Page 689 – Asphalt & Rubber

Racing

Nicky Hayden Testing the Ducati WSBK Today at Mugello

By Jensen Beeler 09/04/2013 49 Comments

Nicky Hayden is in Mugello today, testing the Ducati 1199 Panigale RS13 with Ducati Corse’s World Superbike contingent. The purpose of the day’s track excursion is surely a bid by Ducati Corse to keep Hayden in the Bolognese family, and to give Hayden an idea of the Panigale’s WSBK racing package, as the Kentucky Kid is weighing his options for the 2014 racing season.

The test coincides with rumors emanating from the WSBK paddock that Carlos Checa is reportedly looking for a way out of his contract with Ducati Corse, as the Spaniard has struggled to find results with the Italian company’s latest superbike platform. Whether Hayden is auditioning for Checa’s seat is uncertain (Marco Melandri is rumored to be in the mix as well), though we imagine Ducati wouldn’t mind having both riders on its WSBK roster next year.

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Trips

Broventure Update – Day Zero: Great Expectations

By Jensen Beeler 09/04/2013 9 Comments

It’s closing in on 1am on Wednesday, the actual date of our departure for our 2,000 mile round-trip ride to…

Opinion/Editorial

Trackside Tuesday: No Place Like Home

By Scott Jones 09/03/2013 1 Comment

The casual MotoGP fan may not realize just how much Grand Prix motorcycle racing means to the British. Similar to…

News

Harley-Davidson Confirms 500cc Model – Electrics Too?

By Jensen Beeler 09/03/2013 22 Comments

A year and a half ago, there seemed to be some hope for the Bar & Shield brand, as rumors began to circulate about a 500cc class motorcycle that was being designed with emerging countries in mind. It would seem now, those rumors were true. Confirming that Harley-Davidson would soon debut a 500cc class motorcycle for the Indian market, Harley-Davidson Motor Company Chief Operating Officer Matthew Levatich revealed last weekend that the Milwaukee-based company had a 500cc model in an advanced stage of development. Hinting strongly that the machine would be built in India, and be aimed specifically at that market, Levatich also hedged his bets on the possibility of the model arriving on US soil.

Racing

Monday Summary at Silverstone: Rossi in the Second Group, An Improving Bautista, & Aprilia’s CRT

By David Emmett 09/02/2013 13 Comments

With so much happening at the front of all three races at Silverstone last Sunday, it is easy to overlook…

Racing

Valentino Rossi Has Raised Nearly £250,000 for Riders for Health Over the Past 10 Years

By Jensen Beeler 09/02/2013 5 Comments

If you haven’t heard of Riders for Health, it is the official charity of MotoGP, and also happens to be Asphalt & Rubber‘s favorite cause to support. While many in the MotoGP paddock have given endless amounts of support to Riders for Health, one standout supporter of this great cause is Valentino Rossi. During last Thursday’s rider auction, Rossi helped to raise £13,250 in just 20 minutes with nine items, which included a unique clay hand print, knee sliders, and the baseball hat he wore onto the stage. In total, the auction raised £77,090 for Riders, making Rossi’s star power account for over 17% of the money raised.