Category: Crew On Two

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Quick 10 With….Bradley Smith

For both my blog and for The Pit Crew Online I have managed to interview some very interesting figures in motor racing. I have always said that one of my dreams would be to interview a racer at the top of their sport in either Formula One or MotoGP and it was with a great honour that British rider, Bradley Smith agreed to take part in my Quick 10 segment. Not only am I a big fan of MotoGP, I am also a fan of Bradley himself, so for me this was outstanding.

I would like to thank Bradley for taking the time out to answer these questions and wish him all the best for the remainder of the season.

1. What is your favourite circuit and why?

My favourite circuit is Mugello. I really like a natural, flowing track, up and down hills and a bit of undulation. The atmosphere is always good there, bit like an ampitheatre with the track in the valley.

2. Who was your racing idol?

My racing idol didn’t actually come from MotoGP, it came from Motocross and Supercross. It was Ricky Carmichael growing up. I was a big fan from initially 95, 96, 97. I followed him throughout his career until he retired.

3. Who would you regard as your toughest opponent?

I would probably say my team mate, Pol Espargaro, just because we’ve ridden with each other from 2005. Our careers have kind of followed the same path and obviously we’re team mates at the moment inside the Monster Energy Tech 3 team and also going forward in the new adventure with KTM as well.

4. Considering riders of all-time, if you were a team principal, which two riders would you have in your team?

Just going off numbers and figures, you would have to say Casey Stoner and then Mick Doohan.

5. If you could invite four famous people to dinner (past and present) who would you invite?

I would really have liked to have met Barry Sheene, just because of British history and what I’ve heard about him and the way he was. I suppose someone like Lance Armstrong, again very interested in his life in general, winning seven Tour de France. Lyndsey Vonn, downhill skier, just because she is very dominant within her sport in various different ways, coming back from injury year on year. And then Serena Williams, after watching her just win Wimbledon for the umpteenth time in Grand Slams. Incredibly talented individual. I’m a fan of sports people.

6. Personal Racing Number. What is it and the reason behind it?

#38 – #88 was my dad’s race number, a family race number and I took it over when I started riding Motocross. When I then came to the MotoGP academy I was given number 32. It was kind of tradition or the rider to take an academy number. It (#38) wasn’t available so I just did a mix between my academy number and my dad’s number.

7. What is the best race you have been involved in?

I would probably say Assen last year. I think we had a 6 or 7 rider scrap inside MotoGP, like Moto3 and Moto2. I twas off camera, but it was a lot of fun.

8. Is there a race or series you have not competed in that is on your to-do list or you wish you had done?

I’m ticking if off more and more. Suzuka was on my bucket list and I managed to that. I’ve done that endurance side of racing. I suppose I do look at Supercross and wish I was a Supercross rider because it is a huge, huge passion of mine. And the rest of the championships, I’ve got the rest of my career to try those.

9. How did you get involved in racing? What ignited that spark?

Really, being brought up around bikes. We owned a Motocross track and I was around it from 3 or 4 years old. I saw bikes coming in for Wednesday practice and Saturday/Sunday we were open as well. So I think just being around bikes and bicycles even, always riding my bike in the garden. Made jumps, ruined my friend’s garden patch because I wanted to dig it up and make jumps. I think once you turn from a pedal power into a motor power. From the first day I was hooked.

10. What is the best racing advice you have been given?

I would probably say the best advice, even though it sounds really, really stupid, is “Don’t crash”. And don’t crash sounds like an easy thing to say, but it has multiple meanings. In terms of don’t crash, you get results, it means you gain confidence, it means you stay injury free and it means you don’t build up massive costs to your sponsors and to your team. It has a knock-on effect. More than anything, it keeps you happy, keeps you smiling and you can build on not crashing.

It was amazing for me to put the questions to Bradley, as a fan, I would really like to thank him for taking the time to answer them whilst he was at the Sachsenring. Everybody at The Pit Crew Online wishes Bradley a speedy recover.

Neil Simmons

Twitter: @world_racing

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Oulton Park puts on incredible BSB Showdown Decider

The British Superbike meeting at Oulton Park was about as dramatic as you get in a Superbike series. The top six are now all locked in, with Haslam leading Byrne, O’Halloran, Ellison, Mossey and Linfoot to Donington Park where the final 7 races will explode into life. The question is: Who will take the championship?

The first race of the triple header was as fast and furious as every other race this year! James Ellison made the best start of everyone, erupting through into 2nd position before taking the lead from teammate Haslam, Byrne, Bridewell and Hickman.

However, Tommy Bridewell would be the one who stole all the headlines for all the wrong reasons. A horrendous accident saw the Wiltshireman tuck the front just before turn 6. The bike cartwheeled through the air and into the crowd, leading to 2 spectators falling over as they made a run for the flying Suzuki.

With just two laps to go, Shane Byrne made a mistake on the exit to Hizzy’s chicane and went off track, leaving Hickman to take third.

Haslam also got passed Ellison at Lodge with a lap to go and that was how it remained. Race one saw Haslam beat both his teammates – Ellison then Hickman – which was the first time in BSB history that one team has packed out the podium.

Race two was less dramatic, but the first two were the same. Haslam once again took the win ahead of Ellison, but this time it was Dan Linfoot who took third position ahead of his Honda racing teammate Jason O’Halloran. There was drama for Shane Byrne who crashed out early doors and also Michael Laverty who crashed out on the last lap, which turned out to be a very costly mistake. John Hopkins had a big crash down at the Shell Oil’s Hairpin.

Race Three was next up and once again, it was the all-conquering JG Speedfit Kawasakis of Haslam and Ellison who hit the front. Byrne was picking his way through from well down the grid, as was Laverty, who needed to beat Mossey, Hickman and Cooper to remain in the showdown.

The safety car was deployed after a horrific accident involving Jake Dixon. The Briggs Equipment BMW rider suffered what looked like to be either a stuck throttle or brake failure. The BMW smashed into the tyre wall before mounting the fence and leaving people running for cover for the 2nd time this weekend. Dixon is in hospital with serious hip injuries.

The race restarted but this time, without James Ellison who suffered mechanical gremlins during the pace car period. Haslam went on to win the race from Luke Mossey and Tommy Bridewell. Michael Laverty managed a heroic 4th but that wasn’t enough, meaning it would be Luke Mossey who got through to the Showdown for Pete Extance’s team. Neither Tyco BMW rider made it into the top six.

The good news is that this coming weekend we have a massive bumper edition of BSB as the crew heads track side! We will have exclusive news, interviews and pictures every hour and on top of that, we may even have a competition for you to enter after the event! Follow me @MotoGPKiko and @PitCrew_Online for more! Once more, thanks to Gareth Davies for continuing to supply us with great images from the BSB paddock!

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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Binder and Oliveira Spearhead new Moto2 KTM Project

Red Bull KTM Ajo will increase their presence at Grand Prix level in 2017 with a new team in Moto2 and a new KTM bike. KTM will thus become the first manufacturer to have a presence in all three classes: Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP. Alongside them as they take this important step, Red Bull KTM Ajo will run riders Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira in the project.

Red Bull, KTM and Ajo Motorsport join forces once again in 2017, building on their success in Moto3 with an expansion to the intermediate class. In their five years of collaboration to date, the team have taken a World Championship (2012), two runner-up spots (2014 and 2015) and a current lead of 106 points in the overall standings in Moto3. Red Bull KTM Ajo will also be the only team using the new KTM Moto2 bike, which debuts in the category. For Ajo Motorsport, this will be their third season in Moto2; last year they achieved the title, while this year they lead the standings with three points in the overall rankings.

The rider lineup will consist of familiar faces, who have come up through the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto3 team. Binder, currently the Moto3 leader with 106 points, stays with the team and accompanies them on their exciting new venture. The South African, who came into the team last year, has a total of five wins and 11 podiums in five full seasons at Grand Prix level.

Miguel Oliveira returns to the structure with which he was proclaimed World Championship runner-up in 2015. The Portuguese, who this year debuted in Moto2, has six wins and seven podiums to his name, all in Moto3.

This new project, which has already enjoyed positive tests over the past year, will begin in earnest from November 16th, when the riders will get onboard the new KTM for the first time.

Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsport Director: “We’ve now enjoyed five years of successful collaboration with Aki Ajo in Moto3. We are very happy that he and our main sponsor Red Bull are offering us the perfect structure to move into Moto2 so we can have a presence in all classes of Grand Prix Racing in 2017. We see the intermediate class mainly as a platform for keeping riders in the KTM Family, which begins with the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and will run right through to MotoGP. The WP motorsports department has been fully integrated into KTM, and just as it is in Moto3 and MotoGP, the new Moto2 bike is being developed and built completely in-house. Brad Binder has had a very successful season this year and hopefully he will wrap up the championship. Now we’re happy that he can step up into the new Moto2 team. Also, we’re very pleased to welcome Miguel Oliveira back into the Orange Family after one year in Moto2.”

Aki Ajo, Team Manager: “Firstly, I am very happy to continue the cooperation with Red Bull and KTM and make this move together in Moto2. Now we will all be much closer to each other, working together in two classes and with the whole Red Bull KTM family in all three classes, which is something historic. We are very grateful to be part of this great project with KTM and Red Bull. It is also nice to start out with a pair of riders who we already know well. Brad (Binder) has spent two seasons with us and Miguel (Oliveira) had an incredible season last year in the team. Both have won races with us, so I cannot be more expectant than this. We have two riders who we know, who are young, eager, and with a positive attitude for this project.”

Binder: I learned a lot from Ajo in 2015 and this year

“First of all I want to say I am very grateful for this new opportunity given to me by the team in Moto2. I want to thank Aki Ajo and all the people and partners who have been helping so I could take this step up. After how this year has been, there is nothing that could excite me more than staying at Red Bull KTM Ajo and competing in Moto2. I really like this team; I like the respect between all the members and I know that the decisions they make are always the best to keep the team and riders on top. I know it will be very difficult, but I’m very motivated for this and I am already looking forward to it. It will be nice to start in a new class, with everything new and a lot to learn. My goal is to go out each day and give 110% to learn as quickly as possible. I am very happy to be back sharing a garage with Miguel (Oliveira), I learned a lot from him in 2015 and sure we will push each other; we will have fun. Everyone knows that if Red Bull KTM Ajo make a motorcycle, it will be good.”

Oliveira: I believe in this project

“I’m very happy to be returning to the Red Bull KTM Ajo family, and to a very professional team that brought me a lot of success. In fact, my most successful season to date came with them. I’m very happy and grateful to Aki (Ajo) and KTM for choosing me and for trusting in me to start this ambitious project with the KTM Moto2. I believe a lot in this new project, that I will have a very strong team alongside me, and that we will be able to get the best results possible. I will give my all in this new venture. I will be back sharing a garage with Brad (Binder), a very good person and rider, and I am sure that we will work very well together to gather the best data possible and take the KTM to the top.”

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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Bridewell makes podium despite Horror Crash at BSB Oulton Park meeting

Bennetts Suzuki’s Tommy Bridewell bounced back from the disappointment of crashing-out of yesterday’s opening race at the Oulton Park MCE British Superbike Championship by racing his GSX-R1000 to third place in today’s second race.

Bridewell, who arrived at round nine of the series still harbouring ambitions of a place in the series Showdown, was unlucky to fall from fourth place in the first of the weekend’s three races after qualifying on the front row.

However, after a strong sixth-place finish in race two – despite suffering the after effects of yesterday’s crash – the Wiltshire rider took an impressive third place in the final race of the meeting, ending a frustrating weekend on a high note and further underlining the potential of the Bennetts Suzuki team and the GSX-R1000 package.

Tommy Bridewell: I want a win before the year is out
“We’ve had a bike capable of finishing on the podium in all three races this weekend to be honest, and it’s a credit to the team who have put so much effort in and built a brand new bike for today after yesterday’s crash. It’s been a real struggle for me on the bike today as I’ve been really sore and stiff. It was difficult to move around and difficult to get the bike to turn. I really struggled in the first race today but I was a little better in race two and a bit more relaxed, and it was good to give the team a podium after the effort they’ve put in. We’re not in the Showdown, and now we can just enjoy riding our bike in every session before the end of the season, but I want to put the bike on the top-step of the podium before the year’s out.”

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKikos

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Buildbase BMW suffer disappointing weekend at Oulton Park


Richard Cooper had his sights set on the podium looking to match his successful debut win at the Cheshire circuit earlier on in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship season. As the triple-header weekend played out Coopers Showdown position hopes were dashed.

Race one saw the Buildbase BMW duo both finish within the top ten, onto race two, the grid line up saw the red and white BMW team-mates line up together on the fifth row, Cooper had a lot of work to do on a challenging circuit after a bad start which saw him drop back into 16th. He worked hard to fight through the pack, making several passes early on, a run off the track lost both time and places in the race forcing the no.47 rider to cross the line in 12th. Jackson had great race pace, setting the fastest time on lap three, however his chances were hindered after an incident left him crashing out.

Race three, the Showdown decider, was a tough battle for Cooper, who started the from 14th on the grid. The fight to stay in contention was clear as the intensity turned up on the final race of the weekend. Following a serious crash for Jake Dixon at Hizzys early on in the race the safety car was deployed. Once the race resumed it looked like Cooper had what it takes, making a move on Laverty into fourth. However, it didn’t stick to the end as the other contenders also upped the ante in the final push to the finish line. Richard came in sixth, taking him out of the Showdown and Lee crossed the chequered flag in eighth.

Current Pirelli National Superstock 1000 championship leader Taylor Mackenzie took his sixth pole position of the season so far. A scorching start from the grid set the scene for an action packed race between Mackenzie and rival Tyco BWM riders Josh Elliot and Ian Hutchinson. An incident on the final corner took both Taylor and Ian out of the race. Mackenzie still stands on top of the championship standings 23 points clear of Hutchy.

Taylor Mackenzie: I was disappointed to end the weekend with a crash

“After taking pole position and feeling comfortable all weekend I was really disappointed to end the weekend with a crash. However I’m really excited going into my home round with a 23 point lead in the championship and I’ll be doing everything I can to bring home a win at my favourite circuit of the year.”

Steve Hicken, Team Manager: Taylor was unfortunate

“It is disappointing that we didn’t make the Showdown with Richard, but we will concentrate now on winning the Riders Cup and being the top BMW. Taylor was very unfortunate not to take the victory, but we look forward to the next round at Donington Park this coming weekend.”

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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Pata Yamaha prepare for demanding EuroSpeedway Lausitz


Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team will be back to full strength and its original line-up as the 2016 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship restarts at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz in Germany later this week. Sylvain Guintoli returns to action alongside Alex Lowes at the 4,265m circuit, after the championship took a two-month-long break from racing over the summer.

While WorldSBK has not witnessed wheels turned in anger since Laguna Seca, Lowes has been far from resting. Competing, and winning the Suzuka 8Hours with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team in late-July, he then went on to re-join his victorious endurance teammate Pol Espargaro in the Monster Energy Tech3 Team, substituting for injured countryman Bradley Smith in two consecutive MotoGP races at Silverstone and Misano. Lausitzring will herald his third race in as many weeks but the British rider, who turns 26 on Wednesday, remains as determined as ever to get back to the day job, utilising the experience and skills honed aboard the multiple machines to deliver on the WorldSBK-spec YZF-R1.

Germany will provide Guintoli with his first race weekend since the qualifying accident at Imola forced him out of competition. Having spent the past four months concentrating on his rehabilitation and fitness, the Frenchman has been back on track aboard his road and race YZF-R1’s as he prepares for his return. His most recent outings have seen the 34-year-old reacquaint himself with the Pata Yamaha team at two private tests, allowing the opportunity to both learn the Lausitz layout and test his fitness against his familiar Magny-Cours circuit. Guintoli is confident that he can return to the sharp end for the final four events in the 2016 calendar, starting with the Brandenburg track this weekend.

The Lausitzring EuroSpeedway is located in eastern Germany, close to the Czech and Polish borders, lying approximately 65kms north of Dresden and 135kms south of Berlin. The anticlockwise layout houses 13 corners, 7 left and 6 right-handers and while the overall landscape is flat, the twisty circuit provides a unique experience for the riders. WorldSBK last visited the circuit in 2007, with Noriyuka Haga taking a race win, a further podium and setting the lap record of 1’38.622 on his Yamaha YZF-R1. Lights out for 2016’s two 21-lap races is scheduled for 13:00 local time on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September.

Lowes: We had a good test in Germany last month

“Lausitz is a new track for me and most people in WorldSBK but I’m looking forward to this weekend and getting back on the YZF-R1. I think it’s going to be a difficult race for everyone, as it’s a technical track with some tricky sections but we had a good test there last month. My goal for the final four rounds is to up our game a bit and finish the season well so I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Guintoli: It is not the most exciting track

“Obviously I have been out of competition for a few months now so I’m really looking forward to getting back into the mix and getting stuck in. You can’t replace racing – there is nothing that gets anywhere near the feeling it gives you to compete and to race so I am very much looking forward to this weekend. Hopefully I can rebuild my speed quickly, find the feeling with the YZF-R1 and enjoy the end of the season. I think everyone agrees that Lausitz is not the most exciting track and is very bumpy but we have to do the best we can there to get a strong result.”

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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Parc Fermé

In my latest weekly column Parc Fermé, I cast my mind back to a weekend of phenomenal bike racing and look ahead at what is to come. Let’s just hope it’s not a #93 world championship.

A weekend of Grand Prix motorcycle racing at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli and the British Superbike ‘Showdown Decider’ at Oulton Park.

Just that opening paragraph is enough to have you bouncing your knees in excitement and feeling the goosebumps develop all over your skin.

As soon as Jorge Navarro crashed out at Misano the commentators should just have declared there and then that Brad Binder is the 2016 Moto3 champion. He is now 106 points in front of second place Enea Bastianini. I don’t care what sort of rider you are, unless Binder is going to throw his bike at the scenery for the next five races (and I can’t see that happening) South Africa will be crowning itself a world champion. It is shame though. I really thought that Binder and Navarro were going to go at it hammer and tongs to the very last race. I even thought riders like Bastianini, Bulega, Antonelli and Fenati were going to mount a serious challenge. It wasn’t to be.

I know there are a few people out there who have said they find Brad a bit boring during interviews, but I like him. I like how he conducts himself and the way he keeps a cool, calm and collected manner about him. He is a worthy champion, of that I have no doubt.

After the furore of Silverstone (mostly from British fans) regarding Zarco and Lowes, it was time to see what would happen at Misano. Well, not much between them to be honest. Sam was unfortunately down again and I hate to say it, but I think that’s his championship hopes gone with his bike into the gravel.

Alex Rins. Well. Broke both collar bones and rode his bloody socks off, yet it was the hustling, determined and downright dogged Lorenzo Baldassarri who took the spoils. His performance, the way he hunted down Rins was exceptional. I won’t hide the fact that I was quite pleased to see Zarco drop like a stone, or as Julian Ryder quite eloquently put it “Zarco has been taken outside and beaten up.” Oh well, never mind. I was really pleased to see Rins and Baldassarri battling at the front for the win.

What I wasn’t expecting was a Dani Pedrosa victory in MotoGP. In fact I don’t think most people were expecting a Pedrosa win. Where the hell did that come from? I watched with interest as Rossi closed the gap down on Lorenzo, inch by inch the tarmac shortened and the sea of yellow in the stands erupted as the GOAT went into the lead. But hold on….wait a minute. What’s that in the background creeping up?

It was a Repsol Honda bike but not the bully boy #93 of Marquez, no it wasn’t. It was the #26 of Pedrosa.

I was ever so happy to see Pedrosa burst like a bullet underneath Marquez sitting him up as he went by. That’s the second time today I’ve been happy. Although I wasn’t expecting a Pedrosa victory it was a win that I don’t think anybody would deny him. He rode an absolutely phenomenal race.

The gap in the world championship is down to 43 points and if I am being honest I don’t mind who of the chasing pack wins the title this year, as long as it’s not the #93. I think that Marc Marquez is one of the most talented riders there has ever been. What he can do with a motorcycle is just unbelievable and he is without doubt a true great. I just don’t like his riding ethics and his smarmy, arrogant nature off the track. That’s the only reason I don’t want him to win the world championship. Nothing else.

The setting for the British Superbike ‘Showdown Decider’ was Oulton Park. Now, unlike the above, there is no superbike rider who I have glee in seeing dropping down the order. It was a real topsy turvy, roller coaster affair this one but I have to say the highlight of the weekend for me was witnessing racing history.

Three JG Speedfit Kawasaki riders locking out the podium positions, the first time in British Superbike history and this coming from a fan of another bike racing team as well. It is always a special moment watching racing history being made.

I did manage two rather large shots when I witnessed both Tommy Bridewell and Jake Dixon go down hard, their bikes catapulting across the grass to the fencing. Bridewell’s bike actually went over the fencing and on both occasions the fans were running for cover.

So, we have our final six riders for the Championship Showdown. Leon Haslam, Shakey Byrne, Jason O’Halloran, James Ellison, Dan Linfoot and Luke Mossey. Three Kawasaki’s, two Honda’s and a Ducati. It’s going to be some run-in to the end of the season, but where do I think the title will go.

As a fan, my heart says Shakey Byrne, as a Byrne fan and lifelong Ducati fan. My head says Leon Haslam, I just think he has hit a rich vein of form and looks the business at the moment. If I was going to pick a rider outside of those two I’d want Luke Mossey to win it. I like him, I like the way he conducts himself.

Whether it was Moto3, Moto2, MotoGP, British Superbikes or British Supersport, at the weekend I still managed to witness more excitement in one weekend than a certain racing series all season that I can’t be bothered to mention again.

The Grand Prix racers move to Aragon and the British Superbike riders go to Donington. In all of the series it’s just going to be one hell of an end to the season.

Until the next time. See you at the chequered flag.

Neil Simmons

Twitter: @world_racing

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Quick 10 With…..Steve Parrish

He turned professional in 1976 won the ACU Solo title in the British Motorcycle Championship. He became a team mate to the late, great Barry Sheene and competed in the 1977 500cc World Champioinship where he finished 5th. He was 500cc British Champion in 1978 and won the Shell 500 title in 1979 and 1980. He also competed at eight Isle Of Man TT’s.

After retiring from motorcycle racing in 1986 he took up truck racing. In 1987 he was the British Open Truck Racing Champion and in 1990 he won both the European and British Truck Racing Championships. He held the British title for four years and retained the European title for three years. He won the European title again in 1996. He is the most successful British Truck racer ever.

Outside of truck racing he was UK Yamaha Factory team manager from 1987 to 1991 and led the team to three British Superbike Championships in 1987, 1989 and 1990. He is a regular on our TV screens commentating on bike racing, more recently World Superbikes, and is also a regular presenter of the Isle Of Man TT programmes.

These are his Quick 10 and he is…..Steve Parrish.

1. What is your favourite circuit and why?

Spa Francorchamps had some great races there on the old circuit, beating Ago was one time in 1977

2. Who is/was your racing idol?

Barry Sheene then and Valentino Rossi

3. Who would you regard as your toughest opponent?

Everyone is your toughest opponent especially if they are in front of me but probably Barry Sheene, always need to try to beat your team mate!

4. Considering racers of all time, you are a team principal and money is no object. Which two racers would you have in your team?

Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez

5. If you could invite four famous people to dinner (past and present), who would you invite?

Barry Sheene, Mike Hailwood, Roger Federer and Marco Simoncelli

6. Personal racing number? What is it and the reason behind it?

No. 6 – No particular reason it was the only one available at the time plus it was one less than Barry Sheene NO.7 !

7. What is the best race you have been involved in?

Spa 1977 when I had a great battle with Pat Hennen, Steve Baker and Ago and beat them all!!!

8. Is there a race or series you have not competed in, that you would like to or had wanted to?

British Touring Cars

9. How did you get into motor racing? What ignited that spark?

Got into it because I loved engines and taking them a part and we had a disused airfield nearby so I would take my brothers bike and ride up and down it

10. What is the best advice in racing you have been given?

Preparation, Preparation, preparation! Always check the motorcycle, car, truck over before getting on it!

I know Steve is a very busy man, so I would like to not only thank him for taking the time out from his hectic schedule to answer these questions but for the also the interaction on Twitter where is always kind enough to answer a Tweet and be entertaining.

Neil Simmons

Twitter: @world_racing

Photo Credits: www.steveparrishracing.com

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Mixed race for AGR Moto2 Team

In the race, Marcel started from 13th and Áxel 16th. And there was a disaster. Pons crashed in the first lap, not by his fault, and Marcel had an off-track excursion in the second. The Argiñano & Ginés Racing Team was literally out and there was still a lot of the race left to go. Áxel returned to the garage and had pain in one hand, while Marcel took started a great recovery. The German rider of the AGR went from the 23rd to the 11th position, finishing just outside the top 10 that he wanted so much.

Schrötter showed that he had a better pace than many other riders. Some of them he passed easily, with others he had to work harder. He also benefited from some crash ahead. He crossed the Finish line less than two seconds.

Marcel Schrotter: I didn’t have much grip

“I must ask the team to forgive me. I did a good lap, but in turn 4 of the second lap I felt someone push me, I tried to hold the ground but I was hit and went off track. Under those conditions it was difficult to fight, but I tried to push in all laps until the end. During the warm-up we had tried something that went well, but during the race the conditions had changed a lot and I didn’t feel I had much grip. I think I fought well in the end, but I’m not happy with the times. We were able to gather some points”.

Áxel Pons: We had good pace

“No luck, I was hit in the second corner and the work of the whole weekend went away. We had good pace. It’s a pity. I’m already thinking about Aragon. We are competing at home, so we have to get a good result”.

Kiko Giles

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MotoGP’s fight against Tragedy

Lorenzo Baldassarri’s victory in Sunday’s Moto2 race was a timely reminder that the MotoGP paddock goes beyond the world of sport, as the Italian was fully decked out in his Stars and Stripes livery.

The Forward Racing rider has been due a win for a long time, but the main reason for this feature is because of the sheer meaning and significance that the win had. On a day that 15 years ago would never be forgotten, nor could it have ever been predicted, it almost seems strange that we celebrate a tribute just like this.

It was almost scripted. Baldassarri’s home race. His first race win. And on a day that is so often associated with negative events, a breath of fresh air was hovering over to finally cheer something on. Good times were much needed too, after controversy in the Moto2 paddock last time out, it took the sting and all the bad thoughts from Silverstone.

But it was a much needed win for other reasons. Considering he was riding with the American Flag livery, and for the reason he was riding with it, it makes sense to link this to terrorism. The 9/11 attacks were sadly not the last atrocities on Earth, and that makes the win very fitting. This shows that no matter how much terrorism happens or what the political situation is in certain countries, it will always be the people on the side of the victims that show us just how to deal with it.

The victory for Balda today shows that MotoGP is standing up to terrorism around the world. That it isn’t going to let savages win and let innocent victims be forgotten. It shows that the best way to remember the lost and the families affected, is to do your best and win at what you’re good at. Try your best and if you don’t succeed then you keep trying because you don’t know what may happen tomorrow.

It was an emotionally draining event for everyone at Misano too. 6 years ago we lost Shoya Tomizawa and on Thursday, the late great Marco Simoncelli had his number 58 retired at the circuit that is named after the 250cc champion. Wayne Rainey’s career was cut short at this very circuit and on top of all that, Italy was still grieving after last month’s tragic earthquake. Which brings me on to the win from Lorenzo. It has reunited a country; remembered those we have lost to terrorism on a day that connotes tragedy; remembered Simoncelli in a way that he would have wanted and on top of all, highlighted that despite however many difficult periods this track has been through, and how many names are remembered at Misano, success is inevitable and that you have two extremes at each end of a scale. Travesty and terror at one, yet supremacy and delight at the other. A weekend that will be remembered for so many good reasons, a day that finally has something to celebrate. Lorenzo Baldassarri has really done the world proud.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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