KTM presents 2008 KTM 990 Super Duke R to international media at famous Salzburgring 
More than 30 members of the international media from countries as far away as Japan this week discovered that the “R” in the brand new 2008 version of KTM’s Super Duke R is about being “Ready to Race” but also about “Rideability”. 

KTM, as the world’s leading manufacturer of sports motorcycles, invited representatives from leading media to the presentation of the 2008 model of the KTM 990 Super Duke R, the ultimate naked bike for both racing and recreation. The event was hosted at the Salzburgring, the legendary Austrian racing circuit that has witnessed so many hallmark events in the world of motorcycle racing. 

990 Super Duke R – in 2008 more powerful and more aggressive 
The 990 Super Duke R, in 2008 even more powerful with an extensive engine update that has upped its output to 132 hp and featuring an extremely aggressive appearance, represents the ultimate sporty naked bike. Media attending the launch event discovered that the 2008 model is not only the perfect bike for riders who want to test themselves and their machinery on racing circuits; it is also destined for thrilling everyday riding experiences. 

Adrenalin rush in scenic landscape 
The media presentation came to an exciting and appropriate conclusion at the Salzburgring on Friday. KTM issued an invitation to the journalists attending to test themselves on the new 990 Super Duke R in a fun race around the challenging curves of the internationally renowned circuit. The race not only offered the adrenalin rush of competition but also gave those participating the opportunity of riding on a circuit that is set in some of Austria’s most scenic rural landscape.

  http://www.ktmpress.com/100051.0.html?nodeID=103178&cHash=3e7750af9c 

 VERMEULEN SUPPORTS BIKER CHARITY - Team Suzuki Press Office - May 15.

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP rider Chris Vermeulen has given his support to the French charity Motards Solidarite in the lead up to this weekend's French MotoGP at Le Mans.

The association, which was created in 1995 and now has almost 500 members, helps handicapped bikers to pass or renew their motorcycle driving licence after a disease or an accident, by supplying transformed motorcycle or sidecars specially equipped with foot throttle, hand gearbox, thumb brake or whatever the rider requires to get back in the saddle.

Said Vermeulen: "I'm glad to bring my support to this association which helps bikers to keep a link with their passion after a drama, but also shows to other people handicapped or not, life doesn't stop after a disease or an accident. It's the first time I've seen this kind of association. I met the president of the association and also a member who just received his GSX-R1000 equipped with a sidecar. It was amazing!"
For more stories about Chris Vermeulen, Click Here. For photos, Click Here. 

 RAMON AIMS TO CLOSE MX1 POINTS GAP  - Team Suzuki Press Office - May 15.
Team Teka Suzuki WMX1 rider Steve Ramon will enter the fifth round of the FIM MX1 World Motocross Championship at Mantova in Italy this weekend looking to close the points gap on series leader David Philippaerts.

Ramon - who is the reigning MX1 World Champion and currently sits in second place in the 2008 series - proved at round four in Sevlievo, Bulgaria that his race pace is better than the current championship leader, but poor starts have been making it difficult for him to beat the Italian rider in a straight-up race.

Placing fifth at the GP of Italy in 2007, Ramon will be searching for a podium position at this weekend's race on his factory RM-Z450 as the jump-filled Mantova circuit is one he likes to ride.

"I enjoy racing at the Mantova track," said Ramon. "Mantova has a lot of jumps and is not so fast - it's more technical and it gets rougher throughout the day. I feel good on the bike at the moment and I'm riding well and I'm in good shape. The only thing I need is to have better starts than I've been getting recently - if I get those I know I can do well."

Ramon's team-mate Ken De Dycker currently sits fifth in the MX1 series standings but could quite easily improve on his position in the championship as he's only two points behind British rider Billy MacKenzie. He's done well at Mantova in the past - he finished second in the second moto at the Italian GP last year - and comes into the fifth round of the World Championship feeling motivated to return to the form he showed earlier in the season when he led the MX1 series after strong rides in Holland and Spain.

"Of course I'm looking to improve my results," said De Dycker on the subject of his current form. "The tracks that are coming up in the series will definitely suit me more than Agueda and Sevlievo did.  Last year was the first time that I rode at Mantova and I really liked it a lot. I ride very well there and finished second in the second moto last year. It's very technical with a lot of jumps, bumps and ruts, which means there are a lot of lines to choose from and that's much better for me."

The weather forecast for this weekend's race is for rain but that shouldn't create any problems for either Ramon or De Dycker who have both excelled in soft conditions so far this season. The surface of the Mantova circuit is a 70/30 sand-soil mix, which should also suit the Belgian Suzuki stars well.

For more stories about Steve Ramon, Click Here. For photos, Click Here.
For more stories about Ken De Dycker, Click Here. For photos, Click Here.

MOTOGP MEETS MXGP - Newsflash, 16 May 2008
Normally found circulating the racetracks aboard his Ninja ZX-RR MotoGP machine, Anthony West got the chance this week to test a factory Kawasaki race bike of a very different sort.

A keen off-roader when he's not racing in MotoGP, West was quick to accept an invitation from GPKR Team Manager, Patrick Geladé, to join the factory Kawasaki GPKR motocross team at a private off-road test track in Belgium, before heading off to Le Mans for this weekend's French Grand Prix.

On hand to offer help and advice to Anthony as he prepared for his first outing on the race prepared KX450F-SR were the bike's regular pilot, Sébastien Pourcel, and the current women's world championship points leader, Livia Lancelot, who also rides for the GPKR team.

After borrowing Livia Lancelot's KX250F machine, Seb Pourcel got the proceedings underway by showing Ant around the test track, as the Australian concentrated on adapting to the power of Pourcel's factory bike, having only ever ridden standard off-road machinery in the past.

It wasn't long before West was catching big air off the main table top jump in the middle of the test track, but while his take-offs looked inch perfect, his landings weren't always so smooth!

'The ramp leading up to the table top was so steep you couldn't see the top, so it was really difficult to judge how much speed you needed to carry on take-off,' explains West, in his own defence. 'A couple of times I misjudged it and didn't carry enough speed, which meant I landed on the flat and ended up bouncing down the other side! Because the down ramp faced the parking area, I could see everyone cringing every time I did it!'

Despite the rough landings, West declared himself impressed with the power and handling of Kawasaki's factory MX1 racer.

'It's got far more power than I can use, that's for sure,' said West, after his second run on the bike. 'Compared to a standard bike, the set-up is really good, and it's a lot of fun to ride, even if I am struggling a bit because I'm not used to riding on a sand track; it's all hard pack back in Australia.'

Despite his lack of experience on sand, Seb Pourcel was complimentary about Ant's speed on the factory bike.

'Ant's style is pretty good on the bike, and he's not scared to give it a go on the jumps either. You can see he rides off-road as part of his training programme for MotoGP,' said the winner of this year's Portuguese MX1 Grand Prix.

After completing his final laps on the bike, Ant reluctantly handed it back to its rightful owner, who then proceeded to show the Australian just how fast it's possible to go on a factory MX bike.

'Seb is on another level completely; it's incredible just how fast he is on the track, and how much control he has on the bike, even in the air,' declared West. 'And it's easy to see how Livia won last time out in Bulgaria. I think she was faster on her near stock KX250F than I was on Seb's factory 450 machine.'

'I'd love the opportunity to test the bike again, but not until I've had the chance to get in a lot more practice on my standard KX450F at the nearest sand track,' concluded West.

As Ant prepared to leave for Le Mans, it was Seb Pourcel who had the final word...

'So, now you've ridden my bike Ant, when do I get to test your bike?' asked the French motocross ace.

http://www.kawasaki-racingteam.eu/motocross/news.asp?Id=B636A0EEE0&PMId=0F225937F773

 KTM US 5th Annual Adventure Rider Rally Now Open for Registration 
Make plans to join KTM staff and enthusiasts at the 5th annual KTM Adventure Rider Rally this summer July 18-20, 2008 in beautiful Snowshoe, WV. 

The event provides riders of all skill levels an opportunity to ride with and learn from adventurers from all over the country and beyond! The KTM Adventure Rider Rally is designed for KTM 640, 950, and 990 Adventure owners but is open to all street legal, dual sport motorcycles. 

The KTM Adventure Rider Rally is entering its fifth year as the only national festival for KTM owners and enthusiasts. This year’s rally offers great cultural and historic interest as well as unbelievable adventure riding opportunities perched nearly a mile high in the Alleghenies of West Virginia. If you love KTM and you love Adventure, you won’t want to miss this event. 

This year’s KTM Adventure Rider Rally includes riding and technical seminars, Friday lunch an