Strong Winds Hamper Testing for FPR at Phillip Island Strong winds at Phillip Island’s costal circuit proved a force to be reckoned with for FPR’s Steve Martin and Craig Jones, on the second day of the team’s four day test. Both riders made good progress on their PETRONAS FP1 bikes at the outset of the day, with Craig becoming increasingly confident in his familiarity of the circuit and improving on his lap time from yesterday by over a second, to 1:36.75. Steve was straight back on the pace and able to consistently lap in the low 1:34s on standard race tyres, to finish the day with a time of 1:34.04 over one and a half seconds faster than his quickest lap time during the race at Phillip Island last March. Steve and Craig both completed forty one laps each but, were forced to sit out much of the afternoon’s track session, along with other riders present at the test, as strong winds that swept across the costal circuit greatly affected the handling and stability of their bikes. Craig said, “I’m happy with my progress in learning the track today and it’s a shame the winds were so strong this afternoon that it limited the amount of laps we could do. Hopefully it will die down for tomorrow as it’s too dangerous to ride at high speed as the wind just pushes you off line. I tested some different rear shock settings and have found a direction I’m happy with, so we’ve got a good game plan for tomorrow.” Steve commented, “From straight out this morning I was back in the 34s and lapping there comfortably until the terrible wind came in this afternoon. So that we didn’t waste testing time I was able to do a few slow runs in the afternoon in order to gather data for some system developments, but tomorrow I’m looking forward to testing three new specification rear tyres which should give me more speed.” Unofficial Times 1. Troy Corser (Alstare Suzuki) 1:32.81 2. Yukio Kagayama (Alstare Suzuki) 1:33.62 3. Steve Martin (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1.34.04 4. Norick Abe (Yamaha France) 1:34.88 5. Sebastien Gimbert (Yamaha France) 1:35.20 6. Shinichi Nakatomi (Yamaha France) 1:35.8 7. Craig Jones (Foggy PETRONAS Racing) 1:36.75

Capirossi follows on from Gibernau in press conference. New Ducati Desmosedici GP6 launched. Wrooom 2006, Madonna di Campiglio (Tn), Italy, January 18 – The Wrooom MotoGP Press Ski Meeting 2006 continues for a second day at Madonna di Campiglio in northern Italy. Today, in a unique and spectacular setting – the finish-line of the legendary ‘3-Tre’ course at Campiglio – the Ducati Marlboro Team pulled the wraps off the Desmosedici GP6, the new MotoGP machine that Loris Capirossi and Sete Gibernau will be campaigning this season. Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse Managing-Director, was on hand to illustrate the key technical changes for the new bike from the Borgo Panigale manufacturer. “Racing in MotoGP allows us to operate with machines that are pure prototypes, developing technology that will subsequently be transferred to our production bikes. Ducati has always borrowed concepts and innovations from the racing world, and we transfers the possible benefits to our entire production range” declared Domenicali to the press after unveiling the Desmosedici GP6. “The Desmosedici GP6 represents an evolution of the GP5; apparently it doesn’t present any marked differences with its predecessor, but it is in fact an important step forward. The bike is lighter but we have done a lot of work on its stiffness (with the frame, rims and front forks), especially at the rear of the bike. The composite structure that we call the seat support has been totally redesigned and stiffness has been increased by more than 80%. “The bike’s ergonomics have undergone a notable evolution with the fuel tank modified in line with requests from the riders. We have also focussed on the bike’s ‘driveability’, and in this area we have made available a whole new range of instruments and technologies that will allow the race engineers to package the power behaviour and delivery of the engine according to the requests of the riders and the conditions of the track. We have also worked on engine power, modifying the internal fluid dynamics and as a result we have a different thermodynamic layout. We have attempted to increase power as well as reduce fuel consumption, an area to which we have dedicated a lot of attention, by working maniacally on engine friction. One point of which we are particularly proud is the reliability of the bike; in 2005 we took part in 17 races with two riders, without ever having a problem, and we have also maintained this line for the next season.” “The evolution of the bike has obviously involved our partner, Bridgestone. Even though we know that we still have some work to do on certain kinds of track, we also know that we are on the right road and the results of the last few races of last season confirmed this improvement; our aim now is to be competitive at every circuit.” “The 2006 team is a very strong one on the rider front. Loris is a confirmation for us and as soon as the bike-tyre package allows, he makes no mistakes and brings home great results. A warm welcome for Sete Gibernau, whose joining us is a clear demonstration of the importance that is given in our team to the role of the riders: Sete is a great rider and he and Loris together make up a great team.” Then it was the turn of Loris Capirossi who appears more motivated and fired-up than ever on the eve of his fourth season with the Bologna manufacturer and team. “I have seen the birth of this project” declared Loris on greeting the press at Wroom 2006, “and I consider it to be an honour to still be in the team and still be riding the Desmosedici. It is a fantastic, stimulating project that has given us some great satisfaction but which, I feel sure, will give us some more this season. For 2006 we have an extremely efficient package with great potential, thanks to the development and evolution that the bike has had and to the collaboration with similarly motivated and capable partners, like Bridgestone, who demonstrated what they were capable of last year. We’ve still got some way to go obviously and our championship begins at the forthcoming tests in Malaysia. Our aim will be to produce good performances on a regular basis, which will be the key for the difficult season that lies ahead of us. The team is strong and motivated and everyone is working with great professionalism, expertise and seriousness, we are truly a great team!”. Regarding his new team-mate, Sete Gibernau, Loris added: “We are working well together despite going in different directions, but we both have the same aim – to have a bike that allows us to fight for the win. Sete is a great rider, I get on well with him and the collaboration between us since the first day of testing confirms the Ducati Marlboro Team’s potential for the 2006 season.” Tomorrow will be the final day of Wroom 2006. Guests will bid farewell to the snows of Madonna di Campiglio with a slalom race on the Grosté course between Ducati Corse riders and management and journalists. From Monday the Ducati Marlboro Team will get down to its first test of the new season at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia (January 23-25), immediately followed by another three-day test session at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia from January 30 to February 2.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has finalized its Motorcycle Racing Plans for 2006, as outlined below. Honda’s spirit of challenge is rooted in its motorsport activities. By constantly striving to fulfill its own dreams and aspirations through the ongoing challenge of leading-edge innovation, Honda aims to share dreams and excitement with its customers. For the 2006 motorcycle racing season, Honda has set its sights on securing the championship in each category as well as on the new challenge of winning with next-generation teams featuring young riders in the World Championship MotoGP class, the top class of world championship road racing. Road races FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix MotoGP class In the MotoGP class of the Road Race World Championship Grand Prix (WGP), Honda plans to race six RC211V MotoGP machines and to supply engines to one team, with the aim of capturing both the riders’ and the manufacturers’ titles. Daniel Pedrosa, who moves up to the MotoGP class this year after winning consecutive WGP 250cc class championships in 2004 and 2005, joins the works team of Repsol Honda, competing alongside Nicky Hayden, now in his fourth year as a MotoGP class rider. Team Rider Repsol Honda #26 Daniel Pedrosa (Age 20, Spain) #69 Nicky Hayden (Age 24, USA) Fortuna Honda #24 Toni Elias (Age 22, Spain) #33 Marco Melandri (Age 23, Italy) Konica Minolta Honda Team #6 Makoto Tamada (Age 29, Japan) Honda LCR #27 Casey Stoner (Age 20, Australia) (Engine supply) Team Roberts #10 Kenny Roberts Jr. (Age 32, USA) 250cc class In the 250cc class, Honda will field four riders and two teams with the RS250RW. Shuhei Aoyama, last year’s All-Japan Championship GP250cc class champion, will participate as the third recipient1 of the Honda Racing Scholarship, started in 2004 to foster young Japanese riders. 1. First recipient Hiroshi Aoyama, second recipient Yuki Takahashi Team Rider Repsol Honda Team 250 #19 Sebastian Porto (Age 27, Argentina) #73 Shuhei Aoyama (Age 21, Japan) Team Scot #34 Andrea Dovizioso (Age 19, Italy) #55 Yuki Takahashi (Age 21, Japan) MFJ All-Japan Road Race Championship Series Honda’s participation in this year’s All-Japan Road Race Championship Series, where it captured the series titles in four classes last year for the second year in a row, will be centered on teams run by Honda dealerships and supported by Honda Motorcycle Japan. The teams will be vying to recapture the series championships in their respective categories, running a CBR1000RR in the JSB1000 class, a CBR600RR in the ST600 class, a RS250R in the GP250 class, and a RS125R in the GP125 class. *Main Honda teams and their participating riders will be announced by Honda Motorcycle Japan on January 18. ACU2 British Superbike Championship Due to the success of such riders as Ryuichi Kiyonari, who advanced to the No. 2 spot in the rankings with most season wins, Honda captured the manufacturer’s title in the British Superbike (BSB) last year. Honda plans to race two CBR1000RRKs, with the aim of capturing a double title in both the rider’s and the manufacturer’s categories. 2. ACU stands for Auto-Cycle Union (UK). Team Rider HM Plant Honda Racing #2 Ryuichi Kiyonari (Age 23, Japan) #9 Karl Harris (Age 26, UK) Motocross races MFJ All-Japan Motocross Championship Series In the All-Japan Motocross Championship Series, Yoshitaka Atsuta, a competitor in the World Championship until last year, has joined the works team TEAM HRC. Honda will enter three Honda CRF450R 4-stroke machines in the All-Japan Motocross Championship Series IA13 class, aiming for the championship. Team Rider TEAM HRC #86 Yoshitaka Atsuta (Age 28, Japan) #3 Kazumasa Masuda (Age 25, Japan) #952 Yoshihide Fukudome (Age 22, Japan) *Other main teams and their participating riders will be announced by Honda Motorcycle Japan on January 18. 3. Displacement limited to 250cc for 2-stroke engines and 450cc for 4-stroke engines World Trials FIM World Trials Championship Series For the World Trial Championship Series, Honda will field two Montesa COTA 4RTs equipped with 4-stroke engines in a bid to win the series title in the rider’s and the manufacturer’s categories. Team Rider Repsol Montesa HRC #2 Takahisa Fujinami (Age 26, Japan) #3 Dougie Lampkin (Age 29, UK) Mountain Bike (MTB) Downhill Races UCI World Cup MTB Downhill/UCI World Championship NORBA National Mountain Bike Series After taking the UCI World Cup Series title in 2005 in Downhill races overseas, Honda will again race two RN01s in the UCI World Cup MTB Downhill and the NORBA National Mountain Bike Series, with its sights set on capturing the title in each series. Team Rider Team G Cross Honda #14 Greg Minnaar (Age 25, South Africa) #114 Matti Lehikoinen (Age 21, Finland) 4. Entry numbers for the UCI World Cup MTB Downhill JCF Mountain Bike Japan Series/All-Japan Championship After winning the series titles last year in the JCF Mountain Bike Japan Series races, Honda will enter two RN01s, the machine that has been champion for the past two years, with the aim of winning the series titles for another consecutive year. Team Rider Team G Cross Honda #1 Naoki Idegawa (Age 25, Japan) #2 Ryo Uchijima (Age 29, Japan)

Several special awards were presented during the WSMC Awards Banquet held Saturday in Lancaster, California, as follows: Sponsor Of The Year: Racers Edge Sportsman Of The Year: Steve Hewitt Safety Worker Of The Year: Anthony Demetri Meritorious Service Award: Michael Lyons The top 10 riders in Toyota Cup Formula One for 2005 were: 1. Jason Perez 2. Jeff Stern 3. Michael Beck 4. Dale Kieffer 5. Jacob West 6. Jack Pfeifer 7. Ritchie Thorup 8. Jeff Tigert 9. Robbie Dowie 10. Jeremy Toye The top 10 riders in overall WSMC points for 2005 were: 1. Kenny Kopecky 2. Mark Watts 3. Michael Beck 4. Ritchie Thorup 5. J.C. Gibbs 6. Jason Perez 7. Jeff Stern 8. Sam Carnibucci 9. Clinton Whitehouse III 10. Mickey Lane The top Rookie Expert Award riders for 2005 were: 1. Ryan Sturz 2. Christopher Matty 4. Norman Roy

By Trevor Hedge At Phillip Island today World Superbike teams Alstare Corona Suzuki (Corser – Kagayama), Yamaha France (Abe – Gimbert – Nakatomi) and Foggy Petronas (Martin – Jones) were joined on track by the dominant American Superbike team, Yoshimura Suzuki, with #1 rider Mat Mladin. Mladin and Corser were immediately the pacesetters and were putting down 1:34 laps within minutes of hitting the track. Both also entered the 1:33 bracket during the day with Corser on Pirellis unofficially the quickest at around 1:33.6 with Mladin a couple of 10ths from that mark on Dunlops. Mladin’s day ended early in the afternoon, however, after the Sydneysider had a high-speed tumble around the back of the circuit while on an out lap. The Yoshimura squad only had one of its 2005 bikes fitted with some 2006 kit parts for testing as the team’s 2006 full factory bikes are still on their way from Japan to America. Thus this afternoon Mladin’s pit crew went about the task of starting with a bare frame and building him another motorcycle out of bits salvaged from the crashed bike along with new parts where needed. Mladin scored some bruises and a gash in his arm that required a few stitches but expects to be fine to ride tomorrow. If Yamaha is going to be a threat in World Superbike this year then it must be said that on today’s performance that challenge will not come from the Yamaha France team, which fielded Abe, Gimbert and Nakatomi. Gimbert had an off this morning but walked away fine and was quickly back on track. From what we could ascertain none of the Yamaha men even cracked the 1:34 bracket, let alone the 1:33s recorded by Corser and Mladin. Fans of the tuning fork brand better hope Yamaha Italy with Noriyuki Haga and Andrew Pitt can give them something to cheer about when the season starts next month. Norick Abe looked the best of the Yamaha men present today but his R1 was wheel-spinning and then climbing at the rear off the rebound and at times it looked downright ugly to be aboard. The Yamahas did sound nice though… The Foggy Petronas squad was also in attendance with newcomer Craig Jones being given a few tips on Phillip Island’s finer points by lead rider Steve Martin. Making the Yamaha France efforts look even poorer was the fact that on a bike with a 100cc capacity deficit Steve Martin was able to better all the Yamaha riders to join Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) in the 1:34 bracket today. Turning up with such a capacity deficit has to be hard to swallow but until another run of Foggy Petronas bikes can be produced for the road with full 1000cc engines then the machine has to run the 900cc engine fitted to the production machines. 900cc was the upper capacity limit for three-cylinder engines under the previous World Superbike rule structure and that is why the production machines had 900cc engines. And with no sign of a new 1000cc production bike in sight the chances of that happening any time soon look extremely remote. However the team continues to display good form and often shows up many teams with factory backed race machines from the biggest manufacturers in the world. And anyway you look at it, that has to be seen as an impressive effort. Teams will continue testing this week and we will bring you a further update on completion of Wednesday’s on track activities.

Australian Shawn Giles won the penultimate round of the New Zealand Superbike Championship at Timaru Raceway at the weekend and closed to within striking distance of the series victory. The three-time Aussie Superbike Champion is now just 10 points behind fellow GSX-R1000-mounted Andrew Stroud with one round remaining next weekend at Ruapuna. In the opening race, Giles rocketed off the line and delivered nine laps of impeccable riding that left his competitors trailing all the way to the chequered flag. And in the second, he pulled away from his pursuers and set a new lap record of 1:05.251m around the 2.4km circuit, smashing the previous record by 1.5 seconds. Towards the end of the second race, a slight error at high speed allowed fellow Suzuki riders Ray Clee and Australian Scott Charlton to close in on the back of Giles. Charlton pushed Giles wide at the third-last corner allowing Clee to follow through which relegated Giles to third as Stroud retired with electrical problems. In the final race, Giles passed Stroud and Clee in the opening laps and took off into the distance to win the race with a 3.5-second margin, demoralising his opponents and clinching the overall victory. He said: “The Suzuki was handling so well this weekend and I got some really good starts. Combine that with Andrew Stroud’s DNF in race two and we’re back within striking distance for the series lead. “Apparently the track at Ruapuna is quite similar to here at Timaru, so hopefully we can get a good set up again and have real shot at the title next week.” With a perfect record across the season’s opening four rounds, Suzuki scored yet another event one-two-three with the GSX-R1000 filling the top four spots in the New Zealand Superbike Championship standings. New Zealand Superbike Points (after 4 rounds): 1. Andrew Stroud (Suzuki) 217, 2. Shawn Giles (Suzuki) 207, 3. Scott Charlton (Suzuki) 173, 4. Ray Clee (Suzuki) 171, 5. Jared Love 113, 6. Dean Fulton 106, 7. Chris Haldane 94, 8. Jon Lowther 82, 9. Brendon Marshall, 71, 10. Jason McEwen 62.