Michele Pirro
Biaggi & Co. make long-awaited Silverstone comeback
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Tuesday, 27th July 2010, 14:58 GMTRound ten of the 13-round HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship will take place at the latest incarnation of the classic Silverstone circuit this weekend, between 30 July and 1 August. The championship has been to Silverstone on six previous occasions, the most recent being in 2007, when only one race took place due to incessant rain that flooded the track before race two could get underway. The Silverstone that WSB returns to this year is a very different venue from previous versions, with massive investment in both a heavily modified circuit layout and infrastructure improvements resulting in a 5.902 km circuit, which owes a lot to the ex-airfield circuit's original reputation as a fast and open racetrack, where speed is a key element. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) and his factory team have been almost immaculate in 2010, winning half the races on offer, finishing every race in the points and having no individual placing lower than eighth. Biaggi has been so consistent he has only had five non-podium finishes all season. No surprise to find that Max is a clear championship leader after round nine at Brno, now having a 68-point advantage approaching Silverstone. Biaggi has not got far to look to see the immediate threat at Silverstone, with the first of seven well-equipped local riders being second placed in the overall WSB rankings, Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare). Haslam could ask for no better current WSB venue to try to make big inroads into Biaggi's points lead, as he will have the crowd firmly on his side for the first time all year, and greater recent experience of at least some of the Silverstone layout than many of his rivals. There are no fewer than seven full time riders in the 2010 line-up who emanate from the UK, and all of them are on either official or well-supported machinery. For this reason alone Silverstone may well provide the best chance of a new name appearing on the 2010 winner's roster since Kyalami in May. So far we have had six different race-winning riders, the roll of honour led by Biaggi with nine victories. Next up, Haslam is tied on three wins with overall third placed rider Jonathan Rea (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda). Rea has been busy of late, winning the first race at Brno last time out before heading to Japan and a podium slot at the Suzuka 8 Hours last weekend. Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) was a winner at round one in Australia and he is now fourth in the points, close to Rea and the following rider in fifth place, Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox). Haga is another with a single win to his credit in 2010, and the most recent rider to enter the 2010 winners' club is Haga's own team-mate, Michel Fabrizio - eighth overall and twice a podium man in the past two rounds. The Ducati 1200cc Vee-twin riders will all arrive at Silverstone with the same regulation minimum weight of 162 kg as the other machines, after once more breaking through the lower threshold of the balancing regulations at the previous Brno round. The seven British regulars looking for hometown glory on Sunday include James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda), a double WSBK champion but a rider still looking for his first win in his comeback season. He has already stated that a British 1-2-3 is very possible at Silverstone and for him the top step of the podium is his overriding motivation this weekend. James is sixth in the current rankings. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) was unlucky to injure himself at the previous round in Brno, missing raceday, but he is expecting great things from his S1000RR around the fast sweeps of Silverstone, if he comes through a test at Mugello in good condition. Troy is seventh now, two points ahead of a chasing Fabrizio, with the second official BMW rider, Ruben Xaus, 13th overall and improving all the time. One of the ‘magnificent seven' local riders is particularly well known to British crowds, 2009 BSB champion Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia). Already a podium placer on his vee-four Aprilia, Camier is having an intense learning year in WSB, tied on points with a Superpole expert in his first full season, Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda). Briton Crutchlow has scored pole four times so far, and has four podium places to boot. He is tenth in the championship, but tied on the same 138 point total as Camier and British-domiciled Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare). Shane Byrne (Althea Ducati) sits 12th right now, looking forward to his latest return home to race and another chance to match his sheer speed over a single lap to a race result of equal prominence. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) is the seventh Brit in regular WSB competition in 2010 and he more than anyone will see Silverstone as an opportunity to shine. With his regular team-mate Chris Vermeulen out for the rest of the year through injury, he will have the legendary figure of Akira Yanagawa alongside him at Silverstone, as the Japanese star stands-in for Chris for this race. Series regular Luca Scassa (Supersonic Ducati) who suffered a fracture at the Brno race weekend, has recovered well and will race in England. Jakub Smrz (Pata B&G Aprilia) will be on a vee-four for this round again, with Max Neukirchner (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) and Honda privateer Broc Parkes (ECHO CRS) out for more points to move up the standings. Lorenzo Lanzi (DFX Corse Ducati) plus Pedercini Kawasaki team-mates Roger Lee Hayden and Matteo Baiocco are also privateers worth watching. Wildcards of the highest quality and equipment levels are set to join the Silverstone party in 2010, as Josh Brookes and Ryuichi Kiyonari (both HM Plant Honda) combine forces to lever points and places from the hands of the regulars. Privateer rider Tommy Bridewell will also be made welcome in the WSB paddock on his Quay Garage Honda. SUPERSPORT: For the fifth time this year the championship lead has changed hands once again with three riders having taken turns to head up the standings even before the last round at Brno. After another win, his third of the year, Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) left Brno at the top of the reckoning and second place in the race gave Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) second in the rankings also, some 15 points behind Sofuoglu. Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) no-scored for the first time last time and is now third, 22 points adrift but with four races to go - including Silverstone. ParkinGO Triumph BE-1's Chaz Davies is an increasingly impressive fourth, having scored three podium finishes so far. Almost a podium finisher last time out, Gino Rea (Intermoto Czech Honda) is looking forward to his first full Supersport World Championship race at Silverstone. Ronan Quarmby (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) will replace injured regular runner Michele Pirro at Silverstone and there are no fewer than 28 riders on the Silverstone grid, thanks to a wildcard rider influx. SUPERSTOCK 1000: Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia STK) has remained untouchable at the top of the Superstock 1000 standings, winning six from six as his championship carries on relentlessly. He now has a 77-point advantage over Michele Magnoni (Bevilacqua Corse Honda), and a win at Silverstone would give Badovini the championship no matter what. Lesser results would also see him crowned champion, if all his four main rivals have poor weekends. Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Racing Junior Honda) is third overall, while Andrea Antonelli (Team Lorini Honda) heads up the final top five runners, together with Davide Giugliano (Team06 Suzuki). SUPERSTOCK 600: Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Racing Yamaha) is overcoming all obstacles in his way this year in the 600 Superstock division, having won four races and been placed in the other two. He leads his French countryman Florian Marino (Ten Kate Junior Racing Honda) by 30 points after his last win in the Czech Republic. Italian rider Federico D'Annunzio (Martini Corse Yamaha) is still third but looking for his first win of the year. TRIUMPH PARKINGO SERIES: The monomarque Triumph ParkinGO European Series will be back at Silverstone, with riders on identical Triumph Street Triple R machines battling it out for glory in this thrilling class. Fabrizio Perotti is the leader with three rounds to go, 16 points ahead of Matteo Marzotto. THE CIRCUIT: The recent works at Silverstone have now created a multiple use circuit of truly international class, including several initiatives that have been specifically designed for motorcycle use. Riders and spectators have been well catered for in the layout to be used for World Superbike, with the track now shooting to the infield at one key section to allow spectators in that area a closer look at the action, while still meeting all the latest safety requirements. The work at Silverstone is still continuing, to make the classic British circuit even more user-friendly for all. High top speeds and fast average lap speeds will be much in evidence. Read article
Pirro replaced by Quarmby for Silverstone
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Thursday, 15th July 2010, 13:20 GMTHannspree Ten Kate Honda's World Supersport rider Michele Pirro has been forced to miss the forthcoming Silverstone round of the World Supersport championship on 1st August. The 24-year-old Italian crashed heavily during round nine of the series at Brno in the Czech Republic last Sunday, sustaining a fracture to the bridge of his nose and a dislocated wrist. The team has announced that South African Ronan Quarmby will replace Pirro for the Silverstone round. The 19-year-old contested the South African round at Kyalami in May on a Ten Kate-prepared Honda CBR600RR, running in the top ten during free practice and qualifying. Quarmby was unfortunately forced to withdraw from the Kyalami race after a rare bone condition was diagnosed following a scan on his left femur. Following an operation, which included injecting cement into the bone and plating almost the entire length of the femur, Quarmby has fought his way back to fitness and was given a clean bill of health two weeks ago. "I feel very sorry for Michele," said Ronan Quarmby. "I saw the crash at Brno and it looked pretty bad. It's never ideal to get a ride because of another rider's injury and I wish him all the best for a speedy recovery. I'm so excited to get an opportunity to ride for the Ten Kate team, though. Their record speaks for itself and I'm just so grateful to Ronald and the other Ten Kate guys who have helped me. This is just awesome news for me and I can't wait to get back to the UK. After Kyalami I was told I'd be out of action for between six and eighteen months, so I'm completely over the moon to get this chance. I was going to ride at Silverstone in a Superstock race, but that was in 2007 when it was all cancelled because of the rain. Hopefully, the weather will be good this time because I really want to make the most of this opportunity." Read article
Brno crash leaves Pirro with broken nose
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Wednesday, 14th July 2010, 8:32 GMTThe Brno weekend turned out to be a very disappointing one for Hannspree Ten Kate Honda's World Supersport rider Michele Pirro. While the team was able to celebrate another win for Turkey's Kenan Sofuoglu, who also bounced back into the lead of the points standings, it didn't manage to do the same with his Italian team-mate. When the reigning Italian Supersport champion crashed out on lap 3, it was the end of a promising weekend for Pirro, who suffered a broken nose, facial bruising and a fractured right wrist in the incident. Pirro, whose best result this year has been a third place at Portimao at the second round, had qualified his Honda CBR600R on row 2 and was aiming for his second podium of the year. The Italian rider's presence at the next round at Silverstone is doubtful. Read article
WSS Brno: Sofuoglu blitzes Brno
Source: bikeracenews.com - Tuesday, 13th July 2010, 11:01 GMTKenan Sofuoglu pulled off an impressive World Supersport race victory in today’s ninth round at Brno in the Czech Republic, winning by one tenth of a second from fellow championship contender, Joan Lascorz Sofuoglu’s Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team-mate, Michele Pirro, crashed out of the 18-lap race at the 5.403km Brno circuit, sustaining a broken nose, [...] Read article
WSS Brno: Hannspree Supersport riders on second row in Brno
Source: bikeracenews.com - Sunday, 11th July 2010, 13:02 GMTHannspree Ten Kate Honda riders, Kenan Sofuoglu and Michele Pirro, will start tomorrow’s ninth round World Supersport championship race at Brno in the Czech Republic from the second row of the grid after setting the fifth and sixth fastest times respectively in today’s final qualifying session. Pole position for tomorrow’s 18-lap race was taken by Spanish [...] Read article
Lascorz the pre-race king at Brno
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Saturday, 10th July 2010, 15:08 GMTJoan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) took pole, his second of the year, with his very last lap of qualifying, displacing his team-mate Katsuaki Fujiwara to second in the process. Despite crashing in qualifying today, Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) went third while a spectacularly successful qualifying session for Kawasaki was completed by Fabien Foret (Kawasaki Lorenzini by Leoni) fourth quickest and therefore the third Kawasaki rider on the front row. Hannspree Ten Kate Honda riders Kenan Sofuoglu and Michele Pirro were fifth and sixth fastest, respectively. Read article
Japanese ace Fujiwara fastest on day one
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Friday, 9th July 2010, 16:05 GMTIllness had forced six-times Supersport World Championship race winner Katsuaki Fujiwara (Kawasaki Motocard.com) to miss the previous round at Misano, but his comeback started perfectly as he posted the fastest day one time in qualifying. Second was Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) while Fujiwara's team-mate Joan Lascorz was third fastest. The top four was completed by Hannspree Ten Kate Honda man Michele Pirro. A good day for Kawasaki riders put Fabien Foret (Lorenzini by Leoni Kawasaki) fifth, while the top Triumph rider was David Salom (ParkinGO BE1 Triumph) one place back. Championship contender Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) was only seventh. Read article
Biaggi heads to favourite circuit with points lead
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Wednesday, 7th July 2010, 14:06 GMTThe HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship enters its ninth round this coming weekend, at another firm favourite for riders and fans alike, Brno, in the Czech Republic. A modern era circuit with its roots very firmly in the heritage of the old road courses that have hosted races in this area since the early decades of the previous century, Brno is a classic of its type, with wide chicanes that are still attacked with pace, plus uphill and downhill sections that are a real test of engine power and front end set-up. After winning another two races at the previous round, the experienced Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) now has eight race victories in 2010, and a 37-point championship lead over Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare). Haslam enters the Brno round determined to peg back Biaggi, but the fact that Brno is Biaggi's favourite circuit of all, where he won a race on his Aprilia RSV4 last year, may hamper Haslam's ambitions. But Haslam has been a revelation this year too, which leaves a fascinating battle of nerves all ready to be played out for the benefit of the fans this coming weekend. Like many of their peers, both official Aprilia and Suzuki teams left the previous round of Misano and went directly to Imola for a two-day test. Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) will be ready to go for more wins and podiums on his well-supported 1098 machine, while his team-mate Shane Byrne will be out to overcome the effects of a nasty left hand laceration suffered at the Imola tests. Checa still leads the factory Ducati Xerox duo of Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio, but for Michel in particular, Brno is his ideal venue, one he has enjoyed success at both as a privateer and a factory rider. He scored his first ever podiums in WSBK at Brno, and has scored at least one top three finish there every year since 2006. Curiously, he has never quite taken a win at Brno, however. Brno should be a new track for some riders, but for others it is a well-known venue. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) has been a rider on the rise this year, and at Brno he has also a strong record, with three of his previous 33 race wins coming in the Czech Republic. His team-mate Ruben Xaus is out to eradicate bad memories of a femur fracture he suffered in 2009 at the base of the uphill section. For local fans the sight of Jakub Smrz racing gladdens the heart at any time and for the Pata B&G team rider a last minute swap to Aprilia RSV4 machinery may well bring him back into the upper echelons of the results sheets. In the official Aprilia team Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) will be out, with the second works Suzuki coming from Sylvain Guintoli (Alstare Suzuki).With seven manufacturers on the grid in 2010, the talent pool is deep and wide, and in the Honda camp Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) is still the man most likely to post the strongest results, despite his team-mate Max Neukirchner and privateer Broc Parkes (ECHO CRS Honda) finding improvements to their respective set-ups during the Imola tests. Yamaha Sterilgarda duo James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow are looking for a step-up in pace to allow them to compete for wins in 2010, a season in which everything has moved forward several steps compared to even 2009. Each is capable and if they qualify well, can be in with a chance on raceday. One squad particularly pleased to have tested at Imola last week is the official Kawasaki Racing Team, and at the Italian venue Tom Sykes and Chris Vermeulen each found a way forward with machine set-up, leaving them more confident of better finishes as the season wears on. The impressive Luca Scassa (Supersonic) and experienced Lorenzo Lanzi (DFX Ducati) will be two more privateers competing at Brno and the pairing of Roger Lee Hayden and Matteo Baiocco will be looking for their best performances of the year on their Pedercini Kawasakis. SUPERSPORT: The championship lead changed hands at Misano as Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) won and Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) scored third, but there are only three points in it. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) is only 13 points off a share of the lead with five rounds remaining, including Brno. All of the top three have won races so far, Laverty five, Sofuoglu two and Lascorz a single. ParkinGO Triumph BE-1 rider Chaz Davies sits fourth, 33 points up and away from his team-mate David Salom. Davies is 36 away from both Robbin Harms (Harms Benjan Honda) and Michele Pirro, Sofuoglu's team-mate. This will be a home race for the Intermoto Czech Honda team that fields Gino Rea and Massimo Roccoli, and they will also have one of a total of eight one event riders swelling the ranks of this division this weekend, Czech rider Tomas Holubec. SUPERSTOCK 1000: Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) has claimed the 2010 version of the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup as something of his own private realm this year, winning five from five, with another five races still to run. He will have a strong selection of chasers to deal with as usual, Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Racing Junior Honda), Michele Magnoni (Honda), Davide Giugliano (Team06 Suzuki) and Sylvain Barrier (Garnier Junior Racing BMW) just a few of them. There is a Czech wildcard in the shape of Michal Sambra (Automotoklub Masarykuv Okruh BMW), plus two other one-event riders in this popular class. SUPERSTOCK 600: Five rounds gone and five to go in the 600 Superstock class and French youngster Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Racing Yamaha) heads up Florian Marino (Ten Kate Junior Racing Honda) by 25 points, with Federico D'Annunzio (Martini Corse Yamaha) third. The top two are the only race winners so far. THE CIRCUIT: Brno in its most modern guise is a 5.403km track that weaves its way through the forests and the hills above the Czech Republic's second city, Brno. It is the asphalt and gravel embodiment of the idea that a modern, safe circuit does not have to be tight and cramped, and the real proof that Brno worked right first time is that it has hardly been changed at all since it was first built in 1987, despite huge advances in engine outputs and corner speeds in that time. The power sapping last hill takes the riders up a gradient of over 7%, making this a place where the true worth of any engine is proved in the toughest test of all, real racing. Read article
Eugene the master of Misano
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Sunday, 27th June 2010, 12:51 GMTEugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) got the better of his peers at Misano and in taking another win he went back to the lead in the championship. Pole man Michele Pirro (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) crashed out of contention early on, leaving Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) to finish second. Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) could have taken that runner-up position but ran off line or off track on several occasions, and finished third. In the championship Laverty now has 161 points, Sofuoglu has 158, and Lascorz 148. Read article
WSS Misano: Pirro takes pole in his home round
Source: bikeracenews.com - Saturday, 26th June 2010, 18:45 GMTMichele Pirro will start tomorrow’s eighth round World Supersport championship race at Misano in Italy from pole position after setting a new best lap in this afternoon’s second qualifying practice It’s the second World Supersport pole position for 23-year-old Pirro, from San Giovanni Rotondo 400km to the south of the Misano circuit; the was first achieved [...] Read article
