Catch You on the Other Side #58; Marco Simoncelli 1987 - 2011

Well, likely not...he's a fair bit faster than I.

Marco Simoncelli #58

It's a very sad day in motorcycle racing today as FIM MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli succumbed to injuries he received in a crash on the second lap of the Malaysian Grand Prix. Some details are finally beginning to become available, but the footage is online...and it is painful to watch. I can barely write about it, actually. The link is below, but be warned that it is horrifying.

This will be another life given to the gods ruling this sport we all love so much. It happens all around the world far too often; it is the loss of such a promising young athlete, a 'youth' by many measures, who dedicated everything of his being to be the best motorcycle racer he could be which makes this one so significant. His second season, and his best yet, and we all knew he was to be a great...to become legend.

Nothing I can write here will make this any easier for this it has an effect upon, so I can only say: Marco, you will be missed, and I will never forget you nor who you were to the universe. Ride in Peace. See you on the other side.

MotoGP link (not much information): http://tinyurl.com/3hca8zb

MotoGP: Race Direction Press Conference (more information): http://tinyurl.com/5uprsvt

Video of the Crash (Be Warned): http://youtu.be/FkInpkx1hFE

#58

More Morning Moto News - All Things Moto(GP) & MotoGP Interviews with Pedrosa and Dovizioso

A new webcast series is coming to us from OnTheThrottle.tv; it is called All Things Moto(GP) and will be hosted by Liam Shubert. Obviously, the show will concern itself with the MotoGP series. It can be found on RoadracingWorld.com and will be presented every Monday. Last night's episode was the first of this season and you can still catch it by taking the link below.

http://tinyurl.com/ydqfq2a

From another one of our favorite websites comes a couple of MotoGP interviews. Both of them were obtained in Malaysia at the Sepang International Circuit after the recent pre-season test. First up is Repsol Honda man Dani Pedrosa, who will most certainly be one of the front runners in this years Championship. Right after Pedrosa is his teammate Andrea Dovizioso, who is also a force on the MotoGP track. This is a good way to get some perspective on the testing from the rider's point of view.

Pedrosa: http://tinyurl.com/ybmg542

Dovizioso: http://tinyurl.com/y98bt4v

More Afternoon Moto News - MotoGP at Sepang, Marco Simoncelli & Team Recaps

The MotoGP testing is continuing on the Malaysian Sepang International Circuit - and Valentino Rossi is still leading everyone in lap times at the practice. Behind him this time were Casey Stoner, Nicky Hayden, Colin Edwards and Ben Spies. This speaks volumes on what we may see when the first race is complete...Hayden and Edwards are both improving greatly. We may actually see larger groups at the front this year. Either way, 2010 will be a wonderful year for motorcycle racing!

http://tinyurl.com/y8g47ct

Marco Simoncelli is not having such a good test, though, as he had a huge get-off during the practice sessions. He high-sided his Gresini Honda about three laps into his session; everyone was horrified at the accident as Simoncelli landed directly on his head. He was taken in for a CAT scan and all came back clear, but it still caught the attention of every ride and tech in the paddock.

http://tinyurl.com/yc49g7s

Take the link below to the MotoGP section of the Paddock Talk website where you will find several press releases from the MotoGP teams. There are several test 'recap' stories for you to peruse. So, take the link and click on your favorite team's report to see how they think the testing is going for them...

http://tinyurl.com/yznyogq

MORE Afternoon Moto News - BMW Fuel Cell & MotoGP Testing

Some design students at ISD Valenciennes in France have created a hydrogen fuel cell powered BMW concept motorcycle. It only exists in digital form, but it is well-engineered and designed to look quite nice sitting in a parking lot or at speed. For the video and more photos, please take the links.

http://tinyurl.com/yzghguy

http://tinyurl.com/yzu8nmf

The MotoGP teams are in Malaysia again testing at the Sepang IC. The fastest rider so far is the same as in the previous test - Valentino Rossi. Casey Stoner came in a close second, with Dovizioso, Capirossi and Spies rounding out the top five.

http://tinyurl.com/ykg4lvg

And, for some team reports from the practice, please take the link below and click on each team to see what the riders and engineers are saying about their experience in Malaysia.

http://tinyurl.com/yznyogq

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 - MotoGP Sepang Testing: Espargaro, Simoncelli & Stoner

Continuing from the last post, we have more on that MotoGP test in Malaysia.

Next up is the story of Aleix Espargaro, who will be in his first full year in the MotoGP series in 2010. His practice went very well; of course, it helped that he had those three appearances last year on a similar machine. He will be another great rider in the top world series, so keep an eye on him.

http://tinyurl.com/y8jrkhd

Marco Simoncelli crashed hard at Sepang, and this hampered his testing at the circuit. He had bike setup problems and had some tough work to get his machine working as he wanted it. They did finally make some positive movements towards the end of the test, though, so it could be much better the next time he takes it to the track.

http://tinyurl.com/yaxm52y

Casey Stoner is not worried about the performance of the Yamaha YZR-M1 at the Sepang test. As he says, it is only the first official test and his team is working on many aspects of the Ducati Desmosedici. Plus, no one ever notices an advantage of one machine over another until some racing has been done. So, we will wait to see whether the M1 is even better than 2009.

http://tinyurl.com/ya6y4b8

More Morning Moto News - Rossi and Lorenzo, Freixenet & More About Sepang Practice

MotoGP Fiat Yamaha riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi took some time after their testing in Malaysia to stop in Thailand. They visited the Yamaha Riders Club and visited with and answered the questions of a select group of lucky riders. It was certainly an event not to be missed if you live in that nation!

http://tinyurl.com/yaobqna

Freixenet and Dorna have decided to continue their partnership. Freixenet will continue to provide the cava at each of the MotoGP events through 2011. It's always good news when a huge sponsor like this stays the course.

http://tinyurl.com/ycwdxrk

First up in the practice category is the unbelievable early performance of Ben Spies at the Malaysian test. He was on fire and managed to be in the top-five overall. That bodes very well for his freshman year in the MotoGP paddock.

http://tinyurl.com/yb8ds93

Loris Capirossi had a great test in Malaysia and he is quite happy with the testing he and his team completed. They have made some definite progress and it did show last weekend. As for Alvaro Bautista, he also made great progress in getting used to his new race weapon. Suzuki seems ready to compete, but only time will tell.

http://tinyurl.com/ybcwa43

Saturday Afternoon Moto News - Tech 3 Yamaha & Vulcan 900 Custom SE

The 2010 Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP is much better than it was expected to be. With the new six engine limit in the series, many thought that the bikes would lose some performance. However, based on the testing in Malaysia, it looks like that was all wrong. In fact, Colin Edwards is very happy with the power from the M1 - they believe that the 2010 engine is superior to the 2009 engine that started the season. It could be that the new rules just make the prototype motorcycles better!

http://tinyurl.com/yl8zxaf

From the green manufacturer, Kawasaki, comes the 2010 Vulcan 900 Custom SE. While not the largest cruiser-type motorcycle on the planet, it certainly behaves like it does not care. The engine is lively, the frame rigid, and the suspension is top-notch for this price range. This Japanese V-twin will put to shame many larger 'American-made' bikes in the same category. It is worth looking into and even taking a ride.

http://tinyurl.com/ygu2b58

Friday Morning Moto News - MotoGP Testing, Leon Camier & Giampiero Sacchi

The Malaysian MotoGP test has now concluded - at least according to reports - and Valentino Rossi once again took the fastest lap time at the track. Stoner was right behind him, with the usual Lorenzo and Pedrosa - but, Ben Spies held fifth place! We are in for a phenomenal race year in that series in 2010!

http://tinyurl.com/yddydwx

More on the Day 2 testing: http://tinyurl.com/yagfyhd

More on the Day 3 testing: http://tinyurl.com/yc5qsr6

Leon Camier is convinced that he will be able to learn a great deal from riding with Max Biaggi on the Aprilia factory team in WSBK. It makes sense as Biaggi does have a long career in motorcycle racing at all levels and he knows the RSV-4 race machine even better. There really is little doubt that Camier will be a high-level competitor and will only make the WSBK paddock more fun to watch.

http://tinyurl.com/yb7b8el

And, in other Aprilia news, word is that Giampiero Sacchi will be leaving the company comes out. Word is that he is fed up with the direction that Aprilia is taking following the decision to drop their Moto2 project. Of course, this is all hear-say right now...

http://tinyurl.com/yejh6yf

More Morning Moto News - Fiat Yamaha & MotoGP Wednesday Practice

First of all, Fiat Yamaha has finally debuted their livery for the 2010 season - and it is not that much different from 2009. Anyway, Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi and both of their respective teams are featured in the linked photos - thanks to Yamaha for setting up the whole event.

http://tinyurl.com/yh5f22v

And, from the same linked site above we have all of the press reports given out by each MotoGP team after the first practice yesterday at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia. It was an interesting day with the fastest laps produced by Rossi, Stoner, Edwards and Capirossi for day one's testing. It means little as they are just pursuing setup and such during this test. For more information, please take the links below...

http://tinyurl.com/yl3l32m

Team Reports are listed after this link (for today only as the linked page is updated regularly):

http://tinyurl.com/yz8elyp

Never Ending Morning News - MotoGP & Motorcycle Trading Cards

There is a great deal of activity in the MotoGP series this week. The teams are already on location and have set up for practice at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia. The overseers of the series will also be on hand as they continue to firm up rules for the new 1000c.c. displacement rules, which should go into effect in 2012. And, we also hear that every single rider on the MotoGP grid will be wearing Ohlins suspenders - can someone say spec-suspension? And, new Ducati team manager, Vittoriano Guareschi, actually took 10 of the 2010 Ducati Desmosedici bikes out on the Sepang track for some practice - all on his own; talk about dedication. Of course, Guareschi was also factory test rider for Ducati before taking his current position.

Teams - http://tinyurl.com/ycbu9zw

MotoGP rules - http://tinyurl.com/yc953jx

Ohlins - http://tinyurl.com/yb8jxnj

Vittoriano Guareschi - http://tinyurl.com/ye6tels

Bongothedude has just released its first ever custom trading card service for motorcyclists. There are several packs already available online and they will even make a custom card for you or custom cards for your entire club or organization. As with baseball trading cards, there is a color image of the motorcycle on the front and a detailed information panel on the back. It's a good idea for any riding group - and, it could be fun to use them as business cards as well. Take a look and get some for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/yaurnyl

And, More Morning News - Loris Capirossi & Superbike-Coach

Loris Capirrossi is hoping for a good practice run at the Sepang Cricuit in Malaysia, where the MotoGP teams will be this coming weekend for some long practice work. He is sure that his Suzuki is getting there as the Suzuki factory and the team have worked very hard over the winter to get the bike ready to race. It is looking good for the Italian in 2010; let's all hope that he is right and he will be a real threat to the top four guys...

http://tinyurl.com/yjkgvsu

Superbike-Coach is a California-based and run motorcycle training school. They will teach you everything from better street riding skills on up to their 'Knee Down' course, which helps you preform much better cornering at the track. For the details and the scheduled dates, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yzzv99r

And, More Morning News - Fiat Yamaha, Moto2 & Motohansa

Fiat Yamaha will be unveiling their livery at the first day of the Malaysian test on 4 February 2010. Basically, it's a big media day and photos of the bikes and riders - Rossi and Lorenzo - will be encouraged. If you are in the press, this is for you.

http://tinyurl.com/y8krw42

The most popular chassis in Moto2 may be the Sutter MMX - up to a third of competitors in the class may be using their product. Sutter MMX is based in Switzerland and made the frames for the Kawasaki MotoGP teams, plus they will be making all of the slipper clutches used in the series. They were lucky in being the first to get prices out and have product ready for testing, and that is why they seem to be in the front of everyone else at this point.

http://tinyurl.com/y9ec2wo

Turns out that the BMW S1000RR will be seen in the Australian Superstock 1000 series this season. The Motohansa team has joined up with Laser Exhaust to field Jeremy Crowe on the machine at select ASBK rounds throughout the year. Perhaps they will make it a full-time effort before season's end.

http://tinyurl.com/yztx4nj

More Friday Afternoon Moto News - Malaysia, Jordan Szoke and Alex Welsh

Dr. Gregory Frazier is still out riding in Southeast Asia and now has taken to Malaysia. He takes on his lifelong nemesis - snakes - and still manages to get a great trip out of his time there. If you have any interest in adventure riding in the furthest points of the world, this is something you should read. Dr. Frazier will show you what to do and what to avoid; that way you don't have to learn by screwing up!

http://tinyurl.com/y9zd66y

In racing news, we hear that Competition Systems Kawasaki will not be fielding Canadian star racer Jordan Szoke in the 2010 Canadian Superbike Championship. Instead, they will only have one rider, young phenom Alex Welsh who won the 2008 HJC Pro Rookie of the Year. The whole sad situation has been caused by the economic situation which is strangling everyone to their limits.

http://tinyurl.com/y9xv4re

http://tinyurl.com/yem5qc6

Friday Morning Moto News - Racing News - Part 2

We have now heard that Davide Tardozzi - former Ducati WSBK team manager and now BMW WSBK team manager - believes that Casey Stoner is the best rider in MotoGP. I would have to say that he is a bit biased coming, as he did, from many years working for the Bologna-based company. Of course, history will show the truth as Rossi has 7 premier class championships compared to only one for Stoner.

http://tinyurl.com/yc76r89

Wildcard rider Muhammad Zulfahmi Khairuddin in 2009 is now a full-time 125GP racer for 2010. It is unbelievable, but the sponsors got behind him and now he has a ride on the Ongetta Team I.S.P.A. team and his biggest sponsor is Air Asia. Since he only started racing in 2008, this is an amazing turn of events for the young rider. What's next, a championship? It would be the first for a Malaysian!

http://tinyurl.com/yem9ab3

http://tinyurl.com/yc95nmu

http://tinyurl.com/yka8p4z - Some more background on the series which got him this far

Another MotoGP story is that Nicky Hayden is looking for even more improvements in 2010 on the Ducati. If that proves to work well for him, we should see him on many more podiums this year. He has shown that he can ride that bike and ride it well, but we do need to see some consistency (and tell the other riders to stop crashing into him!). We will all be watching closely, I bet.

http://tinyurl.com/ybwmj89

A neat little story about Nicky Hayden's background and dirt track past. He only has to win on a mile track to be added to the Grand Slam list...

http://tinyurl.com/yjdm7sc

Thursday Morning Moto News - Dakar and More...

Some interesting Rally Dakar news as Aprilia mounted Francisco Lopez Contardo (and the various authors change his name around constantly) wins a stage during the fifth day. This is huge as it brings Lopez into second place overall for now. Frenchman David Casteu crashed hard and is now out of the race due to tearing a muscle. For more information, take the following links - there are plenty.

http://tinyurl.com/yforzzj

http://tinyurl.com/yl5z6kj

In some very good news from Asia, we hear that the Sepang International Circuit has reached an agreement with Dorna to hold the Malaysian Grand Prix until 2015. That will help many Malaysian wildcard riders get a better chance of making it to the series full-time. Plus, the area around the track will enjoy the economic shot in the arm that the MotoGP Championship brings with them.

http://tinyurl.com/yfux2cu

In the World Superbike Championship, Ducati's factory team has made some personnel changes. Of course, you already know about the team manager moving over to BMW (Tardozzi). Well, now the whole team organization has changed in order to replace him and move other personnel into key positions. For a comprehensive guide to the new arrangement, take the link and have a read.

http://tinyurl.com/yzjmz75

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

Marco Simoncelli Is Happy to be Testing in Malaysia

At the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia, Simoncelli is having his rookie test on the Honda RC212V he will be racing next year in the MotoGP Championship. His Gresini team is there with him for this rookie test and he really seems to be enjoying himself on the track. It will certainly make him a threat in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yddhec4

Malaysian MotoGP Wild Card Riders Receive Their Aprilia RS125s

Riders Elly Idzlianizar Ilias and Mohd Zulfahmi Khairuddin, who both took part in the 125GP race at the Sepang MotoGP round, both managed to finish the race higher than where they started - and impressed many viewers. AirAsia had stated that if they finished the race, both riders would receive special Aprilia RS125 motorcycles for their incredible performances. That promise was honored yesterday...

http://tinyurl.com/ydlj3px

Naza Group to Become Sole Malaysian Importer for Piaggio

Naza Group is a well-established motorcycle company in Malaysia - and, Piaggio Group is the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Europe. So, this is a big deal for the Asian nation. They will have full access to Piaggio's entire line of motorcycles: Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Gilera, Derbi and Vespa.

http://tinyurl.com/ylzp34a