Coventry
Crutchlow doubles up in Monza Q1
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Friday, 7th May 2010, 15:18 GMTCal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda) confirmed his earlier form by doubling up with quickest time also in the afternoon qualifying session. The Coventry man set a time of 1 minute 44.577 seconds, two-tenths of a second faster than Assen double winner Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), while third quickest time went to Michel Fabrizio, who put in sterling work on the Ducati Xerox 1098. The BMW Motorrad team continued to make headway in qualifying with first Ruben Xaus and then Troy Corser both lying at the top of the timesheets for a while. In the end the Australian set the fourth time, ahead of points leader Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare). Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia), who had set an astonishing record top speed of close to 327 km/h in FP1, finished seventh, while Yoshimura WSB debut rider Daisaku Sakai had a tough baptism with the Monza track, earning himself a provisional nineteenth place together with an afternoon crash. Read article
MONZA WSB: CRUTCHLOW LEADS THE WAY IN ITALY
Source: Bike Sport News RSS Feed - Friday, 7th May 2010, 0:00 GMTThe Coventry man is leading the way at Monza Read article
WSB back at the ‘Temple of Speed’ for round 5
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Wednesday, 5th May 2010, 10:57 GMTThe HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship returns to the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza from May 7-9 for another classic appointment with the Italian track. Twenty years on from the first edition at the Monza parkland circuit on the outskirts of Milan, the challenge is still the same, but this time with seven different manufacturers competing with the best racing talent from Italy and abroad. On this high-speed track production-based Superbike machines lap at an average speed of close to 200 km/h, and this year expectations are high that the races will produce sparks from lights to flag. For two-wheeled racing fans Monza will offer numerous talking points this weekend: table-toppers Suzuki with Britain's Leon Haslam, the all-Italian combination of Aprilia, Alitalia and Biaggi, the factory Ducati riders trying to shrug off their below-par season start, Honda back at the top once again following Johnny Rea's domination at Assen, reigning champions Yamaha with two talented British stars, BMW on the up and up and Kawasaki who are aiming to finally join the front-running party. On the rider front the 27-year-old Brit Leon Haslam, the son of Ron ‘Rocket' Haslam who graced the 500 GP scene for many years, is currently on the top of the pile. After four rounds Leon leads the way with two wins to his name, and is 20 points ahead of Max Biaggi. Max, for his part, appears to have all the right cards this year to become the first ever Italian to win the World Superbike title and a double win in Portugal is projecting him towards that success. All eyes will also be on another British Lion, 23-year-old Leon Camier who stepped onto the WSB podium for the first time at Assen, while another Suzuki, a GSXR1000 Yoshimura for Yukio Kagayama, also joins the grid in the first of three races slated in for this year. Not everything is going according to plan in Ducati and the Italian manufacturer, which has won 18 of the 36 races held at Monza, is looking to one of its congenial tracks to set things right. Both the Xerox Ducati men, Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio have struggled to regain ground since the opening round in Australia and thousands of fans will be following closely their every move. As well as the factory squad, the Althea Ducati team has brought back Spaniard Carlos Checa to a level of competitiveness rarely seen in the last couple of years, and Checa will receive capable back-up from Shane Byrne, who is still looking for a breakthrough this year. Jakub Smrz is producing excellent form, especially in qualifying, on the Borciani-Guandalini Ducati 1098 machine, while Italian colours are also capably represented by Lorenzo Lanzi (DFX) and Luca Scassa (Supersonic). Much attention surrounds relative newcomers BMW, who after a year of running in the new S1000RR, are now starting to appear in the top positions. BMW hope to continue this positive trend at Monza, a track where the four-cylinder German machine can lay down all of its power and maybe a podium finish is on the cards. The Tardozzi effect is beginning to be felt throughout the team and two-times champion Troy Corser, together with Ruben Xaus, is rapidly making progress. Dutch team Hannspree Ten Kate have taken Japanese manufacturer Honda back to the top after a disappointing start to the year with a dominant double win for Rea at Assen. After the latest modifications the CBR is now a perfectly competitive bike again, and Rea is aiming for further success, while things are a bit more difficult for young German Max Neukirchner who hasn't yet got entirely to grips with his new Honda mount. Monza will also mark the return of Vittorio Iannuzzo on the private Squadra Corse Italia Honda CBR. Yamaha hopes of repeating last year's fantastic American exploit, when Spies took one win at Monza and the title, lie with two British riders, James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow. For Toseland the return to Superbike, after a couple of unsuccessful seasons in MotoGP, has not been easy but his well-known perseverance has rewarded him with three podiums in the last four races, a result that has propelled him into fifth overall. Crutchlow's impact is the result of a spectacular riding style and two Superpoles have earned the Coventry man a front-row place in the eyes of Superbike fans everywhere in his debut season. For Kawasaki the grass continues to be ‘greener' on the other side of the fence. Chris Vermeulen's crash at Phillip Island together with him missing the next two rounds at Portimao and Valencia as he recovered from his knee injury, has scaled down the revitalized team's ambitions. Tom Sykes is doing everything possible to get good results but for the moment there is some way to go. SUPERSPORT: The Supersport World Championship has always offered close competition, but this year Monza is guaranteed to produce sparks, with slipstreaming the name of the game. In the first three rounds there were three different winners, each of the ‘big three' scoring well, with first Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda), then Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda), then Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) scoring full points. At the most recent race Laverty scored win number two, but he had to, as two less than happy weekends in Portugal and then Spain saw him drop way off the leading pace. At Assen he recovered ground, and now only 19 points, cover the top three in the championship. SUPERSTOCK 1000: You cannot get better than perfect, and for BMW Motorrad Italia and Ayrton Badovini perfect is what 2010 has been so far. Three races, three wins, the full 75 possible points on offer and the nearest challenger 30 points behind. The basis of the team is the same one that took Ducati to the championship for the past three years, under the guiding hand of Serafino Foti. Behind Badovini are three riders who have shared the podium with him so far, Davide Giugliano (06 Team Suzuki), Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior) and Sylvain Barrier (BMW Garnier). Loris Baz (MRS Racing Yamaha) was the champion in the 600 Superstock class in 2008, and has also now scored a top three in 1000 Superstock, in Portugal. SUPERSTOCK 600: French riders continue to dominate the European Superstock 600 championship which comes to Monza for its fourth round. Two youngsters are at the top, 17 year-old Jeremy Guarnoni (Yamaha MRS Racing), who won in Portugal, followed by 16 year-old Florian Marino (Ten Kate Race Junior Honda), winner at Valencia and Assen. They are separated by 11 points. The third interloper could be Norway's Frederik Karlsen (MTM Racing Yamaha), who is emerging as a contender after a fifth place at Assen and having been given back the points he lost at Valencia. Behind can be found the Martini Corse Yamaha pairing of Dino Lombardi and Federico D'Annunzio. THE CIRCUIT: Following the multiple incident at the start of race 1 last year , which involved numerous riders, the first chicane has been slightly modified to give an easier entry angle . As a result the track now measures 5.777 km, 16 metres less than last year. COLLATERAL ACTIVITIES: But Monza is not only about the racing. The parallel activities for one of the most important races of the year also include events that will involve spectators both inside and outside the Paddock. Dedicated Aprilia, BMW, Ducati and Kawasaki grandstands will offer a unique spectacle, while fans can also watch exhibitions by German stuntman Chris Pfeiffer on Sunday during the pit-walk and on two other occasions in the Casa SBK Village, which will also be organizing competitions and prizes throughout the weekend. EXTRAORDINARY EVENT FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY RACE: The fever-pitch expectation for the WSB Round at the legendary Monza circuit and the rise in ticket pre-sales are elements that will surely guarantee the success of the event. Starting the weekend off in style, an SBK Party has been organized for Thursday 6th May at 8pm in the prestigious OLD FASHION club in Via Alemagna, Milan. The event sees the participation of the top riders in the championship, sponsors, journalists, TV and media and sport and show business personalities. The evening will also be opened up to all Superbike fans, who can download the invitation from FACEBOOK at www.facebook.com/sbkofficial to have free access from 11pm onwards by presenting the invitation. Read article
Cal Crutchlow: close encounters of the soccer kind
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Wednesday, 3rd March 2010, 11:22 GMTCal Crutchlow, the pocket rocket from the English Midlands, enters SBK for his first full-time season in 2010 as the reigning Supersport World Champion. His career on two wheels has been glittering already, but he could have possibly gone for glory in another sport altogether - football. Or if you are North American, soccer... The American reference is very apt, as Cal Crutchlow was named after legendary American racer, Cal Rayborn. Despite his relative lack of height, Crutchlow was a very keen and gifted football player as a kid, and was involved in the youth systems of Coventry, his home city, and Aston Villa, the latter being a giant of the English game even now. As a young kid Cal was not interested in racing much, despite his father Derek being a racer himself. But when Cal finally caught the bug for racing, at around age 11, any thoughts of a career in football went by the wayside. With one World Championship in his pocket already, and the real prospect of more, he's never looked back. Read article
Suzuki Alstare: perfekte teamarbeit
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Saturday, 27th February 2010, 6:46 GMTLeon Haslam geht am Sonntag zum Auftakt der Superbike-WM 2010 von der Poleposition in die Rennen auf der 4,445 Kilometer langen Piste von Phillip Island. Der britische Alstare-Suzuki-Pilot untermauerte damit seine Leistung bei den Tests und verwies Ducati-Pilot Michel Fabrizio in der entscheidenden Superpole-Session um wenige Tausendstel auf Platz 2. Die eigentliche Überraschung war Haslams Teamkollege Sylvain Guintoli mit der zweiten Alstare-GSX-R 1000 auf Startplatz 5. Das Team liess beide Piloten gleichzeitig auf die Piste und der Franzose zog sich im Windschatten von Haslam in die zweite Startreihe. DUCATI: FABRIZIO KNAPP GESCHLAGEN. Xerox-Ducati-Pilot Michel Fabrizio war auch am zweiten Trainingstag auf Phillip Island stärkster Ducati-Pilot. Der Italiener verpasste bei deutlich kühleren Temperaturen die Pole lediglich um 16 Tausendstel Sekunden. Teamkollege Noriyuki Haga stellte seine 1098 R F10 auf den zehnten Startplatz. Erneut stark präsentierte sich Carlos Checa mit der Althea-Ducati als Vierter der Superpole. Shane Byrne schied mit der zweiten Althea-Ducati bereits in der ersten Superpole-Session aus. Jakub Smrz stellte seine Pata-Ducati auf Rang 6, Lorenzo Lanzi sorgte bei DFX mit dem neunten Startplatz für zufriedene Gesichter. YAMAHA: STARKER SAMSTAG. Cal Crutchlow steigerte sich mit der Yamaha R1 im zweiten Qualifying deutlich. Der Brite kämpfte sich danach in die dritte und letzte Superpole-Session, wo dem Supersport-Weltmeister auf Coventry die dritte Position gelang. ,,Ich musste beide Qualifyer-Reifen bereits in der zweiten Session verwenden, weil ich einmal kurz von der Piste abgekommen bin. Sonst wäre in der letzten Einheit noch mehr möglich gewesen", schilderte Crutchlow. Teamkollege James Toseland kann nach den Problemen am Freitag mit Position 8 ebenfalls gut leben. HONDA: REA RETTET HONDA-EHRE. Johnny Rea war wie schon am Freitag schnellster Honda-Pilot in Mitten der Ducati-Armada. Der Nordire konnte mit der siebten Startposition jedoch nicht zufrieden sein. ,,Wir hatten das ganze Wochenende über Probleme, die Qualifyer-Reifen bestmöglich zu nützen", jammerte der 23-Jährige. Teamkollege Max Neukirchner übte vor allem über die lange Distanz, in der Superpole war für den Sachsen mit der zweiten Hannspreee-Ten-Kate-Honda schon in der ersten Session als 17. Endstation. Josh Brookes (CRS) und Vitto Iannuzzo verpassten auf den Rängen 21 und 22 die Zulassung zur Superpole. APRILIA: KEINE OPTIMALE AUSGANGSPOSITION. WM-Mitfavorit Max Biaggi nimmt den Saisonauftakt auf Phillip Island mit der Aprilia RSV 4 nur von der elften Startposition aus in Angriff. Der 38-jährige Römer büsste in 1:32,293 exakt eine Sekunde auf Polesitter Leon Haslam ein. Biaggis junger britischer Alitalia-Aprilia-Teamkollege Leon Haslam stellte die zweite Aprilia RSV 4 Factory als 16. in Reihe 4. KAWASAKI: DEUTLICHE STEIGERUNG. Die Kawasaki-Asse Chris Vermeulen und Tom Sykes sorgten für zufriedene Gesichter in der Box des Bird-Teams. Vermeulen ging sogar als achter in die Superpole, wo ihm Rang 14 gelang. Teamkollege Sykes holte mit der zweiten ZX10-R als Zwölfter gar das beste Superpole-Ergebnis für die Grünen seit langem. Die Pedercini-Kawasaki-Piloten Matteo Baiocco und Roger Lee Hayden konnten ihre rote Laterne auch am Samstag nicht los werden. BMW: CORSER BLEIBT SCHNELLSTER ,,BAYER". Troy Corser steigerte sich mit der BMW S1000 RR am Samstag und sicherte sich in der Superpole die 13. Startposition, zwischen den Kawasaki-Assen Vermeulen und Sykes. Teamkollege Ruben Xaus geht am Sonntag vom 15. Startplatz in die Rennen. Andrew Pitt stellte die Reitwagen-BMW beim Debüt in der Superbike-WM auf die 19. Startposition. Sein österreichischer Teamkollege Roland Resch wäre auf Rang 18 vor Pitt locker für die Superpole zugelassen gewesen, stürzte aber am Ende der zweiten Qualifying-Session heftig und brach sich dabei die Schulter. SUPERSPORT-WM: LASCORZ BLEIBT VORNE. Der Spanier Joan Lascorz bestätigte mit seiner Motocard-Kawasaki seine starke Form auch in der zweite Qualifying-Session am Samstag und sicherte sich für den Saisonauftakt die Pole. Lascorz blieb als einziger Fahrer unter der 1:34er.Marke und verwies Kenan Sofuoglu mit der Ten-Kate-Honda auf die zweite Position. Stark auch Sofuoglus Teamkollege Michele Pirro als Dritter, noch vor Supersport-Vizeweltmeister Eugene Laverty. Hinter Kats Fujiwara reihten sich mit David Salom und Chaz Davies die besten Tirumph-675-Piloten auf den Rängen 6 und 7 ein. ACHTUNG: Alle Resultate, Punktestände und Informationen finden Sie unter www.worldsbk.com Read article
Multistrada is a hit
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Tuesday, 23rd February 2010, 13:09 GMTThe new Multistrada 1200 is proving an immediate hit, says Ducati UK. The pre-production Multistrada 1200 Touring version was recently on display at the London Motorcycle Show where the bike was mobbed by motorcyclists, keen to learn more about its design and technical features. Now the tour moves on to the remaining Ducati dealerships across the UK which haven’t showcased the new bike. So far Ducati dealers have reported customers putting deposits down before even seeing or riding the bike. Dealer of the year, Ducati Manchester, have so far taken deposits for over 30 bikes with similar numbers being reported at stores in Glasgow, London and Coventry. Other dealers are experiencing unprecedented levels of interest. All good news in a recession. The first Multistrada demonstrators are expected to arrive in dealerships at the beginning of April, with deliveries of the ‘S’ model being shipped soon after. The first shipments are already sold-out so dealers are recommending that buyers put down deposits as soon as possible or book test rides as soon as demonstrators arrive. Responding to the high demand, Ducati UK are reviewing their sales plans and hope to be able to meet customer demand within the summer season. Early orders show a model mix which is 80% in favour of the ‘S’ model which features Ducati electronic suspension, ABS and traction control and is without doubt the version that has made this such an anticipated bike. Although the Multistrada will undoubtedly appeal to Ducati fans, it has also appealed to many others with up to 85% of sales leads being drawn to the Ducati from other brands, says Ducati UK. For further information regarding the Multistrada tour, visit www.ducatiuk.com. Read article
Get £5 off tickets for Boorman Show
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Monday, 15th February 2010, 13:30 GMTCharley Boorman, star of ‘Long Way Round’, ‘Long Way Down’, ‘Race To Dakar’ and ‘By Any Means’ is taking his live tour to a theatre near you and as a Carole Nash customer, you can claim an exclusive discount on tickets for his UK & Ireland tour. Charley will be showcasing exclusive videos - some of which have never been seen on TV, and giving frank accounts of his motorcycling adventures on his tour across the UK and Ireland this year, this night with Charley is going to be one to remember! Fans will also get the opportunity to ask questions and chat to Charley - as well as get their books or DVD autographed at the end of the night. Simon Pavey, the BMW Dakar Legend and director of the BMW Off Road School, will also be on stage discussing his own amazing life together with his experiences in Charley’s TV shows. Carole Nash customers can claim their discount simply by visiting www.ticketmaster.co.uk/charleyspecial and selecting their tickets for any one of the 30 shows, which starts on February 22 in Milton Keynes. The full tour schedule is: February 22 - Milton Keynes: The Stables 23 - Buxton: Opera House 24 - Glasgow: Pavilion 25 - Middlesbrough: Town Hall 26 - Newcastle: Journal Tyne 27 - Warrington: Parr Hall March 2 - St Albans: Alban Arena 3 - Cambridge: Corn Exchange 4 - Bournemouth: Pavilion 5 - Wolverhampton: Civic Theatre 6 - Birmingham: Alexandra 8 - York: Grand Opera House 9 - Leicester: Athena 10 - Sheffield: Memorial Hall 11 - Brighton: Dome 12 - Nottingham: Concert Hall 13 - Blackburn: King George’s Hall 15 - Tunbridge Wells: Assembly Hall 16 - Coventry: Warwick Arts Centre 17 - Peterborough: The Cresset 18 - Bradford: St George’s Hall 19 - Aylesbury: Civic Theatre 20 - Manchester: Palace Theatre 21 - Blackpool: Grand 23 - Derby: Assembly Rooms 24 - Cardiff: St David’s Hall 25 - Basingstoke: The Anvil 26 - Southampton: Guildhall 27 - Grimsby: Auditorium 28 - Dublin: Vicar Street Read article
Visitors Increase by 14% for the 10th Dirt Bike Show
Source: LondonBikers.com - Wednesday, 18th November 2009, 12:38 GMTThis year’s Dirt Bike Show was one of the best-attended in its 10-year spell at Stoneleigh Park, with 21,000 people flocking to the Coventry venue over four days, an increase of 14% over last year's figures. Many leading manufacturers chose the Show to exhibit key new models to the British public; Read article
