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September 2018 Page 1
World Ducati Week 2018 Complete Coverage!
WSBK Portiamo, MotoGP Misano & Motorland Coverge
Outlier's Guild Moto Show 2018
2018 Rider RoundUp Calendar Bike Building Championship
Edelweiss Paris to Omaha Tour with
SBK Fast Dates Calendar Kitten Kaustin

Previous Week - More Pit Lane News
New Model SportbikesPit Board Editorial Features

World Ducati Week 2018
MV Agusta F4 Final Edition Superbike
Outlier's Guild Moto Show 2018
• New SBK Superbike Technical Rules for 2018
Energica Electric to Race 2019 MotoGP Spec Class
EICMA New 2018 Motorcycle Premiers
Ducati's New Panigale Stradle V-4 Superbike
Ducati 1299R Final Edition - the Last V2 Superbike
Rea / Kawasaki take 3rd 2017 World Superbike Title
Elias / Yoshimura Suzuki Take 2017 Moto America Title
Nicky Hayden Dies in Bicycle Accident
2017 SBK Superbike Season Preview & Phillip Island Race
Marc Marquez - The Story of the MotoGP World Champion
2016-17 IMS International Motorcycle Show
Ownership Change for Laguna Seca?
2016 Intermot International Show New 2017 Bikes
2016 AMA MotoAmerica Season Final- Beaubier Crowned
Edelweiss Bike Trip Paris to Omaha Beach with Kaustin
Fast Dates Calendar Shoot Laguna Seca 2016
2016 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show Coverage
Jonathan Rae - 2016-17 SBK World Superbike Champion
New 2016 Kawasaki ZX10 - New Bike for the SBK Champ
New 2016 Triumph Bonnevilles - More Watercooled Power
Meet 3-Time SBK World Superbike Champ Jonthan Rea
• Fast Dates SBK Calendar Kittens at Laguna Seca 2015

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Ducati 1199R15 FastDates Review, Seup and Test
Honda RC213V Moto GP Streetbike Replica goes on sale
Corsa Motoclassica 2015 Willow Springs Racway
Fast Dates Edelweiss Tour of the Pyreness Spain & France!
Fast Dates Shoot with Jitka & Petra 2014 Laguna Seca SBK
FastDates Shoot 2013 Laguna Seca WSBK
Meet the SBK World Superbike Girls! - Photo Pictorial
FastDates.com Calendar Video Shoot - Kelsey and Jessica
World Superbike 25 Years -Maurizio and Paolo Flammini
Troy Bayliss Race Academy School Misano & Paris!
Ducati Corse World Superbike Book Cathcart & Gianatsis
• NCR / Poggopolini The Exotic Ducati Custom Bike Shop
DRE Troy Bayliss Racing Academy - Exclusive at 180mph!
• John Britten Motorcycling's Most Creative Innovator
High Speed World Superbike Movie with Sienna Miller

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This Month in the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar ....
SBK Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar Kitten Kaustin Rose with
with Czech rider Karel Abraham's Milwaukee BMW S1000R.

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Go behind the scenes for the shooting of the 2018 FastDates.comMotorcycle PinUp Calendars with photographer Jim Gianatsis and the Calendar Kittens. Travel to Laguna Seca World Superbike with the official SBK Umbrella Girls, the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show with the Top Custom Bike Builders, and take an Edelweiss Bike Tour across France from the Palace of Versailles to the World War II beaches at Normandy. Plus Editorial features on the Calendar Bikes and Kittens , and see every page in the new 2018 Fast Dates Superbikes, Iron & Lace Custom Bikes and Garage Girls Calendar.
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World Ducati Week 2018 event coverage

Fast Dates goes to World Ducati Week 2018!!

By Jim Gianatsis and Elia Mirashi 
photos by Jim Gianatsis, Ducati Communications Dept. - Click on any Photo to Enlarge it 


The Adriatic Coast and Misano World Circuit, Italy, July 20-22nd 2018
 - What better way for a hard core Ducatista to spend their summer vacation than attending the 10th edition of World Ducati week for 2018 at Misano Adriatico on the north east coast of Italy at the famous race circuit Marco Simoncelli. This was my 3rd visit to a World Ducati event weekend which normally takes place every 2 years, having last attended when the event was less well known back in 2004 and then in 2012 when it had really grown. Needless to say, this year's 2018 event was even bigger and offered up more activities and sights than you could handle during the expanded 3 day weekend. Making it even more enjoyable, i always fly in a few days early from my home in Los Angeles to Ducati's home in nearby Bologna, Italy, to tour the factory, its museum, its factory retail store for bikes and official apparel, and now a cool American 1960's diner restaurant named Cafe America with a full menu of American burgers, diner food classics and drinks.

Complete WDW2018 Coverage HERE

To make this year's WDW2018 week even more exciting I wanted to have someone to share it with and make the pictures more fun, so I booked beautiful local Italian model Elia Mirashi to join me. It was cool to discover that Elia's boyfriend owned a Ducati, and that she worked at a local Rimini nightclub that is often frequented by famous riders including Valentino Rossi who she knows! Above, Elia and I are joined by Ducati CRO Claudio Domeniciali.



You'll never see more Ducati Paniagle V4S in one place at one time!


Ducati invoted a few of it closest friends which this year included MotoGP race winners Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso, superbike riders Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri, along with legendary retired riders included Casey Stoner and Troy Bayliss, to meet with fans and put on display races. On Friday the riders took to the track for a few exhibition laps on their race bikes. Then on Saturday they returned to the Misano track for a 12 lap race on the new production Panigale V4S Superbikes in the "Race of Champions".

Complete WDW2018 Coverage HERE

Ducati 1200 Monster 25th anniversay edition

Ducati Premiers the Monster 1200 25th Aniversary Edition at WDW2018
Bologna, Italy, 27 June 2018 – The Monster was first presented at the Cologne trade fair in 1992, production began on 5 March 1993 and in just a few years the bike reached icon status in the world of motorcycles. The model was responsible for launching the category of Naked sports bikes and an ever growing and ever more devoted community of riders grew up around it: the Monster fans. To celebrate 25 years of history of the most iconic of the Bologna-based manufacturer's motorcycles – over 325,000 of them have been made since 1993 – Ducati has decided to create the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario.

Only 500 numbered motorcycles will be produced of the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario, which for Ducati embodies the maximum expression of a Naked sports bike. It is characterised by an exclusive livery featuring the three colours of the Italian flag on the nose fairing, fuel tank and passenger seat cover, inspired by the 2008 Monster S4RS Testastretta Tricolore. The special colour scheme partners perfectly with the prestige seat which is embroidered with the 25th anniversary logo. The gold coloured frame and forged Marchesini wheels with W spokes in the
same colour are another distinguishing feature of this Monster, which also has numerous other prestigious details machined from solid, such as the mirrors, frame plugs, handlebar end weights and the petrol cap, which is a standard fitting. The articulated brake and clutch levers as well as the plate holder are also in aluminium, while the front and rear mudguards, the keyhole cover and the exhaust heat guard are in carbon fibre. The Monster 1200 25° Anniversario also comes with a bike cover, decorated with the particular logo of this special limited edition.

As for the chassis set up, the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario boasts the best anyone could wish for on a Naked sports bike. The tubular steel trellis frame and single-sided swing arm in aluminium arepaired with a fully adjustable Öhlins fork with 48 mm diameter stanchions, an Öhlins rear suspension which is also fully adjustable, as well as a steering damper also supplied by the Swedish firm. The first-class braking system is made up of two 330 mm diameter Brembo discs paired with Brembo M50 monobloc callipers. The rear 245 mm diameter disk is matched with a Brembo caliper.

The Monster 1200 25° Anniversario is equipped with the latest evolution of the Testastretta 11° DS which guarantees high levels of power and torque as well as fluid and full delivery even at low revs and a manageable accelerator response that's always gradual, ensuring maximum riding fun. The twin-cylinder Monster 1200 25° Anniversario puts out 147 hp at 9,250 rpm and a maximum torque of 124 Nm at 7,750 rpm.

Thanks to the constant attention paid by Ducati to quality and reliability, the Testastretta 11° DS engine of the Monster 1200 25° Anniversario guarantees long maintenance intervals - the regulation of the valves, for example, is due every 30,000 km.

Marco Melandri
Melandri was all smiles at World Ducati Week 2018 in July where he was sure of remaining on theDucati SBK team fro 2019.

WSBK Superbike Shocker!
Ducati Re-Signs Davies, Lets Melandri Go for 2019 in a Budget Cutback!

August 17th 2017 - In an (almost) official news shocker, Ducati leaves Marco Melandri without a ride for 2019 and is looking to the Spaniard Alvaro Bautista, soon to be unemployed in MotoGP, now to join the Ducati Aruba.it World Superbike team next season. With Melandi's already 2 race wins this season, and team mateChaz davies 2nd in points behind Kawasaki's Jonthan Rea, Ducati had potentially the strongest 2-rider team going into the 2019 season with their all new Panigale V4RS Superbike. The former 125 GPchamp Bautista will join the British Chaz Davies, is confirmed. A surprise move, given that for months Ducati itself, and sponsor Aruba.it and the team had declared they wanted to confirm the Italian driver again for next year. And the Bologna Italain company has always wanted to keep their 2nd team rider as Italian, if possible.

This news source comes from very close to Melandri, so it can be defined as safe, even if in Ducati everything is silent at the moment. So we are heading towards a 2019 Superbike without leading Italian riders: even Lorenzo Savadori, currently in Aprilia, is currently without a direction, given that the agreement between the Noale brand and the management of the SRM English team has not yet been renewed (Shaun Muir Racing). At this point it will be interesting to understand that there will be repercussions for the World Superbike on the sponsor front (Aruba is also the owner of the official team ...) and TV: Mediaset has not yet renewed its rights with Dorna. We talked about it here.

The Ducati and the owner-sponsor Aruba.it had repeated it until exhaustion: "We want to confirm Marco Melandri and Chaz Davies". The last famous words ... But that something did not square was understood for some time: the weeks passed and did not decide nor signed anyone. The story of the failure to confirm Melandri and its replacement with Alvaro Bautista is full of incomprehensible passages and after the official announcement (question of days?) It will be interesting to know the truth from those directly involved: Ducati, sponsor and pilot.

LOW COST ENGAGEMENT - Meanwhile, startling details begin to emerge: Melandri's banishment may be more than a question of just money. Although Ducati Motor Holdings is the latest to announce a sales decline of 7.4% in the first half of 2018 compared to the same period last year, so rider slaary budget cutbacks were in order.

To race the Ducati V4 in 2019, Marco would have been satisfied with a low costcontract : it seems that in the two years as an officer it cost just 75 thousand € (per season), against the 650 thousand € collected by Chaz Davies, who was reconfirmed, presumably to a lower figure of € 450 thousand. Practically in Ducati is much more paid the Welsh to make the Superbike that Danilo Petrucci to run as an officer in MotoGP: for Umbrian we speak of 300 thousand per season. Rumors of MotoGP source speak of an Alvaro Bautista who also not to remain on foot would be satisfied with a contract of zero, balanced by a (substantial?) Table of prizes based on race finies and the World score. But who knows, only those directly involved know the truth.

TEST - A couple of months ago both Melandri and Davies, asked why their contract renewals had not arrived,but also saif said that "first we would like to have the chance to try out the V4, to realize the potential". But the negotiations went ahead without any audition being organized. Davies at the end, missing alternatives, he signed anyway, Melandri would have liked to do it but was stopped by the alternative Bautista. On the other, the driver market is just one of the mysteries that hover around the Ducati 2019. Very insistent rumors report that the development of the V4 would have suffered a strong slowdown, and the activity of the test team that until last winter was engaged with Lorenzo Zanetti there is no trace for a long time. The tests were secretissimi, or were not there?

WHO CHOOSE? - At the moment it is difficult to know if the choice of the Spaniard was Ducati Corse or if the pressure of Dorna was decisive. In Spain, the attention of the public, TV and media for the Superbike is just over zero: it is difficult to think that the arrival of Bautista could suddenly change the situation. Surely a training with two foreigners, a Welshman and a Spaniard, does not make much play to Aruba.it that, it should be remembered, is not only sponsor but also owner of the official Ducati team. "We'll talk after the official announcement" they let you know from Aruba Racing.it It will be interesting to have explanations from the CEO Stefano Cecconi. Meanwhile, Marco Melandri and Michael Rinaldi, his pupils, are on foot.

FastDates.com Calendar Kitten Elia with Aruba.it CEO Stefano Cecconi at World Ducati Week last month.



Van der mark, Jonthan Rea, Donnington SBK, race action, 2018
Rea (1) takes command of the led in Race One ahead of Davies (7), Lowes(22) and Salvadori (32) and Sykes has alarady fallen back to 5th from Pole and his early race lead.

2018 SBK Motul World Superbike Championship, Misano, Italy , Round 9 of 13

Jonthan Rea Doubles at Misano World Superbike
Portimao,Spain, September 13-16th, 2018 -Double Portimao race wins this weekend for Jonathan Rea (KRT) saw him extend his championship lead while his team-mate Tom Sykes took another fifth place finish to keep fourth position in the overall points ranking. Portimao proved to be as fruitful as ever for Rea this weekend. Since he joined Kawasaki in 2015 he has won six Portuguese races in a row, on a Ninja machine of some sort, and seven in a row at Portimao overall.
 
Rea’s 12th race win so far in 2018 extended his all time winning record in WorldSBK to 66. He has earned full points for six races in succession recently, scoring doubles at Laguna Seca, Misano and now Portimao.
 
After his first race victory on Saturday Rea had to start race two from ninth position, which made today’s race a more combative affair in the early laps. Chaz Davies led for the first 11 laps across the line, with first Sykes and then Rea challenging behind. Rea made a pass stick on lap 12 and then eased out a lead as the podium order changed behind him. Michael van der Mark eventually finished second, Marco Melandri third.
 
With Sykes feeling more comfortable with his machine settings today he had greater confidence in the battles for the podium places. He was in a fight for fourth right to the end and he was just 4.834 seconds from the winning race time today.
 
With the Sunday race having started at 15.15, as opposed to 13.00 on Saturday, the conditions were slightly different, which meant the race was both slightly slower than Saturday’s event and more closely contested.

Portiamo WSBK Podium 2018
Above: VanDermark, Rea and Melandi on the Race One Podium

In the championship Rea now has 420 points, Davies 304 and van der Mark 284, with three rounds and six races remaining. Jonathan will have his first opportunity to close out the championship at the following round in France, if results go his way. Tom is fourth in the points, with a total of 240.
 
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) crashed out at T10 and did not finish race two, but is still ninth overall in the championship. Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) scored the last point on offer today for 15th place, with Yonny Hernandez (Team Pedercini Racing Kawasaki) 16th. Roman Ramos (Team GoEleven Kawasaki) fell, remounted and then retired later in the race.
 
The 11th round of the 13 round championship takes place at Magny Cours in France, between the 29th and 31st of September.

Portiamo Monster Girl
 
Jonathan Rea, stated: “The run right now is incredible. It was a really tough race, as I had to fight a lot in the beginning. I made a very good start and had good track position early on. At turn five an opportunity opened up behind two riders and I found myself right behind Tom. He proved very hard to pass. I made a pass stick in T13, and chased Chaz down within a lap. Then it took me so many laps to go past him because he was braking so late, and his bike was so fast in the straight. Once I got past I just concentrated on making a couple of clean laps and setting my rhythm. The pace today was a little bit slower because the temperature had risen a bit and also I used the tyre a little bit more coming through the pack. I put everything into the race and managed to get 25 points, so I am really happy.”   

SATURDAY RACE ONE - Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) has extended his incredible winning streak at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve with another victory in Race One on Saturday, his sixth consecutive win at the Portuguese rollercoaster and his eleventh of the 2018 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season. The Northern Irishman was stunningly dominant at Portimao, taking the lead inside the first lap and crossing the line comfortably ahead of Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in second and Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) in third.

There was drama very early on at Portimao for polesitter Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia). The Irishman had started from the front for the first time since 2013, but a slow move off the blocks saw him get caught up in the field of riders behind at turn 1. A few seconds later, Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) misjudged his turn, clashing with Laverty and taking both men out early.

Jonathan Rea took advantage of the early chaos, flying into the lead ahead of Melandri through the exit from turn 1, with Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia)  – in search of his first podium finish in WorldSBK – close behind, while Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) suddenly found the form that had evaded him since Friday, shooting up to fifth position inside one lap from fourteenth on the grid.

While Rea was eventually beaten for the Superpole earlier in the day, the Northern Irishman’s strength at Portimao this weekend and at the official test three weeks ago is his unbelievable consistency. Coupled with the best overall pace on track – keeping his lap times under 1’43 for the entire first half of the race – there was no stopping Rea in Race One, as he swept away into a 2-3 second gap.

There was promise of a thrilling tricolore battle behind for second, but it lasted just half the race: Savadori slid out at the end of the main straight in lap 12 and put an end to a miserable afternoon for the Milwaukee Aprilia team, just hours after their best qualifying performance of 2018.

With one Italian out, the other, Melandri strolled to his best result since the Acerbis Czech Round in second, turning good pace into a fantastic result. Michael van der Mark, completing a quiet yet professional race behind, took the remaining podium place, his eighth of the season; Davies followed with an incredibly valuable fourth place that takes him straight to P1 on tomorrow’s grid, in what had previously been a very difficult race weekend.

Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) made it to the checkered flag in fifth, completing a solid points haul for the green machines. Loris Baz (GULF Althea BMW Racing Team) meanwhile finished Race One in sixth, his best result since returning to WorldSBK this season.

Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) celebrated his future debut in MotoGP™ with seventh position at the Portuguese rollercoaster, which pushes him ahead of Leon Camier (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) in the championship standings, after a mechanical failure ended the Brit’s race early.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was the best independent rider in Race One at Portimao, coming in eighth and just ahead of fellow 2018 debutant Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in ninth. Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) completed the top ten after struggling through the early stages of the race.

Race One Results - Complete Results HERE

1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
2. Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +1.575
3.  Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) +4.215

Marco melandri race Action
Marco Melandi traded podium runner-up positions with Michael Vandermark both days. The Italian still has no prospects for a ride in 2019


SUNDAY RACE TWO - Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) showed tremendous composure once again to win his seventh consecutive race at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve and his sixth consecutive in this year’s MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, after a thrilling battle through two thirds of the race with Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). He was accompanied on the podium by Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) and Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).

A brilliant start from Rea pushed him straight up to third inside lap one, with Davies and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) keeping their grid positions in one and two. Flying past his teammate on lap three, the Northern Irishman set up another stunning duel with the Welshman, one that we’ve seen repeated several times this year.

The battle quickly heated up, and fans were treated to a sensational battle. A first strike at the beginning of lap eight saw Davies defend his position on the exit of turn 1; two laps later, Rea dashed into the slipstream again, this time successfully, but the Ducati found the space to counterattack at the braking point of turn 5. Meanwhile, Melandri closed into a mere few tenths of a second of the squabbling pair, with van der Mark also moving near.

The pressure eventually got to the Welshman however, on lap 12: Davies went wide at turn 10, being comfortably passed by the Kawasaki with no chance to respond. Melandri tried a move on his teammate for second on the return through the main straight, but both went in too hot, leaving the door open for the trailing Yamaha to swoop in and climb to second in one smooth move.

With the memory of their stunning battles at Assen and Donington Park fresh in the minds of all WorldSBK fans, Rea and van der Mark set out for another thriller. The reigning champion’s pace was however just too strong for the Dutchman to surpass at this point, and he remains undefeated since Laguna Seca.

Melandri secured third place at the flag, joining Rea and van der Mark on the podium for the third consecutive race. While Davies’ pace faded off after his mid-race battles, the Welshman did manage to hold off Sykes for fourth position and complete a sensational weekend as he was hindered by a collarbone injury. 

Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) made amends for his mistake in Race One by rising to sixth in Sunday’s race, one position ahead of his teammate Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia). Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team) was the best independent rider on track at Portimao, crossing the line in eighth.

Loris Baz (GULF Althea BMW Racing Team) couldn’t keep hold of his front row start and finishes Race Two in ninth position, just ahead of Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) and Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) in tenth and eleventh, respectively.

That’s a wrap from Portugal! Join us in two weeks’ time for the last European round of 2018 at Magny-Cours, from 28-30 September.

Race Two Results - Complete Results HERE
1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 
2. Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) +1.189
3. Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +2.813

Chaz Davies Portiamo starting grid
Chaz Davies fauught hard with Jonthna Rea for the lead in Race Two.


Jorgr Lorenzo Motorland Crash MotoGP
Lorenzo (99) and Marquez (93) tangked in Turn One, guess who came out the winner?

2018 MotoGP World Championship, Gran Premio Movistar de Aragon, Round 14 of 19

Three factories battle at MotorLand,
but it's Marquez who takes the spoils

Sunday Sept 23rd, 2018 - Three factories, three riders, a dash of controversy and one of the most incredible moments of the year - that was the Gran Premio Movistar de Aragon. In the end it was a masterclass from Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) as the reigning Champion and Championship leader fought off old foe Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) to emerge victorious, with Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) completing the podium, but the headlines weren't all written in the battle: a first-corner crash for Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) saw him highside out after starting from pole.

Lorenzo was imperious on Saturday but it was Marquez who got a great launch from P3 and dived up the inside to grab the holeshot on Sunday, before both he and Lorenzo headed wide. That's when the 'Spartan' crashed, suffering a dislocated toe in the process. Opinions on the incident differed between the two men but it did leave Dovizioso in the driving seat as he capitalised on the scruffy start for his two biggest rivals, taking the lead as Marquez slotted back into second.

Behind the drama, Iannone and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) bolted out the blocks to move forward into the fight, with Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) and Aprilia Racing Team Gresini’s Aleix Espargaro hot on their heels. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) was also in that tousle in the early stages, but the Brit crashed out five laps in.

So began the battle for Aragon. Rins was looking menacing behind Marquez, feinting numerous overtaking attempts into the first corner as both Suzukis kept tabs on the leading duo and by lap 11, Dovi, Marquez, Rins and Iannone had edged out two-second gap to Pedrosa and Espargaro. The stage was set.

As if someone had flicked a switch and turned it up to 11, ‘DesmoDovi’ made his move and posted the fastest lap of the race a lap later – a 1:48.3. Marquez responded to stay with the Italian and the two looked to have broken clear of the Suzukis on the chase, but not so as the gloves came off between the leading duo. The number 93 carved past at Turn 12, but on Lap 16 Dovizioso got the drive up the hill to attack Marquez back at Turn 4. Never one to refuse a challenge, the Repsol Honda rider immediately responded up the inside at Turn 5, with the Italian then biting straight back at Turn 7. Stunning it was, but it also allowed Iannone to close the gap...

A number of laps later Marquez pounced again at Turn 12 and set off another flurry of dueling. This time, however, Iannone was able to get involved and as Dovizioso took the inside at Turn 15, Iannone took the outside and it made for a stunning sight as Marquez was briefly swamped by both. The Ducati and Honda were back in the lead soon after, but Marquez was about to play his ace.

The race-defining move finally came from the number 93 at Turn 5, and the reigning World Champion held firm until the chequered flag to take a third straight win in Aragon, equaling Mike Hailwood’s win tally of 41 for Honda. Dovi was forced to settle for second but equaled Casey Stoner’s Grand Prix podium count, with Iannone earning his third podium of the year and Suzuki's first at MotorLand. The rostrum was also enough to mean the Hamamatsu factory will now lose concessions.

Fourth was local hero Rins as he took a second consecutive P4, with Pedrosa securing his first top five since the Catalan GP at his penultimate home Grand Prix. Espargaro excelled in sixth to pick up the Aprilia’s best result of the season and their best result so far, with the Spaniard beating Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) to top Independent rider as the Italian came home seventh.

Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), meanwhile, was another headline act as ‘The Doctor’ sliced through the field from P17 on the grid to take eighth, ahead of Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) after the two battled in the latter stages. Rossi's teammate Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) rounded out the top ten.

Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) won the battle of the rookies in P11, with Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) 12th. Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) had a solid race to take 13th, ahead of a tough day for Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) in 14th and a points finish for Karel Abraham (Angel Nieto Team)  in 15th.

A monumental Marquez victory on home soil leaves the Honda rider with one hand on the title as the premier class head to Thailand for the first time. Will it be another Marquez vs Ducati contest? Will the Championship get closer once again? Or can a last chance saloon for Dovizioso deny the six-time World Champion? In two weeks, all will be revealed at Chang International Circuit...

MotoGP™ Race Results - Complete Results HERE
1 - Marc Marquez (SPA) HONDA +2.822
2 - Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) DUCATI +0.648
3 - Andrea Iannone (ITA) SUZUKI +1.259


Misano MotoGP podium 2018
Three Italian winners in one day! L-R: Bagnaia, Dovizioso and Dalla Porta.

2018 MotoGP World Championship, Gran Premio Octo di San Marino, Italy , Round 13 of 19

Dovizioso / Ducati takes Grand Prix of Misano
San Marin, Italy, Sunday Sept 9th 2019 - Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) took an expertly-crafted victory in the Gran Premio Octo di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, picking his way into the lead and unleashing incredible pace to secure only the second ever win for Ducati at the venue. His win also makes it three in a row for the Borgo Panigale factory, having won at Brno and teammate Jorge Lorenzo following that up with victory in Austria. Lorenzo was the man on the chase at Misano, too, but there was late drama as the five-time World Champion slid out on the penultimate lap after dueling Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team). Marquez took second at the flag, with Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) putting in an impressive ride to take third and come home as top Independent Team rider.

It was polesitter Lorenzo who shot out ahead and got the holeshot – as the number 99 is oft to do – but Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) kept second from second on the grid as the Aussie got a good start. Marquez was the biggest winner off the line, moving up from fifth after a crash in qualifying to slot into third, but he wasn’t there long…

Dovizioso struck quickly against the reigning Champion before picking off Miller, pushing hard to tag on to the back of his teammate as Marquez then sliced past the Aussie too – intent on keeping tabs on the Ducati duo at the front. Unfortunately, disaster struck a lap later for Miller as he slid out at Turn 14.

Back at the front, ‘DesmoDovi’ was honing in on Lorenzo and looking to make a move. With 22 laps to go the Italian did just that, slicing past at Turn 7. He then began to pull away as Marquez tagged on to Lorenzo in the battle for second, before the number 93 then shot past with 14 to go as the number 99 headed a little wide. The gap? 1.4 seconds to the Ducati ahead.

Marquez, however, wasn’t able to cut down the gap – and a number of laps later, he was under attack. Lorenzo made it through at Turn 8 and lit the touch paper on a few spectacular exchanges between the two, but to no avail and he settled back into third to prepare another attack. Trying again a lap later but not making it through, the ‘Spartan’ then switched tactics and went for it at Turn 12.

He’d prepared the move with a couple of feints beforehand, but this time he made it stick. From there it was time to put the hammer down and Lorenzo set about cutting the gap to his teammate. Tenth by tenth, the Spaniard was reeling him in – and the gap went back down to 1.3 seconds. Dovizioso began to respond, but drama suddenly hit the front on the penultimate lap. Pushing and pushing, Lorenzo suddenly slid out of second.

That left ‘DesmoDovi’ in free air at the front to take his first ever win at the venue, having managed the race to perfection. Marquez took second and extended his Championship lead, with Crutchlow’s impressive pace and race rewarded by a podium after the late drama.

Crutchlow had pulled free of a squabble and sliced past Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) to get into the position to try and close in on the then-leading trio, and more than made amends for a late crash in qualifying. Rins, meanwhile, impressed on the softer compound rear tyre to get well in the initial fight and then hold great pace to the flag, not able to stay ahead of Crutchlow but nevertheless holding station in the top five until Lorenzo’s late crash saw him take fourth. 

Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) took fifth after dropping back slightly from a front row start and suffering a more difficult race, holding off some steady pressure from Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), who took sixth.

For Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), it was a difficult Sunday at home. Missing the race through injury last season – as his special edition ‘Back to Misano’ helmet attests – the ‘Doctor’ had higher hopes for the race that takes place so close to his home town of Tavullia. He took P7, retaining his qualifying position by the flag. Compatriot Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) also had a tough weekend, and came home eighth.

Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team) continued his good run of recent form and took P9, with Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) completing the top ten ahead of Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing). Petrucci had a difficult race day and was also given a 1.1 second penalty for cutting a corner early on.

Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) beat Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) to the honour of top rookie and P12, with Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) taking points for Noale factory Aprilia on home turf in P14, just ahead of Ducati Test Team wildcard Michele Pirro.

Behind them? Lorenzo had remounted and dueled Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) to the line, but the Brit was just able to stay ahead by a tenth.

MotoGP™ Race Results - Complete Results HERE
1 - Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) DUCATI 42'05.426
2 - Marc Marquez (SPA) HONDA +2.822
3 - Cal Crutchlow (GBR) HONDA +7.269


Outlier's Guild Moto Show Los Angeles 2018
Photos and Report by Jim Gianatsis - Click for Complete Story and Photos
Return to  Pit Board Features  

Los Angeles Downtown Arts District, CA - March 31st 2018 -The 2nd annual
Outlier's Guild Moto Show held in the old warehouse district of downtown Los Angeles, now being revitalized by the City as the "Arts District" with upscale Apartments,Restaurants and Art Galleries, blew the lid of the retro custom bike scene, drawing tsome 3,000 spectators and the nicest turnout of custom built bikes on the West Coast since the heyday of the legendary LA Calendar Motorcycle Show until the 2008 Recession decimated America's big ticket custom bike industry.



Max hazan cafe racer


The 2018 Rider RoundUp at the Ranch
& Calendar Bike Building Championship!  •  Sunday Oct 7th 2018

The 2018 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show continues its now 28-year tradition as one of the premier outdoor custom street motorcycle events in America now in partnership with the Rider RoundUp at the Ranch & Calendar Bike Building Championship taking place on Sunday October 7th 2018 in the Western Town movie set at Paramount State Park, Agoura, CA, produced by Calendar Bike Builder Russell Mitchell / Exile Cycles and Jim Gianatsis / FastDates.com. Featuring top Celebrity Custom Bikes & Builders, selected Vendors and Exhibitors, Live Music performances. And the world premier of next year's new 2019 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. More Information on our Bike Show Page

Complete 2017 Calendar Bike Builder Party & Rider RoundUp Show Coverage Here

Zonkeron custom motorcycle by Yuichiti Yoshizkawa / Custom Works Zon

Raccia Kawsaaki W1 cafe racer

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

Winston Yeh MV Agusta custom motorcycle

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


Parris to Omaha Beach

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

Edelweiss Motorcyle Tours - Paris to Omaha

For complete Pricing, Bikes, and Booking Information visit the Edelweiss Website HereEdelweiss World Motorcycle Tours


Fast Dates Laguna Seca World Superbike photo shoot 2016

Fast Dates Calendar Celebrates 22 years of SBK World Superbike in America
with 2018 Fast Dates Calendar SBK Umbrella Kittens Kaustin & Alissa at 
Laguna Seca World Superbike and the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show 

By Jim Gianatsis   Photos by Jim Gianatsis • Clink on any Photo to Enlarge It

California, USA, July 17-20th 2016
 - For the 22nd year since SBK World Superbike first came to America at Laguna Seca Raceway in 1995, the FastDates.com Calendars and myself, producer / photographer Jim Gianatsis were excited to continue 
our ongoing association with SBK World Superbike and the UmbrellaGirlsUSA.com to bring 2 more beautiful FastDates.com Calendar Kittens; Kaustin Lanae and Alissa Bourne to shoot with me at the 2016 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca United States SBK World Superbike and AMA National race weekend July 8-10th. There they served as the official SBK Podium Girls and helped me shoot the next Fast Dates World & AMA Superbike Calendar. Then, two weekends later the Kittens would work the
26th annual LA Calendar Motorcycle Show and Calendar shoot in Los Angeles on July 23-24th.     CONTINUED HERE


Sara Vyvus Ducati

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.

David BeckhamTriumph motorcycle

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.

Samuel Kao BMW 90T Custom

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


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Troy Bayliss - A Faster Way

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These SBK Yearbooks are the Best Books Ever about World Superbike. They feature wesome color photography of the riders, bike and racing action. The feature a deailed revue of the past season in pictures and stactics, awith a detailed look at the bikes and riders.

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Ducati Sales Down First Half of 2018
August 1st - When analysts said regarded the worldwide motorcycle as “soft,” they weren’t kidding. Ducati Motor Holdings is the latest to announce a sales decline of 7.4% in the first half of 2018 compared to the same period last year.

Total units sold were 32,250 motorcycles, representing €448 million revenue for the Audi-held motorcycle brand.

To analyze further, Ducati’s second quarter sales were down by 8.9% compared to Q2 2017, translating to 20,319 units compared to 22,300 in the same quarter last year.

Sales in all segments took a hit except for the manufacturer’s sport category which includes the SuperSport and superbike models. This sport category is what keeps them doing reasonably well despite the slump in sales for the other models, as there was a 29% increase with 7,683 units sold in the first half of this year.

That report leads to the Panigale V4 being the key driving force. Sportbikes are dead? We don’t think so. The manufacturer had also iterated that the Mutlistrada 1260 had also performed well.

Leon Haslam to Replace Tom Sykes at Ream Kawasaki WSK for 2109
July 19th - Currently leading the British Superbike Championship on his JG Speedfit Kawasaki Leon is set to join Rea and Kazuma Watanabe next week to compete in the 41st Coca-Cola Suzuka 8-Hour race as part of the official Team Green effort. Haslam has been Rea’s WorldSBK team-mate before, shortly before Rea first joined Kawasaki.
 
Leon is an experienced WorldSBK campaigner, with five race wins and 39 podiums to his credit. He has recently competed as a wild card for Kawasaki at selected WorldSBK events, in between his regular commitments in BSB for Kawasaki Motors UK. Haslam has won six races from twelve in the British championship so far and enjoys a lead of 80 points.
 
A rider of vast experience in almost all forms of racing, Haslam’s best WorldSBK season to date was 2010, when he finished championship runner-up. Leon will begin his working relationship with KRT during this year’s winter test programme.
 
Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager, stated: “It’s understandably tough to replace a rider of Tom’s quality and the final decision to sign Leon for 2019 was made after considering many factors, some obvious and others to answer internal team factors. There’s a complex sporting strategy behind this decision, and to satisfy our team goals we felt that Leon was the best possible rider for the job. Rumours and speculation have filled many of the last weeks and we are happy to finally confirm Leon as the KRT choice.

KHI knows, I know, he knows, and crew chief Marcel Duinker knows that he takes onto his shoulders a big responsibility and, at 35 years of age, to get this opportunity is his best chance to prove he still has something extra to contribute. We have a clear idea where to find this contribution and I’m personally motivated to use his experience matched to ours to try to make a stronger package that nobody has yet witnessed from Leon. As we say in KRT… "Results are the greatest evidence of endeavour”.
 
Steve Guttridge, KME Racing Manager, stated: "Bringing Leon into the KRT WorldSBK team is a great way to show that within the Kawasaki racing structure there is a pathway to the top! Since he joined Kawasaki UK’s BSB team, we've enjoyed a very fruitful relationship that included Leon assisting KHI inside our Team Green squad at Suzuka and with additional rides and good feedback in WorldSBK for the Puccetti and Pedercini teams. Most important to us is his enthusiasm to work hard, his boundless energy, proving age is just a number. I have no doubt that his personal motivation will be to push Jonathan at every round next season for podium places. From the upcoming winter test onwards I'm excited to support the very best potential from Leon, back inside the World Superbike arena but now on our Championship winning KRT machinery.
 
Ken Ondo, Senior Manager Kawasaki Heavy Industries Racing Department, stated: “It is a great pleasure for all at Kawasaki to have Leon as a KRT rider. He is on the top of current BSB ranking and put Team Green on the Suzuka podium twice as well as helping development in KHI Japan through his wild card entry in the JSB series. The upcoming Suzuka 8 hour race will be a very good preview for the 2019 KRT duo. Leon, together with Kazuma Watanabe, has spent a lot of time in Suzuka to develop the 8-Hour machine. Now is harvest time!”
 
Leon Haslam, stated: “I have to say a big thanks to Kawasaki for this opportunity. Returning to the World Superbike Championship is something I’m really looking forward to. After scoring race wins, lap records, pole positions and a championship runner-up position in my seven years there it’s going to be great to get back to WorldSBK. The support of Kawasaki throughout my three years in the British Superbike Championship and via KHI at the Suzuka 8-Hour race has been exceptional. The like-minded approach from Kawasaki UK and KHI in Japan has been really appreciated and I’m now hoping to repay them with the 2018 British Superbike title and then to challenge for next year’s WorldSBK Championship. The 2019 season will throw up some new challenges as the competitiveness between the manufacturers continues to be at the highest level but I’m confident that with the professional and successful team behind me we can enjoy plenty of success.

Tom Sykes and Kawasaki to part ways after 2018 WSBK Season
July 18, 2018 - After nine successful years on Ninja machinery and with the official factory Kawasaki Racing Team in WorldSBK, Tom Sykes and the Kawasaki Racing Team have mutually agreed to end their sporting relationship at the end of the 2018 season.  Credited with changing the way Kawasaki approached the rigours of superbike racing while playing a large role in the development of the Ninja ZX-10R racing package, Tom will seek a new challenge for 2019 having delivered maximum effort across a total of nine years of racing and development on Kawasaki machinery in WorldSBK. As the 2018 season is far from over, Sykes is still pushing with KRT in a bid to add to his landmark 2013 WorldSBK championship, the first title for Kawasaki after 20 years following the 1993 success of Scott Russell.

Not simply a winner, Tom also achieved championship second place status in 2012, 2014 and 2016 with the 2012 attempt being closest ever runner up finish at just 0.5 points between himself and a second world championship. With the remainder of the 2018 season yet to be completed the most successful Superpole winner in WorldSBK history still has a chance to increase his amazing tally of qualifying and race successes on KRT machinery. Fully motivated and with the full support of the Kawasaki Racing Team and his pit crew, Tom remains a racing force to be admired by fans and feared by rivals in equal measure.

Tom Sykes: “I feel the time has arrived; the moment to make a change in my career and seek new challenges. Having the motivation to push to your limits and that of your machine is all the more important when you look for the victory at every race and I feel I have given all I can within KRT. I am now the best rider I have ever been, and I have the experience and performance to keep winning.

So now I have decided to make a step away from the KRT project for 2019 and look for new goals and challenges. I will now concentrate to finish on the podium for the last four rounds of 2018. I am determined to enjoy my racing and making this announcement effectively ends all speculation. The timing of this big career decision is never easy but it is especially difficult as my personal life also faces big changes. Regarding this I feel the weight of pressure has been slightly lifted from my shoulders and I am sure 2019 will allow me to operate at full capacity”.
 
Guim Roda - KRT Team Manager : “It has been a busy few weeks recently and for sure we have talked many hours internally. In the most recent rounds Tom’s concentration was not able to be the best, as he was dealing with a big decision - apart from some family points to solve - this has taken a lot of his concentration over the past two years. I hope this final confirmation will give us room to finish the year in the same way we dominated in Assen. We have big job to do until end of year, so is not time to say good bye yet. Of course this is an announcement of intentions for 2019 but the more important is to work hard to finish the year with the same determination that we started with”.

Rea and KRT Join Forces Again for 2019-2020
June 1st 2018 - Jonathan Rea has signed a new contract with Kawasaki to remain in the WorldSBK championship as an official KRT rider for two more years. This is an agreement that seals the commitment of both the three-time World Champion and the most successful WorldSBK manufacturer of recent years to each other - and to WorldSBK racing. 

Rea had several options for 2019 and beyond, including possible MotoGP rides, but has elected to stay loyal to Kawasaki and the WorldSBK championship paddock he has ridden in since 2008. Rea has secured three consecutive World Championships since he joined the Akashi based manufacturer in 2015.
 
Rea and Kawasaki has been a winning partnership since their first season together, with Rea becoming the most successful WorldSBK rider ever, in terms of race wins, at the most recent event in Brno.
 
Jonathan’s legendary self-belief is mirrored by his confidence in the future of both Kawasaki’s WorldSBK racing efforts and the increasing profile of WorldSBK racing.
 
Over the past three-and-a-half seasons Jonathan has enjoyed a wins-per-race ratio of just under 50% since he joined Kawasaki. He is already the most successful Kawasaki WorldSBK rider in history, with his 45 victories taken on either the Ninja ZX-10R or Ninja ZX-10RR.
 
Re-signing Rea underlines Kawasaki’s commitment to be an integral part of the WorldSBK Championship itself and its desire to continue its development of ever-improving machines for both the marketplace and WorldSBK racing use.
 
Jonathan Rea, stated: “I am more than happy to continue in these next two seasons with the Kawasaki Racing Team. Since the end of last season we have already started to talk about continuing our partnership, so it’s nice to finalise everything now, so that we can concentrate on the remaining races of 2018. From the moment I arrived at the end of 2014 I was welcomed into the Kawasaki family and since then we have achieved success beyond our wildest dreams. Here is where I want to stay. Of course it feels natural to keep writing this incredible story together, and I want to thank everyone in the Kawasaki Racing Team for believing in me and for this opportunity. Together we will work harder than ever to keep the ZX-10RR at the front of WorldSBK in the future. I have the best team of people around me to ensure that we can continue fighting for the World Championship.”
 
Steve Guttridge, Kawasaki Race Planning Manager, stated: “Signing Jonathan originally was so cool. The foundation for his dominance was built up very quickly. JR deciding to say with KRT after three World Championships and breaking records is actually even cooler. All those strong relationships can remain in place. It is the same goals and motivations that we share with JR, and the dedicated KRT crew, engineers and team staff. To continue making history together with Kawasaki inside WorldSBK.”
 
Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager, stated: “We can celebrate that Johnny decides to stay two more years in Kawasaki and running in WorldSBK. It is important that he has decided that WorldSBK is the place that still makes him motivated. I’m sure many fans would like to see him running with the top guys in MotoGP, but we can ask the guys from MotoGP to come here to see the battle too. The level Rea has now is so high and this only will make the level of other riders and manufacturers in WorldSBK increase. All will be forced to give their maximum to beat Johnny, so we all must be happy and motivated. Of course, we all will continue working to improve the package so I’m sure the show will continue. Other riders and manufacturers will need to work hard if wants to have the honour of being a WorldSBK Champion. The show must go on.”

Desmo Dovi Sets new MotoGP Top Speed Record of 356.4 kmh / 220.968 mph at Mugelo!
Friday June 1st 2018, Gran Premio d'Italia Oakley. Mugelo, Italy - It was a dramatic Friday at the Gran Premio d’Italia Oakley, with some big headlines, a shake-up on the timesheets and a record broken as Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) became the fastest man in MotoGP™ when he set a new top speed record of 356.4km/h – up from the previous best of 354.9km/h set by compatriot Andrea Iannone in 2016. 

For comparison, the higest top speed for the equivalent premier 4-wheel car Formaula One race cars was set by Juan Pablo Montoya. A year after setting F1's fastest ever lap at the 2004 Monza GP at 262.242kph (162.950mph), Juan Pablo Montoya returned to Monza in to set another all-time record during the 2005 Italian Grand Prix weekend, hitting a top speed of 372.6kph (231.523mph) the fastest ever recorded in Formula One which still stands today.

Friday MotoGP Practice News continued...
Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Iannone was, however, the quickest man overall on Day 1 at Mugello – 0.387 ahead of Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), with reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) less than a tenth further back to make it three different bikes in the top three. Marquez did crash on Friday and suffered a run off, rider ok, but some bigger headlines instead came from two Red Flags in FP2.

The first went out following a high-speed crash for Michele Pirro (Ducati Team) into Turn 1, with the Borgo Panigale factory’s test rider tumbling through the gravel following a highside. After being treated by the track, it was confirmed that Pirro was conscious and the Italian was then transferred to Ospedale Careggi in Florence for further checks.

Action then got back underway, but not for long – with Dovizioso then suffering a mechanical problem into Turn 1 and flames briefly appearing around his Desmosedici. After going third in the morning and setting the fastest top speed, the incident put a dent in the day for the 2017 Italian GP winner and he was P13 on the combined timesheets on Friday – with fellow big name Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) also out of provisional Q2 graduation in P14, 0.022 off the Italian.

Back at the top behind the fastest trio and the headline incidents, it was a solid day for top Independent Team rider Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) in fourth overall, with Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) confirming more good speed on the Ducati to complete the top five just 0.038 in arrears. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) was also in close company, however, just 0.030 behind the Queenslander to take P6 and show some good pace as he gets back to full power following his highside at Le Mans.

Home favourite Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) closed the gaps up even more as he took seventh only 0.012 back, edging out VR46 Academy and EG 0,0 Marc VDS rookie Franco Morbidelli by less than half a tenth on home turf. Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) made for more home delight in ninth, with the top ten completed by multiple-time Mugello winner Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team).

Ducati Diavel
The Devil Made Us Do It!
Testing the Ducati Diavel in Italy

BMW HP4 report test photo pictures
New BMW HP4 Superbike

World Superbike SBK yearbook 2010

2007 MotoGP Review

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.

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2018 RACE CALENDAR
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2018 World Superbike
Season Preview

Click Date for Race Report
DATE/REPORT   TRACK LINK

Feb 23      Australia, Phillip Is
Mar 23     Thailand, Chang
Apr 13      Spain, Motorland
April 20    Netherlands, Assen
May 11     Italy, Imola
May 25     GB, Donnington
June 8     CZ, Brno
June 22   USA, Laguna Seca
July 8       Italy, Missano
Aug 18     DM, Lausitzring
Sept 28    FR, Magny Cours
Oct 14       Argentina
Oct 21      Qatar, Losail

All SBK Rounds include Superbike and 600cc Superstock except USA is Superbike only.
European rounds also Include 1000cc Superstock.

2018 MotoGP
Season Preview

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DATE/REPORT   TRACK LINK

Mar 8      Qatar, Losail
Apr 8      Argentina, Rio
Apr 22    America, Austin TX
May 6     Spain, Jerez
May 20   France, Le Mans
Jun 3       Italy, Mugello
Jun 17    Spain, Catalunya
July 1     Netherlands, Assen
July 15   Germany Sachenring
Aug 5     Czech Rep, Brno
Aug 12   Austrian, Red Bull
Aug 26   UK, Silverstone
Sept 9    San Marino, Misano
Sept 23  Aragon Motorland
Oct 7       Thailand, Chang
Oct 21    
Japan, Motegi
Oct 28      Australia, Phillip Is
Nov 4       Malaysia, Sepang
Nov 18    Spain, Ricardo

2018 British Superbike

DATE/REPORT   TRACK LINK
Apr 31-2         Donnington
April 13-15     Brands Hatch
May 5-7           Oulton Park
June 15-17   Snetterton
July 6-8          Knockhill
July 20-22      Brands Hatch
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Sept 14-16    Oulton Park
Sept 28-30     Assen NL
Oct 12-14      Brands Hatch

Isle of Man 2018
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2018 MotoAmerica
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June 22-24    Laguna SecaCA
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Aug 24-26     Pittsburg PA
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Sept 21-23    Barber, AL


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Nicky Hayden Dies in Accident
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EICMA 2011 Motorcycle Show
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APRILIA FACTORY RSV4 MACHINES RETURN IN WORLD SBK 2017-18 WITH MILWAUKEE APRILIA RACING TEAM
Riders Italian Lorenzo Savadori and Noethern Irishman Eugene Laverty
Sept 22nd 2016 - Two Aprilia RSV4 bikes will be on the track in the 2017 World Superbike Championship with the Milwaukee Aprilia Racing Team colours.
This is a two-year contract, so it will also be valid for 2018.
The agreement specifies that technical material and related direct assistance and support will be provided by Aprilia Racing, including bike development, which classifies Milwaukee as a Supported Factory Team.
This means that Aprilia Racing - the Piaggio Group racing department and technological point of excellence in the Italian motorcycle industry - is confirming its high level presence in the premier competition for factory derivative bikes, alongside its important efforts in MotoGP.
The goal is to compete at top levels in World SBK in order to emphasize the competitiveness of the Aprilia RSV4, capable of taking no less than seven World Titles (three Rider and four Manufacturer) between 2010 and 2014, proving to be the most victorious bike in recent WSBK history.
The result of a project intended to create a true racing bike that any enthusiast could have, the RSV4 astonished from its rookie season, winning a race in its maiden year and then racking up repeated championship wins in both the Manufacturer and Rider competitions (twice with Max Biaggi and once with Sylvain Guintoli). All this while the street version - obviously also characterized by an exclusive narrow 1.0 litre V4 - continued to win comparative reviews year after year with the best competitors in the world, both European and Japanese.
The team run by Shaun Muir, which boasts two British titles, will be able to count on a top shelf rider lineup: in addition to the 2015 Superstock Champion Lorenzo Savadori, who quickly drew attention this year in his rookie World Superbike season, Northern Irishman Eugene Laverty will be back in WSBK, 2013 runner up astride none other than an Aprilia RSV4.
Romano Albesiano - Aprilia Racing Manager
"Shaun Muir's team, after making a good name for themselves in the British championship, wants to get to the top of a world category. Our agreement includes, in addition to providing bikes and materials, support from Aprilia Racing personnel to manage and develop the RSV4, within a Factory Support type relationship.
The birth of the Milwaukee Aprilia Racing Team also marks Eugene Laverty's return to WSBK, a rider who we know well and whose professional and personal qualities have our utmost respect. He will have Lorenzo Savadori working alongside him, a young rider who has been part of our sports project for two seasons in which he won the Superstock 1000 title first and then drew attention in WSBK with an extremely positive rookie year".
Shaun Muir - SMR General Manager - "For SMR, collaboration with Aprilia Racing for 2017 and 2018 means a real chance to fight for the win. Aprilia has a strong and victorious history in World Superbike and we are determined to continue on the same path. Having Eugene and Lorenzo on board makes this a dream team. Without a doubt, Eugene is coming back to WSBK for one reason only - to win. Lorenzo, on the other hand, is the fastest rookie and a sure protagonist. I wish to thank Milwaukee, Gulf and all of the partners who are supporting our project".
Eugene Laverty - "I'm excited to return to Superbike with Aprilia and the RSV4, a bike with which I took ten wins and second place overall in the championship. I hope to be able to pick up where I left off with those results, thanks to the support of Aprilia and a fantastic team like Shaun Muir's. Everything is in place for us to be competitive straight away".
Lorenzo Savadori - "I am very happy to continue my adventure in World Superbike with Aprilia. This is another chance to achieve great results, with one more year of experience on the RSV4 for me. In a demanding rookie season I was already able to express a good performance level, learning a lot, both about race management and working in the garage, but I do not want to stop here. We will definitely be highly motivated at the start, with an ambitious project and a great desire to do well".
Jason Chiswell - Vice President of Marketing Milwaukee Tools
"At Milwaukee Power tools our vision is always to win and that same mentality is shared with the SMR team. We see the next year with Aprilia as being an exciting and a new winning chapter in our World Superbike program”.
Frank Rutten - Vice President of Gulf Oil International- "As the world’s fastest growing oil brand we are very excited by the prospect of moving forwards with what we believe will be one of the most rapid teams in SBK next year. We have been extremely impressed by the way SMR has entered the World Superbike arena. They are one of the best organized and most professional outfits in the paddock and we have developed an excellent working relationship with both them and the team’s title sponsor, Milwaukee Tools.

We are very excited by the prospect of moving forwards with them as team sponsor and official lubricant partners”.