WSBK news

[KUCIAR666]

WSBK news .....

Nieto Teams up With Stalker in PSG-1 Kawasaki

Team PSG-1 Kawasaki has announced the names of its riders for 2006. Chris Walker, who performed excellently last season, finishing 7th in the championship and with a 3rd place in the second race at Valencia, was always going to be confirmed.

The real news is the arrival of Spaniard Fonsi Nieto, who had a difficult time last season, first with Team SC Ducati, and then, for the last two races, with the Kawasaki of Pier Guido Pagani?s team. Determined to redeem himself, Nieto will be delighted to use the fast Ninjas of Team PSG-1 as a motorcycle test bed. Nieto is nearly 25 years old and comes from Madrid. His best placing this year was a fifth in race 2 at Phillip Island.

Team PSG-1 will also continue to compete in the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, where it will enter the 19 year old Denis Sacchetti from Cesena for the second year running.
........................................................................................................
Frankie Chili to Ride For DFX Honda For 2006

Pierfrancesco Chili and Michel Fabrizio will be team mates in next season?s World SBK. The negotiations that have centred around Chili have finally come to a positive conclusion, and the rider from Bologna will find himself guaranteed not only great sporting satisfaction but the honour of playing role model to one of Italy?s most promising young talents. The two men will join forces to ride Honda CBR 1000s. Team Honda DFXtreme is hoping that this combination of experience and youth will put them back on track after the disappointments of last season?s SBK championship. The team has reached agreement with Honda Europe and Honda Italy to boost the Japanese manufacturer?s involvement in World SBK. On the technical side, the engines will be prepared by Robby Moto Engineering under the auspices of technical manager Domenico Brigaglia.

We spoke to Pierfrancesco Chili. ?I?m delighted that everything has worked out. We?ll have a really professional organisation behind us next season so we?re determined to show what we can do. I?m very happy to have Michel riding alongside me. He?s a really talented rider, and I?m looking forward to coaching him on to even greater things. We?ll even be training together for the championship. Michel?s moving to Bologna for a few months so that we can do some riding. If everything goes as it should, we?ll be racing together in mid December, probably starting at Jerez?.

Daniele Carli (team manager) gave us his viewpoint. ?It took a lot of talking but we?ve finally reached an agreement that makes everybody happy. There are three sides to this contract, Honda Italy, who will be supporting Pierfrancesco Chili, Honda Europe who have given us the talented young Michel Fabrizio, and of course our team. We have worked really hard to satisfy the requirements of Honda Italy and Honda Europe, but at last we can be confident that the new contract will deliver the business. We?ll be up there with the top teams in World SBK next season.

We?ve put together a great mix of experience and youth. There?s nothing I need say about Chili. His career and his competitiveness speak for themselves. Fabrizio is a young rider and fresh from the world of Supersport, but both Honda and ourselves have great faith in him. He?s already proved he can do great things with superbikes. He could turn into the rightful heir to Vermeulen. We can?t wait to start practice for the 2006 championship.?

 

[KUCIAR666]

Crash injury proves fortunate for Martin

Crash injury proves fortunate for Martin

Steve Martin?s involvement in the spectacular crash at the final race
of the World Superbike season proved to be a blessing in disguise for
the Foggy PETRONAS Racing rider.

The Australian received a blow to the kidney in the five-bike shunt at
Magny-Cours, France, and further examination of the organ at a Swiss
hospital revealed the presence of a malignant tumour.

Following an operation to remove the kidney last week, Steve has now
been given the all-clear to target a comeback for the team?s test session
in Qatar in December.

Steve said: ?It was really lucky that I suffered the injury or the
tumour might have gone undetected. I didn?t feel too bad after the accident
but then started to pass blood two days later. From the start the
doctors felt there was something more to it than just the bleeding, but
didn?t say anything until an MRI scan confirmed their suspicions. It
probably wouldn?t have even bled had it not been for the tumour. When the
kidney was removed the tumour was found to be malignant so I have been
quite fortunate.

?After the accident I wanted to kiss the rider who caused the accident
with my fist, but now I want to kiss him with my lips!

?I now have to undergo regular checks but the doctors are confident
there will be no recurrence. In fact, it?s a relief that the kidney wasn?t
lost as a direct result of the accident, as that might have played on
my mind.

?I feel great and I have been assured that the loss of the kidney will
not affect my performance in any way. In fact I am keen to come back
stronger than ever.?

Steve will miss the team?s test in Valencia next week, when new
team-mate Craig Jones will have his first ride on the PETRONAS FP1.

 

[KUCIAR666]

Haga and Pitt continue with Yamaha Motor Italia in 2006

Haga and Pitt continue with Yamaha Motor Italia in 2006

Noriyuki Haga and Andrew Pitt will race for the Yamaha Motor Italia
squad in the 2006 Superbike World Championship, fulfilling the team's
desire to retain the services of both its riders from the 2005 campaign.

Both men played an important role in developing Yamaha's YZF-R1 in its
first year of world superbike competition with Japanese ace Haga
recording 10 podium finishes, including two wins, on his way to third place
in the championship. Australian Pitt ended the year eighth in the
standings with a best result of fourth in the opening race of the season in
Qatar.

The Yamaha Motor Italia squad will again benefit from the official
backing of Yamaha Motor Europe and for 2006 will use the updated YZF-R1 as
the base for their world superbike contender. Preparations for the new
season have already begun, with the first test of the 2006 season due
to take place in Valencia on 14-15 November.

Noriyuki Haga
"I wanted to stay with Yamaha as we ended the year very strongly and I
am very pleased that we have been able to agree terms. We had a good
first year together and it would have been a shame not to take advantage
of all the development work we carried out. Yamaha knows what it has to
do to make the bike into a championship winner and it was important for
me to know that I have the support needed for 2006. We came close to
winning the title in 2000 and my motivation to become champion is still
as strong as it ever was. Becoming world superbike champion is the goal
I still have to achieve and I believe that Yamaha can give me what it
takes to turn this dream into reality."

Andrew Pitt
"When I signed for last year we always knew that it would be 2006
before we could really see the benefits of our work, therefore I'm delighted
to continue with the team and hopefully take advantage of the hard work
we put in last year. I enjoy working with this team and we've seen that
the bike can be a winner. We know what we have to do to take it to the
next level and with a year's experience of the class, the bike and the
Pirelli tyres I feel that I can show my true ability next year."

Laurens Klein Koerkamp - Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe
"We were quite late in starting this project last year and I said that
our objective would be to develop the bike and put ourselves in a
situation where we were winning races by the end of the year. By the middle
of the season we were well on track, and we have shown that we can
compete with the best in the class. For 2006 we can take advantage of our
year's knowledge. We now have base settings for each circuit we race on,
a year's development work behind us and some chassis improvements from
the new YZF-R1. The team will again be run by Massimo Meregalli and
working with Andrew and Noriyuki gives us great stability. Our learning
year is over and we now know exactly what is required to challenge for
the title. It will not be easy, but ultimately it is our goal for 2006."

 

[KUCIAR666]

Byrne returns to Superbikes

Byrne returns to Superbikes

Britain's Shane Byrne looks set to quit MotoGP and return to British Superbikes next season after signing a deal with the Rizla Suzuki outfit. Byrne has struggled in the Grand Prix category ever since he joined the series in 2004 with Aprilia before switching to Team Roberts in 2005.
No confirmation has come for the team as yet, but Byrne is known to be keen to quit MotoGP after two disappointing years struggling on back-of-the-grid machinery.

 

[KUCIAR666]

Martin Finnegan signed with Team Klaffi Honda

Martin Finnegan signed with Team Klaffi Honda

Klaffi Honda will be the first World Superbike team taking part in pure road race

events for the first time since Carl Fogarty and the Moto Cinelli team took part in the 1993 North West 200.



Twenty five year old Irishman Martin Finnegan has agreed terms with Klaus Klaffenb?ck's Klaffi Honda World Superbike team for the 2006 road race season. The North West 200, the Tourist Trophy Isle of Man and the Ulster Grand Prix are on the schedule. Martin will take part in the Superbike, Supersport and Superstock races.

He is amongst the best riders at International level. This year he lapped the TT Mountain Circuit at 127.014mph to become the second fastest rider still competing at the

event behind John McGuinness.



Martin will make his debut for his new team at the upcoming Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix on the 19th of November, where he will ride a Klaffi Honda Fireblade machine. Callum Ramsey and Cameron Donald will join Martin in the team at Macau. In January 2006 Martin will also join up with the rest of the Klaffi Honda squad for a full testing schedule.



Martin Finnegan: "I can't hide how pleased I am to be joining Klaus's team. We spoke briefly at the TT this year, but since then I had offers from five team's altogether. But when Klaus came back to me with a firm offer, there was no doubt in my mind as to where I would be riding. Klaffi Honda has enjoyed a lot of success in a short space of time, and their machinery has proved to be very fast and very reliable, and we have terrific support from HRC UK. I think riding for Klaffi Honda gives me the best possible chance of achieving this ambition. This is the deal of my life and I can't quite believe that it has happened!"



Team Manager Klaus Klaffenb?ck: ?I really enjoy racing at the TT and I like the atmosphere of the real road race scene over there in the UK. I have thought about running a team at

The TT and some other events for some time, and started talking to a few riders. Martin was always top of my list however and I am delighted to be welcoming him into our team today. I am sure this is going to be a successful partnership and together we will win a lot of races. We are not going into this half heartedly, and Martin will get our full support and have access to our full team infrastructure. I want to win the TT myself in the Sidecar class, and I now want to win the Superbike races as well with our team and our new rider Martin Finnegan.?



Martin Finnegang

Age: 25

Nationality: Irish

1999 Winner Irish Junior Support Championship

2000 Winner Manx Newcomers Grand Prix

2001 ? 2004 one of Ireland?s best road racers, regularly winning at national

level

2004 Winner Irish Senior Road Race Championship

2005 TT Isle of Man ? Third

 

[KUCIAR666]

Smooth start for Jones on the FP1

Smooth start for Jones on the FP1

Foggy PETRONAS Racing?s new signing Craig Jones made his debut on the
PETRONAS FP1 during a trouble-free day of testing at Valencia, Spain,
today.

Any hopes of commencing the Pirelli-organised two day test as planned
yesterday, were ruined as continuous heavy rainfall resulted in
waterlogged and dangerous conditions. A handful of riders from the six other
World Superbike teams present took to the track for a few laps each to
?test the water?, but were unable to achieve anything valuable. So the
team decided to wait for the expected improved weather conditions today
in order for Craig to get the most from his first outing on the FP1.

Drying and bright conditions enabled the young Brit to maximise his
four hours of track time this afternoon and complete over fifty laps to
familiarise himself with the circuit and bike, making minor adjustments
to riding position comfort factors and basic bike set-up to suit his
riding style.

Craig said: ?We?ve had a trouble-free day and it?s been great to get
out there and familiarise myself with the track, the bike and how the
team works. My first impression is amazement, to feel the power of a
superbike after coming from a 600cc.

?I?m very happy with what we?ve achieved today and I feel comfy on the
bike. I?ve also found a good base setting so we?ve now got a direction
to work towards to tune the bike to my preferences in areas such as the
clutch, geometry and suspension. I could have done without my little
?off? towards the end of the day when the back end spun round on me, but
me and the bike are okay and it was good that I was able to go back out
and complete a few more laps after that.

?Although getting a good lap time wasn?t part of my plan at all, I?m
really pleased that each time I went out I was able to improve my times
and know that there?s a lot more to come. Mostly, I?ve really enjoyed
the day and had fun, so now I can?t wait to get to Qatar for our next
test.?

Team manager Jack Valentine commented: ?Considering we lost the first
day of the test due to the weather and that Craig only had four hours on
track today, I?m very happy with the day?s work. We set each of his two
bikes up with different settings so that he had two options to work
from and compare directly, and he already has a clear preference for one
of the bike set-ups. We wanted to come away from this test with Craig
feeling comfortable and happy on the bike, and having a good direction to
pursue at Qatar, and we?ve achieved both of those things. Other than a
small crash towards the end of the day which only caused minor damage
to the bike and fortunately no injury to Craig, it was a trouble-free
day. He?s also been able to steadily reduce his lap times throughout the
day and is nowhere near his limit, so we?re looking forward to what?s
to come.?

The team expect to be back to full complement for its next test at
Doha, Qatar, in December, when Steve Martin returns to the FP1 seat
following his recovery from surgery a few weeks ago.

 

[roXXo]

Dziekuje!

Good posts my przyjaciel Polski

:beer:

 

[KUCIAR666]

Good posts my przyjaciel Polski

:beer:

You are welcome roXXo where did you learn that????? Now I know that some of you reading those threads.......

 

[roXXo]

Greetings

On line dictionary :blush:


My eldest son Gareth has his own rock band, Cloneromeo.
He has been touring Europe since October 11th. He is due home Dec. 2nd.

He is based in Dresden and playing all over Germany. He has played in Sweden, Austria, Czech Rep, Netherlands
and this week will be in Poland.

15th Rotunda Club Krakow
16th Gugalander Katowice
17th Gumowa Roza Wroclaw

www.cloneromeo.com

www.myspace.com/cloneromeo

Near where I live in the north of England we have a large Polish community. I have 2 Polish friends, Ed Wolski and Richard Sapinski.

:beer:

 

[KUCIAR666]

He he he online dictionary not bad
BTW all those clubs are very very good, many polish bands play there.. your sone for sure will meet lot of great people in Poland.....and Krakow lol lol its lovely city , if he like history there are lot of museams, landmarks like very femous Wawel the Royal Castle and Cathedral,Old town,Grand Square,Town Hall Tower etc.........ofcourse there are many pubs and disco clubs too :-:
If you want read about Krakow




........................................................................................................
Influences :Motley Crue, Kiss, Prince, Michael Jackson, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Chris Cornell, Beatles, Avenged Sevenfold, Smashing Pumpkins, Reuben.


Great bands!!!!!! Its shame then I can see your boy on the stage c7u8

 

[KUCIAR666]

Yamaha Motor Italia test in Valencia

Yamaha Motor Italia test in Valencia

Yamaha Motor Italia riders Noriyuki Haga and Andrew Pitt were on track
yesterday at a two day test at Valencia circuit, arranged by
championship tyre supplier Pirelli for its official development teams.

Running time was limited after Monday's action was washed out due to
heavy rain. Pitt was one of only four riders to brave the conditions,
completing just a handful of laps on the slippery surface.

Day two saw the arrival of sunshine but the track failed to dry out in
the morning, leaving just three hours of dry running. Both riders ran
their R1s in virtually the same specification they finished the 2005
season with, the main evolutions being updated Ohlins suspension, which
was tested for the first time, and some new specification tyres from
Pirelli.

Despite the limited running time, both riders were comfortably faster
than their times from April's race. Haga concluded the test with the
fourth fastest time of the 12 riders present, a 1'36"6, while Pitt was
seventh fastest with a 1'37"2. Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati) was fastest overall
with a 1'35.7.

Team Coordinator Massimo Meregalli commented: "The bad weather reduced
the time available and we were only able to get through a small amount
of the work we'd planned. However it went well and this test has given
us the opportunity to work with three new team members and for them to
become familiar with our working practices. Next we have a test in
Qatar early next month where we hope to have more track time. We ended the
2005 championship growing in confidence and for 2006 our intention is
to be one of the main challengers for the championship title."

 

[KUCIAR666]

RAINY DEBUT FOR BAYLISS AND LANZI (DUCATI XEROX TEAM) IN
VALENCIA TESTING

Valencia (Spain), Monday 14 November 2005: Troy Bayliss and Lorenzo Lanzi encountered cold and rainy conditions today on their first outing for the 2006 Ducati Xerox Team at Valencia as the first of two days of Pirelli winter testing for the top World Superbike squads was hit by bad weather.

The 36 year-old Australian was scheduled to ride the 999, after a three-year absence from the World Superbike championship. The track and weather conditions today however were such that the team decided to keep Troy in the garage all day, hoping that the weather clears up tomorrow, in order to minimize any risk of further injury to his left wrist, which is still recovering from a motocross accident in September

Lorenzo Lanzi, who has already had a stint in Ducati Xerox colours this year in the German Round at the Lausitzring, where he won race 2, completed 38 laps in the wet conditions. The 24-year-old Italian was quickest out of the few riders who dared venture onto the track in the wet, with a time of 1m54.5s..

Ducati Xerox team manager, Davide Tardozzi commented: ?Unfortunately it rained today, but we used the time to help Lorenzo regain confidence in the wet. He did a great job, was very methodical and managed to achieve some good times at the end of the day. As for Troy, we preferred not to risk it. Tomorrow morning we?ll decide what to do.?

The Valencia test runs into its second and final day tomorrow Tuesday

POSITIVE DEBUT FOR DUCATI XEROX TEAM?S 2006 RIDERS - LANZI AND BAYLISS SET QUICKEST TIMES AT VALENCIA

Valencia (Spain), Tuesday 15 November 2005: The Ducati Xerox Team?s 2006 riders Troy Bayliss and Lorenzo Lanzi finally got down to some dry-weather running as the conditions improved on the second and final day of Pirelli tyre testing for the top World Superbike teams at Valencia.

The two Ducati Xerox Team riders for 2006 set the quickest times over the two-day test, thus completing their official debut for the Italian factory team.

After yesterday?s wash-out, when few riders ventured out onto the track in the wet, conditions were much improved today and Troy was able to ride his Ducati 999 for the first time, together with new team-mate Lorenzo Lanzi.

Bayliss proved himself to be in perfect harmony with the new bike, and the 36 year-old Australian completed 49 laps to get used to a Ducati Superbike again after a three-year gap. Despite a still not entirely healed left wrist following a motocross accident in September, Troy was immediately on the pace and his time of 1m36.1s was good enough for second position behind Lanzi.

?It was a really good day? declared Troy, ?and I was surprised how well my wrist stood up. I had a bit of pain on the brakes and when I pushed on the bars, but I still set some good lap times. I was really comfortable with the team and the bike felt like my old armchair! Now I just want to go away and get stronger and fitter for Qatar in three weeks time.?

After yesterday?s debut in the wet, when he set quickest time, Lorenzo Lanzi continued to impress on the other Ducati Xerox 999. The 24-year-old Italian, winner of two races in his debut year in Superbike, repeated his form today, setting quickest time in 1m35.7s.

?I am really pleased with my performance in these two days? commented Lanzi. ?I did 38 laps yesterday and 57 today and I was the quickest overall, even though my motivation is still not at 100%. I like the 999 with the new suspension developments and the tyres as well, and yesterday we also had a good opportunity to lap in the wet, so I?m satisfied.?

The Ducati Xerox Team?s next and final testing session this year is scheduled for December 4-6 in the Gulf state of Qatar, the venue for the opening round of next year?s championship.

UNOFFICIAL TIMES (courtesy of Pirelli): 1. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 1m35.7s; 2. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1m36.1s; 3. Kagayama (Suzuki) 1m36.3s; 4. Haga (Yamaha) 1m36.6s; 5. Muggeridge (Honda) 1m36.9s; 6. Walker (Kawasaki) 1m37.0s; 7. Pitt (Yamaha) 1m37.2s; 8. Nieto (Kawasaki) 1m37.3s; 9. Toseland (Honda) 1m37.5s; 10. Laconi (Kawasaki) 1m39.7s.

 

[KUCIAR666]

Nakatomi joins three-man Yamaha Motor France squad

Yamaha Motor France will enter the 2006 Superbike World Championship
with a three-rider line-up that sees former Japanese 250cc champion
Shinichi Nakatomi join the team's 2005 riders Norick Abe and Sebastien
Gimbert.

Twenty-seven-year-old Nakatomi is an experienced R1 pilot, having
ridden for Yamaha's YSP Racing Team in the Suzuka Eight-hour and Japanese
JSB1000 championship since switching to four-strokes in 2003. Having
never raced outside his native Japan, Nakatomi is looking forward to the
adventure of racing in the world championships, experiencing the western
culture and racing the YZF-R1 at world level.

Yamaha Motor France's squad will again be run by experienced tuner
Martial Garcia, whose company is responsible, in conjunction with Yamaha's
Japanese headquarters, for the development of Yamaha's YEC racing kit
parts development programme for the YZF-R1 and YZF-R6. The team expects
to use these parts as the base of their 2006 machines and will use the
series as well as an opportunity to test and develop the 2007 range of
customer race parts.

Completing the squad are Abe and Gimbert, both of whom are looking to
improve on their Superbike rookie seasons in 2005. Experienced Grand
Prix rider Abe ended his first superbike season in 13th place but, having
learned the circuits and the characteristics of the YZF-R1 and
championship controlled Pirelli tyres, is looking to become a regular feature
in the battle for podium finishes in 2006. Gimbert suffered an
injury-plagued 2005 campaign but showed his speed early in the year with a lap
record in Qatar and a sixth place in Valencia. The Frenchman will again
also feature in Yamaha Motor France's squad at the classic 24-hour
races of Le Mans and Bol d'Or.

Shinichi Nakatomi
"Although I still haven't finished the big task of winning the
All-Japan JSB1000 title on the YZF-R1, I am going to start a new next season in
world superbike and try to focus everything I have learned over the
past three years with Yamaha and do the best I can. I don't intend to use
my first year in the championship just as a year for learning. I intend
to go out there and race aggressively, and I hope to be up there in the
race for the championship."

Norick Abe
"This year was my first season racing in the world superbike series and
there was a lot that I had to learn. But now, with this season of
experience behind me, I am anxious to work on improving the things I wasn't
able to do in the off-season and during the season this year so that I
can approach the coming season better prepared. Our overseas tests will
begin in December and my first aim is to do the best preparation
possible during these tests."

Sebastien Gimbert
"I am looking forward to a second year in world superbikes and also
staying with the Yamaha Motor France team. My leg injury weakened my
performances last season but now I am fully fit and feeling strong. The
experiences of myself and the team will allow us to go to each circuit with
invaluable knowledge and I believe that we can give a greater
representation of our abilities."

Profile Shinichi Nakatomi
Nationality: Japanese
Born: Oct. 30, 1978 (27)


Racing career
1996: Champion of the Kyushu Championships GP250cc class
1997: 15th in All Japan Championships 250cc class
1998: 11th in All Japan Championships 250cc class
Champion of Western Japan Championships 250cc class
1999: 4th in All Japan Championships 250cc class
2000: Champion of All Japan Championships 250cc class
2001: 11th in All Japan Championships 250cc class
2002: 8th in All Japan Championships 250cc class
2003: 6th in All Japan Championships JSB1000 class
2004: 3rd in All Japan Championships JSB1000 class
2005: 4th in All Japan Championships JSB1000 class

 

[KUCIAR666]

Toseland Signs for Winston Ten Kate Honda

James Toseland will ride for the Winston Ten Kate Honda team in the 2006 World Superbike championship after agreeing terms with Gerrit and Ronald ten Kate in Holland last Saturday (22 October).

The 25-year-old British rider from Sheffield, who will be renewing his working relationship with Honda after five years with Ducati, was World Superbike champion in 2004 and finished fourth in this year?s series.


Ronald ten Kate ? team manager:

?We are absolutely delighted to have secured James?s services for next year?s World Superbike campaign with Winston and Honda. It?ll be our third year in the series and 2006 probably represents our best opportunity to win the title and add to our four consecutive World Supersport championships. Last year was really a toe in the water for us and I think that this year, with a little more luck earlier in the season, Chris Vermeulen would have had a strong chance of winning the title. James fits exactly what we are looking for in a rider ? he?s young, talented and highly motivated. We are really looking forward to bringing the best out of him and, in the conversations that we?ve had, I can see how eager he is to get on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade. His career started with Honda and it?ll be good to get him winning with Honda again. I know he will fit into the team extremely well and the guys are really looking forward to working with him.?



James Toseland:

?It?s sometimes an over-used expression but I?m just over the moon to be riding with the Winston Ten Kate Honda team for next year. It?s been a stressful couple of weeks but now we?ve done the deal I just can?t wait to get on the bike. I?ve had a good five years with Ducati but now I feel I?m really moving onwards and upwards, as well as coming home to Honda. We all saw in last year?s World Superbike debut season for the Ten Kate team that they had a really strong package with the Fireblade that turned them into championship contenders at the end of the season. I?ve watched the bikes on the track this year ? particularly racing against Karl Muggeridge at Magny-Cours ? and you can see how much development work they?ve done. Four consecutive World Supersport championships with four different riders show how strong and consistent the team can be. We all know how powerful the Ten Kate engines are and I?m really excited about helping to continue developing the chassis as well. I visited the team?s workshop in Holland over the weekend and it really is very impressive. They?re totally switched on and it?s obvious that they?re doing this to win. I can?t wait to start working with them and I?m very excited about becoming part of that famous Ten Kate racing ?family?.?



James Toseland

Date of birth: 5 October 1980
Place of birth: Sheffield, United Kingdom
Status: Single
Height/weight: 1.75m/75kg
Hobbies: training, playing piano

Career highlights

1989-1993: Trials
1992: Junior motocross
1994: 125cc Yamaha
1995: Junior road racing championship
1996: British Superteen championship ? final position 11th
1997: Honda CB500 Cup ? champion
1997: British Supersport championship (Honda) ? final position 3rd
1998: World Supersport championship (Honda) ? final position 18th
1999: World Supersport championship (Honda) ? final position 11th
2000: British Superbike championship (Honda) ? final position 12th
2001: World Superbike championship (Ducati) ? final position 13th
2002: World Superbike championship (Ducati) ? final position 7th
2003: World Superbike championship (Ducati) ? final position 3rd
2004: World Superbike championship (Ducati) ? champion
2005: World Superbike championship (Ducati) ? final position 4th

Weather and lap times improve in Valencia
Day two of the Pirelli SBK test saw a distinct improvement in the weather after rain and low temperatures affected the Ricardo Tormo circuit near Valencia in Spain yesterday. Winston Ten Kate Honda?s Karl Muggeridge took to the 4km circuit ? his first time back on the Honda CBR1000RR after his dramatic crash in the final race of the 2005 World Superbike championship at Magny-Cours in France.

After 30 laps yesterday, Muggeridge?s new team-mate, James Toseland, spent a more productive day familiarising himself with the Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR in readiness for his debut with the team at the first round of the 2006 series in Qatar next February.


Ronald ten Kate ? team manager:

?I?m happy that we?ve had a day in which we?ve been able to complete a lot of laps with both riders. With Karl, we?ve tested quite a few parts and tyres while James has simply been getting used to his new machine. He?s developed a good approach by making longer runs and every time he goes out he?s getting to know the CBR1000RR?s characteristics better. Of course, he?s not fully used to it yet but a positive sign for me is that I see him with a constant smile on his face. We will build on today?s progress in our next outing at Qatar in three weeks.?


Karl Muggeridge ? best time 1m36.9s

?We haven?t really touched the bike at all today; just trying some new braking components and lots of different front tyres, although there doesn?t seem to be a lot of difference between them. Physically, I?m not in bad shape after the crash in France. My foot and ribs seem to have healed pretty well but my neck is sore. I twisted my back in the crash and my spine is out of alignment so I?m going back to Australia on Monday and I?ll try to get myself straightened out before Qatar. There?s a positive mood in the team and it?s good to have James on board, so we?re all looking forward to some more good testing and the start of next season.?



James Toseland ? best time 1m37.5s:

?It?s gone really well today. The bike?s not doing anything it shouldn?t and I?m just gradually getting used to it. There?s plenty of time to get some more testing in and plenty more to learn about the bike, which we haven?t changed at all really. I?m just getting more familiar with it and more comfortable on it each time I go out. I?ll do some more training before we go to Qatar and make a lot more progress there hopefully. The team structure is really sound and we?re working well together. But until I get more of a genuine feeling for the bike there?s not much useful feedback I can give. The bike feels excellent so far though, and I?m really looking forward to the start of the season.?

 

[Oldbull]

Regis Laconni has joined Chris Walker and his mate in a 3 man kwack team c7u8

 

[Cruser]

Now I know that some of you reading those threads.......

Take a look at the views this thread has got - 133 views at the last count!! Quite a few people are reading, just not posting replies! Keep 'em coming!