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This Month in the Fast Dates World Superbike Calendar ....
Fast Dates SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Kaustin Rose
in Laguna Seca Pit Lane with Chaz Davies factory Ducati 1199RS16 World Superbike
Order the Fast Dates Calendars HERE.
See More of the Bikes and Beautiful Calendar Kittens in -
Calendar Bike Garage and Members Corner and Meet the Models
The beautiful Fast Dates Calendar Kittens featured with the factory race bikes are the official umbrella girls of SBK World Superbike: Kaustin Rose, Alissa Bourne and Sara Horvath, together with Jillian Janson all in skimpy swimwear!
The 2018 Fast Dates Calendar features the top factory race bikes and beautiful podium girls of the SBK World Superbike Championship photographed on location at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca USA World Superbike round by Jim Gianatsis. Featured on the cover and inside is World Superbike Champion Jonthan Rea’s Kawasaki ZX10R, Chaz Davies’s Ducati 1199RS, Jordi Tores' Althea BMW S1000RR, Leon Camier's MV Agusta F4, Niccolo Canepa’s Cresent Yamaha R1, Nicky Hayden’s Ten Kate Pata Honda CBR1000, Karel Abraham's Milwaukee BMW S1000RR and AMA Champion Cameron Beaubier’s Yamaha R1. Special customs including collector Thomas Stephen’s exotic Ducati NCR Hailwood Replica, Mick Wollet’s MV Agusta F3 Hailwood Replica, and LA Calendar Motorcycle Show winners Nick O’Kanes’s Honda CBX1100, Michael LaFountains’s Kawsaki W1, and photographer Jim Gianatsis’ personal Ducati 1199R15. CLICK TO ORDER!
By Jim Gianatsis Photos by Jim Gianatsis • Clink on any Photo to Enlarge It
California, USA, July 17-20th 2016 - For the 22nd year since SBK World Superbike first came to America at Laguna Seca Raceway in 1995, the FastDates.com Calendars and myself, producer / photographer Jim Gianatsis were excited to continue
our ongoing association with SBK World Superbike and the UmbrellaGirlsUSA.com to bring 2 more beautiful FastDates.com Calendar Kittens; Kaustin Lanae and Alissa Bourne to shoot with me at the 2016 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca United States SBK World Superbike and AMA National race weekend July 8-10th. There they served as the official SBK Podium Girls and helped me shoot the next Fast Dates World & AMA Superbike Calendar. Then, two weekends later the Kittens would work the
26th annual LA Calendar Motorcycle Show and Calendar shoot in Los Angeles on July 23-24th. CONTINUED HERE
FAST 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 Digital Calendar Magazines
Go Behind the Scenes for the Making of the FastDates.com Calendars!
Go behind the scenes for the shooting of the 2018 FastDates.comMotorcycle PinUp Calendars with photographer Jim Gianatsis and the Calendar Kittens. Travel to Laguna Seca World Superbike with the official SBK Umbrella Girls, the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show with the Top Custom Bike Builders, and take an Edelweiss Bike Tour across France from the Palace of Versailles to the World War II beaches at Normandy. Plus Editorial features on the Calendar Bikes and Kittens , and see every page in the new 2018 Fast Dates Superbikes, Iron & Lace Custom Bikes and Garage Girls Calendar.
Now in FastDates.com Members Corner
Each year's FastDates.com Calendar Digital Yearbook features 120- 138 pages of exciting hi-resolution digital photography that takes you with us behind the scenes to our photo shoots at SBK World and AMA Superbike, the LA Calendar Motorcyle Show, and in our photo studio. You'll meet the beautiful Calendar Kitttens in sexy biography pictorials, the top Factory Racers and Custom Bike Builders,and see detailed photo features on the top calendar and race bikes. Take a track day with World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss at Misano, take an Edelsweiss Ducati World Superbike tour of the Ducati Factory & Museum and across Italy, ride a Vespa scooter around Paris and party at the Crazy Horse and the Moulon Rouge. Hang with beautiful teen rock star Taylor Momsen of the Pretty Reckless. Did we forget anything?
Oh yes, and you'll see every page in the new Fast Dates, Garage Girls, Iron & Lace Calendars!
Photos and Report by Jim Gianatsis - Click for Complete Story and Photos
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Los Angeles Downtown Arts District, CA - March 31st 2018 -The 2nd annual Outlier's Guild Moto Show held in the old warehouse district of downtown Los Angeles, now being revitalized by the City as the "Arts District" with upscale Apartments,Restaurants and Art Galleries, blew the lid of the retro custom bike scene, drawing tsome 3,000 spectators and the nicest turnout of custom built bikes on the West Coast since the heyday of the legendary LA Calendar Motorcycle Show until the 2008 Recession decimated America's big ticket custom bike industry.
May 13th 2018 - Turkish racing legend Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) has taken to the grid for his last ever race this weekend at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo d Dino Ferrari di Imola, as the five time FIM Supersport World Champion looks ahead to a new chapter of his career in rider coaching and mentoring. Read Sofuoglu's complete Race Bio at right.
Michael Vander Mark (60) dives inside Champ and points leader Jonthan Rea(1) to take the lead and a double race win.
2018 SBK Motul World Superbike Championship, Donnington, England, Round 6 of 13
Donnington Park, England, May 25-27th 2018 - Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team's Michael van der Mark wrote history by taking his maiden victory on Saturday at Round 6 of the 2018 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship at Donington Park, and the flying Dutchman produced an encore performance on Sunday by pulling off a simply incredible ride from ninth on the grid in Race 2 to "do the double" and claim his second race win of the weekend. His teammate Alex Lowes rode an aggressive first lap from pole position and led for the majority of the race, before battling hard to secure his second fourth-placed finish of the weekend.
Saturday Race One: Van der Mark shocks Donington with first WorldSBK win
No non-British rider had won at Donington Park since 2012, and from the Free Practice sessions and Superpole, few would have predicted that would change today in Race 1. But Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) threw out the script for the Prosecco DOC UK Round with a sensational ride, flying from sixth on the grid to his first ever win in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.
Van der Mark is the first Dutch rider to win in the top class, and the first win for a Yamaha rider since Algarve 2011, Race 2. The Dutchman left both Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) shocked and fighting for the remaining podium places, with the Northern Irishman in second and ‘Superpoleman’ in third.
The psychological battle between the KRTs, leading the first row, started right from the start. Rea made it ahead at the lights, with the pair squabbling through sector 1. Sykes struck back three laps later at the Old Hairpin, but went wide at the Melbourne loop. Two laps later, an aggressive Sykes made it back in front, same move, same spot.
The Kawasakis were poised – and had been widely predicted – to dominate Donington weekend, but van der Mark threw a spanner in the works immediately, the only rider able to keep up with Rea and Sykes after passing his teammate Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team). But stalking the KRTs was not enough for the flying Dutchman – Rea went wide at Melbourne in lap 13, the same he’d done a few laps earlier, and van der Mark shot ahead into second.
A couple of laps later, he attacked again. Van der Mark stuck the nose in at Melbourne, yet again, closed the line over Sykes, and blasted away in the lead. But the battle was far from over here: Rea picked his teammate’s pocket around Schwartz with 6 laps to go, and shot after van der Mark, smelling blood. Yet today it was not to be for the defending champion, the Yamaha rider making no mistakes and meeting the flag.
Behind the sensational podium battle, Lowes finished in fourth, behind his teammate but scoring a fantastic finish at his home race. He will also have the consolation prize of leading the line at Race 2. Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) finally translated his great qualifying and free practice performances into a great race finish, making it in at Donington in fifth, ahead of his teammate, Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia), in sixth.
With the Kawasaki, Yamaha and Aprilia bikes all phenomenal ahead, it was a sorry day for Ducati, with just Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) making it into the top ten, in eighth position. Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) crashed with five laps to go, and goes into Race 2 with no points.
Loris Baz (GULF Althea BMW Racing Team) made it in in seventh, with Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) finishing ninth following a thrilling battle with his teammate at Donington, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), who went to the floor on the final lap. Closing the top ten was Leon Camier (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team) on his full WorldSBK return after injury.
P1 - Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team)
"Its amazing feeling, we've been working for this for a long time, last year I came close and finally after four years we've done it. I can't thank the team enough. The bike was working really good this morning and I was pushing so hard, so a big thank you to the team. Its been three ears on this project and we've finally got the victory."
WorldSBK at Donington Park: Race 1 - Complete Results Here
1. Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team)
2. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +1.136
3. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +2.193
The PATA Yamahas of Sam Lowes (22) and Michael Van dr Mark (60) were strong both races at Donnington.
The floodgates were opened on Saturday, and now there’s no stopping Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team). The Dutchman closed an extraordinary weekend at Donington for the Pata Yamaha team with the second win of his MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship career, a win against oll-odds in another fascinating race at the Prosecco DOC UK Round. A first double for van der Mark, and a first podium for Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), beating none other than Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in the closing stages.
A poor start from Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) saw him gobbled up in the mix at the first turn, ceding two places to Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) and Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing). The Yamaha managed to pick both off in short order however, Haslam at the Fogarty Esses (before the wildcard crashed at Melbourne), and the Italian in lap 2. Meanwhile, the two KRTs held a surprisingly aggressive battle, while the other Yamaha quietly made it through to the leading group from ninth on the grid.
Quickly, one third in, the battle for the race turned into a three-way fight, with Lowes sticking strong but Rea taking ghost shots around Craner and Melbourne. Meanwhile, van der Mark, much like he did on Saturday, stalked the front two, biding his time. At the back, Razgatlioglu and Savadori fought nail and tooth for fourth, a few seconds back on the leading group.
After two perfect thirds to the race, it all came apart for Lowes at the end. On lap 17, Rea found a spot at the Melbourne loop, where so many moves have been made this weekend, and pushed in front from the inside of Lowes, with van der Mark picking off the scraps at Redgate and moving to second. And just like yesterday, one lap later, van der Mark made his race-winning move at that same turn 11. The Ductchman shot off from there, giving his pursuers no option to take away his incredible double.
There was one more surprise left at Donington, however. Amidst the front group bickering, Razgatlioglu found himself with the gap now non-existent. Showing an impressive late-race pace, the Turkish rider picked off Lowes with ease, before setting his sights on the three-time WorldSBK champion. And with one lap to go, he moved up to second. A fitting epilogue to Kenan Sofuoglu’s retirement in the last Round: Turkey has a new hero for years to come.
With Rea finally in third, his worst result since the Thai Round, and Alex Lowes repeating his Saturday performance in fourth, there was another comeback behind. Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) found his way all the way back to twelfth at the start, but a neat ride from the Welshman pushed him back to fifth, ahead of Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who couldn’t continue his incredible Donington streak and leaves with his first finish outside the podium since 2011.
Savadori made it to the checkered flag in seventh, just ahead of Leon Camier (Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team), who pipped Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) to eighth at the final turns, and leaves the UK Round with two top-ten finishes on his return. Closing the top ten was Loris Baz (GULF Althea BMW Racing Team), with Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) ending a weekend to forget down in eleventh.
P1 - Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team)
"It just incredible, I can't believe it, I had quite a good race, I struggled a bit but I didn't feel as good as yesterday. So I followed Alex and Jonny, just used my head and in the last few laps they had a battle and I managed to pull away. To take the first win yesterday and now the double, its just incredible."
P2 - Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing)
"Today is my team bosses birthday, so a big happy birthday to him! But this position is very good, I am really happy: It's my first podium so I am really happy, thank you!"
P3 - Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
"It was a huge battle, I really enjoyed it and it was quiet close, I hope everyone out in the crowd and at home enjoyed it. But unfortunately I am disappointed with myself, I ran into arm pump issues which meant I found it hard to change direction and, I had to back off. Third was all we could manage, I'm sorry to my team as they gave me a bike that could win but that as all I could do."
WorldSBK at Donington Park: Race 2- Complete Results Here
1. Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team)
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) +2.328
3. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +2.614
Jonthan increaed his 2018 Championship points leand with double race wins at Imola.
2018 SBK Motul World Superbike Championship, Imola, Italy, Round 5 of 13
Imola, Italy May 11-13th, 2018 - In taking his first double race win of the season at Imola today Jonathan Rea (KRT) made WorldSBK history by equalling the all-time record of 59 career race wins. He now shares that honour with WorldSBK legend Carl Fogarty. Tom Sykes (KRT) finished a fighting third in race two, after sharing a third row starting position with Rea.
After a masterful race one win for Rea from pole position on Saturday, Sunday’s 19-lap race delivered a victory of a different kind. Starting from ninth, and not getting away as cleanly as his team-mate Sykes, Rea had to put in several passes before getting into the slipstream of early leader Chaz Davies.
Rea was in second place after four laps, and sat behind Davies for much of the race before deciding to make a final pass into the Variante Alta, on lap 13. Rea put in two blistering laps with clear track ahead of him and eventually won by a margin of 4.019 seconds. He has now won half for the races in 2018, but this is the first time has been able to win the second race of any weekend, rather than the first.
He now has the chance to become the stand-alone record holder for race wins at the next round, at his home circuit of Donington.
T he race start at Imila with Ducati's new 3rd factory rider #21Michael Ruben Rinaldi / Aruba.it Racing put front.
Saturdat May 12th - Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) took his first win at Imola since 2015 with a dominant performance at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola, controlling the race from the start and not giving anyone on the track any opportunities. His teammate Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) completed the second consecutive KRT one-two of the season, with Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) returning to the podium in third.
The Kawasaki riders shot out from the lights, quickly opening up distance with the riders behind. That gap would increase to 3-4 seconds between the British pair at the halfway point, with both riders leading the race from that point forwards. Rea is now just one win away from the all-time win record in MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship history, and opens up a 42-point lead at the top of the standings.
Sykes too gave no option to the rest of the field, showing that his Assen pace was no fluke and that, when he’s got room in front, his ZX-10RR’s pace is almost unparalleled. It will be interesting to see how the rider from Yorkshire fares starting from 8th in Race 2, given the issues that have plagued him in the past. He now moves up to fourth in the championship.
The first two laps were a nightmare for Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), looking for his fifth consecutive win here. Following his crash in the Superpole 2, the Welshman struggled at the lights, falling back from third to seventh. After climbing back to fourth, Davies went straight through the Variante Bassa chicane, losing several positions along the way and any chance of a victory. He later redeemed himself with two wonderful passes at that same turn 21, but by then the podium was out of sight, thanks to the fantastic rhythm shown by Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in front of his home fans. The Italian equaled his best WorldSBK result here in third, while Davies’ fourth will at least have the consolation prize of starting from P1 tomorrow.
Behind the two teams that have dominated proceedings throughout the weekend, Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) repeated his 2017 Race 1 finish with fifth place, finding the pace to hold off Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) in sixth. The Dutchman will however be pleased at his performance, after starting from the back of row 4.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team) had an extraordinary start to Race 1, moving up to third in lap one. He fell back as the race progressed, but his seventh-place finish equals his best result in WorldSBK. Just behind, Lorenzo Savadori (Milwaukee Aprilia) completed his best finish of the season in eighth.
Leon Haslam (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) finished a successful return to the WorldSBK paddock in ninth, pipping ahead at the line of fellow Brit Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team). Haslam beat his teammate for this weekend in Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), whose WorldSBK Imola debut finished with him in eleventh.
Superbike Race 1 - Complete Results Here
1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
2. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +3.755
3. Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +6.906
Sunday May 13th - Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) has won Race 2 at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola, equalling Carl Fogarty for the most wins in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in the process. Victory number 59 came after a stunning battle with Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who fought off several attacks from the reigning champion before having to settle for second place.
The battle had been anticipated all weekend, but it was Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who made the early move, flying out from the blocks and taking the lead ahead of Davies. The Welshman kept close behind however, finally making his move at Variante Bassa at the end of lap 3. By then, Rea had made it up to third, and a few bends later, at Tosa, passed Rinaldi and set up the fight.
For nine laps, it was cat-and-mouse game, with barely a tenth of a second separating the two. For several laps, Rea stalked Davies, creeping up and planning his pass. He fired the first shot at Tamburello on lap 10, going wide and allowing Davies back through by the straight. Shot two came at Tosa two laps later, and it couldn’t have been closer. Rea found the pace he needed around Tosa, but Davies took the inside line. The pair touched, Rea went wide, and the Ducati stayed in front.
It was third time lucky for Rea, however, one lap later, at the entry to Variante Alta. From there on, the fired-up reigning champion put on an incredible display, giving Davies no chance to even answer back, and increasing the lead to four seconds by the checkered flag.
Behind the flying duo was Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), completing an all-British duo for the first time this season. Sykes had a beautiful battle with Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) throughout the race, finally managing to make it past the Spaniard, who finished fourth, with three laps to go.
Before that, Marco Melandri (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team), who had been contending for that final podium place, came together on lap 10 around Rivazza. The pair collided and ended up on the gravel, neither man able to return.
Jordi Torres (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) scored his best result of the season with a scintillating fifth place finish, after starting on Row 4. One place behind him on the grid and finally at the flag, Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) came in sixth, equalling his best Imola result.
Rinaldi also equalled his Race 1 result in seventh. The Italian was unable to keep up his initial pace, but comes out of the Pata Italian Round with his best return over two races in WorldSBK. He beat Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) to the flag, also matching his best WorldSBK result.
In ninth, Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) made his return from injury a successful one. Leandro Mercado (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), closed the top ten, with one of his best performances of the season.
P1 - Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
"I'd forgotten all about the win record! Honestly I felt really good, a lot better than yesterday. The temperature crept up and I was able to feel good on the bike, its incredible as we've taken a full set. I've been fastest in every session from free practice, to Superpole and with two race wins it's a perfect weekend. We've made a huge step here since last year, and I just want to say thanks to Pere all the boys!"
P2 - Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati)
"I was disappointed not to continue our form from the last couple of years here, but with a crowd like this its hard to be disappointed. It's a pleasure to be here, it could have been the opposite, I had some hairy moments, I just wasn't feeling it with the bike at all and it was just a battle from beginning to end. When I smoothed it up the lap time didn't come and when I pushed it didn't come but anyway, 20 points, not so bad and congrats to Jonny!"
P3 - Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
"There's not much to say, we made a small change but struggled to get the bike into the corner's, and then it was a big battle. I couldn't get into the turn and be able to utilise the power from the Superbike. It took me a long time, and by the end of the race I could just get my head around how the bike was working, and we made the best out of a bad situation."
Imola: Race 2 - Complete Results Here
1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)
2. Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +4.019
3. Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +9.530
The 2018 Rider RoundUp at the Ranch
& Calendar Bike Building Championship! • Sunday Oct 7th 2018
The 2018 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show continues its now 28-year tradition as one of the premier outdoor custom street motorcycle events in America now in partnership with the Rider RoundUp at the Ranch & Calendar Bike Building Championship taking place on Sunday October 7th 2018 in the Western Town movie set at Paramount State Park, Agoura, CA, produced by Calendar Bike Builder Russell Mitchell / Exile Cycles and Jim Gianatsis / FastDates.com. Featuring top Celebrity Custom Bikes & Builders, selected Vendors and Exhibitors, Live Music performances. And the world premier of next year's new 2019 FastDates.com Motorcycle PinUp Calendars featuring the world's top Sport and Custom Motorcycles with the beautiful Calendar Kittens in attendance at the Show. Select Builders and their Bikes will be invited to be photographed by producer Jim Gianatsis for the next FastDates.com Calendars. More Information on our Bike Show Page
Complete 2017 Calendar Bike Builder Party & Rider RoundUp Show Coverage Here
2018 MotoGP World Championship, HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France, Round 6 of 17
Red Bull Grand Prix of Spain, Jerez, Sunday May 20th 2018 - Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) took a record-breaking victory at the HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France, which sees the reigning World Champion equal Casey Stoner’s 38 premier class wins - and surpass Mike Hailwood's win record. Alma Pramac Racing’s Danilo Petrucci was a superb second to take his first podium of the season - and from the front row - with Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) returning to rostrum in third place after a more difficult run of races for the 'Doctor'.
Sadly, however, the French fairytale wasn't to be for Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), as the home hero crashed out at Turn 8 on lap eight after re-passing Marquez for second in the fight at the front. Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was another rider to crash, falling out of contention on lap one at la Chapelle after making a good start. In yet more drama for the standings, Championship contender Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) made a rare error at the same corner four laps later, making Le Mans another pivotal race in the Championship.
At the start, it was Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) who got the holeshot from the second row, repeating his incredible launch of the Spanish GP to take off in the lead – and hold onto it. Zarco dropped from pole but then struck back almost immediately into the chicane to take second, with Petrucci, Dovizioso, Marquez and Rossi all close at the front until Iannone crashed out – leaving a gap back to Marquez as the two Ducatis and Zarco stayed close together at the front.
The Frenchman then headed slightly wide and Dovizioso struck, honing in on teammate Lorenzo in the lead and not leaving long before trying an attack. Getting the job done quickly, it seemed the Italian was then going to unleash his pace shown in practice – but he suddenly slid out of the lead and into the gravel, leaving the number 99 of Lorenzo’s Ducati out front.
Zarco and Marquez closed in before the reigning Champion shot past the Frenchman for second – but Zarco, in signature style, was quick to respond. The second bolt of drama was about to hit the race, however, as the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider then slid off at Turn 8 – leaving Marquez vs Lorenzo in the lead.
On Lap 10, the number 93 made his move before Petrucci followed the Honda rider through a lap later. Rossi and Miller soon carved their way past the five-time World Champion, who started the race on softer rubber, with Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) waiting in the wings.
The gap between Marquez, Petrucci, Rossi and Miller stayed consistent, with all four exchanging quickest laps. That was until six-time World Champion Marquez pulled the pin on Lap 16, setting the fastest lap of the race to bridge to gap to a second over the chasing GP18. From there, Marquez was able to stretch the gap tenth by tenth, with Petrucci also keeping nine-time World Champion Rossi at bay. Pedrosa was later able to pass Lorenzo for fifth, with the Ducati rider having to settle for sixth.
Further down the order, after failing to get the start he was looking for, last year’s winner Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) made his way back up to seventh after being outside the top ten for the first half of the race. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) had a great ride, holding onto eighth until the last lap but then coming home ninth. Passing him on the last lap was a superhuman Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), who had a magnificent ride battling to P8 from 13th on the grid – riding through the pain barrier after a huge highside on Saturday.
Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) battled with Viñales and Espargaro throughout the race, eventually rounding out the top ten in his first ride at the track in the premier class, having missed the event in 2017 due to injury. Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) picked up another solid result in P11 for some more good points for KTM, with Bradley Smith adding to the total in P14. Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) eventually got the better of Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) to finish as top rookie in twelfth, with Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) rounding the points scorers.
That’s it for Le Mans, and it’s now time to gear up for Mugello. Marquez extends his Championship lead to 36 points but the Italians will be out in force to try and stop him – can his momentum be stalled?
MotoGP™ Race Results - Complete Rsults Here
1 - Marc Marquez (SPA) HONDA 41'39.678
2 - Danilo Petrucci (ITA) DUCATI +2.310
3 - Valentino Rossi (ITA) YAMAHA +5.350
2018 MotoGP World Championship, Gran Primo Red Bull de Espana, Round 5 of 17
Red Bull Grand Prix of Spain, Jerez, Sunday May 6th 2018 - Reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) took a stunning second win of the season – and his second win at Jerez – in the Gran Premio Red Bull de España, fighting to the front and just able to pull away into clear air, away from some huge drama that then hit the race behind. In a pivotal day in the Championship, an unbelievable racing incident saw Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team), teammate Andrea Dovizioso and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) all crash out in one go at Turn 6 – with Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) then coming through to complete the podium.
Lorenzo got the holeshot after an unbelievable launch from the second row, taking the lead ahead of Pedrosa in second and Zarco in third as polesitter Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) lost out off the line. Marquez remained where he’d qualified in fifth, with Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) in sixth. Lorenzo pushed early from the front to set the pace, with Pedrosa holding station in second as Marquez, Crutchlow and Zarco squabbled for third. A moment for Zarco soon after then saw the Frenchman out wide and dropping back.
Then Crutchlow crashed out, before another name went missing from the front group as Rins followed suit not so long after. Meanwhile Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) had made his way through to the front group - leaving a Repsol Honda vs Ducati Team duel of duos fighting it out.
With 16 laps to go, however, Marquez made his move – slicing past Lorenzo to take over in the lead as ‘DesmoDovi’ and Pedrosa looked for a way past the number 99. After some chopping and changing as Marquez pulled away, it was then time for the overwhelming headline of the race: the three-rider crash that saw Lorenzo, Dovizioso and Pedrosa all collide and tumble into the gravel.
Dovizioso had attacked Lorenzo into Turn 6 but headed too deep, with the number 99 then cutting back towards the apex - but Pedrosa was already there. The two collided with each other and then Dovizioso; the gravel trap waiting for the three men and the shockwaves of the moment ricocheting around the circuit as the dust settled. Costly in the Championship, but the three all walked away unharmed despite the incident.
Lorenzo, Dovizioso and Pedrosa head for a collision out of the race.
However, the two riders seemed to have different viewpoints on who bore most of the responsibility for the crash itself. “The thing is that Jorge cut down from Dovi after the pass and he wanted to recover his position and maybe he didn't expect me there from some reason,” Pedrosa said.
“What I can say is that in that moment, there is one point that I'm watching them going wide, but then I start turning and I am completely on the right side of my bike and I can't see anything.
“Lorenzo was leaning on the inside, he can more or less see me, and because also I think when you go out and you lose the line, you must check to recover the line.” Lorenzo, for his part, said he “obviously” did not see Pedrosa before the crash, and hinted that, as the third rider in the group, the Honda man “has to be responsible. The third rider is the only one who has vision of the situation because we don't have eyes on the back of your head,” he said. “I would like to ride with four eyes but not possible. It is the one behind who has to be responsible but anyway is Dani. Dani, myself and Dovi never are in this action so I don't want to say [it's anyone's fault.”
That left Zarco with the unbelievable sight of a Repsol Honda and both Ducatis in the gravel as he came past, inheriting second and then facing seven laps to keep calm and take yet another impressive podium. The battle to complete that after the drama up ahead was hotting up, meanwhile, as Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) were closing in on the Suzuki of Andrea Iannone in third.
Zarco moved into 2nd in the Points Chase after Jerez.
As the last lap dawned, Iannone was just able to make a gap and stay clear of the chasing Italians, despite Rossi having pulled back an awesome amount of distance on the penultimate lap to get himself in contention. So the ‘Maniac’ crossed the line in third for the third Suzuki podium in a row, Petrucci took fourth and Rossi a top five finish in the race in which he completed a lap of the world – now having raced the equivalent distance of the circumference of the Earth upon finishing Lap 15.
Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) just dropped off that battle to cross the line in sixth, with Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) making some progress from outside the top ten in the initial stages to take P7. Eighth was the best result of 2018 so far for Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team) after he fought with Viñales for much of the race, with top rookie Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) taking ninth and his first top ten result in the premier class.
Mika Kallio (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), wildcarding on a prototype of the 2019 RC16, completed the top ten in another stunning ride, and teammate Pol Espargaro took P11 as he won a battle against Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) by mere hundredths at the line. Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was incredibly close, too, taking P13 to make it three Austrian machines in the points. Those points were completed by Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) and Scott Redding (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini).
The dust has settled at Jerez, but not in the title fight. There’s a new man at the top after the Spanish GP, and it’s race winner Marc Marquez – so the chasing pack have some ground to make up at Le Mans. Leading that charge is Zarco on home turf, who's second in the standings as we head to France.
MotoGP™ Race Results - Complete Results Here
1 - Marc Marquez (SPA) HONDA 41'39.678
2 - Johann Zarco (FRA) YAMAHA +5.241
3 - Andrea Iannone (ITA) Suzuki +8.214
Marc Márquez, Andrea Iannone and Maverick Viñales on the winne'sr podium at COTA
2018 MotoGP World Championship, Red Bull Grand Prix of America, Round 3 of 17
Red Bull Grand Prix of America, Aistin, Texas, USA , Sunday April 22nd 2018 - It’s closer than ever as the flag falls at the end of the Americas GP, with Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) taking the win and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) taking the Championship lead as Texas shook up the standings. There are now five riders within eight points at the top of the title fight – with Marquez a point off the top after his win, and Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) moving up to third after a second place finish at COTA. The Americas GP also made it back-to-back podium finishes for Suzuki, with Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) putting in an impressive push from the front row to take third and his first rostrum finish of the season – and first rostrum with the Hamamatsu factory.
It was also Iannone who got the holeshot from second on the grid, but Marquez also got a stunner from Row 2 – slotting into second and on the chase behind the ‘Maniac’. Making his move soon after and taking the lead, the number 93 started to pull a gap – but Iannone wasn’t done, and gave it everything for a late dive up the inside of the reigning Champion. Running a bit wide on the exit, Marquez took him back – and then put his head down. From there on out, the spectacular ballet of man and machine once more ruled the rodeo in Texas - with the victory making it ten consecutive premier class wins for Marquez on US soil.
Behind Marquez, however, it was getting pretty tight as Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) pressured teammate Viñales for third and Iannone held firm in second. But lap-by-lap, Viñales was able to ease away and stake his claim on P2 – closing in on Iannone before a well-judged pass into Turn 1 saw the Spaniard able to get through and then pull away. Keeping it calm, he took his first podium of the season in second, and Iannone did the same in third.
Rossi came home fourth, with Dovizioso taking fifth after a particularly difficult weekend. Well-rewarded for a solid race, the 2017 Runner Up is now the leader of the pack once again after his controlled performance, including a late race pass on Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3).
Zarco was top Independent Team rider in P6, with former Championship leader Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) sliding out at the final corner when attacking the Frenchman earlier in the race. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) also then suffered a tumble soon after – riders ok and Crutchlow able to rejoin.
Meanwhile, Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) followed up two stunning showings on Friday and Saturday to come home in a superhuman P7. Back on track and racing just over a week after surgery on his broken wrist sustained in the Argentina GP, the ‘Little Samurai’ rode a heroic push through the pain barrier around the punishing, technical challenge of the Circuit of the Americas in a performance worthy of the history books, taking home nine points ahead of the Championship’s return to one of his best venues: Jerez.
There was a Borgo Panigale battle around three seconds behind three-time World Champion Pedrosa, with Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) impressively beating Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) to the line for eighth. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) completed the top ten, putting in an impressive push to keep Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team) behind him after a tough race for the five-time World Champion.
Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) took P12, ahead of some impressive points for Pol Espargaro and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in P13. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) was top rookie in P14, ahead of Alvaro Bautista (Angel Nieto Team).
So there we have it! The rodeo is ridden and the points are given, and what a Championship we have on our hands as we head for Jerez: five riders within eight points, with ‘DesmoDovi’ the man in the lead on the road to Europe. Marquez trails him by one point, Viñales by five and Crutchlow by eight – with Zarco equal on points with the Brit, back in P5 due to Crutchlow having a race win.
Now it’s carnival time. Packed grandstands, Spanish sun, the awesome Circuito de Jerez and one of the best atmospheres of the year – with the Championship so close, there’s almost nothing in it. Tune in on Friday 4th May, with lights out for Round 4 at 14:00 local time (GMT +2) on Sunday 6th.
MotoGP™ Race - Complete Results Here
1 - Marc Márquez (SPA) HONDA 41'52.002
2 - Maverick Viñales (SPA) YAMAHA + 3.560
3 - Andrea Iannone (ITA) SUZUKI + 6.704
April 1st 2018 - In a recent interview, MV Agusta CEO Giovanni Castiglioni, said the MV Agusta company will withdraw from SBK World Superbike in 2019 and will cease production of an Open class bike capable of being raced in SBK World Superbike under the current homologation rules. The situation comes from the upcoming mandate for Euro4 emmissions homologation, as the current MV Agusta F4 superbike does not meet. Operating on an emissions waiver right now, MV Agusta will have to stop selling the F4 at the end of the year, which creates a difficult situation.
This Euro4 compliance issue, together with the decline in superbike sales, coupled with the delays made by MV Agusta’s financial troubles, means any redesigned next generation F4 superbike gets shuffled to the back of the pack, which also means that its model revision will not come before its emissions waiver lapses.
“Sport bikes are a very niche market. We will have it, because it’s our flagship, but the F4 will finish this year [2018]. This is the last year for the F4,” MV Agusta CEO Giovanni Castiglioni told us.
“So we stop that, we will phase-out, and we will start the new inline-four with naked and neo-classical.”
MV Agusta’s priority right now with its four-cylinder platform is to produce the new Brutale 1000, and then follow it up with a Dragster-esque model, also built off the new four-cylinder engine.
Financially limited to one new model per year, this means that the next MV Agusta F4 superbike will come as a 2021 model, likely debuting at the 2020 EICMA show in Milan, Italy. “Strategic-wise, after we phase out the product, it’s going to take time-to-market for like a couple years. There will be a 2019 and 2020 without a superbike. But, it is our decision…just because we want to make something different,” explained Castiglioni.
This also means, MV Agusta will also be leaving the World Superbike Championship, with the current season possibly the last for the foreseeable future. Although the 2019 season remains up in the air for MV Agusta, but the 2020 season is definitely out.
“We will race this year in Superbike, and potentially next year, yes. The year after, I don’t know if its so convenient or interesting – or potentially even next year. We’ll see,” explained Castiglioni.
MV Agusta will likely continue racing in the World Supersport Championship however, with the MV Agusta F3 675 showing strong results last season with American PJ Jacobsen at the helm (6th overall, with three podiums). But we probably won’t see MV Agusta return to the World Superbike Championship any tome soon, though that takes some explaining to understand.
“First, I don’t think that the Superbike Championship is very popular. Second, I don’t think there is a link between how much you win and how much you sell – that’s proven. Therefore, I believe that it’s not necessary to race in order to make something very good for the street. And last, how we want to think about the project, we would like to take into the market new technology and new applications, which is something that a big manufacturers may not do.”
However, it is not all bad news for superbike fans. Castiglioni revealed his plan for the future F4 models, and it is certainly an interesting proposition. He said MV is looking to build superbikes that are not constrained by arbitrary rules for production racing, MV Agusta will pivot its superbike offering into a more halo bike category, with the next-generation of the F4 being more of a one-liter hyperbike than a one-liter superbike. Similar in concept to the Kawasaki supercharged Ninja H2/H2R superbikes, and Ducati with its larger displacemet 1299 V2 and 1099 V4 Panigale. This means that MV Agusta can play with new technologies and materials that would have been unviable or illegal under current superbike regulations.
“We are developing something that is a bit unconventional,” said Castiglioni. “Maybe it could be criticized. But, we are not looking to develop a superbike with the mentality of what is the World Superbike regulation. We need something cool. I think there is a lot of technology and new applications of engines, of combustion, electrics, or hybrids, that can be applied to the motorcycle world, but nobody is doing it. I think that’s what MV should explore. This is what our clients expect from us, and we can make it, so this is why we moved on.”
“It’s not that we don’t believe in that market (premier category suprbikes). We believe we can do something different,” he explained.
Castiglioni is reluctant to get behind an electric sport bike model right now, but he does see sees a future for hybrid powerplants, which could use electric motors in supplementary way to augment power delivery. This could mean seeing MV Agusta using electric drivetrain technology in performance hybrid application, like the “push-to-pass” or KERS technology that we have seen used successfully in Formula One.
“Hybrid, that is combustion and goes 350hp with a push of a button…that’s cool, like KERS,” exclaimed Giovanni. The idea of a “superbike” that could have 300hp at the push of a button is certainly intriguing, and perhaps it is the shot in the arm that has been missing from the sport bike category, as of late.
With the newest technologies, and the most exotic materials, the next-generation MV Agusta F4 will certainly not be cheap, but it has an opportunity to be one of the more lusted after models from this historic Italian brand. As we have seen from bikes like the Ducati 1299 Superleggera and Kawasaki Ninja H2/H2R – there certainly is a market for these ultra-premium, ultra high-tech machines.
“If we do it, and it is something that complies with regulations to race then perfect, and if it doesn’t, then at the end of the day our clients are not run by that. They are more run by that ‘my bike makes 300hp and makes fires.'”
Claudio
If this new F4 superbike is the sequel to MV Agusta’s fabled superbike narrative, then the current story needs a final chapter. For that, there will be a “Claudio” edition of the current MV Agusta F4 superbike, which will be the most premium version of the F4 superbike yet.
“We will sell the curent F4 with a ‘last bike’ edition – it’s very, very limited. It’s basically Leon Camier’s bike for the street, and it’s a tribute to my dad, because that’s the bike he did,” explained Giovanni Castiglioni, giving a nod to the history of the original F4, which ended with a “Claudio Castiglioni” edition.
A WorldSBK-spec race bike with lights, Giovanni Castiglioni says that the F4 “Claudio” will have carbon fiber wheels, and a bevy of other top-of-the-line pieces, as an honor to his father, the late Claudio Castiglioni. So expect Ducati Superleggera pricingaround $80,000 and quantities to be minuscule, just like the original MV Agusta F4 CC, which also bore the elder Castiglioni’s name. The upcomoing "Claudio F4" Limited Editon will be swan song for the current F4, and we will have a considerable wait for its successor.
Winston Yeh's exciting new MV Agusta "Ballastic" Custom with Calendar Kitten Jillian Janson with complete Build Details and a Large Screen Size Photo Gallery. - http://www.FastDates.com/IronLaceGarage.HTM
We're Back! Riding Edelweiss Motorcycle Tour - From Paris to Omaha, France
Versailles, France, August 2016 - How we spent our summer vacation! On the exciting Edelweiss Bike Travel 2016 Paris to Omaha Beach 10-day motorcycle tour across western France visiting the histroric battle sites of World War II where editor Jim Ginatsis father, B26 bomber pilot Capt. James Gianatsi played a pivital role in te D-say invasion and liberating France. We rode 2-up two-up with awesome FastDates.com SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Kaustin "Kaussie" Rose in a story for the FastDates.com Website. Our bike of choice would be the newly introduced BMW R 1000 XR Sport Tourer, based on the potent BMW R 1000 RR Superbike. For the Complete Story Click on the Photos or Check Out the Complete Story Here
For complete Pricing, Bikes, and Booking Information visit the Edelweiss Website Here
 The Shinden Nana, is the seventh year Shinden model at the Isle of Man TT Zero event.The Shinden Nana will be piloted by a trio of Mugen riders, including 23-time TT winner John McGuinness
April 1st 2018 - Japanese electric motorcycle manufacturer and Honda partner Mugen has unveiled the electric superbike that will mark the firm's seventh year in the TT Zero class at the Isle of Man. The Shinden Nana, as it's called, will spearhead Mugen's campaign in the 2018 TT Zero event, which has been dominated by Mugen since 2014. It's the seventh generation of the Shinden line of superbikes, with the original Shinden in 2012, then the Shinden Ni, Shinden San, Shinden Yon, Shinden Go and Shinden Roku.
The electric class of the Tourist Trophy was first introduced as TTXGP in 2009, and was won by Team AGNI's Rod Barber. In 2010, the name of the event was changed to TT Zero, and Mugen started participating from 2012, acting as Honda's partner in the electric class, and employing a traditional Honda rider and multiple TT winner John McGuinness.
The Mugen Shinden Nana is not a lot different from last year's Shinden Roku. The specs of the bike are near identical to the 2017 Shinden Roku and both bikes share the same dimensions, including the claimed 248 kg weight, same 160 bhp peak power and 210 Nm of peak torque. Like last year's model, the frame is a carbon fibre monocoque and the motor is an oil-cooled, three-phase, brushless design which gets its power from a battery of more than 370 volts. The only visible change in the Shinden Nan is aerodynamics, although the overall shape is similar to the Shinden Roku's.
This year, Mugen will field three Shinden Nana bikes at the TT Zero races. Regulars John McGuinness and Bruce Anstey will pilot the Shinden Nana, as well as Lee Johnston. The TT Zero is a one lap electric motorcycle race at the Isle of Man, and has been more or less dominated by Mugen, and all three Mugen riders are more or less expected to finish at the podium. The only wait is to find out which of the three riders takes top spot, and what order the other two will take at the podium.
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Samuel Kao's Calendar Bike Show class winning BMW R 90T Bar Hopper with beauitful FastDates.com SBK World Superbike Calendar Kitten Sara featured in the Calendar Bike Garage / Members Corner and in the new 2016 Iron & Lace Calendar
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5-Time 600cc Supersport Champion Kenan Sofuoglu retires from racing after Imola swansong
May 13th 2018= Turkish racing legend Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) has taken to the grid for his last ever race this weekend at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo d Dino Ferrari di Imola, as the five time FIM Supersport World Champion looks ahead to a new chapter of his career in rider coaching and mentoring.
Sitting out of three of the four opening rounds of the 2018 championship, and narrowly missing out on retaining the WorldSSP title in 2017, the 33 year old has made the decision not to continue this season and beyond. With injuries sustained in Magny-Cours last year still causing him pain and discomfort, the most successful WorldSSP rider has decided to hang up his leathers and focus on his long term health.
Sofuoglu first burst onto the WorldSBK scene in 2003, making his debut in WorldSSP, but underwent three difficult races.
Firmly planting his name in the series in 2004, the Turkish rider made an impact in the European Superstock 1000 Championship and finished in third overall, taking five podiums along the way with Yamaha. Taking on the competitive series once again in 2005 Sofuoglu narrowly missed out on the title by six points, after a season long battle with Didier van Keymeulen, which saw him secure six podium finishes.
2006 welcomed a move up into the WorldSSP class for Kenan with Ten Kate Honda, and the young talent found his feet very quickly in the 600cc category. Grasping two victories in his first full season – his first at TT Circuit Assen - the truly began in 2007 as he took 12 podiums from 13 races, clinching the title at Brands Hatch with three rounds remaining. Ending the season 143 points ahead of his closest rival Broc Parkes, Sofuoglu was already breaking records as he claimed the honor of the most wins secured over a season.
Making the traditional progression into the WorldSBK class the following season, 2008 was a testing season for the reigning champion in both her personal and racing life. Facing a big learning curve with his Junior Honda squad, he was able to take home points in 13 races that season. With a best result of ninth to his name,
Sofuoglu took a step back to the more familiar territory of WorldSSP for 2009, and his dominance truly blossomed. Finding his feet in 2009 and facing new rivals, the number 54 rider ended the season in the top three, an appropriate 54 points off the champion Cal Crutchlow. Taking the confidence of his six podiums and three victories into a new decade, 2010 welcomed Sofuoglu back to the top of the standings. Finishing on the podium at every race of the season, the Honda rider faced a season-long battle with Eugene Laverty and Joan Lascorz before clinching the title by 11 points in France.
Becoming an unstoppable force in WorldSSP, 2011 saw him make the step over to the MotoGP™ class, where he tried his hand at the 600cc Moto2™ series. Bringing home one second position around a wet TT Circuit Assen on his Suter, Sofuoglu made the move back into WorldSSP to continue to break records. Nevertheless a season of absence didn’t slow him down, and whilst making the switch to Kawasaki for 2012 he was able to win the title for a third time – with nine podiums and four victories. Beginning an intense rivalry with Fabien Foret, this kicked off in the opening race at Phillip Island which saw Sofuoglu take the victory by 0.078s over the line.
Facing some strong battles out on track, the Turkish rider was runner up in 2013 to Brit Sam Lowes and he missed out on the crown by 49 points overall, despite taking five victories and nine podiums, in what was his 10th year of racing on the world stage.
2014 was a tough season for the three time champion, as he could only muster a top eight finish in the standings with Dutch youngster Michael van der Mark taking the title. Despite a disappointing year, the Kawasaki rider was able to bounce back in true champion style the following season as he joined Kawasaki Puccetti Racing.
Going through a difficult period in his home life, the record breaker was crowned 2015 WorldSSP champion by a sensational 74 points ahead of Jules Cluzel. Only missing out on a podium finish on three occasions, it was clear he had not lost his WorldSSP winning style.
2016 saw Sofuoglu secure his fifth and final title, which he sealed in the penultimate round of the season at Circuito de Jerez. Facing a strong battle from his team-mate Randy Krummenacher, the Turkish rider shone through overall. Showing the utter dominance fans became used to with seven poles, nine podiums and six wins throughout the 12 rounds of the season, securing his status as a WorldSSP legend. The 33 year old was able to portray his steely grit and determination right until the end of his career.
Sitting out of the opening two rounds of the 2017 season, he returned at MotorLand Aragon but was involved in a crash which saw him unable to score points in the opening three races. However Sofuoglu went on to win the next four races in a row, and only finished off the podium when he was involved in a crash. But the crash which ultimately became pivotal to his career at Magny-Cours was the most spectacular.
Breaking his pelvis in three places, he was given a 12 week recovery period, but returned to his bike and to the podium five weeks after the crash.
Stamping his status on the field, the legend of Sofuoglu will live on forever. Retiring with 43 wins, 85 podiums and five world titles to his name, Kenan Sofuoglu will go down in WorldSSP history. Putting on one final show for his fans around Imola, he truly was a great showman. Pay your tributes to the five time world champion on social media with #ThankYouKenan.
Kenan Sofuoglu WorldSSP Career Stats
Starts: 126
Podiums: 85
Wins: 43
Titles: 5
The Devil Made Us Do It!
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