Rizla Suzuki’s Chris Walker and Cal Crutchlow both slashed more than a second from their lap times during the final day of testing at Almeria in Southern Spain, today as they mixed it with the other main British Superbike contenders. Changes to the rear link and Ohlins shock allowed ‘Stalker’ and Crutchlow to make big improvements on the final of three days at the 4.3km-long twisty and fast circuit. As the previous days, the weather was warm and sunny, ideal for testing. Based on unofficial lap times from all the teams, Stalker ended third fastest overall on a 1 minute 35.7s, just half a second down on the quickest rider, Honda’s Jonathan Rea. Crutchlow finished a few 10ths slower than his team mate on 1min 36.3s to claim seventh. Rizla Suzuki now travels to the nearby Guadix circuit for another two day test on Friday and Saturday. Chris Walker: “We are genuinely the only team at this test with two new riders who are not only learning new bikes, but coming to grips with new-generation Dunlop slicks for the first time as well. Bearing that in mind I think it has been a fruitful test and I am very happy with progress and the performance of my technicians. “I was able to bite the screen and set a fast time that was encouraging – it has also given us a direction to follow at Guadix for further improvement. We will work on being consistently fast rather than just one-lap wonders, as that’s what’s needed to win races.” Cal Crutchlow: “We made loads of changes to the rear link on my bike and it paid off. At first the changes we made didn’t work and then we tried completely opposite settings and found something that allowed me to go faster. It was a bit of trial and error but it succeeded and we now have a good stepping stone to continue improvement at the next test. “I am the only rider at the test never to have visited Almeria before and to be able to string together a lot of consistent low 1min 36s laps I think is respectable. I am happy with how competitive we are and I’m looking forward to more testing.” Simon Buckmaster – Team Manager: “It has been a very good test for us and pleasingly we are in the ballpark with the main BSB title contenders. We have completed many different chassis, suspension and tyre tests, while our engine performance and management has been almost flawless. “There’s a lot of work still to be done but we are getting through our test plan gradually and making significant progress every time we take to the track. What is very encouraging is that we set our lap times on soft race tyres rather than qualifying rubber; that hints there is more speed to come if needed but we didn’t lose focus of the fact this is a test, not a qualification session. “Chris and Cal both impressed with their speed and feedback to their crews. They know they are close to the competition and there is still a lot of unlocked potential to be released from their bikes, so they are happy. Morale within the team is high and everyone has gelled together as a unit; there is real motivation and desire to succeed driving us all forward.” Unofficial Test Lap Times: 1: Jonathan Rea (Honda) 1:35.2, 2: Leon Haslam (Ducati) 1.35.4, 3: Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) 1:35.7, 4: Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 1:35.8, 5: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 1:35.9, 6: Shane Byrne (Honda) 1:35.9, 7: Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) 1:36.3, 8: Tom Sykes (Honda) 1:36.5, 9: Leon Camier (Honda) 1:36.8.

World Supersport and Superbike Championships 2007 Round 2, Phillip Island Australia Australian Race Preview 2 4 March 2007 World Supersport Round 2 of 13 HONDA RIDERS LOOKING FORWARD TO AUSTRALIAN TREAT After two of the four officially supported Honda riders in the 2007 World Supersport championship left Qatar last weekend with podium finishes, including the race win, the new CBR600RR has already proven its battle-worthiness at the first attempt. Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) had disputed the race lead with his team-mate Sebastien Charpentier (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team) until Charpentier’s crash left Sofuoglu the winner by some distance. Third in Losail may even be exceeded by a superlatively confident Katsuaki Fujiwara (Althea Honda Team CBR600RR) who was setting the same times as the leaders mid-race in Losail, and finally took third spot on the podium. The prospect of racing at the classically sculpted 4.445km circuit is a happy one for all of Honda’s four officially supported 600 riders, each of whom is looking forward to the experience of racing in Australia. Even new boy in the line-up, 26-year-old Lorenzo Alfonsi (Althea Honda Team CBR600RR) has experience of the track, and is as eager as any of his peers to accept the challenge of competing there on the new CBR600RR. Qatar race winner Sofuoglu is out for a repeat performance in Australia, but is keeping his feet very much on the ground. “Qatar was great for me, I was so happy to get the win after the team worked so hard to get the bike right,” said Sofuoglu. “Now I have to look forward and concentrate on the next race, because Qatar was only the first round so I will not be taking anything for granted. I rode well at Phillip Island in January so I feel good about the circuit. I can’t wait to get onto the track.” Charpentier knows that only a top points score will alleviate the gloom of crashing in Qatar. “This race is now very important for me,” said the 2005 and 2006 champion. “I need to race well in order to get back the points I lost in Qatar, but I am not too worried. I won the race here last year and in 2005 so it is a good track for me. I need to concentrate and not make any mistakes, but I should be OK.” Fujiwara’s first race of the year gave him plenty of reasons to be cheerful for more podium opportunities this year. “Losail showed us what we can do, even at this early stage,” said the six-time WSS race winner. “I hope for a good season. The bike should also work well at Phillip Island and I like riding there very much. Next race I want to win!” Alfonsi scored three points in Losail, and is enthused at the chance of racing for even more this weekend. “Qatar was not such a bad result for me in my first weekend with the team,” said the 2004 European Superstock 1000 Champion. “I hope to do even better and qualify better than I did in Qatar, because I at least have experience of Phillip Island. So far so good for the start.” The championship, along with World Superbike, returns to Europe for round three, with the next race scheduled for Donington Park on April 1. World Superbike Round 2 of 13 TOSELAND GOES DOWN UNDER ON TOP OF THE TABLE James Toseland (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) answered the call to arms at Losail last week with enough spirit and skill to leave with a share of the championship lead for himself, and Honda as a manufacturer. At Phillip Island Toseland will be out to turn previous podium success in Australian into wins. He will also be out to ensure higher points scores than his only race-long rival at Losail, Max Biaggi, to try and lead the championship outright before the end of the season’s two long-haul races, and the return to Europe. Roberto Rolfo (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) had one good and one disappointing race at Losail, and is looking forward to the return to Phillip Island; the scene of one of his best points scores during his rookie SBK season in 2006. DFX Corse Honda runners Steve Martin (DFX Corse Honda CBR1000RR) and Michel Fabrizio (DFX Corse Honda CBR1000RR) are big fans of the Phillip Island track, but in terms of previous ‘Island’ success, Joshua Brookes, (Alto Evolution Honda CBR1000RR) holds the loftiest perch, having won the WSS race for Honda at the 4.445km circuit, two hours drive from Melbourne in the State of Victoria. Karl Muggeridge (Alto Evolution Honda CBR1000RR) is currently the last of six supported Honda riders in the current championship table, but the 2004 World Supersport Champion is well capable of a strong ride at his home circuit, even without a full 2007 spec engine at his disposal yet. Toseland has made the most of a good winter of testing and machine development, and wants to add a Phillip Island win to his current portfolio of nine previous SBK race victories. “We had a great start to the season and I came away from Qatar a very happy man,” said joint leader Toseland. “I can’t wait to get to Phillip Island and start the next round. I enjoyed racing against Biaggi, although I think there might be a few more of us up at the front in Australia. I got two podiums there last year but I didn’t get a race win so that will be my goal I’m fired up and ready to go.” Rolfo’s love for PI has been plain in previous results at the circuit, and on his rapid Fireblade, he may well be a force to be reckoned with. “I enjoy racing at Phillip Island I have had some good results there so I am looking forward to the next round,” said Roby. “Of course, I am hoping to do better than I did in Qatar. The problems were out of my control and that was frustrating but I hope to do well in Phillip Island and put all that behind me. When we tested here in January my times got better each day so I’m quite confident about the circuit.” Home tarmac is a boon for Martin, but he knows that there is still work to do for the machine to be 100% ready for competition at the sharpest end of the field. “I should go well at any track but track, not just Phillip Island,” said Martin, “and Qatar was good for us because we learned what you can do and what you can’t do with this bike, at this stage at least. We still have a way to go before I am happy with the set-up and so on, but I hope to be much further up the finishing order at Phillip Island. I want to get a good feeling with the bike and carry on from there.” After mixed fortunes and a race one crash because of a collision with another rider at Doha last weekend, Fabrizio is looking to Phillip Island to get his race pace back. “The bike is good but after 10-12 laps the things change and it’s difficult to keep going at the top pace,” said Fabrizio. “Doha was not a great result for me, but in Phillip Island I hope we are back at 100%. The circuit is incredible, very enjoyable, but the most important thing is to get a good start position after practice and Superpole.” For Brookes, Qatar was a great learning experience on his Fireblade, after riding for a different manufacturer in 2006. “I finished the Qatar weekend knowing more about the bike and feeling OK about PI this week,” said Brookes. “I am absolutely pumped for the Island race, and I will hopefully crack a top ten.” Muggeridge, in the points in race two at Qatar, is hoping that a good chassis package will help his cause at the second fast circuit to be raced on in as many weekends. “I think our bike’s potential is good and we know what we need to do with the engine package,” said Muggeridge. “I don’t know what to expect in Australia really, but my last two years’ experience on the bike will definitely help me. Our chassis will be fine and we will find good settings I’m sure. We need more time to work on the engine package some more but it won’t make any difference to my commitment to do my best.”

AUSTRALIA CALLS TO SUPERBIKE HOPEFULS – CLASSIC AUSTRALIAN CIRCUIT PROMISES THRILLS APLENTY After an even more dramatic and unpredictable start to World Superbike racing’s 20th year of continuous action than anyone could have predicted at Losail a few days ago, it’s the turn of Phillip Island to form the backdrop to what will surely be just as momentous a weekend. The SBK championship will have its Australian visa stamped at Phillip Island for the 17th time this time around, making the seaside circuit one of the longest serving – and most popular – in SBK’s 20 years of racing life. Its entire 4,445km length is littered with challenges to any rider’s abilities, with wind and weather also capable of playing their part in any individual race outcome. BIAGGI AND TOSELAND BACK FOR MORE AS AUSSIES LOOK FOR FIRST WINS With Max Biaggi (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) winning on his Superbike debut and with James Toseland (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) scoring the second leg win the series is currently tied, but of almost as much importance to the local Aussie fans right now is the question of how the European based Australian riders will fare after Qatar’s disappointments. Reigning champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) was in the rare position of having his team-mate Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) step on the podium instead of Troy himself, but on his home track the technical and tyre choice issues that dogged him at Losail should be eradicated before raceday. Lanzi is currently third in the table, with Bayliss seventh. The other double championship winning Aussie Troy, Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia), scored pole and a podium for third place in race two in round one, and at his all-time favourite circuit, all things seem possible – even in what will only be his second meeting on the new Yamaha. The good news for the Aussie duo is that not just home advantage but also previous form favour them – with Corser and Bayliss each winning a PI race in 2006. THE LOSAIL LUCKLESS NOW OUT FOR QUICK REVENGE Despite some brilliant showings in practice at Losail, Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) was unfortunate on raceday, but few would write off Haga on the eve of a meeting as important as Phillip Island. He will be joined by a fellow Japanese rider in the list of PI possibles, Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra), who is only two points ahead of Haga in the points table. Another Suzuki rider, Max Neukirchner (Suzuki Germany) will be out to repeat his stunning sixth place from race one at Losail, which helped make him the best-placed rider on a non-factory bike in Qatar, of any vintage. LAST FEW OFFICIAL RIDERS LOOKING TO IMPROVE PLACES An unfortunate clash with his team-mate put Fonsi Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse) out of race one at Losail, but a brilliant fifth place in the second running showed Nieto’s true mettle when it counted. Another Spanish rider Ruben Xaus (Sterilgarda Ducati) is one place ahead of Nieto, after two top tens in Qatar on the 2006 factory-spec 999 Ducati. Roby Rolfo (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) had one solid seventh and a DNF at Losail, but the talented Italian is well on his way to better things. The current top 12 is rounded out by the second factory Kawasaki of Regis Laconi (PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse). PRIVATEERS IMPROVING WITH EVERY TRACK OUTING Steve Martin and Michel Fabrizio (both DFX Corse Honda CBR1000RR) will be two riders to watch in Australia, while more Aussie talent resides in the Alto Evolution Honda team, with Karl Muggeridge and Josh Brookes looking to overcome a relative lack of pace from their current spec of engines. Shinichi Nakatomi (Team Yamaha YZF) scored a point in only a single race at Losail, but in his second SBK season, Phillip Island should not be so daunting a challenge as last year. TESTING THEN AN OLD FAVOURITE AWAITS ON EUROPEAN RETURN After the long trek back to Europe is completed, the SBK paddock reforms in Spain, but not quite in readiness for the Valencia race. On 17, 18 and 19 March, there will be an official FGSport test at Valencia, but this year the first European race will be held at Donington Park, with race day itself taking place on 1 April. This will be the first Donington SBK race since 2001, and the first of three SBK rounds in the UK in 2007. SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP The rapid development of Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) in World Supersport was remarkable at the tail end of the 2006 season, and his winning curve got higher at the first round this year, after Sebastien Charpentier (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) fell from their battle for the lead. In Australia, Charpentier is sure to shine again as he goes for three race wins in a row at PI, while Losail’s second placed rider, Kevin Curtain (Yamaha SSP Racing) is ready to push all the way for his second home victory. Curtain’s team-mate Broc Parkes is looking for his first points of the 2007 season at his home circuit. On all-new machinery GIL Kawasaki riders Fabien Foret and Pere Riba had superb fourth and fifth place finishes in round one, while Gianluca Nannelli (Team Caracchi Ducati SC 749R) struggled after a bright qualifying battle. For Suzuki, a winter test at Phillip Island will help their official duo, Barry Veneman and Vesa Kallio, from the Hoegee Suzuki team. Practice for Supersport, like in Superbike, gets underway on Friday 2 March.

HANNspree Ten Kate Honda heads to Phillip Island Following a nail-biting season opener in Qatar, the second round of the 2007 World Superbike Championship heads to Phillip Island this weekend. HANNspree Ten Kate Honda rider James Toseland has secured an early lead in the series and is on equal points with championship contender Max Biaggi. However, the British rider is determined to steal the advantage at the Australian circuit before returning to the UK. Toseland heads to Phillip Island with 45 points after beginning the season with an exciting battle for the premier spot on the podium with ex-MotoGP campaigner Biaggi. With each rider achieving one race win each, Phillip Island promises further excitement for race fans worldwide. The 2006 series saw James Toseland secure two podium finishes at the 4.445km track and the circuit is also a favourite of his HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team-mate Roberto Rolfo. The Italian rider picked up his highest points of the season with seventh and fifth positions at Phillip Island last year. The team has high hopes for the pair to at least match that success on Sunday. Roberto Rolfo is looking to improve on a promising first event with HANNspree Ten Kate Honda as he prepares for the Australian leg of the series. After a good first race, clutch problems forced him to retire early from the second heat in Qatar. Despite this, the Italian is in a positive frame of mind and hopes to finish in the higher ranks in both races. Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager: “Qatar was a great round for HANNspree Ten Kate Honda. James raced brilliantly and aside from the problems in the second race, Roby was riding very well and is still improving all the time. Phillip Island holds a lot of hope for us. Both riders did well here last year and also in the testing earlier this year, so we are quietly confident. I am of course hoping for more podium finishes let’s see what the weekend brings.” James Toseland: “We had a great start to the season and I came away from Qatar a very happy man. I can’t wait to get to Phillip Island and start the next round. I enjoyed racing against Biaggi, although I think there might be a few more of us up at the front in Australia. I got two podiums there last year but I didn’t get a race win so that will be my goal I’m fired up and ready to go.” Roberto Rolfo: “I enjoy racing at Phillip Island I have had some good results there so I am looking forward to the next round. Of course, I am hoping to do better than I did in Qatar. The problems were out of my control and that was frustrating but I hope to do well in Phillip Island and put all that behind me. When we tested here in January my times got better each day so I’m quite confident about the circuit. I will just concentrate on improving my riding and do the best I possibly can for the team.” HANNspree Ten Kate Honda presents a tough challenge The 2007 World Supersport Championship continues at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia this weekend with HANNspree Ten Kate Honda at the top of the series standings. The team enjoyed success with Turkish rider Kenan Sofuoglu at the season opener in Qatar. The young rider established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the 600cc category after crossing the finishing line in first place to secure 25 points and the championship lead. However, the event proved more difficult for team-mate Sébastien Charpentier, who was forced to retire from the race after an unfortunate mistake caused him to slide into the gravel while leading the pack. Defending champion Charpentier is determined to secure a hat-trick of series wins this year, but he must start by beating the other HANNspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR. The Frenchman achieved the race win at Phillip Island in 2006, but it was Sofuoglu who set the fastest lap times at the 4.445km track during testing earlier this year. The scene is set for an exciting second round as the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda riders go head-to-head with each other and the rest of the competitive field. Only time will tell who will emerge victorious. Ronald ten Kate, Team Manager: “The first round at Qatar was a really tough race the competition is fierce, but we seem to have two of the strongest riders in our team so that is a good position to be in. As I said in Qatar, this really proved how good the new Honda CBR600RR really is. To be in such a good position in the first race with a new bike is incredible and I hope we can only improve from here.” Sébastien Charpentier: “This race is now very important for me. I need to race well in order to get back the points I lost in Qatar, but I am not too worried. I won the race here last year and in 2005 so it is a good track for me. I need to concentrate and not make any mistakes, but I should be OK.” Kenan Sofuoglu “Qatar was great for me, I was so happy to get the win after the team worked so hard to get the bike right. Now I have to look forward and concentrate on the next race, because Qatar was only the first round so I will not be taking anything for granted. I rode well at Phillip Island in January so I feel good about the circuit. I can’t wait to get onto the track.”

Keene, Ontario Paul Glenn of Keene, Ontario, will be joined by Ross Millson of Hamilton Ontario, as part of the Go Big Racing team’s return to Daytona for the three-hour season opener of the SunTrust Moto-ST series, March 3-4. Go Big Racing were third place finishers in the ST class in last year’s inaugural SunTrust Moto-ST eight hour endurance race held at the legendary Daytona International Speedway and are ready to tame Daytona again. Last October Glenn and Millson, along with 2006 Canadian National AM600 Champion, Karl Daigle, from Roxton Pond, Quebec shared seat time on Glenn’s Acme Slate/Turn 2 Sportbike Rentals sponsored Suzuki SV650 to take the podium in third place in the ST class against top endurance riders from all over the world including the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia. Glenn and Millson will contest the first of six scheduled SunTrust Moto-ST races for 2007 aboard the same Suzuki SV650 that gave the team their first taste of success. The season begins with a 500K endurance race which will kick-off the world renowned Daytona Bike week and will be run March 3-4 at Daytona International Speedway. Karl Daigle who rode for Go Big Racing in last year’s race will not be riding this event. “We’ve been looking forward to this race since we stepped off the podium last October” enthused team headman Paul Glenn, “We are still looking for sponsors, but we’re doing it!” Millson, who came up just shy of the International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW Amatuer 600 Sportbike crown on a Turn 2 Sportbike Rentals/Milton Motorsports sponsored Suzuki GSX-R600 in 2006, added “I’ve been working hard all winter and I’m really ready for this. We’ve got a tough year ahead of us but we did well at Daytona to end last year so this will be a good place to start this year.” Millson and Glenn will enter the 2007 Parts Canada Superbike Championship as rookies, Millson as a Pro, on a GSX-R600 and 1000 and Glenn, 2006 SVCUP front-runner, aboard a GSX-R600 continuing their career Suzuki partnerships. Paul will focus on the International Motorcycle Supershow sponsored Amateur 600 Sportbike class. Millson will also vie for the coveted HJC Helmets Pro Rookie of the Year Award. The all-Canadian Go Big Racing team will be on the world famous Daytona road course for the Moto-ST 500K endurance starter for practice on March 3rd and will race the SunTrust Moto-ST final, in the ST Class, on March 4th. Background information: For more information on the SunTrust Moto-ST endurance series please visit: ~http://www.moto-st.com/~ or ~http://www.cdnsuperbike.com/~

2007 Superbike World Championship Preview: Round 2, Phillip Island, Australia – 4th March TEAM ALSTARE READY FOR OZ After the sensational start to the season in Qatar, Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra are ready to continue their good form in Australia this weekend. SBK new boy Max Biaggi began his World Championship campaign with a superb win in the first race and runner-up spot in the second and arrives in Australia as joint series leader. Although Yukio Kagayama had a bit of a disappointing (by his high standards) start to the season he still scored a good number of points and is more determined then ever to bag a pair of good results in Phillip Island. MAX BIAGGI Last week was unbelievable and very emotional. It was a dream start to the series for me and I will always remember it. I enjoyed the racing much more then I had believed possible and wish I had discovered this series years ago. But now we’re into the second race and I’m really looking forward to it. Like Qatar, Phillip Island is another circuit I’ve raced at before, so I will be expecting a good result. Last week my main opponent was James Toseland, but at Phillip Island I think there will be more riders going for the wins. I expect the competition to be tougher, but I aim to be right up with them at the end of both races. YUKIO KAGAYAMA Not so good last weekend, but at least I didn’t crash! I had some problems with my tyres and could not push as hard as I wanted. Phillip Island circuit is a track many riders like and it’s good for the fans also. I hope to put my problems behind me and really attack the circuit. It is a fast, flowing circuit with many high speed turns – my kind of circuit! But you must know exactly what you are doing if you want to put in fast laps and that’s what makes riding it so enjoyable. My aim, as always, is to get two podiums.

Tyler McDonald is very happy to be a part of the Michelin road racing program in the AMA for 2007. From the first day he slung a leg over a Yamaha R6 towards the end of the CMRA season in 2005, Tyler has been using Michelin tires. With track side support from David Hirsch of Island Racing, Tyler rode on Michelins throughout his 2006 racing season in both the CMRA and AMA series with great success, finishing 11th in the 2006 Daytona Supersport race on Michelin tires in his first trip to Daytona at 16 years of age. “I am very excited to officially be a part of Michelins road racing program in the AMA this year. I have always felt really confident using their tires and have had great success with them. My personal desire for the upcoming season was to remain on Michelin tires. I would like to thank Ron Wood of Michelin for this opportunity and their confidence in me for the 2007 season.” Michelin’s Road Racing and Sales Manager Ron Wood, “Michelin is proud to be associated with Tyler. As one of the ‘Young Gun’s’ in road racing we feel Tyler is on the right track to fulfill his dreams as a champion Road Racer. Tyler is part of our investment in the future.”