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."

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Disappointment for Bautista at Le Mans

Both Alvaro Bautista and Michele Pirro were unable to feel as comfortable on their bikes in the wet conditions as they had in the dry over previous days. They will analyse data from the race alongside the team engineers in order to improve upon this for the next round: The Catalan GP.

Alvaro Bautista ( 10th )
"I didn’t feel in tune with the bike and I couldn’t keep up with the group of riders ahead of me. The only option was to try and finish the race as best I could, and that is what I managed to do. I’m rather disappointed with how things went today."

Michele Pirro (14th)
"Unfortunately, this is the first time that I have been lapped in my life, and that left me feeling very bitter. The electronics didn’t help me at all, and without electronics things become very difficult in the wet. I just tried to take home the best result that I could, and I remain very disappointed."

Fausto Gresini
"Today was a really tough day. Alvaro didn’t have any feeling with the bike in the wet and experienced the same problems as at Jerez. He had a hard time of things and attempted damage limitation by finishing the race. It is a shame, because we were doing well in the dry and had taken a big step forward in the wet, but it didn’t turn out as we expected. We will analyse the data to see what happened. Michele also had problems –above all with the electronics- that didn’t allow him to have the confidence to push harder. We are unfortunately limited by the fact that this is a new project and we are lacking a little time. Obviously the weather did not help us one bit, so we were just looking to finish the race and take any points that we could manage."

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Stoner takes podium with Pedrosa in fourth

In the 28 lap race that started with rain and ended with a dry line, the Australian World Champion crossed the finish line in third place after a thrilling battle with Valentino Rossi, resulting in the Italian passing Casey on the last lap. Stoner is now second in the Championship standings, with 82 points, 8 behind Jorge Lorenzo.

Dani Pedrosa, starting from pole, missed the podium for the first time this season. He lost contact with the leading group in the first laps and riding alone for most of the race, he managed to remain focused and score important Championship points, where he maintains third position.

Casey Stoner
"I was pretty happy to hold on for a podium today. In the early stages Cal, Valentino and Dovi were behind me putting on a lot of pressure, but we managed to pull a small gap on them as I was chasing Jorge. Then as soon as the rain stopped and the track was less wet, our tyre temperatures got too high, we started spinning and there wasn't anything I could do about it. I thought the three of them would catch up and perhaps overtake me but we managed to hold on for third. I enjoyed the battle with Valentino at the end, there was clean overtaking and we swapped positions a few times but in the end we knew that Valentino had better pace than us and after he passed there was no way I could stay with him. We did everything we could today and to come away with a podium is a good result.”

Dani Pedrosa
"I had no traction out of the corners, especially in first and second gear, and I wasn't able to advance. We made a few changes to the configuration of the bike after warm up hoping to improve it a bit, in the end it was the other way around, but these things can happen. In the race I immediately realised it was not my day, not a day to take any risk and it was important to simply reach the best position. I was lucky, after the crashes of both Tech 3 Yamahas I finished fourth. Wet races can be like this and today was just not our day. We lost many points to Lorenzo but the Championship is very long and we will have our time. This race is over and we must now think towards Catalunya. I'm really looking forward to going there, it's a circuit that motivates me a lot and I have all my family and friends with me. The team is working very well, we have a good bike and we've been fast in every race, but we need to be determined. Let's see if we can speed up a little and take our first win of the season in Catalunya.”

Press release courtesy of Repsol Honda Team.

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Thrilling podium for Rossi at Le Mans

Nicky Hayden, despite an unfortunate start, worked his way up to sixth by the finish. Having started from seventh place, Rossi advanced to third by lap three, at which point Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow joined him in a long battle. He picked up his pace around seven laps from the end, eventually setting the fastest lap of the race and closing the gap to Casey Stoner, who he overtook on the final lap. His runner-up finish behind winner Jorge Lorenzo is his best result with Ducati so far.

Hayden was among the riders who spun their tyres on the inside part of the track just after the start, but he pushed hard the entire race, eventually matching his best result of the year.

Valentino Rossi
“I’m really, really happy. We knew we had a special opportunity in the wet today, so I tried to ride perfectly and not throw it away. I started well and immediately made up some positions, and then I passed the two Yamahas to get behind Stoner. I was able to match his pace, but then my visor started to fog and I had to slow down for a couple of laps until I was able to clear it by lifting it a little. Once I could see again, I re-passed Cal and then Dovi. When I realized that I could really push hard and that it was possible to catch Stoner again, I went for it. It was a great race and a nice, fun battle with Stoner to the last lap. I enjoyed myself and I’m happy for my team and all the guys at Ducati, who are working so hard for me. Now we must continue giving our all until we’re also able to be competitive in the dry. We found a good base to work from in Portugal, and it wasn’t bad in the dry here, either, although not as good as in the wet. Now our main goal is to take another step forward and make up some more tenths.”

Nicky Hayden
“There must have been something on the inside of the track just after the start, because everybody that went on that side either crashed or almost did. My jump was really good, and then just as I was ready to go to second gear, the tyre completely broke loose and the bike started fishtailing. I got buried in the pack and couldn’t see for the first few laps. Once I got through some guys and had a clear track, my rhythm wasn’t too bad. I was bringing Bradl and Pedrosa back a bit, but when I got it down to two seconds, I almost crashed and had to try again. I got to Bradl’s wheel at the end but just couldn’t do anything. It’s frustrating because we’ve got a really good wet bike. I know we had more potential than sixth, but the start hurt me. Congratulations to the team for the podium. They certainly deserve it.”

Vittoriano Guareschi (Team Manager)
“We’re very pleased with Valentino’s podium, which is of course down to his beautiful race, although it also reflects the great job done by the team over the weekend. It’s also a thank-you to everyone back home who has worked so hard to solve our problems, which we’re overcoming little by little, although we still need to work on them some more. We’ve worked on the chassis well, and now we’ll focus on other important areas of the bike. Today Vale was in a situation where he could ride as he’s capable of doing, and he gave us a great show. It’s a shame for Nicky, who could have also fought for a better position if it weren’t for his bad start. Despite riding at a good pace, he wasn’t able to climb higher than sixth place. Anyway, Nicky showed that he, like Vale and everyone at Ducati, never gives up.”

Press release courtesy of Ducati Team.

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Icon Alliance Hi-Viz Helmet

When it comes to motorcycle safety - we believe the best possible protection is avoiding the crash altogether. Such was the reasoning behind the Alliance Hi-Viz helmet. Painted in a UV-resistant fluorescent color and affixed with reflective graphics, the Hi-Viz will dramatically increase your day or night conspicuity. See and be seen.

Evolved & refined. Icon has never been satisfied with the status quo - which is why we created the new Icon AllianceTM helmet. Based on the proven Alliance SSR, this nextgen helmet is fitted with a multitude of key refinements. The first revision is the new EPS liner. We’ve listened to the customers’ requests and reshaped the EPS liner into a more oval geometry. This new headform increases rider comfort by slightly elongating the entire inner circumference. Combine this geometry with our removable Hydra-Dry™ wicking comfort liner and the result is a nearly perfect rider-focused enclosure.

To further increase rider comfort, they've revised the entire venting system. Much like a finely tuned motor, we’ve reshaped and enlarged the intake and exhaust ports for increased airflow. Additional ventilation ports have also been added to the lateral aspect of the helmet to further increase ventilation. The shield itself has been upgraded to Icon’s distortion-free Pro-Shield™. The Pro-Shield™ features the ProLock™ shield locking system, graphic enabled sideplates, fog-free coating, and a no-tools shield change interface. Continuing with our commitment to excellence, the Alliance is constructed with premier manufacturing processes and stringent quality assurance procedures. This, combined with rigorous testing, assures that the Alliance meets or exceeds the high safety standards set by DOT,ECE,SG and SAI.

Features:
All World Standard, meets or exceeds the following: DOT FMVSS 218 (US), ECE 22-05 (Europe), SAI AS1698 (Australia) & SG (Japan) safety and testing standards. (Does not ship with SAI or SG certification stickers unless purchased from an authorized dealer in that country).
Reflective graphics
Injection molded polycarbonate shell for strength
Long oval headform
Wind tunnel tested and refined
Molded twin channel supervent for increased cooling
Rear exhaust ports prevent heat buildup
Removable molded breath deflector reduces shield fogging
Chin venting system reduces shield fogging
Fully removable/washable hydradry™ interior
Quick-change fog-free proshield™ with sideplates
Prolock™ shield locking

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Icon Airframe Carbon Lifeform Helmet

Carbon - the fundamental structure of all life - incredibly light, unbelievably strong. Icon has used this fundamental element to produce there lightest helmet ever. The shell is formed with Icon's unique dry molding technology which allows for exact placement of carbon material.

This controlled placement provides reinforced structure without adding weight. Indeed, weighing in at a mere 1450 grams, the Carbon life form is a prime example of the most modern of helmet manufacturing technologies. Of course the weight savings benefit is matched by the vastly superior venting system used in the Airframe. Where the other manufacturers imply venting the Airframe truly delivers.

If you have the means Icon highly recommends acquiring this truly unique Airframe. You will not be disappointed.

Features:
All world standard, Meets or exceeds the following: DOT FMVSS 218 (US), ECE 22-05 (Europe), SAI AS1698 (Australia) & SG (Japan) safety and testing standards. Does not ship with SAI or SG certification stickers unless purchased in that country.
Carbon fiber shell
1450 grams in size medium (+/-50 grams)
Wind tunnel tested and refined

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Icon Variant Helmet

Icon Variant Helmet
All World Standard meets or exceeds the following: DOT FMVSS 218 (US), ECE 22-05 (EUROPE), SAI AS1698 (AUSTRALIA) & SG (JAPAN) SAFETY AND TESTING STANDARDS. Does not ship with SAI or SG certification stickers unless purchased in that country
Fiberglass/Dynema /Carbon Fiber Shell
Long oval headform
Wind tunnel tested and refined
Anti-lift visor to reduce glare
Multiple oversized intake and exhaust ports
Molded EPS nose reduces shield fogging
Quick-change fog-free shield
Removable Hydradry moisture wicking liner
Rear spoiler for reduced helmet buffeting
Removable chin curtain
Imported

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