VOL. 52 ISSUE 17 APRIL 28, 2015 P29
NOYES, MORALES SPLIT WINS AT PORTIMAO
R
eigning FIM CEV Superbike
European Champion Kenny
Noyes got his title defense off
to a great start by splitting wins
with Carmelo Morales at the
season opener in Portimao,
Portugal. The Palmeto Kawasaki
rider took race one over Yamaha
Laglisse's Morales with a last lap
pass on the brakes, but Noyes
had to settle for second in race
two after the pair collided on
the penultimate lap. Noyes and
Morales leave Portugal tied in
the series points lead.
While Noyes was disap-
pointed to finish second in race
two, the American was happy to
have a good result at Portimao,
a place he struggled at last year.
"Of all the circuits on the
schedule, this is the one where
we had the most trouble last
year, so coming out of here
sharing the lead and after see-
ing that we had a winning pace
is huge for us," Noyes said.
"I am happy about the win in
race one and a little mad at
myself for letting race two get
away because I was feeling
a lot stronger in the second
race and knew what Morales'
tactics would be. I should have
waited for a better opportunity
to pass... The tracks coming up
are a lot more to my liking, so
I'm liking our chances, but not
underestimating anybody."
Rounding out the podium
in both races was former AMA
Superbike rider Robertino Pietri
on the Team Stratos.
American Kenny Noyes kicks off his
title defense with a win at Portimao.
PHOTO
COURTESY
OF
PALMETO
KAWASAKI
BMW AND ALPINESTARS TEAM UP
B
MW Motorrad and apparel
giant Alpinestars have an-
nounced a collaboration to
bring out a series of garments
aimed at BMW riders.
The new lineage of BMW rid-
ing jackets will use Alpinestars'
Tech-Air airbag system, with
an airbag waistcoat developed
using Alpinestars technology.
This system will house exten-
sive protection systems for the
upper body including shoul-
ders, back and frontal torso.
The Tech-Air airbag system
is unique in that it does not
require external wires plugged
into the bike to activate the
airbag in the event of an ac-
cident. The lack of sensors
means the rider can swap
between bikes at any point
and still have the airbag ready
to deploy in case they hit the
deck.
The jacket will be available in
both men's and women's sizes
with public presentations later
in the year, although no sale
date has yet been released.
