Capirex Rides Into the Sunset

Loris Capirossi announced today that 2011 would be his final season in motorcycle racing. Two decades is a long time to do anything other than breathe or, say, workout, and 22 years competing at the very edge of life and death is a long time indeed. Read on in an article I wish I had written.

http://www.tinyurl.com/4yemcp5

More in Moto News for Tuesday - Espargaro, British Supersport

Now, this is Aleix Espargaro who was given the opportunity to ride for the Pramac Ducati team at a few rounds of the 2009 MotoGP Championship. Now he has a full ride in the series for 2010. He had to endure some surgery, though, to get his left arm fixed. Read the article for details...

http://tinyurl.com/ylekhl8

Over in the British Supersport Championship, Gearlink Kawasaki has finally announced their team for the 2010 season. Ben Wilson, newly re-signed, will ride with teammate Lee Johnston on the Supersport team. In the National Superstock 600 series, Sam Coventry will take their name to the track at only 16 years-old. Have a read...

http://tinyurl.com/ylxcg8c

So, what is up with James Toseland these days? He will be riding the World Superbike Championship again in 2010 after losing his seat in MotoGP to newcomer Ben Spies. But, what of his career? What about where he really sits in the world of motorcycle racing? Well, take the link and learn something interesting about the Brit.

http://tinyurl.com/yjlstzz

Niccolo Canepa Makes Move to Moto2 from MotoGP

Canepa was riding for the Pramac Racing team on a Ducati in last year's MotoGP Championship. In 2010, he will suit up for the Scot Racing Team on the 600c.c. Moto2 series. At least he will remain in the World Championship paddock! Canepa is very happy with the agreement and he will certainly add more competition to next year's series, so that makes us all happy...

http://tinyurl.com/yzp2duj

Niccolo Canepa Racing in 2010? No One Knows Yet...

This time last year, it seemed that Canepa could write his own ticket wherever he wanted to race. But, after a not-so-good outing in MotoGP, he is sitting out Valencia and does not know if he will be sitting all through 2010. It's a bad situation to be in - made worse by an economy which keeps taking motorcycle manufacturers out of racing - for a talented racer looking to do what he does best...

http://tinyurl.com/yex9r7q

Pramac Ducati Rider Mika Kallio Wins MotoGP Rookie of the Year

Mika Kallio is in 15th position at this point in the MotoGP season of 2009, though there is one more race remaining. He came up through the World Championship ranks from 125c.c. to 250c.c and into the MotoGP class with Pramac Ducati. His only competition for the award, though, was Gabor Talmacsi, who only started at round 6.

http://tinyurl.com/ygqve2a

Aleix Espargaro Will Ride in Place of Niccolo Canepa at Malaysian MotoGP Round

Espargaro will get another chance to gain valuable experience racing in MotoGP - which is where he will be in 2010 - at this weekend's Malaysian MotoGP race. He impressed the Pramac Racing team so much with his ride at Indy and Misano that they hired him full time next year. So, this will certainly help him come to grips with the rather nervous Ducati Desmosedici before he is trying for the championship...

http://tinyurl.com/yg8br2n

Carlos Checa Will Not Return to the MotoGP Paddock

Checa will not be on a Ducati MotoGP bike next year, but he will be in the World Superbike Championship riding a Ducati for the Althea team. So, he is quite happy to have a ride for 2010, especially after loosing his Ten Kate Honda ride. At least we will get to watch him race next year; he is talented and the Ducati might just help him challenge for the 2010 WSBK Championship...

http://tinyurl.com/ykgwdk2

http://tinyurl.com/yjbhuce

Ducati May Reward Aleix Espargaro With MotoGP Contract

Pramac Ducati was very impressed with Espargaro (Aleix, not his brother Pol) at Indianapolis and Misano, where he placed 13th and 11th, respectively. He may be signed to the Pramac team alongside Mika Kallio. We can expect an announcement soon...

http://tinyurl.com/ya7ppue

More Speculation on James Toseland's Future

As we now know, it is likely that Ben Spies will be taking Toseland's ride at Tech 3 Yamaha, so where will he end up? Some people are saying World Superbike, and that makes sense considering that he was at Imola and was speaking with teams about a ride. However, he still has a chance to end up with Pramac Ducati (unlikely), a new Yamaha-based Hayate team, or with the new FB Corse team...more waiting for us fans...

http://tinyurl.com/yb3xnz8

Confirmed: Mika Kallio set to Ride for Pramac in 2010

Kallio has impressed the team and the boss, so they have signed him for the 2010 MotoGP season. He has had some success on the Desmosedici, finishing in the top ten four times. His teammate, Niccolo Canepa, must prove his worth in the final rounds of the 2009 season before he is signed with the team for 2010...

http://tinyurl.com/ybpqgqn

Kallio's Replacement at Pramac Racing, Espargaro Impressive

He had absolutely no experience with the Ducati Desmosedici, but he still managed to surprise fans. Aleix Espargaro, riding on Kallio's bike, managed a strong eleventh position at Misano. That is impressive!

http://tinyurl.com/luyxul

Mika Kallio Not Satisfied with His Ducati Factory Team Performance

Kallio was to replace Casey Stoner during his absence from the team and had hopped for top five finishes. After some hard times at Brno and Indianapolis, he did manage to achieve seventh at Misano. He now returns to his Pramac Ducati satellite team to finish the 2009 season - he has yet to secure a ride for 2010.

http://tinyurl.com/nxaka8

Espargaro Will Be Youngest Spaniard to Ride in MotoGP

This weekend in Indianapolis will see the debut of Aleix Espargaro on the Pramac Ducati team. He is replacing the ill Casey Stoner until Misano and will be the youngest Spaniard ever to race in the premier class.

http://tinyurl.com/l8ex3t

Aleix Espargaro Subs for Kallio at Next Two MotoGP Rounds

Since Mika Kallio will be riding Stoner's Ducati while he is sitting out the next few races, Pramac Ducati is replacing him with Aleix Espargaro. It should make for a very interesting Indy round.

http://tinyurl.com/lwmbxt

Pramac Racing Impressed with Pasini at Brno

Apparently, Mattia Pasini did a great job for Pramac Ducati while testing the Desmosedici GP9.

http://tinyurl.com/o56z59

Stoner to Miss Next Three MotoGP Races

According to Livio Suppo, Ducati's team boss, Casey Stoner will not be participating in the next three MotoGP races due to his health problems. He will miss the Czech, Indianapolis, and San Marino events. In his place, Mika Kallio from the Pramac team will be on Stoner's bike.

http://tinyurl.com/nrm993