Yamaha factory rider Jason DiSalvo was the fastest man in Saturday morning AMA Supersport practice, turning a 1:27.505 (half a second faster than any other rider) on his YZF-R6, but toward the end of the session a medical team was called to DiSalvo’s pits. Conversations over the AMA Pro Racing radio network indicated that DiSalvo hit his knee on an edge of a curbing in one of VIR’s corners and rode back into the pits in so much pain that he nearly fell off his bike. He was transported to a local hospotal with a possible broken lower leg. More details will be posted as they become available. Riders in Friday’s riders’ meeting had notified AMA Pro Racing officials of a depression in the dirt immediately preceeding the inside curbing in turn 10, which several riders had hit, losing kneepucks. Provisional Saturday Morning AMA Supersport Practice Times: 1. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:27.505 2. Roger Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:28.010 3. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:28.022 4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:28.127 5. Ben Attard, Kawasaki, 1:28.188 6. Tommy Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:28.195 7. Ben Spies, Suzuki, 1:28.382 8. Robert Jensen, Yamaha, 1:28.465 9. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:28.771 10. Danny Eslick, Suzuki, 1:28.878 11. Chris Peris, Yamaha, 1:29.583 12. Blake Young, Suzuki, 1:30.138 13. Barrett Long, Yamaha, 1:30.604 14. Ryan Elleby, Suzuki, 1:30.896 15. Nathan Hester, Yamaha, 1:31.267 16. Nicky Moore, Yamaha, 1:32.015 17. Taylor Knapp, Yamaha, 1:32.159 18. Derek Keyes, Yamaha, 1:32.489 19. Donny Kelley, 1:32.658 20. Keith Marshall, Suzuki, 1:32.660 21. Armando Ferrer, Yamaha, 1:32.717 22. Trey Yonce, Yamaha, 1:32.898 23. Chad Klock, Honda, 1:33.173 24. Shea Fouchek, Suzuki, 1:33.186 25. Justin Filice, Honda, 1:33.216 26. Scott Jackson, Suzuki, 1:33.536 27. Victor Chirinos, Yamaha, 1:33.635 28. Joseph Ford, Yamaha, 1:33.637 29. Jason Moss, Yamaha, 1:33.775 30. Matthew Berry, Yamaha, 1:34.140 31. Mark Kittel, Honda, 1:36.264 32. Dillon Kao, Yamaha, 1:37.519

Provisional Saturday Morning AMA Superstock Practice Times: 1. Aaron Yates, Suzuki, 1:26.479 2. Jason DiSalvo, Yamaha, 1:26.538 3. Aaron Gobert, Yamaha, 1:26.785 4. Damon Buckmaster, Yamaha, 1:26.850 5. Geoff May, Suzuki, 1:27.031 6. Roger Hayden, Kawasaki, 1:27.189 7. Steve Rapp, Suzuki, 1:27.300 8. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:27.952 9. Eric Wood, Suzuki, 1:28.328 10. Jason Pridmore, Suzuki, 1:28.340 11. Tony Meiring, Suzuki, 1:28.972 12. Chris Ulrich, Suzuki, 1:29.554 13. Lee Acree, Suzuki, 1:29.618 14. Jimmy Moore, Suzuki, 1:29.734 15. Akira Tamitsuji, Suzuki, 1:29.876 16. Jason Perez, Yamaha, 1:29.890 17. Blake Young, Suzuki, 1:30.165 18. Matt Lynn, Suzuki, 1:30.765 19. Brent George, Suzuki, 1:31.692 20. J.J. Roetlin, Suzuki, 1:31.730

NTV Turkey signs with Dorna Sports to broadcast MotoGP MotoGP has secured a new television deal with a major terrestrial network in Turkey. The new agreement with NTV means that, starting at the recent Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland, all the events in the World Championship will be shown live through this national free-to-air network, with the premier MotoGP class always broadcast live alongside highlights of the 125cc and 250cc races, and all the races live for the Grand Prix of Turkey. The contract between NTV and Dorna Sports, the rights-holders to the MotoGP series, will last for two and a half years, until the end of the 2007 season, and follows the inclusion of Turkey in MotoGP calendar for the first time in 2005. The Grand Prix of Turkey will take place in the brand new circuit of Istanbul on October 23rd. With this new addition, the TV distribution list for MotoGP’s live broadcasts (or same day delayed on the different time zones) includes no less than 48 TV networks, covering more than 200 countries in all five continents. The average TV audience for each race is over 300 million viewers worldwide.

Saturday Morning MotoGP Practice Times: 1. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 1:58.196 2. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:58.611 3. Colin EDWARDS, Yamaha, 1:58.666 4. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 1:58.727 5. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 1:59.016 6. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:59.157 7. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:59.195 8. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 1:59.333 9. Marco MELANDRI, Honda, 1:59.452 10. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 1:59.471 11. Troy BAYLISS, Honda, 1:59.637 12. Carlos CHECA, Ducati, 1:59.692 13. Alex BARROS, Honda, 1:59.752 14. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 2:00.388 15. Toni ELIAS, Yamaha, 2:00.457 16. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 2:00.573 17. Nobuatsu AOKI, Suzuki, 2:00.996 18. James ELLISON, Blata, 2:01.683 19. Roberto ROLFO, Ducati, 2:02.296 20. Ruben XAUS, Yamaha, 2:02.716 21. Franco BATTAINI, Blata, 2:02.847 22. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Proton, 2:03.624 Combined Best MotoGP Practice Times: 1. CAPIROSSI, 1:58.196 2. HOPKINS, 1:58.611 3. EDWARDS, 1:58.666 4. ROSSI, 1:58.727 5. HAYDEN, 1:59.016 6. GIBERNAU, 1:59.157 7. ROBERTS, 1:59.195 8. BIAGGI, 1:59.333 9. MELANDRI, 1:59.452 10. TAMADA, 1:59.471 11. BAYLISS, 1:59.637 12. CHECA, 1:59.692 13. BARROS, 1:59.752 14. HOFMANN, 2:00.146 15. NAKANO, 2:00.227 16. ELIAS, 2:00.286 17. AOKI, 2:00.354 18. ROLFO, 2:01.435 19. ELLISON, 2:01.683 20. XAUS, 2:02.716 21. BATTAINI, 2:02.847 22. McWILLIAMS, 2:02.889

American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel and Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates will return with their current teams in 2006. “We came to an agreement with Honda for next year and the year after that; two more years of fun, sun and excitement. I’m very happy,” Duhamel told Roadracingworld.com Friday at VIR. “Right now, I think the plan is Superbike and (Formula) Xtreme for Daytona (only), unless things change.” Duhamel’s current teammate Jake Zemke is also expected to stay with American Honda next year. “It looks like I’ll be with Yoshimura Suzuki next year in Superbike and Superstock,” Yates told a SPEED Channel-organized Fan Party in the paddock of VIR Friday night. A press release officially announcing Yates, Mat Mladin and Ben Spies as Yoshimura Suzuki’s 2006 team could come before the end of the weekend. Current Kawasaki factory racer Roger Hayden, who told Roadracingworld.com earlier this week that he wanted to move up to the Superbike class, had been linked to Yates’ seat on the Yoshimura Suzuki team. Roger Hayden’s plans remain unknown, but his teammate and brother Tommy Hayden commited to Kawasaki in 2006. Also in the last week, Ducati dealers at the Ducati dealer meeting in Chicago, Illinois were told by Ducati North America CEO Michael Lock that former World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson will be returning to the Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin AMA Superbike team in 2006, but a formal, public announcement will be withheld until the second rider on the 2006 team is decided. Hodgson’s current teammate Eric Bostrom said he would not make any decisions on future plans until the end of the current season next weekend. 2003 AMA Supersport Champion Jamie Hacking told Roadracingworld.com that he would be returning to the factory Yamaha team next year. The factory Yamaha team already has Jason DiSalvo under a multi-year contract and has already told Damon Buckmaster that he should look for a new job for 2006. The fourth factory Yamaha rider Aaron Gobert remains uncommitted for 2006. Mat Mladin Motorsports owner Mat Mladin told Roadracingworld.com that his 2006 team would definitely include current rider Marty Craggill riding a Dunlop-shod Suzuki. Former AMA Formula Xtreme Champion Jason Pridmore is in the middle of a two-year contract with American Suzuki and will spend 2006 racing in the Superbike and Superstock classes for his current team, Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki, according to friend and crew member Richie Alexander.

Alton, Va. (August 26) Former extreme snowboarding champion-turned-motorcycle racer Jessica Zalusky anchored the winning team in the inaugural Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge at VIRginia International Raceway on Thursday. The race was a promotional event in advance of this weekend’s Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals at VIR featuring the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, and gave 10 race fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race with some of the world’s top motorcycle races. Ten teams, each comprised of a Superbike racer, a media celebrity, a staff member from VIR, AMA or race promoters Race Promotion Management (RPM) and a fan, raced in an enduro format on VIR’s Plantation Valley Kart Track. Each driver got eight laps of the 5/8-mile circuit in identically-prepared 200cc Zip karts, and the fastest laps of each team’s four drivers were added together to create cumulative scores. The winning team consisted of Kawasaki Formula Xtreme competitor Zalusky, speedtv.com director Mark Mitchell, AMA Superbike Championship series manager Ron Barrick and fan Matt Boike of Charlotte, N.C. Their combined total time was 208.38sec, with Zalusky turning the fastest lap of the race at 48.10. “What an awesome event,” Zalusky said. “VIR’s Plantation Valley Kart Track is almost as much fun as the regular racetrack, and we had a ball. It was great to beat all the big guys, and I’m looking forward to defending my title next year. My teammates all did a great job, and the other teams put up a fierce battle. They may argue the point, but we are confident that the best team won. Plus, we have the trophies!” The second-place team consisted of Ducati Superbike star Neil Hodgson, Speed TV personality Greg White, RPM staff announcer Danny Walker and fan Paul Thorpe of Sicklerville, N.J. Their total cumulative time was 210.13sec. Hodgson was not pleased with the outcome. “I was completely robbed!” he said, with just the slightest hint of a smile. “I’m still waiting for a steward’s inquiry about Miguel Duhamel’s pass on me into the first corner. It was clearly a crazy and dangerous move. Someone could have been injured, so I’m really disappointed. You know, from an experienced, really old guy like him, you would expect a lot more maturity.” Hodgson also took exception to Zalusky’s claim of victory. “It’s still debatable,” he noted. “You know, our kart was not the fastest out there, but I think, based on driving performance, we far outshone the rest of the field. Next year, I’ll be tuning the kart like everybody else did. You learn from your mistakes, so I’ll be faster next year.” Finishing third was the team of Honda Superbike and Formula Xtreme veteran Duhamel, former Superbike champ Jamie James (serving as temporary correspondent for Cycle News), Speed TV event marketing supervisor Donato Bonaquisto and fan Mike Hummel of Greensboro, N.C. The team’s total cumulative time was 210.97sec. Duhamel took particular exception to Hodgson’s characterization of him. “Well, I might be old,” he said with mock indignation, “but the No. 2 plate is in my truck, so I don’t know where he finished! You know, I’m an old guy, and I don’t have time to go for the long lines like he does. I go for the short, tight lines. “And he ran into me! He was trying to turn into me. I was clearly in the right. I’m very pleased for the team. I just don’t understand what happened. I think, for sure, though, with Ron Barrick being in the picture there, something must have been done. There’s no way that guy could be part of any winning team in kart racing. Actually, he should have been docked 10 second for taking Josh Hayes out and bragging about it! That just doesn’t seem right to me. “In my heart, though, I know that I won. Not the team, me! You know, that’s the way I keep myself happy when I wake up. It’s always a beautiful day. “But it was a fun, fun event. I really liked it. The racing was great. I did bump Neil, and I’ll do it again if it’s for the win. So we’ll be back next year for the rematch.” Fourth place went to the team of Kawasaki Supersport star Roger Hayden, Speed TV announcer Brian Drebber, AMA tech official Kevin Crowther and fan Paul Guiomor of Long Branch, N.J., with a cumulative time of 211.16sec. Taking fifth place was the team of Suzuki Superbike title contender Ben Spies, Road Racer X editor Chris Jonnum, VIR staffer Burt Howerton and fan Dale McFaddin of Callands, Va., posting a time of 211.48sec. The sixth-place team of Ducati Superbike star Eric Bostrom, AMA Superbike media director Donnie Clark, RPM staffer Isan Hung and fan Lincoln Hurd of Knoxville, Tenn., would have finished second, but Bostrom was penalized three seconds for taking what the race stewards deemed a “creative” line through one of the corners that included much curb and grass, not to mention about .4sec less lap time than everybody else. A semi-recalcitrant Bostrom said later, ” I wasn’t really up front where I wanted to be, so, you know, a little cuttin’ the track,.. We deserved every bit of the penalty we got. I apologize to my team for cheating. I feel like I let them down, but I had more fun that way, and that was what the race was all about. I’ll be back next year, and hopefully I can do it legit!” The lucky fans got to compete with the racing superstars by purchasing advance tickets by August 12 and being entered into a lottery from which 10 names were drawn to compete in the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge. Following the race trophies were presented to the drivers of the top three teams, and fan participants received a CD of photographs taken during the race. RPM vice president Cameron Gray said the event was a huge success. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the way the inaugural Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Superstars Kart Enduro Challenge turned out,” he said, “Except, of course, for the fact that the kart I was driving was a dog and I was completely cheated out of what was certain victory. Other than that, though, we were thrilled with the way everything went. Speed Channel even showed up to tape the race for their ‘2 Wheel Tuesday’ show, and everybody is already talking about next year. I can guarantee you that I’ll be driving a faster kart next time around, and then we’ll see who’s bragging about a first-place trophy!” Gray also said that Matt Boike, the fan participant on the winning team, will be given a three-day pass to next year’s Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals so that he can come back to defend his title. Tickets for this weekend’s Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals can be purchased at the gate, with availability limited to three-day passes for $60 and pit walk passes for $40. The event schedule for the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals includes two feature races for the headlining AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited as well as feature races for the supporting classes including the Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship presented by Shoei, AMA Repsol Lubricants Superstock Series and Lockhart Phillips USA Formula Xtreme Series. VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Va., and just north of historic Milton, N.C. In addition to its 3.27-mile natural-terrain road racing circuit (designed to be operated as two autonomous, full-service courses), VIR is the cornerstone of VIR Club, America’s first motorsports country club; the VIR Raceplex Industrial Park; the VIR Gallery, which is a sales showroom for high-end collector and racing cars; the VIR Safety and Security Institute, which provides specialized training for U.S. Government and military groups; The Lodge at VIR, a 27-room hotel overlooking the track; and the Oak Tree Tavern, a full-service restaurant located within the circa-1840 Plantation Clubhouse. VIR made history from 1957 to 1974 and is doing so again. The 2.25-mile VIR North Course circuit on which the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals will take place has 17 challenging turns and 130 feet of elevation change. In addition to spectator events, the track is also available to rent for testing, driving schools and club days. For more information on VIRginia International Raceway, visit the track’s website at www.virclub.com or contact VIR at 434-822-7700. For more information on Race Promotion Management, visit their website at www.rpmcolorado.com or contact them via telephone at 303-377-3278. For more information on the AMA Superbike Championship Presented by Parts Unlimited, visit their website at www.amasuperbike.com.

The Augusta Triumph/Ducati Racing Team would like to welcome Shawn Harris, our rider for the 2005 Suzuki Superbike Showdown at Road Atlanta, September 2 -4. Shawn, from New Plymouth, New Zealand, is the 2003 Isle of Man TT winner in both the 1000cc and 600cc production races. He has held several championships in New Zealand and debuted at the TT winning the best newcomer award. We invite our friends and supporters to stop by to say hello and welcome Shawn to the U.S. Editorial Note: Harris will ride a Triumph Daytona 600 in Formula Xtreme.

American Honda’s Miguel Duhamel pulled closer in the AMA Formula Xtreme Championship standings by earning his fourth pole position of the season during qualifying Friday at Virginia International Raceway — and the bonus Championship point that comes with it. Duhamel, who is the defending class Champion and currently second in the standings, succeeded Friday afternoon by turning a lap of 1:26.581 a new class lap record — on his Dunlop-qualifier-shod American Honda CBR600RR. Duhamel may have gone even faster had he not experienced a mechanical problem while on a fast lap with his second qualifying tire. Earning the bonus Championship point keeps Duhamel in a position where he can win the AMA Formula Xtreme Championship by taking the maximum points available in the final two race events. Duhamel’s teammate and the current Championship leader Jake Zemke (1:27.182) was satisfied with qualifying second, considering he missed a mid-season test at VIR while recovering from a minor injury, and the progress he made with his CBR600RR’s set-up Friday. Third-fastest Michael Barnes (1:27.270) just missed out qualifying Zemke on his Pirelli-qualifier-equipped Team M4 EMGO Suzuki GSX-R600. Young Australian Ben Attard earned the final spot on the Formula Xtreme front row with a time of 1:27.961 on his Dunlop-fitted Attack Kawasaki ZX-6RR. Provisional AMA Formula Xtreme Qualifying Results: 1. Miguel Duhamel, Honda, 1:26.581 2. Jake Zemke, Honda, 1:27.182 3. Michael Barnes, Suzuki, 1:27.270 4. Ben Attard, Kawasaki, 1:27.961 5. Chris Peris, Yamaha, 1:28.558 6. Robert Jensen, Yamaha, 1:28.686 7. Chris “Opie” Caylor, Suzuki, 1:28.707 8. Danny Eslick, Suzuki, 1:29.008 9. Mike Hale, Honda, 1:29.945 10. Ryan Andrews, Ducati, 1:30.409 11. Alex Gobert, Honda, 1:30.764 12. Mike Ciccotto, Buell, 1:31.012 13. Trey Yonce, Yamaha, 1:31.464 14. Taylor Knapp, Yamaha, 1:31.618 15. Nathan Hester, Yamaha, 1:31.720 16. Robertino Pietri, Yamaha, 1:31.763 17. Shea Fouchek, Suzuki, 1:31.808 18. Armando Ferrer, Yamaha, 1:32.136 19. Nick Moore, Yamaha, 1:32.176 20. Victor Chirinos, Yamaha, 1:32.759 21. Tim Rinaldi, Yamaha, 1:33.103 22. Justin Filice, Honda, 1:33.482 23. Scott Harwood, Honda, 1:34.777 24. Jeff Johnson, Buell, 1:35.080 25. Lance Yeager, Kawasaki, 1:35.594 26. Mark Kittel, Honda, 1:35.987 27. Charles Sipp, Buell, 1:36.498 28. Jessica Zalusky, Kawasaki, 1:36.530 112% of fast time qualifying limit = 1:36.970 More, from a press release issued by M4 EMGO Suzuki: BARNES THIRD IN FX QUALIFYING AT VIR Team M4 EMGO Suzuki kicked off the second to last round of the 2005 AMA road racing season with a strong showing on Friday at Virginia International Raceway. By the conclusion of the day, the squad had locked up a front-row grid position and put in several other impressive performances. Michael Barnes continued to challenge the front-running factory riders in Formula Xtreme, qualifying his trick GSX-R600-based FX machine on the front row. The Floridian’s best lap of 1:27.270 was good enough to claim the third spot on the grid and less than a tenth of a second off the time set by his factory-backed rival who qualified second. Afterwards, Barnes said, “I feel pretty good. We were on race tires for at least the first half of the session and we were nice and comfortable in the ’27s on the race tires. So we accomplished one of our tasks for qualifying and that was to be comfortable on race tires. Then we went for something a little bit softer for a fast lap and they kept on coming and coming. I feel like if I just kept on throwing tires at it, I was going to keep on taking tenths off. The Pirellis worked awesome and my Suzuki just worked flawlessly the whole time. The competition is very tough and they’re making work hard, but I couldn’t be more pleased.” Teammate Geoff May qualified for tomorrow’s Superbike final aboard his Superstock-spec GSX-R1000. May outpaced all but the riders armed with dedicated Superbikes, putting his big-bore Suzuki ninth on the provisional order with a fast lap of 1:26.768. May was also in the top ten in the morning’s Superstock and Supersport free practices. The Georgian was a stellar fourth quick aboard his 1000cc GSX-R in Superstock with a best lap of 1:27.551. He backed that up by running tenth overall in Supersport aboard his GSX-R600 at 1:29.247. Barnes also got in the top ten in the Superstock practice, laying down the tenth fastest lap at 1:28.162. Team Crew Chief Keith Perry said of the day, “It went pretty well, actually. I think coming here a month or so back helped us to get things sorted out quickly, and things went smoothly. Geoff looks good in Superbike. We’re using that class to help work on a few things for Superstock, but we’re going to race Superbike as well and see how we do. Formula Xtreme qualifying went well too. Barney was third but really close to second. It’s always a big challenge to go up against the factory guys, whether it’s practice, qualifying, or the races.” On Saturday, Barnes will look to claim his second Formula Xtreme podium of the year, while May will contest the 28-lap Superbike race following final qualifying for the class in the morning. Superstock and Supersport qualifying will be completed as well in preparation of Sunday’s 17-lap races.

Robertino Pietri, the son of 1970s and 1980s Superbike racer Roberto Pietri, is racing a Venemotos Yamaha in Formula Xtreme at the VIR AMA National this weekend and will also compete at Road Atlanta next weekend. He was 19th-fastest in Formula Xtreme practice this morning. The young Pietri made his U.S. racing debut with Formula USA at Barber Motorsports Park two weekends ago, with a best finish of fifth. Pietri races a YZF-R1 in Venezuela and has also raced in Italy.

RIZLA SUZUKI LOOK FOR CADWELL BOOST Rizla Suzuki’s John Reynolds and James Haydon are calling on their fans to give them a boost when they race at Cadwell Park in the 10th round of the British Superbike Championship this Bank Holiday Monday, August 29th. Traditionally one of the most popular races of the year with crowds in excess of 40,000 making the trip to the picturesque Lincolnshire circuit, Cadwell Park is an amphitheatre of action and a circuit where the riders get closer to the fans than anywhere else on the calendar. Reynolds said: “At Cadwell you are so close to the fans that you can actually hear them cheering you on. I swear that you can see the whites of their eyes and as fast as you are riding, they help lift you over the mountain section of the circuit. This is one venue where the support of the fans can make a difference to the race – they can really motivate you. “I finished Silverstone last weekend with another podium and probably the best race bike I have ever ridden. I’m back to fitness and want to get further up the podium at Cadwell Park. It’s about time Rizla Suzuki was mixing it at the front and I hope it is this weekend.” The 2.18-mile long Cadwell Park track features numerous changes in elevation combined with fast sweeping turns and hairpins that all combine to make it one of the most exciting circuits on the BSB calendar. It takes a fearless rider to master Cadwell Park. “Cadwell Park is a racers circuit and like most racers, I ride on emotion and enjoyment,” enthused Haydon. “I know for sure the fans will give me support this weekend and that will fire me up. “My Rizla Suzuki is pretty close to the way I want it to perform and we are not far off finding a pace that will have me threatening at the front every weekend. Cadwell Park is another opportunity for us to make more progress and, as it’s a Bank Holiday, I think a touch of champagne on Monday would be very fitting.” RIZLA SUZUKI GETS READY FOR ASSEN WSB Dutch racer Jurgen van den Goorbergh sampled the performance of the Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 that he will campaign at the Assen round of World Superbikes during a private test at Silverstone in Northamptonshire yesterday evening. The 35-year-old who has raced in MotoGP and World Supersport this year will make his Superbike debut at his home Assen track on September 4th using the same Rizla Suzuki bikes raced by British Superbike Champion John Reynolds and his team mate James Haydon. With just 90-minutes of track time at Silverstone it was a busy session as he acquainted himself with both bike and team. After a few minor adjustments of riding position to suit his style, he got down to the job of finding the limits of the Rizla Suzuki in the glorious sunshine. WSB rules state that all competitors must use a control tyre. Rizla Suzuki and Jurgen tested several control tyres and set the GSX-R1000 up to find maximum performance over a race distance. Using the Silverstone GP circuit, Jurgen ended the session less than two-seconds behind the lap record and in positive mood. Rizla Suzuki Team Co-ordinator Simon Green said: “We had an excellent test with Jurgen and he is very complimentary about our Superbike. “He likes the power delivery and we have found a comfortable base setting for him that we will use as our starting point when we go to Assen, which is a very different circuit to Silverstone. We will have our work cut out for us against the WSB regulars while using a control tyre that is new to us, but with Jurgen we have a rider with intimate circuit knowledge and we hope to acquit ourselves well.”