WORLDSBK.COM - bis 15.03.2010

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Pro Ride World Superbike has announced that it will start the 2010 Superbike World Championship from the second round at Portimão, Portugal. The decision was taken due to some logistics problems that the Italian team is facing after defining its participation in a moment which normally a structure is ready to be on the road.

Team manager Marco Nicotari said: "Once again I had to take the decision that we shall miss the Phillip Island round. Personally for me it's a shame, because it's a track that I love, but as the responsible for this Team and the project, I have to think professionally, so as we are not ready at 100%, due to the late agreements, it is better to stay home one more month and prepare everything properly. We hope to be at Portimão at full gas.

Rider Makoto Tamada added: "I have to be honest and say that I am disappointed that I cannot make the season opener in Phillip Island. I always enjoyed going to Australia and the people there have always been so supportive to me. However, I believe that Marco's decision is right. We are a new team, and we didn't have enough time. It is a tough decision, but this decision should turn out for the best in the long run."

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Australian Joshua Brookes will race for the Echo CRS Honda team in the opening round of the Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island in place of Broc Parkes who broke his right leg in training. Brookes in under contract with Honda UK to race this year's British Superbike championship.

In 2004 the rider from Sydney won the Supersport race at Phillip Island as a wild-card entrant for the local Honda importers. He also has 29 starts to his name in World Superbike, having raced for two full seasons with a Honda CBR-RR in 2006 and 2007.

Brookes, who finished fourth in the 2009 BSB championship with the factory Honda, will take part in the final pre-season test session at Phillip Island this coming Sunday and Monday.

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

The Supersport World Championship riders will be lapping Phillip Island in testing between 21 and 22 Feb, with the entry led by four of the top five riders in the 2009 final rankings.

Championship-runner up Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) is out to keep 2007 Champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com) behind him after topping recent tests at Portimao in Portugal. Sofuoglu's Italian team-mate Michele Pirro will also be one to watch this year as he gets his big break on the Dutch team's machine.

2002 World Champion Fabien Foret rides for Kawasaki Lorenzini by Leoni in 2010 and as a race winner last year he is looking to these test as a way to turn his new machine into a podium challenger, sooner rather than later.

Comeback ‘kid' Sebastien Charpentier (photo) is one of four riders on Triumphs this year, including Briton Chaz Davies, American Jason DiSalvo and Spaniard David Salom. Each will test in Australia.

Katsuaki Fujiwara (Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com) is a race winner in this class, as is Massimo Roccoli (Intermoto Czech Honda) and these riders will be joined by new Supersport hopeful Gino Rea (Intermoto Czech), who moves up after winning the European Superstock 600 Championship last year.

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

A virtually full grid of SBK competitors line up at Phillip Island for the final official pre-season test of the 2010 season, starting Sunday 21 and ending Monday 22 February.

Phillip Island is a classic circuit in any regard, and has always been a popular test circuit for European-based teams in the winter months. The Victorian track's 4.445km length contains virtually every kind of corner, but the emphasis is on fast cornering and changes of elevation. It has been the scene of some all-time great SBK moments, with almost every rider including this track in his or her top three favourites for pure enjoyment. As a test of rider and machine, it has few equals.

All the top forces in the SBK class will be present for the Phillip Island tests, plus the vast majority of the privateer riders, in what should be an excellent indication of how race weekend may well turn out. All seven competing manufacturers will have their highest calibre artillery and troops loaded in the breech at this test, with Aprilia's duo of Max Biaggi and Leon Camier leading the alphabetical run-down of SBK combatants. Tellingly, for the first time since arriving in WSBK racing in 2007, Biaggi starts one season with the same manufacturer he finished the previous season with.

BMW, with only two factory riders last year, have no fewer than four pilots on the S1000RR. Returning official riders Troy Corser (photo) and Ruben Xaus, in the BMW Motorrad Motorsport team, are now joined by privateers Reitwagen BMW, with their pairing of Andrew Pitt and Roland Resch. The latter have been in Australia acclimatizing to their machines for some time now.

Six Ducati riders will show themselves at the Phillip Island tests, the factory Ducati Xerox pairing of Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio, the Althea duo of Shane Byrne and Carlos Checa, plus lone entries from DFX (with Lorenzo Lanzi) and Pata B&G racing (Jakub Smrz). All of these riders should be on podium capable machinery once again in 2010.

Honda is well represented at the tests, although the injured Broc Parkes (ECHO CRS Racing) will miss his home-circuit practice, and the race itself, after suffering a training injury. Proven race winners Jonathan Rea and Max Neukirchner are both keen to test again for the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team, while Vittorio Iannuzzo (Squadra Corse Italia Honda Garvie Image) takes his second year steps with Honda again.

Kawasaki will be at full strength, as the official Kawasaki Racing Team makes its way down under with Tom Sykes and local lad Chris Vermeulen. In addition, the Pedercini Kawasaki team will be present with Matteo Baiocco and US rider Roger Lee Hayden.

Two top level Suzuki riders are in town for testing as well, Leon Haslam and Sylvain Guintoli (Team Suzuki Alstare), with Haslam in particular having been outstandingly quick in previous test outings this winter.

Alphabetically last, but by no means least, Yamaha bring two top talents to testing as well, double World Champion James Toseland and current Supersport World Champion Cal Crutchlow.

The action in testing is set to be intense and closely fought with so much at stake only a few days afterwards, as the 13-round, 26-race, championship gets underway on Sunday 28 February.

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

The Aprilia Alitalia Racing Team has appointed a new team manager in Francesco Guidotti.

The brother of Giacomo Guidotti, technical director for Suzuki Alstare, Francesco returns to Aprilia to run the two rider Superbike team of Max Biaggi and Leon Camier.

The 37 year old from Florence, Italy began to work for Aprilia back in 1993 and in 2001 and 2002 was team manager of the Noale-based squad in World Superbike. Guidotti then switched to the Aprilia MotoGP project in the 2003 and 2004 seasons before running the last factory Aprilia team to take part in the 250 class in 2005.

In the last four seasons Francesco ran the KTM 250 GP team.

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Pirelli's commitment to the growth of the Superbike World Championship has been unwavering since taking on the sole tyre supplier in 2004. As a way of offering additional support, Pirelli announces several performance awards as additional incentives for a faster and more spectacular environment. These new awards increase the existing prizes for podium finishes and final season standings, while at the same time adding three new types of awards to the total prize pool: Pirelli "Best Lap", Pirelli "Best Jump Forward", and "Best Lap Winner 2010: Fastest Rider of the Year".

The "Best Lap" awards are prizes extended after each Superbike and Supersport race to riders who have recorded the fastest lap of the race. For the Superstock classes, the performance awards take on a different approach, as Pirelli will offer instead a "Best Jump Forward" award for each race of the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup and European Superstock 600, in order to promote and develop new talents in the two classes. "Best Jump Forward" refers to the number of recovered positions from a rider's starting position on the grid to his final race standing.

Giorgio Barbier, Racing Director for Pirelli Moto commented: "This investment by Pirelli Moto will help accent that which is important to the spectators as well as the future of the series: fast and exciting racing delivered by superior racing product. We ask these talented riders for their constant feedback and efforts to help develop our tyres further. In return, we offer these performance awards for making fast laps and encouraging the young guns to rise to the top."

The prize-giving ceremonies will be held during the press conference at the Paddock Show after the podium of each race and attended by a Pirelli representative. In addition, a dedicated classification for the "Fastest Rider of the Year" will be updated and displayed on TV and on the official website of the championship www.worldsbk.com. During the Championship prize-giving ceremony at the end of each season, the "Best Lap Winner: Fastest Rider of the Year" awards will be presented to the Superbike and Supersport riders who have captured the most Best Laps throughout the year.

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

1  54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.587 

2  26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'34.592 

3  37 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'34.980 

4  51 Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.987 

5  50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'35.085 

6  99 Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'35.213 

7  25 Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 1'35.268 

8  55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'35.494 

9   7 Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 1'35.932 

10 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.193 

11  40 DiSalvo J. (USA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'36.253 

12 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.657 

13  16 Charpentier S. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'37.053 

14   4 Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.374 

15   9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.634 

16   5 Lundh A. (SWE) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.811 

17  33 Cazzola P. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'38.312 

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

1   7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'32.155 

2  84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'32.162 

3  91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'32.373 

4  35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'32.446 

5  50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'32.448 

6  52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'32.455 

7  65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.460 

8  77 Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'32.500 

9   2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'32.548 

10  96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'32.571 

11  57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'32.620 

12  67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'32.635 

13  11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'32.684 

14  41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'32.703 

15  66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'32.806 

16   3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'32.850 

17  76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.884 

18 123 Resch R. (AUT) BMW S1000 RR 1'33.390 

19 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'33.396 

20  88 Pitt A. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'33.396 

21  25 Brookes J. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 1'33.901 

22  31 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'34.248 

23  15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'35.297 

24  95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'35.614

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

After heavy overnight rains and cool track conditions visited Phillip Island, Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) held on for the fastest combined qualifying time, with only Superpole for the top 20 riders set to determine the shape of the final starting grid.

On a dry but cool track surface today, Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) and Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) also had to rely on their Friday best times for second and third best overall lap times.

Cal Crutchlow (Sterilgarda Yamaha) was the best of the riders who improved in the final qualifying session, fourth fastest, while Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare) also found a bit more pace today, to go fifth. Despite a painful crash on the first day, James Toseland (Sterilgarda Yamaha) bounced back to score a top six finish in the pre-Superpole charts. Local rider Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki Racing Team) qualified eighth. The top 17 riders qualified within 0.729 of each other.

All the factory riders made it into the final Superpole 20, with the privateer riders who missed out being Josh Brookes (Honda), Vittorio Iannuzzo (Honda) and the Kawasaki pairing of Matteo Baiocco and Roger Lee Hayden.

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

1   7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'32.014 

2  91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'32.273 

3  84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'32.555 

4  65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.660 

5  35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'32.706 

6  41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'32.932 

7  11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'32.985 

8   3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'33.210 

9   2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'33.298 

10  50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'33.305 

11  67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'33.413 

12  52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'33.488 

13  96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'33.555 

14 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'33.583 

15  57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'33.598 

16  66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'33.625 

17  76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1'33.728 

18  77 Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'33.988 

19  25 Brookes J. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 1'34.067 

20  88 Pitt A. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'34.510 

21  95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'35.589 

22  15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'35.794 

23  31 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'37.001 

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

1  91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'31.229 

2  84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'31.245 

3  35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'31.642 

4   7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'31.671 

5  50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'31.696 

6  96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'31.757 

7  65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'31.912 

8  52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'32.019 

9  57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'32.205 

10  41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'32.229 

11   3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'32.293 

12  66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'32.398 

13  11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'32.430 

14  77 Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'32.561 

15 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'32.842 

16   2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'32.895 

17  76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 1'32.782 

18  67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 1'32.823 

19  88 Pitt A. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'33.207 

20 123 Resch R. (AUT) BMW S1000 RR 1'33.390 

21  25 Brookes J. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 1'33.901 

22  31 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'34.248 

23  15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'35.297 

24  95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'35.614 

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

1  26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'33.847 

2  54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.116 

3  51 Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.156 

4  50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.300 

5  37 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'34.494 

6  25 Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 1'34.873 

7   7 Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 1'34.939 

8 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.999 

9  55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'35.051 

10  99 Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'35.072 

11 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'35.398 

12  40 DiSalvo J. (USA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'35.623 

13  16 Charpentier S. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'35.860 

14   4 Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 1'35.904 

15   5 Lundh A. (SWE) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.936 

16   9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.055 

17  33 Cazzola P. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'38.213

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

In a new look Superpole, with the top 20 riders trying to go through all three sectors of Superpole in sessions which last 14, 12 and 10 minutes respectively, Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) beat all the others to pole position with a best time of 1'31.229, securing his first ever WSBK Superpole win.

Superpole 3

Eight riders fought it out for the first two grid places, with Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) just 0.016 seconds behind Haslam with a 1'31.245, Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda) and Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) slotting in behind Fabrizio.

The second row will feature Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare), Jakub Smrz (Pata B&G Racing Ducati), Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda) after ten minutes of close final competition sorted out the leading riders.

Superpole 2

The eight riders who missed final Superpole qualification were, in reverse order, Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia) who was 16th overall, Ruben Xaus (BMW Motorrad Motorsport), Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki Racing Team), Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport), Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia), Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox), and Lorenzo Lanzi (DFX Ducati).

Superpole 1

At the very start of the Superpole sessions, Roland Resch missed out on participation on his BMW Reitwagen machine after a big crash in qualifying, but of the 19 riders who competed in Superpole one, only his team-mate Andrew Pitt, Shane Byrne (Althea Ducati) and Max Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) did not progress to Superpole 2. Byrne was still battered after his big crash yesterday but battled through Superpole.

Times: 1. Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'31.229; 2. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'31.245; 3. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'31.642; 4. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 1'31.671; 5. Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 1'31.696; 6. Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 1'31.757; 7. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 1'31.912; 8. Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 1'32.019; 9. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'32.205; 10. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 1'32.229; 11. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'32.293; 12. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'32.398; 13. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 1'32.430; 14. Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'32.561; 15. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 1'32.842; 16. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 1'32.895

Race date

There will be two 22-lap Superbike races on Sunday 28th, the first at noon local time in Victoria, the second at 15.30.

Leon Haslam: "You can get caught out quite easily in Superpole so we went out to go fast early in each session. We used a soft option race tyre for the first Superpole, didn't have any slides and felt really comfortable. When I put my first qualifier in I was sliding, so I was not sure which tyre to use in the final session, but we managed to go out there put a qualifier in and we put in a little bit of a quicker time. Sitting in the pit garage watching these guys go out to try and beat my time was probably more nerve-wracking than being out on the track. But it all ended up good and I got my first Superpole win."

Michel Fabrizio: "The second qualifying tyre we used worked the best of all the ones we had been trying and that was the one I scored the best time with. I am fairly happy in the hot conditions if that is the way things turn out on raceday."

Cal Crutchlow: "We made a good final lap but we made a small mistake in the second session, which made me run off the track. I had to use the two qualifying tyres we are given, which we could have used in the finals session. I then had to use a soft race tyre and we made it work, but I was pushing, no doubt about that. I hope I can maintain that position in the race and a front row start always helps."

World Supersport - Lascorz the top man after qualifying

Spanish rider Joan Lascorz started his and his Provec Motocard.com team's season off in perfect style with a pole position performance at Phillip Island, scorching round the 4.445km circuit in a new best lap of 1'33.847. He left his best effort for last, and put his fastest lap down to making the best use of a good machine set-up. Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) was second fastest with a 1'34.116, while Sofuoglu's team-mate Michele Pirro slotted into third. Eugene Laverty will complete the front row for the 21-lap race on Sunday 28th, after qualifying fourth on his Parkalgar Honda. Katsuaki Fujiwara sent his official Kawasaki machine to the head of the second row and David Salom (despite losing the first day of track action) was top Triumph rider in sixth, on a ParkinGO BE1 Daytona 675 triple.

Times: 1. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'33.847; 2. Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.116; 3. Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.156; 4. Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.300; 5. Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'34.494; 6. Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 1'34.873; 7. Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 1'34.939; 8. Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.999

 

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Leon Haslam (Team Suzuki Alstare) confirme en remportant la Superpole en Australie qu'il sera l'un des grands acteurs de la saison 2010. Détendu, entouré de sa famille, le pilote officiel Suzuki a fait une très forte impression sur un circuit qu'il affectionne particulièrement. Avec un chrono de 1'31.229, Léon approche le record du circuit détenu par Régis Laconi en 1'31.050 et remporte la première pole position de sa carrière en championnat du monde Superbike.

Sur la seconde place de la grille de départ, Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox Team) manque la pole position d'un centième de seconde. Bien plus en forme que son coéquipier Japonais Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox Team) seulement dixième sur la grille de départ, le pilote Italien confirme ses excellentes performances de l'hiver au guidon de la 1198R officielle. Mais Haslam et Fabrizio devront aussi compter sur la rivalité de Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team) et de Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) qui complètent la première ligne de départ en étant respectivement troisième et quatrième. Le pilote Yamaha a sorti un chrono dont il a le secret après avoir été aux prises avec d'importantes difficultés de châssis depuis le début du week-end. Quant au pilote Espagnol, ce n'est pas une surprise de le retrouver en si bonne position puisqu'il a dominé la majorité des séances d'essais depuis le début du week-end. Une première ligne de départ où figurent trois constructeurs différents et qui se tient en quatre dixièmes de seconde. Cela promet des courses particulièrement intenses.

Le clan Français peut se réjouir. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Suzuki Alstare) se place en tête de la seconde ligne de la grille de départ. Auteur du cinquième chrono sur la seconde Suzuki officielle, le pilote tricolore confirme son potentiel au sein du paddock Superbike. D'autant qu'il devance sur la seconde ligne le franc-tireur Jakub Smrz (Team PATA B&G Racing) toujours exceptionnel lors de la Superpole, Jonathan Rea (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) sur la première Honda officielle et James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team) sur la R1 championne du monde.

Particulièrement déçu, le team Aprilia a multiplié les mésaventures aujourd'hui. Alors que Leon Camier (Aprilia Alitalia Racing) effectuait son tour rapide en seconde séance de Superpole, le pilote Britannique a chuté et se retrouve ainsi rétrogradé en seizième position. Quant à Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing), il est seulement onzième de la Superpole après avoir connu une séance quaificative délicate ce matin durant laquelle il a cassé le moteur de sa RSV4.

Même sentiment de frustration chez BMW puisque les deux pilotes officiels partiront demain depuis la quatrième ligne. Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) doit se contenter du treizième chrono à domicile et son coéquipier Ruben Xaus (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) du quinzième temps. Chez Kawasaki en revanche, on se montre u peu plus optimiste avec les prestations des deux pilotes officiels. L'Anglais Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) hisse la première ZX-10R en troisième ligne, tandis que pour son retour en mondial Superbike, Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki Racing Team) sur ses terres australiennes, partira depuis la quatorzième position sur la grille.

Championnat du monde Supersport

De la même façon qu'il s'est imposé hier lors de la première séance qualificative, Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) s'adjuge la seconde séance et remporte la première pole position de la saison Supersport. Il est d'ailleurs le seul pilote à passer sous la barre de 1'34 et améliore le record de la piste de près de cinq dixièmes de seconde. C'est dire la domination du pilote Espagnol à Phillip Island qui fête de la plus belle des manières ses 25 ans aujourd'hui. Derrière lui, les deux pilotes Ten Kate Kenan Sofuoglu (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) et Michel Pirro (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) se placent sur la première ligne, respectivement deuxième et troisième. Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) complète la première ligne avec le quatrième chrono. Il faut attendre la dixième place pour voir le premier Français sur la grille. Fabien Foret (Team Lorenzini by Leoni) n'a pas réussi à suffisamment améliorer ses temps pour monter dans la hiérarchie sur la grille. Sébastien Charpentier (ParkinGO Triumph BE1) s'élancera quant à lui depuis la treizième place sur la grille pour sa première course en championnat du monde Supersport depuis octobre 2007. On notera que David Salom (ParkinGO BE1 Triumph), première Triumph qualifiée, a réussi à se hisser en seconde ligne à la sixième place. Une belle performance quand on considère que le pilote Espagnol n'avait pas rouler en ce début de week-end à cause d'un problème de licence.

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Leon Haslam geht am Sonntag zum Auftakt der Superbike-WM 2010 von der Poleposition in die Rennen auf der 4,445 Kilometer langen Piste von Phillip Island. Der britische Alstare-Suzuki-Pilot untermauerte damit seine Leistung bei den Tests und verwies Ducati-Pilot Michel Fabrizio in der entscheidenden Superpole-Session um wenige Tausendstel auf Platz 2. Die eigentliche Überraschung war Haslams Teamkollege Sylvain Guintoli mit der zweiten Alstare-GSX-R 1000 auf Startplatz 5. Das Team liess beide Piloten gleichzeitig auf die Piste und der Franzose zog sich im Windschatten von Haslam in die zweite Startreihe.

DUCATI: FABRIZIO KNAPP GESCHLAGEN. Xerox-Ducati-Pilot Michel Fabrizio war auch am zweiten Trainingstag auf Phillip Island stärkster Ducati-Pilot. Der Italiener verpasste bei deutlich kühleren Temperaturen die Pole lediglich um 16 Tausendstel Sekunden. Teamkollege Noriyuki Haga stellte seine 1098 R F10 auf den zehnten Startplatz. Erneut stark präsentierte sich Carlos Checa mit der Althea-Ducati als Vierter der Superpole. Shane Byrne schied mit der zweiten Althea-Ducati bereits in der ersten Superpole-Session aus. Jakub Smrz stellte seine Pata-Ducati auf Rang 6, Lorenzo Lanzi sorgte bei DFX mit dem neunten Startplatz für zufriedene Gesichter.

YAMAHA: STARKER SAMSTAG. Cal Crutchlow steigerte sich mit der Yamaha R1 im zweiten Qualifying deutlich. Der Brite kämpfte sich danach in die dritte und letzte Superpole-Session, wo dem Supersport-Weltmeister auf Coventry die dritte Position gelang. ,,Ich musste beide Qualifyer-Reifen bereits in der zweiten Session verwenden, weil ich einmal kurz von der Piste abgekommen bin. Sonst wäre in der letzten Einheit noch mehr möglich gewesen", schilderte Crutchlow. Teamkollege James Toseland kann nach den Problemen am Freitag mit Position 8 ebenfalls gut leben.

HONDA: REA RETTET HONDA-EHRE. Johnny Rea war wie schon am Freitag schnellster Honda-Pilot in Mitten der Ducati-Armada. Der Nordire konnte mit der siebten Startposition jedoch nicht zufrieden sein. ,,Wir hatten das ganze Wochenende über Probleme, die Qualifyer-Reifen bestmöglich zu nützen", jammerte der 23-Jährige. Teamkollege Max Neukirchner übte vor allem über die lange Distanz, in der Superpole war für den Sachsen mit der zweiten Hannspreee-Ten-Kate-Honda schon in der ersten Session als 17. Endstation. Josh Brookes (CRS) und Vitto Iannuzzo verpassten auf den Rängen 21 und 22 die Zulassung zur Superpole.

APRILIA: KEINE OPTIMALE AUSGANGSPOSITION. WM-Mitfavorit Max Biaggi nimmt den Saisonauftakt auf Phillip Island mit der Aprilia RSV 4 nur von der elften Startposition aus in Angriff. Der 38-jährige Römer büsste in 1:32,293 exakt eine Sekunde auf Polesitter Leon Haslam ein. Biaggis junger britischer Alitalia-Aprilia-Teamkollege Leon Haslam stellte die zweite Aprilia RSV 4 Factory als 16. in Reihe 4.

KAWASAKI: DEUTLICHE STEIGERUNG. Die Kawasaki-Asse Chris Vermeulen und Tom Sykes sorgten für zufriedene Gesichter in der Box des Bird-Teams. Vermeulen ging sogar als achter in die Superpole, wo ihm Rang 14 gelang. Teamkollege Sykes holte mit der zweiten ZX10-R als Zwölfter gar das beste Superpole-Ergebnis für die Grünen seit langem. Die Pedercini-Kawasaki-Piloten Matteo Baiocco und Roger Lee Hayden konnten ihre rote Laterne auch am Samstag nicht los werden.

BMW: CORSER BLEIBT SCHNELLSTER ,,BAYER". Troy Corser steigerte sich mit der BMW S1000 RR am Samstag und sicherte sich in der Superpole die 13. Startposition, zwischen den Kawasaki-Assen Vermeulen und Sykes. Teamkollege Ruben Xaus geht am Sonntag vom 15. Startplatz in die Rennen. Andrew Pitt stellte die Reitwagen-BMW beim Debüt in der Superbike-WM auf die 19. Startposition. Sein österreichischer Teamkollege Roland Resch wäre auf Rang 18 vor Pitt locker für die Superpole zugelassen gewesen, stürzte aber am Ende der zweiten Qualifying-Session heftig und brach sich dabei die Schulter.

SUPERSPORT-WM: LASCORZ BLEIBT VORNE. Der Spanier Joan Lascorz bestätigte mit seiner Motocard-Kawasaki seine starke Form auch in der zweite Qualifying-Session am Samstag und sicherte sich für den Saisonauftakt die Pole. Lascorz blieb als einziger Fahrer unter der 1:34er.Marke und verwies Kenan Sofuoglu mit der Ten-Kate-Honda auf die zweite Position. Stark auch Sofuoglus Teamkollege Michele Pirro als Dritter, noch vor Supersport-Vizeweltmeister Eugene Laverty. Hinter Kats Fujiwara reihten sich mit David Salom und Chaz Davies die besten Tirumph-675-Piloten auf den Rängen 6 und 7 ein.

ACHTUNG: Alle Resultate, Punktestände und Informationen finden Sie unter www.worldsbk.com

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

1  50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 33'37.836 (166,536 kph) 

2  26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 4.359 

3  54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 4.500 

4  25 Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 11.779 

5  99 Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 17.266 

6  55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 25.034 

7 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 27.834 

8  40 DiSalvo J. (USA) Triumph Daytona 675 30.102 

9 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 31.931 

10   4 Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 31.991 

11  37 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 40.552 

12   7 Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 40.556 

13  16 Charpentier S. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'28.553 

14  33 Cazzola P. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR  

15   9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR  

RET  51 Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR  

RET   5 Lundh A. (SWE) Honda CBR600RR

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Eugene Laverty won the opening race of the year for Honda with a masterful display of front running, heading up the official Kawasaki of pole man Joan Lascorz and the Honda of Kenan Sofuoglu.

Laverty also set the race's fastest lap, 1'35.204 on lap six.

The Irish rider was leading the first race start, before that was red flagged due to oil being dropped on the track, and a complete-restart was called.

The subsequent 21-lap race saw Laverty lead from the early stages again. Behind Laverty, Lascorz and Sofuoglu Triumph rider David Salom was fourth, and the privateer Kawasaki of Fabien Foret got into the top five also.

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

1   7 Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 34'16.428 (171,192 kph) 

2  91 Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 0.307 

3  84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 0.434 

4  50 Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 0.837 

5  41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 3.453 

6  65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 11.530 

7  11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 12.026 

8   3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 13.068 

9  35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 14.401 

10  52 Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 14.707 

11   2 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 1000 F. 14.743 

12  67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 14.851 

13  57 Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 15.143 

14  25 Brookes J. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 30.947 

15  88 Pitt A. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 41.855 

16  76 Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 48.844 

17  31 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 1'06.866 

18  95 Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'07.751 

RET  15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R  

RET  66 Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R  

RET  77 Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R  

RET  96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R  

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) won a thrilling race two at Phillip Island, by only 0.307 from Leon Haslam, who he passed on the final section of the track.

Third went to seasoned rider Michel Fabrizio, but a great ride from new SBK rider Sylvain Guintoli put him fourth on his Suzuki in only his fourth ever SBK event - 0.837 from a win. Noriyuki Haga was fifth, Jonathan Rea heading up a busy and exciting midfield battle in sixth.

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) and Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) took a win apiece at Phillip Island in what was a sensational start to the 2010 WSBK season in Australia. In dry conditions, in front of 65,500 fans, the action was intense in each 22-lap race, with the leading three riders within 0.769 seconds of each other in race one and the leading four within 0.837 seconds in race two.

"Pirelli's opening race weekend saw spectacular racing with new faces on all accounts, starting from a Superpole led by Haslam, Fabrizio and Crutchlow on three different machines. Race 1 finished 7 seconds faster than previous year, a race so close between Suzuki and Ducati that it demanded a photo finish. New to Superbike, Sylvain Guintoli led Race 2 for many laps and set the Pirelli Best Lap on his first race on the Suzuki. Race time dropped by 4 seconds over 2009, and Checa impressively took his new bike and new team Althea straight to the top of the podium. The Supersport race, 5 seconds faster as well, Laverty lead a very precise race from start to finish on his Honda from Parkalgar. It's fantastic to see such diverse results from all the manufacturers, especially at the start of the season." Giorgio Barbier, Racing Director, Pirelli Moto.

Race 1

It took a close look at the photo finish images to split Leon Haslam from his race long rival Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox), but by only 0.004 seconds the Alstare Suzuki rider was given the win. It was the closest ever finish in the WSBK class, as Leon took his first career win in the Superbike World Championship. Fabrizio was originally awarded the victory but before the slow down lap had been completed, Haslam was confirmed as the winner. Noriyuki Haga took his Ducati Xerox machine to third, being part of the leading battle throughout.

Jonathan Rea, Max Biaggi, Sylvain Guintoli and Carlos Checa battled it out over fourth place, with Jakub Smrz, Troy Corser and Lorenzo Lanzi completing the first race top ten.

Haslam: "It's not sunk in just yet, especially as it was such a close finish and not knowing if I had won for a while. That definitely added to the anticipation. I can't thank my team enough they have been solid since day one and to repay them with this is great. I'm a little speechless now. I changed my style towards the end and I rode as smoothly as possible. It worked, but it was close at the end."

Michel Fabrizio: "I thought I had won the race. When I saw the big screen after the finish I saw my family and the crew chief celebrating, so I thought I had it."

Noriyuki Haga: "I did not have any big injury after my crash in morning warm-up but some swelling in my right arm. My personal trainer made a good massage before the race and I took some painkilling injections. The race was tough and I had arm pump, so that made me make some mistakes under braking. But it was fun to race with them at the front."

Race 2

Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati) won a thrilling race two at Phillip Island, by only 0.307 from Leon Haslam, whom he passed on the final section of the track, in convincing style. Third went to Michel Fabrizio, but a great ride from new SBK rider Sylvain Guintoli put him fourth on his Suzuki Alstare machine in only his fourth ever SBK event. Noriyuki Haga was fifth, Jonathan Rea heading up a busy and exciting midfield battle in sixth, after losing ten seconds by running wide on lap one, and then fighting through the pack. Troy Corser took his BMW to seventh in race two.

Carlos Checa: "The plan was to start the second race well and we chose a softer tyre. We changed the bike and we improved in the braking points, so I could overtake people. When you are close to four other riders it is not easy to overtake and make it permanent but I passed in the right time and at the right places. This was one of the best races in my life, so thanks to my new team."

Leon Haslam: "I had a few laps behind Sylvain my team-mate and in some corners I could not stay with him given the grip he had out of the corners. But I got the lead again and it was all going to plan until Carlos managed to come along and nip up the inside to win."

Michel Fabrizio: "We didn't make any changes to the bike between race one and race two. I think it would have been very difficult for me to win, but if Carlos had not been in the mix I may have been able to push in the last three or four laps. I was having some problems by that time so it was very difficult to try and win."

World Supersport - Laverty wins by clear margin

Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) won the opening race of the year by 4.359 seconds with a masterful display of front running, heading up the official Kawasaki of pole man Joan Lascorz and the Honda of Kenan Sofuoglu.

Laverty also set the race fastest lap, 1'35.204, on lap six.

The first attempt at the race was first stopped and finally abandoned due to oil being dropped on the track, and a complete-restart was called.

The subsequent 21-lap race saw Laverty lead from the early stages again. Behind Laverty, Lascorz and Sofuoglu, Triumph rider David Salom was fourth, and the privateer Kawasaki of Fabien Foret made it onto the top five also.

Pirelli Performance Awards:

SBK Race 1 - Pirelli BEST LAP

Leon Haslam (Team Suzuki Alstare) 1'32.193 (Lap 2)

 

SBK Race 2 - Pirelli BEST LAP

Sylvain Guintoli (Team Suzuki Alstare) 1'32.236 (Lap 3)

 

WSS - Pirelli BEST LAP

Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) 1'35.204 (Lap 6)

 

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Après avoir signé la première superpole de sa carrière, Leon Haslam (Team Suzuki Alstare) a brillé ce dimanche à Phillip Island en remportant la première victoire de sa carrière en championnat du monde Superbike. Avec 5 millièmes d'avance sur Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox Team) lors de la première course, soit le plus petit écart entre deux pilotes à l'arrivée depuis la création du championnat du monde, le pilote officiel Suzuki confirme qu'il sera bien l'un des acteurs principaux de cette saison 2010 particulièrement ouverte. Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox Team) complète le premier podium de l'année à la troisième place.

Alors que Sylvain Guintoli (Team Suzuki Alstare) a loupé son départ en première course et a dû cravacher pendant 22 tours pour terminer à une très méritante sixième place derrière Jonathan Rea (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) quatrième, et Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing) cinquième, le Français a totalement inversé la tendance en seconde course. Il va même rapidement se porter en tête devant son coéquipier Haslam pour créer la sensation tricolore du week-end. On se prend même à rêver à une Marseillaise qui n'a pas retenti en Superbike depuis 2005.

Malheureusement, la fin de course va lui être moins favorable. Après une lutte sans concession, c'est finalement Carlos Checa (Althea Racing), déjà très rapide durant les essais, qui va s'imposer. L'Espagnol signe ainsi sa troisième victoire en championnat du monde Superbike devant Haslam et Fabrizio. Sylvain Guintoli (Team Suzuki Alstare), récompensé pour avoir signé le meilleur tour en course, termine à une frustrante quatrième place.

«Je suis très content de mon week-end déclare le Français à l'arrivée. Je voulais me rattraper de mon départ moyen en première course. J'ai immédiatement attaqué en début de seconde course et j'ai pris un plaisir monstrueux à rouler devant. Cela faisait longtemps que je n'avais pas pris la tête d'un championnat du monde. J'ai prouvé que j'avais le rythme en course malgré des essais hivernaux où je ne me suis pas montré parmi les plus rapides. J'ai commis quelques petites erreurs en fin de course qui me coûtent le podium, mais ce premier week-end est très encourageant pour le championnat.»

Avec une deuxième place sur le podium, Leon Haslam (Team Suzuki Alstare) prend immédiatement les commandes du championnat et devance Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox Team) troisième en seconde course, de neuf points. Haslam et Fabrizio s'affichent d'entrée de jeu comme les deux hommes forts en ouverture du championnat. Haga qui termine la seconde course à la cinquième place derrière Guintoli, reste au contact.

En revanche, le bilan parmi les autres teams officiels du championnat est plus mitigé. Jonathan Rea (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) termine au pied du podium en première course mais commet une erreur en début de seconde course qui va l'obliger à effectuer une folle remontée. Le jeune Anglais termine en sixième position.

«Il ne faut pas attendre de miracle de ce week-end» avait déclaré samedi soir Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia Racing). Le Romain a limité les dégâts avec une cinquième et une huitième place au guidon d'une RSV4 en prise à des soucis de vibration.

Chez BMW, on avait le sourire à l'arrivée de la seconde course avec la septième place de Troy Corser (BMW Motorrad Motorsport). Alors que Ruben Xaus (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) n'a pas pris le départ suite à sa chute au warm-up du matin, son coéquipier australien sauve les meubles de l'usine de Munich, sans pour autant enregistrer le meilleur résultat de la S 1000 RR, cinquième en course l'an passé.

Yamaha n'avait pas le sourire au terme de la première course, après la double chute de ses pilotes Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team) et James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team). Ils terminent dans cet ordre la seconde course aux neuvième et dixième rangs. Un résultat très modeste pour le team champion du monde qui connaît un début de saison difficile.

Difficile aussi pour Kawasaki en course. Son pilote leader Chris Vermeulen (Kawasaki Racing Team) inscrit un double zéro à domicile. Un résultat d'autant plus frustrant que l'Australien a pris un départ canon en début de seconde course et s'est vite retrouvé à lutter avec les hommes de têtes en quatrième position. Quelques tours plus tard, Chris chutait violemment et allait percuter les pneus. Heureusement, le pilote s'est relevé indemne.

Prochain rendez-vous du championnat du monde Superbike, le dimanche 28 mars sur le circuit de Portimao au Portugal.

Championnat du monde Supersport

C'est à un départ enflammé que nous avons assisté en championnat du monde Supersport en Australie. Après seulement trois tours, il ne restait plus que douze pilotes en piste et une large trace d'huile à obliger la direction de course à sortir le drapeau rouge. Nouveau départ, nouvelle course, Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) s'est rapidement porté en tête pour se lancer dans un cavalier seul irrésistible. Derrière, alors que la nouvelle recrue Michel Pirro (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda) partait à la faute, on assistait à un combat d'homme entre Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) et Kenan Sofuoglu (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda). Les deux rivaux étaient bientôt rejoins par Katsuaki Fujiwara (Kawasaki Motocard.com). Malheureusement, le pilote Japonais va partir à la faute et terminera la course à la onzième place. Laverty, Lascorz et Sofuoglu termine dans cet ordre sur le podium, devant un excellent David Salom (ParkinGO BE1 Triumph), premier pilote de l'escadrille Triumph. Fabien Foret (Team Lorenzini by Leoni), premier Français termine à la cinquième place, frustré par un mauvais choix de pneu. Grosse désillusion en revanche pour Sébastien Charpentier (ParkinGO Triumph BE1) qui termine très loin des leaders à la 13e place.

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Der Superbike-WM-Auftakt auf der malerischen Piste von Phillip Island brachte vor 65.500 Fans eine Überraschung, die so nicht zu erwarten war. Leon Haslam schrammte mit der Alstare-Suzuki nur um wenige Zehntel am Punktemaximum vorbei. Den ersten Lauf gewann der Brite mit vier Tausendstel Vorsprung auf Michel Fabrizio. Es war gleichzeitig Haslams erster Superbike-WM-Laufsieg. Im zweiten Rennen musste der 27-Jährige dem drängenden Carlos Checa erst in der letzten Runde passieren lassen. Auch Sylvain Gunitoli macht der Truppe um Francis Batta mehr und mehr Freude. Nach Startplatz 5 holte sich der Franzose in den Rängen die Plätze 6 und 4, wobei er im zweiten Rennen sogar zeitweise in Führung lag.

DUCATI: FABRIZIO UND HAGA ÜBERZEUGEN. Xerox-Ducati-Pilot Michel Fabrizio wähnte sich in Lauf 1 bereits als Sieger, ehe nach Zielfotoentscheid Haslam zum Sieger erklärt wurde. Der Italiener darf mit seiner Ausbeute, den Rängen 2 und 3, dennoch sehr zufrieden sein. Ähnlich äusserte sich auch Teamleader Nori Haga, der die Xerox-Ducati mit Schmerzen auf die Ränge 3 und 5 steuerte. Die grosse Überraschung war Althea-Ducati-Pilot Carlos Checa, der im zweiten Rennen durch das Feld stürmte und das Rennen für sich entschied. Jakub Smrz und Lorenzo Lanzi konnten sich jeweils über einen Top-10-Platz freuen, Smrz stürzte mit der Pata-Ducati jedoch im zweiten Durchgang.

YAMAHA: STEIGERUNG IST GEFRAGT. Supersport-Weltmeister Cal Crutchlow sorgte mit Platz 9 im zweiten Rennen für das beste Yamaha-Ergebnis zum WM-Auftakt auf Phillip Island. Der Sonntag begann für das Team von Massimo Meregalli in Durchgang 1 gleich mit einem Doppelausfall seiner Sterilgarda-R1-Piloten. Im zweiten Rennen matchten sich Crutchlow und Toseland immerhin lange Zeit mit BMW-Ass Troy Corser, ehe sie dem von hinten drängenden Rea und Biaggi noch Platz machen mussten.

HONDA: REA MIT SONDERSCHICHT. Johnny Rea musste auf Phillip Island im zweiten Durchgang nach einem Ausritt in der Honda-Haarnadel das Feld von hinten aufrollen. Die Aufholjagd brachte dem 23-jährigen Nordiren auf der Hannspree-Ten-Kate-Honda noch die sechste Position. Mit den Punkten für Rang 4 in Durchgang 1 schob er sich immerhin auf den sechsten WM-Zwischenrang. Deutlich mehr zu kämpfen hatte Max Neukirchner, der seine Fireblade nur auf den Plätzen 12 und 16 ins Ziel brachte.

APRILIA: BIAGGI ZEIGT KAMPFGEIST. WM-Mitfavorit Max Biaggi verlässt Phillip Island mit 19 Zählern für die Ränge 5 und 8 im Gepäck. Im ersten Rennen konnte der Alitalia-Aprilia-Pilot einige Zeit an der Spitzengruppe dranbleiben, in Durchgang 2 musste sich der Römer nach verpatztem Start mit der RSV4 erst nach vorne kämpfen. Teamkollege Leon Camier zeigte ebenfalls viel Einsatz und sicherte sich nach je einem Ausritt noch zweimal Platz 11.

KAWASAKI: VERMEULEN ZEIGTE AUF. Chris Vermeulen begann mit der Kawasaki der Bird-Truppe beide Rennen mit einem Blitzstart von Startplatz 14 und lag in Durchgang 2 sogar kurz auf der vierten Position. Der Australier stürzte jedoch in beiden Rennen, wobei er im zweiten Rennen schwere Prellungen und eine Gehirnerschütterung davon trug. Die WM-Punkte fuhr Teamkollege Tom Sykes als 13. im ersten Lauf ein. Die Pedercini-Kawasaki-Piloten Roger Lee Hayden und Matteo Baiocco blieben ohne WM-Zähler.

BMW: CORSER UND PITT MIT PUNKTEN. Troy Corser sammelte auf Phillip Island mit den Rängen 9 und 6 wertvolle WM-Zähler und liegt in der WM-Tabelle somit vor dem Europa-Auftakt in Portimão an der achten Position. Teamkollege Ruben Xaus musste nach einem heftigen Abflug im Warmup auf die Teilnahme an den Rennen verzichten. Andrew Pitt erkämpfte für die neue Reitwagen-BMW-Truppe in beiden Rennen mit Rang 15 einen Zähler. Roland Resch bracht sich bereits am Samstag im zweiten Qualifying das Schlüsselbein.

SUPERSPORT-WM: LAVERTY SCHLÄGT ZURÜCK. Eugene Laverty auf der Parkalgar-Honda sicherte sich den Sieg beim Auftakt der Supersport-WM auf Phillip Island mit Respektabstand auf Polesitter Joan Lascorz (Motocard Kawasaki) und Ten-Kate-Honda-Pilot Kenan Sofuoglu. Bester Triumph-Fahrer war der Spanier David Salom auf Position 4. WM-Rückkehrer Seb Charpentier blieb nur der 13. Rang. Die Italienerin Paola Cazzola sicherte sich mit einer Runde Rückstand als 14. zwei WM-Punkte.

ACHTUNG: Alle Resultate, Punktestände und Informationen finden Sie unter www.worldsbk.com

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Muy buen comienzo para Checa en este mundial pues en su primera prueba con la Ducati de Team Althea consiguió adjudicarse la segunda carrera, delante de más 50.000 espectadores. La primera la ganó Haslam (Suzuki) que es el líder del campeonato y Checa (Ducati) es tercero. Xaus (BMW) no decidió no tomar la salida tras sufrir en el warm up la cuarta caída del fin de semana. La próxima cita del campeonato será en Portimao (Portugal), los próximos 27 y 28 de marzo.

1ª carrera: Haslam

Leon Haslam (Suzuki) y las Ducati de Haga y Fabrizio se escaparon tras la salida y siempre estuvieron en cabeza de carrera distanciándose de un grupo formado por Rea (Honda), Checa (Ducati), Biaggi (Aprilia), Toseland (Yamaha), Crutchlow (Yamaha), Vermeulen (Kawasaki) y Camier (Aprilia)

Rodando a un ritmo endiablado los tres primeros demostraron estar por encima del resto: Toseland (Yamaha,) luego Vermeulen (Kawasaki) en cuarta vuelta y más tarde Crutchlow (Yamaha) se fueron al suelo. Mientras que Haslam (Suzuki), Fabrizio (Ducati) y Haga (Ducati) cogieron una distancia que a media carrera era de siete segundos, el siguiente grupo se fue compactando y además de Rea (Honda), Biaggi (Aprilia) y Checa (Honda), se unieron Guintoli (Suzuki), Smrz (Ducati), Camier (Aprilia) antes de hacerse un recto y Corser (BMW).

Haslam (Suzuki) no parecía ponerse nervioso ante el acoso de Fabrizio (Ducati) con Haga (Ducati) siempre a la expectativa y en la últimas vueltas Fabrizio (Ducati) debería de intentar jugar sus cartas. Y lo hizo en el último giro al tratar de superar a Haslam (Suzuki) en la línea de meta y de hecho lo consiguió justo al cruzarla, pero la victoria se la llevo Haslam (Suzuki) con sólo cuatro milésimas de ventaja con respecto al piloto romano. Es decir la diferencia más pequeña en la historia del campeonato.

Rea (Honda) acabó cuarto por delante de Biaggi (Aprilia), Guintoli (Suzuki) en su debut en el mundial de superbikes y las Ducati privadas de Checa y Smrz que entraron por delante de Corser (BMW).

CLASIFICACIÓN 1ª CARRERA

1) L. Haslam (Suzuki) 2) M. Fabrizio (Ducati) 3) N. Haga (Ducati) 4) J. Rea (Honda) 5) M. Biaggi (Aprilia) 6) S. Guintoli (Suzuki) 7) C. Checa (Ducati) 8) J. Smrz (Ducati) 9) T. Corser (BMW) 10) L. Lanzi (Ducati) 11) L. Camier (Aprilia) 12) M. Neukirchner (Honda) 13) T. Sykes (Kawasaki) 14) S. Byrne (Ducati).

Segunda carrera: Checa logra su tercera victoria

Carlos Checa (Ducati) logró su tercera victoria en la categoría de superbikes donde en el 2008 ganó dos carreras con la Honda del Team Ten Kate.

Haslam (Suzuki), Fabrizio (Ducati), Guintoli (Suzuki), Haga (Ducati) y Vermeulen (Kawasaki) pasaron por este orden antes de que Guintoli (Suzuki) marcara dos vueltas rápidas y se pusiese líder. El grupo de los cinco primeros se pelearon entre ellos y detrás se formó un segundo grupo con Toseland (Yamaha), Camier (Aprilia), Checa (Honda) y Vermeulen (Kawasaki), hasta que el piloto australiano se fuera otra vez por los suelos.

Los pilotos de Suzuki se intercambiaron las posiciones y a media carrera Checa (Ducati) se unió al grupo. Pasó a Haga (Ducati) en una frenada y se puso cuarto, para tras un exhaustivo estudio de la situación, superó a Fabrizio (Ducati) a falta de tres, colocándose tercero tras las Suzuki de Haslam y Guintoli. A falta de dos para el final superó al piloto francés y en la última vuelta y con una tranquilidad pasmosa, hizo lo propio con Haslam (Suzuki), en una frenada en la lenta de derechas que precede a la larga curva de izquierdas que da acceso a la línea de meta.

"Ha sido increíble, declaró el piloto español de 37 años, mi idea era hacer una buena salida, pero ha sucedido justo lo contrario. Me he limitado a pasar gente, ha sido una carrera de libro y estoy muy contento de poder devolver con una victoria la confianza que en mi ha depositado el equipo".

Fabrizio (Ducati) superó en última instancia a Guintoli (Suzuki), Haga (Ducati) acabó quinto y Rea (Honda) que estaba a ocho segundos del líder y fue el primero de un grupo en el que estaban Corser (BMW), Biaggi (Aprilia), Crutchlow (Yamaha) y Toseland (Yamaha).

CLASIFICACIÓN 2ª CARRERA

1) C. Checa (Ducati) 2) L. Haslam (Suzuki) 3) M. Fabrizio (Ducati) 4) S. Guintoli (Suzuki) 5) N. Haga (Ducati) 6) J. Rea (Honda) 7) T. Corser (BMW) 8) M. Biaggi (Aprilia) 9) C. Crutchlow (Yamaha) 10) J. Toseland (Yamaha) 11) L. Camier (Aprilia) 12) S. Byrne (Ducati) 13) L. Lanzi (Ducati) 14) J. Brookes (Honda) 15) A. Pitt (BMW)

Supersport

Con Laverty (Honda) en cabeza seguido de Lascorz (Kawasaki) la carrera de Supersport fue muy accidentada y en la tercera vuelta se tuvo que interrumpir al verterse aceite en la pista al romperse un motor y caerse Pirro. Poco después Roccoli (Honda) abandonó su moto en llamas junto a las protecciones. Tras una nueva salida Laverty (Honda) no dio opción. Lascorz (Kawasaki) no tuvo el mismo ritmo que en los entrenamientos y no pudo con el piloto irlandés. Si pudo defenderse de los ataques de Pirro (Honda), Sofuoglu y un inspirado Fujiwara (Kawasaki) que se cayó cuando iba segundo. Muy buen debut para David Salom (Triumph) que acabó cuarto siendo la mejor moto de su las cuatro que están en el equipo ParquingGO.

RESULTADOS

1) E. Laverty (Honda9 2) J. Lascorz (Kawasaki) 3) K. Sofuoglu (Honda) 4) D. Salom (Triumph) 5) F. Foret (Kawasaki) 6) M. Roccoli (Honda) 8) R. Harms (Honda) 8) J. DiSalvo (Triumph) 9) M. Praia (Honda) 10) G. Rea (Honda) 11) K. Fujiwara (Kawasaki) 12) C. Davies (Triumph) 13) S. Charpentier (Triumph) 14) Cazzola (Honda) 15) Dell Olmo (Honda)

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Phillip Island (Australia) - The crowds at Phillip Island were today treated to two spectacular Superbike races, the first of which resulted in the closest ever finish in Superbike history, with Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) crossing the line just 0.004 of a second behind Leon Haslam on the Suzuki. Less than a second behind Michel, in third place, was his team-mate Noriyuki Haga. Race 2 was also extremely hard fought and some very close racing which made for great viewing saw Michel battle his way to a third place finish with Nori just behind him in fifth.

This morning's warm-up passed without incident for Michel, who registered the fourth fastest lap time but unfortunately the same couldn't be said for his team-mate Noriyuki, victim of a 250 km/hour crash on entering in the first corner after being knocked from his 1198 by Xaus. The doctors of the circuit's medical centre declared him fit to ride, although the Japanese rider had suffered some bruising to his back, as well as a severe blow to the right forearm which swelled to such an extent as to require an pain-relief injection before the race.

Despite the difficulties in warm-up, race 1 began very well for both Ducati Xerox riders, Michel holding second position and Noriyuki, fast as lightning in his start, making up several position, to rocket from tenth to third position through the first corners. Right from the second lap the gap between the leaders, Haslam, Fabrizio and Haga, and the chasing pack, led by Jonathan Rea, began to increase and by mid-race the top three had built a five second advantage over fourth placed Rea. In the final four laps Michel tried to find a way past the young Briton but it was not to be and a final charge to the finish line led to a photofinish, with the result being declared the closest ever finish in a Superbike race. Michel crossed the line a mere four thousandths of a second after Haslam, with Haga following less than a second behind to snatch the third spot on the podium.

Race 2 began in exactly the same way as the first, with Haslam, Fabrizio and Haga again off the line quickest to take an immediate lead. Haslam's team-mate Sylvain Guintoli soon joined the fray, as did Carlos Checa mid-race, and a five-way battle for supremacy ensued. Nori, still suffering after the earlier crash, could not keep pace with the other four but held fifth position, taking home important points in the process. Checa, on board Althea Racing's Ducati 1198, waited until the last lap before passing both Fabrizio and Haslam to take the lead, leaving the Italian and the Briton to battle it out for second.

A very strong start for the Ducati Xerox Team as far as the championship standings are concerned, Michel in second position with 36 points, Nori fourth with 27 and their combined performances today putting Ducati in joint first place with Suzuki in the manufacturers classification.

Michel Fabrizio (Race 1 - 2nd , Race 2 -3rd)

"I had a great battle with Leon in Race 1. In the last four laps I tried to understand where I could attempt to get past him but it wasn't easy so I pushed on right to the finish line and, to tell the truth, I thought I'd done enough! Leon and I were right there together as we crossed the line, and on the big screen I could see my wife celebrating in the box - but the result was decided by the photofinish and I had to settle for 20 points this time. The great thing about the Superbike championship however is that there are two races.... My team did not make any changes to the bike before the second race and I was again able to make a good start but it was a very difficult race. I stayed there with the leading pack but I realized it would be very hard to win, and in the last four laps it became more difficult to fight. I am very happy with today's results, which put me in second place on the leaderboard after round 1. It will be a very long and challenging season but we've made a good start today."

Noriyuki Haga (Race 1 - 3rd , Race 2 - 5th)

"My result in Race 1 was really good as far as I'm concerned as I had had a crash during the warm-up and suffered from a bit of arm-pump during the race. I was confident that I could make a good start from 10th position and I did so and then I tried to keep up with Michel and Leon but my arm led me to make a few small mistakes. Anyway I really enjoyed the race and the points I made in the race are definitely a good start for the championship. In the second race my arm played up more and it became harder to brake, I felt very tired physically. But all in all, with regard to the classification and bearing in mind this morning's accident, it didn't go too badly; I finished third and fifth and we take home some good points."

View the full article

[WORLDSBK.COM]

Phillip Island (Australia) - The crowds at Phillip Island were today treated to two spectacular Superbike races, the first of which resulted in the closest ever finish in Superbike history, with Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) crossing the line just 0.004 of a second behind Leon Haslam on the Suzuki. Less than a second behind Michel, in third place, was his team-mate Noriyuki Haga. Race 2 was also extremely hard fought and some very close racing which made for great viewing saw Michel battle his way to a third place finish with Nori just behind him in fifth.

This morning's warm-up passed without incident for Michel, who registered the fourth fastest lap time but unfortunately the same couldn't be said for his team-mate Noriyuki, victim of a 250 km/hour crash on entering in the first corner after being knocked from his 1198 by Xaus. The doctors of the circuit's medical centre declared him fit to ride, although the Japanese rider had suffered some bruising to his back, as well as a severe blow to the right forearm which swelled to such an extent as to require an pain-relief injection before the race.

Despite the difficulties in warm-up, race 1 began very well for both Ducati Xerox riders, Michel holding second position and Noriyuki, fast as lightning in his start, making up several position, to rocket from tenth to third position through the first corners. Right from the second lap the gap between the leaders, Haslam, Fabrizio and Haga, and the chasing pack, led by Jonathan Rea, began to increase and by mid-race the top three had built a five second advantage over fourth placed Rea. In the final four laps Michel tried to find a way past the young Briton but it was not to be and a final charge to the finish line led to a photofinish, with the result being declared the closest ever finish in a Superbike race. Michel crossed the line a mere four thousandths of a second after Haslam, with Haga following less than a second behind to snatch the third spot on the podium.

Race 2 began in exactly the same way as the first, with Haslam, Fabrizio and Haga again off the line quickest to take an immediate lead. Haslam's team-mate Sylvain Guintoli soon joined the fray, as did Carlos Checa mid-race, and a five-way battle for supremacy ensued. Nori, still suffering after the earlier crash, could not keep pace with the other four but held fifth position, taking home important points in the process. Checa, on board Althea Racing's Ducati 1198, waited until the last lap before passing both Fabrizio and Haslam to take the lead, leaving the Italian and the Briton to battle it out for second.

A very strong start for the Ducati Xerox Team as far as the championship standings are concerned, Michel in second position with 36 points, Nori fourth with 27 and their combined performances today putting Ducati in joint first place with Suzuki in the manufacturers classification.

Michel Fabrizio (Race 1 - 2nd , Race 2 -3rd)

"I had a great battle with Leon in Race 1. In the last four laps I tried to understand where I could attempt to get past him but it wasn't easy so I pushed on right to the finish line and, to tell the truth, I thought I'd done enough! Leon and I were right there together as we crossed the line, and on the big screen I could see my wife celebrating in the box - but the result was decided by the photofinish and I had to settle for 20 points this time. The great thing about the Superbike championship however is that there are two races.... My team did not make any changes to the bike before the second race and I was again able to make a good start but it was a very difficult race. I stayed there with the leading pack but I realized it would be very hard to win, and in the last four laps it became more difficult to fight. I am very happy with today's results, which put me in second place on the leaderboard after round 1. It will be a very long and challenging season but we've made a good start today."

Noriyuki Haga (Race 1 - 3rd , Race 2 - 5th)

"My result in Race 1 was really good as far as I'm concerned as I had had a crash during the warm-up and suffered from a bit of arm-pump during the race. I was confident that I could make a good start from 10th position and I did so and then I tried to keep up with Michel and Leon but my arm led me to make a few small mistakes. Anyway I really enjoyed the race and the points I made in the race are definitely a good start for the championship. In the second race my arm played up more and it became harder to brake, I felt very tired physically. But all in all, with regard to the classification and bearing in mind this morning's accident, it didn't go too badly; I finished third and fifth and we take home some good points."

View the full article