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This Month in the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar ....
Fast Dates SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Sara Horvath
looks pretty in her Black Bikini and Sidi Boots with Thomas Steevns Custom Ducati Mike Hailwood Replica.
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Calendar Bike Garage and Members Corner and Meet the Models
The beautiful Fast Dates Calendar Kittens featured with the factory race bikes are the official umbrella girls of SBK World Superbike: Kaustin Rose, Alissa Bourne and Sara Horvath, together with Jillian Janson all in skimpy swimwear!
The 2018 Fast Dates Calendar features the top factory race bikes and beautiful podium girls of the SBK World Superbike Championship photographed on location at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca USA World Superbike round by Jim Gianatsis. Featured on the cover and inside is World Superbike Champion Jonthan Rea’s Kawasaki ZX10R, Chaz Davies’s Ducati 1199RS, Jordi Tores' Althea BMW S1000RR, Leon Camier's MV Agusta F4, Niccolo Canepa’s Cresent Yamaha R1, Nicky Hayden’s Ten Kate Pata Honda CBR1000, Karel Abraham's Milwaukee BMW S1000RR and AMA Champion Cameron Beaubier’s Yamaha R1. Special customs including collector Thomas Stephen’s exotic Ducati NCR Hailwood Replica, Mick Wollet’s MV Agusta F3 Hailwood Replica, and LA Calendar Motorcycle Show winners Nick O’Kanes’s Honda CBX1100, Michael LaFountains’s Kawsaki W1, and photographer Jim Gianatsis’ personal Ducati 1199R15. CLICK TO ORDER!
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
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Chaz Davies, Jonthan Rea and Xavu Fores on the First Race Buriram Thailand SBK World Superbike podium.
2018 SBK Motul World Superbike Championship, Buriram,Thailand , Round 2 of 13
Race ONE Saturday, 24 March 2018 - Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) took an excellent victory in Race One of the Motul Thai Round, continuing a dominant weekend that has now seen him take pole position, a race win and fastest lap. The 3-times World Champion certainly didn´t have things all his own way, with Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who was narrowly pipped for pole position in Superpole 1, twice overhauling his teammate to hit the front. But when Rea finally repaid the compliment he was able to stretch away and then manage his advantage to the finish.
Sykes, meanwhile, dropped gradually backwards as the race went on. He was unfortunate to slip from third to first as Rea took command at the front of the peleton, Leon Camier (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) coming through and running second for some time, and Sykes eventually only able to manage sixth.
Camier, meanwhile, was one of the stars of the show, as he put in a masterclass in defensive riding and for some time looked set to end a barren run with a first podium finish since 2013. In the end he lost out to Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati), who made a perfect block pass for his second podium of the campaign. But Camier, with fourth position, has the consolation of pole start when the grid positions are re-set for tomorrow´s Race Two.
After a disappointing Tissot Superpole performance and fall, Australia´s double winner Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) rose to fifth position by the end of the opening lap but steadily dropped back to eighth despite showing inconsistently strong pace. Victory for Jonathan Rea means Melandri retains the Championship lead, but the Italian´s advantage is cut to just two points.
Leon Camier (2) was forth in race One on Ten Kate the Red Bull Honda.
Meanwhile Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team), with an excellent runner-up result, moves above Tom Sykes and into third position in the series overall. The independent runner passed Sykes on the track into turn three for a provisional place on the race podium, and picked off Leon Camier on lap twelve to secure his best result in 69 starts. Meanwhile the line-up´s other main Spaniard, Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), faded quickly after a strong qualifying, ran wide and off the circuit whilst seventh and was later passed on the penultimate lap for ninth by Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia).
The same lap saw Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) take fifth position from Tom Sykes, completing an excellent second half of the race in which he recovered from eighth. Lowes had earlier enjoyed another side-by-side combat with his teammate Michael Van Der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team), before the Dutchman slipped back to seventh.
With the top ten separated by just eleven seconds in Race One, and plenty of change in the rankings compared to results last time out in Australia, Race Two promises to be a similarly entertaining affair.
Race One Results
Chaz Davies (7) slices his Ducati through early Race Two leadrs Michael Van derMark (60) and Alex Lowes (22). It is great to see the factory Yamaha bikes being so competitive this season.
Race Two Sunday, 25 March 2018 - In an unpredictable second race in the Motul Thai Round, Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) surged through the field to take a 28th career victory and a first around the Chang International Circuit, becoming a third different winner in the opening two weekends of the 2018 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship. Davies produced a stunning ride with an average gain of a position per lap over a seven-lap period, hitting the front by the end of lap eight and controlling the race from there.
Taking advantage of the reverse grid format, it was the Pata Yamaha duo of Michael Van Der Mark and Alex Lowes who made the early break, but as they squabbled among themselves the remainder of the pack stayed in touch. Lowes was the second of three riders to lead a lap on the Chang International Circuit as he passed teammate Van Der Mark on lap two, but the Dutchman came back through and led for the next five laps. Eventually both overhauled by Davies the Yamaha pair nonetheless did enough to secure second and third positions, the first double podium for Yamaha since 2016. Lowes, in particular, was satisfied with an extra surge of pace in the seven closing laps that helped him to claim an eighth career podium.
Kawasaki´s unbroken record of victories at the Motul Thai Round was finally ended on a day where neither of their top performers could make it on to the podium at all. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) failed to take advantage of his front row grid slot, dropping back to ninth by the end of the opening lap and eventually retiring from the race.
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), meanwhile, finished just three seconds from the podium places after an action-packed ride. Following an excellent first lap that saw him surge through from ninth to fourth with a series of aggressive inside overtaking moves, Rea had put himself among the favourites for victory and threatened to make it back-to-back wins. But the Race One victor struggled in handlebar-to-handlebar combat, making a series of errors that ruled him out of contention for the win. His first duel was with Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati), a shadow of the rider that looked in command in Philip Island, and the pair swapped positions on no less than five occasions before Rea eventually came out on top.
By the time Rea passed Melandri on lap nine and then shook the Italian off, Xavi Forés (Barni Racing Team) had overhauled the pair of them to move clear in fourth. But Rea in clear air was a different proposition to the rider who had struggled under side-by-side pressure earlier on, and he hunted down the lead independent rider before an overtake on lap eighteen.
Upon reflection, despite not being the result he would have hoped for, Rea´s fightback to fourth could prove critical in the Championship Standings overall. Marco Melandri, series leader coming into Race Two, had another disastrous race in which he was relegated to seventh and never looked comfortable on the bike. And Xavi Fores, who had looked set to close on both Rea and Melandri in the Championship Standings and leave the three separated by just five points, conceded fourth place three laps from the finish to change the complexion of the series standings. With the riders of him in the race well adrift of him overall, Rea becomes the Championship leader and the man with the momentum as the highest scorer of the series´ top three for a second race in succession.
Meanwhile three of the top ten in the points coming into Race Two failed to finish. Tom Sykes retired with mechanical problems after seven completed laps, and therefore drops 26-points back from the leader and down to seventh overall. Retirement for Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) and Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was more spectacular, the pair coming together on lap five when dicing over eighth place: both riders will now arrive to Europe next month out of the top ten in the Championship leaderboard. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was the rider to take advantage in Thailand, finishing best of the rest in eighth ahead of Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia), who did well to nurse his injured shoulder into the top ten in the race.
The Championship resumes with the Pirelli Aragón Round in three weeks´ time.
Race Two Results
Tuesday Feb 20th, 2018 - Keen to get out on track for the final day of the 2018 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship pre-season, the weather was kinder to riders Down Under on Tuesday and they took advantage of two full sessions on track. With less than three days to go until the first official WorldSBK session of the season begins, it was Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) who secured the first honours in Australia.
Blue skies welcomed the riders out on track this morning and Rea ended on top, despite a crash through turn 10. Finishing ahead of Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) by 0.206s, Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was in third but nearly half a second behind the Kawasaki rider. Beginning to improve the rear feeling they have been consistently searching for, Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) was fourth and close to Melandri, whilst Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) bounced back from a crash early this morning to take a top five finish.
The afternoon’s final session continued to have the sunny weather and some stunning action, with times tumbling compared to the morning.
After losing some time in this morning’s session once they changed the front callipers on the Panigale R machines, Melandri and Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) once again had a mixed day over all. With the Italian completing a stronger test, he was surprised and happy with his pace so far. Ending his day in third overall, he was half a second ahead of team-mate Davies in 11th.
Laverty ended the day in a strong position of fourth, despite a crash towards the end of the day at turn four. After working with both his RSV4 RF machines set-up almost identically. Again focusing on rear grip, his team are now looking at the pace throughout the full race distance, hoping to be able to challenge at the front of the pack until the end. On the other side of the garage, Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) suffered from problems with his number one machine. Despite this the Italian improved on his opening day time, and with a final position of, tenth he was happy with the overall test.
Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team continued to work on the pace for the race, changing very little to Monday’s set-up and are hoping to be as fully prepared for the weekend as possible. Improving on their times from the opening day, they are able finish in the top seven. Michael van der Mark was sixth and Alex Lowes in seventh.
Wednesday February 21st 2018 - Short, fast, sweeping, unpredictable, undulating, breath-taking, 4.4km of pure adrenaline. Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit is the perfect backdrop for the opening round of the 2018 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, and it’s set to be a season to remember. Everything restarts here, and if previous experience is anything to go by, we will be treated to a weekend of remarkable racing action to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
The man with the target on his back is reigning world champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team), who has won five out of the last six races around Phillip Island. Already impressing with his pace throughout the two day Official test in Australia, it is difficult to look past Rea as a podium finisher this weekend. Despite suffering from three crashes over the two days, he heads into the first round of the season after working through all of his testing regime and is ready for the battle. British team-mate Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) could be the dark horse this year, as he prepares for his ninth season with the Provec squad. Heading into 2018 with a clear mind and determined attitude, he explains he feels stronger than last season, especially following the pre-season tests on the green machine. Never winning around the Australian circuit, Sykes was on pole in 2016 and has only taken three podiums here – but with a strong two days at the Official test it would be hard to rule him out.
Over in the red corner, Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) has been spending his winter nursing an injury sustained in the Jerez test back in November. Struggling slightly with the set up of his Panigale R throughout the winter, the newly-wed is hoping to find some magic ahead of the weekend. Finishing on the podium on half of his appearances around the 4.4km circuit, Davies is yet to win despite being involved in some sensational battles – most notably the one to the line last season. Whilst Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) had a stronger official test to start the week, and with victorious memories of the circuit from his time in the 125cc and 250cc World Championships, he will no doubt go into the race with a positive outlook. Making his return to the series here last season in which he took a podium finish, he clearly has the pace and a strong mindset should help ahead of the weekend.
With podium finishes to his name in Australia in both WorldSSP and WorldSBK, Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) has been building a solid pace with his YZF-R1 throughout the two day test, with a good pace the first and final sectors of the track. One of seven circuits he has taken a WorldSBK podium around, he will be hoping to make a big impact for the start of 2018. Whilst Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) is working to continue with the podium pace he acquired last season, and despite being locked in a stunning top three battle in 2017, he is yet to take home a trophy from Australia.
An all new line up welcomes all new challenges for the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team, as Leon Camier and Jake Gagne prepare to battle on the Fireblade CBR1000RR SP2 machines. Impressing with a strong pre-season pace so far since first swinging his leg over the bike, Camier may not be confident of having the race pace yet, but he is showing positive signs on the machine. Taking a best result of fifth position around the circuit, the British rider will have a challenging weekend ahead, whilst team-mate Gagne will be hoping to make a solid and steady start to his first appearance as a permenant WorldSBK rider.
Returning to the WorldSBK paddock for the first time since 2014, Loris Baz (GULF Althea BMW Racing Team) is ready for a challenging but enjoyable season. Starting to understand the German machine, he had a strong two day test in Australia and will be eager to quickly adjust to the Pirelli tyres and be fighting for some strong positions. Positive memories from 2014 will surely follow the 25 year old, after he secured a podium with Kawasaki, Down Under.
After a difficult two day test, Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) will be wanting to put the opening day behind him. The Spanish rider crashed at 190kph but bounced back up and will continue to work with his new team as they try to develop the Italian machine. Taking a fourth position here back in 2015, Torres has plenty of experience Down Under to help his adjust to his new bike.
 Melandi was on top at Phillip Island, here in Race One with team mate Chaz Davies and Kawasaki's Tom Sykes.
2018 SBK Motul World Superbike Championship, Phillip Island, Australia, Round 1 of 13
Phillip Island, Australia Feb 23-25th 2018 - After taking the opening race of the 2018 WorldSBK Championship on Saturday 24th , the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team did the double at Phillip Island (Australia)on Sunday the 25th with team rider Marco Melandri. The race itself went down to the wire and was decided by only 0.021 seconds as Marco caught Kawasaki's reigning champ Jonthan Rae by just a foot at the finsih line.. It's Melandri's 22nd win in WorldSBK, which makes him the most successful Italian in the production-based series. Chaz Davies, on the other hand, rode a strong yet unlucky race, and was forced to retire after crashing during lap 12 at turn 9 while he was in the lead.
Race 2 was characterized by a mandatory tire change, a decision taken by Race Direction for safety reasons, which prompted the riders to pit-in from lap 10 to 12. At the end of lap 11, both Davies and Melandri had a near perfect pit-stop and rejoined the race in first and second position respectively. While trying to build a gap at the front, however, the Welshman crashed out, while Melandri fought in a group of three riders at the top, making the difference down the stretch.
The Ducati's had the top speed advantage of the normally dominate Kawasaki team bikes of Jonthan Rea and Tom Sykes, easily abkle to draft past them on the long front staightway thanks to the new 250 rpm Balance of Performame Restriction the dominate Team Green bikes have been handicapped with the start of thsi season.
After one round, Melandri (50 points) and Davies (16 points) are respectively first and seventh in the championship. The Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team will be back on track on March 23-25 at Buriram (Thailand) for the second round of 2018.
Chaz Davies (7) and
and fellow Panigale rider Xavi Fores (12) soon past Rea (10 on the opening laps, with Melandri (33) not far behind. Check out Van der Mark (60) wheeling the Pata Yamaha sideways across the painted rumble strip!
Saturday Race One - Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) put in a stunning ride at Phillip Island to win the opening race of 2018, stalking his way through the podium places before being able to catch and pass earlier race leader and polesitter Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team). Melandri adds the victory to an illustrious list of glory accrued at the Australian track, including MotoGP™ and 250 World Championship wins. Behind Sykes, who took second, Melandri’s teammate Chaz Davies completed the podium – slicing past reigning Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) right at the end to begin his season on the rostrum after some late drama for Rea.
Sykes bolted from pole and the Brit was in clear air for much of the race, with an impressive start for teammate Rea from further back catapulting him up into P2 to chase down his sister green machine. But Melandri made for close company for the reigning Champion throughout, stalking Rea before passing him and then heading off to chase down Sykes.
The Italian got past the Brit with enough time left to pull away for a safer win – but Sykes held firm in second to take only his fourth podium at the track since 2009; making a huge statement of intent in the title fight. Meanwhile behind him, teammate Rea began to suffer with issues and his pace dropped.
From a seemingly safe podium finish, the reigning Champion faded quickly – with Davies and fellow Panigale rider Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) soon on the scene and both soon past Rea. Rea followed Fores over the line for fifth, but Fores did make it into parc ferme, taking the honours as top Independent Team rider in the first race of the season and getting an early lead on some of his key competitors for that title.
Meanwhile for sixth, a stunning Yamaha duel saw Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team’s Michael van der Mark and Alex Lowes side-by-side, but the Dutchman began to suffer in the latter stages after his early charge and dropped back, leaving Lowes in P6. Leon Camier (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) made progress in the race after a crash in Tissot-Superpole and was able to come home in seventh with a late charge, breaking free of van der Mark and Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia).
Laverty had a more difficult race day to come home P8 after being third fastest on Friday, with van der Mark taking ninth at the flag and just staying ahead of Leandro Mercado, who completed the top ten for Orelac Racing Verdnatura – an impressive first race of 2018 for the Argentinean.
Loris Baz (GULF ALTHEA BMW Racing Team) took eleventh and was close to the top ten on his return to WorldSBK despite a heavy crash on Friday, with American Jake Gagne debuting full time for Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team in twelfth. Toprak Razgalioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) got his WorldSBK career off to a solid start in P13, ahead of Roman Romas (Team GoEleven Kawasaki) and Ondrej Jezek (Guandalini Racing).
Race One Complete Results
Sunday Race Two - After the announcement on Saturday that Race 2 of #AusWorldSBK would be a flag to flag with a maximum of 12 laps allowed on one set of tyres, the scene was set for a showdown with a difference and Sunday didn’t disappoint. After a huge fight at the front off the line, the battle incredibly resumed full force after the stop – and by the end, a three-rider battle to decide the podium order saw Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) complete the double by just hundredths of a second.
Off the line it was reigning Champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) who took the holeshot, but the field remained tightly packed together in a close fight throughout the top ten. Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) was then able to get past and get away, pushing hard at the front in an impressive show of pace, but it wasn’t to be as the Irishman then crashed out of contention and left the big group to fight it out at the front.
After Laverty’s fall, Rea, Melandri, Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), Leon Camier (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team), Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) and Pata Yamaha WorldSBK duo Michael van der Mark and Alex Lowes were locked in all-out war – and the laps were ticking down towards the mandatory time to make their pitstop.
The first ever mandatory tire Pit Stop in WSBK wastried in the 2nd race at Phillip Island, to see it it will add excitement to the show. And it did. Photo by Kel Edge. Check out Ducati's custom wheel holder.
The first three riders to pit out the lead group were Fores, Rea and van der Mark, with the trio piling into pitlane as the battle remained raging at the front. Davies, Melandri, Lowes and Camier kept it pinned as the three former leaders in pitlane waited the mandatory pit intervention time out, before next time around Davies led the four of the second wave in. Heading out pitlane as the other three blasted down the main straight, the group incredibly reformed almost exactly as it had been but with Davies ahead – and there were just nine uninterrupted laps left.
Chaz Davies looked stong in his first race weekend with Ten Kate Red Beull Honda.
If the fight wasn’t enough drama already, there was more soon on the way as Race 1 podium finisher and perennial title contender Davies suddenly slid out the lead – having just gained a sliver of daylight between himself and the chasing pack. Rider ok but unable to rejoin, that left Independent Team rider Xavi Fores leading the way, with Rea, Sykes, Melandri, van der Mark, Lowes and Camier concertinaing and tousling for position in the tight battle behind.
As a gap began to appear and Rea appeared to have been able to pull away, the big mover was Melandri and the Italian was far from done. After his stunning Race 1 win managed to perfection, Race 2 was a different animal and the Italian sliced his way through towards the front, passing Sykes into Turn 1 and the Englishman then dropping back slightly as he got stood up. As the last lap dawned, it was Rea leading Melandri and Fores, and the stage was set.
Not quite close enough to make it work into Turn 1, Melandri kept his head down and edged closer to the Kawasaki ahead of him – not quite able to make a move at the hairpin or Lukey Heights, but tagged right onto the back of Rea. Tucking in behind the Kawasaki and catapulting himself out the final corner, the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati rider slipstreamed it to perfection before pulling out alongside Rea, incredibly just able to take it over the line with a photo finish so close, the Ducati box put the pause on their celebrations until the result was confirmed.
Fores completed the podium, with Sykes putting together another solid result at the Island – following his best ever result at the track the day before – to come home fourth. Fifth was another good haul of points for Alex Lowes, who crossed the line ahead of Camier and van der Mark.
Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) took eighth and got some points on the board after retiring from Race 1, ahead of Loris Baz (GULF ALTHEA BMW Racing Team) on his returning weekend and a first top ten result for rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing).
America celebrated the addition of two of their riders
on factory Hondas in World Superbike, Jake Gagne pictured with Ten Kate, and PJ Jacobson with TripleM, since the loss of Nicky Hayden last May.
Roman Ramos (Team GoEleven Kawasaki) kept his reputation for consistency going in P11, just ahead of fellow Independent Team rider Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing Verdnatura). American Jake Gagne (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) took thirteenth after bouncing back from a crash earlier in the race, with PJ Jacobsen (TripleM Honda World Superbike Team) and Laverty, able to rejoin but two laps down, completing the fastest fifteen.
So after opening the season with a double, that makes Melandri the first key Championship leader of the year, but Rea’s 20 points for second in Race 2 were a good bounce back following late issues in Race 1 and a fifth at the flag. Sykes is second in the title fight as it stands, however – and next up it’s all change at Chang International Circuit in Buriram.
Race Two Complete Results
Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati #33) – 1st, 1st
"It's been a crazy race. The tire change made it impossible to come up with a strategy, as many riders could be fast for 10 laps. It was a big fight, with many aggressive maneuvers. We still tried to look after the tires after the pit-stop, and in the last five laps we found our rhythm. Towards the end, it was difficult to pass Rea under braking so I decided to focus on the final sprint and catch the slipstream out of the last corner, in which we were particularly fast, and the plan worked. I'm super happy and can't wait to race at Buriram."
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati #7) – 2nd, DNF
"Honestly, I felt great and I thought we had some margin in the first half of the race. Then, after we changed tires, I still thought we could go for the win. I think it's the first time I've ever pushed so hard on a completely new tire, as we never leave the pits and go from zero to 100 percent like that, so maybe we took it just a bit too far and made a mistake even though it was quite late in the corner when I lost the front. This year there will be plenty of riders capable of fighting for the podium, like we've seen here, so it'll be interesting. We'll regroup and be ready to fight at Buriram."
Jonathan Rea, 6th, 2nd stated: “My only chance to win the race was to try and be in the lead out of the last corner. On the penultimate lap and during the race they were passing me on the straight. When I got passed by Marco into T1 I just thought ‘I am going to let the brakes off and go right down the apex and see what happens!’ I wanted to put together the best last lap I could but all weekend we have been struggling with fourth gear. It was too long for that corner and we did not have enough drive on the exit. I could not get it done today and I made a bit of a mess of my pit exit. I completely forgot to change into second gear to release the pit rev limiter and both van der Mark and Fores came past me, so I lost track position. When we came round there were already a few riders ahead so I gave myself some work to do. I am happy to turn the page and start afresh in Thailand.”
Tom Sykes, 2nd, 4th stated: “In one respect it has been very successful weekend and in another I am disappointed because I really felt that that race, potentially, was mine. I had such a good feeling with the bike but unfortunately on lap three we started to have a small technical issue and for some reason the power dropped off in some sectors of the track. Apart from that the general set-up of the bike was spot-on. In one respect we were lucky to get to the end of the race and take the championship points, but honestly I felt a better result was taken away from me. But, I have to be upbeat because it is Phillip Island in windy conditions. I had a good feeling with the Ninja ZX-10RR this weekend and there are lots of positives to take from this round. I am looking at going to Thailand now and making progress through the season.”
Australian National Superbike Championship, Phillip Island, Saturday Feb 24th 2018 - His identity card may show his 48 years, but the retired 3-Time World Superbike Champion still has the spirit of a 15 year old making his début on a bike. Troy Bayliss was the true protagonist of the Australian Superbike opening race, held this weekend on the Phillip Island track concurrently with the World Superbike round.
Already in the qualifiers on Friday, the rider from Taree had shown signs of great competitiveness astride his Panigale 1299 Final Edition shod with Pirelli tyres, and he did not hold back in the race, taking a textbook second place. It was a race conditioned by the rain, so much that race direction was forced to stop it after six laps and then restart it with the same number of laps.
At the first start, Bayliss struggled to maintain the same pace as the leaders, sliding back from third to seventh after less than one lap. Despite the difficulties, the Ducati rider began to twist the throttle, making up position after position until reaching second place behind race leader Josh Waters astride his Suzuki. Then the red flag came out due to the rain and stopped the race.
At the restart, the Australian stayed on Waters’ pipes, avoiding even the tiniest mistake. As if that were not enough, the attack to take the lead came on the third lap. Troy took command of the race, with the fans exploding into a roar of approval trackside. The Ducati rider seemed unstoppable, but he had to reckon with the return of Troy Herfoss who snatched the lead from him just two laps from the end. The Honda rider, once in the lead, raced toward victory and Bayliss had to settle for second place with a margin of only 201 thousandths, followed by Waters and his Suzuki. Troy may not have one, but that does not matter much; trackside, the cheers were all for him.
In any case, the Bayliss family takes home a win on this race Saturday and it is the one earned by young Oli, Troy’s son, in the Super Sport 300 category on a Kawasaki. Look out Dad!
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
in Agoura, CA.
Our Calendar Bike Building Championship joined Russell Mitchell / Exile Cycles for the Rider RoundUp at the Ranch at the Paramount Western Movie Ranch in Agoura, CA, down the road from the Rock Store, for an exciting day of Custom Motorcyles, Activities, Venders, Manufacturers and Live Music. It's a benefit to fight Leukemia.
Saturday July 15th, Woodland Hills, CA - Top Calendar Bike Buider's joined Calenda photographer Jim Gianatsis at Jim's home / studio for a private Calendar BikeBuilder Party Shoot on July 15th 2017 with Invited Calendar Bike Builders and Calendar Kittens, followed by a Dinner Party with Live Music.It all took place at the FastDates.com Calendar Photo Studio in Woodland Hills, CA.
Some of the top custom bike builders and beautiful models joining us for the 2017 Calendar Bike Builder Party included former Calendar Bike Building Championship winners Samuel Kao / JSK Design, Adam Bean / Custom Airbrushing, Ron Simms / Simms Customs, Jim Giuffra / AFT Customs and Richard Jones. Shooting with us this week were former FastDates.com Calendar Kitten Sara Balint featured in our advertising campaign, and adult starlet Brittni Palmer. The live music was provided by Alex Nester, vocalist and keyboards for the legendary Carlos Santa Band, and singer songwriter Lenachka.
Complete 2017 Calendar Bike Builder Party & Rider RoundUp Show Coverage Here
Dovizioso passes Marquez on the front staight to take the win, just after a wild passes and repass in the final corner
2018 MotoGP World Championship, Qatar, Round 1 of 17
Losail International Circuit, Qatar, Sunday March18th 2018 - the season with a sensational last lap performance, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) beat Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) to the line at the Losail International Circuit by just 0.027s, lighting the fuse on 2018 from the very first race. And the 'Doctor' Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) completed the podium, putting in another Sunday stunner from Row 3 of the grid.
Frenchman Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) shot off pole position to take the lead into the first corner but there was nothing to split the top ten riders in the opening laps, and it looked as if any one of them could fight for the victory throughout the 22-lap thriller. With fastest laps flying in on each lap, Zarco was still able to keep hold of the lead.
With big battles taking place behind him, the French rider kept calm at the front whilst Rossi made his way through the field to get into podium fighting positions by the third lap, hunting down his fellow Yamaha in the lead. Marquez was never far away from the fight, sitting in the top five as soon as the lights went out. As ten laps had been completed riders were getting into a rhythm, but you could sense action was on the horizon.
Silent assassin Dovizioso moved up to third position on lap 11 as he spent the start of the race working through the field, passing his countryman Rossi who slipped back to the riders fighting for fifth. A clear battled had now developed for the podium, with Dovizioso and Marquez closing in on Zarco and they were able to make their move on the 18th lap, with Zarco losing two positions into the opening corner - as Dovizisoso took the lead. Dovizioso and Marquez then began to break away, pushing themselves to the final corner of the final lap – taking no prisoners. Reigning world champion Marquez made his move through turn 15 but he was unable to make it stick, and Dovizoso led into the final corner meaning he was able to slingshot his Desmosedici over the line, 0.027s ahead. Another last lap showdown, and another Dovizioso victory in style. Behind the duo,
Rossi fought off his rivals to secure a safe third position ahead of top independent rider Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), whilst Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) made some strong moves on the closing laps to complete the top five. Comeback king Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) crossed the line in sixth after being down in 14th on the opening lap, just ahead of Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team), who made his 200th start in the premier class.
Early race leader Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) crossing the line in eighth after struggling more in the latter stages, with Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) completing the top ten. Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) opened the season in 11th, ahead of top rookie Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) who crossed the line in the top 12, as Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team) salvaged three points from a tough weekend in 13th. Making his MotoGP™ debut, Malaysian Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) took a top 14 finish and his first points, ahead of Karel Abraham (Angel Nieto Team) who takes home the final point from Qatar in 15th.
It was a bad start to the season for Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar), who crashed out of the top six fight on the 13th lap at turn two, whilst Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) had a start to 2018 to forget and the Spaniard crashed out on the same lap – finding his brakes unresponsive at turn 16. The paddock will now pack up and head to Argentina from 6th – 8th April for the second round of what is set to be a phenomenal MotoGP™ season - and the fuse is already lit.
MotoGP™ Race Results - Comple Results Here
1 - Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) DUCATI 42'34.654
2 - Marc Márquez (SPA) HONDA +0.027
3 - Valentino Rossi (ITA) YAMAHA+ 0.797
4 - Cal Crutchlow (GBR) HONDA +2.881
 The new Ducati Panigale V4 Stradale Superbike was voted at EICMA "The most Beautful Bike of the Show". November 2017, Milan, Italy - The world's premier motorcycle Show at EICMA in Italy premiered many new motorcyckes models from all the major manufacturers in both the Sportbike, Touring nd Entry level markets to show the economy has now recovered enought that the manufactuers are inveting in development and new models. The most notable being Ducai's new Stradle V4 power Panigale Superbike, the new replacment for the much loved Ducati V-twin which has garnerd countless World Superbike Championships with 5 generations over the last 28 years.
The Panigale V4.Ducati's new 6th Generation bike that begins an exciting new chapter in the Ducati story, a new “symphony” of all-Italian performance and emotion. The Panigale V4 Superbike is the first mass-produced Ducati bike to mount a four-cylinder engine, derived directly from the MotoGP Desmosedici. It's a concentrate of Ducati technology, style and performance. With an engine displacement of 1,103 cm3, 214 hp and a power/weight ratio of 1.1 hp/kg, this bike sets a new standard in the supersport production bike segment. More 2018 Ducati Superbikes and Stradale V4 Details & Phtos Continued Here
The 959 Panigale Corse is the superlative sports version of the legendary Italian twin cylinder. Thanks to suspensions by Öhlins, type-approved Ducati Performance silencers in titanium by Akrapovič, a lithium-ion battery and a dedicated colour scheme inspired by the colours of the MotoGP, the 959 Panigale Corse is ready to race.
The 955 cm3 Superquadro engine is Euro 4 type-approved and has a maximum power of 150 hp at 10,500 rpm. The maximum torque is 102 Nm at 9,000 rpm. Such characteristics enable high performance on the track and enjoyable on-road riding, without having to compromise on long maintenance intervals. The valve clearance control is in fact every 24,000 km. More 2018 Ducati Superbikes Continued Here
This naked streetfighter Honda CB1000R uses the current Honda Superbike engine and chassis. We love it!
Varese, 9th October 2017 - The allure and excitement of the World Superbike Championship are incorporated into the elegant yet extreme lines of the MV Agusta F4 RC. Assembled piece by piece, with the same meticulous attention to detail that is seen in Leon Camier’s F4 Reparto Corse race bike. Produced in a limited series, as is becoming of such a truly exclusive bike. The F4 RC symbolises the razor-sharp racing spirit the Italian manufacturer brings to the world’s racetracks with Leon Camier. For the legendary MV Agusta F4 model, the RC represents the peak of technical evolution and dynamic performance. Colours and graphics match those of the factory team, ensuring at-a-glance racing excitement. The number 37 on the fairing recalls the number of manufacturers’ titles won by MV Agusta over the course of its long history.
Engine
The technical base of the F4 RC comes from that of the F4 Reparto Corse, starting with the Corsa Corta four-cylinder in-line engine (bore 79 mm, stroke 50.9 mm) with central distribution chain and radial valves. This version puts out a maximum power of 205 hp (151 kW); a dedicated kit adds a further 7 HP, giving a total of 212 hp (158 kW).
More 2018 New Motorcycle Premiers HERE
Winston Yeh's exciting new MV Agusta "Ballastic" Custom with Calendar Kitten Jillian Janson with complete Build Details and a Large Screen Size Photo Gallery. - http://www.FastDates.com/IronLaceGarage.HTM
2018 SBK Motul World Superbike Championship Preview
October 25th, 2017 - The Superbike Commission composed of Messrs Rezsö Bulcsu (FIM CCR Director), Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA Representative), Gregorio Lavilla (WorldSBK Sporting Director), in the presence of Messrs Paul Duparc (FIM CCR Coordinator), Charles Hennekam (International Technical Commission Coordinator), Daniel Carrera (WorldSBK Executive Director) and Scott Smart (FIM Technical Director) have announced the changes for the 2018 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship from an electronic meeting held on Tuesday 24 October 2017.
The 2018 regulations have been agreed following the consideration of multiple aspects of the Series. A detailed analysis was carried out in collaboration with teams, riders, and manufacturers, with particular focus to parity, affordability and competition. As a result, the main changes of this analysis are detailed in the points below.
2018 FIM Technical Regulations
REV LIMIT
The balancing system using air restrictors has been replaced with a rev limiting system. The rev limit can be altered at various points throughout the season and applies to each individual manufacturer.
CONCESSIONS
A concession points system will be introduced to restrict engine development of the fastest machines. At certain stages in the season teams that have achieved fewer concession points will be allowed to introduce updated concession parts.
As a secondary benefit, the private teams will get access to cost capped engine parts to help them reach performance levels similar to the factory supported teams.
FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSIONS AND APPROVED ENGINE PARTS
Price caps and approval process have been applied to several key frame, suspension and engine parts. These are called approved parts. This process ensures access and availability to all parts for all teams along with controlled pricing.
The version of the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship regulations, which contain the detailed text changes are available on the FIM website - http://www.fim-live.com/en/library/
Editors Note: There's so much going on behind the scenes in WSBK tech regulations that most people just don't know about. The first year 2014 the Ducati 1199R was raced in World Superbike by the independent Althea team, the bike wasn't competitive and they were secretly told by WSBK they could do whatever they wanted outside the regulations to make the bike competitive. Unfortunately the Ducati factory race department had yet to do any race development on the new 1199R bike and had no special parts (pistons, rods, cams, exhaust, electronics etc) to give to Althea. It was Aprilia's more powerful new RSV4 won the title that year. The public thought the new Panigale V2 Superbike was a failure (though it did win the European Superstock 1000 class). However the 1199RS did become competitive the next year 2015 once the Ducati factory took back over the team from Althea and developed the bike for the Superbike class.
This is why the Ducati factory team is still racing the Panigale V2 for 2018 despite the introduction to the market of the new V4. Ducati Corse needs a full year back at the factory to develop and test new race parts for the V4 which they will finally race in 2019.
But keep in mind, because the new Panigale V4 is based on Ducati's 260hp MotoGP bike and could potentially make that much power, when the V4 does come to WSBK next year, it will be restricted back to around 220 hp which is where Dorna wants to keep the Superbike power limit at, so they don't compete with their premier MotoGP Championship. From now on out, Dorna will try to keep all the bikes in the Superbike class restict to 220hp based on a Superstock engine, and if one brand wins too much, they will receive a further horsepower restriction by way of a lowered RPM limit.
Reigning Kawasaki World Superbike Champions Jonthna Ray and Tom Sykes return to the battle again in 2018. Will the newly imposed RPM restrictions for the ZX-10R level the playing field for the other manufacturers, are has the Kawasaki team done enough development in the off-season to make up the loss? Stay tuned...
We're Back! Riding Edelweiss Motorcycle Tour - From Paris to Omaha, France
Versailles, France, August 2016 - How we spent our summer vacation! On the exciting Edelweiss Bike Travel 2016 Paris to Omaha Beach 10-day motorcycle tour across western France visiting the histroric battle sites of World War II where editor Jim Ginatsis father, B26 bomber pilot Capt. James Gianatsi played a pivital role in te D-say invasion and liberating France. We rode 2-up two-up with awesome FastDates.com SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Kaustin "Kaussie" Rose in a story for the FastDates.com Website. Our bike of choice would be the newly introduced BMW R 1000 XR Sport Tourer, based on the potent BMW R 1000 RR Superbike. For the Complete Story Click on the Photos or Check Out the Complete Story Here
For complete Pricing, Bikes, and Booking Information visit the Edelweiss Website Here
Now in the Calendar Bike Garage... The World's Coolest Naked Ducati!
Beauitful FastDates.com Calendar Kitten Sara takes us for a ride on the world's most exotic and expensive Ducati streetbike
ever - a $110,000 Vyrus NCR 983 Superleggera in the Calendar Bike Garage and in Members Corner.
Now in the FastDates.com Calendar Bike Garage!
David Beckham's Amazon Triumph Scrambler build by legenday Calendar Bike Builder Rickard Pollock / Mule Motorcycles, photographed with Calendar Kitten and Penthouse Pet Aleska in BIG full screen saver size photos.
Now in the Calendar Bike Garage...
Samuel Kao's Calendar Bike Show class winning BMW R 90T Bar Hopper with beauitful FastDates.com SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Sara featured in the Calendar Bike Garage / Members Corner and in the new 2016 Iron & Lace Calendar
Mike LaFountain's 2016 LA Calendar Bike Show class winning 1967 Kawasaki W1 Cafe Racer with SBK Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar Kitten Jessica Harbour in Big Screen Saver Size Pictures and bike details - http://www.FastDates.com/IronLaceGarage.HTM
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Jake Gagne completes Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team for 2018
Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team, Dec 7th 2017 - American rider Jake Gagne will race alongside Leon Camier in the 2018 FIM Superbike World Championship for the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team. The 24-year-old from San Diego, California, will reunite with the squad to take on his maiden full season in the series on board the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.
Gagne joined the team for the first time last July, when he made his World Superbike debut at Laguna Seca. After a strong showing in front of his home crowd, he was recruited by Honda and the team for two more rounds, firstly at Magny-Cours and then at the Losail International Circuit for the season finale. Jake constantly improved his performance and feeling with the WorldSBK-spec Fireblade machine as he claimed best results of twelfth on three separate occasions.
Gagne also contested a complete season in the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship on Honda machinery with the Genuine Broaster Chicken Honda Racing team.
Camier joins Honda for the 2018 FIM Superbike World Championship
October 15th 2017 - Honda Motor Europe and the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team are pleased to announce the signing of Leon Camier, who will join the squad for the 2018 FIM Superbike World Championship. The 31-year-old from Ashford, Kent, United Kingdom, will be riding the WorldSBK-spec version of the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 throughout the upcoming season.
British Superbike champion in 2009, Camier joined WorldSBK on a full-time basis the following year and since then he established himself as one of the most talented and quickest riders in the field. Over the years, Camier has also gathered a wealth of experience by racing on several different machines, and his combination of speed, experience and determination will be a huge asset to the team.
Camier will join the team at the end of the current season to start the winter testing programme on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.
Stefan Bradl to miss the final two rounds of the 2017 WorldSBK season
Sept 30th - Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team’s Stefan Bradl will miss the remaining two rounds of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship. The 27-year-old German highsided in the early stages of race one at Portimão on September 16th and was forced to miss the second encounter due to strong pain in his right wrist. Following extensive medical checks back home in Augsburg, Germany, and being diagnosed with a torn scaphulonate ligament, Bradl underwent arthroscopy surgery on Thursday, September 28th, in which doctors inserted pins and wire to put back the two sides of the torn ligament in position – so that the healing process can begin. A seven-week full rest of the right forearm has been ordered by the group of doctors who performed the surgery, with a total of eight weeks required before Stefan will be able to begin with physiotherapy.
New Classes Introduced For MotoAmerica 2018
$1 Million In
Prize Money On Offer
COSTA MESA, CA (September 13, 2017) – MotoAmerica has announced it is making changes to its class structure for the 2018 MotoAmerica Series with the addition of three new classes and the realignment of two others.
MotoAmerica has announced changes in the class structure for 2018.|Photo by Brian J. Nelson.
The three new classes are Stock 1000, Twins and the previously announced Junior Cup, which takes the place of the KTM RC Cup. The 2018 season will also see the demise of Superstock 1000 and Superstock 600 with those two classes no longer incorporated into the Motul Superbike and Supersport classes, respectively.
The Motul Superbike class will be just that beginning in 2018 – Superbikes only. The same goes for Supersport. Supersport will see an adjustment in technical rules, blending parts of both the current Supersport and Superstock 600 technical rules.
“Our focus has always been to build the Superbike class,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “The Superstock 1000 bikes have proven to be competitive in the Superbike class and the teams and riders who run those bikes are now racing near the front at every round. We also found that having the Superstock 1000 class inside the Superbike class was confusing for our fans and we feel the class will gain strength by being Superbike-only going forward. We look forward to having a Superbike class with top-notch motorcycles, riders and teams from the top of the field to the bottom – just as the premier class should be.”
The reasoning behind doing away with the Superstock 600 class mirrors the reasons behind going to Superbike-only – to do away with the confusion of having two classes racing on track at the same time.
The Stock 1000 class is designed to be a feeder class to Superbike, giving riders the chance to gain experience on 1000cc motorcycles before making the move to Superbike. The class licensing restrictions will ensure this category will be for participants with little or no current 1000cc experience at the National level.
The new Twins class is an addition that will address one of the most popular categories of motorcycles sales, as well as giving tuners some freedom to modify suspension and engine components. The class has also shown strong participation throughout the club racing scene.
The Junior Cup will be open to manufacturers who homologate machines for the category. The class will continue to have an age limit, though that has changed from 14-22 years old to 14-25 years old.
The series will further be bolstered by an impressive offering of over $1 million in prize money for the 2018 season with over $775,000 earmarked towards the Motul Superbike class.
“We’re proud to be able to announce a big increase in purse money,” said Rainey. “Most notably that comes in the Superbike class as we continue to look for ways that the MotoAmerica Series can benefit teams. We are also hopeful of continuing to provide additional funds in the years to come.”
The provisional technical rules for all 2018 MotoAmerica classes can be found here:
Superbike
Supersport
Stock 1000
Twins
Junior Cup
Licensing information for each of the classes can be found here: Licensing Information
The Devil Made Us Do It!
Testing the Ducati Diavel in Italy
New BMW HP4 Superbike
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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