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Final day of MotoGP and Moto2 testing in Jerez

Friday, 25 November 2011

With Edwards and Checa completing their tests on Thursday, four riders remained to work on the premier class machines, while Scott Redding again posted the top time in the Moto2 category in the last day of private testing at Jerez.

The third and final day of the private three day test held at the Jerez circuit concluded under perfect weather conditions, although this final day saw fewer participants as several teams completed their work at the conclusion of the day on Thursday.

Yonny Hernandez and Iván Silva returned to the track, taking turns at the controls of the Kawasaki powered BQR FTR prototype. Silva took the morning slot, finishing his session by signing a best lap of 1'44.2 but not improving on his best time from yesterday, a 1'43 .6. Hernandez rode in the afternoon, to post a best time 1'44.0, four tenths quicker than his time from Thursday.

That left Colin Edwards holding the fastest time of the CRT bikes, who posted a 1’42.6 aboard the Suter-BMW of NGM Forward Racing team on Thursday.

Randy De Puniet continued with his tests on the Aprilia powered Aspar Team CRT, putting in 70 laps today. Also joining the big bikes was Ducati test rider Franco Battaini aboard the GP12. The Italian was the only Ducati rider as Carlos Checa completed his testing on Thurday.

Colin Edwards talks CRT bikes

After two days of private testing at the Jerez circuit, the experienced Texan spoke to motogp.com about his first impressions of the CRT machine, one of the new generation of MotoGP bikes that will join the grid in 2012. This was Edwards' first ride on the BMW-Suter after missing the post- Valencia Official Test while recovering from shoulder surgery.

The veteran expected that there would be work to do before next season, though his first impression of the bike was higher than he originally expected. “Overall, it is better than I thought it would be, the potential is there. I think we are at about 65 percent right now,” he said.

Suzuki pulls out but plans 2014 comeback

Suzuki has announced that it has departed MotoGP, ‘temporarily suspending’ its participation in the World Championship due to the global economic recession and natural disasters which have hit Japan this year, notably the earthquake of March.

A statement was released at 5pm Japanese time (GMT +9) on Friday, with Suzuki mentioning that the current plan is to return to MotoGP for 2014.

2011 has been a season of struggles for the Rizla-sponsored team

‘Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to suspend temporarily its participation in FIM Road Racing Grand Prix MotoGP from 2012,’ the communiqué begins.

‘This suspension is to cope with tough circumstances mainly caused by the prolonged recession in developed countries, a historical appreciation of Japanese Yen and repeated natural disasters.

Having an eye to returning to MotoGP in 2014, Suzuki will now focus on developing a competitive new racing machine for that class.

Suzuki will continue motocross racing activity and support of road racing activities using mass-produced motorcycles, by obtaining FIM homologation and co-operation with the supplier of its development racing kit parts.’

Moto2 Champion Bradl joins LCR

Stefan Bradl will become a member of the Moto GP grid in 2012, having signed a two-year contract with the LCR squad. The German rider comfortably won the Moto 2 class this season, finishing a full 23 points ahead of main rival Marc Márquez.

With a total of four wins to his name and a further seven podium finishes, the 21-year-old was invited to test with Monaco-based LCR during the end of season test at Valencia's Circuit Ricardo Tormo, impressing the team enough to secure a seat.

"This is simply fantastic like a dream that comes true," said Bradl. "When I tested the RC212V in Valencia I realized that LCR Team is very professional and well organized so I am sure they will do their best to support me: making my debut in the premier class aboard the RC213V is great and I can not wait to get back on track."

LCR owner Cecchinello

Team Manager Lucio Cecchinello has explained that the team was 'very impressed' by Bradl's pace in Valencia, revealing that his choice was much easier after the test.

"Next year will be very important for MotoGP; starting from next April the championship will be rich of new technical rules and participants," he said. "With Honda we considered several riders and Stefan was one of our candidates.

"After the test in Valencia we were very impressed by his potential and his determination: Stefan is young and fast and he just clinched the Moto2 World Title so we believe we can grow together with the Team in the next two years.

"He already knew the technical staff and today I am happy to give him our warmest welcome in the LCR Team!"

More testing allowed from 2012 onwards

More MotoGP testing will be permitted from the start of the 2012 season, it has been confirmed by the Grand Prix Commission. A unanimous decision to alter the regulations was made when the group met in Valencia on Saturday 5 November.

The Commission is made up of a selection of chief representatives in the sport, not least Carmelo Ezpeleta, Chairman of commercial rights holders Dorna, and Ignacio Verneda, the Executive Director for Sport of governing body the FIM.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Grand Prix Commission confirmed that it has ‘agreed that with effect from 2012 private testing of MotoGP class machines may be carried out by any rider, subject to a limit on the total number of tyres being supplied by the official MotoGP tyre supplier.’

It has also been announced that manufacturers are able to use any rider when completing their 2011 testing programmes. More details on all matters discussed will be revealed after the next Grand Prix Commission meeting in December.

West to return with Speed Master

Anthony West has confirmed that he will be returning to MotoGP for the 2012 season, running a CRT-prepared bike in the new-look 1,000cc class.

The Australian has announced via Twitter that he will be running a Speed Master machine, with the team having previously competed with Andrea Iannone in Moto2.

Like the squad, West will also be making the step up from Moto2. The team itself is expected to run an FTR chassis, with engines coming from either Aprilia or Honda.

Screw placed in Hayden’s injured wrist

Nicky Hayden underwent surgery on Monday to help rectify the right wrist injury which was sustained in the season-ending MotoGP of Valencia. The 2006 World Champion was one of four riders to retire from the race in the first-corner accident.

The operation took place at the Fremont Sports Therapy and Surgery Center in Fremont, California, with a screw being inserted into Hayden’s fractured scaphoid. The radiad styloid is also fractured, but not treated on this occasion.

“Everything went pretty smoothly,” Hayden commented. “The scaphoid is a slow-healing bone, so you don’t want to wait, only to find out in January that it’s not healing correctly. I’m happy to get it fixed right so that I’ll be ready to go when I need to be.”

Hayden must now wear a brace and use a bone stimulator for the period of a month; he will then undergo an x-ray to assess the status of his wrist. Ducati has stressed via a statement that the American is confident of reaching a full level of fitness in time for the first day of 2012 pre-season testing in Malaysia, on Tuesday 31 January.

Capirossi takes up Dorna supporting role

 Loris Capirossi has been appointed an advisor for MotoGP commercial rights holder Dorna Sports. The Italian, who retired from riding at the end of the 2011 season, will help to oversee matters involving safety and sporting regulations.

Over  22 years, Capirossi started 328 races and celebrated three titles, while finishing on the rostrum 99 times across the 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP categories.

For 2012, the 800cc bikes which have run in the top class since 2007 will be replaced by 1,000cc machinery, with new CRT rules and the Moto3 category also being introduced. As well as assisting with safety and rules, Capirossi will be on-hand to help when homologating new circuits.

To recognise his ‘outstanding contribute to the sport’, Dorna has sent a request to MotoGP governing body the FIM that his number 65 is retired from use.

Pedrosa remains fastest in Valencia

 Dani Pedrosa led the way in Wednesday's 1000cc test at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, posting a time of 1:31.807 to eclipse his time from 24 hours ago by 0.379 seconds. The Repsol Honda rider led team-mate Casey Stoner by just under two tenths of a second, with Yamaha rider Ben Spies once again completing the top three.

"We had another good day of testing today," said an encouraged Pedrosa. "Basically we've been working on the engine mapping, to better manage the power of the bike, and with the rear shock. The changes we've done on the bike from Brno to here have been positive and we finish the year with a good feeling.

"It will be interesting to go to Sepang and continue working under very different conditions, with harder tyre compounds and a much higher track temperature. In general, I'm leaving Valencia in a good mood, more for the improvements we've made than for the lap times, which are not so important for me in winter testing."

Cal Crutchlow continued his impressive form for the Tech 3 Yamaha squad by finishing his day of testing in fourth place, with Italians Andrea Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi just behind. Karel Abraham and Héctor Barberá were next up in seventh and eighth respectively, while Álvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl rounded out the top ten.

Bautista moves from Suzuki to Gresini for 2012

 Honda Gresini, the team which ran the late Marco Simoncelli in this year’s MotoGP World Championship, has confirmed Spaniard Álvaro Bautista for the 2012 season.

Testing for Gresini in Valencia on Wednesday, Bautista is now signed up with the Italian outfit for a full MotoGP campaign, making the switch from Suzuki.

“I am very sad to be leaving Suzuki after the two great years that I have had there,” he says. “It has been a great team to work in and I have learnt a lot of things from everyone. It was a fantastic experience working with an English/Japanese team and we have become like a big family, except we have never had any arguments and no-one falls out with each other!

“I want to thank everybody personally for the last two years; sometimes it has been difficult, but nobody ever gave up and I felt like I always had their full support and commitment. I don’t feel like I am leaving a team, but a group of friends that I hope I will know for a long time. I want to say a special thank-you to Tom, Paul, Ken san and Sahara san and wish them and the rest of the team all the best for the future.”

Wednesday’s news has also been welcomed by Gresini head Fausto Gresini, who has been deeply affected by the recent passing of Simoncelli in Malaysia.

“I’m particularly satisfied that Álvaro Bautista will ride a Honda in the Gresini team colours next year,” he comments. “He is a very fast rider and I hold him in high regard for his personality and pleasant nature too. I am sure he will integrate into our group swiftly and that we will enjoy some notable experiences together in the future.”

Photos - 2011 Valencian MotoGP Grand Prix: Saturday

Simoncelli tribute planned for Sunday

 Riders from the MotoGP, Moto2 and 125cc classes will pay their respects to the late Marco Simoncelli by completing a parade in Valencia on Sunday, with the World Championship field all taking to the Circuit Ricardo Tormo at the same time.

1993 500cc title winner Kevin Schwantz will lead the parade on Simoncelli’s Gresini Honda bike, with the demonstration planned for 10.10am local time (GMT +1).

Italian Simoncelli succumbed to his injuries after a terrible crash on the second lap of the Malaysian Grand Prix two weeks ago, being hit when he fell off his bike at Turn 11.

Stoner tops final practice at Valencia

Casey Stoner returned to the top of the timesheets as dry weather presented itself at Valencia this morning, comfortably outpacing Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa with his late effort of 1:32.619. Randy de Puniet placed his Pramac machine in third, finishing as the fastest Ducati runner ahead of Andrea Dovizioso.

With weather conditions improving, times tumbled at the Spanish circuit over the course of the session. Stoner's quickest attempt was almost 13 seconds below the benchmark he set yesterday, leaving his rivals with work to do ahead of qualifying. Ben Spies was next up behind the top four, with Italy's Valentino Rossi in close company.

Álvaro Bautista and Nicky Hayden did enough to occupy seventh and eighth respectively as the chequered flag came out, the pair ultimately ending up just ahead of final top ten runners Héctor Barberá and Gresini's Hiroshi Aoyama.

Latest MotoGP photos: Friday in Valencia

Bautista quickest in wet afternoon practice

 Spain’s Álvaro Bautista has moved ahead in Friday afternoon practice for the MotoGP of Valencia. As rain continued to fall at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit and its surrounding area, the Suzuki topped the timesheets from Nicky Hayden’s factory Ducati and the Pramac bike of Randy de Puniet.

Because of the conditions, the entire field cautiously took to the circuit as a damp track from the morning became a wet surface for the afternoon. Several riders are displaying tributes to the late Marco Simoncelli, although none is more conspicuous than team-mate Hiroshi Aoyama’s, whose Gresini bike is running with no livery.

Bautista’s best time came in the shape of 1:47.975, with Coventry’s Cal Crutchlow making the top five for Tech 3. Just ahead, in fourth position, was Karel Abraham, although his Cardion machine picked up noteworthy damage as it barrel-rolled across the Turn 1 gravel trap following a fall.

Also in sizeable trouble at the first corner was Ben Spies’ Yamaha, which went down after touching a slippery white line delineating the edge of the track. Toni Elías suffered an off at Turn 2 and Aoyama also found himself in the wars, although both men were able to walk away without a limp, unlike the aforementioned Spies.

The leading Repsol bike was this time that of Andrea Dovizioso in fourth spot, with Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa – who topped the first session – eighth and ninth behind Valentino Rossi. Josh Hayes, substituting for the recovering Colin Edwards, completed the top ten ahead of Katsuyuki Nakasuga, stand-in for Jorge Lorenzo, and Loris Capirossi at the start of the experienced Italian’s last MotoGP race weekend.

Stoner storms to Valencia pole

Casey Stoner took a convincing pole position for tomorrow’s MotoGP finale at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, outpacing nearest rival and Repsol Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa by more than a second. Third place and the final spot on the front row went to Ben Spies, with Pramac’s Randy de Puniet again performing well en route to fourth.

Slightly faster track conditions saw Stoner further increase his advantage over the rest of the field this afternoon, the Australian equalling Mick Doohan's record of 12 poles in a single campaign. Álvaro Bautista delivered another strong timed lap to claim fifth on tomorrow’s grid, directly leading factory Ducati duo Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden.

Andrea Dovizioso endured a late crash en route to eighth place on the timesheets, with Héctor Barberá and Karel Abraham trailing closely. Just behind, Britain’s Cal Crutchlow narrowly missed out on a top ten spot, having to settle for 11th place.

Stoner fastest in slippery Valencia practice

 A last-minute effort by Champion Casey Stoner left the Australian quickest in Friday morning’s first practice session for the season-closing MotoGP of Valencia. The Honda rider led the way from team-mate and local favourite Dani Pedrosa, with the two Ducatis of Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden managing third and fourth places.

Prior to the session, all memories were with the deceased Marco Simoncelli, who tragically lost his life in the Sepang race on 23 October. As a pair of Gresini bikes were lined up in the pit lane, Loris Capirossi proudly displayed Simoncelli’s number 58 on his Pramac for what is the former’s final race weekend in the sport. Hiroshi Aoyama, team-mate to the late Simoncelli, ran with no livery on his machine.

With much of Spain having been hit by heavy rain and with more forecast over the weekend, it was a cautious field which took to the track. Jorge Lorenzo is not present, as he continues to recover, and is being replaced by Yamaha test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga who completed the field. Also out of action is Colin Edwards, who continues his convalescence after the Malaysian crash which took Simoncelli’s life.

Stoner’s best effort came in the form of 1:45.513, edging out Pedrosa by two tenths of a second. The aforementioned Capirossi ensured that three Ducati bikes finished amongst the leading quintet as Britain’s Cal Crutchlow entered the top ten for Tech 3.

Lorenzo to miss season finale at Valencia

Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo will not participate in this weekend’s Valencia MotoGP season finale. The outgoing Champion continues to make good progress in recovery following plastic surgery to repair damage to the ring finger of his left hand sustained at Phillip Island three weeks ago.

Although taking part in the event would be possible, the Mallorcan’s injuries require further recovery time to allow him to ride at a fully competitive level.

Japanese Yamaha test rider and Superbike competitor Katsuyuki Nakasuga will make his second appearance in the premier class on behalf of Lorenzo.

Valencia to be very special, says Pedrosa

Dani Pedrosa is sure that emotions will run high as MotoGP continues with the final race of 2011 in Valencia this weekend. The community will be without Marco Simoncelli following the tragic events of Malaysia two weekends ago.

“Valencia will be a very special race for everybody,” says the Sabadell rider. “This weekend we will all have Marco in our thoughts and I hope the fans show their respect and appreciation to him, as the whole MotoGP family will do.”

Pedrosa remains in a tussle with Honda team-mate Andrea Dovizioso for third overall, with the Italian currently ahead by just four points.

“Valencia is a track I like a lot and I'm looking forward to seeing all the fans there again,” he continued. “Last year I couldn't perform very well due to injury, but this time I hope to have a good race and finish the season in a good shape.”

Stoner: It will be difficult to race again

Casey Stoner admits that the continuation of MotoGP without Marco Simoncelli will be immensely difficult, with this weekend’s season-ending Valencia race set to mark the first time the sport has regrouped following the Italian’s death in Malaysia.

“It will be difficult to return to racing this weekend after Marco's terrible accident at Sepang, but I think it is the best thing we can do to honour him,” says the World Champion. “We know we all play a risky game and, even if compared to the past the safety of our sport is much better, unfortunately these kind of events still occur. My thoughts go out to his family and I hope that they are coping through this period.

“The race this weekend is the final round of an incredible season for us; we have worked hard all year and, after clinching the title at Phillip Island, we are starting to look to 2012. After the race here in Valencia we will have the two-day test on the 1,000cc machine and then we can take a well-deserved break and reflect on the ups and downs of a very long hard season.

“We will go out there this weekend and try to put on a good show for all the fans and especially in memory of Marco.”

Texas lands MotoGP from 2013

Ten-year deal signed for new Circuit of the Americas™ in Austin includes the three classes of the MotoGP World Championship.

 

Dorna Sports, S.L., 3FourTexasMGP, LLC and Full Throttle Productions, LP are pleased to announce the historic signing of a ten-year contract bringing MotoGP to the new Circuit of the Americas™ facility in Austin, Texas, from 2013.
This agreement includes the three categories of the World Championship; the MotoGP class - the pinnacle of motorcycling - Moto2 and Moto3.
The addition of a ten-year MotoGP deal is coupled with the already scheduled ten-year deal to host the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™, for which the Circuit of the Americas™ in Austin, Texas is currently under construction.
Mr. Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports, S.L. said: “We are delighted to be adding the Circuit of the Americas™ to the MotoGP calendar. It’s an honour to expand our Championship to Texas, which has a rich history of producing World Championship riders. We have had a wonderful and special relationship with Kevin (Schwantz) for 20 years and often talked about a mutual dream of increasing the popularity of MotoGP in the U.S. and raising our already successful worldwide profile. Now, with what Tavo Hellmund (Managing Partner of Full Throttle Productions) is doing in Austin, we have realised that situation and are looking forward to this new venture together. The ten-year agreement is a sign of our confidence and commitment to the future success of MotoGP racing in Austin.”
“For me this is a dream come true, that the MotoGP World Championship will be in my home state of Texas. I am such a believer in the sport and know how popular motorcycling is in Texas. I am sure that this will be a resounding long term success,” stated Mr. Kevin Schwantz, Manager of 3FourTexas MGP and LLC, and the 1993 FIM MotoGP World Champion.
Mr. Hellmund, who has worked hard to bring MotoGP to Texas, stated: “We are extremely pleased to add the best motorcycle World Championship to our annual schedule. This is a fantastic opportunity for the State of Texas and this region and I believe it is the first time in American Motorsports history that both the car and motorbike World Championships are held at the same facility annually. We are very proud of becoming the United States international facility for motorsports.”
“Kevin and I have been close friends for a long time and I enjoy a great relationship with Carmelo. I respect so much what they (Dorna) and the FIM have done for MotoGP globally. It’s going to be great for the State, the product is fantastic and you never know, we may even have a reigning Texan in Ben Spies as World Champion for our first event… that would be icing on the cake” concluded Mr. Hellmund.
Construction of the new facility is progressing well and is scheduled for completion sometime in mid 2012, in time for the first Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™.

Schwantz: Texas GP offers “exciting prospect”

The former 500cc World Champion has been a key figure in the signing of a ten-year deal to bring MotoGP to his home state from 2013, and discussed his enthusiasm at the announcement of the news.

 

Following news on Tuesday of the addition of the Circuit of the Americas™ in Austin, Texas, to the MotoGP calendar from 2013, Kevin Schwantz spoke to motogp.com about the ten-year deal to bring the World Championship to his home state.
Discussing the new facility, which is currently under construction and is due for completion in mid-2012, the 1993 500cc World Champion’s enthusiasm was evident at the prospect of the new event.
“Having watched the development of this facility I am genuinely excited about it, and I think it’s going to be highly attractive,” Schwantz told motogp.com. “From a rider’s perspective, which is how I look at things, I think it’s going to be a great track. It’ll be really challenging, it’s going to be safe and it’s going to be a nice, long lap. As a rider you will have to work to be able to put good laps together in order to be able to stay at the front of the race. There are a lot of good things and for me it’s a very exciting prospect.”
The input of Schwantz has been central to helping develop the circuit as one suitable for motorcycle racing, as he continued to explain: “One of my good friends here in Texas, Tavo Hellmund, is the one who put this whole project together. He is one of the three owners of the facility and when talking with him about it he was speaking about F1 – I was thinking that from a safety perspective we needed to make sure we didn’t do anything that would alienate us from bringing bikes here.”
“When they got into the design process of it I got fairly hands on. I don’t do a lot of work on the project day-to-day, but I sat in on quite a few meetings with the guys from the design group to make sure that we leave enough run-off for bikes, that it is safe enough for motorcycles, and hopefully that’ll be something that everybody notices.”
The importance of a long-term vision for the GP will, in Schwantz’s opinion, aid the raising of MotoGP’s profile further in the US.
“It’s all about the riders. If they like and love the place and feel it’s safe, they will be the biggest advocates of it and will talk about it and like racing here, and that’s what will attract the people here,” he said. “We want to try and make the profile of MotoGP here in America just like it is in Spain and Italy. We want it to be one of the top two or three forms of sports over here.”
“As riders we also know how excited people can be about racing. We want to be able to put everything in place to make it an event that everybody wants to come to, and one which you simply can’t afford to miss. From a logistical standpoint we are going to have a track that’s less than 10 miles from the state capital, with the airport being halfway between the city and the track. There are a lot of things that have been really thought through that will make it that much more enjoyable for the fans and a greater fan experience.”
Schwantz’s work in aiding the promotion of the new event will continue in the lead-up to the debut GP in 2013. “It’s exactly what I’ve been doing in the past at any opportunity I’ve had, with both Laguna Seca and Indianapolis. If I’m needed to do anything while all the MotoGP guys are off racing and there’s help needed with the publicity I’m hands on and am happy to do it,” he said.
“What I want to do is to try and get our sport the recognition it deserves. Laguna Seca has Wayne Rainey, Eddie Lawson and all those guys out there in California, and I do help there on occasions when I can, and it’ll be the same thing here in Texas. Home is close by, and I hope to be able to help promote everything that happens at the facility with motorsports in mind.”
“Having to travel only 20 minutes for my school to a site that’s a world class facility will be ideal,” he commented. “From the very beginning I knew what the facility would be like and for us something that hosts a World Championship level event and something close by here in Texas will be excellent.”

Bautista: “I want to return at Estoril but it's not yet 100% certain”

The Rizla Suzuki rider underwent a medical check on Tuesday in Madrid, which confirmed the positive progress of his recovery from injury.

 

Álvaro Bautista received a positive update on his recovery from a fractured femur when the Spanish rider underwent a medical check at the Hospital USP San José de Madrid on Tuesday afternoon.
Dr Ángel Villamor examined the Rizla Suzuki rider, who fractured his left femur in Qatar, and X-rays revealed good progress in his recovery process, something which has strengthened Bautista's determination to make his return at the Estoril round later this month.
“We've been looking at the X-rays they took of me this afternoon with Dr Villamor and it appears that the bone is forming well and there's less risk of it not healing well,” Bautista explained to motogp.com.
“We've passed the first stage, and that means I should be able to start to push on little by little and start getting stronger in the leg, because I have lost a lot of strength and with less fear I can start to move the bone and regain full feeling. That'll mean I can start exercising with a little resistance and start to speed up the recuperation process to be as quick as possible.”
Bautista has already been undertaking flexibility and mobility exercises, as well as completing sessions in a hyberbaric chamber. With the Portuguese GP arriving on the weekend of April 29th-May 1st, Bautista is eager to be fit in time to make his comeback.
“We still have 17 days before I need to get back on a bike. The doctor said everything is going reasonably quickly and that's my objective. I have two weeks in which to work and gain strength in the leg. Before travelling to Estoril I will have another consultation with the medical team, they'll do fresh X-rays to ensure everything's fine and the idea is to return in Portugal,” said a hopeful Bautista.
“It's still not 100% certain, but the only thing on my mind is returning and my aim is to do that in Estoril although it'll be a decision for the medical team. They've told me that if I continue at this pace there is a good chance, but there is still a lot of hard work ahead if I want to get back to a suitable physical condition for MotoGP.”