WSBK Moscow, MotoGP Brno and BSB Cadwell

Posted: 28 Aug 2012

So here we are, at the end of a bumper Bank Holiday weekend packed with racing! We had the World Superbike boys in Moscow, Cal Crutchlow and the rest of the MotoGP contingent at Brno and not forgetting the British Superbike Championship taking place at Cadwell Park.

The paddocks were rife with gossip and speculation about rider movements, leading to a buzz of excitement at the circuits even before the racing took place! As always, Bennetts were first with all the latest news from this weekend’s events, one which saw all our boys in action…

We started the weekend with a cheeky little competition between the Bennetts-backed riders…

“Our riders @calcrutchlow @reddingpower @kyleryde and Joe Francis are all in action this weekend, who has the best chance of a podium finish?”

And even on a weekend where Brits seemed to dominate, Rossi managed to remain in the headlines…

“Goes to show how much passion Rossi has for winning another title on a competitive bike: not only did he turn down 17m p/yr for 2 yrs (cntd)”

“...with Ducati, he was also offered a 25-year deal to stay on as an ambassador AND drive for Audi in the DTM championship for 5m a year..”

The rumour mills went into overdrive this weekend, with rider moves and paddock gossip throughout all classes of racing. However, poor Scott Redding didn’t manage to come out on top…

“We hear talks have broken down between Ducati and Marc VDS to take Redding to MotoGP next year, they've signed Iannone instead...”

But the focus was soon shifted to Moscow, where the WSBK practice session had kicked off, and apparently, so had some of the riders…

“Apparently Guigliano had tense words w/ Melandri. Rumours indicate it was b/c of G overtaking M in a session & waving him to follow..#WSBK”

And later…

“Wonder how Jonathan Rea will react to being run off the track by team-mate Aoyama in today's free practice... #WSBK”

Another Brit was in the headlines later on in the weekend, with Cal this time taking centre stage. Of course, we were there to announce the news first…

“Rumour has it Cal is set to be announced with Tech3 today...#MotoGP”

BSB qualifying didn’t set the weekend off to the start we had hoped for, with a series of crashes meaning Abdul Binladin and Shane Byrne both had to be airlifted to hospital, with Robin Harms fortunately escaping unscathed…

“FP1 red-flagged after 5 mins due to crash involving newcomer Robin Harms (rider ok) and Abdul Binladin (to Medical Centre) #BSB”

“Abdul Binladin to be taken to hospital in Hull via Air Med helicopter with suspected multiple rib fractures #BSB”

“FP2 red-flagged due to Shane Byrne crashing at hairpin. Early indications from Medical Centre are of a suspected shoulder injury #BSB”

Flying the flag for Britain, our boys did us proud in qualifying though…

“Fantastic front row qualifying @calcrutchlow Roll on tomorrow's race! #MotoGP”

“Well done @Reddingpower - fantastic qualifying result ahead of tomorrow's Moto2 race at Brno!”

“3 Brits on the front row in Moscow! 4. Haslam 3. Laverty 2. Sykes 1. Checa #WSBK”

The line-up kept changing amid the latest news from the paddock on Sunday…

“Kawasaki's James Hillier has decided to stop racing in BSB in favour of the 'roads'. Gary Mason replaces him at Cadwell this weekend #BSB”

But it wasn’t only the individual riders unsure of their futures…

“Apparently MSS Bathams Kawasaki team owner Nick Morgan said that unless a major team sponsor can be found he may not run a team next year...”

As well as more news coming over from Moscow…

“Rumour has it that Jonathan Rea will be confirmed to test Stoner's bike after the #WSBK races today...”

And Scott Redding’s future looked a little brighter amid new talks…

“Rumours in the GP paddock suggest that @Reddingpower and Ben Spies are in talks with Honda Gresini...”

Unfortunately the crashes during the first round of qualifying weren’t to be the last we saw over the weekend…

“#BSB Superbike FP3 red-flagged due to Swan Yamaha rider Nori Haga crash. Haga has been taken to Med Centre...”

Tommy Hill managed an incredible win in BSB race 2, and Joe Francis managed to secure a fantastic second place in Motostar at Cadwell Park.

Cal managed a podium finish too – his first in the premier racing class - meaning we had success almost all across the board. We rounded off this fantastic weekend’s racing with an exciting competition to match… keep your eyes peeled for more information on that over the next few days…