Road Racer X's Speed Dating & Morais Filling In for Parkes

For this week of March we have a number of important dates in the weekly Road Racer X Speed Dating column. Celebrating birthdays this week are Danny Webb, Andrea Dovizioso, Roberto Rolfo, Al Ludington, Steve McQueen, Keiichi Kitagawa, Raffaele De Rosa, Harald Eckl, Chris Walker, Burt Munro, Sebastien Charpentier, Toni Elias, Christian Sarron, Bill Bagnall, and Katsuaki Fujuwara. Unfortunately, it is also the anniversary of the death of Mike Hailwood...Please take the link to learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/yfh76yc

In the World Superbike Championship series, Echo CRS Honda rider Broc Parkes sustained a broken leg in a preseason training injury and had to give up his seat to Josh Brookes at Phillip Island. For the Portimao round (and, quite possibly for Valencia as well), the faster Sheridan Morais will be substituting for Parkes on the Honda. Morais has been able to out-ride Parkes before, so this may be the beginning of something or just a quick trip to the majors for Morais...

http://tinyurl.com/yh6pmnt

More Morning Moto News - Moto2 @ Valencia, Steve Parrish & Road Racerhead

Some of the Moto2 teams were also out at Velncia doing some testing. Tech 3 was there with both riders, but left early due to the terrible weather. The Tech 3 team just cannot seem to get time on a track without some inclement weather interrupting them. Both Yuki Takahashi and Raffaele de Rosa had time on the circuit. Even Herve Poncharal thinks they may be cursed...

http://tinyurl.com/yc93xcc

Steve Parrish was at an event centered around the new Capcom MotoGP 09/10 video game. So, one enterprising press attendee took some time to interview the well-known motorcycle personality. Parrish is a fixture in worldwide motorcycle racing - as if you do not already know that. He is an interesting person as well, so take some time and read this interview.

http://tinyurl.com/y9ebm2m

Over at Road Racer X, their Road Racerhead column is in the midst of wondering if the old days of Carl Fogarty will return for Great Britain - a time when English riders start winning WSBK and even dominating the sport as they once did. Well, there is a chance now considering how many riders from the U.K. are competing in the WSBK paddock in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yzc9hdb

Tech 3 to Debut Their Moto2 Motorcycle on Tuesday

We are familiar with the Tech 3 Yamaha satellite team in MotoGP, but some will also remember when Tech 3 was a 250c.c. GP team. They are now going to take on the new Moto2 Championship for 2010 and they plan to release their race bike on Tuesday. It seems that the motivation for their return to the support class was when they changed the format and allowed custom frames on spec Honda 600c.c. engines - Herve Poncharal likes the idea of building their own machine...but, who wouldn't?

http://tinyurl.com/ye5lckj

Here it is: http://tinyurl.com/ykyfrcg

Marco Simoncelli Wins at Phillip Island and Keeps Title Hopes Alive

Simoncalli worked his way past Alex Debon during a crash-infested race and took the win on the day. Of course, the race was red flagged due to a massive crash by Roberto Locatelli, which left his 250 bike in the middle of a turn. Thus, we had to wait a few moments for the officials to set the final order. After Simoncelli, Hector Barbera finished second and - believe it or not - Raffaele de Rosa finished third after starting from pole position. Championship leader Hiroshi Aoyama was classified as seventh. it was an eventful race and something I am glad I got to see (on TV)...

http://tinyurl.com/yhpg79d

http://tinyurl.com/yfnub53

Qualifying for All Classes at the Phillip Island Grand Prix - MotoGP, 250, 125

Casey Stoner is in much better shape than he was when he took the break due to his illness. He pulled off an incredible charge to the front and achieved pole position for tomorrow's race. Rossi, Pedrosa, Lorenzo and Edwards round out the top five in that order. Whether Stoner can keep the pace in tomorrow's race, though, we shall see...

http://tinyurl.com/yzyx4jd

In the 250c.c. Grand Prix class, Raffaele de Rosa took a stunning pole position away from Marco Simoncelli and Hiroshi Aoyama - but, it was Hector Barbera who held the top spot until those three and Alex Debon took away his pole in a storm to the front at the end of the qualifying session...

http://tinyurl.com/yglhyvy

http://tinyurl.com/ylshj5t

Pol Espargaro will be starting in pole position in the 125c.c. class. He has been coming on strong over the last several races and he does not seem ready to stop. Fellow Spaniard Nico Terol came in second just ahead of Julian Simon - who may still take the championship this weekend. Simone Corsi rounds out the top four...

http://tinyurl.com/yjeyu2l

http://tinyurl.com/ylc24hv