Category: Superbikes

1. Anstey tops Superbike board but Hutchinson fastest on the night on his stocker

   Posted on 11:00pm Friday 2nd Jun 2017

   - Bonetti puts Paton on top of the Lightweight board and Harrison pips Dunlop in Supersport qualifier while ‘Moly’ continues to dominate sidecar qualifying
   
   Conditions were finally perfect for qualifying at the 2017 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy, and Ian Hutchinson and Bruce Anstey set the pace with both averaging laps of over 129mph.
   
   Hutchinson’s lap of 129.535mph came on his Superstock BMW after stopping at Governor’s Bridge on his opening lap on the Superbike with Anstey posting a time of 129.212mph on the RC213-VS padgettsmotorcycles.com Honda.
   
   Hutchinson was first to leave the line at 6.23pm alongside Peter Hickman on the Smiths Racing Superstock BMW.  Gary Johnson and James Hillier, Steve Mercer and Lee Johnston and Dan Kneen and Michael Dunlop quickly followed the opening pair down Glencrutchery Road.
   
   Kneen was reported to have stopped at Quarter Bridge but he was soon back out on his Superstock mount while the Norton pairing of David Johnson and Josh Brookes were out of luck, retiring at the Bottom of Barregarrow and Ballaugh respectively.
   
   Hickman was first to complete a lap with 128.028mph but Hutchinson had stopped at Governor’s. Johnson and Hillier had no such problems, and both were above the 127mph mark. Dunlop was quickest on the lap though with an opening lap of 128.576mph with Hillier, Conor Cummins, Michael Rutter, Dean Harrison and Bruce Anstey also over 127mph.
   
   On the second lap Hickman was slightly slower at 127.63mph but Anstey had upped the pace considerably to 129.212mph, which made him the evening’s quickest Superbike. Mercer and Rutter were over 125mph but further back on the road, Hutchinson was getting back in the groove and sure enough a lap of 129.535mph not only made him the fastest Superstock machine but also the fastest on the night.
   
   Kneen’s good week in the Superstock class continued with a lap of 127.23mph but this was upstaged on the third lap by Rutter and Harrison who lapped at 128.588mph and 128.477mph respectively to go second and third in the Superstock class behind Hutchinson.
   
   Meanwhile, the newcomers were also making good progress with Adam McLean putting in a superb lap at 119.06mph. Paul Jordan jumped up to 114.88mph with Joey Thompson on 112.91mph.
   
   Just after 7.10pm, the 1000cc machines were short lapped and the course became the sole domain of the Supersport and Lightweight machines.  Hutchinson set the initial pace on the McAMS Yamaha at 123.19mph but this was bettered by Harrison on the Silicone Engineering Kawasaki with a speed of 123.323mph.
   
   However, towards the end of the session, Michael Dunlop just edged out Harrison with a speed of 123.325mph but the Bradford rider wasn’t to be outdone and a 124.35mph lap sent him to the top of the leaderboard. Hillier slotted into fourth at 122.93 with Hickman, Cummins, Jamie Coward, William Dunlop, Anstey and Kneen also above 121mph.
   
   In the Lightweight class, Italian Stefano Bonetti set the fastest lap of the week to date with a speed of 115.69mph on the Paton with Rutter, also on a Paton, on 114.28mph. Hickman on the KMR/IEG Kawasaki, was second with a lap of 114.86mph from Dan Cooper (114.79) and Lee Johnston (114.73).
   
   Steve Mercer was reported to have had an accident at the 11th milestone and was taken by airmed to Nobles with what were initially described as minor injuries while Frank Gallagher suffered broken teeth at the Gooseneck and was taken back to the paddock in a course car.
   
   After a short delay due to the incidents in the solo’s session, the Formula Two Sidecars were back out on the Mountain Course at 8.10pm with Ben and Tom Birchall leading the field away only to retire at Crosby.
   
   That gave Dave Molyneux/Dan Sayle a clear road and their opening lap of 113.001mph was just over 1mph quicker than Tim Reeves/Mark Wilkes on 111.999mph. Karl Bennett/Maxime Vasseur (109.51), Alan Founds/Jake Lowther (109.04), Lewis Blackstock/Patrick Rosney (107.95) and Estelle Leblond/Melanie Farnier (106.59).
   
   Second time around and the leading duo both upped their pace but Molyneux/Sayle held onto the top spot with the fastest lap of the week at 114.74mph. Reeves/Wilkes weren’t too far behind though and improved to 114.35mph, the fastest ever lap by a newcomer passenger albeit unofficially.  John Holden/Lee Cain got a clear run on their second lap with a speed of 112.085mph putting them third quickest.
   
   Some of the TT Zero machines opted for an early look at the track at the end of the evening and the Mugen pair of Anstey (109.520) and Martin (108.413) were predictably quickest although there was a notable performance by Adam Child in completing the first production electric bike lap (74.786) on the Energica machine.
   Following the loss of earlier sessions during the week, tomorrow’s schedule is now a full dedicated day of qualifying with the RST Superbike now scheduled for Sunday 4th June, the first race of TT 2017:
   
   FULL SCHEDULE SATURDAY 3RD JUNE 2017
   09.15                          Road closed Barrule Park, Ramsey to Bungalow
   09.30                          Road closed Bungalow to Creg Ny Baa
   10.00                          Roads closed rest of the course
   10.40 – 12.00            Superbike/Superstock/Supersport/Newcomers (all Classes except Lightweight) Qualifying
   12.05 – 13.05                        Sidecar Qualifying
   14.10 – 15.30                        Supersport/Lightweight/Newcomers (all classes) Qualifying
   15.40 – 16.30                        Sidecar Qualifying
   16.35                          Superbike/Superstock/Supersport Qualifying (1 lap)
   17.00                          TT Zero Qualifying (1 lap)
   17.40                          Roads scheduled to be open except mountain section
   18.40                          Roads scheduled to be open around the course

2. APRILIA READY FOR MUGELLO

   Posted on 6:00pm Wednesday 31st May 2017

   ESPARGARÓ AND LOWES CONFIDENT THAT THEY CAN DEMONSTRATE THE PROGRESS SHOWN IN THE FIRST RACES
   
   The first Italian MotoGP round is an event not to be missed for Italian fans. Aprilia, playing on their home turf, intends to confirm the positive trend shown in the first part of the season with a good result. An important result seems to be within a shout, given the clear progress that the RS-GP machines demonstrated in the first races compared with last year, the Italian V4's début year in the premier category. The sixth place finish in Qatar, the ninth place in Jerez, but especially the race pace shown on several occasions are an excellent start for the Tuscan race.

   Aleix Espargaró will take on Mugello with renewed ambitions after just missing a great result in the last race at Le Mans. Prepared by two days of testing in Barcelona, the Italian GP is the perfect chance for the Spanish rider to make it to the positions that count.

   For Sam Lowes, the Italian weekend began earlier than usual, with a spectacular procession astride his RS-GP along the charming streets of the historic centre in Florence. The event this morning was certainly a unique change to hear the sound of the Aprilia V4 off the track, even rumbling through the streets and by the monuments that have written the pages of our civilization. The Aprilia Racing Team Gresini rookie, after taking his first championship points in France, has set his sights on a top 10 position in the standings. This is a difficult challenge, but he is encouraged by the excellent job he had done so far together with the team, as well as by his positive sensations in recent rounds.
   
   ALEIX ESPARGARO'
   "After the recent tests in Barcelona, I am even more motivated here at Mugello. It is definitely a very special race for us. Aprilia is playing on home turf and I really want to get back to earning important points. We have shown that we are at a good level, especially in the race. Now we need to confirm the hard work we have done on the track in this first part of the season."
   
   SAM LOWES
   "I can't wait to race at Mugello. I have had a lot of good results on this track and I have always managed to be fast. The feelings are positive. I feel like the team and I are working in the right direction and we are ready for another step forward. Especially in Aprilia's home round."
   
   ROMANO ALBESIANO - APRILIA RACING MANAGER
   “Mugello is our home race and it is a circuit that both of our riders really like. The recent tests have helped us to further understand the way the bike works with different settings, both electronics and chassis architecture. Compared with last year, we have taken huge steps forward in terms of handling and this is progress that should let us be more competitive this weekend. I hope to be able to celebrate a good result on Sunday and maybe have a pinch more luck than in recent races.”
   
   FAUSTO GRESINI - TEAM MANAGER
   "Mugello is our first home race and Italian teams are always quite motivated here. There are high expectations to do well and we really want to bring home a good result. We are working well and we have already demonstrated that we have the potential to aim for important goals. Aleix is positive and full of energy. Same is improving his approach race after race and the team is working to give them full support. Now all that's left is to wait for the response on the track."

3. Eleventh place for Bradl in closing WorldSBK race of the UK Round

   Posted on 11:00pm Sunday 28th May 2017

   The UK Round of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship has come to a close with the second WorldSBK race of the weekend, which took place today under sunny skies at Donington Park. Stefan Bradl was eleventh at the chequered flag on board his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 machine.

   The outcome of the race for the 27-year-old German rider was largely dictated at the start by a crash in front of him at turn one. When the rider fell ahead of him, it forced Stefan almost to a stop to which naturally cost him a lot of ground to the leaders. From the very back of the field, Bradl fought back as he went from 21st place to 14th in the first third of the race. Then, with a big gap to bridge from the riders ahead, Bradl rode a lonely race to cross the finish line in 11th at the end of the 23-lap encounter.

   The Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team will now be on the road to Misano, where a two-day private test will be carried out from Wednesday with Stefan Bradl and test rider Michele Magnoni. The next round of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship will take place at the same track in three weekends time.

4. Obituary: Nicholas Patrick Hayden

   Posted on 11:00am Saturday 27th May 2017

   Please find below an obituary for Nicky Hayden issued by the Hayden family.

   Nicholas “Nicky” Hayden passed away on Monday, May 22, 2017, at the age of 35, following a May 17 bicycle accident in Italy.

   

   Born into a large extended Catholic family in Owensboro, Kentucky, Nicky was the middle child of Earl and Rose Hayden, with two brothers and two sisters. The entire family loved motorcycles, and shortly after he could walk, Nicky declared that his dream was to be a world champion. Although life on a farm meant that animals - horses, pot-belly pigs, even llamas - were a part of every day, for Nicky they were just novelties and while he was a natural athlete, childhood sports leagues were little more than a lark. Racing - for the whole family, but especially for Nicky - was everything. Apart from an annual spring-break jaunt to Panama City, Florida, family trips were to racetracks, first around the Midwest, then the Eastern U.S., and eventually the entire country.

   That said, there was never any doubt about where home was. Even after he began traveling the globe to race in exotic locales, Nicky would always return to his beloved “OWB.” He received his education through local Catholic schools - Precious Blood Elementary School, Owensboro Catholic Middle School and Owensboro Catholic High School - and his first jobs comprised helping out at his uncles’ nearby farms, where he began developing the tenacious work ethic for which he would be known throughout his racing career. He remained close with his core group of childhood friends throughout his life, and he helped many young local racers to pursue their own dreams.

   For Nicky, a distinguished amateur dirt track and road racing career transitioned into a successful stint in the AMA Grand National Championship and AMA Superbike series, in which he earned the 1999 AMA Supersport and 2002 AMA Superbike crowns with American Honda. He was promoted to the FIM MotoGP series with Repsol Honda, for whom he achieved his dream of earning the World Championship in 2006. Nicky also rode for Ducati and Aspar Racing in MotoGP, and last year he transitioned to the FIM Superbike World Championship with the Ten Kate squad. Along the way, his charisma earned him legions of fans the world over, while his dedication and professionalism earned the respect and admiration of his teams, teammates and competitors.

   Among those who knew him best, Nicky was cherished for his generosity, kindness, and mischievous sense of humour. His famous grin was never far from his lips and he invariably had time to engage with others, even strangers. The life of any party, Nicky loved to dance, wear funny costumes, and pull pranks, often with a microphone in hand.

   Throughout it all, family was Nicky’s anchor. Many Americans who race internationally opt to relocate overseas, but Nicky always preferred to return home between events. Well into his professional career, he resided in an apartment above his parents’ garage, and even after purchasing his own home nearby, he religiously showed up for his mother’s 6 o’clock dinners when he wasn’t traveling. Several years ago, he purchased and refurbished an old building on an Owensboro lake, and what he dubbed Victory Lane Lodge became the family’s preferred location for functions of all types, from Sunday get-togethers to weddings. He loved children and was a model uncle, and friends and family say he was never happier than after meeting girlfriend Jackie, with whom he became engaged last year.

   Nicky is survived by his parents Earl and Rose; his siblings Tommy, Jennifer, Roger, and Kathleen; his fiancée Jacqueline Marin; nieces Olivia, Klaudia, Vera, Kyla Jo, and Kate; nephew Colt; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

   Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. CT Sunday at Haley-McGinnis Funeral Home in Owensboro. Funeral services will be at noon Monday at St. Stephen Cathedral Church, and will be streamed live on Nicky’s facebook fan page. Donations may be made to the Nicky Hayden Memorial Fund, which helps local children in the community Nicky loved so much.

   www.nickyhayden.com

   www.facebook.com/NickyHaydenUSA/

5. Bradl looking for improvements after day one at Donington Park

   Posted on 8:00am Saturday 27th May 2017

   The opening day of the UK Round of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship has come to a close, with the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team on track for Friday’s traditional two free practice sessions at Donington Park. Stefan Bradl, who turned a wheel at this track today for the first time in eight years, is 17th in the combined times of the two hours of practice and, therefore, will take part in tomorrow’s Superpole 1.

   On the other side of the garage, Nicky Hayden’s Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 machine was on full display, with his #69 helmet on top of the fuel tank.
   
   With gorgeous weather blessing England’s East Midlands area, Bradl took his time to find his braking marks and riding line around the undulating strip of asphalt of the spectacular 4.023km track, which is known for requiring a lot of work in search of a good set-up for all sectors. The 27-year-old German rider was able to improve on his FP1 time towards the end of the second session by logging a 1’29.400secs lap.

   World Superbike action at Donington Park will resume tomorrow morning at 9:05 local time (GMT +1) for the 25-minute FP3 session, with Superpole 1 (11:00) and race one (15:00) to follow. At 2pm, the whole paddock and many fans will gather together on the grid for a minute’s silence in honour of Nicky Hayden.