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/1545477
JULY 12, 2006 • C Y C L E N E W S 10 D orna's plan for an 18-race MotoGP schedule, expected for next year, has come under fire from multitime World Champion Valentino Rossi, who is current- ly one victim of injuries that have spoiled the current intensive run of five races in six weeks. Without time to recover, this could crucially spoil his championship defense. "Eighteen races is too much," said Rossi, on the eve of the British GP. "Actually, I think 17 is already too much. When Dorna started talking about Misano for next year, they said they would cancel another race. Now they are talking about 18 races." Compatriot Loris Capirossi, another rider struggling with injuries, added his voice. "Nobody is happy to have five races like this in six weekends. We are talking now with the GP commission to try to make it better in the future." As well as injury problems, the past three weeks have been a logistical night- mare too, with the distance between Barcelona, Assen and Donington Park putting drivers over their time limits, with some teams (including Bridgestone) using transport companies to deliver the very different tires required for each track. PHOTO BY GOLD & GOOSE How Much Is Too Much? Szoke Again In Canada Parts Canada Superbike points leader Jordan Szoke made a last-lap pass of local hero Clint McBain to win the third round of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship at Race City Motorsport Park in Calgary on July 2. Szoke drafted his Canadian Kawasaki Motors Kawasaki ZX-10R past the Team Suzuki/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000 of McBain on the long front straight as they start- ed their final lap and held on for a .391 of a second victory. With the win, Szoke became the first rider since 1993 to win the first three races of the National season. "I knew we had a good setup and I knew we could set a good pace for all 20 laps," said Szoke, a two-time Canadian National Superbike Champion. "I had a good drive onto the front straight on the last lap and was able to make the pass." Kevin Lacombe completed the podium on his Picotte P e r f o r m a n c e / Y a m a h a Canada/Toyota Yamaha YZF-R1. Szoke and McBain traded the lead four times, with the Calgary rider leading the most laps. McBain won both ends of a doubleheader at Race City last season. "Our bikes were pretty even," McBain said. "Through turns five and six [on the last lap], I tried to pass him on the outside but could- n't get it done." Lacombe was under pressure from defending Parts Canada Superbike Champion Francis Martin for most of the race, but held on to take his third podium finish of the season. He is now sec- ond in the series standings with 119 points to Szoke's 160. Martin settled for fourth aboard the Team Suzuki/Blackfoot Suzuki GSX-R1000 and is third in Superbike standings with 112 points. Pascal Picotte was fifth on his Picotte Performance/Yamaha Canada/Toyota Yamaha YZF-R1. In other action at Race City, Lacombe won the Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike feature on his Yamaha YZF-R6 after taking the lead from McBain on lap two of the 13-lap race. McBain settled for sec- ond aboard his Suzuki GSX-R600 and Tom Kipp as third riding the Canadian Kawasaki Motors Kawasaki ZX-6RR. Class points leader Szoke fin- ished 11th after suffering engine troubles with his Kawasaki, but clings to a one-point lead over McBain in the standings, 128-127. Valentino Rossi isn't applauding the fact that next year's MotoGP schedule may consist of 18 races.