Cycle News

Cycle News 2014 Issue 25 June 24

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/334712

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Page 62 of 125

FEATURE P62 BY MICHAEL SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLD & GOOSE T he new Argentine circuit at Termas de Rio Honda was received with great acclaim. Cleverly designed with motorcycles in mind, with com- puter-aided cambers and careful corner combinations, it pleased every rider. There was one particular rea- son. Speed. It joined the calen- dar as the second-fastest circuit of the year. In fact, Dromo's (the track designers) computers had predicted an even faster lap time to move the average speed be- yond Phillip Island. Human frailty, in the form of Marc Marquez, fell short. The best-lap average was 109.8 mph, compared with Aus- tralia's 112.9. But it was faster than both Mugello (109.2) and Silverstone (109.0). The numbers, however, do not impress anyone with a sense of history. Today's bikes may be much faster. Today's circuits and average speeds, however, are much slower. The fastest-ever GP was won by Barry Sheene at the old Spa Francorchamps in 1977, at an av- erage of 135.067 mph. But Spa was just one of several tracks where riders spent long spells at blistering speeds, slipstream- ing and hoping not to seize. Be- SPEED IN GRAND PRIX RACING WE GO BACK IN TIME IN GRAND PRIX RACING… WHEN SPEED WAS EVERYTHING THE D A N G E R Z O N E

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