Suzuki's Andrea Iannone (photo by Luciano Bianchetto)
2018 Phillip Island MotoGP Practice Results, Friday
The second of three-back-to-back MotoGP rounds got underway Friday with the first free practice sessions of the Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island.When the second 45-minute free practice sessions ended, Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Andrea Iannone would take the top time by a mere 0.160 of a second ahead of Alma Pramac Racing Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci and 0.223 of a second ahead of the free practice one leader Maverick Vinales on the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP YZR-M1.Petrucci, Iannone and Vinales fight for P1 during Friday free practice at Phillip Island MotoGP
Rain was a threat during the opening 45-minute free practice, but the track conditions weren’t the best due to rain in the morning.This caused for a few major crashes throughout the day, including one that slowed newly-crowned 2018 MotoGP Champion Marc Marquez at the fast Turn 10 in the morning, and one that sidelined LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow from Sunday’s race.Marquez was able to rejoin the grid, but Crutchlow fractured his ankle during a second-free practice crash, which will result in a DNS for round 17 of 19 in 2018 MotoGP. Crutchlow, who was fifth fastest before crashing, will undergo surgery on a broken right ankle and tibia in the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.Finishing fourth Friday was Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso, who was followed by Crutchlow and Monster Yamaha Tech3’s Johann Zarco.Suzuki’s Andrea Iannone (photo by Luciano Bianchetto)After his crash, Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez could only claim a best of seventh ahead of Alma Pramac Ducati’s Jack Miller; Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins; and 7-time MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), who also crashed at turn 10 but walked away unharmed.Monster Yamaha Tech3’s Hafizh Syahrin claimed the top rookie time in position 11, the Malaysian rider finishing ahead of Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), who has signed on as the official KTM test rider for 2019 and 2020.With Ducati Team’s Jorge Lorenzo sidelined due to injury, Alvaro Bautista rode the other factory Ducati GP18. He finished 15th Friday, 1.6 seconds off the pace.The riders will return to Phillip Island Saturday for two more free practices ahead of qualifying for Sunday’s 27-lap Grand Prix. Heading into the Australian GP, Rossi has the most wins there with six, followed by Marquez with 2.
2018 Phillip Island MotoGP Free Practice Results, Friday
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!