Michael Scott | October 19, 2018
2018 MotoGP Motegi Friday News
Spencer Named MotoGP Stewards Chairman
Formerly Fast Freddie Spencer, deposed only by Marquez as the youngest-ever premier-class champion, will take up a permanent role in MotoGP next year, as chairman of the panel of stewards.
The panel sits in judgement of riding offences, and is currently chaired by race director Mike Webb. The new appointment will free Webb to concentrate on the already onerous race direction duties.
The rider from Louisiana was a dazzling talent in his time, defeating “King Kenny Roberts for the 500cc title in 1983 aged just 21, then taking a unique double in 1985, winning both the 250cc and 500cc crowns. All his GP success was achieved riding a Honda.
Although he was never able to reproduce that winning form, Spencer had sent new standards in the sport; not only devastatingly fast, but also with a reputation as a clean and fair rider.
After retirement, Spencer ran a racing school in Las Vegas for a time; and is still active in classic revival meetings.
The Stewards Panel comprises the chairman and two other FIM nominees, and are responsible solely for disciplinary decisions; imposition of penalties and the adjudication of protests.
“I appreciate the consideration and respect shown to me in offering me the position as chairman,” said Spencer in a written statement, in which he also spoke of “my passion for my sport and what it has given me.
“One of the key factors in deciding to accept this position is … this being an opportunity to be a positive influence and a constructive, resolving voice in issues that will arise; … that can impact the reputation of our sport. I have spent the majority of my lifetime developing the skills required for this position.”
Spencer will take up the position for the 2019 season.
Lorenzo Tries, but Withdraws from Motegi
Jorge Lorenzo’s withdrawal from the Japanese GP – after just two exploratory laps – was triggered by pain, and the risk of making the fracture worse, the former triple premier-class champion told press after an unsuccessful foray on Friday morning.
“It’s a sad moment, because I really wanted to race here, at one of my favourite circuits,” he said.
The track also suited the Ducati, he continued, and he had hoped for a strong race after disappointment at the preceding two rounds. But after worsening pain as he stepped up his training regime, doubts crept in; then an MRI scan at a Mito hospital confirmed that what had originally been thought only a hairline fracture was a more serious break in the radius bone of his left arm.
“”Yesterday my feelings weren’t very positive and unfortunately today I had confirmation not only of the pain, but also that there was a serious risk of making the fracture worse.
“On hard braking I couldn’t push with my left wrist,” he said. The stop-and-go circuit rivals Austria’s Red Bull Ring as the track with the most punishing braking of the season, with high-mass 340mm front discs compulsory for all teams.
Lorenzo cited “a lot of pain” in left-handers and direction changes.
“I was not comfortable and I was not safe. There was no meaning to continue,” he said.
His next move was further medical examination before deciding how to proceed. Had the fracture been diagnosed at the time, there would have been time for a surgical repair. Now, however, his condition made participation in next weekend’s Australian GP unlikely, and also threw doubt on the Malaysian race a week later.
Yamaha hoping to End Winless Streak
Yamaha’s chances of ending the company’s longest-ever winless streak – up to 24 races in Thailand – remained in doubt after an inconclusive first day of practice.
Although Zarco was third-fastest and Vinales a close fifth, with just one dry session it was too small a sample to draw any conclusions.
But it was possible to find some encouragement, with Vinales saying: “It’s been a good day honestly, because we confirmed that the improvement we made in Thailand was due to the set-up changes and not due to the tyres we used there. This weekend’s tyre works completely different from those in Thailand, but we still came close to the top in the morning.
“However, there’s still a lot of room for improvement, but I think we have to go ahead with this set-up to try to be better.”
Rossi placed ninth, and was more cautious.
“It’s difficult to assess the situation, because today wasn’t the perfect day to get an understanding,” he said. “I had some different things to try in the morning session and my pace wasn’t fantastic. On the other hand, Maverick and Zarco were strong, so this is positive.”
Moto3 Rider Bulega Out After
Motorcycle racing can be dangerous. So too can dog ownership … as Moto3 rider Nicolo Bulega discovered.
The SKY VR46 teamster was absent from Motegi, recovering from injuries sustained while playing with his dog at home. He slipped and fell onto a glass table, which broke and cut his hand badly enough to rule him out.
His place was taken by 17-year-old Italian Celestino Vietti.
Wildcards in Japan
Suzuki test rider Sylvian Guintoli was a Motegi wild card, riding a prototype version of the 2019 GSX-RR in preparation for testing at Valencia the day after the GP.
The former MotoGP rider and World Superbike champion had tested at Motegi for two days last week, and placed 21st in the morning dry session. “It is important to ride with the full-time riders, to keep up to speed, which is necessary for testing,” he said.
Having lost concession status with four podium finishes this year, development of next year’s machine is that much more crucial, with engine development frozen after the first race, in line with the other top factory teams.
Yamaha had also entered a wild card – factory tester and domestic rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga. But the 37-year-old Japanese was riding a stock bike rather than testing for the future, his team confirmed.
Nakasuga is something of a part-time MotoGP veteran. This will be his 12th start after a first in 2002; distinguished by second place in Valencia in 2012 when riding in place of the injured Ben Spies.
LCR Honda Re-Signs Nakagami
Unsurprising news came in the week before the Japanese GP, when it was confirmed that Takaaki Nakagami’s contract with the LCR Honda team has been renewed for 2019. Backed by Japanese petroleum firm Idemitsu, former Moto2 race winner Nakagami has made a worthwhile MotoGP debut, scoring points in seven races, though lagging behind fellow ex-Moto2 class rookies Franco Morbidelli (EG VDS Honda) and Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha). Each has finished in the top ten once, and are disputing the Rookie of the Year position.
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