Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB Team) set the fastest lap on the first day at Phillip Island, posting a 1'32.366 lap time on his 17th out of 21 laps.
Despite suffering bruising and a pain from two crashes in last week's opening SBK round, Noriyuki Haga battled to 13th today, finding his current suspension settings less than ideal for the ever-changing Phillip Island track surface.
from http://www.yamaha-racing.com
Fiat Yamaha Team rider Jorge Lorenzo joined the rest of the MotoGP grid in somewhat unusual conditions today (28-02-08), as the World Championship’s first ever night-test got underway in Qatar. The test is the final one of the pre-season before the first race is run by night at the same track on 9th March.
Lorenzo lost no time in getting to grips with his new circumstances, and with 5.4 million watts lighting the track he, like most other riders, found the conditions different but no more difficult than by day. He concentrated on developing his set-up, testing Michelin tyres and just getting used to riding the M1 around a track at which his last experience was riding a 250cc machine to victory in much warmer temperatures. Lorenzo finished the day in an impressive second position after 77 laps, whilst his team-mate Valentino Rossi was ninth.
Test Times
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro 1'55.330
2. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'56.019
3. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 1'56.062
4. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP 1'56.121
5. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'56.251
6. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'56.571
7. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing 1'56.614
8. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda 1'56.621
9. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'56.749
10. Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'56.762
11. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team 1'57.007
12. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 1'57.010
13. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'57.223
14. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki 1'57.522
15. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'57.551
16. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro 1'57.593
17. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team 1'57.644
18. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing 1'57.787
Losail: Lap Record C. Stoner (Ducati) 2007, 1'56.528
Losail: Best Lap V. Rossi (Yamaha) 2007, 1'55.002
from the organisers:
Eurobike 2010 - The ultimate ride out: "Join us on an exciting journey around the 23 mainland EU countries in July 2010. This event will raise money for Unicef and other charities and hopefully set a World Record. We hope over a thousand motorcyclists will complete the circuit.
To avoid congestion and suit the individual, riders will plan their own routes through pre-specified check points. So can choose twisty mountain passes or main road cruising. Ride with your club or tag on to a small or large group.
If you would like to join us please complete the registration form to get your name on the list. Numbers are limited and places are filling fast so please register now to avoid disappointment.
This is a non profit making event with all proceeds going to charity, organised by volunteers. Please let us know if you can help us organise or run the event."
Should have gone out for a 'matinal' (morning run) with the Moto Club La Foia Castalla but it's chucking it down. We'll have to make up for it next week.
Debe de haber 'matinal' con el de Moto Club La Foia Castalla pero está lluviendo. Nosotros tendremos que recuperarlo la próxima semana.
Here are some photos that Will Kemp took at the VI Mercadillo Vehículo Clásico Ciudad de Alicante. Take note Steve - he had his camera with him. 
Click on the photo to see more photos.
Aqui tienes algunas fotos de la VI Mercadillo Vehículo Clásico Ciudad de Alicante. Clic en el foto para mas.
After the excitement of the Isle of Man TT's Centenary celebrations, all eyes are now on TT2008. The Centenary attracted some 60,000 fans to the Island, with many more who following the action from home, and everyone was treated to a feast of two-wheeled drama. John McGuinnness, who claimed his 12th and 13th TT victories, set a new benchmark when he became the first person in history to lap the course at more than 130mph. Already the pundits are asking whether 2008 will see a new lap record hitting 131mph. Road racing fans will also be watching to see if Guy Martin, who claimed three podium finishes in 2007, can finally reach the top step, if Ian Hutchinson can build on the success of his first TT win and if the Superstock race will finally produce a challenger for undoubted king Bruce Anstey, who once again grabbed victory in 2007. TT 2008 promises to be an amazing start to a new chapter in the TT, as it begins its second century. Many of the biggest names in road racing are almost certain to take part, and will face competition from an array of rising stars, hopefully including some of 2007's newcomers who showed so much promise. For information on the TT visit www.iomtt.com for information on travel and accommodation please see www.visitisleofman.com
Bradley Smith has ended the three-day IRTA 125GP test session with the fastest time to continue his impressive pre-season form.
The Polaris World Aprilia rider clocked his best lap as the final day was run in near perfect conditions following two days of weather disruption.
Smith beat 2007 world title contender Sergio Gadea to the best time by just 0.1s with a quickest lap of 1.47.820s.
Smith, who is the youngest British rider ever to stand on a GP podium after finishing third in Le Mans last season, has now not finished outside of the top two in each of his first three 2008 tests for his new Aprilia squad. Smith was fastest in the first Jerez test last month and second in Valencia a week later.
The Oxfordshire rider said: “It was difficult here because the first two days the rain and wind meant we could not go fast and test how we wanted. Today the conditions were much better and we are really happy with the times. However, we will not get carried away but I now can't wait for that first grand prix of the year in Qatar in two weeks time."
British rookie Scott Redding continued the fast start to his GP career by posting the 11th best time, while Danny Webb bravely claimed 14th while riding with torn ligaments in his right shoulder after a crash last weekend in Valencia.
by Steve
Hi Lol, I am sending this via email as I have sat here for an hour trying to sign on to the blog (technophobe!).
Having rode out with the Spanish wingers on the Saturday around north of Denia and had the usual 3 hour lunch we decide to ride down to Alicante to the Classic Bike Fair held on the industrial estate by the side of the Madrid motorway at Alicante.
Sunday morning saw quite a sharp frost which resulted in Lorna making up the fire and me setting off on my own. About an hour later I rang Lol for directions having rode around industrial estates off the wrong bloody motorway, and getting a bum steer from a Harley rider who sent me in the wrong direction (Bastard).
Once onto the right industrial estate it was easy to find the fair as we rode down to the same place last year and then had a tour of the back streets of Alicante trying to find Santa Pola following King Pig (Derek) and his GPS.
On arrival I parked up and followed the throng of people to the road in which the market was set up. I could spend hours looking at the old bikes that are on display and for sale. As normal I forgot the camera so have no piccies. There was a very nice Sunbeam for sale but I couldn't get close enough to find out the price. Also a guy had 2 very nice Kawasaki's one was a 500 triple and the other a 900, both immaculate but very high prices, the 900 was 7,500 euros and the 500 was 6,000 very nice but not for me as they're from the 70s.
| Buy a GOLDWING |
A nice fully restored Bultaco was for sale and that caught my eye but they wanted 8,500 and would not budge on the price. There was a nice plain jane 1000 Goldwing in very nice condition. If I wanted one of them Alberto has a couple at his Goldwing shop and would be a lot cheaper.
I tried to get into the bar at the far end of the road but it was crazy in there , so another walk up and down the street taking in the non restored machines and knowing I would never have the patience to do a restoration I set off back home stopping for a coffee on the way.
Lorna and I are off to bike week in Daytona on the 26th of February, we went to Florida in 2006 and visited Daytona on a couple of occasions but this year we are there for the full 10 days with a hotel slap bang in the middle. So I will remember the camera and hope to get some piccies on the blog.
We have a busy year planned visiting Holland twice, Italy and England planned at the moment. Lets hope I get some free Sundays free to ride out with Tour and Track as I guess you must have wrapped the bikes up and hibernated having sat in the bar in Castalla like Billy no Mates in December and January but still enjoyed a ride out. It must be an English thing as there are still many Spanish bikers out.
Ride safe.
UK MCN’s free Fantasy Road Race - Win a 2008 Kawasaki ZX-10R in green worth £9000 monthly BSB TicketsIf you know of any more then add them in comments or send to lol@tourandtrack.com. We don't vouch for any of the competitions we just list them.
Results:
After achieving the best time on Saturday and taking third place in yesterday's timed session, Nicky Hayden leaves the Jerez Circuit leading the time sheet. The Repsol rider was the only rider to achieve times below 1'39 over the three days of training, demonstrating the enormous potential of the Michelin qualification tyres. The American has also been working on the development of his RC212V 2008, with new improvements on the chassis. In total he completed 82 laps on the Andalusian track, again the rider to complete the most laps. His best lap was No. 81, with classification tyres. Hayden also ran a race simulation with satisfactory results according to the rider himself.
Nicky Hayden, fastest lap: 1m 38.848s (lap 81 of 82) >> Audio
“It’s definitely been a really positive and productive three days. We had high hopes coming here because when we tested here in November the bike worked pretty good and Michelin tyres normally work good at Jerez, so this is a good track for us, also there’s no big long straightaways. The wind here has made it tough, the conditions haven’t been easy, but I do feel more comfortable on this year’s bike in the wind. The team really worked hard and made some good moves and good decisions. We didn’t make a lot of big changes, we just got closer to race settings, tried a couple of qualifiers and did a 25 lap run. The chassis seems to be working good and also the tyres are working good. We tried a few different tyre options, and we’re still checking data between the 16 and 16.5 rears. But the show hasn’t started yet, we’ll find out what everybody’s really got and what we’re in for when we get to Qatar but we leave here pretty happy. At the Qatar tests we’ll see how it is under the lights and dial everything in for the first race.”
Fiat Yamaha rookie Jorge Lorenzo finished the three day Official MotoGP Test in second position overall today, after setting an impressive lap on qualifying tyres at the end of a very windy day in Jerez. It was a tricky three days for the youngest rider on the grid, who admits that he has struggled to adapt to riding a MotoGP bike in such changeable conditions and that he is still lacking pace on race tyres. However he proved with the Michelin qualifying tyre how fast he can be, setting a time of 1’39.252 on his 60th and final lap of the day.
Jorge Lorenzo - Position: 2nd Time: 1'39.252 Laps: 60
“We’ve finished the three days second after a very fast lap this afternoon with the Michelin qualifying tyre, so I’m really happy about this. With the race tyre however we’re not in such good shape and we have quite a lot of work to do. We need to be faster but to do this I need to have more grip and more confidence. We need to speak a lot with Michelin in order to try to solve this, but I am confident that my team, the engineers and Michelin together will find the solution. Now the first race is very close and we don’t have a lot of time, but we are working very hard. Overall though it’s been an important three days and I am very happy that we’re so good with the qualifying tyre. I am looking forward to something new in Qatar now; riding at night!”
1. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 1'38.848
2. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'39.252
3. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP 1'39.313
4. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 1'39.351
5. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'39.568
6. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'39.727
7. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro 1'39.845
8. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'39.932
9. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'40.333
10. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'40.442
11. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki 1'40.576
12. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing 1'41.026
13. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team 1'41.177
14. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro 1'41.292
15. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team 1'41.311
16. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda 1'41.699
17. Niccolò Canepa (ITA) Ducati Test 1'42.160
18. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing 1'42.970
19. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing 1'43.496
20. Vittoriano Guareschi (ITA) Ducati Marlboro Team 1'45.597
Test Results
1. Nicky Hayden (USA) Repsol Honda 1'39.200
2. Randy De Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 1'39.444
3. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'39.528
4. Colin Edwards (USA) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'39.629
5. James Toseland (GBR) Tech 3 Yamaha 1'39.678
6. Alex De Angelis (RSM) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'40.165
7. Shinya Nakano (JPN) San Carlo Honda Gresini 1'40.192
8. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 1'40.641
9. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro 1'40.651
10. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) JiR Team Scot MotoGP 1'40.767
11. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 1'40.843
12. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda 1'41.352
13. Marco Melandri (ITA) Ducati Marlboro 1'41.392
14. Toni Elias (SPA) Alice Team 1'41.703
15. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Rizla Suzuki 1'41.763
16. Anthony West (AUS) Kawasaki Racing 1'41.821
17. John Hopkins (USA) Kawasaki Racing 1'41.901
18. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki Racing 1'42.557
19. Niccolò Canepa (ITA) Ducati Test 1'42.652
20. Sylvain Guintoli (FRA) Alice Team 1'42.698
So now that James Toseland has entered the MotoGP line-up are we going to see competition on and off the track and is Dani Pedrosa the first to take up the musical challenge? I looked around, but not too much, to find any evidence of musical MotoGP riders past and present and couldn't find anything but if anyone knows any better let me know and we'll publish it here.
There are two ways of starting on this journey. One is to leave from Majorca, where Via Maris Viajes is based, and the other is to get to Barcelona by the 16 March so that you can set off with the other motorcyclists for the trip to Marseille on 17 March where you board the ferry to Corsica.
This looks like one not to be missed especially as it takes place in Easter week.
February 8
FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix
125cc class
5 ALEXIS MASBOU FRA LONCIN RACING LONCIN
6 JOAN OLIVE SPA BELSON DERBI DERBI
7 EFREN VAZQUEZ SPA BLUSENS APRILIA JUNIOR APRILIA
8 LORENZO ZANETTI ITA ISPA KTM ARAN KTM
11 SANDRO CORTESE GER EMMI - CAFFE LATTE APRILIA
12 ESTEVE RABAT SPA REPSOL KTM 125cc KTM
14 GABOR TALMACSI HUN BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM APRILIA
16 JULES CLUZEL FRA LONCIN RACING LONCIN
17 STEFAN BRADL GER GRIZZLY GAS KIEFER RACING APRILIA
18 NICOLAS TEROL SPA JACK & JONES WRB APRILIA
19 ROBERTO LACALENDOLA ITA MATTEONI RACING APRILIA
21 ROBIN LASSER GER GRIZZLY GAS KIEFER RACING APRILIA
22 PABLO NIETO SPA ONDE 2000 KTM KTM
24 SIMONE CORSI ITA JACK & JONES WRB APRILIA
27 STEFANO BIANCO ITA WTR SAN MARINO TEAM APRILIA
29 ANDREA IANNONE ITA I.C. TEAM APRILIA
30 PERE TUTUSAUS SPA BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM APRILIA
33 SERGIO GADEA SPA BANCAJA ASPAR TEAM APRILIA
34 RANDY KRUMMENACHER SUI RED BULL KTM 125 KTM
35 RAFFAELE DE ROSA ITA ONDE 2000 KTM KTM
38 BRADLEY SMITH GBR POLARIS WORLD APRILIA
44 POL ESPARGARO SPA BELSON DERBI DERBI
45 SCOTT REDDING GBR BLUSENS APRILIA JUNIOR APRILIA
51 STEVIE BONSEY USA DEGRAAF GRAND PRIX APRILIA
56 HUGO VAN DEN BERG NED DEGRAAF GRAND PRIX APRILIA
60 MICHAEL RANSEDER AUT I.C. TEAM APRILIA
63 MIKE DI MEGLIO FRA AJO MOTOSPORT DERBI
69 LOUIS ROSSI FRA FFM HONDA GP 125 HONDA
71 TOMOYOSHI KOYAMA JPN ISPA KTM ARAN KTM
73 TAKAAKI NAKAGAMI JPN I.C. TEAM APRILIA
77 DOMINIQUE AEGERTER SUI AJO MOTOSPORT DERBI
93 MARC MARQUEZ SPA REPSOL KTM 125cc KTM
95 ROBERT MURESAN ROM GRIZZLY GAS KIEFER RACING APRILIA
99 DANNY WEBB GBR DEGRAAF GRAND PRIX APRILIA
250cc class
4 HIROSHI AOYAMA JPN RED BULL KTM 250 KTM
5 HECTOR FAUBEL SPA MAPFRE ASPAR TEAM APRILIA
6 ALEX DEBON SPA LOTUS APRILIA APRLIA
7 RUSSEL GOMEZ SPA BLUSENS APRILIA APRILIA
10 IMRE TOTH HUN TEAM TOTH APRILIA APRILIA
12 THOMAS LUTHI SUI EMMI - CAFFE LATTE APRILIA
14 RATTHAPARK WILAIROT THA THAI HONDA PTT SAG HONDA
15 ROBERTO LOCATELLI ITA METIS GILERA GILERA
17 KAREL ABRAHAM CZE CARDION AB MOTORACING APRILIA
19 ALVARO BAUTISTA SPA MAPFRE ASPAR TEAM APRILIA
21 HECTOR BARBERA SPA TEAM TOTH APRILIA APRILIA
25 ALEX BALDOLINI ITA MATTEONI RACING APRILIA
32 FABRIZIO LAI ITA CAMPETELLA RACING APRILIA
36 MIKA KALLIO FIN RED BULL KTM 250 KTM
41 ALEIX ESPARGARO SPA LOTUS APRILIA APRLIA
45 DONI TATA PRADITA INA YAMAHA PERTAMINA INDONESIA YAMAHA
50 EUGENE LAVERTY IRL BLUSENS APRILIA APRILIA
52 LUKAS PESEK CZE AUTO KELLY - CP APRILIA
54 MANUEL POGGIALI RSM CAMPETELLA RACING APRILIA
58 MARCO SIMONCELLI ITA METIS GILERA GILERA
60 JULIAN SIMON SPA REPSOL KTM 250cc KTM
72 YUKI TAKAHASHI JPN SCOT RACING TEAM 250cc HONDA
75 MATTIA PASINI ITA POLARIS WORLD APRILIA
MotoGP class
1 CASEY STONER AUS DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM DUCATI
2 DANI PEDROSA SPA REPSOL HONDA TEAM HONDA
4 ANDREA DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR SCOT TEAM HONDA
5 COLIN EDWARDS USA YAMAHA TECH 3 YAMAHA
7 CHRIS VERMEULEN AUS RIZLA SUZUKI MotoGP SUZUKI
13 ANTHONY WEST AUS KAWASAKI RACING TEAM KAWASAKI
14 RANDY DE PUNIET FRA LCR HONDA MotoGP HONDA
15 ALEX DE ANGELIS RSM SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI HONDA
21 JOHN HOPKINS USA KAWASAKI RACING TEAM KAWASAKI
24 TONI ELIAS SPA ALICE TEAM DUCATI
33 MARCO MELANDRI ITA DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM DUCATI
46 VALENTINO ROSSI ITA FIAT YAMAHA TEAM YAMAHA
48 JORGE LORENZO SPA FIAT YAMAHA TEAM YAMAHA
50 SYLVAIN GUINTOLI FRA ALICE TEAM DUCATI
52 JAMES TOSELAND GBR YAMAHA TECH 3 YAMAHA
56 SHINYA NAKANO JPN SAN CARLO HONDA GRESINI HONDA
65 LORIS CAPIROSSI ITA RIZLA SUZUKI MotoGP SUZUKI
69 NICKY HAYDEN USA REPSOL HONDA TEAM HONDA
Photo's from last years rally.
Last Years Rally Report
After an early start, Diego and I set out on our ‘tod’ (where were you guys?) from the usual meeting point, the Jardín bar/restaurant in Castalla at 09.30.
We went from Castalla to Biar, through to La Cañada and then off to Benejama up through the mountains to Fontanars. We crossed with loads of cyclists but not many bikers (I was getting a bit worried at that stage!).
As you get to the top of the Fontanars valley there is beautiful view so we got a photo of that one!
Riding into Fontanars, we saw signs for ‘motos’, at which point we breathed a sigh of relief.
As we drew up to the area that had been set aside for the occasion, we saw 2 very long rows of motorbikes of all shapes and sizes.
We immediately enrolled and were given a T-shirt, a cap, a raffle ticket for various biking goodies (no Harleys I’m afraid) and a pass card for the ‘blue’ team. We also purchased breakfast and lunch tickets at the moderate price of 15€ a head and picked up our sandwich and drink and went to sit at the long trestle tables that had been (wisely) set up under the beech trees.
After a tasty Serrano ham sandwich and getting to know some of the locals who were delighted to have all the bikers there, we joined the blue team for a ride out around the ‘bodegas’ of the area.
The ride was lovely, it’s a really beautiful area and being a Saturday, there was hardly any traffic. We stopped at the first wine cellar only to find that the guy who was supposed to be showing us around had overslept the night before because he runs a café in the town and closed at 4 am (oh, the joys of mobile telephones!)! So we set off to the next one and had a guided tour which ended with the tasting of wines and cava.
The second bodega was equally interesting and at the third, we discovered even more things we didn’t know about wine producing and, guess what? Second bout of tasting! Just as well it was right next to the town!
This took us up to the magnificent paella that was prepared for 1,500 portions and enjoyed by all. To give you an idea of how big the pan is, see the crane needed to winch it up onto the lorry that carted it back to a town near Valencia!
Over a long lazy lunch we got to meet the health service staff who were covering the event and kindly let us take their photo. They wanted the ambulance in it so nobody was left out!
After a stroll around the town and a cup of coffee at a bar in the town, we headed our way back passing the Foncalent prison via Villena.
For those who wanted to stay on, there was entertainment until the early hours of the morning with a dance in the main square of the town.
Verdict: A thoroughly enjoyable day out and really friendly people running the event, well worth going to.
Lucy Martin
Castalla
June 2007
Pole Position Travel are MotoGP travel experts. They don't do anything else. Join them to experience the greatest sport on the planet.
Authorised MotoGP VIP Village agency, bringing you the very best MotoGP has to offer. See their specialty VIP web site.
All products may be booked online, you can later amend your booking, request a gift voucher, and make payment.
Read more about purchasing VIP, Tickets, Package, Parties & Excursions. They also provide information about the circuits, localities and of course galleries of the fun we had last year!
Print their handy 2008 Calendar (100KB)
Note: I've closed down Tour and Track but here are the Spanish Bike Hire companies that I used to deal with. Hope you find what you're looking for.
If you are looking for motorcycle rental in Spain then take a look here Hire Motorcycles as Tour and Track SL have made arrangements with 3 motorcycle rental companies so that you can hire a motorcycle starting at 50 cc Scooters up to 1200 cc BMW's and also including Track Day motorcycles.
Once you've tried our service you'll never look back.
If you have any comments to make on the hire process add them in the comments below.
Thousands of participants are expected at the most important Vespa gathering in the world. For the first time in Italy, “Vespa World Days”, the premier world gathering of Vespa fans, lands in Sicily. From 24 to 27 April Cefalù will be the headquarters of the
big festival reserved for the owners and fans of vintage and modern Vespa scooters.
All the below are .pdf documents for Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you haven't got the programe then get it free here.
¿Quieres pasar una agradable mañana motera con barbacoa, cervezas, musica, gran ruta turística, gogo's, show de Farias, ...?
Acércate a Benidorm
Programa
A las 09:00 horas se abrirán las inscripciones para los asistentes, el precio de la inscripción es de 10-Euros.
No faltes, te esperamos ...
