Roland Resch
Aussie and Austrian making steady progress
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Friday, 16th April 2010, 12:18 GMTThe Reitwagen BMW team had an up and down Valencia round, inevitable maybe for such a young team with a new bike to develop at this stage. But considering the level of competition they are up against, Andrew Pitt and Roland Resch each took something positive away from their Valencia weekend. In Pitt's case it was a single point, but simply more time and machine development will be needed to get him further up the finishing order, he believes. ‘At the moment, we are more or less at the limit of what we can do with what we have got and we need some updates. But Assen is only a fortnight away and it's hard to get all the work done when we have so little time in our workshops. The strange thing is that in some areas we are very competitive, but we are getting hurt exiting the turns - especially at a tight track like Valencia. I hope we'll get some updates for Assen because I think it's the kind of track that will be better for us than Valencia.' For Roland Resch, getting back on his regular race machine after suffering a hard collarbone injury in Australia allowed him to finish at least one race in Spain. ‘Firstly, I am very happy that I have finished my first race for the team! After having to DNF in race one, I was determined to finish race two no matter what. Also, at the end of the day, I feel physically very good and have no pain from my shoulder at all. Valencia gave me a good workout and I managed it without any problems. Obviously stopping after just two laps in race one was not so good, but at least I was able to go the distance in race two. It was also good fun chasing Andrew and Max (Neukirchner) in race two and I really enjoyed that fight. Each day here, my pace has improved and I now feel I'm back! Now, I'm looking forward to Assen and hoping that it will be a better track for our bike.' Read article
World Superbike about to take more Spanish Steps
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Tuesday, 6th April 2010, 17:35 GMTThe Circuito Ricardo Tormo is a well-established and welcoming stop-off point for the SBK paddock in its global wanderings, with this year's Spanish race weekend the third in a 13-round season. After two astoundingly close events so far, in Australia and more recently in Portugal, there have been three different race winners in four individual races. Of the seven manufacturers involved in WSB in 2010, three have scored a victory already, and two more have podium finishes to their credit. With the 4.005km circuit Valencia being a different type of challenge to either Phillip Island (venue for round one) or Portimao (round two) there are some new possibilities for all involved this coming weekend. There have been 20 individual points scoring races at Valencia in recent SBK seasons, with winners including current riders Noriyuki Haga, Lorenzo Lanzi, James Toseland, Ruben Xaus and Troy Corser. Haga did the double here in 2009 and Valencia is a circuit that throws up double wins more than most; six in total in ten previous visits. OPENING SALVOES HIT THE SPOT - The 2010 entry list, running to 14 official entrants from seven manufacturers, plus top quality privateers throughout, promised a lot of close competition and variety during the off-season. And even at this early stage of the year that promise has been delivered, over and over again. So far, the margins of victory in the four SBK races have been 0.004 seconds, 0.307 seconds, 0.200 seconds, and 0.191 seconds. A cumulative 0.702 seconds separating all of the first and second place riders, after two hours and 24 minutes of intense racing. Our understanding of close competition has been redefined in the Superbike World Championship of 2010. BIG SEVEN IN ACTION AGAIN - The seven competing manufacturers this year - Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha - all have proven winning riders and strong overall efforts to their credit as they approach Valencia. Suzuki, Ducati and most recently Aprilia have won races this year, thanks to Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare), Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) and Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia). Appropriately enough, these three riders now lead the championship table, with Haslam on 85, Portimao double winner Biaggi on 69 and Phillip Island race two victor Carlos Checa on 60. Behind the leading bunch, Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) and Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) hold fourth and fifth respectively, while top Honda rider so far is Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) in sixth place after scoring one podium and one DNF in Portimao last time out. One new WSB sensation Sylvain Guintoli (Alstare Suzuki) leads another Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia), in seventh and eighth places. The top BMW rider in the rankings so far is Troy Corser, ninth, with Ruben Xaus regaining his footing in the championship table last time out. Now 14th overall on his BMW Motorrad Motorsport machine, Xaus is another home favourite. Tenth placed rider Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team) took his first podium for Yamaha at Portimao and he shares 25 points with his team-mate James Toseland and another British force to be reckoned with, Shane Byrne (Althea Ducati). TESTING FOR TOM, HOPES FOR OTHERS - Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) has already tested at Valencia recently, and made progress towards the top ten as his team-mate Chris Vermeulen continues his fight for race fitness after a knee injury he picked up in Australia. Max Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) is another rider hoping to get back to his best at round three. Privateers riders are many and varied in 2010, with Roland Resch (Reitwagen BMW) scheduled for a return after breaking his collarbone in Australia, Jakub Smrz (B&G Pata Racing Ducati) looking to get back into the points in Spain, while Luca Scassa (Supersonic Ducati) is searching for some good luck in only his second meeting of 2010. Broc Parkes, injured in pre-season training, will miss this round, meaning that South African hope Sheridan Morais will ride for ECHO CRS Honda once again. Points (after 2 of 13 rounds): 1. Haslam 85; 2. Biaggi 69, 3. Checa 60, 4. Fabrizio 46; 5. Haga 43; 6. Rea 39; 7. Guintoli 33; 8. Camier 32; 9. Corser 29; 10. Crutchlow 25. Manufacturers: 1. Suzuki 85; 2. Ducati 71; 3. Aprilia 69; 4. Honda 40; 5. Yamaha 32; 6. BMW 29; 7. Kawasaki 7. SUPERSPORT - Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) and Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) have taken one win apiece in 2010 but it is double podium finisher Sofuoglu who leads the championship at present, with 41 points. Only one point behind is Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com) who has finished second in each race this year. On home territory, Lascorz will be going for even more. After crashing and remounting to finish 11th in Portugal, Laverty is now third on 30 points, while Fabien Foret (Lorenzini by Leoni Kawasaki) and his pair of fifths leave him fourth overall. Davide Salom (ParkinGO BE-1 Triumph) is fourth as he enters his home round with an extra sense of expectation. Privateer Honda rider Robbin Harms (Harms Benjan Racing) is a consistent and speedy sixth so far. Points (after 2 of 13 rounds): 1. Sofuoglu 41; 2. Lascorz 40; 3. Laverty 30: 4. Foret 22; 5. Salom 19; 6. Harms 18; 7. Davies 17; 8. Roccoli 17; 9. Pirro 16; 10. Fujiwara 15. Manufacturers: 1. Honda 50; 2. Kawasaki 40; 3. Triumph 26. SUPERSTOCK 1000 - The first round of the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup took place at Portimao, and the victor - first time out for BMW - was Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia), from Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior) and Loris Baz (MRS Racing Yamaha). A good first weekend for BMW saw Garnier Junior Racing's Sylvain Barrier go fourth. At Valencia, anything could happen in this form of racing, which features competing machinery from eight different manufacturers. Points (after 1 of 10 rounds): 1. Badovini 25; 2. Berger 20; 3. Baz 16; 4. Barrier 13; 5. Bussolotti 11; 6. La Marra 10; 7. Giugliano 9; 8. Antonelli 8; 9. Petrucci 7; 10. Savary 6. Manufacturers: 1. BMW 25; 2. Honda 20; 3. Yamaha 16; 4. Suzuki 9; 5. Kawasaki 7; 6. KTM 5; 8. Aprilia 4. SUPERSTOCK 600 - Yamaha riders dominated the podium at Portimao in this star-making class, with Frenchmen Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Racing) and his team-mate Romain Lanusse taking a 1-2, as Fred Karlsen put his MTM Machine third for Norway. With most of the top riders in 2009 now having moved up a class, more new names should shine out at Valencia, as the young guns go for it once again. Points (after 1 of 10 rounds): 1. Guarnoni 25; 2. Lanusse 20; 3. Karlsen 16; 4. Calero Perez 13; 5. Fanelli 11; 6. Cecchini 10; 7. Lombardi 9; 8. Major 8. PARKINGO SERIES BLASTS OFF THIS WEEKEND - Valencia will be the first round of 2010 to feature a full card of races, as the four traditional classes are joined by a new innovation, the ParkinGO Stars series, running identically prepared Triumph Street Triple R machines. High handlebars and high speeds, the new class is eagerly anticipated. Read article
Second Round shaping up to be another classic
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Wednesday, 24th March 2010, 14:30 GMTAfter the first round of the championship delivered thrills and excitement all the way at Phillip Island last month the eyes of the world will be focused on Portimao this coming weekend, as WSBK reconvenes at another highly rated and very popular venue. The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve is a remarkably feat of modern engineering and design, with the undulating track layout and circuit facilities both coming in for high praise. The track was completed in time for the WSBK weekend in 2008, making this the third competitive visit to the 4.592 km circuit for some of the riders and teams. An official test in January of this year saw virtually all Superbike and Supersport World Championship teams set laps in changeable conditions, meaning the one universal wish from a strong 2010 entry is for sunshine on the Algarve coast for the next few days. ALL TO PLAY FOR AND ALL IN PLAY: A total of 17 regular SBK riders have already scored points of some kind in 2010, and all of the seven competing manufacturers - Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha - have also scored points in the Manufacturers' Championship at the first attempt. Leading the Riders' Championship now is Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) who won the first race in Australia, and in doing so took his first WSB win, in his first full factory ride. He is followed in the early rankings by Michael Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) and PI second race winner, privateer Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati). As events in Australia showed very clearly, there will be any number of official or supported private teams who should be capable of podium finishes at some stage in 2010. The combination of experience and relative youth, and the closely regulated technical rules mean that opportunities will be available for all. This coming weekend should be no exception. PACK OF ACES: The line-up of riders at Portimao features no fewer than 15 who have won at least one SBK race in their careers, plus two former champions in this category, and four other riders with a major world title to their name. Joining the fray for the first time in 2010 will be Makoto Tamada, riding as a stand-in for the injured Roland Resch in the Reitwagen BMW Team, teaming-up with Andrew Pitt for this weekend only. If we look to last year as a guide to form in 2010, Fabrizio won the second race in Portugal, while still active SBK riders Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox), Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) all scored podium finishes on the weekend. An even better gauge of how this weekend should turn out is possibly the results of the official test at Portimao, between 22 and 24 January this year. Rea topped the rankings then, followed by Haslam, Shane Byrne (Althea Ducati), Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team), Fabrizio and James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda team). ON THE UP: BMW Motorrad Motorsport riders Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus will be out for an overall improvement on their PI results, with Xaus in particular keen to turn around his recent fortunes, having not started either race in Australia. Joining Biaggi in Portugal is Leon Camier, the least experienced of the seven British riders in WSB, but a British-based French rider has already made a real mark in his rookie season. Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare) finished a close fourth in one race last time out, sixth in the other, and is therefore an impressive fifth overall. FIGHT FOR FITNESS AND FORM: Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki Racing Team) suffered some knee tissue injuries in a crash at Phillip Island but the tough Aussie is determined to ride in Portugal, alongside his team-mate Tom Sykes. Max Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) is expecting better results for his new team this weekend, while Pedercini Kawasaki duo Matteo Baiocco and Roger Lee Hayden are determined to move into points scoring places this time out, as is Vittorio Iannuzzo (SCI Honda Garvie Image). Promising opening weekends for Jakub Smrz (PATA B&G Ducati) and Lorenzo Lanzi (DFX Ducati) in Australia didn't bear too much fruit so each will be ready for bigger helpings now. Joining the championship at this round is Luca Scassa, on his Supersonic Racing Team Ducati. Points (after 1 of 13 rounds): 1. Haslam 45; 2. Fabrizio 36; 3. Checa 34; 4. Haga 27; 5. Guintoli 23; 6. Rea 23; 7. Biaggi 19; 8. Corser 16; 9. Camier 10; 10. Lanzi 9. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 45; 2. Suzuki 45; 3. Honda 23; 4. Aprilia 19; 5. BMW 16; 6. Yamaha 7; 7. Kawasaki 3 SUPERSPORT: Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) dominated the first race of 2010 at Phillip Island and the last race of 2009 Honda at Portimao, and he is out to repeat the trick at his team's home circuit this weekend. His toughest opponents will surely be Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com) but in a field with real quality in its upper echelons, riders like Fabien Foret (Lorenzini by Leoni Kawasaki), Davide Salom (ParkingGO BE-1 Triumph), Katsuaki Fujiwara (Kawasaki Motocard.com) and many others will have a real chance of top five places. Arguably the rider most keen to shine is local competitor Miguel Praia (Parkalgar Honda) who wants to put in a career best finish in front of his local fans. Matthieu Lagrive (ParkinGO Triumph BE1) joins the championship for this round, alongside regular rider Chaz Davies. Points (after 1 of 13 rounds): 1. Laverty 25; 2. Lascorz 20; 3. Sofuoglu 16: 4. Salom 13; 5. Foret 11; 6. Roccoli 10; 7. Harms 9; 8. DiSalvo 8; 9. Praia 7; 10. Rea 6. Manufacturers: 1. Honda 25; 2. Kawasaki 20; 3. Triumph 13. SUPERSTOCK 1000: The Superstock classes kick off at this the first European race of the 2010 season, with the Superstock 1000 category featuring a number of possible champions and a vast number of competing manufacturers. Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior), Davide Giugliano (Team 06 Suzuki), Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) and others are well established riders in this competitive class, but with some top riders moving up from 600 Superstock racing, and a field of over 30 riders in total, Superstock at Portimao is set to be fight all the way. SUPERSTOCK 600: A mass exodus of the top riders in 2009 means that the European Superstock 600 class is completely wide open in 2010, for riders of Honda, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha machinery. Nine countries will be represented by at least one rider in this class where the machines on show most resemble the streetbikes they are based on. A new era of Superstock 600 is beginning and new stars are about to be born. Read article
Second Round shaping up to be another classic
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Wednesday, 24th March 2010, 13:30 GMTAfter the first round of the championship delivered thrills and excitement all the way at Phillip Island last month the eyes of the world will be focused on Portimao this coming weekend, as WSBK reconvenes at another highly rated and very popular venue. The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve is a remarkably feat of modern engineering and design, with the undulating track layout and circuit facilities both coming in for high praise. The track was completed in time for the WSBK weekend in 2008, making this the third competitive visit to the 4.592 km circuit for some of the riders and teams. An official test in January of this year saw virtually all Superbike and Supersport World Championship teams set laps in changeable conditions, meaning the one universal wish from a strong 2010 entry is for sunshine on the Algarve coast for the next few days. ALL TO PLAY FOR AND ALL IN PLAY: A total of 17 regular SBK riders have already scored points of some kind in 2010, and all of the seven competing manufacturers - Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha - have also scored points in the Manufacturers' Championship at the first attempt. Leading the Riders' Championship now is Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) who won the first race in Australia, and in doing so took his first WSB win, in his first full factory ride. He is followed in the early rankings by Michael Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) and PI second race winner, privateer Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati). As events in Australia showed very clearly, there will be any number of official or supported private teams who should be capable of podium finishes at some stage in 2010. The combination of experience and relative youth, and the closely regulated technical rules mean that opportunities will be available for all. This coming weekend should be no exception. PACK OF ACES: The line-up of riders at Portimao features no fewer than 15 who have won at least one SBK race in their careers, plus two former champions in this category, and four other riders with a major world title to their name. Joining the fray for the first time in 2010 will be Makoto Tamada, riding as a stand-in for the injured Roland Resch in the Reitwagen BMW Team, teaming-up with Andrew Pitt for this weekend only. If we look to last year as a guide to form in 2010, Fabrizio won the second race in Portugal, while still active SBK riders Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox), Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) all scored podium finishes on the weekend. An even better gauge of how this weekend should turn out is possibly the results of the official test at Portimao, between 22 and 24 January this year. Rea topped the rankings then, followed by Haslam, Shane Byrne (Althea Ducati), Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team), Fabrizio and James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda team). ON THE UP: BMW Motorrad Motorsport riders Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus will be out for an overall improvement on their PI results, with Xaus in particular keen to turn around his recent fortunes, having not started either race in Australia. Joining Biaggi in Portugal is Leon Camier, the least experienced of the seven British riders in WSB, but a British-based French rider has already made a real mark in his rookie season. Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare) finished a close fourth in one race last time out, sixth in the other, and is therefore an impressive fifth overall. FIGHT FOR FITNESS AND FORM: Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki Racing Team) suffered some knee tissue injuries in a crash at Phillip Island but the tough Aussie is determined to ride in Portugal, alongside his team-mate Tom Sykes. Max Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) is expecting better results for his new team this weekend, while Pedercini Kawasaki duo Matteo Baiocco and Roger Lee Hayden are determined to move into points scoring places this time out, as is Vittorio Iannuzzo (SCI Honda Garvie Image). Promising opening weekends for Jakub Smrz (PATA B&G Ducati) and Lorenzo Lanzi (DFX Ducati) in Australia didn't bear too much fruit so each will be ready for bigger helpings now. Joining the championship at this round is Luca Scassa, on his Supersonic Racing Team Ducati. Points (after 1 of 13 rounds): 1. Haslam 45; 2. Fabrizio 36; 3. Checa 34; 4. Haga 27; 5. Guintoli 23; 6. Rea 23; 7. Biaggi 19; 8. Corser 16; 9. Camier 10; 10. Lanzi 9. Manufacturers: 1. Ducati 45; 2. Suzuki 45; 3. Honda 23; 4. Aprilia 19; 5. BMW 16; 6. Yamaha 7; 7. Kawasaki 3 SUPERSPORT: Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) dominated the first race of 2010 at Phillip Island and the last race of 2009 Honda at Portimao, and he is out to repeat the trick at his team's home circuit this weekend. His toughest opponents will surely be Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com) but in a field with real quality in its upper echelons, riders like Fabien Foret (Lorenzini by Leoni Kawasaki), Davide Salom (ParkingGO BE-1 Triumph), Katsuaki Fujiwara (Kawasaki Motocard.com) and many others will have a real chance of top five places. Arguably the rider most keen to shine is local competitor Miguel Praia (Parkalgar Honda) who wants to put in a career best finish in front of his local fans. Matthieu Lagrive (ParkinGO Triumph BE1) joins the championship for this round, alongside regular rider Chaz Davies. Points (after 1 of 13 rounds): 1. Laverty 25; 2. Lascorz 20; 3. Sofuoglu 16: 4. Salom 13; 5. Foret 11; 6. Roccoli 10; 7. Harms 9; 8. DiSalvo 8; 9. Praia 7; 10. Rea 6. Manufacturers: 1. Honda 25; 2. Kawasaki 20; 3. Triumph 13. SUPERSTOCK 1000: The Superstock classes kick off at this the first European race of the 2010 season, with the Superstock 1000 category featuring a number of possible champions and a vast number of competing manufacturers. Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Race Junior), Davide Giugliano (Team 06 Suzuki), Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) and others are well established riders in this competitive class, but with some top riders moving up from 600 Superstock racing, and a field of over 30 riders in total, Superstock at Portimao is set to be fight all the way. SUPERSTOCK 600: A mass exodus of the top riders in 2009 means that the European Superstock 600 class is completely wide open in 2010, for riders of Honda, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha machinery. Nine countries will be represented by at least one rider in this class where the machines on show most resemble the streetbikes they are based on. A new era of Superstock 600 is beginning and new stars are about to be born. Read article
Europa-Auftakt der Superbike-WM in Portimão (2. Runde)
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Wednesday, 24th March 2010, 12:32 GMTPortimão, Portugal, Dienstag, 23. März 2010 - Die Asse der HANNspree FIM Superbike Weltmeisterschaft (SBK) zelebrieren am Wochenende ihren Europa-Auftakt auf der anspruchsvollen Berg- und Talbahn im Autodromo Internacional do Algarve von Portimão. Nach dem WM-Start in Australien (Phillip Island) Ende Februar, wird in Portugal die zweite Runden der 23. Superbike-WM-Saison mit den Rennen 3 und 4 ausgetragen. Mit dabei das deutsche BMW Motorrad-Werksteam sowie der Stollberger Max Neukirchner. BMW: HOHE ERWARTUNGEN. BMW reist mit hohen Erwartungen nach Portugal. Die Werkstruppe absolvierte am Montag und Dienstag gemeinsam mit dem Reitwagen-Kundenteam einen Test in Jerez de la Frontera. Ruben Xaus kehrt nach intensiven Einzelgesprächen mit Teammanager Davide Tardozzi wieder mit geschwellter Brust in den Sattel der S1000 RR zurück. Bei Reitwagen wird der verletzte Niederösterreicher Roland Resch durch den japanischen Routinier Makoto Tamada ersetzt. HONDA UND APRILIA WOLLEN REVANCHE. Bei Hannspree-Ten-Kate Honda erhofft sich der Deutsche Max Neukirchner an der Algarve eine Steigerung, nachdem er bisher nur einen zwölften Rang vorzuweisen hat. „Rückschläge machen mich nur noch ehrgeiziger", kündigt der 26-jährige Sachse an. „Ich arbeite sehr hart an mir." Auch Jonathan Rea will nach dem verpatzten Auftakt in Phillip Island endlich einen Podiumsplatz herausfahren. Der Nordire war in Australien bei seiner Aufholjagd im zweiten Rennen einer der schnellsten Piloten auf der Piste. Max Biaggi blieb mit der Alitalia Aprilia in Australien klar hinter den Erwartungen. Die Aprilia-Werksmannschaft tüftelt im Moment an einem neuen Antriebssystem, welches Biaggi und Teamkollege Leon Camier bereits in Portugal einsetzten könnten. SUZUKI ALSTARE: GANZ NEUE VORZEICHEN. Bei Alstare Suzuki hat sich die Ausgangsposition im Vergleich zum Saisonauftakt auf Phillip Island völlig verändert. Statt als Underdog kommen die Belgier als WM-Leader mit Leon Haslam nach Portugal. „Ich freue mich sehr auf Portimão. Bei den Tests ist es sehr gut gelaufen, wir waren immer im absoluten Spitzenfeld, kaum mal schlechter als auf Platz 2", erinnert sich der Brite. Auch sein französischer Teamkollege Sylvain Guintoli findet sich mit der Suzuki GSX-R immer besser zurecht und könnte auch an der Algarve um Podiumsplätze fahren. DUCATI: EIN SIEG MUSS HER. Xerox Ducati will nach den Rängen 2 und 3 durch Michel Fabrizio beim Saisonstart in Australien nun in Portugal den ersten Saisonsieg einfahren. Auch Nori Haga sollte mit der Xerox-Ducati seine WM-Position, in Australien gab es für den erfahrenen Japaner nur die Ränge 3 und 5, rasch verbessern. Mit Spannung erwartet wird auch der erste Europa-Auftritt der neuen Althea-Ducati-Kundentruppe von Genesio Bevilacqua, die mit Carlos Checa gleich beim Debüt ein Rennen gewinnen konnte. Auch der starke Tscheche Jakub Smrz sollte mit der Borciani&Guandalini-Ducati um vordere Plätze fahren können. YAMAHA: GEHT ES AUFWÄRTS? Yamaha Sterilgarda muss erst den Schock vom Saisonauftakt auf Phillip Island verdauen. Die Italiener verbuchten durch Cal Crutchlow und James Toseland nur die Ränge 9 und 10. Die Truppe um Massimo Meregalli und Silvano Galbusera hat längst reagiert und vor einigen Tagen einen Test in Misano absolviert. Dabei ging es vor allem um eine sanftere Motorcharakteristik für die bärenstarke Yamaha R1. Ausserdem: Bei den Tests in Portimão war vor allem Superbike-WM-Neuling Cal Crutchlow ständig im Spitzenfeld zu finden. KAWASAKI BANGT UM VERMEULEN. Bei Kawasaki Bird zittert man nach wie vor um den Einsatz von Chris Vermeulen. Der Australier zog sich beim WM-Auftakt auf Phillip Island Abschürfungen sowie mehrere Bänder- und Knorpelrisse im rechten Knie zu und wird erst am Mittwoch in Europa erwartet. Zuletzt konnte der 27-Jährige sein Knie noch nicht weit genug abwinkeln. Ob die letzten Tage der Therapie in Australien gewirkt haben, wird sich wohl erst am Freitag herausstellen. Tom Sykes will seine bisherige Ausbeute, Rang 13 in Australien, in Portugal verbessern. SUPERSPORT-WM: LAVERTY IST DER GEJAGTE. Eugene Laverty ist der Gejagte bei der Europa-Premiere der Supersport-WM an der portugiesischen Algarve. Der Ire gewann auf Phillip Island souverän und zeigte sich dabei von den Angriffen von Ten-Kate-Star Kenan Sofuoglu und Kawasaki-Hoffnung Joan Lascorz unbeeindruckt. Neuigkeiten gibt es im Quartett von Triumph BE1-Racing. Sebastien Charpentier hat sich von der Truppe getrennt und wird ab Portimão durch seinen Landsmann Matthieu Lagrive ersetzt. SUPERSTOCK: BMW RÜSTETE AUF. Das Feld im Superstock 1000 Cup ist trotz des werksseitigen Rückzuges von Ducati mit dem Junior-Team hart umkämpft. In der Liste der 32 Fixstarter dominiert Italien mit zwölf Piloten. BMW hat stark aufgerüstet. Nicht weniger als sieben der Bayern-Vierzylinder werten das Feld auf. Das offizielle italienische BMW-Importeursteam tritt mit dem Ex-Xerox-Ducati-Junior Daniele Beretta und Ayrton Badovini an. Rene Mähr bleibt auch 2010 Suzuki treu. Das belgische Profiracing Team MTM ist neuer Partner des 23-jährigen Vorarlbergers. „Mein Ziel für 2010 ist es, die Meisterschaft zu gewinnen. Das heißt, ich will ständig um Podestplätze mitkämpfen", meint der Biologiestudent. Ebenfalls mit dabei der Deutsche Dominic Lammert und der Schweizer Michel Savary, jeweils mit einer BMW S1000 RR. Lammert fährt in seinem eigenen Team während Savary beim starken französischen Garnier-Team andocken konnte. ACHTUNG: Alle Resultate, Punktestände und Informationen finden Sie unter www.worldsbk.com Read article
Tamada to ride Team Reitwagen BMW at Portimao
Source: | Motorcycle Sport | World Superbikes - Monday, 22nd March 2010, 13:26 GMTFormer WSB and MotoGP race winner Makoto Tamada will ride for the Reitwagen BMW team in Portimao this weekend. The Japanese rider will replace regular rider Roland Resch who crashed during qualifying at Phillip Island sustaining a badly broken right... Read article
Tamada to ride Team Reitwagen BMW at Portimao
Source: | Motorcycle Sport | World Superbikes - Monday, 22nd March 2010, 13:26 GMTFormer WSB and MotoGP race winner Makoto Tamada will ride for the Reitwagen BMW team in Portimao this weekend. The Japanese rider will replace regular rider Roland Resch who crashed during qualifying at Phillip Island sustaining a badly broken right... Read article
Makoto Tamada to Team Reitwagen BMW for next race
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Monday, 22nd March 2010, 11:03 GMTSeasoned SBK rider Makoto Tamada will partner Andrew Pitt at the second round of the Superbike World Championship in Portimao on March 28th, after it was disclosed that full-time rider Roland Resch was declared unfit to ride by his doctors. Team Reitwagen BMW and Makoto Tamada's regular Team Pro Ride Superbike have reached an agreement for this single event giving Makoto the opportunity to ride the Austrian BMW satellite team's S1000RR Superbike. Makoto's schedule will take in the race in the Portimao round after a private test at Jerez (March 22nd and 23rd) and another test day at Portimao (March 29th) after the WSBK race. The contract will end on March 29th and Makoto will then go back to work with his Italian Pro Ride Superbike team. Makoto Tamada: "I am grateful to Team Reitwagen BMW for giving me this opportunity to race with them in Portimao. Although this will be my first time racing a BMW, I have seen what it can do and am confident that I can ride it at its full potential." Andreas Werth (Motorsport Director): "We are happy to welcome Makoto in our team, even if it's just for one event only and we are happy about the perfect cooperation with his team Pro Ride Superbike. Makoto is a fast racer and has proven that often, with wins in Word Superbike and MotoGP." Read article
Makoto Tamada to Team Reitwagen BMW for next race
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Monday, 22nd March 2010, 10:03 GMTSeasoned SBK rider Makoto Tamada will partner Andrew Pitt at the second round of the Superbike World Championship in Portimao on March 28th, after it was disclosed that full-time rider Roland Resch was declared unfit to ride by his doctors. Team Reitwagen BMW and Makoto Tamada's regular Team Pro Ride Superbike have reached an agreement for this single event giving Makoto the opportunity to ride the Austrian BMW satellite team's S1000RR Superbike. Makoto's schedule will take in the race in the Portimao round after a private test at Jerez (March 22nd and 23rd) and another test day at Portimao (March 29th) after the WSBK race. The contract will end on March 29th and Makoto will then go back to work with his Italian Pro Ride Superbike team. Makoto Tamada: "I am grateful to Team Reitwagen BMW for giving me this opportunity to race with them in Portimao. Although this will be my first time racing a BMW, I have seen what it can do and am confident that I can ride it at its full potential." Andreas Werth (Motorsport Director): "We are happy to welcome Makoto in our team, even if it's just for one event only and we are happy about the perfect cooperation with his team Pro Ride Superbike. Makoto is a fast racer and has proven that often, with wins in Word Superbike and MotoGP." Read article
Roland Resch recovering from collarbone surgery
Source: WORLDSBK.COM | NEWS - Friday, 12th March 2010, 16:14 GMTAfter suffering a heavy crash in the opening round of the Superbike World Championship a couple of weeks ago, BMW Reitwagen team rider Roland Resch went through an operation to repair his broken right collarbone. He is currently making a steady recovery at the Dungl Medical-Vital Resort, just north of Vienna in his native Austria, keeping as physically fit as he can while the titanium plate and eight screws inserted during his surgery help his collarbone - broken in two places - knit back together again. Resch's doctor, Andrea Dungl-Zauner, currently doubts if he could race again as early as Portimao on March 28, but has not entirely ruled it out yet. She will make a final decision on his condition on 17 March. Said Roland, "Of course it hurts to hear that the doctor thinks I won't be on the bike in Portimao. But it doesn't make sense either to force an early comeback if I am not 100% fit. The collarbone is broken twice, with a titanium plate and eight screws inserted. That is a quite big deal for my body. This year the grid is too competitive to start too early with a handicap. I want to fully recover before jumping on a bike again. Believe me, it's not easy to pass on a race, but I am working hard to be back soon." Read article
