Category: Crew On Two

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Godfrey and LED Solutions prepare for exciting 2017

Long Eaton’s Ben Godfrey will be remaining in the National Superstock 1000 class for 2017, but this time he will be on a bigger and better than ever package, with big backing from LED Solutions, from Leicester.

Godfrey had a 2016 which saw him in and out of the Stock 1000 series, starting with Morello Racing, before rounding out the season with his own team, which was also led by LED Solutions sponsorship.

The 21 year old finished joint 18th in the series last year, although with just 5 races where he competed. For 2017, the team which is run by Godfrey himself, will feature a 7.5 tonne lorry which will be used for hospitality and garage space. The rule changes in the class for the upcoming season will allow the team to play around more with the settings of the bike. There will be a huge colour scheme change and will see the team with Bitubo suspension and on the BMW.

Godfrey is the development rider for Austin Racing, who are also supporting the team for the upcoming campaign. Other sponsors include: Signet signs, Vape HQ, Austin Racing Exhausts, Held Rider Equipment, Shark Helmets, Daytona Boots, RnG Crash Protection, Pro Fibre Fairings and MHP Engineering.

The team are also on a look out for a second rider, and are in talks with several; one of them is the very well known A Someone! As well as looking for a second rider, the team are always looking for new sponsors. The Pit Crew Online looks forward to keeping up with Ben and the team for the 2017 season, and wish him and everyone around him a very successful year.

Thanks to Pete Boocock for the image.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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Perfect 10 in the Beautiful East of Spain…

The 2016 MotoGP™ season finale already has its place in history secure. The curtain call for a new era as half the grid move teams, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing make their debut, and the history-making 2016 season draws to a close, the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana is primed for another incredible end-of-season party. And after a history-making Malaysian GP, there’s that chance of a tenth winner.

No one could have imagined an honour roll with nine names on it when the season began. But that’s the incredible outcome of a truly historic season in the premier class of Grand Prix racing, after Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) became the ninth different winner of the year in Malaysia.

With the Championship wrapped up, Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) will be one of the first attempting to assure victory in Valencia for one of the nine who have already won this year. An error in Phillip Island when the pressure was off followed by an easy mistake to make in Malaysia mean the newly-crowned 5-time World Champion will be fired up as the paddock gets back on home turf – but so will the only other men to have won at the venue in over a decade: Jorge Lorenzo (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team).

Lorenzo especially will be out for glory. Trying to secure third in the Championship and looking to end the season on a high, the race also sees the end of an era for the Mallorcan before he moves to the Ducati Team. After 3 MotoGP™ World Championships, 43 race wins and 106 podiums before the Spaniard’s final race in Yamaha colours approaches, the relationship is one that has played a key role in defining an era of MotoGP™. With wins at the track in 2010, 2013 and 2015, Lorenzo’s last dance in blue could be one to remember.

Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) has a more difficult record at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo but, having secured P2 in the Championship in Sepang and finished the tough race on the podium, the Italian’s focus is solely forward and he has a point to prove behind enemy lines once again – having already spoiled the hometown party in Jerez and Catalunya, and staged a stunning fight through the field in Valencia in 2015.

As Lorenzo leaves the other side of the Yamaha garage, Rossi’s 2017 teammate will be another out for glory at home. Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar) is already a winner in 2016 at Silverstone, and will want to close out his incredible run with Suzuki as far towards the front as possible. With weather less likely to make life harder for the Hamamatsu factory machines, Viñales and teammate Aleix Espargaro will have their sights set squarely on the podium once again – at least – as they prepare to say goodbye to Suzuki.

Dani Pedrosa is the other man, along with Lorenzo, who has an incredible record at the track – but isn’t yet sure whether he will be fit to return after his highside in Motegi and collarbone break. Hoping to be able to contest the round on home turf, the venue will be a kind one for Pedrosa if he makes the grid – another of those circuits that sees his name penciled on a trophy before arrival, like Sepang: a race Pedrosa sat out.

Sepang winner Andrea Dovizioso will be one to watch after his incredible ride in Malaysia on a roll of good form, as well as teammate Andrea Iannone – who is another of the many on the grid whose future lies down a different path. His last race for the factory Ducati Team, after taking their first win since 2010 in Austria, will mean the ‘Maniac’ is sure to put on a good show once again. A frontrunner in Malaysia despite his ongoing recovery from cracked vertebrae, Iannone was back with a bang in Sepang.

After Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) crashed out in Malaysia, Valencia gives the Brit his final shot at securing the title of Top Independent team rider in 2016 – with Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Pol Espargaro the only one in mathematical distance of the Brno and Phillip Island winner, and counting on home support. Espargaro is another of those who will be moving teams in the end of season shuffle – this time to KTM – and is set to remain alongside current teammate Bradley Smith in 2017.

The eyes of the world will be on Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in the season finale. Their first appearance, with test rider and GP winner Mika Kallio on board, will be the first benchmark for the Austrian factory as they prepare to line up on the grid full time next season – with a reputation for winning built on their incredible success in Moto3™.

Whatever hand Valencia deals for the season finale, one thing is sure: 2016 has been one for the record books – or more accurately, it’s rewritten them.

The final call for 2016 goes out at 9:00 local time on Friday (GMT +1), with lights out for the race on Sunday at 14:00.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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MotoGP and WSBK stay on Australian TV

Dorna Sports is delighted to announce the details of MotoGP™ and WorldSBK coverage on Australian television for the next two years, following contract renewals with both Network Ten and Fox Sports. The FIM MotoGP™ World Championship will continue to be shown on both channels, with WorldSBK remaining at home on Fox Sports.

On Network Ten’s Channel ONE, every MotoGP™ race of the 18 round MotoGP™ season will continue to be shown live and free-to-air – as well as streamed online – including additional further live coverage of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island. Pre- and post-race programming on the channel will also continue to give MotoGP™ fans expert analysis and reporting on what is sure to be another stunning year in MotoGP™ after a record-breaking 2016 – before and after every race.

With Fox Sports, MotoGP™ fans will enjoy a further two seasons of unrivalled coverage, with live, ad-break free and HD broadcasts of every race, qualifying and practice session of the Championship – including use of the MotoGP™ multi-screen service to get even closer to the action, from every angle on every lap. Fans will also be able to watch every Moto2™ and Moto3™ session as part of Fox Sports’ complete coverage.

Both ONE and Fox Sports will also provide localized content specially tailored to an Australian audience – with particular focus on Jack Miller as the Queenslander makes waves in MotoGP™ and pens his name on the illustrious list of premier class race winners.

In even more good news for Australian fans of two wheels, World Superbike will also remain on Fox Sports in 2017 and 2018. WorldSBK and WorldSSP races will continue being shown live and ad-break free across the country, as will the WorldSBK Tissot-Superpole qualifying shootout. Fox Sports will also promote both MotoGP™ and WorldSBK on their website and through social media channels, providing fans with a full and in-depth repertoire of reportage on the world’s premier motorcycle racing Championships.

Network Ten Sport Manager, Adam Cush: “We are delighted to extend our broadcast deal with Dorna Sports to ensure that Australian motorsport fans can watch all MotoGP races live and free. This deal further demonstrates Network Ten’s commitment to premium motorsport.

“Network Ten has a long history of broadcasting MotoGP and we are pleased that their expert commentary and presenter team will continue to bring this high-profile World Championship to all the Australian fans.”

FOX SPORTS CEO, Patrick Delany: “This year’s MotoGP and World Superbikes have delivered plenty of the thrills, spills and heart-stopping action we have come to expect from the world’s premier two-wheel racing categories.

“Today’s announcement means fans will be able to continue to watch every event from both championships – all around the world – with live, HD and ad-break free racing on FOX SPORTS.

“Add to this line-up, the most comprehensive live coverage of the Supercars Championship and Formula 1 and there has never been a better time to be a motorsport fan.”

Manel Arroyo, Dorna Sports Managing Director, Media & TV Area: “We’re thrilled that MotoGP™ and World Superbike will remain with Fox Sports in Australia, and that Network Ten are onboard with MotoGP™ once again. It is fantastic news for Australian fans of motorcycle racing to see such incredible coverage of both Championships for two more seasons. With a new Australian race winner on the MotoGP™ grid and the future of MotoGP™ and WorldSBK at Phillip Island confirmed, these renewals are the perfect final piece in the puzzle as passion for motorcycle racing continues to reach new heights in Australia.”

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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Maria Herrera remains in Moto3, AGR make Lightweight debut

The Moto3 rider María Herrera will wear the Argiñano & Ginés Racing Team livery in 2017 in a collaboration that will mean the continuity of the one started this season for the last 5 races. With this agreement, the rider from Oropesa (Toledo-España) in the businessman and chef Karlos Argiñano’s team, and it also means the debut in the smallest category of the World Championship. A new challenge for the team with headquarters in Granollers (Barcelona), which this year achieved the Moto2 European Championship title.

The agreement is valid for one season, 2017, in which María Herrera will have the new material from the Austrian brand KTM to try and improve her times and keep gaining the respect of her male rivals.

María will not compete this weekend in Valencia, as she is recovering from a fracture in her right clavicula she suffered in an unfortunate accident last October 30th at the Sepang circuit when she was fighting to get her best ever result in the World Championship; she run up to 7th. It was the second injury Herrera suffered this year, as she could not compete in Germany due to a wrist fracture she had during the Practice at the Sachsenring.

The Argiñano & Ginés Racing Team will change then its shape for 2017. The team will have one rider in Moto2 (Colombian Yonny Hernández, with Kalex) and a Moto3 rider (Spanish María Herrera, with KTM), and will also continue with the Moto2 Team at the European Championship.

María Herrera: “First, I want to thank Karlos Argiñano for this opportunity. I had quite a lot of trouble this year, as everyone knows, and this chance gives me a lot of motivation. It makes me look forward to 2017, because I know I’ll have the best in the garage. The atmosphere at the AGR is amazing and we’ll do our best to achieve the good results we want “.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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Lowes’ Fly Away Disaster ends with Gravel in Malaysia

The Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit marked the end of the long flyaway triple header of the 2016 Moto2 World Championship: for the Team Federal Oil Gresini Moto2, just back from the disappointment of the two races in Japan and Australia, was another bitter race, with Sam Lowes forced to retire after just two laps due to a crash.

Started from thirteenth on the grid in a wet race, the 26-year-old British rider was in tenth position when he went down at Turn 9. The team now flies back to Europe, where November 13 in Valencia is scheduled the final race of the season.

Sam Lowes: I’m very sorry

“I started the race slowly to avoid risks, but suddenly crashed and I don’t know why. After two disappointing races we wanted to redeem us here in Malaysia, but conditions have certainly not helped us during the weekend. I’m very sorry”.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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RW Racing up to Moto2, Axel Pons Appointed

After many years in the Moto3 World Championship, RW Racing GP will take the next step by entering the Moto2 class. It is with proud RW Racing GP can announce the signing of top Spanish rider Axel Pons for the 2017 season.

RW Racing GP and Axel Pons are looking forward to ride the Moto2 bike in 2017. The first tests will take place in Spain next month and testing will be continued in February and March during the 2017 Moto2 preseason tests.

Axel Pons began his Grand Prix career in 2008 in 125cc. With seven top 10 finishes this year, the 25 year old is having his best season in Moto2 so far.

Jarno Janssen (RW Racing GP team manager): We are ready for a new challenge

“We are really excited to start this new project in the Moto2 World Championship. It feels like an enormous boost and we will be ready for this new challenge. At 25 years of age Axel is both an experienced and a very talented rider and we are very happy to join forces with him. I would like to take this opportunity as well to thank our current rider Livio Loi for his fighting spirit over the past two years and we wish him a lot of success in his future.”

Axel Pons: I’m sure next year will be really good!

“I’m really happy to take part of this project in 2017. Thanks to all the RW Racing GP partners for giving me this opportunity. I’m sure next year can be a really good one if we continue the progress we are making at this moment. I would like to thank Arguinano Team and all my partners for their support during this last seasons.”

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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Vinales loses grip on 3rd in Championship, Aleix out of Top 10

Team Suzuki Ecstar riders Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaró scored sixth and 13th places under difficult weather and track conditions during the Shell Malaysian MotoGP™ at Sepang today.

Following a 20-minute delay on the start because of a heavy tropical storm, making racing too dangerous, Viñales – who was fastest in the morning’s ‘dry’ warm-up – and Espargaró both had good jumps on the start, moving up into the leading places. Espargaró was in the fight for fourth position until running wide and dropping down to 13th, so spent the race trying to catch-up, while Viñales lost some places at third-race distance before gaining some after a couple of riders slipped-off.

Maverick Viñales: I didn’t want to high-side!
“Although sixth place is not so bad, I’m disappointed with the race result. We had a very positive weekend and I performed very fast in the dry, I really had hopes for a podium and also for a victory, but unfortunately in wet conditions we are not competitive yet. We struggle to find a good configuration with the electronics, which makes my riding very hard, in particular when it comes to acceleration. I can’t feel confident with the traction control, therefore resulting in me riding very carefully as I didn’t want to incur a high-side that could prevent me finishing the race. We have made many improvements on the machine and now we have reached a positive competitiveness in dry conditions, but the progress we’ve made in the wet is not enough. This result also proved the positives of the last three races; they were at three completely different circuits and we’ve proved we can adapt and be strongly-competitive in any kind of layout. Now the objective is to have the same competitiveness no matter what the weather conditions.”

Aleix Espargaró: I felt competitive in the dry
“I’m disappointed with the final result because the weekend overall had been positive, but then in the race I couldn’t feel competitive. I decided to go with a soft rear tyre, hoping the conditions of the track would stay wetter, but at the end this proved to be the wrong choice. From the very beginning I realised that my performance was not good and I lost the feeling with the grip right after four-or-five laps. I also made a couple of mistakes, and doing them at the very beginning of the race, when all the riders were still packed together, meant I lost many positions and then it was really hard to recover. It’s a pity, we’ve made a lot of progress in the last few races and I felt very competitive in dry conditions, but we still need to improve our capability to have the same performance also in the wet.”

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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Sepang proves pointless for AGR Team

The morning warm up at the Sepang Circuit was held without rain, but with still some water patches on the track due to the night rain and the fact that the new tarmac does not dry as quickly as expected here. The Argiñano & Ginés Racing Team riders could do 9 laps to try and fine-tune their Kalex for the race, that was declared wet, as it started to rain 20 minutes before beginning.

The race finished early for Áxel Pons, as before the end of the second lap his bike threw him out and he was force to retire, luckily with no injuries. Meanwhile, Marcel Schrötter started from 22nd and 4 laps later he was already 17th. The German rider led a group of 5 that had a space of 2 and half seconds in front of them. He lost the position and 7 laps before the end he was 20th. He could not improve. By mid-race the rain stopped and was drying, but not completely.

Our congratulations to the World Champion Johann Zarco, who mathematically secured the title today, but also to his main rivals this season, Álex Rins and Tom Luthi. The three of them made the fans enjoy a lot. And good luck to Rins to secure the runner-up spot in Valencia.

The AGR finished a tour of 3 tough weeks, where we did our best, and now we need to rest a few days. It will not be many, as the World Championship will finish in Cheste next November 13th and we will also finish the Moto2 European Championship a week later in the same venue.

Marcel Schrötter: I can’t ride in the wet

“A huge disaster. I don’t know what to say. I don’t understand what’s happening. We weren’t able to find the way for me to be comfortable on this bike. I can’t ride this bike on wet tarmac, that’s all”.

Áxel Pons: We need a secure result

“I’m disappointed. When I saw that it rained I knew it would be more complicated. I tried to keep the pace of the leaders and I lost the rear. The positive thing is that we were there the whole weekend, but in the race, we need to secure a result. We keep our motivation to do a good race in Valencia”.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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Davies: I Saw it Coming

After winning Race 1 in a dominant fashion, Chaz Davies did the double under the floodlights in Qatar, home of the last round of the 2016 WorldSBK championship. The Welshman’s sixth consecutive race win and eleventh overall crowned him as the rider with the most wins this season. To further highlight his form, Davies also finished the season with the highest number of fastest laps (10).

Second at the start, Davies took the lead in lap 1 to progressively pull away from his rivals, led by Sykes. During lap 8, the race was red-flagged due to oil on track, resetting the gap. At the restart, Davies imposed his pace once again and neutralized Rea’s comeback before the 2016 champion ceded second position in both the race and the championship to his teammate Sykes.

After regularly taking part to the WUP session, finished in 14th position, Davide Giugliano was declared unfit for the race due to the worsening conditions of his injured right shoulder, which was further damaged by a contact during Race 1.

Chaz Davies: I wasn’t good enough for 2nd

“To do the double here, a circuit where we struggled last year, is a sign of much we turned things around. In the first half of the race I was just managing the gap, but after the restart it was a fast, short race. It was difficult to see the pit-board and I wasn’t looking at the big screens, so I didn’t really know how to manage the race, but then I saw Rea was coming back so I pushed a bit more in the last laps and did all I could to bring home the win. It’s bittersweet, because it wasn’t enough to secure second place in the championship, but I saw that coming. We’ve been the fastest out there since the summer break, and we’ll try to keep improving everyday, take it into next year and be as consistent as possible to get the big trophy in the end. Thanks everyone for all the support!”

Davide Giugliano: There couldn’t be a sadder way to say goodbye

“As my shoulder was still healing, I knew that any kind of blow could intensify the pain, but I still wanted to try to finish the season on a high note. Unfortunately, the contact in Race 1 strained the tendons and aggravated the situation. There couldn’t have been a sadder way to say goodbye to the team and Ducati, but I carry many beautiful memories within me. I think that both me as a rider and the bike grew a lot together in all these years. I learned many lessons, and it’s been an intense journey because I believe that having me as a rider elicits a lot of emotions, for better and for worse. I want to give my special thanks to my crew, as they always worked until late night to give me the best tools to race. Also thanks to the whole team and Ducati, which have always made me feel appreciated and worked so hard. I wish them all the best!”

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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Rea Champion, Sykes 2nd as Kawasaki Employ Team Orders

In 2016 Kawasaki and its official KRT squad won all the major titles on offer – for riders, manufacturers and team. The championship 1-2 for Rea and Sykes was the final part of the overall winning package for the Ninja ZX-10R. Remarkably, all this on-track success came in the first year of a new model, which was only launched a year ago.

The final race of the year got underway on schedule at 21.00 local time in Qatar and was planned for 17-laps. After an oil spill the red flags came out and the track had to be cleaned. A shorter 10-lap restart began almost 45 minutes after the first, and with full championship points issued.

Rea had run-on early in the first red-flagged race and was down in ninth on the grid for the restart instead of the pole position he had earned on Saturday. Sykes was second off the grid in the restart and harried eventual winner Chaz Davies, the only rider who could catch and pass Tom to take second in the points.

As Rea improved his pace and looked to win the final race of his second back-to-back championship season, he overtook Tom and closed in on the lead of Davies. Unable to catch and pass before the final flag he eased up and Sykes secured second place to maintain his overall second in the championship.

With both KRT riders on the podium their 2016 statistics grew again and made happy reading for rider and manufacturer alike. Rea, the 2015 and 2016 champion, has scored nine race wins this year, taken 23 podiums in 26 races, two pole positions and six fastest laps – including the new Losail lap record of 1’56.974, which he set on lap three today.

Sykes’ latest podium gives him 20 for the season, including five wins. He has earned eight more Superpole wins in 2016 and six fastest laps.

In the final Manufacturers’ Championship standings, Kawasaki has 582, 65 more than the nearest rival.

Jonathan Rea, stated: “I was trying to get to Chaz to win the first attempted race. When I started the bike felt good but when I approached turn one I could not shift gears as a sensor had failed so I ran-on. I lost places so the red flag saved me when it came out. The crew changed it really quickly for the restart and we made a step forward. Today I rode with my heart; rode like I can. In a ten-lap race, starting from ninth place, the maths did not stack up well! I got beaten-up in the first two corners and spent too long behind Leon Haslam and Tom. Chaz had a bit of a gap on me but I closed it right down. When I saw it was not possible to win I decided to work for the team and Kawasaki. We rode a really, really fast race here. A lap record, a pole position and a world championship came our way this weekend, so Qatar has been pretty good to me.”

Tom Sykes, stated: “To finish runner up has a better ring to it than third and Kawasaki has gone 1-2 in the Riders’ Championship this year. It was a strange weekend in some ways but finally in the first part of race two, which eventually got red-flagged, I was preparing for a longer race. I think our pace at the end could have also been quite good over 17-laps. In the restart to finally do some 1’57 laps was something unexpected. After Jonathan passed me he was closing in on Chaz but obviously when he looked at Chaz’s lap time he would have had to do something special to win. Jonathan has had two great seasons and he has been the man to beat. It was a very good gesture from the other side of the team and this is something that I appreciate so much.”

Guim Roda, Team Manager, stated: “This is the first year of the current model Ninja ZX-10R’s introduction and it has taken the Manufacturers’ title, plus first and second in the championship. Sometimes, there are in life bigger things than your own interests, and that makes life magic and exciting. Today it was possible, for the first time ever, for Kawasaki to finish first and second in the Riders’ Championship. Be sure next year the competition will be there again and Rea and Sykes will provide a big show to the world again. Congratulations to Tom and congratulations to Johnny – you give the team something we lost in the past.”

Steve Guttridge, Kawasaki Europe Racing Manager, stated: “We won the Manufacturers’ Championship, the Team Championship and had first and second places in the Riders’ Championship. I am absolutely delighted and the guys did a fantastic job this year again. They have stepped it up another level with the new Ninja ZX-10R.”

Leon Haslam (Pedercini Racing Team) made a remarkable charge in the final running of the ten lap second race, finishing fifth in his return to WorldSBK as a one-off rider. Roman Ramos (GoEleven Kawasaki) finished 14th in the race and in doing so also finished 14th in the final championship rankings.

Local rider Saeed Al Sulaiti (Pedercini Racing Kawasaki) was out of race two with a technical issue but Grillini Racing Kawasaki riders Gianluca Vizziello and Dominic Schmitter finished the ten-lap race 17th and 18th respectively.

Kiko Giles @MotoGPKiko

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