Kyalami WSBK - 17th May

[tha_jackal]

Nieto to make Suzuki return at Kyalami

Suzuki Alstare Brux have confirmed the return of Fonsi Nieto to their team for the upcoming World Superbike round at Kyalami as a replacement for the injured Max Neukirchner.

The Spaniard has been called upon at short notice to take the place of the German, who broke his femur two days ago in an accident during the Monza round of the series.

Nieto's return comes after he was left on the sidelines by the Suzuki team following their decision to trim down to two bikes for 2009.

However, despite the familiarity of his surroundings, both the '09 specification Suzuki GSX-R1000 and the Kyalami circuit in South Africa will be new to Nieto, a challenge he is nonetheless prepared to face.

"Firstly, I want to wish Max all the best for a quick recovery" declared Nieto. " His crash at Monza was not his fault and he is lucky that the injuries are not worse than they are. I am very grateful to Francis Batta for giving me this opportunity to ride for the team again and I will do my best to repay his faith in me.

“Although I know the team, I do not know the bike because it is a completely new and different bike to last year's model. So, I will have to learn the bike and learn the track at the same time and that is not so easy, but I will do my best for sure.”

Nieto finished sixth in the overall WSBK standings in 2008, scoring a victory at the Qatar season opener in the process.


So no break this week! Thank god, double dose of WSBK/GP, cannot wait..

My tips for this weekend..

Race1
1. Haga
2. Biaggi
3. Checa

Race2
1. Spies
2. Checa
3. Haga

WSS
1. Laverty
2. West (really hope he/stiggy sort their out)
3. Crutchlow

bring it!

[CaptainRaiden]

Woohoo, Motorcycle racing weekend! Pure racegasm. :p

I have a feeling Spies is gonna do a double here, and close the gap to Haga even more.

[The Phantom]

It's really a given that Spies (dubbed the Texan Polecat by the race report specialist on another site I frequent :D ) will get a double sooner rather than later - take bad luck out of the equation and he'd already have three doubles in five rounds so far.

Other changes - Corser is out for Kyalami due to a hand injury, Steve Martin will ride the BMW in his place. Gregorio Lavilla replaces Brendan Roberts (not good for Roberts, especially if Lavilla does well). Tamada is out but will not be replaced. And Michael Laverty will ride in place of Robbin Harms in WSS.

[CaptainRaiden]

It's really a given that Spies (dubbed the Texan Polecat by the race report specialist on another site I frequent :D ) will get a double sooner rather than later - take bad luck out of the equation and he'd already have three doubles in five rounds so far.

Spies already did a double at Qatar this year. I think the crashes come from him pushing the bike beyond its limit, something that Haga also did quite frequently last year.

[The Phantom]

Oops yes he did.

Mladin says that Spies would be completely unbeatable if he was on the factory Ducati, as in his opinion the Yamaha isn't actually all that good (he also hinted that if Spies remains in WSB next year that he wouldn't mind coming over, but otherwise wouldn't be interested).

[Cryogeneric]

Oops yes he did.

Mladin says that Spies would be completely unbeatable if he was on the factory Ducati, as in his opinion the Yamaha isn't actually all that good (he also hinted that if Spies remains in WSB next year that he wouldn't mind coming over, but otherwise wouldn't be interested).

Hey Phantom, where did Mlandin say this? Do you have a link? That's interesting. Also, I was thinking that Xerox Ducati should dump Fabrizio (despite his recent success since overall he's underperformed) and put Mlandin on that bike in 2010. Now THAT would be interesting... plus I think Mat has earned a top ride if he chose to step up. Food for thought.

[Allyc85]

Laconis had a bad accident and is in an indueced coma. I wish him all the luck for his recovery.

http://www.crash.net/World+Superbikes/News/146817/1/laconi_seriously_hurt_in_practice_accident.html

[The Phantom]

Hey Phantom, where did Mlandin say this? Do you have a link? That's interesting. Also, I was thinking that Xerox Ducati should dump Fabrizio (despite his recent success since overall he's underperformed) and put Mlandin on that bike in 2010. Now THAT would be interesting... plus I think Mat has earned a top ride if he chose to step up. Food for thought.

Interview in latest Australian Motorcycle News - I'll scan it on Monday and post a link.

[NinjaMaster]

Terrible news for Laconi. I think it will be the end of his career but more importantly, hope he can make a full recovery for the rest of his life.
I'm happy to see Fabrizio continuing his good form. Hopefully for his sake, last weekend was the confidence shot he needed to be a regular front runner.
Am stoked to see Sheridan Morais a) get a wildcard in place of Tamada and b) running fast, in the top 7 most of Friday. Hopefully a sign of Sunday race pace.

Dunno what's up with West. He's getting less competitive every round when he should be getting stronger.

[Roby44]

Dunno what's up with West. He's getting less competitive every round when he should be getting stronger.


There must be a good reason surely..It just seems so strange doesn't it???

[Allyc85]

Update on Laconi..

http://www.crash.net/World+Superbikes/News/146828/1/laconi_serious_but_stable_operation_postponed.html

[Rod Richardson]

Superbike …………..Superpole lap times …..1................ 2................. 3
# 19…Spies……̷( USA)……...Yamaha……1'37.809…....1'37.423…....1'37.36 6
# 84…Fabrizio…….(ITA)………Ducati……...1'38.145…....1'37 .642…....1'37.508
# 41…Haga……… (JPN) ……..Ducati…….…1'38.417…....1'37.918…....1'37. 544
# 65…Rea………...(GBR)…….Honda ……...1'37.859…....1'37.840…....1'37.634
# 96…Smrz ……̷( CZE)……..Ducati ……..1'38.309…....1'37.802…....1'37.677
# 7…Checa........ (ESP)…… Honda ….…..1'38.446...….1'37.650…....1'37.940
# 3…Biaggi……...(ITA)…….…Aprilia ….…..1'38.351…....1'37.650…....1'37.955
# 66…Sykes……̷( GBR) …...Yamaha ……1'38.023…....1'37.908…....1'38.241
# 9…Kiyonari…̷( JPN) ……...Honda…..….1'38.250…....1'38.081….
# 91 Haslam…... (GBR)……. Honda…….…1'38.098…....1'37.988….
# 67…Byrne……̷( GBR)……. Ducati ….….1'38.579…....1'38.171….
# 71…Kagayama̷( JPN)……..Suzuki …….1'38.617…....1'38.130….
#111…Xaus……̷( ESP)……...BMW ………...1'38.407…....1'38.194….
# 56…Nakano…̷( JPN)……...Aprilia ……...1'38.168…....1'37.935….
#132..Morais ……̷( RSA)…….Kawasaki ..1'38.477…....1'38.013….
# 36..Lavilla……….(ESP)……. Ducati……...1'38.741….....1'38.733….
# 23…Parkes……..(AUS)……..Kawasaki ..1'38.766….
# 33…Hill………….(GBR)….…..Honda ……..1'39.001….
# 99…Scassa……..(ITA)………Kawasaki …1'38.779….
# 25…Salom……̷( ESP)……..Kawasaki …1'38.880….

[NinjaMaster]

Superbike Final positions:

1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'37.288
2 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'37.289
3 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'37.466
4 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'37.544
5 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'37.634
6 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'37.677
7 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 1'37.940
8 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'38.241
9 56 Nakano S. (JPN) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1'37.935
10 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'37.988
11 132 Morais S. (RSA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'38.013
12 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR 1'38.081
13 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'38.130
14 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'38.171
15 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'38.194
16 36 Lavilla G. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'38.733
17 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'38.766
18 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'38.779
19 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'38.880
20 33 Hill T. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'39.001
21 10 Nieto F. (ESP) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'39.831
22 31 Muggeridge K. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'39.852
23 17 Martin S. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'41.227
24 49 Whyte S. (RSA) Yamaha YZF R1 1'41.737

Spies by 1 thousandth! Gonna be another cracker race(s).


Supersport grid:

1 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1'40.634
2 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1'41.003
3 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'41.161
4 1 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'41.396
5 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'41.558
6 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'41.563
7 99 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'41.603
8 8 Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'41.699
9 69 Nannelli G. (ITA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'41.778
10 21 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'42.003
11 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'42.079
12 24 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675 1'42.296
13 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 1'42.603
14 5 Pradita T. (INA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'42.615
15 9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'42.781
16 13 West A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'42.821
17 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'42.832
18 83 Holland R. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'43.009
19 25 Laverty M. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1'43.146
20 105 Vizziello G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'43.150
21 77 Veneman B. (NED) Suzuki GSX-R600 1'43.257
22 53 Polita A. (ITA) Suzuki GSX-R600 1'43.923
23 28 Vos A. (NED) Honda CBR600RR 1'43.925
24 86 Portman R. (RSA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'44.065
25 32 Lai F. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'44.080
26 7 Vostárek P. (CZE) Honda CBR600RR 1'44.630
27 30 Günther J. (GER) Honda CBR600RR 1'44.884
28 88 Guerra Y. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R6 1'44.897

Crutchlow continues his amazing form but he's going to have his work cut out for him and I'm looking forward to seeing it.

[patnicholls]

Terrible news for Laconi. I think it will be the end of his career but more importantly, hope he can make a full recovery for the rest of his life.


Totally echo those thoughts Clint - hope he makes a full recovery.

[tha_jackal]

Dunno what's up with West. He's getting less competitive every round when he should be getting stronger.

it's mind boggling really..

especially after he received his 'new 09 CBR' at Valencia and grabbed his second podium place of the season, pushing crutchlow all the way..

he's fifth in the championship and results like this aren't helping one bit.. :(

is it confidence? the team focusing too much into WSBK and neglecting WSS?

i just hope they all sort their out very soon..

[CaptainRaiden]

What an amazing Race 1! If Haga continues performances like these, the title is not going anywhere else.

[The Phantom]

And ditto for race 2, with Spies keeping up his previously unheard of record. Seriously, every pole, a win or almost win in one race, and a retirement or stuff-up for the other? Never seen anything like it in the 12 years I've been watching WSB...

Fabrizio is now a serious contender for the title! I wonder how Tardozzi is going to handle this.

Watching how race 1 played out I got to wondering about team tactics and I reckon Fabrizio was told to play second fiddle to Haga in race 1, and then race 2 would be open slather.

[NinjaMaster]

Aitcho!

[CaptainRaiden]

Watching how race 1 played out I got to wondering about team tactics and I reckon Fabrizio was told to play second fiddle to Haga in race 1, and then race 2 would be open slather.

I don't think so. Spies finished 3 seconds behind Haga. It's not like Fabrizio held him up or anything. Spies admitted his foot slipped off the footpeg during his duel with Fabrizio.

Haga is just a cut above than both of them on slower, technical circuits, ala double wins at Valencia and Kyalami. Granted Spies is an exceptional rider, but he's not gonna win the championship by only bangin in Superpoles. He needs to keep the bike on track during races, and Yamaha need to build a better more reliable bike (and remember to refuel during a restart :p ).

[Wim_Impreza]

And ditto for race 2, with Spies keeping up his previously unheard of record. Seriously, every pole, a win or almost win in one race, and a retirement or stuff-up for the other? Never seen anything like it in the 12 years I've been watching WSB...

Fabrizio is now a serious contender for the title! I wonder how Tardozzi is going to handle this.

Watching how race 1 played out I got to wondering about team tactics and I reckon Fabrizio was told to play second fiddle to Haga in race 1, and then race 2 would be open slather.

Welcome to the club, I also follow WSB for the 12th year in a row.

Nice to see that there weren't teamorders in the factory Ducati team. Congratulations to Rea and Aitchison for their first World Championship podium. It was also nice that Morais took points in both races. I want to see him again in WSBK in the future. He did much better this weekend than Tamada did this season.

[patnicholls]

Positive news also today from South Africa that Regis Laconi is out of his induced coma and is apparently showing the ability to move his limbs. Clearly with a severe neck injury as he has suffered it'll be a long recovery process and we don't know if/when he'll return to racing (the Clinica Mobile site says that he'll be operated on on Tuesday to insert plates for those vertebrae, and then there'll be several weeks before he can go home) but positive first steps at least :up:

Thanks Pat for the update on Regis, good to know that there is some positive news.

Nori 1 2 :s mokin:

Sky TV delayed Motogp and WSBK until 6.00am and those of us who didn't have to go to work enjoyed a 9 hour marathon of motorcycle racing today. At least Sky had the sense to show it all on the same channel for those recording the races.

[leopard]

I didn't pay too much attention to Ben this far. I see him during the race at Kyalami playing body motion his elbows stick out wider than the usual stance even when he is not in a corner.
I know it on the road that motion sometimes rises problem hard to pass because of afraid the elbows might hit brake lever.

I see him another strong character, besides Rossi who oftentimes put one of legs down in the corner, and Elias and deceased Norifumi who put the back aside of the seat in the corner. Ben played a Rossi move overtaking at Monza previously.

Who else have characters?

[Roby44]

I see him another strong character, besides Rossi who oftentimes put one of legs down in the corner, and Elias and deceased Norifumi who put the back aside of the seat in the corner. Ben played a Rossi move overtaking at Monza previously.

Who else have characters?

See alot of riders doing a "Valentino" and putting down one of their legs in corners now At Jerez..the commentators asked Valentino why he put his left leg down so often and he said he sometimes does it with his right one and now others were copying him so he was going to charge them 1 Euro every time they did it in the race!! Joking .. about charging..
He said he does it for stability...