Last month we had a post regarding the creation of the Ducati 1098S Martini Racing and we’re now on it again to update the picture gallery and information about the bike.
Weighing only 163kg dry and disposing of 175 horsepower, the Martini Ducati 1098S dues its impressive power-to-weight ratio to racing cams and pistons, titanium con-rods, lightweight crank, magnesium alloy wheels, WSBK-spec gearbox, ¼ turn quick-throttle, Ohlins suspension components, Termignoni exhaust with carbon mufflers and to the multitude of carbon fiber bodywork components.
Although the 1098S was replaced by the 1198S, this Martini Racing replica keeps the previous generation model interesting and attractive for the public.
The pictures are courtesy of mc24 and autoblog.
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250cc Grand Prix racer Alvaro Baustista won third place last weekend at Brno after announcing a 2-year contract with MotoGP factory team Rizla Suzuki. These are more than enough reasons for a young racer to perform a wheelie during the celebration lap, but Baustista was most likely too enthusiastic for a maneuver that requires so much attention. See the result after the jump.
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MotoGP rules are changing and starting to affect the post-race show. Because that often included burnouts and that is in contradiction with the new long-life engine rule, we’re disappointed to announce that smoky celebrations will probably no longer be seen. Valentino Rossi is already conforming.
Also, there will be no ride back together to the pits for crashed motorcycle and rider because dirt can be drawn into the engine and that sure doesn’t lengthen its life. In fact, Nicky Hayden says that “You’ll see people getting a scooter ride back rather than bringing the bike home,”
We know that wheelies aren’t that engine-friendly either and can’t even imagine where the new ruling will bring the MotoGP show.
MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi came in first this weekend in the Czech Republic and so managed to stand 50 points apart in the overall provisory top. Teammate Jorge Lorenzo wasn’t that lucky as he crashed out during his attempt to take the lead.
Dani Pedrosa was the second rider to pass the finish line and Toni Elias occupied the third position of the podium.
Read the race results after the jump.
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Ducati collectors are now offered the chance to bring a new rare piece of history to their spacious garages. This Ducati Supermono can be found on eBay UK and a trained eye will immediately recognize it as being part of a 70 examples lot that came out the Bologna factory back in the mid 1990s.
Weighing in at 269lbs and disposing of 81hp, the Ducati Supermono was created for track use only, where it is perfectly able to make quite an impression even today and compared with modern bikes.
This particular one is the 14th Supermono in the limited edition series and it was manufactured in 1995. What makes it even more special is its “new” condition, but also the fact that it is one of just 25 of the 572cc models produced.
The bid starts at £50,000 (around $84,000) and it ends today. Good luck!
Casey Stoner’s health state has determined him and his medical staff from Australia to take the decision of missing from the next three MotoGP races. Ducati Marlboro team has made the news public together with the mention that Stoner will return to MotoGP racing in October, at the Portuguese GP. He will meanwhile be replaced by Mika Kallio on the Ducati Marlboro factory bike.
Apparently, the Australian MotoGP rider suffers from chronic fatigue determined by a virus – most likely caught during the Barcelona race – and also by the fact that Stoner pushed himself so hard during these last five races.
Together with this decision, Stoner is forced to give up to his current 3rd place in the Championship as well. Afflicted, he commented:
“After five extremely difficult races due to my health, I returned to Australia to visit the sports doctors who have looked after me for many years. We have taken the difficult decision not to contest the next three rounds of the championship, to allow my body time to recover from the recent stress. The doctors believe that during the Barcelona race I was suffering from a virus, and, that I subsequently pushed my body too hard, leading to problems that have caused my fatigue since then. The doctors are continuing with many tests to try to understand these problems and make sure it does not happen again. I have spoken with Ducati and thank them for their understanding at this time. I feel very sorry for the factory, my team, my sponsors and the fans and I am also disappointed because the bike in the last races has been very competitive. I will be doing everything possible to come back at full strength for Portugal.”
During the British Supersport race at Brands Hatch on Sunday, Chris Martin’s Kawasaki motorcycle broke down, locking the rear wheel. The rider was thrown from the seat and sent bouncing way over the barrier during what has to be one of the most dangerous crashes of this racing season. In fact, this ended the season for Chris Martin, but he is expected back on two wheels next year.
Team Gearlink Kawasaki has issued a report regarding the crash:
Chris has suspected 3 broken vertebrae, will not know for sure until neck/back specialist has seen him. He has broken his ankle and will now be out of action for the rest of the season.....:-((
The video follows the jump.
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If you thought that a 24-hour endurance race in a car or on a motorcycle is an enormous physical and psychical challenge, Le Mans is coming with a new and an even harder one: a 24-hour endurance race, but this time on...bicycles. The race will take place on the Le Mans Bugatti track starting August 22nd.
According to the organizers, the 4185 meters race will get a number of 3000 competitors. The rules say that at the start line, teams can be composed from one to eight members.
To sign up, teams will have to pay between 25 euros for a one-person team to 800 euros for an eight-person team. If you want to sign up, you will have to apply until the date of August 10.
Furthermore, Stephane Sarrazin is only one of the celebrities expected to take part of this race, a fact that makes things sound even more interesting and challenging.
This attracting sight represents KTM’s RC8 R McWilliams replica, a machine produced in a limited number (100 units) both to honor Jeremy McWilliams, KTM’s racer in the IDM German Superbike Championship, and to offer club racers the possibility to get their hands on a machine that looks like nothing ordinary (not that the stock RC8 does, but this is yet another step forward).
Apart from the cool new livery, the KTM Club Racer kit includes an Akrapovic EVO4 full system, hi-lift cams and datalogging. The total number of break horsepower reaches 180, which is 10 bhp more than on the standard model.
Street legality is always the sacrifice in the quest for more power and that is why the KTM RC8 R McWilliams addresses to club racers. Sure, you can always convert it to road spec, but what’s the point in buying it if that’s the plan?
This year’s British Grand Prix was a surprise and, luckily, not one related to the weather. Andrea Dovizioso won his first MotoGP first place and it was followed by Colin Edwards and Randy de Puniet. How’s that for the Donington Park podium?
Hit the jump to read the race results.
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