Category: Superbikes

1. Ducati TriOptions Cup provides spectacular showdown at Oulton Park

   Posted on 9:00am Tuesday 5th May 2015

   UK’s premier one-make series one of the highlights of the bank holiday weekend
   
   • James Egan scores more points in National Superstock 1000
   • Tough time for Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati

   The hugely impressive grid of 34 Ducati 899 Panigales was one of the stars of the bank holiday British Superbike Championship this weekend (2-4 May) at Oulton Park in Cheshire. Sunday’s TriOptions Cup showdown produced a thrilling finale, with 2011 champion Leon Morris securing his first victory of 2015.

   Behind the fast-starting Carl Cox Motorsport/P&H rider there was an incredible story developing with a number of series front-runners racing through from the back of the field. Having crashed on his out lap in qualifying, reigning TriOptions Cup champion Dennis Hobbs charged off the line on his Carl Cox Motorsport/P&H 899 from 34th slot to be 11th after just one lap of the picturesque circuit. By lap three Hobbs was up to eighth and behind Rob Guiver on the Hyside Motorcycles machine who was soon to become the talking point of the ten-lap showdown.

   At mid-distance Guiver began a series of circulations that repeatedly smashed the Ducati TriOptions lap record and hauled the #13 bike into contention for overall victory. By the eighth tour, he had passed Robbie Brown (Boast Plumbing) to take third position into Lodge and was soon on the back wheel of Marty Nutt (Penso/Ducati Coventry). With fantastic drive out of Druids, Guiver made another move at Lodge to take second place, and set about closing the 1.7s to Morris.

   There was more late drama to come, however, as Guiver's Panigale was running low on fuel and cut out causing him to run wide and over the grass at Hislops. Nutt needed no second invitation to sweep past the Essex-based rider, and holding the defensive inside line into the final corner he just managed to keep second place at the flag.

   Hobbs' superb race through the field means he maintains top spot in the standings by five points from Nutt. Morris is a further five in arrears in third with Guiver and Sean Neary (Paraplus) rounding out the top five championship positions.

   Leon Morris said: “After the disappointment of Brands that was really needed for us, we’re really happy. Marty came past me and I did a pretty hard move to get him back but I was committed – after that I didn’t see anyone. I think tomorrow will be a bit different but that is definitely a bit of a monkey off my back as we had a difficult opening round.”

   Rob Guiver said: “I am a bit gutted to be honest – starting from where I was it was a big ask to get the win but I was definitely after a rostrum anyway. I didn’t have a great start, I was aiming for something a bit better but got boxed in and pushed out wide. When I got Marty at the end, the bike started cutting out going down the gears, it wasn’t bad at first but then I had a big moment at Cascades and then going into Hislops it fully cut out and I had to pick it up and go across the grass. It turns out I was running out of fuel so I’m glad I managed to finish the race! It was a bit of a shame not to get second but it’s still good points and after what happened at Brands that’s what I needed!”

   The second race has been re-scheduled for the World Superbike Championship weekend at Donington Park (22-24 May), so fans can look forward to a triple-header of Ducati TriOptions Cup action. Click here to view the full championship standings.

   With the sun shining on today’s bank holiday Monday action (4 May), MWR Motorsports Ducati rider James Egan enjoyed a successful charge through the middle order of the hugely competitive National Superstock 1000 class, crossing the line in 14th to secure two championship points.

   The South African rider missed out on some valuable track time on Saturday with a small off in the damp first qualifying session. In second qualifying on Sunday he managed to secure 21st slot on the grid and making a strong start jumped up to 16th in the early running. It was then a case of closing the gap to a pack of riders ahead, but unfortunately just as Egan was closing in the red flags came out a the result was declared.

   James Egan said: "My expectations were probally higher than was realistically achievable this weekend because we haven’t riden the Ducati here before. The weather conditions set us back, in Superstock every session counts as you only get three chances before the race and we lost a whole session to the rain. This is the third round and we set aside three rounds for what would be in reality test sessions, and that’s what this was. We made changes and found a good setting but unfortunately I was too far back in qualifying and just played it safe as I didn’t want to have another crash. Although in the race I was faster round here than I have ever been before – it was probably a top 10 pace – and we had more to come, we have a good base setting and a good direction for the bike. Our testing session is over now so onwards and upwards."

   Egan will next be in action as the National Superstock 1000 series supports the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park.

   It was a tough weekend for the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati squad as it struggled to find the ideal set-up on the 1199 Panigale R superbike during free practice and qualifying.

   Czech rider Jakub ‘Kuba’ Smrz was one of the fastest riders in wet free practice, however with dry conditions for qualifying he posted the 13th quickest time for the opening encounter. With the huge BSB grid pouring into turn one, the #96 rider found himself squeezed onto the outside of the track and over the grass. With some impressive bike control, Kuba managed to keep the Panigale upright, but the excursion left him languishing at the back of the field. Making up a couple of places by the chequered flag he crossed the line in 20th position.

   Starting down in 23rd for race two based on lap times from the first battle, Smrz once again found himself in a battle for the top twenty, running in 25th for much of the contest. Swapping places with Cox, Parkes and Mackenzie, he eventually broke away from the pack and comfortably took the chequered flag in 19th.

   Steve Moore, Lloyds British Moto Rapido team owner, said: “Oulton Park has never been the best track for the Panigale and we didn’t quite find the sweet spot this weekend. The team has worked really hard, and now we need to focus on testing over the upcoming break. We're looking forward to Snetterton - it's a circuit that has been good for both Kuba and the Panigale in the past.”

   Jakub Smrz said:"I didn't really find my rhythm today and didn't have a great feeling on the bike. It was better in the second race, we were able to make some good overtakes, but now the focus is on Snetterton which is a track I like a lot. We were on the front row there last year so it should be a much better weekend for us."

   There is now a seven-week break for the British Superbike Championship, with battle resuming at Snetterton in Norfolk on 19-21 June.

2. Positive test for Honda Racing ahead of the North West 200

   Posted on 12:05pm Friday 1st May 2015

    Honda Racing riders John McGuinness and Conor Cummins completed a two-day test at Castle Combe, Wiltshire yesterday in preparation for the forthcoming 2015 North West 200, which will take place in Northern Ireland 10-16 May.

   The first day of the test saw the team complete a full day on track, while overnight rain and intermittent showers on Wednesday morning meant McGuinness and Cummins were only able to get out in the afternoon on their Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP machines.

   The outing has proved positive for both riders who were testing various Dunlop tyre compounds, trying different electronic settings and fine-tuning the suspension with the K-Tech engineers who were on-hand.

   The Castle Combe test was the second time McGuinness has ridden the CBR this year, following a test in March at Monteblanco in Spain. The 21-time TT winner is feeling confident and fit ahead of the North West and also this year’s Isle of Man TT races after suffering a wrist injury last year, which affected both events for the ‘Morecambe Missile'.

   Team-mate Cummins is in his second year with the Honda Racing squad and had a successful debut with the team in 2014, scoring three Superbike podiums in total with one at the North West and two at the TT. The Manx-man leaves the test confident and looking forward the races ahead.

   The North West 200 takes place in two weeks time from 10-16 May, with McGuinness and Cummins competing for Honda Racing in the two Superbike races on Saturday 16 May. Forming a triangle between the Northern Irish costal towns of Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart, the 8.970-mile course is one of the world’s fastest.

   John McGuinness

   It's been a really solid test at Castle Combe over the two-days. I’m really happy, motivated and looking forward to the next two months, which will be busy for us all with the North West 200 and also the Isle of Man TT. The whole package is awesome with the bike, the team and also my team-mate. My wrist is feeling good and I’m feeling bike fit and strong. Both of the pre-season tests have been positive and I just can’t wait to be on my bike again for the races.

   Conor Cummins

   We've worked hard and on a lot of different settings over the two days. We tried a different electronics package on the bike, which is different to last year and required some hard work and lots of laps. It's been really productive and worthwhile and I'm happy with the direction we have and can work towards now. The best thing about this year is the amount of time on-track we've had on the CBR and I can't wait to get to the North West now.

3. BAUTISTA AND MELANDRI, BOTH AT THE FINISH LINE

   Posted on 8:00am Monday 20th Apr 2015

   ...CONTINUE TO IMPROVE WITH THEIR RS-GP BIKES AND REDUCE THE GAP BEHIND THE PACK

   Termas de Rio Hondo (Argentina), 19 April 2015 - In the second American race on the Argentinian Termas de Rio Hondo circuit, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini confirmed the progress demonstrated in Austin. The two RS-GP bikes, for the first time both crossing the finish line, significantly reduced the gap behind the leaders and the middle pack.

   Some conservative riding in the first part of the race kept the two riders from being able to battle for positions in the points with Bautista finishing 19th ahead of Melandri in 20th, both coming back in the final stages of the race. But the times (just over 4 seconds from 11th place) in the end reward the hard work they and the entire team have done on development.
   
   
   ROMANO ALBESIANO (Aprilia Racing Manager)
   "Today's result in terms of times is quite positive. We finished with Alvaro at 4.672 seconds from eleventh place and about 44 seconds from the leader. I would have liked a better final placement but perhaps we were too careful in the first part of the race. But our overall pace, both Alvaro's and Marco's, was very close to that of the riders in the middle pack. An encouraging performance and Marco also confirmed that by now he has come quite close to his team mate's performance."
   
   FAUSTO GRESINI (Team Manager)
   "Beyond the final placement, which without a doubt could have been better, we ran a good race, lapping with the group that battles consistently for points. With a faster first part a better final placement was definitely within our reach. But we'll head home having taken a step forward with both riders. Marco has evidently also found some confidence and feeling here. We can be optimistic as we look forward."
   
   ALVARO BAUTISTA
   "In the first part of the race I was too calm. I wanted to conserve the tyres, but I actually noticed less wear, probably because the track conditions were better. At the end I tried to push harder even though at that point the group of riders ahead of me had already created a gap that I was unable to close. In any case, we finished another important race, also reducing the gap behind the winner compared to how we did in Texas. No we are already looking forward toward Jerez, the location of the first European race, with the goal of improving further. I want to thank the team which is always working very hard: we take a small step forward every time and we are able to better identify what we need to do to improve."
   
   MARCO MELANDRI
   "To be honest today I had hoped to keep up with the group of riders ahead of me, but at the beginning of the race I lost a lot of time, struggling with the lack of stability at the front and poor grip at the rear. It's a shame because I had even gotten off the line well and from the mid-race point on the bike felt like it had been feeling these last few days, letting me lap at a good pace, staying around 1'41.5."

4. MOTOGP SATURDAY QUALIFIERS IN ARGENTINA

   Posted on 10:57pm Saturday 18th Apr 2015

   Bautista does his best qualifying for a spot on the seventh row with the nineteenth best time. Eighth row for Melandri
   
   Termas de Rio Hondo (Argentina), 18 April 2015 - Saturday qualifiers for Aprilia Racing Team Gresini leading up to the Argentinian GP.
   After the last two free practice sessions which both Melandri and Bautista spent looking for the best setups for the race tomorrow, the Spaniard rode his RS-GP to the 19th best time in qualifiers that determine the starting order on the grid. This is his best result in this early phase of the season which has the V4 from Noale making its début and it earns him the best spot on the seventh row. Marco Melandri, who closed the gap behind the pack throughout the weekend, finished with the 24th best time, placing himself on the eighth row.
   
   
   ROMANO ALBESIANO (Aprilia Racing Manager)
   "It was a good day. We lapped the entire day with good times, improving the bikes compared to yesterday and also identifying directions for development of the chassis. I would say that the qualifiers were good for both riders. Both Alvaro and Marco were a bit disappointed because of a few tenths of a second lost during their good laps, but at the moment it is encouraging to see the gaps closing behind those who are in front of us. I'm also pleased that Marco is gradually closing the gap behind his team mate. That is very important for us."
   
   FAUSTO GRESINI (Team Manager)
   "We worked a lot in various directions. Both to improve performance and to have the most possible data to work with when we get back home. All in all I'm pleased with the qualifiers. Tomorrow will be a difficult race to manage in terms of tyre wear and I think that we'll even be able to improve compared to the practice sessions. I'm happy that Marco has gotten significantly closer to the pack in front of him. It is encouraging even if we know how much work we need to do to improve."
   
   ALVARO BAUTISTA
   "We worked hard and well. In the morning we tried a chassis setup which was quite different than yesterday to improve performance in turns and we were able to gain a bit. In FP4 we tested with the hard front tyre to see if it might be an option for the race, but I didn't feel very confident with it so we'll be using the medium tomorrow. In the qualifiers I just tried to be as precise as possible. It's a shame that in the two good laps I lost a few tenths, but it is still a good day. Looking after the tyres will be essential tomorrow, especially in the first laps."
   
   MARCO MELANDRI
   "I thought I would have improved more compared to yesterday, especially in the qualifiers. We need to find more grip at the rear and to improve stability in order to close out the turns better. This is a fundamental condition for me to be able to really push."

5. FIRST ROW FOR LEON HASLAM IN THE ASSEN SUPERPOLE AND BEST TIME IN RACE CONFIGURATION

   Posted on 6:00pm Saturday 18th Apr 2015

   Assen (Holland), 18 April 2015 - The Dutch Saturday for Team Aprilia Racing - Red Devils started off well with Leon Haslam's first place time in the third practice session held this morning. The English rider was fast despite the low temperatures, demonstrating that the path the mechanics have been following on the RSV4 RF throughout the weekend with the entire team is the right one.

   His race pace is also good, although Leon still wants to improve on following the ideal line for several consecutive laps. This is an idea where Haslam has a clear idea, since he has already identified the sectors where he needs to make changes in order to have a uniform feeling throughout the track on his Aprilia.

   In Superpole, as demonstration of the speed the English-Italian duo has reached, Haslam was the quickest on a race tyre. Back in the garage with the qualifier tyre mounted Leon pushed to the limit, putting the third best time on the sheets in the end, which earns him a spot on the front row for the races tomorrow.

   Leon Haslam: "As for the flying lap on a race tyre we are quite fast as we demonstrated even in Superpole, but in terms of consistency we still have some work to do in order to be able to easily repeat our performance. We are definitely making progress. Ironically, the qualifier tyre doesn't help us so in the end third place was a pleasant surprise. Just like at Aragon we are expecting a difficult mission, but considering how close we were able to get in Race 2 I think we will be able to do well here tomorrow."

   Spanish rookie Jordi Torres is still lacking the right experience to be able to take full advantage of the particular rear Pirelli qualifier tyre (exclusive to Superbike) on his RSV4. The eighth best time he took in Superpole does not fully satisfy Jordi, who on the other hand is very positive about the improvement he demonstrated today. The fourth best time in FP3 and fifth in FP4 are encouraging in view of tomorrow's races, especially if Jordi and his team can manage to shave off a few more tenths.

   Jordi Torres: "Yesterday we improved quite a bit, but today we took a definite step forward. I'm still lacking a few tenths on my race pace and here at Assen a good feeling with the front end is important, so there is still room for improvement in that area. In Superpole I was lacking experience. I still am unable to take 100% advantage of the soft tyre. I really need to change my style because with so much grip the bike reacts differently. After the first lap where I was trying to figure out how to use the qualifier tyre I tried to push hard in order to get another fast time on the boards, but I didn't have any more grip toward the end. Anyway what counts are the races tomorrow."

   Lorenzo Savadori, who rides the Team Nuova M2 Racing Aprilia RSV4 RF on Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, will start in front of the rest tomorrow after taking pole position in the qualifiers.