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Post by Anna on Sept 17, 2011 15:12:39 GMT
Casey on pole, who'da thunk it? I don't care how it ever happens but I always love it when Nicky out qualifies Vale go Nicky!
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Post by r1ch91 on Sept 18, 2011 15:12:48 GMT
asey Stoner proves unstoppable in Aragon MotoGP Sunday, September 18th 2011, 12:44 GMT
Casey Stoner leads the MotoGP standings by 44 points with four rounds to go after taking an utterly dominant eighth victory of the 2011 season in the Aragon Grand Prix.
Stoner's practice and qualifying form had suggested he would be hard to beat in the race, and so it proved.
He was beaten off the line by Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa, and Yamaha's Ben Spies then swept around both of them to take the lead at the first corner.
But by the end of lap one Stoner had overtaken both Pedrosa and Spies and was already storming away in a lead he would never lose, stretching his advantage to eight seconds over Pedrosa. The result was the 100th win for the Repsol/Honda alliance at the top level.
Stoner's title rival Jorge Lorenzo at least managed to salvage third on the leading Yamaha. Marco Simoncelli (Gresini Honda) had fought through from sixth to third early on, before sliding onto the run-off at Turn 12 on lap 10 and falling back behind both Yamahas.
Spies had already lost second to Pedrosa, and his pace tailed off further as the race progressed - the American being overtaken by both Lorenzo and the recovering Simoncelli to end up fifth.
A big dice for sixth was ultimately won by Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista, as he beat Hector Barbera's Aspar Ducati and Nicky Hayden's works example, the trio spreading out in the final laps after swapping places many times in the first half of the race.
Valentino Rossi initially made rapid progress from his pitlane start and was up to ninth by lap seven. But the Ducati could not catch the riders ahead after that, or shake off Cal Crutchlow (Tech 3 Yamaha) and Hiroshi Aoyama (Gresini Honda). In the closing stages both managed to pass the seven-time MotoGP champion, and though Rossi was able to reclaim 10th from Aoyama, Crutchlow was out of reach.
The race saw several incidents, starting at the first corner when Karel Abraham had a heavy crash on his Cardion AB Ducati, sending Randy de Puniet's Pramac Ducati off course in avoidance. Works Honda man Andrea Dovizioso then had a solo fall a few corners later.
Loris Capirossi (Pramac) and Toni Elias (LCR Honda) tangled with seven laps to go when Capirossi clipped the back of Elias' bike. Capirossi was initially in discomfort in the gravel trap but was eventually able to get up and walk away without help.
Results - 23 laps:
Pos Rider Team/Bike Time/Gap 1. Casey Stoner Honda 42m17.427s 2. Dani Pedrosa Honda + 8.162s 3. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha + 14.209s 4. Marco Simoncelli Gresini Honda + 20.646s 5. Ben Spies Yamaha + 27.739s 6. Alvaro Bautista Suzuki + 30.373s 7. Nicky Hayden Ducati + 34.288s 8. Hector Barbera Aspar Ducati + 37.305s 9. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha + 39.652s 10. Valentino Rossi Ducati + 39.832s 11. Hiroshi Aoyama Gresini Honda + 39.997s 12. Randy de Puniet Pramac Ducati + 54.717s 13. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha + 58.430s
Retirements:
Toni Elias LCR Honda 16 laps Loris Capirossi Pramac Ducati 16 laps Andrea Dovizioso Honda 0 laps Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 0 laps
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Post by r1ch91 on Sept 18, 2011 15:13:59 GMT
Loris Capirossi dislocates shoulder in Aragon Grand Prix crash Sunday, September 18th 2011, 14:37 GMT
Loris Capirossi has been diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder following his collision with Toni Elias in the Aragon Grand Prix.
The two riders were battling for 12th place in the closing stages when Pramac Ducati rider Capirossi clipped the back of Elias' LCR Honda and both crashed.
Capirossi landed heavily, sustaining concussion and a contusion to his elbow - but more seriously dislocating the right shoulder that he had already injured in his practice crash at Assen three months ago.
"There's little to say. I crashed on my 'famous' right shoulder and suffered another dislocation as a result," said Capirossi.
"It hurts a lot, even with the painkiller I received. After the Misano race, I wanted to try to at least finish the race, but instead things went like they did."
The Italian is retiring from MotoGP at the end of the season and admitted that there is a strong chance that he will now have to miss at least one of what would have been his final four grands prix.
"At this point, my presence in Japan is in serious doubt, but I still hope to recover in time," Capirossi said.
To add to a depressing race for the Pramac team, Capirossi's team-mate Randy de Puniet - who had flown in practice - only finished 12th after going off the road on the opening lap to avoid Karel Abraham's accident.
"Once again I have to say that I'm disappointed after a race. I could have been in the top five or six positions, but instead I finished the race in 12th place," said de Puniet.
"When Abraham crashed, I couldn't do anything but go off, and after that I was able to make up a lot of seconds and some positions. I had almost caught the group in front and was pushing really hard when I made a mistake and lost everything I had gained.
"We're not very fortunate, that's for sure."
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Lucius
Rookie
[ss:Black & White]
Posts: 83
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Post by Lucius on Sept 18, 2011 15:19:53 GMT
It's a shame for Capi, specially as he's retiring. Not going to be a end of his MotoGP career he'll want to remember really.
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Post by Anna on Sept 18, 2011 16:27:08 GMT
Nicky's sister has been on twitter annoyed at Ducati. Apparently the line is that the riders are struggling, she makes the brilliant point that they have 2 world champions (one being freakin' Valentino Rossi!) and the team are making it out the bike is alright...
I agree with her, I think they need to focus on their bike not on whether the riders are doing a good job.
Casey on that Honda could be untouchable with Valentino stuck on the duck of a Ducati and I don't think Jorge and Ben can really develop the bike as well as Casey and Vale.
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Pete
F1 Fanatic
Petonyo
Posts: 215
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Post by Pete on Sept 18, 2011 18:41:41 GMT
Kathy saying it as she see's it . Just shows how good Casey is, he's the only person who has tamed a Ducati so far.
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Post by Psycho Seal on Sept 18, 2011 19:49:30 GMT
Last years Ducati wasn't this bad - I think Stoner told the mechanics how to make it so bad for this year knowing he wouldn't be the one riding it... "hey guys if you make the engine from cheese it will make Rossi Faster"... They're Italian they will believe it
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Post by Anna on Sept 19, 2011 11:35:53 GMT
Bradley Smith to race for Tech 3 in MotoGP from 2013
Monday, September 19th 2011, 08:35 GMT
Bradley Smith will graduate to MotoGP in 2013 after agreeing a three-year deal with Tech 3 that includes a further year in Moto2 before he steps up to the top level.
The 20-year-old Briton is currently sixth in the Moto2 standings for Tech 3 in his first year in the category. He moved to the series after five seasons in 125cc, the highlight of which was second in the 2009 title race.
His new contract with Tech 3 guarantees a MotoGP race seat for 2013 and '14 after one more year in the intermediate category.
"I am thrilled to have signed a three-year deal with the Tech 3 Racing Team and I am looking forward to continuing the excellent relationship we've developed in 2011," said Smith.
"I have a fantastic relationship with [team boss] Herve [Poncharal], my crew chief Tom Jojic and all my crew, who all have an amazing passion for racing. It is that dedication and desire to succeed that convinced me to join Tech 3 in 2011, so to be staying until the end of 2014 is the perfect scenario for me.
"There was never any doubt in my mind that Tech 3 would be the best option to develop my career. It has been flattering to have attracted interest from so many top teams in Moto2, but the opportunity to move to MotoGP in 2013 was simply too good for me to turn down.
"To think I'll be riding a Yamaha 1000cc MotoGP bike just over a year from now is hard to believe. I've worked so hard for many years to earn the chance to be given an opportunity like this, and now it has come I intend to grab it with both hands."
Smith confirmed that Tech 3 had initially asked him to move straight into MotoGP for 2012, as it has a seat available alongside Cal Crutchlow following Colin Edwards' move to Forward Racing's new MotoGP project.
"Tech 3 gave me the chance to move to MotoGP in 2012 and it was an honour to be even considered at this stage of my career," said Smith.
"The decision to stay in Moto2 was one of the hardest of my life but I believe that together, we can be fighting at the front from the start of next season and pushing to challenge for the championship."
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kelli52
Baby F1 Fan
Sebastian Vettel....2010 & 2011 F1 World Champion :)
Posts: 131
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Post by kelli52 on Sept 21, 2011 13:45:43 GMT
Just seen the trailer for the new movie, Fastest... looks like a must-see for any MotoGP fan, looks really good.
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Lucius
Rookie
[ss:Black & White]
Posts: 83
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Post by Lucius on Sept 27, 2011 16:20:03 GMT
Marco Simoncelli and San Carlo Honda Gresini together for 2012
Tuesday, 27 September 2011 Fausto Gresini is delighted to announce that Marco Simoncelli will once again wear the colors of Team San Carlo Honda Gresini in 2012. The new deal sees the continuation of an all-Italian rider-team project that began last year, when Simoncelli made his debut in the MotoGP class, and has continued with excellent results this season. Next year promises to be a crucial one in terms of Marco's development, as he looks to consolidate his already blossoming relationship with Team San Carlo Honda Gresini and HRC and establish himself as a frontrunner in MotoGP. As always, the cornerstone of the arrangement is the trust shown in the talent of Simoncelli by HRC, who have offered a factory contract to the rider as well as a factory Honda RC213V machine and all the technical back-up he requires to compete at the very highest level.
Fausto Gresini: “I am really happy to announce that Marco will be back with Team San Carlo Honda Gresini in 2012. Over the past two years together we have been able to appreciate Marco's qualities as a rider, as a man and as an extroverted communicator, which made us keen to continue our collaboration. Obviously in order to make this possible we needed a lot of effort from our sponsors, who have shown such belief in this project and I am grateful to them. HRC are going to offer a general level of support that will be very important as well as making a factory RC213V factory available to Marco. Al l this gives us great pride and is a testament to the close relationship we have built with the Japanese factory over fifteen fruitful years of partnership. Marco's huge determination will give us all a lot of motivation ahead of what promises to be an exciting new season.”
Marco Simoncelli: “To be wearing the colours of Team San Carlo Honda Gresini for another year and riding a Honda RC213V gives me a lot of satisfaction. To be kept on as part of project that Honda HRC are so supportive of in collaboration with Team San Carlo Honda Gresini gives me a lot of confidence and all the motivation I need to show that I can be amongst the best in MotoGP again. 2012 will be an important season for me and I want to give all those people who have believed in this project plenty to get excited about.”
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Lucius
Rookie
[ss:Black & White]
Posts: 83
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Post by Lucius on Sept 29, 2011 15:05:05 GMT
Hopkins and Rizla Suzuki back together at Sepang
Thursday, 29 September 2011 John Hopkins will once again join the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team as a wild card rider in Sepang for the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday October 23. Hopkins will make a welcome return to the Rizla Suzuki squad for his second wild-card event of the season. His first event was at Brno where he unfortunately crashed and injured his right hand in a practice session. He had shown huge potential during the first day and had finished in 10th place on the time-sheets, but his injury on day two stopped the Anglo-American from showing what he might have achieved after a full weekend on-board the Suzuki GSV-R. Hopkins has already completed a MotoGP race this season, after he deputised for Álvaro Bautista at Jerez and scored a creditable 10th place at the Spanish Grand Prix.
John Hopkins: “I am really pumped to get this chance to ride in a MotoGP race with the Rizla Suzuki team. I thought after Brno that I wouldn’t get the opportunity again and was really disappointed that I missed out there due to a silly mistake, so to be heading to Sepang is fantastic. It is one of my favourite tracks and I know it well because we used to test there a lot. My main focus is on the British Championship at the moment, but as soon as that is over I will be in MotoGP mode and putting all my efforts into getting a good result at Sepang and showing that I can perform at the highest level. I really want to get back into MotoGP and this is a great chance to show what I can do. Again I need to thank everyone at Rizla Suzuki for giving me this opportunity and my Samsung Crescent team – I hope that by the time I get back on the MotoGP bike we will have been celebrating something really big at Brands Hatch!”
Paul Denning – Team Manager: “We’d intended to give John at least one outing on the Rizla Suzuki Grand Prix bike this year and we’re delighted that he’ll join us in Malaysia to form a two–man team with Álvaro. Sepang is one of John’s favourite tracks and also one that the GSV-R has performed well at in the past. What happened in Brno – with John’s injury – and the way he has worked so hard to come back from it, and challenge for the British Superbike Championship, has only reaffirmed his commitment to success and getting back to the top level. Let’s hope at Sepang we manage to line up at the start of the race with two Rizla Suzukis and that Álvaro and John can show what they and the team are all capable of producing.”
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Post by Anna on Sept 30, 2011 6:55:23 GMT
Honda's Casey Stoner tops first MotoGP practice session in Japan
Friday, September 30th 2011, 01:57 GMT
Casey Stoner made another extremely strong start to a MotoGP weekend as he led a works Honda one-two in opening Motegi practice.
Championship leader Stoner's 1m47.393s put him on top just beyond the halfway point of the session, after his team-mate Andrea Dovizioso and Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli had briefly had turns in front. Stoner then finished the morning by improving to a 1m47.289s to cement his advantage.
Dovisioso remained second, but Honda's hopes of a one-two-three to commence its home weekend were dashed when Ducati's Nicky Hayden blasted through to third - ahead of Honda man Dani Pedrosa - with a minute to go.
World champion Jorge Lorenzo was only fifth for Yamaha.
Simoncelli fell to sixth in the end after crashing late on. He was unhurt in the relatively gentle low-side.
Colin Edwards took seventh for Tech 3 Yamaha, with works Yamaha rider Ben Spies eighth, Hector Barbera (Aspar Ducati) ninth, and Valentino Rossi squeezing his Ducati into the top 10 with his last lap.
At the back, Kousuke Akiyoshi was the quickest of the trio of one-off riders on the LCR Honda, as he, Shinichi Ito (Honda) and Damian Cudlin (Pramac Ducati) found their feet.
Pos Rider Team/Bike Time Gap 1. Casey Stoner Honda 1m47.289s 2. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1m47.566s + 0.277s 3. Nicky Hayden Ducati 1m47.732s + 0.443s 4. Dani Pedrosa Honda 1m47.836s + 0.547s 5. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 1m47.912s + 0.623s 6. Marco Simoncelli Gresini Honda 1m47.942s + 0.653s 7. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha 1m48.169s + 0.880s 8. Ben Spies Yamaha 1m48.197s + 0.908s 9. Hector Barbera Aspar Ducati 1m48.406s + 1.117s 10. Valentino Rossi Ducati 1m48.667s + 1.378s 11. Hiroshi Aoyama Gresini Honda 1m48.776s + 1.487s 12. Alvaro Bautista Suzuki 1m48.880s + 1.591s 13. Randy de Puniet Pramac Ducati 1m48.892s + 1.603s 14. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 1m49.385s + 2.096s 15. Toni Elias LCR Honda 1m49.415s + 2.126s 16. Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 1m49.813s + 2.524s 17. Kousuke Akiyoshi LCR Honda 1m50.688s + 3.399s 18. Shinichi Itoh Honda 1m51.461s + 4.172s 19. Damian Cudlin Pramac Ducati 1m53.218s + 5.929s
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Post by Anna on Sept 30, 2011 6:55:45 GMT
Dani Pedrosa leads works Honda 1-2-3 in second practice at Motegi
By Sam Tremayne Friday, September 30th 2011, 06:06 GMT
Dani Pedrosa led a works Honda 1-2-3 in second practice at Motegi, as the Japanese marque boosted its hopes of a first home MotoGP win since Makoto Tamada triumphed in 2004.
The Spaniard seized the initiative with 20 minutes to go, becoming the first driver to break the 1m47s barrier before immediately bettering his own mark to set a 1m46.790s, which stood for the remainder of the session.
For a time that put Pedrosa well clear of the field and indeed the previous lap record, a 1m47.091s set by Casey Stoner in 2008.
It was Stoner who came closest to deposing Pedrosa, moving to within 0.054s of his team-mate with four minutes to go.
That late improvement knocked last year's polesitter Andrea Dovizioso into third, with the Italian also under lap record pace.
Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli ended the session in fourth, his best effort coming in the very early stages of the session.
Jorge Lorenzo was the top Yamaha rider in fifth, the reigning champion finishing 0.520s down.
Lorenzo's team-mate Ben Spies struggled with illness, leaving his bike to visit the medical centre with 15 minutes to go and finishing down in 14th.
Sixth was claimed by Nicky Hayden, who was again the top Ducati, more than half a second clear of Valentino Rossi in eighth.
The pair were split by the second Gresini Honda of Hiroshi Aoyama, who was the last rider to finish within 1s of Pedrosa.
Hector Barbera (Aspar Ducati) and Colin Edwards (Tech 3 Yamaha) rounded out the top ten ahead Alvaro Bautista on the lone Rizla Suzuki.
Pos Rider Team/Bike Time Gap 1. Dani Pedrosa Honda 1m46.790s 2. Casey Stoner Honda 1m46.844s + 0.054s 3. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1m46.952s + 0.162s 4. Marco Simoncelli Gresini Honda 1m47.188s + 0.398s 5. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 1m47.310s + 0.520s 6. Nicky Hayden Ducati 1m47.381s + 0.591s 7. Hiroshi Aoyama Gresini Honda 1m47.765s + 0.995s 8. Valentino Rossi Ducati 1m47.975s + 1.185s 9. Hector Barbera Aspar Ducati 1m48.055s + 1.265s 10. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha 1m48.076s + 1.286s 11. Alvaro Bautista Suzuki 1m48.097s + 1.307s 12. Randy de Puniet Pramac Ducati 1m48.374s + 1.584s 13. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 1m48.379s + 1.589s 14. Ben Spies Yamaha 1m48.567s + 1.777s 15. Toni Elias LCR Honda 1m48.743s + 1.953s 16. Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 1m49.305s + 2.515s 17. Kousuke Akiyoshi LCR Honda 1m49.464s + 2.674s 18. Shinichi Itoh Honda 1m49.673s + 2.883s 19. Damian Cudlin Pramac Ducati 1m51.349s + 4.559s
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Post by Anna on Oct 2, 2011 11:43:04 GMT
Pedrosa wins attritional 2011 Japanese Grand Prix
By Sam Tremayne Sunday, October 2nd 2011, 07:10 GMT
Dani Pedrosa handed Honda a home win in an eventful and attritional race at Motegi, which counted Ducati's Valentino Rossi as one of its several victims.
Jorge Lorenzo finished second and Casey Stoner a distant third following a mistake in the early stages. Stoner's gap now stands at 40 points over Yamaha's Lorenzo.
Pedrosa's route to the front happened more by fortune than design, as accidents dominated the Japanese Grand Prix.
Rossi was the first casualty, as he made contact with Lorenzo at Turn 2 on the opening, losing the front end and also collecting Yamaha's Ben Spies as he slid into the gravel and out of the race.
Stoner meanwhile had protected his lead and rapidly built a lead of more than 1s, but on lap four suffered a huge wobble over the back straight bumps and missed his braking point into Turn 11 - running through the gravel and dropping down to seventh as a result.
The lead therefore transferred to Andrea Dovizioso, who had passed his Honda team-mate Pedrosa in the opening stages.
Dovizioso however was one of three riders adjudged to have jumped the start, and on lap five came into the pits for his ride-through - Gresini's Marco Simoncelli and Tech 3's Cal Crutchlow following him in after also falling foul of the stewards.
Victory became a straight fight between Pedrosa and Lorenzo, and a series of fastest laps was enough to earn the Honda man his third win of the year.
Third had been a fight between the one Suzuki of Alvaro Bautista and the remaining works Ducati of Nicky Hayden, but by the halfway distance Stoner had passed both as he fought his way back to third.
As he did so, Motegi claimed another two victims. Hayden ran deep and through the gravel at Turn 1 while trying to follow Stoner, while several laps later Bautista made a mistake of his own accord, losing the front of the Suzuki at Turn 12 and crashing out from fourth.
Dovizioso and Simoncelli meanwhile had fought their way back through the field, and the Gresini rider claimed fourth one lap from the end with a typically aggressive pass at Turn 11.
Having fallen on the opening lap incident with Rossi, Spies capped a fine comeback ride by finishing sixth, ahead of Hayden and Tech 3 Yamaha's Colin Edwards.
Toni Elias on the LCR Honda had held sixth but crashed with just seven laps to go, while on his MotoGP debut Damian Cudlin (Pramac Ducati) was another Motegi casualty, crashing out just after the half-distance mark.
Results - 24 laps:
Pos Rider Team/Bike Time/Gap 1. Dani Pedrosa Honda 42m47.481s 2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha + 7.299s 3. Casey Stoner Honda + 18.380s 4. Marco Simoncelli Gresini Honda + 23.550s 5. Andrea Dovizioso Honda + 23.691s 6. Ben Spies Yamaha + 37.604s 7. Nicky Hayden Ducati + 39.167s 8. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha + 45.023s 9. Hiroshi Aoyama Gresini Honda + 49.074s 10. Randy de Puniet Pramac Ducati + 59.022s 11. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha + 1m13.964s 12. Kousuke Akiyoshi LCR Honda + 1m21.709s 13. Shinichi Ito Honda + 1m26.381s
Retirements:
Toni Elias LCR Honda 17 laps Alvaro Bautista Suzuki 13 laps Damian Cudlin Pramac Ducati 13 laps Hector Barbera Aspar Ducati 1 lap Valentino Rossi Ducati 0 laps Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati DNS
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Post by Anna on Oct 2, 2011 11:43:23 GMT
Hector Barbera fractures collarbone in Japanese Grand Prix fall
Sunday, October 2nd 2011, 11:25 GMT
Hector Barbera has been diagnosed with a fractured right collarbone after his crash in the Japanese Grand Prix.
The Aspar Ducati rider fell at Turn 12 on the second lap of the race and had a heavy impact with the ground.
He lost consciousness for a while and was airlifted to Dokkyo Hospital in Mibu, where he was diagnosed with the collarbone injury.
Barbera is expected to stay in hospital for a further 24 to 48 hours.
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