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2013 MotoGP World Championship, Indianapolis USA, Round 10 of 18
A Masterful Marquez Dominates at Indy MotoGP Indianapolis, Indiana, USA August 16-18th, 2013 - Repsol Honda RC213V riders Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa finished first and second at today’s Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix at the iconic “Brickyard”, resuming the interrupted racing season in the best possible form as both increase their world championship points lead over closest rival Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha), third today. It was a third win in succession for 20-year-old class rookie Marc Marquez, who had won the last two Moto2 races here in 2011 and 2012, en route to the 2012 Championship. It gave him a three-out-of-three hat-trick in the USA. He won round two in Austin, Texas in April, then the US GP at Laguna Seca before the summer break.
Marquez now leads the Word Championship by 21 points, the youngest rider ever to do so – just one of many records the Spanish rider has smashed in his maiden MotoGP season. With two more races in the next two weekends, the contest is reaching a crescendo. Marquez now has 188 points to Pedrosa’s 167, with Lorenzo losing ground on 153.
Marques Shatters Lap Record to Qualify on Pole Qualifying, Saturday Aug 17th - Marc Marquez continued his domination of the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix weekend by claiming a spectacular pole position on Saturday, beating the previous pole record by over eight tenths of a second. The Repsol Honda Team rider will share Sunday’s front row with his closest title rivals, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa. The fight at the end of Q2 was be to be thrilling, but Marquez’s eventual effort of 1’37.958 sees him claim pole by the huge margin of half a second. Behind, just fractions separated positions two to four which are filled by Yamaha Factory Racing’s Lorenzo and Repsol Honda’s Pedrosa – both still recovering from crashes at previous events – as well as Monster Yamaha Tech3’s Cal Crutchlow.
Alvaro Bautista delivered a solid lap for a top five grid spot on the GO&FUN Honda Gresini machine, sealing a second row placing as American Nicky Hayden led Ducati Team’s charge from sixth. Behind Tech3’s Bradley Smith who will start seventh, the biggest disappointment arguably came for LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl who had been inside the top three in all but one of the practice sessions; the German’s session was ruined by a crash at Turn 1 and he will start the race from eighth place.
Completing the top ten and frustrated to be behind several satellite riders were 2008 race winner Valentino Rossi (Yamaha Factory Racing) and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), while Energy T.I. Pramac Racing’s Andrea Iannone was 11th. Having moved into the shootout for the first time this season, Colin Edwards – the second American on this weekend’s grid – went on to qualify 12th for NGM Mobile Forward Racing. Missing Q2 for only the second time was Power Electronic Aspar’s Aleix Espargaro, who is the leading CRT representative in the standings, but bruised both hands when crashing in Free Practice 4; the Spaniard will line up 13th on Sunday.
The grid will be rounded out by American wildcard Blake Young, riding for Attack Performance Racing. After missing seven races through injury, compatriot Ben Spies was set to return this weekend, but has again been ruled out of action following a crash in third free practice this morning; having highsided on the exit of Turn 4, the Ignite Pramac Racing rider has suffered a separation to his left shoulder and will miss at least this race and next weekend’s Czech event as a result.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda RC213V): 1st – 1m 37.985: “I’m happy with how things went in the qualifying session. Obviously taking pole is important, but it’s tomorrow that really counts. Besides that, the conditions change a lot, tyre durability suffers and it will be tough as the race progresses. We knew the qualifying session was all about the single flying lap, the tyres had a lot of grip then and I took advantage of it. I set a very good time and I think for tomorrow we are ready to fight for victory. As always, we will give 100 percent.”
Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha: 2nd / 1'38.471 / 8 laps: “I’m happy with the pace, it’s not bad. We still don't know how well our rivals are prepared for the race but I think I have a constant pace to finish the race with a good speed. The bike has improved by some small details every session so I’m happy with that also. I’m happy to be back on the first row and confident we can fight for the podium. You can see that Marc, Dani and Stefan are really strong, normally we are with them but it's clear that this track is not so suitable for our bike, but it’s much better than it was in 2011. I am confident that we can fight to be not far from first position or maybe to fight for first.”
Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda): 3rd – 1m 38.471: “Today went well, we were able to improve our times, so I’m happy! Starting from the first row is good for us and the feeling with the bike is more positive, but we still have to choose the rear tyre. The important thing for tomorrow is to start well and have a good race.”
MotoGP Qualifying: 1. Marc Marquez SPA Honda 1:37.958; 2. Jorge Lorenzo SPAYamaha +0.513; 3. Dani Pedrosa SPA Honda+0.527.
Jorge Lorenzo's (99) early race lead turned into a Honda RC sandwich mid-race as first Marquez (93) took the lead, with Pedrosa passing the reigning champ later for 2nd.
Marquez Saves His Tires, Then Pounces on Early Leader Lorenzo for the Win Race Day, Sunday 18th - Marquez was in top form from the start, dominating free practice and qualifying on pole for the fourth time this year. But it was Lorenzo who led away in perfect conditions, closely pursued by Pedrosa and the rookie. Marquez took second after eight of the 28 laps, and moved into the lead before half distance. The three stayed close, then Marquez stretched his lead to win by 3.495 seconds.
Pedrosa’s second place was hardly any less of an achievement. The 27-year-old Spaniard, who ceded the points lead to his team-mate three races ago when forced out of the German GP with a broken collarbone, is still recovering from the injury and racing in damage-control mode. He had dropped to third behind Lorenzo, also injured at the same race … but a superhuman effort in the closing stages saw him close a gap of a second and then get back ahead with three laps remaining. Pedrosa finished the race in obvious pain, and is looking forward to continued physical improvement to help him regain further momentum, after winning two races earlier in the season to take the points lead.
Fans at the 4.216 km (2.62-mile) infield circuit, which shares part of the front straight and the famous “yard of bricks” with the historic and world-famous Indianapolis Oval, enjoyed warm and dry weather, with exciting racing for the remaining championship points. The warmer conditions made tyre choice important, with all factory riders opting for the same hard front / soft rear combination.
Sixth-placed Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini RC213V rider Alvaro Bautista played a leading role in what was eventually a three-bike battle for fourth. He had been to and fro with Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha), when the similarly mounted multi-champion Valentino Rossi caught up in the last laps. Former 125cc World Champion Bautista came off worst in a fairing-bashing brawl in the final corner. Rossi led the trio across the line almost side by side, all within two tenths of a second. Bautista uniquely uses Showa suspension and Nissin brakes, race-developing the Japanese equipment made by Honda associates.
Stefan Bradl
German LCR Honda RC213V rider Stefan Bradl was ninth, after tailing Bautista until the closing stages, then losing pace after Rossi caught and passed him. Bradl was fresh off a career-best pole and second place at the last round at Laguna Seca, and was second fastest in free practice – but a tumble in qualifying dropped him to eighth on the grid, spoiling his confidence and his chances of a repeat performance.
Australian grand prix first-timer Bryan Staring (Team GO&FUN Honda Gresini FTR Honda) was 19th on the Honda CBR1000RR-powered CRT machine, on his first visit to the circuit.
Reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo marked his return to fitness today with third in the Indianapolis Grand Prix, his fifth premier class podium finish at the US track. He impressed with a stunning start from second on the grid, out dragging both Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa to take the hole-shot into turn one. Lorenzo immediately built a half second gap and managed to hold the lead on a track not best suited to the Yamaha until Marquez squeezed past with 15 laps to go. Marques was not allowed to break away and Lorenzo kept with him until fatigue set in as the race wound down and he was forced to relinquish second to Pedrosa with three laps remaining.
This important podium whilst still recovering from surgery allows Lorenzo to now return to European tracks favoured by the YZR-M1 in full fitness and just 15 points behind Pedrosa in third on 153 points.
Teammate Valentino Rossi’s race proved to be the opposite of Lorenzo’s. The Italian nine-time world champion spent the early part of the race fighting with a less than perfect set up as he made up ground from his ninth position start on the grid. Nicky Hayden was dispatched on the second lap for eighth and fellow Yamaha rider Bradley Smith would follow. With just six laps remaining it was clear Rossi had saved the best for last, hunting down Alvaro Bautista and Cal Crutchlow who were fighting for fourth. Rossi joined the battle, swapping positions repeatedly until a stunning pass on the second to last corner of the last lap saw him steal fourth from Crutchlow and hold it to the line.
The result keeps Rossi in fourth in the overall standings with 130 points, three clear of Crutchlow in fourth. Rossi and the team will now head directly to Brno for the second of three consecutive back-to-back races.
Cal Crutchlow
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda: 1st: “I am very happy to have taken another 25 points! I knew before we came here that this would be a good opportunity and I was able to take advantage of it. I felt very good throughout the weekend, and I think this has been my best GP overall since coming into the premier class. I was first in every session, so I couldn’t ask for more. In the race I decided to follow Lorenzo and Pedrosa, trying to save my tyres at the start. When I saw that I was feeling good and had less fuel in the tank, I tried to attack. In the end I was able to break away and have some fun sliding the bike around and enjoying how good the ride was! Now we head back to Europe, where we will try to continue working in the same way and see how many points we can pick up.”
Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda: 2nd: “Today I gave all I had. I struggled to keep my energy up and I was forced to ride in a different way because of the pain I was suffering. It was a difficult race, because I was fighting a lot against the bike but in the end I was able to keep up my pace and take a good second place. In other conditions I’m sure we would have done better, but we did all that we could under the circumstances today and should draw that positive from the day.”
Jorge Lorenzo, 3rd: “I made a very good start and I had half a second advantage in the beginning of the race. I had a lot of hope because I knew I had a good pace but suddenly in the middle of the race Marc started to go faster and faster so it was impossible to win. I’m disappointed to not finish second, because in normal conditions without the drop in rear tyre this would have been possible. I’m happy to be back on the podium at a track that’s not normally a good one for us. I don’t feel perfect, I feel more tired than normal because I haven’t trained so much in the last two months because of the injuries. I felt tired at the end of the race and had some pain in the braking areas but I feel much better and in Brno and Silverstone I will be ok. I think from this moment we can only be better and better.”
Valentino Rossi, 4th: “At the end the race was not so bad, especially compared with yesterday and especially the second half. I could ride the bike in a good way and I could enjoy it. I did a very good lap time in the second half and had great battles with Bradl and Bautista, but especially with Cal on the last lap, that was very funny. Fourth place here is good considering this track is one of the worst for me and considering I started from ninth I am quite happy. We still have to work and understand why in the first laps I can’t ride the bike and use the extra grip of the tyre. In the second part when the tyre slides I can enter the corner faster, I can go faster and I can make good lap times so we have to improve because the first three riders are very strong.”
Nicky Hayden (69) ran into the side of team mate Dovizioso (04) in the last corner in a "Hail Mary" attempt before the Checkered, causing them both to run wide and just the burbing, allowing Bradley Smith (not shown) to pass them for th place at the line.
Last Turn Fisticuffs lands Hayden in ninth, tenth for Dovizioso
At the last of three MotoGP rounds to be held on American soil this season, Ducati Team riders Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso finished today’s race in ninth and tenth positions, respectively, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
As has been the case on many occasions this year, the evenly matched teammates found themselves dicing with one another for the entire race aboard their Desmosedici GP13 machines. Positions were traded on several occasions, and on the final lap, the American tried a last-corner pass on Dovizioso for eighth place. The two made contact and ran off the track, which allowed Bradley Smith to pass them both on the run to the finish line.
Tomorrow, the MotGP Circus heads to the Czech Republic, where the second of three races on consecutive weekends will take place at the Brno circuit.
Nicky Hayden - Ducati Team, 9th: “We’d hoped for more. We found a direction in qualifying yesterday, but when the tyre got a few laps on it in the race, we lost rear grip. Early, I was trying to hang with Rossi, but as soon as the tyre went away, I made a little mistake and he was gone. From there, I was just racing with Dovi, and he really pushes and doesn’t make many mistakes. We went back and forth a lot, and then in the last corner on the last lap, we had contact, which was my fault. When the door started to close, I was already committed and didn’t want him to take out my front wheel. Unfortunately, Smith still beat us to the line. It’s a shame, but we still need to improve the bike over race distance. The race went better than last year, and the fans were great to me, but I would’ve liked to put up a better fight than that.”
Andrea Dovizioso - Ducati Team, 10th: “The race went more or less as I expected. The goal was to finish with a 1’40” pace, but unfortunately, the rear tyre started to lose grip on both sides in the last ten laps, so the race became a strategic battle between Nicky and me. I’m fairly pleased with how I managed my race because I was able to pass him back on the final lap, but in the last corner, he wanted to get by me at any cost, using a really aggressive manoeuvre. I didn’t expect it because I hadn’t left the door open. Nicky came beside me and we touched, and it certainly wasn’t a safe move, but we can say it was a racing incident. We were called to Race Direction because of course it’s important to talk about these things and immediately clear them up. Honestly, I’m quite annoyed to have lost two positions, and I also wanted to keep Smith behind me. Still, there’s no sense in creating controversy in a situation like this, so for me it’s over.”
Paolo Ciabatti – Ducati MotoGP Project Director: “It was a difficult race for our team. In the early going, Nicky and Andrea stayed in contact with the rest of the group, but in the final ten laps, the drop in performance of the rear tyres slowed our riders' pace, and they found themselves trading positions a couple times and fighting with each other for eighth place. Unfortunately, Nicky tried to pass Dovizioso in the final corner, even though there was limited space. The two riders touched and went over the curb, and Smith was able to pass them both at the finish line. Nicky and Andrea talked afterward to clear things up, and there was no controversy. The fact remains that we can’t be satisfied with a result like today’s, so we must grit our teeth and try even harder to improve the performance of our bikes.”
RESULTS MOTOGP RACE:(27 laps = 113.832 Km)
POS / RIDER / NAT. / TEAM / MOTORCYCLE / TIME / KM/H / GAP
1 / Marc MARQUEZ / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / HONDA / 44'52.463 / 152.2 /
2 / Dani PEDROSA / SPA / Repsol Honda Team / HONDA / 44'55.958 / 152 / 3.495
3 / Jorge LORENZO / SPA / Yamaha Factory Racing / YAMAHA / 44'58.167 / 151.8 / 5.704
4 / Valentino ROSSI / ITA / Yamaha Factory Racing / YAMAHA / 45'12.358 / 151 / 19.895
5 / Cal CRUTCHLOW / GBR / Monster Yamaha Tech 3 / YAMAHA / 45'12.418 / 151 / 19.955
6 / Alvaro BAUTISTA / SPA / GO&FUN Honda Gresini / HONDA / 45'12.524 / 151 / 20.061
7 / Stefan BRADL / GER / LCR Honda MotoGP / HONDA / 45'17.305 / 150.8 / 24.842
8 / Bradley SMITH / GBR / Monster Yamaha Tech 3 / YAMAHA / 45'33.153 / 149.9 / 40.69
9 / Nicky HAYDEN / USA / Ducati Team / DUCATI / 45'33.164 / 149.9 / 40.701
10 / Andrea DOVIZIOSO / ITA / Ducati Team / DUCATI / 45'33.286 / 149.9 / 40.823
11 / Andrea IANNONE / ITA / Energy T.I. Pramac Racing / DUCATI / 45'52.131 / 148.9 / 59.668
12 / Aleix ESPARGARO / SPA / Power Electronics Aspar / ART / 45'59.113 / 148.5 / 1'06.650
13 / Colin EDWARDS / USA / NGM Mobile Forward Racing / FTR KAWASAKI / 46'01.925 / 148.3 / 1'09.462
14 / Claudio CORTI / ITA / NGM Mobile Forward Racing / FTR KAWASAKI / 46'07.670 / 148 / 1'15.207
15 / Hiroshi AOYAMA / JPN / Avintia Blusens / FTR / 46'12.622 / 147.8 / 1'20.159
Pole Position: Marc MARQUEZ 1'37.958 154.9 Km/h
Fastest Lap (New record): Marc MARQUEZ 1'39.044 153.2 Km/h Lap 18
Old Circuit Record Lap: Dani PEDROSA 1'39.088 153.1 Km/h 2012
Circuit Best Lap: Marc MARQUEZ 1'37.958 154.9 Km/h 2013
Restricted to Death or a Poor Design for Racing?
the future of Ducati's New 1199 Panigale in SBK World Superbike
August 1st, 2013 - You've seen it at every race this 2013 SBK World Superbike race season as the once dominate Ducati name has been left floundering in mid-pack with their new Superquadro powered 1199 Panigale. Team Alstare Ducati factory riders Carlos Checa and Andrea Badovini have been qualifying and finishing in mid-pack, behind the other factory teams and just in front of the privateers. While World Superbike TV commentators Jonathan Green and Steve Martin tell us each week the 'New Panigale is still going through a difficult development program".
That may be organizer Dorna / SBK's official line - a "difficult development program", as they try to pull as many 1000cc in-line four cylinder Manufacturers as they can - hit hard by global economic collapse, back into the depleted World Superbike grid. But for the Bologna manufacturer who's unmatched passion for building winning sportbikes has garnered them 17 World Superbike Championships in the last 25 years of World Superbike racing, getting a new Superbike design right, the first year, had not been a problem in the past - just witness Carl Fogarty's 1995 title win on the new 2nd Generation 916/955; Neil Hodgson's 2003 title win on the new 4th Generation 999 in 2003; and Troy Bayliss 2011 title win on the new 5th Generation 1090/1198 in 2008. Winning 17 world titles in 25 years shows Ducati knows how to design and develop winning bikes right out of the factory front door.
Making this all the more perplexing, in box-stock form, the 1199 Panigale is probably the best of the current street legal Superbike on the market with its light weight, incredible handing, electronic controls and adjustability, and power equal to the best of the competition from BMW and Aprilia.
Proving Ducati's winning potential with the all new 6th Generation 1199 Panigale was the simple fact that in the 2012 Superstock 1000 Championship the newest Ducati was in the hands of Eddie La Mara on the privateer Althea Barni racing Team Italia 1199 was able to take 5 Podiums, 2 Pole wins and 1 Race Win against strong factory backed teams from BMW and Kawasaki. Only reliability problems with the stock 1199s engine's heavy steel connecting rods held it back the first season, rectified in 2013 by the change to new lighter Titanium rods and valves in the 1199R model.
So why has Ducati become an also ran in the 2013 World Superbike Class with the new 1199 Panigale which should be dominating again with its all new short stroke, hi-rpm Superquadro engine? Does it have to do with FIM SBK Rule Book and the restrictions placed on 1200cc V-twin bikes, while, the 1000cc 4-cylinder bikes can run virtually unrestricted? Ignoring the additional weight restriction (compared to the 1000cc 4-cylinders bikes), the Ducati 1098/1198 had to run in mid-way thru 2012 after Carlos Checa won the 2011 World Championship again for the bike, the previous 5th Generation 1098/1198 with its Testastretta engine was always required by the FIM to run 50mm intake restrictors on its stock 63.9mm throttle bodies. Continued Here
Update - No Restrictors Confirmed
August 12, 2014 - We have since learned, and without any formal announcement, the FIM and DORNA have bypassed the published Technical Regulationsand allowed the Ducati 1199RS Panigale Superbikes to now run open 67mm throttle bodies with no restrictors at all, since the Imola Round the end of June 2013.
The race results for Alstare Ducati at Imola, then followed by Moscow, still remained disappointing for the factory squad. Although at Silverstone on the August 3rd-4th weekend, Carlos Ceca was able to put the 1199RS on the front row with a 2nd place in Superpole. But in both races the factory bikes remained down on top speed, and Badovini and Checa fell back in both races to finish in 8th -12th positions.
In Superbike race trim the 1199 Superquadro, now unrestricted, remains down in peak power agains the 1000cc 4-cylinder bikes. And its peaky powerband is not easy on the Pirelli spec tires, causing the tires to overheat and loose grip towards the end of the races, and the bikes falling back in position. Effectively for Ducati in 2013, this year's Superbie race season has been a huge disapointment for the exciting new Panigale design.
2014 FIM World Superbike Rules Changes The FIM, August 8th 2013 - Following various meetings between the FIM, Dorna and the MSMA, a new framework has been put in place for the progressive application of the new Superbike rules. The new rules are aimed at reducing costs for the motorcycle and its components.
1. The rules changes for the 2014 FIM Superbike World Championship season will be as follows:
• A limited number of engines (eight) per rider/per season.
• A limited number of gear ratios.
• A price cap on the brakes.
• A price cap on the suspensions.
2. In order to ensure that there are a sufficient number of riders with competitive motorcycles on the grid, the MSMA has agreed to provide, on request, a complete motorcycle package at a fixed prize, for the years 2014, 2015 and 2016.
The motorcycle packages supplied will be the same as those used by the manufacturer and will receive certain updates and maintenance from the manufacturers during the season. (The price being discussed for these race packages is USD $300,000 not including crash damages - Ed).
3. Under the new rules, there will be a sub-category known as the EVO class. This class will follow the FIM Superbike technical regulations for all chassis, suspension and brake components. On the engine and electronics side, however, these motorcycles will follow the present FIM Superstock rules. The price cap on brakes and suspensions will be the same as Superbike.
More details about the EVO technical rules will be available on the FIM Website shortly.
A draft of the new technical rules will be published on the FIM website by 26 August.
Supermodel, actress, and singer songwriter and Fast Dates Calendar Kitten Sara Horvath.
FastDates.com Calendar Kittens to headline the
2013 SBK World Superbike Laguna Seca USA Starting Grid on Sept 26-28th
Los Angeles, CA, August 1, 2014 - The FastDates.com Calendars & Website, in association with Umbrella Girls USA, is excited to announce that SBK World Superbike has selected three beautiful Fast Dates Calendar Kittens to grace the front of the starting grid when the World Superbike Championship returns to the Monterey Peninsula at Laguna Seca Raceway the weekend of September 26-28th 2013. The models include supermodel, actress, singer songwriter Sara Horvath who hails from Livingston, Montana, and popular Umbrella Girls USA spokesmodel Jessica Harbour out of San Diego, CA.
World Superbike in America makes its return to Laguna Seca this September after an 8 year hiatus from the west coast's most popular roadrace facility. Together with the premier SBK World Superbike Class, the AMA Pro Roadracing Championship will also be joining the 3-day race weekend with its top classes including Pro Superbike. The first World Superbike Championship race in America took place at Laguna Seca Raceway back in 1995 with four FastDates.com Calendar models serving as the official SBK grid and podium girls on race day that year, and in many subsequent years since.
As he does every year at one of the SBK World Superbike rounds around the world, FastDates.com Calendar publisher and photographer Jim Gianatsis will use the 2013 SBK Laguna Seca September 26-28th race weekend to shoot with the Calendar Kittens for the next edition of the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar.
"This year's Calendar shoot will be for the 25th Anniversary of the Fast Dates Calendar, the first edition of which featured Pamela Anderson on the cover with Miguel DuHamels' "Big Papa" Yoshimura Suzuki Superbike," explains Jim. "Every year I've been privileged to have exclusive track access to photograph the Calendar with all the top factory race teams in AMA and World Superbike, MotoGP, together with many of the world's most beautiful models and celebrities."
Above, Fast Dates Calendar Kittens Sara and Jessica.
"This year will be no exception with the addition of beautiful models Sara and Jessica. I've been shooting with both of them for the Calendars over the past year and don't take a bad shot, plus they are fun and easy to work. I look forward to travel with them up the beautiful Pacific Coast on Highway 1 from Los Angeles to Monterey for the return of World Superbike at Laguna Seca, and show them the fan party atmosphere on Monterey's Cannery Row on Saturday night. It's going to be an incredible race weekend experience in one of the most beautiful locations on earth that no motorcycle racing fan will want to miss!"
Sara and Jessica recently worked togther in July, hosting the 22 annual LA Calendar Motorcyle Show at the Queen Mary, in Long Beach, CA. The premier custom streetbike event in America, the girls hosted the world premier of the new 2014 FastDates.com Calendars. And as a talented singer songwriter, Sara also performed on stage entertaining the spectators during the day
To find our more about the FastDates.com Calendars and Calendar Kittens, and to order Calendars and Books go to FastDates.com.
Gianatsis Design Associates specializes in advertsing and marketing for the motorsports and sports fasion markets and can be found at FastDates.com/JGDESIGN.HTM. UmbrellaGirls USA.com spealizes in providing spokesmodels for motorsports events and shows.
New Fast Dates.com Calendar Shoot!
Go behind the scenes at the glamorous Gianatsis Design Studios with beautiful new Calendar Kittens Jessica and Kelsey as they shoot for the FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars with photographer Jim Gianatsis. And look for the new 2014 Calendars available right here on July 1st. Order the Calendars!
Videographer: Eric Lundmark; Video Editing and Still photography: Jim Gianatsis; Models: Jessica Harbour, Kelsey Silwinski; Make Up: Victoria Rubell, Music: Special thanks to Neil Sedaka for our theme song Calendar Girl; Modeling Agent: Umbrella Girls USA.
2013 SBK Eni World Superbike Championship, Silverstone Round 9 of 15
Loris Baz and Jonthan Rea on Top at Silverstone World Superbike Silverstone, Great Britain, Sunday 4 August 2013 - A typical British mixed weather welcomed the eni FIM Superbike Championship for Round 9 race day at Silverstone. A busy schedule gave fans plenty of spectacular action to watch and delivered unpredictable results, along with some of the most thrilling battles witnessed so far this year.Amid dry and wet conditions throught the race weekend, Race day on Sunday would see Pata Honda's Jonthan Rea and Kawasaki's Loris Baz come out on top, while Aprilia's Sylvain Guintoli increase his points lead in the World Championship standings ahead of Kawsaki's Tom Sykes. Complete Race Coverage
Ron Boldonado and his Classic American Class winning replica Board Track race with girls from the band Nylon Pink
and Calendar Kittens Sara Horvath and Jessic Harbour who will be accompanying us this September 26-28th to Laguna Seca World Superbike to shoot the next edition of the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar and will serve as official SBK grid girls on race day.
2013 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show & Calendar Girl Music Festival Los Angeles, July 14th, 2013 - The 22nd edition of the annual LA Calendar Motorcycle Show marked its return to the Queen Mary Seawalk Village in Long Beach, CA with Southern California's Sam Baldi continuing his domination of 2013 season West Coast bike event by taking the Calendar Bike Building Championship's Best of Show and one of the coveted Mikuni Carburetor Trophies with his latest Jimmy Todorovith / Profile Cycles built Big Twin custom named "Lost Angel".
Chris Redpath / MotoGPwerks.com Sportbike Class winner features a Suzuki TL1000 V-Twin Superbike engine in a hand made trellis tube frame.
This year's Calendar Motorcycle Show continued it's long standing tradition of showcasing top Celebrity Builders in the Calendar Bike Building Championship, selected Vendors and Exhibitors, together with Calendar Girl Music live performances. And as always, this year's Show celebrated the world premier of the new 2014 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars photographed by Show producer Jim Gianatsis featuring the world's top SBK World Superbikes, sport and cafe bikes, and custom motorcycles with the beautiful Calendar Kittens. On hand throughout the day to meet with fans and pose for pictures were Calendar Kittens Apple Price, together with official SBK World Superbike grid girls, Jessica Harbour and singer songwriter Sarah Horvath. Complete Show Coverge Here
The 2014 FastDates.com Calendars and the FAST 2014 Calendar Magazine Yearbook feature
the official SBK World Superbike grid girls Jitunka & Petra from the Czech Republic!
NEW! FAST 2014 Digital Calendar Magazine Yearbook
The Bikes, the Builders, the Riders, the Kittens,the Calendar Bike Show, the World Superbike races all the 2014 Calendar Pictures, and Special Features... For the first time every we take you around the world in 120 exclusive pages for the making of the 2014 FastDates.com Calendars! Now in Members Corner
Edelweiss Alps Ride and News Adventure Bike Guide
Ride with Edelweis Tours and Motorcyclist magazne as they test all the hot new Adventure Motorcycles through the Alps -
the Triumph Explorer XC, Ducati Multistrada S Touring, KTM 1190 Adventure & Adventure R, BMW 2013 Watercooled R1200GS and 2012 Aircooled R1200GS, Yamaha Super Tenere, Honda Cross Tour.
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Mission R / RS Electric Superbike Ready for Production
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Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix To Return To IMS in 2014 with talks to extend future years.
FIM MotoGP™ World Championship event expected in August
Saturday August 17th - The Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix will return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a seventh consecutive year in 2014, with an expected race date in mid-August to be announced in the future. Next year is the final year of the agreement between IMS and sanctioning organization and commercial rights holder Dorna to bring all three classes of the MotoGP World Championship – MotoGP™, Moto2™ and Moto3™ – to the Brickyard. But IMS and Dorna have started discussions about a long-term relationship past the terms of the current contract. MotoGP first came to IMS in 2008.
“We’re very pleased that we can bring our fans another thrilling MotoGP World Championship race in 2014 at IMS,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles said. “The last six years have established a solid foundation for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP and we are optimistic about the growth of the event in Indianapolis. We are also eager to continue working with our friends at Dorna to ensure an exciting long-term future for MotoGP at The Racing Capital of the World.”
"I’m extremely pleased that MotoGP will be returning to iconic Indianapolis track in 2014 to bring the pinnacle of motorcycle racing to the American fans. The Brickyard not only attracts a great crowd every year, but it heritage and history in the world of motor racing also helps grow the popularity of MotoGP in the United States and around the world. I would like to thank the organization and staff at Indianapolis for their fantastic efforts to keep the race at their track, and am already looking forward to returning next year.”, declared Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna CEO.
The 2014 Red Bull Indianapolis GP once again will feature superstars Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, Marc Marquez and Cal Crutchlow racing on 1000cc prototype motorcycles from Ducati, Honda and Yamaha on the 16-turn, 2.621-mile IMS road course. The race weekend also will include competition in the Moto2 (600cc) and Moto3 (250cc) World Championship classes featuring riders from around the world.
Ducati Corse
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Jonathan Rea to Honda MotoGP Team in 2014,
Nickey Hayden to Honda World Superbike
Aug 3rd - World Superbike TV commentator Jonathan Green revealed during Sunday's SBK Silverstone race broadcast that Ten Kate Pata Honda rider Jonathan Rea was expected to leave the Superbike Paddock the end of this season to take a seat on a factory Honda bike in MotoGP. Even more interesting was Jonathan's reveal that Rea's vacant seat on the Ten kate Honda Superbike team would be non other than American Nicky Hayden, who had received notice from the Ducati MotoGP team a week earlier, that his contract with them in MotoGP would not be renewed for next year. Word was that Ducati's Paolo Ciabatti had offered Nicky a ride for next season on the Ducati Corse World Superbike Team, but with the new 1199RS Panigale being so restricted by the FIM rules at present as to not be competitive, Hayden is wise to make the move to the Ten kate Honda team instead, which is expected to be racing the all now Honda V-4 Superbike, which is a production based copy of the dominate Honda RC211 MotoGP machine.
Cal Crutchlow with Ducati in MotoGP beginning next season. Hayden to go Packing.
August 2nd, Bologna, Italy - Ducati has reached an agreement with Cal Crutchlow that will have the Briton campaigning the 2014 and 2015 MotoGP race seasons with the Ducati Team. Crutchlow will race alongside Andrea Dovizioso. The British rider and the Italian, who were team-mates in 2012, will work on developing the Desmosedici and growing Ducati’s MotoGP project.
The 2009 World Supersport champion and 2011 MotoGP Rookie of the Year, Crutchlow is presently enjoying his strongest GP season to date, sitting fifth in the championship points standings. He has posted four podium finishes in the first nine races, and he earned his first MotoGP pole position at the Dutch TT.
The end of the 2013 season will also mark the completion of Nicky Hayden’s five-year professional relationship with the Ducati Team. Ducati would like to thank Nicky for his contributions during that time, and everyone on the team and at Ducati Corse looks forward to giving him and Andrea their full support over the second half of the 2013 season.
Word had it that Ducati did offer Hayden a ride on the Ducati factory World Superbike team for 2014, and that he declined the offer. That refusal might not have been a good idea, because there may not be any vacant factory team rides in MotoGP next year for the likes of Hayden.
This announcement of Crutchlow signing with Ducati comes on the same day of Yamaha's annuncemt that they are signing young Moto2 GP rider Pol Espargaro, which reduced Crutchlow's future chances of moving up to the Yamaha factory Team spots currently held by Loreno and Rossi.
Yamaha Announces
2-Year MotoGP Contract with Pol Esparggaró
Milan, Italy, Aug 2nd, 2013 - Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd is delighted to be able to announce that it has concluded a two-year agreement with current Spanish Moto2 rider Pol Espargaró. As a result of this contract the 22-year-old will make his MotoGP debut in 2014 with the Monster Yamaha Tech3 Team and will ride the Yamaha YZR-M1.
Pol Espargaró is enjoying his third season as a key protagonist in the Moto2 Class and is currently lying second in the Championship standings.
Ducati and Nicky Hayden
to part ways at the end of the Season July 18th - Coming into Laguna Seca, American Nicky Hayden was told by Ducati Corse MotoGP team manager Paolo Ciabatti that after 5 years of no podium results his MotoGP contract with them would not be renewed for 2015.
We are surprised that Ducati held onto him this long, but their reasoning has always been he was a good spokesman for Ducati for their biggest motorcycle market, America. But it now had come to the point that his association with the brand had become a determent as he continues to not deliver results, consistently finish around last place among the factory team riders in this season's MotoGP Championship, despite the team's ongoing development problems with their GP bikes.
You only have to look back at Hayden's AMA National Championship and MotoGP titles he garnered with Honda. In AMA Superbike American Honda had the best Superbike and team that season. And in MotoGP, Nicky was handed the excellent RC211 fully developed by retiring Champion Mick Doohan, while all the other factory teams were struggling with bike development. Nicky has never been known as a good development and test rider, which has only hindered Ducati even more since Casey Stoner left the team 3 years ago.
Who will take Hayden's place at Ducati? Word has it they are in discussions with Cal Crutchlow who is looking for a front line factory ride, since there is no immediate future for him to move up from the Monster Yamaha support team where he currently is, as long as Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi remain on the full factory squad.
Meet 2013 Calendar Kitten
Jitunka & Petra!
MV Agusta F3 800cc
The Devil Made Us Do It! Testing the Ducati Diavel in Italy
New BMW HP4 Superbike
Sudco High Performance & OEM Replacement Parts
High Speed - the Movie The best motorcycle racing movie ever made! Filmed on location at the World Superbike races , this an exciting romantic drama staring beautiful British actress Sienna Miller.
Shocker! BMW to Withdraw from World Superbike at the end of 2013 With effect from the end of the 2013 season, "BMW Motorrad will terminate its commitment in the FIM Superbike World Championship in order to strengthen the customer sports programme."
Munich, 24th July 2013 -BMW Motorrad is continuing its long-term strategic realignment of the brand. This strategy also affects BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s activities, which as a next step will also be restructured. At the end of the 2013 season, BMW Motorrad Motorsport will terminate its factory involvement in the FIM Superbike World Championship. The main focus and some of the resources of BMW Motorrad’s commitment to sport will switch to other motorsport activities like the successful international customer sports programme from 2014 on.
“BMW Motorrad Motorsport will end its involvement in the World Superbike Championship after this season”, explained Stephan Schaller, General Director BMW Motorrad. “This is consistent with the strategic realignment of our brand. BMW Motorrad will now focus on the further expansion of the very successful product portfolio over 500 cc, the expansion of product segments under 500 cc, e-mobility and the development of market potential in emerging economies like Brazil and Asia. Only those who act consistently today are well prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. BMW Motorrad will remain involved in motorsport and in doing so we will focus on the international customer sport in all its facets. I want to thank everybody who has supported us on this long and successful journey.”
“The team is a very professional and motivated group of people and I am sure they will continue to do everything to end the season on a high note”, commented Andrea Buzzoni, General Manager BMW Motorrad WSBK. “Twenty thirteen is a good year, the atmosphere within the team is great and also our riders, Marco Melandri and Chaz Davies, are doing an excellent job. We are satisfied with the current results and, of course, we will keep working hard. Therefore I am convinced we can celebrate more successes with Marco and Chaz as the season goes on. I am sorry about the decision, but I understand the strategic decision making of the company. I want to thank all the people who are involved in this project.”
BMW Motorrad Motorsport has run a successful worldwide customer sport programme for several years. From the beginning, customer teams and riders have celebrated numerous victories and titles in international and national championships with the BMW S 1000 RR. From the start of this season, some of them have also fielded the brand new DDC equipped BMW HP4, and celebrated several race wins. Details of the increased future commitment in customer sport will be announced in due course.
BMW Motorrad Motorsport entered the FIM Superbike World Championship in 2009. After a learning phase, it has established itself of a winning team in this highly contested series. To date, the German manufacturer has celebrated 11 race wins and a total of 33 podium finishes with the race version of the BMW S 1000 RR. The most successful season so far was 2012, when BMW finished runner-up in the manufacturers’ classification and fought for both the manufacturers’ and the riders’ titles until the very last race.
EDELWEISS OFFERS NEW and AFFORDABLE MOTORCYCLE TOUR ALONG THE DOLOMITES WITH CHALLENGING ROADS, OVERWHELMING MOUNTAIN SCENERY AND ITALIAN CUISINE AT ITS FINEST.
The Dolomites are a must for a passionate biker – come with us on an unforgettable motorcycle tour. The countryside is dominated by mountains, rivers, and gorge-like valleys, which have just space enough for a road and railroad tracks; but there are also bigger towns like Bolzano, where our base hotel is located.
Thinking about Italian culture you will notice quite a big difference from what you may expect; building style, cultures, languages, bilingual road signs and special foods show that varied peoples and ideas peacefully co-exist here. The Sella Ronda is a very good warm-up for the following days and our rides to Penserjoch, Jaufenpass and Timmelsjoch.
Eight more passes are on our schedule for the next day and we will have the opportunity to stop in the nice little town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, well known from the Olympics in 1956. Now it’s time to make a decision: go to Venice for sightseeing or collect 10 more passes? Tough call! The last riding day leads us south to the wonderful Lake Garda, with swimming and riding at its best.
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THROUGH THE ALPINE WONDERLAND OF AUSTRIA AND SOUTHERN GERMANY – THE ALPS AND LAKES MOTORCYCLE TOUR!
The Alps and Lakes motorcycle tour takes you through a beautiful part of European motorcycle paradise; the Alps. The contrast between the beautiful lakes in southern Germany and Austria and the towering mountains that reach up to more than 10,000 ft is nothing less than breathtaking.
This area is the famous background for the movie „Sound of Music“. This vacation offers a little bit of everything: beautiful and relaxing rides through the valleys; some mountain roads and passes; and great vistas and sights, including King Ludwig‘s castle, Herrenchiemsee, and the historic city of Salzburg. The tour consists of five riding days, one of them is a rest day – which means that you stay two nights at the same hotel.
This is a great opportunity to explore a little bit more, ride around the countryside, walk through town, meet the locals and sample some of the local food. The tour will take you through Germany and Austria, and on the rest day you can even add Italy to your list if you are so inclined.
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All Rounds include Superbike and 600cc Superstock except USA is Superbike only.
European rounds also Include 1000cc Superstock.
2013 MotoGP DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK Apr 7 - Qatar – Doha Losail Apr 21 - Americas, Austin TX May 5 - Spain, Jerez Frontera May 19 - France, Le Mans June 2 - Italy, Mugello June 16 - Catalunya,Catalunya June 29 - Netherlands,AssenTT July 14 - Germany,Sachsenring July 21 - USA, Laguna Seca (Only MotoGP class)
Aug 18 - USA, Indianapolis
Aug 25 - Czech Rep, Brno
Sept 1 - GB, Silverstone
Sept 15 - SanMarino Misano
Sept 29 - Aragon Motorland
Oct 13 - Malaysia, Sepang
Oct 20 - Australia, Phillip Is
Oct 27 - Japan, Motegi
Nov 10- Valencia, Ricardo
2013 AMA Superbike DATE/REPORT TRACK LINK Mar 14-16 Daytona FL
May 31-Jun 2 Road America WI June 21-23 Barber, AL
July 12-14 Mid-Ohios July 19-20 Laguna Seca CA
Aug 2-4 Miller MSports, UT
Aug 16-18 Indianapolis IN
Sept 13-15 New Jersey
Sepr 27-29 Laguna Seca CA
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MotoGP Performance Riding New 2nd Edition! Official MotoGP book, the second edition of this practical guide to motorcycle racing technique, aimed at racing and track day enthusiasts at all levels, has been expanded to include extra information as well as many new photographs and up-to-date quotes from MotoGP stars
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Report:
State of the Motorcycle Market in America
April 2013: Since the hey-day of 2006-2007, the industry has lost 5,000 dealers and retailers, vehicle sales have been slashed in half, and about 20,000 people have left the industry to find employment elsewhere.
2007 was the industry's last up year. Sales of motorcycles, ATVs and scooters reached about 1.5 million units. And according to MIC ststics there were in 2008, 13,300 retail outlets in the US split between authorized new vehicle dealers, and independent service and accessory outlet.
According to the most recent MIC static, 2012 retail sales of motorcycles, ATVs and scooter were at 677,630 - a drop of about 54% from peak. At the same time the US dealer base dropped from an increased of 14,127 dealers in 2008 (still riding the crest of the wave) to 8,985 in 2012 - a decrease of 36% percent.
The Medin Age of a new motorcycle buyers in America is now around 52 years old, and continues to grow about 1 year older per year, signifying no new riders are coming into the sport and the Amerian motorcycle market will end as the Baby Boomers die out.
From where it is today, the sport of motorcycling in America will continue to decline about 3-4% per year to the poin the sport will be gone in 20 years.
And unlike Europe and Asia where mototcycling is surviving and growing because of traditionally high fuel prices and crowded cities, in America we have become to attahed to our automobiles, so much so that motorcyles will never become a replacement for them. You'll always be able to buy and run and insure a cheap used car at a price lower than a nice used motorcycle.
This is not to say Motorccyle Racing will not continue as a spectator sport, as evidenced by the popularity of Supercross at sold-out stadium events across America. But how many people actually buy and ride/race dirt/mx bikes any more? This middle class sport is disappearing with the American middle class as fewer people can afford a truck to haul their expensive dirt bike to a riding area or track, or own a house with a garage to store and work on them. To a lessor extent, the streetbike market is affected similarly. These days kids in high school have little interestor the money in own or drive a cool car, let alone a street bike.
- Editor
Above, Fast Dates Calendar Kittens Sara and Jessica. 
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