This week let’s kick things off from the MotoGP paddock and last weekend’s thrilling GP at Mugello in Italy. As we have all season we looked to the Moto3 category to follow the progress of our own Jack Miller, the man who rode into Italy with a considerable points lead.

It was again a typically-entertaining affair, with the slip-streaming properties of the straight ensuring it would be another last-lap lottery. Miller was in that mix, but it was again apparent that he was relying on his braking and line selection to really pull the KTM into contention.

As we know it all ended in disaster for the Aussie, who made a challenge for the lead in the closing stages but was bundled back and forced to the offensive in the hope of a podium. A late lunge brought him off line and forced him to sit up, clipping a competitor and bringing another down in the process.

Officials made the extraordinary decision to hand down not just one, but two penalty points to the Aussie, adding further bitterness to a (relatively) bad weekend.

Source: Ajo Motorsport.

There are plenty of questions to be asked to determine how such a penalty could be handed down, but in the end there was little that could be done to dispute it. Kudos to Jack for putting his hand up and accepting responsibility. An off weekend, for sure, but every round brings a podium chance.

While the Italian fans would have loved to see their hero Valentino Rossi in the thick of battle for the win at his 300th grand prix, there was little that could take the focus off the battle between Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez.

Lorenzo, by his own standards, has had a horror year. He needed a serious boost and this was the event that would bring it. To see he and Marquez dicing for the lead was incredible, a race for the ages. Though his younger adversary got the nod, there is little doubting that Lorenzo is back.

It was great to see the level of respect between the riders in parc ferme, too. It was a clean fight and I hope just the start of a renewed rivalry.

Source: MotoGP.

World Superbike’s push into new territories continues this weekend with the highly-anticipated event at Sepang in Malaysia. It will provide a relatively level playing field for teams and riders, and it will certainly be interesting to see who can adapt to the high-speed, flowing nature the quickest.

We’ll be watching Bryan Staring’s progress with interest as the Aussie lines up (again) for his EVO class debut with Grillini Kawasaki. Staring was of course slated to ride in Donington but had to withdraw due to injury. He’s got the benefit of experience here but it’s still early days on a new bike.

The close proximity of Malaysia to Australia means its a popular place for riders to tackle various domestic events. We wish a special good luck to Kawasaki Ninja Cup standout Brandon Demmery who has secured a guest ride in the Moto3 support class over there.

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