|
Post by Anna on Oct 2, 2011 11:43:38 GMT
Rossi says crash cost Ducati possible podium
Sunday, October 2nd 2011, 10:31 GMT
Valentino Rossi said his first lap crash cost him the chance of fighting for the podium at Motegi, particularly with the race claiming such a high number of casualties.
Rossi arrived in Japan having made further changes to his Ducati, and was rewarded with a promising display in qualifying as he sealed seventh, having been in contention for the second row for much of the session.
He was then fourth fastest in the warm-up session, only to crash on the second turn of the opening lap of the race after making contact with Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo.
"It's really a shame to be out of the race after two corners, especially after the progress that we made this weekend, and with the knowledge that we'd worked on the bike well," Rossi reflected.
"I was fourth in the morning warm-up, and when you also consider the troubles that Stoner, Simoncelli and Dovizioso had, we could have fought for the podium, which would have been really nice for us.
"We were a little unlucky. Unfortunately, Lorenzo went onto the grass slightly in Turn 1, and in the next turn he moved suddenly to get his trajectory right. He didn't see me because I was slightly behind.
"When he touched me, it pushed me into Spies, who touched my front brake lever. It was normal racing contact, but I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"It's a challenging time for us, but we hope we're on the right path."
|
|
kelli52
Baby F1 Fan
Sebastian Vettel....2010 & 2011 F1 World Champion :)
Posts: 131
|
Post by kelli52 on Oct 6, 2011 13:21:02 GMT
Injured Rossi confirmed for Australia
Valentino Rossi's presence in the Australian Grand Prix is not in doubt despite his Ducati team revealing he injured a finger in his crash at Motegi.
The Italian rider crashed out of the race at Turn 2 on the opening lap after making contact with Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo.
Although an initial examination suggested otherwise, the Italian underwent additional X-rays on Tuesday - as he had pain and swelling in his left hand - and it revealed a hairline fracture at the arthrodesis of the first and second phalanx of the little finger.
Ducati said that Rossi will nonetheless race at the Australian Grand Prix on 16 October.
The Italian, however, will not be present in today's test at Jerez, where team-mate Nicky Hayden will be working with the 2012 bike.
|
|
kelli52
Baby F1 Fan
Sebastian Vettel....2010 & 2011 F1 World Champion :)
Posts: 131
|
Post by kelli52 on Oct 17, 2011 12:59:36 GMT
OK, did everyone forget about the MotoGP yesterday?!?! So Casey Stoner is the world champion..... cant say I'm at all surprised, and he does deserve as he's had a brilliant season. But a hollow victory considering Lorenzo wasnt there and I'm sure Casey feels the same.
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Oct 22, 2011 19:05:32 GMT
From Ben's Facebook page
Ben Spies "Ben Spies will not participate in tomorrow’s Grand Prix of Malaysia. Spies sustained a concussion and tearing of the soft tissue around the rib area after crashing during qualifying for the Grand Prix of Australia, preventing participation in the race. Despite starting this weekend with the full intention of racing, two further crashes during today’s practice sessions have highlighted the restrictions his injuries have imposed on his riding abilities.
Following consultation between Yamaha management and the rider it has been jointly decided that it would be wise to not participate in the race to avoid the risk of further injury. Spies will also miss Monday’s 1000cc test in Sepang.
This decision will allow Spies the optimum chance of recovery before the important final race of the season and subsequent 1000cc test at Valencia in two weeks time."
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Oct 22, 2011 19:12:04 GMT
Dani Pedrosa beats his Honda team-mates to Malaysian MotoGP pole
Saturday, October 22nd 2011, 07:02 GMT
Dani Pedrosa took only his second pole of the 2011 MotoGP season in Malaysian Grand Prix qualifying, after a huge fight with his Honda team-mates Casey Stoner and Andrea Dovizioso.
Despite dominating practice, Pedrosa had to dig deep in qualifying - and gave himself an early headache when he fell at the final corner just 12 minutes into the session. The crash was a minor one, and he quickly rejoined.
As the likes of Dovizioso and Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli took turns on provisional pole, it took until 38 minutes into the hour before Pedrosa returned to the top spot he had held for so much of the weekend.
He did not stay there for long, with Dovizioso getting back ahead going into the last 13 minutes. Then Stoner - who had been a low-key fifth - vaulted to provisional pole with a time 0.061 seconds quicker than Dovizioso.
Finally going into the last runs Pedrosa put himself to the head of the field with a 2m01.462s. Stoner closed right in, but had to settle for second, 0.029s adrift, during their final showdown, with Dovizioso completing the front row.
A superb performance by Colin Edwards saw the Tech 3 Yamaha beat Simoncelli to fourth. Edwards' best qualifying result of the year was also some comfort for Yamaha, as its works bikes ended up 16th and 17th. While Jorge Lorenzo's stand-in Katsuyuki Nakasuga's last position was little surprise, Ben Spies joining him on the back row came as a shock. Struggling with discomfort from heavy bruising after his Phillip Island crash, Spies' body took another pounding when he crashed at Turn 10 late on and tumbled through the gravel. Even before the accident he had looked unlikely to get into the top 10.
Valentino Rossi also crashed at the same spot, but quickly rejoined on his spare bike to take ninth, three places behind an impressive run from his Ducati team-mate Nicky Hayden.
Hiroshi Aoyama took a season-best seventh on the grid on Gresini's second bike, while eighth could be a slight disappointment for Alvaro Bautista, as the Suzuki rider had been as high as third.
Cal Crutchlow completed the top 10 for Tech 3.
On his return after injuring his collarbone at Motegi, Hector Barbera qualified 14th for Aspar Ducati despite brushes with Hayden and Loris Capirossi (Pramac Ducati) during the session and continued pain from his injury.
Pos Rider Team/Bike Time Gap 1. Dani Pedrosa Honda 2m01.462s 2. Casey Stoner Honda 2m01.491s + 0.029s 3. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 2m01.666s + 0.204s 4. Colin Edwards Tech 3 Yamaha 2m02.010s + 0.548s 5. Marco Simoncelli Gresini Honda 2m02.105s + 0.643s 6. Nicky Hayden Ducati 2m02.172s + 0.710s 7. Hiroshi Aoyama Gresini Honda 2m02.254s + 0.792s 8. Alvaro Bautista Suzuki 2m02.332s + 0.870s 9. Valentino Rossi Ducati 2m02.395s + 0.933s 10. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 2m02.756s + 1.294s 11. Randy de Puniet Pramac Ducati 2m02.939s + 1.477s 12. Loris Capirossi Pramac Ducati 2m03.077s + 1.615s 13. Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 2m03.438s + 1.976s 14. Hector Barbera Aspar Ducati 2m03.619s + 2.157s 15. Toni Elias LCR Honda 2m03.646s + 2.184s 16. Ben Spies Yamaha 2m03.678s + 2.216s 17. Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha 2m04.072s + 2.610s
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Oct 28, 2011 17:18:52 GMT
Colin Edwards ruled out of Valencia Grand Prix due to arm injury from Sepang crash By Matt Beer Friday, October 28th 2011, 13:01 GMT
Colin Edwards will miss the final MotoGP race of the season at Valencia as he requires surgery on injuries sustained in the Sepang crash in which Marco Simoncelli lost his life.
Tech 3 Yamaha rider Edwards was diagnosed with multiple fractures to his left arm in an examination in hospital in Houston this week. The American and Valentino Rossi struck Simoncelli and his Gresini Honda as the Italian crashed in their path on lap two of the Malaysian Grand Prix, which was abandoned following the fatal accident.
Edwards' surgery will be carried out on Tuesday next week, and will require a four-week recovery period, ruling him out of next weekend's race in Spain. Tech 3 says it will announce its plans for a stand-in rider shortly.
"The top of my left humerus bone has got multiple small fractures but the cartilage that is around the top of the bone has been pulled off," said Edwards, who would have been making his final start for Tech 3 at Valencia before moving to the new Forward Racing team next season.
"The surgery will anchor the cartilage back to the bone but there is no nerve damage, so I should be 100 per cent in about four weeks."
He also thanked fans for their support following the crash, and expressed his regret at being unable to attend Simoncelli's funeral.
"Firstly, I want to thank everybody for all their messages of support since Sunday," said Edwards. "The support and love has been overwhelming and it has been a great comfort to me at this difficult time.
"My heart goes out to the family and friends of Marco and I will miss him a lot, as will the entire MotoGP family.
"I watched Marco's funeral yesterday and I really wish I could have been there. I wanted to go but unfortunately my injuries meant I was unable to travel.
"I know Valentino spoke to Marco's family on my behalf and I thank him for that. It was a great service and a fitting celebration of his life."
|
|
Pete
F1 Fanatic
Petonyo
Posts: 215
|
Post by Pete on Oct 29, 2011 23:14:25 GMT
Feel sorry for Colin, I'm sure even if he couldn't race he'd like to have been in Valencia he hates being on the sidelines anyway. Hope he gets fit for next season.
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Nov 3, 2011 18:34:07 GMT
Riders ready for final round of 2011 at Valencia
Thursday, 3 November 2011 Álvaro Bautista, Ben Spies, World Champion Casey Stoner, Valentino Rossi and Loris Capirossi were present in the pre-event press conference ahead of the Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana on Thursday. Ahead of what will be an emotional weekend at the Ricardo Tormo circuit, where the final round of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship takes place this weekend, the customary pre-event press conference took place on Thursday afternoon.
This weekend will see the MotoGP paddock pay tribute to Marco Simoncelli just two weeks after he passed away in Malaysia, and following the unveiling of his bike in the Gresini Team’s garage for the weekend earlier in the day his fellow riders are determined to put on a show in honour of the Italian.
2011 World Champion Casey Stoner was the first to speak at the press conference and the Repsol Honda rider said: “This race weekend will be something a little different, maybe something a little more special and hopefully everything goes smoothly. We’ve had a long time to think over these past two weeks, about what actually happened and what racing means to you.”
Rain at the track on Thursday gave a hint of what conditions could be expected to be like this weekend, and Stoner commented: “These wet conditions can be a little bit tricky on this track. It can be a little bit patchy with regards to where the grip is and isn’t at times, so we’ll just have to see how the weather plays out this weekend. In general a MotoGP bike is a bit physical to push around here quite fast but the track it is wide and open enough to get the bike flowing.”
Following the weekend the premier class will test the new 2012 machines on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Stoner added: “It’s going to have been a while since we had the last test and hopefully we’ve been able to change and improve a few things since then. We’ll have to understand what we have and what we need to improve for next year. Now we have the race this weekend and after that we can think about what we need to test.”
Ben Spies looks all set to seal fifth position in the standings and the Yamaha Factory Racing rider echoed his fellow riders’ sentiments by stating that a good final race would be a fitting tribute to Simoncelli.
“When we think about what’s happened over the past couple of weeks it’s hard to come to the last race with the emotions we feel, but everybody knows Marco would want us to race,” said the American. “We have to pull together, do the best we can and put on the best race we can for him and everybody else.”
After missing the race in Australia and sitting out the start of the Malaysian GP due to injury, Spies added: “I feel a lot better, I needed a rest. The crash in Australia was pretty big, but now my condition is the least of my worries. I want to get through this race, do the best I can for Yamaha and then move on to the test.”
Valentino Rossi is also prepared to make this weekend an appropriate tribute to his friend.
“It’s been difficult, I’ve tried to stay as much as possible with Paolo (Simoncelli) and the family of Marco who are my friends,” said Rossi. “The feeling in Italy was unbelievable and great for Marco because a lot of people remembered him from all over Italy and demonstrated they liked him a lot on and off the track. In a bad moment like this the atmosphere was great with a lot of people who wanted to say ciao to Marco. It’s good to be here in Valencia. It’s a strange feeling for everybody but I think it’s the best way to remember Marco.”
Once the final race is completed on Sunday the Ducati Team’s attentions will also turn to the test, about which Rossi commented: “On Tuesday we’ll have an important moment for next year because it’s the first time all the 1000cc bikes are on track together. We’ll work and we expect we’ll have to fix some problems but it will be interesting to try the new bike together with the Honda and the Yamaha. But first we have the race, we have to concentrate on that and make a good result, especially to remember Marco.”
Álvaro Bautista was also keen to honour Simoncelli’s memory, following up Rossi’s words with similar sentiments. The Rizla Suzuki rider also said he will make a decision on his future on Sunday evening following the race.
“I have news about next year, but I prefer to concentrate on the weekend,” said Bautista, who gave little away. “I’m talking with the team I have the offer from, for sure I would like to have a decision now but I still cannot decide. I hope to make it after Sunday’s race. I want to concentrate and finish the year with a good race.”
This weekend will also see the conclusion of one of the most lengthy and distinguished careers in the history of the World Championship. Loris Capirossi is set to start his 328th and final Grand Prix, bringing down the curtain on a career which has spanned 22 seasons, three World Championship titles and 99 podiums.
Capirossi’s first words were about his friend Simoncelli, and he said: “The situation is strange for everyone. We are all here and we try never to forget Marco – this is really important because he is part of our life and always tried to do his best. For this I want to keep his honour and I want to use his number 58 on my bike for this race. I really hope he is happy about that and that I can achieve the same result as he could. I will do my best for him and after this race I will of course retire as planned. I am happy because after 22 seasons it’s a good time to stop. There are a lot of strong riders and it’s good to do something else.”
Capirossi concluded: “Like all stories start, they all finish and mine is finished. After this race I have my family and something good I think I can do with my life.”
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Nov 3, 2011 18:45:59 GMT
Misano circuit name to be associated with Simoncelli
Thursday, 3 November 2011 The board of directors of Santamonica Spa has unanimously accepted a proposal to associate the name of the Misano circuit with Marco Simoncelli. The board of directors decided unanimously to accept the proposal of associating the name of its sports facilities at Misano with the late MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli.
“We owe it to the memory of Sic,” said Lucas Colaiacovo, Vice President of the circuit. “We owe it to his family, to the hundreds of thousands of fans who admired his courage and humanity, all of the individuals in the sporting world and media who support this spontaneous and moving proposal. We are pleased and proud to associate the Misano circuit with Marco Simoncelli, a champion in sport and in life.”
“Within the next few hours we will contact the family to announce our decision and thank them for their willingness they have offered during this difficult time. Marco will be forever with us, thanks to the initiatives that will come together in the coming months,” added Colaiacovo.
Within their formal legal request for the name association, the Council of Santamonica Spa stressed that Simoncelli’s name will not be used for marketing or brand related commercial activities related to the Misano circuit.
Another tribute to the memory of Marco Simoncelli was seen this evening at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. The San Carlo Honda Gresini team set up its box with the number 58 bike on display, with a banner at the back of the garage featuring a portrait of the late Italian racer and a moving tribute that reads (in Italian): “Goodbye Marco, it was and honor and privilege to work with you.”
|
|
Amanda
F1 Fanatic
#WINNING
Posts: 213
|
Post by Amanda on Nov 4, 2011 18:03:46 GMT
Casey Stoner fastest for Honda in first practice at damp Valencia By Matt Beer Friday, November 4th 2011, 10:03 GMT
Casey StonerWorld champion Casey Stoner and Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa prevented any giant-killing in a damp opening free practice session at Valencia.
After a topsy-turvy session full of position swapping, Stoner resumed the usual order by putting in a 1m45.513s lap with five minutes to go, with Pedrosa joining him at the front a few minutes later, the Spaniard lapping 0.2 seconds slower.
Until the late Honda surge, a variety of unusual names took advantage of the slippery conditions and appeared at or near the top of the times.
The Ducatis seemed happier in the wet, with works men Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden both leading the way for spells, and Pramac's Loris Capirossi also taking a poignant turn in front at the start of the final weekend of his racing career.
Another underdog to hit the front was Toni Elias, the LCR Honda man twice leading the way.
When the times settled at the end of the session, Rossi, Hayden and Capirossi held third, fourth and fifth places, ahead of top Yamaha rider Ben Spies in sixth. Elias fell to eighth, behind Pramac's Randy de Puniet.
Hiroshi Aoyama was 14th on the sole Gresini Honda entered this weekend following the death of Marco Simoncelli at Sepang.
MotoGP debutant Josh Hayes, substituting for the injured Colin Edwards at Tech 3 Yamaha, beat factory test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga - in for Jorge Lorenzo - to 15th.
The track remained consistently damp, with lap times only improving by five seconds through the course of the session. Despite the slippery surface the riders all stayed upright, with a trip through the Turn 1 gravel for Hector Barbera (Aspar Ducati) the only incident.
Pos Rider Team/Bike Time Gap 1. Casey Stoner Honda 1m45.513s 2. Dani Pedrosa Honda 1m45.736s + 0.223s 3. Valentino Rossi Ducati 1m45.828s + 0.315s 4. Nicky Hayden Ducati 1m46.073s + 0.560s 5. Loris Capirossi Pramac Ducati 1m46.108s + 0.595s 6. Ben Spies Yamaha 1m46.259s + 0.746s 7. Randy de Puniet Pramac Ducati 1m46.371s + 0.858s 8. Toni Elias LCR Honda 1m46.393s + 0.880s 9. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1m46.402s + 0.889s 10. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 1m46.581s + 1.068s 11. Alvaro Bautista Suzuki 1m46.922s + 1.409s 12. Hector Barbera Aspar Ducati 1m46.967s + 1.454s 13. Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 1m47.079s + 1.566s 14. Hiroshi Aoyama Gresini Honda 1m47.581s + 2.068s 15. Josh Hayes Tech 3 Yamaha 1m48.037s + 2.524s 16. Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha 1m48.382s + 2.869s
|
|
Amanda
F1 Fanatic
#WINNING
Posts: 213
|
Post by Amanda on Nov 4, 2011 18:04:07 GMT
Alvaro Bautista puts Suzuki on top in the rain at Valencia By Matt Beer Friday, November 4th 2011, 14:01 GMT
Alvaro Bautista, Suzuki, Valencia 2011Alvaro Bautista was fastest for Suzuki as the rain intensified in Friday's second practice session for the Valencia Grand Prix.
Although conditions eventually improved, and a hint of sunshine even appeared at the very end, much of the session saw a significantly wetter track than morning practice.
Once again, that led to a host of unusual names at the front of the field, as though world champion Casey Stoner (Honda) led the way at first, the likes of Tech 3 Yamaha's Cal Crutchlow, Pramac Ducati's Randy de Puniet, Cardion Ducati's Karel Abraham and Ducati's Nicky Hayden all had turns at the front before Bautista claimed the definitive top spot with a 1m47.975s.
Hayden ended up second, 0.341 seconds down on the Spaniard, with de Puniet, Abraham and Crutchlow keeping themselves in the top five to the end.
Andrea Dovizioso was the best of the works Honda in sixth, while his team-mates Stoner and Dani Pedrosa were eighth and ninth behind Valentino Rossi's Ducati.
Tech 3 Yamaha's stand-in rider Josh Hayes did a superb job to take 10th. The American Superbike champion, who is making his MotoGP debut in place of the injured Colin Edwards, was as high as fifth at one stage.
Fellow substitute Katsuyuki Nakasuga also moved up the order as he finished the session 11th on Jorge Lorenzo's regular Yamaha.
The wetter conditions saw several accidents, with Toni Elias (LCR Honda) falling at Turn 2 early on, Ben Spies crashing his Yamaha at the first corner, and Abraham and Gresini Honda's Hiroshi Aoyama also having late falls - with Abraham's Ducati significantly damaged as it rolled across the Turn 1 run-off. All four were unhurt, although Spies - still recovering from his violent Phillip Island crash - looked understandably sore as he walked away after his tumble through the gravel.
Pos Rider Team/Bike Time Gap 1. Alvaro Bautista Suzuki 1m47.975s 2. Nicky Hayden Ducati 1m48.316s + 0.341s 3. Randy de Puniet Pramac Ducati 1m48.684s + 0.709s 4. Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 1m49.021s + 1.046s 5. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 1m49.350s + 1.375s 6. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 1m49.422s + 1.447s 7. Valentino Rossi Ducati 1m49.613s + 1.638s 8. Casey Stoner Honda 1m49.674s + 1.699s 9. Dani Pedrosa Honda 1m49.820s + 1.845s 10. Josh Hayes Tech 3 Yamaha 1m50.509s + 2.534s 11. Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha 1m51.277s + 3.302s 12. Loris Capirossi Pramac Ducati 1m51.838s + 3.863s 13. Hector Barbera Aspar Ducati 1m51.932s + 3.957s 14. Ben Spies Yamaha 1m52.072s + 4.097s 15. Hiroshi Aoyama Gresini Honda 1m53.286s + 5.311s 16. Toni Elias LCR Honda 1m54.342s + 6.367s
|
|
Amanda
F1 Fanatic
#WINNING
Posts: 213
|
Post by Amanda on Nov 4, 2011 18:05:01 GMT
Stefan Bradl becomes Moto2 champion as injured Marc Marquez withdraws from Valencia By Matt Beer Friday, November 4th 2011, 10:37 GMT
Stefan BradlStefan Bradl has become the 2011 Moto2 world champion after title rival Marc Marquez decided he would definitely have to withdraw from the Valencia season finale.
Marquez sustained an injury to his optic nerve when he crashed at the start of free practice at Sepang a fortnight ago. He attempted to continue with the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend before ultimately pulling out after qualifying.
The Spaniard remained in doubt for Valencia, announcing earlier this week that he did not expect to be fit to race but would attend the event in case his condition improved. But as first practice got underway this morning, Marquez announced that he would be sitting the weekend out.
With Bradl 23 points ahead of Marquez and no other riders in mathematical contention, the German therfore becomes Moto2's second champion.
Bradl had dominated the first part of the season - with four wins in the opening six races giving him a 62-point championship lead.
But then reigning 125cc champion Marquez hit form, taking seven victories and grabbing the points lead at Motegi.
Marquez's season then went downhill - penalised for crashing into Ratthapark Willairot after the chequered flag at Phillip Island, he surged from last on the grid to third in the race but could not prevent Bradl reclaiming the championship advantage, and then had his season-ending crash in Malaysia.
The Spaniard recently announced that despite suggestions Honda and Repsol would fast-track him into MotoGP for 2012, he will remain in Moto2 for next season.
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Nov 6, 2011 10:37:55 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Anna on Nov 6, 2011 13:35:05 GMT
I feel like sitting here and moaning for the rest of the day. Why? WHY? Nicky out in the first corner but Nicky was going to have such an awesome race!
|
|
Amanda
F1 Fanatic
#WINNING
Posts: 213
|
Post by Amanda on Nov 6, 2011 14:07:14 GMT
Great race Shame about the Ducatis as they were having a bit of fun out there this weekend and I feel if they had been in one or both could have been up around the podium. Really feel bad for poor Ben! He did a wonderful job, I guess if someone beats you by 8secs its bad enough but to beat you by 0.015secs? But Casey has been the guy to beat all season, he's done a brilliant job and deserves it. Lovely tributes all around for Marco, still can't believe he's gone every single photo and video of him the BBC showed he just had a smile from ear to ear on his face.
|
|