With seven victories before his home crowd at Mugello, Valentino Rossi is the winningest rider at the Tuscan circuit that will host its 33rd year of GP races this Sunday.The Movistar Yamaha MotoGP YZR-M1 pilot wasted no time making his reign known Saturday when he claimed the pole position at Mugello – the 65th of his Grand Prix career, and eighth at Mugello.Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi
Before a raving crowd covered in yellow colors to cheer on their home hero, the nine-time World Champion Rossi claimed pole with a lap time of 1:46.208, which ousted Andrea Iannone’s record from 2015 of 1:46.489 (Ducati Team).Qualifying on the front row with Rossi were Ducati Team’s Jorge Lorenzo (-0.035) and Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Vinales (-0.096). Lorenzo is now tied with Rossi in second for most pole positions across all GP classes. The pole leader remains Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez with 74.Ducati’s Jorge LorenzoHeading up row two ahead of Sunday’s 23-lap Grand Prix of Italy Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Andrea Iannone, the Italian qualifying ahead of Alma Pramac Racing Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci and four-time MotoGP Champion Marquez.
Marquez was quick from the outset, but couldn’t keep his momentum going. The RC213V pilot has won the past three races, including a dominating performance two weeks ago in Le Mans, but has only one premier-class win at Mugello (2014).Yamaha’s Maverick VinalesRow three consists of Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso, who set a new top speed Friday of 215.24 mph, qualified seventh ahead of LCR Honda Castrol’s Cal Crutchlow, who won in Argentina, Monster Yamaha Tech3’s Johann Zarco, and Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins.The grid is now set for 2018 Mugello MotoGP, which gets underway at 8 a.m. ET. Marquez leads the points battle with 95, 36 ahead of Vinales, 37 ahead of Zarco, and 39 ahead of Rossi.Check out of 2018 MotoGP TV Schedule for television times!Suzuki’s Andrea Iannone
Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory + Steve ’Stavros’ Parrish
byMotos and Friends by Ultimate Motorcycle
Hello everyone and welcome once again to Ultimate Motorcycling’s weekly podcast—Motos and Friends. My name is Arthur Coldwells.
Our first segment features the new Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory. Senior Editor Nic de Sena brings us his report on the flagship version of Aprilia’s upright middleweight machine. He gives us insight into whether it’s worth spending the extra money on the Factory version, and also of course, whether this sporting Aprilia is really the motorcycle for you.
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The next guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In this segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with (arguably) one of the most interesting Suzuki race riders of all time. the iconic RG500 alongside teammate double World Champion Barry Sheene. The two were almost as famous for their exploits off-track, as for their success on it. Those were the days! Steve also raced the Isle of Man TT for about ten years where he won 13 Silver Replicas, and got a podium finish. His insight into that particular brand of mayhem are fascinating.
But there’s waaay more to Steve Parrish than his motorcycle racing. He is also the most successful Semi-Truck racer ever, and, little known piece of useless trivia—he’s my birthday twin: 24th February. He is a natural entertainer and you can’t miss his recounting of the world’s most entertaining—and arguably terrifying—double-decker bus ride ever. If any of you were actually on that hell-ride then we’d love to hear from you!
