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Kawasaki poised to quit MotoGP

By Simon Strang and Toby Moody

Kawasaki is poised to withdraw from the MotoGP World Championship with immediate effect, autosport.com has learned.

According to sources, the Japanese manufacturer is set to make an announcement regarding its plans for 2009 on Monday, January 5, when it is expected to confirm details of its withdrawal from the premier motorcycle racing class.

It remains unclear why Kawasaki is quitting, though both the global economic crisis and a lack of results are likely to have been factors in the decision.

The news is a blow to MotoGP's organisers, who will have the number of factory teams reduced to four at a time when the rival World Superbike Championship has gained another two in Aprilia and BMW.

Kawasaki's imminent withdrawal will leave Marco Melandri and John Hopkins without a ride for next season. Melandri had hoped to revive his career with the team after a catastrophic season with the factory Ducati squad in 2008.

"I have to wait and hear some words, as at the moment I hear nothing," Melandri told autosport.com.

"If it is true, then I can only hope that when I wake up on January 1st it is all a nightmare."

Kawasaki returned to the premier MotoGP class in 2003 with bold plans to become regular contenders, but has so far failed to record a victory in the premier class.

The closest the team came were three second places in three years with Randy de Puniet (Motegi 2007), Shinya Nakano (Assen 2006) and Olivier Jacque (Shanghai 2005).

Kawasaki secured big-money signing John Hopkins from Suzuki at the beginning of 2008 and it was hoped that this would trigger an upturn in results. But the American was hampered by injuries and both he and teammate Anthony West struggled with the inconsistent handling of the ZX-RR.

In the end, fifth places for Hopkins (at Estoril) and West (at Brno) were the best the team could manage.

Nevertheless, Kawasaki was set to enter 2009 with optimism, having landed former GP-winner Melandri, alongside the fired-up Hopkins to lead the development of the ZZ-XR in the new one-make tyre era.

Kawasaki's withdrawal will be the fourth time a Japanese manufacturer has pulled out of a major motorsport category in recent weeks. Honda announced in early December that it was quitting Formula One, while Subaru and Suzuki confirmed later in the month that they were stopping their programmes in the World Rally Championship.

Source:
http://www.autosport.com

Bridgestone begins 2009 preparations with encouraging Valencia test

Less than 24 hours after Casey Stoner took victory in the final race of the 2008 season, Bridgestone’s preparations for the 2009 season got underway with a test at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia.

Bridgestone will be the sole tyre supplier to the MotoGP championship from 2009 and the Valencia test marked the first occasion to evaluate new specification tyres with all teams and riders for next year. A total of 18 MotoGP riders participated in the test on Monday with some riders joining new teams and others enjoying their first taste of MotoGP machinery.

In accordance with the agreed tyre restrictions for this test, Bridgestone supplied a total of 12 slick tyres to each rider, consisting of two different front and rear specifications.

The introduction of the sole tyre supply regulation for next season will see a reduction in the total number of tyres available for each rider during the race weekend, so tyres will have to operate within a wider working range with a greater level of durability. Bridgestone has also reduced the maximum level of grip of the tyres in a concerted effort to assist the sport’s governing body in its drive for improved safety through reduced cornering speeds.

Monday’s session was held in hot and sunny conditions with Casey Stoner resuming where he left off on Sunday, topping the timesheets with a best lap time of 1m32.464s using the new Ducati GP9 machine. Tuesday’s session was curtailed by intermittent rain and by 14.00 no riders had ventured out on track.

Bridgestone will now use the data collated from this session in order to prepare tyres for the next test session which will take place at the end of November in Jerez.

Tohru Ubukata – Bridgestone Motorsport – Manager, Race Tyre Development
“I am really very satisfied with the first trials of our new specification slick tyres which we were able to carry out in the dry conditions on Monday. Considering it is the first time that we are producing MotoGP tyres for everybody in a sole tyre supply situation, I think we have made a good start. We have used the foundation of our 2008 tyres for these new specs but made some important alterations to ensure that the tyres have a wide operating window and can work well for all teams and riders. We have reduced the overall grip level of the tyres in order to accomplish this and the feedback from the riders has been encouraging. The track conditions on Monday were excellent and the lap times were also very competitive as a result. The most important thing for us is to know that our tyres are durable because this will be one of the most fundamental things for us next season. Some riders put up to 40 laps on the same set of tyres with great consistency which was particularly impressive. Unfortunately the conditions today have not been as good, but the information obtained from yesterday’s session will be instrumental for us to hone the tyre specs over the winter period. This new situation as the only tyre manufacturer will be a new challenge for us, but I am sure we are up to the job and can live up to the trust that the teams, manufacturers and riders have shown in us and our capabilities.”

Source:
http://www.bridgestonemotorsport.com

Pramac lose Alice backing, Canepa to Onde

Onde 2000 look set to expand to two Ducatis in 2009 to accommodate Niccolo Canepa, who jumps from the scaled down Pramac team.

A shortfall of funds could force the Pramac Ducati team to scale down their efforts to just one bike for Mika Kallio in 2009, with Niccolo Canepa being quickly transferred over to the Onde 2000 team instead.

Spanish publication AS is reporting that Italian telecommunications company Alice has decided to pull its sponsorship of the satellite Ducati team, leaving them with only enough money to run a single bike for 250GP graduate Kallio.

Another blow to the series in the week that saw Kawasaki poised to withdraw their manufacturer effort, Ducati have nonetheless moved quickly to maintain their five-strong effort in 2009.

Indeed, despite the threat of being frozen out, Ducati test rider Canepa will continue to make his MotoGP debut this year after being shifted over to the sister GFH-run Onde 2000 team alongside series returnee Sete Gibernau.

Onde 2000 were apparently already considering a second bike alongside Gibernau, but AS claim it was originally being earmarked for Suzuki World Superbike exile Fonsi Nieto, relative of GFH owners Pablo and Gelete Nieto.

Nonetheless, it is Canepa who will assume the bike, which is getting its title sponsorship from a large Spanish property development company, to keep the official entry at 19, pending Kawasaki's expected announcement.

Source:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

Fergie: Chelsea Clash is Crucial

By Rich Jones, PA Sport

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists an early conclusion to his side's league battles with title rivals Chelsea this season should not detract from the significance of this Sunday's clash.

Every season since 2002-03, the Red Devils have faced Chelsea in the closing weeks of the season, with their summit meetings frequently termed title deciders.

However, after September's 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, this weekend's match at Old Trafford will bring an unusually early end to their Barclays Premier League hostilities.

But although the games remaining this season would give either team plenty of time to recover from defeat, Ferguson insists the importance should not be downplayed.

"That will be a big game. It's unusual to have it in January, it's usually towards the end of the season," the Scot told Inside United magazine.

"It's been later - in the last two or three games - for the last two seasons. It doesn't matter when you play Chelsea, though, it's always going to be a massive game.

"It's a little different with the timing, but we're still aiming to win it. They've done very well away from home but not so well at home so it's been interesting from them this season."

Should United win in front of their own fans it will take them to within a point of Luiz Felipe Scolari's side with two games in hand.

And Ferguson admits that would strike a major psychological blow against the team widely expected to provide their main competition for the Premier League crown.

"If we can get within a couple of points of Chelsea and we've games in hand, then we're in a great position," he said.

Source:
http://www.sportinglife.com

Arbuckle injury blow for Queens

Queen of the South striker Gary Arbuckle will miss the rest of the season after breaking his leg during Saturday's 2-2 draw at Morton.

The 24-year-old former Clyde forward was on target at Cappielow but had his leg fractured in two places, following a tackle from behind.

Arbuckle had just returned to the starting line-up after missing four games through injury.

Saturday's goal was Arbuckle's second of the season for Queens.

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk

Jose set for Fergie reunion

Jose Mourinho will renew his rivalry with Sir Alex Ferguson when Internazionale take on Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Mourinho guided his then FC Porto side to victory against United in 2004 before the Portuguese team went on to win the Champions League and he enjoyed many classic encounters with Ferguson's side as manager of Chelsea.

Elsewhere, Juventus manager Claudio Ranieri returns to Stamford Bridge after Chelsea were drawn against the Turin-based side.

Ranieri spent four years in charge of Chelsea before being replaced by Mourinho, since when he endured difficult spells at Valencia and Parma before taking charge of Juve last year.

Liverpool play Real Madrid in a repeat of the 1981 European Cup Final in Paris, which was decided by Alan Kennedy's goal, while inconsistent Arsenal face an AS Roma side that is currently tenth in the Serie A table.

Elsewhere, Barcelona will start as favourites to progress against Lyon while Atletico Madrid take on Iberian rivals FC Porto.

Sporting Lisbon, who finished as runners-up to Barcelona in Group C, take on a Bayern Munich side that had the best record in the group stages, while outsiders Panathinaikos have been drawn against the 2006 semi-finalists Villarreal.

The full draw is:
Chelsea v Juventus
Villarreal v Panathinaikos
Sporting Lisbon v Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid v FC Porto
Lyon v Barcelona
Real Madrid v Liverpool
Arsenal v AS Roma
Internazionale v Manchester United

Source:
http://www.football.co.uk

Tevez Unhappy With Fergie Comments

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has risked the wrath of Sir Alex Ferguson by reacting to the manager's comments regarding his contract situation.

On Sunday Tevez, 24, revealed his disappointment at speculation that he had rejected a new offer from the Premier League champions, and on Monday he reiterated his desire for his future to be sorted.

"I didn't like him (Ferguson) saying I didn't like the offer I was made because neither my agent nor me were given one," the Argentina international, whose deal runs out in the summer, told Radio del Plata.

"I don't know anything on my future. United know what they must pay if they want me to stay.

"I want to stay but the club have not made any offer. I've been waiting for them for a year and a half."

The ongoing saga has prompted reports that Tevez, who joined United from West Ham in 2007, is a target of Real Madrid, and the forward added: "If I have to quit the club, I want to quit on good terms."

"Now all clubs are on an equal footing. If a club comes to me and offers me a five-year deal, I will accept it for peace of mind.

"I will sign my last contract, and then I figure that I'll go back to Boca (Juniors.) That could be in four or five years."

"I want everybody to know no offer has been made. I don't like that they are playing with our fans, who show their love to me in each match."

Source:
http://www.football365.com