KIWI RIDER NOVEMBER 2021 VOL1 | Page 24

ROAD NEWS
no words and I have no more liquid left in my body to cry . It feels so good , but I can ’ t even describe what I ’ m feeling right now . To be on the podium with a big part of my family and my family from the circuit - I have no words . “ MotoGP has been going on for quite a long time . To be the first Frenchman to win it is amazing . I ’ m also happy for Yamaha . Since 2015 they didn ’ t win a title , and today we won it again . It ’ s an amazing feeling !” Quartararo ’ s 2021 results earned Yamaha its 755th premier class podium finish in Yamaha ’ s 60th anniversary year of World Championship Road Racing participation , adding to the Japanese constructor ’ s extensive list of MotoGP milestones . With thanks to Quartararo , Yamaha now claims 18 top tier championships , of which three were secured by Lorenzo ( 2010 , 2012 , and 2015 ), four by Valentino Rossi ( 2004 , 2005 , 2008 and 2009 ) in the MotoGP class , three by Wayne Rainey ( 1990 , 1991 , 1992 ), three by Eddie
Lawson ( 1984 , 1986 , 1988 ), three by Kenny Roberts ( 1978 , 1979 , 1980 ), and one by Giacomo Agostini ( 1975 ) in the 500cc class . Quartararo ’ s achievements combined with his teammates ’ efforts have also helped keep both the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team and Yamaha in contention in this year ’ s Team and Constructor Championships with two rounds remaining .

COVID STOLE THE ‘ KIWI - AGAIN

It was news we didn ’ t want to come out of the Ruapehu Motorcycle Club , but it came nonetheless : the 2021 Cold Kiwi Motorcycle Rally has been cancelled . Again . The news came after the NZ government announced further extensions to the lockdowns currently experienced by Auckland and much of the Waikato amid the Covid-19 pandemic . With large gatherings such as the 2021 Cold Kiwi only able to occur under Covid-19 Alert Level 1 conditions , the extensions of Level 2 and Level 3 announced on October 18 were the final nail in the coffin for the event . “ Sadly The Ruapehu Motorcycle Club would like to inform you that the 2021 Cold Kiwi Rally is CANCELLED ”, club representative , Jeanette Weedon , posted to the official Cold Kiwi Facebook page . “ As most of you would know , this decision was hard but inevitable given the fact that the spread of Covid cases has not ceased and we require Level 1 to hold this rally . We had hoped for a better outcome but obviously , this is completely out of our hands . We are now looking forward to next year ’ s rally with details to be released in due course , once we have set guidelines in place and have all information regarding what will be expected of us as a club and of you , our rally attendees .” The 2021 Cold Kiwi had already been postponed from its traditional Father ’ s Day weekend to November , however further postponement wasn ’ t an option due to the availability of the site to host the rally .

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