From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

SILVERSTONE SIGNALS END OF PART ONE

After the dramas and uncertainty of the previous round at Oschersleben on May 30 the 10-round World Supersport Championship is about to embark on its last outing for almost two months, to Silverstone in Great Britain this weekend.

At Silverstone, machine speed and fast cornering confidence is the key for the majority of the lap but a tight and twisty final section, including the season’s most cramped and slowest chicane, makes the modern 5.094km Silverstone circuit one of contrasts.

After the temporary exclusion of the six top Honda riders at Oschersleben all their points and finishing positions have been restored, significantly altering the state of play in the overall World Championship fight at a crucial stage.

Thanks to the efforts of three of the supported riders equipped with the all-conquering CBR600RR the Oschersleben podium places were ultimately an all-Honda affair, with Karl Muggeridge and Broc Parkes from the Ten Kate squad finishing first and second respectively, and Sebastien Charpentier (Klaffi Honda) a close third.

Muggeridge’s win, his third in a row and Honda’s fourth of the year, puts him in the lead of the championship, 87 points to the 82 of Yamaha rider Jurgen van den Goorbergh. Parkes, thanks in large part to his two-second places at Monza and Oschersleben, sits third, with 53 points. Charpentier, now sixth overall, looks forward to fighting for his second podium of the season at what is the first of two British-based rounds on the calendar.

Charpentier’s 20-year-old team-mate Max Neukirchner (Klaffi Honda CBR600RR) will have his first taste of yet another new track this weekend, the rookie WSS rider proving to be a real asset for now and the future. He scored a career best fifth place at Oschersleben, after a race-long fight with some legendary figures in Supersport racing.

Team Italia Megabike Honda riders Alessio Corradi (Team Italia Megabike Honda CBR600RR) and Denis Sacchetti will be looking to Silverstone as another opportunity to move into the top places.

Now back on top of the championship on riding merit, Muggeridge is looking to continue his amazing run of form and is already concentrating on the job in hand. “It should be good again this weekend. We are improving the bike every time we get put on it. I keep hoping the job of making the set-up better gets easier and easier but each time we go faster we arrive at another small problem, which we solve. It’s just a continual job. I want to just concentrate on the set-up for race conditions and I don’t expect too many changes, even though we have new fork settings and so on to try. Silverstone is two tracks in one. The more open part is all high speed cornering, like Phillip Island or Assen and the other bit is like a Supercross arena. By necessity, set-up is always a compromise atSilverstone.”

For Parkes, a new training regime has already paid dividends, and he will be all out to take his first win in WSS in the UK. “Silverstone is pretty good to me. Last year I was on the front row in first qualifying. I like the track even though last year my engine didn’t have the power I do this year. I’m going there aiming to do what I did at the last two races and get on the podium. I’m training a lot more than usual, and I’ve started running a lot. I never used to run but I’m doing it every day now and I’ve noticed a huge difference. It’s not just a physical fitness thing it also helps with concentration and now I’m just as strong at the end of a race as I was at the beginning. To get my points back from Oschersleben was great and if the top two riders have a DNF then it changes things dramatically. I would be right in there again.”

After the intense joy of his first podium finish, in what has been an often-fraught season so far, Charpentier is looking forward to a quick hop across the channel, aiming to plunder some English silverware. “All three of the next tracks, Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Assen are good tracks for me and after what happened after Oschersleben, to go to Silverstone in sixth place is OK. I’m looking forward to it.”

Track knowledge for Neukirchner could allow him a good chance to continue his rapid growth in this tough series. “It was a big boost to me to finish so well in Germany, my best ever result. Silverstone is another new track for me on the CBR600RR but my bike is fast, the tyres have been good and my team helps me a lot.”

Corradi’s season has also featured some ups and downs, with the diminutive Italian with a big talent concentrating on the positives “I like the Silverstone layout very much, or at least all of it except that last chicane, which no-one likes. It is no problem for me to approach a fast circuit like this with the machine and set-up we have so I am looking forward to the weekend.”

For Sacchetti, Silverstone is another new challenge. “I earned good points in Germany and I want to continue that on in England. It is a very different track from Oschersleben but we will do our best.”

With the World Supersport championship not following the Superbike series to the American round at Laguna Seca on July 11th, the seventh round of the series takes place at Brands Hatch on August 1.

Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By Kel Edge

On Thursday afternoon a driving competition was held at Silverstone at a special 4×4 course. The competition was between a UK team (Chris Walker, James Toseland and Leon Haslam) and an International team (Regis Laconi, Noriyuki Haga and Chris Vermeulen).

At the end, Haga and Toseland scored the best points, but Haga was given the prize because Toseland was adjudged to have ‘conveniently moved a couple of marker cones’ before Laconi went out for his lap.


Regis Laconi, Noriyuki Haga and Chris Vermeulen

From a press release issued by Honda Racing:

Sete Gibernau defends MotoGP Championship lead on home ground

Spanish MotoGP rider Sete Gibernau goes into the Montmelo circuit for Grand Prix of Catalunya holding a 10 point lead in the MotoGP World Championship. Gibernau tops the point’s chart by virtue of two victories and two other podium finishes from the four races run this season riding for the Telefonica MoviStar Honda Team.

Now 31 years old Gibernau, from near by Barcelona, has a motorcycling pedigree second to none. Sete grew up surrounded by motorcycle engineers, riders and aficionados, he is steeped in the history of the Spanish two-wheel industry and racing. When he arrives at the Montmelo circuit gate to begin GP practice the first thing he see’s is the statue of his grandfather, the late Francisco Bulto, ‘Don ‘Paco,’ founder of the Bultaco marque.

Sete’s father Manuel is himself a former racer who also managed the Bultaco Competition Department for several years. But despite a race career of his own Father Manuel is too nervous to watch his son race but his Mother, Cristina is an avid fan and race watcher who follows every MotoGP race either live or on television.

Everyone in the family rides motorcycles, virtually on a daily basis. Manuel now rides a Honda Forsight 250 in heavy trafficof Barcelona, Mother Cristina prefers a Scoopy 125 for all her chores. Sete’s younger sister, and press officer, Cristina is more adventurous and rides regularly she has just taken delivery of a CBR600RR Honda. The family often took rides together but Sete’s intense racing and testing schedule, plus the ever increasing associated promotional work have restricted the family’s opportunites to share fun rides together.

“My family have played a very important role in my career they have all given me their full support, my parents, sisters, and my grand parents.” Said the series leader. “We are a close family, in fact it was my uncle who gave me my nickname ‘Sete.’ My Grandfather, Don Paco, was a great person he created an industry, developed many exciting motorcycle he helped many riders over the years, great riders from all over the world. He was a huge influence on my career but he never pushed me. He was, above all else, my friend and a real human being.”

Gibernau’s path to the top of his profession has not been meteoric. He made a relatively late entry into road race competition, at 19 years of age following several years competing in Trials events. He began his tarmac career in Spanish 125cc sports production racing earning himself a unique place in the history of the Montmelo circuit – Sete won the first ever motorcycle race held at the circuit, a 125cc Cagiva Cup race.

From there he moved into the 250 class in the Ducados Series making his GP debut as a wild card for the Wayne Rainey Yamaha squad in1992. However he made a full entry into world championship racing in 1996 finishing 22nd in the 250series.

He moved to 500s in ’97 to begin his positive march towards joining the elite of his chosen profession. Sete raced for the Rainey Yamaha squad in ’97 before moving to Honda in 1998 as replacement rider for the injured Takuma Aoki, on a 500cc V-twin. The following year he moved on to the NSR500 V-four vacated by the injured, five times world champion, Michael Doohan and finished the season in fifth place.

After an unroductive 1999 season sete moved on to Suzuki for two years, in 2001 – ’02 where, in his first year with the team, he won the GP of Valencia on a 500cc 2-stroke. He returned to Honda and the fabulous RC211V for the 2003 season and promptly won four races to end the year as Vice World Champion.

A calm intelligent and fun loving man with a passion for everything he does in life, Gibernau has his feet firmly planted on the ground, a man with a clear vision of life and what he hopes to achieve.

“I’m not obsessed with racing, I have a life outside the sport and it makes me realise the importance of down time away from the track, you cannot let it control your life completely.” Sete explained. “When you go out and see others less fortunate than us, even in these times some people just don’t have a life through particular circumstances, that makes you realise how important it is to live a rich and varied life. Don’t get me wrong, I love racing and want to win as much as the next man, I’m dedicated but not obsessed.”


The two-week break between Le Mans allowed Gibernau to indulge his other sporting passions, cycling, jogging, gym work and Super Motard, which he rides for both exercise and fun but he arrived at Mugello ready to race. He said. “I enjoyed the break was but once the show gets going I want to get on with it. Sure I like a break but I’m in good form physically and mentally, the team is working really well and the bike improves with each race. I’m relaxed and not about to get too excited about the situation we are in by leading the championship, we have a lot to learn and there is a long way to go to the end of the season.”


Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda Gresini and the RC211V have proven an ideal combination and Sete is quick to praise the team for the superb machinery and technical back up they provide him with.

“I have the best team in the paddock, the best in racing. We have a very strong work ethic, everyone in the team gives 100% and we almost always improve. I’m happy with the situation. Honda has also helped us when it was possible, like the test after Jerez where we sorted out most of our chatter problems. They have been very fair with us. But we are a satellite team, that will not change and we have to get the best out of what we have. The team has done a brilliant job so far and everyone if fully focussed ”

“Montmelo is one of my favourite tracks, it’s very near the spot where I was born. It’s also has special memories because I won the first ever motorcycle race held at the track, a Spanish 125cc Cagiva Sports Production race in 1991 It’s a great track with a really good fast layout. I’ve had some good GP results at Montmelo, we did well last season with third place and we hope to better that next Sunday. Confidence plays a big part in achieving your goals and we are confident in what we are doing at this point in the championship, we have a strong mental attitude.”

He added. “We go to Montmelo and try to win of course. If we don’t we will sit down and analyse just why we didn’t and try to improve before the next race.”

The GP of Catalunya is one of three grands prix held in Spain, great for Spanish riders and race fans alike. Gibernau is happy to be part of it all. As a former race fan Sete understands the importance of spectators to the sport. “We receive great support from the Spanish fans and it’s good that we can repay them with good performances. I won the Jerez race this year and I’ve won at Valencia, it would be great to win at Montmelo, the fans would love that, me too. Wouldn’t it be incredible if we could win all three Spanish races in one season!”

Having experience of the very best 500cc 2-stroke machines and the MotoGP 990cc 4-strokes, Gibernau is qualified to make comparisons.

“The 4-strokes are now getting just like the 500cc 2-strokes, lean and mean! They are quite different bikes, although at the end both are demanding and the amount of concentration to ride them has to be very high. The basic differences are the power delivery and the engine brake, much stronger on the RC211V.” Commented Gibernau.

He went on to say. “They are, in some ways, a little easier to ride than the 2-stroke but at the top end just as difficult to get everything out of them. They are very, very fast and have changed the nature of some tracks we race at, some corners for sure. Take the double right hand corners at Jerez – we used to go into the first one then a quick burst on a straight before throwing it into the second right. The 4-stroke changed that, its now one corner. Concentration is everything, you have to retain concentration for the whole race on the 4-stroke it’s very exciting but also very demanding mentally. I think the reason is that there are so many good riders in MotoGP and the differences between us are very small, one error can cost you a lot. Fast or slow corners you can never relax, if you do someone will catch you, or get passed you.” Commented Gibernau.


Rain or shine Gibernau and the Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V are capable of winning at Montmelo on Sunday. He will not lack support from his team or the 100,000 fans in attendance. The rest is in his own hands, few would doubt his skill and commitment for the task. He heads the championship and is highly unlikely to fail to take a place on the podium on Sunday, which step of the three is the only question still open.


Sete Gibernau – Spain

Race team: Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda MotoGP. Racing number: 15
Race machine: Honda RC 211V

Date of birth: December 15, 1972
Place of birth: Barcelona, Spain
Residence: Barcelona
Marital status: single
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 70 kg

First GP : 1992 250cc Spanish Grand Prix – Jerez
First GP victory: 2001 – 500cc Grand Prix of the Community of Valencia
Victories: 7
Podiums: 20

Career highlights -Sete Gibernau

1984 : First racing experience in Trials.
1990 : Debut in the “Gilera Cup” Championship Gilera
1991 : Spanish Junior Champion Junior Champion
Catalan Junior Champion.
1992 : European Championship, 250cc class Yamaha.
1993 : 3rd 250cc Spanish Championship Yamaha
Wild card entry 250cc Spanish GP.
1994 : 5th 250cc Spanish Championship.
1995 : 3rd 250cc Spanish Championship Yamaha
1996 : 21st 250cc World Championship Yamaha.
1997 : 13th 500cc World Championship Yamaha.
1998 : 11th 500cc World Championship Honda.
1999 : 5th 500cc World Championship Honda HRC Team.
2000 : 15th500cc World Championship, 500cc Repsol Honda Team.
2001 : 9th 500cc World Championship Suzuki 1 win.
2002 : 16th MotoGP World Championship Suzuki
2003 : 2nd MotoGP World Championship Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda 4 wins.

2004 : Current leader MotoGP World Championship Team Telefonica MoviStar Honda 2 wins

From a press release issued by USGPRU:

USGPRU National Championship Round 5 Results

ROSAMOND, CA – June 6, 2004 – The USGPRU 125GP and 250GP Championships stormed in with the California high desert gale force winds at The Streets of Willow Raceway this weekend. Pit crews hung on to EZ-Ups and all their under-belongings while riders and mechanics prepped bikes for Round 5 in the National Championships.

With only 8 tenths separating the top three 125 qualifiers, the stage was set to see if experience could triumph over youth. Carlos Neves took the hole shot to lead the 12 lap 125GP race. A broken tachometer forced Neves to make onboard repairs while still trying to maintain the lead. Unfortunately he hit the kill switch giving way to the freight train just behind. Josh Herrin led Jon Schendel and Mike Orien while Neves gave chase, only to be dogged with another problem when his Jolly Moto expansion chamber ruptured half way through the race. The podium was captured by Herrin, Schendel, and Neves.

There was also plenty of action further behind the leaders. Early in the race, Manny Juarez executed a spectacular save after running off the track through the back esses. Scott Bourke and Ryan Ferris ran a heated race for eighth place as they swapped positions several times on every lap.

The desert winds had no mercy on the 250GP as they continued a display of crunching metal and plastic from Saturday. Mark Watts made repairs just in time for qualifying on Saturday after his bike was knocked over by the wind. Robin Clark’s bike had suffered great damage in a get-off during Saturday practice. Vince Rolleri crashed out during Qualifying, causing him to retire for the weekend.

Mark Watts took the lead from Scott McNew at the end of the first lap after he ran wide exiting the back esses, closely followed by Schendel, and Herrin. Neves, gridded in last place as a result of a late entry, gained too fast on McNew in the Bowl slammed on brakes for a high speed stoppie causing his front number plate to be rubbed off by McNew’s rear tire and tail section. Herrin, attempting an outside pass on Neves had nowhere to go as Neves went down. Both managed to regain and rejoin the race with significant damage to both bikes and riders. Shortly after being rear-ended by Neves, McNew’s motor seized and was forced to retire. Schendel made a late charge on Watts in the last laps but was held up by a lapped rider coming into the last set of turns while Watts was able to drive inside and pass the rider. Rounding out the 250GP podium was Watts, Schendel, and Clark.

FINAL RESULTS:

125GP

1. Josh Herrin Hon RS125 12 laps
2. Jon Schendel Yam TZ125 12 laps
3. Carlos Neves Hon RS125 12 laps
4. Mike Orien Hon RS125 12 laps
5. Kirk Snell Hon RS125 12 laps
6. Phil Krenn Hon RS125 12 laps
7. Britt Bohannan Hon RS125 12 laps
8. Scott Bourke Hon RS125 12 laps
9. Ryan Ferris Yam TZ125 12 laps
10. Darrell Baker Hon RS125 12 laps
11. Joel Manes Hon RS125 11 laps
12. Manny Juarez Hon RS125 11 laps
13. Brian Hees Hon RS125 11 laps
14. Frank Pate Hon RS125 11 laps
15. Stephan John Hon RS125 10 laps
16. John Lee Hon RS125 9 laps

250GP
1. Mark Watts Yam TZ250 12 laps
2. Jon Schendel Yam TZ125 12 laps
3. Robin Clark Yam TZ250 12 laps
4. Mike Lytle Yam TZ250 11 laps
5. Gordon Wood Hon RS125 11 laps
6. Frank Pate Hon RS125 10 laps
7. Josh Herrin Hon RS125 10 laps
8. Scott McNew Hon RS250 5 laps DNF
9. Carlos Neves Hon RS125 3 laps DNF

From a press release issued by Harley-Davidson:

Harley-Davidson Moves to Bolster China Presence

Motorcycle Maker Announces Relationship with Chinese Company

MILWAUKEE – Harley-Davidson, Inc. today announced the signing of a memo of understanding with the Zongshen Motorcycle Group which could facilitate Harley-Davidson’s entry into the Chinese motorcycle market and enhance Zongshen’s capabilities in its home market. The announcement came during a visit by Harley-Davidson Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Bleustein and other company officials to Zongshen’s headquarters in Chongqing, China.

Both companies emphasized that the memo of understanding provides a framework for a potential relationship, but that many details are yet to be discussed before the two companies commit to a formal agreement.

“Harley-Davidson’s primary objective is to export our American-made motorcycles to China and to develop political and motorcycle industry alliances in anticipation of the market becoming more accessible,” said Bleustein. “We do not believe it will be necessary for Harley-Davidson to manufacture its motorcycles in China in order to be able to sell them there,” he said.

Under the contemplated relationship, Harley-Davidson would work with Zongshen to gain a better understanding of the business practices, markets and distribution channels it will encounter in China. Zongshen is a recognized leader in the Chinese motorcycle industry. “We believe there is a lot we can learn from working with a company that has intimate market and industry knowledge in China,” said Bleustein.

Harley-Davidson would share certain technology of a non-competing nature, as well as marketing philosophies and practices with Zongshen, under the contemplated agreement.

“In China, there are hundreds of motorcycle companies. However, Harley-Davidson is known around the world and throughout China for its outstanding reputation,” said Zongshen Motorcycle Group Chairman Zuo Zongshen. “Harley-Davidson’s status as an American-made motorcycle has a strong appeal here, and we believe an association with Harley-Davidson holds solid value for us in China,” he said.

While in China, Bleustein is also pressing Harley-Davidson’s case for market entry with government officials. The day before his visit to Zongshen, Bleustein met in Beijing with China’s Vice Minister of Commerce, Wei Jianguo, to urge the easing of official and unofficial trade barriers that limit Harley-Davidson’s ability to sell its premium American-made motorcycles in China.

Those barriers include a 50 percent import duty on motorcycles. The duty is scheduled to drop to 30 percent by January 2005, a level which is still onerous according to Harley-Davidson. In addition, local governments in China often limit the number of motorcycle licenses they will grant, and motorcycles are singled out for outright bans from operating in many of China’s largest cities.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport motorcycles in addition to motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and customers.

From a press release:

PACIFIC SUPER SPORT RIDERS TO HOST TRACK SCHOOL AT THE BMW MOA INTERNATIONAL RALLY IN SPOKANE, WA

Portland, Oregon, June 9, 2004. The Pacific Northwest’s premier riding school, Pacific Super Sport Riders, will be hosting 3 days of trackday schools at Spokane Raceway Park on July 14, 15 and 16 in Spokane, Washington during the BMW Motorcycle Owners Association’s 2004 International Rally. The trackdays will be open to all makes of bikes, as well as non-rally attendees.

Pacific Super Sport Riders (PSSR) offers an enjoyable way to improve riding skills safely while having fun and meeting new riding friends. Quality track time is combined with instruction by some of the best riders in the Northwest. Riders will be grouped together by skill level into one of three groups, from first-time track riders to seasoned track junkies. Experienced instructors will lead classroom sessions and will provide on-track instruction, with the emphasis placed on providing tips for those new to track riding.

“Three-quarters of our customers are street riders looking to improve their skills in a controlled environment. Many of them are repeat customers who like our unique blend of balancing instruction and ‘positive throttle therapy’ in a controlled and safe environment,” says Dan Batz, a founding partner/instructor for PSSR. “The less-experienced riders appreciate the safety guidelines and pointers, and the more experienced ones enjoy the maximum use of track time made possible by our organized track management.”

Cost, which includes instruction, lunch and beverages, is $150 for one day and $125 for each additional day.

Spokane Raceway Park is a 2.5 mile road course located west of downtown Spokane. Tire and brake services will be provided at the rally. Camping is available at the track.

PSSR has been operating track days in the Pacific Northwest since 2001; its instructors include MSF instructors and national road racing champions. For more information on our group or how to sign up for a track day, visit the PSSR website at www.pssrtrack.com, or phone 503-614-1965.

From a press release issued by Honda Racing Information:

GIBERNAU ON SPANISH SOIL WITH SLIM TITLE ADVANTAGE

Sete Gibernau (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V) races at Montmelo near Barcelona where his ‘home’ crowd will be willing him to victory in what is shaping up to be a momentous season. The Spaniard leads the World Championship points standings with Valentino Rossi lying second and Max Biaggi (Camel Honda RC211V) third.

With the 16-race season now a quarter of the way through with four races run, Gibernau has posted two wins and Rossi has matched him with two victories. The Catalan race now becomes pivotal as both men seek to gain an advantage both in terms of points and perhaps almost as important at this stage – psychologically.

Rossi won here in 2001 and 2002, while Gibernau has yet to record a victory here, but history will count for little as both riders seek to gain the upper hand in what is turning out to be a compelling fight for World Championship honours. Gibernau has 86 points to Rossi’s 76, while Biaggi is still right in the reckoning with 72.

The Montmelo track lies 20km north of Barcelona and has two significant straights where the 990cc MotoGP bikes will attain speeds well in excess of 325km/h (200mph). But there is more to the demanding 4.727km track than mere top speed.

Two of the 13 turns have negative camber which means the track drops away towards the outside of the corner making lean angle increase for a decrease in grip. The rest of the corners are largely constant radius turns where the tyres are worked hard, especially on the right hand side.

Machine set-up calls for a well-balanced chassis, steady on the brakes going into the turns, neutral when leant hard over and then able to translate horsepower into traction when the riders twist hard on the throttle on the exits. A relaxed, flowing style is required to link the turns seamlessly into a fast lap. And with lap records tumbling again this year, Rossi’s fastest race lap of 1m 45.472s is unlikely to last the weekend. Nor is his pole time of 1m 43.927s likely to survive.

Gibernau is ready for action. “It feels like home here,” he said. “And I really want to give the fans something to cheer about, their support always gives me a huge boost. There’s a long way to go in the title race still, but this is a key stage of the season and I’m ready to give it my best shot.”

Biaggi said, “Barcelona is the home track of our team and for certain they’ll be wanting to do well and will do everything they can to get a good result. I also can’t wait for next Friday to come because the third place in Mugello, which was a good result after the weekend we had had, didn’t satisfy me at all. I want to win, and I hope that this Catalunya circuit will be the one for me. During the March tests we had some difficulties, but since then with the team and with Honda’s support we have worked a lot, and Mugello apart, the bike has always worked well. In Italy the bike was so quick down the straight and this will be useful for us on a fast circuit like Barcelona. We just have to find the right track to get the set-up on
Friday.”

Alex Barros (Repsol Honda RC211V) lies fourth overall with 48 points and is confident he can get on terms here. “The good point from last weekend is we have found a good base set-up,” said the Brazilian. “The machine now feels very balanced and I we can be competitive in Barcelona. We did some good tests here at the start of the year and we have improved a s team since then.”

Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda RC211V) needs to get his season back on the rails after failing to score at Mugello last weekend. “I just want to get back on the bike,” said the American. “Last weekend the bike was feeling strong but I didn’t give the team anything to smile about in the race. I’m really hoping to get a result here and the race can’t come quick enough for me.”

Makoto Tamada (Camel Honda RC211V) riding on Bridgestone tyres, who was forced to abandon his race in Mugello said, “In Barcelona I want to do a race just like I did in Mugello, even if it means retiring from the race again. Obviously I would prefer a different ending but what I’m trying to say is that I love riding like that, fighting with the front group for the lead. I don’t have the best memories of the Catalunya circuit, but I like the track, it’s fast and appealing. I like nearly all the European tracks because they allow for very dynamic riding. The bike is very competitive and continues to improve.”

“This is where I’ve got to get my season together,” said Colin Edwards (Telefonica MoviStar Honda RC211V). “I’ve modified my training methods a bit and hopefully I can get myself dialled in early here.”

In the 250cc category super-consistent Randy de Puniet (Aprilia) leads home hope Dani Pedrosa (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) by just three points. De Puniet has scored in all four rounds so far and has 73 points to Pedrosa’s 70. But Pedrosa will be going all out to wrestle the title advantage from the Frenchman at his home race.

Pedrosa won here in 2003 on a 125 and few would bet against the diminutive local repeating that success on a 250 – but it won’t be easy. : “I’m very happy with the results in Italy,” he said. “Because Mugello was a very difficult track for us and a second place is very good. I’m in good shape and my feeling for Barcelona is the same. Catalunya is a fast track. So I want to work hard on Friday and Saturday and find the best setting for the race.”

Pedrosa’s team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama (Telefonica MoviStar Junior Team RS250RW) can’t wait to race either. “I like the Catalunya track, but it’s not so easy for me. I’d never been to Mugello and I improved every time, so I think that Barcelona should be a bit easier because I know the track. In Mugello Porto had an advantage of five seconds over me on Friday and I think in Barcelona I shouldn’t be more than a couple of seconds slower on the first day. I can adapt to the track much quicker.”

Roberto Rolfo (Fortuna Honda RS250RW) is eager to atone for his lacklustre race last weekend. “I like the circuit very much I have always done well there whatever bike I have raced at the track,” he said. “If we find the reason for my engine problem at Mugello we can do well. The settings we found in Italy were not so far off. The track at Barcelona is like Mugello- if you have no power you have no chance.”

The 125cc riders will be likely to repeat the thrills of last weekend’s race at Mugello in Italy. Montmelo’s two straights will provide ample slipstreaming opportunities where the cut and thrust of close-quarter racing makes for spectacular viewing. Andrea Dovizioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R) leads Roberto Locatelli (Aprilia) by a mere three points.

“Catalunya is a circuit I like a lot,” said Dovizioso. “In some ways it’s like Mugello. In Catalunya, like some other tracks, there will be a big group racing for the lead, nobody will be able to get away. Some parts of the track are really good for me. I love the long right hand corner after the first turn and also the last two corners onto the front straight. It is very important to get those two corners right for the drive down the straight.”

One man who could well feature in the race is Julian Simon (Angaia Honda RS125R). The young Spaniard races on home-ground has every intention of making Sunday a day to remember. He said. “Catalunya is a home grand prix for me and I really know the circuit well so I’m looking forward to the race a lot It will be good for me and the best way to forget my bad luck with the rear brake at Mugello.”

Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) will not race at Catalunya. The young Swiss broke his right collarbone in a race crash at Mugello. Luthi will make his return at Assen in two-weeks time.

Raymond Schouten (Molenaar Honda RS125R) will race despite multiple bruises sustained in his spectacular crash at Mugello.

From a press release issued by Foggy Petronas Racing:

Corser in a twist over Silverstone

Foggy PETRONAS Racing star Troy Corser has suffered a dramatic late twist to his preparations for this weekend’s sixth round of the Superbike World Championship at Silverstone.

The Australian former world champion, who qualified in pole position at the previous round in Germany, will start Friday’s practice sessions still suffering the effects of a high-speed crash in the last race at Oschersleben.

Troy sustained neck and spine injuries when he hit the tyre wall and, in order to be fit to take part at the team’s home event, has undergone radical medical treatment at home in Monaco. He and team-mate Chris Walker are separated by just one point at eighth and ninth in the rider standings.

Troy said: “The specialist said the third and fourth vertebrae in the neck were locked one way and three vertebrae in the lower back were locked in the other direction. So my back and neck were effectively twisted in opposite directions. So I have been having treatment to realign my neck and spine by placing weights on those areas and letting the body adjust itself rather than cricking them back into place. The treatment was not painful but he warned me that it would be sore afterwards and I could hardly get out of bed the next day! Now they feel okay. He also did some work on my shoulder, which has been causing trouble ever since I crashed at Magny Cours last season and was aggravated at Phillip Island and Oschersleben. He said that a ligament had flicked over the top of its normal attachment to the joint and was causing a cramping spasm in my arm. My hip is bruised as well and my wrists are sore when I push down on them, but I am hoping that none of this will cause too much of a problem. I won’t be having painkilling injections unless I have to as I don’t believe in them.

“Silverstone reminds me of Assen as it is fast and sweeping but I struggled there last year as it was my first time at the circuit and we weren’t able to get too much set-up data because of limited time out on track. So in some ways we are starting afresh, although the FP1 is a lot better now. I think we should be finishing in the top five or six and anything else would be a bonus considering the strength of the Ducatis. For PETRONAS to be ahead of Honda and Kawasaki at this stage is already a real achievement.”

The second race on Sunday will be the 400th in the history of the Superbike World Championship, with FPR team owner Carl Fogarty having won a record 59. Troy holds the record for the number of pole positions with 29. Over the 17 years of the world championship, rounds of SBK have been held at 39 different circuits in 20 countries.