Noriyuki Haga
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
Cross-channel run for Ducati Xerox
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Tuesday, 27th July 2010, 13:04 GMTThe Ducati Xerox Team heads to the UK or, more specifically, to Silverstone, the only "new" track to feature on this year's World Superbike calendar, after a two year absence. The upcoming tenth round is also the last event before the championship's traditional month-long summer break. The historic Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire, UK, has undergone some major restructuring during recent months and the track layout is now very different to that on which the Superbikes last raced in 2007. The last time Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio visited the English circuit, they experienced some particularly bad weather that resulted in the cancellation of Race 2. Race 1 went ahead as planned but heavy rain conditioned the outcome and while Noriyuki finished on the podium behind Troy Bayliss (race winner on the Ducati), Michel unfortunately crashed out. Haga has raced at Silverstone on five previous occasions, and has achieved seven podium finishes over nine races, an impressive record. Michel is yet to celebrate a podium finish at this particular circuit but he, Noriyuki and the entire Ducati Xerox Team are looking forward to the challenge that the new look track will present. Noriyuki Haga has scored some impressive results at the British track in the past. "We haven't been to Silverstone for a few years but we've heard that they've made some great track modifications and I'm looking forward to going back there. I've had some good results there in the past, quite a few podiums from what I remember and it was always a track that seemed to suit my riding style. We'll have to wait and see just how much it's changed but I'm looking forward to the event and hope we can do well." While Michel is also looking forward to riding the new-look track. "I've raced at Silverstone before of course but my results were nothing to write home about. With the changes to the track layout it will be interesting to see how everyone goes, I guess we'll all be starting on a level playing field, and so I am confident that we can put together two great races. I hoped to do better at the recent Brno round and so will try my best to take as many points as possible this weekend to improve my position in the overall standings." Read article
Rea and Biaggi soar at Brno
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Sunday, 11th July 2010, 17:44 GMTJonathan Rea and Max Biaggi shared the top step of the podium at Brno this afternoon, each proving dominant in the World Superbike Championship. As race one got underway, a fast starting Biaggi made full use of his quick Aprilia Alitalia machine to automatically steal the lead for pole sitter Cal Crutchlow. Rea also enjoyed a quick getaway, joining Biaggi up at the front as his 2010 championship campaign resumed with a bang. As the field weaved around the first corner chaos struck as Max Neukirchner, Chris Vermeulen and Jakub Smrz were caught up in a crash. All three riders were immediately out of the race, however seemingly uninjured. Further along the opening lap Rea made a bid for the lead, when he swept around the outside of Biaggi. Luckily for him the brave move came off and he was soon in control of the race. Whilst Biaggi chased down his rival at the front, Noriyuki Haga had worked his way up to sixth, where he was right in the thick of the action. After a slow start, Crutchlow had soon fought his way back through the field, and it wasn’t long before he wrestled second place away from Biaggi. From here Biaggi was the target, as Ruben Xaus then tried to follow Crutchlow through. Despite running side by side with Biaggi for the better part of a lap, it was the Italian who kept his foot in to stake his claim to the third place. With sixteen laps to go the drama came once more, as Luca Scassa was the next crash victim, followed by a retirement from Leon Camier. Some way down the line, Michel Fabrizio was the next retirement, as he rode into the pits and straight into his garage. As the closing stages approached, the final three laps saw the battle for second really hot up. After losing ground earlier on Biaggi was right on the tail of Crutchlow, determined to regain his second spot, however the Yamaha rider wasn’t keen on handing over the position. After swapping places for a short while, it was Biaggi who held the position, leaving Crutchlow to follow him home. All of the action behind allowed Rea to extend his lead, when he swept passed the chequered flag a few seconds ahead. Biaggi followed, with Crutchlow completing the podium in third. Sylvain Guintoli was next in fourth, just ahead of Xaus, Haga and James Toseland. The remainder of the top ten saw Leon Haslam, Carlos Checa and Lorenzo Lanzi all make an appearance. Race two got underway with a Biaggi resurgence, as he tried for the second time today to take the top step of the podium. Holding the advantage at the front saw Biaggi come under pressure from Rea, as the roles were reversed. Not too far adrift Fabrizio and Xaus were engaged in a fierce battle for third and fourth, with the latter finally getting the better of the Italian at the half way stage. Despite being so close to securing a podium finish, Xaus crashed with six laps to go, ending his Brno dream. After struggling with the rear tyre during the weekend, Crutchlow was forced to pit during this second race, seemingly to retire. Whilst examining the rear tyre it was thought the tyre pressures might be low, and so after some minor work from his Yamaha Sterilgarda team, he rejoined the race to get a few sample laps in. The final incident of the race came with three laps to go, when Smrz crashed out for the second time today. Regardless of the many incidents through the weekend, Biaggi managed to come away unscaithed, riding to his tenth victory at his favourite circuit. This time it was Rea who played second fiddle, while Fabrizio finished third. James Toseland quietly fought his way through the pack, picking off riders one by one to finish a stunning fourth place by the chequered flag. Haga followed just behind in fifth, with Checa sixth and Guintoli seventh. Camier fought back from a race one defeat to take the flag in eighth, ahead of Shane Byrne and Leon Haslam in ninth and tenth, respectively. Biaggi told the WSB website: “Knowing the track quite well here and the passion of the fans in the Czech Republic, we tried something really special and made some changes on the bike, weight distribution and gearbox and the result was very good so I’m happy. For me it’s the tenth victory here, and this is my second home country. I love this place!” Biaggi still holds his advantage at the top of the championship table. The next round at the newly refurbished Silverstone circuit takes place on 30th July-1st August, where Biaggi will be hoping to expand upon his sixty-eight point lead. Read article
WSBK Brno: Frustrating Superpole for the Ducati Xerox team
Source: bikeracenews.com - Sunday, 11th July 2010, 15:03 GMTThe Ducati Xerox team and riders Michel Fabrizio and Noriyuki Haga were disappointed with today’s Superpole results, having performed much better in previous sessions on the Brno track. Michel, having comfortably reached the final Superpole phase, was unable to make the most of the tyres and closed in seventh, while Noriyuki, victim of two crashes in [...] Read article
Crutchlow on Brno pole
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash » Bike News - Saturday, 10th July 2010, 21:39 GMTBriton Cal Crutchlow soared to the top of the times at Brno this afternoon, stealing his fourth Superpole win of the season. Crutchlow will head up a mixed front row, with four different bikes making their way to the top. Alongside the Yamaha Sterilgarda rider is current championship leader Max Biaggi, who, at his favourite circuit, will be aiming to hold onto or possibly extend his advantage. After a few difficult rounds under his belt, Jonathan Rea powered his Hannspree Ten Kate Honda to a third place start, in a bid to restart his 2010 campaign. Completing the front row is the BMW Motorrad Motorsport of Ruben Xaus, enjoying another strong showing for BMW. The second row of the grid sees Sylvain Guintoli start from fifth, just ahead of Luca Scassa, Michel Fabrizio and Carlos Checa. Meanwhile, Lorenzo Lanzi and Brit James Toseland completed the top ten in ninthe and tenth, respectively. Toseland’s fellow Brits, Tom Sykes, Leon Camier and Leon Haslam will start from twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth. Noriyuki Haga will split the Brits in fifteenth, with Shane Byrne just behind ready for a sixteenth place start. Commenting on his fourth pole of the season, Crutchlow told the WSB website: “I definitely hoped to be here and I’d rather give away a pole for a race win, but you’ve got to take them when you can. I enjoyed that, it was a good session for us. Most of the sessions have been strong and my Yamaha is working well. Max is hard to beat in the championship and especially round here. I can see a big battle tomorrow, maybe ten guys at least at the start. I thought I could have got into the 57s because I was riding very deep into the corners, and I actually had another qualifier left but I’m happy with that.” WSB, Qualifying Positions, Brno: Pos Rider Nat Team Time 1 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1′58.018 2 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1′58.743 3 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1′59.094 4 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1′59.135 5 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1′59.179 6 Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1′59.393 7 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1′59.451 8 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1′59.571 9 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1′59.699 10 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1′59.699 11 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1′59.829 12 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1′59.830 13 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1′59.841 14 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1′59.995 15 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 2′00.258 16 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 2′00.564 17 Smrz J. (CZE) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2′00.341 18 Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 2′01.167 19 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 2′01.523 20 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 2′00.508 21 Parkes B. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 2′01.463 22 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 2′01.826 Read article
Crutchlow takes fourth career pole
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Saturday, 10th July 2010, 17:19 GMTCal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda) saved his best for last to take a new track best and head up Superpole qualifying, his fourth pre-race 'win' of the 2010 season. Crutchlow was over 0.7 seconds faster than the next best rider, and in nine Superpoles this year, he has the best individual record. Behind him, Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) was second at his favourite circuit on the calendar, as he prepares to go out tomorrow and defend a 37-point championship lead. A resurgent Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) was a positive third, as he rebuilds from some less than satisfying recent results. Ruben Xaus (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) finished an impressive fourth, earning himself a front row start. He had crashed heavily here last year but today's result wiped out many memories of his 2009 misfortune. Xaus's BMW being fourth means that there are four different machines on the front row, and with Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare) and Luca Scassa (Supersonic Ducati) fifth and sixth restively, there are six different bikes in the top six grid slots. Scassa, a privateer, was top Ducati rider of any kind, with Ducati Xerox factory pilot Michel Fabrizio one place behind. Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) will start from row two, taking eighth place as the last rider home in the final Superpole session. Lorenzo Lanzi (DFX Corse Ducati) just missed the final eight places of Superpole three, with James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda) tenth. Max Neukirchner went 11th for Hannspree Ten Kate Honda and Tom Sykes ended a fruitful day 12th and on the third row for the Kawasaki Racing Team. Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) crashed in two Superpole sessions, and now starts from the fourth row; championship contender Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) is only one place ahead of him. Cal Crutchlow: "I definitely hoped to be here and I'd rather give away a pole for a race win, but you've got to take them when you can. I enjoyed that, it was a good session for us. Most of the sessions have been strong and my Yamaha is working well. Max is hard to beat in the championship and especially round here. I can see a big battle tomorrow, maybe ten guys at least at the start. I thought I could have got into the 57s because I was riding very deep into the corners, and I actually had another qualifier left but I'm happy with that." Max Biaggi: "A first row result is good for me, but compared to last year's race we've got a lot more work to do this weekend. Something we changed on the bike makes it a bit different so it's not the same feeling. It's better in other tracks but here we've got some difficulties. It's getting a little bit better, the bike is not where I want, but I'm happy with my pace. We'll see tomorrow." Jonathan Rea: "It is hot out there, but there's a lot of breeze so it's not too bad. I actually didn't really know where to go after Superpole because I haven't been in the top 3 for some time. I'd just like to thank all of my team, our package isn't perfect but what we do have in the Ten Kate garage is a really hard work ethic and we're trying. Hopefully we can get away good tomorrow and try and stay with these two guys as long as we can. I've got nothing to lose!" Ruben Xaus: "First of all I'd like to give my best to Troy and hope he recovers as soon as possible because when two riders are on the team on fire, they go ahead. We did a good job today, the bike is now working well, we made a big step in Imola and physically I'm not feeling perfect but I was able to ride fast." Read article
WSB Brno: Fabrizio from Biaggi in second qualifying
Source: | Motorcycle Sport | World Superbikes - Saturday, 10th July 2010, 14:30 GMTThe two Italian rivals Michel Fabrizio and Max Biaggi headed the second qualifying session in Brno this morning with the two men setting impressive 1m58s laps. Noriyuki Haga backed up his pace setting time in first qualifying to secure third... Read article
WSB Brno: Fabrizio from Biaggi in second qualifying
Source: | Motorcycle Sport | World Superbikes - Saturday, 10th July 2010, 14:30 GMTThe two Italian rivals Michel Fabrizio and Max Biaggi headed the second qualifying session in Brno this morning with the two men setting impressive 1m58s laps. Noriyuki Haga backed up his pace setting time in first qualifying to secure third... Read article
Cal crushes the stopwatch again
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Saturday, 10th July 2010, 14:12 GMTCal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda) saved his best for last to take a new track best and win Superpole, his fourth pre-race 'win' of the 2010 season. Behind him, Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) was second and a resurgent Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) third. Ruben Xaus (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) finished an impressive fourth, earning himself a front row start. It also means that there are four different machines on the front row, and with Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare) and Luca Scassa (Supersonic Ducati) fifth and sixth, there are six different bikes in the top six grid slots. Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) crashed in two Superpole sessions, and now starts from the fourth row, while championship contender Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) is only one place ahead of him. Read article
Michel the qualifying pace man
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Saturday, 10th July 2010, 9:42 GMTMichel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) headed the combined qualifying sessions with a 1'58.695 time set this morning, edging out the charging Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia). Thanks to his Friday best time Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) is third fastest overall, but privateer rider Luca Scassa (Supersonic Ducati) once more took the biggest plaudits for improvement, going fourth in the pre-Superpole qualifying. Another privateer was setting a hot pace in fifth place, Lorenzo Lanzi (DFX Corse Ducati), with the Yamaha of Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda) sixth. Read article
