Mixed fortunes for Farquhar at Ulster GP Ryan Farquhar suffered mixed fortunes at the Ulster Grand Prix Bikeweek and although he was able to take two wins and a podium, this was offset by a number of machinery problems that caused him to miss all three Superbike races as well as retire from the second Supersport 600cc race. However, the KMR Kawasaki rider did manage to chalk up a brace of victories in the two Super Twins races as well as take a hard earned podium in the Superstock race. Thursday’s Dundrod 150 races saw Ryan’s day get off to the worst possible start when the engine broke on his Superstock machine and he had to miss both the Ulster GP practice and the Dundrod 150 Superbike race. However, he bounced back from this disappointment with a comfortable 14.9s win in the Super Twin race also setting a new lap record of 116.118mph. The good fortune didn’t last long though when he was forced to retire from the Classic race after a wire broke on the 500cc Paton whilst involved in a great dice with similarly mounted Olie Linsdell. Saturday’s Ulster GP race day dawned dry and bright and up first was the 7-lap Superstock race, which was expected to be one of Ryan best races. Sure enough, he slotted in to third place at the end of the first lap and although he was lapping in excess of 131mph, he was unable to stay with Ian Hutchinson and Keith Amor due to an oil leak that was steadily putting more and more oil on to his footpegs. As he was forced to ease the pace, he was overhauled by Ian Lougher and Gary Johnson but, just as he had been pushed back to fifth, the red flag came out on the sixth lap due to an incident and with results taken at the end of the fifth lap, he was awarded the 3rd position. In the opening Supersport 600cc race, Ryan was mired back in the pack on the opening lap but was up to 7th second time around and for the rest of the race he was involved in a terrific tussle with the two Relentless by TAS Suzuki’s of Bruce Anstey and Cameron Donald. After exchanging places throughout, he eventually got the better of Anstey on the fifth lap but Donald overhauled the pair of them to take over in sixth going in to the final lap. However, he retired on the final lap handing the position back to Ryan. It was then the 6-lap Super Twin race and it was a race Ryan, quite simply, dominated. Leading from start to finish, he eventually took the chequered flag by over 40 seconds, also breaking his own two-day lap record with a new speed of 116.683mph. Forced to miss both of the Superbike races due to the aforementioned oil leak, Ryan’s final race of the day was the second Supersport 600cc but, down on speed, he pulled in at the end of the opening lap. Speaking later, Ryan said: “It’s been an up and down meeting for me and after going really well during Wednesday’s opening practice sessions, Thursday couldn’t have been more different. When I started the big bike up, I heard a horrible rattle so had little option but to park it for the day and, aside from a comfortable victory in the Super Twins race, the whole team’s efforts were concentrated on sorting the big bike out. It put me on the back foot quite a bit as it meant I missed out on about an hour and half’s practice compared to the other riders. Nick Morgan sent over the Superstock engine I’d used at the NW200 and TT and I got a flier of a start in the Superstock race but my feet started to slip off the pegs quite early on and I simply had to ride as steady as I could. When I looked down a couple of times, I could see oil on both sides so luck was definitely on my side when the red flag came out and I was pleased to get 3rd given the circumstances. At the same time, I was a bit disappointed as I had to park the bike for the rest of the day and we’ve finished nearly every race on the big bike for the last two years so it was a shame to miss the two big bike races.” “The Super Twin race was shaping up to be a real close race between myself and Dan Kneen but when he went out, it gave me some clear road and I was just able to enjoy the race. The ER6 is a fantastic wee bike and I was delighted to take another Ulster GP win so a big thank you to Kawasaki and everyone else that’s helped me along the way with it. As for the Supersport races, I was simply struggling for speed and we need to do a fair bit of work over the winter to get back on terms with the Hondas and Yamahas. I’m just looking forward to the end of the season now and then, hopefully, get hold of one of the all new ZX-10 machines so we can have a real good go again next year. Like I say, it’s been an up and down meeting for me but it could have been a lot worse so thanks to all the team and to the fans for cheering me on.” Ryan now plans to head to the new Cork road race meeting, which takes place next weekend August 21-22. More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service: Kiwi Bruce Anstey and his Relentless by TAS Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike have made history by becoming the World’s fastest combination of rider and machine ever in Ulster Grand Prix at Dundrod in Northern Ireland, averaging an astonishing 133.977mph in the final race of the day. Anstey’s record-breaking lap aided his Superbike win in the final race of the day, taking the TAS Racing team’s top step tally to 12 at ‘The Ulster’. And judging by the reaction of the 30,000 strong crowd at the County Antrim venue, the London-based Kiwi was also the event’s most popular winner around the 7.401-mile circuit. Anstey was unfortunate not to have also taken the opening Superbike race win in a six-lap thriller that involved up to six riders. The 41-year-old suggested in a succinct manner afterwards during a radio interview, that backmarkers probably blighted his cause at the Lindsay Hairpin on the final circuit, but was happy in the circumstances with second place. Cameron Donald overcame a mid-week medical for a viral infection and fought bravely in all of today’s races. After a mediocre start to the day in the Superstock encounter, where he finished 11th, the Cookstown-based Aussie got himself in the thick of the action in both Superbike races. In the opening race he overshot at Cochranestown losing out on the opportunity of a podium return to Dundrod. But in race two his lap times were only bettered by his world record-breaking team-mate and those who flanked him on the podium. Donald eventually finished fourth with a best lap of 133.401mph. Bruce Anstey: “I said before today that our bikes were very competitive and while I missed out in the cat-and-mouse game for victory in the opening Superbike race, I wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice. Granted, there wasn’t much in it between the top four or five guys today, but ultimately we proved that the GSX-R1000 in Relentless Suzuki trim is not only the best, but the fastest road racing Superbike on the planet. A big thank you to all the boys in the team today for a big effort – they work hard all year and it’s nice to give them something to boast about at the end of a tough season.” Cameron Donald: “A tough day at the office it really was today. My Superbike was working great and I really thought I had a win on the cards in the grand final. I ended up lapping inside the old lap record, so I have to take the positives from a good final race. Big congratulations to Bruce for taking the win and bettering my new lap record which only lasted for a lap!” Philip Neill – Team Manager: “Fair play to both guys today. We have never hidden the fact that it’s taken them both a bit of time to find their best form this season, for one reason or another, but as a team we are extremely pleased with our season. Cameron overshot in the opening Superbike race and Bruce was a tad misfortunate and we lost out. But in the final Superbike race – the one the fans all remember – we had two GSX-R1000s right in the mix for honours, and this is testament to the quality of our machinery. ‘What can you say about Bruce Anstey? We have used all the superlatives before. The bottom line is this: when he wants to prove a point, and I don’t say this lightly – he is the best road racer in the world. And to produce a performance like that, not having raced since the TT in June, is mind-boggling. “Cameron dug deep today while suffering the effects of a viral infection and I’m pleased with his efforts. He was there-or-there-abouts in both Superbike races and in places was quicker than his rivals; he can’t be faulted for giving it his best shot. “It has been a good season for us in general so far. We have had two BSB wins; we dominated at the North West 200 with Alastair Seeley and although two podiums at the TT is a little short of what we have come to expect, we have ended the international road racing season on a high note here at the Ulster Grand Prix. “I’m more pleased today for the boys in the team as they were pretty deflated after the TT. People don’t see it, but they work very hard behind the scenes and today is for them and of course our sponsors. Loyal people like Suzuki, Relentless and the likes of Ian Glenn from Beacon and everyone else who continues to support us.” More, from a press release issued by Keith Amor’s publicist: Stunning Ulster GP Bike Week for Amor Scots ace Keith Amor had one of his best ever week’s of road racing when he finished on the podium in all six of his races at the Ulster GP Bike Week. The KBMG Racing rider was in imperious form and he was able to take his second ever International Road Race win (his first at the Ulster GP), a win in the Dundrod 150 Superbike race and a brace of seconds and thirds in his remaining four races. Quite simply, Amor was brilliant all week around the high-speed Dundrod circuit. Thursday’s Dundrod 150 Superbike race set the trend for the week when he was embroiled in a terrific tussle with Ian Hutchinson but when the Honda rider retired on the third lap, Keith was able to take his Superstock BMW, simply fitted with slick tyres, to a commanding 4.75s win, also setting the fastest lap of the race. With fine weather on Saturday for the Ulster GP proper, Keith led the first four laps of the Superstock race only for Hutchinson to take over a lap later. The duo were over 8 seconds clear of the rest of the pack and when Keith re-took the lead on the penultimate lap we were all set for a thrilling finale. However, the red flag came out and with the result going back a lap, Keith had to settle for second place. The first Supersport 600cc race saw the duo joined by Michael Dunlop and again Keith led the first four laps before Hutchinson pushed him back to second and he ended the race just 0.176s adrift on the Kojak Racing Honda. Next up was the feature Superbike race where the same pattern emerged. Lapping at over 133mph, Keith led early on once more before being pushed back to second by nemesis Hutchinson and at the chequered flag, the Suzuki of Bruce Anstey had relegated him to third as they encountered some backmarkers although there was just 0.422s between the trio at the end of the 6 laps. The second Supersport race saw a four-way battle between Keith, Hutchinson and Michael and William Dunlop with positions changing throughout. The race was held in two 3-lap legs due to an incident and, lying second after the first 3 laps, Keith had to get the better of Hutchinson by half a second to get the win on aggregate. It was nip and tuck all the way between the quartet but Keith wasn’t to be denied and after hitting the front on the final lap, he got the overall verdict over Hutchinson by 0.210s for his first ever Ulster GP win. The final race of the day was the second Superbike race and it was nothing short of sensational as Keith battled it out with Hutchinson, Anstey, Cameron Donald and Guy Martin. Second on each of the first four laps, there was literally inches between the riders as they lapped at record-breaking speeds but, after a last lap sort-out, Keith had to settle for third place on the BMW behind race winner Anstey and Hutchinson with just 0.335s separating them at the end of the five laps. Keith also posted a personal best lap of 133.435mph to round out a truly memorable day. Talking later, Keith commented; “Wow, what a day! The racing was nothing short of awesome and after winning the Dundrod 150, I was really ‘up’ for the Ulster GP races. I was disappointed with the Superstock result at the start of the day though as I’d made a break in the early stages. Even though Ian pulled me back, I knew where I was stronger than him so the plan was just to tuck in behind him and make a move on the last lap but the last lap never came. In the first Supersport race, I got the lead in the early laps but there was absolutely nothing between the bikes and there was simply no chance to make a break. I got in to the lead again on the final lap but made a little mistake on the third last corner and was too defensive which allowed Hutchy to come by me. It was a really enjoyable race though.” “In the first Superbike race, I felt really strong leading but luck was again against me as I caught the backmarkers on the last lap simply at the wrong place at the wrong time and the rest of the boys went flying by. It wasn’t easy out there on a Superstock bike against all the Superbikes but I rode my heart out and it gave it everything I had. The second Supersport was a real battle and it was relief more than anything to get the win. Aggregate races are never are easy and I was fortunate that the two Dunlops got involved to mix it up a bit and I was just determined to cross the line first and it felt really good to take my first International Supersport victory on the Honda. Overall, it was an enjoyable day’s racing and whilst I naturally would have liked to have taken one or two more wins I’m sure it must have been fantastic for the spectators. I just want to say a big thank you to everyone involved with the team who’s helped me this weekend especially all the boys at Dunlop, Charles Hurst BMW (Belfast), Dyce Carriers of Aberdeen, Boyce Precision Engineering and SBS brake pads.” More, from a press release issued by JiR Moto2 Team: Czech Republic GP: the race The unpredictable weather deposited a rainstorm during the night at Brno that left a wet track for the warm-up, making difficult the work of fine-tuning the MotoBIs before the race. After the good progress registered during the past two days both riders were aiming for a better result in the race. At the green light both riders got away well, with Simone Corsi taking the lead of the race during the early laps but then he slipped back when his competitors rhythm picked up. The Roman couldn’t stay close to the top positions and ended his race in a creditable 8th position. Simone Corsi “I’m not happy at all with this 8th place. Even if this is not one of my favourite tracks, the times I set during the whole weekend were good and the evolutionary steps applied to my MotoBI gave good feedback. Unfortunately a wet warm-up made it difficult to finalize the set-up properly so during the race I suffered some chattering problems, preventing me to push as hard as I’d like and I lost contact with race leaders. However, we are making continuous improvements and I’m still optimistic for the next races.” Yusuke Teshima, despite a good start crashed into the gravel during the 12th lap after a problem at the front. The Japanese, TSR’s development rider, was pushing hard to recover from 26th position. Yusuke Teshima “I’m sad for how it ended, as during the weekend we worked hard and I was confident for a good performance. During the race I suffered a power loss from the engine that made me push hard in the corners. Probably I pushed too much and I lost the front-end of the bike. However I’m happy for the experience I have enjoyed in the JiR Team and I hope that the good responses we had from the technical evolutions we developed will help Corsi for the rest of the season.” Czech Republic GP classification: 1. T. Elias 2. Y. Takahashi 3. A. Iannone 8. S. Corsi n.c. Y. Teshima Riders World Champioship Classification: 1. T. Elias – 161 2. A. Iannone – 106 3. T. Luthi – 99 7. S. Corsi – 73 More, from a press release issued by Indianapolis Motor Speedway: MotoGP RACE REPORT: GRAND PRIX OF CZECH REPUBLIC Lorenzo earns seventh win of season; American Spies fourth heading into Indy INDIANAPOLIS, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010 As the world heads to Indianapolis for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Aug. 27-29, the championship chase in MotoGP has come down to Jorge Lorenzo vs. the world. Defending Red Bull Indianapolis GP winner Lorenzo continued his historic season by earning his seventh victory in 10 starts this season for the Fiat Yamaha Team, winning the Czech Republic Grand Prix on Aug. 15 at Brno. Lorenzo, who started third, took the lead from pole sitter Dani Pedrosa on the first of 22 laps and beat Pedrosa to the finish by 5.494 seconds. The victory extended Lorenzo’s lead in the World Championship to 77 points over Pedrosa. “I know I said I was riding for the championship now, and that’s still true,” Lorenzo said. “But when there’s the chance to win, I have to take it! To take my seventh win in one season is fantastic. Tomorrow we have an important test, which we hope will help us in the last part of the championship, and then we go to Indianapolis, a track that I love.” It was a solid day for the three American riders in MotoGP before they head home to race in the United States. Rookie phenom Ben Spies qualified a career-best second before finishing fourth on the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine. 2006 World Champion Nicky Hayden finished sixth on his Ducati and now will attempt for this third consecutive Red Bull Indianapolis GP podium finish. Colin Edwards finished seventh for Monster Yamaha Tech 3. Lorenzo joined lofty company with his victory. He became just the third rider in the 62-year history of Grand Prix motorcycle racing to finish either first or second in the first 10 races of a season, joining legendary champions Giacomo Agostini and Mick Doohan in that club. The front of the race was relatively straightforward once Lorenzo took the lead on the first lap and Stoner passed Spies for third on Lap 9. It was quite the contrast from a wild qualifying session Saturday during which Lorenzo, seven-time World Champion Valentino Rossi and Hayden crashed in separate incidents. Hayden suffered a chipped radius bone in his crash but still raced Sunday and is expected to race at Indianapolis. While Lorenzo extended his championship lead with the victory, perhaps the biggest shake-up to the order in MotoGP came a few hours after the checkered flag. Rossi confirmed the widespread rumors that he is leaving Yamaha after seven seasons and four world titles to join the Ducati Team in 2011, a Dream Team of legendary Italian rider and iconic Italian manufacturer. Hayden is expected to remain at Ducati to become Rossi’s teammate, as current Ducati standout Casey Stoner already has announced a switch to Honda for 2011. Spies is expected to replace Rossi on the factory Yamaha team as Lorenzo’s teammate next season. *** RESULTS BRNO, Czech Republic Results of the 22-lap Grand Prix of Czech Republic MotoGP race, with position, rider, country, motorcycle, time behind winner. All riders on Bridgestone tires: 1. Jorge Lorenzo Spain Yamaha 2. Dani Pedrosa Spain Honda +5.494 3. Casey Stoner Australia Ducati +11.426 4. Ben Spies United States Yamaha +13.723 5. Valentino Rossi Italy Yamaha +17.930 6. Nicky Hayden United States Ducati +26.815 7. Colin Edwards United States Yamaha +33.396 8. Marco Melandri Italy Honda +39.406 9. Hector Barbera Spain Ducati +39.639 10. Randy De Puniet France Honda +40.893 11. Marco Simoncelli Italy Honda +42.032 12. Aleix Espargaro Spain Ducati +47.091 13. Alex de Angelis San Marino Honda +51.638 NC Alvaro Bautista Spain Suzuki +1 lap NC Mika Kallio Finland Ducati +15 laps NC Andrea Dovizioso Italy Honda +16 laps NC Loris Capirossi Italy Suzuki +21 laps NC Not classified Fastest lap: Lorenzo, 1:57.524, Lap 11; Pole lap: Pedrosa, 1:56.508 *** POINTS Riders: Lorenzo 235, Pedrosa 158, Stoner 119, Dovizioso 115, Rossi 101, N. Hayden 99, Spies 90, De Puniet 75, Melandri 61, Edwards 57, Simoncelli 54, Barbera 48, Capirossi 36, Espargaro 32, Kallio 31, Bautista 25, Hiroshi Aoyama 18, De Angelis 11, Roger Lee Hayden 5, Kousuke Akiyoshi 4, Wataru Yoshikawa 1. Manufacturers: Yamaha 240, Honda 195, Ducati 149, Suzuki 48. *** PODIUM QUOTES JORGE LORENZO (Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha/Bridgestone, first): “After my problems yesterday and the crash, I didn’t expect this today. I thought it would be much more of a struggle. Once I got to the front, I expected Dani to come with me, and I knew it was my moment and that I had to push as much as possible. I thought he would try to overtake me, but I felt good, pushed hard and little by little I was able to lose him. I know I said I was riding for the championship now, and that’s still true. But when there’s the chance to win, I have to take it! To take my seventh win in one season is fantastic. Thank you to all of my team for such a good job after we had difficulties yesterday. Tomorrow we have an important test, which we hope will help us in the last part of the championship, and then we go to Indianapolis, a track that I love.” DANI PEDROSA (Repsol Honda Team Honda/Bridgestone, second): “It’s good to be back on the podium after the crash at the last race at Laguna Seca, so I’m happy about this. My start was good, and I was in first place through the first corner. But in the first left-hander, I was a little bit too concerned about my tire temperature and braked too early, which allowed Ben and Jorge to get past. When I was in second place behind Jorge again, I was trying as hard as possible to stay close, which I could do for a few laps, but for some reason I wasn’t quite able to go as fast as yesterday. I had quite a lot of wheelspin and was struggling to get good drive out of the corners. I tried to adjust my riding to improve this, but Jorge was gradually able to open the gap. So today wasn’t the best result for us, but still the podium is OK and we can build on this result. After the test tomorrow, we go to Indianapolis and I was strong there last year despite the mistake in the race, so I’m confident we can be competitive again at the next race.” CASEY STONER (Ducati Team Ducati/Bridgestone, third): “To be honest, I can’t be completely happy with this result even though it is always good to be on the podium. Toward the end of qualifying yesterday, we thought we had found a good way forward with the setting, but we needed to finalize it in the warm-up this morning and we didn’t get chance because of the rain. I was struggling with the front for the first few laps and lost too much ground on the two leaders. It looked like there were other guys having similar problems to me, and I saw Dovi crash right in front of me. Things improved toward the end, but I was too far from Dani and Jorge to trouble them. We have work to do, but we’re not too far off, and I am desperate to fight for victories again for myself and for Ducati.” *** AMERICAN RIDER QUOTES BEN SPIES (Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha/Bridgestone, fourth): “I got a good start and was staying right with Jorge and Dani for a few laps and had a comfortable pace. But after about lap seven, I starting having problems with the front that I hadn’t experienced all weekend. It’s a shame because while I know I definitely didn’t have anything to fight Jorge with because he is riding so well, maybe I could have stayed close to Dani. I’m not saying I’d have beaten him, but I’d have been closer to put up a challenge. I had one second on Casey when I started having the problems, but I had to slow my pace quite a bit, and that was a bit frustrating because it meant he caught me quite quickly. I couldn’t run his speed, so when he passed me, I didn’t worry about trying to run with him. I’m not upset, though, because without that small problem I could have easily battled for the podium. I’d have loved the podium to give me a big lift before going home to Indianapolis, but I’m really happy with my recent performances. And once again, I was the top satellite team rider, and I can’t be unhappy with fourth place.” NICKY HAYDEN (Ducati Team Ducati/Bridgestone, sixth): “Taking everything into consideration, I have to be happy with sixth place. Our pace wasn’t bad, and looking at the lap times I could have maybe been fighting for a higher position if I was fully fit. When Valentino passed me, I managed to stay with him for a while but couldn’t hang on and just had to focus on keeping a pace that allowed me to bring some good points home. I want to thank the team because they made some changes to the bike to give me better grip in the left-hand corners, and it worked. Once the race started and the adrenaline kicked in, I couldn’t really feel the pain in my hand, but I suddenly started to feel it as soon as I crossed the line. The thing I’m most worried about is if I can test tomorrow because it’s going to be a really important session for us.” COLIN EDWARDS (Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha/Bridgestone, seventh): “I gave it everything I had, and I can’t be disappointed with the way I rode. I thought it was going to be a good race because I’d been strong all weekend and really happy with the new front-end geometry setting that had helped the bike turn much better. And when I got a good start, I felt confident that I could challenge for my first top six of the season. But in the race, I didn’t have the same feeling with the front tire, and I don’t think I was the only one that had a small issue. When I tried to push a bit harder, I had a moment and I lost contact with Valentino and Nicky in front of me. I took some risks to keep close to them, but there was nothing I could do. Seventh is not a great result, but it’s better than where I have been finishing and hopefully we can make some more progress in Indianapolis and be closer to the front.” *** MotoGP SUPPORT CLASS WINNERS Moto2: Toni Elias, Spain, Gresini Racing Moto2 Moriwaki Honda. American Kenny Noyes was not classified after completing just one lap. He is 20th in the season point standings. 125cc: Nicolas Terol, Spain, Bancaja Aspar Team Aprilia. Red Bull Rookies Cup: American Jacob Gagne won the second race at Brno to expand his series lead to 11 points. Gagne, from Ramona, Calif., won the Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup race in September 2008 during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. *** NEXT RACE Red Bull Indianapolis GP, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Aug. 27-29. Round 11 of 18. *** IMS tickets: Tickets for the 2010 Red Bull Indianapolis GP are on sale now. A new structure offers additional value and flexibility to fans attending the annual MotoGP event. Among the highlights of the new ticket structure are lower prices and single-day reserved and general admission tickets for Race Day, Sunday, Aug. 29. Children 12 and under will be admitted free any day of the event if accompanied by an adult holding a general admission ticket. Fans can order tickets online at www.imstix.com, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street. Online orders can be made at any time. Hours for phone orders and the ticket office are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday. General admission tickets provide access to the grounds, viewing mounds along the infield section of the circuit and selected grandstands, which provide excellent angles to see the greatest riders in the world. Fans can now print their tickets three-day reserved seat and Race Day-only general admission and reserved seat tickets with their printer after ordering tickets online at www.imstix.com. 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 Guy Martin’s publicist: Martin back in the saddle and back on form Kirmington’s Guy Martin returned to racing in style at the Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week and although he was unable to add to his tally of wins around the Dundrod circuit, the Wilson Craig Honda rider was in contention in every one of his six races and finished in the top six in each, an impressive statistic given he’d only had one previous outing since his horrific TT crash back in early June. The 28-year old was unsure if he’d have the strength to muscle around the 1000cc machines for the entire 3 days of action around the high-speed Dundrod circuit but after a solid series of practice sessions, he lined up on the grid for Thursday’s Dundrod 150 Superbike race. A strong opening lap saw him slot in to third place but when race leader Ian Hutchinson went out, he was promoted to second and, with laps in excess of 131mph, it was here where he finished after fighting off the close attentions of Michael Dunlop, Bruce Anstey and Cameron Donald, only seven tenths of a second splitting second to fifth at the chequered flag. Ulster GP race day on Saturday saw some great weather and some of the best racing ever witnessed around the 7.4-mile course and Guy was in the mix in every one of his five races. The opening Superstock race saw Guy line up in his worst grid position (13th) but he fought brilliantly through the pack to claim 6th place, a good start to what would be an extremely hard day’s racing, for everyone. Next up was the first Supersport race with fourth place the outcome after a tough battle with fellow Lincolnshire rider Gary Johnson. His third race of the day was the feature Ulster GP Superbike race where he was involved in a terrific five-man battle for the lead along with Hutchinson, Anstey, Dunlop and Keith Amor. There was nothing between the riders but Guy was pushed back to 4th in the closing stages and this was where he finished albeit just 1.232s off the race win! The second Supersport 600cc race was again a lonely affair for Guy but he took a solid fifth place and, despite beginning to feel the effects, he was back on the grid for the second Superbike race of the day. Somehow, this was even better than the first and with a lap of 133.527mph, Guy was right on the back of the 5-rider freight train battling it out for the win. The race was nothing short of hectic with positions changing all the time, especially on the last lap but a lap of almost 134mph allowed Anstey to take the win with Guy having to accept fifth, still only 1.692s off the victory, all five riders inside the old lap record. Speaking later, a satisfied Guy said; “Today’s been nothing short of hectic and it’s just a bit of shame I wasn’t 100% race fit as my lack of race fitness began to take its toll as the day wore on. I wasn’t intimidated or scared to be back out there racing at 190mph and I gave it my all in every race but I’m man enough to admit I just didn’t have that last little bit to give. I’m as fit as a fiddle after the TT crash but after 2 months off a bike, I’m very race rusty and the muscles you use on a bike haven’t had much of a work-out recently.” “I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to hold on to the big bikes but I gave it my best shot and although everyone knows I want to win races, I’ve got to be pleased with a podium and top six in every race in the first meeting back. I felt fine out there but it was from the hairpin back to the start and finish where I was struggling due to the constant high-speed changes in direction and I just didn’t quite have the strength to put the bike where I wanted. We’re getting there though and the bikes were awesome, probably the fastest things out there so a big thanks to all the team Wilson, Danny, Cammy, Alastair and Phil from PTR for giving me great support once more.” Guy now has a fortnight’s break before his next outing at Cadwell Park on August 28-30, where he’ll be having a guest ride in the Harley Davidson XR1200 Trophy Championship. More, from a press release issued by FTR MOTO: CZECH REPUBLIC MOTO2 PODIUM FOR FTR MOTO FTR MOTO recorded a fifth podium finish of the 2010 Moto2 World Championship as Andrea Iannone finished third on the Speed Up FTR M210 machine in round nine at Brno, Czech Republic on Sunday. Iannone starting from second place on the front row of the grid made a poor start and was forced to battle back from seventh place on the opening lap, eventually taking the lead of the race on the sixth lap from fellow FTR M210 rider Alex Debon. Iannone was then closed down and lost the lead to eventual winner Toni Elias and was then forced to settle for third place as Yuki Takahashi took second place from the Italian in the closing stages. “Today was a difficult day,” said Iannone who moved into second place in the Championship standings. “I didn’t make a good start then eventually got to the front but the pace of Elias and Takahashi was too much for me in the end.” Gabor Talmacsi Iannone’s Speed Up team-mate fought his way through from 16th place on the grid to cross the finish line in a credible sixth place at the end of the 20-lap race while Debon, on the Aeroport de Castello-Ajo Team M210, finished in seventh. Debon put in a spirited ride as he moved from 12th place on the opening lap to lead the race by lap five and eventually take his first finish since the British round at Silverstone two months ago. And the Spaniard’s progress was halted by a broken steering damper from the halfway stage of the race. And there was no dream home race victory for promising Karel Abraham and his Cardion AB Motoracing Team FTR M210 as he was forced to miss the race following crashes in Friday’s practice and Saturday’s qualifying sessions. Abraham suffered minor injuries and mild concussion. “Overall it’s great to see one of the M210s on the podium again although, at one point, I thought Iannone, Debon and Talmacsi were all heading for the victory!” said FTR’s Steve Bones. “With all three of our machines in the top seven, including Alex with a broken damper, and out of 39 starters I’m more than happy.” More, from a press release issued by Aprilia: Noale With the success of Spanish rider Nico Terol in the 125 class at the Czech Republic GP round on the Brno track, Aprilia reaches a new record of victories in World Moto GP. With today’s victory the manufacturer from Noale rises to 276 victories, one more than MV Agusta, and is ranked as the Italian and European brand with the most all time wins. In particular Aprilia has won: 133 races in 125 and 143 in 250, winning 36 World Championships: 18 riders (9 in 125 and 9 in 250) and 18 manufacturer championships (9 in 125 and 9 in 250). Aprilia made its début in the 250 class moto GP in 1985 (first victory with Loris Reggiani in 1987) and in the 125 class in 1988 (first victory with Alex Gramigni in 1991). The first championship wreath in the 125 class was won by Gramigni in 1992 while the first 250 title came with Max Biaggi in 1994. Many of today’s greatest motorcycle champions have made their début, raced and won with Aprilia: from Max Biaggi to Loris Capirossi, from Valentino Rossi to Casey Stoner to Jorge Lorenzo, Marco Melandri and Marco Simoncelli. Aprilia Racing boasts an overall winning record of 43 championship titles which are added to the 36 World Moto GP titles and the 7 wreaths in the off road disciplines. Today Aprilia is also involved in World Superbike with the RSV4 bike, which Max Biaggi has already ridden to nine victories in this 2010 season, leading both the rider championship rankings and the manufacturer standings. Aprilia is also involved in the World Rally with the RXV 4.5 two cylinder which, after having made its début with a fantastic third place in the Dakar, dominated the recent Tunisia Rally.