Following three years on a satellite Honda RC213V, Jack Miller signed with Alma Pramac Racing Ducati for 2018.The Australian had mixed results in pre-season testing, his best finish a third during the Qatar test. During the opening round at Qatar’s Losail International Circuit, Miller claimed 10th.
Things got much better for Miller Saturday during qualifying for round 2 of 19 in 2018 MotoGP at Argentina’s Termas de Rio Hondo circuit.Ducati’s Jack MillerMiller made a wise decision to switch to slicks on a drying circuit, and was able to earn his debut pole position in the premier class. He also became the first Ducati Independent Team Rider to secure a pole.Miller, who has a single premier class win after victory during a wet Assen MotoGP in 2016, posted a best lap of 1:47.153 to take pole during the 15-minute qualifying sessions. Joining him on the front row for Sunday’s 25-lap race are Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa, who finished 0.177 of a second back, and Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Johann Zarco, who finished 0.212 of a second back.Heading up row two is Reale Avintia Racing Ducati’s Tito Rabat, his best qualifying effort in MotoGP. Rabat will be joined on row two by Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins and the reigning MotoGP Champion Marc Marquez on the factory Repsol Honda.Qaulifying seventh was Aprilia Racing Team Gresini’s Aleix Espargaro, who was the final rider to post within a second of Miller. Qatar winner Andrea Dovizioso qualifying eighth aboard the Ducati Team GP18, and he was follwed by Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Vinales and LCR Honda Castrol’s Cal Crutchlow.Nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi qualified 11th, ahead of Team Suzuki Excstar’s Andrea Iannone. As for three-time MotoGP Champion Jorge Lorenzo, he continues to struggle on the Ducati GP18, the Spaniard qualifying 14th.Rain is expected again on Sunday for the Argentina Grand Prix, which goes green at 2 p.m. ET.
Our first segment introduces you to the new Arch 1s. This latest, slightly more sporting American V-twin, adds to the original KRGT1 coming from the boutique manufacturer based in Hawthorne, Southern California. Senior Editor Nic de Sena rode through Malibu with Gard Hollinger, who co-founded Arch Motorcycle with his friend, Keanu Reeves. The 1s is a unique ride for sure, and Nic explains what makes the bike really stand out.
For the entertaining story behind Arch Motorcycle from Gard Hollinger himself, you must listen to his podcast episode on Motos & Friends HERE
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The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—visit your local dealer or suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with multiple Emmy award-winning writer, Producer, Director, and actor, Thom Beers. the former Chairman & CEO of Fremantle Media North America, responsible for American Idol and America’s Got Talent.
Thom’s fertile imagination led to most of the really big reality TV shows such as ‘Deadliest Catch’ (now in its 17th season!), and many others. Of course for us in the motorcycle world, you’ll be interested to hear the genesis and story of how he started the first real fabrication reality show ‘Monster Garage’, that showcased Jesse James, and then how that led to ‘Biker Build Off’ and the ‘Zombie Choppers’ movie.
You’d imagine that most of Thom’s time is spent sitting behind a desk and on his phone. Not so. His intense stories of capturing much of the content for these shows make for some hair-raising listening.