Thread: MOTOGP

Honda move no distraction, says Casey Stoner

By Matthew Birt -
MotoGP
10 September 2010 10:26

Casey Stoner has scoffed at suggestions that his early decision to sign for Honda has been prime factor in his failure to win a race in almost a year.
The Australian agreed to quit Ducati and move to HRC for 2011 at just the second race of the season in Jerez.
But the 2007 world champion denied that his form had suffered as a result of his future being sorted at such an early juncture in the season.
“This has nothing to do with it. This was an early decision this year and I still expected to be faster and winning races, “said the 24-year-old.
Stoner’s patience also snapped recently in Misano when he was asked about the impressive pace of 2011 team-mate Dani Pedrosa.
He said: “I’m not interested. I have to worry about us at the moment. I don’t give a crap about what everybody else is doing because at the moment we’re struggling with our bike.”
Stoner's last MotoGP victory came last October when he dominated the Sepang race in Malaysia

Honda move no distraction, says Casey Stoner - | Motorcycle Sport | MotoGP News | MotoGP Results | MCN

India set for MotoGP in 2012

By Matthew Birt -
MotoGP
10 September 2010 10:16

India could be added to the 2012 MotoGP world championship calendar.
A new circuit in Greater Noida has been added to the 2011 Formula One calendar subject to homologation.
And bosses at the Jaypee Group Circuit are also keen to host a MotoGP race in the future and could be on the calendar as early as 2012 – the first season for the new 1000cc four-stroke rules.
International Race Teams Association boss Mike Trimby told MCN recently: “There is big interest in India. They are building a new circuit from scratch with bikes in mind and the Indian promoter is keen to have MotoGP.”
MotoGP may also go to the spectacular Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi in 2012 too. Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi visited the circuit earlier this season to advise on safety issues but two new races could be on the calendar in 2012.
A provisional 2011 MotoGP should be released during the next Grand Prix at the new Motorland Aragon track in Spain.
Next year’s campaign will kick off under the Losail International Circuit floodlights in Qatar on March 20.

Nicky Hayden aims to justify new Ducati deal

By Matthew Birt -
MotoGP
09 September 2010 09:46

Nicky Hayden aims to prove the doubters wrong after he recently inked a new two-year deal with Ducati.
The 2006 world champion will partner Valentino Rossi in Ducati’s factory squad for 2011 and 2012.
And he conceded that his win record since his debut in 2003 would see his deal frowned upon by some critics.
Hayden’s new two-year deal means he’d have spent his entire ten-year MotoGP squad in a factory team, despite winning only three of 128 races.
He told MCN: “Some people think I maybe didn’t deserve it again. I know people say three wins and one title and almost 30 podiums isn’t enough but it’s still enough to stay on a good bike and a good team.”
Hayden’s extended contract means he’ll work closely with Rossi on the development of Ducati’s new factory 1000cc prototype for 2012.
He added: “I’m excited about being with Rossi and I’m guaranteed to be on that bike in 2012 when the 1000s come back. That is something I’m happy about.

Motorcycle News UK | Motorbikes | MCN

2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R

By MCN -
New bikes
10 September 2010 18:54
Last week Kawasaki unveiled the 2011 ZX-10R in World superbike trim with claims that it would out-grunt the BMW S1000RR and that the road bike will feature MotoGP-derived electronics.

Tomizawa funeral to take place this week

Monday, 13 September 2010
The Moto2 rider’s body was returned to Japan over the weekend and his funeral will be held on Wednesday.

Shoya Tomizawa’s body was returned to Japan on Sunday in preparation for the rider’s funeral ceremony, which is due to take place this week.
Tomizawa’s parents arrived in Italy last Monday and visited the hospital in Riccione where the 19 year-old was transferred to following his fatal crash at Misano eight days ago, and were accompanied throughout their stay until Friday by the Technomag-CIP team as they also visited the circuit.
Following the completion of the necessary paperwork in Italy Tomizawa’s body was then flown to Tokyo on Sunday and his wake will take place on Tuesday evening, to be followed by a public funeral ceremony in Asahi, near Chiba, on Wednesday.

Provisional 2011 MotoGP Calendar Leaked


Submitted by David Emmett on Mon, 2010-09-13 14:58.
in

• Moto2
• MotoGP
• 125
• Assen, The Netherlands
• Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
• Brno, Czech Republic
• Estoril, Portugal
• Indianapolis, USA
• Jerez, Spain
• Laguna Seca, USA
• Le Mans, France
• Losail, Qatar
• Misano, Italy
• Motegi, Japan
• Motorland Aragon, Spain
• Mugello, Italy
• Phillip Island, Australia
• Sachsenring, Germany
• Sepang, Malaysia
• Silverstone, Great Britain
• Valencia, Spain

The announcement of the official 2011 MotoGP calendar - albeit the provisional one - has been a long time coming. Normally, the provisional calendar is settled at the Brno round of MotoGP, but the series' desire not to clash with Formula One means that the Grand Prix Commission has had to wait for the FIA to release the F1 calendar before finalizing their own. With the F1 calendar now provisionally released, the MotoGP calendar is expected to be released this weekend at the Aragon round.
An early version of the calendar has already surfaced among race travel trip organizers. As their businesses depend upon knowing the following year's schedule as early as possible, MotoGP travel companies are among the very first to know. Our friends over at Pole Position Travel pointed us to a provisional calendar which has appeared on the website of another organization selling MotoGP tickets.
Obviously, this schedule has appeared before any official announcement has been made, and so it cannot be regarded as the finalized schedule, but given what we already know about the 2011 schedule - that it will be largely unchanged with respect to this year - the race dates look fairly realistic. As predicted, the season opener at Qatar moves up to March 20th, three weeks earlier than this year, to prevent the World Superbike series having the entire pre-season to themselves. The biggest change to the schedule is Estoril's seemingly annual migration from one end of the calendar to the other, moving to the middle of March for 2011. Elsewhere, Motegi moves back to April, which would have happened in 2010 were it not for an Icelandic volcano. The only direct clash with a Formula One date is on May 22, when the Le Mans MotoGP race is staged at the same time as the Barcelona F1 Grand Prix. Other date clashes happen in different time zones, meaning that the races themselves will be in different time slots and will not clash.
Below is the provisional calendar as we believe it will be next season, but an official version should be available after this weekend:
Date Country Circuit March 20 Qatar Losail * April 24 Japan Motegi May 01 Spain Jerez May 15 Portugal Estoril May 22 France Le Mans June 5 Italy Mugello June 19 Great Britain Silverstone June 25 Netherlands Assen ** July 03 Catalunya Barcelona July 17 Germany Sachsenring July 24 United States Laguna Seca *** August 14 Czech Republic Brno August 28 Indianapolis Indianapolis September 4 San Marino Misano September 18 Aragon Aragon October 09 Malaysia Sepang October 16 Australia Phillip Island November 06 Valencia Ricardo Tormo Valencia
* Night race
** Saturday race
*** MotoGP class only
Source:
MotoGP Racing Tickets Schedule

Formula 1
Date Country Circuit March 20 Qatar Losail * April 24 Japan Motegi May 01 Spain Jerez May 15 Portugal Estoril May 22 France Le Mans June 5 Italy Mugello June 19 Great Britain Silverstone June 25 Netherlands Assen ** July 03 Catalunya Barcelona July 17 Germany Sachsenring July 24 United States Laguna Seca *** August 14 Czech Republic Brno August 28 Indianapolis Indianapolis September 4 San Marino Misano September 18 Aragon Aragon October 09 Malaysia Sepang October 16 Australia Phillip Island November 06 Valencia Ricardo Tormo Valencia

http://motomatters.com/node

The Motegi/Japan one is the odd one out, they go from Italy to Japan to Spain; this year's Motegi was rescheduled due to the Iceland volcano impacting on flights, but having it one week from Sepang/Malaysia makes a lot of sense, could make a nice 10-day holiday around those races a week apart, maybe Philip Island the week after

would be a good trip

Top three target again for Rossi

Wednesday, 15 September 2010
The World Champion says his physical condition is constantly improving and he is aiming for another podium finish at Aragón this weekend.

Valentino Rossi continued to impress in his ongoing return to full fitness with a podium finish at Misano, and the reigning World Champion has set his sights on a repeat of that result at this weekend’s Gran Premio A-Style de Aragón.
In his five races since returning from a lay-off due to a broken leg Rossi has not finished outside the top five, including podiums at Laguna Seca and in his home GP last time out. Now the World Championship visits a new circuit but having ridden there in preparation for Round 13 Rossi is confident of being able to challenge at the top end of the race once more.
"Last week I rode an R1 at the track and I really like it. It's quite complicated but it's a lot of fun and it's fast, so I think it will be a real test. I think the best bit is the entry to turn 16 and I am looking forward to riding my M1 there,” said the 31 year-old. “I am feeling stronger and fitter every day so I will be aiming for the podium again this time."
The Italian added: “Misano was a very sad weekend for our sport but now we're looking forward to a new race and we are hoping for a good weekend for everyone in memory of Tomizawa.”
Rossi has reason to be assured in his approach as he is the most successful rider at GP events held in Spain, having won a total of 19 races across all classes there. Currently fourth in the standings and level on 130 points with Casey Stoner, Rossi will also be aiming for a first front-row start since his return to action.

Ducati ready to tackle Aragón

Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden are both excited and prepared to push during this weekend’s visit to the new Motorland Aragón circuit.

Round 13 offers a unique challenge this weekend with the introduction of the Motorland Aragón circuit to the World Championship, and Ducati Team duo Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden are both highly motivated for what awaits them.
Stoner is determined to make a return to the podium and is still in search of his first victory of the season. The Australian is fully focused on a vast improvement on his previous two results – a DNF in Indianapolis and fifth last time out at Misano – and is locked in a close battle with Valentino Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso for third in the overall standings.
“I'm happy to be going to Aragón. The last two races have been difficult for us and racing at a new track is exciting,” said the 24 year-old, who is level on 130 points with Rossi and just nine behind Dovizioso heading into the Gran Premio A-Style de Aragón.
“We'll go into the weekend with optimism and hope that the track is good fun and well suited to the Ducati, although being realistic we know we face a tough job to find something extra. The team and all the engineers are doing a fantastic job so it is a case of giving my maximum and helping come up with something new to improve the feeling with the bike, to get it turning better and find some more grip. More than anything we want to put the last couple of weeks behind us.”
Hayden has a reference to work from having taken in the track layout at Aragón on a Ducati 1198S machine back in July, and the American is ready to concentrate all his efforts on a renewed push for a first podium of the campaign.
“Misano was a really difficult GP for everybody, the kind of weekend we hope never to go through again, but we are racers and we have to continue doing what it is we love so the goal is to go to Aragón and try to be competitive again,” commented Hayden, who is seventh in the standings on 109 points.
“It is always nice to race at a new circuit – it is exciting for the riders but also for the teams and everybody else that works in the paddock. It is a challenge to find the right setting for the bike, especially in terms of the gear ratios and suspension. We start from scratch, with no data to work from, but that is a challenge I always enjoy. Aragón has a lot of elevation changes and is a lot of fun to ride.”
Hayden, who suffered a chipped radius bone at Brno in mid-August, added: “My wrist is back to 100% so I can't wait to get back on the bike and get back to work with the team.

Tomizawa laid to rest in Japan

Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Over a thousand attendees paid their respects at the funeral of the Japanese rider, which took place today (Wednesday).

Shoya Tomizawa’s funeral took place on Wednesday in Asahi, Chiba, as the Japanese rider was laid to rest during a public service.
More than a thousand guests paid their respects as the Moto2 rider’s family, friends and fans honoured Shoya, who passed away ten days ago following a crash at Misano.
Fellow Japanese World Championship riders Yuki Takahashi and Tomoyoshi Koyama were amongst those present, as was Technomag-CIP team boss Alain Bronec in an emotional final farewell, in which Shoya’s coffin was surrounded by an arrangement of flowers, photos and his racing attire.

Presenting Motorland Aragón

Thursday, 16 September 2010

The fantastic new circuit hosts the MotoGP World Championship for the first time this weekend, less than a year since its completion.

Motorsport dates back a long way in the Spanish town of Alcañiz, which has a long and rich tradition in both two and four-wheeled pursuits. Back in 1928 a street circuit was introduced, and in the 1960s and 70s this was the setting for a series of races which involved what were to become the mainstay figures in national motorsport for years to come. With such a strong passion the idea of a new circuit was later put forward, a proposition which gained widespread support and eventually resulted in the inauguration of Motorland Aragón on October 24th 2009.

The circuit layout stands at 5.345km in length with a width that varies between 12 and 15 metres, and with a longest straight of 1,726m it has become a widely sought after venue for aerodynamic testing. The modifications for this weekend's MotoGP race will see the length of the track shortened slightly to 5.078km, with a longest straight of 1,326m. The start/finish straight is 630m and leads into a first turn which is a sharp 90º left hander.

Aragón has been praised by the selection of premier class riders who have ridden on it so far in private runs to prepare for this weekend, with the general consensus being that the variety of turns will allow for a great deal of overtaking. With an elevation difference of 52m between the highest and lowest points on the track there are also plenty of intriguing cambers.

Pleased to see Scot Redding back on the bike and riding fast,hope he manages a podium this weekend.

1 Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati 1min 48.942secs
2 Jorge Lorenzo (Sp) Yamaha 1:49.251
3 Dani Pedrosa (Sp) Honda 1:49.343
4 Nicky Hayden (US) Ducati 1:49.506
5 Ben Spies (US) Yamaha 1:49.565
6 Randy De Puniet (Fra) Honda 1:49.952
7 Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 1:50.017
8 Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Honda 1:50.046
9 Marco Simoncelli (Ita) Honda 1:50.088
10 Hector Barbera (Sp) Ducati 1:50.323
11 Colin Edwards (US) Yamaha 1:50.440
12 Alvaro Bautista (Sp) Suzuki 1:50.523
13 Aleix Espargaro (Sp) Ducati 1:50.537
14 Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda 1:50.580
15 Hiroshi Aoyama (Jpn) Honda 1:50.836
Moto2
Andrea Iannone (Ita) Speed Up 1min 55.148 secs
2. Scott Redding (GB) Suter, 1:55.189.
3. Alex De Angelis (San) Motobi, 1:55.194.

As a mark of respect for Tomizawa, all riders will wear his number 48, with the number then being retired.

Moto 2

I see the Chonburi/Thai Moto 2 rider, Ratthapark Wilairot has gone right off the pace as the season has progressed; early on he was a Top 10 candidate, best ranking of 7th overall and best finish of 4th.

He's now 18th overall on 29 points, and qualified 14th for today's race.

Tony Elias on 211 probably doesn't even have to race again to win the M2 title, but the race for 2nd is very close with three riders between 119-128 points, next best is on just 97.

^The Bimota never going to get you very far,just not competitive enough,plus i think the change from 2 stroke too 4 it takes a while to adjust.I have ridden 2 strokes for over thirty years fast and smooth,stick me on a 4 stroke and i am all over the place.

Stoner secures first win of 2010 at Aragón
Sunday, 19 September 2010

Casey Stoner took his first victory of the 2010 campaign at Aragón on Sunday, converting his pole position at the Spanish circuit into a well-deserved win. The Ducati Team rider finished 5.148s ahead of Dani Pedrosa, with Nicky Hayden completing the podium for his first top-three result of the year after a magnificent last-lap overtake on Jorge Lorenzo.

Starting from pole Stoner held his position going into the first turn, but usual rapid starter Pedrosa dropped to fifth as the riders bunched up in the tight opening curve. The Repsol Honda rider fought back in the early stages of the race however to climb to second behind Stoner, and the gap between the two fluctuated throughout.
The pair were consistently fast for the duration of the race but Stoner managed to pull away towards the end as he achieved what was eventually a comfortable 25 points, with Pedrosa maintaining his good form in second.

Placings
1 Stoner
2 Pedrosa
3 Hayden
4 Lorenzo
5 Spies
6 Rossi
7 Simoncelli
8 Bautista
9 Melandri
10 Espargaró

Andrea Dovizioso crashed out on the final lap when in 6th place.

Points

284 Lorenzo
228 Pedrosa
155 Stoner
140 Rossi
139 Dovizioso
131 Spies
125 Hayden
81 De Puniet
74 Melandri
74 Simoncelli

looks like stoner has finally got his front end problems sorted.

Pedrosa: “Championship still alive”

Sunday, 19 September 2010
With second place at Aragón and Jorge Lorenzo placing fourth the Repsol Honda rider cut his rival’s lead further to 56 points with five rounds now remaining.


Second place in the Gran Premio A-Style de Aragón was a pleasing result for Dani Pedrosa in his 160th Grand Prix start, and the Repsol Honda rider continued in his mission to keep chipping away at Jorge Lorenzo’s Championship lead.
That now stands at 56 points after Round 13 and Pedrosa, who pushed hard to challenge Casey Stoner for victory at Aragón, was happy with second after he battled rear grip issues as the race wore on.
“I’m pretty happy with second place today even though of course I wanted to win in front of the Spanish fans,” said Pedrosa, who had won the two previous rounds. “In the first corner I had a slide which lost me a couple of places and then over the next few laps I had to make up some positions before getting behind Casey.”
“By this point he was quite a way in front and our pace was similar at this stage so I tried really hard to catch him and managed to close the gap. But then I started to have some rear-wheel slides and it wasn’t possible for me stay with him so I thought: ‘Okay, this is my place today’.”
Admitting that 56 points is a big ask to overcome in the remaining five rounds Pedrosa nevertheless believes there is still everything to play for.
“Our bike here was struggling more with tyre wear than some of the others, but anyway, second place is not bad and the Championship is still alive, even though it will be very difficult to catch Lorenzo,” he said. “I’d like to say thanks to my team who are working really hard, and I want to maintain this momentum because recently we have been fast at every race. I’m looking forward to Honda’s home event at Motegi.”


MotoGP | The Official MotoGP Website

Setting the pace ... Australia's Casey Stoner pulls out all stops on the Aragon Grand Prix circuit

Still five more races, 125 points on offer

two weeks off, then:
Motegi, Japan - 3 October
Sepang, Malaysia - 10 October
Phillip Island, Australia - 17 October
no race 24 October
Estoril, Portugal - 31 October
Valencia, Spain - 7 November

Valanecia will be huge, massive crowds and a Spanish title-winner - ether Lorenzo or Pedrosa

phillip island can't wait

3 October 2010
Moto Grand Prix of Japan




Twin Ring Motegi, Motegi

Valentino Rossi to miss last two races?

Valentino Rossi may decide to miss the last two races of the 2010 MotoGP season in order to undergo early surgery on his shoulder.

The Italian has battled with the ligament damage ever since round two of the championship, having hurt his back in a motocross training accident shortly after winning round one of the season.

Rossi, who has since recovered from a broken leg, continues to be hampered by the injury and finished an off-pace sixth at Aragon on Sunday - his worst result of the year.

The Italian, who is leaving Yamaha for Ducati next season, will now use the forthcoming flyaway rounds in Japan, Malaysia and Australia to decide if he should see out the season or head for surgery early.

Rossi is fourth in the world championship and cannot be champion this year, although he retains a mathematical chance of second place.

********************

and . . . ouch


Randy de Puniet, who broke his leg earlier this season in Germany, was lucky to avoid injury when he suffered this fall during Sunday's Aragon MotoGP round.

Thanks - those guys are incredible. It's on my list, one day I'd like to go to IoM, a different breed of motorcyclists.
I know two people who've raced there from my home town
Shaun Harris, he won one TT, competed there for years then almost killed himself there - one of the lucky ones to survive a high speed crash. Mike King crashed in practice for the 600s, permanent injuries but again, lucky to get out alive.

good to spectate fvck riding on it.