Carlos Checa / Alstare Ducati topped the final day of offical testing on Tuesday the 19th running up to this weekend's 2013 World Superbike season opener at Phillip Island, Australia

2013 SBK Eni World Superbike Championship, Round 1 Phillip Island

Preview: All Set for 2013 World Superbike Season Opener at Phillip Island
Phillip Island (Australia), Sunday 17 February 2013 – The countdown to the 26th edition of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship is almost over, as the upcoming Season Opener weekend will officially start the international motorsport year. The six manufacturers involved in the series (Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki) will once again aim to achieve the ultimate goal of victory.
As on a continuing basis since 2009, the production-based racing championship kicks off at the fascinating Phillip Island GP Circuit, one of the most spectacular and renowned track of the whole motorcycle world scene. The refreshed Australian venue has recently undergone a 3 million dollar resurface.

Many potential title contenders among the nineteen full time entries for the crown left unattended by Max Biaggi, including last season’s runner up Tom Sykes who missed the final achievement last year for a mere half-point gap. The Kawasaki Racing Team rider - flanked once again by Frenchman Loris Baz – will try his best to bring back the 20 year long awaited title to the Akashi manufacturer.
BMW realignment effort brings Marco Melandri and BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team a double challenge, with the Italian division led by Andrea Buzzoni now in charge of race operations. The Ravenna-born rider sets his sights on what his and Brand’s first title in the series would be, after marking his name in BMW history thanks to six individual race wins in 2012. Following a positive Superbike debut season, Chaz Davies was selected as the second rider of the team.

The resounding comeback of Alstare Team and its two-year partnership with Ducati goes hand in hand with 1199 Panigale R World Superbike debut. Borgo Panigale’s brand-new bike will be brought on track by former champion Carlos Checa and team mate Ayrton Badovini. A third Ducati will be lined up on the grid by MR-Racing Team and returning Max Neukirchner.

Above, Aprilia's 2013 reigning World Superbike Championship team, less retired Champ Max Biaggi, was presented in Milan, Italy, two weeks ago with returning Eugen Laverty (58) and newly signed Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli (50).

Aprilia launches its two World Title defence campaign with a brand new rider duo, with confirmed Eugene Laverty joined by new signing Sylvain Guintoli. The manufacturer from Noale will have two private teams on its side: Althea Racing Team featuring Italian rising star Davide Giugliano and Andrea Petricca’s Red Devils, with Michel Fabrizio as the team’s sole rider.

Leon Haslam crossed path again with Honda to join fellow Brit Jonathan Rea. The golden wing brand and its WSBK outfit chose to keep the faith on Northern Ireland’s star, the only one rider able to place the CBR1000RR on the top step of the podium over the last four seasons.

FIXI Crescent Suzuki Team takes on its second World Superbike season, following a tough debut year. Jules Cluzel, graduated from Supersport after an impressive rookie season in the series, will be alongside Leon Camier. 2013 is going to be the 16th consecutive year in the series for the Pedercini Team. Sweden’s Alexander Lundh – already with the team in the last four rounds of 2012 – and Italy’s Federico Sandi will tackle their first full WSBK campaign.

Two welcome comebacks, both onboard BMW S 1000 RR, end our World Superbike season preview: Vittorio Iannuzzo, new signing for Grillini DENTALMATIC SBK Team and Ivan Clementi, a five-season World Superbike veteran who joined forces with the debutant HTM Racing Team.
 
2013 World Superbike Class Permanante Entry List
1    50 Sylvain Guintoli FRA Aprilia RSV4 1000 Factory Aprilia Racing Team
2    58 Eugene Laverty IRL Aprilia RSV4 1000 Factory Aprilia Racing Team
3    19 Chaz Davies GBR BMW S1000 RR HP4 BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team
4    33 Marco Melandri ITA BMW S1000 RR HP4 BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team
5    66 Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki ZX-10R Kawasaki Racing Team
6    76 Loris Baz FRA Kawasaki ZX-10R Kawasaki Racing Team
7    34 Davide Giugliano ITA Aprilia RSV4 1000 Factory Althea Racing
8    65 Jonathan Rea GBR Honda CBR1000RR Pata Honda World Superbike Team
9    91 Leon Haslam GBR Honda CBR1000RR Pata Honda World Superbike Team
10    2 Leon Camier GBR Suzuki GSX-R1000 Fixi Crescent Suzuki
11  16 Jules Cluzel FRA Suzuki GSX-R1000 Fixi Crescent Suzuki
12  84 Michel Fabrizio ITA Aprilia RSV4 1000 Factory Red Devils Roma
13    5 Alexander Lundh SWE Kawasaki ZX-10R Pedercini Team
14  23 Federico Sandi ITA Kawasaki ZX-10R Pedercini Team
15  31 Vittorio Iannuzzo ITA BMW S1000 RR Grillini DENTALMATIC SBK Team
16  18 Ivan Clementi ITA BMW S1000 RR HTM Racing
17  27 Max Neukirchner GER Ducati Panigale 1199R MR-Racing
18    7 Carlos Checa ESP Ducati Panigale 1199R Team Ducati Alstare
19  86 Ayrton Badovini ITA Ducati Panigale 1199R Team Ducati Alstare

Alstare Ducati's Carlos Checa missed pre season testing at Phillip Island lasted week, sidelined in a local hospital with a stomache blockage problem, is now recovered and ready to ride. The new 1199RS Panigale remains handicapped with 52mm intake restrictors and down some 40 hp compared to the 4-cylinder bikes.

World Supersport
The FIM Supersport World Championship is now getting into its 15th edition and showing again the competitive level of these mid-sized production-based racing bikes, proved by the increasing interest of Manufacturers in this series – six this year (Honda, Kawasaki, MV Agusta, Suzuki, Triumph e Yamaha) – and the huge number of permanent riders on the starting grid (35 in 2013).

Turkish triple Supersport Champion Kenan Sofuoglu will race this year to defend the current title for the first time. The race bike #1 shows up after three years and it’s the ZX-6R of MAHI Racing Team Kawasaki, a new project started less than one year ago, once the season had already started, to build up on 2013 with ambitious goals - the Team also hired 2002 World Supersport Champion Frenchman Fabien Foret.

Performance Technical Racing, better known as PTR, does not sit back and goes for an all-new five rider line-up with an average of 21 years of age. Sheridan Morais will be leading PTR’s World Supersport assault after a positive rookie season in the series and a 6th final place.

Former PTR rider Sam Lowes moves to Russian Team Yakhnich Motorsport to join confirmed rider Vladimir Leonov. Pata Honda World Supersport Team’s Lorenzo Zanetti and Michael van der Mark will both embark in their first WSS season, as the Italian stepped down from Superbike class and the Dutch rising star promoted after winning the European Superstock 600 title. 2011 runner-up David Salom and multiple race winner Luca Scassa make their comeback to the series after a year. Both of them will be part of Josef Kubicek’s Intermoto PonyExpres Kawasaki Team.
 
The MV Agusta F3 is set to make World Supersport debut thanks to the partnership made by the Italian motorcycle maker with Giuliano Rovelli’s ParkinGO Team. Roberto Rolfo and Christian Iddon are the ones chosen to race the 675 cc Italian bike. Suriano Racing switches back to team owner’s beloved Suzuki and put the GSX-R 600 in the hands of Mathew Scholtz and Roberto Tamburini.

Hard charging Leon Camier.

Camier / Suzauki on Top in Phillip Island Unofficial Testing
Phillip Island February 15th - FIXI Crescent Suzuki racer Leon Camier finished the unofficial test at Phillip Island in Australia in fine style as he topped the time-sheets and recorded a lap under the current record.

Camier's 'unofficial' best lap-time of 1'31.2 was half-of-a-second under the current record and sent a powerful signal to the rest of the Superbike field that was assembled at Phillip Island for this private test. Camier produced his scintillating time during this morning using a race tyre, and then followed that up with an equally impressive and highly competitive race simulation and was the only rider to complete such a run. The FIXI Crescent Suzuki star also ended the day in spectacular style as he was pushing hard - and already 0.4-of-a-second under his best time - before he was involved in a very high-speed crash on the last corner of his last lap of the day. He lost the front of his machine and saw the bike disappear over the gravel trap and tyre wall, before coming to rest in the trees that surround the picturesque circuit. Camier again escaped unscathed, which was more than could be said for his FIXI Crescent Suzuki!

Camier and his crew will now assess the data gathered from the Yoshimura-powered GSX-R over these two productive days, before the team takes to the track again on Monday for a further two-day test. The Englishman will certainly be looking to build on his impressive start to the season as he heads toward the first race of 2013 next weekend.
Jules Cluzel was absent from today's events following a big crash in yesterday's testing, which led to him being admitted to hospital in Melbourne for a small operation to repair damage to his left elbow. The procedure has been a successful one and Cluzel plans to re-join the team this evening and be back on-track for the two-day test that starts on Monday.

Leon Camier: "The day started off really well and we got down to some good times. The bike felt really comfortable, we improved it a little bit chassis wise and the electronics are slowly getting better. We also did a race run, I was not really pushing it, but just trying to be comfortable and the keep the lap-times consistent. We can still improve the race pace and I think I can do a bit of that through my riding. At the end of the day we had a massive crash when I was pushing for a really fast lap - I just got caught out by the wind. The bike was absolutely totalled, so the boys have got a lot of work to do tonight! Hopefully we'll be back up to speed as soon as we get back on track on Monday."

Paul Denning - Fixi Suzuki Team Manager: "The high speed of the Phillip Island track, combined with the new high-grip but more unpredictable surface has caught out a lot of riders over these two-days and with two crashes each for our guys, we were very much involved in the carnage!

"Jules was operated on by renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Weymouth today and he'll be able to ride - even if he is a little bit restricted in his movement - in the Official Test on Monday. As a rookie to the Superbike class it's not good to lose a full day of testing, but he showed huge speed - maybe a bit too much speed - yesterday and we will approach the test next week very calmly and in a step-by-step manner to re-build his confidence. We all have to make sure that we remember that the championship is 15-rounds long and it doesn't all hinge on what Jules does here at Phillip Island next weekend.

"Leon tested alone today and was absolutely flying all day. The bike is working well, the 2013 engine which we've developed with Yoshimura is in a different league to what we had here last year, and the whole package appears to be properly competitive. Leon's 31.2 best lap was impressive, but more important for the team was the superb data we gathered from the race simulation run, in-which Leon kept the times all within the 32-second bracket. Phillip Island is so tough on rear tyres, so the consistency bodes well for the race weekend. The huge crash at over 200kmh at the final corner could have put a big dampener on an otherwise positive test, but the sight of Leon up on his feet and basically ok, except for a few bumps and bruises, was a huge relief. We can replace the metal and the carbon fibre, but we can't replace Leon!"

Marco Melandri: Bike: BMW S 1000 RR - “Yesterday it was quite difficult to ride as the track was still very dirty but today it was much better, although it was pretty windy. Regarding our work with the bike, I am happy with this test. We have worked on a few different areas, including setting up the front end of the RR and trying several geometries and solutions. We have achieved some good results. We also tested different engine specifications. Physically though I am not happy as my shoulder was causing difficulties again. I could do some laps but then I struggled and had a lot of pain. I thought it would be much better. We now have to wait and see how I will feel next week. I will now try to rest over the weekend and get some physiotherapy.”

Phillip Island Unofficial Test Classification (Day Two): 1. Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) 1'31.2: 2. Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia) 1'31.3: 3. Jonathan Rea (Honda) 1'31.4: 4. Marco Melandri (BMW) 1'31.6: 5. Michel Fabrizio (Aprilia) 1'31.7.

Alstare Ducati's Ayrton Badovini had a terrible day in Friday's pre season testing, crashing hard and having to be taken to the hospital, his bike goin up in flanes. The team hopes to have him back in action for Offical testing on Monday or Tuesday.

Ducati Alstare reveals the new livery on their team 1199RS13 bikes for Carlos Checa and Ayrton Badovini with new co-sponsorships by FIAMM, Energy.T.I. and TIM.

Leon Camier

Official Test Day 1 - Leon Camier keeps record pace in official SBK testing
Phillip Island (Australia), Monday 18 February 2013 - The eni FIM Superbike World Championship riders have taken the Phillip Island GP Circuit by storm as the first of two official testing days went on today. Leon Camier proved again to be the man on the move by setting Day 1 best lap time of 1’31.243. The FIXI Crescent Suzuki rider was followed closely by new Pata Honda World Superbike rider Leon Haslam and Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia).

Leon Camier: “We needed to change some stuff after the bike had been re-built, so this morning was there no big hurry to push from the start. We changed the bike a bit in the lunch-break, because unfortunately it didn’t quite feel the same as it did before I smashed it up last week! The feeling came back and we also had to change quite a bit because of the heat, I did the same lap-time in the cooler conditions last week as I did in the heat today, so I think we did a pretty good job. It’s very close at the top, so it doesn’t really count for anything, because the race will be difficult and the other guys have got some time to perfect what they’ve got. We are in quite good shape at the moment, but we know there is still a lot to do for the rest of this week.”

The ultra-smooth new track surface allowed the top-7 riders to get under the circuit lap record. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) ended up 4th ahead of Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK), Carlos Checa (Team Alstare Ducati) and team mate Sylvain Guintoli.
The 2011 World Superbike Champion is back after being treated for a blocked intestine that ruled him out of last week’s two-day private test. Checa finished 6th in front of former team mate Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia). It’s been an unfortunate day for new Aprilia Racing Team signing Sylvain Guintoli, who high-sided out of turn 12 in the morning and completed only 10 laps in the afternoon, following a technical problem on his RSV4 1000 Factory.

Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) and Tom Sykes complete the top-ten, and the Kawasaki Racing Team was not 100% yet after injuring his left hand last Thursday, during the second day of private tests at Phillip Island. Max Neukirchner (MR-Racing Ducati) was transferred to Dandenong Hospital following a heavy crash at the last turn during the morning session. Ayrton Badovini (Team Alstare Ducati) did not enter the track today as a precaution after last week’s crash.

Superbike Times: 1. Camier (Suzuki) 1'31.243 average 175.378 kph; 2. Haslam (Honda) 1'31.396; 3. Fabrizio (Aprilia) 1'31.401; 4. Laverty (Aprilia) 1'31.452; 5. Melandri (BMW) 1'31.485; 6. Checa (Ducati) 1'31.523; 7. Giugliano (Aprilia) 1'31.701; 8. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1'31.966; 9. Rea (Honda) 1'31.980; 10. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1'32.061;11. Davies (BMW) 1'32.077; 12. Stauffer (Honda) 1'32.231; 13. Clementi (BMW) 1'32.789; 14. Cluzel (Suzuki) 1'32.817; 15. Iannuzzo (BMW) 1'33.162; 16. Neukirchner (Ducati) 1'33.541; 17. Baz (Kawasaki) 1'33.628; 18. Allerton (BMW) 1'34.009; 19. Sandi (Kawasaki) 1'34.094; 20. Lundh (Kawasaki) 1'34.612.

World Supersport - Lowes quickest in WSS official test Day 1
The first day of official testing got underway today at Phillip Island and saw Yakhnich Motorsport rider Sam Lowes top the timesheets for the Supersport class, ahead of reigning champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki). Despite a late start in the afternoon session, Lowes  got quickly up to speed, eventually setting a 1’33.950 lap time resulting in him being the only rider to get into the 1’33 lap time bracket.
Temperatures rose dramatically in the afternoon session -  up to a 60° C on track and 35° C in the air – giving hard time to all Supersport riders. Third placed Vladimir Leonov fell down at turn 9 due to some oil on track and he was followed straight away by Mathew Scholtz (Suriano Racing Team Suzuki).

The young South African was quickly taken to Medical Centre to undergo checks that found no injuries. Red flag came out and the session was stopped – and ultimately ended - for track cleaning. Rookie Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) showed once again to be ready and steady for his debut World Supersport season by being consistently in the top positions.
The current European Superstock 600 Champion finished the second part in fifth position ahead of veteran Fabien Foret (Kawasaki Mahi Racing Team India) and Australian wildcard Josh Hook (Team Honda Racing). Massimo Roccoli (Team Pata by Martini Yamaha) and Fabio Menghi (VFT Racing Yamaha) were 8th and 9th, followed by 2011 runner up David Salom (Intermoto Ponyexpres Kawasaki) and ParkinGO MV Agusta Corse duo of Roberto Rolfo and Christian Iddon.
 
Superstock 600 Times: 1. Lowes (Yamaha) 1'33.950 average 170.325 kph; 2. Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) 1'34.155; 3. Leonov (Yamaha) 1'34.307; 4. Talmacsi (Honda) 1'34.436; 5. Vd Mark (Honda) 1'34.642; 6. Foret (Kawasaki) 1'34.764; 7. Hook (Honda) 1'34.832; 8. Roccoli (Yamaha) 1'35.056; 9. Rolfo (MV Agusta) 1'35.213; 10. Salom (Kawasaki); etc.

Carlos Checa was fastest, despite the 1999RS being restricted being 40hp down to the 4-cylinder bikes.

Official Test Day 2 - Carlos Checa and Team Ducati Alstare on top as official test ends
Phillip Island, Australia, Tuesday Feb 19th - Mixed weather played a part in today’s second and final eni FIM Superbike World Championship testing day at Phillip Island. The 15 riders who got onto the track during the morning session took a steadier approach to the 4445 km circuit compared to yesterday, though they still continued their work on the drying track. The afternoon session saw improved conditions and a consequent bettering of lap-times. Carlos Checa was fastest at the end of the day courtesy of a stunning lap-time of 1’31.059. The Alstare Ducati rider raised the bar of performances to a new level onboard his 1199 Panigale R, as both bike and track surface started to show their full potential.
 
Carlos Checa: “It’s nice to do the best lap time, with everybody in the same conditions, and it was a nice surprise for me. I honestly didn’t believe that we’d be at this level at this point. I like this track, it’s fast and flowing, which suits me and the Ducati, but I didn’t expect to be the quickest. Before this test, I thought we’d be about 7-8th. The team have worked really well and we’ve improved every time we’ve gone out. This bike is very reactive and it has not been so hard finding a good setting.”

Riders from 2nd to 5th place Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK), Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia) and Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) finished within 3 tenths of a second gap from the leader, with the top-11 all within a second.
Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia) took part to today’s second session despite a strong flu. After being treated at the Medical Centre the 23 year old was able to get on track and eventually finished 7th, despite a slow-speed crash at Siberia Corner.

Jules Cluzel (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) got a taste of the gravel as he high-sided at the last turn of the track. The rookie from France escaped the heavy crash uninjured. Ayrton Badovini (Alstare Team Ducati) was on track this afternoon for a quick shakedown to check his fitness conditions. After ten laps completed in the morning, Max Neukirchner (MR-Racing Ducati) decided to quit the test and go on his own to the hospital, for further medical examinations.
 
Superbikes Times: 1. Checa (Ducati) 1'31.059 average 175.732 kph; 2. Melandri (BMW) 1'31.237; 3. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1'31.261; 4. Fabrizio (Aprilia) 1'31.350; 5. Rea (Honda) 1'31.356; 6. Haslam (Honda) 1'31.549; 7. Giugliano (Aprilia) 1'31.640; 8. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1'31.658; 9. Laverty (Aprilia) 1'31.712; 10. Camier (Suzuki) 1'31.814; 11. Cluzel (Suzuki) 1'32.044; 12. Davies (BMW) 1'32.102; 13. Allerton (BMW) 1'32.159; 14. Stauffer (Honda) 1'32.255; 15. Baz (Kawasaki) 1'32.625; 16. Iannuzzo (BMW) 1'32.880; 17. Sandi (Kawasaki) 1'32.964; 18. Clementi (BMW) 1'33.293; 19. Lundh (Kawasaki) 1'33.447; 20. Badovini (Ducati) 1'33.686.

 
Mondiale Supersport - Superb lap for Sam Lowes in official testing Day 2
Despite the temperature fall and the cloudy skies above the circuit, Sam Lowes (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) was able to drop 0.443 seconds off his Day 1 best lap time to top the timesheets at the end of the morning session.
The rider from Lincoln has put a 0.181 gap between himself and second placed Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki), with Gabor Talmacsi (Prorace Honda), Fabien Foret (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) and Vladimir Leonov (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) to follow.
The session was red flagged with 30 minutes to go due to technical problems occurred to Sheridan Morais’ PTR Honda CBR600RR, and after the restart a quick rain shower passed through. The surface dried up quickly thanks to the brand-new asphalt, allowing the riders to spent the last 10 minutes on track.
Lowes was able to further improve his best lap-time up to a remarkable 1’33.076 - almost 8 tenths of a second quicker than the best lap - that helped him finish as fastest of the whole test for the Supersport class. Mahi Racing Team India placed Kenan Sofuoglu and Fabien Foret in 2nd and 3rd place respectively, not far time-wise from the leader despite a technical problem for the Frenchman towards the end.
 
Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport) was able to climb up to 4th place at his last attempt before the chequered flag was waved. The Dutch rider finished ahead of David Salom (Intermoto Ponyexpres Kawasaki), Hungarian Gabor Talmacsi (Prorace Honda) and Russian Vladimir Leonov (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha).
Austria’s David Linortner (Team Honda PTR) crashed out of turn 12 halfway through the afternoon session, while Eduard Blokhin (Rivamoto Honda) fell off his CBR600RR with 12 minutes to go before the end of the test.
 
Superstock 600 Times: 1. Lowes (Yamaha) 1'33.076 average 171.924 kph; 2. Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) 1'33.384; 3. Foret (Kawasaki) 1'33.614; 4. Vd Mark (Honda) 1'33.874; 5. Salom (Kawasaki) 1'33.950; 6. Talmacsi (Honda) 1'34.048; 7. Leonov (Yamaha) 1'34.140; 8. Menghi (Yamaha) 1'34.258; 9. Roccoli (Yamaha) 1'34.375; 10. Scassa (Kawasaki) 1'34.428; etc.

The new F4RR in Red/White with electronically adjustable Ohlins suspension, Brembo Monoblock M50 Front Calipers.

MV Agusta Premiers Phree New 2013 F4, F4R, F4RR Superbike Models
and Its New F3 675cc World Supersport Team
February 1st, 2013 - The F4 continues to play an important part of the history of high performance motorcycling. It is the epitome of emotion, performance, and speed clothed in a uniquely desirable design. The new F4 is an important leap into the future, a technological revolution without limits.

THE NEW MV AGUSTA F4.
Crossing the border of imagination. The new F4 is our best yet, encompassing the latest technology and engine developments. A true state of the art masterpiece. After intense months of design, development and testing MV Agusta have redefined the characteristics of the F4 with an ambitious underlying goal to make the F4 the most advanced hypersport bike on the market. We achieved this by creating three versions to form the new range. Sharing the same distinctive DNA yet possessing different technical solutions to satisfy every rider. The F4 RR contains the most advanced engineering solutions, enhanced by a range of technical excellence to offer the complete control of the vehicle and maximum performance: chassis control utilizing vehicle inertia sensors, a unique engine control with Ride-By-Wire system, Öhlins electronic control suspension and steering damper as well as GP spec titanium connecting rods. The unique and comprehensive technology of the F4 RR has been extended to the versions F4 R & F4, which also share several aesthetic and functional innovations. These include a re-proportioned and lighter “signature” four exit silencer, new lightweight forged wheels and a new front spoiler integrated into the front fairing with DRL (Daylight Running Lights) that enhance the design, as well as the new tail light incorporating light guide technology. All complemented with completely new graphics and colors.

These elements make the new F4 more advanced than ever before yet with total respect for the history of this iconic machine. Our objective was to create a vehicle that exceeded the expectations of customers based on a new technological platform, focused on electronics and its fundamental contribution improving power delivery of the engine and driving dynamics on the road and on the track. All this combined with a thorough review of the engine to provide competitive performance. CONTINUED HERE

MegaFactory! - National Geographic takes us inside the MV Agusta Factory
The story of modern day MV Agusta and the design and development of the new F3 675 Superbike.

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Personally autographed to you (or the name you request on the PayPal.com Order Form) by Jim Gianatsis and shipped direct to you.
For more information or to order the Book or the Calendar individually, unsigned, go to the Sportbike Books and Fast Dates Calendar order pages. $100 Collector's Package, plus $20 USPS Priority Mail Shipping & Handing in the USA.

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FastDates.com Webite cover model Halle wants to remind you to order your new 2013 Calendars.
Weekdays 8am - 5pm Pacific Coast Time phone Van Leuween Distributing at 1-800-461-1226 or ORDER ONLINE HERE.

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Dani Pedrosa was quickest.

2013 MotoGP World Championship

Honda's Pedrosa tops 3-day MotoGP Tests in Indonesia as Ducati flounders way off pace.
Sepang, Indonesa, Feb 7th 2013 - Repsol Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa heads into the two-week break as the man to beat after ending the final day of three days of official MotoGP testing at Sepang test on top, as riders across the field dropped their laps times each day.
Pedrosa’s rookie teammate Marc Márquez gave everyone a scare in the morning as he crashed in the final turn at speed, although he walked away unscathed and could continue his work on his second bike. He stated that he tried to turn in despite missing his braking marker and lost the front. A record lap set by Spaniard Pedrosa of 2:00’100 was not beaten all day, as Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo ended just over three tenths off, himself focussing on a race simulation later in the day.

The Doctor is in, and back, in new team Yamaha sponsor Monster Energy colors.

His Italian teammate Valentino Rossi also showed that he could get below the 2:01 mark, leaving it until just before lunch to post his fastest time that saw him end the day in third behind his teammate. Spaniard Márquez, despite going quicker again today, was this time unable to finish in the top three as he put in a lengthy run at the end, yet stayed a close fourth, challenged by the impressive Cal Crutchlow, the last rider below the 2:01 mark, on his 2012 Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine. The Brit said afterwards he hoped to receive some of the upgrades the factory team is testing, as he feels there is some more speed to be found.

LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl just missed out on that feat with a time of 2.01’003, although the German looked on good form as he went quicker once more on his RC213V. Go & Fun Honda Gresini’s Spaniard Álvaro Bautista improved over yesterday’s time, getting more dialled in to the bike’s geometry and Showa suspension, with British Tech 3 rookie Bradley Smith continuing his steep, but progressive, learning curve in eighth. Smith also undertook a race simulation early in the day before setting his best time.

The Ducati Corse factory team and its Parmac Support Team found itself well off pace at the bottom of the factory teams with US rider Nicky Hayden only gaining a second over the three days, as he ended the day in ninth and 2 seconds behing Pedrosa, with Italian teammate Andrea Dovizioso less than a hundredth behind. Yamaha test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga was the first outside of the top ten, in front of Power Electronics Aspar’s Spaniard Aleix Espargaró, who put in a tremendous effort to place his CRT 12th, and just over 2.5s off the top. He ousted the factory Ducati Pramac Team’s Italian rookie Andrea Iannone into 13th, who was without American teammate Ben Spies today, as the Texan decided to sit it out and let his shoulder recuperate before the second Sepang test. He finished the overall standings in 15th.

HRC test rider Kosuke Akiyoshi headed Paul Bird Motorsport’s Brit Michael Laverty, who has improved by nearly 3s over the three days on his MotoGP™ debut. He beat established French Aspar rider Randy de Puniet, who finished ahead of Yamaha test rider Wataru Yoshikawa, Avintia Blusens’ Héctor Barberá and HRC test rider Takumi Takahashi. Came IodaRacing Project’s Danilo Petrucci ended the day in 20th, in front of Cardion AB Motoracing’s Karel Abraham, Avintia’s Hiroshi Aoyama, NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Claudio Corti and Ioda’s Lukas Pesek. Rounding out the back of the grid are PBM’s Yonny Hernandez, who is still trying to fix chatter issues, as well as NGM’s Colin Edwards and Gresini’s Bryan Staring. Edwards was left frustrated by the lack of progress, but said that the work had now been done to come to the second test with a much more complete package.

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Federal agency wants separate E10 fuel pumps at certain gas stations that sell E15 ethanol-gasoline blend
PICKERINGTON, OH – Feb 11, 2013 – In response to concerns expressed by the American Motorcyclist Association and power equipment makers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued new guidelines to help ensure that motorcyclists and others don’t inadvertently use E15 fuel.
E15 is a new fuel blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline that the EPA has approved for use in 2001-and-newer passenger vehicles. The blend isn’t approved for use in motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boats, lawn mowers and other engines, and may even damage them and void warranties.
E10, which is commonly found at gas stations, contains 10 percent ethanol. E0 fuel has no ethanol. Ethanol is grain alcohol produced from crops such as corn that is mixed with gasoline to produce an ethanol-gasoline blend motor fuel.

Last year, Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, told the EPA that with E15 now coming into the market, AMA members who make a concerted effort to fuel their motorcycles or ATVs with E10-or-less fuel may unknowingly refuel with residual E15 left in a blender-pump hose. A blender pump dispenses different fuel blends through the same hose, such as E10 and E15. When a customer buys E15, as much as a third of a gallon of residual E15 is left in the hose, which can inadvertently get into the next customer’s vehicle while fueling with E10.

“In an effort to address this potential misfueling issue, EPA approved an industry-submitted [approach] that requires a minimum purchase of four gallons from blender pumps that dispense both E10 and E15 from the same hose and nozzle,” the EPA said. “Such an approach would prevent misfueling by diluting any residual E15 left in the hose from the previous sale of E15.
“However, groups representing motorcycle owners and lawn mower manufacturers objected to this [approach] because their products have gas tanks that are normally two gallons or smaller,” the EPA said.

So, on Feb. 7, the EPA posted a new option for retailers on its website’s “E15: Misfueling Mitigation Plans” page to try to avoid misfueling by consumers.
Under the new option, retailers who use a blender pump to sell E15 and E10 fuel through the same hose must also have a separate E10/E0 fuel pump. Those retailers would be required to have a label on the blender pump that reads: “Passenger Vehicles Only. Use in Other Vehicles, Engines and Equipment May Violate Federal Law.” Retailers would also be required to have signs indicating the location of the dedicated E10-or-lower fuel pump. There would be no minimum-fuel-purchase requirement at that pump.

Retailers who want to sell E15 also have the option of having a dedicated E15 pump or hose, or a pump that dispenses E15 and higher ethanol blends through a single hose. If a blender pump dispenses multiple fuels that include E15 and higher ethanol blends, the EPA may require a minimum purchase requirement.
The AMA has repeatedly expressed concerns to government officials and federal lawmakers about possible damage to motorcycle and ATV engines caused by the inadvertent use of E15 when the new fuel becomes widely available. The AMA also has asked that motorcycles and ATVs be part of any scientific study into the effects of E15 to ensure that the new fuel blend won’t damage those engines.
In October 2010, the EPA approved the use of E15 in model year 2007 and newer light-duty vehicles (cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles). Then, in January 2011, the EPA added model year 2001-06 light-duty vehicles to the approved list.

Registration opens for Ducati Riding Experience * Troy Bayliss Academy 2013
December 2012 - Ducati prepares for tenth edition of prestigious riding school with Twelve dates at four different venues confirmed for 2013

• Troy Bayliss to continue “Academy” with race kit 1199 Panigale S Superbikes
Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy) 18 December, 2012 – Ten years after its initial introduction, Ducati’s prestigious Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) is again preparing its motorcycles and riding school staff to teach riders of all levels in 2013, from absolute beginners to experienced race track specialists.  
 
Subscription for the tenth edition of DRE is now online at Ducati.com, offering a highly successful, tried-and-tested format with a number of new features for 2013, including the 1199 Panigale for all track courses and the introduction of the brand new Multistrada 1200 and new generation Hypermotard for the Intermediate levels. Internationally famous race circuits, highly qualified instructors and an enviable line-up of Ducati motorcycles will now combine to enhance the riding skills of participants while delivering a unique and unforgettable experience.
 
After two years of sell-out success, Ducati is delighted to welcome back the legendary Troy Bayliss for 2013. The three-times World Superbike Champion is set to continue the 'Troy Bayliss Academy', an exclusive and advanced course that focuses on extreme riding techniques. On each of the Academy’s four dates, participants will get the unique opportunity to ride with the Australian and learn specialised track craft on the World Championship circuits of Misano and Mugello. The once-in-a-lifetime experience will use Ducati 1199 Panigale S Superbikes equipped with racing kit components, including complete Termignoni exhaust system, Ducati Performance aero kit and additional carbon fibre parts.
 
DRE 2013 also sees the introduction of the award-winning Ducati 1199 Panigale to both Racing 1 and Racing 2 courses. The outstanding usability of the 1199, with its Riding Mode technology, makes it an ideal choice for both expert riders and those new to track riding, while the more sophisticated “S” version will be used for the Master Racing and Troy Bayliss Academy courses. The Racing 1 course, intended for riders with little or no track experience, will take place on dedicated circuits, separating participants from the faster Racing 2, Master Racing and Troy Bayliss Academy.
 
Completing the DRE 2013 offer with road-oriented activities are the very popular Intermediate and Basic courses. The Intermediate course is specially designed to improve participants existing road-riding skills and techniques, while enhancing overall motorcycle safety awareness. The course uses Ducati’s Monster 1100 EVO, the new Multistrada 1200 with semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension and the new generation Ducati Hypermotard, all three models equipped with the Ducati Safety Pack of ABS and Ducati Traction Control. Intended for those riders who are completely new to motorcycling, the Basic course provides one-on-one tuition in the paddock area of each event venue using Ducati’s Monster 796, an 'iconic naked' motorcycle ideally suited to those on two wheels for the very first time.

Chief DRE Instructor and highly successful racer, Dario Marchetti, co-ordinates an impressive line-up of teachers, including Troy Bayliss (three-times World Superbike Champion), Marco Lucchinelli (500 World Champion), Manuel Poggiali (125 and 250 World Champion), Paolo Casoli (World Supersport Champion), Andrew Pitt (two-times World Supersport Champion) and Niccolò Canepa (2013 FIM Superstock Championship competitor). While one of Ducati’s very own development riders, Alessandro Valia, presents the Master Racing courses, the formidable track team combines with highly qualified road-oriented instructors to provide a totally professional Ducati Riding Experience.
 
Ensuring constant development and control of teaching protocols and standards of excellence within all DRE activities during 2013, the courses will continue the valuable collaboration created between Ducati and the Federazione Motociclistica Italiana.
 
Course participants are provided with a Ducati motorcycle, instructor, lunch and a welcome kit and those without suitable technical riding gear can simply hire it during the online subscription process.
 
DRE 2013 Courses
• Basic (Monster 796)
• Intermediate (Monster 1100 ABS, Multistrada 1200, Hypermotard)
• Racing 1 (1199 Panigale)
• Racing 2 (1199 Panigale)
• Master Racing (1199 Panigale S)
• Troy Bayliss Academy (1199 Panigale S + racing kit)
DRE 2013 Calendar*
• Apr 17-18 -  San Martino del Lago Circuit
• May 16-17 - Mugello International Circuit
• Jun 5-6 - Adria International Raceway
• Jun 25-26 - Misano World Circuit
• Jul 16-17 - Mugello International Circuit
• Sep 10-11 - Adria International Raceway
* Dates and venues are subject to change. Changes will be posted on Ducati.com.
 
Further DRE information
• Online: Ducati.com
• Email: dre@ducati.com
• Telephone +39 0542 655 141 (Mon-Fri 09.30 - 12.30 and 14.30 - 17.30)

CARB hits Vance & Hines with $500K penalty
Publish Date:  Feb 11, 2013
SANTA FE SPRINGS, Calif. - Vance & Hines settled in January with the California Air Resource Board to pay a penalty of $500,000 for selling, prior to Jan. 1, 2013, emissions-related parts not approved by the board. The exhaust maker has taken actions to ensure no further enforcement related to the parts befalls dealers or customers.

According to the notice posted on the ARB website, the board applied the penalty to about 2,000 units at about $250 per unit.

“V&H promptly and fully cooperated with ARB during the investigation, and as a result, has already implemented a compliance plan to inform its distributors, dealers and customers about the types of motorcycle exhaust systems that are legal for sale in the state,” said the CARB notice. “In addition, V&H is actively working with ARB’s Aftermarket Parts Section to ensure that all of its aftermarket critical emission control parts that are sold, offered for sale, or advertised in California obtain the necessary exemptions from ARB.”

Vance & Hines has issued its own news release in which company president Paul Langley said: “We are pleased to have resolved this matter with ARB, and to have worked out an approach that should avoid future misunderstandings about the proper use of our exhaust systems and emissions-related parts. … We are committed to ensuring that our parts fully comply with applicable air quality standards in California, and that our customers and business partners understand the appropriate fitment and uses.”
Vance & Hines said the settlement protects its distributors, dealers and customers from further claims or liability with respect to covered part sales occurring prior to Jan. 1, 2013.

The history of CARB approval for emission-related aftermarket goes back about half a decade. In 2009, at the request of the motorcycle industry, ARB adopted a process for the exemption of aftermarket “critical emission control parts” on motorcycles ridden on streets. Manufacturers of such parts (like aftermarket catalytic exhausts and oxygen sensors) must apply for and receive ARB Executive Orders that exempt the parts from California’s anti-tampering laws.

ARB has posted on its website a list of motorcycle aftermarket critical emission control parts that have received an exemption, including a couple of Vance & Hine Harley applications.
CARB also deems some products “replacement parts” that don’t require an Executive Order because they don’t affect emissions. Examples are exhaust systems for motorcycles that were certified without catalytic converters or sensors. Vance & Hines said the majority of its exhaust systems have some applications in which they can be sold and used as replacement parts.