Motourage

The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship moves to the Thruxton Motorsport Centre this weekend for round two of the series with Tyco Suzuki’s Alastair Seeley and Josh Brookes hoping for better conditions following Easter Monday’s postponement of the Brands Hatch BSB second race due to track contamination.

Seeley and Brookes arrive at Thruxton holding down second and tenth place, respectively, reflecting their opening race results of the season at Brands. With both men also posting pole position and morning warm-up quickest times last weekend, this bodes well for Sunday’s two 20-lap BSB races around the super-fast 2.3-mile Hampshire circuit.

Alastair Seeley:
“Last weekend was tough for everyone but we come here holding down second place in the Championship. Thruxton is a totally-different animal to the Indy Circuit at Brands, but I like the high-speed nature of the track and I’m sure the new Tyco Suzuki GSX-R1000 package will have everything we need to be pushing at the sharp end.”

Josh Brookes:
“I’m looking forward to Thruxton as it will gives us a great chance to stretch the legs of the new bike and it’s more my type of circuit than Brands Indy. I’ve had success here before and I’m feeling confident with the package we have this year. Last week we couldn’t make the most of the Pole Position time, so hopefully we can turn that around here at Thruxton and score some big points.”

Conor Cummins – Superstock 1000:
“It’s been a great week for me both on and off the track: I was made up with my splash round in the rain at Brands to take seventh in the Superstock 1000 race; then I made a trip to Germany mid-week with Red Torpedo to see the launch of the ‘TT Closer to the Edge’ film. It was quite funny hearing myself talking fluent German without a Manx accent. This weekend gives me more time on my ‘stocker, and I’m loving every minute of it.”

Philip Neill – Team Manager:
“It’s always tough having back-to-back weekends at the start of the year and you couldn’t have a bigger contrast of circuits from Easter Monday at Brands Indy to arriving here at Thruxton. As Josh explained, it gives us a chance to see what our competitors are like at a high-speed track and also give us an indication of where we are with the new GSX-R1000 Superbike. All three men were impressive in their own way last weekend; even big Conor acquitted himself admirably in the ‘Stock class. With the new rules and some new machinery on the grid I’m sure the fans will be in for some great racing; here’s hoping the blue and white Tyco Suzukis are up front mixing it for podiums.”

Suzuki International Europe is fielding a strong six-rider team in the German IDM Superbike and Supersport series that starts next weekend at EuroSpeedway Lausitz.

Four teams will be directly supported by the German distributors aboard GSX-R1000 and GSX-R6000 machinery. In the IDM Superbike class, Roland Resch (Team Reitwagen Suzuki) and Sascha Hommel (Team HPC-Power Suzuki) will ride the Suzuki GSX-R1000 while in the IDM Supersport category, reigning German Champion Jesco Günther and Roman Stamm (Team Suzuki Mayer) will be joined by Sarah Heide and Thomas Walther (Team Suzuki Laux) onboard their Suzuki GSX-R600s.

Thomas Hannecke, Sport Marketing Manager of Suzuki International Europe:
“Suzuki has a strong presence this season in both the IDM top categories of Superbike and Supersport. With Roland Resch and Sascha Hommel, we have two strong riders in the IDM Superbike at the start. With 2011 Champion Jesco Günther and Roman Stamm, Sarah Heide and Thomas Walther we are also outstandingly represented in the IDM Supersport. The four teams supported by Suzuki International Europe have had promising pre-season tests and preparations over the winter and we are looking forward to a successful season start at Lausitz.”

2012 IDM Superbike and Supersport Calendar:

April 20-22: EuroSpeedway Lausitz
May 4-6: Motorsport Arena Oschersleben
June 15-17: Nürburgring
June 29-July 1: Red Bull Ring (Austria)
July 20-22: TT Circuit Assen (Netherlands)
August 3-5: Schleizer Dreieck
September 1-2: Sachsenring
September 14-16: Hockenheimring

The opening round of the 2012 MotoGP season at the Losail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar started with an impressive performance by Team LCR rookie and last year’s Moto2 champion Stefan Bradl, who first secured a spot on the third row of the grid for his debut premier class race and followed his impressive qualifying effort with a brilliant display finishing eighth.

The 22 year old from Augsburg in Western Germany made steady progress throughout his first weekend aboard the Honda RC213V, and he was eager to join his colleagues for the first 22-lap race. Bradl reached the point of confidence from the first lap holding sixth position for the majority of the race.

Stefan Bradl, Team LCR:
“I am very happy and we are doing a good job as all the week end was very positive for us. My start was perfect but maybe I was a little bit too careful in the first laps but I really could see this is a different category compared to Moto2 and the guys are more clever with the new tires. I was able to follow the fastest guys, not for the whole race, but I was capable to do my own race quite well. At the end I went in the wrong direction with the brake lever adjuster and this cost us half a second and this is the reason way Hayden, Barbera and Bautista caught me. They are also more experienced than me on used tires at the end of the race but overall this is an exciting week end for us. I was also expecting to be more exhausted after 22 laps but I am ok.”

Results, 2012 MotoGP Round 1, Losail International Circuit, Doha, Qatar

Jessopp at the 2011 Macau Grand Prix

Englishman Martin Jessopp will ride Ducati machinery in the Superbike and Superstock classes at the 2012 Relentless International North West 200. At the 2011 event, held on Ireland’s North Antrim Coast, Jessopp finished third in the Tuesday night Superbike practice. He was also third fastest through the speed trap, clocking 192mph.

The 26-year-old Jessopp finished second to fellow countryman and former teammate Michael Rutter at the 2011 Macau Grand Prix in November and is contesting the World Supersport Championship this season after finishing eleventh in the 2011 British Superbike Championship standings.

“I’ve enjoyed the North West 200 experience each year I’ve been, but, of course, have my sights set on a trophy. I was really pleased with my qualifying time last year and am hoping to top that this year. It is a challenging course, but that’s why it one of the favorites so I’m looking forward to returning on a great bike.”

Following Carlos Checa’s World Superbike Championship double win at Imola yesterday, the Althea Racing Ducati Team was back to work today, in the Emilia-Romagna sunshine, to participate in official testing.

In the morning’s session, both Checa and teammate Davide Giugliano were out on track, ready to complete the schedule of work that the team had prepared. Checa, still emotional after yesterday’s fantastic performance, got straight to work, trying a few new parts – including new brakes – with positive results. Both Althea riders also tested some new Pirelli tires and seemed to be happy with the outcome. At the end of the two-hour session, Checa closed with the second fastest time, 1m47.4, one tenth of a second behind Kawasaki rider Tom Sykes in first. Giugliano recorded the eighth-fastest lap, in a time of 1m48.0. Checa completed 32 laps, Giugliano 18. A few minutes before the end of the morning session, Kawasaki’s Joan Lascorz was the victim of a very serious accident, and, as a result, a red flag brought the session to a close. The two Althea men decided not to test this afternoon, due to the seriousness of Lascorz’s condition.

Testing closed at 6 p.m. local time. The third round of the World Superbike Championship will take place at the Assen TT circuit in the Netherlands over the weekend of April 22.

Carlos Checa:
“The tests we carried out this morning went well but then when I saw Lascorz’s crash, and heard how serious it was, I did not have the enthusiasm to continue. During the morning we tried a few new things regards the setting, and a few tires. We had more tires to test this afternoon but I wasn’t mentally fit to ride and after what happened the test lost its sense. As riders we know the risk we take but when it happens to someone that you know it’s very difficult. I’m very sorry.”

Davide Giugliano:
“I didn’t ride a whole lot, because after the accident we decided not to continue this afternoon. In the earlier session I worked with my technicians to resolve a few little niggles that we had with the bike over the weekend. Then we tried a new Pirelli tire and all went well. I’m just so sorry for Lascorz and my thoughts are with him and his friends and family.”

OFFICIAL TIMES: 1. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1’46.6; 2. Rea (Honda) 1’47.1; 3. Camier (Suzuki) 1’47.2; 4.
Haslam (Honda) 1’47.2; 5. Biaggi (Aprilia) 1’47.3; 6. Checa (Ducati) 1’47.4; 7. Melandri (BMW)
1’47.7; 8. Laverty (Aprilia) 1’47.8; 9. Canepa (Ducati) 1’47.9; 10. Giugliano (Ducati) 1’48.0

Carlos Checa last month at Phillip Island

The Althea Racing Ducati team and its riders, Carlos Checa and Davide Giugliano, arrived at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy yesterday for the second round of the World Superbike Championship, taking place this weekend. The Althea riders have made the most of the month-long break between the first and second events, using the lapse in action to prepare – mentally and physically – for the run of upcoming races.

At the opening round of Phillip Island, which took place in Australia one month ago, reigning world champion Carlos Checa experienced highs and lows. After a crash in race 1, the Spanish rider made up for things by winning race 2, pocketing 25 important championship points. Checa arrives at Imola in fourth position in the standings, behind Biaggi, Melandri and Sykes.

Checa’s new teammate, 2011 Superstock 1000 FIM Cup champion Davide Giugliano, was racing at the Australian track for the first time. He closed race one in a solid ninth position and the second race of the day in thirteenth, earning himself ten points and twelfth place in the riders’ standings.

Last season, Ducati’s home track awarded Checa a race win and a third-place finish while Giugliano was runner-up in his ‘Stock 1000 race. One of the more favorable tracks as far as the Ducati 1198 is concerned, both riders have high hopes for this upcoming Imola race weekend.

Carlos Checa:
“I’m feeling good after a month off. I’ve been skiing these last days, having a bit of fun, and now I feel ready to get back on track. We have good references at Imola of course but we need to see how we are doing compared to our rivals. I’m feeling confident, because it’s a good track for the Ducati and also a track that I really like – I’ve won three of the last four races. I have some great memories of last year’s event – great emotions, great fans – and I hope it is the same again this time around. I always enjoy racing at historic tracks like Imola, and to do well there is always extremely satisfying.”

Checa’s Superbike form at Imola:
2011: Race 1 – 3rd, Race 2 – winner
2010: Race 1- winner, Race 2 – winner
2009: Race 1 – DNF, Race 2 – 10th

Davide Giugliano:
“I’ve done what physical training I can for the upcoming race but I’m still suffering from inflammation of the arm, which caused me problems during the Phillip Island round. We’ll have to see how that holds up this weekend when I get on the bike. But I really like the Imola track and I love racing at home in Italy, so I hope to be able to make two strong races come Sunday.”

CIRCUIT DATA

Country: Italy
Name: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari Imola
Length of circuit: 4.959 km
Pole Position: left
Race distance: 21 laps/103.656 km

LAP RECORDS: Best lap – Checa (Ducati) 1’47.934 (2011). Superpole – Checa (Ducati) 1’47.196 (2011).
2011 RESULTS: Race 1 – 1. Rea (Honda); 2. Haga (Ducati); 3. Checa (Ducati). Race 2 – 1. Checa
(Ducati); 2. Haga (Ducati); 3. Camier (Aprilia).

Team Volvo Group Suzuki/Triple R Racing Suzuki rider Robbie Bugden has clinched a record fourth New Zealand Superbike Championship at the final round at Taupo Motorsports Park in Northern New Zealand.

The 31-year-old Queenslander entered the final round with a 10.5-point advantage over fellow Suzuki rider and local favorite Andrew Stroud, with victory at Taupo enough to seal him the title by 37.5 points after five hard-fought rounds.

After claiming victory at the final round of the season with a perfect weekend of back-to-back wins, Bugden added the 2012 championship to the three consecutive titles that he won in 2007-2009 aboard the Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Robbie Budgen:
“It’s been a pretty long couple of months for a five-round series and we have had our ups and downs, but to get the Championship under our belt is a good effort and great feeling. I have to say a huge thanks to the whole Volvo Group Triple R Suzuki team; they’ve been burning the midnight oil to make this happen and I truly appreciate it.”

The weekend marked Bugden’s debut on the Taupo circuit in dry conditions, since wet weather hampered a previous test session at the venue in the lead-up to the series.

“I’d never ridden at Taupo in the dry, but we managed to find good speed during the weekend,” Bugden added. “I topped every time sheet, qualified on Pole, won both races and set the lap record, so that’s the kind of weekend you dream about. It was the perfect way to finish the series off.”

After a strong opening round of the Australian Superbike Championship, Bugden sits fourth overall in that series and will now return to Australia to focus on the remainder of the ASBK Championship, which continues at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway in the Northern Territory on April 20-22.

The Honda TT Legends team has completed the 2012 Endurance World Championship pre-season test at the Magny Cours International Circuit in Nevers, France with all four riders in the new line-up together for the first time. John McGuinness, Cameron Donald, Simon Andrews and Gary Johnson all took part in the two-day test in preparation for the first race of the year – the Bol d’Or 24-Hour – which will take place at the same circuit on April 14-15.

Following a busy winter of development on the 2012-spec Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, the team took the opportunity to run-in the new components on the bike and bring the riders up to pace on a race set-up. For McGuinness, Donald and Andrews, the test was a chance to get reacquainted with the French circuit, while Johnson tackled the 4.4km track for the first time.

The cooler mornings at Magny Cours also allowed the team to test cold tire compounds in preparation for the overnight section of the Bol d’Or, where temperatures can drop to below 5ºc. The final afternoon saw the four riders complete a successful race simulation. The Honda TT Legends will be back in France in just three weeks to tackle the race for real at Bol d’Or 24-hour.

Russell Benney, Race Manager
We had five or six elements developed during the off-season that needed more miles and this test has allowed us to see how these will perform. We also wanted to get the riders up to race pace based on 2011’s lap times and work on various other elements on the bike, such as the suspension and geometry, so that we are ready to go at the race meeting without making too many changes. To that extent, we have achieved what we came here to do so we’re happy.

John McGuinness
It’s been good to get back together with everybody. It’s been a couple of days of team bonding as well getting on the bike. There have been a few positive changes since last year’s Bol d’Or and we’re heading in the right direction. All four of us have done plenty of laps. Last year I was a bit nervous coming to this meeting, I didn’t know the track and I’d never done a 24-hour before but I’ve got a year under my belt now and it all feels like the norm. We’ll be back here in a couple of weeks for the race and hopefully we’ll be on it.

Cameron Donald
It’s great to be back with the team and get back to work after a long off season. It really feels like a family now and we’re all optimistic about the season ahead. We couldn’t have asked for a better first test, the sun is shining at a track we’re familiar with and we’re moving forward. I’m excited about the race in three weeks’ time.

Gary Johnson
I’ve done some fairly decent stints on the bike and my body has held up well so I’m happy about that. Obviously this test is nowhere near what it’s going to be like at a 24-hour race, but it’s been a good chance to get to know the track. I’ve built my speeds up slowly and I’m getting towards the pace that I need to be on. I’m apprehensive about the race – it’s always difficult going into something you’ve never done before but I’m really looking forward to it.

Simon Andrews
It’s been a good productive couple of days. The weather has treated us well, we’ve made some good progress with the bike and it’s been nice to meet everyone in the team. I’m feeling good on the bike; my injured leg is getting stronger. I’ll continue with the physio and rehab between now and the race and keep doing what I’m doing as it seems to be working well. I can’t wait to get back in three weeks and race here for the first time.

Crescent Fixi Suzuki rider John Hopkins has been given the all-clear by his hand surgeon in the U.S. and will join teammate Leon Camier for this weekend’s second round of the World Superbike Championship at l’Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy.

Hopkins, ever the recipient of bad luck, broke his hand during the team’s first test at Phillip Island in Australia last month and missed the season opener there. After recuperating at his home in California, the Anglo-American flew to the UK this past weekend to join the team and prepare for his season debut on the #21 Yoshimura-powered GSX-R1000.

John Hopkins:
“I am so pleased to get the all-clear and cannot wait to get on the bike again. I had been given strict instructions not to do any riding this week, which has been a bit frustrating, but I have occupied my time well with physiotherapy, training and numerous spells in the hyperbaric chamber. All of this has helped me to recover quickly and I have no doubt that I will be as fit as can be at Imola.

“It’s been very busy recently. On Tuesday, I was in the hyperbaric chamber and then drove three hours each way to see my nutrition doctor in Palm Springs. Before that I have really been putting in the hours on my mountain bike and also on the cardio machines in the gym.

“I am really happy with my hand, how well it has been healing; and the range of movement I have got. When I saw the doctor on Wednesday, he told me that the bone was fully healed and everything was OK and I could start riding again. I was hoping to get on my dirt bike before leaving for the UK but I have just sold my house and there’s loads of stuff to sort out, but I’ll try and fit in a ride somehow before Imola. I am really looking forward to catching up with everybody at Crescent Fixi Suzuki and getting back to the racetrack. I’ve missed it, but I feel ready and raring to go.”

Leon Camier:
“It seems a long time since Phillip Island so I’m really looking forward to Imola and being back on track again. The last time I raced in Imola, I ended up on the podium and that’s a memory I’d like to repeat. I am happy with the chassis and base set-up we found in Australia, so we’ll try and build on that in the first practice session and keep improving. The first race of the year is always a bit difficult, but I feel we came away with a lot of good feedback and information and we will use that to make the Crescent Fixi Suzuki better. I’ve been training hard recently, doing a lot of cycling and feel in really good shape. Now, all I want is to get back on the bike and start racing again.”

Jack Valentine – Team Manager:
“Since Phillip Island, we’ve been pouring over all the data and working on improving the bike. Leon was pretty happy with the chassis and base set-up, so we’ve been looking at other things – including improving tire wear. John’s crew chief Lez spent some time in Yoshimura Japan after Phillip Island, sharing some data and ideas to improve the Crescent GSX-R1000. They found a couple of areas where improvements can be made and the first practice at Imola will give us a chance to see how these ideas make the bike feel.

“Obviously we’re all delighted to have John back with us and it gives the whole team a boost. From what his doctor says, the hand should be more-or-less at full strength. I would like John to take the first day or so in Imola steadily, build up gradually and get race fit as soon as he can without any stress. I am looking forward to Imola and a positive weekend, with good, solid results.”