Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
The 2004 Kawasaki ZX-10R AMA Superstock racebike is more powerful than the company’s ZX-7RR factory Superbike.
That’s the word from Kawasaki AMA Team Manager Michael Preston. Speaking during testing at California Speedway Wednesday, Preston told Roadracingworld.com that his team’s ZX-10R Superstock bikes made “way more horsepower and way more torque than our 750 ever did.”
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
The GSX-R600 Supersport racebikes ridden by Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates and Ben Spies will be painted yellow rather than the team’s traditional colors, blue and white, for the AMA season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
“American Suzuki has decided to enter the yellow (Suzuki) GSX-R600 for Daytona,” Yoshimura Suzuki Team Manager Don Sakakura told Roadracingworld.com Wednesday. “It’s a brand new model, obviously, and we feel it’s going to be very competitive at Daytona, so we’re trying to make an issue or point there – new model, new bike, competitive bike. Hopefully we can do well there.”
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Reader Chris Giron of Greensburg, Pennsylvania sent us this link to a local news story, which reports that authorities have finally caught a Nigerian scam artist taking advantage of Americans.
http://www.post-gazette.com/breaking/20040205nigeriap5.asp
U.S. House members poised to ban motorized vehicles from 2.1 million acres PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The U.S. House of Representatives could vote as early as next week on a wide-ranging bill that could shut off-highway motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle riders out of more than 2 million acres of public land, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports. The measure, Senate Bill 22, also known as the Omnibus Public Lands Bill, is actually a package of more than 160 bills that were melded together to form a single bill more than 1,300 pages long. “This bill was on the fast-track in the U.S. Senate and passed swiftly earlier this year without public scrutiny or debate,” said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. “The measure is now being steamrolled through the U.S. House without giving the public an opportunity to fully digest its impact and debate the many provisions in the bill.” Moreland isn’t the only one upset at how this legislation is being handled. U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), a key lawmaker, said, “Poor process produces poor product, and this is an example of congressional process at its worst. Parts of this bill are good, and parts are very bad. Each part deserves to be discussed and voted on its own merits.” Moreland called on all AMA members, off-highway motorcyclists, ATV riders and everyone who supports responsible outdoor recreation to immediately contact their Congressional representative and ask them to reject the bill. The measure should be defeated because it unreasonably bans motorized recreation on 2.1 million acres of public land by inappropriately designating it as Wilderness, and because the procedures used for fast-tracking the bill through the U.S. Senate and House violate the spirit of open and democratic government. “Continued responsible access to public lands is a vitally important right for current and future generations,” Moreland added. “This measure deserves to be fully analyzed and thoughtfully debated prior to a final vote.” A rapid way to contact elected U.S. representatives is in the “Issues & Legislation” area of the Rights section of the AMA website at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com. About the American Motorcyclist Association Since 1924, the AMA has promoted and protected the motorcycling lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycle organization with nearly 300,000 members, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition events than any other organization in the world. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, visit www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
From a press release issued by Aprilia:
In San Marino Republic, a postage stamp is dedicated to Manuel Poggiali and his victory with the Aprilia 250.
From left to right: Paride Andreoli, San Marino’s Minister of Sport Activities, Manuel Poggiali, Jan Witteveen, Aprilia Sport Activities Director, Pier Marino Mularoni, San Marino’s Secretary of State for Finances.
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
According to Jan Plessner, Media Relations Manager for Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., production ZX-10Rs will land on U.S. soil February 24 and will immediately be sent to U.S. dealers. The bike should be available at dealerships in early March.
Plessner, who called Roadracingworld.com today, said that ZX-10Rs will also be included in the Kawasaki street demo fleet at Daytona. The street demo fleet will be based out of a Kawasaki tent located outside Daytona International Speedway, along International Speedway Blvd., the week of AMA races, March 3-6.
From a press release issued by Honda, regarding remarks made at Honda’s 2004-season kickoff party and press conference in Tokyo, Japan:
2004 Honda Motorsports Highlights
February 3, 2004
Suguru Kanazawa
Director, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. And President, Honda Racing Corporation
Good evening, everyone. I’m Suguru Kanazawa, and I am truly grateful for the time you’ve taken out of your busy schedules to join us. I would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude for the support you have shown for Honda and for Honda motorsports.
With your help, our teams won numerous championships last year, competing in the WGP 125, MotoGP, the World Trial Championship, the Suzuka 8 hours, the All Japan Road Race and more. This year, we will continue to participate in a wide range commitment and determination.
First, in the MotoGP class of the FIM 2004 Road Racing Championship Series, we plan to race six RC211Vs and field three teams. This year, two of veteran riders, Alex Barros and Colin Edwards, will join us, and we are gunning for the third straight title in the MotoGP class. In the 250cc class, we will field two teams and run four RS250RWs in an all-out effort to reclaim the championship.
At the World Championship for Trial, we have claimed both the rider and manufacturer titles the last four years. Seeking five consecutive victories, this year we will go with the same riders and model of machine as last year.
Honda participated in the Mountainbike Downhill races for the first time last year. We tried hard and scored one victory in a Japan Series race. This year, we will race in Japan Series as last year, and focus on the world stage, UCI world cup and NORBA national championship for Mountainbike Downhill race.
And now, I am proud to announce the establishment of the Honda Racing Scholarship. This program is to develop young Japanese riders who can compete in world road racing championships. This year, in the first year of the program, participant Hiroshi Aoyama, 22-year-old 2003 champion in the GP 250 of the MFJ All Japan Road Racing Championship Series, will compete in the 250cc class World Championship on the Telefonica Movistar Honda 250 team. Let’s all wish him success as he takes up this challenge.
As part of our efforts to develop new talent, we are also considering staging events in Japan based on the RS125R One-make Races currently held in Germany and Italy.
We look forward to working together with everyone for another year full of successes.
Thank you.
From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:
CAPIROSSI AND BAYLISS PRESENT THE DUCATI DESMOSEDICI FOR MOTOGP 2004 AND LEAVE FOR FIRST TESTS IN MALAYSIA
2004 DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM “TAKES OFF” FROM BOLOGNA AIRPORT
Bologna (Italy), “G. Marconi” International Airport, February 4, 2004: The Ducati Marlboro Team’s 2004 MotoGP championship campaign got underway today with an international media presentation at the check-in area of Bologna’s “G. Marconi” Airport. After the formal presentation, the new bikes were immediately crated up and air-freighted to Malaysia, where the Ducati Marlboro Team will begin its first tests of the season at the Sepang Circuit.
“Italy, Emilia Romagna, Bologna, Borgo Panigale, these are our roots, and it is here that we find the inspiration, the strength and the passion to try and win on race-tracks all over the world” declared Federico Minoli, Ducati Motor Holding and Ducati Corse Chairman. “Our DNA was created in this area; it is a DNA made up of racing, great challenges and important successes. Today we are here to send the Ducati Marlboro Team on their way for the 2004 MotoGP championship. This is an important commitment that we are only able to undertake thanks to the solidity of the company, the talent and credibility of Ducati Corse, and our increasingly important partnerships and sponsors. The commitment confirms the heart and the passion that links all our fans, who are proud to form part of this fantastic world of Ducati.”
The Ducati Marlboro Team’s sporting activities and aims were presented during the event. “The results obtained confirm that the project has solid foundations, on which we must continue to grow, and we feel that we are stronger than one year ago” declared Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse Managing Director. “I am sure that the season that is about to get underway will see us contenders in a World Championship that on paper is very evenly balanced and for this reason even more exciting. We are starting the season with the knowledge that we have grown up but aware that the project is still young and in its development phase. Everyone in the company, from Loris and Troy, continues to demonstrate a devotion and competence that makes me very proud. To this must be added the support and the trust of our sponsors, including Marlboro, Shell Advance, Fila and Michelin, to mention just a few, as well as our new partners, including Alice, the prestigious Telecom Italia brand, and AMD.”
Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss will be the two factory Ducati Marlboro Team riders who, for the second successive year, will race the Desmosedici GP4, together with tester Vittoriano Guareschi. “With Loris and Troy in the team we are sure that we are in a position to obtain important results at every race” declared Livio Suppo, Director of the Ducati Marlboro Team. “Both were chosen not only for their riding skill, but also for their ability to always give their utmost with enthusiasm and determination. They were fundamental in the Desmosedici’s development process and we are certain that they will again give us some great satisfaction this year.”
The undisputed star of the event was the 2004-spec version of the ‘Desmosedici’, the D16GP4, which boasts a number of important differences and changes from the 2003 version. As well as a new, more exciting and aggressive livery, the bike has undergone changes in aerodynamics, chassis and in the engine, which now has more than 230 HP. “We made changes in different areas of the chassis and the engine, despite remaining faithful to the basic philosophy. The result is a major evolution of last year’s bike” declared Ducati Corse Technical Director Filippo Preziosi. “The experience we accumulated in the 2003 season was fundamental in the creation of this bike, and we are extremely satisfied with the result and very confident.”
With the enthusiasm and optimism that has always characterized the Italian squad, the new Ducati Desmosedici will be setting off tomorrow for Sepang, where the Ducati Marlboro Team will start its championship preparations with three days of testing from 11-13 February. Immediately after it will be heading for the Phillip Island circuit in Australia for three more days of pre-season testing.
From a press release issued by ValuCycle:
WERA and ValuCycle announce Senior Superbike Challenge series for racers age 40 and over.
Canton, GA – January 4, 2004 – WERA is pleased to announce that ValuCycle has been selected to be the title sponsor of the “ValuCycle Senior Superbike Challenge.” The series is open to all riders age 40 and over competing in the Senior Superbike class (formerly known as CORC) at any WERA Sportsman series event. Racers will compete within their respective regions for Regional Championships.
The ValuCycle Senior Superbike Regional Champion will be the racer with the highest point accumulation at the end of the season in each region. The ValuCycle Senior Superbike National Champion will be the rider who wins at the Grand National Final.
Trophies will be awarded to the top 3 finishers at all events in both Novice and Expert divisions, and ValuCycle will award trophies, cash, and gift certificates to each of the top 3 Expert and Novice National finalists.
ValuCycle, Inc. is located in Conyers, Georgia and specializes in the sale of pre-owned motorcycles. Visit their website at www.valucycle.com
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Gregorio Lavilla will replace John Hopkins in continuing tests of the Suzuki GSV-R at Sepang, Malaysia later this month, and may ride the machine again at Phillip Island.
Lavilla’s manager is negotiating a deal with the Suzuki MotoGP team which may also see the popular Spaniard work as a GSV-R test rider throughout 2004, with some wild-card GP entries as well.
Suzuki’s MotoGP program needs a rider to replace John Hopkins in crucial pre-season testing. Hopkins has carried a heavy testing load for Suzuki’s MotoGP program but crashed and fractured both ankles during practice for the Suzuki Crossover Challenge, a Supercross event sponsored by American Suzuki Motor Corp., in San Diego, California almost two weeks ago.
Famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. Art Ting installed plates in both of Hopkins’ ankles last week.
Hopkins’ crash enraged various Japan-based officials involved in Suzuki Motor Company’s MotoGP program, who say they did not approve of Hopkins’ Supercross excursion.
Hopkins is an avid motocross rider, and began his motorcycle racing career in motocross. He rides motocross frequently to train and as a way to release stress and frustration related to riding a so-far-uncompetitive machine in MotoGP.
Lavilla is managed by the Zenit company of Barcelona, which also manages Dakar winner Nani Roma and Spanish road racers Pere Riba, Jose David de Gea and Jose Luis Cardoso.
“It’s been two-and-a-half months since I have ridden a racing bike and it is a shame that my chance to ride the Suzuki comes at a time when the others have had several tests, but I look forward to seeing how this bike really is and what it is like to ride,” said Lavilla, quoted in Spanish news reports.
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
The 2004 Kawasaki ZX-10R AMA Superstock racebike is more powerful than the company’s ZX-7RR factory Superbike.
That’s the word from Kawasaki AMA Team Manager Michael Preston. Speaking during testing at California Speedway Wednesday, Preston told Roadracingworld.com that his team’s ZX-10R Superstock bikes made “way more horsepower and way more torque than our 750 ever did.”
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
The GSX-R600 Supersport racebikes ridden by Yoshimura Suzuki’s Aaron Yates and Ben Spies will be painted yellow rather than the team’s traditional colors, blue and white, for the AMA season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
“American Suzuki has decided to enter the yellow (Suzuki) GSX-R600 for Daytona,” Yoshimura Suzuki Team Manager Don Sakakura told Roadracingworld.com Wednesday. “It’s a brand new model, obviously, and we feel it’s going to be very competitive at Daytona, so we’re trying to make an issue or point there – new model, new bike, competitive bike. Hopefully we can do well there.”
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Reader Chris Giron of Greensburg, Pennsylvania sent us this link to a local news story, which reports that authorities have finally caught a Nigerian scam artist taking advantage of Americans.
http://www.post-gazette.com/breaking/20040205nigeriap5.asp
U.S. House members poised to ban motorized vehicles from 2.1 million acres PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The U.S. House of Representatives could vote as early as next week on a wide-ranging bill that could shut off-highway motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle riders out of more than 2 million acres of public land, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports. The measure, Senate Bill 22, also known as the Omnibus Public Lands Bill, is actually a package of more than 160 bills that were melded together to form a single bill more than 1,300 pages long. “This bill was on the fast-track in the U.S. Senate and passed swiftly earlier this year without public scrutiny or debate,” said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. “The measure is now being steamrolled through the U.S. House without giving the public an opportunity to fully digest its impact and debate the many provisions in the bill.” Moreland isn’t the only one upset at how this legislation is being handled. U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), a key lawmaker, said, “Poor process produces poor product, and this is an example of congressional process at its worst. Parts of this bill are good, and parts are very bad. Each part deserves to be discussed and voted on its own merits.” Moreland called on all AMA members, off-highway motorcyclists, ATV riders and everyone who supports responsible outdoor recreation to immediately contact their Congressional representative and ask them to reject the bill. The measure should be defeated because it unreasonably bans motorized recreation on 2.1 million acres of public land by inappropriately designating it as Wilderness, and because the procedures used for fast-tracking the bill through the U.S. Senate and House violate the spirit of open and democratic government. “Continued responsible access to public lands is a vitally important right for current and future generations,” Moreland added. “This measure deserves to be fully analyzed and thoughtfully debated prior to a final vote.” A rapid way to contact elected U.S. representatives is in the “Issues & Legislation” area of the Rights section of the AMA website at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com. About the American Motorcyclist Association Since 1924, the AMA has promoted and protected the motorcycling lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycle organization with nearly 300,000 members, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition events than any other organization in the world. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, visit www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
From a press release issued by Aprilia:
In San Marino Republic, a postage stamp is dedicated to Manuel Poggiali and his victory with the Aprilia 250.
From left to right: Paride Andreoli, San Marino’s Minister of Sport Activities, Manuel Poggiali, Jan Witteveen, Aprilia Sport Activities Director, Pier Marino Mularoni, San Marino’s Secretary of State for Finances.
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
According to Jan Plessner, Media Relations Manager for Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., production ZX-10Rs will land on U.S. soil February 24 and will immediately be sent to U.S. dealers. The bike should be available at dealerships in early March.
Plessner, who called Roadracingworld.com today, said that ZX-10Rs will also be included in the Kawasaki street demo fleet at Daytona. The street demo fleet will be based out of a Kawasaki tent located outside Daytona International Speedway, along International Speedway Blvd., the week of AMA races, March 3-6.
From a press release issued by Honda, regarding remarks made at Honda’s 2004-season kickoff party and press conference in Tokyo, Japan:
2004 Honda Motorsports Highlights
February 3, 2004
Suguru Kanazawa
Director, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. And President, Honda Racing Corporation
Good evening, everyone. I’m Suguru Kanazawa, and I am truly grateful for the time you’ve taken out of your busy schedules to join us. I would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude for the support you have shown for Honda and for Honda motorsports.
With your help, our teams won numerous championships last year, competing in the WGP 125, MotoGP, the World Trial Championship, the Suzuka 8 hours, the All Japan Road Race and more. This year, we will continue to participate in a wide range commitment and determination.
First, in the MotoGP class of the FIM 2004 Road Racing Championship Series, we plan to race six RC211Vs and field three teams. This year, two of veteran riders, Alex Barros and Colin Edwards, will join us, and we are gunning for the third straight title in the MotoGP class. In the 250cc class, we will field two teams and run four RS250RWs in an all-out effort to reclaim the championship.
At the World Championship for Trial, we have claimed both the rider and manufacturer titles the last four years. Seeking five consecutive victories, this year we will go with the same riders and model of machine as last year.
Honda participated in the Mountainbike Downhill races for the first time last year. We tried hard and scored one victory in a Japan Series race. This year, we will race in Japan Series as last year, and focus on the world stage, UCI world cup and NORBA national championship for Mountainbike Downhill race.
And now, I am proud to announce the establishment of the Honda Racing Scholarship. This program is to develop young Japanese riders who can compete in world road racing championships. This year, in the first year of the program, participant Hiroshi Aoyama, 22-year-old 2003 champion in the GP 250 of the MFJ All Japan Road Racing Championship Series, will compete in the 250cc class World Championship on the Telefonica Movistar Honda 250 team. Let’s all wish him success as he takes up this challenge.
As part of our efforts to develop new talent, we are also considering staging events in Japan based on the RS125R One-make Races currently held in Germany and Italy.
We look forward to working together with everyone for another year full of successes.
Thank you.
From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:
CAPIROSSI AND BAYLISS PRESENT THE DUCATI DESMOSEDICI FOR MOTOGP 2004 AND LEAVE FOR FIRST TESTS IN MALAYSIA
2004 DUCATI MARLBORO TEAM “TAKES OFF” FROM BOLOGNA AIRPORT
Bologna (Italy), “G. Marconi” International Airport, February 4, 2004: The Ducati Marlboro Team’s 2004 MotoGP championship campaign got underway today with an international media presentation at the check-in area of Bologna’s “G. Marconi” Airport. After the formal presentation, the new bikes were immediately crated up and air-freighted to Malaysia, where the Ducati Marlboro Team will begin its first tests of the season at the Sepang Circuit.
“Italy, Emilia Romagna, Bologna, Borgo Panigale, these are our roots, and it is here that we find the inspiration, the strength and the passion to try and win on race-tracks all over the world” declared Federico Minoli, Ducati Motor Holding and Ducati Corse Chairman. “Our DNA was created in this area; it is a DNA made up of racing, great challenges and important successes. Today we are here to send the Ducati Marlboro Team on their way for the 2004 MotoGP championship. This is an important commitment that we are only able to undertake thanks to the solidity of the company, the talent and credibility of Ducati Corse, and our increasingly important partnerships and sponsors. The commitment confirms the heart and the passion that links all our fans, who are proud to form part of this fantastic world of Ducati.”
The Ducati Marlboro Team’s sporting activities and aims were presented during the event. “The results obtained confirm that the project has solid foundations, on which we must continue to grow, and we feel that we are stronger than one year ago” declared Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse Managing Director. “I am sure that the season that is about to get underway will see us contenders in a World Championship that on paper is very evenly balanced and for this reason even more exciting. We are starting the season with the knowledge that we have grown up but aware that the project is still young and in its development phase. Everyone in the company, from Loris and Troy, continues to demonstrate a devotion and competence that makes me very proud. To this must be added the support and the trust of our sponsors, including Marlboro, Shell Advance, Fila and Michelin, to mention just a few, as well as our new partners, including Alice, the prestigious Telecom Italia brand, and AMD.”
Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss will be the two factory Ducati Marlboro Team riders who, for the second successive year, will race the Desmosedici GP4, together with tester Vittoriano Guareschi. “With Loris and Troy in the team we are sure that we are in a position to obtain important results at every race” declared Livio Suppo, Director of the Ducati Marlboro Team. “Both were chosen not only for their riding skill, but also for their ability to always give their utmost with enthusiasm and determination. They were fundamental in the Desmosedici’s development process and we are certain that they will again give us some great satisfaction this year.”
The undisputed star of the event was the 2004-spec version of the ‘Desmosedici’, the D16GP4, which boasts a number of important differences and changes from the 2003 version. As well as a new, more exciting and aggressive livery, the bike has undergone changes in aerodynamics, chassis and in the engine, which now has more than 230 HP. “We made changes in different areas of the chassis and the engine, despite remaining faithful to the basic philosophy. The result is a major evolution of last year’s bike” declared Ducati Corse Technical Director Filippo Preziosi. “The experience we accumulated in the 2003 season was fundamental in the creation of this bike, and we are extremely satisfied with the result and very confident.”
With the enthusiasm and optimism that has always characterized the Italian squad, the new Ducati Desmosedici will be setting off tomorrow for Sepang, where the Ducati Marlboro Team will start its championship preparations with three days of testing from 11-13 February. Immediately after it will be heading for the Phillip Island circuit in Australia for three more days of pre-season testing.
From a press release issued by ValuCycle:
WERA and ValuCycle announce Senior Superbike Challenge series for racers age 40 and over.
Canton, GA – January 4, 2004 – WERA is pleased to announce that ValuCycle has been selected to be the title sponsor of the “ValuCycle Senior Superbike Challenge.” The series is open to all riders age 40 and over competing in the Senior Superbike class (formerly known as CORC) at any WERA Sportsman series event. Racers will compete within their respective regions for Regional Championships.
The ValuCycle Senior Superbike Regional Champion will be the racer with the highest point accumulation at the end of the season in each region. The ValuCycle Senior Superbike National Champion will be the rider who wins at the Grand National Final.
Trophies will be awarded to the top 3 finishers at all events in both Novice and Expert divisions, and ValuCycle will award trophies, cash, and gift certificates to each of the top 3 Expert and Novice National finalists.
ValuCycle, Inc. is located in Conyers, Georgia and specializes in the sale of pre-owned motorcycles. Visit their website at www.valucycle.com
Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Gregorio Lavilla will replace John Hopkins in continuing tests of the Suzuki GSV-R at Sepang, Malaysia later this month, and may ride the machine again at Phillip Island.
Lavilla’s manager is negotiating a deal with the Suzuki MotoGP team which may also see the popular Spaniard work as a GSV-R test rider throughout 2004, with some wild-card GP entries as well.
Suzuki’s MotoGP program needs a rider to replace John Hopkins in crucial pre-season testing. Hopkins has carried a heavy testing load for Suzuki’s MotoGP program but crashed and fractured both ankles during practice for the Suzuki Crossover Challenge, a Supercross event sponsored by American Suzuki Motor Corp., in San Diego, California almost two weeks ago.
Famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. Art Ting installed plates in both of Hopkins’ ankles last week.
Hopkins’ crash enraged various Japan-based officials involved in Suzuki Motor Company’s MotoGP program, who say they did not approve of Hopkins’ Supercross excursion.
Hopkins is an avid motocross rider, and began his motorcycle racing career in motocross. He rides motocross frequently to train and as a way to release stress and frustration related to riding a so-far-uncompetitive machine in MotoGP.
Lavilla is managed by the Zenit company of Barcelona, which also manages Dakar winner Nani Roma and Spanish road racers Pere Riba, Jose David de Gea and Jose Luis Cardoso.
“It’s been two-and-a-half months since I have ridden a racing bike and it is a shame that my chance to ride the Suzuki comes at a time when the others have had several tests, but I look forward to seeing how this bike really is and what it is like to ride,” said Lavilla, quoted in Spanish news reports.
