All SBK Rounds include Superbike and 600cc Superstock except USA is Superbike only.
European rounds also Include 1000cc Superstock.
2015 MotoGP Season Preview
DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK Mar 29 - Qatar – Doha Losail Apr 12 - Americas, Austin TX Apr 19 - Argentina May 03 - Spain, Jerez Frontera May 17 - France, Le Mans May 31- Italy, Mugello June 14 - Catalunya,Catalunya June 27 - Netherlands,AssenTT July 12 - Germany, Sach Ring Aug 9 - USA, Indianapolis Aug 16 - Czech Rep, Brno Aug 30 - GB, Donnington Sept 13 - San Marino, Misano Sept 27 - Aragon Motorland Oct 11 - Japan, Motegi
Oct 18 - Australia, Phillip Island
Oct 25 - Malaysia, Sepang
Nov 08 - Valencia, Ricardo
2015British Superbike Click Date for Race Report DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK
April 4-6 Donnington Park
April 17-19 Brands Hatch Indy
May 2-4 Olton Park
June19-21 Snetterton July 3-5 Knockhill
July 17-19 Brands Hatch GP
Aug 1-2 Thruxton
Aug 21-23 Cadwell Park
Sept 4-6 Oulton Park
Sept 18-20 Assen
Oct 2-4 Silverstone GP
Oct 16-18 Brands Hatch GP
2015 AMA Superbike DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK April 10-12 Circuit Am TX April18-19 Road Atalnta GA
May 15-17 VIR VA
May 29-31 Road America WI
June 12-14 Barber, AL
June 26-27 Miller UT
July 17-18 Laguna Seca CA
Aug 7-9 Indianapolis IN Sept 11-13 New Jersey NJ
Roadracing
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MotoGP Performance Riding New 2nd Edition! Official MotoGP book, the second edition of this practical guide to motorcycle racing technique, aimed at racing and track day enthusiasts at all levels, has been expanded to include extra information as well as many new photographs and up-to-date quotes from MotoGP stars
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Honda Announces 2016 World Superbike
riders Nicky Hayden and Michael van der Mark
October 8th, 2015 -
Honda has today confirmed the team that will spearhead its campaign in the 2016 World Superbike championship on the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP. Current rider Michael van der Mark will be joined in the team by former MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden.
Hayden has been riding in MotoGP since 2003 when he joined the Repsol Honda team and the 34-year-old American has since gone on to start more than 200 Grands Prix, scoring 28 podiums and taking three wins. He won the MotoGP title with Honda in 2006.
His strong flat-track racing pedigree, which began at the age of three, eventually led him into road-racing and the young Hayden turned professional on his 16th birthday, halfway through the 1997 season. He won the AMA Supersport series with Honda two years later before turning to AMA Superbike in 2000. He became the youngest ever AMA Superbike champion, taking Honda’s VTR1000SP (RC51) to victory in 2002 at the age of 21.
Hayden is relishing a return to his superbike roots in 2016 and to continuing his racing career with Honda in the production-based World Superbike championship. Ultimate success in the series would make him the first rider to win both MotoGP and WSBK titles.
He will team up for 2016 with Michael van der Mark, one of the most exciting and talented young riders in the series. The 22-year-old Dutch flyer has followed Honda’s rider development programme in winning both the 2012 European Superstock 600 series and last year’s World Supersport championship on Honda’s CBR600RR.
Van der Mark won back-to-back Suzuka 8 Hours races in Japan in 2013 and 2014 and has scored three podiums to date in his rookie World Superbike season on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP with the final round coming up in Qatar on 18 October.
The team will begin testing for the 2016 World Superbike championship season in November with two scheduled tests in Spain which will be Hayden’s first opportunity to familiarise himself with his new Honda CBR Fireblade.
Nicky Hayden - Well, my next stop is Superbike with Honda! I’m very excited, obviously, to stick with Honda; it’s where I’ve had the most success in my career. World Superbikes is a championship that I followed closely as a kid when a lot of American riders were fighting at the front. It just seems like the right time and the right team to go with. I know I’ve got a lot to learn and it’s going to be a big challenge, but also I’m very motivated to start and learn what I can. I’d like to say thanks to everyone who has supported me through my MotoGP career. We had a good run but now it’s time to move on and try something different.
Michael van der Mark - ’m really looking forward to 2016 already! This season we have made a lot of progress with the CBR and I think that taking my experience on the bike from every track will be a very good base to start from. We’ve really improved the bike even more over the last couple of rounds and that has put us close to the front, which is what we’ve been aiming for throughout the year. The next target of course is a victory but I think that in my second season on the CBR I can be confident that we can make some more podiums and fight for wins. I’m happy to hear that Nicky will be my team-mate next year and I think we’ll be able to learn a lot from each other during the season.
Marco Chini ,WSBK Operations Manager, Honda -We are of course delighted to announce that Nicky Hayden will be Michael’s team-mate on Honda’s CBR Fireblade machine in the 2016 World Superbike championship. The team has worked really hard this season, continuing the development of the bike together with Cosworth’s electronics and we are really happy that this endeavor has translated into strong performances from both riders, particularly in the last few races. These results have demonstrated the great potential that remains in the CBR and I’m happy that they may have influenced Nicky’s decision to join our programme. We are confident that the wide experience he has gained at the highest level of our sport can help the squad to continue the development, the momentum and the team-work that has been established this season and translate that into further positive results.
Ronald ten Kate, team manager - t’s well known that, at Ten Kate, we always have been and always will be Honda. There is only be one person in the world who could possibly be more Honda than us, and that’s Nicky Hayden! That’s why I’m absolutely delighted that he’ll be joining us for next season. He was AMA Superbike champion with Honda and we’re really looking forward to bringing him back to his superbike roots. By working together and using all our combined resources, I hope that in the future we can make him the first world champion in MotoGP and World Superbike. We are also looking forward to combining Nicky’s experience with young Michael, who has shown really good pace and huge potential on the CBR in his first season. I think you can safely say that I’m more than happy with the line-up we have for 2016!
2016 MotoGP Schedule Annouced 9/11/2015
The one major change is the the loss of the long standing Red Bull sponsored MotoGP at Indianapolia, now replaced in August by the Red Bull MotoGP in Austria at the Red Bull owned track.. Circuit of the Amerias on April 10th in Austin, Texas, now remains the sole MotoGP in America.
This change was certainly expected with dwindling World Championship road racing attendance numbers in America. Plus Red Bull would certainly like to use that Indy MotoGP sponsorship money to host their own MotoGP at their Red Bull owned track in Austria.
Hopefully with the loss of the Indy MotoGP, more fans and sponsors will support the lone Austin Texas MotoGP and Laguna Seca California World Supertbike rounds, helping them survive and be profitable.
Date Grand Prix Venue
20 March Qatar* Losail International Circuit
03 April Argentina Termas de Río Hondo
10 April Americas Circuit of The Americas
24 April Spain Circuito de Jerez*
08 May France Le Mans
22 May Italy Autodromo del Mugello
05 June Catalunya Barcelona - Catalunya
26 June Netherlands TT Circuit Assen
10 July Germany Sachsenring
17 July Great Britain Silverstone Circuit
14 August Austrian Red Bull Ring - Spielberg
21 August Czech Republic Automotodrom Brno**
11 September San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli
25 September Aragón MotorLand Aragón
09 October Malaysia Sepang International Circuit
16 October Japan Twin Ring Motegi
23 October Australia Phillip Island
06 November Comunitat Valenciana Comunitat Valenciana - Ricardo Tormo
MotoGP™ to return to Brno in 2016 and beyond
August 16th - MotoGP™ rights holder Dorna Sports SL reached a deal with the Czech authorities in order to secure the Czech GP presence on the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship calendar for at least the next five years. A joint effort of the Moravian government and the city of Brno will lead to the creation of a new body acting as the promoter of the event and working alongside Dorna Sports towards MotoGP™ return to the iconic Czech venue in 2016 and beyond.
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, declared: "The Czech GP is one of the highlights of the Championship as it's been on the calendar for 50 years and as we see this weekend again, it's a very popular event. We are very happy to reach an agreement with the Czech authorities that will ensure the future of the Grand Prix in the Czech Republic for at least the next five years."
Czech ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Katerina Valachova, commented: "We're proud to announce that Brno will host MotoGP again in 2016 and the four following years, thanks to the creation of a new public body involving the Meridional Moravia Government and the City of Brno."
The first Czechoslovakian Grand Prix was held at Brno in 1965, on the original 13.94 km long road circuit. The current circuit was first used for grand prix racing in 1987 and hosted the Czechoslovakian GP through until 1991. Brno did not appear on the calendar for 1992, but the event was revived in 1993 as the Grand Prix of the Czech Republic and has taken place every year since.
Complete 2015
AMA Pro Flat Track
Schedule:
1. March 12, 2015 - DAYTONA Flat Track I - Daytona Beach, Fla.
2. March 13, 2015 - DAYTONA Flat Track II - Daytona Beach, Fla.
3. May 24, 2015 - Springfield Mile I - Springfield, Ill.
4. May 30, 2015 - Sacramento Mile - Sacramento, Calif.
5. June 20, 2015 - Hagerstown Half-Mile - Hagerstown, Md.
6. June 27, 2015 - Lima Half-Mile - Lima, Ohio
7. July 4, 2015 - Du Quoin Mile - Du Quoin, Ill.
8. July 11, 2015 - Indy Mile - Indianapolis, Ind.
9. August 1, 2015 - Castle Rock TT - Castle Rock, Wash.
10. August 4, 2015 - Black Hills Half-Mile - Rapid City, S.D.
11. August 16, 2015 - Peoria TT - Peoria, Ill.
12. August 29, 2015 - Don Tilley Memorial Charlotte Half-Mile - Charlotte, N.C.
13. September 6, 2015 - Springfield Mile II - Springfield, Ill.
14. September 19, 2015 - Roar on the Shore - Delmar, Del.
15. September 26, 2015 - Calistoga Half-Mile - Calistoga, Calif.
16. November 20, 2015 - AMA Pro Flat Track Finale - Las Vegas, Nev.
November 21, 2015 - Superprestigio of the Americas - Las Vegas, Nev
Calendar of the World Superbike Championship
Home of the Official SBK Fast Dates Calendar Kittens October 2015 Page 2 Australia MotoGP • Qatar World Superbike
Johnthan Rea Crowned 2015 SBK
2015 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show
Fast Dates SBK Podium Kittens at 2015 Laguna Seca
World Premier new 2016 FastDates.com Calendars!
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the Bikes, the Builders, the Riders, the Kittens,
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we take you around the world for the making of the
2015 FastDates.com Calendars Now in Members Corner
All three Editions of this new 2016 FastDates.com Calendars feature our official SBK Fast Dates World Superbike
Calendar Kittens
Jitka Pralinka and Petra Ruzickova from the Czech Republic, who spent the summer in America with Calendar photographer Jim Gianatsis to shoot and work at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca USA World and AMA Superbike, and the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show.
FAST 2016, 2015, 2014 Digital Calendar Magazines
Go Behind the Scenes for the Making of the FastDates.com Calendars! Each year's FastDates.com Calendar Digital Yearbook features 120 pages of exciting hi-resolution digital photography that
takes you with us behind the scenes to our photo shoots at SBK World and AMA Superbike, the LA Calendar Motorcyle Show,
and in our photo studio. You'll meet the beautiful Calendar Kitttens in sexy biography pictorials, the top Factory Racers and Custom Bike Builders,and see detailed photo features on the top calendar and race bikes. Take a track day with World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss at Misano, take an Edelsweiss Ducati World Superbike tour of the Ducati Factory & Museum and across Italy, ride a Vespa scooter around Paris and party at the Crazy Horse and the Moulon Rouge. Hang with beautiful teen rock star Taylor Momsen of the Pretty Reckless. Did we forget anything? Oh yes, and you'll see every page in the new Fast Dates, Garage Girls, Iron & Lace Calendars!
2015 FIM Eni World Superbike Championship, Qatar, Doha Round 13 of 13 Season Finale
Qatari floodlights to illuminate 2015 SBK World Superbike Season finale The battle for second is on as WorldSBK returns to Doha.
Doha, Qatar, October 12th, 2015 - Sunday 18 October will mark the final two races in the eni FIM Superbike World Championship of 2015. All is decided in terms of Riders’ and Manufacturers’ titles, in favour of Jonathan Rea and Kawasaki, but the runner-up spot is yet to be sealed. Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team) edges out Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) by 16 points, with the gap having come down from the 22 it was before Magny-Cours.
This time, Welshman Davies is joined by Xavi Fores who is the last substitute of the season for the injured Davide Giugliano; Spaniard Fores raced earlier this season at MotorLand Aragon and Assen. Davies will be looking to cement second overall as quickly as possible, while Sykes has finished only first or second in the standings for the last three years.
With the title signed, sealed and delivered for Northern Ireland’s Johnathan Rea in Jerez last month, he and his team-mate were in Barcelona last week in order to help launch the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R for 2016. For now, however, Rea is looking to amass more points than any rider has even scored in a single season of World Superbike. One more race victory would be enough to beat Colin Edwards’ record of 2002
The Losail International Circuit debuted on the calendar in 2005, running through to 2009 under daylight prior to a four-year break. It returned at the end of last year, with a scintillating finale in which Sylvain Guintoli picked up his first and so far only career double, seeing off the challenge of Sykes whose own weekend was marred by a team orders incident with Loris Baz. Guintoli duly became France’s second World Champion after Raymond Roche in 1990.
In 2007, Max Biaggi stormed onto the WorldSBK scene by winning his first race in the series. He makes headlines again eight years on, returning for a third outing of the season with Aprilia after Misano and Sepang. He tested for four days at Losail last week; now fully fit - having raced to a podium last time out with an injured shoulder - he wants even more this time.
Guintoli’s single-year spell with Honda will end after this event. He is on the lookout for another positive two races at what is one of his favourite race tracks, having finally jumped up onto the podium at home in France two weekends ago. Alex Lowes in is a similar situation, looking to enjoy his last outing on a Suzuki before he joins the 2014 title winner as Crescent switches to Yamaha R1 machinery for the start of 2016.
Ahead of Qatar, WorldSBK Champion Rea has welcomed Nicky Hayden to the paddock. The 2006 MotoGP title winner will race alongside Michael van der Mark at Honda next year, making his World Superbike debut with an eventual plan of becoming the first rider in history to win titles in the premier classes of both WorldSBK and MotoGP. His future team, Ten Kate, finished on the podium in Qatar last year as Rea was second in Race 2.
As with every year that goes by, the final race meeting of the season marks a wonderful opportunity for those riders still seeking a placement for the following campaign. With the market wide open, numerous big names are yet to be allocated to seats…
The 2015 Pirelli Qatar Round will take place across the weekend of 17-18 October, with Sunday’s first World Superbike encounter starting at 7pm local time (GMT +3).
2015 eni FIM Superbike World Championship (12 of 13 rounds completed)
1 - Jonathan Rea Kawasaki Racing Team 528*
2 - Chaz Davies Aruba.it Racing - Ducati Superbike Team 383 (-145)
3 - Tom Sykes Kawasaki Racing Team 367 (-161)
4 - Leon Haslam Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils 297 (-231)
5- Jordi Torres Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils 222 (-306)
*Already crowned the 2015 Champion
World Supersport: Triangular Manufacturers’ shootout still to be sorted
The 2015 FIM Supersport World Championship has been a season full of raw emotion, on the track as well as off it. After two seasons off the top spot, Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) is back in business with a record-extending fourth world title, thanks to the second place finish he collected at Magny-Cours in France two weekends ago. The stunning 31-year-old from Turkey is the most successful World Supersport rider by some way, not just in terms of world titles but also for race wins, podium finishes, front row starts, fastest race laps and total points scored. There is just one small detail to take care of: the pole position record of 23, which can be clinched should Sofuoglu top the qualifying session this coming Saturday.
Arguably, the championship for riders was realistically over in Jerez. Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was a season-long challenger after winning the opening at Phillip Island plus several more successes and some very hard-fought battles with Sofuoglu; however, in Spain the Frenchman picked up injuries that ended his season prematurely. Sofuoglu also suffered an ordeal this year, with the death of baby son Hamza. Emotionally, the title has been dedicated to Hamza, whose life was helplessly cut short so soon.
The third huge element in this year’s title battle was American PJ Jacobsen. Since switching to the CORE’’ Motorsport Honda Thailand outfit, the New Yorker has been on scintillating form which continued with his second victory from three races last time out in France. He now aims for a third success of the season prior to an even fiercer title challenge in 2016, with this year having been disrupted by an unscheduled team move mid-season.
Neither Jacobsen nor Sofuoglu saw the Qatar podium in 2014. That was occupied by Dutchman Michael van der Mark, ending his title-winning campaign on the top of the Doha rostrum, as Thailand’s Ratthapark Wilairot and France’s Cluzel completed the top three.
The top three fight on which all focus is centred this weekend will be that of the Manufactures’ Championship – the last title to be decided in WorldSBK this year. Japan’s Kawasaki holds a sizeable lead of 15 points over Italy’s MV Agusta, with Honda another Japanese marque still in contention and 20 points in arrears of the leader.
2015 FIM Supersport World Championship (11 of 12 rounds completed)
1 - Kenan Sofuoglu Kawasaki Puccetti Racing 213*
2 - PJ Jacobsen CORE'' Motorsport Thailand Honda 185 (-28)
3 - Jules Cluzel MV Agusta Reparto Corse 155 (-58)
*Already crowned the 2015 Champion
Jordi Torres goes full throttle on the Race One Victory Podium with Kawasaki's rea and Sykes.
Aprila Closes out the 2015 SBK World Superbike Championship
with Double Race Wins for Torres and Haslam at Qatar
Losail (Qatar), 18 October 2015 – The Losail International Circuit hosted two decidedly exciting races. It was an all Aprilia triumph, with Jordi Torres sealing his first Superbike win in Race 1 and Leon Haslam winning Race 2.
Well supported by his RSV4 RF, the Spanish rookie managed the first part of Race 1 well, maintaining his pace and paying particular attention to tyre wear. This was the choice of a veteran which bore fruit at the end of the race when Jordi caught up his rivals one by one until finding himself in the lead six laps from the end. It was the position he would hold onto until the chequered flag came out. In Race 2, on the other hand, Torres crashed just two laps from the end as he was battling for the podium.
Leon Haslam was the protagonist in Race 2, after having to settle for sixth place in Race 1. Getting off the line well from the second row, Leon stayed in the lead group with a blinding pace (the fast lap he put on the sheets was 1’58.068) moving back and forth between first and second place. After a long duel with Davies, Haslam took advantage of his RSV4 RF's better acceleration to overcome his countryman and win his second race of the season.
Leon Haslam finishes out the championship season in fourth place, followed by team mate Jordi Torres who was named best rookie of the season. Aprilia is third in the Manufacturer championship.
Leon Haslam:“We knew that the Aprilia would be fast here, even if my weekend didn't get off to the best of starts. We worked hard to get back on track but unfortunately in Race 1 I had some trouble braking that caused me to stress the system as well as my arm, which suffered in the second part of the race. The changes we made before Race 2 turned things completely around. The RSV4 was working great and it wasn't difficult to maintain a good pace. I kept on attacking down to the end when I pushed hard to finish my season the way it had begun. We've had our ups and downs this season but we never let up. This win is the just reward.”
Jordi Torres:“I am really happy about the win in Race 1. Not only because of the personal result, which is fantastic, but for my team. I have found a second family with Aprilia. The guys worked hard all season to help me grow and learn the many new lessons of this championship. I knew I had a good pace, but I was sure that my rivals would not give up. At the last turn I expected Rea to attack and I decided to brake hard, staying on the inside. Incredibly, he braked even harder, but I had a better line and that let me stay ahead of him. Winning after a duel with the great names in the championship is something that I had always hoped for. It's a shame about Race 2. I didn't have the same feeling with the front and, pushing hard to stay in the lead group, I crashed.”
Maiden win for Torres in Race 1 after spectacular battle with Rea The Spaniard ends Great Britain's winning streak as Sykes claims final podium place
Sunday 18th RACE ONE - The penultimate race of the 2015 WorldSBK season has been won under floodlights at the Losail International Circuit by Jordi Torres (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils), with Jonathan Rea and his KRT team-mate Tom Sykes joining him on the podium. Sykes led from the start, before being passed by Rea and Torres, the Spaniard pulling off an incredible move around the outside of the former champion into turn one at half distance. Interestingly, Torres’ maiden win in WorldSBK maintains Aprilia’s 100% record of podium finishes at the Qatari venue, with the Spanish flag waving at the top for the first time since 2012 at Miller Motorsports Park, when Carlos Checa won the first race. 2015 World Champion Rea gave chase but had to be content with second, his 65th podium.
Tome Sykes (65) was visibly angry after Race One with Kawasaki team mate Jonthan Rea (66) who bumbed his way past Tom in the final laps to take 2nd place, and increase the points Tom need to ovetake Ducati's Chaz Davies for 2nd overalll in the 2016 Championship.
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team) came out on top in the fight for fourth with Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) and Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils) completing the top 6.
Xavi Fores (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team) converted his maiden front row start into a solid 7th, the Spanish rider finishing the race three seconds ahead of compatriot David Salom (Team Pedercini), Leandro Mercado (Barni Racing), Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) and Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia), who completed the top 11 after their own four way fight from start to finish.
The final point scorers were Randy de Puniet (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki), Gabor Rizmayer (BMW Team Toth), Christophe Ponsson (Team Pedercini) and Gianluca Vizziello (Grillini SBK Team).
Alex Lowes was riding superbly in 3rd in the first half of the 17 lap encounter until his Voltcom Crescent Suzuki hit problems at turn 1 on lap 8. There was drama at the start for Leon Camier who suffered a technical problem on the grid after the warm up lap with his MV Agusta Reparto Corse machine, the British rider will hope to make amends in the final race of the season.
WorldSBK Qatar - Race 1
1 - Jordi Torres Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils
2 - Jonathan Rea Kawasaki Racing Team +0.726
3 - Tom Sykes Kawasaki Racing Team +6.579
Chaz Davies (7) congratulates Leon Haslam (91) for his first race win of the season in Race Two, with Chaz securing 2nd ocerall in the Cham[ionship behind Jonthan Rea and ahrad of Tom Sykes.
Haslam ends the 2015 WorldSBK season with a win Second place Davies claims runner-up spot as Rea suffers first DNF of the season
Sunday 18th RACE TWO - The final FIM Superbike World Championship race of 2015 was won on the final lap after another race-long fight as Leon Haslam (Aprilia Racing Team – Red Devils), who took his second win of the year – the fifth of his WorldSBK career – beat Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team). In securing 2nd, the Welshman also claimed the runner-up spot in the final standings ahead of Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), who came home third. Leon’s winning margin was 0.110s and his victory gave Aprilia a double win in the season finale, just as they had one year ago under Qatar’s floodlights.
Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Superbike) completed his debut WorldSBK year with another strong showing, the Dutchman finishing fourth after running in the leading group for the first 12 laps, before dropping back a little in the closing stages.
The other big news of Race 2 was Jonathan Rea’s first DNF of the season, which put an end to his hopes of setting a new outright points record in the series; the 2015 World Championship had to pull out on lap 6 as his KRT machine suffered a technical problem.
Sylvain Guintoli was fifth on his last race for Pata Honda. The 2014 champion ended the night’s second 17-lap encounter a fraction of a second ahead of Leandro Mercado (Barni Racing), who took a season’s best sixth.
Seventh was Randy de Puniet (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki), who equalled his previous best result of the season, while 8th to 10th went to Niccolò Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati), David Salom (Team Pedercini Kawasaki) and Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia).
The final point scorers in Race 2 were Christophe Ponsson (Team Pedercini), Gianluca Vizziello (Grillini SBK Team), Gabor Rizmayer (BMW Team Toth), Imre Toth (BMW Team Toth) and Alex Phillis who scored his first WorldSBK championship point.
Xavi Fores (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team) did not compete in Race 2 after withdrawing through illness while Alex Lowes retired his Voltcom Crescent Suzuki at the end of the opening lap. Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was able to start the second encounter but he too to finish for the second time today.
WorldSBK Qatar - Race 2
1 - Leon Haslam Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils
2 - Chaz Davies Aruba.it Racing - Ducati Superbike Team +0.110
3 - Tom Sykes Kawasaki Racing Team +0.388
2015 SBK World Superbike Final standings
1 - Jonathan Rea Kawasaki Racing Team 548
2 - Chaz Davies Aruba.it Racing - Ducati Superbike Team 416 (-132)
3 - Tom Sykes Kawasaki Racing Team 399 (-149)
Leon Haslam #91 - Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils
Race 1 6th Race 2 1st
Twitter: @realleonhaslam; Facebook: Leon-Haslam
“We knew that the Aprilia would be fast here, even if my weekend didn't get off to the best of starts. We worked hard to get back on track but unfortunately in Race 1 I had some trouble braking that caused me to stress the system as well as my arm, which suffered in the second part of the race. The changes we made before Race 2 turned things completely around. The RSV4 was working great and it wasn't difficult to maintain a good pace. I kept on attacking down to the end when I pushed hard to finish my season the way it had begun. We've had our ups and downs this season but we never let up. This win is the just reward.”
Jordi Torres #81 - Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils
Race 1 1st Race 2 DNF
Twitter: @jorditorres81; Instagram: @jorditorres81
“I am really happy about the win in Race 1, also for my team. I have found a second family with Aprilia. The guys worked hard all season to help me grow and learn . I knew I had a good pace, but I was sure that my rivals would not give up. At the last turn I expected Rea to attack and I decided to brake hard, staying on the inside. Incredibly, he braked even harder, but I had a better line and that let me stay ahead of him. Winning after a duel with the great names in the championship is something that I had always hoped for. It's a shame about Race 2. I didn't have the same feeling with the front and, pushing hard to stay in the lead group, I crashed.”
Chaz Davies #7 - Aruba.it Racing - Ducati SBK Team
Race 1 4th Race 2 2nd
Twitter: @chazdavies; Instagram: @chazdavies7; Facebook: chazdavies7
“I’m really happy; we came here with the aim to finish second in the championship and we did just that. After making a few changes before race 2, the suspension on my Panigale R was better and I could push harder. I made a small mistake in the final corner, leaving the door open for Haslam who got me in the final metres. It’s been a great season, we’ve been consistently up front, fighting for podiums. Collecting more than 400 points over the season, despite the DNFs, is not at all bad. But we can always improve of course! We have work to do over the winter but I’m confident and excited about starting the 2016 season!”
Jonathan Rea #65 - Kawasaki Racing Team
Race 1 2nd Race 2 DNF
Twitter: @jonathanrea; Instagram: @jonathan_rea; Facebook: JonathanReaOfficial
“I gave 200% in race one and I can’t thank my guys enough because they worked hard to give me a really good bike. When Torres came past I made a really big effort to stay with him. Race two was a frustrating way to end the year but we have to be clever and look back at the amazing season we had, with so many race wins, and taking the championship. I wanted to win again in race two and we were doing enough in the beginning to manage our tyres better than the others. I am just a bit gutted that I missed out on the second race because it looked like a fun race to be part of! I would have liked the battle.”
Kawasaki's All New 206 ZX10R Successor to a 2-Time World Champion - Comple Information and Photos
Iannone leads the opening laps on the Ducati ahead of Lorenzo, Marquez, Pedrosa, Critch;low and Rossi in what would be a 6-way race long batte for the win at Phillip Island, making it one of the most exciting MotoGP races ever!
2015 FIM MotoGP World Championship, Motegi, Japan, Motul MotoGP of Japan Round 16 of 18
Australian MotoGP - One of the Most Exciting Races Ever!
Marc Marquez wins one of the most dramatic MotoGP™ races of all time
as Jorge Lorenzo reduces Valentino Rossi’s lead in the standings to just 11 points.
Phillip Island, Australia, Sunday October 18th, 2015 - Repsol Honda’s Marquez emerged triumphant from an incredible Pramac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix to record his 50th career GP victory and fifth of 2015. Marquez secured the race win in the end by just 0.249s from Jorge Lorenzo, with Andrea Iannone completing the podium ahead of championship leader Valentino Rossi who had to settle for fourth.
The 32,000 fans packed into the grandstands bore witness to one of the most exciting races in the history of the World Championship as Marquez was involved in a race-long scrap with Movistar Yamaha teammates and title rivals Lorenzo and Rossi, plus the Ducati GP15 of Iannone. The battle between these four was simply breath taking, as for once the weather did not throw a spanner in the works with the sun shining and track temperatures reaching 40?C. It really did have everything: a myriad of overtakes, lots of contact, a championship title on the line, and even a bird strike.
Iannone impacts a seagull on the track while leading,
At the start it was Iannone who got the drive off the line to lead into turn 1 with Lorenzo and Marquez in hot pursuit. Lorenzo would take the lead into turn 8, and in a sign of things to come there was contact between Marquez and his teammate Dani Pedrosa at turn 10 as the former defended 3rd. Iannone re-took the lead on lap 2, only to be hit by a stray seagull on the entrance to turn 4 to allow Lorenzo to move back to the front.
The lead swapped hands a number of times between these three on the opening laps. All the while Rossi, who had started from seventh on the grid, had been biding his time, before starting to move through the pack by lap 3. The ‘Doctor’ overtook the Repsol Honda of Dani Pedrosa and LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow to move up to fourth on lap 4 and join in the fun at the front.
Lorenzo began to break away at the front, and by the end of lap 7 he had opened up a 1.4s gap, but just when it looked like he would disappear into the distance the chasing trio started to close. Unbelievably, despite constantly swapping places, the three started to reel in Lorenzo at the front. At the end of lap 13, Lorenzo’s lead was down to a second. At the end of lap 14 it was 0.5s, and fans were in for a treat as Marquez, Iannone and Rossi caught Lorenzo at the front with 10 laps to go.
From here on in it was anyone’s guess who would win, with Iannone using the incredible power of his GP15 to show some blistering pace on the straight. This meant each time once of the others passed the Italian; he was able wait until the Gardner straight to launch his Bologna missile back past.
Lorenzo took the lead with 7 laps to go once more, and with just two laps to go had extended this lead to one second as the others fought against each other. The best was still to come though. As the riders entered the final lap less than second separated all four, as Lorenzo led across the line from Iannone with Marquez in third and Rossi fourth.
Marquez passed Iannone in the Southern Loop to move into second and set off after Lorenzo. Rossi also came past his compatriot after contact at turn 4, before Iannone fought back into 3rd through Lukey Heights. Then at turn 10 Marquez blitzed past Lorenzo into the lead, as Rossi tried desperately to pass Iannone for the final time but failed. Marquez then managed to hold on through the final few corners to secure an amazing victory as the crowd went wild. Lorenzo took second, his tenth podium of the year, to close the gap in the standings to Rossi to just 11 points with two races remaining. Iannone completed the podium, his third of the year and first since Mugello, while Rossi’s fourth was only the second time he has missed out on the podium this season. To give you an idea of how close it was, just a second separated the four across the line. It was also Rossi’s 328th grand prix, which moves him level with Loris Capirossi at the top of the list of riders with the most World Championships starts.
Marquez’s teammate Pedrosa came out on top in the battle for fifth as he crossed the line 5 seconds behind Rossi. The winner at Motegi had enjoyed an excellent race long fight with Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow, who finished in sixth and seventh respectively. Sixth equalled Viñales best MotoGP™ result from the Catalan GP as he once more impressed in what is only the Spaniard's rookie season.
Pol Espargaro (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) won the battle of the brothers as he beat Aleix (Team Suzuki Ecstar) to 8th. Yamaha Tech 3’s Bradley Smith completed the top ten, finishing less than a second ahead of his compatriot Scott Redding on the EG 0,0 Marc VDS Honda in eleventh.
LCR Honda’s Jack Miller took the Open class victory at his home grand prix by finishing in fifteenth, with Irishman Eugene Laverty (Aspar MotoGP Team) crossed the line in 19th after announcing he will be staying with his team for 2016. Laverty’s teammate Nicky Hayden was forced to retire with a technical issue and Damian Cudlin (E-Motion IodaRacing Team), who was substituting for the injured Alex De Angelis, also had to return to the pits with an issue
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team: 1st- “It was a really fun race – certainly one to remember – and it had different phases to it. At the beginning there was a lot of overtaking, then when I passed Jorge it seemed that I was breaking away. However, I overheated the front tire and had to slow my pace. At the end I overtook Iannone and Valentino and I had a great last lap; I don't know where I pulled that time out from, but it was what made the difference for us! I want to thank all the team, Honda and all the fans. After a difficult season it’s always nice to finish the year with some victories!”
Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha), 2nd -" I think this was the most exciting race of the season and for sure one of the best in the last few years. To have four of the fastest riders fighting for victory in all the corners for the whole race is unbelievable. To be honest, I didn‘t expect that Andrea and Valentino would be able to stay with us. I also expected Marc to be stronger than me, but in the race I saw that he had some problems in some corners and so when I passed him again I tried to push to the limit and create an advantage, but it wasn‘t enough. In the slow corners I lost out a little bit, because my front tyre‘s life was going down, so I couldn‘t lean in completely, so he was able to recover a lot of time in these corners. I didn‘t want to crash in the last braking zone and that‘s probably why Marc was able to brake later and take the victory. It‘s a really good feeling to close in on Valentino in the championship. The bike was working really well and we did a good job throughout the whole weekend. It was just a pity that this front tyre on the bike was struggling a little bit, but we are a step closer in the championship. It could have been more but it also could have been less, but it‘s enough. At some point you have to be happy, look ahead to continue delivering this good work during the last two races.
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Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team #29) 3rd "What an incredible race! It was really important for me to finish on the podium because here we had the possibility of doing a good race, but the result was neither easy nor a foregone conclusion. We all had a great battle, passing each other many times, and it was an incredible spectacle, I hope also for the people watching at home. The team fully deserved this result and it was also important for me because we are getting better all the time, race after race. If you look at last year’s race, here we have made incredible progress, and no one expected this. On the second lap something really unusual happened, because there was a seagull in front of me trying to get out of the way: I hit the poor thing head on, but in the end it was like a good luck kiss!”
Incredibly enough, there was not a single crash in the MotoGP class today, in fact, there was only one faller during the entire weekend in this category, it was Bradley Smith during FP4 on Saturday.
Your looking at newly crowned 2015 SBK World Superbike Champion Jopnthan Rea/ Team Kawasaki on the top podium step at Magny Cours, with the two contenders for the 2nd and 3rd in the Championship, Chaz Davies and Tom Sykes to fight it down tot he fire at the final round in Qatar on Octiber 18th.
2015 FIM Eni World Superbike Championship,Magney Cours, France Round 12 of 13 Jonthan Rea Doubles in the Wet and Dry at Magny Cours
just to reconfirm his 2015 SBK World Superbike Championship title
Sunday Oct 4th, RACE ONE - After an oil spill on the wet track surface at the end of morning warm-up session the first race start was delayed and cut to 19-laps as it continued to rain. The riders had to finally contend with a wet but drying track surface and a nervous first few lapsLuca Scassa (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati SBK Team), Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia) and Roman Ramos (Team Go Eleven).han Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team), the World Champion doing the double for the fifth time this year after a three-rider battle raged from the start. His podium tally of 22 puts him equal with Troy Bayliss who achieved the feat in 2002, and is the second highest number of podiums in a season in the all-time list.
Kenan Sofuoglu: 2015 FIM Supersport World Champion
Turkish rider overcomes every possible hurdle for fourth world title
Sunday Oct 4th, 600cc Supersport - On the face of it, Kenan Sofuoglu is by far the most successful rider to have ever competed in the Supersport World Championship. Not only does the hold records in practically every area but he has now become a four-time World Champion, having already been the only rider to enjoy the honour three times. However, in 2015 the 31-year-old has faced an immense struggle off the track as well as on it.
Hailing from the Turkish town of Akyazi (whose postcode is 54 and the number with which Sofuoglu has always raced), he began his professional career in 2003, missing out on the IDM Supersport title by just ten points. Also that year, he made his debut in World Supersport, competing in the races of Valencia, Oschersleben and Magny-Cours. Valencia was also the scene of his debut pole position, in 2007, but the first win came at Assen in 2006 as he beat his nearest opponent by four and a half seconds.
His first two titles came with Hannspree Ten Kate Honda, in 2007 and 2010 respectively. He achieved the crown again in 2012, this time with Lorenzini Kawasaki. During this phase Sofuoglu also starred in the Moto2 World Championship, in 2010 and 2011. In the second of the two years, he finished on the podium at Assen, beaten only by future MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez.
Sofuoglu’s story of 2015 is one of triumph mixed with tragedy. Following a difficult period with MAHI Racing Team India last year, his Kawasaki Puccetti Racing partnership was hoped to deliver the title. Phillip Island in February presented a difficult start, as he was forced to recover to sixth place after an incident with Gino Rea, but there was a pole position and return to the podium in Thailand as he finished second behind first-time winner Ratthapark Wilairot. Then came a pivotal run of four straight wins at Aragon, Assen, Imola and Donington, but reading off results alone tells barely half of the story; not least as title rival Jules Cluzel’s MV Agusta lost a potential 50 points due to engine failures in both the MotorLand and Buriram rounds.
However, it is events away from the race track that have most characterised this year for the Sofuoglu family. Ahead of Imola, Manuel Puccetti’s team announced that Hamza Sofuoglu, newly-born son of Kenan and wife Julia, was fighting for his life in a Turkish hospital. Against all odds, Kenan fought on to win the race in Italy before hurriedly returning home. Following his four consecutive victories, there was second in Portugal after a second massive scrap with Cluzel (the first having come at Assen), while 11th at Misano was the blot on the copybook as Sofuoglu was pushed into a mistake by Lorenzo Zanetti while defending third place on the final lap.
By the time the paddock regrouped at Sepang, the fraternity had received the tragic news that baby Hamza had succumb to his illness. In the Malaysian race, channeling emotion into determination in one of sport’s most remarkable displays of courage, Sofuoglu finished fourth behind PJ Jacobsen, Cluzel and Zanetti.
Jerez came around in mid-September. Sofuoglu’s championship lead - as great as 45 points after Donington - was now down to just 13. Then came the next twist, as Cluzel was harshly ruled out of the championship chase following a heavy crash in Friday practice. “I am very sorry for Jules,” Sofuoglu was quick to mention. “He also deserved to win the title. Maybe we have been a little lucky, but I have also had some very difficult times this year. Life can give us some very hard moments and this is a very hard moment for him. I’m very sorry for him and his team.”
Sofuoglu’s title was sewn up with second place at Magny-Cours on Sunday 4th October, historically winning the World Supersport crown for the fourth time as only challenger Jacobsen ended proceedings in first place.
Look for a racer as resolutely determined as Kenan Sofuoglu and you will struggle, as confirmed by his fierce battles with Cluzel this year in The Netherlands and Portugal. However, Turkey’s national hero has demonstrated the absolute qualities of a gentleman and of a competitor who overcomes the cruelest of heartbreaks to source energy and encouragement to his family, friends and team. A true sportsman. Supersport 600 Race Results
Lorenzo Savadori: 2015 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup Winner
Sparkling Cesena rider clinches the title at Magny-Cours.
At the age of 22 years and 6 months, Lorenzo Savadori has achieved the goal of winning the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup. He becomes the 15th rider to win the Cup and the eighth from Italy. He is the tenth youngest to claim the crown, just several months younger than Leandro Mercado when the Argentinian won last year.
Savadori had one hand on the title in France last year. He highsided out of contention just half a lap away from the chequered flag, depriving himself of the title as Mercado majestically swept through to take the honours.
A flamboyant character on and off the track, Savadori debuted in Superstock 1000 in 2011, with the Lorenzini by Leoni team. He moved to Barni Ducati in 2012 ahead of two campaigns with a Team Pedercini Kawasaki – including the one in which he so nearly clinched the title. During the off-season ahead of 2015, he made the switch to Team Nuova M2 Racing to attempt an assault on the title aboard the RF RSV4.
From the season-opener in Aragon last April, the positive feelings between the Italian rider and the Noale-built, four-cylinder motorcycle were clear. He scored pole position and missed out on victory only when he was overhauled by BMW rival Roberto Tamburini at the final corner. However, from Assen onwards Savadori has picked up four race victories from seven and arrived in France this week with a 25-point advantage over his compatriot. The eighth position he achieved on Sunday marked an end to Savadori’s path to the title, having failed to win the title two weeks ago in Jerez.
His 8 victories put him third overall for Superstock 1000 race wins, behind only former Champions Ayrton Badovini (11) and Sylvain Barrier (10). Furthermore, he has controlled proceedings in 2015, leading a staggering 71 of the 95 laps across the first seven races which equates to almost 75%. He has finished on the podium in every race this season.
Having defeated the ghosts of 2014, the youth and undeniable talent of Lorenzo Savadori can now look to make a mark on an international career in motorcycle racing, complete with the confident smile that has always been his trademark.
Superstock 1000 Final 2015 Standings: 1. L. SAVADORI APRILIA 164;, 2. R. TAMBURINI BMW 142; 3. R. DE ROSA DUCATI 121; 4. J. GUARNONI YAMAHA 91; 5. O. JEZEK DUCATI 82; 6. K. COGHLAN YAMAHA 72; 7. K. CALIA APRILIA 63; 8. F. MASSEI DUCATI 60; 9. B. STARING KAWASAKI 53; 10. C. BERGMAN YAMAHA 35; 11. F. MARINO YAMAHA 23; 12. T. COVEÑA DUCATI 21; 13. M. MOSER DUCATI 18': 14. S. SUCHET KAWASAKI 18; 15. S. BARRIER YAMAHA 17; 16. L. SALVADORI DUCATI 16; 17. L. MARCONI YAMAHA 16; 18. L. TRAUTMANN YAMAHA 14; 19. M. GINES YAMAHA 13; 20. R. RUSSO YAMAHA 13.
They're back! Yamaha Announces its Return to World Superbike in 2016
with Riders Sylvain Guintoli and Alex Lowes on Cresent racing managed team
Septmber 22nd, 2015 - Yamaha Motor Europe will make its official return to the World Superbike Championship in 2016 in collaboration with highly experienced partner Crescent Racing and title sponsors PATA. The team will place the new YZF-R1 in the talented hands of 2014 World Superbike Champion Sylvain Guintoli and 2013 British Superbike Champion Alex Lowes.
PATA has a proven track record and passion for motorsport with a high profile presence in World Superbike, making them a perfect complement to the partnership of Yamaha and Crescent Racing in 2016.
Frenchman Guintoli has over 15 years experience in racing, with 45 podiums, 10 race wins and, of course, the 2014 world title to his credit - in classes spanning 250cc, MotoGP, British Superbike and World Superbike. While young British rider Lowes took 20 podiums, 8 wins and 6 pole positions on his way to his 2013 British Superbike title. He has also competed with Crescent for the last two seasons so is no stranger to the team or the WSBK series.
Returning to the World Superbike stage for the first time since 2011, Yamaha Motor Europe's strategy is clear - to make full use of the all-new YZF-R1 to challenge for victory in the premier production Superbike series. Yamaha's impressive history in the Championship, combined with the stunning base specification of the YZF-R1, offers an unrivalled opportunity to campaign for victory honours.
2009 saw Yamaha take their first World Superbike Championship title, breaking multiple records throughout the season with American rider Ben Spies on board. Iconic riders such as Noriyuki Haga, Troy Corser, James Toseland, Marco Melandri and Cal Crutchlow, among others, have all taken their turns delivering countless victories on the YZF-R1 throughout Yamaha's Superbike career.
Crescent will partner Yamaha as their fully-supported Official WSBK Team from 2016. Crescent is the World Superbike Championship's only UK-based team and has a 20-year racing history at both national and global level that features victories in the British Superbike Championship, World Superbike and MotoGP.
Yamaha Motor Europe will retain responsibility over racing strategy and technical development, as well as the rider agreements with Crescent's hugely experienced, dedicated, technical and engineering racing personnel running the team's operation at each of the Championship rounds.
The all-new Yamaha YZF-R1 arrived as a game changer in 2015, re-writing the rulebook for the Supersport market as the next generation of racing machine. As the 2015 racing season draws to a close it can already claim numerous victories - including the inaugural Road America AMA Championship and the legendary Suzuka 8Hr Endurance race in the hands of MotoGP stars Pol Espargaro, Bradley Smith and five-time All Japan Superbike Champion Katsuyuki Nakasuga. In the UK the R1 is in contention for the British Superbike Championship title, while across Europe the story continues with both the Polish Superbike Championship and the French Superstock Championship secured. Yamaha also currently leads the Spanish FIM CEV Repsol International Championship and last weekend claimed second overall in the FIM Endurance World Championship in the hands of France's GMT94 Yamaha team.
"This is a very exciting moment for us as we eagerly wait to return to the top level of Superbike competition next year after an absence of four years," commented Yamaha Motor Europe Chief Operating Officer, Eric De Seynes.
"Having re-written the Supersport rule book and changed the game with the new YZF-R1, directly developed from Yamaha MotoGP technology, it was clear we would need to return to the World Superbike Championship to show the full potential of our new Superbike machine. We took one year to grow experience with the new R1 in many other championships where the bike has shown its potential already, with the amazing 8H of Suzuka victory and the very positive results that our official Teams are gathering all around Europe. Now we are ready to be back on the world stage and I am happy we have found in Crescent the same values of professionalism, engineering detail and passion for victory we share."
For more information on Yamaha Motor Europe's latest racing endeavors see Yamaha-Racing.com
Jonathan Rea: 2015 eni FIM Superbike World Champion
An undeniable talent seals an indisputable world title.
Jerez, Spain, September 20th, 2015 - The Pirelli Spanish Round has gone down in history as the WorldSBK race meeting at which Jonathan Rea was crowned World Champion of 2015. The British rider, standard bearer of the Kawasaki Racing Team, clinched the ultimate goal in Race 1 courtesy of his fourth position. He has been pursuing the title since his first full campaign in 2009.
Rea first mounted the all-conquering Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R at MotorLand Aragon on 17 November 2014, supported all the way by Team Manager and former rider Guim Roda. The Northern Irishman arrived in Malaysia at the start of August already with a mathematic chance of claiming the title, despite three rounds still remaining of the 13. After Race 1 at Jerez, he has now won 12 races this year and picked up 20 podium finishes from the first 21 races. He is chasing Doug Polen’s 1991 record of 17 race victories in one season, which can now only be equalled.
ince the inauguration of WorldSBK in 1988, Rea is the third rider to win the crown on a Kawasaki motorcycle. The first was American Scott Russell in 1993, while the next was Rea’s current team-mate Tom Sykes two decades later. Rea has also become the first different World Champion in as many years (with the last five titles having been sealed by Carlos Checa, Max Biaggi, Tom Sykes and Sylvain Guintoli) and the fifth British World Champion after Carl Fogarty, Neil Hodgson, James Toseland and the aforementioned Tom Sykes.
Although Rea’s raw talent has never been questioned over the past six seasons, it wasn’t until the 28-year-old from Ballymena rode the green bike that his maximum potential could be extracted. All the while off the track, the humble Briton has remained a professional, unassuming human being, rider, husband and father. He currently resides on the Isle of Man.
The coveted crown in his hands, the new number one faces the rest of the season with copious amount of convince, fully aware of the many goals he can still achieve and the fact that Jonathan Rea is the 2015 eni FIM Superbike World Champion.
BIOGRAPHY
Date of birth 2 February 1987, Place of birth Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Married with 1 child.
SBK CAREER
Race starts in World Superbike 161
Pole positions 6
Wins 27
Podiums 62
Fastest laps 19
First race Algarve/1, 2008
First pole Assen, 2010
First win Misano/2, 2009
First podium Kyalami/2, 2009
First fastest lap Nurburgring/2, 2009
CAREER PATH
2015 World Superbike: Kawasaki Racing Team, 1st, 465 points (12 wins, 20 podiums, 2 poles, 9 fastest laps)
2014 World Superbike: Pata Honda World Superbike Team, 3rd, 334 points (4 wins, 9 podiums, 1 pole, 2 fastest laps)
FIM Endurance (EWC): F.C.C. TSR Honda
2013 World Superbike: Pata Honda World Superbike Team, 9th, 176 points (1 win, 4 podiums, 1 fastest lap)
FIM Endurance: F.C.C. TSR Honda
2012 World Superbike: Honda World Superbike Team, 5th, 278.5 points (2 wins, 6 podiums)
MotoGP: Repsol Honda Team, 2 races, 21st, 17 points
2011 World Superbike: Castrol Honda, 9th, 170 points (2 wins, 5 podiums, 2 poles)
2010 World Superbike: Hannspree Ten Kate Honda, 4th, 292 points (4 wins, 10 podiums, 1 pole, 5 fastest laps)
2009 World Superbike: Hannspree Ten Kate Honda, 5th, 315 points (2 wins, 8 podiums, 2 fastest laps)
2008 World Supersport: Hannspree Ten Kate Honda, 2nd, 164 points (3 wins, 6 podiums)
World Superbike: Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Jr., 2 races, 26th, 14 points
2007 British Superbike: HM Plant Honda, 2nd, 407 points (5 wins, 16 podiums, 4 poles, 5 fastest laps)
2006 British Superbike: Red Bull Honda, 4th, 248 points (4 podiums, 2 poles)
2005 British Superbike: Red Bull Honda, 16th, 64 points (1 pole)
2015 LA Calendar Best of Show winner Hiroyuki Hirata with Calendar Kittens Sara, Apple, Helena and Alena.
Builder Hiroyuki Hirata returns from Japan to take his 2nd Best of Show with "Zero Fighter"
2015 LA Calendar Motorcycle & Calendar Girl Music Show
The Sagebrush Cantina, Calabasas, CA, Saturday July 25th 2015 - The 2015 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show continued its now 24- year tradition as the premier outdoor streetbike event in America as it rocked the legendary Los Angeles biker hangout and party zone, the Sagebrush Cantina in beautiful downtown Calabasas, California. Featured were top Celebrity Custom Bike Builders from across the globe competitiing in the Calendar Bike Building Championship, selected Vendors and Exhibitors, Calendar Girl Music live performances, and an incredibly delicious Sagebrush Cantina Taco Lunch Buffet included with admission. The Calendar Motorcycle Show again benefited the American Cancer Society with a portion of each Admission Ticket being donated to help find a cure.
Now in the Calendar Bike Garage...
Samuel Kao's Calendar Bike Show class winning BMW R 90T Bar Hopper With beauitful FastDates.com SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Sara
featured in the Calendar Bike Garage / Members Corner and in the new 2016 Iron & Lace Calendar
Former AMA Superbike racer and motorcycle industry test rider Thad Wolf rode in on his beautiful and unrestored original 1918 Harley-Davidson, so we just had to give him1st Place in the Classic American class and invited him to bring his bike to the Calendar shoot the next day. Awarding Thad his trophy were FastDates.com Calendar Kittens and the official Laguna Seca SBK World Superbike Podium Gilrs from the previous weeeknds race; Apple Price, Sara Horvath, Helena Milona and Alena Savostikova.
Russian Mob Kitten Alena Savostikova gets goofey in our photo studio in this out take from our Calendar shoot the day after the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show.
Calendar Kittens Sara Horvath and Helene Milana featured as the
Official SBK Grid and Podium Girls at World Superbike Laguna Seca, and
July 17-19th and as LA Calendar Show Host on Saturday July 25th
The FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars was excited to announce that Calendar Kittens Sara Horvath, Helene Milana and Alena Savostikova, represented by Umbrella Girls USA, served as the official SBK World Superbike Umbrella Girls at the 2015 aguna Seca World and AMA Superbike race weekend July 17-19th at Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca, CA. Then all three Kittesn hosted at the annual LA Calendar Motorcycle Show on Saturday July 25th at the Sagebrush Cantina, Calabasas, CA.
The SBK Kittens also made fan appearances in front of the Laguna Seca Paddock Souvenir Store during the Lunch Breaks on Saturday and Sunday to introduce, autograph and sell the new 2017 Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar. Sara, Helena and Alena will also be working the race weekend with FastDates.com Calendar photographer and publisher Jim Gianatsis to shoot the next edition of the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar with all the top factory race team bikes on Pit Lane during the race weekend.
The newest FastDates.com Calendar Kittens, Helene Milana, who joined us at Laguna Seca World Superbike and the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show in July, recently moved to Los Angeles from Belarus in Eastern Europe. While Alena Savostikoa is of Russia desent, but was born and raised in Florida, moving to Los Angles to become a professional model Los Angeles. Both are a perfect match in looks and 5' 9" height to Sara. Continued Here
Now in the Calendar Bike Garage... The World's Coolest Naked Ducati! Beauitful FastDates.com Calendar Kitten Sara takes us for a ride on the world's most exotic and expensive Ducati streetbike
ever - a $110,000 Vyrus NCR 983 Superleggera in the Calendar Bike Garage and in Members Corner.
Now in the Calendar Bike Garage... Sam Kao's LA Calendar Show Winner Beauitful FastDates.com SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Petra looks fantastic with Samuel Kao's JSK Desgn Sportster
featured in the Calendar Bike Garage / Members Corner and in the new 2016 Iron & Lace Calendar
New "Hitting The Apex" MotoGP Movie Trailer
Exciting new MotoGP Documentary Movie by Mark Neale and narrated by Brad Pit. Watch the trailer for Hitting the Apex, Mark Neale’s documentary that follows the battle for MotoGP supremacy between drivers Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Marco Simoncelli and Marc Marquez. The film is narrated by Brad Pitt and features exclusive footage and interviews. Hitting the Apex is in cinemas from September 2 and available on DVD and Blu-Ray from September 7th, 2015.
FIM MotoGP World Championship
Motul GrandPrix Japan
Twin Ring Motegi
Motegi, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, Round 15 of 18
October 11, 2015 -In wet and tricky conditions at the Motul Grand Prix of Japan, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi finished second, while teammate Jorge Lorenzo finished third, making it a certainty that one of the Yamaha YZR-M1 riders will be crowned 2015 MotoGP World Champion.
Valentino had one goal for today's 24-lap race: to extend his lead in the 2015 MotoGP Championship. You could cut the tension with a knife as the lights went out signaling the start, but Vale didn't let it get to him and had a dream launch from second place on the grid to take the holeshot in front of Jorge, who started from the pole. As the Spaniard fought back, the teammates got involved in a short duel in the first corners, but due to cold tires and the treacherous conditions, The Doctor was unable to stay with Jorge and slotted himself into second.
With a clear track in front of him, Jorge was in his element and consistently increased the pace, creating a gap of over three seconds, but it wasn't to last. As the track dried up, his front tire started to deteriorate, forcing him to lower his pace, which enabled his rivals to close in.
With nine laps to go, Dani Pedrosa caught up to Valentino in second and piled on the pressure. Vale defended his position with all he had, but he was unable to hold off Pedrosa and was determined not to let him escape.
With seven laps remaining, Pedrosa was within half a second of Jorge, and he brought The Doctor with him. Jorge gave everything he had to keep his chasers at bay, but his front tire was too degraded.
Pedrosa passed Jorge as he ran wide and took over the lead, and The Doctor moved into second. Valentino pulled a gap of more than a three seconds to Jorge, but he was unable to stay with Pedrosa and took second over the line. Jorge did well to bring his Yamaha home in third place.
Sunday's result saw Valentino increase his lead in the Championship standings to 18 points, while Jorge remains in second place. Additionally, the teammates’ points totals mean that, besides Yamaha already wrapping up the 2015 Team Title at the previous round, one of the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP riders is a lock to be crowned 2015 MotoGP World Champion.
Round 16 of the 2015 MotoGP World Championship will take place next weekend at the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.
Motul announced as new WorldSBK Title Sponsor
Solid agreement signed for the next five seasons, from 2016 to 2020.
Marc Saurina, WSBK Commercial and Marketing Director with Roman Grabowski, Motul Motorsport Manager
Details of the agreement between Dorna Group and Motul were revealed at Magny-Cours last Friday during the penultimate round of the 2015 WorldSBK season. Representatives Romain Grabowski of Motul and Marc Saurina of Dorna formally announced to the gathered media and fans the new-look, long-term partnership which will see the Championship invigorated from the start of next year.
Motul, the French company producing high-performance motor oils and industrial lubricants, has a long history in motorsports. It is a key partner for both the FIM and Dorna Group and will make its debut in WorldSBK in 2016, as Title Sponsor of the Championship.
Starting from the forthcoming new season, the series will feature a dedicated combined championship logo in all of its adaptations, as well as a brand-new Motul-SBK product range. This will be launched during the first quarter of next season and is aimed at customers who expect the very best.
In the meantime, racing oils and lubricants will be available for the teams competing in WorldSBK, putting a perfect combination of racing knowledge and skills at the end users’ disposal.
Motul has embraced the essence of the SBK Experience and it is now going to offer its guests the closest motorcycle racing experience ever with proximity and accessibility being the key words.
Motul products will be on display within the Paddock for all the Superbike fans attending the races, making this a full partnership which involves fans, teams and Motul guests.
Romain Grabowski, Motul Motorsport Manager said: “We are really delighted to add WorldSBK to the list of motorcycling disciplines we support on a worldwide basis. As with the FIM EWC, WorldSBK teams will be able to use the Motul Factory Line range which is dedicated to racing and which benefits from knowledge gained from the major manufacturers’ use of experimental products in MotoGP. This 360° partnership includes the launch of a WorldSBK by Motul product which will be destined for fans of the championship, and we’ve also got a brand-new ‘Motul SBK Experience’ concept which from 2016 will allow us to offer our customers a unique experience at each of the season’s races. We can’t wait for this 2016 campaign to begin!”.
Marc Saurina, WSBK Commercial and Marketing Director says: “It is a great pleasure for us to see such an important brand in the history of motorsports joining with WorldSBK’s core values. Motul is the perfect partner with whom to develop our concept of brand experience, having a close proximity to the very DNA of production-based motorcycling.”
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Friday 16th October 2015
PBM Announce Be Wiser, Ducati And Irwin For 2016
Further to the announcement two weeks ago that defending MCE BSB champion Shane 'Shakey' Byrne will remain with the Paul Bird Motorsport team for the 2016 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, the Penrith-based team wishes to announce their further plans.
Joining Byrne in the team will be Ulsterman Glenn Irwin whereby the 25-year-old from Carrickfergus will make the step up from the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship. Irwin is a triple Irish champion and former British Supersport Cup champion and currently occupies third place in this year's British Supersport title race.
Both Byrne and Irwin will race under the Be Wiser banner following the recent association between the leading insurance brand and Paul Bird's team. The deal sees a multi-year association with the nine-times British and National champions who have also sampled victories at World Superbike and MotoGP level.
The machinery that the team will use is the fully factory-supported Ducati Panigale R which will see a return to the marque whereby Steve Hislop and Shane Byrne both claimed British Superbike Championships for the Italian company under the MonsterMob Ducati branding in the early 2000s.
The team will waste no time in getting up to speed as they test in Valencia immediately after Brands Hatch with a heavy winter testing schedule thereafter in preparation for the 2016 MCE Insurance British Championship season which gets underway at Silverstone on April 10th 2016.
Andrew Dunkerley, Marketing Director, Be Wiser Insurance: "We are delighted to become the title sponsor of PBM, a team that is always professionally managed and which has a proud history in the BSB series. I am pleased and excited to see Ducati's commitment to the BSB series and I am sure that the highly experienced and successful 'Shakey' will be a great mentor for Glenn Irwin in his first season in BSB. I expect to see the Be Wiser Ducati team being competitive for the 2016 championship and it will be great to see our Be Wiser Owl logo on the new Ducati."
Tim Maccabee, Managing Director, Ducati UK: "We are delighted to be associated with Paul Bird and his team and very excited about the 2016 MCE BSB season. Ducati has an unparalleled history in Superbike racing and this next chapter is one we are looking forward to given the success PBM have had in the sport. We have received very positive support from Ducati Corse about this project and look forward to a successful season with Shakey, Glenn and the rest of the PBM team."
Paul Bird, Team Owner: "2016 will be our 21st consecutive year in racing and we are the first team to confirm our line-up for next season, which demonstrates our intention of challenging for the MCE BSB championship. In Shakey we have the most successful rider in the history of the series and we know he'll be very competitive. Glenn is a rider I've had my eye on for a while and is a huge talent so now is the time to step up to a Superbike and I've every confidence in his ability. It's fantastic to have a reputable company like Be Wiser Insurance as our title sponsor as the brand fits perfectly with our team and it's a long-term association like most of our sponsors in the past. It's also great to be back working with the Ducati factory which will see us reunited with the brand which gave us most of our early successes. It's an honour to be entrusted to deliver the results as a factory-backed team, which we aim to do. We are pleased to also welcome Hager back as sponsors for 2016 too."
Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM) are winners of over 160 races in British Superbike Championship, MotoGP CRT, World Superbike Championship, 125cc, 250cc, Supersport British Championships, Superstock National Championships, Isle of Man TT, North West 200, Daytona, Macau GP, and British domestic races. Points scorers in 125cc, 250cc and 500cc GPs, Points scorers in World Supersport, podium finishers in WSB, Superpole winners in World Superbike. They are based at Langwathby near Penrith in Cumbria.
Byrne To Remain
At PBM For 2016 October 4th 2015- Defending MCE BSB champion Shane 'Shakey' Byrne will remain with the Paul Bird Motorsport team for 2016 whereby they will once again contest the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship.
Byrne is the most successful rider in MCE BSB history and took his fourth title last year and this year is aiming for an unprecedented fifth MCE British Superbike title along with the Cumbrian-based team.
The deal continues the successful relationship into a fifth successive year which has seen 37-year-old Byrne, originally from London but now living in Kent, claim two titles in 2012 and 2014 as well as finishing second on the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki in 2013. He currently occupies second place in this year's title race going into the final two rounds.
Shane Byrne: "The beauty of riding for PBM, and Paul and I having the kind of relationship we have, means there is no need to hold lengthy negotiations and after a five minute chat in the garage, we sorted the deal out. We both know we give each other 100% and I'm very happy with the people around me. We are about to enter a very exciting new chapter in PBM and I'm really excited to be a part of it."
Paul Bird, Team Owner: "Shakey wanted us and we wanted him so there was nothing much to discuss. We've known each other for long enough now and these things look after themselves. We are happy to remain in BSB as we had some options elsewhere and are delighted that Shakey will be on our bikes next season."
Chaz Davies (7) congratulates Leon Haslam (91) for his first race win of the season in Race Two, with Chaz securing 2nd ocerall in the Cham[ionship behind Jonthan Rea and ahrad of Tom Sykes.
Your looking at newly crowned 2015 SBK World Superbike Champion Jopnthan Rea/ Team Kawasaki on the top podium step at Magny Cours, with the two contenders for the 2nd and 3rd in the Championship, Chaz Davies and Tom Sykes to fight it down tot he fire at the final round in Qatar on Octiber 18th.
