Crew On Two

30th January 2018

Pata Yamaha: “Much Faster Than Before”

Winter pre-season testing concluded this week for the World Superbike competitors at the Autodromo do Algarve, Portugal. The two-day event presented the teams with one final chance to make sure their setups are optimised, ahead of the opening round next month in Australia.

One team who managed to fully capitalise their on-track running was the Pata Yamaha outfit. Whilst both riders had managed a solid return last week at Jerez, this week the team ramped up preparations for the season, with both riders completing multiple race and qualifying simulations. As one of the teams expected to close the gap to the Kawasaki Racing Team this season, this final test on the Algarve coast presented the factory supported outfit with a final chance to get everything with the bikes right before the season opener.

Testing can be extremely difficult to gauge the true form of a team. There are simply too many non-disclosed variables – such as tyre compound usage, amounts of fuel in the tank, what engine mode is being run etc – to give onlookers a true indication of who is actually in a strong position or not.

One thing from this test is clear however, Pata Yamaha are definitely looking like they are ready to hit the ground running when the races start. Having finished as the third best team last year (behind KRT and Aruba.it Ducati respectively), the team have targeted victories in the forthcoming season. Following the test in Portugal this week, both the team’s riders will be very confident about their prospects in 2018. Michael van der Mark in particular had nothing but praise for his machine.

VDM: We had some important things to test, we tried different settings and we found some really good solutions for a number of setups, plus we were really fast and consistent as well. I am really happy with my race rhythm, I did my fastest time on race tyres so, I am really pleased with that and even with used tyres, we were a lot faster here than we have been here before.

For fans, this will come as welcome words indeed for a team who have made no secret that they believe they can challenge KRT this season. Van der Mark’s statements are firmly supported by the timesheets. During the Portuguese round last season, the best time for the flying Dutchman was 1:43.710 – in testing this week his best time was down to just 1:42.028. Even when fuel loads and tyre compounds are taken into account, it is still an astonishing time, and confirms that Yamaha have really made serious progress over the winter.

The progress that has evidently been made was not limited to just Van der Mark’s side of the garage. Team-mate Alex Lowes, the 2013 British Superbike champion and double Suzuka 8 hours winner, also had reason to be delighted with how the test at Portimao unfolded. The 27 year-old from Lincoln chalked up 170 laps over the two days, confirming not just improved pace, but solid reliability as well.

AL: We have had a really strong test because we have managed to find solutions to all the issues I had here at the race, which means I have a lot of optimism heading to Phillip Island! I’ve tried to not push too hard and ‘keep my powder dry’, as they say, before the first race and I am ready to go! It really has been a good few days of testing, we have had some negative things as well, which is always good to get them out the way now instead of during the season and today we finished with a positive performance.”

If both Lowes and Van der Mark were indeed keeping the powder dry, then we should expect the team to come out all guns blazing at Phillip Island next month. Perhaps the early predictions of complete Kawasaki domination this season might have been a little premature.

The 2018 World Superbike Championship begins at the Phillip Island circuit, Australia, 23rd-25th February.

25th January 2018

Leon Camier: “I’ll be able to get more out of our package”

This time last year, following the opening pre-season test, Red Bull-Honda knew they were in a world of trouble. The new Fireblade CBR1000RR had caught everyone, including its makers, by surprise and alarm. The bike was slow and unresponsive. Tune the engine, change the suspension dampers, short swing-arm, long swing-arm, alter the rake – they tried every trick in the book, but the bike would not yield. Perplexing both engineers, mechanics and riders, the season was a long and painful affair. The end of season could not arrive quick enough.

Fast forward to the Circuito de Jerez this week. The demons appear to have been banished.

Spearheading this resurgence is one of the most experienced men in the competition, Leon Camier. The 31 year-old British rider has moved across from MV Agusta, and has immediately made his presence felt. He was obviously in good spirits following a very promising 3rd place finish in the opening pre-season test this week.

LC: I’m really happy with how this test went, we’ve made some good progress and I’m learning the bike more and more. There’s still a lot I’d like to work on at the next test in Portimao and I think as I ride this bike on different tracks I’ll be able to get even more out of our package.

A veiled warning to the likes of Pata-Yamaha and Aruba.it Ducati? Yes. It is true that a rider takes time to adapt when joining a new team, riding styles must alter to get the most out of a different bike. This is no different to someone of Camier’s experience with 185 race starts to his name. Nevertheless the early indications are that he has already got himself ‘dialled in’ as they say. Having spent the previous two seasons wringing the neck of an out of date MV, Camier has the hunger to prove himself in a larger, factory supported team. Additionally, his riding style has already been honed to handle a more volatile machine – which this Honda still is.

The majority of the team’s efforts in Jerez were focused on reliability and race-pace. With multiple long stints with a high level of fuel on board, a spectacular showing was not expected. True to the illogical nature of racing, a spectacular showing was what we got. Rarely outside of the top ten throughout the entirety of the test and reaching lap time parity with the likes of the Yamaha and Ducati outfits, it was a much needed return to form for the whole team.

There can be no doubt that the seemingly wholesale turnaround in the team’s fortunes is a truly collective effort from everybody involved. From the riders and the mechanics, to all those personnel who work back at HRC, it is clear that everyone involved has risen to the challenge. This was a fact not lost by team manager, Kevin Bos.

KB: The Jerez test was a success from a team point of view as we managed to test a lot of new components and made some solid improvement with the CBR1000RR SP2. Leon made some big steps with the bike compared to the test here in November and we were able to find a really good balance with the Fireblade which not only helped improve performance but also gave some benefit in terms of tyre durability. We’re looking forward to keeping the momentum going at Portimao in a few days time

Of course, we will not know fully how close the team are to competing at the front of the field until the opening race of the season at Phillip Island, next month. However one thing is certain, the Red Bull-Honda outfit are already in a much better place than at any point last season.

24th January 2018

WSBK Jerez Test Report: Advantage Kawasaki

The long winter break at last ended this week at the Circuito de Jerez, as the World Superbike competitors took part in the first pre-season test. Despite the weather conditions being closer to British standards than Iberian, with a steady band of fog hovering over the circuit on both mornings, the teams and riders were eager to make the most of the time available to them.

Kawasaki Racing Team appear to have picked up in 2018, where they left 2017: out in front of the pack. This should not be surprising, the Japanese factory team dominated the championship last year with both riders, Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes, taking the Lion’s share of the spoils. The latter took the honour of being the fastest of all across the test setting a time of 1:38.889, half a second quicker than Rea and then the rest of the field. KRT have spent the majority of the meeting focusing on race pace, with both riders completing multiple long runs across the two days. Ominously for their opposition, neither of the two ever found themselves lower than fifth place at any time. Sykes’ final lap time underlining the sheer gulf in performance (0.719 seconds) of the factory Kawasaki bikes to the rest of the competition.

At face value, the Abruba.it Ducati team would appear to also have continued in the same vein as last year: second best, but with the potential to fight for race wins at tracks which suit the strength of their bikes. Once again, the Bologna based factory team have Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri piloting the Panigale R machines. Not wanting to reveal too much to their chief rivals, the team focused purely on setup work and long data gathering runs. This was reflected in Davies’ finishing place of P11, 1.83 seconds adrift of Sykes’ fastest time. Although Melandri (1:39.754) did take a headline grabbing P3 at the end of the final day, he was still almost a full second away from the top spot. It is worth remembering that Davies is still recovering from injuries sustained at this circuit at the end of last season. The team are confident he’ll be fully fit come the opening round in Australia next month.

It would however be wrong to assume at this early stage that the championship is a foregone conclusion. The chief opposition to the men in green looks like it might come in the shape of a resurgent Red-Bull Honda team. Whilst we must always take results from testing with a pinch of salt, it does look like Honda will be firmly putting a dreadful 2017 campaign into the box labelled “Dark and Distant Memory”. It is all change with the riders for the new year. Jake Gagne, the 25 year-old Californian, has made the full time switch from the MotoAmerica championship, following an impressive debut at Laguna Seca last season. The team have been quick to emphasise that he will take time to adjust to the bike and as such should not be judged quickly. As such, the American’s side of the garage purely focused on his general bike setup this week. To compliment the signing of the rookie, Honda have acquired the services of one of the most experienced riders in the sport, Leon Camier. The British rider, moving from MV Agusta, took next to no time to adapt to the Fireblade CBR1000RR SP2 and was a constant presence at the sharp end of the time sheets, securing an impressive P3 in the dying minutes of the final day with a time of 1:39.608. Of course the season is still yet to begin but compared to where the team was this time last year, it was about as perfect a start as the team could have wished for.

Pata-Yamaha will also be quietly satisfied with the work completed over the past two days. The early signs are that the factory supported outfit appear to have caught up with rivals Ducati. Alex Lowes (1:40.398) was a permanent fixture inside the top five for the majority of the test, leading the team’s charge ahead of teammate Michael van der Mark (1:40.532). Despite their final standings being dropped down to P7 and P8 respectively, this was simply due to the team not electing to do a low-fuel ‘qualifying style’ run at the end of Wednesday’s session. Additionally, the team had test rider, Niccolo Canepa, on hand to help with the setup work. Together, the three riders completed an impressive 411 laps across the two days. Canepa did however set a hot lap of 1:39.524 at the end of the test to confirm the apparently strong position the team find themselves in.

Elsewhere there was close competition for the privateer teams who make up the rest of the competition. Fresh from the MotoGP paddock Loris Baz (Althea-BMW) marked his arrival to Superbikes with a very promising P10 finish, and within 2 seconds of the full factory supported teams. He headed a group of more experienced competitors in the category including Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee-Aprilia) and Ondrej Jezek (Guandalini Racing Yamaha). The former struggled at Jerez, reportedly unhappy with the balance of his machine, and could only finish 15th with a best time of 1:41.411. The team did at least have a more encouraging test with their second rider, Eugene Laverty (1.39.876), who secured a top 5 placing and ensured the team move forward in the pre-season with a degree of optimism and confidence.

Top 10 Result:

1: Tom Sykes (KRT) – 1:38.889

2: Jonathan Rea (KRT) + 0.581

3: Leon Camier (Red Bull-Honda) +0.719

4: Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Ducati) +0.865

5: Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee-Aprilia) +0.987

6: Jordi Torres (MV Agusta) +1.266

7: Alex Lowes (Pata-Yamaha) +1.509

8: Michael van der Mark (Pata-Yamaha) +1.643

9: Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing Kawasaki) +1.750

10: Loris Baz (Althea-BMW) +1.818

The 2018 FIM World Superbike Championship begins at the Phillip Island Circuit, Australia. Friday 23rd-Sunday 25th February.

24th November 201724th November 2017

Everquip Racing Ready to Fight for Supersport Championship

Hornsea-based Everquip Racing will expand their operations in the British Supersport championship next year, starring a two-man line-up for their second full season. South African Bjorn Estment was the team’s sole rider last season, achieving five top-five finishes on his way to 11th in the championship and will return with the team for 2018. He will be joined by ex- AMA Supersport champion, James Rispoli, who returns to the class after a season in British Superbikes and a season in the National Superstock 1000 category.

“I am really excited about 2018 and I’m peaking to be back with Everquip Racing for a second season. We started the journey in 2017 and I plan to continue the journey by being at the top in 2018. I am really grateful for the guys for the second season together. There are new things in place, including the expansion, with the team welcoming James Rispoli back into the Supersport category,” an elated Estment stated.

“Consistency is definitely key. I’m familiar with the team and how they work, my mechanics and also the bike. I think all things considered, the best option was to stay in the same place and build on what we made last season,” said a positive and optimistic South African, who finished 11th overall in 2017.

“The main focus is on improving the performance in general. Top-fives need to become podiums and then we need to start challenging for race wins, should the opportunity present itself. As a team, we all need to provide the right exposure for our sponsors and get to where we know we can be, which is at the front.

“The first year was divided into three parts. Initially, it was very good and positive: consistent top-eights and a best result of 6th in the first third of the season gave us plenty of optimism and pushed us on to do a lot better. The middle third is where we struggled; we hit technical problems which led to us chasing our tails, making it highly frustrating for everyone involved. The final third was great. It really was fantastic to be involved with everyone. Unfortunately, red flags, inclement weather conditions and a whole host of other variables scuppered our chances of a podium, which, was annoying and unlucky. To finish off with four top-fives on the bounce – five top-fives overall – and consistently racing with front running pace is a testament to the hard work, belief and resilience that the team has,” continued a reflective Estment.

The South African went on to thank his sponsors for their loyal support, saying: “I want to say a massive thanks to Everquip Racing, all the team partners and personnel and my personal sponsors – Total Building Services, Pro Air Conditioning and NFB.

James Rispoli was equally as excited about his return to the British Supersport class, stating that he wants to have a “real shot at the championship.”

“When I was in Supersport before, it was one of the toughest season’s there but we did the business. OK, we may not have won a race but we came so close on so many occasions. We took five 2nd-place finishes and every race we finished was within the top seven. The objective is to get back to winning ways in 2018 and have a real shot at the championship,” said the American.

“I am really stoked to have signed with the Everquip Racing Yamaha team. I know Bjorn from when I started in British Supersport. My entire goal for 2018 was to be on a winning motorcycle so I could fight for wins week in, week out. When I found out that Andy Jamison was building the bikes, I got really excited because he is the man when it comes to building a winning R6.

“Funnily enough, I haven’t met Stuart Everard yet but the phone calls we’ve made back and forth have been very positive from the beginning. We seemed to connect very well and he has the winning mentality that I really like and really need,” continued the ex-Superbike rider.

“For me it’s simple: we want to win races and be on the podium in every single race. When I was in British Supersport before, I struggled a little in the beginning of the season but finished it very strong and I believe that we can build on that straight away. I want to show up at every race as if it’s my last one.

“It is now time to go on a model diet so I can get back in Supersport trim – well, maybe after Christmas but I will get in shape either way,” concluded the former double AMA Supersport champion.

Team Owner Stuart Everard looks forward to his second season in the British Supersport class and expects to be pushing for the championship.

“Everquip Racing are delighted to welcome American James Rispoli for the upcoming 2018 British Super Sport Championship. He will join current Everquip charger South African Bjorn Estment who retains his ride after an impressive second half of the teams debut season. We are obviously going to want to push for the championship and consistency will be key in that” began an excited Everard.

“Everquip Racing will continue on the Yamaha R6 used last season. We would like to thank our loyal sponsors Michael Barugh, Watts Mix, Pneumatic Engineering, NGK, Pro-Air, Total Building Solutions, MHP, GB Racing and all our box sponsors,” concluded the Hornsea native.

To keep up with the team’s progress throughout the year on Twitter, follow @EverquipRacing. To keep up with the riders’ progress, follow @bjornestment27 and @JamesRispoli.

22nd November 2017

Laverty: We made some big steps

Eugene Laverty has completed a highly productive Jerez test, declaring that he and the Milwaukee Aprilia team ‘made some big steps’ as they worked through their testing schedule.

“The test first of all was about exploring the new rev limits. We had to understand how to use the gearbox differently, which is going to make the rider busier as we need to shift more. I can’t say much more about the lower revs but we will just have to live with it, as every manufacturer will,” said a slightly sceptical Irishman.

“Today we’ve also focused on the issue I had for a lot of 2017 which was getting the bike to push on the rear tyre more so we can stop, turn and accelerate better. We made some big steps on Tuesday, and I was surprised how extreme we had to go. We made progress though and suddenly I had rear grip, which gives me confidence because it confirms what we thought about the bike and the direction we need to follow,” he continued.

Laverty has won at Jerez twice, both coming on the Aprilia in 2013. When he returned to the championship this season, he finished 8th in race one before retiring in race two. Whilst his testing lap time was slower than his qualifying time in 2017, the gains made will enable the Irishman to push on and have better race pace.

“I wish we had a third day as always so we could keep progressing, but it’s been a very useful two days. We still have to chase down those guys at the front, and Aprilia understand what’s needed on the engine and chassis side of things. We understand the direction needed, it will be the second year with the team and the same bike and we can only get stronger.”

21st November 2017

The Father of a First-Time Winner

Thumbs Up, Race Win Accomplished. Picture by Peter Backhurst

Back at Brands Hatch, I caught up with the father of Ryan Vickers, Paul. Outside the Kentagon (I was the one drinking, not Paul) we spoke about a great deal of things in what has been an incredible season for Ryan. The interview also took place just hours after Ryan had taken his first victory of the season, in a frantic Superstock 600 race. Here is what it has been like for the family-run team from Thetford, Norfolk.

“It’s phenomenal. We’ve known for a long time that Ryan has the pace and the talent and after a couple of knock backs in the season, he has shown in the final three races that he has what it takes. We decided to use our own bike from Oulton Park onwards and thankfully, Ryan has really gelled with it. We’ve never put Ryan under pressure and he just goes out and tries his best; most importantly, he enjoys his racing and enjoys being out on track,” began father Paul Vickers, who was once 3rd in the world wheelie championship.

“Alan carter has been an amazing mentor to Ryan. Alan has got his racing head on and he breathes every second of the weekend with us all and that is something that is hard to come by.

“We had the troubles at the start of the year but because I know what Ryan is like and what he’s been like all through his life, I never doubted his ability to bounce back. We knew that if we could give him a bike that works for him, he’d be winning races. I must admit though, I wasn’t sure that I’d be able to give him the bike – certainly not in the first year anyway. Having help from Ohlins has really transformed us and it made all the difference,” he continued.

Ryan Vickers’ first year was a success. After a difficult start to the season with another team, the team used their own bike and instantly, results came their way. Ryan crashed out of his home-race at Snetterton whilst battling for 2nd on the last lap, having come from as low as 10th. His first podium came at Silverstone, with 3rd in the race. Although he finished 2nd in the penultimate race, he, along with others, was disqualified. But the win finally came at Brands Hatch, under a sunny Autumn sky.

“Before we got Sam on board from Ohlins, I felt like I was letting him down. Ryan would come into the pits and basically say, ‘Dad, it’s doing this’ and I’d say, ‘I don’t know what to do mate.’ Now we have a couple of people on board that can react to what he is saying and turn it into an adjustment, there’s nothing stopping him.

“We will look at all the options over the Winter but our plan is National Superstock 600 again next season and to try and win the championship with the bike. We may try to buy another and just strip it down so we have spares because then at least he knows that if he writes the bike off, he has spares to keep racing with. If he had wrote his bike of at a point during any weekend this year, we’d be heading back home.

“Dave and Sue next door have been mega. Every single one of our sponsors have been mega – and I mean that; that isn’t me being PR but genuinely, without the help they provide, we wouldn’t have been able to go racing. even people who have chucked us a tenner here or a fiver there, we wouldn’t be here. Without the sponsors, we’d have had to make a lot of sacrifices. Work would’ve been harder, money would’ve been even harder too. We need more sponsors but with what we have, we can make it.

“With the package we have and the way we operate, I know that we have a bike and team that can win the title. People talking about us in a positive way helps us and spurs us all on; it builds your confidence and spirits and makes you believe what you may not have been able to believe before.”

15th November 2017

Petrucci praises ‘Season full of Sensation’

Danilo Petrucci finished the 2017 MotoGP season with a 13th place in the race, giving him 8th overall in the championship. He finished as the top ‘Independent’ Ducati, 49 points ahead of next best Ducati rider, Alvaro Bautista, whilst finishing just 13 points behind Jorge Lorenzo of the factory team.

“It was a season full of satisfaction. We have experienced great emotions that I will remember forever,” said the Italian, who took four podiums throughout a highly successful campaign for Paolo Campinoti’s team.

“I have an extraordinary team that I want to thank for the work done throughout the season. A special dedication to all those who have contributed to achieving these results,” he concluded.

Petrucci finished the season with a superb four podiums – more than Jorge Lorenzo in the Factory team. The Italian also had four front row starts, however, there were no poles.

13th November 2017

Marquez: The race was exciting and intense – a bit ‘Marquez Style’

Marc Marquez has praised his Honda team after taking their 4th MotoGP Championship together. The Spaniard almost threw away the championship with another front end moment at turn 1, however, he saved the big from crashing, running through the gravel to rejoin in 5th.

“I’m living a dream. ‘Six Titles’ are big words. The truth is that I’m incredibly happy because we worked so much this year and today the race was incredibly tense and exciting—a bit ‘Marquez Style.’ I made a mistake, but I also made my best save of the year. From that moment on, I just tried to finish the race in a good position.

“I’m sorry that Andrea didn’t finish the race, as he deserved to do so. He had an incredible season and I would have liked to have him on the podium with me today. The key to the year has been our mentality. In our world, it’s very important to remain positive and motivated during the difficult moments. Some things happened to us at the beginning of the season but when we found the way to sort things out, everything went better.

“Congratulations to Honda and the entire team for the Triple Crown. It’s an amazing achievement. Winning the title at the last race of the season in front of our fans is one of the best things possible. Now I want to enjoy this with my entire team and my family and after that, we’ll start to work for next year.”

The result means that ever since joining the MotoGP class, Marquez has been on the podium. He is the youngest rider to win six championships and is the first rider to win four championships for Repsol Honda.

10th November 2017

Hickman ‘Can Push for the BSB Championship in 2018’

Peter Hickman has declared his intentions for the 2018 British Superbike championship very early on, stating he feels that he has good chance of BSB title success in the coming season.

The fastest Isle of Man TT newcomer took a win at Thruxton in an emotional weekend, giving the Smith’s Racing BMW outfit their first win. Hickman also achieved two other podiums, on his way to his and Smith’s BMW’s first Showdown, where he finished 4th, 59 points off title success.

“This will be the first time in my career I’ve stayed with the same team on the same bike, so I’m delighted to be back with the Smiths team and on the BMW for 2018”, began an elated Hicky.

“We had a great season this year and we can now hit the ground running which can only benefit us. We know we have a lot more to come so I can’t wait to get started”, continued the five-time Isle of Man TT podium finisher.

“I genuinely feel I can push for the BSB championship next year. We had a great package on the roads too and it’s great to get everything sorted early, so we can focus 100% on the goals we want to achieve in 2018,” he concluded.

Hickman will be joined at Smith’s BMW by double FIM European Superstock 1000 champion, Sylvain Barrier, who comes across from MotoAmerica, in which he finished 15th this season.

10th November 2017

‘Excited’ Rouse and Gilbert Looking Forward to 2018 with Team IMR

Isle of Man-based outfit Team IMR have signed Chrissy Rouse and Jordan Gilbert for the 2018 National Superstock 1000 season, competing on BMW machinery. The team ventured into the series towards the end of last season with Joe Collier, securing a best finish of 9th in the final race of the year.

Chrissy Rouse is believed to have been hot property but after speculation, he confirmed his departure from Mission Racing to join IMR. Rouse was a persistent front runner in 2017 and excelled in many rounds, including Cadwell Park and also at Silverstone, before he crashed whilst leading. Jordan Gilbert finished runner-up in the National Superstock 600 class, taking three wins along the way – Knockhill, Thruxton and Snetterton being the venues.

In the team, Ian Moffitt will continue his role as owner/manager. Steve Brogan follows Chrissy Rouse and Jordan Gilbert, to help them progress yet again. Brogan himself was the 2008 National Superstock 1000 champion, winning 8 races from a possible 12. Ex TAS Racing crew member, Philip McLaughlin, will be the crew chief for the team.

Chrissy Rouse said, “I’m really excited to have signed for Team IMR and to have everything in place for 2018 so early is terrific. With such a strong package in place at Team IMR, I’m confident we’ve got the tools to do the job. I learnt a lot in 2017 and was close to the lap record at each circuit but I know there’s plenty more to come from me so I want to be challenging for the title in 2018”.

Rouse continued, praising Steve Brogan and his importance in the team. “Keeping Steve is a massive boost as he’s a tremendous help to me so with an ambitious team whose goals match my own, I’m confident we’re going to have a great season together.”

Jordan Gilbert was equally as excited; “I’m delighted to be joining Team IMR and, having enjoyed a strong year in 2017 in the Superstock 600cc class, it’s a tremendous opportunity for me”.

Gilbert continued, stating his plans for attack in 2018. “It’s a new class and a new bike for me but I’ll be able to tap into their knowledge and the continuity will mean I can concentrate on my riding. Ian’s put together a great team and it’s nice to have everything sorted so soon. I’m really excited about 2018 and I can’t wait to get going.”

The first weekend of the National Superstock 1000 season gets underway on the 31st of March, at Donington Park, near East Midlands Airport.