Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Australia’s Most Dangerous Bikie Gangs

With bikies in the news, RALPH.com.au’s Larkin Harrison conducts a special report on Australia’s most dangerous outlaw motorcycle gangs.


Recent Australian Crime intelligence reckon 3500 fully patched members represent more than 35 clubs. A source claims there are nearly 20,000 associates and nominees.

The most dangerous gangs include The Rebels with 2000 members. There are also the Gypsy Jokers, Coffin Cheaters, Bandidos, The Black Uhlans and the Finks described as the most disorganised but most violent, according to Professor Arthur Veno, author of The Brotherhoods.

Though disputed by most bikie clubs, the National Crime Authority has reported that the main source of income for bikie gangs is the importation of firearms, dealing amphetamines and pot, counterfeiting, tax evasion, extortion, money laundering and trafficking in stolen goods. And former Bandidos insider and police informant Steve Utah, now in hiding, says he was even involved in wildlife smuggling.

Bikie gangs consequently fight for control to conduct business in their territory and violence even extends to women, historic gang differences, inner-club politics and personal feuds.

Gypsy Jokers
Estimated members: 120-150*
Territory: Chapters in WA, Vic, SA and NSW.
Violence: In 1994, 15-20 Jokers severely bashed an Adelaide publican and waiter. Minh Van Pham was beaten unconscious and permanent injuries included intellectual impairment and memory loss.
- In 1984, Jokers waged a two-year war with the Comancheros.
- WA’s former chief detective Don Hancock and his mate were blown up by a car bomb in 2001, planted by a Gypsy Joker.
Death: In 2000, Gypsy Joker Billy Grierson was shot by a sniper in Kalgoorlie and there were allegations that Don Hancock was the shooter.

Coffin Cheaters
Estimated members: 200-300*
Territory: Three chapters in Perth, two chapters in Vic, two in NSW and two in QLD. Plus there’s three Norwegian chapters.
Violence: In the 1970s, five Cheaters were convicted of raping a rival club president’s girlfriend.
- In 1976, the Cheaters nearly beat two Resurrected members to death and raped the president’s 19-year-old girlfriend. Six members were convicted of assault, burglary, wounding, theft and rape.
- In 2000, a court heard that Cheater Mark Hinchcliffe convinced his wife to murder her lover Michael Wright.
Deaths: A Cheater tried to attack three girls hiding in the closet and was shot dead by an 18-year-old girl .
- In 1998, Cheater Mark Chabriere was blasted to death in Perth.

Notorious (bikies without bikes, who are known to wear T-shirts and Nike shoes )
Estimated members: approximately 24-30. Made up of mostly Pacific Islanders and Middle Eastern men from Sydney’s West. Members are senior former members of the now-defunct Nomads Parramatta chapter.
Sydney
Violence: In March of this year, a solicitor who had represented members of Notorious had a gun held to her head in bed, while intruders ransacked her house.
-Last week, it was alleged that jailed Notorious members punched on with a jailed Bandito in Sydney’s Parklea prison.
Deaths: In 2008, Todd O'Connor, a former Nomads bikie who was said to have been a founding member of the Notorious gang, was shot dead in a Sydney back street. Another ex-Nomads bikie who switched allegiance to Notorious was the victim of a car bombing in Sydney’s North Shore.

Comancheros
Estimate members: 80-100
Territory: Three chapters in Sydney.
Violence: In 1983, the Comancheros called a meeting with the Loners motorcycle club to call a truce. Instead, the Loners were met by two carloads of Comancheros and beaten and forced to surrender their club emblems.
- In 1984, the Comancheros and Bandidos were involved in the Milperra massacre, a bloody shoot-out on Father’s Day which left seven people dead, including two Bandidos and an innocent 14-year-old girl.
- In March 2009, it was reported that the Comancheros were responsible for bashing the brother of a Hells Angels member to death with a metal bollard at Sydney airport. Four men have been charged over the brawl.
Deaths: In 1999, the tortured body of Commanchero Peter Ledger was dumped at his estranged wife’s Sydney home. Comanchero ‘Sergeant-at-Arms’ Ian Raymond Clissold was jailed for manslaughter over Ledger’s death
- A total of four Comancheros died during the Milperra massacre.

Bandidos
Estimated members: 250 -400 nationally and 2000 – 2500 worldwide.
Motto: F–k the world. We are the people our parents warned us about.
Territory: A total of 24 chapters in NSW, Qld, SA and Vic. Worldwide, there’s chapters in Europe, North America and Asia.
Violence: In 1995, Cairns bouncer Jason Tyler was allegedly lured from a nightclub to the Bandidos clubhouse and shot in the leg. A sock was stuffed down his throat and he was kicked to death.
- In 2000, drug runner and Bandidos associate Milad Sande, cousin of Danny Sande, the president of the Blacktown Bandidos chapter, was allegedly murdered on the orders of a senior Bandido, according to Dead Man Walking.
Deaths: In 2001, Kurri Kurri Bandidos president Rodney Partington was killed when a bomb blew up in his hands at a Gypsy Jokers compound.
- Former Bandido Russell Oldham, the prime suspect in the point-blank shooting murder of Bandidos Sydney president Rodney Monk, put a gun to his head in knee-deep surf in Sydney’s Balmoral Beach.
- Bandidos Sergeant-at-Arms, Sasha Milenkovic and two fellow Bandidos members were shot dead execution-style by two Rebels members in the basement of a Sydney nightclub in 1997.
- In 1984, two Bandidos died in the bloody Milperra massacre.

Hells Angels
Estimated members: 150-250 including their Nomad allies and 2000-2500 members worldwide.
Territory: Charters in Darwin, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne. Internationally, there’s chapters in North America, South America, Europe, Russia, South Africa and New Zealand. Nomads
Motto:: Three can keep a secret if two are dead.
Violence: - In 2006, five Hells Angels barged their way into a Kings Cross nightclub. After a bouncer questioned them, he copped a bullet, as did a woman waiting in line.
- In 2006, Angels and Finks fought at a kickboxing tournament on the Gold Coast among 1600 spectators. Christopher Wayne Hudson, who had defected from the Finks to the Angels, was shot in the throat, stomach and back, while two other Angels were stabbed.
- In 2007, Hudson fired six rounds of ammunition from a handgun at his model girlfriend Kaera Douglas and two bystanders who came to her aid. One bystander died at the scene. Hudson received a life.
- Last month, Angels member Peter Zervas was shot in the shoulder, chest, abdomen and foot. A police source has alleged that the shooting was orchestrated by the Comancheros.
- This month, Hells Angels have put a $100,000 contract on Comancheros president Mick Hawi after his alleged involvement in the Sydney airport brawl.
- Hells Angel leaders from the US have ordered their Australian club to restore the gang's tough reputation by shooting at any rival Comanchero member "on sight".
Deaths: In 1998, Hells Angel David Newham was murdered in Sydney in a drive by shooting.
- Last month, Angels associate Anthony Zervas was blugeoned to death by metal bollards at Sydney Airport, allegedly by members of the Comancheros.

Rebels
Estimated members: 2000 members; they’re said to be Australia’s largest bikie gang.
Territory: Estimated to be 70 chapters across Australia.
Violence: Bandidos Sergeant-at-Arms, Sasha Milenkovic and two fellow members were all shot dead execution-style by two Rebels in a Sydney nightclub in 1997.
- In 1997, the Rebels were linked to the shooting death of housewife Jane Thurgood Dove, who was chased and shot in front of her children at her home. The real target of the hit was another blonde woman in the same street.
- In 2000, a Rebels nominee was charged with the murder of a couple in the ACT.
Deaths: 1999 was an especially brutal year for the Rebels: three members were shot dead in an Adelaide ambush; former Rebel Sergeant-at-Arms Paul William Wheeler disappeared; and Rebel Paul Summers died in a machine-gun ambush while asleep at the Rebels’ clubhouse in Gosford, NSW.
- In 2001, convicted amphetamine dealer and Rebels associate Terry Falconer was abducted while on day-release from Silverwater prison and his dismembered remains were found in a river.
- Last month, two senior Rebels members were shot dead in Canberra, with a long-time Rebels member claiming shootings were a result from a bitter love triangle.

Sources: The Brotherhoods by Arthur Veno (based on estimates)
http://ralph.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=805651

Monday, April 27, 2009

Rossi convinced by Lorenzo victory

Reigning titlist singles out four challengers for 2009 MotoGP World Championship.

If he had any doubts beforehand, the Polini Grand Prix of Japan left Valentino Rossi certain that Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo has the potential to challenge for the MotoGP title in 2009. The Italian had a thrilling fight with his Spanish rival at Twin Ring Motegi, before having to make do with second place as Lorenzo’s pace proved just too strong.

“I think that this championship will be very interesting, because we have four riders capable of trying to win the title,” said Rossi after the race, referring to himself, Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner. “Next week in Jerez is our return to Europe, and I hope for great weather and a good show.

“I’m happy, because it was a great race,” added the reigning World Champion, one of the biggest critics of the runaway wins seen frequently in 2008. “We had four riders fighting for the victory, a lot of overtaking, and I think that everyone enjoyed the race –especially me!”

Rossi appeared to have a problem that prevented him from catching back up with Lorenzo, and admitted later that he had experienced difficulties on which Pedrosa attempted to capitalize.

“I didn’t feel confident with the bike at one point. It didn’t ride very well and I lost time with Lorenzo and Pedrosa. Fortunately in the last part of the race I could improve my pace and lines to take second.”

Sources: www.motogp.com

Stoner fastest in rain-lashed MotoGP warm-up

The fastest rider in a specially extended 40 minute MotoGP warm-up at Motegi was Ducati Marlboro’s Casey Stoner.

The rain which caused the cancellation of qualifying at the Polini Grand Prix of Japan returned on Sunday morning at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, affecting the lap times in the specially lengthened 40 minute MotoGP warm-up, but not preventing the hardy premier class riders from taking to the track. Despite completing just five laps Casey Stoner headed his rivals by more than two seconds with a best time of 2’05.903.

Shortly before the session commenced at 9.55am the clouds opened and heavy rain began to fall again, meaning that several riders stayed in the shelter of their pitboxes until late in the practice - rather than take any risks ahead of this afternoon’s second race of the season.

Behind Ducati man Stoner there were four Honda riders in the top five. Toni Elias (San Carlo Honda Gresini) was the only rider to get into double figures on the lap counter with 12 turns of the track, and he finished second fastest ahead of home rider Yuki Takahashi (Scot Racing), Alex de Angelis (San Carlo Honda Gresini) and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda).

Sete Gibernau (Grupo Francisco Hernando), Marco Melandri (Hayate Racing), Mika Kallio (Pramac Racing), Andrea Dovizioso (Repsol Honda) and Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha) completed the top ten.

Taking things steadily and completing just four laps, World Champion and poleman Valentino Rossi found himself in the unusual territory of 13th place on the final timesheet.

The 24 lap MotoGP race at the 4.8km Motegi track takes place at 3pm on Sunday afternoon.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Lorenzo Wins At Japan MotoGP

Jorge Lorenzo was ecstatic about his performance in Japan but still playing down his championship chances following his second MotoGP win.

Fiat Yamaha’s Spanish star Jorge Lorenzo took a superb win at the Polini Grand Prix of Japan on Sunday, but despite taking the standings lead after two races so far this year he still believes some of his rivals are stronger than him.

The former double 250cc World Champion stated during his preparations for his second MotoGP campaign over the winter that his target is a top three standings finish at the end of 2009 and his still playing up the strengths of some more establish premier class stars, after his Qatar podium and his brilliant Motegi performance.

“I am the leader in the championship but I still think that (Casey) Stoner, Valentino (Rossi) and (Dani) Pedrosa are stronger than us,” Lorenzo told motogp.com after the Twin Ring race. “They are more experienced with the Bridgestone tyres but we are still learning about them and improving.”

“Today I had a great opportunity to win,” continued the man from Mallorca, “I knew that with a hard rear tyre I had good pace, so I saw the chance and I attacked.”

Moving back to his native Spain for the first of a series of European races as the top man in MotoGP Lorenzo anticipated the huge support he will receive next week at round three saying, “Jerez is unbelievable -as we all know. All the people there have warm hearts and they are very passionate about the Spanish riders. I think if there is one track where you should take a risk to win it is there.”

Sources: www.motogp.com

POLINI GRAND PRIX OF JAPAN MotoGP Race Day Results


Pos. Points Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Total time Km/h Gap
1 25 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 43'47.238 157.886
2 20 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 43'48.542 157.808 1.304
3 16 3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 43'51.001 157.661 3.763
4 13 27 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 43'52.929 157.545 5.691
5 11 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 43'56.445 157.335 9.207
6 10 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 44'17.793 156.071 30.555
7 9 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 44'19.994 155.942 32.756
8 8 36 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing Ducati 44'26.654 155.553 39.416
9 7 52 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 44'30.344 155.338 43.106
10 6 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 44'30.483 155.330 43.245
11 5 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 44'32.072 155.237 44.834
12 4 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 44'33.778 155.138 46.540
13 3 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 44'40.763 154.734 53.525
14 2 88 Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 45'09.042 153.119 1'21.804
15 1 24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 44'25.681 149.126 1 Lap
Not classified


59 Sete GIBERNAU SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando Ducati 41'40.115
7 Lap
Not finished 1st lap


69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati




72 Yuki TAKAHASHI JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Behind The Scenes With LCR Honda And Playboy

Watch the free ‘making of’ video of LCR Honda and Playboy’s recent photoshoot.

As LCR Honda welcomed Playboy on board as one of their glamorous new key sponsors for 2009 the new deal logically required a photoshoot featuring the team’s MotoGP star Randy de Puniet and a Playboy model, in this case the beautiful Francesca Lukasik.

The accompanying free video comes courtesy of playboy.it and features some full nudity, so handle with care!

Sources: www.motogp.com

Qualifying Cancellation Leaves Rossi On Pole For Japan MotoGp

MotoGP qualifying called off due to rain at Japanese track.

Heavy lunchtime rain at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit led to the cancellation of all qualifying sessions for the Polini Grand Prix of Japan, leaving grid positions in all three World Championship categories to be decided according to Free Practice positions.

Valentino Rossi will thus start from pole position at Motegi for the first time in his career, courtesy of his late time on Friday afternoon. All MotoGP times were faster in the first free practice session, the only dry run that the riders have had in preparation for the 2009 race.

Rossi will line up alongside series leader Casey Stoner and Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo on Sunday, the same three riders making up the front row as at the first race of the year in Qatar. The 2008 World Champion is in a prime position to avoid a breakaway by Stoner, the rider who took victory so comprehensively less than two weeks ago.

Rizla Suzuki rider Chris Vermeulen is joined by Monster Tech3 Yamaha’s Colin Edwards –the fastest rider in the wet FP2 session- and three-time Motegi racewinner Loris Capirossi on the second line, whilst the highest placing Honda comes on the third row. Andrea Dovizioso leads the Japanese company’s charge in his first race for the Repsol Honda factory squad, with Hayate Racing man Marco Melandri and San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Toni Elias by his side.

An extended MotoGP Warmup session takes place from 9.55-10-35am local time.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Friday, April 24, 2009

Rossi Fights Back To Head Practice Standings


Fiat Yamaha rider quickest in first MotoGP session at Motegi.

Valentino Rossi was quicker than Casey Stoner on Friday in Japan. That was the result that everyone was awaiting after the latter’s dominance in Qatar, but the Italian’s fightback doesn’t tell the whole story of the first free practice session for the Polini Grand Prix of Japan.

Reigning World Champion and 2008 racewinner Rossi left his final push to the last possible moment, cutting more than half a second off his previous best time in the session to edge out the current series leader. The Italian stopped the clock at 1’48.545 to bring an end to Stoner’s perfect record in practice, qualifying and warmup sessions in 2009.

Ducati Marlboro man Stoner threw himself into the challenge with an early 1’48.601 lap of the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, but elected to return to the garage instead of returning fire once Rossi had taken the advantage.

Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo had expressed his desire to record times closer to those of Stoner in the run-up to Japan and, like Rossi, his ultimate lap was also his most effective. The Spaniard was the final rider to go round in under 1’49.

Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi showed that Rizla Suzuki’s efforts to improve the GSV-R over the winter had been something of a success, both in the top six at a track that did not go well for the duo in 2008. They sandwiched satellite Yamaha rider Colin Edwards on the timesheet, whilst the top ten also included fastest Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso, Hayate Racing surprise Marco Melandri, 2007 podium finisher Toni ElĂ­as and Monster Tech3 Yamaha’s James Toseland.

Home rider Yuki Takahashi ran off track in the session, whilst fellow rookie Mika Kallio had a spectacular highside –from which he returned to action during the 45-minute run.

Sources: www.motogp.com

2009 Polini MotoGP Of Japan Day 1

MotoGP Free Practice Nr. 1 Classification

Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Lap time Km/h Gap
1 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'48.545 286.472
2 27 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'48.601 284.885 0.056
3 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'48.965 294.117 0.420
4 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'49.382 291.813 0.837
5 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1'49.697 289.466 1.152
6 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'49.980 288.615 1.435
7 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'50.030 278.350 1.485
8 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 1'50.123 287.769 1.578
9 24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'50.209 293.000 1.664
10 52 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1'50.342 289.621 1.797
11 3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'50.391 283.315 1.846
12 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'50.393 287.081 1.848
13 72 Yuki TAKAHASHI JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 1'50.404 286.548 1.859
14 59 Sete GIBERNAU SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando Ducati 1'50.538 284.510 1.993
15 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'50.601 282.648 2.056
16 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1'50.669 285.487 2.124
17 36 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing Ducati 1'51.643 290.010 3.098
18 88 Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 1'51.929 273.141 3.384

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

FireFighting Motorcycle


Ever had an officer ask you “where’s the fire?” after being pulled over for speeding? Well now you have a good excuse. This converted BMW R1200RT has two 20 or 25 liter tanks (contain a premix of water and foam) mounted on either side that is connected to a 6.8 liter compressed air tank on the back of the bike that has a 20 to 30 meter hose.

They are currently being used in the U.K. but also in Japan, India and across Europe. I don’t think it’s the first option and cannot see it doing much if a house or building is on fire but it would be first on the scene.

Sources: www.motorcycle.com

700th Premier Class race milestone to be celebrated in Japan


A look back over some memorable landmarks in the premier class since its inception in 1949.

This weekend’s Polini Grand Prix of Japan marks the 700th premier class Grand Prix in the history of the World Championship. Since the first round, many changes in cylinder class, tyre regulations and even starting times have been used, some of which are documented in a milestone review of the 699 races to date.

June 1949, Race #1: Great Britain IOM TT
The first 500cc GP is won by Harold Daniell riding a factory Norton.

September 1952, Race no.27, Monza
Les Graham gives MV Agusta the first race win in the premier-class.

October 1953, Race no.36, Montjuich
Fergus Anderson (Moto Guzzi) at 44 years old is the oldest rider to win in the premier class.

June 1957, Race no.60, Great Britain IOM TT
The longest ever GP of 301.84 miles, held over 8 laps of the Mountain circuit in the Isle of Man, won by Bob McIntyre (Gilera)

August 1962, Race no.100, Sachsenring

Mike Hailwood (MV Agusta) wins the 100th race in the premier-class.

May 1966, Race no.131, Hockenheim

Jim Redman gives Honda their first ever 500cc GP victory, this also being the first 500c win by a Japanese manufacturer.

September 1969, Race no.171, Yugoslavia
Godfrey Nash riding a Norton becomes the last rider to win a 500cc GP riding a single-cylinder machine.

August 1971, Race no.191, Ulster
Jack Findlay (Suzuki) takes the first win in the premier-class riding a two-stroke machine.

June 1972, Race no.200, Dutch TT Assen
Giacomo Agostini wins the 200th race riding a MV Agusta.

May 1973, Race no.207, France Paul Ricard
Jarno Saarinen (Yamaha) scores the first win in the premier-class by a four-cylinder two-stroke machine.

August 1976, Race no.247, Nurburgring Giacomo Agostini scores the last of his 68 victories which is also the last victory by MV Agusta and the last for a four-stroke 500cc machine.

July 1977, Race no.254, Belgium
The fastest ever GP race was won by Barry Sheene riding a Suzuki at an average speed of 217.37 km/hr (135.067mph).

August 1981, Race no.298, Silverstone

Jack Middleburg (Suzuki) becomes the last rider to win in the premier-class riding a true ‘privateer’ machine.

August 1981, Race no.300, Sweden
Barry Sheene wins the 300th GP riding a Yamaha, this is also the last premier-class win by a British rider.

July 1982, Race no.307, Belgium
Freddie Spencer takes the first victory for the three-cylinder two-stroke Honda at the age of 20, the youngest ever winner in the premier-class.

July 1989, Race no.400, France
Eddie Lawson riding a Honda wins the 400th GP in the premier-class.

March 1994, Race no.462, Eastern Creek
John Kocinski wins riding a Cagiva, this being the last time a non-Japanese 500cc two-stroke machine won in the premier-class.

September 1996, Race no.500, Imola.
Mick Doohan (Honda) takes the victory in a race cut short due to a rain shower.

April 2002, Race no. 581, Suzuka.
Valentino Rossi (Honda) takes the first win under the new MotoGP rules allowing 990cc four-strokes to compete alongside 500cc two-stroke machines.

October 2002, Race no.593, Motegi
Loris Capirossi’s (Honda) 3rd place finish is the last ever podium by a two-stroke machine in the premier-class

May 2003, Race no.600, France.
Sete Gibernau (Honda) wins after a great battle with Valentino Rossi in a shortened race stopped due to rain.

June 2003, Race no.602, Catalonia
Loris Capirossi gives Ducati their first ever premier-class Grand Prix victory.

April 2004, Race no.613, South Africa
After wining the final race of 2003 at Valencia riding a Honda, Valentino Rossi wins the first race of 2004 on a Yamaha.

October 2006, Race no.662, Valencia
Riding as a replacement for the injured Sete Gibernau, Troy Bayliss (Ducati) wins the final race of the 990cc era.

March 2007, Race no.663, Qatar
Casey Stoner (Ducati) wins the first race under the revised rules limiting machines to 800cc.

March 2008, Race no.681, Qatar
For the first time ever a Grand Prix is held at night under floodlights.

September 2008, Race no.694, Indianapolis
A Grand Prix event is held at the famous Indianapolis circuit for the first time and Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) takes his 69th premier class win -making him the most successful of all-time.

April 2009, Race no.699, Qatar
In the first race since the introduction of a single-tyre rule, Casey Stoner (Ducati) wins the opening race of the season in Qatar for the third successive year.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Rossi Nominated For Laureus World Sportsman Of The Year Award

Fiat Yamaha’s World Champion on shortlist of six for prestigious prize.

FIM Awards Ceremony

Reigning MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi’s achievements in 2008 have been recognised with a nomination for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, an honour that will be decided at the tenth edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards.

Rossi was one of six sportsmen to be entered onto the final shortlist, following a ballot open to the world’s media in a record 112 countries. His rivals for the prize are Olympic gold medal winners Usain Bolt & Michael Phelps, plus Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, ATP tennis world number one Rafael Nadal and footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

It is not the first time that Rossi has been acknowledged by the selection panel; In 2006 he was named as the winner of the Laureus Spirit of Sport Award for his contribution to motorcyclcing.

Previous winners of the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award are Roger Federer, Michael Schumacher, Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Stoner Wins In Qatar Night Race

The re-scheduled first MotoGP race of 2009 saw Casey Stoner take victory at the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar.

As the action in the premier class of the 2009 FIM MotoGP World Championship finally got underway, at the spectacular Losail International Circuit on Monday night, it was Casey Stoner who took the headlines, completing a hat-trick of season-opening wins in Qatar.

Following the exceptional postponement of the opening MotoGP contest of the year due to rain in the Arabian desert, Monday evening witnessed the first race in the new single tyre supplier era, but it was a familiar story with Stoner crossing the line first, ahead of World Champion Valentino Rossi.

A ruthless Stoner took the holeshot from pole and had built up a two second gap at the end of the first lap. The 2007 World Champion’s victory never looked in serious doubt as he controlled the race from the front, having been the fastest rider in every session over the weekend. Stoner’s winning margin was more than seven seconds at the end of a brilliant performance, casting aside any doubts about his fitness after winter surgery on his left wrist.

Completing the podium behind the front two was Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha colleague Jorge Lorenzo repeating his rostrum result from his MotoGP debut in the opening race of 2008, in his first race on Bridgestone tyres.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Colin Edwards started his seventh season in MotoGP riding solidly from sixth on the grid to finish fourth on his own Bridgestone debut, making it three Yamahas in the top four.

Also on new tyres and with a new factory bike Repsol Honda’s 2009 signing Andrea Dovizioso was fifth, fading slightly in the second half of the race having run in third place for several laps.

There was a good performance from Alex de Angelis, crossing the line sixth having qualified ninth at the start of his second year with the San Carlo Honda Gresini team. Rizla Suzuki’s Chris Vermeulen also made a decent start to the year with his improved GSV-R machine in seventh.

An excellent MotoGP debut from satellite Ducati rider Mika Kallio, meanwhile, saw him end up as the best placed rookie in eighth for the new look Pramac Racing outfit.

On factory machinery and returning to the Honda Gresini team this year, Toni ElĂ­as may be disappointed not to have done better than ninth, whilst Frenchman Randy de Puniet brought the satellite LCR Honda RC212V home three seconds behind the Spaniard to complete the top ten.

Dani Pedrosa, riding with knee and wrist injuries, battled through the pain barrier to pick up some important points in eleventh spot. On his Ducati debut, Pedrosa’s former team-mate Nicky Hayden also did well to complete the race in twelfth, given the back and chest injuries he suffered in a huge highside crash in qualifying on Saturday. The brave 2006 World Champion even set his best time on the last lap.

Sete Gibernau finished 13th on his MotoGP comeback with the satellite Ducati Grupo Francisco Hernando team, unable to push into the top ten due to his ongoing shoulder injury.

Marco Melandri made his first appearance for the Hayate Racing Team and ran off track early on but battled back well to finish in the points in 14th.

Commencing his 20th Grand Prix season Rizla Suzuki’s Loris Capirossi crashed out on lap eight and was unable to rejoin the race.

After a weekend off the MotoGP riders next reconvene at the Polini Grand Prix of Japan for round two, which takes place at the Motegi circuit from 24th-26th April.

Sources:www.motogp.com

COMMERCIALBANK GRAND PRIX OF QATAR Race Day Results

COMMERCIALBANK GRAND PRIX OF QATAR

MotoGP Race Classification

Pos. Points Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Total time Km/h Gap
1 25 27 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 42'53.984 165.539
2 20 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 43'01.755 165.041 7.771
3 16 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 43'10.228 164.501 16.244
4 13 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 43'18.394 163.984 24.410
5 11 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 43'21.247 163.804 27.263
6 10 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 43'23.867 163.639 29.883
7 9 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 43'27.611 163.404 33.627
8 8 36 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing Ducati 43'28.739 163.334 34.755
9 7 24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 43'33.465 163.038 39.481
10 6 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 43'36.268 162.864 42.284
11 5 3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 43'42.510 162.476 48.526
12 4 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 43'42.867 162.454 48.883
13 3 59 Sete GIBERNAU SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando Ducati 43'46.199 162.248 52.215
14 2 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 43'50.363 161.991 56.379
15 1 72 Yuki TAKAHASHI JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 43'54.270 161.751 1'00.286
16
52 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 44'08.962 160.853 1'14.978
17
88 Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 44'09.012 160.850 1'15.028
Not classified


65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 13'49.501
15 Lap
















































































Monday, April 13, 2009

Joint statement on Qatar race postponement

FIM, IRTA, Dorna and the QMMF (Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation) have released the following statement on the MotoGP race postponement at the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar.

Due to adverse weather conditions, the MotoGP race at the Commercial bank Grand Prix of Qatar has been postponed.

Following discussions between FIM, IRTA, Dorna and the QMMF, a proposal was put to the MotoGP teams to run the race tomorrow evening. Thanks to a huge effort from all parties concerned, and out of respect to fans of motorsport around the world, it has been decided that the race will take place on Monday 13th April, 2009.

The warm-up will run at 6.30pm local time (GMT+3), with the race scheduled to start at 9pm.

FIM Road-racing Commission President, Mr. Claude Danis stated, “For safety reasons it was not possible to race in the night due to the reflection of the lights on the track. This decision had already been taken a few years ago when we first decided to run a night race in Qatar. On behalf of the FIM I am very happy that we could postpone the race until tomorrow. It is important for the championship, especially at the first race, and I would like to thank Dorna, QMMF, IRTA and the MotoGP teams for helping reach this decision together.”

Dorna Sports CEO, Mr. Carmelo Ezpeleta added, “After the arrival of a large storm we had to cancel the race as it was unsafe. The QMMF offered us the choice to run the race tomorrow, and as it was a very important decision we wanted to consult with all the team managers. The postponement was accepted by a large majority. This has been an extraordinary decision in extraordinary circumstances.”

Sources:www.motogp.com

Stoner Clean Sweep During MotoGP Warmup

Ducati Marlboro rider fastest in 20-minute Sunday session.

The MotoGP warmup concluded the preparations for the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar on Sunday evening, and it barely needs mentioning that Casey Stoner was the top man in the session. The Australian completed a clean sweep of the four preparatory sessions with a 1’56.697 lap unmatched by any of his 800cc rivals, onboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP9.

The main favourite to deny a Stoner victory, Valentino Rossi was less than a tenth of a second slower than the Australian during the 20-minute run, and will start the race by his rival’s side on the front row.

Third quickest was Repsol Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso, who makes his debut for the team in Qatar, whilst Jorge Lorenzo and Colin Edwards showed the suitability of the Yamaha M1 to the Losail International Circuit by placing in the top five.

A sore Nicky Hayden came back from a heavy qualifying hit to test the extent of his discomfort in the warmup, but came close to another incident when being passed by San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Alex de Angelis. Also riding injured, Hayden’s former Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa twice ran off track during the session.

Sources:www.motogp.com

MotoGP Qatar race to be run on Monday

A rare rainstorm at the Losail International Circuit on Sunday evening saw the first MotoGP
race of the year put back to Monday at 9pm local time.

After the season-opening Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar was interrupted by rain on Sunday evening the MotoGP race had to be postponed and will now be run on Monday evening at 9pm local time, with an additional warm-up session beforehand at 6.30pm.

After shortened 250cc and 125cc races earlier in the evening the heavy rainstorm in the Arabian desert at 11pm on Sunday evening made it unsafe for the MotoGP riders to go out onto the 5.380km floodlit circuit.

Sources: www.motogp.com

Sunday, April 12, 2009

2009 MotoGP Qatar Qualifying Practice Result

PosNo.RiderBikeTimeDiffDiff Previous
127Casey STONERDUCATI1'55.286
246Valentino ROSSIYAMAHA1'55.7590.4730.473
399Jorge LORENZOYAMAHA1'55.7830.4970.024
44Andrea DOVIZIOSOHONDA1'55.9770.6910.194
565Loris CAPIROSSISUZUKI1'56.1490.8630.172
65Colin EDWARDSYAMAHA1'56.1940.9080.045
714Randy DE PUNIETHONDA1'56.3581.0720.164
87Chris VERMEULENSUZUKI1'56.4931.2070.135
915Alex DE ANGELISHONDA1'56.7901.5040.297
1036Mika KALLIODUCATI1'56.8521.5660.062
1133Marco MELANDRIKAWASAKI1'56.9621.6760.110
1224Toni ELIASHONDA1'57.2251.9390.263
1352James TOSELANDYAMAHA1'57.5102.2240.285
143Dani PEDROSAHONDA1'57.7292.4430.219
1559Sete GIBERNAUDUCATI1'57.8992.6130.170
1669Nicky HAYDENDUCATI1'58.2152.9290.316
1772Yuki TAKAHASHIHONDA1'58.7843.4980.569
1888Niccolo CANEPADUCATI1'58.9993.7130.215

Saturday, April 11, 2009

2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Classic LT


Bargain hunters might be convinced to overlook the standard Classic in favor of the light-touring LT version. An extra $1,500 buy-in nets you greater comfort, versatility, passenger contentment and a bit of additional bling.

We spent a half a day riding the LT in occasionally blustery conditions, and it was a relief to cower behind a windshield that is adjustable over a 2-inch range. Structurally bolstered leather saddlebags provided stowage for water and a camera, and a backrest keeps your passengers where they belong. The seats are highlighted with chromed brass studs that match the detailing on the saddlebags.

But more obvious to the eyes are the 2-tone paint combos that add considerably to the attractiveness of the black-only Classic. Set against a Pearl Burnish Beige is your choice of two colors: Metallic Nocturne Blue or Metallic Dark Green. Both feature accent pinstriping between the two tones.

Otherwise, the Classic LT has identical features and mechanicals as the pared-down Classic. Its $13,799 MSRP includes two years of warranty coverage to the Classic’s one year. If I were to buy a Vulcan 1700 Classic, I’d definitely choose the LT.

Sources:www.motorcycle.com

Prospects for the 2009 MotoGP Season

Here are your major contending teams and riders heading into the 2009 season.

Team

Riders

Fiat Yamaha Valentino Rossi Jorge Lorenzo
Ducati Marlboro Casey Stoner Nicky Hayden
Repsol Honda Dani Pedrosa Andrea Dovizioso
Rizla Suzuki Chris Vermeulen Loris Capirossi
Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Colin Edwards James Toseland

Stoner and Pedrosa are starting the season less than 100% healthy, with Stoner still recovering from offseason surgery on his wrist and Pedrosa having had surgery after a high side – go figure –while testing at Qatar on March 2. The Suzuki riders finished the pre-season testing session at Jerez in 3rd and 5th places, suggesting they may be more competitive at the start of this season. Dovizioso figures to benefit from the switch to the factory Honda team, and Nicky Hayden, at least in my opinion, will be running with the big dogs before the season is over on his shiny new Ducati.

"I know you don't like it, Jorge, but trust me, the wall is a good thing!"

"I know you don't like it, Jorge, but trust me, the wall is a good thing!"

Colin Edwards seemed to enjoy beating teammate James Toseland in the pre-season tests.

Colin Edwards seemed to enjoy beating teammate James Toseland in the pre-season tests.

One of the amusing aspects to these big high-powered two-rider teams is the fact that the “teammates” don’t always get along so well. Apparently Rossi and Lorenzo don’t see eye to eye on everything. Such also seems to be the case with Edwards and Toseland. How, you’re wondering, do we know this? BECAUSE THE CREWS HAVE TO BUILD WALLS IN THE GARAGES TO KEEP THEM APART. Despite the fact that these riders have testicles the size of hubcaps, they’ve got “little man” complexes and the aggressiveness of rat terriers. Why don’t they just do what they do in sitcoms: draw a line down the middle of the room and let hilarity ensue?

Rossi is the odds-on favorite to repeat this season, edging out Stoner on the surprising number of online betting sites devoted to MotoGP. It’s difficult to bet against him, as he is smooth as silk and rarely makes even the smallest mistake. Stoner is going to have to have a perfect season to beat him out. We’ll see if it’ll be similar to last season, with the Stoner owning the straightaways, and Rossi ruling the corners.

Last year at Qatar, the top five finishers were Stoner, Lorenzo and Pedrosa on the podium, followed by Dovizioso and Rossi. Look for Rossi, Stoner and Lorenzo up there this year, with Vermeulen, Dovizioso and Edwards trailing. Pedrosa is apparently going to start, but whether he can finish remains to be seen.

Sources:www.motorcycle.com

Rossi Improvements In Good Friday Session

“We’ll get better" assures reigning MotoGP World Champion.

Casey Stoner may have set the early pace in Qatar with a storming practice time, but MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi drew positive conclusions from the first session of the 2009 season. At what he described on Thursday as the scene of his ‘worst race of 2008’, the Fiat Yamaha man saw potential for further improvement in the two forthcoming Saturday sessions.

‘It was a good session. We are already close to the top, and we already have some ideas from the last test on how to improve the grip levels,” said Rossi after clocking a 1’57.439 time (0.386 slower than Stoner’s lap) on a circuit that had only had 1.5hours worth of riding undertaken beforehand to clear up the lines.

“The new setting is working well, and we have more confidence now when compared to the test that we had here. Now is only the first practice; we’ll get faster.”

The previous test had seen prior rainfall and cold temperatures cause problems for the riders, and the Italian felt the difference in conditions to some extent on Friday.

“I can ride the bike feeling that it is more under control. With lower temperatures it was perhaps dangerous at times before.”

Rossi will be back on track with the rest of the MotoGP riders for the second free practice session for the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar, on Saturday at 7.05pm local time.

Sources:www.motogp.com

Stoner Opening Night Success

After Casey Stoner began the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar in good form on Friday night he was in an upbeat mood about the results of the first MotoGP free practice of 2009.

Ducati Marlboro’s Casey Stoner has a great record at Qatar, having started his remarkable 2007 MotoGP title triumph with a brilliant victory at the Losail International Circuit, a win which he repeated in style at the beginning of last year.

The Australian was also the fastest man at the 2009 Official Night Test at the desert track at the beginning of March and having stopped off in Jerez two weeks ago to top the timesheets again and win himself a new car in the BMW M Award, he continued his preseason form with the best time in free practice on Friday evening as the new season commenced.

The 23 year-old will be hard to stop at this weekend, although fans can be assured that the likes of Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo will be doing their very best to prevent a third consecutive Stoner Qatar win on Sunday.

Reviewing his evening’s work late on Friday Stoner commented, “The bike is working very well. The settings that we found in Jerez seem to be working quite well here also, but we still need to improve a couple of things like everybody. The track conditions are not perfect yet, though by the time we arrive tomorrow night for qualifying it should be fine and we will understand where we are a little bit more.”

Asked about his fitness as he prepares for his first race since winter surgery, he replied, “There is no problem with my wrist. I would like to be able to do more physical training but that is not an excuse and the wrist is not causing any issues. So we are looking forward to starting the season and we will see how things go.”

Sources: www.motogp.com

2009 Moto GP Qatar Grand Prix Free Practice Results

Pos. Num. Rider Nation Team Motorcycle Lap time Km/h Gap
1 27 Casey STONER AUS Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'57.053 328.967
2 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'57.439 327.471 0.386
3 5 Colin EDWARDS USA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1'57.835 322.677 0.782
4 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team Yamaha 1'58.272 326.579 1.219
5 15 Alex DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'58.452 326.975 1.399
6 65 Loris CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'58.468 323.643 1.415
7 36 Mika KALLIO FIN Pramac Racing Ducati 1'58.499 328.367 1.446
8 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Repsol Honda Team Honda 1'58.506 325.693 1.453
9 33 Marco MELANDRI ITA Hayate Racing Team Kawasaki 1'58.757 324.812 1.704
10 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 1'58.771 321.332 1.718
11 52 James TOSELAND GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 1'58.850 320.000 1.797
12 24 Toni ELIAS SPA San Carlo Honda Gresini Honda 1'59.094 327.471 2.041
13 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Marlboro Team Ducati 1'59.158 324.519 2.105
14 7 Chris VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Suzuki 1'59.348 316.437 2.295
15 72 Yuki TAKAHASHI JPN Scot Racing Team MotoGP Honda 1'59.437 319.621 2.384
16 59 Sete GIBERNAU SPA Grupo Francisco Hernando Ducati 2'00.595 323.547 3.542
17 88 Niccolo CANEPA ITA Pramac Racing Ducati 2'00.597 317.927 3.544
18 3 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 2'01.435 326.876 4.382