Number 52 Hangs 'Em Up: James Toseland has Retired

A few hours late with this one...

Unfortunately, due to injury, James Toseland has decided to retire from motorcycle racing. The Englishman, and two time World Superbike Champion, injured his wrist at a test in Spain back in March. The joint was hurt again at the recent Nurburgring round of WSBK and, after investigating and discussing the matter with medical professionals, decided it was safest for him to walk away from the sport he loves at the tender age of 30.

I do hate to see him go as he was always one of the most fun to watch and listen to, but he needs to do what is best for him and his family. We all wish Toseland well in all of his future endeavors!

http://tinyurl.com/3bk5s7y

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 - Simon Andrews, Parrish Bullish on Brits & Riders for Health

MSS Colchester Kawasaki top rider Simon Andrews could be in some serious trouble. Andrews has admitted to three separate driving offenses which could lead him to time in prison and/or they may take away his driving license. He has pleaded guilty...and it may cost him his 2010 BSB season - idiot!

http://tinyurl.com/y9wttt4

Well-known motorcycle World Champion and journalist Steve Parrish has said that 2010 will be the year of Britain in the motorcycle racing series of the world. He expects James Toseland to get a fire under his rear and to take the WSBK paddock by storm; however, he sees Jonathan Rea as the heir apparent for the World Championship. No matter how it all goes down, British participation is heading in the right direction for him!

http://tinyurl.com/ye3pac4

The BBC has kindly placed a documentary film about the Riders for Health charity online for all to watch. The documentary is from a program called "Alvin's Guide to Good Business" and you can access it from a link after the link below. They do wonderful work and the video is worth watching!

http://tinyurl.com/ye4gry6

More Morning Moto News - Tom Tunstall, BSB Evo Debate & James Toseland

Tom Tunstall is ready for the assault on the 2010 British Superbike Championship. He remains with his 2009 team - Doodson Motorsport - and will continue to ride a Honda Fireblade (CBR1000RR). Tunstall did rather well last season and hopes to build on that success with the team he owns and rides for. Look out BSB, Tunstall is coming back!

http://tinyurl.com/yh5tpwc

The idea of the newly created BSB Evo class is to take Superstock engines, put them into Superbike frames and then use a spec-ECU. The idea is to keep costs down. However, Jack Valentine of the Worx Suzuki squad has said that it is cheaper to use some of the aftermarket products which the teams now use in the BSB main grid. This is likely accurate as the factory does charge a premium when you compare it against the aftermarket expenses...There is much more to this story and you would do well to have a read of it. The British Superbike rules may change even more for 2011...

http://tinyurl.com/ylj7g9g

Former MotoGP man and World Superbike Champion James Toseland will be the guest of honor at the 2010 Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators annual dinner on Friday 12th March at the Hilton Hotel, Douglas on the Isle of Man. Toseland will even entertain everyone on the keyboard as well as discuss certain international tax issues. Not what I would call a wild event, but it should be enjoyable nevertheless.

http://tinyurl.com/ycjtwuu

Friday Afternoon Moto News - Sterilgarda Yamaha WSBK & Ace Cafe Iron Butt

World Superbike Championship team Sterilgarda Yamaha has unveiled their livery for the 2010 season. Riders James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow were also present at the event and took time to answer questions, a very polite thing to do. There are many changes to their 2010 machines, including more horsepower, less weight, different shaped fuel tank and many more. For all that information, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ya62q2a

As part of the Ally Pally show, put together by the folks at Ace Cafe London, Danny John-Jules and his mate Graham Hoskins will be leaving from the show location at noon on 27 February 2010 to take a 7,000 mile trip around the Mediterranean to raise money for BBC TV's "Sport Relief" charity. Of course, the show has plenty else to attract you, but this ride is certainly - given the path they will take - an Iron Butt event!

http://tinyurl.com/ybk322z

They have chosen the Honda Transalp for the ride: http://tinyurl.com/ybfemcq

Monday Afternoon Moto News - Ben Spies, James Toseland & Scala Rider G4

Ben Spies is in no hurry to prove anything in the MotoGP paddock this year - he is well aware that he has a great deal to learn. It will not be another 2009 World Superbike season for him in his new series, but he will probably get some stellar finishes, and I bet he places rather high by the end of the year. However, it could also be a nasty crashing year for him...if it is, you do know he will learn not to make the same mistakes again. The 2010 MotoGP Championship is going to be fantastic!

http://tinyurl.com/y9fkc4k

James Toseland now has TCX boots as a sponsor in his World Superbike Championship season. The Italian manufacturer almost seems to have done this for the purpose of pun...see the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y8jborn

Yep, Cardo Systems has just announced the release of their most technologically advanced motorcycle communication system to date - Scala Rider G4. It will support up to four people (2 riders, 2 passengers), a mobile phone, GPS, and even has built-in FM radio. The controller is light and durable and it will be at dealers very soon. For more details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yz63sts

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

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

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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

Saturday Morning Moto News - WSBK, WSS, Silverstone and More

Well, there is a great deal of activity in the World Superbike world about now. Most of it is due to the testing being held in Portimao, Portugal, this weekend, but there is other news as well.

First, the provisional 2010 World Superbike Championship entry list is now available. You will know most of what is here, but it is all in one place, which makes it easier. Have a close look, though, as some details we thought were settled have changed again...

http://tinyurl.com/y8fu3v6

From the first official day of testing at Portimao for the WSBK teams we have some reports. Leon Haslam is on top of things so far...

http://tinyurl.com/yc9xw62

http://tinyurl.com/yawd26u

http://tinyurl.com/ycgf99x +WSS

James Toseland has something to prove in WSBK: http://tinyurl.com/ydqu3ps

Early Day 2 results have Jonathan Rea at the top of the time sheets. The Brits are taking this practice by storm: http://tinyurl.com/yk6cafu

Apparently, Silverstone has just announced that they will be hosting a round of the World Superbike Championship this year. It will be over the 30 July - 1 August 2010 weekend. New news?

http://tinyurl.com/yas8xjs

Tuesday Morning Moto News - WSBK DVD, Toseland and Tamada

The 2009 World Superbike Season Review DVD is now available for purchase. If you would like to relive the historic season, want to see some of the events you missed, or if you simply collect them all, this is the DVD for you. It details the season long competition between veteran Noriyuki Haga and rookie Ben Spies, of which most of us know the ending. Check it out...

http://tinyurl.com/y9ndurn

Ever since he left Ducati to take on the challenge of BMW in WSBK, Davide Tardozzi just cannot seem to keep his opinions to himself - or, the press just will not leave the man alone. Either way, we now hear that he thinks James Toseland lost something during his two years in MotoGP. Tardozzi just does not see Toseland as a threat in the WSBK paddock. So, read the article and let me know what you think...

http://tinyurl.com/y9mbrcc

MotoGP and WSBK veteran Makoto Tamada has secured a seat in the WSBK paddock for 2010. He will be riding for Pro Ride Honda in the series. No further details given, but the official announcement is expected soon.

http://tinyurl.com/ybdlxuz

More in Moto News for Tuesday - Espargaro, British Supersport

Now, this is Aleix Espargaro who was given the opportunity to ride for the Pramac Ducati team at a few rounds of the 2009 MotoGP Championship. Now he has a full ride in the series for 2010. He had to endure some surgery, though, to get his left arm fixed. Read the article for details...

http://tinyurl.com/ylekhl8

Over in the British Supersport Championship, Gearlink Kawasaki has finally announced their team for the 2010 season. Ben Wilson, newly re-signed, will ride with teammate Lee Johnston on the Supersport team. In the National Superstock 600 series, Sam Coventry will take their name to the track at only 16 years-old. Have a read...

http://tinyurl.com/ylxcg8c

So, what is up with James Toseland these days? He will be riding the World Superbike Championship again in 2010 after losing his seat in MotoGP to newcomer Ben Spies. But, what of his career? What about where he really sits in the world of motorcycle racing? Well, take the link and learn something interesting about the Brit.

http://tinyurl.com/yjlstzz

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

Shane Byrne Looking Forward to Battle of the Brits in WSBK

So far, there will be seven British riders on the World Superbike circuits in 2010 who have factory rides - that's a large contingent. Byrne is happy to see so many of his fellow countrymen on the grid and is relishing the challenge of it as soon as the season begins. Again, 2010 will be a great year for motorcycle racing!

http://tinyurl.com/yaq2nf5

Leon Haslam Fastest at Valencia Testing - Wrap-Up of Event

Haslam managed to pull his Alstare Suzuki around the Valencia track faster than anyone else testing there. Of course, this is only testing and not everyone there was working for outright lap times - there is plenty to do on the new machines that does not include watching the clock...First debrief linked below:

http://tinyurl.com/yhjlntk

Crutchlow and Toseland Preparing for 2010 WSBK Season

Earlier, we read about Toseland and how happy Corser is to see him back in the WSBK paddock, but Crutchlow has also been working very hard to make his debut in the top racing series a successful one. He fought very hard for the World Supersport title in 2009, and he will have yet another fight on his hands when he lines up against the other World Superbike riders in 2010...

http://tinyurl.com/yetpq6t

Troy Corser Happy To See James Toseland Back in WSBK Championship

Corser is of the opinion that Toseland should have never left to go race in MotoGP. He truly believes that old King James could have won a few more WSBK titles if he had remained in the series. It could be an accurate assumption given how different Superbikes are from MotoGP machines - and, maybe Toseland can handle the Superbike a little better...

http://tinyurl.com/yldt92n

James Toseland Did NOT Fail in MotoGP

At least, that is what Toseland believes. Of course, I think that many would agree as he was far from the worst performing rider in the 2009 MotoGP Championship (though, in 2009 he was 13 points behind his 2008 total). It was that Yamaha wanted to launch Spies into the series given his recent performances. However, Toseland does have unfinished business in the series and he hopes to get back there very soon!

http://tinyurl.com/ykea7nn

James Toseland Awarded Honrary Doctorate from Sheffield University

Toseland is returning to World Superbike in 2010 from MotoGP, but his hometown does not consider it a move backwards. Sheffield Hallam University awarded him the honorary degree for services to sport. Well, now we can call him Dr. Toseland!

http://tinyurl.com/ybkugew

Yamaha to Have Big Showing at Carole Nash International Show

They may be leaving several racing series around the world and their profits are all but non-existent, but Yamaha will make a full go at it when the Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter show starts at the NEC later this week. Yamaha will have on display several of their new machines along with Toseland's YZR-M1 and Spies' World Championship YZF-R1. Also, noted in this article is the Silverstone booth at the NEC - that is reason enough to attend the show. After all, saving that kind of money on a MotoGP race is something you just do not pass up.

http://tinyurl.com/yfv24z5

Valencia MotoGP Finale - Last Race of 2009

The end of the season in MotoGP is always interesting. First of all, since it takes place in Spain, there are bound to be some crazy fans having a very good time at the event. Next, you have all of the new team constructions as riders change teams and even series. And, of course, it is the last race for the 250c.c. two-strokes as next year will see the spec Honda 600c.c. Moto2 class replacing them. What a year in MotoGP it has been...

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