Features 23 Apr 2016

Cycle 360

An all-access Australian view of road racing, presented by Alpinestars.

The major news was released this week that MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo is officially Bologna-bound with Ducati after signing for the Italian manufacturer in a two-year mega-lucrative deal. It’s what we all expected, but now confirmed, it opens the door for even more speculation.

With Lorenzo departing Movistar Yamaha and Valentino Rossi already re-signed for two more seasons, it’s Suzuki star Maverick Vinales who has emerged as the favourite to take the place on board a factory YZR-M1. Unless Suzuki somehow manages to hold onto him.

It also means that either Andrea Dovizioso or Andrea Iannone will be making way for Lorenzo at the factory Ducati team next year, but it’s too early to say who. They’re essentially fighting for their place from this point on, which will be intriguing to watch.

Source: Supplied.

Source: Supplied.

And this is only the beginning of the silly season really, three rounds into the 2016 championship, and there are many dice to be spun before it settles. We’re going to be hearing about it all year long alongside the title fight, currently led by Honda’s Marc Marquez.

We mustn’t overlook the fact that already Australia’s Jack Miller is staring down the barrel of a third and final term with Honda Racing Corporation in 2017, so whether he remains as part of a satellite operation or is ushered into the factory team remains uncertain (satellite is probably more likely for now). Let’s wait and see.

Closer to home, last weekend’s Sydney round of the Yamaha Motor Finance Australian Superbike Championship marked an entertaining way to reach the halfway point of the season, as Yamaha’s Wayne Maxwell closed to within two points of the title lead coming off three consecutive race wins.

The next three circuits to complete the season – Barbagallo, Morgan Park and Winton – are likely to spring all kinds of surprises before the year’s out, so between the Yamaha Racing Team, Hondas and Ducati-mounted Mike Jones, it’s certain to be hard-fought at the front.

In particular, the Western Australian round seems to rate highly for a number of riders, with many carrying major expectations into the race weekend. It could be the round that we really see someone take control of the championship.

Image: Keith Muir.

Image: Keith Muir.

Some exciting news for the Australasian Superbike Championship was announced in the meantime, confirming that Mallala’s Australian FX-Superbike Championship (contested on Saturdays) will now be streamed and placed on television for the first time.

It’s pretty incredible when you consider the amount of quality vision that series receives and Superbike racing in general. What needs to happen now is more teams and people actually leverage from it and make the most of it through sponsorship – which is no easy task that’s for sure.

I’m wrapping this up somewhat sooner than usual today, doing some travel on a rather unusual off-weekend for us, so have a great long weekend, be safe and enjoy Anzac Day. It’s one of those special moments of the year each April.

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