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

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

Ultimate Superbike Test Ride in Portugal at Portimao

This writer from MotorcycleUSA online was fortunate enough to get invited to this unbelievable test in Portugal presented by the rights holders to World Superbike, Infront Sports. The author seems to have an attitude to match his skill level, but he does a good job of describing what it is like to ride these WSBK machines: Troy Corser's BMW S1000RR, Fabrizio's Ducati 1098F09, Rea's Honda CBR1000RR, Tamada's Kawasaki ZX-10R, Spies' Yamaha YZF-R1, Kagayama's Suzuki GSX-R1000, and Biaggi's Aprilia RSV-4. That is a full day's worth of testing, eh? Lucky guy...

http://tinyurl.com/yjkzgvj

Broc Parkes and Makoto Tamada Hope to End WSBK Season on a High

Tamada and Parkes will both be leaving the Kawasaki WSBK team next year and Paul Bird Motorsports has already signed their riders for the 2010 season. But, that does not mean that they will be 'phoning in' their performance at Portimao this weekend. They will be racing and running hard for the front of the pack...

http://tinyurl.com/ykol8nn

Kawasaki World Superbike Team Getting Ready for Imola

At the last race in Germany, the Paul Bird Motorsports team had some serious issues. Makoto Tamada and Broc Parkes both crashed in the first race which led to Tamada sitting out the entire weekend with concussion and Parkes having to ride his back-up machine. They are hoping - and getting ready for - better results at the next round at Imola.

http://tinyurl.com/nchokv

Tamada and Parkes Prepare for Nurburgring

Broc Parkes has a new child, but he is focused on the next World Superbike race in Germany. Tamada will return to action following his rather nasty injury to his hand in Brno.

http://tinyurl.com/npsmn2

Kawasaki World Superbike Team has New Rider and New Sponsor

Paul Bird Motorsport, now one of the two Factory Kawasaki representatives in World Superbike, will field a South African rider to replace the injured Makoto Tamada. Sheridan Morais, who also subbed for Tamada at the Kyalami round, will be riding in the Brands Hatch Bristish Superbike Championship round this coming weekend on Tamada's machine.

Additionally, a new sponsor has signed on to support the team. Henley's, one of the UK's most innovative fashion brands, will be sponsoring the team through the rest of the 2009 season..and, possibly, beyond.

Read it all here: http://tinyurl.com/