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20 years on: Mick Doohan completes one of the greatest comebacks in Aussie sport
Doohan on his march to his maiden title. Pic: Mike Cooper/ALLSPORT Source: Michael Cooper / Getty Images
IT seems hard to believe now, but there was a moment in time where it looked like Mick Doohan might never become a world champion.
August 21, 2014 marks 20 years to the day that our ‘Mighty Mick’ sealed the first of what would eventually be a five-year reign at the top of what is now called MotoGP.
But just 12 months prior to that glorious day at Brno in the Czech Republic, Doohan’s title dreams couldn’t have looked further away.
Doohan with Burgess and the bike which should have taken him to his maiden title. Source: News Limited
Sure, he had the skill. The Australian had matured from the wild kid aboard Honda’s animalistic 500cc grand prix motorcycle, the one the media had nicknamed ‘Dead by June’ Doohan, into a man whose relentless pursuit of perfection put him on the path to glory.
Sure, he had the hunger. Anyone who witnessed him at Interlagos in 1992 could never dispute that.
That season had been his for the taking. He and engineering guru Jeremy Burgess had cajoled Honda into developing a superior engine package that allowed Doohan to rattle off five wins and a pair of seconds to start the season.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
His chief rival, Wayne Rainey, was struggling. The blond American crashed his Yamaha in his pursuit of Doohan in Italy, before fracturing his wrist, some ribs and a hand in Germany. By the next race in Assen, Doohan was 65 points ahead while Rainey was on a flight home, too hurt to race.
The next day would turn the title chase on its head and change Doohan’s life forever.
A seemingly innocuous fall saw Doohan’s right leg pinned beneath his Honda. The result were two spiral fractures of his tibia and fibia. Worse was to follow. A botched operation cut the blood supply to his ailing leg. Gangrene began to set in. As he sat in a Dutch hospital bed, ostensibly to recover, his right leg was rotting away.
A decision to bail on the hospital and be treated elsewhere saved his leg and his career. But despite the full horror of his injuries, the magnitude of Doohan’s points tally meant that he still led the championship despite being on the sidelines.
Slowly, a fit Rainey started to peg him back. A win in France plus a second in Britain had him within striking distance. Doohan pushed himself back into action for the penultimate round in Brazil.
Doohan was in no shape to be on a road bike, never mind a race bike. To rewatch footage of Doohan getting on his bike that weekend beggars belief. The mental steel required to ignore the pain, ignore the weakness and hop aboard a high-speed rocket capable of bucking him off at any moment, is impossible to comprehend.
Yet his heroic comeback was in vain. A 12th place in Brazil netted no points while Rainey went on to win. Although he still led by two points, Doohan’s title hopes were fading. A superhuman ride in the South African finale netted sixth place, but Rainey’s third landed him the title. It was the only point in the season where Doohan didn’t lead the standings.
The 1993 season was little better. His leg had never truly healed and was beginning to bow. Compounding matters was a preseason crash that fractured his wrist. His health and form would improve, while a switch to a thumb-operated rear brake meant one less task for his withered right leg to do.
The Ilizarov gantry Doohan wore for three months. Source: News Limited
He took his first win of the season in the ninth round at Mugello but his title hopes were long since dashed. That year’s championship was a straight fight between Rainey and American rival Kevin Schwantz, resolved tragically when a crash at Misano left Rainey a paraplegic.
Doohan’s season ended early, too, when yet another crash at the penultimate round in the United States broke his collarbone. In a way it was a blessing: he stayed in the US to begin radical treatment on his weakened leg.
For three months, Doohan’s leg was encased in an Ilizarov gantry, a device of carbon fibre rings linked with bolts and pins in Doohan’s broken bones, helping to pull them straight.
By the start of the new season, Doohan was back to his old self. A win in Malaysia was book ended by podiums on home soil at Eastern Creek and at Suzuka in Japan.
Jerez in the south of Spain was where Doohan’s title rampage truly began. He and Schwantz waged a fierce and fast battle that saw the American set a lap record that would stand for the next decade.
But it was Doohan who crossed the line first by just 0.489 seconds, kicking off a string of six straight wins which, allied to his rivals’ inconsistency, gave Doohan his first fighting chance at clinching a world championship victory.
He did it in style. A comfortable victory over teammate Shinichi Itoh while Schwantz struggled to seventh gave him an unassailable 87-point lead.
Finally, Mick Doohan was world champion. One of the greatest comebacks from injury by any Australian sportsman was complete.
Doohan celebrates after winning in Brno. Pic: Mike Cooper/ALLSPORT Source: Getty Images
Doohan on his march to his maiden title. Pic: Mike Cooper/ALLSPORT Source: Michael Cooper / Getty Images
IT seems hard to believe now, but there was a moment in time where it looked like Mick Doohan might never become a world champion.
August 21, 2014 marks 20 years to the day that our ‘Mighty Mick’ sealed the first of what would eventually be a five-year reign at the top of what is now called MotoGP.
But just 12 months prior to that glorious day at Brno in the Czech Republic, Doohan’s title dreams couldn’t have looked further away.
Doohan with Burgess and the bike which should have taken him to his maiden title. Source: News Limited
Sure, he had the skill. The Australian had matured from the wild kid aboard Honda’s animalistic 500cc grand prix motorcycle, the one the media had nicknamed ‘Dead by June’ Doohan, into a man whose relentless pursuit of perfection put him on the path to glory.
Sure, he had the hunger. Anyone who witnessed him at Interlagos in 1992 could never dispute that.
That season had been his for the taking. He and engineering guru Jeremy Burgess had cajoled Honda into developing a superior engine package that allowed Doohan to rattle off five wins and a pair of seconds to start the season.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
His chief rival, Wayne Rainey, was struggling. The blond American crashed his Yamaha in his pursuit of Doohan in Italy, before fracturing his wrist, some ribs and a hand in Germany. By the next race in Assen, Doohan was 65 points ahead while Rainey was on a flight home, too hurt to race.
The next day would turn the title chase on its head and change Doohan’s life forever.
A seemingly innocuous fall saw Doohan’s right leg pinned beneath his Honda. The result were two spiral fractures of his tibia and fibia. Worse was to follow. A botched operation cut the blood supply to his ailing leg. Gangrene began to set in. As he sat in a Dutch hospital bed, ostensibly to recover, his right leg was rotting away.
A decision to bail on the hospital and be treated elsewhere saved his leg and his career. But despite the full horror of his injuries, the magnitude of Doohan’s points tally meant that he still led the championship despite being on the sidelines.
Slowly, a fit Rainey started to peg him back. A win in France plus a second in Britain had him within striking distance. Doohan pushed himself back into action for the penultimate round in Brazil.
Doohan was in no shape to be on a road bike, never mind a race bike. To rewatch footage of Doohan getting on his bike that weekend beggars belief. The mental steel required to ignore the pain, ignore the weakness and hop aboard a high-speed rocket capable of bucking him off at any moment, is impossible to comprehend.
Yet his heroic comeback was in vain. A 12th place in Brazil netted no points while Rainey went on to win. Although he still led by two points, Doohan’s title hopes were fading. A superhuman ride in the South African finale netted sixth place, but Rainey’s third landed him the title. It was the only point in the season where Doohan didn’t lead the standings.
The 1993 season was little better. His leg had never truly healed and was beginning to bow. Compounding matters was a preseason crash that fractured his wrist. His health and form would improve, while a switch to a thumb-operated rear brake meant one less task for his withered right leg to do.
The Ilizarov gantry Doohan wore for three months. Source: News Limited
He took his first win of the season in the ninth round at Mugello but his title hopes were long since dashed. That year’s championship was a straight fight between Rainey and American rival Kevin Schwantz, resolved tragically when a crash at Misano left Rainey a paraplegic.
Doohan’s season ended early, too, when yet another crash at the penultimate round in the United States broke his collarbone. In a way it was a blessing: he stayed in the US to begin radical treatment on his weakened leg.
For three months, Doohan’s leg was encased in an Ilizarov gantry, a device of carbon fibre rings linked with bolts and pins in Doohan’s broken bones, helping to pull them straight.
By the start of the new season, Doohan was back to his old self. A win in Malaysia was book ended by podiums on home soil at Eastern Creek and at Suzuka in Japan.
Jerez in the south of Spain was where Doohan’s title rampage truly began. He and Schwantz waged a fierce and fast battle that saw the American set a lap record that would stand for the next decade.
But it was Doohan who crossed the line first by just 0.489 seconds, kicking off a string of six straight wins which, allied to his rivals’ inconsistency, gave Doohan his first fighting chance at clinching a world championship victory.
He did it in style. A comfortable victory over teammate Shinichi Itoh while Schwantz struggled to seventh gave him an unassailable 87-point lead.
Finally, Mick Doohan was world champion. One of the greatest comebacks from injury by any Australian sportsman was complete.
Doohan celebrates after winning in Brno. Pic: Mike Cooper/ALLSPORT Source: Getty Images
Points to Ponder: Stoner's Return To Ducati
and MotoGP ...
by dean adams
Tuesday, January 05, 2016
Stoner on the Ducati. Did it ever stop being 2007 at Ducati's MotoGP team?
image by Lens Pusher
Retired MotoGP champion Casey Stoner made headlines this off-season when he left his role as Honda's MotoGP test rider and instead signed with Ducati as their MotoGP test rider and brand ambassador. Stoner has hired a long-time friend to be his new business manager, and in doing so, raised expectation that Stoner won't be just a test rider or a brand ambassador for Ducati's MotoGP effort, but will return to racing as a wild card at some point, probably at Phillip Island.
Or more.
Knowing this, consider these points:
That the truest words ever spoken on Stoner's retirement were said by Stoner's long time colleague and team manager, Livio Suppo. When pressed as to the reason that Stoner decided in May of 2012 to stop racing, Suppo theorized that even Stoner himself probably didn't really know why he had decided to retire. Because Stoner's current plans are in direct conflict with nearly every reason he gave for his retirement.
If you had walked into a trackside bar anywhere in the world in late 2012 and predicted that Stoner would return to MotoGP, with Ducati, and be named the firm's "brand ambassador" you'd have been laughed into the street. At that time, Ducati was on the Stoner Enemy List. They had wronged him on so many levels that he was forced to leave Ducati for Honda. Ducati did not support him. Ducati disrespected Stoner. They did not give him the bike he wanted. They were lazy when it came to off-season development. They paid Marco Melandri more money than they did Stoner when the pair were teamed together, etc. Ducati's sins were well fleshed out in Stoner's book "Pushing the Limits". Stoner took published swipes at a great many who worked at Ducati Corse. Thus Stoner re-teaming with Ducati is hugely ironic, and at the same time is probably very telling, of many things. Like Casey's state of mind, and how lost Ducati MotoGP may very well be at this time.
That Stoner is returning to MotoGP as a brand ambassador for Ducati, or anyone, is simply mind boggling. What does a brand ambassador do? Well, when Giancarlo Falappa and Carl Fogarty were active brand ambassadors for Ducati, they did Ducati dealership visits, and their image were used in Ducati's merchandising--remember the Foggy Monster? If Stoner, who has unabashedly shunned all peripheral activities to racing, does dealer visits and stands for photo shoots while wearing Ducati clothes, it will truly be, at the very least, bizarre. It will be a little like seeing James Dean working as a strip mall santa.
That Stoner's return is probably more about Valentino Rossi than it is about Stoner's reawakened love of the racing life. Rossi had a very good MotoGP season in 2015 with a true and amazing challenge to the championship. I think that Rossi's popularity and his legion--or mob--of fans has been a tough subject for Stoner to stand by and be forced to observe. Rossi never did much on that Ducati MotoGP bike, did he? And Stoner won the title on it--but that was before Rossi rode the Italian brand. It would make a nice bookend for Stoner's legacy if he were able to win on the Ducati both before and after Rossi's highly publicized but ultimately failed bid on the Desmo bike. He would assuredly loudly deny that any comeback attempt he might mount has anything at all to do with Valentino Rossi, but then Stoner has loudly disapproved of several things that in the end his actions were the strongest evidence of it being true.
Ask yourself this: when you watch Iannone and Dovi' ride the GP15 do you say to yourself, "Gee, they look just like Stoner did when he rode the Ducati."
No, you probably don't; no one does. Both Andreas have a very conventional style of riding, as did Marco Melandri, Valentini Rossi, Cal Crutchlow, Ben Spies and to some extent Nicky Hayden when they rode the Ducati MotoGP racer.
It's a obvious point that should not be lost: Casey Stoner has a very unique riding style. I, for one, will not forget talking to my friend Tim Huntington after the first MotoGP practice session on Friday at the 2006 MotoGP race at Laguna Seca. Tim had been shooting AMA and WSBK events at Laguna Seca for nearly a decade then and had all the focus points and knew which way the sun would shine in order to get the tack sharp shot. When Tim came back from that first practice I asked, what did you see? Anyone stick out?
Stoner, he said emphatically, was getting on the gas earlier than any other rider in MotoGP or any rider he'd ever photographed at Laguna. Most riders used the same spot on corner exit to begin accelerating, but with Stoner, Tim had to crank his lens back to catch the Australian in focus. Stoner was riding on the balls of his feet, and with pure balls.
Moreover, the only rider I have seen in my life with a riding style that mimic'd Stoner's is Marc Marquez. And that is why they were such a collaborative force.
The number of riders who were unable to ride the Ducati MotoGP bike in the same way and without the success as Stoner did is now large enough to be a big table coffee clutch. Rossi, it is said, knew in two laps that he was never going to meld with the Ducati. Spies looked like a Ben Spies impersonator on the Ducati. Pushing past the limit and then crashing the Ducati almost killed Cal Crutchlow. In many ways the Ducati is a bike built for one rider: Casey Stoner. Teammates and world champions tried to get the same performance from the Ducati as Stoner did and were left unable to do so. Where Stoner found a beast he could tame in the Ducati MotoGP bike, they found a mysterious contraption that they were unable to make it do anything but hurt them.
The long horrible road that Ducati traveled after Stoner left them for Honda started to show some success in 2015. The new GP15 was an early season threat to win races. Rider Andrea Iaanone is Ducati's hope for the future. Dovi seemed to lose faith in the final races, it was way too early to condemn him as having used all of his racer resources.
Someone in Bologna once said that it has never stopped being 2007 at Ducati Corse. That their world championship season, and Stoner, have always been spoken about in reverential tones, that "Casey could do that" was a frequent comment when looking at where another rider was unable to extract maximum performance from the GP14, GP 14.2, GP15 etc.
Now Ducati are possibly faced with the same dilemma that they have been for much of the brand's MotoGP history. Do they build a MotoGP bike that will suit Casey Stoner's singular talent or a bike for the riders who are not Casey Stoner?
If Stoner is fast on the GP15, will they be able to treat that as a MotoGP anomaly and continue on the path that will see the Ducati be a force in the hands of more than one rider?
This is going to get very interesting.
ENDS
and MotoGP ...
by dean adams
Tuesday, January 05, 2016
Stoner on the Ducati. Did it ever stop being 2007 at Ducati's MotoGP team?
image by Lens Pusher
Retired MotoGP champion Casey Stoner made headlines this off-season when he left his role as Honda's MotoGP test rider and instead signed with Ducati as their MotoGP test rider and brand ambassador. Stoner has hired a long-time friend to be his new business manager, and in doing so, raised expectation that Stoner won't be just a test rider or a brand ambassador for Ducati's MotoGP effort, but will return to racing as a wild card at some point, probably at Phillip Island.
Or more.
Knowing this, consider these points:
That the truest words ever spoken on Stoner's retirement were said by Stoner's long time colleague and team manager, Livio Suppo. When pressed as to the reason that Stoner decided in May of 2012 to stop racing, Suppo theorized that even Stoner himself probably didn't really know why he had decided to retire. Because Stoner's current plans are in direct conflict with nearly every reason he gave for his retirement.
If you had walked into a trackside bar anywhere in the world in late 2012 and predicted that Stoner would return to MotoGP, with Ducati, and be named the firm's "brand ambassador" you'd have been laughed into the street. At that time, Ducati was on the Stoner Enemy List. They had wronged him on so many levels that he was forced to leave Ducati for Honda. Ducati did not support him. Ducati disrespected Stoner. They did not give him the bike he wanted. They were lazy when it came to off-season development. They paid Marco Melandri more money than they did Stoner when the pair were teamed together, etc. Ducati's sins were well fleshed out in Stoner's book "Pushing the Limits". Stoner took published swipes at a great many who worked at Ducati Corse. Thus Stoner re-teaming with Ducati is hugely ironic, and at the same time is probably very telling, of many things. Like Casey's state of mind, and how lost Ducati MotoGP may very well be at this time.
That Stoner is returning to MotoGP as a brand ambassador for Ducati, or anyone, is simply mind boggling. What does a brand ambassador do? Well, when Giancarlo Falappa and Carl Fogarty were active brand ambassadors for Ducati, they did Ducati dealership visits, and their image were used in Ducati's merchandising--remember the Foggy Monster? If Stoner, who has unabashedly shunned all peripheral activities to racing, does dealer visits and stands for photo shoots while wearing Ducati clothes, it will truly be, at the very least, bizarre. It will be a little like seeing James Dean working as a strip mall santa.
That Stoner's return is probably more about Valentino Rossi than it is about Stoner's reawakened love of the racing life. Rossi had a very good MotoGP season in 2015 with a true and amazing challenge to the championship. I think that Rossi's popularity and his legion--or mob--of fans has been a tough subject for Stoner to stand by and be forced to observe. Rossi never did much on that Ducati MotoGP bike, did he? And Stoner won the title on it--but that was before Rossi rode the Italian brand. It would make a nice bookend for Stoner's legacy if he were able to win on the Ducati both before and after Rossi's highly publicized but ultimately failed bid on the Desmo bike. He would assuredly loudly deny that any comeback attempt he might mount has anything at all to do with Valentino Rossi, but then Stoner has loudly disapproved of several things that in the end his actions were the strongest evidence of it being true.
Ask yourself this: when you watch Iannone and Dovi' ride the GP15 do you say to yourself, "Gee, they look just like Stoner did when he rode the Ducati."
No, you probably don't; no one does. Both Andreas have a very conventional style of riding, as did Marco Melandri, Valentini Rossi, Cal Crutchlow, Ben Spies and to some extent Nicky Hayden when they rode the Ducati MotoGP racer.
It's a obvious point that should not be lost: Casey Stoner has a very unique riding style. I, for one, will not forget talking to my friend Tim Huntington after the first MotoGP practice session on Friday at the 2006 MotoGP race at Laguna Seca. Tim had been shooting AMA and WSBK events at Laguna Seca for nearly a decade then and had all the focus points and knew which way the sun would shine in order to get the tack sharp shot. When Tim came back from that first practice I asked, what did you see? Anyone stick out?
Stoner, he said emphatically, was getting on the gas earlier than any other rider in MotoGP or any rider he'd ever photographed at Laguna. Most riders used the same spot on corner exit to begin accelerating, but with Stoner, Tim had to crank his lens back to catch the Australian in focus. Stoner was riding on the balls of his feet, and with pure balls.
Moreover, the only rider I have seen in my life with a riding style that mimic'd Stoner's is Marc Marquez. And that is why they were such a collaborative force.
The number of riders who were unable to ride the Ducati MotoGP bike in the same way and without the success as Stoner did is now large enough to be a big table coffee clutch. Rossi, it is said, knew in two laps that he was never going to meld with the Ducati. Spies looked like a Ben Spies impersonator on the Ducati. Pushing past the limit and then crashing the Ducati almost killed Cal Crutchlow. In many ways the Ducati is a bike built for one rider: Casey Stoner. Teammates and world champions tried to get the same performance from the Ducati as Stoner did and were left unable to do so. Where Stoner found a beast he could tame in the Ducati MotoGP bike, they found a mysterious contraption that they were unable to make it do anything but hurt them.
The long horrible road that Ducati traveled after Stoner left them for Honda started to show some success in 2015. The new GP15 was an early season threat to win races. Rider Andrea Iaanone is Ducati's hope for the future. Dovi seemed to lose faith in the final races, it was way too early to condemn him as having used all of his racer resources.
Someone in Bologna once said that it has never stopped being 2007 at Ducati Corse. That their world championship season, and Stoner, have always been spoken about in reverential tones, that "Casey could do that" was a frequent comment when looking at where another rider was unable to extract maximum performance from the GP14, GP 14.2, GP15 etc.
Now Ducati are possibly faced with the same dilemma that they have been for much of the brand's MotoGP history. Do they build a MotoGP bike that will suit Casey Stoner's singular talent or a bike for the riders who are not Casey Stoner?
If Stoner is fast on the GP15, will they be able to treat that as a MotoGP anomaly and continue on the path that will see the Ducati be a force in the hands of more than one rider?
This is going to get very interesting.
ENDS
Stoner: I was quick enough to stand in for Pedrosa
By: Jamie Klein, News Editor
Yesterday at 11:33am
Casey Stoner believes he would have been quick enough to run with the leaders had Honda chosen him to stand in for a sidelined Dani Pedrosa last year.
The two-time MotoGP champion had offered to stand in for former teammate Pedrosa at Austin, after the Spaniard was forced to miss the race recovering from an arm operation.
But the Japanese manufacturer instead opted to use HRC test rider Hiroshi Aoyama, who finished 11th in Texas before retiring from the next two races.
Stoner, who has now returned to Ducati as a test rider, said his testing pace suggested he could have fought with the frontrunners had he been given the chance to race by Honda.
"I felt ready for Austin, but Nakamoto apologised and told me he was taking responsibility for choosing a different solution," he told Motosprint.
"At that point I thought that somebody was pressuring him to not let me ride. Someone didn't want me to ride.
"I knew I was fast enough to adequately replace Pedrosa. During the Sepang test in February, I had the same pace as Dani, who later won the race, so I think I could have stayed with the leaders."
"Marc felt threatened by me"
Elaborating on exactly why he felt Honda ultimately passed up his services, Stoner said he believed Marc Marquez vetoed any such move.
"At Honda I was only an occasional tester, I never had any other role," said the Australian. "To tell the truth, I don't think they took advantage of my potential. I think Marquez and his entourage felt threatened by me.
"I was at Honda to try new things that the race riders could use, so I was there to help Marc. But they have to do as the number one rider says."
Read Also:
Lorenzo expects Stoner to make wildcard outings
By: Jamie Klein, News Editor
Yesterday at 11:33am
Casey Stoner believes he would have been quick enough to run with the leaders had Honda chosen him to stand in for a sidelined Dani Pedrosa last year.
The two-time MotoGP champion had offered to stand in for former teammate Pedrosa at Austin, after the Spaniard was forced to miss the race recovering from an arm operation.
But the Japanese manufacturer instead opted to use HRC test rider Hiroshi Aoyama, who finished 11th in Texas before retiring from the next two races.
Stoner, who has now returned to Ducati as a test rider, said his testing pace suggested he could have fought with the frontrunners had he been given the chance to race by Honda.
"I felt ready for Austin, but Nakamoto apologised and told me he was taking responsibility for choosing a different solution," he told Motosprint.
"At that point I thought that somebody was pressuring him to not let me ride. Someone didn't want me to ride.
"I knew I was fast enough to adequately replace Pedrosa. During the Sepang test in February, I had the same pace as Dani, who later won the race, so I think I could have stayed with the leaders."
"Marc felt threatened by me"
Elaborating on exactly why he felt Honda ultimately passed up his services, Stoner said he believed Marc Marquez vetoed any such move.
"At Honda I was only an occasional tester, I never had any other role," said the Australian. "To tell the truth, I don't think they took advantage of my potential. I think Marquez and his entourage felt threatened by me.
"I was at Honda to try new things that the race riders could use, so I was there to help Marc. But they have to do as the number one rider says."
Read Also:
Lorenzo expects Stoner to make wildcard outings
Latest TT News
Suter 580cc two-stroke to race Senior TT
Swiss racing motorcycle manufacturer Suter Racing has confirmed that it will make its debut at the 2016 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy. The company has built the Suter MMX 500, a 580cc two-stroke engined machine, which it will campaign in the RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT Races.
The spectacular two-stroke motorcycle has already generated significant excitement with motorbike fans around the world and was named as ‘the most desirable motorcycle’ at the 2015 Eicma Motorcycle show in Milan.
The Suter MMX 500 was launched globally in September 2015 at the Airforce Center Dübendorf in front of 300 invited VIP guests. The company has developed only 99 racing motorcycles, aimed at the wealthy private amateur racer, at a price of CHF 120,000 (£85,000, $125,000, €109,000).
Ex-GP rider and CEO Eskil Suter commented:
“A launch of this nature with a limited run of motorcycling would ordinarily not be spectacular but the fact that the Suter has a 580cc two-stroke engine evokes almost hysterical emotion with the association of the wild days of 500cc Grand Prix racing where legends like Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson and Wayne Gardner, just to name a few, regularly fought thrillingly for podiums and against crashing. The furious power explosion of the former two-stroke bikes was still memorable to real fans and is considered the golden age of motorcycle racing.”
He continued:
“However, these motorcycles were never readily available. Suter has awakened this charismatic era with the MMX 500 bringing those GP bikes back to life in a modern context. We are equipping the MMX 500 engine with high-end components, of which one could only dream of back in the days of 500cc racing, including an electronic fuel injection, for example, and counter-rotating crankshafts.”
Eskil Suter is convinced that his bike can perform well against the Honda, BMW and Kawasaki superbikes. He commented:
“Suter has built up knowledge and understanding on the specifications in recent years, by constructing modules, complete motorcycles or as supplier to all Grand Prix classes.
“We have a phenomenally good power to weight ratio. She drives like a bicycle with rocket propulsion.”
“In collaboration with a renowned university we have found solutions to the challenge of the emissions and got it under control”, said Eskil Suter. "and that's the reason why we want to go to the toughest road race in the world. For us this is the perfect testing ground. The Senior TT, over six laps of the 60km long Snaefell Mountain Course, is just something for the toughest guys among the racers. I’m known indeed to be quite fearless," said Eskil Suter, "but the TT is now something where I would definitively prefer another let go first as a rider.”
“We are currently negotiating with two former TT winners,” confirmed Suter’s Marketing Director Phillip Soutter. “We want an experienced rider and the best suited to us would be an old TT-warhorse.”
Suter 580cc two-stroke to race Senior TT - Isle of Man TT Official Website
Suter 580cc two-stroke to race Senior TT
Swiss racing motorcycle manufacturer Suter Racing has confirmed that it will make its debut at the 2016 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy. The company has built the Suter MMX 500, a 580cc two-stroke engined machine, which it will campaign in the RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT Races.
The spectacular two-stroke motorcycle has already generated significant excitement with motorbike fans around the world and was named as ‘the most desirable motorcycle’ at the 2015 Eicma Motorcycle show in Milan.
The Suter MMX 500 was launched globally in September 2015 at the Airforce Center Dübendorf in front of 300 invited VIP guests. The company has developed only 99 racing motorcycles, aimed at the wealthy private amateur racer, at a price of CHF 120,000 (£85,000, $125,000, €109,000).
Ex-GP rider and CEO Eskil Suter commented:
“A launch of this nature with a limited run of motorcycling would ordinarily not be spectacular but the fact that the Suter has a 580cc two-stroke engine evokes almost hysterical emotion with the association of the wild days of 500cc Grand Prix racing where legends like Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson and Wayne Gardner, just to name a few, regularly fought thrillingly for podiums and against crashing. The furious power explosion of the former two-stroke bikes was still memorable to real fans and is considered the golden age of motorcycle racing.”
He continued:
“However, these motorcycles were never readily available. Suter has awakened this charismatic era with the MMX 500 bringing those GP bikes back to life in a modern context. We are equipping the MMX 500 engine with high-end components, of which one could only dream of back in the days of 500cc racing, including an electronic fuel injection, for example, and counter-rotating crankshafts.”
Eskil Suter is convinced that his bike can perform well against the Honda, BMW and Kawasaki superbikes. He commented:
“Suter has built up knowledge and understanding on the specifications in recent years, by constructing modules, complete motorcycles or as supplier to all Grand Prix classes.
“We have a phenomenally good power to weight ratio. She drives like a bicycle with rocket propulsion.”
“In collaboration with a renowned university we have found solutions to the challenge of the emissions and got it under control”, said Eskil Suter. "and that's the reason why we want to go to the toughest road race in the world. For us this is the perfect testing ground. The Senior TT, over six laps of the 60km long Snaefell Mountain Course, is just something for the toughest guys among the racers. I’m known indeed to be quite fearless," said Eskil Suter, "but the TT is now something where I would definitively prefer another let go first as a rider.”
“We are currently negotiating with two former TT winners,” confirmed Suter’s Marketing Director Phillip Soutter. “We want an experienced rider and the best suited to us would be an old TT-warhorse.”
Suter 580cc two-stroke to race Senior TT - Isle of Man TT Official Website
ESABATM
Meme DMaster Of Disaster
Here is my new to me bike. It has carb issues but that's in work. Fork seals were replaced by the previous owner. I have to swap out coolant, change the oil, put stock airbox and exhaust back on it.
4 hours to go ! and the wsbk season kicks off
WSBK » Phillip Island – Free practice results (2)
26 February 2016
Full free practice results (2) from the first round of the 2016 World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island, Australia.
Phillip Island – Free practice results (2)
Full free practice results (2) from the first round of the 2016 World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island, Australia.
1. Sylvain Guintoli FRA PATA Crescent Yamaha R1 1m 30.865s
2. Michael van der Mark NED Honda Racing CBR1000RR 1m 31.249s
3. Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R 1m 31.324s
4. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R 1m 31.363s
5. Leon Camier GBR MV Agusta RC F4 RR 1m 31.445s
6. Nicky Hayden USA Honda Racing CBR1000RR 1m 31.475s
7. Davide Giugliano ITA Aruba.it Racing Ducati 1199R 1m 31.527s
8. Chaz Davies GBR Aruba.it Racing Ducati 1199R 1m 31.593s
9. Lorenzo Savadori ITA IodaRacing Aprilia RSV4 1m 31.725s
10. Markus Reiterberger GER Althea BMW S1000RR 1m 32.792s
Top 10 will progress straight into SP2 on Saturday. The remainder of the field entered into SP1.
11. Alex Lowes GBR PATA Crescent Yamaha R1 1m 31.825s
12. Roman Ramos ESP GO Eleven Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 32.030s
13. Xavi Fores ESP Barni Ducati 1199R 1m 32.070s
14. Jordi Torres ESP Althea BMW S1000RR 1m 32.370s
15. Mike Jones AUS Desmo Sport Ducati 1199R 1m 32.476s
16. Alex de Angelis RSM IodaRacing Aprilia RSV4 1m 32.530s
17. Sylvain Barrier FRA Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 32.553s
18. Josh Brookes AUS Milwaukee BMW S1000RR 1m 32.704s
19. Toprak Razgatlioglu TUR Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 33.459s
20. Karel Abraham CZE Althea BMW S1000RR 1m 33.491s
21. Dominic Schmitter SUI Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 34.243s
22. Saeed al Sulaiti QAT Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 34.861s
23. Peter Sebesteyen HUN Team Toth Yamaha R1 1m 34.909s
24. Imre Toth HUN Team Toth Yamaha R1 1m 35.891s
Read more at http://www.crash.net/wsbk/results/22...FYmBUtCuaKm.99
WSBK » Sykes aiming to ‘box the job off’ ahead of curtain raiser
26 February 2016
Fast in the morning, Tom Sykes sets the fourth quickest time on Friday, feels he has 'a good understanding' of the Kawasaki's package around Phillip Island.
Sykes aiming to ‘box the job off’ ahead of curtain raiser
Tom Sykes believes he can 'box the job off' on Saturday after ending the first day of World Superbike free practice fourth overall.
Competing around one of Sykes' less-favoured circuits, the Englishman sped to the fastest time on Friday morning before his final lap of 1m 31.363s on Friday afternoon was good enough for a spot just outside the top three.
The Englishman, who has been bullish in his approach to the upcoming season, tested several settings through the day and goes into Saturday's Superpole and race one format knowing that he can now 'put our best package together.'
“We had a couple of things we wanted to confirm today and now we can put our best package together and be happy to go into Saturday,” said Sykes. “We did not end the day with a long run like we wanted but in terms of everything else we have a good understanding.
“The new weekend format is relatively OK. The day has finished quite early so we have all afternoon now to put our heads together and I think we can box the job off.
“Tomorrow will be a busy day with Superpole and the first race on the same day but even in testing we understood we had a very good set-up. Now we will go back to basics and focus our attention on Superpole 2 and the first race.”
Read more at http://www.crash.net/wsbk/news/22794...FioATlT0WO0.99
WSBK » Phillip Island – Free practice results (2)
26 February 2016
Full free practice results (2) from the first round of the 2016 World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island, Australia.
Phillip Island – Free practice results (2)
Full free practice results (2) from the first round of the 2016 World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island, Australia.
1. Sylvain Guintoli FRA PATA Crescent Yamaha R1 1m 30.865s
2. Michael van der Mark NED Honda Racing CBR1000RR 1m 31.249s
3. Jonathan Rea GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R 1m 31.324s
4. Tom Sykes GBR Kawasaki Racing ZX-10R 1m 31.363s
5. Leon Camier GBR MV Agusta RC F4 RR 1m 31.445s
6. Nicky Hayden USA Honda Racing CBR1000RR 1m 31.475s
7. Davide Giugliano ITA Aruba.it Racing Ducati 1199R 1m 31.527s
8. Chaz Davies GBR Aruba.it Racing Ducati 1199R 1m 31.593s
9. Lorenzo Savadori ITA IodaRacing Aprilia RSV4 1m 31.725s
10. Markus Reiterberger GER Althea BMW S1000RR 1m 32.792s
Top 10 will progress straight into SP2 on Saturday. The remainder of the field entered into SP1.
11. Alex Lowes GBR PATA Crescent Yamaha R1 1m 31.825s
12. Roman Ramos ESP GO Eleven Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 32.030s
13. Xavi Fores ESP Barni Ducati 1199R 1m 32.070s
14. Jordi Torres ESP Althea BMW S1000RR 1m 32.370s
15. Mike Jones AUS Desmo Sport Ducati 1199R 1m 32.476s
16. Alex de Angelis RSM IodaRacing Aprilia RSV4 1m 32.530s
17. Sylvain Barrier FRA Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 32.553s
18. Josh Brookes AUS Milwaukee BMW S1000RR 1m 32.704s
19. Toprak Razgatlioglu TUR Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 33.459s
20. Karel Abraham CZE Althea BMW S1000RR 1m 33.491s
21. Dominic Schmitter SUI Grillini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 34.243s
22. Saeed al Sulaiti QAT Pedercini Kawasaki ZX-10R 1m 34.861s
23. Peter Sebesteyen HUN Team Toth Yamaha R1 1m 34.909s
24. Imre Toth HUN Team Toth Yamaha R1 1m 35.891s
Read more at http://www.crash.net/wsbk/results/22...FYmBUtCuaKm.99
WSBK » Sykes aiming to ‘box the job off’ ahead of curtain raiser
26 February 2016
Fast in the morning, Tom Sykes sets the fourth quickest time on Friday, feels he has 'a good understanding' of the Kawasaki's package around Phillip Island.
Sykes aiming to ‘box the job off’ ahead of curtain raiser
Tom Sykes believes he can 'box the job off' on Saturday after ending the first day of World Superbike free practice fourth overall.
Competing around one of Sykes' less-favoured circuits, the Englishman sped to the fastest time on Friday morning before his final lap of 1m 31.363s on Friday afternoon was good enough for a spot just outside the top three.
The Englishman, who has been bullish in his approach to the upcoming season, tested several settings through the day and goes into Saturday's Superpole and race one format knowing that he can now 'put our best package together.'
“We had a couple of things we wanted to confirm today and now we can put our best package together and be happy to go into Saturday,” said Sykes. “We did not end the day with a long run like we wanted but in terms of everything else we have a good understanding.
“The new weekend format is relatively OK. The day has finished quite early so we have all afternoon now to put our heads together and I think we can box the job off.
“Tomorrow will be a busy day with Superpole and the first race on the same day but even in testing we understood we had a very good set-up. Now we will go back to basics and focus our attention on Superpole 2 and the first race.”
Read more at http://www.crash.net/wsbk/news/22794...FioATlT0WO0.99
WSS » Phillip Island – Free practice results (2)
26 February 2016
Full free practice results (2) from the first round of the 2016 World Supersport Championship at Phillip Island, Australia.
Phillip Island – Free practice results (2)
Full free practice results (2) from the first round of the 2016 World Supersport Championship at Phillip Island, Australia.
1. Kenan Sofuoglu TUR Kawasaki Puccetti Racing ZX-6R 1m 33.664s
2. Jules Cluzel FRA MV Agusta RC F3 675 1m 33.877s
3. Randy Krummenacher SUI Kawasaki Puccetti Racing ZX-6R 1m 33.878s
4. Lorenzo Zanetti FRA MV Agusta RC F3 675 1m 34.032s
5. Kyle Ryde GBR Ranieri Med – SC Yamaha R6 1m 34.202s
6. PJ Jacobsen USA Honda Racing CBR600RR 1m 34.256s
7. Alex Baldolini ITA ATK#25 MV Agusta F3 675 1m 34.398s
8. Kevin Wahr GER Lorini Honda CBR600RR 1m 34.442s
9. Kyle Smith GBR CIA Landlords Insurance Honda CBR600RR 1m 34.540s
10. Nico Terol ESP Schmidt MV Agusta F3 675 1m 34.600s
11. Gino Rea GBR GRT MV Agusta F3 675 1m 34.616s
12. Anthony West AUS Tribeca Yamaha YZF R6 1m 34.672s
13. Christian Gamarino ITA GOEleven Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 34.716s
14. Zulfahmi Khairuddin ESP Orelac Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 34.795s
15. Federico Caricasulo ITA Evans Bros. Honda CBR600RR 1m 35.086s
16. Luke Stapleford GBR CIA Landlords Insurance Honda CBR600RR 1m 35.133s
17. Ondrej Jezek CZE GOEleven Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 35.379s
18. Roberto Rolfo ITA Vamag MV Agusta F3 675 1m 35.476s
19. Glenn Scott AUS Lorini Honda CBR600RR 1m 35.510s
20. Hikari Okubo JPN CIA Landlords Insurance Honda CBR600R 1m 35.578s
21. Aiden Wagner AUS GRT MV Agusta F3 675 1m 35.710s
22. Nacho Calero ESP Orelac Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 35.879s
23. Mitch Levy AUS Landbridge Yamaha YZF R6 1m 35.962s
24. Alex Phillis AUS AARK Racing Honda CBR600RR 1m 36.315s
25. Kane Burns AUS Burns Racing Suzuki GSX-R600 1m 36.416s
26. Stefan Hill GBR CIA Landlords Insurance Honda CBR600RR 1m 37.139s
27. Lachlan Epis AUS Response RE Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 38.865s
Read more at http://www.crash.net/wss/results/227...LMCzGHcH4Ey.99
WSS » Phillip Island: Technical problems ground Sofuoglu, still stays top
26 February 2016
Kenan Sofuoglu's morning time is enough to secure top spot of Friday, is forced to sit out FP2 due to technical issues.
\
Phillip Island: Technical problems ground Sofuoglu, still stays top
CLICK HERE for WSS free practice (2) results from Phillip Island.
Even a serious technical issue that kept Kenan Sofuoglu grounded in pit lane throughout Friday afternoon couldn't prevent the reigning world champion from topping the first day of World Supersport free practice at Phillip Island, such was his superior speed in the morning.
Sofuoglu, who is bidding for a record fifth crown in 2016, was unable to post a single lap in free practice two due to technical difficulties.
In an afternoon that saw protege Toprak Razgatlioglu fracture his left ankle in World Superbike free practice, Sofuoglu's afternoon failed to improve as he watched his rivals gain a valuable hour of track time.
Yet similar misfortune would soon befall closest rival Jules Cluzel, who crashed at speed through turn eleven. The ever-widening left that caught out so many riders during the preseason test, claimed the still-hobbling Frenchman, who high-sided violently on the exit of the turn.
Cluzel still ended Friday second overall but saw his margin over third placed Randy Krummenacher diminish, the Swiss upping the ante in the afternoon, to lap within a thousandth of a second of the MV Agusta man's lap time.
Lorenzo Zanetti remained in fourth with British starlet Kyle Ryde unable to lap within a second of his morning best. Still, 18-year old Ryde will be happy to end his first day as a full-time World Supersport rider inside the top six.
Having posted 24 laps in FP2, PJ Jacobsen rose to sixth after a mid-session run saw him better his morning time by 0.2s. Along with Krummenacher, Jacobsen was the only other rider in the top ten to make an afternoon improvement.
Alex Baldolini (seventh), Kevin Wahr (eighth), Kyle Smith (ninth) and Nico Terol (tenth) followed before the significantly improved Gino Rea placed eleventh.
New scheduling for 2016 sees the combined top ten from the World Supersport class on Friday automatically enter into SP2 on Saturday afternoon. Those outside the top ten will have a chance to qualify through SP1.
Read more at http://www.crash.net/wss/news/227933...28od0AmdUF8.99
26 February 2016
Full free practice results (2) from the first round of the 2016 World Supersport Championship at Phillip Island, Australia.
Phillip Island – Free practice results (2)
Full free practice results (2) from the first round of the 2016 World Supersport Championship at Phillip Island, Australia.
1. Kenan Sofuoglu TUR Kawasaki Puccetti Racing ZX-6R 1m 33.664s
2. Jules Cluzel FRA MV Agusta RC F3 675 1m 33.877s
3. Randy Krummenacher SUI Kawasaki Puccetti Racing ZX-6R 1m 33.878s
4. Lorenzo Zanetti FRA MV Agusta RC F3 675 1m 34.032s
5. Kyle Ryde GBR Ranieri Med – SC Yamaha R6 1m 34.202s
6. PJ Jacobsen USA Honda Racing CBR600RR 1m 34.256s
7. Alex Baldolini ITA ATK#25 MV Agusta F3 675 1m 34.398s
8. Kevin Wahr GER Lorini Honda CBR600RR 1m 34.442s
9. Kyle Smith GBR CIA Landlords Insurance Honda CBR600RR 1m 34.540s
10. Nico Terol ESP Schmidt MV Agusta F3 675 1m 34.600s
11. Gino Rea GBR GRT MV Agusta F3 675 1m 34.616s
12. Anthony West AUS Tribeca Yamaha YZF R6 1m 34.672s
13. Christian Gamarino ITA GOEleven Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 34.716s
14. Zulfahmi Khairuddin ESP Orelac Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 34.795s
15. Federico Caricasulo ITA Evans Bros. Honda CBR600RR 1m 35.086s
16. Luke Stapleford GBR CIA Landlords Insurance Honda CBR600RR 1m 35.133s
17. Ondrej Jezek CZE GOEleven Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 35.379s
18. Roberto Rolfo ITA Vamag MV Agusta F3 675 1m 35.476s
19. Glenn Scott AUS Lorini Honda CBR600RR 1m 35.510s
20. Hikari Okubo JPN CIA Landlords Insurance Honda CBR600R 1m 35.578s
21. Aiden Wagner AUS GRT MV Agusta F3 675 1m 35.710s
22. Nacho Calero ESP Orelac Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 35.879s
23. Mitch Levy AUS Landbridge Yamaha YZF R6 1m 35.962s
24. Alex Phillis AUS AARK Racing Honda CBR600RR 1m 36.315s
25. Kane Burns AUS Burns Racing Suzuki GSX-R600 1m 36.416s
26. Stefan Hill GBR CIA Landlords Insurance Honda CBR600RR 1m 37.139s
27. Lachlan Epis AUS Response RE Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 38.865s
Read more at http://www.crash.net/wss/results/227...LMCzGHcH4Ey.99
WSS » Phillip Island: Technical problems ground Sofuoglu, still stays top
26 February 2016
Kenan Sofuoglu's morning time is enough to secure top spot of Friday, is forced to sit out FP2 due to technical issues.
\
Phillip Island: Technical problems ground Sofuoglu, still stays top
CLICK HERE for WSS free practice (2) results from Phillip Island.
Even a serious technical issue that kept Kenan Sofuoglu grounded in pit lane throughout Friday afternoon couldn't prevent the reigning world champion from topping the first day of World Supersport free practice at Phillip Island, such was his superior speed in the morning.
Sofuoglu, who is bidding for a record fifth crown in 2016, was unable to post a single lap in free practice two due to technical difficulties.
In an afternoon that saw protege Toprak Razgatlioglu fracture his left ankle in World Superbike free practice, Sofuoglu's afternoon failed to improve as he watched his rivals gain a valuable hour of track time.
Yet similar misfortune would soon befall closest rival Jules Cluzel, who crashed at speed through turn eleven. The ever-widening left that caught out so many riders during the preseason test, claimed the still-hobbling Frenchman, who high-sided violently on the exit of the turn.
Cluzel still ended Friday second overall but saw his margin over third placed Randy Krummenacher diminish, the Swiss upping the ante in the afternoon, to lap within a thousandth of a second of the MV Agusta man's lap time.
Lorenzo Zanetti remained in fourth with British starlet Kyle Ryde unable to lap within a second of his morning best. Still, 18-year old Ryde will be happy to end his first day as a full-time World Supersport rider inside the top six.
Having posted 24 laps in FP2, PJ Jacobsen rose to sixth after a mid-session run saw him better his morning time by 0.2s. Along with Krummenacher, Jacobsen was the only other rider in the top ten to make an afternoon improvement.
Alex Baldolini (seventh), Kevin Wahr (eighth), Kyle Smith (ninth) and Nico Terol (tenth) followed before the significantly improved Gino Rea placed eleventh.
New scheduling for 2016 sees the combined top ten from the World Supersport class on Friday automatically enter into SP2 on Saturday afternoon. Those outside the top ten will have a chance to qualify through SP1.
Read more at http://www.crash.net/wss/news/227933...28od0AmdUF8.99
bud if thats what you want to ride fair enuff. bike looks cleanjust be safe
ESABATM
Meme DMaster Of Disaster
It will serve my needs well. I considered a go fast but that was a 2 year drawn out ordeal so I compromised with the mrs. This has the reliability of a Honda and I can tinker with it. I looked at Harley's and Victory's and they are just a little more than I wanted to pay currently though. I would love a Victory someday.
fair call bud. and none of us are gonna pay the hard for some thing we dont wanna ride. ride it enjoy it and . .. . . . .. . .I hate to be a nanna , ,, , WEAR THE RIGHT GEAR.
Be safe ESABATM
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