Finally arrived is the road version of the S 1000 RR, BMW’s superbike effort that will be presented at the World Superbike Championships at Phillip Island in March. After recent tests in Portimao and Valencia, riders Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus are positive about the future for the BMW Motorrad Motorsport Team.

The racing bike version will be similar to the series bike, in line with the sports spirit. Production of the road version has already commenced with a completely new package, compact and light, and a four cylinder, in line 999cc engine. The dry weight comes in at 183 kg, and combined with the performance, this makes for an attractive new package from BMW.

The whole bike, from valves to twin cam, has been designed to be light and compact with dimensions at the level of a Formula 1. This should enable the complete torque and performance of the bike to be fully exploited.

Continue reading: Supersport BMW S 1000 RR road version

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Just before Xavier Simeon leaves for Spain to test his Ducati Xerox Superstock 1000 bike we found him for an interview.

Xavier, how does it feel to be a member of the Ducati Xerox Junior Team today?
It’s the first time for me to do some PR for Ducati and I really enjoy it. It’s a big change for me after Suzuki but it’s a new challenge. I am meeting so many journalists this days, it’s really great for me.

Did you receive many comments, reactions?
All my friends at home and in the paddock are very happy for me to join the Italian team and I am also sure that I made the good decision. Ducati won the SBK Championship, Superstock. I believe Ducati is the best.

How about the model range from Ducati?
They have a new bike, the Streetfighter. It think it’s a good bike for roads. All the Ducati bikes are built to have fun, not only riding. If I could choose a new bike for myself it’s the Streetfighter for sure, I want to try it out!

Continue reading: Interview: Xavier Simeon rider in the Ducati Xerox Junior Team

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In a press release from today, Kawasaki announced today that it suspended its factory MotoGP racing activities for this year.

Kawasaki said they can not recover the impact of the financial crisis and it pushed them to take this unpleasant decision. Kawasaki would like to thank all the fans and all people who have forwarded help to them.

It’s an unpleasant news to receive but we can’t denied we are not surprised by the decision of the Kawasaki factory. It was been told all around in the press and in fact we were all waiting for the official press release to be published.

The financial crisis came up and wounded Kawasaki but also the riders, like Marco Melandri, happy to race in 2009 with “the green team” after his suffering period with Ducati. But not only the riders, also the crew, the fans and MotoGP are hurt by this news.

Today we don’t expect an other team will withdraw from MotoGP but what do we learn from this? Did Kawasaki not reach the goal, the results the team or the factory expected? Or is it really the financial crisis removing the team from the start grid? And what about MotoGP in general? Even Valentino Rossi is looking at World Superbike and hoping he can race against Troy Bayliss? What about the strong teams, the upcoming BMW and Aprillia spending a budget to go for a win in the successful and exciting racing class called World Superbike? In a period Kawasaki will stop riding in MotoGP and when teams are discussing to have less races in a season.

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Good ride for Niccolo Canepa during the two day test session in Brno after the race. Niccolo performed a good 7th place during the test with Ducati and only 1.7 seconds slower than World Champion Casey Stoner. Casey rode again the fastest lap time followed by Valentino Rossi second and Loris Capirossi, third.

This performance from Niccolo could bring him very close to a contract with the Ducati satellite Alice Team, especially if Spanish rider Toni Elias leaves.

Nicky Hayden could sign up and would replace Marco (riding the green Kawasaki next year) in MotoGP and Max Biaggi will ride the Xerox Ducati in World Superbike. At the end of the season we will know the rider with Smrz in the Guandalini Team and what about newcomer Boulder Motorsport… two Americans?

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Team Yoshimura Van Zon won the 8 Hours of Francorchamps in Belgium with their two riders Werner Daemen and Olivier Depoortere. The Suzuki was too fast for the Metiss, from the Team Birh Metiss. Twowheels was present at Francorchamps and visited the Belgian winner, Werner Daemen.

Werner, congratulations with your victory, you are racing endurance worldwide but also IDM?
Yes, I am present at some different championships, but generally I am racing in the IDM. It’s the International German Championship. Together with the British championship this is the highest championship in Europe. The Top 15 riders are all prof. riders and this time I am under contract with Suzuki. This year they sended me to Germany to win some races and try to win the tittle, it looks good for me on the moment.

Continue reading: Werner Daemen asking for more media support!

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The British Superbike rider Tom Sykes will ride as Wild-Card rider during the next round of World Superbike on September 7 at Donington. Tom rode also as Wild-Card rider during the last SBK round at Brands Hatch and finished 7th. In the British Superbike Championship the Rizla Suzuki rider is on 3th position.

At Donington we will see many British riders. Tom Sykes, Leon Haslam, Cal Crutchlow and James Ellison will all fight as Wild-Card rider for the British crowd.

James Toseland will be happy with so many British riders at World Superbike after the message to give more British riders a chance in the Championship.

Via | Buzzinmotorsport

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Good news from the Italian Guandalini SBK Team. The Guandalini Team confirmed today at Twowheels, that Jakub Smrz signed again and will be racing in 2009 for the team from Bologna. Not really a big surprise, Kuba told before during the SBK at Assen at twowheels about his good feeling inside the team. He said: ” I like to stay in the Italian team, they are all very friendly to me and I feel really comfortable!”

The Guandalini Team confirmed also a second SBK pilot, but we have to wait until the Championship is finished to know the pilot’s name! Jakub Smrz is riding the Ducati 1098 RS 08 and is performing very strong, the Guandalini Team is performing for the first year at WSBK and is coming many times in the picture because of the great performance from Jakub Smrz.
photo’s from Koen

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We go back to the year 1999 on Phillip Island to see two great heros fighting it out. Remember Carl Fogarty #1? And Troy Corser #11? Watch to see how it panned out.

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Next update for riders changing in World Superbike is here. Not only Superbike riders are looking for opportunities but also Superstock riders are looking for their future. Today, we bring news from Brendan Roberts, Superstock 1000 rider in the Ducati Xerox Junior Team.

Brendan says: “The Junior Team is designed to bring younger riders up, so anything can happen. I have been testing the Superbike this week, so things are coming along nicely. I don’t think I will be stepping straight up into the senior team though because there will be far too much pressure, but there are other teams we can go to.”

He also says: “I want to learn the ropes first in another Ducati Team and maybe move up if things are going well. There are quite a few people in front of me for the job but fingers crossed I’ll get somewhere.”

Brendan is holding the first position in the Superstock 1000 Championship with 109 points.
With Ruben Xaus and possibly Max Biaggi leaving the Sterilgarda Go Eleven Team, newcomer from the US, Boulder Motorsport, Roberts is looking for his opportunities. Still eyes on one other Ducati team? Guandalini with rider Smrz!

Via | Crash

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Max Biaggi has confirmed he wants to ride for the Ducati Xerox Team next year in World Superbike 2009. Max said: “No, I haven’t spoken to Xerox although I spoke today with Troy Bayliss and he said ‘I have nothing against you coming to the team and I think you deserve it.”

Max Biaggi, riding today in the Sterilgarda Go Eleven Team added that he likes to ride in a factory team to fight for the crown in World Superbikes. He has promised more news after his holiday.

Davide Tardozzi, team manger from the Ducati Xerox Team told Crash.net that Max could replace Troy next year. He said: “This year he had a fantastic start and showed us how strong he is.”

Max is holding the 7th position in the Championship, before Ducati Xerox rider Fabrizio on 9th and Ruben Xaus on 10th. Ruben is leaving the Sterilgarda Go Eleven Team for BMW. If Max also leaves the team, Sterilgarda will search for two new riders in stead of only one and this will open up some new opportunitys and changes in the SBK world!

Via | Crash.net

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Troy Corser has said: “I am in talks with Yamaha this weekend, because I think they are here to find out what we are going to be doing next year. I have spoken with BMW of course and a few other manufacturers have shown an interest too, but I haven’t signed anything with anybody yet. My contract with Yamaha does end this season though, so I am pretty much free after this year.”

What will Troy do? Will he stay and complete his work at Yamaha or will he change and follow Ruben Xaus to BMW? Or is the third manufacturer important for Troy? We are still waiting for Ducati, and news on the other Troy, as to who will be the substitute for Troy Bayliss. And what about Michel? Let’s wait for more news next week!

Via | crash.net

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