MotoGP may have begun hosting Virtual Races for premier-class riders to compete together on a Playstation during the delay to real racing, but Moto2s Xavi Vierge is using technology to train with other riders during the enforced isolation.
- In an interview with Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta, he reveals Kawasaki requested a MotoGP wildcard entry for its Superbike team but were turned down by the series organisers. Ezpeleta also expects to retain its six current MotoGP manufacturers in the next round of factory contracts.
The FIM has defended its call to run the opening World Superbike championship race in Argentina on Saturday when six riders opted to sit it out over safety concerns.
World Superbike riders have openly slated track conditions at Circuito San Juan Villicum following Friday practice, with track inspections planned to assess safety conditions for the rest of the weekend.
- Honda boss Tetsuhiro Kuwata has dismissed rumours Jorge Lorenzo could retire due to his ongoing injury battle along with his current struggles adapting to the RC213V.
Marco Melandri has left Donington Park bemused by the disappearance of his pace with GRT Yamaha and believes “either the bike doesn’t like me or my riding style doesn’t suit the bike”.
Chaz Davies remains cautiously optimistic heading to Misano with Aruba.it Racing Ducati having been confident of finding a setup breakthrough with his V4 R but warns “we’re not under any illusions that it’s going to be particularly easy”.
Marco Melandri has responded to Chaz Davies’ assertion that he was to blame for the accident that eliminated them both from the second World Superbike Championship race at Jerez, saying his rival didn’t leave him enough space.
Marco Melandri has ended the Portimao winter test downbeat having struggled to find solutions with his braking and corner entry issues and feels the GRT Yamaha isn’t suiting his riding style.
Yamaha Racing Manager Andrea Dosoli says expanding the manufacturer’s efforts in World Superbikes must improve its development pace to catch the front-runners and has warned the teams “we need to fight at the front rather than fight with each other.”
Marco Melandri will remain in the World Superbike championship next year after signing a deal with GRT Yamaha alongside Sandro Cortese who steps up to the premier class as World Supersport champion.
Full Superpole qualifying results for the twelfth round of the 2018 World Superbike Championship at Circuito San Juan Villicum, Argentina. Full Superpole 2 results 1. Marco Melandri ITA Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale R 1m 39.012s
Full WorldSBK warm-up results from Portimao Jonathan Rea has produced impressive pace in warm-up to send out a further warning for race two following his domination in the Portimao opener.
Full WorldSBK FP4 results from Portimao Marco Melandri has broken Jonathan Rea’s dominance at Portimao by topping the final free practice session ahead of qualifying.
Full free practice four results for the tenth round of the 2018 World Superbike Championship at Portimao, Portugal. 1. Marco Melandri ITA Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale R 1m 41.601s 2. Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10RR 1m 41.666s
Marco Melandri says he’s found a comfortable set-up with his Aruba.it Racing Ducati at Brno after a torrid Donington Park round last time out but still feels Kawasaki’s Jonathan Rea has a clear pace advantage.
Both Marco Melandri and Chaz Davies have been left deflated by Ducati’s grip and stability issues plaguing its pace at Donington Park as the Italian manufacturer suffered its worst World Superbike race in over three years.
Full WorldSBK FP2 results from Imola Marco Melandri has marginally chipped into Jonathan Rea’s top time in FP2 at Imola to jump above Aruba.it Racing Ducati teammate Chaz Davies on the combined times.
Full free practice two results for the fifth round of the 2018 World Superbike Championship at Imola, Italy. 1. Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10RR 1m 46.951s* 2. Marco Melandri ITA Aruba.it Racing Ducati Panigale R 1m 47.150s
Marco Melandri feels he’s made “a big step forward” aiming to cure his Aruba.it Racing Ducati’s instability at high speeds during the private two-day World Superbike test at Brno after being plagued by the issue at recent rounds.