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

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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

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