2006 MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden will return to his superbike roots in 2016 with the American joining the Ten Kate Honda team inWorld Superbikes.

Hayden won the American Superbike Championship onboard a Honda SP1 before making a move to MotoGP – winning the championship in 2006 for the factory Repsol Honda team. Now nine years later he is returning to his Superbike routes with Honda to race the CBR1000RR.

Despite its age the current Fireblade continues to be competitive, winning races in 2014 and securing podiums in 2015. Although not at the level of the full factory Kawasakis and Ducatis in the series, the team remain confident they can close the gap in 2016 with a heavily revised bike expected in 2017.

 Speaking at the Motegi MotoGP press conference, Hayden said: “Well, my next stop is Superbike with Honda! I’m very excited, obviously, to stick with Honda; it’s where I’ve had the most success in my career. World Superbikes is a championship that I followed closely as a kid when a lot of American riders were fighting at the front. It just seems like the right time and the right team to go with.

 “I know I’ve got a lot to learn and it’s going to be a big challenge, but also I’m very motivated to start and learn what I can. I’d like to say thanks to everyone who has supported me through my MotoGP career. We had a good run but now it’s time to move on and try something different.”

He’ll be joined in the at team by Dutch protégée Michael van der Mark – and could theoretically also line up alongside the double winner at this year’s Suzuka 8 Hr.

Team boss Ronald Ten Kate is clearly thrilled with his new signing and also took the opportunity to quash the recent paddock rumors that the team were looking at swapping to another manufacturer. He said: “It’s well known that, at Ten Kate, we always have been and always will be Honda. There is only be one person in the world who could possibly be more Honda than us, and that’s Nicky Hayden! That’s why I’m absolutely delighted that he’ll be joining us for next season. He was AMA Superbike champion with Honda and we’re really looking forward to bringing him back to his superbike roots. By working together and using all our combined resources, I hope that in the future we can make him the first world champion in MotoGP and World Superbike. We are also looking forward to combining Nicky’s experience with young Michael, who has shown really good pace and huge potential on the CBR in his first season. I think you can safely say that I’m more than happy with the line-up we have for 2016!”

Hayden will get his first test on the Ten Kate Honda in November.

Motul, the French company producing high-performance motor oils and industrial lubricants has a long history in motorsports. It is a key partner for both the FIM and Dorna Group, and will make its debut in WorldSBK in 2016, as Title Sponsor of the Championship.

Motul has embraced the essence of the SBK Experience and it is now going to offer its guests the closest motorcycle racing experience ever with proximity and accessibility being the key words.

Starting from the forthcoming new season the series will feature a dedicated combined championship logo in all its adaptations, as well as a brand-new ‘‘WSBK by Motul’’ product. This will to be launched in the first quarter of the next season and aimed at the most demanding customers.

In the meantime, racing oils and lubricants will be available for the teams competing in WorldSBK putting a perfect combination of racing knowledge and skills at the end users’ disposal.

Motul products will be on display within the Paddock for all the Superbike fans attending the races, making this a full partnership, which involves fans, teams and Motul guests.

Romain Grabowski, Motul Motorsport Manager said: ‘‘We are really delighted to add WorldSBK to the list of motorcycling disciplines we support on a worldwide basis. As with the FIM EWC, WorldSBK teams will be able to use the Motul Factory Line range which is dedicated to racing and which benefits from knowledge gained from the major manufacturers’ use of experimental products in MotoGP. This 360° partnership

Magny-Cours

02/10/2015

includes the launch of a WSBK by Motul product which will be destined for fans of the championship, and we’ve also got a brand-new ‘Motul SBK Experience’ concept which from 2016 will allow us to offer our customers a unique experience at each of the season’s 15 races. We can’t wait for this 2016 campaign to begin!’’.

Marc Saurina, WSBK Commercial and Marketing Director said: ‘‘It is a great pleasure for us to see such an important brand in the history of motorsports joining with WorldSBK’s concrete values. Motul is the perfect partner to develop our concept of brand experience, having proximity to the very DNA of production-based motorcycling’’.

Developed by South African whiz kid Mike Puzey, the BRM 300 is the first ever South-African manufactured motorcycle. Powered by the Italian TM engine, this 2-stroke race machine has made some waves in the market place, in events against world-famous race-winning brands, holding its own and even out-performing many competitors in its class in tests. It proved itself at the Roof of Africa 2012, and surprised the media when it was tested; the PUZEY BRM 300 has to be the best value-for-money 2-stroke 300 enduro motorcycle in the country.

“The goal was to design and built an affordable South African production dirt bike, using all the best trick components available to us, we were really pleased with outcome as were the media testers,” said Mike Puzey

“The BRM 300 came out tops in all the tests, I think surprising them in the way it performed, the stock features include a Gripper seat, billet wheels, Pro Taper bars, Brembo Hydraulic clutch. Big radiators – with a fan fitted standard, braided brake lines – twin pot stoppers up front and a single pot out back, Spider grips, Cycra Brush guards. The plastics are identical to those on the top factory models. The brake calipers and wheels are top quality. The disc protectors are unique and really work better than most of the competitors.  Our stock tank holds 9.5 litres of fuel – good for a range of around 80km, we also have a secondary bolt-on aluminium tank available that holds an extra 3 litres, that mounts neatly just above the engine,” said Puzey.

Going this route with the BRM 300 allowed Puzey to have all the parts for this motorcycle which are readily available. Another unique feature and a first in the industry is Puzey’s patented cam-adjust system, which raises and lowers the seat height according to what ones needs.

So what’s the bike like, we took an extract from Glenn Foley’s Dirt & Trail test that’s says it all.

“From a stylish and build point of view – this bike is reminiscent of the latest Maico’s. The guys from Puzey have used ideas and components from all over – and we recognised more than 1 or 2 mainline brand bits on the bike.”

She feels a tad portly compared to other 300cc 2-strokes – but we do like the fact that the seat height can be adjusted – nice for people with shorter legs. The kick started is perfect with a good stroke and she fired up easily after a few kicks. The stock HGS pipe emits a wicked howl when you hit the throttle. The clutch is lekker soft, snick her into gear and you take off…

Take off is the right word, this bike is a rocket, but thanks to some clever mechanical and electronic trickery, Puzey has managed to really tame the TM engine down – so it is incredibly user friendly. If you need torque for climbing, the engine delivers oodles of just that. If you want a fast ride, open the throttle, flick through the gears and you’ll soon be doing Mach 4 or so. You also have a mapping switch – map 1 for the fast stuff – map 2 for more torque – and you can feel the difference. The gearbox is slick, handling is predictable. The suspension is really good – turns out that the forks are Showa cartridges, with specialised inners designed by Mike Puzey himself. We did notice that it has been set up by ace suspension tuner Hilton Hayward; they felt really good – quite soft, which is great for the more tricky stuff – and it never got out of shape while we rode it. The rear monoshock is fully adjustable with a remote reservoir – so you can have it all set up to your specific needs.

The conclusion, we rode everywhere from some tricky rocky sections, through rivers, over mountains and – of course on some really fast winding sections. We’ll say it again – take any preconceived notion that you have about alternative bikes and chuck them out of the window. This one feels as good as anything out there. It did not overheat, it never battled to start – it was an absolute pleasure to ride. – Glenn Foley

The Puzey workshop will build this motorcycle on special requests and confirmed orders placed.

“We still have a few in stock and some orders for the BRM 300 Motard machine, it will certainly make a very quick Motard unit with its lively 2 stroke power plant.”  “All the BRM’s are fully race prepped, the current stock will be on sale at the old price R 58 999 (incl. VAT).” “All units built on special orders will include exhaust and radiator guards together with the standard race-spec disc sprockets, rear brake guards, hand guards and radiator fan. Plus a long-range fuel tank as optional extra, we will be announcing the new BRM 300 pricing soon,” said Mike Puzey.

For more information on the BRM 300 call Puzey Bikers Warehouse, Mike or his sales team on 011 795 4122     

Or visit their web site for more info www.puzey.co.za and www.bikerswarehouse.co.za

Smaller, stronger, lighter, better! The 2016 Kawasaki KX450F is here!

Kawasaki’s motocross bikes are renowned as being the closest things privateers can buy to full-blown works racebikes, and the all-new 2016 premier-class KX450F is the best so far. When the previous-generation model was launched in 2012, its revolutionary launch-control system, plug-and-play digital fuel injection and programmable ECU, allied to a very strong engine and a chassis honed in top-level motocross competition globally, gave it a head start on the track. The new 2016 model takes huge strides forward from that landmark machine, being smaller, slimmer, lighter, more powerful and even better equipped to get skilled privateers and importer-supported racers onto the podium at any level of racing.

There’s an old adage that while adding power makes you faster on the straights, adding lightness makes you faster everywhere. You’ll thus be pleased to hear that Kawasaki has given the new KX450F more of both - power and lightness. The new engine uses a revised version of the Bridged-Box-Bottom piston as used in the factory bikes, and the intake ports and valves, cam-timing and cylinder offset are all new. An innovative new high-flow airbox with rear intake channels, a new header pipe with a resonator chamber for crisp throttle response over a wider power band, and a new mass-centralised lightweight muffler all help keep the new Kawasaki ahead of the pack.

The new KX had to be small and compact, and the cylinder, now moved forward by 8,5mm and offset by 3 degrees, is capped by a new cylinder head that is just 100 mm tall. Double valve-springs keep the valves from tripping over their own feet, while the finely-balanced crankshaft minimises vibration and maximises traction. As with the outgoing model, there are plug-and-play digital fuel injection couplers and the engine-control-unit can be fine-tuned to suit varying track and weather conditions. The aggressive bottom-end power of the previous model has been smoothed out to deliver even more grunt, across a wider rev-range, making the 2016 model easier to ride at high speed. It also dishes up even more power than before at the top of the rev range.  

Kawasaki put the KX450F on a strict diet for 2016, and it now tips the scales at just 108,6 kg. The cogs in the transmission were pared of 260 grams, with other lightweight components helping reduce the engine mass by a whopping two kilograms, and the new frame, with 6 mm narrower spars, is 1,4 kg lighter than that of the old model, making the KX450F the lightest motorcycle in its class.

The 2016 KX450F is an aggressive-looking machine, with new diminutive bodywork, slimmer radiator shrouds, and a flatter fuel tank and seat allowing greater rider agility in battle. Add in the Showa SFF-Air TAC suspension with revised valving and new low-friction seals for improved front-end grip for 2016, and the new swing-arm and improved rear Showa shock-absorber developed for a softer ride and improved traction, and it’s clear that the bike is very much a winner. And because customers, unlike professional top-level MX racers, come in all shapes and sizes, the Kawasaki offers four handlebar position settings and two-position footrests to comfortably accommodate everybody.

The 2016 Kawasaki KX450F retails for R 91 995. Full specifications available on Kawasaki.co.za  

FEARLESS MUSIC TOUR WITH JACK PAROW AND LOKI ROTHMAN AT SOUTH AFRICAN HARLEY-DAVIDSON® DEALERSHIPS TO RAISE SERIOUS DOUGH FOR CANSA

Harley-Davidson® Africa and its 12 authorised dealer partners is calling on all South Africans to join the 2015 Fearless cause, which aims to raise awareness and funds in aid of Breast Cancer.

In 2014, Harley-Davidson® Africa launched Snors for a Cause and raised R100,000 in a single day in support of testicular cancer – an achievement the iconic motorcycling brand is eager to top with 2015 Fearless.

Fearless brings two opportunities to the public to participate in the breast cancer initiative. It starts with the Harley-Davidson® Fearless Music Tour in September followed by the Pink Glove Run in October where all motorcycle riders will ride together for this great cause.

Fearless will kick off in all major cities during September, where Harley® ambassadors Jack Parow and Loki Rothman will take to the stage at selected Harley-Davidson® dealerships in Cape Town (16 September), Durban (17 September) and Johannesburg (24 September). Tickets are available at R175 per person and can be purchased through www.webtickets.co.za. This will be followed by the Pink Glove Run motorcycle parade on 31 October where all motorcycle riders can ride together in regional parades to raise awareness in their communities.

“We’re revving up to kick cancer in the ass. Hard! As hard as we can. With Fearless we want all South Africans to show that they don’t scare easily as we unite to take action. Last year the Harley-Davidson® family reached out and joined hands with the public and all riders of all brands to raise awareness and funds for testicular cancer, and this year we’re coming together for the ladies,” says Juan Mouton, Marketing Manager of Harley-Davidson® Africa.

Harley-Davidson® fulfills dreams of personal freedom.  It is an experience and a way of life that celebrates each individual. “Whether it’s a mother, sister, daughter or friend, most of us have been affected by breast cancer, directly or indirectly. Through our combined efforts we want to support these fearless femmes and give them something that will make their hearts race again,” says Mouton.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Fearless will reach its peak with the national Pink Glove Run; set to be one of the largest mass rides of the year. Similar to the 2014 Snors for a Cause parades, the Pink Glove Run will call on anyone and everyone who rides a motorcycle to join Harley® to show their support.

Harley-Davidson® is also producing original, one-of-a-kind pink buffs that will be on sale at participating Harley-Davidson® dealerships. All proceeds raised by Fearless will be donated to CANSA.

“The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is extremely excited about the Harley-Davidson Fearless campaign which aligns with CANSA’s strategic approach to provide the most reliable health information and education in the fight against cancer.” Says CANSA Head of Health, Professor Michael Herbst.

South African legends can support Fearless by purchasing tickets to the gigs, attending the concerts, sharing information as widely as possible via their own channels (on social media), and purchasing pink buffs.

Mouton adds: “Being ‘Fearless’ is about breaking down the barrier of ‘it won’t happen to me’ or ‘I’m too young’, which is exactly why we’re joining hands with CANSA to educate women on the risks, the signs and more importantly the way they can protect themselves and their loved ones.”

Details of the Harley-Davidson® 2015 Fearless Tour with Jack Parow and Loki Rothman are as follows:

CAPE TOWN:

Harley-Davidson® Tyger Valley

Wednesday, 16 September 2015

19h00

DURBAN:

Harley-Davidson® Durban

Thursday, 17 September 2015

19h30

JOHANNESBURG:

Harley-Davidson® Zambezi

Thursday, 24 September 2015

18h00

Mouton concludes: “The absence of fear might be impossible, but being afraid and making the decision to have strength and to fight – not only for yourself but for those around you – that is the essence of this Fearless campaign.”

To shout loudly, visit:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1694996440720666

http://www.cansa.org.za/womens-health/

Twitter @hd_fearless and @harleyafrica

Tweet with hashtags #HDFearless, #PinkGloveRun, #HarleyDavidson.

No excuses, no fear, no limits. Be your Fearless self.

The 27 year old Vaune Phan from Singapore arrived at her final destination the famous Mount Everest base camp after months on the road.

Her solo ride of 8 500 km from Singapore to the base camp for a female, was a tough one for any motorcyclist tougher for a lone female, but she describes herself as tough and determined. Her trip took her through half of Asia and included jungle, swampland, mountain passes, river crossings, mud, rain and mist and then into the Himalayas where she experienced some of the toughest terrain in the world.

The Liqui Moly sponsored rider’s route from Singapore via Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, China and Tibet to the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, then onto the absolute highlight of the trip to the Mount Everest Base Camp Shigatse 5,100 meters above sea level

Vaune Phan experienced a number of mishaps and falls that saw her having to pick up the packed motorcycle and continue on her destination. “What happens when  one falls or crashes I have a policy for that, get up immediately and get going again, the good news is both myself and the motorcycle survived the gruelling 8 500 km trip.” (Official distance travelled)

“Mishaps involved numerous falls, punctures and the odd break down then the challenge was to find a motorcycle shop, harder still was to get parts. The end of the day I made it and would not trade this trip for anything I have ever done it the past,” said Vaune.

“This is one tough lady and she achieved something special for female motorcyclists, it was also a great test for our Liqui Moly brand as she put her machine through some of the toughest conditions in the world,” said Melicia Labuschagne Director Liqui Moly SA.

“Her objective on the trip was to raise the awareness and collecting donations for the Singapore Disability Sports Council, to support people who want to participate in sports despite their disabilities, we understand she did more achieve this.” said Labuschagne.

Take a test ride on a Dark Custom™ Bike and win an all expenses paid trip to the USA to design and create your own custom motorcycle with head Harley® Motorcycle stylist 

Oxford (August 24, 2015) – For 2016, Harley-Davidson is asserting its custom leadership with the launch of refreshed Dark Custom models, performance and styling enhancements throughout the range and an exciting new competition.

Harley-Davidson has today launched a Europe, Middle East & Africa-wide competition for riders to win a once-in-a-lifetime prize. By simply taking a test ride on any Harley-Davidson® Dark Custom™ motorcycle, including the reloaded 2016 Iron 883™ or Forty-Eight® models, riders will be entered into a competition to win their very own Dark Custom™ motorcycle* designed and styled by the Harley-Davidson Senior Industrial Designer – Dais Nagao.

The winning rider will be able to choose any Dark Custom™ motorcycle and work alongside Nagao to design their dream bike in Milwaukee, USA. Once designed, the bike will be built by a local Harley-Davidson dealer.

The trip also includes a money-can’t-buy VIP trip to Milwaukee, the home of Harley-Davidson, where the winner will stay at a local hotel and receive a tour of the Harley-Davidson Museum, alongside tickets to sports and/or music events taking place locally.

The ultimate test ride experience doesn’t end there, with an all expenses paid California visit included in the prize. Whilst in California, the winner will receive exclusive use of Dark Custom™ bikes, a tour of the LA Custom Culture scene with a local guide, surfing lessons and tickets for gigs and custom events.

To capture this memorable experience, Harley-Davidson is also offering the winner a camera, ensuring the winner can record and share every experience from the trip. Further goodies include transfers, restaurant bookings, and clothing from the Harley-Davidson® Black Label Collection.

To enter the competition, riders simply need to book a test ride on one of Harley-Davidson’s Dark™ Custom bikes – which include the Harley-Davidson Street® 750, Iron 883™, Forty-Eight®, Street Bob®, Street Bob® Special and Fat Bob® models. Click www.h-d.com/testride to find your closest Harley-Davison® dealership and book your test ride.

Bruce Belfer, the New Jersey buyer of Erik Buell Racing’s manufacturing operations, said his first order of business is to “turn the key and get the business back up and running.”

Belfer is CEO of Atlantic Metals Group LLC, which on Thursday gained court approval to buy the East Troy motorcycle company’s machinery, inventory and other segments of its manufacturing operation. Erik Buell Racing in April closed its doors and filed for receivership to clear up debt problems.

Belfer said he wants to bring back the manufacturing and those employees who want to return, including keeping Erik Buell as president. Belfer will become CEO.

“There’s not a single piece of machinery that I don’t have or can’t buy,” Belfer said of the purchase. “EBR is people, skilled people, craftsmen and innovators. That’s what I was buying. Everything else I can buy at the store.”

Belfer’s Atlantic Metals fabricates metal products for architectural, lighting and other uses.

Belfer said he intends to maintain a “significant” presence in Buell’s East Troy facility. On the prospect of any operations moving elsewhere, he said it is “too early to say.”

“The likelihood is there will continue to be a Wisconsin presence for quite some time,” Belfer said.

The details of getting the company back up and running must still be worked out, Belfer said. It will include reopening contact with company suppliers, customers and dealers. That process will begin next week, he said, and production of motorcycles would follow shortly after.

Hero MotoCorp, which formerly owned almost half of the company, will buy Erik Buell Racing’s technology and design consulting operation. Hero’s purchase of that segment of the company was approved in court on Thursday.

Belfer said he contacted Erik Buell this spring after hearing of the receivership case and opened discussions of the business. He determined that, without the consulting work the company was doing for Hero MotoCorp, the motorcycle company was a viable business. “In my opinion, what was a viable manufacturing operation had become distracted by a single-customer consulting operation,” Belfer said.

Belfer submitted an offer of $2.25 million prior to the court-approved Aug. 5 auction of Erik Buell Racing’s manufacturing operations. No competing bids were made at that auction.

Belfer listed two motivations behind the purchase, one being that he has been an avid biker his entire life.

“I’ve been a businessman almost as long,” Belfer said. “The key to living a successful and gratifying life is to be able to marry your passion and your business.”

A second motivation is related to the manufacturing industry.

“The United States has taken its manufacturing capacity for granted for a generation now and it suffers as a result,” Belfer said. “If people like me don’t do things like I did, it will continue to suffer.”

Bradl and Aprilia will be together for the first time this week as the World Championship gets underway after the summer break. The upcoming round brings the teams on North American ground at Indianapolis, in the US, with the race on August the 9th.

Aprilia and Bradl have signed a deal through the end of the 2015 season, but in case the collaboration starts to show good potential, we might get to see it extended into 2016 and beyond. Bradl was indicated as a most valuable asset by of Aprilia's most trusted riders ever, Max Biaggi.

Bradl arrives at Aprilia with massive support from Max Biaggi

He is known for not giving advice too easily or too often, but when bringing Bradl over to the Noale outfit came into the discussion, the Italian gave his full support  in recommending that such a move could be the best one for the team.

One of the strongest points in having Bradl as a factory rider is his past experience with factory-supported satellite motorcycles. As Aprilia is building a completely new MotoGP prototype bike for 2016, having a factory rider who can analyze and provide feedback comparing the new machine to other factory bikes is hard to come by.

Bradl's presence at Aprilia is also expected to provide better racing results than Marco Melandri, who the German is replacing, delivered. So far, Bradl earned nine points riding the Yamaha-powered Forward Racing bike, whereas Melandri failed at this utterly.

2015 was, from the beginning, a year of compromise for Aprilia. They started to develop a whole new race machine, testing certain parts and technologies on the existing ART prototype. Even though the expectations were nowhere near comparable to what other manufacturers had, Melandri being the last rider to cross the finish line was definitely not what the team's boss Romano Albesiano had in mind. Alvaro Bautista sits 17th halfway through the season with 13 points, within striking range of Loris Baz (14 points) and Hector Barbera (19 points).

As Forward Racing will not take the start at Indianapolis, Bautista has good chances of getting in front of Baz, and making a move on Barbera. It will be hard to take on the next rider, however. Scott Redding has 3 points and rides an unquestionably superior factory-backed Honda for Marc VDS.

Aprilia expects that Bradl will get acquainted with the new bike during the next three races, as he will instruct the mechanics how to tailor it according to his style. And with the German's potential, we might just see Aprilia slowly rising to the expectations of a full-factory entry towards the end of 2015 and in 2016.

THIRD PLACE FOR TORRES IN RACE 2

Sepang (Malaysia), 2 August 2015 - In the Malaysian World Superbike round Max Biaggi, with a race strategy worthy of a multiple world champion, took third place astride his Aprilia RSV4 RF. It was an extraordinary result in Race 1 at his second wild card of the season, three years after retiring from racing and at 44 years of age. Begun as an exciting and impossible challenge with his participation in the Misano race, Biaggi's return astride his Aprilia has now been solidified with an exceptional result, his 71st SBK podium.

Max, who started from the second row thanks to his excellent performance in the qualifiers, battled with the official Aprilia riders for fourth place in the first part of the race. After overcoming Haslam and Torres, Biaggi focused on pushing hard, maintaining a fast and consistent pace which allowed him to look after his tyres and, above all, make a brilliant comeback against Sykes who had begun to drop back and lose contact with Rea and Davies. After an impressive progression it was in the final, exciting lap that Biaggi overtook the Brit, taking third place and stepping onto the podium for the first time since Portimão in 2012, the last full season of his career.

Having trouble managing their tyres, Torres and Haslam finished Race 1 far from the podium after having been protagonists at the beginning of the race on fresh tyres. The Aprilia Racing – Red Devils riders finished seventh (Haslam) and tenth (Torres).

In Race 2, with Biaggi crashing out due to contact with Sykes after an excellent start that had placed him in the lead at the first turn, it was Jordi Torres who held the Aprilia colours high with a third place finish. The Spaniard's second podium of the season, he broke away from the group and managed to hold his 3rd place behind Davies and Rea. Haslam finished in seventh place after having tyre management troubles.

Max Biaggi: “The podium is an incredible result. It is a challenge overcome, the challenge of raising the bar to something that no one had ever done before. My race pace was consistent. Rea, Davies and Sykes pulled away at the front straight away. I tried to find my pace without destroying the tyre by overheating it. It wasn't easy because at the same time you have to push. After overtaking my team mates I began to focus on Sykes. I managed to catch him up and overtake him right at the last lap. This is the result I was dreaming of, a real cherry on top and the best I could have hoped to achieve. The crash in Race 2 doesn't take anything away from my satisfaction. Now that the weekend is over I can reveal that my crash during the tests last week “gave” me a left shoulder dislocation and an injury that required stitches on my right ankle. It was mainly the shoulder that bothered me, especially in the more flowing parts of the track. But I gritted my teeth and everything went brilliantly - just one more reason to rush into a happy holiday break.”

Jordi Torres: “First of all I would like to thank my team. Between Race 1 and Race 2 the guys did an incredible job, changing the bike, working on the setup and the electronic adjustment, particularly on the engine brake. This let me ride much more smoothly. I may have wanted to be more aggressive just out of my own instinct, but this let me look after my tyres well in the second race and take the podium which makes me happy.

Leon Haslam: “I had problems in both races. I had a lot of trouble losing the front. If I tried to conserve the rear tyre it would stress the front and I would lose speed going into turns. In the first race the tyres wore out very quickly and I wasn't able to maintain a fast enough pace. In the second I started well, but at the end I was lapping slower than the first race. Toward the end of the race I made a last ditch effort to overtake the riders ahead of me but I just didn't have the grip. I'm very disappointed because on this track the goal was to get onto the podium but we didn't manage to do that.”