2009

World Supersport, Valencia: Crutchlow Takes His First Win

05 April 2009 by Mike Nicks

The 23-year-old British rider Cal Crutchlow scored his first World Supersport win in only the third race of his first full season in the series when he crushed Australian Anthony West in a 23-lap...

World Superbikes, Valencia: Haslam Leads Brit Charge

05 April 2009 by Mike Nicks

With a strong ride into fifth place in the first race at Valencia, Leon Haslam continues to reign as top Brit in this year’s World Superbike championship. Noriyuki Haga leads the points table after...

World Superbikes Valencia, Race 1: Spies Falls, Haga Wins

05 April 2009 by Mike Nicks

Ben Spies reversed everyone’s assumptions about the outcome of the opening World Superbike race in Valencia when he slid gracefully off his Yamaha R1 on the tenth lap on the Ricardo Tormo circuit. The...

WSB Valencia: Shakey down but not out

05 April 2009 by Michael Guy

Shane Byrne saw his chances of a front row qualifying position disappear in Superpole 2 when he high sided his Sterilgarda spectacularly. The 33 year old Brit was on a fast lap, holding second...

World Superbikes, Valencia: Super Spies Rocks to Third Superpole

04 April 2009 by Mike Nicks

With just over five minutes of Superpole action remaining on the Ricardo Tormo circuit, the quiet American Ben Spies rolled his Yamaha out of pit lane. At the end of sector one on the 2.487-mile he...

World Supersport, Valencia: Crutchlow Blazes to Second Pole

04 April 2009 by Mike Nicks

Britain’s Cal Crutchlow scored his second pole position in three races in qualifying for tomorrow’s World Supersport race at Valencia. The 23-year-old factory Yamaha rider bounced to the front with...

Valencia WSB: Nakano out with broken collarbone

04 April 2009 by Michael Guy

Factory Aprilia rider Shinya Nakano is out of tomorrows two WSB races at Valencia after sustaining a broken collarbone during this mornings second qualifying session. Nakano’s Aprilia RSV4 engine...

World Superbikes Valencia: Spies Quickest, but BMW Edges Closer

04 April 2009 by Mike Nicks

American sensation Ben Spies headed the timesheets for the first time this weekend when he lapped his Yamaha in 1m 34.709s in the final qualifying session for tomorrow’s World Superbike round in...

WSS Valencia: Lascorz Pips Crutchlow in Final Practice

04 April 2009 by Mike Nicks

Kawasaki’s Joan Lascorz just beat Britain’s Cal Crutchlow to head the timesheets in the final practice session for the World Supersport race at Valencia today. The Spaniard ripped his ZX-6R round the...

Valencia WSB: Hopkins one second off in first qualifying

04 April 2009 by Michael Guy

John Hopkins declared himself happy with his lap but disappointed with his position at the end of the opening his first ever day in WSB at Valencia. The former MotoGP man ended the first timed session...

Valencia WSB Biaggi's Aprilia heads Yamaha and Ducati

03 April 2009 by Mike Nicks

Max Biaggi underlined the amazing out-of-the-box speed of Aprilia‘s new RSV4 by finishing the first qualifying session for the third round of the World Superbike championship in first place. On the...

WSS Valencia McCoy and Triumph Chase Glory

03 April 2009 by Mike Nicks

Veteran MotoGP and World Superbike rider Garry McCoy, 36, could be on the verge of giving Britain’s Triumph factory a top six finish in Sunday’s World Supersport race at Valencia. The Australian was...

WSS Valencia - Crutchlow Hot, Laverty Cruises, in First Session

03 April 2009 by Mike Nicks

Spaniard Joan Lascorz benefited from a recent test session on the Valencia circuit to record fastest time in the first World Supersport practice session on his Kawasaki ZX-6R. His best lap of 1m...

Checa Hits Back for Ten Kate Honda

03 April 2009 by Mike Nicks

Carlos Checa gave a hint in the first free practice session that the chatter problems that have plagued the Ten Kate Hondas in early rounds of the World Superbike Championship may have been overcome...

Xaus: “Spies is on fire”

03 April 2009 by Michael Guy

BMW man Ruben Xaus has praised WSB rookie Ben Spies ahead of this weekends third round of the championship at Valencia. The Spanish WSB veteran remains confident in the potential of his own BMW...

John Hopkins looking forward to Valencia debut

01 April 2009

John Hopkins reckons he can’t wait to make his World Superbike debut in Valencia this weekend. The American made his first appearance on the Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR in wet conditions at the Almeria...

Hopkins satisfied with first test – Exclusive pictures

31 March 2009 by Michael Guy

John Hopkins heads to Valencia WSB this weekend satisfied after completing a one day test at Almeria, Spain on Monday. Riding the Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR for the first time, Hopkins had to acquaint...

Hopkins in Almeria for first WSB test –Exclusive Pictures

30 March 2009 by Michael Guy

John Hopkins is minutes away from getting his first taste of the Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade he’ll campaign in the World Superbike Championship this year. The former Kawasaki MotoGP rider is...

Tommy Hill on target for more points in Valencia

26 March 2009 by Michael Guy

Tommy Hill has already scored points in three of the four opening World Superbike races this year and is targeting round three at Valencia for even better results. Onboard the Altea Honda CBR1000RR...

Shakey welcomes Hopkins to WSB

26 March 2009 by Michael Guy

The last time Shane Byrne rode against John Hopkins was in MotoGP in 2004 and 2005. Now four years on the reigning British Superbike Champion is relishing the opportunity of racing against the...

Photos from Qatar WSB

25 March 2009 by Gavin Stevenson

Here’s a few photos I took at the Qatar WSB round – great racing, especially the supersports! Facilities at Losail are non-existent, but at least it’s cheap (once you’re here!).

John Hopkins buoyed by Colin Edwards advice

25 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins has told MCN of his excitement and anticipation at joining up with the Stiggy Honda WSB squad for the first time having spoken to fellow American Colin Edwards about the move. Some of the...

John Hopkins targets World Superbike wins

21 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

John Hopkins is confident he will be fighting for victories in World Superbikes having finally signed a deal with the Stiggy Honda squad. The 25-year-old will try and rebuild his career in World...

John Hopkins signing a ‘dream’ for Stiggy Honda

21 March 2009 by Matthew Birt

Stiggy Honda boss Johan Stigefelt reckons the capture of high profile American John Hopkins is like a ‘dream’ for the WSB squad. Hopkins will join British rider Leon Haslam for the rest of the 2009...

Hopkins first test date confirmed

21 March 2009 by Michael Guy

John Hopkins will get an initial shake down test onboard the Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade superbike before he arrives at Valencia for round three of the championship on 3rd to 5th April. Hopkins...

Leon Haslam unfazed by John Hopkins’ arrival

20 March 2009 by Michael Guy

Leon Haslam has told MCN that he is unfazed by the arrival of high profile MotoGP star John Hopkins as his team-mate in the Stiggy Honda WSB squad. Hopkins will race an identical Honda CBR1000RR...

Qatar WSB

20 March 2009 by Sandy Morrison

Hi Folks, I work in Qatar and took the opportunity of going along to the SBK meeting at Losail. The racing was great and the riders put on an excellent show for the very small crowd which bothered to come along. Also I was pleasantly surprised that, although not running at the front, the BMW’s didn’t disgrace themselves either. It keeps the series alive when another manufacturer comes in,...