Rossi 'happy' as '09 faster.

MotoGP » Rossi 'happy' as '09 faster.

Wednesday, 26th November 2008

Valentino Rossi second fastest on opening day of Jerez MotoGP test.

Valentino Rossi finished the first day of the second post-season test of 2008 by setting the second fastest lap time, behind Dani Pedrosa, at Jerez - but was most pleased to have set that lap on a prototype version of the 2009 YZR-M1.

Jerez marks the last opportunity to gather MotoGP track data before the first test of 2009, at Sepang in February, and Rossi is eager to make provide Yamaha with as much guidance as possible.

Clear skies and a cold wind meant track temperatures were very cool in the morning and Rossi chose to wait until 1.30pm, when the newly-resurfaced track had warmed up slightly, to begin.

The six time world champion went on to complete 20 laps on a 2008-spec bike and 20 on the new 2009 prototype M1, on which he set a fastest lap 0.610sec behind Pedrosa.

"I am happy about this first day because my performance has been good from the beginning and I have been fast all day," declared The Doctor. "Unfortunately it's been quite cold and there was only three hours when it was possible to go fast, but we were able to get quite a lot of work done in this short space of time.

"We have tried some different things on the old 2008 bike and we were able to make some improvements and then we also tested several new things on the prototype bike, and I am happy because I did my fastest lap with this bike."

As per the new single-tyre rule there are just two front and two rear specifications available for the test, with the riders supplied with two tyres of each specification, making eight in total.

"Bridgestone have brought good tyres here; so far I don't see any problems with the new rule and it seems they're doing a good job," confirmed Rossi. "They have resurfaced the track and it has made a big difference; they have got rid of all the bumps and like this it's great fun to ride around.

Source: crash.net

MotoGP » Rossi’s 69th makes Indy, MotoGP history.

source : www.road-d.com

Monday, 15th September 2008

Valentino Rossi wins first Indy MotoGP race, sets new all-time win record and stands on brink of eighth world title… despite a hurricane!

Valentino Rossi broke Giacomo Agostini’s all-time premier-class win record by claiming his 69th MotoGP victory during atrocious weather conditions at the inaugural Indianapolis Grand Prix on Sunday.

The remnants of Hurricane Ike had been battering the circuit since lunch time, when heavy rain and winds hit the Indiana venue, forcing Race Direction to postpone the preceding 250 race.

However, a break in the storm allowed the MotoGP race to start at its allotted time, albeit on a soaking wet track, and it didn’t take long for the torrential rain and gusting winds to return.

Rossi dropped from pole to fourth at the start of the planned 28 laps, then surrendered another place to Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo. Thereafter, Rossi found his rhythm and made his way back past reigning world champion Casey Stoner, Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso to sit second behind home hero Nicky Hayden by lap six.

Passing Hayden was no mean feat and it took Rossi eight laps to finally overtake the late-braking American, whose Repsol Honda seemed to have the edge on Rossi’s M1 along the straights.

“It was an amazing race and a great battle with Nicky,” said Rossi. “I always enjoy racing with Nicky and it was like three, four years ago when we did a lot of great battles.

“Nicky grew up very close to me because his first year [in MotoGP] was as my team-mate at Honda. I remember him coming first time from the US, and he was very desperate. I say Nicky, Nicky, quiet, quiet!” smiled Rossi. “It is a bit different here compared to US. But he is always strong and hard to overtake because he is very strong in braking.

“So we stayed together very close for many laps. Nicky is very wide, very aggressive but also very clean. So I enjoyed the fight. Then, when I got in front of him, I was a bit faster.”

But Hurricane Ike wasn’t finished with Indianapolis and on lap 16 of 28 it started to rain heavily once again, accompanied by strong gusts of wind which made riding perilous - even for a seven time world champion.

MotoGP » Rossi wants seven 'Laguna Secas'.

Tuesday, 12th August 2008

Valentino Rossi heads to Czech Republic still buzzing from his US GP victory, but expects tough Brno battle.

Despite knocking the wind out of Casey Stoner's title charge during a thrilling Laguna Seca duel, Valentino Rossi knows he faces some of the toughest battles of his illustrious career to contain the 'formidable' young Australian during the final seven rounds of the 2008 season.

Having won the three races leading up to Laguna Seca Stoner, who believes he and Ducati are much stronger during the second half of the season, will now return from the summer break 25 points behind Rossi after finishing runner-up to the Italian in the USA.

But Stoner scored a mighty 146 points during the final seven rounds of last season, on his way to world championship glory, while Rossi managed just 64 points as he slipped to third in the standings.

The only difference in terms of circuits, between this year and last, is that Portugal was among the final seven last year, but was moved earlier in the 2008 calendar to make way for the new Indianapolis round.

"Last year, at most of these final circuits, we weren't able to fight at the top but we are working hard now to be able to provide Valentino with the most competitive package to allow him to race at the front, as he has for the majority of this year's races," said Rossi's Fiat Yamaha team manager Davide Brivio.

"Every race from now on will be very important and Brno could be one of the most difficult for us against our competitors," he warned.

Stoner won at Brno last season, when Rossi limped home in seventh, but the battle should be much closer in 2008 - with both riders now on Bridgestone tyres and Rossi's M1 considered the best all-round package on the MotoGP grid.

"Last year we had a bad time at Brno; I could only finish seventh and it was quite disheartening," admitted Rossi. "This year, however, we're going there in a very different frame of mind: leading the championship, following a great win and with our bike and tyres working very well. I've had a good summer break, just relaxing with my friends and family, but now I am really looking forward to going racing again."

source : crash.net

MotoGP » Lorenzo set for latest comeback.

Tuesday, 12th August 2008

Race-winning MotoGP rookie Jorge Lorenzo prepares for his latest injury return.

Race-winning MotoGP rookie Jorge Lorenzo will make his latest return from injury at this weekend's Czech Republic Grand Prix.

Lorenzo underwent arm surgery immediately after his stunning debut MotoGP victory at Estoril, only to break his ankles next time out in China.

Further falls at Le Mans, Mugello and Barcelona climaxed in the Spaniard missing his second home race due to concussion, with attempts to carefully rebuild his battered confidence then shattered by a huge first lap highside - which left him with three broken metatarsals in his left foot - at Laguna Seca. Intense physiotherapy during the summer break has at least offered Lorenzo the chance to reach 'near full fitness' for this weekend's Czech Republic Grand Prix at Brno, a circuit where he has taken 250cc victory from pole position for the last two seasons, in addition to a 125cc win back in 2004.

"I am going to Brno with a high hopes and above all trying not to think about the disappointment of Laguna Seca; it's behind me now," said the reigning double 250cc world champion. "In the USA I was fast once again and I hope that I can carry on like this in the Czech Republic. I know that I can.

"Brno is a circuit that I like a lot, it's one of my favourites. I've won there three times in 125cc and 250cc. It's a good place for my riding style and the weather is normally perfect. Physically I feel very good after the crash and the injuries, I definitely feel as good as could be expected.

"It's the first time this season that I've really had proper time to recover, thanks to the holidays, so I think I am in good shape. At the moment I am still using my crutches to walk but I have been able to do some training and I know that I won't have a problem when I arrive in Brno on Thursday," he insisted.

For Lorenzo's Fiat Yamaha team manager Daniele Romagnoli, this weekend will be all about continuing the process of rebuilding Lorenzo's confidence in his Michelin-shod YZR-M1.

MotoGP » Sachsenring - Race results.

Sunday, 13th July 2008

Full race results from the German Grand Prix at a wet Sachsenring, round ten of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship.

Dani Pedrosa crashed out on lap five, while holding a seven second lead.


1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 47min 30.057 secs
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 47min 33.765 secs
3. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 47min 44.059 secs
4. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 47min 44.181 secs
5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 48min 12.079 secs
6. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 48min 16.705 secs
7. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 48min 34.540 secs
8. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 48min 34.645 secs
9. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 48min 46.830 secs
10. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 48min 59.332 secs
11. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 47min 41.757 secs
12. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 47min 43.954 secs
13. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 48min 13.749 secs

DNF:
Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 8min 5.615 secs
Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 3min 23.795 secs
Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 14min 50.161 secs
Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 32min 10.373 secs

MotoGP » Pedrosa to miss US GP?

Monday, 14th July 2008

Dani Pedrosa injures hand and ankle after crashing out of German Grand Prix lead.

Dani Pedrosa's Sachsenring accident, which cost him the race and world championship lead, may also rule the Spaniard out of next weekend's US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.

Pedrosa had shocked the paddock by rocketing to a 7.4secs leads after just five laps around the soaking Sachsenring circuit, but then fell at high speed as he braked for turn one.

"It was a little strange. I had only just touched the brake and I crashed," confirmed Pedrosa after his first DNF of the season. "It was a real pity because I'd got a great start and was going well. I had a good feeling. The front felt perfect, the rear was sliding just a little, but the general feeling was good considering the track conditions. It is a real pity."


"Dani was showing very good performance at the start of the race, he had a good feeling for the conditions but he was unlucky. It was a fast crash," added team manager Kazuhiko Yamano.

After falling, the Spaniard slid into the run-off area, rolled through the gravel trap, then came to a halt against the air fence. Pedrosa fractured the top bone of his left index finger in the incident and also has a suspected fracture of his right ankle.

Pedrosa is due to fly to Barcelona to see his surgeon Xavier Mir in advance of next weekend's US GP and the Clinica Mobile - which treated Pedrosa at the circuit - believes that 'in consideration of the serious injuries suffered' surgery on Pedrosa's left hand is 'likely'.

But if surgery does take place, the Clinica Mobile added that Pedrosa 'will not be able to take part in the next GP at Laguna Seca, and we can expect his return at the Czech Republic Grand Prix [on August 17] after the summer break'.

Pedrosa had led the MotoGP World Championship by four points over Valentino Rossi heading into the German GP, round ten of 18.

MotoGP » Assen - Race results.

Saturday, 28th June 2008

Full race results from the Dutch TT at Assen, round nine of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship.

Valentino Rossi fell on the first lap and rejoined in last. Nicky Hayden ran out of fuel on the exit of the final turn, handing third to Colin Edwards.

Dani Pedrosa now leads the world championship standings by four points from Rossi, with Stoner 29 points behind Pedrosa...


1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 42min 12.337 secs
2. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 42min 23.647 secs
3. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 42min 29.462 secs
4. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 42min 32.814 secs
5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 42min 39.683 secs
6. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 42min 40.945 secs
7. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 42min 44.667 secs
8. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 42min 47.229 secs
9. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 42min 50.903 secs
10. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 42min 51.154 secs
11. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 42min 58.362 secs
12. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 43min 0.550 secs
13. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 43min 11.931 secs

DNF:
Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 11min 41.383 secs
Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) lap 1
Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) lap 1

MotoGP » Donington Park: Race results.

Sunday, 22nd June 2008

Full race results from the British Grand Prix at Donington Park, round eight of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship.

1. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 44min 44.982 secs
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 44min 50.771 secs
3. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 44min 53.329 secs
4. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 44min 57.660 secs
5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 44min 59.783 secs
6. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 45min 0.672 secs
7. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 45min 3.178 secs
8. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 45min 6.648 secs
9. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 45min 14.336 secs
10. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 45min 26.012 secs
11. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 45min 29.408 secs
12. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 45min 31.181 secs
13. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 45min 33.713 secs
14. Ben Spies USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 45min 34.573 secs
15. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 46min 7.168 secs
16. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 46min 15.003 secs
17. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 45min 32.234 secs

DNF:
John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 24min 18.021 secs

Valentino Rossi consecutive 7th Mugello (italy) victory.

x roadie

Sunday, 1st June 2008

Italian legend thrills home fans with seventh consecutive Mugello victory.

Valentino Rossi escaped from the pack to claim his magnificent seventh consecutive home Mugello victory in dominant style in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

Rossi, riding under bright sunshine and in front of almost 100,000 trackside fans, got a bad start from pole position and was only fourth through the first sequence of corners, behind Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi.

But The Doctor worked his way clinically forwards, passing Capirossi's Suzuki on the opening lap and immediately closing the slight gap to his title rivals.


Stoner's powerful Ducati got the better of Pedrosa along the home straight on lap 2 of 23, with Rossi dropping the Repsol Honda rider back to third later on the same lap.

The Bridgestone-shod Fiat Yamaha star then took the race lead from Stoner with a clever inside move through a downhill turn and the face painted on the top of Rossi's special Mugello helmet never looked back.

At a track famous for its close slipstreaming battles, Rossi's lead broke two seconds by the halfway mark and the seven-times world champion went on to take his third victory in a row (from six 2008 starts) by that same margin after backing off in the closing stages. It had been 17 years since the last non-Michelin win in the premier-class at Mugello, by Wayne Rainey in 1991 using Dunlop tyres.

Rossi celebrated his 91st grand prix victory by pumping his fist across the finish line before enduring one of his toughest tests of the afternoon when he had to weave his way through the invading fans on the slow down lap.

Perhaps surprisingly, there was no special celebration - although it could be argued that none was needed in such an emotionally charged environment, with the whole of the Mugello home straight packed with fans by the time the podium ceremony took place.
last but not the least GO ROSSI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO

Race results - Mugello.

x roadie

Sunday, 1st June 2008

Rossi wins seventh consecutive home Italian Grand Prix.

Full race results from the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, round six of the 2008 MotoGP World Championship.

1. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 42min 31.153 secs
2. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 42min 33.354 secs
3. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 42min 36.020 secs
4. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 42min 37.466 secs
5. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 42min 43.683 secs
6. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 42min 44.959 secs
7. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 42min 45.600 secs
8. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 42min 46.472 secs
9. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 42min 46.480 secs
10. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 43min 1.938 secs
11. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 43min 10.774 secs
12. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 43min 21.174 secs
13. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 43min 21.593 secs
14. Tady Okada JPN Repsol Honda Team (M) 43min 30.002 secs
15. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 43min 31.889 secs

DNF:
Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 9min 25.989 secs
Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 9min 26.358 secs
John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 11min 17.629 secs
Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 11min 11.489 secs

Valentino Rossi does it in China.

xroadies : motogp news

Rossi smashes losing streak in China.

Sunday, 4th May 2008

Valentino Rossi smashed a seven-race losing streak with his first ever Bridgestone victory in an action-packed Chinese Grand Prix, as the Italian became the fourth different MotoGP race winner in as many 2008 events.

Slicks were the tyres of choice for the damp track conditions - the lengthy Shanghai circuit drying steadily after heavy morning rain - and Rossi earned his breakthrough victory after a tense race-long battle with Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa.

Pedrosa took advantage of some frantic opening laps to make a small break up front, before being caught and passed by Fiat Yamaha rider Rossi, who took the lead for the first time on lap 6 of 22.

But Pedrosa then matched Rossi blow-for-blow and was still just a fraction from the Italian ten laps later, when Rossi made his victory push - pumping out new lap records to finally break the Jerez winner and take a 1.3secs lead with three laps to go.

Pedrosa later explained that there a strong tailwind along the giant 1.km back straight - which pushed up the top speeds substantially - had caused his Repsol Honda to over-rev and he was happy to settle for second under the circumstances.

Pedrosa had thus dropped rapidly away from Rossi by the flag, The Doctor taking his first victory since last September's Portuguese Grand Prix - with both fists waving in delight - by a margin of 3.890secs.

Having broken his longest losing steak since his debut 2000 season, a relieved Rossi parked his M1 at the side of the track, took off his helmet and soaked up the moment - before kissing his Yamaha and making his way slowly back to the pits.

MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner also looked set to play a starring role, after qualifying on the front row for the first time this year and holding the lead several times in the early stages, but was forced to watch in frustration as the top two rode away from him.

The Ducati Marlboro star, who hit a staggering 343.2km/h along the back straight, finally finished 12secs behind Pedrosa and 6.5secs ahead of fourth placed Jorge Lorenzo. Stoner later revealed that a softer tyre, in response to the cooler weather conditions, had proved his undoing.

orenzo came into the race holding a perfect podium record and the joint world championship lead, but had badly injured his ankles during a huge Friday highside - then stalled on the grid as the formation lap began.

The MotoGP rookie attempted to re-fire his Fiat Yamaha with a bump start, doing little to reduce the pain from his injured ankles, before getting assistance from officials and taking his fourth place on the grid.

The Spaniard, who celebrated his 21st birthday today, looked understandably cautious in the early stages - and had been mercilessly pushed back to eighth by the halfway mark - but retaliated with a combative performance during the last ten laps to pull a comfortable 4.4secs clear of fifth place.

Kawasaki endured a race to forget, John Hopkins managing just 14th after several mistakes whilst trying to force his way forwards from 12th on the grid, while team-mate Anthony West finished in a distant last place - where he had started.

In the world championship standings, Pedrosa has now broken seven points clear of Lorenzo, with Rossi just two points behind his team-mate in third. Stoner remains fourth, but has slipped 25 points - one race win - behind Pedrosa.

Sunday's race was rumoured to be the final Chinese Grand Prix for the foreseeable future - a new round in Hungary, feeding on the huge support for 125cc world champion Gabor Talmacsi, is tipped to replace the Shanghai event from next season.

xroadies : motogp race results

Race results - Shanghai.

Sunday, 4th May 2008

Full race results from the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai, round four of the 2008 MotoGP season.
1. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 44min 8.061 secs
2. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 44min 11.951 secs
3. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 44min 23.989 secs
4. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 44min 30.555 secs
5. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 44min 35.018 secs
6. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 44min 36.430 secs
7. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 44min 37.841 secs
8. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 44min 38.286 secs
9. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 44min 39.501 secs
10. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 44min 44.030 secs
11. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 44min 44.307 secs
12. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 44min 51.252 secs
13. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 44min 51.503 secs
14. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 44min 53.916 secs
15. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 44min 54.391 secs
16. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 44min 58.654 secs
17. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 45min 13.654 secs

DNF:
Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 12min 37.734 secsotoGP (B) 12min 37.734 secs

Lorenzo's monster crash

xroadies : lorenzo
Saturday, 3rd May 2008

This huge highside looks set to end Jorge Lorenzo's incredible start to his MotoGP career.

The 20-year-old rookie - who has taken three podiums from his first three races, including a debut win last time out in Estoril - was ejected spectacularly from his Fiat Yamaha midway through Friday's first free practice at Shanghai, ending his hopes of a fourth consecutive pole position.

The accident occurred as the Spaniard switched direction from right to left, the rear wheel of his M1 losing traction before launching the reigning 250cc world champion into a huge 360-degree somersault.

Lorenzo landed hard on his feet, fracturing his left ankle and sustaining severe trauma and bruising to parts of his right ankle and foot.

The joint world championship leader was taken to a nearby hospital to have his injuries examined and missed the second free practice session as a result - but returned on Saturday to claim a brave fourth on the grid for Sunday's race.

BUT Lorenzo RIDES AWAY !

'All about tyres' for Rossi.

'ALL ABOUT TYRES' for Rossi Tuesday, 15th April 2008 With the new Yamaha/Bridgestone partnership still in its infancy, Valentino Rossi's main focus during Monday's Estoril test was unsurprisingly on continued tyre development. Rossi, who has taken two podiums from his first three Bridgestone starts and holds third in the current world championship standings, will be looking to break a seven-race losing streak - since Estoril 2007 - next time out in Shanghai, a circuit where Rossi finished second to Casey Stoner's Bridgestone-shod Ducati last year. The Fiat Yamaha star left Estoril with the second fastest overall lap time, set with a qualifying tyre, after circulating 0.252secs behind Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa. Rossi also tested new front and rear race tyres, whilst improving set-up and 'feeling' during his 90 laps. Using race tyres, the Italian was able to beat his best lap - set on his way to third place - in Sunday's grand prix. "Today was all about tyres, set-up and our ongoing task of improving the Yamaha-Bridgestone package," confirmed team manager Davide Brivio. "We tried new front and rear race tyres and also some new qualifying tyres, and we found some good solutions to take with us to China. We were able to improve rear grip and durability especially and these are two key areas for us. "Valentino worked very hard today and completed 90 laps, and he deserves to be happy with a job well done. Of course we are always working on the general setting and we hope that we're going to be arriving in China now with an even better bike than we had this weekend. Thank you to everyone for another long weekend of hard work and now there's some time to relax before we make the trip to China." Rossi's team-mate and Estoril race winner Jorge Lorenzo - currently tied with Pedrosa at the top of the world championship standings - did not test on Monday, the 20-year-old opting to undergo surgery on his right forearm to help arm-pump problems.

Lorenzo wins at third attempt!

Sunday, 13th April 2008

Jorge Lorenzo's 'inevitable' debut MotoGP victory has come at only his third attempt, after the reigning 250cc world champion fought past arch-rival Dani Pedrosa and team-mate Valentino Rossi during Sunday's Portuguese Grand Prix.

Having qualified on pole for a perfect third time in a row, Lorenzo lined up on the front of the Estoril grid with sporadic rain drops falling - adding further drama to the proceedings - before fellow front row starters Pedrosa and Rossi stormed ahead of him into turn one.

Rossi wasted no time in shuffling ahead of world championship leader Pedrosa, with Lorenzo also taking advantage - then passing the fellow Fiat Yamaha of Rossi to take the lead by the end of lap one.

Rossi soon struck back, passing Jorge into turn one of lap 2 of 28, and the 20-year-old was demoted back to third position on lap 11 when Pedrosa finally made a move stick into the same corner.

Lorenzo had been unable to stick with Pedrosa and Rossi just two weeks' earlier at his home grand prix, but the youngest rider on the MotoGP grid - who repeatedly warns that he'll keep getting better - went on to beat Pedrosa on the brakes into turn one, then surprised Rossi by diving for the lead into the ultra-tight chicane later in the same lap.

The top three were thus covered by just 0.4secs as the grand prix entered its second half, but Rossi - who had hoped to fight for his first Bridgestone victory - was now struggling to match the Michelin-shod Spaniards, Pedrosa overtaking the 2007 event winner on lap 15.

But Dani couldn't stick with Lorenzo, who - despite arm pump problems at the first two rounds - quickly put his M1 just out of reach of the factory Honda rider and maintained at least a one-second lead.

Lorenzo rode flat out to the finish line, before erupting in celebration - while Pedrosa was left punching the tank with frustration just behind him.

Lorenzo and Pedrosa are now equal at the top of the world championships standings, while Lorenzo has become the youngest ever to take three successive podium finishes in the premier-class... taking the record from Pedrosa by just one day.Jorge celebrated his achievement by planting his trademark 'Lorenzo's Land' flag for the first time as a MotoGP rider, then danced his way onto the podium before leaping high into the air.

Lorenzo might not have been the only rookie on the podium had Andrea Dovizioso kept his JiR Team Scot Honda on two wheels; the Italian made a great start to climb from seventh to third on lap one and stuck with the eventual top three until he fell on lap 16.

With Rossi - whose losing streak has now reach seven races - fading in the closing stages, Dovizioso may have been perfectly placed to repeat his late Qatar pass on the seven-time world champion. Rossi was also handed vital breathing room when Nicky Hayden - who had inherited fourth from Dovizioso and was lapping as fast as anyone - fell just a lap later.
Rossi thus finished five seconds ahead of satellite Tech 3 Yamaha rider Colin Edwards, with John Hopkins enjoying his best race yet for Kawasaki with sixth position after clinging with the leaders for the opening half of the grand prix.

Sixth place went to world champion Casey Stoner, who had struggled with his Ducati in qualifying and dropped back as low as eleventh by lap 15. Thereafter the young Australian mounted an impressive recovery, despite some loose technical equipment rattling against his fairing, to finish two seconds from Hopkins.

James Toseland was unsure of how hard to push during the rain spots that fell for much of the race, but was once again in the thick of the action as he battled with the likes of Stoner, de Puniet and Chris Vermeulen - with whom he had clashed at Jerez - on his way to seventh.

de Puniet fell from his LCR Honda late in the race, while Vermeulen took eighth position - just in front of Rizla Suzuki team-mate Loris Capirossi. Tenth place went to Gresini Honda's Shinya Nakano.

Marco Melandri was 13th on the second factory Ducati, with Anthony West also continuing to struggle, the Australian 16th and last on the second ZX-RR.

Race results - Estoril.

Sunday, 13th April 2008

Full race results from the Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril, round three of the 2008 MotoGP season.

1. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 45min 53.089 secs
2. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 45min 54.906 secs
3. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 46min 5.812 secs
4. Colin Edwards USA Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 46min 10.312 secs
5. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 46min 16.841 secs
6. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 46min 19.777 secs
7. James Toseland GBR Tech 3 Yamaha (M) 46min 25.720 secs
8. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 46min 29.471 secs
9. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 46min 31.357 secs
10. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 46min 32.565 secs
11. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 46min 54.395 secs
12. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 46min 56.956 secs
13. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 47min 2.614 secs
14. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 47min 2.723 secs
15. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 47min 4.631 secs
16. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 47min 16.718 secs

DNF:
Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 26min 23.675 secs
Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 24min 43.870 secs

Night riders gear up for unique test.

xroadies

Wednesday, 27th February 2008

MotoGP field to get first taste of floodlights in race trim.

MotoGP

stars will this week get a taste of what they can expect at next month's championship opener, as they embark on a two-day test with a difference at the Losail circuit in Qatar.

While all know the venue well, this will be the first time most of them have tackled it at night, and the first time for all on full race-prepped machines, as they explore conditions similar to those they will find at the first ever MotoGP night race, the Commercialbank

Grand Prix

of Qatar, on Sunday 9 March.

Five riders - Loris Capirossi, Marco Melandri, Anthony West, Alex de Angelis and British newcomer James Toseland, who makes his MotoGP debut in Qatar - tested the floodlighting on the first three corners of the circuit last November, but did so riding road bikes rather than their usual race mounts. The verdict then was good, but all admitted that the real test will come when the test starts on Thursday evening.


"It's going to be so exciting to race under floodlights," MotoGP veteran Loris Capirossi admitted

after the November test. "The difference from when we first tested here at night [in 2006] is amazing. Back then, I wasn't too sure what was possible, but the lighting is perfect out there!

"There's hardly any difference between day and night riding in these conditions and, of course, it's going to be more exciting to race at night. There's no problems with shadows or reflections, and I'm very happy with this.

"We reached nearly 300km/h on [the road] bikes, so I don't think there will be too much difference to come here on a MotoGP machine. We could see the warning flags and braking markers and, even when they tested the rare possibility of a power cut, there was no problem because of the back-up systems."

Team technicians will also be tested, as they get the opportunity to discover what affect night-time desert temperatures will have on engines and, more especially, tyres. The 125cc and 250cc riders will also complete two nights of testing, starting on Saturday.

Rizla Suzuki lights up for night test.

Tuesday, 26th February 2008

After-dark running to get teams ready for season-opener.

The Rizla Suzuki

MotoGP

team will takes its first laps under floodlights when joins this week's IRTA test at the Losail circuit in Qatar in preparation for the category's inaugural night race.

The 5.38km layout will be illuminated by thousands of high-tech bulbs as Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen take the track for the last test before the start of the 2008 world championship at the same venue next month.

The Italian has already experienced riding at the desert circuit under floodlights, as he was one of the MotoGP stars chosen to test out the feasibility of racing at night when he tested the new system last year on Suzuki road bike, but team-mate Vermeulen will be getting his first taste of the unique conditions.

Rizla Suzuki MotoGP still has some important work to conduct during the two-day test to ready itself for the first race a week later, and will be hoping that Capirossi and Vermeulen will get up to speed and adapt to the totally new conditions quickly.

"It is a very exciting thing to be riding the bike at night, but that will also present us with some extra problems that we will need to overcome as well, like where to put the lights on the bike and managing to stay awake!” the Australian joked, "We still have a lot to do at this test, as we are still looking for the best set-up for this year's bike. We didn't get as much dry track time as we wanted at the last test in Jerez, so we need two good 'days' at Qatar to get the best out of the bike."

Capirossi agreed that Losail will provide a lot of new set-up questions for both the crews and for tyre supplier Bridgestone, as they try to come to terms with the colder night-time temperatures that the Qatar desert will bring.

“I tested in Qatar on a Suzuki GSX-R last year under the lights, and the track was very good," he reflected, "It was very bright and almost like daylight - I could even use a dark visor! But [racing in the dark] is going to be a new thing for all of us and I am really looking forward to riding my GSV-R there at night.

Jerez MotoGP test times - x roadies .

[More Pictures]

Jerez MotoGP test times - Monday.

Monday, 18th February 2008

Full lap times from the third and final day of the official MotoGP test at Jerez in Spain.

Following Sunday's rain, the weather fortunately improved on Monday - where, as on day one, Repsol Honda's Nicky Hayden set the pace with the aid of a Michelin qualifying tyre.

LCR Honda's Randy de Puniet again set the fastest lap time on race tyres (see separate story). Only Dani Pedrosa and John Hopkins, both riding injured, set their best lap time with race tyres.

Earlier in the day, James Toseland was taken to the Clinica Mobile to have an ankle examined

after a nasty highside. The Briton was fortunately able to get back out on track and went on to set the sixth fastest time.

Toseland's Yamaha Tech 3 team-mate Colin Edwards was the only person not to set a lap time during today's cool track conditions.

The second and final official pre-season test will take place at Qatar, under floodlights, on February 28-29.




1. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 38.848 secs
2. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1min 39.252 secs
3. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Scot Team (M) 1min 39.313 secs
4. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 1min 39.351 secs
5. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1min 39.568 secs
6. James Toseland GBR Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 1min 39.727 secs
7. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 39.845 secs
8. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 39.932 secs
9. Shinya Nakano JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1min 40.333 secs
10. Loris Capirossi ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 40.442 secs
11. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1min 40.576 secs
12. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 41.026 secs
13. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B) 1min 41.177 secs
14. Marco Melandri ITA Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1min 41.292 secs
15. Toni Elias SPA Alice Team (B) 1min 41.311 secs
16. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1min 41.699 secs
17. Nicola Canepa ITA Ducati Test Rider (B) 1min 42.160 secs
18. John Hopkins USA Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1min 42.970 secs
19. Olivier Jacque FRA Kawasaki Test Rider (B) 1min 43.496 secs
20. Vittoriano Guareschi ITA Ducati Test Rider (B) 1min 45.597 secs

Colin Edwards USA Yamaha Tech 3 (M) 1min no time secs


Fastest day two time:
Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro (B) 1min 49.263secs (wet)

Fastest day one time:
Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda (M) 1min 39.200secs (Qualifying tyre)

November 2007 Jerez test:
29/11 /2007: Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda (M) 1min 38.562secs (qualifying tyre with 2007 RC212V)


2007 Spanish Grand Prix - 25/03/2007:
Pole position: Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda (M) 1min 39.402secs

Fastest lap by manufacturer:
Yamaha: Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha (M) 1min 40.905secs
Suzuki: John Hopkins USA Rizla Suzuki (B) 1min 40.938secs
Honda: Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda (M) 1min 41.014secs
Ducati: Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro (B) 1min 41.443secs
Kawasaki: Randy de Puniet FRA Kawasaki Racing (B) 1min 41.967secs
KR212V: Kenny Roberts Jr USA Team Roberts (M) 1min 42.024secs

Hayden again as Jerez concludes.

[More Pictures]

Hayden again as Jerez concludes.

Monday, 18th February 2008

If Nicky Hayden's winter testing form is anything to go by then the 2006 MotoGP world champion will surely be a regular pole position contender with his Michelin qualifying tyres this season.

Despite well documented concerns over race pace, the Repsol

Honda

rider has frequently been the man to beat on the one-lap rubber - which he used to set the fastest lap time on two out of the three days at Jerez.

Unfortunately for the American, rain on Sunday ended his hopes of a perfect three-day sweep - and the chance of winning a

BMW

sports car, which instead went to reigning world champion Casey Stoner after a brilliant wet weather ride during the 40-minute shootout.

Nevertheless, Hayden and his spring-valve RC212V enjoyed a solid 0.4secs advantage over nearest rival Jorge Lorenzo by the end of Monday's track action. Hayden's top time, of 1min 38.848secs, was almost 0.4secs faster than his Monday qualifying best - but still fell short of the 1min 38.562secs team-mate Dani Pedrosa recorded during testing at the end of 2007.

Hayden had been second fastest at that November test, once again with a lap time of 1min 38.348secs! However, while it may be tempting for some to suggest that no improvement has therefore been made, track conditions were far from perfect on Monday - morning rain being followed by continued wind and cool temperatures, influencing the potential for fast laps.

But there is no denying that Hayden made a massive leap in performance with qualifying tyres - having trimmed a huge 2.362secs from his best race tyre lap of the day with the soft rubber! Hayden has previously suggested that qualifying tyres help cure Honda's biggest problem - acceleration - due to the increased corner speed.

"It's definitely been a really positive and productive three days," declared Hayden on Monday evening. "We had high hopes coming here because when we tested here in November the bike worked pretty good and Michelin tyres normally work good at Jerez, so this is a good track for us, also there's no big long straightaways.

"The wind here has made it tough, the conditions haven't been easy, but I do feel more comfortable on this year's bike in the wind. The team really worked hard and made some good moves and good decisions. We didn't make a lot of big changes, we just got closer to race settings, tried a couple of qualifiers and did a 25 lap run.

"The chassis seems to be working good and also the tyres are working good. We tried a few different tyre options, and we're still checking data between the 16 and 16.5 rears.

"But the show hasn't started yet, we'll find out what everybody's really got and what we're in for when we get to Qatar but we leave here pretty happy. At the Qatar tests we'll see how it is under the lights and dial everything in for the first race," Nicky concluded.

Hayden was ranked a more modest fifth fastest on race tyres, with LCR Honda's Randy de Puniet once again outperforming the factory riders on multi-lap rubber.

The Frenchman was also the quickest rider with race tyres on Monday, and just edged out Stoner (who escaped unharmed from a final day fall) and impressive class rookie Andrea Dovizioso to retain the honour on day three.

Kawasaki's injured representative John Hopkins rode just 18 laps of the track, limiting his work to the bare essentials, while another absentee from yesterday's 40 minute qualifying session, Dani Pedrosa, also took things easy at his home circuit.

Of the regular

MotoGP

field, only Toseland's Yamaha Tech 3 team-mate Colin Edwards elected against testing on day three after having completed his schedule on Sunday.

The final pre-season test will take place, under floodlights, at Qatar from February 28-29.