Category: Moto GP

1. CHIARAVALLI NEW MOTOGP TECHNICAL SPONSOR

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 4th Mar 2023

   With the first official test of the year over and a new racing season around the corner, Team Gresini Racing MotoGP will tackle the new challenge with a new technical partner or their side, and a well-known one: CHT Chiaravalli. Gresini Racing will help the all-Italian company develop the RK chains, which CHT Chiaravalli will then commercialise.
    
   Marketing and Racing have never been as tight between the Faenza-based manufacturer and the Varese-based company, both on track again in Algarve on March 9-11. 

   ANDREA CHIARAVALLI – GENERAL MANAGER
   "We’re proud to be alongside Gresini Racing this season. Our two institutions have always been sharing the passion for this sport and the family dimension: we’re sure that, on top of the values we share off the track, we will also add on-track success!”
    
   CARLO MERLINI – GRESINI RACING COMMERCIAL AND MARKETING DIRECTOR
   “I’m very pleased to announce this new partnership with CHT Chiaravalli, a name that I’d consider iconic in the racing world. But there’s more: CHT is also a bike component. Thanks to this partnership, we began a series of testing and development of the RK chains, a brand that is distributed by them in Italy, and I’m proud to announce that starting from the last test in Malaysia, our Ducati machines feature their chains. I’m sure that this two-level joint effort – marketing and technical – will make the partnership even stronger. I would like to thank the Chiaravalli family for their trust in our project.” 

2. THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BATTIPAV AND GRESINI RACING MOTOGP CONTINUES IN 2023

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 17th Feb 2023

   After last year’s great satisfaction, the will to share the on-track excitement had to continue and this is why we will see the logo of the well-known, Cotignola-based company BATTIPAV on the conveyor of Di Giannantonio and new arrival Alex Marquez’s Ducati machines, as well as on the riders’ leathers, pit-box panels and hospitality.  

   This is a worthy tribute to celebrate the 40 years of activity for the company specialised in machines and tools for the building industry, which operates both on the Italian territory and Internationally thanks to the state-of-the-art projects by the Tondini family.  

   Passion and Made in Italy will be back in full display in Europe and around the world, to deliver unforgettable moments of true sport to the millions of enthusiasts.  

   STEFANO TONDINI – GENERAL MANAGER, BATTIPAV
   “The level of succes achieved in 2022 has created plenty of buzz, but also excited the guests selected by Battipav, who had the lucky chance to celebrate together with Team Gresini at the track! There will be plenty of benefits and surprises in store this year, too, for those brand Ambassadors who chose to wear the colours and values of the Italian company – and will enjoy a true #BattipavExperience. 
    
   CARLO MERLINI – MARKETING AND COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, GRESINI RACING
   “First of all, I would like to wish a happy birthday to Battipav! Forty years are quite the milestone for this company, which was able to combine a family atmosphere with innovation, digitalisation and strong attention to human resources – the real asset of every company. And we’re glad that this recurrence coincides with another year of partnership with Team Gresini MotoGP. Last year, in what was the debut season of the Battipav – Gresini MotoGP partnership, was quite a sensational one and we’re sure 2023 has plenty of more excitement in store with Alex and Diggia, two young, talented and extremely motivated riders! I would like to thank Stefano, Ketty and Claudio for their passion and trust.”

3. Suzuki confirms withdrawal from the British Superbike Championship

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 15th Feb 2023

   Suzuki has confirmed its withdrawal from the British Superbike Championship, ahead of the 2023 season.

   Aligning with its global racing strategy – which saw the termination of its MotoGP project as well as a scaling back of factory support in the Endurance World Championship – and following the departure of the current GSX-R1000R model from European markets, Suzuki has suspended its official involvement in the premier domestic superbike series.

   Over the past six seasons – in partnership with Hawk Racing – the Suzuki GSX-R1000R has won superbike and superstock races with the likes of Bradley Ray, Richard Cooper, Sylvain Guintoli, Kyle Ryde, Gino Rea, Tim Neave, Billy McConnell, and Charlie Nesbitt behind the ‘bars. And in 2019 Cooper also helped steer Suzuki and Hawk Racing to the National Superstock 1000 Championship title.

   There has also been success on the roads, with Cooper taking podium finishes at the North West 200, while Michael Dunlop raced the GSX-R to victory in the 2017 Senior TT, the bike’s first appearance at the prestigious Isle of Man TT races.

   Suzuki would like to thank the riders and fans for their support, and especially Steve and Stuart Hicken and everyone at Hawk Racing for their hard work and dedication over the last six years, without which none of those historic results would have been possible. Everyone at Suzuki wishes the team well for the future.

   Suzuki will continue to support racers campaigning GSX-R machinery at all levels via its Race Parts Programme.

   

4. APRILIA DOES WELL STRAIGHT AWAY IN SEPANG

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 13th Feb 2023

   FIRST TESTS FOR ALEIX, MAVERICK, AND THE NEW RS-GP: APRILIA’S WORK OVER THE WINTER BREAK PASSES WITH FLYING COLOURS

   One of the most highly anticipated events of the year came to a close today with the chequered flag over the first of the 2023 MotoGP tests. Three days that riders and techs exploited to test and analyse the new technical solutions developed over the winter break.

   All exams were passed in the Aprilia camp. Both Aleix and Maverick approved the new RS-GP, considering it a positive step in all the major areas. From the most visible aerodynamics – the feather in the Italian racing department’s cap – to equally fundamental details such as the engine, the chassis and the electronics package.

   The information gathered during the six days of testing (if we also consider the three shakedown sessions done by tester Lorenzo Savadori), will be analysed and assessed ahead of the Portimão tests. Four weeks of intense work to introduce more new features and to confirm the technical package for the season start.

   Aleix Espargaró
   "I can consider myself satisfied with this first test, despite the weather costing us time yesterday. The new RS-GP is definitely faster than the previous version. It has improved a bit in every area and if we add up many small improvements, the end result is good. This doesn’t change the fact that it’s still too early to form a definitive opinion. The engineers will have a month before the next test in Portimão and much can still change."

   Maverick Viñales
   "I’m pleased. Aprilia did a lot of work over the winter and I already feel much more comfortable on the RS-GP. There are clearly still things to improve, also because in these first tests we tried a lot of different components without going in depth into the setting details. But overall, I think we have higher technical potential than we did at the end of last season and that is an outstanding sensation to have for the first test."

5. UNIBAT AND GRESINI FOR A CONTINUING WINNING PARTNERSHIP

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 10th Feb 2023

   Unibat, a leading company worldwide specialised in automotive batteries, and Gresini Racing, one of the most prestigious teams in the MotoGP World Championship, are pleased to announce the continuation of their winning partnership.
    
   Unibat will therefore accompany the journey of Alex Marquéz and Fabio Di Giannantonio by gaining visibility on their leathers, on the front fairings of the #73 and #49 Desmosedici machines and on the Team Gresini Racing MotoGP uniforms. 

   ALESSANDRO ANNOSCIA - CEO Samauto SpA  
   "We’re proud to continue our partnership with Gresini Racing. The Team represents the highest expression of excellence and competence within the world of motorcycle racing, and we’re honoured to be at their side as sponsors.”
    
   CARLO MERLINI – GRESINI RACING MARKETING AND COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
   “Values and results tie together two great institutions such as Unibat and Gresini Racing. We are starting again with what is a new project on many levels, but we’re the certainty of having a great ally such as Alessandro and his company. We’re ready for a great 2023.”