Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/956070
IN THE WIND P56 MOTOE CUP TALK W ith the first MotoE Cup race barely a year away, the 11 teams involved had a first meeting with the series director, ex-Michelin chief Nicolas Goubert, on the eve of the Qatar GP, while one of the race-prepped Energica MotoE bikes was on hand for a first public demonstration lap on race day. The rider was former GP winner Simon Crafar, doubling up with his new pit-lane-reporter duties for Dorna, and other riders will dem- onstrate the bike at forthcoming races. But while original plans to use existing MotoGP and smaller- class riders have been dumped, it remains uncertain where the 18 riders for the forthcoming five-race series will come from, according to Tech 3 Racing boss Herve Ponch- aral. The French team, cur- rently fielding Johan Zarco and rookie Halfizh Syahrin in MotoGP, is one of 11 signed up for the series, along with LCR, Marc VDS, Pramac, Angel Nieto (Aspar), and Avintia, plus Moto2/3 teams Gresini, SKY VR46, Pons, Dynavolt Intact and SIC58. "It was just a preliminary meet- ing, and one point was that the or- ganizers would prefer to avoid older riders, so the series can develop young riders," said Poncharal. "For me, getting a young rider is difficult. The bikes are production- based, so quite heavy and quite hard to handle, not like Moto3. "The rider's profile is also quite important—getting more famous rid- ers would help promote the series." The advent of silent racing has not been greeted with enthusiasm, but at the same time, being seen to be green would also buy favor for everybody's favorite petrol-driven screamers. Further, as Poncharal pointed out, this would be the only major hybrid championship series, with electric and petrol machines on the same bill. "In cars, Formula 1 and Formula E are competing with one another." Michael Scott MotoE Cup series director Nicolas Goubert talked E-bike racing with the teams in Qatar. ZARCO HOTTER PROPERTY T he confirmation that Valentino Rossi isn't going anywhere makes Johan Zarco even hotter property than he was already. It was confirmed at Qatar that his options have been extended after a direct approach from the factory Repsol Honda team. Marquez has already signed to stay with the factory Honda team for two more years, but Dani Pedrosa's place may be up for grabs after 12 years with the team. Zarco would be a prime addition to the team. The move would be welcomed by Marquez, who told the press "it's an advantage to have a very fast teammate." The possible Honda move is in addition to the chance to stay with his current Tech 3 squad when the French outfit switches from Yamaha to KTM factory bikes next year. There were also strong, though unconfirmed, ru- mors that Yamaha might make a third factory bike avail- able for him in a different satellite team next year, while Suzuki has also made approaches to the 27-year-old double Moto2 Champion. As ever, Zarco was neither confirming nor denying anything. "It doesn't change the plan of the team or me," Zarco said. "At the mo- ment we don't know what to decide for next year. The best thing is for me to use the bike to the maximum." It is also unclear who will take over the second Yamaha squad from the departing Tech 3, which has been associated with the marque for 20 years (18 of them in MotoGP). Current candidates are Marc VDS (the favorite, currently running Honda), and Ducati customer teams Avintia and Aspar. Michael Scott PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLD & GOOSE