Bradl celebrates historic pole in California

The 2011 Moto2™ World Champion stormed to the top grid spot with an impressive final sector. On Sunday, he will share the front row of the grid with championship leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and Alvaro Bautista (GO&FUN Honda Gresini), who help to make up an all-Honda front row at Laguna Seca.

“It’s really nice to be on pole, for sure,” says LCR Honda MotoGP’s Bradl, who last year finished seventh from ninth on the grid. “It was one of the best laps I had ever done. I put a lot of effort into this qualifying because I knew it was going to be tough.

“I had a clear track with my second tyre and I just went for it. I was really happy, especially with the last section which I think I was doing really fast. It’s really nice to be here and I will enjoy it. For sure, it will be a little bit different for tomorrow, but we know we have the pace and we will keep going.”

Prior to Saturday, Bradl had clinched his first ever MotoGP™ front row start just two races ago when he qualified third for the Dutch TT at Assen.

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Marquez wins Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix

On Saturday, Bradl had stormed to a maiden pole position while Marquez suffered a crash in qualifying. On Sunday, the Spaniard patiently followed the German before pulling off a clean manoeuvre at the end of the 19th lap. Five riders failed to make the distance at the notoriously difficult anti-clockwise circuit, the shortest on the calendar.

Marquez’s third victory of the year equals the sum of reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo. The Repsol Honda rider sank as low as fourth after a poor start, but stayed ahead of Bautista in the early stages and crucially pulled off a confident pass on Rossi at the world-famous Corkscrew corner. He soon homed in on Bradl, overtaking the German and winning by 2.2 seconds. In doing so, Marquez wins for the second time within the space of a week and steals former double champion Freddie Spencer’s record of being the youngest MotoGP™ rider to triumph in consecutive Grands Prix. Furthermore, he makes history by becoming the first rookie rider to win at Laguna Seca.

Bradl’s ride to second was one of calm and composure. A clean getaway allowed the LCR Honda MotoGP rider to head the field from his first ever pole in the top class. The 2011 Moto2™ World Champion was assisted by the fact that those behind him were battling early on, but by the 17th tour had the recovering Marquez only two tenths of a second behind. Once the overtake had occurred two laps later, Bradl comfortably managed a two-second gap back to Rossi to clinch his maiden premier class podium, improving on his previous best of fourth – achieved on three occasions.

Having not finished on the podium until he won Round 7 at Assen, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Rossi has now taken the chequered flag inside the top three for as many races in a row. The Italian, who had famously overtaken Casey Stoner at the Corkscrew five years ago, was this time passed in the same place by Marquez before holding off a significant attack from Bautista over the closing laps; the Spaniard briefly edged ahead before the final corner, but was kept behind. Another third place for Rossi sees him jump ahead of Cal Crutchlow for fourth in the standings.

Laguna Seca had always promised to be a weekend of damage limitation for both Lorenzo (Yamaha Factory Racing) and Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team). Both men continued to suffer with left collarbone injuries as they finished fifth and sixth, with Pedrosa having moved ahead of his rival in an overtake at the Andretti Hairpin. The duo finished in front of Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Crutchlow, who on Saturday had been left confused by a crash before taking part in Q2 with his second bike.

The top ten was completed by Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso – who during the race made side-to-side contact on the start/finish straight – and Avintia Blusens’ Hector Barbera, who became the first rider other than Aleix Espargaro to lead the CRT runners in 2013. Espargaro crashed at the last corner, while Power Electronics Aspar teammate Randy de Puniet retired with technical problems. Tech 3’s Bradley Smith also stopped with mechanical gremlins, while the first two retirements were PBM’s Michael Laverty and NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Claudio Corti.

In 11th, Ignite Pramac Racing’s Alex de Angelis scored while covering for the injured Ben Spies, while Colin Edwards finished 12th for Forward Racing. The top 15 was completed by Danilo Petrucci (Came IodaRacing Project), Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Motoracing) and Yonny Hernandez (PBM).

With the first half of the season now completed, MotoGP™ heads into its summer break before returning with the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix in mid-August. Marquez carries a 16-point advantage over teammate Pedrosa and has finished on the podium in eight of his first nine races since joining the premier class as reigning Moto2™ World Champion.

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Rossi delighted with third consecutive podium

The Italian finished third for the second race in succession, building on his Assen win and last week’s solid result in Germany to move up to fourth in the World Championship standings, 20 points adrift of his injured teammate Jorge Lorenzo.

Indeed, Rossi’s recent run of form has coincided with Lorenzo’s difficulties due to his broken collarbone, whilst Dani Pedrosa’s injury weakness and Cal Crutchlow’s off-colour Laguna Seca ride opened up the podium options.

“I’m so happy about this podium,” Rossi stated. “It’s more important and positive than Sachsenring because we suffered a bit with the Yamaha here. It looks like we had some disadvantage compared to the Hondas, but I had a good race with good pace and I was the first Yamaha.”

“I had a fantastic start but did not have enough pace to stay with Stefan (Bradl) and then Marc (Marquez) did a great overtake on me. Anyway, he was also too fast for me and from that moment I had a great battle with Alvaro Bautista who was very strong today.

“I tried to push and push constantly without making any mistakes. I had a big, big moment with the front where I had to pick up the bike with the elbow so I thought, ‘that is a sign’, as I didn’t crash at that point. I had some trouble with the back-markers because the blue flags were not clear, so Bautista cut the gap and we arrived at the last corner together; but I’m so happy about this, it’s a third podium in a row and I’m happy about the race and the result.”

Rossi now heads into the summer break ahead of the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix, which will signal the start of the second half of the 2013 season in mid-August.

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Shoei Qwest Overt Helmet

Shoei has developed a brand new, high grade shell design. Ventilation is integrated into the shell for a more streamlined look. The aerodynamically improved shape utilizes an air spoiler to reduce drag and lift, as well as diminish weight pressure on the neck, while riding at high speeds. All Shoei helmets undergo rigorous wind tunnel testing in developing a design that can withstand severe real world riding conditions.

Aerodynamic Shell Design
Upper Air Intake Vent is positioned to maximize air volume into the helmet interior
High performance fiber materials are combined with extremely elastic organic fibers to create a shell structure that is ultra-lightweight, rigid and resilient
3-D center pad and multi-layered, polyurethane foam cheek pads
Q.R.S.A. (Quick-Release Self-Adjusting) base plate allows for tool-less shield removal and installation
The spring-loaded base plate (U.S. patent pending 11/799935) pulls the shield back to contact the window beading evenly and ensures a proper seal
Scratch-resistant coating
99.9% protection from harmful UV A & B rays
Snell-M2010, DOT
3.644 lbs / 1,653 grams (approx, for Size Medium Solid Color)

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Shoei X-Twelve Elias 2 Helmet

Shoei has been one of the leaders in the chase for perfection of motorcycle racing helmets. The X-12 holds the distinction of being one that all others are judged by. The Elias X-12 edition features the latest technology borne from feedback from MotoGP and World Superbike riders, like Toni Elias, and passed onto you.

Features:
Q.R.S.A. (Quick Release Self-Adjusting) Base Plate System
CW-1 Shield
AIM+ Shell Construction (Snell M2010-Approved)
5 Shell Sizes
Aero Edge 2 Spoiler
Ventilation System
Dual-Layer EPS Liner
3D Max Dry Interior System
E.Q.R.S. (Emergency Quick Release System)
Chin Curtain
Breath Guard
5-Year Warranty
Currently Shoei products can only be shipped to U.S. customers

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Shoei RF-1100 Transmission Helmet

Reaching out to that next level of performance, the Transmission is a helmet that broadcasts a message of race styling against a backdrop of pure touring excellence. A refined evolution from the iconic RF-1000, Shoei has listened to both real world feedback and the hard facts of the wind tunnel to shape and craft a helmet that meets every demand of the street motorcyclist. Taking on all climates and riding conditions, the Shoei RF-1100 is a best seller for a reason; it is the finest street motorcycle helmet available today.

Shell-Integrated Spoiler
Incorporates the aerodynamic advantages of a spoiler into the shell
Consistent shell thickness guarantees proper strength and weight
Reduces lift and drag during high speed riding
Dual layer EPS liner provides enhanced impact absorption while not impeding cooling air flow
Fully removable, washable and replaceable liner
Liner is three dimensionally shaped to match the contours of a rider’s head
5 Shell sizes for custom fit
SNELL M2010/DOT
Variable Ventilation System
Three intake and six exhaust vents allow perfect balance between airflow and silence
Larger lower vent port and streamlined vent shutter increase airflow while reducing whistling and road noise
Ease of use with riding gloves
CW-1 Shield & QRSA Base Plate System
Protects form 99% of the sun’s damaging UV rays
3D injection molding ensures a distortion free view throughout entire field of vision
Works in conjunction with optional Pinlock® Fog-Resistant System
Optional CWF-1 Racing Shield accommodates tearoffs
QRSA Base Plate System allows smooth and easy shield changes
Patented spring loaded technology ensures a wind and waterproof seal
AIM+ Shell Construction
Proprietary technology integrates a six-ply matrix
Hand laid interwoven layers of fiberglass with organic fibers and resin
Strongest, lightest and most elastic shell
Dual layer EPS liner provides enhanced impact absorption while not impeding cooling air flow

Source: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com
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Shoei Qwest Sonoma Helmet

Inspired by the journey and the adventure that accompanies every motorcycle ride, the Shoei Qwest Sonoma is a helmet designed to enhance and complement the experience along the way. Shaped by countless hours in Shoei’s wind tunnel, details like foam placement along with the lightweight aerodynamic shell design combine to cancel out noise while reducing drag and lift. Add in an industry leading ventilation system and over 50 years of helmet building experience and the affordable Shoei Qwest not only gives you all day riding comfort, but the finest touring helmet available.

Shell & Integrated Spoiler
Wind tunnel tested aerodynamics
Shell integrated spoiler reduces lift and drag during high speed riding
Consistent shell thickness guarantees proper strength and weight
AIM+ Shell Construction
Proprietary technology integrates a six-ply matrix
Hand laid interwoven layers of fiberglass with organic fibers and resin
Shoei’s strongest, lightest and most elastic shell available in 5 sizes
SNELL M2010/DOT
3.644 lbs / 1,653 grams (approx, for size medium solid color)
Ventilation Performance
Larger lower vent shutter for ease of use with riding gloves
Strategically positioned upper vent for optimal air intake
Uniquely positioned upper exhaust vents take better advantage of negative pressure suction
Dramatically improved cool air and hot air expulsion
CW-1 Shield & QRSA Base Plate System
Protects form 99% of the sun’s damaging UV rays
3D injection molding ensures a distortion free view throughout entire field of vision
Works in conjunction with optional Pinlock® Fog-Resistant System
Optional CWF-1 Racing Shield accommodates tearoffs
QRSA Base Plate System allows smooth and easy shield changes
Patented spring loaded technology ensures a wind and waterproof seal
Interior Comfort System
Dual layer EPS liner provides enhanced impact absorption while not impeding cooling air flow
Fully removable, washable and replaceable multi-layer cheek pads
Three dimensionally shaped to match the contours of a rider’s head
Multi-layer cheek pads available in six thicknesses for a custom fit

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