We’ve got the usual rider quotes from the team’s press releases after last night’s final pre-season test in Qatar, but a couple of Italian journalists picked up some gossip from the garages that the releases don’t tell.

Valentino Rossi and Loris Capirossi who are both senior and founding members of the Safety Commission, believe that the Qatar race should be put ahead by at least an hour because of the humidity that makes the track dangerous. Marco Melandri was so angry with the performance of his 2010 Honda RC212V that he actually compared it to the Ducati GP bike he rode in 2008.

The MotoGP season opener kicks off April 11th in Qatar.

Casey Stoner - 1st 1′55.352 (51 laps)

“I am really happy with the test and the work we have done right up to tonight. In the first Sepang test we had a few things to work out but we have made constant progress. The latest big step forward with the GP10 came last night and today I was able to set a consistently fast pace. I have been able to work with the tyres without putting too much stress on them and I was able to keep my pace on used rubber. I like the new engine a lot, it is more manageable and I am pleased to see the other Ducati riders, especially Nicky confirming that with fast times.”

Valentino Rossi - 2nd 1′55.860 (57 laps)
“This has been another good day. We’ve concentrated mostly on the race preparation and it feels like we’re now ready for the first race. We did a long run at the end of the session and we got some good information, which will help us in the race. Now that testing is over I am very excited about the season. We’ve been strong throughout the six days of practice and it feels good to have been fast here also, where we have struggled in the past. We have only tested at two tracks so we need to wait for another different one to fully understand the new bike, but we’re in good shape. My M1 feels great and I’m looking forward to racing!”

Continue reading: MotoGP Qatar Day 2 - Rider Quotes

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Turn up the volume on your sound speakers, because we’ve got a brief video with the magical sound of FB Corse’s FB01 machine during last week’s shakedown test at Valencia.

As we reported last Thursday, the FB01 didn’t exactly make the cut with Dorna’s Franco Unicini and Oscar Gallardo and are still not officially on MotoGP’s entry list, but will have to undergo further development and when they decide that they are ready will have to undergo not only another timing test, but also race simulation test to prove the bike’s reliability.

Source | motoblog.it

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The Suomy Extreme model helmet now comes in new colours in the form of an Andrea Dovizioso replica, dedicated to the Italian MotoGP rider. Production has already commenced and the helmet will be available soon.

The Suomy Extreme helmet is available in three sizes (XS-M, L-XL, XXL-XXXL) and is made of a composite fibre external shell. The interior has alcantara antibacterial fabric which can be removed and washed. The thickness of the internal lining can be personalised (in terms of padding size), and the helmet uses D-Ring closure.

The Suomy Extreme also has a sophisticated ventilation system with a front adjustable air intake, and side air outlets. For more details on the Suomy helmet range, see the technical info helmet table on the Suomy site.

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Casey Stoner put a big stop to Valentino Rossi’s domination in the pre-season testing taking the top spot on the final day of testing under the lights at the Losail circuit in Qatar. The Aussie rider exchanged positions with Rossi during the entire test, but in the end with a best lap of 1.55.717 left the Italian rider in second by over five tenths of second.

Andrea Dovizioso made a big jump forward from yesterday and finished in third, he too a little more than five tenths of second from Stoner and just 0.019s from Rossi. Nicky Hayden finished in fourth, up four positions from yesterday.

Loris Capirossi who was feeling better tonight, finished his test in fifth and improving almost a full second from the 1st session while Jorge Lorenzo who is still nursing his injured hand took sixth.

Several falls characterized this evening’s test, Yamaha Tech3 duo Colin Edwards, Ben Spies and Ducati’s Nicky Hayden and Casey Stoner all suffered falls at turn 2, while Marco Simoncelli crashed out at turn 6.

Continue reading: MotoGP Qatar Test - Casey Stoner takes Top Spot on Day 2

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The Aprilia Dorsoduro Factory will be available on the Italian market this month, with local pricing released and an offer “you can’t refuse” for March only. Until March 31, the Dorsoduro Factory will be available with sports slip-on exhaust for just 9,990 euros in Italy in a move likely to please the lucky local population, and try and gain some ground against Ducati.

It’s a fiercely competitive market in Italy and an Aprilia Factory version, the more performance and track oriented bikes in the Aprilia range, at that price is a steal. The Dorsoduro Factory comes with a 750cc engine, plenty of carbonfibre finish and ride-by-wire technology.

Aprilia Dorsoduro 750 Factory 2010 new pics

Source | Motoblog.it

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Last night’s MotoGP official test at the Losail circuit in Qatar confirmed Valentino Rossi’s continuing form on the Yamaha M1 and the always lightning fast Casey Stoner, and the super impressive “rookie” Ben Spies. Here’s what all the rider’s had to say after the first day. Testing continues and concludes tonight.

Valentino Rossi - 1st 1′55.402 Laps: 64

“I am so happy today because this isn’t one of our best tracks and to come here and be fastest shows what a great job Yamaha has done with this new M1. To start with the track was quite slippery but anyway we were still fast, and as the track started to improve I felt better and better. We are quite competitive and this gives me a good feeling, and I was happy to make this quick lap right at the end. We still have to decide the right tyre and the best setting for it, and we will keep working on the electronics but the most important thing is that we’re faster than last year! Tomorrow we will continue with our work and try to finalise everything before the race.”

Casey Stoner - 2nd 1′55.717 Laps:48

“We tried a few different set-up solutions but the main focus tonight was the tyres. I used the same set for thirty laps and set some of my best lap times towards the end, so we are satisfied with that. We have also worked on the balance of the bike because the conditions here are very different to Malaysia and I prefer the bike to be more rigid. So far so good.”

Continue reading: MotoGP Rider Quotes from Qatar Day 1 Testing

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Here’s Bri Stiles introducing herself as a candidate for last year’s Miss Arenacross competition. Not only can she ride, work hard in promotions and pull off her own publicity, she’s also a very attractive blonde motocross rider. Don’t let the pink put you off - Bri is a real biker babe meaning she actually knows how to ride.

Source | MasMoto

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Take a look at this Triumph Thunderbird 1600 in café racer guise. The bike has been put together by Swede Sivert Raask from Raask accessories specialist, and has a new tank, seat and fairing. The exhaust has also been given an overhaul.

Raask has also built café racer versions of the Bonneville and Rocket III and thought the Thunderbird would equally lend itself to a few modifications. The tank comes from a Ducati 900 and the seat is all home-made. A new speedometer and rearsets have also been fitted. The Triumph Thunderbird 1600 Café Racer is the latest in Raask’s career, which first started back in 1967 with the rebuilding of a Norton Atlas.

Triumph Thunderbird Cafe Racer

Source | MCN via Motosblog.fr

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The new Nolan N90 helmet has both full face and jet-helmet style capability. The chin part can be opened or closed with the external shell made from polycarbon. The visor part has a rapid release function, and features solar tinting and anti-scratch material.

The internal lining of the Nolan N90 can be removed and washed, and is made from Clima Comfort material with antibacterial treatment. The N90 is perfect for mid season use and can be adapted for summer and winter depending on the full face or jet option. It costs about 234 euros.

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Check out this absolutely fantastic promo video of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, starring Trials Champion Dougie Lampkin who takes on the estate again and this time he’s searching for Formula One stars Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

Besides leaving you open mouthed and in awe of Lampkin’s riding talent, it will also give you a smile with the antics he’s come up with.

Source | mcn

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