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There is not a lot beyond a photo, but the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team has now shown us what their Suzuki GSV-R will look like for the 2010 season. Riders Loris Capirossi and Alvaro Bautista will look good riding one of these...And, I almost forgot, Troy Lee Designs was at the helm of this design!
http://tinyurl.com/yzfwvku
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (USA) has promoted Robert Gladden to be their General Manager. Gladden was the MSF Director, Program Administration, before he was promoted from within. He will now report to MSF President Tim Buche and will have much more responsibility. To read up on some Gladden history, please take the link. He has had an intriguing path to the top.
http://tinyurl.com/ylyu6ny
The Somerset Rebels Speedway meet coming up a week from today is now fully set. After Suyfutdinov's confirmation a few days ago, we now get news that his fellow countryman Roman Povazhny will be joining the event as well. That means that the weekend is fully set and ready to go. If you can get to this meeting, you will not be disappointed - you will have one hell of an evening!
http://tinyurl.com/ykcwm9j
Rizla Suzuki Unveils Livery, MSF Promotes Gladden & Sommerset Rebels Meet Complete
And, More Evening News - Rizla Suzuki Riders & 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré
The MotoGP Rizla Suzuki team riders stopped in Japan at the Suzuki factory in Hamamatsu to tour the factory, meet the people working there, and to meet with the race department ahead of their test in Malaysia. There are some issues which Loris Capirossi and Alvaro Bautista want to work out before they begin their work at the Sepang IC. For more, please take the link...
Finally, Yamaha has unveiled one of the most anticipated bikes this season, the 2010 XT1200Z Super Tenere! It is meant to be a direct competitior to the R1200GS from BMW, as you already know. Of course, there is the Ducati offering as well...and Moto Morini...and Moto Guzzi....it's getting veyr crowded in this popular segment these days. This is one sweet machine, though... Tuesday Night Moto News - Troy Lee Designs and Rizla Suzuki
There are some better photos somewhere on the 'Net, but the linked piece is solid and explains everything. Troy Lee Designs will be doing the livery for the 2010 Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team's bikes. Given how busy he has been helping to raised funds for the Haiti Earthquake (have you given yet?), it is a wonder where he finds the time. It is sure to be a decent design...and we get to see it at Qatar in March. Should be good!
http://tinyurl.com/yhg4gbo
And, More Morning News - Loris Capirossi & Superbike-Coach
Loris Capirrossi is hoping for a good practice run at the Sepang Cricuit in Malaysia, where the MotoGP teams will be this coming weekend for some long practice work. He is sure that his Suzuki is getting there as the Suzuki factory and the team have worked very hard over the winter to get the bike ready to race. It is looking good for the Italian in 2010; let's all hope that he is right and he will be a real threat to the top four guys...
http://tinyurl.com/yjkgvsu
Superbike-Coach is a California-based and run motorcycle training school. They will teach you everything from better street riding skills on up to their 'Knee Down' course, which helps you preform much better cornering at the track. For the details and the scheduled dates, please take the link.
http://tinyurl.com/yzzv99r
More Morning Moto News - Triumph USA, Speed Dating & Rizla Suzuki
Triumph North America has a CEO who started on the Triumph production line at the age of 15 and worked his way to the top - and, he seems to be a good leader as well. Mark Kennedy has led the North American division through these hard economic times and actually managed to grab some market share during the downturn. Kennedy has learned quite a bit about the company coming from the bottom up, and he is putting it to use in keeping Triumph in the black.
http://tinyurl.com/ykyo8wr
The weekly 'Speed Dating' column from Road Racer X is now available. This week we see the birthdays of Fabrizio Pirovano, Gaston Rahier, Jonathan (Johnny) Rea, Jose Luis Cardoso, Brendan Roberts, Juan Bautista Borja, Piergiorgio Bontempi, Jimmy Moore. It is also the 46th anniversary of Grand Prix motorcycle racing in the US - 1964 was the first year that the World Championship came to the shores of the US. Check it out...
http://tinyurl.com/yku2vvu
Suzuki's MotoGP team has signed another two year deal with Imperial Tobacco Limited (ITL) which will allow the team to run the Rizla livery until the end of 2011. Given the dearth of sponsorships these days, this is again more good news for motorcycle racing!
http://tinyurl.com/yblvdu6
A Busy Wednesday Morning - Moto Race News from All Over, Part 2
For the start of this post, let us head Down Under for the Australian Superbike Championship. Wayne Maxwell has landed a ride at GAS Honda for the 2010 season and will be racing a Honda CBR1000RR all season. He was a close contender in 2009 on the Motologic Honda, but he has now teamed up with a local Honda dealer to push for the championship.
http://tinyurl.com/yg5uhnq
How about a quick primer on the 2010 World Superbike Championship? Well, the linked article will provide you with an update, a list of riders and the schedule, but not much else...
http://tinyurl.com/ydpbymt
How about a quick look at the Silverstone Circuit schedule for 2010. It will have some series returning to the track and some which are relatively new, so don't miss out! Take a look and make your plans for attending whichever races suit your tastes...
http://tinyurl.com/yjhnfhq
And, over on the Alvaro Buatista fan site is a neat feature on Suzuki's Grand Prix history. It's not too long and is filled with information, so go and take a look.
http://tinyurl.com/ylmodyk
Rizla Will Be Staying in MotoGP Championship with Suzuki
A new two-year deal is about to be signed between Rizla and Suzuki to keep the team together until 2011 at least. The economic situation had better improve a bit or that might be their last year there for some time. At least their sales in India are doing very well. It is good to know that there are still companies out there committed to our sport - so few are, so few can afford to anymore...This is good news!
http://tinyurl.com/yzdv2xr
Capirossi to Help Develop World Superbike GSX-R1000 Development
It's an odd thing to hear, but Loris Capirossi will be helping the Suzuki WSBK effort test the 2010 Suzuki GSX-R1000 race machine. Riders Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli will be assisted by the Suzuki MotoGP rider. As the article says, looks like Suzuki is serious about World Superbike now!
http://tinyurl.com/yjxvpwg
Vermeulen Begins Duties at Kawasaki WSBK Team
Chris Vermuelen was not allowed to test at the final round of the World Superbike Championship in Portimao because his bosses at Rizla Suzuki would not allow it. So, over in Japan he is now getting his first taste of the Kawasaki ZX-10R he will be riding in next year's championship season. They are calling it a 'shake-down' run for Vermeulen, with the real testing to commence at Cartagena very soon...
http://tinyurl.com/ylgjyb7
Rizla Suzuki Has Finished Three Days of Testing at Estoril
Alvaro Bautista and test rider Nobuatsu Aoki were in Estoril testing the new GSV-R over the last three days. The testing went rather well with Bautista doing over 200 laps on the MotoGP machine. Aoki was merely there to finish development testing which began with Loris Capirossi at Valencia. Overall, things are looking up for the Suzuki MotoGP team in 2010...
http://tinyurl.com/yzdo7yc
http://tinyurl.com/ykjhhld
Capirossi Unhappy With MotoGP Testing Ban
Loris Capirossi would really like to have more time to test the Suzuki GSV-R - and he does have a good point. However, due to the strict cost-cutting which has taken over MotoGP recently, testing has been cut to the very minimum. Capirex would simply like to have more time to work on the Suzuki in order to improve the machine. However, there are some who support the economical measures, so it is unlikely to get changed anytime soon, unfortunately...
http://tinyurl.com/ylnfhqd
MotoGP Rookies Get Extra Testing Time - Some of Them
Alvaro Bautista will be testing with the Suzuki MotoGP team in Estoril next week. It is not known how this came about except that Suzuki rented the track for three days next week and has invited other rookies to take part as well. However, an new official rookie test will be held in Malaysia at Sepang during 21 - 23 December 2009. Interesting...
http://tinyurl.com/yhgqac2
Vermeulen and Toseland at Portimao for Post-Season Test
Along with all of the other 2010 riders in the World Superbike Championship who are practising at the Portimao test days, Chris Vermeulen and James Toseland are also present. They both flew back to Europe from Malaysia after the MotoGP race to get their chance to meet with their respective teams. Unfortunately, Vermeulen will not be able to ride, but Toseland has been allowed to ride the Yamaha superbike since he currently rides for Yamaha in the MotoGP series.
http://tinyurl.com/yh4esme
MotoGP: Loris Capirossi Interview from Singapore
In the interview, he stated that the MotoGP series would welcome a Singaporean race circuit into the long list of race visits worldwide. Apparently, a circuit is under construction already - the Changi circuit. He also spoke about his own career and his 2010 teammate, Alvaro Bautista. It's a good interview, take a look...
http://tinyurl.com/yjhmvbv
Ready for Malaysia - the MotoGP Championship at Sepang
Well, this coming weekend will be yet another tough race for the MotoGP racers. Valentino Rossi may be able to clench the title if he wins or places far enough above Jorge Lorenzo, but that might not come to pass as Por Fuera is on fire! Casey Stoner may play spoiler to all of this - he can't win the championship but he might change the points enough to force Rossi to wait for another race to take victory. Then there is the heat and humidity of Malaysia - the racers have to be very careful of their health while there as it can be very hard on the leather-clad athletes during the race. No matter what, there will be a MotoGP race this weekend and that is worth the trip alone...
http://tinyurl.com/yzxme6r
Rizla Suzuki - how will Caprirossi and Vermeulen handle the heat? http://tinyurl.com/ykzzndr
Ducati - will Casey Stoner get sickened by the weather; can Hayden stay upright and not get hit by another racer? http://tinyurl.com/ygltcav
Scot Honda: http://tinyurl.com/yhp5s93
Standings ahead of the Malaysian GP: http://tinyurl.com/ykdzw4x
Suzuki Remains Cursed at Australia's Phillip Island
A Suzuki GSV-R has only made it to a single sixth place finish at Phillip Island since its 2002 introduction. That is not a good record for an otherwise constantly improving machine. Neither Chris Vermeulen nor Loris Capirossi could get their Suzuki to the podium this weekend. In fact, Capirossi was placed at the back of the grid due to the fact that he had to violate the new MotoGP engine rules - he had to use his sixth engine and they are only allowed five from mid-season to the finale - and, Suzuki was fined 10 points in the manufacturer's championship...
http://tinyurl.com/yfrpatd
Loris Capirossi is Sure of Suzuki's GSV-R Making Improvements
Though Capirossi had to retire on lap 20 of the Portuguese Grand Prix, he still feels that the Suzuki MotoGP bike has had some impressive improvements. After all, he was challenging for sixth place when he encountered the technical issue with the GSV-R. He will get the chance to prove this progress in 2010.
http://tinyurl.com/yb4g6rf
Vermeulen Talks About His Upcoming World Superbike Season With Kawasaki
It is old news now, Chris Vermeulen is moving out of MotoGP and into World Superbike with Kawasaki. But, you might want to know what motivated him to make the switch - beyond his seat being taken at Rizla Suzuki - and how he feels about working with the Factory Kawasaki Racing team. After all, Vermeulen wouldn't sign with just any team...
http://tinyurl.com/yagb244
Finally Confirmed: Vermeulen to Ride Kawasaki in World Superbike
Many posts over recent months have wondered exactly where Chris Vermeulen will be spending 2010. It has finally been decided; he has signed a two-year deal with Kawasaki to race the ZX-10R in the World Superbike Championship with Paul Bird Motorsport. It would not be wise to count him out of challenging for the win at every race in 2010...
http://tinyurl.com/yersel7
MotoGP 2009 Portugal Race Previews
From the Repsol Honda team, Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso are ready to tackle the track and improve even more on a stand-out season.
http://tinyurl.com/ydob3dv
Over at Fiat Yamaha, Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo are sitting first and second in the championship points and Portugal will see one fantastic race between the two, almost assuredly...
http://tinyurl.com/y92ygu5
Recent improvements on the GSV-R have helped Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi see some better finished in the last few events, will it continue? It certainly looks positive...
http://tinyurl.com/yc6pxmu
All in all, it will - AGAIN - be a very good racing weekend in Portugal!