De Puniet leads CRT pack at Le Mans

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:06:26 +0000

The Power Electronics Aspar Team continued their dominance of the CRT era on the opening day of the fourth round of the season at Le Mans, where Randy de Puniet was the fastest rider on the new machines.

Repsol Honda Team set the pace at Le Mans

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:27:59 +0000

After announcing yesterday in the official press conference his plans to retire at the end of this season, Casey Stoner got back on track and set the fastest time (1'33.740) in the first day of practice at the Le Mans circuit.

Statement regarding the Italian Round at Monza

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:25:30 +0000

Infront Motor Sports wishes to communicate the following in relation to the round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship held at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza on the weekend of 4-6 May.

Despite every attempt to continue with regular Sunday racing activities, unfortunately it was deemed necessary to modify the programme due to the unfavourable weather conditions that hit the Monza circuit. For Infront Motor Sports safety is the number one priority when a motor sport event is organized.

We also wish to underline that the overall entertainment on offer during the weekend was nevertheless of a high level. The collateral events organized to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the championship included a museum with a bike expo for the most representative and successful Superbike machines, the presence of great riders of the past including Carl Fogarty, Troy Bayliss, Troy Corser, Doug Polen and Fred Merkel, the Superbike Village with its attractions and many other initiatives.

Moreover Friday and Saturday practice and qualifying went ahead regularly, together with the Tissot-Superpole, the Supersport, Superstock 1000 and Superstock 600 races and Superbike race 2, even though the latter was interrupted after 8 laps, offering an exciting spectacle.

In any case, in order to fulfill the thoughts of all of our fans, Infront Motor Sports in agreement with the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza has decided to allow free Paddock admission for Sunday in the 2013 Monza event to all those who present a coupon valid for Sunday or a three-day admission ticket of the 2012 Superbike race.

With this decision we hope to offer a token of appreciation to all those fans who next year can have free access to the 'heart' of World Superbike giving them the possibility of meeting their favourite champions close up.

Vermeulen getting to grips with CRT at Le Mans

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:11:46 +0000

NGM Mobile Forward Racing Team was hard at work on the first practice day at Le Mans to provide Chris Vermeulen with the best possible bike for this Sunday’s race.

Yamaha duo looking for more pace at Le Mans

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:00:54 +0000

Yamaha Factory Racing riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies took to the Le Mans circuit today for the first two practice sessions of the French Grand Prix.

Rossi and Hayden hampered by lack of grip

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:49:51 +0000

At the first day of the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France, the Ducati Team duo of Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden were hampered in their efforts by a lack of grip.

Bautista makes positive start at Le Mans

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:25:49 +0000

On the opening day of the French Grand Prix, Team San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista found crucial confidence on board the Honda RC213V and lapped fourth fastest by the end of the two sessions today.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 make good start to home race

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:52:30 +0000

The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team's home race at the legendary Le Mans circuit in France kicked off in positive fashion today, with Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow posting competitive times on the opening day of MotoGP practice.

Positive day in Le Mans for Barberá

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:31:58 +0000

Pramac Ducati Team´s sole rider, Héctor Barberá spent the morning and afternoon free practice sessions working through different set-up changes and tyre options in preparation for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Season best shows FIXI Crescent Suzuki the way forward

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:59:46 +0000

Fourth place for Leon Camier in the second race of the day at the recent Donington round of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship was the single best result of the year for the highly respected team making a step up from BSB racing.

Setting laps as fast as the leaders at times this past weekend, even faster on occasion, Camier was hampered by a small problem during race one. His fourth place finish in race two was an altogether impressive feat, despite playing no part in the dramatic race finale up front. "I had the pace this weekend to be with the top guys and it felt good fighting and catching them today," said Camier. "In race one, there was a problem with the brakes and I couldn't get into the turns the way I wanted and that prevented me from catching the guys at the front. We changed to a softer rear tyre for race two. My start was OK and if, I hadn't been held up for so long by Laverty and Guintoli, I'm sure I would've been challenging for the podium at the end. It was a really enjoyable race and great fun catching people and passing them."

The GSX-R1000 has been progressing in its capabilities all season, thanks in part to improvements in the Yoshimura engine package. Despite the team losing their other team regular John Hopkins for the Donington weekend, as a result of injuries suffered at the preceding Monza race, substitute rider Peter Hickman managed a top ten in race two, finishing ninth.

Jack Valentine, the FIXI Crescent Suzuki Team Manager, was satisfied by the pace and progress of the effort at the first of two home rounds in the UK this year. "We've had a much better weekend at Donington than we have had recently and it's been good to see some smiles returning to the garage. Leon rode fantastically in the second race and could easily have been challenging for the podium if he'd have gotten away with the front group and not been held up. Peter did an excellent job for us this weekend. He came in as last-minute replacement after we lost John and he has done everything - and more - of what was asked of him. His ninth place is a good reward for him for his hard work."

Stoner throws down the gauntlet in second Le Mans free practice

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:58:27 +0000

Repsol Honda Team’s Casey Stoner set the tone for this weekend’s Monster Energy Grand Prix de France in Le Mans, after setting the fastest time of the day in the second MotoGP practice session.

25 Years of World Superbike: Burnett and Toseland

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:39:07 +0000

The traditional SBK Hall of Fame ceremony that took place shortly before race 1 at Donington Park last weekend saw awards going to two British riders who, albeit belonging to two different generations, have been linked on a professional and friendship level for a long time. The two men in question are Roger Burnett and James Toseland, who were awarded their prestigious 25th anniversary medal by SBK General Manager Paolo Ciabatti.

Roger Burnett goes down in the record books as the first man ever to set pole position in the history of World Superbike. It came about on 2 April 1988 when Donington Park was the venue for the opening round of the new production-based championship. Burnett took part in a total of 17 rounds in four seasons, scoring three podiums, all at the Leicestershire circuit (third in race 2 in 1988, second and third in the two races in 1989). At the age of 52, Burnett still forms part of the racing world having undertaken a career as PR and rider manager since he retired from competition in 1991.

Amongst those riders managed by Burnett is a certain James Toseland, who was born in Sheffield on 5 October 1980 and who retired from racing last year after being forced to stop due to an injury to his right wrist. "Giacomino" (Little Jimmy), as he was affectionately known in Italy in the years he raced for Ducati, took part in nine seasons of World Superbike, scoring a total of 16 wins and 61 podiums, together with two world titles (in 2004 with Ducati Fila and in 2007 with HANNspree Ten Kate Honda). In the year of his second title, Toseland scored his only win at Donington Park - in race 1 - after a race he led from lap 6 until the chquered flag. Toseland is one of the most accomplished riders in the history of World Superbike, as well as being a fan favourite all over the world.

Stoner dominates first free practice at Le Mans

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:00:24 +0000

Following his retirement announcement, Repsol Honda Team’s Casey Stoner showed no signs of slowing down at the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France at Le Mans, finishing the first morning session fastest ahead of teammate Dani Pedrosa.

Rossi confesses all to motogp.com

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:18:35 +0000

At the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France, Ducati Team’s Valentino Rossi took time out to answer fans’ questions, shed some light on recent news, and even reveal his phone number.

News-packed press conference starts Le Mans weekend

Thu, 17 May 2012 17:14:58 +0000

At Thursday’s pre-event press conference at the Monster Energy Grand Prix de France in Le Mans, Repsol Honda Team’s Casey Stoner announced his retirement at the end of the 2012 MotoGP™ season, at the same time that Valentino Rossi announced a further two years in the sport.