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    RiderBOT
    Aprilia Racing will begin its 2026 MotoGP campaign at the Sepang Shakedown Test this week, with test rider Lorenzo Savadori handling development duties across both the factory and Trackhouse satellite teams while reigning champion Jorge Martin continues his recovery from surgery.
    The Italian manufacturer kicks off its season at the Malaysian circuit with the three-day Shakedown Test running from January 29-31, followed by the official test from February 3-5.

    Savadori will shoulder a substantial workload during the tests, working on all eight RS-GP26 machines including those destined for the Trackhouse MotoGP Team, with numerous new solutions scheduled for evaluation.
    The veteran test rider will be joined by Marco Bezzecchi for the official test, but reigning MotoGP World Champion Jorge Martin will be notably absent from riding duties as he continues his physical recovery program.
    Martin underwent two revision surgeries in mid-December to address issues with his left scaphoid and right clavicle. The decision to sideline the Spanish rider for the Malaysian tests is aimed at ensuring his full recovery and peak physical condition ahead of the season opening.
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    Despite not riding, Martin will be present in Malaysia with the team, closely following the development work on the RS-GP26 and maintaining his involvement with the squad’s preparations.
    “At Sepang, I’ll have a lot of work scheduled on all eight bikes, including those of the Trackhouse MotoGP Team, and there will be many new solutions to try, even during the following three days of official testing,” said Savadori.

    “I can’t wait to be back on track and test the RS-GP26. Regarding Jorge, it’s important that he returns to full physical fitness as soon as possible. Of course, it’s a shame not to have him in Malaysia for the tests, but the most important thing is that he recovers well ahead of the start of the season.”
    Advertisement. Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post Aprilia Racing hits Sepang for 2026 Shakedown Test with Savadori stepping in for recovering Martin appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Red Bull KTM has officially launched its 2026 MotoGP campaign, revealing the updated livery and confirming its four-rider line-up ahead of pre-season testing at Sepang next week.
    The Austrian manufacturer enters its tenth season of premier class Grand Prix racing with Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder leading the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing charge, while Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales will campaign the Red Bull KTM Tech3 squad.


    All four riders will contest the 2026 season aboard the latest evolution of the KTM RC16, marking the final iteration of the current-generation machine before new technical regulations arrive in 2027.
    The 2026 campaign represents a significant opportunity for Red Bull KTM, with the manufacturer targeting its strongest season yet following steady development through 2025. The four-rider line-up brings 24 combined seasons of MotoGP experience, with Acosta fresh from securing fourth in the 2025 championship standings – equalling KTM’s best-ever premier class result.

    Red Bull KTM collected 14 podium finishes across Grands Prix and Sprint races in 2025, with the quartet logging 17 top-five results between them. Acosta’s rookie season netted multiple podiums, while Binder maintained KTM’s trademark speed with the RC16 continuing to hold the MotoGP top speed record at 366.1km/h, set by Binder in 2023 and matched by Pol Espargaro in 2024.
    “In the second half of 2025 we were starting to make good races, good results, even when we were not having our best days,” Acosta said. “We were able to manage to be in this top five constantly. All-in-all it was really good to be able to fight for 3rd place in the Championship. We go for more this year and to start in the right way from Sepang next week.”

    Binder, who struggled to match his 2023 form last season, arrives with renewed focus after an intensive off-season preparation. “Last year I felt like I was thinking the whole time on the motorbike, instead of letting just my natural ability take over and that’s one thing that I want to change for this season,” the South African said. “Just really enjoy riding the bike a bit more. I’m quite confident that I can make a good step up.”
    Bastianini joins Red Bull KTM Tech3 after a learning year in 2025, having switched from Ducati machinery mid-career. The Italian believes his increased familiarity with the RC16 will unlock stronger performances in 2026. “2026 will be different because I will know more about the bike, about the team. I think I will be much stronger,” Bastianini said. “I saw much potential, especially during the test in Valencia last year. I think we are ready to race, ready to fight.”

    Vinales, who showed flashes of pace before a Sachsenring crash derailed his 2025 campaign, arrives with championship ambitions after recovering from shoulder surgery. “I feel that I have a big responsibility to make this project a winning project,” the Spaniard said. “I always feel that when I have this type of pressure – when I have this type of responsibility – I am at my best. So, I’m ready to ‘eat’! I have a lot of energy for this year.”
    Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager Aki Ajo highlighted the internal improvements made throughout 2025 as the foundation for the team’s 2026 ambitions. “We know the potential of the bike, the riders, the teams and the group. This means we can be excited about the potential for 2026 but we will keep patience in the work and focus,” Ajo said.

    Red Bull KTM Tech3 Team Manager Nicolas Goyon praised the increased factory support heading into the new season. “2025 was the season where we’ve received more than ever. Both teams were evolving at the same level. Now, we’re really looking forward to work with our new management, I really feel we’re prepared for this new season, this new era,” Goyon said.
    Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director, emphasised the manufacturer’s commitment to delivering competitive machinery for all four riders while balancing development for the 2027 regulations. “Last year, I feel we couldn’t really make the package ready for everybody to show their best potential. So that was the highest target we had over the last weeks: to make sure everyone gets what he needs to perform,” Beirer said. “We want to make this year our year, and use all the chances we have. It’s time to go for it in ’26.”

    Red Bull KTM’s four-rider assault begins next week following the conclusion of the Shakedown Test (January 29-31). The official pre-season schedule includes the Sepang Test from February 3-5 in Malaysia, followed by the 2026 MotoGP season launch in Kuala Lumpur on February 7. A final two-day test will take place at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand on February 21-22, before the PT Thai Grand Prix opens the season at the same venue from February 28-March 2.
    MotoGP will conduct four in-season test days throughout 2026. The first two are official tests using Michelin tyres, scheduled for the Mondays following the Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez and the Catalan Grand Prix in Barcelona. Two non-official tests with the 2027 tyre supplier are planned for the Mondays following the Czech and Austrian Grands Prix.

    The 2026 season comprises 22 Grands Prix across 18 countries, with six rounds counting as home events for the Red Bull KTM quartet. MotoGP attendance reached a record 3.6 million fans at circuits in 2025, representing a 21 per cent increase over 2024.
    Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post Red Bull KTM launches 2026 MotoGP line-up with Acosta, Binder, Bastianini and Vinales appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Vespa has revealed the 946 Horse, a limited-edition model celebrating the Year of the Horse with equestrian-inspired design and Italian craftsmanship.
    The Vespa 946 Horse arrives as the third chapter in Vespa’s Lunar Collection, following the Dragon and Snake editions. This time, Vespa says, paying tribute to the horse’s symbolism of elegance, dynamism and resilience, the new model reinterprets these values through the iconic 946 platform.

    Distinguished by a rich bay colour finish inspired by a horse’s glossy coat, the 946 Horse features a steel body with refined matte and gloss contrasts. Golden accents elevate the design throughout, including a ‘V monogram’ stamped within a horseshoe beneath the saddle.
    Italian craftsmanship defines the limited edition, with a handcrafted leather saddle inspired by equestrian tack created by skilled Italian artisans. Premium leather trims extend to the handlebars and rear-view mirrors.

    A curated accessory range complements the model, including a rear bag crafted in Italy from the same leather as the saddle. An available windshield features aluminium supports, while a dedicated jet helmet reinforces the model’s identity with a three-dimensional gold V on the rear.
    The model is priced from $24,840 rideaway in Australia, arriving in extremely limited quantities. Australia’s stock allocation has already sold out to 946 collectors, continuing the trend seen with all previous 946 special editions.
    1 of 6 Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post Vespa 946 Horse unveiled as latest Lunar Collection limited edition appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Kawasaki has lifted the covers on its updated 2026 supermini motocross range, introducing major chassis and suspension upgrades across the KX85, KX85 L and KX112 models.
    The trio maintains Kawasaki’s proven liquid-cooled, two-stroke single-cylinder engine architecture in either 84cc or 112cc displacements, but wraps them in comprehensively redesigned rolling chassis aimed at elevating young racers’ performance and confidence.

    Central to the updates is a new rigid perimeter frame paired with a fully adjustable 43mm KYB inverted front fork and revised Uni-Trak rear suspension. The KYB fork delivers improved damping characteristics and bottoming resistance, while the rear end gains increased adjustability across the range.
    On the KX112 and KX85 L models, rear wheel travel now matches full-size KX machines, representing a significant step up in capability for the supermini class.
    Braking hardware sees a notable upgrade with larger 240mm front and 220mm rear disc brakes fitted across all three models, providing improved stopping power for aggressive riding.

    The cockpit area has been completely reimagined with a larger rider triangle, wider handlebar placement and repositioned footpegs creating more room for growing riders. A new aluminium Renthal Fatbar handlebar wears ODI lock-on grips, while an eight-position ERGO-FIT adjustable handlebar mount allows precise tuning to individual rider preferences.
    Wheel and tyre specifications differentiate the models. The standard KX85 runs a 17-inch front and 14-inch rear combination, while both the KX85 L and KX112 step up to 19-inch front and 16-inch rear wheels. All three models roll on new Dunlop Geomax MX34 rubber.

    Factory-inspired KX styling brings a sharper, more aggressive aesthetic in line with Kawasaki’s current motocross range, reinforcing the brand’s racing pedigree that stretches from Loretta Lynn’s to AMA Supercross and Motocross championships.
    Engine-wise, riders can select between the 84cc and 112cc options based on skill level and competition class. Both share the same fundamental engine and transmission architecture, ensuring consistent performance characteristics and proven reliability.
    The KX112 distinguishes itself with notably strong low-end torque delivery, designed to launch riders forward with confidence across varied racing conditions. Both displacements offer usable power throughout the rev range paired with impressive top-end performance.

    All models come backed by Kawasaki’s Team Green Racer Support Program, continuing the manufacturer’s long-standing commitment to developing future motocross champions across Australia and New Zealand.
    The KX112 and KX85 L are scheduled to arrive in Australian dealerships in late February 2026, with the standard KX85 following mid-year. Pricing will be announced closer to product arrival.
    Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post 2026 Kawasaki KX85, KX85 L and KX112 supermini range unveiled appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    Limited to just 800 motorcycles worldwide, Triumph’s new Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer Edition channels 1960s British cafe racer style combined with modern performance.
    Triumph Motorcycles has unveiled the Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer Edition, a limited-run model that pays homage to the original British cafe racers of the 1960s while delivering modern sporty performance.

    The Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer Edition will arrive in Australian Triumph dealerships from March 2026, priced from $30,490 rideaway. With strictly limited quantities available locally, interested buyers should contact their nearest Triumph dealer. For reference, the full-time Speed Twin 1200 RS is priced from $27,290.
    With worldwide production capped at just 800 units, each motorcycle will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, ensuring exclusivity for collectors and enthusiasts alike.\

    Based on the Speed Twin 1200 RS, the Cafe Racer Edition features clip-on handlebars that create a low, tucked riding position, combined with a distinctive brown bullet seat with removable cowl. The single-seat profile delivers a streamlined silhouette, though pillion footpegs are included in the crate for owners who want to restore two-up capability.
    Premium detailing includes machined bar-end mirrors, ribbed clutch and alternator cover badges, black head bolt covers, and sculpted knee pads that add subtle refinement throughout the motorcycle.

    The exclusive colour scheme combines Competition Green and Aluminium Silver paintwork inspired by British Racing Green, with colour-coded Competition Green headlight bowl and Aluminium Silver wheels. Empire Gold coachlines define the transition between colours, while “Cafe Racer Edition” graphics complete the premium finish.
    Power comes from Triumph’s Bonneville 1200 twin engine, producing 77kW and 112Nm. The distinctive 270-degree firing order delivers immediate throttle response and characterful power delivery all the way to the 8000rpm rev limit.

    Top-specification suspension includes fully adjustable Marzocchi forks paired with Ohlins rear units, while braking performance is handled by twin Brembo Stylema calipers acting on 320mm discs. High-performance Metzeler Racetec RR K3 tyres come fitted as standard.
    Modern tech includes Road, Rain and Sport riding modes, optimised cornering ABS and traction control, and an up/down quickshifter for clutchless gear changes. LCD and TFT displays housed within a traditional circular dial provide turn-by-turn navigation, phone connectivity and a USB-C charging socket.
    2026 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer. 1 of 8
    Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post Triumph launches limited edition Speed Twin 1200 Cafe Racer appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    With the field thinned but expectations sky-high, Jack Holder still had to earn every point on the road to a second Aussie title
    Jack Holder is now a believer in the often-expressed view that it’s more difficult to win something for a second time than it is the first.
    In 2023, Holder won the Australian Speedway Championship, a feat he repeated this month in claiming the 2026 title – but he knows that his second title win only came after a very tough battle.
    Make no mistake, this was a title Jack should have won. In the absence of his SGP compatriots Brady Kurtz, Max Fricke and Jason Doyle plus Ryan Douglas, Sam Masters and Josh Pickering, it left Holder as a hot favourite.
    Luke Becker, in yellow, gets airborne during the first running of the Oceania Champs final behind Rohan Tungate, in red But it was no pushover. His two most serious rivals, Jaimon Lidsey and Rohan Tungate, ultimately joined Holder on the series rostrum after making him work very hard in all four rounds – during which that trio featured in all finals.
    The top two scorers after the 20 heats at each round progressed direct to the final for the night, while the next eight riders contested two semis, from which only the winners progressed – in all but one case the third and fourth top scorers from the heats won their semis.
    Holder went direct to the final at each round, scoring 14 points in the heats at every round, beaten only by Lidsey twice, Keynan Rew and Tungate once each.
    Lidsey went direct to the final three times, including twice with a maximum score and Tungate once with a maximum in the final round.
    Keynan Rew and Tungate duel As well as the degree of predictability about the top three, so too were the next three in overall standings. Zach Cook’s consistency (three seconds and a third in the semis) earned him fourth overall, ahead of Keynan Rew who was hampered by mechanical problems in one round, while Ben Cook (winning all three semis he contested) would surely have finished higher had he not missed the final Mildura round with food poisoning.
    Only one of the 15 riders who contested all rounds failed to make the semis at least once – further evidence of the fluctuating performances of the bottom half of the field – as Jacob Hook was steady while Justin Sedgmen at least made the semis each round.
    Chris Holder, Beau Bailey and Fraser Bowes all withdrew from the championship with injuries after being selected, which further weakened the final line-up – but a number of younger riders grasped their opportunity to show their wares and hopefully attract the attention of promoters in Europe.
    Tungate on the charge Those younger and in some cases lesser-known riders did not, however, detract from the excitement of the racing, with battles between those lesser lights often providing plenty of close action and drama, even if some polish was missing.
    Mitchell McDiarmid was probably the standout among them, with quite a few wow moments; there were never any easy points, even for the top-ranked riders.
     
     
    Oceania, State Titles and Speedway Firsts
    Keynan Rew claimed his biggest win in domestic racing when he won the 2026 Oceania Championship at SA’s Gillman Speedway on 11 January.
    Rew and Luke Becker qualified direct to the final where they were joined by semi winners Rohan Tungate and Jaimon Lidsey. Becker fell at the first corner in the decider, leaving Rew to beat Tungate and Lidsey in the re-run.
    Oceania Champion Rew stands tall on the podium with his impressive trophy The Darcy Ward Invitational was the first ever bike meeting at the Western Sydney Speedway on Boxing Night, with Jack Holder triumphant in the final ahead of Zaine Kennedy, Ryan Douglas and Tate Zischke. The four sidecars drew the biggest cheers from the crowd on the night.
    The two- and three-wheelers are back at the Western Sydney Speedway on 7 February for the Sydney Sendoff meeting.
    Lidsey became a two-time winner of the Phil Crump Classic at Mildura (27 Dec), taking the final ahead of Luke Becker, Tungate, Zischke, Leon Flint and Justin Sedgmen.
    Becker became the first American rider to win the SA Championship at Gillman (28 Dec), even though he had to win a semi-final to get into the final where he was victorious ahead of Flint, Zischke and Scott Nicholls.
    On the same program, the State Under 16 250cc title was won by Cooper Antone ahead of Nate Smith, after both Ky Mitchell and Kobi Canning fell.
    Lidsey wrapped up the double of Mildura features, taking the Jason Lyons Trophy (17 Jan) ahead of Becker, Sedgmen and Nicholls.
    The Daniel Winchester Testimonial meeting at Pinjar Park (17 Jan) attracted a better line-up than the WA title meeting, but the same winner as McDiarmid conquered Luke Killeen, Cameron Heeps and Matt Marson in the decider.
     
    ANOTHER TRACK BITES THE DUST

    Motorcycle racing has lost another venue after the last ever race meeting was staged at the Mick Doohan Raceway at North Brisbane before Christmas.
    For four decades the North Brisbane Junior Motor Cycle Club has operated the venue on a series of short-term lease arrangements with the Brisbane City Council, but now the council has decided that the land would be better utilised for other purposes and the club has to vacate.
    Renowned as one of the major venues in the country for dirt track, track racing and speedway, its closure leaves one of the country’s major cities without a track to race on.
    Numerous businesses have supported the club’s activities and their contribution was remembered in a nostalgic final meeting when the last staging of the prestigious North Brisbane Cup turned into a celebration for riders, club officials and fans alike.
    That final meeting produced a fitting farewell to the venue that has hosted many of the biggest names in the sport, including young riders who have progressed to be leading performers on the world stage, some in other disciplines, such as Jack Miller and Max Whale – who were both on hand for the finale at the track.
    So who will be remembered as the winners at the last ever race meeting? Miller made it back to-back wins in the North Brisbane Cup, leading home Whale and Billy Van Eerde in the 20-lap final.
    At this point the club has nowhere to relocate, but members are keenly investigating any suggestions that have been made.
     
    Australian Speedway Championship
    Round 1 – Albury-Wodonga (3 Jan)
    • Semi winners: Tungate, B Cook
    • Final: Holder, Lidsey, Tungate, B Cook
    Round 2 – Albury-Wodonga (4 Jan)
    • Semi winners: B Cook, Tungate
    • Final: Holder, Tungate, B Cook, Lidsey
    Round 3 – Mildura (7 Jan)
    • Semi winners: Rew, Tungate
    • Final: Holder, Tungate, Lidsey, Rew
    Round 4 – Gillman (9 Jan)
    • Semi winners: B Cook, Lidsey
    • Final: Holder, Tungate, Lidsey, B Cook

    Australian 500cc Solo Championship – Final Standings
    Jack Holder – 72 pts
    Jaimon Lidsey – 64 pts
    Rohan Tungate – 61 pts
    Zach Cook – 41 pts
    Keynan Rew – 39 pts
    Ben Cook – 37 pts
    Jacob Hook – 31 pts
    Mitchell McDiarmid – 30 pts
    Tate Zischke – 29 pts
    Justin Sedgmen – 26 pts
    The post SPEEDWAY | Tested and Proven appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    Victorian Government told it must step in to save MotoGP round
    Political pressure is rapidly building on the Victorian Government to intervene and save the Phillip Island round of MotoGP.The local National Party member Melina Bath has demanded the government take “immediate action” on this issue, which is shaping up to have a major effect on Victoria’s tourist economy.
    Bath is a powerful voice for the Eastern Victoria region, who as recently as last November flagged another major issue with Phillip Island being the main access road.
    MotoGP’s new owner Liberty Media wants more so-called street circuits like Indonesia’s purpose-built Mandalika In a question in State Parliament, she asked the Minister for Road and Road Safety: “Despite years of safety concerns and community advocacy, the government has failed to fund critical upgrades to Phillip Island Road in San Remo. The road is known for frequent crashes, near misses and worsening congestion, especially during weekends and holidays, posing a serious risk to the lives of tourists and locals alike. It is listed among the RACV’s top 12 worst roads. It is on Bass Coast shire’s top priority list and in One Gippsland’s regional campaign. The project is shovel ready – consultation occurred over a decade ago – and it is vital.”
    So it’s not just the iconic Island circuit that’s lacking State Government support, and this adds another layer to the desperate fight by locals to keep an event that brings in as much as $60m to Victoria’s economy each year.
    Motorcycles already feature on Adelaide’s street circuit in the annual Motorsport Festival As we reported in our last issue, a general lethargy on the part of major movers-and-shakers as to the future of the Phillip Island circuit and its long-term MotoGP contract, which expires late this year, is coming back to bite big-time.
    While Victoria’s Labor Government has not issued any meaningful statement of intent to secure an extension of the 10-year contract for the Australian round, South Australia’s Labor Government has declared its backing of any effort made to get the round there.
    Significantly, SA Premier Peter Malinauskas has clarified that it would be The Bend, not a street circuit, that would host a MotoGP race, and that negotiations would be led by the Shahin family.
    This statement came in the face of speculation that either Melbourne’s Albert Park or Adelaide’s old F1 car circuit in the Parklands were Dorna’s favoured new options for Australia’s MotoGP round.
    The Shahin family, which owns the Tailem Bend racing complex, is cashed up after selling its On The Run network of fuel/mini-supermarket outlets to Shell and able to play a significant role in any attempt to secure a MotoGP round in Australia.
    San Remo’s roads struggle to cope with GP traffic There are even rumours circulating around their true intent, including a suggestion they may actually buy the Island circuit off owners the Fox family.
    It was the Malinauskas Labor government that revived the Adelaide Supercars race in the city’s Parklands after the previous Liberal government axed it. The last round of the Supercars achieved a record attendance of any Australian sporting event. While this was largely based on the event also hosting the SA concert of AC/DC, it demonstrated how the present government can think outside the box to get fans to a motorsport event that the previous government thought was not worth the effort.
    This attitude may very well get SA across the line, with the ongoing tangle of negotiations involving Dorna’s new owners Liberty Media, which is looking for innovative race promoters.
    Both Victoria and SA are in election years. Victoria is cash-strapped and facing several crisis, including a potential voter revolt over a perceived shortfall in funding to the volunteer fire brigades that risked everything in the recent devastating bushfires.
    Phillip Island has hosted numerous memorable GP clashes, including this race in 2001 in which Rossi defeated Biaggi by just 0.013s SA, a motorsport-mad state, is riding a wave of popularity among many Labor voters for re-energising the state’s heritage of motorsport, dating back to the days when a bold bid by then-Labor premier John Bannon and engineer Bob Barnard convinced Bernie Ecclestone to bring F1 cars to Australia for the first time and on a street circuit.
    Barnard, the chief engineer for the inaugural Adelaide GP, delivered the Adelaide circuit from concept to completion in less than a year. He went on to redevelop the rundown Phillip Island circuit to motorcycle GP reality in the late 1980s, then designed and delivered Sydney’s Eastern Creek circuit to GP standard within 12 months. He was also involved in bringing California’s Laguna Seca circuit up to world standard to host the 1993 round of GP500.
    Obviously, achievements like this are not an option in the current situation.However, Barnard’s accomplishments, backed by governments committed to a sporting event, shows what can be achieved in a short time. Financial and engineering skills need to be backed by committed government involvement.
    There are several Asia-Pacific options for the new rulers of MotoGP, so this saga has a long way to play out. But it’s obvious that time is running out for Australia.
    The post AUS GP FUTURE EXCLUSIVE | Where’s The Action Plan? appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
    RiderBOT
    Honda Australia has announced updated colour schemes for its CRF1100L Africa Twin range, refreshing the look of one of the brand’s most successful adventure bikes.
    The updates arrive as the Africa Twin celebrates its ongoing success in the adventure segment, with over 121,000 units sold globally since the model’s reintroduction in 2016. For six of those years, the Africa Twin has consistently placed in Honda’s top three selling motorcycles over 125cc.

    While mechanically unchanged, all Africa Twin variants receive new graphics and colour options that Honda says enhance the bike’s rally-inspired appearance.
    All 2026 Africa Twin models retain the 1084cc parallel-twin engine producing 75kW of power and 112Nm of torque. Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) remains available across the range – an option chosen by almost half of all Africa Twin customers in 2025.
    The standard Africa Twin continues with fully-adjustable Showa suspension, while the Electronic Suspension model features Showa’s EERA system, which provides optimised damping across all riding conditions and adjustable rear preload on the move. Electronic Suspension models also include heated grips and an ACC socket as standard.

    The Adventure Sports variant maintains its touring focus with a larger 24.8-litre fuel tank (providing 508km range versus 385km on standard models) and a 19-inch front wheel for improved on-road handling.
    Pricing and Australian availability for the 2026 Africa Twin range is yet to be confirmed by Honda Australia.
    Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post Honda Africa Twin gets fresh colour options for 2026 appeared first on INFO MOTO.
    RiderBOT
    American MotoGP squad Trackhouse has revealed its 2026 liveries, including the return of iconic Gulf colours for five rounds this season.
    Trackhouse Racing has taken the covers off its Aprilia RS-GP26 machinery ahead of the 2026 MotoGP season, showcasing both an updated house livery and the return of partner Gulf’s legendary blue and orange colour scheme.
    The American outfit enters its third premier class campaign with renewed confidence following Raul Fernandez’s breakthrough victory at Phillip Island last year – the team’s first MotoGP win.

    The iconic Gulf livery will debut at the season-opening Thai Grand Prix in Buriram before appearing at four additional rounds throughout the season: Brazil, Mugello, Lombok, and Sepang’s Malaysian Grand Prix.
    The updated Trackhouse house livery retains the team’s signature blue, black and dayglo yellow palette with refinements for the new season, featuring increased carbon fibre elements for a more aggressive appearance.
    Both Fernandez and 2024 Moto2 World Champion Ai Ogura will campaign the Aprilia RS-GP26 machines in their sophomore and rookie seasons respectively.

    Fresh from his maiden MotoGP victory in Australia, Fernandez emphasised the importance of consistent work over results-focused thinking.
    “The important thing is that the bike can be fast on track and for this year, I think we have to be really focused on ourselves and not think too much about the results,” Fernandez said.
    “We have to be focused on what we can control and need to improve each day to be competitive. I want to enjoy racing like I did in the last rounds of 2025 and I’m sure then the results will come.”

    Second-year rider Ogura identified qualifying performance as a key area for improvement after a solid rookie campaign hampered by grid position struggles.
    “One of the big targets this season will be the grid positions,” Ogura explained. “Last season we could be competitive during the race but the grid position has usually not been the best and we really need to work on that, especially during the test days.”

    Team Principal Davide Brivio set clear expectations for both riders, targeting top-ten championship finishes and regular podium contention.
    “The goal is to improve what we have done last year,” Brivio said. “Raul finished inside the top 10 but just in 10th place so, first of all, we should get both riders in the top 10 and be able to hopefully score some podiums.”
    Brivio highlighted Fernandez’s late-season confidence surge and Ogura’s race pace as foundations for 2026 success, while acknowledging qualifying remains a crucial development area for the Japanese rider.

    Team Owner Justin Marks reflected on the organisation’s rapid growth since entering MotoGP in 2024, emphasising the significance of the Gulf partnership.
    “As a kid I grew up loving these colors on the Ford GT40s and the Porsche 917s at the Le Mans 24 hour race,” Marks said. “Now to have five races in the coming MotoGP season with both our bikes running Gulf colors it’s a dream come true.”
    The 2026 MotoGP season begins with official testing at Sepang before the opening round in Thailand from February 27 to March 1.

    Spencer LeechSpencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his Aprilia Tuareg 660, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
    The post Trackhouse unveils 2026 MotoGP liveries, iconic Gulf colours return appeared first on INFO MOTO.
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    Flettner rotor wings for bikes use the Magnus effect to create variable downforce levels
    Just over a century ago, German inventor Anton Flettner revealed his eponymous invention – the Flettner rotor – as a replacement for conventional canvas sails on ships. Based on spinning, vertical cylinders, they were first demonstrated in the 1920s and use a phenomenon called the Magnus effect to influence airflow passing over them – creating a pressure difference that pushes them in the desired direction.
    Now BMW is looking at using the same idea to replace wing-shaped aerodynamic components on motorcycles, as revealed in a new patent from the company.
    The Magnus effect was demonstrated by Heinrich Gustav Magnus – another German, this time a physicist – back in 1853. He showed how a rapidly spinning cylinder exposed to airflow would create low pressure on one side and high pressure on the other, just like a wing. It was already a known phenomenon even then, though, with Isaac Newton having explained how the same process affected spinning tennis balls to alter their path through the air back in the 17th century. Flettner’s rotors, however, found a practical use for the idea, and today in the 21st century the idea is having a resurgence, with a growing number of ships adopting Flettner rotors as sails to assist their conventional engines and improve their efficiency.
    BMW’s idea is to use the same concept to address one of the problems associated with fitting winglets to motorcycles – namely that the downforce that a conventional, unmoving winglet generates isn’t always what’s needed on a bike that’s constantly changing speed, pitch, roll and yaw.
    The patent suggests small Flettner rotors, around 20 cm long and 4 or 5 cm in diameter, mounted on either side like the winglets on existing bikes. It also suggests another could be fitted between the fork legs, along with one in the air intake on the bike’s nose, and a fifth on the tail of the bike to create rear downforce. Each would spin at between 50,000 rpm and 100,000 rpm, with BMW suggesting that 80,000 rpm is the sweet spot to maximise their performance. Electric motors in the base of the rotors would be used to spin them.
    The Magnus effect But what makes them better than normal winglets? There are a few advantages to be had.
    First, the rotors aren’t sensitive to the bike’s pitch. A fixed front winglet might help prevent a wheelie, but if you overcome its downforce and lift the nose of the bike anyway, it becomes a sail that catches the wind and could make the bike more wheelie-prone, rather than less. The Flettner rotor isn’t affected by changes in pitch, so if it’s spinning forwards, accelerating the air below it and slowing the airflow above, it will continue to provide downforce even if you’re wheelieing.
    Second, the rotors’ speed can be changed independently of the bike’s speed, potentially allowing for more downforce when you’re going slowly – accelerating out of a corner, for example. And when you’re flat-out on a straight, with no need for downforce and the accompanying drag that comes with it, the rotors’ spin can be stopped, reducing the drag to improve top speed.
    Thirdly, the rotors’ direction can be changed. That means those side-mounted ones could spin in opposite directions during corners – the outer one given topspin to create downforce, while the inner one spins backwards, pulling the nose of the bike towards the apex.
    While similar benefits could also be achieved with variable-pitch winglets, as demonstrated recently on CFMoto’s upcoming 1000 cc V4 superbike, the Flettner rotor idea could be easier to control and use a lighter mechanism than the powerful actuators needed to move wings against the pressure of air.
    The post BMW Sets Winglets in a Spin appeared first on Australian Motorcycle News.
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