More News from JC Current...Please CLICK!

There has been an enormous amount of news coming from the world of two wheels lately. It is the end of the racing season, the musical chairs that are professional racing, the beginning of the 2011 models, new gear and accessories - and plenty of shows which bring much of this together in one place. EICMA is running in Milan, Ducati has released their 'fat-boy' Diavel, MV Agusta has shown their new F3 triple, Triumph's new Tiger 800XC and Daytona 675R, Yamaha's Super Tenere, and many more.

I have some stories here which may have slipped past you, or you may simply want to know more. Some are a bit old, but they are still current (pun intended)...please take a look.

2011 Master of the Mountains Schedule

The Middle Kindom Ride - China on BMWs

The New Brammo Enertia Plus

The 2010 Africa Concours d'Elegance in Kenya

The All-New Honda CBR250R Coming to US

The Renard Grand Tourer - Estonian Beauty

Honda's Moto3 Machine - NRS250

BMW R1200GS Triple Black

Chicago's Isle of Man

Gilera GP800 - World's Most Powerful Scooter

dediKato Auction (Ends 8 November 2010)

Nick Nichols Has Shed This Mortal Coil

Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show and Bonhams Auction

Suzuki GZ250 Price Dropped $1000!

Guy Martin to Ride Relentless by TAS Suzuki at 2011 Isle of Man TT

Scott Redding to Ride Suter/BMW MotoGP Machine

2011 FIM Speedway GP and Speedway Cup Schedule

Team Canada Heading to Latin American Championships

AMA Crowns Hillclimb Champions

Well, there are a few more, but that will do for this post. I am also working at the Portland Examiner as well and have at least one published article there...once I get that link, I will post it here too...Until then, please take the above links - every click helps!

Rumor: Ducati and Piaggio May Merge!

With the economy still in the toilet, Ducati and Piaggio both are still feeling the sting of lower sales of both bikes and licensed accessories - few people have enough money to buy anything. Add that to the rumors of a possible sale of the Piaggio Group of motorcycle and scooter manufacturers and you get this rumor: Ducati and Piaggio to merge. It is nowhere near confirmed, but it could mark a point where the Italian motorcycle industry can grow and may actually be able to compete with the Japanese (and British and American) on their terms. So, stay tuned and we will see if this comes to fruition or is forgotten by history.

http://tinyurl.com/ylaa5lv

http://tinyurl.com/yfc6oho

Naza Group to Become Sole Malaysian Importer for Piaggio

Naza Group is a well-established motorcycle company in Malaysia - and, Piaggio Group is the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Europe. So, this is a big deal for the Asian nation. They will have full access to Piaggio's entire line of motorcycles: Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Gilera, Derbi and Vespa.

http://tinyurl.com/ylzp34a

Motorcycle Book: The Grand Prix Motorcycle by Kevin Cameron of Cycle World

Cycle World's Kevin Cameron is a very well-known motorcycle nerd (not unlike myself) and he knows what he is writing about (not like me) - everything about a motorcycle. His knowledge is deep and he even admits when he is wrong - and manages to teach us something at the same time. His "The Grand Prix Motorcycle" covers every 500c.c./MotoGP Motorcycle Grand Prix era since 1949 up to 2008 - and, he details several championship winning grand prix motorcycles. It is a good read, but having a pen and paper to work out equations which he bandies about is a good idea...

http://tinyurl.com/yclkc8z

MotoGP: 2009 Valencia 250GP Results - Aoyama is Champion!

Hiroshi Aoyama did not win the race at Valencia, but he did win the 2009 Championship by finishing seventh on the day. Hector Barbera won what is the last race for 250c.c. two-strokes in fine style ahead of second place by almost 4 seconds. That second place rider was Alvaro Bautista, with Raffaele de Rosa bringing it in in third. Sadly, Marco Simoncelli crashed out with seven laps remaining - that handed the championship to Aoyama and second overall to Barbera. Also of note is the performance of Thai rider Ratthapark Wilairot landing in fifth! If you missed the race, make sure to catch it in rerun as it is worth watching.

http://tinyurl.com/yfdg9o6

http://tinyurl.com/yzyauyn

http://tinyurl.com/yk7y2j2

End of season standings: http://tinyurl.com/yfttmlv

More on Hiroshi Aoyama: http://tinyurl.com/y85nx96

P.S. Remember that this is the end of the 250c.c. two-stroke era; next year it will become Moto2, which will eb run with Honda 600c.c. engines in custom frames.

Valencia MotoGP: 250GP World Championship Qualifying

Some interesting qualifying in the 250c.c. World Championship class - Simoncelli is in second and Hiroshi Aoyama sitting in fifth! Of course, Aoyama only needs to finish in front of eleventh place to take the crown for the last two-stroke 250c.c. GP event. Alex Debon took pole position for the race, with Hector Barbera holding down the third position. It looks like - as long as we don't see any nasty get-offs - Aoyama will be the final champion in this class...

http://tinyurl.com/yzp848k

http://tinyurl.com/ygvf45c

MotoGP: Valencia Preview Notes - Final 2009 Round

There are still many contests to be decided at the final round of the 2009 MotoGP season. Second place in the series is one important question which will be decided this coming weekend. That is not to mention the hard-fought battle for fifth place between Edwards and Dovizioso. Plus, we get to see Ben Spies back in the paddock; I wonder how that will go? The biggest question, though, in my own opinion will be the race to the 250 World Championship, which is now between Aoyama and Simoncelli - also, it will be the last race for the 250c.c. two-strokes as next year we will see the Moto2 series. There are plenty of other answers coming this weekend, so do not miss it!

http://tinyurl.com/yzjth8o

Team race previews: http://tinyurl.com/yz8elyp

MotoGP Results: 250 World Championship at Sepang in Malaysia

Hiroshi Aoyama is one step closer to winning the 250c.c. World Championship after today's race at Sepang in Malaysia. Aoyama took the win and is now 21 points ahead in the final standings. Simoncelli pulled a third place finish at the event, but it will be tough to take the championship unless Aoyama finished far behind him in Valencia. Alvaro Bautista crashed for the third consecutive race and his title hopes are now gone...

http://tinyurl.com/ykewmuy

http://tinyurl.com/yk5wvwb

Overall 250c.c. World Championship standings with one race remaining: http://tinyurl.com/yjllbfc

Hiroshi Aoyama Again Tops Qualifying at Malaysian MotoGP Round

Aoyama has placed himself high enough above Simoncelli to make the fight for the title seem easily obtainable for the Japanese rider. Simoncelli only managed to get eighth on the starting grid for tomorrow's race. What will happen? Who knows as the 250c.c. Championship race can see some incredible racing - Marco could still beat Hiroshi if things go his way...

http://tinyurl.com/ygxoev2

http://tinyurl.com/ygjxwjy

Hiroshi Aoyama on Top Of Time Sheets at Malaysian MotoGP Round

Aoyama powered to the first position in the first practice at Sepang, Marco Simoncelli only made it to tenth. However, Simoncelli can often be accused of 'sandbagging' and when qualifying comes around, we will probably see him move much closer to the top. He is only 12 points shy of 250c.c. championship leader Aoyama, so this race is important to both riders! Again, watch it as it will be worth it!

http://tinyurl.com/yzx9q2w

http://tinyurl.com/yz9u3de

Marco Simoncelli Wins at Phillip Island and Keeps Title Hopes Alive

Simoncalli worked his way past Alex Debon during a crash-infested race and took the win on the day. Of course, the race was red flagged due to a massive crash by Roberto Locatelli, which left his 250 bike in the middle of a turn. Thus, we had to wait a few moments for the officials to set the final order. After Simoncelli, Hector Barbera finished second and - believe it or not - Raffaele de Rosa finished third after starting from pole position. Championship leader Hiroshi Aoyama was classified as seventh. it was an eventful race and something I am glad I got to see (on TV)...

http://tinyurl.com/yhpg79d

http://tinyurl.com/yfnub53

Piaggio Group Will Sell Scooters in India, Again

Piaggio Group pulled out of selling scooter in India some time ago; now, they only sell light commercial vehicles. Starting in March of next year, though, Indian customers will be able to buy their favorite Vespa scooters. Shortly after that, they will be selling Gilera, Aprilia and Derbi motorcycles as well! Finally!

http://tinyurl.com/yzfunru