Portugal
BMW Update
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Thursday, 11th March 2010, 13:42 GMTThe official BMW Motorrad Motorsport team had some up and down experiences during the opening round of the season, but the team is now working on getting both riders and their machines ready for the first European-based round of the season, at Portimao. Davide Tardozzi, team manager for the German-based squad, is currently in Spain with the test team, at Valencia, and met with factory rider Ruben Xaus recently. Ruben was ruled out of the Australian races after the effects of four practice crashes on his mind and body, but Tardozzi confirmed that he is on course for a return at Portimao. "The main issue at this moment is to have Ruben on form in Portimao," confirmed Tardozzi, who has been Xaus's team manager in the past, as well as in the BMW set-up in 2010. "We are working on that, it is my priority so far. Ruben is not so bad so far. I am in Spain now and I spoke to him here. I think Ruben still thinks he can be fast and do well, and I have seen he is very well in these two days, so I think he will be ready for Portimao." The BMW S1000RR will have more technical updates in Portugal but for Tardozzi improvements must still come gradually, to ensure a more consistent degree of competitiveness. "On the technical side we will have another step on the bike," said Tardozzi. "We are making progress step by step, not looking for a huge step. You can't pass from seventh to first immediately; you first have to be consistently close to the top guys. Houses are built stone-by-stone." Read article
Camier rues mistakes but writes his name large
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Friday, 5th March 2010, 16:11 GMTAfter racing as a WSBK wildcard three times in 2009, Leon Camier was not a rookie when he lined up for the first round of the championship in 2010. This is, however, his first full-time season in the Superbike Word Championship, after dominating the British Superbike series in 2009. At Phillip Island he showed that he would be a real asset to WSBK and despite qualifying only 16th in Superpole, he was right in the leading group for much of the two 22-lap races. But it's safe to say he will be in no hurry to get back to the first hairpin at Phillip Island next year, as this section track was twice to be his undoing. Said Leon - at 188cm tall the physical opposite of his diminutive team-mate Max Biaggi - "I'm very sorry about all of the mistakes I made. In race one I tried to pass the other riders at the first hairpin, but I overshot a bit while braking and in order to avoid hitting Max, I went off track. Then I really pushed to recover as many positions as possible." He continued, "During the second race, I started off quite well and I was with the lead group, right behind Checa, who immediately passed Toseland. When I attempted to pass, we ended up a bit wide. Then I shifted into the wrong gear and overshot at the same corner as in race one." Camier's ability to lap as quickly as the best on many occasions was a positive he can take away with him, but he feels there could have been much more. "I'm disappointed because I put in very good lap times and seeing how the race ended, I could have had an excellent result." In finishing the PI races 11th each time, he is already inside the top ten of the championship, ninth. Leon will get his next points scoring chances at Portimao, Portugal, on 28 March. Read article
Victoria de Carlos Checa (Ducati)
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Sunday, 28th February 2010, 8:45 GMTMuy buen comienzo para Checa en este mundial pues en su primera prueba con la Ducati de Team Althea consiguió adjudicarse la segunda carrera, delante de más 50.000 espectadores. La primera la ganó Haslam (Suzuki) que es el líder del campeonato y Checa (Ducati) es tercero. Xaus (BMW) no decidió no tomar la salida tras sufrir en el warm up la cuarta caída del fin de semana. La próxima cita del campeonato será en Portimao (Portugal), los próximos 27 y 28 de marzo. 1ª carrera: Haslam Leon Haslam (Suzuki) y las Ducati de Haga y Fabrizio se escaparon tras la salida y siempre estuvieron en cabeza de carrera distanciándose de un grupo formado por Rea (Honda), Checa (Ducati), Biaggi (Aprilia), Toseland (Yamaha), Crutchlow (Yamaha), Vermeulen (Kawasaki) y Camier (Aprilia) Rodando a un ritmo endiablado los tres primeros demostraron estar por encima del resto: Toseland (Yamaha,) luego Vermeulen (Kawasaki) en cuarta vuelta y más tarde Crutchlow (Yamaha) se fueron al suelo. Mientras que Haslam (Suzuki), Fabrizio (Ducati) y Haga (Ducati) cogieron una distancia que a media carrera era de siete segundos, el siguiente grupo se fue compactando y además de Rea (Honda), Biaggi (Aprilia) y Checa (Honda), se unieron Guintoli (Suzuki), Smrz (Ducati), Camier (Aprilia) antes de hacerse un recto y Corser (BMW). Haslam (Suzuki) no parecía ponerse nervioso ante el acoso de Fabrizio (Ducati) con Haga (Ducati) siempre a la expectativa y en la últimas vueltas Fabrizio (Ducati) debería de intentar jugar sus cartas. Y lo hizo en el último giro al tratar de superar a Haslam (Suzuki) en la línea de meta y de hecho lo consiguió justo al cruzarla, pero la victoria se la llevo Haslam (Suzuki) con sólo cuatro milésimas de ventaja con respecto al piloto romano. Es decir la diferencia más pequeña en la historia del campeonato. Rea (Honda) acabó cuarto por delante de Biaggi (Aprilia), Guintoli (Suzuki) en su debut en el mundial de superbikes y las Ducati privadas de Checa y Smrz que entraron por delante de Corser (BMW). CLASIFICACIÓN 1ª CARRERA 1) L. Haslam (Suzuki) 2) M. Fabrizio (Ducati) 3) N. Haga (Ducati) 4) J. Rea (Honda) 5) M. Biaggi (Aprilia) 6) S. Guintoli (Suzuki) 7) C. Checa (Ducati) 8) J. Smrz (Ducati) 9) T. Corser (BMW) 10) L. Lanzi (Ducati) 11) L. Camier (Aprilia) 12) M. Neukirchner (Honda) 13) T. Sykes (Kawasaki) 14) S. Byrne (Ducati). Segunda carrera: Checa logra su tercera victoria Carlos Checa (Ducati) logró su tercera victoria en la categoría de superbikes donde en el 2008 ganó dos carreras con la Honda del Team Ten Kate. Haslam (Suzuki), Fabrizio (Ducati), Guintoli (Suzuki), Haga (Ducati) y Vermeulen (Kawasaki) pasaron por este orden antes de que Guintoli (Suzuki) marcara dos vueltas rápidas y se pusiese líder. El grupo de los cinco primeros se pelearon entre ellos y detrás se formó un segundo grupo con Toseland (Yamaha), Camier (Aprilia), Checa (Honda) y Vermeulen (Kawasaki), hasta que el piloto australiano se fuera otra vez por los suelos. Los pilotos de Suzuki se intercambiaron las posiciones y a media carrera Checa (Ducati) se unió al grupo. Pasó a Haga (Ducati) en una frenada y se puso cuarto, para tras un exhaustivo estudio de la situación, superó a Fabrizio (Ducati) a falta de tres, colocándose tercero tras las Suzuki de Haslam y Guintoli. A falta de dos para el final superó al piloto francés y en la última vuelta y con una tranquilidad pasmosa, hizo lo propio con Haslam (Suzuki), en una frenada en la lenta de derechas que precede a la larga curva de izquierdas que da acceso a la línea de meta. "Ha sido increíble, declaró el piloto español de 37 años, mi idea era hacer una buena salida, pero ha sucedido justo lo contrario. Me he limitado a pasar gente, ha sido una carrera de libro y estoy muy contento de poder devolver con una victoria la confianza que en mi ha depositado el equipo". Fabrizio (Ducati) superó en última instancia a Guintoli (Suzuki), Haga (Ducati) acabó quinto y Rea (Honda) que estaba a ocho segundos del líder y fue el primero de un grupo en el que estaban Corser (BMW), Biaggi (Aprilia), Crutchlow (Yamaha) y Toseland (Yamaha). CLASIFICACIÓN 2ª CARRERA 1) C. Checa (Ducati) 2) L. Haslam (Suzuki) 3) M. Fabrizio (Ducati) 4) S. Guintoli (Suzuki) 5) N. Haga (Ducati) 6) J. Rea (Honda) 7) T. Corser (BMW) 8) M. Biaggi (Aprilia) 9) C. Crutchlow (Yamaha) 10) J. Toseland (Yamaha) 11) L. Camier (Aprilia) 12) S. Byrne (Ducati) 13) L. Lanzi (Ducati) 14) J. Brookes (Honda) 15) A. Pitt (BMW) Supersport Con Laverty (Honda) en cabeza seguido de Lascorz (Kawasaki) la carrera de Supersport fue muy accidentada y en la tercera vuelta se tuvo que interrumpir al verterse aceite en la pista al romperse un motor y caerse Pirro. Poco después Roccoli (Honda) abandonó su moto en llamas junto a las protecciones. Tras una nueva salida Laverty (Honda) no dio opción. Lascorz (Kawasaki) no tuvo el mismo ritmo que en los entrenamientos y no pudo con el piloto irlandés. Si pudo defenderse de los ataques de Pirro (Honda), Sofuoglu y un inspirado Fujiwara (Kawasaki) que se cayó cuando iba segundo. Muy buen debut para David Salom (Triumph) que acabó cuarto siendo la mejor moto de su las cuatro que están en el equipo ParquingGO. RESULTADOS 1) E. Laverty (Honda9 2) J. Lascorz (Kawasaki) 3) K. Sofuoglu (Honda) 4) D. Salom (Triumph) 5) F. Foret (Kawasaki) 6) M. Roccoli (Honda) 8) R. Harms (Honda) 8) J. DiSalvo (Triumph) 9) M. Praia (Honda) 10) G. Rea (Honda) 11) K. Fujiwara (Kawasaki) 12) C. Davies (Triumph) 13) S. Charpentier (Triumph) 14) Cazzola (Honda) 15) Dell Olmo (Honda) Read article
Léon Haslam s’impose en Australie
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Sunday, 28th February 2010, 8:29 GMTAprès avoir signé la première superpole de sa carrière, Leon Haslam (Team Suzuki Alstare) a brillé ce dimanche à Phillip Island en remportant la première victoire de sa carrière en championnat du monde Superbike. Avec 5 millièmes d'avance sur Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox Team) lors de la première course, soit le plus petit écart entre deux pilotes à l'arrivée depuis la création du championnat du monde, le pilote officiel Suzuki confirme qu'il sera bien l'un des acteurs principaux de cette saison 2010 particulièrement ouverte. Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox Team) complète le premier podium de l'année à la troisième place. Alors que Sylvain Guintoli (Team Suzuki Alstare) a loupé son départ en première course et a dû cravacher pendant 22 tours pour terminer à une très méritante sixième place derrière Jonathan Rea (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) quatrième, et Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing) cinquième, le Français a totalement inversé la tendance en seconde course. Il va même rapidement se porter en tête devant son coéquipier Haslam pour créer la sensation tricolore du week-end. On se prend même à rêver à une Marseillaise qui n'a pas retenti en Superbike depuis 2005. Malheureusement, la fin de course va lui être moins favorable. Après une lutte sans concession, c'est finalement Carlos Checa (Althea Racing), déjà très rapide durant les essais, qui va s'imposer. L'Espagnol signe ainsi sa troisième victoire en championnat du monde Superbike devant Haslam et Fabrizio. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Suzuki Alstare), récompensé pour avoir signé le meilleur tour en course, termine à une frustrante quatrième place. «Je suis très content de mon week-end déclare le Français à l'arrivée. Je voulais me rattraper de mon départ moyen en première course. J'ai immédiatement attaqué en début de seconde course et j'ai pris un plaisir monstrueux à rouler devant. Cela faisait longtemps que je n'avais pas pris la tête d'un championnat du monde. J'ai prouvé que j'avais le rythme en course malgré des essais hivernaux où je ne me suis pas montré parmi les plus rapides. J'ai commis quelques petites erreurs en fin de course qui me coûtent le podium, mais ce premier week-end est très encourageant pour le championnat.» Avec une deuxième place sur le podium, Leon Haslam (Team Suzuki Alstare) prend immédiatement les commandes du championnat et devance Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox Team) troisième en seconde course, de neuf points. Haslam et Fabrizio s'affichent d'entrée de jeu comme les deux hommes forts en ouverture du championnat. Haga qui termine la seconde course à la cinquième place derrière Guintoli, reste au contact. En revanche, le bilan parmi les autres teams officiels du championnat est plus mitigé. Jonathan Rea (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) termine au pied du podium en première course mais commet une erreur en début de seconde course qui va l'obliger à effectuer une folle remontée. Le jeune Anglais termine en sixième position. «Il ne faut pas attendre de miracle de ce week-end» avait déclaré samedi soir Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing). Le Romain a limité les dégâts avec une cinquième et une huitième place au guidon d'une RSV4 en prise à des soucis de vibration. Chez BMW, on avait le sourire à l'arrivée de la seconde course avec la septième place de Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport). Alors que Ruben Xaus (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) n'a pas pris le départ suite à sa chute au warm-up du matin, son coéquipier australien sauve les meubles de l'usine de Munich, sans pour autant enregistrer le meilleur résultat de la S 1000 RR, cinquième en course l'an passé. Yamaha n'avait pas le sourire au terme de la première course, après la double chute de ses pilotes Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team) et James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team). Ils terminent dans cet ordre la seconde course aux neuvième et dixième rangs. Un résultat très modeste pour le team champion du monde qui connaît un début de saison difficile. Difficile aussi pour Kawasaki en course. Son pilote leader Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki Racing Team) inscrit un double zéro à domicile. Un résultat d'autant plus frustrant que l'Australien a pris un départ canon en début de seconde course et s'est vite retrouvé à lutter avec les hommes de têtes en quatrième position. Quelques tours plus tard, Chris chutait violemment et allait percuter les pneus. Heureusement, le pilote s'est relevé indemne. Prochain rendez-vous du championnat du monde Superbike, le dimanche 28 mars sur le circuit de Portimao au Portugal. Championnat du monde Supersport C'est à un départ enflammé que nous avons assisté en championnat du monde Supersport en Australie. Après seulement trois tours, il ne restait plus que douze pilotes en piste et une large trace d'huile à obliger la direction de course à sortir le drapeau rouge. Nouveau départ, nouvelle course, Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) s'est rapidement porté en tête pour se lancer dans un cavalier seul irrésistible. Derrière, alors que la nouvelle recrue Michel Pirro (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) partait à la faute, on assistait à un combat d'homme entre Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) et Kenan Sofuoglu (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda). Les deux rivaux étaient bientôt rejoins par Katsuaki Fujiwara (Kawasaki Motocard.com). Malheureusement, le pilote Japonais va partir à la faute et terminera la course à la onzième place. Laverty, Lascorz et Sofuoglu termine dans cet ordre sur le podium, devant un excellent David Salom (ParkinGO BE1 Triumph), premier pilote de l'escadrille Triumph. Fabien Foret (Team Lorenzini by Leoni), premier Français termine à la cinquième place, frustré par un mauvais choix de pneu. Grosse désillusion en revanche pour Sébastien Charpentier (ParkinGO Triumph BE1) qui termine très loin des leaders à la 13e place. Read article
Seventh heaven for WSBK as new season dawns
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Thursday, 25th February 2010, 7:12 GMTThe latest World Superbike Championship season kicks off at the magnificent 4.445km long Phillip Island circuit in Australia this weekend with an entry list split between seven competing manufacturers. There are challengers for race wins in almost every single team and the list of riders who could feasibly win the series outright is as great as it has ever been in over 20 years of WSBK racing. In short, this season looks like a solid gold classic even before the first points have been fought over. Starting proceedings at a real rider's circuit like Phillip Island will go a long way to indicating who the most serious contenders are, but with 26 individual points scoring races scheduled in the season, across four continents, opportunities about in this most competitive of race classes. NUMBERS GAME - Machinery from Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha will power a Phillip Island WSBK grid of 24 riders this weekend, with seven official squads being backed up by privateer teams of great strength-in-depth. In the final pre-season tests at Phillip Island on 21 and 22 February, private riders filled a few of the the top places in the lap time rankings, with Ducati riders in particular enjoying the dry track time. Last year at PI there were wins for Ducati (Noriyuki Haga) and Yamaha (Ben Spies) but in real race conditions few other machines can be ruled out of contention for the podium places. EUROPEAN TALENT CONTEST - There are over ten previous race winners in the current SBK field, with nine of the top ten riders from the 2009 championship back for more. Last year's Ducati Xerox duo Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio were second and third respectively, making each a potential winner come Sunday's races. Aprilia Alitalia Racing team rider Max Biaggi is teamed with new full-time entrant Leon Camier, one of seven British riders in WSB this year. BMW Motorrad Motorsport once more field Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus, but BMW S1000RR machines will also be ridden by private riders Andrew Pitt and Roland Resch (Reitwagen BMW). A fierce Ducati privateer line-up includes Carlos Checa and Shane Byrne (Ducati Althea Racing) plus Pata B&G Racing loner, Jakub Smrz. MULTIPLE CHANCES FOR JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS - Leading the Honda effort will be the pairing of Jonathan Rea and Max Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) both proven race winners in Superbike and both keen to make the step up to be genuine championship contenders. Local rider Josh Brookes will replace the injured Broc Parkes in the ECHO CRS Honda team for this round. Kawasaki, with a rejuvenated backroom staff and riding line up, field Chris Vermeulen and Tom Sykes in the official Kawasaki Racing Team, while Pedercini Kawasaki duo Matteo Baiocco and Roger Lee Hayden add new flavour to the category in 2010. Perennial competitors Suzuki have the talents of Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli in the Suzuki Alstare squad, while 2009 champions Yamaha bring former double champion James Toseland and reigning Supersport World Champion Cal Crutchlow into the mix. The second round of the championship takes place at Portimao, Portugal, 26-28 March. SUPERSPORT - A transitional year for the World Supersport Championship sees potential race winners come in two groups - the slightly less experienced and riders with either Championship titles or multiple wins in this category. Honda features the leading talents of 2007 champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) plus the bulk of the field. Kawasaki has proven winners Joan Lascorz and Katsuaki Fujiwara (Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com) and 2002 champion Fabien Foret (Lorenzini by Leoni). Double champion Sebastien Charpentier (ParkinGO Triumph BE-1) returns to the class this year, leading a total of four riders in Triumph colours. There will be two official qualifying sessions for the Supersport riders in 2010, one on Friday and one on Saturday. Read article
Stoner out of action for three races, Kallio as replacement
Source: HighRevs.net - MotoGP news - Tuesday, 23rd February 2010, 23:51 GMTCasey Stoner will not take part in the next three Grands Prix, and will next return to action at the beginning of October for the Grand Prix of Portugal. Stoner took this difficult decision after having consulted with sports doctors who have looked after him for many years back home in Australia. Mika Kallio will join Nicky Hayden in the Ducati Marlboro Team for the next three races. Read article
Pro Ride’s WSBK season to begin at Portimao
Source: WorldSBK.com - Thursday, 18th February 2010, 12:43 GMTPro Ride World Superbike has announced that it will start the 2010 Superbike World Championship from the second round at Portimão, Portugal. The decision was taken due to some logistics problems that the Italian team is facing after defining its participation in a moment which normally a structure is ready to be on the road. Team manager Marco Nicotari said: "Once again I had to take the decision that we shall miss the Phillip Island round. Personally for me it's a shame, because it's a track that I love, but as the responsible for this Team and the project, I have to think professionally, so as we are not ready at 100%, due to the late agreements, it is better to stay home one more month and prepare everything properly. We hope to be at Portimão at full gas. Rider Makoto Tamada added: "I have to be honest and say that I am disappointed that I cannot make the season opener in Phillip Island. I always enjoyed going to Australia and the people there have always been so supportive to me. However, I believe that Marco's decision is right. We are a new team, and we didn't have enough time. It is a tough decision, but this decision should turn out for the best in the long run." Read article
Vermeulen faces tough task for Kawasaki
Source: WorldSBK.com - Thursday, 18th February 2010, 11:30 GMTThis year Australian Chris Vermeulen has taken on the massive challenge of turning Kawasaki's fortunes around in World Superbikes, but it's a role he has embraced, and he expectantly counts himself in the list of riders capable of winning races in 2010. "I can do it! I've won 10 WSBK races before, been runner-up in the championship, and beaten most of those guys at one stage or another," said Vermeulen. "We've got a new team that's got to gel together and we've got a motorcycle we're trying to develop, so it's about putting every piece of the puzzle together to get up the front. Realistically there are 15 or 16 riders who could win a WSBK race this year - honestly. It's not going to be easy at all, and the depth is the strongest I've seen in a long time." Vermeulen's first serious run on the Kawasaki ZX-10R was in Portugal last month, which gave him a chance to prioritize what major set-up issues had to be addressed before the start of the championship. "Portimao was a great test for us in that we learnt a lot about the bike, even though we got a little bit unlucky with some weather. Kawasaki and Showa have developed some new parts from the information we came up with at Portimao and we are going to be testing them at Phillip Island, concentrating on things like weight transfer on the bike from braking to accelerating. They will be our priorities, and when we go into the race weekend it will be all about going as fast as we can! As for 2010, the team is not putting any pressure on me and is saying top 10 results would be great, because they haven't had a lot of them. But personally I want to be in top five consistently starting the season - I'm a racer with no patience, but that's normal. I hope we are going to be competitive at Phillip Island and in the front group challenging." Read article
Worx Suzuki complete Portimao test
Source: Insidebikes | Carole Nash - Tuesday, 16th February 2010, 10:25 GMTWorx Suzuki completed their three-day test at Portimao yesterday as they prepare for the 2010 British Superbike championship. With a bigger operation this season, running both Tommy Hill and Yukio Kagayama in the championship this season, the rain-drenched test in Portugal provided the team with an ideal opportunity to test their new operations ahead of the upcoming season. There was little interest in lap times, with the soaked track making conditions difficult but the test did provide plenty of opportunity to try out the new suspension and electronics systems on the GSX-R. “We’ve completed a lot of preparatory work that we had to get out of the way, putting together some good base settings with the suspension and electronics,” said Hill. “We’ve also been trying some different clutches and different engine braking systems. It’s been busy. Now I’m looking forward to Cartagena and meeting up with the rest of the BSB riders.” “I’m very happy to be back with the team and this has been helpful as a lead-up to the test at Cartegena,” added Kagayama.”There are many parts which are specific to the Crescent Suzuki - different to my bike from last year - so it’s been helpful coming here to get a feel for the bike. Now I go back to Japan for a short time before coming back with my family - we’re really looking forward to a year living in England” Team manager Jack Valentine was also happy with the progress made over the three days despite the less than idea conditions. “It’s been a successful shakedown,” he claimed. “We’re a much bigger team this year with some new personnel, so this test has been a great opportunity to get everyone together and to gel as a team. “For Yukio, it’s been an introduction to the Crescent bike and the Pirelli control tyres as used in BSB. Tommy and Yukio have also been working on getting base settings for the new Öhlins suspension and the updated Motec electronics package we’re using this year. The rain has compressed our schedule but we were still able to run through many settings and we’re very pleased with the progress we’ve made.” Read article
Worx Suzuki Complete First 2010 BSB Test
Source: LondonBikers.com - Monday, 15th February 2010, 18:54 GMTThe Worx Crescent Suzuki team today successfully completed a three-day shakedown test at the Portimao Circuit in southern Portugal in preparation for the 2010 British Superbike Championship. Read article
