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/128395
Briefly... Raga Crowned! Continued from page 9 dam Raga rode his factory Gas Gas to ~ictories in both days of the German Grand Prix, September 3-4, the young Spanish rider wrapping up his first-ever outdoor World Championship with his effort. "It is hard to explain just how good this moment feels, as I have been waiting since I was a child to become World Champion," Raga said after wrapping up A to a spec tire will remove a major variable from the Parts Canada Superbike Series and is designed to create a more level playing field among competitors, according to PMP. "Under the previous format, it has always been easy to point to tire selection as an excuse for performance," Fraser said. "Now this has been ruled out." The opportunity to provide the spec tire for the National series was tendered to the various suppliers in July, and Pirelli submitted a proposal that was, in the eyes of PMP. considered to be the most favorable to the series and its competitors. A recent meeting in Toronto with key international Pirelli staff, Canadian Pirelli race tire distributor Kevin Graham of Orion Motorsport and the major motorcycle manufacturers confirmed the structure of the 2006-08 arrangement. The meeting included Pirelli World Racing manager Georgio Barbier and Canadian account manager Alberto Warhburg. The anrangement is a marketing partnership between PMP (representing the partner manufacturers in the Canadian National series) and Pirelli, rather than a financial one, according to PM P. The Canadian Thunder class is not included in the spec tire deal yet. The Suzuki SV650 National Cup already runs with a spec Pirelli tire, and that arrangement is expected to continue, according to PMP. For more information, visit www.cdnsuperbike.com. the title with a round still remaining in the series. "It is a great relief, too, as August has been a tough month, as all around me, my friends are making parties and have been enjoying the holiday period. For me, it has been a long month of waiting and trying to continue my training. I have worked hard and have arrived here this weekend as a very strong rider. To take my first outdoor title by winning both days is a great way to mark this important moment in my career." On Saturday, Raga beat Montesa's Marc Freixa and Repsol Montesa HRC's Doug Lampkin on the course in Gefrees, Germany. On Sunday, Raga came back to win the crown, taking victory over Beta's Antonio Bou and defending World Champion Takahisa Fujinami. "Finally, the day has come where I am not champion anymore, so I must congratulate Adam [Raga), as he has been very strong this weekend when there was a lot of pressure," Fujinami said. "My result today is better than yesterday, but still it is not good, and I am certainly not happy. It was difficult for me to ride at the front of the field, but I just did my best, and with the changes we made to the bike overnight, the feeling was far more positive. Now all I can do is try to be second in the championship. " With one round remaining in the 10- round series, Raga's 235 points give him the title. Second is still up for grabs, with Fujinami ahead of Lampkin by just four points, 20S-201, and Cabestany just two Ringing The Bell At The NYSE Harley-Davidson's jim Ziemer celebrated both his new role as CEO since April 2005 and Harley-Davidson's 2006 new product launch, one of the company's largest product introductions in a number of years, by ringing the closing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Ziemer, a 36-year veteran of the company, was joined on the podium by NYSE CEO john Thain, Harley-Davidson dealers, employees and riders. Several 2006 motorcycles were on display outside the Exchange, where they were joined by other Harley-Davidson motorcycles owned and ridden to work by NYSE members. According to a financial statement on the H-D website, Harley-Davidson had "record earnings per share of B4 cents for the quarter ended june 26, 200S compared to B3 cents for the year ago quarter. Revenue for the quarter was $1.333 billion compared with $1.328 billion in the year ago quarter, a OA-percent increase. Net income for the quarter was $237.4 million, slightly lower than last year's $247.2 million. During the second quarter, the company repurchased 17.7 million shares of its common stock, in Harley-Davidson's Jim Ziemer (left) rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange recently. He's joined in this photo outside the New York Stock Exchange by NYSE CEO John Thain (right). more points behind with 199. The final round of the World Championship is scheduled for Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, on September 18. addition to the 2.9 million shares repurchased during the first quarter of this year." "Harley-Davidson has been a proud member of the New York Stock Exchange for more than 18 years," Ziemer said. "We are delighted to bring our world-famous motorcycles to this worldfamous organization." Henny Ray Abrams The National Promoters Group and Racer X's Hurricane Katrina benefit auction at the conclusion of the Monster Energy/Kawasaki Pro MX National on September 4 raised $49,000, according to the NPG. The outpouring of generosity from the 15,900 motocross fans in attendance was amazing, as was the amount of auction items donated by all the top riders. Makita/Suzuki's Ricky Carmichael stepped up and donated his hyper-custom BBR/Suzuki II Occ mini bike, which started a bidding war between industry heavies jeff Cernic (Cernic's Suzuki) and Ken Block of DC Shoes. When the smoke cleared on that one, Block plunked down almost $17,000 for the replica RC minibike. The GFI Elsinore Grand Prix will be held November 12-13 in Lake Elsinore, California. Pre-entries will open online September 12. For more information, coil 209/656-9682. After an underwhelming start to the 2005 Australian Nokia Supercross Masters, No Fear Honda's Craig Anderson won at the Sydney SuperDome on September 3, winning his first Pro Open final. The 27-year-old former multi-time Supercross Masters Champion was undefeated all evening on his two-stroke CR250, topping Cheyne Boyd in the 20-lap final. Third in his first Pro Open decider was Shift Motul Suzuki's Luke Burkhart. In hopes to be one of many companies supporting ProClean IODD/Katrina Relief, the employees of Alloy MX have announced their contribution of $100,000 of clothing Continued on page 13 CYCLE NEWS. SEPTEMBER 14,2005 11