MotoGP Qatar Test Approach, Silverstone Visit Guide & Leon Haslam Interview

That's right! It's the last preseason test for MotoGP and it will be held in Qatar during 18 - 19 March 2010. Who will come out ahead - well, doubtless it will be Rossi - but who will fill in behind him? Only the test will give us the answers. For more about it, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yz4dezf

If you have ever wanted to attend a race at the historic Silverstone circuit in the UK, we now have a way to find a good hotel near the track. The Silverstone Accommodation Guide has just launched and it is now available for you to find a place to lay your head. Check it out...

http://tinyurl.com/yetlgr7

It's a relatively short interview with the World Superbike Championship Alstare Suzuki rider Leon Haslam, but it is a good one. This is even more important when you consider that he is sitting at the top of the overall points standings as of the first race at Phillip Island - the man is on fire! So, what does he think of the win, of the season ahead and his team's chances? Well, take the link to find out!

http://tinyurl.com/ydz69zz

Thursday Morning Moto News - Vesrah Suzuki, Leon Haslam & Jorge Lorenzo

Vesrah Suzuki had a decent Daytona experience - well, at least rider Cory West as Jeff Wood was the victim of an unfortunate competitors engine oil which forced him to retire. West, though, took sixth place in the Daytona 200 after only having about a week to get ready for the event. They now have three times as much time to get ready for the next round...do you see a championship in their future?

http://tinyurl.com/yekwvb6

Leon Haslam, of the World Superbike series, says that the next event will be much tougher on all riders. Given that this was the first real race of the season in WSBK, there were teething problems for all teams as they adjusted to their new organizations and bikes. That means that by the next event, many teams will have things dialed in better. Look for it all to heat up even more as 2010 continues...

http://tinyurl.com/yev6j66

New rumors say that Jorge Lorenzo will be in good enough shape to participate in the final MotoGP pre-season test in Qatar next weekend (18 - 19 March 2010). Lorenzo and his team will use the time on the track to see how well his injuries have healed, thus telling them how well he can handle his race machine, the YZR-M1. Only some time on the track will allow them to judge it properly. This is good news as he was expected to miss this test entirely...

http://tinyurl.com/ybfxm2x

More Morning Moto News - Phillip Island WSBK and World Supersport

The World Superbike race this past weekend at Phillip Island was a success story for some British riders, many of whom have also competed in the British Superbike Championships over the last several years. Of course, Leon Haslam, this weekend's double winner, was once in the BSB series, but now he is firmly ahead of all WSBK riders after one round. He did win the first race by the slimmest margin in WSBK history, but that means little as he still takes the 25 points with him to the next round...

http://tinyurl.com/yzk5apu

One area of WSBK which often gets overlooked in the headline stories around the world is the World Supersport series which is one of the WSBK support classes. This past weekend at Phillip Island, there Eugene Laverty schooled the field after the re-start and has taken the early lead. He had some issues in practice and qualifying trying to keep up with some seemingly faster riders, but that did not stop him from taking the checkered flag!

http://tinyurl.com/yf2kkg3

Saturday Afternoon Moto News - Haslam Takes Pole & More WSBK!

Leon Haslam has taken his first ever pole position in World Superbike at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia. It is the first race of 2010, so this indicates just how hungry Haslam is for a win - and the championship. It will be an interesting race - don't miss it!

http://tinyurl.com/yhu7ezm

Another look at the World Superbike proceedings in Australia. We get a re-cap on Haslam's Superpole performance, Haga starting in tenth (!), and even my pick for this race, Max Biaggi, sitting back in eleventh position. There is a full grid listing and other information which you may want to know ahead of the race weekend.

http://tinyurl.com/ye6b67x

We also get to hear from the always talking Chris Vermeulen. He is targeting a top-10 position and hoping for seventh or eighth for the race this weekend at Phillip Island. This will give Kawasaki a higher finish than it had back in 2009 and help Vermeulen get the support he needs to race for the title.

http://tinyurl.com/y9yzsz2

Friday Morning Moto News - FIM Homologated Motorcycles, Leon Haslam

The FIM has released its list of the homologated motorcycles which may participate in each of the classes within WSBK. For the list, please take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/yjpocee

Leon Haslam, he of Alstare Suzuki team, was the fastest rider on day one of the World Superbike testing at Phillip Island. He was the only rider to lap within his bracket. This bodes well for his WSBK season...but, he is up against the best in the world and the WSBK paddock is loaded with talent...so, we still must wait to see how the season goes...

http://tinyurl.com/y8pbm55

It appears as if Max Biaggi is not too far behind Haslam...Biaggi clocked the fastest top speed of anyone at Phillip Island on a Superbike, in fact he beat out his competition by 3.7 kph. It was not enough to get him past the top slot on the lap chart, but he is getting there. Just wait for race day!

http://tinyurl.com/ya3govo

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

MORE Afternoon Moto News - Lorenzo Lanzi & Suzuki Alstare WSBK

Lorenzo Lanzi is returning to World Superbike with the DFX Corse Ducati team and the Ducati 1098R. He has a long history with the series, and has won three races in the series during his career. Lanzi did ride for the team in ten races in 2009, but his best was an eleventh place. He is hoping to get better than he was his first time in the series...here's hoping he does well!

http://tinyurl.com/y9xvbwy

More good sponsorship news - this time from World Superbike. Suzuki Alstare has signed with Estonian beer company Viru - it is bottled in Italy by Buscaldi Group, which has a previous relationship with the team. The new livery is actually rather nice. However, a name that is one letter short of virus? I hope it's very good beer!

http://tinyurl.com/yfpvpok

Monday Morning Moto News - Suzuki Alstare, Kenny Noyes & Broc Parkes

Alstare Suzuki has also unveiled their 2010 World Superbike livery. Riders Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli have a pair of very sweet looking Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbikes with which to tackle the World Championship. At least they will look good doing so...

http://tinyurl.com/yf7yvc2

American Kenny Noyes is the only American in the Moto2 series in 2010, but that is not a problem for the Spanish-born rider. He is riding on the Antonio Banderas Jack and Jones team, a new partnership for the Championship. His partner in crime is Joan Olive - and they are both ready to start racing!

http://tinyurl.com/yh6s9w8

After hearing that Jorge Lorenzo will be missing the next MotoGP test, and that Hayden is having surgery on his arm - but will still make the test - now we get news that in World Superbike, Australian Broc Parkes has broken his leg in a training accident. He will miss the opener in his home nation and could be out for as long as six weeks. That's not a good way to start a season...

http://tinyurl.com/yjougpz

Leon Haslam - An Interview with a WSBK Racer

Haslam left Stiggy Honda (good thing as they are gone now) and was picked up by the factory-backed Alstare Suzuki for the World Superbike Championship in 2010. He ran some very fast laps in post-season testing, and has been labeled as a 'dark horse' for next year's championship. What's going on with him? Well, head on over and read it for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/yzlsqf5

From Day Two of Valencia Test - WSBK and Moto2

First off we hear that Biaggi managed to lead the second day of testing on the Spanish track while riding his WSBK Aprilia RSV-4. It's not like that is much of a surprise, actually. Following him were Haslam - Suzuki Alstare and Crutchlow - Sterilgarda Yamaha. As more comes in, I will update this post.

http://tinyurl.com/ydswu4m

http://tinyurl.com/y8c57u3

Here is more; ADV's AT02 Moto2 motrocycle was also tested at the event and it did rather well. Rider Alessandro Brannetti enjoyed his time aboard it and had no issues.

http://tinyurl.com/ybddnzj

Julian Simon, Mike di Meglio and Gabor Talmasci also tested the FTR Moto2 bike. This bike is one produced in England which will see work in the Moto2 series in 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/yesbrhx

Leon Haslam Fastest at Valencia Testing - Wrap-Up of Event

Haslam managed to pull his Alstare Suzuki around the Valencia track faster than anyone else testing there. Of course, this is only testing and not everyone there was working for outright lap times - there is plenty to do on the new machines that does not include watching the clock...First debrief linked below:

http://tinyurl.com/yhjlntk

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

Sylvain Guintoli Wants World Superbike Championship in 2010

Guintoli raced in British Superbike last season, but in 2010 he will be riding the Suzuki Alstare GSX-R1000. You can say that he moves around a bit, but he is always ready to race. Now, given his new team and his new ride, he wants to win it all next year!

http://tinyurl.com/ykg3g37

More Data from World Superbike and World Supersport Testing at Portimao

It is the end of the two-day testing at Portimao and there are some results available now. Only BMW did not participate in the testing session - every other major manufacturer was present and testing machines on the Portuguese track. So, have a look at this final report, but don't plan on it being representative of what to expect in 2010...

http://tinyurl.com/yka59wn

http://tinyurl.com/ykgvcum

Suzuki Alstare report: http://tinyurl.com/yhzvu2y

Suzuki Alstare's New Team Debuts at Portimao Tests

Sylvain Guintoli and Leon Haslam were in their Alstare colors at the Portimao track in Portugal and took the time to give statements to the press...

http://tinyurl.com/yzq5ppw

WSBK Results: Ben Spies is the 2009 World Superbike Champion!

He managed to come back several times during the season. And then Haga came back from far back in the series to get right next to him and then pass him for the championship lead. And, finally, he went into Portimao ten points down on Haga, but he won one race and came in fifth in the second showdown making American Ben Spies the new World Superbike Champion for 2009. He will go into MotoGP with three American championships and a freshman champion in World Superbike. I can't wait until the 2010 MotoGP season! It will be worth watching every single race...

http://tinyurl.com/yka8f68

http://tinyurl.com/yh6denq

http://tinyurl.com/yj24a9n

More - concerning Guintoli: http://tinyurl.com/yzxqrhb

The 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 (K9) World Beater?

I wouldn't go that far as it does seem that Yamaha has been dominating many motorcycle racing series, but the Suzuki has certainly been successful as well. Just ask Mat Mladin or even the recently posted Sylvain Guintoli - who was injured for much of the BSB Championship this year - what they think of the Suzuki superbike...

http://tinyurl.com/yhoczwg

Sylvain Guintoli Will Ride for Suzuki Alstare at Potimao

Guintoli will be taking an early ride for his new Suzuki Alstare team at the World Superbike Championship finale in Portugal. He is ready to race even though he had surgery this week. This will be his first trip to Portimao, but he has ridden a GSX-R1000 before, so this will be a good test for him and his team in preparation for the 2010 season.

http://tinyurl.com/yk5sulf

http://tinyurl.com/yjq94k9

Leon Haslam Will Race in Rallycross Event at Mallory Park

He will be taking his skills to the four-wheel racing world on 18 October at Mallory Park in the Mirror.co.uk Kumho Tyres MSA British Rallycross Championship. This is part of his new signing with Alstare Suzuki - and it's good fun! He will return to his Honda ride in the World Superbike Championship the following weekend in Portugal.

http://tinyurl.com/yfsp586

Guintoli and Haslam to Ride for Suzuki Alstare in 2010

Sylvain Guintoli and Leon Haslam have now signed with Team Suzuki Alstare for the World Superbike Championship series in 2010. Getting both of these top-notch racers was a real coup for the team and they are nothing but happy to have both riders under contract for next season. WSBK just becomes more and more competitive each year...

http://tinyurl.com/ylxcxhl

http://tinyurl.com/ygemoqy