Motorcycle news, Motorcycle reviews from Malaysia, Asia and the world

Misano GP: Bagnaia Claims Back-To-Back Pole And New Lap Record

Francesco Bagnaia continues his strong form as the Ducati rider secured a back-to-back pole position after setting a new lap record in Misano.

He will start the race on Sunday ahead of teammate Jack Miller while championship leader Fabio Quartararo completes the first row at P3.

Quartararo set the pace during the opening run of Q2 with the fastest lap time before Bagnaia sensationally went three tenths quicker than the Frenchman.

However, Quartararo had to settle with P3 as Miller clocked in a better time to take P2.

Meanwhile, this is the third time Bagnaia has recorded a new all-time lap record just as he managed a week ago in Aragon.

“I am happy about today. A week ago, we were feeling great in Aragon, and today is the same.

“Everything is going so well, and I am very comfortable with the bike,” said the 24-year-old.

Bagnaia currently sits behind Quartararo in the championship with just 53 points gap with only four rounds to go.

MotoGP: Rossi Casually Unveil Marini And Bezzechi As VR46 Ducati Riders

VR46 Racing will debut in the 2022 MotoGP World Championship with Luca Marini and Marco Bezzechi, as confirmed by Valentino Rossi.

VR46 will make its inaugural appearance in the premier class with the two Italian riders as one of the Ducati satellite teams.

In the latest update, Rossi casually unveils the 2022 riders lineup during a recent interview ahead of San Marino GP despite no confirmation.

“We have worked hard over the years because we knew that unfortunately, sooner or later, I would have to stop, but we have done a good job. We have a lot of very strong academy riders. Next year there will be four in MotoGP.

“Bagnaia and Morbidelli will be in the factory Ducati and Yamaha teams respectively, two of the best teams, so they will start with the clear objective of winning the world championship. Then we also have Luca and Bezzecchi with the Ducatis,” he said.

Bezzecchi was previously linked with a move to Sepang Racing Team (SRT), now rebranded as RNF MotoGP Racing for the 2022 MotoGP season.

OFFICIAL: SRT Reborn As RNF Racing For 2022 MotoGP

Sepang Racing Team (SRT) waves goodbye to MotoGP as the team will now venture into the upcoming 2022 season as RNF MotoGP Racing.

RNF Racing has signed a five-year deal with IRTA that sees the rebranded team continue participating in the premier class as an Independent Team, spearheaded by team principal Datuk Razlan Razali.

“It has been a whirlwind journey for us.

“In recent months, we have put all our efforts to reset, rebrand and relaunch as a fresh and stronger MotoGP team.

“I would like to thank Carmelo for his continued trust and confidence in me to begin this second chapter with a newly rebuilt team competing in MotoGP’s premier class for the next five years.

“For the season ahead, under the new entity of RNF MotoGP Racing, the rebranded team will continue our blueprint that has proven success before,” said Razlan in a statement.

Despite the uncertainties, especially when the team is yet to name the other rider that will race alongside Andrea Dovizioso in 2022, Razlan is adamant RNF Racing is ready to take up the challenge.

“Expectations will be high, and we will push hard to meet these aspirations. Equipped with the experience we gained and having achieved multiple highlights in the past, we look forward to the 2022 season as an even stronger team entry,” he added.

SRT entered the premier class in 2019 with a bang thanks to Fabio Quartararo, who recorded seven podiums, while Franco Morbidelli consistently finishes the majority of the race in the top five.

Quartararo then went on to win Rookie of the Year in his debut season.

SRT then recorded six premier class win last season, with both Quartararo and Morbidelli sharing three apiece.

CONFIRMED: All-New Triumph Tiger 1200 To Feature T-Plane Crank

Just a few weeks ago, Triumph Motorcycles unveiled the Tiger 1200 Prototype, which is launching soon.

When the guys at Hinckley dropped the first set of teasers, there were questions about whether the Tiger 1200 will received the same innovative T-plane crank as the Tiger 900.

However, the latest teaser by Triumph has confirmed that the Tiger 1200 will feature the new innovative T-plane crank, which will take the newest adventure bike to greater heights.

The T-plane crank improves power delivery at low and high rpm making which helps to propel the Tiger 900 as a leading middleweight adventure bike.

While the full details of the new engine are still unknown, including the specs, it is safe to assume that the Tiger 1200 with its T-plane crank is something to look forward to.

“The new Tiger 1200 official prototype testing showcases Triumph’s signature T-Plane triple advantage for the first time in the large capacity adventure world.

“Delivering more power and character than its closest competition, the only other shaft-driven bike in the class, the new 1200 engine brings all of the low-down torque delivery of a twin, married to the top-end punch and an incredible soundtrack that only the Triumph triple delivers.

“The new T-Plane triple is beautifully smooth and refined, with incredible response and tractability, equally perfect for kicking up the dirt, sweeping through the corners, or crossing continents in style,” said Triumph in a statement.

2022 Yamaha R-Series Range Gets World GP 60th Anniversary Livery

Yamaha celebrates the World GP 60th Anniversary by unveiling a special livery for its R-series range consisting of the 2022 YZF-R1, R7, R3 and R125.

The livery features a classic white paint job, Yamaha’s iconic red horizontal split block, gold rims, black levers and special badging on the airbox cover.

The new colourway celebrates Yamaha’s first world championship entry in 1961 French GP competing in the 250cc class with the RD48.

The World GP 60th Anniversary range will be available from November 2021 onwards and will be sold alongside the 2022 model range.

According to Yamaha, the special edition range will be on sale with limited availability.

However, there is no confirmation whether the World GP 60th Anniversary range will make its way here in Malaysia.

Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary Enters Production

The limited run of the Ducati Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary has entered the production phase, as confirmed by the Italian firm.

The special edition Panigale V2 was built to pay homage to Troy Bayliss careers at the Superbike World Championship.

The Panigale V2 is characterized by the combination of livery and graphics inspired by the 996 R that helped Bayliss clinched his maiden win in the 2001 WSBK.

According to Ducati, since the official presentation at WSBK in Assen, the company has received tons of orders, already covering a large part of the production for the coming months.

To better enhance performance on the track, the V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary is fitted with Öhlins NX30 front fork and TTX36 rear shock absorbers.