Wsbk 2013 Updates Thread

[NewsReaper]

Re: Sofuoglu sees only one option for the rest of 2013

Checa hoping for full fitness by Imola

Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare) is eagerly awaiting Round 7 of the eni FIM Superbike World Superbike Championship, scheduled for 30 June at Imola. The 40 year old rider from Sant Fruitos de Bages, Spain, has won five of the last six races held on the Italian venue, and is certainly looking for more after a difficult start of the season.

Carlos Checa

"Before winning we must close the gap with our rivals", "Imola will be good opportunity to get closer. I really like the track, it is quite technical with heavy braking, up & downhill sections and many chicanes. It is one of the venues with a long history in motorsport and always many spectators are coming, all these ingredients make it a great event."

Checa is taking advantage of the 11-day break between Portimao and Imola to fully recover from the shoulder injury that has been affecting his performance since early April's home round at Aragon. Despite still not having full movement in the joint, the Spaniard is confident of his chances to be fully fit to ride the newly "air-restrictor free" 1199 Panigale R on the challenging track near Bologna.

"Now my shoulder condition is quite good (not yet for climbing or swimming), still if I do max extension is bit weak but for bike riding I don't need that shoulder position, so I'm quite confident that the long break and all the work I've been doing will allow me to be 100% fit for the round."

Source: Checa hoping for full fitness by Imola

BMW riders ready to face team's home round

The BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team is preparing for its next home round. The seventh round of the 2013 eni FIM Superbike World Championship will be held this weekend at the iconic "Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari" at Imola. The workshop of the BMW factory race team is located at Crespellano, only 60 kilometres from Imola.

This season so far, factory riders Marco Melandri and Chaz Davies have shared four victories between them on their BMW S 1000 RRs. In the Manufacturers' classification, BMW is currently second with 211 points. In the Riders' classification, Melandri is fourth with 156 points. For him, Imola is also a 'home' race as he lives nearby. Davies follows directly behind in the points standings, in fifth with 133 points. After Sunday's races, the teams of the Superbike World Championship will stay at Imola to conduct an official one-day test on Monday.

Marco Melandri:

Chaz Davies:

"My target for Imola is to be back on the podium. The last few races have been a bit difficult for different reasons but even so, we've learnt quite a lot that could be useful for other races during the season. So it is a matter of taking this knowledge and using it to get a better result. I think we have a good chance to achieve our target to be back on the podium. I quite enjoy Imola. It is a circuit that seems to suit my style and I have always had decent results there. It is also one of the typical old Italian tracks, being inside the park and close to the town, so I am looking forward to it."

Source: BMW riders ready to face team's home round

[NewsReaper]

Re: Sofuoglu sees only one option for the rest of 2013

Lowes vs Sofuoglu and Foret as WSS resumes at Imola

World Supersport is back to business at Imola for race number seven of 2013. Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki duo of Kenan Sofuoglu and Fabien Foret is on a mission to slow down the impressive momentum of Sam Lowes (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha), winner of the last four races and current Championship leader with a 39 point gap on both riders.

The three WSS stars had a key role, although in different ways, in last year's race at Imola: the Reigning Champion, who moved off well from second place on the grid, missed the brake point at the last chicane on the opening lap, while he was leading the race, and did not return to the track in the correct way. The 28 year old was penalised by Race Direction first with a ride-through, and then, as he didn't make his way back to the pit-lane, he was disqualified with a black flag. A disappointing retirement for the Turkish rider, who was taking part in the race despite a multiple injury.

Once Sofuoglu was out of the timing screens, the battle for first place was a matter of tenths of a second between Foret and Lowes: Frenchman was able to achieve the race win, despite the tenacity of young Brit, who did everything he could to fill the small gap with the front. Following the encouraging performance at Portimao, Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport) is aiming to be in the mix up front again, while team mate Lorenzo Zanetti is looking forward to redeeming the poor results of the last two rounds. Irishman Jack Kennedy (Rivamoto Honda) is training hard to improve his stamina in order to keep his pace competitive for the whole race distance, after showing some positive form in the early stages of the previous races.

Source: Lowes vs Sofuoglu and Foret as WSS resumes at Imola



WSBK on the way to Imola for Round 7

Round 7 of the eni FIM Superbike World Championship will take place this weekend at Imola's Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. After six events and twelve races, the "Master of Consistency" Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) heads to the second Italian Round of the season with a 28 points advantage over Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) and an extraordinary average of 17.75 points per race - despite his only win so far in the first race of the year - and no DNF.

Speaking of consistency, Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare) has won 5 of the last 6 races held on the iconic track near Bologna. The 40 year old Spaniard, who is almost back to full fitness, after the shoulder issues that have been hampering his performance since Round 2 at Aragon, will be riding an air restrictor free Ducati 1199 Panigale R, as per FIM regulations about the performance balance between twin and four-cylinder machines (article 2.4.8.1.3.).

Fond memories but no win yet at Imola for Tom Sykes, who scored a surprising first pole position of his career in 2010 onboard the previous model of ZX-10R. With the current Ninja, Sykes has finished twice second last year, after dominating for half the race and eventually surrendered to race winner Checa.

No love lost between Imola and Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team), who always finished no higher than 4th and, as Sykes and former team mate Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), is back from a mixed feelings Portuguese Round. Melandri never had good results on his home track in WSBK, but he's looking forward to a strong performance to keep himself in contention for the World Title.

Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) climbed on the podium in 2011, when he crossed the line 3rd in race 2 behind winner Checa and Noriyuki Haga. The Japanese star will make a one-off return to WSBK after 20 months since his last appearance, as he will be riding a Feel Racing BMW S 1000 RR run by Team Grillini Dentalmatic.

Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) has been the only rider, apart from Checa, to win a race at Imola in the last three Seasons (2011, race 1). The Ulsterman was close to get a well-deserved double win, but an electrical problem forced him to a disappointing retirement, leaving the winning spot to the Spaniard. Rea's team mate Leon Haslam is continuing his recovery to be as fit as possible for the Italian Round, despite the still injured left leg.

Source: WSBK on the way to Imola for Round 7

[NewsReaper]

Re: Sofuoglu sees only one option for the rest of 2013

Sam Lowes dominates Qualifying 1

Championship leader Sam Lowes (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) has set the pace in today's Qualifying 1, topping the timesheets courtesy of a 1'51.104 seconds lap-time, already the new Best Lap. The young Brit was already on the lead in the closing stages, but decided to push for an even quicker time to try an break into the 1'50s bracket. Rookie Riccardo Russo (San Carlo Team Italia Kawasaki) ended up with a promising second place ahead of Pata Honda World Supersport duo of Michael van der Mark and Lorenzo Zanetti, Luca Scassa (Intermoto Ponyexpres Kawasaki) and Vladimir Ivanov (DMC-Lorenzini Kawasaki).

PTR Honda Sheridan Morais was 7th, followed by Fabien Foret (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki), Irishman Jack Kennedy (Rivamoto Honda), Andrea Antonelli (Team Goeleven Kawasaki) and Foret's team mate Kenan Sofuoglu. The defending Champion had a tough time in this session, compared to the 5th place he achieved in the morning Free Practice. Russian Vladimir Leonov was out of contention for almost the entire session, as he suffered a technical problem on his Yakhnich Motorsport YZF-R6 during his second lap on track, just six minutes after the start of Qualifying 1.

Source: Sam Lowes dominates Qualifying 1

Tom Sykes takes 1st place in Q1 on Jonathan Rea

In the opening day of Round 7 Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) managed to steal the show by placing himself on top in Qualifying 1 after the 1st place achieved in late morning's free practice. Last year's runner up set a 1'47.218 seconds lap-time in his penultimate attempt to edge a competitive Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike), who did a good job to close up on the lead in the final stages.

The national flag for the round was well represented today, as Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Aprilia) ended up third ahead of fellow Italian riders Ayrton Badovini (Team Ducati Alstare), who achieved his best finish in qualifying so far in 2013, Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia) and Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), all within 0.259 seconds of each other.

Championship leader Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) completed the session in 7th place, followed by Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki), team mate Eugene Laverty and Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team), who had a spectacular crash at Turn 6 that led to a quick Red Flag halfway through the session. The young Frenchman walked away from the run-off area uninjured. Returning Noriyuki Haga (Grillini Dentalmatic BMW) had a difficult debut day of his one-event participation, as he finished 17th ahead of team mate Vittorio Iannuzzo.

Source: Tom Sykes takes 1st place in Q1 on Jonathan Rea


Weekend Round up -

2013 Imola World Superbike Friday Roundup: Sykes Leads While Lowes Dominates | MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Television Timings for the weekend of WSBK Races -

WSBK Race 1 Live @ 1500 hrs on Star Sports

WSBK Race 2 Live @ 1830 hrs on Star Cricket!

[The Monk]

Kawasaki Mahi Racing Team India's Kenan Sofuoglu wins at Imola in WSS

Kenan Sofuoglu won the Imola round of the World Super Sport series to keep his championship hopes alive, as his biggest rival Sam Lowes recovered to finish in 2nd place and eke out 5 points from his championship lead. Fabien Foret, teammates with Kenan finished 12th after he missed a braking point while fighting lower down the order. The race was Red Flagged and restarted as, Debise's bike leaked oil all over the track.



Results for the WSS Race -

Sofuoglu wins, Lowes recovers to 2nd

2013 Imola World Supersport Race Results | MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

Results for the two WSBK races won by Tom Sykes -

2013 Imola World Superbike Race 1 Results | MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

2013 Imola World Superbike Race 2 Results | MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

Weekend Round Up -

2013 Imola World Superbike Sunday Roundup: "Yes, but is he lucky?" | MotoMatters.com | Kropotkin Thinks

[NewsReaper]

Re: Kawasaki Mahi Racing Team India's Kenan Sofuoglu wins at Imola in WSS

Q&A with Loris Baz

Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) had a solid first half of his maiden full WSBK season, as the Frenchman was able to score points in almost every race so far, as well as getting onto the podium once in Assen (Race 2, third place). The 20 years old from France, by far the youngest rider in the series, is now targeting the top-5 for the rest of the year, starting from the next round scheduled for July 21 at Moscow Raceway.

What's your physical condition like now, after the big crash you had in Tissot-Superpole and the two difficult races you had to face?

Considering the crash I'd say I'm OK! Just had a broken nail, two sprains - one on the foot and one on a finger - and a lot of bruises and contusions everywhere. The two races were really difficult as I was really in pain with my finger, my foot and my back, but I tried my best to forgot the pain, especially in Race 2! I also want to thank the guys at Clinica Mobile as they had a lot of work to do because of me last weekend."

Is it good for you now to have some time to rest?

"It is definitely good, I'm not going to do a lot of training this weekend so I will let the body rest, and then next week I will start training hard again to be ready for the Moscow round."

How would you rate your first half of 2013?

"Honestly I'm happy, we scored points nearly every race (just one DNF when Chaz took me out in Race 2 at Phillip Island) and that was one of the goals set by Kawasaki. We also had one podium finish and we are able to fight in the top-5 nearly every round. Now we just have to do a little step to be fighting for the podium more consistently, I think we were in the position to do it at Imola but good luck was not on our side. We'll try again in Moscow."

How's the bike treating you? What's your goal for the second part of the season?

"I'm really happy, I love the ZX-10R I feel really good on it now, all the team worked really hard to make me feel comfortable riding it. At the beginning we were struggling with the front feeling but now it's our best point, I think. Now we have to improve the general feeling to make a further step forward, we're just a few tenths behind and think during the last test between Portimao and Imola we found some good improvement. Now we just have to put everything together during the race weekend. I will do my very best to be fighting more often for the podium and try to finish 5th in the points at the end of the season."

Source: Q&A with Loris Baz

[NewsReaper]

Imola in Pictures


Mahi Racing Team India's Kenan Sofuoglu pumping his way to victory


Mahi Racing proud on the podium between the two Yamaha men


Three cheers for the Champion!


Davide Giugliano giving chase to the champion in waiting Tom Sykes


A ride in the park as no one came close to touching him...


A forgettable day for Aprilia with two DNFs in two races.


The laggards in the form of the Suzuki and the Panigale. Former Champion Checa disappearing in the background, even further back!!!

Imola WSBK Race 1 2013 -

[NewsReaper]

Re: Imola in Pictures

Team Ducati Astare complete intensive two day-test at Misano

Team SBK Ducati Alstare was on track at Misano both yesterday and two days ago with its riders Carlos Checa and Ayrton Badovini for a two-day test session.

Warm and sunny conditions allowed the team to work consistently on Wednesday, while yesterday a rain shower in the early afternoon kept the riders confined to the garage for a couple of hours. Over the two-day period the two Ducati Alstare men were able to complete roughly 150 laps each, recording some interesting times in the process. With work focusing mainly on weight distribution on the bike, riding position, the anti-wheelie system and general set-up, the riders and their technicians are satisfied with the results seen in this week's testing.

Carlos Checa:

"We've worked on set-up, my position on the bike, also working to improve some small things with the suspension, the position of the fork etc. I think we've worked well but we'll only see the results once we get to Moscow. I hope we have a good base and that when we arrive in Russia we'll be able to make small adjustments that will allow me to ride as I have here, and to the best of my ability. I'm very pleased that my shoulder hasn't really given me any trouble, despite having completed about 1400km on the bike between Imola and Misano, so I hope that chapter is finally closed."

Ayrton Badovini:

"The tests have been positive. Unfortunately we lost some time today due to rain but, apart from that, we've worked well and have enjoyed two constructive days. We've tried some interesting things, working on the distribution of weight on the bike and with the shock. In the end we found a setting that I like and we confirmed a few things that we'd tried in Imola. I'm happy, though a little tired having ridden on six of the last seven days - I'm heading home now for a bit of a rest!"

Source: Team Ducati Astare complete intensive two day-test at Misano

WSBK Imola Race 2 -

[NewsReaper]

Re: Imola in Pictures

Haslam and vd Mark take in turns at Suzuka

Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike) was on track today at Suzuka for the first of two days of testing in preparation for this year's 8 Hours race, scheduled for July 28th. The Englishman, still not 100% due to the left leg injury sustained during Free Practice 1 at Assen last April, started working on the HARC-PRO CBR1000RR to get back to grips with the Japanese track. Haslam, was happy about today's performance despite the lack of track-time, as he had to share the bike with 8 Hours and WSS team-mate Michael van der Mark.

"The test today was OK"

Leon Haslam.Suzuka 8 Hours debutant Michael van der Mark already had a two-day test last week at Suzuka, though on board the Fireblade of the F.C.C. TSR Honda Team, as a substitute for the injured Kousuke Akiyoshi. The same bike is now under the hands of Jonathan Rea and former WSBK rider Ryuichi Kiyonari, with the Ulsterman part of the winning team - along with Akiyoshi - in last year's edition.

"The track is great but also a bit difficult"

Michael van der Mark

"because it is a very long one, but I really love it. I was chosen to ride the F.C.C. TSR bike as their rider (Akiyoshi) got injured. It was a good opportunity for me to get more track-time and it was also an honour for me to ride the factory bike, it's such a good machine. This week I'm testing with HARC-PRO, that is my team for the 8 Hours race, I'm sharing the bike with Leon (Haslam) and we're trying to find a good compromise in terms of set-up."

Haslam and vd Mark take in turns at Suzuka


WSS Race Imola 2013

[NewsReaper]

Re: Imola in Pictures

Sofuoglu sets his sights on Yakhnich Motorsport's home track

After putting an end to Sam Lowes' (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) 4-race winning streak to an end, Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) is looking for a repeat performance this weekend at Moscow Raceway. The defending Champion came out victorious of last year's Russian round, crossing the line a lonely first ahead of former PTR Honda rider, now WSBK rookie in the FIXI Crescent Suzuki Team, Jules Cluzel.

Lowes, on the other hand, was able to limit the damage in the previous race at Imola by ending up 2nd after a difficult start of the race and a last-turn overtake on team mate Vladimir Leonov. The young Brit, in fact, still leads the standings with a considerable 34 points gap over the three-time World Supersport Champion. Leonov's first podium of the season came at the right time, as the local rider is hoping to shine again in front of his home crowd after last year's third place finish.

Despite the 55 point separation from the top, Fabien Foret still holds a key-role in the title fight, as the only way for the Frenchman to stay in contention for victory is to aim for the win at every round. Pata Honda riders Michael van der Mark and Lorenzo Zanetti will are still looking for the team's first win in the season, with the Italian who scored at Moscow Raceway two top-10 finishes in 2012, as he was racing onboard a Ducati 1198 in the Superbike class.

Irishman Jack Kennedy will debut on Rivamoto Team's home track, while Vladimir Ivanov (DMC-Lorenzini Kawasaki) won't be part of the game as he is still recovering from multiple injuries he sustained after a massive crash at Imola. The rider from St. Petersburg, who was moved out of intensive care one week ago, will be replaced by team mate and STK600 rider Alexey Ivanov.

Sheridan Morais (PTR Honda) will sit out the Russian round too, as he agreed with the team to miss the race in order to use the 4-week break to let his shoulder heal properly. American Kenny Noyes will step in for the injured South African rider.

Source: Sofuoglu sets his sights on Yakhnich Motorsport's home track




Aprilia's Sylvain Guintoli injured in a cycle incident while training, but still hopes to race in the upcoming Russian Round -

Russia WSBK: Sylvain Guintoli injured in cycling accident | WSBK News | Jul 2013 | Crash.Net

[NewsReaper]

Re: Imola in Pictures

Team Ducati Alstare to face the Moscow challenge

Team SBK Ducati Alstare prepares to travel to Russia for round 8 of the 2013 eni FIM Superbike World Championship which will take place this weekend at the Moscow Raceway, a circuit that was officially opened just a little over a year ago. Last year, when Moscow Raceway hosted the Superbikes for the first time, Carlos Checa snatched pole position having put in a strong performance during the practice sessions. Ayrton Badovini recorded a best result of eighth place, having made a very strong recovery in the second race.

The Ducati Alstare team has worked hard in preparation for the upcoming event. After the recent race at Imola two weeks ago, the team then took part in official testing followed by two days of private testing at the Misano circuit. Both Carlos and Ayrton then continued with their respective training programmes in order to arrive at the Moscow track fully fit.

Carlos Checa:

"During testing in Misano I was comfortable with the bike and now I hope that the base we identified there is a real base that we can use not only in Moscow but at other tracks too. Physically I feel good, and am working hard in the gym with my trainer. The positive thing is that, despite completing 1400km between Imola and Misano, my shoulder didn't give me any problems and so I'm pleased from that point of view. The Moscow Raceway is a unique track, small and tight, and power counts a lot on what is a long, uphill straight. Once there we need to work on the chassis, grip and manageability of the bike through the mixed sections of the track. I hope we can refine the set-up of my 1199 using our current base as a starting point and work well in preparation for the races."

Ayrton Badovini:

"I didn't go so well at the Raceway last season, I wasn't in top form, seeing the track for the first time, I wasn't totally at ease on the bike for some reason. This year on the other hand, thanks to all of the tests and work we've completed recently, we head there with a good base setting. I'm feeling better prepared, both mentally and physically, and am in good shape. So I'm more confident as we head to Russia than I was there in 2012, and maybe it'll be easier to ride the two-cylinder than the four-cylinder bike on this tight track, we'll soon see anyway."

Source: Team Ducati Alstare to face the Moscow challenge

[Braumabull]

Re: Imola in Pictures

Russia WSS: Andrea Antonelli dies in WSS accident | World Supersport News | Jul 2013 | Crash.Net

[NewsReaper]

Re: Imola in Pictures

Andrea Antonelli killed in accident during WSS Race in Moscow



During today's FIM World Supersport race, at 1.32pm Italian rider Andrea Antonelli (Team Goeleven Kawasaki) suffered a serious accident on the straight between Turn 14 and Turn 15 wherein he sustained critical injuries.

The race was stopped with the red flag and the rider was immediately taken to an ambulance where the medical staff worked to resuscitate him.

Despite their efforts, Andrea sadly succumbed to his injuries at 2.10pm local time.

FIM, Dorna and YMS Promotion decided to cancel all activities scheduled for the rest of the day.

Source: Tragic accident at Moscow Raceway

---

xBhp offers its condolences to the friends and family of Andrea.

[NewsReaper]

BMW to withdraw from WSBK at the end of 2013 season

BMW Motorrad will be withdrawing its factory bikes from WSBK at the end of 2013 to align with its long-term strategic brand positioning. It will provide bikes to teams only.

Stephan Schaller, General Director BMW Motorrad -

Andrea Buzzoni, General Manager BMW Motorrad WSBK -

BMW Motorrad Motorsport has run a successful worldwide customer sport programme for several years. From the beginning, customer teams and riders have celebrated numerous victories and titles in international and national championships with the BMW S 1000 RR. From the start of this season, some of them have also fielded the brand new DDC equipped BMW HP4, and celebrated several race wins. Details of the increased future commitment in customer sport will be announced in due course.

[abhinesh4r15]

Re: BMW to withdraw from WSBK at the end of 2013 season

Read this news, F1 may not come to India next year onward due to tax issues.
Formula One may drop Indian Grand Prix in 2014 | Formula One - News | NDTVSports.com

And if it actually happens then the same could happen to WSBK and our dreams of getting MotoGP here could just remain as it is.

Edit:
After I posted the news, JAYPEE issues a clarification : "Our agreement with Formula One Management is to hold F1 races at the Buddh International Circuit till 2015 and we are fully committed to doing that. These is no reason for us to give up hosting F1 races." said Jaypee spokesman, Askari Zaidi

[Satellite.kid]

Re: BMW to withdraw from WSBK at the end of 2013 season



Indian WSB round cancelled - Motorcycle racing news: WSB - Visordown