imola, for the 2002 World Superbike championship. Two guys, duking it out, whoever took the win, took the title, or near enough to that. It was very, very special and was probably one of the greatest motorcycle races we have ever seen.

Another one was Valentino Rossi beating Jorge Lorenzo on the final corner at Catalunya in 2009, which was very special. Generally, the highlights have been covering MotoGP for a number of years. Watching, admiring and meeting heroes of my world.

The 2017 North West 200 race was one of the greatest too, with Glenn Irwin beating Alistair Seeley. I really rate Seeley, he’s been Mr. North West 200 for a number of years now but for the fans and also for the media, it was nice to see someone else take a win there. I never realised how much Glenn actually expected to win that race. Personally, I didn’t think he had a chance because he had to relearn the circuit and he’d only ever ridden it on a 600cc machine. He came there on a bike that you wouldn’t necessarily say was the ultimate bike for the NW200 but he endured the weird conditions we had. It’s a shame he’s injured now because I think his success at the NW 200 would’ve propelled him to greater things at BSB.

Do you think the NW200 deserves more media coverage?

I don’t think you could say it “deserves” it because if it deserves it would generally get it. In Northern Ireland, it gets more media coverage than what the British Grand Prix gets here in mainland Britain. It is wall to wall coverage over there and I’d say that Seeley, Irwin and Michael Dunlop are all just as famous as any premier league footballer over in NI. You couldn’t consider saying the same for Shakey Byrne or James Ellison over here because not as many people know who they are. Over in NI, motorcycle racing is on the front page of all the major newspapers. It would be nice if it got more over here but then again, we see nothing but women’s rugby and women’s cricket and it annoys me quite frankly.

What would you say to the people who want road racing banned? 

I think they need to go first. They need to know someone who does it, who gets the sensation and the satisfaction they get from doing it, the amount of fun they have doing it and the adrenalin rush they get from doing it. Unless they’ve done it, they’re not qualified to say that it should be banned and I doubt that people who have done it would want it banned either!

What about your career in general, what was the hardest part?

I’d say that the hardest part of my career is the travel that you do. I don’t do as much now but at one point I’d be away between 6-8 months a year. It takes a tole on your family, on your marriage – which they all went out the window – it’s difficult to carry that through. I travelled a lot with my racing, then with my team ownership, then truck racing and then the media work. I had 40 years of going all around the world.

Sitting in hospital with broken legs and arms and not knowing who or where you are isn’t much fun either. But I think if it was easy then everyone would do it. Truthfully, compared to many people in this world, I haven’t had a lot of hard things to deal with. It’s been hard in my own little world but I’ve been lucky and I don’t think anything I’ve done has been mega, mega tough.

If you could choose one race circuit from your time (except the TT), which would you consider the most dangerous?

The Nordscheife Nurburgring circuit, when the German Grand Prix was held there. I found that very dangerous because it was difficult to learn, similar to TT for foreigners going there. I didn’t think it was right to have the GP at the Nurburgring because Barry Sheene was still battling for the title and it was wrong to try and get people to learn a circuit as long as that, as all the locals had been there before and knew it better than us. Imatra was pretty dangerous in Finland, as was the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix on the old street circuit at Brno. Spa’s old street circuit in Belgium was fierce too.

If you could go back to one race circuit to ride again, which would it be?

I’d probably choose somewhere nice and safe, like Mugello. You get to the stage where you’ve gone through a lot of accidents, so you don’t really want to continue doing the hard stuff. That’s why as you get older, you generally get slower. I’ve ridden a road bike around Mugello but I wouldn’t mind riding a race bike round there. I rode a 500cc two-stroke round there in the 70s but it has changed a bit since then! I wouldn’t mind a blast round on an RCV!

Your thoughts on the British Talent Cup?

I think it is great. I think any championship for youngsters to build up their talent in the kind of country we live in is good. It’s a bit like an academy. The Red Bull Rookies has been brilliant, so many riders of today have come through that, such as Zarco. There can never be enough cups, simply because we need to give chances to kids who don’t necessarily come from privileged families. It’s an expensive sport and if you come from a not – so – privileged family, then you’ll probably end up playing football or rugby or cricket, which you can do down on the village green. However, with motorcycle racing, you need a wealthy parent to get you a motorcycle. If you can get more riders then it’s good because the bigger championships will be choosing from a bigger pocket of people.

I am a believer in the fact that if you can ride a motorbike, you can ride a motorbike, whether that be on a GP bike or Superbike. Danny Kent may be an exception to that and going back to my era, then Angel Nieto never could ride a big bike. Jonny Rea, Ben Spies and Cal Crutchlow have all proved that they can win or do well on either prototypes or road-go bikes. I don’t think it will take away from riders coming to the British championship.

Will Brexit effect British motorcycle racing, or motorcycle racing on a whole?

I think it will effect the country. I voted to remain in the EU because I feel we are bigger and better and a lot easier together. I travel a lot and a lot of people do the same, so I don’t really see the point in Brexit. For me, we’ve gone the wrong way. I’ll get my shoulder behind it like everyone else however. It could, in theory, hinder international based British companies that want to trade with the EU, however I really don’t know. I come from a period where, when I wanted to drive to Italy, I had to get stamps in France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland etc. Open Europe has been a Godsend for everyone and lets hope it stays that way.

The state of other national championships. 

They lost their way a bit. We are sat here on a sunny day at Snetterton and the amount of teams, sponsors, motorhomes, personnel etc is huge. I’ve walked around just now with Matt Robert’s and I think it is as good as any WSBK event, if not bigger. I suspect their series’ aren’t as healthy as ours because half the good guys come here anyway. BSB is unquestionably the strongest domestic championship in the world.

What are your favourite pranks?

Oh God. There’s been so many of them! The easiest one to do and anyone can do this at home – it sounds like one of these Blue Peter programmes!  If you get they keys to someone’s car, then just wind the window down and put a brick and some shattered glass on the seat. You need some broken glass of course – I always keep a dustbin full of broken glass which I get from Autoglass. Then, when the person comes out, all you have to say is that they’ve had problems with the gypsies or the neighbours. Lend them some tape to try stick it together and then they generally drive down to a garage or Autoglass to get it replaced, when the actual window itself is just wound down! I got my daughter not long ago – she should know better!

Now, with this remote control rat, it looks like it could be quite good for ladies toilets. You have to get in there in the first place and whizz it under and then listen for the scrambling of feet and the screaming.  In a restaurant would probably be good too. I know you used yours in KFC. If you do it in the right restaurant then you might be able to get a discount with your meal but then again, I might end up in the shit!

I would like to say a massive thank you to Steve for his time, as I know he was pushed for time as his Plummet Airways flight back to South Cambridgeshire was departing very shortly. We wish Steve all the best and look forward to seeing or hearing him in his various forms across the TV.

Interview by Kiko Giles – @MotoGPKiko

 

MotoGP German GP Preview: Honda’s Heaven

MotoGP arrives in Germany this weekend, for the ninth round of the championship, at the Sachsenring. Valentino Rossi reignited his championship hopes last weekend in The Netherleands, as he won at the Assen circuit for a 10th time, becoming the only rider to win 10 races across all classes at the circuit in Grand Prix. However, the Sachsenring is a happy hunting ground for Honda. They have won every race since 2010, with the last non-Honda win coming from Valentino Rossi in 2009. Marc Marquez is one to lookout for here, with his former flat-track experience coming in handy around a circuit which features seven consecutive left handers. He has won every race he’s been entered in at the circuit since 2010, making him a clear favourite to take honours once more.

As we approach the halfway point in the championship, Andrea Dovizioso and Ducati lead the championship standings. This is the first time since the 2009 Italian MotoGP that a Ducati has led the standings. It is also the first time ever that Andrea Dovizioso has led the championship in the premier class. His form around Germany isn’t anything too special, although a podium last year shows that perhaps he has found something at a circuit that is known for posing the threat of rain. Three podiums at the circuit since his career began in 2002 isn’t great but Dovizioso hasn’t finished outside of the top-five since we’ve been in Europe this season. Another solid result may sees him in proper title contention come the end of the ninth round.

Maverick Vinales comes to Germany off the back of a shambolic weekend at Assen, which saw the young Spaniard on the 4th row after qualifying, and on the floor during the race. He, like teammate Rossi, also suffered in Catalunya, making the previous two races his worst when you combine his points together. And if you’re expecting a Vinales victory in Germany, think again. He is yet to finish in the top 10 at the circuit in the premier class and hasn’t had a podium at the Sachsenring since his Moto3 championship year in 2013. Yamaha haven’t had a win since 2009 and with Vinales’ fragile state of mind following two awful events, he may be happier than others to reach the Summer break, to get his head together for the second half of the year.

Valentino Rossi showed us that there is life in the old dog just yet, with a superb victory at Assen. Using the ‘new’ Yamaha chassis has paid dividends to The Doctor, who slashed a 28-point deficit in the championship to just seven – three behind teammate Vinales. Rossi was only 8th at the track last year after the circuit dried out, with him ignoring his pit board. His most recent podium at the track came in 2015, when he was 3rd, making it the 11th podium for him at the circuit. Rossi hasn’t had back to back wins in MotoGP since 2009 at Catalunya and Assen, so he’ll be looking to update that particular statistic. Rossi’s last win at the Sachsenring was also the last time he qualified on pole at the track. If he does take back to back wins, he will be the second oldest rider to do so, after Les Graham in 1952, winning at Monza and Montjuic Park at the ripe old age of 41.

Reigning champion and Sachsenring specialist Marc Marquez slipped to 4th in the championship after Assen, despite finishing 3rd, achieving his 4th podium of the year. Marquez will be looking to surpass Valentino Rossi in premier class wins at Sachsenring, with both currently on four. He will also be hoping to become the first rider to take five straight wins at the German Grand Prix since Giacomo Agostini between 1967 and 1972 – although organisers were alternating the German Grand Prix between the Hockenheimring, Nurburgring Sudschleife and Nurburgring Nordschleife tracks. Marquez has not qualified on pole since the Americas Grand Prix five races ago. This is the first time since moving up to the premier class that he has gone five consecutive races without securing pole. Having said that, Marquez is yet to not start on pole at the German Grand Prix in the premier class.

Just when you thought Dani Pedrosa had rediscovered his old form and confidence, a 13th place at Assen suddenly questions it. He was 2nd in the series standings after Le Mans, but now finds himself 5th, although just 28 points off Dovizioso. The Spaniard is the only rider – other than Marquez – to win three or more consecutive races in the premier class at the track, and was the man who initiated Honda’s win streak at the venue. Pedrosa has seven premier class podiums at the track, although last year saw him yield just 6th. Dani Pedrosa’s 13th in the Dutch GP was only the 2nd time in his career that he’d finished in that position. The last time was at Welkom in 2001. The next race saw him finish 10th, at Jerez.

Revelation of 2017, Frenchman Johann Zarco will be seeking to repeat the feat he achieved last season, pinching the victory from home-hero Jonas Folger on the run to the line on the last lap. Although some may say that Zarco will not win a race, don’t be so sure. He’s led three races this season, the same as Valentino Rossi. Zarco has finished inside the top two in his last two Moto2 appearances, however, his only other podium comes from 2011 in the 125cc class. 14th at Assen was his worst finish of the year and the first time he had finished outside of the top 10. Zarco will be out to make amends in Germany.

The next two riders in the championship are Pramac Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci, with Jorge Lorenzo in behind. Petrucci has shown some incredible pace in the run into the mid-season, with two podiums from the last three rounds. Jorge Lorenzo on the other hand finished just 15th at Assen and has one podium less than Petrucci. Lorenzo has never won at the Sachsenring and hasn’t been on the podium there since 2014. Petrucci crashed out whilst leading last year – his best result is 9th from 2015.

Cal Crutchlow’s late surge in the final few laps at Assen saw him finish 4th, moving to 9th in the championship. Seven points behind him is Jonas Folger, who suffered his first DNF of the season at Assen. Both riders finished 2nd in their respective races at the Sachsenring last year. Cal has finished every race he has entered in Germany during his MotoGP career, with his only non top-10 finish coming in his rookie year, with 14th in 2011. Folger on the other hand has only 1 podium to his name at the track, which was last year. A German rider hasn’t won the German Grand Prix in the premier class since Edmund Czihak in 1974. This was also the last time a German won a premier class Grand Prix.

Jack Miller and Alvaro Bautista are next along in the championship. Miller took his best result of the year last time out, with 6th. The Australian was also a race leader in last year’s German Grand Prix, before dropping to 7th. He won the Moto3 race there in 2014. Bautista was running strongly at Assen before crashing. It was the Spaniard’s 4th crash of the year during a race which has resulted in him retiring. Apart from his rookie MotoGP year, he has finished in every premier class German Grand Prix, with a best of 5th in 2013. He finished 10th last year, on an Aprilia.

Scott Redding and Loris Baz are separated by just two points coming into the ninth round of the championship. Redding was riding well until his penultimate lap crash at the chicane last weekend. Loris Baz however, took a hard-fought 8th place – his best finish of the year. Redding was marginally beaten to the podium at the German Grand Prix last year, finishing 4th, whereas Baz is yet to score points in the country in MotoGP. He has never had a top 4 in the country at any circuit throughout his racing career.

Andrea Iannone showed something of a return to form last time out at Assen, with 9th place, riding as high up as 6th at one point whilst also setting the fastest lap of the race until Redding bettered it. Iannone has been 5th at the Sachsenring for the previous three years and if it was to happen again this year, it would be his best result on the Suzuki. Former Suzuki rider Aleix Espargaro is right behind Iannone in the championship. A run of mechanical gremlins were discontinued at Assen, with the Aprilia ace taking his first top-10 since Jerez in early May. Since returning to the premier class in 2012, Aleix has scored points in every German GP.

Tito Rabat is level with Aleix Espargaro on points, however he is yet to have his first top 10 of the year. The Spaniard is improving, although the Sachsenring is a track which he has never had a podium at across his career. Hector Barbera is next up in the championship in 18th. He achieved his best result of the year as Catalunya but dropped to 16th at Assen last time out. This was the first time since last year’s Japanese GP that he has actually finished a race outside of the points. The Spaniard qualified a sensational 2nd last season at the track, finishing 9th in the race – equalling his career best at the circuit in the premier class.

Karel Abraham achieved his first top 10 in MotoGP since Valencia 2012 last time out, equalling a career best finish of 7th in the MotoGP category. He has finished every race he has started in Germany in the top class, with a 5th place in Moto2 in 2010. Pol Espargaro follows him in the championship in 20th, although he achieved his best result of the year at Assen last weekend. His best finish at the Sachsenring in MotoGP was a 7th in 2014, although he has 1 podium from Moto2 in 2013.

Alex Rins made a name for himself at Assen for all the wrong reasons, by getting in the way of Danilo Petrucci. Rins crashed out of 2nd place at the German GP last year in Moto2, but was 3rd the year previous. He has one win, back in 2013 in Moto3. Suzuki as manufacturer haven’t won at the circuit since Kenny Roberts JR in 1999, although that was prior to the current layout.

Brits Bradley Smith and Sam Lowes bring up the rear of the table as far as full time riders are concerned. Both failed to finish last time at Assen. Smith was 13th in last year’s race in Germany, whereas Lowes failed to finish his Moto2 race. The last British premier class winner at the German Grand Prix was Barry Sheene in 1977.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

Rossi Writes Records in Thrilling Dutch TT

 

Valentino Rossi took his first win of the 2017 MotoGP season after a thrilling Dutch TT at Assen. Pole-sitter Johann Zarco pitted to change to wet tyres after the rain began to fall, ending his hopes of a GP victory. A late surge from Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso saw them go head to head with Marc Marquez, whilst Danilo Petrucci’s race win challenge was thwarted by Alex Rins on the final lap, after the Spaniard failed to get out of the Italian’s way whilst being lapped at turn 7.

The race started with Johann Zarco taking the hole-shot down into the first turn, with Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi slotting in behind. Petrucci dropped to 4th whilst Alvaro Bautista careered down the outside, into 5th place. Championship leader Maverick Vinales was mired in 11th place, failing to make up ground off the line.

Having waited and weighed up the situation, Valentino took the lead with 15 laps to go, from Johann Zarco. The two would tangle at turn 4 however, with Rossi running wide, giving the French sensation half a chance to take the lead back. As Zarco went for the inside line, Rossi swooped around the outside, colliding with Johann, who was then under attack from Marquez and Petrucci.

Danilo got passed Marquez and Zarco, before catching up with Valentino. With 8 laps to go, the front four started to telescope together as the rain came, lubricating the circuit enough for the likes of Zarco, Rins, Hector Barbera and Jorge Lorenzo to come in to change.

Meanwhile, out front with just 5 to go, Petrucci took the lead on the inside on the run back towards the pits, leaving Rossi vulnerable to a Marquez and Dovizioso attack.

Petrucci and Rossi pulled away however and at the chicane one lap later, it was the Yamaha rider who got under Petrucci’s Pramac Ducati, which would be how it stayed until the end of the race.

Rossi took the win despite Petrucci closing right in on The Doctor rider through the final chicane. It was his 115th win and his 10th at the Assen track. Completing the podium was reigning champion Marc Marquez, who put a stunning pass on Britain’s Cal Crutchlow at Ramshoek, leaving the newly re-signed LCR Honda rider 4th, ahead of Andrea Dovizioso, who is now the championship leader after Maverick Vinales crashed out.

Rossi’s victory meant that he set another record in his career. The Italian now has the longest winning spell of any rider in the history of the Motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship. He also became the first rider in the history of the sport to take 10 victories at more than one European circuit – excluding the TT. It was his 224th podium and the victory also meant that Yamaha took their 16th premier class win at the circuit.

The next race in this sensational season comes from the Sachsenring, this coming weekend. the circuit has been a happy hunting ground for Honda in recent years and Marquez is yet to lose a race there since 2010. Rossi trails series leader Dovizioso by 7 points.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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