Motorcycle Sport and Racing News December 2017

British Superbikes – OMG Racing making debut with Rea

03/3/2018

An all new racing team is set to be joining the ranks of the British Superbike Championship for 2018. The manager of the team is former racer Paul Curran of PCR Performance. The team is owned by Chris Oscroft, Greg McPhail and Alan Gardner. Heading the team is Gino Rea, with Ray Stringer as crew chief.

Bayliss to make a comeback in the Australian Superbike series in 2018

28/2/2018

Three-time World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss has made the decision to come out of retirement and compete full-time in the Australian Superbike series next year. At 49 years of age, he's about to prove he's not yet over the hill and will be racing for the factory-supported Ducati team. A team that he actually co-owns with Ben Henry, a former Aussie superbike racer. He plans to race in all seven rounds, kicking off with the Championship at Philip Island at the end of February.

Assen is expanding its grandstand

14/2/2018

Assen will be enjoying a €16 million improvement in its racing facilities that includes an expansion of the grandstand seating. Home of the Dutch TT, there are plans for new seating that will extend back from what is currently in place at the Geert-Timmer chicane. These improvements will increase the viewing area to a total length of 308 meters and make it 13 meters in height. This will mean that 9100 spectators will be able to sit there. The improvements are backed up by a 10 year contract for the hosting of the MotoGP world championship.

Moto2 news – Suter to take a year out

11/2/2018

Next year, 2018, Swiss chassis manufacturer Suter is planning to take a year out of the Moto2 season. They have decided to instead concentrate on developing a new machine. It will be built for the Triumph 765cc engine and replace the CBR600 engine they have been using for the last eight years. In 2018, they are set to run only the Dynavolt Intact team.

MotoGP bikes outpaced by Rea in Jerez

13/11/2017

On the final day of the MotoGP and World Superbike test in Jerez, Jonathan Rea turned everybodies head by riding the fourth quickest time of the week. The only ones to lap his time were Cal Crutchlow, Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Doviziosio. Rea clocked 1'37.986 using a super-sticky Pirelli qualifying tire. What makes this time even more impressive is that it is almost a full second quicker than Marco Melandri's time he recorded before winning pole position at the Jerez World Superbike race a couple of months ago.

Doviziosio beats them all and achieves a circuit record

09/10/2017

On the fourth day of the joint MotoGP and World Superbike testing in Jerez, Doviziosio achieved a circuit record. His quickest lap, of 1'37.663, is almost 0.3 seconds better that the circuits best lap. This now beaten record belonged to Jorge Lorenzo from 2015. Cal Crutchlow was second quickest. Two stars not taking part in the tests were Repsol Honda duo Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa.

Leon Carrier tests Honda's Fireblade and says he was pleasantly surprised

02/10/2017

Leon Carrier tested his new Red Bull Honda team ride, the Honda Fireblade in Jerez, and says he was pleasantly surprised. This is the first time he has swung his leg over the Blade and was confident there would be progress. At present the team is still riding with Cosworth electronics, before changing to Magnetti Marelli next year. He mentioned that he was pleased the team were taking note of the negative aspects he highlighted and surprised by the strong points of the bike.

Wales is going to be hosting a road race in 2018

23/09/2017

The UK mainland is all set to see a return of road racing in 2018. it is planned for the 4th and 5th of August and will be held in the Brecon Beacons. A number of people have come together to see the Welsh Road Race event happens. Steve Plater, a former BSB and TT winner is involved in the project and will be in charge of rider liaison and is being given the role of Safety Director.