HANNspree FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship: Brno - Round 9 - Race report

Rea and Biaggi share wins at superheated Brno

Max Biaggi (Aprilia Alitalia) moved an impressive 68 points clear of his nearest challenger after two 20-lap races held in hot and steamy conditions in front of 64,000 fans at Brno.
Max has now won ten races at Brno in all classes of competition, but today he had to share top billing with race one winner Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda). The British rider added to his Assen double with a virtual flag-to-flag win, to take his victory tally for 2010 to three.
Biaggi could not do his usual double today but was peerless in race two, after changing his set-up between races and capitalizing when the track temperature jumped up by almost ten degrees.
The other podium places were shared by Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda) and Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox), but in the championship fight itself, the fate of Leon Haslam (Suzuki Alstare) in each race had the most effect. Eighth in race one and tenth in race two for Leon put him on 284 points to Biaggi’s class-leading 352. Rea is now third on 203, Checa (Althea Ducati) is fourth on 189, after finishing ninth and sixth today.

Race One
Rea ground out a great win, by 2.5 seconds from Biaggi’s Aprilia, putting himself back into the spotlight after some tough races in the past few weeks.  His last podium before this had been at Kyalami, back in May. Rea had been third on the grid, with Biaggi second and pole man Crutchlow rode hard and well to take third place.
Sylvain Guintoli (Suzuki Alstare) equalled his best race finish of fourth, while Ruben Xaus (BMW Motorrad Motorsport) had his best result yet on his German machine, fifth. Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox), fast in early qualifying but 15th after Superpole, recovered well to go sixth, holding off James Toseland (Yamaha Sterilgarda) who has been suffering from a chest infection at this race.

Jonathan Rea: “At the start I didn’t really know what was going on but I ended up going to the front. This race win I’d like to dedicate to my team boss, Ronald ten Kate, who is not here with us this weekend. Today it was like out there on the bike I could do nothing wrong, now I’ll go back to the guys and prepare a better bike for race 2 and see what we can do. I just had to capitalize on Max’s weaknesses in some corners, it was a really difficult race out there and very hot.

Max Biaggi: “We came here on Friday and we didn’t really have the same feeling as I had last year so we tried to set up the bike as close as last year’s machine. Basically we improved, but my feeling was not great. Unfortunately this weekend has been like this, but we will make some modifications for race 2 and hopefully there will be some surprises.”

Cal Crutchlow: “To say I’m disappointed is probably an understatement. I went into the race with high hopes, the grip yesterday was really good for us and in the heat but as you saw we were struggling with rear grip from the start. Johnny rode fantastic and rode away from me, and also Max. I tried my best and that’s all I can do.”

Results (with Pirelli Race Tyre Selection, Front/Rear):  
1. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 40'16.037 (161,014 kph) (B/A)
2. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 2.518 (B/A)
3. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 4.071 (B/A)
4. Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 7.160 (B/A)
5. Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 8.602 (B/A)
6. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 11.379 (B/B)
7. Toseland J. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 11.513 (B/A)
8. Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 16.487 (B/B)
9. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 20.829 (B/A)
10. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 25.164 (A/A)
11. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 32.602 (B/A)
12. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 36.748 (B/A)
13. Parkes B. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 39.183 (B/A)
14. Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 59.889 (B/A)
15. Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'05.329 (B/A)

Race Two
Biaggi found the last one percent of speed he was missing in race one to record his ninth win of the season, giving him a 50% win ratio so far. Rea was an early leader but finally finished a clear second, 4.6 seconds behind the Italian, after Max eased past, with Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) third, the only Ducati podium spot of the day.
Two-times champion Toseland made a great recovery from 12th on lap one to fourth, catching and passing Haga with one lap to go. Checa was sixth, Guintoli seventh and Biaggi’s team-mate Leon Camier eighth. Shane Byrne (Althea Ducati) got ninth, one place up on the luckless Haslam, who now goes to his home race of Silverstone to try and claw back points from Biaggi.
Cal Crutchlow pitted to change a rear tyre in race two, and when he went back out he set a new lap record in race conditions, with a 1’59.291.

Max Biaggi: “Knowing the track quite well here and the passion of the fans in the Czech Republic, we tried something really special and made some changes on the bike, weight distribution and gearbox and the result was very good so I’m happy. For me it’s the tenth victory here, and this is my second home country. I love this place!”

Jonathan Rea: “Max did an unbelievable pace, I know how hard it was to hold on to second and he was going away from us, but anyway it’s been a good weekend with a 1-2 today. Thanks for all my team for digging deep this weekend and giving me a package that I could race with.”

Results: 
1. Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 38'58.149 (156,16 kph)
2. Haslam L. (GBR) Suzuki GSX-R1000 4.095
3. Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 4.631
4. Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1 5.014
5. Checa C. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 6.256
6. Guintoli S. (FRA) Suzuki GSX-R1000 7.677
7. Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 10.144
8. Scassa L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 10.942
9. Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 13.640
10. Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 16.279
11. Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 17.799
12. Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 22.793
13. Lanzi L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 24.131
14. Neukirchner M. (GER) Honda CBR1000RR 28.212
15. Vermeulen C. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 36.551
16. Sykes T. (GBR) Kawasaki ZX 10R 49.636
17. Parkes B. (AUS) Honda CBR1000RR 50.041
18. Hayden R. (USA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 51.246
19. Baiocco M. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 58.174
20. Sandi F. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 1000 1'10.588

Pirelli Race Tyre Selection (Front/Rear): All riders on same solutions as race 1 with the exception of Haslam and Haga who changed to the “A” rear for Race 2.

Championship standings (after 9 Rounds of 13): 
1. Biaggi 307
2. Hslam 270
3. Checa 172
4. Rea 158
5. Haga 151
6. Corser 149
7. Toseland 138
8. Fabrizio 131
9. Camier 130 70
10. Crutchlow 120

Manufacturers standings: 
1. Aprilia 313
2. Suzuki 283
3. Ducati 250
4. Yamaha 177
5. Honda 169
6. BMW 152
7. Kawasaki 47

World Supersport

A fabulous win for Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) saw him hold off long time race leader Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com) by only 0.124 seconds after 18 laps of close action, conducted in hot temperatures.
With Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) not finishing, Sofuoglu now has 183 points, Lascorz 168 and Laverty 161. Third today was ParkinGO Triumph BE-1 rider, Chaz Davies, with Gino Rea (Intermoto Czech Honda) fourth, with each of those two riders suffering technical issues that held back their final race times.

Results:
1. Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 37'25.108 (155,946 kph)
2. Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 0.124
3. Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675 7.153
4.Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 7.813
5. Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 14.268
6. Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 24.832
7. Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 30.907
8. Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 30.985
9. Lagrive M. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 32.463
10. Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 38.232
11. Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Triumph Daytona 675 40.343
12. Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 40.762
13. Bukowski D. (POL) Honda CBR600RR 58.901
14. Palumbo A. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1'02.708
15. Holubec T. (CZE) Honda CBR600RR 1'05.089
16. Cerny J. (SVK) Yamaha YZF R6 1'19.704
17. Skubic B. (SLO) Yamaha YZF R6 1'36.598
18. Blokhin E. (RUS) Yamaha YZF R6 1'54.374
19. Toth I. (HUN) Honda CBR600RR

Championship standings (after 9 Rounds of 13): 
1. Sofuoglu 183
2. Lascorz 168
3. Laverty161
4. Davies 113
5. Salom 72
6.Harms 61
7. Rea 67
8. Fujiwara 59
9. Pirro 58
10. Lagrive 56

Manufacturers standings: 
1. Honda 220
2. Kawasaki 168
3. Triumph 123
4. Yamaha 11

World Supersport

Ayrton Badovini (BMW Motorrad Italia STK) had to work until the very last corner of the 12-lap Superstock race but he still took his sixth win in six races to lead the championship on a perfect 150 points. He was hit from behind early in the race by Maxime Berger (Ten Kate Junior Race Honda) but held on to win by only 0.286 seconds from Ducati rider Lorenzo Zanetti (SS Lazio Motorsport) who was competing in his first full status Superstock FIM Cup race. Andrea Antonelli (Team Lorini Honda) was third after Sylvain Barrier (Garnier Racing BMW) fell near the end.

Results:
1. Badovini A. (ITA) BMW S1000 RR 25'02.800 (155,317 Km/h)
2. Zanetti L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 0.286
3. Antonelli A. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 4.060
4. Beretta D. (ITA) BMW S 1000 RR 6.201
5. Baroni L. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 7.926
6. Magnoni M. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR 8.391
7. Mähr R. (AUT) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 12.551
8. Sembera M. (CZE) BMW S1000 RR 17.653
9. Baz L. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R1 20.919
10. Savary M. (SUI) BMW S1000 RR 27.915
11. Jezek O. (CZE) Aprilia RSV4 1000 36.078
12. Vivarelli N. (ITA) KTM 1190 RC8 R 36.154
13. Svitok T. (SVK) Honda CBR1000RR 36.261
14. Leeson C. (RSA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 40.077
15. Thiriet P. (BRA) Honda CBR1000RR 54.271
16. Andric D. (BRA) Honda CBR1000RR 57.048

Points (after 6 rounds of 10):
1. Badovini 150
2. Magnoni 73
3. Berger 66
4. Antonelli 57
5. Giugliano 53
6. Barrier 47
6. Antonelli 41
7. Baz 44
8. Bussolotti 37
9. Petrucci 36
10. Beretta 34

Manufacturers:
1. BMW 150
2. Honda 109
3. Suzuki 69
4. Ducati 46
5. Yamaha 46
6. Kawasaki 38
7.KTM 29
8. Aprilia 18

 Official Tyre Supplier
“The scorching heat of the Automotodrom Brno presented an adequate challenge for Pirelli’s race tyre solutions, with asphalt temperatures reaching as much as 57°C (135°F) during Race 2. 
The majority of the grid adopted the reference medium-soft ‘B’ front along with a new soft ‘A’ rear performance solution developed in testing sessions just two weeks ago.  This combination was notably successful in Superbike Race 1 for Suzuki Alstare rider Sylvain Guintoli, who tied his best result of the year (4th – Australia) in Race 1, while BMW rider Reuben Xaus had his best result ever on the S1000RR with a fifth place. 
A fourth win of the year for Rea (Honda) and a return to the podium for Fabrizio (Ducati) gave additional testimony to the new soft solution compound, event considering the incredible heat. 
A new Superpole time of 1'58.018 was set by Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha) in the final session, a blazing pace which was duplicated again in Race 2 of SBK when he set a new lap record of 1'59.291. 
An incredible battle between Sofuoglu (Honda) and Lascorz offered an excellent demonstration of the new ‘A’ soft compound Diablo Supercorsa, with Lascorz recording the fastest time on lap 16 of 20, crossing the finish line just 0.1 secs behind the new championship leader. 
The 4,200 Pirelli tyre supplied for the weekend consisted of 4 front and 4 rear Diablo Superbike solutions in the SBK class, three of which are new for Brno, along with 3 front and 2 rear Diablo Supercorsa solutions in the Supersport class.”  - Giorgio Barbier, Racing Director, Pirelli Moto

Pirelli Performance Awards:

SBK Race 1 - Pirelli BEST LAP
Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team), 1'59.964 (Lap 3)

SBK Race 2 - Pirelli BEST LAP
Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Sterilgarda Team), 1'59.291 (Lap 12)

Total BEST LAP (SBK):
Checa C. (Althea Racing): 6
Crutchlow C. (Yamaha World Superbike): 4
Rea J. (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda): 3
Biaggi M. (Aprilia Alitalia Racing): 2
Haslam L. (Suzuki Alstare): 1
Guintoli S. (Suzuki Alstare): 1
Fabrizio M. (Ducati Xerox Team): 1

WSS - Pirelli BEST LAP
Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki Motocard.com), 2'03.998 (Lap 16)

Total BEST LAP (WSS):
Sofuoglu K. (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda): 4
Laverty E. (Parkalgar Honda): 2
Lascorz J. (Kawasaki Motocard.com): 2
Pirro M. (HANNspree Ten Kate Honda): 1

Stk1000 - Pirelli BEST JUMP FORWARD
Daniele Beretta (BMW Motorrad Italia STK), From 18th à 4th (14 positions)

FIM Motocross World Championship
ROUND 10 – UDDEVALLA 3-4 JULY

4 July 2010, Uddevalla (Sweden)– Pirelli has literally dominated the MX1 Grand Prix of Sweden by filling the first six places of the final classification and earning victory with Antonio Cairoli ahead of Suzuki riders Clement Desalle and Steve Ramon. The Scorpion MX also shone in MX2 with Jeffrey Herlings’ second position and the third place of Gautier Paulin, while Frenchman Jordi Tixier succeeded in the 125cc European two-stroke series for his fourth shut-out in the five rounds contested so far.

MX 1

For the three previous races Antonio Cairoli had played a careful strategy of protecting his position as world championship leader but in Sweden the works KTM rider decided to try a different mindset and duly swept both motos for his second double this season. After having elected to equip his factory 350-SXF with Scorpion MidSoft 32, and using a 120/90 on the rear for the first time, the rapid Sicilian led from start to finish in the first moto. He held a hefty advantage over other Pirelli riders Desalle, Philippaerts, Ramon, Bobryschev and Nagl finishing in that order respectively all using Scorpion MidSoft 32 front and rear. In the second race Cairoli hunted down and overtook leader Desalle, who had no reply to the world champion’s pace around Uddevalla. The Belgian had to be content with second place on the podium ahead of team-mate Ramon with Bobryshev, Philippaerts and Nagl following in the GP ranking.

Cairoli, MX1, MX MidSoft 32

Overall Classification:

MX1 Podium

Championship standings:

Cairoli, MX1

MX 2

MX2 was again a showcase for the talent of fifteen year old Jeffrey Herlings who seven days after his second win of the season in Latvia took second place overall at the Grand Prix of Sweden behind Steve Frossard. In the race the factory KTM rider used Scorpion MidSoft 32 front and rear, and enjoyed a decent tussle with team-mate Marvin Musquin, who due to indifferent starts and a lacklustre rhythm could place no higher than 5th overall. Herlings was able to consolidate his 4th place in the championship standings as a result of his second podium in a row. The third step went to official Yamaha Monster Energy representative Gautier Paulin for the first time this season after his unfortunate leg-break one week before the first GP. Also benefitting from Scorpion MidSoft 32 front and rear were Joel Roelants (6th), Zach Osborne (7th), Shaun Simpson (10th), Harri Kullas (11th), Alex Lupino (12th) and Christophe Charlier (13th).

Herlings, MX2

Overall Classification:

Championship standings:

FIM Motocross World Championship
ROUND 9 – KEGUMS 26-27 JUNE

27 June 2010, Kegums (Latvia) – The ninth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship has been stamped ‘Pirelli’ with a double sweep of both classes thanks to the Scorpion MX that monopolised the MX1 podium and owned the top step of the MX2 rostrum. The Grand Prix of Latvia also witnessed a double success by Sweden’s Mats Nilsson in the Veteran’s World Cup that further consolidated his lead in the support series.

MX 1

The Scorpion MidSoft 32 was an absolute protagonist across the tough terrain of the Latvian Grand Prix and the fast Kegums layout that consisted of shallow sandy top-soil but also areas of hard-pack thanks to the firm ground underneath. Both motos were dominated by Pirelli; the first in the favour of factory Suzuki rider Clement Desalle who took overall victory thanks to a runner-up position in the second moto, while the second sprint was decimated by the speed of world champion Antonio Cairoli with the Red Bull KTM who was second in the GP thanks to 4th place earlier on. Another Belgian Suzuki rider, Steve Ramon, completed the podium. Fourth position surprisingly belonged to Russian MX1 rookie Evgeny Bobryshev, who almost won the opening sprint until Desalle’s late attack, by steering his CAS Honda Scorpion MidSoft 32 front and rear. In 6th was Yamaha Monster Energy’s David Philippaerts who could not get comfortable on the Latvian course while a similar scenario involved German Grand Prix winner Ken De Dycker; the Belgian could only rest 12th.

Desalle, MX1

Overall Classification:

MX1 Podium

Championship standings:

Cairoli, MX1

MX 2

The top step of the MX2 podium belonged to fifteen year old Dutchman Jeffrey Herlings but championship leader Marvin Musquin was the moral winner of the Grand Prix. Both rode out for the first moto using Scorpion MidSoft 32F front and MidSoft 32 Mud rear, but the sandy and soft conditions forced a re-think to MidSoft 32 later on. Musquin clinched the first race by a slender margin from Ken Roczen and then flew back from a first corner crash and long distance behind the pack in the second outing to seize an impressive seventh; meaning 4th overall in the final classification. Herlings, the revelation of the 2010 season, had a clear road ahead in the second race but had to watch over his shoulders for the close company of Steven Frossard and Roczen. Herlings’ 3rd spot from the first foray ensured the overall triumph at the Latvian Grand Prix. With the Scorpion MX other top ten finishers included Gautier Paulin (5th), Joel Roelants (6th), Harri Kullas (7th), Christophe Charlier (8th) and Shaun Simpson (10th).

Herlings, MX2

Overall Classification:

Herlings, MX2 podium

Championship standings:

Pirelli – FGSport: contract renewed
to supply tyres for the SBK

Milan, 17 July 2008. Pirelli is confirmed as the exclusive supplier of tyres for the Superbike world championships for the three year period 2010-2012. This is following the auction held by FG Sport, the company that organises the Championship, which concluded yesterday with the contract being awarded to the Italian manufacturer. Pirelli was previously awarded the deal in 2003 for the supply up to 2009 (with a subsequent renewal in 2005).

The reason for being awarded the supply contract has been Pirelli's dedicated commitment in the last three years to relaunching the Championship, working alongside the organisers, teams and riders. The quality offered to the various teams and the reliability of the performance of the Pirelli Diablo tyres has delivered equal treatment for all teams and riders, ensuring true competition and entertainment. This has been confirmed by the satisfaction of the teams and riders, which supported the decision, after some initial doubts, for a single supplier of tyres taken by the promoter in 2003.

"As racing is strongly ingrained in Pirelli's DNA, we are delighted to have been given this difficult and crucial role in the championship again, - according to Guglielmo Fiocchi, Director of the motorcycle division of Pirelli tyres. We know that the challenge is not a simple one but in recent years we have demonstrated that we have the expertise to meet the role, which together with the far-sighted regulations imposed on the Championships by FG Sport and Fim have contributed to the strong revival of this exciting sport."

During the course of a season, the Milan manufacturer develops around 40 models purely for the Championships. For each round Pirelli provides 8 trucks, around 6500 tyres produced on an industrial scale in order to provide the required quantities and maximise uniformity. Around 30 technicians and experts led by Giorgio Barbier provide technical support and put on and remove the tyres for all riders the various classes.

Fiocchi: "For us SBK represents a laboratory for developing and testing the specifications of the Diablo family of tyres before they are put on the market. The championship offers the best testing ground in the world and if our products are okay for these riders we are sure that they'll be fine for regular consumers. The key to our success is in the continual alignment that Pirelli has developed between the sport sector and the market, creating competition tyres for consumers and vice versa under what has become our strapline: We sell what we race with, will race with what we sell".