The newly formed ‘MV Agusta Racing’ team made its first appearance on Australian race tracks with a shakedown of the potent new F41000R motorcycle at Queensland raceway, Wednesday December 13, 2006. The team, which is working closely with the MV Agusta factory in Italy, is developing the motorcycle into a race and championship winner and couldn’t be any more satisfied with their first impressions of the motorcycle.

Steve Trinder, who has won championships as both a rider and team manager believes he has never seen a more complete motorcycle straight out of the crate. “The MV Agusta motorcycle is just a beautiful machine. I can see why it has won so many awards, and after today I can see why they won so many races in the world superstock series this year. Not only is it the best finished motorcycle I’ve ever seen, it is the complete package.”

“Whilst developing this bike, we have opted to run two of Australia’s most experienced development riders in Craig Trinder & John Allen, who have experience riding everything from World Superbikes to 500’s, and you couldn’t count the amount of championships between them. The scary part is, on a superstock MV with only a race system exhaust, Craig and John posted times that would have got them on the 3rd row of the recent superbike race. Craig hasn’t ridden in over 2 years and John in over a year!”

That may have been a contributing factor in Craig having to visit Ipswich hospital after chasing down one of the ASC regulars who was also testing. “I was coming from a fair way back and had a pass lined up on the last turn, unfortunately my knee caught the ripple strip as I made the pass, breaking my femur instantly. I’ve just had a plate inserted, so I should be good to go soon. I’m just glad I managed to keep the bike upright and bring it back in one piece.”

John’s first impressions of the bike were backed up by the outstanding first day lap times he was doing, “The bike handles like a GP bike, and it has plenty there when you turn your wrist. I haven’t ridden for a long time so I’m extremely happy with what we have achieved today.”

The team’s plans have been a closely guarded secret, with much speculating as to what is happening in ‘07.

When quizzed what the plans were for the team, Paul Feeney replied, “What I can tell you is the bike will be racing in ‘07. However, our main aim for next year is to get the bike developed and share data in preparation for MV’s return to worlds in 2008”.