Yamaha's Meregalli gears up for post-Spies era
| Friday, 20 November 2009 16:49 |
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For Massimo Meregalli, the team manager of the Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team, the 2009 season has been a totally memorable one. Thanks to the talent of Ben Spies and a YZF-R1 machine that was competitive on all tracks, the now 38-year-old former racer was the first man to give the WSB title to Yamaha, after administering what undoubtedly turned out to be a very stressful season in the best possible way.
Company diktat means that Meregalli now no longer has Spies at his disposal, but Yamaha have set up an all-British team that promises to be just as competitive, with the return of a highly-motivated James Toseland and the arrival of the talented World Supersport champion Cal Crutchlow. Two riders who will be going all out to help Yamaha repeat their triumphant 2009 season. WorldSBK.com spoke to Meregalli about this and the coming season.
How much do you think you contributed to winning Yamaha's first WSB title?
"I only formed part of a group of persons who worked hard to reach this objective. It was a very stressful championship, we were always playing catch-up, but we didn't give in for one moment. Ben above all was the first to believe he could win. Obviously he did the lion's share of the work, but the team put him in the right condition to complete his fantastic recovery".
If you look at the performances of Spies and team-mate Tom Sykes, it becomes difficult to gauge the true competitive level of the R1 ....
"Our bike this year was very well balanced. We are not yet at the top for power, by that I mean acceleration and top speed, but without a shadow of doubt it's an excellent package. I have to say that maybe we suffered a bit on tracks with a rough surface but we're working on this as well. Obviously Spies is a champion and has always been able to get the best out of the bike's characteristics; Tom started off well then a few too many crashes undermined his confidence a bit. Having Spies as a team-mate however certainly doesn't help ..."
You no longer have Spies but Yamaha appears to have hedged its bets for the future with two top riders, Toseland e Crutchlow: do you think the team is stronger or weaker now?
"Overall I think we're stronger, because both riders are capable of fighting for the title. Toseland has returned to Superbike, determined to prove that opinions about him are mistaken. He wants to win his third title and I'm sure he will be one of the key protagonists. As for Crutchlow, we wanted him badly because we believe he is a true talent. What strikes me the most when I speak to him is that he transmits incredible self-assurance. It'll be his first season in Superbike but I reckon he will be fighting up front with the top guys right from the start".
2009 SBK Organiser Award goes to Magny-Cours
| Friday, 20 November 2009 12:51 |
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Infront Motor Sports is delighted to announce that the winner of the 2009 World Superbike Organiser Award is the circuit of Magny-Cours, France.
The circuit, from a promotional, logistical and sporting point of view, has guaranteed the required standards that helped everyone in the Superbike paddock to work in the best possible way.
This is a great recognition for a circuit, one that rewards the work of a professional and motivated staff.
Paolo Flammini, Infront Motor Sports CEO, declared: "I express my warmest and most sincere congratulations to the Magny-Cours circuit management and all its staff, who have demonstrated that they fully believe in and wish to invest in our championship".
In addition the 2009 World Superbike Media Award has been assigned to the Misano World Circuit for the excellent facilities and services available at the circuit, which provided media with an opportunity to work in the best possible conditions and to promote the Championship through their work.
The 2010 San Marino Round of the Superbike World Championship at the Misano World Circuit will take place on 27th June while the French Round at Magny-Cours is scheduled for 3rd October as the season's finale.
Pirro steps up for Ten Kate in 2010
| Friday, 20 November 2009 12:07 |
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Talented Italian rider Michele Pirro will join the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda WSS team to contest the 2010 World Supersport championship.
Now 23, Pirro, from San Giovanni Rotondo in southern Italy, had a successful test of the Honda in the post season Portimao sessions, after finishing 12th in the 2009 series. He scored pole at Misano in June of this year, taking a best race finish of sixth in the final round at Portimao in Portugal.
European 125cc champion in 2004, he did 125 GPs for two years, then moved to the Italian Superstock 1000 series, which he won in both 2007 and 2008. He also won four from six races in the Italian Supersport championship in 2009, competing in parallel to his WSS commitments.
Said Pirro, "I'm very happy for the opportunity that has been given to me by the Ten Kate team and by Honda. It is amazing and fascinating to know that next year I will be able to compete with the best World Supersport riders thanks to this high-level team and Honda's CBR600RR. I'm really excited about next season - I have some important goals and I think I am in a position to reach them."
Ronald ten Kate, eponymous team manager of the Dutch-based squad, said, "We're very happy with our signing of Michele, who has already shown that he has great speed. He is also a young rider and we hope to realise his full potential and guide him through the next steps of his career. His impressive test at Portimao made the choice quite easy and we strongly believe that a team with Kenan Sofuoglu and Michele Pirro will put us in a good position to win back our World Supersport title."
Ten Kate are legendary within the WSS paddock for taking riders with potential, or even riders on a down swing in their careers, and bringing out the best in them. Ten Kate has won seven of the last eight WSS Riders' Championships.
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