Rossi’s Final Challenge?
"My dream is to end my career with Yamaha," said a buoyant Valentino Rossi just two seasons ago, yet if rumours in the media are to be believed from the past week, the eight times world champion could be ready to make a dramatic and shock switch to Italian manufacturer Ducati when his current deal runs out at the end of 2010.
Valentino stunned the world at the end of the 2003 season with the shock announcement that after four successful seasons with Honda he was leaving to join arch rivals Yamaha. It was a move which re-ignited the fuse on the championship, as Rossi battled valiantly against his foes on what was considered inferior machinery and won.
The journey experienced by the Yamaha factory since 2004 has been very varied, with a mixture or highs and lows, joy and pain, the collaboration has seen the pair secure three premier class titles in the five years they have been together, matching Rossi’s title haul at Honda.
Yamaha have spent vast sums of money developing the various evolutions of the M1 motorcycle with the help and technical input from Valentino Rossi, analysing and perfecting the performance of the motorcycle to the point where it is now considered the best bike in the paddock. Which begs the question, why would Valentino Rossi want to leave?
To fully understand any rational reasoning behind that question, we need to take a look at why Rossi decided to leave his former employer Honda. At the end of 2003, Rossi decided that his own accomplishments were being overshadowed by the company. The RC211V had managed to dominant the series since its inception to the premier class and while other teams attempted to chase Rossi down utilising 500cc two strokes or other manufacturers four stroke 990cc equipment, Rossi felt that Honda undervalued his input into the project.
It was mentioned during the 500cc era that the bikes performance amassed to about 20% of the final race outcome, while the rider made up the other 80%. Although in the current era that figure may be closer to 50/50, it was clear that Valentino felt his own input and performance at Honda had being short changed and belittled.
It led to the classic break-up between the two parties, with Honda vowing to crush their former employee in the following season. Rossi and his team moved to Yamaha and worked tirelessly over the winter to develop the M1 into a competitive and competent package capable of winning the title, which he did in 2004 & 2005.
After two seasons without winning the premier class title and with a catalogue of mechanical malfunctions, Yamaha burst back to the front in 2008 with their third evolution of the 800cc prototype M1. It enabled Rossi to battle consistently with Ducati’s Casey Stoner and Honda’s Dani Pedrosa making for a thrilling Championship, which Valentino eventually clinched at Motegi.
However, Yamaha had started to invest in their future with the signing of double 250cc champion, Jorge Lorenzo, which caused a small amount of friction within the team. A dividing wall was initially constructed at the start of 2008 because the two riders were on different makes of tyre. However, the wall has remained intact in 2009 despite the one make tyre regulation and it appears that the camps are drifting apart.
Yamaha has also investing in the progress of another multiple champion in the form of current World Superbike Championship leader, Ben Spies. It has been widely suggested that Ben may become part of the Yamaha satellite project in 2010 with the option of being groomed for a factory seat in the future. It may be the case that with the company investing and courting all this new talent that Valentino is once again feeling a bit underappreciated.
It is important to remember that in the five years that Valentino has been with Yamaha, he is one of only two riders to win a race on their machinery, the only other rider being Jorge. When Rossi joined in 2004 Yamaha hadn’t won a race for over a year. Valentino and his team could rightly feel that they have contributed their 50% and have helped to make the motorcycle the pick of the paddock in the present day.
SOURCE:
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Valentino Rossi: I've had to raise my game
Valentino Rossi: I've had to raise my game
Valentino Rossi says he is riding better now than when he won his first MotoGP titles, and has had to dig deeper than ever to beat his current opposition.
The reigning champion - who currently holds a 30-point lead in this year's championship race - said the emergence of Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo had forced him to raise his game.
"I think this year the level is incredible," Rossi told AUTOSPORT.com in an exclusive interview.
"It is very high - especially the first four. First four are potentially world champion level. Because me, Lorenzo, Stoner and Pedrosa have enough performance in the throttle and the head to win the MotoGP championship.
"Also the bikes are very fast - Yamaha, Honda and Ducati are very strong - so this creates a high level of championship."
He said Stoner's title-winning performance in 2007 and the challenge from Lorenzo at Yamaha this year in particular had spurred him on to new heights.
"It is a great, great motivation for trying to improve," said Rossi. "Like with Stoner in 2007 and '08 I have to make a step. I have to make a clear improvement and to make an improvement at 29 years of age you have to work and struggle a lot – and make something more than in the past.
"And this year it is the same with Lorenzo. He is also my team-mate, with the same bike, so it means more concentration, more time dedicated to try and win. It is difficult, it is bad when you lose, but it is a lot, lot more exciting when you are able to win."
Rossi also thinks the races are more physically demanding now than when he won his first MotoGP titles with Honda in the early 2000s.
"Usually you don't make all the race at 100 per cent. Especially in those years, it was more about tactics, battle and afterwards push," he said.
"So if you make all the race at 100 per cent you crash for sure. But now the races change a lot. The rhythm is very fast from the beginning, from the first lap. The start is important, because with these bikes it has become more difficult to overtake. So now is very close to staying at 100 per cent for all the race."
Valentino Rossi is really riding his best now?
SOURCE:
Valentino Rossi says he is riding better now than when he won his first MotoGP titles, and has had to dig deeper than ever to beat his current opposition.
The reigning champion - who currently holds a 30-point lead in this year's championship race - said the emergence of Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo had forced him to raise his game.
"I think this year the level is incredible," Rossi told AUTOSPORT.com in an exclusive interview.
"It is very high - especially the first four. First four are potentially world champion level. Because me, Lorenzo, Stoner and Pedrosa have enough performance in the throttle and the head to win the MotoGP championship.
"Also the bikes are very fast - Yamaha, Honda and Ducati are very strong - so this creates a high level of championship."
He said Stoner's title-winning performance in 2007 and the challenge from Lorenzo at Yamaha this year in particular had spurred him on to new heights.
"It is a great, great motivation for trying to improve," said Rossi. "Like with Stoner in 2007 and '08 I have to make a step. I have to make a clear improvement and to make an improvement at 29 years of age you have to work and struggle a lot – and make something more than in the past.
"And this year it is the same with Lorenzo. He is also my team-mate, with the same bike, so it means more concentration, more time dedicated to try and win. It is difficult, it is bad when you lose, but it is a lot, lot more exciting when you are able to win."
Rossi also thinks the races are more physically demanding now than when he won his first MotoGP titles with Honda in the early 2000s.
"Usually you don't make all the race at 100 per cent. Especially in those years, it was more about tactics, battle and afterwards push," he said.
"So if you make all the race at 100 per cent you crash for sure. But now the races change a lot. The rhythm is very fast from the beginning, from the first lap. The start is important, because with these bikes it has become more difficult to overtake. So now is very close to staying at 100 per cent for all the race."
Valentino Rossi is really riding his best now?
SOURCE:
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Home News News by Country Top News Sport World Oddly Enough Blogs Investing AlertNet Humanitarian News Do More With Reuters RSS Professional Products Financial Media Support Partner Services Career Centre About Thomson Reuters Rossi says talked with Ferrari about Monza
MILAN (Reuters) - Valentino Rossi talked with Ferrari about racing in the team's second car at next weekend's Formula One Italian Grand Prix but decided against it, the MotoGP world champion has said.
"I talked with Ferrari about racing at Monza. But without testing... it would not have been logical," he told Saturday's Gazzetta dello Sport.
Ferrari instead opted for Force India's Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella, who will race for the world champions for the remainder of the season.
He replaces Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer, who struggled in his two races after coming in for the injured Felipe Massa.
Badoer only filled in because original choice Michael Schumacher had to abort his comeback plans because of an injury to his neck, which needs to be strong to cope with F1 G-forces.
Formula One teams are not allowed to test their current cars during the season.
"We already decided that to enter Formula One without testing is more risky than fun. You can't go there and do everything to understand the car in three days," Rossi said.
"I also don't know if I could have finished the race with my neck. And also, because we're fighting for the MotoGP championship, the race at Monza would definitely have been a big stress and it's better to stay in MotoGP."
Rossi, Italy's best-paid sportsperson, has tested for Ferrari in the past and was close to joining them at the end of 2006 but decided to stick to two wheels.
He considered being the test driver for 2007 and then racing in 2008 but said his Ferrari dream was over for good after opting to stay in MotoGP.
The 30-year-old has though expressed interest in a career in rallying.
Rossi shocked his Yamaha MotoGP team on Friday by casting doubt on his long-term future after they announced last week that Jorge Lorenzo will be his team mate again next season.
The Spaniard is Rossi's main rival for this year's title.
"I don't know (if I'll change team). I have a year of my contract still to run and then I'll decide what to do," he said after clocking the fastest time in Friday's practice for Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix.
"The end of this season and all of the next one risk becoming a torment."
Ferrari, a disappointing third in the constructors' standings with five races left, are hoping to change Formula One rules and race three cars next season instead of two.
Team boss Stefano Domenicali said last month that Schumacher could race a third car while Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has said Fisichella would be the ideal choice given he will be the team's reserve driver next term.
With Rossi's future unclear, he could become a candidate.
SOURCE:
"I talked with Ferrari about racing at Monza. But without testing... it would not have been logical," he told Saturday's Gazzetta dello Sport.
Ferrari instead opted for Force India's Italian driver Giancarlo Fisichella, who will race for the world champions for the remainder of the season.
He replaces Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer, who struggled in his two races after coming in for the injured Felipe Massa.
Badoer only filled in because original choice Michael Schumacher had to abort his comeback plans because of an injury to his neck, which needs to be strong to cope with F1 G-forces.
Formula One teams are not allowed to test their current cars during the season.
"We already decided that to enter Formula One without testing is more risky than fun. You can't go there and do everything to understand the car in three days," Rossi said.
"I also don't know if I could have finished the race with my neck. And also, because we're fighting for the MotoGP championship, the race at Monza would definitely have been a big stress and it's better to stay in MotoGP."
Rossi, Italy's best-paid sportsperson, has tested for Ferrari in the past and was close to joining them at the end of 2006 but decided to stick to two wheels.
He considered being the test driver for 2007 and then racing in 2008 but said his Ferrari dream was over for good after opting to stay in MotoGP.
The 30-year-old has though expressed interest in a career in rallying.
Rossi shocked his Yamaha MotoGP team on Friday by casting doubt on his long-term future after they announced last week that Jorge Lorenzo will be his team mate again next season.
The Spaniard is Rossi's main rival for this year's title.
"I don't know (if I'll change team). I have a year of my contract still to run and then I'll decide what to do," he said after clocking the fastest time in Friday's practice for Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix.
"The end of this season and all of the next one risk becoming a torment."
Ferrari, a disappointing third in the constructors' standings with five races left, are hoping to change Formula One rules and race three cars next season instead of two.
Team boss Stefano Domenicali said last month that Schumacher could race a third car while Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has said Fisichella would be the ideal choice given he will be the team's reserve driver next term.
With Rossi's future unclear, he could become a candidate.
SOURCE:
Monday, August 31, 2009
Lorenzo capitalizes on Rossi's U.S. crash
Jorge Lorenzo kept the MotoGP title race alive with victory at the Indianapolis Grand Prix on Sunday as world champion Valentino Rossi crashed out.
Valentino Rossi ploughed into the grass alongside the Indianapolis circuit when he crashed out.
Valentino Rossi ploughed into the grass alongside the Indianapolis circuit when he crashed out.
Rossi saw his lead halved to 25 points with five races remaining as the Italian failed to finish for the first time since 2007.
He went down on lap nine of 28 when battling for the lead with Yamaha teammate Lorenzo, and was able to remount -- but then had to retire two laps later due to his damaged motorcycle.
Lorenzo had started the American race from second on the grid, ahead of Rossi but behind his fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa.
Pedrosa, who won at Laguna Seca in California earlier this year and is fourth overall, suffered a crash on just the fourth lap while still leading.
He picked up his Repsol Honda machine and rejoined the race in last place, but could only finish 10th.
Don't Miss
Lorenzo cruised to victory more than nine seconds clear of Alex de Angelis, who earned his first podium finish after starting fourth on the grid for San Carlo Honda Gresini.
The 22-year-old now has 187 points, behind eight-time world champion Rossi's 212.
"Before this race I was telling the press that it was almost impossible, whereas now I would say it is difficult, but not impossible," Lorenzo told the MotoGP Web site of his title chances.
He was delighted after having himself failed to finish the last two races at Brno and Donington.
"Today the situation has changed completely and now it has happened to Valentino and Dani, unfortunately for them. However, for me, the situation is good," Lorenzo said.
"It was difficult to keep my concentration for 20 laps, because it was a little bit boring. Bit you cannot relax when it is like that because if you think about something else you could crash. Anyway, I had some fun on the last lap and it is a very nice feeling!"
Former world champion Nicky Hayden finished third in his best result since joining Ducati, with the American having finished second in the inaugural Indianapolis event last year before switching teams.
He managed to hold off a late challenge from Andrea Dovizioso, his replacement at Repsol Honda, while American Colin Edwards came home in fifth on his Monster Yamaha Tech 3.
British rider James Toseland equaled his best finish in MotoGP when he claimed sixth for Edwards' team after Italian Marco Melandri crashed late on.
Did Valentino Rossi new that he is going crash? Valentino Rossi put on his best on that game.
Valentino Rossi ploughed into the grass alongside the Indianapolis circuit when he crashed out.
Valentino Rossi ploughed into the grass alongside the Indianapolis circuit when he crashed out.
Rossi saw his lead halved to 25 points with five races remaining as the Italian failed to finish for the first time since 2007.
He went down on lap nine of 28 when battling for the lead with Yamaha teammate Lorenzo, and was able to remount -- but then had to retire two laps later due to his damaged motorcycle.
Lorenzo had started the American race from second on the grid, ahead of Rossi but behind his fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa.
Pedrosa, who won at Laguna Seca in California earlier this year and is fourth overall, suffered a crash on just the fourth lap while still leading.
He picked up his Repsol Honda machine and rejoined the race in last place, but could only finish 10th.
Don't Miss
Lorenzo cruised to victory more than nine seconds clear of Alex de Angelis, who earned his first podium finish after starting fourth on the grid for San Carlo Honda Gresini.
The 22-year-old now has 187 points, behind eight-time world champion Rossi's 212.
"Before this race I was telling the press that it was almost impossible, whereas now I would say it is difficult, but not impossible," Lorenzo told the MotoGP Web site of his title chances.
He was delighted after having himself failed to finish the last two races at Brno and Donington.
"Today the situation has changed completely and now it has happened to Valentino and Dani, unfortunately for them. However, for me, the situation is good," Lorenzo said.
"It was difficult to keep my concentration for 20 laps, because it was a little bit boring. Bit you cannot relax when it is like that because if you think about something else you could crash. Anyway, I had some fun on the last lap and it is a very nice feeling!"
Former world champion Nicky Hayden finished third in his best result since joining Ducati, with the American having finished second in the inaugural Indianapolis event last year before switching teams.
He managed to hold off a late challenge from Andrea Dovizioso, his replacement at Repsol Honda, while American Colin Edwards came home in fifth on his Monster Yamaha Tech 3.
British rider James Toseland equaled his best finish in MotoGP when he claimed sixth for Edwards' team after Italian Marco Melandri crashed late on.
Did Valentino Rossi new that he is going crash? Valentino Rossi put on his best on that game.
Friday, August 28, 2009
MotoGP racers in Indy aim to give fans better show
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Valentino Rossi will never forget his first motorcycle race in Indianapolis.
Yes, the 30-year-old Italian won last year's rain-shortened event, surviving the gusty winds that sent debris flying across the track's road course. The poor conditions forced competitors to play it safe rather than push the limits - not the way MotoGP organizers wanted to introduce new fans to the sport.
So Rossi, the six-time world champion and current points leader, wants to show Midwestern fans what real international motorcycle racing is like.
"If we have good weather (Sunday), all the people, all the crowd will see another type of show,'' Rossi said before Friday's first practice session. "This track is great, especially because the surface has an incredible grip. We also have some different surfaces during the lap. So I think if we have sun it is a lot more enjoyment than last year.''
Unfortunately for competitors, the rain returned Friday.
It started during a practice round for one of circuit's developmental series, and a steady, light rain persisted while the headliner riders spent an hour fine-tuning their equipment. Spain's Dani Pedrosa, fourth in the points this season, posted the fastest lap on a day rooster tails were commonplace. The Repsol Honda rider finished 2.621-mile course in 1 minute, 51.07 seconds, 84.58 mph.
Rossi, the defending race winner and early favorite, was third. He turned the lap in 1:51.814.
Weather has dominated the talk at the track.
Forecasters are calling for sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s for Saturday's qualifying and partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the low 60s are expected for Sunday's race. The best news: Zero percent chance of rain Sunday.
If it actually plays out that way, the competitors will finally have an opportunity to make a better second impression.
"Last year was difficult for everybody on the track, but it looks like this year it's going to be better,'' Pedrosa said. "So we hope we can have the three races this time and the fans can enjoy all the classes.''
The big question is whether Rossi will be as dominant in good conditions at Indy as he was in the rain.
Last year, Rossi posted the best speed in practice, won the pole and beat American Nicky Hayden by nearly six seconds before the remnants of Hurricane Ike stopped the race early.
This season, Rossi has won five of the first 11 races and holds a 50-point lead over Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo, of Spain. Rossi also has won five poles this season and won the series' most recent race in the Czech Republic.
He has enough experience to know what it takes to win - rain or shine.
"When there's a lot of rain, there's a big amount of water on the track, and it's quite dangerous,'' Rossi said. "This track is funny, and a good way from dry. Everybody hopes for a good condition after the bad condition of last year.''
American fans will be following Hayden, the 2006 world champion who competes for the Ducati Team and lives about three hours away in Owensboro, Ky. The only other American expected to make the field is Houston's Colin Edwards of Monster Yamaha Tech 3.
Both have higher expectations, for themselves and the spectators this year.
"Apart from the weather and the cooler styrofoam lids flowing across the track and tents falling over, I think everybody was pretty surprised how many people did show up,'' Edwards said. "This should be should be a lot better.''
SOURCE:
Yes, the 30-year-old Italian won last year's rain-shortened event, surviving the gusty winds that sent debris flying across the track's road course. The poor conditions forced competitors to play it safe rather than push the limits - not the way MotoGP organizers wanted to introduce new fans to the sport.
So Rossi, the six-time world champion and current points leader, wants to show Midwestern fans what real international motorcycle racing is like.
"If we have good weather (Sunday), all the people, all the crowd will see another type of show,'' Rossi said before Friday's first practice session. "This track is great, especially because the surface has an incredible grip. We also have some different surfaces during the lap. So I think if we have sun it is a lot more enjoyment than last year.''
Unfortunately for competitors, the rain returned Friday.
It started during a practice round for one of circuit's developmental series, and a steady, light rain persisted while the headliner riders spent an hour fine-tuning their equipment. Spain's Dani Pedrosa, fourth in the points this season, posted the fastest lap on a day rooster tails were commonplace. The Repsol Honda rider finished 2.621-mile course in 1 minute, 51.07 seconds, 84.58 mph.
Rossi, the defending race winner and early favorite, was third. He turned the lap in 1:51.814.
Weather has dominated the talk at the track.
Forecasters are calling for sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-70s for Saturday's qualifying and partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the low 60s are expected for Sunday's race. The best news: Zero percent chance of rain Sunday.
If it actually plays out that way, the competitors will finally have an opportunity to make a better second impression.
"Last year was difficult for everybody on the track, but it looks like this year it's going to be better,'' Pedrosa said. "So we hope we can have the three races this time and the fans can enjoy all the classes.''
The big question is whether Rossi will be as dominant in good conditions at Indy as he was in the rain.
Last year, Rossi posted the best speed in practice, won the pole and beat American Nicky Hayden by nearly six seconds before the remnants of Hurricane Ike stopped the race early.
This season, Rossi has won five of the first 11 races and holds a 50-point lead over Fiat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo, of Spain. Rossi also has won five poles this season and won the series' most recent race in the Czech Republic.
He has enough experience to know what it takes to win - rain or shine.
"When there's a lot of rain, there's a big amount of water on the track, and it's quite dangerous,'' Rossi said. "This track is funny, and a good way from dry. Everybody hopes for a good condition after the bad condition of last year.''
American fans will be following Hayden, the 2006 world champion who competes for the Ducati Team and lives about three hours away in Owensboro, Ky. The only other American expected to make the field is Houston's Colin Edwards of Monster Yamaha Tech 3.
Both have higher expectations, for themselves and the spectators this year.
"Apart from the weather and the cooler styrofoam lids flowing across the track and tents falling over, I think everybody was pretty surprised how many people did show up,'' Edwards said. "This should be should be a lot better.''
SOURCE:
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Spectacular Indianapolis Grand Prix Awaits MotoGP
he second ever World Championship visit to Indianapolis Motor Speedway takes place this weekend following 2008’s historic inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix, with last year’s race-winner Valentino Rossi looking for another victory to augment his standings lead at the twelfth round of the season. It is another special occasion for MotoGP as the event coincides with Indy’s 100th anniversary, the circuit having been constructed in 1909.
In the first ever premier class MotoGP World Championship contest at the famous ‘Brickyard’ last year Rossi took maximum points as he was awarded the win, leading by six seconds when the scheduled 28 lap race was curtailed on the 20th lap, with Nicky Hayden and Jorge Lorenzo placing second and third respectively.
Rossi and his MotoGP rivals will hope for good weather this time out - following last year’s event when the remnants of Hurricane Ike hit raceday at the iconic American venue – with the Italian star hoping to increase his current 50 point championship advantage, on the back of yet another success story in the Czech Republic at the last round.
Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha team-mate Lorenzo finished just in front of him on the timesheet in the second and final post-race test of the year on the Monday after the Czech race and the Spaniard will aim to bounce back from his two DNFs at Brno and Donington Park, as he attempts to claw his way back into the title battle with six Grands Prix remaining. Lorenzo is to compete at Indianapolis with his 2010 ride already sorted, following the news that he is to continue with Yamaha for another year.
In the continued absence of the recuperating Casey Stoner, who remains in Australia and is expected back on track at Estoril early in October, the bookies’ favourite to feature on the podium with Rossi and Lorenzo is Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa – who was second in the Brno race and sits fourth in the general classification, 77 points adrift of Rossi.
For Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards the second U.S. visit of the year gives him the chance to consolidate his top five championship position as he attempts to improve on a disappointing 15th place finish in last year’s Indy race. Edwards’ fellow American Hayden - 14th in the championship at present - would love to repeat his 2008 Indianapolis result and get on the podium for the first time with Ducati.
Also aiming for the same goal is Pedrosa’s team-mate and Hayden’s replacement at Honda, Andrea Dovizioso, who just missed out on the rostrum again at Brno and was fifth in the inaugural MotoGP Indianapolis contest last September. Dovizioso lies sixth in the standings, just ahead of Honda satellite counterpart Randy de Puniet who has ridden consistently in 2009 and is due to make a decision soon on where he will ride next year.
Eighth placed Marco Melandri will compete at Indianapolis safe in the knowledge that a ride with San Carlo Honda Gresini has been confirmed for next year, whilst his fellow top ten representatives Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen, of the Rizla Suzuki team, are also likely to confirm their future plans in due course, with both hoping for strong Indy performances.
The weekend will see Finnish rider Mika Kallio continue in the factory Ducati team as Stoner’s temporary replacement, whilst young Spaniard Aleix Espargaró gets an exciting chance to ride for the Pramac Racing team on the satellite Ducati Desmosedici GP9 vacated by Kallio.
250cc
For 250cc standings leader Hiroshi Aoyama and the majority of his World Championship rivals this Sunday’s race will be their first ever at The Brickyard, after last year’s cancellation of the intermediate category’s racing due to the intervention of the aforementioned Hurricane Ike.
With six rounds remaining Aoyama’s closest threat for the championship lead comes from Álvaro Bautista, who has just announced that he will move into MotoGP with Suzuki in 2010. Japanese rider Aoyama could be making the move up to the premier class too, but first comes the business of this year’s World title, with Indianapolis next up.
Scot Racing’s Aoyama, who was fourth at Brno in the last round, holds a 12 point lead over Spaniard Bautista, with the Mapfre Apsar rider having closed the gap slightly with his third place finish in the Czech Republic.
World Champion Marco Simoncelli re-emerged in the title race at Brno with his third victory of the year, as he seeks to defend his crown before joining San Carlo Honda Gresini in MotoGP next year. Simoncelli would have started last year’s 250cc Indy race in pole position had it not been cancelled and he will aim for another high level performance as he seeks to chase down a 32 point deficit against Aoyama.
Héctor Barberá trails Simoncelli by a further 17 points in fourth place in the standings and he qualified in second place last year at Indianapolis, before a serious back injury ended his season prematurely at the subsequent round in Japan. The Spaniard has bravely returned to action this year and earned himself a MotoGP ride with the new Ducati-Aspar team for 2010.
In fifth place in the championship, Italian rider Mattia Pasini has just had a first ever taste of MotoGP himself, riding for Pramac Racing in the Monday test in the Czech Republic – having crossed the line just 0.684s behind compatriot Simoncelli in second position in the 250cc Brno race.
The category’s current top ten also comprises Raffaele de Rosa, Alex Debon, Héctor Faubel, Roberto Locatelli and Thomas Luthi.
125cc
Julián Simón will also make his Indianapolis race debut on Sunday in the 125cc class, having been part of the 2008 250cc field which was unable to race due to the weather conditions.
Nonetheless, the clear title favourite will go into the weekend in a confident mood, having secured his eighth podium of the season last time out in second place in the Czech Republic – which gave him a 54.5 point standings lead with six races remaining. Simón had qualified in tenth place last year at Indy on a 250cc machine, but the Spaniard has proved to be far more effective on 125cc machinery this season.
Nico Terol sits second in the championship behind his countryman and he too will be brimming with self-belief as he heads across the Atlantic Ocean to Indiana. Terol was last year’s 125cc winner in the historic first ever Indianapolis race (a contest also shortened due to the weather) and was victorious in the Czech Republic just over one week ago.
Below Terol in the standings are Simón’s Aspar team-mates Bradley Smith and Sergio Gadea, with Smith eight points behind Terol and Gadea just half a point adrift of the Englishman.
Ongetta Team ISPA’s Andrea Iannone - who is fifth in the championship - saw his rollercoaster season continue with third place in Brno, whilst Pol Espargaró (Derbi Racing Team) was fifth in the Czech Republic and will look to repeat or better his 2008 result of second place at Indianapolis. Completing the present 125cc top ten are Sandro Cortese, Marc Márquez, Jonas Folger and Stefan Bradl.
The 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix takes place from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th August, with free practice commencing on Friday afternoon.
SOURCE:
In the first ever premier class MotoGP World Championship contest at the famous ‘Brickyard’ last year Rossi took maximum points as he was awarded the win, leading by six seconds when the scheduled 28 lap race was curtailed on the 20th lap, with Nicky Hayden and Jorge Lorenzo placing second and third respectively.
Rossi and his MotoGP rivals will hope for good weather this time out - following last year’s event when the remnants of Hurricane Ike hit raceday at the iconic American venue – with the Italian star hoping to increase his current 50 point championship advantage, on the back of yet another success story in the Czech Republic at the last round.
Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha team-mate Lorenzo finished just in front of him on the timesheet in the second and final post-race test of the year on the Monday after the Czech race and the Spaniard will aim to bounce back from his two DNFs at Brno and Donington Park, as he attempts to claw his way back into the title battle with six Grands Prix remaining. Lorenzo is to compete at Indianapolis with his 2010 ride already sorted, following the news that he is to continue with Yamaha for another year.
In the continued absence of the recuperating Casey Stoner, who remains in Australia and is expected back on track at Estoril early in October, the bookies’ favourite to feature on the podium with Rossi and Lorenzo is Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa – who was second in the Brno race and sits fourth in the general classification, 77 points adrift of Rossi.
For Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards the second U.S. visit of the year gives him the chance to consolidate his top five championship position as he attempts to improve on a disappointing 15th place finish in last year’s Indy race. Edwards’ fellow American Hayden - 14th in the championship at present - would love to repeat his 2008 Indianapolis result and get on the podium for the first time with Ducati.
Also aiming for the same goal is Pedrosa’s team-mate and Hayden’s replacement at Honda, Andrea Dovizioso, who just missed out on the rostrum again at Brno and was fifth in the inaugural MotoGP Indianapolis contest last September. Dovizioso lies sixth in the standings, just ahead of Honda satellite counterpart Randy de Puniet who has ridden consistently in 2009 and is due to make a decision soon on where he will ride next year.
Eighth placed Marco Melandri will compete at Indianapolis safe in the knowledge that a ride with San Carlo Honda Gresini has been confirmed for next year, whilst his fellow top ten representatives Loris Capirossi and Chris Vermeulen, of the Rizla Suzuki team, are also likely to confirm their future plans in due course, with both hoping for strong Indy performances.
The weekend will see Finnish rider Mika Kallio continue in the factory Ducati team as Stoner’s temporary replacement, whilst young Spaniard Aleix Espargaró gets an exciting chance to ride for the Pramac Racing team on the satellite Ducati Desmosedici GP9 vacated by Kallio.
250cc
For 250cc standings leader Hiroshi Aoyama and the majority of his World Championship rivals this Sunday’s race will be their first ever at The Brickyard, after last year’s cancellation of the intermediate category’s racing due to the intervention of the aforementioned Hurricane Ike.
With six rounds remaining Aoyama’s closest threat for the championship lead comes from Álvaro Bautista, who has just announced that he will move into MotoGP with Suzuki in 2010. Japanese rider Aoyama could be making the move up to the premier class too, but first comes the business of this year’s World title, with Indianapolis next up.
Scot Racing’s Aoyama, who was fourth at Brno in the last round, holds a 12 point lead over Spaniard Bautista, with the Mapfre Apsar rider having closed the gap slightly with his third place finish in the Czech Republic.
World Champion Marco Simoncelli re-emerged in the title race at Brno with his third victory of the year, as he seeks to defend his crown before joining San Carlo Honda Gresini in MotoGP next year. Simoncelli would have started last year’s 250cc Indy race in pole position had it not been cancelled and he will aim for another high level performance as he seeks to chase down a 32 point deficit against Aoyama.
Héctor Barberá trails Simoncelli by a further 17 points in fourth place in the standings and he qualified in second place last year at Indianapolis, before a serious back injury ended his season prematurely at the subsequent round in Japan. The Spaniard has bravely returned to action this year and earned himself a MotoGP ride with the new Ducati-Aspar team for 2010.
In fifth place in the championship, Italian rider Mattia Pasini has just had a first ever taste of MotoGP himself, riding for Pramac Racing in the Monday test in the Czech Republic – having crossed the line just 0.684s behind compatriot Simoncelli in second position in the 250cc Brno race.
The category’s current top ten also comprises Raffaele de Rosa, Alex Debon, Héctor Faubel, Roberto Locatelli and Thomas Luthi.
125cc
Julián Simón will also make his Indianapolis race debut on Sunday in the 125cc class, having been part of the 2008 250cc field which was unable to race due to the weather conditions.
Nonetheless, the clear title favourite will go into the weekend in a confident mood, having secured his eighth podium of the season last time out in second place in the Czech Republic – which gave him a 54.5 point standings lead with six races remaining. Simón had qualified in tenth place last year at Indy on a 250cc machine, but the Spaniard has proved to be far more effective on 125cc machinery this season.
Nico Terol sits second in the championship behind his countryman and he too will be brimming with self-belief as he heads across the Atlantic Ocean to Indiana. Terol was last year’s 125cc winner in the historic first ever Indianapolis race (a contest also shortened due to the weather) and was victorious in the Czech Republic just over one week ago.
Below Terol in the standings are Simón’s Aspar team-mates Bradley Smith and Sergio Gadea, with Smith eight points behind Terol and Gadea just half a point adrift of the Englishman.
Ongetta Team ISPA’s Andrea Iannone - who is fifth in the championship - saw his rollercoaster season continue with third place in Brno, whilst Pol Espargaró (Derbi Racing Team) was fifth in the Czech Republic and will look to repeat or better his 2008 result of second place at Indianapolis. Completing the present 125cc top ten are Sandro Cortese, Marc Márquez, Jonas Folger and Stefan Bradl.
The 2009 Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix takes place from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th August, with free practice commencing on Friday afternoon.
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