This Month in the 2017 Garage Girls Calendar...
World Premier of the The 2018 Fast Dates Calendar features the top factory race bikes and beautiful podium girls of the SBK World Superbike Championship photographed on location at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca USA World Superbike round by Jim Gianatsis. Featured on the cover and inside is World Superbike Champion Jonthan Rea’s Kawasaki ZX10R, Chaz Davies’s Ducati 1199RS, Jordi Tores' Althea BMW S1000RR, Leon Camier's MV Agusta F4, Niccolo Canepa’s Cresent Yamaha R1, Nicky Hayden’s Ten Kate Pata Honda CBR1000, Karel Abraham's Milwaukee BMW S1000RR and AMA Champion Cameron Beaubier’s Yamaha R1. Special customs including collector Thomas Stephen’s exotic Ducati NCR Hailwood Replica, Mick Wollet’s MV Agusta F3 Hailwood Replica, and LA Calendar Motorcycle Show winners Nick O’Kanes’s Honda CBX1100, Michael LaFountains’s Kawsaki W1, and photographer Jim Gianatsis’ personal Ducati 1199R15. CLICK TO ORDER!
Fast Dates Calendar Celebrates 22 years of SBK World Superbike in America
FAST 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 Digital Calendar Magazines
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Jessica Harbour |
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Fast Dates Calendar Kittens Jessica and Courtney
Featured at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
SBK World & MotoAmerica
National Superbike Race Weekend July 7-9th 2017
Feb 15th 2017 - FastDates.com Calendar publisher and photographer Jim Gianatsis is excited to announce that one of our favorite Calendar Kittens, spokes model and Rockstar Energy Drink girl Jessica Harbour from Huntington Beach, CA, has been selected to return with FastDates.com to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA,
for the 2017 SBK World & MotoAmerica National Superbike Race Weekend July 7-9th to shoot the next edition of the Fast Dates World Superbike Swimsuit Calendar and serving as an official SBK World Superbike Podium and Umbrella Girl. Jessica previously shot for Jim with all the top factory race bikes at the 2013 Laguna Seca WSBK round and served as an official SBK girl that weekend as well, with her pictures appearing in the 2015 Fast Dates Calendar. Jessica has continued to work at Laguna Seca WSBK the last years as well, both as an SBK and factory race team umbrella girl.
Joining Jessica
the July 7-9th Laguna Seca race weekend for both the Calendar Shoot and SBK Umbrella Girl duties will be a new FastDates.com Calendar Kitten rookie, fellow Rockstar Girl Courtney Riggs from Sacramento California. Both Courtney and Jessica are represented by the modeling agency Umbrella Girls USA, and work together as Rockstar Girls at the 2017 AMA Supercross Championship rounds across America.
The following weekend of July 15-17th in Los Angeles, Jessica and Courtney will again be working with FastDates.com at the annual LA Calendar Motorcycle Show, with these beautiful Calendar Kittens hosting the Calendar Show with Jim Gianatsis, and shooting with winning motorcycles for the next Iron & Lace Custom Motorcycle PinUp Calendar. For more of the beautiful FastDates.com Calendar Kittens, the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show and to order the Calendars go to - http://www.FastDates.com
The 2017 Los
Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show
& Calendar Bike Building Championship - Featuring 2 Events This Year!
March 1st, 2017 -The 2017 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show continues its now 27-year tradition as the premier outdoor streetbike event in America at two exciting dates and venues this year. Events will feature top Celebrity Custom Bikes & Builders, selected Vendors and Exhibitors, Live Music performances. And the world premier of next year's new 2018 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars featuring the world's top Sport and Custom Motorcycles with the beautiful Calendar Kittens in attendance at the Show. Select Builders and their Bikes will be invited to be photographed by producer Jim Gianatsis for the next
FastDates.com Calendars.
• Saturday July 15th 2017 Calendar Bike Builder's Party
features an optional morning ride to the legenday Rock Store on Mulholland Highway with photographer Jim Gianatsis, then join us at Jim's home / studio for a private Calendar Bike Shoot with Invited Calendar Bike Builders and Calendar Kittens, followed by a Dinner Party with Live Music. It at the at the FastDates.com Calendar Photo Studio in Woodland Hills, CA. Order Calendar Bike Builder Party Tickets Here
We are excited to announce some of the top custom bike builders and beautiful models joining us for the 2017 Calendar Bike Builder Party on Saturday July 2017. Top builders will include Russell Mitchell / Exile Cycles, Samuel Kao / JSK Design, Adam Bean / Custom Airbrushing, Ron Simms / Simms Customs, Tom Stevens - Exotic Sportbike Collector. Shooting with us will be top Elite supermodels Erin and Lily. And we will be announcing our live music entertaimny shortly. Tickets for this exclusive event are limited and can be purchased here - Order Calendar Bike Builder Party Tickets Here
Got an exciting Calendar Worthy Custom Bike?
Email Us a picture with details and you could earn a Complimentary Invitation to the Calendar Party.
• Sunday October 15th 2017 Rider Roundup at Paramont Ranch in Agoura, CA.
Our Calendar Bike Building Championship joins Russell Mitchell / Exile Cycles at the Paramount Western Movie Ranch in Agoura, CA, down the road from the Rock Store, for an exciting day of Custom Motorcyles, Activities, Venders,
Manufacturers and Live Music. It's a benefit to fight Leukemia.
Walk-Up Spectator Event Admission is $10. Register Your Custom Bike for the Calendar Bile Building Championship Here.
Plus there's an optional Morning Bike Ride on Mulholland Highway
and an after the event Evening House Dinner Party with Russell Mitchell of Exile Cycles.
Look for more information and limited entry tickets on the ExileCycles.com website.
SBK Trivia - Melandri's Win in Race Two marked 100 wins in World Superbike for Italian Riders.
2017 SBK Motul World Superbike Championship, Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Misano, Italy, Round 7 of 13
Davies, Rea and melandri Crash Out From the Lead on Saturday
Ducati Bounces back with Melandri Winning on Sunday
The Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team wins Race 2 at Misano with Marco Melandri. Chaz Davies watched the race from the pits after being discharged from the hospital"This is the first weekend where we’ve felt like the benchmark"
Misano Adriatico, Rimini Italy June 16-18th, 2107 - After a difficult Saturday Race One at Misano in Italy, which saw Race leader Chaz Davies fall in the next to last corner on the final lap and take out his persuer Jonathan Rea, handing the win to Rea’s Kawasaki team mate Tom Sykes, the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team bounced back in Race 2 at Misano Adriatico (Italy) with a masterful win by Marco Melandri. The Italian rider, whoalso crashed out yesterday during the last lap while fighting for the win, mounted a spectacular comeback from 10th position on the grid to take his maiden victory with the Panigale R and his 20th overall in WorldSBK.
Declared unfit for Race 2 due to a fracture of the transverse process of L3 (3rd lumbar vertebra) and a contusion of the left thumb caused by a crash in Race 1, Chaz Davies watched the race from the pits after being discharged from the hospital. The Welshman will now observe a period of rest with the intention to be back on track for the eighth round of the season, scheduled for July 7-9 at Laguna Seca (U.S.).
After seven rounds, Davies and Melandri are respectively third (185 points) and fourth (163 points) in the championship.
Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati #33) – 1st “This win means so much to me. It’s my first with Ducati and first on Italian soil but also the 100th by an Italian rider in WorldSBK. It's the result of a lot of efforts, a composed attitude during some difficult moments, and great teamwork. We never stopped to believe in ourselves, and this result is a payback for all the sacrifices. We made a small change to our setup this morning, and before the start I was sure I could have a go at it. During the race, I tried to manage my pace and, once I took the lead, to ride smoothly. I hope Chaz recovers soon, he had a nasty crash but fortunately without serious injuries. I hope to be able to fight for another win, this time with him on track as well, at Laguna Seca.”
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati #7) - “It’s never ideal to be at the track and not be able to race, but it's good to come to support and honestly I’m happy to be here because it could have been a lot worse. I don’t feel 100 percent, so we’ll focus on recovering in the upcoming days. Tomorrow I’ll visit a specialist and we’ll set a plan based on his recommendations. The goal is be back at Laguna Seca.”
Stefano Cecconi, Aruba S.p.A. CEO & Team Principal - “After a terrible Saturday, it was important to get back on the right track as soon as possible. Today we put to fruition our potential, which was clear yesterday as well. Marco’s win is particularly important, because it’s his first with the team and the first in a long time by an Italian rider on an Italian bike. It was good to have Chaz with us, despite the pain, and we hope he recovers quickly to come back in full shape and join the action at Laguna Seca.”
Chaz Davies (7), Jonthan Rea (1) and Marco Melandri (33) were this close all reace in thier battle for the win in Saturday's Race One, with all three riders going down on the last lap to hand the race win to Kawasaki's Tom Sykes who is about 4 seconds behind them.
Dramatic Race One Slugfest gives last lap victory to Sykes in Rimini
RACE ONE Saturday June 17th 2017 - A breathtaking Race 1 at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” on Saturday afternoon saw Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) take advantage of three big crashes ahead of him to secure maximum points, with Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) also on the podium.
In the final stages of the last lap Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) crashed out of the lead and was hit by Rea, with Rea able to pick up his bike to finish third, behind winner Sykes and second placed Lowes. Moments before that incident Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) also crashed out when fighting for a podium finish and he would ultimately finish 15th.
Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) also spectacularly crashed out at turn 13 with 7 laps to go, with Rea close by, after the Dutchman had led for most of the race. Van der Mark took over at the front from provisional leader Rea in the early stages and had built up a big lead at one stage before his advantage decreased and then he went down.
Behind Sykes, Lowes and Rea the top five also featured Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) and Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team).
Meanwhile in the first race of the Pirelli Riviera Di Rimini Round, Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia), Randy Krummenacher (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Roman Ramos (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven), Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) and Raffaele de Rosa (Althea BMW Racing Team) were all in the top ten.
There were retirements for Stefan Bradl (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team), Leandro Mercado (IODARacing) and Riccardo Russo (Guandalini Racing). Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) crashed late on but remounted to finish 11th.
1st - Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) - "It was a different win but it was 25 points all the same. For this way we have to be happy, I arrived on my limit, we knew the tyre never had the push but this is racing. The guys at the front were incredibly fast but we arrived at our limit, understood it and rode around it."
2nd - Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) - "It was really lucky to get the podium, but the main things are that the guys are alright as the conditions were really tricky out there. I was really happy with my pace and I was doing as good laps as I have done all weekend on lap 20, so you have to be there at the end I'm enjoying the moment."
3rd - Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) - "It was a crazy race, I was settling my pace as Van der Mark crashed. I ran off track which allowed everyone to catch me again and I did everything I could to plan a last lap attack, into the last corner. But once Davies crashed, unfortunately I hit him I'm so sorry for this but I had nowhere to go. Right now I am thinking about him and I hope he's ok."
Superbike Race 1 - Complete Results Here
1. Tom Sykes Kawasaki
2. Alex Lowes Yamaha +4.551
3. Jonathan Rea Kawsasaki +8.126
Jonthan Rea(1) and Marco Melandi(33) came back from their crashes on Saturday to battle for the Race win again on Sunday with Melandri hold off the Kawasaki rider to give Ducati a home win.
Marvelous Melandri takes 100th Italian victory at Misano
RACE TWO
Sunday June 18th 2017 - At the Pirelli Riviera Di Rimini Round on Sunday it was home rider Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) who took a stunning first win of 2017, with Kawasaki Racing Team pair Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes also on the podium.
Responding positively to his last lap crash in Race 1, Melandri came from tenth on the grid to return to winning ways with a +1.113s victory over Rea. It was Melandri’s first WorldSBK win since 2014 and the 100th victory for an Italian rider in the top class of the championship.
The second place result for World Champion Rea strengthened his title defence as he now leads the standings by 50 points after seven rounds. It was also a successful weekend for Sykes as he followed up on his Race 1 win with another podium result to continue his excellent recent form.
Starting from pole Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) had held the lead for 8 laps but he was hugely frustrated to drop out of the race with a technical problem with just 3 laps to go when riding in second place. Unfortunately, Jordi Torres, who was comfortably in line for a podium finish, suffered a tyre issue on lap 18 which prevented him from finishing what was easily, until that point, the best race of his season so far. Raffaele De Rosa did well to finish race 2 in seventh place today.
The top five was completed by Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) and Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia), with the Dutchman crossing the line fourth and the Irishman fifth.
Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia), Raffaele de Rosa (Althea BMW Racing Team), Randy Krummenacher (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Leandro Mercado (IODARacing) and Stefan Bradl (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) completed the top ten.
Roman Ramos (40) was involved in the battle up front between Rea (1) and Melandri (33) before his Kawasaki broke.
Only 12 riders finished the race at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, with the likes of Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team) and Roman Ramos (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven) all retiring with technical problems.
With 10 laps to go Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) went down at Turn 2 and he was unable to finish the race.
After his crash in Race 1 Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was unfit to race on Sunday, having suffered a closed thoracic trauma, a fracture of the transverse process of L3 (3rd lumbar vertebrae) and a contusion of the left thumb.
The WorldSBK riders will next be in action at the Geico US Round over the 7th to 9th July weekend.
P1 - Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati)
"It was not easy, I had so many good races at the beginning of the season and then we dropped off, but we made some good changes after the test so the bike works a lot better for me. To win here and in front of all of Ducati, all my family and friends is unbelievable for me to explain."
P2 - Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team)
"Honestly the race was very difficult and I didn't have too much more pace to give .We only made some minor changes to yesterday, but the bike felt completely different. I am happy with the result but disappointed in the bike and myself. At the mid point of the season its good to get a good set of points under our belts."
P3 - Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team)
"Today I was a lot closer but I am disappointed in the early laps, for some reason I use the bike and tyres to their full potential. We made some good passes early on, but when we got to Torres and Fores I wanted to go but I didn't have the rear traction. However the positive is that we had a good weekend in general."
DNF - Jordi Torres (Althea BNW) “We were convinced we could do well today. I started strong, making the most of being on pole. Having no-one up ahead helped, I could take my lines, get into a rhythm. I ran my race, pushing to the limit, giving 100% all the way. I ran with Melandri for several laps and continued to push but then four laps from the end, I felt some vibration and the rear was sliding around, I realised it was the same issue we had at Assen in race 1. I thank my Althea guys, who came up with a significant chassis solution that we'd never tried before, that allowed me to find the right level of confidence and fully express myself. I’m so sorry I was unable to finish the race, but we have to take today’s performance and carry it to Laguna…”
Superbike Race 2 - Complete Results Here
1. Marco Melandri Ducati
2. Jonathan Rea Kawasaki +1.113
3. Tom Sykes Kawasaki +1.285
Today's epic battle in MotoGP blew the Championship wide open
2017 MotoGP World Championship, Motul TT Assen, Round 8 of 16
The Doctor is back - Rossi scores his 115th Career Win At Assen
Sunday, 25 June 2017 -Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) penned another stunning chapter in what is now the longest winning career in the history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing at the ‘Cathedral’ of speed, as the number 46 took his 115th win in the Motul TT Assen, more than 20 years after his first. Six hundredths of a second was the distance between victory and podium, as Rossi just headed compatriot Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Racing) over the line. Reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) won a three-way fight for third to complete the rostrum in another close contest, beating Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) by 0.042 at the flag.
At lights out, it was Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) who took the holeshot from his first ever pole position despite a better start from Marquez, and the Frenchman led the field away as Rossi took Petrucci for third. Behind was a mid-pack dogfight for fifth as Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Racing) led Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar), Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team), Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), Cal Crutchlow and Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) in the early stages of a race that would go on to be a classic.
As the front four settled into a game of high-octane chess and pulled a gap, Redding was pushing hard in fifth to escape from those on the chase – but ‘DesmoDovi’ and Viñales were soon on the scene, with the Spaniard taking over in fifth to hunt down the leaders as Rossi then struck against Marquez at the front.
And then Viñales crashed.
Pushing to close down a three second gap back up to the top four, the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider lost control at the final chicane and slid off just ahead of key rival Dovizioso – suffering his second DNF of the year. As the rider from Roses made it back down pitlane, Petrucci took second from Marquez and the ‘Doctor’ began to pull away in the lead – over a second ahead with nine to go.
And then? It started to rain - and the story was evidently far from over.
As the flag flew to signal bike changes were allowed, first in was Zarco, with the Frenchman taking the gamble just ahead of Hector Barbera (Reale Avintia Racing) as the conditions remained in the balance and the majority stayed out.
It was initially a four-way battle for the win as ‘DesmoDovi’ exploded onto the scene at the front, with Rossi back in the clutches of his compatriots and Marquez – but the rain began to fall again. As the last lap dawned, it was Petrucci dueling Rossi at the front, as Marquez and Dovizioso suddenly found themselves hunted down by Crutchlow and the stage was set: a duel for the win, and a three-way fight for third.
Past backmarkers, through the rain and incredibly tight together over the line, it was the ‘Doctor’ first at the flag – with Petrucci forced to settle for second as the number 46 took his first race win in over a year and the 115th of his career, extending his winning career at world level to the longest in history.
Behind Petrucci, the battle raged and Marquez beat Crutchlow over the line by only 0.042 to complete the podium, with ‘DesmoDovi’ fifth at the flag – and now heading to Germany with the Championship lead.
Jack Miller navigated a difficult race to take another impressive result at the TT Circuit Assen where he won last year, crossing the line in sixth after staying at the sharp end throughout. Karel Abraham (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) shone in the circumstances to move through in the latter stages, dueling Loris Baz (Reale Avintia Racing) over the line as the two took P7 and P8 respectively. Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) took some solid points in ninth, just a tenth off the two Ducatis ahead of him.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) completed the top ten for some good points after a difficult race last time out, ahead of a stunning result for his brother Pol Espargaro as the younger of the two took the best yet result for Red Bull KTM Factory racing in P11. The KTM rider beat Tito Rabat (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) by less than a second as the 2014 Moto2™ World Champion took another points finish in P12, ahead of a difficult day for Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team).
Zarco’s tyre gamble didn’t pay off, with the Frenchman then also handed a ride through for speeding in the pitlane and eventually classified in P14, leading the group the riders who went in to change bikes – Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) was next, completing the points, ahead of Hector Barbera (Reale Avintia Racing) and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar).
Bautista was a DNF, as well as Jonas Folger (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), Sam Lowes (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and Scott Redding.
After another chapter of history was written at Assen, ahead awaits the Sachsenring for the last race before the summer break. And with a new name at the top of the standings: Andrea Dovizioso.
MotoGP Race Results - Complete Results & Standings Here
1. Valentino Rossi (ITA - Yamaha) 41'41.149
2. Danilo Petrucci (ITA - Ducati) + 0.063
3. Marc Marquez (SPA - Honda) +5.243
Dovi and his Catalunya tr0phy
2017 MotoGP World Championship, Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, Round 7 of 16
Dovizioso Takes Ducati Back to Back at Catalunya MotoGP
Catalunya, Spain, , Sunday June 11th 2017 - Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) has taken an incredible second win of the season in the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya, making him the first Ducati rider to score back-to-back victories for the Borgo Panigale factory since two-time MotoGP™ World Champion Casey Stoner achieved the feat in 2010. Reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) left a spate of crashes in practice behind in the race to take second, with his teammate - polesitter Dani Pedrosa - completing the rostrum.
There was drama off the line as Pedrosa got a good start from pole and Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) almost clashed with fellow front row starter Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Racing) – with Petrucci then making contact with Marquez. The Italian dropped back and the reigning Champion pulled clear as Lorenzo attacked for the lead, taking over at the front.
Championship leader Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) found himself heading through the run off area at Turn 1 off the start and dropping back, with the Spaniard then facing a fight back from outside the points after a tough weekend – and teammate Valentino Rossi unable to make big progress from P13 on the grid either.
Lorenzo led Marquez and Pedrosa, with Dovizioso on the hunt in fourth and Jonas Folger (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) a big gainer off the line to move up into fifth. Next it was Marquez who struck for the lead, with Pedrosa needing no invitation to follow him through. The ‘Spartan’ then lost out to his teammate ‘DesmoDovi’ as he began to struggle after the lightning start; Folger and Petrucci the next to get through.
‘Baby Samurai’ Pedrosa then chose his moment to attack for P1, able to keep it as Dovizioso struck on Marquez – but the top three couldn’t quite yet begin to pull away from Folger in fourth, or ‘Petrux’ just behind. After a handful of laps playing high-speed chess, Dovizioso then went around the outside of Pedrosa to take the lead – pulling a small gap before Marquez followed the Italian through.
A three-way fight then broke out between Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team), Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Lorenzo for P6, with the squabble providing some spectacular wheel-to-wheel action and the Frenchman initially coming out on top. The drama wasn’t over, however, with some running out of rubber and some making big gains as the final laps approached – with Lorenzo on a charge back through and Folger one to fall back.
Dovizioso pulls out his race winning lead over Honda's Marquez and Pedrosa.
As ‘DesmoDovi’ arrived at the final lap clear in the lead, it became apparent the dream of Mugello wasn’t something the Italian yet had to wake from – crossing the line for his fourth career win to become the first Ducati rider since Casey Stoner in 2010 to win back-to-back.
Marquez kept it calm to take second and get back on the podium after a tough Italian GP, with Pedrosa crossing the line in third to join his teammate on the bounce back from Mugello.
Lorenzo sliced back through to take fourth at the flag, ahead of Zarco getting the better of Folger in a last minute duel between the Tech 3 machines. Bautista, after a late run off at Turn 1, came home in P7. Valentino Rossi came home in eighth after struggling in the latter half of the race, Hector Barbera (Reale Avintia Racing) took P9 in his 250th start in the World Championship, and Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) made it to the flag in tenth - taking a big hit on his points lead in the Championship.
Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda), Loris Baz (Reale Avintia Racing), Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Racing), Karel Abraham (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) and home hero Tito Rabat (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) completed the top fifteen. EG 0,0 Marc VDS rider Jack Miller crashed out of top ten contention, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) also failing to see the flag after retiring with a problem.
How the Monster Girls cooled down the crowd at the Catalunya MotoGP. Photo Massimo Olina.
Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – 1st “I’m so happy but also a bit surprised by this win! I had a great feeling before the start because I knew that we could be very competitive, not because we were the fastest out there on the track, but because yesterday we worked well to prepare for the race. It was a strategic race more than anything else and we were good at interpreting the limits of the track and the tyres. The track was very difficult and all the riders had problems with grip, which dropped off a lot and so we concentrated on administering tyre consumption and on consistency, and this decision paid off. In the race I was able to be very fast without pushing hard when I found myself behind Pedrosa and this helped me a lot in the last ten laps, when I passed him and then pulled out a small gap over the two Hondas. I can truly say that today we were on really great form!”
MotoGP Race Results - Complete Results & Standings Here
1 - Andrea Dovizioso (ITA - Ducati)
2 - Marc Marquez (SPA - Honda)
3 - Danny Pedrosai (SPA - Honda)
Maverick Viñales (25) is still leading theMotoGP standingsafter finishing in second behind Dovizioso (04), Rossie who crashed out (46) with Petrucci (9) in 3rd.
2017 MotoGP World Championship, Gran Premio d'Italia Oakley, Round 6 of 16
Dovizioso Takes magnificant Win for Ducati at Mugello
Mugello, Italy, Sunday June 3rd 2017 - Italian rider, Italian bike, Italian GP…and the tricolore flew high over the podium at Mugello, as Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso took a magnificent win battling rivals on track and illness off it to cross the line over a second clear of Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) and an impressive home podium for second Italian Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Racing).
Home hero Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) shot off the line for the lead from P2 on the grid, denying teammate and polesitter Viñales as Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) stormed up from seventh to fight off Dovizioso for third.
With the leaders in-line, over the line saw Lorenzo use the incredible speed of the Ducati to take the lead for the first time in red, dueling with old nemesis Rossi before the Italian took him back – and the next lap proved almost a replay as two of the men to have dominated the sport this decade found themselves sharing the front of the race for the first time this season.
Then it was ‘DesmoDovi’ on the move past his teammate after Viñales had gone through on Rossi, the Championship leader taking the ‘Doctor’ as the trio began to break away from Lorenzo - with Petrucci on the chase.
Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) had an incredible start from P16 after having suffered with illness throughout the weekend, moving up into seventh, as Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) suffered a different fate and got a ride through for a jump start.
Petrucci caught the group before too long as Dovizioso took over at the front, and the Pramac rider then pounced on Viñales after a small mistake to follow ‘DesmoDovi’. Then it was holding station as the gaps grew and then shrunk, before the factory Ducati in the lead gained a small gap - and every member of the Borgo Panigale team held their breath as Viñales took over in second, only a few laps remaining and the Championship leader with his head down.
Closing in and then falling back, the pendulum swung between the two men until the last lap dawned – and ‘DesmoDovi’ kept it inch-perfect around every corner to take his third ever Grand Prix victory, and the first for a red machine at Mugello since Casey Stoner won in 2009.
mpressive Danilo Petrucci, first podium of the season
Viñales took second to increase his Championship lead once again, with Petrucci putting in the dry-weather ride of his life to complete the podium after staying clear of Rossi over the last couple of laps. The ‘Doctor’, who suffered a motocross crash in training the week before the event, pushed hard through the pain barrier at home and just missed the podium but took good points – as always, putting on a great show.
Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) took a big scalp as he caught and passed reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) to complete the top five, with Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) coming home in P7 behind Marquez.
Lorenzo, after his early duel for the lead, suffered grip issues later in the race and crossed the line in eighth, beating Ducati test rider Michele Pirro over the line. Iannone’s heroics following his illness saw him complete the top ten at home.
The late drama a little further off the front saw a tough day for Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) conclude in a crash as the ‘Baby Samurai’ slid out, unfortunately collecting LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow on the final lap.
Tito Rabat (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) took P11, with the top fifteen completed by Scott Redding (Octo Pramac Racing), Jonas Folger (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), Hector Barbera (Reale Avintia Racing) and Jack Miller (EG 0,0 Marc VDS).
Now the paddock packs up and heads for Barcelona, as the Catalan GP turns the home tables for many on the grid – sure to result in another spectacular, spectacular.
MotoGP Race Results - Complete Results & Standings Here
1 - Andrea Dovizioso (ITA - Ducati) 41'32.126
2 - Maverick Viñales (SPA - Yamaha) +1.281
1st Independent Team Rider:
3 - Danilo Petrucci (ITA - Ducati) +2.334
2017 SBK Motul World Superbike Championship, Donnington Park GB, Round 6 of 13
Kawasaki Returns to the Top at Donnington
"This is the first weekend where we’ve felt like the benchmark"
Donnington Park, Great Britain, May 26-28th, 2107 - In a Sunday contest where only 14 riders finished, Jonathan Rea, Kawasaki Racing Team, recovered from a high speed crash in Race One on Saturday to win his eighth race of the year and Kawasaki’s 100th in Superbike history. Saturday's Race One was dominated by Kawasaki team mate Tom Sykes, who was was a close runner-up in Race Two on Sunday, just 1.601 seconds behind Rea after 23 laps, as KRT scored another 1-2 finish.
Jonathan Rea rode one of the most important races of his career to take the second race win at Donington Park, despite having to start from the fourth row of the grid because of his first day no-score.
Rea made a superb launch and was able to ride around a first corner blockage that held back the early progress of Tom Sykes. Such was Rea’s early pace that he went from tenth on the grid to first place after just one complete lap and one additional corner.
Sykes was in fifth place in lap one and eventually got to second place on lap seven. He made up time to Rea’s lead but with the laps counting down Jonathan had enough of an advantage to hold the gap and win his 46th race since he joined WorldSBK.
With Rea winning today and Tom victorious in Saturday’s race the KRT duo sit 1-2 in the championship, with Jonathan 55 points ahead; 260 to 205. Chaz Davies, third in the race today and third in the points overall, is on 185. Now the championship will head to Italy for the seventh round, at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. Racedays will be Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th June.
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team Rider): “I had an incredible first lap today. I had been really frustrated because I got penalised by no fault of my own yesterday in scoring no points and then penalised again with my grid position today, when I went back to tenth. I knew I had to make a good start straight away otherwise my race was over. I was really quiet today and after warm-up I was really nervous. I was going through all these scenarios in my head about what I would do with a good start, or a bad start, and then what my race plan would be. My guys worked really hard overnight to build a completely brand new bike because yesterday’s was destroyed. The first time I rode it this morning, with some set-up changes from Pere. The bike was talking to me in a way I have not had this year. So I knew today was mine if I could get a good start.”
Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team Rider! ): “I was closing the lead but with three laps to go I started to ‘over-ask’ from the bike in some corners. But if there were three more laps to go then I could have continued in a more calculating way and continued the progress. When I started the race I was on the inside of the grid and turn one was a complete disaster. I had to almost stop the bike because some people were trying to win the race in the first turn. We had this to deal with and then there was a crash in the last turn which made us all hesitate, so the race got off in a very bad way for me. I am disappointed to lose my Donington winning record in this way. But all things considered I was beaten fairly and Jonathan rode very well. This day had to arrive at some moment in my racing life but unfortunately it came today, even though I believe our race pace was very strong.”
Chaz Davies leads the race going into Lap 2.
Sykes secures victory in dramatic WorldSBK Race One
Sykes wins ninth race in a row at Donington, wildcards Haslam and Lowes on podium, crashes for Rea and Davies
Saturday May 27th Race One - Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) took a brilliant win in Race 1 of the PATA UK Round in a dramatic race which brought crashes for Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati). Wildcard Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) made it an all-British podium, as Sykes took an amazing ninth successive victory in his home race at Donington Park.
An incident-packed race saw provisional leader Davies go down in the early stages at turn 12, after he lost the front end. He picked his Ducati up to rejoin, eventually finishing eighth having crashed at the same corner as he did in last year’s Race 1 at Donington and this latest incident will be a big blow to his World title aspirations.
With 6 laps to go Sykes got through on his teammate Rea to lead and within just over a lap he had opened up a two second gap on his Northern Irish teammate. Rea then suffered a high speed accident at turn 3, crashing out of the race, but was soon back on his feet and was taken back to the pits on a scooter.
A superb ride by Haslam on his return to the series saw him take a highly creditable second place, whilst Lowes took third thanks to a late move on Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati).
Dutchman Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) completed the top five, with Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) making it four Brits in the top six to further delight the home crowd.
In seventh place Leandro Mercado (IODARacing) crossed the line a couple of seconds ahead of Davies, with Spaniards Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) and Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team) completing the top ten after 23 breathtaking laps around the exciting 4.023km Donington Park Circuit.
The riders and many of the fans in attendance carried stickers and flags in tribute to the late Nicky Hayden who tragically passed away earlier in the week after a cycling accident in Italy, with Sykes quick to pay his condolences to the Hayden family after the race in parc ferme. The podium finishers all wore t-shirts carrying Hayden’s famous number 69 in honour of the Kentucky Kid.
Stefan Bradl (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) and Riccardo Russo (Guandalini Racing) unfortunately suffered technical issues and ended up with DNFs.
SBK Calendar Kitten Denisa on the podium withHaslam, Sykes and Lowes at Donnington
1st - Tom Sykes(Kawasaki Racing Team) "Fantastic, I had to work for it, but I need to pass my condolences to Nicky's family. It's very strange to not have my next door neighbour here with his great smile so it's been slightly strange all weekend. In a small way this is basically for him, and overall the weekend has been good and it's nice to continue our form."
2nd - Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) "Yesterdays pace, I felt comfortable to fight for the podium but today we had a bit of a problem and with the track temperatures changing it was behaving very differently. Obviously Chaz and Jonny crashed but I was just working my way through, working my own race and I'm so happy for Kawasaki Puccetti Racing."
3rd - Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) "Leon came up the inside, I went off track and Eugene hit me, that's expected from Leon with a wildcard, hes one of my best mates off track. It was a fantastic base and the bike was great, we had the pace for fourth but with Marco on the last lap, you've gotta go for it."
WorldSBK at Donington Park: Race 1 - Complete Results Here
1. Tom Sykes Kawasaki
2. Leon Haslam Kawasaki +16.500
3. Alex Lowes Yamaha +19.170
Rea Secures 100th Kawasaki WSBK win in tense Race Two
Sunday May 28th Race Two - The PATA UK Round concluded on Sunday afternoon with a dramatic Race 2, which brought victory for World Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) after a crash on Saturday, with Rea’s KRT colleague Tom Sykes and Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Chaz Davies also on the podium.
Rea’s eighth victory of 2017 extends his lead in the standings to 55 points after six rounds and he rode brilliantly at the Donington Park Circuit to beat his teammate to the line by 1.601s and win his home race.
The result brought an end to Sykes’ remarkable run of nine successive wins at Donington and the Yorkshireman was amongst the first to congratulate Rea on his triumph. It was also Kawasaki’s 100th race win in WorldSBK.
In parc ferme after the race Rea dedicated his win to the late Nicky Hayden who so sadly passed away earlier in the week after a cycling accident in Italy.
Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) had looked good for a podium result but was caught for third in the final stages by a determined Davies - who had crashed and finished eighth on Saturday.
Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) completed the top five and Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) made it five Britons in the top six, crossing the line five seconds behind Lowes.
Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team) was seventh and he was joined in the top ten by Roman Ramos (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven), Jake Dixon (Royal Air Force Reg. & Res. Kawasaki) and Raffaele de Rosa (Althea BMW Racing Team).
Only 14 participants were able to finish the race as a number of high profile riders crashed out, including wild card Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Randy Krummenacher (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team), Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia), Leandro Mercado (IODARacing) and Alex De Angelis (Pedercini Racing SC-Project).
Meanwhile, Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) stopped on the eighth lap after the chain of his Ducati Panigale R broke and fell loose. The WorldSBK grid will be back in action at the Pirelli Riviera Di Rimini Round at Misano over the16th-18th June weekend.
P1 - Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) "It means a lot to me, we had to bounce bike and overnight the guys worked so hard. I knew I could win today but coming from 10th so so difficult and I guess thats what happens when I push really. I want to deadicate this race win to Nicky Hayden, the world is a worse place without him."
P2 - Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) "All good things come to an end in life but I'm happy. Today I lost a fair fight, unfortunaelt I had a bad start, my position wasn't good in ninth and I got boxed in. Rea took some closing down, but I had an exciteable and enjoyable race. The character of the bike was in the ball park, and today I was beaten fair."
P3 - Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) "I think the podium is the big bonus here from the home race, it was a really tough race. It wasn't easy, I had to make it through a fair bit and I used up a lot of tyre. I'm really happy to be here and I want to dedicate this podium to the family of Nicky Hayden."
WorldSBK at Donington Park: Race 2 - Complete Results Here
1. Jonathan Rea Kawasaki
2. Tom Sykes Kawasaki +1.601
3. Chaz Davies Ducati+12.200
2017 SBK Motul World Superbike Championship, Aragon, Motorland Round 5 of 13
Chaz Davies Domonation at Imola
"This is the first weekend where we’ve felt like the benchmark"
Imola, Italy 14 May 12-14th, 2107 - Aruba.it Racing Ducati rider Chaz Davies stunded in front of his home fans, securing a stunning double victory around the Iconic circuit of Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola. Davies secured the Gentlemen’s set – taking the pole position, fastest lap and two race wins at the Motul Italian Round.
At a circuit his Panigale works so well around, Davies was able to take advantage of the second race restart, following a slow start off the line in the initial race. Firing off the line for the second start of race two, Davies worked his way through the field in stunning, smooth style and made it look easy to take his second victory of the weekend – and fourth in a row around Imola.
Marco Melandri, Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali and Chaz Davies clelbrate their victory on Saturday at Imola.
Davies beamed: “What a weekend, up to this point in the season we’ve had a mixed bag and our biggest adversaries have come out strong - this is the first weekend where we feel like we’ve been the benchmark and we’ve been able to find a rhythm. From the second session we were able to find it and it snowballed from there into the double victory. I just can’t say enough things about how the bike performed around here, it worked superb in both races. We made very little changes and although the track conditions were different today it was working equally as well. The second race was quite different to the first - I was a bit lucky for the restart because I messed it up a bit in the first start but in the restart I got a very good launch and managed to make a few decisive moves. I profited from Jonny’s mistake at the chicane and then it was a question of hunting down Tom; he had a really good pace and it was a bit of a grit between the teeth to get past him. Once I did I just concentrated on setting my pace like in practise and it was enough to break away.”
Rapid Davies Secures Pole in Italian Sunshine
Tissot Superpole 2 saw Davies top the timesheet for pole, with Sykes and Rea also on the front row
On Saturday morning at Imola it was Chaz Davies who took pole for Race 1 with a 1’45.662 lap time putting him at the head of the grid. The Aruba.it Racing - Ducati rider will be joined on the front row at the 4.936km Italian track by Kawasaki Racing Team pair Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea.
Davies won both Imola races in 2016 and he will aim to repeat that feat this weekend starting on Saturday afternoon ahead of his rivals, after Sykes lapped just +0.032s behind the Welshman in second and Rea qualified third, being +0.324s off the pole pace.
Another British rider Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was provisionally in second place before the pace increased right at the end of the session, but at his team’s home race he will be pleased to have qualified fourth.
Also on the second row at the Motul Italian Round, lining up behind Camier, are top Italian qualifier Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) in fifth and Irishman Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) in sixth place.
Row three will feature three additional nationalities, as Spaniard Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team), Argentina’s Leandro Mercado (IODARacing) and Dutchman Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) line up seventh to ninth respectively.
With an ambient temperature of 22°C and the track temperature reaching 34°C in the SP2 run, it was Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia), Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) and Stefan Bradl (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) who qualified on row four.
Earlier in the morning Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) sat out the Tissot Superpole 1 session, not registering a lap time due to feeling unwell. In that SP1 session Bradl led the way with a 1'48.460 laptime, with Savadori also making it through to SP2 alongside the German rider with a late 1'48.572 time.
Ducati's dominated in race one with Davies (7) and Melandri (33) taking the top spots ahead of points leder Jonthan Rea (1) and Tomm Sykes, with Xavi Fores'(12) Barni Ducati in 5th.
Davies Registers Dominant Win in Curtailed Saturdy Race
Saturday, May13th SUPERBIKE RACE ONE - At the Motul Italian Round on Saturday Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) took a runaway victory in a race which was shortened due to a red flag, with Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) also featuring on the podium.
Davies made a brilliant start from pole and was untouchable, leading by well over six seconds when the race ended early due to a red flag, after a big crash for Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) at turns 17 to 18 - which meant track conditions were not safe for racing to continue. Laverty walked away from the incident which saw his Aprilia RSV4 RF go up in flames and he was taken immediately to the medical centre for a check up after the high speed incident.
With 12 of 19 scheduled laps having been completed at the time of the crash the rider placements at that stage were taken as the final race results, with Davies therefore claiming his second win of the season. The ever-consistent Rea picked up more important championship points in second, whilst Melandri made it a good day for Ducati on home territory in third place on the podium. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) was fourth, the Englishman trailing Melandri by less than a second, whilst Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team) continued his good form in fifth.
Italian Duel! Leon Camier (12) moved the MV Agusta up past Leon Camier's Aprilia(50) for 5th place.
Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) produced a good ride in sixth, whilst Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) and his teammate Alex Lowes were seventh and eighth respectively. Roman Ramos (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven) and Stefan Bradl (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) completed the top ten.
Leandro Mercado (IODARacing) crashed out at turn 7 early in the race, with Nicky Hayden (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) pulling into the pits shortly afterwards due to a technical issue. Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) was unable to participate in Race 1 due to illness. The WorldSBK riders will be in action again on Sunday with their second race taking place at 1pm local time at Imola.
ItalianWorldSBK at Imola Circuit: Race 1 - Complete Results Here
1. Chaz Davies Ducati
2. Jonathan Rea Kawasaki +6.696
3. Marco Melandri Ducati +9.287
Brilliant Davies takes commanding Imola Double Victory on Sunday
Saturday, May 13th SUPERBIKE RACE TWO - Today the Welshman grabs Round 5 Race 2 win from ninth on the grid, whilst Rea and Sykes also register podium results. Ducati rider Chaz Davies who took a superb victory in front of the fans at Imola, with the podium also featuring Kawasaki Racing Team pair Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes.
In a restarted race - after a red flag in the first Race 2 start earlier in the afternoon – Davies produced a superb ride on the Ducati, overtaking provisional leader Sykes midrace and going on to win by just under four seconds from Rea. Davies’ first double victory of 2017 was a repeat of his Imola result from 2016, the Ducati man having also picked up maximum points at the Italian track last year. Sykes had led the raceat the start, but was eventually unable to hold off his teammate Rea for second, as the Northern Irishman ultimately beat the Yorkshirman across the line by +0.603s.
Xavi Fores (BARNI Racing Team) and home rider Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) were engaged in a close fight for fourth, with Spaniard Fores finally coming out on top in that duel by less than two tenths of a second. Behind that pair Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) crossed the line in sixth place for more good points, with Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) close by in seventh. It was a solid result for Laverty after a difficult day for him on Saturday, with his big crash in Race 1.
Likewise an excellent performance by Jordi Torres saw the Althea BMW Racing Team man finish in eighth place having got away from the back of the grid, after he missed Superpole and Race 1 on Saturday due to illness. Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) and Leandro Mercado (IODARacing) completed the top ten, Mercado making amends for his Race 1 DNF.
There was disappointment for Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) who crashed out of second place early on having made a superb start, with Alex De Angelis (Pedercini Racing SC-Project) also crashing shortly after the Englishman. Stefan Bradl (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) was another crasher and Randy Krummenacher (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was forced to retire due to a technical issue.
The initial staet of the race had earlier ended on the first lap in a red flag due to track conditions at turn 16, following an issue for Ayrton Badovini (Grillini Racing Team) with a blown engine which had left oil on track.
The WorldSBK riders will be back in action over the 26th-28th May weekend at the UK’s Donington Park circuit.
ItalianWorldSBK at Imola Circuit: Race 1- Complete Results Here
1. Chaz Davies Ducati
2. Jonathan Rea Kawasaki +6.696
3. Tom Sykes Kawasaki
APRILIA RACING - 2017 RS-GP - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Aprilia Racing narrow V4, 81mm bore, counter rotating crankshaft, timing with pneumatic valve recall system
Power 260 HP
Electronic ECU Magneti Marelli, Dorna software
Gearbox Aprilia Racing seamless upshift and downshift, 6 speeds, removable
Lubrication Dry sump
Frame Aprilia Racing in aluminium
Swingarm Aprilia Racing in aluminium
Suspension Öhlins
Brake system Brembo, front with 320-340 mm diameter dual carbon disc, 255 mm diameter rear single steel disc
Tyres Michelin
Noale (Venice), May 2017 – Last year the RS-GP made its début in the Doha tests, the first MotoGP bike developed entirely by Aprilia Racing to compete in the premier class of Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing. Just twelve months later, the all-Italian project must now face an important final exam: the constant progress demonstrated in the first season, with 16 Top-10 finishes, was reconfirmed during the tests in Valencia, Jerez, Sepang and Phillip Island.
Aleix Espargarò, a welcome returnee to the Aprilia camp, immediately found the right feeling with his RS-GP, especially in terms of braking stability. The Spanish rider was also able to test the 2017 evolution of the Italian MotoGP bike, approving of the progress made compared with the 2016 version and demonstrating encouraging competitiveness during the official tests.
Sam Lowes, on the other hand, could not help but have a different task than his teammate's. The talented English rider must first of all become familiar with a prototype that is very different from the Moto2 bike he has ridden in the past, both strictly in terms of performance and in terms of the riding style it requires. The progress demonstrated during the tests led to reducing the gap behind the best in the category and, much more importantly, improving his sensations in the saddle.
Roberto Colaninno, Piaggio Group CEO and Managing Director
“Aprilia Racing represents one of the Piaggio Group's points of technological excellence. In fact, racing is the highest point of experimentation and the development of technological solutions from which all the products and brands in the group then benefit. Last year, we introduced our RS-GP, the first MotoGP bike designed and built entirely here in Noale. In the second half of the season, the new bike showed clear progress, consistently finishing in the Top-Ten. This year, we want to continue our growth trend and be a threat to manufacturers who have been in this class for decades and we have everything it takes to achieve this goal: staff, technology, experience and a lot of passion.
Romano Albesiano - Aprilia Racing Manager
"For us, 2017 begins with a different situation compared with last year. We already know that we have a bike, the RS-GP, which has reached a good competitive level. The evolutions that we studied and applied in view of the new season concern every aspect of the bike, from its weight, which has been optimised, to overall balance, not to mention engine performance and the electronics package. An all-around operation but without any drastic changes, given the good starting base, with which we want to take another step toward the goals set for the Aprilia MotoGP project. The initial feedback has been encouraging. Aleix likes the new bike and has some rather clear ideas on which characteristics have the most room for improvement, so we will be working in those areas throughout the season. The racing department put in a lot of effort during the winter break. Everyone understands the importance of the challenge we are facing and our front fairing is just the most visible example of Aprilia's dedication to innovation. During the tests we stayed in a group of very competitive bikes and riders, where just a few tenths of a second can make a big difference. Our goal, after showing that we can consistently battle for the Top-10, is to improve further."
Honda CB1100TR Concept Bike which premiered at EICMA tis past winter.
Revealed! The 2017 Ducati 215hp / 368 lb 1299cc Superleggera
Bologna Italy November 5th 2017 - Ducati has revealed a new limited edition lightweight version of their latest big bore 1299cc V-Twin Superbike, the 1299 Superlegera. The previous2014 year limited edition 11999 Superlegera retailed for USD $68,000, so expected this new model to be priced even higher with the addition of its Carbon Fiber Airbox Subframe to attach the front forks, and new lightweight carbon fiber wheels. This is a pure Collector's bike as the larger 1299cc engine dispersant and carbon fibre wheels make it ineligible for FIM / AMA racing. It should also be noted the Superquadro engine performance upgrades which premiered in the 2014 model year 1199cc Superleggera became available the following year in the 2015 homologation 1199R Superbike for $33,000.
ENGINE Superquadro: L-twin cylinder, 4 valve per cylinder, Desmodromic, liquid cooled
DISPLACEMENT 1,285 cc
BORE X STROKE 116 x 60.8 mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 13.0:1
POWER 158.1 kW (215 hp) @ 11,000 rpm
The power values indicated above are measured using a chassis dynamometer. Homologated power data, as quoted in the Bike Registration Document, are measured using an engine dynamometer according to the homologation regulation. The two power values may differ because of the different measurement equipments.
TORQUE 146.5 Nm (108,0 lb-ft) @ 9,000 rpm
FUEL INJECTION Mitsubishi electronic fuel injection system. Twin injectors per cylinder. Full Ride-by-Wire elliptical throttle bodies with aerodynamic valve and optimized trumpets
EXHAUST 2-1-2 system, primary tubes in titanium. Twin titanium mufflers. 2 lambda probes and 2 catalytic converters
GEARBOX
6 speed with Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) up/downPRIMARY DRIVE
Straight cut gears; Ratio 1.77:1
RATIO 1=37/15 2=30/16 3=27/18 4=25/20 5=24/22 6=23/24
FINAL DRIVE Chain; Front sprocket 15; Rear sprocket 39
CLUTCH Hydraulically controlled slipper/self-servo wet multiplate clutch
FRAME Monocoque in carbon fiber
FRONT SUSPENSION Fully adjustable 43mm USD Öhlins FL 936 fork with TiN treatment, billet fork bottoms and lightweight stress-optimized outer tubes, lightweight springs
FRONT WHEEL 10-spoke carbon fiber 3.50" x 17"
FRONT TYRE
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 120/70 ZR17
REAR SUSPENSION
Fully adjustable single Öhlins TTX36 shock with titanium spring, adjustable linkage between progressive/flat. Carbon fiber single-sided swingarm
REAR WHEEL
10 spokes carbon fiber 6.00” x 17”
REAR TYRE
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP 200/55 ZR17
WHEEL TRAVEL (FRONT/REAR)
120 mm (4.7 in) - 130 mm (5.1 in)
FRONT BRAKE 2 x 330 mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc Evo M50 4-piston callipers with Cornering ABS, Brembo MCS 19-21 adjustable-ratio front brake master cylinder, remote lever adjuster
REAR BRAKE 245 mm disc, 2-piston calliper with Cornering ABS
INSTRUMENTATION Colour TFT display
DRY WEIGHT 156 kg (343.9 lb)
KERB WEIGHT 167 kg (368.2 lb)
SEAT HEIGHT 830 mm (32.48 in)
WHEELBASE 1.456 mm (57.32 in)
RAKE 24°
FRONT WHEEL TRAIL 98 mm (3.86 in)
FUEL TANK CAPACITY 17 l - 4.5 gallon (US)
NUMBER OF SEATS Single seat
STANDARD EQUIPMENT Riding Modes, Power Modes, ABS cornering, DTC, DWC, DSC, DPL, DQS u/d, EBC, DDA+ w/GPS module, Fully RbW. Rapid setting DTC, DWC, DSC, EBC
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT Track Kit: Titanium racing exhaust, racing windshield, machined mirror block-off plates, license plate mount removal plug, side-stand removal kit, front and rear paddock stands, paddock bike cover
WARRANTY (MONTHS) 24 months unlimited mileage
MAINTENANCE (KM/MONTHS) 12,000 km (7,500 mi) / 12 months
VALVE CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT (KM) 24,000 km (15,000 mi) - street use
Now in the Calendar Bike Garage!
Winston Yeh's exciting new MV Agusta "Ballastic" Custom with Calendar Kitten Jillian Janson with complete Build Details and a Large Screen Size Photo Gallery. - http://www.FastDates.com/IronLaceGarage.HTM
We're Back! Riding Edelweiss Motorcycle Tour - From Paris to Omaha, France
Versailles, France, August 2016 - How we spent our summer vacation! On the exciting Edelweiss Bike Travel 2016 Paris to Omaha Beach 10-day motorcycle tour across western France visiting the histroric battle sites of World War II where editor Jim Ginatsis father, B26 bomber pilot Capt. James Gianatsi played a pivital role in te D-say invasion and liberating France. We rode 2-up two-up with awesome FastDates.com SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Kaustin "Kaussie" Rose in a story for the FastDates.com Website. Our bike of choice would be the newly introduced BMW R 1000 XR Sport Tourer, based on the potent BMW R 1000 RR Superbike. For the Complete Story Click on the Photos or Check Out the Complete Story Here
For complete Pricing, Bikes, and Booking Information visit the Edelweiss Website 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 FastDates.com Calendar Bike Garage!
David Beckham's Amazon Triumph Scrambler build by legenday Calendar Bike Builder Rickard Pollock / Mule Motorcycles, photographed with Calendar Kitten and Penthouse Pet Aleska in BIG full screen saver size photos.
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
All Three Editions of this new 2017 FastDates.com Calendars feature our official SBK Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar Kittens Sara Horvath, Alena Pyshnaya from the Ukraine, and Alena Sovostikova from Russia, 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. Follow the action behind the scrnes at the link above, and in our FAST 2017 Digital Magazine Yearbook in Members Corner.
From the left: Builder Hirokai Takai, Calendar Show producer Jim Gianatsis, Calendar Kitten Kaustin Rose, Best of Show winner Yuichiti Yoshizkwa, Kittens Alissa Bourne and Daria Dali.
We Have a Winner!
Yuichiti Yoshizkwa takes 2016 LA Calendar Motorcycle Best of Show
Calabasas, CA, July 23rd, 2016 - Yuichiti Yoshizkwa / Custom Works Zou, flew his bike in from Japan to take Best of Show at the 2016 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show. This was the 5th year in a row that Asian Builders had claimed the top spot at America's premier custom motorcyce show with their unique had craft builds. Yuichiti's Cafe Racer themed bike features a front swingarm suspension with its Amrican V-Twin replica Shovel Head fed by a exhaust driver turbocharger!
Complete coverage if this year's 2016 LA Calendar Motocycle Show HERE
Calendar Bike Show Winner
Now in the FastDates.com Calendar Bike Garage!
Mike LaFountain's 2016 LA Calendar Bike Show class winning 1967 Kawasaki W1 Cafe Racer with SBK Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar Kitten Jessica Harbour in Big Screen Saver Size Pictures and bike details - http://www.FastDates.com/IronLaceGarage.HTM
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New Model Sportbikes • Editorial Features: Pit Board
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SBK World Superbike Video Game Max Biaggi in Serious but Stable Condition following Supermoto crash Triumph to power MotoGP Moto2™ from 2019 Paul Stroud, Chief Commercial Officer for Triumph Motorcycles, said: “This is a significant moment for Triumph that brings an exciting new chapter to our 110-year racing history and builds on our celebrated TT and Supersport race winning triple engines. We look forward to a long and thrilling relationship with Dorna and the Moto2 teams, riders and fans.” Record Ratings On beIN SPORTS For MotoAmerica “This is great news,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “Our racing has been incredible and our partners at beIN SPORTS do a great job at every round capturing that racing and producing a show that is second to none. It’s nice to see our audience grow at this sort of rate. This is great news for all of us at MotoAmerica and beIN SPORTS, and for our riders, teams, sponsorship partners and fans.” The TV audience isn’t the only area of growth for the 2017 series as MotoAmerica’s social media channels have grown some 43 percent in followers since last season. “The growth in our social media is a really good sign,” Rainey said. “It shows that the hard work is paying off and that our fans like what we’re doing. Social media is the perfect way to keep our fans informed on our series, our riders, teams, sponsors and everybody else who makes MotoAmerica what it is.” Three rounds and six races of the 2017 Motul Superbike class are in the books with four different winners in the six races with an average margin of victory of just 1.3 seconds, including the only “runaway” victory of the season in race two at VIRginia International Raceway of 4.4 seconds by four-time series champion Josh Hayes. All of the Motul Superbike races have featured battles at the front with as many as six riders involved. The 2017 MotoAmerica Series resumes next week with the Dunlop Championship at Road America, June 2-4, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for round four of the 10-race series. * Take this stastic with a grain of salt. Last year's TV provider NBC Sports didn't cover all the races, so BeIN's full and extend multiple class and longer broadcast time coverage of the MotoAmerica Series this year would show a net growth in audience views, without necessarily more people watching it. Just the same people watching the more broadcasts. In fact, the audience numbers could be lower, since the BeIN subscriber channel is seen in fewer homes across America than NBC Sports. - Editor MV AGUSTA CONSOLIDATES ITS INDUSTRIAL PLAN
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