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 British Superbike Champion Alex Lowes was quickest in Friday practive on the Cresent Yoshimura Suzuki.
2014 Eni SBK World Superbike Championship, Phillip Island Round 1
2014 SBK World Superbike Championship
Phillip Island World Superbike Season Opener
Phillip Island Australia, Feb 14th, 2014 - The eni FIM Superbike World Championship is set for another exciting season of racing that will officially kick-start on February 23rd at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Australia, following a two-day official test scheduled on 17-18 of the same month. The Victorian Circuit, a riders' favourite, is also the most visited in the history of WSBK, as the 2014 edition will be the 24th held on the Island. Complete Season Preview Continues Here
 The 2014 World Superbike Championship contendors on the front straight at Phillip Island. Click to Go Big
Alex Lowes ends Day 1 on top at the Island
Practice Friday Feb 21st - Only 37 thousands of a second separated Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) and Marco Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team) at the end of second free practice for the eni FIM Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island. Following a wet morning session that saw only few riders taking to the track, the whole field made the most of the near perfect conditions to continue their preparation for the debut races of the year. Rookie sensation Lowes started off well by moving on top of the classification and kept the lead as the session progressed, followed by team mate Eugene Laverty.
Alex Lowes: “Today was good. The wind was really bad and affecting the bike a lot, but we still made some progress in certain areas. I’m looking forward to going out tomorrow and confirming that it is definitely better when the weather’s more favourable. I really like Phillip Island; when a track is as windy as it’s been today it is hard to enjoy it, but I think it’s a great track, and I’m looking forward to the racing here.
As the on track action moved into the final stages, Melandri elevated himself to second ahead of fellow Italian Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), who also climbed up the timings in the late stages. The reigning Champion had an off track moment before regrouping to put in his session best, whilst on the other hand team mate Loris Baz suffered his third crash of the week, fortunately unhurt. The young Frenchman finished eighth behind Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike), who was seventh, Eugene Laverty (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki), who dropped to sixth and Haslam's team mate Jonathan Rea, who eventually climbed to fifth in the final minutes.
Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team) suffered a spectacular high side at turn 9 and was taken to the medical centre for precautionary checks. Race 1 winner last year Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) rounded out the top 10.
A three way battle for twelfth place involved EVO riders NiccolòCanepa (Althea Racing Team Ducati), Fabien Foret (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) and David Salom (Kawasaki Racing Team), with Italian Canepa coming out on top to lead the EVO field.
World Superbike action will resume tomorrow morning for the third free practice session and the last chance for all riders to make it into the first Tissot-Superpole of the year.
 Another rider with a new team bike this season is Marco Melandri on the Aprilia RSV4 who was 2nd quickest on Friday.
Times Day 1: 1. Lowes (Suzuki) 1'31.100 average 175.653 kph; 2. Melandri (Aprilia) 1'31.137; 3. Giugliano (Ducati) 1'31.205; 4. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1'31.395; 5. Rea (Honda) 1'31.436; 6. Laverty (Suzuki) 1'31.448; 7. Haslam (Honda) 1'31.533; 8. Baz (Kawasaki) 1'31.637; 9. Davies (Ducati) 1'31.757; 10. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1'31.759; 11. Elias (Aprilia) 1'32.073; 12. Canepa (Ducati) 1'32.340; 13. Foret (Kawasaki) 1'32.734; 14. Salom (Kawasaki) 1'32.944; 15. Allerton (BMW) 1'33.118; 16. Corti (MV Agusta) 1'33.119; 17. Morais (Kawasaki) 1'33.635; 18. Andreozzi (Kawasaki) 1'33.996; 19. Guarnoni (Kawasaki) 1'34.279; 20. May (EBR) 1'34.640; 21. Toth (BMW) 1'35.117; 22. Walters (Kawasaki) 1'35.810; 23. Yates (EBR) 1'36.338; NC. Sebestyen (BMW) 1'39.076.
Sylvain Guintoliput the updated Aprilia RSV4 on pole as 2013 Champion Tom Sykes crash d out with front suspension chatter problems.
Guintoli claims first Tissot-Superpole of 2014
Superpole, Saturday Feb 22nd - This year, the new qualifying format gives the fastest ten riders in the practice sessions, plus the fastest two riders from Superpole 1, the chance to battle it out for positions on the first four rows of the grid in this 15-minute session. Each rider has one qualifying tyre available for use during the session.
The first Tissot-Superpole of 2014 was contested today under cloudy skies, with Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) securing the first slot on the grid for the two debut races of the season, scheduled for tomorrow at Phillip Island. The 31 year old Frenchman set a new outright best lap of the Australian venue in 1'30.038during the final Superpole session, despite a small moment he had during his flying lap. The first race winner of last year got the better of Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) by only a hundredth of a second, with the Italian rider continuing to impress on his first ever race weekend aboard his Ducati 1199 Panigale R.
Having made a very fast lap (1’30.2) on race rubber, Ducati's Giugliano returned to the garage to put in the qualifying tyre. Determined to ride his Panigale onto the front row, the Italian rider gave it his all to record an impressive lap time of 1’30.1 that was enough to place second. He held this position until the session’s end, thus earning himself a key position on the front row of tomorrow’s starting grid.
Ducati Corse team mate Chaz Davies also made a few laps with the race tyre. He too then went back on track with the qualifying tyre and pushed hard to record a fast time. Unfortunately, at the very last turn, the British rider almost lost the rear of his Panigale, losing valuable tenths in the process and closing the session with a best of 1’31.2. Consequently, Davies will line up on row four of tomorrow’s grid, in eleventh position.
Sylvain Guintoli: “My Aprilia worked very well and it is no secret that this is one of our favourite tracks. I really had a lot of fun today. It's a shame I couldn't get my time down to 1’29 - that would have been fantastic. The important thing is that we improved a lot throughout the weekend. My shoulder isn't giving me any problem so tomorrow I'll be able to push hard since, also considering our excellent race pace. I expect two good races. There are a lot of riders with good pace, but I hope to be able to use the RSV4 power to take the win."
Davide Giugliano - Ducati Superbike Team #34: “I’m really pleased with the work I’ve completed with my team over the last two days. Up until now we’ve had a good pace but we need to see what track conditions are like tomorrow and then see what we can do. We’re very pleased to be able to start from the front row tomorrow and second place is an important result for us. I hope to be able to make a solid start – the start is one of strengths usually. I’m also happy with having made a 1’30.2 with the race tyre, it was a nice surprise when I saw that time appear on my dashboard. I’m feeling confident for tomorrow, and I’ll be fighting hard to be part of the leading group.”
Marco Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team) won the battle for the last spot of the first row by finishing third ahead of Voltcom Crescent Suzuki duo Eugene Laverty and Alex Lowes, whilst Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) claimed sixth place, followed by KRT paring of Loris Baz and Tom Sykes. The reigning Superbike World Champion missed the chance…(read more)
Eugene Laverty: “Second row! It’s not quite the front, but we did our lap-time on a race tyre so to be right there at the head of the second row without a qualifier is definitely confidence inspiring. The qualifier just didn’t work very well for us; we had some vibration causing us to lose the ability to flow. Race setting was good so the aim now is to try for a good start, stay with the Aprilias and fight for a podium in the first race of the season.”
Tissot-Superpole 2 times: 1. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1'30.038 average 177.725 kph; 2. Giugliano (Ducati) 1'30.135; 3. Melandri (Aprilia) 1'30.332; 4. Laverty (Suzuki) 1'30.385; 5. Lowes (Suzuki) 1'30.421; 6. Rea (Honda) 1'30.660; 7. Baz (Kawasaki) 1'30.796; 8. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1'30.835; 9. Haslam (Honda) 1'31.138; 10. Canepa (Ducati) 1'31.274; 11. Davies (Ducati) 1'31.281; 12. Salom (Kawasaki) 1'31.950.
World Supersport
Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) claimed his career's 18th pole position today at Phillip Island as he lapped the 4.445 km Australian track in 1'32.769s during the World Supersport qualifying session. The three time World Champion was the only rider to break the 1'33s barrier, although not improving the best lap of the circuit set by Sam Lowes last year. Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport) played catch up with the leader throughout the entire session, eventually… (read more)
Times: 1. Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) 1'32.769 average 172.493 kph; 2. Vd Mark (Honda) 1'33.021; 3. Tamburini (Kawasaki) 1'33.290; 4. Coghlan (Yamaha) 1'33.300; 5. Jacobsen (Kawasaki) 1'33.346; 6. Leonov (MV Agusta) 1'33.379; 7. De Rosa (Honda) 1'33.542; 8. Wilairot (Honda) 1'33.755; 9. Zanetti (Honda) 1'34.100; 10. Staring (Honda) 1'34.273; 11. Marino (Kawasaki) 1'34.276; 12. McConnell (Triumph) 1'34.392; etc.
 Victory is sweet! Eurene Laverty took the the opening race win for his new team Suzuki, beating his old Aprilia team who let him go at the end of last season to replace him with Marco Melandri (left) who finished 2nd, with Guintoli (right) in 3rd
Race One - Historic win for Eugene Laverty and Team Voltcom Crescent Suzuki
RACE ONE Sunday 23rd – The eni FIM Superbike World Championship had its first exciting race of the year today at Phillip Island, with Irishman Eugene Laverty scoring a sensational win aboard his GSX-R 1000, making it three in a row with the double he scored at Jerez last year in the last round. In his debut race with Voltcom Crescent Suzuki, Laverty achieved an historical maiden win for the Voltcom Crescent Suzuki Team. Laverty is also the first Suzuki rider to climb on the top step of the podium since the second race at Kyalami in 2010.
After a poor start of the race, which saw him crossing the line in seventh place at the end of lap 1, and an early battle first with Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team) and then with Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike), Laverty started his charge to the leaders thanks to an incredible race pace. Once he reached the front runners, the Irishman passed Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team), Marco Melandri and leader Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) to take first position on lap 17.
As seen in the photo above, most of Race One was a 3-way battle for the lead between Aprilia's of Guintoli (50) and Melandri (33) with Ducati's Giugliano (34) passing both of them at one point and taking the race lead to show the Panigale 1199RS was now competive with the quickest bikes in World Supebike. But by then his tires had gone off and he dropped back to finish 4th as Eurgene Laverry caust and passed them all in the closing laps to take the race win.
With Laverty pulling away in the late stages, Melandri got the better of team mate Sylvain Guintoli for second, whilst Giugliano settled for fourth after losing ground in the final laps. Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) edged Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) to take fifth place as reigning Champion and Baz's team mate Tom Sykes had a difficult time, eventually ending up seventh ahead of Chaz Davies.
EVO riders David Salom (Kawasaki Racing Team), Niccolò Canepa (Althea Racing Team) and substitute rider for injured Sylvain Barrier Glenn Allerton (BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike Team) put up an exciting battle, with Spaniard David Salom to come out on top to claim 9th.
Voltcom Crescent Suzuki's Alex Lowes, Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) and Toni Elias (Red Devils Roma Aprilia) all crashed unhurt early on in the race.
Championship leader Tom Sykes (1) struggled with bike setup in race oNe, shown here fighting for 7th place with new Ducati rider Chaz Davies (7). The Ducati Corse race team was brought in-house this year, and with new development upgrades the Panigale 1199RS now seems competitive in Superbike spec. While 3rd team mate Canepa showed the 1199R is competive in the new EVO class.
Eugene Laverty: "To win race 1 was a dream come true. I had told the boys in the garage that I would win before we reached it being 100 races without Suzuki on the top step but I didn’t think the run would stop so soon after we took the first win. Looking ahead, we have shown that we have the race pace and I think that we can have a very strong season. Thanks to my whole team, we have worked hard over the winter and I am looking forward to Aragon."
Race One Results: 1. Laverty (Suzuki) 22 Laps/97.790 km in 12:34'20.711 average 174,328 km/h; 2. Melandri (Aprilia) 2.959; 3. Guintoli (Aprilia) 3.034; 4. Giugliano (Ducati) 6.972; 5. Baz (Kawasaki) 11.132; 6. Rea (Honda) 11.718; 7. Sykes (Kawasaki) 15.612; 8. Davies (Ducati) 25.724; 9. Salom (Kawasaki) 37.407; 10. Canepa (Ducati) 37.468; 11. Allerton (BMW) 39.271; 12. Foret (Kawasaki) 45.212; 13. Corti (MV Agusta) 50.249; 14. Guarnoni (Kawasaki) 1'17.134; 15. Morais (Kawasaki) 1'23.686; 16. Toth (BMW) 1'30.651; 17. Yates (EBR) 1 Lap; RT. Andreozzi (Kawasaki); RT. Haslam (Honda); RT. Lowes (Suzuki); RT. Elias (Aprilia).
Race Two - Sylvain Guintoli Wins, becomes Championship Leader
RACE TWO Sunday 23rd – Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) has won the second race of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island, his career's fifth in the series, in front of the 56,515 spectators attending the event. The Frenchman, now Championship leader after the opening round, was in first place on lap 15 when the race was red flagged, following a blown engine suffered by race 1 winner Eugene Laverty. The Irishman's GSX-R 1000 engine blew as he was running second ahead of Kawasaki Racing Team pairing of Loriz Baz and reigning Champion Tom Sykes, who claimed the remaining podium positions.
On a day when the temperatures rose on track, after two days of cooler conditions in practice, Loris Baz put in a good first race to go fifth after the full 22-lap distance. He upped his game once more in race two after some set-up changes and finished only 0.238 seconds from eventual race winner Sylvain Guintoli. The second race was halted because of an oil leak, and the results counted back to lap 14 of the planned 22.
 The Kawasaki duo of Loris Baz and Tom Sykes got quicker in Race 2, finishing 2-3 behind Guintoli.
Reigning SBK champion Tom Sykes experienced some grip issues in race one and finished seventh, but changes to his set-up arrived at by his team allowed him to fight back through the field in race two and he took a strong third place. He could have challenged for the win had the race not been cut short by the red flag, but he was still only 1.103 seconds from the winner.
Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) was 4th followed by Pata Honda duo Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam, whilst Giugliano's team mate Chaz Davies claimed seventh place ahead of Marco Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team) and Toni Elias (Red Devils Roma Aprilia). Works Aprilia rider Melandri was part of a thrilling ten way battle up front in the early stages, before going wide at Turn 4 during the eighth lap. Two laps later Brit Alex Lowes (Voltcom Crescent Suzuki) made the same mistake whilst trying to catch the leaders, eventually ending up thirteenth behind EVO riders David Salom (Kawasaki Racing Team), tenth, Niccol Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati), eleventh, and Fabien Foret (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki), twelfth.
The new Hero Eric Buell racing team with ridrs Geoff May and Aaron Yates are alrady chalking their first WSBK season down to bike development with no high expectations. Their EBR bikes are down some 30 horsepower and 3-4 seconds a lap slower than the class regulars. A Saturay crash and injury prevent May from racing on Sunday, while Yates ran in last place in both races, even being all the stock engined EVO bikes, finishing a lap down behind the leaders.
In the new Evo category David Salom (Kawasaki Racing Team SBK Evo) made a clean sweep of the two top places on offer on his Ninja ZX-10R, finishing ninth in race one overall and then tenth in race two. He is ranked ninth in the oval championship standings after two races, and clearly leads the Evo class. Kawasaki's Loris Baz is a brilliant second in the overall SBK points, on 31, while Sykes’ recovery from seventh in race one puts him sixth overall, but very close to the top positions after one round.
Fabien Foret (Kawasaki Mahi Racing Team India SBK Evo) scored two 12th places today. Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Kawasaki SBK Evo) was also in the points, for 14th in race one. Sheridan Morais (Iron Brain Kawasaki SBK Evo) scored 15th and then 14th places.
Rider Quotes:
Sylvain Guintoli, Team Aprilia: “In Race 1 maybe I had a little too much faith. I started off strong and toward the end I lost the right feeling with my rear tyre. The conditions were much different than they had been over the last few days but we did a good job anyway. In the second race I tried to look after my tyre and it worked. If I think about everything that happened during the winter I can't help but be pleased with our weekend. I'm finally back on the top step of the podium. I want to thank the guys who looked after me during my recovery. I'm pretty tired now but I'll have a month to recover before the next round”.
Loris Baz, Team Kawsaki: “We changed just a little thing on the bike for race two and then opted for a new front tyre. So to score second place and then leave here second in the world championship is really good. In race one I was really happy with a top five and it felt like a podium. When I crashed again on Friday I really did not think I could make it this week but it worked out well on raceday. I wanted to go really fast in the beginning of race two and I saw that my pace was really good. I was even faster than Sylvain in the lead, but I always rode with the idea to save the tyres. My bike was feeling great. Tom was coming back and I am sure the end of the race would have been a great fight if it had gone full distance.”
Tom Sykes, Team Kawsaki: “We had some issues in race one but in the second race we changed the set-up. I really do have to say a big thanks to the team. I have a real good set of guys working for me and their knowledge is incredible. We went back to some basics and it was so nice. Although Sylvain rode well to win the race I felt race two would have been our race, but unfortunately it was cut short. That is how racing goes sometimes. I am very happy with how things have gone finally. For track temperatures to be so hot on raceday here in Phillip Island, and a little bit of wind blowing around, these are usually the worst conditions for us. So it was great to come back so strong at the end. We reeled in the Aprilia and that never usually happens here, so I felt the next second laps of the second race would have been my part of the race. Now I can head back to Europe knowing that we have been so competitive at our worst circuit. We’re off to a steady start but I am only six points off second in the championship and 16 points off the lead.”
Marco Melandri, Team Aprilia: “Race 1 went well. I got off to a good start and then I was able to ride smoothly in the first few laps to conserve my tyres for the end. Unfortunately after the halfway point the bike was sliding around a lot. I wasn't able to be incisive so when Eugene took the lead I preferred holding onto second place. In Race 2 I wanted to use the same tactics again but to overtake Rea I braked harder than usual and the rear wheel came up so I was forced to run on. I'm disappointed because I threw away some important points. I'm sure I still need more experience adjusting to the way the bike reacts and adapting the settings to my riding style. The track conditions also brought out some problems that I had never had before. Now I need to get a handle on the situation so that I'm ready for the next race”.
Davide Giugliano, Ducati Superbike Team #34: “In race 1 I was quite relaxed. I managed to lap fast by only riding at about 70%, saving that extra 30% for the end of the race but unfortunately the grip became an issue maybe five or six from the end. In the second race, I immediately realised that conditions were warmer than the first and so I tried to limit the damage by holding back a little. Then later I started to push and was catching those ahead of me – I think I could have battled for the podium if the race had gone full distance but unfortunately they stopped the race after 14 laps. Anyway, overall it’s been a great weekend. We’ve shown that, as far as the chassis and my riding is concerned, that we’ve arrived. We were consistently fast throughout the weekend and this gives us confidence for the next races. Today’s results are very encouraging for me, for the team and for Ducati.”
Chaz Davies, Ducati Superbike Team #7: “I am a little disappointed in terms of race results. In race one we had a rear tyre issue and I gradually lost grip from maybe the mid-race point. Race 2 was a little better, I was hanging in there with the front group, managing to edge my way up through the field to about fifth. Then at about lap 10 I felt like I lost power and so I slowed down because I didn’t know what was happening. It was a shame as I think we were in for a better result in race 2. I felt more comfortable, with the team having made some changes between the first and second races. Anyway, there are positives to take away from the weekend. Solid points in each race for example – it’s the first time I’ve scored points in both Superbike races at Phillip Island. I also made the fastest lap of race one. But I know we’re capable of more, everyone’s working hard and the bike is feeling good. Roll on Aragon.”
Jonthan Rea, Pata Honda 6th, 5th: "I guess we have to be reasonably satisfied with the result here because we’ve made a big improvement over last year here at Phillip Island. It’s clear which areas we need to work on and it’s mostly mechanical grip. In race one, some of the guys struggled with tyre problems because it went the full distance, but I was able to look after my tyre which was a good thing. But we still need to make improvements in that area because the guys at the front had no problems. Race two was unfortunately stopped early because I think I was probably conserving my tyre a little more than I should have been. Sykes passed me into turn one but kind of stopped up in the corner and I lost a lot of places and lost touch with the group so the last few laps were quite boring. But I’m quite happy with everyone on my side of the box – we’ve been making good linear progress. They’re not results to jump up and down about but it’s a good way to start the season. I’m looking forward to getting back to some more conventional circuits in Europe and to aiming a lot higher than we did here."
Leon Haslam, Pata Honda DNF, 6th; " had a big disaster in race one – we had a bit of an electronics issue and then the bike spun from under me at turn 12. We saw what that was and we know the problem in that area but the boys had to work really, really hard to get the bike ready for race two. They put a good setting in the bike that allowed me to run consistent times similar to the leaders’ but we just had a few niggly issues that stopped me getting up to them. Me and Johnny had a good battle and then the race got red flagged. It was disappointing that we didn’t get to have a bit more fun out on the track but fifth and sixth for the team, considering the issues we’ve had, is not so bad. We’ll go back and work hard for the next one – we’ve made some steps forward since Friday but we didn’t get back to where we were at the test, which was a little disappointing. We know why though, and we’ll get it sorted for next time.
David Salom, Team Kawsaki: “I can add this Evo class win to the one from race one. The second race was hotter and I did not have as much grip. Marco Melandri passed me so I followed him and he helped me to push forward. On the last laps I took a lead over Canepa and I was going faster every lap. The team and I worked well in the winter tests to arrive here in Australia 100% ready.”
Race Two Results: 1. Guintoli (Aprilia) 14 Laps/62.230 km in 15:02'05.586 average 173.124 kph; 2. Baz (Kawasaki) 0.283; 3. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1.103; 4. Giugliano (Ducati) 2.052; 5. Rea (Honda) 4.951; 6. Haslam (Honda) 5.673; 7. Davies (Ducati) 9.664; 8. Melandri (Aprilia) 10.574; 9. Elias (Aprilia) 11.682; 10. Salom (Kawasaki) 15.065; 11. Canepa (Ducati) 16.294; 12. Foret (Kawasaki) 16.919; 13. Lowes (Suzuki) 19.694; 14. Morais (Kawasaki) 27.266; 15. Allerton (BMW) 27.845; 16. Guarnoni (Kawasaki) 29.431; 17. Andreozzi (Kawasaki) 36.393; 18. Corti (MV Agusta) 37.018; 19. Toth (BMW) 54.093; 20. Yates (EBR) 1'13.385; RT. Laverty (Suzuki) 0.131.
WSBK Rider Standings (Round 1 of 14): 1. Guintoli 41; 2. Baz 31; 3. Melandri 28; 4. Giugliano 26; 5. Laverty 25; 6. Sykes 25; 7. Rea 21; 8. Davies 17; 9. Salom 13; 10. Canepa 11; 11. Haslam 10; 12. Foret 8; 13. Elias 7; 14. Allerton 6; 15. Lowes 3; 16. Corti 3; 17. Morais 3; 18. Guarnoni 2. Manufacturers: 1. Aprilia 45; 2. Kawasaki 31; 3. Suzuki 28; 4. Ducati 26; 5. Honda 21; 6. BMW 6; 7. MV Agusta 3
 Jules Cluzel gave MV Agusta a histroric Championship race win.
World Supersport 600
Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta RC – Yakhnich Motorsport) has written a new page in the history of motorcycle racing, winning the first world championship race for the iconic Italian brand MV Agusta since Giacomo Agostini's victory at the Nurburgring in 1976. The race was red flagged during the eighth lap due to the technical problem suffered by Jack Kennedy (CIA Insurance Honda) and the oil laid on track by his CBR 600 RR. A bitter end of a difficult round for the Irishman, who took part in the race despite… (read more)
SUPERSPORT 600 Results: 1. Cluzel (MV Agusta) 5 Laps/22.225 km in 14:08'54.503 average 167,530 km/h; 2. Coghlan (Yamaha) 0.224; 3. De Rosa (Honda) 0.317; 4. Marino (Kawasaki) 0.347; 5. Tamburini (Kawasaki) 0.822; 6. Wahr (Yamaha) 4.010; 7. Gowland (Triumph) 5.282; 8. Russo (Honda) 5.310; 9. Menghi (Yamaha) 5.517; 10. Gamarino (Kawasaki) 5.858; 11. Rolfo (Kawasaki) 6.491; 12. Covea (Kawasaki) 7.873; 13. Calero (Honda) 10.163; 14. Bussolotti (Honda) 12.406; 15. Rogers (Honda) 12.622; etc.
Standings (Round 1 of 13): 1. Cluzel 25; 2. Coghlan 20; 3. De Rosa 16; 4. Marino 13; 5. Tamburini 11; 6. Wahr 10; 7. Gowland 9; 8. Russo 8; 9. Menghi 7; 10. Gamarino 6; 11. Rolfo 5; 12. Covea 4; 13. Calero 3; 14. Bussolotti 2; 15. Rogers 1. Manufacturers: 1. MV Agusta 25; 2. Yamaha 20; 3. Honda 16; 4. Kawasaki 13; 5. Triumph 9.
 The Design Concept on paper...
BMW Concept 90
90 years of BMW Motorrad, 90 years of two-wheeled history – hardly another motorcycle manufacturer can boast such a longstanding and successful heritage as BMW. The BMW R 90 S likewise has cause to celebrate: the BMW Motorrad design icon turns 40 this year. As a tribute to both these anniversaries, the BMW Group is presenting a very special model at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2013: the BMW Concept Ninety. In partnership with the custom bike company Roland Sands Design, the BMW Motorrad design team has come up with an exclusive homage to the BMW R 90 S. Former motorcycle racer Roland Sands and his team are among the most in-demand partners in the custom bike scene. Their design standards and the technical finesse with which they implement their high-class custom and performance parts endow the BMW Concept Ninety with an exclusive and self-assured presence. This cooperative venture elevates both Roland Sands Design and BMW Motorrad Design to a new level.
Continued Here
MotoGP Champ Marc Marque, Breaks His Leg, to miss Phillip Island test
February 26thth 2014 - Reignong 2013 MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez will sit out next week's planned Phillip Island tyre test, despite initially aiming for a return just twelve days after breaking his fibula in a motocros bike training accident. The bone was a clean break but stayed in place, not requiring surgery, and is expected to heal quickly, However, a medical check today has delayed any return until at least the first MotoGP season opeing round in Qatar on March 20th.
Honda team boss Livio Suppo has said that the team will still freight his machines to Australia, having planned on the possibility of his return at the planned tyre test, but emphasised that Honda want to give Marquez as much time as is needed to recover from his injuries.
“We have to ship the bike one way or another, so we still have three full days to understand. On the one hand it would be good for him to be on the bike again before the start of the season, but on the other hand I’m already totally confident in him because we saw at the first Sepang test that he was already immediately very fast.”
“He was already able to choose the new parts of the bike, so we’re not in the middle of any big changes,” added Suppo. “The priority is always the rider’s body (health) and especially at the moment as we don’t have any drama on the technical side.”
Marquez added: “I’m obviously disappointed that I’m not in Sepang at the moment and to miss Phillip Island is also unfortunate, but we believe it is the best decision. After my meeting today with Dr. Mir, although he was happy with the general situation of my leg after only seven days since the accident, he advised against taking unnecessary risk. So I will take time to rest and get myself as fit as possible to return to Qatar for the first race in the best shape possible”
After the tyre fiasco at the Australian round last year that saw riders handed a mandatory pit stop, Bridgestone have organised a tyre test at the Victoria circuit directly after this week’s Sepang 2 official test.
2014 LA Calendar Motorcyc;e Show Moves to the Malibu Golf Cours on July 20th
The 2014 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show continues its now 23rd year tradition as the premier outdoor streetbike event in America with the Calendar Bike Building Championship & Concours d' Elegance, top Celebrity Builders, selected Vendors and Exhibitors, and the Calendar Girl Music Show. The Show always kicks off the world premier of next year's new 2015 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars featuring the world's top road race and custom motorcycles with the beautiful Calendar Kittens featured in the Calendars in attendance at the Show.
Mule Motorcycles Triumph Bonneville Tracker now in the Calendar Bike Garage!
Check out this awesome Triumph Bonneville Streetracker built by one of our favorite Calendar Bike Builders, Richard Pollock / Mule Motorcycles, now featured in the FastDates.com Calendar Bike Garage with complete details and large screen saver size pictures. We might just even have included this picture of beautiful Sara with the bike.... Go to Calendar Bike Garage
Mule Motorcycles "Web Surfer 2" now in the Calendar Bike Garage!
Check out this awesome new Buell powered Streetracker built by one of our favorite Calendar Bike Builders, Richard Pollock / Mule Motorcycles, which is now featured in the FastDates.com Calendar Bike Gatage with complete details and large screen saver size pictures. You'll even find this Calendar picture of beautiful Sara with the bike.... Go to Calendar Bike Garage
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The Pretty Reckless is Going to Hell
Our favorite rock band The Pretty Reckless with lead singer and cute teen actress turned bad girl Taylor Momsen is
Going to Hell in their new ablum being released in March 2014 , and we're happy to take the ride with her.
"Rock & roll needs to make a resurgence," insists Taylor Momsen, speaking to her belief that the genre has slipped from the mainstream. "It needs to come back in a big way and take over again." The 20-year-old singer, whose band the Pretty Reckless broke out in 2010 with their alt-rock debut Light Me Up, says she's fully prepared to hold up her end of the bargain. "We're really trying to come to something unique and different," she says of Going to Hell, the band's forthcoming second album, due out in early 2014 on Razor and Tie.
NEW! FAST 2014 Digital Calendar Magazine Yearbook
The Bikes, the Builders, the Riders, the Kittens,the Calendar Bike Show, the World Superbike races all the 2014 Calendar Pictures, and Special Features... For the first time every we take you around the world in 120 exclusive pages for the making of the 2014 FastDates.com Calendars! Now in Members Corner
Click Above for a full size screensaver of our Gianatsis Design offices Computer Monitor as we select pictures from this year's World Superbike photo shoots and begin production of the next Fast dates World Superbike Calendar!
Shooting the next FastDates.com Calendar at Laguna Seca Wold Superbike!
Go behing te scenes with photographer Jim Gianatsis and senen (!) beautiful FastDates.com Calendar Kittens - the offical SBK World Superbike Umbrella Girls, as we shoot the next edition of the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca this past September 26-28th 2013. The Complete Story in FAST DATES NEWS.
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FIM Superbike World Championship
New homologation procedure
Feb 21st, 2014 - The FIM is pleased to announce that a new homologation procedure has been approved by a majority within the Superbike Commission.
It is a common intention to bring the homologation requirements in line with the current situation of the motorcycle industry and markets worldwide.
The major impact of the new regulation is related to the total required number of units to be produced:
• The minimum number of units to start the homologation procedure will be 125.
• At the end of the first year of participation, manufacturers will have to reach 250 units.
• At the end of the second year of participation, manufacturers will have to reach 1000 units.
The Superbike Commission will follow closely the production plan of each manufacturer in order to control the minimum number of units produced as above and guarantee the fairness of competition.
The Superbike Commission are still considering further improvements to the new rules and discussions will be held in Phillip Island, Australia, during the first Round of the WSBK Championship (21-23 February).
A full description will be included inside the WSBK technical regulations 2014 that will be updated on the FIM website in the following days.
AMA Superbikes
to Premier at the
Daytona 200 Miler in 2015
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Feb 10, 2014 - AMA Pro Racing announced today that the premier AMA Pro SuperBike class will return to the DAYTONA 200 in 2015. The 2015 edition of AMA Pro Road Racing's kickoff event will be a 69-lap race contested on Daytona International Speedway's 2.91-mile short course.
"Getting the SuperBikes back in the DAYTONA 200 has been a fan request for years and we're thrilled to be making this announcement," said Michael Gentry, Chief Operating Officer of AMA Pro Racing. "The DAYTONA 200 is America's premier motorcycle race, and our goal is to once again feature the biggest names in motorcycle road racing in the event."
The DAYTONA 200 is America's longest-running endurance motorcycle race, tracing its history to 1937 when the inaugural race was run on the sands of Daytona Beach. In 1961, the event became synonymous with Daytona International Speedway and has since seen many great names in motorcycling history win the storied event. Run at the culmination of Daytona Bike Week on Saturday afternoon, the 200-mile race is the only endurance race on the AMA Pro Road Racing schedule, and therefore provides a number of technical challenges.
The AMA Pro SuperBike class competed in the DAYTONA 200 from 1985 until 2004. Since 2005, the smaller-displacement motorcycles of Formula Xtreme and GoPro Daytona SportBike have campaigned the prestigious event. With the 2015 return of the AMA Pro SuperBikes for the 74th running of the DAYTONA 200, the top teams and riders will again headline the historic event.
"The DAYTONA 200 boasts a long and prestigious history since it first ran on the sands of Daytona Beach over seven decades ago, crowning some of the true legends of motorcycle racing in that time," said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood. "Our fans have been patiently waiting for the premier class to return to the weekend's headline event. We are thankful to AMA Pro Racing, as well as Dunlop and the OEM's for working together to help make this move a reality for 2015."
The adjustments to the AMA Pro SuperBike rules package, planned as part of the recently-announced AMA Pro Road Racing class restructuring, are a key component to getting the SuperBikes back in the DAYTONA 200 for the 2015 running. Another important element is the commitment of AMA Pro Road Racing's spec tire partner Dunlop to the continual development of tires which are specifically suited to the special demands of Daytona International Speedway.
"Dunlop is excited about the prospect of having SuperBikes back in the DAYTONA 200," said Mike Buckley, Vice President of Dunlop. "Everyone on the Dunlop design and service team are enthusiasts first and foremost so the entire team is looking forward to supporting this endeavor."
The 2014 AMA Pro Road Racing season will kick off once again at Daytona International Speedway. The event is scheduled for March 13 - 15, 2014 and will have the same three-day format featured in recent years, highlighted by the 73rd running of the DAYTONA 200 on Saturday afternoon. For tickets and information, please visit DaytonaInternlSpeedway.com
Keith McCarty, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., Motorsports Racing Division Manager: "The DAYTONA 200 is an iconic event, and it's only fitting that SuperBikes--AMA Pro Road Racing's premier class--should be the bikes that compete in the 200. Over the years, Yamaha riders have won the prestigious DAYTONA 200 a total of 22 times, on everything from our two-stroke production racers and Formula 1 GP bikes, to our four-stroke middleweight machines like the YZF-R6 and SuperBikes like the FZ750, OW01, and YZF750R. As the 'Great American Motorcycle Race' approaches its 75th consecutive year of competition, we at Yamaha are excited that SuperBikes will be returning to their rightful place in the DAYTONA 200 next year."
Pat Alexander, American Suzuki Motor Corporation, Sports Promotion Manager: "American Suzuki Motor Corporation is looking forward to returning to compete in the Daytona 200 on the Suzuki GSX-R1000. We see great potential in returning to the 1000cc racing platform for the DAYTONA 200 and we're looking forward to trying to make that win happen."
Don Sakakura, Yoshimura R&D of America, Inc., Vice President: "In years past, Yoshimura and Suzuki have been very successful racing the historic DAYTONA 200 event. We're very excited to hear the 2015 DAYTONA 200 will feature the 1000cc SuperBikes. We anticipate our Yoshimura / Suzukis will be very competitive in the 200 mile format."
Erik Buell, EBR, Founder: "I was very excited to hear that the DAYTONA 200 will be returning to the premier class format it had for so many years. Years ago, one of my great aspirations as a racer was to reach the highest status so I could race in this legendary event. To have the DAYTONA 200 back in the original format is both the right tribute to the past and a proper recognition of the technology of today where modern tires and sophisticated electronics can allow top riders to harness the tremendous power of the machines."
Josh Hayes, Three-Time AMA Pro SuperBike Champion and Rider of the No. 4 Monster Energy Graves Yamaha YZF-R1: "The DAYTONA 200 is our biggest race of the season, so the biggest and best bikes should be competing in it. And, of course, that's the SuperBikes. I'm looking forward to the 2015 DAYTONA 200, when SuperBikes will make their return. I say, 'Welcome back!'"
Roger Lee Hayden, Rider of the No. 95 Yoshimura Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000: "I'm really excited for the SuperBikes to be back in the DAYTONA 200. It's the biggest race of the year and it seems only fitting for the biggest class in AMA Pro to be competing in it. I grew up watching the DAYTONA 200 and it was always the SuperBike guys I looked up to that were winning it, so it's been my childhood dream to win the race. Hopefully this will also bring some international riders over like it has in the past. I can't wait and I think it's a great idea."
FIM & Dorna visit
Erik Buell Racing
The American brand met the requirements to compete in WSBK
February 12th, 2014- In the last days of January, FIM and Dorna WSBK representatives paid a visit to the EBR Motorcycles plant, located in East Troy, Wisconsin (US). The purpose of the visit was to verify the status of bikes production facing the minimum required units to obtain the homologation for competing in the upcoming WSBK Championship season.
Charles Hennekam, FIM Technical Coordinator and Motorcycle Homologation Officer together with Gregorio Lavilla, Dorna WSBK Sporting Director met Erik Buell, who founded EBR Motorcycles in 1983. During their visit, Erik Buell lead the visitors around the factory of the iconic American brand, visited the different departments and the assembly line. They also met with the responsible people of the factory to confirm that the number of produced bikes had been met as planned. Eric Buell himself also confirmed that the work in preparation by the racing team was going ahead smoothly.
Looking back over the recent history of the brand, as well as at the difficulties that the EBR motorcycle has had on its way showcasing some unique engineering technology. It has been a great achievement for EBR Motorcycles to first enter to race in the AMA Superbike series, followed now by another important step, the challenge for EBR to make the switch to the Superbike World Championship in 2014 under the banner: Team Hero EBR.
Fans around the world are now looking forward to having this important Manufacturer and their American riders to qualify and position themselves on the starting grid for the season opener in Phillip Island, Australia, which is now around the corner, scheduled for 21-23 February.
The team will make their official 2014 circuit debut in the official tests on 17th and 18th February, also at Phillip Island, where their livery will be revealed for the very first time.
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2013-2014 Yearbook
The Official SBK
2012-2013 Yearbook
These SBK Yearbooks are the Best Books Ever about World Superbike. They feature awesome color photography of the riders, bike and racing action. The feature a detailed revue of the past season in pictures and statistics, with a detailed look at the bikes and riders.
Plus a technical look data all the bikes, a preview of the upcoming season's Championship!
We buy this every year ourselves and highly recommend it!
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Peter Doyle Leaves Yoshimura Suzuki to Return Home to Austraila
Feb 15th - Longtime Yoshimura Suzuki road race team manager/crew chief, Peter Doyle, the architect behind Mat Mladin’s seven AMA Superbike Championships – is ending his 13-year tenure with the AMA Superbike team to take on a new challenge back home in Australia as the newly appointed technical officer for the Australian Superbike Championship.
In addition to his time in AMA Superbike Championship, Doyle also spent time in the World Superbike Championship with the Muzzy Kawasaki Team where he was a part of Scott Russell’s World Championship. He brings a wealth of experience to the Australian Championship.
After Mladin’s departure, Doyle worked with Blake Young (sixth in the 2010 AMA Superbike Championship, second in both 2011 in 2012) and more recently with Martin Cardenas (third in 2013).
Tommy Aquino Killed in Riding Incident
Feb 2nd -
Tommy Aquino, the former factory Yamaha USA rider who most recently raced in the British Superstock Series, was killed and a second man seriously injured Sunday in a crash at a Piru, California, motocross track aeound mid-day. Initial reports called it a head-on collision between two motorcyclists at the track in the 4300 block of Center Street.
One rider was taken to a hospital by helicopter. Aquino was pronounced dead at the scene, according to reports.
Meet 2013 Calendar Kitten
Jitunka & Petra!
MV Agusta F3 800cc
The Devil Made Us Do It!
Testing the Ducati Diavel in Italy
New BMW HP4 Superbike
Sudco High Performance & OEM Replacement Parts
High Speed - the Movie
The best motorcycle racing movie ever made! Filmed on location at the World Superbike races , this an exciting romantic drama staring beautiful British actress Sienna Miller.
THROUGH THE ALPINE WONDERLAND OF AUSTRIA AND SOUTHERN GERMANY – THE ALPS AND LAKES MOTORCYCLE TOUR!
The Alps and Lakes motorcycle tour takes you through a beautiful part of European motorcycle paradise; the Alps. The contrast between the beautiful lakes in southern Germany and Austria and the towering mountains that reach up to more than 10,000 ft is nothing less than breathtaking.
This area is the famous background for the movie "Sound of Music“. This vacation offers a little bit of everything: beautiful and relaxing rides through the valleys; some mountain roads and passes; and great vistas and sights, including King Ludwig‘s castle, Herrenchiemsee, and the historic city of Salzburg. The tour consists of five riding days, one of them is a rest day – which means that you stay two nights at the same hotel.
This is a great opportunity to explore a little bit more, ride around the countryside, walk through town, meet the locals and sample some of the local food. The tour will take you through Germany and Austria, and on the rest day you can even add Italy to your list if you are so inclined.
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