Category: Superbikes

1. More than ten thousand at Aprilia All Stars

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 25th Mar 2019

   APRILIA IGNITES MUGELLO WITH PASSION
   
   MORE THAN TEN THOUSAND AT APRILIA ALL STARS, THE CELEBRATION OF THE BRAND FROM NOALE
   
   WITH IANNONE AND SMITH, THE MOTOGP TEAM PRESENTED THE NEW RSV4 1100 FACTORY AND THE SPECIAL 225 HP X VERSION THAT CELEBRATES THE RSV4’S TENTH BIRTHDAY
   
   LIVING IT UP ON THE TRACK WERE MAX BIAGGI, LORIS CAPIROSSI, MANUEL POGGIALI, ALEX GRAMIGNI AND ROBERTO LOCATELLI
   
   
   It was a huge celebration of enthusiasts who responded en masse to the call from Aprilia, a young and Italian brand that lives and breathes passion for motorcycles and racing, more alive than ever with a fantastic fan base and with the capacity to thrill and excite as it always has throughout its history.
   
   More than ten thousand people descended on Mugello for the first edition of Aprilia All Stars, the day on which Aprilia celebrated its past and future, introducing the new 217 HP RSV4 1100 Factory to the public along with the MotoGP team. This new bike is a concentration of technology and racing know-how expressed to an even further extreme in the X version which, created for the tenth birthday of the RSV4 project, reaches 225 HP and a weight of 165 Kg.
   
   These are two bikes that bear witness to the extraordinary bond between the Aprilia product and its Racing department which, backed by 54 world titles won, including seven in WSBK and 294 GP wins, is a true technological banner for the Piaggio Group and for the entire Italian motorcycling movement.
   It was the FMI president, Giovanni Copioli, who acknowledged this role, awarding Piaggio Group CEO and MD Roberto Colannino on the track during the MotoGP team presentation.
   
   The Aprilia Racing Team Gresini were on track with the 2019 RS-GP machines which made their début two weeks ago in Qatar, ridden by Andrea Iannone and Bradley Smith, who were the same riders to unveil the new Aprilia RSV4 versions which were then taken out on track by an extraordinary crew of Champions in the Aprilia World: Max Biaggi, Loris Capirossi, Manuel Poggiali, Alex Gramigni and Roberto Locatelli.

   Biaggi’s parade lap astride his 1995 world championship RS 250, the sensational race with all the riders astride Aprilia SR 150 scooters, won in the final stretch by Manuel Poggiali and the display in pit lane of the bikes that have written Aprilia racing history filled an extraordinary day on which the public of Aprilia fans were protagonists. Participants ranged from those who are simply fans of the Italian brand, filling the grandstands and paddock that was livened up by music and games to the hundreds of fans in the Bearacer community who were able to meet the riders and share in a day of celebration with the entire team. And at the end, there was a spectacular parade of Aprilia bikes that invaded the circuit, the same track where the bikes from Noale, the most victorious bikes on the Tuscan hillside, have triumphed no less than 23 times in World GP races.

2. Sag Tubi and Gresini Racing reach the ninth year of partnership

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 20th Feb 2019

   The 2019 Moto3 season will see Sag Tubi alongside Gresini Racing for the ninth consecutive year. The internationally recognised Italian Company will once again be among the official sponsors of the quarter-litre class effort, as well as technical sponsor for the MotoGP part of the outfit.

   This is going to be a very important season for Gresini Racing and for Sag Tubi, as the brand is celebrating their 50th year of existence by supporting Gabri Rodrigo and Riccardo Rossi in Moto3 and the standard bearers of Aprilia Racing: Andrea Iannone and Aleix Espargaró.
   
   Sag Tubi – a leading European manufacturer of tubes and other related components - will have their logo displayed on Aleix and Andrea’s leathers as well as on the team uniforms of the newly-born Team Kömmerling Gresini Moto3.
   
   Walter Zini - CEO Sag Tubi SpA
   “We are happy and obviously proud to extend our support to Team Gresini in the MotoGP and Moto3 classes for another season. 2018 was a year full of success, which gave Team Del Conca Gresini Moto3 the world title; we really wish to thank again all the team for those unforgettable moments. There are many new things coming in 2019 with new riders joining the Gresini family, but I’m sure that, under the experienced direction of Fausto and his excellent staff, we will enjoy some more success. We are proud to associate our brand Sag Tubi to Gresini Racing for the ninth consecutive year and ready to live another exciting season. We will be among the most loyal fans of Aprilia Racing Team and Team Kömmerling Gresini Moto3.”
   
   Fausto Gresini – Team Manager
   “What can I say? Nine years together say a lot about this partnership, so I can only thank Walter for his faith in us, and the passion he gives. Last year we did amazing things together in Moto3 and we would like to do the same this season. While we know there’s a lot of work to do in MotoGP, we are also aware that a big improvement is possible, especially with the support of such a prestigious company as Sag Tubi.”

3. Motorex celebrates 2018 success with eight world titles and maiden MotoGP podium

   Posted on 12:00pm Saturday 1st Dec 2018

   Motorex is celebrating another successful year of competition on the world stage, taking its tally of world titles to 118 after adding another eight to its collection in 2018, in a year that also saw the brand take its maiden MotoGP podium.

   The Swiss oil giant picked up a fourth consecutive FIM Supercross World Championship early in the year, with Jason Anderson adding to Ryan Dungey’s three-in-a-row from 2015-2017. There were also back-to-back MXGP and World MX2 titles, as Jeffrey Herlings and Jorge Prado respectively added to Antonio Cairoli and Pauls Jonass’ wins from 2017.

   2018 also saw Motorex power five more riders to world championship glory, with Toby Price winning the Cross-Country Rallies title, while in the world of enduro Cody Webb was crowned Super Enduro World Champion. Brad Freeman, Matteo Cavallo, and Ruy Barbosa were all Enduro World Champions in the E1, Junior, and Youth classes.

   This year’s success means Motorex boasts 118 world titles since it entered world championship racing with Mick Bollhalder and Charlie Büsser, helping them claim the FIM Sidecar Cross World Championship. Since then they have helped teams and riders win world championships in motocross, enduro, supermoto, rally, supersport, Moto3, and Moto2.

   The culmination of this year’s MotoGP season also saw Motorex make history with its first podium in the premier road-racing championship, as Pol Espargaro – a former Moto2 champion with Motorex – finished third at Valencia.

   Motorex offers a wide selection of engine and gearbox oils to suit a range of machinery, as well as suspension oils, coolant, chain lube, and other maintenance, care, and cleaning products.
   
   
   

4. British Superbike ace Bradley Ray passes motorcycle test on SV650

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 14th Nov 2018

   Buildbase Suzuki’s Bradley Ray has today passed his motorcycle test, the British Superbike race-winner completing his Module Two assessment on a restricted SV650.

   Ray completed his Module One last month, which involved assessment of his machine control and ability to complete manoeuvres such as a figure of eight and an avoidance test. Today’s Module Two saw him take to the roads and his safety and awareness evaluated, where he again passed with flying colours.

   While Ray’s riding had previously been limited to the race track – he will again return to British Superbike action in 2019 onboard a GSX-R1000R – the 21-year-old can now enjoy the delights of riding on the road, and is currently considering a V-Strom 650 as his road bike.

   Bradley Ray, “I thought I was nervous for the first part but it went up a gear today. I think I put myself under a lot more pressure for the road bit, but I did some more training with Tom from Shires [Motorcycle Training] again yesterday and the examiner was quite reassuring to be fair, and I relaxed a bit more as it went on. But the relief afterwards was unreal, honestly. I was genuinely so happy. It’s a shame we’re getting into the winter now, but I’m eyeing up either an SV650 or V-Strom 650 for next year and looking forward to getting on the road and just enjoying motorcycling. Everyone should do it.”

   For more information on the SV650, click here. A2 restrictor kits are available through authorised dealerships.

5. Triple M Honda World Superbike Team withdraws from Qatar WorldSBK round

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 23rd Oct 2018

   The Triple M Honda World Superbike Team will not participate in the WorldSBK season finale in Qatar this weekend due to an injury to rider Florian Marino.
   Marino suffered fractures in his left leg following a crash in Race 2 at the previous round in Argentina, after a promising WorldSBK debut in Race 1 where he claimed eleventh place.
   
   With Marino injured, the team has opted to withdraw from the Qatar round and will now switch its focus to preparing for the 2019 season.