MotoGP
In bombshell news for the 2009 MotoGP World Championship, the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that Casey Stoner could be out of the series this year due to his nagging wrist injury which he received surgery on over the off-season. Check out the news report here.

Knowing Casey it’s very unlikely that he’ll sit out the season unless it is absolutely necessary, but for there to even be speculation of him missing the season at this early point indicates that he’s having severe troubles and is extremely disappointed with the result of the operation.

Much has been speculated since the announcement of new MotoGP cost cutting measures yesterday, but reading into it further reveals that the two MotoGP test sessions to take place at the Catalunya and Brno circuit will only be for 2010 prototype machines – essentially meaning that we will have the pleasure of seeing next year’s bikes as early as June if the manufacturers decide to reveal them. The test is only open to test riders, meaning that it’s highly unlikely that Valentino Rossi and his premier class counterparts will actually test at all during the season. The interesting thing regarding this is the fact that track time has been slashed at the grands prix this year – if you’re struggling with bike issues throughout the season you’re really going to have to pick it up on the race weekends.

Moto2
As Moto2 heats up to boiling point with interest rising and teams from all angles declaring their interests, one of the most fascinating possibilities has been released amongst the European press. News has broken that Ten Kate Honda is considering building a Moto2 machine for the series when it takes off at a world championship level, although they’re not sure

BMW's new World SBK colours

if it will be run under their official team or if they’ll build the bikes and sell them off to private teams. The Dutch squad is dominant in World Supersport and could just be the ultimate weapon for teams who are entering Moto2. Even more so, could the transfer of Kenan Sofuoglu trigger an all-new way for riders to get into grand prix racing – from World Supersport to Moto2 and then into MotoGP if they are good enough. It’s a very logical choice, and momentum is building for the new category on a daily basis.

World Superbike
Following a pre-season of testing with the raw look of the carbon-fibre fairings, BMW has unveiled its colour scheme for the factory Alpha Racing S1000RR machines that Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus will pilot in this year’s Superbike World Championship. Corser’s bike sports the number 11, while Xaus’ bike wears the 111, but you can bet your money that the team would trade all of those number ones in a second for a victory or two this season. Imagine one of them did the unthinkable and won the title in the team’s first year. Unlikely, but still a cool thought.

Australian Motocross
CDR Rockstar Yamaha rider Jay Marmont will trade his YZ450F for a cricket bat as part of this Sunday’s Australia’s Big Bash Charity Cricket Match at the Sydney Cricket Ground to raise money for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

Marmont will play Cricket this Sunday

The current MX Nationals champion will be part of the match which will also include Aussie celebrities Michael Slater, Anthony Mundine, Mick Fanning, Peter Garratt, Shannon Noll and Lote Tiquiri. The match will be umpired by Sir Michael Parkinson and Andrew Denton, while sports commentator Tony Squires will be the on-ground announcer. Marmont is looking to his cricket debut with the match to commence at 5pm on Sunday, 22 February 2009.

“I’m really looking forward to the match. I do follow cricket and watch all the one-dayers and tests but I have never actually played the game.” Marmont said, “I will definitely be heading to the local cricket pitch before the weekend for a bit of practice before I am on the receiving end of some 120 km per hour balls.”

Individuals will be able to see Marmont and the other celebrities in action on Sunday with tickets still available for the event. Donations for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal can be made at www.redcross.org.au or by phoning 1800 811 700.