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- Kennaugh Signs For Moto – 1 Suzuki For Remaining Rounds.
“Hurricane” Hudson Kennaugh, current South African Superbike Champion, had his talents as a rider recognised by the Moto -1 Suzuki World Supersport team, who have offered him a ride at the two remaining rounds of the Alstare Corona Extra World Supersport
- Kennaugh Signs For Moto – 1 Suzuki For Remaining Rounds.
“Hurricane” Hudson Kennaugh, current South African Superbike Champion, had his talents as a rider recognised by the Moto -1 Suzuki World Supersport team, who have offered him a ride at the two remaining rounds of the Alstare Corona Extra World Supersport
- Kennaugh Signs For Moto – 1 Suzuki For Remaining Rounds.
“Hurricane” Hudson Kennaugh, current South African Superbike Champion, had his talents as a rider recognised by the Moto -1 Suzuki World Supersport team, who have offered him a ride at the two remaining rounds of the Alstare Corona Extra World Supersport
- Kennaugh Learns Imola
Coming to a new circuit for the first time is difficult, but coming to a new circuit with a new team and a new bike, that is a whole different league of difficult, and that is exactly what Hudson Kennaugh is having to deal with this weekend at his World S
- Bike Show to Play Host to Prestigious British Superbike Awards
The cream of British motorcycling talent will gather at the 2005 International Motorcycle and Scooter Show in association with The Sun, when the Birmingham NEC plays host to the prestigious British Superbike Awards at 1pm on Tuesday 1st November.
- Busy Weekend For Kennaugh at Magny Cours
There is nothing like a challenge and that is what Hudson Kennaugh has on his hands this weekend at Magny Cours in France.
- Pole And Seventeenth For Kennaugh at Magny Cours
Hudson Kennaugh blew away the competition in the GSX-R European Cup qualifying to take pole position, with a superb lap time of 1min 46.590secs - his closest rival was David Salon with a 1min 47.010secs.
- Kennaugh to Test For Alstare
Hudson Kennaugh the new GSX-R European Cup title holder and current South African Superbike Champion has secured a test with the Alstare Superstock and Supersport teams, at Valencia in November.
- Kennaugh to Test For Alstare
Hudson Kennaugh the new GSX-R European Cup title holder and current South African Superbike Champion has secured a test with the Alstare Superstock and Supersport teams, at Valencia in November.
- All-New International Motorcycle and Scooter Show Kicks Off With World Launches
The all-new interactive International Motorcycle & Scooter Show in Association with The Sun hosted an array of UK and International motorcycle launches today, the highlight being those of BMW. Ducati and British manufacturers CCM and Royal Enfield.
- Hudson Ready For Alstare Test
Hudson Kennaugh is preparing for his test with the Alstare Suzuki Supersport and Superstock teams early next week at Valencia in Spain.
- Successful Alstare Test For Kennaugh
After lifting the GSX-R European Cup title and having an impressive Supersport debut at Imola and Magny Cours, Alstare gave Hudson Kennaugh the chance to test for their Supersport and Superstock team at Valencia in Spain.
- Successful Alstare Test For Kennaugh
After lifting the GSX-R European Cup title and having an impressive Supersport debut at Imola and Magny Cours, Alstare gave Hudson Kennaugh the chance to test for their Supersport and Superstock team at Valencia in Spain.
- New Superbike News Merchandise Out Today
- New Superbike News Merchandise Out Today
- New Superbike News Merchandise Out Today
- New Superbike News Merchandise Out Today
- New Superbike News Merchandise Out Today
- New Superbike News Merchandise Out Today
- New Superbike News Merchandise Out Today
- International MX No Fear in Pernes Les Fontaines
On February 25th and 26th the Moto Club Pernois will celebrate his 80th birthday, and a lot of GP riders will be there to contest one of the biggest MX pre-season event.
- Hudson Yet to Put Pen to Paper
Hudson “Hurricane” Kennaugh is yet to put pen to paper with a team for the up and coming 2006 race season.
- Hudson Yet to Put Pen to Paper
Hudson “Hurricane” Kennaugh is yet to put pen to paper with a team for the up and coming 2006 race season.
- TT 2006 launched.
TT 2006 has a star studded field and changes that should enhance course safety.
- Tunstall Heads to World Supersport in 2006
Tom Tunstall is delighted to confirm that he will be racing in the World Supersport Championship in 2006 onboard the Hardinge - Ice Valley Motorsport Honda.
- Tunstall Heads to World Supersport in 2006
Tom Tunstall is delighted to confirm that he will be racing in the World Supersport Championship in 2006 onboard the Hardinge - Ice Valley Motorsport Honda.
- Gobert to Make World Championship Comeback
In a surprise announcement, Australian Anthony Gobert has confirmed that he will compete in the opening two rounds of the 2006 Supersport World Championship in Qatar (February 25) and Australia (March 5).
- Gobert to Make World Championship Comeback
In a surprise announcement, Australian Anthony Gobert has confirmed that he will compete in the opening two rounds of the 2006 Supersport World Championship in Qatar (February 25) and Australia (March 5).
- Team SUZUKI MotoGP Returns to Europe For Official Tests And Team Launch
Team SUZUKI MotoGP will be in Spain for the next two weekends to take part in the traditional season-opening Official MotoGP Tests, as well as announcing its 2006 ‘XRE4’ GSV-R990 – an all-new machine for the final season of the 990cc regulations.
- Klaffi Honda - Phillip Island Preview
Only a few hours after the last heat at Losail the members of Team Klaffi Honda were on their way to Phillip Island.
- Round Two Set to be Another Hard Battle
After an intense and entertaining first round at Losail, Qatar, on Saturday 25 February, the 2006 World Superbike championship continues its high speed round the world tour with the Australian round at Phillip Island, on Sunday 5 March.
- WSS Phillip Island Preview
Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) performed another of his famous demolition jobs in the last few laps of an otherwise close Losail Supersport race, but in Australia few believe he will be able to repeat his five-second margin of victory.
- WSS Phillip Island Preview
Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) performed another of his famous demolition jobs in the last few laps of an otherwise close Losail Supersport race, but in Australia few believe he will be able to repeat his five-second margin of victory.
- Yamaha WSB Phillip Island Preview
After a sensational weekend of racing in Qatar, round two of the Superbike World Championship takes place coming weekend at the Phillip Island circuit, located a little more than an hour's drive south of Melbourne.
- Big Teams Gather in Spain For Motogp Hors Doeuvre
The Catalunya Official MotoGP test session of March 3/4/5 is the first official engagement of the 2006 MotoGP World Championship, designed as a tantalising hors d'oeuvre to what is arguably the most keenly awaited season in bike racing history.
- Alstare Aim For Victory in Australia
World Superbike Champion Troy Corser and Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra team mates Yukio Kagayama and Fabien Foret head to Australia this weekend on a mission to win.
- WSB Phillip Island Curiosities
The last time that two Ducatis managed to take first and second place in the qualifications was in Assen 2004, when Chili took pole with the 998 RS03 prepared by PSG-1, followed by Toseland and Laconi with the official Ducati Fila 999F04.
- WSB Phillip Island TV Schedule
TELEVISION BROADCAST TIMES -
Round 2: Phillip Island, Australia -
04 and 05 March 2006 -
All the Timings listed in this report are local
- Bayliss Returns to Home Round at Phillip Island With Two-Point Lead
Following last weekend's thrilling series opener in Qatar, Troy Bayliss returns to Phillip Island, Australia for the second round of the World Superbike Championship with a two-point lead in the standings.
- Troy Honoured
Superbike World Champion Troy Corser was given the honour of carrying the Queen’s Baton on a high speed ride round Phillip Island circuit to kick off round two of this year’s Superbike World Championship.
- Honda Makes Excellent Progress at Shortened Test
Honda Racing’s British Superbike teams drew to a close their comprehensive three-day test at Guadix yesterday (1 March). The teams reported excellent progress and positive results despite the adverse weather conditions on day one.
- Provisional Front Row For Troy.
Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra rider Troy Corser posted the fourth quickest time of Friday qualifying despite clutch and grip problems.
- Ducati And Honda Fight For Provisional Pole
Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) mustered a full effort in the later stages of the first hour of timed qualifying at Phillip Island to score provisional pole, displacing new SBK inductee Alex Barros (Klaffi Honda) from his previous lead on the time sheets.
- Charpentier on Phillip Island Provisional Pole
Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) pulled another golden nugget out of his river of talent in sunny Australia, taking provisional pole at a pace almost one second faster than his nearest rivals.
- Charpentier on Phillip Island Provisional Pole
Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) pulled another golden nugget out of his river of talent in sunny Australia, taking provisional pole at a pace almost one second faster than his nearest rivals.
- Toseland in Top Three After Superheated First Session
A keenly contested opening qualifying session at Phillip Island, held in high temperatures throughout, finally delivered third place to James Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda) as the Englishman fought it out with local riders Troy Bayliss and Troy Corser,
- Haga Seventh in First Qualifying
Noriyuki Haga was the fastest of the Yamaha men in today's opening qualifying session for round two of the Superbike World Championship, held at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia.
- Bayliss Storms to Provisional Pole in Friday Qualifying
Troy Bayliss continues to make the headlines for the Ducati Xerox Team on his return to World Superbikes. The Australian former world champion set a time of 1m33.387s in glorious conditions at the spectacular Phillip Island track to take the provisional p
- Steve Sixth After First Day at Phillip Island
Steve Martin qualified in sixth place for tomorrow’s qualifying sessions at the second round of the Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island, Australia.
- Walker Top PSG-1 Kawasaki Rider With Nieto Close Behind
Top ten provisional qualifying performances from Chris Walker (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) and Fonsi Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) were not easily won in the heat at Phillip Island...
- Alex Barros Second Fastest in Qualifying 1
Second in Qualifying I and fastest Honda rider of the day – this was Alex’ impressive performance today. For the last part of the Qualifying session the Brazilian even held the provisional pole.
- Bayliss Takes Pole on The Island After Setting New Track Record
Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) will start Sunday’s two 22-lap races from pole position after a stunning Superpole ride broke a seven-year-old best lap record.
- Charpentier Marches on With Another Pole
Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) secured his second pole in as many attempts, thanks to a lap just outside the existing track best, set in 2003, shortly before the advent of control tyres for every SBK class.
- Charpentier Marches on With Another Pole
Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) secured his second pole in as many attempts, thanks to a lap just outside the existing track best, set in 2003, shortly before the advent of control tyres for every SBK class.
- WSB Phillip Island Day Two Team Talk
- WSB Phillip Island Race Day Team Talk
- WSB Phillip Island Race Day Team Talk
- WSB Phillip Island Race Day Team Talk
- Yet More Fireworks as WSB Continues to Fizz
Phillip Island is one of the few circuits visited by both WSB and Moto GP, and like Assen, has reputation for being a top class international track that delivers high speed racing along with a spectacular backdrop.
- Top Teams Gravitate to Spain For Official WSB Test
After the first two long-haul rounds of the 2006 World Superbike Championship have been completed, the entire World Superbike circus returns to Europe for the start of the second phase of the 13-round/26-race campaign.
- Top Teams Gravitate to Spain For Official WSB Test
After the first two long-haul rounds of the 2006 World Superbike Championship have been completed, the entire World Superbike circus returns to Europe for the start of the second phase of the 13-round/26-race campaign.
- Top Teams Gravitate to Spain For Official WSB Test
After the first two long-haul rounds of the 2006 World Superbike Championship have been completed, the entire World Superbike circus returns to Europe for the start of the second phase of the 13-round/26-race campaign.
- Rob Barbers Back in The GSXR European Cup
PRB racing are pleased to announce that Rob Barber has been acquired by Suzuki Great Britain to represent them again in the GSXR European Cup at World Superbikes.
- Rob Barbers Back in The GSXR European Cup
PRB racing are pleased to announce that Rob Barber has been acquired by Suzuki Great Britain to represent them again in the GSXR European Cup at World Superbikes.
- Giovanni Bussei Will Replace Injured Karl Muggeridge for Valencia
Karl Muggeridge, rider of the Winston Ten Kate Honda Team, really wanted to participate to the 3rd Superbike World Championship round of the 2006 season, but doctors have been really prudent from the first exams.
- Giovanni Bussei Will Replace Injured Karl Muggeridge for Valencia
Karl Muggeridge, rider of the Winston Ten Kate Honda Team, really wanted to participate to the 3rd Superbike World Championship round of the 2006 season, but doctors have been really prudent from the first exams.
- Bayliss Bests The Competition Once More
Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) came close to breaking his own outright SBK Misano circuit record on the first of two days of Superbike testing at the 4.060km circuit on the Adriatic coast, as he proved to be the only rider under the 1’34 barrier all day.
- Bayliss Bests The Competition Once More
Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) came close to breaking his own outright SBK Misano circuit record on the first of two days of Superbike testing at the 4.060km circuit on the Adriatic coast, as he proved to be the only rider under the 1’34 barrier all day.
- Pirelli Invites Fans to Win With DIABLO FANTASBK
Pirelli Presents its latest contest for the fans: Diablo FantaSBK
- Pirelli Invites Fans to Win With DIABLO FANTASBK
Pirelli Presents its latest contest for the fans: Diablo FantaSBK
- Come And See JAMES TOSELAND And His Band CRASH
World Superbike Rider JAMES TOSELAND and his band CRASH
- Come And See JAMES TOSELAND And His Band CRASH
World Superbike Rider JAMES TOSELAND and his band CRASH
- Bayliss Dips Under The Circuit Record at The Seaside
AGAIN Once more the 2001 World Champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) dominated the time sheets in World Superbike testing, taking a new track record at Misano Adriatico with a 1.33.317 lap, set in the final session of the two-day test.
- Bayliss Dips Under The Circuit Record at The Seaside
AGAIN Once more the 2001 World Champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) dominated the time sheets in World Superbike testing, taking a new track record at Misano Adriatico with a 1.33.317 lap, set in the final session of the two-day test.
- WSB Misano Test Team Talk
Rather than swamping the headlines with lots of team releases we have now put in one place for easier reading.
- Superstock 1000 FIM Cup - Brno Race Result
Seventeen year-old Belgian Xavier Simeon (Alstare Suzuki) celebrated his national day one day late,
- Superstock 1000 FIM Cup - Brno Race Result
Seventeen year-old Belgian Xavier Simeon (Alstare Suzuki) celebrated his national day one day late,
- Superstock 1000 FIM Cup - Brno Race Result
Seventeen year-old Belgian Xavier Simeon (Alstare Suzuki) celebrated his national day one day late,
- Toseland and Biaggi Take the Honours in Brno
James Toseland and Max Biaggi take the honours in Brno with Toseland winning the first race and Biaggi the second.
- Toseland and Biaggi Take the Honours in Brno
James Toseland and Max Biaggi take the honours in Brno with Toseland winning the first race and Biaggi the second.
- Toseland and Biaggi Take the Honours in Brno
James Toseland and Max Biaggi take the honours in Brno with Toseland winning the first race and Biaggi the second.
- Sofuoglu Wins - Again
Kenan Sofuoglu on the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda has notched up yet another race win at Brno in the Czech Repbulic.
- Sofuoglu Wins - Again
Kenan Sofuoglu on the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda has notched up yet another race win at Brno in the Czech Repbulic.
- Sofuoglu Wins - Again
Kenan Sofuoglu on the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda has notched up yet another race win at Brno in the Czech Repbulic.
- Sofuoglu Wins - Again
Kenan Sofuoglu on the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda has notched up yet another race win at Brno in the Czech Repbulic.
- European Superstock 600 - Brands Hatch Race One Result
European Superstock 600 - Brands Hatch Race One Result
- European Superstock 600 - Brands Hatch Race One Result
European Superstock 600 - Brands Hatch Race One Result
- European Superstock 600 - Brands Hatch Race One Result
European Superstock 600 - Brands Hatch Race One Result
- Superstock 1000 FIM Cup - Brands Hatch Race Result
Niccolo Canepa (Ducati Xerox Junior Team) scored a clear win after an early fight in the Superstock race,
- Superstock 1000 FIM Cup - Brands Hatch Race Result
Niccolo Canepa (Ducati Xerox Junior Team) scored a clear win after an early fight in the Superstock race,
- Superstock 1000 FIM Cup - Brands Hatch Race Result
Niccolo Canepa (Ducati Xerox Junior Team) scored a clear win after an early fight in the Superstock race,
- Toseland Brands Double
James Toseland on the Hannspree Ten Kate took a dramatic double race win at Brands Hatch.
- Toseland Brands Double
James Toseland on the Hannspree Ten Kate took a dramatic double race win at Brands Hatch.
- Toseland Brands Double
James Toseland on the Hannspree Ten Kate took a dramatic double race win at Brands Hatch.
- Sofuoglu Takes Championship at Brands
Kenan Sofuoglu has wrapped up the World Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch in Kent.
- Sofuoglu Takes Championship at Brands
Kenan Sofuoglu has wrapped up the World Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch in Kent.
- Sofuoglu Takes Championship at Brands
Kenan Sofuoglu has wrapped up the World Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch in Kent.
- Sofuoglu Takes Championship at Brands
Kenan Sofuoglu has wrapped up the World Supersport Championship at Brands Hatch in Kent.
- European Superstock 600 - Brands Hatch Race Result
In the second Superstock race of the weekend, Frenchman Maxime Berger (team Trasimeno) put a significant 26 points between himself and second place
- European Superstock 600 - Brands Hatch Race Result
In the second Superstock race of the weekend, Frenchman Maxime Berger (team Trasimeno) put a significant 26 points between himself and second place
- European Superstock 600 - Brands Hatch Race Result
In the second Superstock race of the weekend, Frenchman Maxime Berger (team Trasimeno) put a significant 26 points between himself and second place
- Craig Jones Family Tribute
Following the death of 23-year-old British World Supersport Championship racer Craig Jones early on Monday morning, his family have paid the following tributes:
- Craig Jones Family Tribute
Following the death of 23-year-old British World Supersport Championship racer Craig Jones early on Monday morning, his family have paid the following tributes:
- Craig Jones Family Tribute
Following the death of 23-year-old British World Supersport Championship racer Craig Jones early on Monday morning, his family have paid the following tributes:
- Craig Jones Family Tribute
Following the death of 23-year-old British World Supersport Championship racer Craig Jones early on Monday morning, his family have paid the following tributes:
- Pat McDougall Returns To BSB Supersport Cup
Guildford-based racer Pat McDougall (23) will be making a welcome return to the British Superbike supported Supersport Cup series at Knockhill in Scotland this weekend.
- Pat McDougall Returns To BSB Supersport Cup
Guildford-based racer Pat McDougall (23) will be making a welcome return to the British Superbike supported Supersport Cup series at Knockhill in Scotland this weekend.
- Pat McDougall Returns To BSB Supersport Cup
Guildford-based racer Pat McDougall (23) will be making a welcome return to the British Superbike supported Supersport Cup series at Knockhill in Scotland this weekend.
- Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship 2008 - Oschersleben Free Practice
As of the free practice sessions this morning in Oschersleben, Germany, the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team decided to mark the spirits with the best time in 1’28.480, already better than the best qualifiying 2007 time made by the Team Kawasaki France.
- Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship 2008 - Oschersleben Free Practice
As of the free practice sessions this morning in Oschersleben, Germany, the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team decided to mark the spirits with the best time in 1’28.480, already better than the best qualifiying 2007 time made by the Team Kawasaki France.
- Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship 2008 - Oschersleben Free Practice
As of the free practice sessions this morning in Oschersleben, Germany, the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team decided to mark the spirits with the best time in 1’28.480, already better than the best qualifiying 2007 time made by the Team Kawasaki France.
- HM Plant Honda Chase Successful Foray North of The Border
- Giles on The Road to Recovery
Team Joe Rocket Suzuki rider Shawn Giles has returned home and is on the road to full recovery after sustaining severe injuries at Queensland Raceway last month.
- Giles on The Road to Recovery
Team Joe Rocket Suzuki rider Shawn Giles has returned home and is on the road to full recovery after sustaining severe injuries at Queensland Raceway last month.
- Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship 2008 - Oschersleben 1st Qualifications
Despite a slight handicap due to Vincent Philippe’s injured ankle, Suzuki Endurance Racing Team takes the lead after the first qualifying session for the 8 Hours of Oschersleben.
- Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship 2008 - Oschersleben 1st Qualifications
Despite a slight handicap due to Vincent Philippe’s injured ankle, Suzuki Endurance Racing Team takes the lead after the first qualifying session for the 8 Hours of Oschersleben.
- Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship 2008 - Oschersleben 1st Qualifications
Despite a slight handicap due to Vincent Philippe’s injured ankle, Suzuki Endurance Racing Team takes the lead after the first qualifying session for the 8 Hours of Oschersleben.
- Relentless Suzuki Retain Donald For 2009
Prior to this weekend’s BSB round at Knockhill in Fife, Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing is please to announce the signing of Aussie sensation Cameron Donald for the 2009 season.
- Relentless Suzuki Retain Donald For 2009
Prior to this weekend’s BSB round at Knockhill in Fife, Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing is please to announce the signing of Aussie sensation Cameron Donald for the 2009 season.
- Relentless Suzuki Retain Donald For 2009
Prior to this weekend’s BSB round at Knockhill in Fife, Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing is please to announce the signing of Aussie sensation Cameron Donald for the 2009 season.
- Relentless Suzuki Retain Donald For 2009
Prior to this weekend’s BSB round at Knockhill in Fife, Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing is please to announce the signing of Aussie sensation Cameron Donald for the 2009 season.
- Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship 2008 - SERT on Pole in Oschersleben
Suzuki Endurance Racing Team will start from pole position at the Oschersleben 8 Hours, ahead of Team Kawasaki France and Yamaha Austria Racing Team.
- Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship 2008 - SERT on Pole in Oschersleben
Suzuki Endurance Racing Team will start from pole position at the Oschersleben 8 Hours, ahead of Team Kawasaki France and Yamaha Austria Racing Team.
- Qtel FIM Endurance World Championship 2008 - SERT on Pole in Oschersleben
Suzuki Endurance Racing Team will start from pole position at the Oschersleben 8 Hours, ahead of Team Kawasaki France and Yamaha Austria Racing Team.
- Haslam and Byrne Fastest, Just, From Sykes and Crutchlow
Leon Haslam and Shane Byrne jointly topped the free practice leaderboard ahead of the eighth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at the short, but challenging Knockhill circuit in Fife.
- Haslam and Byrne Fastest, Just, From Sykes and Crutchlow
Leon Haslam and Shane Byrne jointly topped the free practice leaderboard ahead of the eighth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at the short, but challenging Knockhill circuit in Fife.
- Haslam and Byrne Fastest, Just, From Sykes and Crutchlow
Leon Haslam and Shane Byrne jointly topped the free practice leaderboard ahead of the eighth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at the short, but challenging Knockhill circuit in Fife.
- National Superstock 1000 – Knockhill 1st Qualifying
National Superstock 1000 – Knockhill 1st Qualifying
- National Superstock 1000 – Knockhill 1st Qualifying
National Superstock 1000 – Knockhill 1st Qualifying
- National Superstock 1000 – Knockhill 1st Qualifying
National Superstock 1000 – Knockhill 1st Qualifying
- National Superstock 1000 – Knockhill 1st Qualifying
National Superstock 1000 – Knockhill 1st Qualifying
- British Superbike Community Pays Tribute to Craig Jones
Craig Jones will be remembered by racers, teams and spectators at Sunday’s eighth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Knockhill.
- British Superbike Community Pays Tribute to Craig Jones
Craig Jones will be remembered by racers, teams and spectators at Sunday’s eighth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Knockhill.
- British Superbike Community Pays Tribute to Craig Jones
Craig Jones will be remembered by racers, teams and spectators at Sunday’s eighth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Knockhill.
- British Superbike Community Pays Tribute to Craig Jones
Craig Jones will be remembered by racers, teams and spectators at Sunday’s eighth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Knockhill.
- British Superbike Community Pays Tribute to Craig Jones
Craig Jones will be remembered by racers, teams and spectators at Sunday’s eighth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Knockhill.
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Top World Superbike and Superstock teams will gather on the Adriatic coast of Italy for the second official SBK test of the 2006 racing season. With the Misano round itself scheduled for June 25, the Pirelli development teams in the series will be trying out possible new solutions, while the rest of an impressive line-up of riding talent will be preparing machines and race set-ups in readiness for the midsummer festival of power that is the Misano race weekend.
The circuit itself, largely tight and twisty, nonetheless features the immense triple left-hand turns of Curvone, where riders accelerate while they negotiate three increasingly fast left hand corners, catapulting them onto the back straight, before hard braking returns them to the dizzying turns and chicanes of the main infield.
Only one of the regular top teams is missing from the provisional list of entries to the Misano test, the Winston Honda Ten Kate Honda squad of Karl Muggeridge and James Toseland. Muggeridge broke two vertebrae at a recent Valencia official test, contributing to the team’s decision not to compete at this stage. Despite these two high profile omissions, championship leader Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) and reigning champion Troy Corser (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) will be duking it out with another 24 riders at the Misano tests, fighting not just to set ego-building single lap times, but also to find a perfect set-up for the race itself in June.
Corser’s team-mate, Yukio Kagayama, and Bayliss’s constant companion in the factory Ducati garage, Lorenzo Lanzi, have already shown glimpses of the form that made them both race winners in the 2005 season. Each is a fan of Misano, but like most of their peers, they expect little but hard work and challenges to overcome in testing. With so many strong entries in the championship in 2006, not even riders of this calibre can automatically expect to finish up with a time inside the top 15, should one aspect of machine set-up be even slightly off.
A rider with only four World Superbike races under his belt, yet with podiums already firmly chalked up, is Alex Barros. The lone Klaffi Honda rider will be on hand at Misano to reacquaint himself with a circuit modified from that which he last raced on several years ago.
Italy is the home nation for Andrew Pitt and Noriyuki Haga’s Yamaha Motor Italia squad, and Misano will be home-from-home for each rider. With podiums already taken by each, every test is now seen as preparation for the first Yamaha 2006 season win. For the Yamaha Motor France IPONE squad, Misano will be another chance to work through their never-ending cycle of development, as Norick Abe, Sebastien Gimbert and Shinichi Nakatomi prepare themselves for two days of hard graft.
A virtual kingdom of Ducati twin-cylinder machinery will back up the efforts of Bayliss and Lanzi at the Misano tests, with Valencia sensation Ruben Xaus (Sterilgarda Berik Ducati) proving to be fully competitive in the recent Valencia tests, on his 2005 spec machine. Ex MotoGP rider Roberto Rolfo (Ducati SC Caracchi) and Marco Borciani (Sterilgarda Berik Ducati) also lead the vanguard of almost ten Ducati riders in the series. Max Neukirchner (Pedercini Ducati) did not enjoy the recent Valencia tests, but hopes that Misano will see him get to grips with the change to Ducati machinery this season.
The quickest Kawasaki rider on show thus far is Fonsi Nieto (Team PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse), but in a three man team jam-packed with talent and ever-improving machinery, competition for supremacy is fierce in the PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse camp. 2004 season runner-up Regis Laconi and perennial Superbike threat Chris Walker expect to work through as much material for the ZX-10R as they did at Valencia. Franco Battaini will once more be in attendance in his rookie season in Superbike, riding another local variety of Kawasaki, from the Bertocchi team.
Steve Martin blew away the onlookers at Valencia with a fifth fastest time in the Spanish tests, howling his unique Petronas triple above its 900cc envelope of performance. At another twisty track, Martin may once more fancy his chances of a strong top ten ride, while his new partner, Craig Jones, learns the ropes in his rookie SBK season. Other riders to take particular notice of include Fabien Foret, on a privately entered Alstare Engineering Suzuki GSX-R, and Pedercini Ducati rider Ivan Clementi, normally fast on home soil.
SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Reigning World Champion Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) may be missing from the Misano line up, but most teams will make it to the tests, including perennial WSS challenger, Kevin Curtain (Yamaha Motor Germany) and his team-mate Broc Parkes. Young and quick, Yoann Tiberio makes a perfect partner for the vastly experienced Katsuaki Fujiwara in the Megabike Honda squad, with Christian Zaiser, from Austria, proving to be the best of the Ducati 749 riders thus far.
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