The Spa Francorchamps circuit in the Belgian Ardennes reverberated to the sound of a factory Grand Prix race bike for the first time in 16 years on Thursday, as Shinya Nakano put the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-RR through its paces, watched by Kawasaki riders from Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. The demonstration ride by Nakano was part of an event organised by Kawasaki Benelux, at which Kawasaki owners were given the opportunity to ride the 6.9 km Spa Francorchamps circuit, described by none other than Michael Schumacher as “without doubt the best circuit in the world.” Originally designed by Jules de Their and Henri Langlois Van Ophem, the first Spa Francorchamps circuit was a 15 km public roads track whose triangular shape took in the Belgian towns of Francorchamps, Malmedy and Stavelot. It was on this circuit that the first Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix was run back in 1924. As with other former public roads circuits, the Spa Francorchamps track has been modified many times over the years, primarily to improve safety, and while the current course is only 6.9 km in length, it still retains the character of the original public roads circuit. The most famous part of the Spa Francorchamps circuit is the Eau Rouge/Raidillon combination of corners. Having negotiated the La Source hairpin at the end of a lap, riders head downhill before being launched steeply uphill into a sweeping left-right-left combination of turns, the first of which is the Eau Rouge bend proper and the rest being the Raidillon, which includes a blind summit. If Eau Rouge is the most famous aspect of the Spa circuit then the unpredictable weather must run it a close second; a fact that Shinya Nakano can attest to as atrocious conditions greeted the Kawasaki Racing Team as they arrived at Spa for the event. Overnight rain that continued throughout the day meant that conditions on track were far from perfect for demonstration laps aboard Kawasaki’s 240BHP Ninja ZX-RR, especially when Nakano’s experience of the demanding Spa circuit was limited to two quick laps in one of the course cars. But, unwilling to disappoint the hundreds of Kawasaki riders who’d braved the conditions to see the Ninja ZX-RR put through it’s paces, Nakano donned his waterproofs, asked for full wet tyres to be fitted front and rear, and took to the track for four demonstration laps. It was an historical moment, as no current factory Grand Prix racing motorcycle has circulated the Spa Francorchamps circuit since the last Belgian Motorcycle Grand Prix in 1990, which was won by Wayne Rainey on his way to his first 500cc world championship title. “My first impression is that this is a real high speed circuit,” said Nakano, on his return to the pits. “Since Suzuka was removed from the MotoGP calendar, we don’t race on any circuit as fast as this anymore. The section through Eau Rouge and Raidillon is very impressive, even in the wet, but also a little bit scary because there is no visible run off.” “The rest of the circuit is also impressive, with some good high speed corners and changes of direction. It was enjoyable to ride despite the conditions. But, while the rest of the circuit would be good for a MotoGP race, La Source hairpin is a little too tight, and the lack of run off between La Source and Raidillon would be a problem for many riders I think.” “Conditions weren’t perfect today; the fact that it was cold and wet meant that I couldn’t push so hard during the demonstration laps. I’d like to try the circuit again under better conditions, because I think there is a lot to experience here. Hopefully, if Kawasaki Benelux arrange another event like this next year, I might get the chance,” concluded Nakano.

Foggy PETRONAS Racing riders Craig Jones and Steve Martin finished the fifth round of the Superbike World Championship battered and bruised after a harrowing race day at Silverstone. Craig crashed on the first lap of the first race and, although he took his place on the grid for the re-start, he decided not to go out on the warm-up lap because of concussion, which also forced him to miss the afternoon race. Steve, still recovering from injuries sustained in a heavy crash on Friday, suffered another painful high-side in the 20-minute morning warm-up session and struggled throughout the first 19 laps of the first race before he was black-flagged when smoke was seen from his bike. The second race did not provide any respite for Steve, who was forced to retire after nine laps when his engine over-heated. Craig said: “I was really looking forward to this race and felt good in morning warm-up. I think I would have finished in the points but the crash was partly my fault, although a whole host of things popped up in front of me that I had no control over. I now just want to make a real go of it at the next round in Misano, which is another track I enjoyed testing at.” Steve said: “I was struggling physically in the first race but I also had a problem with the preload adjustor, which meant that the back of the bike was sinking and made it really hard to ride. Then oil from the adjustor got onto the muffler and I was black-flagged when they saw the smoke from that. Although it wasn’t serious I guess it is in everyone’s interests to show the black flag in those circumstances. In the second race the bike was getting hotter and hotter and I didn’t know how hot it would go before something major happened so I had to come in. I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks because my body is pretty battered.” Race two results, Superbike World Championship round 5, Silverstone, UK: 1 Bayliss; 2 Haga +1.585; 3 Toseland +12.058; 4 Pitt +14.561; 5 Barros +16.826; 6 Corser +21.230; 7 Xaus +22.056; 8 Walker +22.549; 9 Muggeridge +22.708; 10 Nieto +34.025; 11 Abe +34.739; 12 Hill +35.112; 13 Kagayama +35.518; 14 Laconi +36.322; 15 Fabrizio +47.850 Race one results: 1 Bayliss (Ducati Xerox); 2 Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) +0.890; 3 Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda) +1.705; 4 Xaus (Sterilgarda Berik) +8.285; 5 Pitt (Yamaha Italia) +12.303; 6 Walker (PSG-1 Kawasaki) +23.716; 7 Laconi (PSG-1 Kawasaki) +25.483; 8 Muggeridge +26.049; 9 Barros (Klaffi Honda) +29.650; 10 Abe (Yamaha France) +32.208; 11 Nieto (PSG-1 Kawasaki) +39.607; 12 Hill (Virgin Mobile Yamaha) +41.550; 13 Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) +41.935; 14 Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) +50.385; 15 Nannelli (DFX Treme) +52.726

After an action-packed Alice Grand Prix of France, the MotoGP World Championship continues its European leg with a trip to Italy for the Gran Premio d’Italia Alice. With the season at a crucial stage and virtually a third already gone, the Mugello Circuit could prove to be one of the most important races of the season. American Nicky Hayden remains in the driving seat heading into the race, leading the Championship on 83 points. The Repsol Honda rider has no room for error though, with a number of riders within catching distance of him. One such rider is Marco Melandri. Fortuna Honda’s Italian star became the first to win two MotoGP races in 2006 with victory in Le Mans, and trails Hayden in the championship by just four points. Joint second in the classification is the rider who beat him to third place last year in Mugello, fellow countryman Loris Capirossi. A good result for either rider at their home Grand Prix could see them leaving Italy as the championship leader. Spanish rookie Dani Pedrosa lies in fourth, having started the season with a bang. With two consecutive pole positions and one win under his belt, the 20 year old Repsol Honda rider has already proved his ability in the premier class, and a repeat of his 2005 250cc win at the Italian track could put him at the top of the MotoGP leaderboard for the first time. Another rookie occupies fifth position, with young Australian rider Casey Stoner also proving his worth to the category. Unintimidated by his move up from 250cc, Stoner has yet to finish outside the top six in MotoGP. Meanwhile, a revival in fortunes for Colin Edwards places him sixth in the standings, ahead of Toni Elias, a rider who has gone largely unnoticed despite moving up into seventh place overall. World Champion Valentino Rossi last week released a statement to the Italian media which suggested that he would be continuing in MotoGP for the immediate future. ‘The Doctor’ lies in eighth place overall, having failed to complete the previous two races due to mechanical problems. Last year’s winner always comes good in Mugello though, and the home fans could bear witness to the first stage of a spectacular comeback for Rossi. The top ten is completed by Sete Gibernau and a resurgent Makoto Tamada. Located 30km north-east of Florence in the beautiful countryside of Tuscany, Mugello itself is a modern circuit with excellent facilities. Bought by Ferrari back in 1988, the 5.245km track has been renovated to a high standard and has a growing reputation as one of the world’s most up-to-date and scenic race circuits. A blend of slow and fast turns with sweeping curves, long straights and off-camber corners make Mugello one of the most challenging circuits for the riders and engineers. Having hosted its first MotoGP event back in 1976 the venue became a permanent fixture in 1991 after extensive refurbishment. Set within a beautiful tree lined Tuscan valley, Mugello also offers ample viewing areas for a particularly boisterous and partisan Italian crowd. The Gran Premio d’Italia Alice takes place on Sunday June 4th. More details and live coverage can be found at motogp.com. 250CC In 250cc, Andrea Dovizioso leads the standings by 14 points from Hector Barbera, despite remaining winless in the quarter litre category. Humangest Racing’s Italian star was pipped at the post in Le Mans by team-mate Yuki Takahashi, but last year’s second place rider would like nothing better than to take victory number one at his home circuit. Hiroshi Aoyama completes the 250cc top three. Dirk Heidolf will miss the race having suffered an injury in testing at Sachsenring last week. 125CC Alvaro Bautista is the runaway leader in 125cc, courtesy of his early wins in the season. Pulling up on the final lap in France before limping over the line in fourth, he still maintains a lead of 21 points over nearest rival Mika Kallio, and an astounding 43 over third place man Hector Faubel. Reigning World Champion Thomas Luthi may not race in Mugello as a result of a repeat of his collarbone injury in tests at Sachsenring, with Aleix Espargaro also on the injury list.

Umberto Masetti Former Italian rider Umberto Masetti died yesterday in Italy. He was 80 years old. Umberto Masetti was born on May 4, 1926 in Parma. He started in Grand Prix racing in 1949 in the 125cc. In 1950, he raced in the 500cc class and won his first World title, riding a Gilera. He finished third in 1951 and won again the title in 1952. He was again third in 1955 and sixth in 1956, riding a MV Agusta. He won six Grand Prix races, all in the 500cc class. He also took part in races in the other solo classes; he rode in the 250cc class until the sixties. In the name of the FIM, President Zerbi and CEO Guy Maitre present their sincere condolences to his family and his friends.

HACKING AIMING FOR SECOND ROAD AMERICA AMA SUPERSPORT VICTORY PICKERINGTON, Ohio (May 30, 2006) — It was seven years ago that Jamie Hacking last won the AMA Supersport event at Road America. The 34-year-old factory Yamaha rider from Denver, N.C., is hoping to find the right combination this Sunday, June 4, to win the race for a second time. Hacking leads the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei by 25 points over Danny Eslick. Even though he enjoys the series lead Hacking believes having such a margin can make a rider complacent. “The last thing I want to do is sit back and think I have this championship won,” said Hacking, the 2003 AMA Supersport champ. “I’m going out in every race with the goal of winning. It’s way too early in the season to do anything else.” The last round of the series at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., was rained out, but at Road America the bikes will race rain or shine. Hacking says the track throws a lot at a rider. “Road America is a long track with a lot of variety,” he said. “You need to have a bike with good top speed to do well there. Drafting comes into play and a lot of times the races come down to a last-lap showdown. I’m looking forward to getting back to the track. It’s been awhile since I won a Supersport race there, but I feel like I have a good chance to get another one this year.” Kawasaki has won the last three Road America Supersport races with Tommy Hayden. Tommy is focusing on Superbike this season and will not defend his Supersport victory. However, little brother Roger Lee would love nothing better than to keep the race’s trophy in the family. Hayden is recovering from an injury suffered in a Superbike crash at Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Ala., in April. He plans to race this weekend. With two wins in the series Hayden is still ranked fifth in spite of missing the California Speedway round. He hopes to be able to get back up to speed quickly. Hayden feels he still has a chance to come from behind to win the championship. “I’ve got a long way to go, but it’s not over,” said Hayden. “If I can get healthy here and start winning some races, you never know how it might end up.” The rain out at Infineon should play to Hayden’s advantage since he’ll have had two more weeks of healing. Danny Eslick is a rider who is building confidence with each race. The Matsushima Performance Suzuki rider scored his first Supersport podium result last month at California Speedway and looks primed to continue to improve his results. “I’m happy with the progress I’m making,” said Eslick, an Oklahoman and former flat track racer. “I think my goals might be shifting a little bit since we’ve come out so strong this season. It’s still tough beating the factory riders, but we’re chipping away and coming closer.” Geoff May and Ben Attard are both running inside the top five in the series standings and hope to make some noise in the series before the season’s done. May, who rides for Team M4 EMGO Suzuki, is looking to improve on his sixth-place result at Road America last year. Australian Attard is hoping to ride his Attack Performance Kawasaki to his first podium finish of the season. The sleeper in the Supersport championship is factory Yoshimura Suzuki rider Ben Spies. While he’s 19th in the standings and likely out of the championship hunt, the way Spies is riding he is certainly a threat to win anytime he rides. Spies could become the first rider in 11 years to win both the Road America Superbike and Supersport races. The race will be televised on SPEED Tuesday, June 6 at 4 p.m. Eastern. The Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei event is part of Road America’s Suzuki Superbike Doubleheader on June 1-4 in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. Tickets for the event can be purchased by calling 1.800.365.RACE or visiting www.roadamerica.com. Camping is available and children under 12 are admitted free.

We’re back! The long-awaited home date has finally arrived for Team Fortuna Honda, who are ready to tackle one of the most beautiful circuits on the World Championship calendar, Mugello. Spurred on by the unique atmosphere of this circuit and the support of the Italian fans, Marco Melandri heads into his home race lying second in the championship thanks to victories in Turkey and France with the objective of repeating his result at Le Mans two weeks ago. Mugello is also an important date for his team-mate Toni Elias, who arrives in Italy looking to finally pick up the result he has promised on so many occasions this season but has yet to achieve. Marco Melandri : “The victory at Le Mans was a huge emotion, the best possible ‘antipasto’ before my home race. To head back to Italy straight after a win is fantastic even though Mugello will be a completely different story. My home GP in front of so many supporters will be difficult because there are so many potential winners but I am one of them and I am ready to fight for the podium. The idea of racing in front of so many Italian fans is nice but I have to be careful not to get carried away. Mugello has come at an incredible time because at Le Mans we almost had an entirely Italian podium. I’m sure, like every year, it will be a great party!” TONI ELIAS : “Mugello is a very technical track that requires good physical preparation because of the frequent changes in direction. In terms of riding it is one of the most difficult tracks on the calendar. This year will be my first time there with a MotoGP bike – last year I was unable to take part because of the broken wrist I sustained at Le Mans. I don’t have any references so hopefully I can find a good base setting quickly and adapt well to Mugello.” THE TRACK: Based in the hills of Mugello, just a few kilometres away from the city of Florence, this is one of the most beautiful race circuits in the world: spectacular and extremely technical, where rider skill can make the biggest difference. It is a difficult circuit, characterised by gradient changes, fast “esses”, changes in speed, off camber corners and an extremely long straight. INTERESTING FACT: MICHELIN, the leading French tyre manufacturer and providers to the RC211V machines of Marco and Toni, has won 14 of the 15 premier-class GPs staged at the track since 1976, including a clean sweep of all 11 races since Mugello became the Italian GP’s full-time home in 1994. TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS Inaugurated: 1974 Latest modification: 1999 Length: 5,245 m Width: 14 m Pole position: right Right corners: 9 Left corners: 6 Longest straight: 1141 m Race: 23 laps = 120.635 km RECORD: Circuit record: 2005 Biaggi (Honda) 1’50″117 Pole position: 2005 Rossi (Yamaha) 1’49″223 Race 2005 : 1st Rossi (Yamaha) 2nd Biaggi (Honda) 3rd Capirossi (Ducati)

Jeff Wood rode his Dunlop-equipped Arclight Suzuki GSX-R600 to wins in Sportbike and Superbike while Dan Bilanksy piloted his Pirelli-shod Hal’s Performance Buell XB-12R to victory in Thunderbike during the American Sportbike Racing Association (ASRA) National Memorial Day Monday at Summit Point Raceway, in Summit Point, West Virginia. Wood was pursued closely in each race by Martinmoto.com’s Michael Himmelsbach, who rode a still-in-development Triumph Daytona 675 on Pirelli tires. Himmelsbach and his set-up were unable, however, to match Wood’s pace over the long, hot, 18-lap events. Local hero Tim Bemisderfer also raced closely with Wood and Himmelsbach during the start of each race, but Bemisderfer, who underwent a kidney transplant in 2005, said he did not have the endurance to stay with Wood and Himmelsbach. Bemisderfer, however, said he was happy to show his speed had returned and to have finished third in each race on his Dunlop-fitted Shenandoah Honda CBR600RR. Former Sportbike and Superbike Champion Robert Jensen made repairs to his crashed Butler Machinery Suzuki GSX-R600 overnight but chose to sit out the long ASRA National races to focus on running the shorter, contingency-paying CCS races Sunday at Summit Point Raceway. The 14-lap ASRA Thunderbike race was a three-way battle of the Buells between Bilansky, defending Thunderbike Champion Dave Estok, who rode a Pirelli-backed Veatch Motorsports XB-12R, and former Thunderbike Champion Bryan Bemisderfer, who rode a XB-12R backed by Harley-Davidson/Buell of Frederick. On the final lap, Bryan Bemisderfer put his home track knowledge to work to get in front of Bilansky, but Bilansky clearly had the strongest Buell and motored past Bryan Bemisderfer out of the final corner to take the win. Nate Kern maintained his ASRA Thunderbike Championship point lead by finishing fourth on his Main Line BMW R1100S. Shortly after the race, Kern, who had ridden in several races during the 90-plus-degree weekend, collapsed with heat exhaustion and was transported to a local hospital. RESULTS: ASRA SUPERBIKE: 1. Jeff Wood (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Michael Himmelsbach (Tri Daytona 675); 3. Tim Bemisderfer (Hon CBR600RR); 4. Reuben Frankfield (Kaw ZX-6RR); 5. Jonathan Lawrence (Kaw ZX-6RR); 6. Ryan Patterson (Yam YZF-R6), crash; 7. Rick Beggs (Kaw ZX-6R); 8. Gustavo Laya (Kaw ZX-6RR), -2 laps, DNF, mechanical; 9. Nick Scoggins (Suz GSX-R600), -15 laps, DNF; 10. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R600), -17 laps, DNF, mechanical; 11. Bryan Bemisderfer (Buell XB-RR), DQ, failure to report to post-race tech. ASRA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS (After 3 of 8 races): 1. Wood, 97 points; 2. Scott Greenwood, 44 points; 3. Frankenfield, 43 points; 4. Patterson, 37 points; 5. Geoff May, 35 points; 6. Himmelsbach, 34 points; 7. TIE, Michael Barnes/Shawn Conrad, 30 points; 9. TIE, Bemisderfer/Mark Junge, 26 points. ASRA THUNDERBIKE: 1. Dan Bilansky (Buell XB-12R); 2. Bryan Bemisderfer (Buell XB12R); 3. Dave Estok (Buell XB-12R); 4. Nate Kern (BMW R1100S); 5. Sam Rozynski (Buell XB-12R); 6. Gary Bunner (Duc 748); 7. Art Diaz (Buell XB-12R); 8. Joe Rozynski (Buell XB-12R); 9. Arnold Hastings (Suz SV650); 10. Sean Marston (Suz SV650); 11. Gilbert Schweitzer, III (Hon CBR600), -1 lap; 12. Chris Kalb (Suz SV650), -1 lap; 13. Jeff Gochenour (Buell XB-12R), -1 lap; 14. Jeff Dunn (Buell XB), -1 lap; 15. James Delk, Jr. (Buell XB-12R), -1 lap; 16. Patrick Wakefield (Buell 1200), -1 lap; 17. Chris Dunn (Buell 1200), -1 lap; 18. Chris Young (Buell 1200), -2 laps; 19. Walt Sipp (Buell XB-12R), -8 laps, DNF, mechanical. ASRA THUNDERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS (After 3 of 8 races: 1. Kern, 81 points; 2. Bemisderfer, 79 points; 3. Bilansky, 73 points; 4. Sam Rozynski, 61 points; 5. Estok, 58 points; 6. Jeffrey Johnson, 44 points; 7. Sipp, 38 points; 8. Paul James, 36 points; 9. Ed Key, 35 points; 10. Young, 24 points. ASRA SPORTBIKE: 1. Jeff Wood (Suz GSX-R600); 2. Michael Himmelsbach (Tri Daytona 675); 3. Tim Bemisderfer (Hon CBR600RR); 4. Kenny Martin (Kaw ZX-6RR); 5. Steven Giacomaro (Yam YZF-R6); 6. Shawn Scott (Kaw ZX-6RR); 7. Shane Narbonne (Suz GSX-R600); 8. Michael Arwood (Suz GSX-R600), -1 lap; 9. Nick Scoggins (Suz GSX-R600), -8 laps, DNF, crash; 10. Jason Moss (Yam YZF-R6), -13 laps, DNF. ASRA SPORTBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS (After 3 of 8 races): 1. Wood, 71 points; 2. Scott Greenwood, 56 points; 3. Himmelsbach, 51 points; 4. Robert Jensen, 31 points; 5. Arwood, 28 points; 6. Barrett Long, 26 points; 7. Matt Hall, 25 points; 8. Geoff May, 24 points; 9. TIE, Jason Farrell/Mark Schnettler, 23 points.

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP heads to the rolling Italian hills Rizla Suzuki MotoGP has made the short European journey to Italy for round six of the MotoGP World Championship and is looking to turn promising performances into impressive results. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racers John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen have both led the last three MotoGP’s at some point Vermeulen from his pole position in Turkey and Hopkins at Shanghai and at the last round in France and the team is focussed on building on the strong potential shown in these races. The Gran Premio D’Italia Alice will be staged at the famous Ferrari-owned Mugello circuit set in the beautiful Tuscan countryside, approximately 30kms north-east of Florence. The 5.2km long track is a challenge for riders and technicians alike, as the testing nature of the course with its blend of slow and fast turns, sweeping bends, off camber corners and fast straights make this one of the most complex tracks on the calendar. The circuit is a favourite amongst fans and riders alike and an enthusiastic and boisterous crowd can always be expected. Rizla Suzuki MotoGP will also be joined on race-day by two special ‘Rizla Girls’ who will be wearing an innovative and radical new outfit as the riders line up for the race on Sunday 4th June at 14.00hrs local time (12.00GMT). Paul Denning Team Manager: “Both the riders have shown over the past few races that improved potential is there in the Rizla Suzuki GSV-R. The team and the factory are working flat out to get the best from the bike and both John and Chris are riding it as hard as they possibly can this was highlighted by John’s crash at Le Mans when he was pushing the bike to its limits to keep with the front runners and get that elusive first podium. But he showed true determination by picking the bike up and getting it back to the pits before continuing in the race and scoring a point that is the sort of commitment that will soon get him his reward. “Chris is coming to his third unknown track in a row, so he will need to do as many laps as possible to learn the fast and demanding nature of Mugello. He has shown that he can quickly adapt to his new surroundings and I know he will be hoping that the bad weather that seems to be following us around stays away, so that he can get as much dry track time as possible.”