QATAR TESTS HAGA IMPROVES TIME TO GO FASTEST AT LOSAIL Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) suffered a late crash in the last of three days at Losail, but nonetheless secured the fastest time of the test with a 2’00.5. His fall resulted in no significant injury, leaving him in good shape for the start of the season at Qatar on February 25th. All riders in Qatar were on 2005 Pirelli spec tyres, with more improvements expected when the latest 2006 versions are made available. Second fastest on day two was Haga’s team-mate Andrew Pitt, with Superbike rookie Michel Fabrizio (D.F.X. Treme Honda) heading off his team-mate Pierfancesco Chili. 1. Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia) 2’00″5 2. Pitt (Yamaha Motor Italia) 2’00″8 3. Fabrizio (D.F.X. Treme Honda) 2’01″3 4. Chili (D.F.X. Treme Honda ) 2’01″4 More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Testing alongside Yamaha’s MotoGP teams, the Yamaha Motor Italia squad proved the performance and reliability of their new specification engine and fine-tuned the updated Magneti Marelli electronics in their three-day outing at the Losail circuit. The team’s 2006 YZF-R1s feature a host of new parts over the 2005 version, designed to give the bike improved power delivery and controllability for the riders. The squad also evaluated a number of chassis parts, including a new swingarm and 2006 specification Ohlins suspension. With Pirelli supplying only 2005-spec race rubber, the squad was able to concentrate fully on the machine performance rather than testing development tyres. Using these tyres, both riders were quicker on race tyres than at December’s Pirelli test, confirming the progress made by the team over the winter months. Haga was the faster of the two riders, setting a 2:00.4, with Pitt fractionally behind on 2:00.8. The Australian was slightly detuned on the final day after picking up a stomach bug but gamely completed his test programme, while Haga’s day came to a premature end when he suffered a spectacular highside just 30 minutes before the end of the session. The Japanese rider was uninjured in the crash, although his bike suffered damage. Noriyuki Haga “Not so bad a test although it was a shame to end with a crash. Going through the last of the high-speed right hand corners I lost the rear and had a big crash. I am ok but maybe I hurt in the morning! The new bike is a real improvement although we are still trying to find the perfect settings. The engine for sure is much nicer: less aggressive and stronger coming out of the corners, and the team has made some improvements in all areas. At the end we made some big changes to the front and, for me, it was a good direction. I am happy with the progress made by the team, but we have not tested with our rivals, so only at the first race will we know how competitive we are.” Andrew Pitt “I was happy with how it went over the three days. I feel some big improvements from last year, especially with the electronics and the engine braking. We got through a lot here and we’re running the 2006 suspension front and back now and it’s working well already. The lap times are good and consistent and there was none of the chatter problem that we have had here in the past, so that’s also a big step forward. There’s a few more things to try before the race and I’ve still got to find a front tyre that will work good over the race distance.”

BAYLISS (DUCATI XEROX TEAM) WARMS UP FOR SUPERBIKE START WITH QUICKEST TIME IN VALENCIA TESTING – LANZI TAKES SECOND SLOT Valencia (Spain), Tuesday 7 February 2005: The Ducati Xerox Team completed its final pre-season testing programme with more excellent times set by 2001 champion Troy Bayliss and his team-mate Lorenzo Lanzi. The Australian, who returns to Superbike this season for the Italian manufacturer after a three-year spell in MotoGP, continued the superb form he has shown so far in testing since signing for the Ducati Xerox Team at the end of last year and ended the two-day session at the top of the timesheets with a time of 1m34.45s. “The first time I tested here in November I did a 36 and now today on the race tyre I did a 34.4 which is quite an improvement” declared Troy, who covered 133 laps of the Valencia track on his Ducati 999F06. “Obviously I feel pretty comfortable on the bike and things are going really well so that makes me happy. The start of the championship is just around the corner and we haven’t had to change the bike a lot since I first hopped on it. I’m feeling confident and I’m sure I’m going to be a contender for the championship and especially for the race wins. It’s been quite a while since I’ve won so I’m a bit excited about that and can’t wait to get one under my belt. I’m very impressed with the bike and feel good on it. I haven’t felt this much at home for a long time!” Lorenzo Lanzi (136 laps in two days) took a bit more time to settle into the rhythm of the test, but made a big improvement on the second day to end up second quickest on race tyres with a time of 1m35.6s “I felt that I rode well and am pleased with that, I made a good improvement over yesterday when I struggled to get into the groove and back onto the bike after a break of two months” said Lorenzo. “Today I did some good times, on race tyres we’re just two or three tenths away from Troy’s pace with 1m35s. The feeling with the bike is good and we learnt a lot these two days so I now think we’re ready for Qatar. The championship finally gets underway in a couple of weeks time and it’ll be great to get back to racing, especially with the factory Ducati, and the prospects are looking good”. The 2006 World Superbike Championship gets underway on February 25th at the Losail Circuit in Qatar. UNOFFICIAL TIMES (courtesy of Pirelli): 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) 1m34.4s (Qualifying tyres – 1m34.3s); 2. Lanzi (Ducati Xerox) 1m35.6s (Q – 1m35.4s); 3. Toseland (Honda) 1m35.8s (Q – 1m35.2s); 4. Muggeridge (Honda) 1m35.9s (Q – 1m35.4s); 5. Neukirchner (Ducati) 1m36.4s; 6. Abe (Yamaha) 1m36.4s; 7. Clementi (Ducati) 1m36.6s; 8. Rolfo (Ducati SC) 1m36.6s; 9. Borciani (Ducati) 1m36.7s; 10. Foret (Suzuki) 1m36.9s. More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group: BAYLISS LEAVES VALENCIA WITH BEST TESTING TIME Valencia, Tuesday 7th February 2006 2001 CHAMPION BACK IN THE GROOVE Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox Team) once more ripped into his testing task with gusto at Valencia, setting a quicker time than Neil Hodgson’s previous recorded track best on a SBK™ race weekend, with a 1’34.3 on qualifying tyres. He made an even more impressive 1’34.4 on 2006 versions of Pirelli’s race spec tyres. Bayliss worked through some additional tyre options before finishing the test early and satisfied with his latest outing. 2004 CHAMPION TOSELAND SECOND QUICKEST James Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda) was second fastest rider on qualifying tyres, with Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Xerox Team) the second fastest when using race rubber. Each of the top Honda and Ducati riders had access to 2006-spec tyres, including Karl Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda). Fourth fastest overall Muggeridge equalled Toseland’s best on race tyres, but was marginally behind with a qualifying set-up. NEUKIRCHNER ADAPTS QUICKLY TO DUCATI POWER Max Neukirchner (Team Pedercini Ducati) and Norick Abe (Yamaha Motor France IPONE) shared a best time of 1’36.4 on the final day, with neither able to use 2006 specification tyres. Neukirchner, a new inductee to the Pedercini squad, enjoyed his time on the Ducati, making the most of its characteristics in a short space of time. Abe tested ignition and electronics packages on day two, stopping him making great improvements to his suspension set-up. PRIVATE RIDERS TO THE FORE Ivan Clementi (Pedercini Ducati) and Roberto Rolfo (Caracchi Ducati) also shared a best time; 1’36.6. Marco Borciani (Sterilgarda Berik Ducati) was only a tenth behind, but the biggest improvement over day one came from new Suzuki rider, Fabien Foret (Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) who posted a 1’36.9. PIRELLI TIMES (R: Race tyres – Q: Qualifying tyres) Bayliss (Ducati Xerox Team) 1.34”4 R 1.34”3 Q Lanzi (Ducati Xerox Team) 1.35”6 R 1.35”4 Q Toseland (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1.36”2 R 1.35”3 Q Muggeridge (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1.36”2 R 1.35”5 Q Nuekircnker (Team Pedercini Ducati 1.36”4 R Abe (Yamaha Motor France IPONE) 1’36.4 R Clementi (Pedercini Ducati 1.36”6 R Rolfo (Caracchi SC Ducati) 1.36”6 R Borciani (Sterilgarda Berik Ducati) 1.36”7 R Foret (Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra) 1.36”9 R Pedercini Pedercini Ducati 1.37”2 R SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP® Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) once more proved to be transcendent, setting a 1’37.1 lap when going for a single quick time, and a host of fast laps with a full race set-up in place. Katsuaki Fujiwara (Megabike Honda) as again his closest challenger, with a 1’37.5 also set on 2006 tyres. Kenan Sofuoglu (Winston Ten Kate Honda) came on in leaps and bounds in what was his first full test for his new team, taking a 1’38.2 time, and impressing all who watched him. Only these three riders used 2006 spec tyres. French rookie Yoann Tiberio (Megabike Honda) made a 1’39 flat, while Josh Brookes (Ducati SC Caracchi) did a 1’39.5. SUPERSPORT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP® TIMES Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1.37”1 Fuji (Megabike Honda) 1.37”5 Soufouglou (Winston Ten Kate Honda) 1.38”2 Tiberio (Megabike Honda) 1.39”0 Brookes (Ducati SC Caracchi).39”5 Nedog (Ducati SC Caracchi) 1.41”2 More, from a press release issued by Winston Ten Kate Honda: In the last test before the start of the 2006 World Superbike season the Winston Ten Kate Superbike and Supersport squads, running in 2006 livery for the first time, made their final on-track preparations for the first round of the championship in Qatar. James Toseland and Karl Muggeridge each improved their times from day one gaining great confidence on their full 2006 spec machines. In Supersport, 2005 World Champion Sebastien Charpentier set class leading times in the good track conditions, with new inductee Kenan Sofuoglu improving with each and every taste of the latest CBR600RR. Ronald Ten Kate Team Manager “We are very happy with where we are at this moment. On the Supersport side of things we are quite a lot faster than last year’s pole position time and also during a race simulation Sebastien was lapping constantly half a second or more faster than he did in the last race. For Kenan, he has made quite remarkable progress during this test, which was his first full test with us. He is faster than last year’s pole time and he is also in quite a good situation with the race tyres. On that side of things we can’t wait to go to Qatar. My riders are already excited to go there and show the performance of the 2006 CBR600RR. On the Superbike side of things, when I look back to the beginning of last season, we were around 70% ready to go racing. At the moment we are now about 95% ready. In the upcoming week we will fine-tune all the details but the riders feel very well connected to the machines, and have a good feeling with the throttle. Also, the suspension is better and the tyres are working very consistently over race distance. That will be the key factor, I think, in the coming races. We are ready, ready to rumble!” Karl Muggeridge SBK Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider (Best lap time 1’35.4 – Total lap 71) “We did a race simulation, and it was pretty good. The only other thing we could have done is make the long run at lunchtime, instead of a quarter past four, when the track was colder and the grip level is not so hot. It took two whole days to work through everything we had to test here, but it was OK, and we put together the best bike we could. I think we have really good info from here and we can even improve the bike again before we even start. We’ve had a good test.” James Toseland SBK Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider (Best lap time 1’35.2 – Total lap 82) “For me this test has mostly been about time with the bike. Getting to learn it even more, doing quite a few laps and I tried the qualifying tyres for the first time on a Honda. The first one I put in I was a bit tentative with but on the second one I did a decent time. We went round in circles a bit this morning, so we didn’t really improve until this afternoon. We worked on the tyres and then right at the end we changed a bit of the set-up and it gave us another improvement. I think we are nearly there now, largely because of the tests at Almeria and here. I’m looking forward to Qatar, especially with the amount of improvements we have made since the last time we were there.” Sébastien Charpentier SS Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider (Best lap time 1’37.1 – Total lap 60) “The good weather helped us again today, and in general the track was OK. I am very happy because my best lap was a 1’37.1. I made a race simulation in the afternoon and my best lap in those conditions was a 1’37.6, with many laps in the 1’38s. I think this was a very good sign because those are very fast lap times. I am OK, ready to race, and my energy is at the maximum. We tested many different solutions, and we did a very good job. I think the team and I are completely ready for Qatar.” Kenan Sofuoglu SS Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider (Best lap time 1’38.2 – Total lap 83) “Now I can say I am really happy with the bike and ready for the first race. Today we tried many things on the bike; many different setting and now we have a good set-up. I am very happy. Without pushing I could do 1’38s, and if we had one more test here I think we could make an even better time. I achieved my ambition because I wanted to be connected with the bike. I am getting closer to Sebastien, even if he is very fast right now. For me it would be great if Sebastien comes first and I could be in the top three, or ideally, second!” More, from a press release issued by Team Yamaha Motor France: Stronger engine for Abe After two days of testing in Valencia, Norick Abe can now enjoy a stronger engine for its Yamaha R1. “We have worked mostly on a revised engine mapping, the brakes and the chassis, explains team owner Martial Garcia. With this better engine, we now have a top speed which is 4 mph faster.” Abe was only one second slower than Lorenzo Lanzi and James Toseland, which is fine because the Italian and the British riders used 2006 spec tires, while Abe used 2005 models (G17 on the front and 1015 on the rear). There is some more work to be done on the R1, like for instance to improve the performances with qualifying tires. “These two days of testing have been positive, says Garcia. The rider is happy, there has been no crash, so we are ready for the first race in Qatar on February 25.” Unofficial times: 1- Bayliss (Ducati) 1’34.3 2- Toseland (Honda) & Lanzi (Ducati) 1’35.4 4- Muggeridge (Honda) 1’36.1 5- Abe (Team Yamaha Motor France Ipone) 1’36.4 6- Foret (Suzuki) 1’36.8 Valencia stats Practice record (2003): 1’34.633 Hodgson (Ducati) 152.360 kph / 2nd free practice session 2003 Lap record (best race time 2003): 1’35.007 Hodgson (Ducati) 151.760 kph 2005 Yamaha Motor France practice times: Norifumi Abe: 1’36.862 / 8th and Sébastien Gimbert: 1’38.203 / 15th Round 1 of the Superbike World Championship: Losail (Qatar) February 25 More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Norick Abe spent two days at the Valencia circuit. Having tested extensively at Phillip Island last month, the Japanese rider was back on the Ohlins suspension which he will run in the 2006 season. Abe was the sole Yamaha Motor France rider in attendance at Valencia. Shinichi Nakatomi, who will run Japanese Soqi suspension, elected to miss the test having twice tested his R1 at the circuit, while Sebastien Gimbert was also absent. The Frenchman did not test as he will not race in Valencia due to a date clash with the Le Mans 24-hour race. Abe suffered some fueling glitches as the team tested new injection mappings and he was also one of the few riders at the test not running development tyres. His best of the day was a 1:36.4. Fastest at the test was Troy Bayliss (Ducati) with a 1:34.4 lap. Norick Abe “Today we worked mainly on the injection system. We wanted to get a good setting for this and then try for a good suspension setting. It was difficult to get a good setting on the mapping and it is still not perfect. Because of this we didn’t get to try any new settings on the suspension.” Massimo Meregalli (Team Coordinator – Yamaha Motor Italia) “We have been able to get through a lot of work over the last few days. Often at these first tests we face a lot of small problems but other than a few minor electrical things on the first morning these three days have been very good. The team has been working hard over the winter and it has been good to hear the riders’ feedback confirm what we had seen on the dyno. We started trying a lot of new parts yesterday and we lost our way a little bit with the set-up, but today both riders found some good settings and were happy with the results. Of course we tested many development tyres when we came in December and we do not know yet which other tyres Pirelli will bring for the race, but we are happy with our settings on the ones we had here. Our times have been under what the tyre technicians predicted so this is a positive sign for the first race.”

Hotbodies Racing has inked a deal to be the exclusive Bodywork and Windscreen sponsor of the AMA Superbike Ducati factory team of Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin. Last year the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin team won the second most Superbike races of any team, with Neil Hodgson winning one and Eric Bostrom winning three, while Hodgson also scored six podium finishes in his first year on the AMA Superbike circuit. In 2006, the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin teammates Neil Hodgson and Ben Bostrom brother of Eric will compete on a pair of updated Ducati 999s, sleeked out with slippery Hotbodies Racing Grandprix Windscreens and full Hotbodies Racing Bodywork. Hotbodies Racing founder Roger Davis said, “We’re thrilled to be aligned with one of the premier factory teams, showing everyone that our products belong on the podium in the top class of motorcycle road racing in America. With Ducati Austin it’s extra special because some performance riders don’t know that we have products for more than just the Pacific-Rim sportbikes.” Hotbodies Racing specializes in manufacturing performance parts for performance bikes. Hotbodies Racing is the design leader in Undertails, Windscreens, Flush-Mount Signals, Huggers and full-race Bodywork. Hotbodies Racing supports the sport with sponsorship and its own in-house race team, and encourages dealer inquiries. For more information visit: hotbodiesracing.com.

HACKING RIDES ROCKET Randy Robison, President of Joe Rocket, is pleased to announce the signing of AMA star, Jamie Hacking as the newest member of the Rocket Racing Team. Jamie will contest the 2006 AMA Supersport and Superstock series aboard Factory Yamaha R6 and R1 LE machinery. A rider who is no stranger to the Winners’ Circle, Jamie “The Bulldog” Hacking won the 2003 Supersport Championship. Hacking, who was born in Oswaldtistle, England, now resides in Lake Norman, North Carolina is a past “AMA Superbike Rookie of the Year”. “Jamie is a terrific addition to the Rocket Racing Team”, said Robison, “his experience and drive to succeed make him a threat to win each and every race he enters. As a Yamaha vendor and licensee, we are very proud to support Jamie and the racing efforts of the Yamaha Motor Corporation.” In pre-season testing, Jamie has clocked the fastest Supersport lap times aboard his Yamaha R6 at Daytona International Speedway. Look for Jamie Hacking to make his Joe Rocket race debut March 8 – 11 on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway during Bike Week 2006.

CAMEL YAMAHA TEAM TEST Losail, Qatar Tuesday, February 7th 2006 Ambient temperature: 25.9 degrees C Track temperature: 39.0 degrees C Humidity: 64.6% PROGRESS CONTINUES AS PLANNED FOR CAMEL YAMAHA DUO IN DOHA Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards continued the good work they began yesterday with a second day at the top of the time sheets at the desert circuit of Losail, Qatar today. Spending the majority of the day testing tyres for Michelin, Rossi and Edwards completed 60 and 76 laps respectively on their 2006-spec YZR-M1s. Rossi was once again fastest, setting a best lap of 1’56.53 with Edwards close behind him with a time of 1’56.81. Yamaha Tech 3 rider Carlos Checa was third quickest, according to the unofficial lap times, setting a time of 1’56.95. The Camel Yamaha Team will continue for one final day of testing tomorrow whilst Yamaha Tech 3, Suzuki and the Kawasaki and Ducati test teams have finished their Qatar testing today. VALENTINO ROSSI (1’56.53, 60 Laps) “We managed many laps today, everything went very well and I am quite pleased. In the morning we worked mostly on settings and we have now nearly fixed the chatter we were experiencing. We made some small modifications and the bike responded quickly and it is giving me a very good feeling now. After that we worked for the rest of the day with Michelin and tested most of the tyres that they brought with them; the new things they have brought here seem to be extremely good. Our main target with them is to keep the performance level of the tyre up after 15 or 20 laps, and it seems we’re improving in this area and our times were consistent throughout the day. With these new tyres and the new M1 combined we have much better stability and grip. For sure we don’t have most of the other teams testing here so it’s hard to judge exactly where we are, but I think anyway we can tell that we are doing okay.” COLIN EDWARDS (1’56.81, 76 Laps) “Today has been great, I’m really happy. We got going on the new Michelin stuff after lunch and they’ve made some great improvements. We had some new things to try for Yamaha, but we mostly concentrated on tyres. I’m really starting to feel confident with the bike and to believe in myself again. This is my first time in MotoGP to be with the same team for two years running and it’s great not to have to worry about adjusting to a new bike and team at the start of the season. It feels really good to be back with the best team and on the best bike! I can concentrate entirely on my race preparation without any distractions or worries and the new style I adapted to last season now feels totally natural. I feel like I have all the tools in place for a really good season. Tomorrow we’re planning to do a long run and we have a few more tyres to test; I am sure we’ll make some more progress.” JEREMY BURGESS VALENTINO ROSSI’S CREW CHIEF “Everything is going well so far. The test has been successful and the weather has been good. We’ve been able to test everything that we wanted up to now and we’ve confirmed everything that we found out in Malaysia. We’re proceeding well towards the first race!” Unofficial Lap Times: 1. VALENTINO ROSSI (ITA) Yamaha, 1’56.53 2. COLIN EDWARDS (USA) Yamaha, 1’56.81 3. Carlos Checa (SPA) Yamaha, 1’56.95 4. Chris Vermeulen (AUS) Suzuki, 1’57.87 5. John Hopkins (USA) Suzuki, 1’58.33 6. S. Ito (JPN) Ducati, 1’58.85 7. James Ellison (GBR) Yamaha, 1’58.98 8. Olivier Jacque (FRA) Kawasaki, 1’59.46 Qatar Lap Record: 1’57.903 (Nicky Hayden, Honda, 2005) Qatar Best Lap: 1’56.917 (Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 2005) More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki: Team SUZUKI MotoGP makes further advancements on final day Team SUZUKI MotoGP has finished its test in Qatar with John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen completing long test runs on their new Suzuki GSV-Rs. Both racers finished off their respective test programmes with full race length runs to assess the race distance performance of their respective new GSV-R prototype race bikes at the Losail International Circuit. Hopkins also tested a new evolution Bridgestone race tyre over a full distance and was pleased with the consistency of the new rubber. Vermeulen concluded his testing schedule by knocking almost another second off his previous best time to record a fastest lap of 1’57.88. The young Australian star also completed further long tests on the newest generation Bridgestone tyres and was happy with the improvements he made throughout the test. Team SUZUKI MotoGP now head off to Sepang for its third and final private test before returning to Europe for the Official MotoGP tests in March. The first round of the MotoGP World Championship will be at Jerez in Spain on Sunday 26th March. John Hopkins: “We didn’t do quite as much as we would have liked today for one or two reasons. But nevertheless it was good to get a long run completed and to see that Bridgestone has improved tyre consistency compared to the race here last year is a big bonus. I feel that the new bike has so much more potential than last year’s. It is more consistent and easier to ride and I know that I am now ready to race it at a higher level. We still need a certain amount more performance out of the bike and a bit more durability in some areas. But I am confident that Suzuki will make big steps prior to the first race in Jerez. I’m looking forward to going to Sepang next week one of my favourite tracks and see what I can do there, that’s for sure!” Chris Vermeulen: “We got through lots of work here at Losail and I’m beginning to feel that I’m getting to know the GSV-R and the Bridgestone tyres really well. I am very pleased with how my guys are working and Tom O’Kane and I have managed to get the bike set up to suit my style well. My technique has improved since the start of the test at Sepang in January and this has helped me to find more consistency from the bike. We still need more speed from the GSV-R, but it is certainly a very nice package to ride at the moment and I am looking forward to the Sepang test and getting back to Europe.” Paul Denning Team Manager: “We got through a lot of work at this test and we now have a better motorcycle and a better Bridgestone tyre than we did for the race last year. The team has done a fantastic job over the three days and we now need to maximise the benefits from this test and to keep things pointing in the right direction. “The bike still needs more performance but the potential in this machine is massive compared to last year’s bike. For me one of the most positive points of this test has been the performance of both riders. They have given full effort and application and have made no mistakes which is really all you can ask of them. John is riding superbly well and if Chris can keep closing the gap on John as he has done over the last three days, then we should have two very competitive riders come the first race at Jerez.”

Italian MotoGP coverage to stay with Mediaset until 2011 MotoGP World Championship rights holders Dorna Sports and Italian television network Mediaset have agreed a deal to continue their coverage of the series for a further five years beyond the upcoming season. The extension will run from 2007 to 2011 and was signed at the network’s headquarters in Cologno Monzese today during a meeting between Mediaset vice-president Pier Silvio Berlusconi and Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta. The agreement allows Mediaset exclusive live terrestrial broadcast rights for every round of the 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP World Championships in Italy and follows impressive viewing statistics for the network during the 2005 edition of the series, when national hero Valentino Rossi claimed the title for the fifth successive season. Mediaset’s live coverage of the MotoGP races was followed by an average of 4,000,000 viewers, representing a 36.8% audience share. As well as enjoying Rossi’s exploits, with the reigning World Champion taking eleven victories from seventeen races, Italian fans were also treated to the emergence of exciting youngster Marco Melandri, who himself took two wins including the season finale at Valencia. The eagerly anticipated 2006 MotoGP World Championship gets underway with the first round of the campaign at Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, on 26th March.

Nonella Racing are pleased to announce the signing of new team rider Brid Caveney for their 2006 Bonneville World Land Speed Record attempt. Team Owner Ralph Nonella says, “We are happy to have such an experienced rider as Brid on the team. He’ll learn the ropes while running alongside our current rider, Shayne Torgrimson, and Caveney’s prior motorcycle racing experience will give a real boost to our team effort.” Ralph Nonella is the designer and captain of the 1978 Yamaha 2-stroke, 2-cylinder aircooled partially-streamlined motorcycle, Joan’s Baby, with which he will attempt to set a new World Speed Record. Former Isle of Man racer and national vintage Roadrace and Trials champion Caveney had this to say: “I’ve known Ralph for some years now, and have always had the greatest respect for his team. Now I get to ride for him, and have a crack at getting the world record for us all—it’s stunning! I’ve always fancied doing the “salt”, and now I’ll be a part of this really dedicated team. I’m thrilled for us all, and can’t wait for October.” www.nonellaracing.com [email protected]

According to a news report by Rebecca Senescall published in the February 1, 2006 edition of the Camden Advertiser newspaper in Camden, Australia, racer Anthony Gobert admitted in court to being a heroin addict and blamed his addiction for a string of traffic arrests that have resulted in his license being revoked until November, 2010. Gobert has also been sentenced to 300 hours of community service and fined $600. During Gobert’s most recent court appearance, according to the report, Gobert’s lawyer said Gobert demonstrated “no regard for the law” but blamed the behavior on his heroin addiction. Gobert was in court after being caught speeding and driving with a suspended license, and explained that he was seeking more heroin at the time.