Thomas Morsellino is a French freelance journalist and photographer, with keen eye for the technical details of MotoGP bikes. You may have seen some of his work on Twitter, where he runs the @Off_Bikes account. Peter Bom is a world championship winning former crew chief, with a deep and abiding knowledge of every aspect of motorcycle racing. Peter has worked with such riders as Cal Crutchlow, Danny Kent, and Stefan Bradl. After every race, MotoMatters.com will be publishing a selection of Tom's photos of MotoGP bikes, together with extensive technical explanations of the details by Peter Bom. MotoMatters.com subscribers will get access to the full resolution photos, which they can download and study in detail, and all of Peter's technical explanations of the photos. Readers who do not support the site will be limited to the 800x600 resolution photos, and an explanation of two photos.



Under the tank of the Yamaha YZR-M1 (Petronas)

Peter Bom: A dummy fuel tank on the Yamaha R1 as used by the mechanics to start and warm up the bike in pit lane. The real fuel tank is constantly measured for weight (= amount of fuel) to calculate fuel consumption. It was with a fuel tank like this that things went horribly wrong at the Suzuki pit box in Sepang. Fuel leaked out from a leaking hose and the bike caught fire.



Carbon swingarm on the RC213V (Marc Márquez)

Peter Bom: Honda RC213V’s carbon swingarm. Note the aluminum chain tensioner integrated to make room for the brake caliper and speeds sensors.



Carbon swingarm on the Aprilia RS-GP (Bradley Smith)



Steering damper on the 2019 Honda RC213V. Before that version, it was under the tank.



Yamaha YZR-M1 (Franco Morbidelli), note the carbon forks. Fabio Quartararo doesn't have them.



Underneath the winglets on the Yamaha YZR-M1 (Maverick Viñales)



Electronics hub on the KTM RC16



Tank on Michele Pirro’s Desmosedici (GP18/19)



Electronics unit appeared on the 2019 RC213V at the Brno Test



Sensor slots on the rear mudguard of the Ducati?



Honda RC213V 2019 (Marc Márquez)

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If you would like to buy a copy of one of thes photos, you can email Thomas Morsellino