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

More Morning Moto News - Dávid Juhász, BMW & Husqvarna & Worx Crescent Suzuki

Dávid Juhász, from Hungary and only 17 years old, will be joining the MAR Kawasaki outfit in the 2010 British Superbike Championship. He will be the youngest rider on the Superbike grid, but he already has a Hungarian Superbike Championship to his credit. So, you can expect him to be a little green, but he should adapt quickly.

http://tinyurl.com/yhonkgw

BMW and their new purchase Husqvarna are using their new combined company to pursue synergistic racing teams. In that vein, BMW Motorrad is entering the E2 class of the FIM Enduro World Championship as the BMW Husqvarna Motorsport. This arrangement will give them access to the right technology, experience and people to succeed in their venture.

http://tinyurl.com/yhezwg3

Worx Crescent Suzuki has been at Portimao in Portugal doing some shake-down testing with their 2010 British Superbike Championship team. Riders Tommy Hill and Yukio Kagayama managed to complete some very important testing and get the information they were seeking ahead of the season start. They needed to time and it will go a long way to getting their team ready for 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yg8ns6j

More Morning Moto News - RSV-4 Recall, WSBK and Leon Camier

The Aprilia RSV-4 Factory is being recalled on a global basis - we already heard about the Australian and the US recall, now we get one from Great Britain. It appears that the total number of machines which this recall concerns is right around 300 bikes. Only 30 are being pulled from the U.K., and the rest are elsewhere in the world. It all goes back to that conrod failure at the RSV-4R intro. Aprilia is usually rock-solid for reliability, so this is an odd start of a new model for them...

http://tinyurl.com/ye39qrh

Over in the World Superbike paddock, there are some teams which had planned on taking another practice at Valencia after the Portimao official test. Well, the weather seems to be working against them. So far, only two riders - Haga and Fabrizio - have even ventured onto the track.

http://tinyurl.com/ydcps8a

Leon Camier is rather sure that he has a good handle on his Aprilia WSBK machine, even though he ended the Portimao test in 12th position. He says that it does not look good on paper, but that his team is making good progress. He also stated that his low lap times could be attributed to the fact that he was not after fast laps, not yet.

http://tinyurl.com/ybxfa5n

More Morning Moto News - Julian Simon, WSBK & Burgess

After a great deal of negotiating and work, it seems that the Aspar Moto2 team will be using a RSV chassis after all. Julian Simon has tested many Moto2 machines and he, and his team, like the RSV frame with the 600c.c. Honda engine. They were going to use an Aprilia frame, but Aprilia cancelled their Moto2 project and left the team hanging. Now they are back at it and happy with what they have.

http://tinyurl.com/yhhsmcx

And, there are more post-practice reports from the World Superbike test at Portimao in Portugal over the weekend. If you want to know more about the behind-the-scenes and get some info which may not have popped up in the simple timesheets posted, this is the time to do so. Their next test will be at Phillip Island where the 2010 season starts.

http://tinyurl.com/ygs4pqt

http://tinyurl.com/yzqrvj7

http://tinyurl.com/ye6qsou

Jeremy Burgess has nothing but good things to say about the Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP bike. He really believes that when all of the statistics are written and people look back on the M1, it will go down as one of the best race bikes on the planet. Well, with as many championships as Rossi has brought for the factory, I doubt anyone will disagree.

http://tinyurl.com/yg85bh7

More Monday Morning News - More WSBK & ASBK

Althea Ducati is working very hard to help Shane Byrne get up to speed on his World Superbike machine. The team has a new bike, but Byrne says they are working incredibly well together. It should be noted that he did get the third fastest time at the Portimao test - even though this is his team's first time to work with Ducati.

http://tinyurl.com/ye3sa9w

Dunlop has secured itself as the control tire supplier to the Australian Superbike Championship again, this time for three more years. Also, they have announced the contingency plans. So, if you are curious or are in the series and want to know what to expect, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yb8bmxc

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

http://tinyurl.com/y8z68z6

http://tinyurl.com/yetxpn5

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

More Morning Moto News - NZ Superbikes & WSS

At the second round of the New Zealand Superbike Championship, held this weekend in Teretonga, has spurred some contraversy. Apparently, both Andrew Stroud and Robbie Bugden are claiming victory after the race officials made a huge mistake with the last lap flag, You just have to read the article, it is worth your time. And, apparently, Race 2 was much less confusing.

http://tinyurl.com/yessaoo

At the World Supersport tests in Portimao, Portugal, Eugene Laverty managed to take the fast lap at the end of the session. Second fastest on the day was the Kawasaki of Joan Lascorz, with Honda-mounted Michele Piro coming in third. Sounds like they accomplished a great deal over the weekend...

http://tinyurl.com/ycl9k4u

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

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

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

Thursday Morning Moto News - WSBK, YZR500 & Aprilia Recall

World Superbike will be kicking off a three-day test at Portimao this weekend in preparation for the 2010 season. Shortly after that, 21 - 22 February, will see them at Phillip Island for another practice. That will just be one week before the opening round at the same circuit. Get a summary of this after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yg8l3hs

Shane Byrne will be there with his Althea Racing Ducati: http://tinyurl.com/yaz74xm

Alex Gobert's column on the test: http://tinyurl.com/yaop7bg

Down outside of Sydney, Australia, you can actually purchase a full-on 500c.c. GP bike replica! Mick Costain of Mico Products can make a perfect replica of a Yamaha YZR500 from any season between 1988 and 2002. It is an impressive build and will certainly turn heads anywhere you go. Even the price is not so outside the norm. There are even more replicas he produces and you should see them for yourself!

http://tinyurl.com/yflgcuv

After that horrendous debut of the Aprilia RSV-4R (the lower-spec model), where five machines suffered con-rod failures and blew up. Well, apparently, some of those improperly manufactured parts made their way into the first run of the RSV-4 Factory and they have issued a recall to save those machines - ONLY in Australia for now. Get in touch with your dealer, just in case...

http://tinyurl.com/ye4l8a4

Monday Morning Moto News - Triumph and Althea Ducati

Triumph has announced their European competition plans. They will contest the World Supersport Championship with Gary McCoy and Chaz Davies. The other main announcement was the Triumph ParkinGO European Series, which is an all-European race series which does have full World Championship status. The release is a bit confusing, but I am sure you can figure it out. Though, it is not 'world' in the truest sense of the word.

http://tinyurl.com/ybof6ba

Over the weekend, the Althea Ducati team was officially introduced to the world's press. They will contest the World Superbike Championship in 2010 with riders Carlos Checa and Shane Byrne. They will be off to practice at Portimao in a few days and look to be situated for success. Take a look...

http://tinyurl.com/ydaqkrd

Some Monday Afternoon Racebike Testing - Yamaha and Honda

First up MotorcycleUSA has had the chance to throw a leg over two World Supersport machines. The first is the championship winning Yamaha YZF-R6 of Cal Crutchlow. This is about a perfect factory-spec WSS motorcycle with electronics on the thing just shy of what you would find on a MotoGP machine. It is one hell of a wild ride! Just let me get my hands on one, please...

http://tinyurl.com/yzxdxw6

Next, they had the chance to ride on the WSS race-prepped Honda CBR600RR of Eugene Laverty. His team, Parkalgar Honda, may be a satellite team, but this bike performs like a factory-supported machine should. It has the above R6 in the mid-range, but is just a hair shy of it on the top end. Go and lust on your own time!

http://tinyurl.com/yhorc2j

Thursday Evening Moto News - Ducati Xerox and More

Ducati Xerox is getting ready for the first World Superbike test of 2010 at Portimao, Portugal on 22 January 2010. Well, now that their team manager is working for BMW, they have had to make some organizational changes. Of course, Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio are still the team's riders, so that part is still in its place. For the rest, go ahead and take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yz5wogq

Two otherwise wealthy and successful guys decide to ride in an extreme enduro event in South Africa for five charities. They even managed to raise some £17,000 on their own for the causes. Dale Norton and Peter Coles, of a real estate company (property agents) known as Romans, took on this challenge together and had the time of their lives. The link takes you to a short article.

http://tinyurl.com/yfqxneb

Looks Like Sylvain Guintoli Will Be Testing in Portugal

In short, Sylvain Guintoli will be on his first outing aboard the Alstare Suzuki World Superbike machine. It will be interesting to see how they work together. He is the only rider covered by the linked article, though. And, it is worthwhile to read what is being said as Guintoli is a real threat in World Superbike - his bike there will have access to better parts and he is fast...

http://tinyurl.com/yfm3ca3

Vermeulen Begins Duties at Kawasaki WSBK Team

Chris Vermuelen was not allowed to test at the final round of the World Superbike Championship in Portimao because his bosses at Rizla Suzuki would not allow it. So, over in Japan he is now getting his first taste of the Kawasaki ZX-10R he will be riding in next year's championship season. They are calling it a 'shake-down' run for Vermeulen, with the real testing to commence at Cartagena very soon...

http://tinyurl.com/ylgjyb7

First Ride: 2010 BMW S1000RR

So, we have seen the World Superbike racing BMW S1000RR of Troy Corser taken around a track, but now we get to hear about the one you can purchase at your dealer and how well it rides. MCN (UK) has put their hands on a 2010 BMW S1000RR at the Portimao circuit. And, so far, "it's very, very quick!"

http://tinyurl.com/ybe8t58

MotorcycleUSA's review: http://tinyurl.com/ydduht5

First Ride: Rubén Xaus' BMW S1000RR Factory Superbike!

Yeah, so, the title is the same again - it fits! The team over at Cycle World managed to get their hands on Xaus' S1000RR World Superbike machine and took it out at Portimao, Portugal. Saying that Cernicky was impressed is a true understatement; when you have over 200 HP on tap and an open track with a motorcycle that handles as well as the S1000RR, you certainly cannot be unemotional. There is also video after the link, so check it out!

http://tinyurl.com/yjr9gln

James Toseland Gains Important Experience at Portimao World Superbike Test

Toseland had to work hard to come to grips with the World Superbike Yamaha YZF-R1. He also managed to lap the Portimao track faster than World Superbike Champion Ben Spies, but so did many others as Spies was not at the test (since he is moving to MotoGP in 2010). Toseland had some trouble with the machine he was on mostly due to him being away from superbikes for so long, but he made great progress over the two-day test. Plus, he had to keep from crashing since there is one more MotoGP race in which he must ride.

http://tinyurl.com/yzc556l

Some Indication fo Future Performance - Cal Crutchlow On the Pace at Portimao Practice

Though it is just the first practice for 2010, and there will not be another one for a little while, Cal Crutchlow was racing around the Portimao track faster than World Champion Ben Spies. This will be a return to World Superbike for the current World Supersport Champion, so I would expect him to be fast - just not this fast...

http://tinyurl.com/yked3gy