Sunday Sun Blog

STUDYING YOUR OPPONENT

2009-11-10T09:35:05Z

With two weeks to go before my UFC debut at UFC 105 in Manchester, it's probably a good time to spend a moment looking at my opponent that night. As with all UFC contests, this fight on November 14 is not a one-man show and the guy in the opposite corner is very live and dangerous.

The opponent's name is Aaron Riley and he's been involved in 40 professional mixed martial arts bouts. He's a very experienced veteran of the sport and has scored solid UFC wins over Jorge Gurgel and Shane Nelson. I've got a lot of respect for what Aaron has achieved in his UFC career to date, but he hasn't fought me yet. Nobody knows how he will deal with me.

When I got the call to fight Aaron, I instantly started looking for footage of him and studied his game. I made a quick analysis of what I thought and then I handed the tapes to my coaches to make a more in-depth assessment. They would then break his game down and come up with some kind of game plan for me to work on in preparation.

Now and then I'll have another look at the footage, if I'm perhaps on the computer or have worked on something specific in training. Aside from that, though, I don't concentrate too much on what my opponent does in the Octagon. No matter what footage you watch, you won't find footage of Riley fighting me. Neither of us know how that is going to play out.

Although you can never be sure, I believe Aaron is going to come straight-forward with his punches and then use his hands to set up a takedown. He'll look at me and see someone who is fast and explosive with his hands and he'll realise I'm very dangerous on my feet. I don't think he'll take many chances on his feet and will prefer to put me on my back.

The game plan can completely go out the window if you get hit and rocked. It doesn't matter what you planned beforehand. I go into a fight with a game plan that I try and stick to but, more importantly, I try and enforce my game plan on my opponent. I try to make them fight my fight. That is the mentality I have going into every fight.

I also believe I'm well-rounded enough to change my game plan up if need be. When I fought Andre Winner in The Ultimate Fighter finale, the plan was to counter him and take him by surprise. He expected me to rush him and play into his hands, but I actually waited for him to lead. He then wanted to clinch with me and that took me by surprise. I then had to stay and clinch with him and get the better of him there. I had to adjust my tactics and game plan quite a lot during that fight.

I think this bout with Riley on November 14 is going to be a test of wills and a case of who wants it more. I can see Aaron coming out swinging and trying to take me by surprise. He will desperately want to knock me out on my home soil. He's not going to come all this way from America to just lay down and get beaten up. There is a lot on the line for Aaron in this fight.

Now that I'm The Ultimate Fighter winner, I feel as though I've got a big price tag above my head. There will be a lot of guys out there that want to beat me up and expose me. It's my job to show these fighters that I'm more than just The Ultimate Fighter. It's my job to prove that I belong in the UFC for good...

*** Last tickets for UFC 105 are available now from ticketmaster.co.uk ***

No really, just ban them already!

2009-11-06T14:23:18Z

The most recent news on the war against plastic bags is an announcement from Wales (where an estimated 480 million bags are used every year). Environment Minister Jane Davidson is proposing that shoppers pay between 5p and 15p for each bag they use.

Walesonline described the plan as radical - which suggests to me that the writer needs to get out a bit more. I hardly think forcing a charge for plastic bags counts as radical. After all some shops already charge for carrier bags, some towns have successfully banned them, Ireland has levied a tax on them and we are paying for them anyway in the price at the checkout - a shop does not give anything away for free!

As I have said before I am getting a little bit bored with the debate about plastic shopping bags (AKA one use plastic bags), just ban them already.

A mandatory charge for a bag sounds a good idea but look at the hidden cost. The cost to the retailer will be the records they have to keep about the charge - the numbers sold, money taken in, what has been done with the money - and supply to Welsh ministers, trading standards and members of the public. The money raised will possibly be used to fund environmental projects; so, a committee would have to set up to award the money - which means more money.

If I was a retailer in Wales I would just ban plastic bags from my shop and save myself the money and hassle of being saddled with the record keeping needed for the new scheme.

FACING THE CROWD THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE

2009-11-03T11:51:35Z

Ask any UFC newcomer what the biggest challenge is ahead of their UFC debut and they'll probably all say the same thing - coping with the size of the event. As difficult as it is to face a hungry and determined opponent, often the magnitude of the event and the size of the UFC crowd is the biggest obstacle.

After all, a lot of UFC newcomers aren't used to fighting in front of a crowd of between 15,000 and 20,000 people. They usually arrive from small promotional companies and are more accustomed to performing in small halls and local clubs. It is an enormous leap for them when they eventually step into the UFC and start competing in front of arena-sized crowds.

A lot of pressure and anxiety can come from seeing so many people cheering and supporting you or the opponent. There are many fighters that excel in the gym and look a million dollars behind closed doors, yet as soon as they get on 'the big stage', in front of thousands of fans, they fall to pieces and are unable to perform.

I'm aware of the importance of keeping it together on the night. When I make my UFC debut at UFC 105 on November 14, I'll be walking out in front of a crowd just shy of 20,000 people. It's a huge occasion for me and one I've been preparing for since the end of June. I've been preparing physically in the gym for around 12 weeks now, but I've also been doing a great deal of mental preparation, just to make sure I'm able to cope with the size of the event when the time comes.

I've never witnessed anything like a major UFC event before. I've obviously attended them in the past, but I've never actually walked out to a huge UFC crowd ahead of a fight. I don't know how that's going to feel and, to be honest, I'm a little anxious about the whole thing. I'm nervous about the big spotlight, the noise and all the people watching me. I'm not worried about the fight itself, but just wary of the possibility I might not perform to my best.

Nobody really knows how you will cope with the big stage until you actually go out there and experience it. I'm anxious to try it, but I'm also very excited about the whole thing. When I went down to UFC 70 at the MEN Arena, I knew back then that I'd one day be competing at that arena for the UFC. That day is now fast approaching.

I spoke to Mike Bisping the other week at one of the local MMA shows in Liverpool. He basically told me to keep my composure on the night and prepare myself for the huge reception I'm going to receive when I enter the Octagon. So long as I prepare myself for it, I think I'll be fine. I know the Manchester fans are going to be incredible on November 14 and I'm more than ready for it.

My experience in Las Vegas at The Ultimate Fighter finale was a good dress rehearsal for future big UFC nights. It gave me a taster of what is to come and was basically an introduction to the whole UFC fight night. Fighting in Vegas allowed me to bridge the gap between fighting on local shows and then fighting on a huge event like UFC 105. It now doesn't feel like I'm just being thrown in the deep end when I make my debut in Manchester.

When the time comes, the crowd often don't even enter your mind. When you're making that walk to the Octagon, it's all about you, your opponent and your desire to win. Nobody else matters at that point in time. Sometimes you don't even realise you're fighting in front of thousands of people. I'm just so focused on the fight. Once that cage door shuts, it's just me and my opponent. I don't hear anything else. Nothing else matters. Nobody else can help you...

*** Last tickets for UFC 105 are available now from ticketmaster.co.uk ***

Monster T.V.s

2009-10-31T19:04:06Z

At one point, Son Number Two had three in his bedroom... One for his X Box, one to watch and one on which to dump his discarded clothes...

Downstairs isn't a problem. In the living room we have a smart 32 inch plasma and a smaller, neater 16 inch version in the kitchen for my other half to watch when he's cooking.

Upstairs is another matter. It really is a case of the monster TV's taking over. Son Number Two had a huge old television in his bedroom which he had to thump every so often to get the sound back on. So he swapped it with the one in Son Number One's room as he was away from home.

Then Son Number One arrived home with a big black monstrosity of a telly which we'd forgotten he'd had in his house at Uni. Trouble is the 'On' button didn't work unless you stuck a pencil in it and it went off every half an hour but he insisted it was fine, he was used to it and he didn't want any other.

Things continued in this vein for quite some time until I came into our bedroom one day and saw that the biggest, most monstrous telly of all was sat on top of my chest of drawers. Large as life, it glowered at me, oozing dust, jostling my perfume bottles over the edge, obscuring the mirror and casting dark shadows over everything in the room...

Ours had stopped working so my other half had swapped it with yet another one that had been lurking in the loft. However, I soon got rid of that one. (At the moment we are tellyless in our room and I hope it stays that way).

I have been hinting at how much technology has changed and how smart and streamlined the new smaller plasma televisions are but it doesn't make any difference. For some reason they are all very attached to their old tellies...

Still I know what I'm buying them for Christmas...

ROSS PEARSON WANTS TO PROMOTE MMA IN THE REGION

2009-10-24T23:09:06Z

Winning The Ultimate Fighter season nine has had a major effect on both my life and my career as a mixed martial artist. It has given me the opportunity to compete in the UFC at the highest level and has also helped my profile in both Britain and America. Whereas before I could walk down the street and go unnoticed, nowadays people know who I am and recognise me from The Ultimate Fighter.

I sometimes get a few strange looks in the street, which is quite funny. I also go past some people and hear, 'is that him? Is that the guy off The Ultimate Fighter?'.

It's nice to be recognised, as it shows people are watching the sport and are following my career. I never got into mixed martial arts to become a television star, but it feels good to know people appreciate your skills.

In terms of my MMA career, the biggest upshot of winning The Ultimate Fighter is undoubtedly the chance to compete in the UFC and appear at UFC 105 on November 14. The event is taking place in Manchester, England and I've been handed the chance to make my official UFC debut against American Aaron Riley.

Not only that, I'll also be appearing on the official main card, which means my three-rounder with Riley will be screened live on ESPN in the UK and on SPIKE TV in America. This presents me with the perfect opportunity to show the world exactly what I can do inside the Octagon.

As well as improving my profile overseas, I'm also keen to become the UFC poster boy for Sunderland and the North East. I think there's potentially a massive following for MMA in Sunderland and the region and I've now got the chance to be known as Sunderland's most successful mixed martial artist.

Mixed martial arts is getting bigger and bigger in Sunderland and I think my victory in The Ultimate Fighter will only help the rise of it. Young kids will have seen my success and will have realised what doors can open up within the UFC. People from the North-East are working class and grafters and they have that inbuilt fighting mentality. We don't receive things on a silver spoon and we have to work for everything we get in life. I'm basically just one of them. I'm a normal lad that enjoys testing myself in a fighting environment.

The crowds that Tony Jeffries draws in the North-East tell me that there would be a huge following for me and other mixed martial artists from Sunderland. Jeffries was, of course, the Olympic bronze medallist boxer from 2008 and he's already a big ticket-seller in Sunderland.

I box out of the same gym as Tony Jeffries, and he's something of a local hero up here. He draws big crowds to his fights and he's only had a few to date. Tony did amazing in the Olympics and he's started really well in his pro career. He seems to have adapted nicely to the pro game and I can see him achieving big things.

Success breeds success and I try to spend as much time in Sunderland as possible during a week. From Wednesday to Saturday I'm back home in Sunderland and I then spend Monday and Tuesday down in Nottingham at the Rough House gym. I would love to spend more time in the Rough House, but it's a two-and-a-half hour drive away and it takes its toll sometimes.

I've got my Thai-boxing coach, my boxing coach and my strength and conditioning coach back at home in Sunderland, but my main sparring work is done in Nottingham. There are no better training partners than Dan Hardy, Paul Daley and Andre Winner. The Rough House gym is practically a who's who of UK MMA. I don't care what other people say; the Rough House is the best MMA gym in the country.

So long as I'm working with that calibre of training partners on a daily basis, I know I'm heading in the right direction. As I mentioned in my last column, The Ultimate Fighter success has now tipped the focus on me and opened doors in terms of training and opportunity. It's fair to say I'm enjoying my time in the spotlight...

*** Last tickets for UFC 105 are available now from ticketmaster.co.uk ***

Working with the next generation of designers

2009-10-22T14:35:52Z

As part of their course I recently made a presentation to 3D design students at Newcastle College about the part played by designers in producing sustainable products.

Premier Waste Management is challenging the students to design sustainable products, or items that solve recycling problems, or promote recycling, in a competition to determine which designs are best for the environment and will protect the planet in the future.

Students have eight weeks to research and prepare their final idea, before they present it to Premier Waste Management and obtain industry advice on potential packaging and end users, as well as marketing the finished product.

The design project will culminate in early December with a public exhibition of the students' creations.

Educating designers at the very start of their career about sustainability is a vital part of ensuring that the products, structures and buildings they create are sustainable. Premier Waste Management is committed to raising awareness of key environmental issues that affect us all, and we hope that this project will encourage students to look at everyday items in a different light by realising their design and recyclable potential.

Ross Pearson's Dream...to Fight On The UFC

2009-10-17T23:08:02Z

This is the moment I've been waiting for since I first started watching my old UFC DVDs, dreaming of one day competing in the Octagon.

I'm now five weeks away from my official UFC debut at UFC 105 in Manchester, and training has kicked into overdrive. I've actually had a 15-week training camp for this fight, which is a little longer than I normally do.

I'm now into my tenth week of training and it feels as though I've been going non-stop since June. The time has just flown by.

The first six weeks were all based around heavy, power explosion work with my strength and conditioning coaches. I also did a lot of boxing and wrestling drills. My boxing has been more technical ahead of this fight as my UFC 105 opponent (Aaron Riley) is a southpaw and that requires slight technical adjustments. It's a lot trickier fighting a southpaw opponent, as opposed to an orthodox guy.

We're now in the last five weeks of training and this is where my conditioning work steps up to the next level and my sparring gets even more intense. This is where I start to feel the benefits of the previous six weeks. My endurance is through the roof at the moment and I'm feeling fitter already than I've ever felt before.

Getting in shape and staying in shape has never really been a problem for me. I see myself as a dedicated, full-time athlete and I live accordingly. I'm not like Ricky Hatton, who might go on a big drinking and eating binge after a fight and then battle to get the weight off again. I usually have a week of two off after a fight and then I'm straight back into constant training. My body feels all the better for it. I've been in the gym enjoying everything I do and, because the camp has been so long, it's allowed time for plenty of variation and planning.

The dangers of a long camp are well known to people in the fight game. You can often get caught up in over-training or peak too early before a fight. That was a slight concern with me, simply because I like to go all-out in training and do everything at 100 miles per hour. To conquer this we basically monitored and logged all my hours of training and kept an eye on the point where I could be liable to over-train. I've often wanted to do more boxing training and more strength and conditioning, but my coaches have just turned around and said, 'no Ross, you're not doing anymore'. I've got good people keeping an eye on me and I trust their judgement.

To be honest, last weekend was the first time I've had a full weekend off training since we started camp. I took that weekend off simply because I was getting too fit too fast and was basically peaking at the wrong time. I could sense that and knew I needed to take a couple of days off. I was almost getting too eager to fight.

Since taking the weekend off, my body has felt much better for it. I've been firing on all cylinders this week and I wish the fight was tomorrow.

One of the joys of being part of the UFC is that there is now a lot more attention on me in camp and more time to prepare myself. My training camp is now much more focused on me, whereas in the past I was just part of a big team.

In the past I would have been helping other guys get ready and would have been used as a sparring partner. Now we're dealing with the UFC, I need my coaches there for me and nobody else. I'm doing a lot more one-on-one work with my coaches than I've ever done before. I'm also doing a lot of sparring at the Rough House gym in Nottingham, which is the best MMA gym in the UK right now.

I sometimes watch the early UFC events in between training sessions and it's crazy to think I'm now a part of this thing. I'm no longer just a fan of the UFC; I'm one of the competitors. I'm anxious, nervous and excited to finally get this chance. It is everything I've ever worked towards in my life and on November 14 I'll finally get my chance to do it. This is just the start of my journey...

Last tickets for UFC 105 are available now from ticketmaster.co.uk

Eco-clothes get stylish

2009-10-15T14:52:39Z

The Alternative Fashion Show is a collaborative event organised by Fairtrade Durham and Climate Durham, to be held next Wednesday 21 October, 6.30pm in Durham Town Hall, tickets on sale at tourist office, £5.50.

This is a great opportunity to view the wide range of clothing now available from ethical and fairtrade suppliers - gone are the days of hemp and sackcloth - these clothing suppliers are cutting edge!

As well as people modelling the clothes there are two guest speakers - Paul Chandler, MD of Traidcraft and Doug Miller, Professor of Ethical Fashion at Northumbria University.

There'll also be an opportunity to buy the clothes!

Camier wraps up season with final win for Airwaves Yamaha

2009-10-11T16:39:37Z

By Zoe Burn and Mic Archbold

LEON Camier and the Airwaves Yamaha bowed out of the 2009 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship in style by taking a perfect win in the final race from Oulton Park.

The series champ made it look easy as he crossed the line ahead of Hydrex Honda's Tommy Hill, with HM Plant Honda's Josh Brookes taking third.

Although it was perhaps one of the season's most boring races, Camier proved himself a worthy champion by taking the lead in the opening lap and staying there all the way to the chequered flag.

It was to be a shortened race over 12 laps, after the initial race was red-flagged in the opening lap after a massive crash by MSS Colchester Kawasaki's Simon Andrews.

As the lights went green at the restart, this time it was Hill who got the holeshot and led into the first corner, but it wasn't to last as Camier soon ducked down the inside and took the lead.

As he set off down the road clearly unreachable, Hill soon found himself under pressure from team-mate Stuart Easton. But as the Hawick rider kept the pressure on for the next few laps, it all went pear-shaped on Lap Five, as he hit the kerb coming into Brittens and crashed out.

Meanwhile Camier's Cumbrian team-mate James Ellison endured a tough final race. Crossing the line fourth at the end of the first lap, he soon fell into the clutches of a charging Brookes, who passed him as they headed into the first corner of the third lap.

As he continued to cling onto fourth, things took a turn for the worse on Lap Eight when he slowed and put his hand up, allowing half of the field to pass. Whatever the mechanical problem was, he was able to continue but was left languishing down in 12th, where he eventually finished.

In the Mirror.co.uk Superbike Cup, Tommy Bridewell took an emotional victory and ninth spot overall on the Team NB Suzuki.

And north boys Graeme Gowland and Dan Linfoot did slightly better than in this afternoon's earlier race, Gowland finishing 11th on the Motorpoint Henderson Yamaha, and Linfoot 15th on the Node 4 Yamaha.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship final race top ten results:

1. Leon Camier (Airwaves Yamaha)
2. Tommy Hill (Hydrex Honda) +3.734s
3. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +10.904s
4. Ian Lowry (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +15.398s
5. Sylvain Guintoli (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +15.707s
6. Julien Da Costa (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +20.009s
7. Chris Walker (Motorpoint/Henderson Yamaha) +20.967s
8. Glen Richards (HM Plant Honda) +24.402s
9. Tommy Bridewell (Team NB Suzuki) +25.830s
10. Gary Mason (Quay Garage Honda) +26.012s

Camier holds off Easton to grab another win

2009-10-11T14:09:56Z

BY Zoe Burn and Mic Archbold.

LEON Camier made sure it was back to business as usual as he clocked up yet another win in the first of today's MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship races at Oulton Park.

The newly-crowned champion this time managed to hold off a last lap charge by Hydrex Honda's Stuart Easton to take yet another win for Airwaves Yamaha.

His Cumbrian team-mate, James Ellison, crossed the line third ahead of the second Hydrex bike of Tommy Hill.

After yesterday's hard-fought scrap, today's opening BSB race was much less eventful, and another win by Camier never really looked in doubt.

As ever, it was Easton who got the best getaway at the green light, but by the time the pack had reached Lodge corner, Ellison was ready to make a move, pushing past and into the lead.

As Easton and Hill sat second and third, Camier began his charge from behind, taking third spot from Hill on Lap Three.

On Lap Seven he made his move past Easton and tucked in behind Ellison. Here he sat for just three more laps before he made the move on the tenth lap, passing his team-mate for the lead.

Half a lap later the Safety Car came out to deal with suspected oil on the track from a blow by MSS Colchester Kawasaki's Julien Da Costa, but it only stayed out two laps, which meant the whole field wasn't able to capitalise and bunch up close.

This didn't matter to the frontrunners, and as soon as it went in it was business as usual for Camier, as he led the pack into the closing laps.

Just as it was beginning to look like another Airwaves 1-2, Easton turned up the heat and made a move past Ellison on Lap 13, setting the fastest lap of the race and looking like he could be a serious threat to Camier.

But his attempts for a carbon copy of Saturday's race - where he passed Camier for the win on the final lap - didn't pay off this time, and despite taking a couple of looks on the closing lap, he was unable to get close enough for the pass, and had to settle for second.

Meanwhile further back, Allendale's Graeme Gowland did return to the track today, despite pitching his Motorpoint Henderson Yamaha into the lake yesterday after a massive crash.

The submerged bike, which was pulled out looking very sorry for itself, looked brand new today after mechanics worked through the night to get it back together.

However, Gowland was unusually off the pace, and struggled throught he whole race, eventually crossing the line in 15th, two places ahead of Knaresborough's Dan Linfoot on the Node4 Yamaha.

Karl Harris did not line-up, nor will be taking part in the second of today's races after his massive off during yesterday's race where he suffered some concussion.

However he was at the track and in fine spirits when he walked into the media centre this morning - which is up two large flights of stairs - although he admitted he can't remember much about the incident, and was only aware of exactly how it happened when he saw the video replay at the track this morning.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Race Two Top Ten Result:

1. Leon Camier (Airwaves Yamaha)
2. Stuart Easton (Hydrex Honda) +0.080s
3. James Ellison (Airwaves Yamaha) +0.743s
4. Tommy Hill (Hydrex Honda) +1.953s
5. Sylvain Guintoli (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +4.042s
6. John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +7.721s
7. Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +8.092s
8. Michael Rutter (Bathams Ducati) +12.441s
9. Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +15.175s
10. Glen Richards (HM Plant Honda) +15.328s

Dickson fights back to make up 19 places

2009-10-11T12:44:32Z

BLYTH'S Jonny Dickson fought back from a dismal qualifying session to cross the line 12th in today's final round of the Metzeler National Superstock 600 Championship.

The 21-year-old had been forced to fight for a grid spot in yesterday's shoot-out race after struggling during qualifying.

Winning the shoot-out with ease, the Bell Racing Yamaha rider was able to start today's 12-lap race of Oulton Park from a lowly 31st spot.

But he was determined to grab something from the race - which was held on a slippery track thanks to two hours of drizzle which had fell on the Cheshire circuit earlier this morning.

Getting a quick getaway at the green light, he was up to 20th by the end of the first lap, and slowly pulled in around one spot per lap.

As the Safety Car was deployed on Lap Five, he was lying in 17th, but once it had gone in three laps later, he put his head down and tried to make up more ground.

And by the time the chequered flag came out, he had clawed his way up to an impressive 12th, having made up a stunning 19 places.

The race was won by Sabre Sport's Luke Mossey, with Dan Kneen on the Marks Bloom Racing Honda second and New Holland Triumph's Leon Hunt third.

2010 racing season starts to take shape

2009-10-07T08:53:49Z

NEXT season's motorsport bonanza is finally beginning to take shape as two other championships release their 2010 calendars.

While MotoGP and F1 chiefs have already announced provisional calendars for next season, it's been a wait for the rest.

But today the BTCC and WSBk dates have finally landed. And although those BSB officials are clearly intent on making us wait the longest (as ever) it's great to have at least something to be going on with.

The HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship has today announced a ten-round race calendar.

As usual, it will visit nine of the UK's top motor racing venues with Brands Hatch included twice with a round each on its Grand Prix and Indy circuits.

Donington Park has been shifted to later on in the season as the work being carried to accomodate next year's British Formula 1 Grand Prix is completed.

The season will start at Thruxton in Hampshire and will include a mid-season break of seven weeks to allow for the British F1 GP, the World Cup and cycling's Tour de France.

2010 BTCC Provisional Calendar - All dates remain provisional.

1 Sunday 4 April Thruxton, Hampshire
2 Sunday 25 April Rockingham, Northamptonshire
3 Sunday 2 May Brands Hatch (Grand Prix), Kent
4 Sunday 6 June Oulton Park (Island), Cheshire
5 Sunday 20 June Croft, North Yorkshire
6 Sunday 8 August Snetterton, Norfolk
7 Sunday 22 August Silverstone (National), Northamptonshire
8 Sunday 5 September Knockhill, Fife
9 Sunday 19 September Donington Park, Leicestershire
10 Sunday 10 October Brands Hatch (Indy), Kent

Meanwhile in the world of two wheels, the FIM Superbike and Supersport World Championships and FIM Superstock Cup dates have been announced.

Again kicking-off at the end of February, the season will run throughout the spring, summer but ends earlier than usual at the start of October.

WSBk 2010 provisional calendar:

1. February 28, Australia, Phillip Island
2. March 28, Portugal, Portimão
3. April 11, Spain, Valencia(*)
4. April 25, Netherlands, Assen
5. May 9, Italy, Monza
6. May 16, South Africa, Kyalami
7. May 31, United States, Salt Lake City
8. June 27, San Marino, Misano
9. July 11, Czech Rep, Brno
10. August 1, Great-Britain, Donington Park
11. September 5, Germany, Nürburgring
12. September 26, Italy, Imola(*),(**)
13. October 3, France Magny-Cours

(*) TBC (to be confirmed)
(**) STH (Subject to homologation)

Haga win puts him back at the top

2009-10-04T14:13:51Z

SAMURAI of Slide Noriyuki Haga leads the World Superbike championship once again after a dominant win in Race Two at Magny Cours.

And as the Xerox Ducati rider took his 41st victory, title rival Ben Spies was only able to wrestle his Yamaha Racing machine to fourth place.

This now puts Haga back at the top of the points table with a 10 point advantage with just one round to go.

Haga took the lead from Max Biaggi halfway into the first lap, after the Roman Emperor got the best start and led into the first corner.

As Biaggi settled into second, a strong-looking Jonathan Rea on the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda got the jump up to third, leading Spies in fourth.

Nothing much was to change at the front as the 23-Lap race wore on. Rea, who initially looked like he had the fastest bike of all, endured several big battles with Max Biaggi, taking second place on Lap Seven, before setting off to catch Haga and challenge for the lead

But he was unable to make a pass, and eventually fell back into the clutches of Biaggi. More battling ensued, but he was unable to better his third position.

Luckily for him, Spies - who spent all of the race in fourth position - was clearly struggling with a technical problem and was never able to catch the top three, let alone make a challenge.

Haga admitted he will be sleeping better this week. "I am very pleased for sure, after the last race I could hardly sleep at night thinking about it.

"But my chief engineer made a good setting for Race Two and I had a really good feeling going out there for it. I'm very happy now and looking forward to going to Portimao in the lead."

Proud new dad Max Biaggi - doing his bit to disprove the theory that you lose a second when you father a child - was all smiles to land his second podium of the day, after finishing third in Race One.

"I'm very happy as you can see," he said. " I had a very hard race, from the beginning everyone was fast, all the top five had a good rhythm. I followed Nori and he looked very confident - looking at his lap times I wonder if he had even more saved for the end.

"But it has been a good day, two podiums and the Aprilia is getting better and better now each race."

Race Two Result:

1 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 38'00.282 (160,169 kph)
2 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 1.480
3 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 6.024
4 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 18.135
5 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 21.236
6 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 23.647
7 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 23.701
8 31 Muggeridge K. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 24.838
9 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 31.455
10 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 32.507
11 10 Nieto F. (ESP) Ducati 1098R 37.594
12 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 44.727
13 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 49.782
14 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 50.345
15 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R 56.209
16 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 58.796
17 94 Checa D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R1 1'00.391
18 88 Resch R. (AUT) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'20.777
19 132 Morais S. (RSA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'24.318
RET 22 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory
RET 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R
RET 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R
RET 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1

Lascorz wins as Laverty crashes out.

2009-10-04T12:06:22Z

JOAN Lascorz took a solid win in today's World Supersport race at Magny Cours - while Eugene Laverty hampered his title hopes by crashing out.

While championship leader Cal Crutchlow cruised home second, a mistake by Laverty could have cost him the title.

The Irishman crashed out on Lap 12 after passing Crutchlow for second behind Lascorz, who had led for most of the early part of the race.

Laverty, who had always looked like he had something extra in the tank as he sat behind Cal for several laps, had just made the move on his Yamaha Racing rival and was looking in a good position to head off in chase of Lascorz' Kawasaki.

But losing the front of his Parkalgar Honda half a lap later, he slid off and into the gravel. He managed to pick up his CBR600 machine and rejion the race, and eventually crossed the line in 14th, clawing back three points.

Up front things remained the same until the end, with Lascorz leading Crutchlow from Ten Kate Honda'as Kenan Sofuloglu.

A fight for fifth between outgoing champ Andrew Pitt, Mark Aitchison, Anthony West and Katsuaki Fujiwara was the only main battle which emerged as the leading trio settled into position up front, with the foursome constantly swapping places in the closing laps.

And the race was cut short after a red flag with two laps remaining - at a point where Crutchlow, visibly closer to Lascorz, looked as if he fancied a last lap fight for the win.

Instead he admitted he was happy to take second and 20 points. "Yeah, it's about time I had a little bit of luck," he said.

"After the last few races where we've dropped so many points due to problems here and there, I think to get these 20 points back is good for us

"Now we've just got to go to Portimao and keep our heads. If I can just cruise round and get some points and take the title I'll be happy. We deserve it."

Crutchlow now sits on 230 points at the top of the championship, with Eugene second and still with a slim chance on 210

Race Result:

1 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 32'21.660 (155,389 kph)
2 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 0.937
3 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 5.910
4 13 West A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 20.797
5 8 Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 20.992
6 1 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 21.232
7 21 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 21.441
8 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 23.539
9 14 Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 24.654
10 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 35.848
11 199 Four O. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 36.243
12 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 36.803
13 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 52.022
14 101 Coghlan K. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 55.274
15 28 Vos A. (NED) Honda CBR600RR 55.831
16 82 Enjolras J. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 56.277
NC 45 Linfoot D. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 55.550
NC 9 Dell'Omo D. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 56.753
NC 88 Guerra Y. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R6 1'13.676
RET 77 Veneman B. (NED) Honda CBR600RR 25.198
RET 25 Laverty M. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR
RET 22 Muresan R. (ROU) Triumph Daytona 675
RET 24 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675
RET 30 Günther J. (GER) Honda CBR600RR
RET 5 Pradita T. (INA) Yamaha YZF R6
RET 99 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6
RET 61 Auger F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6
RET 23 Davies C. (GBR) Triumph Daytona 675
RET 16 Lowes S. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR

Spies wins Race One to take title lead

2009-10-04T10:44:30Z

BEN Spies pipped Noriyuki Haga to the win in today's first World Superbike race from Magny Cours to take a two point lead in the championship.

Spies, who had led from lights to flag, ended up having to ride a defensive last lap after a late charge from Haga.

What looked like it was going to be another easy win for the Texan Yamaha rider rapidly turned into a close fight in the closing two laps, as Haga pulled the pin and made a last ditch bid for victory.

Spies had looked strong from the moment the lights changed, grabbing the holeshot and leading into the first corner ahead of Aprilia's Max Biaggi and Jonathan Rea.

As Rea scorched past Biaggi midway through the opening lap, it looked like it would turn into a fight between Spies and the Ten Kate Honda rider, while Biaggi and Haga battle it out for third.

But Rea vanished on Lap Eight with a technical problem, giving Spies clear space to eke out a comfortable lead as Biaggi and Haga continued their scrap behind.

Haga finally made the pass on Biaggi on Lap 18 of the 24 lap race, and despite an attempt by the Roman Emperor to claim it back a lap later, it was too late, and Haga had just one thing on his mind - catching Spies.

As the final few laps played out, Haga got closer and closer, and it seemed he finally had the chance on the last lap when a mistake by Spies took the Yamaha wide.

Nori shoved the red Xerox Ducati down the inside but wasn't able to make it stick, as Spies recovered instantly to take back the spot.

Half a lap later the pair crossed the line, Spies taking the win by around 100 of a second.

"It was a tough race at the end with Nori charging up on me like he did," said Spies. "I did make a few mistakes out there and then Nori suddenly became strong in the last six laps.

"I think now we need to try and make the bike a bit better and come back strong in Race Two. I think we're both taking it like we're second at the moment, at least I know I am and there's three races left so everything is to play for."

Haga meanwhile believes one more lap would've given him the win. "If we'd just had that one more lap then for sure, I could've had it.

"I was pushing all the way when I was behind Max, and then when I finally passed I just did everything I could to catch Ben.

"On the last lap I was just thinking about Ben making a mistake, and when he did I tried to make the pass but finally I was second. It was a great race and I am happy."

Spies now leads the championship on 413 points to Haga's 411.

Race Result:

1 19 Spies B. (USA) Yamaha YZF R1 37'57.110 (160,392 kph)
2 41 Haga N. (JPN) Ducati 1098R 0.181
3 3 Biaggi M. (ITA) Aprilia RSV4 Factory 5.009
4 84 Fabrizio M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 16.347
5 91 Haslam L. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR 22.622
6 7 Checa C. (ESP) Honda CBR1000RR 24.948
7 71 Kagayama Y. (JPN) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 27.144
8 67 Byrne S. (GBR) Ducati 1098R 27.578
9 11 Corser T. (AUS) BMW S1000 RR 28.486
10 96 Smrz J. (CZE) Ducati 1098R 28.716
11 111 Xaus R. (ESP) BMW S1000 RR 52.680
12 15 Baiocco M. (ITA) Ducati 1098R 1'01.372
13 99 Scassa L. (ITA) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'05.123
14 25 Salom D. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX 10R 1'05.483
15 94 Checa D. (ESP) Yamaha YZF R1 1'05.672
16 88 Resch R. (AUT) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9 1'29.284
17 40 Gentile F. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 22 Camier L. (GBR) Aprilia RSV4 Factory
RET 132 Morais S. (RSA) Kawasaki ZX 10R
RET 10 Nieto F. (ESP) Ducati 1098R
RET 23 Parkes B. (AUS) Kawasaki ZX 10R
RET 65 Rea J. (GBR) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 77 Iannuzzo V. (ITA) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 9 Kiyonari R. (JPN) Honda CBR1000RR
RET 31 Muggeridge K. (AUS) Suzuki GSX-R 1000 K9
RET 66 Sykes T. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R1