MCNEWS.COM.AU

The factory Ducati team were left with mixed feelings after completing the two-day Brno test; both Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss made considerable set-up progress, but it was all too late to influence the team's Czech Republic Grand Prix results. Crash.Net

Sete Gibernau has halted title rivals Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi's recent MotoGP win domination by beating the two Italians in a tense race long battle at the Czech Republic Grand Prix - to claim his first victory since Le Mans in mid-May.Crash.Net

BIKE magazine (U.K.) has a first ride impession of the soon to be available MV Agusta F4 1000S in the new September 2004 issue. Road tester Martin Child throws 10 years of racing, stunting and road testing experience at this bike and comes away smitten by what he refers to as a "...sparkling Italian diamond."

The British LOVE their sport bikes and yet, judging by this first review, the new MV has left a much, much stronger positive impression on BIKE's tester than this year's crop of new Japanese 4-cylinder liter bikes.

After returning the MV test bike he writes, "I'm back from another (better) world, the measure of all that is good in biking a notch or two higher."

Pro Italia is currently taking deposits on what looks to be a rare and especially exciting motorcycle. Call (818) 249-5707 for details.

Ruben Xaus was one of a number of fallers in today's final qualifying session for the Czech Grand Prix, but while most others complained of unpredictable grip loss, the Catalan's explanation was refreshingly different; he simply pushed too hard while trying to please his D'Antin Ducati team. Crash.Net

Shane Byrne has almost certainly been ruled out of the remainder of the Czech Grand Prix weekend, after dislocating his wrist following a massive highside in this morning's final free practice session at Brno. Crash.net

It takes a fair bit to openly annoy Neil Hodgson, but in this morning's final practice session at Brno Max Biaggi managed to do just that when the two riders paths crossed a little too closely – sending Hodgson to the ground... and then in search of an explanation from the Roman. Crash.net

Ducati Marlboro rider Troy Bayliss qualified fourth quickest for the second grand prix in succession, after battling for a front-row start throughout today's final session for Sunday's Czech Republic Grand Prix. Crash.net

The tempestuous Czech weather continued to torment the MotoGP field this afternoon at Brno, with rain returning just before the final qualifying session began – and playing into the hands of rain master Sete Gibernau. Crash.net

Full MotoGP final qualifying times for the Czech Republic Grand Prix, at Brno, round ten of the 2004 world championship. Crash.net

The track hasn't passed an FIM homologation and the event is based on an agreement "in principle" but that hasn't stopped people from getting into the USGP spirit. Laguna Seca started selling tickets for the 2005 USGP yesterday. SuperBike Planet

The d'Antin Ducati has replaced the blue/white/orange colors from the first half of the 2004 season with a much more attractive black/red livery. The colors were intended to attract a corporate sponsor, rumored to be Visa. "We had a different design up until now due to ongoing negotiations which we were finally unable to close for this season," said Luis. "So we just decided to return to the image of our team's colours, and I have to say it looks very good indeed."

Crash.net Link

Crash.net Link

SuperBike Planet Link

Crash.net Link

We had a great time last night at our 10th annual Cafe Desmo motorcycle show. Thanks go out to Frank's Catering, the City of Glendale and the city's representative dressed in crisp navy blue and riding a Kawasaki patrol bike and everyone who attended and made the night such a success.

Best Monster:
1. Stuart Cano - '97 Monster 900
2. Vincent S Rim - '96 Monster 900

Best Supersport
1. Dan Aricniega - '95 Ducati 900SS
2. Daniel Hamilton - '01 Ducati MH900
3. Dennie Hovland - '79 Moto Morini 500

Best Superbike
1. Kane Brechlin - '01 MV Agusta F4
2. Mike Caliente - '95 Ducati 916
3. Ken Zeller - '03 Ducati 999

Best Touring
1. Richard Rodriquez - '87 Moto Guzzi SPII
2. Roger Garlick - '03 Moto Guzzi Stone
3. Peter Freiberger - '72 Ducati GT750

Best Vintage (pre 1985)
1. Ron Keysen - '73 Ducati
2. Rob Arnott - '72 MV Agusta Imola
3. Muse Jacobs - '76 Moto Morini

Best Non-Italian
1. Aren Aseb - '04 Triumph 600
2. Jerry Campbell - '86 BMW R80 G/S PD

Best of Show
1. Ron Keysen - '73 Ducati
2. Kane Brechlin - '01 MV Agusta F4
3. Rob Arnott - '72 MV Agusta Imola

Images of the evening can be found on our Pro Italia Riders page.

Today's Monterey Herald features an article about the return of MotoGP to Laguna. The event will be officially named the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix and is tentatively scheduled for July 8-10, 2005. Link

Troy Bayliss produced the best ride of his rookie MotoGP season at Brno last August, leading Valentino Rossi and Sete Gibernau for more than half race distance before eventually finishing third, just 0.6secs from winner Rossi - and the former World Superbike is confident he can again be in the hunt for victory this weekend. Link

The d´Antin MotoGP riders are determined to getting amongst the top riders in this second part of the championship and tackle the Czech Republic Grand Prix with renewed enthusiasm, the first of seven remaining races this season. Link

Motorcycle USA has published the obligatory "which v-twin sportbike is better" annual test. This year's contest pits the Ducati 999S against the Aprilia Mille Factory and Honda RC51. Link

Ducati World Supersport star Lorenzo Lanzi lapped faster than Ducati Austin's Eric Bostrom at a recent test at VIR. Link

Ruben Xaus has been named, and shamed, as the most frequent crasher in MotoGP with eleven in nine races. Link

Speaking to the official MotoGP website, Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali admitted that this seasons results of the new Ducati have been dissappointing. However he claimed that the team are still on course for their long term objectives. Link