News 3 Oct 2010

The Go: Super Test

MotoOnline.com.au editor Alex Gobert checks in from France where he’s set to test the WSBK bikes on Monday.

MotoOnline.com.au's Alex Gobert is live at Magny-Cours in France for the 2010 WSBK season finale this weekend.

MotoOnline.com.au's Alex Gobert is live at Magny-Cours in France for the 2010 WSBK season finale this weekend.

There are times in life where you just have to pinch yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming. As a moto-journalist these days, pinching myself seems to be becoming a bit of a habit!

On Monday I’ll be onboard the trickest Superbike machinery on the planet – not to mention the top Supersport contenders – when I ride each of the factory Superbike World Championship bikes at Magny-Cours in France.

I’m writing this direct from the press room after a mammoth 35-hour trek from Sydney to Paris on Thursday, taking in the action of the race weekend before it’s my turn to hit the track on Monday.

We picked up a motorhome from a hire outlet in Paris, organised access to the paddock and parked it alongside the likes of Max Biaggi, Cal Crutchlow and the rest of the big WSBK names, and are experiencing the real deal weekend of WSBK racing.

All the tests are finalised on the best of the best when it comes to production-based race bikes, with these exotic tests all lined up for MotoOnline.com.au and Australian Motorcycle News:

  • Aprilia Alitalia RSV4R Factory
  • BMW Motorrad S 1000 RR
  • Ducati Xerox 1198
  • Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR
  • Kawasaki Racing Team ZX-10R
  • Suzuki Alstare GSX1000R
  • Yamaha Sterilgarda YZF-R1

Also penciled in are Kenan Sofuoglu’s Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR, Chaz Davies’ Triumph Daytona 675 and Joan Lascorz’s Kawasaki ZX-6R – three of the leading Supersport weapons.

I’ve raced World Supersport before, but never, ever thought that I’d have the opportunity to test three factory-supported bikes in one day – something that never would have happened while I was racing.

The funny thing is, quite a few of the racers have asked me to let them know what their oppositions’ bikes are like on Monday afternoon!

Alpinestars has delivered a completely new custom set of riding gear direct to the circuit specifically for this test, meaning the pressure’s on come Monday morning to ride at least half as well as my gear will look!

Not only are we here to test, but catching up with the Aussies in the paddock is a huge priority this weekend, so keep an eye out for upcoming interviews with the likes of Broc Parkes, Mark Aitchison and co.

I’ve had some top experiences since switching to a testing career in 2006, including testing the factory MotoGP bikes at the end of 2007, with Monday’s test sure to rank right up alongside that one.

All we need now is for the weather to cooperate, because rain is forecast at this point. We’re here, we’re ready and we’re definitely looking forward to it, but if there’s one sign of precipitation when we’re ready to test then unfortunately there won’t be one wheel turned…

Fingers crossed!

Testing the top factory World Superbikes is the plan for Monday, weather pending!

Testing the top factory World Superbikes is the plan for Monday, weather pending!

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