Wednesday Morning Moto News - More Dakar, Rossi & Pedrosa

Yes, there are even more post-race Rally Dakar articles available to all who wish to read them. Some contain only the motorcycle racing, but others simply discuss the Dakar from a view towards all participants. So, take a link or two below and catch up on the aftermath of this extreme race for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/ycb974z

http://tinyurl.com/yk7udxn

http://tinyurl.com/yf8eqbj

Valentino Rossi is already out and testing the Ferrari Formula 1 machine in Spain. The first day it took some time for Rossi to adjust to the car, and to adjust the car to conditions. Either way, Rossi is having fun and enjoying his time with the team, as you would expect. Here is some early news of his time behind the wheel.

http://tinyurl.com/yhq5ltr

And, we have a pre-season interview with the one and only Dani Pedrosa. Here he evaluates his 2009 season performance versus the physical and technical issues he and his team faced that season. Pedrosa also discusses the 2010 MotoGP season what he sees for this coming year.

http://tinyurl.com/yk5m2sg

More Monday Morning Moto News - Dakar Rememberances

The 2010 Rally Dakar is over and the scores, times and names are in the books. However, it was a huge event and there was at least one story for each competitor - if not more. So, let's take a look at some of the interesting news which came from the event and look back on the incredible race that it was.

First comes a story about the fourth Canadian to ever finish a Dakar event - Patrick Trahan. This was his third trip to the event, but first time to go all the way to the finish. That is not uncommon due to the harsh conditions and the ever-increasing risks associated with riding at this level. What a story...

http://tinyurl.com/ybl96p5

Next, of course, comes the story from the Italian Aprilia team, Team Aprilia Giofil. They had a very tough road and competed in a few other rallies before venturing to Dakar. They also put on one hell of a show at the event by winning stages and having one rider, Francisco Lopez, finish overall third. And, to make it even more interesting, this was the first Dakar ever for the Aprilia RXV 4.5 Africa.

http://tinyurl.com/ybjuhbl

A final overall race report - and it is long: http://tinyurl.com/ydmodfm

Next is the expected report on the winner of the motorcycle event, Cyril Despres: http://tinyurl.com/y9ava5c

Some great and colorful photos: http://tinyurl.com/ybewv5g

Sunday Morning Moto News - Dakar Stories for All

Well, the Rally Dakar is over now and we all know that Cyril Despres and his KTM won the event in convincing style. But, what we may not know are all of the stories around the event which ended several hours ago. First up are some stories on the victor, then there is a story about the American rider, Jonah Street. The rest of these come from various sources and will give you full coverage of the event. So, since it is Sunday, sit back and click on some links!

http://tinyurl.com/ye67crb

http://tinyurl.com/y96hycw

http://tinyurl.com/ycqhnxv

Jonah Street: http://tinyurl.com/yel8srb

Team Aprilia Giofil report: http://tinyurl.com/ye2d3cy

Saturday Morning Moto News - Bolivia Grand Prix & New Zealand Superbike

Yep, we are in Bolivia for this one. The BMW F800GS has won its first race - the Grand Prix XXVII National Automobile and Motorcycle competition held in the South American nation. The winner of the motorcycle event was Juan Carlos "Chavo" Salvatierra who took his F800GS to the top of the boards rather handily. Most of the other riders were on Honda or Yamaha motorcycles. It was a long ride, but most of it was on asphalt; though, I doubt that made it any easier considering the condition of roads there...

http://tinyurl.com/ydwawxm

In the first round of the 2010 New Zealand Superbike Championship the weather has been the winner so far. In the 600SP class, Nick Cole took his Kawasaki ZX-6R to pole position after only 6 total qualifying laps. In Superbike, the weather really played havoc as the times were way down. Even with the weather, they managed to qualify for the main and Andrew Stroud took the pole. Aussie Robbie Bugden could not even get into the top 5. Let's all hope the weather is much better on Sunday!

http://tinyurl.com/yc54moa

Saturday Morning Moto News - Dakar Winner!

This will have to be a Stage 13 and Stage 14 report as all of the news now is about the winner. Stage 13 saw the KTM 690 machines take the advantage over the Aprilia machines, with KTM's Pal-Anders Ullevalseter taking the S13 win, Cyril Despres in second and Marc Coma finishing in that order. The Aprilia team did manage a high position of fourth in S13. Lopez sat in third overall by the end of S13. In Stage 14, Despres took the stage victory, Ullevalseter took second and Francisco Lopez rounded out the podium.

These results give the overall victory to the constant leader Cyril Despres! He now has his third Dakar victory and looks to still be a threat for the next running of this historic event. It's an impressive career so far, and it only looks to be getting better. This means that Francisco Lopez has taken victory in the 450 class, but he ended up third overall in the Rally Dakar - and it was his first. Look for Lopez to be a real threat in all such rallies in the future; his Aprilia team is very capable of winning any of these events.

Stage 13 Results: http://tinyurl.com/ygzx3vh

Stage 13 Aprilia Report: http://tinyurl.com/y92o6v5

Stage 13 Video: http://tinyurl.com/yaztz6s

Stage 14 Article: http://tinyurl.com/y8qmbvb

More on the Despres victory: http://tinyurl.com/y8u8tld

Friday Morning Moto Racing News - Dakar and WSBK

Well, we finally get updates on Stage 11's issues and the corrected times of everyone who was sent the wrong way by incorrect course markers. So, yesterday's results may have changed, though I did post the 'fixed' list yesterday. So, on to Stage 12 and we hear that, indeed, Francisco Lopez took the stage victory, with Yamaha's French rider David Fretigne in second and KTM mounted Norseman Pal-Anders Ullevalseter rounding out the podium. Stage 12's route really favored the 450 machines and the results demonstrate that. Of course, Cyril Despres is still in the overall lead, but Aprilia's Lopez is now firmly in second.

http://tinyurl.com/ylsygyz

http://tinyurl.com/yjvyhsl

http://tinyurl.com/yje6aw4

http://tinyurl.com/yffwhgm

Early Stage 13 results: http://tinyurl.com/ygzx3vh

Speaking of Aprilia, we wonder if the Borciani-Guandalini with Aprilia deal has gone through. It appears to have been decided, though nothing has been officially announced, based on a leaked World Superbike entry list. They have hired Jakub Smrz to ride on the satellite Aprilia team. (There are other little tid-bits here too.)

http://tinyurl.com/yfal6xy

Thursday Morning Moto Race News - Dakar and Aprilia WSBK

Rally Dakar has finished Stage 11 now and the teams are now back into Argentina as of the end of this stage. Cyril Despres still holds a commanding overall lead after taking the win in this stage. Right behind him was the American KTM rider Jonah Street, with third place going to French KTM rider Alain Duclos. At least that is what the article says about Stage 11. According to the actual results, everyone is in a different order with Marc Coma taking the win. At least the overall standings match up right. According to one article, Francisco Lopez is in third overall, but the stat page shows him in a solid second place. Apparently, the confusion arises due to a policeman sending riders down the wrong path and they had to loop back around and join the rest of the race later. So, according to reports, the final/corrected Stage 11 rankings are in the first link.

http://tinyurl.com/ylsq82w - official results

http://tinyurl.com/yzaf6v5 - early report on Stage 11

http://tinyurl.com/yfqtnyn - Team Aprilia Giofil report

Early Stage 12 reports: http://tinyurl.com/yffwhgm - http://tinyurl.com/yzuxacf - Lopez looks to have won another Stage

Staying on the Aprilia theme which is part of the Dakar story, let's have a look at a short piece/interview with Aprilia's World Superbike team manager Luigi Dall’Igna. After 2009, we can all imagine that this team will be on top again in the 2010 season...

http://tinyurl.com/yhxkalh

Wednesday Morning News - Moto Style - Dakar

We head to New Zealand before we get to South America to read about Robbie Bugden, who is the current New Zealand Superbike champion is getting ready for the 2010 season. Taking the title is only half the battle in some cases; defending the title is even tougher. Bugden will ride for Triple R Mack Truck Suzuki on a GSX-R1000. The series is only five rounds long, and riders come in from everywhere to compete in the event - most from the U.K. and, obviously, Australia....good story and the season begins this weekend (16 - 17 January 2010 at Ruapuna!


http://tinyurl.com/yhewkd5

Given the weird pace of results coming in from Dakar, it appears that I am behind by a day or so. I am just now reporting on Stage 10, while I have already seen results from Stage 11. So, in an attempt to simplify things, I will be placing the Stage 10 results and stories below and the Stage 11 information I find below that. In SS10, Marc Coma took the victory, but he was followed by some riders who are usually not that close to him - David Fretigne and Helder Rodrigues. The overall standings did not change much, though, but go and have a look...

http://tinyurl.com/ydjjm4o

http://tinyurl.com/ybbpkw2

http://tinyurl.com/yethw9x

Early Stage 11 reports: http://tinyurl.com/yejx8l7 - http://tinyurl.com/ybevgaj

Tuesday Morning Moto Racing News - Dakar and, uh, James Ellison

Yep, we are getting near the final and important stages in the Rally Dakar. Stage Nine ended yesterday and our former champion (who has little chance of winning this year, unfortunately) KTM's Marc Coma won the stage by only four seconds to take his third stage victory in 2010. Right behind him was current points leader - and likely winner of the 2010 event - Cyril Despres on his KTM. Aprilia's Francisco Lopez ran in third for this stage and remains in third place overall. For more, take one or all of the following links.

http://tinyurl.com/y96uz24

http://tinyurl.com/ycebsnd

http://tinyurl.com/y9bxhq6

http://tinyurl.com/ybze7tm

And, in other racing news, we hear that British Superbike star James Ellison has been in Texas training with Ben Spies for the 2010 season. Given his appearances in the final events of the 2009 season of BSB - with Leon Camier, who took first as Ellison took second - one would think he would also have a ride in 2010. But, that is not the case. However, if someone should pick him up, he will be in great shape to challenge for the championship in any series!

http://tinyurl.com/ye86ewr

Monday Morning Moto Racing News - WERA and Dakar

Suzuki mounted Chris Ulrich managed to take two victories at this past weekend's WERA West Races held at Auto Club Speedway in California. He had to take the victories from Honda CBR1000RR rider Jeremy Toye in both of those events - Formula One and A Superbike. Toye then managed to win the C Superbike race riding a Yamaha R-6. There were several races held all weekend and for the full list of results, please take the link.


http://tinyurl.com/yhxx2hy

Though this may have been better posted at the top, I can only go in order that I dig things up. So, on to Stage 8 of the Rally Dakar in South America - they are in Chile now. Aprilia's Francisco Lopez won yet another stage yesterday and put himself into third overall. But, right behind him was Marc Coma - who has decided to continue despite the penalty he was assessed two days ago. Overall leader Cyril Despres continues in first, but the best he could finish in this Stage was fifth due to tire issues. For more, check the links below.

http://tinyurl.com/ygbtp3h

http://tinyurl.com/yg92ouk

http://tinyurl.com/yfzajhm

Video: http://tinyurl.com/yentbow

Sunday Morning Rally Dakar Update - Rest Day News

So, yesterday was the rest day at the Rally Dakar, thus we only have some news from the event in South America. The usual suspects are in the lead at the half-way point, so nothing new there. Well, except for Marc Coma's penalty, which may have dropped him from the competition altogether (he will certainly not win now). And, Cyril Despres is in a commanding lead while all the other riders are now fighting for second and third behind him.

http://tinyurl.com/ydfguxr - Some truck and car news as well.

http://tinyurl.com/yeb8dpu

http://tinyurl.com/yb8syh4 - The President of the Republic of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, visited the bivouac during the rest day.

Rally Dakar Update from Stage 7 in Chile - Marc Coma Penalized

KTM rider Coma was assessed a 6 hour penalty by the organizers for what they say was an illegal tire change during Stage 7. Moto course director Marc Ducrocq has stated that they have photos of him changing his wheel behind a house along the route. Coma is claiming innocence and says that the organizers cannot prove anything at this point. Either way, he will suffer for the 6 hour addition to his time and that leaves KTM rider Cyril Despres more likely to take victory.

http://tinyurl.com/ylovxj6

Saturday Morning Moto News from Dakar

Out of Rally Dakar we now have Stage 7 results. KTM's Cyril Despres and Marc Coma took the 1 -2 positions on the day and proved why they are racing in this event. Despres now has a commanding lead on all the motorcycle racers, with Coma right behind him in the overall points. Aprilia's Francisco Lopez has now fallen back to 5th place overall. Take the links to learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/y9ef82l

http://tinyurl.com/yb7mhsg

http://tinyurl.com/yeaw3xa

More Friday Afternoon Moto News - Honda, Adventure and the BMW R1200GS Adventure

First, a trip to the past - again - to look at Honda's racing heritage. This is an incredibly detailed look into Honda's early racing experiences in Japan and their preparation for Soichiro Honda's goal of racing in - and winning - the Isle of Man TT. There is some great information here about the models raced in Japan during those early years and some of the great racers from the factory. Read it and you will learn something...

http://tinyurl.com/ycq3gez

A story of Ivan Pisarenko and his attempts at riding the continental divide (see previous post on another attempt). See, he had many problems during his riding experiences and has managed to come back and try again and again. This man is determined and has also become a sort of folk hero. He even took time during his journey to earn money to continue it...it's an inspiring story and one which should be written about in a book.

http://tinyurl.com/yb5blps

http://tinyurl.com/yfgymmp

And, finally for this post, another riding impression of a BMW - and an appropriate model considering the previous story - the R1200GS Adventure. What an amazing machine! However, it will have to compete with even more similarly focused motorcycles coming from the likes of Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Moto Morini and more. However, the fact that this machine is adventure-proven does make it a very good choice for riding anywhere you want to go...

http://tinyurl.com/yac7p78

Friday Afternoon General Moto News - Ethanol, Adventure and a Kart Challenge

First up is an important issue with the fuel which we use. Many oil-company supported group of auto and engine manufacturers have banded together to ask the Obama Administration to delay adding any more ethanol to the US fuel supply. This is important to us as riders because our engines and fuel systems are even more vulnerable to damage caused by too much ethanol in fuel. Of course, there is an ulterior motive as adding more additives to fuel reduces the amount of oil needed. But, even that self-interest may actually benefit us...maybe...

http://tinyurl.com/ybhaa36

Next, coming up on 12 January 2010 will be the 2nd Annual Monster Energy Extreme Indoor Kart Challenge. I have written about it before, but now we have an official list of participants. Take the link and see if you will be spending (only!) US$12 per ticket!

http://tinyurl.com/ygq8zbm

Another long-distance trip is being organized here in the US. Though they are taking the trip in different legs, the idea was to ride from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska to Tierra del Fuego at the very southern tip of South America. They call it the Continental Divide Adventure and the blog at the other end of the link below will keep you updated on all of their progress.

http://tinyurl.com/ygekvso

Friday Moto News - Dakar Edition

Wow, another busy news day around here. First, on to Rally Dakar...

First of all comes news that rider Luca Manca of Sardinia crashed hard and was evacuated to a hospital for serious cranial trauma - no work on how he is doing now, though. It appears that Francisco Chaleco Lopez managed a fourth place finish in Stage 6 and remains in second place overall with Cyril Despres still at the top of the leader board. For more, please see the numerous links below.

http://tinyurl.com/y95euwb

http://tinyurl.com/yfnov5n

Day to day run down of victors for most classes: http://tinyurl.com/ybzay9k

Some photos and videos of the Dakar action in Stage 6: http://tinyurl.com/y928s3j

More photos from Stage 6 (all classes): http://tinyurl.com/ybafhpn

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

Welcome to Wednesday! More Rally Dakar News for All of Us

It is a rather news-filled morning, so not all of it will make it into the first post - there will be more news in the next one or two.

Starting out, of course, you will probably want to get updated on the Rally Dakar. They have entered Chile now. First of all, let's look at the raw results:

http://tinyurl.com/yfq2cke

Next, on the same site, we have a story about the Aprilia contingent, Team Aprilia Giofil. Apparently, they are starting to get some good results - at least with Francisco Contardo Lopez, who sits in seventh overall. But, they keep running out of fuel - not good in the Dakar.

http://tinyurl.com/yb7f5ro

And, of course, KTM's Marc Coma has finally won his first stage of the event by beating out Sherco's David Casteu.

http://tinyurl.com/y853nzw

That's about it for the Dakar information for today. If there are more stories which come in during the day, I will add them here.

Your Tuesday Moto News Part 1 - Drink the Coffee and Sit Back!

Yep, we have plenty of news this morning, though it is still just crawling in from around the 'Net.

First we hear of a new sponsorship deal between James Stewart, Ryan Dungey and Nike. According to Road Racer X, Stewart and Dungey will be sporting Nike motocross boots during the 2010 Supercross and Motocross events. The debut will be this coming weekend's Anaheim Supercross in California.

http://tinyurl.com/ybfho3j

Now, if you are looking for Rally Dakar information, you have come to the right place. I have several stories, some with only one link where you can read to your heart's content with racing news. In that vein, I will give you the first link; the article which you will immediately face has the results from the Stage 3 motorcycle event and the overall ranking as of that stage. Below that piece, though, you will see some 20 other articles which go into much more detail, so click away and read!

http://tinyurl.com/yckhfru

More results and some news: http://tinyurl.com/ybhahu4

Much more detail via MotorcycleUSA and a great map as well. This link is well worth taking if you really want a good look at the Stage 3 results in the motorbike category: http://tinyurl.com/ya8f4jy

Stage 3 of the Rally Dakar was not very kind to Canada's riders, and they have a video! http://tinyurl.com/y9zw8k2

For Rally Dakar, that is it for this morning. See the next post for moto racing news...

Monday Morning Moto News - Back to Work Edition

Yep, the holiday season is now over - we have to face it and get back to work. Some of us worked over the holiday anyway, but it is always evident that normalcy has returned when the e-mail inbox gets full by 7 AM.

In the first story of the first work week of 2010, we get yet another spy shot of the forthcoming MV Agusta 3-cylinder 675c.c. machine (rumored), which may be known as the F3. It may be just the same as the shot we have from the Euro magazines, so expect no more.

http://tinyurl.com/y9juqmf

How about some more updates from the 2010 Rally Dakar in South America. There are a few here, so take your time in reading them. Coma has been assessed a penalty which could see him lose his chance at the title this year, but the 450 machine of Sherco rider David Casteu put him in second with Yamaha WR450 rider Frenchman David Fretigne taking the victory on the second day. There is much more beyond the links.

http://tinyurl.com/ycgdxrl

http://tinyurl.com/y8kkpnp (English needs work on this site)

Valentino Rossi will be showing up at the Auto Expo in New Delhi, India, 5 - 11 January 2010. He will be there representing Yamaha Motors for the event. It will certainly add to the attendance at the show!

http://tinyurl.com/y8nm2ke

A short piece on the World Superbike 2009 season and what we might expect in 2010. After all, Ben Spies won fully half of the races lats season, so who will take his place on the podium? Hopefully, it will finally be Haga's year!

http://tinyurl.com/yauaxmh