BT Sport’s MotoGP line-up revealed? UPDATED: Confirmed!

BT Sport’s MotoGP wing have been promising news on their coverage and commentary line up for a good while and according to a report at bennetts.co.uk on their bike social pages it looks as if we now know most of what is planned for the 2014 season.

The online bike website claims that sources close to them have the main line up as :Keith Heuwen, Julian Ryder, Gavin Emmett, James Toseland and Neil Hodgson.

They will also be supported by a Tuesday night round-up/review show hosted by Craig Doyle and Iwan Thomas.

BT Sport also joined Twitter this week, just in time for testing. This image was their first Tweet to the world. Image originally posted by @btsportmotogp

More from BT Sport. And your presenting team are…

 

The team seems to be pulling a little from what everyone wants and if accurate is a fairly good compromise to the impossible task of pleasing everyone.

Lets look at how things were.

For years now the BBC had given us ex-rider Steve Parrish and his Australian ex-car racer sidekick Charlie Cox, Matt Roberts was upped to main presenter role in the last couple of years since the departure of Suzi Perry and Azi FArni had been a great addition to pit lane, leaving her double life at Dorna to go full-time with the BBC just before they announced they had lost the rights.

The Eurosport fans were incredibly loyal to their presenters and their team of Toby Moody and Julian Ryder with the occasional extra guest like Neil Spalding was considered by many to be the pinnacle of racing commentary.

Nick Harris and Gavin Emmett did a superb job for Dorna on the world feed.

Personally I was in the minority as I preferred the factual-with-occasional-walkeresque-howler style found on the world feed. They were informative and funny, though often for the wrong reasons and quick to correct each other. They made Moto2 and Moto3 coverage (as did the actual presence of lots of actual racing) great fun to be a part of.

Parrish was relatively popular on the BBC for giving the point of view of someone who had been a rider in the championship. He was less popular for insisting you listen to the sound of two Hondas together and constant reminders that he had been the late great Barry Sheene’s team-mate. I think I may have been the only person not to mind Cox having a ‘nightmare in a bubble car’ every race.

I was late to Eurosport so can’t really judge too much, I used them as support class back-up and as an occasional replay with their delayed MotoGP coverage, but they were a definitely a well informed team with a clear love for the sport.

BT have covered the world feed fans by getting in Gavin Emmett; their former support class commentator often also seen on the MotoGP website presenting the  ‘After The Flag’ piece.

Instead of Parrish the ex-rider role is apparently to be covered by popular figures Huewen and Hodgson, with Toseland sure to be a popular addition, though the Bennetts article says the former MotoGP rider and double WSBK Champion is only in for ‘occasional appearances’, a shame given he is a more recent and prominent reference point for many new or young fans.

Eurosport fans will be pleased they will once again be able to hear Julian Ryder commentating, eyebrows had been raised when Moody recently ruled himself out, so half a team isn’t so bad when your trying to please everyone.

Rugby fan Doyle has been earning his crust for a while now as a sport presenter while his co-anchor on Tuesdays Thomas has relatively little presenting experience under his belt, the former Olympic runner however is a bike nut and an avid watcher of Motorsport, so I expect him to know his stuff well enough.

If the Tuesday presenters are looking for any pointers they can always call on their friend, former BBC man Matt Roberts.

Roberts is probably the biggest loss to MotoGP coverage in my eyes, but bike fans will still be able to see him do his presenting thing as he takes over at British Eurosport for WSBK and BSB coverage.

Matt Roberts had become so popular that by the time the BBC coverage ended he had a blog set up honouring his sartorial fashion choices. Not many presenters can say that! Head over to Matt Roberts Wears Smart/Casual for a good giggle!

Final points to note are that apparently there is one ‘key figure’ for the coverage yet to be announced and that the full OFFICIAL announcement on coverage and the presenting team is due at the MCN London Motorcycle Show next week.

Looks good so far so let’s see what they’ve got…

UPDATED: The host/anchor is rumoured to be Melanie Sykes…

UPDATE 2: Line-up revealed and these rumours were spot on with just the addition of MCN’s Matthew Birt into the mix, with Sykes also confirmed as the host.

The F1 Broadcasting Blog already have a good final update so click here for programme days and times and more:

http://f1broadcasting.wordpress.com/2014/02/14/bt-sport-announces-motogp-line-up-and-programming/

Moto2: Rea announces American partnership for a full racing season.

After a year of being a true privateer in Moto2 there was high hopes that Gino Rea would have shown enough of his talent and all of his determination and land a good ride for the 2014 season.

With competition for seats fierce and paying to ride instead of rewarding talent becoming, sadly, much more common Londoner Rea has not been one to sit back and let his career fall by the wayside.

So, after shifting between Gino Rea Montaze Broz  wild-card rides and a stand-in stint at Arginano & Gines for the flyaway rounds; giving the Spanish team their best performances; Rea has at least guaranteed he will again be present on the grid and this time he will have more stability, via American involvement in his own project, easing his funding worries.

In Moto2 again for 2014, Gino Rea announces his new project. Image via Flickr and by the excellent Jared Earle, used under the creative commons agreement and licencing rules.

One again a one rider team, Rea will be based in the USA and riding under the World Motors/AGT Rea Racing banner.

Texas based World Motors will run the team and will be the only U.S. based entry in the championship. They bring with them American sponsor money from AGT, a green technology lighting company.

This continues a slow burning trend of increased American interest and presence in the MotoGP Paddock. Following on from Attack Performance and GP Tech’s wild-card performances and the addition of Austin to the calendar, the inclusion of the first U.S team arrives with the promising Josh Herrin being signed to ride for Caterham, pretty much the running the opposite of the Rea Team with an American rider at a British based team.

Rea had made a tremendous start to his Moto2 career when he scored a podium in his debut season in 2012 at the Malaysian Grand Prix. His Team for 2013 then withdrew leaving Gino ride-less, forcing him to pick up his game which he did amicably, forming his own team to ride and gaining donations via his own website, which he designed. The Brit even spread his wings far enough to start his own coffee company!

Rea will once again be using FTR, but will not be alone in doing so in 2014 as the NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team also switch to using the British chassis.

He will also not be the only Briton in the class after Scott Redding moved up to MotoGP and Danny Kent dropped back down for a stab at Moto3 glory as he will be joined by Sam Lowes at Speed Up.

Rea was, understandably elated:

“I couldn’t be any happier right now! 2013 was a difficult year for me and I’m over the moon that my hard work has brought me this amazing opportunity. Joining forces with Dave Peterson of World Motors Inc. and Martin R. de Rooy with the support of AGT (American Green Technology), to race in the full Moto2 Championship as a permanent team is just incredible. I am so grateful and I can’t wait to get started. It’s a very exciting time for us. We have worked extremely hard to make this happen and I believe we have the potential to do great things in 2014.

“This year we progressed a lot throughout the season and at the last race of the year as a privateer team, I showed what is capable by qualifying just 0.5 tenths from second position. I can’t wait to go testing and work logically and methodically with the bike, it’s something we never got to do this year.”

Full press release below where you can find out more about the new team and there are links too for all of this blogs previous Gino Rea content:

Previously on survival of the fastest:

Moto2:Recommended reading Gino Rea’s blog

Moto2: news and new merchandise from Gino Rea – Coffee

Moto2: Gino Rea has to wait for Le Mans to kick off season

Moto2: Gino Rea creates his own team for wild-card rides in 2013

Moto2: Gino needs you! Rea loses funding and place on 2013 grid

Don’t forget you can get involved to by visiting ginoreaclub.com or buying coffee (yes, coffee, why not?!) at ginoreacoffee.com

Press Release:

AGT REA RACING SET TO COMPETE IN THE 2014 MOTO2 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WITH GINO REA​

AGT (American Green Technology) will back World Motors Rea Racing team in their entry to the 2014 Moto2 class of World Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) on a full-season basis with their rider, Gino Rea.

Dave Peterson, President and CEO of World Motors, Inc., based in Austin, Texas, has joined forces with new Team Director Martin R. de Rooy in conjunction with Dave and Gino Rea of Rea Racing, to create World Motors Rea Racing LLC. Welcoming AGT on board as title sponsor, World Motors Rea Racing will be known as AGT Rea Racing in what will be the only American-based Moto2 World Motorcycle Grand Prix Racing Team.

AGT REA Racing will compete in what is arguably one of the most competitive motorcycling classes in the world with their debut race taking place under the floodlights of Qatar on March 23rd. Team owner Dave Peterson has expressed his excitement.

“We are excited to support our partner and rider Gino Rea in his quest for Moto2 glory in the 2014 World Championship,” states Peterson. “We’d like to thank AGT for all of their support and sponsorship. We look forward to a fun-filled and successful campaign”

Danny Bogar, CEO of AGT, compares the way in which AGT can transform the lighting industry to the rich history of motorcycling and the innovations in technology that are required to compete at an elite level. “Competing in business and sports is like anything else, you have to stay in the game and anticipate your next move and your competitors’ next move. Build a better bike or your competitor will build a better, faster bike. I like the parallels. It’s a fun sport that draws an international audience. We are happy to be a part of it.”

AGT Rea Racing rider Gino Rea has made a promising start to his Moto2 career. Debuting in Moto2 in 2012, he found the podium with a third place finish in the Malaysian Grand Prix . Unfortunately, Gino’s team withdrew just before the 2013 season and he was forced to run his own team and budget. Joining forces with the Montáže Brož European Superstock 600 team for the latter part of the 2013 season, Gino benefitted from a more professional set up and the support of a bigger crew. Gino’s talent did not go unnoticed and he was invited to substitute for an injured rider in the Argiñano & Ginés Racing Team. Despite the challenge of getting to know a new bike, Gino more than proved his worth, scoring the team four valuable Moto2 World Championship points and delivering their best performances of the season.

Gino had this to say about the new partnership, “I couldn’t be any happier right now! 2013 was a difficult year for me and I’m over the moon that my hard work has brought me this amazing opportunity. Joining forces with Dave Peterson of World Motors Inc. and Martin R. de Rooy with the support of AGT (American Green Technology), to race in the full Moto2 Championship as a permanent team is just incredible. I am so grateful and I can’t wait to get started. It’s a very exciting time for us. We have worked extremely hard to make this happen and I believe we have the potential to do great things in 2014.

“This year we progressed a lot throughout the season and at the last race of the year as a privateer team, I showed what is capable by qualifying just 0.5 tenths from second position. I can’t wait to go testing and work logically and methodically with the bike, it’s something we never got to do this year.”

Peterson further states, “I am just recovering from the initial terror and trepidation of forming an international racing team. After years of dreaming about this, it’s wonderful to see it become a reality. I’ve always had such a great passion for MotoGP. With Gino’s considerable talent and AGT’s quest for world markets, the decision to form a world class Moto2 Grand Prix team was easy and finally a realization of my dreams.”

The 2014 MotoGP season kicks off at Losail International Circuit on March 23, 2014 in Qatar. www.motogp.com

Learn more about AGT & Gino Rea

About American Green Technology:

American Green Technology® is a leader in efficient technologies and the manufacture and import of “magnetic induction lights”, the most energy efficient mass lighting solution. Boasting a life span over 100,000 hours, induction lights reduce energy costs by 50-70% and virtually eliminate maintenance. Primary markets include municipal, industrial and commercial applications. More than 1,500 independent lighting professionals represent American Green Technology across the United States, and internationally in more than a dozen countries. For more information about AGT, visit www.agtus.org or call 269-340-9975.

 

Gino Rea creates his own team for wild-card rides in 2013

Gino Rea in action at the 2012 Silverstone Grand Prix
Image via Flickr by JaredEarle used under creative commons license rules

After his ESGP deal fell through following some initial testing as covered here talented Londoner Gino Rea found himself without a ride for the forthcoming season and started his fundraising page www.ginoreaclub.com .

This initiative has resulted in Rea having raised £20,000 in just three weeks, enough for him to be able to ride at the first European round in Jerez, forming the Gino Rea Race Team to do so. Dorna and IRTA have already given Rea the go-ahead to ride in as many rounds as he can afford through his fundraising efforts.

He aims to be able to race at 11 of the 17 rounds this year and is to be backed by FTR all the way with them offering the latest FTR Moto2 chassis to keep Rea on pace.

The rounds for planned wild-cards are as follows:

Jerez (5 May) LeMans( 19 May) Mugello( 2 June) Catalunya (16 June) Assen (29 June) Sachsenring (14 July) Brno (25 August) Silverstone (1 September) Misano (15 September) Aragon (29 September)  Valencia (10 November).

Rea will be aided in his quest by his father David and experienced crew chief Andy Stone.

Speaking of the move into his own team Rea commented:

“I’m really excited about this project. I wanted to remain in the Moto2 Championship and running our own team was the only option. My father and I will run the team with bike support from the British FTR manufacturer,” said Rea. “We will have the only British bike on the grid so every effort will go into getting results. Of course, it’s going to be difficult to go up against all the big budget teams but I believe we can do it. Our testing schedule will be very limited due to budget but I believe in FTR to build a competitive bike for me.

Our first race will be at Jerez, the third round of the World Championship following Qatar and Austin. It’s a shame we can’t do these two but we hope that if we can attract enough sponsors we can fund the rest of the European races at least. I want to thank everyone who has supported me so far, both through GinoReaClub.com and individually. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of my supporters and I would love to repay them by being on the Moto2 grid this year.”

The team plan to test at tracks around the UK ahead of the final Jerez test, to help the Londoner fund his dream visit www.ginoreaclub.com or for larger sponsorship deals contact David or Gino direct at rearacing@sky.com.

What next for Malaysian wild card Hafizh Syahrin?

What next for the future of Malaysian wild card Hafizh Syahrin ?

 

In a Moto2 race full of surprises and an unusual looking podium with not a Spaniard in sight, the wild card ride from Malaysian rider Hafizh Syahrin on his Petronas Raceline bike still deservedly caused a stir, and not just for the locals whipped up into a frenzy after Moto3 home racer Zulfahmi Khairuddin continued to push the boundaries with a new best of second while continuing to add to the best ever points tally by a Malaysian rider he is setting this season.

 

Syahrin impressed using his home track knowledge and skills currently being honed in the Spanish Moto2 Championship, where he is leading the privateer points standings and is sixth overall, with strong but safe overtaking moves in the treacherous conditions at Sepang.

 

Eventually finishing fourth at the red flag behind the podium men Alex DeAngelis, Ant West and Gino Rea the teenager was still in contention for a rostrum if the conditions hadn’t worsened after making his way to the front of the field from 27^th place on the grid.

 

He achieved this in only his second grand prix racing start, after riding a Moriwaki in the Malaysian Moto2 Grand Prix in 2011. It is the best position achieved so far by a wild card entry in the class.

 

As much as it would be interesting to see if his talents can extend beyond his home track this currently seems unlikely as the Petronas team have told website NST.com that the 18 year old is currently tied into a long term contract with them which they have no plans to change or be bought out of, although his performance has prompted them to consider further wild card rides in Moto2 next year and perhaps a full season in 2014, with the team moving into the World Championship with Syahrin.

 

Petronas Motorsports boss Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz stressed the intention not to let their rider slip away:

 

“He is not for sale. He is on a long term contract with us. We intend to see him develop with us and move him up gradually when he is ready to take the big step.”

 

Pertronas Raceline manager Barry Leong revealed the team had discussed doing more next season but are uncertain their rider is ready for the move into the World Championship and ruled out giving Syahrin a full season in Moto2 next year:

 

“We have time because Hafizh is young. So we’d like to see him develop and be ready before we move him up. For now the plan is another season in the Spanish Championship, with an eye on putting him into the World Championship in 2014.”

 

Syahrin himself added he wants to stay with his current team due to the opportunities they have afforded him:

 

“ I am committed to my current team and sponsors. If I move up I want to bring my team and sponsors with me, to do it together.”

 

Dubbed ‘the king of pocket bikes’ as a child after starting riding on the machines aged nine, Syahrin was discovered by Leong whilst dominating the scene before hitting his teenage years and has ridden under his guidance at the Petronas Raceline Malaysia team since he was fourteen, winning the novice Malaysian Cub Prix championship in 2009 and the CP130 class the following year. The team have also run the youngster in the Petronas Asia road racing championship in 2010/11and the Australian national championship.

Moto2/Moto3 round up – movers and shakers

Folger – staying put with Aspar (photo teamaspar.com)

It’s that time in the season where the final puzzle pieces for who’s going where in all classes of MotoGP start being pushed together, so here’s a round up of all the moves and temporary rides announced recently (Moto2/3 edition – only dealing with news not already covered in depth)

Jasper Iwema leaves Moto FGR he is replaced by Josep Rodriguez.

John McPhee joins Caretta for the rest of the season replacing the injured Masbou but will use the more familiar Racing Steps KRP Honda.

Jonas Folger stays with Aspar for 2013 after it proving to be a great combination for rider and team since Indianapolis.

Sandro Cortese moves up to Moto2 with new team Intact GP (one of his current sponsors).

Julian Simon moves to Italtrans (easy to miss with all the goings on there!) he has already ridden for Blusens Avintia and Mapfre Aspar since moving to Moto2.

Luis Salom is rumored to be taking Cortese’s old seat at Red Bull KTM Ajo, but is not yet confirmed.

A press release is imminent explaining why Johann Zarco and his management have allegedly ripped up a contract with Marc VDS.

Maverick Vinales is confirmed to stay at Blusens Avintia in Moto3 for another year – his contract is for two years with a move up to Moto2 written in for 2014.

Randy Krummenacher moves from  GP Team Switzerland in Moto3 to join Dominique Aegerter at Technomag  for 2013.

Nico Terol and Alex De Angelis re-sign with Aspar and Forward respectively.

It’s all going on as ‘silly season’ draws to a close!

 

Moto3: Danny Webb joins WWC for 2013

British rider Danny Webb will once again be on the Moto3 grid for 2013 after signing for the World Wide Communication team after two seasons riding for Indian Team Mahindra,it will be the Kent mans seventh season in the Junior class. His new team currently race in Moto3 under a different name…

for the full lowdown and an already busy comments section click here for my full crash.net article:

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/184068/1/moto3_webb_signs_with_wwc_for_2013.html
After Webb’s 10th in the championship in 2010 it will be interesting to see if he can emulate or even improve upon that with machinery which isn’t lagging behind. It will also be interesting to see how Mahindra will do without Webb and Schrotter who both proved to be great development riders for the team, especially as they had little to compare to being the only team still running an Oral engine. Mahindra will be looking for improvements after signing with Suter for engines next season, it would also be a great opportunity for them to promote an Indian rider into the team.

Moto3: Alex Marquez in and Grotzkyj out

Okay, so still not my take on the Rossi news, but it’s nice to talk about other things too!

Although rumoured for some time it has just been officially announced by the Ambrogio Next Racing team that Alex Marquez, younger brother of Moto2 championship leader Marc, will be replacing ousted Simone Grotzkyj for the rest of the season.

Marquez currently races in the Spanish CEV Buckler championship, it has not yet been revealed if he will continue to contest the championship he currently leads but it is possible as there is no conflict between the remaining fixtures and his new Moto3 duties.

The young Catalan rider had already impressed with his point scoring wildcard performances this year, with a best finish of sixth at his home Catalunya grand prix, for the Estrella Galicia 0,0 Repsol sponsored Honda team, the same sponsors he has in the Spanish championship with Monlau Competicion.

Read my full story and discuss and comment here: http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/182779/1/moto3_alex_marquez_in_grotzkyj_out.html

MotoGP: AirAsia Grand Prix of Japan’s epic manga poster

Celebrating their cultural heritage for the 2012 MotoGP, the Japanese grand prix poster features the main championship protagonists for the season in Manga style.

Here’s what Rossi, Lorenzo and Stoner look like in cartoon form:

Maybe they are thinking of using it again in 2013 as they have totally left off Ben Spies! Maybe he’s really tricky to draw!

EDIT: Ben Spies found! ( and Stefan Bradl too!) click here: https://survivalofthefastest.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/motogp-japanese-manga-revisited/

Originally discovered and sourced from a Twitter post by Suzuki World Superbike rider Leon Camier on his account @leoncamier.

Original poster owned by MotoGP.com, Dorna and the original artist, link to the original here:

http://www.motogp.com/en/photos/2012/Grand+Prix+of+Japan+2012+1

MotoGP: Ben Spies crash caused by more bad luck – swing arm collapses

American MotoGP rider Ben Spies suffered the latest in a long line of bad luck at the Mazda Raceway during the Laguna Seca Grand Prix when a ‘technical issue’ caused his swing arm to collapse, resulting in him crashing out of the race dramatically from fourth.

The Texan recently announced his departure from the factory Yamaha team, but is yet to reveal what his future plans are, the strongest whispers suggest a move back to World Superbikes is probable with BMW, who in turn are looking to have a greater presence in MotoGP in the future.

Spies’ tumble, in which he escaped injury, happened on the exit from the infamous corkscrew and the number 11 felt he was lucky not to have been hurt:

“We had a technical failure in the swingarm…all of a sudden, when I got to the bottom of the Corkscrew, the bike went out from underneath me. I had no control, it didn’t even slide or anything. I didn’t know what happened at first, I thought I had hit a huge bump but there isn’t one there. It’s nobody’s fault, just more bad luck.

I was lucky it didn’t happen at turn one. If it had happened there or going up to the Corkscrew, I could have been seriously hurt. I’m not mad at Yamaha about it. There’s no room for that in this type of racing with this much money in the bikes, something like that shouldn’t happen. I’m lucky that, being caught up in the bike like that, I didn’t catch a hand in the wheel or the chain”.

One Yamaha fan benefited from his poor fortunes as ‘Elbowz’ chose to throw his helmet into the crowd after his accident, as shown in this video from MotoGP.com, hopefully he’s thrown the bad luck away with it:

MotoGP: Laguna Seca – Rossi gets a lift from Hayden !

Laguna Seca saw some very fast crashes in the race, a feature of the race weekend, one of which ended Valentino Rossi’s chance of a top ten finish. As Stoner celebrated a hard won victory on a soft tyre gamble, with Lorenzo and Pedrosa a distant second and third and the rest of the pack even further behind, Rossi’s team mate and sixth place finisher on the Ducati Desmosedeici, Nicky Hayden came to his aid and gave him a lift home!

The American can be seen wearing his special ‘Easy Hayden’ helmet in his home Grand Prix, for a detailed image check out my previous post:

https://survivalofthefastest.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/haydens-awesom…eca-helmet-5-2/

Picture taken by me via MotoGP.com coverage by BBC sport.