2009 | Page 55

Qatar WSB: Rea fast with more to come

12 March 2009 by Michael Guy

Jonathan Rea showed he will be a serious contender this weekend in Qatar by clocking the third fastest time during the opening free practice. Rea who struggled with tyre issues two weeks ago in...

Shakey upbeat after Free Practice

12 March 2009 by Michael Guy

Shane Byrne made a promising start to round two of the World Superbike Championship at Qatar by topping the time sheets at the start of the session. The British rider who crashed twice and scored no...

Qatar WSB: Track knowledge no problem for Spies

12 March 2009 by Michael Guy

American Ben Spies stunned the WSB paddock during the opening free practice session in Qatar this morning by positing the second fastest time of the hour long session. Despite no previous track...

Laverty: “It feels slow compared to a 250”

12 March 2009 by Michael Guy

Parkalgar Honda man Eugene Laverty revealed that his Supersport machine feels slow in terms of corner speed compared to the Aprilia he rode in 250GP’s last year. Whilst his Honda CBR600RR may have...

Qatar WSB: Neukirchner, Spies and Rea Set Pace

12 March 2009 by Mike Nicks

Germany’s Max Neukirchner, buoyed by his second-place ranking in the World Superbike Championship, gunned his Alstare Suzuki round the Losail circuit in 2m 0.486s to lead the first free practice...

Qatar WSB: Crutchlow fast but still learning

12 March 2009 by Michael Guy

Cal Crutchlow made a strong start to the second round of the World Supersport Championship at Qatar by posting the fourth fastest lap time in this morning opening free practice session. The factory...

Hungary Drops out of MotoGP

11 March 2009 by Mike Nicks

As revealed by MCN in February, this year’s MotoGP calendar will be reduced to 17 rounds following the cancellation of the new Hungarian round scheduled for the Balatonring circuit on September...

WSS Qatar: ‘Laverty Can Be Top Brit’

11 March 2009 by Mike Nicks

Ahead of the second round of the World Supersport Championship at Qatar on Saturday, Parkalgar Honda team manager Simon Buckmaster believes that Eugene Laverty represents the best chance for any Irish...

Brit Fans Follow Our Super Seven in Qatar

11 March 2009 by Mike Nicks

Thousands of loyal enthusiasts are expected to tune into Eurosport on Friday and Saturday to follow the adventures of Britain’s Super Seven in the second round of the World Superbike and Supersport...

Shane Byrne Fights Back

11 March 2009 by Mike Nicks

British Superbike champion Shane Byrne approaches Saturday’s second round of the World Superbike Championship in Qatar in a confident mood on his Sterilgarda Ducati despite crashing twice in the...

Biaggi convinced of podium potential

11 March 2009 by Michael Guy

Max Biaggi remains adamant that he can fight for podiums and race wins in 2009. Despite riding the all-new Aprilia RSV4 the Italian showed his and the bikes potential in Australia two weeks ago by...

Bayliss takes step closer to V8 Supercar future

10 March 2009 by Michael Guy

Triple World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss will get his first official test in a V8 Supercar tomorrow (Wednesday). Bayliss’ decision to test is the clearest indication yet of his plan to race in the...

Racing results round-up: March 7-8

09 March 2009 by MCN Sports Desk

ROAD RACING AMA SUPERBIKE, DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY, DAYTONA BEACH, FL, FRIDAY 1 Ben Bostrom, USA (Yam) 2:42:06.677 2 Josh Herrin, USA (Yam) 3 Jason DiSalvo, USA (Suz) 4 Jamie Hacking, USA...

Dani Pedrosa cagey on first race fitness battle

08 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa has refused to give a clear indication of whether he will be fit to compete in the first MotoGP race of 2009 in Qatar next month. The Spaniard was discharged from a...

BBC SPORT confirm five year NW 200 TV deal

06 March 2009 by Michael Guy

BBC Sport Northern Ireland has signed a new five year deal to broadcast the North-West 200. The deal will provide fans with coverage throughout the week-long event across BBC TV, radio and online.

First BSB test battered by high winds

06 March 2009 by Michael Guy

The first major BSB test of 2009 was battered by high winds yesterday when the HM Plant Honda, Hydrex Honda and Crescent Suzuki teams took to the Almeria circuit in southern Spain. The difficult...

Positive first test for Walker and Rutter onboard Rob Mac Racing Yamaha

06 March 2009 by Gary Pinchin

While their rivals HM Plant Honda, Hydrex Honda and Crescent Suzuki are being battered by high winds during testing in Spain, Rob Mac Racing’s decision to carry out shakedown trials of their new R1 at...

MCN Exclusive: Marco Melandri agrees to race Hayate in 2009

06 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Marco Melandri has decided today (Friday) to race a re-branded factory Kawasaki ZX-RR in the 2009 MotoGP world championship, MCN can exclusively reveal. The Italian has decided to continue riding for...

John Hopkins close to Kawasaki pay off

06 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins is in the final stages of reaching a settlement with Kawasaki as the American continues his silence on his racing future. The 25-year-old has refused to speak on the shock resurrection of...

Nicky Hayden admits practice reduction worry

06 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden has admitted concerns that the big reduction in testing and practice time will hinder his hopes of adapting to Ducati‘s factory GP9 quicker. The American made big progress ahead of his...

Me at Philip Island WSB

06 March 2009 by Mike Guymer

Me at Phillip Island WSB. Nice track but not a patch on Brands for atmosphere. I am an ex TT rider and would love to be able add this to my favorite list of tracks: 1. IOM 2. Spa 3. Donington

Neevsey's blog - Morello MRO Powerbike Championship

06 March 2009 by Michael Neeves

Morello MRO Powerbike Championship – Round 1. In less than 24 hours the 2009 racing season kicks of for me. I can’t believe it’s here already. It seems only yesterday I crossed the finish line at the...

Hodgson finishes second at Daytona Speedway

06 March 2009 by Henry Ray Abrams

Corona Extra Honda’s Neil Hodgson opened his American Superbike season with a strong second place finish on a sunny afternoon at Daytona International Speedway. Riding in the lime and yellow Corona...

Max's Phillip Island crash

06 March 2009 by Jim Cottee

WorldSuperBikes – Phillip Island, Race 2, Lap 14, Siberia corner. Max had to take evasive action in a tight bunch of riders & ended up in the kitty litter on his new Aprilia. Luckily he bounced off...

Danny Webb unveils 2009 125GP squad

05 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

British teenager Danny Webb has unveiled his new 2009 125GP world championship squad at the Assen circuit in Holland. Webb will again ride for the DeGraaf Aprilia team for the second year in...

Ducati boss impressed with Nicky Hayden’s attitude

05 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Ducati’s factory team boss Livio Suppo has praised the attitude and work ethic of new signing Nicky Hayden after the American enjoyed his best winter test on the new GP9 in Qatar. The 2006 MotoGP...

High winds batter BSB Almeria test

05 March 2009 by Gary Pinchin

The first major BSB test of 2009 was battered by high winds yesterday when the HM Plant Honda, Hydrex Honda and Crescent Suzuki teams took to the Almeria circuit in southern Spain. The difficult...

Dani Pedrosa to miss Jerez test?

05 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa looks certain to miss the final pre-season test in Jerez later this month after successful left knee and arm surgery yesterday (Wednesday). Pedrosa suffered another...

Qatar test: Bridgestone start 2010 tyre testing!

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Bridgestone bosses confirmed that tyres tested during this week’s night test session in Qatar will form part of the rubber developed for the 2010 MotoGP world championship. With more testing...

Qatar test: James Toseland gains confidence and pace

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

British rider James Toseland made some encouraging progress on the final night of MotoGP testing at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar. Struggling to rebuild his shattered confidence following...

Qatar test: Nicky Hayden boosted by fifth place

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Nicky Hayden might just be clicking with Ducati’s GP9 at the right time as he ended the Qatar night test with the fifth fastest time. The Kentucky rider clocked a best lap of 1.57.225 just before 9pm...

Qatar test: Jorge Lorenzo finally shines under Qatar floodlights

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Fiat Yamaha rider and 2008 MotoGP rookie sensation Jorge Lorenzo left it late to prove that he his winning his battle to adjust to Bridgestone tyres ahead of the first race in Qatar next...

Qatar test: Loris Capirossi confident despite double crash

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Two big crashes on the final night of testing in Qatar did little to dent Loris Capirossi’s confidence that he will be a serious podium contender in 2009. The veteran Italian took his first tumble at...

Qatar test: Valentino Rossi still optimistic for first race

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Reigning MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi refused to be too downcast after being comprehensively beaten by chief rival Casey Stoner at the Qatar night test. The Italian’s best time of 1.56.972 on...

Qatar test: Night delight for Casey Stoner

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Aussie Casey Stoner produced a dazzling performance to completely overshadow his rivals at the night MotoGP test in Qatar. The 2007 world champion, who has won 16 times for Ducati in 36 races, was...

Qatar test: Casey Stoner fastest after dazzling display in night test

04 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Former world champion Casey Stoner continued his incredible record at the Losail International Circuit tonight as he ended the night test in Qatar nearly one second clear of his rivals. Stoner, who...