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2008

Guy Martin talks sticking with Hydrex over Rob Mac

28 November 2008 by Rob Hull

Guy Martin talks sticking with Hydrex over Rob Mac

Road racing specialist Guy Martin has spoken openly about his decision to stay with Hydrex Honda for 2009 instead of going to Rob McElnea’s Yamaha team as he said he was going to back in...

Olivier Jacque unhurt in 125mph test crash

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Olivier Jacque unhurt in 125mph test crash

Kawasaki test rider Olivier Jacque was fortunate to walk away with bruising after he crashed at nearly 125mph during the final day of testing in Phillip Island today. The Frenchman crashed late on in...

Donington Park offer Christmas racing pass

28 November 2008 by Rob Hull

Donington Park offer Christmas racing pass

Donington Park is offering a special deal on tickets for 2009 so you can go see the best motorcycle racing action for a reduced price. Called ‘The True Biker Summer Pass’, racing fans will be able to...

Sylvain Guintoli: “People recognise me”

28 November 2008 by Rob Hull

Sylvain Guintoli: “People recognise me”

Sylvain Guintoli made his first public appearance as a Suzuki British Superbike rider at the NEC Show yesterday and told MCN he was happy that people now knew who he was. The 26-year old Frenchman has...

Ian Lowry receives help to get fit for 2009

28 November 2008 by Rob Hull

Ian Lowry receives help to get fit for 2009

Ian Lowry will take part in a University study to improve his fitness levels ahead of his first season in British Superbikes. Speaking to MCN at the NEC Motorcycle Show, Lowry said he will be taking...

Video: James Ellison and Leon Camier visit MCN at the NEC

28 November 2008 by Rob Hull

GSE Racing’s 2009 line-up of James Ellison and Leon Camier took a short moment out from helping out on the MCN stand at the NEC Motorcycle Show to talk to MCN’s BSB reporter, Rob Hull. Meet Ellison & Camier on the MCN stand at the NEC! Both Ellison and Camier will be on the stand over the weekend, as they have been today and yesterday, giving away signed pictures and helping out selling the £5...

Hudson Kennaugh stays in BSS with Seton

28 November 2008 by Rob Hull

Hudson Kennaugh stays in BSS with Seton

Hudson Kennaugh will be gunning for the British Supersport Championship for the second season on the trot after joining Seton Racing for 2009. The South African finished runner-up to Glen Richards in...

John Hopkins to undergo surgery

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins to undergo surgery

American John Hopkins will undergo surgery next week to remove metal plates from his left foot that severely hampered him during testing at Phillip Island this week. Hopkins will go under the knife...

Jerez test: Valentino Rossi ends 2008 on top

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Valentino Rossi ends 2008 on top

Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi ended his superb 2008 campaign at the top of the timesheets in the final winter test of the year in Jerez. Rossi, who won nine races to regain the premier class...

Jerez test: Nicky Hayden thrilled at big improvement

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Nicky Hayden thrilled at big improvement

American Nicky Hayden went into the long winter break in bullish mood after he clocked the sixth best time on the final day of testing in Jerez. The 2006 world champion had cut a dejected figure in...

Jerez test: James Toseland confident after Bridgestone debut

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: James Toseland confident after Bridgestone debut

James Toseland ended his Bridgestone debut in positive mood at Jerez, the 27-year-old finishing ninth on the final day of track action in 2008. The British rider clocked a best time of 1.40.752 on the...

Jerez test: Dani Pedrosa content with second

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Dani Pedrosa content with second

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa said he was satisfied with his first serious test on Honda’s 2009 RC212V prototype despite playing second fiddle to Valentino Rossi again. A best lap of 1.39.447 on his last lap...

Jerez test: Colin Edwards boosted by Bridgestone debut

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Colin Edwards boosted by Bridgestone debut

Colin Edwards’ impressive Bridgestone debut left the American exuding confidence for 2009 at the end of the final winter test in Jerez. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider clocked a best time of 1.40.604 that had...

Jerez test: Jorge Lorenzo confident with 2009 Yamaha

28 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Jorge Lorenzo confident with 2009 Yamaha

Jorge Lorenzo believes Yamaha has made big steps with the performance of its 2009 factory YZR-M1. The Spaniard got his first proper chance to test the prototype M1 in Jerez and the double world 250...

John Hopkins continues to suffer in Phillip Island

27 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins continues to suffer in Phillip Island

American John Hopkins has admitted he is struggling severely with the pain from his damaged left ankle at the end of the second day of testing in Phillip Island, Australia. The factory Kawasaki rider...

Michael Dunlop to ride Norton at TT’09

27 November 2008 by Rob Hull

Michael Dunlop to ride Norton at TT’09

Two of the biggest names in TT history will merge together next year with Michael Dunlop riding for Norton. The son of the late Robert Dunlop and nephew of the legendary Joey will pilot the NRV588...

Ben Wilson signs for Gearlink Kawasaki

27 November 2008 by Rob Hull

Ben Wilson signs for Gearlink Kawasaki

Superstock 1000 and R1 Cup 2008 ace Ben Wilson will ride for the Gearlink Kawasaki British Supersport team in 2009. Wilson joins the factory Kawasaki team and new team-mate Chris Martin, who last year...

Jerez test: James Toseland sixth on Bridgestone debut

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: James Toseland sixth on Bridgestone debut

British rider James Toseland made an encouraging start to his Bridgestone career in Jerez today, the Tech 3 Yamaha rider clocking the sixth quickest time on a chilly first day. Get the latest news...

Jerez test: Valentino Rossi delighted with 2009 Yamaha

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Valentino Rossi delighted with 2009 Yamaha

Valentino Rossi declared himself delighted with the performance of Yamaha’s 2009 factory YZR-M1 prototype as he ended the opening day of testing in Jerez with the second quickest time. The Italian,...

Nicky Hayden ‘not thrilled’ by tenth

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden ‘not thrilled’ by tenth

American Nicky Hayden conceded he had little to be thrilled about as he finished the opening day of testing in Jerez with the tenth quickest time. Get the latest MotoGP news Making his second...

Jerez test: Casey Stoner injury update

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Casey Stoner injury update

Former world champion Casey Stoner was a surprised and frustrated spectator at the start of MotoGP testing in Jerez today. The Aussie, who is in the early stages of recovery from major surgery on his...

Jerez test: New engine helps Dani Pedrosa set fastest time

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: New engine helps Dani Pedrosa set fastest time

A new spec Honda RC212V engine helped Dani Pedrosa clock the best time on the opening day of testing at a cool and windy Jerez. Using two new 2009 prototype machines at the final test session of 2008,...

Michael Rutter stranded in Bangkok airport chaos

26 November 2008 by Rob Hull

Michael Rutter stranded in Bangkok airport chaos

If Michael Rutter thought his week couldn’t get much worse after losing his ride with the North West 200 Ducati team this week, the Blade is reportedly now stranded in Thailand due to the protesting...

Have your say: Is MotoGP doomed?

26 November 2008 by Michael Guy

Have your say: Is MotoGP doomed?

With companies like Aprilia and BMW using the production-based WSB series to develop new motorcycles and technologies, you have to ask why we need such an expensive racing series like MotoGP? BMW...

Jerez test: Valentino Rossi sets early Jerez pace

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Jerez test: Valentino Rossi sets early Jerez pace

Valentino Rossi needed just seven laps to move to the top of the timesheets on the opening day of MotoGP testing at a cold but sunny Jerez. The reigning world champion has clocked a best time of...

Mike di Meglio joins Aspar 250 squad

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Mike di Meglio joins Aspar 250 squad

Reigning world 125 champion Mike di Meglio will ride for the Aspar 250GP squad alongside Alvaro Bautista in 2009. The Frenchman made his Aprilia 250 debut earlier this week in Valencia having clinched...

Injury plagues John Hopkins in Australia test

26 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

Injury plagues John Hopkins in Australia test

American John Hopkins completed a successful but painful first day of testing in Australia today. The factory Kawasaki rider is still struggling with injuries suffered in a massive 175mph practice...

Conor Cummins and Team Blackhorse join forces

26 November 2008 by Rob Hull

Conor Cummins and Team Blackhorse join forces

Conor Cummins will contest the British Superstock 1000 Championship in 2009 with Team Blackhorse Yamaha. The 22-year old Manxman concluded the 2008 championship with two rides for the team at...

Get in to racing with Bemsee

26 November 2008 by Sarah Carnell

Get in to racing with Bemsee

Bikers interested in getting out on track and joining a race series can get some help with the British Motorcycle Racing Club’s new rider support programme. The club, also known as Bemsee, will be...

Shinya Nakano concludes two day Aprilia test on the pace

26 November 2008 by Michael Guy

Shinya Nakano concludes two day Aprilia test on the pace

WSB rookie Shinya Nakano ended his two day test at Valencia satisfied after setting an impressive 1m 35.3 best at the Valencia race track in Spain. Riding the Aprilia RSV4 for the first time, the...

Karl Harris and Guy Martin in at Hydrex Honda

26 November 2008 by Rob Hull

Karl Harris has been named as one of the provisional two-man Hydrex Honda BSB team for 2009. Harris makes the move back to the same team he rode for in 2007 filling in the vacant spot left by James Ellison at the end of 2008. Harris will use Ellison’s side of the garage headed by Mick Shanley and will use the heavily developed Pi Pectel electronics used throughout 2008. Hydrex Honda Team Owner...

Walker is a true champ!

25 November 2008 by bobthedray

I have just read the BSB Blog from a Fella named Rob Hull. Armchair racers are ten a penny, champions are rare. When Chris whas unlucky enough to finish runner up to Neil Hodgson, he took it like a true champ. Since then he hasn’t been blessed with a great seat in any class of the sport. I hope he goes on to prove Mr Hull as wrong as I think he is.

BSB Blog: Chris Walker’s back, but is it too late?

25 November 2008 by Rob Hull

BSB Blog: Chris Walker’s back, but is it too late?

Like most racing fans in Britain I was hugely excited about Chris Walker, a.k.a ‘The Stalker’ coming back to British Superbikes in 2009. I’ve still got an Old Spice Ducati hat from 1996 when Chris...

Chris Walker back in BSB with Rob Mac

25 November 2008 by Rob Hull

Chris Walker back in BSB with Rob Mac

Chris Walker has signed a deal with Rob McElnea to bring him back to British Superbikes on a Yamaha for 2009. Walker will be part of a two-man British Superbike line-up for McElnea’s Yamaha squad next...

North West 200 drop Michael Rutter

25 November 2008 by Rob Hull

North West 200 drop Michael Rutter

Michael Rutter has been pushed into the BSB shadows after being ditched by his 2008 team, North West 200 Ducati. Rutter looked to be the favourite to continue his partnership with the North West 200...

James Toseland looking forward to Bridgestone debut

25 November 2008 by Matthew Birt

James Toseland looking forward to Bridgestone debut

British rider James Toseland is back on track in Jerez tomorrow (Wednesday), eagerly anticipating his debut on Bridgestone tyres at the Spanish circuit. The 27-year-old missed the post-season test...