Category: Superbikes

1. Dennis Hobbs wins the 2014 Ducati TriOptions Cup

   Posted on 1:18pm Thursday 9th Oct 2014

   After a year-long battle in the 2014 Ducati TriOptions Cup, Dennis Hobbs finally overcame team-mate Leon Morris in the final race of the year to take championship glory for P&H Motorcycles/Carl Cox Motorsport. The prestigious one-make series was won by just 21 points after 16 flat-out showdowns this year.

   Morris led the points table from the opening race of the season at Brands Hatch back in April, and since then the TriOptions Cup has raced the length and breadth of the UK, and even overseas at the iconic Assen Circuit. A first DNF of the year in the penultimate race on Saturday for Morris handed Hobbs the standings lead by a slender seven points. What’s more, the 2011 series victor sustained a finger injury which further put him on the back foot for the final contest.

   As the lights went out for the last time it was Morris who made the best start, jumping up to second place behind pole-sitter and outgoing champion Marty Nutt. The JHP/Ducati Coventry rider could only hold top spot for the first lap, however, as a resurgent Hobbs was a man on a mission. He blasted through to the lead and immediately began to gap the field, and as Morris scrapped behind with a number of riders, Hobbs kept his head and powered to a commanding victory and overall championship glory.

   Despite his best efforts, Morris began to drop down the order as the laps ticked by, crossing the line in fifth place at the chequered flag just behind Darren Fry who secured his best result of the year in fourth.

   Jonathan Railton provided a fitting swansong for the Ducati 848, securing his only outright podium of the season and the last for the model which will not be eligble to race in the 2015 TriOptions Cup. He swapped positions with Nutt numerous times, but ultimately had to concede second place to the #1 899 Panigale on the last lap.

   It was a fitting end to another thrilling year of Ducati racing in the British championship, and with the series confirmed for next season, we’ll be sure to see plenty more action from the TriOptions Cup.

   2014 Ducati TriOptions Cup champion Dennis Hobbs said: “I don’t know what to say – and I’m not normally lost for words! I came into this weekend knowing that I had to win races and I was quickest in practice and qualifying. Then in race one it was all going really well, but I had a huge moment and I was so lucky to stay on the bike. Unfortunately Leon went down which put the pressure on me today, so I just had to try and stay calm.

   “The last few laps were the longest laps I’ve ever done – you start worrying about everything but the bike didn’t let me down. I’m just over the moon for the whole team – the family is here to share the moment and it’s just awesome. I’m looking forward to next year already! Hopefully I’ll be back on an 899 again next year, it’s been a great year for me – one of the best I’ve ever had.”

   2014 Ducati TriOptions Cup runner-up Leon Morris said: “I threw it away yesterday really – having led it from the start and been quick in every kind of conditions at every track it went wrong at the vital moment. Before I’d even had time to think about getting ahead of Dennis yesterday I was on the floor – I’ve ridden today because anything can happen, but I’m devastated not to win. On the flip side I’m pleased for the team – they deserve the championship more than anyone, and while its unfortunate for me that I couldn’t give it to them, thankfully Dennis did – so congratulations to both him and the team. Now I’ve got a reason to come back – I expect you’ll see us again next year!”

   P&H Managing Director Paul Searle said: “The whole year has been one big highlight for us! What a fantastic result with the one-two, and having two great riders who are also really nice guys to work with makes the whole atmosphere in the team so enjoyable. The guys at P&H give up huge amounts of time to make this happen, so this is a perfect result for everyone involved.”

   Outgoing champion Marty Nutt said: “I’ve absolutely loved riding the new bike, it’s improved a lot since the start of the year. We started off a bit slow, but from Knockhill onwards we were back at front-running pace. Unfortunately by then the top guys had capitalised and moved out of reach, but even still every weekend has been so much fun – this championship is what racing is all about for me.”

   848 class winner Jonathan Railton said: “I’ve been trying all year to get that overall podium and it finally happened in the last race! It’s been a personal preference to ride the 848 – it really suits my riding style and I’ve really enjoyed racing it this year.”

   Managing Director of Ducati UK, Tim Maccabee, said: “The Ducati brand has an amazing racing heritage, and I'm proud to say that the TriOptions Cup has continued the tradition of top-level motor racing and become an integral part of the British championships. We’re really looking forward to next year and are already making plans – the support for the riders and teams this year has been amazing and we’re sure that 2015 will be even bigger and better!”

   Ducati UK would like to thank all the teams, riders and sponsors involved in the 2014 TriOptions Cup for making it another thrilling year. We look forward to seeing you again in 2015.

2. Van der Mark crashes on to Magny-Cours podium‏

   Posted on 10:30am Monday 6th Oct 2014

   Starting from the second row of the grid in wet conditions at the 4.411km French circuit, van der Mark, who was crowned 2014 World Supersport champion after the previous round at Jerez in Spain, settled into third place behind early race leader Kenan Sofuoglu and Jules Cluzel.

   However, while running a relatively lonely race, the 21-year-old Dutch ace lost the front of his Honda CBR600RR on the seventh of the scheduled 17 laps. Van der Mark picked up his machine and rejoined the race in seventh place, fighting his way back to second after Sofuoglu himself crashed out of the lead.

   Van der Mark’s Pata Honda team-mate, Lorenzo Zanetti, had fought his way up to fourth place from 10th on the grid and was challenging for the final podium place when the red flags came out on lap 13, signalling a premature end to the race.

   It would have been Zanetti’s second podium of the season but the 27-year-old Italian retains fourth place in the championship, 17 points from third with the final race due to take place at Doha in Qatar on 2 November.

   Michael van der Mark - 2nd 

   First of all I want to thank my team because I gave them a lot of work to do after I crashed in the warm-up this morning. They did a great job and gave me a bike that I was able to be really fast on immediately. Unfortunately I had a small crash at the hairpin which cost me a few places but when I picked up the bike I was able to go fast again straight away so I could get by the guys in front of me. I feel sorry for Kenan because he really deserved the win today but I’m happy to finish second.

3. Haslam back to the podium with Pata Honda

   Posted on 4:58pm Sunday 5th Oct 2014

   Leon Haslam took his first podium for the Pata Honda team - his 29th in total - in the second of today’s two wet eleventh round World Superbike championship races at Magny-Cours in France.

   The 31-year-old British rider, who finished sixth in the first 19-lap race at the 4.411km French circuit, made some positive changes to his Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade for race two, in which he engaged in a prolonged battle with reigning world champion Tom Sykes.

   Having caught Sykes with seven laps to go, Haslam tried everything to get by, eventually riding around the outside of his rival at turn seven with two laps remaining to take a fantastic podium for him and his team.

   It was the team’s second podium of the day after Jonathan Rea finished third in race one. Having taken an early lead, Rea found it difficult to apply his CBR’s power to the slippery Magny-Cours circuit and the 27-year-old dropped behind eventual race winner Sylvain Guintoli and second-placed Marco Melandri.

   Rea stormed into the lead again in the early laps of race two and had settled into a comfortable rhythm before becoming one of no fewer than 13 riders caught out by the treacherous Magny-Cours surface and crashing out unhurt at turn seven.

   The World Superbike championship now breaks for four weeks before the final round of the series at the Losail circuit in Qatar on 2 November.

4. WORLD SUPERBIKE TAKES ON MAGNY-COURS

   Posted on 10:31am Friday 3rd Oct 2014

   AFTER DOMINATING AT JEREZ, SYLVAIN GUINTOLI AND MARCO MELANDRI'S APRILIA RACING TEAM IS READY FOR BATTLE ON FRENCH SOIL. THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS STILL UP FOR GRABS.

   Magny-Cours, 1 October 2014 - World Superbike is back on the track with the penultimate round of the 2014 calendar on the French Magny-Cours track. Despite the long break, for the Aprilia Racing Team memories of Jerez are still fresh in their minds, a round where the RSV4s completely dominated, ridden by Marco Melandri and Sylvain Guintoli who brought home a double one-two (first and second place in both races). This is a result which, besides once again confirming the Italian superbike's extraordinary competitiveness, “upset” the championship standings to create all the right conditions for a thrilling season finale.

   With 100 points still up for grabs, the 31 point gap that separates Sylvain Guintoli from the top spot is keeping the French rider's hopes alive. On his home track, Sylvain will also be able to count on the support of his fans who will be flocking to the circuit to see his attempt at a comeback. Sylvain's feeling on the French track is good, as his first factory derivative win demonstrated, earned right here at Magny-Cours in 2012.

   Another great protagonist of the season finale is Marco Melandri, dominator at Jerez and progressively more competitive in the second half of the championship season. For the Italian rider, still mathematically in the running for the title, despite a significant disadvantage, his stated goal is to battle one race at a time. Without calculations but with the firm intention of taking home the best possible results.

   Sylvain Guintoli: “After the solid week end in Jerez, I can't wait to get back on track in Magny Cours to try to close the Championship gap. It won't be easy but I still have a chance so I 'll take all risks and try my best to beat Tom. The French public support will be a big advantage and I have been training like an animal! I am ready”.

   Marco Melandri: “Magny-Cours is a track that I like a lot and it looks like the weather will be excellent. I'm arriving here in good condition. I want to reaffirm the levels that I demonstrated in Jerez. I'm sure the competition will be heated, but I have taken advantage of this month to recharge my batteries and I'm ready for battle on the track”.

5. Honda Racing to start 24 Hours of Le Mans from second on the grid‏

   Posted on 1:17pm Saturday 20th Sep 2014

   Honda Racing to start 24 Hours of Le Mans from second on the grid

   Following a wet morning at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the second qualifying session took place on a drying track meaning the majority of the grid positions remain the same as yesterday and Honda Racing will begin the race from second.

   Julien da Costa, Sebastien Gimbert, Freddy Foray and reserve rider Jason O’Halloran completed a 20-minute stint each aboard the Honda Racing CBR1000RR Fireblade SP. Da Costa and Gimbert’s lap times suffered as a result of the damp conditions, however Foray and O’Halloran were blessed with a dry track and both were able to improve on yesterday’s times.

   Despite this, the grid positions remain as they were at the end of the first qualifying session, with Honda Racing starting from second behind pole sitter SRC Kawasaki and ahead of championship leader Yamaha GMT 94. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is due to begin at 15.00 CEST on Saturday.

   Neil Tuxworth team manager

   We had a mixed practice session due to varying weather conditions but the main thing is we had no problems. The performance of the all four riders was strong and we remain in second position to start the race. In some ways this is better than pole as it takes some of the pressure away from the starting rider. Anyway, in a 24-hour race we know anything can happen so we’re just hoping for a trouble-free race.

   Julien Da Costa

   It was a shame that we had a rain shower just before qualifying today so I couldn’t improve my time. We were able to try some settings for the rain though so we’re well prepared for the race. Second is good and we’re ready.

   Freddy Foray

   I had dry track in my session and went faster then yesterday but I’m still a little disappointed because I wanted to get a 1:37. It’s difficult here in EWC because there are so many bikes on track. Anyway, we are in a good position, maybe even better than pole because there is less pressure.

   Sebastien Gimbert

   I am happy because although we are not in pole position we are ready for the race. The weather has been very mixed but that means we have been able to ride in wet, intermediate and dry conditions so we’re well prepared. The main thing is that all of the riders’ lap times are consistent with each other and the bike is easy to ride. 

   Jason O'halloran reserve rider

   I managed to get the good session today, which was nice. I improved my time on a race tyre so I’m pleased with that. The set-up changes the team has made in the last two days have been really positive and I think they are in a really strong position for the race. My work here is pretty much done but it’s been a great experience. I’ve learnt a new track and I really enjoy being with the team so it’s been a good week.