Time Changes All Things - Dr. Costa Passes the Torch

Dr. Costa and the Clinica Mobile Staff

The Clinica Mobile will never be the same, but it may be better. Dr. Claudio Costa, the long-time head of the mobile clinic which offered the best trackside medical care outside of a world-class hospital for the riders in the MotoGP World Championship, is moving into a new position at the Clinica Mobile. His usual duties will be taken over by Dr. Michele Zasa, who will head the clinic, and Dr. Guido Rosa Prati, who now runs the European Diagnostic Centre. Assurances have been given that the relationship with Dorna will continue as normal and the capabilities of the medical center itself will only improve. Dr. Costa will be missed, but he deserves some time with his family and being in charge of his own health, primarily in enjoying it.

http://tinyurl.com/lzvty7y

Gran Premio de Motociclismo regresa a la Argentina!

On Tuesday (Euro time) it was announced that Dorna had signed a three-year deal with the Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo will host the Grand Prix of Argentina beginning on 2013. That will make it a 14 year absence, so you can be sure that motorcycle racing fans there will be celebrating tonight...and anxiously awaiting ticket sales!

http://tinyurl.com/5w6ftqq

WHEW! Indy Retains MotoGP Until 2014

That was a close one for many fans of the MotoGP event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They usually make these announcements during the event, but this one came during Misano. OK, people of Indiana (and those who travel there) you can stop holding your breath...relax and get to work on your hotel reservations!

http://www.tinyurl.com/3ze75oc

MotoGP Japan Grand Prix at Motegi is POSTPONED

Dorna and the FIM announced last night that the Motegi round of the 2010 MotoGP Championship - the Japanese Grand Prix - has been postponed due to the ash covering the European airspace. The race weekend was to be 23 - 25 April 2010, but it will held 1 - 3 October instead. The large Icelandic eruption has caused most flights to be cancelled in Europe for safety reasons and it has now pushed the MotoGP management to push the Japan Grand Prix back to later in the year when the teams will be on a fly-away trip to Malaysia and Australia. Be glad you are not in F1, though, as they seem to be trapped in China for the time being - at least the MotoGP teams are close to home in Europe!

http://tinyurl.com/y3ml538

Big MotoGP News for Speed Viewers in North America

Dorna and Speed (TV) have reached an agreement which will allow the US-based channel to air the 2010 - 2012 MotoGP Championship seasons in high-definition (HD) LIVE! It's the first of its kind for North American fans of the world's greatest sport, the Motorcycle Grand Prix. The agreement begins this weekend with the Qatar round of the series - a night race in the desert. Speed will show the event live at 4 PM (ET) on 11 April 2010. They will also put some of the races online at speedtv.com. For all the very cool details, please take the link...Amazing!

http://tinyurl.com/yegaq6e

Easton Crashes Hard at Cadwell Park Test & MotoGP in HD, Finally!

Swan Honda rider, and British Superbike Championship favorite, Stuart Easton went down in a rather nasty way while testing for the 2010 season at Cadwell Park. He was airlifted to the hospital where they are going to do some exploratory surgery around his knee. So far it looks like he will be OK, but they want to be sure everything is in fine order before they let him get back on the track...

http://tinyurl.com/ye7jz3t

MotoGP has finally entered into the 21st century by way of broadcasting the races in Hi-Definition! Some races have already been filmed in HD, but those were not broadcast to the public. In 2010, all MotoGP races will be available in HD and will be initially broadcast in HD, though your provider may not send full HD signals to your TV. Check with your local MotoGP broadcast channel to see if you will get the full experience!

http://tinyurl.com/ye8p9x2

FB Corse Will Join MotoGP & Julian Simon Test Ducati Desmosedici GP10

FB Corse has been given approval to join the MotoGP Championship starting at the Jerez round - round 3 - with their incredibly talented rider Gary McCoy. Dorna representatives looked at the lap times (unreleased as of yet) and the make-up of the team and decided to let them join in the challenge. Given that Franco Uncini said that he would look at the overall picture, and not just lap times, we cannot say that the FB Corse machine is the equal of the other manufacturers but we should know that it is competitive - otherwise, it would not be in the series at all.

http://tinyurl.com/yfk8fyf

Ducati test rider Franco Battaini is injured, so the Ducati team asked if Julian Simon could take some test laps on the GP10 at Jerez for the marque. Well, it turns out that Simon seems made for the Ducati machine - or, maybe it seems made for him. He ran some 115 laps and actually came within 1.6 seconds of Valentino Rossi's lap record at the track!

http://tinyurl.com/yepxkxf

Hopper Rides Perris Short Track & Balatonring Issues Continue

John Hopkins was in California this past weekend and actually had the time to run the Perris Short Track. So, he borrowed a bike from his mechanic and took to the track. He did very well and he may be back...

http://tinyurl.com/ya69qf8

The Balatonring is facing more and more problems. First, locals complain about not being consulted - then various groups attack the government as their tax dollars are helping build the thing and they will not be getting any of the revenue. Now we hear again about the cancellation of the loan guarantee for construction of the track...and the various investors have not been notified of the issues...Please take the link to learn more.

http://tinyurl.com/yalulss

http://tinyurl.com/y9cndc5

Thursday Morning Moto News - Gary Mason, Volunteers for WSBK & Monster Energy

MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider Gary Mason has been using some unusual techniques to get ready for the 2010 British Superbike Championship season. Mason took the Privateer crown last year, but this year he will be a full-on Superbike racer. He wants to be ready for it, so he is getting himself healthy. For more, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yad7tcl

This is just a short post as it is a request for volunteers to help out with the 2010 World Superbike round at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. Take the link for the contact information if you are willing to lend a hand!

http://tinyurl.com/ycvgcyk

Monster Energy - well known energy drink producer - has teamed up with Dorna, rights holder to MotoGP, to sponsor the Le Mans round of the MotoGP Championship. Monster will be the official naming rights holder to the French Grand Prix for the next two years now. For the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ydrw929

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

Thursday Morning Moto News - 2012 MotoGP Rules, Ross Gurd & KTM Australia

The FIM has confirmed the rule changes for MotoGP which go into effect for the 2012 season. The engine displacement will increase and privateer teams will have special allowances versus the factory teams. There is not much more hear than you already know, but it is now official.

http://tinyurl.com/yk37xeo

Ross Gurd has paid his dues, and then some, in motorcycle racing. He has been racing for 15 years - motocross, road racing, speedway and enduro - and is ready to reap some results in the 2010 Australian Superstock 600 Championship. He will need more support to finish the season, but it is starting to look good for the Australian.

http://tinyurl.com/yjlrdkx

KTM's Australian Superbike Championship team is going on a huge KTM dealership tour where fans can meet the members of the team. Racers Shannon Johnson and Chris Trounson will be on hand at each event; and their fully-liveried KTM 1190 RC8 R race bikes will also be in attendance. For all the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ylqx6lq

More Morning Moto News - AMA Board of Directors Change, MotoGP Rules & Suzi Perry

The AMA has just finished up their annual Board of Directors meeting in Indianapolis (13 February 2010). At that meeting, they decided to make changes to the make-up of the BoD - instead of six industry representatives on the Board, there will now only be four. There will also now be two 'at-large' Board members who will be elected by the entire organization (or so it seems now), but the Board will continue to have 12 members total. For all the information, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y8vx5f9

When the 2012 MotoGP season begins, there will be some new rules for privateer teams. They will then be allowed more engines and larger fuel tanks than the factory teams on the grid once the maximum displacement is increased to 1000cc. This is an obvious move to spur more competition in the paddock and to invite some others who may not have been in the series previously. It could cause some backlash, but it is likely to expand beyond the small number of current riders.

http://tinyurl.com/y8gp42d

Fan favorite Suzi Perry has quit the BBC MotoGP coverage unit - she will no longer report from the MotoGP paddock. After 13 years behind the microphone with the racing series, she will be moving on to work on her broadcasting career beyond motorcycle racing. She will be missed and we wish her luck!

http://tinyurl.com/y97vlck

More Morning Moto News - Gruppo Campari, Chris Vermeulen, Bradley Smith & Scott Redding

Gruppo Campari - owners of the Cinzano brand - has signed with Dorna to continue their sponsorship until the 2013 season. As you probably know, as you are watching MotoGP, you will often see the Cinzano billboards all over the track - this agreement is why. However, Cinzano will be replaced with new leading brand Aperol. Sponsorship is very important in racing and this is good news!

http://tinyurl.com/y8rg7rf

Chris Vermeulen has a tough task ahead of him in the World Superbike Championship; he has to bring Kawasaki back to the podium in that series. Vermeulen has had some up and down times, but he is always a racer's racer and is actually looking forward to the work he has to do in 2010. For more on the monumental season he has in front of him, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yj4upac

British racers Bradley Smith and Scott Redding are on their way to Barcelona for the World Championship practice. Redding is taking his first turn aboard his new Marc VDS Moto2 machine and Smith is returning to the 125cc machine from Bancaja Aprilia. These are the first tests of the season for those classes and it should provide some great information for riders, teams and fans alike!

http://tinyurl.com/yhr42ku

Saturday Morning Moto News - MV Agusta F4, Carmelo Ezpeleta & Silverstone

At least one author has now had a chance to throw a leg over the new 2010 MV Agusta F4 - and he found it a brilliant ride! Of course, as it is an MV, but he also said that he feels the bike has developed a more linear character and will be easier to ride by those with less experience for a change. Have a read...

http://tinyurl.com/ydj6o4m

Dorna's top man, Carmelo Ezpeleta has again made the news cycle. This time it is all about Valentino Rossi and his time with Ferrari. Ezpeleta states that the Formula 1 interest in Rossi can only be good for the MotoGP Championship. He has a point as it will most certainly bring a few more fans into the series, not to mention some journalistic attention as well...

http://tinyurl.com/yfzrwee

The head of the circuit-owning British Racing Drivers' Club has said that the new track layout at Silverstone is boring for Formula 1. Silverstone re-designed some of the track for the arrival of MotoGP this year, and some are quite happy with it. However, the consensus in the F1 world is saying a bit different...

http://tinyurl.com/yjj9pqm

MORE Morning Moto News - Ezpeleta and Changi & Haiti Bike Wash

MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta is getting a bit impatient. See, the Changi Motorsports Hub is far behind schedule and should be much further along than it is now. The idea is to bring MotoGP to Singapore for the first time, but they cannot do that if there are no facilities there for them to use. Ezpeleta doesn't even want to talk about it these days as he has been promised its construction for over two years now and there is nothign to show for it...now he wants to push it to get done!

http://tinyurl.com/yh4ot68

Last weekend for our Bike Wash Fundraiser for Haiti. Join us this weekend, February 13-14, as Pro Italia will be holding our final bike wash to raise money for the Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation in Haiti. We will wash your bike for a suggested donation $35, with all proceeds going to the Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation. In addition we will give $5 to this worthy charity every time you buy a Pro Italia T-shirt, and $10 for every Pro Italia sweatshirt, or jacket. Please join us for a clean bike, good fun and, most importantly, a chance to help children.

Head on over: http://www.proitalia.com/

More Morning Moto News - MotoGP vs WSBK, Dr. Costa & Moto2

A very neat little column/editorial about which of the two series - either MotoGP or World Superbike - is the best to watch. Well, the writer reaches a very respectable conclusion, but it is one you may expect. Given the talent in each series, and the motorcycles which they each race, it seems that both of these world-class series are worth your time and money...and, maybe, more!

http://tinyurl.com/ylk6rkq

And, we also have a short piece on Dr. Costa or MotoGP and World Superbike fame. We all know about him and, if you don't, you do not know nearly enough about motorcycle racing. Dr. Costa has taken a position at Imola now, and some are wondering if that means a return of the Imola 200, which used to be run with Grand Prix motorcycles...interesting and certainly a worthy idea!

http://tinyurl.com/yablkh9

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta fears that the Moto2 series may become a victim of its own success. Ezpeleta believes that the current team line-up may be too large for it to be a viably entertaining series. Of course, we have yet to see a race from this class, so only experience will let us know. In the mean time, I say you should just watch and enjoy and we will all make our minds up about half-way through the season.

http://tinyurl.com/yk7z8w3

Saturday Morning Moto News - BMW, MotoGP & Honda RC212V

BMW has released their annual report form 2009 and there is good news - we already saw that their sales drop was much less than the other manufacturers, except for one. At least this proves that the company is very stable and will be just fine for 2010 - unlike some other unfortunate manufacturers.

http://tinyurl.com/yhvnn46

The 1000c.c. limit in MotoGP, which comes up in 2012, may not spell the absolute end of the 800c.c. machines. According to the principals in charge of this, they will allow the smaller displacement to remain as the new rule is 'up to' 1000c.c. Expect to see one or two smaller bikes remain in the series, but the big guys will probably go ahead and take the extra cubic centimeters...

http://tinyurl.com/yc35pxr

Now, while at the Sepang International Circuit, Honda team director Kazuhiko Yamano and Project Leader Shinichi Kokubu sat down and talked about the new 2010 Honda RC212V. They discussed the way the factory and satellite teams will be handled as far as special parts and electronics. For more on this, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yb4wpfh

Never Ending Morning News - MotoGP & Motorcycle Trading Cards

There is a great deal of activity in the MotoGP series this week. The teams are already on location and have set up for practice at the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia. The overseers of the series will also be on hand as they continue to firm up rules for the new 1000c.c. displacement rules, which should go into effect in 2012. And, we also hear that every single rider on the MotoGP grid will be wearing Ohlins suspenders - can someone say spec-suspension? And, new Ducati team manager, Vittoriano Guareschi, actually took 10 of the 2010 Ducati Desmosedici bikes out on the Sepang track for some practice - all on his own; talk about dedication. Of course, Guareschi was also factory test rider for Ducati before taking his current position.

Teams - http://tinyurl.com/ycbu9zw

MotoGP rules - http://tinyurl.com/yc953jx

Ohlins - http://tinyurl.com/yb8jxnj

Vittoriano Guareschi - http://tinyurl.com/ye6tels

Bongothedude has just released its first ever custom trading card service for motorcyclists. There are several packs already available online and they will even make a custom card for you or custom cards for your entire club or organization. As with baseball trading cards, there is a color image of the motorcycle on the front and a detailed information panel on the back. It's a good idea for any riding group - and, it could be fun to use them as business cards as well. Take a look and get some for yourself.

http://tinyurl.com/yaurnyl

Wednesday Morning Moto News - Claudio Castiglioni, MotoGP, Moto2 & 125GP

MV Agusta's president, Claudio Castiglioni, is backing a plan to raise the overall speed limit in Italy from its current setting at 130 km/h (81 mph) up to 150 km/h (93 mph). The Italian transport agency is trialing the new speed limit in some areas with an eye to making the change national. Castiglioni has stated that modern motorcycles are perfectly able to travel safely at those speeds. Maybe he will have some influence...

http://tinyurl.com/yb9bm92

The FIM has released the entry list for the 2010 125c.c. World Championship. Bradley Smith is the favorite for the title, as we all may well know. But, he has some competition from Aspar rider Nicolas Terol. For the full list and a short article on the series, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ybksf3j

Moto2 has also been presented to us by the FIM. At present, there should be 39 riders lining up for the inaugural season. Many of the newcomers - and former 250c.c. riders - have already been mentioned as this class is getting an extraordinary focus from the media. It is a new series, and no one is sure who will be the favorite, so hold on tight as the season starts very soon!

http://tinyurl.com/ydootoe

We also get the official list of MotoGP entrants - 17 riders for 2010, at least full-time. There will be a few other teams which will only contest some rounds this year, but the rider group competing for the championship is only 17 bikes total. Have a look...as if you don't already know.

http://tinyurl.com/yke3zjm

More Morning Moto News - Sweepstakes, Leon Haslam & Capirex

Over at the U.K. newspaper, the Mirror, is having a sweepstakes where you could win a Leon Camier autographed Pirelli British Superbike Championship book. All you have to do is join some panel of theirs and you are automatically entered...easy as pie!

http://tinyurl.com/yf8x2fl

On the first day of the Portimao World Superbike test, Leon Haslam has topped the time sheets at the track. Of course, they are not all there looking for fast times, most are chasing setup demons and trying to figure out how to tune their race machines for the team riders. But, it does show that Haslam is putting in his effort to win the 2010 series title. Jonathan Rea was in second place on the day...

http://tinyurl.com/yj4s7cn

World Supersport times at the same test: http://tinyurl.com/ybqod4f

Loris Capirossi has been in the news a great deal these last few days. He must have had an interview day or two recently. Anyway, Capirossi is quite happy to know that the MotoGP engine limit will move to 1000c.c. soon. In fact, he said he would be the 'happiest person on earth' if the powers-that-be were to move the date of this rule change forward to 2011. Can't blame him...

http://tinyurl.com/yfu79jd