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World Superbike
MOTO: Top Ten Motorcycle Racing Stories Of 2011
What news stories dominated the motorcycle racing headlines in 2011?
The late Marco Simoncelli (Photo: Dorna Communications)
The racing this past season in MotoGP, World Superbike, Monster Energy Supercross, AMA Motocross, and AMA Pro Road Racing was memorable but plenty of happenings also took place away from the racetrack.
Here's a list of ten of the biggest from 2011:
10. VIR Cancellation
AMA Pro Road Racing was coming off a high at Mid-Ohio following another weekend of epic racing but the shocking, late cancellation of the VIR round was a reminder that the series remains in a very fragile state. While many will miss the VIR circuit (if not those behind it), AMA Pro recently bounced back with the additions of Atlanta, Miami, and New Orleans to the '12 slate.
9. Herrin Suspended After High-Speed Daytona Clash
Josh Herrin was the preseason Daytona SportBike title favorite but his season got off to a rocky start after a controversial and terrifying clash/crash with Dane Westby in the run to the checkered flag at the Daytona 200. Herrin was left fuming after the race but was also later judged to be at fault and promptly suspended for the next round (later reduced to a single race). That suspension, along with two mechanical DNFs later in the season, combined to cost Herrin the title in 2011.
8. Lorenzo/Simoncelli Spat
While it seems a bit petty in hindsight, Jorge Lorenzo and Marco Simoncelli's war of words at Estoril was an early-season highlight. Lorenzo (and several other leading MotoGP riders) openly called for Simoncelli to tame his aggressive riding style but Super Sic refused to back down and got in some barbs of his own. Simoncelli crashed out on the first lap in the race, providing his detractors with additional ammunition, and would be involved in a number of other high-profile incidents leading up to the tragic day in Sepang.
7. Dungey to KTM
After previously signing away legendary team manager Roger DeCoster from Suzuki, KTM also nabbed '10 SX/MX champ Ryan Dungey this past October. KTM has never been so well positioned to establish itself a genuine premier class title contender in the States.
6. Yamaha/Suzuki Quit
The dominoes of a weakened economy continue to fall as Yamaha Motor Europe shocked the world by killing its increasingly formidable World Superbike program and Suzuki put an end to (or at least 'suspended') its MotoGP operations following 24 years of uninterrupted full-time factory participation.
Here's a list of ten of the biggest from 2011:
10. VIR Cancellation
AMA Pro Road Racing was coming off a high at Mid-Ohio following another weekend of epic racing but the shocking, late cancellation of the VIR round was a reminder that the series remains in a very fragile state. While many will miss the VIR circuit (if not those behind it), AMA Pro recently bounced back with the additions of Atlanta, Miami, and New Orleans to the '12 slate.
9. Herrin Suspended After High-Speed Daytona Clash
Josh Herrin was the preseason Daytona SportBike title favorite but his season got off to a rocky start after a controversial and terrifying clash/crash with Dane Westby in the run to the checkered flag at the Daytona 200. Herrin was left fuming after the race but was also later judged to be at fault and promptly suspended for the next round (later reduced to a single race). That suspension, along with two mechanical DNFs later in the season, combined to cost Herrin the title in 2011.
8. Lorenzo/Simoncelli Spat
While it seems a bit petty in hindsight, Jorge Lorenzo and Marco Simoncelli's war of words at Estoril was an early-season highlight. Lorenzo (and several other leading MotoGP riders) openly called for Simoncelli to tame his aggressive riding style but Super Sic refused to back down and got in some barbs of his own. Simoncelli crashed out on the first lap in the race, providing his detractors with additional ammunition, and would be involved in a number of other high-profile incidents leading up to the tragic day in Sepang.
7. Dungey to KTM
After previously signing away legendary team manager Roger DeCoster from Suzuki, KTM also nabbed '10 SX/MX champ Ryan Dungey this past October. KTM has never been so well positioned to establish itself a genuine premier class title contender in the States.
6. Yamaha/Suzuki Quit
The dominoes of a weakened economy continue to fall as Yamaha Motor Europe shocked the world by killing its increasingly formidable World Superbike program and Suzuki put an end to (or at least 'suspended') its MotoGP operations following 24 years of uninterrupted full-time factory participation.
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