Mugello (Italy), Wednesday 12th May: three-times World Champion Troy Bayliss was back on track at Mugello yesterday and today, riding the Ducati 1198 development bike for the Ducati Xerox team; his first Superbike ride since his last race (and double victory) at Portimao in October 2008, after which he announced his official retirement.

The two-day test session, scheduled some months ago as part of Ducati’s 2010 testing schedule, was conditioned by heavy rain yesterday. Bayliss, though riding in full wet conditions, immediately got back into the swing of things and registered a best time of 2m05 during the morning. Although the rain let up in the early afternoon, the track remained wet and slippery, so there was no opportunity for the Australian rider to improve his time.

This morning the track was still damp but the work continued regardless and by lunch time the asphalt had dried out. The team worked on the development of a new software for the gear shifter, with very positive results, meaning that it may be used in this Sunday’s race. The team also worked to refine the set-up of the 1198 and found an efficient solution that may also be implemented this weekend in Kyalami. By the end of the session, which concluded in the early afternoon, Troy had made more than 60 laps, registering a best time of 1’51.9, an extremely impressive time for a Superbike at Mugello. The test team, as well as Ernesto Marinelli who returned to the role of track engineer for the Australian during these tests, declared the sessions a success, having collated valuable data and feedback from Troy over the two days.

Troy will next test for the factory team during World Ducati Week, taking place at the Misano World Circuit from 10th to 13th June, alongside factory riders Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio.
Troy Bayliss

“The weather wasn’t on our side but we still got a lot of work done. Actually I think riding first in the rain was a good way to work up and get back into it. The track finally came good today and we got about two and a half hours in the dry which was good. I really enjoyed myself and hope the feedback I have been giving the guys is useful. Having Ernie and Alessandra there helped of course, it felt just like the old days. I was a little worried that I’d have forgotten how to ride after the year and a half break, but it was easy and to be honest it felt like I’d never been away!”

The Official Programme for the 2010 TT Races, produced by Mannin Media Group, will be available to buy from 17th May from major retail outlets including WH Smith shops nationwide and various outlets in Ireland and the Isle of Man. It can also be ordered online at www.iomtt.com.

The 126 page full colour programme is packed with fascinating facts and features alongside stunning photography from some of motorcycling’s leading photographers. It also comes with the Official Race Guide and entry lists and is the perfect way to follow the races, whether on the Island or, listening via the web.

Features in the 2010 programme include an insight into the psyche of the top TT competitors as the leading contenders reveal in a detailed questionnaire what goes through their minds as they line-up on the grid before the start of a race. There are also articles on the TT’s fastest female rider Jenny Tinmouth and local hero Conor Cummins.

This year the programme also comes with a new addition – a 42 page pocket size ‘Spectators Course Guide’, which outlines the best viewing points around the course with useful information on both access and local amenities. The guide includes a detailed description of the course and the best points to catch the action close up provided by Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle, former TT Race winner and currently one of the TT’s Rider Liaison Officers.

The programme also catches up with rising star Michael Dunlop and looks at whether he believes he’s under added pressure to keep the Dunlop name on the TT podium. There’s also a ‘no holds barred’ interview with Ian Hutchinson – winner of two races in a day at last year’s meeting.

Programmes are priced £12 from newsagents and other good retailers from 17th May. Alternatively they can be ordered from the official website iomtt.com.

- New pocket sized spectator guide free with programme and race guide

LAS VEGAS, NV (May 7, 2010) – Drew Gosselaar and his Quantya “Track” electric motorcycle scored the top spot in the first ever AMA-sanctioned electric versus gas-powered dirt bike race, dubbed the Energy Crisiscross (ECX) at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, NV this past weekend. Gosselaar led an electric bike sweep of the top six spots, with the first gas-powered bike taking seventh. The rules for the Energy Crisiscross event restricted the modifications to the gas- powered bikes and required use of the stock frame, forks, cylinder, carburetor and engine cases.

Gosselaar, the fastest qualifier of the day, pulled the hole-shot and never looked back while on his way to the checkered flag. Drew and his Quantya “Track” also scored the fastest lap of the race. “Quantya gave me the best equipment possible,” said Gosselaar. “Even though they’re a new company, they’ve made an all around awesome machine. I was comfortable from the second I got on the bike. It just shows the potential of electric bikes and how easy they are to ride and even win major events.”

Besides Gosselaar, Team Quantya consisted of a total of five riders, including two-time AMA Lites Champ, Damon Huffman, Brian Roth, David Lodermeier and Casey Hinson. Quantya riders scored three of the top ten positions. All in all, electric bikes took seven out of the top ten spots, proving that electric bike technology has come a long way.

Quantya USA President, Dario Trentini, was ecstatic over the results. “Quantya is very proud of this historic race win,” said Trentini. “Our goal was to show that electric motorcycles are real contenders. We realize that this is only the early stage of electric motorcycle racing and our goal is to keep working to improve this technology for all potential electric bike uses. This is our second year competing in the USA and taking first place in this year’s ECX and first in last year’s all-electric bike race motivates us to work even harder for next year.”

ABOUT QUANTYA USA:

Quantya is the result of eco-conscious motorcycle enthusiasm mixed with Swiss craftsmanship and quality. The Quantya Strada and Track are high-performance, zero-emission electric motorcycles built and tested for the true enthusiast. Quantya, the next generation of motorcycle, is here.

For more information on Quantya USA, please visit www.quantyausa.com.

British Supersport Ace Dan Cooper confirms 2010 TT Races Entry
- Gloucestershire rider the latest promising newcomer to race the Mountain Course

Gloucestershire racer Dan Cooper has become the latest promising British rider to confirm their participation in the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy. Dan is considered one of the most exciting young riders in the UK at present having already secured a British Championship title, taking the 125cc class in 2006. Since then he has built a career in the British Supersport class finishing 15th in 2007, 11th in 2008 and 5th last year.

He again contests the British Supersport Championship this year, lining up as part of the official Triumph factory team. Dan will contest both Monster Energy Supersport Races for the experienced PRF Racing team.

On confirming his entry in this year’s races Dan commented:

“I was over on the Isle of Man for last year’s TT as part of a trip organised by the Hailwood Foundation and that really whetted my appetite for doing the TT. I’m really looking forward to getting out on the course and having a proper look ahead of the first practice and will be doing as much research as possible to try and learn the circuit.”

Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle, TT rider liaison officer commented:

“Dan is one of a crop of very promising young riders who are committing to the TT early in their careers. It’s great to see that talented riders with real potential are now interested in racing on the Isle of Man and shows the growing strength of the event.”

Crozier Roberson Motorsports are pleased to announce they have inked a contract with road racing ace Michael Beck to ride the No. 60 DNA Energy Drink Ducati 848 in the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike class beginning at the West Coast Moto Jam, May 14-16 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

“We held a test at Jennings Motorsports Park last week,” explains team manager and co-owner Mark Crozier. Michael did an excellent job and we are extremely happy to welcome him to the team. He will replace Jake Holden who was originally going to ride for us. Michael has a tremendous amount of talent, is a very consistent top ten finisher and very professional. Both Robbie (Roberson) and I feel he will be an outstanding asset to the team.”

Born and raised in California, Beck has been riding most of his life out in the desert with his dad. In 2003 he decided to try his hand at road racing. Beginning with CMRRA in Willow Springs, Calif., Beck started to fine tune his two-wheeled skills on the pavement. Moving into AMA Racing in 2006, it wasn’t long before he began to carve a name for himself. An extremely consistent rider, Beck took a 9th overall in both the 2006 and 2008 AMA Supersport and a 13th in 2009. He also has two WERA championships to his name and last season earned the distinction of breaking the Willow Springs Track Record.

“I can’t begin to describe how excited I am,” says Beck with a big smile. “It is all pretty amazing and very much a whirlwind. Crozier Roberson Motorsports is a great team. They are all pretty much jumping through hoops to get everything done in time for Infineon. When they asked me to come and test at Jennings, I never dreamed, I would leave with a contract. The DNA Energy Drink Ducati is an awesome machine and I have always wanted to ride one. It’s a silent missile and I can’t wait to start racing on it.”

“I am glad that Michael is coming on board as my teammate,” says Bobby Fong who pilots the No. 30 DNA Energy Drink Ducati for Crozier Roberson Motorsports. “I think he will bring a lot to the team and he is a good fit.”

“The test at Jennings was really good,” says co-owner Robbie Roberson. “Michael is very mature, knows bike setup, is a very skilled rider and understands the business of racing. I feel the combination of Bobby and him will definitely help us realize our goals and will put DNA Energy Drink in victory lane without any problem.”

Crozier Roberson Motorsports is sponsored by: DNA Energy Drink, Quality Brands, Inc., Arai Helmets, Race Tech, Motion Pro, Pit Bull, EBC Brakes, EK, Melillimoto Ducati, Moto-Heaven.com, XES, Thrust Company, HEL, Woodcraft, Armour Bodies, Puma, Held Gloves, GP Tech, Active, Zero Gravity and Christopher Bean Coffee.

Suzuki confirm Loris Capirossi’s Moto GP bike to lap the Mountain Course at this year’s Isle of Man TT- Cameron Donald to ride demonstration lap following Dainese Senior TT

Suzuki Motor Corporation has confirmed that Loris Capirossi’s Moto GP bike will complete a lap of the TT Course following this year’s Dainese Senior TT. The bike will be ridden on a special demonstration lap by the double TT winner Cameron Donald.

The bike is the same Suzuki GSV-R800 that took Loris Capirossi to his 300th Grand Prix race at the opening round of the 2010 world championship in Qatar in April. Loris will be on hand to dispense some tips on riding the bike as he will be joining the Suzuki parade on a GSX-R1000 that is timed to take place shortly before Cameron’s lap.

The activity is part of Suzuki Motor Corporation’s celebrations of 50 years of International Racing at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races – the venue where it all began in 1960.

Suzuki GB is the Official Motorcycle Partner for this year’s TT Races and will be providing the Travelling Marshals bikes. Suzuki is also supporting an exhibition of Suzuki history that will be held at the Manx Museum throughout the race fortnight and is backing the famous Ramsey Sprint events on Sunday 6th and Tuesday 8th, the Laxey Moddey Dhoo meeting on 10th and a parade of Suzuki machines on Senior Race day.

Geoff Corkish, MBE, MHK, Political Member for Isle of Man Tourism commented:
“We are thrilled to share this anniversary with Suzuki and we are very grateful to the support that Suzuki has given the TT Races throughout the company’s long history of competing on the Isle of Man. Many fans will be thrilled at the chance of seeing a Moto GP bike on the Mountain Course for the first time and we also look forward to welcoming Loris Capirossi to the Isle of Man for his first experience of the TT.”

MICHAEL JORDAN MOTORSPORTS TO BE FEATURED ON ESPN’S “E:60”
Profile to air on Tuesday, May 4

CHICAGO, IL (April 30, 2010) – Michael Jordan Motorsports (MJM) is the subject of a featured segment on ESPN’s E:60 airing on Tuesday, May 4th at 7 p.m. ET. ESPN’s Hannah Storm spent the day with the team and owner Michael Jordan during the first round of the 2010 AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike Championship held at Daytona International Speedway in early March. The ESPN crew was on hand as National Guard Jordan Suzuki’s Jake Zemke scored the first superbike win in MJM’s history.

E:60 combines investigative reporting, in-depth profiles of intriguing sports personalities and features on emerging star athletes. A preview clip of the MJM feature can be viewed at http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/e60/.

National Guard Jordan Suzuki’s Zemke currently leads the AMA Pro National Guard American Superbike Championship by four points. The 2010 MJM team’s next event will be at the West Coast Moto Jam at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA on May 14-16, 2010.

Crozier Roberson Motorsports are pleased to announce that they have signed well-known road racer Jake Holden to pilot their No. 14 DNA Energy Drink Ducati 848 in the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike class beginning at the West Coast Moto Jam, May 14-16 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

“We are really excited about having Jake join our team,” says team manager and co-owner Mark Crozier. “His talent speaks for itself and we feel that he will be a great asset to the team. In short, both Robbie (Roberson) and I feel that the combination of Jake and Bobby Fong will give us a very strong team.”

Born and raised in Washington, Holden has been racing since he was six years old. Beginning with Dirt Track in the Pacific Northwest, this talented rider made the transition to road racing when he was 15. Finely honing his skills, he moved into AMA racing in 2004 and immediately began to carve a name for himself. Last season, Holden finished 10th overall in AMA Pro American Superbike.

“I am really happy to be a member of the Crozier Roberson Motorsports Team,” says Jake Holden with obvious enthusiasm. “They run an excellent program and the entire team is really motivated and determined to win which is exactly my goal.”

“Having Jake on board will allow me to concentrate on running the team,” explains Crozier. Managing the team, working with sponsors and trying to race was like trying to work two full time jobs at the same time. I decided I could bring far more to the program but concentrating on the management aspect of things. Not racing will let me put all my energy into putting DNA Energy Drink and Crozier Roberson Motorsports in Victory Lane. I know every track we race on and I will be able to help both Bobby and Jake get on the podium every time out.”

In addition to managing the team, Crozier will handle all the test riding and will compete in selected races during the season.

“I am looking forward to having Jake as a member of our team,” says co-owner Robbie Roberson. “His goals, his professionalism and determination fit right in with philosophy and I think he will be a welcome addition.”

Crozier Roberson Motorsports is sponsored by: DNA Energy Drink, Quality Brands, Inc., Arai Helmets, Race Tech, Motion Pro, Pit Bull, EBC Brakes, EK, Melillimoto Ducati, Moto-Heaven.com, XES, Thrust Company, HEL, Woodcraft, Armour Bodies, Puma, Held Gloves, GP Tech, Active, Zero Gravity and Christopher Bean Coffee.

Melissa Paris receives invite for World Supersport event at Miller Motorsports Park

MPH Racing is excited to announce that Melissa Paris has been invited back to compete in World Supersport as part of the HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship at Miller Motorsports Park. Last year, Melissa received an invite to compete, despite having only competed in one pro race prior. Working with an extremely limited budget, Melissa became the first female to qualify for a World Supersport Championship event. Although she was the top qualifying wild card rider, she suffered a mechanical and was sidelined early in the race.

MPH Racing is currently exploring sponsorship opportunities to see if participating in this event will be economically feasible. Racing with competitive equipment for this event will add considerable expense outside of the planned budget for the AMA season.