Biaggi gets 2nd place in WSBK Superpole!

Texan WSBK rookie Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike) powered to the first Superpole win of the season in an exciting opening round session at Phillip Island in Australia. The 24 year-old took the top slot on his YZF R1 machine with a time of 1 minute 31.069 seconds. In the new ‘knock-out' formula, Italian Max Biaggi scored a second place grid slot, his best ever performance in Superpole, on the brand new Aprilia, the Italian manufacturer returning to Superbike after a seven-year break. The front row of the grid is completed by Britain's Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Jakub Smrz of the Czech Republic, top Ducati rider on a private Guandalini machine. Shinya Nakano finished at a respectable 9th place.

Max Biaggi (Aprilia Racing) commented: "It's a big sensation for me to come back after so many years to Aprilia with this new project, the bike is good already. We still have to see which is the best way to go but for now qualifying was very good and exciting. I don't know about race pace for tomorrow but this is an encouraging start. When I saw everyone going 31s, I thought 'wow, that is fast'. I had some trouble in the free practice before qualifying, we swapped bikes and it was not my favourite one but we made a great job."

Full results

Highlight video of the Superpole

Nakano 6th in First Practice at Philip Island

Today was the first official Practice of the WSBK round at Philip Island.

Shinya Nakano, who put in another impressive performance on the Aprilia to go a provisional sixth. Team-mate Max Biaggi had run second in the early stages, but failed to better his time as the conditions improved and would eventually end up 11th.

Full qualifying times

Aprilia RSV4 magazine video #1

RSV4 WSBK in 2009 Livery

Aprilia finally presented the RSV4 in its 2009 Livery colors. It's looks a lot like the testing version only now it has white numberboards, a couple of small sponsors and a RSV4 logo on the sides. The small sponsors are Rifle (a jeans brand) and Midac (batteries manufacturer). The lack of a big sponsor is also surprising. Just like the BMW team, the WSBK Aprilia team doesn't seem to have a big sponsor. In the post below this one you can also see Max Biaggi in his new leathers.

Superbikeplanet interviews Max Biaggi

Superbikeplanet interviewed Max Biaggi about the new Aprilia project and his thoughts about the new season. Very interesting read. Go check out the interview here

Biaggi fastest at Philips Island WSBK test

Max Biaggi has shown the Aprilia RSV4 to be competitive ahead of the 2009 FIM Superbike World Championship by topping the test times in Australia.

Ahead of the first race of the season at Phillip Island on March 1 the Italian was quickest despite suffering a fall.

Biaggi was also close to the the quickest race lap at the circuit set by Troy Bayliss last season on his way to the world title on Ducati.

Biaggi said: "We completed every test possible with all the material available, in every condition and we know exactly the problems we are facing.

"Now is the time to make some important modifications, obviously not for the next race because that's impossible, but shortly after."

Biaggi's team-mate Shinya Nakano was also on the pace along with Regis Laconi who was able to resume testing on the privateer DFX Ducati 1098RS even after he fell and fractured a finger on his left hand.

Kawasaki's Broc Parkes set good laps on the Kawasaki ZX10R F09, no doubt helped by the attendance of nine engineers from the Japanese company's racing division.

Honda Stiggy duo Leon Haslam and Roberto Rolfo also showed good from and their team-mate Anthony West set the best time of the four FIM World Supersport Championship riders on duty.

The final test session at Phillip Island takes place on Saturday and Sunday, with factory teams from Ducati, BMW, Suzuki Alstare, Honda Ten Kate and Yamaha taking part.

Simoncelli completes test on top

Reigning champion Marco Simoncelli completed his two-day 250GP test at Valencia by claiming the fastest time once again.

The Italian, returning to action after winning last year's title, lapped quicker than he did on the first day, lowering his best time to 1min 36.4secs, while his 80 laps also made him the busiest rider on track.

The Metis Gilera RSA rider was run closer this time though, edging out Roberto Locatelli by two tenths of a second, while Honda's Hector Faubel rounded out the top three.

Rathapark Wilairot, Alex Baldolini and Karl Abraham completed the top six runners.

Valencia 250cc test – day two (top six)

1. Marco Simoncelli Gilera 1min 36.4secs
2. Roberto Locatelli Gilera 1min 36.6secs
3. Héctor Faubel Honda 1min 36.7secs
4. Rathapark Wilairot Honda 1min 36.8secs
5. Alex Baldolini Aprilia 1min 37.6secs
6. Karel Abraham Aprilia 1min 38.5secs

Simoncelli quickest on return

Marco Simoncelli kicked off preparations for the defence of his 250GP crown in style, the Italian topping the timesheets during pre-season testing at Valencia.

With his anticipated closest rival Alvaro Bautista restricted to the sidelines after breaking his collarbone during the last test at Valencia, Simoncelli was free to comfortably out pace his rivals with a best lap of 1min 37.2secs.

The Metis Gilera RSA rider's closest competition came courtesy of Héctor Faubel on the Thai Honda, although he was left half a second down on Simoncelli after a full day of action.

Elsewhere, four other 250GP riders were on track, with Alex Baldolini third quickest, ahead of Roberto Locatelli, Rathapark Wilairot and Karel Abraham, the latter completing a total of 80 laps but proving almost four seconds slower than Simoncelli.

Valencia 250cc test – day one (top six)

1. Marco Simoncelli Gilera 1min 37.2secs
2. Héctor Faubel Honda 1min 37.7secs
3. Alex Baldolini Aprilia 1min 38.3secs
4. Roberto Locatelli Gilera 1min 38.4secs
5. Rathapark Wilairot Honda 1min 38.5secs
6. Karel Abraham Aprilia 1min 41.0secs

Another Biaggi video

Short clip of Biaggi on the street RSV4

Aprilia will also field a Superstock team

Roadracing World has the entry list and there are two Aprilia RSV4s entered under the JiR Junior Team Gabrielli banner.

One going to Max Biaggi's 21 year old Nephew Federico, and the other to part time 250 GP rider Federico Sandi.

Though Superstock does not generate the publicity of Superbike, the competion in that series is always close and almost always a better indication of the performance envelope possible from the machine that you will actually get to buy. Superstock regulations allow far less modification than Superbike, with the occasional exception of Ducati shoving an RS model into the series...

Aprilia won 4 races in Superstock from seasons 1999 to 2001 with Daniel Olivier of Spain riding the original Mille-R.

RSV4 in windtunnel

The factory Aprilia World Superbike team have conducted a number of wind tunnel tests to optimise the aerodynamics of the all new Aprilia RSV4.

Japanese rider Shinya Nakano spent a day in the wind tunnel at the Department of Industrial engineering at the University of Perugia, Italy.

Working with Aprilia race technicians, the aim of the test was to ascertain the current aerodynamic qualities of the bike and rider with a view to making additional improvements throughout 2009.

Nakano said: "It has been a very positive and interesting experience and I was impressed by the ability of engineers and the staff at the University of Perugia.

"We conducted several tests on my riding position, making the last little adjustments to obtain the best possible aerodynamics. The data that we collected will work to bring new solutions during the course of the season.

"I have to say that the current aerodynamics of the RSV4 are already good and did not need any immediate action.

Italian Max Biaggi will get his day in the wind tunnel in order to make adjustments to his set-up on 10th February.

Both Biaggi and Nakano will be back in action on 16th and 17th February where they will test at the Phillip Island circuit prior to the opening round of the WSB championship on 1st March.

Chaz Davies will ride the RSVR in AMA Daytona Sportbike

The Factory Aprilia Millennium Technologies Team signs Chaz Davies to Race Aprilia RSV1000R in AMA Daytona SportBike.

Charleston, SC - Jan. 2009 - The Factory Aprilia Millennium Technologies team is proud to announce the signing of 2008 Daytona 200 winner Chaz Davies. Davies brings a wealth of experience to the team and will be an integral part in developing the Aprilia RSV1000R for Daytona SportBike competition.

Davies has a storied carrier in professional racing. Since his first mini-moto race at age seven, Davies has gone on to become one of the brightest young stars in the international racing community. Twenty-one year old Davies raced in the 125cc and 250cc Grand Prix World Championships for five years and MotoGp at the end of 2007. Davies still carries the honor of being the youngest rider to score points in a World Championship event. In 2006 Davies 250cc Gran Prix folded due to lack of sponsorship and Davies came to the US to race for Celtic Racing. America has been good to Davies, as he has been able to score two poles, three podiums and a race win in his two years in the AMA Championship.

Chaz Davies - "I am very excited about this new project. I have rode Aprilias in the World Championship and I know what Aprilia can do when they decide to go racing. I had a chance to test the RSV1000R with the KWS Motorsports team last week and I was very impressed. The Aprilia is awesome and the team is spot on."

Kevin Hunt (Team Owner) - "Chaz is going to be a great addition to the team. He has raced at a world level and he has won races here in the US. He knows how to get the job done. I think that Chaz and Ben Thompson will work well together and their riding styles will compliment each other. The best equipment in the world is useless without a great rider and we feel like we have two of the best riders in the paddock with Chaz and Ben."

The Factory Aprilia Millennium Technologies Team is proudly sponsored by:
Aprilia USA, Millennium Technologies, Pit Bull, LeoVince Exhaust, Motion Pro, K&N Filters, Bazzaz Performance, Sebimoto, Yoyodyne, EK Chains, BG Lubricants, Performance Friction Brakes, Worldwide Bearing, Zero Gravity, Chicken Hawk Racing, Slednecks, Hel Brake Lines