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Valentino Rossi, Marlboro and Yamaha
Latest Valentino Rossi rumour: A Marlboro-backed Yamaha for MotoGP 2013.

Discussions are underway that could see Marlboro fund a return to the Factory Yamaha team for struggling MotoGP superstar Valentino Rossi next season.

That's the claim made by Spanish publication Motocuatro.com which reports that - despite Rossi's public insistence that he would like to remain with Ducati and positive comments about new owner's Audi - meetings were held at the Italian Grand Prix between Rossi and Marlboro's Maurizio Arrivabene, then Arrivabene and Dorna's Carmelo Ezpeleta.

Marlboro switched its sponsorship from Yamaha to Ducati when the Italian manufacturer joined MotoGP in 2003, although advertising restrictions mean the Marlboro name is never seen on the race bikes.

Seven time MotoGP champion Rossi has been without a victory since leaving Yamaha at the end of 2010, while Yamaha has been without a title sponsor since Fiat left at the end of that same season.

2012 title leader Jorge Lorenzo has already re-signed for Yamaha, but the second Factory M1 ride - currently occupied by Ben Spies - remains undecided.

Rossi won four titles for Yamaha between 2004-2010, when he also claimed 46 of his record 79 race wins. The Doctor has taken just two podiums since joining Ducati and is presently sixth in the world championship.

Repsol Honda has signed Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez for next year, meaning Rossi's factory team options are restricted to either Yamaha or Ducati.

Rossi raced for Honda from 2000-2003 and a ride with a satellite RCV team remains theoretically possible, but would Rossi really be willing to settle for third-best - behind Pedrosa and Marquez - in the Honda pecking order?


MOTOGP »

Stoner, Pedrosa give mixed verdict on 'new' RCV
"If we can have the new engine with the current chassis, it's the best combination” – Casey Stoner.

Repsol Honda riders Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa gave the 'completely new' version of the RC213V a mixed verdict during Monday's post-race test at Mugello.

The new engine and chassis, intended for 2013, was brought to Mugello to be evaluated as a potential race option for later this season.

HRC is battling to overcome chatter and front-tyre squashing issues with the latest Bridgestone rubber, as it seeks to get Pedrosa and Stoner back on terms with Yamaha's title leader Jorge Lorenzo.

The good news for Honda was that both riders liked the new engine. However only Pedrosa preferred the chassis and the Spaniard fell on just his third lap with the new bike due to a downshift error.

“We tested many things today and I'm happy because we found some positives with the new engine and also with the new chassis that can help us in the second part of the season,” said Pedrosa.

“I was really hoping for some improvements after the issues we have had with the extra weight, chattering and the front tyres and in this test we made a step forward.”

Both Pedrosa and Stoner set their best Monday laps on the 2012 bike. As in Sunday's race, Pedrosa was second to Lorenzo, with a best lap just 0.114s slower.

Pedrosa is hoping the new engine, at least, will be ready for the forthcoming Laguna Seca weekend and also seems open to trying the new chassis if available.

The Spaniard is currently 19 points behind countryman Lorenzo with nine of 18 rounds to go.

“Honda is working very hard and I'm sure they will do their best to be able to supply us the new parts for Laguna and the following races, but we'll see if it's possible with the engine allocations; anyway, it would be very good for us,” said Pedrosa.

“The engine is better into the corner, the engine brake is smoother and the bike is not so sharp when you close the throttle, so this helps you to get into the corner.

“I made my best lap time on my current bike; it's normal as I'm used to it. With the new bike I made a mistake shifting gears and I had a small crash on my third lap, so I couldn't do a longer run, but the feeling was also positive".

Reigning champion Stoner - who has gone from the joint title lead to 37 points from Lorenzo in the space of two races - hopes to fit the new engine into the present chassis for the US Grand Prix.

“We had a new engine and new chassis to test today. With the engine we found some improvements, a little smoother and some more power. As far as chassis goes I didn't find any real benefits, we tried many different things but couldn't get a better feeling,” declared Stoner.

“There were a few small areas that improved but nothing in terms of performance or for the lap time, just a marginally better feeling under braking.”

Stoner, who struggled throughout the Mugello weekend and finished eighth after running off track in the race, admitted he had been hoping for more.

“It wasn't really the test we were looking for, we had hoped to find something to help us get rid of the chatter and give us some more feeling in the middle of the corner but unfortunately we didn't find this,” he said.

“If we can have the new engine with the current chassis, it's the best combination, but we're not sure if we can have it in time for Laguna Seca, we'll have to wait and see".

Stoner was third quickest at the test, lapping within 0.116s of Lorenzo on his 47th and final lap of the day.

HRC executive vice president Shuhei Nakamoto pledged to do all he can to make the new engine available for the first American round from July 27-29.

"Both riders gave positive feedback with the new engine and we will do our best to provide it to them already next week in Laguna Seca,” he said.


“The new chassis has good points and bad points, Dani seems to like it and we will do our best to bring it for him at the next round. Casey doesn't find what he was looking for in this new chassis; to reduce the chatter.

"We have some more ideas to solve this and we will continue working to improve our machine but we can be reasonably happy of today's result."

MOTOGP »

Valentino Rossi: New engine 'not ready', ECU fall
ECU glitch causes an early end to Valentino Rossi's Mugello test, new Ducati engine not expected until September.

Valentino Rossi's Monday test at Mugello proved something of a frustrating experience, as the Ducati star finally got his hands on some much-anticipated upgrades for the Ducati GP12 - only to miss out on valuable track time due to a technical glitch.

Updates 'to the chassis, in an effort to balance the weight distribution; to the engine, to improve rideability; and to the electronics' were all on offer.

However the full engine upgrade is not yet available and Rossi described Monday's developments as an 'intermediate step', centered around the engine management system, whilst awaiting the completion of 'substantial' changes.

“They had some things to try today, but it was mainly with an eye toward the future, as the substantial changes they're working on at Ducati for the engine's power delivery weren't ready yet,” explained Rossi.

“So this was an intermediate step, an interim engine management system through a new ECU. We started testing it this morning, and the first feelings were good, as I immediately did a good time with a used tyre.”

But the new ECU also caused the bike to stall at 4.00pm, resulting in a small fall. With the exact fault unclear, the decision was taken to end Rossi's test on safety grounds.

Rossi had completed just 23 laps, the best of which put him tenth on the timesheets, 1.130s behind Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo.

“When I started again after the break, the bike stalled at the Correntaio and I fell,” recalled Rossi, fifth and one-second from the podium after a strong finish to Sunday's race.

“Fortunately, I was leaned over quite far at that point so I just tipped over, and nothing bad happened. In the interest of safety, we decided to stop because the engineers have to analyse the data to understand what happened.

“We also had some different parts for the chassis, but we weren't able to work with them much since we finished early. In the end, it wasn't a particularly productive day, although the first impression with this change was pretty good.”

It is not clear if Rossi will run the new ECU/engine management at the forthcoming Laguna Seca round, later this month, although the engines 'sealed' at that round will be able to accommodate future upgrades.

Ducati Corse technical director Filippo Preziosi indicated that the complete 'smoother' engine package, initially thought likely for Laguna Seca, should be ready for testing after September's Misano race.

“This morning, with Vale, we started to try some changes to the chassis, work aimed at concentrating the mass and balancing the weight,” he began. “Unfortunately, in the afternoon we had a problem with a hardware component, which we'll have to check now.

“Given that safety is the most important thing, we stopped his test. Therefore, we only have his first impression, but based on that, we'll continue with our schedule in order to bring some additional updates to the Misano test.”

Should the Misano test prove positive, the new Ducati engine could theoretically make its grand prix debut at the following Aragon event (round 14 of 18).

Rossi's team-mate Nicky Hayden - who recently warned that no major upgrades were expected for the US GP - was the top Ducati rider on Monday, in fourth and just 0.311s from Lorenzo, after completing 54 laps.

“We didn't really have anything major to try today, but it was important in the sense that it's the last time we'll test before my two home races,” said Hayden. “We tried some things with the settings, and Ohlins had a couple of ideas that we tested.

“We lost a pretty significant amount of time after Valentino had his problem because the guys wanted to check everything on my bike to make sure it was okay. At the end of the day I put in a soft tyre to see how fast I could go, but then I had a problem with the fuel pump.

“We ran out of time, but still, my best lap was about the same as my qualifying time, which is okay. At this level, as we get closer to the front, it gets harder to make big improvements, but we leave here encouraged.”

Ducati's development team will now remain at Mugello for further testing.

“With Nicky we didn't have the same [ECU] problem, and we were able continue the work,” said Preziosi. “In the next few days, our test team will go forward with the work started by the factory riders.”

 

[wino]

Rossi and Spies reignite "silly season" ahead of Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix


Red Bull USGP Pre-Event Press Conference
Thursday, 26 July 2012
On the eve of the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca at Thursday’s press conference, Yamaha Factory Racing’s Ben Spies, joined by championship leader Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner, Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards, confirmed that he will be leaving the team at the end of the year, yet remained tight-lipped on his plans for 2013.
This has subsequently sent so-called "silly season" into overdrive with regards to riders’ contracts, especially with Ducati Team’s Rossi considering his future options for next year.
Spies, speaking ahead of the first race in the stateside double header, had leaked snippets of information earlier in the week about his plans to leave the Japanese racing outfit. He said: "I’ve known for quite a bit what my personal decision was and I thought this was the right time to do it with all the contracts happening with other riders. There’s a litany of reasons behind it - just getting back to stress-free and doing what I want to do and finish out the season strong. That’s all that’s going to be said about it at this point until I’m ready to talk about the future. It’s not going to change anything. For sure, especially at Laguna we’re going to give 100 per cent and we want to do what we’re capable of doing and what the bike’s capable of doing for the team. Nothing changes from that standpoint. I just made a decision, and wanted to get it off my chest and out of the way. Now that we’ve done that now I feel like the weight of the world is off my shoulders and I can do what I set out to do."
Since the American’s earlier announcements, Rossi, a previous Yamaha rider, has had the rumour mill turning at ever greater speed, as speculation over his future in 2013 mounts. He commented: "The situation is quite clear. I still haven’t decided, as it is a bit to early. I have spoken a lot with Ducati about next year, but still waiting for some important ties and some important things on the contract. And I also have some other options for next year. But I think the situation will be clearer in the next weeks, and I think in the summer break I will decide about next year."
Following a test after the last race that was stopped short with technical issues, he is not racing with as many upgrades this weekend as previously hoped: "More or less we have the same bike from Mugello, and we have to wait a bit more for something different. This track is very tough; it’s something different compared to most of the other tracks. It’s more old style up-and-down, very tricky, but I like it. For this year we need to improve at the beginning [of the race] where I’m not able to go fast enough with the top guys. So we have some ideas for the settings this weekend to try and improve that."
Spies’ teammate Jorge Lorenzo, who comes to the U.S. in strong form after a dominant win in Mugello two weeks ago, is confident ahead of the race: "Fortunately for us in the last race in Mugello we got the victory and now we have quite a big advantage. It’s only 19 points, but it’s better to have it than not to have it. And now we come to a track that I have been quite fast at in the past, and it’s always special to race here in America. It’s a track where I have crashed many times in qualifying, and also in the race in 2008. But I feel really good at this flowing track. It’s also really short, so the race will be really tough physically, probably as tough as Sachsenring. But we are ready, we’re in good shape and the bike is working really well this year."
Repsol Honda Team’s Casey Stoner, who won at the track last year with a spectacular ride, struggled with his bike in the last race, yet will be using a new engine to help improve this weekend: "The last two races haven’t been good for us with a couple of big mistakes from me. Things haven’t gone so well. We tested a new engine [after Mugello], which was very positive. It gave us a lot more smooth power and some small advantages in some areas so we’re quite happy with that. Chassis wise I didn’t feel anything better than what we’ve got now, so we’re not going to be using that here. It’s [Laguna] a very particular track and I think if there were a couple of spots with a bit more speed then there wouldn’t be many tracks better than this. It’s so technical and there are some areas that really catch you out – blind corners, blind braking points – it’s a really enjoyable track."
NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Colin Edwards, who has been struggling this season on his team’s Suter-BMW CRT project, and recently tested and FTR-Honda and a BQR-FTR machine, stated there might be some changes happening after this race. He said: "It’s [the season] been tough you know. I’ve heard rumours we’re going to get on Aprilia [ART] at Indianapolis. It’s not going to compete with these guys [factory riders], but it’s at least the best CRT bike out there at the moment. But if that happens it’s a step forward."



Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix – Racing Numbers


Thursday, 26 July 2012
As the MotoGP™ premier class crosses the pond to contest the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix in Laguna Seca, motogp.com brings you all the trivia about the up-coming event.
75 – Stefan Bradl has scored 75 points from the first nine races since moving up to the MotoGP class – this is already the highest number of points scored in a single season by a German rider in MotoGP. The record was held by Alex Hofmann who scored 65 points in the 2007 season.
33 years – On race-day at the US Grand Prix it will be exactly 33 years to the day that Randy Mamola finished second at the 1979 Finnish Grand Prix at Imatra to become the youngest-ever rider to finish on the podium in the premier-class. The record of 19 years and 260 days still stands to this day.
31 – Nicky Hayden celebrates his 31st birthday on the Monday following the US Grand Prix; on the same day Aleix Espargaro has his 23rd birthday.
21 – At the Italian Grand Prix, Dani Pedrosa qualified on pole for the 21st time in the MotoGP class; this is the highest number of premier-class poles by a Spanish rider, one more than his great rival Jorge Lorenzo.
20 – This will be the 20th occasion that there has been a motorcycle Grand Prix held in the USA. The first two events in 1964 and 1965 were held at the famous Daytona circuit. Thirteen GP events have taken place at the Laguna Seca circuit and there have been four held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
8th – Casey Stoner’s 8th place at the Italian Grand Prix is his worst finishing position since he was 14th at the British Grand Prix at Donington in 2009 when both Stoner and his then team-mate Nicky Hayden gambled on conditions getting worse and used wet weather tyres on a drying track.
5 – Five riders in the MotoGP class have scored at every one of the opening nine races of the year: Dani Pedrosa, Cal Crutchlow, Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden and Hector Barberá.
5th – Valentino Rossi’s 5th place finish at Mugello was his best dry weather result since he finished 4th at the Dutch TT last year.
4th – Stefan Bradl’s 4th place finish at the Italian GP is the best result by a German rider in the premier-class since Michael Rudroff was third at the Italian GP at Misano in 1989, a race that was boycotted by the top riders on safety grounds. The last time that a German rider finished in the top-four in the premier-class at a GP not boycotted by the top riders was when Dieter Braun was third in the 500cc Belgium GP in 1974 behind Phil Read and Giacomo Agostini.
3 – Three of the riders who will be competing this year have taken part in all seven MotoGP races that have taken place at Laguna Seca since the return of Grand Prix racing in 2005: Colin Edwards, Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden.
3 – At the Italian GP, Andrea Dovizioso finished on the podium for the third successive race. The last rider from a satellite team to have three successive podium finishes was Marco Melandri in 2006.
3 – Jorge Lorenzo has been on pole for the US GP at Laguna Seca for the last three years.
2 – Since the Indianapolis Grand Prix last year only two riders, Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa, have finished in front of Jorge Lorenzo when he has completed a race.

 

[wino]

this happened to me once I lost a mirror to a ute in southern OZ but I turned around chased the guy down. Lost my mind at him and got my money for the mirror. Scared the fuck outta me this incident did not only cause the idiot had no clue he had even hit me, but I would have been dead.

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[wino]

force of impact rolls a car . . . . still moves afterwards. tune in at @ 1:30

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Guardia Civil uses his motorcycle to ram car containing suspects..​

When is Spain you often hear them described as "los puto verdes". It seems to me that they really wanted the guys in the car bad

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[wino]

Moto2™ half season review – Excitement, action and controversy

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Monday, 6 August 2012
In only its third season the Moto2™ class continues to impress and provide spectators with some of the closest and toughest fought battles in Grand Prix racing. As the intermediate class takes its summer break, motogp.com takes a look back at the action-packed first half of the season.
Under the floodlights in Qatar the season started with a bang as the pre-season favourites were scrapping it out from the start. Team CatalunyaCaixa Repsol’s Marc Márquez had recovered from his double-vision problem in time to fight out a hard fought battle for the first win of the season, where he held off the charging Andrea Iannone, on board his Speed Master machine, until the bitter end. Márquez’s victory was however not without controversy as a hard move down the home straight pushed Interwetten-Paddock’s Tom Lüthi wide and cost him the fight for the podium. The Spaniard was not reprimanded for the move, yet was unofficial told to avoid such manoeuvres in the future.
The Moto2™ grid did not settle down as the European rounds began at Jerez, as a race-long fight at the front was only decided once the skies opened towards the end of the race. Pons 40 HP Tuenti’s Pol Espargaró had taken Márquez for the lead just over a lap before the race was stopped, and was awarded his first win of the season. Lüthi took the final step on the podium to claw back some of the points he lost in Qatar, to keep the championship tight at the top.
As the pack headed to Estoril it was much the same as Márquez took victory ahead of Espargaró and Lüthi. It was however JiR Moto2’s French rookie Johann Zarco who stole the show, as he recorded his best ever Moto2 result of fourth in just his third race. He had already topped some of the wet Jerez practice sessions the week before, and was announcing himself as a rider to be reckoned with this season.
Le Mans threw the first big spanner into the works for the Moto2 championship, as torrential downpours saw many of the top contenders struggle or crash out. Lüthi however put in a faultless display to take victory, ahead of Italtrans Racing Team’s Claudio Corti and Marc VDS Racing Team’s Scott Redding. For Corti this was his first-ever Grand Prix Podium, while Redding halted a 22-race non-podium dry spell. The race was marked with many crashes, including those of Márquez and Zarco, yet will most fondly be remembered by Blusens Avintia’s Julián Simón pushing his bike across the finish line because of a bike fault.
Catalunya threw up the first bit of real controversy in the Moto2 season. In a frantic battle at the front, Márquez momentarily lost control of his bike, and collided with Espargaró as he re-joined the racing line. Espargaró subsequently crashed and injured his ankle, whilst Márquez finished third to collect valuable points. After an initial penalty handed out by Race Direction for the incident, the FIM Stewards overturned the ruling on Márquez after an appeal by his team. This went the FIM CDI for final appeal by the Pons team, which ruled that the reversal of Márquez’s penalty stands. The race was won by Iannone who put in a tremendous performance to hold off an in-form Lüthi.
Espargaró, who put on a positive face after the incident, was quick to make his intentions clear as Moto2 headed to Silverstone. The Spaniard dominated almost all weekend and clawed back some points on his rival with a stunning win. Local rider Redding used the home crowd to his advantage as he came out on top in a last lap battle with Márquez, who completed the podium. He looked as if he would follow this up in Assen, yet crashed out whilst pushing too hard in the first lap. This left Márquez, Iannone and Redding to take the top spots, whilst NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Alex de Angelis made an appearance in fifth after switching from a Suter to an FTR chassis.
A week later at the Sachsenring, Márquez looked to have truly found his stride as he romped to his fourth victory of the season, after Iannone crashed out of the race whilst leading. Marc VDS’ Mika Kallio and De Angelis both put in terrific rides to secure their first podiums of the 2012 season. However, the performance of the race went to Espargaró, who after qualifying in 17th, fought his way to fourth despite some big wobbles out on track.
The last race before the summer break at Mugello saw Italian Iannone please the home crowd with a victory, hunting down and then holding off the challenge of Espargaró. Lüthi was once again in the mix, but a mistake late on meant he had to hold off the challenge from Tech 3 Racing’s Bradley Smith. Márquez hadn’t looked comfortable on his bike all weekend and finished fifth. There had been near drama in the preceding practice on Saturday as Zarco took out Espargaró in turn one. The Spaniard was luckily not hurt seriously, yet the Frenchman was docked 15 qualifying positions, which put paid to his first front row start of the season, after setting the third fastest time on Saturday afternoon.
Heading into the summer pause Márquez leads the championship standings with 163 points, well clear of points-even Iannone and Espargaró with 129 each. Yet the Spaniard will undoubtedly not be resting on his laurels, as he knows just how tight and unpredictable the series will be for the second half of the season. Watch all the highlights of the races so far on motogp.com!


Stoner: "I am World Champion and I don’t give up easily"


Thursday, 2 August 2012
In one of the closest seasons of recent years, reigning MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner has taken four victories to date. His most recent triumph came this past weekend at Laguna Seca, adding to a further three podiums from the opening ten races of 2012.
The Repsol Honda Team’s Australian rider is third in the overall standings and will be trying to take a second consecutive title this year to sign off his career on a high note.
Just past the halfway point of the season, how do you evaluate your riding, the team and the bike so far?

 "To be honest, I'm pretty happy with my level, but we made a couple of small errors in Mugello and Sachsenring, which unfortunately left us far behind in the standings. I think if things had been slightly different, if the weather had been different at some races and if we had not made these mistakes, then we would be in a good position. As we are now, we have lost a lot of ground on where we should be."
A year ago at this point in the season, you were first in the championship with 20 points more than you have now. What has changed?
"As I said, if we had raced at Le Mans in the dry, then I have to think that we were in a good position to win there and if I would have won at Sachsenring we'd probably be leading the championship now. But unfortunately I made those mistakes, things did not go as planned. In Qatar I had arm pump when our pace was clearly the fastest. Things have not been perfect. The new rule with the tyres has been a disaster for us and it has become very difficult to make the bike work."
Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and you are the current frontrunners in MotoGP. How do you beat those two, and what are their strengths and weaknesses?

 "I think it changes every week. Clearly, Jorge is always up there, always looking very strong and consistent, because obviously he is very happy with this new tyre. That compound is what they preferred in preseason testing and myself and Dani were the ones who didn’t like it at all. Your strengths and weaknesses change at every race and you have to evaluate that over a weekend, which is never easy."
The three of you have shared the podium more times than any other group of riders. Is the level of talent in the World Championship higher than ever?

 "I think so. I think it has been getting better year after year. The first four from last year have always competed together, we rose up through the lower classes together and I think this season the level has been increasing in strength. It is a great feeling to have been on the podium so many times with Jorge and Dani. We respect each other a lot, we enjoy good battles and races and I am very happy to be taking so many podiums alongside them in my final season."
Except for in the Netherlands, Lorenzo has always placed first or second this year. Can he keep this level up for the entire season?
"Yes, there is no reason to think otherwise. He has maintained this level until now and can keep it up until the end of the season. He has been very consistent, always there or thereabouts. Although sometimes he has not had enough speed, he is still always up there and if he doesn’t finish first, then he places second. It will be very difficult to finish the season ahead of him, but we have to try."
In Germany it was all-or-nothing…

 "No, it really wasn’t. To be honest, I was very happy with the position that I was in. I was planning my attack for the last corner, where I was much better at braking than Dani, with much more confidence, and when I released the brake a little early on the previous corner to go easy on the tyre, I think I was too soft and didn’t load the front enough. I crashed and I was very surprised about that, because I was very confident about overtaking. In the end, I messed up our championship in that one moment. It wasn’t the best way to finish off a weekend."
Does the zero carry a lot of weight?
"No. I can only do what I can and mistakes happen. Quite simply, we will do everything we can until the end of the season."
Do you think that after that crash and the result in Italy, people wrote you off prematurely?

 "They always do, even last year. When we were not ahead in the championship, they forgot about us. Every year I have a couple of bad races and people forget too quickly. You must remember what we do, that I'm World Champion and I do not give up so easily."
What is your strategy for the second half of the season?

 "There is no strategy, ever. During the season you have to try to be the fastest at each race and in each session, try to run the bike and tyres as best you can, and get more points than any other rider. It's the best that we can do."
You have always spoken well of Marc Márquez. How do you see him doing next year on your bike?
"To be honest, I don’t know, because I'm not sure about the level of Moto2. We can see that he is at a much higher level than other riders, but I’m not sure about the level of his rivals. We have not seen a Moto2 rider come up to this championship with much success; Stefan Bradl has had a couple of decent results, but I made mistakes in those races so maybe things have looked a little better than they are really. We have yet to see a Moto2 rider triumph in MotoGP, but if anyone can do it, it’s Marc."
If Marquez were to ask you for advice on how to approach the premier class, what would you say?
"I think every rider has their own opinion and I don’t think Marc will ask me for any advice Marc. In fact, he probably considers himself a little better than I am, because he has a lot of confidence in himself and his abilities. I think he may need to relax a little, because this category is not so easy."
There are nine races to go before you put an end to your career in MotoGP. Do you sometimes think "I’m not going to ride here again" when you go to circuits? What do you think will be the thing that you miss the most?
"I don’t really think not about not riding anymore at any track. I can come back whenever I want. Perhaps not competing, but I can take a ride at tracks. I'll miss racing, because unfortunately it is only a small part of the sport -very small. I will really miss the people I work with and with whom I enjoy spending time. It will be very sad not to see them anymore."
Following the race at Laguna Seca comes a break for two weeks. Is it a good time to play with your daughter, enjoy the company of your wife, relax fishing, or to train to the maximum?

 "Both. I'll try to fish a little, and I have some friends who have come to see us, so we’re going to spend some time together and relax a little. But I will also try to train to be fit for Indianapolis."

 

[wino]

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[wino]

Valentino Rossi breaks silence on Ducati exit

"It was a great shame not to be able to be competitive on the Ducati" - Valentino Rossi.

Valentino Rossi has made his first public comments since last Friday's announcement that he will quit Ducati and return to Yamaha for the 2013 MotoGP season.

The seven time MotoGP champion, who has taken just two podiums since joining Ducati for the start of 2011, posted the following (translated) comments on his official Twitter page (@ValeYellow46):

"It was a great shame not to be able to be competitive on the Ducati. It would have been a great satisfaction for me and for all the guys who worked with me and fun for all our tifosi. I'm sorry.

"Anyway there are still 8 GPs until the end and we will keep trying our best to do some nice races. Ciao all from Indy. #valeducati"

Rossi will ride alongside former team-mate Jorge Lorenzo at Yamaha for the next two years. His Ducati replacement is yet to be announced.

Round eleven of the 2012 MotoGP championship takes place at Indianapolis this weekend. In the official Ducati Team preview Rossi, presently eighth in the standings, commented:

“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.”

Ducati team manager Vittoriano Guareschi may not have liked Rossi's decision, but he at least believes it will allow the team to 'concentrate'.

“The past month has been very intense for everyone, but now things are clearer,” he said. “We can therefore concentrate on our work on the track as we continue to improve our bike so that Vale and Nicky can finish the season on an upward trend.”

Rossi won from pole at Indianapolis in 2008, with Yamaha. The Doctor finished tenth last season.

Hayden has re-signed with Ducati for 2013.

Dovizioso in line for Ducati ride

Andrea Dovizioso tipped to take over Valentino Rossi's factory Ducati MotoGP seat for 2013.

Andrea Dovizioso is tipped to take the place of fellow Italian Valentino Rossi at the factory Ducati MotoGP team next season.

It was officially confirmed on Friday that seven time MotoGP champion Rossi will return to Yamaha in 2013, having taken just two podiums from 27 starts on the Desmosedici.

According to the Italian media, including GPone.com and SportMediaset.it, Dovizioso has agreed a two-year deal to take over The Doctor's Ducati.

Dovi would ride alongside Nicky Hayden, who has already signed a new one-year contract extension.

Dovizioso replaced Hayden at the factory Honda team in 2009, where he went on to win one race and finish a best of third in last year's championship, but lost his Repsol seat when the team cut back from three to two riders.

The former 125c world champion thus switched to Tech 3 this year, where he has already scored four podiums - the most ever by a Tech 3 rider in a single season - and holds fourth place, as the leading satellite rider, in the world championship.

Dovizioso - who had never raced a Yamaha or 1000cc machine before this season - hoped such results would lead to a factory M1 ride for 2013, until Rossi's return was announced. Dovizioso's Tech 3 team-mate Cal Crutchlow had been strongly linked to a factory Ducati ride earlier in the year.

Once Hayden's team-mate is confirmed, it will mean that all six factory MotoGP seats for 2013 have been decided.

Stoner: Rossi has 'done nothing but complain'
"I just feel completely sorry for Ducati that Valentino has gone there and done nothing but complain about the bike for almost two years" - Casey Stoner.

Reigning MotoGP champion Casey Stoner has given a damning assessment of Valentino Rossi's time at Ducati.

Stoner won Ducati's only MotoGP title at his first attempt in 2007 and had scored 23 race wins for the factory by the time he left for Honda at the start of last season.

Rossi, accompanied by his team of mechanics, took Stoner's place at Ducati with the aim of becoming the first rider to win premier-class titles with three different manufacturers.

However the seven time MotoGP title winner has managed just two podiums from 27 races and will now return to Yamaha next season.

Stoner - who has long felt that Rossi and crew chief Jerry Burgess didn't give him the credit he deserved at Ducati - cited comments of a quick fix to the handling problems on the Desmosedici as an example of how they have been made to 'eat their words'.

AAP quotes Stoner as saying: "Jerry [said] 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."

Stoner added: "I just feel completely sorry for Ducati that Valentino has gone there and done nothing but complain about the bike for almost two years."

Stoner and Rossi have long endured a fractious relationship, although they only fought each other directly for the title during the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

Stoner - the most successful MotoGP rider since 2006 - will retire at the end of this season, while Ducati is yet to announce Rossi's replacement.

Ben Spies - Q&A

An interview with Factory Yamaha MotoGP star Ben Spies conducted by Indianapolis Motor Speedway, venue for this weekend's eleventh round of the 2012 championship.

Yamaha Factory Racing rider Ben Spies is one of five Americans who will compete in the MotoGP class at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on August 17-19.

Spies, 28, from Longview, Texas, is in his third full season in MotoGP. He is currently tenth in the championship with a best finish of fourth. Spies recorded podium finishes at Indianapolis in both 2010 and 2011.

Spies will leave the Factory Yamaha team at the end of this season, but is yet to announce his 2013 plans. Valentino Rossi will take his place alongside Jorge Lorenzo next season...

Q:
How has your summer break gone? Any time for interesting vacation spots or fun?

Ben Spies:
I have really just been enjoying being back at the house and seeing friends and family and catching up on what I have missed the last few months. I have had a good break so far, and I am ready to get back to racing.

Q:
You have won a pole and finished on the podium twice in three career starts at Indy. What about this track suits you riding style or the Yamaha package so well?

Ben Spies:
I think it is a combination, but it also seems to suit my style pretty well. There are a lot of left and right turns where it is pretty physical, and my size helps me out quite a bit. And this year I am looking more forward to it, seeing that Yamaha is a really good bike and we have a lot more power than we have had the last couple of years against the other bikes. We are a lot more competitive and looking forward to a good weekend and trying to get on the podium again.

Q:
This season has been a tough one and some weird things have happened: broken sub-frame, broken swingarm, broken helmet visor and food poisoning. Have you ever had a season during your career with so many strange things going on?

Ben Spies:
No. This has definitely been the worst season so far. But it can only go on so long, and we have been putting together some decent results. And when we have been in position, we would have put in some decent results if we hadn't had failures and basically out of anybody's control.

Out of the tyres, we had a broken seat in the first round and then a swingarm that broke and then the visor problem that I had. It is a lot of problems that are no one's real fault, and it has been a lot of bad luck, and we have also showed good potential, too. So I think when it comes together, we can be right there.
Ben Spies - Q&A


Is it safe to say that you are more relaxed entering Indy than at any race in 2012 because you announced before Laguna that you were leaving Yamaha after this season and because this has been a really good track for you, a good place to turn around your year?

Ben Spies:
I knew before the announcement came out it was a decision that I had made a while ago, and I know change can be good sometimes, and that is what I wanted. I have a few things on the table, but we are waiting to see which is the best option for next year.

I wanted to get that out of the way, and I knew I wasn't going to be staying there next year, and I have had good memories and good races with Yamaha, and it is nothing against them.

I just didn't think that we have been matching very well or working well together, and I want to be in a good environment for everybody, and that is why I made the decision and got it off my chest. Now I don't have to worry about anything, and I can just go out and get on the bike and ride.

Q:
Riders often talk about a boost from racing at home. Do you feel it? Is the sensation even more pronounced at Indy because of the history here?

Ben Spies:
Yes, for sure. Going to Indy, I mean, it's Indianapolis. It has the bricks and everything, and it has all the history. When you go there and it is your home crowd, you always hope your best race is your home race. Sometimes it is not always like that, but you always want to put it on for the fans.

You have the fans, and even though there are so many riders out there and so many other riders that they respect, you want yourself up there the most, and you can feel it, for sure. When you are in practice sessions and you pull off the side to do your practice start and all the fans are just jumping and hollering, it gives you that satisfaction, and you want to come through for them.

Q:
It seems that the Yamaha M1 has adjusted to the new Bridgestone tyres better than the Honda or the Ducati this season. What about the bike has helped it blend better with the tyres than your rivals?

Ben Spies:
That is something that no one really knows because there has been so many changes with the tyres this year and the 1000cc's. It has just been kind of a shot in the dark, and it seems like our bike is more consistent with them. I wouldn't say it is better, but I would say it is more consistent and it works pretty well. But we have also had our fair share of problems with them, too, and I think everyone has had some trouble.

Q:
Do you have a timetable for announcing your 2013 plans?

Ben Spies:
Yes, I know when I will announce something and when I announce it. Everybody will know, and then I am not going to feed any more rumors or get anything started. I am just going to wait on it and keep people wondering a little bit.
You are different than some riders in that you have many outside interests. You own and ride for a pro cycling team. You are an owner of a popular restaurant in Dallas. Did this wider perspective help you feel more comfortable with you decision to leave a factory ride with Yamaha? Your motorcycle racing career is going to continue in 2013, but you also realize there's more to life than motorcycle racing?

Ben Spies:
Motorcycles aren't the only thing. That comes in with not just the property that I do. I have a buddy, and we invest and we build houses. I have a couple restaurants now and with the cycling team and trying to get my hand in a couple of other things.

But just realising that due to family and other things like that, racing is my job, but it's not the first thing, and it is not the most important thing in life. Not many riders realise that until it is almost too late, and they have wasted a lot of what could have been. I have realised that pretty early and taking as much of advantage as I can.

 

[wino]

Kenan Sofuoglu: A Different Path

Newsflash, 17 August 2012
On track Kawasaki Lorenzini’s 2012 star signing Kenan Sofuoglu is an uncommonly fast record breaker, but it is off track that he really differs from most other riders.

Until Turkey’s Kenan Sofuoglu (27) started impacting on the WSS record books a few seasons ago, riders from the vast country that straddles both the European West and the Asian East were hard to spot. The reason was simple. Kenan and his family virtually invented the concept of there being a top class Turkish motorcycle racer in the first place.

Nineteen WSS career wins, 45 podiums from 65 starts, and two World Championships with another manufacturer in both 2007 and 2010 mean that Sofuoglu has now reinvented the word ‘success’ in WSS terms.

He’s still at it, leading the standings on his Kawasaki Lorenzini Ninja ZX-6R as he has for most of the year.
Along the way he has had to put up with a recurring left knee injury that would have floored lesser men, faced tough competition all the way and even more recently he’s had some restrictions in his day-to-day life that very few bike racers can even imagine.

Ramadan
As a devout follower of Islam, Sofuoglu observes Ramadan, a month of fasting in the daylight hours. Hardly what a sports scientist would recommend in the run-up to races.
As Kenan explains, his religious observance is non-optional but, to a degree, flexible. “Ramadan is very important for Muslim people, for us it is the most important month in the year. It is a little bit difficult because it is already in the summer and days are hot and long, but at the end of the daylight it is good because then we can start eating and we have a celebration every night. Up to Thursday, as the race weekend approaches, I still observe Ramadan. But Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I treat those like a normal day and I am eating and drinking regularly because it is necessary for the energy of the body. But at the end of Ramadan I have six days I have ‘borrowed’, for the two races, so I will do six extra days of Ramadan.”

A Whole New World
Having started his international career in Germany, in a one make series that he won despite a slow start; Sofuoglu’s career has encompassed Superstock 1000 racing, WSS, Moto2, and now a return to WSS. It has also encompassed loss and even simple loneliness that has moulded him into a tough and effective competitor, for whom losing is not an option. It never was.
His racing life story is best told by the man himself.
“There were three of us brothers racing in Turkey. My family decided as I was the youngest one that I should go to Europe. But we did not have so much money. We found out that there was a way to do it by paying about 12,000 Euros for a one make Yamaha Cup series in Germany. In the beginning I was really slow, not even in the top ten. But after two races I got really strong and then I won every race and then the championship.”

It was a hard year for a young man away from home and in a different cultural world. “I did not have a rich family behind me and I did not know anything about Germany, I did not know German or English languages, it was really difficult but I cannot stop because all the family put everything on me. I think at this time all the hard things made me strong for the future. I loved racing but I had no other option but to race. All these kinds of things give me the feeling that I must do it even after many hard things in my life.”

Hardest of Times
Hard is how it has been for the whole Sofuoglu family from the start. Kenan again: “When I raced in Turkey many people said to my family, ‘What are you doing, why have three riders in one family? You are not afraid?’ Also, people in Turkey do not know so much motorsports. Of course racing is dangerous, life is dangerous, but it was difficult for us to be understood that we race on special tracks, that it is a special sport. My elder brother Bahattin, when he tried to walk across the street a car hit him and he died.
After this people began to realise that he had raced for many years on motorcycles but he was killed walking down the street. Then people stopped to put pressure on my family and accepted our racing.
The hardest time was when my other older brother Sinan died in the Turkish championship during training. I was in Monza racing in Superbike at this time, in 2008. He was my last brother and when he died people all said that I should definitely stop racing because I had already been a world champion in Supersport in 2007.

“My father supported me and said ‘that is life, you love racing so you must make your decision.’ My mother really wanted me to stop racing. But then I thought what would I do if I stopped? I really love it and I have been doing it since I was three years old. And we never know when life is over. The only problem was that I was really afraid to crash that year and I had a really bad year in Superbike.
But my Ten Kate team put me out in Supersport in the final round of 2008 and I won the race. If I wouldn’t have done that race and won it, maybe I would have stopped racing. The victory gave me power and a good feeling so I continued racing. I did not win the title again in 2009, but sometimes when you do not win it makes you more determined to fight for it even more. I won in 2010 and it gave me the idea to go to Moto2 as a wildcard in the very end of 2010.”

Moto2
A full year in Moto2 in 2011 did not work out well partly because of a lack of feel with his machine but before the beginning of the 2011 season Kenan had also lost his biggest supporter, his father.
“He never came to see me racing but he was always behind me, helping me,” said Kenan. “If I had a problem I would speak with him and discuss with him what to do. So when I lost him I was thinking maybe I really should stop. I already had a contract so I had to race in Moto2. But I had no motivation for racing. My feeling was really not good. I thought after half a year I would be fine, but I was really broken.”

New and Old
For 2012, Kenan found something new and something old to focus on. The new was riding as an official competitor on a Kawasaki Lorenzini Ninja ZX-6R. The old was to go back to WSS and shoot for title number three. “I was happy to make the contract with Kawasaki and I had something new in my life and I am really hungry again. I wanted a team that would allow me to win the races. Kawasaki can give me what I need.”

Kenan has had some serious issues with his knee after an Imola testing crash, however. “I had a really big crash, it hurt really badly. I have had three operations in four of five months. But the last operation I was really happy and at the race afterwards I had no problem.”

It is amazing that Sofuoglu has been able to ride so effectively on a knee that stops him pushing the bike around as much as he would like, but for him, it is all about the race, not the sheer pace.
“I have a different point of view from most other riders,” said Kenan. “On Friday, Saturday and warm-up on Sunday I am just working towards the race, not preparing the bike for one lap. I make sure that the bike and I can do the full race. I do a lot of training in Turkey and I have my own Supermoto training track. In the past three races you could see I have gotten stronger and stronger. Also this year the Pirelli tyre really helps me, because I can still do fast times at the end."

Strongest Team
"I think all together my feeling is good, the bike and electronics are good, and the tyres are working well. Even in the rain when my goal is just to make a podium. But in the dry conditions I think we can always try to fight to win the race. I am confident with the bike this year, the package is great and I know my competition - what they can and cannot do. I think we are the strongest ones, but sometimes you need also luck to be champion. I have lost a lot of points already but if we do not get some more big things happening then I think we can get the title. Looking at our pace and our results; I think we are the best team at the moment.”

Sofuoglu has a routine on race weekends and in his training schedule but we do not want to give too much away. But getting prepared for Kenan on race day is relatively simple.
“I make myself as relaxed and happy as possible on racedays. Things like having a very nice breakfast; I just try to make everything perfect. Then I wait until the red lights. The best thing I like about racing is when I see the red lights, just before the start.”

 

[wino]

Pedrosa takes pole in crash-strewn Indianapolis qualifying


Saturday, 18 August 2012
In a dramatic Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix qualifying session that was marred with heavy crashes, it was Repsol Honda Team’s Dani Pedrosa who grabbed pole position in front of Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Dovizioso.
Pedrosa put in a new fastest ever lap in the high 1.38s, relegating Yamaha Factory Racing’s Jorge Lorenzo into second on the grid, after he had struggled with his bike in the preceding sessions. Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Andrea Dovizioso completes the front row, having improved steadily all weekend on his satellite machine. Heading up the second row in fourth is Lorenzo’s teammate Ben Spies, who did incredibly well to walk away from a big crash whilst pushing hard on a hot lap. LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl will be very pleased with his day’s work, after the German rookie managed to put his bike fifth on the grid.
Repsol Honda’s Casey Stoner, who set the sixth fastest time, suffered a monstrous highside early in the session, causing the red flag to appear, which resulted in small marginal fractures in the ankle. His race fitness will be further assessed tomorrow. In seventh place on the grid, Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow was unable to match his teammate’s feat, but will no doubt be pleased with his session, after having suffered two crashes in previous outings.
Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden was viciously thrown off his bike in the same bend as Stoner and Spies (Turn 13), in the latter part of the session, briefly rendering him unconscious. The red flag was once again shown while Hayden received medical attention. He was spared any serious injuries, though has been declared unfit to race in light of his concussion and fractures to his 2-3 metacarpus. His time would have placed him eighth on the grid. This moved San Carlo Honda Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista into eighth, with Power Electronics Aspar’s Randy de Puniet putting in a terrific performance to place ninth on his CRT machine.
Ducati’s Valentino Rossi could only manage 10th place, after suffering a scare in turn 13 with his bike, causing him to abort his fast lap. Attack Performance’s Steve Rapp and GPTech’s Aaron Yates, both CRT wildcards this weekend, managed to qualify for the race, in 22nd and 23rd place respectively. Many of the riders spoke out about the track surface after the qualifying session sighting safety concerns after the three heavy crashes.
Pramac Racing Team’s Héctor Barberá, who has been replaced by Toni Elías after fracturing three vertebrae in his back, is currently on his way back to Barcelona for further medical assessments.




Stoner confirmed with fracture and torn ligaments in right ankle


Sunday, 19 August 2012
After yesterday's crash during qualifying practice for the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix, Repsol Honda's Casey Stoner has been confirmed with a fracture and torn ligaments in his right ankle, which put him in doubt for today’s race.
Stoner had X-rays and an MRI scan on the right tibia and fibula, right ankle and right foot. It was confirmed he had suffered 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.
Hospital staff strapped the ankle for protection through the night and Stoner left the hospital at midnight. He will consult with the medical team before the race to assess the situation and decide if he is able to ride the machine safely.
Casey Stoner
"It's the first time in my career that I haven't been able to get up and walk away from an accident myself. 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. I need to see how I feel tomorrow morning to understand if I'm able to race. 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."
Press release courtesy of Repsol Honda Team.

 

[wino]

MOTOGP »

Ben Spies reveals tension with Yamaha
“I was told by somebody at Yamaha that if I'm not going to ride a hundred percent at Laguna, don't show up” - Ben Spies.

Ben Spies, who announced via the internet that he was leaving Yamaha on the eve of last month's US MotoGP, has revealed behind-the-scenes tension with a senior member of the company.

After being forced out of second place by a massive engine failure in Sunday's Indianapolis Grand Prix - the latest in a relentless run of race day mishaps and bad luck - Spies was asked about his level of frustration.

Whilst reflecting on the setbacks he has suffered in 2012, Spies claimed that he was told 'not to show up' for the US GP if he wasn't going to ride at a hundred percent.

"There's frustration, but it's kind of almost got to a laughing point for me,” Spies began. “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.

"At Mugello, we had food poisoning, and that was a bad experience. I tried everything I could to do what we could, but it was a bad result.

"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. 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.

"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."

Spies, who was racing with a shoulder injury after falling in qualifying, refused to identify the person who had made the comment: "I'm not going to say any names, but yeah, it was somebody high up."

When asked if he felt Yamaha was not giving him a hundred percent, Spies added:

"No, I wouldn't say that. I know my team is, my crew. It's shown. 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.

“We had our problem at Assen with the tyre, which was not Yamaha's fault, and also at Silverstone. But at Qatar and here and Laguna, we've had three mechanical problems with the bike. 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. There was a big frustration level, I'd say, about a month ago. But now it's just... we go to Brno, and I just kind of wonder what's going to happen next."

Spies, who is just tenth in the championship with a best finish of fourth this year, will be replaced by Valentino Rossi next season. The former World Superbike champion, with Yamaha, is yet to announce his 2013 plans.

Team-mate Jorge Lorenzo leads the championship and finished second at Indianapolis after Spies' smokey exit.

 

[wino]

 

[DECADENCE]

Rossi back to Yamaha fuck that made me happy I just hope he is still as hungry to win as he once was fingers crossed.

Great thread bye the way.

 

[Killy]

This is my DR650. It's completely stock at the moment but I just passed my break in period so this weekend I'm going to rejet the carburetor, cut a big ass hole in the airbox lid for better airflow, install a skid plate, polish the header to make it purdy, grind the shitty weld on the inside to slightly increase the header's internal diameter, install a handlebar that isn't made from a spaghetti noodle and retrofit an R6 throttle tube instead of buying a $50 DR specific quick turn throttle. When I can get $700 together (in about a year because lol college) I'm going to completely rework the forks and shock by installing properly weighted springs and RaceTech emulators.

 

[wino]

Sykes Third Fastest In Testing At Moscow Raceway

Newsflash, 22 August 2012
A one-day official test at the all-new Moscow Raceway in Russia for Tom Sykes and his fellow Kawasaki Racing Team rider Loris Baz gave each of them the chance to make preparations for race weekend

Sykes left the tests happy with the work done to match his Ninja ZX-10R machine to a sometimes tricky circuit design and he ended up third fastest, despite concentrating more on full race set-up than going for a quick single lap time. Like the rest of his peers he felt that the circuit was very tight and twisty in some of the early sections, then opens out in some others.

Baz took more time to get accustomed to this new circuit, in what is the young French rider’s rookie SBK season, but the Silverstone race winner is confident that he will improve his outright pace during race weekend, now that his crew have good data to work with. Baz ended up 19th today.

Loris also made use of the extra day of testing to try out some other set-up options, which may help him in the run in to the finale of the championship, in France in October.

The track surface along the 3.931km Moscow circuit improved as the SBK and WSS riders made more and more laps during two sessions for each class, although the second SBK session was interrupted for a time, due to an oil spill.

David Salom (Kawasaki Team Pedercini) was 17th in the test rankings, less than 1.5 seconds from the fastest rider, Carlos Checa.

Tom Sykes: “Overall, a positive day for myself and Kawasaki on a new track for everybody. We did a lot of work on the hard tyre and then when we put the softer tyre in we were surprised that we were getting good life out of it. We did make a number of small changes today, pretty much always in a positive direction, and big thanks to all my boys in the team. We have had a productive test. We have some things to do for the weekend but really not many, because today turned out well. We put a lot of laps in and hopefully that should make things more relaxed for race weekend itself.”

Loris Baz: “We just had a few issues this morning. The track is very nice, very technical and everything, but just a bit too slow. I love fast tracks so it is not my favourite. But we are riding at this track so we have to work with that. The lap times are really close and we tried a different set-up this afternoon, just to test some options we have been thinking about. I am more confident than the position we find ourselves in on the track today. Our general pace is good but we still have something to do on pure lap times for one fast lap.”

 

[Killy]

Well I thought I would have some pictures of my bike's innards and the new parts but shipping is taking forever and they won't get here until next weekend. In the mean time here's a kick ass article about Ossa's new 2T bike with fuel injection. This new technology would make 2T bikes street legal by making sure the fuel is only injected when the exhaust valve is closed therefore eliminating the emission of unused fuel that violates the tree hugger's emission laws.

http://twostrokemotocross.com/2011/11/ossa-250300-i-the-future-of-enduro/

The two stroke engine with a one-piece crankcase and removable gear assembly of the Ossa Enduro 250i/300i features a new and revolutionary double injection system designed in association with Kokusan and an electronic exhaust valve which is controlled by the same ECU as the injection. One of the injectors is situated on the crankcase and the other on the cylinder. This is rather unusual as it is normally placed on the cylinder head, but this new system offers amazing possibilities to fine-tune the bike response.

Oh god that pipe...

 

[wino]

been waiting for this to break. Very sad indeed the guy had a great chance to go far.

Joan Lascorz Update

Newsflash, 31 August 2012
Following the accident at Imola during official testing in the Superbike World Championship last April 2 we would like to communicate the following about the condition of Joan Lascorz.

Joan remains hospitalised at the Institute Guttmann in Spain, immersed in a process of recovery and adaptation to his new life. It is expected that by the middle of September Joan will leave the centre.

Joan suffered a spinal cord injury in the C6 area due to an accidental impact against a concrete wall at the Imola Circuit. Joan suffered a dislocation of the C6 vertebra, which produced a total assignment of the spinal cord. Doctors said this injury is considered irreversible.

Joan has a quadriplegic paralysis, has no mobility in his legs, abdominal area or fingers, however he has feeling in fingers and hands. He has also mobility in his face, neck, arms, shoulders, elbows and wrists.

Joan retains 100 percent of his mental faculties and is refocusing his life, closing projects opened in World Superbike, but with the strength, motivation and opportunities to open additional, short-term and medium-term personal projects.

Joan’s accident occurred while testing. His fall was an accident, which happened when he was doing his job, going to the limit with a race bike. From the review of the team’s data and Joan’s own feelings the reason for the accident is now clearer.

Guim Roda, the Kawasaki Racing Team Manager, said "Joan lost control of the bike when entering a right-hander in fifth gear after a long straight, with the front wheel slightly off the ground. Returning this to contact the asphalt at high speed just by tilting the bike, Joan lost control of the bike and went off track. He had just made a batch of good lap times and was about to lower the fastest lap of the day against all riders on the track."

Joan’s injuries are not the result of the fall itself, but from the fact that at nearly 200 km/h he hit an unprotected wall near the track.

Joan Lascorz Comments
"What happened to me is a shame. I’m not sure if it was bad luck or that conditions in Imola were not suitable for a 240 HP bike. In any case, it is undoubtedly a full stop for my career as a SBK racer, and a period in my life. It's a very difficult situation and I have to be very strong to go ahead. I want to thank for the endless support I'm getting: all motorcycle riders both in SBK and MotoGP, and all the other categories. I also want to thank all the racing fans, and the amateur and professional bikers that have shown me examples of their affection. Albert Llovera, Filippo Preziosi, Oscar Lanza, Isidre Esteve and Pau Bach visits and conversations have been invaluable to me.
I want to thank the countless doctors and nurses that have taken care of me, from the SBK Clinica Mobile, at the Maggiore Hospital in Bologna. Thanks to the UCI and the spinal injuries unit of Vall d'Hebron and here in the Guttmann: In all these places, I have been treated like a king.
Thanks also to the Catalan and Spanish Federation of Motorcycling and all the support I am having from Panthera wheelchairs, and above all, to all my family, my father Juan who is having a tough time, almost worse than me, my mother Maribel, my brothers and sisters, uncles, cousins, friends and teammates they have all been at any time with me.

“Once out of the Guttman, I will deeply rethink my life and look for economic resources to suit my situation since it is not that easy. I will have to find new goals to continue enjoying life, but certainly not with the same intensity as it has been.
Sometimes I feel a great sadness for how quickly it changed, all because of that wall. And I have many thoughts in my head about what happened. Sometimes I think with optimism and what the future holds.
I have to do a lot of re-learning. It was not easy to reach the level I was at and it was the result of much effort by all those who have made it possible. From when I stopped delivering pizzas at age 18 with a 50 cc bike and began my career as a rider… It's a very sad injustice but I have to face it in the best way possible. It is a type of injury that not only keeps you away from racing, but marks you for life and that's something I'm going to live with forever."

"When my friends made the number 17 badge that symbolised my recovery, I was not thinking for a moment about the impact it has had and the support I have seen these months. It has given me so much strength that people express solidarity with me since my accident and I thank them all wholeheartedly.
I was surprised to see Rossi, Dovizioso, Crutchlow, Hayden, Pedrosa, Espargaro, Jonny Hernandez, Lorenzo ... and sure many more in MotoGP if not all, Marquez, Espargaro, Rabat, Rins ... even more riders, but I’ve forgotten so many ... Some teams that have been showing the sticker on their fairings. The Catalunya Caixa Repsol Team from Alzamora or Team Pons are still wearing it, and many others that I’ve forgotten to mention for sure. There have been over 10,000 stickers, and that is a point of pride for me.
In SBK I think all pilots use the stickers: Checa, Haslam, Smrz, Sykes, my substitute Loris Baz, Biaggi has it near the TV in the box, Rea, Melandri, Salom, who has decorated half of his bike. In my team KRT it is on the computers, on the bike and in the pit box and the BMW factory has put it on the front of their fairings.
Sofuoglu, Morais and the whole Kawasaki family; the Kawasaki STK600 and 1000 riders and of course to all those pilots STK. I thank Fujiwara and Akira Yanagawa in Japan as they have the badge in each race and the Japanese Green Team puts it on their bikes. Honda Spain has it on its website, Cup easyrace, many friends of the CEV pilots, and also there is three foot wide badge in the Motorland circuit entrance. Thanks to Solo Moto's initiative to give it away with the magazine, and to Motocard and Kawasaki to finance it. All media have been interested and have collected my news despite my silence in all those levels I've seen.
Bikers sent me many e-mails with photos and encouragement and although I do not reply to all I read them all! Everyone who I've forgotten or haven’t seen at all: Thank you very much!
To all those that have invited me to events and I have not shown up: This is because first I want to find and understand my new situation. That is why I want some time to be relaxed and lead a private life. But without giving up what Joan Lascorz could do in the motorcycle world, of which I am very proud, I have lived and have received recognition worldwide. To everyone, thanks all the expressions of support!"

The immediate future
From September until the end of the first year Joan will be adapting to feelings and lifestyle outside the Guttmann and analyzing his long-term future.
So far all communication concerning Joan has been done from the Provec Racing Team, the company responsible for managing the Kawasaki Racing Team. As of now it will be organized differently, through the www.joanlascorz.com website, which will soon be completely updated.

From the team we'd like to ask all the riders, teams and everyone involved in the competition motorcycle world to keep alive the support via Joan’s badge symbol until the end of season. It has proved a boon to the spirits and hopes of Joan and to preserve his image as a rider. This allows him to keep thinking as a rider, with ambition and fighting spirit, which now more than ever he will need.

With many thanks for your kind attention,

All in the Kawasaki Racing Team and the Kawasaki family

 

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Isle of Man​

Best of....2012

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[wino]

Suzuki fans very strong rumours that you will see a bike on the grid at selected races next year and a team back in 2013, Kevin Schwantz is also talking to them about the possibility of running said team. But i his own words he has said we are just talking atm and I dont wanna get people to excited. Paul Denning will not be in the team if Schwantz is.

Oh yeah and Kevin wants Spies to ride the bike.


Ducati announces Ben Spies and Andrea Iannone for Pramac satellite team in 2013


Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Ducati has announced that it has signed an agreement with American Ben Spies and Italian Andrea Iannone to compete in the 2013 MotoGP™ World Championship.
Having already confirmed Nicky Hayden and announced Andrea Dovizioso for the Ducati Team, the Italian manufacturer now reaffirms its confidence in and commitment to the MotoGP World Championship, finalizing its line-up for next season with two riders who are fast and competitive, already protagonists in the MotoGP and Moto2™ World Championships.
At the same time, the partnership has been renewed between Ducati and Pramac Racing, which will continue to be entrusted with the management of the satellite team. The two riders, who have a direct link with the company, will be supplied with official equipment.
This agreement will enable additional important support in the development of the Desmosedici MotoGP project, offering a further opportunity in the process of improving the performance of the Italian bike.

 

[wino]