MORE Afternoon Moto News - Beach and Beaubier, Shane Byrne & WSBK Preview (again)

J.D. Beach and Cameron Beaubier will both be racing for Rockwall Honda in the AMA Pro Racing SuperSport East series. Both riders are still quite young, but they both also have many years of experience already. This pairing should be a powerhouse team in the SuperSport class. For more information, please take the link.


http://tinyurl.com/ycbh83p

During the World Superbike qualifying at Phillip Island in Australia, Shane Byrne crashed hard and hurt his back. It is so severe that it may keep him out of this weekend's racing at the track. He was chasing Checa at the time, so he was certainly pushing himself. Let's hope he gets some rest and gets back in the saddle before Sunday!

http://tinyurl.com/ycs8dfw

From Alpinestars we get another preview of what to expect this weekend at Phillip Island. I am only posting this one because it is a bit different from the others. So, if you want some entertaining words about your favorite sport, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ya2lo5e

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 - 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

More Thursday Morning Moto Racing News - Triumph and WSBK

The Triumph Triple Trophy will be held as a support class for the British Superbike Championship in 2010, and a hard-charging privateer, Mark Evans, will be in there fighting for victory. Evans is hopeful that he will improve on his BMRC 600 Championship seventh place finish in 2009 - and he hopes that some factory teams will like what they see when he is on the track.

http://tinyurl.com/ydga9pc


Over in World Superbike, there are at least three British Superbike champions fighting for the world title. This is a look at Gregorio Lavilla, Ryuichi Kiyonari and ‘Shakey’ Shane Byrne and their way into the WSBK paddock from their beginnings in BSB. 2010 will be a motorcycle racing year not to be forgotten.

http://tinyurl.com/ydq6nwh

Shane Byrne Looking Forward to Battle of the Brits in WSBK

So far, there will be seven British riders on the World Superbike circuits in 2010 who have factory rides - that's a large contingent. Byrne is happy to see so many of his fellow countrymen on the grid and is relishing the challenge of it as soon as the season begins. Again, 2010 will be a great year for motorcycle racing!

http://tinyurl.com/yaq2nf5

This Week in Motorcycling History - Road Racer X Speed Dating

Yep, that time of the week again. In this week's history, we look at birthdays for Marco Borciani, Christian Kellner, Andrew Northcott (photographer), Jiri Mrkyvka, Kevin Allen, Shane “Shakey” Byrne, Jarno Saarinen (tragic life), Rob McElnea, Aaron Yates, and Michael Duff. That is some real history, so take the link and read about the people who have made this sport what it is today.

http://tinyurl.com/yajt6bm

Shane Byrne Signs With Althea Ducati for WSBK

In even more racing news, Byrne has moved on to the Althea Ducati team for the World Superbike Championship in 2010. He will ride alongside Carlos Checa on the race-spec Ducati 1198. Looks like World Superbike will not even miss Ben Spies - there are just too many great riders in that series in 2010...

http://tinyurl.com/ylk75n7

WSBK: Shane Byrne and Leon Camier Have Great Weekend!

Leon Camier was only in his first two races - at least, he made it through the races for the first time - and he did very well for a newbie and riding a new-to-him machine. He finished in sixth and seventh against the world's best. Byrne, from the same hometown as Camier, did even better; he finished in fourth place in both races and actually challenged for the podium during both of them as well. All in all, it was a good race for the pair from Kent!

http://tinyurl.com/yjxw9u9


More on Byrne: http://tinyurl.com/yfvewta

Maybe Aprilia Will NOT Run a Second Team in World Superbike?

We did hear that Aprilia was planning to run a second team in World Superbike with riders Leon Camier and Shane Byrne. But, now we hear that no one at all has been signed by Aprilia yet, not even Max Biaggi. So, the questions remain since Aprilia is the only team in WSBK who has not confirmed their line-up for 2010 - Will they keep Biaggi? Will Nakano remain with the team? And, where will Camier and Byrne end up next year?

http://tinyurl.com/yhhl3tx

P.S. This article also gives a list of the confirmed signings for the WSBK Championship for 2010.

Update on World Superbike Championship Team Riders

As you have seen, the rider and team connections are changing up for 2010 World Superbike Championship. Many riders will be switching teams and some will be moving elsewhere. Ben Spies is moving to MotoGP, Max Neukirchner will be riding for Ten Kate Honda...but, many are still awaiting new deals, including Carlos Checa, Toni Elias and others. This article lists Leon Camier and Shane Byrne as being without a ride, but we are now rather sure that they will be with a factory Aprilia WSBK team in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yl4ws7b

http://tinyurl.com/ygsh2pf

Official on Neukirchner: http://tinyurl.com/yjjekvx

Camier and Byrne to Comprise Second Aprilia WSBK Team

Current BSB Champion Leon Camier and former BSB Champion Shane Byrne will make up the second Aprilia World Superbike team for 2010. Camier rode on the RSV-4 at Magny-Cours, but failed to finish when his machine broke down in both races. Byrne has ridden for Aprilia's MotoGP entry in 2004.

http://tinyurl.com/y8fs9pq