2009

Year: 2009

Month: ALL

WSB's Defining moment number 2 - Biggest surprise and underdog

03 January 2010 by Michael Guy

WSB's Defining moment number 2 - Biggest surprise and underdog

Ben Spies’ ability to turn up and win the World Superbike crown at his first attempt is was the biggest single surprise of the year. In terms impressing against the odds though, Leon Haslam and his...

Five race winners in 2009 - how many will there be in 2010?

03 January 2010 by Michael Guy

Five race winners in 2009 - how many will there be in 2010?

Despite a grid full of world class riders and arguably the most competitive season in WSB history there were only five race winners in the 2009. American sensation and new champions Ben Spies was...

WSB’s Defining moment number 5 – Biggest crash

01 January 2010 by Michael Guy

WSB’s Defining moment number 5 – Biggest crash

First corner crashes are never pretty, but the first race, first corner crash at Monza turned into a real horror show. Front row qualifier Max Neukirchner gained the hole shot and tipped into the...

WSB’s Defining moment number 6 – Turning point of the year

01 January 2010 by Michael Guy

WSB’s Defining moment number 6 – Turning point of the year

The turning point of 2009 came at the Nurburgring in Germany. Heading into the meeting, Noriyuki Haga still enjoyed a seven point over Spies, but that was all about to change. From the start of the...

WSB’s Defining moment number 7 – Best rider

01 January 2010 by Michael Guy

WSB’s Defining moment number 7 – Best rider

It wasn’t just Ben Spies’ domination of Superpole and his 15 race wins that made him so special. In 2010 Spies had to deal with adversity and fight his way back from an enormous 88 point deficit...

WSB's Defining moment number 1 - Race of the year

31 December 2009 by Michael Guy

WSB's Defining moment number 1 - Race of the year

With 28 WSB races in 2009 it’s hard to single out the best on track battles of the season. As far as stand alone rides go, the winner has to be Jonathan Rea taking his first WSB victory at Misano...

WSB’s Defining moment number 4 – Under rated and unlucky riders

31 December 2009 by Michael Guy

WSB’s Defining moment number 4 – Under rated and unlucky riders

Yes, he’s on the best bike in the championship and yes he has unconditional support from Ducati, but Michel Fabrizio was the clear winner of ‘best of the rest’ after finishing a comfortable third...

WSB 2010 UK VOTE

24 December 2009 by adysmith

WORLD SUPERBIKE 2010 IN THE UK If donnington is out of the picture for the 2010 BSB season this could mean there will be no uk race for the WSB next year,I think the fans should have a chance to post votes for a pole on which circuit they would like to see the WSB at next year. There are only two possibilties silverstone & brandshatch the later of which being the firm favourite of race fans even...

Wife of WSB boss Paul Bird in horrific attack

22 December 2009 by Phil West

Wife of WSB boss Paul Bird in horrific attack

The wife of Kawasaki WSB racing team boss Paul Bird has been burned with bleach during a horrific attack by intruders who broke into the Birds’ home. Lindsey Bird, 31, was at home near Penrith,...

Vermeulen: “Now it feels like my bike”

18 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Vermeulen: “Now it feels like my bike”

After completing a two day test at Almeria this afternoon, Chris Vermeulen will leave the Spanish track happy and remains satisfied that he’s making good progress developing the factory Kawasaki...

Byrne relishing battle of the Brits in 2010

18 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Byrne relishing battle of the Brits in 2010

Shane Byrne has revealed that he can’t wait for next years WSB championship to start and is intrigued as to how things will pan out between the Brits. In total there will be seven British riders all...

End of the road for title winning Yamaha World Supersport team?

18 December 2009 by Michael Guy

End of the road for title winning Yamaha World Supersport team?

Cal Crutchlow’s World Supersport Championship winning Yamaha team are looking increasing likely that they will not be in a position to defend their title in 2010. The Yamaha Europe backed squad who...

Attention to detail key to Rea’s success

18 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Attention to detail key to Rea’s success

Jonathan Rea believes that last weeks test in Valencia played a vital role in the teams winter development programme in preparation for the 2010 season. Although Rea was only fourth fastest he feels...

Kawasaki Superbike satisfied with day of testing in Almeria

18 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Kawasaki Superbike satisfied with day of testing in Almeria

Kawasaki men Chris Vermeulen and Tom Sykes have begun their second day of testing at Almeria this morning. The two men spent the opening day evaluating a new gearbox, clutch and engine specification.

Kawasaki Superbike begin testing in Spain

17 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Kawasaki Superbike begin testing in Spain

The Kawasaki World Superbike team of Chris Vermeulen and Tom Sykes kicked off it’s latest round of testing with two days of track time at Almeria today. The British run team elected not to attend last...

Pitt reignites WSB career with BMW

16 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Pitt reignites WSB career with BMW

Australian, Andrew Pitt will ride a BMW S1000RR in WSB in 2010. The double World Supersport champion has agreed terms with the Reitwagen Motorsport team and will line up alongside Austrian Roland...

Stiggy Honda out of WSB

15 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Stiggy Honda out of WSB

The Stiggy Honda team that ran Leon Haslam and John Hopkins in World Superbike in 2009 has been forced out of racing due to the ongoing economical crisis and budget shortfall. The Johan Stigefelt run...

Mat Mladin linked to WSB ride with BMW

11 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Mat Mladin linked to WSB ride with BMW

Seven times AMA Superbike champion Mat Mladin could be poised for a sensational switch to WSB in 2010. The 37 year old Australian who retired at the end of the 2009 season has been linked with a...

Moto2 bikes humbled by World Supersport at Valencia test

11 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Moto2 bikes humbled by World Supersport at Valencia test

After two days of testing in Valencia alongside Ten Kate Honda’s world Supersport team, it appears that the current Moto2 teams are not yet going as fast as expected. Despite running prototype...

Biaggi ends 2009 on top at Valencia test

10 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Biaggi ends 2009 on top at Valencia test

Aprilia Racing’s Max Biaggi stormed to the fastest lap time of the two day test at Valencia with an impressive 1m 33.8 second best set on race tyres. Biaggi was in impressive form throughout the two...

Toseland heads day two of Valencia test

10 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Toseland heads day two of Valencia test

Factory Yamaha rider James Toseland is currently the fastest man on track at mid way through day two of the Valencia WSB test. Using the new specification Pirelli tyre, Toseland lapped the Spanish...

First blood to Haslam in Valencia

09 December 2009 by Michael Guy

First blood to Haslam in Valencia

Alstare Suzuki man Leon Haslam secured the fastest lap time on day one of the two day WSB test at Valencia. The 26 year old Brit used the latest specification rear tyre from Pirelli to post an...

Toseland on pace despite crash

09 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Toseland on pace despite crash

James Toseland walked away from his first crash since returning to WSB when he lost the front of his factory Yamaha R1. The former MotoGP man crashed changing direction between turn four and five, but...

Sofuoglu injured in first lap crash

09 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Sofuoglu injured in first lap crash

World Supersport front runner Kenan Sofuoglu has been taken to hospital in Valencia following a crash on his out lap this morning in Valencia. The 2007 WSS champion high sided his Ten Kate Honda...

WSB and Moto2 testing under way at Valencia

09 December 2009 by Michael Guy

WSB and Moto2 testing under way at Valencia

World Superbike, World Supersport and Moto2 teams begun two days of testing in dry, sunny conditions at Valencia today. One of the first on track was Ten Kate man Jonathan Rea followed by Yamaha men...

Shakey to miss Valencia test

08 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Shakey to miss Valencia test

Shane Byrne will miss this weeks two day test at Valencia because his new 2010 specification Altea Ducati’s won’t be ready in time. Shakey was expecting to get his first ride on his new bike, which is...

WSB Brits set for two day Valencia test

08 December 2009 by Michael Guy

WSB Brits set for two day Valencia test

A selection of the World Superbike paddock will be on track this week in a two day test at Valencia in Spain. Alstare Suzuki, Ten Kate Honda, Yamaha Superbike Kawasaki Superbike and Aprilia are all...

Flammini confident of 24 strong WSB grid in 2010

07 December 2009 by Michael Guy

Flammini confident of 24 strong WSB grid in 2010

World Superbike boss Paolo Flammini believes that next years championship will boast at least 24 full time riders with the possibility of more. Despite the ongoing economical crisis that continues to...

Yoshimura confirm 2010 WSB wildcard rides

30 November 2009 by Michael Guy

Yoshimura confirm 2010 WSB wildcard rides

Yoshimura Suzuki have confirmed that they will participate in selected World Superbike races in 2010 before making an expected full time move to the championship in 2010. MCN understands that the...

Superpole format tweaked for 2010

30 November 2009 by Michael Guy

Superpole format tweaked for 2010

The all new WSB Superpole format introduced at the beginning of 2009 has been revised for 2010. Following consultation with teams and riders, Superpole one, which sees the fastest 20 riders after...

Aprilia confirm Guandalini/Borciani interest

30 November 2009 by Michael Guy

Aprilia confirm Guandalini/Borciani interest

Aprilia have confirmed that they are speaking with a number of teams about the option of supplying them RSV4’s to race in WSB in 2010. Current Ducati teams Guandalini and the Marco Borciani’s run...

Haslam enjoying life in factory team

27 November 2009 by Michael Guy

Haslam enjoying life in factory team

Following his three day test at Phillip Island in Australia, Leon Haslam remains 100% convinced he’s made the best decision of his career to join the factory Suzuki Alstare squad. Having ridden for...

Camier talks about his new Aprilia WSB ride

27 November 2009 by Michael Guy

Camier talks about his new Aprilia WSB ride

Following months of speculation, Leon Camier has spoken about his new deal that will see him ride for the Factory Aprilia squad in World Superbike alongside Max Biaggi in 2010. After riding the...

Leon Camier signs for Factory Aprilia WSB squad

26 November 2009 by Liam Marsden

Leon Camier signs for Factory Aprilia WSB squad

British Superbike champion Leon Camier has officially signed for the Factory Aprilia WSB team to ride alongside Max Biaggi in 2010. Camier made his debut on the RSV4 superbike at Magny Cours towards...

Leon Camier to sign for Aprilia

16 November 2009 by Gary Pinchin

Leon Camier is poised this week to sign for the factory Aprilia team alongside Max Biaggi. Rumours suggested the deal would be finalised today (Monday) and an official announcement would be made by Aprilia this afternoon but when MCN contacted the company to get confirmation, spokesman Daniele Tosatti said: “We are not expecting to make any announcement until the test at Misano later this...

Shane Byrne eager to get back on track

16 November 2009 by Gary Pinchin

The WSB season might only have just finished but Shane Byrne is itching to get back on track now that he’s confirmed his deal with Althea Ducati for next year. “I wish I could go and ride the new bike right now,” he told MCN. The reason for his enthusiasm is that he’ll be on the same top level equipment as new team-mate Carlos Checa. Shakey said: “The difference in 2010 is that I’ll be getting...