Returning to action after a long lay-off, five-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi took a spill in his first ride since November as he crashed on the first day in the first MotoGP pre-season testing of 2008, which opened at Sepang Circuit today.

Nursing a broken right wrist after crashing at the final leg of the 2007 season at the Valencia Grand Prix in November, “The Doctor” returned to action, mounting the new 2008 YR-M1 MotoGP machine and sporting a new crew cut look.

From the beginning of the session, Rossi was clearly not fully satisfied with the handling of the bike judging from the gestures during his explanation to the Fiat Yamaha Racing team crew (as seen from outside the guarded pits).

Entering his 20th lap at noon, Rossi crashed at the entry of the sharp Turn 2 at Sepang International Circuit, resulting in the Italian rider jumping off his bike to escape injury. He then walked back to the bike; picking up the machine and rode back slowly to the pits. Rossi, winner at Sepang in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2006, was seen holding his left hand with the new machine damaged on the right side.

New team-mate Jorge Lorenzo also had a crash during the morning session as the Fiat Yamaha concluded a disappointing morning session with Rossi clocking the eighth fastest time of 2 minutes 3.295 seconds. Lorenzo was fifth fastest with 2 minutes 2.871 seconds.

Twenty riders participated in the tests which saw Dani Pedrosa of Repsol Honda topping the morning charts, recording a time of 2 minutes 1.864 seconds. Despite the achievement of clocking the fastest time, Pedrosa also had mixed fortunes, crashing at Turn 1 at noon.

The Sepang tests, which would run for three days until Thursday, is the first test session for the riders and teams after a seven-week mandatory; effective on December 1, 2007.

After Sepang, the teams and riders would proceed to Phillip Island in Melbourne, Australia before returning to Sepang early month from February 4 to 6 for a second round of test around the 5.543-km Malaysian track to prepare for the 2008 season.

Sepang MotoGP Test – Day 1 – Morning Session
Top 10 riders
1.Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) – Honda 2:01.864s
2.Randy de Puniet (Honda LCR) – Honda 2:02.536s
3.Colin Edwards (Yamaha Tech 3) – Yamaha 2:02.549s
4.Loris Capirossi (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) – Suzuki 2:02.689s
5.Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha Team) – Yamaha 2:02.871s
6.Chris Vermeulen (Rizla Suzuki MotoGP) – Suzuki 2:02.905s
7.John Hopkins (Kawasaki Racing Team) – Kawasaki 2:03.129s
8.Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha Team) – Yamaha 2:03.295s
9.Andrea Dovizioso (JIR Scot Team) – Honda 2:03.313s
10.James Toseland (Yamaha Tech 3) Yamaha 2:03.344s

SOURCE: SEPANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT MEDIA RELATIONS DEPT.

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Triumph, the iconic British Motorcycle manufacturer has announced that Embassy Racing Moto will be their official factory supported team in BSB for 2008 in a deal which will see the Triumph Daytona 675 competing in two classes.

Embassy Racing Moto won the 2007 National Superstock Championship in their first season on two wheels. Having taken the decision to offer factory support to such a relatively new team, Triumph UK Marketing Manager, Andrea Friggi explained why:

“Although Embassy are relative newcomers to two wheel racing, they have an excellent reputation for motor racing and their credentials are second to none. We saw how they operated last year in the Superstock Championship and they impressed us with their professionalism and positive attitude.

“When we had a chance to talk about working together in 2008 we did not hesitate. Since we began discussions, Embassy has shown commitment and understanding of the relationship we were keen to promote. We are very similar in our approach to racing and the benefits it can bring to the bigger business. We are very pleased that a deal has been done and are looking forward to an exciting season, and perhaps a longer term relationship.”

Factory status is considered a real coup for the fledgling Embassy Moto division, which has evolved out of the team’s GT and Le Mans Series sportscar prototype racing programme. Speaking about the tie up, Embassy team principal, Jonathan France said:

“I was truly blown away by the efforts of the Moto division in its first year, and I had no hesitation in looking to upgrade our programme for 2008. Having a winning team always makes negotiations a little more exciting and although we had a couple of very generous and tempting offers from Japanese brands, as soon as Triumph was brought into the mix, this was always going to be my favoured route.

“After speaking with the company, it was clear that our philosophy and business ideals were compatible and a relationship seemed very natural. From that point, it was just a matter of finalising the detail to suit all parties. I am delighted that we have now reached that point and am looking forward to a successful and long term partnership.”

The team will field Triumph Daytona 675s in two classes in 2008, with two riders in the hugely competitive and exciting Supersport class, and one rider in the newly formed Junior Superstock series.

Joining last year’s Superstock Champion, Glen Richards, in the 2008 Supersport class will be long term Triumph campaigner and factory test rider, Paul Young. Although neither is in the first flush of youth, they are unquestionable talents and still have a tremendous amount to give. It is hoped that the fresh start which produced such good results for Glen Richards last year will continue and rub off on Aussie team mate Paul Young who has already secured podiums on the Triumph. Both riders are hungry to show that they can still win races in the premier 600cc class.

Rookie South African, AJ Venter, will campaign another Triumph Daytona 675 in the newly formed Junior Superstock series. An important year for the team youngster, factory status and circuit experience in 2007 will certainly place high expectations for some good performances in 2008.

Embassy has also announced a new title sponsor in the form of Map Electrics, a national data and electrical contractor. Involved as a personal sponsor last year, Map has also taken advantage of the rising profile of the team and the deal will see the Moto team compete in all classes as Map Embassy Racing.

Triumph Motorcycles, the iconic British motorcycle marque, is solely owned by Bloor Holdings Ltd. First established in 1902 and now based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, Triumph has always set the pace for category winning machines. From the iconic Triumph Bonneville to the mould-breaking Triumph Daytona 675 Triple, Triumph offers a blend of design, character, sex appeal and performance that combines to create truly distinctive motorcycles.

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What is most probably the most powerful production naked muscle-bike is set to invade London by the end of this month, as Suzuki’s B-King gets ready to take centre stage at the London Motorcycle Show at Excel between the 31st January and the 3rd February.

Launched in summer 2007, the Suzuki B-King has enjoyed widespread critical acclaim, delivering performance that can normally only be achieved by a full-on superbike. Oddly named, this rather outlandish brute packs a serious punch while featuring futuristic styling that would be more at home in a scene from Transformers than in Canary Wharf, UK!

Also on display alongside the Suzuki B-King will be Suzuki’s other sizzling 2008 models, including the all-new GSX-R600 and GSX-R750, GSX1300R Hayabusa, GSX650F and Suzuki’s learner friendly range of scooters and commuter bikes.

For more information on the show, you may want to visit www.londonmotorcycleshow.com or visit www.suzuki.co.uk for more model information.

バイカーブードゥー

Returning to action after a long lay-off, five-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi took a spill in his first ride since November as he crashed on the first day in the first MotoGP pre-season testing of 2008, which opened at Sepang Circuit today. Nursing a broken right wrist after crashing at the final leg of the [...]

read full story of "VALENTINO ROSSI CRASHES HIS YAMAHA YR-M1 DURING SEPANG CIRCUIT TESTING"

Triumph, the iconic British Motorcycle manufacturer has announced that Embassy Racing Moto will be their official factory supported team in BSB for 2008 in a deal which will see the Triumph Daytona 675 competing in two classes. Embassy Racing Moto won the 2007 National Superstock Championship in their first season on two wheels. Having taken [...]

read full story of "TRIUMPH AND EMBASSY RACING MOTO TO CONTEST 2008 BRITISH SUPERSPORT CHAMPIONSHIP"

What is most probably the most powerful production naked muscle-bike is set to invade London by the end of this month, as Suzuki’s B-King gets ready to take centre stage at the London Motorcycle Show at Excel between the 31st January and the 3rd February. Launched in summer 2007, the Suzuki B-King has enjoyed widespread [...]

read full story of "SUZUKI B-KING TO INVADE LONDON"