WSBK : Sykes goes one better than last year as he takes the 2013 title / Sykes, de vice-Champion 2012 à Champion du Monde Superbike 2013

Five years have passed since Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) joined the SBK paddock for his rookie campaign. The 28 year old from Huddersfield, England, has built speed upon speed, ultimately clinching his first-ever eni FIM Superbike World Championship title last Sunday, at 12:36 and 42 seconds, when he crossed the line in third place in Race 1 at Jerez. In that very moment all the pressure disappeared and Sykes could finally let his emotions out.

"I've done my best out there all year", said Tom after the race. "I'm over the moon, so emotional and I shed a few tears on the slow-down lap, too. I made lots of sacrifices to get here and I finally made it, and what a feeling it is. Hats off to the guys in front of me, they did what they had to do but luckily this is our moment. After getting so close to the title last year, I'm not going to thank everyone, they know who they are and I'll catch up with them personally. I've been waiting for this for a long time."

Tom Sykes joins the WSBK elite as the 15th different Champion, and the fourth from Great Britain after Carl Fogarty (1994-1995-1998-1999), Neil Hodgson (2003) and James Toseland (2004-2007). Here are some numbers from his impressive season: 8 Tissot-Superpoles, 9 race wins, 18 podiums and 13 fastest laps in the races. Sykes scored an average of 16.5 points per race, including only 2 DNFs, leading for 255 laps overall (Championship runner-up Eugene Laverty led for 119). Furthermore, Sykes set the new best lap on six tracks in 2013.

Tom Sykes will be defending the eni FIM superbike World Championship title next year once again aboard the Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R, with Frenchman Loris Baz as team mate.

Cinq ans se sont écoulés depuis l'arrivée de Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) dans le paddock WSBK. Le pilote anglais, âgé de 28 ans et originaire d'Huddersfield, s'est montré de plus en plus performant jusqu'à remporter son premier Championnat du Monde eni FIM Superbike dimanche dernier à Jerez, à 12h36, en franchissant la ligne d'arrivée de la première course en troisième position.

« Je fait de mon mieux toute l'année, » a déclaré Sykes après la course. « Je suis très heureux, c'était un grand moment d'émotion et j'ai eu quelques larmes avant de rejoindre la pit-lane. J'ai fait beaucoup de sacrifices pour en arriver là et j'ai finalement réussi. Chapeau aux gars qui étaient devant moi, ils ont fait ce qu'ils avaient à faire mais nous avons heureusement pu concrétiser. Après être passé si près du titre l'an dernier, je ne vais pas remercier tout le monde en public, je le ferai personnellement. J'ai attendu ce moment depuis très longtemps. »

Tom Sykes rejoint l'élite du WSBK en tant que 15ème Champion du Monde de l'histoire et quatrième Britannique titré après Carl Fogarty (1994-1995-1998-1999), Neil Hodgson (2003) et James Toseland (2004-2007). Son palmarès de 2013 : 8 Tissot-Superpoles, 9 victoires, 18 podiums et 13 meilleurs tours. Sykes a marqué en moyenne 16.5 points par course, a abandonné deux fois et a mené durant un total de 255 tours (contre 119 pour le vice-Champion Eugene Laverty). Il a aussi établi un nouveau record du tour sur six circuits cette année.

Tom Sykes sera de nouveau au guidon de la ZX-10R du Kawasaki Racing Team pour défendre son titre de Champion du Monde eni FIM Superbike l'an prochain, aux côtés de son coéquipier français Loris Baz.

   

Moto GP : Lorenzo celebrates 50th career victory / Lorenzo fête sa 50ème victoire en Grand Prix

The Australian win was one of Lorenzo’s most dramatic so far, dealing perfectly with the added challenge of compulsory bike changes and light rain. This marked his 29^th win in the premier class and third at Phillip Island following those of the 250 class in 2006 and 2007, as well as his half-century across all categories.

"It is incredible to have achieved 50 Grand Prix victories at 26 years of age," commented the reigning World Champion. "It only seems like yesterday when I won in Brazil in 2003, but it has been ten years. I am very proud of this and I hope to win a few more in the future!"

The two-time MotoGP™ title winner certainly has reason to be proud, as only six others riders in the history of the World Championship (which dates back to 1949) have achieved more wins than his 50: Giacomo Agostini, Valentino Rossi, Angel Nieto, Mike Hailwood, Mick Doohan and Phil Read. However, only Rossi and Hailwood had more victories than Lorenzo by the time they were 26.

Two-time title winner Casey Stoner, who retired at the end of 2012, achieved 45 victories across his World Championship career and of the other current riders only Dani Pedrosa nears Lorenzo’s win tally, with 48 victories to his name

Cette cinquantième victoire était d’autant plus marquante que Jorge Lorenzo l’a remportée dans des conditions exceptionnelles, avec une course qui comprenait un changement de machine obligatoire, et qu’elle lui permettait de se relancer face à Marc Márquez dans la lutte pour le titre 2013. Il s’agissait aussi de son 29ème succès dans la catégorie reine et de sa troisième victoire à Phillip Island, après les deux qu’il avait obtenues en 250cc en 2006 et 2007.

« C’est incroyable d’atteindre les cinquante victoires à 26 ans, » a commenté le Champion du Monde en titre. « Ma victoire au Brésil en 2003 ne me semble pas si lointaine que ça mais ça fait déjà dix ans. Je suis fier de tout ça et j’espère continuer à gagner ! »

Le double Champion du Monde MotoGP™ ne manque pas de motifs pour être fier de sa carrière puisque seuls six autres pilotes ont passé le cap des 50 victoires en Grand Prix : Giacomo Agostini, Valentino Rossi, Angel Nieto, Mike Hailwood, Mick Doohan et Phil Read. Parmi eux, seuls Rossi et Hailwood avaient remporté plus de victoires que Lorenzo lorsqu’ils avaient le même âge que le Majorquin.

Casey Stoner, lui aussi double Champion du Monde MotoGP™ et parti du paddock à la fin de la saison 2012, a décroché 45 victoires au cours de sa carrière en Championnat du Monde. Dani Pedrosa est le seul autre pilote à être proche du total de Lorenzo, avec actuellement 48 victoires à son nom.

DMB SPEEDSTER BY WOLF CREATIVE CUSTOMS

The father and son team over at Wolf Creative Customs have a habit of turning out some genuinely interesting motorised bicycles, we’ve featured their work before and it always seems to pick up a fair bit of interest from across the gasoline-scented parts of the internet.

This is their latest creation, the frame is an older model that was made when they first started building bikes, it has the lines of a hybrid BMX-Board Tracker (which isn’t a bad thing). It’s been fitted with a 212cc single cylinder, air-cooled motor which breathes through a 22mm Mikuni carburettor.

The frame has been powder-coated in Candy Apple Red, pit bike forks have been added, the front hub is from a CR125, rear drum hub is a Puch model and that rear brake is hydraulic actuated. The tires are 24 x 2.5 Maxxis Hook Worms and that engine has been customised with a Hi-Lift Isky cam, a billet con-rod, a flat top piston, chromo push rods and roller rockers, a billet lightened flywheel, a custom exhaust and a swap meet find catch can.

The bike is now owned by a friendly guy with the moniker “DMB”, he’s a good friend of John and Jeff and has helped them out with tools and a lathe. Apparently he’s very happy with the finished bike, and it’s not hard to see why.

If you’d like to see more from Wolf Creative Customs you can hit “Like” on their Facebook Page here– this’ll allow you to stay up to date with their new builds and see their previous work.

via SILODROME

RACING LEGENDS: JACKIE STEWART

After the runaway success of the last episode of Racing Legends featuring Sir Stirling Moss and presented by Sir Patrick Stewart we though it would be a good idea to bring you the next episode in the series -”Racing Legends: Jackie Stewart”.

This episode is presented by British celebrity chef and hardcore petrolhead, James Martin. Jackie Stewart is always an entertaining and personable chap with his flap cap and sideburns, besides his unique look he also won 3 world drivers championships and made Formula 1 a far, far safer sport.

Grab a coffee and hit play. It’ll make everything better.

from Silodrome