Attempting to replicate the kind of success experienced by MotoGP World Championship top two Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner, John Hopkins was trying out a new Bridgestone front tyre run by the duo as part of his post-race testing workload in Misano.The Kawasaki rider, like Rossi and Stoner, had plenty of work to do in adapting his machine to the new compound, and as such this aspect occupied much of his day. Hopkins will be hoping that such work pays off at future races, although a lack of testing time means that the immediate introduction of the tyre will not be made to his allocation.
`We had to alter the bike a lot, but we are now the only team using the old type of tyre, basically because we´ve not had any chance to test,´ commented Hopkins, who missed the Brno test and the first Misano practice with a rib injury.
`This new specification tyre is definitely the future for us, but unfortunately it can´t be in my allocation until we´re completely happy with the way the machine handles with it. I´m pleased with the results of today´s test, but still have a lot of catching up to do with the upgraded bike.´
Hopkins also worked on chassis changes to his Ninja ZX-RR, with front end stability a focus for improvement. It was an objective shared by teammate Anthony West, who has been struggling for confidence on corner entry.
`We have some more direction with how we can move forward with the front-end troubles and I felt a lot more confident going into the turns, which resulted in a quicker lap time than we managed in the race. We also tried a different swing-arm, but this didn´t really make any significant difference for us,´ said West.
Hopkins´ fastest time at the test was a 1´35.879, whilst West clocked a 1´36.101.
Russell Holland (HANNspree Honda Althea) talks us through his mid-season switch
0 Comment Author Tristan time: 9:25 PM
Australian rider Russell Holland has proved to be fast and competitive since the start of his new experience in World Supersport, despite having to learn a new track every weekend in his rookie season. After three races and one test session in Vallelunga with the experienced HANNspree Honda Althea team, Russell Holland illustrates his season so far and what the future holds for this promising young Australian rider."This year is certainly an initiation for me... new tracks and a new lifestyle in living in Europe by myself on top of World Championship competition has been a real challenge but I'm trying to appreciate this experience as I know everyone here has had to go through it and in the future I'll be laughing about the challenges along the way".
Tell us about the latest round at Brands Hatch, England..
"Well, this was a weekend to forget in many ways. For our team it is incredible the bad luck we had. But the circuit was amazing and I can say I really enjoyed riding it although it's a track that takes some time to link the turns together and get a flow going. On Saturday afternoon we caught the worst of a small rain shower that interrupted qualifying. I was on my best lap when the rain came and then in the final 5 minutes when the track had dried we just couldn't find a gap in the traffic and couldn't improve. So on Sunday we were set to start from 15th but on the warm-up lap I had a clutch failure, just pure bad luck. This forced us to start from the spare bike and from the back of the grid in 37th place. We got a great start in the race but from the third lap it began to rain and got heavier in the next 5 laps. On the 8th lap the race leader Robbin Harms crashed then I crashed on the same turn whilst in 15th place... The race was red-flagged immediately after this, my bike was too badly damaged to return to the pits as the rule says you must. Because of this I could not restart even on my spare bike. A frustrating end really".
About the loss of Craig Jones
"After retiring from the race in Brands I witnessed Craig's crash and you cannot imagine a crash like that happening, it was very strange. I knew him reasonably well and he was one of the boys and a nice guy. It is sobering when something like this hits someone you know. My heart goes out for the family and close friends of Craig".
Back to business, how did the partnership with HANNspree Honda Althea come about?
"I started the year in the Superbike class and we achieved some promising results early on when we had a chance to test on the circuits. I'm proud that we finished in the top ten (9th) at the 2nd round, my home race in Australia. It was not so easy as the championship moved back to Europe but we did manage three more point scoring finishes before the mid-season (13th Valencia, 13th Monza, 15th Utah). I'm now really happy to be competing in the Supersport class with HANNspree Honda Althea. It was strange to change classes mid season but my superbike team's future was not clear and the Althea team needed a rider after Tommy Hill was injured. This change was a positive one for sure because I can continue with Honda and the Althea team has experience running at the front in Supersport".
What was your debut like? How did you feel about the new experience?
"I think the debut at Misano was a good lesson in Supersport. Launching straight into a race meet and learning a new bike is pretty exciting. I was riding with too much of a superbike style initially. We just kept chipping away and by the finish of qualifying we were 7th... ok for the first go. Unfortunately in the race I crashed out being too eager to catch the leaders after a bad start. I lost the front end on a turn we'd had trouble with all weekend. Had I been more patient we probably could have made a great result there as the race pace was not so fast".
What about the Vallelunga Test, how much did it help?
"Obviously every track this year is new to me and Vallelunga was a very challenging circuit so I'm glad we could test there. The first part of the track reminds me of Assen a little with fast change of directions. We achieved a lot there with me adjusting to the bike better and just general set-up too".
Let's talk about Brno, your best finish so far this season...
"This year has been full of 'frustrating Fridays' for me as I learn a new track every weekend whilst trying to give constructive feedback to the team. Brno was just like this so it was really good to finish the race and get a good result for the team and myself (7th place). I didn't really get a good feeling with the front there but we made a fairly smooth race and moved forward in the final laps, to finish 7th in the second race with HANNspree Honda Althea was fairly satisfying and I feel it has set us up to finish the year well".
What are your expectations for next year and the rest of this season?
"This year was always going to be a learning curve. The rest of the year will be no different but I believe I can continue to improve my performances and I will be working hard to get on the podium this year! I know I can make a strong championship next year whether in Supersport or Superbike. I have not made plans for next season yet. I have a great team right now and I'll do my best to use that to my advantage".
Garry McCoy is planning to make his return to motorcycle racing at the penultimate round of the World Supersport Championship at Magny Cours on 3rd to 5th October.Garry McCoy has been out of action for over a month after suffering a horrific crash during the Saturday Free Practice session at Brno, Czech Republic.
McCoy collided with Ten Kate rider Andrew Pitt and lost control of his SC Triumph Daytona 675 and hit the Armco barrier.
The Australian suffered severe injuries including a broken T6 vertebrae and three broken ribs which affected his internal organs.
After travelling from Andorra to attend Craig Jones’ funeral, McCoy said:
“I still can’t take a full breath because of the broken ribs. One of my ribs broke in three places which has caused a lot of pain. With the broken vertebrae I have to wear a body cast which doesn’t sound too bad but for the first six weeks I have to wear it day and night everyday.
"I’ve only taken it off to shower and when I sleep I have to wake up first before I turn over!”
“After the six weeks are up, I then need to wear it for another two weeks but only during the day. I’m already looking forward to getting on the bike again. In a way I feel ready now but I know I’ll have to wait.”
Heading in to the 11th round of the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park this weekend and there is still no further news on what riders will be racing in what teams in 2009.Historically all the major signings are completed by the Brands Hatch race at the beginning of August, but this season the whole WSB paddock remains in limbo one month on.
The main reason for the delay is over who will replace Troy Bayliss in the Xerox Ducati team when the Australian retires at the end of the season. To date there have been numerous names thrown in the hat ranging from Max Biaggi, Chris Vermeulen, Noriyuki Haga, Ben Spies and Briton Shane Byrne.
Ducati were expected to make the eagerly awaited announcement last week, but the decision has been delayed yet again and MCN understands that there is a whole series of meetings planned this weekend which could determine the final outcome.
With the factory Ducati ride still undecided it’s proving difficult for any of the other rides to be finalised. Currently there have been no confirmed signings at the Yamaha Italia team, Ten Kate Honda are yet to announce their three man rider line up and Alstare Suzuki have only one rider confirmed with Max Neukirchner already signed for 2009.
BMW is another big player with a ride available. The new to WSB manufacturer announced the signing of Ruben Xaus back in June, but are yet to confirm their second man.
WSB has also become a melting pot for young and old talent with BSB young guns and MotoGP veterans all fighting for a top ride alongside the established WSB regulars.
The good news for Ryuichi Kiyonari and his Hannspree Ten Kate Honda Team is that he will enter the Donington race on a wave of confidence after his double win last time out at Brands Hatch. The bad news for his rivals is that he actually thought he would stand more of a chance of his first World Superbike win at his most favoured UK racetrack, Donington Park!Said Kiyo, "I like Donington, although it is quite a difficult circuit, with a very fast part followed by the very tight area around the hairpin. Before the season, I thought that Donington would be my strongest circuit but, after winning at Brands Hatch, I will be trying extra hard for another victory".
Suzuki has unveiled a new GSX-R1000 Team Rizla Suzuki Moto GP replica limited edition, with just 135 examples coming to UK dealers next week.Available in the famous 'Rizla dutch blue' colour scheme direct from the factory, the new model features the full 2008 Grand Prix livery (with a paint protection kit), as well as the sought-after Yoshimura Evo exhaust cans, with a limited edition certificate and both Chris Vermulen and Loris Capirossi rider graphics too.
Talking about the special model, Suzuki GB's George Cheeseman commented;
"We are delighted to secure this limited quantity replica. Although the Rizla colour scheme is no stranger to UK riders, this is the very first time an official model has been available in this paint scheme,available with full-factory aftersales support and through authorised UK dealers."
Coming with individually numbered top yoke plaques, the new model is available to order through all authorised dealers with immediate effect. More information on the Team Rizla Suzuki Moto GP GSX-R1000 Limited Edition can be found by visiting www.suzuki.co.uk
After the purchase of the Motorcycle Company MV Agusta by Harley-Davidson the Americans published now further details to their purchase intentions and the future of the Italian high-end manifacturer. Harley Davidson boss Jim Ziemer expects that by the assumption of MV Agusta the presence and the image of the mark in Europe are increased and the product families are supplemented by Harley-Davidson and Buell. The past managing director of MV Agusta, Claudio Castiglioni, stresses the thing in common of both marks: “Our customers, the motorcyclists, do not want to be received when driving a high-quality and high performance motorcycle compromises. Since Harley-Davidson understands the emotional component of the motorcycle driving just as well as the business side, am I full confidence that Agusta group their customers will in the long term inspire the MVs.
Harley-Davidson holds Agusta to the main business seat of many years of mV in the Italian Varese. There a guidance team with new managing director is to be appointed and the production of the current models again to be taken up. Castiglioni, will be active further in a leading position. Also Design boss Massimo Tamburini, under whose responsibility models developed such as F4 and brutal one or Ducati 916, remains to the enterprise.
MV Agusta had 2007 substantial financial difficulties after scarcely 6000 sold motorcycles in the year and had production 2008 strongly to throttle. On 11 July this yearly took over Harley-Davidson group the MV Agusta group, and concomitantly the mark Cagiva, for a purchase price of 70 million euros. Castiglioni receives a contractually held special payment to 2016, vorrausgesetzt it fulfills the production goals given by Harley-Davidson.
I
n the eight months since BMW’s announcement that they wouldenter the Superbike World Championship in 2009, the project has
gathered pace and race fans everywhere have now been able to see the
tangible aspects of the project properly for the first time. The new
BMW S 1000 RR has been tested at various racetracks in Spain, but it
has now had its first test at a track used by the Superbike World
Championship - the Eurospeedway Lausitzring.
The German
circuit was on the WSBK calendar up to last season and the recent two
day test gave the team a chance to compare their lap times and
performance with last year’s race weekend. At the end of the
test, the team and the three test riders were all happy with the
progress of the bike and eager to work on analysing all the data before
moving on to the next stage in the bike’s development.
The three riders, Steve Martin, Kevin Curtain and Jeremy McWilliams, said;
“The
basics of the S 1000 RR are very good, the engine has good power, the
chassis and suspension are working well and the bike has the basis of a
Superbike racer already.”
This sentiment was echoed by BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s General Manager Berti Hauser, who added;
“I
am very happy with the professional way all three riders worked and the
amount of feedback they have given us. We are under no illusions of the
amount of work we have to do before the start of the season next year,
but we are ready and looking forward to facing this huge challenge. Up
to now, we have done very little work on the electronics and have
preferred to get the bike’s basics working well and I think we
have achieved that. If our project continues at this good pace, I think
we could surprise a few people next year.”
Whilst the main
focus of attention has been at the track, a lot of work has been going
on near Rosenheim, a small town about sixty or so kilometres south east
of BMW’s headquarters in Munich. It is here that BMW Motorrad and
their partners, Alpha Technik, will prepare the Superbike racebikes in
a brand new state of the art facility, incorporating 7,000 square
metres of workshops and offices. The main workshop area is split into
three parts and has two dynos - one for the whole bike and another
which can simulate any racetrack in the world. One of the three
buildings will house BMW Motorrad´s Off-Road and Enduro team,
whilst the other two will be for the Superbike project and for spares
and parts. The progress of the facility's construction has been rapid
and eight months ago there was nothing but grassland where there are
now workshops, offices, meeting rooms and a canteen for all the
employees.
The new facility marks just another step of BMW
Motorrad and Alpha Technik on their way towards the 2009 Superbike
World Championship season.
The race bike was piloted by Austrian rider Rene Mahr, who has been confirmed as an official KTM rider for the World Superstock Cup this year.
Despite being dogged by bad weather during the test, which prevented any representative times from being set, the team came away happy, having suffered no technical failures.
KTM spokesman Thomas Kuttruf said: “It was a two day test, the first with the bike in set up to meet superstock regulations.
“During earlier tests we just had race tyres and a race exhaust.”
He added that the team also tried British Superduke Battle champion, Pauli Pekkanen, on an RC8 during the test, saying: “We will also use a second rider during the 08 season.
“Pauli Pekkanen is not confirmed to be that rider, but he is a good candidate and impressed us on a stock RC8 with race tyres.”
The firm sees the superstock bike as a key part of the road version’s development.
Thomas Kuttruf said: “It’s the last step in development of the standard bike.
“The superstock project is linked to the KTM factory and R&D department, and the technical leader is Wolfgang Felber, who is in charge of road bike development.”
As detailed by MCN, BMW will use the newly developed 1000 cc in-line four-cylinder motorcycle, and will partner with the Alpha Technik GmbH team based in Stephankirchen near Rosenheim at the Paris Motorcycle Show in September.
Peter Müller: “By entering the Superbike World Championship we will be competing against manufacturers and teams which are many years ahead of us in terms of experience in a segment which is new to us. We know it won’t be easy. With alpha Technik GmbH we have found a partner with a lot of development expertise and over 10 years of experience in superbike racing. We anticipate that we will be able to establish ourselves successfully within the strong international competitive field with our new motorcycle.”
quote:MCN
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), Wednesday 30th January: during the official presentation of the Ducati 1098 R, which took place this week at the Spanish track in Jerez de la Frontera, Team Ducati Xerox have unveiled the new livery of the Ducati 1098 F08 that will participate in the World Superbike Championship.
The new 1098 F08 is directly derived from the 1098 R and has been developed as a result of the new World Superbike regulations that allow for both 1200cc two-cylinder machines and 1000cc four-cylinders to line up on the grid together for the first time.
Never before has a Ducati Superbike been so similar to the road version, with its production engine having very few modifications made to it, the changes limited essentially to the pistons, camshafts and transmission.
Filippo Preziosi, Director General of Ducati Corse, has followed the evolution of this bike from the start. He underlines the importance of the new project, that confirms and reinforces the level of commitment that Ducati Corse makes to the Superbike championship.
"2008 is a very important year for Ducati as it sees the debut of the 1098 F08 race bike in the World Superbike championship, a bike derived from the impressive 1098 R that has already become a technological point of reference with regard to production sport bikes. This season Ducati Corse lines up the official Ducati Xerox Team and provides extensive technical support to the satellite teams, confident that great results will be achieved thanks also to the level of expertise of all its riders. A warm welcome to our new partners that will support us this season and particular thanks to all the sponsors who have renewed their faith in the project, especially Xerox and Shell."
Italian rider Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) was present in Jerez and took to the track, riding both the 1098 R and 1098 F08 during test sessions.
Michel Fabrizio: "I didn't expect to be so emotional seeing the new livery of my bike and my suit for the first time here in Jerez. This event, in which the 1098 R was presented to the press, has helped me to see just how effectively Ducati transfers its racing know-how to the production of its road bikes and how, in this way, bike enthusiasts are able to have high-performance machines that are as unique as these. The season is about to get under way and I am highly motivated. I can't wait to start the championship with this fantastic bike."
Team-mate Troy Bayliss was absent from the event as he continues to recuperate after having fractured his collarbone during the recent test session in Phillip Island. He is recovering well from his injury and the talented Australian rider will return to the track at the next test session to take place in Qatar on 12th February.
All right, so the speculation has come to an end - what you see here isn't some computer-generated rendering, but the real deal, the brand-new, 2008 Honda CBR1000RR. Wet weight is 199 kilos, while power output is 178bhp at 12,000rpm. As you can see, the bike has been heavily restyled - the fairing is all new, as is the MotoGP-inspired rear end and the stubby exhaust system
. The wheels are new, the chassis and swingarm have been redesigned, turn-signals at the front have been integrated into the rear-view mirrors, and the air-intakes ducts have been reworked and repositioned. The 2008 Fireblade also gets a slipper clutch (finally...!) and a new, sophisticated steering damper. This is a big, big makeover for the CBR1000RR, and Honda must be hoping the new Fireblade will not only be able to take on the R1, GSX-R1000 and ZX-10R but also beat those bikes in sheer performance terms.
Honda have also shown their 2008 VFR800, and surprisingly, it carries on unchanged from the 2007 model. We had earlier reported that Honda are likely to replace the VFR800 with a brand-new, high-tech VFR1000. However, that may indeed still happen. Honda might have two sports-tourers in their range and the VFR1000 may be the range-topper. It's also almost 100% certain that the inline-four-powered 2008 Fireblade will be the last of its ilk. Honda are expected to replace the CBR1000RR with an all-new, V4-powered 1000cc superbike in 2009, which will also be their WSBK contender.
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