Belle Vue open speedway season March 18.

BELLE Vue will roll back the years when they open their 2010 campaign with the War of the Roses match at Sheffield on March 18.
It is much more than a seasonal pipe opener for the Elite League Aces against their traditional rivals who now race in the Premier League.

Pride will be at stake for the teams and their supporters, not forgetting team managers Chris Morton and Eric Boocock.
They used to be track rivals in their racing days and Boocock was Morton's team manager at Belle Vue in the 1970s before they joined forces for a season at Kirkmanshulme Lane in 2007.
Now Morton is the Autogate Aces team boss with Boocock back 'over the tops' at Sheffield in charge of the Tigers.

BMW make historic return to the Isle of Man TT Races Having recently re-joined the International stage, German manufacturer BMW has wasted no time in tackling the biggest test of all with the announcement that an official manufacturer supported team will be contesting the Superbike and Senior Isle of Man TT Races in 2010, further increasing the number of manufacturers participating in this year's event. It was only 12 months ago that the Bavarian giant entered the World Superbike Championship for the first time but now, fresh from a stunning fifth place at last year's Macau Grand Prix, German ace Rico Penzkofer will have a full Superbike-spec machine at his disposal for the two six-lap TT races.

Leon Haslam wins maiden World Superbike race in Australia opener

Riding the Alstare Suzuki, Haslam had set the standard across the weekend at the Philip Island circuit, claiming his first ever Superpole start and using that to good effect as he made the running in the opening race, leading throughout, and then just holding off the determined Michel Fabrizio in a photo-finish.

“It was such a close finish and I did not know that I had won for a while,” reflected Haslam who had seen the Italian’s team celebrate what had first been shown as a victory for Fabrizio.

However, within seconds, race officials had studied that footage of the two bikes crossing the line and Haslam was declared the winner by 0.004seconds, the closest ever winning margin in the series

Valentino Rossi dominates pre-season testing in Sepang

Valentino Rossi kept up his impressive pre-season form as he smashed his own pole-position record at the second test of the year at Sepang in Malaysia.

Having been fastest both days of the first test the reigning MotoGP world champion was again fastest on his Yamaha on both days of testing.

His time was two minutes 00.271 seconds with Casey Stoner second in 2:00.512.

Stoner's Ducati team-mate Nicky Hayden was third, with fellow Americans Colin Edwards and Ben Spies fourth and fifth.

Rossi's Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, who was third fastest at the first testing session, was missing because of a hand injury

Injured Lorenzo could miss both remaining MotoGP tests Jorge Lorenzo could miss both remaining tests before the start of the new MotoGP season after seeing a specialist about his injured right hand. The 22-year-old Fiat Yamaha rider fractured his hand and displaced his thumb in a training crash last week. He was instantly ruled out of the test in Malaysia at the end of February but may now miss March's Qatar test too. "There are serious doubts whether Jorge will be fully recovered for the Qatar test," admitted his press manager.

Casey Stoner hails 'fantastic' switch to Silverstone

Ducati rider Casey Stoner says moving the British MotoGP from Donington to Silverstone is "fantastic".

Silverstone agreed a five-year deal last summer in the wake of Donington winning the Formula 1 grand prix, which it has subsequently lost.

"Silverstone is fantastic; the speed is a lot higher and the racing will be a lot better there," he told BBC Sport.

Stoner said his only regret was that revisions to the track layout would remove the flat-out Bridge corner.

"Unfortunately with Silverstone the best corner I was looking forward to - going underneath the bridge - at the last complex is not part of the circuit," the 24-year-old Australian said.

MotoGP champion Rossi sees future in rallying not F1

Valentino Rossi has told the New York Times he is committed to MotoGP despite links with Ferrari and Formula 1.

This week, Ferrari confirmed reigning MotoGP world champion Rossi would drive their F2008 car later this month but he said he does not see his future in F1.

"When I finish with bikes, I might want to see some seasons in rallying," said the 30-year-old, who has one year left on his contract with the Yamaha team.

"F1 would've been easier but when I finish MotoGP, I'll be too old for F1."

BELLE Vue have made the scoop signing of Danish World Cup captain Hans Andersen as their new No 1.

He will spearhead the bid by the One51 Aces to restore their fortunes as one of British speedway's big hitters.
Andersen, 29, is the biggest signing made by promoters David Gordon and Chris Morton since they took over the club, apart from when they brought Jason Crump back to the club late last season.
Andersen's signing, on loan from Peterborough, proves their commitment to move the club forwards and, now they have their No 1 in place, Gordon and Morton can work on slotting together the rest of the team.
Andersen said: "I've been in talks with the Belle Vue promotion at various times for the last two or three years. I have said before that I would like to ride for the Aces one day and now the chance to do that has come.
"I was planning the way I wanted to do my season in 2010 and I had always fancied riding for a Monday night track in the Elite League.
"I ride in Poland on a Sunday and Sweden on a Tuesday so I played along with the thought of Monday in England and the opportunity came along when Belle Vue got in touch with me.
"I had shown my liking for the idea of coming to Belle Vue for some time so it all happened fairly easily once I started talking to David Gordon and Chris Morton."
Promoter Gordon said: "Signing Hans brings us to the end of a search which is a lot more difficult that some people think.
"We have created a list of options and spoken to all the main contenders in the last few weeks to test the water. But there are so many things which can put a rider out of contention.
"People still think that the great Belle Vue name should attract riders but you can say the same about other clubs with good names.
"It's a long process but it has been worth it now we have signed Hans because I regard him as the perfect No 1.
"We have spoken to him in past seasons and he is on the record as saying he would love to ride for Belle Vue on day. Well, that day is here and we are delighted.
"We believe it is a move which will be good for Belle Vue and for Hans Andersen. He has been tipped as a future World champion in the past and has all the qualities to win it. And why not in 2010? Belle Vue has a great record for having World champions."

MotoGP Pedrosa takes second win of the season at Valencia

Victory on home soil saw Dani Pedrosa end the 2009 FIM World Championship on a high at the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana, as the Repsol Honda man enjoyed a start-to-finish win in the final race of the 2009 season and Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo completed the podium.

The drama started before the race had even commenced, as pole position holder Casey Stoner's high-side crash on the warm-up lap meant he was unable to take his place on the grid. That allowed Pedrosa to lead the grid from second position on the front row, and after taking the holeshot he did not look back, sealing third spot in the overall standings in the process.

Tittle N0 9 for the Doctor as Rossi Wraps it up in Malaysia After another season of drama on the track, Valentino Rossi defended his MotoGP World Championship with one round to spare in Malaysia, but he will quite possibly mark the title win as one of his toughest yet. Under concerted pressure throughout from his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo as well as the constant threat of Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa, the man many believe to be the greatest motorcycle racer of all time once again rose above the rest to claim a ninth world crown (seventh in MotoGP). Son of Graziano, celebrated rider of the seventies, the charismatic Rossi entered Grand Prix racing with Aprilia in 1996, winning 125cc races in his first season. He went on to win the 125 world title in 1997, and after a move up to 250s with the Italian brand, collected the quarter-litre title in 1999. He then made the leap to the 500cc class in 2000 with Honda, challenging for the title in his rookie year whilst picking up two victories and second in the championship.

Jason Crump crowned Speedway Champion in Bydgoszcz Crump landed his third World title in six years when he won Heat 13 ahead of outgoing champion Nicki Pedersen, Russian wonderkid Emil Sayfutdinov and Fredrik Lindgren. The 34-year-old Aussie star went into the meeting requiring eight points on the night to take the crown, and that was trimmed to six when main challenger and local hero Tomasz Gollob finished third in Heat 12. Crump, still nursing a painful arm injury that required a skin graft last month, had already gained five points from his first three rides, so only needed a point in Heat 13. He completed the job in style by winning the race after a jet-propelled start from the outside gate left Pedersen trailing in his wake

Stoner holds off Rossi in MotoGP Casey Stoner's dominance of his home circuit continued on Sunday as the Australian won at Phillip Island for the third year in a row, leading Valentino Rossi over the finish line by a margin of 1.935s. In his second Grand Prix back after a three-race absence, the 24 year-old celebrated his birthday weekend with an impressive win from pole position, his third race victory of the season, which took him to third in the championship standings. A frustrating weekend for Jorge Lorenzo was compounded when the Spaniard crashed out at turn one of the first lap after touching bikes with Stoner's Ducati team-mate Nicky Hayden. Having struggled through the practice sessions and qualifying with both rear-grip issues and illness, Lorenzo was unable to continue after sliding off, although Hayden climbed back aboard his Desmosedici GP9 to finish 15th.

Camier ends title winning campaign with fifth daily double

Final Round - 10/11 October - Oulton Park
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli

Leon Camier enjoyed the victories in the final two races of his MCE Insurance British Superbike championship in association with Pirelli winning campaign at Oulton Park.

That stretched to 19 the record number of victories in the season by the Airwaves Yamaha rider and he enthused: "That was an awesome way to finish the season. It really has been a dream season for me - I could not have asked for anything more.

"I've had a strong team around me, and I owe so much to those guys for what they've done to help make his all possible for me," added Camier.

The only disappointment at the Cheshire circuit for Camier was that he had gone into the final showdown hoping to match the winning triple that he had scored at Brands Hatch back in August.

Crump back with the ACES BELLE Vue have made a sensational swoop to bring double World champion Jason Crump back to the club. He will return for the most crucial weekend in the club's hit-and-miss season which has seen them reach the last four of the Knockout Cup while struggling at the bottom of the Elite League table. Crump stunned the Aces at the end of last season when he told them he would not be riding for them this year as he wanted to give British speedway a miss in order to cut his commitments and concentrate on regaining the World title from Denmark's Nicki Pedersen. The 34-year-old Aussie will make his comeback in Friday's KO Cup semi-final first leg at Coventry and then he will ride in next Monday's home match against fellow strugglers Poole which could be the key to who finishes bottom of the table.

Lorenzo crash hands Rossi victory

Valentino Rossi won the Czech MotoGP at Brno to extend his championship lead after Fiat Yahama team-mate Jorge Lorenzo crashed out when leading.
Rossi led from pole until Lorenzo passed him with six laps to go, but one lap later the Spaniard crashed, handing victory to the reigning world champion.

Dani Pedrosa was second with Toni Elias, who has lost his job at Gresini Honda next season, taking third.
Rossi's win means he now leads Lorenzo in the championship by 50 points.
Casey Stoner, who is third in the championship standings, missed this race and will also be absent from the next two as he recovers from illness.

Rossi chalks up another win Valentino Rossi was never under any illusions that he would have it easy in his defense of the MotoGP world title, and once again the Italian was made to fight for glory at the Alice Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland. The Fiat Yamaha rider took the win at Sachsenring by just 0.099s from persistent rival Jorge Lorenzo in a breathtaking race to extend his lead in the World Championship. After starting from pole for the first time at the German track, Rossi took the lead of the race after thirteen laps. Both the Italian and teammate Lorenzo eked out an advantage to make it a two-way battle to the chequered flag, with a last lap battle reminiscent of the Barcelona round of the series one month ago. Rossi's definitive pass had come at the end of the home straight with two laps to go, and he brushed off the young pretender's overtures for his fourth win of the 2009 season.

Ellison, then Camier, take the victories in dramatic event

Round seven - 18/19 July - Mallory Park
ViSK British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli

James Ellison took the victory in an incident packed opening race of the seventh round of the ViSK British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli before his Airwaves Yamaha team-mate, series leading Leon Camier, took the win next time out in a rain aborted race.

Chris Walker made the early running aboard his Motorpoint Henderson Yamaha while pole-starter Camier was baulked as Richard Cooper tumbled in front of him at the first turn of the first lap. Camier, who all but stopped, carved through the pack from twenty third to be running in eighth place.

Walker was taken by MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider on the fourth lap, with Tommy Hill, on his debut with the Worx Crescent Suzuki team running third from Josh Brookes on the HM Plant Honda with Hydrex Honda's Karl Harris just ahead of Buildbase Kawasaki rider John Laverty.

Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya - Sunday 14 June Brilliant Rossi ousts Lorenzo on final Barcelona corner for win number 99 An amazing head-to-head battle between Yamaha teammates Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo saw the Italian take his 99th Grand Prix victory by a 0.095s margin at Barcelona. In front of nearly 90,000 fans the reigning World Champion battled with the young pretender to his crown throughout the 25-lap MotoGP race, securing the win on the last corner. Despite some slight cloud cover close to the Mediterranean coast, air temperatures of 40°C meant that it was a draining experience for the premier class riders. Rossi and Lorenzo threw everything into their duel, with ‘The Doctor’ executing a superb move right at the death to take maximum points.

2009 IOM TT

The greatest road race festival in the world will roar back into life on May 30th, 2009!

After the excitement of the 2008 Isle of Man TT celebrations, when fans were treated to some of the most competitive racing the event has ever seen, all eyes are now on TT2009.

The TT attracted tens of thousands of fans to the Island, with many more who following the action from home, and everyone enjoyed a feast of two-wheeled drama.

John McGuinnness overcame a disappointing start to the TT to record his 14th victory in the Dainese Senior TT on the last day of racing on the Mountain course.

Fast Freddie at Honda's 50th MotoGP Legend Freddie Spencer was present on raceday at Honda’s home GP, as the Japanese manufacturing giant celebrated the 50th anniversary of their first World Championship participation. The Polini Grand Prix of Japan was a big occasion for Honda, the company celebrating their 50th anniversary of Grand Prix participation in 2009. MotoGP Legend Freddie Spencer was on track before Sunday’s racing to help mark the event and found time to catch up with motogp.com after a brief demonstration ride on his old NS500. Spencer was joined by fellow former Honda World Championship riders Naomi Taniguchi (who rode for Honda in 1959) and Kunimitsu Takahashi (the first Japanese Honda GP winner, in 1961 in the 250cc class) on track, showing off their bikes to a delighted Motegi crowd.

Victory for Rossi & 1st win for Bradley

Valentino Rossi took his first win of the season at the Gran Premio bwin.com de España on Sunday, beating Dani Pedrosa to the line by a 2.7s margin in front of a huge Spanish crowd of more than 123,000 fans in Andalusia.

Pedrosa led for the first half of the race having made one of his trademark strong starts from second on the grid, but Rossi took the lead with ten laps to go and did not look back there and his triumph gives him an 11 point lead in the general standings.

The rostrum was completed by Casey Stoner, who trailed Rossi by 10 seconds - the Ducati Marlboro rider moving into second place in the championship. It was the Australian’s first podium appearance at the southern Spanish track on any category.

ViSK British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli

2/3/4 May – Oulton Park

Leon Camier saved the best for last as he snatched pole start for the Holiday Monday second round of the ViSK British Superbike Championship in association with Pirelli at Oulton Park.

The Airwaves Yamaha rider returned to the Cheshire circuit with barely two minutes of the session remaining, but he made good use of the newly fitted rear tyre, bettering Stuart Easton’s scorching time to take the first pole of his Superbike career.
“It feels good and is something I didn’t expect,” admitted Camier who goes into these two races second in the title stakes, seven points down on Worx Suzuki rider Sylvain Guintoli.

Camier had been running fourth best but was sent back out in search of better things, as he explained: “My team boss Colin Wright was kicking me to get back out there as the clock was ticking down, and I had one shot to take pole.

Speedway : Bellevue Aces 45 Poole Pirates 43

UNLUCKY Billy Forsberg made his belated Belle Vue return last night - but it lasted for only five laps.

The young Swede, who missed the start of the season because of a broken wrist, crashed heavily on his second ride on a track made very difficult by morning rain.

He was thrown heavily over the top of his bike before landing awkwardly and rolling across the track.

Forsberg had to be taken off by ambulance after lengthy treatment and was forced to withdraw from the meeting with the unusual injury of whiplash to his throat ligaments.

Lorenzo storms to victory and standings top spot in Motegi showdown

Jorge Lorenzo emerged victorious from a thrilling Polini Grand Prix of Japan at Twin Ring Motegi, the second win of his MotoGP career and a result that retained his 100% podium record in the 2009 season.

The Fiat Yamaha rider took little time in taking the reigns of the race, having started from the front row and showed no fear when faced with the likes of Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi in front of him. However, despite a relatively comfortable advantage, Lorenzo was never quite able to pull clear of his rivals as the action heated up. He held on to cross the line with a gap of less than two seconds between him and second placed teammate Rossi.

Lorenzo moves up into first place in the overall classification, for the second time in his MotoGP career. The battle for second place in the race was MotoGP at its finest, as Repsol Honda man Pedrosa exchanged overtaking moves with Rossi in the middle third of the 24 laps. Pedrosa ultimately took third, having had a storming start from the fourth row of the grid.

WSB Assen, Simpley just stunning !!

Ben Spies (Yamaha World Superbike) and Noriyuki Haga (Ducati Xerox) continued their two-way domination of the 2009 Hannspree FIM Superbike World Championship at the Assen TT Circuit in the Netherlands by taking a win apiece in front of 76,000 spectators.


The Texan pulled out a fantastic pass on his Japanese rival to take a last-gasp win in the first race, but then crashed out of race 2 early on, leaving Haga the winner. Leon Haslam rode superbly to take home two podiums for the Stiggy Racing Honda team, while Jakub Smrz (Guandalini Ducati) scored his best-ever result with third in race 2. In the championship Haga now has a 60-point lead over Spies, 180 to 120.

Its that time again, MotoGP 09 As the action in the premier class of the 2009 FIM MotoGP World Championship finally got underway, at the spectacular Losail International Circuit on Monday night, it was Casey Stoner who took the headlines, completing a hat-trick of season-opening wins at the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar. Following the exceptional postponement of the opening MotoGP contest of the year due to rain in the Arabian desert, Monday night witnessed the first race in the new single tyre supplier era, but it was a familiar story with Stoner crossing the line first, ahead of World Champion Valentino Rossi. A ruthless Stoner took the holeshot from pole and had built up a two second gap at the end of the first lap. The 2007 World Champion’s victory never looked in serious doubt as he controlled the race from the front, having been the fastest rider in every session over the weekend. His winning margin was more than seven seconds at the end of a brilliant performance, casting aside any doubts about his fitness after winter surgery on his left wrist.

BRITISH SUPERBIKE SHOWDOWN STARTS THIS EASTER WEEKEND AT BRANDS HATCH

Sylvain Guintoli and Leon Camier took the victories in the opening round of the ViSK British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch but it was the Frenchman, making his debut into the series who took the lead, by seven points, in the title stakes.
Guintoli had not a raced a Superbike before, but he had shown the speed and style that had seen him build up a pedigree of 118 grand prix starts by claiming pole position at the first attempt, though he made a sluggish get-away that left him playing catch-up in the opener.

Stuart Easton made the early running in a race that was neutralised for four laps early on to enable marshals to clear the tangle at Clearways involving Matt Bond and Tom Tunstall. Then Glen Richards took the lead before his HM Plant Honda team-mate Steve Plater moved out front.

Belle vue Aces, Kick off the new season

BELLE Vue supremo David Gordon was delighted with his side's 54-42 home Elite League win over Wolverhampton on Good Friday but he is demanding more when they begin their Knockout Cup campaign next Monday.

The One51 Aces face Ipswich in the first round first leg tie at Kirkmanshulme Lane (7 30) and Gordon wants solid contributions from the whole team so they can take a handy lead to the return on May 28.

They beat Wolves and gathered their first league points of the season even though star men Kryz Kasprzak and Charlie Gjedde didn't hit their best scoring form.

The middle and lower order riders made amends, especially James Wright and Patrick Hougaard who raked in 23 points between them, but Gordon wants the whole team to be in peak form on Monday.

Final preparations set for Official MotoGP Test at Jerez

The MotoGP riders will undertake their final preseason test of 2009 this weekend, and the stakes are high as they head to the Spanish circuit of Jerez. Dubbed ‘GP Zero’ within the FIM World Championship paddock, the Official MotoGP Test gives competitors from all three classes the chance to finetune their machines ahead of a grueling eight months of racing.

Taking place from March 25th-March 29th, the Jerez visit unites the paddock in one location for the first time since 2008’s season-closing race at Valencia. Split into two parts, the Official MotoGP Test will open with three days of 125cc/250cc action, before the MotoGP premier class have the track to themselves on the Saturday and Sunday.

With some notable exceptions, the famous names and expected title contenders will be in attendance to put the finishing touches to their 2009 bikes, and top of the bill is MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi. The Fiat Yamaha rider has been one of the fastest riders over the course of preseason, and is in peak condition whilst some of his rivals are battling for fitness.

Buoyant British Superbike Championship confirms 30 strong line-up

The British Superbike Championship is set for another fiercely competitive season with a buoyant 30 strong starting grid, featuring leading British and International riders aboard machines produced by five of the world’s leading manufacturers, being confirmed by the race organisers, MSVR.

The series, which begins at Brands Hatch on Easter Monday, 13 April, has bucked the trend of other major championships by maintaining a high entry level despite the current economic downturn and it boasts four factory backed teams. Once again, BSB will be pioneering new elements with a three race format at the Brands Hatch GP event in August and at the Oulton Park finals weekend, complementing the three stage knock-out format which proved so popular when introduced in the latter half of 2008.

Much of the early season attention will be focussed on the Airwaves backed GSE team which this year has switched from the Ducatis which have powered it to three British titles to running the latest Yamaha R1s in the hands of James Ellison, a rider who won the Privateers Cup five years ago before embarking on MotoGP and then American action, and Leon Camier.

World Superbike 09 kicks into gear at Phillip Island

The 2009 Hannspree FIM Superbike World Championship switched up a gear today with the traditional pre-event media conference and official photos at the Phillip Island circuit, venue for this weekend's opening round, which gets underway with practice and qualifying on Friday.

Given the interest in this year's championship, the press conference was a crowded affair. 11 Superbike and 7 Supersport riders took the opportunity to chat with the national and international media about their chances for this year and their thoughts on this weekend's race.
With the retirement of Troy Bayliss, his fellow Aussie Troy Corser has now, affectionately speaking, become the senior citizen of World Superbike and the Phillip Island lap record holder showed that he has lost none of the determination of his earlier years as he lines up for the debut season of German manufacturer BMW.

MotoGP back on Eurpsport Full 2009 Race Calendar

MotoGP fans in the UK will be able to enjoy the most complete coverage ever of the sport, thanks to agreements for 2009 between the championship’s commercial rights-holders Dorna Sports and both the BBC and British Eurosport. More than 23 million UK viewers watched live coverage of MotoGP during 2008, and thanks to the combined efforts of the two networks to increase their broadcast hours in 2009, that figure is set to rise.

The BBC coverage is the public broadcaster’s biggest ever offering of the world’s premier motorcycling championship, with all the scheduled 18 rounds of the MotoGP World Championship to be shown live on BBC television. Additionally, all the rounds from the ultra-competitive 250cc and 125cc World Championships will be shown live on the BBC’s Red Button, as well as full coverage of all three of Saturday’s qualifying sessions (MotoGP, 250cc and 125cc).

IOM TT 2009 The 2009 Isle of Man TT Races look set to be oversubscribed, with leading riders confirmed and large influx of newcomers keen to take on the challenge of the famous Mountain circuit. The closing date for TT entries is looming, race organiser ACU Events Ltd has warned. Riders wanting to take part are being urged to submit forms ahead of the February 27th deadline Steam Packet Holidays will again be operating the very popular TT Day Trips for the 2009 event. Trips are available from Heysham for all of the main race days 6, 8, 10 , 12 and 13* June with trips also available from Belfast on 6 and 13* June. Adults £59 Child (under 16) £39 Price includes return ferry crossings, £5 voucher for an on board meal plus coach transfer to/from a spectator vantage point to view the days races. To Book Call 0871 222 1 333

Aces 2009 fixture list BELLE Vue will have a busy opening to the new speedway season with seven Elite League matches in April, four of them away from home. One change from the list issued by the Promoters' Association is that the League match at Peterborough will be a week later on July 9. Key: ch: Challenge, KOC: Knockout Cup, ELA: Elite League round A, ELB: Elite League round B MARCH 22: Glasgow (a) ch, 26: Ipswich (a) KOC, 30: Glasgow (h) ch APRIL 3: Coventry (a) ELA, 4: Eastbourne (a) ELA, 6: Lakeside (h) ELA, 10: Wolverhampton (h) ELA 14: Wolverhampton (a) ELA, 20: Ipswich (h) KOC, 27: Poole (h) ELA, 30: Swindon (a) ELA

Silverstone to host MotoGP in UK from 2010 Silverstone Circuits Limited has signed a five year agreement with Dorna Sports, the commercial and television rights holder for MotoGP, which will see the Northamptonshire circuit host the British Grand Prix from 2010. Having hosted MotoGP between 1977 and 1986, Silverstone is no stranger to the top flight of two-wheeled sport, and the classic battle of 1979 between Kenny Roberts and Barry Sheene is one which sticks in many an older fan’s memory.Silverstone will host the British MotoGP from 2010 after signing a five-year deal to stage the event. "It is rich in heritage and unrivalled in terms of what it offers fans, teams and championships," said the venue's managing director Richard Phillips. "We are sure MotoGP's UK visits will continue to be successful when we go to Silverstone," said Carmelo Ezpeleta, head of the sport's promoters Dorna. Watch Classic Sheene v Roberts

Bellevue Aces get new Backer BELLE Vue have landed a substantial sponsorship with businessman-fan Mark Hennessey, whose family roots are steeped in speedway. He was born in Bristol but is now Managing Director of Bolton-based Autogate Systems Ltd, who specialise in automatic security systems. Mark has become a regular on the Belle Vue terraces to revive boyhood memories of when his late grandfather, Bill Downton, and uncle of the same name raced at Highbridge in Somerset. His parents took him all over the country to watch Bristol Bulldogs whose star man was Phil Crump, father of former Aces' captain, Jason.

Kawasaki pulls team out of MotoGP

Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki has pulled out of MotoGP to cut costs amid the global financial crisis.

"We took the final decision not to continue in MotoGP," said Kawasaki's Katsuhiro Sato. "It's something we have been considering since mid-December.

"In the current economic climate and unless the situation improves it is difficult to say if we will return."

Rossi lines up Ferrari Test drive 2008 MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi will be back behind the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car before the end of the month, taking part in a private test at Mugello as reward for his title victory. Italian news agency ANSA report that the Fiat Yamaha rider will be using the F2008 car, as ridden by regular drivers Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen in races this year. The test will take place next Thursday and Friday (November 20th-21st), less than a week before Rossi returns to the more familiar world of two wheels for the MotoGP Official Test in Jerez.

Schumacher could join Superbikes Honda say they are ready to offer retired seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher a ride in the 2009 World Superbikes championship. Schumacher, 39, has raced in German superbike races with Honda this year. Honda Racing boss Carlo Fiorani told La Gazetta dello Sport: "Michael has not asked us to race in the worlds. But if he wants to, there is a way for him." Meanwhile, MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi says he could switch to rallying when he finishes racing bikes.

Rossi set for Wales Rally drive Six-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi will switch from two wheels to four next month when he drives in the Wales Rally GB. The 29-year-old will race in a Ford Focus which will carry logos in support of the BBC's Children in Need appeal. Rossi, who is said to be interested in a long-term switch to rallying, first raced in the Welsh Rally back in 2002. "I am hoping for a good result at next weekend's Monza Rally to prepare for the forests of Wales," said Rossi. "I'm also delighted to be supporting BBC Children in Need, which does such vital work in the UK.

Stoner strolls to sixth win in Spanish sunshine Casey Stoner ended the 2008 season as he began, victorious onboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP8. The Australian took the win at the Gran Premio Parts Europe de la Comunitat Valenciana in emphatic fashion, breaking away from pole for triumph number six of the year. Runner-up in the overall standings, Stoner was riding for pride in the final race of the campaign, once again competing through the discomfort of a scaphoid injury that will be treated almost immediately following Monday and Tuesday´s post-race test. Setting circuit records along the way, Stoner eventually crossed the line some 3.390 seconds clear of any challenge to his superiority.

Third Tittle for Baylis Troy Bayliss secured his third World Superbike crown with a third place and victory at Magny-Cours in France. The Australian, 39, who retires at the end of the season, sealed the title in race one when he finished behind winner Noriyuki Haga and Fonsi Nieto. The Xerox Ducati rider then celebrated his success by winning race two ahead of Haga and compatriot Troy Corser. Bayliss said: "We changed to a harder front tyre for race two. The grip was very similar but more consistent."

Home win for Stoner Casey Stoner led from the start to win the Australian MotoGP ahead of new world champion Valentino Rossi, who clinched second from 12th on the grid. Home favourite Stoner made light of his broken wrist to produce a flawless performance at Phillip Island. Rossi passed Nicky Hayden on the final lap, leaving the American to settle for the last place on the podium Britain's James Toseland finished sixth to equal his best finish in his maiden MotoGP season.

Japan 6th Heaven for Rossi With his eighth victory of the 2008 season, Valentino Rossi sealed his sixth MotoGP World Championship title , and eighth in all classes at the A-Style Grand Prix of Japan. The Fiat Yamaha rider proved unstoppable at Twin Ring Motegi as he relegated outgoing champion Casey Stoner to second place in the 24-lap race. Rossi had started from the second row of the grid, and looked to be on the back foot when Stoner took the holeshot and attempted to break away. The top three in the standings, Rossi, Stoner and Pedrosa became embroiled in an early battle for supremacy, narrowed down to a duel on lap five courtesy of a hard overtaking move by Stoner on his Spanish rival. The Ducati rider apologised for the pass, which took place on the run-up to the bridge section of the circuit, but still upped the pace in the ensuing laps –with Rossi hot on his tail.

Shakey wraps it up Shane Byrne sealed Bennetts British Superbike title glory with a comfortable ride into third place in a dramatic, incident packed opening race of the penultimate round at Silverstone. The Airwaves Ducati rider had begun the race knowing that a top nine finish would suffice to see him regain the crown he had first held won back in 2003 and Byrne was running eighth as the first of two telling incidents unfolded into front of him. Leon Haslam, the HM Plant Honda rider who had started with an outside chance of edging out Byrne in the title stakes, was sent tumbling at the chicane as Tom Sykes clattered into him, with the Rizla Suzuki later penalised for careless riding. Then a further two laps on James Ellison and Michael Laverty tangled at the same Woodcote section and Byrne was upto third: “I thought to myself, good result. All of that happening put me up to third and I was in a position to think about going for the win. “It was all about keeping it safe, keeping my concentration and not doing anything silly – I said to myself you’ve got a podium finish, you’ve got the title, stay as you are.”

IOM TT 2008 DVD

The official DVD review is a must for the estimated 40,000 fans who travelled to the Isle of Man for the ultimate racing festival, and for the many thousands more who followed the action around the world.

Following the Centenary of the TT in 2007, interest in the event is at an all-time high. The festival attracted media coverage in newspapers around the world, made headlines in the sport pages of several UK newspapers and has featured in lifestyle magazines as well as specialist motorcycle publications.

There has also been extensive TV coverage, reaching in excess of 900,000 viewers, including features on channels like Sky News, race coverage on ITV4, highlights on the BBC and more.
This media interest, coupled with some of the best racing the Isle of Man TT has seen, ensures the event has one of its strongest followings in its 101-year history.

The official review features high speed action from all nine races, including first time winners, record-breaking victories and the amazing Senior TT – described in Motor Cycle News as the greatest race the Isle of Man has seen for more than 15 years. Available now in our OnLine Store

Sheens Still the Hero Statues may be erected in honour of the great and the good, or buildings named after them, but surely the ultimate tribute is when your name enters everyday speech.