MotoGP 2012 Season

[Sianellen]

Thought I would start posting some news for the upcoming season. :-)

A provisional calendar for the 2012 FIM MotoGP World Championship, and the schedule is as follows:

Date, Grand Prix - Circuit
15 April, Qatar* - Doha/Losail
29 April, Spain (STC) - Jerez de la Frontera
6 May, Portugal (STC) - Estoril
20 May, France - Le Mans
3 June, Catalunya - Catalunya
17 June, Great Britain - Silverstone
30 June, Netherlands** - Assen
8 July, Germany (STC) - TBC
15 July, Italy - Mugello
29 July, United States*** - Laguna Seca
19 August, Indianapolis - Indianapolis
26 August, Czech Rep. - Brno
16 September, San Marino & Riviera di Rimini - Misano
30 September, Aragon - Motorland
14 October, Japan - Motegi
21 October, Malaysia - Sepang
28 October, Australia - Phillip Island
11 November, Valencia - Ricardo Tormo – Valencia

* Evening Race
** Saturday Race
*** Only MotoGP class
STC (Subject to the contract)
TBC (To be confirmed)

[Sianellen]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96900

Dovizioso breaks collarbone in motocross accident

Friday, January 6th 2012, 10:05 GMT

Andrea Dovizioso has joined Nicky Hayden on MotoGP's injury list after breaking his collarbone in a motocross accident.

The Italian, who moves from the works Honda squad to Tech 3 Yamaha for 2012, tweeted a picture of his injury late on Thursday night, commenting: "I broke my right collarbone doing motocross."

Hayden meanwhile broke his left scapula and fractured two ribs in a training accident in Kentucky at the end of December.

Dovizioso's new team is yet to comment on the implications of his injury, but with MotoGP's first test of the year commencing at Sepang, Malaysia, on 31 January, both he and Hayden face a battle to be fit in time to participate.

Dovizioso, 25, finished third in last year's MotoGP championship, having taken seven podiums over the course of the season.

Despite that he was released from his works deal with Honda, the Japanese manufacturer opting to run just two riders in the works team due to budget constraints.

He signed for Tech 3 Yamaha, where he will partner Cal Crutchlow for the 2012 season.

Both Crutchlow and his 2011 team-mate Colin Edwards broke their collarbones during MotoGP events last year.

[Sianellen]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96919

Andrea Dovizioso expected to be fit for first MotoGP test after successful collarbone surgery

By Michele Lostia and Matt Beer Sunday, January 8th 2012, 17:46 GMT

Andrea Dovizioso should "easily" be fit in time for the first 2012 MotoGP tests, says the surgeon who repaired his broken collarbone.

Tech 3 Yamaha convert Dovizioso sustained the injury in a motocross crash on Thursday, and underwent a one-hour operation in Cattolica yesterday. The surgery was carried out by Dr Giuseppe Porcellini, who also repaired Valentino Rossi's 2010 shoulder injury, and observed by Dr Fabrizio Borra - physio to both Dovizioso and Fernando Alonso.

Dr Porcellini said the injury had been complicated but that he saw no reason why it should interfere with Dovizioso's participation in the Sepang test, which commences on 31 January.

"The fracture was rather complex with four fragments," the surgeon told Gazzetta dello Sport. "We drilled eight holes and stabilised the fracture with a plate.

"Andrea will have his arm blocked for 15 days, after which he'll begin rehabilitation in order to be ready for the first test session in Malaysia at the end of the month.

"In these first few days Borra will have to carry on with the work on the lower limbs after which, once the arm is set free, work will begin on the upper limbs to strengthen the muscles.

"If there are no problems, Dovizioso will easily be able to face the tests, while we'll remove the plate in one year's time."

After the operation, Dovizioso said on his Twitter account that he felt "like new".

[Sianellen]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96931

Nicky Hayden optimistic he will be fit for first MotoGP winter test at Sepang

By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, January 10th 2012, 10:03 GMT

Nicky Hayden is hopeful that he will be fit for the first pre-season MotoGP test at Sepang, despite injuring himself recently in a motorcycle crash.

The American broke his left scapula and fractured two ribs after falling from a bike in late December - in what was his first ride since recovering from a scaphoid injury he picked up at Valencia.

Although that recent crash cast doubt on his participation in the Sepang test, Hayden said on Tuesday that his recovery was going well - and that he was working towards being fully fit for the important run in Malaysia, which starts on 31 January.

"I'm quite better now," he said during the annual Wrooom media event for Ducati and Ferrari. "It has been two weeks today and now I can remove the sling.

"The first bit was a little bit uncomfortable because I broke three ribs, and ribs are never fun, but now I can take away the sling and do a bit of rehab.

"The goal is to be able to ride in Malaysia. It is going to be a little bit close though, because the shoulder blade I broke bad a little way through. But [there will be] no operation because it is not an easy one to fix, with a lot of muscle and other soft tissue that you have to cut for an operation.

"But I feel a lot better now - and the target is to be in Sepang. I already missed one test in Malaysia and I don't want to miss another one."

The Malaysia test is a vital one for Ducati, with the Italian manufacturer keen to make big steps forward with the GP12 bike that it hopes will allow it to take the fight to Honda and Yamaha in 2012.

[Sianellen]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96933

Valentino Rossi admits Ducati unlikely to be a MotoGP title threat in 2012

By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, January 10th 2012, 10:40 GMT

Valentino Rossi has played down Ducati's chances of fighting for MotoGP title glory in 2012 - but is optimistic the Italian manufacturer will be closer to the front this year.

After a difficult 2011 campaign, where neither Rossi nor team-mate Nicky Hayden won a race, Ducati is hoping that its new GP12 bike will deliver a good step forward in the forthcoming season.

But despite high hopes that the machine will be an improvement, Rossi concedes that making the step from where Ducati was last year to becoming title winner in 2012 is probably too much to expect.

"The championship is difficult because the gap in 2011 was quite big," said Rossi during a press conference at the annual Wrooom Ducati and Ferrari media event at Madonna di Campiglio on Tuesday.

"Our target is to fix problems step by step, and try to come closer to Yamaha and Honda. And from that moment, start to fix all the details, to be competitive for the victory."

When pushed further on his belief that the title was not possible in 2012, Rossi replied: "I do not want to say from the start that I cannot fight for the championship, but I have to be realistic.

"In the end there was 1.5 seconds we have to recover, and our target is to get close to the others and be able to race with them and fight with them. This is our goal."

Ducati's new GP12 bike was off the pace in the post-season Valencia test and, although improvements should bring it closer to the front in the forthcoming pre-season run in Malaysia, Rossi is not expecting an instant transformation in form.

"I think that the first test will be important, and for sure the bike will be different compared to last year," he explained. "It is impossible to be competitive from the first test, but I think we will have some good information to work with, and be ready for the first race."

Rossi is sure, however, that with good work from himself and Ducati, results will come soon - and that things will definitely be better than they were last season.

"Last year was a lot worse because from the first test we understood that the season will be very tough and difficult," he explained. "After three laps we understood we could not win the first race, but now the situation is better – because I am fit.

"We know we need time, but we work well together – and it is a dream to try and win the first race. But in reality, we are a bit too far off – but maybe the new bike is a miracle."

Rossi believes that one factor that will be better for him this year is his physical shape – because he is no longer troubled by the shoulder injury that affected his form during the first part of 2011.

When asked about how his feelings for this year compared to those he had prior to 2011, he said: "I have to say it is a bit different because last year I arrived in a worse physical condition, so my mood was a bit down.

"Today I am in shape physically, and we have two or three weeks ahead of us. I am ready for the first test. It is nice to work with Ducati, even if unfortunately the results have been under our expectations. The atmosphere is nice and we all believe in what we are doing."

Hayden too is bullish that the GP12, which he has not yet ridden, will produce the improved pace that Ducati is after.

"I am very optimistic," he said. "I think we have some different stuff to try in Malaysia, but it is not easy.

"Honda has really set the bar high, and hopefully we are closer there than we were in Valencia. But sitting up here – talk is cheap. I can say this and that about how we are going to be right there, but until we get there and roll out of the garage...

"I am confident we will be closer. We have some idea – but there is no need to make any predictions here in January. And even then it doesn't matter until we get to Qatar. I hope we will be much closer, and it will tell us more where the 1000s are against the 800s. But I believe in Ducati, I believe in this project, Filippo [Preziosi] and everyone involved."

Looking at the overall MotoGP situation going into 2012, Rossi thinks Honda may carry over some of its 2011 advantage – but he hopes the switch to 1000cc engines will level the playing field.

"I think that in 2011, Honda decided they wanted to win and they put on the table an amount of money that others did not have," he said. "It came out with a bike that was really incredible, so this technology will go on with 1000cc.

"But I hope Yamaha will be more competitive and I hope so for us, to have a more balanced championship. That is our desire."

[Sianellen]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97005

MotoGP has announced a 21-bike entry list for 2012, with Danilo Petrucci, Ivan Silva and Yonny Hernandez confirmed as riders for the final CRT bikes.

The new lower-cost category will provide just under half the field, with nine CRT bikes on the list.

In addition to established MotoGP teams Aspar and Gresini fielding CRT entries, Forward Racing, Ioda Racing Project, Speed Master and BQR step up from the support categories to run CRT bikes and Paul Bird Racing moves over from Superbikes.

BQR will field Moto2 graduate Hernandez and former Superbike and 250cc rider Ivan Silva on FTR chassis, while the Ioda bike goes to Italian Superstock 1000 champion Petrucci.

No Rider Team Bike
1 Casey Stoner Honda Team Honda
4 Andrea Dovizioso Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha
5 Colin Edwards Forward Racing Suter
6 Stefan Bradl LCR Honda MotoGP Honda
8 Hector Barbera Pramac Racing Team Ducati
9 Danilo Petrucci Ioda Racing Project Ioda
11 Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha
13 Anthony West Speed Master ART
14 Randy de Puniet Aspar Team MotoGP ART
17 Karel Abraham Cardion AB Motoracing Ducati
19 Alvaro Bautista Honda Gresini Honda
20 Aleix Espargaro Aspar Team MotoGP ART
22 Ivan Silva BQR BQR-FTR
26 Dani Pedrosa Honda Team Honda
35 Cal Crutchlow Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha
46 Valentino Rossi Ducati Team Ducati
51 Michele Pirro Honda Gresini Ftr
68 Yonny Hernandez BQR BQR-FTR
69 Nicky Hayden Ducati Team Ducati
77 James Ellison Paul Bird Racing ART
99 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha

[Sianellen]

Jorge Lorenzo fastest in first 2012 MotoGP test as Casey Stoner misses session

Tuesday, January 31st 2012, 10:17 GMT

Jorge Lorenzo marked his return to the track after last year's injury with the fastest time in the first pre-season MotoGP test at Sepang, while reigning champion Casey Stoner sat out the session with back pain.

Stoner aggravated an old back injury while warming up before going out this morning. After receiving physio, he decided to wait until tomorrow before taking to the track, with Honda test rider Kousuke Akiyoshi doing a handful of laps on his bike instead.

At the front, Yamaha rider Lorenzo set the pace with a lap of 2m01.657s, 0.2 seconds slower than last year's pole time at the Malaysian Grand Prix venue, and 0.346s ahead of second-placed Dani Pedrosa's Honda. 2010 champion Lorenzo was making his first appearance for Yamaha since his '11 campaign was ended prematurely by a serious hand injury sustained at Philip Island.

Yamaha had three bikes in the top four, with Tech 3 rider Cal Crutchlow impressing in third place and Ben Spies putting the second factory bike fourth. Crutchlow's new team-mate Andrea Dovizioso was sixth as he got back up to speed after breaking his collarbone in a recent motocross accident.

Valentino Rossi took an encouraging fifth on the best of the Ducatis, 0.7s off the pace, and 0.8s quicker than team-mate Nicky Hayden - another man recovering from a winter injury.

A handful of the new CRT bikes were present, but a long way off the pace, with Forward Racing's Colin Edwards 6.6s down on Lorenzo on his Suter-BMW, although he did lose mileage to electrical problems. The Avintia FTR-Kawasakis of Jordi Torres and Ivan Silva were several seconds slower still.

Fellow CRT squads Aspar and Speed Master had already begun testing in a private session at Valencia on Monday, where Aspar's Randy de Puniet was quickest on 1m35.3s - 3.5s slower than the 2011 MotoGP pole time.

Pos Rider Team/Bike Time Gap Laps
1. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 2m01.657s 30
2. Dani Pedrosa Honda 2m02.003s + 0.346s 48
3. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 2m02.221s + 0.564s 32
4. Ben Spies Yamaha 2m02.234s + 0.577s 28
5. Valentino Rossi Ducati 2m02.392s + 0.735s 43
6. Andrea Dovizioso Tech 3 Yamaha 2m02.751s + 1.094s 20
7. Hector Barbera Pramac Ducati 2m02.773s + 1.116s 41
8. Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha 2m02.829s + 1.172s 32
9. Alvaro Bautista Gresini Honda 2m02.869s + 1.212s 45
10. Nicky Hayden Ducati 2m03.151s + 1.494s 33
11. Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 2m03.668s + 2.011s 44
12. Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 2m03.781s + 2.124s 45
13. Franco Battaini Ducati 2m04.986s + 3.329s 35
14. Kousuke Akiyoshi Honda 2m07.163s + 5.506s 4
15. Colin Edwards Forward Suter-BMW 2m08.240s + 6.583s 21
16. Jordi Torres Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 2m10.671s + 9.014s 42
17. Ivan Silva Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 2m11.267s + 9.610s 12

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97232

[epiclyaddicted]

Yay, avanti Jorge! :-D

Hopefully Ducati will start the season with better bikes than last year.

[Sianellen]

Rossi 'very happy' with GP12

Valentino Rossi was so pleased with the 'all new' version of his Desmosedici GP12 bike that he didn't even try last November's first incarnation of Ducati's first aluminium-frame grand prix machine.

Rossi and team-mate Nicky Hayden made their debut with the new GP12 at the start of 2012 MotoGP testing at Sepang on Tuesday, when Rossi set the fifth fastest lap time, 0.735s behind Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo.

During five days of testing at the same track last year, using the 800cc Ducati with a carbon-fibre frame, Rossi had been unable to get within one-second of the top time and was often around 1.5s off the pace.

But it wasn't just the lap time that pleased Rossi...

"We are already 'half way' compared with last year. The distance is 0.7s compared with Lorenzo, who did a very good lap," said Rossi, speaking outside the Ducati Team pit garage on Tuesday evening.

"I am so happy especially because we fixed a lot of problems that in all of the 2011 season we were not able to improve. Braking, corner entry, agility - the bike is a lot better. Ducati have done a great job in a short time.

"It is just the first day, so we must work a lot. I think in acceleration the bike remains a bit too unstable [running wide]. I think the engine and electronics, a little bit of chassis, but we can do [it] I think. We can be competitive."

Like many 800cc Desmosedici riders before him, Rossi was baffled by front-end problems throughout last year - despite several major modifications during the season.

"Now I can [load] the front tyre. I can use the front and the tyre works well," he explained. "It is a big, big step compared to last year. Also with my position on the bike, last year I never felt confident. With this one I have enough room in the straight and a good position in the corner.

"Another very positive thing today is that when we worked on the bike we improved. That is a record for me! Last year never! Always the same or maybe worse. This time we work on the bike and every exit 0.1s-0.2s faster.

"Last year on the third lap we would do a lap time - and after 50 laps the lap time was maybe a little worse!

"When you make a new bike in three months it is a great big question mark. First this new bike is beautiful, but especially it is a lot faster. We have to work but the base is good."

Having finished seventh with just one podium last season, Rossi knows there is a long road ahead before he can think about adding to his 79 premier-class wins.

"Compared to last year we have to try to fight for the podium before we can think about winning or fighting for the championship," said the seven-time MotoGP champion.

"So we are far. For sure Honda and Yamaha are very good and the riders are fast. The work ahead is hard. I will be very happy is at the end of the test we can stay under one-second from the top."

And the previous specification bike from Valencia?

"Never used," confirmed Rossi.

http://www.silverstone.co.uk/news/latest-news/MotoGP-news/Rossi-very-happy-with-GP12/

[epiclyaddicted]

That's promising words from Rossi. Hopefully the Ducati has the pace to keep up with Yamaha and Honda.

[Sianellen]

Stoner shrugs off Tuesday back injury to top second day of MotoGP testing at Sepang

Wednesday, February 1st 2012, 10:55 GMT

Casey Stoner shrugged off his Tuesday back problem to set the fastest time of the second day of MotoGP winter testing at Sepang.

The reigning world champion had been forced to skip day one when he hurt his back while warming up before going out for the first time. Although with a total mileage of 29 laps, he completed rather less running than his rivals today, Stoner still showed his and Honda's pace with a 2m00.895s lap.

That deposed morning pacesetter Ben Spies (Yamaha) by 0.157 seconds - although the American was briefly credited with a time 2.7s faster than anyone else due to a glitch near the end of the day.

Tuesday's fastest rider Jorge Lorenzo completed the top three on the second works Yamaha today, ahead of Stoner's Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa and Cal Crutchlow - who again showed very strong pace on the Tech 3 Yamaha.

Quickest Ducati was the Pramac example of Hector Barbera in sixth, with works rider Valentino Rossi slightly off his Tuesday pace in seventh position, 0.9s down on Stoner.

Alvaro Bautista (Gresini Honda), Andrea Dovizioso (Tech 3 Yamaha) and Nicky Hayden (Ducati) completed the top 10).

There was some encouragement for the CRT runners as Forward's Colin Edwards used a higher-spec Suter-BMW to get the gap to the front down to 4.7s, although the Avintia-branded, BQR-run, FTR-Kawasakis continued to struggle for speed and reliability at the tail of the field.

Pos Rider Team/Bike Time Gap Laps
1. Casey Stoner Honda 2m00.895s 29
2. Ben Spies Yamaha 2m01.052s + 0.157s 37
3. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 2m01.068s + 0.173s 40
4. Dani Pedrosa Honda 2m01.508s + 0.613s 35
5. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 2m01.565s + 0.670s 42
6. Hector Barbera Pramac Ducati 2m01.788s + 0.893s 50
7. Valentino Rossi Ducati 2m01.886s + 0.991s 44
8. Alvaro Bautista Gresini Honda 2m01.933s + 1.038s 46
9. Andrea Dovizioso Tech 3 Yamaha 2m02.160s + 1.265s 42
10. Nicky Hayden Ducati 2m02.354s + 1.459s 41
11. Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 2m02.414s + 1.519s 41
12. Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 2m02.598s + 1.703s 66
13. Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha 2m02.941s + 2.046s 40
14. Franco Battaini Ducati 2m04.311s + 3.416s 38
15. Colin Edwards Forward Suter-BMW 2m05.603s + 4.708s 37
16. Ivan Silva Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 2m10.297s + 9.402s 16
17. Jordi Torres Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 2m11.893s + 10.998s 2
18. Robertino Pietri Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 2m12.546s + 11.651s 5

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97247

[Sianellen]

Photos from the MotoGP testing :-)

http://www.motorsport.com/motogp/photos/main-gallery/?s=2&y=2012

[Aussie]

I hope Stoner will be hard to stop this year

[Omegablue]

As much as I like Stoner, I hope the winner will be on a red bike. :thumb

[Suzie]

Fab BBC trailer for the new season:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motogp/17451787

[Sianellen]

Fab BBC trailer for the new season:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motogp/17451787

Brilliant :-D

[Tifoso]

I may just try this again :-D

[Tifoso]

Fab BBC trailer for the new season:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/motogp/17451787


Available to UK users only. :-(

[Suzie]

Available to UK users only. :-(

Try this -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_JIJiZHqWI

[Tifoso]

Try this -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_JIJiZHqWI


That's brilliant! Grazie, amica mia!

New rules? :oops I wanna say 1000cc engines, but I'm sure that's wrong :oops

[Sianellen]

That's brilliant! Grazie, amica mia!

New rules? :oops I wanna say 1000cc engines, but I'm sure that's wrong :oops

not wrong :-D

[Tifoso]

not wrong :-D

Story of my life--even when I'm right, I'm wrong :-( (or is that the other way around? :Hmm )

Hey, can someone please do me a button thingy the size of my Juve and Habs ones for Ducati? I tried, but it's illegible :oops :-s

[Tifoso]

Anyone? :-s

[Sianellen]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98210

BMW open to future MotoGP programme

By Matt Beer

BMW says it is open to a future MotoGP programme and is using its engine supply deal with CRT team Forward Racing and Suter as a toe in the water effort to assess the series.

The German firm's current main motorcycle campaign is in World Superbikes, but BMW Motorrad president Hendrik von Kuenheim told the official MotoGP website that the prototype championship was very attractive.

"MotoGP is the most-watched motorcycle racing sport in the world," he said. "Next to Formula 1, it is the reference benchmark in motorsports. When you look at individual races, like at Jerez or Assen, there is no Formula 1 race in the world where you get that amount of spectators.

"So it is a very, very clear platform to present yourself, and we have to think about if one day we need to enter into this as well. Whoever races there and wins is the reference in sports bikes."

Von Kuenheim also feels that MotoGP's new 1000cc engine regulations make it of greater interest to BMW.

"With the new rules and regulations that have come into effect now, our engine is possibly very, very suited for MotoGP racing. But then racing is expensive and we have to think about this," he said.

Suter is using a BMW engine in its CRT MotoGP chassis, which Colin Edwards will ride for Forward Racing, this year. While von Kuenheim played down BMW's role in this programme, he said the firm was keeping a close eye on how its engine fared.

"We are there to watch and to see how Mr [Eskil] Suter will do," said von Kuenheim. "It was his initiative. Obviously he gets some input and some support from BMW, but it is his project. We must make that very clear - it is not a BMW project.

"But it is, as you would say, a foot into the door to understand how the racing series works and what the potential of this is."

[Sianellen]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98207

Rossi and Hayden confident Ducati can be frontrunner once it has understood GP12

By Matt Beer Tuesday, March 20th 2012, 11:25 GMT

Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden are confident that Ducati just needs time to fully understand its new GP12 before it can be a MotoGP frontrunner again.

Speaking at the official launch of the team's 2012 bike and revised livery, the pair said that the sheer number of changes compared to the 2011 Ducati meant it would take a while before it showed its true potential. The GP12 showed promising form at the first winter test, but the second test was more troubled.

"I know that plenty of changes have taken place. We have incredible competition," said Rossi. "We've started to work with this bike in the tests and [technical chief] Filippo [Preziosi] and the team have put in an incredible effort.

"The bike has changed so much compared to the model we had last year.

"I think we just need some extra time to establish a sort of friendship with this bike and familiarise ourselves with the new concept."

Hayden underlined that even at this early stage, it was clear Ducati had made gain with the new bike.

"I think we've improved in a lot of areas," he said. "Obviously with the engine, the extra 200cc is a lot, but with the chassis we've made a big step. This chassis has more feeling and it's easier to make adjustments, so during the weekend we can find the right way."

Rossi agreed that the fact that the bike was easier to work with would be an asset.

"What counts is improvement," he said. "We tried to progress last year but it was very difficult. This year, race after race we will improve.

"This bike is easier to work on and make adjustments. You can really fine-tune it."

[scuderiafan]

God Ducati and Ferrari are having such similar fortunes it is eerie.

Yamahas look better than last year come on Jorge!!

[Suzie]

I'm looking forward to MotoGP starting - aside from Casey Stoner, there's no-one I really dislike. Will be cheering mostly for Dani but I like Vale and Nicky too. And I like Jorge for his crazy celebrations... oh and Cal Crutchlow and Dovi as well. Basically everyone aside from the moaner, I guess! And of course Marco will be very sadly missed :-s

[Aussie]

I love all this anti stoner

Wait for this year he will win easy go u Aussie

[Suzie]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98661


Jorge Lorenzo claimed pole position for the MotoGP season-opening Qatar Grand Prix, denying Casey Stoner a fourth straight Losail pole.

It was reigning champion Stoner who led the way for Honda for most of the hour, as he both topped the part of the session devoted to practice, then improved to a 1m55.149s on his first concerted pole shot with 11 minutes left.

That was beaten by Lorenzo's 1m54.993s for Yamaha just afterwards, and although four-time Qatar winner Stoner fought back with a 1m54.855s, it put him on top for less than a minute before the Yamaha lapped 0.221 seconds quicker. Neither man could get any more pace out of their last sets of soft tyres, so Lorenzo's 19th MotoGP pole was secured.

Cal Crutchlow turned his practice promise into a career-best MotoGP starting position and first front row grid slot in third place for Tech 3 Yamaha, three places ahead of team-mate Andrea Dovizioso.

The second works Yamaha of Ben Spies was left fourth on the grid after crashing with four minutes to go. It looked like the American might regain balance and stay upright, but eventually the bike got away from him.

Nicky Hayden grabbed fifth for Ducati in the closing seconds, but his team-mate Valentino Rossi was the slowest of the prototype riders in a lowly 12th place.

It was a quiet session for Dani Pedrosa (Honda) as well. The Spaniard will line up seventh, ahead of Hector Barbera's Pramac Ducati, top rookie Stefan Bradl on the LCR Honda and late crasher Karel Abraham (Cardion AB Ducati).

Spies and Abraham aside, the session saw five other crashes - all among CRT runners. Danilo Petrucci (Ioda), Ivan Silva (Avintia), Mattia Pasini (Speed Master), Randy de Puniet (Aspar) and James Ellison (Paul Bird Motorsport) were all uninjured in their tumbles, unlike their bikes.

Forward Racing's Colin Edwards was the fastest CRT rider, less than a second off his sometime Yamaha team-mate Rossi's pace on the works MotoGP Ducati.

Hoping for a good race tomorrow, and an exciting and SAFE season for everyone.

[Ste]

'I cannot ride this Ducati' declares Valentino Rossi after Qatar MotoGP struggle
Source: Autosport (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98678)


A downbeat Valentino Rossi conceded that at present he simply cannot get to grips with the 2012 Ducati after struggling to 10th place in the Qatar Grand Prix.

The seven-time MotoGP champion was a long way off the pace throughout the Losail weekend, and could not match team-mate Nicky Hayden's pace.


While Rossi said an earlier clash with Hector Barbera was a factor in his Qatar result, he admitted that the biggest problem was that the bike did not suit him at all.


"I had big problems at the beginning of the race: when we are on new tyres I struggle under braking," he told Italian broadcaster Mediaset. "On top of that, I lost four or five seconds after coming together with Barbera. I then managed to improve a bit and on the last lap I even managed to set my quickest lap on worn tyres. But it's useless, we struggle to be competitive.


"I can't ride this bike, I can't make the difference, I can't even keep up with Hayden's pace, who I used to go quick against in comparison. In theory, with new tyres I should go quicker. Nicky managed to do a good race with the other works Ducati, but he still ended up only sixth."


Rossi fears that 2012 could end up being even harder than last year, when he took just one podium finish.
"In Jerez testing it went better, sixth with the quicker tyres," he said. "But that's our pace, it's not an attractive objective to be fighting for sixth place. We are used to better objectives.


"Probably we are going worse than last year because we managed to be seventh back then... What can I say? I want to be frank. I can't ride this bike well, even in comparison with my fellow Ducati riders.


"This Ducati has problems: I gave indications over where to intervene, but we didn't solve our problems. Unfortunately I'm no engineer and can't do anything about it. At least the positive aspect is that I don't crash with this chassis. That's something at least."


The Italian added that he was finding it hard to be optimistic as Ducati had failed to progress from a disappointing start in 2011.


"We ran out of hope last year. More than hope we need a better bike," Rossi said. "But I wouldn't want to expose myself like I did last year, by thinking and hoping that the second chassis development would be an improvement.
"I tried to be a professional. When Barbera pushed me out I even considered returning to the pits, but then I stayed out in order to give our technicians some data to study so as to improve things."

Horrible to see the Doc giving up like this, Ducati clearly can't provide a decent bike for him though - even with his influence.

[scuderiafan]

can someone please explain what CRT is? thanks.

[Ste]

can someone please explain what CRT is? thanks.

2012 will see the introduction of Claiming Rule Teams (CRT) to allow for participation by independent teams with lower budgets. CRTs will be given twelve engines per rider, six more than the other teams and more fuel – 24 litres (5.3 imperial gallons) instead of 21 litres (4.6 imperial gallons) – but will be subject to a factory team buying, or "claiming", their engines for €15,000, or €20,000 with the transmission.[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Grand_Prix_motorcycle_racing_season#cite_note-2) The sport's governing body has received applications from sixteen new teams looking to join the MotoGP class.[4 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Grand_Prix_motorcycle_racing_season#cite_note-3)

[scuderiafan]

right so, they would buy their engines off a factory team, then.

[Ste]

I think that's how it works mate, yes.

[scuderiafan]

right, thanks. pretty confusing, but interesting.

[theforce]

'I cannot ride this Ducati' declares Valentino Rossi after Qatar MotoGP struggle

Horrible to see the Doc giving up like this, Ducati clearly can't provide a decent bike for him though - even with his influence.

Kinda like Alonso at Ferrari:roll I feel for both of them. Hopefully things turn around soon. The front is no fun without Rossi.

[Suzie]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99214


Jorge Lorenzo edged fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa in an extremely tight battle for MotoGP pole position at Jerez.

With the expected rain never truly materialising, the track was able to dry throughout the hour-long session, leading to a flurry of improvements in the final minutes.

Pole turned out to be a straight fight between the Yamaha of Lorenzo and the Honda of Pedrosa, both of whom lowered the benchmark and traded places on an almost lap-by-lap basis in the final five minutes.

Lorenzo's penultimate effort, a 1m39.532s, ultimately proved enough, putting him just over one tenth clear of Pedrosa.

No other rider was able to get within one second of Lorenzo, with Ducati's Nicky Hayden 1.031s down in third.

"We are very happy with this pole," Lorenzo said. "It was a strange session because of the water so you had to pay a lot of attention and not crash. I was patient and started late, and now we see what happens in the race."

Hayden's late effort served to deprive Tech 3 Yamaha's Cal Crutchlow of a front row start, the Briton having been fastest at the halfway mark. A fall disrupted his rhythm, but on the second chassis and worn slicks he was able to do enough to secure fourth, ahead of the second works Honda of reigning champion Casey Stoner.

The Australian was never able to match his team-mate's pace, and had to abandon his final tour when he ran wide at Turn 1.

Ben Spies (Yamaha) completes the second row, ahead of Crutchlow's Tech 3 team-mate Andrea Dovizioso, Gresini's Alvaro Bautista and LCR Honda's Stefan Bradl.

It was another disastrous session for Valentino Rossi. Despite going out in the final minutes - prime conditions - he wound up 13th fastest, 2.3s down on his team-mate Hayden.

That means he starts behind the lead CRT bike of Randy de Puniet, who was 10th for Aspar, and both satellite Ducati bikes.

Colin Edwards finished bottom of the pile after crashing heavily at the halfway mark.

Pos Rider Team/Bike Time Gap
1. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 1m39.532s
2. Daniel Pedrosa Honda 1m39.667s + 0.135s
3. Nicky Hayden Ducati 1m40.563s + 1.031s
4. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 1m40.570s + 1.038s
5. Casey Stoner Honda 1m40.577s + 1.045s
6. Ben Spies Yamaha 1m41.090s + 1.558s
7. Andrea Dovizioso Tech 3 Yamaha 1m41.180s + 1.648s
8. Alvaro Bautista Gresini Honda 1m41.447s + 1.915s
9. Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 1m41.550s + 2.018s
10. Randy de Puniet Aspar Aprilia 1m41.700s + 2.168s
11. Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 1m41.724s + 2.192s
12. Hector Barbera Pramac Ducati 1m41.871s + 2.339s
13. Valentino Rossi Ducati 1m42.961s + 3.429s
14. Aleix Espargaro Aspar Aprilia 1m43.135s + 3.603s
15. Michele Pirro Gresini FTR-Honda 1m43.363s + 3.831s
16. Mattia Pasini Speed Master Aprilia 1m44.308s + 4.776s
17. Yonni Hernandez Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 1m44.467s + 4.935s
18. Danilo Petrucci Ioda-Aprilia 1m44.645s + 5.113s
19. Ivan Silva Avintia Inmotec-Kawasaki 1m44.717s + 5.185s
20. James Ellison Forward Suter-BMW 1m45.724s + 6.192s
21. Colin Edwards Forward Suter-BMW 1m46.200s + 6.668s

Looking forward to the start tomorrow! I didn't see quali but I'm happy to see both Dani and Nicky on the front row.
But Valentino... :-??

[Rob]

Rossi pin-points corner entry speed after qualifying 13th, two seconds down on Hayden, in Jerez


Saturday, April 28th 2012, 18:33 GMT

Valentino Rossi says corner entry speed is the fundamental reason for his continued struggles on the Ducati GP12.

Rossi cast a downbeat figure after the season opener in Qatar, conceding that he could not get to grips with his 2012 bike after finishing a lowly 10th.

His woes continued in a dry qualifying at Jerez, the Italian qualifying 13th - behind both satellite Ducatis and more than two seconds down on team-mate Nicky Hayden, who was third.

Rossi said that, while conditions had proved tricky, the real issue remained with his turn-in feel and speed on the GP12.

"The conditions were quite difficult because it was cold and the asphalt was dry, but not completely; anyway it was like that for everyone, so that wasn't the problem," Rossi said.

"Unfortunately, I'm still having a very hard time riding and entering corners, both on the brakes and off. I'm slow to achieve maximum lean angle and don't carry the necessary corner speed, so when it's time to accelerate, I've already lost too much ground.

"We've been trying to solve this situation for a while, but we haven't managed it yet."

Rossi said comparison with Hayden had pin-pointed corner entry as the area responsible for his deficit.

"We have to keep working on the setup because Nicky had a nice session today and really did a good job," he added. "Comparing the data, we've confirmed that we're losing all our time on corner entry. Anyway, we went a bit better in the wet, so we'll see what conditions we have for the race."

Hayden said he and Ducati had been able to take advantage of the strange conditions on their way to the squad's first front row since Stoner's pole performance at Valencia in 2010.

"To be on the front row is really good for us," Hayden said. "The track conditions were quite strange, different compared to what we've had the whole weekend, [and]. It certainly helped that we tested here in the dry not too long ago as we had a relatively good base setup.

"In the end, we took advantage of the strange situation and made the front row, so I'm really happy for my team. Now we'll try to make it happen when it counts tomorrow.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99236

[Aussie]

Kinda like Alonso at Ferrari:roll I feel for both of them. Hopefully things turn around soon. The front is no fun without Rossi.

Screw Rossi he had had his day. It's time for the Stoner turn and follow in Legend Mick Doohan direction

[Suzie]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99387


Casey Stoner captured his first pole position of his 2012 MotoGP title defence as a late red flag produced a frantic finish to qualifying at Estoril.

Five riders were in contention in what became a thrilling pole battle, fought out between the works Hondas and Yamahas and Tech 3 Yamaha's Cal Crutchlow, who played a starring role.

For a long while it had seemed that Jorge Lorenzo's early benchmark might just be enough for pole, the Spaniard surviving repeated attempts from the other quartet to best his time.

With 12 minutes to run the complexion of the session changed as Randy de Puniet lost the front of his Aspar Aprilia at Turn 4 and slid into Colin Edwards, who fell heavily. Qualifying was red-flagged as medical crews attended to both riders.

After a short break the session was restarted and Stoner made an emphatic start, claiming pole position on his very first flyer.

Still there a surprise in store as Crutchlow guided his satellite Yamaha to the top with a 1m37.289s.

Stoner had two laps to respond however: on the first he was under for much of the lap but fell away, while on the second he did enough to pip Crutchlow by just 0.101 seconds.

Pedrosa too was out and on his final tour managed to jump into second behind Honda team-mate Stoner, with Crutchlow therefore third. It is the second time in three races he has started on the front row.

Lorenzo was unable to improve in the final minutes and will therefore line up fourth for the Portuguese Grand Prix, ahead of Yamaha team-mate Spies.

The Texan was plagued by bad luck, hitting traffic on at least two occasions when he was inside the pole time. He eventually had to settle for fifth.

Alvaro Bautista claimed the final spot on the second row for Gresini Honda, less than three hundredths of a second ahead of Andrea Dovisioso's Tech 3 Yamaha.

Hector Barbera finished as the fastest Ducati in eighth for Pramac, a similarly tiny margin ahead of Valentino Rossi on the works machine.

Aleix Espargaro (Aspar) not only claimed top CRT honours in 12th but also outqualified Karel Abraham on the satellite Cardion Ducati of Karel Abraham.

Espargaro's team-mate de Puniet did enough to qualify 14th despite his accident, while Edwards - whose participation in the race is in doubt after he landed heavily on his collarbone - was 18th fastest.

Pos Rider Team/Bike Time Gap
1. Casey Stoner Honda 1m37.188s
2. Dani Pedrosa Honda 1m37.201s + 0.013s
3. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 1m37.289s + 0.101s
4. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 1m37.466s + 0.278s
5. Ben Spies Yamaha 1m37.723s + 0.535s
6. Alvaro Bautista Gresini Honda 1m37.917s + 0.729s
7. Andrea Dovizioso Tech 3 Yamaha 1m37.943s + 0.755s
8. Hector Barbera Pramac Ducati 1m38.006s + 0.818s
9. Valentino Rossi Ducati 1m38.059s + 0.871s
10. Nicky Hayden Ducati 1m38.253s + 1.065s
11. Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 1m38.265s + 1.077s
12. Aleix Espargaro Aspar Aprilia 1m39.353s + 2.165s
13. Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 1m39.398s + 2.210s
14. Randy de Puniet Aspar Aprilia 1m39.586s + 2.398s
15. Yonny Hernandez Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 1m40.029s + 2.841s
16. Michele Pirro Gresini FTR-Honda 1m40.225s + 3.037s
17. Mattia Pasini Speed Master Aprilia 1m40.387s + 3.199s
18. Colin Edwards Forward Suter-BMW 1m40.964s + 3.776s
19. James Ellison Paul Bird Aprilia 1m41.394s + 4.206s
20. Danilo Petrucci Ioda-Aprilia 1m41.486s + 4.298s
21. Ivan Silva Avintia Inmotec-Kawasaki 1m41.490s + 4.302s

I hope to see Dani and Cal getting past Stoner at the start :-P

Shame for Colin Edwards, another fractured collarbone. No way to avoid that crash with de Puniet in quali sadly.

[Bonjers]

Come on Jorge, Ben and Cal. Or just anybody but Casey.

[Suzie]

Or just anybody but Casey.

That's my philosophy right there.

[Aussie]

Lol at the anti Casey Stoner I just hope he wins big and easy race for him.
Go the flying Kangeroo

[Sianellen]

Gooooo Dani! :-D

[scuderiafan]

Screw Rossi he had had his day. It's time for the Lorenzo turn and follow in Legend Mick Doohan direction

fixed :-D

[Aussie]

fixed :-D


Will awesome win by the Australian.

[Bonjers]

Stoner retiring! What the hell?

[Tifoso]

Stoner retiring! What the hell?


Huh?

[Cheeseman]

Huh?

Yeah he is retiring at the end of 2012

Stoner to retire at end of 2012

Reigning MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner has announced that he is to sensationally walk away from the sport at the end of the 2012 season. The decision, which was made public personally in France on Thursday, follows the birth of the Australian’s first child in February.


Winning with Ducati, 2007
250cc championship runner-up of 2005, Stoner made his MotoGP class debut a year later before claiming his maiden title with Ducati in 2007. The switch to Honda came for 2011, resulting in a highly successfully second title season in which he also won ten races. After two victories out of three so far this year, he leads the World Championship by a sole point.

“After a long time thinking, a lot of time talking with my family and my wife, this has been coming for a couple of years now but at the end of this 2012 season I will be not racing in the 2013 championship,” he told the press at Le Mans ahead of this weekend’s race.


'I am not enjoying it' - Stoner at Le Mans on Thursday
“I will be finishing my career at the end of this season in MotoGP and go forward in different things in my life. After so many years of doing this sport which I love, and which myself and my family made so many sacrifices for, after so many years of trying to get to where we have gotten to at this point, this sport has changed a lot and it has changed to the point where I am not enjoying it. I don't have the passion for it and so at this time it's better if I retire now.

“There are a lot of things that have disappointed me and also a lot of things I have loved about this sport, but unfortunately the balance has gone in the wrong direction; and so, basically, we won't be continuing any more. It would be nice if I could say I would stay one more year, but then where does it stop? So we decided to finish everything as we are now.”

To date, Stoner has won a total of 35 Grands Prix. In 2009, he missed a handful of races due to illness and was eventually diagnosed as lactose intolerant.

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/motogp-news/278764/stoner-to-retire-at-end-of-2012/


I suppose it's sad for MotoGP as he is one of the best riders but I can't say I will miss his whining much. Maybe Rossi said something to upset him and he is just throwing his toys out of the cot again

[Tifoso]

Wow. Thanks. I thank Casey for the Ducati WDC/WCC.

Although Rossi has been talking a little mess against Ducati lately (if reports are to be believed).

[Cheeseman]

Wow. Thanks. I thank Casey for the Ducati WDC/WCC.

Although Rossi has been talking a little mess against Ducati lately (if reports are to be believed).

Yeah it's a weird situation with Rossi at Ducati. Last season turned into a massive testing session for him to develop a good bike for this year but Nicky Hayden seems to be more comfortable on the 2012 bike. It's not a confidence problem, he just isn't happy with the bike.


Valentino Rossi 'suffering' but won’t leave Ducati

Valentino Rossi has played down rumours he is considering walking away from Ducati in the wake of the scathing comments he made about his GP12 machine after the Qatar Grand Prix.

The Italian endured a dismal opening weekend at Losail on the way to a lowly tenth place finish at the chequered flag, the former champion venting his frustration in post-race comments by declaring 'the problems with the bike haven't changed, and neither have my requests. It's unrideable, and it doesn't make much difference what track we are on.”

Such comments have raised speculation that Rossi is considering leaving Ducati, but the man himself has now moved to quell such rumours, even if he reiterates his unhappiness with the current situation.

Speaking after receiving the infamous Tapiro d'Oro, a prize handed out to Italian celebrities who have endured 'a week to forget', Rossi insists he will continue to work on finding a solution.

"This is one of the most deserving of these prizes given history,” Rossi told Italian television station Canale 5, who gave him the dubious 'accolade'. “I am very 'attapirato' [I have a long face] because I am not competitive. I cannot ride at 100 per cent, while the others are stronger. I want to win and I suffer when we are so far behind.

"I will stay with Ducati. We will do everything we can to make Rossi-Ducati work. We'll try for every race and never give up.”

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/178569/1/valentino_rossi_suffering_but_wont_leave_ducati.ht ml

[Rishu]

Yeah he is retiring at the end of 2012

Stoner to retire at end of 2012

Reigning MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner has announced that he is to sensationally walk away from the sport at the end of the 2012 season. The decision, which was made public personally in France on Thursday, follows the birth of the Australian’s first child in February.


Winning with Ducati, 2007
250cc championship runner-up of 2005, Stoner made his MotoGP class debut a year later before claiming his maiden title with Ducati in 2007. The switch to Honda came for 2011, resulting in a highly successfully second title season in which he also won ten races. After two victories out of three so far this year, he leads the World Championship by a sole point.

“After a long time thinking, a lot of time talking with my family and my wife, this has been coming for a couple of years now but at the end of this 2012 season I will be not racing in the 2013 championship,” he told the press at Le Mans ahead of this weekend’s race.


'I am not enjoying it' - Stoner at Le Mans on Thursday
“I will be finishing my career at the end of this season in MotoGP and go forward in different things in my life. After so many years of doing this sport which I love, and which myself and my family made so many sacrifices for, after so many years of trying to get to where we have gotten to at this point, this sport has changed a lot and it has changed to the point where I am not enjoying it. I don't have the passion for it and so at this time it's better if I retire now.

“There are a lot of things that have disappointed me and also a lot of things I have loved about this sport, but unfortunately the balance has gone in the wrong direction; and so, basically, we won't be continuing any more. It would be nice if I could say I would stay one more year, but then where does it stop? So we decided to finish everything as we are now.”

To date, Stoner has won a total of 35 Grands Prix. In 2009, he missed a handful of races due to illness and was eventually diagnosed as lactose intolerant.

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/motogp-news/278764/stoner-to-retire-at-end-of-2012/




:-(

[Ferrarichamp]

I guess Lorenzo will be relieved :-D

[Rob]

In overcast, yet dry and cool conditions, most riders headed out for the first free practice on soft tyres to get ready for the fourth round of the MotoGP™ championship this season. Stoner set the quickest time of 1.34’321 to lay down an early marker ahead of Pedrosa, who was a full half second behind.

Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Andrea Dovizioso was on the pace early on, as he went third quickest just under a tenth behind Pedrosa, in front of Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ben Spies in fourth, who will be looking to get his season back on track this weekend with a good result.

In fifth, Pramac Racing Team’s Héctor Barberá was the surprise inclusion on-board his satellite Ducati. He finished ahead of Spies’ teammate Jorge Lorenzo, who will be seeking a marked improvement to challenge for the win on Sunday.

Seventh spot was occupied by Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow, who managed to oust San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista into eighth, whilst the top ten was rounded out by Ducati Team pair Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi. Rossi, who has stated that he plans to stay in MotoGP until at least 2014, will be looking for some similar form to last year, where he scored his only Ducati podium at the French track.

Highest CRT finish went to local Power Electronics Aspar rider Randy de Puniet, while Chris Vermeulen, who is replacing the injured Colin Edwards at NGM Mobile Forward Racing, finished the session last in 21st.

Aspar’s Aleix Espargaró crashed out of the session with 30 minutes to go, while San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Michele Pirro came off with 25 minutes left in Museum corner. Both riders managed to get back out on track towards the end of the session.

[Rob]

nice interview with Vale..

http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2012/Monster+Energy+Presents+Ask+Valentino+1

[Rob]

Really surprised by Stoner retiring. Least he going to go out at the top.

[Aussie]

Very up set about stoner.
He finish on top. What a champ

[Tobes]

Really surprised by Stoner retiring. Least he going to go out at the top.

Not really surprised, hasn't looked like he's been enjoying it for a while, MotoGP has become more of a procession than F1 was a few yrs ago, and the death of Sic robbed us of the biggest character in MotoGP, the good old days of Vale getting past Sete on the final corner in Spain are long gone, think MotoGP needs to take a look at itself or it will lose it's casual followers...

[Sianellen]

It's a shame he is retiring. I've never been as keen on him as other riders, but I still wish he was there. He has a great talent but if he is not enjoying it anymore though it is the right thing for him to do. MotoGP is in desperate need of some characters though.

[Tifoso]

nice interview with Vale..

http://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2012/Monster+Energy+Presents+Ask+Valentino+1

Thanks, amico mio! :wine

The background is a tad distracting :-D

[Tifoso]

I desperately want that hat :love

[Rob]

Ruled out a severe ankle injury Jorge Lorenzo
01/07/12 - 18:58.

Jorge Lorenzo came to the hospital Sunday, just landed in Holland, so that you perform a radiograph of the right ankle after the fall in which he was involved in Assen.

The pilot himself ruled out any serious injury in via twitter: "I have sprained ligaments and tibiofibular underlying bone bruise. Be able to run in Germany, but doctors said I was about to suffer a broken bone that would have prevented me run the next two races ... Fortunately! "

The Spaniard again referred to the incident with Alvaro Bautista: "Apology accepted, do not hold grudges. Was a mistake for sure will not try again. As you know hot things are said that we would not say cold and yesterday I spent a bit in my speech . Anyway, I'll put my two cents for MotoGP is becoming safer for the drivers without losing the spectacle for the fans. "

http://www.marca.com/2012/07/01/motor/mundial_motos/1341161800.html

[felipefan4ever]

That's my philosophy right there.

Haha me too ;-)

[Rob]

Following the recent news that teammate Ben Spies is set to leave the Yamaha Factory Racing team at the end of the season, Lorenzo said: "It’s sad news to hear that Ben is not continuing. For Yamaha it’s really sad, because he has been a Yamaha rider for a long time. I think he has great potential, and I wish him good luck in the future. Now we have to see what is going to happen with the second rider in Yamaha."

This announcement has naturally sent the rumour mill into overdrive with regards to who his teammate will be next year, to which the Spaniard said: "I hear some rumours. And some rumours say that Valentino is going to come back. It could be a good thing for Yamaha. We have been a good couple in the past years, but it hasn’t been decided yet. My preference is to have a competitive rival in the team."

He is however full focussed on the job ahead and commented that the Laguna Seca track is one he particularly enjoys, as it is so different from anything else the MotoGP grid races at. Lorenzo goes into the race with a 19-point cushion at the top of the championship and has stated that he, the team and bike are in good shape and hope to continue as they are.

As part of the usual USA antics, during which all Yamaha riders film a promotional video for the brand, Lorenzo was this time given the job as Honorary Yamaha CEO – a job he enjoys, as he said he can "do anything." Two years ago he was given the job as janitor, which has this year been passed to Yamaha new-boy Andrea Dovizioso.

[Rob]

DUCATI TEAM TRAVELS TO LAGUNA SECA

The first of two American stops in the 2012 MotoGP Championship will take place on Sunday at California’s spectacular Laguna Seca circuit, a beautiful and challenging track that winds through the hills east of Monterey.

The United States Grand Prix is very special for Nicky Hayden, as it was the site of his first GP victory, in 2005, and of another win the following season while he was on his way to the world title. Valentino Rossi is also fond of the track’s unique atmosphere and old-style layout, which played host to a win for the Italian in 2008, as well as to three additional podium finishes.

The “stars and stripes” round is also important for the company from Borgo Panigale, for whom the United States represents the most important target market, and one that is continuously growing, as Americans have long associated Ducati with quality, technology and exclusivity. As is the case every year, the Ducati Island will serve as a meeting point for the many Ducatisti who will come to support the Ducati Team and its riders over the weekend.

VALENTINO ROSSI, Ducati Team
“Laguna is a difficult track, with many bumps and a lot of elevation change, but at the same time it’s beautiful and fun, in part because it’s rather old-style. I really like the fans and the general feel. Although my last test at Mugello was ended early, we were able to begin working with some details, and we’ll probably be able to use some of them at Laguna, even if we’re talking about a small percentage of the package that they’re working on at Ducati. Last year we went okay at Laguna, so we’ll see what happens this weekend.”

NICKY HAYDEN, Ducati Team
“Of course I like Laguna, so I’m excited to go there and see my home crowd and all my friends in the AMA paddock. We’ve been getting a little closer to the front lately, but now is no time to rest. We have to keep working, because now the gains will be more difficult. Laguna is certainly not easy, and I doubt the lap times will be much different with the 1000s than they were with the 800s. I’m not even sure we’ll use sixth gear, and as was the case at the Sachsenring, we’ll probably spend a lot of time working with the wheelie control and just trying to use that power when it’s available. The new tyres should work better at Laguna, especially in the colder mornings and on the right side. My goal is clear: go there, have fun, and try to get the best result of the season.”

VITTORIANO GUARESCHI, Team Manager
“The next two GPs in the United States are obviously very important for Nicky, and he would like to take advantage of the progress shown in recent weeks in order to do well for his fans. Vale came very close to making the podium at Mugello, but we must manage to give him the opportunity to be more effective in qualifying as well. At Laguna we’ll continue working with the settings that we’ve been perfecting for a few races according to our riders’ respective needs, and we’ll seal the fourth engines for both. Like the third one, already in use, it was made in a way that makes it possible to install new parts that are intended to improve rideability. For this race, we’ll have some of the updates that we tried at the Mugello test, and those will be followed in the next races by subsequent evolutions.”

LAGUNA SECA CIRCUIT RECORDS

Circuit Record: Casey Stoner (Ducati – 2010), 1:21.376 – 159.703 Km/h (99.235 mph)
Best Pole: Casey Stoner (Ducati – 2008), 1:20.700 – 161.040 Km/h (100.066 mph)
Circuit Length: 3.610 km
2012 MotoGP Race: 32 laps (115.520 km, 71.781 mi)
2012 MotoGP Schedule: 2:00 p.m. local time
2011 PODIUM: 1st Casey Stoner, 2nd Jorge Lorenzo, 3rd Dani Pedrosa
2011 POLE: Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) 1:21.202 – 160.045 Km/h (99.447 mph)

DUCATI TEAM’S BEST RESULTS AT LAGUNA SECA
2011: 6th (Rossi)
2010: 2nd (Stoner)
2009: 4th (Stoner)
2008: 2nd (Stoner)
2007: 1st (Stoner)
2006: 8th (Capirossi)
2005: 10th (Capirossi)

[Suzie]

Really curious about who's going to replace Ben at Yamaha. Surely Vale won't throw in the towel at Ducati?

[Rob]

Really curious about who's going to replace Ben at Yamaha. Surely Vale won't throw in the towel at Ducati?

:Hmm i would totally understand if he did.

[Rob]

Hayden, who turns 31 on Monday, is currently in his tenth season in the MotoGP series and his fourth with the Ducati Team. During that time, he has become extremely popular with fans and Ducatisti all over the world, thanks to his reliably positive outlook, his passion, and his determination. He currently sits eighth in the championship points standings and is working hard on the development of the Desmosedici GP12, employing his typical effort and enthusiasm.

The United States hosts no fewer than 45 DOCs (Ducati Owners Clubs) and tomorrow thousands of fans will have the opportunity to meet Nicky at Ducati Island, an area at Laguna Seca where Ducatisti gather to follow the race and experience the "red passion." Following the afternoon qualifying session, Nicky himself will visit the Island’s stage, where many spectators and fans will no doubt be excited to join him in celebrating the news of his renewal with the Ducati Team.

Nicky Hayden, Ducati Team
"I’m very happy that I’ll be back with Ducati and back in MotoGP, racing at the highest level for a very important team. I love the guys I work with, I love the Ducati fans, and I love the brand. This is an important time for Ducati in a number of ways, and I’m excited that I’ll continue to be a part of it. I feel like I’ve got some unfinished business here, and hopefully we can get all the pieces into place and reap the rewards of the hard work we’ve put in the last couple of years. It’s nice to be able to make this announcement at Laguna and to share the moment with my fans, friends and family. If I can do a good result on Sunday, it could make for a pretty special birthday weekend."

Press release courtesy of Ducati Team.

[Rob]

Pedrosa, who lined up with an updated chassis and engine was one of the pace setters throughout the session, setting a time of 1.21’424 towards the end. This was sufficient to displace current championship leader, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Lorenzo, who was less than a tenth behind his compatriot. Pedrosa’s teammate Stoner, who is only using the new engine in the older chassis, had been fastest out of the blocks, but ended the session over four tenths off the top.

Fourth place went to Lorenzo’s teammate and local rider Ben Spies, who this week announced he will be leaving Yamaha at the end of the season. He looked in good spirits however as he lapped just over a tenth slower than the Australian world champion, ahead of Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Andrea Dovizioso, who will be looking for his fifth podium finish this season. He will once again face a stiff challenge from his teammate Cal Crutchlow, who ended the session in sixth.

Seventh place went to Ducati Team’s Valentino Rossi, over 1.7s off the front, with LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl in tow. Both were just marginally faster than Rossi’s teammate and local favourite Nicky Hayden, who just before the session announced he had singed a one-year extension with the Italian outfit. San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista rounded out the top ten, whilst NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Colin Edwards came in top CRT with his Suter-BMW in 11th.

The MotoGP grid also welcomed back Cardion AB Racing’s Karel Abraham from injury, with the Czech rider posting the 13th quickest time of the session. Pramac Racing Team’s Héctor Barberá is a notable absentee this weekend after breaking his left leg in a motocross accident last weekend. He is replaced by Toni Elías, who was 15th in his first premier-class outing since last season. The line up also saw Attack Performance wildcard Steve Rapp take to the track on the US company’s in-house built APR CRT machine. He finished his first outing in 22nd.

[Suzie]

I'm happy Nicky's staying at Ducati :-) He seems to get his head down and get on with it, never complaining.

[Tifoso]

Reports in the Italian media suggest that Rossi has signed with Yamaha--2 years. Official announcement soon.

FWIW

Interista :-P

[Suzie]

Yeah, 15th August has been mentioned.
Also rumoured is that Dovi might take the Ducati seat.

[Rob]

Reports in the Italian media suggest that Rossi has signed with Yamaha--2 years. Official announcement soon.

FWIW

Interista :-P

di sicuro amico mio.:Hmm

[Tifoso]

di sicuro amico mio.:Hmm

Si. Reported in the Gazzetta (IIRC)

[Rob]

Yeah, 15th August has been mentioned.
Also rumoured is that Dovi might take the Ducati seat.

Really? I think he good rider, and hope he could ride that bike alot better than VR. If he does, good luck.

Cannt wait till the 15th :-??

[Tifoso]

Yeah, 15th August has been mentioned.
Also rumoured is that Dovi might take the Ducati seat.

Excellent!

[Suzie]

Really? I think he good rider, and hope he could ride that bike alot better than VR. If he does, good luck.


Yeah, not sure if it's true though - before Mugello all the rumours pointed to Cal getting the Duke ride!

[Rob]

Eight races left in MotoGP™: Casey Stoner in the record books

Thursday, 9 August 2012

With Repsol Honda Team’s Casey Stoner announcing his retirement at the end of 2012 earlier this season, motogp.com takes a look at the records the current world champion holds as he joins a small list of riders that left the sport at a young age.
He has already amassed a big list of achievements in his relatively short career, as outlined below. With eight races left in his professional career, and a possible eight victories to take, he may not be able to break any more outright records, but can propel himself up the rankings quite significantly. After Laguna Seca, Stoner now has a total of 44 victories in Grand Prix racing, of which 37 have been in the premier class. If he was to take eight victories before the end of the season he could equal Phil Read with 52 and be sixth in the all-time GP victories ranking. This statistic could read even better in terms of premier-class standings as he could sit fourth with 45 behind Mick Doohan, who recorded a total of 54. Below is a list of what the young

Australian has already achieved:

Stoner’s records that can’t be broken:

2007/Catalunya/Barcelona: With a win in Catalunya, Stoner becomes the first rider to win four times in one season on a Ducati.

2007/USA/Laguna Seca: Wins from pole and tops all four practice sessions to become the first non-American rider to win at Laguna Seca in the MotoGP era.

2007/Japan/Motegi: Stoner becomes the first rider to win the MotoGP title on a Ducati.

2008/Qatar/Losail: Wins the first ever MotoGP race to take place at night under floodlights.

2009/Italy/Mugello: Gives Ducati their first ever premier-class win at the Italian Grand Prix.

2010/Spain/Aragón: Wins the first MotoGP race to be held at the new Aragón circuit.

2011/USA/Laguna Seca: Wins for the 5th time in 2011 – the highest number of wins by a Honda rider during the 800cc era of MotoGP. He went on to record 10 victories in total that season.

Stoner’s records that can be broken:

2006/Turkey/Istanbul: Finishes on the podium in his third MotoGP start to become the youngest Australian rider to finish on the podium in the premier-class.

2007/Qatar/Losail: Wins in his first race for Ducati to become the youngest Australian to win in the premier-class and also the first Australian rider to win in 125cc, 250cc and premier-class.

2008/San Marino/Misano: Qualifies on pole for the seventh successive race – the longest sequence of successive poles in the MotoGP era to date.

2011/Japan/Motegi: Starts on pole for the tenth time in 2011 – a new record for most pole positions in a season during the MotoGP era.

Stoner’s near-record performances:

2006/Qatar/Losail: Qualifies on pole in just his second start in MotoGP to become the second youngest rider of all-time to start from pole in the premier-class; the only rider to start from pole at a younger age is Freddie Spencer.

2007/San Marino/Misano: Wins three successive races for the first time and is the first to do so on a European manufactured bike [Ducati] since Giacomo Agostini in 1972.

Others riders that retired young:

Stoner, who will be 27 years old when he leaves MotoGP after the Valencia round in November, may be considered one of the youngest successful riders to retire. This is certainly true for the modern-day era, however there were some other prominent names that had similar ideas a long time ago.

Gary Hocking: Won the 500cc & 350cc titles in 1961 and then retired after the Isle of Man TT in 1962 after his good friend Tom Phillis was killed. Hocking was just 24 when he retired.

John Surtees: He had seven world titles to his name when he retired at the end of 1960 (4 x 500cc + 3 x 350cc). He was just 26 when he retired. He went on to become the first person to win both the 500cc world title and the F1 car racing title.

Mike Hailwood: Had nine titles to his name when he retired at the end of 1967, including 4 x 500cc titles. He was 27 when he retired.

[Rob]

Valentino Rossi denies he has decided to leave Ducati

By Michele Lostia and Sam Tremayne Wednesday, August 1st 2012, 15:54 GMT (bit old, but..)

Valentino Rossi denies he has decided to call time on his Ducati career, saying the lure of winning on three different manufacturers still appeals to him.

The Italian has become the central figure in the 2012 silly season, with offers from both the works Ducati and Yamaha squads.

Despite his admission at Laguna Seca that he was struggling for motivation with the Desmosedici, he said that he is still yet to make a decision - insisting that competitive machinery, rather than money, will be the key factor in his decision.

Asked whether his spell at Ducati depended upon an improved contract, Rossi was quoted as saying: "Actually Ducati has made me a lower offer compared to the past. But this is not the important thing: with Ducati I'd get more money than with Yamaha anyway, so if money was important I would have already made my choice.

"[What counts is] to get back to winning ways. There are two ways to get there: to pick an already competitive bike, or to take a fascinating long-term gamble in trying to sort out this bike with Audi's help.

"It's a stab in the dark, however: the problems are the same as always and we haven't managed to solve them in all this time. It's frustrating.

"On the other hand there is the beauty of trying to win with three different manufacturers, something never achieved by anyone."

Rossi admitted that he has proved unable to make a significant difference on board the Ducati, but said he still felt deserving of a competitive machine.

"The situation has changed, you can't make a big difference in bikes anymore. And, specifically, I haven't managed to," he confessed.

In response to Jorge Lorenzo's comments that he deserved a competitive bike, Rossi added: "Jorge is among the few who have always shown respect towards me and I thank him for that. He is right: I, too, think I deserve a competitive bike."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101683

[Rob]

Valentino Rossi returns to Yamaha for 2013 MotoGP season


By Pablo Elizalde Friday, August 10th 2012, 08:01 GMT

Valentino Rossi will return to Yamaha in 2013 after leaving Ducati at the end of the current season, the Japanese manufacturer confirmed on Friday.

Ducati announced this morning that Rossi was leaving the team following a disappointing two-year spell at the Italian squad, where the Italian rider struggled to be competitive, managing just two podiums and no victories so far.

Rossi enjoyed a very successful time at Yamaha, which he joined from Honda at the start of the 2004 season.

With the Japanese squad, the nine-time world champion took the titles in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009 and scored 46 victories before leaving for Ducati at the end of 2010.

Rossi will rejoin Yamaha alongside Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo, who was his team-mate at the team before he decided to leave for Ducati.

The Italian rider has signed a two-year deal with Yamaha.

"This announcement is once again excellent news for Yamaha," said Yamaha's Lin Jarvis. "In June we were able to sign Jorge Lorenzo for the 2013-14 campaign and now we are able to confirm Valentino Rossi for the next two years.

"In doing so we have been able to put together the strongest possible team to challenge for victories and to promote the Yamaha brand.

"The target for the future is obvious and we will do our utmost to achieve our goals.

"I have no doubt that with the experience, knowledge, skills and speed of these two great champion riders we will be able to challenge for many race wins and for the 2013 & 2014 World Championship titles."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101761

[Rob]

A few minutes ago, Ducati has announced his separation from Valentino Rossi at the end of the season. If the future of the Doctor seems now definitely branded Yamaha , with lots of formalization on paper waiting for moments, it was not until the weekend to Indianapolis to see who will rise on the Desmosedici vacated by the Pesaro. name in pole position but it is undoubtedly to Andrea Dovizioso: according to reports in the Gazzetta dello Sport , the Italian rider, who is making the protagonist of a great season aboard the satellite Yamaha Tech 3 Team , has already received an offer two years and the signature should arrive within the next weekend. Before accepting the proposal of Borgo Panigale, "Dovipower" but wants to be certain that the arrival of ' Audi ports really a turning point and that you avoid repeating the mistakes made ​​over the last two years. With the departure also Jeremy Burgess and associates with Valentino, he then proceeds to deal rumor in the box on the possible return of the Red Gabarrini Cristian and the boys who followed Casey Stoner in his adventure in Honda . Moreover, with the Australian, who will hang up his helmet at the end of year, start new era with Ducati rider Dovizioso can be a good prospect for them. But be careful because the surprises may not be finished here and at the expense would still be Team Tech 3 . Over the past two days in the corridors of Borgo Panigale has returned to speak with a certain insistence Cal Crutchlow , pilot enjoyed for quite some time. In theory, however, the regulation does not allow a solution similar to that adopted by the HRC in 2011, when he deployed three motorcycle officers. Here, therefore, that the British would go to support Andrea Iannone in the junior team, with the promise of having a GP13 (if you call the bike the next year) identical to those officers. If Cal were to withdraw, would return emergence of the name of Scott Redding , author of a very promising debut riding the Desmosedici last week at Mugello (he shot just over a second time by Valentino).

[Tifoso]

Good riddance, interista. :-)

Welcome aboard Dovi!

[Rob]

Shame it didnt work out with VR and Duc, hope he gets back to winning ways. But, think it be hard up against JL as team mate again.

[Ste]

Great news that Rossi is heading back to Yamaha. It's been horrible watching him and the bike perform so badly. I hope the move for Dovi isn't a career wrecker. Can't wait to see the Doc back to winning ways. I can't see anyone beating Yamaha with that lineup.

[Sianellen]

I was hoping Rossi/Ducati would work and I think it is a shame that it didn't, but I'm glad we will possibly get the chance to see Rossi back to winning ways and some good battles with Lorenzo at Yamaha again.

[Rob]

Stoner criticises Rossi over Yamaha switch

Wednesday, 15 August 2012
In an interview with British publication MCN, reigning World Champion Casey Stoner has criticised Valentino Rossi and his crew chief Jeremy Burgess for not turning Ducati’s fortunes around like they had promised.
The Repsol Honda rider was referring to Rossi’s and Burgess’ words, that they could create a bike any rider could win on. The Italian and his team have only managed two podiums in the last one and half seasons, with the seven-time premier-class champion having recently announced he will be switching back to Yamaha for 2013 on a two-year deal.

Stoner, who won the world championship with Ducati in 2007 and stayed with the team until 2010 had strong words about the recent turn of events: "They ate their words from day one. Jerry saying that it would take him 80 seconds to fix that bike and that it was a simple issue and now they have had almost two years and have not made any inroads. Valentino obviously doesn't want to push limits and ride a bike that is not perfect; he has admitted that.

"Obviously he doesn't want to put the effort in with Ducati. I just feel completely sorry for Ducati that Valentino has gone there and done nothing but complain about the bike for almost two years. The amount of times that guy has had to eat his words is not funny, but people still forgive him for it."

Read the full article and interview at http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/MotoGP/2012/August/aug1512-stoner-slams-rossi-yamaha-return/

[Rob]

Ducati Team fully focused on Indianapolis GP

After an eventful summer break where the Ducati Team announced its split with Valentino Rossi at the end of the season, the Italian outfit is on its way back to the United States for the second of two American MotoGP™ rounds.
The team’s goal is to continue working on the bike in order to enable a positive final part of the season for Rossi and Nicky Hayden. The American is particularly fond of the Indianapolis circuit, not only because it’s close to his home state of Kentucky, but also because it was the site of his first podium with Ducati, in 2009. Valentino Rossi has also been on the podium at this historic track, taking the victory when it first hosted the championship, in 2008.

As is always the case at the American events, Ducati Island will serve as the meeting point for the fans that come to support the Ducati Team, and to share the race weekend and enjoy the many exciting activities organized by the Italian manufacturer’s American subsidiary.

Valentino Rossi
"This break served as an opportunity to make important decisions for the future, but now I want to return to thinking about the races because we want to improve and during the weekend it’s important to focus completely on what we have to do on the track. Indianapolis isn’t one of my favourite circuits, although I do have a win there. It’s a particular track because it’s one of those that goes in the opposite direction, so the lines are a bit strange in many of the corners. It’s a tricky track, but we’ll try to do our best and have fun."

Nicky Hayden
"Laguna was fun, but Indy is really my home GP, just across the state line from Kentucky. Hopefully we can do a good result. We struggled more at Laguna than I expected, but Indy is much faster, with more opportunities to open the throttle. It should be nice to ride that track on the 1000s, and it will be fun for the American fans to really get to see them in action. Last season, tyre wear was critical there, but hopefully the pavement will come in a bit better this year. I hope to be competitive starting on Friday, and I’ll definitely be disappointed if we don’t get the best result of the season so far."

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/Ducati+Indianapolis+preview

[scuderiafan]

I knew this was never the right move from day one. Vale had a good thing going at Yamaha. I hope Jorge can now get a good second title, without rivals being sidelined.

[Rob]

Be nice if he did win it again this year. But id like to see Casey win it before he retires this year.

[Alonsofan2002]

Ben is going to BMW.

[Ste]

Stoner should shut his mouth. I loved Vale's response on Twitter...

[Rob]

Valentino Rossi says he will retire from MotoGP if Yamaha move doesn't bring strong results


By Michele Lostia and Sam Tremayne Friday, August 17th 2012, 10:43 GMT

Valentino Rossi says he will retire from MotoGP should his switch to Yamaha not meet with an upturn in results.

The Italian has finished on the podium just twice since moving to Ducati, and after crashing out at Laguna Seca - having been running a disappointing eighth – he admitted staying motivated was tough.

Having made the decision to return to Yamaha, with whom he enjoyed unprecedented success between 2004 and 2010, Rossi says an inability to improve upon his current level of performance would serve as an indication that his time at the top has passed.

"If you ask a sportsman whether going badly for a long time has an influence, he will tell that no, it has no effect. Instead I say it has, you can feel it," Rossi told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"This is why before talking about victories and a tenth title, which would be a dream, I need to really understand whether I'm able to fight again for the top grid positions, for victories, and finally for the title.

"Have I considered I won't be able to? Honestly I haven't made any programmes. I want to have fun again and go to the races with a smile.

"Should I carry on scoring fifth and sixth positions, that would mean my time has passed and I will retire: I've been racing for 15 years after all."

Rossi apologised for his inability to bring success to Ducati, but said he hoped he could rise again from such a low with Yamaha.

"I'm sorry this Italian pairing hasn't worked for myself, for Ducati, for the fans, and most of all for the guys who have worked on this project," he said.

"These two seasons are very difficult, and we struggling very much. Unfortunately, we were not able to improve our speed, our performance, and to fight for the good position, for the front position. In Ducati I find a lot of good people. We had great times together. We try the maximum, but unfortunately we were not able to achieve the result.

"I have never been able to make the difference like in 2004 at Yamaha, but the situation has changed. The bikes count for more now than back then. Also, in 2004 I was 24 and at the top of my form. Now I'm 33...

"I'm a rider who has lived twice: I won five consecutive titles like only two others have managed in history. Then I lost, but I returned and won again. Let's hope I become the man who lived three times."

Rossi said he expected the majority of his crew to follow him across to Yamaha, as they did when he moved from the Japanese factory to Ducati.

"So I think my crew come with me - more or less the same guys that come with me from Yamaha to Ducati. But is still not decided 100 percent. I think we have to fix some of the ties," he told a press conference ahead of the Indianapolis GP.

He also paid tribute to Jorge Lorenzo, admitting he is unsure whether he will be able to best the Spaniard once at Yamaha.

"Lorenzo has been a gentleman, he hasn't thrown a spanner in the works. Would I have done the same with roles reversed?

"In the last seasons, Jorge has become more strong than when I was with him in Yamaha – [and] in 2010 he was very strong. He rides the M1 at an incredible level without doing any mistakes. So for me it's a question mark [beating Lorenzo], I don't know.

"In the last seasons I think mainly three riders make the difference - him, Dani and Stoner. I was with them until 2010, so I consider [that] I was a top rider. But after these two seasons, no, I don't know..."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101813

[Rob]

Stoner heads incident-packed Indianapolis first free practice
Friday, 17 August 2012

Repsol Honda Team’s Casey Stoner got out of the blocks quickest as the MotoGP™ grid headed out for its first free practice session at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix in front of Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden.
The majority of riders initially headed out on track slightly gingerly as a few damp patches from earlier rain were still visible, however within ten minutes all riders had descended on the circuit for their first stab at the Brickyard. And it was Stoner who was the pace setter with a 1.41’925, marginally ousting his teammate Pedrosa into second, who also looked in ominous form. Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden, for whom this is a home-race, wrung the neck of his Desmosedici to finish third.

Fellow compatriot Ben Spies on the Yamaha Factory Racing machine came in fourth in front of his local crowd, finishing ahead of LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl, who was over a second off the time set by Stoner. Behind him was fellow Honda satellite rider, San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista, in sixth, who is hoping to resolve some front-end grip issues he has been experiencing. Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow came in seventh, despite suffering a crash early on in the session. The Brit was unhurt, and was able to continue the session on his second bike.

Yamaha’s championship leader Jorge Lorenzo had a subdued practice, finishing uncharacteristically low in eighth. He spent the final few minutes in his garage, seemingly unhappy with the set-up of his bike. Ducati’s Valentino Rossi ended the morning in ninth, while Pramac Racing Team’s Héctor Barberá came in tenth. Barberá, who was riding just 27 days after breaking his left tibia and fibula, suffered a heavy highside in the session, causing it to be red flag for a short while. He was taken straight to the medical centre where he was sighting chest and back pain, in particular in his vertebrae, which he had previously damaged very badly in a crash in Japan in 2008. He has been taken to Indianapolis Methodist Hospital for further checks.

CTR wildcards, Attack Performance’s Steve Rapp and GPTech’s Aaron Yates, finished 20th and 23rd respectively.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/united+states+indianapolis+motogp+fp1+stoner

[Rob]

Casey Stoner has troubled MotoGP practice at Indianapolis


Friday, August 17th 2012, 23:20 GMT

Casey Stoner said he never had chance to get going in Friday practice for MotoGP's Indianapolis Grand Prix, as problems with his Honda kept him back in fifth on the timesheets.

The reigning world champion was quickest in the morning, but ultimately resorted to his spare bike following multiple issues on the primary machine in practice two.

"We tried a couple of things this morning but with the track being so slippery we didn't really take anything from it," said Stoner.

"This afternoon we knew what we wanted to try after the morning session but unfortunately we had some issues with the bike.

"We had a problem with electronics on one exit and then a strange feeling in the rear on a later exit, perhaps a stone got into the chain or something, we're not sure yet.

"Due to the fact we couldn't identify what the problem was, we decided to use the second bike and I only managed a few laps.

"A slightly disappointing afternoon and we know what we want to work on tomorrow morning."

Stoner's team-mate Dani Pedrosa was fastest overall on day one at Indianapolis.

"This afternoon the track was a little better than in the morning and we were able to improve our lap times quite a lot and also try the hard tyres, which worked much better than the soft specification we tried this morning," said Pedrosa.

"As we saw today, the times will keep dropping during the weekend with more rubber on the asphalt, so we have to continue working hard on the bike. We found a good base today to move on from; we can improve every area still, focusing especially on the suspension and electronics and also care about the tyres because it's very hot out there and the tyres dropped off very quick."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101821

[Rob]

Pedrosa on scorching form in second free practice in Indianapolis
Friday, 17 August 2012

On the first day of free practice at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix it was Repsol Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa who was on scorching form as he topped the timesheets in the second session ahead of Ben Spies and Jorge Lorenzo.
Pedrosa’s superb time in the high 1.37s was sufficient to oust Yamaha Factory Racing’s charging Spies into second, who looked back to his old self as he lapped his home circuit. His teammate Lorenzo took third spot, yet aborted his final hot lap on the final turn, denying a true indication of his outright pace.

Fourth place went to Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Andrea Dovizioso, who was only marginally behind Lorenzo on board his satellite machine. Casey Stoner’s best lap saw him finish the day in fifth, although the Repsol Honda rider looked to have rear suspension issues during the session, meaning he spent the final five minutes on his number two bike.

British rider Cal Crutchlow took sixth spot on board his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 machine, doing well to recover from a crash in the morning session. In seventh, San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista was over 1.2 seconds off the top spot set by the factory Honda, and will be looking for significant improvements tomorrow.

Eighth place went to fellow Honda satellite rider Stefan Bradl, who is taking to the Indianapolis track for the first time on his LCR Honda MotoGP bike. Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi completed the top ten, after a disappointing session for the Italian outfit.

Top CRT spot went to Power Electronics Aspar’s Randy de Puniet, while the grid also welcomed GPTech wildcard Aaron Yates and Attack Performance’s Steve Rapp. Rapp was however garage bound for the afternoon session as his team struggled with bike issues.

The majority of riders started the session on the softer option rear tyre, yet switched to the harder option as the track temperature increased. Pedrosa’s hot lap was set on the harder option rear during a seven lap stint at the end.

Pramac Racing Team fielded Toni Elías for the afternoon session, after Héctor Barberá’s big highside this morning. Barberá, who crashed heavily in the final turn suffered fractures in his dorsal vertebrae 5, 6 and 8, rendering him unfit for this weekend. He is currently at Indianapolis Methodist Hospital, where he will be kept overnight for observation.

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2012/united%20states%20indianapolis%20fp2%20motogp%20pe drosa

[Rob]

http://youtu.be/s2qVjZ8kySE

http://youtu.be/Cb615tzxJ3s

[Rob]

Difficult qualifying for Ducati Team, Hayden out of tomorrow's GP
Saturday, 18 August 2012

After a positive start to the day for Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden, who were able to further reduce their gaps to the front during the third free-practice session, the Ducati Team experienced a difficult qualifying session.
Approximately ten minutes from the end of the session, Nicky Hayden crashed in Turn 14 while on a fast lap with the soft tyre. After an initial check at the track’s medical centre, the American was transferred to Indianapolis’ Methodist Hospital, where additional examinations revealed two small, non-displaced fractures to the second and third metacarpal on his right hand. The results of the CAT were negative, and the American should be discharged this evening or tomorrow morning, but in any case he won’t take part in the Grand Prix.

Valentino Rossi was confident after the practice session that he would be able to lower his time again in qualifying, but he wasn’t ultimately able to improve on the time he had set in cooler conditions.

Valentino Rossi
“It’s a shame because this morning went pretty well. I was able to do some good laps both with the hard tyre and the soft, and in the end I wasn’t so far off, actually lapping on the pace of the second group. That made me optimistic, and I thought that I could go 1’39” in qualifying, but I wasn’t even able to match my time from free practice. I didn’t have rear grip, and the rear tyre was sliding a lot. On the last fast lap, I had a big risk in the same turn where Nicky crashed. This track has strange asphalt that has less grip than what we’re used to but that still wears the tyres. For that reason, we have tyres with stiffer carcases at our disposition here. We’ll try to make some changes for tomorrow in order to gain a bit more grip, and we’ll see what my race pace is.”

Press release courtesy of Ducati Team.

[Rob]

Pedrosa on pole as Stoner suffers big crash
Saturday, 18 August 2012

In a dramatic qualifying for the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix, Dani Pedrosa took pole position after his teammate Casey Stoner suffered a nasty crash on his fourth lap, in the first 10 minutes of the session.
Stoner had a heavy highside in turn 13 and was immediately taken to the circuit medical centre. The first X-Rays ruled out any serious injury, suggesting torn ligaments in the right ankle. Stoner was taken to the local Methodist Hospital for further checks and scans. The Repsol Honda team will release a statement later today, as soon as more information is known.

With a final flying lap of 1'38.813, Pedrosa set a new lap record on his way to his second pole position at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and his third of the 2012 season. Stoner, who was fastest in the last free practice this morning, finally finished in sixth position with 1'39.465.

Dani Pedrosa
"It was a tricky session because the asphalt was very slippery and we saw many nasty crashes already in Moto3 and then in MotoGP. It felt that you could control the slide, but suddenly many riders found themselves on the floor. It was crucial to keep the concentration on our riding and not make any mistake and achieve the lap time. To be in pole position is great at a track where the first sector is very tight and it's always good to have a clean start. We did a very good job today, testing the tyres, working on the bike and being ready for the hot laps. I feel we have a good setting for tomorrow. We are confident for the race, but other riders look strong as well. Lorenzo picked up his pace, Spies is strong here and I hope Casey has nothing serious and can be on the grid. We will need to fight at the maximum tomorrow.”

[Rob]

Front row for Lorenzo at Indianapolis as Spies battles to fourth
Saturday, 18 August 2012

Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo gave it everything this afternoon in an incident packed qualifying session to take second on the grid for tomorrow’s Grand Prix of Indianapolis.
Having struggled to find pace all weekend the team made a big step for qualifying, dramatically improving his speed and resulting in a qualifying time just 0.1 seconds from pole. Teammate Ben Spies continued to show the impressive pace he’s displayed all weekend for qualifying. The Texan looked on target for a record-breaking pole lap nearly half a second clear until a big high side between T13 and T14. The difficult track conditions at that corner also claimed Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden with serious crashes. Spies was able to rejoin for the last eight minutes of qualifying but was unable to improve on his time so will start from fourth on the grid tomorrow with a time 0.4 seconds from pole.

Jorge Lorenzo
"A really tough weekend so far, I really thought I wouldn’t be able to deliver but finally we modified the bike a lot with some weight on the rear to enter the corners with more confidence. I felt great as a result, could lean a lot and open the throttle quickly so I got second and was close to Dani. We don’t have a bad pace but not as good as Dani yet, we need to improve a little in the morning."

Ben Spies
"My shoulder is really sore after that crash, maybe some torn ligaments so it’s pretty painful. I’m getting some treatment and we’ll see how it is tomorrow. It’s frustrating as we’ve been going really well all weekend and I’ve been feeling really confident with the bike, I think we could have been on pole. The track surface is pretty tricky at the end there, it seems to have caught a few people today."

Press release courtesy of Yamaha Factory Racing.

[Rob]

Injured Casey Stoner determined to try to take part in Indianapolis MotoGP race
Sunday, August 19th 2012, 04:59 GMT

Casey Stoner will attempt to ride in the Indianapolis MotoGP race despite having suffered ligament damage and small fractures to his right ankle in his qualifying crash.

After further checks in hospital, it was confirmed that there was an element of bone damage in addition to the torn ligaments. The initial diagnosis at the circuit medical centre had been a fractured ankle. Stoner sustained the injuries when he had a violent high-side on the exit of Turn 13 early in Saturday's qualifying session.

A Honda statement listed Stoner's injuries as follows: "several small chipped bone fractures, a 10mm fracture on the talar dome below the tibia and fibula, contusions to the anterior tibia, posterior tibia and medial malleolus, and soft tissue swelling around the ankle. He has also torn his deltoid, anterior talofibial, calcaneal and fibular ligaments in addition to a high ankle sprain."

Stoner said he would do his utmost to take part in Sunday's race.

"I need to see how I feel tomorrow morning to understand if I'm able to race," he said. "I am really disappointed as I felt we had the package for pole in this race and a strong chance for the win. Many other riders came off today, I hope they are OK.

"We'll see how we feel in the morning and will do all we can to be on the grid."

The Australian said he had known immediately that the injury was potentially serious.

"It's the first time in my career that I haven't been able to get up and walk away from an accident myself," he said.

"As soon as I stood up, I looked down and saw my foot was at a strange angle to my leg. I had a shooting pain in my lower leg, then I felt a crack as my ankle popped back in. It was very painful and I was sure I had broken something.

"The local staff at the circuit medical centre were all very helpful and after taking some initial x-rays they agreed I should go to hospital for further checks. The team that looked after me at the Methodist Hospital were fantastic, so professional, attentive and incredibly helpful, I'd like to thank them all for taking good care of me.

"They confirmed that I had some chipped bone around my ankle and a small fracture, but I was concerned about the damage done to any ligaments so we did an MRI scan. This showed that I had torn almost every ligament in my ankle and heavily bruised my tibia."

Stoner will start from sixth on the grid if he is able to take part in the grand prix

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101848

[Rob]

Pedrosa wins as Stoners battles to fourth in Indianapolis
Sunday, 19 August 2012

The Repsol Honda Team has completed the second American race of the season with another fantastic performance, this time at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix.
Dani Pedrosa took a full house in Indy - pole position, circuit record lap and win - in an incredible weekend that marks his second victory of the 2012 season. It is also his second win at this track and 40th career victory in the World Championship in all three classes. Pedrosa crossed the finish line 10.8 seconds ahead of Lorenzo and Repsol Honda team mate Casey Stoner celebrated, considering his physical condition, a formidable fourth position. The current World Champion overcame incredible pain caused by his injury to the right ankle sustained during yesterday's qualifying session crash.

Dani Pedrosa
"I'm extremely happy with this win and I really want to congratulate the whole team for the great job they've done this weekend, the bike worked perfectly. It was difficult at the beginning of the race because the pace was very strong from the start. I got past Ben Spies, but I kept calm because I knew I had the pace today to fight for the victory. When I took the lead, I put in some very strong laps to build up a gap and then I made a mistake in turn 2 going into neutral and Jorge reduced the gap by 1 second. But I was able to get back on my pace and ride comfortably to the end, where I think Jorge struggled a little with the soft rear tyre. We managed to take our second win of the season and every point is important. I want to also congratulate Casey for his result; he did a superb race in his condition and I am sure he will be strong again in Brno."

Casey Stoner
"I'm definitely disappointed with how the weekend went. We had a strong start on Friday morning and then had a few issues Friday afternoon in FP2. We showed that we certainly had the pace for pole position and fight for the win but unfortunately I had a huge crash in qualifying. The injuries I sustained from the crash made things very difficult for us and we lost precious track time to work on the set up. This morning in warm up I was just getting comfortable on the bike and trying to get a feel for everything rather than working on set up. The race was equally as difficult, we had a rough start and got pushed back some positions and had to fight our way back through. As soon as we did, unluckily Ben had a bike failure and I found myself in the middle of the smoke, unsure where I was going and what I might hit and we lost positions again. At the end of the race it was almost impossible to maintain the pace. The painkillers I took to dull the pain gradually wore off at around the halfway point and as I was compensating for my injury with the other side of my body, I simply had no energy left. It was frustrating to give up the podium position to Andrea but we did everything we could and at least I was able to ride and take some points."

Press release courtesy of Repsol Honda Team.

[Suzie]

I have massive respect for Casey for making it through that yesterday.

Dull race but I'm always happy when Dani wins. As for Ben Spies... how much bad luck can one guy have?!

[Rob]

Valentino Rossi feared he would repeat Laguna Seca crash as Ducati struggled in Indianapolis MotoGP race
Sunday, August 19th 2012, 23:32 GMT

Valentino Rossi said he cruised to the finish at Indianapolis because he feared a repeat of his Laguna Seca accident as Ducati again struggled in hot conditions in America.

Rossi finished nearly a minute behind winner Dani Pedrosa in seventh place, 27 seconds adrift of nearest rival Stefan Bradl, and not far ahead of the CRT riders.

"In the end, the position is not bad, but unfortunately I was very slow in the race," Rossi told the official MotoGP website.

"After this morning we expected a bit better. I was not so bad in the cold conditions of the morning but I suffered a lot in the hot in the afternoon. It also happened yesterday."

He said it had been too risky to try and push any harder in the race, so chose to settle for a points finish.

"In the beginning I could stay with the guy in front, but I had two big moments so I decided just to arrive at the end and not to do the same mistake as at Laguna Seca," Rossi said.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101862

[Rob]

I have massive respect for Casey for making it through that yesterday.

Dull race but I'm always happy when Dani wins. As for Ben Spies... how much bad luck can one guy have?!

Totally gutted for Ben, really thought he good of won, but that Honda was (is) like a rocket. Could Dani take title?

Casey rode that race brilliantly with those injuries, massive respect to him. Is he still title contender now he injuryed? (i hope he can before he retires)

[Ste]

Dani is becoming more consistent, falling off less but I don't see him posing a serious challenge to Lorenzo (and especially next season with the Doc back at Yamaha). Indy clearly didn't suit Lorenzo for whatever reason, struggling all weekend so P2 was much better than he'd have expected.

I don't really get why Stoner is getting so much praise. Lorenzo scored a podium while he was on crutches and Rossi also scored a fourth, so it's nothing new for a rider to have a bad injury and pull through to a good result.

Lorenzo finished second at Le Mans in 2009, having broken both ankles at the previous race in Shanghai. Not debating it wasn't a good ride from Casey but it's been bettered before now.

[Greig]

So he should not get praise because others have done it?

[Suzie]

I had respect for the other guys when they got injured too - bikers are hard as nails. I don't like Stoner but fair play to the guy because he was completely done at the end of that race. I'm not going to belittle what he did just because I prefer other riders.

[Rob]

I had respect for the other guys when they got injured too - bikers are hard as nails. I don't like Stoner but fair play to the guy because he was completely done at the end of that race. I'm not going to belittle what he did just because I prefer other riders.

+1 :thumb

[Rob]

Spies plays down hints of underlying tension within Yamaha following post-Indianapolis comments
By Sam Tremayne Monday, August 20th 2012, 23:03 GMT

Ben Spies has moved to play down hints of underlying tension within Yamaha following post-race comments at the Indianapolis Grand Prix.

The Texan, who caused a stir at Laguna Seca when he confirmed via Twitter that he would be leaving the Japanese squad, said that he had been told 'somebody high up' in Yamaha that he should not arrive at the US circuit unless he was prepared to ride at 100 per cent.

The comments came after Spies retired with an engine failure while running second at Indianapolis. He had led early on and looked the only rider capable of matching eventual winner Dani Pedrosa.

"I was told by somebody at Yamaha that if I'm not going to ride a hundred percent at Laguna (Seca), don't show up. I came to Laguna, and I tried the best I could," Spies said in an interview released by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"The bike had a malfunction. Then we came here with a hundred percent and did the best we could, and we had another mechanical with the bike. I've given my hundred percent.

"I'm not going to say any names, but yeah, it was somebody high up."

Asked about his frustrations at the cavalcade of unlucky blows he has suffered this season, he responded: "There's frustration, but it's kind of almost got to a laughing point for me. I'm really not even upset about it.

"It's just been so many things, one after another. You don't know how to respond to it.

"So to be told what I was told after Mugello and the way it was, and then to give the effort I've given the last two weekends, I just don't think it's been too fair."

In the same interview however Spies insisted he had no doubts his Yamaha crew were absolutely behind him.

"I know my team is, my crew. It's shown," he replied when asked if Yamaha was behind him 100 per cent. "The bike's been good the last two weekends. I just don't respect what was told to me and what we've tried to do this year.

"I wouldn't say it's Yamaha's fault at all. It's just been bad luck, too. Why it's happening to me, I don't know."

Spies took to Twitter on Monday night to reiterate that view, and to also play down speculation that his comments were directed at Yamaha racing boss Lin Jarvis.

"I made a statement this weekend about some tension in our team and what people have said to me. People always fill in spaces with nonsense," Spies said on his official Twitter account.

"I have a lot of people behind me including my boss Mr. Jarvis which [sic] has been behind me the whole time he wanted me Jorge and me to be Yamaha."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101871

[Ste]

So he should not get praise because others have done it?

I said "so much" praise. :-)

[Ste]

I had respect for the other guys when they got injured too - bikers are hard as nails. I don't like Stoner but fair play to the guy because he was completely done at the end of that race. I'm not going to belittle what he did just because I prefer other riders.

Not sure I've belittled anyone. Just saying people (any by people I was referring to the media mostly) seemed to think something like this had never been done before.

[Greig]

I said "so much" praise. :-)

So how much praise did he deserve?

[Ste]

So how much praise did he deserve?

Well the "brilliant ride" kind of praise rather than the "wow that was unbelievable" kind.

[Tobes]

This thread is more entertaining than the race was... Dull at best...

With the exception of Casey's ride, wow that was unbelievable... :-D

[Suzie]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101903


Casey Stoner admits his 2012 MotoGP title hopes are 'finished' following the announcement that he will miss this weekend's Czech Republic Grand Prix.

The reigning world champion, who will retire at the end of the season, will fly home to Australia on Thursday evening to have surgery on the ankle injuries he suffered in a qualifying crash at Indianapolis.

Already 39 points behind championship leader Jorge Lorenzo, and now facing a lengthy recovery period, Stoner admitted he effectively has no chance of winning a third championship crown before he leaves the sport.

"It's disappointing news but it's finished our championship," Stoner said in a press conference at Brno.

"I've no idea when I'll be back as until we've had the surgery we won't know."

Stoner competed in the Indianapolis Grand Prix using a modified boot - and having taken painkillers before the race.

He said he had opted for surgery before Brno however after being advised that he otherwise risked permanent damage.

"The plan is to get back to Australia as we have to wait for the inflammation to go down before having surgery," he explained.

"We already have everything lined up to see what we can do and then try to get back.

"Normally my doctor doesn't have a problem with me riding with injury but as soon as he read the report he advised me against riding in Indianapolis.

"All the different reports have been the same, that I need to get off this foot as soon as I can.

"My plan is to come back hopefully a race or two before Phillip Island but I don't know.

"To have these kind of disappointments is frustrating, especially in my last year. But that's racing.

"I'm not in this championship to finish on a fairytale. I'm not always going to keep waiting for a fairytale ending."

Gutting for the Stoner fans, who would have wanted to see him do a full season before retiring.

[Sianellen]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/101903



Gutting for the Stoner fans, who would have wanted to see him do a full season before retiring.

That's a real shame for him, I thought he did a great job getting through last weekend, I hope he can recover well and has a good few races before he retires. It's also a shame for the championship to lose a main player in the battle for the title. I think it will make it a bit less entertaining having him taken out of the running.

[Rob]

Rossi laughs at his situation in Ducati
It also leaves space for the memory of his deceased friend Marco Simoncelli, placing several numbers '58 'in it.
http://i47.tinypic.com/2hgbsdt.jpg
Valentino Rossi returned to throw in the mood to play down the bad season that is taking place in MotoGP. The town in the Italian premiere of his home grand prix and its occurrence has been nothing to express their current mood. Under a 'sandwich' with the question "Come ford? (Can I?)" Shows a cartoon drawn face from the blows. Pretend to be a boxer who is on the ropes, the edge of the KO, but that has not kissed the canvas.

Rossi also leaves space for the memory of his deceased friend Marco Simoncelli, placing several numbers '58 'in it. The design has been made, again, by Aldo Drudi, Valentino and common friend 'Sic'.

It is surrounded by all of the top Ducati in Misano, led by Filippo Preziosi. Premieres and a tilting chassis that proved last week at this track.


http://www.marca.com/2012/09/15/motor/mundial_motos/1347708054.html

[Suzie]

Really pleased to see Jonny Rea qualify 9th today - he's done so well given the short notice and his unfamiliarity of the bike. Hopefully he can do well tomorrow; would be nice to see a NI person in MotoGP again :-)

[Tifoso]

Rossi laughs at his situation in Ducati
It also leaves space for the memory of his deceased friend Marco Simoncelli, placing several numbers '58 'in it.
http://i47.tinypic.com/2hgbsdt.jpg
Valentino Rossi returned to throw in the mood to play down the bad season that is taking place in MotoGP. The town in the Italian premiere of his home grand prix and its occurrence has been nothing to express their current mood. Under a 'sandwich' with the question "Come ford? (Can I?)" Shows a cartoon drawn face from the blows. Pretend to be a boxer who is on the ropes, the edge of the KO, but that has not kissed the canvas.

Rossi also leaves space for the memory of his deceased friend Marco Simoncelli, placing several numbers '58 'in it. The design has been made, again, by Aldo Drudi, Valentino and common friend 'Sic'.

It is surrounded by all of the top Ducati in Misano, led by Filippo Preziosi. Premieres and a tilting chassis that proved last week at this track.


http://www.marca.com/2012/09/15/motor/mundial_motos/1347708054.html

Twit interista :-)

[Rishu]

Damn! Pedrosa's terrible luck
I fear boring title chase for Lorenzo now


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Suzie]

Congrats to Hector Barbara for basically ruining the championship.
Great podium in terms of a tribute to Sic though - and Rea did really well, kept it on the track and held his nerve.

[Rob]

The excellent second place finish yesterday was taken as a starting point by the men of Ducati , which now will stop at Misano for another important day of testing ahead of the season finale. Valentino Rossi will be asked to test a new chassis , which is nothing more than a further refined version of what he has given us excellent results over the weekend went on stage on the path of Romagna. The structure should be very similar, with the differences that relate to the stiffness. 's team with which the Borgo Panigale will face this test will be very large: in addition to the "Doctor" there will be Nicky Hayden and tester Franco Battaini . What you have to understand, however, is whether the U.S. will be able to get on track, since the end of the race yesterday his right hand was very sore. notivà The last hour is the presence of Andrea Iannone: now that the Ducati has officially announced his engagement in 2013, she decided to keep him at Misano to allow him to continue his apprenticeship with the MotoGP and the Desmosedici .

[Rob]

Congrats to Hector Barbara for basically ruining the championship.
Great podium in terms of a tribute to Sic though - and Rea did really well, kept it on the track and held his nerve.

Thats what i thought aswell. Thought it was building to be good fight between Dani and Jorge. Shame he had start at back and out of position to be in that part of the field. Well, Jorge has this title pretty much now. Impressed with Rea, hope gets seat still with HRC next year.

[Rob]

Magneti Marelli ECU available to all MotoGP™ teams from 2013
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
http://i48.tinypic.com/21ca6v6.jpg
Magneti Marelli will give all competitors in the MotoGP™ premier-class the option to utilise the Italian company’s Electronic Control System on their racing machines from 2013.
This landmark four-year agreement will give all teams access to Magneti Marelli’s electronic control system, which includes an engine and chassis control unit with inboard datalogger, as well as the relevant tuning and data analysis tools, dashboard, handlebar toggle switch and inertial platform. This system, representing the highest technological option in Magneti Marelli’s portfolio, will be backed up by a permanent presence of its technicians on track, as well as continual development and evolution at its MotoGP-specific R&D centre as its Bologna headquarters, which will be set up specifically in light of this agreement.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna CEO, is thrilled with this latest cooperation: "I cannot hide the fact that I am very happy with this new cooperation with Magneti Marelli. The agreement reached with the Italian company merely validates MotoGP as a competition that incorporates and encourages the latest and most innovative technology. The experience of this company, which has spent many years at the highest level of competition in motor sport, represents a major step in the premier-class of two-wheel racing."

Roberto Dalla, Magneti Marelli Motorsport Managing Director, added: "We are very glad to share our know-how and experience in the motorsport field with MotoGP, in order to jointly achieve new objectives in terms of performance and technology development. The main aim is to provide top technology at affordable costs, which is Magneti Marelli’s mission firstly in racing and also in the field of series production. Magneti Marelli has been developing solutions in the electronics and electro-mechanics area for MotoGP teams for the last decade: this new initiative with Dorna represents a further strategic opportunity to enhance the development of our technology."

[Suzie]

Another brilliant win for Dani today - he's really on it this season, such a shame we probably aren't going to see a really tight Championship battle.

The Hayden crash was scary, I've never seen anything quite like it.

And boo to Dovi for getting onto the podium just ahead of Cal.

[Rob]

How did Vale get on?

[Suzie]

He touched Rea on lap 1 and ran wide off the track. He was dead last but worked his way back up to 8th.

[Rob]

Another brilliant win for Dani today - he's really on it this season, such a shame we probably aren't going to see a really tight Championship battle.

The Hayden crash was scary, I've never seen anything quite like it.

And boo to Dovi for getting onto the podium just ahead of Cal.


holy you know what, just seen the Hayden crash.

[Rob]

He touched Rea on lap 1 and ran wide off the track. He was dead last but worked his way back up to 8th.

:thumb

[Rob]

Nicky Hayden confused by Casey Stoner's retiring from MotoGP

By Matt Beer Tuesday, October 2nd 2012, 10:38 GMT

Nicky Hayden has admitted he is confused by his former team-mate Casey Stoner's decision to retire from MotoGP.

Reigning world champion Stoner announced in May that 2012 would be his last season in the sport.

That means he will walk away at the age of 27, after just seven years in MotoGP - although in that time he has won two titles and 37 races to date.

Hayden was paired with Stoner at Ducati in 2009 and '10 before the Australian left for Honda, where he won the championship at the first attempt

"I'm a little bit surprised, but Casey does things his way," Hayden told the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix's podcast.

"I'm just surprised because to be winning, to be on top, to have a team like that behind you, it seems like life would be pretty good.

"So I don't understand why he would [retire], but that's his decision and I respect it.

"He's given a lot to this sport. Casey, like him or not, it's not like he rode around and milked it. When he's on the track, he's given a lot. So I say he earned the right to do what he wants.

"I think it's a pretty good life going around the world riding these motorcycles, so it seems strange, but it's his decision.

"He probably doesn't understand why I want to keep doing it..."

Hayden recently extended his Ducati contract into a fifth year.

The 31-year-old has not won a race since his title-winning campaign with Honda in 2006, but still believes he can return to the top before he retires.

"I've been at Ducati now a couple of years and had some OK results, but I think my best Ducati years are ahead of me," Hayden insisted.

"We've had a couple of not great years but there's no reason why this team and this bike can't win.

"We have the resources, we have the sponsors, and they've won before. People forget - it wasn't that long ago that Ducati was winning races, and I believe it's very possible."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/103010

[Rob]

Ben Spies to miss Phillip Island


Monday, 22 October 2012
Yamaha Factory Racing rider Ben Spies will not attend the Grand Prix of Australia at the Phillip Island circuit this weekend following injuries sustained during the Grand Prix of Malaysia on Sunday 21st October.
Spies fell whilst riding in extremely challenging wet conditions at the Sepang International Circuit. An initial check by the trackside medical centre found no serious injuries however further tests conducted today in Kuala Lumpur have revealed injuries requiring surgery.

The Texan will return to the USA tomorrow, Tuesday 23rd October, to receive treatment for an AC shoulder separation, a cracked rib in the upper chest area and bruising to the lung.

Yamaha Factory Racing will not field a replacement rider at Phillip Island due to time constraints.

Ben Spies

"I'm lost for words. We've had such a tough season with an unbelievable amount of bad luck. We have always gone out there to give it 100% and it was the intention of both myself and my team to continue to do so at Phillip Island. I took a really hard knock on Sunday and it's now clear from today's tests that I have some injuries that require immediate attention.

It's disappointing to be heading back to the USA now instead of to Phillip Island but it's obviously important to get the right treatment as soon as possible.
I'm sorry for my team and thankful for all the hard work they and Yamaha have put in so far; our current situation is not where we should be.”

Press release courtesy of Yamaha Factory Racing.

[Rob]

Lorenzo salvages second despite tyre choice
Sunday, 21 October 2012

Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo endured a treacherous ordeal to take second in this afternoon’s Grand Prix of Malaysia.
The Championship leader took the holeshot from pole on the wet track with closest rival Dani Pedrosa in pursuit less than half a second behind. Lorenzo maintained his lead until just before the last corner on lap nine where Pedrosa was able to pass. The rain increased at this point making riding extremely difficult for the entire grid, Lorenzo himself miraculously saving a near fall into turn 15. The red flags were eventually brought out to halt the race on lap 13 after a number of riders fell in the treacherous conditions. The second place finish means Lorenzo moves on to the final two races with a 23-point lead in the Championship.

Lorenzo’s teammate Ben Spies had dropped three places from the start grid, working hard to avoid another rider spinning off the line. As a result he went into the first corner in ninth position, then dropping to tenth on lap three. The Texan then found an impressive race pace matching the front runners and looked threatening to move up the field until disaster struck on the eighth lap as he became one of the many victims to fall in the incredibly slippery conditions. The DNF means Spies heads to the final two races of the season remaining on 88 points in tenth position.

Jorge Lorenzo

“If we were riding at 20km per hour it is easy to stay on the bike but it is very difficult to find the limit in these conditions. They made the right decision to stop the race, for us it was great because we might otherwise have finished on the ground and crashed. We used the soft rear where Dani and Casey used the harder one. When the conditions were ok they used less of the centre of the tyre so when the conditions became worse they had more to play with.”

Ben Spies

“What a shocking race, the water on the track was incredible. I’m really sorry for rubbing into Nicky, I thought I had enough space to brake; I’m relieved we didn’t go down together and he was ok. It was a close one at the start as well, Dovi spun off the line and we were lucky not to make contact. That was one of the wettest races I’ve had in a long time, my shoulder’s really sore from the fall but thankfully nothing too serious so I’ll be able to ride in Australia.”

Press release courtesy of Yamaha Factory Racing.

[Rob]

HAYDEN FOURTH, ROSSI FIFTH IN MALAYSIAN RAIN

Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Malaysian Grand Prix, which was marked by very wet conditions.

Rain had already fallen during the Moto3 race, which saw German Sandro Cortese take the win and the title, and it had an even bigger influence on the Moto2 race, which started late and ended early. But it was the MotoGP race that was most affected, with delays, crashes and eventually a premature finish. Nicky Hayden passed the chequered flag in fourth place, having lapped at a competitive pace and avoided mistakes.

After an excellent start from the fourth row, Valentino Rossi was fifth at the end of lap one, and until eleven laps from the end, he was involved in a fight with Dovizioso and Stoner for the third step of the podium. With the rain increasing in intensity, he ran long in turn 7, dropping to ninth place as a result. From there, he once again advanced as high as fifth place, when the red flag fell seven laps before the scheduled finish. With the rain only falling harder after that, the decision was made not to restart the race.

Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team) 4th
“Those were really tough conditions. I got a good launch, but when Dovizioso got sideways in front of me, I shut off the throttle and lost positions. I was able to recover, but I lost some confidence when the rear tried to come around a couple times. I had to be really patient in the beginning, but once I got rolling, I had good rhythm. It was clearly the right decision to call the race. There was a lot of water those last couple of laps, and it was almost impossible to see, although the rear lights on the bikes helped a lot. In dry conditions, I would’ve been thrilled with fourth, but I know our potential is higher in the wet. It would’ve been amazing to give my guys a podium today, but it’s a decent result. Hopefully, it can help me come out of the difficult period and give us something to build on.”

Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) 5th
“Our race wasn’t bad because I got a great start despite being so far back, on the fourth row, and then I managed to be pretty fast. I was riding with Dovizioso and Stoner, when unfortunately I started having some problems with my visor fogging, and in those extreme conditions, with low light and a lot of water, it was very difficult. I made a mistake in turn 7, and I was lucky not to crash because it was the same point where Dovizioso, Spies and then Bradl went down. Without that mistake, I could have finished fourth because honestly, Stoner was a bit faster than I was, especially in T2. In general though, it didn’t go bad. Of course I would’ve liked to finish the full race, but there was really too much water. I think the decision to stop was correct because in these conditions, the bikes can aquaplane and you can go down in any corner.”

Vittoriano Guareschi, Team Manager
“It was certainly a strange Sunday, with conditions that we hadn’t ridden in the whole weekend. We started with the tyres as an unknown and opted for the hard rain, which in the end turned out to be a good choice. Both Nicky and Vale were very good because they brought home a good haul of points in an extremely difficult situation that cost many others. Our bike performs very well in wet conditions, and both riders took good advantage of that.”

[Rob]

Pedrosa brings title within reach in thrilling rain-hit Malaysia race
Sunday, 21 October 2012

In a dramatic race hit by torrential rain and a raft of crashes at the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix in Sepang it was Repsol Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa who put in a wet-weather master class to take the win ahead of Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner.
In a race that was declared wet from the start, it was Yamaha Factory Racing’s Lorenzo who got the holeshot ahead of Pedrosa. Ducati Team’s Valentino Rossi got a good start from 11th to move into fourth within the first lap. Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Andrea Dovizioso, who had a bad start, was carving his way through the pack and soon got past Rossi into fourth to chase down Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner in third.

Lorenzo, having opted for the softer option wet rear tyre, had a small margin over Pedrosa with 18 laps to go, who had the harder rear tyre. All Yamahas on the grid as well as Cardion AB Racing’s Karel Abraham had opted for the soft-rear, hard-front combination, with all others running with hards front and rear. A lap later however and Pedrosa was breathing down Lorenzo’s neck having closed the gap to a fraction of a second.

Further afield Stoner was leading a group, about five seconds off the leading duo, with Dovizioso, Rossi, LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl, Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden, San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista and Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow. With 12 laps remaining, Pedrosa was continuing to stick to Lorenzo’s rear wheel as the pair looked locked in a stalemate out on track. Further back on the same lap, Yamaha’s Bes Spies suffered a heavy crash out of tenth place, putting a premature end to his race. He was taken to the medical centre to check on a shoulder injury.

Rossi also dropped from behind Dovizioso back into ninth, as his teammate Hayden fought his way up to fifth. A lap further on and it was drama for Dovizioso as he also slid out of the race, which continued to be pummelled with rain. It was in the final turn of this lap that Pedrosa made a move stick on Lorenzo to take the lead just over the halfway point and the Repsol rider instantly looked more comfortable in front pulling a small gap. In the meantime, NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Colin Edwards retired with a mechanical option.

As the grid headed into lap nine there were further crashes in the final turn as Crutchlow slid off, followed almost instantly in the same place by Power Electronics Aspar’s Randy de Puniet. It was a crash strewn lap, with Bradl also losing the front of his satellite Honda, and Avintia Blusens’ Iván Silva also crashing out. Back on track Rossi looked in his element as he squeezed past Bautista into fifth. Things were also getting interesting at the front as Lorenzo was being not only dropped off by Pedrosa, but also being closed down by Stoner at a very quick rate.

The rain was coming down heavily with 15 laps left, and Lorenzo suffered a very scary moment, where he saved a near crash just seconds before the Red Flag was shown due to safety concerns. After much deliberating as to whether a re-start would be possible, conditions deteriorated, and the win was awarded to Pedrosa, with Lorenzo and Stoner completing the rostrum. This now puts Pedrosa within 23-points, less than one race-win, of title rival Lorenzo, with 50-points still up for grabs in the final two races. Hayden recorded a fantastic fourth, ahead of Rossi, Bautista, Barberá, De Puniet’s teammate Espargaró, Paul Bird Motorsport’s James Ellison and Abraham.

[Rob]

Forgot all about the Moto GP race yesterday.

Good race??

[Suzie]

Not a classic! Lorenzo and Pedrosa sped off into the distance as per usual - Stoner was catching the pair of them towards the end, but once there was a red flag that was that.
Lorenzo also had to make a massive save of the bike when the rain got really bad; amazed he got away with it.

[Rob]

Thanks Suzie, i look up that Lorenzo save in abit. Vale sounds had good ride.

[Ste]

Thanks Suzie, i look up that Lorenzo save in abit. Vale sounds had good ride.

Vale was up in fifth from 11th but fell back four places with a mistake that wasn't broadcast (or mentioned). Then with a few falls, he moved back up. Could've been fourth for him.

[scuderiafan]

Jorge WC. :clap

[Rob]

Congrats Jorge...
http://i46.tinypic.com/nwan9t.jpg

[Rob]

Stoners bows out on a high with successive six at Phillip Island
Sunday, 28 October 2012

Repsol Honda Team’s Casey Stoner rode a flawless race today as he romped to his sixth successive victory at his home track at this weekend’s AirAsia Australian Grand Prix.
Fans came out in droves to say farewell to Stoner with a record attendance at the popular track. And despite not making the best start, Stoner was in the lead within three laps and dominated until the chequered flag. This was his fifth win of the 2012 season and the 45th of his career, with 38 of them in MotoGP.

Casey Stoner

"It was very important for me to win a race before the end of the season and I'm really happy to do it here, at home, in front of the huge crowd. My biggest worry was to be fit again and competitive for this race, but we managed it and we had something over everyone else and this was the perfect way to say goodbye here. I was pretty nervous going into the race but the conditions were fantastic for a Phillip Island race! When I knew I only had a few laps left and a big lead, I was watching the crowd and it was fantastic to see everyone cheering me on, it made me very proud to be Australian. My biggest congratulations to Jorge, he's ridden an almost perfect season finishing 1st or 2nd when possible and I'm just disappointed not to be in the championship fight, but I made my own mistakes and this is how things go. My condolences to Dani - I saw him crash out in front of me - but he had to push today and go out and win the race to keep his championship hopes alive. It was a small mistake, easy to do in this corner and I feel very sorry for him. Thanks to everyone for coming down and showing their support!"

[Rob]

Just a shame he i retiring end of the year.

[Rob]

Yamaha Management reacts to Lorenzo’s title
Sunday, 28 October 2012

After Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo clinched the world title today in Australia, Yamaha’s top management were quick to congratulate.
Mr. Hiroyuki Yanagi, President of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

"I want to convey my heartfelt congratulations to Jorge Lorenzo for clinching the 2012 MotoGP Championship title at the Australian GP with one round still remaining in the season. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the fans, the sponsors and other people involved who have supported Jorge and the Team. This championship title has value that goes above and beyond the great achievement of a second MotoGP title for Jorge Lorenzo. This was the first season under the new 1000cc regulation and, in that sense, made for a new and greater challenge for all of the riders and teams competing. I believe winning the title in such a new realm was made possible thanks to the combined strength of the riders, the machine and the team’s management.
Let me say that I am very proud to have a rider like Jorge Lorenzo, who continues to adapt and grow steadily with such success, as a member of the Yamaha family. I look forward to his achievements in the 2013 season to come."

Masahiko Nakajima, General Manager Motorsport Development Division, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd



“I am very happy to be able to congratulate Jorge Lorenzo for taking his second premier class MotoGP World Championship title with Yamaha whilst still in Phillip Island and with one round remaining.
This would not have been possible without the hard work of the Team, YMC MotoGP Group and all Yamaha Motor Racing staff so I have to thank them all for their efforts.
All of us at Yamaha are proud to have witnessed his performance from the beginning of the season to now, always pushing at the front and fighting to this point to become 2012 World Champion.
This season’s results add to his already successful career with Yamaha, I believe we can look forward to more success in Valencia in two weeks time.”




Lin Jarvis, Managing Director, Yamaha Motor Racing

"I congratulate Jorge on his second MotoGP World Championship title with Yamaha. He has been faultless all season. To be able to achieve 1st or 2nd in every race he finished is an extraordinary performance of a dedicated perfectionist and a true champion.
To be able to produce these performances Jorge relies upon the support of a huge network of people. I would like to give my thanks and congratulations to the Yamaha Motor group, all Yamaha Factory Racing Team staff, our technical partners & suppliers, our sponsors, and also to Jorge’s personal staff. Without the efforts of all of these people this fantastic result would not have been possible.
Having won the championship with one race to spare we go to Valencia to try to crown this already excellent season with a race victory in front of his home fans and to enjoy a much deserved celebration all together."

[Rob]

Pedrosa crashed out on the second lap in a race he was pushing to win, despite the incredible domination his teammate Casey showed throughout the weekend. The Spaniard had taken the lead on the first lap, overtaking Jorge Lorenzo in Turn 4, and in that same turn, a lap later, he lost the front and his race and title hopes were over.

Dani Pedrosa

"It's a sad feeling more than disappointment; I pushed as hard as I could; I did what I had to do and I have no regrets for my riding, especially this season. I feel very proud of my team and of my performance throughout the year. I think after what happened in Misano, we showed a very good attitude, skill and power. So, there is some sadness because we've been closer than ever to take the title, but also proud for all we achieved. Concerning the crash, it was nothing strange; I just went wider on the corner, I had some chatter and lost the front; maybe the tyre was not warm enough as well, but it's like it is. Congratulations to Casey for his sixth win at his home Grand Prix and to Lorenzo because he deserved the championship, as well as Marc Márquez in Moto2.”

[Sianellen]

Anyone else looking forward to seeing how Marquez does in MotoGP next year? :-)

[Rob]

Got bored after few laps started watching F1 2008 review and Lorenzo out, what happened? Like see Casey on podium today.

[Suzie]

Got bored after few laps started watching F1 2008 review and Lorenzo out, what happened? Like see Casey on podium today.

You should've kept watching! Bradl went out, then Jorge and Cal was looking good for second but then he ended up in the gravel as well. Gutted.
Casey got past Bautista to snatch 3rd. Great performance from Dani - both he and Jorge have been fantastic this season but I'd have given the WDC to Dani, to be honest - only by the tiniest margin mind you.

[Sianellen]

You should've kept watching! Bradl went out, then Jorge and Cal was looking good for second but then he ended up in the gravel as well. Gutted.
Casey got past Bautista to snatch 3rd. Great performance from Dani - both he and Jorge have been fantastic this season but I'd have given the WDC to Dani, to be honest - only by the tiniest margin mind you.

:thumb

Team Spain have been brilliant all season, so few mistakes from either of them. Incredible form they have had.

[Rob]

You should've kept watching! Bradl went out, then Jorge and Cal was looking good for second but then he ended up in the gravel as well. Gutted.
Casey got past Bautista to snatch 3rd. Great performance from Dani - both he and Jorge have been fantastic this season but I'd have given the WDC to Dani, to be honest - only by the tiniest margin mind you.

I did turn back to it with 12 laps left i think it was. Felt for Cal in strong 2nd and the front just went under braking. Been good season.

[Rob]

Rossi reunited with Yamaha... Don't miss it!
Valentino Rossi was spotted getting reacquainted with Yamaha on Monday, on the eve of his first test with the 1000cc Yamaha YZR-M1 at Valencia. Follow his comeback with Yamaha live on motogp.com on Tuesday morning from 10.30 local time!

[Rob]

Valentino RossiVerified
‏@ValeYellow46
Ciao. Ciao. Come stai?ti vedo bene. Mi sei mancato. Anche tu.

http://i46.tinypic.com/2hgtxd3.jpg

[Tifoso]

Bah :wave

[Bikus]

Congratulations to Lorenzo , he was 1st or 2nd the whole season and that is fantastic job . Best wishes to Stoner , the fastest man in MotoGP World . Well , next season will be more interesting with Rossi s comeback to Yamaha and a new Honda rider Marquez .

[Tifoso]

Amica mia!!!!!

[Rob]

Giacomo Agostini says Rossi and Lorenzo will renew hostilities

By Michele Lostia and Sam Tremayne Sunday, December 23rd 2012, 11:15 GMT

Motorcycle racing legend Giacomo Agostini believes it is inevitable that Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi will renew hostilities over the course of the 2013 MotoGP season.

The 15-time world champion paralleled the pair's relationship as team-mates to his own experiences with the likes of Mike Hailwood and Phil Read, saying it would be 'impossible' for them to remain amicable for the entire season.

Ex-Yamaha boss Masao Furusawa recently warned the pair's renewed relationship could be unmanageable, although Lorenzo insisted that there would be no repeat of the wall which divided the Yamaha garage in 2010.

"Valentino and Jorge have grown up compared to when they were team-mates last time around, but it's impossible for them to do a whole season as friends," Agostini told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"When you have two roosters in the same hen house, one wants to be more of a rooster than the other one.

"I experienced that with Hailwood, Read and also with Bergamonti: the thing you desire most is to beat whoever races with the same bike as yours, because that's where you see who is stronger.

"If you're behind someone with a different bike then the situation is not as negative, because it's an unbalanced comparison."

Agostini's conviction also stems from the fact he believes Rossi will be a title contender next year - although he still makes Lorenzo the favourite.

"Rossi will win again at Yamaha, but it won't be easy," Agostini said.

"I think he can win one or two races per year, but no domination like before: his rivals are younger and have improved."

Asked to name a favourite, Agostini added: "Lorenzo – although if Pedrosa carries on riding like he did at the end of the season he will be tough.

"Valentino will be in the scrap because he will often step on the podium."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104925