2011 KTM 125 Duke Officially Named

After holding an online contest to name its 125cc four-stroke based learner street bike, KTM has shockingly come to the conclusion that it should stick to its Duke nomenclature. Schedule to be the 2011 KTM 125 Duke, KTM debuted the concepts at the 2009 EICMA show in Milan. KTM’s plan is to engage young riders with the “Ready to Race” mantra, making them lifetime Team Orange riders with this stepping-stone model

Video: Josh Brookes Shows Us the Fastest Line over “The Mountain” at Cadwell Park

The Mountain at Cadwell Park, as it is known, is like the British version of the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca: another one of those special points on a race track, that would not exist on the computer-generated courses we see today. Famous for lofting bikes into the air, The Mountain makes for spectacular photographs, and should be on every rider’s track day bucket list. Finding the fastest racing line over The Mountain can be difficult though, as riders have to contend with keeping the front of their motorcycles down, but such is not the case for HM Plant Honda’s Josh Brookes…

Lost Knee Puck Hinders Hayden at Indy

Track conditions were the talk of the paddock this weekend at the Indianapolis GP, as riders battled the changing tarmac surfaces, and undulating bumps of the Indy infield. Perhaps most vocal of his displeasure with the course was Ducati rider Casey Stoner, who called the Indianapolis Motor Speedway not a world class track, and specifically complained about plastic drains that would catch riders as the ventured in towards the edge of the track (Rossi also complained of these drains). Teammate Nicky Hayden was less critical before Sunday’s race though, saying that Stoner’s comments could be applied to many of the courses on the MotoGP calendar. However after losing a knee puck to one of the drainage grates that Stoner criticized earlier, Hayden may be re-thinking his tune.

Rossi Waiting to Hear if Burgess Will Retire

Talking after the Indianapolis GP, Valentino Rossi explained that he is waiting to hear from Jeremy Burgess as to whether the Australian Crew Chief will retire next season. Assured of the fact that Burgess would not stay behind at Yamaha, and would not work with another rider, Rossi stated the buzz around whether Burgess would move with the Italian to Ducati, hinges as to when Burgess plans on retiring from motorcycle racing.

Nicky Hayden Renews Contract with Ducati

Under the lights of the Indy Mile, where motorcycle racing began for the Kentucky-born MotoGP racer, Nicky Hayden has signed a two-year contract with Ducati Corse for the 2011 & 2012 seasons. Not the biggest surprise in the paddock, Hayden’s contract renewal has never really been questioned this season as the American started the season off with series of strong finishes and continues to be a strong brand ambassador for Ducati in the United States. Hayden will be joined the next two years by former teammate Valentino Rossi, the pair rode for Repsol Honda in 2003, with Hayden finishing the season 5th in his rookie GP season.

World Superbike Responds to Ducati Exodus

Infront Motor Sports, rights holder to the World Superbike Championship series, has responded to the news that Ducati Corse will be leaving the series in 2011. Responding with an official press release, IMS’s message essentially boils down to poking holes in Ducati’s statement about technical regulations. Stating that the 2009 season was dominated by the Ducati 1198 Superbike, sans one Ben Spies, the Italian firm has clearly been able to be competitive with the current formula. IMS goes on to basically say that WSBK is about more than one manufacturer, and can’t cater to Ducati’s whims even if they do have a lengthy history together.

Ben Spies to Factory Yamaha Team

As expected, Ben Spies and Yamaha have announced that the current World Superbike Champion and MotoGP rookie will move up to the factory Yamaha team (noticeably not called Fiat-Yamaha in the press release) for the 2011 season. Spies’ move to the factory squad has lovingly been referred to as the “second worst-kept secret in MotoGP,” right after Rossi’s departure from the Fiat-Yamaha team to Ducati Corse.

Colin Edwards – “I’m going fishing. Screw this sh*t.”

No one makes the MotoGP media center come alive with emotion more so than Colin Edwards. A veteran of the sport, and born with no filter between his brain and mouth, the Texan Tornado captured the spotlight during the pre-race press conference at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP. A stark contrast to the polished veneers of other riders, Edwards isn’t afraid to tell things the way he sees it, even if it involves some colorful language. To get an idea of what we mean, check out a portion of the press conference transcript after the jump.

Ducati Trademarks “Diavel” Name in the UK

Ducati has recieved a trademark with the UK Intellectual Property Office for the Bolognese word for devil, or “Diavel”, which according to MCN is to be the name of the company’s new performance cruiser (shown here in a render done by Bar-Design exclusively for Asphalt & Rubber). Interestingly enough, Ducati has not trademarked the Diavel name with the United States Patent & Trademarks Office (USPTO). However with the British government, Ducati has reserved the Diavel mark for virtually every use possible, including lifestyle items like shirts, perfume, watches, and our personal favorite: skin cleansing lotions and creams.

Casey Stoner Ducati 1198S Phillip Island Replica

Missing three races because of a mystery illness, Casey Stoner put any critics he had from his sudden departure in 2009 to bed with his masterful race at Phillip Island. Racing in front of his home crowd, Stoner slid around the Australian course to a decisive victory, in what we called one of the top races of 2009. Making the moment even more special for Australian fans, and Ducatisti alike, was the special race livery that Stoner ran for his home race. Hoping to commemorate that race and Stoner’s contributions to the Marlboro Ducati team (Stoner is leaving Ducati for HRC next year), a French Ducati dealership in Moulins-lès-Metz has decided to sell a limited number of Casey Stoner Ducati 1198S Phillip Island replicas.

Canadian Superbike Championship Bans 2010 Yamaha’s from Racing – Makes DMG Look Good

Thu 12/10/2009 @ 6:02 pm, by Jenny Gun

Home » Racing » Canadian Superbike Championship Bans 2010 Yamaha’s from Racing – Makes DMG Look Good

Canadian Superbike Championship Bans 2010 Yamahas from Racing   Makes DMG Look Good big yamaha yzfr1 2009 b 10 01 560x420

We here in the United States have a hard enough time dealing with the antics of the Batman and Robin duo that is DMG and the AMA, but our Canadian brothers to the north have their own issues to deal with as well. In a surprising announcement, Canadian Superbike Championship has announced that it has banned the the entire 2010 Yamaha line from racing in its various series, while any year Yamaha YZF-R1 has been banned from the Canadian Pro Superbike class. More after the jump.

The announcement comes after Yamaha Canada announced that it was withdrawing from thee Canadian Superbike Championship, both in terms of series support, and team involvement. Previously, the six major manufacturers directly involved in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship contributed equally to the series, including support of its television broadcast package.

Because of Yamaha’s withdrawn support, the series has implemented these rules that all but remove the tuning-fork brand from Canadian motorcycle racing. As such, only 2009 model year or earlier, privateer YZF-R6’s will be racing professionally in Canada this day forth, or until this rule gets overturned. Seemingly, the 600’s are being sparred the knife only because of their pervasive use by privateers in the series.

“Our biggest concern is the privateer or club level racer with existing Yamaha equipment,” said Colin Fraser of the series organizers, Professional Motorsports Productions, in the release. “The vast majority of Yamaha riders utilize 600s, and we agreed that it was in everyone’s best interests to allow these existing machines to continue to compete.”

Organizers added that they plan, and look forward to, reinstating Yamaha in the future, when the manufacturer is able to return to participate in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship Series.

Source: Canadian Superbike via MotorcycleUSA

Top 5 Related Posts:

  1. Yamaha FZ8/Fazer 8 Coming to Canada – USA Next?
  2. Piaggio to Rebuild Canadian Dealer Network
  3. BREAKING: Kawasaki Quits AMA Pro Racing
  4. Official: Ben Spies to Tech3 Yamaha for 2010
  5. Sterilgarda Continues Yamaha WSBK Sponsorship

Comment:

  1. Bob Bryant says:

    Canadian Superbike Championship Bans 2010 Yamaha's from Racing … http://bit.ly/5laZFj

  2. Cru Jones says:

    That has got to be some of the dumbest shit I’ve read in a long while. Poor form Canadian Superbike organizers, poor form.

  3. RT @Asphalt_Rubber: Canadian Superbike Championship Bans 2010 Yamaha's from Racing – Makes DMG Look Good – http://bit.ly/4vemRb #motorcycle

  4. Aj Marini says:

    As a Canadian, I am ashamed at this move by the series. The organizers should recognize that they have a quality issue on their hands and deal with it accordingly. Banning Yamaha shows poor form.

    I’m with drawing my support and won’t attend races because it isn’t worth the effort anymore. Will the organizers ban me as well?

  5. ted says:

    Colin Fraser is involved in running both the DMG/ama and Canadian Superbike Championships.

    This guy is unbeleiveable (in a bad way, obviously). He is almost singlehandedly destroying motorcycle racing in North America.

    If anybody should be banned from motorcycle racing – it should be Colin Fraser.

    Colin Fraser – what the are you DOING man ?

    Step back and take a look at the damage you’ve done to not only the Canadian superbike series, but the American superbike series too.

    Go away Colin Fraser, GO AWAY.

    It’s guys like you that are making real motorcycle racing fans turn to GREAT racing products like the BSB (British Superbike Championship), World Supersport, World Superbike, Moto 2, Moto GP, etc, instead of watching North American (CRAP – because YOU ruined them) racing series.

    When I read about the way you’re destroying motorcycle racing in north america, you make me ashamed to be Canadian.

    signed

    -a concerned motorcycle racing enthusiast.

  6. JB says:

    Roadracing fans in North American are in deep trouble between DMG and the Canada Superbike Series. With the world wide economic issues and the major impact it is having on motorcycle manufactures we have these “geniuses” running both series into the ground! Our only hope is that they completely kill it so a new organization can start a fresh series in the future. Edmondson and Fraser retire!!!!!

  7. Canadian Superbike Championship Bans 2010 Yamaha's from Racing … http://bit.ly/86qgH1

  8. TheAssassin says:

    I remember back in the 1990’s when roadracing at Shannonville was pretty sparsley attended and supported and no rules like this were invoked. This is ridiculous…..sounds alot like a rule that this ruling would come from a “money” based organization like NASCAR or something like that, not a “motorcycle enthusiast” supported and populated organization. I guess “big business” has come to Canadian Superbike Racing: No love, just money. Pay up Sucka or leave.

  9. richard says:

    Wow, that is all I can say. Fraser has singlehandedly f*#ked motorcycle racing in North America. The damage he has done will last many, many years and will not be easy to fix. Looks like I’ll be watching all my racing online next season since SPEED’s coverage of the international racing is just as bad as DMG’s management. I think there’s a NASCAR connection in there somewhere. I’m done. I can see why the big guys like Yamaha and Honda are running away, far far away.

  10. richard says:

    Oh, and go support your local club racing! It’s the only hope.

  11. Joe Rocket says:

    This is bullshit. No other way to say it. You didn’t see them ban Honda when they pulled their factory team a few years ago. You didn’t see them ban Suzuki when the Picotte/Blackfoot (basically Canadian Factory Suzuki) Team originally said they weren’t going to field a team in 2010. And hey, they also didn’t ban Kawasaki when they originally said they were withdrawing from the series. So what the f**k are they thinking banning Yamaha?!? Yamaha was the MOST SUCCESSFUL brand in the world last year. They won championships in World Supersport, World Superbike, World Endurance, motoGP, British Superbike, Dutch Superbike, Australian Superbike, and World Motocross. So what exactly are Colin Fraser and the other idiots running this gong-show thinking?!? I used to go to Mosport and Shannonville. Not anymore. It’s no longer worth my time, effort, and money. With gas prices, admission prices, camping fees, and a lack of any real talent on display, 2010 is shaping up to be a very easy year to skip. Canadian Superbike is screwed. Totally bent-over, up-the-arse screwed. We’ve lost Jordan Szoke this year too. Bloody hell…is it ever going to stop?!? Canada’s most winningest racer. Superbike/Supersport Champ 4yrs in a row, and the poor bastard can’t even get a renewal on his contract! WHAT THE F**K!!!! I can only hope that Mr.Szoke can land a ride somewhere else in the world, where the racing scene isn’t totally f**ked, and represent Canada the way we all know he can. But back to the original issue. I think Colin Fraser should be dragged out onto the pit-lane and shot in front of all the REAL fans. We’re the ones who built this sport in Canada. We’re the ones who support it. And guess what…WE’RE THE ONE’S WHO ARE GOING TO STOP SUPPORTING IT! I suggest that any of the real fans boycott anything related to DMG/AMA, Colin Fraser, Roger Edmonston, and Canadian Superbike. It’s the only way they’ll get the message. We’re the ones that make the difference. The general public will never change the channel from Opra or Dr.Phil, or Nascar to watch Canadian Superbike. In closing, someone, somewhere, please find Mr.Fraser and bring me his head. That is all. Goodbye Canadian Superbike.

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