WSBK/ssp/stk 1000 & 600 2009 & predictions

[Rod Richardson]

The drought is almost over with official tests scheduled for 23-25 January at Portimao.


It looks like a top year ahead especially with WSBK and the various technological and design approaches taken by:..................


Aprilia with its RSV4 having a 65° vee-four engine,

BMW's S1000RR and its compact in-line four-cylinder power plant to keep the weight inboard and enhance the aerodynamics,

Suzuki with a new and smaller engine for the GSX-R and

Yamaha, with its R1 engine incorporating an offset crankshaft with new firing order designed in an effort to get the power down to the black stuff.

Kawasaki and Honda are apparently continuing with their same basic engine design.

No info that I'm aware of at this stage regarding techno aterations to bikes in the remaining classes.


Sit back and watch the sparks fly.

[Corny]

As MotoGP will be about only 2 men, WSBK is a big question mark


Ducati with Haga and Fabrizio.. Can't see Fabrizio fighting for the title.. Haga on the other side, is a great rider but I can't see him collect enough points to get the championship (read: crashes)... And what about Shakey Byrne, on his non-factory bike? Is he the new Bayliss?

Yamaha has got a new bike, and 2 new riders who are new in the championship.. Sure they'll win some, but not the championship IMO

Honda, well they've got the bike.. Not the riders IMO, Rea might be the fastest, but he's not experienced enough. Checa is quit good, but not a championship contender

Aprilia, I expect them up the front.. But it's near impossible to win a championship right on with a new bike

BMW, haven't got that much experience in bike racing.. And personally I don't think they've got the rider

Suzuki, had one of the best bikes in the beginning of 2008, but let it slip later as Kagayama said.. If they keep up the development of the GSX-R, Neukirchner can be a serious contender..

Kawasaki? Who? :p


My expectation is that it'll be between Haga and Neukirchner, with Spies, Rea and maybe Fabrizio following closely behind. If Suzuki can keep up the development, Neukirchner is my favourite. He's very consistent and very fast on some occasions

[Roby44]

You forgot Roby!!! :)

[patnicholls]

It will be a very interesting season with a lot of possibilities.

Haga will be strong, aside from a few moments last season over the course of his career he's NOT a crasher, contrary to popular belief. Fabrizio has to deliver consistently - he's sometimes shown mercurial pace but sometimes been mediocre. Sterilgarda will be dark horses with Byrne and Polita, and I think Guandalini are shaping up into a notable presence with Jakub Smrz and Brendan Roberts, although they won't quite be at the sharp end just yet. Regis Laconi on a DFX Ducati could be another dark horse.

I expect Ten Kate Honda to be more in the mix from day one with Kiyo and Carlos Checa now having a full season's WSB experience, but Jonathan Rea could be the star after a superb WSS debut season right at the front as a rookie on all the tracks. He was also straight onto the pace in his WSB debut in Portimao. The other Honda teams will be solid midfield probably (as Greg Lavilla was in 08, that area), although it would be good to see the Stiggy team do well with Leon Haslam aboard.

Yamaha Italia will be strong despite having two rookies aboard. Ben Spies looks particularly good so far, although Tom Sykes' preseason has been illness-disrupted and he's a battler. Spies looks like a title contender if he can fully learn the tracks quickly, which is entirely possible.

Suzuki with Neukirchner aboard should again be in there, they outdid everyone's expectations in 2008 but whether the development keeps up is the key. They've got one of the great young talents on board and two experienced backup men with Yukio at Alstare and Karl Muggeridge on the Celani bike, but may be just out of the title running.

Aprilia look good so far, time will tell overall. BMW are a little behind so far, but developing from total scratch in terms of big-league bike racing.

Kawasaki...well, I wish them the best. I don't think they'll really be in the running but it would be nice for them to prove me wrong and they've got some decent young talent aboard (Badovini in particular) who deserve some decent showings.

Plenty to look forward to!

[Corny]

can rod richardson make a poll, please? ;)

[Rod Richardson]

Corny...........I assume that a "Pickems" thread would be posted in the "Sticky" department prior to the start of the season. I don't participate in that thread but would expect that Pat may clarify for you.
Regards from Rod R.

[patnicholls]

I can set up a poll.

"Who's your favourite for the 2009 WSB title?" work for everyone?

[The Phantom]

Go, Pat!

I'll have to go with Haga - arguably the top rider based on form over the years, and you can't say a bad thing about the Ducati.

And Kenan for WSS, will be interesting to see if Pitt can match his pace.

[ChrisS]

Haga is the favorite for SBK with one of the Ten Kate riders as his main rival IMHO. If Kiyonari comes through like he did in his 2nd year in BSB he can fight for the title. Neukirchner on the Suzuki may be the outside bet. Both Yamaha riders have the talent but are on their first SBK season and on a new bike. Aprilia and BMW are new and they will inevitably have some problems. Kawasaki well I hope the improved factory support they promised comes through.

In WSS, The 2 ten Kate riders are the favorites once again but as we saw last season other Honda bikes can be as good and maybe Yamaha can challenge them more consistently.

I dont know the lineups for STK1000 and STK600 but the riders of the junior teams should be the favorites

BTW. I wonder if SBK is trying to gloat a bit over MotoGP's status. One story they have is about their 7 manufacturers lineup

http://www.worldsbk.com/pubb_EN/news_ext.php?id=2790&cat_id=1

accompanied by a nice picture of six of the bikes
http://www.worldsbk.com/cmsallegati/news/2790/b__2009%20riders.jpg

and they also have a story about how Kawasaki Superbike and Kawasaki Supersport and how Kawasaki will have official involvement in its overall race set-up and development.

http://www.worldsbk.com/pubb_EN/news_ext.php?id=2786

[leopard]

Without taking notice of bike they will ride, the candidates would be two men on the right of the picture. ;)

[The Phantom]

In WSS, The 2 ten Kate riders are the favorites once again but as we saw last season other Honda bikes can be as good and maybe Yamaha can challenge them more consistently.

C'mon Chris, play fair, no cut and paste comments from 2003/4/5/6/7/8 :D


BTW. I wonder if SBK is trying to gloat a bit over MotoGP's status. One story they have is about their 7 manufacturers lineup accompanied by a nice picture of six of the bikes and they also have a story about how Kawasaki Superbike and Kawasaki Supersport and how Kawasaki will have official involvement in its overall race set-up and development.

Ohh I'm sure SBK are doing everything they can to twist the knife while MotoGP is under the gun! It's perhaps the best possible opportunity they have to get a leg up on GP, and at the level they are playing at, it's purely business, nothing to do with the 'sport' at all.

We're talking sponsorship, tv rights, expansion baby... Flammini are on the warpath and Dorna will have to be very careful how they play out their current problems.

It wouldn't surprise me one little bit if there's Flammini money/spin behind the Rossi vs Bayliss rumours, and if Bayliss wants a million pounds to ride, I reckon SBK would do the math on potential tv audience figures and think 'wow what a bargain!'.

[patnicholls]

No prizes for guessing who voted for Roby Rolfo...!

[patnicholls]

Entry lists for WSB and WSS are now up, here:

http://www.fim.ch/sec/documents/f_6163.pdf

No great surprises in the main WSB field from what we've been hearing off-season, although Fonsi Nieto and Lorenzo Lanzi remain without rides.

[Rod Richardson]

Saturday's pm test results per SBK site
Early days yet, bugs to be sorted out and riders to get used to the bikes but some really good performances to date. Lascorz's efforts on the SSport Kawasaki are very encouraging for the breed and green fans.

SBikes

1 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'43.294
2 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'43.484
3 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'43.487
4 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'43.546
5 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'43.657
6 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'43.674
7 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'43.767
8 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'43.951
9 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'44.115
10 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'44.170
11 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'44.425
12 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'44.479
13 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1'44.546
14 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1'44.610
15 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'44.704
16 53 Polita A. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'45.108
17 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 1'45.179
18 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1'45.260
19 24 Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 1'45.278
20 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'45.393
21 100 Tamada M. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'45.446
22 36 Lavilla G. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'45.672
23 33 Hill T. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'45.679
24 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'45.820
25 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'46.128
26 44 Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'46.916
27 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'46.971






SSports

1 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'45.214
2 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1'45.264
3 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1'45.397
4 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'45.757
5 1 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'45.817
6 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'45.960
7 77 Veneman B. (NED) Suzuki GSX-R600 1'45.971
8 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'46.018
9 69 Nannelli G. (ITA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'46.024
10 99 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'46.036
11 24 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675 1'46.220
12 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 1'46.561
13 105 Vizziello G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'46.633
14 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'46.712
15 8 Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'46.911
16 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 1'47.041
17 21 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'47.095
18 13 West A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'47.270
19 30 Günther J. (GER) Honda CBR600RR 1'47.508
20 7 Vostárek P. (CZE) Honda CBR600RR 1'48.131
21 83 Holland R. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'48.311
22 19 Szkopek P. (POL) Triumph Daytona 675 1'48.331
23 96 Smrz M. (CZE) Triumph Daytona 675 1'48.364
24 28 Vos A. (NED) Honda CBR600RR 1'48.459
25 9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'48.849
26 32 Lai F. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'49.149
27 5 Pradita Doni T. (INA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'51.338
28 88 Guerra Y. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R6 1'51.480
29 71 Morillas Cuenca J. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R6 1'53.407

[Rod Richardson]

Overall test results from Portimao
Given the lousy weather and it being the first official test of the season, I doubt that most teams wanted to risk trashing a bike therefore I don't believe that the overall results provide an accurate indication as to the how the competition is likely to shape up under race conditions. Pity, but it looks like we'll just have to wait.

Superbike (overall)


1 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'43.294
2 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'43.484
3 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'43.487
4 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'43.546
5 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'43.657
6 76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'43.674
7 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'43.767
8 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'43.951
9 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'44.115
10 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'44.170
11 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'44.261
12 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'44.425
13 55 Laconi R. (FRA) Ducati 1098R 1'44.546
14 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1'44.610
15 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'44.704
16 53 Polita A. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'45.108
17 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 1'45.179
18 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1'45.199
19 24 Roberts B. (AUS) Ducati 1098R 1'45.278
20 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'45.393
21 100 Tamada M. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'45.446
22 36 Lavilla G. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'45.672
23 33 Hill T. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'45.679
24 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'45.820
25 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'46.128
26 44 Rolfo R. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'46.916
27 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'46.971




Supersport (overall)




1 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'45.214
2 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1'45.264
3 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1'45.397
4 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'45.757
5 1 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'45.817
6 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'45.960
7 77 Veneman B. (NED) Suzuki GSX-R600 1'45.971
8 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'46.018
9 69 Nannelli G. (ITA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'46.024
10 99 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'46.036
11 24 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675 1'46.220
12 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 1'46.561
13 105 Vizziello G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'46.633
14 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'46.712
15 8 Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'46.911
16 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 1'47.041
17 21 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'47.095
18 13 West A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'47.270
19 30 Günther J. (GER) Honda CBR600RR 1'47.508
20 7 Vostárek P. (CZE) Honda CBR600RR 1'48.131
21 83 Holland R. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'48.311
22 19 Szkopek P. (POL) Triumph Daytona 675 1'48.331
23 96 Smrz M. (CZE) Triumph Daytona 675 1'48.364
24 28 Vos A. (NED) Honda CBR600RR 1'48.459
25 9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'48.849
26 32 Lai F. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'49.149
27 5 Pradita Doni T. (INA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'51.338
28 88 Guerra Y. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R6 1'51.480
29 71 Morillas Cuenca J. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R6 1'53.407

[The Phantom]

Overall test results from Portimao
Given the lousy weather and it being the first official test of the season, I doubt that most teams wanted to risk trashing a bike therefore I don't believe that the overall results provide an accurate indication as to the how the competition is likely to shape up under race conditions. Pity, but it looks like we'll just have to wait.

That's a fair assessment Rod, thankfully there's not a great deal of waiting left... and race one being at PI will certainly sort out the wheat from the chaff.

Good to see the Triumph running strongly in WSS. And speaking of the old country, there's a great level of performance coming from the GB riders! It's about time we got a few of them running at the front, too many bloody aussies leading the way for the last 10 years or so :p Hopefully these guys and the chaps in GP will continue to rise, they certainly have what it takes - the BSB series is one of my favourites for hard-nosed take no prisoners racing. The 1999 series in particular was a ripper, I'll have to get hold of a few of the more recent season review DVDs.

Looking at the poll results - Haga-san on 50.00% is understandable given a) his pedigree and b) his team/bike. But it's sort of funny seeing Byrnes on 6.25% while Rolfo is also on 6.25%... with apologies to Roby44 :D

[ChrisS]

MV Agusta will race in Superstock with Andy Lowes and Davide Giugliano as riders with the aim of stepping up to the Superbike World Championship in 2010 with the new MV Agusta F5.

Nori for 2009 champion of course :s mokin: Up until now there's always been another chance for him to go for the title but I think if he doesn't do it this year his chances of ever winning the championship might be over. I'm looking forward to the first race of the 2009 season but in the meantime it's the middle of summer down here and we having fantastic weather, life is good.

[Mach24]

Does anyone have dates for the WSBK test at Phillip Island?

[Rod Richardson]

Nothing shown on the phillipislandcircuit (http://www.%3Cb%3Ephillipislandcircuit%3C/b%3E) (copy/paste) site re testing. However, I doubt testing would be permitted on the track prior to official practice sessions preceding the race.

[The Phantom]

Nothing on PI test dates on either the PI official website, or the SBK site.`

[Mach24]

Nothing shown on the phillipislandcircuit (http://www.%3Cb%3Ephillipislandcircuit%3C/b%3E) (copy/paste) site re testing. However, I doubt testing would be permitted on the track prior to official practice sessions preceding the race.

There is definitely a test at the Island. Just not sure when and how many are coming. I read a press release re: Cal Crutchlow, saying the PI test was crucial for him.......

If it falls at the right time, I hope to get out there for a look.

[Mach24]

There is definitely a test at the Island. Just not sure when and how many are coming. I read a press release re: Cal Crutchlow, saying the PI test was crucial for him.......

If it falls at the right time, I hope to get out there for a look.

A bit further reading indicates there may not be a test at PI after all......

[Rod Richardson]

Pinched this item from the ASBK site.

Phillip Island practice days announced

15-01-2009

IEG are pleased to announce that we will be conducting 2 practice days at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on the 4th- 5th February 2009.
5 x 20 Minute sessions per day will be conducted for the following bikes:
• Superbike and Superstock 1000
• Supersports and Superstock 600
• 125/250cc (Mono)

[NinjaMaster]

No more official combined tests before the season, only separate team ones I think

From the WSB site:
"Many of the top teams now leave Portimao to get to Phillip Island well in advance of the race, to undergo their own private test sessions before the start of the season, in just over one month's time."

I'm chuffed to see Lascorz and Team Green at the pointy end of WSS and am quietly confident that it is genuine pace. Am equally disappointed in Westy's lacklustre start but am sure he'll come good.

Am impressed with Broc Parkes superbike start, already comfortably faster than his more highly fancied teammate (but then, who isn't) and hopefully they can squeeze some more speed out of the big Ninja so he can challenge for regular top 10's.
I can see BMW being top 10 competitive come round 1 in the hands of Corser and I can see Troy showing up the likes of Max and Shinya on their developing Aprilias.

I can't wait for it all to start at the Island, so long as it's the racing that's hot and not the weather (today and the next 2 days are all 43 degrees c - ouch!).

[quote="Corny"]As MotoGP will be about only 2 men, WSBK is a big question mark

BMW, haven't got that much experience in bike racing.. And personally I don't think they've got the rider'


You don't rate Troy Corser then? 2nd in 2008 suggests to me that BMW probably do have "the rider" and probably one of the best for developing the bike.

[The Phantom]

I agree Chac47, Corser is certainly no spent force - he's about the most experienced SBK guy in the field and still as fit and hungry as ever. And if you were going to entrust a completely new bike to someone in the hope that he could turn it into a contender, Corser is the man.

Aprilia know it, look what he did with the RSV (Goddard of course helped there too). Aprilia will know that Corser is a threat to Biaggi.

It does appear that the new cross-plane R1 is the one to watch, though!

[Roby44]

No prizes for guessing who voted for Roby Rolfo...!

I wonder who that was!!! ;)

[Roby44]

I don't know if I have posted this here or not as I can't remember as I'm so very excited!!! So if I have already my news posted forgive me... :)

As you may have noticed I am a bit ?? of a Roby Rolfo Fan, well The Official Roby Rolfo Fan Club has sent me the Official Fan Club Flag to take to Phillip Island to wave about and to cheer on Roby..! Im excited!!

So if you are there and you see The Roby flag that will be me!! Come over and say Hello!!


Oh they also sent me a signed 2009 Roby calendar!!

Go Roby!!

[ChrisS]

I don't know if I have posted this here or not as I can't remember as I'm so very excited!!! So if I have already my news posted forgive me... :)

As you may have noticed I am a bit ?? of a Roby Rolfo Fan, well The Official Roby Rolfo Fan Club has sent me the Official Fan Club Flag to take to Phillip Island to wave about and to cheer on Roby..! Im excited!!

So if you are there and you see The Roby flag that will be me!! Come over and say Hello!!


Oh they also sent me a signed 2009 Roby calendar!!

Go Roby!!

I take it you didnt read Kropotkin's rumor that Rolfo could be out and replaced by Hopkins

[Roby44]

NO..

The last word I got from Roby was that he was going to be riding at The Island as his shoulder was ok at the moment...There was some doubt that he may have had to have surgery but thats not on now..

Mm I best email his Daniela, Girl friend, and see whats going on with these rumours....

[Roby44]

This is the latest communication from Roby to his fans..This was dated 31.01.2009

Hello boys!
In these days I am receiving a lot of mail regard to my injury, I want in the first place say you “thanks” for your support! During the tests of Portimao I completed only a few laps, the lesion was still too much fresh; I knew that it would not have been immediately easy, but it has been however important for me to enter in track, to better know the bike and the new team! I’m happy because the upgrades them is very high!
The days before the next tests in Australia are enough for being able to recover the form with a lot of motivation and training! I am not losing not even a minute of time, therapy, race, bicycle, swim, always with much music: thanks special also to Diabo for the songs of the “El Canto del Loco”! I will take advantage of every day at best, in order to arrive to the top in Australia for the next tests!
By by… and always… Gasss!

Roby44


He uses Roby 44 too!!

Roby 44, I hope he is at The Island, and Roby 44 best wishes for injury recovery.

[The Phantom]

There is definitely a test at the Island. Just not sure when and how many are coming. I read a press release re: Cal Crutchlow, saying the PI test was crucial for him.......

If it falls at the right time, I hope to get out there for a look.

OK, got it. A quote from Shinya Nakano:

"I have to say that from an aerodynamic point of view the RSV4 is already really good and it does not need any immediate modifications. I really enjoyed today, now I can't wait to get back on the bike, this time on the track in the next test at Phillip Island on February 16."

From http://www.worldsbk.com/pubb_EN/news_ext.php?id=2891

[Mach24]

OK, got it. A quote from Shinya Nakano:

"I have to say that from an aerodynamic point of view the RSV4 is already really good and it does not need any immediate modifications. I really enjoyed today, now I can't wait to get back on the bike, this time on the track in the next test at Phillip Island on February 16."

From http://www.worldsbk.com/pubb_EN/news_ext.php?id=2891

Due to lack of official WSBK press info, I assume those testing at PI are private tests?

Thanks for posting this info Phanto.

[Rod Richardson]

SBK NEWS
Sterilgarda is only running Byrne in the first few rounds due to lack of sponsorship. Polita out in the cold pending more funding being available.

[Rod Richardson]

It seems that the wind tunnel tests and a few new bits and pieces have proven beneficial for Sukuki.........The series needed the shake-up. Hope it continues.
MOTO GP SEPANG TEST 1
CAPIROSSI 2.01.869
STONER
ROSSI
VERMEULEN
ELIAS
DOVIZIOSO
EDWARDS
PEDROSA
GIBERNAU
LORENZO HAYDEN
DE ANGELIS
KALLIO
TOSELAND
DE PUNIET
TAKAHASHI
CANEPA 2.05.270

MOTO GP SEPANG TEST 2
STONER 2.01.483
CAPIROSSI
ROSSI
PEDROSA
VERMEULEN
ELIAS
EDWARDS
DOVIZIOSO
HAYDEN
LORENZO
GIBERNAU
DE ANGELIS
KALLIO
CANEPA
TAKAHASHI
DE PUNIET
TOSELAND 2.04.597

[Rod Richardson]

Pat...........inadvertently posted Moto Gp test results in wrong thread..........Could you please transfer to Moto Gp thread

[Mach24]

SBK NEWS
Sterilgarda is only running Byrne in the first few rounds due to lack of sponsorship. Polita out in the cold pending more funding being available.

Word is The Fonz may bring pepefone funding and himself to Sterilgarda as replacement for the cash strapped Polita.

[ChrisS]

Superstock 1000 Provisional Entry List

40+ riders, 8 manufacturers, it should be entertaining

http://www.fim.ch/sec/documents/f_6248.pdf

[Rod Richardson]

On its inaugural run at Phillip Island in dusty and increasingly windy conditions, Troy Corser’s BMW reportedly performed well regardless the team had no previous setting information to go by.

Troy completed approx. 40 laps achieving a best of 1.33.8, only 0.4 down on Michel Fabrizio’s best and 0.8 down on Biaggi’s best time posted earlier in the week in hot conditions.

The BM tripped over at turn 4 and despite receiving a whack on the hand, Troy has apparently not suffered any ongoing effects. Other riders who also ”tasted the tarmac” included evergreens Nori Haga & Carlos Checa.

[Rod Richardson]

Seems that earlier times reported from track were incorrect.
These are the times according to SBK site at end of day 1

Superbike:
1. Neukirchner (Suzuki) 1'32"5;
2. Fabrizio (Ducati) 1'32"7;
3. Kagayama (Suzuki) 1'32"7;
4. Rea (Honda) 1'32"9;
5. Haga (Ducati) 1'33"0;
6. Sykes (Yamaha) 1'33"2;
7. Spies (Yamaha) 1'33"3;
8. Checa (Honda) 1'33"3;
9. Corser (BMW) 1'33"8;
10. Kiyonari (Honda) 1'34"0;
11. Xaus (BMW) 1'34"3.


Supersport:
1. McCoy (Triumph) 1'35"6;
2. Crutchlow (Yamaha) 1'35"7;
3. Foret (Yamaha) 1'35"8;
4. Pitt (Honda) 1'35"8;
5. Sofuoglu (Honda) 1'36"0;
6. Nannelli (Triumph) 1'36"8;
7. Pradita (Yamaha) 1'38"3.

[Cryogeneric]

Interesting to read these threads knowing the results. It's funny that no one picked Ben to win... but at the time I'm not sure I would have picked him either. Despite what a lot of guys might say, I don't think ANYONE could have predicted that he'd score 14 wins, 11 poles, and snatch the championship away from Haga. People would have thought you were crazy. It's also ironic that 19 people voted...

(Currently it's 19. Looks like the poll is still open so someone could still vote and change that :) )