Can Lotus join the midfield and start bringing home points in 2011?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/5oc7K5mKSWM/

Gary Jones Mark Jones Ake Jonsson Julien Bill Pierre Karsmakers Vladimir Kavinov

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/o_8xz39soAY/ama_pro_racing_daytona_american_superbik.html

Jeremy Lusk Billy MacKenzie Corrado Maddii Andre Malherbe Paul Malin Jacky Martens

The Fiat Yamaha team have been surrounded by hype this past few weeks. Not, as an outsider might expect, caused by a battle to re-sign the reigning champion: Rossi’s contract ends at the end of the 2010 championship, and he looks settled, happy, and at one with the bike he helped shape and tune into [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/PNl7Srzdr9I/1189

David Philippaerts Mickael Pichon Jim Pomeroy Christophe Pourcel Sebastien Pourcel Wyman Priddy

HRC issued the following press release after the Japanese earthquake which caused so much devastation:

HRC EMPLOYEES ESCAPE UNHARMED AFTER JAPAN QUAKE

As news broke around the World of Japan's biggest earthquake since records began, Honda Racing Corporation is very relieved to announce that all employees have escaped unharmed.

The HRC headquarters in Asaka (Saitama Prefecture in Tokyo area) suffered no structural damage and no injuries were reported.

HRC and the Repsol Honda Team's heartfelt wishes and condolences now lay with those that have been affected by this terrible tragedy.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/GXu5pdiuW2E/hrc_press_release_employees_unharmed_in_.html

Josh Grant Billy Grossi Davide Guarneri Thomas Hahn Torsten Hallman Bob Hannah

Thanks to all our competitors last week – it was a week that was particularly scare on points with Dani Pedrosa hardly featuring in the picks – only four of you had him on the podium at all, and only @rumblestrip as high as second. Elsewhere, he was mentioned but generally only as a crash [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/VDuS1uH2ifU/1094

Jeremy McGrath Andrew McFarlane Brett Metcalfe Heikki Mikkola Auguste Mingels Marty Moates

MotoGPBlog was lucky enough to catch up with Rick Broadbent, Times journalist and author of Ring of Fire. You can also read our review of his book, and while you’re there, pick up your copy though our Amazon store – see links at the end of the articles.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/pGTlKuEJQ4g/1179

Marnicq Bervoets Fritz Betzlbacher Dave Bickers Anthony Boissiere Frederic Bolley Xavier Boog

MotoGPBlog has been following Dan Lo of CornerSpeedPhoto, (Twitter: @cspeedphoto) for a while now. He’s a talented photographer based in the States, and we’re honoured to feature some of his shots from this year’s Laguna Seca MotoGP round. In particular, the shot of Canepa at turn 2 is awesome. Thanks Dan!
Dan used the following kit [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/X1nGI63_INM/1100

Gilbert De Roover Clement Desalle John DeSoto Tony DiStefano Jamie Dobb Gert van Doorn

If you’re just starting your routine this Friday morning, you’ve likely already seen that a massive earthquake struck Japan about 230 miles offshore from Tokyo. The 8.9 magnitude earthquake is one of the top seven most powerful quakes in recorded history, and the largest to hit Japan in over 100 years. Occurring relatively close to the surface, the Sendai Earthquake, as it’s being called, triggered a tsunami, with waves as tall as 30 feet. Since …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/9u7Yoiddxug/

Alessandro Puzar Gaston Rahier Steve Ramon Tyla Rattray Chad Reed Warren Reid

BWM Motorrad continues to post impressive sales growth numbers for its product line, and is making a strong showing for 2011 already. With sales up 22.5% last month compared to the same time period in 2010, BMW sold over 6,700 motorcycles in February. BMW-owned Husqvarna posted even stronger numbers than its parent company, with sales up 47% for the same time period, and selling just over 900 motorcycles last month. For February of 2010, BMW …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/_2t48S38nxI/

Fritz Betzlbacher Dave Bickers Anthony Boissiere Frederic Bolley Xavier Boog Damon Bradshaw

The final day of pre-season testing saw heavy rain. The four remaining teams only did a few laps each.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/nZ2X_qAjFRI/

Richard Eierstedt Jimmy Ellis Jeff Emig Harry Everts Stefan Everts Jaroslav Falta

In case you haven’t been to a pump recently, gas prices are getting more and more expensive lately, thanks mostly in part to the civil unrest in the Middle East (Libya in particular). While the current sticker shock on gas prices is due to temporary issues, the United States is still bracing itself for $5.00/gallon gasoline this summer, which our friends abroad would love to see in their home countries as they pay nearly double …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/TJTtyc2eN2c/

Harry Everts Stefan Everts Jaroslav Falta Claudio Federici Tim Ferry Ashley Fiolek

We just showed you the first video that Motus has shot while down at Daytona launching the company’s new sport-tourer to the Bike Week crowd. We’re clearly not on our A-game today (I’m suffering from a nasty head cold, and have to fly in 24 hours to Qatar for the MotoGP test), but luckily our readers are, as one commenter has spotted the fact that Motus switches bikes mid-way through the Daytona video. Sans fairings, …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/Tp03qSPTB2g/

Victor Arbekov Les Archer Nicolas Aubin Rene Baeten David Bailey John Banks

While the weather had produced torrential downpours thoughout the preamble to this GP, it stayed dry for the action in Germany. As the riders lined up on the grid, there was a real feeling of anticipation as Rossi and Lorenzo, so close through practice until that awesome final qualifying lap from Valentino, pulled up next [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/U39d5gDqBKA/1137

John Draper Doug Dubach Ryan Dungey Vic Eastwood Daryl Ecklund Erik Eggens

In another lean week top scorers, two names shot ahead from the pack to challenge the leaders – @tailzer and @harleymac1. Pulling off an impressive Brit-centric Minella to gain 6 points, @tailzer took second place in the overall standings. Well done sir! @harleymac1 also made impressive gains with his 6 point Minella.
Honorable mention goes to [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/UsKTMuHZbKM/1197

Rob Herring George Holland Jeremy van Horebeek Kent Howerton Neil Hudson Ryan Hughes

Combined times from all three days of testing at Jerez for the Moto2 class:

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/VFDwk4SzvHU/2011_moto2_jerez_irta_test_combined_resu.html

Tyla Rattray Chad Reed Warren Reid Pierre Renet Marc de Reuver Michele Rinaldi

Kamui Kobayashi says he is “very sad” about the destruction and loss of life in Japan today.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/xmqLou5f2v8/

Pierre Karsmakers Vladimir Kavinov Mike Kiedrowski Darryll King Shayne King Heinz Kinigadner

While the weather had produced torrential downpours thoughout the preamble to this GP, it stayed dry for the action in Germany. As the riders lined up on the grid, there was a real feeling of anticipation as Rossi and Lorenzo, so close through practice until that awesome final qualifying lap from Valentino, pulled up next [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/U39d5gDqBKA/1137

Greg Albertyn Jeff Alessi Mike Alessi Thomas Allier HÃ¥kan Andersson Victor Arbekov

Sauber’s driver line-up recalls their successful 2011 pairing of Kimi Räikkönen and Nick Heidfeld.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/IgnjvtkJU98/

Christian Beggi Mike Bell John van den Berk Marnicq Bervoets Fritz Betzlbacher Dave Bickers

Cuts imposed on the BBC by the government may lead it to drop its F1 coverage.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/Bl8dukHH-qo/

Gaylon Mosier Marvin Musquin Brian Myerscough Maximilian Nagl Kurt Nicoll Bill Nilsson

Dorna keeps pretty tight controls on what information gets out about its business; but when dealing with public entities, some of those figures are bound to come forth. Such is the case with Motorland Aragon, the Spanish track that recently locked in MotoGP through the 2016 season. The cost of hosting MotoGP for the next six years? ?41 million. That figure breaks down into ?6 million for the 2011 round, ?7 million for the 2012 …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/z2I_wT6yEJA/

Thomas Hahn Torsten Hallman Bob Hannah Donnie Hansen Torlief Hansen Marcus Hansson

The Fiat Yamaha team have been surrounded by hype this past few weeks. Not, as an outsider might expect, caused by a battle to re-sign the reigning champion: Rossi’s contract ends at the end of the 2010 championship, and he looks settled, happy, and at one with the bike he helped shape and tune into [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/PNl7Srzdr9I/1189

Billy Liles Ove Lundell Sten Lundin Jeremy Lusk Billy MacKenzie Corrado Maddii

Finally we have all the factory MotoGP bikes officially unveiled in their race liveries (click for the Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha unveilings). Surprising everyone this year with a teal color scheme, Rizla Suzuki is still present in MotoGP, albeit only running one rider for the 2011 season. Taking to the helm of the 2011 Suzuki GSV-R is Alvaro Bautista, who has shown great promise on the otherwise lackluster race bike. Despite its troubled past, Suzuki …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/lJ4SJGwHkew/

Frederic Bolley Xavier Boog Damon Bradshaw Goat Breker Sven Breugelmans Larry Brooks

We just showed you the first video that Motus has shot while down at Daytona launching the company’s new sport-tourer to the Bike Week crowd. We’re clearly not on our A-game today (I’m suffering from a nasty head cold, and have to fly in 24 hours to Qatar for the MotoGP test), but luckily our readers are, as one commenter has spotted the fact that Motus switches bikes mid-way through the Daytona video. Sans fairings, …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/Tp03qSPTB2g/

Roger De Coster Ken De Dycker Yves Demaria Gilbert De Roover Clement Desalle John DeSoto

Red Bull are one of seven F1 teams who finish their pre-season testing today.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/zkN6fg5Sti8/

Doug Dubach Ryan Dungey Vic Eastwood Daryl Ecklund Erik Eggens Richard Eierstedt

Michael Schumacher was fastest in the revised Mercedes in the fourth day of testing in Barcelona.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/iIARVzCfgIg/

Gaston Rahier Steve Ramon Tyla Rattray Chad Reed Warren Reid Pierre Renet

While the weather had produced torrential downpours thoughout the preamble to this GP, it stayed dry for the action in Germany. As the riders lined up on the grid, there was a real feeling of anticipation as Rossi and Lorenzo, so close through practice until that awesome final qualifying lap from Valentino, pulled up next [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/U39d5gDqBKA/1137

Wyman Priddy Alessandro Puzar Gaston Rahier Steve Ramon Tyla Rattray Chad Reed

Dorna keeps pretty tight controls on what information gets out about its business; but when dealing with public entities, some of those figures are bound to come forth. Such is the case with Motorland Aragon, the Spanish track that recently locked in MotoGP through the 2016 season. The cost of hosting MotoGP for the next six years? ?41 million. That figure breaks down into ?6 million for the 2011 round, ?7 million for the 2012 …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/z2I_wT6yEJA/

Paul Cooper Josh Coppins Cody Copper Gordon Crockard Craig Dack Roger De Coster

Pastor Maldonado says he’s not feeling any pressure ahead of his F1 debut with Williams.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/C1tG1b9d7Uo/

Jeremy Lusk Billy MacKenzie Corrado Maddii Andre Malherbe Paul Malin Jacky Martens

As the countdown to the start of the 2011 MotoGP season continues, the spotlight is intensifying on Valentino Rossi. The pressure created by the magical combination of two Italian legends, Rossi and Ducati, has got marketing and media machines going into overdrive. It has become quite frankly impossible not to write about it.

Rossi himself is managing the situation with great attention to detail. Firstly, with carefully selected media appearances, and secondly, with a carefully constructed media messages. So it came to pass that Rossi turned up on Italian TV, on a talk show called Chiambretti Night, in which he got the chance to talk about his shoulder, his rivals and the Ducati.

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/6qzmvS0dI8Q/the_saga_of_rossi_s_shoulder_and_words_f.html

Paul Malin Jacky Martens Christophe Martin Mickael Maschio Connor McGechan Jeremy McGrath

More Moto2 press releases: Andrea Iannone presents the Speed Master team in Milan, and FTR talks about its program and riders for 2011. Here are the press releases:

SPEED MASTER TEAM PRESENTATION, MILAN: "BORN TO WIN"

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/N0Bs-wcsN2U/moto2_press_releases_iannone_presents_te.html

Dusty Klatt Arne Kring Brad Lackey Arthur Lampkin Steve Lamson Grant Langston

Liuzzi: “It?s always been tough for me starting with new teams.”

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/AaTWu8QrSSc/

Guy Cooper Paul Cooper Josh Coppins Cody Copper Gordon Crockard Craig Dack

It was a freakish race – one which I am still trying to get my head around, let alone write up!
Because of the unusual podium, points were scarce this week with many people striking out. Only one person scored podium points: @leighberwick with his 3rd place for de Puniet. How you picked him out Leigh, [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/6qUEbE6xdtw/1167

Billy MacKenzie Corrado Maddii Andre Malherbe Paul Malin Jacky Martens Christophe Martin

Finally we have all the factory MotoGP bikes officially unveiled in their race liveries (click for the Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha unveilings). Surprising everyone this year with a teal color scheme, Rizla Suzuki is still present in MotoGP, albeit only running one rider for the 2011 season. Taking to the helm of the 2011 Suzuki GSV-R is Alvaro Bautista, who has shown great promise on the otherwise lackluster race bike. Despite its troubled past, Suzuki …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/lJ4SJGwHkew/

Bob Hannah Donnie Hansen Torlief Hansen Marcus Hansson Doug Henry Broc Hepler

It’s been bad year so far for motorcycle industry CEO’s in the United States, as we hear the Piaggio Group is having a shake-up of their own. After six years with the Italian company, Paolo Timoni is stepping down from his position as President & CEO of the Piaggio Groups Americas office, and will be replaced by Miguel Martinez. Martinez is the former General Manager of Piaggio Spain, and will report directly to Stefano Sterpone, Executive Vice …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/eyaKNGE46m0/

Marnicq Bervoets Fritz Betzlbacher Dave Bickers Anthony Boissiere Frederic Bolley Xavier Boog

MotoGPBlog was lucky enough to catch up with Rick Broadbent, Times journalist and author of Ring of Fire. You can also read our review of his book, and while you’re there, pick up your copy though our Amazon store – see links at the end of the articles.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/pGTlKuEJQ4g/1179

Warren Reid Pierre Renet Marc de Reuver Michele Rinaldi Joël Robert Ken Roczen

There aren’t a lot of arguments for keeping New Jersey as a state in our more perfect union, and perhaps the only compelling reason for some citizens is to keep the Garden State around so New Yorkers will have somewhere to dump their trash and third-tier reality shows. However one of the shining beacons of hope if you’ve gotten lost on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (and I mean horribly, horribly, horribly lost) is the New Jersey …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/BH3KhPvxXio/

Mark Barnett Jonathan Barragan Andrea Bartolini Willy Bauer Jean Michel Bayle Pit Beirer

The Moto2 and 125cc riders got a break on Saturday, the weather gods deciding to, if not exactly smile, then at least hold off on the punishment for the second day of the IRTA test at Jerez. The paddock awoke to clear skies, but the cool temperatures and strong wind was hardly conducive to posting fast times, the track still damp and treacherous in patches until well into the afternoon.

The state of the track was illustrated best by the times posted by the 125cc riders. Nico Terol on the startlingly lime green Bankia Aspar continues to dominate the 125 class, though his times are still 1.5 seconds off lap record pace. The opposition is starting to close in, however. Racing Team Germany's Sandro Cortese got within a tenth of a second of last year's runner up, and even led during part of the session, something which has not happened very often so far during pre-season testing. Meanwhile, Maverick Vinales – probably one of the best names for a motorcycle racer for a long time – once again put in an impressive day's testing, keeping hot on the heels of Terol and raising hopes among the Spanish media. The only concern about the Spanish and European 125 champion is how he will fare once the paddock leaves Spain and heads abroad. He has a lot of learning to do.

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/hphn6Pa0Rtg/2011_moto2_and_125_jerez_test_day_2_roun.html

Mark Jones Ake Jonsson Julien Bill Pierre Karsmakers Vladimir Kavinov Mike Kiedrowski

It is not often that people outside of Dorna's inner circle get a peek inside the finances of MotoGP; commercial contracts with all parties are subject to confidentiality clauses and are a closely-guarded secret. But occasionally the facts leak out, thanks to circumstances which are beyond the control of MotoGP's Spanish commercial rights' holder.

Such is the case with the Motorland Aragon Grand Prix: As reported a week ago, Aragon recently secured a six-year extension to its deal to hold a round of MotoGP. The terms of the deal were not discussed in the press release announcing the deal, but as the circuit is in public hands, the information has surfaced anyway: In 2011, Motorland Aragon will pay Dorna 6 million euros, riding to 7 million in 2012, for a grand total of 41 million euros between 2011 and 2012.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/bL7G1g6yY3w/cost_of_motorland_aragon_motogp_totals_4.html

Larry Brooks Mike Brown Rick Burgett Jimmy Button Michael Byrne Antonio Cairoli

Throughout the first season of Moto2, there was much smugness among the diehard curmudgeons who had bemoaned the loss of the two-stroke 250s at the fact that the 600cc four strokes were considerably slower than the old 250s were. The old guard treated the Moto2 machines with disdain, regarding them as little more than jumped-up sportsbikes, bearing little relation to true Grand Prix Machinery.

There was some merit in their argument: The 250cc two-cylinder two strokes were jewels of engineering, beautifully constructed, lightweight, powerful and precise as a surgeon's scalpel. The Moto2 bikes were bigger, bulkier, and in part thanks to the rudimentary electronics and slipper clutch, much more out of shape into and out of corners. If 250 races were like a fight to the death by olympic fencing champions, Moto2 races were like a barroom brawl after the bar had been drunk dry.

Some of that smugness will have to go now, though. On the last day of the Jerez Moto2 test, first Marc Marquez and then later Stefan Bradl smashed through the 1'43 barrier, with Bradl beating the former 250cc lap record set back in 2005 by Dani Pedrosa. Marquez fell a tenth of a second short of Pedrosa's 250 mark, but Bradl took nearly two tenths of a second off the former 250 champion's 2005 pole record. The Moto2 bikes have now officially caught up.

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/nxMKjb_JWd4/2011_moto2_and_125_jerez_irta_test_round.html

Andrew Short Shaun Simpson Joël Smets Jeff Smith Marty Smith Steve Stackable

After much waiting, Motus Motorcycles finally launched its MST sport-tourer to the public today. Unveiled at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Motus’s hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, the American motorcycle manufacturer will head to Florida for the Progressive International Motorcycle Show on Thursday, March 10th for a more public showing. Developed in conjunction with Pratt & Miller Engineering, the Motus MST features the KMV4 motor, a 1,645cc V4 push-rod style engine that include gasoline direct-injection technology (GDI). …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/UysTb6_YPQY/

Jason Lawrence Ron Lechien Jeff Leisk Victor Leloup Aigar Leok Tanel Leok

When Valentino Rossi speaks, the world listens. The popularity of the nine-time World Champion is such that fans (and consequently, the media) hang on his every word. Since Rossi switched from Yamaha to Ducati, the scrutiny has become even more intense, every word and action being analyzed a million times for extra levels of meaning.

So when Rossi spoke to Italian magazine MotoSprint (English highlights over on Autosport), there was plenty for the fans and media to get their teeth into. First subject was of course the Desmosedici GP11, and Rossi's struggle to master what is proving to be a highly wayward beast. The problem, Rossi explained, is getting the bike to turn. The Ducati does not want to turn in corners, and Rossi said he was having to slide the rear to get the bike to turn through corners. The team continues to work on setup changes to alter this behavior, and Rossi told Motosprint that he believes that part of the problem will be solved quickly through electronics changes.

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/M1ZBHbt5sKo/rossi_on_the_ducati_s_handling_his_fans_.html

Pit Beirer Christian Beggi Mike Bell John van den Berk Marnicq Bervoets Fritz Betzlbacher

There aren’t a lot of arguments for keeping New Jersey as a state in our more perfect union, and perhaps the only compelling reason for some citizens is to keep the Garden State around so New Yorkers will have somewhere to dump their trash and third-tier reality shows. However one of the shining beacons of hope if you’ve gotten lost on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (and I mean horribly, horribly, horribly lost) is the New Jersey …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/BH3KhPvxXio/

Warren Reid Pierre Renet Marc de Reuver Michele Rinaldi Joël Robert Ken Roczen

For the third year running, MotoGP is down to just 17 bikes on the grid. And for the second time in three years, a manufacturer is showing an alarming lack of commitment to the series, Suzuki fielding just one rider for the 2011 season. Sponsors are pulling out and teams are constantly complaining about a lack of money. Something has to be done.

Throughout 2009, MotoGP's rule-making body, the Grand Prix Commission, debated ways of changing the class to make the series cheaper, thereby increasing the number of bikes on the grid. The solution, announced in December 2009, was the return to 1000cc machines under specific restrictions aimed at capping costs: a maximum of four cylinders, and an 81mm maximum bore.

But that in itself was not enough. Throughout the entire process, it was also broadly hinted that the requirement that engines must be prototypes would be dropped for privateer teams, with these so-called Claiming Rule Teams being allowed to run heavily modified production engines in a prototype chassis. To ensure the teams would not be forced to spend on electronics what they saved on engines, the CRT machines would also be allowed an extra 3 liters of fuel above the allowance for the factory machines (for our detailed explanation of exactly what the CRT rules entail, see The 2012 MotoGP Revolution Part 1.)

We have been here before, of course. Back in 2003, the WCM team, under the management of Peter Clifford, entered two 990cc Harris WCM MotoGP machines, their engines based on the dimensions of Yamaha's R1, housed in a prototype frame produced by Harris. The WCM bikes turned up at the first race of the year, but were disqualified by scrutineering as not being a fully prototype machine.

The same pressure that eventually killed off the WCM project also threatens the CRT teams, and the arguments that kept the WCM off the grid for the first half of the 2003 season are being brought up again for the CRT bikes.

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/s0rUY-APLSU/the_2012_motogp_revolution_part_2_motogp.html

Sten Lundin Jeremy Lusk Billy MacKenzie Corrado Maddii Andre Malherbe Paul Malin

The World Superbike season opener at Phillip Island was an excellent way to whet the appetites of motorcycle racing fans around the globe, but the downside of the Antipodean round – and it's a big downside – is the fact that round 2 of WSBK follows fully four weeks after round 1. The MotoGP season opener fills that space, but even the Qatar race doesn't take place until three weeks after Phillip Island.

Fortunately, the media moguls at the World Superbike series have come up with a solution for race fans, stilling their hunger and promoting their series at the same time. On the official World Superbike Youtube channel, WSBK is running the World Superbike magazine, a half hour of news, reports and lengthy recaps from the first race of the season at Phillip Island. You can watch the show below, or over on Youtube.

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/3HA85nQWgFo/video_world_superbike_magazine_after_201.html

Ken De Dycker Yves Demaria Gilbert De Roover Clement Desalle John DeSoto Tony DiStefano

With the MotoGP season about to begin, all eyes are on Rossi and what he and Jeremy Burgess have been able to accomplish with the Ducati GP11. In this photo Rossi?s bike wears the Forza Abruzzo logo on its tail section, representing Rossi?s contribution to the relief effort to help L?Aquila recover from a devastating earthquake that struck the city on April 6th, 2009. Of all the bikes braking for Turn 1 after Losail?s long front straight, Rossi?s showed the brightest brake discs, glowing hot like fire in the desert.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/uLT-e1eCqiQ/

Gary Semics Andrew Short Shaun Simpson Joël Smets Jeff Smith Marty Smith

Throughout the first season of Moto2, there was much smugness among the diehard curmudgeons who had bemoaned the loss of the two-stroke 250s at the fact that the 600cc four strokes were considerably slower than the old 250s were. The old guard treated the Moto2 machines with disdain, regarding them as little more than jumped-up sportsbikes, bearing little relation to true Grand Prix Machinery.

There was some merit in their argument: The 250cc two-cylinder two strokes were jewels of engineering, beautifully constructed, lightweight, powerful and precise as a surgeon's scalpel. The Moto2 bikes were bigger, bulkier, and in part thanks to the rudimentary electronics and slipper clutch, much more out of shape into and out of corners. If 250 races were like a fight to the death by olympic fencing champions, Moto2 races were like a barroom brawl after the bar had been drunk dry.

Some of that smugness will have to go now, though. On the last day of the Jerez Moto2 test, first Marc Marquez and then later Stefan Bradl smashed through the 1'43 barrier, with Bradl beating the former 250cc lap record set back in 2005 by Dani Pedrosa. Marquez fell a tenth of a second short of Pedrosa's 250 mark, but Bradl took nearly two tenths of a second off the former 250 champion's 2005 pole record. The Moto2 bikes have now officially caught up.

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/nxMKjb_JWd4/2011_moto2_and_125_jerez_irta_test_round.html

Guy Cooper Paul Cooper Josh Coppins Cody Copper Gordon Crockard Craig Dack

Combined results from both sessions of testing on Saturday for the Moto2 class at Jerez :

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/SPyp_deB0sk/2011_moto2_jerez_irta_test_day_2_results.html

Travis Pastrana Gautier Paulin David Philippaerts Mickael Pichon Jim Pomeroy Christophe Pourcel

The Fiat Yamaha team have been surrounded by hype this past few weeks. Not, as an outsider might expect, caused by a battle to re-sign the reigning champion: Rossi’s contract ends at the end of the 2010 championship, and he looks settled, happy, and at one with the bike he helped shape and tune into [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/PNl7Srzdr9I/1189

Gunnar Johansson Peter Johansson Rick Johnson Gary Jones Mark Jones Ake Jonsson

In another lean week top scorers, two names shot ahead from the pack to challenge the leaders – @tailzer and @harleymac1. Pulling off an impressive Brit-centric Minella to gain 6 points, @tailzer took second place in the overall standings. Well done sir! @harleymac1 also made impressive gains with his 6 point Minella.
Honorable mention goes to [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/UsKTMuHZbKM/1197

Jonathan Barragan Andrea Bartolini Willy Bauer Jean Michel Bayle Pit Beirer Christian Beggi

Finalized results of the last day of testing for the Moto2 class at Jerez:

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/n4h_pbrcux8/2011_moto2_jerez_irta_test_day_3_results.html

Trampas Parker Travis Pastrana Gautier Paulin David Philippaerts Mickael Pichon Jim Pomeroy

A close look at the FW33 tells you a lot about what’s going on at Williams.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/cpNjlteDWiQ/

Broc Hepler Rob Herring George Holland Jeremy van Horebeek Kent Howerton Neil Hudson

You can file this one under “news we broke a month ago,” but Zero Motorcycles has finally officially announced the departure of company founder Neal Saiki, despite sending an email to its employees last week that Saiki had not been sacked from his position. According to Zero Motorcycles, Saiki is leaving his position to enter into the Igor I. Sikorski Human Powered Helicopter Competition, which Saiki first competed in while attending Cal Poly as aeronautical engineering student …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/SyBYj9RyC5w/

Steve Stackable Jeff Stanton Rex Staten James Stewart Jr Brian Stonebridge David Strijbos

Bottpower may have not had the most success in the Moto2 racing category, but they sure know how to make some drool-worthy motorcycles. Taking its hands to a different style of motorcycle, the Spanish firm envisions a flat track racer that’s not too disimilar from the Harley-Davidson XR1200. Cool, but not crazy, right? Well the best part about this one-off motorcycle, which Bottpower is making the frame for a special customer (a kit for other customers may be possible if the demand is there), is that the BOTT XR-1 will be built from spare Buell parts, which is a sorta of perverse and ironic twist of fate if you ask us.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/T-2qOZ4Z_VQ/

Antonio Cairoli Trey Canard Håkan Carlquist Ricky Carmichael Danny Chandler Eric Cheney

Great news! Enter the Donington round of the Tipping Contest to have a chance of winning a copy of Ring of Fire, The Inside Story of MotoGP by Rick Broadbent.
Prizes will be awarded as follows:
Top three scorers for the round (not overall) will win a copy of Ring of Fire.
The top two scoring Minellas will [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/Yz3DMropMqQ/1156

Gary Jones Mark Jones Ake Jonsson Julien Bill Pierre Karsmakers Vladimir Kavinov

Results of the first day of testing for the 125cc class at Jerez, courtesy of Motoworld.es:

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/QpkvczbWSNo/2011_125_jerez_irta_test_day_1_results_t.html

Guennady Moisseev Bobby Moore Blair Morgan Gaylon Mosier Marvin Musquin Brian Myerscough

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL3MVDLK0u8 Source: Aprilia

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/JQBA1zfSvas/

John Banks Mark Barnett Jonathan Barragan Andrea Bartolini Willy Bauer Jean Michel Bayle

Results of the 1st day of testing for the Moto2 riders at Jerez:

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/rWEFtanIScU/2011_moto2_jerez_irta_test_day_1_results.html

Trampas Parker Travis Pastrana Gautier Paulin David Philippaerts Mickael Pichon Jim Pomeroy

It isn't just the Moto2 teams launching this week, the San Carlo Gresini Honda team held their launch at Monza, presenting Hiroshi Aoyama and MotoGP's own Fabulous Furry Freak Brother Marco Simoncelli to the media. The team is more than just a satellite team, though: team boss Fausto Gresini told GPOne.com's Alice Margaria that the team was now a "100% factory team," and he had high hopes for both of his riders. Below is the press release from the launch:

ALBERTO VITALONI AND FAUSTO GRESINI 'MASTERS OF CEREMONY' AT TEAM SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI 2011 PRESENTATION

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/IEj8kSZbtT0/another_motogp_launch_san_carlo_gresini_.html

Mike Brown Rick Burgett Jimmy Button Michael Byrne Antonio Cairoli Trey Canard

For the third year running, MotoGP is down to just 17 bikes on the grid. And for the second time in three years, a manufacturer is showing an alarming lack of commitment to the series, Suzuki fielding just one rider for the 2011 season. Sponsors are pulling out and teams are constantly complaining about a lack of money. Something has to be done.

Throughout 2009, MotoGP's rule-making body, the Grand Prix Commission, debated ways of changing the class to make the series cheaper, thereby increasing the number of bikes on the grid. The solution, announced in December 2009, was the return to 1000cc machines under specific restrictions aimed at capping costs: a maximum of four cylinders, and an 81mm maximum bore.

But that in itself was not enough. Throughout the entire process, it was also broadly hinted that the requirement that engines must be prototypes would be dropped for privateer teams, with these so-called Claiming Rule Teams being allowed to run heavily modified production engines in a prototype chassis. To ensure the teams would not be forced to spend on electronics what they saved on engines, the CRT machines would also be allowed an extra 3 liters of fuel above the allowance for the factory machines (for our detailed explanation of exactly what the CRT rules entail, see The 2012 MotoGP Revolution Part 1.)

We have been here before, of course. Back in 2003, the WCM team, under the management of Peter Clifford, entered two 990cc Harris WCM MotoGP machines, their engines based on the dimensions of Yamaha's R1, housed in a prototype frame produced by Harris. The WCM bikes turned up at the first race of the year, but were disqualified by scrutineering as not being a fully prototype machine.

The same pressure that eventually killed off the WCM project also threatens the CRT teams, and the arguments that kept the WCM off the grid for the first half of the 2003 season are being brought up again for the CRT bikes.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/s0rUY-APLSU/the_2012_motogp_revolution_part_2_motogp.html

John van den Berk Marnicq Bervoets Fritz Betzlbacher Dave Bickers Anthony Boissiere Frederic Bolley

Finalized results of the last day of testing for the 125cc class at Jerez:

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/WYWBKyCIQuI/2011_125_jerez_irta_test_day_2_results_f.html

Andre Malherbe Paul Malin Jacky Martens Christophe Martin Mickael Maschio Connor McGechan

The point of selecting Jerez as the location for the official Moto2 and 125cc test is to escape the worst of Europe's winter, but the trouble is that sometimes, you can run, but you can't hide. That was very much the case on the first day of the three-day test, with cold temperatures and heavy rain making riding a very tricky affair, and one which a number of riders chose to sit out altogether, most notably last year's championship runner up Julian Simon.

But between – or more accurately, before – the showers, the vast majority of riders took the opportunity to give their Moto2 machines a shakedown run, using the official Moto2 engines supplied by Geo Tech for the first time, the engines which the teams will be using for this test, and the following three races. Despite the fact that everyone is now on equal equipment – at least in the engine stakes – the conditions meant we were still denied a realistic look at the comparitive strengths of the field.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/hk1WyG69BIU/2011_moto2_and_125_jerez_test_day_1_roun.html

Darrell Schultz Tommy Searle Gary Semics Andrew Short Shaun Simpson Joël Smets

Results of the first day of testing for the 125cc class at Jerez, courtesy of Motoworld.es:

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/QpkvczbWSNo/2011_125_jerez_irta_test_day_1_results_t.html

Claudio Federici Tim Ferry Ashley Fiolek Ernesto Fonseca Lauris Freibergs Paul Friedrichs

Helping celebrate Ducati’s heavyweight class win (and 2nd place overall) at Pikes Peak last year, the Italian company has released the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak Special Edition today. We’ve been saying that Ducati needs to build a Pikes Peak Special Edition of the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S since…well, since we first laid eyes on the beautiful machine a year ago. Launching the Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak today though, we’ll have to find something …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/H_2dbkc0M9o/

Bobby Moore Blair Morgan Gaylon Mosier Marvin Musquin Brian Myerscough Maximilian Nagl

With the MotoGP season about to begin, all eyes are on Rossi and what he and Jeremy Burgess have been able to accomplish with the Ducati GP11. Will Valentino be thinking of his glory days under the lights on his beloved Yamaha M1? This image, from 2009, shows Valentino in peak form as he began his final championship season with Yamaha. Though Casey Stoner won by almost eight seconds, Rossi began his title chase with …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/uLT-e1eCqiQ/

Alessio Chiodi Jaromir Cizek Guy Cooper Paul Cooper Josh Coppins Cody Copper

Thanks to all our competitors last week – it was a week that was particularly scare on points with Dani Pedrosa hardly featuring in the picks – only four of you had him on the podium at all, and only @rumblestrip as high as second. Elsewhere, he was mentioned but generally only as a crash [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/VDuS1uH2ifU/1094

Jeff Stanton Rex Staten James Stewart Jr Brian Stonebridge David Strijbos Kevin Strijbos

The Fiat Yamaha team have been surrounded by hype this past few weeks. Not, as an outsider might expect, caused by a battle to re-sign the reigning champion: Rossi’s contract ends at the end of the 2010 championship, and he looks settled, happy, and at one with the bike he helped shape and tune into [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/PNl7Srzdr9I/1189

Joël Smets Jeff Smith Marty Smith Steve Stackable Jeff Stanton Rex Staten

Will Michael Schumacher‘s F1 comeback fare better in year two?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/EbWe0HcqXm0/

Billy Grossi Davide Guarneri Thomas Hahn Torsten Hallman Bob Hannah Donnie Hansen

Combined results from all three days of testing at Jerez for the 125cc class:

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/iZEO5nYeL1w/2011_125_jerez_irta_test_combine_results.html

Steven Frossard Eric Geboers Sylvain Geboers Broc Glover Rui Goncalves Josh Grant

It was a freakish race – one which I am still trying to get my head around, let alone write up!
Because of the unusual podium, points were scarce this week with many people striking out. Only one person scored podium points: @leighberwick with his 3rd place for de Puniet. How you picked him out Leigh, [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/6qUEbE6xdtw/1167

Daryl Ecklund Erik Eggens Richard Eierstedt Jimmy Ellis Jeff Emig Harry Everts

On the eve of the final and official test for the Moto2 class, the IRTA test at Jerez, teams are staging their official launches at various places around the Iberian peninsula. Last weekend, it was the turn of Kev Coghlan's Motorsports 69 time, run by Alex Debon, and on Thursday, Marc Marquez took center stage for the launch of the Repsol / Catalunya Caixa Moto2 team. Below are the press releases from the respective launches:

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/xzbPQON2tus/moto2_team_launches_kev_coghlan_and_marc.html

Bill Nilsson Jorgen Nilsson Graham Noyce Carl Nunn Johnny O Mara Zach Osborne

This quote comes from the Spanish language website elmundodeportivo.es. The message and the sentiment are clear: “You aren’t worth what I get paid Jorge”.
From elmundodeportive.es, translation by Fans.Moto.GP (Thanks!):
What Jorge is looking for seems presumptuous to me: Arrive at Yamaha, and in his second year ask that he be given the same treatment as me. [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/39bD3COH8Vo/1151

Jeff Leisk Victor Leloup Aigar Leok Tanel Leok Billy Liles Ove Lundell

Bottpower may have not had the most success in the Moto2 racing category, but they sure know how to make some drool-worthy motorcycles. Taking its hands to a different style of motorcycle, the Spanish firm envisions a flat track racer that’s not too disimilar from the Harley-Davidson XR1200. Cool, but not crazy, right? Well the best part about this one-off motorcycle, which Bottpower is making the frame for a special customer (a kit for other …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/T-2qOZ4Z_VQ/

Billy Liles Ove Lundell Sten Lundin Jeremy Lusk Billy MacKenzie Corrado Maddii

Klien is confident he has a chance at the second HRT seat.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/8-nyv3PVPPM/

Eric Geboers Sylvain Geboers Broc Glover Rui Goncalves Josh Grant Billy Grossi

On the eve of the final and official test for the Moto2 class, the IRTA test at Jerez, teams are staging their official launches at various places around the Iberian peninsula. Last weekend, it was the turn of Kev Coghlan's Motorsports 69 time, run by Alex Debon, and on Thursday, Marc Marquez took center stage for the launch of the Repsol / Catalunya Caixa Moto2 team. Below are the press releases from the respective launches:

read more

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/xzbPQON2tus/moto2_team_launches_kev_coghlan_and_marc.html

Billy MacKenzie Corrado Maddii Andre Malherbe Paul Malin Jacky Martens Christophe Martin

While for most Americans it’s still too inclement to ride our motorcycles, Palatinus Attila sees the frozen terrain as an opportunity. As our bikes remain shut away in their garages until spring time, this intrepid lad has taken out his power drill, several hundred screws, a bit of patience, and transformed his CBR600F4 from street machine to ice queen. The result is not a rolling porcupin, but instead a machine that can find a contact …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AsphaltandRubber/~3/X4rSh1B2C30/

Eric Geboers Sylvain Geboers Broc Glover Rui Goncalves Josh Grant Billy Grossi

The Moto2 and 125cc riders got a break on Saturday, the weather gods deciding to, if not exactly smile, then at least hold off on the punishment for the second day of the IRTA test at Jerez. The paddock awoke to clear skies, but the cool temperatures and strong wind was hardly conducive to posting fast times, the track still damp and treacherous in patches until well into the afternoon.

The state of the track was illustrated best by the times posted by the 125cc riders. Nico Terol on the startlingly lime green Bankia Aspar continues to dominate the 125 class, though his times are still 1.5 seconds off lap record pace. The opposition is starting to close in, however. Racing Team Germany's Sandro Cortese got within a tenth of a second of last year's runner up, and even led during part of the session, something which has not happened very often so far during pre-season testing. Meanwhile, Maverick Vinales – probably one of the best names for a motorcycle racer for a long time – once again put in an impressive day's testing, keeping hot on the heels of Terol and raising hopes among the Spanish media. The only concern about the Spanish and European 125 champion is how he will fare once the paddock leaves Spain and heads abroad. He has a lot of learning to do.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MotoGPMatters/~3/hphn6Pa0Rtg/2011_moto2_and_125_jerez_test_day_2_roun.html

John Banks Mark Barnett Jonathan Barragan Andrea Bartolini Willy Bauer Jean Michel Bayle

In another lean week top scorers, two names shot ahead from the pack to challenge the leaders – @tailzer and @harleymac1. Pulling off an impressive Brit-centric Minella to gain 6 points, @tailzer took second place in the overall standings. Well done sir! @harleymac1 also made impressive gains with his 6 point Minella.
Honorable mention goes to [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/UsKTMuHZbKM/1197

Zach Osborne Trampas Parker Travis Pastrana Gautier Paulin David Philippaerts Mickael Pichon

A quiet week at the top of the standings, with @daveminella just inching away from the pack by a single point. Shouts out to @Brian_GP, @danzero and @ducatinewstoday for pulling off their Minellas. Had you guys been around earlier you would be pushing the top spots. The good news is, there is plenty of time [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/rbtcgWuWZD0/1133

Mike Brown Rick Burgett Jimmy Button Michael Byrne Antonio Cairoli Trey Canard

The Fiat Yamaha team have been surrounded by hype this past few weeks. Not, as an outsider might expect, caused by a battle to re-sign the reigning champion: Rossi’s contract ends at the end of the 2010 championship, and he looks settled, happy, and at one with the bike he helped shape and tune into [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/motogpblog/postfeed/~3/PNl7Srzdr9I/1189

Gordon Crockard Craig Dack Roger De Coster Ken De Dycker Yves Demaria Gilbert De Roover

Ferrari should push Red Bull every lap of the way for championship honours in 2011.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/f1fanatic/~3/9hSa5FkygmM/

Marc de Reuver Michele Rinaldi Joël Robert Ken Roczen Stephane Roncada Gerard Rond