Category: Superbikes

1. NEW APRILIA RSV4 SBK 2014

   Posted on 8:52am Friday 21st Feb 2014

   REIGNING WORLD SBK CHAMPION APRILIA RSV4 UNVEILED TODAY AT PHILLIP ISLAND (AUSTRALIA), THE BIKE THAT MARCO MELANDRI AND SYLVAIN GUINTOLI WILL USE TO TAKE ON THE 2014 WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP.
   
   THE REFLECTIVE FINISH OF THE METAL ENHANCES THE AGGRESSIVE LINES OF THE ITALIAN SUPER SPORT BIKE, REIGNING MANUFACTURER WORLD CHAMPION, HOLDER OF APRILIA'S 5 SBK CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES AND REFERENCE POINT FOR STREET BIKES.

   Phillip Island (Australia), 20 February 2014 – We are just hours away from the start of the 2014 World Superbike Championship and Aprilia Racing, the Italian reigning Manufacturer world champion and winner of 5 championship titles in the last 4 seasons, unveiled the number 33 and number 50 RSV4s that Marco Melandri and Sylvain Guintoli will ride in the hunt for the SBK championship title.

   Leaving the black and red colour scheme from recent years behind, the Aprilia RSV4 transforms into a silver fireball. In fact, the pure metal colour is the distinctive trait of the 2014 RSV4 SBK. This is a stylistic revolution that enhances the form and technological content of the Italian bike, crowned as the street sport bike leader by the specialised press all over the world and absolute protagonist in World Superbike. With two Rider world titles and three Manufacturer world titles won in the last four season, the Aprilia RSV4 has written some fundamental pages in recent motor sport history and it moves into the starting gates for the 2014 season with renewed ambitions, worthy of the Aprilia collection of 52 total world titles won, 294 World Motorcycle Championship GP races won and 38 Superbike victories.
   
   The extreme lines of the RSV4, a true racing thoroughbred, are highlighted by the sharp red and black inserts (traditional Aprilia colours) which, together with the carbon parts and the reflective surface of the pure metal, enhance its compact size and racing soul. The hashtag #beAracer appears on the RSV4's fairing, this is an expression of Aprilia's intention to create a closer bond between the racing world and motorcycle enthusiasts through digital technology. The dual beam aluminium frame, a sculpted work of art that harnesses the more than 230 HP unbridled by the exclusive, extraordinary 1,000 cc narrow V4 engine, is enhanced by the surface treatments and colour combinations.

   This choice did not go unnoticed by riders and mechanics, who fell in love at first sight with a bike that, besides astonishing with its technical characteristics like highly advanced electronic control equipment developed entirely by Aprilia, also stands out from the crowd with a brand new elegant look.
   
   Romano Albesiano, Aprilia Racing Technical and Sport Director and Piaggio Group Bike Technical Centre Manager: “A large part of a racing bike's attraction, obviously besides pure performance, has to do with its visual impact. These are exclusive objects, moving sculptures to be admired, and the RSV4 has definitely blazed an important trail in this area. Its compact size due to the exclusive architecture of the V4 engine and its magnificent polished factory frame are both functional elements and distinctive design traits at the same time, enhanced by the new livery which, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful and unique that has ever taken to the track”.

   Marco Melandri, number 33: “Very rarely has a bike ever impressed me like this one. I liked it straight away. It looks aggressive and elegant at the same time, with a really original colour combination. As a rider I obviously focus on speed, but as an enthusiast I can appreciate a beautiful and well refined bike. Aesthetic details are often synonymous with careful development and particular attention to all aspects of the product”.

   Sylvain Guintoli, number 50: “It is simply beautiful! I have always liked the RSV4. It has an aggressive and decidedly racing look even in the factory version. Its lines scream speed and everything is in the right place to guarantee maximum performance. The new colour scheme is the cherry on the top. If it's as fast as it is beautiful our rivals won't stand a chance. This livery would be absolutely beautiful on the street version - I would want one immediately!”

2. FINAL TWO DAYS OF TESTING AT PHILLIP ISLAND FOR THE WORLD SBK CHAMPION APRILIA BEFORE THE OFFICIAL START OF THE 2014 SEASON

   Posted on 8:07am Wednesday 19th Feb 2014

   MARCO MELANDRI WAS FINALLY ABLE TO WORK WITH FAVOURABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND IS READY FOR BATTLE.

   LOTS OF LAPS WITHOUT ANY PHYSICAL ISSUE FOR SYLVAIN GUINTOLI, CONFIDENT THAT THE PROBLEM WITH HIS RIGHT SHOULDER HAS NOW BEEN RESOLVED.

   Phillip Island (Australia), 18 February 2014 – There are only a few days left before the start of Superbike 2014 which will open hostilities this weekend at Phillip Island where riders and teams have already been busy for two days of testing.

   For Aprilia Racing - the Italian Reigning Manufacturer World Champion and winner of 5 world titles in 4 seasons - this was the first opportunity to lap in good climatic conditions after the negative impact the weather had on the winter sessions at Portimao and Jerez. So some intense work was done without any hindrances in order to be as ready as possible when the lights turn green for the first time this season.

   For Marco Melandri, in his first year astride the Aprilia RSV4, these two days can be considered positive in no uncertain terms. The rider from Ravenna, in addition to finishing the tests with the fourth best time, put in 123 laps to complete a testing schedule aimed at “moulding” the powerful Italian superbike to his needs. Consistently fast, Marco focused primarily on finding his best race pace, trying to optimise the long distance setup. In fact, tyre wear is an incredibly important factor on the fast and demanding Australian track. Being consistent throughout the entire race will therefore be a must. Despite the good times he put in, Melandri knows that there is still room for improvement and he'll be working with his team on that from the first test sessions on Friday.
   
   Marco Melandri: “We were finally able to lap in good weather! I'm pleased because we completed the scheduled programme, gathering a lot of information from the test sessions. Now we just have to put the pieces of the puzzle together in order to find the best place to start for the weekend. I think I have a good race pace. There are still a few spots on the track that give me problems but I'm confident that we'll be able to improve. I need to focus on the fast lap for the qualifiers because starting from at least the front two rows will be very important. I definitely can't wait to finally get back to serious business”.

   The unknown factor for Sylvain Guintoli was without a doubt his physical condition after the double surgery on his right shoulder. From this point of view the 92 laps the French rider put in confirm that his recovery is complete. Sylvain was also positive about these tests in terms of performance. The pace he demonstrated even in poor grip conditions places him among the potential key players for the first round of the season. Guintoli's feeling with the bike are similar to those last year when he took a win and a second place on his maiden race astride the Aprilia RSV4 which placed him at the top of the rider standings.
   
   Sylvain Guintoli: “The most important thing is that I am feeling much better physically. The previous tests at Jerez went well too, but after the crash there and when I got back home my shoulder was hurting for a few days. Here, on the other hand, I took a lot of laps over these two days, doing the tests that we had planned and even putting in some decent times. In the afternoon, in similar conditions to what we'll probably have for the races, my RSV4 performed very well both in terms of general settings and tyre wear management. I'm confident and, just like last year, I'm ready for battle”.

3. Pata Honda completes pre-season preparations

   Posted on 8:37am Tuesday 18th Feb 2014

   The Pata Honda World Superbike and World Supersport teams have finished pre-season testing in preparation for this weekend’s first-round championship races at Phillip Island in Australia.

   The World Superbike pairing of Leon Haslam and Jonathan Rea today completed their final pre-season test after two days lapping their Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP machines around the 4.445km Phillip Island circuit in warm and dry conditions – certainly more favourable than their last two tests in Europe.

   In spite of a crash which prevented his participation in most of this afternoon's final test session, Haslam finished the Phillip Island test with the eighth-fastest time. Rea was less than two hundredths of a second behind his team-mate as both continued the development of a revised electronics system and new components.

   Pata Honda’s Michael van der Mark and Lorenzo Zanetti have also been testing at Phillip Island, refining their Honda CBR600RRs in readiness for their second seasons in the World Supersport category.

   Dutch ace van der Mark ended the test with the third-fastest time, less than half a second behind three-time World Supersport champion Kenan Sofuoglu, while his Italian team-mate Lorenzo Zanetti was tenth fastest.

   The season proper begins for Pata Honda at Phillip Island this Friday, 21 February with the first World Supersport free practice session opening at 10.00 local time. The World Superbike riders will take to the track at 11.45 in a revised event format, which sees the first three practice sessions timed for Saturday's Superpole.

   The 10 fastest riders will qualify automatically for Superpole 2, while those with the 11th to 20th fastest times will also contest Superpole 1 - the two fastest from that session moving into Superpole 2 to determine final grid positions.

   The Pata Honda team has produced a short preview for this weekend's opening round of the 2014 World Superbike championship at Phillip Island, featuring interviews with Jonathan Rea, Leon Haslam and team manager Ronald ten Kate. 

4. TT-winner Michael Dunlop joins forces with BMW Motorrad UK for a BMW Motorrad Motorsport supported road racing team

   Posted on 10:40am Wednesday 12th Feb 2014

   TT-winner Michael Dunlop joins forces with BMW Motorrad UK for a BMW Motorrad Motorsport supported road racing team.

   Michael Dunlop, seven-times TT winner, will be racing BMW motorcycles for the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy as well as other international road races.

   The 24-year-old, from Northern Ireland, is joining forces with BMW Motorrad UK and Hawk Racing, who also operate the Buildbase BMW Motorrad BSB team, with the support of BMW Motorrad Motorsport for an assault on the 2014 road-racing programme.

   The joint effort – BMW / Hawk Racing – has the support of BMW Motorrad Motorsport via the global sports programme, as the team seeks to emulate the great BMW victory of Georg Meier in the Isle of Man Senior TT exactly 75 years ago.

   The team will be running both a Superstock BMW in Dunlop Racing livery and a Superbike BMW S 1000 RR in BMW Motorsport livery. Dunlop will compete on the roads for 2014 with the highlight being the prestigious Tourist Trophy races on the Isle of Man.

   Michael Dunlop said: “I’m really pleased to have signed for such a strong and competitive team. The BMW S 1000 RR certainly has the speed for the TT and, with my experience, the support from BMW Motorrad Motorsport and Hawk Racing, I know we have a race-winning package. I really thought about sitting out this year, but I have found a team that I am really comfortable with and the support from BMW Motorrad Motorsport will make us a force to be reckoned with this year.”

   2014 is the 75th anniversary of Georg Meier’s historic win at the Senior TT in 1939, where BMW secured their first TT win. Georg became the first ever foreign winner of the Senior TT race; with team mate Jock West finishing second, on their Boxer-powered 500cc RS 255 Kompressors.

   The BMW / Hawk Racing team will be jointly managed by BMW Motorrad UK and Stuart Hicken, fresh from the Buildbase BMW Motorrad team’s best ever performance in the 2013 British Superbike Championship. Building on their strong relationship and experience with BMW, the team has secured BMW Motorrad Motorsport support for the 2014 road racing programme.

   Stuart Hicken, BMW / Hawk Racing Team Principal, said: “We are extremely pleased to have assembled such an experienced racing team. We have been working on it for a while and I genuinely believe that with Michael, the technical expertise from BMW Motorrad Motorsport and the BMW S 1000 RR, we have secured all the elements we need to be at the sharp end, challenging for a great result at the TT.”

   Lee Nicholls, BMW Motorrad Marketing Manager, said: “We are so pleased to have secured Michael Dunlop to ride for BMW / Hawk Racing. His record speaks for itself and we are confident that, on a BMW S 1000 RR, he can dominate on the roads this season. Creating a team that will focus all its efforts on Michael will present BMW with a realistic chance of replicating our famous victory 75 years ago at the TT.”

   To keep up to date with the latest news from the team, follow @BMWMotorradTT on Twitter.

5. Penz13.com BMW Racing Team confirms Andrews for 2014 Isle of Man TT Races Campaign

   Posted on 7:51am Saturday 8th Feb 2014

   Rico Penzkofer's Penz13.com team has confirmed that Simon Andrews will ride for the German outfit at the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.

   Andrews will ride a BMW HP4 S1000RR prepared by the Penz13.com BMW Racing Team, supported by the BMW HP Race Support team, at the Isle of Man TT as well as the North West 200 and Macau Grand Prix.

   He also has the potential to represent the Penz13.com Franks Autowelt Racing Team in the FIM World Endurance Superstock Cup races. Andrews will be the reserve rider at the Bol d’Or and the legendary Le Mans 24 hours with the opportunity to be selected for the team during qualifying.

   Andrews' TT record has included four top fifteen finishes including 11th place in last year's RL360 Superstock Race. He made his TT debut in 2011, taking 11th in both the Superstock and Senior Races, also finishing as the fastest newcomer with a lap of 125.134, the third fastest newcomer in the all-time list. He has a fastest lap to date of 126.001mph around the TT Mountain Course. He also finished third in the 2012 Macau Grand Prix.

   The 29 year old from Evesham is now recovering from his injuries sustained in last year's accident while competing in the World Endurance at Le Mans and is expected to have his first test on the bike later this month.

   Commenting on the move, Simon Andrews said: "I’m pleased to sign with Penz13.com BMW Racing Team for the Road Racings in 2014. I’ve raced against Rico and know his bikes are well built. I’ve had some success with BMW already when I started on the roads earlier in my career. With the help and support of BMW I believe the team will give me a good competitive bike. I'm looking forward to meeting all the team and really seeing what we can do together."

   Rico Penzkofer, Penz13.com Team Principal commented: "We've been in negotiations with Simon for a while and he was scheduled to ride for us in last year’s Macau Grand Prix before his accident at Le Mans last year so I'm really pleased that we've now signed him."

   He continued: "The Isle of Man or Macau has been my greatest passion, my life, if you like. Over recent years we've built a special wealth of experience as a team and focused on the TT - not least because I raced the TT myself. I now want to use this experience and get closer to the sharp end. Steve Mercer delivered our team’s best TT result last year with an 8th spot. I am happy that we've signed Simon and that he has faith in our team as he's a really talented road racer."