Easton Crashes Hard at Cadwell Park Test & MotoGP in HD, Finally!

Swan Honda rider, and British Superbike Championship favorite, Stuart Easton went down in a rather nasty way while testing for the 2010 season at Cadwell Park. He was airlifted to the hospital where they are going to do some exploratory surgery around his knee. So far it looks like he will be OK, but they want to be sure everything is in fine order before they let him get back on the track...

http://tinyurl.com/ye7jz3t

MotoGP has finally entered into the 21st century by way of broadcasting the races in Hi-Definition! Some races have already been filmed in HD, but those were not broadcast to the public. In 2010, all MotoGP races will be available in HD and will be initially broadcast in HD, though your provider may not send full HD signals to your TV. Check with your local MotoGP broadcast channel to see if you will get the full experience!

http://tinyurl.com/ye8p9x2

Norton to Return to Racing! & Pit Pass Radio with Kevin Schwantz

Norton is now working on a 200+ hp rotary engine with which they hope to enter first British Superbike and then World Superbike. They have been developing this concept since last year and are focused on making it to the 2011 Isle of Man TT with it. Great news! It will be very nice to see the Norton name back in modern racing again. Of course, I still like to see them in various vintage racing events...Take the link to learn a bit more.


http://tinyurl.com/ylaspcq


Tonight's Pit Pass Radio show (live tonight - podcast after that) will feature World Champion Kevin Schwantz, representing his Schwantz School motorcycle track\race school. Also featured will be Peter Doyle (former Mat Mladin crew chief), Peter Lenz (125GP racer), Rob Dingman (AMA President), and Ezra Lusk (AMA Supercross Lites Champion). Take the link to learn the details...

http://tinyurl.com/yzcn9j9

Deeley HD Ready to Race & Motorpoint Yamaha BSB Team Debut

Deeley Harley-Davidson, long a supporter of motorcycle racing, will continue to race in the Canadian Superbike Championship. Their Ruthless Racing team will be racing both Buells and H-D XR1200 machines in the Canadian Sports Twin, Pro Superbike and Pro Sport Bike classes. There is more to this press release, so please take the link and read on through...

http://tinyurl.com/yzdjchb

The British Superbike Championship team Motorpoint Yamaha will be doing their team unveiling this coming Friday (26 March 2010) at their UK HQ in Derby. Neil Hodgson, Dan Linfoot and Niall Mackenzie will all be on hand at the introduction - and, entry is free and open to the public. For all the hot details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yjntc6y

British Superbike Rider News

The British Superbike Championship season begins in a few weeks - over the Easter weekend - and many teams have been in Spain testing. If you have been reading the reports you will know that just about every rider in the series was at the Gaudix circuit over this past weekend. This past week had the BSB riders rounding the turns at Brands Hatch in yet another preseason test. Well, there are still stories coming in from the test, so I will post some of them here for you to read at your leisure...

Neil Hodgson survives a terrible crash in California - just about a year ago - to come back to race again. Hodgson is an incredible competitor and will not back down from a challenge. Well, this year's challenge is the BSB season: http://tinyurl.com/yfslbcj

Brands Hatch was useful for Quay Garage's Tommy Bridewell: http://tinyurl.com/ygprvof

Michael Rutter and Riders Ducati: http://tinyurl.com/yzlvyfk

MV Agusta Target of a Berlusconi? & BSB Test at Brands Hatch

MV Agusta, as you surely know by now, is up for sale from current owners Harley-Davidson - the marque having some of the worst financial issues in the industry currently - and a group of Italian investors is interested in taking ownership. It turns out that one of those investors in the brother of the Italian Prime Minister; his name is Paolo Berlusconi. Burlusconi already owns one Italian marque, Garelli...

http://tinyurl.com/yg9or3r

The British Superbike Championship will begin in just a few weeks time during the Easter weekend. For now, though, the teams were out at Brands Hatch doing some testing this week. There is not a great deal of detail available as of yet, so take the link below to get an introduction. If I do find more BSB testing information, I will post it here.

http://tinyurl.com/ylso5az

PR from GNS Racing (Supersport): http://tinyurl.com/yfamlmg

PR from Quay Garage (Superbike): http://tinyurl.com/yf23wpt

Ducati Returns to Isle of Man TT & Suzuki GSX R R32

Ducati has made it official, the factory will be returning to the Isle of Man TT with full support for Michael Rutter and his BSB team. Rutter will use Ducati motorcycles in four of five races he plans on challenging. It has only been about seven years since Ducati was last on the Island, but motorcycle technology has changed a great deal in those years. It will be another good reason to attend the event...if you are able!

http://tinyurl.com/yb52h7w

Harry Altena is a big fan of his VW R32 cage and he also operates a custom bike shop. Well, those two added up to the Suzuki GSX R R32, a custom Suzuki GSX-R1000 which has been matched to the car, believe it or not. The wheels look very much the same and the single-sided swingarm is actually an interesting piece. To understand the project, though, you really need to see it. So, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/ybc9ovj

Stuart Easton Speaks on BSB Testing & Lake Havasu XDl Freestyle

From the man himself, Stuart Easton gives us his perspective on his testing so far in preparation for the 2010 British Superbike Championship. Most riders were in Spain at a track in Cartagena for last week, and Easton was right there among them. He did quite well in the testing and is finding his new teammate, James Ellison, very agreeable. We can only wait for the season to start to see if Easton gained what he needed for some good finishes...

http://tinyurl.com/yj3wxos

Are you getting a Spring Break? Well, if so - even if not and you just want somewhere to escape from work - take a look at the festivities on offer at the 2010 Lake Havasu City 2010 XDL Freestyle Sport Bike Competition. There will be the best stunt riders from around the US, and some from around the world, competing in judged stunt runs and freestyle stunting on sport bike motorcycles. It is entertainment and an impressive demonstration of skill worth your time and money. Take the link to learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/ygpp8kc

Riders Ducati Has Useful Test & Astro-Chase Joins BSB Evo

The Riders Ducati British Superbike Championship team has also just finished its testing in Spain in preparation for the 2010 season. Riders Michael Rutter and Martin Jessopp spent time working on engine management with some late 2009 model engines - data which can now be used on their 2010-spec lumps. For some words from the team, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9c9wft

The Astro-Chase SST Racing team and rider Peter Ward have announced that they will be the newest team to join the BSB Evo series for 2010. They have been very successful in BSB Superstock 1000, but they wanted to move up towards the premier class and Evo is right there where they want to be. The team has some experience running in that class, but this will be their first full season. For all the details...take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y8s3jwg

Hodgson to Launch Motorpoint BSB Team & SA Superbikes

On 26 March 2010, World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson will be launching the Motorpoint Yamaha British Superbike Team in the town of Derby. Hodgson has been picked to win the BSB championship this season and he will be teamed with another great rider in Dan Linfoot. They will be riding Yamaha YZF-R1 machine very close to the Leon Camier's championship winning machine of last year. For all the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yzlpkty

In the South African Superbike championship races, which were held at the Killarney Circuit, were a very close affair. The top five qualifiers were only .75 second apart, so you knew it would be tight. However, no one expected it to be as close as it was. Honda's Lance Isaacs had the best weekend - overall - but Aprilia's Sheridan Morais, Honda's Greg Gildenhuys and Dan Hellyer were all close to the leaders in each of the two races - very close! In 600 Supersport Yamaha's Dylan White had a great 1 - 1 finish on the weekend. For the very detailed finishing order, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yllakrf

Reports from British Superbike Testing & James Toseland

The British Superbike Championship teams are mostly all in Cartagena, Spain, preparing for the 2010 season. This past week has seen many BSB riders running hard around the Spanish track in an effort to perfect bike settings and see what the machines are capable of. This time it seems that Swan Honda was the dominant force; Stuart Easton and James Ellison took the top two slots on the final standings. However, it appears that, un-officially, Tommy Hill broke the lap record at the track. For all the details please take one of the following links.

http://tinyurl.com/yzxrqbx

http://tinyurl.com/yz5e58w

Triumph: http://tinyurl.com/ycheej6

Yukio Kagayama was in PAIN: http://tinyurl.com/y8jgkd6

Also, we get a video interview with the returning World Superbike rider James Toseland. As you know, he was sent to WSBK from MotoGP after they gave his seat at Tech 3 Yamaha to Ben Spies. Well, now Toseland is in the WSBK paddock again and riding a Yamaha. To see what is in his mind at this point in his season, please take the link and see a video interview with the Superbike ace.

http://tinyurl.com/ygu5qu7

More Morning Moto News - Zero and Sheheen & BSB Testing

Zero Motorcycles has just announced that they have signed Ralph Sheheen as spokesperson for their line of electric motorcycles. You all know Sheheen from the SPEED Channel, or at least you should as he hosts just about every motorcycle competition on the TV station. He will join them immediately and will join them on their multi-city promotional tour which begins on 20 March 2010 in Washington D.C. For all the details, don't forget to take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9lkyyu

Josh Brookes has taken the lead at the pre-season British Superbike Championship testing at Gaudix. The Spanish circuit saw him take the unofficial lead away from Stuart Easton and Tommy Hill with his HM Plant Honda. The testing is certainly adding to Brookes' confidence and his belief that he does have a chance at winning the whole thing by season's end. For the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y8d5ssw

Wednesday Afternoon Moto News - Emil Sayfutdinov & SMT Honda

Emil Sayfutdinov will be joining the Somerset Rebels speedway meeting which takes place at the Oak Tree Arena on 19 March 2010. Sayfutdinov set the world on fire in last year's FIM Speedway GP series; he came from the amateur ranks and just blew away the competition in many of the season's rounds. In fact, just about every weekend had a chance for the young Russian to win. This 10th anniversary meet will be well attended and should be one of the best speedway meets this year!

http://tinyurl.com/yd5bzor

SMT Honda has now added a sponsor to their new team, Sorrymate.com. We read just a week ago about them hiring former British Supermoto star Christian Iddon and planning to contest the British Superbike Championship this year. Given their experiences in 2009, with the crap economy forcing them to field three different riders, we can all hope that 2010 is a much better year for the team!

http://tinyurl.com/yde6qjk

More Morning Moto News - CAME Yamaha & Worx Crescent Suzuki

CAME Yamaha will launch their British Supersport Championship team at the grand opening of their new Manchester location during 25 - 27 March 2010. You will have a chance to meet the entire team - that includes riders, techs and other support members of the team. There will also be plenty of marketing schwag - hats, t-shirts and the like - as well as a chance to win tickets to selected rounds of the BSB series!

http://tinyurl.com/ydutthc

In more testing for the BSB season at Cartegena, Yukio Kagayama and his Worx Crescent teammate Tommy Hill were still the fastest on the track - both went past the track record lap time during their testing. We have covered this before, but this is a great piece from Alex Gobert, so go on over and check it out!

http://tinyurl.com/ydnyfug

Monday Morning Moto News - Camier Auction, Simon Andrews & Spanish Tests

Leon Camier is making the best out of a nasty situation...well, a problem he had last weekend as he crashed his factory Aprilia RSV-4 during Superpole qualifying at Phillip Island. Camier is auctioning off the screen from the bike with all proceeds going to Sport Relief. He is hoping that something bad for him can turn in to something good for someone else...not a bad plan...

http://tinyurl.com/yj338q7

Simon Andrews has finally faced sentencing in his case involving his 24 October 2009 early morning crash. Since there was no evidence of 'drink-driving', he was not sentenced under that statute. Instead, he was instructed to pay a fine and had some penalty points added to his license. But, the judge was rather sure that Andrews should have been given a harsher sentence, but he had not evidence to do so...

http://tinyurl.com/ylh4bev

The bevy of Bristish Superbike Championship teams testing at Cartagena, Spain, over the last few days has finally wrapped things up and some reports are coming in. I may have posted about one or two of these before, but these should be fresh stories on the subject. Take a look...

Rob Mac Racing/Motorpoint Yamaha: http://tinyurl.com/ygb7wck

Worx Crescent Suzuki: http://tinyurl.com/yhuttts

Sunday Morning Moto News - Tommy Hill & Rene Cormier

On the second-to-last day of British Superbike Practice at the Cartagena, Spain, circuit, Worx Crescent rider Tommy Hill pulled the fastest lap of the day. The telling part of this feat is that Hill was setting consistent laps while working on many different aspects of race set up. This is a positive test for this team!

http://tinyurl.com/yj3yn8c

By the end of the test, Hill was still on top: http://tinyurl.com/yzs9fvt

Rene Cormier is another person who decided to take a motorcycle around the world. Seven years ago, Cormier sold just about everything he owned and packed up a BMW F650GS motorcycle and took off. The book he wrote about the journey is called "The University of Gravel Roads: Global Lessons From a Four Year Motorcycle Adventure" and Cormier will be in Calgary today discussing it. For all the details, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/ylmds3b

More Morning Moto News - BSB Tickets & Neil Hodgson

You could win tickets to the opening round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch, which takes place over Easter weekend, 2 - 5 April 2010. For your chance to see the race action yourself - for free - take the link and answer the question on the page. If you get it right and are selected, you will get two tickets to see the event!

http://tinyurl.com/yztdmlr

Neil Hodgson is starting to like the way his race machine feels - this after some seven days of testing in Spain at two different locations. Motorpoint Yamaha has been working hard to give him the mount he needs to be competitive. His teammate Dan Linfoot is also expected to do very well this year. But, if Hodgson does come to terms with the sweet R1 he is racing, everyone else must take care and keep their eyes open - Hodgson is heading for the win!

http://tinyurl.com/yk8actj

More Morning Moto News - Daytona Supersport & James Ellison and Stuart Easton

The AMA Pro Racing Supersport race was also held at the Daytona International Speedway and it was also a very close finish. Rockwall Honda's Cameron Beaubier won the race by only .001 of a second! Joey Pascarella was the second place man right next to him riding his LTD Racing R6. Elena Myers came in a close seventh in the event.

http://tinyurl.com/y8vkgb6

Swan Honda debuted their bikes at the Cartagena circuit where riders James Ellison and Stuart Easton are testing this week. The bikes are all painted in black with a huge 'Swan' written across the fairings and a rider number. So, we assume that this is just for testing and they will show their livery at some point later. In either case, both riders enjoyed their tests and they actually are a bit ahead of where they wanted to be...bodes well for the 2010 BSB season.

http://tinyurl.com/ydczew3

Thursday Morning Moto News - Gary Mason, Volunteers for WSBK & Monster Energy

MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider Gary Mason has been using some unusual techniques to get ready for the 2010 British Superbike Championship season. Mason took the Privateer crown last year, but this year he will be a full-on Superbike racer. He wants to be ready for it, so he is getting himself healthy. For more, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yad7tcl

This is just a short post as it is a request for volunteers to help out with the 2010 World Superbike round at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. Take the link for the contact information if you are willing to lend a hand!

http://tinyurl.com/ycvgcyk

Monster Energy - well known energy drink producer - has teamed up with Dorna, rights holder to MotoGP, to sponsor the Le Mans round of the MotoGP Championship. Monster will be the official naming rights holder to the French Grand Prix for the next two years now. For the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ydrw929

Wednesday Morning Moto News - Christian Iddon & Moto2 Testing Continues

Christian Iddon, well-known supermoto racer, has signed on to ride in the British Superbike Championship with SMT Honda. They signed the rider, even though he has limited roadrace experience, because the team owner has faith in Iddon's abilities - a rare thing in motorsport. For all of Iddon's history and what he is looking for in his first season, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yl5zzr3

The Moto2 teams are mostly all present at the pre-season test being held at Valencia currently. On day two, 125GP Champion Julian Simon set the pace for the entire field. The second day was also the first full day of testing the spec Honda engines they will be using during this season. Simon was followed closely by American Kenny Noyes on his Team Jack & Jones (Antonio Banderas) machine. Toni Elias still kept them in sight, though, and finished up day 2 in third place.

http://tinyurl.com/yfw8k7a

http://tinyurl.com/yfr8zuq

MORE Afternoon Moto News - Buildbase Kawasaki, ASBK & Full Throttle Sports

Buildbase Kawasaki has finished their testing in Spain in preparation for the 2010 British Superbike Championship, with riders John Laverty and Adam Jenkinson getting their first laps aboard the Kawasaki ZX-10R bikes they will be riding in the series. The time was organized by their suspension provider and was extremely useful for the new teammates. Wait and see if it helps them challenge for the title.

http://tinyurl.com/ycwbn2s

The 2010 Australian Superbike Championship will also be staring this weekend at Phillip Island - along with the WSBK season. To get an idea of the first day proceedings, the following link will give you some extreme detail as they list out the various happenings in a time-delineated format - thus showing you minute by minute what was happening at the circuit. If I find more previews, I will post them here.

http://tinyurl.com/ydxxj84

Waters is on top as of now: http://tinyurl.com/yete5nn

In further ASBK news, we hear that one team has added a sponsor to their teams. Cougar Bourbon has signed on with Full Throttle Sports to sponsor both the ASBK team and the Australian MX Championship. This is big as it is rare to find a sponsor so ready to support an entire team's operations. The livery has already been drawn up and is ready to be put on both their Honda Fireblade ASBK machine and their CRF450R MX machine. For all the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yenjamk