STONER & HAYDEN UPBEAT

MARLBORO Ducati men Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden were satisfied after the opening practice session at Jerez, praising the performance of their Desmosedici GP10 machines.

Stoner is naturally keen to get some points on the board after his crash from the lead in Qatar, and as he seeks a first win at Jerez, the Australian was brimming with positivity after his time of 1m 39.731s in FP1 topped the timesheet.

“I’m feeling a lot more confident than I ever have at this circuit. Immediately from the first lap on this bike I knew things were different to past years, and the bike felt so much more confident than it ever has,” he said. “I have a great feeling, the rear is a lot calmer, it’s not pumping all over the track, and things feel very good. Everybody else is going to be ready for a good fight this weekend and I think it’s going to be the first chance I’m going to have to fight for maybe a victory here.”

Not even a slide out with two minutes of the session remaining brought Stoner’s mood down, and he even took the positives from the minor fall.

“I’m not really too sure (what happened),” said Stoner when asked about the fall at Turn 9. “The lap before I went into that corner a little bit too fast, so I thought on the next lap I’d ease it off a little bit, and a similar thing happened to what did in Qatar. We just didn’t have enough weight on the front, so I think we might be getting a little bit of a wrong indication from the bike of what we need to do with it. I think this is actually a good thing to happen to us because now we’ve had the same thing happen twice and this is going to give us a lot better indication of how to improve the problem for tomorrow, and the rest of the season. So far we’re very happy with the situation we’re in.”

Meantime Hayden was looking to build on what was for him a superb display in Qatar where he took fourth place in the race. The third quickest lap in the opening practice at Jerez left the American in similarly high spirits at just 0.417 seconds off his team-mate.

“The session went well and I’m really happy right now because this is a big one for us,” he commented. “I was fast in Malaysia and Qatar (tests) but that was after a lot of testing at those tracks, experimenting with many different settings, but we’ve come here and been fast out of the gate, which was one of my goals for this season – to be on the pace on Fridays. We didn’t set the world on fire or break any track records so we’re not getting carried away but the bike is close and if we can get it a little better in the fast corners we should have a good package.”
Hayden added: “The team made one little change today that helped a lot and on my last exit I was able to stay in the 1’40s from the first lap to the last. It’s a good start and if we keep working in this way we can have a good weekend.”

More about → STONER & HAYDEN UPBEAT

DEBON TOPS MOTO2 PRACTICE

SPANIARD Alex Debon, runner-up in the inaugural Moto2 grand prix at Qatar on April 11 has topped the practice time sheet in the new four-stroke class's first practice session at Jerez de la Frontera, with a best lap almost half a second better than Hungarian Gabor Talmacsi. Talmacsi was second, ahead of Spanish domiciled American Kenny Noyes while Qatar winner Shoya Tomizawa was 14th fastest, sandwiched between the vastly more experieinced Toni Elias and Alex De Angelis.

In just their second grand prix, the Moto2 bikes are just over a second off the 250GP lap record.

All competitors use control Honda CBR600 engines prepared by Swiss company Geo Technology.

Jerez de la Frontera, Friday, April 30, 2010
Moto2 class, First Free Practice
1, Alex Debon Aeroport de Castello – Ajo FTR 1m 44.419s
2, Gabor Talmacsi Fimmco Speed Up 1m 44.880s
3, Kenny Noyes Jack & Jones by A. Banderas Promoharris 1m 44.920s
4, Yuki Takahashi Tech 3 Racing TECH 3 1m 44.977s
5, Sergio Gadea Tenerife 40 Pons PONS KALEX 1m 45.162 s
6, Yonny Hernandez Blusens-STX BQR-MOTO2 1m 45.199s
7, Julian Simon Mapfre Aspar Team RSV 1m 45.229s
8, Claudio Corti Forward Racing SUTER 1m 45.351s
9, Thomas Luthi Interwetten Moriwaki Moto2 MORIWAKI 1m 45.352s
10, Jules Cluzel Forward Racing SUTER 1m 45.384s
11, Roberto Rolfo Italtrans S.T.R. SUTER 1m 45.418s
12, Karel Abraham Cardion AB Motoracing RSV 1m 45.493s
13 Toni Elias Gresini Racing Moto2 MORIWAKI 1m 45.517s
14, Shoya Tomizawa Technomag-CIP SUTER 1m 45.560s
15, Alex De Angelis RSM Team Scot FORCE GP210 1m 45.676s
16, Anthony West MZ Racing Team MZ-RE HONDA 1m 45.823s
17, Stefan Bradl Viessmann Kiefer Racing SUTER 1m 45.914s
18, Ratthapark Wilairot Thai Honda PTT Singha SAG BIMOTA 1m 45.924a
19, Axel Pons Tenerife 40 Pons PONS KALEX 1m 45.931s
20, Alex Baldolini Caretta Technology Race Dept I.C.P. 1m 45.951s
21, Fonsi Nieto Holiday Gym G22 MORIWAKI 1m 46.118s
22, Scott Redding Marc VDS Racing Team SUTER 1m 46.134s
23, Dominique Aegerter Technomag-CIP SUTER 1m 46.237s
24, Mike Di Meglio Mapfre Aspar Team RSV 1m 46.353s
25, Raffaele De Rosa Tech 3 Racing TECH 3 1m 46.463s
26, Simone Corsi JIR Moto2 MOTOBI 1m 46.548s
27, Andrea Iannone Fimmco Speed Up SPEED UP 1m 46.558s
28, Joan Olive Jack & Jones by A.Banderas PROMOHARRIS 1m 46.652s
29, Robertino Pietri Italtrans S.T.R. SUTER 1m 46.781s
30, Hector Faubel Marc VDS Racing Team SUTER 1m 46.863s
31, Niccolo Canepa Team Scot FORCE GP210 1m 46.934s
32, Lukas Pesek Matteoni CP Racing MORIWAKI 1m 46.940s
33, Mattia Pasini JIR Moto2 MOTOBI 1m 47.011s
34, Arne Tode Racing Team Germany SUTER 1m 47.016s
35, Bernat Martinez Maquinza-SAG Team BIMOTA 1m 47.178s
36, Vladimir Ivanov Gresini Racing Moto2 MORIWAKI 1m 47.296s
37, Amadeo Lladas Llados Racing Team AJR 1m 47.555s
38, Valentin Debise WTR San Marino Team ADV 1m 47.747s
39, Mashel AL Naimi Blusens-STX BQR-MOTO2 1m 48.195s
40, Yannick Guerra Holiday Gym G22 MORIWAKI 1m 48.318s
41, Vladimir Leonov Vector Kiefer Racing SUTER 1m 48.383s
42, Ivan Moreno Andalucia Cajasol MORIWAKI 1m 49.000s

New class, so no previous lap times. For comparison with the class it has replaced, here are the 250GP records for Jerez:

250GP Pole Record: Dani Pedrosa, Honda, 1m 42.868s – 154.80 km/h (2005).
2009 250GP Pole time: Alex Debon (Aprilia), 1m 43.028s – 154.40 km/h
250GP Lap record: Alvaro Bautisata (Aprilia), 1m 43.338s – 154.10 km/h (2009, lap 15 of 26).
2009 Podium:
1, Hiroshi Aoyama (Honda), 45m 08.805s – 152.832 km/h; 2, Alvaro Bautista (Aprilia), 45m 08.937s; 3, Marco Simoncelli (Gilera), 45m 11.511s

More about → DEBON TOPS MOTO2 PRACTICE

Angel Locsin on Folded and Hüng Photos - Spot the Difference on FHM May 2010 Issue

The first time I saw Angel Locsin on the cover of FHM May 2010, I thought I already saw that photo. And in fact, I did. It's actually part of Angel Locsin's Folded and Hüng photos. Uhmmm, did FHM just lift these photos?

Let's find out as we post the scanned pages of FHM May 2010 with Angel Locsin on the cover.

12 more Angel Locsin sexy photos inside ->

More about → Angel Locsin on Folded and Hüng Photos - Spot the Difference on FHM May 2010 Issue

STONER UNDER RECORD IN FIRST PRACTICE!

IN THE first hour long free practice session at Spain's Jerez circuit, Australian Marlboro Ducati rider Casey Stoner blasted around under Valentino Rossi's one year old lap record!

The Ducati Marlboro rider set the pace in the first practice of the Gran Premio bwin de España, ahead of Fiat Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo and Ducati team-mate Nicky Hayden.

Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa was fourth fastest, trying a new chassis, while multi winner at Jerez, Valentino Rossi, riding with a shoulder injury, was fifth, ahead of Rizla Suzuki's Loris Capirossi. That made it four brands in the top six.

With another free practice session to go before Saturday afternoon's qualifying, lap times could take a hammering.

Full Friday free practice times from the Spanish MotoGP, round two of the 2010 world championship:

1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team 1m 39.731s

2. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team 1m 39.875s

3. Nicky Hayden USA Ducati Marlboro Team 1m 40.148s

4. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team 1m 40.200s

5. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 1m 40.359s

6. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki 1m 40.716s

7. Colin Edwards USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 40.913s

8. Hector Barbera SPA Paginas Amarillas Aspar Ducati 1m 41.034s

9. Alvaro Bautista SPA Rizla Suzuki 1m 41.093s

10. Marco Melandri ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1m 41.190s

11. Ben Spies USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 1m 41.200s

12. Andrea Dovisioso ITA Repsol Honda Team 1m 41.277s

13 Randy De Puniet FRA LCR Honda 1m 41.293s

14. Mika Kallio FIN Pramac Racing Ducati 1m 41.297s

15. Marco Simoncelli ITA San Carlo Honda Gresini 1m 41.533s

16. Aleix Espargaro SPA Pramac Racing Ducati 1m 41.742s

17. Hiroshi Aoyama JPN Interwetten Honda 1m 41.837s

2009 Pole position: Jorge Lorenzo, Fiat Yamaha 1m 38.933s

Fastest race lap: Valentino Rossi Fiat Yamaha 1m 39.818s (2009)

MotoGP News in Brief

FORMER World 250 Champion, the mop-headed Italian Marco Simoncelli has a new fairing on his San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda V4 after doing wind tunnel tests in Japan with Honda Racing Corporation in a bid to improve the Italian’s top speed on his bike. Simoncelli says the modifications that were made to ensure he has a more comfortable, faster ride, including the small indentations on either side of his handlebars which allow him to now tuck his body in more effectively. Wags say if he cut his hair he could go one size smaller on his AGV helmet, and that may also reduce drag…

WHILE another former World 250 Champion made some great strides on the new chassis for his Repsol Honda V4, Dani Pedrosa’s team-mate Andrea Dovizioso was struggling in the first session at Jerez. He said he had quite a few problems entering the turns due to the difficulties he is having making his machine turn correctly when releasing the brakes. However, with all the pre-season tests and the data collected from the first session at Jerez, Dovizioso is confident that he can turn the situation around and recover the feelings that led him to be among the fastest in his class at the start of the world championship in Qatar. There his Honda could be seen ‘hobby-horsing’ as it entered the corners.

SAN Carlo Gressini Honda rider Marco Melandri was a bit more upbeat after the first session at Jerez, saying changes to the settings of his Ohlins forks had given him much more confidence in the front-end of the bike…

RIZLA Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi says the reason he is closer to the front-runners so far at Jerez is because he “took a big risk” and made a big change to the Suzuki’s chassis set-up. Meantime, over in the Monster Energy Tech 3 camp, Colin Edwards was ‘stiffening up” the suspension on his Yamaha while fellow Texan Ben Spies was content to figure out where the track went and what the fastest way around it was. It was noticed that Spies did not follow anyone, but was content to work it out for himself. He says he thinks he will be able to put some faster laps together in the second session.

More about → STONER UNDER RECORD IN FIRST PRACTICE!

JEREZ: 125 FIRST SESSION

Already, after just the first free practice session, the fastest 125 riders are down close to the lap record!

1 Pol ESPARGARO SPA Tuenti Racing DERBI 1m 47.327s
2 Marc MARQUEZ SPA Red Bull Ajo Motorsport DERBI 1:47.448
3 Efren VAZQUEZ SPA Tuenti Racing DERBI 1:47.574
4 Sandro CORTESE GER Avant Mitsubishi Ajo DERBI 1:48.418
5 Nicolas TEROL SPA Bancaja Aspar Team APRILIA 1:48.592
6 Esteve RABAT SPA Blusens-STX APRILIA 1:49.050
7 Bradley SMITH GBR Bancaja Aspar Team APRILIA 1:49.270
8 Alberto MONCAYO SPA Andalucia Cajasol APRILIA 1:49.340
9 Jasper IWEMA NED CBC Corse APRILIA 1:49.449
10 Danny WEBB GBR Andalucia Cajasol APRILIA 1:49.615
11 Tomoyoshi KOYAMA JPN Racing Team Germany APRILIA 1:49.810
12 Jonas FOLGER GER Ongetta Team APRILIA 1:50.205
13 Alexis MASBOU FRA Ongetta Team APRILIA 1:50.269
14 Louis ROSSI FRA CBC Corse APRILIA 1:50.277
15 Adrian MARTIN SPA Aeroport de Castello - Ajo APRILIA 1:50.348
16 Randy KRUMMENACHER SWI Stipa-Molenaar Racing APRILIA 1:50.555
17 Lorenzo SAVADORI ITA Matteoni CP Racing APRILIA 1:50.746
18 Johann ZARCO FRA WTR San Marino Team APRILIA 1:50.765
19 Jakub KORNFEIL CZE Racing Team Germany APRILIA 1 :51.020
20 Marcel SCHROTTER GER Interwetten Honda 125 HONDA 1:51.361
21 Luca MARCONI ITA Ongetta Team APRILIA 1:51.374
22 Isaac VIÑALES SPA Catalunya Racing Team APRILIA 1:51.639
23 Joan PERELLO SPA SAG Castrol HONDA 1:51.643
24 Luis SALOM SPA Lambretta Reparto Corse LAMBRETTA 1:51.831
25 Riccardo MORETTI ITA Fontana Racing APRILIA 1:52.072
26 Sturla FAGERHAUG NOR AirAsia - Sepang Int. Circuit APRILIA 1:52.088
27 Zulfahmi KHAIRUDDIN MAL Empowerment Worldwiderace T APRILIA 1:52.599
28 Michael VAN DER MARK NED Team Sachsenring APRILIA 1:53.146
29 Johnny ROSELL SPA SAG Castrol HONDA 1:53.199
30 Marco RAVAIOLI ITA Lambretta Reparto Corse LAMBRETTA 1:53.270
31 Quentin JACQUET FRA Stipa-Molenaar Racing GP APRILIA 1:53.367

125 Lap Record: 1m 47.057s - 148.731 km/h (Julian Simon, 2009)
125 Pole Record: 1m 46.937s -148.898 km/h (Mattia Pasini, 2006)

More about → JEREZ: 125 FIRST SESSION

MOTOGP SITUATION REPORT

AS the first free practice session was set to get underway, it is time to take stock of the likely top four riders.

First the Fiat Yamaha men, Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. The postponment of the Japanese GP at Motegi has given Lorenzo an extra week to let his injured hand heal. Given his late charge at Losail to runner-up, you'd have to say he will be looking good at Jerez. He was in pain for two days after Qatar but the break should mean he'll be good to go in Spain, although he will not want to repeat last year's result. He crashed out of the race.

Meantime, Rossi crashed a motocross bike in training just after the Qatar race and the shoulder injury he sustained was worse than he admitted. He over-rotated his right shoulder and stretched ligaments. In addition he has a small crack in the top of the humerus. So last year's race winner is carrying an injury.

Then there's Casey Stoner on the Marlboro Ducati. The brilliant Aussie has never won a race at Jerez in any class, 125, 250 or MotoGP. In fact, his third place last year was his first ever podium at the place. With no points in the championship after crashing out of the lead at Losail, Stoner says he is actually looking forward to Jerez, which in the past has been a race he has run under 'damage limitation.' This year's revised closer firing order V4 engine is making life easier and he says he "won't waste time swerving all over the place."

Which brings us to 2008 race winner Dani Pedrosa. The Spaniard is looking forward to trying a new frame to try to overcome stability problems. Seems like Honda has finally built a bike that other riders can actually fit on, and the result is that Pedrosa is not comfortable on it! His Repsol Honda team-mate Andrea Dovisioso meantime wants a more tractable engine and word is HRC will test a new engine on Monday, after the race, but no one is sure if or when it would get used because of the six-engine rule. IN a throw-back to their very first premier class GP engines (the old 500 four-stroke fours raced by Mike Hailwood), Honda has built an engine that has lots of top-end power and not even the new electronics package can alter that...

Of the rest, Nicky Hayden will be looking to do better than his fourth place finish at Losail on the Marlboro Ducati while Ben Spies is a dark horse. This is a track the Texan has not yet raced at, but given his prodigious ability to learn new circuits and go fast all at the same time, he will be one to keep an eye on.

Finally, Loris Capirossi has won at Jerez in the MotoGP class, but that was on the 990 days when he was racing a Ducati. Whether Suzuki can get its V4 competitive seems unlikely, but if it is half a chance, Capirossi will get the very best out of it.

More about → MOTOGP SITUATION REPORT

BMW CHANGES

THERE have ben a few changes at BMW Group Australia recently, which will also have an effect in the New Zealand market.

BMW Group Australia has appointed Tony Sesto to the position of BMW Motorrad Manager. Effective May 3, 2010, Sesto will head up BMW Motorrad overseeing the Australia and New Zealand markets from BMW headquarters located in Melbourne.

Sesto was formerly the National Sales Manager of Honda Motorcycles in Australia and arrives with a wealth of experience spanning his ten year tenure there.

BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Stavros Yallouridis, welcomed the appointment,

"We're extremely confident Tony will add significant value to the BMW Motorrad business and will continue to grow sales and defy the market trend. It's certainly a very exciting time for BMW Motorrad with the unprecedented market reaction to the S 1000 RR," Mr Yallouridis said.

Despite the Australian market declining by over 12 percent versus the same period last year, BMW Motorrad sales are up 6.3 per cent. Key performers in the range include the Learner Approved Motrocycles (LAMS) BMW G 650 GS, the K 1300 series and the S 1000 RR.

In addition, BMW Group Australia has appointed Piers Scott to the position of PR & Corporate Communications Manager, effective mid-May.

Scott, 33, was previously the Corporate Communications Manager for BMW Group New Zealand and will relocate with his family to Melbourne to take up the new position.

With PR experience spanning more than 10 years, both as a consultant and in-house corporate communications manager, not only does Scott bring with him a vast knowledge of the automotive industry, he also arrives with experience within the finance, mining and public sectors.

BMW Group Australia Managing Director, Stavros Yallouridis, welcomed the move.

"Piers has been extremely effective working across the BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad brands in New Zealand as well as bringing a wealth of experience from other industry sectors," Mr Yallouridis said.

Source: BMW Group Australia.

More about → BMW CHANGES

ENFIELD GOES UPMARKET...

IN INDIA, Royal Enfield's marketing initiative to woo potential customers through its `Log Out" campaign targeted at corporates is paying dividends. The Chennai-based manufacturer (an Eicher Motors subsidiary) aims to pitch the riding experience as a team-building exercise over weekends. And the company reports that having ridden an Enfield, many a corporate rider has sold off his existing two-wheeler and upgraded (?) to an Enfield bike.

ZeroOne Technologies, a Chennai-based technology solutions provider, 'logged out' for its fifth anniversary on April 25. A few company staffers, some of them astride a Thunderbird for the first time, rode from Chennai to Yellagiri.

It's a campaign with a difference because it allows riders to set out on a trip even if they are riding other motorcycles. Shaji Koshy, divisional general manager, sales and marketing, Royal Enfield, reveals just why: "While our 'Ride On' campaign has it that every participant rides an Enfield bike, the Log Out campaign has no such restrictions. In fact, it is during the ride that many non-Enfield riders are converted into Bulleteers. En route they get to know the Enfield bike better – some are initially intimidated by the size of the motorcycle but once they ride it, they find out that it is easy to handle. For our company, this is a major marketing initiative."

We are not sure what these 'corporates' would make of Kiwi Rider magazine's test photos of the new 500 Classic. Check: http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.com/2010/03/stretch-ing-royal-enfield.html
Royal Enfield has also earmarked exports as a growth area and says its 500cc motorcycle that meets Euro 3 emission norms is a major draw abroad. The Indian bike maker, which sells around 2300 bikes in the overseas market every year, has now targeted sales of 10,000 units per annum in the export market alone.

More about → ENFIELD GOES UPMARKET...

FACTORY DUCATIS ON THE PACE!

Test - MisanoThursday Apr 29 2010Test - Misano

THE DUCATI XEROX TEAM LEAVES MISANO IN A POSITIVE STATE OF MIND

Misano (Italy), Thursday 28th April: Warm conditions at the Misano World Circuit allowed the Ducati Xerox squad to carry out two day’s worth of work on track, with positive results. Despite battling against 'flu and a high fever,strong>Noriyuki Haga rode alongside his team-mate Michel Fabrizio and both demonstrated a fast pace.

On track together with the Aprilia, BMW and Yamana factory teams, the two Ducati Xerox riders and their technicians concentrated above all on making modifications to the 1198 bikes in order to improve feeling and refine set-ups in preparation for the next race at Monza, May 7-8.

Noriyuki’s physical condition unfortunately worsened and after making two exits in the late morning, during which it was evident that his weakness was preventing him from pushing, the Japanese rider decided to finish up early, at lunchtime. Work continued for Michel however, and he spent the afternoon working on race pace and testing some different settings dedicated to the qualifying tyres, to better prepare for the Superpole sessions.

At the end of the tests, the team returned home satisfied with the work achieved. Michel made more than 150 laps over the two days, recording a great (unofficial) time of 1m 35.7s with the race tyre, followed by a 1m 35.2s on a qualifier, while Noriyuki, unwell, registered a best time yesterday of 1m 36.6s on a race tyre.

Michel Fabrizio
“We’ve worked really hard, my best time of 1m 35.2s on a qualifier was good but I’m more satisfied with the 1m 35.7s that I set on a race tyre and the fact I was able to lap consistently fast. My technicians made various changes to the suspension settings of my 1198 and I didn’t have any real problems. At Monza we absolutely must do well, we need to make good points in order to make up lost ground. We’ll see.”

Noriyuki Haga
“Yesterday everything was going well, lap times were better than they were during last year’s racing, but of course track temperatures were lower too of course which helped. The feeling I had with the tyres was good and we also identified a better suspension setting, as well as trying some engine settings too. Now we have to see how those solutions work at Monza. Everyone knows that Monza has many long straights where we have difficulty with top speed but I plan to open the gas and give it my all.”

Ernesto Marinelli – Team Manager
“We’re going through a very difficult phase, perhaps the most difficult that I remember, but the important thing is to react and never give up, and in this respect the whole team is very strong. This test has been very important and the problems regarding lack of feeling (the hardest kind to fix), that both riders were citing at Assen, seem to have been resolved or at least greatly reduced. It’s a pity that Noriyuki was affected by the 'flu, but Michel’s solid test is certainly an important base from which to start at Monza, where we’ll give 200%.”

More about → FACTORY DUCATIS ON THE PACE!

YAMAHA R1 HAS SUCCESSFUL MISANO TEST

Latest from the Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team

The Yamaha Sterilgarda world Superbike Team wrapped up a successful two day test in Misano this afternoon, fresh from James Toseland’s two podiums in Assen. Riders Cal Crutchlow and James Toseland spent the two days testing further changes to their 2010 R1 race-bikes as they prepare for the next round of the championship at the legendary Monza circuit next week. Toseland spent the first day focussing on the electronics, and ended the day second fastest on unofficial timing (no transponders) with a 1m 36.0s, only 0.1 sec behind the fastest time of the test, having completed 69 laps. Team mate Crutchlow was working on a general bike set-up, putting in 87 laps on the first day and ending it just behind Toseland, third fastest with an unofficial time of 1m 36.0s.

(The fastest Superbike lap at Misano is a 1m 35.435s set by Czech racer Jakub Smrz on the Guandalini Racing Ducati 1198R in Superpole 2009. The fastest race lap is 1m 37.135s recorded by Noriyuki Haga on the Xerox Ducati 1198R in running third in race two, 2009).

Day two saw Crutchlow working through a different set up to the previous day, finding advantages with each. He finished the second day of testing in third having put in a sub-lap record 1:35.7 lap on race tyres. Team-mate Toseland spent the day working on race pace and durability, using a qualifier towards the end to put in a 1:35.6 and take the second fastest slot of the day yet again.

James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda world Superbike Team “We’ve achieved a lot, and ended up second today. Fabrizio did a really good low 1:35 second lap on a qualifier but I think on race tyres there were definitely consistent 35s to be had for us as well. The fastest race time last year was a 37 so it shows how much everyone has improved, we’re 1.3 seconds under the lap record. Misano is definitely suited to the Ducati, it’s their strongest track I think, however I did ten laps in the low 36s which is great for race pace and the important thing is we’ve moved forward on durability for race pace which is key.”

Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team “It’s been quite a progressive two days, we’ve worked through two completely different set ups and found pros and cons to both. I think we’ve found a clear direction to work in which we now need to fine tune. I was pleased with the pace we had, we were consistently in the top three without using a qualifier tyre, so we’re good with race tyres which is important. I have to keep working and hopefully it has put us in a good set for Monza.”

Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda world Superbike Team Manager “We’ve had a really good test here at Misano. We tried some different things in both electronics and bike set up with both riders and in the end we learnt some valuable information and we made improvements. We will use these steps to bring upgrades in both electronics and chassis set up. Misano has been invaluable in finally providing us with some structured testing time to really develop a solid base for the rest of the season. Whilst we have made steps at each round including the new linkage for James in Assen, this has been our first real opportunity to make the next step. We now head forward with a more competitive package for the season and are confident this will benefit us from the next race in Monza”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© Copyright Yamaha 2010

More about → YAMAHA R1 HAS SUCCESSFUL MISANO TEST

NEW SILVERSTONE LAYOUT FOR MOTOGP

Silverstone launches new Grand Prix circuit
Thursday, 29 April 2010, from MotoGP.com

The track will host the fifth round of the 2010 MotoGP calendar, the AirAsia British Grand Prix, and on Thursday, Silverstone Circuits Limited unveiled the new circuit, showing off the new section of track that the MotoGP World Championship riders will experience when the AirAsia British Grand Prix takes place from June 18-20.

Amongst those present at the circuit for the ceremony was former World Championship rider Ron Haslam, father of current HANNspree Superbike World Championship points leader Leon Haslam.

Richard Phillips, Managing Director of Silverstone Circuits Limited, said: “This new Grand Prix track combined with the redevelopment of Stowe Circuit and facilities, that was also completed this year, are a very exciting part of our overall redevelopment plan.”

“Work has already started on a new pit and paddock complex that will be completed in 2011 and we feel we are well on the way to being one of the best motorsport facilities in the world for competitors, organisers and spectators alike. 2010 is an extremely important year for the circuit with Formula One being re-joined by MotoGP and Superbikes on our calendar. It is going to be exciting to watch those races played out on this stunning new circuit.”

More about → NEW SILVERSTONE LAYOUT FOR MOTOGP

ROSSI BRUISED, BUT READY

Bruised Rossi faces Spanish Armada at Jerez

from MotoGP.com

The traditional pre-event press conference was attended by Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Nicky Hayden, Dani Pedrosa and Héctor Barberá on Thursday, ahead of the Gran Premio bwin de España.

Jerez Pre-event press conference

The 2010 MotoGP World Championship resumes this weekend at Jerez, with the Gran Premio bwin de España now the second race of the season following the postponement of last weekend's race in Japan, due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland.

Valentino Rossi arrives at Jerez leading the Championship standings after a victory in Qatar that surprised even The Doctor himself. Rossi has won six times in the premier class at Jerez, but is unsure of a repeat performance this weekend after injuring his shoulder in a bruising motocross crash the week after returning from Qatar. The postponement of the Japanese Grand Prix played into the Italian's hands, giving him an extra week to recover from the crash before facing his Championship rivals once again.

"Unfortunately the shoulder is still a problem and there is some pain," said Rossi during the pre-event press conference. "Normally this injury takes three weeks to heal and it's two weeks since it happened now, so I really need another seven days to be fully fit again. I was very lucky that Motegi was postponed as it has given me an extra week to work on the shoulder and it has improved very much, but we will only find out how much tomorrow.”

"This is one of the best races of the season," continued the Italian. "There's always a big crowd and the track is one of the best of the year."

To succeed on Sunday, Rossi will have to overcome not just his shoulder injury, but also two riders determined to give the crowd a 'home win' this weekend. Currently second in the Championship, Jorge Lorenzo crashed out of a podium position last year after qualifying on pole, but is back this year to try and deny his Fiat Yamaha team-mate his second win of the season. Lorenzo is another rider who has benefitted from the postponed Japanese race, as he is also recovering from an injury, sustained during pre-season in a training crash.

"The extra week means the hand feels much better now and it's nice to be here at Jerez," declared Lorenzo. "This race is very special for Spanish riders, although I haven't had such good results in MotoGP. I hope this year things can change."

Dani Pedrosa is a former race winner at Jerez, but has struggled to get to grips with the 2010 Repsol Honda during pre-season testing and the first race. Pedrosa will test a revised frame this weekend at Jerez, designed to increase stiffness and improve stability.

“Jerez is a special race for the Spanish people and the Spanish riders," declared Pedrosa at the Thursday press conference. "I need to take some of this energy and push, even if things aren't perfect with the bike, and focus on the race and a fast lap time."

The first practice session of the Gran Premio bwin de España in the MotoGP class begins at 1.55pm local time on Friday

more at: www.MotoGP.com

More about → ROSSI BRUISED, BUT READY

STONER & HAYDEN READY

Stoner and Hayden more than ready for Jerez
from MotoGP.com

The Ducati Marlboro riders have similar agendas for this weekend’s Gran Premio bt win de España. Stoner’s aim is to secure some points after round one, whilst Hayden wants to build on his impressive opening race.


The second round of the MotoGP World Championship takes place on Spanish soil on Sunday, with the Jerez circuit welcoming the paddock to Europe following the postponement of the Grand Prix of Japan until October 3rd due to the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland.

The Andalusian circuit has not traditionally favoured the characteristics of the Desmosedici but a podium for Ducati Marlboro rider Casey Stoner in 2009 and the hard work carried out on the GP10 this winter by the Ducati MotoGP Team, Filippo Preziosi and his technicians in Borgo Panigale, should allow the Australian and his team-mate Nicky Hayden to look ahead to the weekend with more confidence.

Stoner is secure in the developments and is looking forward to being able to challenge in Sunday’s race. He said: “It is pretty unusual for a GP to be postponed but like last year in Qatar it is the kind of thing we can't predict or control so we just have to look ahead to Jerez and the job that awaits us there. In the past it hasn't been one of the more favourable circuits for us but we made some steps forward last year and finished on the podium.”

“We start from zero this time around though and on Friday we'll be working hard to find a set-up for the race. You need good handling for this track but also good stability and I think the direction we've taken with development of the GP10 should allow us to be competitive on Sunday,” concluded the Australian.

Hayden is keen to use what he gained from his fourth place in Qatar to make another step up this weekend, at a track at which he finished on the podium in 2006.

“We were all ready for a flyaway race and instead we’re going to Jerez for the first GP in Europe, where the paddock is all set up ‘properly’ with the motorhomes, hospitality units and all those fans!” said Hayden. “The atmosphere at Jerez is always awesome. Nothing really springs to mind about the track itself… there are no huge straights – mainly sections that flow into one another. At this time of year the track can be a little cold in the morning and then it tends to get warm in the afternoon, so we will have to be ready for any kind of condition.”

The American rider concluded by stating his aim for the race, adding: “Our target is to try to stay at the level we set ourselves in the first race and build on what we did out there. I know I have a good bike and a team that is fully behind me so I can’t wait to get back on track.”

More about → STONER & HAYDEN READY

Pussy Oops Moment For Sexy Celeb Ali Larter

Another sexy celebrity slut flashing her tasty beaver! This time it's Ali Larter and sweet lord almighty, this celeb gal has one fat pussy lips! She's attending some posh Calvin Klein event all happy and excited , thinking that nothing can possibly go wrong... oops! Is that a see through panty or is Ali Larter's pussy is just so hairy? See more oops moment of hot celebrity babes like Ali Larter inside Celebs Only and see Hollywood sluts exposed in nude pics and scandalous sex tapes!

 

 

More about → Pussy Oops Moment For Sexy Celeb Ali Larter

Extraordinary urgency

As I write the House has almost gone through the speeches for the Excise and Excise-Equivalent Duties Tables (Tobacco Products) Amendment Bill, which will be passed under extraordinary urgency tonight to stop people rushing off and buying smokes in the morning after reading the newspapers. As David Farrar notes, this type of urgency is so rare, it needs the permission of the Speaker under Standing Order 56(3) . He must be convinced “that the business to be taken justifies it”.

Tax on cigarettes will go up 10 percent at midnight tonight with a further 10% increase next January and a third increase of 10% in January 2012. All but four Act MP support this bill. Well done to Tariana Turia for putting the bill before the House and to Hone Harawira for pushing the issue. Well done to Tau Henare for giving up smoking. And I thought Hekia Parata gave a good speech. You can see that here.

More about →

Nicole “coco” Austin And Her Epic Camel Toe Pictures

You have to give it to rapper Ice-T for a picking a wife who's quickly becoming known as the queen of camel-toes. I'm talking about Nicole Coco Austin and her she's totally whoring, as usual, her massive cunt lips! It's for some car show and Coco, with her massive pussy lips, chose to grace the event wearing a tight pink outfit. By outfit I mean skanky tight jeans that really shows of her legendary... camel toe! See more of the vovabacious Coco Austin inside Celebs Only and see more hot celebrity sluts like her getting exposed in hot nude pics and scandalous sex videos!

 

 

More about → Nicole “coco” Austin And Her Epic Camel Toe Pictures

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Interesting week so far this week. I was elected to the Board of Trustees of the local school that the kids are at. I also started a new job today.

Anyway, I may continue blogging, but certainly not during the day. However I may do some time delay posts, meaning you may get some posts pop up during the day, but written the night before.

Expect to see a drop in the frequency of posts - or I may even just stop.

More about →

REITWAGEN TEAM IN TROUBLE

Resch and the S1000RR at Phillip Island

THOSE watching the Sky television broadcasts from round four of the HANNspress Superbike World Championship at Assen in the Netherlands last night may have noticed the grid was a little thinner than usual - not that it hurt the action any!

Missing were the Reitwagen BMWs of Australian Andrew Pitt and Roland Resch of Austria, the team managed by Andreas Werth.

It is no secret that the Reitwagen team missed most of the pre-season testing while waiting for bikes. Also, the delay in a competitive electronics package saw the team running bikes that were in almost a Superstock level of trim - almost stock engines with slightly upgraded chassis.

With these problems not looking to be resolved in time for Assen, and with problematic financial issues, it was decided that the team would not compete this weekend.

Explaining their non-appearance at Assen, Pitt issued this statement:

“Obviously I’m disappointed, I’m a spectator here at Assen and I love this circuit. I found out we were not racing here during the week. I was hoping for a finish closer to the top 10.

“I’m told there is some financial restructuring going on and that there is no point racing until the bike can be further developed, so the aim is to make a comeback at Monza.”

More about → REITWAGEN TEAM IN TROUBLE

HONDA'S DOUBLE WIN AT ASSEN

ULSTERMAN Jonathan Rea gave the HANNspree-backed Ten Kate Honda team a much needed boost at round four of the HANNspree Superbike World Championship at Assen on Sunday, starting from pole, winning both races and establishing a new class lap record into the bargain.

As a result of his efforts, he jumped to third in the championship table and was the fifth man to win a SWC race this year.

The race action was stunning and the big news was the further improved pace of the BMW S1000RR. Aussie Troy Corser holeshot both races and was involved in racing that would have reminded him of his Australian 250 Production Championship days, except that 1000cc Superbikes are considerably faster than an RGV250 Suzuki.

In the end, Corser scored a pair of fifth place finishes, which does not do justice to his efforts on the transverse in-line four cylinder German bike. The racing was so close that in the first 22 lap affair, Corser was just 2.7 seconds off race winner Rea at the end and in race two, 4.1 seconds separated the first five.

James Toseland proved last year's championship winning Yamaha YZF-R1 is getting back to competitive form with 2-3 placings - impressive when he was coming from tenth on the grid each time.

With the factory Ducati team qualifying poorly and not figuring in either race, it was privateers Jakub Smrz and Carlos Checa who flew the Ducati flag, Smrz in the thick of the race one action until midway through when he was jumped by Leon Camier (Aprilia), Checa and Max Biaggi (Aprilia).

Race two was a nail-biter.

The first lap saw Haga run wide in the first turn, then Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati) tagged the rear wheel of Tom Sykes' Kawasaki sending them both down and out. Both walked away.

Again Corser blasted the BMW into the lead off the start but this time Rea sliced past early while Leon Haslam (Suzuki) sat in fourth. He had been slowed in the first 22-lap bash by a slowly deflating front tyre but was back at his storming best for the second race, passing the Aprilia of Leon Camier early on then taking Corser just as Rea made another bid for the lead.

Corser hit back to regain second spot on lap six then retake the lead from Rea. The order then was Corser-Rea-Haslam-Camier-Toseland-Biaggi-Checa-Smrz - the eight of them nose-tail.

Mid-race, Haslam made his move, outbraking Corser then Rea on successive laps to head the freight train for three laps before Rea came by. The pair of them swapped the lead three times in a lap, Rea finally getting a gap and edging away to his second win of the weekend while Haslam left Corser in the clutches of Toseland, Camier and Biaggi.

Corser could not quite get to the fourth place he scored in Valencia at the previous round but this weekend's two fifth places were even more impressive rides, particularly when added to the fact that he topped combined qualifying, and was third fastest in Superpole on Saturday.

At the end, Toseland had enough left to secure third, his second podium of the weekend while Camier crashed spectacularly with three laps to go, handing team-mate Biaggi an extra two points in the championship in the process.

At the end of both races, the podium was made up entirely of British riders, an unusual situation but one we may see more of as this championship develops.

Talking about the Championship, Haslam continues to lead on the Suzuki GSX-R1000, Biaggi maintains the runner-up spot he took after his double win at Portimao and Rea's Assen double moves him up to third, ahead of Carlos Checa. Others to make up ground are Toseland (from sixth to fifth) while Corser moved from ninth to seventh.

With 18 races to go, the title chase is wide open, although Haslam will be keen to retain his lead after the May 9 round at Monza. Last year Fabrizio won the first race there after Ben Spies' Yamaha ran out of fuel, and then the Italian Ducati rider finished second in race two after Yamaha made no mistakes with the fuel.

Ducati will be desperate for some good results from the works team on May 9 but with Haga sixth in the title chase, 63 points off Haslam's lead, he has a big job to do.

Assen was a troubled time for the official Xerox Ducati team. Haga was only 10th in the frst race and retired in the second with a bad engine vibration and while Fabrizio scored in each race, 13th and 12th was not what the team was looking for.

Is it a coincidence that since Davide Tardozzi left the works Ducati squad to manage BMW's effort, the relative fortunes of the two teams have changed?

One thing is certain: BMW is not leaving any stone unturned in its efforts to get the four cylinder S1000RR onto the podium. The new electronics have been a big help, but Corser said that towards the end of the first race it was spinning up the rerar tyre again. With its speed, and some more elctronic work, perhaps Monza will be a happy hunting ground...

2010 WSB The Netherlands - Assen 25/04/2010
Race 1 - 22 Laps
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time
1 Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 35'38.483
2 James Toseland Yamaha GBR 0'01.106
3 Leon Camier Aprilia GBR 0'01.249
4 Carlos Checa Ducati ESP 0'01.548
5 Troy Corser BMW AUS 0'02.738
6 Max Biaggi Aprilia ITA 0'02.813
7 Jakub Smrz Ducati CZE 0'06.296
8 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha GBR 0'12.022
9 Shane Byrne Ducati GBR 0'12.146
10 Noriyuki Haga Ducati JPN 0'19.753
11 Leon Haslam Suzuki GBR 0'22.204
12 Tom Sykes Kawasaki GBR 0'22.282
13 Michel Fabrizio Ducati ITA 0'22.780
14 Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki FRA 0'23.364
15 Luca Scassa Ducati ITA 0'37.097

Fastest Lap: Carlos Checa 1m 36.413s - 169.600 km/h

Race 2 - 22 Laps
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time
1 Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 35'43.137
2 Leon Haslam Suzuki GBR 0'01.942
3 James Toseland Yamaha GBR 0'03.928
4 Max Biaggi Aprilia ITA 0'04.067
5 Troy Corser BMW AUS 0'04.176
6 Carlos Checa Ducati ESP 0'04.525
7 Jakub Smrz Ducati CZE 0'04.682
8 Shane Byrne Ducati GBR 0'07.698
9 Max Neukirchner Honda GER 0'09.903
10 Ruben Xaus BMW ESP 0'11.465
11 Luca Scassa Ducati ITA 0'15.489
12 Michel Fabrizio Ducati ITA 0'23.604
13 Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki FRA 0'29.085
14 Chris Vermeulen Kawasaki AUS 0'35.401
15 Matteo Baiocco Kawasaki ITA 0'44.330

Fastest lap: Rea, 1m 36.312s - 169.773 km/h


Rider Championship Standings
1. Leon Haslam Suzuki GBR 148
2. Max Biaggi Aprilia ITA 128
3. Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 110
4. Carlos Checa Ducati ESP 103
5. James Toseland Yamaha GBR 86
6. Noriyuki Haga Ducati JPN 85
7. Troy Corser BMW AUS 68
8. Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki FRA 55
9. Michel Fabrizio Ducati ITA 53
10. Cal Crutchlow Yamaha GBR 49
11. Leon Camier Aprilia GBR 48
12. Shane Byrne Ducati GBR 48
13. Jakub Smrz Ducati CZE 38
14. Lorenzo Lanzi Ducati ITA 26
15. Ruben Xaus BMW ESP 25


Manufacturer Points
1. Suzuki 148
2. Aprilia 134
3. Ducati 130
4. Honda 111
5. Yamaha 93
6. BMW 69
7. Kawasaki 19

More about → HONDA'S DOUBLE WIN AT ASSEN

NEW HUSKY MX 450 PICS

"These pictures were taken during a test at Crossodromo Malpensa (VA - Italy) where tester Andrea Bartolini and official Husqvarna Rider, Alex Salvini under Engineer Pierluigi Zampieri (Racing Department Manager) have developed the motorcycle before the official debut that will come soon." Martino Bianchi, Coordinator PR and Racing Activities.

More about → NEW HUSKY MX 450 PICS

TRIUMPH'S WSS ASSEN REPORT

UPDATE 2: 

WSS '10 Round 4 | Assen, race day

Chaz Davies will leave Assen fourth in the overall standings of World Supersport after today's race. The Brit got a good start, gaining a few positions to reach seventh place. After one lap only he managed to pass Dane Robbin Harms and got the lead of a group made up of Fujiwara, Rea and his teammate Lagrive. He build up an advantage which allowed him to finish the race fourth with his rivals far in the back. His teammate Lagrive finished behind him, while Jason Di Salvo, struck by a gastrointestinal virus settled for twelfth place.

David Salom was forced to retire due to another crash, fortunately without further consequences.

CHAZ DAVIES | Triumph Daytona 675 | 4th : "The good thing about this round is the fact that I gathered a few points for the overall standings but for the entire weekend I couldn't find the right setup. As a consequence, I didn't get a good feeling with the bike and so I wasn't really at my best on this difficult track. The bike was very rigid and I had to force a bit and lost fluidity".

MATTHIEU LAGRIVE | Triumph Daytona 675 | 5th : "I had a lot of fun today and also understood the bike's potential. I had a long battle with Harms, Rea and Roccoli. Too bad I didn't get a good start, I finished lap one in thirteenth place".

JASON DI SALVO | Triumph Daytona 675 | 12th : "I got very tired halfway into the race and so just focused on finishing the race. I felt very sick last night, I thought I wasn't going to be able to get on the bikeâ€.

DAVID SALOM | Triumph Daytona 675 | retired : "My goal for today was to get to the finish line without forcing myself too much, especially because of my physical condition after yesterday's crash. Unfortunately, I went wide , the back tyre got off-track and I crashed".

Race Standings:

1 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 34'45.753 (164,629 kph)
2 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 2.796
3 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 2.962
4 7 Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 23.040
5 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 26.338
6 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 32.544
7 4 Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 36.591
8 37 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 36.697
9 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 36.879
10 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 47.288
11 5 Lundh A. (SWE) Honda CBR600RR 48.168
12 40 DiSalvo J. (USA) Triumph Daytona 675 49.006
13 9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'28.408
14 8 Chesaux B. (SUI) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.505
15 33 Cazzola P. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR
RET 25 Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675

Riders Standings:

1 J. Lascorz ESP 85
2 K. Sofuoglu TUR 77
3 E. Laverty IRL 66
4 C. Davies GBR 46
5 R. Harms DEN 35
6 G. Rea GBR 33
7 D. Salom ESP 32
8 F. Foret FRA 28
9 M. Roccoli ITA 24
10 K. Fujiwara JPN 23
11 M. Pirro ITA 21
12 M. Lagrive FRA 20
13 M. Praia POR 17
14 A. Lundh SWE 16
15 J. DiSalvo USA 16

WSS '10 Round 4 | Assen, day 2

Team ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Racing is aiming the top 5 after Lagrive and Salom qualified in the second row, while Davies and Di Salvo in the third.
However, these starting positions do not reflect the work done by all riders, who mainly focused on preparing for the race.
The only unfortunate event was David Salom's crash in free practice this morning, a high side which caused him several bruises on the entire body which prevented him from improving his time in qualifying in the afternoon session.

MATTHIEU LAGRIVE | Triumph Daytona 675 | 6th in 1'38.961 : "Despite the sixth place I'm not entirely satisfied. I still have some trouble in the slow corners, where I seem to lose most of the time to the pole positon. Hopefully this issue will not present itself in race, I'm confident I can battle for the top 5.

DAVID SALOM | Triumph Daytona 675 | 8th in 1'39.143 : "The crash was awful, I hurt my back very badly and I had some problems in under braking because of the pain . I did a few laps just to see how I was feeling. If the mobile clinic will attenuate the pain, I'll do my best to gather as many points as possible".

CHAZ DAVIES | Triumph Daytona 675 | 9th in 1'39.202 : "I'm not worried because the starting position was never really a problem for me. The most important thing is for me to get a good start, gain a few positions and not lose contact with the leading pack".

JASON DI SALVO | Triumph Daytona 675 | 12th in 1'39.570 : "I'm happy with the time, not so much with the starting position. I'll give it my all, hopefully will have a good racing pace and finish in the top 10".

Qualifying 2nd Session:
1 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.908
2 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'38.421
3 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'38.567
4 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'38.660
5 99 Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'38.780
6 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'38.961 7 37 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'39.087
8 25 Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 1'39.143
9 7 Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 1'39.202 10 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 1'39.327
11 4 Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1'39.441
12 40 DiSalvo J. (USA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'39.570 13 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'40.174
14 5 Lundh A. (SWE) Honda CBR600RR 1'40.235
15 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'40.630
 --------------------

WSS '10 Round 4 | Assen, day 1 
Team ParkinGO Triumph BE1 Racing finished day 1 with three riders on provisional second row in the fourth round of World Supersport.
David Salom set the fifth fastest time, he was followed by his teammate Lagrive, who made a lot of progress in understanding the machine in the fast corners of the Dutch track . Chaz Davies finished ninth, although he has raced at Assen only in 250 GP, when the track was much different.
Jason Di Salvo made his debut on one of the hardest tracks in motorcycling.

DAVID SALOM | Triumph Daytona 675 | 5th in 1'39.143 : "We mainly worked on race setup. I'm confident for tomorrow because I keep setting my fastest time over and over. I'll be very happy if i qualify in the front row. However, if I don't, that won't be an issue because from row two I can understand what moves I have to make".

MATTHIEU LAGRIVE | Triumph Daytona 675 | 6th in 1'39.405 : "I'm satisfied with the result. I still have some diffiiculties in the slower corners, but other than that I'm starting to enjoy riding this bike. I'll try to improve my time tomorrow and hopefully get in the first two rows'.

CHAZ DAVIES | Triumph Daytona 675 | 9th in 1'39.822 : "We did a good job in setting some very good times despite not knowing the track. I can still improve session after session, the important thing is to be on top form for the race".

JASON DI SALVO | Triumph Daytona 675 | 14th in 1'41.279 : "I've never raced here. I still have to improve my feeling with the bike, especially in the fast corners, but I like the track. Today I worked on my trajectories but tomorrow I'll go for the speed".

Qualifying 1st Session:

1 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1'38.250
2 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'38.567
3 99 Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'38.780
4 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'39.002
5 25 Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 1'39.143
6 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'39.405
7 37 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'39.638
8 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'39.785
9 7 Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 1'39.822
10 4 Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1'40.092
11 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 1'40.631
12 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'40.720
13 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'40.835
14 40 DiSalvo J. (USA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'41.279
15 5 Lundh A. (SWE) Honda CBR600RR 1'41.377

Event Schedule:
Saturday
09.45-10.30 45' W SUPERSPORT FREE PRACTICE
16.05-16.50 45' W SUPERSPORT QUALIFYING PRACTICE
Sunday
09.50-10.10 20' W SUPERSPORT WARM UP
13.30 W SUPERSPORT RACE (21 LAPS KM. 95.382)

Broadcast Schedule:
Eurosport
25 April 2010 Supersport Race 12:30 live

More about → TRIUMPH'S WSS ASSEN REPORT

CRUMP WINS EURO SPEEDWAY GP

Australian speedway specialist Jason Crump has opened his Speedway World Championship title defence in emphatic style, winning the European Grand Prix  at Alfred Smoczyk Stadium in Leszno, Poland today.

Crump won three of his five heat races before switching bikes for his semi-final race. A win in the semi saw him awarded second gate pick for the final behind event favourite Jaroslaw Hampel.

The Australian took the lead off the start but a two rider crash forced the final to a race restart. Crump made another good start and went on to win the race ahead of Hampel and Russian rider Emil Sayfutdinov.

The three-time World Champion who is still recovering from a serious injury sustained at the end of last season acknowledged he was surprised to win the opening event and said he is still struggling to lift anything heavy with his left arm.

"This is a great start to the year, I have never ever won the first grand prix of the season," Crump said. "And to win on Anzac day makes it even more special. 

“At the end of last season, I thought I would be able to start defending the World Championship in about June if I was lucky.  So it’s a big bonus to be here at the start of the season and an even bigger bonus to get into the final.

"I won my first three heat races but then finished third and last, but still went into the second semi-final as the top scorer. I decided to change bikes as I wasn't sure if it was the bike or I had just a bad couple of runs.

With Poland in a week of mourning following the death of the Polish Prime Minister and Iceland's volcanic ash clouds grounding UK an European flights Crump did not have the ideal lead in to this season opener

"To be honest it wasn't the ideal lead in to a Grand Prix race," Crump continued.  "With the airlines down I had to drive from England to Sweden last week and then with Poland in a week of mourning we were really out of the loop here for a while."

Crump will have no time to celebrate as he prepares to race  for local leagues Wrocław (Poland) tomorrow and Elit Vetlanda (Sweden) early next week.

Top Ten FIM Speedway World Championship Standings

1. Jason Crump 19pts
2. Jaroslaw Hampel 18pts
3. Emil Sayfutdinov 14pts
4. Janusz Kolodziej 12pts
5. Rune Holta 10pts
6. Kenneth Bjerre 10pts
7. Nicki Pedersen 9pts
8. Fredrik Lindgren 8pts
9. Hans Andersen 8pts
10. Chris Holder 8pts.

*Images attached are courtesy of Dave Fairbrother

More about → CRUMP WINS EURO SPEEDWAY GP

What’s so scary about self determination for indigenous peoples?

Perhaps there is a good reason for a declaration on indigenous rights if indigenous peoples are not getting human rights as per other similar human rights instruments. Perhaps an indigenous emphasis is needed.

The International Bill of Rights comprises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as well as civil and political rights (freedom and democracy) and economic, social and cultural rights (social justice).

New Zealand ratified both the international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights( ICCPR) and the international Covenant on Economic, Cultural and Social Rights. With the UDHR, ratifed in 1948, together these three documents are known as the International Bill of Rights.

Article 1 of both covenants state:

All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

Now I didn’t hear any complaints when we ratified these covenants. But people are complaining about this, describing it as separatism.

Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

The above is from article 3 of the UN Declaration of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). It’s a declaration, not a covenant, but because it has that nasty word “indigenous” in it, rednecks like Michael Laws assume it will further a separatist agenda for Māori because they can “freely determine their political status”. This is despite the article being pretty much word for word as the International Bill of Rights which people had no initial problem with - which also states that states shall promote the realisation of the right of self-determination, and shall respect that right.. subject to its jurisdiction.

Laws in mentioning the ICCPR, must have conveniently glossed over Article 26, which notes that “All persons are equal before the law”. The ACT party should also like this. It’s a pity they don’t mention this clause much - it's party policy. It would also be nice if Laws and Rodney Hide acknowledged Article 46 of UNDRIP, which states that nothing in the declaration may be interpreted as authorizing or encouraging any action which would dismember or impair the political unity of sovereign and independent States.

More about →

REA PUTS HONDA ON POLE

HANNspree Ten Kate Honda rider Jonathan Rea grabbed pole position for round four of the HANNspree Superbike World Championship at Assen after emerging from Superpole with the only sub-1m 35s lap of the weekend.
Rea's time, 1m 34.944s, was well under the old lap record, and faster than Texan Ben Spies' pole time from last year. However, all lap times are faster at Assen this year due to an alteration to the circuit.

In giving Honda its first pole position of the year, Rea pipped early pace-setter Jakub Smrz (Pata B&G Racing Ducati 1198R) and Australian Troy Corser, who was fastest in the second qualifying session as well as the warm-up session before the three Superpole sessions.

Corser's efforts highlight just how much progress BMW has made with the S1000RR since the start of the season, particularly with the electronics, which have been tweaked to provide better traction. The BMW makes prodigious power, but harnessing it has been a major problem.

After snatching the holeshot at the start of the first race at Valencia early in the month, Corser hung on to scrore an eventual fourth place finish, the German bike's best ever result in the championship so far. They will be looking for a podium tonight.

Rounding out the front row is championship leader Leon Haslam on the Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000. The British rider had topped the time sheets in the first Superpole session but was bettered by Rea in the second session and then Corser and Smrz as well in the final Superpole. Still, Haslam will not be unhappy with a front row start at a circuit where he podiumed twice on the Stiggy Honda last year with 3-2 finishes.


2010 WSB The Netherlands - Assen 24/04/2010
Superpole
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Lap Time
1 Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 1'34.944
2 Jakub Smrz Ducati CZE 1'35.062
3 Troy Corser BMW AUS 1'35.306
4 Leon Haslam Suzuki GBR 1'35.330
5 Leon Camier Aprilia GBR 1'35.633
6 Carlos Checa Ducati ESP 1'35.892
7 Shane Byrne Ducati GBR 1'35.909
8 Michel Fabrizio Ducati ITA 1'36.405
9 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha GBR 1'36.027
10 James Toseland Yamaha GBR 1'36.061
11 Max Biaggi Aprilia ITA 1'36.069
12 Ruben Xaus BMW ESP 1'36.094
13 Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki FRA 1'36.327
14 Tom Sykes Kawasaki GBR 1'36.348
15 Noriyuki Haga Ducati JPN 1'36.574


Meantime, here is Yamaha's version of events:

Crutchlow and Toseland take ninth and tenth on the grid at Assen for raceday

Yamaha Sterilgarda riders Cal Crutchlow and James Toseland made it through the first Superpole heat this afternoon to secure ninth and tenth place on the third row of the grid for Saturday's two World Superbike races at the Assen TT circuit. Both riders had spent the previous qualifying sessions working on their set ups for the afternoon's Superpole heats and had headed in to the Superbike shootout with confidence. They both made it through the first heat comfortably on race tyres, then switched to qualifiers midway through the second session. Crutchlow struggled to improve on his time in the second session leaving him just outside the top eight at the end. Team mate Toseland was on form and had nearly completed a hot lap which would have taken him through to the final eight when a violent wheelie three corners from the end at high speed disrupted his time.


Cal Cruchlow

Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (9th, 1'36.027)
"I struggled with my qualifier tyre in the second Superpole heat, and couldn't make it through to the third. Both James and I are still working on some stability issues which could be seen on track as well. We need to work hard in tomorrow morning's session to see what we can change in the set up to make another step forward. We're all working really hard, and on the positive side the electronics issues we've had in the past are now working very well for us."


James Toseland

James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (10th, 1'36.061)
"Frustrated is the word! It was a real surprise for the bike to do that in a place where I've never had that before, it kicked up and wheelied at over 180mph in fifth gear, it was a bit touch and go there but luckily I was able to save it. The lap was good up to that point, I only had two corners left to go and would have been through to the top eight and the third session. We've had so much work to do to get where we are, the team has done a great job trying to get the bike to work here. Tenth on the grid is not ideal and we're not sure about tyre life, depending on temperature tomorrow we might not be able to use the softer race tyre, everyone is waiting to see how warm it will be. I'm not too worried about race pace, it's all about what happens in those first few laps. The new fast section has effectively deleted a passing place so I'll have to get off the line well and see how we go."

Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager
"We still have one practice session left tomorrow morning, for sure we will never give up so we will spend the session working hard to make more improvements ahead of the two races. We will definitely find something to help us. James was very unlucky on his hot lap in the second Superpole session, it was good he managed to save it safely. He's got a good race pace so needs a good start tomorrow and we will see what he can do. Cal has shown this weekend that he also has a competitive pace, especially on worn tyres so we are confident both riders can perform tomorrow."

More about → REA PUTS HONDA ON POLE

DUCATI LAUNCHES THE MONSTER 796

The 'Urban Icon'

The Monster family introduces the 796, an exciting addition to the line-up that combines the user-friendliness of the 696 with the sports character of the 1100. Delivering 87hp (64kW)and a dry weight of just 167kg, the stylish new Monster 796 returns the magic of mid-range to the Monster family.

The Monster 796 is fitted with the micro-bikini fairing and single seat cover as standard and features a new seat designed with a comfort-enhancing shape, further accentuated with stylish red stitching. Additional new features also include a rear sub-frame constructed ready to accept new accessory grab-handles designed to provide a confidence-inspiring grip for the passenger, while blending into the natural line of the tail-end.

The riding position has also been revised by reducing the seat height by a full 10mm to 800mm, and the combination of redesigning the seat shape and raising the handlebars by 20mm has improved posture and increased comfort. With the brand new Desmodue 796 engine at the heart of the machine, a single-sided swingarm and revised ergonomics, the Monster 796 perfectly balances lifestyle performance with everyday functionality to enhance the original Monster spirit.

The new Monster 796 comes in traditional Ducati Red, new Arctic White Silk or Diamond Black Silk. All three colours are set against a red Trellis frame and black wheels, which feature a new short-style red flash around the rim side that creates a full red stripe at speed.

Launched as an early 2011 model, the Monster 796, which will be available in Europe from late April 2010 onwards (Australasia from July), opens a new road to the world of Ducati Monster and becomes the 'urban icon' of hand-built Italian naked motorcycles.

Source: Bikedeadline

More about → DUCATI LAUNCHES THE MONSTER 796

Former foetus fights for foetuses against former foetus killer

Pro life activist and former foetus Andy Moore has recently come out the other end of a scrap with the Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand. It is headed by Margaret Sparrow, herself a former foetus killer. Moore obtained the domain www.alranz.org.nz. Sparrow's site is www.alranz.org and so she objected to Moore's site, through her lawyer. In addition she purchased similar domain names, and spent more than $2000 to have an independent expert hired by the Domain Name Commission to decide on the case.This commission is appointed by Internet NZ to manage and administer the .nz domain space on its behalf.

Moore walked away from the dispute, and although he will no longer have the site due to the decision of the Domain Name Commission, he now has ExposingALRANZ.org.nz.

Which, as you can see here has exactly the same content as the offending site, claiming to expose the ALRANZ, which, I guess, was the whole point of the initial exercise.But if you click through the link on Moore's site that says "ALRANZ supports late-term abortions for disabled babies" you get this page which is an Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand Newsletter that mentions "foetal abnormalities".

update And a little bird told me (no it wasn't a sparrow, neither was it Moore) that Sparrow is using the letters of the editor columns to attack pro-lifers, claiming that prolifers have abused her. She claimed that Andy Moore repeated comments of another blogger that "Margaret Sparrow should be hung, drawn, and quartered for what she has done.” Although that statement did appear on Moore's blog, it was a comment by someone - probably not a blogger- who had an abortion, and who added the comment herself.

More about →

Where's my free ticket to Phoenix games?

Terry Serepisos has paid quite a bit of money into the Phoenix soccer team, and if he pays all his debts the soccer team may be in trouble. Whoop-de-do. Serepisios has paid $5m into the Phoenix but the Wellington City Council is owed $2m in rates and ground rents.

If Serepisos can't pay his rates and ground rents because he's putting too much money into the Phoenix, that means someone else is actually sponsoring the Phoenix and one of them is me, a rate payer.

So where's my tickets to Phoenix games, Serepisos? The least you can do is give me, as a sponsoring ratepayer, a family pass to home games, rather than hiring someone and paying them $200,000 with a free Merc off the back of a TV show.

More about →

CZECH DUCATI FASTEST AT ASSEN

Czech Pata B&G Racing Ducati privateer Jakub Smrz was the fastest man around the Assen circuit in Holland in the first qualifying session for round four of the HANNspree Superbike World Championship this weekend.

Of the fastest 15 riders in the first qualifying session, seven (7) were Ducati 1198R mounted. And once again it was the privateer teams setting the pace, with Smrz fastest while the Althea Ducatis of Carlos Checa and Shane Byrne were 6th and 8th fastest, ahead of the first Xerox-backed factory bike of Michel Fabrizio.

Next of ther booming V-twins was the DFX Corse machine of Lorenzo Lanzi (11th) while last year's winner Noriyuki Haga was 14th quickest, just ahead of another Ducati, that of Luca Scassa (Supersonic Racing Team).

There has been a slight change to the Assen 4.542km track, which features a faster Ruskenhoek chicane section than last year. This means comparisons with previous years' lap times and race records are difficult.

2010 WSB The Netherlands
Qualifying 1 - Assen 23/04/2010

Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Lap Time
1 Jakub Smrz Ducati CZE 1'36.041
2 Jonathan Rea Honda GBR 1'36.339
3 Troy Corser BMW AUS 1'36.489
4 Leon Haslam Suzuki GBR 1'36.618
5 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha GBR 1'36.752
6 Carlos Checa Ducati ESP 1'36.805
7 Leon Camier Aprilia GBR 1'37.064
8 Shane Byrne Ducati GBR 1'37.081
9 Michel Fabrizio Ducati ITA 1'37.165
10 James Toseland Yamaha GBR 1'37.166
11 Lorenzo Lanzi Ducati ITA 1'37.344
12 Tom Sykes Kawasaki GBR 1'37.434
13 Max Neukirchner Honda GER 1'37.453
14 Noriyuki Haga Ducati JPN 1'37.462
15 Luca Scassa Ducati ITA 1'37.506

Weather: Sunny

Lap Record: Leon Haslam (2009, Honda), 1m 38.370s (race 1)
Fastest Lap Ever: 1m 37.626s (Ben Spies, Pole, 2009).
Last Years Top 3: Race 1: Ben Spies, 1; Noriyuki Haga, 2; Leon Haslam, 3. Race 2: Haga, 1; Haslam, 2; Smrz, 3.


The other news was the pace of Jonathan Rea on the HANNspree Ten Kata Honda CBR1000 and that of Australian Troy Corser on the factory BMW S1000RR, second and third fastest respectively.

Unlike the Ducati-Yamaha monopoly of MotoGP, the depth of the Superbike World Championship was once again illustrated by the fact that five different manufacturers were represented by the fastest five bikes.

Championship leader Haslam was looking good as his closest rival, Max Biaggi, was languishing in 16th fastest. But it is early days!

Here's the Suzuki take on things:

LEON IN TOUCH, SYLVAIN NOT
There were mixed fortunes for Team Suzuki Alstare riders Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli on day one of the fourth round of the Superbike World Championship at Assen today. Leon kept up his impressive start to the season by posting the fourth fastest time of the day, but Sylvain struggled in both sessions and only ended 17th quickest. Sylvain at least ended in good company though, as Max Biaggi (Aprilia) and Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) are just in front of him in 16th and 14th places respectively. Jakub Smrz (Ducati) once again showed his liking for Assen by taking provisional pole position, with Jonathan Rea (Honda) second and Troy Corser (BMW) third. Leon in fourth and Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha) means that the top five places are filled by five different manufacturers.


Leon - 4th, 1:36.618
I’m quite happy to be fourth at this stage because today we were just going through the usual motions and trying out a few things. We tried some different brake options, but didn’t really try any soft rubber, so to end fourth is pretty good, I think. Tomorrow, we’ll try altering the balance of the bike and see if we can make more progress.

The new section of the track is going to improve the lap times for sure. It’s still quite technical and high-speed, but that’s the kind of corner I like. The track felt a bit dusty today, but I’m sure it will get better as the weekend goes on. I feel pretty confident about our prospects and I’m looking forward to tomorrow and the races on Sunday.


Sylvain - 17th, 1:37.684
I’m not sure where I was today and could not get a comfortable feeling at all. All day, I struggled and could not find any confidence in the front end of the bike and I felt like I was losing the front everywhere. On our last run of the day we made a radical change to the chassis and we will carry on in that direction tomorrow. It should be better because it can’t be worse!

I know that the bike is a really good package and it’s up to me to get my head round what’s going on and work with my mechanics to find the improvement we need so much. I feel confident that tomorrow will be a lot better than today and I will end up at the right end of the grid.

And for the Yamaha point of view:

Yamaha Sterilgarda riders Cal Crutchlow and James Toseland spent the first day of the Assen race weekend working hard on setting up their bikes for tomorrow's Superpole heats. Crutchlow got quickly down to fast consistent laps, spending the majority of the first qualifying session in second position. Two crashes resulting from losing the front end disrupted his session although he was unhurt and came away from the heat having demonstrated a consistent fast race pace.

Team mate James Toseland spent the session working with his team on two very different bike set ups, exploring both front and rear end feel. They found positive steps in both areas so will work to combine and produce a race package ahead of tomorrow's Superpole session.


Cal Crutchlow

Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (5th, 1'36.752)
"It's been a good day speed-wise, I felt quite comfortable keeping the pace I had. We had two stupid crashes, both when I lost the front end. I was using my usual tyre for the first one, I hit a bump and crashed, on the second one I used the new harder front tyre but didn't have any feeling in it, I came into the last chicane maybe 6km slower than usual and just crashed for some unknown reason. Still, as I said I'm happy with the pace so looking forward to tomorrow and seeing if we can improve and achieve something good in the Superpole session."

James Toseland

James Toseland, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team (10th, 1'37.166)
"We've been trying a few things with the geometry to see if we can improve the front feel and the rear feel. Over the last three rounds we've either got the one or the other so we're trying to find a better balance using head angles and offsets. On one bike I had a setting very similar to what we used in Valencia, and the other bike had something completely different, I've been jumping between the two, and towards the end of the session I think we were getting there. My best lap time of the session was on the harder rear tyre which is generally not the quick tyre which is encouraging. I'm pleased with what we've done today, we've got through a lot and we've got some good ideas for tomorrow. There's a lot more time in me and the bike to come."

Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team Manager
"For our first day today we saw some good things, for sure tonight the technicians and the riders will continue to work to find ways to improve on the current set up even more. I'm expecting to be in a different position tomorrow afternoon. Cal has really good times through three sectors of the track, he's losing something in the last sector, we know this and so we're studying to understand why so we can fix that. When we do I think he will be really strong. I'm expecting James to take another step forward tomorrow, today he was focussed on comparing two very different bike setups, we found good things in both so we'll work tonight to bring those together."

More about → CZECH DUCATI FASTEST AT ASSEN