Mladin Gear to Be Acutioned & Some WSBK Portimao Previews

Mat Mladin, long-time AMA Pro Racing Superbike competitor and multi-time champion, will be auctioning off some of his Rockstar Makita Suzuki gear, most items autographed, for the De Coster's Kids Motivational Program charity. The De Coster charity was set up by Bob Sparenberg with the purpose of keeping kids off drugs and other intoxicants and focuses them on getting their lives ready for the future. Take the link to learn more.

http://tinyurl.com/ylcdm8u

The second round of the 2010 World Superbike Championship is soon to be upon us. It will take place at the now very popular Portimao circuit in Portugal. We now have some race previews popping up ahead of the event. First up is Paul Bird Motorsports Kawasaki; Chris Vermeulen is still injured and is hoping to get fit ahead of the event. Tom Sykes is only hoping to improve on his 13th place at the Phillip Island round.

http://tinyurl.com/yz76osn

We also just received news that Makoto Tamada will have a one-off ride on the Reitwagen BMW at the Portimao WSBK round: http://tinyurl.com/yhw6gdm

Saturday Afternoon Moto News - Haslam Takes Pole & More WSBK!

Leon Haslam has taken his first ever pole position in World Superbike at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia. It is the first race of 2010, so this indicates just how hungry Haslam is for a win - and the championship. It will be an interesting race - don't miss it!

http://tinyurl.com/yhu7ezm

Another look at the World Superbike proceedings in Australia. We get a re-cap on Haslam's Superpole performance, Haga starting in tenth (!), and even my pick for this race, Max Biaggi, sitting back in eleventh position. There is a full grid listing and other information which you may want to know ahead of the race weekend.

http://tinyurl.com/ye6b67x

We also get to hear from the always talking Chris Vermeulen. He is targeting a top-10 position and hoping for seventh or eighth for the race this weekend at Phillip Island. This will give Kawasaki a higher finish than it had back in 2009 and help Vermeulen get the support he needs to race for the title.

http://tinyurl.com/y9yzsz2

MORE Afternoon Moto News - MotoGP at Sepang, Chris Vermeulen & Bridgestone

The MotoGP teams are now back in Malaysia at the Sepang circuit for more pre-season testing. The first day is reserved for test riders, but Honda and Ducati decided to wait until tomorrow and just run with their actual racers. For what little detail there is, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y9mrhfz

Chris Vermuelen is already saying the he likes the World Superbike experience more than what he had in MotoGP. We have heard him say this before, and he does have a great reason for his opinion as it is one which many other fans agree with now. Just look at all the manufacturers and riders in the series...2010 will most certainly be a great year for WSBK!

http://tinyurl.com/yeq7rek

Bridgestone is already working out whether they will try again to become the spec tire for the MotoGP Championship beyond 2011. They are the tire supplier up to the end of that year, but there is no word on how well the series is working for them. It is expensive and Bridgestone has already dropped out as the sole tire used in Formula 1 (at the end of this year), so they may pull out of the motorcycle version as well...

http://tinyurl.com/ydqozah

More Morning Moto News - Gruppo Campari, Chris Vermeulen, Bradley Smith & Scott Redding

Gruppo Campari - owners of the Cinzano brand - has signed with Dorna to continue their sponsorship until the 2013 season. As you probably know, as you are watching MotoGP, you will often see the Cinzano billboards all over the track - this agreement is why. However, Cinzano will be replaced with new leading brand Aperol. Sponsorship is very important in racing and this is good news!

http://tinyurl.com/y8rg7rf

Chris Vermeulen has a tough task ahead of him in the World Superbike Championship; he has to bring Kawasaki back to the podium in that series. Vermeulen has had some up and down times, but he is always a racer's racer and is actually looking forward to the work he has to do in 2010. For more on the monumental season he has in front of him, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yj4upac

British racers Bradley Smith and Scott Redding are on their way to Barcelona for the World Championship practice. Redding is taking his first turn aboard his new Marc VDS Moto2 machine and Smith is returning to the 125cc machine from Bancaja Aprilia. These are the first tests of the season for those classes and it should provide some great information for riders, teams and fans alike!

http://tinyurl.com/yhr42ku

More Morning Moto News - Chris Vermeulen, Ducati MotoGP & Air Asia Sponsorship

Chris Vermeulen is having trouble getting his Kawasaki World Superbike machine to agree with him. At the most recent WSBK tests he has been a bit off the pace, but no one is worried. Kawasaki does not expect as much as Vermeulen expects of himself, but that sure won't stop Vermeulen from pushing hard to finish high in the order. Again, the 2010 WSBK series will be very entertaining!

http://tinyurl.com/ybrkp8t

The Desmosedici GP10 has a host of changes from the 2009 model; Ducati is looking to get their edge back and take the 2010 title - as you would expect. Casey Stoner did well on the machine at the Sepang test, finishing second to Rossi. But, Nicky Hayden struggled a bit and only finished as high as eighth. But, the bike is better than last year's, or so the riders say, and that means something as it is they who must race it.

http://tinyurl.com/y8t3qyl

And, in even better news, Air Asia has signed on with Dorna to be the title sponsor at the British Grand Prix. That event will be held at the Silverstone Circuit 18 - 20 June 2010. Since they already sponsor some riders in the paddock, this is a natural fit. Let's hope it continues...

http://tinyurl.com/ykqr9as

Friday Afternoon Moto News - ASBK x2 & WSBK

The Australian Superbike Championship has signed on a new naming rights sponsor - Viking Group, an Australian transport, logistics and related services company. Everyone seems happy with the deal, including the organizer of the events, International Entertainment Group.

http://tinyurl.com/yjupp8t

From Alex Gobert comes an article stating that current Australian Supersport Champion Bryan Staring could make a dramatic return to Honda for 2010. It is a rather confusing string of events which have led to this revelation, but it does have to do with Yamaha leaving ASBK to compete in the FX series. Well worth a read...

http://tinyurl.com/ygsc5fs

There are four Australians who will be competing in the World Superbike Championship, and the season starts in only a few weeks. Troy Corser, Chris Vermeulen, Andrew Pitt and Broc Parkes. It is odd to hear such news, though, as I would expect a much larger contingent from Down Under. But, there are Australians in motorcycle racing series all over the planet - maybe that's enough for them...it certainly would be for nations much larger than Australia.

http://tinyurl.com/ykrfog2

Monday Morning Moto News - WSBK, Toseland, Crutchlow, Vermeulen & Guintoli

Finally, we have some more results from the World Superbike Championship practice at Portimao. There are plenty of reports, so I will post any interesting stories that come my way. Just keep your eyes on the list below.

http://tinyurl.com/yb3lu5q

http://tinyurl.com/ye447kf

http://tinyurl.com/y8z68z6

http://tinyurl.com/yetxpn5

http://tinyurl.com/yd3f26p

Apparently, when Jorge Lorenzo is on his bike and in his leathers, James Toseland is infinitely annoyed by him but, when Lorenzo is off the track and has his helmet off, he is a very nice guy. At least that is how Toseland sees things. He also turned down a reality TV show - good for him! Some candid conversation after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y88duod

Toseland's teammate, Cal Crutchlow, had a great WSBK practice over the weekend. The World Supersport Champion made his way around the track and beat out Toseland on time - even while trying to find a decent setup for his R1.

http://tinyurl.com/ye4cam2

Chris Vermeulen did not have a great testing session, but he and his team learned a great deal. They are getting themselves ready for the next test at Phillip Island - right before the season opens there - to find further improvements.

http://tinyurl.com/yd4oueb

Sylvain Guintoli is counting the days until the start of the 2010 World Superbike Championship. He is ready to tackle this series and see what he can do to achieve the championship for his team - to put it simply, he is confident and wants to get racing!

http://tinyurl.com/ycpcll5

Wednesday Evening Moto News - Husqvarna and Vermeulen

Husqvarna has been named the Marque of the Year for 2010 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. The event, as always, will be Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, during 9 - 11 July 2010. Husqvarna only recently returned to full-time participation in AMA national level racing and they are quite happy to be selected for this honor.


http://tinyurl.com/yawvthu

And, luckily, we now have access to an interview with soon to be World Superbike competitor Chris Vermeulen. He will be spearheading Kawasaki's effort in that series for 2010, and I can think of no one better suited to the task. It will be well worth paying attention to WSBK again this year and we will all be better for it!

http://tinyurl.com/yzda3qf

Your Tuesday Moto News Part 2 - Mostly Race-Related Information

Most of this is race-related...

Marco Simoncelli has stated his goal in his first year in the 2010 MotoGP Championship - he wants to land top 5 at worst! That is an ambitious goal considering he is a rookie in the class and will be running on satellite machinery. They say that he is aware of the challenge he faces in that paddock, but he is a very good rider and a potential threat on any weekend...

http://tinyurl.com/ygdqp54

Chris Vermeulen is ready to race now! He was out training on both Christmas and New Year's Day - just to show that he has two more days than other riders - as he is preparing for the 2010 World Superbike Championship. It is good to know that all is going well for his ride in WSBK as he is most certainly a talented motorcycle racer who does have a chance at another title or two before he is done.

http://tinyurl.com/yg9jne8

Chris Vermeulen Making Solid Progress During Almeria Testing

Vermeulen has been at the Spanish Almeria circuit doing some testing with his Kawasaki World Superbike team for the past two days. The testing went very well for the Australian and he has seen some solid improvements. Even the team is working very well together. If only the 2010 season could come sooner for him!

http://tinyurl.com/ybwp8tx

Vermeulen Believes that Kawasaki Will Be Strong in 2010 World Superbike Championship

He tested the WSBK ZX-10R at Cartegena (Spain) last week and found it to be a very good racing machine - as you might expect. He also managed to get some baseline readings which will greatly help their further testing and racing in 2010. Vermeulen will be a strong competitor in the WSBK paddock next year, and Kawasaki is looking for a renaissance, which they may just have with Vermeulen at the controls.

http://tinyurl.com/ygz4bb5

Chris Vermeulen Finishs Two Good Days of Testing in Spain

Vermeulen was in Cartegena testing on the Kawasaki ZX-10R for his 2010 World Superbike Championship return. He did some nice laps and made some good progress at the track. Overall, he seemed even happy with the way the testing went. He will be partnered with Tom Sykes in WSBK.

http://tinyurl.com/yg92rx5

Vermeulen Begins Duties at Kawasaki WSBK Team

Chris Vermuelen was not allowed to test at the final round of the World Superbike Championship in Portimao because his bosses at Rizla Suzuki would not allow it. So, over in Japan he is now getting his first taste of the Kawasaki ZX-10R he will be riding in next year's championship season. They are calling it a 'shake-down' run for Vermeulen, with the real testing to commence at Cartagena very soon...

http://tinyurl.com/ylgjyb7

Alvaro Bautista Racks up 52 Laps at Valencia Test

Bautista was a workhorse at the Valencia post-season test. He rode the tires off of the GSV-R. He managed some impressive lap times on board the Suzuki machine. OK, it wasn't Stoner territory, but for his first ride on the 800c.c. MotoGP bike, it wasn't bad either. He will be a real force - maybe the rider that Suzuki needs? I miss Vermeulen...but I do not hate Bautista because of it.

http://tinyurl.com/ydp66o9

Vermeulen and Toseland at Portimao for Post-Season Test

Along with all of the other 2010 riders in the World Superbike Championship who are practising at the Portimao test days, Chris Vermeulen and James Toseland are also present. They both flew back to Europe from Malaysia after the MotoGP race to get their chance to meet with their respective teams. Unfortunately, Vermeulen will not be able to ride, but Toseland has been allowed to ride the Yamaha superbike since he currently rides for Yamaha in the MotoGP series.

http://tinyurl.com/yh4esme

Tom Sykes to Ride with Vermeulen on Paul Bird Kawasaki WSBK Team

It has only recently been confirmed, but the news is spreading everywhere; Sykes, an accomplished BSB series racer who has ridden for Paul Bird Motorsports previously, will now share the paddock with teammate Chris Vermeulen in the World Superbike Championship. He lost his Yamaha seat next to Ben Spies in WSBK, so he is eager to get back to the big show and give his best for every win!

http://tinyurl.com/ykql2ms

Ready for Malaysia - the MotoGP Championship at Sepang

Well, this coming weekend will be yet another tough race for the MotoGP racers. Valentino Rossi may be able to clench the title if he wins or places far enough above Jorge Lorenzo, but that might not come to pass as Por Fuera is on fire! Casey Stoner may play spoiler to all of this - he can't win the championship but he might change the points enough to force Rossi to wait for another race to take victory. Then there is the heat and humidity of Malaysia - the racers have to be very careful of their health while there as it can be very hard on the leather-clad athletes during the race. No matter what, there will be a MotoGP race this weekend and that is worth the trip alone...

http://tinyurl.com/yzxme6r

Rizla Suzuki - how will Caprirossi and Vermeulen handle the heat? http://tinyurl.com/ykzzndr

Ducati - will Casey Stoner get sickened by the weather; can Hayden stay upright and not get hit by another racer? http://tinyurl.com/ygltcav

Scot Honda: http://tinyurl.com/yhp5s93

Standings ahead of the Malaysian GP: http://tinyurl.com/ykdzw4x

Suzuki Remains Cursed at Australia's Phillip Island

A Suzuki GSV-R has only made it to a single sixth place finish at Phillip Island since its 2002 introduction. That is not a good record for an otherwise constantly improving machine. Neither Chris Vermeulen nor Loris Capirossi could get their Suzuki to the podium this weekend. In fact, Capirossi was placed at the back of the grid due to the fact that he had to violate the new MotoGP engine rules - he had to use his sixth engine and they are only allowed five from mid-season to the finale - and, Suzuki was fined 10 points in the manufacturer's championship...

http://tinyurl.com/yfrpatd

Paul Bird Motorsports to Re-enter British Superbike Championship Series?

It sure looks like Mr. Bird is interested in putting both a British Superbike and a British Supersport team into the series in 2010. He already has a World Superbike team and may also have a World Supersport team...talk about spreading out your bet! I have to give it to him, though, I would love to do the exact same thing...

http://tinyurl.com/ylsds58

Vermeulen Stoked for Phillip Island MotoGP Round

Chris Vermeulen may be leaving MotoGP for the World Superbike paddock, he is more than ready to perform at the Phillip Island in front of his home crowd. He has not been doing so well this year - only one top-10 finish in the 2009 season - but he has a good record at his home track; he landed on the podium in 2006 for the first time in taking second. For this coming weekend, make sure you keep your eye on Vermeulen's Suzuki!

http://tinyurl.com/yhznzwr