Guintoli claims first Tissot-Superpole of 2014

The first Tissot-Superpole of 2014 was contested today under cloudy skies, with Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team) securing the first slot on the grid for the two debut races of the season, scheduled for tomorrow at Phillip Island. The 31 year old Frenchman set a new outright best lap of the Australian venue in 1'30.038during the final Superpole session, despite a small moment he had during his flying lap. The first race winner of last year got the better of Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) by only a hundredth of a second, with the Italian rider continuing to impress on his first ever race weekend aboard his Ducati 1199 Panigale R.

Marco Melandri (Aprilia Racing Team) won the battle for the last spot of the first row by finishing third ahead of Voltcom Crescent Suzuki duo Eugene Laverty and Alex Lowes, whilst Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike) claimed sixth place, followed by KRT paring of Loris Baz and Tom Sykes. The reigning Superbike World Champion missed the chance to snatch the pole position as he crashed unhurt at turn 9 with two minutes to go.

Leon Haslam, following an encouraging lap set in Superpole 1, did not manage to significantly improve his performance in the following session and was 9th at the chequered flag, two places in front of fellow British Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team).

Two riders out of the twelve who took part in the second Tissot-Superpole were riding EVO-spec bikes. NiccolòCanepa (Althea Racing Ducati) finished 10th after qualifying directly to the final 15 minutes, thanks to a 6th place in the combined times from free practice. Kawasaki Racing Team's David Salom, on the other hand, worked his way up to Superpole 2 thanks to the second best time set in the first session, eventually securing a 4th row start (12th place).
via http://www.worldsbk.com

MOTO SUMISURA MILGAUSS MAREA

This bike started out life as 1977 BMW R100S, but nearly ended on the Autostrade 1 when the owner decided to try to average a ‘ton up’ the whole way from Bologna to Milano on his way to visit Moto SuMisura.  Potentital new customer Luca had bought the BM as a gift for his father but didn’t know one end of a spanner from the other so enlisted Frank’s expertise to build something a bit special.

After a bump start, a trail of oil and some help from Technical Director Inge, the worn out old girl was coaxed the final few kilometers to Moto SuMisura’s HQ.  The spirited ride and weeping gaskets had used up all but a cupful of engine oil so Frank had to break the news to Luca that an expensive and comprehensive rebuild was required.

The engine was completely overhauled and given a new lease of life, the original 1000cc providing plenty of torque, and a deep note from the wrapped headers and megaphones accompany the sharp new look.  Forks are standard with rebuilt internals and rather tasty, adjustable Oram shockers bring up the rear.

The wheels have been powder coated black and fitted with fresh Metzelers, together disappearing slightly to allow the monolithic motor, light grey frame and two-tone tank (with Monza cap) to take the stage.

Where possible weight has been reduced, never a bad thing on these beasts, and billet aluminium parts replacing pig iron where possible.  Standout are the BMX style, machined rider and pillion foot pegs.  The levers have been drilled giving the impression of lightness and draw the eye to the vintage odometer.

The rim of the glass is tinted green in the style of the namesake Rolex Milgauss, which looks great lit up.  Steel braid sheathes the cabling and machined aluminium grips wrapped in leather subtly mix materials without distracting from the rest of the bike.

Upon completion Luca turned up to collect his father’s resplendent gift.  He was so delighted with the result, that the bike has been named Marea after his daughter whilst poor old dad waits for a replacement present.

Keep an eye out for Moto SuMisura’s next project. Frank will be chomping at the bit to tell us all about it. See more from Moto Sumisura on The Bike Shed and on their Facebook Page.

Snapshot, 1964: The Goldfinger of Sean Connery

Sean Connery carefully places his fingers on the gold-plated shoulder of actress Shirley Eaton, under the flashing bulbs of the gentlemen of the press. James Bond's third mission was, primarily, to line the pockets of the film's backers with gold...

April 1964, in the Pinewood Studios on the outskirts of London, the set designers have recreated the rooms of the famous Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach. The plan was to replay a key scene from the third James Bond film, 'Goldfinger', where Bond discovers that his playmate Jill Masterson - played by Shirley Eaton - has been covered with gold covered and hence murdered by 'epidermal suffocation'. The film's producers, along with Director Guy Hamilton, knew only too well that they had created an iconic movie image here - and convened a press photocall to make the most of it. What they couldn't know at this stage was that the Midas touch went beyond the boundaries of the silver screen. The film, which cost about £3 million dollars to make, brought in more than $125 million and made Sean Connery one of the biggest stars of the 1960s. Shirley Eaton's role in Goldfinger brought her worldwide fame as the 'Golden Bond Girl', but she retired from acting five years later to devote herself to motherhood. 

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