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Qatar MotoGP Quote Machine Friday
by staff
Friday, April 05, 2013
These just in:
Repsol Honda
Marc Marquez shines at Losail
Repsol rider leads both free practice sessions on Friday, in which Dani Pedrosa improved his times and moved up to sixth on the timesheets.
Repsol Media Service | Qatar, Losail Circuit | Friday 05/04/2013
The slimmest of margins allowed Marc Marquez to take the fastest time in free practice for the Qatar Grand Prix. The Repsol rider led the standings on Friday, just a thousandth of a second ahead of Jorge Lorenzo. He was 0.242 quicker than Cal Crutchlow, who placed third on a night in which Dani Pedrosa finished sixth on the timesheet -0.418 off his Repsol Honda Team colleague.
Despite a strong wind and the constant blowing of sand onto the Losail Interational Circuit, both Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa were able to substantially improve their times from yesterday. Marquez surprised in the first session with the fastest time after 15 laps, and then did so again over 16 laps in the second session. His best time was a 1'56.084.
Pedrosa was unable to lower his times in the first session, in which he undertook 16 laps. However, he managed to do so in the second session -by more than 1.3 seconds. The Repsol rider put in 17 laps and stopped the clock with a 1'56.502 -4 tenths off Marquez' time.
Tomorrow sees a brief final free practice session of 30 minutes in duration, and a new qualifying format. For 15 minutes, the 14 slowest riders in the combined free practice standings will contest Q1. Then, the 2 quickest from Q1 will join the 10 quickest from free practice for the grid-deciding session that will set pole and beyond for the Sunday race.
Dani Pedrosa
FP2: 1:57.877, 16 laps, 86 km.
FP3: 1:56.502, 17 laps, 91 km.
"We improved a little today and are now further up the order. We are faster and entering corners better, but we've still got a way to go. We hope to gain a little rear grip, which would allow us to ride more comfortably. The times keep dropping with every session, but we are going to try to keep getting better and prepare for qualifying and the race. The track isn't in good condition this year and I don't think that this will change; maybe it will improve slightly as more laps are completed. However, this doesn't mean making any big changes to the bike -just improving the setup for the conditions we have"
Marc Marquez
FP2: 1:56.477, 15 laps, 81 km.
FP3: 1:56.084, 17 laps, 91 km.
"Practice today went pretty well -better than expected. I was very comfortable on the bike, and this is the important thing. Our foundation isn't bad at all, we are improving in every session and working with Sunday's race in mind. What we are missing is a bit of pace and consistency. We will have to make the most of the 30 minutes that we have before qualifying tomorrow to improve those points"
**************
Yamaha MotoGP
Grand Prix of Qatar
Time 05 April 2013
21.40 Local time GMT+3 Night Clear Night Clear Temperature Air 27°C
Track 32°C Temperature Humidity 56%
Free Practice
Yamaha Stay on the Pace in Qatar
Losail (Qatar), 5th April 2013
Action resumed today at the Losail Circuit in Qatar for the opening round of the 2013 MotoGP World Championship. As Yamaha Factory Racing riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi got to work under the floodlights they had to cope with strong winds and a dirty track with sand blown across it.
World Champion Lorenzo was quick to find a competitive pace despite the conditions as he evaluated a different chassis spec and set up. He ended both the first and second of the practice sessions in second position, the final one just 0.001 seconds from the front having led for the majority of the heat.
Teammate Rossi continues to shine on his return to Yamaha, the Italian becoming a permanent fixture at the sharp end of the timing sheets as he hunts for the best set up ahead of Sunday night's race. Rossi wrapped up the first of the day's sessions in third position and led for most of the second before settling for fourth at the end despite being hampered by a severe headache from the previous day's riding.
Jorge Lorenzo
99
2nd / 1'56.085 / 17 laps
"I'm very happy with the changes we made on the bike because it improved a lot. In the last moments the track was better this evening, in the beginning it was very dirty. I think we can still improve the bike more tomorrow, we still haven't decided which chassis is better; today it is the new one, yesterday the old one. I'm very curious to see how the qualifying goes with the new formula, we will just be concentrating on making four fast laps, the maximum performance we can get."
(46) Valentino Rossi
4th / 1'56.416 / 18 laps
"The practices are not so bad, we are continuing to work for the race. We still have to decide which tyre to use; that will be very important for Sunday. We are ready for tomorrow for the qualifying practice to try and start as far in front as possible and aim for the front row. For the rest it's not so bad, we continue to work and improve. Yesterday after the practice I had a problem with a very strong headache so I wasn't at 100% today. Now I'm not so bad and coming better and tomorrow I will be at my maximum."
Yamaha Factory Racing
Wilco Zeelenberg
Team Manager
"The first free practices are done and we've qualified for the second qualifying session. This is important so we don't have to stress about the first qualifying session. Everything went smoothly and we tried a few things. The circumstances are not fantastic as everyone can see, there's a lot of dust on the track. In the first practice there was also a lot of wind, that also disrupts the steps we want to make because every time we go out the situation changes. Jorge was happy with the results in the last practice so we'll have to find the best combination of the two bikes we used today and I think we will be ready for tomorrow."
Yamaha Factory Racing
Massimo Meregalli
Team Director
"Today the track conditions were not perfect to enable us to finalise the set up and also to be able to choose between the two different chassis. So far we've done a good job, I think we've got enough data and I think both riders are in good shape. Tomorrow in the last free practice we will fine-tune the bikes. Both Jorge and Valentino have good consistent pace and speed so we are ready."
**************
Bridgestone
Marquez produces magic last lap to top Qatar practice
Round 1: Qatar MotoGP? - Free Practice One, Two and Three
Losail International Circuit, Friday 5 April 2013
Bridgestone slick compounds available: Front: Soft & Hard; Rear: Medium & Hard (Asymmetric)
Weather: FP2 - Dry. Ambient 26-28°C; Track 32-29°C (Bridgestone measurement)
FP3 - Dry. Ambient 29-30°C; Track 30-29°C (Bridgestone measurement)
Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez produced a strong last lap effort to top Friday practice by just one-thousandth of a second and head the field into tomorrow's qualifying sessions.
Marquez edged out Yamaha Factory Racing's Jorge Lorenzo to emerge quickest from the three ranked practice sessions, with Monster Yamaha Tech 3's Cal Crutchlow placing third overall and a further two-tenths of a second behind Lorenzo. Power Electronics Aspar's Aleix Espargaro was the pick of the CRT riders, his time of 1'57.420 was 1.336 seconds off P1 and placed him thirteenth overall.
Construction work in the vicinity of the circuit caused the track surface to be even dirtier than usual, with riders reporting very poor grip levels off the racing line. Despite the presence of the abrasive sand, wear rates were normal for the Losail Circuit and track conditions improved towards the end of Friday, with all riders setting their best times in Free Practice 3. All of the riders in the top ten set their times on the softer rear and harder front slick, this setup providing the best combination of rear drive and front-end stability in the less than ideal track conditions.
The next MotoGP session is Free Practice 4 which commences at 1955 local time (GMT+3) before the first of the two Qualifying Practice sessions starts at 2035. The top two riders at the end of Qualifying Practice 1 will participate in the Qualifying Practice 2 session which will determine the first four rows of the starting grid.
Shinji Aoki - Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Department
"Track conditions yesterday and today were poor with a greater than usual amount of wind-blow sand, but it improved towards the end of Friday. With the grip level of the tarmac not being the best, most riders preferred the softer rear slick, though for the front tyre, the harder slick was more popular due to its stability in corners and under braking. I expect most of the riders to select the combination of the harder front and softer rear slick for qualifying tomorrow, and perhaps some teams will try evaluating the performance of the harder rear slick for the race".
*************
Pramac
Steady improvement for Pramac Racing Team at Losail
It was 6.00 p.m., local time, when the second evening of timed practice sessions got underway, though rain had briefly threatened to delay the proceedings. Instead, it was a strong wind that accompanied the entire session, affecting the state of the circuit, which was made particularly slippery by a thin layer of sand.
Andrea's feeling with the bike continued to improve, enabling him to lower his best time by 1.2 seconds compared to yesterday, despite his shoulder still not being 100% fit.
Some small changes were made to Andrea's bike since last night, enabling him to better understand the direction to follow. Although the Italian suffered from pain in his forearm, this evening's pair of practice sessions provided an opportunity for him to gain experience with the bike on this challenging track, and his time improved by over 1.3 seconds compared to yesterday.
Andrea Iannone - Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team
"Fortunately, my right forearm didn't hurt as much during FP3, as the pain had forced me to return to the garage on the fourth lap of tonight's first session. I wasn't able to control the bike, and I lacked strength. Nonetheless, we were able to make some small changes to the bike, and they allowed me to improve quite a bit and to give a clearer idea of the direction to take. I still don't have much reference on this track, so I definitely need to do more laps."
**************
Tech 3 Yamaha
Crutchlow and Smith shine under Qatar floodlights
The second night of practice in advance of the 10th running of the Qatar MotoGP race in Doha on Sunday evening saw Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith shine under the impressive Losail International Circuit floodlights.
Crutchlow's outstanding form continued in tricky conditions tonight, with light spots of rain falling during the earlier second practice session and a strong wind testing skill and concentration in the third session.
The conditions meant the track surface was one more time extremely slippery but Crutchlow excelled to power his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machine into the top three again.
The British rider's best pace of 1.56.326 was only 0.242s off the fastest lap time set by rookie Marc Marquez, while teammate Smith produced a magnificent performance to finish inside the top 10.
Smith adapted superbly to the difficult conditions and he defied a lack of experience on his YZR-M1 to rocket into the top six at one stage in FP3.
Growing in confidence as he slashed big chunks of time off his pace, Smith ended with a best time of 1.56.901 to finish in a morale-boosting ninth position on the combined leaderboard.
His final speed was a huge improvement of 1.4s compared to his best pace in last night's opening session and it was mission accomplished for Smith, who achieved one of his main pre-race goals to finish inside the top 10 after FP3.
Tonight's result means under the new qualifying format, both Crutchow and Smith are automatically seeded into tomorrow night's second 15-minute qualifying session in which 12 riders will battle it out for grid positions on the first four rows.
Cal Crutchlow 3rd - 1.56.326:
"The track was not in a good condition again tonight and it was very dirty but I am still happy with my performance and it is good to remain inside the top three. I was confident I'd be in the top 10 to move straight into QP2 and I am looking forward to the 15-minute session to decide places on the grid tomorrow night. I think it will be exciting for the fans and also for us because nobody will be hanging around. I felt comfortable on the bike again in the second session because we made a couple of changes earlier that didn't really work. I still need to improve in the braking zone and I'd like to improve the rear grip too, but I have been fast in every session so far and that bodes well for the race on Sunday night."
Bradley Smith 9th - 1.56.901:
"I am really happy because one of my big objectives was to make sure I was inside the top 10 tonight and straight into the second qualifying session. Now I've done that I feel like it is a big achievement that I am really proud because it was not easy. I found well over a second in the final session and to finish just over 0.8s away from the top is a fantastic result for me. I didn't realize just how hard you have to push the bike to get down to that pace and it is going to be very hard to ride at that intensity for the whole race. Credit to the other guys who run a consistently fast pace throughout the race because it is incredibly hard and something I will need to focus on improving. My Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team did a great job tonight. They gave me a bike that gave me a lot of confidence and that was proven in just how much faster I was in the final session. I am less than 0.5s away from Valentino so I am really pleased. There's still a lot of work to do on the race set-up but I am truly happy to be inside that top 10."
*****************
LCR Honda
BRADL SECURES A Q2 PLACING WITH TENTH PLACE
Losail, 5 April: LCR racer Stefan Bradl ended up in 10th place under floodlights at the Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar earning his first Q2 placing thanks to his best time (1'56.984) from any of the first three practice sessions (following NEW 2013 Qualifying system). ...read more and download the official photos.
"From the beginning of the session we worked on a race set-up on used tyres and we thought we found a good direction but, towards the end, when we fit a new rear tyre the extra grip affected the balance of our bike and I had to push the front in every corner entry. So I was not capable to keep the corner speed and risked a crash couple of times. But this is just the FP3 and we will have more track time tomorrow to fine-tune the bike so I am still confident".
**************
Pramac Ducati
Ben Spies - Ignite Pramac Racing Team
"I'm okay, even though tonight's session didn't go exactly the way we wanted. We tried something a little bit different before our practice, and it didn't work out. We had to make a change during the session, which cost me some time. We know we missed about 50% of testing due to my injury and learning a new bike, so realistically, our testing is starting now. It was the first time that we pushed the bike hard, and I'm learning things about it. We're changing stuff and getting used to it, but we need more time. The feeling with the bike is getting better every time out."
*************
Marlboro Ducati
Encouraging progress for Dovizioso and Hayden in Qatar free practice
A pair of strong performances during this evening's exciting free-practice sessions in Qatar put Ducati Team riders Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden in a positive frame of mind for MotoGP's new qualifying system, set to debut tomorrow night. The teammates were both well inside the top ten in combined free-practice times, meaning they will advance directly into tomorrow's Q2 session.
Dealing with the challenging conditions presented by stiff winds and a dirty track surface, the Italian posted his best lap time with eight minutes left in FP3, at which point he sat in third place in the combined times. He ultimately ended the session fifth, just .001 seconds behind Valentino Rossi, and .333 seconds from leader Marc Marquez. Hayden's best lap put him in seventh place with six minutes remaining, and he would slip one spot before the session ended.
Andrea Dovizioso - Ducati Team, 5th (1:56.417)
"I'm very happy with the position, but I'm especially pleased with the gap to the front. Fifth place is good, but the gap of three tenths is even better. I didn't expect to be so close, especially because up until this session, we didn't really have true parameters. In fact, this was the first faceoff with the soft tyre, and we can say that we were pretty close to the others when the tyre is new. We still have to see how things are in race configuration, and tomorrow before qualifying, we'll decide if we should go ahead with the soft tyre."
Nicky Hayden - Ducati Team, 8th (1:56.670)
"It certainly wasn't easy tonight, as conditions were changing a lot. The wind was really strong in FP2, and there was a lot of sand on the track, but when things improved for FP3, I could push a bit harder. I kind of treated the session like qualifying, because it's important to advance to QP2. My position isn't great, but the gap to the front isn't so bad. We want to make the bike more controllable in the wind and improve traction on corner entry, so if we can keep working in a good way, maybe we can do well in qualifying. It should be exciting."
ENDS
by staff
Friday, April 05, 2013
These just in:
Repsol Honda
Marc Marquez shines at Losail
Repsol rider leads both free practice sessions on Friday, in which Dani Pedrosa improved his times and moved up to sixth on the timesheets.
Repsol Media Service | Qatar, Losail Circuit | Friday 05/04/2013
The slimmest of margins allowed Marc Marquez to take the fastest time in free practice for the Qatar Grand Prix. The Repsol rider led the standings on Friday, just a thousandth of a second ahead of Jorge Lorenzo. He was 0.242 quicker than Cal Crutchlow, who placed third on a night in which Dani Pedrosa finished sixth on the timesheet -0.418 off his Repsol Honda Team colleague.
Despite a strong wind and the constant blowing of sand onto the Losail Interational Circuit, both Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa were able to substantially improve their times from yesterday. Marquez surprised in the first session with the fastest time after 15 laps, and then did so again over 16 laps in the second session. His best time was a 1'56.084.
Pedrosa was unable to lower his times in the first session, in which he undertook 16 laps. However, he managed to do so in the second session -by more than 1.3 seconds. The Repsol rider put in 17 laps and stopped the clock with a 1'56.502 -4 tenths off Marquez' time.
Tomorrow sees a brief final free practice session of 30 minutes in duration, and a new qualifying format. For 15 minutes, the 14 slowest riders in the combined free practice standings will contest Q1. Then, the 2 quickest from Q1 will join the 10 quickest from free practice for the grid-deciding session that will set pole and beyond for the Sunday race.
Dani Pedrosa
FP2: 1:57.877, 16 laps, 86 km.
FP3: 1:56.502, 17 laps, 91 km.
"We improved a little today and are now further up the order. We are faster and entering corners better, but we've still got a way to go. We hope to gain a little rear grip, which would allow us to ride more comfortably. The times keep dropping with every session, but we are going to try to keep getting better and prepare for qualifying and the race. The track isn't in good condition this year and I don't think that this will change; maybe it will improve slightly as more laps are completed. However, this doesn't mean making any big changes to the bike -just improving the setup for the conditions we have"
Marc Marquez
FP2: 1:56.477, 15 laps, 81 km.
FP3: 1:56.084, 17 laps, 91 km.
"Practice today went pretty well -better than expected. I was very comfortable on the bike, and this is the important thing. Our foundation isn't bad at all, we are improving in every session and working with Sunday's race in mind. What we are missing is a bit of pace and consistency. We will have to make the most of the 30 minutes that we have before qualifying tomorrow to improve those points"
**************
Yamaha MotoGP
Grand Prix of Qatar
Time 05 April 2013
21.40 Local time GMT+3 Night Clear Night Clear Temperature Air 27°C
Track 32°C Temperature Humidity 56%
Free Practice
Yamaha Stay on the Pace in Qatar
Losail (Qatar), 5th April 2013
Action resumed today at the Losail Circuit in Qatar for the opening round of the 2013 MotoGP World Championship. As Yamaha Factory Racing riders Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi got to work under the floodlights they had to cope with strong winds and a dirty track with sand blown across it.
World Champion Lorenzo was quick to find a competitive pace despite the conditions as he evaluated a different chassis spec and set up. He ended both the first and second of the practice sessions in second position, the final one just 0.001 seconds from the front having led for the majority of the heat.
Teammate Rossi continues to shine on his return to Yamaha, the Italian becoming a permanent fixture at the sharp end of the timing sheets as he hunts for the best set up ahead of Sunday night's race. Rossi wrapped up the first of the day's sessions in third position and led for most of the second before settling for fourth at the end despite being hampered by a severe headache from the previous day's riding.
Jorge Lorenzo
99
2nd / 1'56.085 / 17 laps
"I'm very happy with the changes we made on the bike because it improved a lot. In the last moments the track was better this evening, in the beginning it was very dirty. I think we can still improve the bike more tomorrow, we still haven't decided which chassis is better; today it is the new one, yesterday the old one. I'm very curious to see how the qualifying goes with the new formula, we will just be concentrating on making four fast laps, the maximum performance we can get."
(46) Valentino Rossi
4th / 1'56.416 / 18 laps
"The practices are not so bad, we are continuing to work for the race. We still have to decide which tyre to use; that will be very important for Sunday. We are ready for tomorrow for the qualifying practice to try and start as far in front as possible and aim for the front row. For the rest it's not so bad, we continue to work and improve. Yesterday after the practice I had a problem with a very strong headache so I wasn't at 100% today. Now I'm not so bad and coming better and tomorrow I will be at my maximum."
Yamaha Factory Racing
Wilco Zeelenberg
Team Manager
"The first free practices are done and we've qualified for the second qualifying session. This is important so we don't have to stress about the first qualifying session. Everything went smoothly and we tried a few things. The circumstances are not fantastic as everyone can see, there's a lot of dust on the track. In the first practice there was also a lot of wind, that also disrupts the steps we want to make because every time we go out the situation changes. Jorge was happy with the results in the last practice so we'll have to find the best combination of the two bikes we used today and I think we will be ready for tomorrow."
Yamaha Factory Racing
Massimo Meregalli
Team Director
"Today the track conditions were not perfect to enable us to finalise the set up and also to be able to choose between the two different chassis. So far we've done a good job, I think we've got enough data and I think both riders are in good shape. Tomorrow in the last free practice we will fine-tune the bikes. Both Jorge and Valentino have good consistent pace and speed so we are ready."
**************
Bridgestone
Marquez produces magic last lap to top Qatar practice
Round 1: Qatar MotoGP? - Free Practice One, Two and Three
Losail International Circuit, Friday 5 April 2013
Bridgestone slick compounds available: Front: Soft & Hard; Rear: Medium & Hard (Asymmetric)
Weather: FP2 - Dry. Ambient 26-28°C; Track 32-29°C (Bridgestone measurement)
FP3 - Dry. Ambient 29-30°C; Track 30-29°C (Bridgestone measurement)
Repsol Honda's Marc Marquez produced a strong last lap effort to top Friday practice by just one-thousandth of a second and head the field into tomorrow's qualifying sessions.
Marquez edged out Yamaha Factory Racing's Jorge Lorenzo to emerge quickest from the three ranked practice sessions, with Monster Yamaha Tech 3's Cal Crutchlow placing third overall and a further two-tenths of a second behind Lorenzo. Power Electronics Aspar's Aleix Espargaro was the pick of the CRT riders, his time of 1'57.420 was 1.336 seconds off P1 and placed him thirteenth overall.
Construction work in the vicinity of the circuit caused the track surface to be even dirtier than usual, with riders reporting very poor grip levels off the racing line. Despite the presence of the abrasive sand, wear rates were normal for the Losail Circuit and track conditions improved towards the end of Friday, with all riders setting their best times in Free Practice 3. All of the riders in the top ten set their times on the softer rear and harder front slick, this setup providing the best combination of rear drive and front-end stability in the less than ideal track conditions.
The next MotoGP session is Free Practice 4 which commences at 1955 local time (GMT+3) before the first of the two Qualifying Practice sessions starts at 2035. The top two riders at the end of Qualifying Practice 1 will participate in the Qualifying Practice 2 session which will determine the first four rows of the starting grid.
Shinji Aoki - Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Department
"Track conditions yesterday and today were poor with a greater than usual amount of wind-blow sand, but it improved towards the end of Friday. With the grip level of the tarmac not being the best, most riders preferred the softer rear slick, though for the front tyre, the harder slick was more popular due to its stability in corners and under braking. I expect most of the riders to select the combination of the harder front and softer rear slick for qualifying tomorrow, and perhaps some teams will try evaluating the performance of the harder rear slick for the race".
*************
Pramac
Steady improvement for Pramac Racing Team at Losail
It was 6.00 p.m., local time, when the second evening of timed practice sessions got underway, though rain had briefly threatened to delay the proceedings. Instead, it was a strong wind that accompanied the entire session, affecting the state of the circuit, which was made particularly slippery by a thin layer of sand.
Andrea's feeling with the bike continued to improve, enabling him to lower his best time by 1.2 seconds compared to yesterday, despite his shoulder still not being 100% fit.
Some small changes were made to Andrea's bike since last night, enabling him to better understand the direction to follow. Although the Italian suffered from pain in his forearm, this evening's pair of practice sessions provided an opportunity for him to gain experience with the bike on this challenging track, and his time improved by over 1.3 seconds compared to yesterday.
Andrea Iannone - Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team
"Fortunately, my right forearm didn't hurt as much during FP3, as the pain had forced me to return to the garage on the fourth lap of tonight's first session. I wasn't able to control the bike, and I lacked strength. Nonetheless, we were able to make some small changes to the bike, and they allowed me to improve quite a bit and to give a clearer idea of the direction to take. I still don't have much reference on this track, so I definitely need to do more laps."
**************
Tech 3 Yamaha
Crutchlow and Smith shine under Qatar floodlights
The second night of practice in advance of the 10th running of the Qatar MotoGP race in Doha on Sunday evening saw Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith shine under the impressive Losail International Circuit floodlights.
Crutchlow's outstanding form continued in tricky conditions tonight, with light spots of rain falling during the earlier second practice session and a strong wind testing skill and concentration in the third session.
The conditions meant the track surface was one more time extremely slippery but Crutchlow excelled to power his Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machine into the top three again.
The British rider's best pace of 1.56.326 was only 0.242s off the fastest lap time set by rookie Marc Marquez, while teammate Smith produced a magnificent performance to finish inside the top 10.
Smith adapted superbly to the difficult conditions and he defied a lack of experience on his YZR-M1 to rocket into the top six at one stage in FP3.
Growing in confidence as he slashed big chunks of time off his pace, Smith ended with a best time of 1.56.901 to finish in a morale-boosting ninth position on the combined leaderboard.
His final speed was a huge improvement of 1.4s compared to his best pace in last night's opening session and it was mission accomplished for Smith, who achieved one of his main pre-race goals to finish inside the top 10 after FP3.
Tonight's result means under the new qualifying format, both Crutchow and Smith are automatically seeded into tomorrow night's second 15-minute qualifying session in which 12 riders will battle it out for grid positions on the first four rows.
Cal Crutchlow 3rd - 1.56.326:
"The track was not in a good condition again tonight and it was very dirty but I am still happy with my performance and it is good to remain inside the top three. I was confident I'd be in the top 10 to move straight into QP2 and I am looking forward to the 15-minute session to decide places on the grid tomorrow night. I think it will be exciting for the fans and also for us because nobody will be hanging around. I felt comfortable on the bike again in the second session because we made a couple of changes earlier that didn't really work. I still need to improve in the braking zone and I'd like to improve the rear grip too, but I have been fast in every session so far and that bodes well for the race on Sunday night."
Bradley Smith 9th - 1.56.901:
"I am really happy because one of my big objectives was to make sure I was inside the top 10 tonight and straight into the second qualifying session. Now I've done that I feel like it is a big achievement that I am really proud because it was not easy. I found well over a second in the final session and to finish just over 0.8s away from the top is a fantastic result for me. I didn't realize just how hard you have to push the bike to get down to that pace and it is going to be very hard to ride at that intensity for the whole race. Credit to the other guys who run a consistently fast pace throughout the race because it is incredibly hard and something I will need to focus on improving. My Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team did a great job tonight. They gave me a bike that gave me a lot of confidence and that was proven in just how much faster I was in the final session. I am less than 0.5s away from Valentino so I am really pleased. There's still a lot of work to do on the race set-up but I am truly happy to be inside that top 10."
*****************
LCR Honda
BRADL SECURES A Q2 PLACING WITH TENTH PLACE
Losail, 5 April: LCR racer Stefan Bradl ended up in 10th place under floodlights at the Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar earning his first Q2 placing thanks to his best time (1'56.984) from any of the first three practice sessions (following NEW 2013 Qualifying system). ...read more and download the official photos.
"From the beginning of the session we worked on a race set-up on used tyres and we thought we found a good direction but, towards the end, when we fit a new rear tyre the extra grip affected the balance of our bike and I had to push the front in every corner entry. So I was not capable to keep the corner speed and risked a crash couple of times. But this is just the FP3 and we will have more track time tomorrow to fine-tune the bike so I am still confident".
**************
Pramac Ducati
Ben Spies - Ignite Pramac Racing Team
"I'm okay, even though tonight's session didn't go exactly the way we wanted. We tried something a little bit different before our practice, and it didn't work out. We had to make a change during the session, which cost me some time. We know we missed about 50% of testing due to my injury and learning a new bike, so realistically, our testing is starting now. It was the first time that we pushed the bike hard, and I'm learning things about it. We're changing stuff and getting used to it, but we need more time. The feeling with the bike is getting better every time out."
*************
Marlboro Ducati
Encouraging progress for Dovizioso and Hayden in Qatar free practice
A pair of strong performances during this evening's exciting free-practice sessions in Qatar put Ducati Team riders Andrea Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden in a positive frame of mind for MotoGP's new qualifying system, set to debut tomorrow night. The teammates were both well inside the top ten in combined free-practice times, meaning they will advance directly into tomorrow's Q2 session.
Dealing with the challenging conditions presented by stiff winds and a dirty track surface, the Italian posted his best lap time with eight minutes left in FP3, at which point he sat in third place in the combined times. He ultimately ended the session fifth, just .001 seconds behind Valentino Rossi, and .333 seconds from leader Marc Marquez. Hayden's best lap put him in seventh place with six minutes remaining, and he would slip one spot before the session ended.
Andrea Dovizioso - Ducati Team, 5th (1:56.417)
"I'm very happy with the position, but I'm especially pleased with the gap to the front. Fifth place is good, but the gap of three tenths is even better. I didn't expect to be so close, especially because up until this session, we didn't really have true parameters. In fact, this was the first faceoff with the soft tyre, and we can say that we were pretty close to the others when the tyre is new. We still have to see how things are in race configuration, and tomorrow before qualifying, we'll decide if we should go ahead with the soft tyre."
Nicky Hayden - Ducati Team, 8th (1:56.670)
"It certainly wasn't easy tonight, as conditions were changing a lot. The wind was really strong in FP2, and there was a lot of sand on the track, but when things improved for FP3, I could push a bit harder. I kind of treated the session like qualifying, because it's important to advance to QP2. My position isn't great, but the gap to the front isn't so bad. We want to make the bike more controllable in the wind and improve traction on corner entry, so if we can keep working in a good way, maybe we can do well in qualifying. It should be exciting."
ENDS
well fuck me, will Cal lead his first Moto tonite ? I hope so . . . ..
Crutchlow to threaten from second on grid
Qatar 2013 - MotoGP - Q2 - Interview - Cal Crutchlow
Saturday, 6 April 2013
Cal Crutchlow has begun his 2013 MotoGP™ in a strong way, qualifying second for the Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar. Having been Jorge Lorenzo’s closest challenger on Saturday, the Englishman now expects a dramatic battle on Sunday.
Now in his third season of MotoGP, Crutchlow has been in the top three for much of the race weekend so far and hopes to challenge for victory tomorrow night.
“I would have preferred less time in the second qualifying session because if it had been shorter I would have been first!” the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider joked when talking with motogp.com. “Otherwise, I’m happy. I think we did a good job and the team have worked well over the weekend.
“I still think we need to find something in some areas because I’m riding a little differently to what I usually do in order to compensate. We can look at the data tonight and come back tomorrow, as we have the warm-up before the race to try again.
“Tomorrow you can expect to see a big battle, I’m sure, because there are seven riders able to challenge at the front and probably seven who are able to win. So it’s going to be a close race. Really close.”
On the Yamaha Factory Racing bike, World Champion Lorenzo has sealed his seventh pole at the Losail International Circuit but will be keeping a close eye on the Englishman behind him.
“It was difficult because Cal is a very explosive rider and can do an extremely quick lap, so I had to put in all of my talent and speed to finally make it,” the Mallorcan admitted.
Sunday’s nighttime race begins at 10pm local time (GMT +3)
COMMERCIAL BANK GRAND PRIX OF QATAR
MotoGP Qualifying Nr. 2 Classification 2013
Doha, Saturday, April 06, 2013
Pos.Num.RiderNationTeamBikeKm/hTimeGap 1st/Prev.
1 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 335.9 1'54.714
2 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 334.7 1'54.916 0.202 / 0.202
3 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 339.8 1'55.151 0.437 / 0.235
4 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Ducati Team Ducati 336.4 1'55.160 0.446 / 0.009
5 6 Stefan BRADL GER LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 340.0 1'55.477 0.763 / 0.317
6 93 Marc MARQUEZ SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 339.0 1'55.645 0.931 / 0.168
7 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 337.7 1'55.711 0.997 / 0.066
8 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA GO&FUN Honda Gresini Honda 338.5 1'55.870 1.156 / 0.159
9 38 Bradley SMITH GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 333.9 1'56.315 1.601 / 0.445
10 29 Andrea IANNONE ITA Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Ducati 339.8 1'56.523 1.809 / 0.208
11 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 337.9 1'56.667 1.953 / 0.144
12 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Power Electronics Aspar ART 318.8 1'57.064 2.350 / 0.397
Crutchlow to threaten from second on grid
Qatar 2013 - MotoGP - Q2 - Interview - Cal Crutchlow
Saturday, 6 April 2013
Cal Crutchlow has begun his 2013 MotoGP™ in a strong way, qualifying second for the Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar. Having been Jorge Lorenzo’s closest challenger on Saturday, the Englishman now expects a dramatic battle on Sunday.
Now in his third season of MotoGP, Crutchlow has been in the top three for much of the race weekend so far and hopes to challenge for victory tomorrow night.
“I would have preferred less time in the second qualifying session because if it had been shorter I would have been first!” the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider joked when talking with motogp.com. “Otherwise, I’m happy. I think we did a good job and the team have worked well over the weekend.
“I still think we need to find something in some areas because I’m riding a little differently to what I usually do in order to compensate. We can look at the data tonight and come back tomorrow, as we have the warm-up before the race to try again.
“Tomorrow you can expect to see a big battle, I’m sure, because there are seven riders able to challenge at the front and probably seven who are able to win. So it’s going to be a close race. Really close.”
On the Yamaha Factory Racing bike, World Champion Lorenzo has sealed his seventh pole at the Losail International Circuit but will be keeping a close eye on the Englishman behind him.
“It was difficult because Cal is a very explosive rider and can do an extremely quick lap, so I had to put in all of my talent and speed to finally make it,” the Mallorcan admitted.
Sunday’s nighttime race begins at 10pm local time (GMT +3)
COMMERCIAL BANK GRAND PRIX OF QATAR
MotoGP Qualifying Nr. 2 Classification 2013
Doha, Saturday, April 06, 2013
Pos.Num.RiderNationTeamBikeKm/hTimeGap 1st/Prev.
1 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 335.9 1'54.714
2 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 334.7 1'54.916 0.202 / 0.202
3 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 339.8 1'55.151 0.437 / 0.235
4 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Ducati Team Ducati 336.4 1'55.160 0.446 / 0.009
5 6 Stefan BRADL GER LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 340.0 1'55.477 0.763 / 0.317
6 93 Marc MARQUEZ SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 339.0 1'55.645 0.931 / 0.168
7 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 337.7 1'55.711 0.997 / 0.066
8 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA GO&FUN Honda Gresini Honda 338.5 1'55.870 1.156 / 0.159
9 38 Bradley SMITH GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 333.9 1'56.315 1.601 / 0.445
10 29 Andrea IANNONE ITA Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Ducati 339.8 1'56.523 1.809 / 0.208
11 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 337.9 1'56.667 1.953 / 0.144
12 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Power Electronics Aspar ART 318.8 1'57.064 2.350 / 0.397
PsychBitch
Suck it!!
Holy crap. Nice bike. tell me you got it!!This is what I'm saving for
Lorenzo wins in Qatar from Rossi and Márquez
Qatar 2013 - MotoGP - RACE - Highlights
Sunday, 7 April 2013
Jorge Lorenzo has started his MotoGP™ title defence in the best possible way, winning Sunday’s Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar. Valentino Rossi charged back from a mistake to second place as Marc Márquez picked up a podium on his debut.
The much-awaited start to the 2013 campaign came under lights as the Losail International Circuit celebrated its tenth MotoGP™ event. World Champion Lorenzo aimed to repeat his performance of last year by taking victory from pole position. Márquez’s much-awaited first race would begin from sixth on the grid.
As the lights went out, a scorching start by Dani Pedrosa saw the Repsol Honda Team rider shoot up into second place by Turn 1, hoping to challenge Lorenzo who began to pull away on his Yamaha Factory Racing bike. The same could not be said for Pedrosa’s teammate Márquez, who endured a slow getaway and dropped to eighth.
On Lap 2, Cardion AB Motoracing’s Karel Abraham became the first retirement of 2013 as Márquez looked to recover. By Lap 4, the 20-year-old Spaniard and youngest rider in the field had already passed Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso and then pulled a move on Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow, at Turn 1. Lorenzo already led Pedrosa by 1.6 seconds and would eventually stretch his advantage by half a second per lap as those behind him became engaged in a dramatic battle.
By the halfway point on Lap 11, Márquez was very much involved in a duel with teammate Pedrosa, as Crutchlow looked to take advantage; it was at this point that Rossi’s charge took off. In his first race back with Yamaha, the Italian had run wide on the second lap and plummeted back to where he started - seventh place. Moves came on Dovizioso and LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl, who proceeded to crash while chasing down the seven-time premier class title winner.
Also failing to make the finish were GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Bryan Staring, Tech 3’s Bradley Smith, Came IodaRacing Project’s Danilo Petrucci and NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Colin Edwards, who had been the lead CRT runner at Losail last year.
Márquez overtook Pedrosa on the 17th tour of the 22, leaving the latter to deal with Crutchlow as Rossi joined combat. The Italian stormed past the Englishman in a brave move between Crutchlow and the pit wall, only for the Tech 3 man to misjudge his braking point and run off-track at Turn 1. Rossi’s charge continued with maneuvers on Pedrosa and Márquez on Laps 19 and 20 respectively, only for the debutant to fight back as the pair went head-to-head.
Rossi would come out on top by just two tenths of a second, with Márquez becoming the first MotoGP™ rookie to seal a rostrum result in his first race since Lorenzo finished second position at Losail five years ago. Tonight, Lorenzo’s eventually winning margin was 5.9 seconds.
Pedrosa and Crutchlow completed the top five from Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista, Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden on the pair of Ducati Team machines, Pramac Racing newcomer Andrea Iannone and his teammate Ben Spies. Power Electronics Aspar won CRT honours, with reigning class Champion Aleix Espargaró finishing 11th overall and leading home teammate Randy de Puniet by 6.6 seconds.
Avintia Blusens’ Héctor Barberá rose from 22nd on the grid to 13th, having suffered electrical problems in qualifying, as rounding up the 18 finishers were PBM’s Yonny Hernández, Avintia’s Hiroshi Aoyama, Forward’s Claudio Corti, PBM’s Michael Laverty and Ioda’s Lukáš Pešek who on Saturday had qualified 15th for his debut.
In two weeks’ time MotoGP™ will head to pastures new, as the 18-round World Championship travels to Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
Qatar 2013 - MotoGP - RACE - Highlights
Sunday, 7 April 2013
Jorge Lorenzo has started his MotoGP™ title defence in the best possible way, winning Sunday’s Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar. Valentino Rossi charged back from a mistake to second place as Marc Márquez picked up a podium on his debut.
The much-awaited start to the 2013 campaign came under lights as the Losail International Circuit celebrated its tenth MotoGP™ event. World Champion Lorenzo aimed to repeat his performance of last year by taking victory from pole position. Márquez’s much-awaited first race would begin from sixth on the grid.
As the lights went out, a scorching start by Dani Pedrosa saw the Repsol Honda Team rider shoot up into second place by Turn 1, hoping to challenge Lorenzo who began to pull away on his Yamaha Factory Racing bike. The same could not be said for Pedrosa’s teammate Márquez, who endured a slow getaway and dropped to eighth.
On Lap 2, Cardion AB Motoracing’s Karel Abraham became the first retirement of 2013 as Márquez looked to recover. By Lap 4, the 20-year-old Spaniard and youngest rider in the field had already passed Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso and then pulled a move on Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow, at Turn 1. Lorenzo already led Pedrosa by 1.6 seconds and would eventually stretch his advantage by half a second per lap as those behind him became engaged in a dramatic battle.
By the halfway point on Lap 11, Márquez was very much involved in a duel with teammate Pedrosa, as Crutchlow looked to take advantage; it was at this point that Rossi’s charge took off. In his first race back with Yamaha, the Italian had run wide on the second lap and plummeted back to where he started - seventh place. Moves came on Dovizioso and LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl, who proceeded to crash while chasing down the seven-time premier class title winner.
Also failing to make the finish were GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Bryan Staring, Tech 3’s Bradley Smith, Came IodaRacing Project’s Danilo Petrucci and NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Colin Edwards, who had been the lead CRT runner at Losail last year.
Márquez overtook Pedrosa on the 17th tour of the 22, leaving the latter to deal with Crutchlow as Rossi joined combat. The Italian stormed past the Englishman in a brave move between Crutchlow and the pit wall, only for the Tech 3 man to misjudge his braking point and run off-track at Turn 1. Rossi’s charge continued with maneuvers on Pedrosa and Márquez on Laps 19 and 20 respectively, only for the debutant to fight back as the pair went head-to-head.
Rossi would come out on top by just two tenths of a second, with Márquez becoming the first MotoGP™ rookie to seal a rostrum result in his first race since Lorenzo finished second position at Losail five years ago. Tonight, Lorenzo’s eventually winning margin was 5.9 seconds.
Pedrosa and Crutchlow completed the top five from Gresini’s Álvaro Bautista, Dovizioso and Nicky Hayden on the pair of Ducati Team machines, Pramac Racing newcomer Andrea Iannone and his teammate Ben Spies. Power Electronics Aspar won CRT honours, with reigning class Champion Aleix Espargaró finishing 11th overall and leading home teammate Randy de Puniet by 6.6 seconds.
Avintia Blusens’ Héctor Barberá rose from 22nd on the grid to 13th, having suffered electrical problems in qualifying, as rounding up the 18 finishers were PBM’s Yonny Hernández, Avintia’s Hiroshi Aoyama, Forward’s Claudio Corti, PBM’s Michael Laverty and Ioda’s Lukáš Pešek who on Saturday had qualified 15th for his debut.
In two weeks’ time MotoGP™ will head to pastures new, as the 18-round World Championship travels to Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
MotoGP™ Rules Update: Decision of the Grand Prix Commission
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Ignacio Verneda (FIM Executive Director, Sport), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) in the presence of Javier Alonso (Dorna) and Mike Trimby (IRTA, Secretary of the meeting), in a meeting held on 04 April 2013 in Losail, made the following decisions:
Technical Regulations
MotoGP Class
New technical regulations , effective from 2014, that were approved at the GPC meeting held at Valencia in November 2012 and already announced, were all confirmed. This follows the successful conclusion of negotiations between Dorna and the Manufacturers concerning the supply of additional machines and/or engines for the MotoGP class from 2014.
For reasons of safety, it was agreed that a different specification of brake disc could be authorised by Race Direction for use at specified circuits. Currently, the only circuit at which this applies is Motegi.
Moto3 Class
Changes to the regulations concerning supply of engines for the Moto3 class were approved. The objective is to reduce the cost of the engine programme for the teams and to ensure that there is equality of performance between engines supplied by the same manufacturer.
With effect from 2014 engines will be provided to Championship Organiser by the manufacturers in three batches during the season. The engines will be sealed and distributed randomly by the Technical Director and will become the property of the teams, with no requirement for them to be returned under any “service contract”. When an engine has completed the normal cycle of use it will be replaced by another sealed engine and it is anticipated that the six engines will be more than sufficient for the season. At the end of the season the team then owns six engines with only minimal mileage accrued which can be used for testing or sold on. The fixed cost for the engine package is €68,000.
The concession to allow timing chain replacement on Honda engines at regular intervals, which involves supervised breaking of the engine seals, will be extended until the end of 2014.
With effect from 2015 the maximum revs permitted for Moto3 machines will be reduced from 14,000 RPM to 13,500 RPM and the timing chain replacement concession will be cancelled.
Sporting Regulations
Effective Season 2014 (i.e. from 11 November 2013):
Testing Regulations – MotoGP class
New testing restrictions will be introduced for the MotoGP class. This will restrict the amount of testing permitted by contracted riders to:
One three day official test at a circuit in Europe between the final event and 30 November.
Three of three day official tests in the period between 01 February and the first event of the season.
A maximum of three tests, each of one day, on the Monday after events designated by Dorna/IRTA in Europe.
Any activity authorised by Race Direction.
No testing is permitted between 01 December and 31 January, both dates being inclusive.
Test riders, as opposed to contracted riders, will continue to be allowed to test for development purposes at any time and circuit using the “test tyre allocation” available to each team. This will also apply to contracted riders of CRT category teams, subject to approval of testing at a Grand Prix circuit being granted by Race Direction in advance of the test.
Testing Regulations – Moto3 and Moto2 classes
Changes to testing regulations for the Moto3 and Moto2 classes were also approved. Testing is now permitted as follows:
At any circuit, with any riders, between the final GP and 30 November.
Three pre-season official tests, but only with contracted riders, at circuits in Europe nominated by Dorna/IRTA.
Teams may also designate one GP circuit and one non-GP circuit where they may test at any time from 01 February onwards with any riders, but not within 14 days of an event at the circuit.
Teams may also participate in tests held on Mondays and/or Tuesdays after events in Europe when these days are not required for MotoGP class testing.
Any activity authorised by Race Direction.
No testing is permitted between 01 December and 31 January, both dates being inclusive.
FIM Medical Code
Changes to the FIM Medical Code were approved. The changes mainly concerned more precise definitions of the roles and responsibilities of the Chief Medical Officer, the Medical Director and the FIM Medical Representative. (Previously the FIM Medical Observer). However, the changes also officially recognised the presence and role of the “FIM World Championship GP Medical Team”.
This team is the group of doctors experienced in the management of severe trauma. Their role is to provide support of immediate trackside medical assistance in the event of serious injury until transfer to the medical centre or hospital. The team will be located in fast medical intervention vehicles to work alongside local medical personnel.
A regularly updated version of the FIM Grand Prix Regulations which contains the detailed text of the regulation changes may be viewed on:
http://www.fim-live.com/en/sport/official-documents-ccr/codes-and-regulations/
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Ignacio Verneda (FIM Executive Director, Sport), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) in the presence of Javier Alonso (Dorna) and Mike Trimby (IRTA, Secretary of the meeting), in a meeting held on 04 April 2013 in Losail, made the following decisions:
Technical Regulations
MotoGP Class
New technical regulations , effective from 2014, that were approved at the GPC meeting held at Valencia in November 2012 and already announced, were all confirmed. This follows the successful conclusion of negotiations between Dorna and the Manufacturers concerning the supply of additional machines and/or engines for the MotoGP class from 2014.
For reasons of safety, it was agreed that a different specification of brake disc could be authorised by Race Direction for use at specified circuits. Currently, the only circuit at which this applies is Motegi.
Moto3 Class
Changes to the regulations concerning supply of engines for the Moto3 class were approved. The objective is to reduce the cost of the engine programme for the teams and to ensure that there is equality of performance between engines supplied by the same manufacturer.
With effect from 2014 engines will be provided to Championship Organiser by the manufacturers in three batches during the season. The engines will be sealed and distributed randomly by the Technical Director and will become the property of the teams, with no requirement for them to be returned under any “service contract”. When an engine has completed the normal cycle of use it will be replaced by another sealed engine and it is anticipated that the six engines will be more than sufficient for the season. At the end of the season the team then owns six engines with only minimal mileage accrued which can be used for testing or sold on. The fixed cost for the engine package is €68,000.
The concession to allow timing chain replacement on Honda engines at regular intervals, which involves supervised breaking of the engine seals, will be extended until the end of 2014.
With effect from 2015 the maximum revs permitted for Moto3 machines will be reduced from 14,000 RPM to 13,500 RPM and the timing chain replacement concession will be cancelled.
Sporting Regulations
Effective Season 2014 (i.e. from 11 November 2013):
Testing Regulations – MotoGP class
New testing restrictions will be introduced for the MotoGP class. This will restrict the amount of testing permitted by contracted riders to:
One three day official test at a circuit in Europe between the final event and 30 November.
Three of three day official tests in the period between 01 February and the first event of the season.
A maximum of three tests, each of one day, on the Monday after events designated by Dorna/IRTA in Europe.
Any activity authorised by Race Direction.
No testing is permitted between 01 December and 31 January, both dates being inclusive.
Test riders, as opposed to contracted riders, will continue to be allowed to test for development purposes at any time and circuit using the “test tyre allocation” available to each team. This will also apply to contracted riders of CRT category teams, subject to approval of testing at a Grand Prix circuit being granted by Race Direction in advance of the test.
Testing Regulations – Moto3 and Moto2 classes
Changes to testing regulations for the Moto3 and Moto2 classes were also approved. Testing is now permitted as follows:
At any circuit, with any riders, between the final GP and 30 November.
Three pre-season official tests, but only with contracted riders, at circuits in Europe nominated by Dorna/IRTA.
Teams may also designate one GP circuit and one non-GP circuit where they may test at any time from 01 February onwards with any riders, but not within 14 days of an event at the circuit.
Teams may also participate in tests held on Mondays and/or Tuesdays after events in Europe when these days are not required for MotoGP class testing.
Any activity authorised by Race Direction.
No testing is permitted between 01 December and 31 January, both dates being inclusive.
FIM Medical Code
Changes to the FIM Medical Code were approved. The changes mainly concerned more precise definitions of the roles and responsibilities of the Chief Medical Officer, the Medical Director and the FIM Medical Representative. (Previously the FIM Medical Observer). However, the changes also officially recognised the presence and role of the “FIM World Championship GP Medical Team”.
This team is the group of doctors experienced in the management of severe trauma. Their role is to provide support of immediate trackside medical assistance in the event of serious injury until transfer to the medical centre or hospital. The team will be located in fast medical intervention vehicles to work alongside local medical personnel.
A regularly updated version of the FIM Grand Prix Regulations which contains the detailed text of the regulation changes may be viewed on:
http://www.fim-live.com/en/sport/official-documents-ccr/codes-and-regulations/
Staring annoyed with self after "stupid crash"
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Bryan Staring’s MotoGP™ career began with the unenviable fact of becoming the second retirement of the season.
The Australian GO&FUN Honda Gresini rider surprised himself with the pace achieved in pre-season testing, before going on to qualify 23rd for the Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar. His race ended on the second lap.
“I am disappointed because I didn't want to finish my MotoGP debut in this way,” the CRT class rider explained. “We made progress throughout practice but then I ruined it all with a stupid crash. I am disappointed for myself and for the team, who have helped me out so much. Hopefully I can make up for it in America.”
In 2012, Staring competed in the Superstock 1000 series and celebrated three race victories en route to fourth place in the final championship standings.
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Bryan Staring’s MotoGP™ career began with the unenviable fact of becoming the second retirement of the season.
The Australian GO&FUN Honda Gresini rider surprised himself with the pace achieved in pre-season testing, before going on to qualify 23rd for the Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar. His race ended on the second lap.
“I am disappointed because I didn't want to finish my MotoGP debut in this way,” the CRT class rider explained. “We made progress throughout practice but then I ruined it all with a stupid crash. I am disappointed for myself and for the team, who have helped me out so much. Hopefully I can make up for it in America.”
In 2012, Staring competed in the Superstock 1000 series and celebrated three race victories en route to fourth place in the final championship standings.
a perfect start for Lorenzo and Rossi too !!
ya cant deny Rossi did more than most expected. As for Jorge' . .. . .. . . .. . . .
Aragon WSBK Quote Machine Final
by staff
Sunday, April 14, 2013
These just in:
WSBK Press:
Chaz Davies ends the Aragon round in perfect fashion
Alcaniz (Spain), Sunday 14 April 2013 - Eni FIM Superbike World Championship says goodbye to 2013 Round 2 at MotorLand Aragon after a thrilling and exciting race day. Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team) has proven testing to be done in the right direction by scoring his maiden double win in the series (the second one for BMW). Davies lies now 2nd in the standings behind Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team), 2nd in both races, and ahead of the other factory Aprilia rider Eugene Laverty. The unlucky Irish rider never made it to the chequered flag today, first due a technical problem in race 1 and then because of a crash on the opening lap of race 2.
A 3rd place each for Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet) and pole-sitter Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) did not fully satisfy the two 2012 title contenders. A technical issue on his ZX-10R put an early end to the Brit's tough battle at the front, but in race 2 Sykes was able to keep a competitive Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia) behind for the final place on the rostrum.
Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) decided to pay a visit to his WSBK peers and to sign autographs during the pit-walk, after the successful left knee operation he underwent Friday night: a nice surprise for the fans who attended the round - who reached a total of 26.910 over the three days.
Race 1
The MotorLand Aragon circuit proves again to be a special place for Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), World Superbike Race 1 winner. It was a perfect race for the Welsh rider - who got his maiden podium in the series last year on this very track - out on his own after two potential winners were forced back to the pits.
Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) experienced technical problems - while they were on the lead - during lap 4 and 5 respectively and had to make their way back to the their garages. Aprilia works rider went back on track later on to test his RSV4 after the work done by his crew.
The positive note for Noale's manufacturer comes from 2nd place and new Championship Leader (after Race 1) Sylvain Guintoli. BMW chances for a one-two were denied by a false neutral experienced by Marco Melandri, who then had to make his way through from 5th to 3rd at the chequered flag.
An unfortunate technical problem on the last lap stopped Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia) from finishing in 4th place. Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare) crossed the line in 7th place behind Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike), Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Jules Cluzel (FIXI Crescent Suzuki).
Race 1 results: 1. Davies (BMW) 20 laps/106.880 km in 39'50.332 average 160.968 kph; 2. Guintoli (Aprilia) 5.216; 3. Melandri (BMW) 7.089; 4. Rea (Honda) 8.196; 5. Baz (Kawasaki) 14.417; 6. Cluzel (Suzuki) 18.332; 7. Checa (Ducati) 24.306; 8. Fabrizio (Aprilia) 25.884; 9. Haslam (Honda) 35.721; 10. Badovini (Ducati) 44.129; 11. Neukirchner (Ducati) 51.424; 12. Sandi (Kawasaki) 1'09.217; 13. Clementi (BMW) 1'14.091; 14. Iannuzzo (BMW) 1'48.328; NC. Laverty (Aprilia); RT. Giugliano (Aprilia); RT. Lundh (Kawasaki); RT. Aitchison (Ducati); RT. Sykes (Kawasaki).
Race 2
A Sunday to remember for Chaz Davies, who repeated first race success and got a double race win at Aragon. The BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team rider was unstoppable under MotorLand Aragon heat and crossed the finish line with a big margin over Sylvain Guintoli, still Championship leader after race 2.
Chaz Davies: "For me it is just an amazing day. I cannot explain how happy I am. My first victory with BMW and then the double win - this is something I was hoping to achieve this year but I did not expect it this early. In race one, the DNFs by Tom and Eugene definitely made it easier. In race two it seemed that I had a comfortable lead, but I had to push a lot. One of the most impressing things is the fact that we have done a lot of testing in Jerez but not here in Aragon. What a weekend!"
A race day to forget for second works Aprilia rider Eugene Laverty, who lost the front of his RSV4 on the opening lap of the race at Turn 2, straight after getting the hole-shot ahead of Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team): 2012 WSBK runner-up was 3rd at the chequered flag after pulling away from a tenacious Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia).
Tom Sykes: "Scoring a podium in race two was not a perfect way to end race weekend but it was certainly an acceptable way. It would have been good to finish race one as well just so that I could have collected a bit more information to take into race two, but I am not making excuses - the riders ahead of me in race two rode fantastically well. We are now moving onto circuits where we are a little bit stronger than here. I am also riding uninjured now and Kawasaki has been working really hard so let's see what Assen can bring next time out."
Fifth place for Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), not as competitive as in race 1 but still able to finish ahead of Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Jules Cluzel (FIXI Crescent Suzuki). Both French riders had an outstanding Race 2, as Baz and Cluzel moved off from the pit lane. Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare), on his home track, finished in 8th place the second race of the day.
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Goldbet BMW
PRESS RELEASE
Motorland Aragon - Races.
Sunday, 14th April 2013.
Weather conditions: Sunny.
Temperature: Air: 18 -- 27 °C, Track: 26 -- 42 °C
Number of riders participating: 19 from 13 teams
Fastest lap Race 1: Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) 1:57.973 min (lap 3)
Fastest lap Race 2: Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team) 1:58.860 min (lap 2)
It was a dream day for the BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team at the Spanish track of Motorland Aragón. Factory rider, Chaz Davies (GBR) was the man to beat at the second round of the 2013 FIM Superbike World Championship after the Welshman won both races on his BMW S 1000 RR. He made the best use of his front row start and celebrated his first ever double-victory in the series. His team mate Marco Melandri (ITA), who started from eighth, jumped on the podium in third place in race one. In the second race, Marco finished fifth. In the Riders' championship, Chaz has now climbed into second place with 63 points, while Marco sits in fourth with 43 points. In the Manufacturers' classification, BMW lies in second with 79 points.
In both races, Chaz was on for the victory from the word go. In race one, the Welshman took the lead on lap five, while his immediate rivals, Eugene Laverty (IRL) and Tom Sykes (GBR), ran into difficulties. Once at the front, Chaz grabbed the chance to secure his first season victory with both hands and lap by lap he increased his lead which brought the win home safely. Marco improved from eighth to sixth within the opening lap, but went wide when fighting for positions and consequently fell back to ninth place. The Italian once more showed a great determination and caught up: on lap five, he was already third, taking second place on lap 13 by overtaking Sylvain Guintoli (FRA). Unfortunately on lap 16 he went wide again and dropped a number of positions, only to fight his way back onto the podium crossing the line in third place. The second race was shortened to 19 laps after the start was delayed. This time, Chaz took the lead on the second lap and began building the gap in front of his pursuers. He kept a cool head and rode a determined race to secure his second victory of the day. Not only this, but he also rode the fastest lap of the race. In the opening stages it seemed that both riders of the BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team would be on the podium as Marco had a brilliant start and took third place on lap two. But he then experienced some issues and was not able to hold the position. Consequently, Marco slipped back into fifth which was the position he held until the chequered flag.
In the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, reigning champion Sylvain Barrier (FRA) rode to victory at the season opener at Aragón. This meant that the BMW Motorrad GoldBet STK Team rider secured the first ever international victory for the brand new BMW HP4. The bike is equipped with the Dynamic Damping Control DDC, meaning this was also the first ever victory of an electronic damping system in the history of motorcycle racing. Sylvain's team mate Greg Gildenhuys (RSA) finished tenth. In addition, BMW Motorrad Motorsport congratulates Jörg Steinhausen and Grégory Cluze for their success at Aragón. The pair won the first round of the 2013 FIM Sidecar World Championship with their LCR BMW S 1000 RR.
Chaz Davies:
Result Race 1: 1st / Fastest Lap Race 1: 1:58.218 min (lap 2)
Result Race 2: 1st / Fastest Lap Race 2: 1:58.860 min (lap 2
"For me it is just an amazing day. I cannot explain how happy I am. What a weekend! My first victory with BMW and then the double win - this is something I was hoping to achieve this year but I did not expect it to happen this early. I want to thank BMW and everybody who supported me. I knew coming here that we are going to be strong. BMW has done a fantastic job over the last month we had off since Australia, and everybody was working very hard. In addition, I now really feel that the RR is mine, I feel so comfortable on it.
In race one, the DNFs by Tom and Eugene definitely made it easier. In race two it seemed that I had a comfortable lead, but to be honest I had to push a lot. One of the most impressing things is the fact that we have done a lot of testing in Jerez but not here in Aragón, where nearly everybody else has been. So to win with that up against us, is quite impressive and it is credit to the work BMW has done. We will now keep being focused, continue to work hard and look forward to Assen, another race track I really like."
Marco Melandri:
Result Race 1: 3rd / Gap to 1st: 0:07.089 min / Fastest Lap Race 1: 1:58.751 min (lap 11)
Result Race 2: 5th / Gap to 1st: 0:19.766 min / Fastest Lap Race 2: 1:59.351 min (lap 3)
"For me, it wasn't the best weekend. After race one I was still pretty happy. At the start I wasn't very comfortable with the front end and I made a big mistake trying to catch the guys in front of me at the end of the main straight. After that I got into a good rhythm and improved into second place. I thought that would be my position in the end but unfortunately the bike went into neutral between third and second gear. But I finished in third place which was not so bad for me. In race two, based on my experience with the 16.5 inch tyre, I chose a harder tyre for the front. But with the 17 inch tyre, it worked differently to how I expected. I had less grip and could not ride properly. In the beginning I pushed very hard, but then I preferred not to risk too much. I had no pain in my shoulder, but by the end of the race I had no strength left in my arms. I am looking forward to the next race in Assen, when we will be in a better shape. Congratulations to Chaz. He rode awesome - well done!"
Andrea Buzzoni (General Manager BMW Motorrad WSBK):
"It was an extraordinary weekend. All team members have worked day and night over the last six months to make it possible. The guys in Munich and Bologna are extremely committed and this is the perfect reward for them. These results show their passion and show the amount of responsibility they put into their jobs. Chaz has impressively shown his talent with two perfect races today. He demonstrated that he was a mature rider and to be ready to be one of the season's main contenders. We trust him and he proves to be an excellent rider and person. Marco, despite a difficult Saturday, had a good first race. If things would have gone a little bit smoother, it's possible that he could have fought for the victory. In race two, a wrong front tyre choice prevented him from being amongst the front runners. He collected important points for the season after finishing in fifth place.
"This weekend, the brand new BMW HP4 equipped with DDC made its debut in the Superstock Championship. Thanks to the development work that the team have done over the last three months, BMW wrote an important page in the history of motorcycle racing as it is the first bike to win with an innovative electronic damping system. I want to congratulate both the team along with our colleagues in Munich for developing the system and Sylvain, who knows how to make perfect use of this new technology: Sylvain dominated the whole weekend right from free practice up until this morning's race."
Stephan Fischer (Technical Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport):
"It is a great day for BMW. We are reaping the rewards of our development work, with the RR and as well with the new BMW HP4. The icing on the cake for sure was Chaz' double victory in the top class, the World Superbikes. After race one, it could have been said that Lady Luck contributed her part, but in fact in racing you do need luck. But in race two Chaz impressively proved that he was dominating today. Over the whole weekend he rode at a constant rhythm, he did consistently fast laps, and the bike suited him perfectly. The development team provided the excellent basis and the race team at the track transferred it very well to suit Chaz' needs and found the right set up quickly. It is a really great result for all of us. Marco struggled today, but we are convinced that he will be back to full strength very soon.
In the Superstock category, the new BMW HP4 proved its potential impressively. Over the whole weekend, Sylvain rode the best times consistently and as a result celebrated the victory today. We have built the basis for great success in the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup this year with introduction of the electronic damping system and the hard work of the team."
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Aprilia
EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE BY SYLVAIN GUINTOLI WHO STRENGTHENS HIS CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD WITH TWO SECOND PLACE FINISHES.
APRILIA LEADS IN THE MANUFACTURER CHAMPIONSHIP.
LAVERTY, OUT FRONT IN BOTH RACES, IS HELD UP BY A TECHNICAL PROBLEM AND THEN A CRASH.
Aragon (Spain), 14 April 2013 - Aprilia confirms the lead in all the World SBK standings.
Sylvan Guintoli strengthens his hold on the championship lead with two strong second place finishes and widens the spread between him and the nearest rival to 22 points, now Englishman Davies - double winner at Aragon.
An exceptional performance by the French Aprilia RSV4 rider who has been in the top two for the first four races of the season. In the Australian round he took the win in the opening race and second place (behind team mate Laverty) in Race 2. In Spain he confirms his role as a key player in the championship with two second place finishes. This is a streak that earns him 85 points which put him in the lead of the championship, ahead of Davies (63 points), Aprilia Racing team mate Eugene Laverty (45) and Melandri (43).
As a result of the performance by the French rider and his Aprilia RSV4, Aprilia Racing maintains the Manufacturer Championship lead with 90 points. The Italian bike is followed by BMW (79 points), Kawasaki (49), Honda (37), Suzuki (35) and Ducati (28).
"In the first race I was a bit worried - confessed a smiling Sylvain Guintoli - because I was really struggling, as I had been throughout the weekend. Aragon is perhaps my most dreaded track, so two second places are a really great result. I must thank the Aprilia Team, the engineers and my crew chief, Aligi Deganello, because thanks to them I was able to ride very well in Race 2. The changes we kept making to the RSV4 worked as they should have even if Chaz was really impossible to beat. I'm going to Assen with a lot of confidence. The results today are a perfect way to announce the arrival of my fourth child!"
Eugene Laverty had an incredible weekend, turning up with the championship lead and showing that he was definitely in the run for the win during practice sessions, but having his ambitions slip through his fingers while in the lead for both races. In the first race he was stopped by a mechanical breakdown of the exhaust valve motor while, after leading from the start, he was trying to break away from the pack. In Race 2, in the lead once again, it was a crash - without injury to the rider - that put him out of the race. However, the potential Eugene displayed is assurance of his return as a key player for the Assen round.
"Race 1 was truly disappointing. I was in the lead and had a good pace, but I had already noticed that something wasn't working properly on the bike. I had to stop in the pits which cost me 6 laps, but I knew I could make a comeback in Race 2. Instead, the double starting procedure created some problems for me because the tyres cooled off a bit. In fact I lost the rear first and then the front which caused me to crash. It definitely wasn't the perfect Sunday, but there is still plenty of championship left and I'm encouraged by the fact that I had all the prerequisites, hard luck permitting, to aim for a good result here too".
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Alstare Ducati
Team SBK Ducati Alstare: top ten for Checa and Badovini in today's races at Aragon
Alcaniz (Spain), Sunday 14 April 2013: team SBK Ducati Alstare and riders Carlos Checa and Ayrton Badovini were able to complete both of today's two Superbike races at MotorLand Aragon inside the top ten. Despite Aragon being one of the most challenging tracks on the calendar for the Ducati 1199 Panigale, Carlos closed the races in seventh and eighth position while Ayrton finished both races tenth.
Race 1 - in warm and sunny conditions Carlos made a good start from the fourth row and was lying tenth by the end of the first lap. Ayrton, thirteenth on the grid, gained a couple of positions during the first laps before passing Neukirchner to move into eleventh place. Managing to keep pace, Checa was able to gradually improve his position and by lap seven he was up to seventh position. The second half of the race became a rather solitary affair for both Ducati Alstare riders, with a few seconds separating them from both the riders immediately in front of them and those behind. Unfortunately this gap meant that neither rider was able to improve further, with the pair crossing the line in final seventh (Carlos) and tenth (Ayrton) position.
Race 2 - on a much hotter track compared to the first race, Carlos was in eighth place by the end of lap one followed by Ayrton, tenth. For almost the entire race Checa fought with Haslam while Badovini battled it out with Fabrizio. On the twelfth lap Ayrton was able to pass the Roman rider, moving into tenth and closing the race in that same position, earning himself another six important points. Carlos, having passed Haslam in the final stages, closed in final eighth position.
At the end of this second round Checa lies in thirteenth position in the championship standings, with 17 points, while Ayrton is fifteenth, having earned his first 12 points here today. During the weekend, team SBK Ducati Alstare has collated a lot of useful data, thanks to Carlos and Ayrton's feedback which the technicians will evaluate in order to move forward with development and understand how to improve the set-up of the Ducati 1199 Panigale for the coming races.
Carlos Checa: "I think there has been some improvement on the chassis side, although I still had trouble through the corners - in race one I was struggling to find the apex. At a certain point I realized I'd been stung by a bee and in the final laps my shoulder started to give me some trouble, so there were definitely a few problems to contend with. Despite all that I did what I could to keep pace and was able to hold my position in both races. In the end it wasn't so bad. Of course we're not exactly satisfied with the race results but in these circumstances I don't think we could have done more here today. I am satisfied though with the work we've done over the weekend. I've given my technicians a lot of feedback and they've worked really hard - I know that they are capable of moving us in the right direction. We're looking ahead. We now have two important test days at Jerez and then we go to Assen where we hope to be able to close the gap a little."
Ayrton Badovini: "Today's races were not at all easy for us. In race 1 I did all I could to finish the race and take a few points, without taking any risks. In the second race I was lapping a lot better, the bike was behaving quite differently compared to the first race and I was able to push. We made some quite big changes to the bike between the first and second races and they made a difference. I'd say we've made a step forward. We're working well and understanding the direction we need to take. The tests this week in Jerez are very important for me in particular because I still haven't had a lot of time on the bike so I hope to make the most of those sessions. Here at Aragon we've collected a lot of information that we can hopefully use to our advantage in the coming weeks."
Francis Batta, Team SBK Ducati Alstare owner: "The important thing is that both riders completed both of today's races. We've collected some points, and this is always important. I'm sure that if we continue to work consistently and tenaciously we will make progress. Ducati has a great deal of experience, they know how to work and I remain confident - I continue to believe in this project."
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PATA Honda WSBK
Rea fourth in Spanish sun
Jonathan Rea took a fourth place finish in today's opening second-round World Superbike championship race at Motorland Aragon in Spain but his Pata Honda team had little else to show for its hard work over the weekend and in two tests leading up to the races.
Today's two outings at the 5.344km circuit - run under clear blue skies and with temperatures in the mid-twenties - were both won by Chaz Davies as Rea battled for a possible podium in the first 20-lapper.
His result underlined the steps forward made by his team since testing at Motorland Aragon two weeks ago, but the 26-year-old Northern Irishman was unable to match that performance in race two. A broken brake-adjuster forced him to pit, although he rejoined the race to take a solitary point in 15th place.
His Pata Honda team-mate, Leon Haslam, took two ninth-place finishes, with brake issues of his own affecting both his races this afternoon. The 29-year-old made some adjustments after race one, but was unable to fight for a better result.
The team will now re-group and target a strong come-back at its home race at Assen in The Netherlands in two weeks' time.
Jonathan Rea - 4th and 15th
It's hard to know what to say, really, because it was clear that we were on a bit of a high coming to the races here after the test two weeks ago. Immediately on Friday morning the bike felt a lot better and we worked really hard with the guys all weekend and put in a long run to understand the electronics setting. I feel that we got it in a satisfactory area where I was happy to push, but I'm disappointed with the overall performance. In the races I was unable to compete with the guys around me on the straight, which made riding the rest of the circuit very intense. In race one we had a game plan that worked out better than we expected because a few riders had some misfortune. We plugged away and were there to pick up the pieces and finished fourth. For me it felt like a podium because we've come from a long way back and we kind of had the feeling that we were climbing a ladder. Then in race two it was like someone kicked me back of f it because I had a problem with the brake adjuster. The brake kept winding itself in and for one lap I tried to ride with it but the lever was coming back to the bar. I was going to be a risk to other riders so I came in to fix that. Again, my pace was strong when I rejoined which is a real shame because I felt like we deserved some more points in race two. We go to Assen with no more testing which gives the guys some downtime. I think we all need it because we've had a lot of testing recently, but we'll hopefully learn from these issues and start again in Assen.
Leon Haslam - 9th and 9th
It was a tough start to the weekend with the issues we had on Friday and then Saturday even more so with the crash in qualifying and then the technical problem with a broken sensor in FP2. We finally got the bike running in Superpole, which I was really happy about and we found a really good amount of time. Today we've just had brake issues. Race one was worse than race two but the problems have kind of determined our results and they are long old races when you have those kind of problems.
Pieter Breddels - technical co-ordinator
We were quite happy with Jonathan's fourth in race one. It was a pretty good result considering the problems we had in testing here, trying to find a setting for the electronics. Fourth was more than we could have hoped for, really, so well done to him for that. Unfortunately in race two he had a problem and had to pull in to get it fixed. He got fifteenth in the end but that was not what he deserved. You could see from the lap times that he could have aimed for another fourth or fifth, maybe sixth, but we apologise to him for that. I think he will be strong again in Assen and we hope he can fight for the podium. Leon got two ninths which was a bit disappointing but the reasons were obvious. He had some braking issues and that's a pity because we found a good overall setting for the bike yesterday. If he hadn't experienced those problems, I'm sure he would have been fighting for similar positions to Jonathan. We'll keep w orking, stay positive and head for our home track at Assen.
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Althea Ducati WSBK
Team Althea Racing- Motorland Aragon SBK races
Second round of the World Superbike Championship at Motorland Aragon in Spain. Warm weather and a sunny sky characterized this day of races. Thanks to the excellent performance provided in Superpole yesterday, the Althea Racing team rider Davide Giugliano started from the third row with the seventh fastest time in the two races over a distance of 20 laps each.
In race one, Davide was the author of a spectacular race. Giugliano started well, he passed the first lap in fifth place. Unfortunately, during the third round, after having touched with another rider, he was forced out of the track coming in tenth. The Althea rider, however, did not give up and began a furious comeback made of overtaking and hard braking which led him to win the third place. However, while he was fighting with Melandri, Davide's bike stopped due to an abnormal consumption of gasoline. The disappointment was enormous, but also great joy for his fantastic performance. Giugliano in race two was the author of another great performance. After a good start he occupied fifth position behind the leaders. During the ninth lap David was able to overtake Melandri and was off to catch Sykes who was ahead of him. Unluckily, despite his great commitment Giugliano could not fill the gap that separated him from the Kawasaki rider, but crossed the finish line in fourth place.
The next round of the World Superbike Championship will be held at Assen in the Netherlands from April 26 to 28.
Genesio Bevilacqua: "A very good weekend. Unfortunately, as what happened in Phillip Island we had to deal with an unexpected problem that disadvantaged us of a good result. In race two, Davide confirmed his extraordinary value combined with his excellent physical and mental conditions. After Aragon we aware that these two races were a starting point but we have the certainty of having a valued rider and here in Spain he was able to interpret the race strategy with great skill. The Superbike World Championship is difficult, but we have the rider and the team to be able to reach great results. "
Davide Giugliano: "The second race was amazing and I finished in fourth place. Following the disappointment at Philip Island, this result is a good pay back for me as only bad luck stopped me. I think that the two races today still went really well. I was fast in both and in the end I reached satisfying results. This is the first reactive feedback that we received from our opponents and now we know that with some other bike competitors we cannot compete on equal terms, but I am certain that both my team and Aprilia will continue to make my RSV4 even more competitive. "
Aragon WSBK Quote Machine Final
by staff
Sunday, April 14, 2013
These just in:
WSBK Press:
Chaz Davies ends the Aragon round in perfect fashion
Alcaniz (Spain), Sunday 14 April 2013 - Eni FIM Superbike World Championship says goodbye to 2013 Round 2 at MotorLand Aragon after a thrilling and exciting race day. Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team) has proven testing to be done in the right direction by scoring his maiden double win in the series (the second one for BMW). Davies lies now 2nd in the standings behind Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team), 2nd in both races, and ahead of the other factory Aprilia rider Eugene Laverty. The unlucky Irish rider never made it to the chequered flag today, first due a technical problem in race 1 and then because of a crash on the opening lap of race 2.
A 3rd place each for Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet) and pole-sitter Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) did not fully satisfy the two 2012 title contenders. A technical issue on his ZX-10R put an early end to the Brit's tough battle at the front, but in race 2 Sykes was able to keep a competitive Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia) behind for the final place on the rostrum.
Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) decided to pay a visit to his WSBK peers and to sign autographs during the pit-walk, after the successful left knee operation he underwent Friday night: a nice surprise for the fans who attended the round - who reached a total of 26.910 over the three days.
Race 1
The MotorLand Aragon circuit proves again to be a special place for Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), World Superbike Race 1 winner. It was a perfect race for the Welsh rider - who got his maiden podium in the series last year on this very track - out on his own after two potential winners were forced back to the pits.
Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team) and Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) experienced technical problems - while they were on the lead - during lap 4 and 5 respectively and had to make their way back to the their garages. Aprilia works rider went back on track later on to test his RSV4 after the work done by his crew.
The positive note for Noale's manufacturer comes from 2nd place and new Championship Leader (after Race 1) Sylvain Guintoli. BMW chances for a one-two were denied by a false neutral experienced by Marco Melandri, who then had to make his way through from 5th to 3rd at the chequered flag.
An unfortunate technical problem on the last lap stopped Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia) from finishing in 4th place. Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare) crossed the line in 7th place behind Jonathan Rea (Pata Honda World Superbike), Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Jules Cluzel (FIXI Crescent Suzuki).
Race 1 results: 1. Davies (BMW) 20 laps/106.880 km in 39'50.332 average 160.968 kph; 2. Guintoli (Aprilia) 5.216; 3. Melandri (BMW) 7.089; 4. Rea (Honda) 8.196; 5. Baz (Kawasaki) 14.417; 6. Cluzel (Suzuki) 18.332; 7. Checa (Ducati) 24.306; 8. Fabrizio (Aprilia) 25.884; 9. Haslam (Honda) 35.721; 10. Badovini (Ducati) 44.129; 11. Neukirchner (Ducati) 51.424; 12. Sandi (Kawasaki) 1'09.217; 13. Clementi (BMW) 1'14.091; 14. Iannuzzo (BMW) 1'48.328; NC. Laverty (Aprilia); RT. Giugliano (Aprilia); RT. Lundh (Kawasaki); RT. Aitchison (Ducati); RT. Sykes (Kawasaki).
Race 2
A Sunday to remember for Chaz Davies, who repeated first race success and got a double race win at Aragon. The BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team rider was unstoppable under MotorLand Aragon heat and crossed the finish line with a big margin over Sylvain Guintoli, still Championship leader after race 2.
Chaz Davies: "For me it is just an amazing day. I cannot explain how happy I am. My first victory with BMW and then the double win - this is something I was hoping to achieve this year but I did not expect it this early. In race one, the DNFs by Tom and Eugene definitely made it easier. In race two it seemed that I had a comfortable lead, but I had to push a lot. One of the most impressing things is the fact that we have done a lot of testing in Jerez but not here in Aragon. What a weekend!"
A race day to forget for second works Aprilia rider Eugene Laverty, who lost the front of his RSV4 on the opening lap of the race at Turn 2, straight after getting the hole-shot ahead of Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team): 2012 WSBK runner-up was 3rd at the chequered flag after pulling away from a tenacious Davide Giugliano (Althea Racing Aprilia).
Tom Sykes: "Scoring a podium in race two was not a perfect way to end race weekend but it was certainly an acceptable way. It would have been good to finish race one as well just so that I could have collected a bit more information to take into race two, but I am not making excuses - the riders ahead of me in race two rode fantastically well. We are now moving onto circuits where we are a little bit stronger than here. I am also riding uninjured now and Kawasaki has been working really hard so let's see what Assen can bring next time out."
Fifth place for Marco Melandri (BMW Motorrad GoldBet), not as competitive as in race 1 but still able to finish ahead of Loris Baz (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Jules Cluzel (FIXI Crescent Suzuki). Both French riders had an outstanding Race 2, as Baz and Cluzel moved off from the pit lane. Carlos Checa (Team Ducati Alstare), on his home track, finished in 8th place the second race of the day.
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Goldbet BMW
PRESS RELEASE
Motorland Aragon - Races.
Sunday, 14th April 2013.
Weather conditions: Sunny.
Temperature: Air: 18 -- 27 °C, Track: 26 -- 42 °C
Number of riders participating: 19 from 13 teams
Fastest lap Race 1: Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) 1:57.973 min (lap 3)
Fastest lap Race 2: Chaz Davies (BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team) 1:58.860 min (lap 2)
It was a dream day for the BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team at the Spanish track of Motorland Aragón. Factory rider, Chaz Davies (GBR) was the man to beat at the second round of the 2013 FIM Superbike World Championship after the Welshman won both races on his BMW S 1000 RR. He made the best use of his front row start and celebrated his first ever double-victory in the series. His team mate Marco Melandri (ITA), who started from eighth, jumped on the podium in third place in race one. In the second race, Marco finished fifth. In the Riders' championship, Chaz has now climbed into second place with 63 points, while Marco sits in fourth with 43 points. In the Manufacturers' classification, BMW lies in second with 79 points.
In both races, Chaz was on for the victory from the word go. In race one, the Welshman took the lead on lap five, while his immediate rivals, Eugene Laverty (IRL) and Tom Sykes (GBR), ran into difficulties. Once at the front, Chaz grabbed the chance to secure his first season victory with both hands and lap by lap he increased his lead which brought the win home safely. Marco improved from eighth to sixth within the opening lap, but went wide when fighting for positions and consequently fell back to ninth place. The Italian once more showed a great determination and caught up: on lap five, he was already third, taking second place on lap 13 by overtaking Sylvain Guintoli (FRA). Unfortunately on lap 16 he went wide again and dropped a number of positions, only to fight his way back onto the podium crossing the line in third place. The second race was shortened to 19 laps after the start was delayed. This time, Chaz took the lead on the second lap and began building the gap in front of his pursuers. He kept a cool head and rode a determined race to secure his second victory of the day. Not only this, but he also rode the fastest lap of the race. In the opening stages it seemed that both riders of the BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team would be on the podium as Marco had a brilliant start and took third place on lap two. But he then experienced some issues and was not able to hold the position. Consequently, Marco slipped back into fifth which was the position he held until the chequered flag.
In the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, reigning champion Sylvain Barrier (FRA) rode to victory at the season opener at Aragón. This meant that the BMW Motorrad GoldBet STK Team rider secured the first ever international victory for the brand new BMW HP4. The bike is equipped with the Dynamic Damping Control DDC, meaning this was also the first ever victory of an electronic damping system in the history of motorcycle racing. Sylvain's team mate Greg Gildenhuys (RSA) finished tenth. In addition, BMW Motorrad Motorsport congratulates Jörg Steinhausen and Grégory Cluze for their success at Aragón. The pair won the first round of the 2013 FIM Sidecar World Championship with their LCR BMW S 1000 RR.
Chaz Davies:
Result Race 1: 1st / Fastest Lap Race 1: 1:58.218 min (lap 2)
Result Race 2: 1st / Fastest Lap Race 2: 1:58.860 min (lap 2
"For me it is just an amazing day. I cannot explain how happy I am. What a weekend! My first victory with BMW and then the double win - this is something I was hoping to achieve this year but I did not expect it to happen this early. I want to thank BMW and everybody who supported me. I knew coming here that we are going to be strong. BMW has done a fantastic job over the last month we had off since Australia, and everybody was working very hard. In addition, I now really feel that the RR is mine, I feel so comfortable on it.
In race one, the DNFs by Tom and Eugene definitely made it easier. In race two it seemed that I had a comfortable lead, but to be honest I had to push a lot. One of the most impressing things is the fact that we have done a lot of testing in Jerez but not here in Aragón, where nearly everybody else has been. So to win with that up against us, is quite impressive and it is credit to the work BMW has done. We will now keep being focused, continue to work hard and look forward to Assen, another race track I really like."
Marco Melandri:
Result Race 1: 3rd / Gap to 1st: 0:07.089 min / Fastest Lap Race 1: 1:58.751 min (lap 11)
Result Race 2: 5th / Gap to 1st: 0:19.766 min / Fastest Lap Race 2: 1:59.351 min (lap 3)
"For me, it wasn't the best weekend. After race one I was still pretty happy. At the start I wasn't very comfortable with the front end and I made a big mistake trying to catch the guys in front of me at the end of the main straight. After that I got into a good rhythm and improved into second place. I thought that would be my position in the end but unfortunately the bike went into neutral between third and second gear. But I finished in third place which was not so bad for me. In race two, based on my experience with the 16.5 inch tyre, I chose a harder tyre for the front. But with the 17 inch tyre, it worked differently to how I expected. I had less grip and could not ride properly. In the beginning I pushed very hard, but then I preferred not to risk too much. I had no pain in my shoulder, but by the end of the race I had no strength left in my arms. I am looking forward to the next race in Assen, when we will be in a better shape. Congratulations to Chaz. He rode awesome - well done!"
Andrea Buzzoni (General Manager BMW Motorrad WSBK):
"It was an extraordinary weekend. All team members have worked day and night over the last six months to make it possible. The guys in Munich and Bologna are extremely committed and this is the perfect reward for them. These results show their passion and show the amount of responsibility they put into their jobs. Chaz has impressively shown his talent with two perfect races today. He demonstrated that he was a mature rider and to be ready to be one of the season's main contenders. We trust him and he proves to be an excellent rider and person. Marco, despite a difficult Saturday, had a good first race. If things would have gone a little bit smoother, it's possible that he could have fought for the victory. In race two, a wrong front tyre choice prevented him from being amongst the front runners. He collected important points for the season after finishing in fifth place.
"This weekend, the brand new BMW HP4 equipped with DDC made its debut in the Superstock Championship. Thanks to the development work that the team have done over the last three months, BMW wrote an important page in the history of motorcycle racing as it is the first bike to win with an innovative electronic damping system. I want to congratulate both the team along with our colleagues in Munich for developing the system and Sylvain, who knows how to make perfect use of this new technology: Sylvain dominated the whole weekend right from free practice up until this morning's race."
Stephan Fischer (Technical Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport):
"It is a great day for BMW. We are reaping the rewards of our development work, with the RR and as well with the new BMW HP4. The icing on the cake for sure was Chaz' double victory in the top class, the World Superbikes. After race one, it could have been said that Lady Luck contributed her part, but in fact in racing you do need luck. But in race two Chaz impressively proved that he was dominating today. Over the whole weekend he rode at a constant rhythm, he did consistently fast laps, and the bike suited him perfectly. The development team provided the excellent basis and the race team at the track transferred it very well to suit Chaz' needs and found the right set up quickly. It is a really great result for all of us. Marco struggled today, but we are convinced that he will be back to full strength very soon.
In the Superstock category, the new BMW HP4 proved its potential impressively. Over the whole weekend, Sylvain rode the best times consistently and as a result celebrated the victory today. We have built the basis for great success in the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup this year with introduction of the electronic damping system and the hard work of the team."
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Aprilia
EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE BY SYLVAIN GUINTOLI WHO STRENGTHENS HIS CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD WITH TWO SECOND PLACE FINISHES.
APRILIA LEADS IN THE MANUFACTURER CHAMPIONSHIP.
LAVERTY, OUT FRONT IN BOTH RACES, IS HELD UP BY A TECHNICAL PROBLEM AND THEN A CRASH.
Aragon (Spain), 14 April 2013 - Aprilia confirms the lead in all the World SBK standings.
Sylvan Guintoli strengthens his hold on the championship lead with two strong second place finishes and widens the spread between him and the nearest rival to 22 points, now Englishman Davies - double winner at Aragon.
An exceptional performance by the French Aprilia RSV4 rider who has been in the top two for the first four races of the season. In the Australian round he took the win in the opening race and second place (behind team mate Laverty) in Race 2. In Spain he confirms his role as a key player in the championship with two second place finishes. This is a streak that earns him 85 points which put him in the lead of the championship, ahead of Davies (63 points), Aprilia Racing team mate Eugene Laverty (45) and Melandri (43).
As a result of the performance by the French rider and his Aprilia RSV4, Aprilia Racing maintains the Manufacturer Championship lead with 90 points. The Italian bike is followed by BMW (79 points), Kawasaki (49), Honda (37), Suzuki (35) and Ducati (28).
"In the first race I was a bit worried - confessed a smiling Sylvain Guintoli - because I was really struggling, as I had been throughout the weekend. Aragon is perhaps my most dreaded track, so two second places are a really great result. I must thank the Aprilia Team, the engineers and my crew chief, Aligi Deganello, because thanks to them I was able to ride very well in Race 2. The changes we kept making to the RSV4 worked as they should have even if Chaz was really impossible to beat. I'm going to Assen with a lot of confidence. The results today are a perfect way to announce the arrival of my fourth child!"
Eugene Laverty had an incredible weekend, turning up with the championship lead and showing that he was definitely in the run for the win during practice sessions, but having his ambitions slip through his fingers while in the lead for both races. In the first race he was stopped by a mechanical breakdown of the exhaust valve motor while, after leading from the start, he was trying to break away from the pack. In Race 2, in the lead once again, it was a crash - without injury to the rider - that put him out of the race. However, the potential Eugene displayed is assurance of his return as a key player for the Assen round.
"Race 1 was truly disappointing. I was in the lead and had a good pace, but I had already noticed that something wasn't working properly on the bike. I had to stop in the pits which cost me 6 laps, but I knew I could make a comeback in Race 2. Instead, the double starting procedure created some problems for me because the tyres cooled off a bit. In fact I lost the rear first and then the front which caused me to crash. It definitely wasn't the perfect Sunday, but there is still plenty of championship left and I'm encouraged by the fact that I had all the prerequisites, hard luck permitting, to aim for a good result here too".
****************
Alstare Ducati
Team SBK Ducati Alstare: top ten for Checa and Badovini in today's races at Aragon
Alcaniz (Spain), Sunday 14 April 2013: team SBK Ducati Alstare and riders Carlos Checa and Ayrton Badovini were able to complete both of today's two Superbike races at MotorLand Aragon inside the top ten. Despite Aragon being one of the most challenging tracks on the calendar for the Ducati 1199 Panigale, Carlos closed the races in seventh and eighth position while Ayrton finished both races tenth.
Race 1 - in warm and sunny conditions Carlos made a good start from the fourth row and was lying tenth by the end of the first lap. Ayrton, thirteenth on the grid, gained a couple of positions during the first laps before passing Neukirchner to move into eleventh place. Managing to keep pace, Checa was able to gradually improve his position and by lap seven he was up to seventh position. The second half of the race became a rather solitary affair for both Ducati Alstare riders, with a few seconds separating them from both the riders immediately in front of them and those behind. Unfortunately this gap meant that neither rider was able to improve further, with the pair crossing the line in final seventh (Carlos) and tenth (Ayrton) position.
Race 2 - on a much hotter track compared to the first race, Carlos was in eighth place by the end of lap one followed by Ayrton, tenth. For almost the entire race Checa fought with Haslam while Badovini battled it out with Fabrizio. On the twelfth lap Ayrton was able to pass the Roman rider, moving into tenth and closing the race in that same position, earning himself another six important points. Carlos, having passed Haslam in the final stages, closed in final eighth position.
At the end of this second round Checa lies in thirteenth position in the championship standings, with 17 points, while Ayrton is fifteenth, having earned his first 12 points here today. During the weekend, team SBK Ducati Alstare has collated a lot of useful data, thanks to Carlos and Ayrton's feedback which the technicians will evaluate in order to move forward with development and understand how to improve the set-up of the Ducati 1199 Panigale for the coming races.
Carlos Checa: "I think there has been some improvement on the chassis side, although I still had trouble through the corners - in race one I was struggling to find the apex. At a certain point I realized I'd been stung by a bee and in the final laps my shoulder started to give me some trouble, so there were definitely a few problems to contend with. Despite all that I did what I could to keep pace and was able to hold my position in both races. In the end it wasn't so bad. Of course we're not exactly satisfied with the race results but in these circumstances I don't think we could have done more here today. I am satisfied though with the work we've done over the weekend. I've given my technicians a lot of feedback and they've worked really hard - I know that they are capable of moving us in the right direction. We're looking ahead. We now have two important test days at Jerez and then we go to Assen where we hope to be able to close the gap a little."
Ayrton Badovini: "Today's races were not at all easy for us. In race 1 I did all I could to finish the race and take a few points, without taking any risks. In the second race I was lapping a lot better, the bike was behaving quite differently compared to the first race and I was able to push. We made some quite big changes to the bike between the first and second races and they made a difference. I'd say we've made a step forward. We're working well and understanding the direction we need to take. The tests this week in Jerez are very important for me in particular because I still haven't had a lot of time on the bike so I hope to make the most of those sessions. Here at Aragon we've collected a lot of information that we can hopefully use to our advantage in the coming weeks."
Francis Batta, Team SBK Ducati Alstare owner: "The important thing is that both riders completed both of today's races. We've collected some points, and this is always important. I'm sure that if we continue to work consistently and tenaciously we will make progress. Ducati has a great deal of experience, they know how to work and I remain confident - I continue to believe in this project."
*************
PATA Honda WSBK
Rea fourth in Spanish sun
Jonathan Rea took a fourth place finish in today's opening second-round World Superbike championship race at Motorland Aragon in Spain but his Pata Honda team had little else to show for its hard work over the weekend and in two tests leading up to the races.
Today's two outings at the 5.344km circuit - run under clear blue skies and with temperatures in the mid-twenties - were both won by Chaz Davies as Rea battled for a possible podium in the first 20-lapper.
His result underlined the steps forward made by his team since testing at Motorland Aragon two weeks ago, but the 26-year-old Northern Irishman was unable to match that performance in race two. A broken brake-adjuster forced him to pit, although he rejoined the race to take a solitary point in 15th place.
His Pata Honda team-mate, Leon Haslam, took two ninth-place finishes, with brake issues of his own affecting both his races this afternoon. The 29-year-old made some adjustments after race one, but was unable to fight for a better result.
The team will now re-group and target a strong come-back at its home race at Assen in The Netherlands in two weeks' time.
Jonathan Rea - 4th and 15th
It's hard to know what to say, really, because it was clear that we were on a bit of a high coming to the races here after the test two weeks ago. Immediately on Friday morning the bike felt a lot better and we worked really hard with the guys all weekend and put in a long run to understand the electronics setting. I feel that we got it in a satisfactory area where I was happy to push, but I'm disappointed with the overall performance. In the races I was unable to compete with the guys around me on the straight, which made riding the rest of the circuit very intense. In race one we had a game plan that worked out better than we expected because a few riders had some misfortune. We plugged away and were there to pick up the pieces and finished fourth. For me it felt like a podium because we've come from a long way back and we kind of had the feeling that we were climbing a ladder. Then in race two it was like someone kicked me back of f it because I had a problem with the brake adjuster. The brake kept winding itself in and for one lap I tried to ride with it but the lever was coming back to the bar. I was going to be a risk to other riders so I came in to fix that. Again, my pace was strong when I rejoined which is a real shame because I felt like we deserved some more points in race two. We go to Assen with no more testing which gives the guys some downtime. I think we all need it because we've had a lot of testing recently, but we'll hopefully learn from these issues and start again in Assen.
Leon Haslam - 9th and 9th
It was a tough start to the weekend with the issues we had on Friday and then Saturday even more so with the crash in qualifying and then the technical problem with a broken sensor in FP2. We finally got the bike running in Superpole, which I was really happy about and we found a really good amount of time. Today we've just had brake issues. Race one was worse than race two but the problems have kind of determined our results and they are long old races when you have those kind of problems.
Pieter Breddels - technical co-ordinator
We were quite happy with Jonathan's fourth in race one. It was a pretty good result considering the problems we had in testing here, trying to find a setting for the electronics. Fourth was more than we could have hoped for, really, so well done to him for that. Unfortunately in race two he had a problem and had to pull in to get it fixed. He got fifteenth in the end but that was not what he deserved. You could see from the lap times that he could have aimed for another fourth or fifth, maybe sixth, but we apologise to him for that. I think he will be strong again in Assen and we hope he can fight for the podium. Leon got two ninths which was a bit disappointing but the reasons were obvious. He had some braking issues and that's a pity because we found a good overall setting for the bike yesterday. If he hadn't experienced those problems, I'm sure he would have been fighting for similar positions to Jonathan. We'll keep w orking, stay positive and head for our home track at Assen.
*****************
Althea Ducati WSBK
Team Althea Racing- Motorland Aragon SBK races
Second round of the World Superbike Championship at Motorland Aragon in Spain. Warm weather and a sunny sky characterized this day of races. Thanks to the excellent performance provided in Superpole yesterday, the Althea Racing team rider Davide Giugliano started from the third row with the seventh fastest time in the two races over a distance of 20 laps each.
In race one, Davide was the author of a spectacular race. Giugliano started well, he passed the first lap in fifth place. Unfortunately, during the third round, after having touched with another rider, he was forced out of the track coming in tenth. The Althea rider, however, did not give up and began a furious comeback made of overtaking and hard braking which led him to win the third place. However, while he was fighting with Melandri, Davide's bike stopped due to an abnormal consumption of gasoline. The disappointment was enormous, but also great joy for his fantastic performance. Giugliano in race two was the author of another great performance. After a good start he occupied fifth position behind the leaders. During the ninth lap David was able to overtake Melandri and was off to catch Sykes who was ahead of him. Unluckily, despite his great commitment Giugliano could not fill the gap that separated him from the Kawasaki rider, but crossed the finish line in fourth place.
The next round of the World Superbike Championship will be held at Assen in the Netherlands from April 26 to 28.
Genesio Bevilacqua: "A very good weekend. Unfortunately, as what happened in Phillip Island we had to deal with an unexpected problem that disadvantaged us of a good result. In race two, Davide confirmed his extraordinary value combined with his excellent physical and mental conditions. After Aragon we aware that these two races were a starting point but we have the certainty of having a valued rider and here in Spain he was able to interpret the race strategy with great skill. The Superbike World Championship is difficult, but we have the rider and the team to be able to reach great results. "
Davide Giugliano: "The second race was amazing and I finished in fourth place. Following the disappointment at Philip Island, this result is a good pay back for me as only bad luck stopped me. I think that the two races today still went really well. I was fast in both and in the end I reached satisfying results. This is the first reactive feedback that we received from our opponents and now we know that with some other bike competitors we cannot compete on equal terms, but I am certain that both my team and Aprilia will continue to make my RSV4 even more competitive. "
yeah i agree,didn't expect that,not with Pedrosa ahead,think the rookie Marc Marquez has sthg to say this year !
"I knew it was going to complicated. I'm happy that Valentino came back in second place, it's good for Yamaha," Lorenzo told BBC television
Rossi said "That was great fun, I think second is best for me today as Jorge was perfect.
"I made a mistake at the start with Pedrosa.
"I wanted this podium, this was my target since last November. The bike was fantastic, I had a great battle with Marc."
COTA: A new circuit, a new American challenge
Monday, 15 April 2013
The first MotoGP™ visit to Circuit of the Americas (COTA) poses a new challenge for Grand Prix riders and teams alike. The Texan location now becomes the fourth race track in the USA to have hosted a Grand Prix event.
The championship first visited the United States in 1964, when the world-famous Daytona circuit welcomed the series on the same weekend as the Daytona 200 event. The format would remain the same the following year.
After a 22-year break, the Grand Prix circus returned to the USA in 1988 - at California’s Laguna Seca. Six races would be staged up until 1994, with 1992 being the year of absence. Following a decade’s break, MotoGP returned to the popular location with the current format that sees just the premier class competing.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway – another racing setting of world prestige – was first used for Grand Prix motorcycle racing in 2008, which became the year in which two MotoGP races had been staged in the country during the same campaign.
As Laguna Seca and Indianapolis remain on the calendar in 2013, the USA becomes the second country (after Spain) to host three or more MotoGP events in the same year.
Before this season, a total of 21 Grand Prix events have taken place in the USA. Daytona hosted its pair in the ‘60s and Indianapolis currently sits on five. Laguna Seca leads the way, as the 2013 race weekend will be the 15th at the venue for MotoGP.
Tom Lüthi makes surprise return in Texas
Moto2™ is powered by
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Big surprise for all Tom Lüthi fans: The star of Team Interwetten Paddock will return to racing at the second Grand Prix of the season, this weekend in Austin, Texas.
Lüthi had suffered multiple fractures to his right elbow and upper arm in a testing crash at Valencia back in February, with an expected recovery time of up to three months and a planned comeback for the first European round at Jerez on the first weekend of May.
Now, the 26-year-old former 125 World Champion proves once again that motorcycle racers are not only in a hurry on the circuit, but also when it comes to bouncing back from injuries: just 64 days will have passed since the accident when the Swiss Moto2™ rider leaves pit lane for the first free practice session at Austin this coming Friday.
Tom Lüthi
"I put all my energy and willpower into working towards an early comeback and I am happy about my speedy recovery. I still lack power in my right arm, but nevertheless I’m sure that I’m ready to go out and race. I definitely want to take part in the free practice sessions on Friday. If I can confirm my hopes and ride without great difficulties, I will also start in the race on Sunday, trying to get the best possible result!"
Daniel M. Epp – Team Owner
"I was surprised about Tom’s decision to fly to Texas on Tuesday and to return to racing so soon, at the second Grand Prix of this season. But he made remarkable progress in his rehabilitation program, especially over the last days, so I can fully understand his decision to return now instead of the first European race at Jerez. We are all convinced of Tom’s ability to score a good result at Austin and he has our full support with this brave decision!"
Press release courtesy of Interwetten Paddock.
Monday, 15 April 2013
The first MotoGP™ visit to Circuit of the Americas (COTA) poses a new challenge for Grand Prix riders and teams alike. The Texan location now becomes the fourth race track in the USA to have hosted a Grand Prix event.
The championship first visited the United States in 1964, when the world-famous Daytona circuit welcomed the series on the same weekend as the Daytona 200 event. The format would remain the same the following year.
After a 22-year break, the Grand Prix circus returned to the USA in 1988 - at California’s Laguna Seca. Six races would be staged up until 1994, with 1992 being the year of absence. Following a decade’s break, MotoGP returned to the popular location with the current format that sees just the premier class competing.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway – another racing setting of world prestige – was first used for Grand Prix motorcycle racing in 2008, which became the year in which two MotoGP races had been staged in the country during the same campaign.
As Laguna Seca and Indianapolis remain on the calendar in 2013, the USA becomes the second country (after Spain) to host three or more MotoGP events in the same year.
Before this season, a total of 21 Grand Prix events have taken place in the USA. Daytona hosted its pair in the ‘60s and Indianapolis currently sits on five. Laguna Seca leads the way, as the 2013 race weekend will be the 15th at the venue for MotoGP.
Tom Lüthi makes surprise return in Texas
Moto2™ is powered by
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Big surprise for all Tom Lüthi fans: The star of Team Interwetten Paddock will return to racing at the second Grand Prix of the season, this weekend in Austin, Texas.
Lüthi had suffered multiple fractures to his right elbow and upper arm in a testing crash at Valencia back in February, with an expected recovery time of up to three months and a planned comeback for the first European round at Jerez on the first weekend of May.
Now, the 26-year-old former 125 World Champion proves once again that motorcycle racers are not only in a hurry on the circuit, but also when it comes to bouncing back from injuries: just 64 days will have passed since the accident when the Swiss Moto2™ rider leaves pit lane for the first free practice session at Austin this coming Friday.
Tom Lüthi
"I put all my energy and willpower into working towards an early comeback and I am happy about my speedy recovery. I still lack power in my right arm, but nevertheless I’m sure that I’m ready to go out and race. I definitely want to take part in the free practice sessions on Friday. If I can confirm my hopes and ride without great difficulties, I will also start in the race on Sunday, trying to get the best possible result!"
Daniel M. Epp – Team Owner
"I was surprised about Tom’s decision to fly to Texas on Tuesday and to return to racing so soon, at the second Grand Prix of this season. But he made remarkable progress in his rehabilitation program, especially over the last days, so I can fully understand his decision to return now instead of the first European race at Jerez. We are all convinced of Tom’s ability to score a good result at Austin and he has our full support with this brave decision!"
Press release courtesy of Interwetten Paddock.
Racing numbers: Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas
Thursday, 18 April 2013
It’s number-crunching time again, as MotoGP™ heads to Circuit of the Americas for the first in a trio of American races this season.
99 – Jorge Lorenzo’s win at the Qatar Grand Prix marked the 99th time he has stood on the podium in Grand Prix racing. His next top three finish will make him just the eighth rider to reach the milestone of 100 podium finishes in Grand Prix racing. The other riders to have achieved this are: Valentino Rossi (178 podium finishes), Giacomo Agostini (159), Ángel Nieto (139), Phil Read (121), Mike Hailwood (112), Dani Pedrosa (112) and Max Biaggi (111).
39 years - On race day in Austin it will be exactly 39 years ago to the day that Barry Sheene finished on the podium for the first time in the 500 class, taking second place in the debut outing for the new square-four RG500 Suzuki at the 1974 French Grand Prix, which took place at Clermont-Ferrand.
29 – The last 29 MotoGP victories have been shared between three riders: Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa. The last MotoGP win by a rider other than these three was at the Dutch TT in 2011, when Ben Spies took his only Grand Prix victory so far.
21 years – On the first day of practice in Austin it will be exactly 21 years to the day that Àlex Crivillé finished third in the 1992 Malaysian 500 Grand Prix, signalling the first podium finish in the premier class for a Spanish rider. Since then, Spaniards have taken another 252 podium finishes in the premier class.
17 years – On race day in Austin it will be exactly 17 years to the day that the late Norick Abe won the 500 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka in 1996, becoming the second youngest rider of all-time to win a premier class Grand Prix. The youngest is Freddie Spencer.
14 – With his second place finish at the Qatar Grand Prix, Valentino Rossi has now had at least one podium finish for 14 successive seasons in the premier class of Grand Prix racing. This is something no other rider has achieved; previously Rossi had shared the record with Giacomo Agostini, who had at least one podium finish for 13 successive seasons.
5 – The last five MotoGP races in the USA have been won by Honda riders. The last non-Honda winner was Jorge Lorenzo, at Laguna Seca in 2010.
5 – Pol Espargaró has qualified on pole position at the last five races, which equals the longest sequence of successive poles in the Moto2 class - achieved by Stefan Bradl in 2011. If the Spaniard achieves the top spot in qualifying again this weekend, it will be the longest sequence of successive poles in the intermediate class of Grand Prix racing since Max Biaggi was on pole for seven successive 250 races in 1995.
4 – Casey Stoner is the rider who has taken most Grand Prix victories in the USA: three MotoGP wins at Laguna Seca and one at Indianapolis. Two riders competing at the Grand Prix of Americas could equal this total of four wins in the country; Dani Pedrosa who has two MotoGP victories at Indianapolis and one at Laguna Seca, whereas Nico Terol who has won the 125 GP race at Indianapolis on three occasions.
2 – At the Qatar Grand Prix, Yamaha riders finished first and second in a MotoGP race for the first time since the Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril in 2010, in which the same two riders - Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi – had crossed the line in the same order.
Thursday, 18 April 2013
It’s number-crunching time again, as MotoGP™ heads to Circuit of the Americas for the first in a trio of American races this season.
99 – Jorge Lorenzo’s win at the Qatar Grand Prix marked the 99th time he has stood on the podium in Grand Prix racing. His next top three finish will make him just the eighth rider to reach the milestone of 100 podium finishes in Grand Prix racing. The other riders to have achieved this are: Valentino Rossi (178 podium finishes), Giacomo Agostini (159), Ángel Nieto (139), Phil Read (121), Mike Hailwood (112), Dani Pedrosa (112) and Max Biaggi (111).
39 years - On race day in Austin it will be exactly 39 years ago to the day that Barry Sheene finished on the podium for the first time in the 500 class, taking second place in the debut outing for the new square-four RG500 Suzuki at the 1974 French Grand Prix, which took place at Clermont-Ferrand.
29 – The last 29 MotoGP victories have been shared between three riders: Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa. The last MotoGP win by a rider other than these three was at the Dutch TT in 2011, when Ben Spies took his only Grand Prix victory so far.
21 years – On the first day of practice in Austin it will be exactly 21 years to the day that Àlex Crivillé finished third in the 1992 Malaysian 500 Grand Prix, signalling the first podium finish in the premier class for a Spanish rider. Since then, Spaniards have taken another 252 podium finishes in the premier class.
17 years – On race day in Austin it will be exactly 17 years to the day that the late Norick Abe won the 500 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka in 1996, becoming the second youngest rider of all-time to win a premier class Grand Prix. The youngest is Freddie Spencer.
14 – With his second place finish at the Qatar Grand Prix, Valentino Rossi has now had at least one podium finish for 14 successive seasons in the premier class of Grand Prix racing. This is something no other rider has achieved; previously Rossi had shared the record with Giacomo Agostini, who had at least one podium finish for 13 successive seasons.
5 – The last five MotoGP races in the USA have been won by Honda riders. The last non-Honda winner was Jorge Lorenzo, at Laguna Seca in 2010.
5 – Pol Espargaró has qualified on pole position at the last five races, which equals the longest sequence of successive poles in the Moto2 class - achieved by Stefan Bradl in 2011. If the Spaniard achieves the top spot in qualifying again this weekend, it will be the longest sequence of successive poles in the intermediate class of Grand Prix racing since Max Biaggi was on pole for seven successive 250 races in 1995.
4 – Casey Stoner is the rider who has taken most Grand Prix victories in the USA: three MotoGP wins at Laguna Seca and one at Indianapolis. Two riders competing at the Grand Prix of Americas could equal this total of four wins in the country; Dani Pedrosa who has two MotoGP victories at Indianapolis and one at Laguna Seca, whereas Nico Terol who has won the 125 GP race at Indianapolis on three occasions.
2 – At the Qatar Grand Prix, Yamaha riders finished first and second in a MotoGP race for the first time since the Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril in 2010, in which the same two riders - Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi – had crossed the line in the same order.
how goes you weekend at the races sincisor ?
Marquez becomes youngest ever winner
Americas 2013 - MotoGP - RACE - Highlights
Sunday, 21 April 2013
Marc Marquez has become the youngest ever race winner in MotoGP™, triumphing in Sunday’s inaugural Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas from teammate Dani Pedrosa. Reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo completed the podium, but it is Marquez who heads the standings after just two races in the top class.
On Saturday, 20-year-old Marquez took over from former double title winner Freddie Spencer as the youngest ever pole-sitter in the premier class. He now becomes the youngest race winner, having seen off a challenge from Pedrosa on the other Repsol Honda Team machine. Although he is now level on points with Lorenzo in the championship, Marquez holds the lead as he is the most recent Grand Prix winner.
As the red lights went out at the new Circuit of the Americas – located on the outskirts of Austin, Texas – it was Pedrosa who seized the lead, while Lorenzo headed backwards courtesy of a poor getaway. A lightning start for LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl allowed the German to go second but he was soon overhauled by Marquez, Lorenzo and Monster Tech 3 Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow.
Following Pedrosa and waiting patiently for his moment, Marquez courageously dived up the inside of Turn 7 on the 13th of the 21 laps. Pedrosa would hang onto the back of his teammate, but lost ground courtesy of a small error six laps later. To the delight of his crew, Marquez would take the chequered flag by one and a half seconds, with Lorenzo just over the same margin behind Pedrosa.
Having not tested at the venue a month ago, Crutchlow was more than pleased with fourth – having hoped for a top six result this weekend – as Bradl and Rossi completed that particular group, with the multiple title winner having overhauled GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista. The latter would also fall behind Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso, who progressed to seventh on the final lap and then avoided a last-corner lunge from his rival. Leading American rider Nicky Hayden and Energy T.I. Pramac Racing’s Andrea Iannone rounded out the top ten.
Extending his lead in the CRT ranks, Power Electronics Aspar’s Aleix Espargaro enjoyed a strong ride to 11th place ahead of two prototype riders - English rookie Bradley Smith (Tech 3) and American Ben Spies (Ignite Pramac Racing) - as well as French teammate Randy de Puniet. PBM enjoyed its strongest weekend to date, with Yonny Hernandez sealing the final point for 15th position while Michael Laverty recorded his first MotoGP finish in 16th with the team’s own-built bike. Avintia Blusens maintained the symmetry in 17th and 18th, with Hiroshi Aoyama having overtaken Hector Barbera, while NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Claudio Corti, Gresini CRT rider Bryan Staring and Attack Performance Racing’s Blake Young (the single wildcard rider in the race) completed the field.
It was a hugely disappointing afternoon for Came IodaRacing Project. Danilo Petrucci was fortunate to stay upright when teammate Lucas Pesek crashed out of the race directly behind him, only to retire in the pits with mechanical gremlins only minutes later. Colin Edwards was also on the sidelines, as the local Texan hero racked up the unenviable fact of becoming the race’s first of three retirements.
With 16 rounds to go in this highly dramatic MotoGP™ season, the story continues in Jerez with the Gran Premio bwin de España in two weeks’ time.
RED BULL GRAND PRIX OF THE AMERICAS
MotoGP Race Classification 2013
Austin, Sunday, April 21, 2013
Pos.PointsNum.RiderNationTeamBikeKm/hTime/Gap
1 25 93 Marc MARQUEZ SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 158.9 43'42.123
2 20 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 158.8 +1.534
3 16 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 158.7 +3.381
4 13 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 158.5 +6.616
5 11 6 Stefan BRADL GER LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 158.1 +12.674
6 10 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 157.9 +16.615
7 9 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Ducati Team Ducati 157.6 +22.374
8 8 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA GO&FUN Honda Gresini Honda 157.5 +22.854
9 7 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 156.9 +33.773
10 6 29 Andrea IANNONE ITA Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Ducati 156.4 +42.112
11 5 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Power Electronics Aspar ART 156.0 +48.837
12 4 38 Bradley SMITH GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 155.9 +50.705
13 3 11 Ben SPIES USA Ignite Pramac Racing Ducati 154.5 +1'14.132
14 2 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Power Electronics Aspar ART 154.4 +1'15.651
15 1 68 Yonny HERNANDEZ COL Paul Bird Motorsport ART 154.2 +1'19.591
16 70 Michael LAVERTY GBR Paul Bird Motorsport PBM 153.4 +1'34.391
17 7 Hiroshi AOYAMA JPN Avintia Blusens FTR 153.1 +1'39.823
18 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Avintia Blusens FTR 153.1 +1'39.952
19 71 Claudio CORTI ITA NGM Mobile Forward Racing FTR Kawasaki 152.7 +1'46.773
20 67 Bryan STARING AUS GO&FUN Honda Gresini FTR Honda 152.6 +1'48.084
21 79 Blake YOUNG USA Attack Performance Racing APR 151.1 1 Lap
Not Classified
9 Danilo PETRUCCI ITA Came IodaRacing Project Ioda-Suter 152.4 8 Laps
52 Lukas PESEK CZE Came IodaRacing Project Ioda-Suter 152.4 8 Laps
5 Colin EDWARDS USA NGM Mobile Forward Racing FTR Kawasaki 149.7 10 Laps
Weather Conditions:
| Track Condition: Dry| Air: 23º| Humidity: 46%| Ground: 38º
Records:
Pole Lap: Marc MARQUEZ 2'03.021 161.3 Km/h
Fastest Lap: Lap: 3 Marc MARQUEZ 2'04.242 159.7 Km/h
Circuit Record Lap: 2013 Marc MARQUEZ 2'04.242 159.7 Km/h
Best Lap: 2013 Marc MARQUEZ 2'03.021 161.3 Km/h
young Jaspar is ok. Good weekend for the Aussies as well.
Americas 2013 - MotoGP - RACE - Highlights
Sunday, 21 April 2013
Marc Marquez has become the youngest ever race winner in MotoGP™, triumphing in Sunday’s inaugural Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas from teammate Dani Pedrosa. Reigning World Champion Jorge Lorenzo completed the podium, but it is Marquez who heads the standings after just two races in the top class.
On Saturday, 20-year-old Marquez took over from former double title winner Freddie Spencer as the youngest ever pole-sitter in the premier class. He now becomes the youngest race winner, having seen off a challenge from Pedrosa on the other Repsol Honda Team machine. Although he is now level on points with Lorenzo in the championship, Marquez holds the lead as he is the most recent Grand Prix winner.
As the red lights went out at the new Circuit of the Americas – located on the outskirts of Austin, Texas – it was Pedrosa who seized the lead, while Lorenzo headed backwards courtesy of a poor getaway. A lightning start for LCR Honda MotoGP’s Stefan Bradl allowed the German to go second but he was soon overhauled by Marquez, Lorenzo and Monster Tech 3 Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow.
Following Pedrosa and waiting patiently for his moment, Marquez courageously dived up the inside of Turn 7 on the 13th of the 21 laps. Pedrosa would hang onto the back of his teammate, but lost ground courtesy of a small error six laps later. To the delight of his crew, Marquez would take the chequered flag by one and a half seconds, with Lorenzo just over the same margin behind Pedrosa.
Having not tested at the venue a month ago, Crutchlow was more than pleased with fourth – having hoped for a top six result this weekend – as Bradl and Rossi completed that particular group, with the multiple title winner having overhauled GO&FUN Honda Gresini’s Alvaro Bautista. The latter would also fall behind Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso, who progressed to seventh on the final lap and then avoided a last-corner lunge from his rival. Leading American rider Nicky Hayden and Energy T.I. Pramac Racing’s Andrea Iannone rounded out the top ten.
Extending his lead in the CRT ranks, Power Electronics Aspar’s Aleix Espargaro enjoyed a strong ride to 11th place ahead of two prototype riders - English rookie Bradley Smith (Tech 3) and American Ben Spies (Ignite Pramac Racing) - as well as French teammate Randy de Puniet. PBM enjoyed its strongest weekend to date, with Yonny Hernandez sealing the final point for 15th position while Michael Laverty recorded his first MotoGP finish in 16th with the team’s own-built bike. Avintia Blusens maintained the symmetry in 17th and 18th, with Hiroshi Aoyama having overtaken Hector Barbera, while NGM Mobile Forward Racing’s Claudio Corti, Gresini CRT rider Bryan Staring and Attack Performance Racing’s Blake Young (the single wildcard rider in the race) completed the field.
It was a hugely disappointing afternoon for Came IodaRacing Project. Danilo Petrucci was fortunate to stay upright when teammate Lucas Pesek crashed out of the race directly behind him, only to retire in the pits with mechanical gremlins only minutes later. Colin Edwards was also on the sidelines, as the local Texan hero racked up the unenviable fact of becoming the race’s first of three retirements.
With 16 rounds to go in this highly dramatic MotoGP™ season, the story continues in Jerez with the Gran Premio bwin de España in two weeks’ time.
RED BULL GRAND PRIX OF THE AMERICAS
MotoGP Race Classification 2013
Austin, Sunday, April 21, 2013
Pos.PointsNum.RiderNationTeamBikeKm/hTime/Gap
1 25 93 Marc MARQUEZ SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 158.9 43'42.123
2 20 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 158.8 +1.534
3 16 99 Jorge LORENZO SPA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 158.7 +3.381
4 13 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 158.5 +6.616
5 11 6 Stefan BRADL GER LCR Honda MotoGP Honda 158.1 +12.674
6 10 46 Valentino ROSSI ITA Yamaha Factory Racing Yamaha 157.9 +16.615
7 9 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Ducati Team Ducati 157.6 +22.374
8 8 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA GO&FUN Honda Gresini Honda 157.5 +22.854
9 7 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 156.9 +33.773
10 6 29 Andrea IANNONE ITA Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Ducati 156.4 +42.112
11 5 41 Aleix ESPARGARO SPA Power Electronics Aspar ART 156.0 +48.837
12 4 38 Bradley SMITH GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 155.9 +50.705
13 3 11 Ben SPIES USA Ignite Pramac Racing Ducati 154.5 +1'14.132
14 2 14 Randy DE PUNIET FRA Power Electronics Aspar ART 154.4 +1'15.651
15 1 68 Yonny HERNANDEZ COL Paul Bird Motorsport ART 154.2 +1'19.591
16 70 Michael LAVERTY GBR Paul Bird Motorsport PBM 153.4 +1'34.391
17 7 Hiroshi AOYAMA JPN Avintia Blusens FTR 153.1 +1'39.823
18 8 Hector BARBERA SPA Avintia Blusens FTR 153.1 +1'39.952
19 71 Claudio CORTI ITA NGM Mobile Forward Racing FTR Kawasaki 152.7 +1'46.773
20 67 Bryan STARING AUS GO&FUN Honda Gresini FTR Honda 152.6 +1'48.084
21 79 Blake YOUNG USA Attack Performance Racing APR 151.1 1 Lap
Not Classified
9 Danilo PETRUCCI ITA Came IodaRacing Project Ioda-Suter 152.4 8 Laps
52 Lukas PESEK CZE Came IodaRacing Project Ioda-Suter 152.4 8 Laps
5 Colin EDWARDS USA NGM Mobile Forward Racing FTR Kawasaki 149.7 10 Laps
Weather Conditions:
| Track Condition: Dry| Air: 23º| Humidity: 46%| Ground: 38º
Records:
Pole Lap: Marc MARQUEZ 2'03.021 161.3 Km/h
Fastest Lap: Lap: 3 Marc MARQUEZ 2'04.242 159.7 Km/h
Circuit Record Lap: 2013 Marc MARQUEZ 2'04.242 159.7 Km/h
Best Lap: 2013 Marc MARQUEZ 2'03.021 161.3 Km/h
young Jaspar is ok. Good weekend for the Aussies as well.
first one of many for this season I expect . .
Sykes Takes Superpole Win At Assen
WSBK, Assen, Netherlands, 27 April 2013
Tom Sykes added to his impressive career Superpole win tally at Assen today and in a positive day all round for the KRT team his partner Loris Baz went fifth on the grid ahead of Sunday’s races.
Sykes was close to the pole record with his best of 1’35.043, set on a qualifying tyre in the last of three Superpole sessions, but of more importance he starts from the best possible place on the 19-strong Assen grid.
This was Tom’s second Superpole of 2013 and the 13th of his career. He had been second in combined qualifying but both he and Baz led the second free practice session, in dry conditions, in a pleasing 1-2 for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.
After winning the Bol d’Or with Kawasaki last weekend Loris Baz overcame a heavy crash at Assen on Friday to make an impressive final grid position of fifth on his official KRT machine today and thus earn a starting spot on the second row of the grid.
Loris used a race tyre to do his best lap of the weekend in the final Superpole sector having used up his allocation of qualifiers. His 1’36.166 was just over a second from Sykes, although Tom found more pure pace from his qualifying tyres.
Assen has provided both wet practice sessions on Friday and dry sessions today so the team are ready to face any conditions they may meet on Sunday - although all in the SBK paddock hope that Assen remains dry overnight.
Federico Sandi (Kawasaki Pedercini Team) was 16th in qualifying and just missed out on Superpole, while his team-mate Alex Lundh had a heavy fall in the final qualifying session this morning and fractured his left collarbone. He was declared unfit to race as a result.
Tom Sykes: “The ZX-10R is working well and I was quite happy with my race pace, so when we put the Pirelli qualifying tyre in it was even better. I am happy to be on the front row and even better to be in pole position. I just hope we can have some dry conditions tomorrow. Our decisions are pretty much made on what settings to run but we do have a little bit of discussion to have later, just to confirm things, but I think we know what to do. We put 22 laps on a tyre earlier and were very surprised and happy with the results, so when I am on clear track I can do what I want and I know what’s needed. Tomorrow we will be faced with a bit of a fight maybe but if we can have some good luck I am confident.”
Loris Baz: “I did my best time with a race tyre right at the end. I went straight on and with my second lap on the qualifier but the grip was not really good so I came in to put on a race tyre. I was sure I could improve on my previous time so I went out and did my best lap of the weekend on a race tyre. I really like this track and because it is not so much stop and go, it feels nice and smooth to ride. It is more like Phillip Island than Aragon so I am looking forward to the race now. I had a big crash yesterday, landed on my leg and hip, so I cannot really push yet in right hand corners. I have to do a lot of the work moving around on the bike with my arm, which means that it is getting tired before my leg. I will take some time in the Clinica Mobile tonight to get a massage be ready for the races. I feel good about tomorrow. I am not sure where I can be but I will do my best.”
haslam aint looking too good after this
Sykes Takes Superpole Win At Assen
WSBK, Assen, Netherlands, 27 April 2013
Tom Sykes added to his impressive career Superpole win tally at Assen today and in a positive day all round for the KRT team his partner Loris Baz went fifth on the grid ahead of Sunday’s races.
This was Tom’s second Superpole of 2013 and the 13th of his career. He had been second in combined qualifying but both he and Baz led the second free practice session, in dry conditions, in a pleasing 1-2 for the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.
After winning the Bol d’Or with Kawasaki last weekend Loris Baz overcame a heavy crash at Assen on Friday to make an impressive final grid position of fifth on his official KRT machine today and thus earn a starting spot on the second row of the grid.
Loris used a race tyre to do his best lap of the weekend in the final Superpole sector having used up his allocation of qualifiers. His 1’36.166 was just over a second from Sykes, although Tom found more pure pace from his qualifying tyres.
Assen has provided both wet practice sessions on Friday and dry sessions today so the team are ready to face any conditions they may meet on Sunday - although all in the SBK paddock hope that Assen remains dry overnight.
Federico Sandi (Kawasaki Pedercini Team) was 16th in qualifying and just missed out on Superpole, while his team-mate Alex Lundh had a heavy fall in the final qualifying session this morning and fractured his left collarbone. He was declared unfit to race as a result.
Tom Sykes: “The ZX-10R is working well and I was quite happy with my race pace, so when we put the Pirelli qualifying tyre in it was even better. I am happy to be on the front row and even better to be in pole position. I just hope we can have some dry conditions tomorrow. Our decisions are pretty much made on what settings to run but we do have a little bit of discussion to have later, just to confirm things, but I think we know what to do. We put 22 laps on a tyre earlier and were very surprised and happy with the results, so when I am on clear track I can do what I want and I know what’s needed. Tomorrow we will be faced with a bit of a fight maybe but if we can have some good luck I am confident.”
Loris Baz: “I did my best time with a race tyre right at the end. I went straight on and with my second lap on the qualifier but the grip was not really good so I came in to put on a race tyre. I was sure I could improve on my previous time so I went out and did my best lap of the weekend on a race tyre. I really like this track and because it is not so much stop and go, it feels nice and smooth to ride. It is more like Phillip Island than Aragon so I am looking forward to the race now. I had a big crash yesterday, landed on my leg and hip, so I cannot really push yet in right hand corners. I have to do a lot of the work moving around on the bike with my arm, which means that it is getting tired before my leg. I will take some time in the Clinica Mobile tonight to get a massage be ready for the races. I feel good about tomorrow. I am not sure where I can be but I will do my best.”
haslam aint looking too good after this
Wasn't This Supposed To Be About Dani?
by dean adams
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
How his team described Alberto Puig in PR materials in 1997.
image thanks: team movistar honda pons
Who among us hasn't enjoyed the voyeuristic qualities of a good Internet flame war? Two warring factions debating a topic or statement, a discussion that slowly degrades into personal attacks, where one side of it becomes completely unhinged, suggesting there is a large-diameter drainpipe from the aggressor's brain to his mouth and his every single thought is lashed out and supported by increasingly crazy statements?
A semi-entertaining schism erupted recently when 1993 world champion Kevin Schwantz gave an opinion to a Spanish news site. Asked about Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa, Schwantz told the web site that Pedrosa had failed to win the world championship since joining the Honda factory team in 2006 and perhaps what he needs to do is get out from under the shadow of his mentor and manager Alberto Puig.
Schwantz was quoted as saying, "Dani lacks nothing, but he has too much - like Alberto Puig. Dani needs to reach another level by himself. He is like a child who cannot be freed because his parents are holding him back. I like Dani, but he's a rider who has been with Honda for eight years and not won anything. I would like him to prove me wrong, but I don't think that will happen."
Former GP rider Alberto Puig is Dani Pedrosa's manager, mentor and is the official team manager of Pedrosa's side of the Repsol Honda garage. Puig, possibly racing's most infamous helicopter parent, is the same fiery figure who attempted to deflect all criticism when Pedrosa knocked down world championship points leader Nicky Hayden in Estoril in 2006, and who later dismissed Hayden's 2006 world championship and riding abilities.
Puig's response to Schwantz's comment was widely published in Spain, and also on the official MotoGP web site. It's well-known that Schwantz is involved in some manner of litigation with Dorna, which owns the rights to the MotoGP championship. It has previously been widely reported that Alberto Puig has an office at Dorna HQ.
In his rebuttal, Puig initially seems quite reasonable, saying he will debate based on facts.
Puig's statement: From the sportive point of view, I will limit myself only and exclusively to statistics and the newspaper archives, so we will be talking about 100% objective information and not about thoughts or opinions belonging to someone who was around years ago.
However, with his next statement, it's clear that Puig has little desire to debate on facts and citations.
Puig's statement: You also mention that Dani should have pursued his career without having anybody constantly by his side (notably, without having me in the way). May I remind you that - during the era of the 80s and 90s when a certain Mr. Schwantz competed - while most riders would usually travel around Europe with a friend or companion, he would never take a step without having his parents (and that is both of them) by his side. The truth is that it was unusual at that time to be working in such a way and it rather gave off the image of a boy who needed his parents close to him all day long. When you consider his recent words about me, does this not beg the question: had he not had his parents by his side all day long, protecting him, might he have won more titles? Reflect on that, Mr. Schwantz.
Puig is correct. Kevin Schwantz's parents did travel with him while he raced Grand Prix. This is not an anomaly. Nick Hayden's parents, Rose and Earl, travel with him to Grand Prixs, as has Casey Stoner's father--with Casey, and I seem to recall chatting with Marc Marquez's father at Austin. After all, Schwantz, Hayden and the rest are non-Euros traveling in the wilds of Europe.
More to the point: were Kevin Schwantz's parents frequently quoted defending their son, like Puig defends Pedrosa? Absolutely not. They felt that their role was one of background support, to help Kevin with his travel. The only thing Schwantz's parents were famous for were their Sunday night paddock barbecues. They were rarely, if ever, quoted and didn't involve themselves in team politics.
Next, Puig does a messageboard flame war protocol proud by making an inherently tasteless statement, that Schwantz only won the 1993 500 world championship because Wayne Rainey crashed at Misano and was paralyzed.
Puig's statement: You do have this title (it took you eight years from your first race in 86 to win it), but you won it only because Wayne Rainey injured himself in Misano and had to quit competing that year. If not, you wouldn't have won that championship. You were a great racer, and absolutely spectacular as well, but regarding the results, you were always in the shadow of, first Eddie Lawson and then permanently in that of Rainey's in a constant manner. So don't boast about being champion too much, as you barely became one.
Clearly Alberto Puig is a very classy individual. He also conveniently ignores the fact that in one of the very first conversations Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz had after Rainey was paralyzed, Rainey told Schwantz to never feel as if he hadn't won the title.
As a GP racer, Alberto Puig was barely a second-rate rider. His best finish in the championship was fifth place in 1994. Of course, what Puig can look back on fondly in his own championship-less racing career is the Spanish Grand Prix of Jerez in 1995 when Alberto beat Kevin Schwantz and Michael Doohan, two of the dominant riders of that era for his single 500 Grand Prix win. It was a powerful accomplishment for a widely dismissed rider like Puig to defeat two of the legendary giants of Grand Prix racing on his own home soil. Beating those two legends is a feat that defends Puig's largely irrelevant racing career and seals it with a stamp of legitimacy.
Oh wait, I was drawn into Alberto Puig's dream world there for a second. Actually, the facts of the matter are that Alberto won his only Grand Prix at the 1995 Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez only after Michael Doohan crashed out with a 2.5-second lead. Well, that doesn't exactly paint Alberto's single greatest racing accomplishment in the best light, but at least Puig beat Schwantz in that race, right? Sorry, Schwantz was in Texas. He'd already decided to retire. Who did Puig beat that day after Doohan crashed out? Luca Cadalora and Alex Criville.
So, to apply Puig's own crude analysis to his solitary 500 win, "don't boast about being (GP winner) too much, as you barely are one."
Next, Puig defends Pedrosa's record on another front. Oh, wait, no, he talks about his own accomplishments.
Puig's statement: I've worked hard in promoting racers, basically Pedrosa, but I've also helped and guided Casey Stoner, Toni Elias, Alvaro Bautista, Marc Marquez and Julian Simon during certain moments in my career. And all of these racers, all of them, have been world champions. You, Mr. Schwantz, have had a racing school in Texas for years now and you help kids with all this about competition; yet to this day, not one of your racers has even been able to classify to come to Europe and compete. Not a single one. In other words, in this area, zero success.
It's almost borderline cruelty to keep pointing out the factual errors in Puig's statements or arguments, but Kevin Schwantz does not have a racing school in Texas. It's actually been based in Atlanta, Georgia, and in Leeds, Alabama, at the Barber Motorsports Course.
Alberto Puig says that Kevin Schwantz has had "zero success" as a school instructor and as a coach to riders in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, here in the U.S. and abroad. Did you attend a Schwantz School, learn to be a better rider, racer, impart some of that learned knowledge to your friends, did his counsel make you ride safer on the street, faster on the track? Sorry, but if you take Puig's words to heart you might want to just to sell your bike, and throw your helmet and gloves in the trash. Whatever Kevin did with his MSF-accredited riding school is a complete failure according to Puig because not one of the riders in the school became a world champion. "Zero success."
You ex-Rookies Cup kids? When you think back to all those hours Kevin Schwantz spent with you off track and on, counseling you, showing you practical information on how to race a motorcycle, I'm afraid that it was a waste of time, according to Puig. Nobody has won a world championship from it, unlike the riders that Puig glammed on to. "Zero success."
Viewed from afar and objectively, Internet flame wars can be hugely telling about the people embroiled in them. Free from any real repercussions some people will over-react and say things digitally they'd never say to someone's face, but in doing so they reveal so much more about themselves. While Schwantz's comments were directed towards Dani Pedrosa, and his manager's rebuttal was to be factual and "and not about thoughts or opinions belonging to someone who was around years ago", instead, Alberto Puig's statements are largely about himself.
And that is very interesting indeed.
by dean adams
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
How his team described Alberto Puig in PR materials in 1997.
image thanks: team movistar honda pons
Who among us hasn't enjoyed the voyeuristic qualities of a good Internet flame war? Two warring factions debating a topic or statement, a discussion that slowly degrades into personal attacks, where one side of it becomes completely unhinged, suggesting there is a large-diameter drainpipe from the aggressor's brain to his mouth and his every single thought is lashed out and supported by increasingly crazy statements?
A semi-entertaining schism erupted recently when 1993 world champion Kevin Schwantz gave an opinion to a Spanish news site. Asked about Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa, Schwantz told the web site that Pedrosa had failed to win the world championship since joining the Honda factory team in 2006 and perhaps what he needs to do is get out from under the shadow of his mentor and manager Alberto Puig.
Schwantz was quoted as saying, "Dani lacks nothing, but he has too much - like Alberto Puig. Dani needs to reach another level by himself. He is like a child who cannot be freed because his parents are holding him back. I like Dani, but he's a rider who has been with Honda for eight years and not won anything. I would like him to prove me wrong, but I don't think that will happen."
Former GP rider Alberto Puig is Dani Pedrosa's manager, mentor and is the official team manager of Pedrosa's side of the Repsol Honda garage. Puig, possibly racing's most infamous helicopter parent, is the same fiery figure who attempted to deflect all criticism when Pedrosa knocked down world championship points leader Nicky Hayden in Estoril in 2006, and who later dismissed Hayden's 2006 world championship and riding abilities.
Puig's response to Schwantz's comment was widely published in Spain, and also on the official MotoGP web site. It's well-known that Schwantz is involved in some manner of litigation with Dorna, which owns the rights to the MotoGP championship. It has previously been widely reported that Alberto Puig has an office at Dorna HQ.
In his rebuttal, Puig initially seems quite reasonable, saying he will debate based on facts.
Puig's statement: From the sportive point of view, I will limit myself only and exclusively to statistics and the newspaper archives, so we will be talking about 100% objective information and not about thoughts or opinions belonging to someone who was around years ago.
However, with his next statement, it's clear that Puig has little desire to debate on facts and citations.
Puig's statement: You also mention that Dani should have pursued his career without having anybody constantly by his side (notably, without having me in the way). May I remind you that - during the era of the 80s and 90s when a certain Mr. Schwantz competed - while most riders would usually travel around Europe with a friend or companion, he would never take a step without having his parents (and that is both of them) by his side. The truth is that it was unusual at that time to be working in such a way and it rather gave off the image of a boy who needed his parents close to him all day long. When you consider his recent words about me, does this not beg the question: had he not had his parents by his side all day long, protecting him, might he have won more titles? Reflect on that, Mr. Schwantz.
Puig is correct. Kevin Schwantz's parents did travel with him while he raced Grand Prix. This is not an anomaly. Nick Hayden's parents, Rose and Earl, travel with him to Grand Prixs, as has Casey Stoner's father--with Casey, and I seem to recall chatting with Marc Marquez's father at Austin. After all, Schwantz, Hayden and the rest are non-Euros traveling in the wilds of Europe.
More to the point: were Kevin Schwantz's parents frequently quoted defending their son, like Puig defends Pedrosa? Absolutely not. They felt that their role was one of background support, to help Kevin with his travel. The only thing Schwantz's parents were famous for were their Sunday night paddock barbecues. They were rarely, if ever, quoted and didn't involve themselves in team politics.
Next, Puig does a messageboard flame war protocol proud by making an inherently tasteless statement, that Schwantz only won the 1993 500 world championship because Wayne Rainey crashed at Misano and was paralyzed.
Puig's statement: You do have this title (it took you eight years from your first race in 86 to win it), but you won it only because Wayne Rainey injured himself in Misano and had to quit competing that year. If not, you wouldn't have won that championship. You were a great racer, and absolutely spectacular as well, but regarding the results, you were always in the shadow of, first Eddie Lawson and then permanently in that of Rainey's in a constant manner. So don't boast about being champion too much, as you barely became one.
Clearly Alberto Puig is a very classy individual. He also conveniently ignores the fact that in one of the very first conversations Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz had after Rainey was paralyzed, Rainey told Schwantz to never feel as if he hadn't won the title.
As a GP racer, Alberto Puig was barely a second-rate rider. His best finish in the championship was fifth place in 1994. Of course, what Puig can look back on fondly in his own championship-less racing career is the Spanish Grand Prix of Jerez in 1995 when Alberto beat Kevin Schwantz and Michael Doohan, two of the dominant riders of that era for his single 500 Grand Prix win. It was a powerful accomplishment for a widely dismissed rider like Puig to defeat two of the legendary giants of Grand Prix racing on his own home soil. Beating those two legends is a feat that defends Puig's largely irrelevant racing career and seals it with a stamp of legitimacy.
Oh wait, I was drawn into Alberto Puig's dream world there for a second. Actually, the facts of the matter are that Alberto won his only Grand Prix at the 1995 Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez only after Michael Doohan crashed out with a 2.5-second lead. Well, that doesn't exactly paint Alberto's single greatest racing accomplishment in the best light, but at least Puig beat Schwantz in that race, right? Sorry, Schwantz was in Texas. He'd already decided to retire. Who did Puig beat that day after Doohan crashed out? Luca Cadalora and Alex Criville.
So, to apply Puig's own crude analysis to his solitary 500 win, "don't boast about being (GP winner) too much, as you barely are one."
Next, Puig defends Pedrosa's record on another front. Oh, wait, no, he talks about his own accomplishments.
Puig's statement: I've worked hard in promoting racers, basically Pedrosa, but I've also helped and guided Casey Stoner, Toni Elias, Alvaro Bautista, Marc Marquez and Julian Simon during certain moments in my career. And all of these racers, all of them, have been world champions. You, Mr. Schwantz, have had a racing school in Texas for years now and you help kids with all this about competition; yet to this day, not one of your racers has even been able to classify to come to Europe and compete. Not a single one. In other words, in this area, zero success.
It's almost borderline cruelty to keep pointing out the factual errors in Puig's statements or arguments, but Kevin Schwantz does not have a racing school in Texas. It's actually been based in Atlanta, Georgia, and in Leeds, Alabama, at the Barber Motorsports Course.
Alberto Puig says that Kevin Schwantz has had "zero success" as a school instructor and as a coach to riders in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, here in the U.S. and abroad. Did you attend a Schwantz School, learn to be a better rider, racer, impart some of that learned knowledge to your friends, did his counsel make you ride safer on the street, faster on the track? Sorry, but if you take Puig's words to heart you might want to just to sell your bike, and throw your helmet and gloves in the trash. Whatever Kevin did with his MSF-accredited riding school is a complete failure according to Puig because not one of the riders in the school became a world champion. "Zero success."
You ex-Rookies Cup kids? When you think back to all those hours Kevin Schwantz spent with you off track and on, counseling you, showing you practical information on how to race a motorcycle, I'm afraid that it was a waste of time, according to Puig. Nobody has won a world championship from it, unlike the riders that Puig glammed on to. "Zero success."
Viewed from afar and objectively, Internet flame wars can be hugely telling about the people embroiled in them. Free from any real repercussions some people will over-react and say things digitally they'd never say to someone's face, but in doing so they reveal so much more about themselves. While Schwantz's comments were directed towards Dani Pedrosa, and his manager's rebuttal was to be factual and "and not about thoughts or opinions belonging to someone who was around years ago", instead, Alberto Puig's statements are largely about himself.
And that is very interesting indeed.
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