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

Thursday Morning Moto News - 2012 MotoGP Rules, Ross Gurd & KTM Australia

The FIM has confirmed the rule changes for MotoGP which go into effect for the 2012 season. The engine displacement will increase and privateer teams will have special allowances versus the factory teams. There is not much more hear than you already know, but it is now official.

http://tinyurl.com/yk37xeo

Ross Gurd has paid his dues, and then some, in motorcycle racing. He has been racing for 15 years - motocross, road racing, speedway and enduro - and is ready to reap some results in the 2010 Australian Superstock 600 Championship. He will need more support to finish the season, but it is starting to look good for the Australian.

http://tinyurl.com/yjlrdkx

KTM's Australian Superbike Championship team is going on a huge KTM dealership tour where fans can meet the members of the team. Racers Shannon Johnson and Chris Trounson will be on hand at each event; and their fully-liveried KTM 1190 RC8 R race bikes will also be in attendance. For all the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ylqx6lq

KTM Will Join in Australian Superbike Championship in 2010

Great news! KTM is now going to take their RC8R and try to take on the Australian Superbike Championship next year. That is fantastic news, especially for their new team, Evolution Sports Group (ESG). Shannon Johnson will be their points getter...

http://tinyurl.com/yjrcjz2

http://tinyurl.com/ykof2s8

ZERO Motorcycles Joins With TTXGP eGrandPrix Series

Well, at least I expected to hear something about this - I just interviewed Saiki and he mentioned that something like this was coming - and now we all have! Zero will join the eGrandPrix series in 2010. The series is part of the TTXGP series and will run the first event in the US (yes, believe it or not) at Infineon Raceway in California. It is believed that Zero will use the frame and fairing of the Mavizen TTX02 (based on the KTM RC8R) with Zero's own batteries and motor. Looks like the TTXGP has one-upped the new FIM e-Power series. There will be many more announcements coming soon - stay tuned!

http://tinyurl.com/yh58ydf

More information on the current commitments to the TTXGP series:

http://tinyurl.com/yzqbje9

First Ride: 2010 KTM RC8R Superbike

This is, in fact, the high-spec model of the KTM RC8 - different from the Aprilia RSV4R, which is actually the low-spec model of the RSV4. And, KTM has really improved the RC8 from one end to the other; better transmission, better frame, better engine, better brakes and more stability. The author disliked the standard RC8, so it does mean something when he says he thinks this is the bike you should buy over the lower model. Have a read and see what you think...

http://tinyurl.com/yzrt8pw

EICMA: KTM Debuts 350 Motocross and Concept 125 Motorcycle

KTM made a great appearance at the EICMA show today by pulling the covers off their 350c.c. project. The new 350SX-F Factory Racing bike is the first of its kind - a 350 motocross machine to compete in a new class. They also announced details of their 690 Duke R for 2010 - another one-of-a-kind for the Austrian company. Also, they announced a RC8R Akrapovic Race Replica to commemorate their first season in superbike racing, some replica models of the MX1 and MX2 race machines used by factory teammates Max Nagl and Marvin Musquin. Perhaps the most interesting bike at their presentation, though, was the "KTM 125" concept bike (pictured) which will be the base of a new line from the orange marque...

http://tinyurl.com/ycbhrjt

Shannon Johnson Tops Kings of Wanneroo Practice in Australia

Aussie and KTM rider Johnson took the top spot in practice with his RC8R by lapping a full half-second ahead of the rest of the field. In second is British rider Jonathan Rea, with Australian Cameron Keevers leading U.K. rider Jeremy McWilliams in fourth. Rea was a bit worried as his race bike only arrived at the Perth track just before the practice started. This is only the first outing for the amazing assortment of some of the world's best riders, so we only have a bit of a clue as to what will happen during the rest of the weekend.

http://tinyurl.com/y88ncww

http://tinyurl.com/yjtvtqd

FIM Changes World Superbike Championship Rules

The FIM has updated the homologation rules for the manufacturers. They must now only use fly-by-wire, ABS and other technologies if they are available on the units sold to the public. Current regulations require a manufacturer to have produced 1000 units for public purchase; this was originally set o go up to 3000 for 2010, but they have reduced that number to 2000 units. This move could help KTM with their RC8R get into the series next season...more after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yhf4fkg

More details: http://tinyurl.com/yk7dm5x

KTM Wll Pull Out of 125c.c. Grand Prix World Championships

KTM has decided to focus on their youth programs instead of racing full tilt at an international title. They will continue the Red Bull Rookies Cup and will support certain racing teams in Austria and Germany who ride their 125c.c. machines. It seems that they will be working for youth withe their smaller bikes while they put more work into the large-displacement road racing.

http://tinyurl.com/yj35qag

More About EICMA 2009: MV Agusta and KTM

Both directors from KTM and MV Agusta have assured the moto-press that they will be presenting new motorcycles at the Milan EICMA Show in November 2009. It can't get here soon enough! KTM has said that they will be showing and new road bike which will go into production before 2012. And, MV Agusta will be showing the new Brutale line and, we are told, the new F5! If you can make it, you should not miss it!

http://tinyurl.com/ydnb8nh

KTM Does Well in German Superbike With New RC8R

The International German Championship for Superbikes (IDM) is actually held over 8 weekends (16 races) in three countries: Germany, the Netherlands and Austria. The just 12-month-old KTM team managed to secure a second place overall in the final round at Hockenheim. Unfortunately, all RC8R riders crashed out over the weekend with leading rider Stefan Nebel crashing in the last race. This is a very good start for a new for 2009 motorcycle!

http://tinyurl.com/nu87gr