Post by TJP on Jun 18, 2007 0:54:07 GMT
In between rounds of the WSBK, this happened (taken from MCN):
The Alto Evolution WSB team of Karl Muggeridge and Josh Brookes will miss this weekends Misano race after their race truck and bikes were stolen and their driver kidnapped.
The incredible turn of events began when the team began their journey back to Italy following the Silverstone WSB race.
The race truck stopped to refuel just outside Calais when it was hijacked by a gang and diverted to Brussels. The driver was taken hostage for over six hours before managing to escape at which point he raised the alarm with both Belgium and Italian police.
The Alto Evolution team claim that one of the four gang members who stole the truck was Mr Sergio Bertocchi. Bertocchi has run a team in WSB for over a decade and at the end of 2006 joined forces with Alto Evolution to form a new team for 2007. Bertocchi initially had the role of team manager in the team, but after the opening three rounds had his responsibilities reduced before an announcement in Monza revealed that he was no longer part of the Italian squad.
With the race truck still missing the Alto Evolution team sent a small van to collect some additional parts from their warehouse in Trieste, Italy where it to was hijacked and stolen, allegedly by the same gang.
With the police in both Belgium and Italy notified they were able to track and recover the vehicle thanks to electronic tagging and make a number of arrests.
Subsequently the race truck has been recovered with all bikes and tools in good condition, but because they are subject to an ongoing investigation the bikes can not be released back to the team meaning they will miss this weekend s Misano race
Reads like an episode from a gangster TV show...a real shame two riders lost their chance to finish the season. Hopefully both can pick up rides elsewhere.
Onto the race....Bayliss proves there is life in the old dog (both rider & bike) by completing a double win @ Misano in front of a packed crowd that included Valentino Rossi
Race one was shaping up to be a classic dogfight between Bayliss, Haga & Biaggi until Biaggi tried a little too hard to pass Haga on the inside of the circuit with only a couple of laps remaining.
Haga was already committed & tipped it in, unaware that Max was occupying the same piece of tarmac. Both went down at a very fast back section of the track.
Neither rider was hurt, the crash not only made life easier for Bayliss, it also gifted points to a struggling Toseland, who's team decided not to test at Misano, assuming that the track would not be resurfaced in time for the 8th round. Chatter was provided as reason for JT's race issue.
Points also for the 2 spectators who pulled a dual "browneye" during the post race wait for the rostrum ceremony to start ;D The cameraman stayed focused on the hillside spectators despite the pants down shenanigans.
Race one results
1. Bayliss
2. Corser +2.3
3. Kagayama +8.9
4. Toseland +11.1
5. Rolfo +18.7
6. Lanzi +20.4
7. Laconi +22.0
8. Xaus +25.4
9. Neukirchner +30.8
10. Smrz +37.7
11. Borciani +44.8
12. Sanchini +61.5
13. Morelli +97.7
14. Ellison +100.7
15. Zaiser +100.8
Race 2 was the Troy Bayliss show, dominating from start to finish & remaining on lap record pace until the last 2 laps. Bayliss cruised to victory leaving Haga, Biaggi, Kagayama & Corser to complete the top 5 positions. James Toseland was a distant 6th.
The lack of pre-race testing resulting in the Ten Kate team being at a disadvantage from Friday practice onwards. Sub-par results from chattering Ten Kate machinery has seen Toseland's lead in the championship reduce to under a race win.
JT has asked HRC for help to combat a resurgent Bayliss & a strong, consistant Haga. If history can be used to judge form, Toseland will have to wait until the Suzuka 8 hour is completed to get help from HRC (like Colin Edwards in 2002).
Race two results
1. Bayliss
2. Haga +2.53
3. Biaggi +6.38
4. Kagayama +8.90
5. Corser +9.13
6. Toseland +13.96
7. Xaus +16.70
8. Rolfo +16.78
9. Lanzi +17.31
10. Neukirchner +33.06
11. Laconi +33.60
12. Nieto +41.25
13. Smrz +42.72
14. Nakatomi +56.64
15. Sanchini +60.73
16. Conforti +76.64
17. Polita +77.71
18. Morelli +94.88
19. Ellison +1 lap
Championship Points
1. Toseland 260
2. Bayliss 239
3. Haga 234
4. Biaggi 217
5. Corser 182
The Alto Evolution WSB team of Karl Muggeridge and Josh Brookes will miss this weekends Misano race after their race truck and bikes were stolen and their driver kidnapped.
The incredible turn of events began when the team began their journey back to Italy following the Silverstone WSB race.
The race truck stopped to refuel just outside Calais when it was hijacked by a gang and diverted to Brussels. The driver was taken hostage for over six hours before managing to escape at which point he raised the alarm with both Belgium and Italian police.
The Alto Evolution team claim that one of the four gang members who stole the truck was Mr Sergio Bertocchi. Bertocchi has run a team in WSB for over a decade and at the end of 2006 joined forces with Alto Evolution to form a new team for 2007. Bertocchi initially had the role of team manager in the team, but after the opening three rounds had his responsibilities reduced before an announcement in Monza revealed that he was no longer part of the Italian squad.
With the race truck still missing the Alto Evolution team sent a small van to collect some additional parts from their warehouse in Trieste, Italy where it to was hijacked and stolen, allegedly by the same gang.
With the police in both Belgium and Italy notified they were able to track and recover the vehicle thanks to electronic tagging and make a number of arrests.
Subsequently the race truck has been recovered with all bikes and tools in good condition, but because they are subject to an ongoing investigation the bikes can not be released back to the team meaning they will miss this weekend s Misano race
Reads like an episode from a gangster TV show...a real shame two riders lost their chance to finish the season. Hopefully both can pick up rides elsewhere.
Onto the race....Bayliss proves there is life in the old dog (both rider & bike) by completing a double win @ Misano in front of a packed crowd that included Valentino Rossi
Race one was shaping up to be a classic dogfight between Bayliss, Haga & Biaggi until Biaggi tried a little too hard to pass Haga on the inside of the circuit with only a couple of laps remaining.
Haga was already committed & tipped it in, unaware that Max was occupying the same piece of tarmac. Both went down at a very fast back section of the track.
Neither rider was hurt, the crash not only made life easier for Bayliss, it also gifted points to a struggling Toseland, who's team decided not to test at Misano, assuming that the track would not be resurfaced in time for the 8th round. Chatter was provided as reason for JT's race issue.
Points also for the 2 spectators who pulled a dual "browneye" during the post race wait for the rostrum ceremony to start ;D The cameraman stayed focused on the hillside spectators despite the pants down shenanigans.
Race one results
1. Bayliss
2. Corser +2.3
3. Kagayama +8.9
4. Toseland +11.1
5. Rolfo +18.7
6. Lanzi +20.4
7. Laconi +22.0
8. Xaus +25.4
9. Neukirchner +30.8
10. Smrz +37.7
11. Borciani +44.8
12. Sanchini +61.5
13. Morelli +97.7
14. Ellison +100.7
15. Zaiser +100.8
Race 2 was the Troy Bayliss show, dominating from start to finish & remaining on lap record pace until the last 2 laps. Bayliss cruised to victory leaving Haga, Biaggi, Kagayama & Corser to complete the top 5 positions. James Toseland was a distant 6th.
The lack of pre-race testing resulting in the Ten Kate team being at a disadvantage from Friday practice onwards. Sub-par results from chattering Ten Kate machinery has seen Toseland's lead in the championship reduce to under a race win.
JT has asked HRC for help to combat a resurgent Bayliss & a strong, consistant Haga. If history can be used to judge form, Toseland will have to wait until the Suzuka 8 hour is completed to get help from HRC (like Colin Edwards in 2002).
Race two results
1. Bayliss
2. Haga +2.53
3. Biaggi +6.38
4. Kagayama +8.90
5. Corser +9.13
6. Toseland +13.96
7. Xaus +16.70
8. Rolfo +16.78
9. Lanzi +17.31
10. Neukirchner +33.06
11. Laconi +33.60
12. Nieto +41.25
13. Smrz +42.72
14. Nakatomi +56.64
15. Sanchini +60.73
16. Conforti +76.64
17. Polita +77.71
18. Morelli +94.88
19. Ellison +1 lap
Championship Points
1. Toseland 260
2. Bayliss 239
3. Haga 234
4. Biaggi 217
5. Corser 182