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Meet the 5-time SBK World Superbike Champion
Algarve, Portugal, Sept 27-29th, 2019 - Jonathan Rea (KRT) took an all-time record fifth WorldSBK Riders’ Championship win today in Portugsl after finishing second in the Tissot-Superpole race and then winning Race Two. After overcoming a tough early season Jonathan Rea became the World Championship for a record fifth time in the best way possible - with a race win. No other rider has won five titles in this category, never mind five in succession.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “I am just super-happy. It has been the biggest challenge to date and we have just chipped away. The beginning of the season was really tough, to be beaten the way we were. But to mentally accept the challenge and keep working as a team - also away from the track – we kept strong. I have worked and kept working. We all go to each weekend looking for the opportunity and we have had lots of opportunities this year, and won a lot of races. It is beyond my wildest dreams to win the title here because after four rounds I would have bitten your hand off if you told me I was going to be champion. With yesterday’s race being quite chaotic I was nervous going into today because I did not understand the points situation. The target all weekend was to try and – realistically – win it in Argentina, so we could go to Qatar with less pressure. But we got another opportunity today and I felt a little bit better with the bike compared to yesterday. With the temperature going up the pace was not so fast I was able to manage the bike, and I could see my opportunity with Michael. He was struggling in some areas where we were strong. And we were weaker in some areas where he was strong. So I was putting that all together, learning that for a few laps and then putting my head down and getting the job done. Massive thanks to Kawasaki, the team, my sponsors, my family, all my friends and everybody in my corner. I am the guy taking the plaudits but it is such a big team effort and I am fortunate to be in this position.”
Alvaro Bautista (19) leads newly re-crown champ Rea, Toprak and van der Mark in Race One action.
2019 Motul SBK World Superbike Championship, Round 11 of 12 Argentina
Alvaro Bautista and Jonathan Rea Trade Wins in Argentina San Juan Villicum ,Argentina, Oct 11-13th, 2019 - Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) returned to his winning ways at the San Juan Villicum circuit in Argentinaon Saturday in Race One with a superb performance in truly challenging conditions. Starting from pole position after clinching his fourth Superpole trophy of the season, the 34-year-old from Talavera de la Reina (Spain) first had a terrific battle with the newly-crowned world champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki) in the early laps, before breaking away from the northern Irish rider, then he increased his lead and went on to score his sixteenth win of the year.
The precarious conditions of the track's asphalt on Friday and saturday were not considered to be conducive to racing by many of the riders, including Chaz Davies, and as a result six riders decided not to take part inSaturday's race One for safety reasons. Thenew race track was extreamly dusty, and despite the best efforts of the track primoter to wash and clean the asphault surface, there was just a narrow "clean" line which hindered passing and rider safety if their bikes went off line. As track conditions improved from Saturday's racing,all the riders would return to the track to race on Sunday in the Superpole Race and Race Two.
WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea took his Ninja ZX-10RR to the top step of the podium twice today, winning both the ten-lap Superpole Race and Race Two. Leon Haslam (KRT) battled hard today and finished eighth and tenth. Two third places for Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) ended his weekend on a high.
The penultimate round of the 2019 season ended up providing two fast and competitive races on Sunday, each won by Rea to extend his all time record score of race victories to 85.
In the cooler conditions of Sunday at Circuito San Juan Villicum the pace improved greatly and Rea set a new lap record - and track best - of 1’37.462, on lap three of the ‘sprint’ race. His opening Sunday race win also earned him the top grid spot for the final race of the weekend, and thus Jonathan also became the 2019 Tissot-Superpole Award winner, for the best overall qualifying performance.
In the ten-lap Tissot-Superpole fight Rea was in command from the start, easing away to win by over two seconds from Alvaro Bautista. Haslam was eighth, having started from 14th on the grid.
In Race Two Rea got involved in a tense early fight with Bautista, before his pace told and he eased away to score his second race win of 2019 and his 14th of the season.
Now starting from eighth place on the grid for the final race at the 4.276km long circuit Haslam was finally tenth in Race Two, after losing early ground in a collision with another rider. Three points scoring races all together in Argentina keep Leon sixth overall in the championship standings, with one more round to go.
Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK won the Teams’ Award today, with one round to go. Kawasaki leads the Manufacturers’ standings by 37 points with just the final three individual races to be run.
The season finale, to be held under floodlights as is now traditional, will take place at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, with WorldSBK racedays on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October.
Jonathan Rea, stated: “That was really positive, especially the Superpole race where I felt really strong in the cooler conditions. The grip level was really high so I was able to push the bike and manage it. The sensations felt quite normal. We made a change overnight, on the front of the bike, just to give me a bit more front confidence in trail braking to stabilise the bike. That enabled me to carry that much more entry speed. We knew Alvaro was one of the strongest guys and to race with him I was going to have to be really strong on the brakes and corner entry. Kudos to the guys because we came up with a really good set-up. Yesterday I made too many mistakes in the race and that gave Alvaro too much breathing room, so now I am really happy to win both races today.”
Bautista returns to winning ways in his first visit to San Juan
RACE ONE Saturday 12th - The opening race of the Motul Argentinean Round at the Circuito San Juan Villicum would see a frantic race for WorldSBK’s second visit to South America. It was a thrilling duel at the front between four race winners in 2019, with an enthralling battle making it one not to miss. Coming out on top and returning to the forefront of the battle for wins, Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) stormed to success in San Juan.
With the race getting underway, it was Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) who got the launch and barged his way ahead of Alvaro Bautista at Turn 1, but Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) capitalised on the two ahead of him nearly colliding to take the lead. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) was right in contention and nearly clashed with 2020 teammate van der Mark. Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was a strong fifth place whilst Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) had risen to sixth early on.
The race settled down, and the leading four began to battle with each other. Bautista set a strong pace out front, but Jonathan Rea’s relentless pace meant that a battle soon ensued out front. Swapping and changing between the top two in the Championship. A pattern began to form, with Bautista’s Ducati strong in a straight line but Rea’s Kawasaki able to be all over the Spaniard in the corners. Waiting to pick up the pieces were Razgatlioglu and van der Mark, whilst Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) began to pick his way through the field.
With 16 laps left to complete, Michael van der Marks started to drop back from the leading three, as the pace increased. Bautista began to slam in fastest lap after fastest lap and two laps later, Razgatlioglu was the next to be jettisoned from the leading group. Jonathan Rea valiantly remained with the Spaniard, getting ahead briefly at Turn 6, only for Ducati power to prevail. Rea would stay on the back of Bautista for a few lap laps, but the five-time Champion couldn’t live with the pace of Bautista.
Meanwhile, Tom Sykes had dropped back, as had eighth-place starter Alessandro Delbianco (Althea Mie Racing Team), down in tenth and battling hard with home-favourite, Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), both having superb races inside the top ten. Behind them, Michael Ruben Rinaldi (BARNI Racing Team) had suffered badly and pulled into the pits, although he returned to the track later on.
Further ahead of the battle for the lower positions in the top ten, Alex Lowes was being reeled in by Leon Haslam. The battle between the two was now turning from contract signatures to on-track positions, although the ‘Pocket Rocket’ looked like he would have more pace than Lowes in the closing stages. However, it wouldn’t be the case and Lowes would eventually hold on to fifth position.
With Bautista clearing off at the front, the battle for second ignited, as Razgatlioglu closed in on Jonathan Rea. The Northern Irishman was making mistakes, particularly at Turn 6, allowing the Turkish star to get on terms. But neither would be able to challenge an incredible Bautista, who returned to winning ways after taking a round off at Magny-Cours. Jonathan Rea took second and resisted Razgatlioglu’s onslaught. The Turk wrapped up the accolade of Best Independent Rider in 2019. Fourth went to a determined Michael van der Mark whilst teammate Alex Lowes completed the top five.
Sixth position was Leon Haslam, who faded in the closing laps, whilst Tom Sykes was seventh and top BMW. Eighth place went to Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing), as the second Independent rider home. Leandro Mercado made it to ninth position to the delight of the home crowd, making up for missing FP3 and the Tissot Superpole session. It was a second top ten of the season for a sensational Alessandro Delbianco, with the Honda rider making it all five manufacturers inside the top ten.
Before the race began, there was a division about riders racing due to the dusty track conditions. The following riders elected not to race, meaning 12 riders took to the track for Race 1: Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati), Sandro Cortese (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK), Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK), Leon Camier (Moriwaki Althea Honda Team), Ryuichi Kiyonari (Moriwaki Althea Honda Team) and Eugene Laverty (Team Goeleven).
Superbike Race 1 - Complete Race Results Here
1. Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing - Ducati)
2. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +1.562
3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) +3.327
In Race Two, Razgatlioglu and Davieshad a heated fight over podium behind Jonthan Rae.
Rea makes the double on Sunday in Argentina
RACE TWO Sunday 13th - The final race of the weekend at the Motul Argentinean Round was a thrilling spectacle, with plenty of hard action and big moves all the way through the pack. Despite making his own mistakes and needing to fight in the early stages, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) romped to win number two of the weekend, holding off the opposition.
Off the start and into Turn 1, Jonathan Rea held on to his first position, whilst Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) battled behind. Sandro Cortese (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) was a fast starter and into fourth, whilst Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and his teammate Michael van der Mark were fifth and sixth. Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) had dropped to seventh.
With the race beginning to take shape, Rea pulled away from Bautista, whilst Toprak Razgatliolgu was as relentless as ever, chasing down Bautista. Bautista and Rea in-turn were trading fastest lap times. Chaz Davies had picked off the Yamahas ahead of him one by one, using the top speed advantage of the Ducati Panigale V4 R down the long straights of San Juan to good effect. The next target for the Welshman was Razgatlioglu, who was going to need to fight hard to resist the former WorldSBK runner-up.
There was drama up front for Rea, who made a big mistake at Turn 8 and ran completely off the circuit, allowing Bautista to take the lead for the first time. However, Rea wouldn’t give in and a lap later, on Lap 8, Rea fought back and pushed his way back to the front at Turn 7, shoving Bautista wide. The squabble between the two heavyweights allowed Razgatlioglu and Davies to close up.
With 13 laps left to go, Davies took third from Razgatlioglu with a strong move at Turn 10 on the Turkish rider. The former WorldSSP Champion from 2011 was now a move on a mission and soon, caught his teammate. Bautista tried to fight but Davies powered ahead of his teammate two laps later to take second. 2.6s to close down on the race leader, Davies had plenty of work to keep him occupied for the remainder of the race.
Bautista however was in more problems and with 9 laps to go, as Toprak Razgatlioglu had regrouped and was immediately able to get ahead of the Spaniard, sweeping around the outside at Turn 2 to take third from the Race 1 winner. Bautista was losing time to Michael van der Mark hand over fist and needed to get to the end of the 26-year-old Dutchman got him.
Further down the field, Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) was having an incredible race, climbing all the way up to the fringes of the top ten. The home hero picked off Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing) and at Turn 10 with eight laps left, dived up the inside of factory Kawasaki rider Leon Haslam to take eighth place. A lap later, and Eugene Laverty (Team Goeleven) was up ahead of Haslam and Torres. Ahead of all of them, Michael Ruben Rinaldi (BARNI Racing Team) was a sitting duck.
With four laps to go, Mercado got ahead of Rinaldi at Turn 15, sparking a massive roar from the partisan crown trackside. However, Laverty got ahead of the pair of them on the front straight, pushing Mercado back to eighth whilst the Irishman went in pursuit of his best result since Aragon. In terms of Mercado, he had come from 19th to eighth; an astonishing comeback.
Out front on the final lap, Jonathan Rea was uncatchable and took victory for a fourth time in Argentina and now, extended his consecutive point-scoring finishes run to 45 – the first time a rider has ever achieved this. Chaz Davies was up into second whilst Toprak Razgatlioglu completed a stellar weekend with another podium, his sixth in seven races. Fourth belonged to Michael van der Mark whilst Alvaro Bautista limped home to complete the top five. Alex Lowes was up to sixth.
Eugene Laverty put in a strong ride up to seventh, but ride of the day went to home-hero Mercado, who stormed from last on the grid to eighth, much to the delight of the crowd. Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing) was ninth ahead of Leon Haslam in 10th. Sandro Cortese slipped to 15th, having run as high as fourth in the early stages.
Sunday Superbike Race 2 • Complete Race Results Here
1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
2. Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing - Ducati) +5.158
3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) +14.511
The irishman Jonathan Rea celebrates his 5th consecutive World Superbike Championship at Magny Cours
2019 Motul SBK World Superbike Championship, Round 11 of 13 Magny Cours, France, Portugal
Kawasaki's Jonathan Rea Takes His 5th WorldSBK Title at Magny Cours Algarve, Portugal, Sept 27-29th, 2019 - Jonathan Rea (KRT) took an all-time record fifth WorldSBK Riders’ Championship win today after finishing second in the Tissot-Superpole race and then winning Race Two. Leon Haslam (KRT) was ninth in the short race and then seventh in Race Two. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) added the ‘sprint’ race win to his Saturday Race One victory, before a no score in Race Two.
After overcoming a tough early season Jonathan Rea became the World Championship for a record fifth time in the best way possible - with a race win. No other rider has won five titles in this category, never mind five in succession.
The eventual timing of Jonathan’s latest title success was somewhat unexpected, despite his strong podiums showings in the first two Magny Cours races. Rea had a genuine opportunity to take the crown again after his only title rival Alvaro Bautista collided with Razgatlioglu and had to retire. Jonathan’s race two victory was his 12th win of the season.
Rea had aimed to win all the French WorldSBK races before the final contest of the weekend and he finally took his 83rdcareer victory by 0.862 seconds from Michael van der Mark. Jonathan’s latest title win came with two rounds to spare.
Haslam had a difficult Sunday after his Race One crash on Saturday but fought as hard as he could, against an aggravated shoulder injury and issues under braking, to record ninth and seventh place finishes today.
Rea’s championship points total is now 544, while Haslam is sixth overall after Razgatlioglu’s first two race wins in WorldSBK.
The next round is a flyaway event, and will be held at the El Villicum circuit in Argentina, between the 11th and 13th of October.
Jonathan Rea: “I am just super-happy. It has been the biggest challenge to date and we have just chipped away. The beginning of the season was really tough, to be beaten the way we were. But to mentally accept the challenge and keep working as a team - also away from the track – we kept strong. I have worked and kept working. We all go to each weekend looking for the opportunity and we have had lots of opportunities this year, and won a lot of races. It is beyond my wildest dreams to win the title here because after four rounds I would have bitten your hand off if you told me I was going to be champion. With yesterday’s race being quite chaotic I was nervous going into today because I did not understand the points situation. The target all weekend was to try and – realistically – win it in Argentina, so we could go to Qatar with less pressure. But we got another opportunity today and I felt a little bit better with the bike compared to yesterday. With the temperature going up the pace was not so fast I was able to manage the bike, and I could see my opportunity with Michael. He was struggling in some areas where we were strong. And we were weaker in some areas where he was strong. So I was putting that all together, learning that for a few laps and then putting my head down and getting the job done. Massive thanks to Kawasaki, the team, my sponsors, my family, all my friends and everybody in my corner. I am the guy taking the plaudits but it is such a big team effort and I am fortunate to be in this position.”
Race OneWorldSBK 800th race sees Razgatlioglu
taking his first WorldSBK victory ahead of Rea and Sykes
RACE ONE Saturday 28th - The Pirelli French Round produced one of the races of the WorldSBK season so far as five different riders lead at various stages, before Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) crashed out of the lead three laps from home, seemingly handing victory to Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), before a stunning final lap saw Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) take the spoils, despite starting from the sixth row.
As the race got underway, Jonathan Rea came under immediate pressure from Michael van der Mark with two almost colliding into the Adelaide hairpin on lap one. Their duel allowed Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) to storm through from sixth on the grid to second by the end of lap one.
Sykes’ progress continued on Lap 2 as he used the corner speed of the BMW to overtake Rea at Estoril, although the leading group was growing and growing with Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) joining the action from 11th on the grid, while a remarkable early charge brought Toprak Razgatlioglu into play, despite starting down in 16th.
On Lap 3, Davies became the third different leader in as many laps but the Welshman’s challenge came to a dramatic end moments later with a crash into Turn 15. Davies’ lost the front end of his machine with second-placed Toprak Razgatlioglu fortunate to stay upright despite slight contact from the errant Ducati. The chaos allowed Sykes a moment of breathing space but the BMW rider was quickly reeled in, losing the lead to Michael van der Mark on Lap 6.
With the battle continuing to rage in the leading group, van der Mark was able to open up a slight advantage while Jonathan Rea came under intense pressure following a moment at the Nurburgring chicane. Toprak Razgatlioglu was able to edge ahead, setting the fastest lap in the process, but Rea ultimately regained P2 from the Turkish rider shortly after half-distance, allowing him to give chase after van der Mark who was 1.2 seconds to the good.
Behind the leading trio, Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha) had established himself in an excellent fourth with Tom Sykes settling in fifth after an all-action start. Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was holding sixth but the Briton was coming under increasing pressure from Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) as the Spaniard chased valuable championship points. Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was also in the thick of the action but a highside at the final chicane eliminated him five laps from home.
With clear track in front, Jonathan Rea began his relentless chase of Michael van der Mark, wiping out his advantage heading into the closing stages. With three laps remaining, the leading pair were together but van der Mark’s hopes of a second victory of 2019 were extinguished when the front end of his Yamaha folded into the Adelaide hairpin, the pressure proving too much.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (54) passes Jonathan Rea (1) on the last lap for the race wni.
Rea seemed on course for a 12th victory of the season, beginning the final lap one second clear of Razgatlioglu but a stunning final lap from the Turkish rider brought him right into the tail of the Ulsterman entering the last sector. Under braking for Turn 15, Toprak dived up the inside with Rea keen to avoid a costly collision, opting to settle for second.
The fight for the final podium spot also went down to the wire with Tom Sykes rallying in the latter stages to overhaul Loris Baz, securing BMW’s fourth podium of the season. Baz held on to fourth while Alvaro Bautista recovered up to fifth in the end.
Alex Lowes faded to finish a distant sixth while Leon Camier (Moriwaki Althea Honda Team) marked his return from injury with a sensational ride to seventh, Honda’s best result of the 2019 season so far. Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) finished eighth, his best result since Misano, with Eugene Laverty (Team Goeleven) and Sandro Cortese completing the top ten.
In the end, van der Mark remounted to finish 13th to secure three points which may prove valuable in the ever-tightening race for third in the championship standings. At the top, Jonathan Rea has extended his advantage to 100 points over Alvaro Bautista, and the possibility remains of a fifth title being clinched tomorrow.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) “I am so happy! The last lap was so stressful for me because I knew I was faster. I tried to pass Johnny, but the front was sliding a lot. I pushed hard and tried to keep the bike straight, and I made it. It is my first victory, and I extremely pleased with this! I am crying! It has been my dream for this season, and I achieve that. Now we see what will happen next race. I don't know how tomorrow will be. I hope it won't be raining! Thanks to all my team because today that have done an incredible job".
SBK Race 1• Complete Results Here
1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing)
2. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.240
3. Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +6.839
Jonthan Rea's win on Sunday wasn't easy as Vandermak (60) traded the lead with him all race long.
Race Two - Razgalioglu Takes Out Bautista, Handing Rea the Championship
RACE TWO Sunday September 29th - The Pirelli French Round will go down in the history books of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. It began with Turkey’s first ever winner in Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) and finished with Jonathan Rea winning Race 2 to become the championship’s first ever five-time champion following early misfortune for nearest rival Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati).
Starting from pole position for the first time in WorldSBK, Toprak Razgatlioglu couldn’t make the same lightning start which saw him leap up the order in the two previous races. Rea edged up the inside into Turn 1 to grab the lead but he wouldn’t stay ahead for long, as Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) used the slipstream to hit the front at the Adelaide hairpin.
The moment which ultimately proved decisive in the 2019 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship came on Lap 2 as Razgatlioglu lost the rear of his Kawasaki on the exit of Turn 13. As the Turkish rider fought to control the slide, Alvaro Bautista was powerless to avoid the Race 1 winner and both riders were eliminated on the spot. With the words ‘BAUTISTA OUT’ displayed on his pit-board next time around, Rea now knew that a race victory would see him make history.
Michael van der Mark was keen to ensure that Rea didn’t have an unchallenged run to a fifth WorldSBK crown, keeping the Ulsterman at bay until the Imola chicane on Lap 6. The Dutchman didn’t trail for long with the Yamaha proving a formidable motorcycle down the back straight towards Turn 5, an advantage van der Mark utilised to power past on Lap 8.
As the race ticked over half distance, Rea mounted another attack on the leader with van der Mark going defensive into Adelaide. The championship leader was wise to this tactic though and drew alongside into the following Nurburgring chicane, making the move stick on Lap 13. With van der Mark no longer close enough to make use of the slipstream next time around, Rea had the margin he needed to ease clear.
Despite a valiant effort from van der Mark, the advantage grew to over one-second, allowing Rea to close out the final laps and claim his 12th victory of 2019. This one was the sweetest of all though as he completed one of the great WorldSBK comebacks. From 61 points behind, Rea now holds an unassailable 129-point advantage and a place in the history books as the first ever five-time WorldSBK champion.
Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) completed the team’s first double-podium of the season with a close third, consolidating third in the championship standings, while Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati), who was heavily delayed in the early collision between his team-mate Alvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu, recovered to finish fourth, overtaking home favourite Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing - Yamaha) on Lap 14. Despite a late challenge from the Frenchman, he was forced to settle for fifth, completing a positive weekend at his home round as the Top Independent Rider in Race 2.
Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) closed out the final European round of his WorldSBK career with a strong charge from 15th on the grid to sixth, winning a close three-way fight on the last lap. The Italian finished just a tenth of a second clear of Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) with Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) right behind the pair in eighth.
Leon Camier (Moriwaki Althea Honda Team) capped off an impressive comeback to the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship with ninth place, finishing a second clear of Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing). Elsewhere, there were points for French wildcard Sylvain Barrier (Brixx Performance) in 13th but disappointment for Sandro Cortese (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) who was forced to retire midway through the race while running in the top ten.
P1 - Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) - "I can quite believe it. It has been an incredible year so far, and a year I have never given up, I've kept believing in myself, believing in my bike, believing in my crew and believing in my effort. After the fourth race, it was so tough to keep turning up when you know that he is going to be so difficult to win, but in the mid-season, we turn things around. I don't have so many words right now, because I did not expect this today. I had no idea what was going to happen. If I would win today, what was the point situation, but I knew when I got the sign that Bautista was out that I could mathematically have the chance. And I did it! Thanks to all my team, all my family and all the people who have been working with me, Kawasaki, the sponsors, all the people that made this possible. It's a huge team effort, and I couldn't be here without them"
P2 - Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) - "I tried everything today! We improved the bike a bit in some area but toward the end, we lost quite a lot from Johnny but I really enjoyed this race and we had a nice battle! Of course, I saw that Alvaro was out so I knew Rea wasn't going to do any crazy thing. I tried to stay with him, I passed him a few times but in the end he was a bit stronger. I want to thank my team because we got another podium".
P3 - Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) - "I have got a little bit of good luck at the start of the race with the accident that happened in front of me. But after that, I felt strong on the bike and I was able to ride in 1'37 and catch Jonathan and Michael. Unfortunately, I pushed a lot in the middle and when I got there my front tyre was worn out a lot, so I couldn't fight with van der Mark in the end but I am pleased with the podium and it set us out nicely for the final two fly-aways of the year".
World Superbike
V2R versus V4R - Is Newer Really Better?
The 2015 Ducati Panigale V2R compared to the 2019 PanigaleV4R Superbike - HERE
How a World Superbike differs from a Production Bike!
Jonthan Rea celebrates his Race One win at Portimao.
2019 Motul SBK World Superbike Championship, Round 10 of 13 Algarve, Portugal
Baustista's Back! as Ducati Trades Wins with Kawasaki's Jonthan Rea Algarve, Portugal, Sept 6-8th, 2019 - Jonathan Rea (KRT) left the Portimao round of the 2019 SBK World Superbike Championship with two race wins and a second place finish to extend his championship points lead with just three rounds remaining. Ducati's Chaz Davies was amle to claim 2nd in behind Rea in Saturdays Race One, with early season leader Alvaro Bautista fighting hard to bring his Ducahi home in first place ahead of Rea in Sundays feature Race Two.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) took a podium finish of third in Race Two today. After his win in Race One on Saturday Rea got today’s action off to another victorious start. In the ten-lap Tissot Superpole race Rea enjoyed a start-to-finish win, with his championship rival Alvaro Bautista eventually second.Rea’s pole position was turned into an immediate advantage as he pushed on remorselessly to take the victory and a new lap record of 1’41.272.
The next round will be held between 27th and 29th of September in Magny Cours, France.
Saturday Race One
The Acerbis Portuguese Round welcomed the first race of the weekend with World Superbike Race 1, with the sun still shining brightly and the WorldSBK grid ready for their return to action. With Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) starting from pole, the Ulsterman made it an eighth consecutive win at Portimao, with three different manufacturers on the Race 1 Portimao podium.
With the race getting underway, it was Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) got the holeshot and took the lead into Turn 1 but there was drama behind. A lunge from Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) saw him barge his own teammate Alvaro Bautista out of the way, forcing Bautista right down to 18th place after the Spaniard tagged the back of Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team).
By the end of Lap 1, it was Rea leading Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). Chaz Davies was up to fourth and Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) made a bright start in fifth.
Above: Rea (1) leads Sykes (66), Haslam (9) and Davies (7) with Bautista recovering fromt the far back of the field (91).
At the end of Lap 3, Davies and van der Mark had disposed of Leon Haslam, with the Kawasaki rider fading. But two laps later, and Davies had got ahead of Tom Sykes at Turn 1, with van der Mark taking advantage at Turn 3 before Haslam took the 2013 WorldSBK champion at Turn 6. On the front straight, Razgatlioglu got ahead of Sykes at the end of the lap, capping off a bad lap for the Huddersfield rider. Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha) was the first crasher of the race at Turn 8 but remounted and was back racing.
Further back, Bautista was caught up behind Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) in the battle for ninth, with the two veterans of motorcycle racing swapping paint between Turn 9 and 12. However, Bautista made it ahead at the end of the lap and soon, got ahead of Sandro Cortese (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK). Back in the fight for fourth, and it was Tom Sykes who crashed at Turn 13, not the way he wanted to celebrate a contract extension for 2020. Sykes re-joined and was back in the points by the halfway distance.
Whilst they scrapped it out for the remaining podium positions, Jonathan Rea had already built up a lead of over three seconds and was well on his way for an eighth consecutive Portimao victory. Unrivalled, untouched and unbelievable dominant, Rea had come into his own in Portugal.
With 11 laps to go and with tyre life now becoming a factor, Razgatlioglu made his move at Turn 3 and got ahead of Leon Haslam. The Independent rider was ahead of the factory rider and now, Razgatliolgu had two seconds ahead of him until the podium battle between Davies and van der Mark. In seventh place, Alvaro Bautista was beginning to close on Alex Lowes, who was having a quiet race in sixth position. Bautista was the fastest rider on track, in a race of ‘what could’ve been’.
With nine laps to go, Eugene Laverty (Team Goeleven) came into the pits to end what had been a disappointing race. The Irishman was on pole at the Portimao venue in 2018 but that kind of success had been far away a year later. Back in the battle for fourth and Leon Haslam had got back ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu and began to edge clear with seven laps to go. But now, a new threat was very much in the fight: Alvaro Bautista was taking chunks out of the gap, lapping nearly a second a lap quicker.
At Turn 5 with six to go, Bautista took advantage of Lowes’ error as the British rider ran in too deep; Bautista was now sixth. Further up, the battle for second had calmed, with Davies seemingly able to break away from van der Mark. Bautista cleared Razgatlioglu with three laps to go on the straight and tried to get ahead of Haslam at Turn 3, but the Brit held on and toughed it out through Turn 4, as the three battled hard. A lap later and Bautista used the top speed of the Ducati and took fourth from Haslam, where he would stay until the chequered flag.
Across the line, it was Jonathan Rea who took the win and extended his championship lead to 94 points. Chaz Davies was a safe second from 12th on the grid and van der Mark a settled third. Bautista came home fourth ahead of Leon Haslam, whilst Toprak Razgatlioglu faded to finish in sixth, but all the way from 13th on the grid to finish as top Independent. Alex Lowes was seventh, ahead of Sandro Cortese, Marco Melandri and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (BARNI Racing Team), just edging out Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing) to complete the top ten.
Saturday Race 1 - Complete Results Here
1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
2. Chaz Davies (ARUBA.IT Racing - Ducati) +3.891
3. Michael van der Mark (PATA Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +6.168
Race Two winner Bautista.
Sunday Race Two
A thrilling Race 2 at Portimao fired the championship race back into life as Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati) overcame a poor start and a shoulder injury to triumph over Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in a final lap run to the line. With plenty of drama from lights out and slipstreaming battles soon following, groups were scattered right through the field and provided a packed Portimao plenty of action.
Off the line and it was a blissful start for Rea from pole position but a disaster for Alvaro Bautista, who plunged down the order to sixth place after Lap 1. Toprak Razgatlioglu was a fast starter and up to second, ahead of Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). Alex Lowes was fourth (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and teammate Michael van der Mark was fifth, ahead Bautista – but the Spaniard was right in the hunt as the group remainder close together.
Bautista soon began his comeback, first picking off Michael van der Mark down the front straight at the end of Lap 1, before picking off Alex Lowes two laps later. The comeback continued and he hit third a lap later, before slicing ahead of Jonathan Rea to momentarily lead with 15 to go. But Toprak Razgatlioglu had other ideas, as the Turkish rider hit the front of the field.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (58) holds an early lead in Race Two ahead of Bautista (19) and Rea.
With Razgatlioglu and Bautista leading, Rea had to try and find a way to react to the change of the guard at the front. Leon Haslam was still in the mix with the two Pata Yamahas just sat behind, with the front six covered by just one second. A lap later, the horsepower of the Ducati propelled Alvaro Bautista back into the lead of a race for the first time since Misano, and the Spaniard soon began to put the hammer down.
Jonathan Rea fought back on his fellow Kawasaki rider Toprak Razgatlioglu, but whilst he closed up on Bautista, he wasn’t able to make a move on the Spaniard. Further back and at half race distance, isolation of the leading six began to set in. Alex Lowes made his move on Leon Haslam with 10 to go, after the ‘Pocket Rocket’ lost an entire second to his fellow Brit.
One rider to watch was Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha) as he closed on the battle for fourth. Behind them, Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Jordi Torres (Team Pedercini Racing) were squabbling over ninth, just behind Marco Melandri (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK).
With the gap between Bautista and Rea extending to over a second, and Razgatlioglu sat in a safe third place – barring acts of God – the big battle on track was for fourth, with Alex Lowes and Leon Haslam swapping places with five laps to go. At Turn 3, Michael van der Mark parked his Yamaha in the way of Haslam, bringing Loris Baz right into play. Haslam fought back however, and a lap later at Turn 5 he was back into fifth place and chasing after Alex Lowes.
In the closing laps, the race began to come alive at the front, with Rea lapping quicker than Bautista and the gap coming down to less than a second, although with two laps left to run, it was beginning to look a little bit late for Rea to return to the front. However, his teammate – Leon Haslam was climbing all over Alex Lowes in the battle for fourth.
On the final lap, the gap at the front closed dramatically and Jonathan Rea was right with the Spaniard, but on the run to the line, Ducati power prevailed over Rea’s resilience. Bautista was back on top and took the verdict, winning for the first time at Portimao. Rea was second and Toprak Razgatlioglu took a tenth career podium in third. Alex Lowes held-off Leon Haslam but Loris Baz made it to sixth and beat Michael van der Mark. Lowes therefore returns to the third overall.
Marco Melandri putting in a hearty effort for eighth place, whilst Tom Sykes was able to beat Sandro Cortese (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK) in the remaining places inside the top ten. Jordi Torres was eleventh and couldn’t return to the top ten, with Michael Ruben Rinaldi (BARNI Racing Team), Markus Reiterberger (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), Eugene Laverty (Team Goeleven) and Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) completing the points.
The gap comes down to 91 points in the championship race, but the battle for third is well and truly alive, with 45 points covering third to seventh. Who will come out on top in both battles however, is yet to be seen.
P1 - Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing - Ducati) "It has been a long time since my last win, so I feel extremely happy to be back winning. The last few races were not easy for me, but everybody has been supporting me, so I want to thank all the people who have believed in me. Today it was a tough race. I wasn't 100% fit, and after yesterday race I haven't a lot of energy left. In the final laps, I was fighting with the bike, the tyre performance dropped a lot, and I was destroyed. I am so happy about this victory".
Results Race two - Complete Results Here
1. Alvaro Bautista (ARUBA.IT Racing - Ducati)
2. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.111
3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) +4.576
Ducati Streetfighter Prototype Pikes Peak Race Bike June 15th, 2019 - Offical Ducati Press photo of the new Panigale V4 Streetfighter prototype in racing trim for the Pikes Peak record run this week. The Pikes Peak race organizers had outlawed full faired sport bikes bikes as being "too dangerously fast" so taking the fairing off the 225hp V4 Superbike and making it lighter and faster must have seemed like a good idea. Ducati has said the actual production version of the naked Streetfighter with be based on the 1100cc V4S Superbike and will premier at EICMA in November and will be available in Ducati dealers early spring of 2020.
Ducati’s return to The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2019 will prove to be the most epic race up the hill yet on the new Streetfighter V4. The fight to regain Ducati’s title as King of the Mountain is on!
Four-time champion, Carlin Dunne, has been testing and developing the highest performance Streetfighter in anticipation for race day, June 30th. As the most powerful Streetfighter ever put into production, the new Streetfighter V4 is poised to write a new chapter in this year’s edition.
Alongside Dunne, Codie Vahsholtz will be riding the race-winning Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak. Vahsholtz is a Colorado native who comes from a family of Pikes Peak champions and has established a series of victories of his own by developing in a class the first year, then winning it the next. The competition is fierce but Codie has trained this off-season with more focus than ever.
Carlin Dunne Killed at Pikes Peak
Four-time Pikes Peak Hillclimb motorbike class winner in Sunday’s 97th edition Race July 1st 2019, Pikes Peak, Colorado - Ducati rider Colin Dunne, 36 years old lost controland was killed towards the flying finish of the fabled 12-mile, 156-turn hillclimb course. He won the motorcycle element at Pikes Peak in on Ducati Multistradas in 2011, ‘12, ‘13 and ‘18. Dunne had taken a multi-year break from the sport to concentrate on a film making, before his return last year.
Because of his top Qualifying Time earlier in the week on the new Ducati Streetfighter V4 prototype, Dunne was the last motorcycle
racer to tackle the Pikes Peak course on Monday for the record runs. Dunne was on a record setting pace by some 6 seconds as he approached the final corner at the top of the mountian leading over the finish line. It is well known the pavement in that section is very uneven and observerss reported that Dune lost control of the bike on the bumpy pavement and went straight off the side of the mountain. The Pikes Peak Race Organizers immediatley kept the accident location restricted to the media and would not release any details of Dunne's recovery by rescue and medical personel, but it is assumed Dunne died on site on impact.
A joint statement from event organisers and Ducati North America read: “The collective hearts of the Colorado Springs community and the Board of Directors of The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, along with Ducati North America, share the grief and pain of Carlin Dunne’s family, friends and fans over his untimely death.
Throughout the 97 years that this unique race has been conducted on America's Mountain, we have experienced the ultimate joy in victory, the disappointment of failure and now, the unexpected heartbreak of the loss of a competitor, whose love of the race brought him to Pikes Peak.
“We mourn the tragic death of Carlin and he will remain in our hearts forever as part of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb family. Carlin will be remembered as a warm hearted mentor with a competitive spirit. He was a gentle and thoughtful man who touched everyone who met him. We will always remember his contagious smile and genuine love for sport.”
Godspeed, Colin.
Carl Fogarty checks out the new 2020 "25° Anniversario 916" which is built on the mechanics of the Panigale V4 S.
Panigale V4 25°Anniversario 916:
the Ducati tribute to the bike that changed Superbike history
Pebble Beach / Laguna Seca, California (USA), 12 July 2019 – In 2019 a quarter of a century will have elapsed since the Ducati 916 arrived on the global stage, forever changing the Superbike world. Born from Massimo Tamburini’s sketches, this bike has revolutionized the world of motorcycle design and has made fans fall in love all over the planet. Incredibly innovative in its style, elegance, lightweight and compactness, by many it’s believed to be the sexiest and most iconic bike ever built.
The Ducati 916 wasn't just a beautiful bike and an enormous sales success. It also won World Superbike championships: the 916 SBK was a force to be reckoned with even as it made its debut in 1994, and the following years saw it win 120 races, 8 constructors' titles and 6 riders' titles, four of them with Carl Fogarty. The Englishman has won 55 races with Ducati, of which 43 riding a Ducati 916 SBK and 996 SBK. "King Carl" and the 916 remain the most successful "couple" in Ducati SBK
history.
The Ducati 916 SBK World Superbike of 1994 actually displaced 955cc
using the previous year's engine and displacement found in the 1993 Team Corse 888 World Superbike.
Ducati has decided to celebrate this anniversary by building a special 916-dedicated version of the Panigale V4. Hence the genesis of the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916: a unique limited-edition bike of only 500 pieces, designed to let all true Ducatisti re-live the spirit of the 916.
The "25° Anniversario 916" is built on the mechanics of the Panigale V4 S. This has been upgraded with racing content from the Panigale V4 R such as the Front Frame, designed to Ducati Corse specifications. The look of the bike combines a special livery with forged magnesium wheels, a titanium type-approved Akrapovič exhaust and a long list of Ducati Performance components.
For its world-first preview, Ducati chose round nine of the Superbike World Championship, takingplace this weekend at Laguna Seca (California, USA). Here, Francesco Milicia (VP Global Sales & After Sales Director Ducati Motor Holding), Jason Chinnock (CEO Ducati North America) and Carl Fogarty unveiled the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916.
The presentation of the bike was also an occasion of remembrance, honouring Californian Carlin Dunne, the Spider Grips Ducati team rider who recently died at Pikes Peak. Jason Chinnock announced Ducati's decision to remove the number 5 from selling, the same number that Dunne used to race with. The bike will be auctioned, with proceeds going to a fund-raising effort aimed at providing Carlin's mother with support.
"In all of modern motorcycling history, no bike has been as era-defining as the 916, both in terms of design and performance. I'm incredibly proud to present this exclusive version of our Panigale V4, itself a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the 916." stated Francesco Milicia during the event at Pebble Beach. "We've decided to present the bike together with none other than "King" Carl Fogarty himself. Presenting it on the American Superbike stage underscores our dedication to the US market, where bike enthusiasts and collectors alike will, I am sure, appreciate the uniqueness of the Panigale V4 25° Anniversary 916."
"I’m thrilled to be here at this event," stated Carl Fogarty after riding the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 onto the stage at Pebble Beach. "The Ducati 916 gave me some fantastic, unforgettable moments. It played a starring role in my career and in the history of the World Superbike Championship. On the wider motorcycling scene, it set a whole new standard of style and performance. I’m proud to have played a pivotal role in that success story, and equally proud to be here today and celebrate this important anniversary by officially unveiling this breath-taking bike."
Starting from Saturday morning, the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 will go on display at Ducati Island (the space Ducati traditionally sets aside for its fans during American races). Furthermore, Team Aruba.it Racing – Ducati riders, Álvaro Bautista and Chaz Davis, will compete on bikes with a livery inspired by the Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916. The Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 will arrive in dealerships starting from October 2019 at a price of 41,900 Euro (USD $47,225) ex-works (price is country specific).
MV Agusta Super Sexy Superveloce 800 Serie Oro MV Agusta, June 1st, 2019 - The lines of the limited edition Superveloce 800 Serie Oro are a modern interpretation of the iconic stylistic concept of the MV Agusta. A fusion of vintage and contemporary ensures that the future incorporates the memories of good times gone by: 37 world titles, legendary victories, challenges that required going beyond the possible. Live the emotions that helped to create the Meccanica Verghera legend. This is a limited production run of just 100 Serie Oro, with pricing is around $43,000. More information at - https://www.mvagusta.com/en/superveloce-800-serie-oro
Sara Shoots with a new Mule XR1000 Street Tracker for FastDates.com
May 2nd, 2019 - We were excited to have legendary FastDates.com Calendar Bike Builder Richard Pollock(below) / MuleMotorcycles.net back in our studio this month with beautiful Calendar Kitten Sara Balint, to shoot two of Richard's latest builds that he was taking up to the Quail Motorcycle gathering in Monterey, CA. Our favorite of the bikes is this 1983 Harley-Davidson XR1000 which only keeps its origional frame and engine. It received the full Mule Street Tracker treatment with new suspension, brakes and wheels, and dirt track style seat assembly and a beautiful aluminum fuel tank. Look for a full feature on thios XR1000 with more photos of the bike and Sara with details in the Calendar Bike Garage in Member's Corner.
Alvara Bautista's Race Winning Ducati Corse V4RS19 SBK World Superbike
Details and Screen Saver Size Photos in Pit Lane New BIkes/ Ducati
Aprilia RSV4 X 2019 Limited Edition 1100cc Superbike
April 24th, 2019 - Just as the new Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory is starting to win in comparison tests arranged by the world's leading motorcycle magazines, thus reaffirming a long-standing technical superiority, Aprilia RSV4 X, the commemorative version built to celebrate ten years since the birth of the first model, sells out in a matter of hours.
Exclusively unveiled on 23 March at the Mugello circuit during Aprilia All Stars, the Aprilia-branded party that saw the participation of more than 10,000 motorcycle enthusiasts, Aprilia RSV4 X is developed by Aprilia Racing around the base of the RSV4 1100 Factory and produced in a limited run of just ten units. Note that this is a non-strret legal / track only bikes, and with its 1100cc displacement is not eligible for Superbike class racing where 4-cylinder engine displacement is limited to 1000cc.
Once online booking opened on factoryworks.aprilia.com, it was only a few hours before this jewel of Italian racing production sold out, a bike dedicated exclusively to the track and offered at a price of 39,900 Euro. The ten lucky buyers will collect their bikes directly from Aprilia Racing, the racing department in Noale opening its doors especially for the occasion.
The department's racing experience has been fully harnessed in order to lighten the Aprilia RSV4 X and achieve an exceptional dry weight of 165 kg. Aprilia Racing has selected a series of refined, lightweight components, such as the carbon fairing - enhanced with special dedicated graphics inspired by the livery of the 2019 MotoGP Aprilia RS-GP - as well as a more lightweight tank. Another obvious sports-derived element is the racing panel via which to adjust the main electronic controls of the RSV4 X. There are numerous billet aluminium details, such as the clutch lever, the front brake lever guard, the engine sump guards, the adjustable foot pegs and the upper steering plate, important details that make for a further weight saving. Marchesini forged magnesium wheels magnify the already spectacular handling of the RSV4 and mount Pirelli slick tyres.
The inimitable 1100 cc V4 engine is prepared directly by Aprilia Racing, the most advanced Piaggio Group platform for the development of technology applied first to racing bikes and then to factory models. This special preparation involves hand assembly and the subsequent fine-tuning of all tolerances, just as is done for competition engines. The distribution system is also overhauled, with the adoption of new intake camshafts, new valve return springs and caps, as well as brand-new rounded bucket tappets that, all sizes being equal, allow for the use of more aggressive, SBK-derived cam profiles.
The Akrapovic exhaust system features titanium collectors and a carbon outlet, while the air filter has been replaced with a Sprint Filter element, specifically the air filter that offers the highest permeability of those available on the market (as well as being waterproof), the same unit that Aprilia Racing uses in MotoGP. Electronic tuning is guaranteed by a specific ECU mapping, with dedicated track settings. These components ensure an increase in maximum power, from an already excellent 217 HP for the standard model, to the impressive 225 HP of the RSV4 X. The Aprilia V4 is equipped with the ANN system (Aprilia No Neutral), the gearbox with neutral positioned below first gear that speeds up shifting from first to second and prevents any up-shifting errors. A solution that derives directly from Aprilia's experience in SBK and MotoGP and that is made available on a model on public sale for the very first time.
Another world first comes in the shape of the Brembo braking system, the firm having selected the Aprilia RSV4 X for the debut of its sophisticated and extremely efficient GP4-MS billet callipers that act on a pair of steel discs with T-Drive technology and are controlled by a 19x16 billet radial pump.
Aprilia RSV4 X is part of the Factory Works programme launched by Aprilia Racing: unique in the world, it takes the technology developed for the Aprilia RSV4, a seven-time Superbike world champion, and makes it available to those planning to compete at high level in production-derived championships or who want a RSV4 with performance optimised for track-use.
Biaggi’s parade lap astride his 1995 world championship RS 250, the sensational race with all the riders astride Aprilia SR 150 scooters, won in the final stretch by Manuel Poggiali and the display in pit lane of the bikes that have written Aprilia racing history filled an extraordinary day on which the public of Aprilia fans were protagonists. Participants ranged from those who are simply fans of the Italian brand, filling the grandstands and paddock that was livened up by music and games to the hundreds of fans in the Bearacer community who were able to meet the riders and share in a day of celebration with the entire team. And at the end, there was a spectacular parade of Aprilia bikes that invaded the circuit, the same track where the bikes from Noale, the most victorious bikes on the Tuscan hillside, have triumphed no less than 23 times in World GP races.
2018-19 Progressive Insurance
International Motorcycle Shows
Long Beach, CA - Nov 16-20th 2018 -The annual UBM AMERICAS Progressive Insurance sponsored (IMS) International Motorcycle Show makes its way across America every winter, with 3-day weekend stops in every major city. It's the perfect time for motorcycle enthusiasts to come in from the cold and see the latest new 2017 bike offerings from all the major motorcycle manufacturers and fill out your Christmas wish list.
With much of the the motorcycle industry and media based in Southern California, we like to think the Los Angeles stop at the Long Beach Convention Center, is the best IMS weekend to get together with our motor head industry friends, celebrity builders and racers, and even some of the FastDates.com Calendar Kittens working the bike displays for the top manufacturers.
Motorcycles and bad boys, look out girls, it's a road paved to hell....
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.
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".
We have the Winners! 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
2017 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
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
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
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
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Chaz Davies on his Decision Not to race in Argentia on Saturday “Firstly, I’m disappointed with the way this day was managed. In my opinion it was important that all the riders were united but unfortunately this didn’t happen. Fifteen out of the 18 riders weren’t intending to take part in the race because of the difficult track conditions. Unfortunately, five minutes before the start some of them probably felt pressure to go on track, going against the decision taken before all together.
We had proposed modifying the schedule and do two long races tomorrow to give the organizers the opportunity to improve the track conditions but our wishes weren’t taken into account. From my point of view safety is paramount and in certain situations they have to listen more to the views of the riders. All this should be considered in a constructive manner to improve in the future.
We already discussed this issue in the various meetings of the Safety Commission. I’m sorry but it’s a shame to come and race at this fantastic circuit and find ourselves in this situation. Now let’s forget about today and focus on tomorrow’s races.”
World Superbike Team Rider Team Changes for 2020
Young Guns Caricasulo and Gerloff to Step up to WorldSBK in 2020
Oct 17th 2019 - Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce that the GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK Team will field an exciting new international rider line-up for the 2020 FIM Superbike World Championship season, with Italian Federico Caricasulo joining American Garrett Gerloff in the team for their second season in the premier production class.
Caricasulo is already familiar with the GRT Yamaha squad, having contested the FIM Supersport World Championship with them in 2017 and 2018, taking his YZF-R6 to ten podium finishes and three race wins during his two seasons with the team.
The 23-year-old from Ravenna, Italy, is currently contesting the 2019 FIM Supersport World Championship on a YZF-R6 for a third consecutive season. He has already impressed with a total of nine podium finishes from twelve races, three of which were race wins, and is currently lying second in the championship standings, a slender eight points off the series leader with one round remaining.
Gerloff also comes with a winning pedigree. The 24-year-old Texan was the MotoAmerica Supersport Champion in 2016 and 2017 before joining the Yamaha Factory Superbike Team in 2018, where he made a blazing MotoAmerica Superbike debut with an incredible podium finish. Four more podium finishes followed that year, with Gerloff ending his rookie season fifth in the championship standings.
After a year of experience on Yamaha’s cutting-edge YZF-R1 machine, Gerloff remained with Yamaha in 2019, securing four race wins and 15 podium finishes on his way to finishing third overall in his second full season of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.
In a bid to further their already impressive racing careers, both Gerloff and Caricasulo are looking forward to the new challenge of competing in the world’s premier Superbike series with Yamaha’s race proven YZF-R1 machinery and the GRT Yamaha squad, which for the 2020 season will be retitled as the GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team.
Alex Lowes to partner with Jonthan Rea on Kawsaki 2020 Superbike Team
Oct 10th 2019 - British rider Alex Lowes will join Jonathan Rea in the official Kawasaki Racing Team set-up in 2020. Lowes is a proven race winner and 18-times WorldSBK podium finisher, having been a regular in the series since 2014.
Lowes, a BSB champion before he joined the WorldSBK ranks, is a regular podium challenger and currently sits third in the 2019 WorldSBK points table, with two rounds and six races remaining. As well as his WorldSBK experience Alex has won the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hours race three times in succession, from 2016 to 2018.
Alex, brother of Moto2 rider Sam, will take the next steps on his career path inside the championship-winning KRT squad, riding alongside five-time champion Rea.
Kawasaki issues a warm welcome to Alex and looks forward to working with him to achieve the best possible results on the class-leading Ninja ZX-10RR.
Guim Roda, Team Manager, stated: “KRT welcomes a 27 year old rider with a lot of pace and good experience. Our target is to ‘polish’ Lowes and try to make him a candidate for the title too. And he has a long career ahead. He has shown very good skills during these years and for sure the potential is there. We’ll try to use all the tools at our disposal in KRT to help him show his best.”
Steve Guttridge, Kawasaki Europe Racing Manager, stated: “All at Kawasaki would like to send a warm welcome to Alex, who will join the elite Kawasaki Racing Team for next season in WorldSBK - partnering up with the all-time greatest Champion Jonathan Rea inside our Factory team. Alex is known to be a very hard worker and shows 100% commitment in every race. This attitude, combined with his talent and a clear enjoyment of his job, means that we are very confident that, along with the great staff we have inside KRT and on the Ninja ZX-10RR, this will be the start of a very exciting new era for all.”
Leon Haslam Parts Ways with Kawsaki WSBK
Oct 8th 2019 - British rider Leon Haslam will leave the official Kawasaki Racing Team at the end of the 2019 season after some strong showings in his first season back in the WorldSBK paddock after three years of successful BSB competition.
After winning the BSB Championship title in 2018 Leon was brought into the KRT WorldSBK set-up to join forces with record-breaking champion Jonathan Rea.
He had an immediate positive impact inside the overall KRT awning which culminated in winning the Suzuka 8 Hours race in partnership with Jonathan on the Ninja ZX-10RR.
Leon’s six podium scores – so far - in his comeback year prove that his 2019 adventure was another positive step along his incredible career path, spanning WorldSBK, BSB, MotoGP and EWC series, always competing strongly when he had competitive machinery.
In 2019 so far Leon has scored two podiums apiece at Phillip Island, Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli and his much loved home circuit of Donington Park in England. He also scored a wildcard podium finish on a Kawasaki in 2017, at Donington, while riding for Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team. With races in Argentina and Qatar yet to come, the 36 year old Derbyshire based rider may yet increase his 2019 tally on the KRT Ninja ZX-10RR.
In a career that has spanned over 20 years of top-level international competition, Leon has an enviable WorldSBK record, both with Kawasaki and no fewer than five other manufacturers.
All at Kawasaki and KRT wish Leon the very best of good fortune in his future career.
Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager, stated:
“KRT and KHI welcomed Leon into the team after a nine year period with Tom Sykes. It was an ideal chance for him to regain experience inside the WorldSBK paddock and an incentive after winning the British Superbike title plus previous success at the Suzuka 8-Hours.
“A primary target for 2019 was for Leon to experience the KRT way of working and to take his race rhythm and performance to a new level with goals like competing at Suzuka as a tempting prospect. Winning the 2019 8 Hours race with Jonathan Rea after a 25 year gap for Kawasaki was certainly an incredible achievement alongside regular top five placings in WorldSBK including several podium visits.
Toprak Razgatlioglu to Partner Michael van der Mark at Yamaha in 2020
Oct 1st, 2019 - Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce that it has secured the services of Toprak Razgatlioglu for the 2020 FIM Superbike World Championship. Razgatlioglu, who claimed his first WorldSBK race victory in Magny-Cours at the weekend, will partner Michael van der Mark in the Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team.
Razgatlioglu arrived in the WorldSBK paddock in 2015 to contest the European 600 Superstock Championship, which he won in his debut season. A move up the European 1000 Superstock Championship followed, where the young Turkish rider was a title contender for two years before stepping up to the WorldSBK class in 2018.
Razgatlioglu immediately made his mark in the premier production class, securing two podium finishes in his debut season with second place at Donington Park and third place in the penultimate round in Argentina.
The 22-year-old has developed even more strongly in 2019, securing his first top-three finish of the season at the Italian WorldSBK round in Imola and finishing on the podium at every round since. Razgatlioglu secured his maiden WorldSBK win with a scintillating performance in Race 1 at Magny-Cours, which he started from 16th position on the grid. The young Turk backed that up with victory in the Superpole sprint race the following day.
Yamaha and Alex Lowes to Part Company at the end of 2019 Season
Sept 29th 2019 - Yamaha Motor Europe wishes to formally announce that they will part company with Alex Lowes after the final round of the 2019 FIM Superbike World Championship season in Qatar.
Lowes has been an integral part of Yamaha's WorldSBK program since the Japanese manufacturer returned to the premier production racing series in 2016. In a partnership that has spanned four seasons, Lowes and Yamaha together have completed 106 races, in which Lowes finished on the podium on no fewer than 15 occasions.
The highlight of Lowes' time with Yamaha undoubtedly came in 2018 at Brno in the Czech Republic, when the Briton got the better of his teammate in a closely-contested Race 2 to take his first WorldSBK race win.
But the successful partnership between Yamaha and Lowes extended further than just the WorldSBK paddock. The 29-year-old was also a key member of the Yamaha Factory Racing Team that took three consecutive victories at the prestigious 8 Hours of Suzuka, only missing out on an unprecedented fourth win this year by the narrowest of margins.
Bautista leaves Ducati for HRC Honda for 2020 WorldSBK championship charge!
Sept 23rd 2019 - The Spaniard remains in the paddock for a second year and takes on a whole new challenge by joining the all-new HRC project, eager to fight for victories from the start
Having enjoyed his2019 rookie season in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, Spanish rider Alvaro Bautista makes the switch from the ARUBA.IT Racing – Ducati outfit to the all-new, much anticipated 2020 factory Honda team, supported by HRC. The
34-year-old has taken an unprecedented 15 wins in 2019 but inconsistent form has landed him 91 points behind four-time WorldSBK champion, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK).
11 of Bautista’s 15 wins came in the opening 11 races, before Jonathan Rea struck back at Imola. Two wins at Jerez before his first crash of the season, Bautista’s season unraveled in a blink of an eye from that point on. However, back on the podium in Portugal after a point-less Laguna Seca have shown signs that his debut season in WorldSBK has still been an impressive one. Taking all of his experience to Honda and having ridden the circuits for a season, Bautista will hope to bring the iconic Japanese manufacturer back to the front of the world’s fastest production-derived class.
Speaking about his move to the brand new HRC outfit, the 2006 125cc World Champion said: “I am really happy, because I believe a lot in the new project with HRC. They want to come back to the World Superbike championship as a full factory team, so this has motivated me a lot. To join the HRC factory is very important, as they are an important factory and want to win in WorldSBK again. The challenge for next year will be very difficult, but for sure, I will try and use my experience in the World Superbike championship from this season to develop the bike and hopefully, fight for victories.”
Bautista is no stranger to developing motorcycles, having done so with the Aprilia Gresini outfit in MotoGP™ for two seasons, before turning to the Angel Nieto Ducati team and being a consistent top eight finisher. In WorldSBK this season, he has been integral in the development of the Ducati Panigale V4 R, which has seen his experience prove to be pivotal in the bike’s results.
“It was not an easy decision to make for me, as I am really happy with the Ducati family,” said Bautista. “We started with the new bike and a new project, and we were winning a lot of races. It was not easy but the project that HRC offered me motivated me a lot, as we will start from zero. I feel like one of the most important people in this project.” (It is also rumored that Honda HRC offeerd Bautista twice what his offered 2020 salary from Ducati would be).
The Honda outfit in 2019 has had occasional strong results in the hands of Leon Camier and Ryuichi Kiyonari – the former of which has been injured since Round 5 at Imola in May. Three top ten results courtesy of Camier, his replacement at Misano – Yuki Takahashi, who achieved the bike’s best result of the season – and Alessandro Delbianco (Althea Mie Racing Team) have been the highlight of the Japanese manufacturer’s 2019 effort.
Seeing clearly into 2020, Bautista is cautious of predicting too much straight away, but wants to fight for victories throughout next season: “It is difficult to say now about the targets for 2020, but I want to work hard in the winter tests and arrive at the first round in the best way possible. I would like to fight for victories from the beginning, but we will see how everything is nearer the time.”
HRC President Yoshishige Nomura, stated his delight of Bautista joining the HRC family, in a bid to bring the Japanese manufacturer top results in WorldSBK: “We are very happy to welcome Alvaro Bautista to our WorldSBK racing project for next year. His arrival in the Honda racing family underlines our strong commitment to compete at full force in every motorsport category, fighting to achieve top sporting results and looking for the best technological innovations, in order to offer our fans and customers fun, joy and excellent products.
“Alvaro is a very fast, experienced rider who has already shown his strong racing attitude and competitiveness in his GP years and in his first season in the WorldSBK championship. We are confident that he will make a significant contribution to the growth and development of our project in the exciting and challenging Superbike World Championship.”
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Marco Melandri Announces his Retirement
July 9th 2019 - GRT Yamaha Supported WorldSBK rider, Marco Melandri, has announced that he intends to retire from racing immediately after the final round of the 2019 FIM Superbike World Championship in Qatar. The 36-year-old Italian's decision to hang up his leathers will bring to a close a World Championship career that has spanned three decades.
15-year-old Melandri burst onto the world stage in 1998 and immediately made his mark, taking his first win at Assen to become the youngest ever Grand Prix winner, a record that stood for 10 years. He went on to win once more that year and ended his debut Grand Prix season third in the World Championship. The following season Melandri won five races but missed out on being crowned 125cc World Champion by just a single point.
More success came with a step up to the 250cc World Championship. Melandri dominated the class in 2002, taking nine race wins on his way to being crowned 250cc World Champion. A move to the premier class followed, with Melandri's most successful MotoGP season coming in 2005 when he won the final two races and finished second in the World Championship to Valentino Rossi.
In 2011 Melandri made the switch from MotoGP to WorldSBK, winning four races in his first season aboard Yamaha's YZF-R1 to finish the year as vice-champion. Since making his debut in the premier production class, the Italian has secured 75 podium finishes, 22 of which were race wins, making him one of the most successful riders on the WorldSBK grid.
And while these results are already impressive, Melandri is determined to add to them before finally hanging up his leathers in Qatar and bringing to a close an incredible racing career.
"The decision to retire was a very difficult one for me to make. I'd been thinking about it for some time and, before the Imola race, I finally decided to call it a day at the end of the 2019 season. I'm still competitive and I think it's better to stop at this point, while I still enjoy racing, rather than waiting until the enjoyment and the results are more difficult to achieve.
Since making the decision I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders and now that everyone knows this is my final year, I'm even more motivated to push for good results in the final few races. In part it's for me, as I'd like to go out on a high, but it's also to repay the faith that both Yamaha and the GRT Yamaha team have shown in me.
It's been a difficult season, but they have worked so hard to help me realise my potential. They never gave up on me and I hope that my experience has helped the team adapt to racing in WorldSBK just that little bit quicker. I'm looking forward to seeing out my final season with them and I intend to give it my all, treating every lap like a qualifying lap and pushing to improve myself and bring the team the results they deserve. Then it will be time to move on and do something different with my life.
For me it's been a fantastic journey; thank you to everyone I met along the way." - Marco Melandri
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Indonesia to host WorldSBK in 2021
Lombok prepares to welcome the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and MotoGP™
Feb 21st, 2019 - ITDC, Indonesia’s largest integrated tourism developer and operator, and Dorna Sports SL are delighted to announce that the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship will be racing in Indonesia in 2021.
The signing of the agreement was conducted by Mr Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of DORNA and Mr Abdulbar M. Mansoer, CEO of ITDC at DORNA’s headquarter in Madrid, Spain on the 28th January 2019, in front of Senior Management team of both parties and witnessed by Indonesian's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for Spain, Drs. Hermono M.A.
The agreement confirms that Indonesia will welcome the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship and MotoGP™ in 2021 to the island of Lombok, more specifically within the Mandalika, which is a large-scale integrated Tourism Estate.
Delighted to welcome the most famous production-based motorcycle series and MotoGP™ in Indonesia, CEO of ITDC, Mr. Abdulbar M. Mansoer said: “We are very excited to have partnered up with DORNA and are delighted to be able to bring world-class motorsport events to Indonesia and the Mandalika in Lombok together.”
Dorna Sports SL CEO, Carmelo Ezpeleta commented: “What a unique project this will be, having an urban, world class circuit in a country where MotoGP™ has such a huge following. Indonesia is a key market for us with a considerable percentage of motorsport fans living here and the MotoGP™ atmosphere will be even stronger once the circuit is complete. Also, by including Lombok to the WorldSBK calendar makes this offer more attractive for local fans having two World Class events in the area during the year.”
The Devil Made Us Do It!
Testing the Ducati Diavel in Italy
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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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An Unfair Advantage?
Álvaro Bautista and the new Ducati V4RS
In previous years the Ducati V-twin always enjoyed somewhat of an advantage over the 4-cylinder bikes with 200cc more displacement and a broader power band to accelerate better out of the turns without destroying the rear tire. Plus Ducati always had great riders.
But remember with the outgoing Generation 5 V2 Panigale 1199 and the bike's first year 2014 in World Superbike, Ducati choose to concentrated all their budget on MotoGP with Rossi and turned the SBK team over to Althea that year with an undeveloped race bike and no factory race parts available (cams, pistons, etc). And everyone was up against the new 1000cc V4 Aprilia which won the Championship that year in the hands of Sylvain Guintoli, foreshadowing the advantage of a V4 engine.
The Italian Flammini brothers still ran the Championship that year an even invited Althea to upgrade the new 1199 Panigale with non homologated parts to try and keep up with Aprilias and Kawasakis, but there just were not any performance parts available from Ducati. And it would be another year after Ducati brought their SBK race team back in-house before they had the performance parts to compete against then then dominate factory Kawasaki and Jonathan Rae and Tom Sykes. The Paniagle V-twin's final 2018 season showed the Panigale V2 and Marco Melandri Chaz Davies had the ability to run with the Kawasaki ZX10R, but Chaz just couldn't match Rea's robotic consistency.
The new 2018 retail price cap for of USD $40,000 for the street version of a homologation Superbike, sounds like a good idea, but the allowable modification rules in SBK with complete changes in suspension, brakes, swingarm, modified gas tanks, bodywork, internal engine parts, electronics, means a competitive Superbike still costs close to USD $100,000 like the factory Ducati V4RS. If the price cap is to be realistic, WSBK class needs adopt the more production based Supersport rule book.
Homologation production numbers for Supersport spec Superbikes are fine at 500 examples, if only because all motorcycle manufacturers have seen their superbike sales drop significantly since the 2008 recession, and many manufacturers would struggle to meet any higher number.
Ducati has the potential to enjoy WSBK domination with their new V4RS because their engine is based on their MotoGP bike which is the most powerful motor in the GP paddock and has the potential to reach 18,000rpm and 280hp quite easily with its production desmodromic valve system. Where as the other Manufacturers are limited to about 16,000rpm and 240hp with our going to pneumatic valves like in their MotoGP bikes, not practical for a street based bike.
Now that all the manufacturers in WSK are running the save 1000cc displacement with 4-cylinder engines, the best way to balance the power between different manufacturers bikes is with varying RPM limits based on race finishes. However, this equalization formula will remain flawed as long as both WSBK and MotoGP do not factor and equalize the rider's body weight with their bike's weight. Just as Formula 1 factors their drivers and cars together, where the weight difference is far less significant with a 4-times heavier car.
In WSBK where we have a winning rider like Alvara Bautista probably weighing 30-40 pounds less than Chaz Davies on the same Ducati V4RS bike who can't get it to work, and a taller rider like Leon Camier on the Honda, both of whom have a hard time qualifying into top 10, the rider's weight is more a factor than anything else. Until the FIM imposes weight balances for the riders and their bikes, any type of performance balance between the different brands of bikes with varying RPM limits is an unfair factor.
- Jim Gianatsis, Editor
Jim Gianatsis Editorial Director
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2019 MotoGP
Season Preview Click Date for Race Report
DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK Mar 10 Qatar, Losail
Mar 31 Argentina, Rio
Apr 14 America, Austin TX
May 5 Spain, Jerez
May 19 France, Le Mans
Jun 2 Italy, Mugello
Jun 16 Spain, Catalunya
Jun 30 Netherlands, Assen
July 07 Germany Sachenring
Aug 04 Czech Rep, Brno
Aug 11 Austrian, Red Bull
Aug 25 UK, Silverstone
Sept 15 San Marino, Misano
Sept 22 Aragon Motorland
Oct 6 Thailand, Chang
Oct 20 Japan, Motegi
Oct 27 Australia, Phillip Is
Nov 3 Malaysia, Sepang
Nov 17 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
Aug 3-5 Thruxton
Aug 17-19 Cadwell Park
Sept 7-9 Silverstone GP
Sept 14-16 Oulton Park
Sept 28-30 Assen NL
Oct 12-14 Brands Hatch
2019 MotoAmerica DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK
April 5-7 Road Atlanta GA
April 12-14 Circuit Am TX
May 4-5 VIR VA
June 1-2 Road Am, WI
June 15-16
Utah Motor UT
July 12-14 LagunaSeca CA
Aug 10-11 Sanoma CA
Aug 23-25 Pittsburg PA
Sept 7-8 Jersey MotorSp
Sept 20-22 Barber, AL
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MotoAmerica 2019:
10 Rounds On Tap
For New Season Season Five Of MotoAmerica In Place For Next Year
MotoAmerica has announced its calendar for the 2019 MotoAmerica Series with the 10-round championship set to continue its trend of building the race series through consistency of both location and dates while also tweaking a few things along the way, including the introduction of four two-day events in place of the traditional three-day events.
“We’re happy with our schedule as we enter the fifth year of the MotoAmerica Series,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “I think having the same events return on dates that are the same or very similar to years past brings more stability to the series. Our fans can start to really plan for our events, year to year, based on the consistency of our dates and our racetracks. We are also introducing four two-day events to the schedule in an effort to tighten things up a bit and I’m looking forward to seeing how those evolve. We believe some of our racetracks might do better with a two-day program while others obviously work well for a three-day program because of the number of our fans who go to those events to camp. We only just finished year four and we’re already looking forward to getting to Road Atlanta in April.”
As previously announced, the MotoAmerica Series, which features the Motul Superbike Championship as its headline class, will begin again at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, April 5-7, before heading to Austin, Texas, and the Circuit of The Americas for round two, April 12-14. As has been the case since the series made its debut in 2015, the COTA round will be held in conjunction with the Grand Prix of The Americas. The COTA round is also a Motul Superbike-only round.
From Texas the series will head east to VIRginia International Raceway, May 4-5, for the Championship of Virginia and the first of four two-day events on the schedule. Road America will play host to round four on its traditional date of the first weekend in June, May 31-June 2, followed a few weeks later by the two-day Utah Motorsports Campus round on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, June 15-16. The big change for the UMC round is that MotoAmerica will use the shorter East Course (2.2 miles) rather than the Outer Course (3.048 miles) the series has used in previous years.
“We believe the shorter East Course will provide better viewing for spectators at the Club House and in the paddock area because you can see the entire track,” MotoAmerica Partner Chuck Aksland said. “This will definitely enhance the spectator experience.”
MotoAmerica will venture to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California, July 12-14, for what promises to be a weekend to remember with the Monterey Motorcycle Festival featuring MotoAmerica. For the first time in its five-year history of racing on the Monterey Peninsula, MotoAmerica will be a standalone event at the historic racetrack with the weekend to include racing legends, celebrities, vintage racing exhibitions, and a classic motorcycle auction.
“We are pleased to be heading to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for a fifth year,” said Rainey. “Since I make my home here, it’s obviously one of my favorites but it is also one of the most popular events on the calendar. We have big plans to make this year’s event a memorable one with a weekend chock-full of activities for our fans.”
The series then takes a one-month summer break before setting up camp at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California, for a two-day event, August 10-11.
The premier motorcycle road racing championship in the country then heads back east for the final three rounds, beginning at Pittsburgh International Raceway Complex, August 23-25, followed by the two-day New Jersey Motorsports Park round, September 7-8.
The series finale, meanwhile, will again take place at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, September 20-22.
2019 MotoAmerica Series (Provisional)
April 5-7 – Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia
April 12-14 – Circuit of The Americas, Austin, Texas
May 4-5 – VIRginia International Raceway, Alton, Virginia
May 31-June 2 – Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
June 15-16 – Utah Motosports Campus, Grantsville, Utah
July 12-14 – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, California
August 10-11 – Sonoma Raceway, Sonoma, California
August 23-25 – Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum, Pennsylvania
September 7-8 – New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, New Jersey
September 20-22 – Barber Motorsports Park, Birmingham, Alabama
