Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Kel Edge

Former Superbike World Champion Troy Corser has signed to ride the new Suzuki GSX-R1000 for Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra in 2005.

Troy and Alstare Suzuki team boss Francs Batta inked the deal today and Troy will make his first appearance for the team at the International Motorcycle Show at the NEC in Birmingham, UK next week.

Troy said, “I am really looking forward to riding the Alstare Suzuki and can’t wait for the first tests. The current GSX-R1000 has been good enough to win the British and American Superbike titles, so I know it is a good package. I am very excited about this new challenge and I will be going all out for the title next season right from the start.”

From a press release issued by BMW:

BMW Motorrad BoxerCup

The BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2004 has its eighth and final race of the season at Valencia
this weekend wrapping up one of the most exciting seasons of racing known with the BMW R1100 S machines. From Daytona in March, via the best MotoGP circuits in the world, this concluding race on Sunday afternoon will once more see fairing to fairing, cylinder head to cylinder head racing right to the flag as the last positions in the championship are decided.

The whole Valencia MotoGP weekend is a celebration for fans and teams alike as the gruelling summer of testing and racing comes to a point in front of a capacity crowd of over 100,000, many of whom will have been in the circuit from before dawn to get the best seats in the house. For the BMW Motorrad BoxerCup 2004, this is a new circuit on the calendar, replacing the equally popular Catalunya venue of Barcelona a little further up the Eastern coast of Spain.

On the track, Austrian Thomas Hinterreiter is the 2004 BMW Motorrad BoxerCup title-holder after a stunning run of six podiums from seven races so far. Hinterreiter clinched the title at Brno in August and took with him a new BMW M3 Coupe, but that still leaves Brian Parriott (USA), Roberto Panichi (I) and Markus Barth (D) chasing second place and a brand new
BMW Z4 2.2 for the reward. Third placed man after Sunday’s race will take home one of the massively popular BMW R 1200 GS motorbikes. Parriott is in second place at the moment, 5 points ahead of Panichi, who in turn is 4 points ahead of Barth, but it has been Parriott’s finishing consistency that is his strength. Riding for the Spanish Auto Sport Busquets squad, the American is looking forward to holding his place and riding at the team’s home race.

The BMW YoungStar rider battle will be the race within a race come Sunday too with Richard Cooper (GB) looking to keep his lead in the special title chase for under 21 year old riders. A brand new Mini Cooper potentially awaits a rider with the same name!

For the BMW R 1100 S machines on track, it will be their last appearance on track in the one make BMW Motorrad BoxerCup after five years of racing that started in Belgium and France before a more Pan-European series started in 1999. Star riders and thrillingly close races have been the hallmark of the series that has visited Mugello, Daytona, Barcelona, Assen, Doningon, Spa, Oulton Park, Le Mans, Sachsenring, Brno and here at Valencia for the final race. 500cc Grand Prix winners such as Mamola, Cadalora, Schwantz, Martinez have all ridden too as guest riders along with many journalists. This year at Daytona even saw a Live TV commentary from a guest rider racing around the famous banking at the Florida track–2005 will see a brand new series based on a naked version of the four cylinder BMW K1200R although precise regulations and details are being discussed at the moment.

From a press release issued by Dorna Sports:

Michael Jordan makes MotoGP debut

Basketball legend Michael Jordan fulfilled a lifetime ambition in Valencia, Spain, on Saturday when he completed several laps of the Ricardo Tormo circuit aboard a MotoGP bike, the fastest motorcycle in the world.

The former Chicago Bulls star has been a keen motorcyclist since the age of five and today got the opportunity of a lifetime, riding the 230bhp Ducati Desmosedici prototype normally taken to speeds up over 210mph by Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss in MotoGP World Championship – the most prestigious and technologically advanced series in motorcycle racing.

Jordan was joined on track by a selection of the world’s best riders, with Sete Gibernau, Colin Edwards, Kurtis Roberts and Kenny Roberts Jr showing him around the 4,005m track.

“It was Sete who talked me into it!” laughed Jordan. “That was fun, but I only got it up to fourth gear, I can’t imagine what these things are like wide open in sixth! The straightaways were no problem, but I was trying to find the markers for the corners, then I had these other guys riding alongside tapping me on the leg!

“These things have so much power, I was trying to pull a wheelie, but in the end I was a bit too afraid, so I just started waving! I guess you could say I need a bit more time to get used to all that power.

“I’ve been into bikes pretty much all my life, I started riding dirt bikes when I was five. And I really like this whole MotoGP thing. Maybe I’d like to have a team one day, but I’m only learning this whole deal right now.”

Jordan was welcomed to the Gran Premio Marlboro de la Comunitat Valenciana by Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, the rights holders to the series. “The visit of a world sport star with the profile and prestige of Michael Jordan is fantastic for MotoGP,” said Mr Ezpeleta, who enjoyed a round of golf with Jordan on Friday.

“We had heard that he was interested in visiting MotoGP and that he was a big fan, but we were surprised by his knowledge of the championship and the riders. He was here on a private trip with friends but he showed what a nice guy he is with his patience and humility. even though he beat me at golf!”



More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

Valencia Grand Prix, Valencia
Saturday October 30 2004

MICHAEL JORDAN RIDES DUCATI DESMOSEDICI!

Basketball legend Michael Jordan made his MotoGP debut at Valencia today, riding the Ducati Desmosedici two-seater! Recognised as the greatest basketball player of all time Jordan rode four laps of the tortuous Spanish circuit in company with four MotoGP full-timers – Sete Gibernau, Colin Edwards, Kenny Roberts Junior and Kurtis Roberts.

A keen motorcyclist since the age of five, Jordan is a racetrack regular in the United States, where he runs the Jumpman23.com team fielding Montez Stewart in AMA Supersport and Superstock. The six-time NBA champion is also an enthusiastic street rider, owning a Ducati 998 and 999 amongst a substantial two-wheel stable. Jordan flew to Spain in his private jet, with the simple idea of watching this weekend’s Valencia GP, the final event of the 2004 season. But then he found himself getting talked into taking a ride on Ducati’s 230-plus horsepower V4.

“It was Sete who talked me into it!” laughed the six foot six giant. who wore a custom-made set of Alpinestars leathers. “That was fun, but I only got it up to fourth gear, I can’t imagine what these things are like wide open in sixth! The straightaways were no problem, but I was trying to find the markers for the corners, then I had these other guys riding alongside tapping me on the leg! These things have so much power, I was trying to pull a wheelie, but in the end I was a bit too afraid, so I just started waving! I guess you could say I need a bit more time to get used to all that power.”

Before the ride Jordan got to meet Ducati Team riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss, while regular two-seater rider Randy Mamola explained the layout of the Desmosedici.

“I’ve been into bikes pretty much all my life, I started riding dirt bikes when I was five,” added the former Chicago Bulls player. “And I really like this whole MotoGP thing. Maybe I’d like to have a team one day, but I’m only learning this whole deal right now.”

From a press release issued by FGSport:

2005 SBK Calendar – Comments

The 2005 FIM SUPERBIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP calendar issued by FIM includes 12 events already confirmed and 4 to be confirmed.

Therefore, since its very beginning, the 2005 Championship already has one race more compared to the 2004 season, also including 2 new entries: Qatar that is very important to open the Middle East market, and Brno, thus bringing SUPERBIKE back in the East of Europe.

Another key element of the Championship is the high quality of the Circuits hosting SUPERBIKE: it must be noted that in every country included in the calendar, Formula One and top circuits will be always used. Also in Germany, where probably EuroSpeedway Lausitz is not the most illustrious, the circuit has no doubt the newest and most complete structure.

In 2005 SUPERBIKE will be present in 3 continents, but adding new races for which negotiations are under way they could become 4 again. In any case this result will be obtained in 2006.

Another important point is that SUPERBIKE in Europe is, among the world leading motorsport championships (Formula One, MotoGP, SUPERBIKE), the one that, together with Formula One, has the highest number of rounds: as many as 10.

From the marketing point of view this is an extremely important element both for the Motorcycle industry and for the sponsors, as Europe remains a reference market at world level.

Adding new races in the 2005, WORLD SUPERBIKE could strengthen this leadership and get round the temporary absence of the American date that will no doubt be back in the Championship in 2006, and maybe with more than one round.

Maurizio Flammini, FGSPORT Chairman, declared: “I want to underline that the enthusiasm produced by the great success of the 2004 WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP is creating the conditions for a great expansion of the Calendar in new circuits. Two new countries, Qatar and the Czech Republic have been included in the 2005 calendar and very likely other will be added within December. Moreover I’m sure that what many media call ‘the year of the World Superbike relaunch,’ will just mark the beginning of a great and successful revival. I also want to reveal, now, our goals for the short-term future of the WSBK Calendar:

* Keep and strengthen the leadership in Europe adding new countries;

* Bring America (with races both in the USA and in South America), Japan and Malaysia back in the Calendar;

* Add China where FGSPORT has been the first company, in motorsport, to organize a Road Racing World Championship, with the World Endurance, the 2nd May 2004 at Zhuhai.”

From a press release issued by BMW:

2004 BMW Best Qualifier Award won by Rossi

2004 MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi wrapped up the BMW 2004 MotoGP Best Qualifier Award this afternoon at the circuit of Valencia after speeding to another front row start. His cumulative time of 29 minutes, 24.225 seconds came from adding all of his season’s qualifying times together, with the addition of the official MotoGP Winter Test session in March. Rossi will be presented with a brand new BMW 645Ci worth EUR80,000 tomorrow evening at the end of season FIM Awards presentation in Valencia alongside his 6th world title trophy.

“My motivation for this season was very high to win with my new team, and I have come out as the winner. It is fantastic. Maybe I have to build another garage for my new car!” Said the Italian Yamaha rider after the session that was held under perfect blue skies.

Rossi was only 0.963 seconds ahead of arch-rival Sete Gibernau who has finished a close second in the 2004 MotoGP championship. Rossi, aboard his Yamaha, has re-written many records over the season including eight wins and five pole positions up to the eve of the Valencia race, the highlight of which was being the first rider to ever win back to back races on different makes of motorcycle.

Right from the word go when Rossi was fastest at the Official MotoGP winter test in March where he won BMW Z4 2.2i worth EUR35,000, no-one expected the 25 year old to run away with the series to such an extent, but Gibernau, Biaggi and Tamada all won races too over a thrillingly exciting series as six people in total clinched pole positions. His pole position at the opening race of the year in South Africa wrong footed his opponents from the word go, leaving him never headed in the battle for the BMW 645 Ci.

Rossi won the BMW Best Qualifier Award last year collecting a brand new BMW Z4 when he finished 4.7 seconds ahead of Max Biaggi, but this year the Roman rider finished third, 9.125 seconds behind Rossi.

BMW will have the final BMW Motorrad BoxerCup race tomorrow after the MotoGP race in front of 120,000 spectators who will be packed into the Valencia grandstands from before sun rise. Thomas Hinterrieter has already won the title and will be presented with his prize of a brand new BMW M3 after the race, but the battle for the remaining places is still red hot. Belgian Sebastien Legrelle will start the 18 lap race from pole position.

BMW has been supplied all of the safety cars for the MotoGP series throughout the 2004 season with 745, 645Ci and M3 CSL cars. This weekend has also seen the brand new M5 at the track with many MotoGP riders having the chance to lap in the V10, 507 hp car.

The 17 race 2005 season starts in Jerez, Spain on April 10th with a schedule that includes a return to Laguna Seca in the USA, and a debut Grand Prix in China at the Shanghai circuit.

From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON NAMED ‘GREAT COMPANY TO WORK FOR’ BY MEN’S JOURNAL

Harley-Davidson was named as one of “10 Great Companies To Work For” in the November issue of Men’s Journal.

The magazine praised the fact that employees participate in domestic and international motorcycle rallies and receive prime parking when they ride their motorcycles to work. The article also pointed out that Harley-Davidson executives have no office doors making them accessible to all employees.

This distinction is just the latest in a stream of tributes recognizing Harley-Davidson as an exceptional employer. Earlier this year, Harley-Davidson was presented with the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for its support of its Guard and Reserve employees. In 2003, Fortune Magazine listed Harley-Davidson as one of the top 100 companies to work for. Harley-Davidson also made the magazine’s 2004 list of “Most Admired” companies. In 2002, Forbes Magazine named Harley-Davidson “Company of the Year.”

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Top Speeds Taken From Qualifying Session #2
Saturday, October 30

1. Max Biaggi, Honda, 316.4 kph, 196.6 mph
2. Loris Capirossi, Ducati, 314.0 kph, 195.1 mph
3. Ruben Xaus, Ducati, 313.8 kph, 194.9 mph
4. Nicky Hayden, Honda, 312.1 kph, 193.9 mph
5. Troy Bayliss, Ducati, 312.1 kph, 193.9 mph
6. Makoto Tamada, Honda, 311.1 kph, 193.3 mph
7. Neil Hodgson, Ducati, 310.8 kph, 193.1 mph
8. Norick Abe, Yamaha, 309.7 kph, 192.4 mph
9. Sete Gibernau, Honda, 309.5 kph, 192.3 mph
10. Alex Barros, Honda, 309.2 kph, 192.1 mph
11. Shinya Nakano, Kawasaki, 309.2 kph, 192.1 mph
12. Colin Edwards, Honda, 308.1 kph, 191.5 mph
13. Marco Melandri, Yamaha, 307.3 kph, 190.9 mph
14. Valentino Rossi, Yamaha, 305.5 kph, 189.9 mph
15. Carlos Checa, Yamaha, 304.6 kph, 189.3 mph
16. Nobuatsu Aoki, Proton KR, 304.3 kph, 189.1 mph
17. Garry McCoy, Aprilia, 303.4 kph, 188.5 mph
18. Alex Hoffman, Kawasaki, 302.7 kph, 188.1 mph
19. Jeremy McWilliams, Aprilia, 301.1 kph, 187.1 mph
20. Gregorio Lavilla, Suzuki, 298.1 kph, 185.2 mph
21. John Hopkins, Suzuki, 297.8 kph, 185.1 mph
22. Olivier Jacque, Moriwaki Honda, 296.1 kph, 183.9 mph
23. Chris Burns, Harris WCM, 295.7 kph, 183.7 mph
24. James Ellison, Harris WCM, 289.3 kph, 179.8 mph

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday Morning Practice Times From The Valencia Grand Prix:

MotoGP:

1. Kenny ROBERTS, Suzuki, 1:33.995
2. Valentino ROSSI, Yamaha, 1:34.511
3. Nicky HAYDEN, Honda, 1:34.674
4. Alex BARROS, Honda, 1:34.787
5. Carlos CHECA, Yamaha, 1:34.996
6. Sete GIBERNAU, Honda, 1:35.010
7. Norick ABE, Yamaha, 1:35.198
8. Max BIAGGI, Honda, 1:35.215
9. Troy BAYLISS, Ducati, 1:35.222
10. Colin EDWARDS, Honda, 1:35.258
11. Makoto TAMADA, Honda, 1:35.667
12. Loris CAPIROSSI, Ducati, 1:35.692
13. John HOPKINS, Suzuki, 1:35.746
14. Shinya NAKANO, Kawasaki, 1:35.887
15. Marco MELANDRI, Yamaha, 1:36.438
16. Ruben XAUS, Ducati, 1:36.450
17. Alex HOFMANN, Kawasaki, 1:36.479
18. Nobuatsu AOKI, Proton, 1:36.853
19. Jeremy McWILLIAMS, Aprilia, 1:36.946
20. Neil HODGSON, Ducati, 1:37.208
21. Garry McCOY, Aprilia, 1:37.321
22. Olivier JACQUE, Moriwaki, 1:38.098
23. James ELLISON, Harris wCM, 1:38.620
24. Kurtis ROBERTS, Proton, 1:39.126
25. Chris BURNS, Harris WCM, 1:39.751

250cc GP:

1. Sebastian PORTO, Aprilia, 1:37.528
2. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 1:37.959
3. Toni ELIAS, Honda, 1:38.064
4. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, 1:38.221
5. Franco BATTAINI, Aprilia, 1:38.350
6. Randy DE PUNIET, Aprilia, 1:38.387
7. Hiroshi AOYAMA, Honda, 1:38.420
8. Sylvain GUINTOLI, Aprilia, 1:39.125
9. Manuel POGGIALI, Aprilia, 1:39.147
10. Alex DEBON, Honda, 1:39.155
11. Naoki MATSUDO, Yamaha, 1:39.175
12. Fonsi NIETO, Aprilia, 1:39.235
13. David DE GEA, Honda, 1:39.381
14. Chaz DAVIES, Aprilia, 1:39.400
15. Roberto ROLFO, Honda, 1:39.699
16. Erwan NIGON, Aprilia, 1:40.158
17. Alvaro MOLINA, Aprilia, 1:40.198
18. Arnaud VINCENT, Aprilia, 1:40.350
19. Alex BALDOLINI, Aprilia, 1:40.475
20. Hugo MARCHAND, Aprilia, 1:40.536

125cc GP:

1. Sergio GADEA, Aprilia, 1:42.000
2. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 1:42.215
3. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, 1:42.510
4. Alvaro BAUTISTA, Aprilia, 1:42.579
5. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, 1:42.593
6. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, 1:42.800
7. Casey STONER, KTM, 1:42.852
8. Mika KALLIO, KTM, 1:42.886
9. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, 1:43.188
10. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, 1:43.216
11. Gabor TALMACSI, Malaguti, 1:43.220
12. Lukas PESEK, Honda, 1:43.350
13. Julian SIMON, Honda, 1:43.396
14. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, 1:43.436
15. Simone CORSI, Honda, 1:43.595

From a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

ROBERTS REPLACED BY LAVILLA

Team Suzuki MotoGP rider Kenny Roberts has withdrawn from the Valencia GP as a result of continuing problems with the elbow injury that ruled him out of the last four races.

Roberts set fastest time in the morning free training session to head the table for his return race. But while he could set fast laps without difficulty, he was able to run only a few consecutive laps before weakness set in, causing him problems under the severe braking at the twisty Ricardo Tormo circuit.

Roberts was one of five innocent victims of a crashing Loris Capirossi at the first corner at the Japanese GP at Motegi on September 19, and the worst injured, with a dislocated left elbow and associated fractures.

The decision to withdraw Roberts and replace him with official team tester Gregorio Lavilla was taken by the team directly after the first session, both to safeguard Roberts’s long-term recovery and to give Lavilla a better chance of getting up to speed before the race on Sunday.

Roberts was bitterly disappointed. “This is an experience I’ve never had – coming to a race without knowing if I’d be strong enough. Considering where we’re at in the season, the circumstances dictated the decision to withdraw from the race.

“The concept was to try to get closer as the season ends, to get a better base for next year. But in the circumstances I was not able to do that,” the 2000 World Champion continued.

“The riding part this morning was the same as normal. The arm feels good and pain free, but after four or five laps, I didn’t have the strength necessary to control the bike. You don’t recognise how much strength you need, especially under braking until you don’t have it. Ten days ago, I hadn’t even done a push-up. I started then with gym training but time wasn’t on our side,” said Roberts.

“It’s also disappointing because it is Garry Taylor’s last race and I would have liked to participate,” he added.

Team manager Taylor, who is retiring after this final race of 2004, said: “Kenny reminded us this morning of how fast he can be when he’s fully fit. But despite Herculean efforts to get ready for this race, he found he was lacking the strength and endurance he needs to go race distance.

“The team took the decision to substitute Gregorio Lavilla for the remaining qualifying sessions and the race. There are safety considerations, as well as the need not to jeopardise Kenny’s long-term recovery. By making the decision early, it also gives Gregorio the chance to qualify and perform well in his home GP,” said Taylor.

Lavilla is the team’s regular test rider and raced two weeks ago in place of Roberts at Phillip Island in Australia.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Friday’s 125cc GP Qualifying Results:

1. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, 1:40.881
2. Sergio GADEA, Aprilia, 1:41.098
3. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, 1:41.277
4. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, 1:41.333
5. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, 1:41.547
6. Gabor TALMACSI, Malaguti, 1:41.632
7. Casey STONER, KTM, 1:41.669
8. Lukas PESEK, Honda, 1:41.671
9. Gino BORSOI, Aprilia, 1:41.804
10. Simone CORSI, Honda, 1:41.811
11. Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, 1:41.854
12. Roberto LOCATELLI, Aprilia, 1:42.098
13. Julian SIMON, Honda, 1:42.224
14. Mika KALLIO, KTM, 1:42.297
15. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, 1:42.468