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/220782
P22 IN THE WIND PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLD & GOOSE WORLD SUPERBIKES 2014 The World Superbike Series looks set to visit Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in July of 2014. F inally, an exasperated World Superbike paddock got its collective hands on at least a provisional schedule for 2014 last week. The races in the first half of the season were already well known, but some of the others were and still are in doubt. The Asian race will be held in Sepang, Malaysia, but it is still listed on the schedule as subject to contract – like a few others, including Laguna Seca. World Superbikes will also return to South Africa after a three-year break with Phakisa (Welkom) set to host a round on October 19, though that race is also still subject to contract. Laguna Seca is in the same "subject to contract" boat with its July 13 round – a race that comes just one week after the Portuguese round at Portimao. The mystery final round should be in Qatar in early November, but that WINTERGREEN RUB O nce again the name Tom Sykes was at the top of the unofficial time sheets at a winter test - this time at a pace that would worry most MotoGP riders. Using a rear qualifying tire, Sykes took his official factory Kawasaki ZX-10R to a blistering 1:39.6 lap, but an even more important figure was his 1:39.8 on a race tire. "I did 88 laps at the end today and it's more clarification on our test items," Sykes said. one is seen as the one that may not happen, as it is the only one of the non-definite races that is "To Be Confirmed" rather than "subject to contract." A World Supersport race will not be held at Laguna Seca and there will be no Superstock races at more than just all the flyaway or long haul races. Donington Park also misses out - as usual – on the opportunity to run local support classes. The 2014 provisional World Superbike Championship is as follows: February 23 – Phillip Island, Australia April 13 - Aragon, Spain April 27 – Assen, Holland May 11 – Imola, Italy May 25 – Donington Park, England June 8 – Sepang, Malaysia June 22 – Misano, Italy July 6 – Portimao, Portugal July 13 – Laguna Seca, California September 7 – Jerez, Spain September 21 – Moscow, Russia October 5 - Magny-Cours, France October 19 – Phakisa, South Africa November 2 – Losail, Qatar Gordon Ritchie "I am leaving very happy and we will have some small new items for the Almeria test after the ban finishes in mid-January. We will go onto the first round at Phillip Island and we will really work on our package." continued on page 24