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/1433357
Herrin Signs With Warhorse HSBK Racing J osh Herrin will campaign a Ducati Panigale V2 for the Warhorse HSBK Racing team in the new-look MotoAmerica Supersport Championship and the Daytona 200 in 2022. For the first time in the history of the class, the Supersport regulations will be evolved to allow larger capacity twin-cylinder and three-cylinder machines to compete against the established 600cc four-cylinder machines. With MotoAmerica's policy of closely replicating the rules set by the WorldSSP Championship, this has opened the door for Ducati to field a factory- supported entry in national-level Supersport com- petition and, once again, compete in the Daytona 200, which will come back under the sanctioning of the AMA and MotoAmerica. "I spoke with Bobby [Shek, Warhorse HSBK Racing Team Principal] at the end of the 2021 sea- son and when I was informed of the chance to ride the Panigale V2 in the new Supersport category, it was exactly what I was looking for," Herrin said. "I've always had so much fun in Supersport, and that's what I want for 2022. When I have fun on the bike, that's when I go well. That's been a key to my success in the past and I think we're on the right track to replicate that next year." CN IN THE WIND P52 Josh Herrin returns to the Supersport class in 2022 on a new-look Ducati program. Rossi Hopes For His 2001 500cc Championship Bike V alentino Rossi has expressed his desire to have his 2001 500cc World Championship- winning Honda NSR500 as part of his personal collection. Rossi took the title, the final one of the 500cc series, by defeating Yamaha's Max Biaggi, and was originally due to take delivery of the machine at the end of the 2001 season, but a corporate change of plans saw the bike go to the Honda museum at Motegi instead. Rossi took two more titles with Honda, in 2002 and 2003 on the firm's legendary five-cylinder RC211V, before defecting to Ya- maha in 2004. "I speak with Alberto [Puig, Repsol Honda] and I asked for—minimum—the 500, also because that 500 is my 500," Rossi said. "It's the bike that Honda was supposed to give to me, and I was ready to take; I had already the place at home [for it]. "But for some reason the bike never arrived. I'm happy if Honda change the idea and gave me that one. For sure, the bike will stay well, at a good temperature and have a good place at my house." Honda has made no public comment on the possibility of Rossi finally getting the bike he wants the most, which would go alongside his four title-winning bikes from Yamaha (2004, 2005, 2008, 2009). CN Rossi wants this bike badly, but will Honda give it to him?