6117 replies to this topic

[smithy]

Hi all,

The season is just about on us. Yippeeeeee!


Somehow or other I got roped into running the Guess the MotoGP for this year. As such, I thought it might be good to change things up a little. What about we combine 125; 250; MotoGP & WSBK into our tipping? I'm thinking guess the podium in all three classes on the MotoGP weekend, then guess the 2 * WSBK podium and the WSS podium on the WSBK weekend. More races... more points available... easier to catch up if you have a bad weekend (of which I have many ).

Or... we just stick with the tried and true formula. Your thoughts?

In the meantime, we have Philip Island WSBK this weekend. Lots of new bikes, riders & combinations to look out for. It should be a cracker!!!

[Seanspeed]

Oooops, nevermind!

[Gilles4Ever]

I am so excited for the superbike season and I am not even going to be able to watch the races till Sunday evening as my inconsiderate brother has decided to get married this week end and I have to fly up for the wedding.

[Bernd Rosemeyer]

Is BMW the only constructor that competes in F1 and Biking at WC level?

[Gilles4Ever]

and Ho... never mind

[Bernd Rosemeyer]

Originally posted by Gilles4Ever
and Ho... never mind

Untill last season you mean.

[Gilles4Ever]

British Eurosport keeps MotoGP

As was exclusively revealed by MCN one week ago, British Eurosport will continue to screen coverage of the MotoGP world championship in 2009.

A deal has been thrashed out with MotoGP rights owners Dorna and the BBC for coverage to continue on British Eurosport in 2009, which means MotoGP will have its most extensive coverage ever in the UK.

However, the deal will not include live coverage of the MotoGP race. With the BBC having exclusive rights to show MotoGP in the UK. British Eurosport will show the MotoGP race delayed on the same day and not live.

Live coverage of the 125 and 250 races will remain, as will British Eurosport’s heavy output of practice and qualifying from all three classes on Friday and Saturday.

[giddyup409]

Originally posted by smithy
Somehow or other I got roped into running the Guess the MotoGP for this year. As such, I thought it might be good to change things up a little. What about we combine 125; 250; MotoGP & WSBK into our tipping? I'm thinking guess the podium in all three classes on the MotoGP weekend, then guess the 2 * WSBK podium and the WSS podium on the WSBK weekend. More races... more points available... easier to catch up if you have a bad weekend (of which I have many ).

Or... we just stick with the tried and true formula. Your thoughts?

Count me in!

[Atreiu]

Count me in the guessing game as well.

And here's to hoping we have a trully exciting Moto GP season. An exciting WSBK season is a given.




edit: when is the test session at Qatar?

[lorca]

Kawasaki announces that after constructive talks between Kawasaki, Dorna and other involved parties, a new one-rider Team will participate in the 2009 MotoGP Championship season.

Melandri to start 2009 MotoGP season in one-rider team

[Atreiu]

So we're back at 18 with the Dornasaki. I wonder if Melandri will ever finish ammong the top ten this season.

[Gilles4Ever]

Yup, but lets wait and see, Melandri says he will decide after the Qatar test if he is prepared to ride the bike, which looks like it wont be a 2009 bike as tested in Australia but a 2008.5 so to say.

SuperbikePlanet put it well

The Power of Lawyers: Kawasaki To Run Melandri In MotoGP!

[Gilles4Ever]

From MCN

The new team will be headed up by former Technical Director Ichiro Yoda, with 2008 factory team boss Michael Bartholemy no longer involved.

Most people believe Kawasaki has committed to race one ZX-RR machine in 2009 to avoid a potential £20m fine off Dorna for breach of contract.

Melandri's deal though means Kawasaki could potentially face legal action from American John Hopkins, who has a contract to race with the Japanese factory in 2009.

[Chubby_Deuce]

Interesting, I didn't expect Kawasaki to stay so involved. I at least expected their name to be gone from the bike.

[Lazy Prodigy]

Originally posted by Gilles4Ever
Yup, but lets wait and see, Melandri says he will decide after the Qatar test if he is prepared to ride the bike, which looks like it wont be a 2009 bike as tested in Australia but a 2008.5 so to say.

SuperbikePlanet put it well

The Power of Lawyers: Kawasaki To Run Melandri In MotoGP!

Before all this Kawa withdraw. I heard positives about the bike at Valencia. I think Marco was around the top of the times too at Valencia if I remember.

[Gilles4Ever]

Originally posted by Lazy Prodigy
Before all this Kawa withdraw. I heard positives about the bike at Valencia. I think Marco was around the top of the times too at Valencia if I remember.

They tested at Valencia? Call it old age but I only remember them testing at PI with Suzuki.

[Gilles4Ever]

Testing at Phillip Island - Nov. 26
1. Loris Capirossi (Suzuki) - 1'31 "5 (94 laps)
2. Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki) - 1'31 "9 (104)
3. Olivier Jacque (Kawasaki) - 1'32 "4 (85)
4. Marco Melandri (Kawasaki) - 1'32 "5 (93)
5. John Hopkins (Kawasaki) - 1'33 "3 (76)


Phillip Island - 27 novembre - I tempi
1. Loris Capirossi (Suzuki) - 1'31"0
2. Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki) - 1'31"2
3. Marco Melandri (Kawasaki) - 1'31"8
4. Olivier Jacque (Kawasaki) - 1'31"8
5. John Hopkins (Kawasaki) - 1'32"5

final day at PI

1. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 30.9 sec
2. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1min 31.1 sec
3. Marco Melandri ITA Kawasaki Racing Team 1min 31.8 sec
4. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team 1min 32.1 sec
5. Olivier Jacque FRA Kawasaki Test Rider 1min 32.3 sec

2008 Australian Grand Prix - 05/10/2008:
Pole position: Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro (B) 1min 28.665sec
Fastest lap: Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda (M) 1min 30.059sec

Fastest laps by Suzuki and Kawasaki riders:
9. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki (B) 1min 30.971sec
12. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki (B) 1min 31.313sec
14. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing (B) 1min 31.915sec
15. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing (B) 1min 32.010sec

[Atreiu]

So basically Kawasaki have been holding firmly to the bottom of the sheets.

[Chubby_Deuce]

Suzuki looks to be fast though. Kawasaki may fair better against the midfield Hondas.

I do recall hearing that Melandri was able to go faster on the Kawi straight away than he was able to all weekend on the Ducati.

[Gilles4Ever]

Originally posted by Chubby_Deuce
Suzuki looks to be fast though. Kawasaki may fair better against the midfield Hondas.

I do recall hearing that Melandri was able to go faster on the Kawi straight away than he was able to all weekend on the Ducati.

That was against the 2008 Suzukis on the 2008.5 Kawas but we have seen what the 2009 Suzuki can do, I suspect the Kawa is going to be way off.
Melandri did go faster on the Kawa than he did on the Ducati.

[Gilles4Ever]

Toby and Julien have said they are commentating for british Eurosport

The Bulgarian Motorcycling Federation says it has reached an agreement to bring MotoGP to the nation from the 2012 season

[beanoid]

Originally posted by Atreiu
edit: when is the test session at Qatar?

Next week, Sunday to Wednesday, IIRC.

[Rob]

Originally posted by Gilles4Ever
British Eurosport keeps MotoGP

Fantastic news!

[Kaiser]

I can hardy wait. How long until the first practice session?

[giddyup409]

http://www.superbike...Feb/090225d.htm

so the question is: Does WSBK still have rights issues with SpeedTV and will fans from USA need again to take alternative ways in following the WSBK and WSS in order to stay competitive in Smithy's: Guess the WSBK & WSS podium?

[Bolido]

Uhmmm... I know is too early, but Spies´ already at front!

[Lazy Prodigy]

Originally posted by Gilles4Ever


They tested at Valencia? Call it old age but I only remember them testing at PI with Suzuki.

The one in October. Anyways Kawa were 9, and 10, and Marco was 3rd on the rain day. It seemed like the bike for 09 was better than the 08 one.

[markr]

Phillip Island - Free practice (1)

1. Ben Spies USA Yamaha Italia YZF R1 1min 32.752s
2. Max Neukirchner GER Alstare Suzuki GSX-R 1000K9 1min 32.813s
3. Leon Haslam GBR Stiggy Motorsport Honda CBR1000RR 1min 33.015s
4. Yukio Kagayama JPN Alstare Suzuki GSX-R 1000K9 1min 33.077s
5. Regis Laconi FRA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R 1min 33.140s
6. Noriyuki Haga JPN Ducati Xerox 1098R 1min 33.239s
7. Shinya Nakano JPN Aprilia Racing RSV-4 1min 33.280s
8. Michel Fabrizio ITA Ducati Xerox 1098R 1min 33.371s
9. Roberto Rolfo ITA Stiggy Motorsport Honda CBR1000RR 1min 33.433s
10. Broc Parkes AUS Kawasaki SRT ZX-0R 1min 33.496s
11. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR 1min 33.508s
12. Jonathan Rea GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR 1min 33.695s
13. Tom Sykes GBR Yamaha Italia YZF R1 1min 33.757s
14. Makoto Tamada JPN Kawasaki SRT ZX-10R 1min 33.835s
15. Tommy Hill GBR HANNspree Althea Honda CBR1000RR 1min 33.845s
16. Jakub Smrz CZE Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R 1min 33.901s
17. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Racing RSV-4 1min 33.909s
18. Shane Byrne GBR Sterilgarda Ducati 1098R 1min 33.991s
19. Carlos Checa ESP HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR 1min 34.012s
20. Troy Corser AUS BMW Motorrad S1000RR 1min 34.201s
21. Ruben Xaus ESP BMW Motorrad S1000RR 1min 34.780s
22. David Salom ESP Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 35.851s
23. Brendan Roberts AUS Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R 1min 36.222s
24. Luca Scassa ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 36.762s
25. Karl Muggeridge AUS Celani Suzuki GSX-R1000 1min 36.853s
26. Vittorio Iannuzzo ITA SCI Honda CBR1000RR 1mins 37.716s
27. Matteo Baiocco ITA PSG-1 Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 37.866s
28. Ayrton Badovini ITA PSG-1 Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 38.676s

WSS: Phillip Island - Free practice (1)

1. Kenan Sofuoglu TUR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR 1min 35.482s
2. Cal Crutchlow GBR Yamaha SSP YZF R6 1min 35.652s
3. Mark Aitchison AUS HANNspree Althea Honda CBR600RR 1min 35.758s
4. Garry McCoy AUS Triumph BE1 Racing 675 1min 35.804s
5. Andrew Pitt AUS HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR 1min 35.867s
6. Fabien Foret FRA Yamaha SSP YZF R6 1min 35.893s
7. Joan Lascorz ESP Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com ZX-6R 1min 35.965s
8. Anthony West AUS Stiggy Motorsport Honda CBR600RR 1min 36.056s
9. Matthieu Lagrive FRA HANNspree Althea Honda CBR600RR 1min 36.061s
10. Barry Veneman NED Hoegee Suzuki GSX-R 600 1min 36.182s
11. Eugene Laverty IRL Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR 1min 36.547s
12. Matej Smrz CZE Factory Racing Triumph 675 1min 36.650s
13. Katsuaki Fujiwara JPN Kawasaki Provec Motocard.com ZX-6R 1min 36.722s
14. Robbin Harms DEN Veidec Racing RES Honda CBR600RR 1min 36.735s
15. Gianluca Nannelli ITA Triumph BE1 Racing 675 1min 36.827s
16. Miguel Praia POR Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR 1min 36.936s
17. Michele Pirro ITA Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni YZF R6 1min 36.955s
18. Massimo Roccoli ITA Intermoto Czech Honda CBR600RR 1min 36.957s
19. Pawel Szkopek POL Factory Racing Triumph 675 1min 37.071s
20. Gianluca Vizziello ITA Stiggy Motorsport Honda CBR600RR 1min 37.225s
21. Doni Tata Pradita INA YZF Yamaha R6 1min 37.853s
22. Jesco Gunther GER RES Software Veidec Racing 1min 37.989s
23. Patrick Vostarek CZE Intermoto Czech Honda CBR600RR 1min 38.470s
24. Daniel Dell'Omo ITA Kuja Racing 1mins 38.508s
25. Russell Holland AUS ECHO CRS Grand Prix Honda CBR600RR 1min 38.957s
26. Fabrizio Lai ITA ECHO CRS Grand Prix Honda CBR600RR 1min 39.664s
27. Arie Vos NED Veidec Racing RES Honda CBR600RR 1min 40.712s
28. Jose Carlos Morillas Cuenca ESP Holiday Gym Yamaha YZF R6 1min 40.771s
29. Shaun Geronimi AUS Hoegee Suzuki GSX-R 600 1min 41.257s
30. Yannick Guerra ESP Holiday Gym Racing Yamaha YZF R6 1min 42.086s

[Atreiu]

Go Spies!
Go Nakano!


It'd be just crazy if Spies debuted with a win.

[maczippy]

From this morning...



It's very smoky/hazy here today...

Andrew

[Craven Morehead]

another great pic

[Lazy Prodigy]

Oh god Im so excited! my favorite is SBK. I would love to see Spies stick it to everyone, but how about Laconi an Haslam? Go Max N and Haga!

[Gilles4Ever]

Q1

1. Jakub Smrz CZE Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R 1min 32.312s
2. Noriyuki Haga JPN Ducati Xerox 1098R 1min 32.569s
3. Leon Haslam GBR Stiggy Motorsport Honda CBR1000RR 1min 32.623s
4. Max Neukirchner GER Alstare Suzuki GSX-R 1000K9 1min 32.673s
5. Yukio Kagayama JPN Alstare Suzuki GSX-R 1000K9 1min 32.704s
6. Shinya Nakano JPN Aprilia Racing RSV-4 1min 32.928s
7. Michel Fabrizio ITA Ducati Xerox 1098R 1min 32.932s
8. Ben Spies USA Yamaha Italia YZF R1 1min 32.939s
9. Tom Sykes GBR Yamaha Italia YZF R1 1min 32.971s
10. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR 1min 32.991s
11. Max Biaggi ITA Aprilia Racing RSV-4 1min 32.995s
12. Regis Laconi FRA DFX Corse Ducati 1098R 1min 33.202s
13. Roberto Rolfo ITA Stiggy Motorsport Honda CBR1000RR 1min 33.206s
14. Carlos Checa ESP HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR 1min 33.224s
15. Shane Byrne GBR Sterilgarda Ducati 1098R 1min 33.317s
16. Troy Corser AUS BMW Motorrad S1000RR 1min 33.377s
17. Jonathan Rea GBR HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR 1min 33.418s
18. Makoto Tamada JPN Kawasaki SRT ZX-10R 1min 33.709s
19. Broc Parkes AUS Kawasaki SRT ZX-0R 1min 33.911s
20. Ruben Xaus ESP BMW Motorrad S1000RR 1min 34.080s
21. Tommy Hill GBR HANNspree Althea Honda CBR1000RR 1min 34.123s
22. David Salom ESP Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 34.487s
23. Brendan Roberts AUS Guandalini Racing Ducati 1098R 1min 34.123s
24. Karl Muggeridge AUS Celani Suzuki GSX-R1000 1min 35.716s
25. Luca Scassa ITA Team Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 35.759s
26. Vittorio Iannuzzo ITA SCI Honda CBR1000RR 1mins 36.103s
27. Matteo Baiocco ITA PSG-1 Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 36.514s
28. Ayrton Badovini ITA PSG-1 Kawasaki ZX-10R 1min 37.127s

1-15 within a second
Smrz, Haslam and Nakano

[Gilles4Ever]

SuperSport Q1

1 1 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.833
2 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1'34.895
3 99 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'35.063
4 24 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675 1'35.431
5 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1'35.469
6 8 Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'35.589
7 13 West A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'35.641
8 69 Nannelli G. (ITA) Triumph Daytona 675 1'35.644
9 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 1'35.778
10 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 1'35.833
11 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 1'35.885
12 77 Veneman B. (NED) Suzuki GSX-R600 1'35.947
13 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'36.075
14 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.220
15 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'36.234
16 21 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'36.247
17 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.286
18 105 Vizziello G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.493
19 83 Holland R. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1'36.915
20 5 Pradita T. (INA) Yamaha YZF R6 1'36.918
21 19 Szkopek P. (POL) Triumph Daytona 675 1'36.972
22 96 Smrz M. (CZE) Triumph Daytona 675 1'37.045
23 30 Günther J. (GER) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.170
24 9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.210
25 32 Lai F. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.719
26 7 Vostárek P. (CZE) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.740
27 28 Vos A. (NED) Honda CBR600RR 1'37.914
28 78 Geronimi S. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R600 1'39.445
29 88 Guerra Y. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R6 1'40.133
30 71 Morillas J. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R6 1'40.523

[Andy35]

That lap from Smrz! Jakub cracker.

Sorry, could not resist

Amazing how Stiggy are above Ten kate. Maybe they got the engines mixed up between SS and the world superbikes

My fav Byrne is suffering from the lack of practice, though he did make up 0.7s in the second session. Maybe the new qualifying will help him in this respect. Never expected Haslam to be so far up. Aprillia above BMW, they seem to just have the edge.

Going to be an exciting race.

Fantastic confirmation about Eurosport getting the MotoGP coverage. I'd like to think that public support, the fans uproar and Eurosport not giving up on it saved the day. Whoever applied the pressure thanks very much

I am so exicited. If I was a little puppy I'd be running around the room pissing everywhere.

But I'm not. So I wont.

Regards
Andy

[smithy]

Originally posted by giddyup409
http://www.superbike...Feb/090225d.htm

so the question is: Does WSBK still have rights issues with SpeedTV and will fans from USA need again to take alternative ways in following the WSBK and WSS in order to stay competitive in Smithy's: Guess the WSBK & WSS podium?

www.worldsbk.com !!

Although you may need to subscribe so you can see race footage.

Given the late notice I might give this round a miss on the competition (seeing as it's Friday evening here already) But get ready for next round!

[Gilles4Ever]

afaik www.worldsbk.com is free even for races.

[pingu666]

someone normaly sticks the wsbk races up on racing underground not long after broadcast ;)

didnt know there was wsbk this weekend

[philhitchings]

Which works in IE but I can't get it to work on firefox : keeps saying unknown plugin

[maczippy]

Sykes...



Sorry these ain't nothing special...but there's some irony in all of this...

[Andy35]

We all like them, keep them coming maczippy.

I'll have to check out what times the next sessions are. I tried to work it out from British Eurosports tv schedule but Superpole seems to be before the races, so I guess they are not covering it live ?

Regards

Andy

[giddyup409]

Originally posted by Gilles4Ever
afaik www.worldsbk.com is free even for races.

unfortunately last year this was not my experience. Yes, it was free, but the viewers in North America would be able to stream the races only after SpeedTV broadcasts their delayed coverage, which would be on Tuesday noon time (they sometimes skip wss all together)

that's ok, i was just starting my list of excuses on why i'm not going to be able to retain the guessing crown

maczippy, every pic you post is special to us, keep'm coming

[maczippy]

As daft as this might sound, this was a huge deal for me, just to shoot all the riders, aka "school photo" at the start of the season. I've often wished the AMA had done such a thing, considering how many riders around the world rode in the AMA at some time...

Sadly, the organisation skills of some of those trying to herd this group into place would've put our dog Thor to shame....

Nevertheless, I was thrilled to have been able to do this...simple things huh?



As I have always said, I never have taken any of this for granted, and each time I'm granted a credential, it feels like a new day every time...

Off to bed now..sunburnt and knackered regards...

Andrew

[Atreiu]

It'd be funny if you had Mini P, or a guy of his size, in that picture.

[Gilles4Ever]

Melandri yet to decide on Kawasaki deal

"I got calls from many people, but I haven't received any official confirmation," Melandri was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "It's incredible that I should come to know these things from journalists.

"My situation is up in the air: I need to close the old contract and do a new one for this different solution. I know there's not much money, and that's no big issue for me.

"But the discussion was very clear: since they didn't give me guarantees on the 2009 bike, I want to try it myself, from Sunday onwards in Qatar, and then decide.

"That's because I don't feel like starting the season with a bike that is three seconds slower than the others, and that doesn't even get developed during the season.

[Bolido]

Originally posted by giddyup409


unfortunately last year this was not my experience. Yes, it was free, but the viewers in North America would be able to stream the races only after SpeedTV broadcasts their delayed coverage , which would be on Tuesday noon time (they sometimes skip wss all together)

...

Well, I still haven't been able to stream last year's races, and that's something I really can't understand...

Please, if someone could help me with a live broadcast on the internet (other than worldsbk.com) I would really appreciate it. PM me, please, please, pretty please...

[Chubby_Deuce]

Originally posted by maczippy
Sykes...

He's pulling pretty hard on that throttle ;)

[Bernd Rosemeyer]

Good news about Melandri, 18 bikes ce better than 17, hopefully he'll be on the pace.rtainly sound

[Atreiu]

A bit random:

I was wondering, how important is 125cc?
What if it were extinguished to have the former teams join Moto2? Could this work? People are having a hard time finding money to keep the teams money, maybe the end of 125cc could drive teams/sponsors/money to Moto2, provided they could get some good deals or incentives from Dorna. I really hope Moto2 works out and the first thing it needs is a decent grid, 24 bikes plus, 30 bikes ideally.

So maybe they could extinguish 125cc as a world championship and have it disputed only in national series to groom riders before they step up and foward in their careers.

Could it work?

Am I crazy?

Is there anything in between?

[Bernd Rosemeyer]

Originally posted by Atreiu
A bit random:

I was wondering, how important is 125cc?
What if it were extinguished to have the former teams join Moto2? Could this work? People are having a hard time finding money to keep the teams money, maybe the end of 125cc could drive teams/sponsors/money to Moto2, provided they could get some good deals or incentives from Dorna. I really hope Moto2 works out and the first thing it needs is a decent grid, 24 bikes plus, 30 bikes ideally.

So maybe they could extinguish 125cc as a world championship and have it disputed only in national series to groom riders before they step up and foward in their careers.

Could it work?

Am I crazy?

Is there anything in between?

What about a two-stroke class 400cc or so instead of scrapping the smallest class?