Tuesday Afternoon Moto News - Toseland, Pedrosa, Aoyama and Simoncelli

Again we hear from James Toseland; this time it is about Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. Toseland has now stated that he sees Rossi as a 'genuine' guy and Lorenzo as 'cocky'. There is some evidence backing him up in this, but it really is a matter of perspective. What's your opinion? Well, you are free to state it here.

http://tinyurl.com/ykzjs83

Dani Pedrosa has admitted that he needs to make fewer mistakes if he wants to take the MotoGP title. He has run into many problems in his quest to take that Championship, and he has been the cause of some of his won problems - though, not all of them! No matter your perspective on this, you know that he is a talented rider who does have a real chance to become a Champion.

http://tinyurl.com/yke62k2

How about some words from Hiroshi Aoyama and Marc Simoncelli about the new Moto2 class. Both were 250c.c. World Champions, and both are sad to see the two-stroke era come to an end. But, they are also quite ready to see what the new Moto2 series will bring to us in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/ylm659y

Thursday Morning Race News - Fiat Yamaha, Jerez and Luthi

Jorge Lorenzo now has a new team manager for his side of the Fiat Yamaha MotoGP garage, Wilco Zeelenberg. Zeelenberg had been team manager for the World Supersport Yamaha squad which took the title in 2009 with Cal Crutchlow - who is now up in World Superbike - so he certainly has the experience. His experience is also rather deep as he was also a racer, including time in the Grand Prix circuit. Let's hope that he is also helpful at keeping Rossi and Lorenzo from going at each other in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yglre8v

For the first time since 1990, the Jerez Grand Prix has won the IRTA award for 'Best Grand Prix' for 2009. Herve Poncharal announced the winner and congratulated the famous circuit. The Jerez facilities have recently been upgraded and it seems that everyone in attendance was quite happy with the event. Good going Jerez! Someday I will see you...

http://tinyurl.com/yl4snub

Interwetten Honda (Caffe Latte)will run with Thomas Luthi in the Moto2 series as well as fielding Hiroshi Aoyama in the MotoGP series. Luthi is a 125c.c. World Champion and has run in the 250c.c. class many times. His first test aboard the new Moto2 machine will be in February. Now there are three teams running in both MotoGP and Moto2 - Interwetten, Tech 3 and Gresini.

http://tinyurl.com/yklj6sn

Monday Morning Moto News - Back to Work Edition, Part 3

Even more...

Hiroshi Aoyama has been testing with his electronics package switched off on his MotoGP machine. Someone thought to ask why, and we now have an explanation from his technical director, Tom Jojic. In short, they are doing it to allow Aoyama to explore the potential of the motorcycle first - afterwards, they may go right back to the electronics to aid him in gaining the extra he needs to win. Makes some sense...

http://tinyurl.com/yekxw8f

And, finally (for this morning, anyway) we have an exclusive interview with Nicky Hayden from MotorcycleUSA. Mostly, this deals with last season, but there is some good news for 2010 as well. Nicky improved on the Desmosedici almost every race in 2009, so 2010 should be a good year for him now that he will also have more practice with the machine and team.

http://tinyurl.com/ycnhpwc

Wednesday Morning Moto News from Around the Industry

We are back to Wednesday now - just a few more days left this year - and there is some news. One thing to keep in mind is that many people consider this the end of the first decade of the 21st century. They are wrong, unless the first decade is only 9 years long, as there was no year 0. That means that 2001 was the true beginning of the 21st century and the end of this decade will be midnight, 31 December 2010. It's simply absolute fact.

So, in that spirit, we have a list of the most important motorcycles of the first 9 years of the 21st century. On this list are bikes which you may or may not agree with, but the author believes that this is the list. I have to say that there are at least five bikes there which could easily be replaced with other models. Anyway, go and take a look and see if you agree.

http://tinyurl.com/yfe34v6

Now, a lawsuit has been settled which Harley-Davidson (a very litigious manufacturer) brought against family-owned Ridley Motorcycles. It seems that the lawyers up at H-D considered the 'Auto-Glide' transmission on the Ridley bikes to be too close to Harley's own 'Glide' series. So, now the David in our story has been slain by Goliath and Ridley will no longer use the name. Ridley will also no longer be making motorcycles - at least it appears that way since they have now filed for bankruptcy protection and have some serious debt (much of it coming from the fight with H-D; thank you so much H-D for ridding the world of another manufacturer, bastards!)

http://tinyurl.com/ykvrbb5

http://tinyurl.com/ye822uy

Also, Hiroshi Aoyama will be running the number 7 in MotoGP next season. He already lost his 4 due to Dovizioso already having it in the series, so he changed to 7 now that Vermeulen has left. He is doing it to honor Daijiro Kato, the Japanese MotoGP rider who died in a horrific crash at Suzuka in 2003.

http://tinyurl.com/yfqsh9a

And, it is now possible that Malaysia's Sepang Circuit could loose the MotoGP event at that track. The contract with the MotoGP management runs out next year and negotiations are under way now. This could also limit Malaysian racers' chances of getting into the series as full-time participants, so this has some far-reaching effects. I sure hope they get things nailed down before the 2010 Malaysian GP!

http://tinyurl.com/yjea86g

Tuesday Morning News from the Moto World - Part 2

Now, we head on over to the second part of this morning's news...

First story here is an interview with current Rally Dakar champion Marc Coma. He is getting ready for the 2010 running of the event and the author caught up with him to ask him how it is all going. The 450c.c. limit - and the restriction of bikes with larger displacements - is a major area of discussion. Have a good read...

http://tinyurl.com/ylx8p2h

Apparently, earlier reports of John Hopkins joining the MotoGP FB Corse team are not accurate. His manager has now related that Hopper is considering many options and he is working with FB Corse now, but has signed nothing.

http://tinyurl.com/yg9jbzx

We also hear from some of his companions (Cal Crutchlow and Troy Corser) in the World Superbike Championship for 2010, James Toseland will enjoy and prosper in the series. They state that the culture there is much better suited to Toseland, even if it has changed since the last time he raced there.

http://tinyurl.com/ygx3v4j

Marco Simoncelli and Hiroshi Aoyama have finished up with their testing at the Sepang track in Malaysia. The first days of testing were hampered by bad weather, but the remaining time was very useful for both riders as they prepare for their first year in MotoGP in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yfp75d8

Thursday Morning Mixture of Moto News - Christmas Eve Edition - Part 1

Yep, the holiday is only one day away now, so let's see what we can find in the news...

We have yet another mention of the Road America Vintage Motorcycle Classic, which takes place 11 - 13 June 2010. The Motorcycle Classics magazine has teamed up with the organizers to present the Road America Motorcycle Classics Ride and Show. Just one more reason to make the trip!

http://tinyurl.com/y8to5rc

Now, how about a trip into history with the 1973 Triumph X75 Hurricane. It is a great history lesson and a look into the British motorcycle marques of the era. Go and have a look at a true icon in motorcycling, and one which is now very rare.

http://tinyurl.com/ybujyxc

How about some wrap-up from the MotoGP rookies testing taking place out in Malaysia at Sepang? Well, both Aoyama and Simoncelli were there and Aoyama set the faster lap. However, it is only testing and each team could have been working on something different with vastly different results. Get updated, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ydjprqr

That's it for part 1, next is - you got it! - part 2.

Interwetten Devotes Their Website to Their MotoGP Sponsorship

The online betting site, Interwetten, has now updated their website to reflect their new MotoGP sponsorship of Hiroshi Aoyama on a Honda. They have supported a rider in both the 125c.c. and 250c.c. class previously. The interesting part of this news is that the website is now wrapped around their new motorcycle racing team, and that shows just how dedicated they are to racing in the World Championship.

http://tinyurl.com/yfu6seu

Hiroshi Aoyama Rides the Honda RC212V at Valencia

So, we all know that MotoGP teams have been testing at Valencia since Monday. But, what we could use to know is how Aoyama is doing with the RC212V - well, we may know some of that as well since he does like the machine and "thoroughly enjoyed the experience." He was recruited by Daniel Epp to ride the Honda for the new Interwetten MotoGP team in 2010. He actually rode the Honda bare - no electronic aids - and still managed to turn in good times for his first ride on the machine.

http://tinyurl.com/yklwt2b

More From Valencia MotoGP Testing - Simoncelli and Melandri

Marco Simoncelli was astounded by the power of the Honda RC212V MotoGP bike during his first practice aboard the machine. He really liked what it had to offer, but he also sees a long learning curve ahead. On the other hand, Marco Melandri also liked the RC212V, but it was something he knew at least a little since he rode with Honda back in 2007; still, the bike had changed since he last threw a leg over it. He did outdo his best time on the Kawasaki during Sunday's race. Aoyama and Barbera also participated in this test...

http://tinyurl.com/yb3vksm

Some good photos from the event: http://tinyurl.com/ylbl9f6

Valencia Plays Host to 2009 MotoGP Awards Ceremony

Like many racing series award ceremonies, the winners are already known before the event kicks off. Mostly, the event is a formality and a useful ceremony.The 2009 FIM MotoGP Awards Ceremony was hosted by BBC’s Matthew Roberts and TVE’s Ainhoa Arbizu. Rossi, Aoyama and Simon all picked up their championship trophies - many other awards were given out as well - manufacturer's championship (Yamaha), team championship (Yamaha), rookie of the year(Mika Kallio), etc. Have a brief look:

http://tinyurl.com/yhxp2dq

What Does Hiroshi Aoyama's 250GP Championship Mean?

Well, it means that he grabbed the top spot after fighting all year to obtain it. Aoyama will be moving to the MotoGP series in 2010 with Honda - and the new championship was a nice bonus on that path. The real questions come about how he got here, where he came from, and what importance does his victory have for his team, Honda and himself? Take the link and see for yourself...he was destined to be a motorcycle racer!

http://tinyurl.com/yfuwpqj

Valencia MotoGP: 250GP World Championship Qualifying

Some interesting qualifying in the 250c.c. World Championship class - Simoncelli is in second and Hiroshi Aoyama sitting in fifth! Of course, Aoyama only needs to finish in front of eleventh place to take the crown for the last two-stroke 250c.c. GP event. Alex Debon took pole position for the race, with Hector Barbera holding down the third position. It looks like - as long as we don't see any nasty get-offs - Aoyama will be the final champion in this class...

http://tinyurl.com/yzp848k

http://tinyurl.com/ygvf45c

More Ahead of Valencia - Matt Roberts' MotoGP Column

You have read him before, probably without even knowing it. Well, Mr. Roberts opines on some very interesting situations ahead of tomorrow's race in Spain. So much is left to be decided - placement overall in MotoGP (except fro Rossi), the 250c.c. World Champion, and where will some of the not-yet-signed riders end up in 2010 - there may be announcements all around the Valencia round pertaining to this subject...stay tuned!

http://tinyurl.com/yezmjfr

MotoGP: Valencia Preview Notes - Final 2009 Round

There are still many contests to be decided at the final round of the 2009 MotoGP season. Second place in the series is one important question which will be decided this coming weekend. That is not to mention the hard-fought battle for fifth place between Edwards and Dovizioso. Plus, we get to see Ben Spies back in the paddock; I wonder how that will go? The biggest question, though, in my own opinion will be the race to the 250 World Championship, which is now between Aoyama and Simoncelli - also, it will be the last race for the 250c.c. two-strokes as next year we will see the Moto2 series. There are plenty of other answers coming this weekend, so do not miss it!

http://tinyurl.com/yzjth8o

Team race previews: http://tinyurl.com/yz8elyp

MotoGP Results: 250 World Championship at Sepang in Malaysia

Hiroshi Aoyama is one step closer to winning the 250c.c. World Championship after today's race at Sepang in Malaysia. Aoyama took the win and is now 21 points ahead in the final standings. Simoncelli pulled a third place finish at the event, but it will be tough to take the championship unless Aoyama finished far behind him in Valencia. Alvaro Bautista crashed for the third consecutive race and his title hopes are now gone...

http://tinyurl.com/ykewmuy

http://tinyurl.com/yk5wvwb

Overall 250c.c. World Championship standings with one race remaining: http://tinyurl.com/yjllbfc

Hiroshi Aoyama Again Tops Qualifying at Malaysian MotoGP Round

Aoyama has placed himself high enough above Simoncelli to make the fight for the title seem easily obtainable for the Japanese rider. Simoncelli only managed to get eighth on the starting grid for tomorrow's race. What will happen? Who knows as the 250c.c. Championship race can see some incredible racing - Marco could still beat Hiroshi if things go his way...

http://tinyurl.com/ygxoev2

http://tinyurl.com/ygjxwjy

The Two Top MotoGP Columns Write About the Malaysia MotoGP Round

Steve Parrish and Matt Roberts are both well-known in the world of media covering the MotoGP Championship. Today, we have both of them writing about what Phillip Island meant to the overall championships in the three series (MotoGP, 250c.c., 125c.c.) and what we should look for in Malaysia. Rossi could take the title Sunday; Aoyama and Simoncelli are both possible 250c.c. Championship contenders; and, we all know that Simon is the 125c.c. champion, but who will be in second or third? Read both of these and you will be doing yourself a great service!

Steve Parrish: http://tinyurl.com/yh42wwx

Matt Roberts: http://tinyurl.com/ykbgjlx

Hiroshi Aoyama on Top Of Time Sheets at Malaysian MotoGP Round

Aoyama powered to the first position in the first practice at Sepang, Marco Simoncelli only made it to tenth. However, Simoncelli can often be accused of 'sandbagging' and when qualifying comes around, we will probably see him move much closer to the top. He is only 12 points shy of 250c.c. championship leader Aoyama, so this race is important to both riders! Again, watch it as it will be worth it!

http://tinyurl.com/yzx9q2w

http://tinyurl.com/yz9u3de

Melbourne’s Federation Square Celebrates MotoGP Phillip Island Round

The sheer number of people turning out for this event should demonstrate just how mad Australians are about motorcycle racing. Of course, it could have been that moto-celebrities like Mick Doohan, Wayne Gardner and Hiroshi Aoyama were in attendance. But, just know that the nation 'Down Under' is a nation/continent where motorcyclists are well represented and there is plenty of passion for racing!

http://tinyurl.com/ylnbta9

Get Ready for Phillip Island Motorcycle Grand Prix

It's only a few days away and preparations are already under way at the Phillip Island circuit. So, for your own good and knowledge, have a read and get yourself ready for the weekend's racing. The title fight is getting close and there are two heavily favored riders - Rossi and Lorenzo - and one which could throw a wrench into the works - Pedrosa. These last three races will be very important to all series - 125, 250 and MotoGP! Don't forget to set your alarm or Tivo, if you have one!

http://tinyurl.com/yh4o9kt