Yamaha FZ Motorcycles in Weirton, page #42

Moto blog

Just for a moment; leading the British GP

Cal Crutchlow’s early exit at his home Moto GP last year meant we didn’t get to see his awesome potential at Silverstone. His two WSB race wins there in 2010 were pretty special as he dominated on the factory Yamaha R1, not least as he used some alternative lines and every inch of the track along the way. With his form matching the world's best in every event this year, on paper, this weekend should be his best chance so far to secure a podium or maybe even (making the dream come true!) take the first major class win in three decades.

Lorenzo to Remain with Yamaha Through 2014 MotoGP Season

Jorge Lorenzo has signed a contract extension with Yamaha that will see the 2010 MotoGP Champion riding the M1 through the 2014 season. Lorenzo currently leads the 2012 MotoGP Championship points chase with 115 points and is looking for his second premiere class title. Through five races this season, Lorenzo has three wins and a pair of second-place finishes, matching his pace from his championship-winning 2010 season.

The problem with electric bikes...

This weekend sees the running of the most famous car race of them all, the Le Mans 24hrs, and to be a driver of one of the front-running cars has got to be fairly high on the list of jobs that will make ladies swoon. Speed, danger, noise, fame, physical fitness and lots and lots of money, the key elements of any top-line race series, tend to ensure that its star competitors manage to appear cool. But the latest press picture from Yamaha – publicising the firm's link with (Yamaha shareholder) Toyota's Le Mans effort – manages to strip away every last shred of of swagger from the team's drivers by plonking them on Yamaha EC-03 electric scooters.

Tommy Hayden Signs with YES Graves Yamaha for Remainder of 2012 AMA Daytona Sportbike Season

Tommy Hayden has signed on to race the remainder of the 2012 AMA Daytona Sportbike season with  Yamaha Extended Service Graves Yamaha after joining the team as a substitute for the injured Garrett Gerloff. Hayden joined the YES Graves Yamaha team as a last-minute replacement after Gerloff got injured in the first practice of the Daytona 200. While Gerloff continued his recovery from a broken femur suffered in the high side crash at Daytona International Speedway, Hayden has raced his way to fourth overall in the championship standings after five rounds with two podium appearances.

2013 Yamaha XT250 Receives Fuel Injection

The Yamaha XT250 dual sport is getting a fuel injection system for the 2013 model year, replacing the previous model’s 33mm Teikei carburetor. Apart from fuel injection and new graphics, the only other changes are a new TCI ignition system in place of the 2012 model’s CDI ignition, and a slightly larger gas tank (2.6 gallons versus 2.4 gallons on last year’s model). The 249cc air-cooled SOHC engine and five-speed transmission remains unchanged.

Isle of Man TT 2012: Supersport TT 2 Results

Michael Dunlop added another chapter to the Dunlop family history in the Isle of Man TT, winning the second Monster Energy Supersport race of the 2012 event. Dunlop led at the end of all four laps for his third career TT win. His uncle, Joey Dunlop, is the all-time leader in TT wins at 26 while his father Robert Dunlop has five.

Anti clockwise Knockhill and riding in the North East with GP winners.

I was both nervous and excited for my first ever reverse direction track day last week at Knockhill. From rushing downhill into the left hand off camber hairpin to sweeping up onto the start/finish, nothing bears any resemblance to riding round clockwise. I actually raced my 350LC in the opposite direction in 1982 but it still took a few laps to get my head round what essentially is a brand new track for Scotland.

Isle of Man TT 2012: Supersport TT Race 1 Results

Padett’s Honda racer Bruce Anstey won the first Monster Energy Supersport TT race of the 2012 Isle of Man TT by a mere 0.77 seconds over rider Cameron Donald. The race could have been even closer if Gary Johnson, another Honda rider, hadn’t run out of gas on the final lap. Before he ran out of fuel, Johnson was in the mix with Anstey and Donald with just 0.62 seconds separating the three riders.

Isle of Man TT 2012: Sidecar TT Race 1 Results

Dave Molyneux won his 15th career Isle of Man TT race with a victory in the first Sure Sidecar TT race of the 2012 festival. The win comes in Molyneux’s return to the Isle of Man TT after sitting out last year’s competition. By far the most successful Sidecar racer in TT history Molyneux is third overall among riders in any class, behind Joey Dunlop (26) and John McGuinness (18).

Win BSB Knockhill tickets with Visordown

Don’t miss the annual MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship visit to Knockhill as the title fight reaches Scotland for the fifth round of the season on 22/23/24 June. We have teamed up with the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team to offer one lucky winner the chance to win a pair of tickets to the event. The Fife circuit always produces fast and frantic action and with the new technical regulations this season making a more even playing field for 2012 expect to see a brace of new contenders lining up to steal Tommy Hill’s championship crown.