MotoGP Take Over World Superbikes

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The organisers of MotoGP have agreed to take charge of running the World Superbike Championship.

Dorna, who organise MotoGP, and Infront, who are behind the World Superbike series, will now both be run as one group.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna, said: "We're excited to have the two top motorcycle series under one roof.

"We fully expect to develop and strengthen the distinct nature of both MotoGP and WSB as separate properties."

World Superbike racing sees riders compete on production-based motorcycles - bikes which are based on models available for anyone to purchase.

British riders Carl Fogarty, Neil Hodgson and James Toseland have enjoyed success in Superbike racing, while Cal Crutchlow is currently fifth in the MotoGP standings.

The move could see practical changes such as ensuring that the two series do not race on the same weekends, and hopes to ensure the future of both sports.

There are five British riders currently competing in the World Superbike championship:

Tom Sykes, Jonathan Rea, Leon Haslam, Chaz Davies and Leon Camier - plus Eugene Laverty of the Republic of Ireland

Ezpeleta said: "We remain committed to working with teams and manufacturers, circuit owners, sponsors and broadcasters to give fans the best experience yet."

A statement said: "MotoGP and WorldSBK will be integrated within the Dorna Sports group but managed as separate events with a view to enhancing the two distinct championships.

"The objective is to allow both series to develop and enhance their championship personalities, retaining their leadership positions in the arena of world motorcycle road racing - WorldSBK, with its focus on production-based racing, and MotoGP with its focus on prototype racing."

Vito Ippolito, president of governing body the FIM, said: "I welcome the decision.

"We shall shortly meet to adapt the regulations to ensure the two championships have a distinct identity in future."

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Sykes Seizes Seventh Super Bike Pole

Britain's Tom Sykes claimed his seventh pole in nine World Superbike Championship events this season as he powered to the top of the timesheets in qualifying for Sunday's races at Brno.

The Kawasaki rider set a new lap record of one minute 58.010 seconds, good enough to edge out reigning champion Carlos Checa (Althea Ducati), Eugene Laverty (Aprilia) and Davide Giugliano (Althea Ducati).

Marco Melandri (BMW) took fifth place with Jonathan Rea (Honda) in sixth.

Championship leader Max Biaggi (Aprilia), who holds a 48-point lead over Melandri at the head of the riders' standings, was eliminated in the first phase of qualifying after attempting to complete the session without using the quicker qualifying tyre, and will line up 14th for tomorrow's two races.

There was drama in the second part of qualifying when Giugliano's bike leaked fluid onto the circuit, triggering crashes for the Ducati man, Ayrton Badovini, Jakub Smrz and David Salom.

The incident saw the session red-flagged for more than an hour as marshals worked to clean the track surface.

 

Tommy Hill Defends Title in 2012

Reigning MCE Insurance British Superbike champion Tommy Hill will make his much-anticipated return in 2012 to defend his title after confirming he will be back on the grid with the Swan Yamaha team as he becomes the first British rider to defend a title in six years.

Hill said: "At the end of last season after winning the title I was speaking to different teams and looking at the different championships, but I knew I needed to have the complete package for me and also my personal sponsors. I have a lot of fans in BSB and I think having a British champion trying to hold on to the number one plate is something to get excited about and I certainly am! I really wanted to stay with Yamaha and build on the results and our relationship. The Swan Yamaha team have won one BSB title but now we are looking at how we can improve to try and do it again. The consistency with the team is very important and they have already started looking at what we can do to move forward again.

"The changes to the rules don't worry me as through most of my career I haven't used traction control. I think it will now come down more to rider input and also working as a team to get the chassis set up right and I think it will narrow down the issues during a weekend. I know there has already been some hard work behind the scenes at the workshop and as a rider that really gives me confidence before we even begin testing.

"I think going into next season there is probably less pressure on me than there was last year despite being the champion. If anyone had asked me before last season what is my ambition it was always to win the BSB title. That is now complete but now that I have it, I certainly won't be giving it up without a fight. I am lucky as there are so many riders on the grid that want to become the BSB champion, whereas in that respect I am starting the new season feeling relaxed. I am treating next year in the same way I did last season because I definitely want to keep hold of the number one plate for the Swan Yamaha team."