|  |  |  | | | | | Motorcycle News - Reviews | Photos | MotoGP | Superbike | Motocross | Supercross | Motorcycles | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: VR46 MotoGP News The MotoGP rumor mill continues to spin regarding nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi's position in 2013 MotoGP. Following two years of struggles with the Ducati Team, it appears Rossi will return to the Yamaha Factory Team, joining former teammate Jorge Lorenzo. The speculation arrives after two significant events - current Yamaha Factory Racing's Ben Spies departure from the team at the conclusion of the 2012 season, and former 500cc MotoGP rider Niall MacKenzie tweeting "Done deal! A well-known Italian will definitely be on a blue bike next year, woo hoo!" MacKenzie's tweet arrived after he allegedly observed Rossi at Yamaha Motor Europe headquarters. If Rossi fills Spies' vacant seat on the Yamaha YZR-M1, the Italian will return on a bike he helped develop throughout his seven-year tenure with factory Yamaha in the premier class. During that time, Rossi amassed 46 wins and four titles. Conversely, in the past two years with Ducati, Rossi only made it to the podium twice - third at a wet Le Mans in 2011, and second at a wet Le Mans this season. As for money, various European reports say the Audi AG-owned Ducati offered Rossi a two-year contract of around $40 million to continue on the GP12, though Yamaha will likely offer a much lower amount. Plus, there are rumors that Yamaha won't pay the high-price allegedly wanted by Rossi's crew chief, Jeremy Burgess. But Rossi will likely do whatever it takes to bring Burgess aboard. And if the rumors are true, Rossi will return with his former rival Lorenzo, who in reports said Rossi needs to be back on a "competitive bike." Rossi is supposed to make an official announcement before Indianapolis MotoGP (Aug. 17-19), which will certainly be the most covered story in 2012 MotoGP.  | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: 2012 Silverstone World Superbike For the second time in the 2012 World Superbike Championship, Liberty Racing Team Effenbert Ducati's Jakub Smrz secured the pole. The Czech's latest feat arrived Saturday at Silverstone during a soaking-wet Tissot Superpole session. Smrz, who took his first pole of 2012 World SBK at Miller Motorsports Park, posted a 2:20.810 aboard his 1198 in treacherous conditions. Joining him on the front row for Sunday's double header will be FIXI Crescent Suzuki's Leon Camier, newly-signed PATA Racing Ducati's Sylvain Guintoli and BMW Motorrad's Leon Haslam. Jakub Smrz (Liberty Racing Team Effenbert Ducati 1198) says: "I am very happy for the feeling with my bike, we have done a great job and we have been able to find the right setting adapted for the changing conditions of weather and tarmac that we have to deal with. I am very happy with the result that rewards the efforts of all and the desire to obtain important placements." The second row will be headed up by Althea Racing Ducati's Davide Giugliano, who will be joined by BMW Motorrad's Marco Melandri, Althea Racing Ducati's Carlos Checa and the man who earned seven poles so far this season, Kawasaki Racing's Tom Sykes. As for the current points leader, Aprilia Racing Team's Max Biaggi will start from the third row, the 2010 WSBK Champ qualifying 11th. 2012 Silverstone World Superbike Superpole Results:
1. Jakub Smrz (Liberty Racing Team Effenbert) Ducati 1098R 2'20.810
2. Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 2'20.846
3. Sylvain Guintoli (PATA Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 2'21.385
4. Leon Haslam (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 2'21.613
5. Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 2'21.951
6. Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) BMW S1000 RR 2'21.960
7. Carlos Checa (Althea Racing) Ducati 1098R 2'23.356
8. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'24.025
9. Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'23.777
10. Jonathan Rea (Honda World Superbike Team) Honda CBR1000RR 2'23.889
11. Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2'24.176
12. John Hopkins (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) Suzuki GSX-R1000 2'24.274
13. Maxime Berger (Team Effenbert Liberty Racing) Ducati 1098R 2'24.294
14. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2'25.260
15. Michel Fabrizio (BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet) BMW S1000 RR 2'26.137
16. Chaz Davies (ParkinGO MTC Racing) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2'26.360
17. Niccolò Canepa (Red Devils Roma) Ducati 1098R 2'06.795
18. Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia GoldBet) BMW S1000 RR 2'06.803
19. Lorenzo Zanetti (PATA Racing Team) Ducati 1098R 2'06.869
20. Hiroshi Aoyama (Honda World Superbike Team) Honda CBR1000RR 2'06.921
21. David Salom (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'08.069
22. David Johnson (Team Pedercini) Kawasaki ZX-10R 2'09.762
23. Norino Brignola (Grillini Progea Superbike Team) BMW S1000 RR 2'10.912
24. Brett McCormick (Liberty Racing Team Effenbert) Ducati 1098R 2'13.730 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: Motorcycle Legislation Buyers of on-road electric motorcycles would continue to be eligible for up to a $2,500 tax credit under a bill approved by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. On Aug. 2, the panel approved bipartisan legislation extending dozens of tax breaks, including language offered by U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) to preserve the tax credit for buying electric motorcycles designed for the street. Ron Wyden says: "Right now, companies like [electric motorcycle maker] Brammo in Oregon are keeping the American electric vehicle industry on the cutting edge. But without an extension of this tax credit for the purchase of electric motorcycles, we could be stifling this innovative new industry in its infancy." Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations, thanked his former U.S. Senate colleague for his efforts. Wayne Allard says: "This credit will benefit family-owned dealers, manufacturers and riders of motorcycles. Also, motorcycles reduce traffic and parking congestion and reduce impacts to our roads and bridges compared with automobiles and light-duty trucks. Electric motorcycles are certain to play an ever-increasing role in motorcycling." The measure now goes to the full Senate for consideration. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Click the images below for bigger versions: VR46 MotoGP News The MotoGP rumor mill continues to spin regarding nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi's position in 2013 MotoGP. Following two years of struggles with the Ducati Team, it appears Rossi will return to the Yamaha Factory Team, joining former teammate Jorge Lorenzo. The speculation arrives after two significant events - current Yamaha Factory Racing's Ben Spies departure from the team at the conclusion of the 2012 season, and former 500cc MotoGP rider Niall MacKenzie tweeting "Done deal! A well-known Italian will definitely be on a blue bike next year, woo hoo!" MacKenzie's tweet arrived after he allegedly observed Rossi at Yamaha Motor Europe headquarters. If Rossi fills Spies' vacant seat on the Yamaha YZR-M1, the Italian will return on a bike he helped develop throughout his seven-year tenure with factory Yamaha in the premier class. During that time, Rossi amassed 46 wins and four titles. Conversely, in the past two years with Ducati, Rossi only made it to the podium twice - third at a wet Le Mans in 2011, and second at a wet Le Mans this season. As for money, various European reports say the Audi AG-owned Ducati offered Rossi a two-year contract of around $40 million to continue on the GP12, though Yamaha will likely offer a much lower amount. Plus, there are rumors that Yamaha won't pay the high-price allegedly wanted by Rossi's crew chief, Jeremy Burgess. But Rossi will likely do whatever it takes to bring Burgess aboard. And if the rumors are true, Rossi will return with his former rival Lorenzo, who in reports said Rossi needs to be back on a "competitive bike." Rossi is supposed to make an official announcement before Indianapolis MotoGP (Aug. 17-19), which will certainly be the most covered story in 2012 MotoGP. | | | | | | | | | |  | |  | |  |
.jpg "Ducati's Smrz Secures Silverstone Pole")
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