“It proved the right decision,” said Coma afterwards, “and it was a good day for us overall. We had no big problems, and managed to preserve our tyres and average speed, which was the important thing.”

Meanwhile KTM rider Cyril Despres was not so lucky. The Frenchman, a previous Dakar winner, chose bib mousse in his tyres, but suffered a slow deflation by the first checkpoint. Despres tried to fit a tube to his tyre but excess heat in the tyre and wheel rims made it difficult. In the end Despres lost more time and is now some 90 minutes behind the leaders. ” It is a long gap.” commented the Frenchman.

Brit rider Mick Extance is running in about 30th place overall, but is finding the going tough; “Yesterday was one of the worst stages I have ever ridden, at one point I felt like the Honda was almost flying over the bumps at about 80mph.”

The current standings are KTM’s Marc Coma leading, with David Fretigne on his Yamaha in 2nd, then Norwegian privateer Pal Ullevalseter in 3rd. Aussie BMW 650 racer Simon Pavey is about 100th overall and has eased his pace because of the dust on the special stages.

Strange as it may seem some riders have been fined for speeding on the Dakar, and Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh was fined for popping a wheelie. ” It was worth the 50 euros fine to see the reaction of the crowd.” said an unrepentant Goorbergh later, who was trapped by his on-board GPS popping a wheelie in a speed restricted zone.

More at; www.dakar.com

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is asking for views from the public on proposals to split the current practical test into two separate modules which it believes will give would-be bikers a better start in their motorcycle career.

As part of the plan, the current single-unit practical test will be split, with candidates being required to pass module one, which will contain a series of specified manoeuvres such as avoidance and emergency stops at a minimum speed of 50kph, before being allowed to progress on to module two which will include a sight test followed by on-road elements of the test. Candidates who fail the second module would not be required to retake module one, provided that they pass the second module within two years of passing module one.

There will be no increase to the test fee as a result of the changes, with the current £80 fee being split across the two modules (£10 for module one and £70 for module two). The test fee will however see a pre-planned annual increment in October 2009, rising to £90.50 (£15.50 for module one and £75 for module two).

The theory test element will remain unchanged under the new system, with candidates still being required to pass the written exam before taking their practical test.

The plans, which were announced six weeks ago, will also make use of the new off-road test facilities that are currently being completed, with the DSA hoping to drastically improve their nationwide coverage by the time the new test is due to come into force in March.

DSA’s Chief Executive Rosemary Thew said: “Statistics show that motorcyclists are the most vulnerable road users - they make up just 1% of road traffic, but account for 20% of road deaths.

“A two-part modular test would introduce a step-by-step considered approach to riding a motorcycle and offer the candidate time to absorb each separate important stage to learning.

The new test may also offer a long term solution in terms of service provision for both the agency and the industry. I hope motorcyclists will consider these proposals and give us their views.”

Both members of the public and the motorcycle industry have until Friday January 9 to give their views on the proposals, which can be found in more detail here.

Melandri, who signed up with the “Green Machine” at the end of the season following a disastrous with Ducati, could find himself without a ride next season should Kawasaki, as expected, announce their withdrawal from the championship later today.

Rumours are circulating that the Aspar team, who had wanted to run a third Kawasaki on the MotoGP grid before contract wrangling put the idea to bed, could be talked into taking on the factory Kawasaki’s next season by championship promoter Dorna and Melandri’s agent Alberto Vergani claimed that the future of the Italian lay with the promoter.

“We can’t do anything but wait,” Vergani told Corriere dello Sport. “Either someone calls us and tells us that there’s a bike for us, or we can’t race.

“But if you think that (Dani) Pedrosa has won six Grands Prix in his career and Marco five, then it’s obvious that MotoGP can’t do without someone like Melandri.

“However, if Dorna is not interested in having strong riders taking part in the races, then it’s another matter. Now it’s up to Dorna to make a move.”

Melandri has a strong record in MotoGP despite last season’s disappointment, having finished second to Valentino Rossi in the 2005 championship with Gresini Honda.

His potential 2009 teammate John Hopkins is also waiting for his manager to resolve his future having been contacted by team management late last week.

“Everything is up in the air and people want answers,” Hopkins wrote on his personal website. “Everything from here is now in my manager’s hands. There will be an official press release very soon, where we can confirm or deny all rumours.”

Two rounds of the championship, at Brands Hatch in August and Oulton Park in October, will feature three races instead of the usual two, with the opening race of the weekend likely to take place on Saturday before the remaining two on the Sunday.

The other ten rounds of the BSB calendar remain unchanged, meaning that the 2009 competition will feature 26 races over 12 rounds. If successful however, the decision to extend the race weekend could see a third race added to other rounds, subject to television schedules.

The decision, taken at a MCRB meeting at Brands Hatch, was one of a number of decisions that will see changes to the 2009 season.

AGIP has been appointed as the official fuel supplier for the 2009 and 2010 British Superbike and national championships whilst Pirelli/Metzeler extended their agreement to supply tyres, also until 2010.

The Superstock 1000cc class will see some changes, with added restrictions being placed on the bike specifications.

All motorcycles entering the 2009 competition must be homologated by the original manufacturer as well as the FIM and will be eligible for Superstock competition for a maximum period of 5 years.

Superstock 1000 entrants will also need to comply with a price cap of £15,000, a figure based on the manufacturers RRP including all sales taxes (not including road fund licence) and VAT.

No changes were made to the provisional BSB calendar, which will open at the Brands Hatch on April 10.

As well as plenty of elusive spares, memorabilia and accessories on show, there were about 30 classic bikes on display, all vying for awards in the concours. Best Bike in Show Award went to Terry Isham from Derbyshire, for his immaculate restoration of a 1963 Ariel Golden Arrow.

The Ariel Arrow was one of the most advanced British machines of the 1950s, with a pressed-steel chassis, carrying the engine from its spine, rather than using a conventional 60s cradle frame. Sadly the Arrow’s Villiers engine was no match for the rapid Suzuki and Yamaha bikes which arrived on the scene in the mid 1960s, but the Ariel remains a handsome footnote in the history of lightweight British commuter bikes.

” I bought the bike off e-bay just 12 months ago.” said Terry, who then had the bike shipped over from Alicante in Spain, and spent many hours in the shed working on it. The result is a Golden Arrow that looks better than it might have done coming off the `63 production line.

” This bike was the very first machine that I owned back in the 60s, so I guess I have gone back to my biking roots. I have spent up to five years restoring a bike, but this one didn’t need too much doing.  I am chuffed to bits to receive the Best In Show award!”

Other classic bikes at Donington which caught insidebikes’ eye included a cool Manx Norton 350 cafe racer, owned by Malc Potter, Colin Lowther’s rare Royal Enfield Olympic 250, a stunning Rickman Metisse off-roader and an export-spec Triumph T120R, but fitted with the single seat and flat `bars that a typical 60s Brit rider might have added.

Hats off to local Father and Son enthusiasts Norman and Dave Rogers, who arrived in sub-zero conditions on a Norton Dominator 99 and Dot trials bike, swapping their machines for the chilly ride home. Both Norman and Dave received Highly Commended awards.

” I take it steady on the little Dot,” said Dave, ” and because I only passed my motorcycle test three years ago I am always having to remember about right-foot gearchanges and watching for things going wrong on these older machines. But it is great fun and I reckon all classic bikes should be ridden and enjoyed.”

The next Greenwoods show is at Malvern in February, more details at; www.classicshows.org

The news was delivered to all members of the team and its personnel on December 29th. An official announcement is expected to be made on January 5th which should see Kawasaki provide an explanation as to why they will be leaving. Factors that are expected to have contributed significantly to the quit are disappointing results and the economic downturn which has had a direct impact on the sport.

25-year-old rider John Hopkins, who is currently returning to full health following an operation to remove metal plates from his leg, will be frozen out of MotoGP as a result of this decision.
Although the decision seems to be happening in a matter of days, Hopkins stressed that no official decision has been issued to the team, saying: “I heard it’s up in the air, but I haven’t heard anything confirmed yet”.

The impending decision has been clouded too, with speculation as to whether there will be an impact on the World Superbike team.

According to Brivio, Yamaha’s racing department are aiming to provide Rossi with two R1 bikes so that it is possible for Rossi to compete in the challenge. As the bike is a new project, it is problematic to ensure that the bikes will be available; however, he seemed hopeful that there will be a positive outcome:

“The problem is that the bike is a new project, so everything is a lot more difficult. We’ll see whether it’s possible in the end to allow Valentino to get his wish.”

Despite Rossi’s frequent calls to action for Bayliss to rise to the challenge, Bayliss, understandably is reluctant to race without a significant financial benefit. Bayliss, who retired from racing at the end of last season, has proposed that £1m would be required for him to take an interest in the challenge. As Bayliss finished his final season before retirement as world champion, he is clearly happy to have left the sport on a high.

If the clash were to happen, it is probable that it will take place at the Doha round in March.

After returning to MotoGP in 2003 and only completing six seasons in the top flight, it is possible that disappointing results or the impact of the global economic crisis have been major factors in the decision to withdraw the team from Moto GP. The announcement on 5th January should see Kawasaki confirm the details as to why this decision has reportedly been made.

If Kawasaki is to withdraw its team, it will leave Moto GP with just four factory teams competing; in stark contrast to the World Superbike Championship which has gained two teams in the form of Aprilla and BMW.

If a decision is made, Melandri and Hopkins will be without a ride for the upcoming season. It is a disappointing outcome for Kawasaki whose return to MotoGP was hoped to create the possibility of becoming regular contenders. The promising signing of Hopkins from Suzuki earlier this year was blighted by a succession of injuries for the rider.

Despite rumours that the team and staff have already been informed, Melandri has denied knowing anything about any impending decision, commenting:

“I have to wait and hear some words, as at the moment I hear nothing….if it is true, then I can only hope that when I wake up on January 1st it is all a nightmare.”

If Kawasaki do indeed quit MotoGP, they will be the next in line following from the example of other Japanese manufacturers; Honda, Subaru and Suzuki who have all reduced their involvement in motorsport.

The bike is a road legal replica of the MotoGP machine that made such an impact in the 990cc four stroke racing class a few years ago. Very few motorcycles can truly claim to offer the everyday rider a glimpse of top level GP performance, but this is one of them. It would make the ultimate trackday machine.

Many older riders are also discovering that owning a limited edition machine like this is arguably a safer nest egg than leaving your cash in the bank, as the classic motorcycle market is holding up well in the current recession.

With its devastating 180mph performance, racetrack handling and exclusivity the Desmosedici RR is likely to hold its value in the future.

Anyone interested in buying one of the last examples is urged to contact Ducati UK at info@ducatiuk.com

Bayliss’ prediction has resulted from an impressive performance by Haga during the superbike test session at the Kyalami circuit in South Africa. The test session saw Haga undergo his first test session and the first time on the bike. Despite a series of crashes, he showed great promise for next year’s championship. Bayliss praised Haga’s performance and predicted that Haga will be the main contender to retain Ducati’s title.

When discussing the likely frontrunners for the championship, Bayliss asserted that there are three main contenders: Haga, his Ducati teammate, Fabrizio and Yamaha’s Ben Spies. Bayliss noted Fabrizio’s consistency due to his experience and highlighted the speed of Ben Spies during the test session on the Yamaha R1.