Category: Superbikes

1. Honda WorldSBK Team signs Stefan Bradl for the 2017 WorldSBK season

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 1st Aug 2016

   The Honda WorldSBK Team is pleased to announce the signing of 26-year-old Stefan Bradl from Germany for the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship. Crowned Moto2 World Champion in 2011, Bradl will join former MotoGP™ Champion Nicky Hayden to complete a stellar line-up for Honda next season.

   Despite his young age, Bradl has a wealth of experience at international level. Since his 125cc debut in 2005, he has collected nineteen podium finishes and seven wins across all Grand Prix classes. After winning the Moto2 World Championship in 2011, Stefan made his MotoGP debut with the LCR Honda Team in 2012 where his best result was a second-place finish at Laguna Seca in 2013.

   The Honda WorldSBK Team would like to thank Michael van der Mark for his outstanding efforts and title-winning contribution during his tenure as a Honda rider. The team will maintain its unconditional support for Michael for the remainder of the season, with the goal of achieving the best possible results.

   The Honda WorldSBK Team is pleased to confirm that its riders for the 2017 season will be Nicky Hayden and Stefan Bradl.

2. MOTOGP - APRILIA TACKLES THE ICONIC SILVERSTONE‬ TRACK

   Posted on 1:00pm Sunday 31st Jul 2016

   ALVARO BAUTISTA: "TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE MISANO TESTS"‬
   STEFAN BRADL: "FLOWING TRACK, A GOOD FIT FOR OUR SETTINGS"
   
   A charming and historical track will host round 12 on the 2016 MotoGP calendar. The Silverstone circuit, a former RAF military airstrip and the first track to host a Formula 1 race, has various points of interest. Fast and flowing, it always provides spectacular races, attracting large and enthusiastic crowds. The unpredictable weather conditions also add another variable.

   The Aprilia RS-GP machines ridden by Stefan Bradl and Alvaro Bautista arrive in the United Kingdom after the Misano tests, where both riders continued the development programme. Some of the solutions used on the Italian track are ready to be implemented at Silverstone.
   Both the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini riders like the layout of the English circuit. Last year, Alvaro Bautista took one of his best race results right here on the fast corners of Silverstone, with a tenth place finish.
   
   ROMANO ALBESIANO - APRILIA RACING MANAGER
   "Silverstone is definitely a complex track where, in any case, both Alvaro and Stefan demonstrated good race performance last year, despite the wet conditions. We are arriving here after the Misano tests that were rather important, with many parts tested and a further push forward in our continuous development process on the RS-GP. In England we will have some chassis upgrades and a modified gearbox with neutral lock, whereas after Brno we did an in depth analysis of traction control operation, improving reactions in situations where the grip condition varies during the race".
   
   FAUSTO GRESINI - TEAM MANAGER
   "In the last two races we did not reap much, although we actually worked quite hard. We are putting forth a lot of effort with great dedication and, in fact, right after Brno we went to Misano where we conducted tests both with the two factory riders and with the test team. Aprilia is increasing efforts toward the goal of making further progress and obviously, we are seeking to accompany them down this path. We are coming to Silverstone ready for battle. We need a good result and we will give 100% in order to achieve it because it would be a great confidence booster in view of the important upcoming home round at Misano".
   
   ALVARO BAUTISTA
   "I like Silverstone a lot. It is a fun ride. The weather is crucial here. It can change from one moment to the next between rain and sunny skies, so it is a factor that must be watched. After the Misano tests I think we will be able to implement some new ideas on the track, taking the best advantage of the tests. I hope to have a good weekend, working well in every session. Having top-10 potential on race day would be a great result for us".
   
   STEFAN BRADL
   "We expect a demanding weekend, but one that we are tackling after the good tests conducted at Misano. We have a lot of material to confirm on a new track. I think that some of the things used in the tests will be useful for us. I would like to have stable weather conditions so we can continue this development effort. The track is fast and flowing. It should suit be a good fit for our settings that usually perform well on this type of layout".

3. APRILIA EXPLORES THE RED BULL RING

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 21st Jul 2016

   TWO DAYS OF TESTS FOR BAUTISTA, LOWES AND DI MEGLIO ON THE NEW AUSTRIAN CIRCUIT
   
   The MotoGP riders had a chance to discover the Austrian Red Bull Ring circuit, one of the new additions to the 2016 calendar. Characterised by hard braking, fast acceleration and steep slope changes, the new track will host the next round on the weekend of 14 August.

   Only Alvaro Bautista was on the track for Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, whereas his teammate, Stefan Bradl, is still recovering after his crash during the warm-up session at the Sachsenring last weekend.
   Two more RS-GP machines available to the Aprilia Test Team were ridden by tester Mike Di Meglio and Same Lowes, the English rider currently on the Gresini Moto2 Team, on his second time out with the Italian MotoGP bike that he will ride next season. Sam is continuing his apprenticeship on the RS-GP that began recently in Misano, completing 58 laps on the first day of testing.

   Bautista focused on preparatory tests for the race, therefore working on the chassis and electronics setup, in addition to tyre choice. The Austrian track proved to be rather particular straight away. There are a lot of blind corners and the braking and acceleration sections become extremely important, just as much as engine performance that is put to the test on the long, uphill straight stretches. Alvaro also conducted some comparative tests with a new type of front wing and the lighter swingarm that had already been tested at the Sachsenring, two elements that will require further evaluation.
   The results in terms of times were satisfactory, with Alvaro taking 166 laps over the course of the two days.
   
   ALVARO BAUTISTA
   “On this new track you need a lot of engine and a stable bike in braking and acceleration. We worked with these goals, finding some interesting solutions in terms of the race. We still need to do some more testing on the lighter swingarm though. I'm still not certain that it provides an advantage. I should also point out that this is a rather particular track, so it is quite difficult to make comparisons. In terms of safety, on the other hand, I think there are a few spots with very little space and close to the walls. Before the race it would be good to think about a few solutions, especially given the high speeds”.
   
   SAM LOWES
   “After the first contact in Misano, I'm beginning to feel more and more at ease astride the RS-GP. It is a positive trend. I improved every time I went out and we began to work on the bike setup to adapt it to my riding style. We have more tests scheduled with Aprilia, but at the moment I am pleased with the level we have achieved. The track is very nice. There are some tight corners and flowing sections. Overall it's fun. It isn't very difficult to learn; you just have to remember the right reference points on the blind corners. Let's just say that, after riding the RS-GP, the straight stretches will seem even longer with the Moto2 bike!”.

4. World GP Bike Legends Roar into the Silverstone Classic‏

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 19th Jul 2016

   Star-studded line-up of World Champions, Grand Prix heroes and awe-inspiring 500cc machines is announced  

   It’s the final countdown: there are now less than two weeks until the star-studded World GP Bike Legends make their eagerly-anticipated UK debut at the Silverstone Classic at the end of this month (29-31 July).
    
   Already firmly established as the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, the magical event features an unrivalled line-up of races featuring the full spectrum of four-wheeled motor sport history. Now the addition of two-wheeled action will add yet another notable dimension to what’s already an incredible event. 
    
   Even more so as the illustrious line-up of two-wheeler heroes is topped by no fewer than six World Champions – Troy Corser, Wayne Gardner, Jim Redman, Phil Read, Christian Sarron and Freddie Spencer – all riding iconic 500cc two-strokes bikes from the golden age of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
    
   Described as the biggest, baddest and most evil racing motorcycles ever to see a track, these much-missed 200+mph monsters dominated the premier league of bike World Championships for almost three glorious decades. Back in the eighties both Gardner and Spencer won the British Motorcycle Grand Prix at Silverstone aboard these 500cc beasts and both champions will be reliving those victories on their return to the superfast Northamptonshire venue at the Classic.
    
   Visitors to Silverstone not only will be treated to the evocative sights and sounds of these legendry riders and bikes roaring around the full Grand Prix circuit on both Saturday and Sunday but they will also be able to meet their idols during what are certain to be massively popular autograph sessions over the weekend.
    
   The riders entered for the World GP Bike Legends showcase at the Silverstone Classic are:
    
   Troy Corser (AUS) 1981 Kawasaki KR500
   Competed in seven 500cc GPs in 1997 also 377 Superbike World Championship starts from 1992 to 2011 with 33 wins, 130 podiums and 43 pole positions. Superbike World Champion in 1996 and 2005.
    
   Simon Crafar (NZL) 1989 Cagiva V589
   Competed in 32 250cc/500cc GPs from 1993-1999 winning the British 500cc GP at Donington in 1998.
    
   Didier de Radigues (BEL) 1998 Suzuki RGV500 XR88
   Competed in 82 500cc GPs between 1983-1991 with two podium finishes. Four wins in 250cc & 350cc GPs with 12 pole positions.
    
   Wayne Gardner (AUS) 1999 Suzuki RGV500 XR89
   500cc World Champion in 1987, runner up in 1986 & 1988. Scored 18 500cc GP wins with 51 podiums, 19 pole positions and 19 fastest laps.
    
   Phil Read (UK) 1976 Suzuki RG500 Mk1
   500cc World Champion in 1973 & 1974 with 10 500cc GP wins from 1973-1975. 250cc World Champion in 1964, 1965, 1968 & 1971. 125cc World Champion in 1968. Scored 52 GP wins.
    
   Jim Redman (UK) 1980 Suzuki RG500
   250cc and 350cc double World Champion in 1962 & 1963. 350cc World Champion in 1964 & 1965. Scored 45 GP wins, 98 podiums and 35 fastest laps.
    
   Christian Sarron (FRA) 1995 Yamaha YZR500
   Competed in 148 250cc/350cc/500cc GPs from 1976-1990 scoring seven wins, 37 podium and 11 pole positions. Won the 250cc World Championship in 1984.
    
   Niggi Schmassmann (SUI) 1996 Yamaha YZR500
   Competed in 57 500cc GPs from 1988-1996. Four-time German 500cc Champion.
    
   Freddie Spencer (USA) 1984 Honda NS500
   500cc World Champion in 1983 and 500cc/250cc double World Champion in 1985. Scored 27 GP wins, 39 podiums, 33 pole positions and 24 fastest laps.
    
   With so many renowned champions and such an awesome selection of 500cc bikes, it’s no surprise that World GP Bike Legends rider and ambassador, Wayne Gardner is excited by what’s planned for the Silverstone Classic.
    
   “It’s an absolute honour for us to be invited to such an unbelievably successful event,” enthused the Australian. “The two previous events we have been part of in Spain and Germany proved huge successes with the riders and fans, and I have absolutely no doubt that Silverstone will be every bit as special. It’s a daunting circuit that has some fantastic memories for many of us who were lucky enough to race in the epic 500cc era.
    
   “I’m sure those lucky enough to have experienced the racing back then will be really excited now to have the chance to relive those glory days. For others who were perhaps too young back in the eighties and nineties, this will be a wonderful opportunity for them to understand just why so many people are still raving about these phenomenal two-strokes.
    
   “We have put together a fabulous collection of spine-chilling bikes representing all the top manufacturers: Cagiva, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha. The gathering of legendary riders is pretty impressive, too. Believe me, it will be an absolutely fantastic show.”
    
   All tickets for the Silverstone Classic must be purchased in advance. Adult admission starts at £42, with £6 admission for accompanied children aged between six and 16 years old. A wide range of weekend, camping, VIP hospitality and Family Tickets are also available. Adding to the festival’s immense appeal, tickets include free entrance to both racing paddocks and pit complexes, trackside grandstands, the World GP Bike Legend autograph sessions plus the live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings. Full details can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.  

5. Podium for Nicky Hayden at Laguna with van der Mark a close fourth

   Posted on 10:00am Monday 11th Jul 2016

   Nicky Hayden has crossed the line in third place at the end of a hard-fought, 25-lap opening World Superbike race in front of his home crowd at Laguna Seca. In doing so, the experienced American rider has claimed the third podium of his rookie WorldSBK season. Michael van der Mark was right behind his Honda WorldSBK team mate in fourth, after a great recovery from eleventh place on the grid.

   Hayden got a great launch from row two and was fifth at the exit of turn one; while keeping a solid pace, he was promoted first to fourth and then to third as the two Ducati riders Davies and Giugliano crashed out of contention on lap five and thirteen, respectively. The 34-year-old from Owensboro, Kentucky, brilliantly held on to the final step of the podium despite the pressure from Alex Lowes and, in the final two laps of the race, by a resurgent van der Mark.

   The young Dutchman was able to make up several positions in the early stages despite a small mistake on lap one and, as the race entered its second half, he joined the battle for third place. With a spectacular overtake on Lowes at turn two at the start of the penultimate lap, van der Mark moved up to fourth and set his sights on his team mate; he then dived on the inside of Hayden at the last hairpin, eventually running wide.

   The second and last World Superbike race of the US round will get underway tomorrow at 14:30 local time (GMT -7), after the traditional 15-minute warm up scheduled at 11:00.