Category: Superbikes

1. Pata Honda concludes 2013 programme

   Posted on 7:57am Sunday 1st Dec 2013

   The Pata Honda team has completed its riding programme for 2013, concluding with a three-day test at Jerez in Spain which finished yesterday evening.

   World Superbike riders Jonathan Rea and Leon Haslam went to Jerez on the back of a successful test at Aragon two weeks ago and concentrated on refining the power delivery of their CBR1000RR Fireblade machines.

   They were joined for the first two days at Jerez by Pata Honda’s World Supersport riders Michael van der Mark and Lorenzo Zanetti, who declared themselves satisfied with further developments made to their CBR600RRs.

   A World Superbike and World Supersport testing ban comes into effect on 1 December and will remain in place until 14 January 2014, following which the team will test again at Portimao in Portugal.

   Jonathan Rea - Pata Honda World Superbike

   After a positive test at Aragon, I really struggled here at Jerez. It’s hard to put a finger on our problems but I feel that the character of our engine is quite aggressive and that makes the lap difficult here! We have a few new strategies to implement at our next test in January, which should help. I completed over 200 laps here so now I’m really looking forward to the winter break. I hope to come back in January to make some more progress with the CBR. Happy holidays, folks!!

   Leon Haslam - Pata Honda World Superbike

   I’m actually quite glad that 2013 is over now and we can look forward to a fresh start in 2014. The last three days have been pretty hard but necessary, and while we haven’t progressed as much as we would have liked, we know what we need to do. I’m confident that when new parts arrive next year we can make the step that’s needed. I’m looking forward to a few weeks off now and getting back to full fitness so that I’m raring to go in January.

   Michael van der Mark - Pata Honda World Supersport

   We had a positive two days in Jerez and made some good improvements. In fact, we started them in Aragon and were able to continue to make progress here. We made a couple of really fast laps but also had a good race pace. For our next test we need to work on improving rear grip a little but before then I’ll be working on my fitness to be ready for the beginning of next season.

   Lorenzo Zanetti - Pata Honda World Supersport

   I’m very happy with our test in Jerez. We tried a lot of different settings and in the end I improved my qualifying time from the race here and I improved my rhythm for a good race simulation. For these reasons I’m really looking forward to a positive 2014!

   Pieter Breddels – technical co-ordinator
   
   We made some really good progress during our Aragon test recently but I have to say that we weren’t able to continue that here in Jerez. Something about the nature of the circuit – perhaps the fact that the bike is on the side of the tyre for so long – has created some issues with getting the power down. However, this is why we go testing: to test solutions to issues that we may have. Both our Superbike riders lapped in the 41s bracket and we’ve got plenty to work on during the testing ban. On the Supersport side of the garage, things went very well and the guys made a lot of progress with engine braking and suspension settings.

2. STEVE MERCER CONFIRMS 2014 TT RACES CAMPAIGN WITH KEITH FLINT'S TEAM TRACTION CONTROL

   Posted on 8:17am Saturday 30th Nov 2013

   Prodigy frontman Keith Flint's Team Traction Control has confirmed that Kent rider Steve Mercer will ride for the team at the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.

   The Maidstone based racer who finished 12th in the 2013 Dainese Superbike Race, has a fastest ever lap on the Mountain Course of 126.323mph (17:55.24), which he set in the 2012 Superbike Race. He achieved his highest placed TT finish - 8th - in this year's Royal London 360 Superstock TT Race.

   The thirty-one year old first competed on the Mountain Course in 2009 where he won the coveted Best Newcomers Trophy and also raced at this year's inaugural Classic TT when he retired on the fourth lap of the Motorsport Merchandise Formula 1 Race, having featured in the top three.

   Mercer will race in the Dainese Superbike, RL360 Superstock and PokerStars Senior TT aboard the team's TAS Racing supported Superbike and Superstock machines as well as riding a Suzuki GSX-R 600 in the two Monster Energy Supersport Races, which will be the first time that Mercer has raced in the class at the TT.

   He will also compete for Team Traction Control in the North-West 200, Ulster Grand Prix and Macau Grand Prix as well as selected Superstock rounds at BSB.

   Commenting on his 2014 campaign, Mercer said: "Although it's a fledgling outfit they have an experienced crew with the likes of Grant Bunting who worked with Shaun Muir's team last year and we've already got some races under our belts."

   He continued: "I think that this is my chance to kick on and get into the top ten in the Superbike races at the TT. I'm also really looking to get out on a 600 for the first time on the Mountain Course and I think that doing the extra races will help with my overall preparation."

   Keith Flint, Team Principal, Team Traction Control is looking forward to the team racing on the Isle of Man. He said: "After racing myself for several years I know what's needed to compete on two wheels but I think taking on the mountain course is something I couldn't dream of doing myself. I believe it's one of the biggest motorcycle races the world has to offer and I'll put the best team out there possible. Doing the TT is not just something I want to cross off my bucket list. We are going there to do a job with a very capable rider using some top notch bikes and I can't wait."

3. McGuinness and Cummins to compete on the roads for Honda

   Posted on 10:24am Saturday 23rd Nov 2013

   Honda Motor Europe today announced its rider line-up for the 2014 Isle of Man TT and North West 200 road racing events. Twenty-time TT winner John McGuinness will be joined by Manxman Conor Cummins to form a two-strong team competing aboard the 2014 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade in the Superbike and Senior races. Cummins will also ride for the team in the Superstock class.

   The new road racing squad was revealed as McGuinness and Cummins appeared as team-mates for the first time on the main stage at Motorcycle Live in the UK. The duo promises to pose a serious threat on the roads with the combination of McGuinness’s unrivalled experience and Cummins’s undeniable talent and ambition.

   The 2013 Isle of Man TT proved that at 41 years old, McGuinness is still the man to beat on the mountain course as he set a new outright lap record during the Superbike race and took an epic Senior victory to rack up his 20th win and 41st podium. The Morecambe Missile also has six NW200 wins under his belt and shows no signs of slowing down.

   Cummins – who will make his debut for Honda – was fastest newcomer at the TT and the NW200 in 2006. He secured the first of four TT podiums in 2009 and is the third fastest rider in the history of the event, as well as holding the record for the fastest lap from a standing start at 131.5mph. A career-threatening crash during the 2010 TT has done nothing to dampen the 27-year-old’s ambition as he aims to come back fighting with the Honda team.

   Honda Europe’s revised commitment to road racing represents a new direction following the successful three-year Honda TT Legends project, which has seen the manufacturer compete in both road racing and the Endurance World Championship under the same banner. The 2014 road-racing team will continue to be run from Louth in Lincolnshire and managed by Neil Tuxworth. Honda’s plans for the 2014 EWC season will be announced shortly. 

   Neil Tuxworth

   We’re pleased to announce our 2014 line-up for the roads and very happy to welcome Conor Cummins to the team. He’s an Isle of Man lad whose father and uncle have raced on the island so the TT in is in his blood. He has a great work ethic and a determination to succeed and I have a lot of admiration for him. He’s back to full fighting fitness following his 2010 crash and as one of the fastest men ever around the mountain course, he definitely has the ability to win races. The relationship between John and Honda is well-established and proven to bring results. He is by far the most successful current TT rider in terms of wins and podiums and he showed at this year’s event that he is still the quickest rider around the Isle of Man. We are of course very happy to have him with us again. With John and Conor on board, I believe we are in a very strong position for the 2014 road racing events.

   John McGuinness

   I’m really glad to be staying with Honda to continue the strong relationship we’ve built up in road racing over the years. The team is like family to me and it’s important that I have support that I know I can rely on 100%. It’s great news that Conor will be joining the team. I have a lot of respect for him – he’s young, he’s hungry for it and he has so much passion for racing. It will be a pleasure to be his team-mate. This year proved that there’s life in the old dog yet, so I can’t wait to get back on the Fireblade and see what we can do.

   Conor Cummins

   I am thrilled to bits to be with Honda in 2014. In my eyes this is the absolute pinnacle of road racing. Riding for a team like Honda has been something I’ve been aiming for my whole career so for me this is a huge deal. The team has so much experience and I just want to make the most of the opportunity I’ve been given. I’m really looking forward to racing the new Honda Fireblade and hopefully bringing home some good results.

4. TT Stars Head to NEC for Motorcycle Live to promote Isle of Man's 2014 Motorcycling events

   Posted on 11:19am Tuesday 19th Nov 2013

   Leading TT stars are heading to Motorcycle Live to promote the Isle of Man's 2014 motorcycling events calendar including the TT Races, the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling and the Southern 100.

   20-times Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness and 2013’s big winner Michael Dunlop will be leading a star-studded line-up which also includes Manxman Conor Cummins, fan favourite Bruce Anstey, SES TT Zero winner Michael Rutter and rising star James Hillier, who won his first TT race this year.

   John Holden and Andy Winkle, Ben and Tom Birchall, Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle and sixteen-time TT champion Dave Molyneux along with his passenger Patrick Farrance will be representing the Sidecars.

   The riders will be signing autographs and meeting fans on the high profile TT Paddock Experience stand and taking part in daily Q&As with TT commentator James Whitham on the Black Horse Stage in the British Eurosport Entertainment Zone. On Sunday 1 December, the TT will take over the stage, with four Q&A sessions and a special TT-themed edition of Fast Bikes Question of Bikes hosted by Steve Parrish.

   The Department of Economic Development has again developed the TT paddock themed stand which will feature a display of fabulous racing machines from the TT and Classic TT including Michael Dunlop’s Dainese Superbike Race winning Honda Superbike and his Motorsport merchandise Formula 1 Classic TT Race winning Suzuki. The stand will also have the iconic Senior TT Trophy and will show 2013 race highlights on a large screen.

   Members of the Department of Economic Development Motorsport team, representatives of the Isle of Man TT Marshals Association and official TT Travel Agency Regency Travel who will be promoting travel and accommodation, grandstand and VIP hospitality packages, will be manning the stand.

   This year's Motorcycle Live features two days dedicated to the Isle of Man’s flagship road racing festivals. Sunday 24 November will celebrate heritage event the Classic TT, while Sunday 1 December - 'Mad Sunday – TT Day' - will be devoted to the world’s most famous road race, the Isle of Man TT.

5. TWO DAYS OF TESTING FOR THE APRILIA RACING TEAM AT ARAGON

   Posted on 11:21am Friday 15th Nov 2013

   MARCO MELANDRI CONTINUES HIS RUN-IN PERIOD ASTRIDE THE RSV4 WITH WHICH HE WILL TAKE ON THE 2014 WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP.

   Aragon, 15 November 2013 - Preparations continue for the Aprilia Racing Team, reigning Manufacturer Champions, in view of the 2014 Superbike season. The setting for two days of testing was the Spanish Aragon circuit where Marco Melandri, new arrival on the Aprilia Racing Team, and the Italian manufacturer's test rider Alex Hofmann were hard at work.

   The rider from Ravenna, former World Champion with Aprilia in the 250 class World Championship, continued his apprenticeship on the V4 from Veneto with which he will take on the World Superbike championship next season. This was the second test session for Marco Melandri after his first contact with the new bike at Jerez immediately following the last World Superbike race of the season. That was a test session which was nullified by less than mild weather conditions but where Melandri was left with a good feeling on the RSV4 anyway.

   This time at Aragon Melandri was able to ride more consistently, putting in a total of 102 laps over the two days and increasing the feeling. Despite the low temperatures which counselled caution Marco finished with a best time of 1'58.0.

   Melandri and the Aprilia Racing Team will also be busy on 25, 26 and 27 November at Jerez for the final testing session prior to the compulsory stoppage period.

   Marco Melandri: “It has been two very interesting days even if they were complicated by the low temperatures. We worked on riding position and I was able to test an RSV4 with the same configuration Guintoli uses, gathering a lot of useful information. Now we'll wait for a day when the weather is better so that we can compare material and decide which way to go. It has been a good test and I can't wait to get back on the track to try and improve my times on the fast lap”.

   Sylvain Guintoli was absent from Aragon after undergoing surgery last week to correct the right shoulder injury he suffered before the Moscow round that compromised his level of competitiveness during the last part of the 2013 season. The course and rehabilitation are proceeding according to schedule and he should be back on the track by the first months of next year.