Pata Honda's Sylvain Guintoli, the reigning World SBK Champion
For the second-consecutive year, the Russian round of 2015 World Superbike at Moscow Raceway was canceled, Dorna WSBK reports. Due to this, the 2015 World SBK calendar is down to 13 rounds – the same as 2014.The cancellation of the Russian round scheduled for July 5 was canceled after Dorna WSBK and FIM put forth their “best efforts.” The scenario is similar to what occurred last year when Russian World Superbike was canceled due to dire political situations (Ukraine Crisis and Vladimir Putin’s actions).As a consequence of this year’s cancellation, the Moscow Region Yakhnich Motorsport Team, which applied to the FIM Supersport World Championship, will not participate in the series.
Pata Honda’s Sylvain Guintoli, the reigning World SBK ChampionMoscow Raceway joined the WSBK schedule in 2012, with 2013 Champion Tom Sykes taking the race-one win, and Marco Melandr – then piloting a BMW S1000RR – taking the race-two win. Last year’s round was struck by tragedy. The second World Superbike race was cancelled immediately following a crash in World Supersport that claimed the life of Andrea Antonelli. Melandri won race one, which was plagued by heavy rains.The 13-round SBK schedule features all rounds the World Superbike series visited in 2014, with the addition of the Chang International Circuit. Like 2014, World Superbike will get underway at Phillip Island in Australia (February 22) and will conclude under the lights at Losail International Circuit in Qatar (October 18).Following a season-long battle with 2013 SBK Champion Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), Sylvain Guintoli earned the 2014 title for Aprilia Racing Team. This was Aprilia’s third title with its RSV4 (other two arrived with Max Biaggi).2015 World Superbike Schedule:
February 22: Phillip Island GP Circuit, Australia
March 22: Chang International Circuit, Thailand
April 12: MotorLand Aragón, Spain
April 19: TT Circuit Assen, The Netherlands
May 10: Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola, italy
May 24: Donington Park, UK
June 7: Autódromo Internacional do Algarve*, Portugal
June 21: Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Italy
Our first segment introduces you to the new Arch 1s. This latest, slightly more sporting American V-twin, adds to the original KRGT1 coming from the boutique manufacturer based in Hawthorne, Southern California. Senior Editor Nic de Sena rode through Malibu with Gard Hollinger, who co-founded Arch Motorcycle with his friend, Keanu Reeves. The 1s is a unique ride for sure, and Nic explains what makes the bike really stand out.
For the entertaining story behind Arch Motorcycle from Gard Hollinger himself, you must listen to his podcast episode on Motos & Friends HERE
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The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—visit your local dealer or suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with multiple Emmy award-winning writer, Producer, Director, and actor, Thom Beers. the former Chairman & CEO of Fremantle Media North America, responsible for American Idol and America’s Got Talent.
Thom’s fertile imagination led to most of the really big reality TV shows such as ‘Deadliest Catch’ (now in its 17th season!), and many others. Of course for us in the motorcycle world, you’ll be interested to hear the genesis and story of how he started the first real fabrication reality show ‘Monster Garage’, that showcased Jesse James, and then how that led to ‘Biker Build Off’ and the ‘Zombie Choppers’ movie.
You’d imagine that most of Thom’s time is spent sitting behind a desk and on his phone. Not so. His intense stories of capturing much of the content for these shows make for some hair-raising listening.
