#46 V.Rossi tests Ducati GP12 at Mugello

In warm and sunny conditions, Valentino Rossi climbed back aboard the Desmosedici GP12, turning sixty laps during the third and final day of a Ducati test at the Mugello circuit. As usual, technical director Filippo Preziosi led the Ducati test team, which had also worked with Franco Battaini and Vittoriano Guareschi over the previous two days.

It was Rossi’s second test with the GP12, and he used the opportunity not only to check the first few updates to the bike, carried out according to the instructions of Valentino and teammate Nicky Hayden, but also to enjoy the Tuscan circuit’s new surface.

"I’m pleased, because it was a positive test,” said Valentino at day’s end. “We took full advantage of the time we had, because the track and weather conditions were perfect. I liked the new asphalt a lot. The surface is smooth, those holes that I knew so well are now gone, and the grip is fantastic. I must say they’ve done a great job, because if it’s possible, riding here at Mugello is now even better than before. I’m happy to have come back here to test after my injury last year, because it was a nice feeling and a good day. We started around 11:00 this morning, and we completed sixty laps in all—many kilometers without any problems, either physical or with the GP12. We tested everything that Filippo had planned to try, and we’re satisfied because, although we’re still at a pretty early stage, we’re going in the right direction.”

“We completed our second day of testing the GP12 with Vale,” said Filippo Preziosi. “I must say it’s a strange sensation, but also a really nice one, to be here at Mugello with Valentino, on a track where we’ve been rivals so many times in the past. We worked on the electronics and various other updates to next season’s bike, some of which were made following the requests that Vale and Nicky had given us during their first outing with the bike about a month ago at Jerez. It was a useful and positive test that will enable us to continue with the development of the GP12, which has some new details coming soon. Working with Valentino is always very nice from a technical perspective, and we were lucky with the weather, as we had perfect conditions. Vale also really appreciated the new asphalt: we have to compliment the folks at Mugello, because they really did a great job.”    www.fim-live.com/

New RVF to use 1000cc engine for racing?

Honda could be building a new superbike machine that would revive the historic RVF name and would be placed above the CBR1000RR model. The Honda RVF750F, otherwise known as the RC45, would get a new 1000cc engine as a racing model to compete in the World Superbike but also the MotoGP when, from 2012, privateer teams racing 1000cc engines will be able to compete against the factory protoypes.
According to reports from Motorcyclist Online, the RVF trademark has recently been renewed and new patents granted indicate new technology to be used, as well as details on the VFR1200F powerplant that will be utilised. A more convetional DOHC cylinder head is expected to appear but its unclear whether chain or gear driven cams will be used.
For more of the technical details, hop on over to Motorcyclist. It seems that Honda would develop the “new RVF750R” as a high-end production model to be used in racing as well. It would compete with the BMW S1000RR, but is intended to dominate the engine choice that privateer teams will be using in MotoGP, given that Honda’s CBR engine doesn’t quite cut it there, yet.

Arai RX-7 RC Carbon Helmet cheap online shop

Arai RX-7  RC Carbon Helmet Pedrosa


Shipping : FREE shipping ! 


It sends from Japan by EMS. (EMS - Express Mail Service takes 1-2 weeks, includes with insurance & tracking number)

Special Price   $3,500,00


Other series are also cheap. 


It is in the store here !

Is Suzuki building a 2012 MotoGP bike?

Ducati and Honda have already started testing their 2012 1000cc bikes with their respective MotoGP riders. Yamaha is expected to have Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies getting their first taste immediately after the Italian Grand Prix as confirmed by Yamaha’s Kouichi Tsuji, but what about the other MSMA member, Suzuki? Does anyone know what their intentions are?

Valentino Rossi’s crew chief Jeremy Burgess recently stated, “It’s heavily rumored that Suzuki has not begun work on a liter MotoGP bike and will exit MotoGP as a factory team at the end of the 2011 season.”


While MCN.com reports that Paul Denning is still in talks with the Hamamatsu factory about the 2012 project, “I would say that the meetings were positive with no conclusions as yet. Suzuki’s internal process for the project is up for approval by the end of June, but the meeting gave a good platform to discuss options and ideas of how we move forward. I can’t speak directly on behalf of Suzuki Japan in terms of a final decision but I would say there is an optimistic atmosphere and a positive feeling that Suzuki want to remain in the championship.”

If the project is still up for approval at the end of June, does that mean they have or haven’t already developed a new prototype or are they going to continue their effort in MotoGP with the 800cc GSV-R?

Suzuki’s contract with MotoGP is officially up at the end of the year, and if they want to cite continuing economic problems as the principal reason for definitely pulling out of the championship they will no longer be under threat of any legal action by Dorna and we’ll get a teary good-bye, it was fun while it lasted letter, thanking sponsors and fans in all these years.
Whatever Suzuki’s intentions are, it will probably be confirmed by Monday July 4th, when all the official factory teams roll out their new machines for testing, with everyone keeping a special eye on the Suzuki garage waiting for a sign or at the least a press release. www.twowheelsblog.com

Crutchlow Tech3 Yamaha : You can’t explain jump to MotoGP

The Tech 3 Yamaha rookie has shown well during the opening four races, despite having only previously raced in Qatar.

Cal Crutchlow has admitted he underestimated the extent of his transition from Superbikes to MotoGP racing, but says he is enjoying his first season in the premier motorcycling category with Tech 3 Yamaha.

The Briton made his much anticipated MotoGP debut at Losail earlier this year having impressed the Yamaha factory with his performances in the World Supersport and World Superbike Championships prior to that.

Crutchlow has since gone on to show several notable flashes of speed, coming close to a top six finish at Jerez and out-qualifying Valentino Rossi and Ben Spies at the most recent French Grand Prix. His best finish is an eighth at Jerez and Estoril.

However, while Crutchlow says he has exceeded his own expectations, he concedes he is still getting acquainted with the faster machinery.

“People don't understand the jump from World Superbikes to MotoGP,” he told Crash.net in an exclusive interview. “James [Toseland] tried to explain to me the difference and I said 'I'll get used to it, don't worry about it', but now I'm trying to say it to others. You cannot explain how big a jump it is - these boys are the fastest in the world!

“Even now, I'm not comfortable at all with the bike, but it'll come at some point. There has really only been one guy to come from Superbikes and do so well, and that's Ben Spies. All credit to him, there aren't many people who could have done that at all.

“I think we've made the jump, though, and things have been going well. We've had some good top eights, beaten some of the factory riders as well, and at the weekend it looked like we were going to get stuck in with the factory riders again. We will just have to keep trying our hardest.”

Indeed, Crutchlow says learning the circuits is proving the biggest challenge, insisting that by the time he has gotten to grips with the layouts, the grand prix weekend is coming to an end. It is a fact he says explains his run to fourth fastest during the post-Portuguese Grand Prix test at Estoril.

“The worst thing is, you go to the circuit and you don't know it, so you spend the first day of the weekend learning the circuit. The second session you find your settings, but then we've had wet sessions too, so it has been really difficult.

“We only managed to find a few things out at the test, and we were fourth fastest at there. By the time I've got used to the circuit, I'm leaving it!

“But I'm enjoying it and it is going well, so if I can continue this progression, step by step, learning every time I go out, then soon we will get into the top six.”

In all, Crutchlow – who is currently 11th in the overall standings, has previously raced at just seven circuits on the 18-strong calendar.    www.crash.net

Kiyonari seeks Thruxton turnaround BSB 2011

Defending champion Ryuichi Kiyonari had a weekend to forget at Croft last weekend, scoring just a single point from the two races and the Japanese ace knows he needs to turn around the disaster of that round and return to his winning best at Thruxton this Bank Holiday weekend (28-30 May).
Kiyonari scored a second place at Brands Hatch despite a high-speed crash in warm up and then went on to score his first win of the season at Oulton Park, but at Croft he struggled all weekend with set up and was only able to score a single point. However the reigning champion knows that if he wants to close the gap on his championship-leading team-mate and remain inside the all-important top six he needs to return to the podium to add to his tally of podium credits.
Kiyonari said: "It was a difficult weekend for me at Croft and we worked hard and tried many different changes but were still running the same lap times. In the first race it was a decision on tyres and we thought it would rain more, so we went for wets but that was the wrong choice and I just couldn't push. In the second race I had to start so far down the grid because of race one and then it was hard work but we still made passes and moved forward. It was disappointing for me and the team now I look forward to Thruxton.
"Last year Thruxton was a good race for the team with a win, although I just missed out on the podium. I am going there to try and do again what I did at Oulton Park; I want to win and be back on the podium. I hope that we can work hard in free practice and qualifying to make changes to solve the problems we had at Croft so that we can be fast and pushing for wins. I have said before, but I am not happy unless I am winning."  www.britishsuperbike.com

#46 V.Rossi on track at Silverstone

Valentino Rossi made the most of his visit at Silverstone on Tuesday by completing a couple of stints with a Ducati 1198 bike.

Valentino Rossi joined other great motorsports champions from the past and present in an inauguration ceremony for a new, ultramodern paddock structure at England’s Silverstone Circuit. The Silverstone Wing, as the British venue’s enormous new facility is called, comprises spacious garages, a media center, offices, and an auditorium, and it will host the seventh round of the MotoGP world championship on June 12.
Rossi, who missed the track’s 2010 round due to injury, used the occasion to turn some introductory laps with a World Superbike 1198 and, while that bike was in the garage for a check of its electronics, with a standard 1198 street bike, complete with license plate and mirrors. The Italian greatly enjoyed his track time—about thirty laps in all—as a way to get to know the circuit.
“I really had fun,” said Valentino Rossi before leaving for Italy. “After a few laps with the 1198 Superbike, we had a problem with the electronics and decided to use the 1198 street bike that Ducati’s UK affiliate rushed to us. I really liked riding that bike here. The track is nice—difficult and very technical. It makes you work hard because there are very fast sections where having the right trajectory is important, and others that are very narrow where you have to have good grip under acceleration. The first turn is completely blind, and you must hold a very precise line, and in general the entire first section is really great, definitely the part I like most. In short, I enjoyed it, especially because there were many drivers and riders who have great histories in motorsports, like John Surtees, who told me that he raced here in the ’50s. I wasn’t following racing then,” joked the Italian, “but he was great.”   www.motogp.com

'A tough trial riding' – Bou

Repsol Montesa riders Toni Bou and Takahisa Fujinami proved to be a formidable force at the opening round of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship as they finished 1- 3 respectively. Here is what the Honda duo had to say after the German GP.

Bou: “It was tough riding first today, as there were no lines to see in the sections. I did not start well and then made a big crash in section three, luckily the bike was not damaged and I only hurt my finger a little. From section four I began to ride well and on the second lap I rode even better. I am happy to win today, as the first victory of the season is always an important one.”

Fujinami: “Finally I can be happy as I arrived in third place and on the podium, but this morning I thought it was going to be a bad day. I made a very bad first lap and could not get to grip with the sections. I am very happy with my riding on the second lap as I made the best lap of the trial. This helped me recover a lot of positions, but I am also a little disappointed that I did not take second as I was very close to Cabestany in the end. Being on the podium at the first GP is a good result.”

www.fim-live.com

---

Enjoy the thrill of Silverstone on the Ducati GP moto two-seater

Riders for Health is giving people the once-in-a-lifetime chance to ride on the back of a MotoGP bike with the two-seater Ducati, ridden by former Grand Prix racer Randy Mamola.

The Ducati Desmosedici two-seater ride is a unique chance to complete a lap of one of the most famous racing circuits in the world, on the same weekend as the stars of MotoGP. This will be an experience like no other: the chance to ride a MotoGP bike piloted by Grand Prix hero and co-founder of Riders for Health, Randy Mamola.
It is your chance to get a MotoGP rider’s-eye view of the historic circuit. The developments to Silverstone have made it the fastest MotoGP circuit on the calendar, it is a chance not to be missed.
Each passenger will also receive a pair of premium paddock passes for the day of their ride and will enjoy hospitality in the Ducati suite for the day.
Members of the public simply cannot buy the chance to ride on this bike anywhere else in the world.
All the money raised from the sale of the rides goes directly to support Riders’ work in Africa. Riders for Health is an award-winning social enterprise that works to make sure all health workers in Africa have access to reliable transportation so they can reach the most isolated and vulnerable people with regular and predictable health care.
Rides are available on Friday 10th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June. So you can enjoy either of the two practice days or have your ride in front of a full race day crowd. For more information about taking part in this incredible experience, contact Martyn Cook by calling +44 (0)01604 889 570 or email mcook@riders.org. Make sure you do not miss this once in a lifetime opportunity!
Note: Each passenger must undergo and pass a full medical check prior to their ride, and passengers must not exceed 90 kilos (14 stone). Participants must be over 18.
www.motogp.com

Germany - Fujigas ready for battle

This coming Sunday marks the first event of the 2011 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship, which will take place in the town of Gefrees, East Germany close to the Czech Republic border. After being absent from the series calendar since 2005, Germany has the privilege of hosting the opening round of the thirty sixth edition of the championship.

Experienced campaigner Takahisa Fujinami is one rider eager to start the new outdoor season, after having endured a disappointing showing in the 2011 FIM X-Trial World Championship earlier this year. The affectionately named ‘Fujigas’ placed third in the 2010 SPEA FIM Trial World Championship and again has a top three result in his sights this season.

“For me obviously winning is still the best result, but with Toni (Bou) being so dominant the past few years it is very hard to be the best. I think he will win again in 2011 and if I can give Montesa second position in the championship I will be very happy – this is my target,” commented the 2004 FIM Trial World champion.

Takahisa still stands as only the second ever Japanese rider to take an off road FIM World title, the other being secured by Akira Watanabe, who won the 125cc motocross title for Suzuki back in 1978. Although the thirty-one year old is approaching the tail end of his international career his flamboyant riding style and stand out performances ensures he still remains one of the crowd’s favourite riders.

“My love and passion for Trials has never faded. The indoor series is hard for me and I am not very happy with my result this year – the Spanish riders have much more opportunity to ride indoor sections over the winter break so I think this is why they are so good. Now I must look forward to the outdoor series which I prefer,” continued Fujigas.

2011 sees a small number of regulation changes regarding the SPEA FIM Trial World Championship including the time allowed in a section and the minimum machine weight. Riders will now have ninety seconds to pass through and complete each section meaning that they will have more time to tackle the hazards that they will undoubtedly face. The new season will also see the introduction of a minimum weight limit for all bikes.

“Personally I like the old time regulation for the sections, which gave the riders just sixty seconds, but I understand the trial must be entertaining for both riders and spectators. The weight limit is a good idea - we have developed some new parts for 2011, but the weight will not be a problem,” explained the Factory Montesa rider.

Understandably the Japanese round of the SPEA FIM Trial World Championship has been postponed from early June until August 20-21st after the country suffered a series of natural disasters during early March this year. Although the country as a whole was heavily affected by the events, it is a testament to the countries commitment and dedication that they are still determined to stage a two-day event.

“For sure Japan is my favourite event of the year – it is my home. What has happened in the past few months is terrible, but my country is hardworking, has a great community spirit and will not give up. I think the trial will be very hot in August and it will be interesting to see how the riders adjust to the heat, but I am looking forward to it. I am also very excited to be competing in Fort William, Scotland again in July. Last year it was one of my best trials as I won the second day and the crowd was amazing – I like Great Britain very much,” concluded Fujinami.

www.fim-live.com

---

Kawasaki WSBK team boss denies drug smuggling

The boss of Kawasaki's World Superbike squad says drugs, gun and ammunition found in his race transporter lorry were planted by a drugs gang.

Paul Bird, owner of Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM), exclusively tells MCN (out this Wednesday) that he believes the gang were using his truck to smuggle contraband back into the UK, as the team returned from the Assen World Superbike round last month.

Based on a tip-off from the UK Border Agency, the Daily Telegraph claims 8kg of cocaine (with a street value of £350,000), 71kg of amphetamine tablets, more than 100kg of cannabis, a handgun and 35 rounds of ammunition were found in the truck, with no attempt made to conceal them.

The UK Border Agency confirmed that two PBM lorries were searched as they passed through Dover Eastern Docks last month and that quantities of class A drugs, class B drugs and a handgun were discovered.

Customs also said that four men – believed to be Paul Bird Motorsport drivers and mechanics – were arrested on suspicion of the importation of controlled drugs and firearm offences. They were questioned and later released on bail pending further enquiries.

Read the full exclusive interview with Paul Bird in MCN this week, out Wednesday May 4.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com

Next stop Monza for leader Checa 2011 WSBK

As he heads into Round 4 of the championship at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Althea Racing flag-bearer Carlos Checa holds a 43 point advantage over Max Biaggi, the second-placed rider. Having clocked up four race wins and two third place finishes in the opening six races of this year, Checa's results also help place Ducati at the top of the manufacturer's standings.

The Spanish rider finds himself in an entirely different situation to last year, when on the eve of the Italian Round he was fourth overall, 71 points from the top. Following his near-perfect season start, the Spanish matador is convinced he can have a positive weekend at the Monza circuit, where he could only score a 14th and an 11th place twelve months ago.

"I will face Monza just as I have the other races," said Checa. "Up until now we have had great results and so we won't be changing much technically speaking. This is of course a different kind of track and we will have to work hard to not lose too much ground on the straights. There are some difficult sections of track and so we must interpret the circuit well and concentrate on the tough parts. I feel in great shape and am ready to give my all. My team is extremely motivated and with their help I think we can make two great races."　www.worldsbk.com