Crew On Two

26th October 201726th October 2017

Exclusive: Fraser Rogers Q&A: I Wouldn’t Say I’ve Under Achieved

Back at Brands Hatch, I caught up with ex-Morello Kawasaki rider, Fraser Rogers, to chat to him about this season and his split from the Norfolk-based team. As well as this, he talks of possibly returning to the World Championships and also opens up about whether he has under achieved in 2017.

How has 2017 been – aside from your split with Morello Kawasaki?

It’s been tough; in fact, very tough. I’ve shown that I have the pace to be at the front. I want to stay in the National Superstock 1000 championship in the UK or move up to the European Superstock 1000 class next season. I have some really good offers and I know that I can run at the front. I just need the right people and the right package to make it all come together and make everything work well. I have shown my speed this year but unfortunately, I’ve suffered a lot of bad luck.

Do you think you could go stronger in 2017, given 2016’s stellar season?

I know what Morello will say but if you actually look through the results properly, then you will see that I went faster at near enough every circuit this season than I did last year. If you take out Thruxton and Cadwell Park, then I think you’ll find that I went faster everywhere else. With the likes of Danny Buchan and Richard Cooper dropping down and some of the fast boys coming up, then you will also notice that the overall pace is faster and the depth of talent in the field is a lot stronger.

Did you feel any pressure from Danny Buchan when you was riding at Morello Kawasaki?

I’ve ridden in GPs and world championships and the National Superstock 1000 class and it doesn’t really bother me. Everyone forgets that I’ve known Danny since I was 12-years-old. I’ve raced with him before. He is just a step ahead of me at the moment but that doesn’t mean to say that it won’t change in the future. It has been good being teammates with him this year; there’s been no animosity with him, it’s just been a healthy rivalry. He’s not got to me all season. I’ve had other established teammates in the past.

Do you agree with Steve Buckenham (Morello Kawasaki Team Owner) that you have under achieved in 2017?

I wouldn’t have said that I have massively under achieved. I finished 3rd in the first part of the Donington Park race and I beat Danny Buchan – my teammate – at Silverstone. I also had the fastest lap at Oulton Park earlier in the year. Like I said earlier, I have improved my lap times in 2017 but I’ve had a lot of bad luck this year too.

We didn’t do a lot of testing pre-season, we had four days in Spain but that was it. The four day test was cut short to 1 and a half anyway. I had a some problem and the chain split the engine casings. The team lent my engine to another rider but that also meant that I couldn’t continue, so we just packed up our stuff. We have done the official test this season but not massive amounts of testing elsewhere.

I don’t agree with what Steve has said. I have had a lot of problems this year. I crashed out at Snetterton all on my own but I could’ve been on the podium because my pace was strong. At another round this year, we had a fuel leak. That meant that with three laps to go, I ran out of fuel and then dropped a load of positions. I had a clutch let go on me at Donington Park Part 2 of the 100 mile race whilst running third & at another round, rain cost me a race win whilst I was out on dry tyres. At another round, results were poor due to some other things going on behind closed doors in the team.

I wouldn’t say I’ve under achieved because other wise, I wouldn’t be in the position with the offers that I have on the table now. I have good British offers and offers also in the world championships and also in Moto2. I went to IDM and on a Superstock bike with treaded tyres, I was able to be competitive against Markus Reiterberger who is an ex WSBK rider. My results could’ve been a lot better but I know, in myself, I am good enough to be in a top team. Things just haven’t fallen into place.

After three DNFs before Brands Hatch, or four because I wasn’t riding there, I am 7th in the championship. I went into Brands Hatch knowing that I couldn’t be beaten for 7th in the championship so how does that add up to me under achieving? Especially, in one of the most competitive stock championships in Europe. Steve is a great guy and Morello Racing are a great team but sometimes I just think ‘they aren’t for me’.

What are the reasons behind the split between yourself and Morello Racing?

I don’t really know. The moment I knew about it most was after the Cadwell Park or Silverstone race. Obviously, some things were said by Steve and I kind of knew then that things had run their course.

Morello Kawasaki have been brilliant with me this last 18 months and I would like to thank them for that chance. Chris Sayle gets on with me really well and that is a shame when myself and Steve just didn’t see eye-to-eye most of the time. It wasn’t very harmonious at all and the short and the long of it was I just wasn’t enjoying riding the bike or being in and around the team anymore, at which point its best to go our separate ways.

What does the future hold for Fraser Rogers now?

I’ve had a really good offer in National Superstock 1000 and likewise in the European Superstock 1000 championship. With Moto2 being confirmed for 2018, that is also an option, especially after I rode for the Fab Racing guys at Brands Hatch. If I can prove myself on a GP-spec bike then that is also an option. I want to end up back in the world championships so it is a logical step.

I would also like to thank all my sponsors for making this season happen, as without them I wouldn’t be racing so I cant thank these guys enough. Simon Whatley from SRS Rail Systems UK,
Matt and James Cox from Swindon Karting Arena, Fibros Promotional Print, Gary from Planet 4, my family and everyone else thats helped me along the way. 2018 awaits us!

Image by: Peter Backhurst

26th October 2017

Moto2 Australian GP Review: Oliveira and Binder make History

Miguel Oliveira took the Australian GP by storm, taking his first Moto2 victory by three seconds to take KTM’s first win in Moto2. The record breaking continued behind, as teammate Brad Binder took his first ever podium in the intermediate class as his rookie year continues to get better, following a tough, injury-hit start to the season. This was South Africa’s first podium in the intermediate class since Mario Rademayer in 1985, in South Africa. Franco Morbidelli was third and maintained his title aspirations, extending his lead in the title race on main rival Tom Lüthi, who had a tough day to come home tenth, following two big crashes through the weekend.

Oliveira who took the hole-shot down to turn one, with pole-sitter Mattia Pasini losing out and Binder moving up into second. Pasini was as low as 7th after a tentative start. Morbidelli slotted into third, with Dominique Aegerter moving into fourth. Lüthi got a good start and shot up into sixth, moving around the outside as he attempted to get in the fight at the front of the field from way down on the grid.

The pack then started to swap places but a massive crash for Marcel Schrötter collected Pasini and sent Aegerter out on the grass – as Oliveira started pulling away at the front. The crash continued Pasini’s run of never scoring a point at Phillip Island in the intermediate class. Morbidelli’s teammate, Alex Marquez, had a huge moment as Lüthi began to struggle. The top three of Oliveira, Binder and Morbidelli found themselves in clear air. Morbidelli and Binder started swapping places, handing Oliveira an advantage of six seconds with seven laps to go.

Takaaki Nakagami was the man on the charge in the middle of the race, closing in on the leading three before passing both Binder and Morbidelli. The South African and the Italian exchanged some tough passes and spectacular moves yet again, in what looked set to be a hard-fought battle over the last place on the podium. However, it began to rain, meaning the rain flag came out near the end of the race. Oblivious to the situation, Nakagami slid out at Lukey Heights as he chased down Miguel Oliveira. The Portuguese rider crossed the line almost three seconds clear, with Binder setting the fastest lap on the penultimate lap to take second and Morbidelli a safe third.

Jesko Raffin was an extraordinary surprise in fourth, ahead of yet another fine performance from Motegi podium finisher, Xavi Vierge. Alex Marquez recovered from his moment early in the race to take sixth, ahead of veteran Italian, Simone Corsi. Swiss rider Dominique Aegerter rode a solid race after drama early on, finishing ahead of Sandro Cortese and a struggling Lüthi.

Axel Pons, Francesco Bagnaia and fellow VR46 rider Stefano Manzi were 11th, 12th and 13th respectively. 2016 San Marino GP winner, Lorenzo Baldassarri was 14th, despite dislocating his shoulder (again) on Saturday. Remy Gardner completed the points, giving the home fans something to cheer.

Image by: MotoGP

25th October 201725th October 2017

MotoGP Australian Grand Prix Review: Marquez Wins Scrap of the Century

Marc Marquez took his sixth win of the year and his second ever in Australia after a frantic Phillip Island race on Sunday. The Spaniard broke clear of an eight-man scrap for the win in the final laps to take to the top step of the rostrum. It was a disastrous race for title rival Andrea Dovizioso, as the Italian suffered an early run off and was only able to fight back to 13th. It leaves Marquez now 33 points ahead in the points table. Valentino Rossi took second – his first podium since Silverstone – as he came out on top of the fight for the podium, with teammate Maverick Viñales taking third. Viñales is now out of the Championship fight, 50 points back with two rounds to go. Two wins for Vinales and two DNFs for Marquez would not be enough for the Yamaha man to take the crown, as he would only draw level on points. Marquez would win on count back of victories.

It was Marquez who got the initial lead into turn one, however he couldn’t retain it into The Southern Loop as a sensational start from Jack Miller from the middle of row two saw the home-hero carve his way through into the lead before pulling the pin and bolting off at the front. Viñales was the man in third on the charge, as he tried to keep his title hopes alive. As an incredible first lap concluded, the next big drama was into Doohan’s at the start of lap two, when Dovizioso and whole host of other riders went wide, leaving the Italian down in 20th.

A huge chain of eight riders closed in on Miller in the lead. Rossi and Viñales were the first to get through, straddling the Marc VDS Honda on both sides down the Gardner Straight. A lead group of Marquez, Viñales, Rossi, Andrea Iannone and Johann Zarco began to fight it out. The group was cut down to seven riders in the chasing pack, as Aleix Espargaro crashed out at turn 1, putting him out of the race and also, out of the forthcoming Malaysian GP.

Here were just some of the battles: Marquez vs Rossi, Zarco vs Rossi, Viñales vs Marquez, Iannone vs Zarco…in one of the most aggressive and hard-fought battles of the century, the passes came thick and fast, each, just as aggressive as the previous.

Zarco was one of the most flamboyant and outstanding. After tagging the rear of Marquez at Honda hairpin, he forced Valentino Rossi out wide at the exact same corner. A few laps later, the Tech 3 Yamaha man powered around the outside of Maverick Vinales at Doohan’d, a 140mph sweeping first corner. Zarco continued to show his front wheel, going side-by-side with Valentino Rossi and leaving rubber marks on the Italian as they went through the Hayshed corner, on the charge up Lukey Heights. Valentino was also run wide by arch-rival Marc Marquez, as the two contacted on the exit of The Southern Loop, costing Rossi another place as Iannone passed him too.

Once Marquez was in the lead, however, the reigning champion was able to start pulling a gap with five laps to go. As the battle for 2nd raged on behind, the Repsol Honda rider began to sprint off, leaving the fight to get on the podium to three riders on the final laps: Rossi vs Viñales vs Zarco.

With some of the craziest and most desperate lines ever ridden around ‘The Island’, ‘The Doctor’ was able to win the scrap for 2nd. However, all three were neck and neck over the line. Over the line behind the nine-time world champion, it was Viñales just edging ahead of the Tech 3 of Zarco, taking third for a return to the podium but a concrete end to his chance of the title. Zarco’s fourth, however, confirmed him as Rookie of the Year, despite it not justifying the hardcore racing he displayed.

After Iannone got pushed back in the closing stages, Cal Crutchlow took fifth ahead of ‘The Maniac’, with early race leader Miller, rookie Alex Rins and both of the Red Bull KTMs completing the top ten; Pol Espargaro just pipping Bradley Smith. Dovizioso suffered late on after losing out in a drag to the line with both Scott Redding and Dani Pedrosa. Redding in turn was the top Ducati. Behind Dovi was Karel Abraham and fellow Ducati rider, Jorge Lorenzo, completing the top fifteen, compounding a terrible weekend for the Italian marque.

Sepang and Malaysia now beckon for the GP circus. Will we see another thriller to top off what have been some of the best ever fly-away Grand Prix in recent memory?

Image by MotoGP

25th October 2017

WSBK Jerez Review: Rea Equals More Records with Jerez Domination

The Spanish WSBK round saw triple World Champion Jonathan Rea take victory in race 2 on Sunday to complete a fine weekend at the Jerez circuit, achieving a double overall. A commanding performance in a restarted World Superbike race at the resurfaced venue gave Rea maximum points – as he was joined on the podium by Marco Melandri and Chaz Davies.

A red flag had been brought out after first lap incidents in the first part of the race. This saw Chaz Davies and Eugene Laverty both crash at turn two and then wildcard Dominic Schmitter requiring medical treatment at trackside after crashing heavily on the Suzuki GSX-R1000.

On the restart, Northern Irishman Rea notched up his 13th double win since joining Kawasaki at a venue where he had not previously won at before. He also levelled with fellow three-time champion, Troy Bayliss, in terms of number of wins in his career.

The Kawasaki rider was riding in a cool and confident style, having sealed the deal on an unprecedented third successive title two weeks previous in France. Rea stormed through from ninth on the grid to first place by the end of the first lap, overtaking Michael van der Mark cleanly at the second attempt to remain at the front from early in lap two.

Rea crossed the line 2.7s seconds ahead of Melandri at the chequered flag, who got the better of his teammate Davies in the latter stages of the second outing. The result meant that Kawasaki as a manufacturer were the constructors champions once more.

There were other battles throughout the pack with Alex Lowes finishing fourth and Tom Sykes fifth This was Sykes’ first 5th at Jerez since race two in 2015. van der Mark finished sixth having lead on the opening circulation, also having had an incident with veteran Melandri early in the race.

Home hero Xavi Fores was seventh and top Spaniard, after a good battle with returning 2014 World Superbike Champion, Sylvain Guintoli. Frenchman Guintoli, who has won a race in British Superbikes for Suzuki this season, will also ride for Puccetti Racing at the final round of the season in Qatar next month. It is expected that he will ride full-time for the team next season. Leandro Mercado and Jordi Torres rounded out the top ten.

Davide Giugliano was handed a ride through penalty for speeding in pit lane, having been forced to return to his garage due to a technical issue. He eventually finished 17th, after suffering a DNF on Saturday in race one. Race one was the first time that no Honda had finished in the points since Donington Park, race one, this season. Lorenzo Savadori was 18th after he crashed out on the first lap of the restarted race, compounding a disastrous weekend for Shaun Muir’s Milwaukee Aprilia outfit.
Image by: worldSBK.com

24th October 2017

Ellison In at TAG Yamaha to join Winfield, Brookes Out

James Ellison has signed for the TAG Racing team for the 2018 British Superbikes, in a deal that will see him have a second consecutive season on Yamaha machinery.

The Cumbrian rider rode for the McAMS Yamaha team in 2017 – the official Yamaha factory supported team – but failed to reach The Showdown, whereas the privateer TAG Racing team made the all-important top six.

Ellison has previously rode for Yamaha, back in 2009 for GSE Racing under Daryl Healey and Colin Wright. He returned to the manufacturer in 2013, riding for Shaun Muir. Whilst 2017 has been successful in some areas, the former GP rider hasn’t made the top six – despite finishing the 2016 season in 3rd.

“I’m delighted to agree a deal with Rob and Tracy and the TAG Racing Yamaha team for the up and coming 2018 season and I can’t wait to get underway”, said an ecstatic James Ellison.

“Staying on a Yamaha was a big deal for me; I led at some points in the first six rounds of the season and the bike has proven to be a race winner. It’s great to be able to agree the deal before Christmas so I am able to focus on the task in hand, the team can develop the bike in certain areas and we can start testing as soon as possible”, he continued.

Despite a difficult 2017, Ellison vowed to be stronger and more determined than ever, as the 2018 season will be his last in British Superbikes. The former 3rd place man in the championship will move to America for family reasons at the end of the season.

“Last year was tough but we showed strong pace and ran at the front every weekend other than Thruxton but we just threw away too many points with a few crashes and technical DNF’s. My early impressions are that the guys in the team are great. They are a great bunch of guys and I can’t wait to get working with them this season; the family atmosphere was also a big deal for me.

“It’s going to be my final year in MCE BSB so I want to win it, I want to go out with a bang and give everyone something to cheer. My best year was in 2009 on a Yamaha where I finished second, so I’m fully focussed on going one better in 2018 to win my first BSB Championship”, he concluded.

The Swadlincote-based team also announced that Shaun Winfield would be remaining with the team for 2018. Winfield will line up in the Superbike class, ending speculation that he would be demoted to the National Superstock 1000 category.

“2017 was a challenging year for me, I had some very big crashes which knocked my confidence slightly but I picked up my first set of points and I’m aiming to go better in 2018. We have the package, I have had another year’s experience under my belt and learnt off my team mate a lot last year, which I will bring into this year”, said an excited Shaun Winfield.

“Last year was the best we’ve had as a team and I’m fully focused on delivering a better season in 2018. I can’t wait to get testing again and working on the upgrades we have coming our way”, he concluded.

20th October 2017

WSBK Preview: Fiesta Time at Jerez

The World Superbike circus arrives at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in the south of Spain this weekend, for the final European round of the season.

There is somewhat of a party atmosphere running through the paddock as the championship has been decided. Gone are the long nights for team bosses working out title permutations, and sleepless nights for the contending riders.

Instead, the racing can return to its purest origins – every man for himself.

For Jonathan Rea, this weekend is about celebration. He arrives at the Spanish round as a triple world champion – and the first to win his three titles in consecutive seasons. Its fair to say that the champagne will be flowing all weekend for he and the Kawasaki Racing Team. Metaphorically speaking as there are, of course, two races to win. Jerez is one of the few circuits on the calendar where Rea has never secured victory at. That is something he’ll be wanting to have changed by Sunday night.

In contrast, the circuit has been a very successful hunting ground for Tom Sykes (KRT). The Yorkshireman has been a regular podium finisher in recent years, including victory in 2015’s opening race. In a season which has been utterly dominated by his teammate, this weekend presents a timely opportunity for Sykes to remind the world of his prowess, as well as lay down a marker for next season’s campaign.

One man who will be relishing this weekend will be Aruba.it Ducati’s Chaz Davies. There is something about circuits on the Iberian peninsular for the Welshman, who has made habit in recent seasons of making his own. Whilst Motorland Aragon is undoubtedly Davies’ de facto track, the Circuito de Jerez is certainly another haven for him, with three wins in the last two years. This weekend and the series finale in Qatar will be targeted by the Italian team – not just to end the year on a high, but to give their Panigale-R machine a fitting send off, before it is replaced for next season with their new V4 contender.

The Pata-Yamaha team arrive at the Spanish circuit full of confidence. Their double podium finish last time out at Magny-Cours was a major breakthrough for the team – and perhaps the sport too. World Superbikes desperately needs more teams to be finishing at the front, rather than just Kawasaki and Ducati, and a resurgent Yamaha outfit is just what the doctor ordered. Both riders, Alex Lowes and Micheal van der Mark, are locked in a fierce duel for fourth place in the championship standings – Lowes leading his teammate by only 11 points. With the bike constantly improving, and both riders pushing to the limit in every session, they are bound to break onto the winners’ step in the near future.

Elsewhere battles will be raging amongst the privateer teams. Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Ducati) and Leon Camier (MV Agusta) will once again be pushing hard to get amongst the front runners. The duo have provided some of the highest quality on-track duels this season, and are within touching distance of the Yamaha riders in the standings.

Finally, WSBK welcomes back Sylvan Guintoli this weekend. The Frenchman has spent the season competing for Bennetts-Suzuki in the British Superbike Championship, and now joins the Pucetti-Kawasaki team until the end of the season. Its remarkable to think that his entry means that Guintoli is the first Frenchman to participate in this year’s championship. He has a good machine under him, and will be looking to make a solid impact over the final two rounds of the campaign.

20th October 201720th October 2017

Seconds out, Round Two for Mir and Fenati

The Moto3 series returns this weekend to the stunning Philip Island circuit, Australia. A venue now infamous for its uncertain weather conditions is sure to provide similarly unpredictable racing.

Once again all eyes will be on series leader, Joan Mir (Leopard Racing). The Spaniard had a nightmare last time out at Motegi, and will be looking to bounce back and wrap up the championship in style here. The title permutations remain the same as last week: If Mir wins, he’s crowned champion. Equally, should Mir outscore Romano Fenati (Marinelli Rivacold Snipers) by five points or more, he will be champion. Mir now also doesn’t have to worry about a possible challenge from Aron Canet (Estrella-Galicia 0,0) anymore. The Spaniard failed to finish on the podium in Japan and, despite Mir not scoring a point, has been eliminated from the fight for the championship.

Not that Fenati will have any intentions of yielding up his challenge so easily. The Italian took a stunning victory in Japan last weekend, and will be looking to repeat that performance in Australia. It is still a very tall order for him to wrestle the crown away from Mir’s grasp – if he is to realistically win the championship he needs to win all three remaining races, with his rival slipping up along the way. However, this is Moto3 – where nothing is certain and anything is possible.

This weekend the paddock also welcomes back Maria Herrera to the fold, as she fills in for the injured Albert Arenas at the Mahindra-Aspar team. Philip Island is a circuit where the 21-year old has traditionally produced good showings (having scored points here in 2015 and 2016 respectively). She will be racing with the team until the end of the season and will be hoping to find a full-time ride on the grid for next season.

Expect action galore from a multitude of riders this weekend, including the likes of: John McPhee (British Talent Team), Andrea Migno (Sky VR|46), Enea Bastianini (Estrella-Galicia 0,0) and Phillip Oettl (Schedl GP) – all of whom are fighting over sixth place in the championship. The competition between these riders could not be more fierce, with only 11 points separating sixth placed McPhee from tenth placed Phillip Oettl. With the former still yet to secure a ride for next season, expect a no-holds-barred effort from the British rider as he aims to consolidate his position at the sharp end of the championship standings.

19th October 201719th October 2017

MotoGP Australia Preview: Seagulls, Take Cover

MotoGP heads Down Under for round 16, as we go to the Australian Grand Prix, coming from the high-speed, high-stakes Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, near Ventnor, Victoria. The track oozes fast bends and long, sweeping corners, as well as dead-stop hairpins and undulations. After their battle in Japan, Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso will be looking to reignite their title fight and go head-to-head once more. Likewise, Maverick Vinales will want to give Yamaha something to cheer about as the manufacturer is still yet to win a race in the second half of 2017. Phillip Island has consistently hosted some of the best GPs over time and can also spring a few surprises. Last season, it was Cal Crutchlow who took the win and back in 2006, Marco Melandri took a surprise victory. Who will it be this time?

Marc Marquez’ championship lead has been whittled away after losing a last-lap last-corner battle with Andrea Dovizioso at Motegi. The Spaniard has a terrible form in Australia, finishing just one race in the premier class, of which he won, in 2015. A disqualification in 2013, crash in 2014 and likewise again last season place Marquez on the back foot going into the Australian Grand Prix. Marquez is one of just three Spaniards to win at Phillip Island in the premier class, the others being Alex Criville in 1997 and Jorge Lorenzo in 2013. Will be become the first Spaniard to win two?

Andrea Dovizioso will be desperate to prove a point at Phillip Island. The smooth Italian left it late to take victory in Japan but, like in Austria, he beat Marquez on the run to the line. Ducati as a manufacturer have enjoyed endless success in Australia, winning four races with Casey Stoner. ‘Dovi’ has also won at the circuit, back in the 125cc class in 2004. He was 4^th last season but 13^th the season before, whilst his last podium was back in 2011 on a Repsol Honda. He has just one other podium in 2007 in the 250cc class, finishing 3^rd. In 2016, Marquez outscored Dovizioso in the last three races by the just three points. Will it be the same again this year?

Maverick Vinales is 41 points back of Marc Marquez and 30 behind Andrea Dovizioso. You’d have to say that it really is over for a championship challenge from the new Yamaha rider. Another disappointing result in Japan – where he was 9^th – now means that Vinales can’t hand more than 9 points to Marquez or more than 20 to Dovizioso if he is to remain in the championship race. Vinales was third at Phillip Island last season and 6^th in 2015, both results coming for Suzuki. He was a winner in Moto2 in 2014 and 2^nd in Moto3 in 2013. Vinales isn’t out of the title race just yet but it’d take bad luck to go the way of the two ahead. Anything is possible in GP racing.

Dani Pedrosa’s championship charge is now realistically over, as he is 74 points back off leading teammate, Marc Marquez. The Spaniard retired in Japan, meaning he must win every race and hope that Marquez picks up just one point from the remaining races. On top of that, Pedrosa doesn’t go well at Phillip Island, with his light body weight often being the reason he can’t generate heat into his tyres on an often cold track. Pedrosa didn’t start last season’s Australian GP and was 5^th in 2015. His best result was 2^nd, in 2013 but he’s never won in the premier class. Could he shock us all come Sunday?

Valentino Rossi mathematically can’t win the MotoGP championship in 2017, as he is now 76 points back of Marc Marquez with just 75 points left for the taking. Rossi has endured one of his most injury hit seasons of his career this year and of late, that has been detrimental to the Italian’s fall in form. He loves Phillip Island however, taking 2^nd last season, 4^th in 2015 and winning most recently, in 2014, as well as a podium in 2013. Rossi won every Australian Grand Prix from 2001-2005 and had won at the track in 1998 and 1999. ‘The Doctor’ is the only rider to have won more times than Casey Stoner at the venue and he will be looking to extend that margin this weekend, as he is out there purely to race.

Johann Zarco completes the top six in the standings. The Frenchman started from pole at Motegi before dropping back to 8^th in the closing stages – although he still finished top Yamaha. Tech 3 as a team have been successful at Phillip Island before, with a 3^rd place back in 2014, with Bradley Smith. Zarco hasn’t had a top five at the Australian Grand Prix since 2012 in Moto2 but did score a podium there in 2011. There has never been a French winner in the premier class at Phillip Island and the last time a French rider won at all in Grand Prix at Phillip Island was 2008, with Mike Di Meglio in the 125cc race. The last French rider to stand on the podium at Phillip Island in the premier class was Regis Laconi, also on a Yamaha, in 1999. The only other Frenchman to stand on a premier class podium at Phillip Island was Christian Sarron, in 1989. Could Zarco set the record straight?

Jorge Lorenzo is the 7^th rider in the standings. He has won at Phillip Island three times; once in MotoGP and twice in the 250cc class. Lorenzo finished 6^th in Japan and he hasn’t had back-to-back 6^th places since Donington Park and Assen in 2008. That is one record Jorge Lorenzo will not want to break.

Danilo Petrucci is closing in on Lorenzo for 7^th. Petrucci, currently 8^th, took his fourth podium of 2017 and will be hoping to make it five at Phillip Island. The Australian circuit is one of just two tracks at which Petrucci has finished every race in the points – the other is Valencia. His best result is 9^th, coming last season.

Cal Crutchlow has mixed memories of Phillip Island. The Brit, who is 9^th in the championship standings, won last year’s race – the first time a British rider had ever won the Australian Grand Prix in any class. However, he crashed out of 2^nd on the penultimate lap in 2014. He has one other podium, coming in 2012, when he was 3^rd.

Jonas Folger isn’t racing again this weekend. His seat is filled by Broc Parkes. The Australian has four World Supersport podiums to his name at the track as well as a 5^th way back in 2001 in WSBK, for NCR Ducati. He has never scored points at Phillip Island in his GP career.

Suzuki looked well and truly back in good shape at Motegi, taking 4^th and 5^th with Iannone and Rins. This was the first time Suzuki achieved a double top-5 placing in a GP since the 2016 Japanese GP, when Vinales was 3^rd and Aleix Espargaro was 4^th. Suzuki haven’t had back-to-back double top-5 placings since Brno and Misano in 2007, with John Hopkins and Chris Vermuelen.

KTM arrive in Australia, looking to improve on a mixed Japanese GP. They haven’t had all of their fielded bikes in the points since Misano. Both riders have scored podiums at Phillip Island at some point in their careers, with Smith scoring one in MotoGP. KTM have never raced at Phillip Island so we will get a better indication of their performance after practice.

Aprilia had a good Japanese GP, with Aleix Espargaro finishing 7^th and Sam Lowes finishing 13^th, a personal best for Lowes. It was the first time that both of their bikes had scored points in the same race since Valencia last year. Stefan Bradl scored a third row start for the manufacturer last season at Phillip Island and they will want the same again from their riders this season.

The Aspar Ducati team will want more from their riders at Phillip Island. Both failed to finish at Motegi and they haven’t had back-to-back non-point-scoring rides since Eugene Laverty and Nicky Hayden in 2015, at Malaysia and Valencia. Bautista has had a win and two podiums in the smaller classes but neither rider has finished higher than 5^th in the premier class.

Scott Redding’s difficult 2017 continued in Japan, when he finished 16^th and out of the points. He was 7^th at the Australian Grand Prix last year and has two podiums at Phillip Island from Moto2, in 2010 and 2012. His Moto2 championship challenge in 2013 came to an end at Phillip Island when he suffered a bad wrist injury, so he will want to make happier memories.

The Marc VDS Honda team are back to their normal line-up this weekend, with Jack Miller returning from injury for his home Grand Prix. Miller was 10^th in the race last season and won the Moto3 event in 2014. Tito Rabat has just one podium at Phillip Island back in 2014 in Moto2. That was also the last time he scored a point in Australia.

The Avintia Ducati team had both of their bikes in the points at Motegi, with Baz 10^th and Barbera 14^th. That was the first time since Silverstone, back in August. They haven’t had back-to-back double point-scoring rides since Losail and Termas de Rio Hondo at the start of the year. Baz has never scored a GP point at Phillip Island, although he was 2^nd in a WSBK race at the track in 2014. Barbera was 2^nd in the 250cc class in 2009 but that is his only podium. The Spaniard hasn’t scored a point at the track since he was 5^th there, in 2014. This is his best result in the premier class at the venue.

The championship can’t be decided this weekend but it could take a turn in either Dovizioso’s or Marquez’ direction. One mistake or bad weekend could prove costly to their title charge and allow the pendulum to swing in either direction. Maverick Vinales will be there to pick up the pieces if the two leading riders in the championship tangle. You can never discount Valentino Rossi at the Phillip Island circuit and just watch out for Danilo Petrucci, who could spring a surprise come race day.

18th October 2017

Exclusive: Jakub Smrz Q&A: In BSB, It Is Not Easy to be Successful

There aren’t many riders who have been around for a long time and still have the determination to become champion but Jakub Smrz shows no signs of slowing down. He talks to us about his BSB life so far, his Lloyds and Jones/PR Racing team and his plans for the future.

How have you found BSB so far?

It has been difficult. In the beginning, it was very tricky, especially the tracks. There is nothing in Great Britain that resembles anything in World Superbikes. The tracks are so, so different. In addition, I spent a lot of my time in World Superbikes riding the Ducati. I also sustained a few injuries, which have held me back a little bit but now, we are getting better.

British Superbikes in general is getting quicker and quicker, so it is definitely not easy to be successful. In FP2 at Brands Hatch, I was 18th in the session but only a second from the top. It was frustrating but I am enjoying it, especially this season. It is my 2nd season in the UK with the BMW and it is really nice. The atmosphere within the team is great and although the start was difficult, we as a team have grown and improved. The team in years gone by have not been very lucky and lacked experience with BMW.

In the last couple of rounds, we have understood a lot more. It would be nice to start next season where we are now. It is going in the right direction and the main thing is that we improve each time, both me on the bike and the team in the garage.

What are the main differences between a V-Twin and a 4-cylinder?

Obviously, as you say, one has four cylinders and the other has two cylinders. You use a lot more torque with a V-Twin and with the Ducati, the chassis is different. The characteristics of the bike in general are just very different.

The BMW is a difficult bike for me and it did take me a while to understand it and get used to the it, also with the BSB regulations. However, like I say earlier, it is going in the right direction, round by round and that is very important.

How would you sum up BSB 2017 so far from your perspective?

What we were aiming for was to get in the points in every race. We didn’t know this season would be so difficult but lets say, we score points quite regularly. Two races at Brands Hatch in July, I did not race because of an injury from a crash in FP3, with the bike being on the fence too.

Given your World Superbike experience, are you surprised that you haven’t gone straight to the top?

Of course, it is a little bit frustrating. In the past in World Superbikes, there are riders that are in front of me now that I would beat. I know this is different. Many riders race in the UK for a long time; they grow up here and ride the circuits so already, there is an advantage for them. I think I am not far away now. Fingers crossed that we are better next season because I feel this season has gone quite well.

How are the Lloyds and Jones/PR Racing Team to work with?

I would say that they are probably the best team I have been with. It is a little family team with a little budget. I like to work with everyone in the team and hopefully, they like working with me! I feel really good and that is probably more important to me than having a big team with a bigger budget. What I like is that at the start of the season, we could see that things were going well and they have invested in the parts through the season. This has allowed us all to develop and work harder and for that, I am truly thankful of the team.

Is a return to WSBK likely?

Not at the moment, I think I still have things to do here and things to prove in the UK – not just to doubters but to myself too. I did World Superbikes for one round this season and it didn’t go very well. Things didn’t work out, especially with the bike. I am enjoying the racing a lot more in the UK. Even to be 18th, you have to be very fast! In WSBK, you can be 18th and one of the last riders and it just isn’t much fun.

What are your plans for 2018?

I can say that I am staying in the UK and hopefully with the Lloyds and Jones/PR Racing team.

Image by: Peter Backhurst

18th October 2017

Fenati Reflects on Motegi Win

Romano Fenati took his third victory of the season to slash Joan Mir’s points advantage from 80 to 55 at the Japanese GP. Fenati was the first of a trio of Italians to mount the podium in Moto3, whilst Mir finished outside of the points.

“The Championship is never lost until the arithmetic confirms it. Today I didn’t think about that. In these days we worked well and in the morning we did a modification which helped us to improve”, began the Italian, who heads to Australia needing to take more than five points off Mir to remain in the title race.

“I felt comfortable on the bike and everything went well. It was not easy, it was very cold and I was totally wet but staying ahead is easier! Why I am so strong on the wet? Probably I trust my team and my bike. I enjoy this victory now but I am also thinking about Australia and Phillip Island is a track I love”.

Fenati’s record in Australia is not amazing, as he has never scored higher than 6th place. On the other hand, Joan Mir has likewise had a poor set of results at Phillip Island, never finishing a race. Honda have never won a Moto3 race and their last win in the lightweight class was in 2005, with Tom Luthi.

Image by: HondaProRacing