Saturday Morning Moto News - BMW S1000RR, Jonathan Rea & More MotoGP and Moto2 Rules

Would you like to see the 2010 BMW S1000RR valvetrain going at full tilt? The engine will rev up to 14,200RPM - a huge number when you really think about it. Well, if you would like to see this amazing bit of technology in action, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yb8vllo

Jonathan Rea has his sights firmly set for MotoGP. Even though the young Northern Irishman will fight it out this season on the World Superbike stage, his ultimate goal is to race in the Grand Prix series. His Ten Kate Honda team will certainly do whatever it takes to keep him on top this season, so he might get that chance after all.

http://tinyurl.com/yhjxvkt

The FIM has released an even more detailed explanation about the new rules for the 2010 MotoGP and Moto2 series. They have had to make updates due to some technology issues as well as problems with understanding the spec-engine rule in Moto2. There are many changes, so do yourself a favor and take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yzagam8

Confirmed: Michele Pirro Will Join Ten Kate Honda for 2010

Pirro will compete in the World Supersport Championship in 2010 with the Ten Kate team on a Honda CBR600RR. Since he was testing with them a week ago, it makes sense that this would deal would be done. It will be a good match according to past results. His past expertise in claiming championships will put Yamaha on notice...and, probably, make Honda happy.

http://tinyurl.com/yjkv8xd

Rea Preparing for Tough 2010 Season in World Superbike

Jonathan Rea may be young, but he is not without a deep understanding of the challenge ahead. In the 2010 World Superbike paddock, there will be many qualified riders who have a real chance at winning almost every time they race. So, he is working hard to get ready for the next season with his team, Ten Kate Honda, with which he did very well in 2009. Expect 2010 to be a season of surprises...

http://tinyurl.com/yzn3zdw

Kings of Wanneroo Event Photos and Winner

Well, I have yet to find a decent article on the results of the Kings of Wanneroo event in Australia this weekend, so I am posting a link to a forum where there are some photos and the announcement that Jonathan Rea has put Shannon Johnson in his place by taking the event's overall win. If I get more, I will post it!

http://tinyurl.com/yzw3q22

Better coverage: http://tinyurl.com/yjysdvn

http://tinyurl.com/yzvvb7h

Andrew Pitt and Conor Cummins had a great weekend: http://tinyurl.com/ykvup45

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

Ryuichi Kiyonari Forced to Withdraw from Portimao WSBK Round

Unfortunately for Kiyonari, his broken collarbone is causing him too much discomfort to continue. He sustained the injury at Magny-Cours and the installed clip is holding the bone steady, but the pain is just too much to allow him to ride at the level he needs to. He would not be able to turn in a good performance with this situation, so he has been forced to end his season early...sad news for the former BSB Champion.

http://tinyurl.com/yg8crl3

First Qualifying Practice at Portimao World Superbike Round

As Spies only made seventh in the first practice, this is an improvement for him; he managed third in this the first qualifying practice for Superpole. Haga actually moved from second down to ninth! Jakub Smrz dropped one spot to second after Jonathan Rea turned in a scorching lap on board his Ten Kate Honda. Tomorrow's qualifying will certainly be interesting...

http://tinyurl.com/yjtwgf8

Carlos Checa Returns to the MotoGP Paddock?

If the Spanish press is to be believed, the talks between him and Ducati are already over and all we are waiting on is an announcement. It will certainly make the MotoGP series even more interesting if Checa finds himself on a MotoGP ride. Well, I guess we will wait and see...

http://tinyurl.com/yhd5ww4

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

World Superbike Magny-Cours Superpole Results

Ben Spies managed to come back and take the Superpole qualifying by storm at the Magny-Cours track in France. His nearest rival in the qualifying run, Jonathan Rea, was almost a half-second behind him. What this means for today's races...well, we will see. However, just FYI, Haga qualified back in 5th place...should prove interesting!

http://tinyurl.com/yckuepa

Jonathan Rea and Ten Kate Honda Together for Two More Years

Rea and his Ten Kate team have signed an agreement which will keep Rea in the World Superbike Championship through 2011. Actually, this was decided a year ago, but the agreement was clarified so that Rea would stay in Superbike.

http://tinyurl.com/yexqjv5

Fabrizio Takes Pole at WSB Imola Round

The free practice and qualifying were both delayed due to rider complaints about the track surface - it was too slick. So, the track worked out this issue and the free practice became qualifying. Michel Fabrizio took pole while riding his Ducati, which put Honda's Carlos Checa in second and Yamaha's Ben Spies in third. One more provisional qualifying will set things up for Superpole.

http://tinyurl.com/ybbo7wa

Interview with Ten Kate Honda Riders Jonathan Rea and Carlos Checa Ahead of Imola

In just the last four races, the two riders have a total of five podiums between them and they are really looking forward to the Italian round of WSBK at Imola. Checa is really loving the new Ohlins suspension he has been using this year and Rea is looking to show consistency.

http://tinyurl.com/md9hs6

Kiyonari's Best Finish in BSB at Croft Only Fourth

So, some say that his return to British Superbike may not have gone as he had planned. Ryuichi Kiyonari ended up gridded eleventh and only made it to fourth place in the first race of the event...however, his WSBK outing this year has not been without problems as well...

http://tinyurl.com/n6ydqa

Jonathan Rea Will Focus on More Race Wins in WSBK

Rea is sitting in fourth in the World Superbike Championship, but he feels he can do much better. He did win race 2 at the Nurburgring, and that gives him confidence for the final three rounds. So, watch the final races and you will be sure to enjoy some close racing!

http://tinyurl.com/nj756r

Ryuichi Kiyonari Will Return to British Superbike at Croft

Having won the overall BSB championship twice, Kiyonari will return to the series from his current Ten Kate team in World Superbike and ride for HM Plant. The event will be held at the Croft Circuit during 11 - 13 September 2009.

http://tinyurl.com/lnt743

Another Update from Last Weekend's Races - AMA, MotoGP, Canadian Superbike, WSBK

The usual press releases sent out after various racing events are contained here. Everything from the New Jersey Motorsports Park, Misano, Shannonville Motorsports Park and Nurburgring is addressed in this post, but only certain teams and riders are covered. Have a look!

http://tinyurl.com/ma46wd

Toseland in MotoGP or World Superbike?

Ten Kate Honda is talking with James Toseland about returning to the World Superbike stage, but it seems that Toseland would like to stay in MotoGP...

http://tinyurl.com/ox5qnt