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.”