2012

Laverty tops time sheets in Jerez – out paces Ducati MotoGP men

29 November 2012 by Michael Guy

Eugene Laverty concluded his 2012 season in the best possible way by topping the time sheets at the end of his three day test in Jerez. The factory Aprilia rider set a stunning 1.40.185 to topple...

Honda satisfied after final round of testing in Jerez – Sykes leads

28 November 2012 by Michael Guy

In what will be the final week of World Superbike testing of 2012 before the winter testing ban comes into effect all of the top teams descended on the Jerez circuit in southern Spain. With action...

Ducati confirm Alstare WSB partnership for 2013 and 2014

11 November 2012 by Michael Guy

Ducati’s official World Superbike effort will be run by the Belgian Alstare squad in a new two man team called Team Ducati Alstare. The two year deal will see riders Carlos Checa and Ayrton Badovini...

Biaggi retires from racing

07 November 2012 by Michael Guy

Six time world champion Max Biaggi has announced that he will retire from racing. The 41 year old Italian addressed a packed press conference in Vallelunga in his native city of Rome this morning...

Melandri guilty of tax dodging

31 October 2012

BMW World Superbike rider Marco Melandri has received a nineteen month suspended sentance in his home town of Ravenna, after being convicted of tax evasion offences. In a case similar to Valentino...

Yamaha open to World Superbike return

31 October 2012 by Matthew Birt

Yamaha could be tempted back to World Superbikes if new owners Dorna introduce radical technical changes that will reduce costs and make the bikes more closely linked to a Superstock level of...

Ducati discontinue Althea link

29 October 2012 by MCN Sportsdesk

Ducati has issued a press statement finalising its plans for the 2013 World Superbike Championship, both in the development of the 1199 Panigale and how it will participate in the series. Ducati say...

Jules Cluzel joins FIXI Crescent Suzuki

29 October 2012 by Michael Guy

World Supersport sensation Jules Cluzel has signed for the British Fixi Crescent Suzuki team to race in WSB in 2013. Cluzel arrived in the WSB paddock riding the PTR Honda in WSS in 2012, finishing...

Tom Sykes’ Joan Lascorz tribute helmet up to £7600 on eBay

15 October 2012 by Michael Guy

The Joan Lascorz tribute helmet worn by Tom Sykes in the final round of the World Superbike Championship has now received a staggering £7600 bid on eBay and the auction doesn’t even end until...

Crescent Suzuki blast Guintoli for reneging on 2013 contract

15 October 2012 by Michael Guy

Crescent Suzuki boss Paul Denning has spoken of his extreme disappointment over Sylvain Guintoli’s decision not to honour a signed contract to ride for his team in WSB 2013. As reported in MCN last...

Poll: Should Biaggi have been allowed to benefit from team orders?

08 October 2012 by MCN

Max Biaggi won his second World Superbike championship at the weekend by just 0.5points, ahead of Tom Sykes. Sykes won the final race, while Biaggi finished fifth. Biaggi’s team-mate Eugene Laverty...

WSB Magny Cours: Sykes win race two, Biaggi wins title by 0.5points

07 October 2012 by Michael Guy

Tom Sykes did everything he could to wrestle the WSB crown away from Italian Max Biaggi, but was ultimately denied the title by just 0.5 points. In a tense finish to the 2012 WSB season, Biaggi...

Magny Cours WSS: Cluzel wins, Lowes second, Linfoot third

07 October 2012 by Michael Guy

Frenchman Jules Cluzel secured his fourth win of his rookie World Supersport season with a convincing victory at Mangy Cours onboard his PTR Honda. Cluzel rode the drying track superbly to make it the...

Magny Cours WSB: Sykes and Melandri closes in on championship lead as Biaggi crashes out

07 October 2012 by Adam Child

Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes closed within 14.5 points of championship leader Max Biaggi after taking third position in damp, tricky conditions at Magny Cours. Factory Aprilia rider Biaggi crashed at the end...

Magny Cours WSB: Sykes takes pole and smashes lap record

06 October 2012 by Adam Child

Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes secured pole position, smashing the lap record with an outstanding Superpole lap, while championship rival Max Biaggi struggled finishing an unexpected 10th. Sykes took his ninth...

2013 WSB Calendar confirmed

06 October 2012 by Michael Guy

The 15 round World Superbike Calendar has been confirmed in Magny Cours today. The unconfirmed race on 23 June is expected to take place in Brno, Czech Republic. 24 February Australia Phillip Island 10 March India Buddh Circuit 7 April Spain Aragon 28 April The...

Magny Cours WSB: Marco on top in the last qualifying before Superpole

06 October 2012 by Adam Child

Marco Malandri, improved from yesterday’s third position to top the time sheets in second qualifying knocking Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes back to second. Sykes couldn’t improve on Friday’s time and had to...

Magny Cours WSB: Tom Sykes on top in first qualifying

06 October 2012 by Adam Child

In perfect sunny conditions Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes set the fastest time of the first 45 minute qualifying session, with a 1.38.200. Althea Ducati’s Carlos Checa joins him on the provisional front row...

Magny Cours WSB: Cluzel on provisional pole at home race

05 October 2012 by Michael Guy

Frenchman Jules Cluzel ended the opening day at Magny Cours by setting provisional pole position for Sunday’ 22 lap World Supersport race. The three time WSS race winner set a pole time of 1’41.886 – 0.406s clear of his closest rival. Ten Kate Honda rider Broc Parkes secured second spot ahead of Kawasaki Fabien Foret who made it two French riders on the front row. Britain’s Sam Lowes claimed...

Magny Cours WSB: Rea leads Brit charge at final round

05 October 2012 by Adam Child

Jonathan Rea topped the first free practice time sheets at Magny Cours, setting a 1.39.064 on a drying tack. PATA Ducati rider Sylvain Guintoli finished second with in form Brits Leon Camier and Tom...

Magny Cours WSB: Lowes on top in damp free practice

05 October 2012 by Michael Guy

PTR Honda rider Sam Lowes topped the opening free practice session at Magny Cours this morning. On a wet, but drying track, Lowes left it late to even venture out of his pitbox to allow the track...

Provisional 2013 WSB calendar unveiled

25 September 2012 by Michael Guy

The 15 round 2013 WSB calendar is set to be confirmed on Friday, but below is a sneak preview of what it might look like. For over five years WSB bosses have been aiming to grow the series to 15 rounds and in 2013 they look like they have achieved their goal with races in America, Australia, India and Russia. But remember this is only provisional so don’t go booking any flights or hotels just...

Portimao WSB: Laverty wins from Rea and Biaggi

23 September 2012 by Michael Guy

Eugene Laverty celebrated his first victory since joining Aprilia with a classy performance onboard his RSV4. The 25 year old Irishman made the break at the front and controlled the race, soaking up intense pressure from Honda man Jonathan Rea on the final lap. Laverty said: “It feels really good to finally get the win and get the monkey off my back. Portimao is almost like a home race because...

Portimao WSS: Cluzel wins race, Sofuoglu crowned world champion

23 September 2012 by Michael Guy

Frenchman Jules Cluzel did everything he possibly could to keep his title hopes alive by winning the Portimao race, but the day ultimately belonged to Kenan Sofuoglu who by finishing second and secured his third World Supersport crown of his illustrious career. Sofuoglu said: “I knew I only had to finish fourth even if Cluzel won the race, but on the last two laps I realised I could at least...

Portimao-WSB: Sykes wins race one to close to within 14.5points of championship lead

23 September 2012 by Michael Guy

Tom Sykes secured a brilliant race one win after a tense battle with Carlos Checa at Portimao today. The factory Kawasaki rider dominated the restarted race to secure his third win of the year and move to second in the overall championship standings. He said: “In the restarted race I had a much better set-up and I could feel what the tyres were doing. I was managing the tyre from the start of the...

Portimao WSB: Sykes storms to Superpole number eight

23 September 2012 by Michael Guy

Tom Sykes secured anther brilliant Superpole victory – his eighth of 2012. Onboard his factory Kawasaki Sykes also set a new best lap of the Portimao circuit with a stunning lap time using a rear qualifying tyre of 1’41.415. Second place went to a hard riding Carlos Checa onboard his Althea Ducati. The Spanish rider was clearly pushing the limits of his bike and tyres but was rewarded with a front...

Biaggi pushes his way to the top of second qualifying

22 September 2012 by Michael Guy

A late charge by championship leader Max Biaggi in the dying minutes of second qualifying saw him move to the top of the time sheets onboard his factory Aprilia. He was followed him by in form Brit Tom Sykes who also left it to the final minutes of the session to move up the leader board. The two men knocked BMW riders Marco Melandri and Leon Haslam off the top spot with factory Aprilia man Eugene...