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Welcome to the new B.I.R.D. Forum. Please be sure to read the "New Member / New Registered ? Please Read" thread in the Coffee Shop. This contains some important information. To become a full member ( £5.90 a year ) simply click on your user name near the top on the right I hope you enjoy the new site ................ Jaws ( John )
WSBK news
- Thread starter KUCIAR666
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KUCIAR666
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Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team unveiled at Hangar-7
The famous Hangar-7 facility in Salzburg, Austria, provided the stunning backdrop for the unveiling of the Red Bull Honda World Superbike team, which will charge into the 2017 WorldSBK season with Nicky Hayden and Stefan Bradl riding the brand-new Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.
Centre stage were the two riders and their machines sporting the world-famous Red Bull logo and colours. Representatives from the international media, Honda Motor Europe, sponsors, technical partners and WorldSBK organiser Dorna attended the much-anticipated event which heralded an exciting collaboration between Honda and Red Bull.
The event was watched live by fans and motorsport enthusiasts around the world, who tuned in to the action via the new www.RedBull-Honda.com website and the HondaProRacing Facebook Page.
Red Bull, the world’s leading energy drink company and for decades a key player in motorsports and action-sports, now enters the World Superbike paddock for the first time as a team title partner.
Taking the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team colours to the track on board the all-new 2017 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 machine will be the World Champion duo of Nicky Hayden and Stefan Bradl.
Crowned MotoGP™ World Champion in 2006 with Honda when he was in the Red Bull stable, Hayden had a very positive rookie WorldSBK season last year, with one race win and four podium finishes. Stefan Bradl, Moto2 World Champion in 2011 and long-time Red Bull athlete, has already shown great speed during winter testing on the Fireblade, and is now looking forward to this exciting new challenge.
Nicky Hayden 69
It’s a new year with a new bike, new title partner and new team mate, so there are definitely many changes ahead and a lot of things to look forward to. This is my second year in World Superbike so I hope to take the experience I made last year and take it up to the next level. I’m really glad to get back together with Red Bull, who I have represented in the past, and it’s a great opportunity for me. We have to focus now on the job ahead and work as hard as we can in order to be ready for the season opener. The level of the competition is higher than ever and we have a big job ahead of us, but everybody is really motivated and I cannot wait to get started.
Stefan Bradl 6
I’m really looking forward to the new season! It’s a whole new experience for me, and a new championship where I’ve never raced before. It’s going to be a very interesting partnership with Honda and Red Bull, which is undoubtedly an amazing brand, and one that has been supporting me for my whole racing career. I’m really happy to be a Red Bull athlete and even happier now that it has also become the team’s title partner. We have the chance to represent the brand in each and every event all around the world, so I’m really excited about that. We have a new Fireblade for the season, so it will take a little bit of time to dial it in but we’ll do our best to take it to the top as soon as possible. All in all it’s a great project and step by step we will make it a successful one.
Marco Chini
Honda's WorldSBK Operations Manager
This new season comes with a lot of anticipation for several good reasons: we have a new title partner in Red Bull, we will field the new Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 and put it in the hands of two incredibly gifted and experienced in Nicky Hayden and Stefan Bradl. We are all extremely motivated for this new chapter and committed to battle at the sharp end of the field. I would like to personally thank all sponsors, partners and everyone involved for helping make all of this possible. I’m confident that 2017 is going to be a great year for the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team.
Ronald ten Kate
Honda WorldSBK team manager
This new season comes with a lot of anticipation for several good reasons: we have a new title partner in Red Bull, we will field the new Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 and put it in the hands of two incredibly gifted and experienced in Nicky Hayden and Stefan Bradl. We are all extremely motivated for this new chapter and committed to battle at the sharp end of the field. I would like to personally thank all sponsors, partners and everyone involved for helping make all of this possible. I’m confident that 2017 is going to be a great year for the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team.
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KUCIAR666
Registered User
Kawasaki Racing Team Reboot At Barcelona Launch
The official 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship entry from KHI, the Kawasaki Racing Team, was unveiled in central Barcelona today, 9th February, with a full spectrum of sponsors, partners and media in attendance, at the very beginning of what has been described as a ‘reboot’ for Kawasaki’s most prestigious involvement in road racing.
The official 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship entry from KHI, the Kawasaki Racing Team, was unveiled in central Barcelona today, 9th February, with a full spectrum of sponsors, partners and media in attendance, at the very beginning of what has been described as a ‘reboot’ for Kawasaki’s most prestigious involvement in road racing.
KUCIAR666
Registered User
Lowes Extends Yamaha WorldSBK Contract for 2018 Season
Yamaha Motor Europe are delighted to announce that Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team's Alex Lowes has agreed a one-year extension to his contract that will see him stay with the team for the 2018 FIM Superbike World Championship. Lowes signed with Yamaha in 2016 on their return to the championship and the 26-year-old British rider was delighted to agree his continued partnership with Pata Yamaha shortly after the recent Laguna Seca round. The progress made by the team has been highlighted by Lowes' two podiums in 2017 and his current fifth place in the championship standings. Lowes will continue his partnership with teammate Michael van der Mark for the 2018 season, with the duo having just returned from completing a historic hat-trick of victories at legendary Suzuka 8 Hours with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team.
Lowes has been an integral part of Yamaha's return to the WorldSBK championship since 2016 and has played a significant role in the development of the WorldSBK-spec R1. Impressing with his raw pace in 2016, Lowes has added consistency and podiums to his record in 2017. His spectacular performance at his home race at Donington Park, where he blasted through the field from last place to third, was a particular highlight so far in 2017 for the British rider and he is looking forward to continuing the progress he and the Pata Yamaha squad have made in 2018.
Lowes was also part of the Yamaha Factory Racing Team, alongside teammate Michael van der Mark and All-Japan Superbike Championship rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga, that recently completed a hat-trick of wins at the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race. Not only did the team emerge victorious in the race but Lowes also smashed the lap record by over a second by setting a 2:06.912, showcasing his outright pace along with incredible consistency. It was the second time in a row the former British Superbike Champion has stood on the top step of the podium at Suzuka, having also won in 2016 with the Factory Racing Team.
Van der Mark will line up alongside Lowes in the Pata Yamaha Team for the second year in succession as he enters the second year of his two-year contract, keeping the Suzuka winning teammates together for another season. The former World Supersport Champion has impressed in his debut season on the Yamaha by putting in some very strong performances, including leading the race in Misano for 13-laps before a tyre failure robbed him of the chance of victory. The 24-year-old Dutch rider has three top four finishes to his name and is currently seventh in the championship standings with 129 points, just 19 behind his teammate Lowes.
Having secured their rider line-up for the 2018 season, the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team are fully motivated to return to action after the summer break, for Round 9 of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship at the Lausitzring on the 18th-20th August.
Alex Lowes
Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team
"I am really happy to continue with Yamaha and the Pata Yamaha Team into 2018. I feel part of the Yamaha family and this year I believe I have made a step up from last season. I want to keep improving and to get to where I, Yamaha and the R1 belong, which is challenging at the front of WorldSBK, so this is my goal and mission. I want to say a massive thank you for the faith Yamaha Motor Europe and the whole team have shown in me, and I look forward to repaying them with results!"
Andrea Dosoli
Road Racing Project Manager - Yamaha Motor Europe
"We're really pleased to confirm both riders for the coming season, the project is going in the right direction and step by step we're closing the gap to the top competitors. Being able to count on the same talented riders is fundamental for further development, as continuity is a key factor in motorsport, so we are really happy that Alex has accepted to extend the agreement for another season. We started together in a mid/long term project and the recent Suzuka 8 Hours result is another positive step on a path that will reach maturity in 2018. Michael is improving his understanding of the R1 and of the team race by race, he is becoming a fundamental part of the Yamaha Family and the 2018 season will offer him the possibility to consistently express his great talent. Let's now focus on the remaining races of the 2017 season as we still have a lot of work to do!"
Alex Lowes Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team
KUCIAR666
Registered User
Lowes Extends Yamaha WorldSBK Contract for 2018 Season
Yamaha Motor Europe are delighted to announce that Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team's Alex Lowes has agreed a one-year extension to his contract that will see him stay with the team for the 2018 FIM Superbike World Championship. Lowes signed with Yamaha in 2016 on their return to the championship and the 26-year-old British rider was delighted to agree his continued partnership with Pata Yamaha shortly after the recent Laguna Seca round. The progress made by the team has been highlighted by Lowes' two podiums in 2017 and his current fifth place in the championship standings. Lowes will continue his partnership with teammate Michael van der Mark for the 2018 season, with the duo having just returned from completing a historic hat-trick of victories at legendary Suzuka 8 Hours with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team.
Lowes has been an integral part of Yamaha's return to the WorldSBK championship since 2016 and has played a significant role in the development of the WorldSBK-spec R1. Impressing with his raw pace in 2016, Lowes has added consistency and podiums to his record in 2017. His spectacular performance at his home race at Donington Park, where he blasted through the field from last place to third, was a particular highlight so far in 2017 for the British rider and he is looking forward to continuing the progress he and the Pata Yamaha squad have made in 2018.
Lowes was also part of the Yamaha Factory Racing Team, alongside teammate Michael van der Mark and All-Japan Superbike Championship rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga, that recently completed a hat-trick of wins at the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race. Not only did the team emerge victorious in the race but Lowes also smashed the lap record by over a second by setting a 2:06.912, showcasing his outright pace along with incredible consistency. It was the second time in a row the former British Superbike Champion has stood on the top step of the podium at Suzuka, having also won in 2016 with the Factory Racing Team.
Van der Mark will line up alongside Lowes in the Pata Yamaha Team for the second year in succession as he enters the second year of his two-year contract, keeping the Suzuka winning teammates together for another season. The former World Supersport Champion has impressed in his debut season on the Yamaha by putting in some very strong performances, including leading the race in Misano for 13-laps before a tyre failure robbed him of the chance of victory. The 24-year-old Dutch rider has three top four finishes to his name and is currently seventh in the championship standings with 129 points, just 19 behind his teammate Lowes.
Having secured their rider line-up for the 2018 season, the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team are fully motivated to return to action after the summer break, for Round 9 of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship at the Lausitzring on the 18th-20th August.
Alex Lowes
Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team
"I am really happy to continue with Yamaha and the Pata Yamaha Team into 2018. I feel part of the Yamaha family and this year I believe I have made a step up from last season. I want to keep improving and to get to where I, Yamaha and the R1 belong, which is challenging at the front of WorldSBK, so this is my goal and mission. I want to say a massive thank you for the faith Yamaha Motor Europe and the whole team have shown in me, and I look forward to repaying them with results!"
Andrea Dosoli
Road Racing Project Manager - Yamaha Motor Europe
"We're really pleased to confirm both riders for the coming season, the project is going in the right direction and step by step we're closing the gap to the top competitors. Being able to count on the same talented riders is fundamental for further development, as continuity is a key factor in motorsport, so we are really happy that Alex has accepted to extend the agreement for another season. We started together in a mid/long term project and the recent Suzuka 8 Hours result is another positive step on a path that will reach maturity in 2018. Michael is improving his understanding of the R1 and of the team race by race, he is becoming a fundamental part of the Yamaha Family and the 2018 season will offer him the possibility to consistently express his great talent. Let's now focus on the remaining races of the 2017 season as we still have a lot of work to do!"
KUCIAR666
Registered User
Takahashi to race with the Red Bull Honda World Superbike team at Portimão and Jerez
The Red Bull Honda World Superbike team is pleased to announce that 27-year-old Japanese rider Takumi Takahashi will be racing alongside full-time rider Stefan Bradl in the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship at the Portimão and Jerez rounds.
Takahashi, who is an official test rider of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), has a vast experience with the CBR1000RR Fireblade, winning the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race three times with the Fireblade in 2010, 2013 and 2014 and also in the JSB1000 class of the MFJ All-Japan Road Race Championship Series (JRR) where he rides for the MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO. Honda team.
This year, Takahashi has won the first two rounds of the All-Japan Superbike Championship on board the all-new Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2, and he is currently second in the Championship standings, five points behind the leader.
Takahashi’s vast experience will help Honda and the team in their ongoing development of the WorldSBK-spec version of the new CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.
Marco Chini
Honda's WorldSBK Operations Manager
We are happy to welcome Takumi-san into the team and are looking forward to seeing him on track at Portimão and Jerez. He is a very talented rider and this year has really stepped up his game; he is definitely among the quickest riders in Japan. Honda has always had an extremely high regard of his skills as a racer and test rider, and his long-term experience with the Fireblade will surely help the team and Honda to have a clearer idea of the current package in order to plan future developments.
- Honda Motor Europe
Takumi Takahashi
I’m honoured, as a rider who has continuously fought to race on the world stage, that my achievements and experience have been recognized, and I have been given the opportunity to race in the World Superbike Championship. I’ll use all of the experience I’ve gained racing the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 in the All-Japan championship to aim high and contribute to the team. I’d like to ride my best in front of the world’s Superbike fans, so I hope they’ll look forward to seeing me.
- Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team
KUCIAR666
Registered User
Stefan Bradl to miss the final two rounds of the 2017 WorldSBK season
Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team’s Stefan Bradl will miss the remaining two rounds of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship. The 27-year-old German highsided in the early stages of race one at Portimão on September 16th and was forced to miss the second encounter due to strong pain in his right wrist.
Following extensive medical checks back home in Augsburg, Germany, and being diagnosed with a torn scaphulonate ligament, Bradl underwent arthroscopy surgery on Thursday, September 28th, in which doctors inserted pins and wire to put back the two sides of the torn ligament in position – so that the healing process can begin. A seven-week full rest of the right forearm has been ordered by the group of doctors who performed the surgery, with a total of eight weeks required before Stefan will be able to begin with physiotherapy.
On October 11th, a new evaluation of Bradl’s wrist condition will be made in order to determine the exact date for the second surgery, in which pins and wire will be removed.
The team has not yet determined Bradl’s replacement rider for the remaining two rounds of the season.
Stefan Bradl 6
Obviously it’s quite a difficult time for me, as it’s hard to come to terms with the fact that I won’t be able to race for the rest of the season. I have to stay positive, though, and try to do everything needed to make sure that my hand and wrist are fully healed. Rest is now priority number one for the healing process. Luck hasn’t been on our side this year, but I couldn’t imagine that the consequences of my crash in Portimão were going to be so severe. I want to thank everybody who worked with me this year: it hasn’t been an easy one, not only from the sporting side but also for the tragedy we all had to endure early on. There’s not much I can do right now, but I will follow the races on TV and support the team from here.
- Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team
Marco Chini
Honda's WorldSBK Operations Manager
First of all, we want to with Stefan a speedy and full recovery, because that’s the most important thing. We felt things were going in the right direction at Portimão and we enjoyed seeing him improve his feeling and his speed on board the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2, so that’s a real pity that we cannot have his talent by our side in the remaining rounds of the season. Jerez and Losail were two tracks he knew well, so we were looking forward to seeing him perform there. We will follow his recovery as we head into the last leg of the season.
- Honda Motor Europe
KUCIAR666
Registered User
Camier joins Honda for the 2018 FIM Superbike World Championship
Honda Motor Europe and the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team are pleased to announce the signing of Leon Camier, who will join the squad for the 2018 FIM Superbike World Championship. The 31-year-old from Ashford, Kent, United Kingdom, will be riding the WorldSBK-spec version of the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 throughout the upcoming season.
British Superbike champion in 2009, Camier joined WorldSBK on a full-time basis the following year and since then he established himself as one of the most talented and quickest riders in the field. Over the years, Camier has also gathered a wealth of experience by racing on several different machines, and his combination of speed, experience and determination will be a huge asset to the team.
Camier will join the team at the end of the current season to start the winter testing programme on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2.
Marco Chini
Honda's WorldSBK Operations Manager
We’re extremely happy to have Leon on board for the upcoming WorldSBK season. He’s a great talent and an extremely professional rider, so I’m sure it will be a pleasure to work with him. We’re confident that his expertise will help us raise the performance of the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 to a whole new level so we’re looking forward to the new challenge. Right now, however, there’s still a season to complete, so we are fully concentrated on the remaining rounds in order to improve our package and finish the year on a high note.
- Honda Motor Europe
KUCIAR666
Registered User
GUINTOLI JOINS KAWASAKI PUCCETTI FOR FINAL WORLDSBK ROUNDS
2014 FIM Superbike World Champion Sylvain Guintoli will join the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Team for the final two rounds of the 2017 WorldSBK season, starting this coming weekend at Jerez de la Frontera in Spain.
Having just completed a season in the British Superbike Championship the French rider has decided to make his return into the WorldSBK paddock with the Reggio Emilia based Kawasaki Puccetti Racing squad.
Guintoli, who rode for many years in both 250cc Grands Prix and MotoGP, before winning nine WorldSBK races and subsequently the title itself, will make his comeback on two track layouts – Jerez and Losail - that he knows very well. This will also be his first ever experience riding a Kawasaki machine in WorldSBK.
Sylvain Guintoli, stated: “I am very happy to be back in the FIM Superbike World Championship for the last two rounds of the season. Jerez and Doha are fantastic race tracks and I have many memories related to these layouts. I can’t wait to try the ZX-10RR machine and I would like to thank both Manuel and Kawasaki for this great opportunity.”
Manuel Puccetti, Team Principal, stated: “We are really happy to have a top rider as Sylvain on our bike for the final stages of the season. Guintoli is a strong rider with a great experience as he was riding in MotoGP for many years. We hope that the team will grow even more thanks to his work.”
KUCIAR666
Registered User
Triple M Racing steps up to WorldSBK as official Honda satellite team in 2018
Honda Motor Europe is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with Triple M Racing to run a third Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 machine in the 2018 FIM Superbike World Championship.
Triple M Racing will therefore be the satellite team of Honda in the upcoming edition of the series, which will be contested over thirteen rounds. The 2018 season starts on February 25th at Australia’s Phillip Island Circuit, with the finale scheduled on October 27th under the floodlights of the Losail International Circuit in Qatar.
The team has been a constant presence within the World Superbike paddock since 2013 by racing in the Superstock 1000 category. As a natural step in the continuing growing effort and investment within motorcycle racing through the years, team owner Matthias Moser has decided to take the team up to the main class of production-based motorcycle racing and to do so with Honda, the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturer.
Matthias Moser
Team Owner
I feel very honoured and pleased that my team, Triple M Racing, has been selected by Honda as their official satellite team to compete in the Superbike World Championship. I am convinced that the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 has a great potential and that we can help to demonstrate its competitiveness on the track in 2018 and beyond.
- Triple M Racing
Marco Chini
Honda's WorldSBK Operations Manager
We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Triple M Racing into the Honda family and look forward to working with them in the World Superbike class. We’re also honoured that Matthias has decided to choose Honda as the manufacturer to make this important step into the series with. Triple M Racing is a strong team built on high professionalism and healthy ambition, and driven by the same goal of success that defines our brand.
- Honda Motor Europe