Moto GP ; Marc Marquez takes Le Mans pole position

from Twowheelsblog

We’ve run out of accolades to describe the super talented Marc Marquez. The Repsol Honda rookie did it again as he took his second pole position of the 2013 season in today’s qualifying session at the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans.

If a pole position in the Austing GP was more than expected at the French circuit, Marquez learned the layout so well so well that he posted a flying lap in a stunning 1:33.187, shrugging off his FP4 crash just fifteen minutes before QP2.

Only the hammering laps of Jorge Lorenzo could keep up with the Repsol Honda rider and he finished a mere 0.030s adrift, but just checking out the time sectors you can see that the Yamaha rider is a war machine more than prepared for tomorrow’s race.

Andrea Dovizioso took the third spot on the front row, and giving Ducati their first front start after Nicky Hayden’s last year qualifying result at Jerez. Dovizioso also managed to pip by just 0.006s a battered and heroic Cal Crutchlow for the position, proving that the Ducati does like the French circuit.

Fifth fastest was Alvaro Bautista who also a little battered after his crash yesterday and he’ll have a fellow Honda rider next to him Dani Pedrosa. The Repsol Honda had posted the second best time but then crashed out at turn 3 - the Dunlop chicane - that has caught out so many riders this weekend which left his down in sixth.

Opening the the third row will be Stefan Bradl, while Valentino Rossi has another horrible qualifying ending up 8th and more than eight tenths of second from his own team mate, losing a massive amount of time in the braking sections of the first and third sectors. Bradley Smith took ninth and just two tenths slower than Rossi, while Nicky Hayden rounded out the top ten with Aspar CRT riders Aleix Espargaro and Randy De Puniet in 11th and 12th.

2013 MotoGP Le Mans QP2 results:

01- Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V – 1’33.187
02- Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.030
03- Andrea Dovizioso – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP13 – + 0.416
04- Cal Crutchlow – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.422
05- Stefan Bradl – LCR Honda MotoGP – Honda RC213V – + 0.447
06- Dani Pedrosa – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V – + 0.452
07- Alvaro Bautista – GO&FUN Honda Gresini – Honda RC213V – + 0.797
08- Valentino Rossi – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 0.822
09- Bradley Smith – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1 – + 1.035
10- Nicky Hayden – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP13 – + 1.055

2013 MotoGP Le Mans Starting Grid:

01- Marc Marquez – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V
02- Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1
03- Andrea Dovizioso – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP13
04- Cal Crutchlow – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1
05- Stefan Bradl – LCR Honda MotoGP – Honda RC213V
06- Dani Pedrosa – Repsol Honda Team – Honda RC213V
07- Alvaro Bautista – GO&FUN Honda Gresini – Honda RC213V
08- Valentino Rossi – Yamaha Factory Racing – Yamaha YZR M1
09- Bradley Smith – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – Yamaha YZR M1
10- Nicky Hayden – Ducati Team – Ducati Desmosedici GP13
11- Aleix Espargaro – Power Electronics Aspar – ART GP13
12- Randy De Puniet – Power Electronics Aspar – ART GP13

5 things you didn’t know about the Mercedes S-Class

Despite much general coverage in the media, there are still some secrets when it comes to the S-Class, or ‘special class’ Mercedes. For example, were you aware of the unofficial, armoured version of the W108/109? Here are five facts we’ve discovered...

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The first ABS


From the autumn of 1978, Mercedes-Benz offered the 450 SEL 6.9 W116 series, boasting optional anti-lock brakes that had been developed in partnership with Bosch. While ABS is today taken for granted in even the smallest and cheapest production cars, its launch in the ‘6.9’ created a sensation.

Unprecedented potential


Not only was the 6.0-litre V12 W140 the first mass-produced 12-cylinder Mercedes-Benz, but with a rated output of 408HP it was the most powerful Mercedes-Benz passenger car engine of its time. 

Forerunner of the luxury diesels


From May 1978, the W116 model range welcomed the 300 SD engine, a forerunner of today's familiar luxury diesel. The 3.0-litre five-cylinder diesel-engined version came complete with a turbocharger – Europe’s first turbodiesel – and was initially tested in the C111 experimental vehicle (top picture). 

Advanced air-con

The W140 S-Class which went into production at the start of the 1990s had one of the most advanced air-conditioning systems ever seen in a car. At the time, the joys of separate temperature controls for the driver and front passenger were almost unheard-of; never mind such details as seat heating on all four seats, and the activated carbon filter that took pollutants from the air when the sensor detected them in the cabin.

Unofficial protection


A special version of the W108/109 series 280 SEL 3.5 was made for German diplomatic missions worldwide. For the first time since the days of the 600 Pullman, the Stuttgart company produced a big, armoured saloon in order to protect the then-West German Government’s senior staff in countries seen to be at high risk. South America, for example, was an area where some of the 28 examples were delivered from May 1971 to September 1972.

Text: Sven Jürisch Classic Driver
Photos: Mercedes-Benz

Kit: Summer Running

Go forth and perform By JEREMY BERGER

Warm weather: we can’t say enough good things about it. There’s something noble about putting on cold weather gear and sticking it out all winter, but running in the summer, sweat pouring off your brow, hat and clothing looking like the Bonneville salt flats, the first sip of HEED after 20 miles in the scorching heat, runner babes in short shorts — this is pure, unadulterated sport pleasure. Here’s the gear we’re wearing. If you’re prepping for a race or just like to hit the pavement for an hour after work, this stuff has performance written all over it. So go forth and perform. And don’t forget the sunscreen.

K-Swiss K-Ruuz 1.5

So much debate. Traditional versus minimalist, stack height and drop, pronation. We love minimalist, but the truth is that even during the reign of the ungainly cross-trainer there’s always been a minimalist option: the racing flat. By definition, it’s a simple, very lightweight shoe that provides speed and unobtrusiveness over structure and support. The K-Ruuz 1.5 is just such a shoe, weighing in at 5.5 ounces, with roughly 10mm of heel-toe drop, a seamless and super-breathable upper and an ion-mask protective layer that sheds water and dirt. Triathletes will like them because they’re comfortable sockless and have drainage holes in the bottom.

BUY NOW: $100

Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Vest

The question of carrying a pack is a no-brainer for most runners: they choose not to. Many are bulky, uncomfortable over time, or cause you to overheat. Packs for runners are getting frighteningly good, though, and the Scott Jurek Ultra Vest from Ultimate Direction is at the top of the heap. The fit is close and contoured like a vest, rather than a traditional pack — so no banging around, which is impressive considering it has a total of 12 pockets, pouches and compartments. Each of these storage options is well thought out for a variety of purposes (keys, gels, phone, etc.). The vest is made mostly of super-strong Cuben Fiber and hex mesh, so it’s durable and breathable.

Two 20-ounce bottles sit on your chest for easy access to drink, refill and mix nutrition. There’s also an emergency whistle in case you bonk out of an ultra trail run at mile 40 and need someone to drag you out of the woods.

BUY NOW: $125

New Balance Impact Short Sleeve

A classic shirt from New Balance that’s 100% poly and uses NB ICE technology, an application of Nano Jade Powder that’s supposed to release heat efficiently and cool the surface temperature of the skin by two degrees. Plus, it provides UV protection.

BUY NOW: $40

New Balance 2-in-1 Short

Typically we go in a split short with as little fabric as possible, but the 2-in-1 brings something extra to the table: an inner compression short that basically solves the problem of chafing caused by most mesh inner briefs. The fabric is also moisture wicking.

BUY NOW: $45

New Balance Tri-Viz Cap

We debated including a headlamp here, but decided against it (keep an eye out for a mountain running kit soon). Runners looking to hit root-covered trails at night should consider the Petzl Tikka XP or the Black Diamond Sprinter. But for those just looking to cast some extra light on the road around dawn or dusk without looking like a spelunker, the Tri-Viz cap has four bright LEDs, activated by a button under the brim, with 30 hours of battery life. Flip it around backwards to blind other joggers as you dust them.

BUY NOW: $30

Timex Ironman Run Trainer

Looking to transition from casual jogging to serious training? Then it’s time to start collecting data: pace, speed, distance and altitude, to start, plus cadence and heart rate if you really want to geek out. The Run Trainer allows you to do all of this (you’ll need a foot pod for cadence, though) using SiRFstarIV GPS and connecting to external devices via ANT+ protocol. Upload this information post-workout to TrainingPeaks to break down your performance and set goals for future runs. There’s also a new version of this watch with the same backbone and a few extra bells and whistles.

BUY NOW: $150

Oakley RadarLock Path

It’s one thing to make fresh-looking shades. It’s another altogether to make sunglasses fit for violating a half marathon under punishing sun with the occasional stray elbow, wind-carried debris or Beech-Nut spit from a passer-by. Oakley makes the latter, and the RadarLock Path is their premium sports-specific setup. It has beastly features: Switchlock Technology that drops the lens out in one fluid motion; durable frames with vents for airflow and a fit system that keeps them glued to your head; and Oakley’s super-high standards for impact, clarity and UV protection. We’ve outfitted these with OO Red Iridium lenses, which are polarized to kill glare and are well-suited for running on pavement in bright conditions.

BUY NOW: $220

Jaybird Freedom Sprint

JayBird’s Bluetooth headphones are all specifically designed for sports, and they nail the important little details that runners look for: they’re light, wireless, secure (with different sized ear cushions and fins that lock into your upper ear), easy to control mid-run with on-ear buttons, and sweat-proof. JayBird says that their sound emphasizes sub-bass to avoid listener fatigue. Runners accustomed to a traditional earbud might find them disorienting at first because they really do lock into the ear and eliminate ambient noise.

BUY NOW: $130

Strava Run

Strava is the app of choice for cyclists, but is perhaps less well known among runners who have lots of other options like RunKeeper, MapMyRun and Nike+. We like it precisely because it works for both disciplines — and because it’s less cutesy than other apps. The free version tracks runs with GPS, lets you compete with other runners on local routes, and helps you visualize your performance in graphs. You can also connect it via Bluetooth or ANT+ to external sensors (e.g., heart rate). The premium version of Stava is fairly expensive ($6/month), but allows you to set and track goals and provides a much more granular analysis of your performance.

BUY NOW: FREE

110% Overdrive Compression Socks

Before we talk long socks, let’s set the ground rules: Thou shalt not wear compression socks while jogging. Thou shalt not parade about in them to show off. And, for good measure, thou shalt not wear them when you’re otherwise naked. Maybe. These are a recovery tool, for when you’ve put your lower extremities through the ringer and want to boost circulation and muscle repair. This kit from 110% is the boss, including compression socks outfitted with sleeves around the target areas (calf, shin, ankle, foot), reusable and customizable (by cutting) ice inserts to put in those sleeves, and a thermal bag to keep the ice inserts frozen for six hours — long enough for most races, unless you’re doing Ironman, in which case, pack them in a cooler with beer.

BUY NOW: $100

2nd Surge Energy Gel

In general there seems to be a popular shift among runners away from engineered nutrition supplements to natural snacks: dates, bananas, homemade energy bars. We’re all for it, but if your little baggie of chia seeds gets a tear at mile 15 good luck collecting them off the hot pavement. We’re known to pack a few caffeinated, chocolate-flavored gels on long runs. 2nd Surge is the best, texture-wise, because it’s closer to a liquid than a gel and only requires sip of water to slug back.

BUY NOW: $14 (BOX OF 8)

RockTape

You’ve got the cap with lights, the compression socks, maybe even the running parachute — but your desire for gear is insatiable. RockTape is a brand of kinesiology tape, essentially a stretchy cotton and nylon athletic tape with a bias in the weave so it stretches only in one direction. The purpose of this is two-pronged: (1) to support muscle groups, e.g., the neck while tucked in the aero position on a bike, and (2) to speed recovery by lifting the skin away from soft tissue and increasing blood flow. Does it work? Depends who you ask, but we’ve been known to cover a tender Achilles in the stuff.

BUY NOW: $20

VINTAGE STYLE CUSTOM GAS TANK PAINTING BY MAD CROW GARAGE

 BY MOTO VERSO

 

I fell in love instantly with the vintage style custom gas tank painting by Mad Crow Garage. It was a joint project between Mad Crow who did all the painting and illustrator and visual story teller Brusco. Based in Barcelona – Spain, Brusco set about doing a branding project for DAMM brand. These are all based on vintage beer ads with all the design work done by Brusco and the restoration and paint done beautifully by Mad Crow Garage.

This project has combined the three things that I love, motorcycles, vintage design and beer! Brusco have been so locally to get this gig and I very jealous. The three tanks are all vintage themselves, with some sweet detailed engraving on the filler gaps, especially on the Cerveza tank. I like them all but this one has to be my favourite with amazing typography and some really nice colours. Crow Custom Motorcycle not only do Custom Gas Tank Painting but they produce some pretty sweey looking motorcycles too which are well worth a look and will be getting a feature soon.

If you know or have seen any sweet looking custom paint jobs on motorcycle tanks then please drop us an email and let us know. This section has only been going for a few weeks and already I think I have got some amazing designs on the site.

Images: behance.net/brusco_artworks

Website: madcrowgarage.com