#fire

Following the fire earlier this month that destroyed the entire fleet of Energica Ego Corsa spec race bikes, the FIM has released an updated calendar for the 2019 MotoE World Cup.

For those of us excited about the prospects of a grand prix level electric racing series in 2019, our hopes were given a severe blow this morning as the MotoE paddock in Jerez burnt to the ground, destroying the entire fleet of 18 Energica Ego Corsa spec race bikes. The motorcycles were gathered in Jerez for the second test of the series in anticipation of the first MotoE race at the venue in May. The only good news to come out of this event is that no one was hurt in the fire.

As roadracing fans, we know that the top racers ride that ragged edge between control and total mayhem. Often, when they cross over the line, they can gather the bike back up seemingly by bending the laws of physics. Then on other occasions, everything goes horribly wrong. Tom Sykes’ fiery crash during the final practice of this weekend’s WSBK event in Portimao provides a perfect example. While the crash is brutal and seems to go on forever, Sykes escaped with only a broken and dislocated pinky finger, presumably from when his hand thrusts between the front tire and the fender as he tumbles on top of his ZX-10RR (shown above). While he was chomping at the bit to race after having his finger temporarily repaired, the medical staff declared him unfit to race for the weekend.