Showing posts with label World Superbike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Superbike. Show all posts

Rea wins Race 1, Laverty and Camier on the podium

Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) won Race 1 of the eni FIM Superbike Championship at Silverstone in spectacular fashion. The Brit got back on the top step of the podium after more than a year, as his previous win dated back to 2012 (Donington Park Race 1). Rea pulled away from the chasing pack on lap 7, as the rain started to fall heavier on the track.

The race was reduced by one lap due to the delayed start and was characterised by intermittent conditions, that played a key factor and brought to constant and unpredictable position changes throughout the 17 laps. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) managed to get back in contention for the podium in the closing stages, to edge Leon Camier from second place during the final lap. Camier delivered his and FIXI Crescent Suzuki Team's first podium of the season on his 27th birthday.

Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team), 4th at the flag, managed to extend his leadership in the points up to twelve points, as his main rival for the title Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) ended up 11th behind BMW Motorrad GoldBet duo of Marco Melandri and Chaz Davies. Guintoli was able to defend his position from fellow Frenchmen Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Jules Cluzel (FIXI Crescent Suzuki), both able to stay with the front runners and to battle for the podium.

Read More

Loris Baz wins second race over fellow Frenchman Jules Cluzel

Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) won an epic World Superbike Race 2 at Silverstone. The Frenchman was leading during the final lap when the red flag was waved, as the rain suddenly increased and two riders fell off at Stowe corner. One of the two involved was Jules Cluzel: the FIXI Crescent Suzuki rider managed to rejoin and make it back to the pits, sealing a fantastic maiden podium finish as the results reverted back to the previous lap, when he was running second. Baz, on the other hand, was able to shine again on the English track, that saw him getting his first ever WSBK win one year ago (Race 1).

Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) ended in third place, ahead of Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) and Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki), who had his shot at the lead before losing several positions, during the incredible 7-way battle that characterised the second part of the race.

Sylvain Guintoli (Apriila Racing Team), thanks to a sixth place finish ahead of Championship contender Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) keeps the lead in the standings with a 13 point gap over the Brit. Potential podium finisher Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet) had to retire from the race due to a technical problem on Lap 15, when he was in the mix up front.

Read More

Sylvain Barrier completes double win

Reigning Champion Sylvain Barrier (BMW Motorrad GoldBet) has taken the best out of the Silverstone doubleheader, after finishing as lonely winner in late afternoon's FIM Superstock 1000 Cup race 2. The Frenchman started increasing his margin over the following riders halfway through the race, crossing the line with almost four seconds over Leandro Mercado (Team Pedercini Kawasaki) and 5.7 seconds on third place Lorenzo Savadori.

Barni Racing Ducati rider Niccolò Canepa ended up fourth, while his team mate Eddi La Marra fell off his 1199 Panigale R on Lap 4, as he was running second. A technical problem ruled Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Kawasaki) out of contention, despite all the efforts by the former STK600 Champion to get back on track and finish the race. Thanks to his fifth win out of seven races, Barrier extended his lead in the standings to 36 points on Canepa and 55 on Guarnoni.

Read More

Tradition, art and charity mixed together at Moscow Raceway

Today's Pre-event for the eni FIM Superbike World Championship Russian Round was a mix of national folklore and art skills. Following an amazing performance by three dancers who pirouetted across the Paddock Show stage in traditional dresses, World Superbike and Supersport riders were involved into an unusual master class of painting.

Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team), Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team), Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike), Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) and Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare), joined by Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha duo of Sam Lowes and Vladimir Leonov and Rivamoto Honda's Eduard Blokhin took on the "colourful" challenge.

Armed with brushes and paints, riders put their hands on ceramic plates and personalised them with a theme of their choice, using the traditional Russian handicraft "Zhostovo" technique.

These unique items will be put up for auction and the funds raised will help homeless children of the Moscow region, who have also been invited by circuit organisers for a special visit to the track, scheduled for tomorrow morning.

A real hand-decorated "Zhostovo" art piece, in store for the best performer in the event, went to Eduard Blokhin, whose plate was exquisitely painted by his little daughter.

Further information about the auction will be available at www.worldsbk.ru and on WSBK social media.

Read More

Sofuoglu leads Q1 at Moscow Raceway

The first qualifying session for the Supersport World Championship saw Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) topping the timesheets under the cloudy skies of Moscow Raceway. The defending Champion managed timed 1'38.088 seconds to edge Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha duo of Sam Lowes and home rider Vladimir Leonov.

Current points leader Lowes did his best to take first position back from his main rival for the title and was able to narrow the gap to the front to a final 0.152 seconds, on the last lap, despite some drops of rain falling on the track in the closing stages.

Great performance for Andrea Antonelli (Team Goeleven Kawasaki) and Alex Baldolini (Suriano Racing Team Suzuki), who finished 4th and 5th respectively ahead of Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport), Jack Kennedy (Rivamoto Honda), Fabien Foret (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) and Roberto Rolfo (ParkinGO MV Agusta Corse).

Read More

Sam Lowes stays on top as official test draws to an end

World Supersport teams have completed today the second and last official testing day at Phillip Island, prior to the Season Opener that is taking place the upcoming weekend. Despite the temperature fall and the cloudy skies above the circuit, Sam Lowes (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) was able to drop 0.443 seconds off his Day 1 best lap time to top the timesheets at the end of the morning session.

The rider from Lincoln has put a 0.181 gap between himself and second placed Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki), with Gabor Talmacsi (Prorace Honda), Fabien Foret (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) and Vladimir Leonov (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) to follow.

The session was red flagged with 30 minutes to go due to technical problems occurred to Sheridan Morais' PTR Honda CBR600RR, and after the restart a quick rain shower passed through. The surface dried up quickly thanks to the brand-new asphalt, allowing the riders to spent the last 10 minutes on track.

Lowes was able to further improve his best lap-time up to a remarkable 1'33.076 - almost 8 tenths of a second quicker than the best lap - that helped him finish as fastest of the whole test for the Supersport class. Mahi Racing Team India placed Kenan Sofuoglu and Fabien Foret in 2nd and 3rd place respectively, not far time-wise from the leader despite a technical problem for the Frenchman towards the end.

Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport) was able to climb up to 4th place at his last attempt before the chequered flag was waved. The Dutch rider finished ahead of David Salom (Intermoto Ponyexpres Kawasaki), Gabor Talmacsi (Prorace Honda) and Vladimir Leonov (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha).

Austrian's David Linortner (Team Honda PTR) crashed out of turn 12 halfway through the afternoon session, while Eduard Blokhin (Rivamoto Honda) fell off his CBR600RR with 12 minutes to go before the end of the test.

Read More

Michel Fabrizio on the move after FP1

The first round of the season has finally got underway, as World Superbike riders got on track for Free Practice 1. Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia) showed immediate speed and confirmed the good indications of early week's official testing by topping the timesheets of the 45 minutes session. The competitive 1'31.218 lap-time set onboard his RSV4 was 0.5 second faster than 2nd place Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike) and Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) in 3rd.

The last rider to get into the 1'31 bracket is Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team), fourth ahead of BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team duo of Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri, Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Jonathan Rea (PATA Honda World Superbike).

An unfortunate session for Team Ducati Alstare as both Carlos Checa (9th) and Ayrton Badovini (18th) crashed between a matter of a seconds at different parts of the circuit. The 2011 World Superbike Champion had an high-side at Turn 5, while the former BMW rider fell off his 1199 Panigale R at Swan Corner.

Read More

CBR gets 2013 colours for SBK finale

The Honda World Superbike Team will be running its Honda CBR1000RR Fireblades in new colours for the final round of the championship at Magny-Cours in France this weekend.

A new colour scheme for the road-going version of the 2013 Fireblade was unveiled this week at Intermot, Germany's major annual motorcycle exhibition held in Cologne. The team's CBRs have been updated to promote the new design.

The new graphics on the racing version of Honda's flagship sportsbike also feature the headlight stickers that will be obligatory in next year's World Superbike championship, re-affirming the close affinity between the racing machines and their road-going relatives.

This weekend will be the only occasion that the new colour scheme is run since the Honda team will run with title sponsor Pata for the 2013 season with a new design for the racing CBR machines.

Team rider Jonathan Rea commented: "I like this new paint scheme, especially as it underlines the fact that we're racing on production bikes that you can buy at your local Honda dealer. Ours are maybe a little more sophisticated, but the link is definitely there."

Read More

Van Der Mark and Russo set up perfect finish

The UEM Superstock 600 European Championship combined qualifying session was headed by one of the championship contenders, Michael van Der Mark (EAB Ten Kate Junior Team Honda), 0.253 seconds ahead of his championship challenger Riccardo Russo (Team Italia FMI Yamaha). Third place on the grid went to Team BSR Honda rider Sebastien Suchet, with Riccardo Cecchini (FTR Honda) fourth. Mathieu Marchal (Coutelle Racing Team Yamaha) completed the top five riders in the Stock category pre-race.

Read More

Honda on top as Rea makes late charge

Honda World Superbike Team rider Jonathan Rea scored the fastest lap of the second free practice session with a 1 minute 28.856 second lap, leaving it very late to overhaul 2011 Champion Carlos Checa (Althea Racing Ducati). Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) continued his good form with third fastest lap, with top overall qualifier Jakub Smrz (Liberty Effenbert Racing Team Ducati) fourth in this session.

Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) had his best lap spoiled as he came across a back marker at the hairpin, while a former local resident Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) was sixth. The top 16 riders from combined qualifying now go forward to Tissot-Superpole later this afternoon.

Read More

Hopkins returns to action at Miller

FIXI Crescent Suzuki racer John Hopkins will return to the team for the next round at Miller Motorsports Park in America after being forced to miss last weekend's races through injury. Hopkins suffered a broken bone in his right foot and damage to his left hip following a high-side at Monza in Italy earlier this month. It was initially hoped that he would be fit for the Donington Park round last weekend, but the hip injury restricted his movement too much and tests proved inconclusive.

On his return to California, Hopkins visited specialists to have further scans and to diagnose the severity of the injury. After an entire day of tests it was revealed that no significant long term damage had occurred in the hip joint and he will be able to return to race action at Miller. Hopkins will still need to undergo a series of painkilling injections to combat the discomfort in both his hip and his foot, but he is fully committed to racing and determined to get back on the FIXI Crescent Suzuki GSX-R and do everything in his power to get a good result on home-soil.

John Hopkins: "I was so disappointed to miss Donington Park, where I'm sure I could have been in that crazy fight for the win! It's been a really rough ride physically over recent times, and there were some real worries over the hip condition, but I know I have a lot more to give and that my luck has to change for the better. The team, my family and close friends have been really supportive and I just want to get back into what I know I can do best.

"I am fully committed to racing at Miller and I will be doing everything possible from now and up to the race weekend, to ensure that I do whatever I can to get the best result possible for FIXI Crescent Suzuki, me and everyone involved. It won't be easy, so I plan to take it step-by-step, enjoy the riding and build back into it."

Read More

The Countdown To World Ducati Week 2012 Starts Now

Announced during Ducati’s recent model year 2012 Press Conference and Milan International Motorcycle Show, the long-awaited dates and location for the World Ducati Week 2012 event are now confirmed for passionate Ducati fans all over the world as 21-24 June, 2012 at the circuit of Misano in Italy.

First organised in 1998, WDW successfully brought together ‘Ducatisti’ from all over the world to celebrate their shared passion for the legendary Italian-made motorcycles. The event has since attracted an ever-increasing attendance of people who enjoy the high-powered fun and community spirit of the iconic brand, with a record-breaking attendance of 60,000 fans from 5 continents and 28 countries recorded at the last event in 2010.

WDW2012 is sure to follow the tried and tested formula of race track events, shows, top riders, competitions and great music all combined with the incredible atmosphere created by thousands of motorcycles arriving from all around the globe.

As the event’s massive attendance is sure to invade the entire Riviera Romagnola, Ducati’s WDW2012 organisation has enjoyed the close cooperation and special partnership of authorities such as the Province of Rimini, Municipality of Misano, Municipality of Cattolica, Municipality of Riccione and the Republic of San Marino. Continued cooperation with the Leardini Group has also underlined the region’s Misano circuit venue as the ‘theatre’ for WDW, an event further supported by APT Emilia Romagna, promoting a region of Italy famously known as ‘Motor Valley’.

Ducati offer further information at www.ducati.com.

Read More

1199 Panigale & Troy Bayliss In Ducati Riding Experience 2012

Ducati now opens subscription for the 2012 Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) events, the excellent riding courses suitable for all levels, from absolute beginner to race track specialist

Held at some of Italy’s most famous circuits and offering the expertise of highly qualified professional instructors, the courses provide a complete fleet of Ducatis on which to perfect riding skills or simply take the very first steps into motorcycling in complete safety.

2011 saw the introduction of the Troy Bayliss Academy and, by overwhelming demand, the 3-times World Champion and global racing icon returns for 2012 for his advanced track courses aboard the brand new 1199 Panigale S. Ducati’s incredible new Superbike, which scooped the “Most Beautiful Bike of Show” award when it was unveiled at the Milan show in November, is now awaited around the world and its use in both the DRE Master Racing course and the Troy Bayliss Academy means that DRE is sure to be sold out fast.

The DRE “Basic” course, held in the wide-open space of the circuit paddocks, uses the rider-friendly Monster 796 and is intended for those new to motorcycling, while DRE “Intermediate” courses are designed to improve existing road riding skills and enhance rider safety aboard the Hypermotard 796, Monster 1100 ABS and the Multistrada 1200.

Courses intended for more expert riders and designed to enhance track riding skills are offered in “Racing 1“ and “Racing 2” aboard the Superbike 848EVO, while the “Troy Bayliss Academy” and “Master Racing” course, instructed by riders such as 500cc World Champion, Marco Lucchinelli, use the new 1199 Panigale Superbike.

Marco Lucchinelli and Troy Bayliss are supported by an incredibly experienced team of instructors working with technical supervisor, Dario Marchetti, while a full support staff ensure seamless and efficient organisation. DRE’s close collaboration with Federazione Motociclistica Italiana will also continue in 2012, ensuring constant upgrading and improvement of instruction protocols and maintaining Ducati’s high event standards.

Ducati Riding Experience courses

Basic course (Monster 796)
Intermediate course (Hypermotard 796, Monster1100 ABS, Multistrada 1200)
Racing 1 track course Level 1 (848EVO)
Racing 2 track riding course Level 2 (848EVO)
Master Racing course (1199 Panigale S)
Troy Bayliss Academy (1199 Panigale S)

Participants are provided with motorcycle, fuel, tyre change when required, instructor, lunch and a welcome kit. More information at dre.ducati.com and contact at dre2012@ducati.com
Subscription opens on 15 December 2011.

Ducati Riding Experience calendar (*)

18-19-20 April – Adria Circuit
29- 30 May – Mugello International Circuit
18-19 July – Imola Circuit
4-5 September – Misano World Circuit
18-19 September – Monza Circuit

(*) dates and venues subject to alteration.

Visit www.ducatiuk.com/ducati rider experience for further information

Read More

Stoner secures twelfth pole of season

2011 MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner has continued his dominant form to secure his twelfth pole position of the season, equalling Mick Doohan's record, and will start from the front of the grid for the final race of the season in Valencia.

With two minutes of the qualifiying session remaining the Australian set a 1.31.861 to cement pole position with a 1.014s lead over Repsol Honda team mate Dani Pedrosa in second.

Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) managed to pick up the pace in the final moments of the session to qualify in third, pushing a consistent Randy De Puniet (Pramac Racing Team) back on to the second row in fourth, ahead of Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki) in fifth, who had also put in an impressive performance in the practice sessions.

Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) completes the second row, qualifying in sixth place ahead of team mate Nicky Hayden in seventh.

Andrea Dovizioso suffered a big crash on his final lap that sent the Repsol Honda rider tumbling into the gravel trap, but the Italian walked away and will start tomorrow's race in eighth.

Cal Crutchlow (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) qualified in eleventh place, behind Hector Barbera (Mapfre Aspar) in ninth and Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) in tenth.

1. 27 Casey STONER AUS Repsol Honda Team Honda 309.9 1'31.861
2. 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 309.4 1'32.875 1.014 / 1.014
3. 11 Ben SPIES USA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 303.0 1'33.057 1.196 / 0.182
4. 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 305.1 1'33.118 1.257 / 0.061
5. 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 305.6 1'33.443 1.582 / 0.325
6. 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Ducati Team Ducati 303.7 1'33.478 1.617 / 0.035
7. 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 304.2 1'33.656 1.795 / 0.178
8. 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 306.8 1'33.824 1.963 / 0.168
9. 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Mapfre Aspar Team MotoGP Ducati 307.8 1'34.186 2.325 / 0.362
10. 17 Karel ABRAHAM CZE Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati 306.6 1'34.265 2.404 / 0.079
11. 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 303.1 1'34.329 2.468 / 0.064
12. 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Pramac Racing Team Ducati 303.3 1'34.671 2.810 / 0.342
13. 24 Toni ELIAS SPA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 313.2 1'34.680 2.819 / 0.009
14. 7 Hiroshi AOYAMA JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 305.7 1'34.838 2.977 / 0.158
15. 89 Katsuyuki NAKASUGA JPN Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 299.9 1'35.999 4.138 / 1.161
16. 41 Josh HAYES USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 296.1 1'36.042 4.181 / 0.043 (Tom Cambio -MotoGP)

Read More

Crescent Suzuki poised to confirm WSB future

The British-based Crescent Suzuki Racing team are expected to confirm their switch to WSB in 2012. As reported in MCN this week, the current BSB squad have been in on-going discussions with WSB bosses about graduating to the world championship.

The BSB runner-ups proved themselves when they competed as wild cards at this year’s Silverstone WSB round where rider John Hopkins set pole position and secured a top five finish.

Team manager Jack Valentine spent last weekend in Portimao for the final round of WSB and told MCN that his team is more than capable of making an impact on the world scene.

Valentine also confirmed that regardless of whether they race in BSB or WSB it would be a two-man team and given the team’s pedigree they would have no shortage of top riders interested in joining the squad.

Valentine has made no secret of his desire to retain the services of American John Hopkins, who has turned his career around dramatically with the team this year and has years of world championship experience.

Leon Camier is also being strongly linked with the British team. The former BSB champion has spent the last two seasons with the factory Alitalia Aprilia team in WSB. Despite securing a total of seven podiums and seventh in the overall standings this year, he has been unable to deliver the consistency and results he or the team expected. But a closer look at his performances, especially in the second half of the races, gives a clear indication of his potential to be a genuine title contender.

Another linked to the ride is newly crowned BSB champion, Tommy Hill. Hill rode for the team in 2010 and showed his pedigree by beating Hopkins to the title this season, riding a Swan Yamaha. He also has a point to prove in WSB after suffering a torrid time when he raced an Althea Honda in 2009.

An announcement on the team’s future is expected tomorrow, although there may still be some time before the rider-line-up is confirmed. (Michael Guy -World Superbikes)

Read More

Davies confirmed to ride ParkinGO Ducati in 2012

As reported in MCN last week, Chaz Davies will be graduating to WSB in 2012 onboard a Ducati with his current ParkinGO squad.

The six time WSS race winner and 2011 World Supersport champion is set to get a factory supported bike with engineers and will go head to head with the likes of Biaggi, Melandri, Checa along with his fellow countrymen Rea, Haslam, Sykes and Camier in 2012.

He said: “I’m really excited. The package I have ticks all the boxes. I don’t know how I will go in WSB but the Ducati is a proven winning bike and I can’t wait to test it and race it next year.”

For full story see MCN out Wednesday 19th October.

Read More

Pirelli To Supply Diablo Superbike Tyres In 17″ Sizes Starting From The 2013 WSBK

Pirelli announces that starting from 2013, it will begin supplying all the tyres for the World Superbike Championship, which currently are produced in 16.5″, in the 17″ size. This radical option will allow Pirelli to remain even closer to its philosophy, its unique approach towards competition with its continuous transferring of solutions developed in racing into road going products. This is achieved through development from the highest level production series- the World Superbike Championship for which Pirelli is the sole supplier.

Pirelli’s 16.5″ Diablo Superbike tyres are currently used not only in the Superbike World Championship, but also in World Endurance, BSB and CIV which have been the reference events to date. Until 2004 in fact, the unique supplier agreement did not exist in the Superbike World Championship so Pirelli adapted itself to the sizes offered by other suppliers.

In line with the primary goal of WSBK to showcase in the highest level of racing the products also sold on the market, Pirelli will replace the current 16.5″ tyres with 17″ sized tyres which have already been successful in the local Superbike championships in New Zealand, Holland, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, Canada, Malaysia and many other local championships.

The 17” slick tyre is the optimal response for those seeking top performance without having to modify the chassis: ultra-high performance without mounting a new set of wheels or changing the bike’s settings.

Over the past three years, Pirelli has greatly accelerated its tyre development to meet riders needs and the power delivered by new bikes: in 2009, Pirelli introduced the new 190/60R17 size, in 2010 introduced a new high modulus carcass (Pirelli Patent), continuously improving compounds and finally in 2011 introduced the new 200/60R17 size.

Compared to the 16,5” slick tyre, the 17″ one offers a thicker tread for better handling and consistency, its footprint in mid to full lean is approx 10% wider thanks to a higher profile and a carcass able to endure more side force, all those features will definitely bring great benefits to motorcyclists all over the world.

The Superbike World Championship will be an excellent environment that will allow Pirelli, as sole supplier, to develop the best tyres for 17″, a size that is now more and more demanded by the market, thus remaining faithful to its motto “We sell what we race” and thus continuing to offer riders the highest quality products developed with the help of the great Superbike champions.

Read More

Marco Melandri Lines Up Alongside Leon Haslam For BMW Motorrad Motorsport In 2012

BMW Motorrad Motorsport has confirmed its second rider for the 2012 FIM Superbike World Championship: alongside Britain’s Leon Haslam (28), 29-year-old former MotoGP rider Marco Melandri (ITA) will ride the second BMW S 1000 RR for the team from Munich and Stephanskirchen.

BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Bernhard Gobmeier says: “We are really looking forward to working with Leon and Marco. I am convinced we will have arguably the strongest rider’s line up in the Superbike World Championship field. We are delighted to have two riders who are both hungry and experienced for the coming season. That is the next important step for our team.” Gobmeier adds: “Marco has performed brilliantly this season, even during difficult periods. He impressed us in his first season in the championship, and we are pleased to be able to welcome him into our team.”

Profile: Marco Melandri

Date of birth: 7th August 1982
Place of birth: Ravenna (ITA)
Place of residence: Ravenna (ITA)
Family status: Engaged
Height: 1.66 m
Weight: 60 kg
Hobbies: All kinds of motorsports, cycling, music
Passion: Bikes
First bike: Malaguti Grizzly 50ccm
First race: 1989, Mini-Bikes, Cattolica (ITA)
Career highlight: 250ccm World Champion (2002), 2nd MotoGP (2005)
Superbike World Championship record: 22 races, 12 podium finishes, 3 wins, 5 second and 4 third places, 1 pole position, 3 fastest race laps

Website: www.marcomelandri.it

Read More

Brno: Biaggi's World Superbike Empire

Max Biaggi has more than luck at Brno in the Czech Republic where round eight of the 2011 World Superbike Championship occurs this weekend.

It's more like complete domination at Brno - the "Roman Emperor" Biaggi has been on the Brno podium 17 times since 1993 across three MotoGP classes (250cc, 500cc, MotoGP) and World Superbike. Included in this tally is an impressive 10 wins.

And for 2011, Biaggi returns to Brno aboard the Alitalia Aprilia RSV4 coming off his first win of the season at the Aragon debut three weeks ago. Besides this momentum, Biaggi had a 2-1 finish at Brno last year.

Alitalia Aprilia says Max Biaggi is 100-percent focused and in top physical condition. The hard work of the Team and the RSV4's progress complete a promising picture; the important thing now is that Biaggi and his teammate Leon Camier are placed in a position to be able to express their full potential in this decisive phase of the season.

Max Biaggi (Alitalia Aprilia RSV4 World Superbike) says: "It's no mystery that I like the Brno track very much. I have many times here in all of the categories. I have a particular feeling with this track which really suits my riding style well. But the last thing we need is to think that this will be a simple weekend.

"Each Superbike race writes its own history and our rivals have also demonstrated that they ride well here - especially Ducati and Yamaha. I can say with certainty that I feel like I'm in good shape. The weekend at Aragon showed that we have in no way backed down and that we'll work with the usual dedication right from the start, hoping to find a nice bike/tire package. I hope that the fun part of the championship is about to start."

Read More

Max Biaggi hopes to clinch manufacturers title for Aprilia in France

A week after claiming his first World Superbike Championship title , Italian Max Biaggi is looking to add the constructors title for Aprilia at the final round of the season at Magny-Cours circuit in France.

The veteran rider needs just nine points from the two races this weekend to land the title for Aprilia, only two years after the manufacturer entered the sport with the RSV4 machine.

Max Biaggi is now 39 years old and seems to have been around forever, for me it has been fantastic to see the Italian at last fulfill his promise and land the World title and it would be a personal triumph for the rider if he can claim the manufacturers prize for his team as well.

The 2010 World Superbike Champion Max Biaggi said;

“It would be truly exceptional to be able to place the manufacturer world title next to my rider world title. Most of all I think it would be a great reward for the guys on the team and the entire racing division who, together with me, have given a performance this season which will go down in the history of our sport. As always, we will be giving it our all.”

Meanwhile Britain’s Leon Haslam who was pipped for the title by Biaggi, will ride his last race for the Suzuki Alstare satellite team having secured a ride with BMW next season.

Fellow Brit James Toseland will also bid farewell to his current employers at Yamaha this weekend although he has yet to secure a ride for next year. Rumours are that he could rejoin the Ten Kate Honda team where he won his second World Superbike title in 2007.

Read More

Archive