The news that has been circulating for a few days now seems true, unfortunately. Manuel Poggiali is leaving racing due to physical problems. It appears that the Campetella Racing Team rider will definitively leave Motomondiale racing.

The rumours have been confirmed by Team Manager Eros Braconi, who has said to motogp.com that “It has been Manuel’s decision and it must be respected. He is only 25 years old, he is a son to me, but he can no longer carry on with his physical problems which have afflicted him for some time.”

Manuel Poggiali will announce his retirement in a press conference before the Misano race on Sunday August 31. He should be replaced by Stefano Bianco, who has been riding for the San Marino Team 125.

Poggiali leaves racing after having won two world championships, the 125 in 2001 and the 250 in 2003, and with 12 victories, 11 pole positions and 35 podium appearances in the two classes throughout his career. It’s sad news for the motorcycle world.

Photo | Sportautomoto

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If you’ve got a spare few thousand euro lying around or have just won the lottery and want to give yourself a present, you’ve come to the right place. Our reader Paperopoli has sent through this news from Classic Motorbikes of a Cagiva 500 on sale.

This is not just any Cagiva however - this is the official V 593 from former champion John Kocinksi. It’s a two stroke, 500cc, four cylinder job that did the rounds of the 1993 season, winning on the Laguna Seca track.

Continue reading: Give yourself a present: Cagiva 500 ex Kocinski on sale

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While at Brno Ducati has won, and more than anyone, with the engines stopped at the moment, rumours continue as to who will be the successor to Troy Bayliss. The 39-year-old Australian is nearing retirement from racing, and still has no real heir to the position.

With fifth place for the season, confirmation of Michel Fabrizio seems ever closer (although somewhat given), but who will be at his side? At the moment it looks like a three man race between Byrne, Biaggi and Vermeulen, even if Davide Tardozzi will try at all costs to bring young Niccolò Canepa into Superbike racing.

But to mix it all up Aprilia could be entering the fray. According to RacerGP.com Max has been seen having a long chat with Giampero Sacchi and the engineer, Gigi dall’Igna. Is this just an old meeting between friends or is the old flame returning?

The renewal (although yearly) of Troy Corser in Yamaha should see the company place on the grid the same riders in 2009, for the third year in a row. Cech rider Jakub Smrz has also been proving himself as a fast rider, and so who knows… maybe the coming months could produce the big news of summer?

via | GPone.com

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This time maybe even Freestyle legend Travis Pastrana was left with his mouth open after seeing this video. This is real heart-in-your-mouth stuff by Ronnie Renner, at Santa Monica, who broke the record for the highest motorcycle jump in the world, reaching 59.2 feet, or 18.044 metres.

The 20,000 fans at the Red Bull Experiment couldn’t believe it. This height has never before been achieved, and Red Bull is obviously cementing its place in the world of extreme sports where Freestyle has brought some unexpected success.

Renner had planned five jumps, but after reaching 54.7 feet, decided to go for a final jump, which has now entered the Guinness book of recods. He said “It was perfect, and I still can’t believe I jumped so high. It doesn’t seem real that so many fans came here to support me. I tried the final jump for them - it was everything or nothing. And I did it.”

via | Visordown

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Even Valentino Rossi is human, there’s nothing new there, and after his fall at Assen, weekly magazine “Oggi” has demonstrated his humanity in a rather personal fashion, with Rossi consoling himself on his boat with an attractive (and unknown) brunette.

We hope you forgive us for this bit of gossip, and the photos, of this little escapade in the Marche and Rossi doing what we probably (or definitely) would have done in his position.

Continue reading: Rossi recuperates from Assen in good company

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Here’s the second half of the gallery from the MotoGP weekend in Spain.

Continue reading: MotoGP Catalunya: Gallery Part 2

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Here’s the first part of our gallery from the MotoGP weekend in Barcellona (both qualifying rounds and race).

Continue reading: MotoGP Catalunya: Gallery Part 1

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After the gallery of the first shots of the races, here are the paddock girls (especially Rizla Suzuki) from the official images of the teams. And the video of the girls from motogp.com.

Continue reading: MotoGP Mugello: Paddock Girls

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In the Aprilia Company the arrival point is well defined: to create a supermotard with no compromises, in every detail. And so it has been. In the planning of the Dorsoduro the Noale technicians have exploited all the experience accumulated in the World Supermoto, designing a benchmark chassis and a riding experience, and mapping out the twin-cylinder 750cc that makes full use of the “Ride by wire” technology.

Equipped with a torque that favours lower and medium ranges, the Aprilia engine gives out 92 hp at 8,750 revs and a maximum torque of 82 Nm at 4,500 revs. The clean lines of the front and the lovely tail give voice to the racing spirit of this bike.

In the seat you feel at home, with the tank positioned such that the legs can hold on without necessitating fatigue. As you gain confidence you find yourself leaning in more to the bends knowing the bike will adjust its trajectory. We were well impressed by the quality of the engine, gutsy at lower revs, and of the three driving modes: Sport, Touring and Rain.

Continue reading: Aprilia SMV 750 Dorsoduro: a beautiful creature

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If you’re an aspiring motard rider or simply just a fan of this speciality, open your ears because in April there is not-to-be-missed appointment. The 15th of April on the Ottobiano track in Italy there will be an exceptional supermotard race.

Teaching us the secrets of this kind of racing will be Davide Gozzini: you read that right - the legendary “Gozzo” who has inspired many Italy fans during his races in the World Supermoto Championship will next month put on the mantle of instructor for the Drinkteam motard.

A very special occasion for all fans of this incredible category that will have at their disposition one of the greatest, and youngest, Italian talents of the Supermoto.

Continue reading: back to school with Supermoto and Gozzini

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