Leon Camier Testing Aprilia RSV-4 at Misano

Camier is still rumored to be replacing Nakano on the factory Aprilia team for 2010, but no confirmation has been given yet. It does seem more likely now that he is over in Misano testing the RSV-4. So, Aprilia, when are you going to tell us who will be on your team for next season's WSBK season? We all are aware that Camier will be a real threat in any superbike series!

http://tinyurl.com/ya6kvkk

Shinya Nakano Announces Retirement...

Current World Superbike Championship racer Shinya Nakano has announced that he will retire effective immediately. It's a sad day for race fans. He contested last year's world championship with the Aprilia factory team on a brand new RSV-4 in the premier class. He has also been racing for 13 years, 11 of which were in a world championship series including his stint in MotoGP. The statement he released said that he will remain in the motorcycle industry at some level and I hope he does very well! I will miss him...

http://tinyurl.com/yhmj3cq

http://tinyurl.com/yznc7w7

Good bit of Nakano's history: http://tinyurl.com/y9os9fe

As We Know - Aprilia's RSV-4 Had a Fantastic World Debut

Max Biaggi was probably the most successful racer on the Aprilia RSV-4 this season, but his teammate Shinya Nakano also managed to do well on the new motorcycle. When Camier took it out the first time, he had some problems, but he pulled an incredible sixth and seventh place at the Portimao round of the WSBK Championship. Have a read and - like me- wonder what we have in store for 2010...

http://tinyurl.com/yze8atk

http://tinyurl.com/ygqkjku - same press release found here

Maybe Aprilia Will NOT Run a Second Team in World Superbike?

We did hear that Aprilia was planning to run a second team in World Superbike with riders Leon Camier and Shane Byrne. But, now we hear that no one at all has been signed by Aprilia yet, not even Max Biaggi. So, the questions remain since Aprilia is the only team in WSBK who has not confirmed their line-up for 2010 - Will they keep Biaggi? Will Nakano remain with the team? And, where will Camier and Byrne end up next year?

http://tinyurl.com/yhhl3tx

P.S. This article also gives a list of the confirmed signings for the WSBK Championship for 2010.

Aprilia Welcomes Shinya Nakano Back for Portimao WSBK Round

As we all know, Leon Camier will be running an Aprilia RSV-4 alongside Max Biaggi at the Portuguese round of the World Superbike Championship. This is the season finale for that series, so they have also brought back Shinya Nakano to help them out on the track. It will be a very closely watched race weekend, so Aprilia is sure to get plenty of exposure! They will most likely have four bikes - and two teams - next season, so this is a bit of a preview of 2010...

http://tinyurl.com/yzvwwqc

2009 British Superbike Champion Camier to Replace Nakano in WSB

Leon Camier took the British Superbike Championship last weekend at Silverstone, but he is not finished yet. He will be subbing for injured rider Shinya Nakano on the Aprilia World Superbike team. Camier will compete on the RSV-4 staring at the very next round!

http://tinyurl.com/ybhwrqe

Simoncelli WILL be Racing for Aprilia at Imola WSBK Round

This is now confirmed: Marco Simoncelli, current 250c.c. GP Champion, will ride alongside Max Biaggi at Imola. He did rather well in testing at Mugello and will replace injured rider Shinya Nakano.

http://tinyurl.com/y8qnulj

P.S. That hair!

Shinya Nakano Will Return to Japan for Medical Testing

Nakano missed the second race at the Nurburgring due to serious pain in his neck. He will travel to Japan this week to undergo testing to see exactly what is causing the pain.

http://tinyurl.com/n7lqec