The Factory Aprilia Millennium Technologies Team Scores Fourth Place Finish at Infineon Raceway. Sonoma, CA May, 2009 Chaz Davies scored a fourth place finish in Saturday’s Daytona SportBike race one in what could be considered the team’s most difficult weekend of the year. The dark cloud of bad luck returned for Ben Thompson who was fresh off his best finish of the year at Barber Motorsports Park. Despite improving in every session Thompson fell victim to a crash in both races at Infineon Raceway. Chaz was immediately fast from the beginning of the weekend and the team had high hopes for a podium finish in what many thought would be the worst track for the Aprilia RSV1000R. Chaz qualified in Superpole in the third position with a time of 1:40.010, only a tenth of a second out of second place. Thompson was making steady progress in first qualifying, but crashed out early and had to start from the eighteenth position. Daytona SportBike race one didn’t start off as planed when Ben Thompson crashed on lap one in turn two with a huge high side. Fortunately, Thompson was virtually un-injured but his Aprilia RSV1000R was destroyed. Davies missed the first lap incident and was running up front with the lead group. Chaz spent most of the race in third place, but was passed by Hacking with a handful of laps to go leaving the Welshman fourth on the final lap. This is the teams second top five in a row. The Millennium Technologies sponsored Aprilia team worked hard Saturday night to come up with a solution that would allow Davies to move up to a coveted podium position and to repair Thompson’s damaged RSV1000R. It appeared that the set-up changes worked early in Sunday’s Daytona SportBike race two when Davies was able to turn the fastest lap of the race. Again, Davies was right there with the lead group but on lap six his Aprilia RSV1000R overheated and he was forced to pull out of the race. Thompson continued his streak of terrible luck when he was taken out early by another rider. Chaz Davies “Although the weekend didn’t end the way we wanted, it was actually very encouraging that the bike worked as well as it did at this track. Infineon is a very tight track that rewards a nimble, lightweight bike and the KWS Motorsport team has done a wonderful job to make the Aprilia RSV1000R competitive here. I am very much looking forward to Road America. Thanks to Rocky Stargel, Jimmy Le, and the rest of the team for all their hard work this weekend. ” Ben Thompson “It was a bad weekend. This is only my second time at Infineon and we made some mistakes early, but we really started make some progress by Saturday. Every time we started to get some momentum we ended up in the dirt. I really want to thank Michael Godin and Marty Ashmore for all their hard work this weekend. I am very glad that this weekend is over and I wish we could race Road America tomorrow.” Kevin Hunt (Team Owner) “Despite all the challenges, it is very encouraging that we can run up front at place like Infineon. If we can run up front here then we can run up front anywhere. Road America should be a good track for the Aprilia and it is the home track for Millennium Technologies so we will put this one behind us and move on.” More, from a press release issued by Bridgestone: French Grand Prix debrief with Tohru Ubukata Round 4: France Post-race debrief Le Mans Circuit, Tuesday 19 May 2009 Tyre compounds used: Front: Wets – Soft. Slicks – Soft, Medium. Rear: Wets – Soft. Slicks – Soft, Medium Le Mans was the venue for the first wet race of 2009, although rain delayed the opening round in Qatar and flooded the qualifying session in Motegi. Demanding a mid-race switch to slicks as the track dried, riders used all three of Bridgestone’s tyre offerings during the weekend: the soft and medium compound slicks and the soft compound wet. Q&A with Tohru Ubukata – Bridgestone Motorsport Manager, Motorcycle Race Tyre Development Bridgestone expected both dry and wet running in Le Mans, but how were these conditions prepared for? We knew from past experience that the weather in Le Mans is unpredictable, but also that it is usually cool, especially when it rains. Because of this we brought the soft and medium compound slicks and the soft wets, just like we used in Motegi where the riders gained experience of wet running on these tyres. We also saw some big temperature differences during the sessions this weekend, but I am happy that with one tyre we have been able to cover the whole range. For example, the track temperature during Friday’s free practice was 20 degrees Celsius, but by the end of Saturday’s qualifying session it was 30 degrees, yet riders still could use the same compound with no problems. This is a big temperature window for just one compound of tyre so I am happy with this. What are your thoughts after the first wet start to a race this season? I can say that I am very happy with the performance and durability of the Bridgestone wet tyres after this weekend. The conditions were not perfect, neither completely wet nor completely dry. At the start of the MotoGP race, the rain had stopped and although the track was wet, it was drying quickly. We saw that the wet tyre got faster and faster with each lap, even though the track was drying. Normally, you might expect a drying track to be slower for wets, but ours performed well with good consistency and durability, and actually got faster right up until the point that the track was dry enough for slick tyres to be quicker on lap nine. We used the same soft compound Bridgestone wet tyre both in Motegi, where the track was very wet and there was a lot of standing water, and in Le Mans where it started damp and dried, so this shows that the same tyre performs well across all types of wet conditions. Since Motegi we have also learned more about Dani’s front tyre. After a detailed inspection, we found a small foreign object that had become embedded within the tread of the front slick. This was the origin of a weak point in the tread of the tyre which, during the course of the race, worked its way to the surface, causing a crack to form in the rubber. The conditions for the race were damp but drying. How did the wet tyres and the slick tyres cope? We saw this weekend that the wet and slick Bridgestone operating windows overlap, meaning that riders can use the wet tyre with good performance until the track is dry enough to comfortably use the slick tyre. For example, Jorge Lorenzo stayed on wet tyres until lap 12, whereas Marco Melandri switched to slicks on lap six and Dani Pedrosa even earlier on lap five, yet their lap times between these stops were comparable. This shows clearly that there is sufficient cross-over between the Bridgestone wets and slicks. More, from a press release issued by ESP/Venemotos Yamaha: PIETRI AND ESP/VENEMOTOS YAMAHA CONTINUE PROGRESS IN AMA DAYTONA SPORTBIKE (Reno, NV)”” Team ESP/Venemotos Yamaha continued to improve on the first day of official on track activity at the Infineon round of the AMA Daytona Sportbike class. The ESP crew arrived at Infineon raceway a day early to take advantage of an extra day of testing before the AMA national. The ESP crew was able to work on the race setup of Robertino Pietri’s R6 during the day, continually improving as the day wore on. Unfortunately, when the checkered flag waved at the end of basic qualifying, Pietri had missed Superpole by less than one second. The second day of competition saw the ESP crew continue their progress and Pietri was confident after the morning practice going into the first race of the weekend. The first lap was exciting, with some of the riders caught out by the greasy track conditions, leading to multiple crashes on the first lap. After taking avoiding action, Robertino found himself well down in the field when the safety car came onto the track while the track crews cleaned the racing surface. After battling through the field, Robertino was able to secure a solid nineteenth in the highly competitive Sportbike class. Taking what the team learned from the first race, the ESP/ Venemotos crew made some adjustments to Pietri’s R6 and were looking to improve in the second race of the weekend. Pietri had a much stronger start and was running in a group that was to make up the eventual top ten before a late race tire issue forced him to slow his pace, coming home in fourteenth. Robertino Pietri: “We keep working on the setup of my R6 and we keep going faster, we only missed out on Superpole by nine tenths. We made some changes to the front end and we were better for the first race. After that first lap pile up I was pushed back, but kept my head down and tried to work my way forward. We made it back into the top twenty and learned some things for the second race. In the second race, we were in contention for a top ten finish before my tires went off in the hot greasy conditions. I wanted to keep pushing but I’d rather finish in the top fifteen versus the crash truck. After the second race, we know we can achieve a top ten finish and that is what I am aiming for in the next race. “ Evan Steel: “We’re making progress, every session we seem to drop half a second. Tino’s race pace is pretty good and he always seems to find time when the green flag drops. We just need to keep working and qualify a little better. We weren’t that far off the Superpole times this weekend, and even starting back in the field Tino was able to push his way to the front. He was battling with the group that made it into the top ten during the second race. More importantly, Tino really used his head this weekend. When his tires started to go off, he knew he had to ease off and finish the race instead of continuing to push until he ended up in the dirt. The Daytona Sportbike field is really competitive and deep this year, but after this weekend we know we can be in the top ten. That is our goal at Road America. “ For Sponsorship inquiries contact Murph at Syndicate Motorsport Management, LLC: (+1) 831 464 3458 or email: [email protected] Team ESP/ Venemotos Yamaha: Evan Steel Performance is a small, personal, specialized shop located in Tucson, Arizona that deals with all aspects of motorcycle road racing. ESP bikes have had some of the highest trap speeds in their classes at AMA Nationals, as well as the highest top speed at start/finish at the 50th annual Macau Grand Prix. In 2008, ESP scored a very rare privateer podium at the VIR AMA National in the Superstock class with Chris Peris. ESP is open to any level of racing, from basic race prep to planning a season at the Nationals. ESP can be reached at (520) 294 3050 or www.evansteelperformance.com More, from a press release issued by Corona Extra Racing Honda: The Infineon Superbike event marked the return of Corona Extra Racing pilot Neil Hodgson into the AMA Superbike fray. Neil joined Jake Holden who has been handling the riding duties in Neil’s absence at the picturesque Napa valley circuit. The weather was beautiful with peak temperatures hitting well into the high 90’s. Neil took the riding chores as easy as possible to get back into the swing but was still able to qualify for Superpole along with Jake. The riders went out one after the other and finished eighth for Jake with Neil right behind in ninth. Neil said he was having a hard time with his shoulder and Jake was getting used to being back on his Superstock bike after the factory Superbike. Come the race both Jake and Neil got good starts and were right in the lead pack for the first lap. Misfortune was soon to befall both however. On the second lap, while in eighth, Jake ran wide at turn seven, rejoining almost last, in eighteenth, but really on the gas. Neil started out in eleventh after lap one but worked up to ninth on lap two and was right in the mix but lost the front end in turn eleven on lap four and went down. He was not able to restart. Neil said; “The track got really greasy because it was so hot. I was going in hard and the front end just washed out!” Jake really had his head down after his off track excursion, making up two places every lap and working back up to twelfth by lap six but then the Turn eleven gremlin bit him and his bike threw its chain as he came out of the corner. Day two dawned even hotter with numbers nudging the high nineties when the flag dropped on the second Superbike race. Jake got a good start and held his position for the opening laps. He moved up as high as sixth before a mechanical problem with his suspension slowed him down and eventually forced him to pull off. Overall it was a very disappointing weekend for Jake. Neil rode a steady pace after his get-off in the first race. Early in the race he lost a couple of positions over his start but worked back up to ninth and held it to the finish with a strong cushion of fourteen seconds over tenth. Neil Said; “I wanted to make sure I finished so decided to take it very conservatively and not push it. I actually felt a lot better today than I did yesterday even after getting off!” More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki: Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki’s Leandro Mercado Nails Down A Solid Second Place Sonoma, Calif. Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki’s Leandro Mercado earned second overall in his third AMA Pro SuperSport race of the year during an exciting 18-lap, bar-to-bar battle at Infineon Raceway. The race temperature was in the mid-90s as the young riders raced fearlessly around the 11-turn course. In the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race, both Jamie Hacking and Roger Hayden had small crashes. Hacking was able to come back for 13th, while Hayden was unable to continue. Another Podium for Tati With only three races in the books for Mercado in the AMA Pro SuperSport class, the Argentine nicknamed Tati, took his second podium. Throughout the 18-lap race, Mercado was on the rear tire of the first place rider, but was unable to find a time and place for a safe pass. “This was a tough race,” said Mercado. “I was battling the whole time and it was really hot out. It was still fun even though I didn’t get the win.” The Tough Get Going After a few laps of the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race, Hacking was in a good position. A small mistake put his bike briefly on the ground, but a new AMA rule requires that all downed bikes come into the pits for a quick safety check before re-entering the race. After being a held up in the pits, Hacking was still able to come back for 13th overall. “The race was a little frustrating because I felt really good,” said Hacking. “After those first few laps, I didn’t feel like I was pushing too hard and I wasn’t getting tired. That’s racing and we’ll just have to hope that our next race is better.” Pushing it After a solid race on Saturday, Hayden made noticeable improvements during the Sunday warm-up prior to the race. He was running a fast pace during the race, but laid the bike down in turn two. When he came in for his safety check in the pits, he was unable to return to the race. “I was catching the rider in front of me after a mediocre start and pushing it pretty good,” said Hayden. “The track was a bit greasy with the heat and I think I just pushed it a little bit too hard. I’ll try and make up for my mistake at the next race.” Heat, Heat and More Heat The temperature in Sonoma, Calif. was a big factor in Sunday’s race. The riders did what they could to stay cool prior to the race. Still Talking During the autograph session on Sunday, Hacking only seemed to hear one thing from the fans; “That was the best save I have ever seen in my life.” The fans were referring to the near crash that Hacking displayed during race one at Barber Motorsports Park. “I heard that phrase all weekend and even though it seemed to be repetitive, I was very grateful for the fans and their enthusiasm,” said Hacking. Results AMA Pro Road Racing Series Infineon Raceway Sonoma, Calif. May 17, 2009 AMA Pro SuperSport Results 1. Ricky Parker, Mansfield, La., Yamaha 2. LEANDRO MERCADO, LODI, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY ATTACK KAWASAKI 3. Russ Wilkie, Huntsville, Ala., Suzuki 4. BRYCE PRINCE, BAKERSFIELD, CALIF., KAWASAKI 5. Garrett Willis, Loomis, Calif., Yamaha 6. EZEQUIEL ITURRIOZ, ARGENTINA, KAWASAKI 7. Christopher Clark, Las Vegas, Nev., Yamaha 8. ROBERT TINAGERO, SANTA ROSA, CALIF., KAWASAKI 9. Tyler Odom, Torrance, Calif., Honda 10. BRIAN PINKSTAFF, PORTLAND, ORE., KAWASAKI AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Results 1. Martin Cardenas, Miami, Fla., Suzuki 2. Jason DiSalvo, Las Vegas, Nev., Suzuki 3. Josh Herrin, Clovis Calif., Yamaha 4. Tommy Aquino, Saugus, Calif., Yamaha 5. Jake Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda 6. Steve Rapp, Hawthorne, Calif., Yamaha 7. Chris Peris, Calgary, Canada, Honda 8. Bobby Fong, Stockton, Calif., Yamaha 9. Taylor Knapp, Lapeer, Mich., Buell 10. Damian Cudlin, Austalia, Yamaha 13. JAMIE HACKING, DENVER, N.C., MONSTER ENERGY ATTACK KAWASAKI 40. ROGER HAYDEN, OWENSBORO, KY., MONSTER ENERGY ATTACK KAWASAKI AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Point Standings 1. Martin Cardenas, Miami, Fla., Suzuki, 203 2. JAMIE HACKING, DENVER, N.C., MONSTER ENERGY ATTACK KAWASAKI, 179 3. Daniel Eslick, Broken Arrow, Okla., Buell, 168 4. Jason DiSalvo, Las Vegas, Nev., Suzuki, 148 5. Josh Herrin, Clovis Calif., Yamaha, 136 6. Chaz Davies, Carlsbad, Calif., Aprilla, 108 7. Steve Rapp, Hawthorne, Calif., Yamaha, 103 8. Jake Zemke, Paso Robles, Calif., Honda, 103 9. Tommy Aquino, Saugus, Calif., Yamaha, 94 10. Chris Peris, Calgary, Canada, Honda, 92 16. ROGER HAYDEN, OWENSBORO, KY., MONSTER ENERGY ATTACK KAWASAKI, 44 18. LEANDRO MERCADO, LODI, CALIF., MONSTER ENERGY ATTACK KAWASAKI, 39 More, from a press release issued by Yamaha: Lorenzo Wins French Grand Prix Fiat Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo took his second MotoGP win of the season in Le Mans, France on Sunday, May 17, negotiating varying track conditions and a change of bikes to lead from the first lap to the checkered flag and take the championship lead. It was a frustrating day for his teammate Valentino Rossi, however, as the defending world champion slid off early on his YZR-M1 and then suffered a ride-through penalty to compound his misfortune. While Lorenzo ascended to the top of the standings, Rossi is now tied for second and just one point now separates the top three riders in the overall rankings. With the track wet from morning showers, riders started the 28-lap race on rain tires, with mechanics readying bikes shod with slicks in anticipation of drying conditions. Lorenzo, starting from second, slipped a place at the start but passed Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa by the end of the first lap to take the lead. Soon a dry line emerged and a few riders, Rossi included, made early pit stops for new bikes. But the 22-year-old Lorenzo felt comfortable just as he was, and constantly stretched his lead until finally pitting on lap 13 with a nearly 34-second advantage. Once Lorenzo got heat in his fresh slicks, he put his head down and kept his nerve for the remaining 15 laps, eventually finishing almost 18 seconds clear of runner-up Marco Melandri. “Never in all my dreams did I imagine this situation today winning the race and leading the championship,” he enthused. “I’m sorry for Valentino because it was bad luck to crash, but now we are nearly on the same points and it seems like the championship is starting again!” In contrast, Rossi was forced to make an incredible four visits to pit lane. The Italian was in second behind his teammate when he elected for an early bike change. The change went smoothly but the track was still damp in places and he went down shortly afterwards while warming his tires. He returned to the pits next time around to swap back to the first bike, but an electronic problem resulted in a pit-speed infraction and he was forced to return two laps later to perform a ride-through penalty. Rossi’s final visit to the garage came on lap 11 when he once again changed onto a dry-tire machine, but by then he was two laps adrift. “We’ve had problems throughout the weekend with the setup of the bike and today I was just hoping to stay with the riders in front and get some important points for the championship,” he admitted. “Now we go to Mugello, my home GP, where I will perhaps be even more motivated than usual!” 2009 MotoGP Points 1 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 66 2 Valentino Rossi-Yamaha 65 3 Casey Stoner 65 4 Dani Pedrosa 57 5 Andrea Dovizioso 43 Hayes and 2009 YZF-R1 Take First AMA Superbike Win Josh Hayes earned his first AMA Superbike victory at Infineon Raceway in the blistering Sonoma, Calif. heat on Saturday, May 16. In doing so he gave Yamaha its first AMA Superbike win since 2002 and the new crossplane crankshaft YZF-R1 its first-ever American Superbike win. The victory also vaulted the popular Yamaha racer from sixth to third in the standings with five out of 12 events completed in this year’s championship. Meanwhile teammate Ben Bostrom fared nearly as well, leading the first of the weekend’s two Superbike races before crashing and recovering to finish ninth, then coming back on Sunday to finish second in the next Superbike race, with Hayes solidly in fourth. On Friday, Hayes and Bostrom earned second and fourth grid positions in Superpole qualifying. Then on Saturday Mladin took the early lead in the first Superbike race, with Yamaha’s Bostrom swooping past him on lap two, only to low-side in hairpin Turn 11 soon afterwards. The miscue put Mladin back into the lead but only briefly, for Hayes was next to attack, taking the lead on lap three and holding it all the way to the checkered flag. “It felt like the longest race of my life,” Hayes admitted afterwards. “The pace wasn’t that fast but it was miserably hot, and I’m happy to get the new R1 a win in the United States.” Yamaha Road Racing team manager Tom Halverson added, “This is a super-big win for us because we have expected a lot from the new R1 model. Once we figured it all out we were able to give both riders something truly competitive to use.” Thwarted in race one, Bostrom had unfinished business to address in Sunday’s second Superbike race like claiming a win of his own. But Mladin again jumped to the early lead and despite pressure from Bostrom and fellow pursuers Tommy Hayden and Hayes, the running order of the top four stayed constant throughout the 22-lap event. Mladin put in some fast early laps to build up a useful advantage over Bostrom, but the Yamaha rider closed the advantage to under a second at one point, and ultimately finished only 1.8 seconds in arrears at the flag. “It’s a tough track, one of the toughest we go to,” Bostrom admitted afterwards. “I love it so much and I’ve always wanted to win a Superbike race here.” Bostrom now lies fourth in Superbike points, just behind teammate Hayes. 2009 AMA Superbike Points 5/17/09 1 Mat Mladin 268 2 Tommy Hayden 189 3 Josh Hayes Yamaha 160 4 Ben Bostrom Yamaha 150 5 Geoff May 143 More, from a press release issued by Indianapolis Motor Speedway: MotoGP RACE REPORT: GRAND PRIX OF FRANCE Lorenzo regains points lead after dominating in mixed conditions INDIANAPOLIS, Sunday, May 17, 2009 There was one constant throughout the topsy-turvy Grand Prix of France on May 17 Jorge Lorenzo at the front. Lorenzo regained the MotoGP points lead with a dominant victory on his Fiat Yamaha Team bike in changing track conditions at the Le Mans Bugatti circuit, winning by 17.710 seconds over runner-up Marco Melandri’s Hayate Racing Kawasaki. Dani Pedrosa passed Repsol Honda teammate Andrea Dovizioso on the last of the 28 laps for third. The victory pushed Lorenzo to the World Championship lead by one point over six-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi and 2007 World Champion Casey Stoner. 2008 Red Bull Indianapolis GP winner Rossi fell after changing from wet to slick tires and ended up 16th, two laps down. “I felt happy to stay out on the wet tires for such a long time, and in the end, I think we changed at exactly the right time for our race,” Lorenzo said. “There was some luck on our side, but we were also strong, calm and careful, and this paid off. “I’m sorry for Valentino (Rossi) because it was bad luck to crash, but now we are nearly on the same points, and it seems like the championship is starting again.” Lorenzo took the lead from pole sitter Pedrosa on the first lap and pulled away to a sizable lead with the entire field on wet tires due to damp track conditions. As the race progressed, the entire field entered the pits at varying intervals to switch to bikes shod with dry tires. Lorenzo was the second-to-last rider to make the switch, and his lead never was threatened. Melandri, whose seat in MotoGP was saved just before the start of the season by the new Hayate team, earned his first podium finish since 2007. It was another race of mixed fortunes for American riders Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden. Edwards finished seventh on his Yamaha Tech 3 machine. Hayden finished 12th despite Ducati providing him with new crew chief Juan Martinez in an effort to reverse the tough start to his season, marred by injury and difficulty adapting to the Ducati. Edwards started seventh but dropped to 16th on Lap 1. But he found his rhythm in the second half of the race and began picking off riders. “I’m really disappointed because it was definitely a missed opportunity today for a podium,” Edwards said. “In the first part of the race on the wet tires, I just couldn’t get the bike to turn. But once it came good, it came really good and I got my head down. I think only Jorge was lapping faster than me, and once I got my pace going, I was catching people pretty quickly.” The next race is the Grand Prix of Italy on Sunday, May 31 at Mugello. The second annual Red Bull Indianapolis GP is Sunday, Aug. 30 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. *** RESULTS LE MANS, France Results of the 28-lap Grand Prix of France MotoGP race, with position, rider, country, motorcycle, time behind winner. All riders on Bridgestone tires: 1. Jorge Lorenzo Spain Yamaha 2. Marco Melandri Italy Kawasaki +17.710 3. Dani Pedrosa Spain Honda +19.893 4. Andrea Dovizioso Italy Honda +20.455 5. Casey Stoner Australia Ducati +30.539 6. Chris Vermeulen Australia Suzuki +37.462 7. Colin Edwards United States Yamaha +40.191 8. Loris Capirossi Italy Suzuki +45.421 9. James Toseland Great Britain Yamaha +50.307 10. Toni Elias Spain Honda +53.218 11. Alex de Angelis San Marino Honda +53.550 12. Nicky Hayden United States Ducati +56.647 13. Yuki Takahashi Japan Honda +56.688 14. Randy de Puniet France Honda +1:11.299 15. Niccolo Canepa Italy Ducati +1:15.385 16. Valentino Rossi Italy Yamaha +2 laps 17. Mika Kallio Finland Ducati +17 laps Fastest lap: Pedrosa, 1:35.045, Lap 27 Pole lap: Pedrosa, 1:33.974 *** POINTS Riders: Lorenzo 66, Rossi 65, Stoner 65, Pedrosa 57, Melandri 43, Dovizioso 43, Edwards 35, Vermeulen 31, Capirossi 27, de Puniet 26, Elias 21, de Angelis 20, Toseland 17, Kallio 16, Hayden 9, Gibernau 8, Takahashi 8, Canepa 3. Manufacturers: Yamaha 95, Ducati 65, Honda 63, Kawasaki 43, Suzuki 38. *** PODIUM QUOTES JORGE LORENZO (Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha/Bridgestone, winner): “Never in all my dreams did I imagine this situation today, winning the race and leading the championship. This season I have been much more calm and careful, and so I was really upset after the crash in Jerez because I didn’t expect it! Today has made up for that, though. I had a very good pace with both types of tire, and the strategy of our team worked perfectly. I felt happy to stay out on the wet tires for such a long time, and in the end, I think we changed at exactly the right time for our race. There was some luck on our side, but we were also strong, calm and careful, and this paid off. It was the first time in my life that I’ve had to change bikes during the race, and I was very nervous, but it went smoothly and I was able to rejoin in the lead. I’m sorry for Valentino (Rossi) because it was bad luck to crash, but now we are nearly on the same points, and it seems like the championship is starting again!” MARCO MELANDRI (Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki/Bridgestone, second): “It is awesome to be back on the podium. One month and a half ago, to imagine tasting the champagne again would have been so difficult, so it is one of the best feelings I have had in my life. I had a very difficult 2008 season, and now I am working to get my speed back. It was tough because at the beginning my wet tires were probably a bit too soft for the conditions that we had and every lap I wanted to change the bike, but it was still too early. When I changed the bike, maybe I should have done it a lap later, so I just tried not to make any mistakes and just keep the pace. In the end, I managed to have a really good race.” DANI PEDROSA (Repsol Honda Team Honda/Bridgestone, third): “Again, this is a fantastic podium for me because the conditions were very difficult today, and in the end we came through it with a good result. At the start of the race, it really wasn’t clear what the best thing to do was. In the first few laps in the wet, my pace wasn’t very fast, and I was going backward and losing positions. So I decided to stop quite early and change to the machine with dry tires at the same time as Rossi. On the first lap out of the pits on the slick tires, he crashed in front of me, and this made me even more nervous about the conditions. I really couldn’t see where it was wet and where it was dry, so my lap times at this stage were not good something like 1m 55s. I lost a lot of time at this point. But then toward the end of the race when I had sufficient temperature in my tires, I was able to get into a rhythm and go faster and faster, eventually closing the gap on Andrea (Dovizioso). In the end, I caught and passed him on the last lap, really close to the finish. He was riding very well and made it hard to pass, but I was able to get the place, so I’m happy with podium today.” *** AMERICAN RIDER QUOTES COLIN EDWARDS (Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha/Bridgestone, seventh): “I’m really disappointed because it was definitely a missed opportunity today for a podium. In the first part of the race on the wet tires, I just couldn’t get the bike to turn. I’d lost so many places; I was nearly at the back, and I just wasn’t comfortable. The bike was just sitting on the rear, and I had no weight on the front, so I couldn’t get into the corner. I saw some guys come into the pits, and I thought it was a couple of laps too early because there were still some wet patches out there. I waited for a bit and came in, and on the first couple of laps back out of the pits I lost so much time again. I was on the hard front tire because I can’t run the soft compound, and it took a while to get some heat into it. I had a couple of moments, but once it came good, it came really good and I got my head down. I think only Jorge (Lorenzo) was lapping faster than me, and once I got my pace going, I was catching people pretty quickly. To only finish seventh is a bit frustrating when you look at my times in the dry. At the end of the day, I rode a good second half of the race. But the first half wasn’t great, and that cost me. I’m confident for Mugello, though, and hopefully we’ll get plenty of dry track time.” NICKY HAYDEN (Ducati Team Ducati/Bridgestone, 12th): “The conditions were tricky, and sometimes you have races that aren’t exactly what you’ve planned. It’s actually good fun on the grid making late decisions on setup and tires and things, with the track being wet but the sun shining. I got a decent start, and even though I’ve had very little time on this bike in the rain, my feeling was pretty good and I was able to move up a few spots. We came in and changed to slick tires, but with the track temperatures being so low, it was hard to get any heat into the tires, especially on the left side now that we don’t have dual-compound rubber anymore. I was actually as high as eighth at one point, but I got unlucky again when Kallio crashed and his bike slid into me. I was lucky to save it because the impact was hard you can see the rubber on the side of my bike and I ran off track. It cost me time and positions and also damaged the front-wheel sensor. We have two, so the bike was working, as well, but probably it didn’t help things. Overall, it’s not a great result, but it has been a weekend where me and Juan (Martinez, new crew chief) have been able to work a lot together for the first time, we’ve tried to build an understanding and hopefully we can go forward from here.” *** MotoGP SUPPORT CLASS WINNERS 250cc: Marco Simoncelli, Italy, Metis Gilera 125cc: Julian Simon, Spain, Bancaja Aspar Team 125cc Aprilia. American Cameron Beaubier placed 21st, crashing out on Lap 8. He is 25th in the season standings after three races. *** NEXT RACE Grand Prix of Italy, Mugello, May 31. Round 5 of 17. *** 2009 IMS tickets: Established in 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has long prevailed as an icon of motorsports excellence. Beginning in 2009, the Speedway celebrates its Centennial Era, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the facility in 2009 and the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in 2011. Tickets for the three events in 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway the Indianapolis 500, Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time. Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information. More, from a press release issued by Pirelli: FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 6 KYALAMI CIRCUIT, SOUTH AFRICA SUNDAY 17 MAY, 2009 RACE REVIEW Kyalami (South Africa) At 1465 Metres above sea level, the 4.246km long Kyalami circuit offered the World Superbike and Supersport competitors a unique challenge in several ways. It is a new track for most, as it was last used by WSBK in 2002, although many of the top Superbike teams and one World Supersport Team tested at the circuit in the Gauteng region of South Africa last December, during tyre and machine development session. Since then the removal of the final chicane, to be replaced with a right-hander over the crest of a hill, has changed the track length to 4.246km, and made it naturally faster, but the sheer pace of the qualifying sessions at Kyalami was impressive all the same. Ben Spies, who has been making headlines and history since he first arrived in WSB this year, wrote his name into granite in the record books again in qualifying, and he now shares the record for six consecutive pole position wins with his fellow Texan, Doug Polen. He set a new track best of 1’37.288 in Superpole three to head up a front row qualifying order of Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox), Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing) and championship leader, Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox). Spies was only one thousandth of a second ahead of Fabrizio in Superpole three. Several riders were replaced for this race, because of injury, with Fonsi Nieto, Gregorio Lavilla, Sheridan Morais, Steve Martin and Shaun Whyte taking their place on the grid for the first time this year. Regis Laconi (DFX Ducati) crashed at high speed in the first session of the weekend, and suffered serious head, spinal and lung injuries. He condition is now improving and he is set to have an operation on Tuesday to fix his broken vertebrae in place, and the other neurological problems resulting from the crash are also showing positive results. After the feedback received from the tests in December, Pirelli shipped 4,365 tyres from Europe in February, to suit the needs of Kyalami racetrack. The old, scarred and bumpy asphalt at Kyalami means the riders need a lot of grip to recover their ideal racing lines. The track temperature during the current South African winter has been less warm than the extremes of over 50°C experienced in testing. That has allowed the use of softer tyres than a normal WSB weekend. Superbike Race One: Haga and his team-mate Fabrizio disputed the race one win at Kyalami with Spies and his Yamaha, until the later stages of the race, when Haga asserted his authority and Spies dropped off to finish 3.391 seconds from the win. Fabrizio leaves the new Kyalami layout with the new lap record, which also survived race two, a 1’38.548, set on lap three. The Ducati-Yamaha battle was joined by a Honda and an Aprilia in fourth and fifth places, with Jonathan Rea ahead of Max Biaggi. The pace of the various leaders was high throughout, as the Kyalami circuit proved quite suitable for the leading twin cylinder riders than those on fours. Superbike Race Two: Haga scored his second double win of the 2009 season when he won a last lap battle with his team-mate Fabrizio, even although the Italian rider seeming determined to take another race win to add to his recent Monza success. Haga took an early lead, only to be passed by Spies, but on lap three the American rider was forced out of contention, with a broken gear linkage. That left Haga free at the front but he was pressurised from behind by Fabrizio and on the last lap Haga had to re-pass Fabrizio to exit the final corner ahead, and take a win by only 0.322 seconds. Rea held off Haslam for third place, his first podium of the 2009 season, Max Biaggi went fifth on the top Aprilia, as he had in race one. The top riders were once more able to race to competitiveness with a different set of tyre solutions, with Haga opting for a soft ‘A’ front and a medium ‘B’ rear. His team-mate started with medium front and back in race one, before swapping to a softer front to almost win race two. Spies and Biaggi each went for a ‘B’ front and rear solution, while Rea was even able to use a ‘C’ front and a ‘B’ rear to take his podium. Supersport Once again the aggression and skill of Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha) conquered all in qualifying, as the championship leader secured his fifth straight pole of the year with the track best 1’40.634, set in the lone qualifying session on Saturday. The front row comprised Crutchlow, Kenan Sofuoglu, Eugene Laverty and Andrew Pitt. Laverty was a clear winner of the 23-lap race, setting a new lap record of 1’41.053 on lap three, using his Pirelli DIABLO SUPERCORSA tyres and ultimately reducing the championship lead of eventual second place rider Cal Crutchlow. Cal had got stuck behind the other aggressive top runners in the early laps, and although his pace was hot, he could not get into contention with Laverty, who controlled his pace in response to the threat from behind. Mark Aitchison took his first ever WSS podium finish, on his Althea Honda machine, after Fabien Foret crashed out from an almost certain third place finish. Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki) and Kenan Sofuoglu (Honda) proved too close and combative on the final lap, allowing Aitchison to squeeze past and take 16 valuable championship points. Crutchlow and Laverty continue to contest the championship lead, with Crutchlow on 119 points, Laverty on 106, and their closest challenger is Sofuoglu, on 83. More, from a press release issued by Swigz.com Chip Yates Signs with Matsushima Performance for AMA Pro Daytona SportBike and FIM World Supersport Racebike Preparation Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA. — SWIGZ.COM Pro Racing announced today that they have inked a deal with Matsushima Performance to prepare racebikes for Chip Yates (AMA #89) in both AMA-legal, and WSS-legal configurations for the remainder of 2009. Yates and crew chief Jimmy Summers tested and set up a newly-delivered Matsushima GSX-R600 on Friday May 15th at the AMA National at Infineon and then charged to a 24th place finish out of 40 riders on Saturday’s AMA Pro Daytona SportBike race. Chip was battling for 22nd place in the Sunday race when he made contact with another rider in a racing incident and crashed out uninjured. He was scored 28th out of 40 riders. Chip Yates: “We exceeded all the goals we set for the AMA Infineon race weekend and used our AiM Sports EVO 4 data acquisition system to get a good setting on the bike very quickly. Grant Matsushima built us a new AMA-legal motor for the race and it ran perfectly. We are pleased to have Matsushima performance as a new sponsor and supporter for the remainder of 2009.” The SWIGZ.COM Pro Racing team is dropping the bike off at the Matsushima race shop on the way home from Infineon so the AMA motor can be replaced with a special-built, WSS-legal motor for the Miller world race in two weeks. WSS rules allow improvements to cylinder heads and cams that are illegal in AMA competition. Jimmy Summers: “We first have to thank Dainese for giving us a suit that saved Chip from injury so we can race at the World Supersport race as planned, and we were definitely impressed with the Matsushima bike this weekend. We believe it is a top 10 or 15th place capable package and Chip and I are working to get our results up there as quickly as possible. Our program is right on track given that Infineon was only our second AMA event.” More, from a press release issued by Michael Jordan Motorsports: MICHAEL JORDAN MOTORSPORTS FOURTH AND SIXTH AT INFINEON RACEWAY SONOMA, CA Michael Jordan Motorsports and riders Aaron Yates and Geoff May concluded Round 5 of the AMA Pro Racing American Superbike Championship with a pair of strong finishes at Infineon Raceway. Racing under a relentless sun and with Saturday’s and Sunday’s temperatures hovering in the mid-90s, the 22-lap feature races tested both men and machines and provided plenty of exciting racing. The MJM teams #54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki and #23 Jordan Suzuki both worked hard to set up the new 2009 Suzuki GSX-Rs for the demanding Sonoma circuit. Over the course of the May 16th and 17th races, the teams experienced both rewarding results and challenging experiences. The teams now head to Elkhart Lake, WI for Road America, the “home” race of Michael Jordan Motorsports. Aaron Yates, Jordan Suzuki No. 23 4th PLACE, SATURDAY RACE 1 Aaron Yates’ weekend at Infineon Raceway was highlighted by a fourth place finish in Race 1 on Saturday, May 16. Yates, on his Jordan Suzuki GSX-R 1000, advanced from his sixth place starting position in a race where the high track temperatures played havoc with available grip across the field. As competitors fell off throughout the race, Yates skillfully brought his big Suzuki 1000 home, gaining valuable championship points. “With the large increase in temperatures between our practice in the morning and the race later in the day, some changes in the set-up arose,” said Yates. “The bike was behaving differently in the turns and forced me to modify my approach for the corners. I was able to move my Jordan Suzuki up into fourth and from there we weren’t able to gain any time on the front three. At that point I needed to bring it home on two wheels and pick up some good points.” DNF, SUNDAY RACE 2 Sunday’s race 2 was less successful for #23 Jordan Suzuki, as the team was plagued by development gremlins in the new 2009 Suzuki. A few short laps into the 22-lap event, Yates was forced to bring his bike home early rather than create a potential incident on the race course. “There’s not a whole lot to talk about today,” said Yates. “This is a completely new machine for us and something popped up a few laps in. I brought it in and unfortunately I wasn’t able to rejoin the race. We’re off to Road America next, a track I enjoy, and our Jordan Suzuki will be ready.” Geoff May, National Guard Jordan Suzuki No. 54 15th PLACE, SATURDAY RACE 1 The #54 National Guard Jordan Suzuki team headed into Infineon Raceway sitting within the top five in Championship points. During Saturday’s Race 1, Geoff May had a slight miscue, which saw his Suzuki run off in the “Bus Stop” section of the course. After May pitted in for a mandatory tech inspection, he quickly rejoined the field and rocketed his GSX-R 1000 back through the pack. By the time he reached the line, May had climbed back into the points and finished in 15th position. “I was right there battling with the guys for a podium spot when I went down in the chicane,” said May. “Once I got back out there I just put my head down and started picking riders off one at a time and was able to bring my National Guard Jordan Suzuki home inside the top 15.” 6th PLACE, SUNDAY RACE 2 . In his second race of the weekend, May capitalized on a good start from the second row and quickly found himself within the top five, where he battled with veteran Larry Pegram. As the 22 laps counted down, the Gainesville, GA rider found himself in sixth position, where he would eventually cross the line, matching his Superpole grid position. May leaves Infineon Raceway fifth in the Championship race with 143 points. “It was a better finish than Saturday, but I would have liked to been even higher,” said May. “The heat was on everyone’s minds, but honestly I felt fine out there and thought I rode strong throughout the race. We just weren’t able to push it through the turns and at this track it’s crucial to have the bike cornering right. We’re still figuring out these potent new Suzukis and we learned a ton today, which will help us come into Road America firing.” More, from a press release issued by Chris Fillmore’s publicist: Chris Fillmore entered the AMA Infineon Raceway weekend with no experience of the fast, sweeping, technical track found in Sonoma, CA. However, Fillmore was able to quickly get up to speed at the facility and show promising potential for the remainder of the season. Fillmore arrived early to Sonoma so that he could take part in a pre-event open lapping session. The session allowed him to learn the track and find a number of places on track that he would work to maximize his pace as the weekend progressed. Once into the race weekend, Fillmore took a measured approach in qualifying that garnered a 17th in qualifying aboard his 2009 Graves Motorsports Yamaha R6. While this was not as far up as Chris would have liked to qualify, he knew that he had an opportunity to re-qualify on Saturday morning. In this second session, Fillmore attacked harder and this allowed him to move to 13th for the start of the event. On Saturday, Race 1 found Chris attacking from the start of the event. From his inside seventh row starting position, Fillmore quickly moved toward the top 10. Chris and his mechanic Geoff Cesmat spent time in practice getting the Yamaha to work well under braking. Chris was able to use the brakes to great effect in a number of passes during Race 1. In the end, Fillmore, like at Barber, found himself in a group with Damian Cudlin, Roger Hayden, and Michael Beck fighting it out for 9th 12th. Fillmore earned a first top ten in 2009 in 10th. For Sunday, Fillmore and Cesmat set the bike up for the same type of race tactics for Race 2 as in Race 1. At the start, Fillmore once again leapt from the seventh row and quickly moved into the top 10. However, nine laps into the 22-lap event, Fillmore lost grip in the front end and the event came to a premature conclusion. It was unfortunate as Fillmore was already into the top ten and looking to better his result from Saturday. After moving close to the top ten in points in 12th after Saturday, Fillmore finds himself in 14th at the conclusion of the race weekend in Daytona Sportbike points. This is a very positive points position if the lack of participation at the opening round in Daytona is considered. Fillmore had this to say about the weekend, “I came to the race this weekend and wanted to learn the track and continue to improve my bike. Geoff and I found a good balance for the race and once I got into a rhythm I was able to go really deep on the brakes. I am not sure what happened in race two that put me out. I was coming through the uphill esses early in the lap and the front went away. It was too bad as I got a good start and was feeling good about my early pace in the race.” More, from a press release issued by Dainese: Dainese and AGV at Infineon There was one very important motorcycle fan that came to Infineon to support his team: Michael Jordan. The Michael Jordan Suzuki Team, this year teaming up with National Guard, is sponsored by Dainese that provide leathers to Geoff May and Aaron Yates. Michael, after enjoying the qualifications on friday, jumped on a bike and went for a ride in the beautiful countryside of Sonoma protected with an AGV helmet. The helmet was one of the many helmets from the National Guard Jordan Suzuki Racing Experience: the 2-up program sponsored by Dainese and AGV. This program provides an exclusive on-track experience for members of the media and selected guests at each round of the AMA National Guard Pro Racing Superbike Series. All riders are protected “head-to-toe” with Dainese leathers, gloves, boots and AGV helmets confirming the safety mission for both Dainese, AGV and National Guard. ~http://www.dainese.com/us_en/news/Dainese_AGV_racers_at_Infineon~ More, from a press release issued by Buell: Buells Crack Top Five at Infineon Eslick Third in AMA Pro Daytona SportBike Points East Troy, Wis. (May 18, 2009) Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Racing/RMR/GEICO Powersports rider Danny Eslick and Latus Motors Racing’s Taylor Knapp posted the best results of the Buell riders entered at this past week’s AMA Pro Racing doubleheader at Sonoma, California’s Infineon Raceway, but with only a single top five result between the two, both are looking forward to the series’ next stop at Road America in Buell’s home state of Wisconsin. Knapp continued his strong debut on the Buell, posting a 9th place finish in Sunday’s race to recover from a mechanical problem and a 34th place finish on Saturday. “After the problem on Saturday, the Latus guys made some changes and had everything going good. We worked our way forward to ninth at the end of the race,” Knapp said. “We’re all looking forward to Road America and I’m hoping to get on the podium, but I think all the Buells are going to show well there.” In between Infineon and Road America, Knapp will stop at Miller Motorsports Park to enter the support races for the World Superbike round on his privateer Suzuki. With his fifth place finish in Saturday’s Race 1 combined with a 12th place finish on Sunday, Eslick slipped from second to third in the season championship standings behind points leader Team M4 Suzuki’s Martin Cardenas (203) and Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki’s Jamie Hacking (179), with 168 points through 5 of the 11 rounds. The next stop of the AMA Pro Racing schedule is June 5-7 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., near to Buell’s East Troy headquarters. In addition to hosting demonstration rides and hospitality at the track, Buell Motorcycle Company will hold an open house at the East Troy factory on June 5 as part of its annual Homecoming celebration, which is open to all riders and fans of the brand. For more details, log onto www.buell.com. Founded by visionary motorcycle designer and former privateer racer Erik Buell in 1983, Buell Motorcycle Company, a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Inc., produces sport motorcycles, motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel, including the 1125R superbike, 1125CR café racer, and air-cooled XB-series Ulysses, Firebolt, and Lightning. To learn more about Buell motorcycles, or to locate the dealer nearest you, log onto www.buell.com. More, from a press release issued by Honda: Hodgson shows grit and determination on return to AMA Pro Race Championship action Corona Extra Honda’s Neil Hodgson survived a stern test of endurance in his return to racing with a top ten finish on the hottest race weekend of the season at Infineon Raceway in the wine country north of San Francisco. The fifth round of the AMA Pro Road Race Championship marked the return of the 2003 World Champion from serious injuries suffered in a motocross training accident almost exactly two months earlier. The Englishman punctured a lung, broke ribs, and dislocated his left shoulder after unavoidably landing on a downed rider at a motocross track outside of Los Angeles. The injuries were severe enough that he had to flown by helicopter to the nearest hospital. The ensuing two months have been a fight to fitness with the goal of making his return at Infineon Raceway, the most physical track on the AMA Pro Road Race calendar. With 11 turns and multiple elevation changes tucked into its 2.32-miles (3.736km), Infineon is a true test of fitness. Add to that temperatures approaching 40 degrees and the task facing Hodgson comes into clear focus. On Friday afternoon, following qualifying, Hodgson said he’d set himself goals for the weekend. “My first goal was to be able to ride, which I did. I realized it after the first session. Second goal was getting Superpole, which I’ve done. (He qualified ninth). And my next two goals are to have just two really solid races, so just going to do all I can.” The third of the goals proved more difficult to achieve. On Saturday, Hodgson tucked the front end of his Corona Extra Honda CBR1000RR on a bump in the final hairpin right on the fifth of 22 laps. “I trail braked onto the bump, which is pretty much onto the apex. I didn’t get away with it,” he said. Fortunately, he fell on his right side and did no further damage to his left shoulder.” Sunday’s race was again held in brutally hot conditions and the miles of bicycling Hodgson had pedaled in pursuit of fitness paid off. He was in the battle for seventh place, but found early in the race that his fitness wouldn’t allow him much more. As the race wore on, he dropped out of the three-way fight to secure ninth place. Now he has three weeks to return to full strength before the following round at Road America, the fastest proper road course of the year with three sixth gear straightaways. Road America is the site of Hodgson’s last Superbike win in the U.S. Saturday’s race was won by Josh Hayes (Yamaha) from Tommy Hayden (Suzuki) and Larry Pegram (Ducati). Mat Mladin (Suzuki) beat Ben Bostrom (Yamaha) on Sunday, with Hayden third. Neil Hodgson DNF, 9th “Sort of knackered, second-hand is how I feel. It was tough, tough race. I knew it was going to be around this track. Obviously, first race back after the injury. But I survived, I rode as hard as I could. I was good for about five laps and then everything sort of wore off, the pain-killers. And you never feel total clarity when you’ve taken quite a lot of pain-killers and anti-inflammatories and stuff. So I felt slightly not on my game, anyway. But, it were a long sort of last 12, 13 laps. What was happening is as I got weaker on the bike, I then didn’t move my body position and just leaned the bike further over, because I didn’t have the strength to put the bike into the corner. And then I were like riding off the edge of the tires and nearly crashing it and I thought, ‘I’m going to crash it trying to battle for seventh place.’ And having crashed in the first race, I didn’t want to do it again. That was just the usual last corner crash. I trail braked onto the bump, which is pretty much onto the apex. I didn’t get away with it. The bike, it’s not good at turning on those sorts of corners anyway. You’ve pretty much got to trail brake to make it turn. I just asked too much really. I got caught out with how greasy the track was. I think everyone was ready for it today, but yesterday it caught everybody out. So I survived and I sort of didn’t come here with any expectations of great results or anything. I knew what I had. I knew it was going to be a problem. I survived the weekend and I’m confident that this is as bad as it’ll ever be and it’ll be a lot stronger for the next race at Elkhart Lake. I think the Honda’s pretty fast. Obviously, you need speed around there. So I’m looking forward to it and my season starts again at Elkhart, I’d say. This was just a practice, a bit of a shakedown, really.” Team Principal Tim Saunders. “You don’t want to say you’re happy with ninth place, but we’re very pleased with how Neil rode this weekend. Obviously, he wanted to come back as soon as possible even though we knew this was probably the most difficult track to come back to from an injury. And the heat didn’t help. But there was no keeping Neil away and the team did everything they could to make him comfortable on the motorcycle. Saturday’s crash was unfortunate, but the leaders of both races also crashed in that corner, so he wasn’t alone. Sunday he was in survival mode and he did as well as could be expected, all things considered. It was a struggle with the heat and we knew it would be. We knew he’d prepared as best as he could and, like I said, we think he came through with flying colors. Now he can rest the shoulder and work on his physio for the next three weeks before we get to Road America where I’m confident you’ll see Neil return to form.” Sunday Superbike: 1. Mat Mladin (Suzuki) 2. Ben Bostrom (Yamaha) 3. Tommy Hayden (Suzuki) 4. Josh Hayes (Yamaha) 5. Larry Pegram (Ducati) 6. Geoff May (Suzuki) 7. Taylor Knapp (Suzuki) 8. David Anthony (Suzuki) 9. Neil Hodgson (Honda) 10. Ryan Elleby (Suzuki) Saturday Superbike 1. Josh Hayes (Yamaha) 2. Tommy Hayden (Suzuki) 3. Larry Pegram (Ducati) 4. Aaron Yates (Suzuki) 5. Mat Mladin (Suzuki) 6. Taylor Knapp (Suzuki) 7. David Anthony (Suzuki) 8. Chris Ulrich (Suzuki) 9. Ben Bostrom (Yamaha) 10. Cory Call (Suzuki) Championship Standings: 1. Mat Mladin (Suzuki) 268 2. Tommy Hayden (Suzuki) 189 3. Josh Hayes (Yamaha) 160 4. Ben Bostrom (Yamaha) 150 5. Geoff May (Suzuki) 143 6. Larry Pegram (Ducati) 131 7. Aaron Yates (Suzuki) 116 8. Blake Young (Suzuki) 114 9. Taylor Knapp (Suzuki) 97 10. David Anthony (Suzuki) 96 More, from a press release issued by Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki: WIKLE ON THE PODIUM AT SONOMA FOR TEAM ROADRACINGWORLD.COM Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki enjoyed a positive weekend of racing in extremely grueling conditions at the hot and physical Infineon Raceway for the fifth stop on the 2009 AMA Pro Road Racing tour. Chris Ulrich showed major progress in his second weekend aboard the team’s all-new 2009 GSX-R1000 and registered a season’s best result of eighth on Saturday, backing up a strong qualifying effort (1:38.015). Sunday’s race didn’t quite go to plan, however, will a crash costing him a shot at a second top-ten result on the weekend. “We made a lot of progress this weekend,” said Ulrich. “The conditions were tough with the heat but it was a good weekend for Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki. “I had a good race on Saturday and was able to finish eighth. The gap to the front was a lot closer and we were pleased with that. “On Sunday I was mixing it up some guys for eighth place in the early laps and I touched a paint line and I went down. I broke some stuff on the bike so I couldn’t continue and that was that. “Obviously, we’re still learning with the new bike and developing our stuff. We’re happy with how it’s going. For Road America, we’ll have some new chassis parts that will help us run even stronger.” Rising star Russ Wikle again showed great promise and maturity, putting his Suzuki GSX-R600 racer on the podium after starting from the front row (3rd, 1:42.606) during Sunday’s SupeSport contest. Making the feat all the more impressive, Wikle registered 15th and 17th-place results in the hotly-contested Daytona SportBike class and put in his third-place SuperSport ride immediately following Sunday’s SportBike final, both contested in 100-degree weather on a racetrack that offers racers very little opportunity to catch their breath. “Getting off the Daytona SportBike, I was just hoping to be able to finish the SuperSport race,” Wikle admitted. “I’m really excited I was able to stick in there and finish third. That was a hot race but it was fun. It was kind of low pressure because it was a non-points paying race for me because I’m in the East division. It was more a ‘bragging rights’ kind of race.” Ulrich added, “Russell did great in SuperSport and got on the box again, plus he did well in Daytona SportBike on a track he’d never seen before. This was a good experience for him and we think it will pay off when we get to a track that he knows.” Santiago Villa picked up a pair of solid results in Daytona SportBike as well. The gritty Colombian once again put his courage on full display, riding to two of his best rides of the season despite being far from 100%. Villa finished a season’s best 17th on Sunday to improve on Saturday’s 20th. “Villa got two top 20 results with a broken right hand and a broken left wrist,” Ulrich said. “That guy gets the Iron Man award again.” Team Roadracingworld.com Suzuki will next head to Road America on June 5-7 for the sixth round of the 2009 AMA Pro Road Racing series. More, from a press release issued by Infineon Raceway: Mladin Returns to Form, Takes Superbike Win at Infineon Raceway SONOMA, Calif. (May 17, 2009) Mat Mladin returned to form Sunday at Infineon Raceway, running away with his 80th career victory on Day 2 of the Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown, presented by Supercuts. The triumph came some 24 hours after his seven-race win streak was halted by a poor-handling bike and the spirited charge of Yamaha’s Josh Hayes, who captured his first win at this level. To emphasize that his departure from the Winner’s Circle was an aberration, the 37-year-old Australian dropped down and performed pushups before accepting his first-place trophy and spraying a cheering crowd with champagne. “When I won my first championship over a decade ago I heard that I would only win one and that would be the end of him,” Mladin said. “I’ve heard it all before. I won my first national championship 28 years ago as a kid. I’ve been doing this a while and won’t go away that quick.” Mladin and his Suzuki topped second-place Ben Bostrom (Petaluma native) on a Yamaha despite Bostrom leading the 30-minute Sunday warm-up and posting the fastest time in a recent test at the 2.28 mile, 12-turn track. On a day when track temperatures pushed past 120 degrees and heat impacted every competitor, Mladin’s margin of victory was an impressive 1.833 seconds. “I don’t want too many days at the office like that,” he said. Third place went to Mladin teammate Tommy Hayden, followed by Hayes and Larry Pegram in fifth on a Ducati. Mladin, the six-time series champion, entered the weekend pursuing a record eighth straight victory. Instead he had to settle for eight wins in his last nine outings. His performance was the kind that fans and competitors have come to expect. Mladin beat back several challengers entering the first turn, methodically built his lead and then defended it with skill and tenacity.” Said Bostrom: “(Mat) rode a perfect race and it was stellar to watch.” Mladin was up by .734 seconds after one lap, by .826 after 2 and 1.031 after 3, had pushed it to 1.312 after the fourth circuit with a lap of 1:36.730 and 1.347 after 5. By Lap 10 the cushion up was 2.269. Lapped traffic eventually cut into the margin, with Bostrom narrowing it to under a second in the race’s late stages but there was little suspense. For Bostrom, it was another failed attempt to win at his home track. He’s still awaiting his first win at the challenging, 12-turn road course. “It’s a tough track, one of the toughest we go to,” Bostrom said. “I love it so much and I’ve always wanted to win a Superbike race here but I’ve never done it.” Mladin holds a 79-point lead in the standings. Hayden is second, 29 points ahead of Hayes and 39 in front of Bostrom. Earlier, Colombia’s Martin Cardenas completed a sweep of both Daytona Sportbike races by holding off a late challenge from Jason DiSalvo. The win was the fourth straight for the Suzuki rider, fifth of the season and upped his lead in the point standings. In the Supersport class, Ricky Parker drove to victory on a Kawasaki. Santa Rosa’s Robert Tinagero finished eighth. AGATE Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown SONOMA, Calif. (May 17, 2009 ) Results of Sunday’s AMA Daytona SportBike and American Superbike races at Infineon Raceway, showing finishing position, number (in parentheses), name, team, motorcycle and laps completed around the 2.28-mile road course. AMERICAN SUPERBIKE 1. (7) Mat Mladin; Rockstar · Makita · Suzuki; Suzuki GSX-R1000; 22. 2. (2) Ben Bostrom; Yamaha Motor Corp. USA; Yamaha YZF-R1; 22. 3. (22) Tommy Hayden; Rockstar · Makita · Suzuki; Suzuki GSX-R1000; 22. 4. (4) Josh Hayes; Yamaha Motor Corp. USA; Yamaha YZF-R1; 22. 5. (72) Larry Pegram; Foremost Insurance · Pegram Racing Ducati; Ducati 1098R; 22. 6. (54) Geoff May; National Guard Jordan Suzuki; Suzuki GSX-R1000; 22. 7. (44) Taylor Knapp; Taylor Knapp Racing; Suzuki GSX-R1000; 22. 8. (25) David Anthony; Aussie Dave Racing; Suzuki GSX-R1000; 22. 9. (100) Neil Hodgson; Corona Extra Honda; Honda CBR1000RR; 22. 10. (27) Ryan Elleby; Four Feathers Racing; Yamaha YZF-R1; 22. 11. (61) Scott Jensen; Moto Garage Racing; Suzuki GSX-R1000; 22. 12. (96) Aaron Gobert; Team Trifoglio Racing; Honda CBR1000RR; 22. 13. (62) Cory Call; MDK Motorsports; Suzuki GSX-R1000; 22. 14. (121) Hawk Mazzotta; Aussie Dave Racing; Suzuki GSX-R1000; 21. 15. (47) Mark Crozier; Four Feathers Racing; Suzuki GSX-R1000; 21. 16. (58) Eric Haugo; Moto Garage Racing; Yamaha YZF-R1; 21. 17. (38) Dean Mizdal; M Racing; Suzuki GSX-R1000; 21. 18. (45) Brad Puetz; SRK Racing; Suzuki GSX-R1000; 21. 19. (269) Johnny Rock Page; Johnny Rock Page · 944 Magazine · Energized by Verve!; Yamaha YZF-R1; 21. 20. (59) Jake Holden; Holden Racing; Honda CBR1000RR; 8. 21. (23) Aaron Yates; Jordan Suzuki; Suzuki GSX-R1000; 6. 22. (18) Chris Ulrich; Roadracingworld.com · Suzuki; Suzuki GSX-R1000; 3. Race Time: 35:39.437 Margin of Victory: 1.833 seconds Winner’s Average Speed: 85.9 mph Lap Leaders Mladin: 1 – 22 DAYTONA SPORTBIKE 1. (36) Martin Cardenas; M4 Suzuki; Suzuki GSX-R600; 22. 2. (40) Jason DiSalvo; M4 Suzuki; Suzuki GSX-R600; 22. 3. (8) Josh Herrin; Team Graves Yamaha; Yamaha YZF-R6; 22. 4. (6) Tommy Aquino; Team Graves Yamaha; Yamaha YZF-R6; 22. 5. (1x) Jake Zemke; Erion Racing; Honda CBR600RR; 22. 6. (15) Steve Rapp; Bazzaz; Yamaha YZF-R6; 22. 7. (10) Chris Peris; Erion Racing; Honda CBR600RR; 22. 8. (27) Bobby Fong; Four Feathers Racing; Yamaha YZF-R6; 22. 9. (54) Taylor Knapp; Latus Motors Racing; Buell 1125R; 22. 10. (51) Damian Cudlin; Paradigm Racing; Yamaha YZF-R6; 22. 11. (60) Michael Beck; Team Beck Racing; Yamaha YZF-R6; 22. 12. (9) Danny Eslick; Bruce Rossmeyers Daytona Racing · RMR Buell; Buell 1125R; 22. 13. (88) Jamie Hacking; Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki; Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R; 22. 14. (311) Robertino Pietri; Team E.S.P. Yamaha; Yamaha YZF-R6; 22. 15. (5) Russ Wikle; Roadracingworld.com · Suzuki; Suzuki GSX-R600; 22. 16. (47) Mark Crozier; Four Feathers Racing; Yamaha YZF-R6; 22. 17. (32) Santiago Villa; Roadracingworld.com · Suzuki; Suzuki GSX-R600; 22. 18. (7) Fernando Amantini; Amantini Racing; Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R; 22. 19. (193) Liko Miles; Miles Ahead Racing; Suzuki GSX-R600; 22. 20. (73) Dylon Husband; Team Pur Sang Racing; Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R; 21. 21. (90) Jamie LeBlanc; East Coast Racing; Honda CBR600RR; 21. 22. (250) Nadr Riad; Riad Racing; Aprilia RSV1000R; 21. 23. (181) Craig Mason; Fast 50s · Slide Motorsports; Yamaha YZF-R6; 21. 24. (370) Clinton Gibson; Fast Track Education; Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R; 21. 25. (68) Kevin Boisvert, Canada; Bayside Performance; Suzuki GSX-R600; 20. 26. (45) Josh Bryan; Latus Motors Racing; Buell 1125R; 18. 27. (55) Chris Fillmore; Chris Fillmore Racing; Yamaha YZF-R6; 9. 28. (89) Chip Yates; Swigz.com Pro Racing; Suzuki GSX-R600; 9. 29. (160) Sebastiao Ferreira; Ferreira Racing; Suzuki GSX-R600; 7. 30. (97) Ben Thompson; Factory Aprilia Millennium Technologies Team; Aprilia RSV1000R; 6. 31. (57) Chaz Davies; Factory Aprilia Millennium Technologies Team; Aprilia RSV1000R; 5. 32. (96) Ricky Parker; RPR Racing; Yamaha YZF-R6; 3. Race Time: 37:10.172 Margin of Victory: 0.104 seconds Winner’s Average Speed: 82.4 mph Lap Leaders Herrin: 1 – 11; DiSalvo: 12; Cardenas: 13 – 22