MotoGP Qatar Test Approach, Silverstone Visit Guide & Leon Haslam Interview

That's right! It's the last preseason test for MotoGP and it will be held in Qatar during 18 - 19 March 2010. Who will come out ahead - well, doubtless it will be Rossi - but who will fill in behind him? Only the test will give us the answers. For more about it, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yz4dezf

If you have ever wanted to attend a race at the historic Silverstone circuit in the UK, we now have a way to find a good hotel near the track. The Silverstone Accommodation Guide has just launched and it is now available for you to find a place to lay your head. Check it out...

http://tinyurl.com/yetlgr7

It's a relatively short interview with the World Superbike Championship Alstare Suzuki rider Leon Haslam, but it is a good one. This is even more important when you consider that he is sitting at the top of the overall points standings as of the first race at Phillip Island - the man is on fire! So, what does he think of the win, of the season ahead and his team's chances? Well, take the link to find out!

http://tinyurl.com/ydz69zz

Thursday Morning Moto News - Vesrah Suzuki, Leon Haslam & Jorge Lorenzo

Vesrah Suzuki had a decent Daytona experience - well, at least rider Cory West as Jeff Wood was the victim of an unfortunate competitors engine oil which forced him to retire. West, though, took sixth place in the Daytona 200 after only having about a week to get ready for the event. They now have three times as much time to get ready for the next round...do you see a championship in their future?

http://tinyurl.com/yekwvb6

Leon Haslam, of the World Superbike series, says that the next event will be much tougher on all riders. Given that this was the first real race of the season in WSBK, there were teething problems for all teams as they adjusted to their new organizations and bikes. That means that by the next event, many teams will have things dialed in better. Look for it all to heat up even more as 2010 continues...

http://tinyurl.com/yev6j66

New rumors say that Jorge Lorenzo will be in good enough shape to participate in the final MotoGP pre-season test in Qatar next weekend (18 - 19 March 2010). Lorenzo and his team will use the time on the track to see how well his injuries have healed, thus telling them how well he can handle his race machine, the YZR-M1. Only some time on the track will allow them to judge it properly. This is good news as he was expected to miss this test entirely...

http://tinyurl.com/ybfxm2x

More Morning Moto News - Phillip Island WSBK and World Supersport

The World Superbike race this past weekend at Phillip Island was a success story for some British riders, many of whom have also competed in the British Superbike Championships over the last several years. Of course, Leon Haslam, this weekend's double winner, was once in the BSB series, but now he is firmly ahead of all WSBK riders after one round. He did win the first race by the slimmest margin in WSBK history, but that means little as he still takes the 25 points with him to the next round...

http://tinyurl.com/yzk5apu

One area of WSBK which often gets overlooked in the headline stories around the world is the World Supersport series which is one of the WSBK support classes. This past weekend at Phillip Island, there Eugene Laverty schooled the field after the re-start and has taken the early lead. He had some issues in practice and qualifying trying to keep up with some seemingly faster riders, but that did not stop him from taking the checkered flag!

http://tinyurl.com/yf2kkg3

Sunday Morning Moto News - Early Daytona Returns & WSBK Results from Phillip Island

Bike Week has kicked off in Daytona, Florida, this weekend and the first results have come back from the Michelin Team Challenge. It seems that an Australian rider, Aussie Dave Anthony, brought home first place in the GTO class with his Suzuki GSX-R1000 (I think). For the results of the GTU and GT Lites class, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yb2km4h

That's right, the World Superbike Championship round at Phillip Island is over, and we have several posts which detail the events in Australia and tell us who ended up where when the checkered flag was dropped at the end of both races. In race one, the finish was Haslam, Fabrizio and Haga; in race two, it was Checa, Haslam and then Fabrizio. As you can see, Ducati and Suzuki had great weekends. Aprilia had a good outing, but not a perfect race. For all the details, please take the links below.

Race 1: http://tinyurl.com/yd4mxod

Race 2: http://tinyurl.com/y9ogyce

Both Races: http://tinyurl.com/ycp6xkr

Both Races: http://tinyurl.com/y8m4jov

Aprilia's Races: http://tinyurl.com/yaer9tj

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 Morning Moto News - Phillip Island WSBK, Guy Martin and Stephen Thompson

We have another report from World Superbike Practice at Phillip Island in Australia. This time is is Carlos Checa who led the field in testing yesterday. Behind him was Michel Fabrizio, and sitting in third was day one's fastest rider Leon Haslam. If I find more of these reports, I will place them in this post.

http://tinyurl.com/y8j82u9

http://tinyurl.com/yb6lxy5

http://tinyurl.com/ybzll5w

WSS: http://tinyurl.com/ydmfy6j

The BBC likes to follow a single rider during their preparation for the North West 200 real roads race held in the United Kingdom on 16 May 2010. They started the project, as far as I can tell, last year with James McCann. This year they will be taking on two racers - fan favorite Guy Martin and Stephen Thompson. The project has just started, but if you want to follow it, you should take the link below.

http://tinyurl.com/ybnr6tc

Friday Morning Moto News - FIM Homologated Motorcycles, Leon Haslam

The FIM has released its list of the homologated motorcycles which may participate in each of the classes within WSBK. For the list, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/yjpocee

Leon Haslam, he of Alstare Suzuki team, was the fastest rider on day one of the World Superbike testing at Phillip Island. He was the only rider to lap within his bracket. This bodes well for his WSBK season...but, he is up against the best in the world and the WSBK paddock is loaded with talent...so, we still must wait to see how the season goes...

http://tinyurl.com/y8pbm55

It appears as if Max Biaggi is not too far behind Haslam...Biaggi clocked the fastest top speed of anyone at Phillip Island on a Superbike, in fact he beat out his competition by 3.7 kph. It was not enough to get him past the top slot on the lap chart, but he is getting there. Just wait for race day!

http://tinyurl.com/ya3govo

More Afternoon Moto News - Leon Haslam, Brian McCormack & Olie Linsdell and James Edmeades Enter TT

Yep, it's Leon Haslam speaking again! As you know well by now, Haslam will be riding for Alstare Suzuki in the World Superbike Championship. He truly sees this as his best chance to grab the WSBK title - he has the team, the bike and is in great shape this year. 2010 might just be his year...but there are so many very good racers in that paddock with him.

http://tinyurl.com/ykvqrem

2008 Irish Superbike Champion Brian McCormack will be making his TT debut this year at the Isle of Man annual race event. He was going to compete last year, but his team split with him and he lost his ride. This time he will be competing in all five individual classes...

http://tinyurl.com/ycre3rp

And, in more Isle of Man TT news, a Moto2 bike and a KTM RC8R will be entered in the proceedings. The Moto2 machine comes from the same shop which built the Moto2 frame for Alex Debon's machine in that series; British rider Olie Linsdell will ride the machine. The KTM will be entered in three different classes and will be ridden by James Edmeades. For all the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ya3d486

Monday Morning Moto News - Suzuki Alstare, Kenny Noyes & Broc Parkes

Alstare Suzuki has also unveiled their 2010 World Superbike livery. Riders Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli have a pair of very sweet looking Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbikes with which to tackle the World Championship. At least they will look good doing so...

http://tinyurl.com/yf7yvc2

American Kenny Noyes is the only American in the Moto2 series in 2010, but that is not a problem for the Spanish-born rider. He is riding on the Antonio Banderas Jack and Jones team, a new partnership for the Championship. His partner in crime is Joan Olive - and they are both ready to start racing!

http://tinyurl.com/yh6s9w8

After hearing that Jorge Lorenzo will be missing the next MotoGP test, and that Hayden is having surgery on his arm - but will still make the test - now we get news that in World Superbike, Australian Broc Parkes has broken his leg in a training accident. He will miss the opener in his home nation and could be out for as long as six weeks. That's not a good way to start a season...

http://tinyurl.com/yjougpz

Saturday Afternoon Moto News - Brittown DVD & WSBK Practice Day 2

A DVD chronicling part of the life of vintage Norton racer and mechanic Jeff "Meatball" Tulinius from his homebase, his Hell On Wheels shop in Anaheim, California. The film is called "Brittown" and it covers his time racing a BSA and just being himself. There is a video preview after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yfny4e4

We now have some more reports from the World Superbike Championship testing taking place at Portimao in Portugal. Jonathan Rea was the fastest on this day, but it was a wet session - good for testing, though. Leon Haslam, yesterday's leader, was close to Rea in second. There is plenty more for the teams to do, so expect yet another leader tomorrow.

http://tinyurl.com/ylzy6xf

http://tinyurl.com/yghj74u

http://tinyurl.com/yzt5e6l - From Haga and Fabrizio

More Morning Moto News - Sweepstakes, Leon Haslam & Capirex

Over at the U.K. newspaper, the Mirror, is having a sweepstakes where you could win a Leon Camier autographed Pirelli British Superbike Championship book. All you have to do is join some panel of theirs and you are automatically entered...easy as pie!

http://tinyurl.com/yf8x2fl

On the first day of the Portimao World Superbike test, Leon Haslam has topped the time sheets at the track. Of course, they are not all there looking for fast times, most are chasing setup demons and trying to figure out how to tune their race machines for the team riders. But, it does show that Haslam is putting in his effort to win the 2010 series title. Jonathan Rea was in second place on the day...

http://tinyurl.com/yj4s7cn

World Supersport times at the same test: http://tinyurl.com/ybqod4f

Loris Capirossi has been in the news a great deal these last few days. He must have had an interview day or two recently. Anyway, Capirossi is quite happy to know that the MotoGP engine limit will move to 1000c.c. soon. In fact, he said he would be the 'happiest person on earth' if the powers-that-be were to move the date of this rule change forward to 2011. Can't blame him...

http://tinyurl.com/yfu79jd

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 - An Interview with a WSBK Racer

Haslam left Stiggy Honda (good thing as they are gone now) and was picked up by the factory-backed Alstare Suzuki for the World Superbike Championship in 2010. He ran some very fast laps in post-season testing, and has been labeled as a 'dark horse' for next year's championship. What's going on with him? Well, head on over and read it for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/yzlsqf5

Stiggy Racing Honda Closes Up Shop - Out of Business

Due to the ever-evil economic times we are in, we are loosing another race team to lack of money. Stiggy Racing Honda has no choice but to shutter their operation; they simply do not have the financial strength to continue. That means that they will be pulling out of World Superbike and World Supersport competition effective immediately. Sad to see them leave...another one gone.

http://tinyurl.com/ydaedn8

From Day Two of Valencia Test - WSBK and Moto2

First off we hear that Biaggi managed to lead the second day of testing on the Spanish track while riding his WSBK Aprilia RSV-4. It's not like that is much of a surprise, actually. Following him were Haslam - Suzuki Alstare and Crutchlow - Sterilgarda Yamaha. As more comes in, I will update this post.

http://tinyurl.com/ydswu4m

http://tinyurl.com/y8c57u3

Here is more; ADV's AT02 Moto2 motrocycle was also tested at the event and it did rather well. Rider Alessandro Brannetti enjoyed his time aboard it and had no issues.

http://tinyurl.com/ybddnzj

Julian Simon, Mike di Meglio and Gabor Talmasci also tested the FTR Moto2 bike. This bike is one produced in England which will see work in the Moto2 series in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yesbrhx

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

Capirossi to Help Develop World Superbike GSX-R1000 Development

It's an odd thing to hear, but Loris Capirossi will be helping the Suzuki WSBK effort test the 2010 Suzuki GSX-R1000 race machine. Riders Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli will be assisted by the Suzuki MotoGP rider. As the article says, looks like Suzuki is serious about World Superbike now!

http://tinyurl.com/yjxvpwg

Suzuki Alstare's New Team Debuts at Portimao Tests

Sylvain Guintoli and Leon Haslam were in their Alstare colors at the Portimao track in Portugal and took the time to give statements to the press...

http://tinyurl.com/yzq5ppw

Leon Haslam Will Race in Rallycross Event at Mallory Park

He will be taking his skills to the four-wheel racing world on 18 October at Mallory Park in the Mirror.co.uk Kumho Tyres MSA British Rallycross Championship. This is part of his new signing with Alstare Suzuki - and it's good fun! He will return to his Honda ride in the World Superbike Championship the following weekend in Portugal.

http://tinyurl.com/yfsp586

Guintoli and Haslam to Ride for Suzuki Alstare in 2010

Sylvain Guintoli and Leon Haslam have now signed with Team Suzuki Alstare for the World Superbike Championship series in 2010. Getting both of these top-notch racers was a real coup for the team and they are nothing but happy to have both riders under contract for next season. WSBK just becomes more and more competitive each year...

http://tinyurl.com/ylxcxhl

http://tinyurl.com/ygemoqy