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Category: Superbikes
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Sepang (Malaysia), 3 February 2016 - The third and final day of testing with the Aprilia RS-GP machines at THE THE FIRST OF THREE DAYS OF TESTING TODAY FOR BAUTISTA AND BRADL ON THE APRILIA RS-GP MACHINES
Sepang (Malaysia), 1 February 2016 - The 2016 MotoGP season kicked off with the first day of tests, traditionally held at Sepang, with Aprilia committed to their second year in the top motorcycle racing category.
For the Aprilia Racing Team Gresini official riders, Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl, it is also a return to the saddle after the long winter break, so for the first day they were mainly focused on getting back into the groove. From a technical point of view, the area of greatest interest has to do with the new electronics, a unique package that must be developed and matched to the peculiar characteristics of each bike. The team focused their efforts on this front, looking for a basic setup that can then be transferred to the new 2016 Aprilia RS-GP prototype.
On the first of the three days scheduled Alvaro Bautista put in 34 laps and his team mate, Stefan Bradl, put in 39.
ALVARO BAUTISTA
“After two months without a bike this first test is essential for getting back into the groove. We have a lot of work to do, especially in terms of the new electronics package. I'm expecting three intense days where we can take as many steps forward as possible, progress that we'll then be able to use on the new bike.”
STEFAN BRADL
“Here at Sepang we'll use the 2015 RS-GP, but the work schedule is rather tight for us anyway. The feeling with the new electronics and the new tyres must be developed lap by lap. The first tests of the season are always something special. You get back onto the track after a long break but it really only takes a few kilometres to reacquire the right sensations.”
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Antonio Maeso, the Spanish Road Racer, who had a serious accident at the 2013 Isle of Man TT Races, has announced that he will return to road racing this season.
Following the accident that shattered his right leg, doctors in Liverpool decided not to amputate only because of the character of the young man and spent 12 hours of surgery to rebuild his leg. After a miraculous, arduous and very painful recovery Maeso will return to the roads next May 10th in the International North West 200, one of the best international meetings, that runs in the famous triangle circuit in Northern Ireland.
Last July Maeso received clearance to race following a medical examination at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, but it was not until recently that he decided to return after making a series of track outings that gradually carried him closer to the level he had before suffering the accident. All this has coincided with improved flexibility in his leg following a long journey of hospitals and rehabilitation.
Maeso never gave up despite the many bad moments not only with the injury but concerning personal affairs that made these two and half years the worst of his life as he admits:
"The truth is that it was very difficult and I did not expect it to be that tough all the time. It is true that I gave everything on the island, chasing a dream of many, but always knew exactly where I was going and doing and, in fact, the stones I clipped where on a corner where nobody usually gets close to. Well, that and all the bad things are behind me now. I have a second chance at life and I'm trying to have fun and develop doing what I do best which is racing a motorcycle."
The Almeria rider, who was named Racer of the Year in 2013 in Spain and awarded the Golden Shield in his home City, has launched a project that will see him race a motorcycle in the Lightweight 650 class at international road races starting with the NW200.
At the rider’s, official website (www.maeso.eu) Maeso provides information about the project and offers the possibility of collaborating with him and supporting him in different ways. The site has a sponsorship dossier and also the “your name on the flag” crowd funding activity where anyone can have their name on Maeso’s fairings for a modest contribution to the Team.
Maeso said:
"I felt compelled because, beyond essential support that I need, I want to open the door many fans and friends who have always supported me in this unique cross-Road Racing career to be part of the team and experience the thrill of road racing."
In the same sense of connection, Maeso announced that his social media network will broadcast regular updates of the progress of the project and preparation of the bike, including the usual Facebook and Twitter channels, but also weekly broadcasting lived on Periscope.
In the coming weeks more details about the project, sponsoring agreements and official Team launch presentation dates are planned and the rider will be announce these through the different media channels.
Maeso himself, as the leading and most proficient Spanish Road Racer in recent years, hopes that this news is greeted with enthusiasm by many Road Racing fans around the world who have followed his career to date.
www.maeso.eu
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Team Classic Suzuki has announced its tie up with Suzuki GB’s Vintage Parts programme for 2016, and confirm that it will officially represent the Japanese manufacturer in high profile classic racing events next season.
The team will contest a number of events throughout the year, including the Classic TT on the Isle of Man, and unveiled the Suzuki XR69s that riders Michael Dunlop and Lee Johnston will campaign in 2016 at Motorcycle Live.
Team Classic Suzuki Owner, Steve Wheatman, said of the tie up,
“We’re delighted to have agreed terms with Suzuki GB for increased support in 2016, and are proud to be officially representing the brand next season. It’s a mutually beneficial partnership, with the team able to benefit from Suzuki’s parts knowledge and input, while the spectators at many of the events we will be racing at in 2016 are enthusiasts and owners of older bikes, who could benefit from Suzuki GB’s parts programme for more classic machines.
“In 2015 Michael Dunlop raced our XR69 to victory at the Classic TT; his second win in three years on our bike, and we’ll be aiming for the top step again at every event we enter in 2016 with both Michael and Lee Johnston.”
Suzuki GB Aftersales Marketing Co-ordinator, Tim Davies, said,
“Being involved with Steve and Team Classic Suzuki is a perfect fit for us. Racing is a hugely important part of Suzuki’s heritage, and even though bikes and technology are always moving forward, we don’t forget about the bikes that got us to where we are. It’s the same with our road bikes too, which is why we’re so committed to supporting the team next season, and we’re sure we’ll be celebrating some good results together in 2016.”
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After a record breaking season for Kawasaki, which includes winning the World Superbike Championship, the Manufacturer’s Championship at British and World level and being top of the table in Superstock 1000 and 600, Kawasaki UK has today launched Team Green – a banner to cover both the on-road and off-road racing efforts at all levels.
Originally launched back in the 1980s by Alec Wright – Racing Manager at Kawasaki Motors UK Ltd – Team Green represented the pinnacle of racing. Back in the day, Team Green became the name on everyone’s lips and something everyone wanted to be part of, both on the dirt and tarmac, and success followed with John Reynolds winning one 600 Championship and two 750 titles and other riders sweeping the board winning all the UK schoolboy championships plus the AMCA 125 and 250 titles in 1985.
In 2013, Team Green Youth MX Team was launched and represented Kawasaki UK at all major British Youth Championships. There was success on track with the team winning the Small Wheel 85 Championship in 2013 and the Big Wheel 85 Championship in 2014.
Mark Spiller, Kawasaki UK Marketing and Brand Development Manager, said: “Racing has always been an indulgence and the personal pleasure of many and that is certainly very true of all at Kawasaki Motors UK. However, the KMUK Team Green approach to racing includes more than the action on the track. We have reinstated the values of the past and this means we operate in a true working partnership with all our officially supported teams at every level.”
“2015 saw the re-launch of Team Green in the UK, an umbrella brand supporting all UK off-road race activities from Youth to GP’s. Team Green is a community that introduces the Kawasaki brand to the youngsters at club level, providing the “ladder of opportunity” to help achieve aspirations and remain with the family at every level of the sport.”
For the 2016 season, all on-road and off-road teams will be under the Team Green umbrella, a term that also covers the Team Green Sport partners, including: stunt performer Lee Bowers and Freestyle MX rider Jamie Squibb as well as Team Green Kids Ambassador seven-year-old, Lottie Trenchard.
Ross Burridge, Senior Racing Co-ordinator, said: “We’ve created a team that’s very much akin to how Team Green was in the 80s and 90s in that the riders – despite some being young – operate in a very professional manner. This has helped, not only our success on track, but also created a desire for many other riders to want to be a part of it. For 2016, I’m personally very excited to see Team Green feature in the road racing scene too with GBMoto and I feel that the ethos of Team Green will be replicated at the highest level of road racing in the UK. Roll on 2016.”
With the Ninja 300 Cup run by the British Motorcycle Racing Club entering its fifth season, now known as ‘The Team Green Junior Cup’, and with Team Green being represented in a number of British Championships – including: Superbike, Superstock 1000 and 600 and Supersport – and across a number of off-road disciplines, Kawasaki is the team on track to watch out for in 2016.
Keep up to date with the latest Team Green news on the website at: www.kawasaki.co.uk
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Speedfit Kawasaki has signed Leon Haslam in an exciting deal to race the brand new Ninja ZX-10R in the British Superbike Championship.
After a successful season finishing in fourth place in the 2015 World Superbike Championship, including nine podium finishes and with two race wins, Haslam will return to the hotly contested 12-round British Championship, where he’s enjoyed much success previously.
The JG Speedfit Kawasaki team will be entering their third season with Kawasaki UK and are looking to build on the success of last year with a plethora of podium finishes and race wins under their belt.
Partnering Haslam will be race winner and last year’s Showdown contender, James Ellison and team mate Peter Hickman – forming a trio of riders that the team hopes will be a formula for success in the 2016 season.
Returning to the British Superbike Championship with one goal, Leon Haslam said, “I’m super excited to be coming back to BSB! It’s one of the most competitive series in the world and has a huge fan base and following, so I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and racing in front of the British crowd.
“I made the decision that I wanted to come back a few months ago and began looking at different options. I’ve known Mark for quite a while and I’ve seen how quickly and professionally the team has grown so they were my first option really. I’ve seen first-hand how dominant the old ZX-10R still was, so with this new one already proving faster in testing I can’t wait to get out there next month and try the JG Speedfit Kawasaki for the first time. It will also be my first time competing in the Showdown format so I’m looking forward to that, but our goal from the start of the year is to come back and be challenging at the front from the start!”
JG Speedfit Kawasaki Team Principal, Mark Smith-Halvorsen, added, “Everyone in the team is excited to be welcoming Leon for 2016. He has proven to be one of the most successful riders within Superbike racing and we know that he won’t be returning to make up the numbers!
“Although behind the scenes the signing has been a very quick deal, we’re already in the process of building a third ZX-10R Superbike which Leon will get to experience when he joins James and Peter next month. With a combination of the new Kawasaki and three of the strongest riders on the grid, I truly believe we have the right package to win our debut MCE British Superbike Championship title. It’s up to us now, to turn that into a reality”
Ross Burridge, Kawasaki UK Senior Racing Co-ordinator, said: “The British Superbike Championship is certainly a tough one and you have to make sure everything aligns in order to even be in with a shout at success. I truly believe GBMoto have achieved this for the 2016 season. Their rider lineup is phenomenal, the factory support we’re providing is working wonders and the team’s sheer determination to win is second to none. I really believe that 2016 could be the year for them to bring home the British Superbike Championship. I wish them the best of luck and can’t wait for round one at Silverstone in April.”
To find out more about the JG Speedfit British Superbike team and all of Team Green, visit the all new website at www.teamgreenracing.co.uk or like the Facebook page - Kawasaki Team Green
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