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This Month in the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar ....
Calendar Kittens and SBK World Superbike umbrella girls Taylor McGunnin and Camilla Chiniquy keep the rain off Tom Syke's Kawasaki World Superbike at 2011 Miller US World Superbike round. You'll find Calendar bikes like this with beautiful Kittens featured in the Calendar Bike Garage with full specifications and screensaver size pictures.
Plus sexy pictorials of the Calendar Kittens in Members Corner
Order the Fast Dates Calendars • Calendar Screensavers in Members Corner
Order the 2013 Fast Dates Calendar
Calendar Bike Photo Features, Paddock Garage Tuning, Pictorials of our Calendar Kittens in Members Corner
Tom Sykes, Eurene Laverty and Loris Baz share the 2nd Race Podium at Assen.
2012 FIM Eni World Superbike Championship, Qatar Round 3 of 14
Sykes and Laverty Take One Win Each at Assen
Assen, The Netherlands, Sunday 28 April 2013 – The eni FIM Superbike World Championship has put in today another great show as riders from four of the five classes battled out for the best positioning in the respective races in front of an enthusiastic crowd (that reached a total of 52.000 spectators over the whole weekend). Blue skies characterised the last day on track for the joy of all riders, starting from Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), who was able to set a new lap record for the Superbike class in race 1 and to win by domination ahead of Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) – previous lap record holder from 2010 – and Eugene Laverty.
The Irishman, together with his Aprilia Racing Team crew, found the right set-up adjustments to match Sykes’ pace in Race 2 and thanks to a last-lap manoeuvre was able to snatch victory from today’s pole-sitter.
Preview: World Superbike Returns to the Cathedral of Speed
Assen, Netherlands, Monday 22 April 2013 – Eni FIM Superbike World Championship prepares for the usual late April round at Assen’s TT Circuit. The capital of the province of Drenthe has always stood for motorcycle racing, as the first event took place in 1925 (on public roads) and the permanent circuit has been hosting World Superbike since 1992. It’s the track with the second highest number of WSBK races held so far (42), along with Monza and behind Phillip Island.
Championship points leder Sylvain Guintoli.
The TT Circuit of Assen is the perfect hunting ground for the current Championship leader Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team). The Frenchman scored last year his maiden World Superbike win in race 1, which was enhanced by the 2nd place of race 2. The 30 year old from Montélimar, is living his moment of glory on board the RSV4 and has been able so far to finish all races within the top-2 (a win and three second places). Time to get even for Guintoli’s team mate Eugene Laverty, after Aragon’s double DNF. The Irishman has won twice at Assen in his Supersport times (2009 and 2010) and finished 3rd last year in race 2, after successfully defending his position from Melandri and Haslam.
The man on the move is Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), who is back on the track that started his unstoppable charge to the World Supersport title in 2011. Together with team mate Marco Melandri, the Brit – who lies 2nd in the standings thanks to the Aragon double win – will try to give BMW their first podium on the Dutch track (the best result so far is a 5th place).
Home round for the Pata Honda World Superbike Team, in what is being a difficult time for the Nieuwleusen-based team. Jonathan Rea scored 4 of his 10 WSBK race wins at Assen, at least 1 per year from 2010 on. Good memories of the Dutch Round for Leon Haslam with Honda: in 2009, when he returned to WSBK, the rider from Derby finished both races on the podium (a 3rd and a 2nd place).
Carlos Checa and Ayrton Badovini (Team Ducati Alstare) got the best of a two-day test last week at Jerez, to better prepare to the upcoming round. The goal for both riders is to make up lost ground and to show the potential of the 1199 Panigale R on a track that suits well the L-Twin machine from Borgo Panigale.
Tom Sykes makes his return to Assen after the unfortunate 2012 event, that saw him forced to an early retirement due to a technical problem in race 1, and 6th at the chequered flag in the following one. The Englishman of the Kawasaki Racing Team hasn’t had the best start of the season, especially compared to winter testing and high expectations from last year’s result. Sykes is now 6th in the standings, with 31 points less than 2012. Loris Baz will be back on a WSBK machine after being part of the winning team in the 77th Bol d’Or endurance race - along with close friend and STK1000 rider Jeremy Guarnoni.
Jules Cluzel could be the only full-time FIXI Crescent Suzuki rider to take part to the Assen round: Leon Camier’s participation is still in doubt following the left knee injury sustained at Aragon. Camier will make a final decision only on Thursday, together with the team and the specialists who are assisting him in the recovery.
Superbike Standings: 1. Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia) 85; 2. Chaz Davies (BMW) 63; 3. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia) 45; 4. Marco Melandri (BMW) 43; 5. Michel Fabrizio (Aprilia) 42; 6. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) 38; 7. Jules Cluzel (Suzuki) 33; 8. Loris Baz (Kawasaki) 31; 9. Jonathan Rea (Honda) 30; 10. Leon Haslam (Honda) 29; 11. Davide Giugliano (Aprilia) 23; 12. Max Neukirchner (Ducati) 20; 13. Carlos Checa (Ducati) 17; 14. Leon Camier (Suzuki) 14; 15. Ayrton Badovini (Ducati) 12; etc.
Sykes uncatchable on wet Day 1 at Assen
Friday 26 April 2013 - Tom Sykes is renowned for his amazing skills on the wet and in World Superbike Qualifying 1 the Kawasaki Racing Team rider has shown his whole potential with these track conditions. Sykes has topped the timesheets courtesy of a 1'57.190 lap-time, 1.634 seconds faster than current Championship leader Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team), who scored his maiden WSBK victory on the wet at Assen last year. The two riders finished same way in the morning's Free Practice 1, dominating the field on Day 1 at the TT Circuit.
Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) ended up Q1 in 3rd position, showing renewed confidence after the unfortunate race day at Aragon. The Toomebridge-born rider finished ahead of Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), who proved to be more at ease on the wet than his team mate and double-race winner at Aragon Chaz Davies, 14th at the chequered flag.
After a small crash in the morning's Free Practice 1 at the Turn 5, Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia) was 5th followed by Ayrton Badovini (Team Alstare Ducati) - who lost control of his 1199 Panigale at Turn 16 with 3 minutes to go.
A stoic Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki), after the early week doubts on his participation to the round, was on track today - despite his left knee injury - to complete Qualifying 1 with an encouraging 10th place behind Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team), team mate Jules Cluzel and Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare).
Bad news for Pata Honda Team following Leon Haslam's Free Practice 1 crash at Turn 7: Haslam was taken to hospital in Assen where X-rays confirmed fractures to both his tibia and fibula in his lower left leg. The 29-year-old British rider is being transferred to hospital in Groningen where a specialist will operate later today to pin Haslam's leg.
Friday Practice Times: 1. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1'57.190 average 139.527 kph; 2. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1'58.824; 3. Laverty (Aprilia) 1'59.068; 4. Melandri (BMW) 1'59.316; 5. Giugliano (Aprilia) 1'59.317; 6. Badovini (Ducati) 1'59.754; 7. Rea (Honda) 2'00.197; 8. Cluzel (Suzuki) 2'00.553; 9. Checa (Ducati) 2'01.706; 10. Camier (Suzuki) 2'01.728; 11. Fabrizio (Aprilia) 2'02.039; 12. Aitchison (Ducati) 2'02.685; 13. Baz (Kawasaki) 2'02.915; 14. Davies (BMW) 2'03.384; 15. Lundh (Kawasaki) 2'04.401; 16. Neukirchner (Ducati) 2'04.582; 17. Clementi (BMW) 2'04.849; 18. Iannuzzo (BMW) 2'19.197; NC. Sandi (Kawasaki) 2'07.893.
Another Tissot-Superpole to "Watch-man" Tom Sykes
Saturday 27 April 2013 - The top-15 riders from Qualifying faced today the challenge of Tissot-Superpole to secure the best positioning on the grid for tomorrow's two races at the iconic Assen's TT Circuit. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) got his 13th pole start of his career, the 2nd in 2013, courtesy of an outstanding 1'35.043. The rider from Huddersfield was not fully satisfied of his achievement and tried, with no success, to further improve Jonathan Rea's Best Lap from 2010.
Tom Sykes: “The ZX-10R is working well and I was quite happy with my race pace, so when we put the Pirelli qualifying tyre in it was even better. I am happy to be on the front row and even better to be in pole position. I just hope we can have some dry conditions tomorrow. Our decisions are pretty much made on what settings to run but we do have a little bit of discussion to have later, just to confirm things, but I think we know what to do. We put 22 laps on a tyre earlier and were very surprised and happy with the results, so when I am on clear track I can do what I want and I know what’s needed. Tomorrow we will be faced with a bit of a fight maybe but if we can have some good luck I am confident.”
The Pata Honda World Superbike rider himself - who got 4 wins out of the last 6 races at Assen - was 2nd and finally able to turn over a new leaf on his difficult start of the season. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) took the last slot of the first row and preceded his team mate Sylvain Guintoli, with Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia) to follow.
Jonathan Rea: “First of all, I’m just excited to be back in a front row press conference - the last time was the end of last season. I’m looking forward to the races, though; my guys have done some work and I’m feeling very, very comfortable on the bike but we’ve had minimal time so far to put distance on a race tyre. I think we have two options we can have a look at but a lot will depend on the temperature tomorrow. Superpole’s not really my thing, but I felt really confident at the start of Superpole 3 and went out first on a race tyre. Anyway, it’s great to be on the front row for the team’s home race and I just want to send a ‘get well soon’ message to my team-mate, Leon Haslam, who had a big crash on Friday.”
Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet) ended up Superpole in 7th place and was again unable to get a spot in the first two rows (the Italian rider never managed so far in 2013 to get a front row start). Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare) finished 8th ahead of Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia). The Spanish rider was 0.3 seconds slower in the end than in Superpole 2 (he would have been 5th with his SP2 lap-time).
A difficult Superpole for Aragon double winner Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), who will move off tomorrow from 13th place on the grid. The Welshman was kicked out of top-12 in the closing stages of Superpole 1 by Jules Cluzel (FIXI Crescent Suzuki, 10th at the end).
Tissot-Superpole times: 1. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1'35.043 average 172.040 kph; 2. Rea (Honda) 1'35.639; 3. Laverty (Aprilia) 1'35.814; 4. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1'35.973; 5. Baz (Kawasaki) 1'36.166; 6. Giugliano (Aprilia) 1'36.326; 7. Melandri (BMW) 1'36.330; 8. Checa (Ducati) 1'36.438; 9. Fabrizio (Aprilia) 1'37.570; 10. Cluzel (Suzuki); 11. Badovini (Ducati); 12. Neukirchner (Ducati); 13. Davies (BMW); 14. Clementi (BMW); 15. Iannuzzo (BMW).
 Tom Sykes receives the Pirelli Fast lap time award
Sykes and Laverty take one win each at Assen
Assen (The Netherlands), Sunday 28 April 2013 – The eni FIM Superbike World Championship has put in today another great show as riders from four of the five classes battled out for the best positioning in the respective races in front of an enthusiastic crowd (that reached a total of 52.000 spectators over the whole weekend). Blue skies characterised the last day on track for the joy of all riders, starting from Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), who was able to set a new lap record for the Superbike class in race 1 and to win by domination ahead of Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) – previous lap record holder from 2010 – and Eugene Laverty.
The Irishman, together with his Aprilia Racing Team crew, found the right set-up adjustments to match Sykes’ pace in Race 2 and thanks to a last-lap manoeuvre was able to snatch victory from today’s pole-sitter.
Race One - A Runaway for Sykes & Kawasaki
Tom Sykes got the 6th race win of his career - the 1st of 2013 after a lonely race at the front, thanks to an incredible pace that allowed him to pull away from the chasing pack in the early laps. The 27 year old from Huddersfield has given Kawasaki the first victory after 7 long years: last time out was Chris Walker, in 2006, to win Race 1 on the iconic Dutch circuit.
Tom Sykes: “The bike was working well and was very consistent today. Race one was great for us and we did all we could. To be honest I surprised myself a little but the Ninja ZX-10R is working great. That first race was nice and believe me, to see that pit board gap get bigger every lap is magical for a rider. When Eugene came past me in race two I realised it was much easier to follow than to lead round here and it was just unfortunate that exiting the final chicane on the last lap I hit the kerb on the inside when I was trying to pass him, and I was out of the seat.”
Jonathan Rea finished with a solid 2nd place after a successful overtaking manoeuvre on Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) at Turn 13. Second works Aprilia rider Eugene Laverty was part of the 3-way battle for 2nd place but had some hard time in the last part of the race.
Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) was 5th at the chequered flag ahead of Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia), who was very competitive in the early laps but couldn't keep the pace of the leaders as the race progressed.
BMW’s unlucky race saw Chaz Davies lining-up on the last row of the grid after the warm-up crash that forced his crew to a quick rebuild of his BMW S 1000 RR. The Welshman made his way up to a 7th place finish after a good start. An unfortunate Marco Melandri - who was supported today by six-time World Motocross Champion and close friend Tony Cairoli - suffered a technical problem on his bike during the warm-up lap and was forced to pull in before the start of the race.
Supervike Race 1 results: 1. Sykes (Kawasaki) 22 Laps/99.924 km in 35'35.042 average 168.487 kph; 2. Rea (Honda) 8.786; 3. Guintoli (Aprilia) 8.792; 4. Laverty (Aprilia) 9.225; 5. Baz (Kawasaki) 14.231; 6. Giugliano (Aprilia) 16.150; 7. Davies (BMW) 22.570; 8. Cluzel (Suzuki) 24.751; 9. Camier (Suzuki) 30.311; 10. Checa (Ducati) 35.277; 11. Neukirchner (Ducati) 44.355; 12. Fabrizio (Aprilia) 52.580; 13. Badovini (Ducati) 59.736; 14. Clementi (BMW) 1'02.010; 15. Aitchison (Ducati) 1'21.861; 16. Sandi (Kawasaki) 1'25.717; 17. Iannuzzo (BMW) 1'42.710; RT. Melandri (BMW).
 Laverty (58) reels in on Sykes(66) in Race Two.
Race Two - Laverty Stalks and Pounces on Sykes
A close battle between race 1 winner Tom Sykes and Eugene Laverty, who pulled away at the front in the early laps. Sykes stayed on the lead until lap 19, when Laverty decided to take the plunge and made a move on the Brit at Turn 6. Sykes managed to stay with the Irishman until the end and tried his final shot at the win at Turn 16, with the two riders crossing the line side by side. A 0.089 seconds margin allowed Eugene Laverty to score his 5th career win, the 2nd this year after Phillip Island Race 2.
Eugene Laverty: “The little time we had with a dry track created a few problems in Race 1. In fact, before the second race we made some changes to the RSV4, which we usually don't do because of how risky that is. Actually the changes made worked really well. Despite feeling very comfortable on the bike I didn't think I would have stayed with Sykes. But in the end I was able to keep up with his pace. Four laps from the end I overtook Tom, even pulling away a few metres, but then the wind kept me from being precise so he was able to cling back onto me. Winning today was important. We back in the fight for the championship and we were able to leave the troubles from Aragón behind us.”
Loris Baz successfully defended his 3rd place over Jonathan Rea, who ended on a positive note a difficult round for the Pata Honda Team. A below-par race for Chaz Davies and Sylvain Guintoli, 5th and 6th respectively at the chequered flag.
Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) rode bravely from last place on the grid to a 7th place finish, while his team mate Jules Cluzel was forced to pull in during lap 16 due to a technical problem. Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet) had a perfect start of the race but struggled to keep the pace, eventually finishing 8th ahead of Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia) and Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare). An unfortunate Davide Giugliano crashed out of Turn 2 during lap 6, while he was in 3rd place. The Italian rider was OK straight after the crash unlike his Aprilia RSV4 that went on fire.
Superbike Race 2 results: 1. Laverty (Aprilia) 22 Laps/99.924 km in 35'36.814 average 168.347 kph; 2. Sykes (Kawasaki) 0.089; 3. Baz (Kawasaki) 5.848; 4. Rea (Honda) 5.890; 5. Davies (BMW) 7.359; 6. Guintoli (Aprilia) 7.404; 7. Camier (Suzuki) 21.095; 8. Melandri (BMW) 27.267; 9. Fabrizio (Aprilia) 30.233; 10. Checa (Ducati) 32.401; 11. Badovini (Ducati) 39.924; 12. Neukirchner (Ducati) 43.904; 13. Clementi (BMW) 1'00.169; 14. Sandi (Kawasaki) 1'01.853; 15. Aitchison (Ducati) 1'02.664; RT. Cluzel (Suzuki); RT. Giugliano (Aprilia); RT. Iannuzzo (BMW).
Standings (round 3 of 15): 1. Guintoli 111; 2. Laverty 83; 3. Davies 83; 4. Sykes 83; 5. Rea 63; 6. Baz 58; 7. Fabrizio 53; 8. Melandri 51; 9. Cluzel 41; 10. Giugliano 33; 11. Camier 30; 12. Checa 29; 13. Haslam 29; 14. Neukirchner 29; 15. Badovini 20; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Aprilia 131; 2. BMW 99; 3. Kawasaki 94; 4. Honda 70; 5. Suzuki 52; 6. Ducati 40.
We are excited to announce, after reporting last month that DORNA had decided to stop bringing to WSBK the beautiful Czech models from the Petra's Angels modeling agency in Prague because of the expense, the girls were now back beginning with the Assen race weekend, thanks in part we think, to a letter we wrote to the new DORNA SBK Marketing Director. Included in the return are beautiful 2014 FastDates.om Calendar Kittens & official SBK Alfa Romeo Umbrella Girls Jitunka (bottom left) and Petra (top right). Photos by Max Oliana.
 Sam Lowes (11) on the Russian Kakhnivh Yamaha reeled in early race leader Sofouglu (54) to give the Russian its first SBK Championship win.
World Supersport 600 - Lowes out-brakes Sofuoglu for the win
After the disappointment of the Aragon round, Sam Lowes (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) and reigning Champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) were back at the front for a two-way fight for race win at TT Circuit of Assen. The two riders shared the lead over the course of the 21 laps, but it wasn’t until the last lap that the final battle took place: Sofuoglu overpowered Lowes on the straight that leads to Turn 6, but couldn't do much when Lowes got along the inside of him - entering the last chicane - to cross the line in 1st place.
Championship leader Fabien Foret (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) got an important 3rd place finish despite the 7.2 seconds gap from the lead at the chequered flag. The Frenchman looked strong halfway through the race, closing the gap with the front runners before eventually falling back. Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport) got a terrible start of the race from the 11th grid slot, but was able to make his way through the field to a final 4th.
Florian Marino (Intermoto Ponyexpres Kawasaki), substitute for injured David Salom, rode a great race finish 5th ahead of Roberto Rolfo (ParkinGO MV Agusta Corse), who got his best finish so far in 2013, and Jack Kennedy (Rivamoto Honda), early protagonist of the race before losing a lot of ground.
Race results: 1. Lowes (Yamaha) 21 Laps/95.382 km in 34'51.011 average 164.215 kph; 2. Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) 0.026; 3. Foret (Kawasaki) 7.228; 4. Vd Mark (Honda) 18.927; 5. Marino (Kawasaki) 19.004; 6. Rolfo (MV Agusta) 19.179; 7. Kennedy (Honda) 19.774; 8. Coghlan (Kawasaki) 22.501; 9. Antonelli (Kawasaki) 28.453; 10. Zanetti (Honda) 29.027; 11. Iddon (MV Agusta) 29.420; 12. Leonov (Yamaha) 34.503; 13. Roccoli (Yamaha) 35.421; 14. Russo (Kawasaki) 35.486; 15. Ivanov (Kawasaki) 37.003; etc.
Standings (round 3 of 14): 1. Foret 54; 2. Vd Mark 49; 3. Lowes 45; 4. Sofuoglu 45; 5. Antonelli 29; 6. Scassa 26; 7. Zanetti 24; 8. Kennedy 24; 9. Rolfo 17; 10. Roccoli 14; 11. Russo 13; 12. Leonov 12; 13. Marino 11; 14. Salom 11; 15. Coghlan 11. Manufacturers: 1. Kawasaki 70; 2. Yamaha 53; 3. Honda 49; 4. MV Agusta 17; 5. Suzuki 4.
2013 FIM MotoGP World Motorcycle Championship, Austin Texas Round 2 of 18
Marquez storms to his first MotoGP Victory at maiden Texas USA round
Circuit of the Americas. Austin TX, April 19-21st, 2012 - Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez became the youngest ever race winner in MotoGP™, triumphing in Sunday’s inaugural Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas from teammate Dani Pedrosa, with reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo completing the podium. On Saturday, 20-year-old Marquez took over from former double title winner Freddie Spencer as the youngest ever pole-sitter in the premier class. He now becomes the youngest race winner, having seen off a challenge from Pedrosa on the other Repsol Honda Team machine. COMPLETE COVERAGE HERE
SBK Factory Turns the Eddie Lawson Retro Replica Kawasaki ZXR1200 into a Serious Racer
Taking Performance to New Heights: “The Bike” First Episode from On The Throttle TV
April 23, 2013 – OnTheThrottle.TV releases its first episode of “Taking Performance to New Heights,” a web series following Jake Holden and SBK Factory on their journey to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
The first episode is all about the motorcycle—a custom built Kawasaki ZRX1224RR Superbike. The video gives viewers an inside look at the bike’s development, which combines high performance aftermarket parts with SBK Factory’s own in-house superbike engineering. SBK Factory owner and bike builder James Compton explains what went into putting together this “modern classic” superbike for rider Jake Holden to race up America’s mountain this June.
Follow SBK Factory on Facebook, www.facebook.com/sbkfactoryracing, to see exclusive bonus footage of OnTheThrottle.TV’s “Taking Performance to New Heights” series. SBK Factory develops one of a kind custom bikes and parts, built with factory works level craftsmanship and a local business passion. Learn more at www.sbkfactory.com.
OnTheThrottle.TV is an established leader in creating motorcycle-related content that entertains and educates viewers. They create high quality DVDs and video downloads to show you “how to” get the best performance out of your sportbike. OnTheThrottle.TV also provides dedicated coverage of the riders, teams, and moments that make racing great. For more information about OnTheThrottle.TV and its videos, visit www.onthethrottle.tv or call (650) 479-4688.
 Paolo on the left, and brother Marurizo Flamini. Photo curtesy Fabrizio Porrozzi / Giorgio Nada Editore
World Superbike -The First 25 Years
with a Tribute to its Producers Maurizio and Paolo Flammini
and how new management DORNA unceremoniously kicked the Flammini Brothers out the Back Door
of the best motorcycle roadracing championship ever
We all received the shocking Press Release back on September 2nd 2012 stating that the private equity firm of Bridgepoint, who already owned the MotoGP World Championship under DORNA, had just purchased the sports marketing firm InFront Sports & Media AG, who had themselves become the owners of the World Superbike Championship a few years earlier. The WSBK was then celebrating its 25th year of under the direction of brothers Maurizio and Paolo Flammini, who stepped in to save the fledgling production bike Championship started by ex-racer American Steve McLaughlin in 1987.
In 1990 Maurizio came in in to take over full control of World Superbike from McLaughlin's partners and struggling owners, the FG Group, and steered it forward towards world success. Brother Paolo came aboard as the Sales Manager of the Group in 1994, and then in 1999 became President of World Superbike as brother Maurizio stepped back to pursue other business ventures in sports marketing. Under their control the SBK World Championship in the next 20 years would become the most exciting motorcycle roadracing series in the world with the closest racing, most factory and private team involvement. At many European tracks it even rivaled and exceeded the attendance of the more well established FIM prototype roadracing series, MotoGP. - Read the Full Story Here
Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show Concours d' Elegance
Returns to the Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA on Sunday July 14th 2013
The 2013 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show continues its now 22-year tradition as the premier outdoor streetbike event in America
with top Celebrity Builders, the Calendar Bike Building Championship & Concours d' Elegance, selected Vendors and Exhibitors, the Calendar Girl Music Show and a return to the exciting Queen Mary venue in Long Beach, CA. The Show marks the world premier of next year's new 2014 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars featuring the world's top roadrace and custom motorcycles with the beautiful Calendar Kittens featured in the Calendars in attendance at the Show. Purchase Advance Tickets, Vendor and Bike Contest Registration online at: www.FastDates.com/BIKESHOW.HTM.
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Sykes Wins On Great Day For Kawasaki At Assen
WSBK
Assen, April 28th -Tom Sykes took a 1-2 today while his KRT partner Loris Baz pushed to take a fifth and then a first dry podium on his Ninja ZX-10R. Now ranked 4th, Tom shares the same points total as two other riders.
Englishman Tom Sykes came close to his first double race win in SBK with a first and a second place finish at Assen, making himself the single highest points scorer of the day with 45. He is now on a total of 83 points so far, the same as two riders above him, but Tom is ranked fourth in the official results.
Young French rider Loris Baz scored two good results in the dry condition that blessed raceday in the Netherlands, the second of which was a strong third place. He had to work for it all race long under pressure from other riders. He leaves Assen sixth in the championship with 58 points.
Superb preparation in the team garage and then a similar performance from Sykes when the flag dropped in race one saw Sykes lead every single one of race one’s 22-laps, the English rider pulling away, setting a new lap record of 1’35.893 on lap two. He was over eight seconds clear at the end for a popular win and Kawasaki’s first victory at Assen since 2006.
In the second race today Sykes led for 18 of the 22 laps and despite a late charge to try and take a double win he lost out by only 0.089 seconds.
Baz got boxed in a little of the start of race one but carried good pace and re-passed some riders to take a fifth place, matching his best of the season to that point. He was just less than six seconds from a podium finish. In race two he was on better starting form and pushed hard to stay in third place for most of the second half of the race, and eventually score a deserved third.
Alex Lundh did not ride at Assen after suffering a broken collarbone in practice and his Kawasaki Team Pedercini team-mate Federico Sandi took his Ninja ZX-10R to 16th place in race one and 14th in race two.
Tom Sykes: “Almost the perfect race weekend for us after winning Superpole as well. We have made progress after a slow start to the season so we will build more momentum now to move it all forward again. The bike was working well and was very consistent today. When Eugene came past me in race two I realised it was much easier to follow than to lead round here and it was just unfortunate that exiting the final chicane on the last lap I hit the kerb on the inside when I was trying to pass him, and I was out of the seat. It would have been great to win race two as well but I am happy with the day and we had and the great support at Assen from all the Kawasaki fans and some Tom Sykes fans. Race one was great for us and we did all we could. We have had a very strong winter test programme, learned a lot and have a lot of information and data. Now we are finding where we need to be. Overall I am happy because we did a lot of hard work in free practice yesterday. To be honest I surprised myself a little but the Ninja ZX-10R is working great. We have some great people who fight in my corner and they have given me a strong package so that I can do quite a lot of what I want to do with the bike. That first race was nice and believe me, to see that pit board gap get bigger every lap is magical for a rider.”
Loris Baz: “The last lap was just too long for me because I wanted to get it finished. We went top five and then onto the podium today in dry conditions so I just want to thank all the team and the people in Kawasaki who have made a good job on this bike to make it better for my style and my weight. I thought my pace was good enough to fight in the group ahead of me in race one but I do not know what happened because I had no grip in the rear right at the start so maybe I did not warm the tyre enough. It was strange and it has never happened before, so I lost one or two second and that was already too much to come back. But to finish P5 was good and my pace was strong, as we saw in race two when I got away better.”
Mixed Resultd for Pata Honda at Assen as Rea Podiums
Haslam Breaks his Leg in Friday Practice
Assen, Sunday 28 April - Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) made real progress at his team’s home round of Assen in the third round of the FIM Superbike World Championship, scoring a second place in race one and was only just off the podium in the second race in fourth place. He is now up to fifth in the overall rankings after his first podium of the year on his CBR1000RR.
In contrast Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) was ruled out of the event early on Friday after falling in wet conditions, suffering serious breaks to his left tibia and fibula that will require surgery. After some consultation with doctors in the Netherlands Leon elected to go home to the UK to have a pin inserted in his leg, in order to speed up his recovery process.
Rea, who had qualified in second position, had found his electronics package much improved throughout this event and that allowed him to be a force at the front on raceday. Assen is no longer his team’s designated test track and with the first day of practice dominated by cold and wet weather, he and his team had in effect one day to make final race preparations. Now that the round has been run at Assen, Rea and his team will test at the circuit on Wednesday and Thursday to make further machine improvements in readiness for the next round at Monza on May 12.
In the first 22-lap race he got away behind flag-to-flag leader Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) but ended up in an almost race-long battle with Aprilia riders Sylvain Guintoli and Eugene Laverty. In race two Jonathan changed rear tyre options and that had an eventual effect on his fourth place result, despite finishing only 5.8 seconds from the win itself.
Jonthan Rea Race result: 2nd / 4th Championship position: 5th -
“It is so nice to be back up on the podium again. It was a bit frustrating in race one because we had absolutely nothing for Tom today, he was on a different planet but I have to be happy with the way I rode. When you put 100% effort in and get a result like this it is always satisfying. It was good fun riding with Sylvain at the end and it was close and safe and we both ended up on the podium. I felt I could battle with Tom and Eugene in the second race but I outbraked myself a few times in the first two or three laps. When I got my rhythm back Giugliano balked me and then I only had the pace for third. I was strong in the section, coming back to the paddock area in race one but in race two our rear tyre was spinning much more. It was cutting too much power so I lost out in acceleration in those areas. The bike felt pretty good in the other areas. For engine braking into the corners and in throttle pick up I feel we are as good as any of the others. We just need to work on pure acceleration when I get onto the throttle. I am just happy to be on the podium today and to have scored good points.”
Leon Haslam Race result: DNS/ DNS Championship position: 13th - “When I can come back all depends on when I get the operation to pin my leg. I am confident the strength would be there and then it is a case of getting over the trauma. I normally heal pretty fast. I remember the crash and it just low sided as the back came around as I entered turn seven. Then the footpeg went through my leathers on the right leg and then I got my left leg caught in the bike as I tried to kick it off me. It flipped and I think that is when I got the injury.”
Difficult races for both Team SBK Ducati Alstare riders today at the TT Circuit in Assen
Assen, Sunday 28 April 2013: today’s Superbike races at the TT Circuit in Assen proved challenging for Team SBK Ducati Alstare. While Carlos Checa was unable to confirm the positive results seen during the practice and qualifying sessions, Ayrton Badovini was unfortunately conditioned by physical problems resulting from yesterday’s crash.
Race 1 - starting from eighth on the grid, Carlos was able to hold this position throughout the opening laps, before battling briefly with Cluzel and Camier. From the mid-race point he found himself lapping alone, with no reference immediately ahead of him. With a similar pace to the riders ahead of him, the Spanish rider was unable to improve his position and closed the race in final tenth position. It was a different story for Ayrton who, eleventh on the grid, tried his best to push but unfortunately, in addition to injuries sustained to his hand and ankle during yesterday’s crash, a neck pain that worsened as the race went on brought on blurred vision which made it difficult for the rider to concentrate. He lost a couple of positions as a result, before running a solitary second half of the race and crossing the line in a valiant thirteenth position.
Race 2 – On a slightly warmer track compared to race 1 (25?C) Carlos lost a few positions at the start of the race and was lying twelfth on the second lap directly in front of his team-mate Ayrton. The Spanish rider pushed to make up a couple of positions and by mid-race he was in tenth place behind Fabrizio. Despite his best efforts he was unable to close the gap that opened between himself and the Roman rider and he crossed the line in tenth position for the second time today. Ayrton, also thanks to the support of the Clinica Mobile between the first and second races, had a stronger pace this afternoon compared to the first race. Thirteenth on the grid, he too was able to improve his position over the course of the 22-lap race to bring his 1199 Panigale home in eleventh place behind Carlos.
In the overall standings Checa is now in twelfth position with 29 points and Badovini lies fifteenth with 20 points.
Carlos Checa: ‘In reality I thought I’d be able to do more today and bring the bike to the next level. In race one the rear of the bike caused me some problems so we made some changes before the second race and that improved the situation slightly. We still have a lot of work ahead of us but this does not put us off. I’m aware that this is a challenge and I will do my best to improve the bike race after race.’
Ayrton Badovini: ‘The second race went better for me because I was really suffering this morning. I visited the Clinica Mobile between the two races and they really helped me a lot with a series of treatments that allowed me to push harder in the second race. The bike was not bad but we still need something more in order to be competitive. I wasn’t 100% of course and so I’m happy to have finished both races because after what happened yesterday I thought it would be even more difficult today.’
Francis Batta, team manager: ‘This weekend was unfortunately more difficult than we expected but this does not discourage us, in fact it heightens our motivation to continue to work and improve.’
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Shannon Baucom
MV Agusta M4
The Devil Made Us Do It!
Testing the Ducati Diavel in Italy
New BMW HP4 Superbike
Top Finishes for Team Aprilia at Assen
Assen (Holland), 28 April 2013 – It was a weekend of satisfaction for the Aprilia Racing Team on the legendary track at Assen in the fourth round of the World SBK season. At the end of the Dutch weekend the Aprilia riders lead the championship standings and the Italian brand increases the gap in the Manufacturer Championship.
Eugene Laverty, starting from the front row for the seventh consecutive time, triumphed in Race 2 after a nail biting duel with English rider Tom Sykes, earning Aprilia's first win on the Dutch circuit in World Superbike.
This win, combined with his fourth place finish in Race 1, takes the Irish rider to second place in the standings, just behind team mate Sylvain Guintoli.
The French rider, after taking a strong third place in Race 1, suffered from a poor feeling with the front end in the second race. This was a problem which, by Guintoli's own admittance as soon as he had taken off his helmet, kept him from "closing the door" on his rival's attacks on the third place position that he had boldly achieved six laps from the end, battling with Baz, Rea and Davies. The sixth place final result contributed in any case to strengthening his grip on the championship lead.
After riding to the foot of the podium in Race 1, Eugene Laverty took the track for the second race extremely focused and well motivated not to let Tom Sykes run away at the front and dominate as he had in the first race. Sykes and Laverty quickly pulled ahead of the pack, but the Irishman and his RSV4 never let up even a metre. The gap between the two was never more than a few tenths of a second and 4 laps from the end Laverty made his move and then fought off Sykes' final assault in the last turns before the finish.
With Laverty's victory the World SBK standings are now coated with Aprilia colours.
Thanks to his placings today Sylvain Guintoli widens the gap in front of his closest rivals and is now firmly in command of the Rider standings with 111 points. Eugene Laverty moves into second place with 83 points.
In the Manufacturer Championship Aprilia dominates at a distance of 131 points, widening the gap in front of BMW (99 points). They are followed by Kawasaki (94), Honda (70), Suzuki (52) and Ducati (40).
Eugene Laverty: “The little time we had with a dry track created a few problems in Race 1. In fact, before the second race we made some changes to the RSV4, which we usually don't do because of how risky that is. Actually the changes they made worked really well. I had the right feeling even though I didn't think I would be stay up with Sykes. But in the end I was able to keep up with his pace. In fact, his wash actually helped me out since there were some strong gusts of wind on the track. Four laps from the end I overtook Tom, even pulling away a few metres, but then the wind kept me from being too precise so he was able to cling back onto me. Winning today was important. We back in the fight for the championship and we were able to leave the troubles from Aragón behind us”.
Sylvain Guintoli: “It's too bad about the end of Race2. I enjoy a fight in the last laps but this time I just wasn't able to do it. In Race 1, on the other hand, Rea and I put on a good show and in the end Jonny got the best of me but I had fun. In the second race Tom and my team mate Laverty really had an unbeatable pace. Let's just say that the second race didn't go great, but I was able to increase my lead in the championship, widening the gap in front of my closest rivals, and that's important, especially considering the fact that the next round is Monza, a circuit where Aprilia has always been a strong player”.
Sudco High Performance & OEM Replacement Parts
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.
Ducati MotoGP Test Rider Pirro To Race Development GP13 As Wild Card At Jerez
April 30th - Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. From a press release issued by Ducati Corse
Ducati Team heads to season’s first European stop
Having begun the year with a pair of “flyaway” races, in the Middle East and the United States, the Ducati Team now travels to the first European round of the year, in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
Situated near the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, just over an hour from the Strait of Gibraltar, the Circuito de Jerez is known for drawing large and enthusiastic crowds. It has historically proven to be a challenging circuit for the Ducati Team, but the squad has also enjoyed successes there, one recent example being a podium finish by Nicky Hayden in the rainy Spanish GP two years ago. During both the race weekend and an official post-race test on Monday, the American and his Italian teammate Andrea Dovizioso—along with Ducati Test Team rider Michele Pirro in his first of three wildcard rides scheduled for the season—plan to build upon the work carried out in Qatar and Texas, and to maximize the competitiveness of the Desmosedici GP13 as the series begins a stretch of six consecutive European races.
EDELWEISS OFFERS NEW and AFFORDABLE MOTORCYCLE TOUR ALONG THE DOLOMITES WITH CHALLENGING ROADS, OVERWHELMING MOUNTAIN SCENERY AND ITALIAN CUISINE AT ITS FINEST.
The Dolomites are a must for a passionate biker – come with us on an unforgettable motorcycle tour. The countryside is dominated by mountains, rivers, and gorge-like valleys, which have just space enough for a road and railroad tracks; but there are also bigger towns like Bolzano, where our base hotel is located.
Thinking about Italian culture you will notice quite a big difference from what you may expect; building style, cultures, languages, bilingual road signs and special foods show that varied peoples and ideas peacefully co-exist here. The Sella Ronda is a very good warm-up for the following days and our rides to Penserjoch, Jaufenpass and Timmelsjoch.
Eight more passes are on our schedule for the next day and we will have the opportunity to stop in the nice little town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, well known from the Olympics in 1956. Now it’s time to make a decision: go to Venice for sightseeing or collect 10 more passes? Tough call! The last riding day leads us south to the wonderful Lake Garda, with swimming and riding at its best.
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THROUGH THE ALPINE WONDERLAND OF AUSTRIA AND SOUTHERN GERMANY – THE ALPS AND LAKES MOTORCYCLE TOUR!
The Alps and Lakes motorcycle tour takes you through a beautiful part of European motorcycle paradise; the Alps. The contrast between the beautiful lakes in southern Germany and Austria and the towering mountains that reach up to more than 10,000 ft is nothing less than breathtaking.
This area is the famous background for the movie „Sound of Music“. This vacation offers a little bit of everything: beautiful and relaxing rides through the valleys; some mountain roads and passes; and great vistas and sights, including King Ludwig‘s castle, Herrenchiemsee, and the historic city of Salzburg. The tour consists of five riding days, one of them is a rest day – which means that you stay two nights at the same hotel.
This is a great opportunity to explore a little bit more, ride around the countryside, walk through town, meet the locals and sample some of the local food. The tour will take you through Germany and Austria, and on the rest day you can even add Italy to your list if you are so inclined.
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