Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

World Supersport Race Results:

1. Karl Muggeridge, Honda CBR600RR, 28 laps, 42:41.262
2. Broc Parkes, Honda CBR600RR, -0.628 second
3. Sebastien Charpentier, Honda CBR600RR, -3.229 seconds
4. Stephane Chambon, Suzuki GSX-R600, -17.340 seconds
5. Max Neukirchner, Honda CBR600RR, -17.419 seconds
6. Katsuaki Fujiwara, Suzuki GSX-R600, -17.707 seconds
7. Jurgen Vd Goorbergh, Yamaha YZF-R6, -25.823 seconds
8. Christian Kellner, Yamaha YZF-R6, -25.952 seconds
9. Alessio Corradi, Honda CBR600RR, -31.111 seconds
10. Lorenzo Lanzi, Ducati 749R, -32.228 seconds
11. Barry Veneman, Suzuki GSX-R600, -36.987 seconds
12. Kai Borre Andersen, Kawasaki ZX-6RR, -37.635 seconds
13. Denis Sacchetti, Honda CBR600RR, -41.521 seconds
14. Werner Daemen, Honda CBR600RR, -43.487 seconds
15. Sebastien Le Grelle, Honda CBR600RR, -44.127 seconds

20. Fabien Foret, Yamaha YZF-R6, -6 laps, DNF
21. Vittorio Iannuzzo, Suzuki GSX-R600, -14 laps, DNF
22. Tekkyu Kayo, Yamaha YZF-R6, -17 laps, DNF
23. Kevin Curtain, Yamaha YZF-R6, -19 laps, DNF

26. Iain MacPherson, Honda CBR600RR, -25 laps, DNF

29. Giovanni Bussei, Ducati 749R, -28 laps

Fastest Lap of Race: Parkes 1:30.386


World Supersport Championship Point Standings:

1. Muggeridge, 87 points
2. Vd Goorbergh, 82 points
3. Parkes, 53 points
4. Curtain, 47 points
5. Fujiwara, 44 points
6. Charpentier, 40 points
7. Chambon, 39 points
8. Lanzi, 37 points
9. Neukirchner, 31 points
10. Foret, 30 points
11. Corradi, 27 points
12. Josh Brookes, 25 points
13. Iannuzzo, 20 points
14. Kellner, 19 points
15. Bussei, 17 points

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Noriyuki Haga held a small but stable lead over Regis Laconi in the second World Superbike race at Oschersleben, Germany, until lap 23 of 28 when Haga retired with mechanical problems.

Laconi then rode on to an unchallenged victory, his fifth of the 2004 season.

Second place allowed Laconi’s teammate James Toseland to hold onto a slim lead in the World Superbike Championship standings, over Laconi.

Haga’s young teammate Leon Haslam scored his first-ever World Superbike podium finish with third in race two.

Oschersleben World Superbike Race Two Results:

1. Regis Laconi, Ducati 999F04, 28 laps
2. James Toseland, Ducati 999F04, -21.549 seconds
3. Leon Haslam, Ducati 999RS, -24.685 seconds
4. Garry McCoy, Ducati 999RS, -27.413 seconds
5. Gianluca Nannelli, Ducati 998RS, -30.621 seconds
6. Mauro Sanchini, Kawasaki ZX-10R, -36.000 seconds
7. Chris Walker, Foggy Petronas FP1, -42.083 seconds
8. Chris Vermeulen, Honda CBR1000RR, -46.944 seconds
9. Ivan Clementi, Kawasaki ZX-10R, -47.021 seconds
10. Andy Meklau, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -47.239 seconds
11. Piergiorgio Bontempi, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -55.920 seconds
12. Alessio Velini, Yamaha YZF-R1, -57.480 seconds
13. Jiri Mrkyvka, Ducati 998RS, -1 laps
14. Carl Berthelsen, Suzuki GSX-R1000, -1 lap
15. Noriyuki Haga, Ducati 999RS, -6 laps, DNF
16. Steve Martin, Ducati 999RS, -11 laps, DNF

18. Troy Corser, Foggy Petronas FP1, -14 laps, DNF
19. Jurgen Oelschläger, Honda CBR1000RR, -15 laps, DNF

22. Pierfrancesco Chili, Ducati 998RS, -22 laps, DNF
23. Lucio Pedercini, Ducati 998RS, -22 laps, DNF

Fastest Lap of Race: Haga, 1:28.629

World Superbike Championship Point Standings:

1. Toseland, 157 points
2. Laconi, 155 points
3. Chili, 113 points
4. McCoy, 107 points
5. Haga, 94 points
6. Vermeulen, 92 points
7. Haslam, 89 points
8. Corser, 79 points
9. Walker, 78 points
10. Martin, 73 points
11. Borciani, 68 points
12. Sanchini, 55 points
13. TIE, Nannelli/Clementi, 41 points
15. Bontempi, 32 points


More, from a press release issued by FGSport:

World Superbike Championship 2004
Round 5 Oschersleben 28th –30th May 2004

ATTENDANCE

The fifth round of the Superbike World Championship in Oschersleben Germany, attracted an attendance of 69,500 people over the three days of the event.

The organizers were very satisfied with this total which was slightly up on last year.

From a press release issued by series organizers FGSport:

HASLAM COMES OF AGE AS HAGA AND LACONI WIN

In The Mix: After two tough races in front of an excellent turnout of 69,500 people two proven powers in World Superbike, Noriyuki Haga and Regis Laconi ended their racedays with a win apiece. Another rider burning his pedigree into the memory of his rivals, Leon Haslam, came of age as he secured his first podium in World Superbike, finishing third in race two. To cap his celebrations, it will be his 21st birthday tomorrow (Monday 31 May), and 21 is the traditional British ‘Coming Of Age’ birthday celebration, when a youth becomes a man.

Race One: Following up his good qualifying performances with an even better race version, Noriyuki Haga (Renegade Ducati 999RS) jumped into the lead of the 28-lap first race, running away to win from the chasing James Toseland (Ducati Fila 999 F04). Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati 998RS) was close to second but could not quite make it stick on the final lap. Having set pole position, Troy Corser (Foggy Petronas FP-1) could have hoped for at least a podium but his machine was simply beaten in the corner-exiting contest, the more grunty Ducatis utilising their advantage well. Regis Laconi overcame his ride through penalty to finish sixth.

Race Two: Laconi (Ducati Fila 999F04) whipped his factory Ducati to an impressive second race victory margin of 21.549 seconds after long term race leader Noriyuki Haga was forced to retire on lap 23. James Toseland (Ducati Fila 999F04) overcame his practice problems to finish second, giving the works team another 1-2. It was Toseland’s fourth second placing in a row. Toseland leads the championship by a mere two points, after another intense day of competition in SBK racing. Toseland’s new total is 157, Laconi’s 155 and Chili third on 113.

Chili Up and Down: A third place finish for the PSG-1 Ducati of Pierfrancesco Chili in the opener delivered him his only points of a disappointing day, as he the 39-year-old Italian crashed out of race two while trying to hunt down second place man Laconi.

Hard Day For Honda: The Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR of Chris Vermeulen experienced some technical challenges at Oschersleben, as the rear tyre spun in the rim in race one, the slipper clutch also lost forward grip at an inopportune moment, dropping him to 15th. In race two a suspension or steering component in the front end of the machine caused chatter severe enough to drop Vermeulen from third to eighth.

Petronas People: The first race of the Oschersleben afternoon was kind to pole position man Troy Corser, after he secured fourth place in a complicated race. The Aussie former champion finished 13 seconds down on the winner Haga, a pleasing result given the lack of corner exiting horsepower the 900cc triple possesses. His luck was to desert him in race two, as he crashed out. His team-mate Chris Walker ran his Petronas to seventh in race two, having retired in race on.

Martin Bounces Back: Steve Martin enjoyed a strong ride in race one, finishing fifth. His fortune would change when a blown and seized engine caused his rear wheel to lock up on the exit of a corner, initiating a drawn-out highside crash for the Aussie.

Supersport: Another day spent consulting the rules and regulations of the FIM handbook meant that the original race classification was overturned, and all of the top Honda riders were excluded from the results – for rear wheel axles which were not as originally homologated. That put all three podium finishers, Karl Muggeridge, Broc Parkes and Sebastien Charpentier out of the reckoning. That in turn left the real race winner as Stephane Chambon (Suzuki); second his Alstare team mate Katsuaki Fujiwara and in third place the championship leader Jurgen van den Goorbergh. The championship table now reads, Van Den Goorbergh 89, from Muggeridge 62, from Fujiwara 54. There is an appeal in place on this decision, and a final decision will be made at an FIM meeting in Geneva, after the race.

The next races, in SBK and WSS championships, will take place at Silverstone, on June 13.


More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

DUCATI FILA 1-2 IN SECOND RACE AT OSCHERSLEBEN PUTS TOSELAND BACK AT THE TOP OF THE POINTS

Oschersleben (Germany), Sunday 30 May 2004: James Toseland (Ducati Fila) moved back to the top of the World Superbike championship points table with a brace of second places at Oschersleben. Noriyuki Haga (Renegade Ducati) and Toseland’s Ducati Fila team-mate Regis Laconi were the two race winners, the Frenchman taking the flag in race 2 after Haga retired with a mechanical problem.

Toseland rode a determined race 1 to finish second behind Haga and was elevated to second in race 2 when the Japanese rider retired.

“It’s a strange championship so far” commented Toseland “but I’m happy that I’m consistently fast now. We had a few problems in qualifying but got them sorted and I’m really happy with the way the bike’s working. I just lost the lead to Haga trying to get past the other guys but I pushed hard and by the time I got into a rhythm I was struggling like everyone else.

“Seconds are doing my head in at the moment, I need a first!” he added on the podium of race 2. “I really want to win the championship and for the moment consistency is paying off but I’m not winning races!”

In race 1 Laconi entered the pit-lane on lap 6 for his ‘ride-through’ penalty, which dropped him to 15th, but the Frenchman recovered to finish sixth overall. In the second race he was poised to make a final attack on Haga when the Japanese rider pulled off on lap 23.

“When I started I was third and when I came into the pit-lane I was happy to see the situation at the front” declared Laconi. “I was faster than Chili and I could have been up there with Haga. The team did a great job in getting me to control the speed in the pits, I could only go at 80 km/h, no more and it was perfect. After that I tried my best on the track but sixth was OK.

“Eight laps from the end of the second race I thought about letting Haga go, but then I thought again and went after him. I almost caught him and then he had this problem. Everyone did a great job this weekend so a big thanks to the mechanics, engineers, the team, Fila, Shell Advance, and all our other sponsors for their support”.

RACE 1: 1. Haga (Renegade Ducati); 2. Toseland (Ducati Fila); 3. Chili (PSG-1 Ducati); 4. Corser (Petronas); 5. Martin (DFX Ducati); 6. Laconi (Ducati Fila); etc. RACE 2: 1. Laconi; 2. Toseland; 3. Haslam (Renegade Ducati); 4. McCoy (Xerox Ducati); 5. Nannelli (Ducati); 6. Sanchini (Kawasaki), etc.

POINTS (after 5 of 11 rounds) : (Riders) 1. Toseland 157; 2. Laconi 155; 3. Chili 113; 4. McCoy 107; 5. Haga 94; 6. Vermeulen 92; etc. (Manufacturers) 1. Ducati 250 ; 2. Petronas 112 ; 3. Honda 99; 4. Kawasaki 64; 5. Suzuki 56; 6. Yamaha 26.

LANZI (DUCATI BREIL), TENTH IN OSCHERSLEBEN SUPERSPORT RACE, PROMOTED TO FIFTH AFTER POST-RACE EXCLUSIONS

Oschersleben (Germany), Sunday 30 May 2004: Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Breil) finished tenth on the road in Sunday’s round 5 of the World Superbike championship at Oscherleben, but was then promoted to fifth after six Hondas in the top 10 were excluded for non-conformity in a wave of post-race disqualifications

The 2003 Italian Superstock champion made another great start from the fifth row of the grid after qualifying twentieth, and after gaining several places in the early stages of the race, was then boxed in behind Corradi (Honda) for the remaining laps.

“I’m a bit disappointed with the result today because I expected to do better” declared Lorenzo. “Although I started from row 5, I was lapping at the same pace as the guys around me, but then I got stuck behind Corradi for the rest of the race.

“I was just unable to get the drive out of the corners to get close enough to him. After six or seven laps I just didn’t have enough grip. I had been really worried about my front tyre, but in the end it was the rear that had no grip.”

RESULT: 1. Chambon (Suzuki); 2. Fujiwara (Suzuki); 3. VD Goorbergh (Yamaha); 4. Kellner (Yamaha); 5. Lanzi (Ducati Breil); 6. Veneman (Suzuki).

POINTS (after 5 of 10 rounds): (Riders) 1. VD Goorbergh 89; 2. Muggeridge (Honda) 87; 3. Fujiwara 54; 4. Chambon 51 ; 6. Lanzi 42.

(Manufacturers) 1. Honda 92 ; 2. Yamaha 90 ; 3. Suzuki 73 ; 4. Ducati 45 ; 5. Kawasaki 17.


More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Belgarda:

Yamaha Racing
Yamaha Italia World Supersport Team Newsletter
Date: Sunday, 30th May 2004
Circuit: Oschersleben, m. 3.667
Race: 28 laps
Weather: dry, mostly sunny Temperature: air 24° C, track 44° C
Crowd: 69.500 (3-days figure)

STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCES AT OSCHERSLEBEN SEE JURGEN LEAD THE CHAMPIONSHIP
The action off-track was as dramatic as the action on the track at Oschersleben today, when the top six Hondas were disqualified after the post-race inspection. Hondas had filled the top three places, with Muggeridge, Parkes and Charpentier 1-2-3, but then their bikes were disqualified after they were all found to have a part not in accordance with the homologation papers. Jurgen had finished seventh when the chequered flag came out, but then was bumped up to third when the results were revised. An appeal against the decision was lodged and it may be that the results will be revised again, but for the moment, Jurgen ended third and leads the championship by twenty-seven points. Both Jurgen and Fabien were mid-pack in the opening laps of the race and then progressed to fifth and fourth respectively. Muggeridge and Parkes had run away from the rest of the field and Charpentier was some way back in third. Fabien looked set for fourth position but was forced to retire with rear sprocket problem after 22 laps. Jurgen experienced tyre problems after 15 laps – probably due to pushing so hard at the beginning of the race – but rode steadily to finish seventh before the post race surprises. With the Hondas disqualified, Chambon inherited the race win, with Fujiwara second and Jurgen third.

JURGEN VAN DEN GOORBERGH
It’s always a bit strange when the results of a race change after the chequered flag and it’s never a good situation. I don’t think any rider likes winning or taking a higher place in this way, because we all like to do it on the track. I’m sure that Fabien (or any other rider) feels the same as I do. Of course, rules are rules, but it’s not good for the fans or anybody when this kind of thing happens. It is good though to be at the top of the standings – whether or not it stays that way I don’t know – but I’m looking forward to next round at Silverstone and having a proper race.

TEKKYU KAYO – DNF
Yamaha Racing Italia guest rider Tekkyu Kayo was forced to pull out of today’s 28-lap race after eleven laps due to a gearshift problem. The Japanese rider had enjoyed his Oschersleben experience though and the valuable track time he was able to put in over the three days.

Results
1 Chambon (F-Suzuki), 2 Fujiwara (J-Suzuki), 3 VD GOORBERGH (NL-YAMAHA RACING ITALIA), 4 Kellner (D-Yamaha), 5 Lanzi (I-Ducati), 6 Veneman (NL-Suzuki), 7 Andersen (N-Kawasaki), 8 Daemen (B-Honda), 9 Le Grelle (F-Honda), 10 Lagrive (F-Suzuki), FORET (F-YAMAHA RACING ITALIA) DNF

Points
1 VD GOORBERGH 89, 2 Muggeridge 62, 3 Fujiwara 54, 4 Chambon 51, 5 Curtain 47, 6 Lanzi 42, 7 Parkes 33, 8 FORET 30, 9 Brookes 25, 10 Kellner 24


More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

2004 World Superbike Championship
Round 5, Oschersleben (Germany) , Sunday 30th May
Circuit: 3.667km., Weather: dry, 21° C.
Crowd: 69,500 (3-days figure)

TROY MISSES OUT ON A PODIUM IN RACE ONE AND DNFS IN RACE TWO
After the exhilaration of yesterday’s Superpole success, today saw Troy leave Oschersleben bruised and disappointed. Engine problems in both 28-lap races robbed Troy of his best weekend’s prospects this season. A small oil seepage in race one caused Troy to ease the pace and try and finish the race when he was on course for a podium. But despite that, he still managed to finish in fourth place. After the race, Troy wanted to change the engine on the bike rather then repair it, but the team told him that they had found the problem and all would be OK for race two. But there was a problem in the second race and this time oil went on to his rear tyre and caused him to highside at the chicane at the end of the back straight. Troy went flying though the air and then heavily hit the haybales in front of the tyre wall headfirst. Luckily he escaped with only a bruised mouth, right elbow and right knee, but it could’ve been so much worse. Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) was the runaway victor in race one, with James Toseland (Ducati) second and Frankie Chili (Ducati) third. Haga also comfortably led the second race, but was forced to retire with an engine problem. Regis Laconi (Ducati) took over the lead and went on to win by a country mile. Toseland was again second, with young Leon Haslam (Ducati) third.

TROY Race 1: 4th, Race 2: DNF
This should’ve been our best weekend of the season, but in the end it was a bit of a disappointment. The problem was really the same for both races and I suppose I was lucky to get fourth in the first race, when I probably should’ve pulled in instead. In the first race, I noticed a bit of oil on my footrest after about half race distance, so I dropped the pace a little and tried to leave a gap between me and the other riders. I should’ve pulled in, but I kept going because I wanted to get a good finish and some decent points. After the race, I thought that maybe they’d change the engine or ask me to use my number two bike, but they found the problem and I went out on my sighting lap. When I returned to the grid, I saw a few spots of oil in the belly pan and told my mechanics. They thought it was a gearshift seal this time and replaced it on the grid and so I began the race. I made a good start and then lost some ground after the first charge. The bike felt a bit slow on the straights but I kept at it until eight laps or so, when I felt a bit of oil on the footpegs again. I monitored the situation for a few laps and thought maybe I could finish the race if I was careful. But soon I knew that was not possible so I was ready to pull in. Exiting the last corner on to the back straight my foot slipped off the footpeg big time. The, at the chicane, there was enough oil on the rear tyre to make the back suddenly came round and before I knew it I was in the air. I hit the haybales headfirst and banged my face, elbow and knee. Why there was no airfence there I don’t know, but I could’ve hurt myself much more then I did, so I was lucky. It wasn’t the way the weekend should’ve gone, but at least I wasn’t seriously injured.


More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

HONDA RACING INFORMATION

World Supersport Championship 2004 – Round 5
Oschersleben Race Report 28 – 30 MAY 2004

Dry, Sunny, 24 C air, 44 C track
Attendance 69,500 weekend

HONDA RIDERS DISQUALIFIED DESPITE PODIUM DOMINATION

WSS Report
Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) had to maintain a race-long high pace to earn victory for himself at Oschersleben but he, like five other top Honda riders, were disqualified from the official results after discrepancies were found in the homologation weight of the rear wheel spindle, according to existing information. The punishment will be appealed, and a meeting at the FIM headquarters in Geneva will make a final ruling on the case next week.

During the on track action Muggeridge held off his team-mate Broc Parkes for a Ten Kate Honda 1-2, and the initial joy in the Honda camp was redoubled after Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) took third place, closely chasing home the leading pairing. All three riders were to lose their points and podium prizes and the eventual winner was Stephane Chambon (Suzuki), from Katsuaki Fujiwara (Suzuki) and Jurgen van den Goorbergh (Yamaha).

Charpentier’s team-mate Max Neukirchner (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) was originally classified an excellent fifth, his best in a short Supersport career, but he too was disqualified.

The Team Italia Megabike Honda riders experienced the same fate as their other Honda comrades, Corradi originally in ninth and Sacchetti in 13th. The results of some other private Honda riders, such as eventual seventh placed rider Werner Daemen (Honda) were left to stand.

Muggeridge, speaking immediately after the race and then after the news of the disqualification, said “We had to work for that today as Broc pushed hard and so did Sebastien at the beginning. I felt I was always under pressure. We are all shocked at the exclusion. If there was any thought of anyone cheating then we would have to accept the result – but it’s the same part as the road going machine. ”

Parkes, later to be bitterly disappointed with his misfortune after a strong race, said on the podium, “I knew before the race that I just could not crash so I had to be a bit more cautious. I’ve never really been in that position before. I ran off onto the dirt at one stage and so I settled for second, before the exclusion. Karl did well today, rode a bit better and deserved the win.”

Charpentier, another to suffer a lost podium place, stated immediately after the podium ceremony, “Another tough race but we could go at a good pace and that’s very positive. I would prefer to have won the battle but we couldn’t quite get to the top. The next tracks are good for me in any case.”

Neukirchner, on home tarmac in Germany, stated; “That was a nice race to start, very cool for me. I had no problems in the race, had a good set-up, good riding conditions, a good bike and tyres and I felt like it was a normal race. I felt comfortable riding with those guys so it was disappointing about the end.”

Corradi was already in a fury at his bad luck in the race. “My visor mounting broke on my crash helmet, after being hit by a rock thrown up by another rider, two laps into the race. I was struggling with that from then on. The bike was running OK, that was not the problem, but it was very distracting to have my visor move around in the wind. It’s terrible to be excluded from the results.”

Sacchetti, who finished a lucky 13th but was later also disqualified said, “There was a problem with the steering in the right-handers, all through the race. In the warm-up I crashed with the first bike and the second bike was not set up as well as that one.”

In the Championship itself, eventual third placed rider Jurgen van den Goorbergh sits on 89 points, with Muggeridge second on 62, Fujiwara third on 54.

World Superbike Races
Race one in the World Superbike class saw Regis Laconi (Ducati) pre-penalised with a mandatory pitlane ride through after lap five, due to the non-functioning of his engine kill switch after a practice crash. He battled through to sixth despite this handicap but the race winner was peerless in the opener, Noriyuki Haga (Ducati). James Toseland had to work hard for his second place, with Pierfrancesco Chili (Ducati) third. Troy Corser’s Superpole winning Petronas was fourth.

Despite a strong run at the front from race one winner Haga, Laconi secured a clear 21-second margin of victory from Toseland, after Haga retired. In third place, Leon Haslam (Ducati) took his first career podium in Superbike racing.

Toseland leads the series, with 157 points to Laconi’s 155; Chili third on 113.

Round six of the Superbike and Supersport championship take place in the UK, at Silverstone, on June 13th.

Results

SUPERSPORT:
RACE : (Laps 28 = 102,676 Km)
Pos /Rider /Nat. /Team / Time /Gap
1/S. CHAMBON/FRA/Suzuki Alstare Corona Extra/ 42’58.502/
2/K. FUJIWARA/JPN/Suzuki Alstare Corona Extra/ 42’58.969/0.467
3/J. VD GOORBERGH/NED/Yamaha Italia/ 43’07.085/8.583
4/C. KELLNER/GER/Yamaha Motor Deutschland/ 43’07.214/8.712
5/L. LANZI/ITA/Ducati Breil/ 43’13.490/14.988
6/B. VENEMAN/NED/Team Suzuki Nederland/ 43’18.249/19.747
7/K. ANDERSEN/NOR/Kawasaki Docshop Racing/ 43’18.897/20.395
8/W.DAEMEN/BEL/Alpha Technik – Van Zon/ 43’24.749/26.247
9/S. LE GRELLE/BEL/LeGrelle Dholda Moto P./ 43’25.389/26.887
10/M.LAGRIVE/FRA/Moto 1/ 43’40.747/42.245
11/M.BAIOCCO/ITA/Lorenzini by Leoni/ 43’57.151/58.649
12/W.TORTOROGLIO/ITA/Celani – Suzuki Italia/ 43’57.405/58.903
13/D. ELLISON/GBR/IRT Honda Israel/ 44’04.075/1’05.573
Fastest Lap 5° Fabien Foret 1’30.555 145,781 Km/h

Riders Championship Standings:
1Vand Den Goorbergh 89, 2 Muggeridge 62, 3 Fujiwara 54, 4 Chambon 51, 5 Curtain 47, 6 Lanzi 42, 7 Parkes 33, 8 Foret 30, 9 Brookes 25, 10 Kellner 24,

Manufacturers Standings:
1 Yamaha 97, 2 Honda 92, 3 Suzuki 67, 4 Ducati 50, 5 Kawasaki 17.

SUPERBIKE
Race 1: (Laps 28 = 102,676 Km)
Pos /Rider /Nat. /Team / Time /Gap
1/N.HAGA/JPN/Renegade Ducati/ 41’49.906/
2/J. TOSELAND/GBR/Ducati Fila/ 41’55.070/5.164
3/P. CHILI/ITA/PSG – 1 Corse/ 41’55.229/5.323
4/T. CORSER/AUS/Foggy PETRONAS Racing/ 42’02.930/13.024
5/S. MARTIN/AUS/D.F.Xtreme Sterilgarda/ 42’10.088/20.182
6/R. LACONI/FRA/Ducati Fila/ 42’14.660/24.754
7/L. HASLAM/GBR/Renegade Ducati/ 42’17.206/27.300
8/J. OELSCHLÄGER/GER/Alpha Technik/ 42’20.414/30.508
9/G.MCCOY/AUS/XEROX – Ducati Nortel Net./ 42’22.167/32.261
10/M.SANCHINI/ITA/Kawasaki Bertocchi/ 42’27.566/37.660
11/I. CLEMENTI/ITA/Kawasaki Bertocchi/ 42’35.706/45.800
12/G.NANNELLI/ITA/Pedercini/ 42’38.614/48.708
13/A. MEKLAU/AUT/Yoshimura Schäfer Motorsport/ 42’42.384/52.478
14/P. BONTEMPI/ITA/Zongshen/ 42’51.433/1’01.527
15/C. VERMEULEN/AUS/Ten Kate Honda/ 42’53.702/1’03.796
Fastest Lap 6° Noriyuki Haga 1’28.789 148,681 Km/h

Race 2 : (Laps 28 = 102,676 Km)
Pos /Rider /Nat. /Team / Time /Gap
1/R. LACONI/FRA/Ducati Fila/ 41’50.459/
2/J. TOSELAND/GBR/Ducati Fila/ 42’12.008/21.549
3/L. HASLAM/GBR/Renegade Ducati/ 42’15.144/24.685
4/G.MCCOY/AUS/XEROX – Ducati Nortel Net./ 42’17.872/27.413
5/G.NANNELLI/ITA/Pedercini/ 42’21.080/30.621
6/M.SANCHINI/ITA/Kawasaki Bertocchi/ 42’26.459/36.000
7/C.WALKER/GBR/Foggy PETRONAS Racing/ 42’32.542/42.083
8/C. VERMEULEN/AUS/Ten Kate Honda/ 42’37.403/46.944
9/I. CLEMENTI/ITA/Kawasaki Bertocchi/ 42’37.480/47.021
10/A. MEKLAU/AUT/Yoshimura Schäfer Motorsport/ 42’37.698/47.239
11/P. BONTEMPI/ITA/Zongshen/ 42’46.379/55.920
12/A. VELINI/ITA/UnionBike GiMotorsport/ 42’47.939/57.480
13/J. MRKYVKA/CZE/JM SBK/ 42’08.867/1 Lap
14/C. BERTHELSEN/NOR/Suzuki Netthandelen/ 42’33.805/1 Lap
Fastest Lap 5° Noriyuki Haga 1’28.629 148,949 Km/h

Riders Championship Standings:
1 Toseland 157, 2 laconi 155, 3 Chili 113, 4 McCoy 107, 5 Haga 94, 6 Vermeulen 92, 7 Haslam 89, 8 Corser 79, 9 Walker 78, 10 Martin 73.

Manufacturers Standings:
1 Ducati 250, 2 Petronas 112, 3 Honda 99, 4 Kawasaki 64, 5 Suzuki 56, 6 Yamaha 26.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yochum Motorsports’ Dave Ebben and Nate Kern rode a Dunlop-equipped Suzuki GSX-R1000 to win the Formula USA Team Challenge endurance event Saturday at Summit Point Raceway in Summit Point, West Virginia. It was the third consecutive Team Challenge race win in three rounds for the team in 2004.

Yocum Motorsports, the defending F-USA Team Challenge National Champions, used fast laps and better pit-stop strategy – stopping for fuel only once quickly while most teams pitted for two, slower fuel stops – to win the race.

“Staying consistent every lap and doing only one, fast pit stop was the key,” Ebben told Roadracingworld.com.

Fast Lane Racing (Rick Beggs/Jeff Allen) made two stops to refuel its Dunlop-fitted Kawasaki 636cc ZX-6R, but fast laps by Beggs during his opening and closing shifts helped the team finish second overall and first in the GTU category.

“I’ve been racing here for 15 years, and I’ve never gone faster than I just went in that race,” Beggs told reporters. “I was chasing Des Conboy, that’s how I went that fast. When I was alone at the end, I went slower.”

Himmelsbach Racing’s father and son combination of Bill and Michael Himmelsbach teamed with Chris Rich to claim third overall and second in the GTU class on their Pirelli-sponsored Yamaha YZF-R6.

“It’s a big, heavy boat,” the elder Himmelsbach, a long-time 250cc Grand Prix racer, said of his 2003 Yamaha YZF-R6. “No, really I just need to learn how to ride a 600 and get used to the way it wallows around the track.”

Roaring Toyz’s Robert Fisher and Dave Yaakov rode a Suzuki SV650 fitted with Pirelli rubber to finish sixth overall and first in the GT Lights class thanks in part to a one-pit-stop strategy. Fisher told Roadracingworld.com that his team wouldn’t have been in the race if not for Czaia Racing loaning his team an engine. Ironically, Czaia Racing, 5th in GT Lights, DNF with engine troubles.

Twenty-seven teams competed in the Team Challenge.


Team Challenge:

Overall:
1. Yochum Motorsports (Dave Ebben/Nate Kern), Suz GSX-R1000, GTO, 78 laps
2. Fast Lane Racing (Rick Beggs/Jeff Allen), Kaw ZX-6R, GTU, 78 laps
3. Himmelsbach Racing (Michael Himmelsbach/Bill Himmelsbach/Chris Rich), Yam YZF-R6, GTU, 77 laps
4. Team Celtic Racing(Des Conboy/Finbar Gilsenan), Yam YZF-R6, GTU, 77 laps
5. Roaring Toyz (Robert Fisher/Tim Hall/Dave Yaakov), Suz SV650, GTL, 76 laps
6. Baker Race Gear (Brian Baker/Matt Malterer), Suz, GTO, 76 laps
7. Hooters Northeast (Scott Greenwood/Tom Bibeau/Matthew Scott Silva), Suz GSX-R600, GTO, 75 laps
8. Kingpin Racing (Dan Ortega/James Ptak/Dave Rosno), Yam YZF-R6, GTU, 75 laps
9. Yochum Motorsports II (Jesse Janisch/Calvin Martinez), Suz GSX-R600, GTU, 74 laps
10. Vallely Racing (Thomas Vallely/Joe Ribeiro/Robert Lombardi), Suz GSX-R750, GTO, 74 laps

GTO:
1. Yochum Motorsports
2. Baker Race Gear
3. Hooters Northeast
4. Vallely Racing
5. York Service (Adam Mihulka/Richard Downer), Suz GSX-R750
6. Heat Miser Racing (John Farrell/Thomas Smith)

GTU:
1. Fast Lane Racing
2. Himmelsbach Racing
3. Team Celtic Racing
4. Kingpin Racing
5. Yochum Motorsports II
6. Celtic Racing (Joseph Rozynski/Sam Rozynski/Dan Bilansky), Suz GSX-R600

GT Lights:
1. Roaring Toyz
2. Happy Guts Racing (Darren Danilowicz/Joey Thomas), Suz SV650
3. CBG Racing 2 (Cordell Green/Kent Larson/Tony Tinsley), Suz SV650
4. Tight Squeeze Racing (Steve Clark/Steve Keener), Suz SV650
5. Czaia Racing (C.J. Czaia/John Linder), Suz SV650
6. MRP Motorsports (Daniel Riter), Suz SV650

From a press release issued by FGSport:

SUPERPOLE QUALIFYING

CORSER TAKES PETRONAS FP-1 TO HISTORIC SUPERPOLE WIN

History Men: The first-ever Malaysian Superbike, the unique and technologically advanced Petronas FP-1 triple, powered Troy Corser to a lap time of 1:27.687 and his 29th career Superpole win – although it was a much more significant development for the manufacturer than for the 1996 World Champion Corser. Having endured some hard times in the past the Foggy Petronas Team took their first ever Superpole triumph in a mood of elation, as Corser stuck in the fastest lap of any qualifying session, with eight riders still to set their single flying lap. The second Petronas of Chris Walker finished Superpole with a second row grid start, and seventh best time.

Fast By Noriyuki: After some disappointments since his Valencia race win back in February the squat and powerful figure of Noriyuki Haga (Renegade Ducati 999RS) rocketed back into global focus after Superpole, another rider like Corser leaping up the grid order after a disappointing regular qualifying session. Haga was second in Superpole, after being eighth in practice. His team-mate Leon Haslam was a disappointed 12th, on the third row for Sunday’s pair of 28-lap Superbike races.

First and Second – Rows: Regis Laconi (Ducati Fila 999F04) had another eventful day in World Superbike, as he had one engine fail and one crash in the final untimed regulation qualifying session, eventually running Superpole on his repaired crashed machine. He would finish third on the Superpole stopwatch and will also receive a penalty of a pit lane ride through in race one tomorrow, after his engine kill switch failed to work after his crash. His penalty means that he will be flagged in for a slow speed run down pitlane after five laps, rejoining the race immediately afterwards. The penalty only applies to race one. James Toseland (Ducati Fila 999F04) struggled with machine set-up and will start the race from the last place on the second row, in eighth.

Frankie Front Row: On the pace all weekend, Pierfrancesco Chili (PSG-1 Ducati 998) will start the Oschersleben races from the last slot on the front row, clawing his way to the upper echelon after a tough competition in the wake of Corser’s dominance. Injured privateer Ducati rider Steve Martin (DFX Ducati) swept his way forward to sixth.

Toiling Hondas: The Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR of Chris Vermeulen proved to be a difficult machine to set-up at such an endlessly twisting circuit, and the young World Supersport champion could only finish fifth in Superpole, with much work to complete in morning warm-up.

Privateer Party: After an excellent fifth place in regular qualifying Alpha Technik Honda CBR1000RR rider Michael Shulten took a ninth best time in Superpole, having not had any experience of the Pirelli 16.5 inch qualifying tyre in a previous session. His team-mate Jurgen Oelschläger went 11th quickest overall.

McCoy Middling: Garry McCoy, a rookie to the Oschersleben circuit, just managed to finish inside the top ten of Superpole, sandwiched by Schulten and Oelschläger. The fastest Kawasaki on show was the Bertocchi ZX-10 of Mauro Sanchini, 13th.

Supersport: Karl Muggeridge secured his fourth pole position of the five Supersport races so far this season – and in fine style, his lap of 1:29.288 a best ever Supersport mark at the 3.667km Oschersleben circuit. The new king of qualifying did not earn his title in an undisputed fashion, although overnight pole man Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) could not improve on his first day time, being pushed to second by Muggeridge’s charge.

Kevin Curtain (Yamaha Motor Germany) took his R6 to third place on the grid, while Fabien Foret (Yamaha Italia) roared to fourth spot, the last on the front row for Sunday’s 28-lap race. Roman Stamm (Suzuki Swiss) was an impressive wild card rider, going fifth fastest, ahead of Muggeridge’s team-mate Broc Parkes, who experienced misfire problems in the final timed outing.


More, from a press release issued by Ten Kate Honda Racing:

Muggeridge Takes Fourth Pole In Five Attempts

In the final qualifying session of the Oschersleben race weekend Karl Muggeridge (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) took full advantage of the improvements his crew made to his machine set-up overnight, scooping his fourth pole of the year on the way to the fastest ever Supersport lap of the 3.667km German track, a1:29.288.

His team-mate Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) experienced unexpected technical glitches on the final day of qualifying, a factor is his qualification in sixth place, earning a start on the second row. He nonetheless improved his first day lap time with his final session 1:30.340.

The Oschersleben front row consists of Muggeridge, Sebastien Charpentier (Honda), Kevin Curtain (Yamaha) and Fabien Foret (Yamaha).

Said a self-effacing Muggeridge after his fourth pole of the year; “I suppose four out of five isn’t bad for an old guy like me! We did a lot of work on the rear shock, did all we could with it only to discover it was more to do with the front fork. We worked on that and it is better. It’s hard to get it perfect because there are some areas of really hard braking and then some long, tight corners. With a Supersport bike it’s always a compromise. But we can lap reasonably fast with the race tyres we tested, so we’ll see what happens.”

Parkes acknowledged that things did not go his way on this particular day. “We had a problem on my preferred bike and that meant we had to change to the other bike. That was enough to stop me doing the times I could have done on my number one machine.”

Team Manager Ronald Ten Kate explained the first day’s experiences. “We are very happy with pole position, even more happy with the consistent fast times Karl was doing today, so I think we have things pretty well organised for the race tomorrow. We have some small details to test to make life easier for him in the race. Broc had some small problems today, with a misfiring bike – a big surprise to us and we will look into that later. It looked like he would get onto the front row until near the end of his last lap, but we know he is much more a racer than a qualifier. It will be tough for everyone tomorrow anyway.”

World Supersport Championship
Round Five – Oschersleben, Germany
28 – 30 May 2004
Final Qualifying
1. K. Muggeridge, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR, 1:29.288
2. S. Charpentier, FRA, Honda CBR600RR, 1:29.644
3. K. Curtain, AUS, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:30.014
4. F. Foret, FRA, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:30.088
5. R. Stamm, SUI, Suzuki GSX 600R, 1:30.106
6. B. Parkes, AUS, Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.340
7. C. Kellner, GER, Yamaha YZF R6, 1:30.568
8. M. Neukirchner, GER, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.594
9. I. Macpherson, GBR, Honda CBR600RR, 1:30.626
10. K. Fujiwara, JPN, Suzuki GSX 600R, 1:30.666


Vermeulen Starts From Second Row At Oschersleben

Having found the job of obtaining an optimum set-up for the slow and twisty Oschersleben circuit a difficult one, Chris Vermeulen (Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) ended his Superpole qualifying run in fifth place, having been third quickest in regulation qualifying.

The 3.667km German track has provided a series of obstacles to the new-for-2004 Honda, but with the morning warm-up left to run on Sunday there are still opportunities to make final modifications. Vermeulen will start the race from the first place on the second row of the grid, after Troy Corser shocked the paddock by giving the Petronas team its first ever pole position in World Superbike.

Vermeulen, still positive about his chances, on a circuit he won the Supersport race at last year, said, “I made a couple of small mistakes in Superpole, really because I didn’t use a soft tyre in the last session. When we put that in it made the bike a bit ‘pushy’ running a bit wide here and there. So it wasn’t a clean lap at all. I really wanted to be on the front row, but on the other hand we have some room for improvement tomorrow.”

Team Manager Ronald Ten Kate outlined the qualifying efforts of the team. “It’s been a difficult weekend so far but we have made steady progress. We have one more night to think and find solutions for Chris. Third in normal qualifying and fifth on the grid is quite good considering all the work we had to do since Friday and I hope that we can find him a bit more for tomorrow. I hope he will hang in there with the first bunch of riders off the line.”

World Superbike Championship
Round Five – Oschersleben, Germany
28 – 30 May 2004
Superpole Qualifying
1. T. Corser, AUS, Petrons FP1, 1:27.687
2. N. Haga, JPN, Ducati 999 RS, 1:28.197
3. R. Laconi, FRA, Ducati 999 F04, 1:28.339
4. P. Chili, ITA, Ducati 998 RS, 1:28.376
5. C. Vermeulen, Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR, 1:28.592
6. S. Martin, AUS, Ducati 999 RS, 1:28. 678
7. C. Walker, GBR, Petronas FP1, 1:28.758
8. J. Toseland, GBR, Ducati 999 F04, 1:28.795
9. M. Schulten, GER, Honda CBR1000RR, 1:28.923
10. G. Mccoy, AUS, Ducati 999 RS, 1:29.158


More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing:

Yamaha Italia World Supersport
Date: Saturday, 29th May 2004
Circuit: Oschersleben, m. 3.667
Final Qualifying
Weather: dry, mostly sunny Temperature: air 19° C
Crowd: 10.000

FRONT ROW FABIEN. UNLUCKY THIRTEEN FOR JURGEN
Yamaha Racing Italia rider Fabien Foret will start tomorrow’s 28-lap race at Oschersleben from exactly where he wanted – the front row of the grid. The 3.667 kilometre track is one of the tightest and twistiest tracks in the series and overtaking is difficult at the best of times, so Fabien’s front row place is vital if he is to get a good result. His team mate Jurgen is not so fortunate though and will start from the fourth row after experiencing problems finding a good set-up for his bike. Frenchman Sebastien Charpentier (Honda) had led the first timed qualifying session and looked on course for pole position until series leader Karl Muggeridge (Honda) snatched it in the closing stages of the afternoon session.

FABIEN FORET – 4th, 1:30.088
I’m unhappy because I felt I could’ve been faster – if it hadn’t been for all the traffic on the track towards the end of the final session. Also I thought I could squeeze one more quick lap in at the end, but the flag came out and I just ran out of time. So, I guess I’m lucky to be on the front row and at Oschersleben that is absolutely vital. This is a very difficult track for overtaking, so a front row place is a must. I aim to make a good start and get in and out of turn one without any problems. It’s like a funnel going in there, so it can get a bit hectic. But if I manage that OK, I think I can get a podium. Muggeridge is always fast in practice, but I’m not worried about that, because the race is another matter.

JURGEN VAN DEN GOORBERGH – 13th, 1:30.800
I don’t know what’s happening at the moment, because early on in the season I had a good feeling with the bike, but now that’s gone. My goal was to be on the second row, but now I’m on the fourth and that’s not a good place to be here. I’ve got to make the start of my life and catch up the leaders as soon as possible, so that I can make a good race of it. It’s going to be hard, but I’m going to try my best for sure.

TEKKYU KAYO – 17th, 1:31.128
Everything was going OK for half the session, then I lost control going into turn and had a very slow speed fall in the gravel. I wasn’t hurt and the bike suffered no damage, so that’s the good news. The bad news is that I’m on row five and a long way from the front of the grid. Fortunately I’m not chasing championship points like Fabien and Jurgen, but just getting in some solid race practice. That doesn’t mean I am not going to try my hardest – because I am!


More, from a press release issued by Troy Corser’s publicist:

2004 World Superbike Championship
Round 5, Oschersleben (Germany)
Saturday 29th May, Final Qualifying
Circuit: 3.667 kms
Weather: mostly sunny, 20°C

SUPERPOLE TROY!

Troy completely annihilated the opposition in the Superpole shoot-out today and stormed to pole position on his Petronas FP1. Troy’s lap of 1:27.687 was a staggering half a second quicker then his nearest rival Noriyuki Haga
(Ducati) and came after starting Superpole with the ninth fastest time in regular qualifying. Throughout his Superpole lap, Troy was smooth and unhurried and his lap time shocked everybody present. It was also the first Superpole for the Petronas team and, with a front row start so vital at Oschersleben, a good omen for the two races ahead. Third on the grid is series leader Regis Laconi (Ducati), but he will have to complete a drive-though penalty in the first of tomorrow’s 28-lappers as his bike failed to cut out on when he crashed in qualifying. Frankie Chili (Ducati) completes the front row, with Chris Vermeulen (Honda) fifth and Steve Martin (Ducati) sixth.

TROY – POLE! 1:27.687
I’m absolutely delighted to take Superpole – my first for the team – and be on the front row. Funnily enough, the lap was easy and there were no dramas at all. I said that this track seems to suit the Petronas and this proved it. The bike worked perfectly on the Superpole lap and this is the first time we’ve managed to get a good result with the qualifying tyres. Oschersleben is a really hard track to overtake on, so you have to be on the front row to stand a chance of a good result. The first turn is quite close and it’s best to get through it without any trouble because everybody funnels in to it. If I can get a good start and be in front or up front then I can wait and see what happens towards the end before making my move. So far so good, now let’s see what happens tomorrow.



More, from a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

LACONI (DUCATI FILA) THIRD, TOSELAND EIGHTH IN OSCHERSLEBEN QUALIFYING – LACONI FACES RIDE-THROUGH PENALTY IN RACE ONE TOMORROW

Oschersleben (Germany), Saturday 29 May 2004: Regis Laconi (Ducati Fila) and James Toseland qualified third and eighth respectively on the grid for Sunday’s World Superbike round 5 at Oschersleben as Troy Corser (Petronas) powered to the twenty-ninth pole position of his career with the only sub-1m28s lap of the weekend.

The Frenchman faces a tough first race tomorrow as he has to undergo a ride-through penalty of 85 km/h in the pitlane after the FIM decided to penalise the Ducati Fila team for the fact that the engine of his 999 F04 failed to cut out immediately after his crash in today’s second free practice session. The tilt switch, tested by the team before the beginning of the practice session and right after the bike returned to the pits after the crash, was actually functioning according to the rules, but it did not cut off during the crash probably due to the dynamics of the accident.

However Ducati Fila accepts this unprecedented decision and will make every attempt tomorrow to help Regis, in addition to James, score the best possible results.

“It’s been quite an eventful weekend with two crashes yesterday and today and an engine problem this afternoon and I’ve also had to work hard on the bike to find the right setting” declared Laconi. “I’m not so happy with the way things have gone but that’s racing and third today was actually very good. We changed the settings a lot for this track because it’s quite different, but I didn’t know the settings enough to go fast for one lap in Superpole. However I’m very happy with my race set-up and my race tyre even though race 1 will be very tough because of this penalty” he added.

James Toseland, sixth after the two qualifying sessions, shaved a tenth of his time in Superpole but slipped to eighth and starts tomorrow’s two races from row 2. “My Superpole lap was quite average really but that’s not so important because I have improved a lot over the weekend and I’m very happy with my race set-up” explained Toseland. We did a 1m29s flat on the race tyre and the bike is feeling more comfortable now. I’m pretty happy where I am at the moment, I’ve got the tyre sorted out and the bike is pretty much to my liking. Now I’ve just got to ride the thing out there, I feel it’s coming out of the corners much better and we’re moving forward.”

STARTING-GRID: 1. Corser (Petronas) 1:27.687; 2. Haga (Renegade Ducati) 1:28.197; 3. Laconi (Ducati Fila) 1:28.339; 4. Chili (PSG-1 Ducati) 1:28.376; 5. Vermeulen (Honda) 1:28.592; 6. Martin (DFX Ducati) 1:28.678; 7. Walker (Petronas) 1:28.758; 8. Toseland (Ducati Fila) 1:28.795; etc.


LANZI (DUCATI BREIL) REMAINS TWENTIETH AS SUPERSPORT PACE HOTS UP

Oschersleben (Germany), Saturday 29 May 2004: Lorenzo Lanzi (Ducati Breil) will start tomorrow’s fifth round of the World Supersport championship at Oschersleben from row 5 of the grid after qualifying in twentieth position.

Lanzi, European Superstock runner-up in 2003, was unable to make a further improvement in the last few minutes of second qualifying and had to stay with his provisional row 5 grid slot from yesterday, despite knocking half-a-second off his time.

“Last year with the more powerful 999s Superstock I lapped six-tenths of a second quicker and that was what I was aiming for today” declared Lanzi.

“That time would have enabled me to start amongst the top 10, but unfortunately in the last few minutes, when I went out to try and improve my time, I put on a tyre that did not perform in a satisfactory way..

“This has created a little bit of confusion also for the choice of tyre I’ll use in the race, I’ll do some more tests in the warm-up to get a better idea.

“Pity, I’ll just have to make another good start like at Monza and get the best possible result tomorrow” Lanzi added.

TIMES: 1. Muggeridge (Honda) 1’29.288; 2. Charpentier (Honda) 1:29.644; 3. Curtain (Yamaha) 1:30.014; 4. Foret (Yamaha) 1:30.088; 5. Stamm (Suzuki) 1:30.106; 6. Parkes (Honda) 1:30.340; … 20. Lanzi (Ducati Breil) 1:31.340.

From a press release issued by KTM:

First tests with a KTM allwheel bike

Kurt Nicoll KTM Motorsport

What is your experience with 2-wheel drive? What are the differences?

When you ride with the 2-wheel drive system, you notice that it’s so much better when accelerating out of corners. With two driven wheels it’s more difficult to take the inner line around a curve. Therefore you usually take the outer line, as when both wheels are powered, the bike tends to want to straighten itself. You also feel the improved acceleration in the upper body, arms and shoulders. When you are riding very slowly, for example at the Erzberg, where it’s seriously up and down over rough ground, the rear wheel often breaks traction and spins – but not with the 2-wheel drive, which keeps on pulling with the front wheel. This way you can accelerate in situations where others are already bogged down. Those are what I think the major differences are.


Do you think it’s only something for competition riders or can your average rider also benefit from it?

I think that the system has advantages particularly for the hobby rider. The advantages for competition riders will be less, as they mostly have a very good feel for traction – moreover they’re already used to steering the bike with a slipping rear wheel. But if someone has problems with steep climbs or often gets bogged down, then I think 2-wheel drive will yield great rewards.


Does it only have advantages when off-road, in sand or mud, or also on hard surfaces when it’s wet?

It can safely be said that 2-wheel drive helps more on a wet surface than a dry one. When it’s dry, the rear wheel hardly ever spins, but when it’s wet it does so continuously. With 2-wheel drive one simply twists the throttle and the bike accelerates because the power is distributed to both wheels. When it’s wet, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s wet sand or asphalt, 2-wheel drive makes riding much easier.


Is it a similar leap forward to that of the Quattro 20 years ago?

Yes, it’s very similar. At the moment we’re just at the beginning of it’s development. The problem that we’re working on is perhaps the same one that 4WD cars had 20 years ago: the system is heavy! We must get the weight down (currently approx. 6 kg). When we’ve managed to do that, so that it only adds a couple of additional kilos, then it has the potential to trigger a similar revolution to that of the Quattro.


What about riding technique? Doesn’t one have to totally alter it?

It is necessary to alter your riding style a little. You must get used to the fact that the front wheel is also always driving, that you should always take a wider curve radius, and that you’ll be amazed when the front wheel pulls you out of a rocky section. You have to get a little used to the feeling, and this doesn’t come straight away, especially when you’ve been riding a conventionally driven motorcycle for the last 25 years.


Project leader, Wolfgang Felber

What we’re testing at the moment is a mechanical hydraulic system with a pre-set torque distribution between the front and rear wheel.

This system is already fairly well developed, but can definitely be improved upon.

In the current phase KTM just wants to be one of the first companies on the ball and, using prototypes, to test the suitability of 2-wheel drive under various different conditions.

Only after that can the decision be made to produce a limited batch.

At the moment the advantages and disadvantages of 2-wheel drive compared to a conventionally driven off-road motorcycle pretty much balance each other out. But anyway, no huge adjustment is necessary on the rider’s side.