Stuart Easton Speaks on BSB Testing & Lake Havasu XDl Freestyle

From the man himself, Stuart Easton gives us his perspective on his testing so far in preparation for the 2010 British Superbike Championship. Most riders were in Spain at a track in Cartagena for last week, and Easton was right there among them. He did quite well in the testing and is finding his new teammate, James Ellison, very agreeable. We can only wait for the season to start to see if Easton gained what he needed for some good finishes...

http://tinyurl.com/yj3wxos

Are you getting a Spring Break? Well, if so - even if not and you just want somewhere to escape from work - take a look at the festivities on offer at the 2010 Lake Havasu City 2010 XDL Freestyle Sport Bike Competition. There will be the best stunt riders from around the US, and some from around the world, competing in judged stunt runs and freestyle stunting on sport bike motorcycles. It is entertainment and an impressive demonstration of skill worth your time and money. Take the link to learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/ygpp8kc

Reports from British Superbike Testing & James Toseland

The British Superbike Championship teams are mostly all in Cartagena, Spain, preparing for the 2010 season. This past week has seen many BSB riders running hard around the Spanish track in an effort to perfect bike settings and see what the machines are capable of. This time it seems that Swan Honda was the dominant force; Stuart Easton and James Ellison took the top two slots on the final standings. However, it appears that, un-officially, Tommy Hill broke the lap record at the track. For all the details please take one of the following links.

http://tinyurl.com/yzxrqbx

http://tinyurl.com/yz5e58w

Triumph: http://tinyurl.com/ycheej6

Yukio Kagayama was in PAIN: http://tinyurl.com/y8jgkd6

Also, we get a video interview with the returning World Superbike rider James Toseland. As you know, he was sent to WSBK from MotoGP after they gave his seat at Tech 3 Yamaha to Ben Spies. Well, now Toseland is in the WSBK paddock again and riding a Yamaha. To see what is in his mind at this point in his season, please take the link and see a video interview with the Superbike ace.

http://tinyurl.com/ygu5qu7

More Morning Moto News - Daytona Supersport & James Ellison and Stuart Easton

The AMA Pro Racing Supersport race was also held at the Daytona International Speedway and it was also a very close finish. Rockwall Honda's Cameron Beaubier won the race by only .001 of a second! Joey Pascarella was the second place man right next to him riding his LTD Racing R6. Elena Myers came in a close seventh in the event.

http://tinyurl.com/y8vkgb6

Swan Honda debuted their bikes at the Cartagena circuit where riders James Ellison and Stuart Easton are testing this week. The bikes are all painted in black with a huge 'Swan' written across the fairings and a rider number. So, we assume that this is just for testing and they will show their livery at some point later. In either case, both riders enjoyed their tests and they actually are a bit ahead of where they wanted to be...bodes well for the 2010 BSB season.

http://tinyurl.com/ydczew3

More Morning Moto News - James Ellison, Craig Fitzpatrick & Luke Jones

James Ellison, who we just heard has joined SMR Honda, has promised to not let down his fans in the 2010 British Superbike Championship. He has stated that he wants to be in the hunt for the title all year long - and he hopes to clinch it before the end of the season. Again, yet another reason to follow the sport this year!

http://tinyurl.com/yd4k766

Craig Fitzpatrick has signed on to ride a Honda with the Close Print Finance team in the BSB Evo class. Fitzpatrick won the Supersport Cup in 2007 and was racing in that series in 2009 as well. He made his first foray into the Superbike class late last year aboard a Yamaha and feels that he is now ready to move up to the Evo class and compete with the bigger machines...

http://tinyurl.com/yeq5rd3

Luke Jones has now managed to add himself to the 2010 BSB season by joining the PR Yamaha team. Jones is only 21 - making him the youngest rider on the BSB grid - and has raced 125GP and Superstock 600 successfully. Given his new ride and his new team, Jones may just make some people in that class sweat a bit more...

http://tinyurl.com/y8oyhjj

Sunday Afternoon Moto News - Duke Video & James Ellison

Duke Video has finally gone back and put the 1992 through 2001 MotoGP (Motorcycle Grand Prix) season reviews on DVD. The first batch, 1992 through 1996 will be available in February, and the second set will be released in March. It's about time that we can get rid of our VHS tapes and bring our favorite sport back into our entertainment selections in the 21st century.

http://tinyurl.com/yc858y6

James Ellison has finally found himself a seat in the 2010 British Superbike Championship. He will be riding alongside Stuart Easton at SMR Honda. It marks a return to the team for Ellison, and he seems quite happy to be riding for the team again. Given Ellison's results in 2009, it is hard to understand why it took so long for someone to pick up this talented racer!

http://tinyurl.com/ycw76tz

More Morning Moto News - BSB Rule Changes, James Ellison & Luke Jones

Over in the British Superbike Championship, the people running the series - MotoSport Vision - have changed the rules in order to change how the Championship is awarded. They are trying a new two seasons within one strategy which they hope will build a 'crescendo of competition' by the end of the season. They are also changing how Qualifying is done and how the starting line-up for Race 2 is set. Really, if you are even a casual fan of the series, this is something you must read.

http://tinyurl.com/yf2e5wc

Exactly why James Ellison is out of a ride for the 2010 season is a mystery to me. I do understand how he got to this point, but I do not understand why no one would want to hire the man who placed second in last year's BSB series. He has skill to spare and the desire to win every race - someone had better hire him soon or their competitors will and they will take the title!

http://tinyurl.com/yj4qqlg

Luke Jones is not having a hard time finding a team. The second runner-up in the BSB Superstock 600 class in 2009 will now ride for PR Racing in the 2010 BSB Championship. He will continue racing a Yamaha, moving from an R6 to and R1 for his new position.

http://tinyurl.com/yfad7v4

Even More Saturday Moto News - Greg Pretty, Kenny Gilbertson, Heels on Wheels TV and James Ellison's Appeal

The news only came to me via a forum post - I have yet to see a news story on this. Famed Australian Unlimited champion Greg Pretty has died. He was killed in a riding accident in the Southern Adelaide ranges while riding with some friends. He was a well-respected racer and an all-around good guy; he will be missed.

http://tinyurl.com/ycqzqha

Better coverage: http://tinyurl.com/ycbfdh9

Kenny Gilbertson is the second rider to confirm that he will be riding in the British Superbike Championship EVO class. He will be riding for the Magic Bullet Racing team, but the motorcycle marque which they will use has yet to be confirmed. It should be a great way for Gilbertson to get a ride in the top series if he does well in the EVO class.

http://tinyurl.com/ydpzdau

Have you heard about HeelsonWheels.tv? Well, it is a new show put together by a former Chief Operating Officer of Deutsche Bank's Fund of Hedge Funds, Charles 'Chuck' Pirao and his wife Sandra. The show is meant to appeal to women riders and it hopes to expand the number of women riders in the sport. The show is available on the Internet and it is an interesting watch due to its use of hard-core riding and laughter. You should check it out no matter your gender.

http://tinyurl.com/ybqpdr7

And, finally, I just had to post this. Apparently, James Ellison has a rather high profile in a certain part of our culture. Now, I am not saying that Ellison is homosexual - I happen to know that he is not - but, at least it does show just how far our sport, motorcycling, is spreading its influence. I have to say that it is nice to know how far it really goes. For fun, click the link (if you are a heterosexual male, you might want to miss the last photo; but, if you are a heterosexual female, you will enjoy it!)

http://tinyurl.com/y8pw92y

Tuesday Morning Moto Racing News - Dakar and, uh, James Ellison

Yep, we are getting near the final and important stages in the Rally Dakar. Stage Nine ended yesterday and our former champion (who has little chance of winning this year, unfortunately) KTM's Marc Coma won the stage by only four seconds to take his third stage victory in 2010. Right behind him was current points leader - and likely winner of the 2010 event - Cyril Despres on his KTM. Aprilia's Francisco Lopez ran in third for this stage and remains in third place overall. For more, take one or all of the following links.

http://tinyurl.com/y96uz24

http://tinyurl.com/ycebsnd

http://tinyurl.com/y9bxhq6

http://tinyurl.com/ybze7tm

And, in other racing news, we hear that British Superbike star James Ellison has been in Texas training with Ben Spies for the 2010 season. Given his appearances in the final events of the 2009 season of BSB - with Leon Camier, who took first as Ellison took second - one would think he would also have a ride in 2010. But, that is not the case. However, if someone should pick him up, he will be in great shape to challenge for the championship in any series!

http://tinyurl.com/ye86ewr

Yamaha Austria Racing Team Wins 8 Hours of Doha and Championship

Finally, there are some results from Qatar! The last we heard, the Yamaha Austria Racing Team (YART) was in the lead, and they managed to carry on in the lead until the last lap. So, Igor Jerman, Steve Martin and Gwen Giabbani took the victory at the track. In second place is - well, we expected this - Phase One Yamaha, consisting of James Ellison, Pedro Vallcaneras and Glen Richards. Third place was taken by the Kawasaki team of Horst Saiger, Eric Mizera and Patric Muff. Looks like YART has yet another championship season - by a wide margin of points!

http://tinyurl.com/yl4qyqt

More on Ellison and Richards: http://tinyurl.com/ykmzjl7

Yamaha Austria Racing Team Leads 8 Hours of Doha

Yamaha Austria Racing Team riders Igor Jerman, Steve Martin and Gwen Giabbani are holding the lead at the endurance event in Qatar. Phase One - including BSB ace James Ellison - is back in second place now. And, BK Maco Moto rider Jason Pridmore had a nasty crash which broke his collarbone. In the Superstock class, the Suzuki Qatar Endurance Racing Team is in the lead, but fifth place overall. Almost over...

http://tinyurl.com/yj5ztw4

James Ellison Takes Superpole at 8 Hours of Doha

This is the final race on the calendar for the FIM Endurance World Championship and the second place finisher in British Superbike, James Ellison, has taken pole position for the race this weekend. American Jason Pridmore is back in third position with his BK Maco Moto Racing team. In between the two is the Honda Michelin Power Research Team and their rider Hugo Marchand. It will be a good weekend in Qatar for motorcycle racing...

http://tinyurl.com/yfytlva

Phase One also fastest in warm up before race: http://tinyurl.com/ylxv788

Alex and Damian Cudlin are Laid-Off from Phase One Yamaha Endurance Team

The team simply did not have enough budget to keep them on. They have brought in Australian Glen Richards and James Ellison for the final event of the Endurance World Championship at Doha, Qatar. Even worse for the Cudlin brothers, they have not had the best season this year. I think you will agree with me when I wish the Australian brothers the best of luck in gaining employment for next season!

http://tinyurl.com/ygaft94

World Supersport Testing: Yamaha Testing with Ellison, Rea and West

That is James Ellison, Gino Rea and Anthony West are testing the Yamaha YZF-R6 which brought Cal Crutchlow - now in World Superbike - the World Supersport title in 2009. Apparently, there is more! Martin Cardenas will also be testing the R6.

Ten Kate Honda is testing with Kenan Sofuoglu - already confirmed for the team in 2010 - and Michele Pirro and Maxime Berger.

And, Kawasaki is testing with Joan Lascorz, Katsuaki Fujiwara, Broc Parkes and David Salom.

http://tinyurl.com/ygzt2ao

Finally! Race Results from Sunday's Oulton Park BSB Rounds

Leon Camier could not get it done in race 1 on Saturday, but he sure made up for it on Sunday at Oulton Park. He took both race victories and brought his total to 19 wins on the 2009 season of the British Superbike Championship. The usual suspects filled out the podium in both races: Stuart Easton, James Ellison, Tommy Hill and Josh Brookes. It was an incredible weekend...if only they broadcast to the US...

http://tinyurl.com/yjwm4qx

http://tinyurl.com/ykrj8aj

http://tinyurl.com/yk5heon

HUGE Press Release Selection from BSB Oulton Park Round (and slightly beyond): http://tinyurl.com/ykzva6z

British Superbike Results from Oulton Park: Race 1

Well, Camier was unable to take the victory in the first race, but it was a close battle. Easton pulled out a last lap pass to take victory after a four-way battle for podium positions. Easton's teammate, Tommy Hill, took the final podium slot with James Ellison in fourth...

http://tinyurl.com/yf6sbzy

http://tinyurl.com/yfauvrm

Leon Camier Wants to Win Final BSB Round at Oulton Park

If he manages to win all three races at the Oulton Park round, he will have achieved 20 race wins in his British Superbike 2009 season. As for now, he has taken 17 of 23 races. His teammate, James Ellison, has a 51 point lead over Hydrex Honda's Stuart Easton in the race for second place...

http://tinyurl.com/ylbacaf

Full Report from Silverstone BSB Round - Camier Takes 2009 Title!

It is now official, Leon Camier of Airwaves Yamaha is the new British Superbike Champion! It was a good race, according to reports, and it saw its fair share of surprises. Even Guintoli did well given his situation...

http://tinyurl.com/y9llhj8

Leon Camier is living his dream: http://tinyurl.com/yb55c4q

British Superbike Silverstone Race Results

Both races are covered here, but only the actual finish order - not much else yet.

Race 1: http://tinyurl.com/yabz6lt

Race 2: http://tinyurl.com/y8ca5m6

I'm not sure, but Camier placed 1 - 2 on the weekend and his teammate, Ellison, place 2 - 1, so it looks like the title belongs to Camier with one race weekend remaining...

Stats from BSB Silverstone Free Practices on Friday

Well, Airwaves Yamaha riders James Ellison and Leon Camier lead the way so far. However, this is just practice and it will take some time for other teams to tune their machines for the track, especially the newcomers and substitute riders...Anyway, here are the lists:

Free practice 1: http://tinyurl.com/y94nsvx

Free practice 2: http://tinyurl.com/yatza9j

Leon Camier Can Clench Title at Silverstone BSB Round

All Camier needs to do is finish the first race ahead of his teammate James Ellison. This, of course, means that he actually has two chances to take the title over this coming weekend. This is almost the exact same situation that the Airwaves Yamaha team was in last year...history repeating...

http://tinyurl.com/n3vweo