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WSBK: Crutchlow Fastest at Imola Testing

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Cal Crutchlow was the fastest overall rider at World Superbike’s two-day testing session at Imola this week. Showing marked improvements over the course of the testing sessions, Crutchlow has his best times during Wednesday’s sessions, as did many of the riders.

Leading the pack on Tuesday was Leon Haslam. Haslam crashed twice on Wednesday though, with his last crash involving Shane Byrne. Bryne ended up cutting his hand during the incident, and it is expected that he broke his second metacarpal bone.

Noriyuki Haga looked to have regained his form, and finished fifth from the testing, while his teammate Michel Fabrizio showed impressive times, finishing second. Absent from the leader board tussle was Max Biaggi, who finished in just 9th place after the two days of testing. Full results after the jump.

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Rumors

Troy Bayliss Eyes Return to World Superbike – Making a Wild Card Entry in Italy?

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Nearly two years after the Australian threw in the towel on motorcycle racing, Troy Bayliss has found a way to return to motorcycling headlines by his rumored intention to re-enter the World Superbike racing series. After recently testing for Ducati at Mugello (Bayliss is still on the Italian payroll as a test rider), Troy made it clear that he missed racing, and would like to return to the sport. While many sites are pegging a 2011 season for the Australian rider, we could see him as a wild card entry as early as Misano…if Bayliss goes through on his desires to race again.

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Racing

Imola Gets FIM Approval – Ready to Race

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The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, better known to many simply as the Imola race track, has received approval by the FIM this week, and will be allowed to host FIM sanctioned events this year. This is good news for the Italian track, as it’s slated to play host for World Superbike testing June 28th-30th, and is hosting a WSBK race the week of September 26th, which would have caused a huge disruption in the WSBK schedule if the facility hadn’t gotten the organization’s rubber stamp.

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Racing

WSBK: Race 2 at Imola Strictly an Italian Affair

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Race 2 promised to have more close racing, as many riders in Race 1 proved they could race near the top (not to mention, many riders in WSBK have contracts up for renewal). With Imola being the home track for the Ducati loyal, a lot of fans we’re waiting to see the red bikes up front.

Many Xerox Ducati fans were also keen to see if Haga could retake the lead in the World Superbike Championship standings with a strong showing at Imola. They would not be disappointed, a full race report after the jump.

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Racing

WSBK: Race 1 at Imola Takes the World Superbike Championship Up Another Level

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Racing went off without a hitch this Sunday, as the Imola circuit seemed devoid of earlier traction problems that almost sidelined the racing earlier this week. With Imola sitting literally in Ducati’s backyard, all eyes were on the Xerox Ducati squad, and Noriyuki Haga.

Haga, who trails Ben Spies for the first time this season coming into Imola, was especially keen on grabbing back some points from the American. Lastly, a new addition to the WSBK paddock took the form of Marco Simoncelli, who was filling in on the factory Aprilia team for the injured Shinya Nakano. A full race report with spoilers after the jump.

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Racing

WSBK: Superpole Overcomes Slippery Imola Track

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With track conditions at the Imola causing a near mutiny during the practice sessions, there was a panic in the WSBK paddock as to whether racing would occur at the Bologna circuit this weekend. After track officials cleaned the Imola tarmac, it became too slippery to ride upon. Whether due to the mixture of oil and water on the track, or the absence of the usual layers of rubber forming on the race line, the conditions caused riders to refuse to take to the track over safety concerns.

Commenting about the conditions, Ben Spies stated the course was slipperier than full wet conditions. Max Biaggi was also heard saying that the course was too slippery for racing, and that Sunday’s races could not take place on the course under these circumstances. Despite this, WSBK Superpole action still occurred, read on for more.

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Bikes

More Photos and Video of the Aprilia RSV4 R

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If Aprilia had any idea how popular the RSV4 R launch would be, we think they would have done it sooner. Anyways, you wanted it, and now you got it. More shots of the “base” model RSV4 both in the studio and in action from its premiere at World Superbike’s stop at the Imola circuit.

We particularly like the look the Aprilia is bringing to the RSV4 R, very reserved large single-color paint schemes. There’s something to be said about the minimalist approach when it wraps up an intricate machine like the RSV4. Check out the video after the jump as well.

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Racing

Hopkins Questionable for Racing at Brno

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Despite being 6th fastest in today’s World Superbike testing at Imola, Italy, John Hopkins may not be at Brno in two weeks, when WSBK takes up racing again. After yesterday’s off, Hopkins was in pain through out the night, and after this mornings testing session, the American had some X-rays taken of his leg.

After looking at the results of his X-ray, doctors here in the US determined that Hopkin’s bones were not developing calcium deposits properly, and diagnosed him with osteoporosis. This finding leaves some doubt as to whether Hopper will be on his Honda at Brno, since a crash there would likely have dire consequences on his body in its current state.

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Racing

Fabrizio Fastest at Day 1 of Imola WSBK Test

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Michael Fabrizio was the fastest man of the day while testing at Imola today for World Superbike. He was followed closely by Ben Spies, who was just a tenth of second behind the Italian rider.

Notably absent from the testing day was the injured Noriyuki Haga, who isn’t expected to be back to WSBK until the race at Brno, which is in two weeks.

However, noticably present near the top of the leaderboard was Ruben Xaus, with the BMW squad clearly making some progress with their $13,800 motorcycle.

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