|
 15-time World Champion Giacomo Agostini award the Superpole tropies on Saturday.
2014 Eni SBK World Superbike Championship, Imola, Italy Round 4 of 13
Jonthan Rea Takes SBK Championship Lead after Brilliant Imola Double
Imola, Italy, April 9- 11th, 2014 – A perfect weekend of racing delivered Jonathan Rea (Ten Kate Pata Honda World Superbike Team) two Race Win trophies following his Superpole win in qualifying on Saturday, at the fourth round of the FIM Superbike World Championship at Imola in Italy. Jonny is is now leading the 2014 SBK Championship, having started the day in fourth place in the standings. He has also now won three races in 2014, more than any other rider so far this year.
The scorching weather that appeared for practice and Superpole, with track temperatures nudging over 50°C at times, was not repeated on raceday but in pleasantly warm conditions Rea and his Honda CBR1000RR never missed a beat as they secured front running wins in each 19-lap race. Unlike many other recent WSBK races these two contests went the full distance and were unaffected by any weather changes.
With his race two win at Assen, this made it three in a row for Rea. He also scored fastest lap in each race, but without quite setting a new record in race conditions. His front-running pace ensured that he would lead every single race lap across the finish stripe today. This is the first time Rea has ever led the world championship despite a strong list of race wins and podium places. He now has 14 career race wins, all taken on Honda machinery. His championship lead is four points, from Tom Sykes (Kawasaki).
The podium places in Race One were shared with Chaz Davies (Ducati) in second and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki) in third. Davies again took the aecond rostrum place in Race Two with Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia) rounded out the top three second time around. The Donington, Great Britain races, which will form round five of the Championship, take place on Sunday 25th May.
Rea wins Tissot-Superpole at Imola
SuperPole, Saturday 10th - Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) has taken Pole Position for tomorrow’s two 19 lap races after a thrilling Tissot-Superpole session kept the large crowd thoroughly entertained. This is the first Tissot-Superpole win for Rea this year, the third so far in his WSBK career and the 45th for Honda in the series.
In Superpole 1, Niccolò Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati) and Leon Camier (BMW Motorrad Italia) emerged as the fastest two riders and progressed into Superpole 2 with the ten riders that were automatically seeded after Free Practice.
The final 15 minute session, held in blisteringly hot conditions eventually saw Rea come out on top after several riders took their turn to head the standings. Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) and Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) will line up alongside Rea with other factory Ducati rider Chaz Davies, Marco Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team) and reigning Champion Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) completing the second row.
After progressing courtesy of being in the top two in Superpole 1, Canepa was the fastest EVO rider today, making it onto row 3 in 9th position after a solid performance this afternoon.
Times: 1. Rea (Honda) 1'46.289 average 167.182 kph; 2. Guintoli (Aprilia) 1'46.554; 3. Giugliano (Ducati) 1'46.555; 4. Davies (Ducati) 1'46.678; 5. Melandri (Aprilia) 1'46.740; 6. Sykes (Kawasaki) 1'46.767; 7. Baz (Kawasaki) 1'47.014; 8. Laverty (Suzuki) 1'47.715; 9. Canepa (Ducati) 1'48.240; 10. Haslam (Honda) 1'48.242; 11. Camier (BMW) 1'48.371; 12. Lowes (Suzuki) 1'48.196; 13. Goi (Ducati); 14. Salom (Kawasaki); 15. Elias(Aprilia); 16. Badovini (Bimota); 17. Scassa (Kawasaki); 18. Morais (Kawasaki); 19. Iddon (Bimota); 20. Fabrizio (Kawasaki).
 Jonathan Rea (65) would run away from the starts with both race wins by 4-5 secons, but enthusiastic Italian fans were kept highly entertained with heated 6-way battles over the remaining podium spots between the factory Kawaskai, Aprila and Ducati team riders on the finally competive Panigale 1199RS bikes.
Rea wins again after dominating race one in Imola
Race One, Sunday 11 May 2014 - The sun continued to shine at Imola as the first race of the day got underway in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd. From the start it was Pole Position setter Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) who immediately took the lead ahead of the Aprilia Racing Team duo of Marco Melandri and Sylvain Guintoli. Chaz Davies (Ducati Racing Team) moved up to second at the end of lap one and as the laps progressed a number of riders in the leading group would run off track in their efforts to keep up with the flying British duo at the front.
By half distance Rea had moved clear of the chasing pack with a lead of almost two seconds. Behind the leader a four rider fight involving Davies, Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), Sylvain Guintoli who had worked hard to bridge the gap after an off track excursion at the chicane on lap 2, Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) became more intense with every corner.
Giugliano slid out of contention on the twelfth lap, the Italian clearly annoyed as the front end of his Ducati went away from him.
At the flag and after 19 exciting laps it was Rea who took back to back wins ahead of Davies and Sykes, who complete the race one podium. The Ulsterman now sits second in the standings, with only ten points to make up from the leader Tom Sykes.
In the EVO battle, Leon Camier (BMW Motorrad Italia) came out on top, finishing comfortably ahead of David Salom (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Luca Scassa (Team Pedercini Kawasaki). Ivan Goi (Barni Racing Team) and Niccolo Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati) crashed without injury.
 Davies (shown) and Giugliano proved the factory Panigali's were now competive in the Superbike class.
SUPERBIKE RACE 1: (Laps 19 = 93,784 Km/h)
POS / RIDER / NAT. / TEAM / MOTORCYCLE / GAP
1 / J. REA / GBR / PATA Honda World Superbike / Honda CBR1000RR / 34'14.829
2 / C. DAVIES / GBR / Ducati Superbike Team / Ducati 1199 Panigale R / 4.511
3 / T. SYKES / GBR / Kawasaki Racing Team / Kawasaki ZX-10R / 6.492
4 / L. BAZ / FRA / Kawasaki Racing Team / Kawasaki ZX-10R / 8.434
5 / S. GUINTOLI / FRA / Aprilia Racing Team / Aprilia RSV4 Factory / 9.134
6 / M. MELANDRI / ITA / Aprilia Racing Team / Aprilia RSV4 Factory / 14.925
7 / E. LAVERTY / IRL / Voltcom Crescent Suzuki / Suzuki GSX-R1000 / 19.973
8 / A. LOWES / GBR / Voltcom Crescent Suzuki / Suzuki GSX-R1000 / 21.582
9 / T. ELIAS / ESP / Red Devils Roma / Aprilia RSV4 Factory / 28.781
10 / L. HASLAM / GBR / PATA Honda World Superbike / Honda CBR1000RR / 31.245
11 / L. CAMIER / GBR / BMW Motorrad Italia SBK / BMW S1000 RR EVO / 40.996
12 / D. SALOM / ESP / Kawasaki Racing Team / Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO / 55.372
13 / L. SCASSA / ITA / Team Pedercini / Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO / 55.899
14 / J. GUARNONI / FRA / MRS Kawasaki / Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO / 1'04.402
15 / A. ANDREOZZI / ITA / Team Pedercini / Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO / 1'23.074
16 / F. FORET / FRA / MAHI Racing Team India / Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO / 1'23.324
17 / S. MORAIS / RSA / IRON BRAIN Grillini Kawasaki / Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO / 1'36.763
18 / C. CORTI / ITA / MV Agusta RC-Yakhnich M. / MV Agusta F4 RR / 1'36.942
19 / P. SEBESTYEN / HUN / BMW Team Toth / BMW S1000 RR EVO / 1'43.545
20 / I. TOTH / HUN / BMW Team Toth / BMW S1000 RR / 1'43.819
Fastest Lap: 6° Jonathan Rea 1'47.532 165,249 Km/h
Lap Record: 2013 T.Sykes 1'47.274 165,650 Km/h
Best Lap: 2013 T.Sykes 1'45.981 167,670 Km/h
Just behind double winner Rea, the battle for 2nd place was this close with Ducati's Chaz Davies (7) besting Guintol (50), Sykes (1) and Baz (76) in both races.
Rea Makes It a Double and becomes Championship Leader
Race Two, Sunday - Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike Team) once again made the best start as race two, but unlike race one, Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) and Davide Giuglino (Ducati Superbike Team) who also started from the front row, made equally impressive starts to ensure that they were in contention from the beginning.
The Race Two pace was a lot higher than the earlier encounter as Rea lapped at almost lap record pace on his first flying lap.
Reigning champion Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) started slowly but was soon up to 4th after displacing Marco Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team) who in turn had moved ahead of race one podium finisher Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team). As the race progressed and with Rea out in front by over 5 seconds, Davies and Guintoli together with Sykes and his fellow Kawasaki rider Loris Baz, were involved in an intense battle which raged until the final lap.
At the flag Rea took a double victory ahead of Davies, who clung on to his second podium of the day and Guintoli who fought hard to finish 3rd. Thanks to the 13th race win and the first double since Assen 2010, Rea elevates himself to the championship lead for the first time ever. Loris Baz got the better of his team mate Tom Sykes to claim fourth, with Davide Giugliano putting the disappointment of his race one crash behind him with a solid 6th.
 Leon Haslam (91) and Eugene Lavery (58) battle in mid-pack.
Niccolo Canepa had a technical failure in the closing laps as it looked certain that he was heading to the best classified award in the EVO category. His retirement handed that accolade once again to Leon Camier (BMW Motorrad Italia).
Jonathan Rea 1st, 1st - "It’s been a great weekend for me! I couldn’t have imagined doubling up coming here. But I knew we’d be strong because it’s a circuit I really enjoy and one that the bike goes really well at. To cap it off, it’s also been a perfect weekend for the team with Lorenzo [Zanetti] winning his first World Supersport race so massive congratulations to him. Mikey [van der Mark] was on the podium and he’s leading the championship, too. It’s a shame we have a test tomorrow because I think everybody in the team deserves to go and really enjoy the night and savour this moment but it’s back to work tomorrow! We’ll try to make the bike better and go to Donington hopefully to keep this ball rolling. I’m really enjoying riding right now and I want to thank everyone who’s put t he work in. Not just the track staff here but the guys back at base in Nieuwleusen [Netherlands]. It’s also the home round for our sponsors, Pata, so a big thanks to them, too."
Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team #7) – 2nd, 2nd - “These have been the best races of the season and undoubtedly my best race weekend so far, in that we’ve been consistently strong since Friday. It’s great to be on the podium and is the best way to thank Ducati and all of the guys, both in the team and the factory, for all of their hard work. Race 1 was difficult, Jonathan got away quickly and there was no way to stay with him but we had a good battle behind him. Race 2 turned out to be pretty similar. We chose a fairly standard setting today and I was able to ride really well. I can almost ride the bike as I would like, we just have a small problem with rear vibration to iron out but tomorrow, during the tests, we will also work on this and I’m sure we’ll be able to improve. I’m very pleased with the double podium of course and it confirms how much work has been done in Ducati over the last months, so I want to dedicate today’s results to Ducati and all the fans.”
Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team #34) – DNF, 6th - “It wasn’t the day that I’d expected but I have to look at the positives, or rather the fact that we’ve collected important data which we can use to improve and avoid problems in the future. Unfortunately a crash in race one compromised a race that hadn’t got off to a great start. I was catching up to those ahead quite quickly but then crashed and there was nothing to do about it. In the second I got away well, I was faster than Sylvain but, from the fifth or sixth lap I suffered a big drop and lost a lot of ground. Anyway, tomorrow we are here testing and will work hard to be more competitive at Donington.”
Sylvain Guintoli (Team Aprilia) 5th, 3rd - “It was a hard battle in both races. In Race 2 we managed to improve our pace quite a bit. I knew I would have to start off strong because we are struggling a bit at the moment in the second half of the race. I fought all the way to the end. I knew that the podium was within reach so I gritted my teeth and tried not to make any mistakes. A fifth and third place don't exactly make me jump for joy, but in any case they mean 27 points. I know that I put forth my best effort on this track. The test tomorrow is important because we'll be able to continue improving and looking for new solutions so that we can be incisive in any conditions”.
The weekend at Imola was decidedly disappointing for Marco Melandri who, after two days of positive sessions, was expecting to be strong in the races. Instead, his sixth place in Race 1 and eleventh place in the second match, despite two excellent starts, kept the rider from Ravenna out of the spotlight on the track at Imola.
Marco Melandri (Team Aprilia), 6th, 11th -“This was a very disappointing Sunday race day, definitely not up to our expectations which were quite high after such a good start to the weekend. Friday and Saturday were positive and it seemed like we were on the right track. This means that we still have a lot of work to do. I am quite capable of bringing home very different results, but that's how this sport is at these levels”.
 New World Championship points leader Jonny Rea.
RACE 2: (Laps 19 = 93,784 Km) POS / RIDER / NAT. / TEAM / MOTORCYCLE / GAP
1 / J. REA / GBR / PATA Honda World Superbike / Honda CBR1000RR / 34'14.255
2 / C. DAVIES / GBR / Ducati Superbike Team / Ducati 1199 Panigale R / 4.095
3 / S. GUINTOLI / FRA / Aprilia Racing Team / Aprilia RSV4 Factory / 5.546
4 / L. BAZ / FRA / Kawasaki Racing Team / Kawasaki ZX-10R / 6.285
5 / T. SYKES / GBR / Kawasaki Racing Team / Kawasaki ZX-10R / 7.147
6 / D. GIUGLIANO / ITA / Ducati Superbike Team / Ducati 1199 Panigale R / 22.054
7 / T. ELIAS / ESP / Red Devils Roma / Aprilia RSV4 Factory / 25.811
8 / L. HASLAM / GBR / PATA Honda World Superbike / Honda CBR1000RR / 26.127
9 / E. LAVERTY / IRL / Voltcom Crescent Suzuki / Suzuki GSX-R1000 / 26.306
10 / A. LOWES / GBR / Voltcom Crescent Suzuki / Suzuki GSX-R1000 / 33.046
11 / M. MELANDRI / ITA / Aprilia Racing Team / Aprilia RSV4 Factory / 37.788
12 / L. CAMIER / GBR / BMW Motorrad Italia SBK / BMW S1000 RR EVO / 42.415
13 / D. SALOM / ESP / Kawasaki Racing Team / Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO / 52.114
14 / L. SCASSA / ITA / Team Pedercini / Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO / 59.001
15 / F. FORET / FRA / MAHI Racing Team India / Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO / 1'04.364
16 / J. GUARNONI / FRA / MRS Kawasaki / Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO / 1'18.512
17 / A. ANDREOZZI / ITA / Team Pedercini / Kawasaki ZX-10R EVO / 1'34.487
18 / G. MAY / USA / Team Hero EBR / EBR 1190 RX / 1 Lap
19 / I. TOTH / HUN / BMW Team Toth / BMW S1000 RR / 1 Lap
Fastest Lap: 2° Jonathan Rea 1'47.356 165,520 Km/h
Lap Record: 2013 T.Sykes 1'47.274 165,650 Km/h
Best Lap: 2013 T.Sykes 1'45.981 167,670 Km/h
CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS TO DATE:
1 REA 139, 2 SYKES 135, 3 GUINTOLI 123, 4 BAZ 119, 5 DAVIES 87, 6 MELANDRI 84, 7 GIUGLIANO 69, 8 LAVERTY 62, 9 HASLAM 58, 10 LOWES 50, 11 ELIAS 50, 12 SALOM 34, 13 CANEPA 28, 14 CAMIER 20, 15 SCASSA 16, 16 FORET 10, 17 MORAIS 10, 18 GUARNONI 7, 19 ALLERTON 6, 20 BOS 5.
 The Bimotas of Badovini )86) and Iddon (2) batttle here with Kawasaki's David Solom(23) for top position in the EVO class (production engines in a Superbike Chassis). Becuase the Bimota's are not eligible for points yet, it was Leon Camier (BMW Motorrad Italia) came out on top in points in both Races, finishing comfortably ahead of David Salom (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Luca Scassa (Team Pedercini Kawasaki). Ivan Goi (Barni Racing Team) and Niccolo Canepa (Althea Racing Ducati).
Alstare BiMota and Kawsaki share Eco Class Victories
Team Bimota Alstare rider Ayrton Badovini finished today’s second World Superbike Championship as the top rider in the EVO class – a tremendous result in just the team’s third race weekend with the new BB3 bike. After a disappointing first race, due to electronic problems, Ayrton had a race-long battle with fellow EVO class rider Leon Camier in the second 19-lapper, before coming out on top by two tenths of a second at the flag. As the BB3 is awaiting its homologation, Ayrton’s superb performance is excluded from the official results, but nevertheless it shows that the bike is competitive and improving each time out. And, to underline this fact, Ayrton’s team mate Christian Iddon finished only two places behind, backing up his strong performance in race one, when he was second in the EVO class.
Ayrton Badovini - Race 1: DNF, Race 2: 12th overall, 1st EVO class - “Race 1 was not so good because I had some electronics problems and I pitted three times to try and get the problems sorted out. We fixed the problem in time for race two and I really enjoyed it because I was able to push hard right from the start and have good battles. Camier and I had a good fight but I was very determined to beat him – especially as this is my home race. It was very hard at the end of the race, but I definitely wasn’t going to let him get past me. To win the EVO class today was a very nice feeling, but I think that this is just the start and there’s a lot more to come. I would like to say thank you to my team and also to all my fans who gave me so much support this weekend.”
Christian Iddon – Race 1: 12th overall, 2nd EVO class, Race 2: 14th overall, 3rd EVO class - “Today was a very positive day and I am so much happier than yesterday. We made some changes to the rear shock and the bike was much better to ride. I felt that I could push hard and that’s what I did. We made a further adjustment for the second race, but possibly we went slightly in the wrong direction and I couldn’t push as hard as I did in the race one. But the important thing is that we have collected a load of valuable data and we can use that in the test tomorrow to try and improve the bike further.”
Francis Batta (Team Manager) - “I am very happy with our win in the EVO class today - it is reward for all the tremendous effort everybody has put in since this project started. Today was only our third race weekend and to get this kind of result so soon speaks about the strength of the Bimota BMW connection and all our hard work.I am very happy with Ayrton’s performance in race two – especially considering that he rode the bike without any electronics assistance! Christian is making good progress and his pace today was good enough for top three in the EVO class in both races. Although I am happy with today’s great results, my mind is on the future and with this bike I think our prospects are very good.”
Zanetti Gives PATA Honda a Clean Sweep ai Imola with 600 Supersport Win
Lorenzo Zanetti (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) took his breakthrough win at his home round of the FIM Supersport World Championship, just as his team-mate Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport Team) did last time out at Assen.In finishing second, 2.072 seconds behind his team-mate van Der Mark took a share of the championship lead after an incredible 1-2 for the Pata Honda duo.
Zanetti had been in the mix in the WSS practice sessions from the start of his home round and he started from third place on the grid, with van der Mark on the back of the second row in sixth place. Zanetti broke free of the third place podium fight as he chased long time race leader Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) who retired with a third of the race distance to go. From then on Zanetti was controlling the gap to second place rider van Der Mark until a light fall of rain brought out white flags. Undeterred by almost invisibly small spots of rain, Lorenzo carried on at high pace to take his first ever win at this level.
He is now third in the championship, 16 points behind his team-mate van der Mark.
‘Mikey’ van der Mark pushed hard all the way to the flag, despite some awkward moments early in the race, and he is now tied on points with previous clear championship leader Florian Marino (Kawasaki) with 65 points each. Marino took the final podium place today, inheriting the position following the retirement of early race leader Sofuoglu.
RESULTS SUPERSPORT RACE : (Laps 17 = 83,912 Km)
POS / RIDER / NAT. / TEAM / MOTORCYCLE / GAP
1 / L. ZANETTI / ITA / PATA Honda World Supersport / Honda CBR600RR / 31'53.543
2 / M. VD MARK / NED / PATA Honda World Supersport / Honda CBR600RR / 2.072
3 / F. MARINO / FRA / Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres / Kawasaki ZX-6R / 6.263
4 / P. JACOBSEN / USA / Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres / Kawasaki ZX-6R / 10.043
5 / R. ROLFO / ITA / Team GO Eleven / Kawasaki ZX-6R / 16.366
6 / F. MENGHI / ITA / VFT Racing / Yamaha YZF R6 / 23.914
7 / M. BUSSOLOTTI / ITA / Team Lorini / Honda CBR600RR / 24.060
8 / R. RUSSO / ITA / Team Lorini / Honda CBR600RR / 24.150
9 / K. WAHR / GER / RS Wahr by Kraus Racing / Yamaha YZF R6 / 24.996
10 / A. NOCCO / ITA / San Carlo Puccetti Racing / Kawasaki ZX-6R / 25.115
11 / J. KENNEDY / IRL / CIA Insurance Honda / Honda CBR600RR / 33.695
12 / R. DE ROSA / ITA / CIA Insurance Honda / Honda CBR600RR / 36.079
13 / C. GAMARINO / ITA / Team GO Eleven / Kawasaki ZX-6R / 39.322
14 / T. COVEÑA / NED / Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres / Kawasaki ZX-6R / 46.397
15 / J. CLUZEL / FRA / MV Agusta RC-Yakhnich M. / MV Agusta F3 675 / 54.935
16 / F. ROGERS / GBR / Com Plus SMS Racing / Honda CBR600RR / 1'07.909
17 / N. CALERO / ESP / CIA Insurance Honda / Honda CBR600RR / 1'16.621
Fastest Lap: 6° Kenan Sofuoglu 1'51.733 159,036 Km/h
Lap Record: 2013 S.Lowes 1'51.607 159,220 Km/h
Best Lap: 2013 S.Lowes 1'50.404 160,950Km/h
CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS TILL DATE:
1 VD MARK 65, 2 MARINO 65, 3 ZANETTI 49, 4 COGHLAN 44, 5 CLUZEL 42,
6 DE ROSA 38, 7 ROLFO 30, 8 TAMBURINI 29, 9 SOFUOGLU 25, 10 WAHR 23,
11 JACOBSEN 22, 12 MENGHI 19, 13 RUSSO 18, 14 BUSSOLOTTI 16,
15 GAMARINO 16, 16 LEONOV 12, 17 KENNEDY 10, 18 GOWLAND 9,
19 WILAIROT 9, 20 NOCCO 6.
MV Agusta F3 800 AGO Personally Autographed Edition: The Legend Continues
Varese, Italy, 17th April 2014 – Now as then, technology, perfectionism and excellence are the driving factors that inspire us to create unique motorcycles. Tricolour, gold and that Number 1: the fairings of the campionissimo evoke the exhilarating world of racing and the atmosphere of the tracks where the legend of the unbeatable MV Agusta Grand Prix bikes was born. These bikes made Giacomo Agostini a motorcycling legend and have now re-emerged from the past thanks to the most faithful replica ever: the F3 800 AGO, packed with unsurpassed technology that provides jaw-dropping performance and unparalleled riding pleasure.
Electronic engine and traction control play a pivotal role, ensuring the F3 800 AGO delivers tip-top performance at all times. Practical handlebar controls let the rider choose from among three different pre-set power delivery modes. And those hungry for more personalised performance will be delighted to hear that the F3 800 AGO allows configuration of the control parameters, including the traction control settings (8 levels, disengageable).
Thanks to the MVICS (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System), the rider has absolute control over the set-up process and can thus truly benefit from the exceptional versatility that brings out the technical qualities of the bike whatever the riding conditions, on the road and racetrack alike. Like a real racing bike, the F3 800 AGO even lets the rider choose - together with a host of other parameters - the ratio between throttle twist and throttle body opening.
Performance and safety go hand-in-hand even on the racetrack, which is why the F3 800 AGO features the sophisticated ABS Bosch 9MP with Race Mode and the RLM system, which prevents the rear wheel from lifting off the asphalt under hard braking. Awesome deceleration is ensured by a top-notch braking system, which features two 320 mm front discs, radially mounted Brembo monobloc 4-piston calipers and a 220 mm rear disc. The light, compact ABS system prevents any unwanted and potentially dangerous wheel lock while simultaneously ensuring the shortest possible braking distances under critical riding
conditions (e.g. hard braking in the wet).
Perfection is hidden in every detail: the alloy foot pegs, machined from solid aluminium, and other aluminium items make the F3 800 AGO a stunning example of function-focussed exclusivity. Every single component is carefully designed to make this MV Agusta even harder-hitting, faster and more sensational on road and track than ever.
The use of carbon fibre on the front and rear fenders gives the F3 800 AGO real racing panache, making the bike even lighter and enhancing the already excellent power-to-weight ratio. Another key contribution comes from the gorgeous forged rims, which save a full 2 kilograms compared to the standard version. A sports-style plate holder emphasises the flowing lines of the tail, underlining its thoroughbred racing pedigree.
The F3 800 AGO is unique in every detail. A silver plaque attached to the steering yoke shows a progressive number certifying that the F3 800 AGO is one of MV Agusta's most exclusive creations. Only a limited edition of 300 such bikes will be manufactured and on each one the fuel tank will carry the personal autograph of 15-times world champion Giacomo Agostini. A tangible thrill, then, for MV Agusta devotees and fans of the world's greatest-ever motorcyclist, to be experienced, quite literally, every time they sit astride the bike. Lastly, each of these incomparable bikes will be delivered together with a special certificate signed by Giacomo Agostini himself, providing additional proof of the uniqueness and originality of this latest MV Agusta legend.
The F3 800 AGO will go on sale from the beginning of May 2014 at a price of 23,990€. Individual markets may have a price variation due to local import duties and taxes.
Ducati's Dovizioso(04) took the star and lead through the first few corners before quickly being dispatched by Rossi (46) and Marc Marquez (93).
2014 MotoGP World Championship, Jerez, Spain Round 4 of 18
Marquez and Honda Go Four for Four at at Home in Spain
Spanish Grand Prix, Jerez de la Frontera, Sunday, May 4th, 2014 - Defending World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda RC213V) claimed a fourth win in four races in emphatic fashion at his home-country GP today in Spain, in the first race of the European season. Already the youngest-ever premier-class champion, the 21-year-old has claimed pole position in every race so far this year, and won them all in increasingly dominant manner. Complete Coverge
Mule Motorcycles Triumph Bonneville Tracker now in the Calendar Bike Garage!
Check out this awesome Triumph Bonneville Streetracker built by one of our favorite Calendar Bike Builders, Richard Pollock / Mule Motorcycles, now featured in the FastDates.com Calendar Bike Garage with complete details and large screen saver size pictures. We might just even have included this picture of beautiful Sara with the bike.... Go to Calendar Bike Garage
Calendar Kitten Sara with Sammy Tanner
One of our 2015 FastDates.com Calendar shoots with beautiful Calendar Kitten Sara Horvath took place at the classic motorcycle shop Garage Compnay in Inglewood, CA. The shop's bike restorer there is legendary 1960-70s Triumph dirt track racer Sammy Tanner. Here Sara poses with Sammy's and a couple of his latest museum quality Triumph Bonneville restorations. Bring your checkbook.
Click for more about The Pretty Reckless |
Click to Order from Amazon.com |
The Pretty Reckless is Going to Hell
Our favorite rock band The Pretty Reckless with lead singer and cute teen actress turned bad girl Taylor Momsen is
Going to Hell in their new ablum being released in March 2014 , and we're happy to take the ride with her.
"Rock & roll needs to make a resurgence," insists Taylor Momsen, speaking to her belief that the genre has slipped from the mainstream. "It needs to come back in a big way and take over again." The 20-year-old singer, whose band the Pretty Reckless broke out in 2010 with their alt-rock debut Light Me Up, says she's fully prepared to hold up her end of the bargain. "We're really trying to come to something unique and different," she says of Going to Hell, the band's forthcoming second album, due out in early 2014 on Razor and Tie.
FastDates.com Calendar Kittens and official SBK World Superbike Umbrella Girls, Jitka (left) and Petra (right) are featured in the
2014 Fast Dates World Superbike and Garage Girls Calendars, and the new 2014 Fast Calendar Digital Magazine.
Fast Dates brings Czech SBK girls Jitka and Petra to
Laguna Seca World Superbike and the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show in July 2014!
2014 - The FastDates.com Calendars and producer / photographer Jim Gianatsis are excited to announce an agreement with SBK World Superbike and the international model agencies PetrasAngles.com and UmbrellaGilrsUSA.com to bring beautiful Czech Republic SBK grid girls Jitka and Petra to the United States this July 2014 to appear at Laguna Seca SBK World Superbike round at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca the weekend of July 11-13th and at the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show in Malibu, CA on Sunday July 20th.
These two 6-foot 2-inch tall long legged, blond hair professional supermodels hail from the capital of the Czech Republic, Prauge, and have been featured on SBK world TV race broadcasts the last 3 years standing at the front of the SBK World Superbike starting grid towering above the race bikes and riders in their uniforms with umbrellas to showcase SBK's title sponsors Pirelli Tires, Agip Fuels and Lubricants, and Alfa Romeo Automobiles. In their official uniforms with 6-inch heels on their platform boots, Jitka and Petra tower nearly 7 feet tall and can intimidate the bravest factory racers and experienced photographers!
Both these Czech mates are already official FastDates.com Calendar Kittens having shot for the Calendars with contributing Italian photographer Max Oliana at the 2012 and 2013 SBK rounds at Bruno and Silverstone for the current 2014 and upcoming 2015 Fast Dates World Superbike and Garage Girls PinUp Calendars.
Meet the offical SBK Fast Dates World Superbike Girls Here!
Benefit to Fight Cancer - 2014 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show Concours d' Elegance & Calendar Girl Music Festival Moves to Malibu, CA on Sunday July 20th
Malibu, CA, April 21st - The 23rd annual LA Calendar Motorcycle Show sponsored by Russ Brown Attorneys is pleased to announce that the American Cancer Society will be the 2014 Show's designated charity recipient. Each year, the American Cancer Society funds a select group of researchers, doctors, and nurses – those who have presented the best ideas with the most potential – to pursue new avenues, as well as strengthen existing ones, in the fight against cancer. This month the Society announced its first set of new 2014 grantees, awarding a total of $42,899,000 to 103 scientists and health professionals, both to find a cures for the many types of cancers, and to support and care for the facilities that treat and care for cancer patients.
"Everyone knows of friends and loved family members, or possibly themselves who have been impacted by cancer", explained Jim Gianatsis, producer of the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show and the Show's themed FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars. "I, myself, was cured of cancer 4 years ago, thanks to diagnostics, cures and surgeries, discovered by researchers funded by important charity organizations like the American Cancer Society. Motorcyclists are renown as a community for coming together to support important causes, and none is more important than curing the cancers which affect more people than any other disease. The LA Calendar Show will be giving $1 of each Spectator Admission purchased on-line at FastDates.com to the American Cancer Society.
The 2014 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show continues its now 23rd year tradition as the premier outdoor streetbike event in America with the Calendar Bike Building Championship & Concours d' Elegance, top Celebrity Builders, selected Vendors and Exhibitors, and the live Calendar Girl Music Show. This year the Show moves to the Malibu Golf Course off Encinal Canyon Road, between Pacific Coast Highway 1 and Hwy 101, in the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains.
The Show always kicks off the world premier of next year's new 2015 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars featuring the world's top road race and custom motorcycles with the beautiful Calendar Kittens featured in the Calendars in attendance at the Show.
The 2014 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show & Concours d' Elegance on Sunday July 20th is just $20 General Admission, and $40 VIP Admission includes an awesome Food Truck Lunch w/ Beverages from the famous Baby's Badass Burgers and The Grilled Cheese. Event parking is free, with separate paved Motorcycle and Car Parking areas. Show capacity is limited and advance ticket purchase is suggested. The Malibu Golf Course is located at 901 Encinal Canyon Road. Malibu, CA 90265. Additional Information, Purchase Advance Tickets, Vendor and Bike Contest Registration is online at: www.FastDates.com/BIKESHOW.HTM
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
The Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar Presents a History, Track Tests,
Team Rider and Designer Interviews, and Pictures of All the
Ducati Corse World Superbikes
by Alan Cathcart and Jim Gianatsis
The year 2011 marked the 25th anniversary of the creation of the first, of a now legendary line of Ducati Superbikes with their trademark Desmoquattro 4-valve V-twin motors hung below a lightweight trellis tube frame, race bikes that went on to dominate the then new World Superbike Championship for next quarter of a century. Arguably the most significant motorcycle engine design of any kind since the CB750 Honda, and surely the most remarkable and successful volume production engine format ever used in world competition by any single manufacturer, the venerable Ducati 4-valve desmodromic engine recorded to this date 14 World Superbike Championship titles in the 24 year history of the world’s premier production bike based world roadracing series.
This book chronicles the development and history all five Ducati Corse World Superbike generations from the first Desmoquatro 750cc prototype to the revolutionary new 1199 Panigale Superquadro together with interviews with the Ducati designers, team racers and managers. This unique insight is provided by renown motorcycle racer and journalist Alan Cathcart who has had the envious and often exclusive opportunity to test ride every one of the factory Corse race bikes over the last 25 years, those tests of which are featured here. Photography of the Corse factory bikes and riders is proved by the world's most renown motorcycle roadracing photographers.
There's More! Go to Pit Lane News Previous Week
Also Visit: Fast Dates Calendar News • Iron & Lace Calendar News
Calendar Girl News • Meet the Models • Paddock Garage
Get FastDates.com T-Shirts, Mugs & Photographs from Our Store
MEMBERS CORNER! Calendar
Kittens, Paddock Garage, Iron & Lace Garage
Amazon.com Motorcycle Products & Apparel Store
MotorcycleSuperstore.com
|
Hot Bikes, Sexy Kittens
Your Exclusive Grid Pass
also includes....
2013 SBK Race Season
Meet the offical SBK
World Superbike Girls!
2014 SBK Race Season
Order the New
2013 / 2014 Calendars!
with the FastDates.com Calendar Kittens - the official SBK Umbrella Girls!
Click for even more
2014 Calendars!
Ducati 1199 Panigale finally a World Superbike contender at Imola
Double podium for Chaz Davies and the Ducati Superbike Team in today’s Imola SBK races!
Imola (Italy), Sunday 11 May 2014 – The fourth round of the Superbike World Championship, that took place today at the Imola circuit in Italy, proved to be a happy hunting ground for Chaz Davies and the Ducati Superbike Team who powered the 1199 Panigale to a second place finish in both of the day’s hard-fought Superbike races.
Race 1 – in cooler temperatures than yesterday (air temperature 22°C, track 30°C), Davies got away extremely well from fourth on the grid and by the end of lap one he was already lying second, behind Rea. During the first half of the race the Ducati Superbike man battled it out with both Sykes and Guintoli and although he lost his hold on second place for a few laps, he regained control when he got back in front of Guintoli on lap fourteen. In the final stages of the race Davies managed his tyres well and was able to increase his pace, lapping quicker than the other riders and building a gap between himself and the chasing pack. Chaz therefore crossed the line in final second place, his first podium of the 2014 season.
Giugliano did not make the quickest start and was seventh through the first laps. Starting to push to chase Melandri, Davide got past the Aprilia man on lap seven and then got into a rhythm which allowed him to close the gap between himself and Baz and Sykes, immediately ahead. Unfortunately on lap twelve, just when he was positioned right behind the two Kawasakis, the Italian rider crashed, losing the front of his bike. Unfortunately what could have been a great race for Giugliano came to a premature end.
Race 2 – Giugliano got away very fast, lapping third at the end of lap one. Unfortunately, after only five or six laps, the bike started to bounce which caused him to lose feeling during braking, slowing him down and making him lose a few positions. Chaz, who didn’t get as well as fast as he did in race 1, immediately began to push and made up for lost ground over the first half of the race, passing first Melandri and then his teammate Giugliano. At the mid-race point Chaz was up into fourth, while Davide, sixth, was forced to ride a prudent second half and was unable to attack; he nevertheless closed in a solid sixth position. Chaz, able to push harder than his rivals in the final stages, reached and passed first Sykes and then Guintoli to move into second place three laps from the end. Maintaining concentration right to the line, he passed under the chequered flag in second position. Chaz’s double podium is an important result for Ducati, racing at its home track in front of large crowds of fans and ducatisti.
At the end of this fourth world championship round, Davies lies in fifth position in the standings with 87 points, Giugliano is seventh with 69 points. In the manufacturer’s standings, Ducati is fourth with 113 points.
Ernesto Marinelli – Ducati Superbike Project Director - “We’re really pleased with Chaz’s results today; every time we go out on track we are able to improve and today’s double podium confirms this positive trend that we’ve seen in recent months. We’re still missing that final step, and this is why we’ll continue to work to be even more competitive, but we’re heading in the right direction. It was a real shame about Davide and the problems he had today. If it hadn’t been for the crash in race 1, he would have been able to reach the podium. His day didn’t go to plan but that is racing in the end. We will turn the page and, with optimism and faith, we’ll concentrate on the tests and the next round at Donington.”
Retail $49.95 ea.
Click to Order from Amazon.com
Ducati Corse
World Superbikes
by Alan Cathcart
& Jim Gianatsis
The Official SBK
World Superbikes
1987-2012
25 Year History Book
The Official SBK
2013-2014 Yearbook
The Official SBK
2012-2013 Yearbook
These SBK Yearbooks are the Best Books Ever about World Superbike. They feature awesome color photography of the riders, bike and racing action. The feature a detailed revue of the past season in pictures and statistics, with a detailed look at the bikes and riders.
Plus a technical look data all the bikes, a preview of the upcoming season's Championship!
We buy this every year ourselves and highly recommend it!
The Ride
The new generation
of sport customs
SBK World Superbike Video Game
Official Print Media Partner
Meet FastDates.com
Calendar Kittens
SBK Grid Girls
Jitunka & Petra!
MV Agusta F3 800cc
The Devil Made Us Do It!
Testing the Ducati Diavel in Italy
New BMW HP4 Superbike
Sudco Carburetor Kits & 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.
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.
Find Out More
Order the Official
FastDates.com &
LA Calendar Bike Show
T-Shirts!
|
|
