Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128221
the following weekend were dashed by worsening chest pains, and he flew home to Califomia for medical treatment on the eve of that race. "It feels like I just crashed yesterday," Roberts said in a team press release. Roberts consulted surgeon Dr. Arthur Ting and underwent a scan that revealed deep soft tissue damage to his chest and upper abdomen. He was ruled out of the Dutch TT, and although doctors suggested staying off the bike for another six weeks, Roberts hopes to be fit for the following round, the British GP at Donington Park on July 13. Roberts' place on the 990cc V-four Suzuki GSV-R in the Dutch TT will be taken by Japanese rider Yukio Kagayama. Currently racing a GSX-R 1000 Superbike for the British Superbike team, Rizla Crescent Suzuki, Kagayama will go directly to Hollend from Brands Hatch, where he was competing in a British Superbike round on June 22. A Suzuki rider since 1993, he already has GP experience on the 500cc two-stroke, with a best of sixth place in the Malaysian GP in 1998. Last year, Kagayama helped to race-develop the first version of the GSV-R MotoGP prototype in Japan, winning three AIIJapan Superbike races. "I hoped to race in at least one GP this year. The chance has come earlier than I thought - and I am really looking forward to it," he said. Team manager Garry Taylor said: "We've worked with Yukio before, and we know that he not only tries really hard, but brings a positive attitude as well. We join a lot of other people in admiring his hardcharging performance in the recent World Superbike round in Britain. Of course, it's a blow to lose Kenny at a crucial time of urgent machine development. Luckily John Hopkins appears to be just about over his injuries from Mugello, and he not only raced in Catalunya but put in a day's testing after the race as well. We know he will put in his usual 100 percent, while Yukio's input will be another welcome source of data for the race engineers." J L The Ducati Austin team made it official that Anthony Gobert had been released from his contract with the team when it sent out a press release last week stating the obvious. Terry Gregoricka, the team owner, declared in the release: .. Both of us have made a big effort to make things work this year, but they didn't tum out the way we had expected at the start of the season. As a result the Ducati Austin team has decided to move in another direction." For the next two o [ r .. ~ .. " " " """ " "" " .. " " .. ,," Some information about KTM's line of 2004 off-road and motocross models is trickling out of the Austrian factory. Here's a look at the '04 KTM 250EXC off-roader and the 450SX and all-new 85SX (top) motocross bikes. The 250EXC (bottom left) is said to feature an all-new motor, an all-new exhaust pipe and muffler, and a new rear brake system with a built-in reservoir. The 450SX (bottom right) four-stroke has new "more stable" valve springs, a redesigned clutch, a new one-piece exhaust system with a new silencer, and taller Renthal 608 handlebars, The claimed dry weight is 209,8 pounds, New to KTM is the '04 85SX. The little KTM is closely based on the company's 125SX in that it features a similar single-shock PDS rear suspension system and chassis, Claimed dry weight is 149.6 pounds. Due to the scheduling of track maintenance, the AHRMA Pro-Flo/Progressive Suspension Historic Cup rounds at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, have been changed to September 27-28. An AHRMA-run practice day will be Friday, September 26. The previous dates for the event were October 2526, Americade motorcycle-touring rally, has been presented the AMA Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award. The presentation took place earlier this month in Lake George, New York. The award, presented to Dutcher for the positive contributions that Americade has made to the motorcycling community, is the AMA's highest honor for activities that generate favorable publicity for motorcycling. A lifelong motorcyclist, Dutcher began road racing in 1965 after graduating from Harvard University, winning in just his second professional start. He also won a gold medal at the Berkshire 2-Day, as well as a number of other short-track and TT races. Dutcher later worked in marketing for Bultaco and Can-Am before becoming director of public relations for AMF/Harley-Davidson, a position he held until 1981. In 1983, Dutcher founded the Aspencade rally, changing its name to "Americade" in 1986. The annual event now draws an estimated 55,000 touring riders to the Lake George region, and is one of two AMA National Road Riding Conventions. "For riders all across North America, the name 'Americade' has become synonymous with 'motorcycle rally,'" said Robert Rasor, president of the AMA. "We're pleased to recognize Bill Dutcher for the positive contributions that the event has made to American motorcycling. " The AMA has announced that Bill Dutcher, founder and director of the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca took top honors in the HospitalitylTourism divi- rounds of the AMA Superbike Champi· onship at Brainerd (June 27-29) and Laguna Seca (July 10-13), the team will enter World Superbike rider Giovanni Bussei. a 30-year-old Italian. Suzuki-mounted rider Matt Lynn came out on top at the end of 12 laps of racing in the STAR School 600 Superstock Novice event at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway on June 22. Lynn, along with Diego Rojas and Adam Durham, all had a shot at leaving the event with the class points lead, but all three riders crashed during the race, with only two out of the three being fortunate enough to restart after two red-flags. With the win and the class points lead. Matt Lynn will be attending one of the upcoming STAR schools on the 2003 schedule, getting one-on-one instruction from 2002 AMA Formula Xtreme champion Jason Pridmore and the rest of the STAR School staff. 10"" """ " .. " .. """ G ,OPEN HOUSE: PCS Daytona will celebrate its 20-year anniversary with an open house on Saturday, July 26, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the dealership in Daytona Beach, Florida. For more information, call 386/253-2586, .. "" " .. " .. " " "" " " .. " C ~ 2 " " " .. " """" """ .. HIRED: David Pyles, as general manager and general sales manager of Spectrum Motorsports, Honda dealership in Irvine, Califomia, effective June 17. Pyles has held several key general manager and sales manager roles during his 32-year career. He is also the co-owner of the Fastrack Riders Association. • C """,, .. .. JULY 2. 2003' eye I e n eVIls OPENED: Renowned motocross photographer Simon Cudby's home page on the World Wide Web. The site can be found at the follOWing address: http//www.Cudbyphoto.com. """ " " " " . . sion at the recent 17th annual Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards Program presented by First National Bank of Central California. The awards were created in 1987 to increase public awareness of the vital role business plays within life on the Monterey Peninsula and to bestow recognition on those Peninsula businesses that have achieved excellence in their field. In accepting the award. Kathryn Hayworth, president of Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP), the operators of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, thanked the Chamber and its members and acknowledged that "while we know how to put on world-class racing events, it is the members of the community who make the race fans who come from all over the world feel welcome." Gill Campbell, general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca expressed her pleasure in the recognition from the local business community... Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is recognized around the world as a worldclass venue, But we are especially proud to be recognized by our peers here in the community. SCRAMP and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca have a 47-year history of commitment to the area. Last year alone we donated over $350,000 in proceeds from our events, spent nearly $9.5 million with California businesses and pumped an estimated $ 100 million into the local economy, thus supporting local businesses and tourism. " Op Girls Learn To Ride (Op GLTR), the original series of girls-only action sports clinics. has announced that American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has signed on as a 2003 supporting sponsor. Additionally, Gallaz footwear has come on board as an associate sponsor of 11 2003 Op GLTR Southern California events. .. Honda.' s always been at the forefront of motocross, and its commitment to the advancement of female participation in - - - - - - - Continued on page 110