Speed Dating: June 1 to 7, 2009

June 1

Alexis Masbou (FR) was born on this date in 1987. Masbou was the 2004 French 125cc champion and stepped up to the 125cc world championship full-time the following year. Having spent time riding both Malaguti and Honda equipment, Masbou joined the Loncin team in 2008, but struggled to be competitive on the developing machinery. Masbou’s troubles continue in 2009, as he has yet to score a championship point.

On this date in 1896, inventor of the steam-powered motorcycle Sylvester Howard Roper (US) succumbed to a heart attack. The New Hampshire native built his steam-cycle in 1867 and demonstrated the machine at fairs throughout New England. While steam power did not prove the most practical power source for motorcycle, Roper’s mark can still be seen on motorcycles today: he is credited with the invention of the twist-grip throttle.

June 2

On this date in 1978, Mike Hailwood won the Isle of Man Senior TT after an eleven-year absence from top-level motorcycle racing. Hailwood had left motorcycle racing at the end of 1967 and begun a career in automobile racing that took him to Formula One. His 1978 TT win aboard a Ducati 900SS was Hailwood’s eleventh Isle of Man victory, coming at the age of 38.

June 3

World Supersport rider Eugene Laverty (UK) was born on this date in 1986. Laverty rides for the Parkalgar Honda team. The Irishman raced in the 250cc world championship in 2007 and 2008 but left his Blusens Aprilia team before the end of the 2008 season to pursue a ride in the World Supersport Championship. This year, Laverty has strung together four consecutive second-place finishes, a streak that continued at the Supersport race at Miller Motorsports Park. He is currently second in the championship standings behind Cal Crutchlow.

The 2006 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup champion Alessandro Polita (IT) was born on this date in 1984. Polita currently rides in the World Supersport Championship for Team Hoegge Suzuki. Polita finished twentieth in the Miller Motorsports Park Supersport race, and is twenty-fourth in the championship standings.

Cycle News editor Paul Carruthers (AU) was born on this date in 1961. Carruthers is the son of 1965 250cc World Champion Kel Carruthers.

June 4

Mick Doohan (AU) was born on this date in 1965. Doohan won five consecutive 500cc world championships from 1994 to 1998, all with Honda. Doohan began his 500cc Grand Prix in 1989 and retired from racing after badly breaking his leg in qualifying for the 1999 Spanish Grand Prix. He retired with fifty-four wins and an incredible ninety-five podium finishes in 117 Grand Prix starts.

Pablo Nieto (ES) was born on this date in 1980. The son of thirteen-time world champion Angel Nieto and brother of Fonsi Nieto, Pablo raced in the 125cc world championship from 1998 until his retirement during the 2008 season. Pablo took only one race win, at the 2003 Portuguese Grand Prix. He is currently in a managerial position on the Onde 2000/Grupo Francisco Hernando team that fields Sete Gibernau in MotoGP.

June 5

Geoff May (US) was born on this date in 1980. May is riding for the National Guard/Jordan Suzuki team in the AMA Pro American Superbike class. Prior to this year, Yates found most of his success in the AMA Superstock series, in which he finished second in 2008. May is currently fifth in the standings and the highest ranked non-factory rider. So far this year, he has three podium finishes: one at Auto Club Speedway and two at Road Atlanta.

June 6

Former AMA Superbike and WERA racer J.J. Roetlin (US) was born on this date in 1979.

On this date in 1962, Tom Phillis (AU) was killed at the Isle of Man TT. The Australian had scored the first Grand Prix win for Honda the previous year in the 125cc world championship, and finished 1961 as the 125cc world champion. After Phillis’ fatal accident, friend Gary Hocking, a two-time world champion with the MV Agusta team, was so affected by his death that he announced his retirement from motorcycle racing immediately upon winning the Senior TT. Sadly, Hocking himself would be killed later that year in an auto race in South Africa.

June 7

Norm Viano (US) was born on this date in 1974. Viano, or “Lawdog” as he is often referred to, operates Lawdog Sports, a sports management company that represents young American road racers JD Beech and Cameron Beaubier. Viano was also the program manager for the now-defunct Red Bull AMA U.S. Rookies Cup.

Hubert Auriol (FR) was born on this date in 1952. Auriol is the first person to win the Dakar Rally in both the motorcycle and car categories. Auriol won the two-wheeled category in 1981 and 1983 on a BMW France entry. Switching to cars in 1988, Auriol won the event in 1992 in a Citroen ZX Rallye Raid. Since retiring from competition, Auriol has served as a race director for the Dakar Rally.