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  • Ducati in Brno after Historic 1-2

    Hot off the heels of a superb 1-2 win in Austria last Sunday, which marked the return of Ducati to the victory rostrum in MotoGP for the first time since 2010, the Ducati Team has now moved about 300 km further north-east to the Czech Republic for the eleventh round of the 2016 world championship, which takes place at the Automotodrom circuit in Brno. Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso, first and second in the Austrian GP, are already gearing up to take to the track on for MotoGP’s next round.

    The circuit offers a truly fantastic spectacle for the fans, but also for the teams and riders, with its main features being a succession of variable-radius corners together with numerous steep uphill and downhill sections. Fast and flowing with plenty of room for different trajectories, the Brno circuit is one of the most popular tracks on the calendar.

    In last year’s edition of the Czech Republic Grand Prix, Iannone finished fourth overall, despite a technical problem that hampered the performance of his Desmosedici GP15, while Dovizioso was classified in sixth place after holding on to fifth until the final lap.

    Statistics-wise, the Austrian weekend marked a series of milestones in the history of the Borgo Panigale manufacturer in MotoGP since its debut in 2003: win #32, the third 1-2 win after Valencia 2006 (Bayliss-Capirossi) and Phillip Island 2007 (Stoner-Capirossi), the 35th pole position, the 35th fastest lap, the 100th and 101st podium, while for Dovizioso it was GP #250 in his career.

    The Czech Republic GP weekend programme will get underway on Friday morning with the first free practice session at 9.55 am, while the 22-lap race is scheduled for Sunday at 14.00 CET.

    Andrea Iannone: We have a good pace to fight for the podium at every round

    “It is still very difficult to explain my feelings after the win in Austria, but I can only say that it was a truly incredible weekend. Now we go to Brno for the next race and I think that this circuit is also very good for us. Last year I finished fourth despite a technical problem but now we have a good pace for fighting for the podium at every round. For sure also our rivals are very strong at this track but I think there is a good chance for me to score a good result again.”

    Andrea Dovizioso: We can be competitive

    “After our 1-2 in Austria, Ducati must now take a lot of confidence into the next few races even though we must never stop working to improve the little details, because our rivals are very strong and the Yamahas at Zeltweg were able to finish the race close to us. In Brno it will be more difficult but in the last few races we have improved everything in the bike so I am sure that we can also be competitive in the Czech Republic.”

  • Ongetta Rivacold Honda ready for Czech Grand Prix

    After the Austria Grand Prix, which took place last weekend at the Red Bull Ring of Spielberg, the Ongetta Rivacold Racing Team, is ready to come back on track. We are in Czech Republic, at Brno circuit. On this track, last year, Niccolò Antonelli got his first win in the World Championship and was the real protagonist of the week end, by getting the pole position and the higher step of the podium. This year, the young rider from Cattolica is facing the weekend in not perfect physical conditions. For his teammate, Jules Danilo, the goal is to come back in the top ten again.

    Niccolò Antonelli: I won’t be physically ready to do what I did last year

    “This will be a special weekend for me. Last year, on this track, I won my first race in the World Championship, so I have good memories here. Unfortunately, I won’t be physically ready for doing what I did last year. Anyway, I want to improve compared to the last race and I will work to get the best possible result”.

    Jules Danilo: In Austria, we lacked concentration

    “We luckily only have one week from Austria and after a difficult race it is always important to come back on track immediately. I trained a lot in the last three days in order to start again with the right motivation as, in this phase of the season, it’s important to be motivated. In Austria we lacked concentration and consistency and I did some mistakes which prevented the top ten. So, I have to stay calm and start the weekend at the best”.

    For more two-wheeled news, you can follow us @PitCrew_Online and you can follow me @MotoGPKiko

  • Rally Deutshland Preview: Who’ll take spoils in German battle?

    The WRC heads to Germany this weekend as Sebastien Ogier looks to get back on track following a few disappointing results.

    The Volkswagen driver still leads the standings thanks to his stunning consistency at the start of the season and nurses a 45 point lead over team mate Andreas Mikkelsen. However this current season is being lauded as one of the most open and competitive in over a decade.

    With six different drivers winning rallies this season, including Ogier, Mikkelsen, Jarri-Matti Latvala, Hyundai’s Hayden Paddon and Thierry Neuville, and Citroen’s Kris Meeke. The latter won last time out in Finland, and along with co-driver Paul Nagle, they became the first British duo to conquer the famous event.

    With only five rounds left to go due to the Chinese round being cancelled on safety concerns, Germany poses a much bigger significance than first thought. Famous for its tarmac and asphalt stages and the notorious concrete barriers, known locally as Panzerplattes, lining the roads and not taking any prisoners.

    Rally Deutschland joined the WRC calendar in 2002 and is located in Trier, with a mix of vineyard and military area stages, it’s known as one of the most difficult asphalt events of the calendar. The event was dominated by Citroen and Sebastien Loeb from 2002-2014.

    The imperious Frenchman took nine victories here, with Ogier and Dani Sordo both taking wins before Thierry Neuville broke the streak in his Hyundai. There’s been a Rally Deutschland since 1982 and it was part of the European Championship.

    Neuville is looking forward to what he describes as his home rally, saying: “Rallye Deutschland is the highlight of the season for me. It’s like my home rally, very close to the Belgian border and a lot of supporters come down with lots of Belgian flags. So it’s the rally we are most waiting for in the season, and it’s an event we have always been competitive at. We got our first victory there so I am looking forward to it.”

    Ott Tanak, whose best result this season is second on Rally Poland, said he will be ‘pushing as hard as possible’ to get a good result. “I like Tarmac and also enjoy the stages in Germany – you can have different weather on every stage in a loop so it’s always a compromise. We’ve shown how our pace can be on gravel this year and hopefully we will have the right conditions next week. Either way, I will be pushing as hard as possible for a solid result,” the Estonian said.

    Championship leader Ogier will be keen to get back to winning ways after a poor couple of gravel events in Poland and Finland. He said: “I always look forward to the Rally Germany, but slightly more than usual this time around. Finally, Julien and I have a realistic chance of fighting for the win under our own steam again after the difficult gravel rallies.

    “I am highly motivated and very keen to repeat the success of last year. The Rally Germany is also Volkswagen’s home event and so the whole team wants to deliver a particularly good performance in front of the fans,” the reigning champion added.

    With the rally about to get underway in Germany, can Ogier get back to winning ways having not won since Sweden back in round two? Or will one of the chasing pack cut into his lead?

    Previous Winners

    Sebastien Loeb (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012)

    Sebastien Ogier (2011, 2015)

    Dani Sordo (2013)

    Thierry Neuville (2014)

  • Taz Taylor – Putting Mansfield on the Map

    As much as we bang on about MotoGP, WSBK and BSB, we also like to highlight the other classes of motorcycling around the world, and this week is the turn of the British Superstock 600 class, and in particularly, PaceDayz Yamaha rider Taz Taylor.

    Now, I live in Mansfield, and Taz is from there, so it’s only natural that I want to promote sport in my local area, but this isn’t just a token article, he really is the real deal. Last season, in the Motostar category, Taylor demonstrated an incredible amount of talent. Whether it be starting from pole position and sprinting off or going into a last lap scrap with the eventual champion Scott Deroue, Taylor showed that he has what it takes to win races.

    This year, he rides for the PaceDayz Yamaha team on-board an R6, that is relatively old compared to some of its competitors. Achieving a staggering 6th on his first appearance in the class at Silverstone and going on to achieve a 2nd place finish at Brands Hatch, this year has been far from shabby from the teenager.

    However, as we approach Cadwell Park, is that recent 2nd place a springboard for Taz to build on and get more podiums as the season gets older? Last year, he crashed out towards the end of the race in tricky conditions, whilst in 2nd place behind Deroue. This year, a new class and a new set of opponents could be the key to Taz’ recent success, as he grows in confidence with those around him, both off track and on.

    Whatever the result, all of us here at The Pit Crew Online will be behind the Pacedayz Yamaha rider all the way through this year and beyond, and we wish them all the very best of luck for the rest of this season.

    You can follow me on Twitter @MotoGPKiko, as well as following our main account @PitCrew_Online for all the latest bike racing news.

    Thanks to Pete Boocock for the images, follow him on Twitter @PeteBoocock for more!

  • Bradl and Bautista looking to bounce back at Brno

    Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl, who both had their race in Austria compromised by a double ride through because of jump starts, showed absolutely respectable times during the race in terms of pace. On a track like Brno, theoretically more suited to the qualities of the Aprilia technical package than the Austrian track, all the conditions are there to aim for a good result.

    Alvaro Bautista: We hope to improve our qualifying

    “We are coming to Brno highly motivated. Despite the jump start problem and the display issue, in Austria performance throughout the weekend was positive, especially in terms of our race pace. The track is very different. There are no demanding braking sections like at the Red Bull Ring, but you need to make sure the bike flows well. Technically, you need a bike that is both easy to handle and that has good acceleration. The straights are not very long, but they are rather demanding in terms of power. I think that the advantages we found in Austria with the new engine will also help us in Brno. We will start off focused straight away from Friday, with the goal of finding a good pace and perhaps also improving performance in qualifying”.

    Stefan Bradl: We need to stay focused

    “Having a race straight away after the Austrian round gives us the chance to bounce back immediately. The circuit definitely suits the RS-GP better than the Red Bull Ring, so our chances of showing our competitive we are increase straight away. Last year, in my second race with Aprilia, I made a good finish in the points after a positive weekend. We will need to stay focused and set our sights on the best possible result”.‬

  • Suzuki prepare for Czech GP

    Team Suzuki Ecstar riders Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaró approach the HJC Helmets Grand Prix Ceské republiky race with different feelings: While Viñales will try to repeat – and hopefully improve upon – his 2015 performance where he fought very close to a podium position, Espargaró will have to overcome the injuries suffered last Friday at the Red Bull Ring race in Austria, where he fractured his left hand.

    Overall, the previous race was a positive one for the team; although Espargaró’s crash worried everyone, the improvements showed by both riders gave the Suzuki engineers added enthusiasm and more valuable data to work on.

    Brno’s challenges include a number of elevation changes through forested hillsides as well as fast and slow corners, which test the rider’s skills and also engineering technology to the limit. The track has a length of 5.4 km (3.36 miles) with six left and eight right-hand corners.

    Sunday’s MotoGP race will take place over 22 laps for a total distance of 118.9 km (73.9 miles).

    Maverick Viñales: We arent making enough progress

    “I’m curious to go to Brno because it’s a track I like and last year I had a positive GP here. It is a fast circuit and yet technical, I think the GSX-RR can suit the circuit with its good-performing chassis and also the improvements we have done with the engine and the seamless; and compared to last year, I think this can give me further help for a positive weekend. Of course we still have some issues to face: The traction is not performing as well as I’d like, we are making some progress but it is not quite enough yet. The set-up will be crucial, but also the electronics will play an important role. My goal will be to work as hard as possible from the very beginning on Friday, and try to transform the positive feeling I have about the track into a positive result in Sunday’s race.”

    Aleix Espargaró: Our technical package is better

    “The race in Austria was really tough for me, unfortunately the finger hurt a lot and I couldn’t keep proper grip on the handlebars when the tyre-drop started to make the bike move. This resulted in a retirement and it’s something I never like when it happens. I really tried hard until the very last lap because I wanted to finish the race, but it was impossible and I had to give up. We only had a couple of days of recovery before this Brno race, but I tried to work hard to recover as much as possible and I hope I will be in good condition for this weekend. The Brno track is a nice one, last year Maverick had a very good race and this year our technical package is even better, so I’m confident for a positive result. In Austria we made some improvements and steps forward with the machine, being competitive all weekend, so we will try to exploit that positive path we’ve found.”

  • Yamaha set for Brno Battle

    After a strong ride from Movistar Yamaha MotoGP riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi last Sunday, the teammates immediately headed to the Automotodrom Brno with the aim to further their championship challenge during this weekend‘s back-to-back race in the Czech Republic.

    Lorenzo arrives in Brno in second place in the championship standings and with a confident mind-set after a third place in Spielberg. Thanks to the 16 points he collected last Sunday he decreased the margin to the rider leading the championship to 43 points with eight Grands Prix left.

    This weekend the current World Champion aims to deliver another top result

    to further strengthen his record at the Brno circuit. Previously he secured a 125cc victory in 2004, two 250cc first places in 2006 and 2007 and a MotoGP win in 2010 and 2015.

    Rossi also underlined his fast pace last week at a track that supposedly didn‘t suit the Yamaha and increased his point-total to 124 points. He looks forward to delivering another strong performance by making the most of the YZR-M1‘s strengths this weekend in the flowing hills of the Czech Republic.

    The nine-time World Champion has fond memories of previous events at the Brno track. He secured his first ever 125cc win at the Czech Republic track in 1996, now twenty years ago. He followed it up with a 250cc victory in 1999, a 500cc first place in 2001 and modern era premier class Brno win in 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2009.

    The Brno track hosted its first FIM Czech Grand Prix in 1987 and has been a fans‘ and riders‘ favourite thanks to its great atmosphere and stunning location. The circuit has a fast layout consisting of 14 corners in total (six left, eight right), a 636m longest straight, and multiple changes in elevation to test the bikes‘ set-up. The hills surrounding the circuit also offer spectators an excellent view so they won‘t miss a moment of the thrilling racing action.

    Lorenzo: I like Brno a lot

    “We achieved a great result in Austria after a difficult period for me, so I‘m pretty happy to come back with a podium finish. I‘m happy to ride again this week at Brno in a back-to-back race. That racetrack is beautiful and it suits the YZR-M1 perfectly. I like the Brno circuit a lot because it has plenty of high-speed corners and I have good memories there. Last year we dominated the race and I hope to have good feelings there again this time round. We need to stay in the fight again and try to recover some more points for the championship as we did in Spielberg.”

    Rossi: I want to get back on track!

    “I like that we go back on track immediately. In Austria I wanted to get on the podium but I wasn‘t able to so unfortunately. Anyway, it was a good race. After the tests we were a little bit in trouble but during the race we didn‘t do so badly. Now we go to Brno, a track that we know well and that I like very much. Last year Jorge was much faster than me and I’m curious to see if this year I will do better. We are working well and the Brno GP is close. I want to get back on track!”

  • Can Dan Linfoot fight for BSB Glory?

     

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    Linfoot came so close at Snetterton 300; this moment cost him on the run to the line.

    Photo Credit to Gareth Davies

    Dan Linfoot has got to be the best rider currently on the BSB grid to never win a BSB race. Coming so desperately close in both races at Snetterton, Linfoot has had the pace, but has been robbed of chances to take that elusive first victory. So, with Cadwell Park approaching, I pose the question: Can he do it in Lincolnshire?

    The form book says no; Linfoot’s best result at the track has been a seventh place in 2014, apart from that, it has been 10th at best for the Yorkshireman. However, Linfoot has never looked so strong in a British Superbike Championship; he made the showdown last year, but it was only just. He hadn’t looked alarmingly consistent and it was often the case that in wet conditions, he would fade away due to poor tyre choice. This year, former GP rider Linfoot looks like he could be a real dark horse however, and he is proving that consistency alone is keeping him in the title fight.

    His Snetterton round was particularly impressive. Not only did he run a high pace, but he kept in touch with team mate Jason O’Halloran and proved that he was willing to push and battle in difficult conditions when the rain came down. And then, the final corner. A slight mistake just gave his Australian team mate enough of an advantage to pinch the win on the line. In the second outing, Linfoot was riding within himself before the red flags came out due to Jenny Tinmouth, his other team mate, crashed out too. It would not be beyond the realms of imagination and possibility to think that Dan could have done the double.

    Ifs, buts and maybes don’t count however, and it’s all about looking to the future. Linfoot currently sits on 137 points in 5th place, so he is in the top six. But this is BSB, and as we have seen this year, the gaps couldn’t get any closer! He is just 13 points ahead of Luke Mossey in 7th place, and Luke is a man in form. Linfoot is just 29 points ahead of Peter Hickman in 10th place, and we know Hicky likes Cadwell. It really could be a matter of who wants it more, and I wouldn’t look past Linfoot given his determined form and blistering pace.

    However, one thing is on Linfoot’s side. The fact that he is riding a bike that has won at Cadwell in recent years, albeit in the wet. His fireblade won in the capable hands of Peter Hickman in 2014. Did I just mention rain? Oh yes, it does that every now and then in Britain, and if it does it on the race weekend then you can be sure to see a surprise!

    The other factor is that because everything is so close, you could be a tenth off your usual pace and find yourself marooned in the mid pack. Look at what happened to Shane Byrne last year, it arguably cost him a shot at the title. And, if you are going to be stuck in a battle with riders you are unfamiliar with, then Cadwell Park is not the track you want it. Back in 2000, Neil Hodgson caught Neil Mackenzie, his team mate, on the final lap as a backmarker. But because the track is so tight and narrow, he couldn’t get past, allowing championship rival Chris Walker to not just catch Hodgson, but get ahead of him too, nearly costing Hodgy the title. We really could be in for some fun and games!

    As always, you can keep up with all the action live with our text commentary @PitCrew_Online on Twitter. You can also follow me on my personal account @MotoGPKiko for everything motorsport related, particularly bikes! We are also on Instagram, so be sure to follow us on there too: CrewOnTwo is the name to have.

  • The rise of Max Verstappen – F1’s youngest ever winner

    Max Verstappen exploded onto the Formula 1 scene in 2015, and his rise has been nothing short of remarkable. He has rewritten what many though possible for a driver at such a young age. He has caused controversy, created splendour, and enlivened many a race in his so far short career. Along the way, there have been many impressive drives, culminating in his stunning first win for Red Bull in Spain this year.

    The start of something special

    Perhaps the first indication that Max was indeed a special driver, came in Malaysia 2015. Qualifying was held in atrocious conditions, and Max made it safely to Q3. During the session, he qualified in an incredible 6th position. The race was even more impressive. Some incredible race craft,particulary going around the outside of Daniel Ricciardo, netted a solid 7th place finish. This made him the youngest points scorer in F1 history, at 17 years and 180 days. He beat Danii Kvyat’s record of 19 years and 324 days by more than two years.

    Malaysia was the first indication that Max’s age would not hinder him. Far from it, it looked like it might actually help him. Could he go on to achieve Sebastian Vettel like success, except even younger? The Chinese Grand Prix showed even more promise.

    Braking perfection

    The next race in Shanghai showed the incredible overtaking talent of Verstappen. Battling with the Sauber’s, he made some stunning overtaking moves into the hairpin at the end of Shanghai’s back straight, at one point virtually frightening Marcus Ericsson out of the way. He hadn’t expected an underpowered Toro Rosso to be up his inside! A similar move was made on Ericsson’s teammate, Felipe Nasr. As Verstappen made his mark, teammate Sainz was spinning to the back at turn one. Sainz was currently being rather overshadowed. Sadly, for Verstappen, all of his hard work went unrewarded. Just a couple of laps from the end of the race, his car came to a shuddering halt, thanks to a technical failure. A gutting end to a brilliant drive.

    Overtaking Brilliance

    Max showed further overtaking perfection in the Belgian Grand Prix. He pulled a stunning move around the outside of Nasr into Blanchimont, going off the track but keeping his foot down, before completing the move into the bus stop chicane.

    Further brilliance was shown in the penultimate race of the year, in Brazil. Verstappen made a stunning move around the outside of Perez into the Senna esses, quite possibly his overtake of the season. This followed some bold moves on the likes of Vettel in the US Grand Prix, where he took another fourth place finish. He only narrowly missed out on the podium as well. Verstappens bold overtaking was gaining him a remarkable number of fans, in what was a frustratingly one sided 2015 season.

    Meteor Rising

    Verstappen’s rise to the top has been meteoric. After four races of 2016, Daniil Kvyat was dropped from the main Red Bull team, and Verstappen was put in his place. The move was seen as controversial, particularly as Kvyat had taken Red Bull’s first podium of the season in China. The switch came ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.

    No one expected Verstappen to get up to speed with the RB12 instantly. It would always to take to get used to a new car, particularly one as good as the ever improving Red Bull. But his speed in practice was impressive, finishing fourth behind teammate Ricciardo. He claimed he was still getting up to speed too, which was encouraging for the rest of the weekend! Qualifying though was fantastic, and he forced Ricciardo into leaving it to the wire to decide who would line up behind the Mercedes pair. After a mistake by Hamilton put him provisionally second, Verstappen eventually took fourth, a stunning lap from Ricciardo just edging him out. It was a terrific performance though for his first qualifying with Red Bull.

    Then came race day…

    Barely legal for the Champagne

    We all know what happened on lap one. Rosberg and Hamilton took each-other before the race had hardly begun, which left the Red Bull’s one and two, Ricciardo leading. And thus followed quite possibly the race of the season so far. Ricciardo restarted the race well following the safety car, with Carlos Sainz third. The Ferrari pair swiftly passed the Toro Rosso. Vettel and Raikkonen were arguably faster than the Red Bull’s. Indeed, when in clear air, Vettel was quicker than the RB12’s. But the Red Bull’s superior traction out of the last corner meant the Ferrari’s never had the chance to pass them into turn one with the DRS.

    As the race went on, Ricciardo couldn’t quite drop Verstappen. He followed in his footsteps, matching, and sometimes bettering, his pace. Things then began to get very interesting! Vettel and Ricciardo were on different strategies than Verstappen and Raikkonen. They were on the favoured three stop, with the other pair on the two stopper. This strategy shafted Ricciardo, cycling him behind Vettel after the last pit stops. Verstappen though, was managing his tyres beautifully, but Raikkonen was bearing down on him. There were three questions that needed answering. Would the Ferrari and Red Bull’s tyres last? Would Vettel and Ricciardo catch them? And, if they stayed ahead of their teammates, would Raikkonen get past Verstappen?

    As it turned out, neither Vettel or Ricciardo caught Verstappen. The Australian’s left rear blew up with just a handful of laps to go, after failing to pass Vettel. Vettel never closed up to the pair ahead due his battles with Ricciardo. And despite immense pressure, Verstappen held off Raikkonen and took a stunning first win in only his first start with Red Bull.

    It was the biggest sporting news of the weekend, and made headlines all around the globe. He had defied all the critics who had questioned his promotion to F1 pre 2015. He had shown that age is just a number. He had done something incredible. At the age of just 18, Max Verstappen was a Grand Prix winner.

    The star still rises

    The following race in Monaco was a disaster for Verstappen, crashing out in both qualifying and the race. But since then, impressive drives have followed in Canada, Austria, and Silverstone, to net three more podiums. A disappointing Hungarian Grand Prix was soon forgotten about with another podium in Germany.

    Verstappen’s star continues to rise. The question is, how far can it continue to do so?

  • The Top 10 Motorcycle Racing Venues in the World

    We all know that motorcycle racing is an incredible sport and that some of the races we have witnessed will stay with us for a long time to come, but aside from the superhuman athletes their selves, it tends to be the venue that lends itself wonderfully. Let’s take a look at some of the most iconic circuits all around the world and see why they have become known to deal us fans some incredible racing.

    10.) Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Sepang has been a track that has thrown up some of the most extraordinary races in the past, and in 2015, it also became host to one of the most controversial moments in GP history (I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what happened). Its long sweeping chicanes make it a favourite for riders to prepare a move in one corner and execute it in the next, similar to Mugello and Brno. In 2015, WSBK visited for the second year and we were given two of the best races ever. The first was Jonathan Rea and Chaz Davies going side by side to finishing line on the last lap, for Rea to just pip Davies. The second was slightly more aggressive with Davies throwing his Ducati up the inside of Rea for what was simply one of the most explosive races in recent Superbike years. However, Sepang lands itself a top 10 place not just for the layout of the track, but also for the sheer climate of Malaysia. Humid would be an understatement, and the weather really can be unpredictable, with sun beaming through one minute and rain lashing down the next. It puts riders and bike, as well as mechanics and journalists through the paces, and that’s why winning at Sepang could mean something extra special.

    9.) Kyalami, Gauteng, South Africa

    Kyalami in South Africa has been on and off the World Superbike calendar for a number of years and is currently having a makeover to hopefully bring MotoGP and WSBK back to that part of the world. The old track lent itself beautifully to bike racing, with some of the fastest and scariest corners in the world at this facility. The first turn was a right hand kink before sweeping left into a triple left hander. Then they would head along the old front straight into Sunset bend, before two more right handers were tackled. Perhaps the scariest part of the track was the mineshaft, the place where Regis Laconi nearly lost his life in 2009. The track has played host to some of the best races in history, including the sensation 2000 WSBK season opening round, when Edwards and Haga went head to head in not one, but two races. South Africa would dearly love to return to the MotoGP calendar, whether it be at Kyalami or Welkom, and it is for the frightening corners and ferociously fast straights, along with the atmosphere and fan support that earns Kyalami a place in the top 10.

    8.) Laguna Seca, Monterrey, America

    Laguna Seca made a welcome return to the World Superbike calendar in 2013 after an eight-year hiatus, and although the racing hasn’t been too spectacular, it’s the fact that it is edging a deprived World Superbike Championship back to its best by being there on the calendar. Let’s face it, after all the memories that have been made and saved at Laguna Seca, it would be hard to imagine the WSBK grid not being there. From Doug Chandler’s and Akira Yanagawa’s huge crash in 1998, to Colin Edwards’ sensational double four years later, this track has had it all, and is known for one thing. The Corkscrew. The Corkscrew has been home to many memorable moments at Laguna, including Valentino Rossi’s antics on Casey Stoner in 2008, as well as the site of Wayne Rainey’s number one salute on the final lap of the 1990 US GP. The track itself is incredibly dangerous, with the front straight lined with concrete walls. However, the trackside marshals at Laguna Seca are simply second to none, and had they not been as efficient as they had in the catastrophic start line pile up for the WSBK race one restart, there could have been a lot more serious injuries. It is the track, the features and the memories that put Laguna Seca in the category of great motorcycle racing tracks.

    7.) Jerez, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain

    Jerez may have not given us a last lap thrill in the premier class for a few years but in the past it has been a track that has thrown up an unbelievable finish to a race. World Superbikes returned to the track in 2013, and immediately, Eugene Laverty and Marco Melandri went head to head, and it was the Irishman Laverty who snatched the win from ex GP star Melandri. Who can forget Rossi and Sete Gibernau clashing in 2005. The crowds of people that were on their feet in anticipation as two of the best riders of the time put on a sensational show. The lap starts off slowly but opens up through turn three and four before the Sito Pons corner forces you to get a good drive down to turn six, a prime overtaking opportunity. However, what really makes the track special is the double right hander heading back towards the pits and the final corner of Lorenzo (previously the Ducados Hairpin). The incredible atmosphere from the Spanish crowd all around the track has made it one that is loved by fans all over the world, but recent political issues in Spain could see an end to the Jerez circuit on the GP calendar, but WSBK looks set to continue at the venue. It really has got the perfect build up for a bit of ‘Argy Bargy’ in the final corner on the final lap.

    6.) Misano, Rimini, San Marino

    Misano has had something of a renaissance in the world of motorcycle racing in recent years, with the circuit being completely revamped, races now being held in the opposite direction and also the rise of Italian stars from the Adriatic Coast has made it a real fan favourite. When Valentino Rossi won back in 2014, the place went from a motorcycle circuit to an all-out street party, and it really is a special venue for all fans of the sport. However, it has seen some incredible races outside of the premier class of racing, particularly in World Superbikes. Back in 2001, Ben Bostrom romped home to take his first WSBK double; in 2007, Japanese legend Noriyuki Haga bought down Max Biaggi and also in the Moto3 race in 2015, we saw Italian Enea Bastianini take his first and so far only GP win. However, the track was renamed in 2012 to ‘World Circuit Marco Simoncelli’, in memory of the Italian 250cc champ of 2008, and you can really see why. The fast circuit asks a rider to be brave, flamboyant and determined, everything the late Italian was. And it is this combination of heritage entwined with a superb circuit that makes this a very special place!

    5.) Old Hockenheimring, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

    The Old Hockenheimring in Germany was for years one of the greatest rounds in the WSBK season. With more than eight riders battling it out for the lead, it was a massive fans favourite, as well as a rider’s favourite. However, this thrilling and exciting spectacle wasn’t without danger. In 1999, Igor German had a huge crash on his Bertochi Kawasaki, so violent that it ripped the front wheel off. In 1996, Troy Corser crashed out not just once but twice, both times were very fast. In 1989, Ivan Palazzese lost his life in a tragic 125cc GP accident. However, there have been brighter times too. In 1996, WSBK erupted into life with two smashing races; the first saw Aaron Slight and Frankie Chili go head to head right down to the final corners, until Chili crashed in a huge way. The second race was simply spectacular, with 24 lead changes, with Paolo Casoli, Carl Fogarty, Aaron Slight, Troy Corser, Simon Crafar, Anthony Gobert, Frankie Chili and John Kocinski all taking the helm at some point during the race! It was Foggy though who triumphed to the roar of everyone in the stands, to take one of just a handful of wins on the Honda! In 2000, Nitro Nori Haga stormed through to mug Colin Edwards of victory with just 3 corners to go, to claim Yamaha’s first WSBK win at the circuit. Hockenheim did consist of long straights, fast chicanes and hard braking points and is now merely a shadow of what it once was, although it is still a great track. It is for the memories and for the raw speed of the place that it earns itself a place on the Top 10 Motorcycle Race tracks.

    4.) Suzuka, Ino, Japan

    Suzuka is a track that isn’t used as much for bikes as it is for cars anymore, since Daijiro Kato was tragically killed in the MotoGP event back in 2003. However, the track is still home to the Suzuka 8 hours’ endurance race and most of the circuit has remained unchanged since its MotoGP days. The first section really is all about keeping your momentum up through the corners and through the elevation change, before you plunge downhill for the Degna corners. One of the best corners is that of the long right hander just before you arrive at spoon corner, which is itself a prime opportunity to overtake. However, one of the best corners in the whole world is that of 130R, just after the figure of eight crossovers. We have seen many races won and lost there, and some pretty big crashes too. Eddie Lawson and Michael Doohan had a major crash there at the start of the 1990 500cc championship, as well as seeing the 2003 125cc GP race decided at that very corner too. Despite being one of the most dangerous circuits still in existence and despite the negative press it often gets, Suzuka has all the essential ingredients to make it one of the best tracks in the world for bike racing.

    3.) Brands Hatch, Fawkham, Great Britain

    Brands Hatch in Kent, England has seen more people than any other venue in Europe pay to get in through the gates. Back in the early naughties, over 150,000 bike fanatics would squeeze into one of the most exhilarating courses in the world, creating an atmosphere that you could only experience if you were there. The track itself has some of the best corners in motorcycle racing, including Paddock Hill, the immensely fast Hawthorn corner, Dingle Dell and the final corner of Clearways, all of which have played host to some of the most audacious overtakes we have ever seen. The track itself is situated with in a forest, with trees lining the track from Surtees all the way back to Clearways. The fast challenging corners along with the electric atmosphere and air horns makes Brands Hatch one of the most iconic circuits in superbike racing; some would even argue that it is the signature of World Superbikes, despite it not being on the calendar any more.

    2.) Assen, De Haar, Netherlands

    Assen for me, is one of the greatest motorsport venues anywhere in the world. It’s tight and twisty first section may be one of those that is very much one-line and one that is hard to pass on, but as soon as we get past the Struben hairpin, the track opens up into a sensationally elegant and sophisticated surface, with passing opportunities one after the other. However, the last section from the fast double right hander down to the infamous chicane is one that hasn’t just decided races, but its seen host to some of the most controversial moments in our sport. From Frankie Chili and Carl Fogarty in 1998 right up to the recent 2015 clash between Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez, the final six corners have dealt us some of the best racing in the sports history. This, coincided with the roars of the crowd makes the circuit live up to its name as the ‘Cathedral of Speed’.

    1.) Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

    Phillip Island in Australia has thrown up some of the best motorcycle races in both MotoGP and World Superbikes. From the sensational 2015 Australian MotoGP back to the start of the year where World Superbikes put on a spectacular show, this circuit has never failed to deliver top class racing, testing not just the riders, but the bikes and mechanics too. Notorious for its fast sweeping corners of Doohan, Stoner, and the Hayshed, it is the perfect match of excitement and danger. There have been some huge crashes at the circuit; Alex Barros had a massive get off in 2005 at the Hayshed, Jordi Torres crashed at the fast turn one in the second WSBK race in 2015 and of course the huge crash at the Southern Loop that nearly cost Britain’s Danny Kent of title success in the 2015 Moto3 race. Phillip Island is what is known as a ‘rider’s circuit’, with its sensationally fast Gardner straight leading into incredibly fast sweeping corners, there is no surprise that everyone connected to WSBK and MotoGP can’t wait to get here, let alone the fans. It is for these reasons that Phillip Island is not just the best MotoGP circuit, but also the best race track in the world!