Courtest of the Team Suzuki Press Office – February 2.
Rizla Suzuki’s Alvaro Bautista continued the first test of 2011 in encouraging form today by recording his fastest ever time at the 5’548m Sepang circuit.
Shoei MotoGP rider, Alvaro Bautista
Shoei racer Bautista clocked a time of 2’01.687 during the morning session of today’s test, faster than his qualifying time at last-year’s Malaysian Grand Prix. He completed 63 laps and finished in eighth place on the time-sheets, 0.917 from the quickest but only 0.253 from second place.
The team was again able to evaluate many new developments to the Suzuki GSV-R, including different chassis and rear swing-arm, and to make comparisons between previous parts and updated components for the machine. Bautista was happy with his day’s work and is looking forward to finishing the test on a positive note. Today’s fastest time was set by Dani Pedrosa on his factory Honda.
Rizla Suzuki has one more day at Sepang in which it plans to complete race simulation runs as well as continuing with the remainder of its intensive test schedule.
Alvaro Bautista:
“Immediately I left the pit lane this morning the feeling was more normal than yesterday – after my first day back at work it was easier to understand everything. On my first run I set a good lap-time and this was very close to the fastest guys, except Dani who made a real qualifying lap! Much more important was that I could make high 2.01 lap-times with very old tyres, and my rhythm felt good. Also, I tried three different chassis today and the results of that test were quite clear, and we have made an improvement to front feeling and turning. The engineers have also done some good work with the traction control and this is helping me get out of the corners more smoothly.
“Anyway, now I am quite tired after 63 laps and I didn’t push for a fast time at the end of the day like many guys did – it’s more important to understand the bike on old tyres. I am very happy with the developments Suzuki has made, and I’m enjoying myself – I think we can have some fun this season!”
MotoGP Official Test Sepang ( Day 2): 1.Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 2’00.770: 2. Casey Stoner (Honda) +0.664: 3. Ben Spies (Yamaha) +0.738: 4. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda) +0.742: 5. Marco Simoncelli (Honda) +0.752: 8. Alvaro Bautista (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) +0.917.
Shoya Tomizawa, who tragically died as a result of injuries sustained in the Misano Moto2 race on September 5, 2010, will be honoured by Shoei Helmets with the release of a strictly limited edition replica helmet.
The Tomizawa X-Spirit II is exactly the same of the design campaigned by the popular Japanese racer in 2010 when he made history as the first ever Moto2 race winner. A portion of the profit from every single helmet sold from this one-off production run will go to a memorial fund set up in Shoya’s name by his parents. The role of the fund is to educate young riders who dream of becoming professional racers, just like Tomizawa.
The race-developed X-Spirit II, as used by Shoei’s MotoGP, WSB and British Superbike riders, features the historic Japanese company’s most advanced helmet construction to date. The outer shell is composed from six layers of super-strong organic fibreglass and carbon while the inner EPS receives a dual-density shock-absorbing lining. Wind tunnel development on the range-topping helmet created vents that provide maximum ventilation without creating buffeting for the rider in any direction the head is turned.
The Tomizawa replica will be strictly limited to just 250 in the UK and will arrive at Shoei dealers from May 2010, costing £620 in sizes XS-XL.
For your nearest recommended Shoei dealer, visit www.shoeiassured.co.uk or call 01384 410384.
Shoei, the Japanese premium helmet manufacturer, will release the first ever John McGuinness replica on its range-topping X-Spirit II, available in UK dealers from May.
Front view of McGuinness replica
The ‘Morecambe Missile’ has revised his famous design with new colours for the 2011 season. As part of the new Honda TT Legends World Endurance team, McGuinness is looking to build on his tally of North West 200 victories and 15 Isle of Man TT wins with a fresh challenge of clinching the Endurance World championship.
McGuinness, the first man to lap the 37.73-mile TT course at an average speed of 130mph, is instinctively recognisable with his distinctive design on the race-developed X-Spirit II; the SHARP 5-star rated helmet, also used by Shoei’s MotoGP, WSB and British Superbike riders, features the historic Japanese company’s most advanced helmet construction.
The outer shell is composed from six layers of super-strong organic fibreglass and carbon while the inner EPS receives a dual-density shock-absorbing lining. Wind tunnel development on the range-topping helmet created vents that provide maximum ventilation without creating buffeting for the rider in any direction the head is turned.
The X-Spirit II also features Shoei’s latest quick-release visor mechanism which is entirely draft-free thanks to the “suction seal” self-adjusting concept. The improved visor system also provides a broader field of vision and features a modified and enlarged Pinlock insert for maximum clarity in all conditions.
The McGuinness replica will have a SRP of £600 and is available in sizes XS-XL.
For your nearest recommended Shoei dealer, visit www.shoeiassured.co.uk or call 01384 410384.
Shoei racer Tommy Hill is asking his fans to design a helmet colour scheme for him.
Go to Tommy’s new Facebook page where, posted on his wall, you’ll find a blank version of the design he wore throughout 2010 on a Shoei X-Spirit 2 where the British Superbike title narrowly evaded him.
- Get your crayons out and colour Hill’s Shoei
Simply get out the crayons or use computer wizardry and then post your design back on Tommy’s Facebook wall; the Swan Yamaha Rider will then pick the best design before Christmas and the winner will receive five Tommy Hill 2011 calendars and perhaps even see their design in action on British Superbike grid next year.
So, what are you waiting for?
Tommy Hill will once again be wearing Shoei helmets for the 2011 British Superbike Championship.
Having led the 2010 championship for the majority of the season, Tommy will be gunning for the title that eluded him with his new team, Swan Yamaha.
Another memorable moment for Tommy in 2010 was the release of his first replica Shoei on the popular XR1100; a reflection of his loyalty to the Japanese brand and his popularity with race fans.
- Tommy Hill with his replica Shoei
On continuing his Shoei relationship for the fifth consecutive year, Tommy Hill said: “I’ve been working hard to prepare for the coming season and I’m very pleased to have secured a continued relationship with the premium helmet brand Shoei.
“Feridax, the importers of Shoei helmets in the UK for over forty years, and I both really wanted to continue our relationship and maintain our success of the Tommy Hill replica; which for me is an interesting project to be part of.
“To be using the Shoei X-Spirit 2 again for 2011 is all part of the confidence you need as a rider; to be using what I feel is the best helmet on the market is just what I need.”
Feridax Sales Director, Steve Clifford, quoted: “We are delighted to announce that we will be continuing our support for Tommy with his efforts to secure the 2011 BSB Championship title.
“We felt it important to continue our relationship to show our respect for the amazing courage and skill that Tommy displayed throughout the season to become a main contender for the 2010 British Superbike championship – these are the personal values that we admire and wish our brand to be associated with.
“We’re looking forward to an exciting season ahead with Tommy and we are especially excited about the new Tommy-designed ‘Hill Replica’ that is now available for 2011.”
Marquez with special championship Shoei X-Spirit 2
The final round of the 125cc Grand Prix world championship at Valencia, Spain, was an excellent day for Shoei riders.
Marc Marquez clinched the championship with a mature ride to third place in front of his home crowd at the Ricardo Tormo circuit.
The Red Bull Ajo Motorsport racer clearly had the pace to battle with season-long rivals and fellow Spaniards, Pol Espargaro and Nico Terol, but opted to stay safe in order to clinch his first world crown at just 17 years of age.
Britain’s Bradley Smith ended his 2010 win draught with a flag-to-flag victory. The Shoei rider, graduating to Moto2 next year with the Tech 3 team, was a class act on his Aspar Aprilia and never looked troubled as he rode to a brilliant career third victory.
Smith powers to victory in Valencia
This just in from www.leon-camier.net…
Leon Camier begins preparation for the 2011 WSB season
Aprilia World Superbike Championship contender Leon Camier heads to the Aragon circuit in Spain next week to take part in a three-day test, ready to begin preparations for the 2011 season.
The former British Superbike Champion has successfully completed his off-bike recovery following a broken scaphoid bone, and will primarily use the test to get his wrist back used to race conditions.
Speaking to the official World Superbike Championship website, Leon said “My wrist is pretty good now and I am all ready to go testing at Aragon next week.”
“I have no more medical checks to do, and have been having a lot of physio on my wrist, trying to get more movement in it. But I need to get back on a bike to push it as far as I can; it is difficult to do any training to replicate that kind of use. The first test for us is not about trying any new things, and the bikes will be the same. It is about learning the new circuit, and seeing how my wrist is.”
“I had some good points and bad points this year,” he stated. “I think the potential of the whole thing is more than we got out of it, and there are a few reasons why that happens. I am sort of medium with it. We could have done a lot better but we know what we can do to be better next year. As long as that happens then hopefully it should be pretty good.”
The three day test at Aragon commences on Wednesday 27th October. To find out the very latest from the test visit www.leon-camier.net
Shoei racer Toni Elias wrapped up the first ever Moto2 World Championship title with three races to spare on October 10 at Sepang, Malaysia.
Shoei's Toni Elias is 2010 Moto2 Champion
Despite starting the season with injuries, Elias has been the consistent and dominant force in the burgeoning class. Despite only 27, the former MotoGP race winner used his many years as a world championship rider to bring home the no.1 plate.
The Sepang race saw drama across the field, with Elias’ main rival Julian Simon saving a near highside only to crash later in the race. A fourth place finish from the Gresini rider was all he needed to create an unbeatable points margin.
Toni celebrated the championship by changing into some special leathers and a very special Shoei X-Spirit 2 helmet on the slow down lap, as well as changing his customary no.24 to a well-deserved no.1.
Elias' special championship Shoei
Toni Elias, 2010 Moto2 World Champion, said: “When I crossed the line and saw all the guys on the edge of the
track with the World Champion flag I got emotional and started to cry because my dream had become a reality. Then I thought of something my uncle told me before he died four years ago. “I will be watching you from the sky when you cross the line on the day you become World Champion.” It has been an incredible, marvellous, fantastic day. So many people come to mind – those who are unfortunately no longer with us and those who are here today, including my parents and my sister, who are always behind me, my team, Moriwaki, my family, friends and everybody who has worked with me and helped me achieve this objective. I want to share this day with all of you. I am the World Champion and so is my team. I have realised my dream and I want to be everybody’s World Champion.”
Congratulations Toni from all at Feridax (UK Shoei importer).
Shoei rider clinches his third BSB title in nail-biting final round.
- Kiyonari with special championship Shoei helmet
Ryuichi Kiyonari took three sensational victories in the final triple-header race event of the season at Oulton Park to secure his third British Superbike Championship crown.
The Japanese star arrived at the final round trailing fellow Shoei racer, Tommy Hill, on points. The HM Plant Honda rider took the first race win on Saturday from Hill to reduce the points deficit, but then the drama unfolded.
Riding in second position in the early stages of Race 2, Hill was challenging another Shoei rider, James Ellison, for the lead into Lodge corner when his bike kicked off a bump, causing Hill to come into the corner faster than planned, leading to a collision with Ellison. Both riders crashed.
Hill remounted in 19th position and was attempting to regain positions when the damaged master cylinder to his front brake failed completely (again at Lodge) and Hill was forced to the lay the bike down. Travelling at high speed the damage to the bike was extensive and he was unable to make the restarted race, won by Kiyo.
Hill’s Worx Crescent Suzuki team did however regroup to rebuild what was a written-off machine in time for the third race. In the circumstances the bike lacked the precision set-up and feel of the original and, after starting from the third row, Hill overcame set-up issues to finish a fighting fifth. Kiyonari and team mate Josh Brookes finished race 3 in first and second positions to seal the same championship positions, with a gallant Hill placed third in the championship.
Ryuichi Kiyonari said: “Saturday’s race was awesome and the second race was good for me but I was feeling more nervous ahead of the last race as I felt that the pressure was on me and that I had more to lose. It was a good race and I wanted to win so badly.
“The third race I was pushing hard as I knew that the others needed the win, but it feels a relief now as the win was enough to be champion again. It has been a big fight all season and all the other riders haven’t made it easy for me all year. It has been tough and there have been good and bad moments but now I can relax. The championship means as much to me as the others and I have to thank everyone for their support and the team for their hard work.”
Tommy Hill said: “I’m devastated. The team has put so much effort into this championship, and we wanted this championship so bad – and it’s not happened.
“Its been an incredible year, though. We started fantastic, we were fastest in testing and we started the season so well. The pressure then came on but we responded and stayed at the front – so for it to go away in one race, well, we’re all disappointed. I just have to thank everyone in the Worx Crescent Suzuki team, they’ve been incredible, and they’ve given me the championship of my life.”
This weekend is the final round of the World Supersport championship and the battle for the no.1 plate is between to Shoei riders, Ireland’s Eugene Laverty and Turkey’s Kenan Sofuoglu.
Going into the race at Magny-Cours, France, on Sunday, Ten Kate’s Sofuoglu, the 2007 WSS champion, has the advantage with a 16 point cushion, but Laverty, on the Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR, has won more races and has always displayed full commitment to winning.
The tension is high between the two determined riders as just this past weekend at Imola, a hard pass from Laverty at the last corner on the last lap took out both Sofuoglu and himself, though both were able to remount and take podium positions.
After today’s (Friday) practice, Kenan set the fastest time with Eugene back in 4th position.
Whatever the outcome of the championship decider, Laverty will compete in World Superbike next year with Sterilgarda Yamaha and Sofuoglu heads to Moto2.